December Issue

Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

ISSN 1920-820 0

Issue 37 December 2011 Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy... and a New Year rich in happiness.

Beaver House Fudge

Fresh, Creamy, Home Made Fudge, made with Organic Cream and Butter - Sugar Free Fudge too!

250-748-6647 www.beaverhousefudge.com

Garrett Metal Detector Keene Mining Equipment

Junction Artists MarketBears in the Cupboard

- all shapes, sizes and colors various suggestions...

Bears are fed before guests arrive Every -Sunday so there is no biting or growlingVisiting hours are from 10AM to 5PM 11am -Friday 5pmthrough Sunday & Holiday Mondays 250 597-1418

April 17 - October 16th

Where everyone loves to stop!

Vendors contact

DuNcAN fARMER’S MARkET Susan Rankin

10AM - 2pM

Rain or shine!

Visit the market this winter for all of your local handcrafted gifts, homemade baking, jams. jellies, produce, art, jewelry, pottery. Christmas baking, wreaths and much more.

Free city parking in all parking lots.

* SpEcIAL chRISTMAS EVE MARkET

EVERy

December 24th 10am - 1pm

SATuRDAy!

with a very special visitor, SANTA will be here to take your last minute letters, mums and dad’s don’t forget to bring your cameras. Hot chestnuts for all our customers.

Located in the Market Square in Downtown Duncan

The all year market on the island.

*Duncan farmers market goes inside, starts January 14th, 10 -2pm at the island savings centre, James street. next to the library.

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Rain or shine!

Visit the market this winter for all of your local handcrafted gifts, homemade baking, jams. jellies, produce, art, jewelry, pottery.

Christmas baking, wreaths and

Books, Books, Books!

The Loom

yarns, wools, needles, books and notions.

250 746 5250

WHIPPLETREE ANTIQUE MALL

The home of fine furnishings

Abby Gabby Gifts & More

Specialising in beautiful woods and Canadian furniture.

BLOW OUT SALE - UP TO 50% OFF selected items

Rare finds, nostalgia, treasures and more.

ctor pment

250 748 2258

250 597 2220

Located south of Duncan

Dining Room • Bedroom Living Room • Tables Home Accesories Eco friendly Sofas & Chairs 250 737 1773 www.sassywood.ca

Leola’s Studio In The Courtyard

-

arrive ng5PM day

- Classes - Shared Studio - Weaving and spinning - Community Loom - Gift Certificates - Locally made textiles

Learn and Experience the joy of textiles.

leolasstudio.blogspot.com

Coast Salish Journey Native Artist Herb Rice Custom Carved Wood

Learn to carve

250 748 1313 www.coastsalishjourney.com

WHIPPLETREE

JUNCTION

4705 Trans Canada Highway

Ready to serve at 6am!

Fresh baked goods and made to order sandwiches to go. Fresh hot coffee and specialty beverages.

The Wickertree

BC’s Largest selection of indoor and outdoor rattan furniture! thewickertree.com

Handwoven blankets, shawls and ponchos, toques, story pillows, and more!

Custom products for the little ones in your lives.

www.omagoshdesigns.com.

Bold new premises in the Courtyard! New Stock, new look, specials. Also introducing Suzan Lagrove and her Hbc heritage blanket products! Visit us with this AD and receive 10% off thepurchase price of teddy bears & other plush toys until Dec 24th

Bears in the Cupboard

10am to 4:30pm Friday to Monday

1-4715 Trans Canada Hwy 250.746.1988

duncan@moderncountryinteriors.com www.moderncountryinteriors.com Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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December 2011 /Early January 2012 Vol 3 Issue 37 The monthly guide to living in the beautiful Cowichan Valley.

Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 - 936 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan V9L 5X4 Copy Editor

Maeve Maguire

Advertising Enquiries Please Call Adrienne Richards

250 510 6596 or e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE!

Please upload your information through our website or e-mail with subject re: MONTH and TITLE of EVENT Please include: Date, Time, Event Title, Place and Cost Be advised that space is limited to up to 2 spots per business and prioritizes by 1st sent, 1st printed.

Next deadline Dec 18th for January 2012 Issue. events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Valley Voices

Bill Jones, Brad Boisvert, Marisa Goodwin, Margit Nellemann, Alison Burdett, David Coulson, Victor Vesely, Rick Dennis, Ajay Appelaar, Tracey Paleczka, Longevity John, Jo Ludwig, Debbie Shkuratoff, Roger Foucher, Christy Lindell Greenwood, Lynn Weaver, Heidi Holden, Angela Erskine, Lara Bruschot, Rose Wagner, Rosalie Gill-Power, Kent Goodwin, Linda Quiring, Julia Grace, Nancy George, Lori Austein, Patricia MacGregor, Sandra Beggs, Dee Kinnee, Tina Nordstrand, Robin Massey, Sheila Badman, Gloria Lorenzen, Maki Ikemura, Jean Crowder, Nicolette Genier, Emily Doyle Yamaguchi, Aubrey Cobham, Sue McKitrick & The Lovely Georgia Nicols

We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Valley Voice magazine reserves the right to 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 authors.

Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450 + select locations throughout the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith, Victoria, Courtenay and Tofino.

Cover Image: Maria Itina, White Horse Playing in Snow

Over 20,000 readers look forward to reading the Valley Voice each month.

Reach your LOCAL market here.

What is your marketing plan for 2012?

Our lovely Adrienne Richards is now taking appointments for Earlybird 2012 Ad Term Specials.

JANUARY 2012 - A NEW YEAR ISSUE AD Deadline: January 3rd

250 510 6596 adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 4

Pages Table of Contents 4 Margit Nellemann Open House Show and Sale 5 Community Events Calendar 6 Cowichan Eating with Bill Jones 7 Merchant Events in Cowichan Bay 8 Cowichan Bay Christmas Sailpast 9 Island Farmhouse Poultry Chicken and Hazelnut Pate 10 Festive Food Fun 11 Taste of Tea 12 Extraordinary Cookware for Entertaining 13 Holiday Florals 13 CRAFT by Cowichan Valley Artisans 14 Moonstruck By Mail 15 Local Rabbit Stew 16 Cowichan Christmas Gift Guide 16 Rabbit Blanquette 17 Chemainus Family Fun 18 Winter Solstice Event 19 Green Building : Design Gifts 20 Eco Friendly and Fashionable in Cowichan Bay 21 Holiday Gifts Guide For Mindful Living 22 Holiday Food Guide For Mindful Living 24 Yule- The Story of Renewal 26 Restore and Maintain Healthy Balance with Reiki 27 Wool The Miracle Fibre 28 Winter Skin 28 The Salt Spring Soapworks Story 29 Moonbeams 30 The Way of Council 31 Protecting The Winter Garden 31 Winter Crescent Moon Garden 31 Winter CD - A Perfect Gift For Children 32 Disney Extravaganza Local Christmas Garden 32 A Message to My Friends, From Santa 33’ What would Miss Polly Do? 33 Wise Old Owl 34 Learn To Felt 34 Oh Christmas Tree 36 Community Farm Store Pages 38 Get Healthy Plan 2012 40 Winter Cycling Tips 41 Websites, Emails and Verbal Lint 42 Crowder’s Corner 42 Green Living: Eco Holiday Season 43 Special Holiday Events 44 Georgia Nicols Horoscopes 45 Outnumbered by Sue McKitrick 45 Feature Listings 46 - 47

Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.co

Thank you for choosing to support our wonderful advertisers. They make the Valley Voice possible each month.

Margit Nellemann Annual Open House and Exhibit

December 2, 3 and 4 10am – 5pm Show runs until the end of December Thurs – Sun 10am –4pm 8350 Richards Trail North Cowichan 250 748 3811 www.margitnellemann.com

C

owichan ceramist Margit Nellemann is offering art lovers a rare opportunity to experience the works of Danish Painter Christina Mosegaard and goldsmith Marianne Brown at her studio and gallery in North Cowichan.

Christina Mosegaard is primarily known for her paintings of the human face, closely trimmed and most often set in deep, dark colour tones. They are contemporary faces depicted through a century-old technique.

An important theme in her works – whether the motif is the human face, flowers or her most recent motif: the fold/drapery – is the Vanitas-concept of the Baroque period.

Educated at the American Academy of Art, Chicago, USA, and at The Graphic Arts Institute of Denmark, Copenhagen, Christina has exhibited at galleries both in Denmark and the UK, at the Royal Academy of Art in London and most recently at Allan Stone Gallery in New York and Art Basel Miami Beach. Christina Mosegaard lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Christine Mosegaard i

Marianne Brown

Margit Nellemann

Talking Arts • Margit Nellemann Open House Christina Mosegaard Looking Down Pastel on board

Margit Nellemann Tea Urchin, Teapot

Marianne Brown

Ceramic artist Margit Wild Hawthron Nellemann creates oneEarrings of-a-kind, hand-built ceramics. Her pieces are elegant works of art: distinctively decorative, highly organic, beautifully functional.

Margit’s pieces are built using a combination of coiling and slabbing.

Additional freehand incising accentuates and Her leaf embossed pure silver frames the form of each piece. offers exquisite renditions of an Fascinated by the beauty of inspirational world of plants. To patterns and intrigued by details, accentuate the soft and stunning Margit recreates the rhythmic details of her work Marianne also and recurring lines of nature’s uses silk and freshwater pearls. patterns in her work.

Marianne Brown, who now lives in Ontario, originally trained as a Marianne Brown creates goldsmith on Vancouver Island. jewellery in both gold and silver.

On her return to Vancouver Island for this December exhibit, Marianne reflects – “The pieces for this show are inspired by both Margit’s and Christina’s work.

The intricate detail of lines in a hand built vessel, the hauntingly beautiful portrait of face or flower. Framed with texture the Flora pieces have become tiny portraits of leaves. Adding colour to metal, I went a bit wild with the silk cords ... happy to be returning. See you at Margit Nellemann’s Studio and Gallery.”

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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Community Calendar

To Dec 31

Countryside Christmas Chemainus Festival Theatre 1 800 565 7738

10 2:30-5pm

Transformational Dance w/ Christy Lindell Greenwood 1756 Wilmot Ave, Shawnigan Lake Village 250 737 1800

To Dec 31

“The Art of Dimples” Ramona Gregory 9745 Willow Street, Chemainus, 250-246-2594

11 1-5pm

MoonDance Solstice Market Art House, Shawnigan Lake Village 250 743 5846

To Dec 10 10am -5pm

Trio Art Show - Tully, Brown, and Kungold Portals - Island Savings Centre, 2687 James Street, Duncan

11 8pm

Art Napoleon First Nations Performer of Cree descent Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan $15 Adv/$20 Door

To Dec 12

Fine Art Show featuring 5 Artists Dancing Bean Cafe, 9752 Willow St Chemainus

Wes Borg’s Comedy Night and Auditions $10 or 3 /$25 Crofton Hotel & Pub, 1534 Joan Ave Crofton 250 324 2245

1,8,15,22,29

Thursdays 5Rhythms Class w/ Shauna Devlin Duncan Community Lodge 250-709-1921

12 7:30pm 12-24 10am -5pm

Visions Group Show Portals - Island Savings Centre, 2687 James Street, Duncan

13 6.30pm

Lila Music Centre End of Year Concert St Peter’s Anglican Church, 5800 Church Road, Duncan

13

Pop Concert Skating Performance Kerry Park Recreation Centre, 250-743-5476

15

5:30pm/7pm

International Thursday Buffet – A Taste of the Ukraine Honeymoon Bay Lodge and Retreat 250 749 4252 $16.50

22 7pm

Ladysmith Camera Club Annual Potluck Dinner and Gear Exchange Hardwick Hall, High Street, 3rd Ave

15 10am-4pm

Complimentary Tea Tasting on International Tea Day Teafarm, 8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan

16 7:30pm

Shepherd’s Play Sunrise Waldorf School Hall, 4344 Peters Road FREE

16 5-7pm 16

Ladies Night” Late Night Shopping Event Radway Clothing and Spinning Ninny, Cowichan Bay

16

6:45-8:30pm

Opening 2-5 Margit Nellemann Annual Open House & Exhibit Show 10am -5pm 8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan

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DECEMBER

2-3 11am -5pm

Amora Celebrates Christmas Painting Show Emily Morgan Sculpture Gallery, Cowichan Bay

3 3 -7pm

Cowichan Bay Sail Past and Christmas Light Up Cowichan Bay Waterfront, Light up CWBS 4:30pm

3 -5 10am -5pm

Celebration of Colour Artists Sale Fri Opening 7-9pm 801 Wharncliffe Rd, Duncan 250 737-1888

3

2:30 pm

Singalong “Messiah” featuring 13 CowichanValley soloists Christian Reformed Church, 930 Trunk Rd, Duncan $15

3 9am - 3pm

Providence Farm Christmas Craft Fair 1843 Tzhouhaem Rd, Providence Farm, Duncan

3

8 pm

Georgia’s Belly Dancing Extravaganza Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan $20

3,10,17,23 6:30-8pm

Crafty Cuppa Saturday Evening Art Classes South Willow Street, Chemainus 250 324 3338

6pm-7:15 pm

Skulastic, Wes Paul, BCB, One Fifty Productions, Prophet HIP HOP Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan $12/$15

4,11,18 & 24 Christmas Tree, Tractor Ride & Festive Luncheon Alderlea Farm 3390 Glenora Rd, 250 715 0799 To Reserve Noon

8 pm

4,11,18,25 10 -3pm

Mill Bay Pop Up Market Farmers Field Across From Kerry Rec Centre, Mill Bay

6 pm

Mark Crissinger Solo Cowichan Bay Pub, Cowichan Bay

5,12,19,26

16 3-6pm

Winter Wonderland Skate Fuller Lake Arena, Chemainus $2 Includes Skate Rental!

4:45pm Doors

Drop In BINGO Every Monday begins at 6:40pm Chemainus Seniors Centre 9824 Willow St 250 246 2111

5 8pm

Ron Hynes Superb folk singer from Nfld Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan $20 Adv/$30 Door

17 7pm

Cowichan Station HUB Dance 2375 Koksilah Rd, Cowichan Station

7 6pm

Hospital Christmas Light with The Threshold Choir Cowichan Hospital, Duncan

17 7:30 - 9:30pm

Community Drum Circle with Karin Lewis Natasha’s Temple Studio, Duncan 250 748 6750

8 10am - 2pm

Annual Christmas Bazaar- Ladies Auxiliary The Royal Canadian Legion, 9775 Chemainus Road

17 3-6pm

Little Town Christmas w/ Hot Chocolate, a Treasure Hunt, Live Music Nativity Scene and more Chemainus

9 7pm

Mark Crissinger & Jerome Godboo Noodles Of the World, 161 Station Street, Duncan

17 7pm

Seniors Dance with Happy Hans $7 includes Lunch Chemainus Seniors Centre 9824 Willow St 250 246 2111

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Soliel Mannon Paintings Art Show and Live Music Alderlea Farm 3390 Glenora Rd, 250 715 0799

11 8pm

David Vest Band Southern-style blues, jazz and countryDuncan Garage Showroom, Duncan $20 Adv/$25 Door

10 6:20pm

Chemainus Christmas Carol Ship Departs from Chemainus Harbour Adv Tix ONLY 250-246-3947

21 7pm

Winter Solstice Concert - Families Welcome!

St Peter’s Anglican Church, 5800 Church Road, Duncan

10 5:30-8pm

Field to Table Dinner ~ Featuring Janice Mansfield 1230 Merridale Road, Cobble Hill 250 743-4293

24 10-1pm

Special Christmas Eve Duncan Farmers Market with Santa Downtown Duncan in The Square

10 12-5pm

Points Art Gallery One Year Anniversary Reception 225 Canada Ave, Downtown Duncan

31 5:30pm 8:30pm

Last NYE Dinner at Amusé Bistro (current location) 1753 Shawingan Mill Bay Rd Please call 250 743 3667

10 8pm

Naughty and Spice Burlesque Troupe Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan $20 Advance

31 8pm

JOYA Ceremony -- 108 Thanksgivings for the Year Nichiren Buddha Hokkeko Society 778 422.0155

10 7pm

Cowichan Folk Guild Christmas Potluck Dinner Duncan United Church 246 Ingram St

Ongoing

Cowichan Valley Artisans Year Round Studio Tour Download brochure at www.cowichanvalleyartisans.com

Cowichan

EATING

Holiday Food for the Soul

ecember is home to the shortest day of the year D and is the darkest time on our

calendar. Yet in these dim days we see rays of light from our celebrations and our willingness to help the less fortunate in our midst. Food and nourishment should be a basic human right.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? A recent trip to Vancouver stunned me back to reality seeing the long lines at soup kitchens in the downtown eastside. We really are lucky to be living here with our relatively minor problems.

