April 2024 Issue 185

QUW’UTSUN’ ELDERS

SERIES:

NATURE AND ART-BASED COMMUNITY DISCOVERY: Traditional cultural practices led by Knowledge Keepers

UPCOMING

MAY Introduction to Coast Salish Culture through craft and stories

Qwiyahwultu-hw / Robert George, Quw’utsun’ Elder & Thuitsiye / Pamela Bourque

Sunday May 5th • 11am - 3pm

5632 Khowhemun Rd, Duncan

JUNE Canoe Carving

Tlithl’Kawi / Rupert Scow

Kwakwaka’wakw Artist

Sunday June 2nd • 10am - 2pm

Sunrise Waldorf School, 2148 Lakeside Road, Duncan

2024/2025 PROGRAMMING

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER • Bilingual Choir Hul’q’umi’num’ and English - T’uwahwiye’ / Philomena Williams and Cari Burdett

OCTOBER • Drum/Rattle Making - Glenn Patterson

NOVEMBER • Sulsameethl / Deb George

2025

FEBRUARY • Quw’utsun’ Knitting - John Charlie

MARCH • Coast Salish Traditional Food Qwustenuxun / Jared Williams

APRIL • Plant walk and Medicine Making - Hyamicye / Della Rice

MAY • Canoe Journey - Many Elders

JUNE • Bilingual Choir Hul’q’umi’num’ & EnglishT’uwahwiye’ / Philomena Williams and Cari Burdett

JULY • Salmon Celebration - with Qwiyahwultu-hw / Robert George and guests. We are grateful for connections made in the development of this workshop series and raise our hands to Sacred Cedar Centre.

Huy tseep q’u

APRIL EVENTS

Hurry Hard Curling Comedy Chemainus Theatre Festival chemainustheatrefestival.ca runs to APR 14

1Soap Making Herbal Medicine w/Krista Dawn Poulton 3-6pm www. kristadawnpoulton.com $60 incl materials

Kelp Rescue Initiative 9:30am Fish Health Building 1080 Wharncliffe Rd. FREE

2Cowichan Valley Artisans Show CVAC Annex Gallery cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca runs to APR 16

Spring Art Dabble 3pm CVAC Studio 2687 James St $120-140 cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca +APR 9/16/23

3Spring Figure Drawing 1pm CVAC Studio 2687 James St $100-145 cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca +APR 10/17/24

5Explorations Through Art: Dying & Becoming Talk w/ David Newbatt 6-7:30pm SOL Ctr #3-5380TCH by donation register:erica.maclennan@ thechristiancommunity.org

6Ryan McMahon Chapel @Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd $25/members $35/public 7pm/doors 7:30pm/show

Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society Volunteer Spring Cleanup 9am-Noon Open Air Classroom (S’amunu Conservation Area) right off Highway #1 just north of Beverly St

Comedy Night w/Byron Bertram Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave $20

Opening Fired Up! Contemporary Works in Clay 5-8pm CVAC Main Gallery cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca runs to MAY 2

Spring Figure Drawing 3:30pm CVAC Studio 2687 James St $100-145 cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca +APR 11/18/15

Hormonal Health Workshop Series w/Krista Dawn Poulton 6-8pm www. kristadawnpoulton.com $60 incl workbook +APR 11/18

Art Opening for Fired Up! & Cowichan Valley Artisans Art CVAC Galleries 2687 James St FREE

5Hub Market w/Local Vendors 9-2pm The Hub@ Cowichan Stn 2375 Koksilah Rd. www.cowichanstation.org

Fearless Friday Art Circle 12:45-3:15pm Mill Bay Comm Hall 1035 Shawnigan Lake/ Mill Bay Rd +APR 19

Community Ecstatic Dance w/rotating DJ’s 7-9pm The Hub@Cowichan Stn. $20 dancetemplecowichan@ gmail.com +APR 19

Explorations Through Art: Dying and Becoming Workshop w/David Newbatt 9-4:30pm SOL Ctr #35380TCH by donation register:erica.maclennan@ thechristiancommunity.org

7Sacred Healing Sound Journey 5:30-7:30pm Collective Space 166 Station St. $33 www. adelinewholistichealing.com

Basic Maintenance and Operation of Farm Equipment 1-4 pm Providence Farm $60 pdtagriculture@viu.ca

Times They Are A Changing Exhibit 11-3pm Heritage Museum 2851 Church Way www.millbaymalahathistory. com by donation +APR 14/21/28

8Open Studio Drop In 10am CVAC Studio 2687 James St by donation 250-746-1633

Salves & Dermatology Herbal Medicine w/Krista Dawn Poulton 3-6pm www. kristadawnpoulton.com $60 incl materials + APR22

Gregor Craigie Book Launch w/Jack Knox 7-9pm Duncan United Church Hall 246 Ingram St. $5-$10 www. volumeone.ca/events

8&9Explorations Through Art: Biography through Landscape Painting w/David Newbatt 6:30-8pm Glenora Farm

4766 Waters Rd. by donation register:mullerlampson@ gmail.com

8&15+APR 22/29 Reading & discussion group “Final Report of the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls” 1:30-3pm Cowichan Library 2687 James St FREE

9&16Awakening VItality Somatic Class w/Melissa Brown 9:3011 The Hub@Cowichan Stn $30 www.melissambrown.com

10Warmland Book & Film Collective discussing The Power of Story: On Truth, the Trickster, and New Fictions for a New Era by Harold Johnson 5-7pm online zoom link:WarmlandBFC@ gmail.com

10Exploration through Art: Art in Waldorf Education w/David Newbatt 6:30-8:30pm Sunrise Waldorf School 2148 Lakeside Rd. by donation reg:hazelmouse@ gmail.com

11Makers Circle:Bring your creative projects! 1-3pm Shawnigan Lake Community Centre +APR 25

12Shawna Caspi Cowichan Folk Guild Coffeehouse 7:30-10pm 246 Ingram St $5/ members $10/public 7:30pm open stage

Exploration through Art: Art in Waldorf Education w/David Newbatt 9-11am Sunrise Waldorf School 2148 Lakeside Rd. by donation reg:hazelmouse@gmail.com

13The Dirty Stones:A Rolling Stones Tribute Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave $20@eventbrite.ca

14Love’s Triangle Community Kirtan:Call & Response Chanting 2:304pm St. Peter’s Church Hall 5800 Church Rd by donation lovestriangle108@gmail.com

Chemainus Classical Concerts w/pianists Emily Armour, Rykie Avenant, Catharina de Beer, Ann Mendenhall 2pm Duncan United Church $10-30 250-748-8383

APRIL EVENTS

15Beading Weaving and Medicine Bags Full Day Art Camp CVAC Studio 2687 James St $90 www. reccowichan.ca

16Sunrise Waldorf School Grades Tour 8:45am 2148 Lakeside Rd. register www.sunrisewaldorf.org FREE

Journey Through The Chakras 6:30-9pm VI Yoga School 103-360 Duncan St. $285/ series $49/drop-in www. adelinewholistichealing.com +APR 23/30

The Healing Power of Gardening 7:30pm Fish Health Building 1080 Wharncliffe Rd. FREE

18Animal Magnetism w/ artist Todd McAneeley, CVAC Annex Gallery cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca runs to MAY 2

19Gettin’ Ready Freedom Gospel Choir Concert 7pm 531 Herbert St. $20 Free/12under +APR 20/2pm

South Cowichan Music Jam w/Turnip the Beet Band FB:southcowichanmusic

20Shawnigan Community Annual Clean-Up Day 10-12pm Dougan Parking Lot

Downtown Duncan Earth Day Clothing Swap and Eco-Fair, Buskers Station, Sustainability Showcase 11-3pm Charles Hoey Memorial Park FREE

Earth Day Cowichan Valley Museum w/hands on activities 11-3pm www.cvmuseum.ca

The Copper Caynon Band Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave $15@eventbrite.ca

21B’Earth Day Party Celebrate & Support

Cowichan Estuary Nature Cake & Refereshments, Guided Tours, Kids’ Crafts and more! Centre 1-4pm, 1845 Cowichan Bay Rd

Explore & Create Ceramics

Family Workshop 1:303:30pm Evergreen School Salal Rm 3515 Watson Rd

Love’s Triangle Community Kirtan Chanting 2:30-4pm

St. Peter’s Anglican Church

5800 Church Rd by donation lovestriangle108@ gmail.com

22Full Moon Sacred Healing Sound

Journey 6-8pm Coastal Garden

3025 Telegraph Rd $33 www.adeline wholistichealing. com

Hospice Reel

Alternative Movie ‘Jules’ 7pm CPAC 2687 James St. $17 cowichanpac.ca

26HUB Film Club: Anatomy of a Fall 7pm 2375 Koksilah Rd. hubfilmclub@ gmail.com

26&27

Cherry Point Artists Fine Art Show & Sale 10-5pm St. Peter’s Church

27Cowichan Valley Garden Club Spring Plant Sale 10-2pm St. John’s Anglican Church 486 Jubilee St www. cowichanvalley gardenclub.com

The Sutcliffes:A Tribute to The Beatles Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave $25@eventbrite. ca

Beginner Colour Theory w/supplies 2-4pm Time to Heal 511 Canada Ave $50 reg: lindsay@ kitchenillustrations.ca

29Learn to Bowl Free Coaching Week

Sampler Adult Workshop

Intermediate Ukulele 10:301:30pm Shawnigan Lk Comm Ctr.

27&28Cowichan Artisans Spring Open Studio Tour www.cowichanartisans.com

28Open House Cowichan Lawn Bowling Club 123pm Centennial Park

Cowichan Lawn Bowling Club www.cowicha nlawnbowling. com runs to MAY3

30Broadcast of Virtual MMIWG+ Event w/ author Angela Sterritt Cowichan Branch Library FREE Zoom www.virl.bc.ca/ angela-sterritt

April 2024 Issue 185

Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine

Publisher Richard Badman

Editor Sheila Badman

Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

250 746 9319 6514 Wicks Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5V2 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Proofreader Calendar

Diana Pink Stephanie Sayers

Advertising Enquiries Please Contact us at info@cowichanvalleyvoice.com for A rate card, monthly offers and print ad specials.

Next Ad Deadline April 15 for May 2024 Issue 186 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE!

Next EVENTS DEADLINE April 15 for May 2024 Issue 186

E-mail: Date, Event Title, Time, Location and Cost w/ subject “EVENT” to events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations

SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES

Rebecca Hazell, Katherine Lampson, Ranji & David, Judith Appleby, Stephen Bishop, Donna Sassaman, Tamra N., Grant Easterbrook, Esther Hamar, Guy Johnston, Bill Jones, Dorian Redden, Teddy Kellam, Stephanie Farrow, Krystal Aikman, Robert Boyle, Anyes deLaat, Lynn June, Chris Manley, Arie Reyden, Germana Rovinelli, Sonia Fursteneau, Dinah Clark, Jane Douglas Madeline Southern, Dawn Howlett, Vanessa Maben-Hamer, Tanya Trafford, Barrie Agar, Bernie Dinter, Stephen Robert Disher, Amy Luck- MacGregor, Tracey Hanson, Dr. Joanne Welham, Craig Spence, Tim Fairbairn, Craig Spence,Theresa Zip, Jill O’Neill, Kristy Landry, Shiloh Badman, Debbie Wood, the lovely Georgia Nicols, Nicolette Genier, and the wonderful staff at the Community Farm Store.

We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions; however Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/ or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other contributors. Please send a query email with your suggested topic prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available.

Celebrating 35 years in business!

Fired Up! Contemporary Works in Clay

Gordon Hutchens talking about how the flame moves through his wood-fired anagama kiln on Denman Island

There is going to be a special opening April 4th at the Cowichan Valley Arts Council (CVAC) at the Performing Arts Centre from 5 to 8 pm celebrating our local Cowichan Artisans as well as the Fired Up! Contemporary Works in Clay. ‘Honouring 40 Years’ brings all the past 28 ceramic artists of Fired Up! together recognizing this milestone as the longest running clay

exhibition group in Canada.

The first Fired Up! was hosted by the renowned Robin Hopper and Judi Dyelle in their Metchosin garden, where they brought together 12 ceramic artists who shared a vision of more than just another pottery sale. Their purpose was to show the public the many diverse ways of working with clay by demonstration and exhibition, and to promote the understanding and appreciation of ceramics as an art form.

The Cowichan Artisans are a diverse group of full-time artists here in the valley offering an exceptional spring and fall studio tour. It’s fascinating visiting their studios and galleries seeing where they make their art. Now they will be showing their art together with each other at the CVAC Art Gallery and the members of Fired Up!

Come enjoy great art and help us celebrate!

Fired Up members 2008 top left to right: Kinichi Shigeno, Meg Burgess, Gary Merkel, Gordon Hutchens, Marlene Bowman, Alan Burgess, Pat Webber bottom left to right; Cat Jefferson, Susan Delatour, Meira Mathison, Glenys Marshall-Inman

35+

In his heyday, Clifford Webb was one of the foremost book illustrators in England. His work is found in the British Museum, the Ashmolean Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He was also famous for his art lithographs and fine woodcut engravings, which not only appeared in books but also in fine art shows. He painted wall murals and screens, and he was a popular teacher. Yet he sank into obscurity despite his innovations in engraving.

Born an east London cockney in 1894, abandoned by his father and raised in poverty by an illiterate mother, Clifford used his good looks, ambition and artistic talent to escape his humble origins. In an interview, he recalled, “I can remember drawing on the stone floor in the kitchen with coloured chalks at the age of seven, emulating the pavement artists I so much admired. That I think was the beginning.”

At 16, he apprenticed in a lithography workshop, but when the First World War broke out in 1914, he went to war. After the trenches in France, battles in Gallipoli and siege warfare in Mesopotamia, he was sent to India to recover from multiple injuries, including being shot in the jaw. He received awards for bravery and suffered from nightmares all his life.

In India, Webb took up art again painting watercolours and oils, and after the war became an art teacher with ‘a twinkle in his eye’. He married a wealthy upper-class girl, Ella Monckton. To conceal his past, his mother was sent to relatives in Australia (at the wedding, she’d had to stand mute at the back of the room pretending to be Spanish to hide her cockney accent).

After his marriage, Clifford reinvented himself as country squire and artist. And he became famous, an awkward benefit of being a talented artist with a murky past.

In part two next month, we’ll explore more about his intertwined life and amazing artwork.

April

You can see his art for yourself at the Cowichan Public Art Gallery. Clifford Webb… A Life in the Details is showing from April 26th to June 20th. Gallery hours are 10 AM-4 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays. 4830

April 13

April 20-21

Rebecca Hazell is a Board Member of the Cowichan Public Art Gallery.

Four artists will display their works in Silk, Wool, and Silver at the Rainforest Arts gallery in April and May. All of them will be doing demos. Go to cvcas.ca/events for dates and times.

Lorraine Taylor - Silk Painting

“I have always enjoyed playing with colours, and when I first saw the vibrancy of the dyes moving about on silk cloth, I immediately knew that this was to become my new passion. Fourteen years later, I still find joy and satisfaction in the silk painting process.”

A lifelong and mostly selftaught crafter, Lorraine enjoys the endless possibilities of this beautiful art form using paints, dyes, and techniques that allow her to play with colours that move about on the soft silk cloth to produce beautiful works.

Gail Grekul - Silk Painting

Gail was educated in Alberta with Education and Bachelor of Science degrees in textiles and fashion. She has always been fond of experimenting with various textile art forms.

In 2014, she relocated to Vancouver Island and

Common Strands Connect

Four Artists

discovered painting with dye on silk. Gail loves colour and capturing the personalities of her subjects in her own unique style.

Donna L Bennett - Fibre Art

Donna is a fibre artist who creates and teaches in Chemainus. Her wearable

for the human form, with the practicality of a garment that brings warmth and comfort and the whimsy of an accessory that enhances the natural beauty of the wearer.”

Jane Barry - Silver Jewellery

Jane learned the art of making silver jewellery through adult education, workshops, and classes. She enhanced her skills, learning from and working with a designer in Mexico, where she spent many winters.

Looking for a new way to add colour, she called on a previous flirtation with felting and discovered the unexpected combination of soft, warm, textured wool defined by the hard, cool gleam of silver had an unexpected allure.

Her SoftSilver pieces are playful, lighthearted, and easy to wear.

art emerges through a “slow clothing” process of felting by hand from sheep’s wool. Donna also does Nuno Felting, incorporating loosely woven silk textiles into the wool.

She creates one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by the local landscape. “I create wearable art as a vessel, a container

Rainforest Arts is located at 9781 Willow Street. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. You can contact the gallery at info@rainforestarts.ca or 250-246-4861. Find out more at RainforestArts.ca.

CraigSpenceWriter.ca

Works by Lorraine Taylor, Jane Barry, Gail Grekul, and Donna L Bennett to be featured at Rainforest Arts.

Explorations Through Art

David Newbatt has been a mentor to me since I was a child, and much of what I learnt about colour, light, and sensitive use of materials I learnt from him. I am honoured to welcome him to the Cowichan Valley and to host a series of workshops with him.

David has worked mainly in Waldorf and Anthroposophical groups in the UK for over 30 years. More recently he has travelled extensively, bringing his artistic skills and teaching to communities across Europe and North America. Both dynamic and versatile, he applies his work to many contexts, including interior design, theatre, illustration, therapy, and more. To learn more about him and his work, visit davidnewbatt.com

During his short visit to the Valley, David will be offering a series of workshops. While each offers a unique theme, approach, learning opportunity, and medium, they all share a common theme of integrating a deeper understanding of life processes through the inspiring and practical application of artistic exploration.

