madelinejoellewellness@gmail.com Room 212-255 Ingram St. Duncan www.madelinejoellewellness.com
“9 to 5 The Musical” now on stage at Chemainus Theatre, Festival Tickets from $22 chemainustheatre.ca
1Copper Canyon for Canada Day Music in the Park 12:30pm Waterwheel Park Chemainus cvcas.ca by donation
2The Soul Shakers 7pm Waterwheel Park Chemainus cvcas.ca by donation
3Community Drum Circle! Beginner friendly/drums provided 7-8:15pm The Hub, 2375 Koksilah Rd. by donation karinfreebird@ protonmail.com
4Music in the Park Community Arts Caravan 6:30-8pm Cobble Hill FREE +JUL11/18/25
Music in the Park w/The Carlines 6:30-8pm Cobble Hill Commons 1461 Fisher Rd. by donation
5-7Visions Artists, Art Studio Tour & Sale 10-4pm www.visionsarttour.ca
6Chemainus Giant Street Market 10-4pm Willow Street from Victoria to Oak FREE
Kids Summer Reading Club Launch 10-5pm Volume One Bookstore 149 Kenneth St. volumeone.ca/events FREE
6&7Chemainus Valley Blues Festival 1-7:30pm Waterwheel Park Chemainus cvcas.ca by donation
7Quaker Meeting for Worship 10:30am email for more info: cvquakers@gmail. com FREE +JUL14/21/28
Times They Are A Changing Exhibit 1-3pm Heritage Museum 2851 Church Way by donation +JUL14/21/28
Sacred Healing Sound Journey 5:30-7:30pm Collective Space 166 Station St. $33 www. adelinewholistichealing.com
8&17Introducing: Emerging Artists, CVAC Annex Gallery Art Opening June 17, 3:30 – 6 pm, 2687 James Street FREE Show runs to 07/31
8(also 15, 22, 29) Reading and discussion group; Final Report of the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, 1:30-3pm Cowichan Library 2687 James St Duncan FREE
8-12Teen Summer Sewing 10am12pm (Kids Class 12:302:30pm) The Spool Yard $250 250 710-1165
10Warmland Book & Film Collective discussing Unbroken: my fight for survival, hope, and justice for Indigenous women and girls by Angela Sterritt 5-7pm zoom link:WarmlandBFC@ gmail.com
11“100 Bucks or Less” Island Art Show Opening 5-8pm Excellent Frameworks Gallery 115 Kenneth St. FREE
Music in the Park w/The Hounds of Cuchulain 6:308pm Cobble Hill Commons 1461 Fisher Rd. by donation
12“Stepping Out” Art Opening by NC Meijer Drees 3:30-5:30pm, 2687 James St FREE
Sidewalk Sale all day Downtown Duncan FREE
12&13“100 Bucks or Less” Island Art Show 10-4pm Excellent Frameworks Gallery115 Kenneth St. FREE
13Family Friendly Street Party 10-3pm downtown Duncan FREE
13&19Messages In The Dust
Live Theatre 7pm (June 19 2:30pm) Mill Bay Community League Hall, 1035 ShawniganMill Bay Rd. $15-18 +JUL14/27
14Motorcycle Show & Shine 9-3pm Station & Kenneth St. Duncan FREE
Acoustic Jam Drop-In @ Shawnigan Pavilion, 3:30-6pm by donation
14Live Public Auction by La Petite Public Auction House 12pm parking lot @9680 Chemainus Rd. 250701-2902
Saltwater Slip Dress Sewing Class 11am-3pm The Spool Yard 250 710-1165 $135
13&14Arts on the Acreage w/ live music and gelato truck 104pm 2808 Sprott Rd.
