Northern Groove September 2011

SEPT 2011NORTHERN GROOVE

...GET IN ON ALL THINGS GROOVY

9830 100th Ave ~ 250 261 6961 qualityinnnortherngrand.com

LOCATED IN

RESERVATIONS 250.787.0521 | 800.663.8312

TUESDAYNIGHT

8:30PM

TUESDAYNIGHT

SEPTEMBER 13JOEL MADDIGAN

SEPTEMBER 20NAOMI SHORE &LINDSAY PRATT

SEPTEMBER 27DARCY D. WITHRYAN HENNESSEY

SHOWS @

liveFITZ

at the

SEPT 9 & 10

BIG NIGHT OUTFEATURING DARCY D.

SEPT 16 & 17THE RAMBLERS

SEPT 25

MONTHLYMUSICIAN’S JAM

SEPT 29

DAYNA MANNINGwith DAVE TOLLEY

SEPT 30 - OCT 1

JOHNNY STONE& DARCY BAILEY

SHOWS 8PM

find us on facebook: “northern groove”

join our email listnortherngroove.com/email

we tweet. follow us.twitter.com/northerngroove

we have an answering machine 250.663.8851

our website is the source for what’s happening in town:www.northerngroove.com

4 Events List

6 Editorial

8 Window to the Soul

11 Mmm.....Meditation

13 Return to Yer Routes

14 DiVerseCities II Anthology Launch

15 Theatre Season Opens....

16 Venue Map

18 Exposed in Film

20 What is Cultural Literacy?

22 Future Leaders Aboriginal Youth Career Fair

23 Harvest Fest

24 4th Annual Butler Bluzfest

26 Fall Fair 2011

28 Northern Health: Enhancing the Healing Environment

30 Book the Gig Then Write the Songs

NORTHERN GROOVEwww.northerngroove.com

STARRING: Shannon Butler, Randelle Lusk, Russell Eggleston, Pam Clemen, Sue Popesku, Clarice Eckford, Jason Butler Asia White, Ted Sloan, Henry See, Tony Warriner, Gareth Hurlbut, Tabitha Dyer, Dave Tolley, Mark Bodner, NENAS.

DIRECTOR OF ADTOGRAPHY: Dave [email protected]

PRODUCED BY:Mark Bodner, Image Build | [email protected]

DIRECTED BY: Russell Eggleston [email protected] | phone you can leave a message on (seriously, you will have to leave a message, better yet...text him): 250 261 8002

Russell Eggleston Creative Services | RR1 Site 16 Comp. 30 | Fort St. John, BC | V1J 4M6

The mission of Northern Groove is to get people from in and around our community involved, aware, and connected with all of the amaz-ing things that are happening locally within the world of arts and culture in the North Peace.

If you have an idea for an article, are planning an event, or have an idea or suggestion...hit us up with an email:

[email protected]

Northern Groove Magazine is published monthly and is distributed free of charge in Fort St. John, BC, Canada. Northern Groove Magazine and www.northerngroove.com assume no responsibility for the truth or accuracy in advertisements. Northern Groove Magazine attempts to accurately publish all editorial and advertising content, but errors and omissions may occur. Northern Groove Magazine disclaims any responsibility for such errors or omissions. Statements, opinions, and points of view expressed by the writers and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved, except where expressly waived.The information in this publication is provided as a public service. Although we endeavour to ensure that the information is as current and accurate as possible, errors do occasionally occur. As some information is supplied by third parties and may be subject to change, we cannot always guarantee its accuracy. Where possible, readers should verify the information before acting on it.

DRUMDAVE

WITH drum lessons...all styles...all agesDRUM KIT & HAND PERCUSSION

[email protected]

www.davetolley.com

www.northerngroove.com

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON? AND WHERE? AND WHEN? AND WHO(M)? MAY AS WELL TELL ME WHY, TOO.

Quickly and easily submit your event online: www.northerngroove.com or email [email protected]

Every Monday 7:00 PM Open Mic Remedies Lounge

First Tuesday of every month 7:00 PM Strawberry Jam Lido Theatre

Every Tuesday 8:00 PM Amateur Comedy Remedies Lounge

Every Wednesday 8:30 PM Open Mic Egan’s Pub

Every Thursday 7:30 PM Open Mic Century Bar & Grill Stonebridge Hotel

Third Thursday of every month 6:00 PM All Ages Open Mic Patch Java

Every Friday 8:00 PM Karaoke Remedies Lounge

Every Sunday 3:00 PM Drumming in the Park Centennial Park

Every Tuesday Drumming at North Peace Cultural Centre North Peace Cultural Centre

Fri Sep 02 - | Sweetwater 905 Festival | Mattson Farm

Sat Sep 03 - 7:00 PM | The Navigators with special guest Johnny Stone | The Lido Theatre

Sat Sep 03 - 8:00 PM | Godsmack at the Encana Events Centre | the Encana Events Centre

Thu Sep 08 - 6:00 PM | FSJ Association for Community Living AGM and Awards Gala |

Fri Sep 09 - | Chances 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament |

Fri Sep 09 - 5:30 PM | Open Auditions for Stage North Play Season | North Peace Cultural Centre

Sat Sep 10 - | Stage North Season Launch and BBQ |

Sat Sep 10 - | Chances Charity Poker Tourna-ment |

Sat Sep 10 - 12:00 PM | Open Auditions for Stage North Play Season | North Peace Cultural Centre

Sat Sep 10 - 8:00 PM | A Night In the Jungle Rave | the Jungle Rave

Mon Sep 12 - 7:00 PM | DiVerseCities II Book Launch | North Peace Cultural Centre