Choose from any of the three public workshops. Medium will be watercolour and/or pastel on black paper – all materials

provided.

These workshops are by donation. Suggested donation for a 2-hour workshop: $40 No-one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Dying and Becoming:

An exploration through the images of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily and in our daily lives

Friday 5th: Talk: 7-8:30pm

Saturday 6th: Workshop: 9am4:30pm

SOL Centre, 5380 Trans- Canada Highway, Duncan, Contact Erica at erica.maclennan thechristian community.org for more information and to reserve your spot.

Biography Work Through Landscape Painting:

Using the middle ground to bridge present, past, and future

Monday 8th 6:30-8pm

Tuesday 9th 6:30-8pm

Glenora Farm, 4766 Waters Road, Duncan Contact Martha at mullerlampson@gmail.com for more information and to reserve your spot.

Art in Waldorf Education: From colour to form: How can painting and drawing help our children integrate their experience of the world, and breathe balance into life?

Wednesday 10th, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Friday April 12th, 9-11am

Sunrise Waldorf School, 2148 Lakeside Road, Duncan. Contact Hazel at hazelmouse@gmail.com for more information and to reserve your spot.

Katherine Lampson gratefully lives, works and creates in Quw’utsun Valley.

APRIL WORKSHOPS

NEW: Open Studio Mondays 10 am –Noon

Fired UP!

Honouring 40 Years

Main Gallery,

April 5 – May 2

Canada’s longest-running ceramic exhibition is coming to Cowichan. You’ll see new works from current members and a retrospective of previous members, encompassing 40 years of stunning creations.

Cowichan Artisans: Create. Enrich. Inspire. Annex Gallery,

April 2 – April 16

Don’t miss this eclectic show featuring fine furniture,

ceramics, collage, painting, sculpture, fabric, glass and more. Accomplished Cowichan Artisans members operate galleries, studios and create on a full-time basis.

Todd McAneeley, Animal Magnetism

Annex Gallery,

April 18 – May 2

Wood carver Todd McAneeley specializes in North American wildlife and is a fine furniture maker. You’ll see carvings of sea and land animals and some of Todd’s live edge tables.

OPEN CALLS TO ARTISTS

About Us

Introducing: Emerging Artists

July 8 - 31

We are accepting registration for the second annual Introducing show for Emerging Artists. See your works beautifully presented and widely appreciated in a busy public

venue. Eligible artists must have recently completed a program in which they studied and produced art. This can include accreditation in Fine Arts, Art Education or completing a mentorship program.

Outdoor Art Market

Saturday July 27

This is the third annual Outdoor Art Market. Held in Downtown Duncan and coinciding with crowds from the Farmers Market and 39 Days of July, it’s a great opportunity to market your art. Forty spaces available.

Studio Tour

Saturday September 7

We are accepting registrations for the CVAC Studio Tour. Save the date and plan a prefect afternoon, visiting Cowichan artists’ studios.

Join us in the CVAC Studio on Monday mornings. Bring a project to work on. Share conversation and inspiration with other artists. Drop-in and free.

Figure Drawing Weekly Sessions

April, Registration Open for May

Practice the art of Figure Drawing in a welcoming, creative space with seasoned models. Suitable for all skill levels.

Summer Arts Camps

July and August Register soon for a choice of six, week-long camps for kids age 6 – 12 years. Register on reccowichan.ca

Details about all CVAC activities on www.

cowichanvalleyarts council.ca

Founded in 1971, CVAC is a registered charity dedicated to enriching our community through the lens of arts & culture. We provide 30 art exhibitions per year and arts-themed programming for all ages. We recognize that we operate on the unceded territories of the Hul’qumi’num-speaking peoples who have resided here from time immemorial.

Cathi Jefferson

Todd McAneeley

Sandra Dolph

Fine Arts Show Award Winner

Karen Severson

Iwasborn and raised in Victoria and moved to the Cowichan Valley thirty years ago. I love the natural beauty, hiking trails, Cowichan River; diversity of cultures, and, most importantly, the vibrant community of artists in the region. After receiving a BFA from the University of Victoria, I worked in printmaking for several years, then after a while, broadening horizons, began to paint in acrylic and mixed media. I love experimenting and trying new things.

In Victoria I joined Xchanges, an artist-run co-op on the top floor of an old laundry. It was an enriching and exciting experience; curating shows, organizing life drawing. and meeting artists from across Canada.

Landscape has always been my main subject matter. This year’s painting is based on memories of walks all over Cobble Hill, Mill Bay, and Cowichan Estuary, with our intrepid Labrador, Jake. I love trees, clouds, and reflections in still water. I am not a plein air painter, preferring to work indoors; moving from a large workspace with no winter heating, to a tiny studio with all the comforts. I now paint in oil and cold wax; sometimes from photographs and often my own imagination! Working on the painting that was eventually chosen for this year’s show, it turned out – as sometimes happens – that major changes were needed at the last moment. Every artist’s worst nightmare. But in the end, I seem to have made the right choices. The painting is now being framed at Excellent Framing. A good framing job always shows a work off art off to maximum advantage.

I first began entering the Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show some years ago, when it was held in the Native Heritage Centre. Now the

Arts Council has a beautiful big gallery, and a fantastic crew to hang the pictures. Anyone can enter the yearly show, but there is a specially chosen jury to decide the awards. The opening

is always exciting, with many artists, friends, and prospective buyers. I highly recommend attending.

image above; Karen Severson, Estuary, 18” x 22” Oil and cold wax on oil paper

Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society

SPRING GARDEN TOUR

May 18 • 10am – 4pm

Five Private Gardens

Open to the Public

$20 Tickets (cash or cheque) available at: Dinter’s Nursery; Buckerfields; Volume One Bookstore; Crazy Daisy Garden Shop; Old Farm Garden Centre

Why We Should Read

WBFC was honoured to have writer Michelle Poirier Brown, nêhiýaw-iskwêw and citizen of the Métis Nation, join us in February to share from her stunning collection of poems. Contrary to the title, none of us were sorry we read it! We were struck by how poetry gets to the heart of issues with very few words, taking us through a whole range of emotions.

And as she said, the gathering offered connection for her as well as her poems to share some of her most traumatizing experiences: ‘You’ve read the book and you still want to talk to me!’ Her poem “Commitment” tells how her grandmother told her over and over again that she was beautiful ‘because she knew it would get worse before it got better,’ and she prayed her granddaughter would remember her words as blessings to help carry her through life’s difficulties.

For her, as part of her Indigenous cultural practices, honesty and truth telling are forms of prayer. Similar to her

mother knowing about abuse she endured for years and did nothing about, Michelle said it is the same for settlers and First Peoples: we can have a relationship if we talk about what happened. In one of many forthright pieces, “Beneficiaries of a Genocide,” she asks, ‘How much longer do we have to hear about your very real pain before you will have a conversation with us about ours? How much longer will you ask that your immediate needs take precedence over the fundamentals of our existence?’

Towards the end of her collection, in her “poetic statement,” Michelle says, ‘A poem is an exercise in bringing forward from the body the sense of a moment…’; that there is ‘the momentary drop in blood pressure that can accompany recognition’. Like the poems themselves, Michelle’s visit with us made it not just words on a page, but rather a lived, embodied experience!

The Warmland Book & Film Collective – begun in 2018 as a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – explores, celebrates, and learns from Indigenous authors and filmmakers. We are welcoming new members – if you enjoy friendly, spirited, and interesting conversation, email us at WarmlandBFC@gmail. com for the zoom link. All books we read are available through VIRL. We next meet online April 10 to discuss The Power of Story: On Truth, the Trickster, and New Fictions for a New Era by Harold Johnson.

Submitted by Ranji & David, on behalf of the WBFC

Quakers: Holding the Silence to Listen to The ‘Still Small Voice Within’

in every part of our environment. From that practice come our core testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship. Friend’s Meetings in Canada do not have ministers. Rather than turning to another to interpret God’s word we worship in silence, listening for that of God within each person. Each of us holds the silence, listening to the ‘still, small voice within’. From within this gathered silence, spoken ministry may be offered.

The Religious Society of Friends Cowichan Valley

uakers

SIMPLICITY PEACE INTEGRITY COMMUNITY EQUALITY STEWARDSHIP

Our faith practice is based on these six core testimonies of the Quaker Faith: and also on the inherent belief that there is that of God in everyone. Silent worship allows us to discover the inward stillness where we can best hear the voice of God.

Join us for Meeting for Worship Sundays at 10:30 am in the beautiful St. Ann’s Garden Building, Providence Farm (A zoom option is also available)

For further information and directions: www.cowichanvalley.quaker.ca cvquakers@gmail.com or call Donna at 250.661.7751 Quakers, also known as Friends, and officially as the Religious Society of Friends, have been in the Cowichan Valley for more than 40 years. We are a small group, with about 20 in the Valley and only 1,400 in Canada. We recently decided to stop ‘hiding our Light under a bushel basket’ as, while we don’t prosylatize, we do feel we have something of value to share.

Arising in England from the Protestant Reformation in the 1650s, Quakers today do not share a fixed set of beliefs. Our unity is based on a shared understanding and practice of worship, and on the belief that there is that of the Divine within us all, though we use different words to describe that Presence. Some Friends identify as Christian, but others do not. What we do share is the attempt to live our lives seeing the “Light within” in all others and

All are welcome to join us in worship, which may be completely silent or interspersed with vocal testimony. After about an hour, we join hands to close the worship. We then share ‘after thoughts’, introductions, announcements, and usually coffee, tea, and muffins. We have a small ‘First Day School’ (Sunday School) and all children are welcome. Newcomers are invited to speak with any member of the meeting for more information, or to refer to the advertisement for information about the meeting.

More information can be found at the Cowichan Valley Quaker website, https:// cowichanvalley.quaker.ca , the Canadian Yearly Meeting website https://quaker. ca/ , and at Ask a Quaker a Question, https://quaker.ca/

PLEASE SUPPORT CCR HELPING LOCAL CATS SINCE 1999

100% VOLUNTEER, Registered Charity cowcatrescue@shaw.ca www.cowichancatrescue.org

who-we-are/ask-a-quakera-question/ . Informative videos about Quakerism can be found at QuakerSpeak, https://www.youtube.com/ user/quakerspeak . Many Friends are active in areas of social justice, peace and environmental concerns, as we believe that living

In Friendship, Judith Appleby, Stephen Bishop, Donna Sassaman God’s presence in our lives is more important than just speaking of our beliefs. More information can be found at the Canadian Friends Service Committee website https:// quakerservice.ca .

RYAN MCMAHON

SATURDAY

APRIL 6

Doors 7PM 7:30PM SHOW

Cowichan Folk Guild Coffeehouse

246 Ingram St, Duncan $25 Members, $35 Public

THURSDAY APRIL 12

Doors 7PM

Open Stage 7:30pm 7:30-10PM SHOW

The Chapel at Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan $5 Members, $10 Public

www.cowichanfolkguild.ca

Ryan McMahon

It is always special to present a local talent who has been growing and changing, the way we perhaps expect our world famous heroes to do — except they belong to us especially, as opposed to belonging to the whole world. We have watched Ryan McMahon come up through the late 90s and early 2000s in bands and as a solo act, and how lucky are we to get to witness that journey up close?!

Pull Ryan up on your favourite streaming service (You Tube is free!) and let “One More Fire” push you into the present tense of your own life. His songs whole heartedly tackle the nuances and challenges of family, creativity and passion in a world of distraction.

So we are very excited to share that Vancouver Island songwriter, Ryan McMahon, on tour to share new album “Live Now” with audiences throughout Western Canada, is coming to The Chapel at Providence Farm on April 6. Determined to experience all life has to offer as the world re-opens to community and gathering, McMahon sold out his album release party at the Ladysmith Eagles Hall in a record six hours this past fall. Support for the new album will exceed 100 shows, including heading out as support for Canadian iconic artist, Tom Cochrane last November. McMahon opened for Burton Cummings for eleven dates throughout British Columbia and Alberta in June of 2023.

Ryan McMahon April 6 at the Chapel at Providence Farm. Doors 7:00pm, show at 7:30pm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan, $25 Members, $35 Public

Humans are hardwired for connection and often our unconscious patterns keep us in protection. I see everything as a pattern. Patterns permeate the universe. As soon as we are born our bodies start to imprint these patterns. Our patterns are woven through our physical, emotional, mental, energetic and spiritual selves.

One of the foundations of Stephen Porges’s PolyVagal Theory is Neuroception. Neuroception is how we perceive our reality through the lens of what is happening beneath our perception. It either tells us if we are safe or if we are in danger. We may walk into a space and feel anxiety or have a conversation with someone we love and want to turn away. Or, we may see a facial expression and feel joy. Curious, right?

If you are curious and would like to explore your patterns, I am offering a weekly class called Awakening Vitality. This class will be a space for us to drop into and learn about our patterns. 90 minutes to embody the somatic experience and create more space for vitality.

We will explore our patterns by using somatic meditation, unwinding, fascia release, movement, yoga, breath, sound, and personal inquiry.

My wish is for us to create a safe container, do some deeper digging and help bring ease, flow and regulation into your life.

Awakening your Vitality!

Start Date April 9 Weekly Dropin Classes Pre-Registration suggested The HUB in Cowichan Station Time 9:30-11AM

Register with Melissa Brown Cost $30 250-661-1687

www.melissambrown.com

Live Shows at Osborne Bay Pub

The month kicks off with an unforgettable evening of laughter with one of Canada’s best comedians! Over 20 million views on Instagram! Byron has performed in over 30 countries and has been on ‘Riverdale’, ‘Supernatural’ and ‘Once Upon A Time’. April 6, $20Presented by Got Pop? Concerts www.tixr.com

This power-house tribute embodies rock n’ roll with their high energy performances and faithful renditions of the Stones’ greatest hits and deep cuts. With the unmistakeable sound of soaring Les Pauls and Telecaster guitars, alongside stripped-down acoustic ballads, The Dirty Stones will take you on a ride through the legendary soundtrack of The Rolling Stones. The members of the Dirty Stones have an in-depth knowledge of the Rolling Stones, having shared the stage or worked alongside some of their peers including: Colin James, Alice Cooper, Earth Wind & Fire, Victor Wooten, Robert Randolph and others. Experience the same swagger and grit as they pay

tribute to the Rolling Stones unrivaled live performances and rock ‘n’ roll excellence. April 13th

- The Dirty Stones - A Tribute to The Rolling Stones, $20 adv. $25 door Tickets @ Eventbrite.ca

Timeless classics of Old Country and early Rock N Roll hits from the golden age of music, the 50’s 60’s & 70’s. The Copper Canyon Band is proud to bring to you, timeless classics of Old Country and early Rock N Roll hits from the golden age of music, the 50’s 60’s & 70’s. Featuring iconic artists like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, the Mavericks, Conway Twitty, The Everly Brothers, Dwight Yoakam, Buddy Holly and many more. Plus a very special tribute to the King of Rock N Roll himself Elvis Presley! April 20th - The Copper Caynon Band $15 - Tickets @ Eventbrite.ca

The Sutcliffes have created an unforgettable show featuring the band and keyboardist Arman Tesoro. They present energetic readings of both The Beatles’ influences and seminal moments from the band’s legacy. From Memphis to Liverpool, from Hamburg to the rooftop of Apple Records, the audience will Get Back to the infectious and joyous music of The Beatles, celebrating their roots and the Beatles’ own unparalleled catalogue.

A highly engaging and powerful performance, this show will captivate you and linger in memory for years to come! Definitely not to be missed! April 27th - The Sutcliffes - A Tribute to The Beatles $25Tickets @ eventbrite.ca

The Sutcliffes

The products available on our super-local marketplace often changeseasonally - depending on what produce is fresh at the time. If you love eating local food in season, this time of year can be a little tricky. But it is our mission to help you make the most of Cowichan Valley’s abundance, all yearround. Make your busy week easier with the convenience of frozen meals, meats and produce. This is a great way to support Cowichan Valley farmers and food processors through the slow season!

Here are some highlights from our current selection of locally made, frozen foods:

Frozen Produce: Harvested and frozen at peak freshness - a great way to preserve the summer and fall bounty!

Frozen Selection Highlights

Cowichan Valley’s Best

Right now we have frozen elderberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, saskatoon heritage berries, kiwi berries (arguta), cantaloupe, figs, tomatoes, tomatillos, beans and garlic. Highly nutritious, premium quality produce all

Permaculture Farm naturally grown, local and delicious lettuce mix, pea shoots, arugula, radish micro-greens, cilantro, chard, kale, mustard greens

Boots nʻ Roots

Delicious food grown with love in Glenora

Available Saturdays at the Duncan Farmers Market Year round on cow-op.ca and cowichanmilk.ca

year-round.

Frozen Ready-to-eat meals: These are great for a quick lunch or dinner. Choose from chicken curry hand pies, smoked pulled pork, mushroom risotto, fisherman’s pie, vegan samosa rolls, or chicken cordon bleu, just to name a few. Just stock a handful in your freezer and you are prepared for those busy days!

Frozen Soup: Delicious creations made with locally grown Cowichan Valley produce and meats are perfect for anytime! Chicken noodle soup, hearty vegetable, beef and barley, borscht, seafood chowder, smoked ham and pea, creamy squash soup, vegan lentil, beef broth,

chicken broth and medicinal mushroom broth.

Frozen Locally Raised Meats: 100% Grass Fed Beef; ground beef, roasts, beef stew, burger patties. Pork chops, roasts, ham hock, ground pork, pork breakfast, bratwursts and grilling sausages. Whole chickens, thighs, and wings. Lamb chops and lamb roasts. Wild caught salmon, smoked salmon products, salmon burgers, cod cakes, and bacon wrapped scallops

… are you hungry yet?

