December issue 73 web by Cowichan Valley Voice

owichan FREE DIGITAL EDITION

2014 DECEMBER ISSUE 73

FOOD I DRINK I ARTS I MUSIC I EVENTS I GIFT IDEAS I HEALTH

www.cabinetbed.ca

107 INGRAM STREET, DUNCAN TEL: 250 746 5527 WWW.MERITDUNCAN.CA INFO@MERITDUNCAN.CA

DECEMBER Events

COWICHAN VALLEY A HISTORY OF 15 SCHOOLS Elder College Presentation Island Savings Centre 2687 James St, Duncan Register at Ticket Counter or by Phone 250 748 7529 1:303:30pm PURPLE LIGHT NIGHTS An Invitation for Valley Residents to Hang Strings of Purple Lights To Show Support That Gender Violence Has No Place In Our Community cwav.org Runs to Dec 10 CHESS CLUB At The Duncan Library All Skill Levels and Ages Welcome Play/Learn Chess in a Positive Environment 6-7:45pm Free

COMMUNITY ACCUPUNCTURE w/ Frauke McCashin RAc Every Tuesday #103-44 Queens Rd, Duncan 250-7103581 12-3pm VISIONS STUDIO TOUR GROUP CHRISTMAS SHOW Paintings Photography Pottery Jewellery Silks Woodwork & More 250 746 1633 Portals the CVAC Centre of Arts Culture & Heritage 2687 James St, Duncan MonSat 10-5pm Runs to Dec 20 Free

WHIPPLETREE LIGHT UP Cowichan Spirit Drummers Music Kids Activeties Festive Food & Drink Accepting Non Perishable Items for the Cowichan Food Bank 4705 TCH 4pm Light Up 6pm TRADITIONAL SQUARE DANCE w/The Shady Grove Dance Band No Experience or Partner Needed All Welcome Including Children 12+ The Hub Cowichan Station 2375 Koksilah Rd 250 929 8226 For Info 7:30-9:30 pm $5 NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE & ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN VIU Speakers Community Gathering Procession of Roses Candlelight Vigil cwav.org Cowichan Campus 2011 University Way Duncan 12pm ENCHANTED ORCHARD WALKS DOWN CANDY CANE LANE Merridal Cider Complimentary Orchard Walks Fri-Sun Starts at 5pm 1230 Merridale Rd, Cobble Hill Runs to Jan 4 MAKING HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES Building Our Island’s Local & Regional Brand Somenos Hall 2384 Highway 18 info@cowichangreencommunity.org Workshop & Panel 9-3pm IFA’s AGM 3-5pm

transformative-practices.org 12-2:30pm Free LILA MUSIC CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Lila Music Centre, 3228A Gibbins Rd, Duncan joythroughmusic.com10:3012:30pm Free CHRISTMAS IN BRITAIN Presented By Cowichan Consort Orchestra & Choir Duncan Christian Reform Church 930 Trunk Rd Featuring Howard Blake’s The Snowman w/ Bench Elem School Choir & CBC’s Bob McDonald as Narrator $15 Adults Children $10 Tickets at Door & Volume One Bookstore 7:30pm A CELTIC NUTCRACKIN CHRISTMAS Celebrate w/ Celtic Rhythm Dancers Cowichan Theatre 2687 James St, Duncan Adults $18.50 Children & Seniors $13 COWICHAN BAY LIGHT UP & SAIL PAST Cowichan Bay Village 5-7pm TRUFFLE COOKING CLASS @ Deerholme Farm Hands On Cooking Learn Recipes & Techniques 4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan 250 748 7450 $100 12-4pm CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD Presented By Medford Singers St Aidan’s & St Christopher’s Anglican Church 70 Cowichan Rd West, Lake Cowichan Tickets $15 Children 12 & Under Free Available @ Studio 87 & Home Hardware 2pm

FAMILY STORYTIME At Cowichan Library Bring the Whole Family Join Us For Stories Rhymes Songs & Fun Ages 0-5 10:3011:30am Free

CONCERT FOR A WINTER’S EVE Brentwood College School Showcase Performance In Support of the Local Food Bank Tickets $10 brentwood.bc.ca 7:30pm

POLKA DOT TRAIL CHRISTMAS MARKET Artists From The Chemainus Valley 9778 Willow St, Chemainus Runs to Dec 20 polkadottrail.com

5-7 TEA FARM OPEN HOUSE Celebrate the Warmth of the Season Complimentary Tea & Sweets Margit Nellemann Handbuilt Ceramics 8350 Richards Trail, Duncan 10-6pm

CODES OF WHOLENESS An Experiential Exploration of Self Love Sovereignty & Divine Union Lila Music Studio lotusbliss@yahoo.com $165-$222 Sliding Scale 10-6pm

FREE FONDUE SAMPLING as you shop at Cure Artisan Meat & Cheese. located at Valley View Center, 10am -5 pm

COMMUNITY ACCUPUNCTURE w/ Frauke McCashin RAc Every Wednesday #103-44 Queens Rd, Duncan 250-710-3581 5-8pm

THREADS OF PASSION 35 Jan Donaldson is Celebrating 35 Years in Her Studio Show Room Runs to Dec 13 9738 Willow St, Chemainus 250 416 1155

CHRISTMAS AT PROVIDENCE Vibrant Venue of Local Crafters Farm Products Photos w/ Santa Hayrides Family Fun Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan providence.bc.ca 9-3pm Free ENERGY MEDICINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS Energy Medicine Tips for the Holidays & Beyond Community Farm Store Loft Area

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD Presented By Medford Singers Duncan United Church Corner of Jubilee & Ingram Tickets $15 Children 12 & Under Free Available @ Volume One Bookstore 2pm

For full design/build service, give us a call

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

Valley Voice Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley



BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Evergreen Independent School’s Annual Christmas Celebration Pancake Breakfast Silent Auction Storytelling Music Photo w/ Santa Cobble Hill Hall 3515 Watson Ave Info & Advanced Tickets 250 732 2443 9-12pm COMMUNITY FARM STORE CUSTOMER APPRECIATION 15% Off All Regular Priced Stock First Sunday of Each Month Must Be a Member To Receive Discount Some Restrictions info@ Communityfarmstore.ca #2 5380 TCH WEEKEND WINTER MARKET Community Farm Store On The Mezzanine Massage Demos Organic Bedding Merino Wool Clothing Earth Friendly Crafts Local Artisans Live Music Musicians & Vendors Contact Nicolette@communityfarmstore. ca #2 5380 TransCanada Hwy Every Weekend in December

9 &16

HUDSON’S ON FIRST DECEMBER COOKING CLASS 250 597 0066 6pm

SEASIDE HOLIDAY SHOP & COFFEE DATE Complimentary Coffee for All Shoppers Local Art Crafts Books & More Mariners Market & Espresso Bar @ Maple Bay Marina For Info 250 746 8482 11-4pm HOLIDAY CANAPÉS AND PLATTERS - A FREE COOKING DEMO AND SAMPLING Join Chef Bradford as he shows you how to create simple holiday canapés and platters. Cure Artisan Meat and Cheese located at Valley View Center 6pm

ART FILM NIGHT @ Sylvan United Church The Double Life of Veronique 7pm Bed & Board 8:45PM Bring Your Own Snacks 985 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd Sign up for the monthly newsletter at artfilmnightatsylvan@gmail. com Restricted to 18+

CHRISTMAS BANQUET & DANCE The 50 Plus Centre For Info 250 749 6121 55 Coronation St, Lake Cowichan 4pm

WINTER HARP A Christmas Masterpiece Three Harps Flutes Rare Medieval Instruments Percussion Poetry & Song Cowichan Theatre 2687 James St, Duncan $36 2pm HOLIDAY HOOTENANY AT THE HUB 250 746 1794 6pm

GLENORA FARM CHRISTMAS FAIR Hand Made Gifts Music Food The Spirit Of Christmas 4766 Waters Rd, Duncan Info 250 715 1559 11-4pm COWICHAN VALLEY YOUTH CONCERT CHOIR & CHORALE St. Michael’s Church, Chemainus Contact Ann Mendenhall 250 748 8196 2pm CELEBRATE W/ ENCORE WOMEN’S CHOIR A PRESENTATION OF CHRISTMAS CHORALE MUSIC 250 746 9778 St Edward’s Catholic Church 2085 Maple Bay Rd, Duncan Adults $15 Children $5 Door $20

REEL ALTERNATIVES Screens The Lunch Box in Hindi w/ English Subtitles @ Cowichan Theatre Benefits CV Hospice services 250 746 7531 For Info Tickets $12

ALI BABA & THE FORTY THIEVES Presented By Ladysmith Little Theatre 4985 Christie Rd, Ladysmith Runs to Jan 1 ladysmiththeatre.ca For Show Times $15

4th ANNUAL WINTER SOLSTICE CABARET Duncan Christian Reform Church 930 Trunk Rd, Duncan joythroughmusic.com 1:30pm Matinee & 7pm Evening $20 Adults $10 Children/ Seniors/ Low Income

HOLIDAY BUBBLES & BRUNCH Hudson’s On First 250 597 0066 Runs to Jan 1 10-2pm

NEW YEARS EVE BUFFET DINNER at Chances Casino, 5-9pm Super Bingo 6:30pm, Live Music Zambuca 8pm 436 Cowichan Way, Duncan

• Holiday winery tours - bring your guests! • Gift Certificates - an easy gift idea • Day trips: theatre, girls day out shopping/spa • Safe ride home from any venue • Group rates for corporate/ private party transport

Cheers Cowichan Tours cheerscowichan.com

250-710-7391

108 DESIRES, 7 pm Nichiren Peace Center, 250 710 7594 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE The 50 Plus Centre For Info 250 749 6121 55 Coronation St, Lake Cowichan 7:30

JANUARY 1ST COWICHAN BAY POLAR BEAR SWIM! Registration 10:30am - Swim 11:00am. Costumes Encouraged! Come Ring in the New Year! GANTAN CEREMONY 11am, Nichiren Peace Center, 250 710 7594 FREE MAPLE BAY POLAR BEAR SWIM with Cowichan Pipes and Drums 11am. Cannon goes off for swimmers at noon.

Restore Your Health with

Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture & Diet Therapy

Dr. Fei Yang 250-733-2917 www.drfeiyang.ca

Issue 73 December 2014 Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Editors Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 - 936 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan V9L 5X4 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Events Calendar Proofreader Distribution Linda Dirksengale Angela Komljenovic Diana Pink Advertising Enquiries Please Call Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Or In The South Cowichan Area Please Call Teressa Kathleen 780 880 8308 / email tk@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Next Ad Deadline DEC15 for JAN ISSUE *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Please use this format Event Date, Event Title, Location/Address Contact for Tickets OR Website (not both) Time, Cost DEADLINE December 15 for January 2015 Issue 74 E-mail Date, Time, Location, Event Title and Cost to: events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Please list event title in subject with the word “EVENT” Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Lori Treloar, Sharlene Ionescu,

Daniel Hudson, Andrea Hudson, Tom Corless,Yaz Yamaguchi, Jeanne Ross, Rob Anderson, Lisa Hanlon, Sue Ryan, David Coulson, Sylvia Gaunt, Christy Greenwood, Lisa Hache-Maguire, Debbie Shkuratoff, Randall Liboiron, Alistair MacGregor, Georgia Collins, Hilary Abbott, John Scull, Jared Bates, Sophy Roberge, Gail Robertson, Debbie Wood, Rick Dennis, Carolyn Prellwitz, Zak Stolk, Tracey Hanson Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store and The Lovely Georgia Nicols

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, Tofino and Parksville.

2015 Ad Rate Cards Available January 1st January AD Deadline: DEC 15th

Have You been thinking of advertising in the Valley Voice? Lock Into 2014 Ad Rates terms till December 31, 2014!