Tue Sep 13 - 7:00 PM | Spread the Word Open Mic for Poets and Writers | Retro Relics

Tue Sep 13 - 7:00 PM | Red Green’s Wit & Wisdom Tour | Unchagah Hall, Dawson Creek

Wed Sep 14 - 7:00 PM | Arts Council Annual General Meeting | Artspost

Thu Sep 15 - 6:00 PM | Patch Java All Ages Open Mic | Patch Java

Thu Sep 15 - 7:00 PM | “Blues Master” Harp-dog Brown Live | The Lido Theatre

Sat Sep 17 - 11:00 AM | Ladies in Business | Quality Inn Northern Grande

Wed Sep 21 - 7:00 PM | Arts Council Adjudi-cation of Grants Meeting | Artspost

Fri Sep 23 - | Spinners and Weavers Work-shop “Journaling for Textiles” by Barb Daley | Pearkes Centre, Hudson Hope

Sat Sep 24 - | Spinners and Weavers Work-shop “Journaling for Textiles” by Barb Daley | Pearkes Centre, Hudson Hope

Sat Sep 24 - | Quilters Workshop with Diane Jensen | North Peace Cultural Centre

Sat Sep 24 - 6:30 PM | Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson | Encana Events Centre

Sun Sep 25 - | Spinners and Weavers Work-shop “Journaling for Textiles” by Barb Daley | Pearkes Centre, Hudson Hope

Sun Sep 25 - | Quilters Workshop with Diane Jensen | North Peace Cultural Centre

Wed Sep 28 - | Literacy Society Spelling Bee | North Peace Cultural Centre

Fri Sep 30 - 7:00 PM | Home Routes Concert Series: David Essig | Tickets at Retro Relics

OCTOBERNESS

Sat Oct 01 - 7:00 PM | Wine & Trees, An Environ-mentally Minded Evening | The Lido Theatre

Tue Oct 11 - 7:00 PM | Spread the Word Open Mic for Poets and Writers | Retro Relics

Sat Oct 15 - | Of the Vine with the Associa-tion for Community Living |

Fri Oct 21 - 22 - 7:30 PM | Stage North’s Cabaret (A Musical) | North Peace Cultural Centre

Thu Oct 27 - 29 - 7:30 PM | Stage North’s Cabaret (A Musical) | North Peace Cultural Centre

Sun Oct 30 - | Artspace Haunted House | North Peace Cultural Centre

Mon Oct 31 - 7:00 PM | Remedies Lounge Open Mic Night | Remedies Lounge

Fri Nov 04 - | 15th Annual Be An Angel Gala |

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT WE DON’T CONTROL: WHO PUT THE BOP IN THE BOP SHE BOP, WHAT EXACTLY IS A FILLET O’ FISH, THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY SHOW THE SAME EPISODE OF ICE ROAD TRUCK-ERS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, THAT WEIRD CLUNK NOISE WHEN YOU PUT YOUR CAR IN REVERSE, THE APPY PLAT-TER YOU GET AS PART OF YOUR RIDER THAT HAS THAT ONE WEIRD MEAT YOU CAN’T IDENTIFY, THAT DOOFUS IN THE DRIVE THROUGH AHEAD OF YOU WHO CAN’T MAKE UP HIS MIND.

Event times and dates are subject to change at any point, check with venue to ensure accuracy of information.

For the most current list of things going on, please visit the Events Calendar online:


While we’d like to fit everything in here, events are published on a first come basis, space permitting. Get your stuff on the website calendar first, and we’ll try to make darn sure it gets in here!

TO REMEMBER IN SEPTEMBER

C o n q u e r S t r e s sWe d n e s d a y s

7 : 1 5Under the Yoga Tree

#4-10104 100 St.For more info:

250-787-9433

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SEPTEMBER 2011

Sept 9 - 8:30pmStan ThompsonWelby Santos

Sept 24 - 6:00pmEdgar vs. MaynardHughes vs. Sanchez

Chances 4th Annual Charity Golf & Poker TournamentSept 9 & 10Big Bingo WednesdaysSept 14 & 28

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YOU CAN GROOVE WHILE ONTHE MOVE

Thankfully your wardrobe is.....NORTHGATE MALL . MARCJOSEPHONLINE.COM . 250 261.6367

It was about one in the morning in late July as the final touches were being applied to the August issue of the Northern Groove magazine. I was enjoy-ing a balmy night in my brother’s screen porch in Manitoba (you can see my awesome office in the pic above, and my “break time” in the other) listening to chirping crickets in one ear and Pam on VOIP phone on the other, all the while remotely connected to my computer to proof the pages of the mag. At that point, I thought to myself “Wow...this is a pretty wild way to get things done.”

While I am prone to prattle away about how tech-nolgy is all up in our faces these days, and we can never escape it and it drives me insane (yeah I’m the guy that hates when the power goes out and I have to wander around resetting every clock in the house)...sometimes, it does come in super-handy (and I say this while finalizing this very issue while sitting in sunny, beautiful Kelowna).

Very handy, indeed.

The wonderful thing about technology is that it does allow us to do way more with less, and to connect with more people than ever before faster and easier...and in deeper, more meaningful ways. It could be something as simple as Facebooking old school chums, or sharing your thoughts on life, the universe, and everything on your very own blog (or vlogs which are the new hip thing until next week).

