Featured Community Events - March

Full Day Kindergarten at IDES by Dawn Voysey
Isabella Dicken Elementary School is now accepting registrations for their 100% funded full day Kindergarten classes, which are supported by the BC Ministry of Education and begin in September 2010. The all day Kindergarten program, which in the past was parent funded and offered as an option, will be completely paid for by the Education Ministry.

Registration at Isabella Dicken Elementary School is earlier this year in order to ensure that our school will know how many children will be in attendance so that we can prepare with qualified teaching staff and kindergarten classroom equipment and supplies.

The teaching curriculum and learning outcomes for the all day program will not increase from the present half-day model. Instead, children will have more time to experience deeper learning and exploration.

Reasons for moving to a full day Kindergarten program are supported by much research. Many successful models of full day kindergarten already exist across the province and across Canada. Full day learning is associated with improved student literacy and numeracy, smoother transitions to Grade One, and increased post-secondary graduation rates.

Research also shows that a high quality, directed, play-based kindergarten program has long-term benefits for children’s academic and social skills and helps them to succeed in school and in life. Full day kindergarten is another step towards building a strong foundation for lifelong learning, in a nurturing, play-based environment. Directed play promotes healthy physical, social, emotional, language and cognitive development.

Isabella Dicken Elementary School staff will continue to partner with parents to provide support as the transition to a full day Kindergarten program takes place, recognizing that some parents may have questions and concerns surrounding this change to a full day. Parents are encouraged to call the school at 250-423-4651 for further information regarding registration and the program.

Trashy but Flashy Fashion Show – Registration Now Open
When exploring innovative ways to re-invent waste through art, fashion and function – you never know what may walk down the runway. Past years have seen a tuxedo impeccably sewn from chip bags, a dress crocheted out of plastic bags, and a beautiful used coffee filter hand sewn hat and dress combo set. Fernie is known for celebrating Earth Day with style by fusing trash and fashion on the runway, and the 2010 fourth annual event will be like no other.

The excitement for Trashy but Flashy 2010 is building, and we challenge you to re-think about the waste you make and create wearable artwork that fuses trash and fashion. This full blown fashion show inspires the community to create outfits designed from reclaimed recycled material and walk the runway with lights, photographers and DJ’s, for cash prizes. Now is your chance as the call out for artists is open until April 15.

In the past, even local businesses such as Freshies, Big Bang Bagels, Cincott Market and The Cottonwood Tree have participated. This year the challenge goes out to all businesses to look at their waste in a new way. Categories include youth and adult, and new this year, a business category. Entries are judged on the amount of recycled material used, unique use of materials, creativity, and craftsmanship.

On Thursday April 22, the incredible outfits will light up the runway to celebrate Earth Day. Visit www.trashybutflashy.com to see photos, video, sign up to volunteer and to register.
Because...recycling is always in fashion!

Waiting for the Parade, March 5 and 6
When John Murrell started to write his play about the war, he found that the stories of the women he interviewed were the most interesting. The result was Waiting for the Parade - a funny, moving, energy charged piece about life, love and conflict during WWII. In true Fernie fashion, Rebecca Hall travelled back in time to 1944 to interview the women just before the end of the war. This is what they told her.

Tell me about your volunteer work with the Red Triangle Hostesses- what made you get involved?
Janet: It is important to do all one can for the war effort! I am a good organizer and I felt my talent and time would be well utilized as a Hostess Captain in order to boost the moral of the troops.
Marta: I wanted to support the Canadian Troops- I've lived in this country since I was 3 years old. I'm not German, I'm a Canadian!

Tell me about your family.
Marta: My father is interred in the prison camp- all because he has a German accent. They have nothing else to accuse him of, they found nothing. I swear we don’t know any Nazis.
Eve: Harry, my husband, loves the war- always talking about scuttlebutt and snipers! It almost killed him, being told he's too old for active service. I should have married someone younger.

Do you have men on the front lines?
Catherine: My Billy is out there somewhere. He's a good man, and he'll be home to me soon, I just know it. I don't ask Jim why he didn't go. I try not to think about it. I know the others think about it plenty, but I don't give a damn what anyone else thinks.
Margaret: My eldest, Timothy, is in Halifax preparing for convoy service. It makes me so nervous, the danger, those U-Boats! The men in my family have a habit of dying young. I'm worried he won't come back to me.