13&14 36th Annual Cowichan Wooden Boat Festival 1761 Cowichan Bay Rd. 250-7464955
17Cowichan Pipes and Drums 7pm Waterwheel Park Chemainus cvcas.ca by donation
18Music in the Park w/Bu VonBlume 6:30-8pm Cobble Hill Commons 1461 Fisher Rd. by donation
19-2140th Anniversary Islands Folk
Festival 5 stages of music and fun for all Providence Farm For info visit www.islandsfolkfestival.com
20CLRSS Celebrating Water Festival 2024: Weir All Connected 10-2pm Saywell Park Lake Cowichan FREE
Messages In The Dust Live Theatre 7pm The Hub, 2375
Koksilah Rd. $15-18
204th Annual Cobble Hill Show & Shine 8-4pm Cobble Hill Hall 3550 Watson Av. FREE
Linen Pants 10am-4pm The Spool Yard 250 710-1165 $170
Music in the Park w/Born Reckless 6:30-8pm Cobble Hill Commons 1461 Fisher Rd. by donation
Singing 101 Exploration of personal voice & song, Lila Music Centre sliding scale $50-$150 www.joythroughmusic.com
26Messages In The Dust Live Theatre 7pm Shawnigan Lake Community Ctr 2804 Shawnigan Lake Rd. www.millbaymalahathistory. com $15-18
27St. Peter’s Garage Sale 9-2pm 5800 Church Rd.
Joanne Welham
Duncan Drop off donations accepted JulL22-26 1-4pm
Sylvan United Church’s 37th Annual Raspberry Tea & Quilt Display 2-4 pm 985 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd. $10
CVAC Outdoor Art Market 10-3pm Downtown Duncan FREE
28Messages In The Dust Live Theatre
12:30pm St. John’s Church 3295 Cobble Hill Rd. www.
millbaymalahathistory.com $15-18
30The Porter Brothers 7pm Waterwheel Park Chemainus cvcas.ca by donation
OUT OF TOWN
27&28 ArtisTREE Festival 10am Government House Gardens, 1401 Rockland Ave www.artistreefestival.com
July 2024 Issue 188
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
Proofreader Distribution Calendar
Diana Pink Shannon Faughnan Stephanie Sayers
Advertising Enquiries Please Contact us at info@cowichanvalleyvoice.com for A rate card, monthly offers and print ad specials.
Next Ad Deadline July 15 for August 2024 Issue 189
*Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE!
Next EVENTS DEADLINE July 15 for August 2024 Issue 189
E-mail: Date, Event Title, Time, Location and Cost w/ subject “EVENT” to events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com
Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations
SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES
Craig Spence, Rebecca Hazell, Lon Wood, Tamra N, Tanya Trafford, Madeline Southern, Judy Zelmer, Alistair MacGregor, Ann Baty, Midori, Stephanie Farrow, Krystal Aikman, Bill Jones, Aiyana Jennings, Grant Easterbrook, Andrew Jeffrey, Amy Luck-MacGregor, Denise D’Fantis, Terence Miranda, Sarah Angell, Dawn Howlett, David Suzuki, Cammy Lockwood, Naomi Kulhawy, Shiloh Badman, Debbie Wood, the lovely Georgia Nicols, Nicolette Genier, 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
Cover Image: Photo of Great Blue Heron taken in Cowichan Estuary, where these stately birds can be seen fishing year round on mass during low tide. View this bird and many others with Coastal Bliss Adventures coastalbliss.ca Image taken by Georgia Newsome
Interested in a Cowichan Valley Voice
Next ad deadline July 18 for August Issue
250 746-9319 I Text: 250 709-8846 info@ cowichanvalleyvoice.com
WATERWHEEL PARK
COPPER CANYON
CANADA DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, July 1 12:30 PM
The Soul Shakers
classic soul, Motown, R&B, blues
Tuesday, July 2 7PM
CHEMAINUS VALLEY BLUES FESTIVAL
2 Day Event
events by donation
Saturday July 6 2-7:30PM Mark Crissinger, James Vickers Band, Chris Noel and the Burning House, South Island Rhythm Kings, Steve Kozak Band
Sunday, July 7 1-7:30 PM Paul Black, Helen Davies Band, Gary Preston and The Kingmixers, Brandon Isaak, Hank Lionhart and the Smoking Toasters
Capital City Syncopators
Tuesday, July 9 7PM
Ibison Guitar Duo
Wednesday, July 10 7PM
The Shineolas
Tuesday, July 16 7PM
Cowichan Pipes and Drums
Wednesday, July 17 7PM
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Saturday, July 20 5 on a String, The Clay Pigeons, Unfaithful Servants, Clover Point Drifters, Hardly Handsome
Sunday, July 21 Sweet Harmony - One Hour Gospel Set, Jamming for the rest of the day
Tropic Mayhem
Tuesday, July 23 7PM
KeyWinds Trio
Wednesday, July 24 7PM
Shoreline Strings
Saturday, July 27 7PM
The Porter Brothers
Tuesday, July 30 7PM Bring your own chair
Stage Set for a Celebration of Music in the Park
Thebandshell in Waterwheel Park is opening up for another season of fantastic music with a Canada Day Celebration by Chemainus’s own Copper Canyon on Saturday, July 1 at 12:30 p.m. From then on, there will be a lineup totalling 15 acts and four festivals: Blues July 6 and 7, Bluegrass July 20 and 21, Rockabilly August 10, and Accordion August 17.