It’s amazing how this technology can also be applied. Just the other day, Dave (our esteemed admaster) popped by the house to show me some neat new drum software he was using to create drumtracks for a friend’s album. In the good old days, this would have required a trip to a studio, lugging around a drum kit and finding someone to record you while you played over the bed tracks. Not anymore. With a laptop, some software, and talent and technique he was able to pull out a great take...all without leaving the comfort of his home studio in Fort St. John, then delivering the tracks over the interwebs to Ontario.

mark bodner | image heather bodner

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Now...you may wonder just where my mental train is going with this editorial. Quite simply, it’s about the ability to collaborate, to connect, to inspire, and to create on a world-wide basis through technology....getting beyond our immedi-ate surroundings and sharing our talents with others. In this issue, you’ll find an article on the Inspiration Six, a perfect example of collaboration on a local level, but still crossing distance and barriers as artists.

It’s about exposing ourselves to culture, music and art that is far beyond the fences of our back-yard. The internet is a great equalizer...putting us all on common ground, on common platform in which we can share our thoughts, our ideas and our talents. I look back at Ryan Hennessey’s debut CD which was a collaboration between Ryan in Fort St. John, and producer Rob Szabo in Ontario. Despite the miles in between...music and memories were made. For those fortunate enough to attend the Music Capital of Northern BC Celebration, you also got to experience when art and technology came together with a fantastic performance via webcast of Steve Ryan, a local favorite, while on holidays in his home province of PEI. It was 3am there, and in a quiet basement no less. If Steve could only have witnessed the crowd he was playing to back here! Simply an amazing experience.

It’s encouraging to know that this will become even more prevalent in society. It’s interesting to know that a simple Google search away might be someone who shares our same passion for art, music, literature and more...even though they may live on the other side of the planet. But, because of advances in technology...they can be with us right here and now, and maybe make a difference to our life and experiences.

And that, my friends, is truly groovy.

www.northerngroove.com8

SEPTEMBER 2011

When you walk into Barb Daley’s studio, you’re met with some pretty incredible sights.

After getting past the guard dog, one of the aspects of the room you first notice are the amount of things filling the space. There is an antique sewing machine in the corner. There is a nun on coasters labeled “Hell on Wheels” on the table, and there are art journals. A whole bookcase full of art journals. You may get tired looking at it all, but you can’t help but feel inspired by the time you leave knowing Barb has spent many fond, loving, and sometimes frustrating hours work-ing on every piece.

What is even more inspiring are the five other women in the region with studios just like Barb’s. These women; Sandy Troudt, Cindy Vincent, Judy Temple-ton, and Barb from the North Peace; Mary Parslow and Mary Mottishaw from the South Peace who make up the artist community called “Inspiration Six”. They met two years ago at Northern Lights College and have literally not looked back since.

Drawn to each other’s similiar energies and loves, the women decided early on that they would take a giant leap of faith and create a sixty piece art show within one year that would be displayed in the Dawson Creek Art Gallery.

They met monthly to make sure it would happen; sharing new mediums, new stories, and new words of encouragement as they traveled back and forth over the Peace River. Eventually, they were ready, and debuted their show “Inspiration Six: A Celebration of the Creative Spirit”, a show based on what inspiration meant to each artist and how they could best express that through art. The show was warmly and widely received and it traveled to Fort St. John for a showing at Peace Gallery North. If you missed it, you can see much of the work by visiting the ladies’ website www.artistsnorthcanada.com which was built by yet another artist Carey Walter.

What inspires these artists? Many different things. The Peace Country. India. Symbols. Photographs. Workshops in the community. Each other.

They have since found themselves in another period of their creative lives, and are just putting the final touches on their next show entitled “Seasons” that will debut in Fairview on October 4th. Each artist brings more unique pieces to the show, along with collaborations done by the entire group. Highlighted is their large collaborative piece “Window to the Soul”, a work that shows off each artists’ individual style in one showcase piece.

Sandy Troudt uses amazing colour and contrast to paint the Peace, and Mary Mottishaw uses prints to provoke the imagination. Barb Daley pours out her imagination in a number of different mediums includ-ing photography, art journals, and sketches, while Cindy Vincent’s illustrations take your breath away at their realistic and descriptive nature. Mary Parslow’s prints show a sense of humor within their beauty, and Judy Templeton’s sumi-e’s and paints calm and soothe while provoking deeper thoughts.

Each of them has a passion for both sharing and learning knowledge; they hold workshops frequently, and are constantly doing work independently of the group. In fact, if you visit their website, you will see that they are involved in shows frequently around the region, sometimes together and sometimes not. While they are a group, they work as individuals, using their monthly meetings to show off new works and new mediums they have discovered and created, to encour-age and challenge one another to grow, and to share in laughs and in loves.

Perhaps the most inspiring thing about this group of women is they make what they want to make, and see what they would like to see. They envisioned an art show, so they built one. They saw more than a group of women who loved art, so they created a commu-nity. And while one may see chaos in each of their studios, they see love, creation, possibilities, passion, and perhaps a bit of organizing to do. But that can come later.

WINDOW TO THE SOULINSPIRATION SIX TAKE ON THE SEASONS...

words ted sloan | image barb daley

Artists (clockwise from top left): Cindy Vincent, Mary Mottishaw, Barb Daley, Judy Templeton, Sandy Troudt, and Mary Parslow

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Eminence

Reserve yourappointment today

Serenity SpaRenewal of Body & Spirit

250-785-0263www.serenityspabc.com

Organic Skin Care Products

with any servicein Sept. & Oct.