OUR COMMUNITY December Events 4-5 Win A Christmas Dinner 7 Eye On Shawnigan 8 Christmas At Providence Farm 15 Visit Chemainus 18 Christmas At Glenora Farm 19 KinFarm Up-cycling In Action 23 Whippletree Light Up 24-25 Downtown Duncan 30-34 NDP Nomination 42-43 What Is Happening To The Sea Stars 44 Elder College Nitinat School 50 Websites Emails & Verbal Lint 50 December Directory 54-55 LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Sweet Brioche Recipe, Chef Dan Hudson 8 Bigger Better Garage Café Re Opens 8 Baking To Warm Your Soul 11 Cowichan Bay Seafood West Coast Cioppino 12 Local Pairing Suggestions 13 Lemon Pepper Beer Chicken 14 Stuffing Recipes From Local Chefs 16-17 Community Farm Store 46-47 FARM & GARDEN The Story Of Buckerfields 22 HOME & LIVING The Magic Of The Holiday Season In Our Home 21 Budget Friendly Holiday Dressing 26 Designing Green 27 A Stuff Free Holiday Season 37 The Most Wasteful Time Of The Year 45 LOCAL ARTS Concert For A Winter’s Eve 7 Christmas Sewing & Knitting 28 Bully Boys Tattoos Inc 38 Winter Solstice Concert 39 Book Launch by Gail Robertson 48 The Birth of An Instrument 53 BODY, MIND & SOUL Maximize Your Dating Potential 20 Yoga Off The Mat 35 How’s Your Chi 37 Are You OK With Christmas 48 Horoscopes 51 PETS & RECREATION Daycare Dogs 49

Contact Adrienne at 250 510 6596 adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com South Cowichan businesses please call TK at 778 880 8308 TK@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Win a Cowichan Valley Christmas Dinner at Breakfast with Santa from Alderlea Farm, cranberries, apple cider, wine, bread and of course a pumpkin pie!

vergreen Independent School’s 5th Annual Breakfast with Santa is offering families a full and exciting event this year, including photos with Santa, storytelling, a silent auction, talented vendors and a chance to win a local Cowichan Valley Christmas Dinner! Taking place on Sunday December 7th at the Cobble Hill Hall (3550 Watson Road) from 9am – 12pm, this event draws families from all over the Cowichan Valley. Breakfast includes not only pancakes, but also eggs, fruit and beverages. A delicious gluten-free pancake option is always available. And this year, to honour and celebrate the many farmers and producers in our beautiful Cowichan Valley, there will be a chance to win all-local ingredients for a 6-8 person Christmas dinner! This will include turkey from Quist Farms, seasonal vegetables

Breakfast with Santa is a fundraiser for Evergreen Independent School. Our school enrolls 108 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 as well as our new Friday morning play school for 3-year olds. Evergreen offers a balanced education where academic excellence and individual development are equally valued. Events like Breakfast with Santa reinforce the importance the school places on engaging beyond the classroom into the community that has supported Evergreen for over 30 years. Santa’s Breakfast has always been a very popular event. We expect this year to be no different – come early for a wonderful morning filled with excitement and joy! A great start to the Christmas season. For tickets call 250-7322443 or send an email to evergreentix@gmail.com. Family Rate: $20 for a family of 5 Advance: $4/Child, $5/ Adult Door: $5/Child, $6/ Adult

Concert For A Winter’s Eve

n annual tradition for over the past 13 years in the T.Gil Bunch Centre for Performing Arts at Brentwood College School in Mill Bay, the Concert for a Winter’s Eve is a fund raiser for the local food bank. Enter a world of seasonal music in song, dance and instrument on Friday Dec. 5 with a 7:30pm curtain. This is a showcase of our performers: soloists, ensembles, concert band in a fusion of classical, jazz , rock and pops. Tickets are available on our new box office site: http://theatre. brentwood.bc.ca or call our box office at 743-8756. This is a reserved seating performance in our beautiful theatre. Get into the spirit of the season while contgributing to a very worthy cause.

Sweet Brioche Recipe Courtesy Chef Dan Hudson Hudson’s On First Ingredients:

Sponge55 g yeast (instant) 250mls warm milk 75 g honey (local) 285 g flour (all purpose)

Dough115g sugar 20g salt 8 eggs 455g pastry flour 455g all purpose flour 225g soft unsalted butter

Method:

First make the sponge by dissolving the yeast and honey in room temp milk and stir into flour. Leave to prove until doubled. Once the sponge has proved mix it with the “dough” ingredients to form a smooth elastic bread dough. Again, leave to prove until doubled in size. Once doubled you can portion and form into your bread tins. Cover with cling film and leave to rise (I usually leave them untill they reach the top of the tin. Now, carefully remove the plastic wrap and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutess. After 20 minutess, remove from the tins and return to the oven for a further 5 mins. Once baked rest on a wire rack till cool.

Bigger, Better, Faster, MORE! Garage Cafe Re opens In Time For Holiday Baking at the Garage.

fter more than ten years , the Garage Cafe has finally grown! Just in time for your Christmas shopping lunch dates or coffee breaks in December. Our kitchen is bigger so we’ll be offering you a larger selection of delicious, lovingly made, organic food. We expanded our service area so the amazing baristas can serve you faster.

We’ve increased our seating so you can bring even more friends to hang out and enjoy the great atmosphere

Not everything has changed. We are still committed to making healthy organic vegetarian food from scratch and serving it to you quickly and at a reasonable price. The bread, granola, and cookies you’re used to buying at the Garage are still here, just sold in the Cafe now. And don’t forget to get all your Christmas cookies, breads and fruitcakes - baked goods make great hostess gifts and potluck contributions that everyone loves! We’re excited to show you what we’ve done and we’re pretty sure you’ll love it too. Come and see all the new finished work yourself! We’ve missed you too!

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

EYE ON Shawnigan In 1951, Mr. Hughes and his wife Fern moved from Victoria to Shawnigan Lake for the peace and quiet. Fern recognized that it was the very place to provide sanctuary for her husband. The Hughes house is still there, roughly 2 km south of the Village, on the Old Victoria Road.

EJ Hughes painting in his studio.

Did you know EJ Hughes lived in Shawnigan? Visit the Shawnigan Lake Museum to learn more! Open year round (except in January) Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11:30am-4:00pm 250-743-8675 www.shawniganlakemuseum.com

Their early years at Shawnigan were lean and, at one point, Hughes considered reenlisting in the army to make ends meet. The house was in poor condition and in need of constant attention. For many EJ Hughes boat tied up at years, they the Village Wharf. did not have a car. To get groceries and mail they would either have to walk to the Village, or use their small boat. Hughes wife, Fern, enjoyed steering the boat while Hughes relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. His boat gave him much delight and he loved to explore the lake, but he once remarked that, sadly, it distracted him from his work.

Support local with gift certificates available from all the merchants on this page.

E.J. Hughes at Shawnigan

As luck would have it, an art dealer from Montreal, Max Stern, saw one of Hughes paintings. Determined to track him down, Stern arrived in Victoria and asked where E.J. Hughes lived. He was directed to Shawnigan Lake, which Stern referred to as the ‘wilderness of Vancouver Island’. Stern showed up on Hughes doorstep, and offered him an exclusive contract. This arrangement was essentially a lottery win for Hughes as it provided him with a “salary” and

meant that Hughes could afford to paint full time. Stern bought every canvas in Hughes’ studio, on the spot, and contracted to buy every painting that Hughes would produce in the future. This agreement changed Hughes life, and lasted until the Dominion Gallery closed in 2000.

2750 Shawnigan Lake Road TAKE OUT - (250) 743-1669 www.shawnigansushi.blogspot.ca

Hughes recognized that he was a “slow” painter, but he produced well over 300 paintings while he lived in Shawnigan – including several of Shawnigan Lake. This was clearly an important time in his life – he left Shawnigan due to the health of his wife, and the increase in ‘distractions’, but he chose to return to Shawnigan to be buried in the Shawnigan Cemetery with his wife, and his parents. By Lori Treloar

TURKEY DINNER POUTINE!

Our fries get festive! Topped with curds, oven roast turkey, gravy, stufﬁng, brussel sprouts and served with a side of cranberries! YUM! Itʻs already a favourite!

UK Candy stocking stuffers available!

Come Bake With Me This December

s daylight falls short and the nights cold and damp, there is nothing quite like the soul warming appeal of baking. Delicate aromas of sugars and spice waft through the air as the warmth in your kitchen eliminates the chill during this transitional time of year. The physical act of baking, anticipating and sharing your creations is pure comfort in itself. In each family there is generally a select few that find joy in baking, whilst the remaining family members find much more joy in each freshly baked bite. At least this is true in my family and lucky for me I am the latter with my husband Chef Dan and my mother the true bakers. So which are you?....

Image Debra Brash

Excellent!... as we are excited to welcome you to December’s Cooking Class at Hudson’s On First where

we will be revealing some of our secret recipes including our sweet brioche and mouth watering quince soufle. Of course we will offer a safe environment for both the baker and the baked goods connoisseur to learn, mingle and enjoy a three course demonstration and dinner with a craftily concocted cocktail.

Eat, Drink and Support Local

Class size is limited to One over a Bakers Dozen so call to reserve your seats. 250-597-0066 A Hudson. Food and Drink at Hudson’s On First is what I do and love

local pairings

2011 Symphony, Unsworth Vineyards Light and ruby red. Unsworth Vineyards 2011 Symphony offers aromas of cooked red fruit and hints of resonant herbs that give way to earthly layers of plum, ripe cherries and subtle spice. A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet-Libre, this wine celebrates union to achieve a wine that is both balanced and elegant.$19.90 www. unsworthvineyards.com

Tayberry Wine Silverside Winery

Rocky Creek Pinot Noir

Double Gold award winning Tayberry Wine has just the right amount of tart finish that will pair perfectly with your Turkey dinner. Surprise and delight your guests with something unique from the Cowichan Valley for the holidays. $20 www.silversidefarm.com

A treat well worth searching for” 89 Points Bronze Medal Northwest Wine Summit Good aroma and spicyness! Flavours of fruit, cloves and pepper. Discover a new flavour with every meal and dive into an adventure. French oak…Great with stuffing and turkey. $22 www.rockycreekwinery.ca

LIVE CRAB • FRESH FISH • LOCAL SPOT PRAWNS •

West Coast Cioppino Serves 3-5 People Perfect for Entertaining over the Holidays Base:

1 1 1Cup 3 Tbsp 2 Tbsp

Onion, medium diced Garlic bulb, minced Fennel, small dice Extra Virgin Olive Oil Smoked Paprika, hot or sweet 1 Tbsp Dried Thyme 1 Cup Red Wine 1 Litre Halibut Stock 1 Large can Diced Tomatoes 1 Bay Leaf 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley Salt and pepper to taste

Before Serving: 1/2 LB 1/2 LB 1/4 LB 1/4 LB 1/4 LB 1/4 cup 1 Tbsp

Mussels Clams Shrimp or prawns Scallops Fish of your choice, chunked Fresh tomato, small dice Fresh herbs

Winter Hours Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 - 6pm Closed Mondays

Method The base for this hearty Italian style seafood soup or stew can be made ahead and frozen, thaw, reheat and add the seafood and fresh herbs and tomatoes when you’re ready to eat. In a large heavy bottom pot on low heat cook the onion, garlic and fennel in the olive oil until it is aromatic. Stir in the Smoked Paprika, this is available in Hot or Sweet and the recipe will work with either depending on your preference. Continue to cook until the paprika begins to brown slightly. Add the dried thyme. Add the red wine, bring to a boil and reduce by 1/3. Add the halibut stock, canned tomatoes and bay leaf, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the fresh parsley, salt and pepper. If you are making this ahead you can remove from heat and cool completely at this time. When ready to serve bring the base back to a boil and add your clams and mussels, cover and cook until opened. Add the remaining seafood items and cook for 1 minute. Add the fresh herbs and tomatoes right before serving. Spoon into bowls and serve with fresh bread. The seafood items are suggestions based on our favourites but anything goes based on your imagination!

1751 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cowichan Bay

Cowichan Bay Seafoods

250-748-0020 E-mail: info@cowichanbayseafood.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

for christmas stuffing! 2012 Estate Siegerrebe Blue Grouse

Translated from the German, Siegerrebe means “Victory Vine” and is a cross between Madeline Angevine and Gewurztraminer. Bud-burst occurs late and fruit ripens early, which results in a vine that is well suited for cool climates. The vines are fruitful and vigor is low, which produces high extract yellow-green to golden colour and lovely apple and lime aromas. Its fresh and succulent “outdoorsy” style really shows off the best of the Cowichan Valley. $18, www.bluegrouse.ca

Averill Creek Somenos Rosé

Bright and crisp on the palate with juicy peach and red berry flavours. This is a versatile wine with a great affinity for food. Enjoy lightly chilled, alongside traditional stuffings containing cranberries or apples & holiday favourites such as ham, turkey or salmon. Winery price: $14, www. averillcreek. com

Limited Edition Yule Fuel Merridale Cider Merridale is proud to partner with The Zone @ 91.3 to present a very special limited release cider for the season - Yule Fuel! A mulled apple cider with deep spice notes, serve it warm or cold to help fuel your holiday cheer. And the best part, partial proceeds go to the TLC fund for kids, so buy a bottle (or several!) and help support this worthy cause. $16 www.merridalecider.com

“It’s fresher from here”

Lemon Pepper Beer Chicken Recipe Courtesy Chef Tom Corless, Bridgemans Bistro, Mill Bay Marina

Ingredients

Amount

Whole Island Farmhouse Chicken 1 Olive Oil ¼ Cup Garlic Cloves 2 Shallots 3 Fresh Rosemary 1 Tbsp Coarse Ground Pepper 2 Tbsp Fresh Thyme 1 Tbsp Zest And Juice Of 3 Lemons Local Dark Beer 1 Can *The bolder the flavour of beer the more flavour it gives

Method

1. Combine all marinade ingredients in food processor, then rub inside and out of chicken. 2. Let in sit for a minimum of 2 hours, but best marinated over night. 3. Pre heat oven to 400, drain off ½ the can of beer the put into cavity of chicken. 4. Put upright in the oven on a baking sheet to catch the drippings, bake for 15 min then reduce heat to 350 and bake for 45min to 1 hour. 5. When the thigh has reached 165 degrees your chicken is done. 6. Let cool for 5-10 minutes then cut into pieces. NOTE You can use the drippings and the left over beer to make a sauce if so desired.

apture the magic of merridale and win! Calling all photo enthusiasts – Snap, Shoot, and Win. Capture the most imaginative image in the merridale orchard that matches our weekly theme, and you could win a growler pluses chances to win one of two Grand Prizes. Tour Package – Tour with Island Time Tours, Lunch at merridale, and stay

at the Cobble house B&B Theatre Package – Lunch at merridale, tickets to the Chemainus Theatre, and stay the Chemainus Inn. Follow us on facebook to learn how to win!

