July 2021 Issue 152 by Cowichan Valley Voice

owichan

JULY 2021 ISSUE 152 SUMMER SIPPERS I ISLANDS FOLK FESTIVAL I LOCAL MARKETS

JJuly 2021 Issue 152 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Publisher Richard Badman Editor Sheila Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 6514 Wicks Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5V2 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution Proofreader Calendar & Masthead Shannon Faughan 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 July 18 for August 2021 Issue 153 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Next EVENTS DEADLINE July 15 for August 2021 Issue 153 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 limitation. SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Cynthia Montgomery, Hanna Elise, Nathan Harben, Chris Turyk, Grant Easterbrook, Susan Down, lessLIE, Craig Spence, Patricia Berry, Amanda Vance, Tina Foster, Kate and Winter Koyote, Aukje Kapteyn, Peter Rusland, Lon Wood, Jane Nares, Tamara Dinter, Tyler Hoffman, Terence Miranda, Dr Bill Nielsen, Tim Mock, Georgia Newsome, Alistair MacGregor, Michelle Atterby, Madeline Southern, Marin Dirksen-Gale, Tracey Hanson, Venita Chow, Cindy Savery, David Suzuki, David & Ranji, Patty Abbott, Debbie Wood, Brenda Isaak Takao, Martin Dovick, 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.

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

NEXT VALLEY VOICE DEADLINE JULY 18 for AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 153 AD DEADLINE: JULY 18 info@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 4

OUR COMMUNITY July Events 5 Duncan Farmers Market 12 Explore Chemainus 26 Sensational Summers at the Pubic Market 28 Downtown Duncan BIA 30 Bill C-12, the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act 46 Planning Your Estate 48 Cowichan District Hospital Foundation! 53 Recycling: The Last Option 64 Habitat for Humanity Building Strong Communities 70 The Times They Are a Changing 72 Community Farm Store 75 July Forecasts by Georgia Nicols 77 Community Directory 78-79 LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Summer and Cowichan Wines Pair Perfectly 14 Community Apples Finding New Life in Cider 16 Dry Aged Beef 17 In Defence of Chardonnay 18 Summer Sippers 20 Spinach Salad with Strawberry Basil Vinaigrette 22 Love Your Soda Stream...again 23 Cowichan Food Innovation Program 56 HOME & GARDEN Travel Advice From an Organic Bedding Connoisseur 32 Why Hire an Interior Decorator? 43 Preparing For Winter Vegetables 44 Soil Structure 45 Feeling Hot Hot Hot 65 Flowers in July 67 LOCAL ARTS 39 Days of July 13 Cowichan Valley Art Council: Floored! 24 Double Eagle: A Collaboration 25 Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society Hitting a High Note 27 Valley Voices: Childhood Contrasts 36 Shades of Green Art on the Acreage Art Walk 37 Artist Joanne Nemeth at Excellent Frameworks 38 Romance in Full Bloom at Aquamaris Art Gallery 39 2021 Islands Folk Festival Live Streaming on FB 40 Odyssey’s End 54 Bad Comics by Shiloh Badman 73 BODY, MIND & SOUL Pregnancy and Covid-19 33 Grounded Grandmothers a New Book by Aukje Kapteyn 34 Wool Helps to Treat Common Senior Ailments 35 The Hidden Hazard In Your Workplace 49 Reconfirming the Oneness of Humanity 50 Balancing Your Moods 51 I laughed so hard I peed my Pants! 52 Improve Digestion, Increase Energy! 68 A Hidden Gem in the Cowichan Valley 66 Why We Should Read 69 Turn your Story into a Legend 74 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE A Request for a Tree Protection Bylaw 8 Not Just About Old Growth: Defending the Sacred at Ada’itsx 9 A “Light” Evening Paddle in Cowichan Bay 55 Working Together to Save Water in the Koksilah Watershed 57 Engaging the Ecological Imagination 60 Gardening with KinPark Kids 61 Have you ever seen a Nudibranch? 62 Hot Days of Summer Favourite Swimming Holes 71 Remember a year ago when the world ran out of available dogs? 72 Wingboarding 76

JULY EVENTS

Times They Are A Changing Exhibit Sun 11-3pm Heritage Museum 2851 Church Way, Mill Bay www. millbaymalahathistory.com by donation also July 11/18/25

Elements of Wonder, art show featuring paintings by Etsuko Kaji and Heidi Summer. Cowichan Valley Arts Council Annex, 2687 James St. (Cowichan Community Centre). Hours: M-F 11-4, Sat 12-4. Zhen Shan Ren, a touring show of Chinese fine art prints. Cowichan Valley Arts Council Gallery, 2687 James St. (Cowichan Community Centre). Hours: M-F 11-4, Sat 12-4

Cowichan Food Innovation Program Showcase, 6-8pm, virtual (Zoom), FREE, ecdevcowichan. com

Silverside Farm U-PICK

13&14

2021 Season $4/lb

Introduction to Plein Air painting with expert Roger Jackson. Meet at waterfront locations in a small group. Register at the Cowichan Valley Arts Council https:// cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca/ whats-on/ 250-746-1633

Warmland Book & Film Collective The Hawk and the Hare by Janet Love Morrison 5-7pm online WarmlandBFC@gmail.com

Silverside Farm U-pick season begins book your day at the farm www.silversidefarm.com

Artist talk and demo Julie Nygaard Through My Eyes Only a visual journey 12-3pm 9871 Willow St, Chemainus

July 15th through August Thursday- Sunday Please check website for hours. Book online www.silversidefarm.com

3810 COBBLE HILL RD. COBBLE HILL, BC (250) 743-9149

Choices, art by Mackenzie Hamilton. Cowichan Valley Arts Council Annex, 2687 James St. (Cowichan Community Centre). Hours: M-F 11-4, Sat 12-4

2021 Islands Folk Festival Free Live Streaming on FB Fabulous line up of live entertainment that will be streaming from Providence Farm on variety of platforms. www.islandsfolkfestival.ca

Forest: Breath of Life, art show curated by the

COWICHAN BAY KAYAKING

Canoeing Adventures Youth Programs

Cowichan Valley Public Art Gallery, Cowichan Valley Arts Council Gallery, 2687 James St. (Cowichan Community Centre). Hours: M-F 11-4, Sat 12-4

ADVENTURE CENTRE All Levels of Paddling • Birding • Wildlife Tours • Rentals • Lessons • Scheduled and Custom Tours • Sunset and Bioluminescence Tours Wildlife Tours

Kayak & SUP Rentals

On the Dock at Bluenose Marina, Cowichan Bay

cowichanbaykayaking.com 250-597-3031 info@cowichanbaykayaking.com 5

would be issued.

Tree roots protect against erosion and landslide.

A REQUEST FOR A TREE PROTECTION BYLAW

Quamichan Lake Neigbourhood Association

To advocate for the natural environment, scenic beauty, historic and rural character of the Quamichan Lake neighbourhood and for the collective stewardship of the Quamichan Lake watershed. For more information Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qlna.cowichan/ Email: quamichanlna@gmail.com 8

he magnificent tree canopy that covers North Cowichan has been dwindling quickly over the last few years. We have municipal forests, but most of our trees are found on private land--and many are being taken down by property owners. At the same time, unhealthy trees are commonly left in place to cause future trouble. And we have to wonder, “Is it really necessary for developers to scrape every last bit of vegetation off the land, in order to build homes?”. We need our mature native trees. They clean and cool the air, sequester carbon and mitigate flooding. Tree roots protect against erosion and landslide. Trees provide comfort in outdoor areas, making a neighbourhood more walkable and perhaps more friendly. The Quamichan Lake Neighbourhood Association has some ideas to bring balance to North Cowichan’s approach to its urban forest: • Developers could post a bond for trees removed, to be returned upon replanting, before an occupancy permit

• Property owners could receive a tax credit for the total area of tree canopy on their land, as this provides the public benefit of cooling the air and stabilizing the soil, especially on steep slopes and areas prone to flooding.

• Property owners could be required to obtain a cutting permit or be fined. These fines could be mitigated by planting appropriate trees. • MNC could contract consulting arborists to assess unsafe trees. In high risk situations, the municipality could require and assist the owner with removal. Such a provision could save taxpayers the cost of removing wood and debris from roads after damaging windstorms, such as we saw in the winter of 2018 -2019. • Mature, native trees could be retained in riparian areas, on steep slopes and around endangered ecosystems. It’s the Quamichan Lake Neighbourhood Association’s hope that, as part of its revised Official Community Plan, North Cowichan will at last have its own tree protection bylaw, as is found in so many of our neighbouring municipalities.

Cynthia Montgomery is a retired teacher, a grandmother and a concerned citizen of the Cowichan Valley

he beginning I know is standing underneath Grandmother Cedar on a weekend afternoon in early fall. I remember staring up at her and taking in her wide trunk and outstretched limbs draped with Usnea, while feeling the springy softness of the mossladen earth gathered between her roots. Grandmother Cedar lives near River Camp, which is one of the first camps created by forest defenders in Ada’itsx (Fairy Creek) on unceded Pacheedaht territory. Flash forward, and the movement to end old growth logging on Vancouver Island is no longer just a few people camping out on a logging road. Now, there are many more camps with many more people witnessing the majesty of these ancient trees as the movement to end old growth logging continues to change and grow. Elder Bill Jones from the Pacheedaht First Nation shares that “The Fairy Creek watershed is a sacred place for many reasons. I have many stories about this area, from my own experiences as a child and a young man and also stories that were told to me by my elders. It breaks my heart in half when I see these last remaining stands being ravaged so a few people can have jobs for a few more months.” Although the Government of B.C. announced that they will defer logging in the Fairy Creek and Central Walbran Valley following the Hišuk ma c’awak (“Everything is connected”) declaration from the Huuy-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and

down to younger generations; wisdom that sees the need for the preservation of these sacred places. Tree-sitters, musicians, poets, cooks, strategists, builders, photographers, healers, and so many others are showing up alongside Indigenous land defenders to protect what they know needs protecting. If there is any part of you that is curious about what is happening on the ground, please visit Fairy Creek and the trees as an invited guest of Bill Jones! There are many ways for you to legally protest and observe what is going on at the various sites. Try connecting with a few friends to go together! Or, if you know anyone who is there, maybe offer them a meal or a massage. Everyone is needed!

Image courtesy Jenny Ann Holden

Not Just About Old Growth: DEFENDING THE SACRED AT ADA’ITSX/FAIRY CREEK

Pacheedaht First Nations, forest defenders are still advocating for the protection of areas that are not included in the proposed deferral. These areas include Edinburgh Mountain, Bugaboo Creek, the Central Walbran, Caycuse, Camper Creek and the Upper Walbran watershed. Many have said that this is not just about old growth. And yes,

while it is about old growth, it is also about the ecosystems that have formed and continue to evolve around these trees. It is also about the ecosystem of humanity that is uniting with a common vision and trying to evolve together with the complexities of colonialism. It is also about the wisdom of the Elders being passed

REIKI WELLNESS

Rock I Funk I Blues I Reggae I Latin I Metal

Paul Jutras

DRUM KIT AND HAND PERCUSSION LESSONS 35+ years experience- Private / One 2 One / Customized / Fun

Beginner to advanced - In your home or in my studio in Duncan

250-732-7735 I chopsdrumschool@gmail.com

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

For more information, go to laststandforforests.com and follow @FairyCreekBlockade on Instagram and Facebook. Consider following @ dreamsincoastal, @ auntie.katigeorgejim, @ coastalindigenousalliance, @wetsuweten_checkpoint, @colinsmithtakespics, @marniereckerphoto, @indiginews, @ indigenouspeoplesmovement, @indigenousclimateaction, @ mikegraeme, and @stand.earth on Instagram for more news about what is happening on the ground. Hanna Elise (she/ they)

SARA TILLIE ACUPUNCTURE 250-812-9813 Sara Tillie Registered Acupuncturist Traditional Chinese Medicine

Reiki Therapy & Classes - Detox Foot Spas Acupuncture - Amethyst Mat - YL Essential Oils Daytime • Evening •Weekend • By Appointment Only #13- Upper Level • Valleyview Centre • Cobble Hill www.reikiwellness.ca • reiki-wellness@shaw.ca 9

OLD FOREST CAMPGROUND

ON THE EDGE OF TOWN

SALT SPRING ISLAND Where the Cowichan Valley meets the Salish Sea!

Duncan Farmer’s Market Large Park • Trails • Seaside Walk • Awesome Destination Gallery/Gift Shop • Hardy Plant Nursery • Variety of Campsites

Mid Week Islanders Special MONDAY – WEDNESDAY Stay 2 nights get a 3rd night free

To Reserve call Shayne or Shirley 250-537-4346

gardenfaire@saltspring.com

www.gardenfaire.ca

very Saturday, rain or shine, the Duncan Farmers’ Market is joined by farmers, growers, small-scale food processors, artisans, food sellers, wine & spirit makers, butchers, bakers and candle-stick makers. As a true farmers’ market, we give priority to farmers and growers, but we also play host to an amazing array of local artisans and makers offering the unique and unusual. With one hundred vendors and a “make it, bake it, grow it, sell it” philosophy, you will find a wide variety of local products to fill your basket. At this time of year there is a great array of vegetables (sweet carrots, radishes, greens and more!), strawberries, eggs, cheese, chicken, fish, beef and pork, and baked goods of every variety. We also have pasta, jam, pickles, honey, hummus

and salsas, soup and local wines and spirits to add to your meal. Don’t forget to try out some of the delectable take-away hot food options available each Saturday including tacos, falafels, wraps, farm to table gourmet, hot dogs, meat pies and so much more. We look forward to welcoming our customers and friends from the Cowichan Valley and beyond to shop, eat and explore the Duncan Farmers Market this summer. While we can’t have live music yet, we do have fabulous food, talented artisans and a great atmosphere to welcome visitors of all ages. Join us in the Market Square in downtown Duncan and on Ingram Street Saturdays from 9am-2pm year round!

Healthy Iced Cold Drinks & Smoothies Lunch To Go • Easy Picnic Pick Ups Fresh Baked Bread & Desserts

39 Days of July

e still have COVID to deal with this year but protocols are lightening up a bit and we is hoping we can be in the park once again, at least that is what we is planning on. Plan A: Return to Charles Hoey Memorial Park for the 39 Days of July - June 25th thru till August 2nd from noon till 8pm daily.

Plan B/C/D; if Public Health Orders interfere with the delivery of Plan A. You only need to know that we do have plans and as a last resort we will live stream only from the Duncan Showroom Check 39 Days of July Facebook and /or website for updates as to what plan is in effect www.39daysofjuly.ca

DAILY BREAKFAST & LUNCH SPECIALS

Summer and Cowichan Wines Pair Perfectly

ot, sunny days call for refreshing drinks. What’s better than a chilled glass of fruity rosé or crisp white? Wine cocktails! Level-up your summer drinks with these recipes featuring classic Cowichan wines. Blackberry Buzz • 1 750mL bottle of your favourite Cowichan white or rosé wine (sweeter is better) • 2 cups muddled fresh BC blackberries • 2 lemons, juiced • 12 oz lemon-lime soda • Simple syrup, to taste Fill your favourite pitcher,

serve over ice, and garnish with fresh BC blackberries, locally-grown mint, lime, or Cowichan lavender. Bliss. Peach Tart Punch • 1 heaping tablespoon peach jam or preserves made with BC peaches • 1 tablespoon Cowichan white balsamic vinegar • 3-4 oz Cowichan’s own Charme De L’Île or a Cowichan sparkling wine Shake peach jam, balsamic vinegar and ice until chilled. Strain into a cocktail vessel, add bubbly. Garnish with fresh peach slices and locallygrown basil. Try to say Peach Tart Punch 10 times. The Red Queen • 1 oz dry Cowichan red wine • 2 oz Cowichan rye whisky • ¾ oz simple syrup • 1 oz fresh lemon juice • 1 egg white Shake everything except the wine until egg white fluffs up. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain and pour. Top with Cowichan red wine and forget you ever heard about a

regular whisky sour. Can’t decide which wine to try first? Get your tickets for the Cowichan Valley Wine Festival at www. tourismcowichan.com/ cowichan-valley-winefestival/ and sample a mix of 36 reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines throughout the month of August. Meet the winemakers, lounge in the vineyards, and drink in the atmosphere. Tickets are $35 each for this passportstyle event that allows you to meander Cowichan at your

Alderlea Farm & Restaurant

Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday Noon - 8pm Licensed Organic Farm Restaurant

Come eat on our new and improved outdoor patio! Take Out & Outdoor Patio Dining Menus at www.alderleafarm.com/menu Call for Reservations 250-597-3438 I 3390 Glenora Road, Duncan 14

leisure, tasting wines at 12 award-winning wineries and exploring the region. Your ticket is also your entry to win a case of Cowichan wine.

Please visit the website for current info about upcoming events, dinners, workshops and classes Gift Certificates Available

Community Apples Finding New Life in Cider

F For full details visit www.deerholme.com BY RESERVATION ONLY

4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan

For ReservationS 250 748 7450 us Visit riday day F m Mon - 4p 11am

Delicious! MADE FROM SCRATCH Curries, Gourmet Burgers, Fish Tacos, Grilled Clubhouse, Poutine and More. H O M E H A R D WA R E PA R K I N G L O T

just past McDonald’s heading north on the TCH Duncan

Call Ahead for pick up - 250 701-8593 www.vieventcatering.com

www.theainslie.ca 161 Kenneth St., Duncan 250-597-3695

or the second time, Cowichan Green Community (CGC) and Valley Cider Company have teamed up to divert thousands of pounds of potentially wasted apples from local trees, into a delicious summer cider that literally gives back to the community. For over a decade now, CGC has been leading the mostly volunteer run ‘Fruit-Save’ program that connects tree owners with pickers who travel all over the Cowichan Region to save fruit that otherwise might be wasted. This area is rich with age old heritage apple and fruit trees whose lineage goes back generations, producing apples whose taste and complexity make it into every cider maker’s dream. Step in Valley Cider’s owner and creative genius, Bruce McKinlay, and you have a recipe for a one off cider that you simply can’t miss. “Backyard and forgottenorchard apples are the best… trees that have survived by their strength, not from being too coddled, tend to produce fruit rich in character which is unreplicable and unique. The opportunity to create cider directly from our community and then give directly back to it really touches upon the essence of cider, a drink produced from and celebrating what we grow. This year, we were inspired by the giant stands of grand fir trees that often surround our orchards, protecting them from the worst of inclement weather. Collecting fir tips in the spring and blending them with the cider produced beautifully resinous citrus notes that really make this a wonderful release.”