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10

SEPTEMBER 2011

I find myself pacing the studio. Evaluating the cleanli-ness of the floor; observing the contrast of the chipped red polish on my toes to the milky white of my skin; my skin to the black hardwood floor beneath. Finally I sit cross-legged, squeezing my eyelids shut. Wait - I can hear the motor running in the water cooler. Cross-ing the room to hush the cooling hum, I spy a dirty cup that must be washed immediately. No, I don’t have OCD, I’m merely trying to sit myself down to meditate. I feel like a three year old fighting my afternoon nap. Meditation is one of the most difficult acts in yoga. We constantly battle the rushing river of thought that is the inner dialogue of our mind. In the pages of Tantric Quest, Daniel Odier writes that meditation is the act of cleansing our mind. Like a worshiper who enters a sacred temple with a bucket of water and a broom, we too must turn inward to flush out the debris of our thoughts and ultimately our fears. Odier beautifully relates our human fears to the symbolic image of grey stone men who have squatted in the sacred temple of our minds. He describes the fundamental fears of life to be deeply seated in our conscious-ness, dictating the decisions we make and the dreams we weave. These fears are formed by social stigma, norms and expecta-tions; detrimental to our own true happiness. The cluster of grey stone men in our minds have long held the ability to control us and manipulate us into safe decisions which blend us cohesively into a societal sea of dull grey. All of society adores the monochrome of grey. Grey is the most widespread color. There are millions of

varieties. Grey is the ideal color of social camouflage. It is thanks to our “grey” that we manage to exist socially, to merge into the immense cauldron of suf-fering and ordinary violence. ~ Daniel Odier My own meditation practice is adolescent and often frustrating. I’ve found most success through guided

meditation, whether in person or via a recording. I have come to realize that meditation is

best approached with patience and forgiveness. Though easier said

than done, meditation can guide us back to our true selves, to a place where inward truth rings clearly and happiness is pure.

Under the Yoga Tree offers an extensive yoga schedule for all

levels, with public yoga classes offered 7 days a week, as well as

Prenatal yoga. For an up-to-date schedule visit www.undertheyogatree.ca

Private and Corporate sessions available Contact Randelle Lusk, RYT-200 for more information

Ph: (250) 263-5828 E: [email protected]

MMMM...MEDITATIONrandelle lusk

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DIVERSECITIES II BOOK LAUNCHMonday, September 12, 7 pm

North Peace Cultural CentreIn Collaboration with the

FSJ Public Library

RETRO RELICSDetox ¥ Pipes ¥ Books

Pop Culture & More Since 200810140 100 Ave FSJ

(250) [email protected]

12

DIVERSECITIES II BOOK LAUNCHMonday, September 12, 7 pm

North Peace Cultural CentreIn Collaboration with the

FSJ Public Library

RETRO RELICSDetox ¥ Pipes ¥ Books

Pop Culture & More Since 200810140 100 Ave FSJ

(250) [email protected]

Home Routes brings together amazing musicians from across the country. This year’s lineup on the Cherry Bomb circuit (that swings through Fort St. John, Hudson’s Hope, and Dawson Creek) come from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Each performer travels for two weeks, perform-ing nightly.

David Essig opens the third year of Home Routes house concerts in Fort St John with an intimate show on Fri-day, September 30. Essig has forty years of experience on the folk circuit and is recognized as one of Canada’s finest slide guitarists. We are lucky to have him here for a show that lets you get up close and personal with the performer. House concerts are unique in that they are for small numbers of people, an attentive audience that lets you truly appreciate and interact with the talent.

You can find out more about David at his website: davidessig.com.

This year the Home Routes concerts are changing venue. For the first two seasons, the shows were held at Retro Relics. This year, more in line with traditional house concerts, they will be held in a living room. Dapper man-about-town Mark Bodner has graciously opened his doors and will be hosting the series at his home.

Tickets can be purchased at Retro Relics prior to the show or at the door. They are $20. All of the pro-ceeds go to the performers.

RETURN TO YER ROUTESHOME ROUTES CONCERT SERIES BACK IN FORT ST JOHN THIS FALL

henry see


Writers from the Peace will be celebrating the publication of DiVerseCities II at the North Peace Cultural Centre in Fort St John on Monday evening, September 12 at 7pm. The anthology collects poems, stories, and short writing reflecting the diver-sity of interests and backgrounds of the authors.

DiVerseCities II grew out of the monthly Spread the Word Open Mike for writers and poets that has been held since Janu-ary 2009 at Retro Relics. The Open Mike is held every second Tuesday of the month at 7 pm. People gather together to share their writing and to meet others who share their fascination with language and the written word. The first DiVerseCities was published in November 2009 with contributions from 11 people. DiVerseCities II counts 26 different writers and 282 pages, showing that writing is strong in the Peace.

Please come and join us for the launch and pick up a copy. Sev-eral authors will be reading from their contributions.

DIVERSECITIES IILOCAL AUTHORS LAUNCH ANTHOLOGY

henry see

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SEPTEMBER 2011

THEATRE SEASON OPENS WITH A ROUSING MUSICAL!

