February 2022 Issue 159 by Cowichan Valley Voice

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FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE 159 LOVE LOVE LOVE I ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE LOVE I LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

February 2022 Issue 159 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Publisher Richard Badman Remembering the Editor Sheila Badman peaceful beauty that Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Clare shared... 250 746 9319 6514 Wicks Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5V2 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution Proofreader Calendar Richard Badman Diana Pink Angela Sheppard Advertising Enquiries Please Contact us at info@cowichanvalleyvoice.com for A rate card, monthly offers and print ad specials. Next Ad Deadline February 15 for March 2022 Issue 160 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Next EVENTS DEADLINE February 15 for March 2022 Issue 160 E-mail: Date, Event Title, Time, Location and Cost w/ subject “EVENT” to events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to, omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Susan Down, Craig Spence, David and Ranji, Bill Jones, Carolyn Prellwitz, Louise Pickles, Weiyang Li, Brad Boisvert, Bob Johns, Sarah Barnes, Grant Easterbrook, Suzan Kostiuck, Rose Wagner, Nan Goodship, Dorota Lockyer, Andrew Sawyer, Dr. Lyn Pascoe, Dani Stancer, Blare Conlin, Chef Brock Windsor, David Coulson, Tracey Hanson, Jane Nares, Debbie Shkuratoff, Venita Chow, Dr Bill Nielsen, Terence Miranda, Bernie Dinter, Jan Hull, Hilary Huntley, Madeline Southern, Tina Foster, Diana Pink, Tim Mock, Brandy Gallagher, Sonia Furstenau, Silvia Graber, Angel Jury, Kristy Landry, Brian Horwitz, Kirsty Grant & Patty Abbott, Merv Bowman, Debbie Wood, Shiloh Badman, Alistair MacGregor, David Suzuki, The lovely Georgia Nicols, Nicolette Genier, Cindy Jolin and the Wonderful Staff at the Community Farm Store. We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions; however Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other contributors. Please send a query email with your suggested topic prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available.

LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Dine and Sip Cowichan 9 Food for Thought 12 Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs and Peanut Sauce 12 Creating a Charcuterie Board 14-15 Boiled Chinese Dumplings 17 Art of Fondue 18 Romantic Local Reds for Winter Sipping 20 Steak Lover 22 Golden Pineapple Balsamic and Persian Lime Glazed Salmon 23 Baby Cakes Are Back! 29 Food Connections 2022 32 Duncan’s First Free Food Pantry 33 Brock Is Back 34 Homemade Apple Pie 44 OUR Eco Village 54-55 HOME & GARDEN The Only Thing Missing is Chocolate! 35 Romantic Bedroom Design Ideas 39 Pruning Edible Plants 45 Co Purchasing Real Estate 60 LOCAL ARTS Westholme Tea Company Annual Seconds Sale 7 Art for any Age 8 Heartwood 21 Framing Scarves and Textiles at Excellent Frameworks 24 Aquamaris Gallery in Loving Memory of John Stuart Pryce 25 Queen of Hearts Nan Goodship Now Showing at Little Bird Gallery 26 Why Clay? 48 Instruments of Change The Key Winds Trio 56

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.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE READERS, WRITERS & ADVERTISERS WHO INSPIRE EACH ISSUE OF THE VALLEY VOICE EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. Include Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine in your 2022 Marketing Plan! Expand LOCAL REACH & ATTRACT NEW CLIENTS. Ask about Spring Ad Specials & Business Feature highlights call 250 746 9319 info@cowichanvalleyvoice.com text 250 709-8846 4

OUR COMMUNITY February Events 5 Giving Has its Own Rewards for CVACS Volunteers 10 Year of The Tiger 16 Loving Local Valentine’s Gift Guide 36-37 A Sustainable Valentine’s Day 38 The Vagina Monologues 56 Looking After our Political Body 57 Do you and your partner share the same vision? 60 Revitalization of St. Andrew’s Church Cowichan Station 62 The Coldest Night of The Year 64 Looking ahead to RCMP reform 65 February Forecasts 69 Directory 70-71

BODY, MIND & SOUL Why We Should Read: Johnny Appleseed 11 Children of Wondria 19 Two in One: The Couples Bed 28 Wool & Winter Warmth 29 Caring For Yourself 31 Stress Reduction With Reiki 40 Infusing Love Into Your Life With Crystals 41 The Four Ring Circus 42 Custom Rechargeable Hearing Aids 43 Paying it Forward: Family & Systemic Constellations 46 Slow Fashion Eco Verde 50 Blood Pressure 51 Treating PTSD with Bach Flower Remedies 52 Considering the Link Between Material and Spiritual Progress 53 Happy Valentine’s Day To ME 58 Burning Love -Spirit Journaling 59 Mercury Retrograde in 2022 68 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE Royal BC Museum: BC’s Marvellous Mushrooms 13 Salmon Fry 49 Winter Walks and Dine & Sip Cowichan 61 Lucky Dog: Dog Myths… It’s Time to Set the Record Straight 63 Everything under the Sun 66

FEBRUARY EVENTS

Painting Animals Artist Talk CVAC 7pm cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca FREE Also 02/08 Hearts Theme Art Show & Sale Nan Goodship Mon-Sat 10-5pm Little Bird Gallery 163 Station St, Duncan FREE Runs to 02/22 Animalia Art show CVAC Gallery 2687 James St, Duncan FREE Runs to 02/10 Nourish Food Photography Show CVAC Annex 2687 James St, Duncan FREE Runs to 02/02

Seconds Sale Westholme Tea Company 11-4pm new items added every 2 hours 8350 Richards Trail, Duncan www.westholmetea.com FREE

Share A Wall Art Show Cowichan Valley Arts Council Gallery 2687 James St, Duncan FREE Runs to 02/26

Classes Begin at Trial By Fire Pottery www. trialbyfirepottery.ca March classes start 02/22

Dine & Sip Cowichan 42 Eateries & 10 Craft Beverage participants www.duncancc. bc.ca Runs to 03/06 Spiritual Upliftment & Conversation 3 Baha’i friends Topic: Truthfulness & Trustworthiness call for details Laurice Tim & Lee 250 7482585 Warmland Book & Film Collective discussing Five Little Indians by Michelle Good 5-7 pm Zoom WarmlandBFC@ gmail.com

Recognition Volunteer Art Show CVAC 2687 James St, Duncan FREE Runs to 02/26 The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler 7:30pm Mercury Theatre 331 Brae Rd, Duncan $20 205-510-1691 Runs to 02/14

St. Andrew’s Community Consultation Zoom contact info@cowichanhub.ca FREE 60 Minute Sampler Mountain Bike Lessons 18+ Fuller Lake Arena Chemainus nextlevelriding.ca to register FREE

Death Cafe Conversations about Death 10:15am11:45am Cowichan Library Meeting Room 2687 James St, Duncan FREE Also 02/28 Happy Valentine’s Day. Thanks for sharing the LOVE.

18-27

Rainfest Family Friendly Festival Music in City Square Downtown Duncan

Maritime Radio Operator Certificate course Zoom 9-1pm contact Cowichan Squadron ndower@ualberta.ca

BREAKFAST I LUNCH I DINNER PANINIS • SOUPS • SALADS HOT & COLD BEVERAGES DAILY SPECIALS view our menu or order online

www.urbanforestbistro.ca

Chemainus Classical Concerts Margaret St. Cyr Yvonne Gillespie Annick Richardson 2pm St. Michael’s Church 2858 Mill St, Chemainus $25/$10 Advance only 250-748-8383

PlentiFILL Meet & Greet soft launch 10-5pm 163 Kenneth St, Duncan www. plentifill.ca FREE BC’s Marvellous Mushrooms Royal BC Museum Traveling Exhibition Cowichan Valley Museum 130 Canada Ave, Duncan Thur & Fri 11-4pm by donation.

Spiritual Upliftment & Conversation 3 Baha’i friends Topic: Hope call for details Laurice Tim & Lee 250 748-2585

Heartwood Live in the Chapel Providence Farm 7pm www.islandsfolkfestival.ca $25/$20 Coldest Night of the Year Family Walk 4pm Cowichan Community Center2687 James St, Duncan

Times Two Art Show Iris Churcher & Fran Benton CVAC Annex 2687 James St, Duncan FREE Runs to 03/14

23 KENNETH STREET DOWNTOWN DUNCAN 1 250 737 3933 5

Camp Pringle

2/2/22 WESTHOLME TEA COMPANY Annual Seconds Sale

ur biggest sale of the year at Westholme has become something of a traditional event. This

year the Seconds Sale will be occurring over 2 days, beginning on Wednesday February 2nd. Every 2 hours throughout the 2 days we will be re-stocking “Seconds” in the Teashop + Gallery. Our Seconds Sale started in 2012 with the idea of opening for the season with a fun and lighthearted event that would

feel something like an artful Mardi Gras. “Seconds” in the world of clay are slightly imperfect creations whose flaws are part of their inherent beauty.

regularly priced ceramics. Come have some fun...you won’t be the only one! We will be open for our regular Teashop + Gallery hours (11am-4pm) both days.

This year Seconds Sale will feature a variety of handbuilt ceramics and select organic teas that are WILDLY reduced.

This is a not to be missed event of the year. Bring a friend and share in the wackiness. See you on the Second!

If you arrive wearing a TuTu you will get 22% off all

Westholme Tea Company 8350 Richards Trail, Duncan

Providing the Cowichan Valley with Raw Cold Press 100% Organic Juices & Nut Mylks NEW Bone Broths with Medicinal Mushrooms! Available EVERY DAY at The Community Farm Store or WEEKLY online at cow-op.ca. Direct orders can be placed to hello@euphoricjuicery.com

ART FOR ANY AGE

SALTMARSH GALLERY

CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY abstract I representational I modern

2190 Cowichan Bay Rd. Cowichan Bay I 250 597 8037

www.lukedowns.ca

Susan Down is managing director of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council.

pring usually comes early in the valley, but this month our art galleries are still feeling the effects of the snowy punch we got last month. The benefit is that two shows are held over longer into February: Animalia: a delightful show with an animal theme. The result is artwork on every subject from crows to whales. More than 85 paintings, drawings and sculptural wonders. On until February 10.

on their projects combining art and math in beautiful patterns for our upcoming Art of Math show. CVAC’s youth mentorship program is starting again this month, supporting creative development for 10 students (ages 13—19) who will explore various art techniques and learn to discuss and constructively critique art. Students will also learn about exhibiting art and writing artist’s statements. The Art Odyssey weekly after school program starts right now as well to encourage young kids to practice their art skills.

Nourish: A dramatic food photography show from photographer Jules Sherred, featuring works that celebrate local food producers.

Two more shows are beginning in February: Recognition: CVAC is blessed with an exceptionally creative board and volunteers, and we like to thank them by displaying their work annually (February 11-26).

This month, CVAC is doing some creative planting, allowing creativity to take root for future shows. First, kids and families are encouraged to consider the beauty and benefits of rain as part of the new Rainfest program. Come and see the raindrop exhibit from elementary schools. At the same time, students at local schools are working

Times Two is a lighthearted art show in the Annex starting February 28 featuring whimsical work by well-known illustrator Iris Churcher and multidisciplinary artist (sculpture, painting, ceramics, and video) Fran Benton. Both have taught at the university level and practise what they teach!

DINE & SIP COWICHAN A Welcome Boost For Local Food and Beverage Operators

he Duncan Cowichan Chamber is pleased to announce the return of the Dine & Sip Cowichan festival! Now in its 6th year, the 2022 program will again include a variety of fine dining, casual eateries, food trucks, and specialty food stores. In our 5th year of the program, we decided to extend the Dine Cowichan festival to include the craft beverage sector. This year we are excited to continue with the Sip portion of the program, which will include some of Cowichan, wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Executive Director, Sonja Nagel, says, “As we continue to navigate the pandemic, it’s important that we keep supporting our local food and beverage operators. Whether you try the Dine menu at your favourite spot, go somewhere completely new, or make your way through the entire list – the Cowichan food and beverage sector provides something for everyone.”

This year we have over 50 participating venues offering a wide range of local dishes and beverages at special pricing. Take-out options will be available for those who are unable to or not comfortable dining in. Dine & Sip Cowichan runs from February 9th through March 6th. This year’s participants are listed below. For more information and to view Dine & Sip menus, visit www.duncancc.bc.ca or 250.746.4636. Restaurants & Eateries South Cowichan Alpina Restaurant at Villa Eyrie Resort, Bridgemans Bistro, Compass Mexican Bistro, Cow Café West Coast Grill, CURE Artisan Meat & Cheese, Montra Thai Eatery, Pizzeria Prima Strada, Satellite Bar & Grille at Arbutus Ridge, The Cobblestone Pub, The Lakehouse at Shawnigan, The Masthead Restaurant, The Mill Pizza & Grill, Unsworth Restaurant Duncan Aloha Bowls, Brunch on 3rd, Craig Street Brew Pub, CVI Restaurant & Lounge, Duncan Garage Café & Bakery, Gibby’s Café & Catering, Ironworks Café & Creperie, Just Jakes, Kahuna Burger, Original Joes Restaurant & Bar, River Rock Bar & Grill, Taco Revolution, The Italian

Music Education Specialist VOICE & PIANO

Kathy Lassche 250.709.2541 www.mulberrylanemusic.com

Kitchen & Deli at Grove Hall Farm, The Oak Taphouse, The Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar, The Old Fork, York St. Diner Genoa Bay & Maple Bay Genoa Bay Café, The Lion Rampant Scottish Pub, The Shipyard Restaurant & Pub Lake Cowichan The Farm Store at the Farm Table Inn, Jakes at the Lake, Youbou Bar & Grill

Chemainus & Ladysmith Fox & Hounds British PubStyle Restaurant, In The Beantime Café, Owls Nest Café, Sawmill Taphouse & Grill Craft Beverage Venues Averill Creek Vineyard, Blue Grouse Estate Winery, Cherry Point Estate Wines, Enrico Winery, Merridale Cidery & Distillery, Red Arrow Brewing, Riot Brewing Co., Stillhead Distillery, Unsworth Vineyards, Valley Cider Company 9

Giving Has Its Own Rewards For CVCAS Volunteers Bringing community together to enjoy the arts, and fostering creative talents in the region, is only possible because Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society volunteers keep the shows and programs on the road.

olunteers make the arts happen in the Chemainus Valley. Without their contributions many of the shows and activities available through the CVCAS couldn’t be offered. But what inspires the volunteers themselves, who collect tickets and donations, stack chairs, keep records, set up stages, sit on the Board and carry out hundreds of other tasks necessary to manage and run an organization that puts on dozens of musical performances and festivals each year, offers workshops and circles for writers and musicians and

gives Valley artists a venue to show their works. For most, volunteering is simply a satisfying way of giving and connecting to their community. They understand that ‘bringing community together through the arts’ is more important than ever in the 21st Century – the age of Netflix, Spotify, Facebook, video games… an overwhelming volume of entertainment and information continuously streamed to virtual audiences from distant sources. Supporting arts activities and getting out to meet people who share an interest in the arts, are a couple of the most valuable ‘paybacks’ for volunteers. Local art is essential to a vibrant community, and the Chemainus Valley is home to many artists, whose

works reflect the landscape and character of the region’s people. Volunteers, including many of the artists themselves, feel good about providing venues where the region can share creative perspectives. Volunteering through CVCAS keeps members informed about local and Island Arts & Cultural activities. And those who sit on the Board of Directors can help identify new opportunities and arts programs for the region. The most gratifying experience for volunteers is seeing audiences and participants enjoying a performance at the Waterwheel Park bandshell, or a work on display at Rainforest Arts, or a story presented through the Valley Voices series. It makes them feel good to have been a part of bringing talents to the community and fostering arts activities. Are you interested in volunteering? The CVCAS welcomes people who want to get involved. Find out more about volunteer opportunities available with the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society at CVCAS.ca/volunteer. CraigSpenceWriter.ca

Why We Should Read

t its best, fiction shows us who we are and, more importantly, expands our idea of who is included in that “we.” In Jonny Appleseed, Joshua Whitehead captures the loneliness of the protagonist’s double exile as a youth who is Two Spirit and Indigenous in a society which fully accepts neither. We accompany Jonny as he struggles to find belonging moving from the rez to Winnipeg carrying scars of intergenerational trauma, and we begin to see a commonality with a character whose life on the surface seems so dissimilar from most

of our own. Both Jonny’s mother and grandmother understand that he is Two Spirit and accept him in a way many on the rez do not. Much of the novel is a recounting of Jonny’s quest for the unconditional love and acceptance he found from his kokum. In his pursuit of this connection and a way to make his way in the city, Jonny becomes an online sex worker. While the very graphic details of sexual encounters may not be to everyone’s comfort level, it gives a sense of how much this is a part of Jonny’s day-to-day life. As he says, sex is a way to feel that “we were here,” to be seen and known in some way, as “… our bodies are a library, and our stories are written like braille on the skin.” Being Two Spirit, Jonny and indeed Whitehead themselves, resist the gender pigeonholes into which society wants to put people. Jonny says, “There are a million parts of me that don’t add up, a million parts of me that signal immodesty. When I think of masculinity, I think of femininity.” Through the

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TEN OLD BOOKS

Always something for everyone

Great Selection of Used & New Books • Bestsellers & Award Winners • Classic Novels & Timeless Favourites • BC & Canadian Authors Plus Local Cards • Crafts • Children’s Books • Jewelry • Unique Gift Ideas and More!