Most of the bookings are for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. You can check out the dates at CVCAS.ca/events or pick up a schedule at the event table at Waterwheel Park.
All the events are by donation. People are invited to bring their own chair or take a seat on the bandshell’s wooden benches. For your comfort, the CVCAS will be selling foam cushions at the concession table, where you can also pick up a newly designed Music in the Park T-shirt. For audience members with special needs, a wheelchairaccessible area is reserved at the top of the amphitheatre.
“There will be something for everyone in this year’s lineup,” Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society Chair Bev Knight said. She and the other members of the Performance Committee have invited performers to get music lovers tapping and clapping to the rhythms of rock, folk,
classical, jazz, big band, country & western, and more.
Of course, getting all that action happening up on stage means a lot of work going on behind the scenes—all of it done by a muchappreciated team of volunteers.
CVCAS Volunteer Coordinator Brenda Bell has put out a call for people to join the crew.
“Take a look at our season,” she said, reaching out to the community. “Let me know what volunteer roles sound most like you. Then let me know what dates you are available to join in.” Brenda believes volunteering should be rewarding and fun, and she builds her team around that philosophy.
Find out more about volunteer opportunities at cvcas.ca/ become-a-member.
The CVCAS has been bringing music to the community for more than 20 years. “We couldn’t do it without the help of our volunteers and sponsors,” Bev said. Sponsors are noted on the season schedule and the CVCAS website.
You can support Music in the Park, too, by donating when the hat is passed around at each event. Every dollar helps the CVCAS continue its mandate of promoting arts and culture in your community.
Copper Canyon will kick off Music in the Park with a Canada Day performance July 1. Audience members can make themselves more comfortable with seat cushions that will be on sale at the CVCAS concession stand or buy T-shirts with the new Music in the Park logo on them
Photo Craig Spence
Shop Canadian from the East Coast to the West Coast
meaningful difference in the areas of environmental preservation, animal welfare, and consumer health. Their goal is to helping consumers switch to a healthier and more environmentally friendly food.
Certified Naturals™
The name Nova Scotia Fisherman came from some of the hardest working people within our Maritime communities, who endure unbelievably rough conditions and weather from the unforgiving Atlantic waters. The idea was to create a premium skin care product that could help protect against the harshest conditions that Nova Scotia Fisherman would encounter, while utilizing the nutrient-rich ingredients available to us close to the sea New Brunswick- Dulse seaweed snack
Driven by their core values of organic farming and outstanding quality, Fromagerie L’Ancêtre - Quebec strives to make a
- Ontario Our passion is to partner with ingredient suppliers that have developed high quality natural raw materials that deliver clinically proven health results to consumers. We search the world over for ingredients that have been tested for safe use in humans and have documented evidence showing them effective for specific health conditions in a clinical setting.
Splendor GardenSaskatchewan was started in 2012 after Colleen Haussecker had been through a life-changing battle with breast cancer. She realized her passion – to provide food that is healthy, nutritious and that tastes good. She started her business with organic spices and herbs to add antioxidants and extra nutrition to meals, without relying on salt, sugar, or fat for flavour.