Check the mics, cue the lights and the show begins. Seems smooth and easy from the audience point of view but the cast and crew work for many months to make it look that way. The cast of Stage North’s Cabaret has been working since June and the show still has two more months of rehearsals before open-ing night October 21. Stage North ushers in the 2011-2012 live theatre season in Fort St. John with the well-known musical Cabaret, complete with singing and dancing remi-niscent of last year’s season opener Chicago, which played to sold-out crowds. The Big Ticket of 7 great Stage North shows is now on sale at the North Peace Cultural Centre for only $148 for adults and $118 for students and seniors. The Big Ticket was introduced last year and proved to be very popular. Individuals save about $50 when

buying the Big Ticket for the season, which amounts to enjoying Dinner Palooza for free November 18 fea-turing Spontaneous Combustion Improv Theatre. Pick your dates up front, choose your seat for the season, and save all at the same time. The Christmas show, December 29, 30, 31 with a special New Year’s Eve Party on December 31 is the fun, family musical “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”. A hockey locker room themed comedy “The Good Game” opens February 17. A creative fashion competition making clothing and art forms out of reused commercial film will be a feature of the Oscar Night on the Big Screen at On the Rocks Nightclub March 4. The romantic comedy “Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad” plays in April and the drama “Death and the Maiden” in May rounds out the list of shows coming up for Stage North.

sue popesku

BIG TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

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100 AVE

100

ST

1 Systems By Trail 10421 100 St. | 250-787-7591

2 Kilnhouse Studio 10510 101 Ave. | 250-271-0066

3 Retro Relics | The Rabbit Hole 10140 100th Ave. | 250-787-8822

4 Whole Wheat ‘n’ Honey 10003 100 St. | 250-787-9866

5 North Peace Cultural Centre 10015 100th Ave. | 250-785-1992

6 Pomeroy Inn & Suites 9320 Alaska Road | 250-262-3030

7 Isabelle’s Boutique Totem Mall | 250-785-8070

-- Angela Moody Makeup Artistry angelamoody.com | 250-261-6501

9 North Peace Savings and Credit Union 10344-100th St. | 250-787-0361

10 Peace Gallery North 10015 100th Ave. | 250-785-1992

11 Northern Environmental Action Team (NEAT) 10027-100 St. | 250-785-6328

12 Fort St. John Visitor Centre 9523 100th St. | 250-785-3033

13 Pomeroy Hotel | Tony Romas Chances Gaming Centre 11308 Alaska Road N. | 250-262-3233

14 JD Fitzgerald’s & Northern Grand Quality Inn 9830-100th Ave. | 250-261-6961

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15 Jackfish Dundee’s 12984 Jackfish Frontage Road 250-785-3233

16 King Cool Refrigeration 10704 101 Ave. | 250-787-1688

17 FSJ Community Arts Council 10320 94th Ave. | 250-787-2781

18 NENAS 10328-101st Ave. | 250-785-0887

19 Under the Yoga Tree 10104-101 Ave. | 250-263-5828

20 Serenity Spa Charlie Lake | 250-785-0263

21 Pomeroy Sport Centre 93rd Ave. & 96th St. | 250-787-8150

22 Patch Java 10430 100th St. | 250-261-6648

23 City of Fort St. John 10631 100th St. | 250-787-8150

24 Evangel Chapel 10508 98 St. | 250-785-3386

25 Family Friendly Initiative 10142 101 Ave. | 250-785-6021 x253

26 On the Rocks Pub & Nightclub Northgate Mall | 250-261-6942

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MAP OF FORT ST JOHNThis map of Fort St. John is intended to help visi-tors and residents better find venues, restaurants, and our supporting businesses.

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27 2624

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27 Marc Joseph - Trends Clothing Northgate Mall | 250-261-6367

28 Canadian Water Serve & Save 9420 100th St. | 250-263-9927

29 Everything Yoga 10015 100th Ave. | 250-261-0283

30 Frolic 10125 100th St. | 250-261-5524

31 Drum with Dave Tolley 10015 100th Ave. | 250-663-8809

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Do You Support Professional MMA events in FSJ?The City of Fort St John can establish an “Athletic Commission,” responsible to make rules regulating professional boxing, wrestling and similar activities, contests and exhibitions. This Commission would enable professional, mixed martial arts (MMA) events to be held in the city.

We Want to Hear From You! Should the City proceed? If yes, would you sit as a volunteer on the Commission? Please forward written comments by no later than September 30, 2011 to City Hall at [email protected] www.fortstjohn.ca

27 Marc Joseph - Trends Clothing Northgate Mall | 250-261-6367

28 Canadian Water Serve & Save 9420 100th St. | 250-263-9927

29 Everything Yoga 10015 100th Ave. | 250-261-0283

30 Frolic 10125 100th St. | 250-261-5524

31 Drum with Dave Tolley 10015 100th Ave. | 250-663-8809


EXPOSEDIN FILMwords sue popesku | images russell eggleston

Catherine Ruddell models her fashion creation made from recycled commercial movie film. Photographer Russell Eggleston caught Catherine “in film” on film as she searched through the film strips for a specific movie star shot (which was a daunting task). Catherine’s glamorous hairstyle by Deetsa and her classy tuxedo look demonstrates the potential for designing creative wearable works for the competition.

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SEPTEMBER 2011

With the famous words “LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION” a director on a movie set films the action taking place. This year Stage North Theatre Society in Fort St. John takes the commands “CUT” and “IT’S A WRAP” to a new level. Stage North is challenging fashion designers and artists to cut and create fashions and art forms by reusing commercial movie film (that stuff that runs through the projector at the theatre...you know). The Fashion and Form with Film is a unique competition to design wearable fashions or artworks by using commercial movie film as the “fabric”. Over $1000 in prizes are available when an esteemed panel of judges make their selections in front of a public audience at On The Rocks Nightclub.