102-330 Duncan St 250 -715-1383 Find us inside the historic Duncan Garage character of Jonny, Whitehead is trying to break down the preconceptions of what being Indigiqueer is – and readers may be left surprised, grateful for the tenderness that is revealed in this book. The Warmland Book and Film Collective – begun in 2018 as a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – explores,

celebrates, and learns from Indigenous authors and filmmakers. We are welcoming new members – if you enjoy friendly, spirited, and interesting conversation, email us at WarmlandBFC@ gmail.com for the zoom link. We next meet online February 9th to discuss Five Little Indians by Michelle Good. Submitted by David and Ranji

Upcoming Events

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

February 12

Happiness Dinner

March 19

For full details visit Spring Equinox Dinner www.deerholme.com BY RESERVATION ONLY

4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan

For ReservationS 250 748 7450 Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs and Peanut Sauce Courtesy Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm Ingredients 4 chicken thighs 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 tsp minced hot chili 1 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro 1 tsp sesame oil 1 Tbsp grapeseed oil Salt and pepper to taste 1 head iceberg lettuce (or other leafy lettuce) Lime wedges Cilantro leaves for garnish Sesame Seeds for garnish

Peanut Sauce 1 can coconut milk 1/4 cup peanut butter 3 cloves garlic 1 lemon or lime, juiced 2 Tbsp soy sauce ¼ cup hot water 2 Tbsp brown sugar 2 tsp fish sauces

Method On a clean cutting board, de-bone the chicken thighs and remove skin and excess fat. Cut chicken into 1 inch strips and place in a small glass or stainless steel bowl. Add the minced garlic, chili, cilantro and sesame oil Add the oil and season well with salt and pepper. Stir and allow to sit for 15 minutes to marinate. In a mixing bowl, combine the coconut milk, peanut butter, garlic, lemon or lime juice, soy sauce, water, brown sugar and fish sauce. Stir well to make a smooth paste. Soak wooden skewers in cold water for at least 10 minutes. Skewer the chicken thighs to make 8-12 skewers. Heat your BBQ to medium high, place the skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the chicken is firm and browned. Remove from heat. Serve with large leaves of iceberg (or romaine lettuce) and peanut sauce with a side garnish of lime wedges, cilantro and a sprinkling of sesame seeds.

Bill Jones is a chef, author and food consultant based at Deerholme Farm.

he effect of food on mood has always been an interest of mine. It started when I found out foods like garlic were believed to energize the brain and stimulate social interactions like communication. Then I found out about the world of aphrodisiacs (always a hot topic for the mind of a young man) and then veered off into the world of how certain foods can elevate moods and contribute to our wellbeing. In University I took a fun course called Culinary Anthropology, an exploration of how food and culture influence different cultures around the world. It taught me that food plays a huge role in our lives and sharing and enjoyment are key pieces for enjoying our time here on the planet. It all made me think that maybe there were deeper mechanism at work when we eat food we enjoy. Science has also looked at this issue and has isolated several interesting connections. Some foods do provide energy to the metabolism (such as the hbromine from chocolate and caffeine from coffee and tea and others). Some chemical reactions such as the caramelization of sugars also form complex products that react as pleasure in the brain. Many foods we crave

contain an essential amino acid called tryptophan and one key component is called serotonin. Many foods contain this compound such as dairy, meat and poultry, nuts, seeds, chickpeas, chocolate and many mushrooms. Yes, they all taste good, but there are also chemical transmitters being sent to your brain sending waves of pleasure around. This is pretty neat stuff. Recent research has also revealed another substance called andandamine. You may know it as an active ingredient in cannabis but it also occurs naturally in other plants, notably chocolate and truffles and more mysteriously in local sea urchin roe. Scientists have dubbed this the bliss molecule for its role in lowering anxiety and it’s being studied as a potential medication for treating depression. It is also though to increase appetite and may have a role in the way the body assimilates and stores fat. Who knew that forkful of food has may have so much impact on our brain? Well – we did; and we’ve been celebrating the fact on our farm for the past few years. On Saturday, February 12 we will be holding our annual Happiness Dinner featuring foods that encourage feelings of well-being and pleasure. The meal will include oysters, truffles, Dungeness crab, mushrooms and chocolate. If you feel like being a happy Guinea Pig, come join us. Details are on our website at www.deerholme.com.

Royal BC Museum’s Travelling Exhibit:

BC’S MARVELLOUS MUSHROOMS

Submitted by Carolyn Prellwitz Vice-President, Cowichan Historical Society

isit BC’s Marvellous Mushrooms at the Cowichan Valley Museum located within the federally designated heritage 110-yearold former Duncan Train Station in Duncan. This new travelling exhibition, created by the Royal BC Museum, explores the science and practical uses of mushrooms today, highlighting some of the most fascinating of the 3,400 known species in the province. The exhibit encourages visitors to learn more about BC mushrooms and their

versality. It introduces a cross-section of different species—some familiar, some bizarre, some delicious and some deadly. Their lives are interwoven with every part of British Columbia ecosystems. Mushrooms are not only a subject of scientific study but also a source of food, dyes, and medicine, as well as objects of ceremony and beauty. The exhibition delves into the many facets of these fabulous fungi. Cowichan Valley Museum 130 Canada Avenue, Duncan Open 11:00 am – 4 pm on Thursdays and Fridays Exhibition is now on and runs to March 11.

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Creating a Charcuterie Board

efore we can begin to discuss how to create the most bountiful and delicious Charcuterie Board for your cozy winter nights, we need to clear a few things up. When referring to a charcuterie board traditionally we are talking about salted, cured, smoked or confit meats (most often pork), accompanied by a few simple sidekicks such as olives, mustards or vinegary cornichons and probably some fresh baguette to serve as the vehicle – oh, and wine or some other delightful cocktail to wash it all down.

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Our modern western interpretation of a “charcuterie” board over recent years has changed this definition to include cheeses, jammy spreads, dried fruits, salted nuts, pickles, crackers and on and on. Really, we should be calling such feasts of different textures and flavours “meat and cheese

boards” or even “grazing boards.” Especially if we’re splashing out and adding spreads, fresh fruits, and a vegetable or two. But at the end of the day, does it really matter what we call them?!! Whether it’s a single simple salty fatty salami paired with a delightful hard cheese and a hunk of fresh sourdough bread or a cornucopia that spreads from one end of your dining room table to the other with some thoughtful consideration – , each is fantastic in its own right.

When putting together your meat and cheese board it is important to keep things simple. Start with a few of the following core components and go from there. One or two dry cured or smoked meats such as an artisanal salami or smoky ham is a great starting point for your board, just make sure they are sliced thinly so they are easy to eat. Next, cheese. The golden rule for cheese is to pick three: one hard or firm, one soft and runny, and one blue. If blue cheeses aren’t your cup of tea then maybe pick a lovely piece of chevre (goats’ cheese) or fromage

frais. To add something a little different at this point, a pâté or terrine is a wonderful way to add a contrast in texture and add a smooth rich flavour to your board. Now you have your basics in place, the next part of the puzzle is often my favourite, the accompaniments! Keeping the salty, fatty richness of all of the above in mind, you don’t want to over power the wonderful flavours that you’ve chosen. Let that runny gooey rich cheese on your baguette be the star and compliment it by picking something with a bit of sweetness like a chutney (mild) or fruit butter (like all that apple butter you made this summer), or if you’re lucky enough to come across some, a bit of honeycomb with blue cheese is delicious. To contrast the flavours of your meats, a vinegary crunchy traditional French cornichon is a must – no sugary sweet ones please. Wholegrain mustard provides a nice spicy kick and ideal partner for fattier charcuterie

such as confits or rillettes. A fresh baguette or loaf of sourdough at this point is a must, as well as a cracker – those with dried fruits, nuts and seeds in them are ideal for cheeses but less so for your cured meats, maybe here stick to something simple and light on the seasoning. At this point try not to go overboard with other ‘bits’ as I call them, instead stick to one or two from the following depending on the size of your spread: a candied pecan or walnut for crunch (avoid salty bar snack nut mixes as your meat should already be salty enough); dried fruits such as apricot or fig or apple chips are a great way to add fruit in the middle of Winter; olives provide a great interlude between bites – don’t forget a bowl for the pits - and last but not least something unexpected like that jar of pickled spicy beans, asparagus or cauliflower. You don’t have to spend a fortune putting all of this together and it doesn’t need to be complicated. Have fun with it, there are no rules. Let your creativity guide you! Where possible source your ingredients locally from the many creators of fine food found in the Cowichan Valley and you can’t go wrong! To pre order call 250-266-2464 or visit www.picklespantry.ca. Louise Pickles, Chef and Owner has over 15+ years food experience ranging from Relais & Chateau Resorts in BC to vegan surfing retreats in Western Australia.

opening february 22 163 kenneth st 250-737-3313

Find us at the Duncan Farmer’s Market on Saturdays!

Charcuterie, Grazing Boxes and Entertaining Ideas

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Year of The Tiger important moment, it is sharing unity, love, care, joy, laughter and thanks.

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

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Sustainably Harvested Seafood

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Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery

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hinese Spring Festival is the most important traditional holiday in China .This coming year is the year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac. In China, people have so many traditional activities to celebrate for Spring Festival— Dragons dance, Lions dance,Yangko dance,Singing Opera, Wall on stilts, Shadow play.... Every family is very busy preparing for the New Year— delicious food, clean house, ancestor worship, writing New Year scrolls and pastel on two sides of the doors, writing happiness, love, good luck, joy, good hope, wealth are all the best wishes on the scrolls with the lucky big red paper. people also hang up the beautiful and bright lanterns. Family together for dinner is the most wonderful moment. To enjoy the dumplings and noodle and lots of other delicious food offered at this

Fireworks celebrate the new year’s first moment, with traditional and fantasy fireworks sounds at the same time; you can see the earth awake with passion . The elders put some lucky money in red bags for children in the new year’s first day. Children keep those for good luck and love. People, especially children, wear their new clothes (usually red color ) for a lucky walk outside. People say happy new year and good wishes to each other when they meet. Happy New Year to everyone.

Weiyang Li grew up in southern China and feels lucky to start her Canadian journey in Duncan with her daughter Abigail.

Boiled Chinese Dumplings

The most common dumpling for Chinese New Year among Chinese families. Dipping Sauce Ingredients 1/3 cup sake 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar 1 tbsp sugar 3 thin slices of garlic 1 tbsp minced scallion 1/2 tbsp minced fresh ginger 1 tbsp hot-chile sesame oil

Method In a small bowl, stir together all of the dipping sauce ingredients.

Dumplings Ingredients 1/2 head napa cabbage (1 pound)—root cut off, cabbage halved lengthwise 3/4 pound ground pork 1/4 bunch Chinese chives or 2 scallions, minced 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger 1 tbsp dark or regular soy sauce 1/2 tbsp finely grated garlic 1 tsp toasted sesame oil 3/4 tsp kosher salt 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Cornstarch, for dusting

Set a steamer basket in a pot of boiling water. Steam the cabbage until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a colander to cool, then squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible. Finely chop the cabbage. In a large bowl, combine the cabbage with the pork, chives, ginger, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, salt and 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil. Gently stir, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Put the flour in a large bowl. Slowly add 1 cup of cold water and the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the dough starts to come together. Using your hands, knead the dough until it forms a ball, then knead the dough on a work surface until smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a clean bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and for up to 3 hours.

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Dust a baking sheet with cornstarch. Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces, then roll each piece into 1-inch-thick logs, 8 inches long. Using a sharp knife, cut the logs into eight 1-inch pieces. Using a rolling pin, roll the pieces into 3 1/2-inch rounds, keeping the dough covered with plastic wrap as you work to prevent the dough from drying out. Dust the rolling pin occasionally with cornstarch to prevent sticking. Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of each round, then fold over one side to form a half circle, pressing to adhere, or pleating decoratively along the edge to seal. Place filled dumplings on the prepared baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap while you prepare the rest. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook dumplings in batches of about 8 until they are cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the dumplings to a serving platter. Serve warm with the dipping sauce. The assembled dumplings can be frozen for up to 2 weeks.

organic craft coﬀee and mmmore by the sea across from Salt Spring ferry terminal

1532 CHAPLIN ST, CROFTON 17

60 Day dry aged beef Taking orders for Valentine’s Day Charcuterie & Fondue Call or stop by to order!

Art of Fondue

e love fondue.

Fondue dates back to 1669, with earlier versions having eggs in it almost like a scrambled egg and cheese.

Valleyview

Centre

So much to oﬀer!

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Food Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat, Seafood, Produce, Deli & Floral, Supplements

We Welcome New Patients!

Cure Artisan Meat & Cheese 250 929-2873 Charcuterie, Cheese House Made Pates

Island Pharmacy 250 743-1448 Open 7 Days a week for all your pharmacy needs.

Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes

Cobble Hill Dental 250-743-6698 Friendly, Family Practice

Fitness

Fondue as we know it today began in 1930’s as the national dish of the Swiss. It was a dish of melted cheese served in a communal pot or fondue pot over a heat source often with a candle or fuel lamp, and eaten by dipping bread into the cheese. Despite its modern associations with rustic mountain life and skiing, it was a town-dweller’s dish from the western, Frenchspeaking area of Switzerland. Rich cheese like Gruyère was a valuable ingredient which peasants could not afford so they used a less quality cheese mixed with wine to enhance the cheese flavour. In the 1950s, the name “fondue” has been generalized to other dishes in which a food is dipped into a communal pot of liquid or kept hot in a fondue pot. A chocolate fondue is a pot of melted chocolate mixture where participants dip pieces of fruit or pastry. The classic French fondue bourguignonne, is when pieces of sliced meat are cooked in hot oil or broth. Today wine is mostly used in a cheese fondue, but cider, and beer are gaining in popularity. Making fondue is simple. The

tricky part is having access to quality ingredients. This February we are embracing the art of fondue at Cure and invite you to stop in a grab a pre-done fondue kit to enjoy at home with family or a loved one for a Valentes day date night. We provide you with ingredients to make your fondue -cheese, spices, and wine, and bread for dipping. Our most popular cheese fondue is prepared with a fresh blend of imported cheeses, along with a blend of Gruyère and our in-house smoked cheddar. We also have a great section of dried cured and smoked meats you can addon when you come in to pick up your kit. We will have your fondue all ready for you, nicely packaged with simple instructions to prepare and serve at home. Four easy steps with the last step being to eat which is our favourite thing to do too. The only element you need is the pot and forks. Simple entertaining at its best. Contact us at Cure by phone 250-929-2873 if you would like to reserve a kit or just stop in and pick one up out of our cooler. Available February 1-28. Valley View Centre 1440 Cowichan Bay Road (lower level). Chef Brad Boisvert, Cure Artisan Meat and Cheese

Children of Wondria

by Bob Johns

The story so far: Three children, Becky, Sammy and Nicky, live in a place called Wondria. It’s a place where all creatures have wings and can fly, and the children each have a flying horse. They are out for a day’s fun when they see a terrible storm approaching... The children climbed aboard their horses and took to the skies. The storm was rapidly becoming more severe, so even the mighty Winter was having difficulties in the fierce winds. As they climbed higher through the thick clouds, they quickly lost sight of the ground. Horses usually have no problem finding their way home, even in cloudy weather. But this was different. With strong winds blowing them off-course and dark clouds blocking their view in every direction, the children soon feared that they were becoming really lost. The three of them stayed close together as they travelled onward. They should have been over their homes by now, but they felt sure that they had been blown far off their proper course. The horses flew and flew for what seemed a long, long time. After many hours, the clouds beneath them gradually began to clear, making it possible to see the ocean far below. They looked about them and, as the clouds disappeared, they could faintly see a coast in the far distance. None of them recognized where they were but, as they had been blown by such strong winds for so long, they realized that they could be many hundreds of miles from home. The horses seemed to smell the fresh water and grass of the land beneath them, and started to descend towards this unexplored coast.

“I think that Winter’s thirsty and hungry,” said Becky. “He wants to land down there.” “Ginger, too,” agreed Sammy. Midnight also started heading for the coastline below. The horses eventually glided to a landing on a beautiful white beach. “I’m getting very hungry and very thirsty,” said Nicky. “Us, too,” chimed the girls. The horses soon found some fresh grass and a little stream from which to drink. Nicky immediately knelt by the stream and drank as well. The girls did the same. “There must be something to eat around here,” said Becky. “Look, there are some berries over there! I expect they would be good to eat,” Sammy exclaimed. “Maybe the berries are poisonous. We should be careful about eating things we know nothing about,” suggested Becky. Just then they heard a noise in the berry patch. They quickly saw the cause of the commotion. Some small rabbits were flying around the bushes and disappearing among the branches, where they nibbled hungrily on the berries. “If those berries are good enough for the bunnies, then they’re good enough for me,” decided Nicky, and he reached for a handful of the blue fruit.