Manitoba Harvest’s mission to transform consumer health starts simply and sustainably: with hemp. Since 1998, we’ve grown our portfolio of hemp products with a dedication to quality, sustainability, and consumer wellness that has positioned the company as the global leader in hemp foods. We’re hemp’s biggest fans!
NutraStat is based in Camrose, Alberta
We launched NutraStat with the mission of empowering people to achieve optimum health and happiness by harnessing the power of natural barley beta-glucan. Our everyday fibre supplement is rich in novel betaglucans and can help you optimize your gut health, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels all while providing a great source of fibre. We extract concentrated betaglucan from barley without the use of chemicals, enzymes, or water, and exclusively use exclusively non-GMO Canadian grain resulting in a fibre supplement you
can feel confident taking daily.
For nearly 25 years, Purica based in BC’s Cowichan Valley has been committed to elevating your wellbeing. Our product development is an ever-evolving process, all aimed at delivering you the most effective wellness solutions.
Find these great Canadian made products and more at Chemainus Health Food Store. 9738 Willow Street, Chemainus
Sands Funeral Chapel
Cremation & Reception Centre-Duncan by Arbor Memorial
9 to 5 The Musical Arrives at Chemainus Theatre Festival
Headback to the late 1970s at Chemainus Theatre Festival with Dolly Parton’s top-tapping hit musical 9 to 5 The Musical. Join a trio of working women as they face off against their slimy boss and show him who is really in charge!
Our story begins with a new employee joining the office, Judy (Sarah Carlé Owen), who has recently had her heart broken by an unfaithful husband. She soon meets Violet (Stephanie Roth), a hard-working single mother who takes her under her wing and spitfire Doralee (Jennie Neumann), who has more than enough to contend with trying to fend off the unwanted advances of the boss, Franklin Hart. Jr (W. Joseph Matheson). In a series of foibles, misunderstandings, and mistaken identities, the three women find themselves kidnapping Hart! Without a toxic boss and under Violet’s leadership, the office not only increases productivity but becomes a supportive and happy working environment where the employees can enjoy their lives between the hours of 9 and 5.
Audiences will be happy to see some familiar faces on stage at Chemainus Theatre Festival. They may recognize Jennie Neumann from last year’s production of Ghost, Stephanie Roth from Mamma Mia! and Sarah Carlé Owen from Grease. Rounding out the cast of 9 to 5
The Musical is Ali Watson, Laura Ross, Antony Knight, Josh Graetz, Pedro M. Siqueira, Georgia Bennett, Cassandra Consiglio, and Vincente Sandoval. As our Director Julie Tomaino puts it, ‘If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical. It’s just as wild, wacky, and heartfelt as the original story and includes many iconic scenes. Plus, more Dolly Parton songs! That woman KNOWS how to write a song.’
Joining Tomaino behind the scenes is a dedicated team working hard offstage, including Musical Director Heather Burns, Assistant Director and choreographer Makayla Moore, Fight Director Simon Fon, Set Designer Hans Saefkow, Costume Designer Patricia Reilly, and Lighting Designer Craig Alfredson. Bonni Baynton, Liz King, Kelsey Cain, and Mandy Huang manage the stage.
9 to 5 The Musical is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre Festival from June 28 to August 25. Tickets starting from $22 are available online at chemainustheatre.ca or by calling the box office at 250246-9820. If you’d like to arrange dinner or brunch in the Playbill Dining Room before the show, this is also available online and at the box office.
The Sinister Gaiety of Marianna Schmidt
Whenyou lose everything, how do you cope? Marianna Schmidt turned to art. Born into prosperity in Hungary in 1918, she loved illustrating scary fairy tales as a child. But as Europe faced depression and eventual war, Hungary turned unstable. In 1944, Nazi German and Soviet Union armies turned her country into a battleground. Returning from a visit to her grandmother, she encountered a wave of refugees. She must join them or die. She both lost family, home and country and witnessed horrors that shattered her trust in humanity. Marianna spent eight years in a series of displaced persons camps across Europe until she immigrated to Canada in 1952. In 1954, she entered a training program in Edmonton and after graduation began working as a medical technician. Her main goal, however, was to pursue art once again.