The Fashion and Form with Film Showcase and Exhibition takes place March 4, 2012 as part of Oscar Night on the Big Screen, a popular Stage North annual event. This year’s event will be held at On The Rocks Nightclub. This competition is a first for Stage North Theatre Society, who is partnering with the Northern Action Environmental Team (NEAT) and the Community Arts Council of Fort St. John. NEAT invites participants to rethink/recreate/rejuvenate by taking old movie film and making something interesting and wearable. The Community Arts Council is focused on creative art forms and Stage North combines stage productions and acting with celebrating the stars on the very special night of the Oscar’s Academy Awards. Registration opens September 1, 2011 online at www.stagenorth.ca or at the North Peace Cultural Centre box office. Each entry fee is $25. A never-ending supply of free movie film is available to each registrant and 75% of each design must consist of movie film. The other 25% can be of any other material that works for the creation of the form.

Registration deadline for the Fashion and Form with Film is February 6, 2012. All entries are to be delivered or mailed in by February 29. Insurance coverage and postage are the responsibility of the creator. Find out complete information on the competition and how to enter: email [email protected], online www.stagenorth.ca, or phone 250-785-6214

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WHAT IS CULTURAL LITERACY?clarice eckford

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250.261.6501 / [email protected] www.angelamoody.com

Definition of Cultural Literacy: Knowledge of history, contributions, and perspectives of different cultural groups, including one’s own group, necessary for understanding of reading, writing and other media.

Now, here’s a memory.

I was sitting in HUB Mall, the residence at University of Alberta that also has a food court, laundromat and thousands of bleary-eyed students bustling through. I was on a break from classes, reading an editorial piece on the 2009 Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip.

Halfway through the article it dawned on me that I had no idea how to put the piece into context. I understood the basic concept of the news story; Israeli forces sustained a three-week invasion on the Gaza strip that killed hundreds of Palestinians, but I possessed no cultural knowledge to understand the editorial in its entirety.

Requiring a lengthy explanation of the political and cultural relations between Israel and Palestine, I simply gave up. My vain attempt to keep up with the political banter of my far more culturally literate friends had failed due to a lack of knowledge.

How culturally literate am I now?

It is nearly impossible to be completely literate about each and every culture on the planet. However, I be-

lieve the recognition of unfamiliarity is an important part of cultural literacy. Often, we immediately jump to conclusions about news stories and local happen-ings that are culturally related. Everyone comes from a different perspective politically, historically and culturally.

How do I improve cultural literacy?

The best way to improve cultural literacy is to avoid making assumptions about another culture’s outlook, especially when presented with a piece of media. However, it is also good to understand that we all possess cultural bias. Each one of us comes from a specific place at a particular time in history, which creates our own world view.

The world and the people in it are complex. There are no simple explanations for major world events, like the Gaza War in 2009. To understand them fully, we must not only recognize our world view, but the world view of everyone involved. This is cultural literacy and it demands a great deal of patience, empathy and curiosity.

Learning these perspectives when you’re introduced to a news story or new co-worker not only increases cultural literacy, it also enhances peaceful relations. On September 8th, UNESCO celebrates International Literacy Day with the focus of “Literacy and Peace”.

The Welcoming and Inclusive Communities & Workplaces Program (WICWP) is a special collaborative community initiative aimed at supporting and celebrating cultural diversity through community events, workshops, articles and special initiatives. This program is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IN FORT ST. JOHN, PLEASE CONTACT LESLIE OR CLARICE AT 250.785.5323.

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FUTURE LEADERSABORIGINALYOUTH CAREER FAIR

The “Future Leaders” Career Fair 2011 took place over a three day period in three local communities. Youth were exposed to a variety of educational and employment related information.

The Career Fair targetted aboriginal youth aged 12 to 19 from the junior and senior high schools in the area, along with Grade 7 students from elementary schools in each district.

“Future Leaders” increased awareness of employment opportunities and education and training requirements in diverse sectors of the Canadian workforce. In total, approximately 350 students participated in this year’s Career Fair.

nenas staff

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HARVEST FEST

The annual Harvest Festival is the celebra-tion of local produce, handmade goods, and local culture for the North Peace Farmers Market. This year’s event was a huge success and filled with things to do -- kicking off with an outdoor pancake breakfast (made from locally ground flour and Peace Country saskatoons), and growing into a full day of events.

The mood was lightened by a handful of local musi-cians who played throughout the day, with performers ranging in style from bluegrass, to contemporary jazz, to gospel, to country.

The entire lobby of the North Peace Arena was packed with dozens of merchants and community groups - so many that a few of the merchants chose to setup outdoors to make room for everyone. There was a little something for all ages -- from kids face and rock painting stations, to a canning workshop demonstration (put on by NEAT), and of course dozens of merchants selling everything from locally grown organic vegetables, saskatoon jam, gluten free baked goods, to local painters, crafts people, furniture makers and more.

For those who have never experienced our local Farmers Market -- be sure to keep a close eye out for next year’s annual Harvest Festival. It is truly amaz-ing what this community has to offer. And be sure to come early, because the pancakes were fantastic!!

russell eggleston

The annual Harvest Fest is proudly supported by the City of Fort St. John

words jason butler | images pam clemen

4TH ANNUAL BUTLER BLUZFEST

Bluzfest is an event aimed at getting local musicians, family and friends together for an entire weekend of visiting, great food and great music.

First question, why is blues spelled “Bluz”? Simple! Bluz is the last four digits of Wood & Strings Musical Depot’s phone number; a new store that offers a drop off depot for the residents of Fort St. John to to take unwanted solid wood items and any stringed instru-ments they may have tucked away.

Secondly, blues has inspired so many other musi-

cal styles, even though not all styles may sound like blues. Fair enough? Yes.