It’s got to be a good thing that my biggest problem is the deer eating my shrubbery.

However, in a valley that seems overflowing with good food, natural gifts and strong communities – we still have food banks and homeless shelters in our midst. It is sad that these facilities are needed, but it is critical that they exist.

The social system we live in is responsible for many of these problems. Addiction, poverty and bad luck can tip almost anyone off the edge given the right circumstances.

Our society is in many ways dysfunctional. It often scrapes by on the generosity of those who can afford to donate time, energy and yes, money, to the social network. It may seem a little annoying to be bombarded with requests for help in a season that piles the pressure to consume and spend like the cherry on top of a giant sundae.

Ironically, these dark days are the time when the needs are highest for the less fortunate.

There is no easy solution to the

problems in our community.

First we (and our leaders) have to realize there actually is a problem greater than the latest budget crisis - before we can begin to seek permanent solutions. I would bet that if you’re actually living these problems like many of our fellow islanders – this is not a nourishing and comforting thought. Comfort can sometimes only be temporarily achieved by a hot cup of soup or a basket of food donated from the kindness of others – not to mention a roof over your head.

There are many people who are champions of the less fortunate among us. Take the time to thank them for their efforts.

Imagine a world where no one cared for each other and you would be imagining a bleak and soulless place. Fortunately, there are people out there making hot food, stocking shelves, filling food baskets and caring for the helpless. I for one would like to send them a heartfelt thank you for their efforts. This month we at the farm will be doing our tiny part and donating to the Duncan food bank. It seems like such a small effort to make to bring light to the darkest days of December.

Chocolate, Hazelnut and Wildflower Honey Brownies Recipe courtesy Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm You want to put a smile on someone’s face? Hit them with a plate of chocolate brownies. Rich in serotonin (the happiness drug), chocolate is the worlds most popular food for a very good reason. This recipe is an easy way to get your happy on.

Makes a standard 13”x 9”x 2” deep pan Ingredients Amount Softened Butter Local Wildflower Honey Eggs Beaten Real Vanilla Extract Flour Dark Cocoa Salt Whole Hazelnuts Dark Chocolate Chunks

1 Cup (250 Ml) 1 ½ Cups (375 Ml) 3 1 Tsp (5 Ml) 1 Cup (250 Ml) 1/2 Cup (125 Ml) ½ Tsp (2.5 Ml) 1 Cup (250 Ml) 1 Cup (250 Ml)

Method In a mixer, add the butter and beat until soft and smooth. Add the honey and mix until creamy and fluffy. Scrape down the sides with a spatula periodically to help mix things up smoothly. Add the eggs, one at a time until incorporated and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and mix until smooth.

Mix the flour, cocoa and salt in a separate bowl. Add slowly to the egg mixture until the mixture is just smooth. You can do this with a whisk by hand to make it less messy. When the batter is smooth, fold in the nuts and chocolate chunks.

Pour into a cake pan that has been lightly buttered and dusted with flour (or line with silicon baking paper). Place in a 350 F (180 C) oven and bake on the middle rack for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean from the center. Cool and cut into squares.

The Duncan Food Bank 5810 Garden Street Duncan, BC, V9L 3V7 250 746-1556 www.cvbs.ca There are many others. Check out the link at www.cowichangreencommunity. org/emergency-food-resources Bill Jones is an author, chef and food consultant who can be found at Deerholme.com

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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Christmas Special!

Buy a Spa Pedicure and Receive a Free Manicure.

Located in the Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay 250 597 0440 May not be combined with other promotional offers.

Expires December 31st, 2011

Cowichan Bay Sailpast December 3rd 3-7pm

Fe a t u r e E ve n t s

Find this squatting Spinning Ninny somewhere in this issue and be one of the first 5 people to come down to the boutique and show us where you found her will receive a Free Gift!

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Life slows down in Cowichan Bay, long enough for a great meal.

Take a wander through the unique shops, or to snap some photos of the amazing sea life.

Dine year-round in our heated patio area or Take Out for a meal a home.

250-597-2006

Lighted Boats in Cowichan Bay Cowichan Bay Sail Past

December 3 3pm - 7pm Cowichan Bay Waterfront Lighting of the tree 4:30pm Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre he annual “Cowichan T Bay Sail Past” takes place on Saturday, Decem-

ber 3rd. As in prior years the illuminated boats will depart from the Government Wharf at 5pm. The Cowichan Bay merchants will be participating with most businesses open until at least 7pm many with special offerings. In addition this year there will be holiday craft making for children of any age at many different businesses from 3pm until the “tree lighting” outside the Maritime Centre at 4:30pm. Santa will be making a guest appearance at many of the different Cowichan Bay businesses. There is no cost for this event, for more information contact Heidi at 250-597-2006.

Mill Bay Pop Up Market December 4,11,18 & 25 10am - 3pm directly across from Kerry Park Recreation Centre on Shawnigan-Mill Bay Rd

o serve customers in T Cowichan Valley’s south end, Judith Belton,

partner to Richard “Pesto King” Lewin, sets up a roadside tent directly across from Kerry Park Recreation Centre on Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road.

From under her green “pesto” tent, Judith sells many varieties of Richard’s delicious Golda’s Finest Foods pestos, bottles of Cowichan Valley maple syrup, halvah, Richard’s humous, and local eggs (when available). She is at her site every Sunday through December, weather permitting. See you there!

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

9

Celebration of Colour “It’s fresher from here”

Chicken and Hazelnut Pate Many chicken recipes use pistacios. Since hazelnuts grow on Vancouver Island I thought I’d give them a try.

The flavors go great together and it’s economical too!

Ingredients

Island Farmhouse Chicken Thighs, (boneless and skinless) Clove Garlic Small Onion, chopped Butter Pepper Nutmeg Dried tarragon Salt Good Deli Ham Cognac Island Farms whipping cream

Vancouver Island Hazelnuts (roasted)

Amount 6

1 1/2 1 Tablespoon 1/4 Teaspoon 1/4 Teaspoon 1/2 Teaspoon 1 Teaspoon 2 Slices 2 Tablespoons 1 Cup 2/3 Cup

Method

December 2 to 5 Friday Opening 7-9pm 801 Wharncliffe Rd Duncan 250 737-1888

Twice a year, Bernadette, Brandi and Susan come together to show and sell their new works in paint, glass and clay. We gather at Hummingbird Studio, located off Trunk Rd onto Day Rd and Wharncliffe.

Bernadette presents a new series of paintings inspired by the lyrics and music of The Beatles. Each one has a story, come hear the tale!

Brandi creates exquisite layered glass platters and bowls. Her gleaming

jewellery and sparkling tree decorations are sure to please!

Susan’s colourful festive clay dishes add delight in any season! Lamps, clocks and vases enhance any decor.

Custom orders are always welcome! Come see our newest creations and Happy Holidays!

NYE Dinner at Amusé Bistro December 31

First Seating | 5:30pm 3 Course Dinner $55 Out in time to go to that next party Second Seating | 8:30pm 5 course Dinner $90 1753 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd 250.743.3667 amusebistro@shaw.ca

Preheat oven to 325F

1. Melt butter in sauce pan on medium heat and add onions, cook until transparent but not brown, add garlic and cook until just slightly browned.

2. Cut thighs into 1 inch pieces and place in food processor and pulse 3 - 4 times.

3. Add rest of ingredients except for nuts, cream and ham.

4. Blend throughly slowly add cream until well blended.

5. Roughly chop Hazelnuts and ham. Add half the nuts and all the ham and pulse 3 - 4 times.

6. Add the rest of the nuts and mix well by hand.

7. Pack mixture into a buttered loaf pan and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

8. Cool overnight in refridgerator, slice in 1/4” slices and serve with grainy mustard, your favorite preserves and bagette or crackers.

1615 Koksilah Road Cowichan Bay BC 250-746-6163 • www.farmhousepoultry.ca Chicken available from Country Grocer, 49th Parallel, Duncan Butcher, Chemainus Foods, Crofton Foods and Thrifty Foods

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In a hurry?

Ready to heat prepared Crab Cakes, Chowders and Seafood also available in store!

Holiday Entertaining Made Easy with Freshly Prepared Seafood Appetizers and Finger Foods

Made FRESH to order

• Albacore Tataki • Prawn Spring Rolls • Salmon Pinwheels • Fresh Halibut Ceviche Bowls and MORE! For a small family gathering or a large event, we will make your selections fresh to order and ready for pick up.

For more info or to place an order call us at 250 748 0020

Festive Food Fun H

aving fun is probably the last thing on your mind this month. Should it be? Having kids reminded me to have fun during the holiday season and not be a Scrooge about it. In my family we always did gourmet food swaps during the holidays. Everyone made something different and as a starving student in my early twenties I always found a way to contribute. Handmaking something that the people you love are thrilled to receive is what the holidays are all about. To reduce anxiety and stress cook what you’re good at. If your chocolate chip cookie is great....that’s your gift! If your homemade popcorn is delicious... give it away!

My girls are just old enough to help make gifts and they love to help with the edible kind. Clearly gingerbread people are an excellent cookie to bake and decorate.

We bake them plain and then using royal icing we attach different organic dried fruit, nuts, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, candycanes etc. It is hilarious to make a cookie version of the person getting the gingerbread. Just go to the Community Farm Store and visit the natural candy section and bulk food bins for some healthier treats for decorating.

A SIDE NOTE:

Never make cookies hungry and have a small amount of treats in a dish to eat while decorating This is good advice regardless of your age.

Making recycled wrapping paper that is patterned with stamps carved from large russet potatoes is fun. Also fun is to visit a secondhand store and find some cool vintage scarves to wrap a present with. The scarf even becomes part of the gift. The kitchen section of a thrift store is always worth a visit for baking sheets, cookie cutters and old tins which are perfect for giving away handmade treats! My recipe this month is my Mythic Mole Caramel Corn and it is perfect for a easy gift. Even if you have no extra time to make anything, luckily you live in the foodie hunter gatherer’s dream location, the Cowichan Valley. Assembling a gourmet gift basket of local food and drink is a breeze. If you make it out to the farm store at Organic Fair Farm & Garden this month, be sure to visit our Broad Breasted Bronze heritage turkeys - they are in their full glory.

Have a delicious holiday season!

Mythic Mole Caramel Corn This recipe is a slightly spicy twist on traditional caramel corn- great for gifts! Recipe can be doubled. *Special tools -Candy Thermometer, parchment paper, baking sheet, large greased mixing bowl, spatula Preheat oven to 250F, 15 mins prep time 1hr in the oven Ingredients Popped organic popcorn (sorted for unpopped kernels) Brown sugar packed

Unsalted butter Agave syrup

Baking soda (make sure there are no lumps) Organic Fair’s Mythic Mole Spice Rub (or more if you like it spicy)

Quantity 3 Litres 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 tsp 1 Tbls

*Optional Cocoa nibs 1/4 cup mixed into the popcorn before the caramel is added Method 1. Combine the butter, sugar and agave syrup in a medium sized pot set on medium-high heat.

2. Simmer for roughly 5mins till the temperature reads 250F then quickly whisk in the baking soda and spice.

This will froth, do not be afraid.

3. Pour the caramel over the popcorn in the large

greased mixing bowl and use a spatula to stir it as evenly as possible.

4. Distribute the caramel corn evenly onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Bake for roughly 1 hour stirring every 15-20 minutes 5. Cool the popcorn on parchment paper covered

cooling racks. Store in an airtight tin lined with

parchment or wax paper.

Marisa co-owns Try not to eat it all by Organic Fair and is yourself. immersed in food,

Happy Holidays

farm and family. www.organicfair.com

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

11

Taste of Tea

eet August Jones: M part-time tea farmer and bon vivant (of all things

A unique gift that will provide endless satisfying and nourishing culinary experiences.

rosettastonekitchenware.com 250.709.0720

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tea). I had the great pleasure of working with August this summer. He cared for the tea plants and helped with many aspects of farm life.

Occasionally, his sister Enya also contributed to the effort.

The tea plants shared their wisdom and we all benefited from the learning and new discoveries.

December 15th is International Tea Day and is celebrated in many tea-growing regions around the world. It began in India in 2005 to raise awareness of the plight of tea pickers’ working conditions and the challenge small-scale tea growers face against corporate producers of international brands. Millions of workers are affected by the forces of the global economy and the dynamics of an everexpanding tea industry. The impact and complexity of the issue can be overwhelming. A good place to start is to choose

organic loose leaf and fairly traded tea. Avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers improves the health and well-being of workers and consumers.

I invite you to take a moment on Thursday, December 15th to enjoy a cup of tea and to think of the workers around the world—and around the corner who bring you your tea.

Recently, August was on the slopes preparing the tea plants for winter. I asked him what he thought about perhaps being the only person in Canada working in a tea garden right then. He did not say a thing; the smile on his face said it all!

Images Top Left, Teafarm tea plant bearing the winter. Top Right August Jones.

Victor Vesely is a tea farmer and purveyor of fine and fun organic teas. www.teafarm.ca

.

e

!

c

Holiday Florals

Cookware That Transforms the Ordinary to Extraordinary

with some red huck for a rustic touch—and voila! A great winter holiday bouquet! Magnolia leaves are a favorite for their suede-y underside, and are a great way to add bulk and drama to a bouquet.

eldom does a piece of cookware have charisma S or mystique. However, Brazilian

soapstone can claim both. It could be the colour – varying from dark charcoal to Turkish-coffee – or it might be the gleaming belt of copper round its midsection.

Perhaps it’s the way it transforms the simplest of foods from ordinary to extraordinary.

As important as our food is, what we cook it in is equally important.

Each piece of soapstone cookware is carved from food-safe, nonreactive Brazilian soapstone that keeps food flavours true. In Food as Medicine: The Theory and Practice of Food, Vancouver author and Ayurveda practitioner, Todd Caldecott writes, “Soapstone provides an excellent, naturally non-stick cooking surface with very good heat conductivity.”

Use it on the stovetop (gas and electric), in the oven and yes, even over the backyard fire pit if the power goes out.

It’s available in a variety of styles and sizes from small saucepans to large roasters and flat griddles; a cook’s dream for December entertaining. Impressive in its versatility, it’s perfect for cheese fondues, roast boneless turkey, tourtiere, Bouillabaisse, Galette des Rois, duck a la anything,

Rosetta’s Tamarind Prawns, latkes, Hanukkah brisket and dessert crepes (with Cowichan Valley maple syrup).

Chilling the soapstone cookware in the freezer ahead of time will keep salmon canapés, chocolate truffles, mango mousse and even eggnog cool and fresh for hours.

When the seasonal festivities are over it resumes its customary role: producing nourishing vegetable soups, Friday night pizzas, grilled fish, rice, frittatas, beef stews even hearty morning oatmeal.

Rosetta Stone Kitchenware, valued in kitchens for centuries, is simply a cookery treasure for you or as a special lasting gift.

Rosetta Stone Kitchenware is available locally at:

The Community Farm Store, Duncan, Cherry Point Estate Wines, Cobble Hill, The Worldly Gourmet, Ladysmith, Ingredients Health Food & Apple Cafe, Victoria www.rosettastonekitchenware.com Submitted by Gloria Lorenzen

The Duncan Butcher Shop!

430 Trans-Canada Hwy

250 748-6377

Organic meats, specialty cuts, spices and rubs.

Ilex Berries

G

iving cut flowers or plants as gifts for the holidays is a great idea. A beautiful floral arrangement isn’t a big commitment; it lasts for several weeks then goes out to the compost bin when it’s done. It should make one appreciate the beauty even more, knowing that it’s fleeting—it’s bittersweet!

If a person wants to give something that lasts much longer, Phaleonopsis Orchid plants are some of the most beautiful and

I love to add berry branches to winter arrangements, such as orange-coloured bittersweet, or cherry-red ilex berries. They lend an interesting woodsy element to the flowers.