Visit Cow-op.ca to find what else the co-op members have available each week; seasonal produce, fresh bread, baked treats, seeds, and plants - everything is grown, raised and made right here in the Cowichan Valley! Our regional food economy is vibrant, and at Cow-op we work hard to keep it that way by connecting farmers directly to customers like you, making locally grown, fresh, nutritious food accessible to everyone, all year round.

Tamra N., Cultivating community through local agriculture at Cow-op.ca

Ingredients

1/4 cup The Olive Station Basil Infused Olive Oil or Lemon Fused Olive Oil

5 tablespoons The Olive Station Blenheim

Apricot White Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 teaspoon minced shallot

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 (5-ounce) bag spring mix lettuce

3 tablespoons chopped dried apricots

2 tablespoons almond slices

1/4 cup thin sliced purple onion

Directions

Mince shallot and slice onion and apricots. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, Apricot balsamic vinegar, shallot, and salt. In a large salad bowl, add lettuce and top with apricots, almonds, and purple onion. Serve with your freshly made vinaigrette.

Spring Salad with Apricot Balsamic Vinaigrette

Courtesy Grant Easterbrook, The Olive Station

Hello,

my name is Esther Hamar, and I am a Reiki Healer at Purely Wellness, downtown Duncan’s newest professional wellness centre.

I have been a Certified Reiki Healer for almost ten years now, and it is truly my life’s mission and greatest passion to see others thrive and heal. In my work I focus on a holistic approach with all of my clients, to truly balance and heal all aspects of the mind, body & soul. Anything from stress, anxiety, depression, loss of focus, healing the organs, lymphatic system, nervous system, mental & emotional imbalances, and so much more.

I have trained all around the world with master teachers, and explored more than 18 countries, to learn

from various cultures. I am Certified in Level 1 & 2 & 3 Reiki Healing, Certified as a “Teacher of Presence” from the School of Awakening with Eckhart Tolle & Kim Eng, as well as Certified Yoga Instructor. I have also studied Anthroposophy, Ancient Alchemy, Astrology, Breath Work, Human Design, Shadow work, Meditation, Chakra Psychology, Intuitive Anatomy, Shamanism, and Art Therapy.

As a Reiki Practitioner and Spiritual Coach at Purely Wellness in Duncan, I take your privacy, safety, and confidentiality very seriously, and encourage clients to have an open mind and open heart when working with me, in this unique form of holistic healing.

Book a FREE Consultation: www.purelywellness.com/ esther-hamar

More about Esther can be found at: www.artbyesther.ca

Intagram: esther_reiki_yoga

Esther Hamar, Reiki Healer at Purely Wellness

www.purelywellness.com

250-748-0053 101 - 15 Canada Ave, Duncan

Purely Wellness 15 Canada Ave #101, Duncan

Call to book: 250 748-0053 or book online at: www.cowichanvalleyacupuncture.com

Reiki with Esther

Sustainably Harvested Wild Salmon

Member Shares

NOW Available

2024 Salmon

Why Buy Direct?

• FRESHER FISH Our salmon is flash frozen at sea and is the highest sushi-grade quality available

• BEST PRICE & BEST VALUE

No middle man or shipping costs. Pay your fisherman directly and pick your share up from the dock.

Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery

www.michellerosecsf.com

A Sustainable Fishing Day

On the fishing grounds north of Haida Gwaii in Dixion entrance the day starts early. We rise before the sun around 4-4:30. As the first to get up, I make coffee and then we pull the anchor and head out to the tack. We aim to have the gear going into the water as the first light of day is showing, then there is time for a second cup of coffee as the gear soaks. A few tugs on the lines and the day is in full swing. Two of us hauling gear and the crew taking turns dressing the fish. This pattern will go on till evening, with everyone grabbing a quick bite of lunch when (if) there is a lull in the catch between the tides. Or if there is no action on the lines then trying different gear, different depths or different tacks. Later as the bite dies off in the evening, we will pull the gear and clean up the remaining fish

as we head back into the anchorage. Dinner and maybe some time reading or playing cards but the lure of some horizontal time sleeping is soon over powering. The days repeat till we are loaded.

When fishing by hook and line or trolling, all the fish are alive as we bring them aboard to be dressed and frozen. For any by-catch of non target species we can release them alive without ever bringing them on board. After 10-14 days fishing hopefully with out too many weather days we will pull the gear and head into Prince Rupert to unload. On an average northern season we hope to have 2-3 loads, bringing the last load home to Cowichan Bay to sell to the community through Michelle Rose Community Supported fishery (CSF). Our days out fishing are ruled by the tides, sun up and night fall and a respectful eye on the weather. Our catch is all top-quality salmon, rockfish and ling cod. Dressed and frozen on board shortly after it is landed. There are no net pens, no massive sewage load into the environment. We use no antibiotics and the money earned goes to those with boots on the deck, not large multinational fish feed lot companies. It’s a choice you can make. If you are interested have a look at our web site michellerosecsf.com

Guy Johnston, Fisherman Michelle Rose Fishing

Spring Foraging in the Wild

Wild foods are all around us. Sometimes they are called nasty names like weeds and invasive species (which they can be). They are actually incredibly nutritious and often very tasty. There are two main types in the valley, Native plants are ones that have existed here for many thousands of years like camus bulbs, grand fir needles and huckleberries – to name a few. The other group is a large and imposing group of invasive or introduced plants. Many of the good edible plants were introduced to Vancouver Island in the past couple of hundred years or so. This group includes most of the common weeds such as dandelion, pepper cress and oxeye daisy. These were brought to North America by the early settlers as potage (soup) herbs or as medicinal plants. They escaped and thrived everywhere, and I do mean everywhere.

Essentially it takes a lot of plant energy to survive in the wild. This translates to higher levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and something called phytonutrients. These components are becoming more recognized as important in maintaining a good healthy immune system and reputed to help strengthen our resistance to disease. Plus they taste great.

Many of the greens have a peppery and bitter edge to their taste. These elements are very good for promoting circulation and creating a healthy digestive system. This can help you revive your system after a winter spent curled up with a book or an electronic device. One of the best spring tonics is the stinging

from the edges of the leaves, which has tiny needle like barbs which inject histamine into your skin. The effect lasts for a few minutes and is not really painful. In fact many folk remedies for arthritis relief (temporary) involve purposefully rubbing the leaf on infected joints for a beneficial effect. Local First Nations also used the nettles to keep themselves alert and awake for rituals that required their attention for many hours of both awareness or meditation. Blanching the nettels quickly in boiling water will remove the sting and leaves a wonderful vegetable behind. A bit of a blend of spinach and kale flavours.

Nettles are also thought to help the kidneys and liver purge themselves of toxins and excess fats. They are eaten in spring as tea, soups and vegetables in many parts of the world. You may be surprised to learn they are a favourite food in Tibet and Northern India, often mixed with wonderful curried spices to form purees and sautéed vegetables.

Closer to home, you can pick nettles that are growing in clean and wild areas, the farther from civilization the better. Pick them before they have a chance to flower. Local restaurants and businesses also use stinging nettles. You can also sometimes find nettles at the Duncan farmers market in season. March to May are the prime times, but you can sometimes find a second harvest when the plants start growing after the fall rains arrive and the weather is still warm.

So give wild foods like stinging nettle a chance, try them sauteed

LOOKING FOR MICROGREENS?

We grow plenty of them!

A&S MICROGREENS

t.250-710-6135 www.asmicrogreens.com

Ingredients

8 cups Stinging nettles

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 cup potatoes, diced

1 onion, peeled and diced

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 Tbsp garlic, minced

1 tsp curry powder or paste

1 cup whipping cream (or coconut milk)optional

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the nettles. Cook 1 minute then transfer to a bowl of cold water. When cool, drain, squeeze nettles in a ball and set aside until needed.

Take the drained nettles and squeeze into a ball. With a chef knife, chop the ball into slices and chop the slices into a rough dice. In a large pot, add the stock, potatoes, onion, celery, garlic and curry powder. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are soft. Add the cooked stinging nettles and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Puree with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and puree. Add cream (or coconut milk) and season well with salt and pepper. Reduce until soup thickens to a nice texture and the colour is still bright green. You may thicken the soup with a little cornstarch, tapioca flour or potato starch mixed with a little cold water – whisk over heat until the soup thickens. To serve, ladle soup into a bowl.

as vegetables with your meals or puree into a wonderful soup. You might be surprised how good a weed can taste. On April 13, Deerholme Farm will be holding a special wild foods dinner,

featuring many of our amazing foraged foods including morel Mushrooms. See www.deerholme.com for more info.

Courtesy Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm

From Earth To Bottle, and Back Again…

The concept of creating a carbon-neutral distillery on a shoestring budget has been a challenging dream for Aisling and me, co-founders of Holocene Distilling Project, but we’re up for the task. We believe that integrating sustainability into the core of our business from its inception is far more advantageous than retrofitting hardened systems later on. Our journey began in 2017 and this past November we finally opened the doors to our home-based business, driven by our ambitious target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. This timeline allows us the opportunity to refine our business model while making meaningful strides towards sustainability.

The idea for this ambitious challenge developed while I was working as a project manager for a fireplace manufacturing company. It was there that I developed a lust for pellet stoves with their intricate gears, circuit boards, and the alluring ambiance they provide. I discovered some versatile pellet stoves could burn not only wood pellets, but also alternative materials like corn and wheat. While Aisling and I simmered with the idea of opening a distillery in the back of our minds, we began contemplating connecting my new found admiration for pellets to our dream venture. This notion served as the catalyst and soon we began brainstorming creative ways to achieve a net-zero www.cowichancream.ca

Our custom cross-flow heat exchanger system used to cool down the mash to room temperature.

These are the stills we use to separate alcohol and produce high-quality spirits.

business model.

In 2017 we began establishing the groundwork needed to reach our goal. We collaborated with the graduating engineering students at Camosun College to help us design and build custom equipment essential to meet our vision. Over the span of five years, we proudly sponsored five capstone project groups, culminating in the recent recognition by Artisan Distillers Canada for our exceptional community engagement with the college. These projects include the creation of a mash press, pellet mill, pellet stove heat exchanger, pallet jack trailer, and bottling machine.

In addition to our pellet energy program, we’ve integrated a heat recovery system to the distillery’s cooling setup. With a large indirect water tank acting as a heat storage reservoir, we capture heat from production processes using the cooling piping network. By running this heat through

coils in the tank, we’re currently saving about 40% of the energy needed to boil the holding water, using what would have been wasted heat.

“Holocene” is the current epoch (age) we live in, stretching back to the last ice age when humans maintained a symbiotic relationship with the planet. However, many scientists argue that we’re entering the Anthropocene, marked by human-induced climate change. We named our project “Holocene” because we cherish this era and want to preserve it. Having both grown up on Vancouver Island and spending weeks at a time camping under colossal trees, it would be hard not to develop a respect for the environment and all it provides us.

This summer, we’re planning to open our space for people to visit, explore our systems, and enjoy a cocktail while taking a tour of the distillery and specialized treatment field. Stay in the loop by signing up for our mailing list on our website or following us on social media. For more information about our sustainability implementation plan, visit our website. holocenedistilling.com

Dorian Redden, owner Holocene Distilling Project

Gift Baskets

Meat & Cheese Platters

Gourmet Foods

Italian Imports

Take Home and Serve

Co-Founder

Dorian Redden

Developmentally Healthy Approaches to Climate Change with Kids

Notall kids worry about climate, but the many who do need to know that adults around them care. Here are resilience-informed guidelines that can empower kids without telegraphing that it’s their job alone to fix the problem. Remember to follow your instincts on what’s best for your child.

Ages 0-2

Healthy attachment and adult responsiveness are the best climate activism possible. Nestle in to protect the nervous systems of little ones and new parents from chaos in the world. Explore Handin-Hand Parenting or the Neufeld Institute for support.

Ages 3-7

Their job is to play, and their resilience comes from falling in love with the world, particularly in nature. Climate change or melting ice caps are topics too abstract and scary. Your adult responsiveness continues to build their resilience.

Ages 8-11

Convey the message that lots of good people are working on it. Listening to stories about inspiring people develops a conscience. Aim for diverse voices. Teach them to take good care of things. Raise plants or animals. If they love sports, sell lemonade to purchase soccer balls for kids in poverty. Whatever your child loves is the place to start.

Ages 12-14

Many kids have woken up to climate change. It can be a rockier time. Ask them what they know and how they feel about it. Some kids need to have ongoing conversations earlier. Learn about misinformation from the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. Let them watch you regulate yourself when you’re triggered-Taking breaths, noticing your body, going outside, etc. Bring them to clothing swaps, community events, and introduce them to the neighbours. Take climate action that you enjoy. Share your enthusiasm. Their consent for participation is essential.

The original home of local, organic, vegetarian and wholesome food!

Age 14+ years

“Keep them in your hip pocket” with regular connection. Tolerate their anger or despair without “fixing.” Find ways to delight in them, especially if they’re struggling. If they’re interested in climate action, offer support. Bring in other inspiring adults. Learn about social justice together. Get brave and bring up climate change - or they may wonder why you weren’t able to

broach such an impactful subject. Widen the lens – any activity that can shift culture counts, from growing food to building community to joining a credit union to protesting.

Above all, find your unique ways to make this world better, and model joy for your kids! Your resilience will build theirs-and it will ripple outwards.

Teddy Kellam is a therapist who works with trauma, parenting and climate/mental health. teddykellam.com

to note that intimates and shoes won’t be part of the swap, ensuring hygiene and safety standards are maintained. So bring three and take three – ALL FREE!

Downtown Duncan is gearing up for an Earth Day extravaganza on April 20th, taking place at the picturesque Charles Hoey Memorial Park from 11 am to 3 pm. This eagerly anticipated event promises a blend of eco-conscious activities, informative showcases, and community engagement opportunities, all set against the backdrop of nature’s beauty.

One of the highlights of the day is the Goldstone Clothing Swap Tent, where attendees can participate in sustainable fashion by bringing three items to swap. With a focus on reducing waste and promoting reuse, this initiative encourages ecofriendly wardrobe choices without compromising on style. However, it’s important

Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, the event will feature a Busker’s Station, generously sponsored by Wishes. Local musicians and performers will provide live entertainment, infusing the air with melodies and rhythms that celebrate the spirit of Earth Day. This musical interlude not only entertains but also fosters a sense of community spirit and togetherness.

Furthermore, attendees can explore the Eco-Fair, brought to us by PlentiFILL, where 15 vendors will showcase their eco-friendly services and products. From organic skincare to sustainable home goods and plants, visitors will have the opportunity to discover and support businesses committed to environmental responsibility. This marketplace serves as a platform for promoting sustainable consumption habits and encouraging individuals to make greener choices in their daily lives. Celebrate Sustainability:

The Sustainability Showcase stage will be another focal point of the event, where businesses and organizations will demonstrate and discuss their green products and initiatives. From innovative technologies to grassroots initiatives, these presentations will highlight the collective efforts being made to combat climate change and promote sustainability on both local and global scales.

In essence, the downtown Duncan Earth Day event promises a day filled with inspiration, education, and celebration of our planet. By bringing together the community and showcasing eco-friendly practices and products, it serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship and collective action in safeguarding the Earth for future generations. And don’t forget to bring your three items of women’s clothing for the clothing swap!

We have one of the largest collections of garden pottery on Vancouver Island and everything else you need for your garden; local compost, soil, garden amendments, tools as well as a unique selection of home and garden decor. We can help you create the garden of your dreams!

Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm and Sun 10am-5pm www.oldfarmgarden.ca I @oldfarmgarden

TWELVE MONTHS to zero waste

Stephanie Farrow & Krystal AikmanPlentifill Refillery & Sustainable Living Store

Month 4 and spring is in the air… April is Earth Month! We hope you’re taking the time to acknowledge your efforts and pat yourself on the back for how far you’ve come. This month we’re going to talk about laundry and some of the ways you can reduce your environmental impact while still getting bright whites and fresh linens! Ready? Let’s go!

First, let’s take a quick look inside mainstream laundry detergent. We’ll use that bright blue liquid in giant orange jugs that we’re all familiar with as an example. (Why is it so blue?)

Picture this: you toss your clothes in the washer, add a cup of the blue stuff, and hit start. The detergent gets to work, lifting stains and preserving colours, but its journey doesn’t end there. Once the washing is done, it’s rinsed away, diluted, and

ultimately flushed down the drain, mixing with other wastewater on its way back to nature. Unfortunately, this labcreated chemical cocktail can have a lasting impact on our beautiful earth.

First, the worst: phosphates. Phosphates were used in laundry detergents and dish soaps for decades to increase their cleaning power. While they are seemingly harmless while in use, once they hit the water table, they wreak havoc on ecosystems. When phosphates react with nitrogen in the water they become a feast for algae, triggering a process called eutrophication which leads to oxygen depletion in aquatic habitats, disrupting ecosystems and threatening marine life. Thankfully, phosphates are slowly being phased out, but they can still be found in some lowerquality detergents.

Next, there are chemical surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, more commonly referred to as SLS. These are typically added to increase stain removal power. These surface-active

Luckily, there are lots of great options out there that treat your clothes, your body, and the earth with the respect they deserve. Powder, liquid, concentrate, tabs, sheets, even soap nuts, the options are endless. Our household favourite is the allnatural highconcentration liquid detergent from a company called Live for Tomorrow. Made in Vancouver, this product is 100% plant-derived, using ingredients like coconut surfactants, and enzymes to loosen tough stains and deep-clean fabrics. The best

• Great rates

• Free consultation

• Neurodiverse friendly

part is that these products are super concentrated, requiring only 1-2 teaspoons per load, meaning they’re not shipping many other refillable or packagefree

• Feel proud of your home

Erin Green 250 893 0381

https://snapitsdone.wordpress.com

laundry options available? Stop by for chat, we’re happy to walk you through it and the great thing is you can buy as little as one load of each so you can try them

all to see what works best for you.