The last three Bluzfest events were held at Mr. Butler’s residence at no cost with local merchant sup-porters donating generously. Friends were made and everyone enjoyed the camping and late night jammin’ at the bonfire.

Mr. Butler decided to put this years festival on hold due to health reasons, but at the last minute a few local musicians went ahead and put out posters adver-tizing a new location for this special event. A stage was erected and lights put in place.

The evening started out with local bluegrass guru Nick Baccante on vocals and guitar, Fay Willis on jawharp, Kirby on spoons, and Glen on the har-monica. They had themselves a blast. True jammin’! The audience couldn’t believe this group had never practiced together before! Later, UnResolved took the stage by storm and rocked us all to pieces.

A big thanks to Tim at TEC for donating the use of the property and the guys of Unresolved for the stag-ing, plus a huge thanks to everyone who helped clean up afterwards. We all look forward to next year’s event! 5th Annual will be the biggest and best yet and hope to see you all there!


FALL FAIR2011

Many people have friends that are around 64 years old. Some of those friends are family, some are friends, some are even lucky enough to be daughters or sons.

Mine is a Fair.

Even though I am from here, raised in the North Peace, and have (very small) roots in farming, my three year absence from the Fort St. John has made me feel a bit distant from the city. In Edmonton, my trees have been replaced by street lights, my hills by skyscrapers, my horses by buses. And while Fort St. John is always my home, Edmonton is now my home base. And I was okay with that.

Until I came back.

I am very blessed to know a lot of people in Fort St. John, and thought that I would fit right back in. In one night, however, I was asked twice “You aren’t from around here, are you?” I started to feel a bit uneasy about my homecoming. I wore my toque in a new way, I didn’t have a truck, and I enjoyed a v-neck t-shirt. Was I now a foreigner in my home town?

And then I was asked to cover the Fall Fair. If I was going to find how welcome I was, this would be the best place.

Things started out on a typical Ted note. I was an-nouncing the Fair’s camping dates on-air and got them terribly wrong. Instantly, the Fall Fair President, Monty Brody, called me up on the phone.

ted sloan

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SEPTEMBER 2011

FALL FAIR2011

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Fort St. John(250) 787-0361

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“Camping starts tonight, Ted. 5pm. What other info can I give you?” And he graciously told me all the details I needed to know, so that I and others could join in the Fair fun. I’m pretty sure that there was a fatherly smile in there too. Even after I was told the correct times and dates, I still managed to get the price incorrect. Again, another Fall Fair volunteer phoned me and corrected me in his kind, gruff way. A way known only to rural North Peacer’s. I had to smile. It was much like being back on a farm; city boy Ted exuberant but wrong. The farmers firm, but kind. I was starting to feel more relaxed, but still nervous to say hello to the actual Fair.

Saturday afternoon came, and with it came time to go to the grounds. I dressed the part: shorts, sandals, and some plaid somewhere; took a breath, drove past the coulees, and pulled into the entrance.

The first person I met was probably the person who met many of you; Bob, from Trail Blazin Power. I wasn’t sure if he would remember me, but a big smile and “Ted, how are you!” followed by much discus-sion on how each of us was, and I forgot all about the fact that I was nervous. I made my own parking spot amongst the horse patties and truck ruts, and within

minutes found myself among friends. I took part in many old traditions: beef on a bun, deciding on how badly I needed a new rabbit, dancing to the music that was playing. Then I created some new ones: learning how amazing cows really are, trying tractors out, and putting on sunscreen. But perhaps the best memory I will take from that Fair is when I stood in the middle of the grounds and merely looked at what was around me; nature, friends, and family. It didn’t matter that I was gone for three years, the Fair beckoned me back like an old friend, and we had a walloping great time.

I will treasure the memories for years to come, no matter where I live, or how old I am. The Fair is that kind of place. Built for all ages, for all types of animals, and all kinds of people. Even people that like v-neck shirts, and don’t have a truck.

PS- Before I go, thank you to the Fall Fair volunteers and participants - you make the Fair and event for everyone. If you know someone involved with the Fair, give them an extra thanks, or at least let them try to convince you why you should go to Fair next year.

It will be an experience that you won’t forget.

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Residential CareCourtyard Garden


Retention Pond

Plaza

Parking Lot

Parking Lot

Parking Lot

HOSPITAL

Meandering Bioswales

Walking & Cycling Path



The $297.9 million Fort St. John Hospital & Residential Care Facility is on track to open in the summer of 2012.

ENHANCING THE HEALING ENVIRONMENTAT FORT ST JOHN’S NEW HOSPITAL AND RESIDENTIAL CARE CENTRE

Over the last two years we have reported many aspects of various activities ongoing at the site of the new Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care Centre. If you have passed by the site recently you would have noticed the intense amount of work going on around the outside of the new building as Acciona/Stuart Olson Dominion are undertaking the civils and landscaping work which includes putting in the internal road system and parking lots.

The initial intent is to welcome and receive visitors to the site. The Fort St. John city design charrettes of 2008/09 recommendations were carefully considered when designing the strong entry into the new facility. Act-ing as a visual marker, a formal line of street trees will begin as the flow of traffic turns into the site, directing the visitor to the main entrances.

Once onsite, subtle landscape inspirations will be used for way-finding, using thoughtful plantings of specially selected shrubs, strategically located landscape lighting and different paving materials to differentiate and locate the major entrances.