“Delicious!” he exclaimed as he popped the berries into his mouth. Soon the girls joined him and quickly filled up as they devoured the sweet treats. When they could eat no more, the three of them stretched out on the beach for a nap, for they were very tired from their adventure. When they awoke, it was becoming dark. “We’d better find somewhere to spend the night, so we can fly home in the morning,” Becky suggested. The horses had already found themselves a comfortable clearing among the trees alongside the beach. Becky, Sammy and Nicky also walked towards the trees, hoping to find a good place for the long night ahead. As they stepped closer to the trees, Becky suddenly cried out. “Did you hear that?” she inquired. “What?” Nicky asked. “Shush! I heard something weird,” explained Becky. A strange creature stepped out from the trees onto the beach. He looked rather like a man, except that he was small, dark and hairy, with pointed teeth and bat-like wings... See a Video Reading of this excerpt at CVCAS.ca > Literature > Valley Voices

ROMANTIC LOCAL REDS FOR WINTER SIPPING

CHERRY POINT ESTATE WINES

ZANATTA WINERY

BLUE GROUSE ESTATE WINERY

EMANDARE VINEYARD

2016 Caballo Viejo

2018 Pinot Nero

2019 Quill Q Red

2020 Pinot Noir

On The Mark Tempranillo Blend

Caballo Viejo carries the flavors of Cherry Point. Aromas of dried flowers, cranberries and a slight acidity makes a delightful wine to sip with mature cheese and local charcuterie platters for those moments by the fireplace! $37.50

Celebrate the wine of love, Pinot Nero (Noir) this Valentine’s Day. Our award-winning Pinot Nero has gentle aromas of berry fruit layered with earthy notes and a hint of spice. A perfect wine to sip and swirl by the fire this winter. $25

The way that silk glides across your skin, this Pinot Noir slips across your palate. Soft, subtle, round and oh such juicy notes of red berries, spiced apple and wild flowers. It’s so lovely to curl up with someone you love and enjoy sipping a glass of wine as it draws you together close and warm. $45

This wine was made to be an easy drinking young wine with great cherry notes and slight residual sugar this year. Medium body and lightly oaked on this vintage just released. This pairs more easily with many foods such as cheeses to start the meal, great pasta made with love and finish with a wonderful chocolate dessert. Our island grown only red with tempranillo, foch, and pinot noir. $25

LOOKING FOR MICROGREENS?

This is a robust red blend. Expect to find flavours of blueberry pie and cassis on the nose and palate. The wine is juicy and slightly herbaceous, with medium tannins. Pair this wine with a hearty winter stew, braised short ribs or 65%+ dark chocolate. $26.99

We grow plenty of them!

ROCKY CREEK WINERY

A&S MICROGREENS t.250-710-6135 www.asmicrogreens.com

5410 Trans Canada Hwy 250.748.817 1 20

View Sales Flyers at www.buckerfields.ca

Heartwood - Live at the Chapel

oney-soaked folk with a hint of indi and a splash of bluegrass, Heartwood radiates exuberant joy with every irresistible song. From the hearth of their rural Pacific northwest homestead Jack Connolly and Genevieve Charbonneau serve up the pulse and passion of rolicking recession laments, driving celtic love songs and witty (and ironic) debates on the ways they don’t go together. Their quirky naturalness, endearing humor and raw talent stir affection and warm the blood while their powerful roots draw up a nutrient rich brew of sound bringing warmth and energy to all who gather around the table to listen. When Jack and Genevieve met in 2018, Jack was a rising country star playing stages with the likes of Tom Cochrane and Colin James, and Genevieve was a homesteading mama who had recently won the BC Songwriting Competition, but as soon as they sang together they knew the sum was greater than its ingredients. Jack offered to record and produce Genevieve’s “Heart is a Tower” album, which went on to hit the NA Folk

Charts. Inspired by that project, they cooked up the Heartwood duo, finding immense joy in singing harmonies and playing on each other’s songs. They discovered that their witty and honest stage manner was a natural fit and their charisma onstage was soon noticed by audiences. “There’s not many performers who get a second show booked before they’ve even packed up their gear… they both possess a keen sense of humor and an ability to connect with their audience, “ says Mick Sherlock of Qualicum Oceanside Folk Club. Heartwood welcomes you into their joyful, charming world and delivers a dynamic show with accessible songs that touch on a wide range of human emotion. Heartwood - Live at The Chapel at Providence Farm www.islandsfolkfestival.ca Date: February 26, 2022 Time: Doors at 7:00PM, Show at 7:30PM Tickets $25.00, Members $20.00 Tickets On-line at: https:// islandsfolk.tickit.ca/ events/13879

Steak Lover

Recipe courtesy Barnes & Maracle

Steak Lover

othing says I love you like a perfectly cooked steak and big glass of red wine. Well maybe not for all of you veggies and vegans out there… maybe not for you but don’t be sad the veggie side dish in this little rant is also quite delish. You can swap out the steak for crusted tofu or baked portabella. However, for my husband a lovingly prepared ribeye is perfection. I think that the sexiest cut of steak is the rib eye with the bone in. This steak is not for the meek, it is full of flavour which also means fat. Do not fear the flavour enhancers bone and fat, they are the lovers of the steak and with a little coaxing make for a robust and succulent delight. You will not need a large amount of this juicy piece of meat to satisfy the appetite, one steak for two will do. When I make this dish, I accompany it with roasted veggies, slice the steak and pile it all on a big wooden cutting board and then we eat with our hands. You will need cast iron frying pan, tongs, large wooden cutting board or platter, baking sheet. Our Pairing Suggestions: Red Wine Local Enrico Winery - Braveheart Cabernet Libre Not Local Chateau Belles Eaux - Carmin

Submitted by Sarah Barnes

Ingredients 1 rib eye steak preferably bone in and cut thick to ensure that you will get a good sear and the fat renders properly without over cooking (about 1.5 inch thick) sea salt fresh ground pepper canola oil Maldon Salt for finishing if you want to go all the way vegetables i like to use any combination of: all mushrooms stems off, zucchini sliced 1cm thick, asparagus and rapini ends trimmed, red onion sliced thin, nugget potatoes par cooked Sauce for Veggies ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce 1/8 cup Kecap Manis sweet soy 1 Tbsp tahini juice of one lemon divided in ½ one half for sauce one half to finish vegetables. Directions Season the rib eye steak all over with salt and freshly ground pepper. Let the meat stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 400 for veggies In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the canola oil until shimmering. Add the steak and cook on high heat until a crust has formed on steak, about 5 minutes. Turn the steak and cook over high heat until the steaks are mediumrare about 5 to 7 minutes longer. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Cut the steak off the bone, then slice the meat across the grain and serve on platter or cutting board. If you’re fancy plates work too. Place veggies on a large baking sheet do not overcrowd. Put mushrooms top side down so you can pour sauce into the cap. Drizzle the rest of sauce on remaining vegetables. Bake for 10 minutes turn vegetables with tongs and bake for another 5 minutes or until desired tenderness. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice at the end. This can be done while the steak rests. If you want your potatoes crispy bake separately and put in oven just before you cook the steak.

Golden Pineapple Balsamic and Persian Lime Glazed Salmon Fillets

Recipe courtesy Grant Easterbrook, The Olive Station, 225 Canada Avenue, Downtown Duncan

Ingredients: 2 - 6 oz salmon fillets 2-3 limes, zest 1-2 Tbsp honey (depending on the sweetness you prefer) 2 Tbsp Golden Pineapple White Balsamic 2 Tbsp Persian Lime Extra Virgin Olive Oil salt and pepper to taste Directions In a small bowl, whisk together the lime zest, honey, Golden Pineapple Balsamic and Persian Lime Extra Virgin Olive Oil together. Add salt & pepper to taste. Taste and add more honey or balsamic if needed depending on the sweetness you desire. Pour half of the glaze into a zip-top bag or airtight container. Add salmon to the bag or container. Marinate up to 45 minutes. Reserve remaining glaze. Place salmon skin side down on a baking sheet lined with foil. Set an oven rack approx. 6 inches from the heat. Broil salmon for 4 minutes. Brush the remaining glaze over the salmon. Broil another 3-4 minutes. Check for doneness.

A Thriving Arts and Cultural Community

FRAMING SCARVES & TEXTILES AT EXCELLENT FRAMEWORKS

s a custom framer for over 20 years, one of my personal favourite items to frame are scarves. The first scarf I framed was an Hermès scarf, and was a beautiful silk pattern almost three feet by three feet unframed. Of course I fell in love with it, and now keep an eye out for more of these collectible fashion statements to add to our gallery offerings. Scarves are undeniably a great addition to a wardrobe, and Hermès scarves are timeless, holding their value easily. If you do not wear your scarf, then frame it! This will not only give you a unique piece of art for your home, but it will also utilize an item that may sit in its small orange box, tucked away in these covid times. Recently I custom framed a scarf produced by Lambert Bags. “The OLA scarf is the result of a collaboration by women, for women, 100% developed and produced in Quebec, in Montreal. The high-quality scarf stands out

with its original and unique design. The work highlights a woman in all her complexity, splendor, and uniqueness. It is a creation by Ola Volo, a remarkably talented Canadian artist. Lambert is proud to support Maison Passages, a place of healing for women in need.” (from Lambert Bags website) To keep the ball rolling, Excellent Frameworks will be donating partial proceeds of the sale of this framed piece to a local women’s shelter. (see image top left). Textiles can also be a part of your home. Batik artworks, sports jersey, cross-stitch, embroidery, memorabilia clothing pieces, or needlework pieces can all be framed in order to preserve it. Custom framing a textile correctly is an art, but the science also means it must also be framed with preservation in mind. We create beautiful designs using museum quality conservation techniques and material. EJ Hughes Gallery & Excellent Frameworks 115 Kenneth St., Downtown Duncan 250-746-7112 Excellentframeworks.ca Written by Suzan Kostiuck

FEBRUARY ARTS EXCELLENT FRAMEWORKS & EJ HUGHES GALLERY

AQUAMARIS ART GALLERY IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN STUART PRYCE APRIL 1940 JANUARY 2022

t is with a profound sense of loss, felt personally and throughout the Canadian arts community, that we share the news of our beloved artist’s passing. John’s love of art underscored his life, from becoming an art major at the highly acclaimed H.B. Beal Tech. in London, Ontario, working and studying in Montreal, Chicago and Toronto, to a successful 35 year long career as an architectural illustrator whose renderings were used in projects around the world.

Killarney Sunrise Acrylic on Canvas, 18” x 36” by John Stuart Pryce

Through The Looking Glass, Oil on Panel, Plein Air, 12” x 16” by John Stuart Pryce

His passion for painting transformed him into an accomplished artist who divided his time between painting en plain air, creating large studio pieces and generously imparting his vast knowledge with others through his popular painting workshops. Noted for his loose technique and ability to convey with poetic eloquence the beauty he saw in the world, John Stuart Pryce became regarded as one of Canada’s foremost landscape painters. John was an Honorary Signature Member of International Plein Air Painters Organization Worldwide, Signature Member of Oil Painters of Ontario and Signature Member (AFCA) of Federation of Canadian Artists. Honoured to have known and represented John Stuart Pryce, we cherish his memory by continuing to shine the light on

LOVE is in the Air and we LOVE framing! Tag us on a picture of you and your LOVE on Instagram @ excellentframeworks and be entered to win a complimentary surprise framing design on your image! Details will be on on Instagram February 1st 115 Kenneth St., downtown Duncan 250-746-7112 excellentframeworks.ca

AQUAMARIS ART GALLERY

Cape Hay Bird Sanctuary Acrylic on Canvas, 48” x 36” by John Stuart Pryce

his humanity and his inspiring contribution to Canada’s arts and culture. Aquamaris Art Gallery Upstairs in the historic Duncan Garage Building (Level entry from the back) Suite 202 330 Duncan Street February Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4:00pm (250) 597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com

Our artful February arrivals come in perfect gift sizes and include gorgeous abstracted oil/ cold wax and encaustic works by Lynn Harnish along with the new oil paintings by our bird artist Rose Tanner. February hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4:00 pm and by appointment outside of these hours. Suite 202-330 Duncan St. Downtown Duncan 250-597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com

VISIT THESE DOWNTOWN DUNCAN GALLERIES Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 115 Kenneth St, Duncan 250-746-7112 excellentframeworks.ca ejhughes.ca

Aquamaris Art Gallery in the historic Duncan Garage Building Suite 202 - 330 Duncan Street 250-597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com 25

Queen of Hearts Nan Goodship Now Showing at Little Bird Gallery

e are so pleased to welcome much loved local artist Nan Goodship to show her original heart themed paintings in our gallery at Little Bird - 163 Station street in downtown Duncan. Nan’s life experience, education and CV are quite extensive, and for the brevity

required in this article, we’ve modified her words somewhat. Nan writes “Since I was a kid I’ve always been making things; clothes, paintings, inventions, drawings, songs, dances and poems- it all made me happy.

My career has been as a multidisciplinary artist for a variety of projects, commissions and exhibitions. I have taught art to all ages, as well as facilitated workshops and retreats on creativity, art making and contemplative practice.

In 2004 I began to create art full time in my Cowichan Bay studio, making functional ceramic pieces and hand painted tile murals. (Check out Nan’s painted tiles which enhance Duncan’s city square stage) Around this time I started an academic program in spiritual accompaniment

SHOP WITH US Tuesday - Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 3pm

Come to Little Bird gift shop & gallery for beautiful Cards, Gifts & Local Art + Rogers’ Chocolates too! Open Mon-Sat 10 - 5 26

Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs 251 Craig St., Downtown Duncan

imaginethatartisans.com I 250-748-6776

and this has both influenced my art making and how I connect with people. The heart based theme of “love in all things” began around 2006 and I’ve been playing with it sporadically ever since. Love in all things meant I needed to pay attention to seeing that in the world around me. When I started this series hearts weren’t trendy as they now are, and on my part it was mostly a push back against the usual mushy notions of romance and Valentine’s. It was also an affirmation of a perspective I wanted to cultivate finding love in all things, or circumstances. My only rule as I make these hearts is that each one must be unique. Sometimes I reference something I see in

Nan Goodship

the natural world, sometimes I’m thinking about a state of being and sometimes I am using the inspiration from the work of another artist. It’s pretty fun and the fact that they are all one foot square means that I don’t get stuck in an unsolvable visual problem. I have hung them together in my kitchen, or other locations. I like them on their own and together.” Drop into the gallery at Little Bird for a show and sale of Nan’s original 12” square painted hearts on canvas and check Facebook or call the shop to confirm when she’ll be in attendance to meet and greet!

Little Bird Gift Shop & Gallery @ 163 + 165 Station Street in Duncan is open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm.

Rose Wagner welcomes you to drop by her gift shop in downtown Duncan - Little Bird.

Phone 250-748-6861 for more info. opening January 31 and running 3 weeks until February 22.

Submitted by Dorota Lockyer, Resthouse

hopping for a new bed can feel a lot like the Goldilocks and the Three Bears fairytale. Full of optimism, we go to one store, try their mattresses, which we may find too hard. So off we go to another store—there, perhaps, the mattresses are too soft. Then, after searching through several stores, we find that perfect mattress that feels just right for our bodies. Success. However, it’s not that simple: Goldilocks didn’t have a partner to share her bed with. Due to sleeping position, weight, height and body shape, the mattress that’s perfect for one partner’s body is often not the right mattress for the other. It’s too hard, or it’s too soft—and the search begins again. The solution is a split layered mattress—that is, a

Two in One: The Couples Bed mattress which allows for both sleepers to choose the level of firmness for their side while still sleeping in the same bed. Customizable latex mattresses are ideal for this design because they are made up of latex layers in various firmnesses. Because the mattress opens right up, these layers can easily be swapped out as sleepers’ needs change over time. But there is more to a split bed than just the mattress. Couples often find that they

differ in more than just mattress firmness – they have a different temperature preference, too. Sleepers who overheat lose quality sleep because their bodies think that it’s time to be active. Conversely, those of us who sleep cold know the difficulty of falling asleep when uncomfortably cold. This is where split weight comforters can help both partners achieve optimal body temperatures. Split weight comforters have

one weight on one side, another weight on the other. For example, the partner who prefers cooler temperatures may have a light weight on their side, while the other side could be medium or heavy weight. For the perfect bed, finish off the dual design with your own customizable pillow. A natural shredded latex or wool pearl filling can be easily removed or added back in to make sure that each partner’s head and neck have the best alignment to sleep comfortably—and, in the end, sleep like Goldilocks in Baby Bear’s bed. Resthouse Sleep Solutions 126 Station St, Duncan 250–597–7378

DOWNTOWN DUNCAN WALK INS WELCOME WOMEN I MEN I CHILDREN WASH CUT & BLOW DRY BLOW OUTS • STYLING COLOUR • HI LIGHTS BALAYAGE • PERMS

250 709-2195

261 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

Baby Cakes Are Back!

ooking for a very special treat to enjoy this Valentine’s Day? Our long standing tradition of Baby Cakes has become a Cowichan Valley favourite over the years and this year will not disappoint. “These BabyCakes are hands down the best part of February!” Duncan Garage Customer

This Downtown Duncan tradition started over a decade ago when on a whim one of our bakers decided to use tiny cake pans to make small cakes to practice decorating on. The result was so pretty and delightful the small cakes were added to our display case as a one time special. What srtated as a whim turned into one of the most adored items on the Cafe’s menu, garnering it the name “Baby Cakes” and becoming a much loved part of Valentine’s Day at the Duncan Garage Cafe Bakery! Perfectly sized for 2-4 servings and decorated with hearts.