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

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Tea infused chocolates from Teafarm.

Christmas At Providence Farm

hristmas at Providence is a vibrant and fun filled event that happens yearly at historical Providence Farm. This event has something for everyone as you meander through the farm. Do some Christmas shopping at one of the 30 vendor booths featuring a large selection on handcrafted items. Stop by the lunch room for a great home cooked meal and get

your raffle tickets for the 35th Anniversary Raffle that features ten great prizes with the top prize valued at $3500. Take a walk through the candy cane gardens as you make your way to the St Ann’s Building to browse the selection of Providence Farm made gifts. Have your picture taken with Santa and let the kids play and get their face painted in Santa’s workshop. Finish the day off with a fun hayride around the farm. All this in a festive family friendly atmosphere. Saturday December 6, 9am -3pm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd.

Tea Farm & Margit Nellemann Ceramics

e invite you to celebrate the warmth of the season with us. Enjoy complimentary tea+sweets in our cozy tea gallery. Partnering with local artisan, we have created the perfect Cowichan gift boxes... it is easy to share what you love with those you love. December 5+6+7, Open House FriSat-Sun 10-6pm Teafarm+Margit Nellemann Handbuilt Ceramics 250.748.3811 www.teafarm.ca

Look what’s NEW!

WEEKEND BRUNCH Every Saturday & Sunday 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Wine & Dine for $69 Every Thursday after 5pm Steak & Lobster for 2 with a bottle of Wine Call and book your Reservation 778-356-3568 740 Handy Road, Mill Bay

www.bridgemans.ca

Small Town Shopping By the Sea Fine Local Artisan Foods Lisa’s Own Vancouver Island Salt Co. Saltspring Kitchen Co. Also featuring beautiful tailored clothing, fantastic leather bags and gorgeous jewelry.

Antiques and Retro Chic Goods 1721 C Cowichan Bay Rd

250-597-2239

sutton group • west coast realty

250.748.5000 2610 Beverly Street Duncan, BC

toni@tonib.ca

www.ToniB.ca

Stuffing RECIPES FROM

Local CHEFS

CHEF daniel hudson Danâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Holiday Stuffing 300g bread-torn or cut into pieces (any old or stale bread is best) 1 small onion-diced 1 celery stick- diced 1 carrot- diced 3 slices smoked bacon- cut into lardons (thin strips) 5 white mushrooms (or any in season) 1 clove garlic- minced 1 tbsp unsalted butter 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves Salt Pepper

METHOD In a large pot, begin by frying the bacon (you may need a drop of canola oil). Once the bacon begins to brown add your vegetables, garlic and butter and cook till nice and caramelised. Next add your bread and thyme and cook for a further 2 minutes making sure all the bread is coated with all the juices. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stuff into your bird for roasting. Any excess can be baked in a dish and served on the side.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chorizo & Dried Fruit Stuffing 3 lbs chorizo meat 1 yellow onion, diced 3 stalks celery, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups dried cranberries 2 cups dried apricots, chopped 900 gram white bread, cubed) 1 lb butter salt and pepper to taste

S CHEF TOM CORLESS

METHOD Sautee chorizo with butter till cooked add onion, celery, garlic, and dried fruit and continue to cook till onions are translucent remove from heat and add bread cubes mix completely. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Fill pans and cover bake at 350 for 30-45 min.

THANKS SO MUCH for making 2014 our BEST YEAR EVER! All the best of the holidays & 2015 to you & yours

Book your 2015 Home Facial Party now! Call 250-710-1276

Visit us at the Du Saturdays AUG 2

botanicbliss.com

Membership costs $150. Which allows you to dine with us on six (6) occasions from October through May.

Christmas is a special time in Chemainus as everyone celebrates this unique community.

his year the artists of the Polka Dot Trail studio tour will be showing their work at the Polka Dot Trail Christmas Market to December 20, 9778 Willow Street, across from the Post Office. Christmas gift shoppers will find a selection

Come see our all natural cosmetic selection! Body butter, lotion and lotion wipes, body wash, bars of soap, perfumes 3 ways, reed diffusers, scented candles, beautiful gift sets, and the FABULOUS NEW makeup line! 9738 Willow St, Chemainus 250-246-9838 Hours Mon-Sat 930-530 • Sun 12-4 Closed Sat holidays

La Petite Auction House

Auction Sunday Dec 14 Auction begins at 1pm

of glass, pottery, jewelry, paintings, digital art, photography and more. On Fridays and Saturdays there will be artists on-site. Tuesday-Thursdays 11-4, Fridays 12-7 and Saturdays 10-5.

This year’s Festival of Trees entries will be displayed throughout Chemainus in the sponsoring businesses from Dec. 5th to 20th. See them all, vote for your favourite, and enter the draw.

The annual Christmas Walking Tour will be Saturday, Dec. 6. Stores and businesses will be offering specials and treats to shoppers – a wonderful time to explore Chemainus’ shopping opportunities. Maps showing participating merchants will be published in local papers and available at the Chemainus Visitor Centre.

Little Town Christmas will be celebrated on Willow Street on Dec. 20th this year, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm, and will include free music and entertainment, games, crafts, treasure hunts and prizes for the kids, and great food and hot drinks of all. Santa will be there for the kids to visit and have a photo taken. All kids are free and adults are asked to donate to cover the cost of their own drinks and food.

Early viewings Wed - Fri 11am- 4pm. Plus same day viewing from 11am -1pm.

9686 Chemainus Rd, 250-701-2902 18

This page sponsored by the Chemainus BIA www.visitchemainus.ca

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Great Christmas Gift Ideas AT LYNN’S VITAMIN GALLERY! Himalayan salt rock lamps, hand made soaps, Harlan’s

Getting Ready for Christmas at Glenora Farm

t the far end of Glenora, right against the hills, lies a place called Glenora Farm. It is a bio-dynamic farm and a community offering adults with special needs a life of meaning and purpose. It is run by full-time volunteers, and it is a haven for those who wish to live simply and live well. At this time of year, the whole farm is preparing for our much-anticipated Christmas Fair (Dec. 14th). We gather greenery and string up lights. We bake, and bake, and bake – cookies, cakes, cinnamon stars, gingerbread. We practice carols with the Handbell Ensemble and we make candles, herb teas, felted and woven goods in our workshops. The Christmas Fair represents everything that Christmas stands for – hope, friendship, joy, reaching out to others and the warmth of community. The lights are bright, the greenery is fragrant, and

the many local vendors offer handmade goods for children and adults alike. This year we will have a Swiss winter café, and a puppet show and activities for the young ones. There will be singers and musicians and hay rides by Bo. And there will be a chance to find out what we do here, and meet some of the wonderful people we look after. We all work together to the best of everyone’s individual ability, and everyone involved DID isYOU in KNOW? making Christmas. Sometimes that means helping with the baking or clearing driveways or putting up decorations, and sometimes that means sitting and watching the preparations and helping to create a joyful atmosphere. The Fair is a chance for us to greet newcomers and old friends, to welcome other craftspeople, to share food, music and our patiently made handwork. It is a chance to show all of you who we are.

Handmade Chocolates from Salt Spring Island, Essential Oils gift packs Creekmore Coffee, Beeswax candles, natural body products, Ionizing misters, Amber and

Hazelwood jewellery and great selection of hostess fruit and nut

baskets ranging from under $10 and up!

The staff would like to wish all our customers a happy holiday season and we wish you all the best in 2015.

Lynn’s

VITAMIN GALLERY

HEALTH FOOD STORE Village Green Mall, 4-180 Central Avenue, Duncan

250 748 4421 www.lynnsvitamingallery.com

Tomato Some moments are green tomatoes :

(knife-cold air on top of the mountain you’ve just summited;

seeing your father’s gesture in a grandchild’s nod;

on a list of suspected missing and injured, the sturdy shape of the word “safe”

beside a loved one’s name;)

these benefit from space, quiet, seclusion, time to think things out in the dark. One day you come back to them, find yourself opening the wooden kitchen drawer you cleared of tea towels for the purposeto discover rows of newspaper-wrapped brilliants – that you see have come into themselves, taken on mature destiniesflavour-filled gifts, red, faceted, still holding warm redolence of a lost season. Judith Belton is a writer and gardener in Mill Bay.

GOLDA’S LITERACY NUGGETS Outside of a dog, a book is Man’s best friend; inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. Groucho Marx

info@gopesto.com I www.gopesto.com

Maximizing Your Dating Potential This Holiday Season

he most common question I’m asked is: where is the best place to meet someone? Truthfully, there is no magical place. There is, however, a somewhat magical how; you have the best chance of finding a lasting relationship using your social circle. Your social network is the key to meeting folks with a higher degree of personal accountability, and similar lifestyle choices, than say, online dating. Fact is, your friends have friends, your colleagues have friends and the spouses of your football buddies have friends; all of whom are possible dates. And when do friends get together? The holidays! Before we get into holiday party behavior though, I want to acknowledge what I know a good portion of you are thinking (because 90% of my clients are in the same boat): ‘I don’t have close friends, let alone a social circle.’ Indeed. What if you have no party to go to? Or what if you just aren’t interested in expanding your comfort zone when it’s dreary and wet outside? The honest answer isn’t easy: if you want to be intimate with someone, you need to admit that you’re worthy of

intimacy! In other words, you need practice connecting with people. Take a course, join a club or volunteer and attend the holiday party. Feeling a tad rusty? Follow these tips to successfully step out of your box: First impressions count: Freshly trim hair/whiskers. Match shirt shoulder seems to shoulder bones. If you tuck it in, wear a belt. Keep socks and shoes the same colour. Open up: No one sees your long suffering insecurities but you! Smile, say hello and ask how they know the host. Aim to widen your social circle: Talk to strangers rather than folks you know, then ask for numbers to make future plans.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

t o b h

L i w f f f b w o a

T t o r t h g fi t c

A d t T c Lisa Haché-Maguire, is a Dating & Relationship Coach who helps couples and individuals. www.asubtleart.com

A w g l

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Bringing The “Magic” Of The Holiday Season In Our Home

t is hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner. Time to spruce our home for the season and bring in the “magic” with our holiday decorations. Let’s start with the first impression that our guests will have as they come to the front door of our home. The front door is where the overall festive feelings will start. A beautiful decorative wreath will make a great focal point on the door and will welcome anyone who comes knocking. Then comes the transformation to the living room, the core of our home. The living room should set the tone for the entire house and exude a happy feel for our cheerful guests. A well-decorated fireplace will bring warmth to the room and will help you create a pleasant atmosphere.

Adding glittering gold accents to your décor will give you a luxurious look and instantly evoke the festive spirit of the holidays. An extra touch of silver accessories will add much more character and elegance to your home. Try pairing blue, a colour symbolizing divinity, with soft pastels to brighten your home for the holidays.

Cowichan Midwifery Group Welcomes New Midwives!

Remember that when it comes to decorating, it is the little details that will make the biggest difference. Go ahead and display your favorite antique items. There is no need to break the bank to get the look you’ll love.

Specializing in young children’s movement, ballet and hip hop

Let’s all turn our home into a miniature festival of joy! Have a safe and joyous Holiday Season!!!

Now accepting pregnant women due January 2014 and beyond.

Comprehensive Maternity Care and Post-Partum Home Visits, Birth at Hospital or Home. Fully Covered by Your Provincial Health Care.