I sometimes perch a little feathered bird in a branch to bring some whimsy to the arrangement. In nature they are eating the berries, so why not in a table arrangement? Birch bark, as well as birds, are a very popular this time of year.

Phaleonopsis Orchid

easiest-blooming plants to care for, and they can bloom for months. Pop them in a pot, dress

them up with red dogwood sticks and glass balls, and you’ve got a gift that’s sure to please.

For a bouquet, my favourite look right now is a combination of finer evergreens, like cedar and pine, offset with larger tropical leaves, and our indigenous salal.

Add to it any number or type of flowers, dried pods and berries

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

Rose Wagner co-owns Leaf & Petal Flower shop in beautiful downtown Duncan www.leaf-petal.ca

13

craft Last month I suggested that art was essentially concerned with ideas and that craft was concerned with craftsmanship.

Thinking about craftsmanship brings functionality, or usefulness, but especially durability to mind and such qualities are, I think, necessary properties of fine craft objects.

However, plastic water bottles, for example, are well made, function well and last a good long time (especially in the landfill); some are even aesthetically pleasing. Yet they are not considered fine craft objects. When speaking about plastic bottles, it immediately occurs to me that they are mass produced, spewed from a machine, a few hundred a minute, with the machine operator monitoring the process from a distance. By contrast, fine craft objects are carefully made by hand, with attention paid to all the details.

But sweatshops, for example, make things by hand, sometimes with skill and care, yet such products are not considered fine craft objects.

I suggest, rather, that fine craft objects are not only made by hand, but are made in a process where the artisan personally undertakes not only every step in the process of making, from the initial original design to the final polish and presentation of every single object, but also makes all its constituent components.

Jo Ludwig is a glass artisan from Crofton who creates small jewel-like vessels.

To visit the studios of the Cowichan Valley Artisans, pick up a brochure to their year-round studio tour at Excellent Frameworks, 28 Station Street, Duncan, or at Experience Cycling, 428 Trans Canada Highway, also in Duncan.

14

Moonstruck by Mail Deluxe Vacation Rental Accommodations Includes a coastal hotsprings tour, whale watching (seasonally) and a 2 night stay in a beautiful waterfront vacation rental. $179 per person.

Based on double occupancy.

Cheese samples at Moonstruck

A

sample of Salt Spring Island’s artisan cheese always makes you yearn for more. Moonstruck Cheese, a certified organic farm since the early 90’s offers a great gift solution for the holidays no matter where you are in Canada.

“Many people discover us at the Salt Spring Saturday Market and then often look for our cheeses for special occasions like Father’s Day and Christmas. This is why we began the mail-order gift box –-- a great gift for people who have everything. We ship by Canada Post Express anywhere in Canada. For Christmas orders, we like to have everything in the mail by the second week in December (December 5 and 6) so that the cheese, which is perishable, arrives before the mail gets clogged up and delayed. We time the cheeses to be ready for the last two weeks of December although many last much longer than that.”

Moonstruck produces three main styles of cheese. Their hard cheeses: Tomme d’Or, Farmstead Feta, and White Grace are made from raw milk and aged for several months before going to market.

Camembert-style: White Moon, Savoury Moon, and Ash-Ripened Camembert are pasteurized bloomy rind cheeses. And their specialty blue cheese: Blossom’s Blue

Jersey Cows at Moonstruck

See www.blueheronhouse.ca

Good Oct 15 - Jan 31, 2012 • Excludes holiday weekends and X-Mas.

is a little like a stilton. Beddis Blue is a creamier version and one pasteurized blue cheese called Baby Blue.

Moonstruck lovingly raise Jersey cows with constant access to the outdoors in a natural environment. “The milk is very fragile with a large fat globule that makes that lovely cream top that we all remember from our childhood.

We handle the milk and the curd very carefully because it is very easy to smash the fat globule and lose that lovely flaky texture that people admire in our finished cheeses,” Julia tells us.

They only use the rich milk from their cows enabling Julia and Susan Grace to make their signature French-style cheeses.

There are three boxes available.

The original box is a selection of 6 cheeses. There is also a No-Blue box for the people who don’t like blue cheese and the All-Blue Box for those who never have enough. The cost is $85.00. “We always ask our customers to avoid surprises.

It is better to know that the gift is cheese so it is collected promptly from the post box and kept in the fridge until needed.

Then, it is best to bring the cheese to room temperature before serving.”

Moonstruck is located at 1306 Beddis Road, 250 537 4987. Store hours are 11am to 4 pm daily, Closed Sunday. www.moonstruckcheese.com

Self Guided Tours Anytime!

Guided Tours at 11am, 11:30am and 4pm and 4:30pm

Cranberry Sauce 4 Cups fresh YPC cranberries 2 Cups sugar 1/2 Cup water

Combine all ingredients and bring to boil. Turn down to a slow simmer. Cook until berries pop. Serve hot or cold.

Open 11am - 5pm Daily

yellowpointcranberries.com

Visit our farm store for local cranberries and other delicious cranberry products and condiments ranging from savoury to spicy and sweet.

Cranberries • Tours • Homemade Preserves • Gift Shop

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

15

Local Rabbit

tasted rabbit, Rosalie describes it as sweet and tender.

osalie and James run Gill R Power Hobby Farm in Shawnigan Lake. Besides eggs,

veggies, and herbs, they also raise Black Welsh mountain sheep, chickens, and meat rabbits.

Rosalie grew up eating rabbit. Rosalie’s mum made many delicious rabbit stews and pies from the game that her father and brothers often brought home from hunting trips.

“When we started our 2½-acre hobby farm in 2006, we decided to raise meat rabbits,” she tells us. “I found the New Zealand breed was the best eating rabbit.”

According to Rosalie, rabbit meat is low in sodium and high in iron, niacin, phosphorus, selenium, and very high in vitamin B12. It is a delicious choice of protein and lower in fat than chicken, beef or pork. For those who have never

Their rabbits are raised in a wonderful environment with plenty of access to fresh water and are fed hay and rabbit veggie pellets. “We cannot let them get too fat because they won’t produce. Most people think all rabbits produce litters quickly. New Zealand rabbits are fussy and if they are overweight they will not get pregnant.” James and Rosalie choose not to breed rabbits in the fall or winter to ensure the newborn bunnies are comfortable and warm for their beginnings. “Bunnies grow very fast and are ready to breed at 5 months. Our bunnies only breed for a few years and then are ready to retire,” she adds.

Their rabbits are mostly sold to local Europeans from Germany, France and Great Britain —traditional cooks that are happy to have a local rabbit source.

“Our rabbits are processed by a professional processing business.

If anyone wants rabbit hide, I will keep it for them.”

Image; Rosalie’s grandmother Marion Lynch and her mom Victoria Lynch and Rosalie age 16. Taken in the Lynch kitchen Paradise Nfld. January 1963

Rosalie’s Mom’s Newfoundland Rabbit Pie Filling Ingredients

Rabbits Flour Diced Salt Pork or Bacon Chopped Celery Chopped Onions Salt and Pepper Water (approximately) Diced Carrots Diced Parsnip Diced Turnip Pastry Ingredients flour baking powder salt butter milk

Amount 2 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 2 To taste 3 cups 3 1 1 cup Amount 3 cups 2 tablespoons 1 teaspoon 1 1/2 cups 1/2 to 1 cup

Pastry Method: Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Work butter into flour with two knives, until mixture is crumbly. Mix in milk lightly with knife until dough forms a soft moist ball. Roll out on floured board until it fits baking dish.

Filling Method: Preheat oven to 325 F. 1.Section rabbits into pieces. Rinse and dry them thoroughly and toss rabbit pieces in flour.

2. In a skillet heat pork or bacon until rendered and crisp. Brown rabbit pieces in the fat. Transfer meat to an ovenproof dish. Add celery, onion, salt, pepper, and enough water to just cover the rabbit. Cover and bake at 325 F for 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is tender.

3. Once tender, take rabbit out of casserole and remove meat from bones. Cut into bite-sized pieces and return to oven dish. Stir in carrot, parsnip, and turnip and cook until vegetables are tender, (about 30 minutes). To thicken, mix small amount a flour in cold water and slowly stir into sauce. Cook until thickened. * Optional gravy browning or bouillon may be added.

4. Cover casserole with pastry. Finish by baking at 425 F in oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.

A Cowichan Christmas Gift Guide ip, sample, experience!

S Our community’s economic sustainability is

dependant on the services available and being able to FIND them. What better time to sample Cowichan’s Mecca of merchandise - a local treasure-hunt will make your holiday shopping so much more FUN with less crowds and the rewards are PLENTY! Downtown Shops – make it a venture to visit each of Cowichan’s downtowns. Park and walk. Unique shops with both new and second-hand treasures!

16

Duncan Farmer’s Market – build your holiday dinner menus with locally-grown, specialty food items, and find amazing locally-made gifts. Dress warm – mingle in Duncan’s old town atmosphere.

Local Restaurants & Cafes while you shop… restaurant- and cafe-hop for the ultimate Tasting experiences - make sure you take your friends with you!

Christmas Fairs – many fine artisans are only found at these events. Seek them out!

Art Galleries & Studios support local artists, fill your home with amazing art, give the gift of art that will last a lifetime Local Entertainment – a gift to be shared – enjoy a theatre or music event for a real holiday spirit experience Local Classes/Courses – a gift idea that will last a lifetime – gift certificates for professional training, exercise classes or counselling.

Season’s Greetings

from TASTEtheCowichan!

Patricia MacGregor, owner of TASTEtheCowichan.ca, an online resource for local shopping and events.

Cold Wine & Beer & Liquor Store

Rabbit Blanquette

Ingredient

Amount

Rabbit Meat (2 inch cubed) Garlic minced Onion (small diced) Butter White wine White Veal stock Bay leaf Salt and Pepper Cream Egg Yolk

Yields: Six Serving

2 pounds 2 Cloves 2 each 2 ounces 3 ounces 4 cups 1 each to taste 1/2 cup 2 each

Method

Equipment needed: Cutting Board French Knife Measuring Cups Oven Proof Sauce Pan Mixing Bowl Wooden Spoon Whisk Cooks EVERYFork SUNDAY

Oct 2,9,16, 23,30 • 4 - 8pm Acoustic Jam Voice, guitar, banjo, fiddle, flute...

All are welcome! no cover

1. In melted butter sweat meat, garlic and onion until onions are translucent and rabbit meat has tightened but has no color.

Come Home To The Crofton!

2. Add white wine reduce by half.

3. Add stock and bay leaf 4. Season with a bit of salt and pepper, bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer.

5. Cover and continue to simmer on stove or in the oven for 2 hours 6. Remove from heat or oven check meat by pressing it with a fork it should be tender 7. In a separate bowl whisk egg yolks and cream together.

8. Remove 1 cup of liquid from stew and temper in to egg yolk mixture 9. Return to stove over low heat, stir until thicken be careful not to boil stew or egg will scramble.

* Traditionally this dish is made with veal however any white meat would work.

Traditional accompaniments are sautéed mushrooms, boiled potatoes, and onions. However I like to use pine mushrooms and sautéed Brussel sprout leaves.

A Culinary Institute of America trained chef, Bradford Boisvert combines his passion for local food with his passion for French cuisine at his restaurant Amusé Bistro in Shawnigan Lake.

Cold Wine & Beer & Liquor Store Check our website for Entertainment Schedule

Book your Christmas staff get together at the Crofton Hotel!

Saturday December 3 • 9pm Lane 31 Veteran roots band from Saltspring Island

Sunday December 4 •7:30pm

Wes Borg’s Comedy Night & Auditions A mainstay in the Victoria comedy scene Is it time for your 5 minutes of fame?

Friday December 9 • 9pm

The Deadlights $15 adv/$20 Wyckham Porteous and Paul Pigat New Band CD Release

Friday December 16 • 9pm

June 20

Paul Black Blues Band Victoria blues with smooth vocals

Celebra

Friday December 23 • 9pm Chasing Satellites South Island Heavy pop and rock

Friday December 30 • 9pm Tropical Mayhem Great dancing songs of 50’s,60’s,70’s

Saturday December 31• 9pm New Year’s Eve Party Details TBA

Saturdays After Game

2012 Islands Folk Festival ‘Early Bird’ tickets are now on sale for this incredible price of just

$60

Live rare concert footage on the big screen! NO COVER Rabbit meat - $5.00 - 4 - otherwise 5 per lb. stated All shows $10 (or 3 forper $25lb. ) unless Sheep wool (raw) - $5.00 a bag Liquor store open daily at 9AM Rabbit pelts - white (raw) $10.00 pelt Pub/Cafe Open 7 Days a week fromper 11am Garlic and Herbs Beer on Tap • Daily Menu Specials

1534 Joan Avenue Crofton

www.croftonhotel.ca

250-324-2245

*but only until December 31st. Price s incre ase s in the Ne w Ye ar.

Over 150 musicians, 6 stages!

3 full days of world class music.

An excellent holiday gift idea or stocking stuffer.

28th Annual Islands Folk Festival July 20, 21, 22, 2012 Grab Early Bird Festival Tickets today!

Buy online at www.folkfest.bc.ca or phone 250-748-3975

There’s no better gift than the gift of music.

Artist Rece 4th- 6:00 pm runs the mo

Gill-Power Organic Hobby Farm

Rabbits, Omega-3 eggs, Farm Tours, Black Welsh Mountain Sheep.

Fresh or dried farm savoury available for turkey dressing! gillpowerhobbyfarm.vpweb.ca 2124 Millicent Avenue Shawnigan Lake 250-743-1990

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

17

Holiday shopping

Ice

CHEMAINUS

et

Willow Street Merchants

*

et

Antiques & Collectibles 9756 A Willow Street 250 246-4333 English & European Antiques

* The Pottery Store 9745 Willow Street 250 246-2594 Gifts with love, mugs to fine art

Chemainus Health Food 9738 Willow Street 250 246-9838 Natural Grocery, Vitamins, Hemp Fashions

* Toad Hall Emporium 9738 A Willow Street 250 246-4400 THE fun place to shop for all ages

* The Crafty Cuppa 9747 Willow Street 250 324-3338 Drop In Ceramics Studio

* The Wine Den 9779 Willow Street 250 324-2215 Wine Kits, Equipment and Supplies

Doc The Barber Willow Street 250 324-0362 Mens Haircuts & Straight Shaves Etc. 9747 Willow Street 250 324-2227 Gifts for all ages

* Utopia Bakery A-9780 Willow Street 250 246-9992 Fresh Bread and European Pastries

See you soon!

Seasons Tickets on Sale Now!

*

We Accept Chemainus Dollars

Come to Chemainus; where the people are friendly and the parking is free! Enjoy holiday shopping, excellent eateries, live music, professional theatre and special events.

Come for a day or make it a getaway.

www.visitchemainus.com

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* British Allsorts Chemainus Festive Family Fun 9776 Willow Street * Karens Uptown Bistro 250 246-9737 Sweets, Treats and Teas 9779 Willow Street 250 246-1059 Local and Seasonal

* Hansel & Gretel’s Candy Company 9748 Willow Street 250 246-1059 Assorted specialty Willow Street Café Sweets 9749 Willow Street 250 246-2434 Homemade Lunch, Snacks,Image Courtesy Warren Goulding Pizza, Dessert

ecember is a merry time D of the year in ‘The Little Town That Did’ This traditional

new. St. Michael’s Church.

On December 17, Little Town town of boutique shops is Christmas celebrates the decorated with sumptuous season with traditional family seasonal hanging baskets and Foodfun - games, live music, Santa ready with creative gifts that and more. Waterwheel Park. 3 are sure to please. to 6pm.

Don’t miss the biggest Don’t’ miss Countryside shopping event of the year.

Christmas, a play that brings The Chemainus Christmas Willow Street Soapsmusic, warmth and laughter to Walking Tour.

Saturday, 9748 Willow Street the Chemainus Theatre stage, December 3.250 10am - 4pm.

246-4230 until December 31.

Fine Imported There’ll be prizes, snacks, SoapsCheck out the Chemainus and Luxury Bath Items carolers, Chemainus Dollars Festival of Trees: a magical giveaways, Shrek the Halls forest of decorated Christmas movie and of course, Santa!