WE LOVE

BABY CAKES

$20 each

Available for pre order or at the bakery FEBRUARY 1 - 14 This year we are offering: Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting Chocolate (classic, triple chocolate, quad chocolate, raspberry, mocha, blackberry) Hazelnut Torte (blackberry or chocolate) Lemon Raspberry Torte NGI and Non Dairy options are available too. Also available for Valentines Day are our famous Cupcakes, Sugar Cookies and back by popular demand - Jam Hearts! Pre ordering your cake is recommended to avoid disappointment. Call the Café at 250-748-6223, or stop by and ask one of our baristas to order your Baby Cake today! Available for pre order or at the bakery February 1-14. Duncan Garage Cafe & Bakery 330 Duncan Street, Downtown Duncan 250 748 6223.

Delicious options in • wheat • no-gluten ingredients • vegan

ALSO AVAILABLE VALENTINEʻS SPECIAL CUPCAKES AND COOKIES

Duncan Garage Café & Bakery

330 Duncan St, Duncan 250 748 6223

JOIN US

WEDNESDAY to SATURDAY look for our daily specials on 40 Ingram Street

www.theoldﬁrehouse.ca

Downtown Duncan

(250) 597-3473

Wool & Winter Warmth

walked into Soul Comfort three years ago when my son Harrison was born. I bought him a wool blanket with a teddy bear dressed as a cowboy. It says “Lil Buckeroo” on it and it goes on top of Harrison’s bed every-night. It is one of those lifetime things we will have forever, along with the one we recently bought for our daughter Grace. Discovering wool has changed my perspective on clothing, bedding, footwear and housewears.

(778) 422-3456 kahunaburger.ca

(778) 422-2021 alohabowls.ca

During the Winter months, we often get the chilly weather here. Generally I have found that the weather sticks around a bit in this Valley due to the mountains on either side, which hold the weather in a bit more. The cold is often connected to people getting sore, either from an old injury that does not like the cold or those of us that just feel sore from the bone chilling cold that whips around this time of year. Some people suffer from poor circulation during the Winter time. Often enough it is the body compensating for the cold by pulling the blood back into the internal organs, but if you find your extremities are always cold in the Winter, it may be time to consider the saviour of cold people. Enter sheep wool products from Soul Comfort located in Duncan. The range of items that are available for people to keep warm is vast. For me

the first thing was a simple pair of slippers. Every year in the Winter I get a flare up from an old injury on my foot. Consistently its when my feet are cold, and I step wrong, or jump with a bit too much joy (is that possible?) or my son jumps on my foot. Whatever the reason is, it hurts and used to take a while to settle down, that is until these wool slippers. The best way I can explain it on paper is that the wool somehow wraps the foot like a hot bath. Within a few minutes my feet are at perfect temperature and begin to relax. Within the night of sleeping with my slippers the ache of the old injury is subsided at least by half. The best explanation I can figure in my head is that wearing a natural fibre truly from the earth somehow has the ability to help my body relax in a way not available normally. Something about wearing this fabric feels like where I want to be going in my life. Many of us in the last year have rethought what they want life to be about. I hear many people talking about a “return to the land”, and the unlocking of more simple times through holistic practices, local food production, and exploring alternatives to the norms we have all been used to. To me wool fits into that narrative very well. It’s completely natural, sustainable, ecofriendly and highly versatile and keeps us warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. For our family wool clothing is our best choice going forward. Soul Comfort Sheepskin & Sheep Wool 190 4th Street, Duncan (250) 737-1281 Submitted by Andrew Sawyer, happy father of two who loves calling the Cowichan Valley home.

Hydrafacial MD (now replaced by our even more luxurious Bela MD treatment), or the gentle heating of Laser Genesis is rejuvenating. Is it just the laying down for 60 uninterrupted minutes? Is it the comforting feeling that someone is taking care of you? Is it the knowledge that your skin will be refreshed and glowing? Or is it simply time out for you with some friendly faces to talk to? Whatever it is doesn’t really matter. The result is some self-care and time for yourself.

Caring For Yourself

Dr. Lyn Pascoe is a member of the Doctors of BC, the Canadian Medical Association, and the Family Physicians of BC.

es, it’s February again. Valentine’s day is here - a time when we think of romance and love. So I would like you to consider, for a moment, how you care for and love yourself. Most of us want to be a good friend, a caring partner, and a person who shows love and kindness to others. However, we often become lost in the day-to-day stressors (we’ve had many of those in the last two years) and the busyness of our daily lives. We then too quickly stop taking care of our own inner needs. We forget about play and doing things that bring us joy. These may be simple things like a walk in nature or a conversation with a good friend. A comforting yoga practice, some quiet reflection time, or a gratitude journal can also bring joy. In the last number of years, I have noticed that many of our clients at Viva Medical Aesthetics are so happy to lie down and have a treatment done. Clients find that taking the time for a simple chemical peel, a more luxurious

Self-care by itself can often be a big boost to self-esteem. In the aesthetics business, there are many treatments that help with self-esteem. Rosacea, acne and acne scarring, and pigment disorders can damage how we think about ourselves and how we present to others. I have many clients whose self-esteem has dramatically improved after having these conditions treated. Selfesteem boosting treatment options are: 1. Medical grade skincare directed by a physician or medical aesthetician is often the first step. 2. Chemical peels help acne, pigment, and general skin glow. 3. Laser treatments are ideal for rosacea, some pigment disorders, and collagen production. 4. Micro-needling is helpful for many conditions, including pigment disorders and general laxity to the skin.

Somatic Classes with Violet Reynolds Somatic Yoga Tuesdays 2-3:30pm Cowichan Community Centre cvrd.ca Somatics on Zoom Friday 9 - 10 am Inquiries - somayogaviolet@gmail.com 5. Fractional resurfacing for acne scarring and pore size gives excellent results. So this February, why not take some time for yourself? Think about what brings you joy and how you would like to nurture yourself. Are there skin conditions that you would like to have addressed and improved? The result will likely be a happier and more confident you who can spread some of that happiness around. During this Valentine’s

season, my team at Viva Medical Aesthetics and I wish you joy and self-care / love in your lives – however that may look for you. Viva Medical Aesthetics 177 4th Street, Duncan (250) 746-6512

FOOD CONNECTIONS 2022

Virtual Food Security Conference

owichan Green Community (CGC), in partnership with LUSH Valley Food Action Society and Island Health, present Food Connections 2022, a FREE virtual food security conference, open to anyone and everyone interested in food security. Join us for two days of panel discussions, speaker sessions, and workshops on topics such as Indigenous food sovereignty and livelihoods, diversity in food systems, economic and social policies to support food sovereignty, remote and rural food security, regenerative food systems and food security, and urban farming in communal spaces, sustainable diets, mental health and food, evaluating food security

initiatives, setting up seed banks, and herbal medicine within your own kitchen. If you’re looking to learn more about environmental, sustainability, and food security issues, local and national alike, Food Connections is a must-attend event! Join us online March 4th (8:30am – 4pm) and 5th (9am – 5pm) for this FREE virtual conference! Register for your ticket here: tinyurl.com/ foodconnections22 Dani Stancer (she/ her) Food Hub Manager Cowichan Green Community

DUNCAN’S FIRST FREE FOOD PANTRY

s the rain pours during frosty mornings, Lauren (my supervisor) and I survey the misty scene at Kin Park, with the vapour of our breath billowing like smoke from our lips. Every morning we conduct a sweep and hope for the best. With any urban space close to downtown, the park can be a hotspot for theft, vandalism, littering, and the remnants of fires. The latter piece of evidence has been common for many months now and gives us pangs of worry for when the rains disappear. As we sift through the ashes, ensuring there are no smouldering embers, we often find peculiar treasures. Potatoes wrapped in foil, empty cans of beans, other scraps of makeshift cooking material. Fire is a tool for sustenance as much as it is for warmth. The fires have been a source of contemplation for us. When we realized folks were cooking food from the gardens (or elsewhere), we had to swallow the difficult reality of how frequently food insecurity shows its undying face. The fires and the theft are only a by-product of the real problem. The ones who light fires to cook their only meal of the day are the ones who hold the brunt of the real

problem. We hear the words “food justice” and “food security” so often these days, it can be hard to pin down the meaning. They are tied in with public health, socioeconomic status, agriculture, cost of living, community and so much more. They do not exist in a bubble. It is entrenched within a larger system - a system where the harmful consequences of disjuncture and poor access can be seen in front of us every day. Mutual aid is also designed to promote egalitarianism, which opposes hierarchies between participants, and between organizers and the communities that projects serve. The thing about systemic problems is that they require solutions cut from the

same cloth. This was a glaring realization for us at Kin Park in these past months. We were witnessing the ripple effect of a systemic problem play out in front of our eyes. So, instead of viewing those who are affected as the problem, we opted to find a solution to help all of us. With the support of Vancouver Island University and Victoria Foundation, the Community Food Pantry is born! For most, a huge factor in feeling “at home” is having access to food within the community you live in. Being able to do that in a dignified way is important, and this is the difference between a community pantry and a food bank. This project is not a charity program, it is mutual aid. Mutual aid means that we act with kindness to help each other as one community. Like when a neighbour bakes you bread after you decided

to shovel their walkway. Or when you take turns driving your kids to school and soccer practice. We want to foster the “at home” feeling around the pantry, the park and our city, and we need your solidarity to do so. As this pantry is built, with the helping hands of Vancouver Island University students and Victoria Foundation’s Neighbourhood Small Grants, we are looking ahead to ensure the success of this project. If you would like to be involved with the building, painting, stocking, cleaning or maintenance of the pantry, please contact blare@ cowichangreencommunity. org. Your support is needed and appreciated by all. Join us, neighbours! Blare Conlin (she/ her) Urban Farm Intern Kin Park Youth Urban Farm Cowichan Green Community

although Covid has kept us apart for a couple of years. Apparently I am also now a bird watcher. Most of the hummingbirds made it through the cold snap but I’ve been unable to entice the flickers to come by, I may need to make some suet. Amongst the eagles, ravens and other fowl there is the occasional hawk, perhaps stalking the birds I’ve been feeding, but hey, everyone needs to eat.

Brock is Back

’ve recently returned to the south island and I’m really misty-eyed to be home, perched as I am on top of the Malahat overseeing my domain. I’ve allied with the incredible people at the Moon Water Lodge and the Malahat Chalet and we have big plans. Really I’m hoping to reconnect with all the folks I’ve missed so drop me a line or even come in for our Saturday through Monday Valentines gourmet four course menu-guaranteed not to disappoint A freshly rekindled interest in music has me bringing out my semi-retired clarinet, guitar and anything percussive, and a dear friend gave me a fiddle for Christmas—not ready to go public on that one yet. My son Eiji is doing very well in Japan and plays the cello

I tried my usual mushroom patches in the fall but it was a terrible year--the mycelium got very dry this summer in the heat and there was not much fruit to speak of, enough for dinner though. I had wanted to post a recipe but that will have to wait until the next issue. Stay tuned for a winemakers paired dinner series February through April, they should be amazing. It’s so good to be back. Chef Brock Windsor

Malahat Chalet 265 Trans-Canada Hwy, top of the Malahat (778) 432-4606 moonwaterlodge.com

have the adjacent bath for her (note the in mirror lighting for perfectly lit reflection, all fixtures from Splashes, thanks Jennifer) and separate shower room for him with easy barn door access and a floor that slopes in just one direction to a linear drain.

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

ell, actually, the millwork is so yummy in this waterfront bedroom that you could almost eat it. This was a very special renovation for some very special people. For starters, they needed accessibility to every single thing as the husband was wheelchair bound and stubborn.

The Only Thing Missing is Chocolate!

That meant he wanted independence and the ability to go from his fully accessible sports car to the beach and load himself by winch and cable into his kayak to tour the bay, all ‘unassisted’. Did I say stubborn or did I just mean he was on a mission?

An additional fixation for them both was tidiness and a place for everything and everything in its place. This was no surprise to us. So behind the fireplace wall you will see we kept it flat and open for ventilation, is the walk-in or wheel-in closet.

And then be married to a beautiful wife with equally as much vigor and determination, this love couple are the first thoughts to come to mind at Valentine’s. It seemed now, our mission was to make this happen. You see the strong seamless connection to the outdoors. I normally advise against decks off master bedrooms as they never get used. But in this case, everything in life is appreciated to the last detail. So alas, the code requires a step at each door for rain

infiltration, so we installed interlocking Brazilian hardwood IPE deck tiles over the vinyl deck and shimmed them up to meet the threshold. Thanks to Nils at Westwind Hardwoods. Paired with the flawless Pella Doors with zero thresholds, the wheelchair could glide from room to room, inside to outside, down a series of gardens paths and into his kayak lift. Yes, unassisted and at Olympic speed.

Many shoe cubbies multiple drawers and on smooth running tracks for every occasion. Our Daryl did a masterful job of all this millwork out of our shop. I am also a not a big fan of sloping vaulted ceilings preferring higher flat ceilings and tray ceilings with strong horizontal lines, so both this fireplace feature and wall cap continue that strong horizontal established by the most important exterior ocean view wall of windows and doors.

Note, I learned something here. The client would stay at many a so-called accessible hotel suite only to find the shower with a drain in the center and all slopes of the floor to the center. Try to balance a four wheeled chair on that concave slope some time. The result with this project was flawless with a gentle slope to the entire room to a linear drain for very safe and easy operation and use. The open air and spacious shower room allowed for easy use while staying seated or allowing transferring oneself to a shower bench for long warm soaks. All four rooms including adjacent office and laundry were tied together with large format porcelain tiles from End of Roll for a smooth and waterproof ride throughout. I think it was even skid proof for the adventurous one in the house. Build something like this for your partner and she will remain your valentine forever I’m sure.

And just for a bit of powdering, we of course

Images courtesy Tony Colangelo Photography

Shift Intuitive/Psychic Readings “Leigh is a very gifted psychic. I was in a transitional time in my life when I first met Leigh for a reading. She was able to translate what she was “getting” into concrete and practical applications for my life. That reading helped me to move forward with confidence that I was in the right place at the right time.” - Denise

Call 250-619-3815 or email Leigh at: shift123@shaw.ca 35

LOVING LOCAL I VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE

SPA ONE VALLEY VIEW CENTRE Relax and indulge with an Eminence facial, spa pedicure/manicure, body wrap, or massage. 10-1400 Cowichan Bay Road, Cobble Hill 778-533-7721 www.spa-one.ca

BARNES & MARACLE FOOD SPECIALISTS VALENTINES SPECIAL! 3 course Valentines menu available February 11-14th $65 per person. Pre order by February 7th to barnesandmaracle@gmail.com or 250 710 1058

THE OLIVE STATION This February, find your perfect pairing at The Olive Station. Fall in love with Gourmet olive oil & balsamic vinegar! #7 - 225 Canada Ave, Duncan 250-597-8808 www.theolivestation.com

CURE ARTISAN MEAT & CHEESE Pre order a charcuterie board for your romantic winter date night. Sweets, meats, cheese and more. 1400 Cowichan Bay Road, Cobble Hill (250) 929-2873

FABRICATIONS Pyrrha Jewellery is just one of the many unique designs of jewellery you can find at Fabrications. Look for that special piece for yourself or for gifting. 125 Kenneth St, Duncan (250) 746-4751 www.foreverfab.com

SUNRISE WALDORF SCHOOL GARDEN FUNDRAISER Naturally dyed pure silk and organic cotton scarves, and natural wool yarn. Dyed with marigold flowers, madder root, cochineal and indigo. Contact sunriseschoolgarden@gmail.com

OH LA LA BOUTIQUE Date Night brings We-Vibe’s most popular couples toys in one special edition gift collection. For more pleasure products in store, enhance your romance this Valentine’s 55 b Lois Lane, Downtown Duncan (250) 597-3002 36

CLEAN CHOICE ECO FRIENDLY CLEANING SERVICES Love language appears in many forms. Gift the ones you love the luxury of time and a clean house to enjoy it in. Gift Certificates available. (250) 9298381 www.cleanchoicecleaners.com

PICKLES PANTRY Pâté, Duck with Port and Cranberry. Lightly spiced treat, highlighted by a punchy Cranberry Port Gelée. Available by delivery at cow-op.ca and cowichanmilk.ca or by pick up at www.picklespantry.ca 1250 266 2464

LOVING LOCAL I VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE

SOUL COMFORT Cozy, warm shearling sheepskin slippers. Made from durable cow hide nonslip leather. Very grounding and earthing. Custom sizes available. 190 Fourth Street, Duncan 250.737.1281

ROCKY CREEK WINERY NEW LOOK. Unleash the flavour of our luscious blackberry paired with chocolate for that sensual texture and WOW moment. 250-748-5622 www.rockycreekwinery.ca

RESTHOUSE SLEEP SOLUTIONS Spoil your loved one and yourself with a split weight wool comforter. Toasty on one side, cool on the other. 250-597-7378 www.resthousesleep.com

A MEMORABLE GIFT Whether hot and spicy, super sweet or somewhere in between we have the perfect Valentine’s gift for you. 6043 Rockland Terrace, Duncan 250-710-3088 www.amemorablegift.com

THE ARTHUR VICKERS GALLERY Carefully curated artisan pieces showcasing local hand created gifts that are memorable and timeless. 1719 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay Village, 250 748.7650 www.arthurvickers.com

REIKI WELLNESS Holistic Reflexology Session to bring the body into a blissful state of balance and harmony. 1400 Cowichan Bay Road, Cobble Hill 250 743-8122 reiki-wellness@shaw.ca

AMPERSAND DISTILLING COMPANY Nocino! 2021 Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year! Made from green walnuts & local honey. Grab a bottle at the Duncan Farmers Market 250-999-1109 www.ampersanddistilling.com

SOUL ESCAPE SPA & ORGANIC BOUTIQUE Eminence Organic Chocolate and Rose Facial Gift Certificates available 250 748 2056 109-2763 Beverly Street (Thriftys Plaza) www.organicboutique.ca

TARYN O’GORMAN DESIGNS Two sizes of Hard Faceted Hearts, all one-of-a-kind pieces, cast in either sterling silver or bronze. Chains sold separately. Details at: www.tarynogormandesigns.com 37

GREEN LIVING A SUSTAINABLE VA L E N T I N E ’ S DAY

hile I know many people steer clear of the dreaded Valentine’s Day all together, whether it’s the marketing intentions behind the “made up” occasion or the pressure to impress a loved one. Nevertheless, any excuse to celebrate love is a good one, here are some earth lovin’ ideas for the day. 1. If you want to give flowers, find some that are grown locally or go to a florist who carries organic flower choices. A potted flowering plant is a better choice than fresh cut as it won’t just die and need to be thrown out in a few days. Or take it to the next step and give a small flowering tree to plant, it’s sure to mark the occasion and be remembered for years to come. 2. Share a nice meal out together and in our community; it’s easy to find a restaurant that makes sustainable choices by preparing meals from only locally raised, organic foods. 3. Fair trade chocolate. Really there is no reason to support big corporate, conventional chocolate companies with many local options for high quality, organic, fair trade chocolate treats. Plan a chocolate fondue for dessert and you never know where else that melted chocolate might end up! 4. Plan a romantic getaway weekend, but consider the

carbon footprint by sticking relatively close to home and look for a hotel or B&B that boasts “green” or “eco” practices, there are lots of them. 5. Give sustainable gifts. Stay away from something with a limited or novelty use that will just end up getting tossed out. We all have too much “stuff” so consider giving something that offers an experience instead; spa gift certificate, brunch with friends or family, theater or music tickets… 6. Have the house professionally cleaned by an eco-friendly cleaning company, shameless plug here, but I really do hear so often that having the house cleaned is just the best gift. For your guy, if the house isn’t his domain, have his car cleaned inside and out. 7. Shut out the lights and use your imagination! It doesn’t cost anything and saves electricity too. Love the earth and love each other too, Happy Valentine’s Day. Tracey Hanson, local mompreneur and green cleaning professional

or linen. A wrap-around headboard is reminiscent of a wingback chair and provides a feeling of comfort.