What were you doing when you first heard that Canada had joined the War Effort?
Margaret: I was in my kitchen, making pickles for the Salvation Army- I am famous for my pickles- when that woman's husband came over the wireless to announce it. I went to church that night, and I got down on my knees and prayed that all of the boys that were going off to those horrible battles would be home quickly.
Marta: I was working in my shop with the radio on, my customers all cleared out as soon as they heard that announcement! My heart sank, but they won't get to me. I have as much right to be here as anyone.

Waiting for the Parade is at the Arts Station on March 5 and 6 in aid of the Fernie and District Arts Council and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 36.

Ski Tour & Yoga Weekend March 26-28
Ski touring is becoming increasingly popular, what better activity to pair it with than yoga to balance your body after a fully engaging experience in the mountains? Spend your time doing what you’re passionate about and join Essential Yoga Studio and Snow Valley Guiding for a weekend of Fernie living at its best. King Fir Lodge will be your base as you ski, hot tub and yoga all weekend long.

Each morning begins with a light yoga class warming up the muscles needed for the day’s ski. Then ACMG Guide Nick Morris of Snow Valley Guiding will tour you safely through the ski terrain of the Elk Valley. When you return, enjoy the hot tub or indulge in a spa treatment. All levels of skiing and yoga are welcome. $325 includes skiing, yoga, and the hot tube après ski. It’s an additional cost for accommodations and spa treatments. If you book before March 1, the price goes down to $300. Discounted accommodations are available at King Fir for those registered in the weekend.

Registration ends March 15, and a minimum of four is needed to run the weekend. Call 250-423-9672 or reserve on-line at www.essentialyogastudio.com under “workshops, retreats and courses”. Visit www.snowvalleyguiding.com to learn more about Nick Morris.

10th Annual Elk Valley Hospital Foundation Gala, March 27
The Elk Valley Hospital Gala is a charitable event that raises money for the hospital in our community. What that means is that all money raised at this event will be used within the Elk Valley to purchase much needed equipment for our hospital. The year the theme is a casino based on an elegant spy. They encourage people to dress the part, it’s an opportunity to pull out that fancy dress or James Bond suit. This is a fun money casino with lots of different games of fortune but no poker.

Always a popular event in Fernie, the Gala will be held at the Fernie Community Center, which will be transformed into a casino. Doors open at 6pm and guests will enjoy tapas and cocktails, a silent auction, music, dancing, socializing, and supporting a worthy cause.

Tickets are $75 per person or $125 per couple. “We have really reduced the price this year as we would like this to be a community celebration of the Hospital and are hoping to have a log of people attend and enjoy the festivities,” Sharon E. Thomas, Elk Valley Hospital Foundation.

Island Lake Photo Shootout, March 29-31
The 3rd annual Photo Shootout is an exciting opportunity for up and coming pro photographers, skiers and boarders to break onto the scene during a 3-day contest. The dramatic Lizard Range of the BC Rockies and plentiful March snow make Island Lake an awesome setting for this kind of event. Last year’s event consisted of nine photographers shooting three athletes each. Local representation consisted of Ben Van Der Valk, Aaron Whitfield, Kyle Hamilton and Alex Giesbrecht. Teams also came from as far away as Whistler/Vancouver, Revelstoke, and Canmore/Banff areas. The awards party drew and impressive 300 people at the Clubhouse, this year’s venue TBA.

Chosen photographers hand pick three athletes to shoot over the three days. After three full days of shooting, a panel of industry judges will decide on the best photographs from the event. Judging categories will include: Best portfolio, best air, best composition, most unique, and best lifestyle image. The category winners will be announced at a big slide show and party on Wednesday, March 31. Over $10,000 in prizes will be given out during the event.

“One of the more remarkable aspects of this competition was the willingness of those photographers with more experience to help the newer photographers deal with certain technical aspects that many struggled with to capture magazine quality images. Given the stakes involved, it was great to see that no one was above helping each other out. This guidance and camaraderie is what helps bring out the best in everyone,” Kyle Hamilton, 2009 photographer.

Visit www.islandlakectskiing.com or call 250-423-3700 for more information.

Fernie Academy Kindergarten Info Session Registration
The Fernie Academy accommodated Kindergarten through Grade Eleven for the 2009/10 school year and have an upcoming information session this April.

The Academy elementary division is based on an entirely academic morning followed each afternoon by recreational and cultural pursuits. Students from Kindergarten to Grade Seven follow this program. The school follows BC Curriculum and is staffed with highly qualified and certified teachers and instructors.

Are you interested in learning more about The Fernie Academy's Kindergarten program? An information night is being held on April 12 for parents with children born in 2005. Please call 250-423-0212 to attend this meeting.