Cowichan Women’s Health Collective 3

December 2020 Issue 145 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Publisher Richard Badman Editor Sheila Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 6514 Wicks Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5V2 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution Proofreader Calendar Richard Badman Diana Pink Angela Sheppard

Advertising Enquiries Please contact us at info@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Next Ad Deadline December 15 for January 2021 Issue 146 Theme “New Year, New Habits”

*Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! EVENTS DEADLINE December 15 for January Issue E-mail: Date, Event Title, Time, Location w/ subject “EVENT” to events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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

SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Cynthia Montgomery, Ronn Stevenson, Tina Short, Ginette Sylvianne, Louise Pickles, Karen Bernard, Chef Brad Boisvert, Chris Turyk, Victor Vesely, Susan Down, Mark Holford, Jessica Schacht, Miyo Stevens, Grant Easterbrook, Denise D’Fantis, Veronica Scott, Kate Koyote, Jenna Waddy, Rikst Attema, Sandy McPhearson, Susan Smith, Dr. Lyn Pascoe, Tina Lee Foster, Donna Shaw, Robin Round, Cynthia Qin, Craig Spence, Bill Hibberd, Julie Pyon, David Yaeger, Nicky MacDonald, Marin D, Debbie Wood, Christina Hamill, Marti Smith, The lovely Georgia Nicols, Nicolette Genier, Cindy Jolin and the Wonderful Staff at the Community Farm Store.

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

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 Parksville

Cover Image: STAY LOYAL TO LOCAL! Duncan Garage Cafe (House Dressing), Mud Room Clayworks (mug), Freya Sophia Waldorf Store (Uriel cream), Kama Soap, Margot Page Designs (bookmark), Wesholme Tea Company (tea pouch) , Chocolate Pearl, Little Bird (paper, tag and ribbon), Botanical Bliss, Imagine That! Artisans (wood spatula), CFS for the Soul (jade bracelet), Taryn O’Gorman Designs (silver cuff), Soul Comfort Sheepskin (wool insole), The Olive Station, Morena Clothing (Silk Mask), Cure Meat & Cheese

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something. Neil Gaiman, Author 4

OUR COMMUNITY

December Events 5 A Human Economy 6 Cowichan Station Christmas Market 7 Christmas Market Events 22 Festive Fridays And More in Downtown Duncan This Holiday Season 26 Become A Supporting Member of The Cowichan Green Community 34 Best of Downtown Duncan 2020 Christmas Gift Guide 40-41 Best of Cowichan Holiday Gift Guide 42-45 Best O’ The Bay Cow Bay Gifts 48 Let Chemainus Fill You with Holiday Warmth 52 Best of Chemainus Gift Guide 54 Care for Christmas Trees 63 Celebrating the World from Our Montessori Classroom 68-69 The Plastic Dilemma: Sorting it Out 70 Your Money, Your Voice 71 In Wonder They Play 76 December Forecasts 77 Directory 78-79

LOCAL FOOD & DRINK

Pro Tips for Creating A Delicious and Bountiful Charcuterie 10-11 Entertaining Locked Down 12 Turkey Rolls Are Here for Christmas! 13 Bacon Preserve Lemon and Sage Stuffing 13 Winter Wines 14-15 Oh Christmas Tea 15 Walnutmeg Teacake 15 Holiday Wine Pairings 16 Christmas at Rocky Creek Winery 19 Grown-Up Hot Chocolate for Two 20 “Las Posadas”A Christmas Celebration in Mexico 21 Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts 27 The Tin Cup, When Coffee Met Tai Chi 36 Plant Based Cheese Available in Chemainus 55 Christmas Lives in Cowichan 58-60 Feature Community Chemainus 60 Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Festival of Wreaths 61

LOCAL ARTS

Gifting Art 18 Santa’s Artisan Helpers have been Busy at Imagine That! 28-29 Soapstone Carving Kits - Sculpture in Five Easy Steps 35 Stockings Stuffed with Art? 46 2020 Best of Artisans Gift Ideas 47 New Works at Excellent Frameworks 50 Christi York at Aquamaris Art Gallery 51 Get into the Christmas Spirit at Rainforest Arts 53 Artist Bill Hibberd 56