Jane Nares is an Interior Decorator based in Ladysmith. janenaresdesigns. com 250-252-0501

ebruary is the time to think romance. Take a good look at your bedroom, could it use some loving touches? First up, declutter. The old adage, there’s a place for everything and everything has its place, never fails. Clutter is draining, and it’s definitely not romantic. If you want some quick fixes, here are some things I recommend adding; candles, lamps on dimmers, upgraded bedding (there’s nothing like pure cotton or linen sheets), pillows and a soft rug. Think textures and layers. For colours, go with either light and soft, such as whites, creams, pinks, and pale oranges. Or dark and moody, such as jewel tones, whichever grabs you the most. Another suggestion, have you ever thought of wallpapering your ceiling? It can add a wonderful touch of whimsey, especially in a bedroom when you’re looking up a lot of the time! For a slightly larger financial investment, if you don’t already have a fireplace in

Design Ideas For a More Romantic Bedroom

For bedroom window treatments, you always want to think blackout, so you get a good night’s sleep. If you’re going with the dark and moody look, there’s nothing like lined velvet drapes, which will block out most of the light. If light and soft is more your style, long flowing fabrics such as voile or a light-weight linen work well. Just make sure you install blackout blinds behind, cellular shades work well for this purpose. An Interior Decorator can help you pull your look together and provide inspiration. Give me a call, I’d be happy to help! Jane Nares is an Interior Decorator based in Ladysmith. 250-252-0501 jane@janenaresdesigns.com

your bedroom, now may be the time to add one. And these days it’s easy; there are some great designs that are standalone and plug in, or you can incorporate one as a built-in and make a fabulous feature wall.

Is it time to invest in a new bed? And I’m not only talking about a new mattress, although that might be a good idea too. Canopy beds are definitely romantic, with or without drapery. Another thought is a lux statement headboard in tufted velvet

Design Services & Colour Consultations Specializing in Bathrooms & Kitchens Aging in Place READY TO START YOUR DESIGN JOURNEY?

www.janenaresdesigns.com I 250 252-0501 39

SARA TILLIE ACUPUNCTURE

REIKI WELLNESS 250-743-8122 Debbie Shkuratoﬀ Reiki Master-Teacher-All Levels Usui-Karuna-Komyo-Seichim

250-812-9813 Sara Tillie Registered Acupuncturist Traditional Chinese Medicine

Valentine’s Specials Relaxing Reiki Balancing Session with a Soothing Foot Detox Special Special $150 for both (reg $180 )

Reiki Therapy & Classes - Detox Foot Spas - Acupuncture - Amethyst Mat - Reﬂexology - YL Essential Oils

Daytime • Evening • Weekends • By Appointment Only • #13- Upper Level • Valleyview Centre • Cobble Hill www.reikiwellness.ca • reiki-wellness@shaw.ca

Stress Reduction With Reiki

eiki is a complementary healing system for; stress reduction, relaxation, spiritual growth, enhancing immune function, healing and increasing physical energy and much more. Our physical body is alive because of the ‘life force energy’ (also known as chi, prana, mana, ki) which flows through it. If our life force is weak or blocked, we are more likely to get sick, but if it is high and free flowing, we more easily maintain health and a feeling of well-being.

SaoirsesProject

Individualised Holistic Healing Modalities Functional Medicine Practitioner, Dip. Craniosacral Therapy, BSc. Physiotherapy

• Individualised laboratory testing and analysis • Clear, guided individualised health programs • In-person, online or hybrid support oﬀered Reoccuring injuries/ Chronic pain •Digestive health •Low energy •Anxiety/depression •Trauma recovery •Concussion/ head injuries

David McCauley (778) 5877996 I SaoirsesProject@gmail.com www.SaoirsesProject.com 40

One thing that disrupts and weakens the flow of ‘life force energy’ is stress. Stress is often caused by conflicting thoughts and feelings that get lodged in one’s subtle energy system. These include fear, worry, doubt, anger, anxiety, etc. Medical research has determined that continual stress can block the body’s natural ability to repair, regenerate and protect itself. The effects of unreleased stress range from minor aches to major health concerns, such as heart disease, digestive disorders, respiratory and skin problems. It is our immune system’s “job” to help us avoid infections and disease. The

immune system relies on a healthy supply of white blood cells. Stress, as well as lack of exercise and nutrients, can reduce or weaken our white blood cell count. We have choices regarding our level of exercise, and the foods we select, but it is more challenging to manage the stressors in our life. Reiki aids the body in releasing stress and tension by creating deep relaxation and medical studies have shown that Reiki goes beyond simple relaxation. Reiki boosts the strength of white blood cells. By simply receiving Reiki sessions, or treating oneself, our immune system can grow stronger. Reiki Wellness, Valleyview Centre # 13 250 743-8122 www.reikiwellness.ca Debbie Shkuratoff - Reiki Master Teacher Usui Karuna - Komyo Tibetian - Seichim

Infusing Love Into Your Life With Crystals

ove comes in many formseach adding value to our lives in different ways. Love can bring happiness, joy, intimacy, and feelings of connectedness- but first you have to be open to it. Use these crystals to help infuse love into all areas of your life: Chyosophrase can help expand the Heart energy center and allow one to receive the infinite love of the universe; it may also help one to feel and express love more freely. It can be a powerful love attractor and help one to prepare for a new relationship. Rose Quartz, known as the stone of “unconditional love’’ can bring about a feeling of inner peace because of its calming energy, cultivating a state of mind that allows one to receive love. If one has suffered from loss, it can help to bring comfort; if one has lost trust, it can help bring back faith and self-esteem and if one has never been in love, it can help open up all the possibilities of falling in love. Emerald is a stone of successful and abundant love that can help open the heart in all aspects of life; enhancing our own self-love and strengthening the connection with divine love. Emerald is also known as a protective stone of the heart, boosting courage to love and be loved.

Crystal Ritual for opening to love: • Find a quiet and comfortable space to sit/lay down for a few minutes. • Take some deep breaths as you slow down and become more present to the moment. • Choose a love infusing crystal (or all of them!), place over your heart and state “I am open to receiving and giving love” 3 times. • Imagine or sense the loving energy of the crystal(s) infusing into and filling up your entire being. When you feel full of love, imagine a beam of light radiating out from your heart and sending it to people in your life you wish to send love to. • When you feel complete, gently bring your awareness back into your body and the space around you. Carry your stone with you for the rest of the day, repeat daily as necessary. CFS for the SOUL- located upstairs in the Community Farm Store in Duncan- Open Mon-Sat from 10am- 5pm. Venita Chow is an Integrative Energy Healer, and Crystal Keeper at CFS for the SOUL.

HUMAN DESIGN SYSTEM

• Would you like to discover and embrace your true nature? • Are you a parent that would you like to know the keys to empowering your child’s natural mechanics? Cathy has been studying and living her design for 10 years. Certiﬁed Professional Human Design Analyst I invite you to be in touch with any questions, lets chat about HD! crystalclearawakening@gmail.com

www.crystalclearawakening.com 41

The Four Ring Circus Dr Bill Nielsen has been practising in Duncan for thirty years

lot of people equate steroids only with bodybuilding. Those would be your anabolic steroids, but anabolics are just the tip of the steroid iceberg. Steroids are like a big circus family of specialized performers, all based on a stable chemical structure fashioned from four molecular rings. And trust me, they perform like a four ring circus inside you! Here is how to think about them: There are three kinds of steroids - sexy, salty, and cool. The sexy steroids are male and female. The salty steroids do sodium, water and blood pressure balance. The cooling steroids prevent your immune response from going crazy, swollen and hot. Steroids, like sexy, salty and cool people, interact with each other in complex and interesting ways. These health essentials are constructed in the adrenals, ovaries and testes. Female sex steroids are based on estrogen or progesterone. Millions of women take them daily for birth control or hormone replacement therapy after menopause. Male sex steroids are based on

testosterone, which is only one hydrogen atom different from estrogen (which I find amazing). We prescribe them for testosterone deficiency, aka Manopause. Bodybuilders covet anabolics to bulk up, risking the anabolic side effects of infertility, acne, liver disease and steroid rage. To lower hormone levels, doctors prescribe antihormone therapy for breast cancer and prostate cancer because those malignancies depend on the natural sex steroids to survive and grow. Mineralocorticoids, the salty performers, like aldosterone, protect and regulate your blood pressure by retaining salt. We try to reduce their effect in people with hypertension. Glucocorticoids like prednisone or hydrocortisone and dexamethasone are cool because they are powerful anti-inflammatories. They affect several sites in the inflammation cascade, reducing redness, pain, swelling, heat and itch. These steroids treat asthma, COPD, autoimmune diseases like Lupus, cancer, and arthritis. But be careful! They have an impressive array of serious side effects too: high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, bone weakness and infection. There you have steroids in a nutshell: sexy, salty and cool.

Custom Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Terence Miranda, AuD, RAUD, RHIP Doctor of Audiology Resonance Hearing Clinic www.resonance hearingclinic.com

here are two general types (and several sub-types) of hearing aids in existence, one type has a piece that fits Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and the other has everything In-the-Ear (ITE). Each of these types have advantages and disadvantages and the best type for you depends on a number of features and personal preferences. One of these personal preferences is whether to use a hearing aid that is rechargeable or to use one that requires batteries for its power source. Although each option has its pros and cons, rechargeable hearing

aids have become very popular over the last few years and hearing aid manufacturers continue to improve and refine their functionality and reliability. The main benefit of rechargeable hearing aids is that they don’t need to have their batteries changed. Hearing aid batteries can be tiny which allows the hearing aids to be made very small. Although small hearing aids are desirable for cosmetic purposes, they can be a problem for people that have dexterity issues or poor eyesight. Hearing aid batteries also need to be changed frequently; they typically last a week or so and sometimes less for the very smallest batteries. This is due to the power requirements for modern hearing aids. The battery has to power all the miniature components

of the hearing aids, including a powerful miniature computer that processes sound in lots of different and complex ways to provide the best possible hearing for the wearers and hence small batteries can drain quite quickly. Rechargeable hearing aids are significantly different as they are charged fully overnight and last the entire day without issue. Because rechargeable hearing aids require more space due to recharging requirements, BTE hearing aids have been the only rechargeable option available to consumers until recently. Developments in technology have progressed to the level where the smaller ITE hearing aids can now be made in a rechargeable format. This means that the benefits of ITE devices (such as using the natural sound

collection properties of the ear, being smaller, sometimes less visible, and less likely to catch on the mask strap and get lost) can now be enjoyed with the added benefit of being rechargeable. Rechargeable custom hearing aids are available from two major manufacturers thus far. Because Resonance is an independent hearing clinic, we not only carry this technology, we have had some experience and good success with rechargeable ITE hearing aids, should you want to try them.

Apple Pie A simple and delicious apple pie recipe to make at home.

Pie Crust Ingredients 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter chilled and cut into chunks 3/4 cup vegetable shortening chilled 1/2 cup ice water heart shaped cookie cutter Filling Ingredients 6 cups peeled, thinly sliced tart apples (about 6-8 medium apples) ¾ cup organic cane sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose unbleached flour 1 tablespoon lemon juice ¾ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon salt Pie Crust Method Add flour, salt to a large mixing bowl. Add chilled shortening and butter and use a pastry blender or fork to cut them into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add a tablespoon of water at a time until the dough begins to clump together. Do not over mix and only use what you need. Gently mold the dough into a ball, then divide it into 2 pieces. Press each piece gently with your hands into a flat disc. Cover each disk with wax paper and refrigerate the dough for two hours. Dampen a large towel or cloth and lay it flat on your countertop. Place a large piece of parchment paper over it. Lightly flour both sides of the pie dough disc and set it on the parchment paper. Use your rolling pin, gently press the pie dough out into a large circle. Always start at the center of the crust, and work outwards. Roll out the dough to a circle ½ inch larger then the diameter of your pie dish to hang over the sides. Gently turn the dough into your pie dish and remove the parchment paper backing. Settle it smoothly into the bottom and sides of the dish. Trim and crimp the edges using scissors or a knife or the crust amd keep chilled until ready to fill. Cold pastry will yield an even flakier crust. Roll out the second ball following the same directions and use heart cutter to make multiple hearts and keep chilled until ready to seal filling in. Filling Method Preheat oven to 425° F. In a large bowl, toss together all of the filling ingredients. Fill chilled pie crust with mixed ingredients and then lay pre cut pastry hearts over top. Overlap and lay pastry right to the edges of pie dish, leaving some gaps for steam to escape while baking. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown. Cool pie on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving. Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Pruning Edible Plants Bernie Dinter, Horticulturist and owner of Dinter Nursery

dible plants in your landscape can produce an abundant supply of food. To keep your plants healthy and productive, some basic pruning must be done in late Winter before they leaf out. The goal is to create an open structure that admits light and permits air circulation to reduce disease. This principle applies to everything from fruit trees to blueberries to grapes. First step is to remove the ‘3 D’s’ or dead, diseased, and damaged wood. Check for live wood by scratching the bark to see if it is green and moist under the bark. Cut back to a healthy bud or lateral branch. Then remove

crossing branches and those growing towards the centre. Keep the height down by removing vertical branches at their origin or cutting back to a lateral shoot or to an outward facing bud. This will create a plant with branches gently radiating up and away from the centre. Finally look at last year’s growth on the ends of the branches and head back by about 1/3 to an outward facing bud. This last bud will grow into an outward growing shoot. The buds below will produce lateral branches, creating a fuller plant. Next year some of the extra lateral branches can be removed.

Most fruit trees including apple, pear, plum and cherry produce short stubby branches with a swollen bud. These are fruit spurs with flower buds, when pollinated, will swell into fruit. Look out for these to anticipate how much fruit to expect. Peaches are different and fruit only on last season’s wood. Blueberries need a light annual pruning improve air circulation and remove the older, less productive wood. Grapes and kiwi only fruit off last years wood and are pruned hard. Every plant has its individual pruning requirements that cannot be covered in a short article but having an understanding of what to achieve will get you started.

Plant Your Edible Landscape Bare root fruit trees are available through to the end of March. We will be fully stocked with fruit trees after the middle of February Small fruits such as blueberries, grapes, raspberries and many others are available year round in pots. New stock arrives weekly. Plant now to start your edible garden. Yields increase every year as the plants grow larger. We carry a wide range of edible plants with more coming in as the season progresses. Check our website for updates. Serving local gardeners since 1973

www.dinternursery.ca 250 748-2023

5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1

New logo and branding but still owned by the Dinter family. 45

or almost 20 years, family constellation work has called me into action across nations as a facilitator, educator, host, consultant, and Cowichan Tribes foster parent. Constellation work has the potential to help us humanely explore historical events in our lives and backgrounds — and the marks they leave — with powerful new perspective and understanding. It’s a group process that attunes to an individual’s experience, while creating awareness and discernment about their family, extended collectives, and the impacts of their ancestral experience. We inherit great resilience, and we also inherit generational wounding and necessary ways of coping with those wounds. Systemic Traumatologist, Karin Dremel describes the basic conditions for trauma as our “nested experiences of: too much, too soon, too sudden and too little.” Trauma affected attachment between children, their parents and grandparents, between siblings, spouses, and extended families include secrets, exclusion, silence, perpetrator-victim

not found a resolution. This would be a most effective tool for those who have gone through the Residential School System which robbed us of so much, and still does through generations of our children. I personally have witnessed many types of healing and find this a most gentle and effective process.”