Trees in The Pavilion at It’s all FREE. Chemainus Garden Holiday Resort. Wed - Sun. 1 to 4pm.

Cruise away on Chemainus Until January 4.

Christmas Carol Ship Details: www.visitchemainus.

Saturday, December 10. Sip com or Chemainus Visitor hot chocolate and sing carols.

Centre 250-246-3944 Tickets must be purchased in advance.

‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime. On Sunday December 11, 2pm, the Concenti Singers delight the audience with carols old and

Dee Kinnee is the Marketing and Event Coordinator for the Chemainus BIA. ChemainusBIA@gmail. com

Winter Solstice D

Deep Deep Deep Into The Heart of The Winter Winter Solstice Celebration December 21 7pm St Peter’s Anglican Church 5800 Church Rd, Duncan $15 Adv/$20 Door Chilldren Free

ecember 21st is the Winter Solstice. Take a moment for reflection and inner listening at a music concert aimed to offer stunning world sounds in a family friendly environment. Respected Island musicians are performing music for contemplation, festive songs, and grooving melodies to bring in the winter. ‘Deep, deep, deep into the heart of the the winter’ features instrument makers Massimo Pintus and Chris Bertin playing their instruments, with Michael Waters who shares his gifts on the guitar, while Cari Burdett and Sara Marreiros delight the audience with vocals.

Michael Waters began his guitar playing as a personal spiritual practice after encountering the indigenous spiritual ceremonies of the Peruvian Amazon. The nature spirits inspired great compositions, while a second wave of creativity began—now referred to as “acoustic psychedelic chill”. Audience members always leave with a sense of renewed hope and wonder.

Fado singer extraordinaire, Sara Marreiros embodies the Canadian mosoaic. Her evocative, soulful vocals, echo folkloric forms from her father’s Portuguese village roots, and her exploratory vocal improvisations are equally steeped in her mother’s passion for jazz and Sara’s thirst for colour and harmony.

Christopher Bertin, born and raised on Prince Edward Island, began his journey as a percussionist and drum maker in 1994. “When I made my first drum,” he says, “there was no turning back. The drum became my healing journey. I played all day, every day.”

Cari Burdett’s eclectic vocal experiences brings passion-filled harmonies that come from the depth of her soul. Her vocal background combines avant-garde operatic training in Montreal and London, mixed with atonal improvisation from Sweden and vocal improvisation from vocalist Rhiannon.

Massimo Pintus self-taught guitarist, Werbeck singer and instrument builder, specializes in creating healing sounds from iron and copper by transforming them into instruments that resonate in our very core. As Massimo says, “We are all made of sound”.

Families are most welcome to attend this Winter Solstice celebration.

Weekly Meditation at VIU University Campus Website: www.VIRetreats.com

“ The Spirit of Allah, Buddha and Jesus all is One within the spirit of giving a daily offering.”

Nichiren Buddha Society Vancouver Island Retreat Garden Peace Center Phone: 778. 422. 0155 Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

Weekly Meditation • Buddha Services • Spiritual Counseling • Nichiren Buddha Society www.VIRetreats.com

Vancouver Island Retreat Garden, Peace Center

Phone 778 422 0155

19

Local Design Gifts

B

oy, I love this time of year.

The Christmas tradition of receiving, but also gifting. My wife, Ulla, is still amazed that my shopping can begin as early as spring and accumulate throughout the year. Like so many, I love to give what I’d love to get. A little (or a lot!) of your personality goes into those gifts and – if you can part with them – they have a good chance of succeeding.

So, what are my best picks this year? First of all, they are almost all local. If not made here in the Cowichan Valley, they are certainly available here.

Books: Try anything from Witold Rybczynski, especially ‘The Perfect Home’. The

‘Book of Bamboo’ by David Farrelly and ‘How Buildings Learn’ by Stewart Brand. Even ‘Vetruvius-The Ten Books of Architecture’—before voting on the next local OCP. It’s only 1000 years old, plus or minus!

Anything in bamboo or hemp fibre. Best finds: ladies’ and mens’ t-shirts. Find great snap=down hemp t-shirts from Radway in Cowichan Bay. For the stocking, how about socks in bamboo?

Shopping last-minute for the lady in your life? My favourite, and always a hit, is the gift certificate from Cardino’s Shoes. Cash-in during the after-Christmas sale.

Add a nice card from Volume

BUILD I NG green One or Dayley Planet.

Wanna splurge? Get the best coffee machine ever at Pots and Paraph: the Saeco, Italian made, Talea Giro Plus. You will be hooked, of course, but never disappointed.

Saeco coffee machine and Drumroasters espresso beans'

Top up with espresso beans from Drumroasters in Valleyview. I must give credit to Don Genova for this duo.

No Caesar salad is as good if not made in a seasoned wooden bowl. My favourite: Cowichan Valley Alder by Ken Broadland available at Imagine That.

And then there is chocolate!

Never enough and available in Duncan at numerous locations, especially Rembrandts. Designer,

you ask? Gotta feed the mind!

David Coulson is a local certified Built Green design builder. He has a staff of 25 that have built throughout the island for over 20 years.

Eco Gifts Are Eco Fashionista

wrist warmers by Floating Gold Iceburg and wallets by Bonspeil Creations Available at Spinning Ninny.

For full design/build service, give us a call

 250.746.5372 • coulsondesign@shaw.ca • www.davidcoulsondesign.com  20





n

Wildcrafted herbal teas in tins by Earth's herbal, $14 at Spinning Ninny

Eco Friendly and Fashionable in Cowichan Bay iscerning and D fashionable shoppers should make the trip out to

Cowichan Bay for creative and well-priced designer gifts that are also made with the environment in mind. Two shops not to miss: Spinning Ninny Boutique and Radway.

You will marvel at the great finds at Spinning Ninny Boutique. Beautifully designed, handcrafted items that are all one of a kind and made with love and care. We have purses, bags, and wallets made out of recycled leather, tweeds, cotton blends, and even coffee sacs. Also for the coffee lovers, check out the

espresso and latte cup sets complete with a beautiful tea towel. Many gifts priced under $25, including toques, mittens, and wrist warmers made with reclaimed wool sweaters and lace, teas and hot chocolate all packaged up cute as pie for your stockings.

You will also find soy wax candles in holiday scents, unique handmade Zemi Spirit dolls, tough guy tanks and Sweet Pea dresses for your mini loved ones. Gift certificates are available.

Searching for eco friendly gifts durning the holidays can be a tricky task. At Radway, you can assure any gift choice you make will be either sustainably made or fairly traded. After 6 years in Cowichan Bay we now have many products that are true customer favorites... tried, tested and LOVED. Some examples include our handmade soap by Kama of Salt Spring Island. Once you smell the beautiful essential oils (no “fragrance”) you will be hooked! Our popular banana fiber scarves in gorgeous colors are a great price; $18 or two for $30, and all of our socks are also customer approved: choose

Pyrrha Jewelry now available at Radway

Padraig Cottage Slippers now available at Radway

from hemp, bamboo or hand-knit wool; $9-$20. Our Padraig Cottage wool slippers will warm any toes; baby, mama, or dad - and our latest addition Pyrrha Jewelry is made from reclaimed silver cast into 19th Century wax seals. Check out our online product catalog at www. radway.ca.

December 16 5-7pm Cowichan Bay Join Spinny Ninny & Radway in Cowichan Bay for “Ladies Night” Late Night Shopping.

Free goodies & treats, Gift Basket Draw, & lots of Special Sales for last minute Holiday Shopping!

Organic Gifts DELIVERED!

S

end delicious gourmet gifts without the line-ups!

Organic Fair in Cobble Hill is offering the Cowichan Valley seasonal gift delivery service for Christmas and Hanukkah!

Log onto their website www.organicfair.com and create your own gift basket composed of organic and fair trade coffee, tea, spices and of course their chocolate! A box of chocolate always makes a great gift. Free delivery on all orders of $50 or more or $9 for delivery on orders under $50.

Image; A dozen Organic Fair chocolate bars gift box www.organicfair.com

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

21

Holiday

Guide for

BUYERS

MINDFUL LIVING

An easy guide to help you decide where to go for mindful gifts, food and services this holiday season.

Clothing and Accessories

Prudence Organic #7 - 225 Canada Avenue, Downtown Duncan 250 597-1188 prudenceorganics.vpweb.ca Organic - Local - Fair Trade - Recycled and Upcycled Goods.Wonderful Gifts Bellow $25. Kogi Natural Gift Sets, Cosmetics, Organic Bags and Recycled Pencils too Feather and Jade Earrings.

Organic Woman, Men, Infant clothing. SHOP ON-LINE

Radway Eco Boutique

Wear In The World 155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan 250 748-1040 www.wearintheworld.ca We bring the world to your door with colorful, fair trade, unique fashions, jewelry, World Music CD’s and much more!

Pregnancy, Birth & Babies

Giggle Gear Clothing Co.

63 Station Street, Downtown Duncan 250 748-4445 www.gigglegearclothing.com Boys and Girls Custom, Handmade, Ballet, Formal and Lounge Wear. Little Star Slings and Organic Teethers. Little Squeakers NonToxic, Recycled Leather Shoes. Bummies Cloth Diapers. Organic sleepers, Hand Foot Impression kits. Open Sundays.

Spinning Ninny Boutique 1725 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay www.spinningninny.ca 250 597-1444 Exquisite, unique and Handcrafted Locally.

Directly supporting creative designers with their one of a kind talents. Clothing for Women, Men and Children, Jewellery, Pottery, accessories, teas, candles. Open till 6:30pm on Fridays for the holiday season.

22

#2 -1759 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay 250 746-8444 www.radway.ca Upcycled • Handmade • Organic • Fair Trade Cute little boutique located in the seaside village of Cowichan Bay offering hemp & bamboo clothing, woven baskets, baby gifts, padraig slippers, candles and locally made jewelry. Check out our online product guide!

Matraea Mercantile

170 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan 250 597-0085 www.matmercantile.ca Duncan’s newest mama and baby eco-boutique. The place to shop for specialty gift items related to family wellness, pregnancy, birth and babies. Organic, sustainable, natural and locally made.

Luxury Green Spa Soul Escape Esthetics

4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy Duncan 250 748 2056 www.soulescape.ca The first green spa to open in the Cowichan Valley. Offering Certified organic skincare Eminence form Hungary, and a full range of spa treatments including Facials, Massage, Pedicures, manicures, services for Young Ladies (age 4-12) and Diabetic footcare.

Holiday Gift Certificates available.

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Toys & Games

Local Artisans Cowichan Valley Artisans

Throughout the Cowichan Valley www.cowichanvalleyartisans.com Local artists offering Kiln-formed glass, Kiln worked glass jewelery, Local Seasonal Cuisine, Studio furniture, Woodturning, Saltfired ceramics, Fine Woodwork and Furniture, Watercolour, Clay/Mixed Media, Functional and decorative Ceramics, Traditional Barber Tonsorial Services, Wines and Artisanal Balsamic Vinegars.

Imagine That Artisans!

251 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan, 250-748-6776 www.imaginethatartisans.com Beautifully stocked with locally made original art cards, ceramics, enamels, art glass, pillows, handbags, scarves, hand-painted furniture, glass, jewellery, paintings, papier mache, photography, sculpture, woodwork, handmade soaps & creams. Everything purchased here supports a local artisan and this wonderful artists collective.

Cowichan Green Community

181 Station Street, Downtown Duncan 250 748-8506 www.cowichangreencommunity.org Locally made products geared towards helping people reduce their ecological footprint.

We offer electric bikes and scooters, local woodwork, art, soaps and a variety of eco gifts. Most of our products are consignment items that help support local community and economy.

KilnArt Glass Studio

The Red Balloon Toy Shop

85 Station Street, Duncan 250 748-5545 High quality carefully chosen toys encouraging creative thinking. With an emphasis on non violent play, our customers tend to avoid battery operated product in favour of imagination driven activities. Great selection of European, wooden, and eco friendly play.

Ravensburger Puzzles and Creativity for Kids.

Sunrise Waldorf School Store

4344 Peters Road, Cowichan Station 250 743-7253 (please call for store hours) www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org Please Join us for our annual Christmas Fair November 19th 10-3 * School store open to the public thurs. mornings on school grounds Waldorf inspired toys, art supplies, parenting CDs, children’s books, gift cards, and dolls.

Lavender Farm Cowichan Valley Lavender Farm & Labyrinth

Farm entrance opposite 6357 Wicks Road North Cowichan *Unique Christmas Gift Sets for Dad, Mum, Kids, Grandma & Pa. *Create your own gifts. *10% off on three items or more. *Learn to make lavender potpourri–Sachets etc. *Sample, while “crafting”, lavender tasty bites! For more details visit our website www.cowichanvalleylavender. com or call 250-701-2885

Home Décor Small World Imports

1588 Adelaide Street in Crofton 250 246-3991 At KilnArt Glass Studio, a Cowichan Valley Artisans studio tour venue, Peggy Brackett carefully hand crafts exquisite dichroic glass jewelry. Her partner Jo Ludwig makes those dazzling vessels. KilnArt isopen by chance or appointment.

Sue Darlington 250 748 6570 www.smallworldimports.ca Direct Equitable Trade, hand-knotted, 100% Tibetan wool rugs. Made in Nepal by Tibetan Refugees.

Beautiful and durable Tibetan carpets made in a family run venture that houses its workers and educates their children. Purchasing one of these beautiful rugs helps to alleviate poverty in one of the poorest nations on our planet.

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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Fresh Local Seafood Cowichan Bay Seafood

1751 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay 250 748-0020

Proudly offering seafood that meets the criteria of the Sea Choice program, offering sustainable and local seafood products and gourmet groceries.

Mad Dog Crabs

775 Canada Avenue, Duncan 250 715-0206 www.maddogcrabs.ca

Sustainable, Fresh Seafood. Owners Scott & Katie Mahon, fisherman with over 30 years fishing experience. Voted best retail seafood outlet on Vancouver Island. Large sustainably harvested seafood variety offered: crab, halibut, salmon, scallops, smoked/candied salmon and more.

Meats

Cafes and Bakeries Sunflower Cafe

2-149 Canada Avenue, Duncan 250 746-5233

A seasonal, evolving menu. Inside this charming and inviting cafe you will find innovative food which highlights on fresh, local, & organic ingredients.

True Grain Bakery

Cowichan Bay & Mill Bay Centre 250 746-7664, 250 929-1119 www.truegrain.ca

Traditional European breads, handcrafted daily from only the essential natural organic ingredients to preserve the flavours and integrity of the true grain.

Pastries, cookies and other sweets too. Gift items include preserves, teas and gift baskets.

The Duncan Garage Organic CafĂŠ And Bakery - The Community Farm Store

Windhorse Farm

101-330 Duncan Street, Duncan 250 748-6223

Certified Organic beef farm in Glenora operated by Tim and Laurice Mock. Raising healthy and delicious grass-fed/finished angus beef, available by the cut.

Offering seasonal gourmet smoked beef products.

Phone for details.

Saison Market Vineyard

3900 Rowe Road, Glenora 250 748-2585 www.windhorseorganics.ca

Cowichan Valley Meat Market

5191 Koksilah Road, South of Duncan 250 746-8732

Offering grain fed beef, pork, lamb and veal from Westholme Farms. All animals are fed home grown forage with no added hormones and no animal byproducts. Large selection of salamis, deli meat, and specialty coils, for holiday platters.

The Duncan Butcher

430 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan 250 748-6377 www.duncanbutchershop.com

Organic beef, chicken, free run buffalo and venison, hormone free non medicated beef, pork, chicken, turkeys and house made sausage, pepperoni, hams, bacons, sausage rolls, smokies , garlic coils, meat loafs and more!

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ORGANIC HOLIDAY BAKING for the full month of December: Choose from fantastic fruit cakes, Christmas cookies, fruit and pumpkin pies, butter rolls, challah wreaths, stollen and much more. Lots of kamut, spelt, vegan, gluten free and wheat free options.

Saison Market Vineyard 7575 Mays Road, North Cowichan

The Best of the Season at Saison includes German butter Stollen, housemade Tourtiere , Festive Fruitcake, Pane Forte, holiday sweets and treats perfect for entertaining and gift giving. Open Saturday & Sunday from 9am – 4pm through to December 24. Closed in January.