Elizabeth Morrison and Julia Cianci Registered Midwives midwives@matcentre.ca 250-709-2040 170 Craig St., Duncan

Artistic Director Leah Burley

warmlanddance@gmail.com http://warmlanddance.wix.com/cowichan

A cozy and colourful interior doesn’t have to be the traditional red and green. There are a variety of colour combinations to try: An all-white décor scheme will bring elegance and is a great way to keep your home looking calm and serene.

Sharlene G. Ionescu, NCIDQ, Certified Interior Designer, www.aestheticc.com

The Buckerfield’s Story

Duncan store prior to 1966

uckerfield’s was founded in 1919 by Ernie Buckerfield to service the needs of agricultural customers in B.C. The company took many forms from retail to feed manufacturing and grain handling. By 1921 Buckerfield’s boasted twenty-one retail branches. Buckerfield’s began to tap the emerging home and garden market and to this end expanded its retail and wholesale lines to include fertilizer, flour, eggs, feeds and seeds. The Depression brought with it a severe downturn in commodity prices but Buckerfield undeterred continued to innovate. He successfully experimented with using “screenings” the byproducts of milled grain – as

cattle feed. Spurred by tariffs he built the first corn cereal plant in western Canada for milling domestic corn. Even though profits slowed during the depression Buckerfield was able to expand the elevators and wharf facilities in 1933 and again in 1936. His reputation established him as one of the province’s most successful and influential businessmen. He became a member of the prestigious Vancouver Club and was invited into the inner sanctum, the Round Table, a weekly meeting of the city’s leading businessmen. By 1950 Buckerfield’s with branches in twenty four communities had become a household name among

farmers, hobbyists, pet owners, gardeners and housewives throughout B.C. In almost every town in the southern part of the province the prominent stylized ‘B” or the Buckerfield’s name could be found on buildings and billboards. Sometime in 1952 Buckerfield fell ill and suffered what doctors thought was a heart attack. Recovering and convinced that he only had a short time to live, he tried to set his business affairs in order. He approached Winnipeg based grain giant, James Richardson of Pioneer grain company and in short order he had sold controlling shares of Buckerfield’s Ltd. with news reports at the time valued at between three and five million dollars. He eventually recovered and stayed on as president until 1955 before retiring from the business he had built from three small stores to a grain milling and retail giant. He died on February 4 1971. The company continued to flourish under the watchful

eye of the Pioneer grain company but as their focus was changing they decided to sell Buckerfield’s The company was acquired from Pioneer Grain in February of 2005 by five shareholders with a vision to re-establish a retail chain of stores under the Buckerfield’s banner. Since the purchase, the company has opened three new stores in the Salmon Arm, Abbotsford and Westbank areas with head office in Duncan, employing over 90 people. By continuing to introduce new products, innovate with new technology and build on the original formula of quality, knowledgeable staff and outstanding service, Buckerfields continues to succeed as a dynamic, wellrespected business. Duncan Buckerfield’s is located at 5410 Trans-Canada Hwy, Duncan, (250) 748-8171 www.buckerfields.org Submitted by Robert Anderson

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

West Coast Men’s Cooking Class

KinFarm Family and Youth Drop-In Up’cycling In Action!

ith the holiday season soon upon us, we are in craft mode here at Cowichan Green Community (CGC), trying to make gifts and decorations with what we have around us instead of buying into the consumer culture. Up-cycling is a way to turn seemingly unusable objects into beautiful, functional objects. For example, we’ve turned rusted canning jar rings into funky bracelets! CGC’s new Family and Youth Drop-In centre at KinPark on Alderlea Street in Duncan is a great place to come and make some creative gifts for your loved ones! The KinFarm Family DropIn is a place to hang out, be yourself, and have some fun.

Our goal is to make Kinsmen Park a fun, beautiful, and safe place to hang out. We’ll always have a pot of hot tea on the go and snacks to enjoy. We offer fun educational farming and food-based activities, but also have crafts, board games, and musical instruments to capture everyone’s interest! Best of all, it’s free! For December and January, our schedule offers chances to make holiday gifts, and opportunities to cook. Monday through Thursday from 1-3pm come by the CGC boardroom and professional kitchen at 360 Duncan Street, then join us at KinPark on Alderlea Street from 3-4:30pm.

Rob’s Lighthouse Eatery & Art Gallery Fresh, friendly, affordable and pet-friendly! OpenED Daily 8am-6pm Heated patio or take out

*Award Winning Chowder* Grilled Seasoned Fish & Chicken Great Burgers, Fries, Wraps & More!

Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out! Cowichan Bay

Need Ink for your printer ? Get it DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR at the best prices in the area

inkdepot@shaw.ca – 250 732 6955 PROGRAM SCHEDULE Monday Christmas Crafts & Cooking Tuesday Homeschool Drop-in Wednesday Games and Goodies Thursday Crafternoon

A special feature is our Men’s Cooking Class on Monday night from 5-7pm, a collaboration with the West Coast Men’s Support Society. We’re always looking for feedback on how we can better meet the needs of the community so please drop-in and let us know what you’d like to see! For more information, email Lisa at lisah@ cowichangreencommunity.org or call 250-748-8506.

Delicious East Indian Cuisine

Submitted byButter Lisa Hanlon Chicken

Curry Chicken Vegetarian Specialties Chana Masala Pakoras Samosas

The Daily Grind Dine in or Take Out 3218 Sherman Road • 250-709-2299

Festive Shopping in One Place and the Whippletree Light-Up!

Fair Trade Reflective Sweaters made from 100% New Zealand wool and fully lined with polar fleece, but what makes these different is the retro-reflective thread added in. Not only will you be warm, you’ll be visible too! Available in a variety of styles for men & women!

Next To Nature Trading

Puzzles • Mohair Socks • Sheepskin Slippers • Sweaters • Cards • Crystals Pottery • Salt Lamps • Mittens • Hats • Handmade Soaps and more!

HOMEMADE EGG NOG FUDGE NOW AVAILABLE!

teeped in history, Whippletree Junction is a charming destination that’s been a Cowichan landmark for over 40 years. Perhaps you have memories of the Junction or maybe you’ve never been, but it’s a great time to check out the changes afoot there. Long known as a place to find home furnishings, the Junction is emerging as a site of communityoriented life in the Cowichan Valley. It’s a natural social place—a destination—for meeting friends, to bring your family, or

to explore. There’s a lot to see on the frontage but make sure you check out the courtyard as well. Whippletree has a great atmosphere and a dream is emerging of turning Whippletree into a place for music, events and an artisan marketplace. This Christmas, celebrate the

250 748 6647 www.beaverhousefudge.com

Whippletree Junction

10 am - 5 pm daily to DEC 21

Artists

In the saffron yellow building at Whippletree Junction

www.visionsarttour.ca Ongoing Knitting and Weaving Workshops. Drop In and See!

Leola’s Studio 250-597-0820 Whippletree Junction www.leolasstudio.blogspot.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

season and be part of the change. Come and check out the light-up festivities with an introduction and blessing from the Cowichan spirit drummers. We kick things off with music, kid’s activities like face painting and colouring, and there’ll be plenty of festive food and drink. Come for the music and come for the light-up at 6pm! The buildings, the courtyard, the fountain—our “trickle-tree”—are all getting lit up. Everyone is welcome and we’re encouraging people to bring gifts to go under tree; non-perishable food items for the Cowichan Food Bank and anything else you might like to give to local people in need. The light-up is the first of twelve days of Christmas at Whippletree. Bring your donations anytime from the 5th to the 17th and the merchants will see that they get where they need to go. Stop by anytime over these 12 days to enjoy the lights and check out what’s going on in the shops— there are some exciting new businesses and there are holiday activities, promotions and giftbasket draws being offered in this period. Whippletree is changing, be a part of it! Celebrate, join us on the 5th, and see a little of what’s going on here. It’s worth checking

Whippletree Light Up

December 5

Dec 5 - Activities and music start at 4pm. The light-up is scheduled for 6pm. Everyone is welcome, bring your smile. Plenty of activities for kids. out the Junction again. Details: Activities and music start at 4pm. The light-up itself is scheduled for 6pm. Everyone is welcome, bring your smile. Plenty of activities for kids. Food Donations Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the “Trickle-tree,” on the night of the 5th or anytime up to the 17th of December. How to get there: Heading South from Duncan, drive 9 km on the Trans Canada hwy and turn left at Bench Rd. Make an immediate right turn onto Whippletree Frontage Rd. The Junction is a short drive down this road. Heading North from Mill Bay, after Koksilah Rd. Turn right at the signage for Pioneer House restaurant and Whippletree Junction. Park & explore!

THE SECOND HANGER

Budget Friendly Holiday Dressing

n a few weeks the Eggnog will be flowing as we head into another holiday season. Is your closet ready for it?? What to wear this season? CASUAL GATHERING: A glittery pocketed pair of jeans that fit well. (Did you know that jeans with large pockets are usually the least

BOUTIQUE CONSIGNMENT

flattering?) Pair your jeans with a cute sparkly top or sweater. A long sweater or top with leggings is also a comfortable option. A cute pair of booties/riding style boots could complete the outfit. If you are a plain Jane kind of girl sparkle it up with lip gloss! You are ready to party!! OFFICE PARTY:

for 12 days of Christmas deals. LOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS & CRUISE WEAR! PIONEER SQUARE MALL, MILL BAY

15-850 SHAWNIGAN-MILL BAY RD

250 743-7802

thesecondhanger@shaw.ca

shoes might just do the trick! Be creative in your own closet!

Little Black Dress anyone? Of course this is always your go to but have you worn it over and over and need a change?

In need of something dressier use that same little black dress and go glitzy. A sparkly jacket or wrap or shrug (short knit sweater) can add just the right amount of sparkle. Again the jewellery will change the look as well as the shoes.

The same dress above could use a wrap or piece of great jewellery to jazz it up or a pair of sparkly

Shop locally and be green with your purchases. Purchasing in second hand stores in our local communities insures that your money is staying local. We

at The Second Hanger would be pleased to assist you with choosing appropriate clothing items. Our items range from jeans to dress wear and in sizes 00-18. We also have a large variety of cruise wear available all year. We look forward to serving you soon. A Healthy and Happy Holiday Season to you and your families. Sue Ryan is the owner of The Second Hanger in Pioneer Square Mall, Mill Bay.

Towels, Linens, Mattresses and Unique Wood Furnishings Providing Fair Trade and Organic Gifts for You and for Your Loved Ones

Come Visit Our Pop Up Store

Find us at the Community Farm Storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Holiday Artisan Market Every weekend until December 25th 5380 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan

*We will also continue to be open by appt. at 340 Brae Rd. Duncan

Call 250-597-REST (7378) or visit resthouse.ca

FINAL FILE

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

DESIGNI NG green THE GIFT OF SHARING ARCHITECTURE

Return to a clean home and workplace.

Giving you back the luxury of time and a naturally clean home to enjoy it in! Providing professional, eco friendly cleaning services.

250 929 8381 www.cleanchoicecleaners.com Licensed - Insured - Bonded

Home Cleaning Gift Certiﬁcates available for Family & Friends!

s we approach Christmas and the festive season, many of us are scrambling to get our homes and spaces really right to share with family and friends. From kitchen and bath upgrades (where everyone will gather or surely notice) to a fresh coat of family room paint or decorated entry, everyone is in a hurry to finish on time. As a designer/architect or architectural technician, it is our learned craft to experience the project before it is actually created. Much like an artist approaches a painting but in 3D (let’s not forget the senses). And what a wonderful experience it truly is when you find yourself arriving there and you truly ‘nail it’. All rooms flow, the lighting has a changeable nature to it and the colours and surfaces transform as Nature’s daily mood swings change. Then there is the mechanics or ergonomics that get fine tuned so one can literally run up and down a staircase of any shape or size with blinders on because it is so perfectly crafted. Everything is within reach,

nothing requires padding or protection to avoid contact, speed bumps are eliminated or at least minimized, doors swing the right way and switches and plugs are within easy range as if you were connected to the grid. Floors are either Spartan to give a sense of volume or covered in hand knitted rugs to create cosiness and a sense of place. Windows frame landscapes and become vehicles of light without a burning source. Doors offer character, privacy and at times intrigue. Focal points are created using dramatic sculptural shapes, tall corridors or simply viewscapes. Then add the layers of vibrant colour or better yet, textural hues that define a thousand years of patina for a real organic feel like stone, marble and ancient plastering techniques. Let’s not forget the sense of smell. Whether it be the freshness offered by a quality air handling system to the warm perfume smells off a hand rubbed piece of wood furniture. The cedar, the leather, the sisal and the radiance of a hearth or oven add visceral textures that need to be imagined

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 before they can be created. This is experiencing the home and the project you are trying to create with your designer or perhaps partner, friend or valley artist.. So for those last minute shoppers, I always insist you buy a gift certificate from Cardinos Shoes for that woman in your life. A box of Rembrandt chocolates and gift card from

Volume One Books will work every time as well. Or perhaps a gift certificate from your favourite artist or designer here in the valley. Give the gift of experience. 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.