The past 2020 season saw some 12,000 lbs of fruit picked from all over the Cowichan, stored and then carefully pressed at McBarleys using their mobile press. The juice was then further stored and slowly fermented to produce a dry, one off, refreshing cider than leaves the mouth wanting more. Other unwanted fruit that made its way into this batch include pears and quince juice, offering tasting notes unlike anything else. This cider unique to our community will be placed in local specialty liquor stores for a limited time and while supplies last. The Valley Cider tasting room is now open for business where you can try and purchase. Proceeds from the cider are returned to CGC to continue much needed local food security programs and to ensure this collaboration continues. Nathan Harben is the Project Manager for CGC’s Food Recovery Project and reFRESH Cowichan

Gift Baskets Meat & Cheese Platters Gourmet Foods Italian Imports Take Home and Serve

Dry Aged Beef

he best beef steaks are dry aged... Aging, or conditioning, is a completely natural process. It is how beef was originally aged the old fashioned way. If beef is allowed to age, the natural enzymes in it will break down the tougher components of the meat fibres. The longer it is aged, the more tender the beef becomes. As well, the flavour of the beef develops more in 30 day, 60 day, 90 day and 120 day increments. The longer the dry aging, the more intense the flavour becomes. When aged 90 to 120 days, the meat can take on interesting characteristic mushroomy flavours or even blue cheese flavour notes. In dry-aging beef, the cuts are hung, without packaging, in a cooler where the right conditions of temperature, humidity and air movement are accurately kept. During the aging process, the beef is protected by an outer layer of fat. On the sub primal cuts such as strip loin or ribeye a crust or bark forms. This dry hard surface bark is mostly trimmed off by the butcher, but a thin layer is left on to add extra flavour and a nice characteristic. There is another method used to age beef called wet aging. This is popular with larger-scale beef operations

where many don’t age their beef at all. Wet aging places individual cuts in vacuum bags so that they can be shipped without hangtime. The vacuum sealing is intended to replace the protection that the fat layer provides in the dry-aging process. The disadvantage of wet-aging is that the beef can’t breathe, and it stays at a higher moisture content. It does become more tender, but it tends to take on a metallic taste that doesn’t even come close to the rich flavour of traditional method dry-aged beef. Long and slow dryaging gives the best flavour, so I think you’ll agree it’s worth the time to do it the old-fashioned way. At Cure we offer cuts of dry aged beef for your grilling pleasure. Whether it is a strip loin or rib eye, All you need is salt and pepper no oil and a medium high bbq. Once steaks are done top the dry aged beef with a blue cheese as well as a drizzle of Demi glace. If you prefer a sauce here is a great recipe for you. Chef Brad Boisvert, Cure Artisan Meat and Cheese

JOIN US

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

www.theoldﬁrehouse.ca

Downtown Duncan

(250) 597-3473

PEPPERCORN SAUCE Courtesy Brad Boisvert, Cure Artisan Meat & Cheese Ingredients 1/4 cup red wine 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 3 tablespoons beef Demi glacé 1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoon Brie cheese Method In a medium sized sauce pot, bring wine to a boil, turn down heat to a simmer to reduce. Reduce red wine by half about 6-8 minutes. Add Demi glace until melted. Whisk in butter Whisk in cracked peppercorn and Brie cheese.

In Defence of Chardonnay

h — I don’t eat vegetables, I don’t like any of them. Apart from the juvenile absolutism, such sentiments painted with such an incredibly wide brush cross over to absurd. The same holds true with the world’s greatest white wine grape, Chardonnay. Countless factors account for wine tasting the way it does, in the case of Chardonnay, both climate and winemaking decisions weigh heavily on perception in the glass; perhaps more than any other variety Chardonnay could pass for a Chameleon. Flirting with the 48th parallel the white wines of cool, continental climate, Chablis are crafted solely from Chardonnay. They’re bracing, tart, exhibit lean fruit character and rarely exceed moderate levels of alcohol. When dissecting a prototypical Chablis, seasoned tasters would not be describing overt new oak influence. As one of the widest planted white grape varieties on the planet, sensible cool climate expressions are found across the globe, from the maritime adjacent regions of New Zealand, Australia and Chile, to right here in the Cowichan Valley. Granted, Cowichan currently has less than substantial acreage dedicated to Chardonnay, but as our newly minted VQA Sub-GI grows, as will the prominence of this magical variety. Travelling South from Chablis heat units unleash their affect

on ripening fruit; green apple notes become yellow apple notes and lemon peel flavours transform into tropical fruit flavours. Abundance of sunshine turns bracing and electric acid profiles into a softer, rounder, and more weighty mid-palates as alcohols slowly rise. The warm climate phenomena is especially palpable in inland areas of South Australia, California and southern Okanagan. In the glass, Chardonnay remains one of the greatest white varieties at showcasing impact of climate; precious few other varieties craft exceptional, interesting wines across all viticultural climates. Growing conditions are not entirely responsible for the vast array of styles, aromas and flavours Chardonnay

shows. Beginning at harvest, Chardonnay holds limitless possibilities for vignerons to leave their fingerprint. Associations between Chardonnay and oak barrels cannot be ignored. Personally, I view great Chardonnay as deserving of oak, and less than great quality Chardonnay as requiring it. Oak barrels, however, are not all created equal; brand new barrels will impart overt flavours to a wine. New oak lends aromas of vanilla, cardamom, coconut, and smokey characteristics. Chardonnay from warm climates has enough prominence of ripe fruit flavours to compliment this level of oak impact. By comparison a used barrel, having held previous vintages, will impart more subtle flavour profiles, often noted as spice cupboard notes, hazelnut, and almond. Oak sources and fabrication techniques weigh heavy in the equation. Coopers and winery cellar masters possess acute palates, capable of discerning country of origin, specific forests, oak species, wood density, and toast level, each of which nudge an aging wine down various stylistic paths. The options during Chardonnay production do not end at the simple choice of barrels. Some producers opt to press the fruit gently in whole clusters resulting in a very fine, delicate and poised juice. Alternatively, removing berries from their stems and leaving them to soak on their skins for a time lets diffusion of compounds, responsible for flavour and texture, into the juice thus resulting in a firmer, denser and broader mid palate. Often heard is the archetype of, “The Big Buttery Chardonnay” referring to lactose reminiscent aromas,

flavours and textures produced during wines journey are due to malolactic fermentation (MLF). After completing alcoholic fermentation, wines generally undergo a process whereby tart, mouthwatering malic acid converts to softer and less bracing, lactic acid. In cool climates like ours, we posses tart acids in spades, therefore the majority of wines undergo this conversion. Conversely in hot climates, preserving freshness and vibrancy is desirable, thus winemakers often inhibit this conversion with Chardonnay. Similarly to barrels, all malolactic fermentations are not carbon copies; wine chemistry, strains of bacteria and nutrient availability, all affect the subsequent perception in the glass. Compounds produced during MLF manifest themselves as flavours ranging anywhere from coy crème fraîche or yoghurt notes to dead ringers for drawn butter. I lied; I love vegetables. Coming in amazingly diverse textures, flavours, colours, and they are an endless source of inspiration and excitement. Some of the best and most amazing examples emanate from farms in our own backyard. We all have 30 year old memories of underseasoned, lacklustre, mushy, frozen peas, but we don’t let that taint our view of an entire food group! Why would we write off the world’s greatest dry white wine variety in the same manner?

Chris Turyk - I love wine, a lot. I’m a Certified Sommelier, WSET Diploma graduate, and get in everyones way at unsworthvineyards.

Local Cowichan

Blue Grouse Winery Quill Pinot Gris 2020

Some malolactic fermentation occurred, giving this wine a fresh, but medium body and a bit of creaminess on the palate. Expect flavours of apple compote and lemon curd. This wine goes well with - This “sipper” pairs great with an endive salad or Manchego cheese. $21.99

Zanatta Winery Allegria Brut Rosé Experience old world tradition. Wine, Cheese and Charcuterie. TASTING ROOM & PATIO OPEN WED TO SUN 5039 MARSHALL ROAD, DUNCAN 250 748 2338 I TASTINGROOM@ZANATTA.CA

This sparkling rosé has been made using the saingeé method. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, this wine boasts a raspberry hued cuveé of Pinot Noir with a very rich, fruity body and gentle aromas of strawberries and raspberry. Serve chilled with charcuterie and cheese. $26

Rocky Creek Winery TLC – White blend Our “summer sipper” Ripe and luscious. Blend of Viognier, Albarino, Madeleine Sylvaner, Seigerrebe and Ortega. Tropical, floral notes from the Siegerrebe are prominent. Honey-drizzled peaches and pineapple as well as minerality on the flavours. Full and wonderful aromas for the summertime. $22

Red Arrow Brewery Party Hat Hazy Pale Ale

La Terraza: Select Island cuisine. Serving lunch Thursday through Sunday Our Wines: The expression of our land. 840 Cherry Point Rd, Cobble Hill I 250 743-1272

www.cherrypointestatewines.com 20

Streamers, snacks, friends, music, and of course, your party hat. There’s a good time brewing and you’ve got all the right ingredients. This new world pale ale bursts with fruity flavours from outrageous additions of both premium hops and Cryo Hops. The result is a double-drinkable soft hop character balanced with fruity goodness. Fruity Bursts, Soft Hop. ABV: 5.5%. Hazy $4.13

Summer Sippers

Unsworth Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir Bright cherries and bramble on the nose lead to a poised and elegant palate with coastal forest notes and a long, supple finish. The brisk freshness and bright fruit notes are a stunning match with barbequed Sockeye Salmon. Don’t be afraid to add some punchy spices to compliment the complex dried sage and cardamom notes of this Pinot Noir. $32.40

DUNCAN FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday 9AM 2PM

TASTING ROOM OPEN Wednesday to Sunday 11AM 5PM

Join us for the Cowichan Valley Wine Festival August 1 - 31st

6645 Somenos Rd, Duncan I deolestatewinery.com

Emandare Vineyard 2020 From The Valley, Gewurztraminer A Dry Gew. Bright, lovely wild flower aromas leap out of you glass as you enjoy the flavours of summer orchard fruit on your palate. Deliciously complex and refreshing. Seafood, snacks, picnics and Sunshine $25

WATCH FOR BOGO DEALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR A Taste of Cowichan Wine is Waiting for You. Tasting Room Open 1-5 PM Every Friday & Saturday. 1500 Freeman Rd, Cobble Hill 250 743 2311

WWW.DIVINOWINE.CA

Spinach Salad with Strawberry Basil Vinaigrette

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

Ingredients

1 bunch of fresh baby spinach 1 Cup fresh local strawberries, quartered or sliced 1/2 Cup goat or feta cheese, crumbled 1/3 Cup chopped walnuts 3 tbsp Strawberry Dark balsamic vinegar 1/4 Cup Basil Agrumato olive oil Salt and Pepper to taste –

Directions:

In a salad bowl, add spinach, strawberries, cheese and walnuts. To make vinaigrette, thoroughly whisk balsamic vinegar and salt/pepper in a small bowl. Add the basil olive oil in a slow stream while continuing to whisk until it is emulsified. Adjust oil and vinegar ratio to your taste. Pour over the salad ingredients and toss gently before serving.

Environmentally Friendly Alternative Until a couple of years ago, all Soda Stream CO2 cartridges were shipped out of Canada to be refilled in New Jersey. More recently, a single Canadian facility in Ontario now refills these cartridges. Shipping cartridges 1000’s of kilometers from Ontario to the consumer, back to Ontario for filling, and back to the customer as an exchange cartridge comes at massive economic and environmental costs.

Love Your Soda Stream…again.

ummer is a great time to enjoy your SodaStream™.

We loved our SodaStream™, until we discovered that exchanging our empty CO2 cartridges at local Big Box stores for $20 was not all that convenient, environmentally conscious, or cost effective. In January of this year, we decided there had to be a better way. SodaStream™ in Canada Today, sparkling water has entered the mainstream market as the number one substitute for harmful, sugary soft drinks that health-conscious people are trying to avoid. SodaStream™ enables consumers to enjoy endless carbonation at home or at work, without hassle, and help save the planet at the same time. Customers can now prevent hundreds of single-use plastic bottles going to the landfill with one reusable SodaStream™ bottle. Rapidly expanding in Canada with six percent of all Canadian households now owning a SodaStream™, its parent company, Pepsico (think Pepsi) acquired the company for $3.2 billion in 2017, with plans to triple to 18%, or one in five households in Canada, making it the fourth largest market in the world, behind Germany, the U.S. and France.

All This Goodness Now Costs Less… In the age of Amazon and Covid, fast efficient doorstep delivery has become the new norm. In January of 2021, The Soda Exchange launched right here in the Cowichan Valley, to offer SodaStream™ customers on Vancouver Island a delivery and exchange program where empty CO2 cartridges are exchanged for full ones, on their doorstep. As a bonus, Soda Exchange orders of 3 or more refills qualify for Free Delivery. Instead of going to Big Box stores to exchange CO2 cartridges for $20 each, The Soda Exchange delivers for only $10 each, saving clients 50%, or hundreds of dollars a year for the typical family.

Activate your stem cells naturally! Lifewave.com For more info 250-893-2873

Hundreds of Vancouver Island customers of Cowichan Valleybased The Soda Exchange now enjoy home delivery and cartridge exchange added to the convenience of their SodaStreams™. You can love your SodaStream™ again, at half the price. www.sodaexchange.com

Serial entrepreneur, web developer, author, educator and Mill Bay resident. bryan@ sodaexchange.com

Wednesday - Saturday 11-7 Sunday 11-3 23

Floored!

isitors look at the walls when they visit the art galleries run by the Cowichan Valley Arts Council. But in July they may find themselves looking at the floors as well. That’s because we will be renovating for the first week in July (reopening July 10) to install new flooring. And frankly, we are floored that the space is looking so good. Come a check out the new space, and if you need more reasons to swing by the galleries, here are some of the shows planned this month: In the Gallery, watch for Zhen Shan Ren (July 10- 24) a travelling show of classical Chinese art prints; and Forest: Breath of Life (July 28-Aug. 24), the latest curated show from the Cowichan Public Art Gallery. In the Annex, Elements of Wonder (in the Annex July 1021) features abstract work by

two artists. Ladysmith resident Etsuko Kaji-Holley was born in Tokyo and studied western fine art in university while pursuing Japanese traditional arts, and Heidi Summer, grew up on the Canadian prairies and tries to express nature’s intangible energy in her work. While the artists’ backgrounds are very different, their works complement each other. July is a good month to plan ahead as well, and registration is now open (on our website calendar) for the Watershed Show (Aug/Sept) and the popular Teeny Tiny Artworks show (Nov), not to mention summer camps for children in our studio and a plein air workshop on painting outdoors for adults. Susan Down is managing director of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council.

lessLIE

Dale Nigel Goble

Double Eagle: A Collaboration

ouble Eagle was birthed out of a friendship between late Cowichan Valley artist Dale Nigel Goble and Coast Salish artist lessLIE in 2019. The two had formed a friendship over many years and desired to create a piece of work that combined their unique artistic styles to reflect a unified vision. Dale had the initial idea of incorporating two eagles and a heart, which was then further conceptualized and put onto paper by lessLIE. lessLIE remembers, “I enjoyed the process and thanked Dale for getting me back to enjoying the process of art production, of creating work because I wanted to create it, and not from commission or market

SHOP WITH US pressures. So I sent him my drawing of two eagles and a heart with salmon heads in it. I told him to take it from there.” With the sketch and draft underway, Dale added his signature elements of geometric symbols and vibrant colours. Over the next few weeks, the two artists continued to work together to refine the design until they arrived at something they were both pleased with. A double eagle is a symbol of friendship in Coast Salish culture, and each colour within the Double Eagle print has its own significance. “We finally arrived at a final design, and the

Tuesday - Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 3pm

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

imaginethatartisans.com I 250-748-6776 holidays came around, and we excitedly talked about printing it in the new year,” lessLIE recalls. “Then he tragically passed that holiday season. I felt grief and sadness, but hoped the print could be posthumously realized.” Dale passed away suddenly in December of 2019, leaving a significant artistic legacy that dngSTUDIO is hoping to see continue on for years to come. The studio has been working with lessLIE to have the Double Eagle print produced as a limited edition of 30, which is now available through their online store. (www.dng-studio. myshopify.com)

With a desire to honour his memory and philanthropic ideals, dngSTUDIO donates the net proceeds from all sales of their Archival Matte Prints to the Dale Nigel Goble Memorial Scholarship Fund, which goes towards assisting young artists on their creative journeys. Proceeds are currently going to the Cowichan Valley Arts Council’s youth mentorship program. For more information please contact info@dngstudio.com lessLIE can be found on Facebook at www.facebook. com/andy.whorl

his time of year is perfect for getting out and discovering something new. Chemainus is the perfect place to start. With countless parks surrounded by old growth trees, the long and meandering Trans Canada Trail, lake, beach, ocean access, and sunken scuba diving treasures; you could spend days going from park to park. Each area has easy access to trails and open spaces, along with a number of specific activities like swimming, scuba diving, mountain biking, and skate

Explore Chemainus Alongside Its Lush Green Spaces This Summer boarding. Come and spend the day – or better yet, stay for a night or two and explore the Coastal wonderments of Cowichan. With a beautiful hotel and many B&B’s you are sure to enjoy an extended stay. Start off by strolling along the Trans Canada Trail, following the short gentle wilderness path alongside beautiful Askew Creek Park,

a well-groomed, level walk of breathtaking streams enveloping you into nature. Kin Beach Park offers expansive ocean access and lush green spaces perfect for spending the day outdoors. Come when the tide is in and the water is just a few feet from the sea walls, or come when the tide recedes and find the small tide pools that appear amongst the rocky wash. Sundown is simply stunning, watching the water sparkle from the waves as the cotton candy skies fade into a clear crisp night. Bring a blanket to stargaze in the lush, seaside grass for something just a little extra. Looking

for something with a little more movement? Walk the shores of Chemainus Lake. Take the two-kilometre trail brings you right to the water’s edge and back again in this beautiful, circular path. Watch the fog roll in and listen to nature around you. Explore Echo Heights through the self-guided forest trails that intertwine through 54 acres of lush Douglas Fir forest. Lope through sparkling shallow ponds, mossy rock outcrops, small falls, and pastoral farmers’ fields. Listen to the birds chirp, and watch the sun filter down through the trees in this magical escape. If you prefer something more on the beaten path, explore the dozens upon dozens murals through the town, plus over a dozen works of art and countless other finds; you are sure to have a wonderful day exploring. Follow the yellow footprints at your own pace from one mural to the next or take a narrated tour in an old fashioned, horse-drawn carriage. Each mural showcases the rich history of Chemainus, and each scene depicts some part of local culture. Explore the town of Chemainus where you will find many boutique shops, artisan restaurants, cafés and specialty shops. Take the time to visit the Public Market which is the first of its kind in the region hosting a multitude of vendors to browse. Head down for music in the park or the outdoor Wednesday market from 1-6 pm. Visit one of the most exciting towns along the Cowichan coast this summer. Explore Chemainus. For more details go to www.visitchemainus.ca

Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society Hitting a High Note

-one, a-two, a-one-twothree-four… Anticipating continued easing of COVID-19 social distancing requirements, and a gradual return to normal for outdoor events, the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society has put together a full Music in the Park lineup for 2021. As of mid-June 16 acts had been booked for July and August, opening July 1 with Chemainus’s own Copper Canyon. That has members of the CVCAS Performance committee singing on a high note. “We’ll adhere to all COVID guidelines, of course,’ CVCAS Chair Bev Knight said. “But we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to bring live music to our community through the summer, and entertain full houses by the end of the season.” Last year a shortened Music in the Park lineup was presented, and fans had to social distance, with no more than 50 people permitted inside the bench seating area of the bandshell. “The Performance Committee did a tremendous job organizing the concerts, the musicians were fantastic setting up and performing with the restrictions in place, and our volunteers really made things run smoothly,” Knight said. “Considering the constraints we were all operating under, it was a tremendous achievement.” The CVCAS also organized recorded concerts, which can be streamed online via CVCAS.

ca/music. Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, and Wayne Montgomery & Gord Bigham were recorded at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. Anne Grimm & Bruce Vogt at Saint Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church. Special funding from the BC Arts Council and the provincial government made it possible for organizations like the CVCAS to produce the virtual concerts. “As well as allowing us to bring music to the community, the resilience funding allowed us to hire performers, who have been hard hit by the pandemic,” Knight said. Lots of lessons have been learned during the pandemic. The biggest take-aways will be: arts organizations like the CVCAS can adapt to sudden and drastic changes; and the arts are an integral part of community, so the ‘show must go on’, especially through hard times. July and August will see a full schedule of Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon concerts staged at Water Wheel Park. Details will be posted CVCAS. ca/Events as final arrangements are made. Tuesday concerts begin at 7 PM; Saturday concerts are presented on two sets, the first beginning at 2 PM, the second at 4 PM. CraigSpenceWriter.ca

Patricia Berry, Managing Director & Marketing Executive Chemainus Public Market, Berry Music Company and Osborne Bay Pub.