Artisan Cheese Moonstruck Organic Cheese Inc 1306 Beddis Road, Salt Spring Island 250 537-4987 www.moonstruckcheese.com

For Any Occasion...think about the gift of cheese.

We offer 3 special gift boxes delivered anywhere in Canada for $85 -includes shipping and handling.

Choose from a mixed box, True Blue box or the No Blue Box. To special mail-order or to contact us phone/fax us at 1-250-537-4987 to place an order.

holiday

guide for

FOOD

mindful living

An easy guide to help you decide where to go for mindful gifts, food and services this holiday season.

Health Food & Grocery

Specialty Tea and Coffee Teafarm

Mercia’s Vitamins

141 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan 250 748-4445 www.mercias.ca

Vitamins, Tinctures, Herbal Supplements, Natural Natural Beauty and Body Care, Essential Oils, Bulk Herbs and Foods, Homeopathics, Natural and Organic Foods, Pet Food and Supplements, Cleaning, Drinks and Confectionary.

Lynn’s Vitamin Shop

4-180 Central Avenue. Village Green Mall (Next to Sears) 250 748-4421

Unique Gift ideas: ‘Fruit and Nut Baskets’ - Hostess Gift under $10, Non Toxic Candles, Salt Lamps, Fun Children’s Shower Caps, Colorful Slippers, Wool Socks from New Zealand. Organic Skin Care, Cosmetics and Fragrances. Fair Trade Chocolate, Coffee, and Tea.

The Community Farm Store

101-330 Duncan Street, Duncan 250 748-6227 www.communityfarmstore.ca

Duncan’s Organic Marketplace, proudly offering organic groceries, fresh baked bread, baking supplies and bulk foods together with a lovely ethical selection of earth and people friendly gifts including African baskets, Shea Butter products, locally made chocolate and candles, natural beauty and so much more.

8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm until December 31 ReOpening February 2, 2012 250-748-3811 www.teafarm.ca Share the gift of organic artisan loose leaf teas. We have a selection of tea accessories and over 100 estate grown and blended teas available in bulk.

Receive 10% off when you refill your tins.

Moziro Roasters

1761 B Shawnigan - Mill Bay Rd, Shawnigan Lake 250 733-2245 www.moziro.com

Locally roasted coffee and handmade chocolate.

Family owned and operated. Moziro is happy to carry 100% direct trade beans - this means all of their beans are sold direct to them from farmers in Africa.

Holiday Helpers Clean Choice Cleaners 250 929-8381

www.cleanchoicecleaners.com

Providing professional, eco-friendly cleaning services for residential and commercial properties in the South Cowichan Valley.

Holiday and special occasion clean up services available. Give the gift of clean liviing! Gift Certificates available in all amounts.

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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Nika’s Natural Hair and Relaxation Salon

I am commited to providing high quality services using natural and organic products in a peaceful atmosphere that benefits both you and the environment in which we live.

Services for the Whole Family!

★ Haircuts ★ Color/Hi-lites (featuring Eco Colors Hair Color) ★ Hair and Scalp Treatments ★ Special Occasions ★ 1/2 or 1 hour Indian Head Massage ★ Hand crafted shampoo and conditioners made with pure essential oils for your specific hair type.

Every service includes a 15 minute Indian Head Massage.

Gift Certificates Available!

Open Monday to Friday Weekend and evening appointments available Matraea Centre 170 Craig Street Duncan 250 710-7339

Yule-the Story of Renewal ncient teachers told a story of death and re-newal at this A time of year as a reminder that

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spring is coming and following every death, there is rebirth.

We are most familiar with the Christian archetypes, although this story is echoed in many traditions and cultures.

A Virgin conceives from the visitation of an angel. The earth is a virgin because she has no consort. All of matter-root word of mother- is first impregnated with spirit to gain sentience and purpose. She is persecuted and protected by a gentle, wise man, Joseph. The couple escape into Egypt. New ideas must be protected and sheltered with kindness. Then they must incubate in isolation. The egg develops inside a shell, the fetus develops inside the womb. All other babes are murdered by an evil, old king. (The past and all possible futures must be released.

Commitment to the present is essential. A star appears in the East. East, where the sun rises, is the place of new beginnings. The star represents guidance towards a light filled journey. The birth takes place among animals and poor, simple people are the first to recognize the new saviour. The birth of new awareness is always in the mundane, in the moment.

The extraordinary is found in among the ordinary. The barn animals represent our connection

m n s O h a b a h t e w with all other beings. Eventually Kings find the new child and honour his presence with gifts.

(Eventually the new awareness will be integrated into the existing world. Gifts are given as signs of commitment to the new consciousness.

T s o a c T t o

This Yule time don’t despair at the “commercialness” of the festivals and rituals. Remember the essence of the season- the enactment of death of the old, and re-birth of the new. Devise ways that are meaningful for you to celebrate these universal themes. Please visit my blog site to comment http://longboatcounselling. blogspot.com/

R e i h

Julia Star is a spiriutal counsellor in the Cowichan Valley.

For appointments call 250 709 9673.

Try This!

1. This Yule time dedicate yourself to honouring death and rebirth in your own personal life. A ritual, recording a story from your life, telling a friend about when you overcame a small death, your darkest moment and how you triumphed.

2. Dedicated yourself to the death and re-birth of relationships in your life. The ones who have gone before, the ones yet to come.

Strengthen existing relationships with a card, a visit, a prayer.

3. This season celebrate the honouring of our beautiful home, the earth, with a humble acceptance of our entwined lives with all beings in the three worlds-plant, inanimate and animal. A ritual, a reminder of interconnection, a prayer for the development of new consciousness in the world despite wide spread suffering and loss.

I wish you all peace and good will towards all.

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Restore and Maintain Health Naturally energy from a limitless source With Reikially

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s we are approching the busiest and sometimes the most stressful time of year, why not take some time for you to destress by having a Reiki session.

One of the greatest Reiki healing health benefits is stress reduction and relaxation, which triggers the bodies natural healing abilities, and improves and maintains health. Reiki healing is a natural therapy that gently balances life energies and brings health and well being to the recipient.

This simple, non-invasive healing system works with the Higher Self of the Receiver to promote health and well being of the entire physical, emotional and psychic body.

Therefore it is truly a system of attaining and promoting wholeness of Mind, Body and Spirit.

Reiki is a specific type of subtle energy work in which healing is performed by the touch of the hands, allowing the flow of the

(God Force) to the patient via the Reiki practitioner. It is extremely powerful, yet gentle energy that can be easily channelled to yourself and others, just by intention.

Reiki healing is a pure energy form. When it is combined with the sincere Desire of the Healee, who is willing to effect a cleansing within their emotional and spiritual consciousness, a total healing can occur. An absolute wonderful way to relax, go deep and feel balanced at this busy but festive time of year, gathering with friends and loved ones. It’s a great way to start out the New Year as well, fresh, balanced and ready for a new beginning, or take the Reiki Level I class and learn to do Reiki on yourself and your family. It is truly a gift.

Debbie Shkuratoff Reiki Master, Teacher, Foot Spa Detox Practitioner, Natural Health Consultant. www.reikiwellness.ca

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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NEW DAY & TIME Monday Evening Meditation 7:00 to 8:30 pm The focus is on calming abiding practise and cultivating mindfulness.

1555 Longwood Road Cowichan Bay

250 709 9673

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Winter Skin Care

he skin is the largest organ T of the body and serves the important function of protection

by keeping water in and the elements out. Winter skin care starts with hydration. Drink lots of water to keep your body and your skin working well. Application of a good quality moisturizer goes a long way on your face and body.

Even in winter sun protection is important to reduce sun damage with a minimum of SPF 15.

Often the dry, dull appearance your skin may get in winter can be dramatically improved with regular exfoliation a couple times a week. This can help your skin maintain a lovely texture. The addition of a facial serum can boost that benefit just a little more. To prevent redness and irritation, use a scarf to protect your face from the wind and switch to a gentler cream or milk cleanser during the cold weather avoiding gels and astringents that can dry skin out and result in

increased redness.

Treating your skin to regular facials in the winter can boost cellular metabolism and turnover helping to keep your skin soft, supple and in it’s best condition.

Advanced imaging systems such as a skin scanner that uses UV light and magnification is an example of an addition to your regular facial. The scanner when used by a professional helps to reveal imperfections or skin conditions such as oily patches, congestion, sun damage and evaluation of pore size that can’t be seen under normal conditions.

This added analysis helps the Esthetician to specialize facial treatments for best results. Cloud 10 Esthetics offers this added service to your facial call 250597-3333.

Tina Nordstrand is a licensed professional esthetician specializing in feet, jade stone massage, waxing and skin care.

Wool - The Miracle Fibre

CTRA Volunteer Orientation and Training To Work with Horses and People Jan 2nd to Jan 5th, 2012 9am - noon Providence Farm 250-746-1028 www.ctra.ca

Do you like horses?

Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association are looking for more Horse Handlers and Side Walkers and there is no experience necessary as we provide all the training.

Ongoing training is offered as well as orientations are held at the beginning of each ten week session. Please call to receive an application and sign up for training.

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solution for bedridden patients, dramatically reducing the incidents of bed sores. Wool reduces patient healing time and increases comfort and wellbeing.

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o you or a loved one suffer from asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, eczema or bed sores.

Wool can help in the relief of these and numerous other physical conditions.

One of the most intriguing properties of wool is that it is predominantly made of keratin, a protein that is present in our own skin and hair. The coiled spring-like tubular structure of wool fibre allows it to bend up to 20,000 times before breaking. It provides the perfect

We all know that wool keeps us warm, but did you know it also has the amazing ability to moderate our body temperature? That means that we neither get too hot or too cold when wearing wool. Our bodies expend less energy as a result, leaving us feeling more rested. This is particularly noticeable after a night’s sleep.

And if you are going through menopause and suffer hot and cold bouts while you sleep, a wool duvet can provide relief.

As a nurturing, natural, hollow fibre it provides a soft

cushioning layer for comfort.

If wool fibres get trapped in an open wound, they simply become part of the scab and harmlessly disappear when the scab falls off. The bottom line is that wool reduces patient healing time and increases comfort and well-being.

It is also durable, fire retardant, resists static, dirt and dust, and is non-allergenic and is sustainable and renewable!

Is it any wonder we call it the ‘miracle fibre’?

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The Story of Salt Spring Soapworks respectful to their family, community and overall environment. “We still use only vegetable oils in our soaps, and no GMO canola or soy, roundbreakers of the which are cheaper.” Gary natural soap movement, happily makes a batch of soap this Soapworks family have every morning. The company been passionately creating soap employs islanders to help cut for over 3 decades on their and wrap soap, glue labels and Salt Spring Island farm. Like mix up their famous natural many families today looking bath bombs. for a simpler life, Linda and To date Linda has developed Bill made a conscious move to over 200 natural body get back to the land with their products! Quite an impressive Rose d’Amour now packaged in recyclable glass with wonderful young son Gary in the early recipe repertoire for a small new labels designed by their son Gary. Each line will have a 70’s. They planted a garden soap company that began luxury scented handmade Soap, Bath Salts, Body Souffle, Bath and baked their own bread as a lifestyle choice. The Gel or Milk Bath & Body Lotion. Salt Spring Soapworks bath while Linda also decided to creativity and the passion and beauty products are available from their stores in Duncan, make the family’s soap. Her for soap is still just as strong Ganges and or online at www.saltspringsoapworks.com first batch was an epiphany. for her. “I am fascinated by “I collected recipes and made mud products... going to do them all. There weren’t many more and seaweed too!” says as no one had been making Linda. Though the company’s soap here on the farm since best sellers have always been my grandmother in the 30’s.” the soaps and body scrubs Having researched soap makers the family’s own favourites of France, Spain and Italy she are the seaweed soap, sugar learned that they chose palm, scrubs and baby shampoo and coconut and olive oils as soap washes. “The gelato line are base rather than beef, pork my best invention. Lots of or goat tallow more common differentline colors of and flavours On discontinued goods to North American soaps. some salt, some sugar based.

20 to 50 % off Following these European They change with the season; 50% off - Decorative pillows, Hemp men’s vest, Hemp traditions she experimented watermelon in Long summer, chai, women’s vest, Dog jackets (8 styles) wool vests with a base of vegetable oils chocolate and cranberry for (breathable nylon/reflective) adding botanicals, herbs and 20% off - Decorativewinter.” blankets, ALL baby goods, flowers from her garden and For only), the 2011 holiday season Slip-on Slippers(hard sole Rubber Sole Ankle Slippers the surrounding countryside. customers can look forward to As Buddhists Linda and Bill a fresh look for their Lavender are proud that their choice and Rose products which will of business and lifestyle is debut as Lavender Fields &

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Soul Comfort Factory Store

Wool and Hemp

Prized for generations even more relevant today • Eco Friendly • Renewable • Sustainable www.soulcomfortsheepskin.com • Corner of Jubilee and 4th Street, Duncan • 250 737 1281 Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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Valleyview

Centre

So much to oer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Books Bucknuck Books 250-929-2665 Used books and Local authors Fitness Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes Spa and Wellness Reiki Wellness 250 743-8122 Relax, Rejuvenate, Detox, Nutrition, Ionized Water Home Prolink Mortgage (BC) Inc Marla Daniels 250-733-2201 Best rates, Friendly Free Service Pets Dunkin Dogs 250 743-3935 Grooming, daycare, food/raw and more

ne

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Food Cobblecinos 250 743 8158 Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat & Produce Dragon Yuan 250 733-2335 Chinese Eat In/ Take Out Healthcare Cobble Hill Dental 250-743-6698 Friendly, Family Practice

We Welcome New Patients!

South Cowichan Physiotherapy & Sports Rehabilitation 250-743-3833 Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Orthotics Computers Teky.ca 1-888-843-8359 Computer service & sales Websites & print design

Moonbeams

Neo Pagan Moon

by RM Wey Come new year...the Ice Moon, The Snow Moon...cometh nigh, The Ides of March...the Death Moon, Yet the Awakening Moon...doth rise.

And yonder come the Grass Moon, The Planting Moon tis wise, For the Rose Moon...but doth follow, The Lightning Moon denies.

The Harvest Moon doth shineth, As the Blood Moon saunders by, The Tree Moon be the twilight, As the Long Night Moon...doth die. ecember moon names: Cold Moon (Farmer’s D Almanac), describes the arrival of cold winter nights. Long Night Moon (Neo-Pagan) nights are at their darkest and longest allowing the Moon to stay above us for longer periods of time. Moon before Yule (English) last full moon before winter solstice. Oak Moon (Celtic) Oaks are symbols of great strength and endurance inspiring us to endure the chal-

lenges of winter.

Our NEXT Full Moon, in total Lunar Eclipse (Sun opposite Moon), occurs December 10th at 6:36 am in Gemini. Eclipses add a little extra pizazz to our already powerful full moons in the sense that they hint the start or end of a major life lesson or lessons. Time to be diligent about bringing them to fruition. The Universe is taking intense paces in revealing areas of focus to us so we may have an enlightened future. It is time to be aware and mindful of received messages and take action.

The first full moon of 2012 is on January 8th @ 11:30pm in Cancer, bringing forth strong feelings.

Considerations of family, Mom and home are at the forefront, longing for stability, support and refuge helping us to feel safe and secure. Thank you for taking a few Moonbeam moments this past year with me. Have a very Merry Christmas & Happy New year fellow moonies!

Be well, be safe.

Robin Massey is a yoga & junior bellydance instructor in and around Shawnigan Lake. www.theomtree.com

The Way of Council ouncil is a practice of speaking and listening from C the heart. Through compassionate, heartfelt expression and empathic listening, Council inspires a nonhierarchical form of deep communication that reveals a group’s vision and purpose.

In Council, people are invited to speak deeply and only from their own experience and perspective.

There is no one right way to view things, only the understanding of another’s point of view. Through the practice of empathic listening and learning to monitor one’s own emotional reactivity, Council encourages going beyond one’s position with which one might have entered the circle and allowing

something new to emerge. One of the ways in which we practice monitoring our own emotional activity is by slowing down and breathing when radically different points of view are spoken into the circle. Also helpful is the awareness that we speak into the circle without directing our perspective at any one person. Allowing those sometimes radically different perspectives to have their space in the circle leads to greater wisdom for all.