Oh, one last thing: it’s Spring! Time to air dry… save energy and save money too!

From Heart to Earth. The Change on Earth Begins With Our Own Sacred Heart

This month is Earth month to celebrate and honour our sacred Home and the gifts it provides. Especially at this critical and pivotal time, it is a timely reminder of our interconnectedness and our essential role to protect and care for our Mother Earth. Where to start when things have gone so far? Change happens when

people change not because of imposed policies or bills. Higher sustainable change can only come about with a collective change in consciousness to higher values like Honesty, Truthfulness, Moderation, and Non-Possessiveness. “If I am truthful or honest and have integrity can I pollute, can I make poor choices that harm

the environment?” Daaji

As a consumer I support much of what is harmful to the Earth as collectively we decide what, how much and when. Change can only come when I change my thinking. It is my thinking that is gone wrong when I can pollute or make harming choices. How then to change my thinking ?

Heartfulness meditation with a simple set of practices and a relaxed body can connect us to our hearts where we can tap into our own innate wisdom and true essence to imbibe new values and habits, developing attitudes that ennoble us to become a better version of ourselves. A better child of Mother Earth.

“As I connect and feel the Love within how can I continue to harm anyone or the environment” Daaji As Daaji shared in his newly released best seller ‘Spiritual Anatomy’: “The best gift you can give to the Universe is the gift of your transformed self. This silent

act of self transformation will bring about a tipping point of consciousness that will change the future of humanity” and with it our Mother Earth.

Kamlesh D. Patel, affectionately known as Daaji, is the spiritual guide of Heartfulness Meditation, practiced free of charge worldwide. Explore and experience the benefits for yourself of the Relaxation, Meditation and Cleaning practices by visiting Heartfulness.org or download Hearts app or by contacting me directly, Robert Boyle at skypil0t@telus.net (skypil0t with a zero)

At the dawn of spring wishing you a seedy Earth month.

Wool’s Cozy Comfort For The Cold and Damp West Coast

Do you live with any challenging ailments such as Arthritis, Osteoporosis or Fibromyalgia? What these have in common (as well as Lupus, Colitis and Auto Immune Disorders) is that they can be made worse by our west coast weather.

The rainy days here are both cold and damp, which can feel like we are chilled to the bone. At these times, it can be taxing maintaining an optimal body temperature, draining our precious energy, and driving up inflammation’s painful symptoms.

Sleeping and resting with natural products from Soul Comfort such as wool underlays and fleece footwear/arm covers, can help mitigate the cold and damp in a number of unique ways:

Firstly, wool has inherent insulating properties. The unique coiled composition of each strand

of wool, creates an open environment for our body heat to flow into and be held there, keeping us comfortably warm. As our heat continues to gather into the fibre, the earlier held warmth is pushed up and out, dissipating into the air. This repeats over and over again, ensuring a steady temperature around us.

This is how sheep have regulated their body temperature for centuries, staying cool during the hottest days and toasty warm during the winter. When we use wool products next to our skin, we gain those benefits too, keeping pleasantly cozy, which is especially soothing for our muscles and joints.

Sheep’s coiled wool fibres are also uniquely designed to pull moisture away from their skin, keeping them warm and dry. When we use wool fibres, they also pull perspiration away from our bodies, so our skin is not susceptible to bacteria growth, and remains healthy and strong. Since laying in dampness aggravates muscles and joints, sheep’s wool also greatly improves inflammatory ailments, allowing for a more comfortable healing slumber.

Soul Comfort specializes in health grade wool products that can support which ever part of your body that needs it. Easy to use, and durable, our wool is machine wash and dry-able, meeting Canadian Infection Standards. Wool products are designed to last, and will outperform synthetics due to the coiled structure, which resists breakage and degradation.

Whether you are at home, hospital or hospice, wool will provide dryness and warmth so you will remain as comfortable as possible. We look forward to seeing you at the shop and are happy to answer any questions,

Somatics

SPIRITUAL ANATOMY

Happy transformative journey inward and onward towards the best 2024 version of yourself! Inspiring book for your New Year’s resolution and beyond. Available locally at independent bookstores

www.heartfulness.org

or fit you to your custom wool solution.

Happy Earth Day!

Anyes De Laat, Soul Comfort Sheepskin

HARNESSING THE SUN, SECURING OUR FUTURE: A CALL OUT FOR A COMMITMENT TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

AsEarth Day approaches, the sun shines on our environmental responsibilities and the urgent need to combat climate change. This crisis, fueled by unsustainable energy sources, calls for immediate action. At Viridian Solar, we do not just focus on being a business, but we are advocates for change towards a sustainable future, powered by the promise of solar energy.

The Bright Side of Solar Energy

Solar power stands out as the best power source, offering a clean, limitless, and increasingly cost-effective solution. Embracing solar energy allows us to step away from fossil fuels, slashing carbon emissions. Solar installations, whether for homes or businesses, are crucial in our journey towards sustainability. Solar energy prepares us for energy independence and financial savings, and most importantly it contributes to a healthier planet.

How Does Solar Work?

The magic of solar energy lies in its simplicity and efficiency. Solar panels, composed of photovoltaic cells, convert sunlight directly into electricity. This process, known as the photovoltaic effect, involves absorbing photons from sunlight, which then excites electrons in the cells to create an electric current. Depending on the system’s configuration, this current can be used immediately, stored in batteries for later use, or fed back into the electrical grid (BC Hydro).

The beauty of solar power is its scalability, from

small residential setups to large commercial arrays. This versatility makes it a key player in our energy landscape, capable of providing a significant portion of our electricity needs while minimizing a carbon footprint.

A global commitment to integrating cutting-edge solar technology with sustainable practices underscores a universal dedication to a greener tomorrow. It is time to demystify solar energy; and make it a viable and attractive option for all.

The Role of Government Incentives

An important aspect of our mission involves educating the public about the financial support available for solar adoption. Government incentives and financing programs, like the Canada Greener Homes Loan, are designed to make solar installations more attainable and affordable. For commercial projects, programs such as the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit exist to encourage investment of capital in the adoption and operation of clean technology property in Canada. Solar equipment qualifies and allows taxpayers to take a 30% tax credit on the capital cost or be entitled to a cash refund. These initiatives significantly lower the financial hurdles, enabling more households and businesses to make the switch to clean energy.

Janice Winfrey Funeral Director

By tapping into these resources, our communities can enjoy the dual benefits of contributing to environmental sustainability and experiencing economic advantages. Together, let’s illuminate the path for widespread solar energy adoption, ensuring our communities are both empowered and informed.

As we approach Earth Day, Viridian Solar’s vision is clear: sharing a future where solar energy is a cornerstone of our energy system. Together, we can capture the sun’s boundless energy, ensuring a sustainable, prosperous future for generations to come.

Submitted by Lynn June, Office Manager for Viridian Solar Co-op.

tel: 250-746-5212 • fax:250-746-7034

sandsfuneral.com/duncan

email:sandsduncan@arbormemorial.com

187 Trunk Road, Duncan, British Columbia V9L 2P1

Cremation & Reception Centre-Duncan by Arbor Memorial Sands Funeral Chapel

We are a full service residential design firm focusing on custom homes + renovations. Through the process of collaboration between clients, designers + trades, a well thought out home is the difference between existing in a space and truly living there.

Donna Burdulea I Interior Designer interiors + design

Donna Burdulea | Interior Designer www.dbinteriorsdesign.com e. hello@dbinteriorsdesign.com | ph. 250.812.5840

REIKI WELLNESS CENTRE

250-743-8122

The Hidden Cost of a One-Sided Mattress on You and The Environment

What’s happening in the mattress industry today is nothing short of an environmental disaster. From one-sided mattresses to toxic raw materials, it is not easy for consumers to make educated decisions that are safe for the environment and their families.

Our Practitioners are certified with many years of wisdom and experience!

DEBBIE SHKURATOFF - REIKI MASTER TEACHER

Teaching Usui Reiki - Level I & II, Advanced & Reiki Master Reiki Therapy/Chakra Balancing/Alignment - Foot Detox

ACUPUNCTURIST - K.B. GaChing Kong, M.Ed.R.Ac

Moxibustion - Counselling - Breathwork

Nutritional Planning - Bodywork and Movement

CERTIFIED REFLEXOLOGIST - Francoise Moulin

Aromatherapy - Healing Touch - Art Therapy

CERTIFIED SPINAL FLOW THERAPIST - Dana Schneider Spinal Flow Technique

Daytime

Weekends

By Appointment Only #13 - Upper Level

Valleyview Centre • Cobble Hill www.reikiwellness.ca • reiki-wellness@shaw.ca

In 2000, Simmons introduced the one-sided mattress and marketed it as maintenancefree, with no flipping or rotating required. The truth is, that the price of raw materials (mainly petroleum and steel) had skyrocketed and manufacturers needed a way to cut costs. In general, one-sided mattresses last between five to seven years, while a latex mattress can last 20-plus years. Because you cannot turn one-sided mattresses over, the only thing left to do is to rotate them, which puts you in your partner’s body impression. So, of course, this mattress will no longer work within the first couple of years. 20 years ago, you could flip and rotate your mattress, and increase its longevity. Now, it has become disposable. Approximately six million mattresses go into Canadian landfills each year, and the US discards three times that amount. Each mattress discarded, takes up valuable space in landfills,

with components that do not break down; all the while releasing harmful toxins, and contaminating soil and water. The biggest problem in the last five years, and the scariest one of them all, is the ubiquitous bed-in-a-box. There are dozens of these companies online which have followed the same business model. If you don’t like it you can return it!! What happens to the returned mattresses postCovid? Most of them go to landfills. This business model is not sustainable and when you really look further into how people sleep, it is the shoulder collapse, and the resultant twist in our body that is causing problems. If customers were educated that the cause of their body pain could be related to this shoulder collapse, almost all returns could be avoided. Most mattress companies will blame your mattress for your discomfort, and thus, the cycle continues. It is clear that this model does not put the customer or the environment first.

In 2007, mattresses were required to pass a flammability test. Most conventional mattresses on the market today contain a blend of toxic chemicals. Alternatively, certified organic mattresses use wool as a natural and flame-safe barrier.

Hopefully one day, the bedding industry will be regulated. With the egregious use of landfill space, and the waste of raw

Chris Manley’s 25-plus years in the mattress industry fuels his mission: innovating sleep products for personal and planetary wellbeing.

materials and water used in production, it is obvious that change is imperative. This change needs to start with bedding manufacturers and consumer purchasing behaviour. It’s not all bad - there is a bright side. After working in the mattress industry for over 25 years, I sympathize that consumers are being sold inferior products marketed with confusing, technical

terminology that amounts to nothing but unsubstantiated jargon. I know we have to, and can do, better.

This consumer deception fueled my passion to find customizable solutions made from natural, organic materials. At Resthouse, we use low-impact, renewable resources that are free from plastics, pesticides and pollutants. Our materials are curated to be naturally breathable, moisture-wicking, hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. No flame retardant chemicals are used on our natural latex mattresses, as the wool casing is naturally flame retardant.

As you move through the various stages of life, a customizable mattress allows you to change or move

components for your comfort and support, without the need to get a new mattress. There is a mattress that can be built for you, that can change over time as your body ages and your needs transform. Our mattresses come in various depths and densities, and most include customization options that allow each partner to tailor their side of the bed to their individual sleeping preferences, body types, or unique needs.

While the upfront cost of an all-natural latex mattress might seem high compared to a conventional one-sided mattress, the cost is significantly lower when you consider that it has over four times the lifespan. Add to this the fact that if, and when, a natural rubber latex mattress does go to the landfill, all components are biodegradable and do not add to the waste problem.

Early on, I knew the key to a better sleep was body alignment, and stopping shoulder collapse; this enables us to enter into

our deepest level of healthy, nourishing, sleep. With this in mind, we developed our Kakun brand, which focuses on customization, temperature regulation, and precision. Each of our three pillows come overstuffed, and can thus be tailored to an individual’s body type and sleep style. We developed a body pillow line with seven different models to choose from that support your body’s alignment, whether you are small, medium or tall. Our comforters can have two different weights in the same casing, as not everyone can sleep with the same weight. Each facet of our product line is tailored to the nuances that each individual sleeper experiences. Sleep doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to be hot. Making educated decisions and purchasing customizable bedding will not only improve your sleep quality, it will also lessen your environmental impact.

Sweet dreams…and Happy Earth Day!

Spring Tour

APRIL 27 - 28 10-5pm

Catherine Fraser I Cowichan Bay / Duncan

Representational I Abstract I Nature I People

JENNIFER LAWSON

Cowichan Artisans Open Studio

APRIL 27 & 28 10-5pm

1516 Khenipsen Rd.,Duncan

jlart@telus.net

www.jenniferlawsonart.com

250 748-2142

SPRING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Wroughtenart by Travis Rankin - This metal art piece depicts the delicate elegance of bamboo and the beauty of a lily flower. The sharp and sturdy lines of the bamboo represent resilience and strength, while the graceful curves of the lily convey softness and tranquility. Together, they create a balance of contrasting qualities, reminding us of the importance of harmony in life. www.wroughtenart.com

Jennifer Lawson - Come visit the oldest house in Cowichan - on the riverby the estuary and tucked underneath Mt Tzouhalem - where you’ll find all my latest paintings, prints and cards. I paint florals, houses and gardens, landscapes, animals and antiquity... and as a location painter very interested in history and eco conservation - you will recognize many of the landmarks I’ve painted!

Commissions accepted. www.jenniferlawsonart.com

Catherine Fraser ArtNew artworks done outdoors in Italy, Spain and Orkney during artist residencies will be shown. I used the three colours of yellow, red and blue. This combination of colours was introduced to me many years ago in Hawaii by artist Richard Nelson. I chose to mix the colours with water and medium to paint thinly in layers. I was interested in the light, the sunrise and the shapes of the trees. Visit Catherine’s studio and see multimedia works in water colours, oils, pastels, graphite, acrylics, photography. Catherine’s practice consists of weekly plein air works, and figurative drawings. You will be glad you visited this studio nestled in the Cowichan Bay Estuary.

www.catherinefraserart.com

Cowichan Artisans are delighted to invite you to their studios to share their creativity, inspiration and processes.

Come tour and let the Cowichan Artisans move you, uplift you and enrich your minds.

“Studio touring gives us the opportunity to share our art, our homes and workplaces” Says artisan Bev Robertson. We invite you to visit our website, cowichanartisans.com, check which artist will be participating, download the tour map, and come visit us on April 27th and 28h, from 10 am to 5pm. We welcome you to come experience the diversity of Cowichan Artisans Art Studios. This year’s participants and their arts are, Bev Robertson, painter of vibrant, light filled, floral oil paintings, Live Edge Design, creating artistic furnishings, Jennifer Lawson paints a colourful array of watercolour houses and gardens, Catherine Fraser’s explorations of colour and composition in a variety of mediums, Tyler Hayes blown glass sculptures, Laurel Hibbert’s

COWICHAN ARTISANS STUDIO TOUR

APRIL 27 & 28

vibrant, whimsical, storytelling art, Cathi Jefferson’s finely crafted Salt fired stoneware both functional and sculptural pieces, Ruth Warkenten’s upholstery studio and custom fabric printworks at Whippletree Junction with Pipi Tustians textile art. Bev Thompson’s prints and

printmaking artworks, Wilma Millette’s collage artwork takes collage to a whole new level.

Look out for the latest additions to the tour and new studio spaces from Margrit Nellemann ceramics, Morgan Ann Designs silver jewellery, the incredible pottery and woodworks by Devin and Jennifer of Miller + Co. and Wroughten Art’s metal sculptures design wall art to gates.

cowichanartisans.com

COWICHAN ARTISANS STUDIO TOUR APRIL 27 & 28

Wilma Millette

Morgan Saddington

SPRING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Tulips From my Love” was inspired by a bouquet given to me by my husband.who knows that I would rather receive tulips than roses. I love to paint the tulips at different stages as they mature, open and bend. People always ask me “ how

do you paint glass?”and my answer is that it isn’t actually the glass I paint, it’s the light that reflects off the glass and the way the water and glass distort the shapes of the stems inside that makes you know how the glass is shaped.

www.bevrobertsonwildflowerartstudio.ca

Live Edge Design - This thanksgiving gather around the table with loved ones and celebrate being together. We believe that the dining table

is the heart of a home and the perfect place for celebrations and story telling, for feasting and friendship. This recent river table features Western Big Leaf maple and river rock

to create a modern West Coast centrepiece.

www.liveedgedesign.com

Oil Paintings by Bev Robertson - Wildflower Art Studio

MONTREAL

Vic’s Mix is a showcase of explosive athleticism, remarkable artistry, and connectivity amongst dancers.” – Verve Magazine

The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is proud to present Rubberband’s Vic’s Mix at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30pm. Hailing from Montreal, Rubberband is known world-wide for its innovation and development of a new contemporary style inspired by break, classical ballet, and dance theatre.

With both humorous and serious moments, Vic’s Mix is a kind of “best of” spanning the immense creative territory explored by Victor Quijada, and extracting jewels from the renowned choreographer’s repertoire. In a remix of his own work, orchestrating the clash between urban pop and classical composition, Quijada goes further in his experiments defying notions of theatricality and audience expectations, while making sure that each body gravitating onstage in the highly athletic segments exemplifies the Rubberband Method.