Finding work in Vancouver in 1956, she was finally financially stable, able to travel and to renew her art making. She never felt at home, though, regarding Vancouver as culturally bland. She lived alone, unable to trust anyone deeply.
Between 1960 and 1964, Marianna earned a degree in printmaking, dividing her time between school and work. Now she made art all day and worked at night. She was prolific, trying out new mediums and experimenting with different techniques. Her printmaking displayed the precision of her medical training, perhaps a way of controlling the inner chaos that always haunted her. Avoiding close friendships, she lived surrounded by boxes of magazines and paper, her prints strewn on the floor. She slept on a mattress atop boxes and never bought furniture. And when not making art, Marianna traveled the world, reveling in the ‘sinister gaiety’ of countries like Bolivia, which faced chaos, loss and death with humour and absurdity.
She kept up with current art movements and corresponded with fellow artists. Over the years, Marianna’s reputation grew. By the time she died, she’d received international awards for her works, and public galleries around the world were collecting her art, which still reflected the deep wounds that, ironically, had fed her creativity.
The Sinister Gaiety of Marianna Schmidt is showing at the Cowichan Public Art Gallery from July 5th until August 29th. Gallery hours are 10 AM-4 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Rebecca Hazell is a Board Member of the Cowichan Public Art Gallery.
Image Marianna Schmidt
Outdoor Auction
La Petite Auction House is having a live auction event in downtown Chemainus with certified Auctioneer Dawn Geddie.This is the motherlode of Auctions!!!! Auction gets underway Sunday July14 at 12 noon sharp. You can view Saturday July 13 from noon till 4:00 pm at which time you can do an absentee
Cheryl Painter
running mannequin, vintage cameras, Stressless leather sofa and 2 Stressless leather chairs, table, lamps, lawyer’s cabinets, large cast iron dinner bell and much more!!! Where else will you find a curated collection like this?!! For a sample of what’s in the auction go to our La Petite Auction House facebook page to view pictures. For further info call 250-701-2902
Born and raised in the beautiful Cowichan Valley, a career as an artist always seemed to be in the cards for Cheryl. Her schooling included time at the University of Victoria and the Victoria College of Art. She then attended Capilano College, receiving a diploma in Graphic design. After a successful career in that field, Cheryl focused on raising a family. During that endeavour, she would resume what would ultimately be her calling – painting. Amidst the Cowichan Valley’s pristine beauty, she is constantly inspired by her surroundings. While downtown in July don’t forget to stop and have a look at the windows of Imagine That! Artisans. A selection of Cheryl’s paintings will be showing in the main window for July and the boutique window will feature woodworker Andre St. Cyr. Imagine That! Artisans 251 Craig Street, downtown Duncan.
Images Cheryl Painter
Photo Dawn Geddie
Verdant
Outdoor Venue
July 13-14 for Annual Art Experience
Twenty skilled artists are in the final lineup for a two-day outdoor gallery open to the public on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14 for the 5th Annual Shades of Green Art on the Acreage.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, Warmland residents and their visitors from the Island and beyond are invited to take-in art alfresco in its many forms at the North Cowichan acreage of John & Janet Magdanz. Since 2020 the couple has hosted the yearly community event on their farm at 2808 Sprott Road, east off Bell-McKinnon Road; north of Herd.
The order both days is for patrons to meander freerange style along freshlymown paths through field and forest and past summer gardens to ferret out displays including an eclectic array of ceramics, mixed media, painting, sculpting and fabric art —pausing to engage with artists in attendance who
can provide context for their creations.
Well-known and emerging talents participating in the open-air weekend option are artists Ann Macdonald, Art Carlyle, Becky Hennessey, Bev Russell, Brenda Bell, Daphne Carlyle, Janet Magdanz, Jill Waterfall, John Robertson, Julie Nygaard, Lesley Comassar, Marita Judson-Roselind, Patti McNiece, Pauline Dueck, Pipi Tustian, Richard Young, Rory Macdonald, Val Konig, Veronica Scott and Victoria Blouin.