SENSATIONAL SUMMERS AT THE PUBLIC MARKET IN CHEMAINUS!

eauty abounds all year round on this incredible Island, and our sensational summers are definitely something to behold! Here in Chemainus, The Public Market is a beautiful collaboration of local businesses who have created something very special under one roof. There is an organic flow and development to this beautiful project that feels like a natural extension of the graciousness of our surroundings. With dozens of specialized businesses, services, and restaurants involved, The Public Market in Chemainus

milkshakes and sundaes in Archies retro diner, sauntering through the boutique shops filled with gorgeous items of all sorts, letting the kids (or folks) rock out in the vintage arcade, checking out Brickty Dooda’s Legoland, or getting a hair cut at Colorwheel Salon. And

of course there is always relaxing on the patio with a frosty sleeve of beer and delicious burger or perfect fish & chips from Captain Andy’s seafood restaurant. So here is a happy cheers to the beautiful Cowichan Valley, it’s inspiring natural beauty and to the upcoming sensational summer for us all! truly has something for everyone.

The whole family can enjoy a full day of fun at the market, chillin’ with

The Public Market, 9790 Willow St, Chemainus

Downtown Duncan BIA partners with the City of Duncan on Station Street Common except in the case of special events. A hand sanitizer station is available at the entrance and visitors are requested to clean their area up after themselves. Visitors are encouraged to visit the website: www. downtownduncan.ca/ restaurants to see all the downtown Duncan restaurant menus.

Written by Amanda Vance Images courtesy Matt Gladman from Keywork Designs

he Downtown Duncan BIA and the City of Duncan are excited to announce the opening of the Station Street Common for summer 2021. Six round concrete tables with benches and red umbrellas have been installed in 85 Station Street park so locals and visitors to downtown can enjoy takeout from restaurants as well as the ambiance of downtown

Duncan in the summer. Two of the six tables are designed to be wheelchair

accessible. In July 2020, the Downtown Duncan BIA partnered with the City of Duncan and Island Coastal Economic Trust on a pilot version of this project, offering temporary outdoor seating for the public to enjoy takeout at 85 Station Street park. The temporary food court, staffed by Downtown Duncan BIA ambassadors, was a popular place for residents to come together safely during the height of the COVID-19 restrictions. This year, as the Province of British Columbia opens up after the pandemic, the Station Street Common will no longer be staffed

“It is great to be back in the Station Street Common. One of the great things that came out of this past year was that we were able to re-discover local businesses, and as we restart I hope we will continue to support our local restaurants and businesses,” Mayor Michelle Staples stated at the opening of the park. “The Downtown Duncan BIA really hopes that this cheerful gathering space will bring the community together again. We thank everyone for shopping locally this past year and ask that we all continue to support restaurants, retailers, and other local

businesses. We want to acknowledge the City of Duncan’s support of local businesses and the Downtown Duncan BIA this past year. We are really grateful for this partnership,” added Amanda Vance, executive director of the Downtown Duncan BIA. This is the second project this year that the Downtown Duncan BIA and the City of Duncan have worked together on to support local restaurants. On March 29th the Province of British Columbia announced the new “Circuit Breaker” restrictions, including a ban on indoor dining in restaurants, the Downtown Duncan BIA worked with the City of Duncan and Community Futures Cowichan to devise and execute a “patio enhancement program.” With a grant from Community Futures Cowichan, the Downtown Duncan BIA purchased six patio heaters to loan to restaurants while also lending restaurants the teal tables and red umbrellas

from last summer’s Station Street Common project. The Downtown Duncan BIA also distributed the City of Duncan’s form to local restaurants to permit them to expand patios into parking spaces and public property. The City of Duncan expedited the review of all applications to use City property and parking spaces for seating, and waived permit fees. In some cases, the City of Duncan set up barricades for restaurants using parking spaces for expanded outdoor seating. These patio extensions are still in place at restaurants like Fresh Kenny’s, the Garage, Corner House Cafe, and Arbutus Cafe. Combined with this year’s Station Street Common, there is an abundance of outdoor seating available for the public to enjoy downtown Duncan this summer!

Dawn runs an organic sleep shop in Duncan www.resthouse.ca

4. Bring your own head pillow. Don’t take the chance that an accommodation will have a head pillow that is the right fit for you.

elcome to the tail end of the pandemic— hopefully. With the next phase of reopening upon us and the restrictions starting to lift, many of us will be taking advantage of travelling again. This is good. Many businesses that offer accommodations and food services have been hit hard this past year and are more than ready for their sales to pick up again. I recently took advantage of my ability to venture out and stayed at a bed and breakfast in Sooke. I was ready for a change of scenery and a serious break from work... some alone time to reset after the stress of the past 15 months. I wasn’t comfortable trekking too far afield, and flying wasn’t an option for me considering the ongoing health situation. Local travel was a great choice because it’s a low risk proposition. It also helps our local economy, which is very important to me. Plus, there are plenty of affordable options available out there. I have another reason for wanting to vacation closer to home. I have to confess, I really can’t travel without my trusty head pillow...and my body pillow... and mattress topper. Yes, I am that person. And if I’m completely honest, I really can’t sleep properly without my wool comforter either. So travelling to my vacation destination by car is my preference because it allows me to easily bring these bedding essentials from home.

5. If you use a body pillow, it is well worth bringing that as well. Not only will it keep your body aligned at night, it’s fun to cuddle during all the extra lounging around you’ll be doing.

Travel Advice From an Organic Bedding Connoisseur Why Go Through the Hassle of Bringing My Own Bedding? In short, I simply find it difficult to adjust to a different bed. Vacation rentals often provide the types of mattresses and bedding that cause me to sweat. Memory foam mattresses are popular in many accommodations, yet they are the biggest contributors to overheating due to the fact that the materials they are made of don’t breathe. I’m also sensitive to allergens found in feather down. Since my goal is to relax, restore, and get a great sleep, I’ve learned to be proactive and bring those pieces from my bedding ensemble that will ensure success. As someone who owns an organic bedding store, I’ve spent a lot of time perfecting my sleep system. I know I am unique in this and yet we all need to sleep well, which is why I’m sharing a few tricks to get the most out of your next local vacation, so you can get an awesome slumber while you’re there.

1. Vacation rental climate control is unpredictable; bring your own breathable blankets that will let you stay cool or layer up for warmth, as well as bring that familiar touch of home. 2. Adding a natural topper made from wool or latex will help create a layer of breathability between you and a conventional or memory foam mattress that might cause you to overheat. The topper will also add a layer of softness in case it’s a mattress that is too firm, or worse, a pullout bed with a bar hitting you in the middle of your back. 3. Some businesses still aren’t open, so you’re probably going to spend a lot of time in your rental. Adding touches that enhance the ambience makes your stay feel special, such as a cushion or woven basket, which are also practical. I have a couple of beloved throw pillows that I use to prop myself up when reading in bed or watching a movie.

6. Bring your own comforter. Keep the right temperature throughout the night with what you know works for you. 7. Don’t forget your favorite beach towel and blanket. Hitting the beach or having a picnic is part of the fun while visiting a new place. Experiencing the great outdoors is rejuvenating as well as memorable, and vacation rentals don’t always supply them. With a few comforts from home, your local holiday will be elevated to a blissful experience. Those accessories that bring us joy as well as ensure our best sleep are the ingredients for a refined and nourishing holiday that we all need right now. It’s totally worth that little bit of extra effort to bring those bedding pieces from home. Take it from me, a self professed organic bedding aficionado, you won’t regret it. Resthouse Sleep Solutions 126 Station Street Downtown Duncan www.resthousesleep.com

Cowichan Women’s Health Collective

Pregnancy and Covid-19 The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it. Fear, anxiety, uncertainty and loss have characterized many of our experiences over the last 18 months. We have been isolated and alone, unable to engage in our normal social functions and celebrations. For some, the slower pace of life has meant an opportunity to reflect on what is important in our lives and hopefully there has been solace and comfort in that. The speed in which the vaccination program has been rolled out has many implications. Freedom and the return to normal is something we are all looking forward to. However, as with all things new, there are many questions and perhaps more so for vulnerable populations and specifically for pregnant and nursing women.

What we know:

Pregnant people are more at risk for severe illness from Covid-19 then non-pregnant people. Pregnancy can cause changes in your immune system which may put you at a higher risk for complications of respiratory disease. According to the BC CDC if you contract Covid-19 while pregnant you are three times more likely to end up in the ICU than those who contract Covid-19 while not pregnant. It is also important to note that while that may seem like a very scary statistic, it is still true that the vast majority of pregnant and nonpregnant people who contract Covid-19 will have either mild or moderate symptoms and be able to recover at home. There is evidence that shows women may also be more likely to have a preterm birth if they contract Covid-19, however current research has shown that this is only a very slightly elevated risk. There is also new evidence that is suggesting that vaccinated women pass antibodies to the baby while pregnant which then protects them from getting Covid-19 once they are born. For these reasons, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada are now recommending that all pregnant people regardless of trimester, receive the vaccine. Preliminary research is showing that vaccines are safe in pregnancy and to date the evidence suggests that the risks of adverse reactions associated with the vaccine are similar to the non-pregnant population. Studies remain ongoing and while there have not been any cases of severe complications associated with the vaccine and pregnancy, some people may still feel that there is not enough information for them to feel comfortable with being immunized. Regardless of your position on vaccinations, when making any decision in pregnancy it is important to recognize that you always have a choice. Informed decision making is understanding the risks, benefits, and recommendations and then incorporating your values and beliefs into that decision. There is no right or wrong. Your decision will be supported because it is what is right for you. Our children represent the future, they are the very essence of what we all want and need: Hope. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to the local public health office, your GP or midwife. They are here to help. Written by Kate and Winter Koyote (she/her)

The Cowichan Women’s Health Collective acknowledges our settler relationship to the unceded territory of the Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking peoples upon which we live.

COVID-19 AND PREGNANCY RESOURCES TO CHECK OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION: Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada https://sogc.org/ covid BC Centre for Disease Control http://www.bccdc.ca/ health-professionals/ clinical-resources/ covid-19-care/ clinical-care/ pregnancy Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork. mayoclinic.org/ discussion/whatstudies-show-aboutpregnancy-covid-19vaccines/ New England Journal of Medicine https://www.nejm. org/doi/full/10.1056/ NEJMoa2104983

PRACTITIONER & SERVICES AT MATRAEA CENTRE: Dr. Rikst Attema, ND and Dr. Jenna Waddy, ND--Naturopathic Medicine; Sophie Barbant-Hayward, M.A., RPC--Substance Abuse Therapy; Sonia Furstenau, MLA—Cowichan Valley Constituency Ofﬁce; Kate Koyote, RM—Midwifery Services; Candice Wray, RN--Two Moons Lactation Consulting; Amanda Slydell--Tax Preparer Extraordinaire; Amber Burwash and Erin Sheen—The Place to Mortgage; Hayley Sinai, M.A— Youth and Family Counselling and Intuitive Reading; Pamela Boechler - Physiotherapist and Kendra Thomas, CVAP & Warmland Women’s Support Services Society--Sexual Assault Support and Crime Vicitim Assistance Advocacy

www.matraea.com I 170 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan I 1-844 Matraea 33

GROUNDED GRANDMOTHERS A New Book by Aukje Kapteyn

his generation of grandparents has a unique challenge to be engaged, relevant, familiar with social media while still offering a calm and grounded presence to a world that needs exactly that. We don’t want to just be conveniently close to shops

and medical care, but also to recreation, parks, and cafés; we choose to be next to school playgrounds, hiking trials, and places where active young and old gather. We are not interested in seclusion, where everything is done for us in one facility. We like our self-sufficiency, as long as possible, while enjoying natural, spontaneous interactions with everyone, not just our peers.

independence, and the authority to make their own mistakes and yet they want us to be unconditionally supportive and very much present in their lives. In a healthy adult child and parent relationship, there is hopefully a happy choice between being over-involved and being distant. It’s navigating a new way of being that is often not painless.

Having raised our children, we are now being challenged by these very same children to engage in adult relationships with them. Our children want their

While we may have set aside our dreams to raise our children, we now may still have the vitality and creativity to launch something that comes from us and is not dictated by societal and familial expectations. We can legitimately throw ourselves into something to fulfill some aspect of ourselves that we previously set aside. We seem to need more time reflecting and processing our fast-paced world for letting things sink in, to clear a clutter of memories and old ways of doing things, to have a new clarity, for a new kind of problem. This takes, work, contemplation and engaging authentically with others. It takes adjustment to realize that our contribution to another’s health, inspiration or well-being has great value without us even knowing exactly what we did. Someone may just feel good being around us and that is pretty important. Many of us have the experience of losing our peers, good friends, partners, and co-workers to illness and death. We straddle wanting to be fully alive, while not being able to ignore our own mortality. Fortunately we have more access to body-mind practices than our predecessors did. These can

help us look at our limitations in a new way. It is not mind over body, or spirit transcends body, but an embracing of our whole selves in love and acceptance that shows us the way. In my book: Grounded Grandmothers, I write about a common ground that enhances our lives: joy, gratitude, and authentic interaction. The book is full of stories, anecdotes, and practical suggestions, such as physical movement and journalling exercises to guide us forward. Feedback from a diversity of readers have indicated that it resonated, they felt seen and understood, as if the book were a gentle companion. I hope you find it that for you. The book is available locally at Ten Old Books.

Ten Old Books in the Duncan Garage 330 Duncan Street Downtown Duncan 250 715-1383

Wool Helps to Treat Common Senior Ailments

eniors have especially been afflicted by bed sores and other ailments due to a more sedentary lifestyle during Covid 19. Wool, the miracle fibre, is being used by many satisfied Soul Comfort customers to treat a suite of painful maladies, owner Anyes de Laat explains and she has testimonials proving customer satisfaction with wool and sheepskin products. Tony Whiteley was recovering from a pinched nerve that caused partial loss of use of his left leg, forcing long periods of sitting. “I was leery of the sheepskin seat pad so I tried an air cushion first. It didn’t work. The sheepskin did,” he attested.His back pain and stiffness was helped too. Anyes says she started making sheep’s wool seat pads after a 92-year-old man came into her shop one day asking for a seating pad as he could not get comfortable in his car seat.” “He came back saying how happy he is as he can now sit painlessly anywhere.” Many people in pain have recently visited Soul Comfort with soreness issues and sitting difficulties. “Seniors haven’t been out doing as much due to Covid; they’re sitting more.” Most items to fight skin sores

are synthetic “and moisture is an issue as we sit and lay on damp materials.” “But wool absorbs moisture — if you keep your skin dry you keep it strong,” she says. Bad bacteria that thrive in moisture, causing coccyx sores, the most difficult sore to heal. “It can be secured with a bit of loose wool or a seating pad.” Coccyx pads, seating pads, plus Soul Comfort’s sheepskin products are “inexpensive and work like a charm.” “Coccyx pads can also be worn in our briefs. Our seating pads are made of our densest medical wool to protect the coccyx sore and create the cushion needed to sit with ease,” she states. And her wool seat ‘donuts’ can be adjusted for just the right size of seat space, says Anyes, dispelling myths about wool’s cooling and heating properties. “Wool is not too hot. It will keep you at 37 degrees Celsius, which is when the body is happiest!” Another happy person is Parkinson’s patient tended by caregiver Lynda Rowland. Her female patient suffered for months with a coccyx sore that refused to heal under treatment by wound-care nurses. “Anyes suggested we take raw wool pieces and insert them in the wound to mesh it together,” said Rowland. Her team diligently kept wool in the wound, with a wool pad on it, “and less than a week later we could see the difference.” “At the end of week two, Vancouver Island Health Authority and the wound-care nurses gave her a clean bill of

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 health, and did not visit anymore. Amazing recovery!” Rowland’s patient also uses a two-foot square wool pad on her back for sleeping in bed, and sitting in her wheelchair. “I have suggested Soul Comfort to many clients suffering from swelling, inflammation, restless legs etc. — and to try their Merino wool as they custom make what you need.”

As Covid 19 subsides, Anyes welcomes folks to share their stories and results after using wool-based products from Soul Comfort.