Council does not seek to create consensus, but allows for and recognizes the arising of a “cohesive group wisdom” which is a harvest of diversity, where the sum is greater than the total of the parts. Decisions taken in Council can take longer to arrive, but they hold and are supported because

everyone has been heard and all viewpoints are included.

In my experience the questions used in Council seek to delve under the surface. Silence in the form of deep listening is participation as is sharing in any language or form. This allows us to respond from a place deeper than personality. The circle weaves a tapestry of community that is palpable.

As a credentialed trainer and facilitator of the council process through the Ojai Foundation (www.ojaifoundation.org) I have seen Council work successfully with youth, educators and organizations. With 5Rhythms teacher Shauna Devlin, we have woven Council and dance with women to come to know ourselves more deeply and I have used Council

with my husband, both to sustain and nurture our marriage and to bring the practice to other couples. With Council people put aside their arguments and listen to each other. Whether I am facilitating a group of youth or a circle of elders, I rarely leave a Council without a feeling of hope for our future.

For more information contact me through my website www.loriaustein. com. I offer regular trainings at O.U.R. Ecovillage through Royal

Roads University’s Continuing Education program (http://www. royalroads.ca/continuing-studies/ CYPATL2595-Y11.htm) Credentialed Council Trainer & Facilitator Certified Heart-Centered Hypnotherapist

Protecting the Winter Garden

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ou might have noticed that the weather is cooling, I sure have. Every morning it seems like there is a bit more frost on the ground and I need my woolly mittens and socks to keep warm while I garden. News on the streets of Duncan is a prediction of a cooler winter this year. Whether the rumours are true or not, you might be wondering what precautions you could take this winter to protect your garden from damage due to hard frosts and heavy snowfall. Here are some reminders from Ceres this season: * Mulch tender perennials and shrubs 2-4” with straw, wood chips or fallen leaves. By protecting the root zone and crown of your plants you will reduce winter dieback and soil compaction. * Move tender plants inside or into the protection of a greenhouse. If you have potted plants, wrap bottoms with plastic or burlap. * If you have recently planted a new landscape, check regularly after hard frosts to make sure the root ball hasn’t heaved above ground.

Sink the root-ball further down so that the roots keep contact with the surrounding soil.

Kristi Tomlin is a garden enthusiast and trained horticulturist employee of Ceres Edible Landscaping, an eco-friendly landscaping a company.

* Stake plants and small trees that have the tendency to break with heavy snow-fall. Shake limbs free of snow. Observe the trees on your property. If you have concerns please consult an ISA certified arborist. *Dig up any tender bulbs/tubers (such as dahlias) that you want to replant next year. After drying, store in a frost free room in sand or peat moss. *Cover your winter veggie garden with a floating row cover or hoop house.

Happy winter gardening!

www.cowichangreencommunity.org

Winter Crescent Moon Garden

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inter time allows a lens that you can look through to see what make a difference for winter growth of a plant. Creating pocket gardens, and sloped garden walls are a few of the ways to make use of the food plants that grow well here in the winter. A sweeping sloping garden facing the winter sun will give you lots of food in the winter if you inter plant it with weeds

and other ancient perennial foods. Darkening the soil and making the soil porous will also help. Winter hardy foods like Chickweed are delicious when eaten frozen on a cold winter morning. The ice is nice and the flavor refreshing, the plants are so strong that the freezing doesn’t bother them.

Frozen cleavers are warming after the initial drink. Stinging nettles when frozen stiff as a board do not sting and can be

eaten frozen with a beautiful sweet taste that you will come back for more. Yarrow even tastes pleasant when frozen in ice. People could readily create gardens that would easily have 50 -100 plants growing year round for food in their own yards or where ever they chose to make such gardens.

Red Dead Nettle, Lamium purpureum, is coming up now and will be apparent soon

covering peoples gardens in small purple flowers. This sweet tasting plant has long been held to help people out of melancholy and depression, a very fitting plant for this shaky time in our human existence.

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

Roger Foucher is a wild food enthusiast who is persuaded by all the creatures around us that they see it right.

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Directions to view the “Disney Christmas” From Shawnigan/Mill Bay Road turn south on Deloume Road. Turn right on Gibbs place, left on Fern Ridge Drive, right on Arken Terrace. The Murray/Oppelaar residence is on the corner of Fern Ridge Drive and Arken Terrace at 2490 Arken Terrace.

The Gibbins home is just up Arken Terrace on the left side of the road before the cul-de-sac at 2471 Arken Terrace. Nightly viewing begins Dec 4 from 5 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. and continues through New Years Eve. Ajay Oppelaar is President of the Mill Bay Garden Club. For club membership information or other questions contact him at arkengardens@gmail.com.

A Perfect Gift For Children

Local Christmas Extravaganza

S

even years ago, Mill Bay residents Tom Murray and Ajay Oppelaar started what is now a tradition in their Fern Ridge Estates neighbourhood. It began as a welcoming Christmas wreath featuring Mickey Mouse, which Tom had cut from MDF board, then painted, airbrushed and

varnished.

The display has now grown into a yearly holiday homage to all things Disney with nearly 40 characters in attendance. From Mickey and friends and the Seven Dwarves to the “Fantasia” dancing hippo crafted in wood and standing 8 feet tall, you’ll find Disney favourites to enchant the young and young at heart! New this year are central characters from “The Lion King” and “Monsters Inc”.

Several years ago neighbours Frank and Heather Gibbins joined forces with Tom and Ajay. Now, Disney dogs, Pinocchio and several dozen more characters and figures have found a holiday home at the Gibbins residence.

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owichan Valley musician, Cari Burdett has created ‘Winter’, a CD that celebrates the winter in song, verse and story.

Teamed up with her husband Massimo Pintus, together they provide a child friendly acoustic compilation of songs the whole family will dance and sing along to. Listening to ‘Winter’, you will meet gnomes sleighing down the hill, advent stories, falling snow, swedish songs, jack frost, hand games and other adventures.

Cari grew up singing as a young

child with musical theatre and dance. After classical operatic training in Montreal and London, England, she moved to Sweden and incorporated vocal improvisation and pedagogy into her music life. These days Cari performs classical, folk, and improvisation while raising her three children and teaching voice to all ages from her home based music school ‘Lila Music Centre’.

Her popular Parent and Child class celebrates the seasons and festivals with songs, movement and story. Parents often want a CD to bring home to practice and sing along with and it was this inspiration that lead Cari to create this first CD in a series of early childhood collection.

Pintus is an instrument builder working with iron, copper and bronze, while he also is a gifted woodwork designer and makes instruments and the supports for the instruments from locally sourced wood. His creations include glockenspiels, iron rods, gongs, chimes and sound sculptures, these instruments accompany the songs as well as Massimo playing the guitar, balalaika, percussive instruments and lyres.

Winter can be purchased in Duncan at the Duncan Garage, El Centro, Lila Music Centre and on line at www. joythroughmusic.com In Vancouver at Banyen Books. http://www.joythroughmusic.com Cari Burdett teaches voice and Massimo Pintus teaches guitar and holds private music sound journeys at Lila Music Centre www.joythroughmusic.com

Image; Cari Burdett in her weekly Parent and Child Music Class invites the children to sing, dance and make music for the seasons and festivals.

The greatest gift of the season has no size or colour decisions...

Cari Burdett Mezzo Soprano, voice teacher, early childhood music teacher and mother of 3 children, has paired with her husband Massimo Pintus, to create a landscape of acoustic Winter songs the whole family will enjoy. Verses, songs, and story fill the CD, which children will enjoy listening to and singing along at home and in the car.

A wonderful way to bring in the mood of the winter season.

Order on line at www.joythroughmusic.com or call 250 701 0978 to reserve a copy.

A gift of music that all children will love

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A Message to My Little Friends, From Santa so happy that soon I Iandam will be sitting in a mall, having so many little friends come for a visit. I know that some of you look forward to this visit too. I also know that many people are anxiously waiting to tell me what you want for Christmas.

For me, it’s always fun to hear these wishes, and I am really interested in the presents that boys and girls like that are the same. Old Santa thinks that both boys and girls can enjoy cooking and trucks together!

I also want to mention that Christmas is for others as well as us. I always ask my little friends what they have as presents for their moms and dads and brothers and sisters.

I love to bring presents for my friends and I hope that all of you like that also.

I am often asked if I am the real Santa. My answer is always the same: I am trying to keep Santa’s idea of presents and love to everybody alive. All of the “Santas” in all the stores and malls have the same feeling as I do.

We love children, and we want them to grow up to look at Christmas as a time to have fun, show people you love them, and want to share the spirit of giving with them. It really is just as much fun to give a present as to get one.

So, when you come for a visit, a talk, a photograph, or just a look, give Old Santa a hug or Local Santa, a smile and wish him Aubrey Cobham lives Off The Grid in “Merry Christmas.”

What would Miss Polly do?

Have you ever felt the magic of Christmas? ometimes to feel the enchantment we must know S the reality. We experience a let-down when the days begin to shorten and the nights lengthen.. We

grieve the end of Summer. The air cools and we have a desire for a good book and a cozy fire. We slow our eating to preserver our stocks of food so they last the winter. (Not so anymore but the desire is still in us.) It is so hard to awaken early to prepare for the work-a-day world. Hibernation seems like the best idea.

This is the time of “Summer of the Soul”. We delve inward and grapple with demons and mistakes, we promise changes and new habits for the new year that may carry us into Spring. Why can’t we just sleep until Spring?

Then, the light of love and thought shines in us and the mood shifts and we are nearly half way through the time of darkness. The anticipation of more light and a the celebration of Christmas engages our desire to do, to make, to give. Now, we are rejuvenated and we can stoke our inner embers to flame. This is the magic. The thrill comes in preparing, in secretly hiding away gifts for friends and family and in keeping the resolve of the dark Autumn Paulette Tarnawski ECCE, WECE nights. When is an educator of Parents and the darkness Children in the Waldorf method.

She is constantly being asked is triumphed for advice from many local over, the magic parents. lingers.

Samsun Narrows

WINGS III Opportunity Store You’ll always find a treasure!

Donations Gratefully Accepted

Bring your quality womens and childrens clothing, natural fibres, household gadgets, jewelry, nick nacks and small furniture.

A unique selection of preloved Christmas notions available this season.

250 746 9906 Open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm 193 Station St at Jubilee, Downtown Duncan

ocal artist Dale Nigel Goble L was recently commissioned to create a dove image to be used

as a logo for the United Nations Mission in Liberia. The image will be used specifically by the County Peace Commissions as they work at restoring peace and order amongst the sixteen tribes across Liberia. This 11” x 11” limited edition silkscreen print is available for $100 + $20 shipping until Christmas. The signed and numbered edition size is 25 and all prints come packaged in a silkscreened portfolio cover.

Dove by Dale Nigel Goble

Dale Nigel Goble dng studio dale nigel goble t: 250.746.2022 e: info@dngstudio.com For more info or to order: maplemountaineditions.com

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

33

A Journey Through Self Discovery

December 10 & 11 10 am to 5 pm 164 Station Street, Duncan $135.00 Register by Dec 7 Monica at 250-732-9422

bodytemplestudio@hotmail.com

T

o be creative is to be alive. We are constantly creating through our thoughts, words, feelings, and actions.

Art is a process that focuses this creativity. Art helps us

discover our innermost thoughts and desires, teaching us who we really are.

“The creative process, so far as we are able to follow it at all, consists in the unconscious activation of an archetypal image and elaboration and shaping the image into the finished work. By giving it shape, the artist translates it into the language of the present and so makes it possible for us to find our way back to the deepest springs of life.” - Carl Jung The unconscious mind has important messages for the conscious mind. The former communicates through images (symbols and archetypes), while the latter communicates through language.

Collage art is a link between the abstract spiritual realities and the real forms of the material world. It becomes an object that is a metaphor for our inner reality.

Mandalas are a means of centering, grounding, and peace making. The repetition of simple shapes and forms creates a statement of simplicity and beauty, reminding us of the patterns that appear and reappear in nature.

Alters are used by people from all cultures to celebrate, show gratitude, or to state an intention.

Including the elements fire, earth, air, and water can help us to reflect and alter our own enthusiasm, thought, feelings and actions.

Saturday Dec 10 • 2:30 - 5pm

Transformational Dance Journey with Christy Lindell Greenwood $25 pre-register, $30 at the door

Saturday Dec 11 • 1-5pm

Solstice Market

Visit, Connect & Shop Local

Choir and other entertainment, storytelling, Ghanian baskets, aromatherapy, jewelry, art, yoga swings, hula hoops, marino wool clothing, hand-made drums & instruments, reflexology, head massage, and more!

Thursday Dec 22 7:30-8:30pm

Chant Circle by donation

Friday Dec 30 • 5:15 - 6:30pm

Contact Improv with Anthea Browne $15

Friday Dec 30• 6:30 - 8:00pm

Family Dance Jam!

All ages. With Anthea Browne $5 suggested donation; free for Contact Improv participants The ART HOUSE • 1756 Wilmot Avenue

Learn To Felt

was aboard a sailboat in the Iwhen middle of the North Atlantic I first picked up wool and

learnt to knit. I created a lumpy

hat with a bit of a list to starboard – but a love of fibre was born.

Today my fibre-art passion is needle-felting; hand dying soft wool roving into inspiring shades then sculpting it into fun characters and large wall hangings. A relatively new craft, it was in the 80’s when needles from industrial felting machines were first used to create sculptural pieces. These

Listen Globally, Play Locally.

African-rooted community music... for everyone!

250-737-1331 www.bopoma.org

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Shawnigan Lake Village 250 743 5846 needles have groovewww.MoonDanceArts.ca like barbs on the tips that catch the rough to felt a snowman, a Christmas elf wool fibres and felt, or lock, them or a lovely angel. I promise they’ll together. turn out better then my first hat!

Details and registration online: I love to share my knowledge of www.ngdesigns-studio.blogspot.com fibre arts and watch as students Nancy is a graphic become inspired and create designer, photogratheir own lovely pieces. New pher and fibre artist.

She teaches felting workshops are offered in my studio workshops in her Call or email to register: each month.

In December join me studio in Duncan.

737-1331 or info@bopoma. org

Christmas Sailpast

ighted sailpasts in the Christmas season have been L a tradition with boaters for years.

I would imagine that before we had electric lights and generators to power the lights, the sailpast was still an excuse for hardy boaters to brave cold, sometimes miserable, nights on the water.

Cowichan Bay is no exception.

The Maple Bay Sailing Club owes its existence to Cowichan Bay, the original site of the club.

And where there were boaters, there was a pretty good chance there were sailpasts. The club moved to Maple Bay, as they needed a space to build a clubhouse.

Our sailpast has been an onagain-off-again event. Over the

years, a number of folk with boats tried to maintain the tradition, often with only one or two boats showing up. Many will remember John Mac with his big black boat; whenever John was involved in the sailpast we knew a party was going to break out.

For me, the most memorable sailpast was the longest one we had.

We all assembled in the bay and headed off following John. Soon, a few of us noted we were dead last, and John was no where to be found. Sure enough, he and the sailpast were all in the middle of the bay. The chili was bubbling, crabs were ready and the party was in full swing. We all “rafted up”; for you non boaters, this means we tied our boats together in a bunch. To get from boat to boat we just hopped from one to another. That party probably went till dawn.

I organized the sailpast for a few years. It was great fun for all, both on the boats and on the shore. Of late the Wooden Boat Society has organized the affair and—except for one time when the weather was really foul—the boaters always show up.

Thomas Wagner Cowichan Bay, Captain of the sailboat “Peace and Harmony”

Art By The Sea

Drawing Classes With award winning Artist and Art educator

Lynda Faulks www.lyndafaulks.com

January 21 2012 - March 10 2012

Saturdays at 9am-Noon This course provides students with an introduction to the basic materials and techniques of drawing. Emphasis is on elements such as line, shape, value, space, proportion, perspective and composition. Subject matter includes maritime related objects—water, sea life, boats and as well as personal imagery of interest to the student. The small class size offers the student opportunities for oneon-one instruction from our instructor, Lynda Faulks.