“Also, again this year we welcome a contingent of youth artists from various disciplines,” says Janet Magdanz. “Art is truly for everyone — young or old — and there is an amazing well of untapped, unrecognized but high-level artistic energy and potential among this community’s young people. “Join us and see what they have created!”
Noon to 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday other tastes and senses will be catered to with live music by The Good Neighbour’s Band and seasonal treats scooped out by the jolly Albi after he climbs
Arts on the Acreage
JULY 13 & 14 10am - 4pm
Enjoy Live Music & Gelato Truck 12 - 3pm
2808 Sprott Road, Duncan
REIKI WELLNESS CENTRE
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Daytime • Evening • Weekends • By Appointment Only #13 - Upper Level • Valleyview Centre • Cobble Hill www.reikiwellness.ca • reiki-wellness@shaw.ca
out from behind the wheel of his distinctive Gelato Truck.
Ample parking is available in the field next to Shades of Green Farm’s cul-de-sac
entrance at the end of Sprott.
Lon Wood is a retired journalist and founding member of CVAC
Photo Janet Magdanz
ON YOUR SIDE
CAMMY LOCKWOOD FOR COWICHAN VALLEY
Authorized by Cammy Lockwood, Financial Agent 2505974725
Exploring Garlic Scapes A Culinary Delight
Garlicscapes, the vibrant green stalks that emerge from the garlic bulb in early summer, are a seasonal treat that every food enthusiast should explore. Harvested before they bloom, scapes allow the garlic plant to concentrate its energy on producing the most flavorful bulbs. If you’ve never worked with garlic scapes before, you’re in for a delight. Local scapes will last longer and taste the bestlook for great options from local farms such as Boots n’ Roots Permaculture Farm, Allium Co-op, Glenora Farm and many more!
Garlic scapes are incredibly versatile and can be used in many recipes, offering a mild garlic flavour with a hint of sweetness. Here are some ways to incorporate them into your cooking:
1. Substitute for Green Onions or Chives: Use garlic scapes in place of green onions or chives in any dish. Their mild garlic
taste adds a unique twist to salads, soups, and more.
2. Scrambled Eggs: Finely dice garlic scapes and add them to scrambled eggs with a bit of goat cheese. The scapes add a subtle garlic flavour that compliments the creamy texture of the eggs and
3. Hummus or Pesto: Replace traditional garlic bulbs with scapes in your hummus or pesto recipes. This substitution offers a milder garlic flavour that blends beautifully with the other ingredients, creating a fresh and vibrant dip or sauce.
4. Grilling: Whole garlic scapes can be grilled for a simple yet delicious side dish. Toss them in olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and grill until tender and slightly charred. They make a great accompaniment to grilled meats or vegetables.
5. Vinaigrettes and Dressings: Finely dice garlic scapes and mix them into a vinaigrette or green goddess dressing. Their mild flavour adds a garlicky punch without overpowering the other ingredients.
6. Pickling: For a tangy treat, pickle garlic scapes similarly to pickled green beans. They make a crunchy, flavourful snack and a great addition to charcuterie boards or sandwiches. (Recipe below).
Garlic scapes are a fantastic way to celebrate the flavours of summer. Visit Cow-op.ca to find super fresh locally grown produce, including garlic scapes, from Cowichan Valley producers.
Tamra N., Cultivating community through local agriculture at Cow-op.ca
Photo Tamra
Cammy Lockwood for Cowichan Valley Greens
“Growing up in the Cowichan Valley, summers were a time of pure joy and carefree adventures. The warm sun would embrace us as we played in the rivers, hiked through lush forests, and eagerly awaited the bounty of fruit and vegetables from our Valley. It was a season that seemed timeless, where the rhythms of nature felt predictable and reassuring.
As a small-scale organic farmer now in Cowichan, the summers have taken on a different hue. The climate crisis has cast a shadow over the valley, transforming what were once carefree months into a time fraught with uncertainty and anxiety. The changes in weather patterns have become starkly apparent; what used to be dependable rainfall now fluctuates unpredictably, often leading to droughts and wildfires.