Soul Comfort Sheepskin & Hemp 150 Fourth Street, Downtown Duncan 250 737-1281 35

Childhood Contrasts by Alastair McColl Editor’s Note: Hope you enjoy this print version of Childhood Contrasts. Go to CVCAS.ca>The Arts>Literature>Valley Voices for a video reading. When he was a child the world was too big. Later, as an adult, the world was too small. Later still, as a senior, he didn’t worry about those things. When he was a child he liked potatoes the way his mother cooked them. Later, as an adult, he liked potatoes cooked in exotic ways. Later still, as a senior, he liked potatoes cooked the way his mother cooked them. When he was a child, adults were a mystery. Later, as an adult, children were a mystery. Later still, as a senior, adults were a mystery. When he was a child he mostly watched and listened. Later, as an adult, he acted since he already knew what was what. Later still, as a senior, he hesitated to act, and returned to watching and listening. When he was a child he had a strong nostalgia for things as they used to be. Later, as an adult, he had a strong desire for things to be different. Still later, as a senior, he appreciated things just as they were. When he was a child he ran like the wind. Later, as an adult, he thought exercise was important. Later still, as a senior, he was more careful. When he was a child he lived mainly in the present. Later, as an adult, he lived in the future. Later still, as a senior, he lived in the past. When he was a child he knew a lot of things. Later, as an adult, he didn’t know enough. Later still, as a senior, he knew hardly anything. When he was a child he wanted to be able,

It takes a lifetime to make sense of what we once knew as children

but couldn’t. Later, as an adult, he was able, but unsure what he wanted. Later still, as a senior, he was not able, and resigned to that. When he was a child he had fun. Later, as an adult, he tried to have fun. Later still, as a senior, he liked to watch children having fun. When he was a child he wanted to fly in a space ship to other planets. Later, as an adult, he wanted to drive in a car to other countries. Later still, as a senior, he wanted to walk to other parks. When he was a child he understood things. Later, as an adult, he understood things as metaphors. Later still, as a senior, he understood things as patterns of metaphors. When he was a child he thought people were good or bad. Later, as an adult, he thought people were winners or losers. Later still, as a senior, he thought people were friends or others. When he was a child he could hardly stay awake in the morning. Later, as an adult, he hardly slept at all. Later, as a senior he could hardly stay awake in the evening. When he was a child he didn’t have much understanding. Later, as an adult, he had purpose, having acquired an understanding of how things work. Later still, as a senior, he doubted his understanding and preferred to do what he wanted. When he was a child he had stuff and didn’t put it away. Later, as an adult he had too much stuff and couldn’t take care of it all. Later still, as a senior, he got rid of his stuff. When he was a child he thought adults were right. Later, as an adult, he thought as a child he was wrong. Later still, as a senior, he thought as a child he was not wrong. When he was a child he liked books with pictures. Later, as an adult, he liked books with words. Later still, as a senior, he made books with both pictures and words.

Farm, home of artist Janet Magdanz and the studio in which she creates both hand-built and wheel-thrown pottery. “It’s a privilege to work with artists of all genres who again have shown eagerness and flexibility in adapting to the Covid-19 curveball,” said Magdanz.

Shades of Green Art on the Acreage Art Walk July 10 & 11

njoying art should be a walk in the park — exactly what a group of Cowichan Val-ley artists is planning for public enjoyment the weekend of July 10 and 11. The Shades of Green Art on the Acreage will be open for all to take an inviting meander along a newly-mown path dotted with sculpture, art hung from fences and ceramics displayed on wooden shelving — all in a Covidcompliant outdoor setting under warm summer skies with an equally warm greeting by attending artists. Amid forests and gardens the Shades of Green Art Walk will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at 2808 Sprott Rd., east off Bell-McKinnon Rd., north of Herd. Parking is abundant in the field next to Shades of Green

“They are a big part in demonstrating the arts throughout the region and fostering involvement by art lovers and the community at large.”

Artists at the art walk were among others who, with onset of a pandemic, quickly adjusted and took part in the Cowichan Valley Art Council’s Annual Fine Arts show in April including many of the award winners.

Shades of Green Farm Art Walk 16 ARTISTS

July 10 &11 •10am - 4 pm Enjoy Live Music & Gelato Truck 12 - 3pm

2808 Sprott Road, Duncan

Margot Page

Enamelling on Copper and Steel

Jewelery • Vases • Journals • Guestbooks Frames • Bookmarks • Magnets • Lightswitch Plates

Available locally at: Imagine That Artisans

Live music and the gelato Rainforest Arts • Artzi Stuff • Millstone Gallery truck will be additional features from 12-3 each day.quaylecard.inddwww.margotpage.com 250 746 8446 1 8/8/2011 3:23:00 PM Artists in this incredibl event include: Angela Anderson, Bev Russell, Coventry Woodworks, Darin Corbiere, Dennis DelTorre, Janet Magdanz, Julie Nygaard, Lesley Comassar, Mia Schmidt, Patti McNeice, Pauline Dueck, Richard Young, Rory MacDonald, Tony Muchizuki, Travis Providing the Cowichan Valley with Raw Cold Press Rankin, Val Konig. 100% Organic Juices & Nut Mylks Lon Wood is a NEW Bone Broths with Medicinal Mushrooms! retired journalist interested in artists of the Cowichan Valley and beyond.

Available EVERY DAY at The Community Farm Store or WEEKLY online at cow-op.ca. Direct orders can be placed to hello@euphoricjuicery.com 37

A Thriving Arts and Cultural Community

ARTIST JOANNE NEMETH debuts Dot Paintings at Excellent Frameworks

Memorial Avenue – Into Town”, Acrylic on 16” x 12” x 1.5” canvas, unframed

On July 15th, Excellent Frameworks, Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery, will be introducing Dot Paintings created by Island artist, Joanne Nemeth. Joanne’s works bring a playful energy to a unique medium. “I live in a place rich with an abundance of natural beauty: light, trees, mountains, the ocean, and birds inspire my work. My acrylic dot paintings are a modified form of pointillism. I generally don’t overlay my dots (like the original 38

MacKenzie Beach Memories”, Acrylic on 12” x 16” x 0.75” canvas, black float frame

pointillists did); there is a tiny space around each dot in my paintings that allows the underpainting to show through. The contrast of the colored dots and the underpainting make my paintings appear to shimmer. I start with the largest dots first, and slowly fill up the canvas with smaller and smaller dots until I’m satisfied there is no more room for dots. My work takes patience, but I find that once I have a plan of my work in mind, it is very relaxing to just let the dots flow.

I was smitten with the first dot artwork I’d seen that was done by a fellow artist; I knew I had to try it myself. I hope people viewing my work feel something similar. I want to capture their imagination; I want them to wonder: how did she do that?” Visit us at 115 Kenneth Street in beautiful Downtown Duncan. We also offer professional custom framing services for all your artwork needs. From complete framing for a new artwork, to replacing

Crescent Moon Quail”, Acrylic on 14” x 0.75” round cradled wood panel

glass or updating yellowed matboards, we are happy to help.

JULY ARTS AQUAMARIS ART GALLERY

The month of July brings new encaustic dreamscapes by Lynn Harnish, sublime new figurative work by Kato Rempel, as well as the distinct pleasure of introducing an accomplished artist Susie Cipolla through her representational and abstract paintings.

ROMANCE IN FULL BLOOM AT AQUAMARIS ART GALLERY Flowers have long been associated with aspects of our existence, special occasions, used as symbols in communicating our feelings and intrinsically experienced as metaphors for life. In the visual language of artist Sandy Terry, who is internationally recognized for her exquisite realistic florals, they are elevated to the realm of fine art and become objects of timeless beauty.

Intimacy, Acrylic on Canvas, 34” x 60” by Sandy Terry

In her brand-new painting, Sandy Terry captured so much more than the delicate nature and luminous quality of her subjects. While leaving room for each of them to hold their own space, in depicting two white tree peony blossoms with their petals intertwining fluidly, Sandy Terry beautifully conveys the romantic notion of coming together coyly, yet with open hearts. Aquamaris Art Gallery Upstairs in the historic Duncan Garage Building (Level entry from the back) Suite 202 - 330 Duncan Street, Duncan July Hours: Tuesday Saturday

We look forward to welcoming you from Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 4:00 pm and by appointment outside of these hours. To view the artwork available through our gallery, visit our website anytime. aquamarisartgallery.com

EJ HUGHES GALLERY & EXCELLENT Frameworks

Artist Sandy Terry takes a moment to pose with her painting titled “Intimacy”, now proudly displayed and available at Aquamaris art Gallery

10am-4:00pm (250) 597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com

Stop by to pick out a favourite local scene by EJ Hughes. Choose from larger reproductions, open edition giclees on canvas, poster prints, limited editions, and art cards. Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 115 Kenneth St, Duncan 250-746-7112

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 39

2021 ISLANDS FOLK FESTIVAL I STREAMING LIVE ON FB, JULY 25 11AM-8PM Greetings Islands Folk Festival Fans! As the new Artistic Director for The Cowichan Folk Guild, I’m excited to be bringing my experience to the Islands Folk Festival. This year we have a fabulous line up of live entertainment that will be streaming from Providence Farm on a variety of platforms. Enjoy The Show!

Bruce Gerrish Artistic Director

2021 PERFORMER PROFILES

West My Friend with The Cascade Strings Quartet http://www.westmyfriend.com/ In the modern musical landscape, it’s rare to hear something as put-together as this three-piece Cascadian folk outfit West My Friend - something so layered, deeply symphonic, baroque, and mysterious in its own winking way while still courting an edge of disaster. Simple is safe, but complex is fiery, intricate, and ultimately more rewarding.

Justin Hewitt and The Temps https://justinhewitt.com/ World class recordings, great performances, and empathetic lyrics. Songs about love, its excitement, sadness, reassurance, and hope. The loneliness of mental illness, how unfulfilling artificial connections can be, and the yearning to drive away from fear but lose control in the heart. The realization that you can’t always win, but having love can keep the pain from crawling back. There are many ways to #loveyou.

that is palpable. Both are not only exceptional songwriters but charismatic performers and their love of music- and sharing that music- shines with every note. Doug Cox & Jeff Plankenhorn www.dougcox.org https://en.everybodywiki.com/ Jeff_Plankenhorn Brodie Dawson www.brodiedawson.com Named ‘Vocalist of the Year’ at the Vancouver Island Music Awards and nominated for ‘Best Live Act’ for 2 years consecutively, Brodie Lee Dawson is a force to be reckoned with. It’s her voice that jumps out at you. It’s rich, pure and powerful, and full of soul.

Yiddish Columbia State Orchestra https://yiddishcolumbia. wordpress.com/ There are many musical sides to this swinging and versatile orchestra. The band shifts effortlessly from the basic klezmer forms such as freylachs and bulgars to swing and jazzinfluenced sounds, with shades of New Orleans style marching bands and even bluegrass thrown in.

Heartwood Band http://www.heartwoodmusic.ca/ Genevieve Charbonneau and Jack Connolly are two Vancouver-Island based musicians with their own successful careers who have come together to create Heartwood, a folk-roots duo showcasing original songs. With a stunning vocal blend, the two share a chemistry and energy

Doug Cox- Doug’s talent and passion for music is nearly boundless. Doug began playing and ultimately recording with masters such as Ellen McIlwaine and David Essig. Eventually his musical world expanded to include such diverse virtuosos as Indian slide guitarists Vishwa Mohan and Salil Bhatt. Doug also has a 40+ years as a successful Festival Producer and is the Artistic Director/Executive Producer of Vancouver Island MusicFest in Comox Valley Jeff Plankenhorn- Jeff Plankenhorn is an American singer-songwriter of rock, folk and blues, music. Known as “Plank” to fans and friends, he is an accomplished multiinstrumentalist and slide guitar virtuoso. Adrian Dolan with Adam Dobres http://adriandolan.com/ www.adamdobres.com AdrIan Dolan is multiinstrumentalist, producer, and arranger based on Canada’s west coast. Classically trained on piano, violin and viola, Adrian also began pursuing traditional music on fiddle and accordion in his early teens, and audio production shortly thereafter. For 19 years, Adrian has been a fixture in roots outfit The Bills. Adam Dobres is a folk-oriented guitarist with a fluid talent and adaptive sensibility. Born in Canada and currently living on Pender Island, he has toured all

over the world with acts ranging from folk ensembles The Wailin Jennys, The Ruth Moody Band and pop rock singer Toni Childs. Ed Peekeekoot https://peekeekoot.ca/ Multi-instrumentalist, singersongwriter, and story-teller, Ed Peekeekoot is a skilled and seasoned performer. He has a timeless kind of cool that appeals to audiences of all ages. Ed’s performances go from blazing guitar work to foot stomping fiddle and haunting Native flute – all sprinkled with his Cree humor and philosophy.

The Lunch Box Legends http://chrishansenband.com/ The Lunch Box Legends provide a great selection of music that has a wide appeal to audiences, combining poignant lyrics, toe tapping grooves, and seasoned musicality. Ideal for a sunny festival afternoon. Emerging Artists Showcase The Emerging Artist Showcase offers up and coming artists an opportunity to introduce themselves and their music to a new audience. These artists are hand picked by the festival and represent the ones to keep you eye on. www.islandsfolkfestival.ca

Bruce Gerrish is an award winning singer, songwriter and producer and the new Artistic Director for the Cowichan Folk Guild.

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

Why Hire an Interior Decorator?

he short answer is that it can save you money in the long run (don’t we all want to do this?!!) by helping you avoid costly mistakes and giving you better results. You want to know more? Well, here goes. Whether you’re a DIYer, or someone who wants to wave a magic wand and have your house look beautiful, be organized and functional, you can benefit from working with an interior decorator. I can’t quite promise the latter, but Interior Decorators will definitely make the process a lot easier. Whether you’ve been living

in your home for some time or have just purchased a new home, a professional will bring fresh, trained eyes to your space. What to keep and what to change? What colour scheme to use? Can you reuse pieces you already have, either as is, in a different room, or with a bit of tweaking (a coat of paint or reupholstering)?

www.janenaresdesigns.com I 250 252-0501

Function is incredibly important. A beautiful home is great, but if it doesn’t work for you, what’s the point? An Interior Decorator will take the time to find out how you use your home. What do you need to make it functional? Do you have kids or pets? How do you move about your space? Interior Decorators have access to trade-only resources that can be curated to give your home a unique look. Looking for that Wow Factor, for that special piece that will make your home standout, or a fabulous wallpaper for your powder room (definitely a place to have some fun!)? We can make recommendations and track them down for you. Or are you a DIYer wanting guidance on paint colours? Paint is expensive (never buy cheap paint – you’ll regret it) and your time is precious. Yes, it’s only paint and can be redone if you decide you don’t like

the colour, but why take the chance? Paying for a colour consultation is way cheaper than repainting. Budgeting and planning – a Decorator can help you with initially creating a budget, keeping to that budget (if you want that marble, something else may need to go!), and save you time and effort. Is this your forever home, shorter-term or are you prepping the home for sale? This will affect how much

you want to invest. Working with an Interior Designer will mean that you have a well-thought-out plan with a realistic budget and timeframe, and you will end up with a home that brings you joy. Jane Nares is an Interior Decorator based in Ladysmith. janenaresdesigns. com

Preparing For Winter Vegetables Submitted by Gabrielle Marsman

A www.dinternursery.ca

Plant Now for Fall & Winter Harvest Available as seed or transplants.

Arugula Beets Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliﬂower Chard Garden Greens Lettuce Root Vegetables Fill your garden space as the summer crops are harvested Serving local gardeners since 1973

250 748 2023

5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1

s spring turns to summer many home gardeners shift their focus towards tending to and harvesting from their existing gardens, leaving seed starting and planting of new vegetables for the following spring. However, Summer is a great time to start planting in preparation for Fall and Winter harvests or for overwintering vegetables that will reward you with harvests in early Spring. A successful fall and winter garden starts with the right selection of plants for the colder temperatures and shorter days. Many of the same plants that thrive in your Summer garden like tomatoes or peppers will not grow very well in the colder temperatures and shorter days of the Winter months. West Coast Seeds puts out an excellent chart that outlines which plants are suited for Fall and Winter gardens here on Vancouver Island. Good choices for your winter and fall garden include, beets, lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts among others. Next, it is important to plant

your Winter vegetables early enough in order to ensure they have enough time to put on growth while we have warmer days. June is a good time to get started on your seeding, both indoors and direct seeding into the garden. Transplanting seedlings bought at the nursery or that you started

keeping in mind. Ensure your garden has ample drainage, we have very wet winters here on Vancouver Island so it’s important that your garden bed not sit in a wet or low lying area, raised beds are a

indoors should be done in late July into August. Your Winter and Fall gardens will not behave the same way as your Summer garden. Meaning, the growth will be much slower and ensure you are mindful to only harvest what you need each time as it will likely not begin regrowing until mid February. Many vegetables such as beets will lie dormant in the ground until you are ready to harvest.

great alternative. Protection from hard frosts will also help many of your Winter vegetables thrive, use of cold frames, row covers or unheated greenhouses will keep many of your vegetables like lettuce and spinach protected through the colder months.

Finally, success with winter vegetables will depend on proper placement of the garden. You can fill up garden space from your Summer garden when the temperatures begin to drop but a few factors are worth

Very sandy or very clayey soils may have poor structure - that is, no aggregates at all. Sandy soils that have little or no silt or clay particles, or organic matter, will not form any aggregates, while very clayey soils may completely bind together into one large mass with no pore spaces.

Soil Structure Tamara Dinter, Dinter Nursery General Manager and Soil Enthusiast

oil consists of 50% air and water, 45% soil particles (in the form of sand, silt or clay) and 5% organic matter. Soil particles and organic matter stick together to form aggregates. The spaces within and between these aggregates constitute the 50% of soil that is filled by air or water, and a great deal of soil life! The term soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil aggregates and the spaces between them. Aggregates range in size from 1 to 10 mm in diameter. A good quality top soil has a balance of space between the aggregates (macropores) and within the aggregates (micropores). A soil with good structure easily absorbs and retains moisture in the micropores, while the macropores drain more quickly allowing air circulation between the aggregates.

Adding organic matter (e.g. compost) to your soil is the key ingredient for creating a good soil structure. Soil organic matter binds soil particles together into aggregates and provides food for the soil organisms which play an important role in aggregate formation.

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

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

Once you have a good soil structure in place, avoid activities that may break aggregates apart or press them together (compaction). This means avoiding walking on soil or digging in soil when it is wet, as this crushes the aggregates and reduces the macro and micro pore spaces. Soil tilling can also be disruptive to aggregates, although may be necessary in soil that has had a long fallow period as soil particles tend to compact over time. For most home gardeners, simply loosening the soil with a spade or pitchfork before early Spring planting (rather than completely turning the soil or rototilling) reduces soil compaction and increases aeration without disrupting existing soil aggregates too much. Lastly, regularly adding a layer of organic matter to the soil surface will stimulate movement of soil organisms within the topsoil, providing aeration naturally.

tion from the federal government to address the climate crisis. Because successive governments have consistently missed emissions targets, we need a climate accountability law to keep us on track if we are going to reach net-zero emissions.

Bill C-12, the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, Must be Passed

Bill C-12, the Liberals’ Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, was insufficient when it was first introduced. The bill lacked near-term accountability measures, the role of the advisory body was weak, and the role of Indigenous knowledge was poorly defined, among other shortcomings. Other countries have done better, especially the U.K., whose Climate Change Act represents the gold standard for climate accountability. The U.K. has achieved every carbon budget it has set since 2008 and has reduced emissions by 48% since 1990. Canada meanwhile has the shameful distinction of being the only G7 country whose emissions have risen since the signing of the Paris Accord.