BODY, MIND & SOUL

In-Person Counselling Resumes at Cowichan Family Life Association 8 Blue Christmas 9 Why We Should Watch Our People Will Be Healed 23 Natural, Vegan, Sustainable Make-Up Canadian Made 24 The Soul Escape Dual Pedicure: A Perfect Gift Experience 25 Cozy Natural Wool Slippers 30 Acupuncture and Cupping for Winter Overstrain 32 Cowichan Women’s Health Collective 33 Behind the Mask 38 Diffusing for your Wellness 39 Here’s Good News for Your Hair 49 Hot Tubs and Elephants 62 High Vibration Wellness 65

PETS, RECREATION & NATURE

Things I Learned Birding for 31 Years with Tom Briggs 74 Lucky Dog 74-75

DECEMBER

1Enter to win open edition E.J. Hughes canvas giclee of choice in gallery, FB page or Instagram Excellent Frameworks 115 Kenneth St, Duncan Tues-Sat 10-4pm Runs to Dec 18

Lotsa LEGO creations from young community artists combined w/ whimsical art from CVAC members Cowichan Valley Arts Council Gallery 2687 James St, Duncan Mon-Fri 11-4 Sat 12-4

CALL TO ARTISTS for Then and Now show Submit old and new art, and tell us about your creative journey in between. Deadline Dec. 18 cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

1-15 Big Brothers Big Sisters Festival of Wreaths Facebook Auction @ BBBScowichanvalley 2 Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony in honor of those who have died 6pm live streamed on Facebook.com/ CowichanHospice

3In Wonder of Water Works Paintings by Pauline Dueck Excellent Frameworks 115 Kenneth St, Duncan 250 746 7112 paulinedueckartist.ca

3Moments in Time acrylic paintings Joanne Mitchell Cowichan Valley Arts Council Annex Cowichan Community Centre 2687 James St, Duncan Mon-Fri 11-4 Sat 12-4

6Unsworth Sunday Care Packages Savoury & sweet treats paired w/ wine 2915 Cameron Taggart Rd, Mill Bay 250 929 2292 80/$300 for all 4/ Sunday pick up also 13,20,27

7Things I Learned Birding for 31 Years w/ Tom Briggs a man I never met w/ David Fraser 9:30am Email cmilo@telus.net for Zoom Link everyone welcome

8Cowichan Valley Arts Council open studio dabble in art w/ a small group 2pm 2687 James St, Duncan also Dec 18

12 Special Winter Farmer’s Market 10-2pm Sat & Sun Craig St, hosted by the Duncan Farmers Market, Downtown Duncan

19 Hub Evening Christmas Market 5-9pm 2375 Koksilah Rd 250 746 1794 FREE

20 Sunday Shopping Event 11-3pm Imagine That! 251 Craig St, Duncan FREE

20 Hub Outdoor Christmas Market10-4pm 2375 Koksilah Rd 250 746 1794 FREE

25 Christmas at the Farm Christmas Menu Farm Table Inn 6755 Cowichan Lake Rd 250 932 3205 Runs to Dec 27

31 Genoa Bay Cafe New Year’s Eve Dinner By reservation only. Seatings 5pm/5:30pm and later seatings 7pm/8pm 250 746-7621 Genoa Bay Rd, cafe@genoabaycafe.com

31Celebrate the New Year w/ Chef Maartyn’s five course menu 2 seatings 5pm/8pm Seating very limited Unsworth Restaurant 2915 Cameron Taggart Rd, Mill Bay 250 929 2292

31 New Year’s Eve Menu Farm Table Inn 6755 Cowichan Lake Rd 250 932 3205

Cynthia Montgomery is a concerned citizen who loves living in the Cowichan Valley