Christmas Sewing and Knitting Gifts from the Heart

Sylvia, who lives in Ladysmith, learned to knit when she was five years old. Retired now, she continues to knit everyday. “It’s time consuming but I love to knit. It’s a passion,” she says.

CERAMICS STUDIO AND GALLERY

These days, she prefers smaller knitting projects such as the fingerless gloves she sells at Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs Co-operative in Duncan. Fingerless gloves have a practical element she explains. They can be worn while working outside,

OPEN HOUSE 2014 Come celebrate the warmth of the season, enjoy complimentary tea + sweets, and find great local gifts of tea, ceramics, accessories.

Open House 10am - 6pm Friday Dec 5 Saturday Dec 6 Sunday Dec 7

REGULAR HOURS Wed-Sun 10am-5pm HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Open Dec 22+23+27+28 CLOSED JANUARY 8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan (250) 748 3811

www.teafarm.ca

www.margitnellemann.com

Sylvia started knitting with alpaca wool twelve years ago. She collects the wool from local farmers and sends it to the mill for sorting, washing, carding and spinning. Alpaca wool is her favourite because it is hypoallergenic, and seven times warmer than sheep’s wool. The wool is actually the ‘hair’ of the animal which is hollow adding to its insulating properties. Thanks to movie stars, knitting has become a popular past time for men and women of all ages,

Accessories by Sylvia Gaunt she says. For Joyce Fairbrother, sewing and crocheting ‘Buddha Babies’ are a way of giving back to the community. Creating her colourful doll-like felt babies “makes me feel light hearted; it’s like my inner child having a good time,” she laughs.

Joyce’s creations, which are suitable for children three years and up, come complete with Puppets by Joyce Fairbrother a small packet of fifteen ‘blessing cards”, each with a different inspirational message. These messages could form a basis for interactive discussion between parent and child, she said. Joyce has also made individual pouches for the blessing cards.

and going for a walk or bike ride. Men find them useful for fishing, she said.

t a b l u o e f c b 1

here is something particularly rewarding about giving and receiving hand crafted gifts at this time of the year. For Sylvia Gaunt and Joyce Fairbrother the monetary rewards of sewing and knitting are slim but the personal satisfaction is priceless.

The babies’ little bald heads are covered with crochet hats and they wear brightly coloured clothing. “Form is secondary to the colours,” she notes. While each baby is unique, they are all guaranteed to illicit a smile. Joyce also makes brightly coloured hand puppets for children. The Buddha Babies, however, interest her the most. Joyce’s Buddha Babies and Sylvia’s alpaca gloves can be purchased, together with the creations of 90 other artisans at Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs in the Duncan Town Square.

H a s

T s e t p t

K l s l o l a m b e

T h p o o h

Self-Care Tips For Lower Back

wo of the most common areas of stress among those I work with are the neck and shoulders, and the lower back. In the past, my own lower back would often stiffen up, and occasionally give out when misused. Through experimentation and learning from others, I found ways to take care of my back, and have now been trouble free for more than 10 years. Here are the habits I’ve acquired, which I’d like to share with you: The small of the back needs support. When sitting for an extended period (e.g. while travelling) I always place a pillow or folded clothes behind this curve. Keep the spine straight when lifting. I keep my entire spine, sacrum to neck, straight when lifting, however heavy the load – or even just to bend over. When lifting I bend my knees as far as necessary, and use my leg muscles as well as my arm and back muscles. Safe, and more efficient. Turning the mattress. We all have our preferred sleeping positions, which inevitably dent our mattress. I turn my mattress over periodically – or turn it head to foot, if only one side is

cushioned. Strengthening core muscles. This is to create a natural support structure all around the core of the body. I exercise all aspects, including front, sides and back, for a mere 10 to 15 minutes every several days. Maintenance doesn’t take long, but must be regular; decline happens quickly when days are missed. Daily stretching. Before going to bed I stretch for 10 to 15 minutes. Typically, for those of us who sit a lot, the most important area to stretch for a healthy lower back is the hip flexor area. Prolonged sitting shortens the hip flexors, while stretching the buttocks, creating an imbalance. I believe this is a major contributing factor for many lower back issues. I hope these tips may be helpful to you. Remember, the body has incredible power to heal itself; sometimes it just needs a little inspiration. Yaz Yamaguchi practices shiatsu and craniosacral therapy in Duncan.

Dr.Nathan M. Gagne,´ BSc, ND Naturopathic Physician Mind/Body, Physical & Herbal Medicine Acupuncture • Homeopathy Nutritional & Lifestyle Counselling

Medicine Garden Wellness Centre 28 Roberts St. Ladysmith, BC phone: (250) 246-3232 email: ngagne@ndnet.ccnm.edu

Holiday Shopping – enjoy the Downtown Duncan Experience!

hristmas in the Cowichan Valley provides not only a wonderful opportunity to make gift-giving thoughtful and enjoyable, but to live our community values as well, by choosing to support our local Downtown Duncan businesses. Gorgeous window displays, fabulous customer service, convenient location and extended hours – if this is what you are looking for in a shopping experience – the Merchants of Downtown Duncan invite you to come and see all they have to offer you this season! And if you are looking for a few ideas to get you started,

here is just a sprinkling of local and unique gift-giving suggestions...only in Duncan you say? For a fabulous fashion statement, check out the felted wide brim hats at Archer & Arrow - water repellent, stylish, and practical for $40. Or check out the locally handmade sterling silver rings from dainty to industrial - great style starting at $30. If your priority is gifting comfort and joy then Sheer Essentials is the place to go to choose from their selection of Hanky Panky lingerie for women in a variety of colours ($25) and Saxx underwear for men in a variety of prints, fabrics, and styles (under $50). To add a European flair to your holidays, come on in to Tulip Imports & Delicatessen for advent candles - burn these lovely tapers a little each day to watch the countdown to Christmas “melt” away ($8 - 14) or choose an adorable marzipan figure - a gift that’s almost too cute to eat... almost ($5 - $8).

To gift an “experience”, pop into 4Cats

Arts Studio and check out their “Make the Gift” classes where kids can create a mixed media reindeer painting or fabulous clay tree ornament (5 classes - $100). If you want to “say it with seafood” Mad Dog Crabs has

a 2 lb smoked salmon package for $55 (includes $5 coupon). Other great ideas for this time of year are their GIANT lobster tails and, of course, live crabs. For one-of-a-kind gifts with a global perspective, visit G.I.F.T.S. (Global Initiative

WWW.VIVAMEDICALAESTHETICS.COM

#4 -177 FOURTH ST, DUNCAN 250 746 6512 Beautiful Skin That’s what we do!

Fair Trade Store) to see their selection of slippers from Mongolia and Nepal (kids & adults $21 - $48). For the perfect hostess gift, visit Khaya Home Decor to see their new line of Vancouver Island Gourmet Foods. Create a personalized gourmet basket by choosing from a variety of fabulous vinegars, jams, jellies, soups, and more ($25 & up). For a tasty and adorable treat, visit Jimgerbread Cafe for 1 dozen of their fabulous gingerbread in a lovely Christmas tin for $8 (pre-order is best). If it’s unique jewelry you are looking for, come in to Skanda where you can personally create the gift you want to give or choose something already designed - like a beautiful pair of rose

quartz earrings for only $30. And remember, there’s always the option of “HollyDollars” - our special seasonal Downtown Dollars that can be given to someone to spend anywhere, anytime in Downtown Duncan. Come on in to the Duncan BIA office at 203-111 Station Street to purchase.

• Filler • Botox™ • Soft Tissue Filler • Laser Hair Removal • Rosacea treatments • Acne Treatments

• Photofacials • Spray Tans • HydraFacials • Mineral Makup • Latisse™

Of course, this is but a small sampling of suggestions from only a few of the many and varied shops along our sparkling downtown holiday streets – all of them full of thoughtful gifts or experiences to give at this magical time of year. So, if warm welcoming shops, excellent customer service, and wonderfully unique gifts sound like your idea of shopping - go no further than Downtown Duncan this Christmas!

where the dollars are spent. It’s such a great way to invest in your community and know that you’ have contributed to the growth of a vibrant and dynamic downtown.

re you looking for a very unique gift for that someone special on your list? Perhaps the Duncan BIA’s Holly Dollars would fit the bill – allowing the recipient to choose exactly what their hearts desire from an awesome selection of gifts and services. Holly Dollars make so much sense in so many ways:

Keep dollars in our local economy Sale up to 50% offEmbrace what makes us unique Support local jobs Help the environment Nurture community for our Massive Sidewalk

Create individual choice Take advantage of expertise Invest in entrepreneurship Help shape our community Holly dollars are accepted in all of our downtown businesses, offering wonderful versatility – everything from a beauty treatment to an evening out, glasses, shoes, toys or even new snow tires! Holly Dollars are the ideal gift for those who are hard to buy for. The Dollars are purchased through us at the Duncan BIA office & we in turn, reimburse the shop owners

You can get a heads up of all the businesses in our downtown to know where to spend the Dollars, by visiting our website www. downtownduncan. ca or you can direct any questions to our office by calling 250-715-1700 at the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society. Wishing you a safe and joyous Holiday Season!

Looking for work? gvsjobs.com | 250-748-9880

Happy Holidays and thank you for your patronage from the gang at Cycle Therapy

Open all December with Havoc Pro Scooters; runner bikes; kids bikes; & great gift ideas for the cyclist in your life 360 Duncan St, Duncan I Mon - Sun 10 - 5:30pm I 250 597 0097 I info@cycletherapy.ca I www.cycletherapy.ca

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Christmas is Always Pretty at Pots & Paraphanalia

ne thing that can be said about the holiday season is that it is the ‘prettiest’ time of the year. Christmas is simply…pretty. What makes it so pretty? If you’re decorating the interior of your house for the festive season it’s mostly about bringing the outdoors in branches, boughs logs, bark and pinecones all look wonderful inside. Natural or artificial…greenery is what Christmas is all about! Figurines of reindeer, polar bears, squirrels, moose and even mice can be used to bring in that outdoor feeling too. After that, it’s all about sparkle – the holidays are the one time of year when no amount of sparkle and glitter is too much…not something we want around the house in May, that’s for sure. At Pots & Paraphernalia we create winter wonderlands in many colour schemes and themes - it’s not as

HOLIDAY BAKING NOW AVAILABLE WE’VE MISSED YOU TOO!

complicated as it looks. No one is going to completely redecorate their home to match a seasonal colour theme. In the simplest of terms it’s just a case of gathering your greenery and your lights, then adding decorations in colours that match your home. You can choose any theme… country, vintage, contemporary and simple, or antique and over-the-top.

Come and enjoy the newly renovated space.

If you’re entertaining, I believe everyone responds to the traditional ideas of home decorating at Christmas. If you’re not into doing the whole house, try a few candlesticks with a bit of greenery, or perhaps a wreath on the door and something as simple as a large glass bowl or urn filled with coloured balls. Always put a little extra effort into the table as well, with linens and candles. This year we have a selection of paper placements…some would be great for kids (or adults!) to draw on or if you’re in for a bit of whimsy, plus you can throw them all out after the meal and avoid some cleanup! At Pots & Paraphernalia we have something for everyone for the season. Merry Christmas to you all!

Place HOLIDAY BAKING & DESSERTS orders by December 19 for Christmas pick ups.

Fun In The Sun in Puerto Vallarta

hen travellers decide to get away from the winter weather, many choose to go south and look for the sun! Here at Expedia Cruise Ship Centers we book many of our clients to one of our favourite destinations, Puerto Vallarta located on the west coast of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is popular because passengers can fly non stop from Victoria and be on the beach within hours! There is a variety of accommodation available ranging from moderate properties to deluxe 5 star resorts. Depending on preferences and requirements, we can offer clients active resorts, kid friendly properties or romantic hotels suitable for adults only. Puerto Vallarta itself has lots to offer from lovely beaches, water activities such as snorkelling and diving, and historic tours. Many travellers also go inland on day tours into the Sierra Madre Mountains for horseback riding, ATV tours, cultural experiences and tequila

tasting! Downtown Puerto Vallarta offers shopping, walks along the Malecon, restaurants and colonial architecture all within a short walk or cab ride from resorts. Visit the Naval Historical Museum, where the famous mosaic â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Fish Vendorsâ&#x20AC;? by Manuel Lepe is located. Other places of interest include the lighthouse Matamoras, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens and a must for thrill seakers, the canopy adventure tours! Further along the coast, on the way to El Pulpito, visit the Seahorse Statue at Las Pilatas and crossing over the hill you can find the hidden beaches of Las Amapas. Please call us when looking for your getaway to the sun! Expedia Cruise Ship Centers 250-746-8088.