It was the summer of 2021, the blistering heat dome that
was the catalyst for me to persue politics. We focused on our farm, trying to keep our crops and an animals alive during those few days. Just a few days later, we learned that over 600 of BC’s most vunarable people died in that heat. That is when I knew I had get political to create the change our world so desperatly needs. Those who exploit and pollute our earth for profit MUST be held to account.
Looking ahead, there is hope that with concerted efforts to address the climate crisis, we can restore some balance to our summers in Cowichan. Perhaps future generations will once again experience the carefree summers I remember from my youth, where the warmth of the sun was a promise of abundance and not a source of worry.
Voting Green, voting for a strong voice, will make a difference. LOOKING
We
Photo Regina Akhankina
Outdoor Art Market
July 27
Join us in Downtown Duncan for the annual Outdoor Art Market where more than 30 artists have their works for sale. Choose from fabric, stone, clay, acrylic, metal, clothing and more. Something for every taste and budget. The perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for summer weddings! Details and vendors list on the CVAC website.
Stepping Out by N.C. Meijer Drees
July 11 – 31, Main Gallery
Nico Meijer Drees was born between two volcanoes on the Island of Java; his art reflects a lifetime of adventure. He spent much of his career as a geologist while he studied printmaking and eventually became a full-time artist. In addition to intaglio, woodcuts and spray and stencil work, Nico creates museum-grade
About Us
ship models, one of which will be on display. A large selection of artist-pulled prints for sale. CVAC is proud to welcome this expansive retrospective of Nico’s exceptional work.
Introducing:
Emerging Artists
July 8 - 31
Every July, CVAC provides an opportunity for emerging artists to exhibit their work. These are up and coming
artists who have recently completed some formal training in which they study and produce art. You’ll see works in all media, new ideas and daring interpretations. Meet the artists at the Opening on July 17, 3:306pm
CVAC at Duncan Days
July 13
Join us for Duncan Days on July 13 in Downtown Duncan! Chalk drawing, portraits and more!
“The First” Islands Printmaking Biennial 2024 Until July 5 Main Gallery There are a few days to enjoy the First Islands Printmaking Biennial. The Biennial is a major show with more than 140 works exhibited in CVAC’s Annex and Main Galleries. Guest artists on site each day.
cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca
WORKSHOPS AND CAMPS
Art and Lunch at O.U.R. Ecovillage
July 25
Be inspired by the beautiful setting, vistas and activities at Cowichan’s O.U.R. Ecovillage. Participants have a choice of views to inspire en plien air creations: gardens, permaculture operations and leading-edge, ecofriendly buildings. Lunch included with optional Ecovillage tour at 1:30 pm. Registration and details on cowichan valleartscouncil.ca
Creative Canvas July 8 – 12
Focused, half-day sessions for teens. Details and registration on reccowichan.ca using code 72925
CVAC operates two community art galleries, hosting up to 30 shows annually at its art space in the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan. Founded in 1971, CVAC programs workshops for youth and adults in its studio space. 2687 James Street, Duncan www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca
CVAC Outdoor Market
Photo Elizabeth Croft
Christopher Zakreski
In the early twentieth century, leather craftsman Charles Doppelt designed a boxy zippered bag to carry grooming supplies. The bag, which came to be known as the Dopp Kit, was a success from the start but found real fame when a canvas version was introduced to the U.S. military in the 1950s.
At the Spool Yard, the Dopp Kit class has been one of our most popular one-day workshops since we opened in the fall of 2022. We offer it regularly and the enthusiastic patterns.
The pattern is suitable for sewists of all abilities, even beginners. Yes it has a zipper, which can be intimidating, but the clear instructions and corresponding illustrations will guide you through each step. Once you’ve made one, you’ll want to make it over and over! The pattern comes with a range of sizes, so you can make them for a variety of purposes. While it has traditionally been used as a toiletries bag, for items such as razors, shaving cream,
deodorant and toothpaste, or as a cosmetic bag, for makeup, hair care products and lotions, the Dopp Kit is extremely versatile. Make a brightly coloured one for that emergency kit you have been meaning to put together. Or how about a bicycle maintenance bag for the cycling enthusiast in your life? Pop one into your backpack to keep your things organized. Or let the kids have their own extra-small version for the tiny treasures they collect on your walks.