Since 2002, Victor Quijada and Rubberband have not only redefined break dance codes within an institutional context and enlivened the Quebec dance scene, but have opened the way for new creators fascinated by this dance form. Armed with a technique he conceived for dancers, the Rubberband Method – an electrifying vocabulary combining the energy of Hip Hop, the refinement of classical ballet, and the angular quality of contemporary dance – and some 40 creations and collaborations in Canada and abroad behind him, Victor Quijada has always continued to evolve and innovate throughout his prolific career.

This performance combines the gems of his career into unforgettable show of stunning athletics and explosive movement from the six dancers. The premiere of Vic’s Mix took place in June 2016 as part of the Festival International DansEncore in the Salle Anaïs-AllardRousseau of the Maison de la Culture in Trois-Rivières. Student and senior ticket discounts are available for this performance.

Tickets to Vic’s Mix are $40 for adults, $36 for seniors, and $10 for students/children and can be purchased online, by calling 250-746-2722 or by visiting the Ticket Centre. For further show information and trailers, visit our website at www.cowichanpac.ca.

The Duncan Freedom Gospel Choir, directed by Ann Antonides, is presenting a concert called Gettin’ Ready. There are two performances: Friday, April 19 at 7pm, and, on Saturday, April 20 at 2pm. Gettin’ Ready, will feature arrangements of spirituals, contemporary gospel songs and a show tune or two.

The songs, featured in the concert, invite the audience to “get ready” to board the train to travel to freedom, community, and compassion. We all experience pain, frustration, laughter, joy, hope. Songs, like Sisi Ni Moja, invite us to celebrate our unity. Traditional spirituals—“This Train”, Ev’ry Time I Feel The Spirit-celebrate crossing over into freedom. The choir will also be singing Baba Yetu (the Lord’s

DUNCAN FREEDOM GOSPEL CHOIR

Prayer in Swahili) originally written for the Civilization IV video game.

Tanya Gillespie, is our talented accompanist. She will be singing a solo in People Get Ready with other soloists from the choir.

The choir has grown this year to 45 members and they are excited to present this uplifting and joyous concert. Concerts take place at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 531 Herbert St., Duncan. Tickets are $20. 12 years and under –free. Tickets are available at Ten Old Books (Duncan Garage), at the door, and from choir members.

WESTHOLME TEA COMPANY BACK AT THE DUNCAN FARMERS MARKET

We are elated to set up our Westholme market stand for yet another season at the Duncan Farmer’s Market starting April 6th and every Saturday beyond, between 9am and 2pm.

Serving freshly brewed, hot tea by the cup and selling our wide selection of pure, loose teas in bulk or tins at our usual location on Ingram Street.

For pre orders, please send us your bulk orders and/or special requests for market pick-up by noon each Friday either online at www. westholmetea.com or over the phone at 250.748.3811.

Journey Through the Chakras

What are they?

Good question!

Well, you won’t find a description or explanation in anatomy textbooks or your family doctor.

Yet, the knowledge about chakras has been around a lot longer than our medical practice. For thousands of years shamans have worked with them.

So, how do we connect todays’ medicine with ancient healing practices?

Look up the different systems’ maps, like the nervous system. You will notice that each of these have distinct branches and clusters in the areas where our chakra energy is located.

That energy was given different names in ancient times and “primitive cultures”. ‘Chi’ in China, ‘Prana’ in India and ‘Ether’ in the early Greek.

Today, we don’t even have a name for it. ‘Life energy’ is probably as close as we can get. And what exactly is that life energy?

Maybe we need to ask: ’What exactly keeps our heart beating?’ Which leads to: ‘What are we

truly conscious of?’

When it comes to our physical body the answer is: ‘Not much!’

We have around a trillion living cells in our physical body. Each one of them operates perfectly in its particular function.

The life energy in our body seems to operate on automatic, spontaneously, or subconsciously.

According to the shamans, chakras are vortexes of life energy, portrayed in the images of wheels. They had rituals and practices to create consciousness of the chakras, which brings awareness of the life energy.

There are various practices of this energy: Chi Cong, Tai Chi, Wu Chi from China. Yoga, Kriya, and Bhakti, from India. Sufi dance from the Islam tradition.

In its ‘active’ form we find it today in Trance-dance, Ecstatic dance, and ecstatic chanting: Kirtan and sound-baths, meditation in ‘passive’ forms.

Sound is one of the most effective ways to trigger awareness of that life energy. Everyone can actually feel sound vibrations in their body. So, let us enhance the life energy in our body, our mind, and our emotions by engaging in both active and passive practices.

We are offering a Journey through the chakras, 7 weeks series, from Root to Crown chakra weaving Toning, Yoga postures, Ecstatic Dance and Sound Healing to bring our awareness to those energy centers and our body’s wisdom.

Every Tuesday from April 16th to May 28th, 6:30pm-9pm at VI Yoga School, – 360 Duncan St #103, Duncan.

www.adelinewholistichealing. com

Arie Reyden, Love’s Triangle and Adeline Wholistic Healing

Hypnosis Can Be Your Solution

Germana Rovinelli, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist CCH 30 years experience

Deepak Chopra M.D. is known to have coined the term Mass hypnosis. He understands the power of suggestion and how this phenomenon impacts others.

Then in casual conversation I have with clients many of them state will full belief

That “ I can’t be hypnotized” Being someone who has taken years of training in the field of therapeutic has resulted in observing how hypnosis works in everyday life. I chuckle silently knowing that I could use this conversation to educate the client or, not bother wasting my time. In fact when someone has a problem weather that manifests as a physical ailment, a emotional issue, self confidence, depression, rage, anxiety, panic, low self worth, you name it it’s a sign of waking hypnosis. With a posthypnotic suggestion causing the issue.

Now most people would attack that statement, thinking that I must be off my rocker. I guess that’s another sign of not understanding the laws of the mind and the power of the subconscious to create both

joy and sorrow.

We aren’t taught how to use our inner powers to create abundance, health, happiness or quality relationships.

We can learn how to use the mind in empowering ways. We have all been hypnotized so many times it’s truly mindboggling.

Our parents were our first programmers or hypnotists; they gave us our foundation for self worth and our world view.

We also decided if we were smart enough, lovable, pretty, good or bad in general in those highly suggestible years. All of this impacts us as we grow up and live our lives. It comes out in many ways. The person who thinks he is bad or guilt for something is depressed and may become addicted to chaos or negativity or drugs and alcohol. The person who never felt truly safe becomes anxious with a panic disorder. They become extremely controlling. The person who was taught they would never amount to anything could work very hard to prove themselves, yet never feel fulfilled. The carrot or reward is always moved away from them once they achieve something. Our behaviors, beliefs and attitudes are all a reflection of our prior post

hypnotic programming. By the way we have no idea that these beliefs or suggestions are causing our problems. We often think its something else. When someone comes in for a treatment series, they soon discover how powerful their subconscious mind is. They also find the relief that they are looking for in a few sessions. Not years but a few sessions.

Most of us have a desire to feel better, yet the natural holistic route is often

overlooked. When you realize that the problem is a hypnotic reality, then it would make complete sense to use hypnosis to repair that old outdated belief. It’s the only way to correct it permanently. So when I hear the standard “ I can’t be hypnotized” comment, it’s either an opportunity for me to educate the misinformed individual or smile.

www.hypno4health.co

Seeding As An Act of Hope

As nature begins its springtime unfurling, we are presented with the chance to plant a new garden. This annual ritual is not only about sowing seeds in the soil and nurturing plants; it is a reminder that small acts of hope can have an impact felt for generations.

Every year, I sort through my collection of seeds, and dream of what could be. I review my notes from seasons past, learning from both successes and failures. I envision the future meals I want to be eating as a family, with each seed representing a potential ingredient in some nourishing dish. Then, full of anticipation (and something like a prayer), I plant these seeds, trusting that nature will take its course— some will sprout, some will not.

When I imagine my garden 40 springs from now, it isn’t always so dreamy. For many of us, wrapping our heads around the scale and the long-term implications of climate change can feel overwhelming. The problem involves environmental and economic systems seemingly too vast to change. It is so easy to feel powerlessbut we really aren’t. We always have the choice to sow seeds. We can learn from the failures of the past and choose different seeds this time. The act of seeding is such a simple assertion of faith, a gesture that embodies our

potential for growth and abundance. Whether literally or metaphorically, we can always plant a new garden, and the act itself is an antidote to hopelessness. Who knows? Maybe the seeds you water today will grow into something that feeds the next generation.

By taking small actions, we can create a garden that provides abundance for the future. When multiplied by millions of individuals, these actions can lead to significant, transformative change. The grassroots movements that lead to the protection of Clayoquot Sound, and the preservation of the Great Bear Rainforest, are examples of this principle in action.

As we dig in to April, and celebrate Earth and all her bounty, let us remember the power we hold in our hands— the power to plant seeds of hope and change. Let us cultivate gardens that not only nourish our bodies but also nurture a sustainable future for generations to come. For in the act of planting, we affirm our belief in a future where abundance, resilience, and beautiful meals are possible.

Sonia Furstenau, MLA Cowichan Valley, Elected House Leader BC Green Party

Image Chad Hipolito Sonia in her garden, with homegrown veggies.

Calling all families, schools, local businesses, and persons who can lift a piece of litter!

On Saturday April 20 from 10 am to 2 pm, we will join forces to scour our parks, trails, and roadsides to collect discarded litter and garbage that has accumulated over the winter. It takes a village as they say, and we invite you to join our efforts for a thorough Spring cleaning to make our neighbourhoods and village shine.

Sign up at the Registration Tent beside the parking area of Dougan Park below the Shawnigan Community Centre, where you can choose a zone to clean-up, sign-out litter-picking supplies, and enter your name for draw prizes. There will be a large dumpster bin at the park donated by DL Bin’s/Fisher Road Recycling, and two drop-off zones around the lake where bags of collected litter will be picked up by P.A.N. Disposal.

Can’t make it to the Registration Tent? Pick your own zone, or neighbourhood street and sign up online so we can count you in! Or join our Adopt-An-Area Group to maintain an area litter-free year-round.

Why do we do this? Why should we pick up other people’s garbage?

Besides spoiling the natural beauty surrounding us, debris and glass littering our public spaces is harmful to everyone. Wildlife and pets can ingest it, get stuck in it, or be polluted by it. Bare feet might step on it or in it! We are not sure why people litter, but when we keep our public spaces pristine, it encourages others to maintain it.

For all event details or to register online: www. ShawniganRotaryEcoClub.ca

This event is hosted by the Shawnigan Rotary EcoClub as one of our key annual projects. We invite new members to join us by emailing ShawniganRotaryEcoClub@ gmail.com

Cowichan Valley Auto Detailing

Brian Shkuratoff Owner

250 743-1150 shop

250 709-1990 cell/text

3061 Renfrew Rd, Shawnigan Lake cowichanvalleyautodetailing@gmail.com

www.cowichanvalleyautodetailing.ca

Volunteering is Rewarding

If you’ve never been to the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre (1845 Cowichan Bay Road), I would like to invite you to stop by. I’m lucky enough to be the volunteer

coordinator and so enjoy being in such a lovely space a few times a month. A longtime resident of the Cowichan Valley, my love of nature stems from family canoe trips. I have a deep appreciation of our natural world and am especially interested in the diverse bird populations that call the Cowichan estuary home.

A pleasure for me at the Centre is to help visitors use the telescope to locate and identify various species of waterfowl.

A main attraction at the Centre is the tidal pool tank which contains a menagerie of hermit crabs, sea stars,

sculpins, sea anemone, and much more. The tank is always a big hit with young and old, especially at feeding time. A smaller tank is dedicated to Coho salmon which hatch and spend the first few months of their lives at the Nature Centre before being released into the wild.

Other features of the Nature Centre include a live webcam that streams images of the nearby heron rookery, a reading library, a crafting table for children, a multimedia display that portrays the history of the estuary, and a small but mighty gift shop. It’s lovely to see curiosity and excitement on kids’ faces while they explore. We are so lucky to have such a spot in our community.

Like so many other nonprofit organizations, the Nature Centre was hit hard by COVID. Popular programs were cancelled, citizen

science projects were put on hold, the closed sign was hung up on the front door, and the pool of once eager volunteers slowly dwindled.

Good news! Efforts are underway to restore the Nature Centre to its preCOVID existence and then to take it to the next level. All the volunteers here understand the potential this important place has to offer, but there is a need for more volunteers. If you have a passion for nature, enjoy meeting people, and can volunteer for a couple of twohour shifts, join our team. We are having an open house on April 21st from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A great time to check it out.

250-597-2288, info@cowichanestuary.ca www.cowichanestuary.ca

OUR TEAMfor

Sea Stars

Sea Stars come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. The most common stars we find here are the Ochre, Sunflower and Painted star.

Sea Stars are predators of the intertidal zone. They love to eat a wide variety of algae, invertebrates and molluscs including clams, barnacles, oysters, mussels and other sea stars. Once a star has pried open its prey with its suction cup tipped tube feet, the star will push its stomach out of its mouth and into the shell of its prey. From there, the star will use its stomach acids to digest the meat and then suck its stomach back in.

Even though they don’t look particularly appetising, sea stars do have predators. Those include other sea stars, gulls, otters and humans who take stars off the beach to use as ornaments.

If you’ve ever watched a sea star move, it may look like they are floating. This is because on the bottom of the star, there are millions of tiny tube feet with suction cups on the end. The star sucks water in through a hole in the top of its body (called the Madreporite) and forces it along an internal hydraulic

system where it’s used to move the tube feet. Sea stars do not have blood like we do, so they rely on a water vascular system to circulate nutrients and waste.

Sea stars can be found in a wide variety of habitatsfrom exposed shoreline down to 4000 feet deep. Our local ochre, sunflower and painted stars are all inhabitants of the intertidal zone. Ochre and painted stars favour rocky shorelines while sunflower stars usually prefer a softer sand/ mud bottom.

You may have heard about sea star wasting disease a few years ago. It is a disease that causes sea stars to rot alive and waste away into little piles of white bits. While the disease has had serious impacts on certain populations of sea stars, those populations are slowly coming back to healthy sizes. Wasting disease is caused by a number of factors, which are too complex to go into here. For more information, visit Wikipedia.

Beach etiquette: Please be gentle with all creatures you find on the beach. The ocean is a hard place to live. If you turn a rock to look underneath, please turn it over and put it back exactly as you found it. The creatures that live under rocks need their homes to survive.

Madeline Southern Education Coordinator

Cowichan

Estuary

Nature Centre

Cowichanestuary.ca

If you love nature and the beautiful intertidal area of the estuary, the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre needs your help.

Positions available:

• NATURE INTERPRETERS & CENTRE VOLUNTEERS

• BOARD MEMBERS

No experience necessary, just a desire to learn and share. Training will be provided.

Call (250) 597-2288 or visit www.cowichanestuary.ca/ volunteer for more information.

FRE YA-SOPHIA WALDORF STORE

LOCATED IN THE SOL CENTRE, 3, 5380 HWY. 1 ~ DUNCAN

• All things natural and beautiful, imaginative, magical & inspiring ...

• Beautiful books on all topics for all ages and levels of interest; musical instruments...

• Wonderful organic merino/silk, wool underlayers, from age 0 - adult ….

• Wooden toys, trikes, pushcarts, balance bikes, silks, unique puzzles, games ...

• Calendars, prints, beautiful cards, craft kits

• Art supplies; brushes, paints, paper, pencil crayons, block crayons, pastels;

• Beeswax and Wicks for candlemaking...

• Handwork supplies for knitting, needle/wet felting, embroidery, dollmaking, pegdolls ...

• Birthday rings, candles, modeling wax ...

WARMTH, WONDER and WISDOM ~ for the whole family

Inspiring books on gardening, agriculture, spirituality, creativity, education, self development, parenting, handwork, biography, art, world religions, history & much more for all ages and stages of life.

Natural Childhood & Steiner Book Centre

Located in the Sol Centre: 3, 5380 Hwy. 1 Duncan, BC

Open Mon. Sat. 10am 5pm;

Closed Sunday & Stat Holidays Next to The Community Farm Store

Here at the Freya-Sophia Waldorf store we are inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner and committed to meeting the soul needs of our children and our community by providing books, toys, supplies, resources, classes, workshops, instruction, support and conversation to those who visit us. We are here to help and to support. We are happy to accommodate your mail orders and inquiries by phone or email info@freyasophiawaldorfstore.ca

To mark the coming of summer, derived from traditional pagan Beltane traditions, May Day has long been celebrated in Waldorf schools across the northern hemisphere. It is a time to exhale, to connect, and to revel in the bounty and fertility of Mother Earth at this time of year.

Mayfest is undoubtedly a favorite event at Sunrise Waldorf School, and much anticipated by students and families alike as an opportunity to gather on the Big Field and enjoy the simple pleasures of life: friends, family, music, dancing, and games, amid the fresh new green of the valley.

Sunrise opens this event to the public as a way of saying ‘welcome’ and also, ‘thank you.’ Sunrise, now in its 44th year, thrives in the place it gratefully occupies in the Quw’utsun Valley, recognizing the threads of connection to the wider community and to the past, present, and future. This web of support, like the land we rest on, provides context and meaning to the growth of our students and in turn to the vitality of Sunrise Waldorf School.