Paying it Forward: Family & Systemic Constellations cycles, and illness. These coping mechanisms are rooted generations back in greater forces and events – such as poverty, war, genocides, displacement and immigration, climate change, and technological revolutions. In group constellation circles, people “stand in” as representatives of family members and other key aspects of the family field. The movement of standing in “an other’s” shoes is essential to the process, and often a catalyst for deep insight and compassion. “Standing in” as a representative, is a relational

practice that allows us to learn more about social, historical, and cultural contexts through direct, embodied and heartfelt experience. And, as a natural response to the process, the individual and their system begin to seek new patterns of connection between forebears and descendants – mobilizing new opportunities for mending and creative resilience. Gloria Nicolson, Dzawada’enuxw Elder whom I’ve had the honour to work with, says “I would recommend Systemic Constellation Work to anyone who has experienced any type of loss (for which) they have

My year long Systemic Constellation Exploration Program, is now 70 alumni strong on the South Island, including people of diverse ages, cultures and professions. Each person takes a more cohesive understanding of complex human dynamics back into family and community. Next Systemic Constellation Exploration Program start: March 4th, 2022 Next Advanced Exploration Program w Karin Dremel MTS – for people working in Human Services Fields: September 2022 Jan Hull: www. coastalconstellationshub.com

Jan Hull Bed JIBC HSI - serving communities on the West Coast of Canada and the USA for 19 years

Offering INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENTS AND LESSONS since 2014, including work in developmental and therapeutic areas for children who are STRUGGLING TO LEARN TO READ.

KATE WOODLAND, BEd BC Certiﬁed Teacher readnow180@gmail.com 46

WHY CLAY?

have had clay in my life ever since I first touched it in 1996, through everything, it has been my touchstone, but why? I have no idea what drew me to the little old jail studio in Bonnyville in the winter of 1996. Each time I wipe a warm wet sponge across a wedging table, the fresh dirty smell takes me right back there. I find the same visceral response to the opening smell of a new bag of clay, it somehow pushes away whatever concerns I have and fills me with a feeling like I am truly in the right place at the right time. Please understand that I am completely aware of how stunningly lucky I am to feel such a sense of belonging in a particular medium, lucky and determined like a salmon knowing this path is right but it will also see me to my end. Someday, hopefully, another 57 years from now.

This is why we built a studio. It was a tiny corner of the unfinished basement in Calgary at the turn of the century, then a weird tiny 8 x 11 room that we installed laminate flooring in once we realized that we would need a tenant in the main downstairs space to help cover the bills while I started my pottery life for real. 10 years in that room and then into a very organized half of a garage for a few years and finally into a large bright above ground studio in our home. The most perfect colour of uplifting blue on the walls and crisp white trim, then three brand new wheels and the teaching space was ready in the fall of 2018. The clay brings such interesting folks into my studio. I have the honour of introducing people to the limitless potential of a wad of clay and the process of letting go of what we thought we were making when the clay shows us we were actually just making a mess! I guide people through the wedging, though it seems unrelated to the spinning magic of the wet clay with a good laugh about not making it into a zucchini. I hold their hands as they close their eyes and lean gently but firmly against the clay, trying

to shut out the world and truly centre themselves, even if only for a minute. The classes are unique too for those that sign up. They get to spend 2 hours at a time in a sacred space held by each of the 4 students and myself. We have to wear masks and keep apart (no hugs or snacks) but the muddy mess that covers their hands and arms and sometimes the walls, is almost an excuse to take risks and be silly and try hard at something really difficult in front of others who also came here to be fully present. I also relish the opportunity to escort the pots through the fires of hell at 2232*F as I light an incense for each kiln load and hand it to the kiln goddess as potters have done for thousands of years. I deeply miss the deep feelings of connection from group firings (like at the Tozan) but I will take the small victory of having my own studio, finally big enough to share my life’s work with a few who dare to try. Hilary Huntley, Trial by Fire Pottery Cowichan Bay

Trial By Fire Pottery Studio 2 Week Wheel Classes

Hilary Huntley

www.trialbyﬁrepottery.ca I 250-710-8758 www.trialbyﬁrepottery.ca

buried in sandy river bottoms. Lucky for us, for the past 30+ years the Dept. of Fisheries & Oceans has been running a program called Stream to Sea. It’s a strategy developed to help students become aquatic stewards. This program includes sending ‘eyed’ salmon eggs (the egg is developed enough that you can see the eyes in them) to participating classrooms to finish hatching the eggs and raising them to just past the Alevin stage (Alevin is when they have yolk sacs still attached), then releasing them in a local stream in the spring.

SALMON FRY Down by the Bay Where the eelgrass grows Back to my home, I dare not go For if I do My mother would say Have you ever seen a salmon playing Backgammon? Down by the Bay!

pring has sprung! Well, at least in the natural world it has. There are tiny signs of spring everywhere if you look closely enough. Among the many subtle signs of spring are the hatching of salmon eggs. In nature, we don’t get to see these precious eggs hatch because they’re

For the past five years, the Nature Centre has been raising salmon Fry (the stage after Alevin) as part of the Stream to Sea Program. This has given the general public a chance to watch the fry grow and develop over the summer, and then be released into a local stream in late fall. This year, we are able to participate in the egg hatching part of the program. We will be receiving Coho eggs in late January / early February to hatch, then raise the babies through the summer to release

locally in the fall. We are very egg-cited to be part of this aspect of the Stream to Sea program this year! Once released into a stream, young coho spend between 1-2 years in fresh water before migrating out to sea. After spending 18 months in the ocean, they will migrate back to their home stream to spawn and die. The life-cycle of salmon is an incredible journey, and it’s one that we should all pay more attention to protecting & supporting as our climate changes. Come and visit us at the Nature Centre to see these beautiful creatures.

Madeline Southern Aquarist/ Educator, Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre Cowichanestuary.ca

nterested in seeking slow fashion? Echo Verde, a sustainable fashion company based in Vancouver, believes that what we do should have as little impact as possible on the earth and enrich the lives of the people who make them, sell them and wear them. They specialize in sustainable, easy-to-wear, comfortable clothing for women. in classic styles that last a lifetime. What happens at one end of the chain “echos” through and impacts the other. The company was started in 2009 by Jane Nemis as a way of taking her 30+ years

in the industry of fashion and translating them into something that helps the environment! A self-described “eco warrior” Jane has 18 years experience in designing and producing eco and organic textiles and garments, inspecting factories and ensuring compliance to fair trade standards and forming relationships with smaller, family owned factories. She continues to work with textile and fabric suppliers to create new and better fabrics, cleaner production methods and sustainable products that last. “Their sweaters are a favourite of staff and customers made from

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Slow Fashion in Chemainus Eco Verde organic cotton, merino wool, cashmere blends and recycled fibres - they are so wonderful to wear” smiles Lulu, co owner of the Chemainus Health Food Store. “Other favourites are their fingerless gloves, scarves and underthings.” All their clothing is produced using certified organic bamboo, cotton and eco-friendly materials like wool and recycled fibres with consideration to leaving a greener footprint by using less water and low-impact dyes so you can feel good about your purchas. The fibres/yarns include: 100% Certified Organic Bamboo (produced in a closedloop, eco-friendly method), 100% Certified Organic Cotton, 100% eco and humane Merino Wool, Recycled Fibres (preventing them from going to landfill). They also blend yarns from

the above that incorporate stretch and recovery and give a soft hand. Their dyeing process uses less water than standard methods, so its environmental impact is much lower. They use “non-azo” dyes, which are free from carcinogens and toxic chemicals and do not bind to fish or wildlife. Each of their factories have wastewater treatment. Echo Verde—eco * organic * beautiful – comfortable clothing that your body, heart and mind can all feel good about. Chemainus Health Food Store, 9738 Willow St, Chemainus.

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BIG selection of natural products, cosmetics, 9738 Willow St, Chemainus 250-246-9838 organic produce and so much more! Hours Mon-Sat 10am-5pm • Closed Sun & Statuatory Holidays 50

Blood Pressure Good health to you! Tina Foster, RHN Essential Remedies

igh blood pressure? Also known as hypertension, having ongoing high blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, this also decreases the blood flow and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease and stress on the body. Narrowed and stiff blood vessels can cause a myriad of issues related to the circulatory system including stroke, heart attack, elevated blood sugar, hypertensive retinopathy affecting eyesight, and kidney damage can also occur. Brain blood flow is vital not only to prevent stroke, but also involving headaches, confusion, and convulsions- all to be avoided. Hypertension is not something you want to leave be, so take action! There are many excellent natural ways to do so.. 1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline. 2. Exercise regularly. Get that blood pumping, lower your risk, and benefit your health in other countless ways. 3. Eat a healthy and natural whole food diet, consisting of an abundance of plant foods, which naturally lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and contain ample potassium and other vital nutrients. 4. Cut added sugar and refined carbs, which harm your blood and body. 5. Avoid excess sodium and processed foods. Preparing more of your meals from scratch will limit excess salt and unwanted ingredients. Stick to sea salt or himalayan in minute amounts added to your plate. 6. Limit alcohol. 7. Stress reduction and management. Chronic stress contributes to high blood pressure, especially paired with poor habits. There so many

helpful ways to cope better! So find what ways that work for the individual you. Some tidbits: *Change expectations *Don’t focus on things not in your control *Make time to relax and unwind. Meditation, reading, bathtime, your choice. *Daily activities you love and that bring your joy! *Practice gratitude *Hug your loved ones. *Soothing music. *Work less. 8. Supplements: Along with these effective lifestyle tools, you may require or choose natural supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins, potassium, and vitamin C are some essential basics. Consider any of the following: 1. CoEnzyme Q10- naturally occuring nutrient that aids conversion of food into energy. Antiaging and energizing. Commonly used for hypertension, preventing heart failure/attack. Vital for statin users. 2. L-arginine and L-citrullineamino acids that convert to nitric oxide which quickly widens blood vessels, relaxes and opens arteries, promotes healthier blood vessels. 3. Beetroot- contains high levels of nitrates which convert to nitric oxide. Add powder or crystals to water, smoothies, etc. Also contains magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients. 4. Garlic- prevents angiostein production, enhances nitric oxide, antiinflammatory and

antioxidant. 5. Fish oil- rich in omega-3 fatty acid which lowers blood pressure. 6. Ginger- acts as a natural calcium channel blocker and dilates blood vessels. Antinflammatory. 7. Berberine- traditionally used to decrease blood sugar and pressure. Increases nitric oxide as well. 8. Green tea- Drink up! Contains compounds called catechins

that have a multitude of benefits including to relax smooth muscle of linings, leading to lower blood pressure. 9. Hibiscus tea- rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols for heart health. Use a combination of these healthful and helpful tips that will be sure to benefit your health in many abounding ways!

Traditional Chinese Exercise for Health All Classes in the Cowichan Valley *unless stated Wild Goose Qigong (Chi Gong) Gentle movement • Calms your mind • Heals internal organs • Develops ﬂexibility Mondays 9 -10 am Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm (combined Qigong and Chun Yuen) Wednesdays 10-11:15 am Fridays 10-11:15 am (Victoria)*

Northern Shaolin Chun Yuen Quan

Dynamic movement • Improves posture • Increases energy • Strengthens bones Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm (combined Qigong and Chun Yuen)* Wednesdays 9 am - 10 am

250 748 4060 rivendellrhythm@shaw.ca

www.WildGooseQigongCentre.com

Diana Pink is a Holistic Health Mentor, offering ways to detox and balance your life to restore vitality and health.

recently had the pleasure of attending a Zoom meeting with fellow Bach students, hosted by our Bach teacher with guest Helen Hess, who is a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner and psychologist with many years of training and experience. Helen delighted us with her stories using the Bach Flower remedies with different mental health clients, especially folks with PTSD and OCD. She has successfully used Bach Flower remedies in her daily practice for decades, and shared many reflections and healing stories with us. The featured topic was PTSD, something most of us have I think, or know someone who has experienced it, and is also a huge under-recognized and under-remedied issue in society. From my personal experience and years of in depth research about amazing healers like Dr. Bach, I have come to really know that he is correct in saying it is a disconnection from our higher and true self that causes disease, being out of balance and ’sick’. It shows up in a myriad of ways, and the physical pain it can cause can be unbearable

Treating PTSD with Bach Flower Remedies

at times — not to mention the mental, spiritual and emotional pain this disconnect causes. Bach Flower remedies come to your rescue — they flood your energy body with positive vibrations and feel good energies, working their gentle magic to smooth edges and reconnect you-to-you naturally in a safe, non toxic and natural way. Using the flower essences can also have a ‘peeling of the onion’ effect, and assist you in working through emotional layers for deep healing smoothing the edges.

Helen has just released a book called “Bach Flower Remedies and PTSD”, citing many case studies from her work with patients, some of which she shared on the call. She highlighted a few remedies that are her ‘go to’ remedies for PTSD. For example, a person reliving the past and having flashbacks calls for the remedy Honeysuckle. Holly can be used for not trusting what is outside of yourself, hyper-vigilance, and survivor guilt. If there are feelings of shame or self blame, Pine is the remedy. The remedy Mimulus is for known fears, and White Chestnut helps to keep those unwanted thoughts

at bay. I also learned she sometimes gives her clients one remedy for a month or so to calm and balance their nervous system. Her example was Star of Bethlehem which is for distress following shock and trauma. This is an excellent remedy that helps to restore the body’s self-healing mechanisms. And, the Bach five flower combination called “Rescue Remedy” is an indispensable tool for everyone, especially in this crazy world, a go-toright-away remedy in times of acute stress, anxiety and emergency. There is Rescue Remedy for children and pets made with glycerine that I have witnessed work wonders immediately in all kinds of situations. www.rescueremedy.com I am very inspired and passionate about sharing the profound effects Bach Flower remedies can have. If you are interested in more info., and a personal remedy mix, please be in touch via email at afreshstart@shaw.ca or 250 597-2102. May we all be well and enjoy the opportunity to live our true selves in freedom and health.

Spiritual Upliftment and Conversation

Considering the Link Between Material and Spiritual Progress

ore than a century ago, it was stated that while “material civilization is one of the means for the progress of the world of mankind,” until it is “combined with Divine civilization, the desired result, which is the felicity of mankind, will not be attained.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’lBahá. Few would deny that material advancement is necessary for society to move forward. However, when we put a single focus on advancing prosperity, it often becomes personal and excessive and distracts from the desire to see prosperity for all people. During our three decades in business, my wife Laurice and I found that society’s accepted focus for business was on financial growth alone. It alone was the benchmark for success and society lavished abundant praise on those who achieved it. But we were never satisfied with our businesses achieving financial success alone. From our spiritual study and reflection, we knew that there needed to be balance between our wish for personal or corporate prosperity and the prosperity of those across the globe. We wished to see

universal material progress including education for all, assurance that the basic needs of food, shelter, health care and safety were met, and that initiatives that could uplift society were adequately funded. Thus, it was through our spiritual progress that we came to understand the need for balance in our material wants and needs. As Baha’is we believe that spirituality can be expressed in many ways – that it is foundational to who we are as humans, it cultivates our thirst to find truth, it can elevate work to the station of worship, and it tempers our selfish tendencies by prompting thoughts and acts of generosity and humility. I am thankful to be reminded of the importance of this link between material and spiritual development when I read the following quote from Baha’u’llah, the prophet/ founder of the Baha’i Faith, “All men have been created to carry forward an everadvancing civilization.” Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah.

Submitted by Tim Mock

Join us in oﬀering prayers for the healing and upliftment of the world, and conversation on topics that support the establishment of unity and peace. We are three local Baha’i friends who meet on Zoom from 7:30 to 8:45 on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.

All are invited and welcome, whatever your spiritual path. Please call us for details and link: Tim/Laurice Mock, Lee Masters – (250) 748-2585

February Topics

February 9: Truthfulness and Trustworthiness February 23: Hope

So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. Baháʼu’lláh 53

Submitted by Brandy Gallagher

O.U.R.