My NDP colleagues and I consulted leading environmental organizations, ith the increasing number legal experts, and climate advocates of warning signs around the for ways we could improve this bill. world, Canadians expect bold acAs C-12 made its way through the House, we met with the environment minister’s office and discussed the THE GLENORA STORE & CAFE IS A LOCAL changes needed to CORNERSTORE WITH A TWIST! Stocked with basic groceries and produce. improve the bill The cafe offers fresh baked goods, hot lunch specials, and make it more drinks, and snacks. We also sell hand-woven products, effective. The Libbeeswax candles, and prepared herbs from Glenora Farm erals pushed back, Outdoor heated seating

5090 Indian Road (corner of Glenora Rd & Indian Rd) 250-746-5313 I www.glenorafarm.org

but we reached a compromise. We fought to secure an interim emissions objective for 2026 and two more progress reports before 2030. Before we made this improvement, the Liberals wanted Canadians to wait a decade for any accountability. We also succeeded in defining the range of expertise of the advisory body, so Canadians can trust the government is receiving solid advice. As well, we ensured that important, detailed information will be added in both the emissions plans and progress reports. Bill C-12 is a better bill today because of our efforts, but it isn’t the climate plan we would have written. We would have adopted a carbon budget approach as the U.K. did, and stronger language on the legal enforceability of the bill should have been added. The bill should have also included a truly independent advisory body to provide science-based advice directly to Parliament. Canadians feel the urgency of this moment and want political leaders to do everything necessary. In 2006, the late NDP leader Jack Layton led the way by bringing forward Canada’s first climate accountability legislation. It made its way through the House, but, sadly, did not make it out of the Senate. Fifteen years later and at the start of a critical decade for climate action, we should not allow C-12 to meet this same fate. Alistair MacGregor is the Member of Parliament for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford. He serves as the federal NDP’s Critic for Agriculture and Agrifood, Rural Economic Development, and deputy Justice.

Planning Your Estate Shouldn’t Be Like Pulling Weeds. Three Simple Tips

Tyler Hoffman is the Founder of OnPoint Employee Benefits www.onpointbenefits. ca and the Executive Producer at www. deliberatewealth.com He lives in Mill Bay.

pring is becoming Summer. Changes are in the air. As the Rhodos come into bloom and the grass needs mowing every other day, it reminds me that I’ll eventually need care too down the road. I recently updated my Will, POA and Healthcare Directive to reflect my wishes and final commands. Interestingly, I’ve had a few family members reach out to me lately for me to be their Executor.

While this is considered to be an honour, being an Executor is a time consuming and potential litigious favour to perform and can be very time-consuming. Being organised is key. I said yes, but it came with a caveat… they need to be organised! I’m going to share a few resources that I have no investment in nor receive anything back in any shape or form – my disclaimer. When I updated my Will I used the online firm Willfull.co out of Toronto. My Will is pretty straight forward and for estates that aren’t complicated, I feel you’ll be well served. I was able to update my POA and healthcare directive all at the same time. The prices are fair and the value of what they offer is a whiteglove service. I still have to take the executed documents to a local notary, but all three were created in 10 minutes. No more excuses for not having time to get this task done! For 15% off you can use the discount code ONPOINTWILL at checkout. Willful offers annual updates

and you can make changes as necessary without additional legal costs. Another tool I stumbled upon was ReadyWhen.ca This is a Vancouver based firm that has created a highly secure, digital estate planning tool. This tool will prevent me from running around trying to track down and locate statements, policies, identifications etc. At a time when other family members will be relying on me heavily to carry out the final wishes expeditiously and with care. ReadyWhen.ca is the perfect digital vault that can be shared with Advisors, Accountants and even other family members. My last find for you is Wealthica. ca This is a cool tool! Developed out of Montreal, Wealthica aggregates all financial and investment accounts allowing me (the named Executor) to see precisely where everything is at and with each institution when the Wealthica account is shared with me. Try it out, even for

yourself having a line of sight on everything in one glance is handy. Planning and even thinking about your estate might feel strange and even uncomfortable. Lots of steps, moving parts and thinking about the end of life when we are so full of life sometimes can cause this part of our finances to take a back seat. Being in the garden or on the trail with the dog is where I’d rather spend time, and these tools will help me and my family members stay in check while enjoying life.

person’s susceptibility to NIHL, some people are more genetically predisposed to suffer damage to their ears as a result of exposure to noise, just like some people will be more affected by an agerelated hearing loss than others. The intensity (or volume) of noise is measured in decibels (dB) and intensities of 85dB and greater have the potential to cause harm. Refer to the chart for examples of noise in the workplace. Every time you are exposed to loud noise, permanent damage to the ear can result. Damage is cumulative and so each exposure to hazardous levels of sound adds to any existing injury to the ear. The good news is that hearing impairment from noise exposure is almost 100% preventable.

The Hidden Hazard In Your Workplace Do You, Or Someone You Know, Work In Noise?

xposure to loud sounds is the #1 preventable cause of hearing loss! Those at risk are people that work in construction, mills, manufacturing, bars and restaurants, drivers, musicians, military personnel and anyone who uses power tools, loud equipment or firearms. Recreationally, listening to music through headphones, using powered garden tools or recreational motor vehicles can all present hazardous levels of sound as well. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is permanent hearing loss that results from exposure to sound that is loud enough to cause damage to our ears. Hazardous noise is the second most common cause of hearing loss after aging, and both can be present in the same person. The damage potential is influenced by both the volume of the noise and the length of time you are exposed to it. The louder the sound the quicker it causes damage. NIHL typically affects men more than women simply because, at least historically, men are more likely to work (or play) in an environment that has hazardous noise levels. Heredity also plays a part in a

The methods we use to reduce exposure to hazardous noise are, in order of effectiveness, as follows: • Elimination – physically remove the hazard • Substitution – Replace the hazard with a quieter alternative • Engineering controls – make physical modifications to reduce the hazard • Administrative controls – change the way people work to reduce exposure • PPE – properly use good quality hearing protection

Jet takeoff, gunshot

120 to 140 dB

Chainsaw, boiler room, sandblasting, excavator

100 to 120 dB

Power tools, manufacturing plant, pneumatic drill, skill saw

90 to 100 dB

Busy restaurant or kitchen, computer server room

75 to 90 dB

City traffic, office equipment, cell phone

70 to 80 dB

Normal conversation

50 to 70 dB

NIHL is a high frequency hearing loss that worsens gradually over time due to a variety of factors. This means it can be hard to detect. Some signs to look out for include: • thinking that people mumble more than they used to • the TV volume is louder than others would like • you can’t hear on the phone • you ask people to repeat often • being in a group or in background noise makes conversation very difficult • you have tinnitus or ringing in the ears • you sometimes withdraw from conversation • you avoid social situations If you feel you may have a hearing loss of any kind, it is a good idea to get your hearing properly evaluated. During your hearing test appointment your clinician will discuss any medical history relating to your ears and your hearing, will perform a comprehensive hearing assessment, and

will help you understand the results of your test and how, if necessary, to address any communication issues you may be having. At the very least you will have a useful baseline that any future hearing tests can be compared to. It is always important to remember that preventing a hearing loss is far better than treating a hearing loss. Hearing protection is one way to protect yourself from NIHL. There are many kinds of hearing protection available from the inexpensive foam plugs available at your pharmacy, ear muffs from a hardware store, or custom hearing protection from a hearing health clinic. If you are in doubt, make an appointment to see a hearing specialist to discuss which options will best suit your needs.

Terence Miranda is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Resonance Hearing Clinic

Worker’s hearing should also be tested regularly to ensure that noise in the workplace is not affecting their hearing. New hires should have a baseline hearing test within six months of starting a position in a potentially hazardous environment and after that they should have annual hearing tests to track any hearing decline that may occur.

Spiritual Upliftment and Conversation

Join us in oﬀering prayers for the healing and upliftment of the world, and conversation on topics that challenge the establishment of unity and peace. “It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”. (Bahá’u’lláh)

We are three local Baha’i friends who meet in the evening on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Note that we are not meeting in July but look forward to welcoming you in August. Please see the August edition of the Cowichan Valley Voice for details. “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is ﬁrmly established.” (Bahá’u’lláh) 50

Reconfirming the Oneness of Humanity

rom an early age I felt a connection with others, that I was part of one great family. As I grew, this feeling, which many saw as little more than a childhood notion, was repeatedly challenged by what I was taught and experienced. The reality of the decades that followed shattered my confidence in humanity’s ability to find unity, to act like we were one people. It was many years later that I was introduced to the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet founder of the Bahá’í Faith. For Bahá’ís the principle of the oneness of humankind is “the pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve”. Bahá’ís believe that each individual is essentially noble and that we share a common purpose ̶ to carry forward an ever-advancing material and spiritual civilization. We believe that together we all share the rights and responsibilities as co-stewards of one planet. (excerpts from What Bahá’ís Believe, www.bahai.org/ beliefs) Year by year I have watched as a growing awareness of our common heritage and our interdependent future has taken hold and is redefining

our understanding of who we are as a single human race ̶ one widely diverse family ̶ in the process challenging many of the worn-out ways of contemporary society. For example, why must we live with the adversarial approaches of partisan politics, the highly competitive approaches dominating economic activity, and the countless situations in which conflict is accepted as the driving force of human interactions? We know we can do better. The emergence in diverse settings of communities and organizations guided by values of cooperation and reciprocity serves to challenge notions that human nature is essentially selfish, competitive, and driven by material consideration. One can see the growing trend highlighted in this magazine and elsewhere ̶ the many positive actions underway in so many areas, from social housing, food distribution, regenerative agriculture, green economic recovery, to name a few. For me, these initiatives showcase a growing recognition of the equality and oneness of all peoples. Together they are reconfirming my childhood feeling ̶ that we can become one human family.

Submitted by Tim Mock

The entire 38 remedy system is customizable for every individual’s needs. Single remedies may be selected, or often combinations of remedies are indicated to assist a person to balance or neutralize any emotion or mood which brings them discomfort. It is a comprehensive system with many nuances to consider when selecting a remedy (or combo) for yourself.

Balancing Your Moods

sing the Bach Flower Remedies System (botanical tinctures) emotional discomforts can be brought back into balance and into a positive, comfortable or neutral state. The Remedies are holistic, organic, all-natural, gentle, safe, effective and non-addictive. They are suitable for any age (even infants), stage or health condition. Even pets can benefit from the remedies. There are 38 remedies in the Bach system. All of them were discovered in the 1920s and 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach (pronounced “batch”), who was a well-known bacteriologist, physician, and pathologist, along with being a humanitarian and a thought leader, well ahead of his time! He was also a man with a vision: he wrote about a hospital of the future where doctors would treat their patients as individuals, where patients would understand the nature of their discomfort, and where the healing medicine of nature would nurture their feelings and their soul.

Be a Well Being!

There is, however, one stock combination remedy, devised by Dr. Bach, suitable for use by anyone and everyone. In my humble opinion this remedy needs to be in the medicine cabinet of every household! It’s called Rescue Remedy and is it a powerful combo of 5 tinctures. Rescue Remedy was formulated to be used in emotionally demanding or stressful situations - including trauma or crisis. Trauma can come from something as simple as a child falling off their bike (very traumatic to some littles), to a bigger event, such as sudden unexpected news that triggers unpleasant emotions. Rescue Remedy can be taken before an expected event (like writing an exam) or after an event that invokes fear, anxiety or other emotional discomforts. It is an excellent remedy to take after childbirth, for both Momma and Baby! This remedy is also excellent to take around the time of vaccinations. It assists

visit www.warmlandwellness.ca the body to recover from the minor trauma of the jab and the introduction of a foreign substance into the body. It can also be used externally for things like the onset of a cold sore, usually stopping it dead in its tracks. There is even a special version of it for pets, which can be given to your animal prior to a vet appointment or if fireworks frighten them. Rescue can be turned to whenever a person feels uptight or unduly bothered and it will usually completely restore balance, or, at the very least, take the edge off. With that said, if a person finds themselves taking Rescue on a regular basis, it is highly recommended to confer with a Bach Remedies Practitioner to discover if there

is a custom remedy (or combo) which might better serve your personal circumstances and bring you into a more balanced, neutral emotional state. Warmland Wellness (formerly operating as Lift Rejuvenation Treatments) is newly opened at Valley View Centre and offers Bach Remedies consultations and custom formulas. We also have a repertoire of other services that initiate well being from a natural, holistic, complementary, alternative perspective. Feel free to call at 778-3562846 or visit us online at www. warmlandwellness.ca for more information. Janet, Microcurrent, Sound & Bach Remedies Practitioner, Essential Oils & Crystals Junkie, Recovering PerFectionist

Your one stop shop for natural products for home and body • more • more • more • more • more

sustainable fashions natural make up body products mens products natural pet supply

Come in for great natural products, organic produce and so much more!

• more • more • more • more • more

healthy snacks natural bulk foods cleaning products vitamin selection household for YOU!

PRODUCE SECTION

9738 Willow St, Chemainus 250-246-9838 Hours Mon-Sat 9-5 • Closed Sun & Stat holidays 51

VALLEY DENTAL CLINIC Dr. Gordon Levin DMD Dentist

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME Please see our YouTube Video: “How We Made Our Dental Ofﬁce Completely Safe for Patients and Staff “ https://youtu.be/tMvTDHfTP10 Qualified Dentist American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

# 101-321 Festubert St Duncan, British Columbia V9L 3T1 250-746-9697

reception@valleydentalclinic.ca LOOKING FOR MICROGREENS?

We grow plenty of them!

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

ound familiar? Bad news now you’re not a kid and you’re wearing white jeans. The other bad news is urinary incontinence is very common and the five most frequent causes can be very complex to sort out. The good news is there are effective treatments, and UI is almost never a sign of something seriously wrong with your health. The common theme in all incontinence cases is loss of teamwork – the bladder and the sphincter form a dynamic duo, supporting each other in the two major functions of the bladder: storage and emptying. In storage mode, whether on a trampoline in the park or a washroom line up at the opera, the bladder muscles stay calmly relaxed and the sphincter stays confidently closed. In emptying mode, ie when you pee, the sphincter slowly relaxes and the bladder muscles (called the detrusor) contracts, emptying completely in a single steady strong stream. Ahh! Good bladder kharma requires coordination of nerve tracts in the brain, spinal cord and pelvic organs. Estrogen balance has to be just right (the urinary tract is estrogen sensitive!) and dietary factors from alcohol to zucchinis can affect control. So can menopause, that nine-pound

I laughed so hard I peed my pants!

baby who wants to borrow the car now, and kidney stones or bladder infections. Rarely things like Parkinson’s disease, strokes, certain gyne issues or MS are discovered through bladder symptoms. Don’t even get me started on prostates. With five major types of incontinence, and all the possible combinations, a careful comprehensive approach to diagnosis is key. Some bladder control problems can be improved with dietary insight, some need pelvic floor physiotherapy, and some will benefit from medications, some from surgery. Every naughty bladder has a unique story and needs a unique solution; so if you are having trouble, let your health care providers know. They’ll guide you in the right direction.

Dr Bill Nielsen has been practising in Duncan for thirty years

Exciting Times For The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation!

veryone at the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation is so grateful to all of you who supported us this past year, a year like no other in my memory. Instead of tinkling champagne glasses with you at our annual gala, we took turns working in the office meeting you as you stopped by to drop off a cheque and have a masked distanced visit.

continue to strengthen the excellent work carried on at our current hospital—bursting at the seams as it is—with our new 50/50 monthly draws or through an individual or corporate donation. Supporting current healthcare needs in Cowichan remains our first priority.

We’re so excited to be able to gather in groups again. We’ve heard from some of you that as you plan your summer BBQ’s and pool parties that you would like to raise funds for the hospital or the new hospital – thank you!!

We would love to hear your thoughts on additional goals and priorities through this process. Please reach out to us with your thoughts and wishes for the #BestHospitalPossible. We look forward to working with you to help build a new Cowichan District Hospital of which we can all be proud.

Working in partnership with the CDH healthcare teams, Cowichan District Hospital Foundation (CDHF) is excited to be turning the corner on this pandemic with them and supporting their work as they transition from the demands of Covid to those of keeping one hospital going while building another.

Please connect with us! By phone 250-701-0399, email tbrown@cdhfoundation. ca or info@cdhfoundation. ca, on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/ cowichandistricthospital foundation, website www. cdhfoundation.ca, or come by the office #101 – 5822 Garden Street (at James).

How exciting is that!

The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation was established in 1984 and has focused on raising funds to purchase equipment and support patient & resident care and comfort at Cowichan District Hospital and Cairnsmore Place. Together through generous support by donors and volunteer, the CDHF has raised over $21 for improved healthcare in the Cowichan Valley.

Construction on the new hospital site will begin early in 2022, with the goal of opening to the public by the fall of 2026. Involved since the outset in hospital planning, the CDH Foundation will be a major funding partner in this oncein-decades chance to build a new hospital for Cowichan. This is our chance, let’s get it right! Keep an eye out for CDHF fundraising campaigns as they unfold over the next year. Until then, help us

Tracey Brown, Cowichan District Hospital Foundation

NEW LOCATION! Visit us in the Coastal Oﬃces building 103-255 (Unit 212) Ingram St, Duncan 250 715 5649

www.cowichanvalleyacupuncture.com

Treasures by Local Artisans Your Search is Over 1765 Cowichan Bay Rd. Cowichan Bay Village Waterfront wildishwear@gmail.com

Odyssey’s End

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 9:30 -10:30 am Wednesdays 10-11:15 am Fridays 10-11:30 am (Victoria)*

Northern Shaolin Chun Yuen Quan

Dynamic movement Improves posture Increases energy Strengthens bones Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm Wednesdays 9 am - 10 am

250 748 4060 rivendellrhythm@shaw.ca

www.WildGooseQigongCentre.com

Sands Funeral Chapel

Cremation & Reception Centre-Duncan by Arbor Memorial

Janice Winfrey Funeral Director

tel: 250-746-5212 • fax:250-746-7034 sandsfuneral.com/duncan email:sandsduncan@arbormemorial.com 187 Trunk Road, Duncan, British Columbia V9L 2P1

estled at the north end of the beautiful seaside village of Cowichan Bay you will find a lovely hat and gallery/gift shop called Odyssey’s End. The Gallery/shop initially opened in August of 2019 and in the following year with the arrival of the pandemic and the covid restrictions and lockdowns, it has become a wonderful and safe outlet for 15-20 local artisans to show thier work. Many local artisans, who create art to sustain their lives financially and personally have found it difficult to show thier work with the cancelling of the festivals, markets and studio tours over the past 18 months, coming together in this lovely tourism oriented community is the perfect fit. The ‘made in the Cowichan Valley’ premise of Odyssey’s End fits in well with the special designation that Cowichan Bay has as a Cittaslow community, which emphasises locally made, long lasting, quality goods. The Cowichan Valley is known to be the home to many highly accomplished, local artists and artisans whose expressions of thier artistry captures the essence of Vancouver Island life. You will find a colourful array of hats of all kinds created by Lynn Hudson, along with a new line of linen and cotton clothes made especially for curvy women size 18+, any adjustments to create the perfect fit are included. Ken Giles will measure you for a ‘forever’ leather belt or you could choose from those already

in stock. There are three artisans with 3 very different styles of pottery, including a line of unique stoneware buttons by Pam Lim or the Maritme images on the pieces by Mark Jackson. The work of seven local painters whose work is available in cards and prints, as well as images printed onto large metal sheets or tiny colourful earrings by Robert Cerin. The whimsical paintings of Laurel Hibbert are delightful and come as cards and prints. Find images of local birds, flowers and animals in delicate water colour by Coral Barclay. There is a wonderful variety of jewlery, from caste silver and gold pieces inlaid with gems by Allen Bosher, delicate silver pieces for every occasion by Marie-Louise Nelissen, and wonderful found object creations by Diane Vessey. At the moment we are featuring the artwork of Carol Borrett, with some large pieces printed on canvas to prints and cards, with lovely images of life on the West Coast. Come by and meet the artists in person, who work and create in the gallery/shop, your journey in search of the perfect gift or sunhat by a local artisan will be complete...at Odyssey’s End.