Peacocks 521 Canada Ave

250-748-9923 info@peacocksphoto.ca 34

integration of our experiences and emotions (energy in motion). Exhaling offers the relief of letting go and the grace of allowing.

Christy Greenwood

yoga off the mat

yoga teacher once said to me, “As long as you are breathing consciously, you are doing yoga.” What we can receive from relaxing into our true nature with awakened awareness and mindful, heart centered presence is beyond measure. Breath is medicine. From the BodyTalk perspective, breathing deeply helps your brain scan the body to locate imbalances that need attention. When inhaling we receive fresh new energy and life force to support the

yoga for wellness

What would it look like to bring the essence processed, integrated and released. It can be and teachings of yoga into areas of our lives uncomfortable, but worth it. Inhale, exhale, that need extra attention? Let’s look at money. repeat. Allowing ourselves to fully feel to Money can be a huge trigger for people completion the emotions that block our and an amazing spiritual tool for exploring innate free expression can make a world opportunities to be more conscious. Look at of difference in the way we show up in the where tension is being held in the body when world and experience life. doing financial transactions or paying bills. This enlightening exercise applies for any Christy Greenwood is a part of the Yogini aspect of life that needs more awareness. Collective and offers BodyTalk, Transformational Just noticing, just observing. Through Dance Journeys & Massage awareness, we grow. This can be a very with meditative presence in Duncan. humbling and uncomfortable practice at first, but giving yourself the gift of www.christygreenwood.ca willingness to dive a bit deeper can lead to rich lessons and the uncovering of dormant strengths that have been hiding behind the veils of what’s uncomfortable. Our vast creative potential is ready to emerge under a blanket of old emotions that are just waiting to be breathed into, felt, digested,

Healthy Relationships Experience Healing

.com Jennifer Shelley

•

250 710 5674

he good news of the last decade of brain research can be summed up in one word: “neuroplasticity.” “Neuro” refers to nerve cells that make up your brain and nervous system and “plasticity” refers to the fact that the connections between these cells can CHANGE and GROW. What determines whether they change and grow? Experience. While adverse experiences create pain, suffering, and trauma in the mind-body, positive experiences can repair the damage that’s been done. We used to believe that the brain had finished developing in our mid-twenties. Now we know that our brains can and do change up until the day we die. The human brain and nervous system respond to each and every experience we have. Conditioned learning, such as learning to play an instrument or doing crossword puzzles, creates and strengthens the connections between nerve cells. But there is an even more powerful way to heal and grow. Imagine your spinal cord and the nerve fibers that extend like branches into all parts of your body. Did you know that there is a special branch of nerves that lights up only when you feel safe? And it is the only branch that

is wrapped in coils of fatty tissue (myelin) that allow signals to travel one hundred times faster than anywhere else. This branch is known as the ventral vagal system, and it allows us to connect and have relationships. It also allows us to heal at an astounding rate. Consider this: In one second of ventral vagal connection, 50,000 new neurons can grow! The ideal circumstances to create this type of healing is feeling safe and connected to another being, such as a person, pet, or tree. You will know you are in such a state if you feel calm, relaxed, and present. We are relational beings. We are wounded through inadequate relationships and we heal through safe relational experiences, also known as love. To quote my teacher, Dr. Sharon Stanley, “Love reveals and transforms all that is not yet love.”

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Swarn Leung, Registered Clinical Counsellor, works with individuals and couples in her Duncan office.

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Green Living How’s Your Chi?

n each of us there is an underlying energy that supports our physical body. How this energy flows impacts how we feel. There are a wide variety of terms for this subtle underlying energy. In China it’s called chi or qi. In India and Tibet the yoga term is prana. In Japan it’s ki. Tuning in to and balancing this energy is an integral part of well being. This need not be anything complicated or time consuming. There are many ways to easily incorporate energy balancing into your day. A simple chakra balancing in the shower, a meditation before bed, and deep breathing during your commute to work are all simple ways to incorporate energy balancing into your day without adding time. The simplest way to help the flow of chi (energy) is the breath. Try this simple breathing exercise: Take a deep breath in through your nose, keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth, hold for a count of 4, and exhale through your mouth keeping your tongue in the same place. Repeat 5 more times closing your eyes if possible. The whole process takes less than 2 minutes and can be done

anywhere. Taking a few minutes each day to balance and improve your energy flow has some great benefits like decreasing stress, increasing focus, improving your sense of well being, and a boosting your immune system. As you tune in to the underlying energy of your body you’ll also find that you pick up on symptoms much sooner såo your able to ‘nip it in the bud’ before you get stopped in your tracks with a full blown case of the flu for example. Keeping your chi flowing doesn’t need to take hours or years of practice. Keeping it simple and fitting it into your life in small doses can be very effective. Another way is focused breathwork, meditation, chakra balancing with breathing excercises. You can also do daily balancing excercises while going for a walk.

Debbie Shkuratoff Owner/Practitioner Reiki Wellness www.reikiwellness. ca

A Stuff Free Holiday Season

hen I walk into my kids’ bedrooms I’m often discouraged at the state of all their “stuff”. So in an attempt to get that back on track I’m planning a holiday season free of “stuff”. Here’s some ideas I’ve come up with.

Experience gifts: annual passes to a museum or facility in your area one time passes to movies, bowling, concert, theatre special pass just for kids such as ice-cream treat or parentchild date night Toy free gifts: board game magazine subscription craft or art supplies books iTunes gift card consumables such as favorite treats ie: jar of dried mango Educational gifts: - globe - science kit - easel - telescope - bug house - magnifying glass The holidays are also an opportunity to encourage

a shift in attitude towards “stuff” and foster the spirit of giving. Here are some suggestions for kids. • Donate gently used stuffed animals to your local fire or police department to be given out to kids involved in emergencies. • older kids can take time to read to younger kids or volunteer to read to seniors in a old folks home • stuff warm socks with snacks to be handed out to people in need in the community • do a siblings daily chores without them telling them first • secretly clean out mom or dad’s car • tell jokes to make someone smile • donate food to the food bank and pet food to the local animal shelter • ask a neighbor if they need help with any jobs and make them a holiday decoration • give up your spot in line when shopping with your kids • candy cane bomb a parking lot Happy holidays from my family to yours! Tracey Hanson local mompreneur and owner/operator Clean Choice EcoFriendly Cleaning Services cleanchoicecleaners. com

Food Lovers Cure Artisan Meat and Cheese 5-1400 Cowichan Bay Road Cobble Hill (Valleyview Center) 250-929-2873

Great gifts for the foodie, gift baskets, locally made cheese boards, cheese of the month club membership sale, meat and cheese platters and of course gift cards.

Art & Imagination

EXPERIENCES

Spinning Ninny Imagination Station 306 Duncan St. Duncan 778 455 4888

HAPPIER

www.spinningninny.ca Open Late on Fridays for X-mas shopping and Crafting. Drop in and make your own unique gifts for your loved ones from the heart. Gift cerrificates for art sessions also available.

Unsworth Restaurant 2915 Cameron-Taggart Rd Household Treats Mill Bay www.unsworthvineyards. Clean Choice Cleaning com /restaurant Throughout The Cowichan Give a gift of membership Valley to the Unsworth Vineyards CSR (Community Supported 250-929-8381 Restaurant). One membership, six 3 Course meals, $150. More details on our web-site!

Bridgemans Bistro 352 Bedford Park Ave 740 Handy Rd, Mill Bay @ Mill Bay Marina 778-356-3568 www.bridgemans.ca

www.cleanchoicecleaners.com Give the gift of a time and a clean home to enjoy it in! Professional, eco-friendly cleaning services. Residential and commercial properties. One time or regular bookings welcomed. Gift Certificates Available!

MAKE US THAN GIFTS

Massage & More Christy Greenwood 250.737.1800 www.christygreenwood.ca Give the gift of peace. Nurture the potential for physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and financial health with a gift certificate for BodyTalk or world class Massage. Special ~ 30 mins â&#x20AC;˘ $40

Family Time With Everyone You Love Throughout the Cowichan Valley Spend time together on a hike through one of the many parks. Walk on the beach or stroll through the forest. Best of all this one is FREE!

Waterfront dining at Mill Bay Marina. Date Night Steak & Lobster for Two with a Bottle of Wine Gift Cards available. The perfect gift

Between Rays Furniture and the Duncan Garage - Downtown Duncan

Holiday Shopping Event 19 December 5-9pm Enjoy late night shopping,warm drinks and tacky sweaters! 306 Duncan St. 778-455-4888

December Classes Handmade X-Mas cards $10 Ornaments for all ages $15 Make Tacky Sweaters $20

Pop up Shop in Cow Bay Open for the month of December Thursday, Friday, Saturday 12-5pm

Image Frank Wall

4th Annual Winter Solstice Concert

ila Music Centre presents the 4th Annual Winter Solstice Concert. This rising Cowichan Valley tradition brings new songs, a bigger venue, outstanding musicians, and two exhilarating performances. We are also including some charity this season with a portion of the event proceeds being donated to The Cowichan Valley Hospice Society and their exceptional cause. Find out more about Hospice at http:// www.cowichanvalleyhospice. org/ Nationally acclaimed Canadian artists Richard Moody (violin), Corbin Keep (cello), and Adrian Dolan (multi-instrumentalist) are scheduled to join Alex Remple (bass), vocalists Cari Burdett and Sara Marrieiros, dance artist Marisa Jackson, and new to this years show,

dance artist Hilary Fooelse, for two incredibly energetic shows. Bringing forward the spirit of cabaret and combining it with music from around the world, a thread of theatre and dance, and a dash of improvisation; this show is sure to please! Be prepared for a treat as vocalists Cari Burdett and Sara Marrieros collect holiday wishes from the audience and spin them into an off the cuff song. Saturday, December 20th, 1:30pm Matinee and 7pm Duncan Christian Reform Church, Adults: Sliding Scale $50-$20 | Children/Low Income $10 Please give what you can! Event proceeds will go to the Cowichan Hospice Society. Tickets are available at Ten Old Books, Lila Music Centre, and online via eventbrite.ca

COWICHAN FEATURE LISTINGS Lynda Allen 250-748-0934

lyndaallentapstudio@shaw.ca 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!

Metal Artist Brad Allen MEDDLEART.com • Metal Wall Hangings • Free Standing Sculptures • Garden Art & Custom Works Studio located in Duncan by appointment Brad Allen 250 748 0934

Who Will Be The Next NDP Candidate for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford?

n January 25, 2015, the NDP will nominate a candidate in the new federal riding of Cowichan-Malahat-Langford for the next election. For readers who are unaware, MP Jean Crowder’s current riding of Nanaimo-Cowichan will not exist when the next election occurs in 2015. BC received 6 new seats in the House of Commons after the redistribution following the last census, and one of those seats was devoted to Vancouver Island.

Nanaimo-Cowichan has been split into Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Cowichan-MalahatLangford. More information can be found on the Elections Canada website at www.elections. ca. Jean Crowder will continue her responsibilities as MP until Election Day. There are six people (Hilary Abbott, Georgia Collins, Alistair MacGregor, Ian Morrison, Nick Wade, and Ellen Oxman) competing to be the NDP candidate for CowichanMalahat-Langford. It is a vote that is limited to the local NDP membership, who is essentially choosing the person

they think will have the best chance at winning the seat for NDP and becoming a Member of Parliament. Members are required to be present in-person to cast their ballots, and the voting will go on until a candidate wins 50% +1 of the total votes. The deadline for membership sign-up is December 26, 2014, 30 days before the nomination. Congratulations to all the competitors. Note: The potential candidates in this feature are just 3 of 6 people competing for the nomination. All nomineees were contacted to take part.

“I’m ready, let’s do this together!” Ensure a strong capable candidate continues to represent the residents of Cowichan-Malahat-Langford. ELECT HILARY ABBOTT. Do you believe ….

• In sustainable and environmentally-sound resource extraction and development • In a fair and equitable National Childcare program • In supporting our Armed Forces during their active years and when they retire • In a realistic plan to deal with Climate Change • In sound long-term investment in health care, education, social services, job growth and our infrastructure Then Hilary Abbott is your choice. To make this happen you need to join the NDP by December 20, 2014 to make your vote count. It’s easy!