ECOVILLAGE had the amazing privilege to participate in the “Cowichan Food Innovation Program” within the pilot for the program! All the secret sauce of the workings of the program came from the amazing ability to….work locally and think about creating within circular economy principles. The diversity of food and beverage businesses, organizations, and farmers really makes the Cowichan unique when we all work together and the Economic Development Department of the CVRD really gave us all the lift-off to fly! The pandemic really has shifted so many farmers, foodies, and educators focus - but for

OUR Eco Village O.U.R. team it gave us the chance to pair everything we have been up to into one offering AND now to work with as many other local businesses, farmers, and cooperatives as we can

‘permaculturalize’ into the weekly schedule. 2021 saw the ‘Community Supported Agriculture - CSA Food Box’ membership project (which we had kept humbly small before) expand and

begin bringing together lots of great contributions of product/services from other locals. CSA’s are about purchasing ahead of a season and sharing the risk with a farmer so adding in other

businesses just makes great sense as a way to simply support a number of local businesses at the same time. In O.U.R. case we even add in ‘Educational Programming’ with a whole online community portal of videos, recipes, and even ‘Introduction to Permaculture’ classes! All this and then add on onland programming with ‘petting and picking’ days where you can bring the family and work with O.U.R. livestock/poultry or even jump in to berry and fruit picking. Multiple days per month your membership includes the opportunity to jump into the amazing art & culture extravaganza of “AWAKENING the Dragon” where we sculpt (with earthen/cob materials), mosaic, and craft an amazing climate change adaptation hero’s journey and befriend the dragon. And now…..

locally grown, organic and delicious

Ol’ MacDonald Farm Happy New Year from Ol’ MacDonald Farm. Need eggs or garlic? Give us a call! Otherwise see you at the market in March! with 2022 the “Educational CSA Food Box Program” has already began taken on more partners, businesses and farms. The offerings for educational programming provides great tools for families (especially homeschoolers!) and teachers are even more abundant and if there is something you would like to see added or want to contribute please let the team know. 2022 is looking like a brave new year - stay tuned for the full permitting of O.U.R. Zero Mile Meal Eatery and new outdoor patio spaces on the farm. We are all looking forward to seeing you in person, especially at O.U.R. ‘Slow Food DriveThru’ (no fastfood drive-thru here!) - and online in the member portal to co-create the magic…. www.ourecovillage. org or info@ ourecovillage. org or office: 250-888-7798

THE VAGINA MONOLGUES The Mercury Players presents the darkly comic Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler to raise funds for Cowichan Women Against Violence. The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play written by Eve Ensler in 1996. The play explores body image, consensual and nonconsensual sexual experiences and several other topics through the eyes of various women. The darkly humorous monologues were written by Eve Ensler following approximately 200 interviews with a variety of women. The play made its debut benefit performance on February 14, 1998 for V-Day in New York. The V-Day campaign raises funds and awareness to end gender based violence. The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Voices, Victory, Valentine, and Vagina. In the spirit of the history of the play The Mercury Players will be donating the proceeds from 4 performances of The Vagina Monologues to Cowichan Women Against Violence. February 11-14 at The Mercury Theatre. Seating is limited to 50 audience members per show due to current COVID 19 restrictions. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite or by phone/text 250-510-

1691 or email shauna. clinging@gmail.com Tickets are $20 (+ Eventbrite fee). You can also add a donation to CWAV either online through Eventbrite or at the theatre when you attend.

INSTRUMENTS OF CHANGE The Key Winds Trio A well established ensemble of Cowichan musicians who, through years of collaboration, have forged a strong friendship and musical bond, evident in their polished performances. Their concert will highlight the evolution of their respective instruments during the 1800’s. Works by Herzogenberg, Reinecke, Bruch and Kahn demonstrate the musical possibilities that these changes provided. Sunday February 20 at 2 pm at St, Michael’s Church, Chemainus Tickets: $25. Under 18, $1 in advance only by phoning 250-748-8383 Masks and vaccine passports mandatory.

LOOKING AFTER OUR POLITICAL BODY WITH CONSENSUSBASED DECISIONMAKING Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley, (250) 7152792 Sonia.Furstenau. MLA@leg.bc.ca

y fellow MLAs and I are heading back to the legislature in February. Instead of a conflict-driven approach, we would serve better if we could adopt a consensus-building and collaborative approach. Consensus-building is about process, and not simply outcomes. When we travel through a consensus-oriented process, we are likely to come out with a sense of caring, respect, and cooperation for our fellow decision-makers, knowing that we have listened respectfully and that we have been respected in our sharing. When we go through a decision-making process in a conflict-driven, adversarial way, we are more likely to come out with feelings of disrespect, resentment, and polarization. These feelings stifle future possibilities for collaboration, discourage transparency and information sharing, and lead to higher fences, rather than stronger bridges. Among the majority governments of recent years, including the present one, it is this adversarial approach that is most characteristic. The pattern is one of less transparency, less accountability, less

willingness to provide clear and straightforward answers to questions, and less room for debate. This ‘my way, or the highway’ approach is visible outside the legislature as well, and has become increasingly severe in its various manifestations. The deterioration of kindness and respect towards our fellow community members was perhaps most heart achingly visible in the protests at the BC legislature that included the hanging in effigy of Premier John Horgan, Minister Mike Farnworth, and Minister Adrian Dix. While we can and ought to quarrel with government and government decision making, it should never cross the line to the hateful, vicious, and inhumane. These actions serve only to deepen the dividing lines, and to close hearts and minds. The last two years have been challenging for all of us, given the ever-present pandemic, the decline of our natural world, our communities impacted by climate disasters, and a growing number of people having difficulty meeting their basic needs. What we need now more than ever is to lead with love and compassion. When we lead with love, and make decisions together in ways that are kind, respectful, and inclusive of those affected, the outcomes are better. How we do things constitutes what we ultimately create. Like our own bodies, our political bodies should also strive for ‘heart health’.

Hidden Gem Reiki Studio

Judy Johnstone, Reiki Master 250-661-0192 www.hiddengemreiki.com Governance should be rooted in service to the communities we love. When we act in concert with our fellow community members and decision-makers in the spirit of love, understanding, and respect, we make decisions

that are kinder, wiser, and more just. This is what I will continue to hold in my heart as I return to Victoria, and I will encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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Happy Valentine’s Day To ME

n Valentine’s Day, we are reminded of our relationships with others, but often do not think about the relationship we have with ourselves and our bodies. Some people find it easy to exercise and eat a healthy diet while so many others struggle. One of differences is mindset. If you view yourself as someone that can’t eat healthy, you’ll find it very challenging to eat healthy. Do you see yourself as a person that is not fit? If so, you probably won’t be able to find your way to exercise with any regularity. Someone that eats well doesn’t view food, or himself, in the same way an unhealthy, overweight person views those things. With the appropriate mindset, you can do anything! These habits can assist you in becoming a healthier you: 1. Make healthy choices and recognize them as such. The best way to think of yourself as someone that makes healthy choices is to make them regularly. When you view health and fitness as PART OF YOUR IDENTITY, the behaviours that support that belief occur naturally. 2. Consider how each decision impacts your health and fitness. Most people never consider the impact a decision has on their health. They choose food based on what they happen to feel like eating at that moment or what is convenient.

When faced with options, ask yourself, “Which option best supports my health?” When you begin asking this question, you’ll begin the process of changing your mindset.

3. Grocery shop with a “healthy mindset”. Before you head out, make a list. Review that list and ensure that you’re making healthy choices. Stick to your list. Avoid the “unhealthy” food aisles. 4.Make time for exercise. Avoid the mindset of, “I’ll exercise today if I have time.” Make the time. Plan out your week and decide when and where you’re going to work out. You can certainly arrange for 30 minutes of exercise a few times each week. 5. Affirmations: Write five affirmations that affirm your commitment to health and post them on the wall. Some examples: I consider the impact every decision I make has on my health. I make my health a priority. I find it easy to stick to a healthy diet. I love to exercise and keep my body fit and healthy. My mind and body want to be healthy. Possessing a mindset that supports your goals is a critical part of becoming a healthier person. We consistently live up to our expectations and beliefs about ourselves. Change your mindset and your life will change, too. You can book a consultation with Silvia at sageheartnutrition@ gmail.com or visit her website at sageheartnutrition.wordpress. com Silvia Graber, Registered Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner specializing in digestion and mental health.

exercise I ask you to open your heart and honour this time of truth and honesty. Sit with yourself and do not focus on the problems surrounding love but on the solutions needed to attract it. Do not let negativity be part of this exercise. We are focusing on attracting love into your life and letting go of what no longer serves you. Prep your sacred space for journaling. Take a moment to ground your energy. With your eyes closed, breathe in the essence of yourself at this moment. Once you feel relaxed open your journal and begin by writing at the top of your page:

Burning Love Spirit Journaling Angel Jury - Modern Day Oracle Spiritual Advisor * Intuitive Psychic * Spiritual Medium * Card Reader

“I am a magnet for love and am fully and completely open to having it in my life”

ove is such a mystery and it can stir up so many emotions. How can something invisible be responsible for so many experiences in one’s life? It can make us feel a range of things from being complete to empty, soft to jagged, and desperate to joyous.

After you have written this statement let spirit take over. Begin free-flow writing and allow the pen to do whatever it wants at this moment. Let your pen flow with words and expressions you may never know existed in you. When the pen stops flowing you are done.

Your emotions have the most magnetic pull and the heart acts as a conductor to these frequencies. What you think about love will ultimately determine what you are attracting. Honestly ask yourself if you are happy with your love life and your relationships? If you answered yes, congratulations! You understand a balance is needed to attract love and to maintain it to keep it sustainable.

Take a moment to look over what you created in your journal. It may be words, sentences or even drawings. Whatever it is, embrace it. Then open to a new page and answer the following questions honestly.

If you answered “No” yay you! This is the starting point for your spiritual growth. To truly love and be loved by others you must love yourself. Let’s re-start your fire for attracting love with this easy exercise. Spirit Journaling Exercise In this “Spirit Journaling”

What are my belief systems regarding love? Am I capable of loving myself or another? Will I let my past relationships determine my future relationships? When you have completed this part, close your book and take a deep breath in. You just had a conversation with your soul about love and how you will start igniting the fire within you. When your fire is burning, love will find you. Remember to celebrate this little win.

Spirit Journaling prompts are created and designed to help you understand that writing is a form of communication for healing and guidance. This content was created and offered by Angel Jury - Sacred Silence. Join the group for weekly journaling

exercises and prompts on FB @ SpiritJournaling-Angel Jury or on IG @SpiritJournaling.

Do you and your partner share the same vision for retirement? Co Purchasing Real Estate Preparation is essential when it comes to copurchasing real estate. From financing, to decisionmaking, to streamlined exit strategies, having a clear and fair co-ownership agreement in place, before submitting offers, provides confidence and security to all parties involved. For more information on how to successfully co-purchase real estate on Vancouver Island or to connect with like minded people email brian@realocityrealty.com

Kristy Landry, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. Kristy.Landry@ edwardjones.com

ou and your partner may agree on many key issues facing you at your current stage of life, such as your lifestyle and financial issues. But what if your visions for retirement differ? It can be a challenge. After all, each of you has so many possibilities: You can pursue your hobbies, volunteer, continue your education — there’s really no limit to the ways you can add meaning to your lives. Communication is key You probably know the importance of communication in any relationship — and this same skill is essential for agreeing on your shared retirement lifestyle. So, to get on the same page, take the time to have an open discussion, following these suggestions:

Be open – Create and share a list of characteristics for your retirement vision. Some characteristics you may want to consider are the type of living arrangements, what kind of activities you want to do, whether or not you’ll work and how close to friends and family you want to be. Be specific – You and your partner may want many of the same things, but perhaps not to the same degree. For example, maybe you both want to travel – but one wants to drive around the country, while the other wants to visit foreign shores. Be ready to share - Share your plans with others who have an interest in your decisions to help shape your final visions. Friends and family may have influence in what you choose to do. Be ready to compromise – You and your partner have already travelled a long way together and probably have an interest in finding common ground — so, if you’re each willing to move a little bit in the other’s direction, you should be able to enjoy

SHARED DREAMS

spending time together for many years to come. Be prepared for more dialogue – The discussion of your shared retirement lifestyle should not be a one-time event. As the years go by, you each may have new ideas about what you’d like to do. So, revisit the conversation every so often Planning together is twice as fun. You and your partner have accomplished many goals together and have much in common. It can be advantageous to plan together, even if you don’t want to comingle assets. There can be efficiencies (tax savings) now or in retirement. Talk to your advisor to help you determine a strategy to reach your shared retirement vision.

Prioritize your future with a free ﬁnancial review! Kristy Landry | Financial Advisor | (250) 743-1259 | Kristy.Landry@edwardjones.com

www.edwardjones.ca

Mill Bay Nature Park, image courtesy Patty Abbot

Winter Walks and Dine & Sip Cowichan Submitted by Patty Abbott, Visitor Centre Coordinator

1. Mill Bay Nature Park is a beautiful park situated minutes off the Trans Canada Highway, on Hollings Road just north of Mill Bay. While you meander through the forest trails down to the seashore, be sure to observe the variety of birds and other wildlife living among the forest. After your peaceful walk, finish the afternoon by heading down to the village of Mill Bay where you will find The Mill Pizza & Grill and Bridgemans Bistro – both offering fantastic Dine & Sip options. 2. Maple Grove Park and The Cowichan River Estuary is the perfect place to walk on a sunny winter day. The park is situated right across from the

South Cowichan Tennis Club just north of Cowichan Bay. Approximately 4.5 kilometres long, this easy walking trail offers many vast views of the estuary and the tail end of Cowichan Bay. 230 species of birds and other wildlife inhabit this estuary – making this the perfect stop to see a magnitude of wildlife. Finish up your afternoon with some food or refreshments from one of the Dine & Sip Cowichan participating restaurants. Nearby you will be able to grab some delicious takeout from Cow Café West Coast Grill in Cowichan Bay, or you can head back towards Duncan and grab some refreshments and a light snack from Red Arrow Brewing Company.

3. Somenoes Marsh Garry Oak and Ye’yumnutsa Historical Scared Burial Ground. From Duncan, take Lakes Rd to Trillium Terrace. At the end of Trillium Terrace turn left onto York Rd, and park at the end of York Rd. This site is home to many birds, wildlife, rare flowers, and shallow root Garry Oak Trees. If you’re looking to grab something to eat post walk, The Italian Kitchen at Grove Hill Farms is close by, or head to Maple Bay and enjoy a lunch at the Shipyard Restaurant or to Genoa Bay Café in the heart of Genoa Bay. 4. Somenos Marsh located in Duncan is a unique experience for all ages and abilities and features an easy to navigate board walk and a tower viewing area. This trail is easily accessible off the Trans Canada Highway going north just past Beverley Street. Make sure you stay in the right lane as the parking lot come quickly after Beverley Street. This walk is a must for serious bird watchers. The Somenos Marsh is home to a huge diversity of birdlife and is considered one of the best areas for birding near an urban area in BC. As well, this marsh is the home to the second largest Trumpeter swans on Vancouver Island, which migrate to Somenos Marsh in the winter months to breed and feed on the

abundant aquatic plants and seeds. If you can, make sure you get to there early to experience the morning mist and sun coming over Mount Tzouhalem. If you’re looking to grab a bite after your walk, head over to Brunch on 3rd, the Oak Taphouse, or the CVI Restaurant & Lounge at the Best Western – each are offering a fantastic dine menu. 5. Askew Park is a 3.4-hectare forested park located in the heart of Chemainus. The entrance to this park can be found at the corner of Chemainus Rd and Oak St, just off the roundabout. The Park is popular for its 8-kilometre walking trails and its year-round birdwatching opportunities. After your walk, check out either the Sawmill Taphouse & Grill or the Owl’s Nest Bakery – both serving a special dine menu at a fabulous price. 6. Stocking Creek Park is located just north of Saltair towards Ladysmith on 1A. This park offers a beautiful waterfall with several bridges and board walks throughout the trail. This light hike is definitely worth the visit! After your hike, have a meal at Fox and Hounds – a traditional British Pub Style Restaurant, or In the Beantime Cafe for their fantastic Dine & Sip Cowichan menus.

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T 60 MINUTE SAMPLER MOUNTAIN BIKE LESSONS Since 2018 Next Level Riding has helped hundreds of riders of all ages improve their mountain bike skills. Owner Alan Churchill is offering a free 60 minute sampler lesson in February, to improve your bike set up and body position on the bike; spaces are limited (18+). Next Level Riding also offers regular clinics and private lessons throughout the year from beginner to advanced skills. Check out nextlevelriding.ca or @ nextlevelriding for more info. February 13, 60 Minute Sampler Mountain Bike Lessons (18+), 3 time slots available, Fuller Lake Arena Chemainus, FREEnextlevelriding.ca to register.