Classes run 8 Saturdays and require a minimum of 8 students with a maximum of 12 students. A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT!

Course Fee: $200* + HST

A $75 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot. *Price includes paper for course.

A list of other supplies that are required will be given to students.

For more information call (250)746-4955 Email: cwbs@classicboats.org www.classicboats.org

S OU L E S CAPE

ESTHETICS Est. Since 2006

The first and only green spa in the Cowichan Valley.

• Eminence Organic Skin Care for Face and Body • Holiday Gift Sets... great stocking stuffers • Gift Certificates

(also available on-line through our website)

#4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC 250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

Offering Certified Organic skincare Eminence from Hungary. We specialize in skin care, foot care and offer a full

35 www.soulescape.ca

December Events at Alderlea Farm Oh Christmas Tree

Come and enjoy a very special Christmas Tree and lunch experience at Alderlea Farm Café in Glenora.

Sunday, December 4th Sunday, December 11th Sunday, December 18th Saturday, December 24th

12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00

Choose from delicious Roast Turkey Plate or Pizza Luncheon

Adults $15.00

Children $7.50

Vegan selections also available

Shiloh Badman Choosing our Christmas.

Tree from Lakes Road Tree Farm.

Choosing A Tree! special holiday A activity for families is the choosing of a tree for

After lunch, Farmer John will take your family on a tractor ride to Middlemas Christmas Tree Farm to choose and cut your beautiful Christmas tree.

Tractor ride and Christmas tree is only $40.00 Please reserve your date for this special family event *All trees at Middlemiss Farms are premium species and sustainably grown.

Saturday, December 10th Local Artist Soleil Mannion

A showing of the artist’s work accompanied by live music.

Her cross-disciplinary creative history informs her painting style: the freeing gestures of dance and dramatic arts are present in her paintings. Soleil is an artist who seeks to call forth an initial feeling response with her work, which can soften armour and open doors to imaginative and thinking engagement with art.

The Café is open all winter long!

A wonderful way to relax and renew in a cozy warm farm side setting. Daily specials, warm soups and winter beverages served piping hot.

Winter Hours

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Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 11:00am -5:00pm 3390 Glenora Road, Duncan 250-715-0799

Christmas. Locally we have many Christmas tree farms spread across the Valley for residents in various areas.

artificial tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal. Real Christmas Trees are PVC free!

According to Rick Dungey of Real Christmas Trees are the National Christmas Tree grown on farms just like any Association: other crop. As Richard likes to • While they are growing real Christmas trees, clean our air of say each Christmas when the pollutants. issue of tree farming comes • Local tree farms help the earth up with friends “Christmas absorb carbon dioxide storing tree farms are like cabbage the Cafe is open all winter, toocarbon in the wood, roots and patches. It is a crop like any soil thus helping to produce more on Tuesday, Friday and other”. To ensure a constant oxygen for us to breathe.

Saturdaytree supply, Christmas • Christmas Tree farms provide growers plant one to three new refuge for wildlife and create seedlings for every tree they scenic green belts. harvest. On the other hand, artificial trees are a petroleum- Often, Christmas Trees are grown on soil that doesn’t support other based product manufactured primarily in Chinese factories. crops.

The average family uses an

Scotch Pine

Grand Fir

Rocky Mt Fir

White Fir

Douglas Fir

Noble Fir

Relatively new to the Christmas tree scene is the Middlemiss Tree Farm on Glenora Road. “We started just 10 years ago when we moved back to my family property here in Glenora. Kevin Middlemiss tells us “We have planted about 6000 trees over the years, Douglas, Grands, some Nobles and Pines, with both success and failures, as we have no farming or forestry experience. Their tree farm expanded as they cleared more land over the years, and opened with their first U Cut season just 4 yrs ago with a small, but sustainably raised tree selection. Already they have grown to be a beloved tree farm for local families. “We now have lots of big, beautiful trees and continue to replant the cut and unsucessful seedlings each year.” As eco friendly growers with visions to the future, the Middlemiss farm are going to try farming potted trees for future sales. They are grateful for the advice from established neighbouring tree farmers and continue to grow trees and enjoy their choice of farm crop.

Wintergreen Tree Farm is a locally owned and family operated tree farm in Mill Bay. They specialize in providing Christmas trees on a wholesale basis to local Island outlets though are also open to the public. They provide several varieties including Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Noble Fir and Pine with extra large trees available.

Ingemar & Theresa Karlsson own Lakes Road Tree Farm they tell us that “the main competition to be concerned about are not other growers or American trees, but rather families buying artificial trees.” Ingemar came from Sweden in 1964 and worked on improving trees in the research sector of BC’s forest industry for over 20 years. He planted his first Christmas trees in 1973 and has enjoyed the shift and pace of Christmas tree farming. “ In an effort to improve better quality trees we have gradually moved from only Douglas Fir and Pine to include the Abies species; namely Grand Fir, Noble Fir and more recently Nordmann Fir. These latter trees are easier to decorate and they last longer in the house with less needle drop.” Following a traditional method of growing, the Karlsson’s use no irrigation system to water the trees and no pesticides or fungicides are used on his trees. There are a certain number of trees that don’t survive for various reasons and Ingemar accepts this as part of the farming process. Theresa tells us that Nordmann Fir is the best tree choice for families with children “It has soft, luxurious needles making it much nicer for children to decorate.”

Sahtlam Tree Farm in the Sahtlam area is owned by Bob Russell. “After receiving a forestry education in the mid ‘60s, I became involved with Christmas tree farming part-time on Salt Spring Island in a family enterprise. In 1974, I purchased the 40 acre Sahtlam property. Although stump cultures (the science of growing one or more trees off a root stock) are practised here, I generally interplant seedlings close to the recently harvested trees. Mulching and culturing practises, plus vegetation management, are necessary for quality tree production. There are now some 40,000 planted and naturally seeded Christmas trees on the property. Douglas fir and Grand fir make up 90% of the annual harvest. Noble fir accounts for the balance.

Douglas is the most popular tree in the retail lots; however, the Grands, known for their fragrance, are the favourites at choose-and-cut farms.” the valley

Happy Holidays from our family at Wishing you all peace and joy for the holiday season.

For a Winter 2012 Rate Card Please contact Adrienne by phone at 250.510-6596 or e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

VOICE

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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2012

GET HEALTHY PLAN

There’s no better gift than good health.

Start making healthy resolutions with these Cowichan Valley options for fitness fun.

Lynda Allen’s Dance Studio

Yoga

Full Service Gyms Snap Fitness

2-361 Trans Canada Hwy Duncan, 250 748-0001 www.snapfitness.com/duncanbc

No comparable club gives you more value: Open 24/7; No contracts; Affordable rates; The best equipment - without the long waiting lines; Free Personal Training and equipment orientation; Clean, comfortable, safe and friendly: 30 day money back guarantee.

Gymnastics

Duncan Dynamics Gymnastics

2687 James Street Duncan, 250 746-0193 www.ddgc.ca

Celebrating 17 years! We host children & adults for scheduled classes and drop-in sessions.

Our national level gym includes foam pits for easy landings!

Gymnastics – the only sport with Resistance Training, Conditioning, Flexibility, Stretching & FUN all-in-one!

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Kali Yoga Nicola Cusi Yoga Studio

2721 Shawnigan Lake Road Shawnigan Lake, 250 466 0006

www.kaliyoga.ca In the heart of Shawnigan Village KaliYoga offers classes every day for every level in the finest Yoga atmosphere! Between Gentle Beginner, Restorative Yoga, Dynamic Flow, Baby&Me and Family Yoga, you choose the class that fits your style.

Also offered new on the island: AcroYoga (Acrobatic Yoga) and Aerial Dance!

Dance Studios MoonDance Dynamic Arts

1756 Wilmot Avenue Shawnigan Lk 250 743-5846 www.moondancearts.ca “There are few short-cuts to happiness... DANCE is one of them!” Specializing in African Dance we also offer over 20 diffferent clases ranging from Modern to Hip Hop, Flamenco, Creative Dance and more!

6486 Diana Drive Duncan, 250 748-0934 www.lyndaallentapstudio.com

Tap dancing is a good strengthening exercise for feet, ankles and thighs. For older dancers, tap can also help retain mobility and it is a great way for all levels to gradually build body strength. Join us for a complimentary lesson.

Cycling Clubs Experience Cycling

482 Trans-Canada Highway Duncan 250 746-4041 www.experiencecycling.ca/

Cycling is healthy, both for you as an individual, and for the community you live in by reducing emissions. It is a great erobic exercise that leads to a healthy body and helps prevent disease and a shortened lifespan. Visit us to find out just how easy it can be!

Cycle Therapy

295 Trunk Road Duncan 250 597-0097 www.cycletherapy.ca

More and more people each year ride their bikes for fitness, recreation and for commuting and we are confident that the trend will continue. We offer group ride programs for women and for mixed riders.

A

s winter sets in we’re seeing fewer bicycles riding the beautiful Cowichan Valley. Though it’s getting colder and wetter don’t leave your bike at home.

You can still commute, go on group rides and hit the hills in winter. Simply plan a little differently and be a bit more careful. Consider these tips to make your winter riding as comfortable and safe as summer riding.

Apparel: The key to winter warmth and comfort is layering. The most important being your base layer – choose correctly and the base layer will keep you warm at lower intensities and you won’t overheat at higher intensities.

Use a waterproof jacket, a vest, and rain pants for commuting.

On group rides you’ll want to stay with shorts/bibs and jerseys, adding thermal leg warmers. A soft-shell or wind-stopper jacket with a light waterproof shell rolled up in your rear pocket for heavy rain conditions will keep your torso comfortable. Wearing thin wool socks and shoe covers will make a world of difference in your overall comfort. Wear

a beanie under your helmet to keep your head and ears warm and a helmet cover will keep the rain off your head. Thermal waterproof gloves will keep your hands warm and dry.

Tires: Winter tires should be the best combination of grip and puncture resistance. Wider tires help but at the expense of increased weight and rolling resistance. Drop your tire pressure a bit to give you better traction and increase comfort.

Safety: Signal often and clearly and make eye contact with drivers. Light your bike up like a Christmas tree in daylight and dark. A strong LED headlight, (250 lumens or so,) with a rechargeable lithium-ion ! battery makes for a great winter companion!

So keep riding the Cowichan Valley…even in winter.

See you on the road.

Sandra Beggs owns and operates Cycle Therapy in Duncan. wwwcycletherapy.ca

Pre-Boxing Day Sale Begins November 21st thru Christmas Eve Day

BLOW OUT PRICES on in store 2011 Bikes

Crazy weekly inventory specials from now ‘till Christmas!

When you buy a bike from Cycle Therapy we include a fully professional bike fitting that ensures your new bike is tailor made for you; one year complimentary adjustments for your new bike and 15% off all accessories!

Merry Christmas to the Cowichan Valley from David, Sandra, Anthony, Sarah and Bindi the Wonder Dog Winter Hours Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 5:30pm We will be closed between Christmas and New Years

295 Trunk Road Duncan 250-597-0097 Across from the Duncan Mall Beside the Duncan Cobbler www.cycletherapy.ca

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

41

WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT

I

t’s impossible to mention all the holiday festivities planned for the Valley in the space provided here but I would like to throw in a plug for Encore! Women’s Choir’s “Celebrate Christmas” concerts Sat. Dec. 16 (7:30pm) & Sun. Dec. 17 (2:30 pm) at St. John’s Anglican Church. Tix at Merit Furniture or at the door.

And for those looking for a place to congregate on Christmas Day Duncan Garage Showroom hosts its third annual “Breakfast for Those Who Wish To Be Alone…

Together” Dec. 25th. “Being alone sucks, so we gather together to be alone and create our own fun,” says Showroom CEO L. John Falkner. “Food is great and cooked up by volunteers who choose to be here for Christmas and we always screen a comedy on the big screen.” Admission by donation.

“I don’t normally make New Years’ resolutions,” writes LISSA LIBOIRON (but she is willing to make an exception for this column). “For 2012 I plan to make time for creative endeavours, such as illustrating Lord of the Rings. My New Years’ wish is for health and happiness to my family.” In addition to being a wife and mother (to daughter Zelda) Lissa is “a proud Community Farm Store employee.”

Speaking of New Years’ wishes, MONICA FOSTER writes: “My New Year’s wish for the world is peace and an end to all suffering. My personal goals are to reach a better level of fitness and to turn more of my artistic dreams into realities.” (Monica describes herself as “a Jill of many trades.” She is currently working at Acacia Ty Mawr in the Shawnigan area.)

Jean Crowder has been the NDP Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Cowichan since 2004. Crowder.J@parl.gc.ca 1-866-609-9998

Crowder’s Corner

I get many emails from people in Cowichan concerned about their access to Internet service.

Cowichan Valley singer/songwriter LIV WADE tells me she is looking forward to studying music (and writing songs for her second album) at Banff Art Centre in 2012. “Imagine how many snowy mountains I can run out there,” she exclaims. (Liv’s debut EP “My Great” is available on itunes.)

That is why I was pleased by a recent decision of the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to move away from usage-based billing for wholesale clients.

And while we’re at it, here’s a wish from former Cowichan Valley resident LISE LeLIEVRE that is good anytime of the year (starting today, for example). An ardent believer in the Law of Attraction Lise suggests “everyday for 30 consecutive days, give joy, smiles, warm words, love, appreciation and compliments to everyone you meet, including strangers, friends, and family. Speak from your heart and make it your mission to make every single person’s day better with kind thoughts and words. As you give the best of you, you will be staggered by the speed it comes back to you!”

The CRTC decided a mixed model that includes both a flat rate and capacity-based billing was a fairer method.

By Rick Dennis

This still means that the majority of consumers face caps and extra fees if they use more Internet bandwidth. But this was the first step to improving Internet service for all Canadians.

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These are the smaller companies, like Primus or Cowichan Valley Net, that rent bandwidth from the large providers, like Telus and Rogers, and then in turn, sell Internet service to consumers.

Over 100,000 consumers contacted the CRTC to say that usage-based billing was unfair since large providers could not show how increased usage increased their costs and that it was simply a way to seize more profits by charging customers more for the same service.

It was limiting the business model smaller providers could use to attract customers and slowly pushing them out of business, reducing the competition available for consumers.

This is a big concern in Canada where we are falling behind other countries in terms of choice, accessibility and pricing for Internet services.

’s er

ss

hat in

t

es.

if ing

Gifts for New Moms

Eco Holiday Season

ooking for some great he holiday season is L gift ideas for expecting T upon us bringing with families and new mums. The

Tummy Talk pregnancy journal is a complete all-in-one, album, scrapbook, and keepsake journal that mum and dad will treasure their whole life. Matraea Mama Spa products are wonderful for pampering mum as she makes her way through pregnancy. Matraea Mama’s belly / body butter is rich in certified organic shea butter which helps prevent stretch marks.

Once mum gets closer to her time to give birth why not add some little extras to her birthing bag. Matraea Mama Labour spritzers are calming and refreshing, warming pillows can be a great relief for tired shoulders or an aching back and T-Spheres aromatherapy massage balls make a great gift idea to help keep mum feeling relaxed and at ease.

Looking for something for a new mum who has just given birth? Bellabumbum nursing sleepwear / loungewear with matching newborn pajamas are a lovely way to make a new mom feel beautiful and comfortable. After just being born baby’s favourite place to be is right next to mom’s or dad’s beating heart. A baby sling or carrier gives parents the ability to keep baby close at all times and most can be used right up until baby is walking. Every baby loves to be swaddled, when looking for a swaddling blanket make sure you choose an ecofriendly fabric like bamboo, organic cotton or organic cotton muslim. Sleep sacs made from organic cotton are also another lovely gift that will keep baby warm all night long.

All these items and more can be found at Matraea Mercantile at 170 Craig St, Duncan.

Meditation At New Cowichan University Campus

or less than a hundred years in North America meditation F has been realized and proven to be a method of release from tension, a method to reduce heart and mind stress; a practice

thousands of years old. Our body is our temple and meditation the diamond jewel within. Meditation is an exercise of Body, Mind and Spirit. So, it is with Joy, that we share that everyone can now Meditate at our new Cowichan University Campus, Weekly, Rm: 255, Thursday Evenings 6:45 PM - Beginners Intro, 7 PM Meditation for Everyone. Phone: 778. 422. 0155 for more info.

it all the beautiful festivals, parties and family gatherings.