1769 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cowichan Bay

A “Light” Evening Paddle in Cowichan Bay

hen Coastal Bliss Adventures opened its Cowichan Bay Kayaking location, we knew there was a history of bioluminescence in the bay. The question we had was whether people are willing to be kayaking as late as 11:00 pm! Moonlight tours had been a draw for a

while, but they end earlier, just after the moon rises. When we started exploring the later evenings on the water, we knew quickly that bioluminescence tours would be a hit. Bioluminescence is when living things produce light from chemical reactions in their bodies. Most people are familiar with fireflies, which are a common source of bioluminescence on land. While there

are very few freshwater bioluminescent organisms, the sea environment is full of them. Many vertebrates and invertebrates produce chemiluminescence, or light from chemical reactions. We suspect that most of the bioluminescence in Cowichan Bay is produced by dinoflagellates, or tiny, plankton-like organisms. Dinoflagellates produce luciferin, the light-producing chemical compound, and an enzyme called luciferase, or photoprotein, to light up. For these creatures, if they are disturbed in the water, they light up with a tiny flash. Paddling into the estuary only lets us see this spectacular phenomenon as the light dims to a very low light in the night sky. Once it is dark enough, tiny sparkles begin to show up as the paddle moves in the water, eventually producing a blanket of light that follows the paddle. On some occasions, small fish will light up an area producing flashes

in the water, or even large swaths of light under a boat. Kayaking in the evening in Cowichan Bay is one of the best times. The thermal winds have eased, and the activity has died down, making it a peaceful way to enjoy the evening and get a different perspective on the Cowichan Valley, looking up at it from the water of the bay. We usually spend two hours on our bioluminescence tours, enjoying the sunset and eventually the in-water light show that comes with the gathering darkness. With the calm water, it is a perfect tour for beginners, and we can accommodate most needs with single, double or sit-ontop kayaks. cowichanbaykayaking.com Georgia, Owner of Cowichan Bay Kayaking has been observing the Osprey in Cowichan Bay.

GET YOUR NATURAL SUNSCREEN AT LYNN’S! • Water Resistant • Non- Greasy • Paba Free • Unscented • Essential Oil Scented • Lip, Face and Body

• Reef Friendly • Non Nano • Bio-Degradable • UVA Protection • UVB Protection • SPF 15 - SPF 50

4-180 Central Ave, Duncan (Save On Foods Mall) 250 748 4421 I www.lynnsvitamingallery.ca 55

Chocolatier Cheryl Yonge, Chocolate Pearl Image Courtesy Tourism Cowichan

Cowichan Food Innovation Program wraps up with Showcase Event open to the public

he Cowichan Food Innovation Program, spearheaded by Economic Development Cowichan, kicked off in late April 2021 with a talented group of food and beverage entrepreneurs ready to shake up the local food industry and help build a thriving food and beverage ecosystem in Cowichan. When it comes to the cohort, new friendships and connections have been brewing and there is an abundance of ideas and successful business opportunities baking in the oven and sizzling on the grill. The free, 12-week virtual program delivered by Spring Activator and featuring a variety of guest speakers, including representatives from MNP, supported participants on two journeys: an INCUBATOR to take entrepreneurs from idea to launch preparation, and an ACCELERATOR to take existing businesses to the next stage of evolution.

As the program wraps up, now is the time for the cohort to share their products and services, their growth during the program, and their learnings. Through a virtual showcase on July 13, the participants of the Cowichan Food Innovation Program will have the opportunity to share their unwavering passion for food, and their commitment to bettering their community and planet. The event will be a refreshing snapshot of how local food entrepreneurs are not letting COVID interfere with their goals, and how they are keeping their communities fed while innovating at the same time. You are invited to the Showcase to meet the graduating cohort and get a (virtual) taste of what this talented group of food entrepreneurs is cooking up! From artisanal teas to mushroom-powered products, there will be something for everyone. Hear innovation stories from familiar names like Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar, Stillhead Distillery, and Farm Table Inn, as well as newcomers such as Affinity Ciderhouse, and Lost Cuzins. To register for the Cowichan Food Innovation Program Showcase, visit ecdevcowichan.com.

he Koksilah (Xwulqw’selu) River has its source in wetlands and small lakes on the slopes of Waterloo Mountain, southwest of Shawnigan Lake, and flows mostly eastward, through the traditional territories of the Quw’utsun and Malahat Peoples, to join the Cowichan (Quw’utsun) River before flowing into the estuary at Cowichan Bay. It is the main source of water for fish, wildlife, and human uses - everything from homes and gardens, to farm irrigation for food-growing, to recreation - in the 300 square kilometre watershed. As snowpack lessens, replaced by heavy winter rains, and summer drought conditions increase in the face of climate change, the Koksilah’s summer flow levels are more and more affected. In August 2019 provincial biologists determined that flow levels were insufficient for critical salmon habitat. On August 16th, a Ministerial Order to stop using water was issued to surface and groundwater licensees and unlicensed groundwater users to protect fish populations. The order was repealed on September 18th when river flows increased. Since then, summer flows in the Koksilah have continued to be low and salmon in the watershed remain at risk. Summer months are also when demand on the river is highest. Balancing the needs of humans and other species remains challenging. The Koksilah Watershed Drought Response Working Group was established in the fall of 2019 as a forum for organizations working in

Working Together to Save Water in the Koksilah Watershed the community on watershed stewardship and land management to communicate regularly with each other and the province about drought conditions and responses. The group, working in relationship with Cowichan Tribes, includes representatives from provincial Ministries of Forests and Agriculture; Water Survey of Canada; the BC Dairy Association, other farming groups and local farmers; Mosaic; the Cowichan Watershed Board and the CVRD; and nonprofits like the Cowichan Station Area Association’s Koksilah working group, and the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre (CENC). The drought response working group’s purpose is to: 1) communicate and build understanding between sectors; 2) learn together and increase our collective understanding of the Watershed; 3) educate the broader community and communicate accurate information; 4) provide decision makers with accurate information and a diversity of perspectives; and 5) support long-term planning initiatives and effective collective responses.

In the Koksilah, the CENC’s “Conserving and Protecting Fresh Water for a Climate Resilient Future” Eco-Action project is focused on engaging youth in water conservation through hands-on riparian restoration, community awareness-raising, and projects with residents that directly reduce water use. In the summer of 2019, we co-hosted a community conversation on water conservation with the Cowichan Watershed Board and Regional District Area-E Director Nicholson at the Hub in Cowichan Station. This event also kicked off a series of water audits with household gardeners living in the Koksilah Watershed led by permaculturists Jason Greenwood and 17-year-old Sierra Robinson. Then an audited property was chosen for a water conservation “Permablitz” led by Jason and Sierra working with a Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians’ youth team to build a large water-saving hügelkultur garden bed. Summer of 2020 found us back in the Koksilah continuing with household water audits

and refurbishing a home drip irrigation system to save more water. In September we gathered local volunteers together in a field by the Hub in Cowichan Station, safely Covid-distanced, and took this community photo - Yes, those are people lying on the ground – to send this message: If Koksilah householders and gardeners reduce water use by 50% it will make a huge difference! In the Spring we held a handson drip irrigation workshop for Koksilah residents wanting to learn to install their own drip irrigation systems and reduce their water footprints to match the heroic efforts of local farmers who are using watersaving irrigation technology and scheduling to reduce water use. Another drip irrigation workshop is planned later this summer. Protecting our freshwater ecosystems, salmon habitat and drinking water in the face of ongoing climate disruption is increasingly challenging – and something we can do by coming together as a community. You can make a difference in your own home by switching to drip irrigation in your garden, fixing leaky taps and hoses, and planting rain gardens, native plants, and drought tolerant gardens. Join a local conservation group and talk to your kids and your neighbours about the importance of conserving water!

Sierra Harvey and Jane Kilthei Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

Shift Intuitive/Psychic Readings

With over 20 years’ experience. It is a true gift to help you connect with your Guides and Angels to gain a deeper understanding and insight. Shifting your perspective, your path and maybe even your life. Readings are 30 minutes ($65) or 1 to 1 ½ hours ($120) +gst. (Over Zoom only at this time)

Call 250-619-3815 or email Leigh at: shift123@shaw.ca 57

“ Sol-Centre & The Freya-Sophia Waldorf Store ~ A Community Farm Store Initiative ”

• All things natural and beautiful for you and your children • Beautiful and inspiring books for all ages & levels of interest • Wonderful organic merino/silk clothing from age 0 - adult • Wooden toys, puzzles, games, silks, felted toys, dolls • Lovely cards, calendars and prints • Birthday rings, candles, craft kits, beeswax, wool • Art supplies for painting & drawing; musical instruments • Great selection of felting, knitting and handwork supplies • Resources for Parents, Teachers, Homeschoolers • Waldorf inspired books/resources; Uriel Home Remedies Beautiful Selection of Seasonal Stories, Crafts, Toys ~ for all ages, all stages! Newly merchandised, expanded selection. Our magical store has something for everyone. We are happy to take orders by phone or by email. Call us at 250-597-4763, send us a facebook message, or email

fsws@community farmstore.ca.

Here at the Freya-Sophia Waldorf Store (FSWS) we, the staff and management, are inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner and committed to meeting the soul needs of our children and our community by providing books, toys, supplies, resources, classes, workshops, instruction, support and conversation to all those who visit our store.

Located in the SOL CENTRE ~ 3, 5380 Hwy. 1, Duncan Adjacent to Community Farm Store, Telephone 250-597-4763 58

“ Sol-Centre & The Freya-Sophia Waldorf Store ~ A Community Farm Store Initiative ”

hat do playing with baby animals, tending to a food garden, or hugging an old growth tree have in common? In a positive learning environment, these activities kindle an ethics of care, nurture empathy, and develop a ground for social responsibility. Research studies suggest that kids exposed to the natural world are more inclined to take inspired action as adults, for causes that protect the natural world. Further studies support the idea that spending time in nature contributes to a creative imagination, and a deeper understanding of our inter-dependence with nature. A felt connection with the natural world cultivates a reimagining of ourselves, that is embedded in emotional, social, and imaginative engagement. Identifying with the intrinsic value of nature, not only

principles, and perhaps transcend current perceptions and understandings of social conditioning.

Engaging the Ecological Imagination

supports the preservation of nature as crucial to human needs, but is essential for human flourishing. Recognizing that our highly stimulated, plugged in social behaviours are just a distraction from our deeper,

inherent needs, that when in natural environments stimulate a sense of aliveness, wonder and awe. Continued exposure to nature may ignite new understandings of systems thinking, ecological

Kids need to engage all their senses in experiential learning to understand how deeply connected they are to the natural world, guided by mentors that embody the intrinsic value of nature, and recognize the agency of, and kinship with the natural world. Imagine a world in which the highest good of each person and each species is thoughtfully considered in decision making processes. The whole world is revealed in tiny dew drops glistening on a spider’s web. Michelle Atterby, MA (s) in environmental education, has been facilitating naturebased programs, and animal assisted learning programs for youth and adults for almost two decades.

Summer Kids Camps

Day Programs & Youth Adventures Register Online Now at coastalbliss.ca

1 800 896 9525 60

coastalbliss@shaw.ca

chick peas. You know, garbanzo beans? They grow easily in the dry Cowichan summer, as it is similar to the Mediterranean climate where chick peas originate. The seeds are large, and easy for little hands to sow. They grow well even if rows are wiggly, or the spacing between plants is uneven. The plants are legumes, which means they can fix nitrogen from the GARDENING WITH atmosphere into the KINPARK KIDS - Growing soil. So, we grow Chick Peas for the soil, the them at KinPark as a cover crop, or seed, and the satisfaction green mulch, which very Summer, the market is ‘chopped and garden at Kinpark dropped’ into pathways or Youth Urban Farm fills to around other crops after dried overflowing with vegetables, peas are harvested for seed. fruits, and children! Kids That’s the best part - saving Camp participants between chick pea seed is super fun the ages of 6 - 10 get their and easy for kids of all ages! hands dirty each day, helping with garden tasks such as To harvest the seeds, wait harvesting, weeding, watering until the plants start turning and planting.Farm staff yellow and brown, and you have a blast planning and can hear peas rattling in their brainstorming fun agriculture- pods. Then, either pull or cut themed activities for the the plants at their base, and, kids. It’s always a delight to working over a large tote or see the lightswitch turn on a tarp, run pinched fingers when a child realizes where along the length of the stem their food comes from, when to strip off all the pods (lots they exclaim, “Wait, you of leaves will come off too). mean carrots grow under the Once you have a big pile of ground?!” pods, then it’s time to thresh! Jump and stomp on top of the One of the most successful pile to pop each and every repeat activities at KinPark chick pea pod. This can take Kids Camp is focused on a while, so for fun, KinPark

• Affordable Drop Off Services • Large Capacity Machines • Ask About Pick Up Service

1606 Joan Ave Crofton 250-324-2249

Kids campers enjoy dance competitions while threshing. “The Twist” is a particularly effective move. Once all the pods have been popped and the peas are loose, the next step is to separate seeds from leaves and empty pods, also known as winnowing. The best time to winnow is on a windy afternoon, after kids have eaten lunch and are ready to chill out. Dump everything into a big tote, then dump that into another tote or large bucket from up high. The wind carries all the light bits away, leaving only heavier peas behind. Keep dumping from one bucket to

OPEN: 9am to 9pm! 7 Days a Week

the other, being careful no one is standing downwind of the operation, otherwise they will get a face full of dusty chick pea chaff! Little ones may want to stand on a chair in order to have a turn winnowing. Scoop cleaned seeds into mason jars for dry storage. Or, you can cook them up straight away, and blend with tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt for a mind-blowing homemade hummus! Wait, you mean hummus comes from a plant!? Laura Boyd-Clowes Manager, KinPark Youth Urban Farm

Collectibles Eclectibles Estates & More! Come Snoop Around! 61

Can you spot two barnacle nudibranchs in this pic? One is laying ribbon egg sacs and one is having a barnacle snack....”

Wilderness Kayaking LESSONS • TOURS • RENTALS • SALES

www.wilderness-kayaking.com

Summer Youth Programs From Maple Bay • KAYAK KIDS - INTRODUCTION TO SEA KAYAKING July 6-9; July 20-23; Aug 10-13 Sessions Monday - Thursday 9am - 1pm • YOUTH TOUR N’ LEARN - GULF ISLANDS 3 DAY OVERNIGHT TRIP July 13-15; Aug 17-19 AGES 13-16 • YOUTH DAY TRIP ADVENTURES - Paddling in the Maple Bay area July 10, July 24, Aug 14 Fridays 9am - 3pm ALSO OFFERING: family paddles, sup rentals, harbour tours, moonlight paddles, birthday parties, day tours, multi day tours, double kayaks, single kayaks, rentals, sales, lessons and more. Call for more info or to reserve.

6683 Beaumont Ave, Maple Bay 250 746-0151 Cell: 250 715 7482

info@wilderness-kayaking.com

Trial By Fire Pottery Studio Pottery Classes

NEW ONLINE SHOP AND FARM STAND www.trialbyﬁrepottery.ca I 250-710-8758 www.trialbyﬁrepottery.ca

Boots ‘n’ Roots Permaculture We offer a ‘You choose CSA’ with pick up at the Duncan Market or at our farmgate stand in Glenora

Includes eggs and roasting chickens too!

www.bootsnrootsfarm.com

Have you ever seen a Nudibranch? 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 nudibranch laying its eggs? Down by the bay!

lugs are commonly thought of as gross creatures that leave slimy trails and eat your vegetable gardens. Did you know that they’re actually really cool critters? And did you know that there are slugs that live in the ocean? Ocean dwelling slugs are called “Nudibranchs”, meaning “naked gills’’ because they have no shell. These slugs come in all the colors of the rainbow, as well as a wide variety of shapes and sizes. In the Observation Tank at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, we are currently hosting a species of nudibranch called “barnacle nudibranch”. They are about

1-2 cm long, have a voracious appetite for barnacles and are masters of disguise. During a low tide, head on down to a rocky and sandy beach with lots of barnacle covered rocks and see if you can find a soft, squishy, creamy colored oval shape creature with light and dark brown splotched pattern on it. You’ll have to look closely though, because these wee creatures are very difficult to spot at first, second and even third glance. If you’re really lucky, you might come across a beautiful creamy colored circular ribbon of freshly laid nudibranch eggs. Barnacle nudibranchs will be somewhere nearby. Beach etiquette: Please be gentle with all creatures you find on the beach. The ocean is a hard place to live. If you turn a rock to look underneath, please turn it over and put it back exactly as you found it. The creatures that live under rocks need their homes to live! Madeline Southern, Aquarist Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

Original Udder Guys

Ice Cream and Candy Celebrating 22 Years in The Bay!

Peanut and Gluten Free NO Artiﬁcial Additives Flavours, Colours or Preservatives Local Ingredients when Available Summer Hours: 7 Days A Week 11am - 5:30pm 1765 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay Waterfront

250 746-4300 www.originaludderguys.com

Release trapped emotions Resolve sleep problems Manage stress and pain Achieve self-confidence

RECYCLING:

THE LAST OPTION

250-597-3686

First appointment free!