NOMINATE HILARY ABBOTT

Go to www.hilaryabbott.ca and click on “Join the NDP”. Hilary Abbott

250-715-8565

@HILARYNDP

o i H g I W t P t o g b c

“I’M READY, LET’S DO THIS TOGETHER!”

t 56 I offer a varied background of professional experience. I have worked for the high-tech industry in Quebec and Ontario and the not-for-profit sector in Ontario and BC. I have experience as a Comptroller and a Fund/Friend-Raiser, teaching me the value of watching how dollars are generated and spent and the importance of relationship building. For the last 17 years I have been an entrepreneur, creating a business and a small industry in the Cowichan Valley. As small business owners know, there are considerable life-skills one acquires as one grows a successful business. My community involvement these past 22 years has seen me act as vicechair of the recently approved and award-winning Official Community Plan for Cowichan Bay. I continue to serve on the Area Planning Committee for Cowichan Bay. I have served as a director on the Economic Development Commission for the CVRD. I have been an active member of Rotary International, one year as president of my club. These undertakings have prepared me for the give and take that constitutes our democratic system. With my work ethic, friendly disposition and ability to empathize with the needs our community I am prepared to serve the needs of this constituency – a role I have been well-groomed to fulfil.

Hilary Abbott hilaryabbott2015@gmail.com

250 715-8565 www.hilaryabbott.ca

CHILDREN & FAMILIES, ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY, COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE, EDUCATED ECONOMY

here is an incredible opportunity for Canada this coming federal election, and we need to be organized, inspired and working together. We need people with integrity and passion in Parliament to bring about creative solutions, to repair the damage that has been done, and to show people that they matter.

Georgia Collins Collins4MPgeorgiacollins.ca 250-208-9904 www.georgiacollins.ca

Collectively we need to decide who will best represent us. I am asking you to vote for me because I am someone who tirelessly commits myself to the betterment of society. I approach life and people authentically and optimistically. And I am someone who will build and foster unlikely relationships in order to accomplish great things. It is imperative that our next Member of Parliament be able to further the legacy left by Jean Crowder, of speaking up for the underrepresented and working in partnership with First Nations communities. As your NDP candidate, I will get the votes needed to win this riding. And as your MP I will be unwavering in my commitment to represent children and their families, to stand up for environmental integrity, to change the nature of our governance structures, from competitive to collaborative, and to create an educated economy, one that serves all our future generations. Stand beside me as we take this enormous leap forward, together.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE, DEMOCRATIC REFORM, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES

or seven years I have had the privilege of working in Jean Crowder’s constituency office, and I have helped hundreds of people and organizations navigate a variety of federal issues. I’ve seen the effects of bad policy and legislation, and I know there is a better way. Additionally, I have intimate knowledge of the demands on an MP. Having learned what this job truly entails, I am the only candidate who can hit the ground running to represent our community – saving time and resources. It is not enough for progressives to be united by opposition to the Harper government. We need an alternate plan and vision and a candidate with the communication skills to deliver. My experience as a tree-planter and mill-worker, and my degrees in Political Science and Professional Communication, provide both a practical and theoretical grounding. I have non-profit board experience and am the president of the Cowichan Valley BC NDP Association. At 35 years of age I bridge the generation gap. As a husband and father I can relate to families, and I am humbled by the support around my family that makes this candidacy possible. Ottawa needs changing, and I have the passion to do it.

Alistair MacGregor Alistair@alistair4ndp.ca 250-732-7937 www.alistair4ndp.ca

rom Alaska to Baja California, millions of star fish (sea stars) are dying. The beautiful sunflower stars have been hardesthit, but many different species have been affected: purple stars, pink stars, mottleed stars, bat stars, and others. Sea stars are perishing from the (so far) mysterious “sea star wasting syndrome”. The progression of wasting disease can be rapid, leading to death within a few days, and its effects can be devastating on sea star populations. Since it was first identified by divers in Washington State in June 2013 it has spread rapidly all along the coast and throughout the Salish Sea. The Touch Tank at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre has not been spared. All the sea stars at the Nature Centre have been lost, presumably because we use water from Cowichan Bay. Very few stars are now to be found on the rocks around Cowichan Bay. Similar die-offs have occurred before in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, but never before have there been losses this large and over such a

wide geographic area. The underlying cause of the epidemic is not known, but an international collaboration of veterinarians, universities, researchers and the public is working to understand the problem. It is currently believed that the illness may be due to a bacterium or a virus. There is no evidence linking the current epidemic to the ongoing disaster at the Fukushima nuclear facility in Japan. However, the loss of sea stars may be related to climate change: Researchers Amanda Bates, Brett Hilton, and Christopher Harley, working at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and other researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have found that prevalence and infection intensity are higher in warm water. The epidemic is of tremendous significance for the health of the shore and the fish and birds that depend on it. Sea stars are top predators among the creatures on rocky shores. Ecologists consider sunflower and other sea stars to be

Zak Stolk Violin Maker

25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition. Making, repair and restoration of Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, and all manner of Stringed ALSO offering Instruments. instrument making classes.

Mandolin & Violin.

250-749-6563 zakviolins@shaw.ca www.zakviolins.com

What is Happening to The Sea Stars? The sea star death march: A) A healthy sunflower sea star B) An infected sea star C) A sea star goo pile D) Disease occurrence E) The viral culprit (Hewson et al., PNAS) “keystone species” because they have a disproportionately large influence on other species in their ecosystem. One encouraging recent finding has been the presence of many juvenile sea stars at some sites. Only time will tell whether these juveniles will grow to replenish the populations, or whether they

too will become afflicted with the disease. The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is monitoring the situation. For current information and links to other sources, visit www. cowichanestuary.ca/wildlife/seastars/ Submitted by John Scull and Jared Bates

The Most Wasteful Time Of The Year Is Upon Us!

ell once again, here we are. The holiday season is upon us. This time of the year means different things to different people. It could be time with family, time off work (oh yeah!), or time to make a fresh start. But one thing is common to all traditions: the most wonderful time of the year can easily become the most wasteful time of the year! Don’t let it happen to you. This year, make a few simple changes to reduce your holiday waste. We all waste food at one time or another, but during the holidays this can increase by obscene amounts. This year, focus on the quality of the food you eat, not the quantity. Treat your loved ones to one decadently expensive box of chocolates instead of mountains of sugary, waxy junk. Make meals together from scratch to reduce the amount of packaged foods used. Whether you’re having a holiday party or celebrating with presents under the tree, take a few moments to plan ahead for the inevitable barrage of trash. Always have a recycling bag or bin handy to make sure you don’t waste what could be made new again. Take the opportunity while everyone is distracted by their new fancy gadgets to de-clutter your house. Search high and

low for broken or outdated electronics, power tools and electronic kids toys. New cell phones in the stockings? Make sure to collect your old ones. Here’s a free holiday tip for you: go right now and grab a box and label it “Island Return It”. Throughout the next month, keep the box handy and fill it up with stuff to bring in. Once your January hangover has passed, bring your box into one of our locations and know that you’ve done your part to make this holiday season a little bit greener! Here are some examples of what to put in the box: electronics, computers, batteries, cell phones, small appliances, power tools, gadgets, and more. And be sure to throw in that nest of old christmas lights that you still have for some reason. And finally...booze. Keep your bottles and cans and bring them in for CASH! Something we could all use a little more of this time of year. Happy Holidays from all of us at Island Return It Recycling Centres!! Sophy Roberge is the Marketing Manager for Island Return It Recycling Centres.

•Release trapped emotions and find health and happiness •Take down your heart - wall and welcome in your hopes and dreams •Achieve self-confidencePioneering reflex inhibition and integration work

Call or Email

First appointment free!

David Yaeger

Certiﬁed Emotion Code Practitioner 250-597-3686 davidyaeger650@gmail.com

S L OU

ESCAPE

ESTHETICS Est. Since 2006

The first and only green spa in the Cowichan Valley. #4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC 250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca

Book Launch by Gail Robertson Gail Robertson cordially invites you to drop by Portals, in the Island Savings Centre (beside the Library), 2687 James Street in Duncan, for the launch of her latest book, The Whimsical Crime of Rhythm and Rhyme. This collection of her mostlyhumorous or thoughtprovoking rhyming poems are in story-telling format. They titillate the tongue when read aloud, and entertain the listener or silent reader. You can browse through the book or listen to her reading of select entries.

Thursday, December 11th, 1-3 pm and Saturday, December 13th, 1-3 pm.

Are You Ok With Christmas?

any of us are not. Family gatherings typically involve a lot of excitement; but the stress of getting everything done on time, buying all the gifts, etc. can be overwhelming. And then there are those who do not have children or family, and how do they feel about the ‘season to be jolly’? There are also those of other faiths and cultures who may have emotional issues triggered by the sight of Christmas trappings everywhere. Dr. Bradley Nelson has created The Emotion Code to help people release trapped emotions. This is an ideal tool to release all of the old, festering emotional issues around family gatherings that may have begun when we were children. Even more challenging can be the nests of trapped emotions around our hearts. Almost everyone has experienced a time in their lives when emotional stress has been so overwhelming that we have ‘created a wall’ to protect ourselves. Without such a wall, our hearts may have broken. But when we have such a wall, what happens to

our warmest feelings of love and compassion? They get filtered out and even blocked by our ‘heart-wall’. Dr. Nelson discovered the existence of the heart-wall 15 years ago. The effects of releasing a person’s heartwall can be amazing – people who have been looking for love find that they are finally open to the love offered to them; and others have found success where it had been elusive for years. Dr. Nelson estimates that 93% of all people have a heart-wall. This Christmas, give yourself the gift of an open, unshielded heart. Let your love and light shine as you receive the love, kindness, and compassion of all the friends and family in your world this festive season. For an appointment, call or email David Yaeger, Certified Emotion Code Practitioner 250-597-3686 davidyaeger650@gmail.com David Yaeger has recently moved to Duncan from Nelson, BC. 250597-3686

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Lucky Dogs... Daycare Dogs

aycare isn’t just for puppies. I get all types of dogs coming to Lucky Dog for all types of reasons and puppy energy is just one type; and yes, daycare is great for keeping your puppy out of trouble from being left home alone. Doggie daycare also helps your pup learn about the outside world and gain important experiences. But I also have older dogs come for just a few days while home renovations are being done. I have some dogs come to just hang out with their own kind a couple days a week. Being left alone everyday can cause obsessive behaviour in some dogs. Barking and destructive chewing can become symptoms of frustrated isolation. Imagine being left alone for most of your waking day; we’d all go a little loopy. Dogs are social creatures and it’s important that they interact safely with other dogs, not just for entertainment, but for good mental health. Some people put in long days at work or school and cannot leave

their pet locked in the house or crated for so many hours. A mature dog will sleep a total of up to sixteen hours a day, but it isn’t fair to have your dog hold his bladder for longer than four to six hours during the day. We are lucky in The Cowichan Valley to have several doggie daycares and on/off leash walking professionals to choose from. Talk to them about your dog and what you need. Each facility has something different to offer and it’s important to find the one that suits you and your companion. Most have trial offers to see if your dog is suitable for day care or if their facility is the right place for your dog. There are also professionals who will come pick up your dog and take them on a long hike for you while you’re at work.

Lucky Dog 1059 CANADA AVE

Just past Power Lunch DUNCAN

DROP IN 250 597-7DOG OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

www.luckydogubath.ca

U-BATH

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Le a v e T h e M e s s Wi t h U s !

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Centre

We have all the control over our dogs lives. It’s essential to take the responsibility fully and do the best for our friends.

Debbie Wood is currently studying animal naturopathic health and is certified through the American Council of Animal Naturopathy www.luckydogubath.ca

Photo courtesy of U-Dog Shawnigan.

“We carry H o me o t h e $10f the all natural To e Na i de flea l Tr i m ! dream team.”

So much to oﬀer!

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 Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Reﬂexology Monet Spa 250-743-6114 Professional Spa services for parties, groups or individuals.

Food Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat & Produce Healthcare Cobble Hill Dental 250-743-6698 Friendly, Family Practice

We Welcome New Patients!

South Cowichan Physiotherapy & Sports Rehabilitation 250-743-3833 Physiotherapy, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Acupuncture, Orthotics

WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT By Rick Dennis I asked a random selection of people about the first things that came to mind when they thought of the Christmas season. They are. in alphabetical order ...... Karl Dalskog (CICV-FM “The Lake” Engineering) “Love and peace, joy and wonder with my children, grandchildren and Sandra, my wife, around me.”