The areas immediately adjacent to the building will receive the most intensive landscaping treatment. At the main entrance a multi-purpose space is being designed to meet several requirements to entertain large com-munity gatherings and to provide for the family or individual seeking solitude and privacy. To achieve this there will be benches along the walking paths with focused landscaping around the seating areas and the creation of a Spirit Garden. Overlooking this plaza will be a hard landscaped seating area surrounding a raised planter allowing for planting displays. Supplied with a power source, this area will accommodate a large Christmas tree illuminated during the holiday season. Adjacent to the open seating will be a series of smaller garden spaces

gareth hurlbut | photos tabitha dyer

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Retention Pond

Plaza

Parking Lot

Parking Lot

Parking Lot

HOSPITAL

Meandering Bioswales




healthisl

providing for the more intimate, introspective mo-ments.

Similarly, the outdoor courtyards at the centre of the residential care buildings will be focused on creating garden views from the resident rooms, with the intent being to entice the residents outside and inspire them to explore beyond their residence’s walls. The court-yard gardens will be universally accessible spaces, designed to encourage independent mobility and inspire residents to interact with their environment.

As such, the gardens are being designed to provide stimulation, by selecting plants that engage the senses in different ways, whether it’s through scent, sound, taste or texture.

As one moves south, away from the building, the landscape will return to its existing grassland char-acter. A native grass mixture will be planted where site disturbance has occurred and the extensive grass landscape will reach beyond its borders and help blur the property lines. Much of the focus in this area is directed towards the storm-water detention pond that serves the dual function of treating the run-off from the roadways and parking lots as well as providing a focal feature to be viewed from the facility and expe-rienced by the community through the trail system.

Runoff from the parking and snow storage areas will be collected in the civil drainage system and directed into the bioswales which help to treat the water on its way to the detention pond. Bioswales are natural landscape features designed to remove silt and pol-lution from surface runoff water. They consist of a swaled drainage course with gently sloped sides and filled with vegetation, compost and rough stones. The waters flow path, along with the wide and shallow ditch, is designed to maximize the time water spends in the swale, which aids the trapping of pollutants and silt. The pond is designed as a dry pond basin, to hold water only in storm events. When full, it will provide a visual highlight to the landscape.

Networks of walking and cycling paths will meander through the grass to form a looped trail network for the enjoyment of residents, patients, staff and members of the community. These paths will facilitate community activity and encourage people to explore the surrounding landscape. Finally, the trails connect to the existing neighborhood trail system, and the future neighborhood to the north as envisioned by the City of Fort St. John design charrette for integrating the new Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care Centre into the community and surrounding area.


BOOK THE GIG THEN...WRITE THE SONGSwords tony warriner | image russell eggleston

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SEPTEMBER 2011

Just because things have always been done a certain way, does not mean it is the only way to do them. This is exactly how Joseph te Bulte has recently approached his music. Joseph worked back-wards, by getting the gig and using it as motivation to build up his song repertoire.

Although Joseph is well-known at Evangel Chapel, he is a fairly new face to the mainstream music scene of Fort St. John. Within our local church, Joseph leads one of our house bands for congrega-tional singing during Sunday meetings. You’ll never find a guy that blends reverent sounds with a rhythmic folk-rock style better. And we love it!

The fascinating part of Joseph’s story is that he proves it’s never too late to chase a dream. Just recently, Joseph took the plunge into the local music scene by signing up for two forty minute sets at the Hudson Hope’s music festival “Jam at the Dam”. With only a few songs written, a full-time job as an electrician, a family of four, and lots of other commitments, he challenged himself to be ready for what he had already committed to.

Instead of making excuses for why it was just not practical or maybe even impossible, Joseph chose to make a plan for success.

After committing to classical guitar lessons, loads of practice, sacrifice, a few songwriters workshops (Face the Music presented by the City of Fort St. John and the North Peace Cultural Centre) and more than a few long days, he and the band pulled off a fantastic show (word is they were a hit). Joseph jokes that he practices so much just to avoid looking and sounding like a hack, but he is the same ol’ guy as before with the same happy family, the same hours in the week...same everything. Except one thing: he’s doing this “thing” that he’s always dreamt of!

Lesson: drop the excuses and just get it done. At the risk of sounding cheesy, I quote Audrey Hep-burn: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!

FIND US. FIND SUPER TIMES. IN THE SUPER 8 {250 263 9991}

where live local music lives

WednesdaysOpen Mic with Ryan Hennessey

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NORTHPEACECULTURALCENTRE

FORT ST. JOHN’S TOUCHSTONE OF THE ARTS

COME GET YOUR SEAT....250 785 1992 | npcc.bc.ca | corner of 100th & 100th

SPOTLIGHT 2011FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23 \ 7pm

Local songwriters and musicians grace the stage and kick o� the 2011/12 North Peace Cultural Centre season!!

Who do you think should be onstage for the Spotlight? Nominate your fave local musician/songwriter by email:[email protected]

the abrams brothersTUESDAY OCTOBER 18 \ 7pm

The youngest Canadians to ever appear on Nashville’siconic Grand Ole Opry stage. These bluegrass phenomsare taking North America by storm. Say you saw them �rst.

alex cubaFRIDAY NOVEMBER 18 \ 7pm

Grammy Award winning Latin blues pop. Hot, hot, hot!Cuban beats, smooth vocals, funky guitar rhythms.We dare you to sit still!

TOUCHSTONE PASS PROGRAM NEW!

New for the 2011/12 season, we are pleased to invite you tojoin our new Touchstone Pass Program. There are passes tosuit every musical taste and pocketbook. More �exibility, greatsavings and special privileges too. (Also makes a great gift!)

The Abrams Brothers, Alex Cuba

Documents

Northern Groove September 2011