However it also brings the most wasteful and excessive time of year as well. With tons of extra trash created, huge peaks in energy drawn for all those pretty flashing lights and millions of cut trees. Even still, there are many ways we can help to keep some of our choices in line with our ecoconscious lifestyles.

Tree Choices:

1.Real trees, the upside is they are farmed so not from virgin forest. Down side is the fossils fuels used to harvest and transport them to tree lots.

Most will be grown with some pesticides but there are organic tree farms in our area. Be sure to find your area tree chipper service after the holidays so that the tree’s purpose lives on as mulch for gardens etc.

2.Artificial trees are made from petroleum products, however if you choose to buy one and use it for decades it likely outweighs the fossil fuels consumed on a tree farm.

So if you go the fake route, commit to one that you will use for many, many years.

3.Potted live trees can be a good option IF you don’t bring them indoors. The shock of coming into a warm home and then being sent back out into the cold winter usually kills them. But they look great on your front porch and then planted in the yard come spring.

2.Old canisters, tins and decorative containers are unique ideas and will likely find a new use with their new owner. Can be found at most thrift stores.

3.Children’s artwork or brown grocery bags that you can decorate with paints or festive stamps and stickers are the ultimate is reducing and reusing.

4.Last years cards you received make excellent gift name tags by simply cutting the half off that has the writing, leaving only the holiday image.

Gifts, challenge the people you exchange with to get creative finding items made from sustainable, fair trade resources or are non-material items all together.

Lights, the easy choice

now is to go LED. They are roughly 90% more efficient and create less heat so are less of a fire hazard. Have your outdoor lights on a timer and only have your indoor lights on when people are home to enjoy them.

Holiday meals and treats are so easy here in the Cowichan Valley, with so many local sources for organic meat & veg staples, teas, chocolate, baked goods and even wine.

Mmmmm, I can’t wait!

Happy Holidays and best of the season from my family to yours.

Gift Wrapping:

1.Reusable gift bags made from recycled paper are a great option of course.

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

Tracey Paleczka, local mompreneur and owner/operator Clean Choice EcoFriendly Cleaning Services www.cleanchoicecleaners.com

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Spiritual Counsellor and compassionately guided dance into the chakras This is an offering of joy, transformation and playfulness.

This is a ceremony to experience if you love to dance to sweat your prayers, to celebrate, and to anchor into the fun and potency of dancing with other conscious dancers.

Julia Star BHD.BEd This season give the gift of spiritual guidance.

Life Purpose Reading

$60

Mark Crissinger & Jerome Godboo Friday, December 9 Noodles of the World 7pm Mark Crissinger Solo Friday, December 16 Cow Bay Pub 6pm Fear No Journey. Singersongwriter-guitarist Mark Crissinger’s one man show combines acoustic and electric guitars with soulful vocals and some harmonica solos. Mark performs originals songs from two decades of songwriting plus lots of folk, blues and pub favourites. He ties it all together with a few road stories and 25 years of showmanship making for a fun, intimate, upbeat, and interactive show. Check out his music and videos at http://www.reverbnation.com/ thebluebudzz

250-709-9673

Solstice Market at MoonDance Sunday December 11 1 to 4 pm 250 743 5846 Visit, connect, shop local!

Entertainment throughout the afternoon, including Laurel Collins Choir, children’s book readings, and more. Explore handmade fairtrade or local products, such as baskets, shawls, and books. Enjoy a head-massage or reflexology treatment, and sample some yummy raw vegan treats. For info: www.moondancearts.ca

www.longboatcounselling.com info@longboatcounselling.com in grade 9, but more fun and much more.

Working with the did Whole Person now). And don’t worry, the Only $2 per person and that caller will walk us through includes skate rentals.

Come down anytime between the dances, and everyone can join in…

5:30 and 8:30pm, hit the ice and get into the holiday spirit.

In Chemainus at the intersection of Fuller Lake Road and the Trans Canada Highway.

14th Annual Glenora Farm CHRISTMAS FAIR Sunday December 18 11 am to 4 PM 4766 Waters Rd, Duncan Hoe Down at The Hub Cowichan Station Saturday December 17 Doors Open 7pm 2375 Koksilah Rd hubhoedown@gmail.com

Transformational Dance Journey

Saturday December 10 2:30 - 4:00pm Art House:1756 Wilmot Ave Shawnigan Lake Village 250 743 5836 www.MoonDanceArts.ca $25 Adv/ $30 Door $30 Info 250 737 1800 You are invited to an Transformational Dance Journey with Christy Lindell. (www.reflectionsholisticretreat. com) We will be weaving meditation, yoga, breathwork

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Winter Wonderland Skate Friday December 16 5:30pm to 8:30 PM Fuller Lake Arena Chemainus $2 Includes Skate Rentals For info: 250) 246-3811 Fuller Lake Arena offers their annual festive winter session.

Enjoy Christmas music, a special light extravaganza with brand new LED lights, games, prizes, decorations

Join Cowichan Station in celebrating the opening of our new community space, The Hub, with our inaugural dance event. It’s time to break in the newly refinished floor and stomp away the winter doldrums. This will be a family event, starting with tunes by local folk rockers, Puzzleroot, moving to a set of old-time music by acoustic roots trio, The Sweet Lowdown, from Victoria, and finishing up with a set of called dance tunes (like you

Here it is again, this awaited time of the year to offer you the opportunity to come and join us at Glenora Farm for lots of great music, excellent homemade food & baking, arts and crafts for sale from local vendors plus silent auctions and raffles.

There will be farm tours of our biodynamic farm and workshops if weather permits, as well as some children activities. This is a great opportunity to stop in and have some fun with us.

Glenora Farm Community workshops and daycare programs are owned and operated by the Ita Wegman Association, a non-profit organization that operates licensed care homes for adults with disabilities on the farm.

December Horoscopes Georgia Nicols M.A. is Canada’s most popular astrologer. A Buddhist, this Vancouver-based astrologer is featured in regional papers across Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. www.georgianicols.com

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This month your sense of adventure is heightened, you’re keen to learn and you want fresh, stimulating experiences. Obviously, travel somewhere new would be ideal. Unfortunately, retrograde Mercury could cause delays and snafus if you do this. Travel to somewhere you have already been before will be preferable. December holds lots of opportunities in higher education, medicine, the law, publishing and the media. You can easily wrap up old business in these areas.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

December is perfect to wrap up old issues about inheritances, wills, estates, banking and anything with insurance details or shared property.

Actually, closure in these areas will be easy. For one thing, you’re keen to make advances in these areas because you have some concerns. Secondly, retrograde Mercury will actually help you to do this. Hey, you’ll love yourself later when you see how much you get done. (“I child-proofed the house but they keep getting in.”)

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

This month the Sun is directly opposite your sign, and the Sun is your source of energy! Conclusion: You’ll need more sleep. Respect your need for more rest. Sleep on the job. Doze watching TV. Let someone else drive while you catch 40 winks. Meanwhile, during your awake moments, you’ll deal with ex-partners more than usual. (Whaat?) Fortunately, this coming month is an excellent time to

wrap up old business, especially with ex-partners. Relations with partners and friends will be a strong focus. Be patient with family.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Act on your urge to get better organized because you want to be more efficient, effective and productive. (No slack asses allowed!) Ironically, at this same time, while you’re setting your sites so high, retrograde Mercury will likely sabotage some of your efforts.

Expect delays, confused communications, lost paperwork, cancelled appointments and silly, goofy errors.

Nevertheless, your desire to pull your act together will be a match for these obstacles. (We shall overcome!)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

You’re entering a busy month full of short trips, increased errands, conversations with everyone (especially neighbours and siblings) plus increased reading, writing and studying. However, you cannot ignore (except at your peril) Mercury retrograde, which will cause transportation delays and confusion in all your communications. (Cell phones, computers and conversations.) Prepare for this: Stay on top of car repairs, charge your batteries, pay your phone bill and back up your computer. Murphy’s Law rules this month. Oy vey.

December is a wonderful time for research. Keep a low profile. Projects related to publishing, the media, medicine and the law have your attention. December is a wonderful time to make travel plans. Some of you will be actively involved in politics, religion or racial issues because you strongly identify with your beliefs now. However, fair Venus in your sign makes this a marvellous time to schmooze with others! You’ll be oh-so-charming and diplomatic. This is a good month to shop for wardrobe items because you like what you see in the mirror.

It’s playtime! (“Candygram for Mongo.”) December is ripe for pleasure, entertaining diversions, parties, flirtations, movies, the theatre, musical performances, clubs and playful times with children. Basically, you want to have fun. And you will!

Flirtations and love affairs will pique your interest. (You adore being adored.) This is also a fabulous time to slip away on a vacation. Warning: While schmoozing and living it up, expect to encounter some old flames.

(Oh yes – your checkered past comes back to haunt you.)

Your focus now is earnings, cash flow and financial matters. It’s easy to identify with what you own and what you earn, and assume this adds up to your worth in life. But you are not your bank account or your possessions (but, of course, you are your car). Many of you are looking for a new job. Others want new duties, more money or both. Your best chances will be to get in touch with old contacts from the past, i.e. previous jobs or employers because potential opportunities are there this month. Many of you wonder what really matters in life.

Expect your popularity rating to increase this month. You’ll be out there flying your colours. Meanwhile, in your private fantasies, you’ll be giving more serious thought to your goals and dreams for the future.

Ironically, something will tape-loop you into the past, bringing old friends and acquaintances back into your life.

But lo! This can be extremely helpful.

These old pals know your history.

Share your future dreams with them to see what their thoughts are. Their feedback will help you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Sagittarius(Nov.22-Dec.21)

Heads up. For this month (the only time all year) the Sun will act like a spotlight on you. This means bosses, parents, teachers, VIPs and the police will notice you. Fortunately, this wonderful lighting makes you look fabulous in their eyes. (Milk this!) If there’s something you want, ask for it!

Now is the time to promote yourself by asking for a raise or endorsement.

In fact, your best luck will be with previous authority figures from your past.

Meanwhile, Mars sits opposite your sign testing your patience with loved ones. Relax. You can handle this.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Oh boy! Mars is in your sign for the next eight months. This won’t be much trouble for you, it will be a challenge for others! You’ll be high-energy and super assertive about going after what you want. No holds barred. Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, your focus turns to home, family and domestic matters this month. Relatives might be camped on your doorstep, sleeping on your sofa, and eating out of your fridge.

Oy! Fortunately, Virgos are marvellous hosts. You give good hotel. No wonder your guests never leave.

For the first time in 11 months, the Sun is back in your sign. Yay! This is your turn to recharge your batteries for the next year. Use this powerful energy to your advantage. Important people and auspicious circumstances will be attracted to you. Be open to this and make the most of it.

However, retrograde Mercury is also taking place in your sign. This is a signal you will be involved with ex-partners and old friends – perhaps briefly, maybe longer. Use this as opportunity for closure or clearing up old business. Make goals for the next year. Be specific.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

www.georgianicols.com

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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Cowichan Feature Listings Welcome to the Valley Voice Feature Listings! Consider including your business in these Feature Listings... they are affordable! Black and White Ads 1X: $85,11X: $50 per issue Colour Ads 1X: $125, 11X: $75 per issue. Contact Adrienne Richards at 250.5106596 adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com for more information and to book your ad for the next issue! View Valley Voice magazine on-line at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Still Time to Bring in Your Unique Affordable Gifts.

High quality handwoven traditional rugs and carpets made by Tibetan refugees from Nepal.

1 - 139 Station St, Duncan

Hand-knotted and made of 100% Tibetan wool in a family run venture that houses workers and educates children to alleviate poverty.

Christmas Framing.

Small World Imports Tibetan Rugs and Carpets 250 748 3311 open Late Fridays During December.

www.smallworldimports.ca 250-748-6570

Free in-home estimates.

Professional,eco-friendly cleaning services for residential & commercial properties in the South Cowichan Valley. Giving you the gift of time, and a naturally clean home to enjoy it in!

Insured ~ Licensed ~ Bonded.

Gift certificates make a great gift for new moms and Tracey Paleczka 250-929-8381 busy people! www.cleanchoicecleaners.com

MAKE YOUR MOVE! with Tom Andrews Helping buyers and sellers live their dream one home at a time in the Cowichan Valley!

Call Tom at 250-245-1111 ext. 304 Tom@IslandHomeSales.com 410A 1st Avenue, Ladysmith www.islandhomesales.com www.tomandrews.ca

With a torch,welder and array of metal finishing tools, Brad creates joyful, nurturing and thought-provoking pieces.

Contact us for domain searches, web registration, and LOCAL hosting. Small business blogsites, web templates and other small business web based services.

make

250-746-9319

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great

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- Metal Wall hangings - Free Standing Sculptures

Showing at Just Jakes Dec 11-Jan 15

gifts!

Duncan

George Staples Residential Indoor Air Quality Investigator CMHC Accredited phone 250-746-0382 geo.sta@shaw.ca www.islandiaq.ca

Metal Artist Brad Allen

LOCAL WEB HOSTING

Websites

Do you have mold, moisture, dust, asbestos, or are you suffering from allergies or respiratory problems?

Studio located in Duncan by appointment Richard Badman rbadman@gearth.com

Brad Allen 250 748 0934 www.meddleart.com

Cowichan Feature Listings Come in, Learn and Experience the joy of textiles.

Leola’s Weaving Studio Whippletree Junction 4705 Trans Can Hwy In The Courtyard leolasstudio.blogspot.com

- Offering on-going classes in many forms of textile arts - Working/teaching studio - Weaving and spinning - Community Looms - Gift Certificates for classes - Unique locally made textiles

Etc! offers an eclectic mix of beads, beading supplies and classes. You will also find Rare Essence all natural soaps and body care products and Dogsbody all natural pet care products made right here in the store! For unique gifts, Etc! has hand crafted jewellery and delightful pet toys.

Open 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday

9747c Willow St, Chemainus Updates daily on Facebook etcinchemainus 250 324 2227

Dance your Birth

Hypnotherapy is a powerful way of accessing the source of problems to effectively change current behaviour. Suitable for anxiety, stress, fears, depression, relationships, weight loss, dependencies and more.

I am dedicated to facilitating safe spaces for healing.

Lori Austein 250-743-5685 laustein@shaw.ca

pre- and postnatal classes in Duncan

Thursdays 9:30-11:00am

250 715 0716

* Learn dance movements that support pregnancy, birth & baby’s position * Tone your belly back into shape after birth * Feel witnessed and supported in a circle of pregnant women and new moms * Find your own wisdom through stories and knowledge from different cultures * Find the right support to give the birth you chose!

Sybille Webb www.danceyourbirth.com

Enjoy a seasonal, evolving menu in our warmand cozy café. Serving breakfast, lunch, snacks, baked goods, smoothies, teas and lattes.

All made in house and with love!

Fresh, Local, Organic!

Located at 149 Canada Avenue across from the Caboose in Duncan Join Us! 250-746-5233

Now located in Duncan...

Hypnosis with Danette Find out your true potential in mind-body wellness.

Offering hypnosis, hypnotherapy and reiki treatments by appointment only.

Memory foam yoga mat with skid proof, bottom layer as well as textured, top neoprene labor for extra grip. PVC Free. Ideal for pre/ postnatal yoga, pilates and those who need more support. Suitable for all types of yoga including,Vinyasa Flow, Power, Bikram, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Gentle and Kundalini.

www.cowichanvalleyhypno.com 250-709-7380 Our mission is to inspire, motivate and most of all... to have fun! We offer encouraging, experienced tap dance instruction for beginners to advanced of all ages.

Lynda Allen 250-748-0934 lyndaallentapstudio@shaw.ca

www.vvitayoga.ca

Richard 250 746 9319 Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands Distributor

2012 Watercolour Calendars Great gift idea or stocking stuffer!

Featuring the watercolour paintings of Sunrise Waldorf School students.

250-743-7253 All proceeds go towards supporting www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org Waldorf education in the Cowichan Valley. A beautiful gift with inspiring Just $20 images for each month of the year.

Valley Voice Magazine. For people who love to eat, live, play and shop in the Cowichan Valley.

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