David Yaeger

Emotion Code Body Code and Quantum Touch davidyaeger650@gmail.com

https://discoverhealing.com/practitioner-map/ (ﬁnd me in Duncan)

Valleyview

Centre

So much to oﬀer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Wellness Reiki Wellness 250 743-8122 Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Reﬂexology

Healthcare

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

1-778-554-5434 I tarynogormandesigns.com 64

or many environmentally conscious citizens, recycling feels like a moral responsibility. And, to some extent, it is. But the obligation you feel to put your soft plastics in the right bin, sort your lids, and save every possible item that can go to the depot, is exactly what the plastic-producing industries want. The recycling of plastic containers started in the 1970s and has definitely helped. But a Greenpeace report from December 2020 stated that half of British Columbia’s waste still ends up in landfills, incinerators, and the environment. Ultimately, recycling is not the solution. It allows the plastic industry to shift the responsibility of plastic waste onto the shoulders of consumers. This strategy enables them to continue production with maximum profit. We have come a long way since 1983, when Canada implemented its first recycling program, but recycling is still a confusing process for many citizens. Depending on which municipality you live in, different rules apply to particular recyclable items. So, if you do not have a pamphlet that tells you which items go where, recycling can become a perplexing process. Recycling is also a procedure that has to be done right. The cans, jars and other recyclables that you put in the ‘blue bin’ must be extremely clean. Many people don’t know that if one or two items in the bin aren’t clean, all of

the contaminated items can end up in the landfill. Recycling is not the answer to reducing your environmental footprint, or helping to create a sustainable future. The key is for all of us to rethink our lifestyles and choices. Here are some simple ways to reduce your environmental footprint today: • Skip putting your fruits and vegetables in plastic bags. They can go directly into your reusable bags when you go shopping (or into reusable mesh bags). • Use cloth grocery bags instead of the ones sold at grocery stores (that break down easily). Or ask for a cardboard box. • Support restaurants that use compostable takeout packaging. • Buy locally grown produce at markets that don’t have any wrap. • If you eat meat, shop in the deli section or at a butcher so your purchase can be wrapped in paper instead of styrofoam. • Only buy toilet paper that is made from 100% recycled materials. • Recycle your gray dish water for your plants and garden. • Buy eco-laundry strips instead of plastic jugs. • When you stock your car with your reusable bags, include to-go mugs for when you stop for coffee. Keep reusable glass straws in your glove box. • Support companies that sell their products in recycled packaging.

Marin D. is 14 years old. She loves books and learning about the world.

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

Inside the house:

• Installing ceiling fans helps keep rooms cooler aand if you haven’t already, then be sure to dust the blades before turning on the fan. • Keep curtains and windows closed on hot days. Our tendency is to open windows but leaving them closed along with the window coverings will help keep things cooler. • Close doors to unused rooms, helps keep cool air in and warm air out. • Get creative about making meals that don’t involve turning on the stove or oven. BBQ is an obvious option but if you need an alternative to grilling use a crockpot or toaster oven instead. • If you need to cook, use your oven in the morning when its cool to make things like potato salad or pasta salad that can be eaten cold later in the day. • Plant shade trees near the house or install awnings.

Ol’ MacDonald Farm Sungold cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, long english cucumbers, zucchini, salad mixes, free range eggs and more!

he summers are getting hotter and we need to be creative to find ways to keep cool that are effective and don’t just involve turning on the AC. Here are some ideas:

locally grown, organic and delicious

temperature lower. Popsicles and ice-cream count too. • Keep a swim suit and towel in the car so when you’re out and about its easy to stop for a quick dip in the lake, river or ocean. We are so lucky to live where we do!

For our pets and livestock:

• Just like us our animals need more water on hot days. My goats and dogs seem to love it when I freeze blocks of water and add it to there water buckets. • Putting a fan in the coop or an exhaust fan in the barn provides air circulation and helps keep things cooler. • Rabbits have a hard time cooling down and enjoy a frozen water bottle to lie next to or a ceramic floor tile that’s been in the freezer to lie on. • Chickens love cold watermelon. • Of course providing shaded areas for all animals to retreat to is essential. I put stripped beach umbrellas out in my runs, keeps them cool and looks like a beach party!

Delicious, local grown food with love. Available Saturdays at Duncan Farmers Market or from www.cow-op.ca - pick up Thursdays.

Mulberry Lane inspire create educate

Kathy Lassche 250.709.2541 Music Education Specialist

mulberrylanemusic@shaw.ca

For ourselves:

• Adding peppermint essential oil to water in a spray bottle makes a great spritz for a very effective cooling effect. Just be sure to avoid the eyes. • Eat cold meals. Salads, cold cuts, fruit, etc help to keep your internal body

Tracey Hanson, Local mompreneur and green cleaning professional”

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

1532 CHAPLIN ST, CROFTON 65

A HIDDEN GEM IN THE COWICHAN VALLEY

ucked away upstairs in the The Community Farm store, a hidden gem of magical treasures awaits you. ‘CFS for the Soul’ started as a pop-up shop in the SolCentre back in 2017 and has since relocated and expanded into the beautifully renovated mezzanine space at the Farm Store. With a bird’s eye view overlooking the hustle and bustle of the market below, here you step into an intentionally curated oasis of beautiful crystals, books, oracle decks, gifts and more! A mountain of crystals catches the eye as you enter the store; with all colours of the rainbow sparkling in the spotlight. Unique gems of all shapes and sizes fill the shelves; Crystal clusters, points and towers, spheres, geodes, raw & polished specimens. The majority are hand picked with love from the amazing crystal pyramid on Denman Island, our long time distributor who travels far and wide to purchase direct from the source. And of course you can’t miss the table of tumbled stones, each one with a little description of its special properties, making it easy to find the perfect stone for you or a loved one.

The shop features many other treasures for your sacred space, with lots of local and regionally crafted creations such as: a rainbow selection of beeswax candles from Glenora Farms (Duncan), ceramic incense holders from The Mudroom (Cowichan Bay), Art, stickers & greeting cards from Autumn Skye Morrison (Powell River), Simon Haiduk (Roberts Creek) and other local artists. Handmade gemstone necklaces by Stone & Weave (Crawford Bay) and gemstone bracelets by Venus Rose Jewellry Co. (Duncan); Gorgeous tarot/ oracle card boxes, trays & holders, moon & lotus crystal trays and crystal grids from Topaz & Pine (Chemainus). Hand forged metal gongs by Gaia tone art (Duncan)- just to name a few! Plus a sweet selection of books on crystals, astrology, meditation, energy clearing, spirituality and personal growth, oracle and tarot decks, salt & crystal lamps, prayer flags, fair trade incense and treasure bags. Find CFS for the Soul open Monday to Saturday 11am- 3pm (closed stat holidays), upstairs in The Community Farm Store 5380 Trans-Canada Highway, in Duncan.

Venita Chow Curator & Crystal Keeper

Sweet Cheeks Hydrating Hyaluronic Facial

Reawaken dry, thirsty skin with fresh strawberries and rhubarb for a refreshed, youthful glow. 1 hr. $98

Flowers in July

ccording to the language of flowers, each month has symbolic flowers, with special meanings...so the flowers for the birth month of July are Delphinium (larkspur) and Waterlilies (lotus flowers). Delphinium and larkspur look almost identical, they are closely related, Is there a difference? Yes, delphinium is a perennial (which comes back yearly) and larkspur is an annual grown from seeds. Both delphinium and larkspur grow on large spikes, but the flowers on the delphinium are larger and bolder and can grow up to six feet tall, whereas the larkspur have smaller and daintier blooms. Delphinium are known for their promident blue, purple and white flowers. The meaning of delphinium is cheerfulness, strong bonds of love,encouragement, joy and good will. Larkspur has an array of beautiful colours with meanings, such as the blue means trust and support, purple is royalty , beauty,

sweetness and love, pink resembles romance. While all these flowers are beautiful, they are extremely toxic to animals and humans. fun fact: the name delphinium came from the Greek word dolphin, as the flower bud looks like the head of a dolphin, and with Larkspur to some, the bud looks like the claws of a lark. Either way, hummingbirds and bees LOVE them. Waterlily (Nymphaea) is a freshwater flowering plant which grows from a rhizome, and is rooted in soil under water with the leaves and flowers floating on the surface.Used in ornamental ponds and pools Water lilies are used to deter growth of algae, and to shade and cool the water for our friendly fish and frogs. The Waterlily is the national flower of Bangladesh. Lotus flower (Nelumbo) and water lily are extremely similar, but you can tell the difference just by their characteristics, while

Monday-Friday 9-5pm Saturday, Sunday and Holidays – Closed 109-2673 Beverly St., Duncan (Thrifty’s Plaza) 250 748-2056 I www.soulescape.ca WILLOWANDORCHID.COM

Weekly and monthly floral subscriptions • Weddings & Events • Customized Gift Crates • Floral Design Classes and Workshops • Sympathy Arrangements • Online, Telephone and Email Ordering • Delivery 101 Station Street Downtown Duncan 250-748-9868 willowandorchid@gmail.com the water lily has the leaves and flowers that float on the surface, the Lotus flower and leaves emerge well out of the water. Both are extremely beautiful and resemble good fortune, peace and enlightenment,and a symbol

of all that is true, good and beautiful. Cindy Savery is a certified flower designer at Willow & Orchid.

Improve Digestion, Increase Energy! Good health to you! Tina Foster, RHN Essential Remedies

hen the digestion system is bogged down, it can leave us feeling just like that. By improving your digestion, your tummy will not only feel better, but you will be improving your whole body and the way you feel! Take off extra burdens on the digestive process with these simple measures, and free up your energy for the rest of your life! 1) Apple Cider Vinegar- Raw and unfiltered, simple apple vinegar from your cupboard. Take a tablespoon in the morning in water to start your day for liver and digestive health, increase energy, boost metabolism, body alkalization, and as a pain remedy. Taking it about 20 minutes before a meal will stimulate gastric juices and digestion, thus aiding in breaking down your foodstuffs and absorption of the nutrients. Also aids bloat and discomfort.

2) Bitter herbs/supportive aids- some include dandelion root and Chinese gentian. These act as a digestive tonic and bitter to help that stimulate appetite and aid digestion. Gentian is often included in bitter tonics that you can take pre-meal to stimulate your gastric fluids and bile flow. Also helps relieve digestive disturbances/dyspepsia, prevent nausea, and especially good for breaking fats down. Turmeric is a wonderful herb/root whose wide range benefits include liver and digestive health. Ginger, peppermint, dandelion, licorice, and chamomile teas are wonderful especially post-meal to assist digestion and ease discomforts. 3) Digestive enzymes- Include proteases, amylase, and lipase to assist in breaking down protein, carbohydrates, and fats in to their smaller components for enhanced absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Can also prevent gas and bloating caused by improper digestion. 4) Probiotics- are important for intestinal bacteria balance for improved digestive health and assimilation of nutrients, amongst the myriad of benefits. Also include fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, plain organic yoghurt (dairy or vegan), tempeh, kombucha, etc. 5) Diet improvements can include avoiding food and poor

Just landed at Little Bird Gift shop - Metalbird! Great birthday or anyday gift featuring local birds. 68

food-combining sensitivities, processed fats and sugars and junk non-foods, excess alcohol, and overeating (especially late-night and before bedtime). Drinking a lot of water during your meal will dampen your stomach acid and decrease digestive efficiency (especially cold water). Drink water around meals, throughout the day, and take small sips only if you must drink with your food. Eat a whole foods, natural diet rich in fiber and vegetables! Also, eliminating known food sensitivities tat are individual to you is important, as a major irritant will wreak havoc on your digestive system and tissues, causing inflammation, and subsequent damage. Keep track of negative (and positive) food reactions in a notebook if you are needing to pinpoint a recurrent symptom(s). 6) Lifestyle improvements include stress management, as stress especially while we eat will cause upset. Eat your meals in a relaxed and safe environment. Thorough chewing is vital for digestion. Mindful eating and appreciation will enhance your food experience and increase satisfaction. Enjoy a relaxed and safe atmosphere, take deep breaths. Doing happymaking enjoyable activities every day will help lower stress level. Exercise every day for increased circulation including to the stomach and intestines. It will

also increase your energy and mood! Try looking into intermittent fasting (16/8) - benefits including cellular cleansing, gut microbiota, decreased inflammation, improved cardiometabolic factors, blood sugar management, neuroprotection, eliminating cravings, longevity, and more! Some top picks: *Braggs raw Apple Cider Vinegar, Farmhouse Culture Gut Shot, Kombucha *St. Francis Canadian Bitters, Maria’s Swedish Bitters *Naka NutriProbiotic w/ glutamine, Purica Intensive GI, New Roots Probiotics Line *Natural Factors Betaine Hydrochloride w/ Fenugreek *Nature’s Way Peptogest peppermint caps *Traditionals Medicinals teas: SmoothMove Peppermint, Everyday Detox Lemon, And Fennel Essential Remedies in downtown Duncan carries a range of herbal tinctures and capsules, enzymes and probiotics, and other aids and remedies to assist you in your digestive health or whatever is ailing you. Happy tummy, vital energy, and robust health to you!

language and culture, the emotional, physical and sexual abuse suffered by children. It would have been easy (and quite justified) to make this collection a series of unrelenting misery. However, despite the pain, some of the stories contain humour, a testament to the resilience of those who wrote them.

WHY WE SHOULD READ Speaking My Truth: Reflections on Reconciliation & Residential School The Warmland Book & Film Collective – a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – meets next on July 14th online. Email WarmlandBFC@gmail. com for zoom link.

any Canadians met the news of the horrific find at the Kamloops Indian Residential School with outrage not only at what was done there, but also that the truth could have remained hidden for so long. The fact is that it was not hidden. For decades, voices of survivors have been calling on us to acknowledge what really happened. Some of these voices are gathered in this collection. It is time all Canadians listened. This book portrays the diverse residential school experiences well, including contributions from First Nations, Inuit and Métis. From this diversity emerge the commonalities – the loneliness, the loss of

Throughout the book the idea of apology is examined, looking at official apologies made to Canadians of Japanese and Chinese descent as well as to Indigenous people. What did these statements mean if little action follows from them? Are we actually facing what happened or just using apology to put it in the past without really looking? The impacts are not in the past. The effects of intergenerational trauma caused by the residential schools are just one part of discriminatory systemic structures. As one piece says, all Indigenous people are victims of this even if they didn’t attend these schools and become Survivors. The impacts are here in the present generations of people. The challenge is to incorporate the truth into our image of what Canada is, through mourning and grieving together, and with that clear vision decide what we want to do about it. Of course, reading a book is not enough, but it’s a place to start – and this is a good book to start with.

Submitted by David & Ranji

“In 1998, the last residential school was shut down, but the aftershocks continue.” Fred Kelly, Anishnaabe Nation, Speaking My Truth (2012) The grievous discovery of 215 undocumented graves of Indigenous children is another graphic conﬁrmation that history is alive in the present. Now is the time to step up, speak out and do what is necessary to make Canada a place where every person, every child can thrive. Here are some suggestions: • Consult the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which were developed after 6 years of thorough investigation. This is easily available at https:// nctr.ca/records/reports/ • Put citizen pressure on governments to implement all the Calls to Action of the TRC. • Get personally involved in local community events. This is not an Indigenous problem -this is a Canadian problem.

“Faith isn’t about waiting for things to change. Faith is the constant effort to keep pushing through.” Richard Wagamese, Wabasseemoong Nation Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations (2016) Signed, The Warmland Book And Film Collective We read/see Indigenous authors and ﬁlms, to discuss and learn from their teachings, as a response to the TRC Calls to Action. See our reviews, Why We Should Read, in every issue of the Cowichan Valley Voice. Everyone is welcome to join (online for now). WarmlandBFC@gmail.com. July is the beginning of our fourth year. 69

Joyce Reid Troost, Architect rendition

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS:

Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island Building Strong Communities

Habitat for Humanity’s mission is two-fold in the Cowichan Valley; take new and used donations and sell them through the ReStore, along with creating affordable home ownership in the area.

ave you ever wondered what goes into handing over the keys to a family for their Habitat for Humanity new home? Well, it takes quite a village to accomplish this amazing feat and we could not achieve this without the help of many individuals and organizations in our community! If “Home is Where the Heart is”, then there are many hearts at Habitat for Humanity MVI that are truly warmed while helping local families to achieve their dream of owning their own home through our Homeownership Program. Habitat for Humanity MVI is a registered charity whose mission is to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership. By providing affordable housing, we believe this enables families to live out today’s realities and prepares for tomorrow’s transformations. Every Habitat house changes the lives of our donors, our volunteers, and our future homeowners. What we believe: • Every person deserves a safe and decent place to live. •,Every child should have a home base from which to explore the world. • Every donation helps a family build a safe and affordable home. • Every purchase helps a family build strength, stability, and selfreliance. • Every door unlocks the potential

for a better life. How does it work? Families are selected based on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity MVI builds houses, with community support, that are sold to families that meet our criteria. There is no down payment, and the mortgage is interest free. Each family partners with Habitat for Humanity MVI by also contributing sweat equity hours. An independent Family Selection committee is responsible for reviewing and assessing the applications. Families including single parent families, families with children and families with elder relatives living in their home (as long as there are children) can apply. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants and we embrace all socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

Image courtesy Anne Smart

Other ways to get involved: Volunteer! Engaging and retaining volunteers is also vital to the success of Habitat for Humanity MVI. Our volunteers enable us to better support our mission of providing affordable homeownership to the communities we serve. Volunteering on the Habitat build site and at the ReStore Habitat for Humanity continued on page 72

in the summer and the sandy beach makes it a great spot to enjoy the day. This small wilderness area is home to many different species of wildlife and birds. 6. Maple Bay Beach Park is only minutes away from downtown Duncan. Popular amongst the locals as the salt water is warm HOT DAYS OF during the summer SUMMER FAVOURITE months. Some sand and pebbles SWIMMING HOLES make up the bottom. This is not a large 1. Fuller Lake Provincial beach area but a great area. Park situated minutes north of Washrooms are available. Duncan is a fresh water lake and is very popular. Warm water and sandy beach as well 7. Bright Angel Park in Cowichan Station is on the as picnic areas make this a Koksilah river and has several great spot for families. lovely swimming holes. The popular spot is directly under 2. Osborne Bay Regional the suspension bridge and can Park in Crofton is right on the easily be accessible on either ocean and a short walk from side of the bridge. If this spot the parking lot. This Park has is busy just walk along the warmer waters and a lovely river bed and you will find pebbled beach. Off leash dogs are welcomed here year-round. other spots where you can set up for the day. There are lovely picnic areas as well as 3. Transfer Beach in washrooms. Ladysmith is right off the highway so quick and easy 8. West Shawnigan Lake access. Spray Park and sandy Provincial Park on West beach for the little ones. Shawnigan Lake Road is a Paddle boards and kayak great place to spend the day. rentals are available. Food Lovely swimming beach for trucks in the summer. everyone with lots of space. Trail throughout the park for 4. Arbutus Park in Youbou small walks with the kids. is an awesome swimming spot on beautiful clear water 9. Bamberton Provincial of Lake Cowichan which Park in Mill Bay is not only a includes a slide and diving campground but has a fantastic board. It is a little further day use sandy beach area that out but a beautiful drive. Washrooms and change rooms goes on for a long way. Crystal clear water for floating around are available. During the summer months lifeguards are in on those hot summer days. Brings those sand shovels and at the park. pails for the little ones. 5. Gordon Bay Provincial 10. Spectacle Lake situated Park in Honeymoon Bay south of Mill Bay towards on the south shores of Lake Victoria is home to mature Cowichan. The lake is warm

Visit our

FEATURING Assorted Greens located by the Plants Providence House Local Eggs roundabout $5 dozen 1843 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan I Open Daily 9am - 3pm

FARM STAND

forest and wetlands. This lovely little lake offers fresh cool spring fed water for swimming. Pretty trails go around the lake and perfect for a stroll after a swim. Watch

for signs off of Hwy 1 going south.