So, come along to this delightful event; bring a picnic, your blanket or camp chairs and wear your whites if you’re so inclined. Favorite features of the day include

Mayfest at Sunrise Waldorf School

watching each class perform its intricate maypole dance, live music, the circus acts from our grade 8 students, playing tug-of-war, and creating flower crowns. There will also be a small selection of locally crafted wares, plants, some snacks and treats for sale (cash only) and a wheelbarrow full of fresh salad, as well as an opportunity to learn more about Sunrise Waldorf school. See you on the Big Field!

Kindergarten Open House from 10-11:30am. Our kindergartens offer a place of sanctuary where childhood unfolds slowly. Surrounded by nature and simple, natural play spaces, our kindergarten students learn physical coordination, emotional regulation, creativity, and imaginative thinking, thus laying the foundation for success in school and beyond. If you are interested in our kindergarten program, we warmly invite you to meet our experienced kindergarten teachers and explore the classrooms before heading up to the Big Field for Mayfest festivities.

plan this one to be just a great! Alumni will be treated to pizza lunch and will join current students in a favorite recess game, before stepping back in time in one of our classes. Alumni are also heartily invited to join the Alumni Mayfest Orchestra: practice on May 3 and perform at Mayfest. Instrument loan and sheet music ahead of time are available on request. Email amore@sunrisewaldorf.org. All alumni are welcome, including students in grades 8 or below who are with an accompanying adult.

Mayfest: Saturday May 4 from 10am to 2pm at Sunrise Waldorf School, 2148 Lakeside Road.

Alumni Day: Friday May 3, 11:45am – 3:15pm. Last year’s Alumni Day was an immense success, and we

Sunrise Waldorf School, 2148 Lakeside Road. Please visit the event page for more information and to register. sunrisewaldorf.org/eventdetails/alumni-day-1

Thoughtfully delicious gluten free meals and baked goods made in house daily. The market is also stocked with a variety of local retail food products and gluten free staples.

541 First Ave, Ladysmith (250) 924-8696

Life’s Lessons for

Living with Less

Every year as Earth Day approaches, my commitment to living with less is renewed. Yet getting rid of unwanted items can be challenging, especially sentimental heirlooms. It can feel like I am the sole custodian of pieces of family history, and considering letting them go, stirs up uncomfortable feelings.

When I was in my 20’s, I inherited my grandmother’s leather crafting supplies after she passed. She was a master at it and had every tool and gadget imaginable. As I was the creative one in the family, I was given the whole lot. I didn’t have much interest in it though, and so I lugged the unused supplies from place to place as I moved around Vancouver. No one else in the family was interested, so what was I to do?

I eventually mustered up the courage to list it all on Craigslist. You see, the more I thought about it, the more I felt that my grandmother, wherever she was, certainly wasn’t attached to it anymore, nor whether I was the one to use it. In fact, when a woman came over to buy

the whole lot, I was thrilled to see her obvious excitement, as she was itching to get home and get started. It felt so good, and I imagined Grandma’s spirit was happy that someone was actually using her beloved collection.

I learned an important lesson, that I share with anyone I know struggling to let go of inherited items they aren’t using, nor care for. Just like we have a life’s purpose, so do these objects. My Grandmother’s crafting tools were made to create beautiful designs on leather, and to be worn and appreciated…not packed away in boxes.

Coming to terms with letting it all go, created both space and finances for me to pursue what my passions were. I feel that dear Grandma would approve of me finding my own creative path forward, which was the essence of what I garnered from watching her create her beautiful leather pieces growing up.

We all make mistakes in agreeing to take things out of obligation and good intensions, yet once these things cross the threshold of our door step, we are left to grapple with our decisions. Learning to say no before it gets to that point is a skill that develops over time. In the meantime, I believe it’s ok letting go of things that don’t work for us.

I kept a number of Grandmother’s wonderful completed pieces, which felt honouring; and set the rest free to be appreciated and used. I felt just as close to her, and the burden I had been carrying on my shoulders, finally lifted.

Dawn is a Professional Organizer in the Cowichan Valley. www. closetstocastles.ca

Hanami Festival

The cherry tree, representing Japan’s beautiful flora, is widely recognized globally. During this season, friends, families, and colleagues gather for “Hanami,” a cherished Japanese cultural tradition welcoming spring by eating and drinking under cherry blossoms.

At night, cherry blossoms are illuminated, creating a fantastical view known as “Yozakura/ Night cherry blossoms,” adding another dimension to the Hanami experience. Hanami also celebrates the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms, teaching people to cherish the fleeting nature of life. In Japan, there’s a unique cultural appreciation

for the transient beauty of cherry blossoms, known as “Wabi-Sabi.” While many find full bloom the most beautiful stage, seeing cherry blossoms fall reminds people of life’s fleeting yet beautiful nature. Duncan’s downtown cherry blossoms evoke these Japanese cultural sentiments and serve as a beautiful springtime memory for the local community. At Neko Ramen, we decorate our shop with cherry blossom trees yearround, hoping to create a place where people can connect and make beautiful memories.

In April, we offer a limited-time bubble tea featuring the flavors of strawberry, reminiscent of cherry blossom pink, and Japanese matcha.

May your spring and cherry blossom season be filled with wonderful memories, with love.

Neko Ramen, 171 Canada Ave, downtown Duncan Open Tuesday - Saturday www.nekoramen.net

Submitted by Midori

Transform Your ComplexionPicoWay Skin Rejuvenation

As we age our skin begins to show the effects of time and nature, but it is not too late to invest in yourself and bring back a more youthful appearance. Whether you are struggling with scarring from acne, wrinkles due to loss of collagen, or discolouration such as freckles, sun damage or melasma, the Resolve Laser treatment uses picosecond laser technology to rejuvenate the skin.

Our non-invasive procedures are designed to revitalize and your skin, uncovering a flawless complexion and allowing you to embrace your natural skin and feel confident.

Contact Julia

Tel. 250.327.1977

Instagram @coastlinebeautyandlaser

Garden planning as a family can be a rewarding way to help plant the seeds in children for a lifetime. Here is an easy and fun garden exercise. Think of a garden bed as a blank canvas. Draw a picture of your garden space; whether a balcony planter, raised bed, plot in a community garden or the re design of an established

garden. Ask your children to draw different veggies, fruit trees, flowers and herbs and where they would like to plant them. Hang it up on the wall for the family to admire. This is your family vision and it may change and be tweaked as you go.

Decide together which seeds you will start indoors and which ones you will sow directly into the ground.

Then spring into the garden with them. There is always lots of clean up and weeding to do after Winter.

Consider adding a set of child sized

COWICHAN VALLEY KIDS SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY

• Assessment Services

• Therapy Services

• Speech & Language

• Myofunctional Therapy

• Cowichan Autism Community

250 732-4303

1720 Wilmot Rd Cowichan Bay cowichanvalleyspeechtherapy.com

tools to add some novelty for gardening for the little ones. Many smaller versions of shovels, rakes, gloves and mini wheelbarrows exist to encourage children to help. Swap out your bedtime stories in the Spring with childrens gardening books. There is a collection of books to inspire families to get out and learn to garden together. Choosing books that have illustrations of children planting seeds, composting, raking, picking flowers or playing (children’s work) outside are in abundance and will help inspire them to mimic what they see in the stories.

Garden Planning With Children

Two of our favourite gardening books are A Year in Our New Garden and How Does My Garden Grow? by Gerda Muller. In the first book Anna and Benjamin’s family have just moved to a new house and can’t wait to turn their messy yard into a beautiful garden, but first they must plan, plant and learn how to care for it. With the help of their neighbor Louis, the children grow beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables and discover the amazing wildlife living in their new garden. This book also gives real gardening tips accompanied by beautifully detailed illustrations.

5380 Trans-Canada Hwy, Duncan (by The Brick) (250) 597-4763

FSWS BOOKSTORE - OPEN MON - SAT 10AM - 5PM

In the second book Sophie helps her grandfather through the different seasons, finding out about mulching onions, eating flowers, weeding,

bees, making salad, catching beetles, digging, earthing up, picking and composting. This is a wonderful book for children to learn about allotment or vegetable gardening through Sophie’s eager and questioning eyes. These delightful and lively book will inspire children to get outdoors, be active and learn how nature changes around them through the year. A Year in Our New Garden and many other children and adult themed gardening books are available at The FSWS Book Centre #3 - 5380, TransCanada Hwy, Duncan (by The Brick) Hours MondaySaturday 10am - 5pm.

Vanessa Maben-Hamer

Tracy Parker, BA, MSc.

Mend Your Clothes and Save the World

Tanya Trafford is an instructor at The Spool Yard. She has a basket full of holey socks that she works on mending as the mood strikes.

With Earth Day just around the corner it’s a good time to reflect on the importance of repairing, altering, and upcycling your clothes. Ensuring that items you already own last longer allows you to embrace imperfection, celebrate your individuality, and slow

right down in this fast-paced world. But it also shows respect for the people who made those garments, the resources required to produce them, and the planet as a whole.

In their beautifully illustrated and informative book Mending Life: A Handbook for Repairing Clothes and Hearts, sisters Nina and Sonya Montenegro invite readers to consider mending as a “powerful act of restoration, both for our clothes and for our relationship to the world.” That may sound a bit lofty but something magical happens when you resurrect a beloved garment that you thought was beyond repair. By breathing new life into that perfectly cozy hoodie with the frayed cuffs or those pants with a broken zipper, you may also discover that you, too, are more resilient than you realized. You may even begin to apply your mending meditations to other areas of your life.

If you look carefully, you will soon discover that visible mending is on the rise, as an art form and as a way of pushing back against the consumerism that is so deeply embedded in our society. It might appear as boldly coloured patches or in subtly beautiful sashiko, the traditional Japanese art of embroidery in geometric patterns. Once you start to notice, you will see it everywhere.

Mending truly is a skill that everyone can learn. The Spool Yard offers a monthly Alteration and Repair Workshop, with experts on hand to guide you in getting your old favourites back in circulation. And, in recognition of Earth Day, our Open Studio session on Saturday, April 20, will be free for everyone. We have all the equipment you need and even carry beginner sashiko kits to patch those jeans or embellish a jacket. Come on in and socialize with like-minded creatives while doing a good deed for the environment.

We

APRIL EVENTS

APRIL 5 3:30-5pm

Kids Learn to Sew $190 (6 classes)

APRIL 6 10 am-12 pm

Alterations & Repair Workshop $60

APRIL 7 11am-2pm

Bestie Bag $95

APRIL 9 &16 3:30-6:30pm

Linen Pants $170

APRIL 11 12-2 pm

Sewing with the Stars $60

APRIL 13 10am-12:30pm

Carbon Copy $75

APRIL 14 & 21 10 am-3 pm

Agnes Pajama Set $250

APRIL 18 6-8:30pm

Reading Sewing Patterns Part 1 $75

APRIL 20 10 am-1pm

Earth Day Open Studio FREE

APRIL 23 4-6 pm

Sewing with the Stars $60

APRIL 25 6-8:30 pm

Reading Sewing Patterns

Part 2 $75

APRIL 27 & 28 10am-3 pm

Adult Learn to Sew $375

APRIL 28 11am-2 pm

Clyde Work Pants (2 classes) $180

Favourite Rhododendrons

Imust confess that picking my favourite rhododendron is surely as daunting as selecting a favourite child. “Each of you has your own special qualities,” my mother would say, though I swear my brother got the bigger piece of cake! Similarly, there are some rhododendrons whose leaf texture and colour I find beguiling, though all get watered and admired.

With thousands of cultivars, my favourites are those that do well in the Cowichan Valley. My criteria are few but strict. First and foremost, the foliage must be devoid of spots and an even colour. Plants must be disease-resistant and attractive throughout the year. These characteristics are important, for while the flowers may astound us with their otherworld beauty, they are only here for a month, and the plant remains green for the next eleven.

Loderi hybrids (fortune x griffithii) rank first on my list. This group has similar flowers, and all have a delicate fragrance. Some growers describe this large growing plant as “awkward,” lanky as a long-limbed adolescent. While it doesn’t outgrow this feature, it is far from offputting and develops into a stately architectural plant. Its pink buds give way to large,

fragrant white flowers in mid-May. Common varieties include R. loderi ‘King George’ with white blooms, and R. loderi ‘Venus’ with similar fragrant flowers tinged pink.

Rhododendron williamsianum hybrids are lovely plants, blooming in April with gentle pink bells over rounded leaves with reddish stalks. The new growth is reddish, fading to green as summer approaches. This rhodo is a compact grower, finishing at 4-5 feet. I call it my “ well behaved rhododendron,” for it keeps to its allotted space. Bow Bells is the most popular cultivar, along with ‘Brocade’ a deeper pink hybrid.

Rhododendron Taurus is as bold as its name. This is a fine old hybrid with red buds throughout the winter, opening to deep glowing red flowers in May. The foliage is an excellent dark green, reaching 6x6 feet in 10 years. Taurus appreciates a bit of afternoon shade but generally is not fussy and more than repays in its splendour any effort put into growing it.

Barrie Agar Head Gardener (Retired) at Royal Roads Gardens, President of BC Fruit Testers now at Dinter Nursery.

Gardening in Shade

Yards can have unique settings with special requirements, one of which is dealing with low light. Shade can be on the north side of the house, a forested area or shielded by a neighbours trees or buildings. Shade being defined as less than 3 hours of sunlight. One must select plants that are adapted to these conditions and fortunately there are a range of interesting plants to choose from. Many are broadleaf evergreen shrubs with unique blooms and textures. For inspiration look to the understory of our forests. The most common plants in our area are the evergreen Oregon Grape, Western Sword Fern, and Salal.

Moving beyond native plants, Rhododendrons are a favourite with their spectacular spring blooms and their large attractive evergreen leaves that deer leave alone. They have a range of blooming times and plant sizes to select from. They need summer irrigation and organic mulch to protect their shallow roots. With a basic understanding of their growing requirements, Rhododendrons are not a difficult plant to grow.

Other plants for your shaded garden to consider are Japanese Skimmia, Sweet Box, Japanese Pieris, and fragrant Mexican Orange to name a few. For lower growing perennials look at Astilbe, Hosta, hardy Fuchsia, and Helleborus (Christmas and Lentin Rose). Add interesting texture to the scene with our native Sword and Deer Ferns. Then fill the spaces between the larger plants with low ground cover plantings of Sweet Woodruff, Japanese Spurge, Coral Bells, Lily-ofthe-Valley and our delightful native Bunchberry. It has little dogwood blooms followed by bright red berries. These spread to create an interesting combination of colours and textures.

Our local forests have beautiful woodland settings and with a little creativity you can create improvements in your garden to have a shady refuge for your escape on hot summer days.

SHADE GARDENS

• RHODODENDRONS - wide range of spring blooming times and sizes

• MEXICAN ORANGE BLOSSOMfragrant white spring blooms

• JAPANESE SKIMMIA - red berries in winter

• PIERIS - spring blooming followed by colourful new growth

• NATIVE OREGON GRAPE AND FERNS

• PERENNIALS - Astilbe, Bleeding Hearts, Hosta and more

• GROUND COVERS - native Bunchberry, Sweet Woodruff and more

Time to grow food! Fruit trees, vegetable transplants and seeds PLANTS FOR A WOODLAND SETTING

Hours: 8-6pm Sundays 9-5pm

Serving local gardeners since 1973

www.dinternursery.ca

250 748-2023

5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1

Bernie Dinter, owner Dinter Nursery. Family owned and operated since 1973 offering 3 generations of horticultural knowledge

CHARLES

On the Benefits of Rain Gardens in our Temperate Climate

Ever since we started the work season in late-January, we’ve gotten a couple of calls from prospective clients asking whether we install “rain gardens”. Ever heard of them? You might have seen them in neighbourhoods across the valley or between the sidewalk and roads of some Duncan streets.

“Rain gardens” are designed to collect, slow, and sink rain water during storm events. They can play a very important role in regional hydrology, functioning almost as your very own miniature stormwater retention pond. Rain gardens are often used to a) recharge groundwater, b) ease the pressure off of municipal storm systems, c) solve drainage and pooling water on your property, and d) add biodiversity to your property, all the

while creating a beautiful environment.

A perfect example of where a rain garden might be installed as follows:

A low lying portion of your backyard gets really damp during the winter. It becomes saturated during storm events and gets muddy in an area 8’x8’ and creates a nuisance. It’s also about 8’ from the foundation of your home and during larger storm events, you have concern that it may cause damage to the foundation in the future if not tended to now.

That is a classic example of a problem some home owners face which could be solved by installing a rain garden.

The first thought that I have in a circumstance like this is to install a French drain or something of the sort to get water away from the foundation as quickly as possible. While this conventional approach is often the most appropriate

Stephen Robert Disher is the owner/operator of Rain Coast Earthworks. 250 920-6712

for moving water away from the foundation of a home in an example like this, there are often reasons why merely moving water quickly away from a given area won’t be the solvent.

First, this is because of the topography of a given yard and that moving water from the lowest spot of your yard may prove gravitationally difficult. Second, this application doesn’t work if home owners are mindful that moving water off of their property may only mean that their neighbours will later have to bare the burden. And almost always, it is because of what I believe to be a poor understanding of hydrology and how water moves across the landscape.

I am one to believe that while we can sometimes shape the landscape to guide water to where it is of least negative impact and of highest use, it is also true that water will go where gravity will take it. In this case, it is best to work with the flow of water, rather than against the flow of water.

This is where rain gardens can be of benefit.

I worked on a job site recently where this exact scenario

was playing out in the clients backyard. Given that the low area of her yard was downhill of the homes’ foundation, I recommended that two French drains be installed to catch and direct water into a rain garden 8’ away from where water had been pooling on her lawn and away from the foundation of the home. During storm events, water would be welcome to sit for a long period of time in the rain garden amongst River Rock and water-loving plants while the area of concern in her lawn would remain dry.