Spot The Difference by Merv Bowman

REVITALIZATION OF ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH AND GROUNDS - COWICHAN STATION

he Cowichan Station Area Association is gathering support to revitalize a historic pillar of the community. St. Andrew’s Church and cemetery has graced a small rise above the bridge over the Koksilah River for the last one hundred and sixteen years on traditional unceded territory of the Quw’utsun’ people. Now the CSAA is asking for input and support from First Nations, the local community and anyone with a connection to this historical church and property. In 1903, an acre of land was donated by the local community to the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia for the construction of a church. The community enthusiastically embraced the prospect of a place of worship, with fundraising events and voluntary labour. Businesses contributed as well. The church was named St. Andrew’s and was consecrated in 1906. In 1925, the churchyard was consecrated for burials. In 1956 a church hall was added. St. Andrews continued to reflect

Toad Hollow Photography

events in the lives of the community over many, many years. For example, as a First World War Memorial, the church commissioned an English firm to construct a large stained-glass window, which bears the names of thirteen local men who died in the war. The website of the The Institute for Stained Glass in Canada describes this window, as: “…one of the most precious memorials in BC.” The cemetery holds the remains of many local families and of veterans. In 2010, many churches in BC were decommissioned due to financial difficulties, St Andrew’s was one of those churches. There has always been a very strong sense of community ownership of the church and grounds and it has always been a gathering place regardless of faith. The Cowichan Station Area Association (home of The HUB) have begun negotiations with the Diocese to take over management of St Andrew’s. The CSAA is a volunteer-run and community generated charitable organization which has done an exemplary job of revitalizing the nearby Cowichan Station School (1914) and adjacent buildings and grounds, into a place for gatherings, the pursuit of the arts and culture, recreational opportunities and environmental awareness. The CSAA is inviting community input into visioning for a revitalized St. Andrew’s. We cannot do it without you. The first community consultation will be held on zoom. Express your interest in attending in an email to info@cowichanhub.ca Melanie Watson, Vice President Cowichan Station Area Association

LUCKY DOG DOG MYTHS… It’s time to set the record straight:

Dogs have pure hearts: Dogs have the same range of feelings as we do. Jealousy, frustration, greed, and anger are all felt by your dog. The appearance of these feelings are different in your dog than in your human family, but dogs are fully sentient beings and their emotions need to be acknowledged. Dogs don’t change: Dogs can learn all through their lives. Limiting your expectations limits your dog’s life. Learning new skills should be encouraged and builds confidence and wellbeing. Let a new dog smell your hand: This movement can be seen as a threat to a frightened dog and you may have your hand bit. If you’re in a situation

with a new dog, turn sideways and ignore her. She will sniff you and feel more relaxed than if you’re gushing and baby talking. Never lean over a strange dog. She’s wagging her tail, she’s friendly: Tail wagging is just a way to move scent around. The whole body needs to be taken into account to determine the mood of the dog. A friendly face has the eyes relaxed, the ears gently pulled back and a relaxed jaw. Submissive dogs may squint and smile. The spine should be relaxed or slightly curled sideways. My dog is a jerk, that means he’s an Alpha: No. It means your dog is a jerk. The Alpha dog thing was debunked decades ago by the same scientist that coined it, but this dog park rumour will not die. If Alpha dogs exist, they are confident without being nasty. More of a leader than an oligarch. You will notice that other dogs immediately respect them without correction. Allowing your dog to bully others while boasting that you can’t change him because “He’s an Alpha” is not a good look for either of you.

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Drop-in Toe Nail Trim 1059 CANADA AVE DUNCAN Eating grass means my dog is sick; Many dogs eat grass to wrap up something in their stomach and then vomit it up. That’s self-medicating and usually nothing to worry about. Grass can scrub parasites out of the intestines and won’t cause any damage. Allow your dog to eat grass. In fact, make sure your dog has access to long, broad grass. Bamboo works, too.

Just north of Pots & Paraphanelia

dry nose. Your dog doesn’t require a Valentine’s Day gift: False. Your dog NEEDS a gift AND a nice dinner and a movie. Enjoy!

Debbie Wood owns Lucky Dog U-Bath. She can be found on trails in the Cowichan Valley with her BF, Bonnie.

Poodles are a French breed: Nope, German. Mixed breed dogs are healthier than purebred dogs: Not necessarily. A dry nose indicates illness: It indicates that your dog has a

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Two walks are available to choose from – a 2km or a 5km walk. The event begins at 4pm at the Cowichan Community Centre and ends there at approximately 7pm. Having the event outdoors makes it easy to make small adjustments to COVID restrictions and, if necessary, it can also be run as a virtual event.

The Coldest Night of The Year

n February 26th, folks in Duncan will join thousands of others in 150+ cities across Canada in The Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY), a family friendly, winter walk in support of people experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness in the Cowichan Valley.

The event is organized in partnership with the Blue Sea Foundation (another charity). Funds raised in Duncan will go to CMHA Cowichan Valley to create a safe space and programs for homeless youth. We are seeking team captains, walkers, volunteers and event sponsors. We welcome corporate teams, businesses, faith groups, community groups, sports teams, family and friends groups, and any others willing to walk to raise money. We encourage teams to challenge others in the community to participate and fundraise. If you don’t have a group but you want to walk - no problem,

simply visit the link below and register with an ‘Everyone Welcome’ group. CNOY is something special - it’s fun, meaningful, and a little challenging. CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch is also something special, and our work and service in the community are essential. Our CNOY goal is to raise $30,000 with the support of 20+ teams and 200+ walkers. If you would like more information, please visit: www.cnoy. org/location/duncan or send an email to annemarie.thornton@cmha.bc.ca. Please consider joining us on February 26th. It’s cold out there. Submitted by Anne Marie Thornton, Manager Community Engagement and Fund Development CMHA-Cowichan Valley Branch

bad comics

by Shiloh Badman 64

Looking Ahead to RCMP Reform the Coastal GasLink pipeline to see a militarized police response cracking down on Indigenous land defenders in a dispute that has caused serious divides within the larger community.

Alistair MacGregor is the MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford and the federal NDP’s Critic for Public Safety, Critic for Agriculture and Food and Deputy Critic for Justice.

n my new role as the federal NDP’s Critic for Public Safety, a big goal of mine this year is to push the Liberal minority government and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to commit to serious and systemic reform of our national police force, the RCMP. I want to acknowledge the important role that RCMP members play in our communities. As first responders, they show an incredible dedication to keeping our community safe and are often having to make incredibly difficult decisions in very trying circumstances. There are, however, problems with the force, which have played out in numerous violent interactions with Indigenous people and in how complaints against RCMP actions are handled and followed up on. As an example, we need look no further than the current standoff in Wet’suwet’en territory in northern BC over

These systemic problems were detailed in a comprehensive report by the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, entitled “Systemic Racism in Policing in Canada.” Among the 42 recommendations made in that report were calls for a legislative overhaul of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, including better civilian oversight, a more robust, better resourced, and accountable complaints process, and the transition away from a paramilitary force. As the 2022 parliamentary year kicks off in earnest this month, I’ll be pressing Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to honour the recommendations of this report, which were based on the testimony of 53 witnesses over 19 meetings. The sad reality is that too many Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people in Canada are subject to discrimination and systemic racism at that hands of police. A transformative federal effort is needed to address this injustice, restore trust, and to ensure that accountability, oversight, and transparency are entrenched in our national police force. If the Liberals can find the courage to begin

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s light slowly returns to the Northern Hemisphere, we anticipate brighter days ahead. It’s a good time to consider the wondrous combination of forces that make life on Earth possible. Above all is the sun — the ultimate source of all our energy. But we rely on plants, algae and some bacteria to obtain this energy through photosynthesis. According to a Lumen Learning article, “It is the only biological process that can capture energy that originates in outer space (sunlight) and convert it into chemical compounds (carbohydrates) that every organism uses to power its metabolism.” Photosynthesis uses solar energy to convert water and atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds such as sugars. “These sugars are then used to make complex carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, as well as the wood, leaves, and roots of plants,” University of California’s Understanding

Global Change website says. As an added bonus, we get oxygen. Photosynthesis powers 99 per cent of Earth’s ecosystems. Even coal, oil and gas were created when plants (and sometimes the animals that ate them) were buried, their captured solar energy transformed and concentrated though heat, pressure and hundreds of millions of years. Although it’s tempting to see this massive, fiery, life-giving entity as some kind of deity, we have to remember the sun is indifferent. What it does to or for us is up to us. If we choose to go out into its heat unprotected, we’ll burn and possibly get skin cancer. If we put solar panels on our home or office building, we’ll capture its energy. Existing and new ways to use its power more directly, perhaps even through artificial photosynthesis, are clearly better than wasting the valuable, concentrated stores that have

taken more than 300 million years to form. But unlike solar radiation, coal, oil and gas can be “commodities.” Under our human systems, someone can “own” these and exploit, trade, sell and profit from them. As profit and wealth concentration became primary drivers of economic agendas in the industrialized world, rampant exploitation and waste became the norm, rather than careful and beneficial use. Most early automobiles used plant-based ethanol for fuel, but as more oil was discovered, the two industries worked together to create a sprawling car culture that would deliberately burn and waste excessive amounts of fuels to keep profits flowing. It was likely the biggest overall mistake humans have ever made. For a time, it worked like a dream — the American Dream perhaps — increased prosperity and mobility, shopping malls, drive-throughs, suburbs, middle class jobs, a wide variety of food and products and consumerism as a virtue. We can see now that we’ve been borrowing from the future to pay for our excessive lifestyles, and the bill has come due. It never made sense to burn precious energy stores in such a wasteful and polluting way, to put enormous amounts of money and energy into developing a culture and infrastructure around empowering and encouraging a massive number of people to each have a two-tonne machine to move them around. To resolve the climate and related crises, we have to change our ways. And we have to help those who haven’t enjoyed the same privileges and benefits of our fossil-fuelled economies to ensure they can prosper without contributing more to the damage. I once asked renowned ecologist E.O. Wilson, who died on December 26, how many people the planet could sustain

Everything under the sun indefinitely. He responded, “If you want to live like North Americans, 200 million.” That’s because North Americans, Europeans, Japanese and Australians, who make up 20 percent of the world’s population, are consuming more than 80 percent of its resources. So maybe we shouldn’t think of transformative change as sacrifice. It’s more about realizing what’s truly important, that the persistent race to acquire more stuff or more money is an illusory path to well-being. We simply can’t continue consuming in the same way we have been for the past hundred years or so. Freed from those pointless pursuits, we might actually discover that family, friends, community and nature bring us more happiness and satisfaction than any material goods. So, as the days grow longer with the promise of the sun, let’s all do what we can to spread light and joy in the world.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington.           Learn more at davidsuzuki.org.

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Mercury Retrograde in 2022

ercury retrograde occurs three times a year. This is when Mercury appears to go backwards in relation to planet Earth. (In reality Mercury always moves forward.) During these so-called retrograde times, the areas that Mercury has domain over inexplicably suffer from errors and delays. These errors are small but frustrating!

from our past will pop up into our lives. “Boris?” “Natasha!” However, we can make good use of Mercury retrograde times to finish things, study the past, do research and reflect. But do not open a business or begin new projects. Mercury retrograde is also a bad time to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones.

Mercury has domain over everything that moves forward:

The dates below are the actual retrograde dates plus the buffer times. This is because Mercury starts to slow down before it goes retrograde. Then afterwards, it needs more time to catch up to where it was at when it first went retrograde.

(1) All forms of ground transportation, (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, taxis, trains) (2) The mail, parcels, packages (Post Office plus Courier and Delivery Services) (3) Communications – email, social media, phone calls, conversations (4) It also includes daily living (the people we encounter, the items we deal with, the transactions we make and how we relate to others.) During Mercury retrograde, all the areas under the domain of Mercury tend to go “backwards.” (They certainly have trouble going forwards!) Expect transportation delays, missed buses and car breakdowns. Mail will be delayed or lost. Daily items like keys and papers will be misplaced. Communications with others will be confused and misunderstood. People 68

The craziness (delays and errors) is most pronounced during the actual retrograde time. However, if you are buying a big-ticket item like a car or a computer, I recommend that you play it safe and avoid these purchases during the buffer times as well. You’ll be glad you did. • January 13 – February 4 (Buffer times: January 9 – February 24) • May 9 – June 3 (Buffer times: May 2 – June 19) • September 9 -- October 2 (Buffer times: September 2 October 17)

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Aries (March 21-April 19) This month you enter a lovely window where you will be more popular. Many of you will hang out more with younger people, especially younger people you haven’t seen for a while. You might be more involved with clubs, groups and associations either in person or on-line. You will make a lovely impression on bosses, parents and VIPs right now. In fact, a romance with a boss might begin for some of you. Grab every opportunity to travel because you want to get outta Dodge! Taurus (April 20-May 20) This month the Sun moves to the top of your chart. This happens only once a year, and when it does, it symbolizes that a flattering spotlight is shining down on you. This is why everyone (especially people in authority) will admire you, even if you don’t do anything special. Obviously, because you have this advantage, you must use it! This month, you are perfectly positioned to advance your agenda and go after what you want. Make your pitch! Travel will also appeal. Romance with someone from afar or from another culture is likely. Be patient in disputes about inheritances, shared property and insurance issues. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Your world will change this month. Many of you will travel; certainly, all of you will learn more and be eager to study or experience new environments and new ways of doing things. This window of time is also the perfect time to finish a book, a manuscript or an important paper. Romance will be particularly affectionate at this time. (Which is a good thing because Mars might make you impatient with others. It will be easy to fall into disputes with those who are closest to you.) Be nice. Steady as she goes. Cancer (June 21-July 22) This month you’re on a selfimprovement kick because

you want to be the best that you can be! You can use this same window of time to finish up red-tape details about inheritances, shared property, taxes and debt. Work hard to get as much done as possible because Mercury retrograde will actually help you to finish things. Meanwhile this s also a hot sexy month for you! (Be still my beating heart.) You will feel passionate and affectionate with your main squeeze. And if you don’t have a main squeeze, you will still feel passionate about life! Ole! Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) This month the Sun is opposite your sign. This happens only once a year, and when it does, it indicates that something is coming to a head or that there is a culmination of something. Naturally, you might encounter opposition from others. This is the classic time when life is giving you a report card. You see what works; you see what doesn’t work. It’s humbling when you realize that even the King of the Jungle makes mistakes. Fortunately, you are never petty. You own your mistakes and admit them. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This month you will want to get better organized. You want to get on top of your game. You want to feel that you are flourishing in a productive, efficient way. You want to feel proud about your accomplishments. By extension, you want to improve your health. You might slightly change what you’re eating. You will try to exercise more. (The whole enchilada.) Your home life is still busy and in relative disarray. Fortunately, fair Venus wants you to party, socialize and enjoy loving times with kids. That will feel nice. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Lucky you! This month will be a fantastic window where fun, pleasure, enjoyment and even vacations will be a top priority! Yay! (It might be difficult to go on vacation with all the restrictions there are in the world at present.) But you certainly can enjoy yourself with some imagination. Romance will flourish! You will enjoy playful times with kids. Welcome opportunities to express your creative talents. Some of you will

finish redecorating projects despite the increased activity and chaos that is happening at home. It’s all okay. Scorpio (Oct. 23Nov. 21) Your focus will turn to everything to do with home and family this month. You might be more involved than usual with a parent. You might stay at home more. You might focus on home repairs. Certainly, there will be family discussions. You will also work hard to boost your earnings although, many of you will be spending a lot as well. A lovely blessing at this time is that Venus promotes warm, everyday contacts with everyone. Major bonus! However, you will also be very persuasive with others! Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) This month your life will be busy! The pace of your days will accelerate because suddenly, you’ve got things to do, places to go and people to see! Short trips, increased reading and studying plus more contact with siblings and relatives will be on your menu. You will attract money to you. This same influence will encourage you to spend on beautiful things. Get more physical exercise (especially outdoors) because exercise will help you blow off pent-up steam that could be building up within you. You’re revved! Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You are never casual about money. And certainly, you are a sign that hates waste. This month you will focus more on money, earnings and cash flow. You will be more interested in your possessions – taking care of them and organizing things. You might want to show off something to someone? Or give the history of something that you own? Respect your moneymaking ideas. This is also the perfect month to more deeply ponder values: Ask yourself what really matters in life? Do you know?

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) The Sun is in your sign this month. (This blessing happens only once a year.) This will empower you! It will boost your confidence and attract important people and favourable situations to you. You’re in charge! With Mercury retrograde in your sign, you’re in contact with people from your past. Many of you are putting energy into groups or organizations because you want to make a difference in the world. Obviously, because there are so many global challenges. You have many chances to practice your magic. This is your hour! Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Your personal year is coming to an end, but your new year won’t begin until your birthday arrives. That means that this month a time of limbo to cocoon and take it easy. It’s the perfect time to start to think about what you want for your new year ahead, which will begin with your birthday. Make some goals because goals keep you on track. They make future decision-making easier. They give you a sense of purpose. With Mars high in your chart, your ambition is aroused. You can make this work for you!

February 2022 Issue 159

Articles inside

February Forecasts

Mercury Retrograde in 2022

Everything under the Sun

Looking ahead to RCMP reform

The Coldest Night of The Year

Burning Love -Spirit Journaling

Winter Walks and Dine & Sip Cowichan

Revitalization of St. Andrew’s Church Cowichan Station

Happy Valentine’s Day To ME

Looking After our Political Body

OUR Eco Village

Considering the Link Between Material and Spiritual Progress

Treating PTSD with Bach Flower Remedies

Slow Fashion Eco Verde

Blood Pressure

Why Clay?

Salmon Fry

Paying it Forward: Family & Systemic Constellations

Custom Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Pruning Edible Plants

Homemade Apple Pie

Infusing Love Into Your Life With Crystals

Stress Reduction With Reiki

The Four Ring Circus

Romantic Bedroom Design Ideas

The Only Thing Missing is Chocolate

Brock Is Back

Loving Local Valentine’s Gift Guide

A Sustainable Valentine’s Day

Duncan’s First Free Food Pantry

Food Connections 2022

Two in One: The Couples Bed

Queen of Hearts Nan Goodship Now Showing at Little Bird Gallery

Aquamaris Gallery in Loving Memory of John Stuart Pryce

Golden Pineapple Balsamic and Persian Lime Glazed Salmon

Steak Lover

Framing Scarves and Textiles at Excellent Frameworks

Heartwood

Children of Wondria

Art of Fondue

Why We Should Read: Johnny Appleseed

February Events

Boiled Chinese Dumplings

Giving Has its Own Rewards for CVACS Volunteers

Westholme Tea Company Annual Seconds Sale

Art for any Age

Year of The Tiger

Royal BC Museum: BC’s Marvellous Mushrooms