Nitinat School Circa 1967 Learn More at Elder College December 1st

he first public school in the Cowichan Valley began in 1864 on land now occupied by the BC Discovery Centre. Since that date many schools have come and gone within the boundaries of the current School District 79 (Cowichan Valley). To date the Cowichan Valley Schools Heritage Society (CVSHS) has recorded 139 decommissioned public and private schools. Some of these schools were replaced with new schoolhouses on the same site. Others burned down or became redundant due to population shifts. Still others that serviced students living in logging or mining camps simply disappeared. A few original school buildings remain intact today but are now used for other purposes. The CVSHS became concerned that the respective histories and locations of these former schools would be forgotten by today’s community members. A decision was made in 2012 to research these schools, document their stories, and permanently mark their

respective sites in several phases. For Phase One, fifteen former schools were selected. The most northerly school was Crofton; the most southerly, Bamberton; the most easterly, Maple Bay Elementary; and the most westerly, Nitinat School. Research and permanent signage at each site was completed by the end of March 2014. Nitinat School, April 1967 On Monday, December 1, 2014 CVSHS member and retired teacher Carolyn Prellwitz will review these fifteen schools as part of the 2014 Elder College program at the Island Savings Centre. Her presentation will begin at 1:30 pm. Audience interaction is welcomed. At the end of the presentation Carolyn will speak to the Society’s Phase Two plans. Submitted by Carolyn Prellwitz; Elder College committee member and local archivist for Cowichan Valley history.

Georgia Foster (The busy Shawnigan Lake resident has a day job in Cobble Hill and acts as hostess at Duncan Showroom at night. She has also produced and performs in belly dancing cabarets.) “ The very first thing I thought about was FOOD! All the yummy treats that seem to be everywhere in the weeks leading up to Christmas.” Maurice Gaudreault (Manager, Thrifty Foods, Cobble Hill branch. One of the Valley’s finest fiddle players,Maurice has also toured and recorded with country singer Shelley Dubois and organized several locally based fiddle festivals.) “I remember Christmases years ago when I was a kid ... the smell of a fresh cut tree and the lights on it.” Diana Hutton (Vancouver Island Regional Library, Cowichan Lake branch, library assistant ) “Christmas is about family, joy and fellowship ... not money,commercialism or stress. I’ve never had much money, but home-made presents and just making time to be with friends and family are important to me.” Jennifer Lawson (painter, “the north shore of Cowichan Bay”) “getting together with family and friends ... the lights and colors on an old-fashioned tree and carol singing gettogethers) Melissa Parker (employee, Real Canadian Superstore, Duncan) “Christmas tree, gifts, family, turkey dinner, lots of baked yummy things.” Ed Peekeekoot (musician) “Christmas music, gingerbread, cinnamon, nutmeg, peppermint, chocolate ... just plain old fashioned music and food.” (Although Ed didn’t ask me to write this the Crofton-based multi-instrumentalist has a seasonal CD Memories of a Prairie Christmas. He is also a talented carver and painter. For more info log onto peekeekoot.ca

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Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

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) You want to escape to somewhere exciting this month. Perhaps, a sunny clime. In fact, many of you will strike up a new romance with someone in another country or from a different culture. You are still giving lots of thought to shared property, taxes, debt, loans, mortgages and anything you own jointly with others; but in the next month, travel and any opportunity to expand your world through adventure and a chance to learn something new will be your top priority. Taurus (April 20-May 20) You are deliciously tactile and sensuous. And even though the energy this month moves into the lighter, fiery exploring quality of Sagittarius – for you, things will become surprisingly intense! This is because both the Sun and the New Moon will be sitting in the part of your chart that rules sex. To put a finer point on it, your passion will include things beyond sex. (Five, sex, seven.) Inheritances, loans and shared property will be important. You might also experience a psychological self inquiry that could change your life. Gemini (May 21-June 20) For the next month, the Sun will be opposite your sign; and this is the only time all year this occurs. Since this means it will be as far away from you as it gets all year, and the Sun is your source of energy, you will need more sleep. This opposition will also trigger a strong focus on intimate oneto-one encounters with others. You will study friendships and partnerships to see how well they serve your needs. Don’t take them for granted because life is too short to shortchange yourself. Cancer (June 21-July 22) This month you want to get organized. Ideally, you want

your belongings nicely in order, which could be challenging for Cancers because you have so much stuff! Focus on refining your techniques, procedures and methods of storage so that you can discover the best way of doing things. While you’re on this drive for efficiency, you will also want to improve your health. And why not? Fortunately, the older you get, the better you realize you were. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) The month ahead is a fun, promising time! You will want to socialize, see the arts, go to plays, movies, sports events, parties and enjoy a vacation. Since this is one of the most romantic months of the year for you, do something that makes you feel sexy and alive! New clothes will make you look sharp and get compliments. When you are admired – you blossom and beam! Enjoy creative activities, love affairs and entertaining diversions. This month there is no need to pretend to be what you are not. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Your focus shifts to home and family this month. You want to fix up your digs. One of the reasons is you want to entertain at home. (There is nothing like “company coming” to clean up the place!) Some of you will also explore real-estateopportunities and perhaps discuss them with a parent. You are still in a playful mood and eager to talk to everyone. Short trips are likely. Midst all this, try to steal some quiet time just for you to zone out. Sit crosslegged and hum “Ohm on the Range.” Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) The pace of your days will accelerate this month with short trips, errands, conversations with others, appointments plus increased reading and writing. One lovely thing you will experience is it will be easier to tell others how much you care for them. In fact, you will be surprised to discover how much love there is in your everyday world. Not only that, if you look around, you will also appreciate the beauty of

your everyday surroundings. Lucky you! Appreciation is the best daily meditation. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Money, earnings and cash flow have your attention this month. “Bring it on!” It’s time to examine your relationship to your possessions, resources and income. How well do you handle your money? How well do you care for what you own? Does what you own serve your needs? Sometimes what we own is a burden. Sometimes what we own owns us! Scrutinize your surroundings and figure out how you can make everything work for you. You will likely earn more money and buy pretty things for yourself and others. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) A lovely month awaits you because the Sun, Venus and the New Moon are all taking place in your sign. This puts you front and centre in a dazzling way. Others will notice you more; and with fair Venus in your sign, this is an excellent time to shop for wardrobe goodies. You will charm everyone and easily attract people and favourable situations to you. Continue to make travel plans because travel is on the books for you now and in the coming year. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Your birthday is a month away, which means your personal year is coming to an end. That’s why this month ise the perfect time to make plans about what you want your new year to be all about. Define some objectives and goals that you want to pursue next year and give yourself deadlines. (That is critical. Deadlines are the

December litmus test.) Write these goals down. You will be amazed at how much you achieve by narrowing your focus and clearly defining what you want. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Expect increased popularity schmoozing with friends plus your involvement with groups, clubs and organizations. Your interactions with others will not only be pleasant and fun, they will actually benefit you. Therefore, reach out to others. Offer to help others. This is also a great time to get feedback from others about your dreams for the future. Friendships will be cozy. A friend could become a lover. (The next nine months are an excellent time to marry for Aquarius.) Just remember – sometimes marriage is not a word, it’s a sentence. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Oh boy! This month the Sun moves to the top of your chart, which means you will be high viz.! People will notice you, especially bosses, parents, teachers, VIPs and the police. Basically this is a good thing because this spotlight is flattering, which means people think highly of you and will ask you to take on increased responsibilities. Just say yes and you will dazzle everyone without having to do anything special. A romance with a boss or someone older, richer or worldlier will begin for some. (A rich partner is a great laboursaving device.)

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ear a forest of very tall trees and down a long lane with overhanging branches covered with lichen and moss stands an old house where in lies the shop of a violinmaker. This is where I was born. I am a violin crafted by the caring and skillful hands of a Luthier. Before this I was a tree in an old growth forest. It was the wood from this tree that was used to give life to what I am today. My top or belly came from a Spruce tree from Haida Gwai. In 1937 I was a log sitting on a barge near Campbell River. I was then brought into a barn for safe keeping. Year later I was discovered by an ambitious fellow from Bowser and was later sold to my maker. I was truly a fine find for any violin maker. My back and ribs came from a Bigleaf Maple that grew along the Koksilah River. A place where some beautifully figured maple had been found. My neck and scroll are also from this same tree. My finger board is made from ebony, which came from India.

My maker carefully carved and shaped my belly and back. Making sure I had just the right arch on the top and the exact amount of thickness that would give a wonderful resonance for when I was complete. The sides would be made from pieces of wood 1.1 mm thick that would be heated and bent to create the perfect violin shape. Inside the violin top there is a bass bar attached that creates dampening, and a sound post that transmits the vibrations from the bridge to the back. After about a month I began to look like a violin. Before I was completely glued together with hide glue, I was given a sealing coat of various liquids to keep humidity out and discourage bugs. I was given a label, noting the maker, the date and serial number. When completed and still in my white coat, I was left to rest and allow oxidization to take place to slightly darken my body. After about a month the varnishing process begins. Spirit varnish seals my skin, to stop the colour from bleeding in. A powdered form of Alizarin crimson rendered down gives my coat a reddish tinge. When dry, a few coats of oil varnish are added. Shorty afterward the varnish is polished out with pumice and rottenstone and then I am hung to rest. Finally I am introduced to strings and fittings and am ready to be played. As a result of months of waiting I am finally given a voice, which is a very pleasing feeling.

Created With Loving Hands - The Story of An Instrument I think my master is satisfied and relieved that I turned out to be a wonderful child. Now I sit, or hang rather, hoping that someone will come by and pick me up and play me. One day I hope to find the loving hands that will take me home and give me the love and attention I desire. If you wish to visit and try me out come by or call Zak Stolk at: 250-749-6563 Or check out me and my siblings at: www.zakviolins.com

Join us for a relaxing ZEN EXPERIENCE Welcome New Stylist

Nikki Fellows • Full Hair and Esthetics Services • Professional hair colour and products • Natural Sugaring Hair Removal • Onsite Gel Nail Artist Weekly Meditation Thursdays, VIU Cowichan Campus, 7PM, Rm: 210

“The meaning of mantra, is protector of the mind, which is the treasure house of our wisdom” Namaste Nichiren Buddha Society & Peace Center

Your Invitation, GanTan New Years Ceremony, January 1st Info at www.VIRetreats.com or call 250. 710. 7594

W a t s w t c w t w e b h O D T i s s b a m f J w a i R a a s

Bully Boy Tattoos Inc.

Lead Artist Jory Helmes 179 Station Street, Duncan 250.597.4788 Studio Hours 10 am to 6pm Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) We’re fast approaching the holiday season and with it comes the weathered cliché of what to get the person with everything. In the spirit of experiential and outside-thebox gift ideas is a new idea of a holiday gift; tattoos. On Station Street in downtown Duncan is Bully Boy Tattoos. The shop, which just celebrated its fifth anniversary, is not the stereotyped image of a tattoo shop in a bygone era. Clean, bright, and filled with interesting art, the shop often has an eclectic mix of clients getting everything from simple text to full sleeves. Jory Helmes started the shop when he struck out on his own after serving his apprenticeship in Vancouver. Helmes’ wife, Rhiannon, is part of the team and typically handles managerial aspects of the business when she’s not learning the art of

Bully Boy Tattoos Inc. tattooing or working on one of her amazing animal portraits. Dave Krewda is the other main artist in the shop. Helmes knew Krewda from Vancouver. “Dave and I were roommates back when I first started my apprenticeship 13+ years ago. Dave began his tattoo career not long after that, and the rest is history,” says Helmes. Ashley is the new guy and the shop’s first apprentice. There’s an interesting story from the early days of Bully Boy. The shop was mentioned on the Ellen DeGeneres show as a result of one particular tattoo. Asked to describe how that happened Helmes says “Dustin was our first walk in off the street client

when we first opened, and has since become a good friend and client. So the story goes: At a staff party, he and his boss were kidding around and one way or another they made a bet that if he got his boss’ portrait tattooed on his butt, his boss would give him a substantial raise. Well, Dustin called his bluff and when he showed him the tattoo it pretty well blew his boss’ mind. Rightly so! The Ellen show took interest as well as this odd German based show similar to TMZ. Pretty funny.” When asked what the strangest or most interesting gift tattoos they’ve been asked to do, Helmes says “Ha! Wouldn’t you like to know! I don’t think I can say on here. With that said, our gift certificates are very popular around this time of year. I think

some of my clients are actually starting to expect them now. I sure wish MY mom bought me tattoos for Christmas, that’s for sure. It’s definitely a guaranteed hit if you have someone who’s hard to buy for.” If you have someone hard to buy for, a gift certificate for a tattoo could be just the thing. For the animal lover on your list, one of Rhiannon’s animal portraits is perfect. It’s a great way to support local arts and get that special someone something unique. Randall Liboiron is a husband, father, apprentice butcher, radio DJ, and writer.

FIND us LOCALLY at Spinning Ninny 306 Duncan St, Duncan & POP UP STORE, COW BAY In December fri, sat,sun -12-5pm

In VICTORIA owl show dec 5 : 6-10 pm dec 6 : 10-6 pm fernwood community center

open studio winter sale dec 13 :12-7pm 422 Gladstone aveNUE

Valley Voice Magazine now offers readers a new directory to discover local services and businesses. 2 sizes of ad space are available to suit every business message and budget. Affordable, stylish and straight to the point. Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com