As anticipated, it worked. I revisited the job site twice over the last couple weeks to investigate. I’m pleased to report that the lawn is in good health and the rain garden is collecting water during storm events. I further revisited the job after five days of no rain, and the rain garden was dryjust as desired.

This is an example of how rain gardens are designed to operate: a) They collect water during storm events, b) They keep other areas dry while rain water slowly infiltrates the soil beneath the rain garden. In some applications, they take pressure off of municipal storm systems by storm water infiltrating soil, •

Consultation, Design and Installation services for residential landowners committed to sustainable water management in our region.

Stephen Robert Disher 250.920.6712

admin@raincoast-earthworks.ca

www.raincoast-earthworks.ca

rather than being directed to the sewer. This way, they help recharge groundwater.

And they do all of this while increasing biodiversity and creating a beautiful environment in your yard. Sounds like a win-win.

Give us a call if you are interested in learning more about how a rain garden could look on your property. The Spring is the perfect time to install a rain garden and we are now up and running for the 2024 season.

www.raincoast-earthworks.ca

dine in I patio service I take-out

fresh cut kennebec fries • crispy battered fish • delicious tacos • pizzas • poutines • burgers and more!

Sunday- Thursday | 11:00 - 9:00

Friday & Saturday | 11:00 - 10:00

Seeds with Sense

111 jubilee st, duncan I 778 • 422 • 3000 menu online at: freshkennys.com

Wellness

Reiki Wellness

250 743-8122

Valley View Centre

So much to offer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd

Food & Drink

Country Grocer

250 743-5639

Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Reflexology

Island Hellerwork

250 661-1687

Deep Tissue Bodywork, Somatic Transformation

Healthcare Services

Cobble Hill Dental

250-743-6698

Friendly, Family Practice

We Welcome New Patients!

Resonance Hearing

250 743-3337

Life Changing Hearing Solutions

Bakery, Meat, Seafood, Produce, Deli & Floral, Supplements

Cure Artisan Meat & Cheese

250 929-2873

Charcuterie, Cheese House Made Pates

Liquor Plus

250-929-1999

Wine, beer and spirits on the Upper Level.

Valley Health and Fitness

250-743-0511

Full service gym/classes Fitness

Amy LuckMacGregor Certified Soil Food Web Laboratory Technician

It blows my mind every time: if you look at current estimates of the amount of genetic information in a person, only about 1% of it is human. The rest belongs to microbes (bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa) and viruses, co-operating in groups to form “symbionts.” These symbionts perform the functions needed for human life and group together to make a “holobiont”. That’s us. A group of co-operating organisms. And the same goes for plants. Except whereas the microbiomes that handle our digestive and immune functions are mostly inside of us, when it comes to plants these functions are mostly performed by microbiomes on the outside.

Plants and microbes in the soil have been connected for a very long time, up until only quite recently in the scheme of things. Selective crop breeding programs since the chemical farming revolution have delivered us varieties of seeds that are used to being separated from their microbiomes –generation after generation of seed propped up by artificial fertilisers and kept “heathy”

with an arsenal of fungicides, pesticides, and herbicides. We’ve ended up with crops that do very well under chemical management, but are forgetting how to partner with soil microbes. And this, folks, can now be linked to the well-documented declining nutrient density in our food.

We didn’t know what we didn’t know when those breeding programs and management practices came about, but we do have enough information now to make different decisions. Plants that remember how to connect with their microbial allies need less inputs, less water, and are better able to protect themselves from pests and diseases. We cannot separate a plant from it’s microbiome – and beware the applicability of any study that doesn’t take this into account!

If you missed the Seedy Saturday and Sunday events last month, you can find seeds that remember their symbiotic senses – heirloom, organic and locally adapted – at www.cow-op.ca. And if this topic excites you as much as it does me, look up the “Farming with Fungi” part 1 and part 2 webinars put out by the Soil Food Web School. They are well worth the watch.

It’s Not Easy Being Green, Or Is It?

WhenI started Clean Choice Cleaners in 2008 Green Cleaning was a relatively new concept. There were not a lot of product choices and some that were available didn’t work very well which left people with the impression that green products wouldn’t get things clean. Isn’t that an odd association, chemical = clean? Thankfully I had sourced some truly great products, which I will share with you below, and with time and education, green products have become the new norm. People have come to trust that not only are they effective, but they are the preferred choice. Unfortunately, as the concept of green cleaning gained traction many big producers jumped on board and it can be challenging to know if what you’re buying is truly non-toxic. Adding catchphrase words like green or natural doesn’t necessarily mean the product is safe or “clean”. Likewise, a company may add ingredients that are plant-based or biodegradable which allows them to claim those selling features but it does not mean that the product is free from other harmful ingredients or that their manufacturing methods are environmentally sound.

Operating a professional cleaning business I must trust that the products we are using in clients’ homes and offices are safe for the environment as well as for the whole family, including children and pets, and of course, the staff that are using the products. Did you know we have our very own local green product heroes? Jason and Tony at Gentle Earth are making their products right here on the island at their facility in Langford. They source only the best ingredients that have the lowest health risk. Their Forthave’s multipurpose cleaner works great on all surfaces and smells wonderful naturally and their citrus degreaser is great for tougher jobs like the rangehood or removing marks on walls. A little splash of either Forthave’s or the Citrus in our mop water makes the whole house smell fresh and clean without chemical scents. Gentle Earth products are available at many local retail locations and you can also shop directly through their website, they even have a loyalty rewards program. Watch for their launch of new cuttingedge, sustainable, bio-degradable packaging. The next two products we use at Clean Choice are made by Regard which is a company that is Green Seal Certified and Ecologo Certified. Their peroxidebased Disinfectant Concentrated Cleaner is safe to use on all surfaces, even natural stone and glass it is virtually scent-free for folks who are sensitive and we use Regard Universal Cleaning Paste for soap scum, calcium deposits on shower doors and stainless steel. Regard products

are available at Bunzl Janitorial Supplies, they are open to the general public and have very helpful staff.

In my household, we use laundry strips which work great and are so convenient to travel with or to stick in the university kid’s care package, but a recent find was the dishwasher strips. In the past, the dishwasher has been a huge issue in my home, almost like there is an invisible forcefield around it and teenagers get zapped if they get too close so they leave dishes on the counter above it or in their room while the remains of meals gone by become caked-on. Using more water to re-wash or pre-wash was driving me mad. Desperately, I purchased some mainstream dishwasher pods. The first time I opened them I didn’t understand. What was this plastic coating? Was I supposed to remove it? If I put it in the machine where did the plastic go? Not to mention the chemical detergent smell but worst of all, the dishes were still not coming clean! I found the Eco-Living Club dishwasher strips at my local grocery store and voila, clean dishes! No chemicals, no smell, no plastic and best of all no rewashing!

time you are replenishing your supplies. Some things to look for on the labels are; certification logos, free from animal cruelty, no petroleum products, no BPA, no sodium lauryl sulphate, no synthetic fragrances, no parabens or formaldehyde. I am not affiliated with any of the companies or products that I have mentioned. I know you’ll have great results and feel really good knowing that you are getting things clean without risking the health of yourself, your family and our planet.

I hope that I have helped shed a little light on some of the various product choices on the market as well as inspired you to reach for something new to try next

Sustainable solutions for a cleaner, greener home - Tracey Hanson, Clean Choice Cleaners

Pacific

Founded in 2021, Pacific Composting is on a mission to inspire you to turn your organic wastes into rich composts and living soils instead of kicking them to the curb!

Company founder, and Gaia College graduate, Andrea Blum devoted the first two years to testing out countless systems and strategies, and consulting with multiple experts to ensure that she ended up with the best possible products, packaging and information to support her vision.

Knowing that there isn’t a onesize-fits-all solution that works for every person and every situation, PC is proud to offer a diverse line-up of systems

and supplies, along with the support and education you need to succeed with composting! If you’re just getting started, and aren’t really sure where to begin, try our Composter’s Quiz, or reach out directly. We’re always more than happy to help, no matter where you are on your composting journey.

For those with limited space, or those who simply want to test things out on a small-scale, worm composting or bokashi fermentation can be a great option. This spring we were very excited to announce the release of the Urbalive In-Ground Worm Composter, a compact, integrated system that lets you harness the waste processing power of composting worms directly in your garden beds!

If you are looking for a larger backyard system, we’ve got you covered as well. Our personal favourite, the GeoBin, is an affordable, easy to use option that’s a great choice for both layered composting and outdoor vermicomposting. Unlike most bins that have a fixed size, the GeoBin allows you to adjust the volume (up to 33 cu ft) to suit your personal preferences and needs.

Pacific Composting is based on a 14 acre farm, in the beautiful Cowichan Valley Region, just outside of Duncan. You can connect with us online at www. PacificComposting.ca, via one or more of our social media channels, or by phone: 1-866244-8000. We would love to be a part of your composting journey, and help you enrich your soil naturally!

Composting

Sinus Allergies

“Can you help me?” she asked with desperation in her voice.

She was a long term patient. I had seen her several times over the past few years but I had never seen her so charged.

“I gave my son to my neighbour and I spent yesterday in the ER. My head hurts so much I think it might explode. I don’t know where to go!”

“Let’s look” I motioned. At first touch I knew it was her sinuses.

“Oh yah” I cooed. “I can help.”

Sinuses are affectively holes in your skull to help reduce the weight of your head. Most of the time they fill with air. In the case of illness such as a cold, they act to move fluid into the lymphatic system. If this drainage system becomes plugged and pressure starts to build, the pain can be intense.

Our biggest frontal sinuses are the maxillary sinuses. These fill the majority of the cheek and sit below the eye socket. They are influenced by the sphenoid bone that holds our eyes, and the zygoma bone, that makes up our cheek. The nasal bones make contact as well. When these bones cannot shift, they cannot pump fluid. Cranial

adjusting helps them fit together evenly so that they can swell and contract in tandem.

Sinus pain can radiate into the teeth, specifically the upper palate. Sinus pain can also refer into your forehead, behind your eyes or the back of the head. The eustachian tube plays a part as well. This is the part of your ear that hurts when you are descending in an airplane. When your eustachian tube can’t drain, complaints of “pressure on my face” or “ fullness in my ears” come up. Ear pain can be present. Sometimes noise, such as “popping” or “crackling” becomes a complaint. Sometimes there can be an abnormal sensitivity to sound or pressure.

Part of my “sinus treatment” is to clear the eustachian tubes as well as the sinuses. Imagine a young girl standing in a curtsey, holding out her skirt. Her arms held out will mimic the path of her eustachian tube. Tugging down quickly in this direction will help to clear the tube.

The patient above called me the next day. “I don’t know what you did, but I felt my sinuses draining immediately. By the next day all the pain was gone. My son is very happy to be home with his mom again!”

If you are suffering with face pain, book an appointment with me at Chiani Wellness Centre.

I can help!

www.yourfullpotential.com

Dr. Joanne Welham, B.A, D.C, Chiropractor Chiani Wellness Centre

Traditional Chinese Exercise for Health

All Classes in the Cowichan Valley

Wild Goose Qigong (Chi Gong)

Gentle movement • Calms your mind • Heals internal organs • Develops flexibility

Mondays 9 -10 am

Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm

(combined Qigong and Chun Yuen) Wednesdays 10-11:15 am

Northern Shaolin

Chun Yuen Quan Dynamic movement • Improves posture • Increases energy • Strengthens bones Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm

(combined Qigong and Chun Yuen)* Wednesdays 9 am - 10 am

250 748 4060 rivendellrhythm@shaw.ca

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QR Cards Make Great Literary

DENTAL HEALTH CENTRE

New Patients Welcome!

• Oral Surgery

• Invisalign

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• Pediatric Dentistry

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Dentist: Dr. Steve Michaluk

Open Wednesday - Saturday

Clinic Hours: 9am-5pm

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osbornebaydentalhealth@gmail.com

osbornebaydental.com 250-737-3864

The QR Gift Card Cover to Cover

Transform your book covers into gift cards that open up to online editions of your work accessed by QR Codes. A great way to get your stories or previews out there!

Writers 4-UM Session

April 23, 5-6 p.m. PST

Zoom ID: 833 7843 6779

One of the advantages of Direct-to-Web publications is they can be shared easily. They can be made available to online readers directly via a URL link and will format perfectly on any internet-connected device. They can also be opened up on a mobile phone via a QR code in situations where potential readers are looking at printed materials.

That makes the QR Card an exciting potential source of income and audience for writers. The concept is simple: Make a card of the front and back covers of your book that opens up to a QR code and a message inside, inviting readers into your story. If they choose, they can start reading by simply opening up the story on their mobile device; or, if they prefer, they can enter a provided URL into their tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

The advantage of QR Cards is they can be sold for a fraction of the cost your audience would expect to pay for a print edition. The cost of production—including a royalty—might be five or six dollars. That’s less than a quarter of the cost of a print edition, and about what people are used to paying for

greeting cards. For emerging authors, especially, that price break and the novelty of QR Cards are a great advantage.

QR Cards can be well suited to stories that emphasize setting. For example, I have recently published the online edition of The Mural Gazer, a story set mostly in Chemainus, British Columbia, where I live. At readings or events where I have an opportunity to promote the book, it’s great to have an edition that can be sold for less than $10 and that fits easily into someone’s purse or pocket.

It’s also a benefit to have a version of your story that can be purchased as a greeting card or offered as a complementary gift by local businesses.

An episodic writer, it’s an ideal format to publish ‘stories within a story’ which can be offered not only as a delightful quick read for purchasers but are also an excellent way to introduce them to the main story.

Producing a QR Card is a lot simpler than publishing a print edition of your book. A reasonably priced printer that will handle card stock, along with a program like Photoshop, are all you need. Or, if you want, you can work with a commercial designerprinter and still get your book on display for a fraction of the cost of a print edition.

Double-life crimes

Welcome to a dystopian world, where android teachers chart the daily performance of students they are preparing for lives of absolutist drudgery.

Tim Fairbairn

Vice-Principal Mr. Todd makes his way down the central hallway of the Cookson Maritime Institute. He pauses at each of the ten classroom doors to look through the narrow window at the ten children linked into their workstations. He smiles at the children, who raise their heads from their screens, temporarily distracted by his presence. His smiling face blocks the neon light in the hallway and casts a shadow into each room.

He lingers a moment longer at door #10 to make sure he catches the eye of Josh 10, the twelve-year-old boy, third desk, second row, seated behind Henry 10 and in front of Helen 10. Unlike his classmates, Josh 10 nods to Mr. Todd.

For the studious children, Mr. Todd’s appearance serves as a brief break from their training regimen and will show up as a drop on the line graph that charts their daily learning achievement. Tomorrow morning, Mr. Todd will reset the graphs so his disruption does not impact negatively the assessment of their daily progress as recorded on the Competency-LevelAttainment Rubric. He hopes the reset will not raise the concerns of the Board of Directors. After all, he did follow proper protocol in notifying them of the death of Willy and was granted permission to smile to the children as a healthy measure

to mitigate his grief. The approval period is brief. He must exercise self-discipline and, regardless of his sorrow, not lose focus on his supervisory duties. The smile request was approved under the Accommodations for Personal Loss clause of the collective agreement. There was no indication of when or if Willy may be replaced.

At the front of Room 10, Android Educator 10 lifts its head from the console that tracks each child. The android’s main function is to assure each child’s level of attention is sufficient to fulfill the prescribed Learning Outcomes. It does not understand the necessity of Mr. Todd’s smile, let alone Josh 10’s nod. It enters the code into the console that will stimulate the chip embedded in each child. With the corrected brain wave frequency, the children return their focus to their

workstations. Still, the children will for a few minutes fondly remember Mr. Todd’s disruption as a pleasant pause, the only show of affection in their otherwise regimented school day. The allotted times for lunch and bathroom breaks are the approved Mental Relaxation Sessions. Physical Exercise Session occurs late afternoon, at segregated workout stations in the Gymnasium. The exercise will stimulate a healthy appetite for dinner in the Institute Cafeteria, where they are required to consume their entire meal, including the glass of milk containing the sedative that will ensure twelve hours of sleep and full concentration throughout the following school day...

Continue reading this story at cvcas.ca/double-life-crimes

Valley Voices

You’ve got a story to tell; we’re listening. Whether you are an established writer or a dinner raconteur, we want to share your story with Island readers. More at CVCAS.ca/literature...

APRIL EVENTS

APRIL 5 &19 12:45 -3:15pm

Fearless Friday Art Circle

Come on down!

Mill Bay Community Hall

APRIL 11 & 25 1-3pm

Makers Circle

Bring your creative projects!

Shawnigan Lake Community Ctr

APRIL 14 3:30-6 pm

Acoustic Jam

All instruments, skill levels (adult)

Mill Bay Community Hall

APRIL 19 7-10 pm South Cowichan Music Jam with TURNIP THE BEET - join in!

Malahat Legion, 1625 Shawnigan Lake - Mill Bay Rd

APRIL 21 1:30-3:30 pm

Explore & Create Family Workshop

Ceramics 1:30-3:30pm

Evergreen School, Salal Room 3515 Watson Rd Cobble Hill

APRIL 27 10:30-1:30pm

Sampler Workshop (adult) - Ukulele (Intermediate)

Shawnigan Lake Community Centre

Most activities are FREE for CSAG Members!

YEARLY MEMBERSHIP $15

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP $20

For more info contact: hello@ cowichansouthartsguild.com

Cowichan South Arts Guild April

Are we there yet?

