Growing Fernie - Community Events

One thing that many people notice about our town is the number of babies, preschoolers and expectant mothers on our streets every day. Whether it’s the great air or the active lifestyle or the sense of community, it’s clearly a popular location for raising children.

Since moving to Fernie I've come to know some of the groups who put together the smaller events and the inspirational people who go that extra mile to put on huge events that have an impact both here in our community and much further afield. My first job in town was actually for one of these groups, the Fernie MOMS where, along with a friend, I provided childcare for the 20 or 30 toddlers and preschoolers who attended each week. Although it’s been years since I worked for the MOMS (Meet Other Mothers Society) the parents who came while I was there still greet me on the street with the warmest smiles. Parenting offers great opportunities for making friends and I saw some really strong bonds being formed at the MOMS meetings.

The weekly meetings offer a friendly welcome, healthy snacks, childcare, activities for the little ones, and a guest speaker or informal discussion. For families new to Fernie, it's a great way to network and get to know your neighbours. For new mothers, the resources and peer support are a huge benefit. Many families love it for the regular play dates, and the opportunity for the parents to relax and enjoy some socializing.

MOMS welcomes moms, dads and under five’s and meets every Thursday morning at 9.30am in the Fernie Heritage Library basement. The group is currently seeking parents to occupy board positions and may require childcare workers for the upcoming sessions, which began in September. For more information please contact Nichole Herman at 250-423-4881.

I’ve also recently gotten to know my neighbour Tanya Malcolm, owner of Womb to Grow, doula and mother who is also a beautiful wordsmith and actress, whose presence on the stage captivates audiences with a voice of birdsong and molasses and her confident, graceful pose. In October Tanya will present Birth, a play about childbirth experiences from US writer Karen Brody.

Brody's play was written to bring childbirth issues to the forefront and to engage, debate and offer empowerment to women who are being overwhelmed by influence and opinion. Through BOLD - Birth On Labour Day, the play helps to raise awareness and give the power back to the mother (and father) to choose the birth experience that suits them.

Proceeds from the event will support two causes - the Bumi Sehat Foundation whose mission is to reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality and to support the health and wise growth of developing communities, and the Womb to Grow Boutique and Support Centre programs which provide support, education and products that promote natural pregnancy, childbirth and attachment parenting. Support for this event will help to enable all parents to become more educated and empowered about childbirth in order give children the very best start in life and for women; the tools to be strong, nurturing mothers.

Birth is at the Arts Station on October 22 and 23 featuring talented women of Fernie, followed by a discussion with birth practitioners from around the East Kootenay and a silent auction. Tickets are $25 in advance from Womb to Grow or $30 on the door. For more information or to donate silent auction items contact Tanya on 250-278-0667.

OTHER FEATURED EVENTS IN OCTOBER
HALF MARATHON
Fernie's big run is on Sunday October 3, with registration and running expo on Saturday. The course is a beautiful all-trail run through forests and along the Elk River. Solo entrants, kids and teams of three all welcome. For more information visit ferniehalfmarathon.com or call the Fernie Academy at 250-423-0212 Proceeds will benefit local children's programs.

HEALTH
The Fernie “Options For Sexual Health” Clinic in partnership with the Fernie Women's Resource Centre will be hosting a special evening the last week of October, providing cervical cancer screening to women who are in need of a PAP. Women who have not had a PAP in over two years, or never, are being targeted. The clinic will take place in the health unit at the hospital. Childcare will be available on-site and transportation available - book through the Fernie Women's Resource Centre. The test detects pre-cancerous changes in the cervix and cervical cancer before symptoms appear. PAP Clinic date TBA – check the Fix October calendar online at www.ferniefix.com. Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm. For more info call Fernie Women's Resource Centre at 250-423-4687.

FILM
The various film groups in Fernie are all up and running again, whatever your film interests are, one of these groups will have something for you. There's the 'Indie Films Fernie' series, an Arts Station program which brings high quality Independent film to Fernie from around the globe; 'Think Tank' is held at the Arts Station by Advocates for Local Living and offers thought provoking documentary film with an environmental focus; Andrew Vallance also screens his films at the Arts Station and screens documentaries and drama with a human rights angle. IFF presents the academy award winning Secret in Their Eyes at 7pm on Monday, October 6 at the Vogue Theatre. Think Tank will present a film, TBA, at 7pm at the Arts Station on Monday, October18. Andrew Vallance will offer a screening (title TBA) on October 25 at the Arts Station. And don’t miss October 16 at the Arts Station - an educational slide show and interpretive talk featuring Charlie Russells’ ground breaking work with Grizzly bears in Canada and Russia. Entry is by donation. Charlie will be available to answer questions and sign books and DVD’s after the event.

FALL HARVEST
Gardening season is growing to a close, which means it's canning and preserving season!
Don't let your apples go to waste. Take them to the Ecogarden on October 1 and make use of the apple press for delicious fresh juice. Contact Kathy Murray from Bear Aware, 250-423-6406 or kathymurray13@hotmail.com, to book your slot.

The annual Fall Harvest Farmer's Market is at the Community Centre on Saturday October 9. For information, contact the City of Fernie on 250-423-6817.

Learn all about the do's and don’ts of canning and preserving at 'We can!' on Wednesday October 13. To register, call 250-423-3482 or for more information visit ecogarden.ca

GOLF
The season ends with The Men's Closing on Sunday October 3, Ironman Open on Sunday October10 and the Turkey Scramble on Monday October 11. For more information visit golffernie.com or call 250-423-7773

GHOSTRIDERS
The Riders have had a strong start to the season and will play at home on Fridays October 8, 15, 22 and 29. The Fernie Ghostriders will host the Cyclone Taylor Cup next year - show your support when they play at home so they know we want them in it! Games start at 7.30pm at the Fernie Memorial Arena, for more information visit fernieghostriders.com.

WELLNESS
Chiropractor Dr. Mike Rumple, who will be speaking at ‘Birth’ is offering a 6 week ‘meridian tapping’ course, starting on Tuesday 12 at 7pm. $60. For more information call 250-423-3003 or drop by Elk Valley Chiropractic.

ENTERTAINMENT
Hopefully the few outdoor events will get the weather they hope for, but most of us will be heading indoors to stay out of the cold. Bulldogs offers Vancouver metal with '3 Inches of Blood' onstage on Saturday October 9, or acoustic indie folk from B. A. Johnson on Tuesday October 26. Encouraging the eclectic nature of entertainment this month, Wordfest is at the Central on Wednesday October 20.