Patty Abbott, Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre

Habitat for Humanity continued from page 70

is a rewarding experience that everyone will enjoy. It is a great chance to give back to the community, make friends, have fun, and receive on the job training for all work undertaken! To volunteer with Habitat, sign up on our online portal, wait for your application to be approved, then start signing up for shifts all from the comfort of your home! If you have any questions about the process of signing up or any other volunteering related questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteercoordinator@ habitatmvi.org . Recycle and Shop Local: Our ReStores are public retail outlets operated by Habitat for Humanity MVI. The ReStore provides a wide variety of affordable new and gently used home furnishings, appliances, lighting, plumbing, hardware, building materials and supplies for sale to the general public. Proceeds generated cover operating costs and assist in funding local build projects. If you have not done so already, check out the Nanaimo and Duncan Restores where you can purchase gently used building materials and home décor and locate contact information for free curb-side pick and donation locations! When you like our ReStore Nanaimo Facebook page or our Restore Duncan Facebook page, you will get the latest on new arrivals and sales! Shopping at our ReStore is also an environmentally conscious decision. Through this recycling process, Habitat’s nearly 100 Canadian ReStores have helped to divert thousands of tonnes of building materials from the landfills annually. The ReStore is located next door to the Habitat office on Mostar Road in Nanaimo and our Duncan location is located at 251 Government Street. New homeowner key ceremony 625 Jubilee Street, Duncan Virtual Event July 16 https://www.habitatmvi.org/

LUCKY DOG The Times They Are A Changing The Heritage Museum where the past meets the present. ‘The Times They Are A Changing Exhibit’ A trip down memory lane. Each of the displays are time capsule glimpses of our surprising past that has created our present. Remember: • a rotary telephone • a polaroid camera • Rock and Roll music • GI Joe action figures • Car Hops Share your favourite memories and stories and try guessing what our mystery objects from the past might be. Kids win a prize. For more information contact:www. millbaymalahathistory.com or dalexander2@shaw.ca

Remember a year ago when the world ran out of available dogs? Debbie Wood owns Lucky Dog U-Bath. She can be found on trails in the Cowichan Valley with her BF, Bonnie.

ast year people found themselves staying home more and many people started working from home. Schools were closed, a lot of people though it was the perfect time to get a puppy. Every available puppy found a home. Then they were sold out like toilet paper. I couldn’t even find one and I have connections. Those of us in the industry could see the future; and now it’s here. Many of these puppies are showing up in shelters. They are now at the most difficult age, adolescence; teenage dogs are as joyful to be around as teenage humans. Many of these puppy buyers

DELICIOUS MEALS MADE FROM SCRATCH

Saturday & Sunday Brunch Featuring our famous crêpes & bennys!

1765 COWICHAN BAY RD • 250 597 7373

were embarking on dog ownership for the first time and didn’t realize the huge responsibility it is. The vet bills, the food bills, the chewed up something, and the energy of a young dog can be exhausting. It looks like a dream life from the outside, but with a house full of a stressed-out family trying to work from home and school from home and wondering if the world is coming to an end; it’s quite different from the inside. Dogs absorb our stress and without a confident leader they can become anxious and confused. If any of these newbies had asked a professional, we would have told them that last year was the worst time to acquire a puppy. They couldn’t go to training. Veterinarians were backed up for months on basic care because of protocols. And although dog parks and daycares remained open, the new owners were wary of entering them for their own safety. These dogs are now crazy teenagers without training, boundaries, or doggy social skills.

LUCKY DOG Celebrating 8 Years!!!

Thank you to all our clients!

Now we have people coming in to have their dogs groomed and the dogs are fearful and uncontrollable. They haven’t left the house for a year, that’s seven years to them! The irritating part is that some of these owners nervously laugh while we try to wrestle/calm the dog, saying “Oh she’s a covid puppy. Sorry!” I don’t want to shame people for returning their dogs. I know these dogs were loved, but situations change and I’d rather see a dog go to where she’s wanted, than stay in a home

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

We have professional grooming!

that doesn’t have the time or resources for her. I am all for rehoming dogs when necessary, but these covid puppies are going to be a handful for the next owner. The good news is that if you’re still looking for a dog, they are now available! But be aware of the struggle. Pay for training, be extra patient, remember that a tired dog is a good dog, and embark on your second-hand dog journey with your eyes wide open.

U Bath or WE Bath

ALL BREEDS + SIZES

250 597-7DOG

Book online!

www.luckydogubath.ca 1059 CANADA AVE DUNCAN

Just north of Pots & Paraphanelia

Bad ComICS

by Shiloh Badman

starts to believe what her friend is saying. Maybe she is smarter than she thinks. Maybe she can accomplish more if she tries.

s humans, we have been telling stories forever. From the short, “guess what I did last night” to the epic novel, we love to tell and listen to each other’s narratives. I have a story of my life, and so do you. We tell these stories to people whom we have just met, and bits and pieces to our friends as we grow closer. I want to show you how powerful these stories can be. You see, the story you tell people about yourself is the story that makes you who you are, and it governs your choices and actions. The sad thing about many people’s stories, is that we often think we can’t change them. Here is the story of Jill. Jill told her girlfriend that she grew up poor and abused, and couldn’t to go to school. She uses this story to explain her

Bring the Joy of YOU to Your Life

Of course, this is a bit simplistic, and the road ahead for Jill in real life would contain ups, downs, and many revisions to her story over time. But you can see how a small change in her story brought her from a closed future to one open to possibilities.

Turn your Story into a Legend inability to leave her dead-end job and never bothers to try to improve her circumstances. Why would she? Every time she thinks she might try to take a few night classes, she remembers she is just a “dummy” and would probably flunk out anyway.

Brenda Isaak Takao

blueseedstudio.com

Activation Method Life Coaching 250.709.4874

Island Hellerwork & Somatic Counselling ALIGN - CONNECT - EMBODY

Heal Trauma Increase Vitality Improve Posture & Alignment Freedom From Chronic Pain & Injury Improve Movement & Flexibility Heal Anxiety & Depression Better Sports Performance

islandhellerwork.com I 250-661-1687 74

This frustrates the heck out of her friend, because she can see that Jill is no dummy. Jill works really hard at her job, and is a great problem solver when customers call with issues. Her friend knows that Jill is very creative and great with her kids, but she just can’t seem to get Jill to see her positive attributes. Jill has decided that her past is her story, and doesn’t realize that she is stopping herself from seeing another version of herself. Therefore, her story has the power to keep from living her dreams, or maybe even having dreams. As Tony Robbins says, “the strongest force in the human personality is the need to stay consistent with how we define ourselves.” If our belief about who we are is limiting, we won’t let ourselves step outside of our story to become a greater version of ourselves. Let’s look at Jill again. One day, Jill has a breakthrough. She overcame a situation where she was convinced she would fail. Suddenly, her story isn’t true anymore, and this makes her pause. She has to start to see herself with new eyes, and this time, when she shares her triumph with her friend, she

When we rewrite our stories, they become exciting, and the more we examine and change, the more we empower ourselves. We become heroes, and our stories turn into legends. One way to transform your story is by trying to catch yourself at the telling, and then try to reframe your situation. Sometimes trusted friends can be very helpful to give you another point of view. Believe that you can be the author of your story, and not the past that made you. Open yourself to new possibilities and be willing to dig to find the strengths you already have inside. It can be very helpful to get a Life Coach to help you mine your hidden resources. They can help you define your dreams, and embolden you to take the steps you need to reach them. Whether you want to brave the hero’s journey on your own, or get help, I am cheering for you. We could all use another hero’s legend to listen to, because when we see one person reaching for their dreams, it inspires the rest of us to reach for our dreams, as well. Brenda Isaak Takao is an innovative artist and life coach working to seed the world with wonder and joy.

The Community Farm Store Pages — Your Organic Health and Whole Food Market in Duncan — 250-748-6227

Fresh to the Farm Store ~ Come See What’s New Shop CFS Online We have launched our new online store; visit shop.communityfarmstore.ca.

Visit the CFS Café Freshly made soups, broths, poke bowls, falafel, sandwiches, tonics, teas & coﬀees!

Bulk Bins are Back Find our most popular bulk oﬀerings in gravity bins down the Produce Aisle.

CFS Grab & Go Pick up fresh salads, sandwiches, dips, and dressings for your on-the-go adventures!

The Community Farm Store Organic Health & Whole Food Market 2-5380 Hwy 1, Duncan BC V9L 6W4 (250) 748-6227 www.communityfarmstore.ca CFS Hours Monday-Saturday 9-6 ~ CFS Café Hours Tuesday-Friday 10-3 75

any recreation locations such as Nitinat lake were closed or access limited over the last year due to the global pandemic. This made kiteboarders and windsurfers search for new locations to get their fix. During this time many great new locations were found, but also a new sport that was in its infancy was able to grow exponentially! Wingboarding is kind of a combinations of kiteboarding, windsurfing, surfing and stand up paddle boarding(SUP). An inflatable wing similar to a small kite is held right in your hands. You ride a big floaty board and the wing propels you along the wind like a windsurfer, but you are holding onto it and it is not attached to the board. The wing is very simple to use and the basics can be taught in an hour. If you are comfortable on a SUP you can be out on the water

around on the surface of the water. It is comparable to riding in deep powder or a never ending wave.

Wingboarding: Fly Like The Wind solo on your first day! This is big news as kiteboarding is an absolute blast, but takes many DAYS of lessons before solo riding is safe. If you enjoy SUPing then wingboarding opens a lot of new options for you. It is a new way

CUSTOM LEARNING I WATERCRAFT ASSISTED I 1-ON-1 PRIVATE LESSONS

Opening hours: Mo-Fr: 8:00-22:00 Sa: 8:00-24:00 So: 8:00-14:00

SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT We are a certiﬁed IKO school, we offer 1-on-1 private watercraft assisted lessons for the most comfortable and effective learning experience. Located at Nitinat Lake, the conditions are optimal for learning.

(250) 813 0035 I info@strongkiteboarding.com

www.strongkiteboarding.com 76

to cruise around the water, great exercise and opens a lot of new possibilities. With a large fin on the SUP one can use it like a sail boat and actually sail into the wind! If you choose to get into the sailing end of things then it gets really exciting. Hydrofoils have been used for many years. The basic principle is the same as a plane flying in the air, but we are flying over the water. A wing is attached to a mast on the bottom of the board and that wing will start to lift up when a certain speed is reached. The familiar to anyone would be an airchair towed behind a boat, chair lifts up and flies above the water. If you ever watch the Americas Cup they started using hydrofoils a few years ago and the boats are now significantly faster. Great but what does that have to do with wingboarding? Well you can bolt a hydro foil onto your SUP and we have a new sport! People have done very similar things in the past but with the lightweight materials and construction methods of today it is a whole new ball game! Think of how aircraft design has changed over the last 100 years as new materials became available. Well, we started with the best stuff so it is all happening very fast now. With proper training these lightweight boards and wings can fly you 60-70cm over the waters surface. When the board is not touching the water one can go very fast and be very agile. Think of a boat on plane compared to not on plane, but even more of a difference. It is a very freeing feeling, you don’t get bounced

If you enjoy surfing then this really opens up new possibilities. The foil takes energy from the wave before it even starts breaking. Once up riding on foil a competent rider can ride waves that do not get very steep or do not break at all. Open ocean swells, boat wakes and wind chop can be ridden for very long distances(500m+). A day of mushy waves at the beach can become a lot more fun with a hydrofoil. Wingboarding also opens a lot of access spots that would not be available for other wind users. Often times the wind will be sitting offshore 100-200m with no wind on the beach. This means a kiteboarder or a windsurfer on the beach cannot get out to the wind to sail. Not a problem for a wingboarder! They can just lay down on the board and paddle out to the wind, or even bring a small paddle with them and strap it to the board. And if the wind dies you can do the same to get back in while the kiteboarders and windsurfers are waiting for rescue. Beaches suitable for kiteboarding have specific requirements. Wide open space, clean steady wind, free of debris and crowds. Wingboarding does not need any of these things, just wind! Nitinat Lake has opened for the summer and it is a great spot to windsurf, kiteboard and wingboard. But for those of us who cannot make it up there, or don’t have a nice wide open beach close to us, wingboarding is a much safer, easier and more accessible option. If this sounds like it is up your alley or if you want to hear more about this amazing new sport then contact Strong Kiteboading. They have all the gear you need to get out there and have fun! www.strongkiteboarding.com Martin Dovick is an avid waterman and the owner operator of Strong kiteboarding

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) Your focus on home, family and your private life is strong this month. Many of you will be more involved than usual with a parent. You will enjoy entertaining at home. You will also enjoy redecorating or making where you live look more attractive, especially because meetings and groups will take place where you live? (Book clubs, civic gatherings or protest groups.) Your ruler Mars will boost your energy and give you the determined resolve to express yourself to others without fear or apology. It will also boost your sex drive! Taurus (April 20-May 20) Your daily pace will accelerate this month because you have things to do, places to go and people to see! You might also read, write and study more. Your home scene might be chaotic due to increased activity, visiting relatives, residential moves, renovations or some other reason. Nevertheless, your spirits are high and you’re full of positive hopes for the future. Enjoy group activities and fun times with friends this week. From here on, your moneymaking ideas will unfold more effectively. Ka-ching! Gemini (May 21-June 20) Your focus on your possessions, your wealth and your assets will be stronger this month. Some are seeking a better paying job. Others will look for ways to make money on the side? This is certainly possible because this week, you will attract money, wealth and favours to you. Bosses and important people might help you boost your earnings. Meanwhile, you will start to look at your daily world and give yourself a report card. You realize how fortunate you are to live where you live and have the affection of your loved ones. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Once a year, the Sun is in your sign, which means it’s your turn to recharge your batteries for the

rest of year! The Sun will also attract people and favourable situations to you, which is why this is such a favourable month! In turn, you will feel generous. You might want to help someone less fortunate. You might also see ways to explore opportunities in publishing, the media, the law and medicine. By nature, you are frugal with your money but this month, you might spend big! (Open your wallet and let a few moths out.) Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Although your personal year is ending, your new year will not begin until the Sun enters your sign. Actually, this is the perfect time to set goals for your new year ahead. What would you like to achieve? The past year was a strange year with Covid restrictions; but now, your new year has promising possibilities! If there’s anything you want to accomplish, be specific about defining your goals. After all, goals will give you a clearer focus on what is important to you. They will give you more clarity in decision-making. Write something down. Booyah! Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) A popular month! Not only will you be more involved with friends, groups and organizations, but your involvement with others will benefit you. (This is important to know.) You will also interact with creative, artistic types. The month is a great time to bounce your hopes and dreams off someone to get their feedback. Your involvement with others might lead to a greater interaction with the public at large. You might encourage people to think big or achieve an ambitious goal. People in power are willing to listen to you.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Once a year, the Sun sits at the top of your chart casting you in a flattering spotlight. That time has arrived. This is why you will look good to bosses, parents, teachers, VIPs and the police. They will admire you even if you don’t do anything special or anything different. (It’s smoke and mirrors.) Since this influence actually exists for you, obviously, this is the perfect month to make your pitch and do what you can to advance your agenda. Because Venus is in the picture as well, some of you might strike up a romance with your boss or an authority figure. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) This month you have wanderlust. With Covid restrictions lifting in many places, some of you will grab a change of scenery and explore adventure! You want to learn something and be stimulated! However, this same influence will also bring opportunities in medicine, the law, publishing, the media and anything to do with higher education. You might want to take a course or get further training. You might also become romantically involved with someone “different”. Vacations, sports events and fun times with kids, as well as social outings will delight. Explore! Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You will be more passionate about everything this month. Romance will be passionate. Issues will be passionate. And you’ll be passionate about assets, shared property and the wealth of someone else. But it’s all good. If you’re negotiating how to divide something, you’ll come out smelling like a

rose. Obviously, this month is an excellent time to negotiate mortgages, loans and financial arrangements. Fear not, as the traveller of the zodiac, you’ll be glad to hear that Mars will do its best to bring you opportunities to travel and expand your world! Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) It’s that time of year when you need more sleep. That’s because symbolically, the Sun is as far away from your sign as it gets all year and the Sun represents energy. Grab some cat naps this month. You will find that your focus on partners and close friends will also intensify; and yet, you will have more objectivity to see your role in these relationships more realistically. This means you can see how you can improve your style of relating to others – major bonus. Your sex drive will be amped as well. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This month you intend to be organized, productive and efficient in everything you do. Oh yes, you’re setting the bar high. (“I’m going to get dressed and get the mail.”) You will derive pleasure from making this effort to work smart. Naturally, this will spill over into other areas of your life and you might decide to go on a diet, eat healthier, drink less and exercise more. This sounds like a serious makeover! Meanwhile, with fiery Mars opposite your sign, be patient and tolerant when dealing with others if you feel annoyed. Be nice. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Lucky you! You’ re looking at a fun-loving month! The bottom line is you want to have a good time! Take a vacation. If not, take a mini-vacation on weekends. Enjoy sports events, playful activities with kids, romantic interludes, the arts and any chance to express your creative urges. Romance will blossom. New love is possible, while existing romantic relationships will be more affectionate. Fear not, you won’t forget work. In fact, you’ll have lots of energy to work hard! www.georgianicols.com

July 2021 Issue 152

Articles inside

July Forecasts by Georgia Nicols

Turn your Story into a Legend

Hot Days of Summer Favourite Swimming Holes

Why We Should Read

Wingboarding

Improve Digestion, Increase Energy

Habitat for Humanity Building Strong Communities

Flowers in July

A Hidden Gem in the Cowichan Valley

Have you ever seen a Nudibranch?

Recycling: The Last Option

Cowichan Food Innovation Program

Gardening with KinPark Kids

Working Together to Save Water in the Koksilah Watershed

Engaging the Ecological Imagination

A “Light” Evening Paddle in Cowichan Bay

Cowichan District Hospital Foundation

I laughed so hard I peed my Pants

Balancing Your Moods

Reconfirming the Oneness of Humanity

The Hidden Hazard In Your Workplace

Bill C-12, the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act

Planning Your Estate

Soil Structure

Why Hire an Interior Decorator?

2021 Islands Folk Festival Live Streaming on FB

Romance in Full Bloom at Aquamaris Art Gallery

Artist Joanne Nemeth at Excellent Frameworks

Valley Voices: Childhood Contrasts

Wool Helps to Treat Common Senior Ailments

Grounded Grandmothers a New Book by Aukje Kapteyn

Pregnancy and Covid-19

Travel Advice From an Organic Bedding Connoisseur

Downtown Duncan BIA

Sensational Summers at the Pubic Market

Love Your Soda Stream...again

Cowichan Valley Art Council: Floored

Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society Hitting a High Note

Double Eagle: A Collaboration

Explore Chemainus

Spinach Salad with Strawberry Basil Vinaigrette

Summer Sippers

Duncan Farmers Market

Not Just About Old Growth: Defending the Sacred at Ada’itsx

39 Days of July

In Defence of Chardonnay

Community Apples Finding New Life in Cider

A Request for a Tree Protection Bylaw

Dry Aged Beef

July Events