Spring MUST be coming, with blossoming events emerging…

But first, what an eventful winter we’ve had at Cowichan South Arts Guild. Let’s celebrate new friendships, new skills, new ways to participate in the arts, and great community support that has all been in abundance this winter in the Valley. CSAG’s first Spotlight Coffee House of 2024 was a delightful evening.

An appreciative audience of about 40 people gathered together in a transformed space at Shawnigan Lake Community Centre, seated at cozy candlelit tables, taking in the sweet sounds of duo ‘From the Earth’, with a lovely rapport between the musicians and the crowd. To complement the musical art, two of our youth visual artists Elise Mulder & Tay Slater displayed their work and engaged with the crowd. In the spirit of nurturing Spring growth, let’s take a closer look at these young artists:

14 year old Tay Slater describes himself as “a bit of a perfectionist” who likes to work in a wide variety of media independently. He notes that art is helpful as a way of coping with stress. Tay creates 3D phone cases and air-pod case artwork to “make people’s everyday items look cooler and

more unique”.

Recent St John’s Academy grad Elise Mulder cites supportive school environments there and at Evergreen School for her emergence as an artist. She has successfully painted murals and designed logos and hopes to study graphic design at the post-secondary level. Currently, she is producing mixed media sculptures that highlight Vancouver Island flora and fauna. Both these young artists may be contacted through hello@cowichansouthartsguild. com

CSAG is proud to offer opportunities to young and up-and-coming artists to grow into refining their artistic expression. CSAG ‘s April 27th Arts Sampler facilitated by Laurel Circle will be ‘Intermediate Ukulele’, building important skills for the stage between ‘having learned the basics’ and ‘having enough confidence’ to have fun playing in groups!

And… stay tuned for our next Spotlight evening June 7th featuring The Sleives …a fun and upbeat Irish band! …and on that note- an invitation to CSAG members who might like to display their visual art at this event- contact hello@ cowichansouthartsguild.com

Submitted by Theresa Zip

Tay Slater and Elise Mulder

Equine assisted learningTeamwork, the horse makes the choice.

Mending Fences -An Evening of Music at Providence Farm

The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association (CTRA) is a non-profit organization located at Providence Farm in the Cowichan Valley since 1986.

CTRA’s trained instructors and facilitators lead equine assisted wellness programs for children and adults with diverse abilities, including Therapeutic Riding, Therapeutic Horsemanship and Equine Assisted Learning.

A team of communityminded volunteers perform a variety of tasks from grooming, leading and side walking to fundraising and office support. Some of our volunteers have been with us since CTRA’s inception 38 years ago.

This music event will be one of CTRA’s biggest fundraisers of the year, raising funds to do much needed maintenance and repairs on our facilities and fencing for our valuable Therapy Horses.

Two very talented Vancouver Island musicians will entertain us in CTRA’s covered arena:

Ryan MacMahon is one of Western Canada’s most prolific singer/songwriters

with multiple Vancouver Island Music Awards and supporting slots for Tom Cochrane, Burton Cummings, Mother Mother, Lee Harvey Osmond, and others. Ryan’s latest album “Live Now” features an uplifting, pop-friendly song “One More Fire”. Chris Andres’ music has been featured on radio stations around the world. He’s opened for acts such as Washboard Union, Megan Patrick, Rod Black, and George Canyon just to name a few. Among his multiple awards and nominations, Chris’s album “Scars” won album of the year by The International Singer/Songwriter Association in 2022.

Along with great music, Mensch Catering will be supplying Artisan Charcuterie Boxes by pre-order for $18. CTRA will host an onsite bar alongside Hojo’s Eats and Mizu Real Fruit Ice Cream food trucks. Raffle tickets are available now at CTRA to be drawn at the event.

1st - 5 foot tall “Spirit Man” chainsaw carving valued at $1500 generously donated by Tyler Cochrane

2nd - Handcrafted quilt made with love by CTRA volunteers

3rd - Hand turned local maple wood bowl with lid made by CTRA volunteer Don I’Anson 50/50 tickets will be available at the event.

CTRA welcomes you!

Jill O’Neill Executive Director Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association

Edible Landscapes

Yard Maintenance & Organic Garden Care

Ado Grimwood-Adam

Ado is an organic gardener, foodie and father of three living in the Cowichan Valley. He holds a Certificate in Permaculture from Langara College, and is passionate about sustainability, food security, climate change and organic gardening.

Whether you need yard maintenance, or want to establish Edible Landscapes, Ado is a reliable, friendly and helpful person to work with.

Services offered include:

~ Edible Landscapes

~ Yard Maintenance

~ Organic Garden Care

Call or text for a free on-site consultation!

250.815.5789

JOIN US FOR TACO TUESDAY! PLUS DAILY SPECIALS & SOUPS

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, BAKED GOODS, DRINKS, TREATS, GROCERIES AND MORE!

5090 Indian Road (corner of Glenora Rd & Indian Rd) 250-746-5313 I glenorastore@gmail.com

bad comix

by shiloh badman

Say Jill, how did you get a swollen nose? I bent down to smell a brose in my garden.

Vancouver Island Dogs Lend a Helping Paw for Service Dogs

NOT Brose; it’s rose jill, theres no “B” in Rose THERe was in this one.

The 4rd annual Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar Contest will launch on March 19th, 2024 and welcome all Vancouver Island dogs to compete for great prizes. All proceeds from the contest and subsequent calendar sales will benefit Operation Freedom Paws Canada Service Dog Program based in Fanny Bay. Businesses from Vancouver Island and beyond have generously donated their products and services for prizes that are sure to get you and your dog drooling. Winners will be determined by the number of votes they receive. In addition to great prizes, 12 top-placed dogs will be featured in the Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar. To enter, submit a photo of your dog with a $10 donation and get your friends and family to vote for your favourite entrant. For more information and to enter the contest, go to https:// www.gogophotocontest.com/ ofpcanada. The contest will run until April 30th, 2024. Operation Freedom Paws Canada is a registered Canadian Charity that matches rescue dogs with human partners who suffer from trauma or other disabilities. OFP Canada trains the handlers to train their own service dog and

certify the teams as Service Dog Teams under the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Act. To train one service dog team costs about $17,000 and OFP Canada currently has 31 teams in training from all over Vancouver Island. Many more teams are on the waitlist. The charity’s service dog program is a lifeline as it enables their clients to rejoin their communities and live life with renewed hope. OFP Canada is looking to build a permanent training facility to be able to help more people. Visit www.ofpcanada.org to learn more about their Service Dog Program.

Pauliina Saarinen Photography is a professional photographer of dogs and their people, serving all of Vancouver Island. She captures pets’ best expressions and moments in images that have received awards in international competitions. “I’m honoured to partner with OFP Canada. They take their Service Dog Teams under their wings, providing everything they need to succeed” Pauliina says. She will photograph the twelve winners for the calendar, which will be available for purchase in the Fall from OFP Canada.

Alik the Welsh Corgi was the overall winner in the Vancouver Island Dogs 2023 Calendar Contest

CAFE

Perhaps you missed the breaking news out of Jordan, but an ancient scroll was discovered listing the traits of dogs based on their birth signs. The scroll was in amazingly good shape and it was quickly translated. Here is the breakdown: There are four main signs based on the seasons.

Dogs born in the Spring, (our calendar dates of March 21th to June 21st ) have an agreeable disposition. Forever playful and loving, these dogs relate well with others and are always ready for a party. Their downfall is that they don’t pace themselves well and tire quickly. Like a light bulb, they are on or off. These dogs need space to run and grow. They need to be challenged and appreciate it when someone “gets” them.

The Summer dogs, June 22- October 21st are more serious. They have a strong work ethic even if they don’t have a job. They will make their own job if need be and have a dedication to it that can be hard to break. Summer dogs may be a bit aloof towards other dogs because they are so focused on their work. These dogs need direction and purpose. You may need to convince these dogs that their job is to get some rest.

Autumn dogs are calm. October 22 - December 21 birthday dogs are lovely companions and just want to quietly be with you. You will find these dogs just watching the world go by and seem to be thinking deep thoughts. They are patient, but will tell off another dog that exhibits bad manners. These dogs would read books if they could. Their weakness is snacking and they will get to an unhealthy weight if left to free feed. They will find garbage and eat it.

Dogs born in the dark of Winter (December 22 - March 20th) are the most serious of dogs. They attach quickly to one companion and are devoted to the core. They depend on that companion

to constantly reassure them. These dogs are the most likely sign to have separation anxiety and develop habits of worry, like chewing their feet or pacing. Their devotion makes them nice companions for the right person. If you get a winter dog as a pup, be sure to introduce them to lots of new things early on to build their confidence.

This ancient scroll added that if your dog is born during daylight hours, these traits

But if the pup is born after dark the traits will be more obvious. Dogs have been bred for certain traits since the scroll was written over two thousand years ago, so bear that in mind while you study your dog.

Do these horoscope personalities ring true with your dog? If they do then I am a grifting genius. I made the whole thing up to honour April Fool’s Day.

Kristy Landry Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

Kristy.Landry@ edwardjones.com

It’s that time of year again, and the deadline for filing your 2023 taxes is just around the corner. With that in mind, let’s recap some key dates and information.

Important dates

For most individuals, the deadline for filing your 2023 taxes is Tuesday, April 30th, 2024. If you or your spouse or common-law partner is self-employed, the tax-filing deadline is extended to June 17th, 2024 (since the normal deadline of June 15th falls on a Saturday this year). Note, however, that although the tax-filing deadline is June 17th for those with self-

employment income, any balance owing must still be paid by April 30th, 2024.

Tax deductions and tax credits

A tax deduction is not the same as a tax credit. A tax deduction reduces your total income and happens before the calculation of your taxes owing. A tax credit can then be applied to this amount to reduce your tax bill accordingly. It may help to think of this like the movies –the credits come at the end.

Common income tax credits for the 2023 tax year

Basic personal amount: All Canadian residents can claim this amount, which allows you to earn a certain amount of income tax-free.

2024 Tax Facts: What you need to know

Medical expenses: You can claim a range of medical expenses, including prescription drugs and dental services, which must exceed a certain threshold before becoming eligible for deduction.

Charitable donations: To encourage philanthropy and community support, donations made to registered charities may be claimed toward a tax credit.

Education and tuition: Students can claim tax credits for eligible expenses such as tuition fees and textbooks for post-secondary education. Common income tax deductions for the 2023 tax year

RRSP contributions: Contributing to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) allows you to defer taxes on your income. The RRSP contribution deadline

for the 2023 tax year was February 29, 2024.

Home office expenses:

With the rise of remote work, individuals who work from home may be eligible to claim certain home office expenses - documentation is essential.

Employee expenses: Some employment-related expenses, such as tools required for your job or certain professional fees, may be deductible - keep detailed records to support your claims.

Be sure to stay informed about any changes to tax rules and consult with your financial advisor or tax professional to ensure you’re receiving accurate and up-todate information tailored to your specific situation.

Georgia Nicols M.A. Georgia’s book, You and Your Future is a best seller with international printings in 3 languages. georgianicols.com

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This month you’re confident and energetic! You’ll also be more powerful and effective at getting out there and doing what you want. “Hello world, I’m back!” This is because the Sun in your sign will also attract people and favourable situations to you. Meanwhile, Mercury, also in your sign, makes you eager to express your views and discuss your ideas with others. However, be careful because hidden enemies might gain some traction. Be smart. Keep your eyes open, and if you suspect something fishy is going on – it is!

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This month brings conflicting influences. On one hand, you’ll be happy to stay at home and work alone or behind the scenes. Research and digging for answers will appeal. On the other hand (you have different rings); fiery Mars will boost your desire to be involved with friends, especially groups and organizations. You’ll be competitive, physically active and ready to take charge! One thing is certain: You will achieve your goals by working with others to find win-win solutions. Focus on long-term aspirations.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Time for your curtain call! This month, you’re ambitious! You’ll work hard at any project that you identify with; however, you want authority, and the ability to be your own boss. (If not, conflict with coworkers is likely. Worse yet, supervisors and bosses might feel threatened by you.) Meanwhile, the Sun will make you more popular with others, which means this is a great month to socialize! Strive to integrate your energy with the people around you because this will make you happy, and also help you achieve your goals. Enjoy schmoozing with pals!

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Once a year, the Sun travels across the top of your chart and this is the month this happens. This symbolizes that you’re in a flattering spotlight! Bosses, parents and authority figures will admire you even if you

don’t do anything special. Expect to be approached to take on increased responsibilities. (You look so capable!)

Since you have this magical advantage, it’s in your best interests to use it. Demand the advantage. Push your agenda. Make travel plans and explore opportunities in publishing, higher education, medicine and the law because you’re golden!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

This is a pleasant month because the Sun is in your fellow Fire sign. (This happens twice a year, four months before and four months after your birthday.) This creates a lovely boost to your energy. Life will hum along easily; and you’ll enjoy meeting people from other countries or different cultures. Grab every chance to travel because you want a change of scenery. Explore opportunities in publishing, higher education, the law and medicine. Your sex drive will be amped. Disputes about shared property and finances might occur.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Whoa Nellie! This month is passionate and intense! You might attract someone who is powerful to you, who stirs things up or promotes some psychological self-inquiry. You’ll be concerned with shared property, taxes, debt and inheritances. Meanwhile, Mars is opposite your sign this month, which happens only once every two years. This could trigger tension with partners and close friends. People will be more assertive and you might reply in kind. Make sure something is worth fighting for. Avoid needless controversy.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You need more sleep this month. The Sun is opposite your sign (which happens only once a year) and the Sun is your source of energy, which is why you’ll need naps or an earlier bedtime. However, countering this influence is the fact that Mars will spur you to work hard! Mars will make you eager to get things done, especially because you will take pride in what you do. You’ll want credit for what you do, which means you’re not too keen to be a team player. Expect to delegate to others more than usual. Nevertheless, you’ll be enthusiastic!

Scorpio (Oct. 23Nov. 21)

You’re in work mode this month! You want to be efficient, effective and productive. Admittedly, you might have to work to benefit someone else, as well as yourself. It’s interesting that one of the 12 rules that Jordan Peterson espouses is “Treat yourself like you are someone you are responsible for helping.” It’s so true that we often take better care of someone else than we do our own self! (I have observed this with myself. Although I like my creature comforts, I often ignore selfcare.) Respect your health in the next four weeks because you’ll be in “work hard/party hard” mode.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Lucky you! This month will be a wonderful, playful window of time for you. Social outings, an appreciation of the arts, involvement in sports events and playful activities with kids are some reasons you’ll feel more enthusiastic about life. Accept invitations to socialize! Slip away on a vacation. Grab every opportunity to express your creative talents through writing, drawing, singing, performing or doing whatever pleases you. Meanwhile, renovations, redecorating projects and efforts to make home improvements will create chaos for the next month!

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

This month is about your private life. You might be more involved with a parent. Others will be busy with home repairs and DIY projects. You will welcome a chance to relax at home among familiar surroundings and buffer yourself from the busy world. Memories of past events will come up. (“Remember when your dad took you golfing, then drove home alone because he forgot you were there?”) However, Mars will counter this desire to relax by accelerating your daily pace. It will make you identify with your beliefs. This is why you will vigourously defend your ideas!

You’ll notice your immediate surroundings this month. Interactions with siblings, relatives and neighbours will increase. The pace of your days will pick up with a busy schedule of errands, appointments and conversations. Do travel because you’re eager for change. This is an excellent time to share your ideas. Define your boundaries. State your position and make it clear. This is also the perfect time to take a course because you’ll love to read, write, learn and teach. Meanwhile, not only will you work harder for your money, many of you will shop more. Ka-ching!

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Mars is in your sign this month. (This happens only once every two years.) This will boost your physical energy and enthusiasm for life! You’ll work hard to get what you want. You’ll be more of a fighter for your own rights. (In fact, you’ll defend the rights of others as well.) It’s a positive time! Meanwhile, you will ponder your values and think about what is really worthwhile in life, which might prompt you to think of your possessions and what is useful to you versus what is just deadweight that you should cast off. “Be gone!”

www.georgianicols.com

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

— Robert Swan

Holistic Health and Healing

BIOMAGNETISM & ENERGY HEALER

Recover your health & well-being focus on root cause of illness

Pets and Remote Sessions offered

Kathryn Lowther 250-891-5138

www.biomagcanada.ca

Hidden Gem Reiki Studio

Judy Johnstone, Reiki Master

250-661-0192

www.hiddengemreiki.com

Reflexology by Joy

Relax and rejuvenate each and every part of your body, including the glands and organs.

specializing in toes•calves•lower legs• knees

jstalinski@shaw.ca I 250 246 1401

www.bluestonehealing.ca

INNER WISDOM COACH

Discovering and Strengthening Your Connection to Your Inner Wisdom *Living Your Truth*

CHRISTINE VAUGHAN BSW, RSW 250-510-7249 clvaughan@shaw.ca

HAKOMI MINDFUL SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

One-on-one sessions transform limiting core beliefs through assisted self-study.

Jessica M Slattery Hakomi Therapist

COBBLE HILL•DUNCAN•ONLINE

LINDSAY CAMPA, RMT

• REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY •YOGA THERAPY

Valleyview Centre

#39-1400 Cowichan Bay Rd

thehealingbody.ca

Cobble Hill 250-466-4607 lindsay.campa@gmail.com

Nutrition

•Functional Medicine and Nutrition Consultations

•Lab Assessments/Education

•Individualized Lifestyle and Wellness Plans

250-931-0012

sageheartnutrition@gmail.com

www.sageheartnutrition.wordpress.com

Painting Services

Master Quality Painting for over 20 Years Aaron

Covering Cowichan Valley and outlying areas

Free Estimates and Advice

250 732 -7221