We must be among the most fortunate of all people. We live in an area of stunning beauty among a community of caring, resourceful people as interested in looking out for each other as they are for themselves. When we call ourselves the ‘Warmland’, it means more than just physical warmth. One very important A Human Economy way we maintain and grow open. When people shop Khanh of Lele Fashions, says, what we have is by buying here, they get a little piece of “People shop local because locally, from our neighbours. the Valley. In our store, we they love the local products make some of the clothes. Or and they know the people On a recent Saturday, I we buy from people in the who are working very hard to walked around Duncan asking Valley and sell them here. We make very good quality.” (She shoppers and shop workers sell really high quality local makes all the clothes herself, why buying local is important products, which is worth the to your specification.) “I can and what it means to them. extra. And not everyone will do custom fit and exactly what have the same thing.” people want. “ Outlooks, next Lauren, of the Big Red door, offers a similar service Balloon Toy Store, told me for men. You don’t have to go it ‘keeps people downtown to the Big City to find highemployed. Without shopping end tailored clothing. downtown there would be no jobs, no downtown.’ Shopper Julie says, ‘It helps the businesses stay open Stephanie, of Giggle Gear, during these hard times’. says, ‘For us, it’s a huge Holly adds, ‘it keeps my support. It’s kept our doors money local’. So shopping local supports our jobs, VALLEY DENTAL CLINIC businesses, and our vibrant downtown. According to Dr. Gordon Levin Alyssa, “Now more than ever, it’s important”. DMD Dentist Walking around the Duncan

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME Farmers’ Market, I asked the same questions. Cindy, of Come by Chance Farm,

Please see our YouTube Video: says buying local “supports “How We Made Our Dental Offi ce Completely Safe for Patients and Staff “ farming in the Cowichan Valley. We are very dependent on our customers.” Among https://youtu.be/tMvTDHfTP10 everything else that we are, we are a farming community. Qualifi ed Dentist # 101-321 Festubert St Shopping local supports our farmers. American Academy Duncan, British Columbia of Dental Sleep V9L 3T1 Ron at Kilipi Farm, ‘My Medicine 250-746-9697 whole livelihood depends on people who shop local.’ We reception@valleydentalclinic.ca can affect people’s lives with this simple act. But some of those I spoke with saw an even wider meaning to shopping local.

According to Carol, at Well Bred Bakery, “buying local builds a sense of community, not only financially but also bonds people together.’ Many must agree, as in Summer, the Farmers’ Market brings together as many as 1500 people on a Saturday. I like the way Sol, of The Red

Balloon Toyshop, puts it.

“When people shop local, the community grows together.” The sterile efficiency of tech interactions is leaving us cold, empty, and needing a human connection such as buying from a living person. Cam, the principal farmer at Old MacDonald Farm, expresses it like this: Buying local supports a human-scale economy.

Cowichan Station Christmas Market

Christmas time has traditionally been a time to gather. A time to celebrate the year and although 2020 has been a wild ride, we will find a way to look back and find times of love, hope and light. We might not be able to gather as we did but we will find a way to connect with each other. We might not be able to do the same format as the Christmas Market of 2019 but we will find a way to support local artists and enjoy the festive season.

We aim to recreate a European themed night market, outdoors around the HUB, with strung light canopy, warm drinks and fire pits, hot food like chestnuts and soup and the sounds of distant carollers that will truly warm your heart.

The HUB at Cowichan Station had its first community run Christmas Market last year with everyone leaving feeling warm and fuzzy. It was mostly inside in the wonderful century old school but some were outside as well. This year it will be the opposite with most of it outside on the local community centre’s beautiful grounds. To start, there will be a Night Market 5-9pm December 19th and then a Day Market 10am4pm on December 20th. Supporting each other and our community and maybe make all of us feel a little cheerier, merrier and appreciative of just how lucky we are to call the Island and Valley home.

All the latest health and safety protocols will be followed with some innovative and creative solutions such as live streaming with Santa, pre-sales and online ordering for vendors with the help of COW OP, personal shopping Elves in the latest North Pole PPE, drive-through and pick up or park up and tune your radio to festive tunes. We will find a way to make this happen and provide a safe and healthy environment for all. Masks will be mandatory.

For more information and the latest news on the format of this event please check our website cowichanhub.ca

The HUB is a community run community centre in the heart of Cowichan Station.

Ronn Stevenson, Community & Facility Coordinator, The HUB at Cowichan Station Trial By Fire Pottery Studio Pottery Classes

NEW ONLINE SHOP AND FARM STAND

www.trialbyfi repottery.ca I 250-710-8758 www.trialbyfi repottery.ca