The Dopp Kit can be made from a variety of fabrics: heavier weighted materials such as canvas, waxed cotton or denim, or lighter fabrics combined with a layer of batting or interfacing to give it some structure. You can line it with fun coordinating fabrics, or a waterresistant material if you want to be able to wipe it clean. The possibilities are endless. If you’re looking for a new fun project that will help you get organized, the Dopp Kit is for you. We have both paper and digital versions available. You can order online or drop by the studio. Happy sewing!
July 6 10am - 12pm Alterations & Repair Workshop $60
July 6 12:30 - 5:30pm Remy Top or Tiered Skirt $145
July 7 11am - 3pm
Zero Waste Tote $135
July 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 10am - 12pm
Teen Summer Sewing $250
July 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 12:30-2:30pm
Kids Summer Sewing $250
July 8 3pm-5pm
Pattern Prep & Fit Lab $60
July 11 3:00 - 5:30pm Carbon Copy $75
July 14 11am - 3pm
Saltwater Slip Dress $135
July 20 10am - 4pm Linen Pants $170
July 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 10am - 12pm
Kids Summer Sewing $250
July 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 12:30 - 2:30pm
Teen Summer Sewing $250
July 28 11am - 3pm Bestie Bag $135
Tanya Trafford is an instructor at The Spool Yard.
Photo Shannon Roome
Abbott Painting
36th Annual Cowichan Wooden Boat Festival
We are going ‘Back to the Water’ this July 13 and 14th at our 36th Annual Wooden Boat Festival! The folks behind the Cowichan Wooden Boat Society are proud to announce our biggest and most beloved community event is making a full comeback after a 3-year hiatus due to our pier restoration project. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome our community back down the pier and welcome back our boater friends whose energy has been missed on our docks.
The weekend has so much fun in store, you won’t want to miss it! The wide variety of events are bound to engage lifelong mariners and landlubbers alike! Events and activities like Kids boat building, the Remote Controlled Boat Pond, Brown Bag Dinghy races, Seagull Motor ‘Poker’ racing, the beloved ‘Golden Clam’ Cowichan Bay Chowder Cook-off, stories workshops and demonstration on nautical knot tying, steam engine operation, stories from time at sea, local live music all weekend long and more! We have an incredible line up of Classic wooden boats
floating and on the hard including the newly restored SV Dorothy, a piece of BCs history that has been recognized worldwide that are bound to leave you in awe of the incredible workmanship. We still have space for boats ‘on the hard’ if you have a wooden boat that you would be interested in taking part in the show lets connect! The weekend will be filled with delicious food and drink including an Indigenous Salmon BBQ dinner event with local food, a cocktail hour featuring local beer and wine, silent auction and 50/50 draws. Dinner tickets can be purchased for $45 in person or by email to cwbs@ classicboats.org
The Cowichan Valley Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Society will serve up a Sunday morning pancake brunch and The Malahat Lions Club take over the grill Sunday afternoon for a BBQ burger and chili dog lunch. We are so excited to share this weekend of fun with our community and look forward to seeing you all there!
Cowichan Wooden Boat Society, 1761 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay
Photo Mel Robinson
2023.
SV DOROTHY returns to her natural habitat at Cowichan Bay.
Skippered by Angus Matthews, a Maritime Museum of BC Volunteer
The classic sailboat Dorothy was built in Victoria and launched in 1897. She is believed to be the oldest Canadian built sailboat in the country. On July 13/14 Dorothy will sail back into her natural habitat at Cowichan Bay, for the Wooden Boat Festival at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre. These are familiar waters for Dorothy as she frequented the legendary Cowichan Bay Regattas in the early 1900’s. Dorothy won first place in the 1914 regatta and the Maritime Museum of BC has the trophy to prove it. Dorothy is held in the Maritime Museum of BC’s collection and her mid-life refit (after 127 years) has just been completed thanks to the skilled volunteers at the Ladysmith Maritime Society. Dorothy is a 30’ gaff-rigged
Wooden Boat Stories
sloop design by Linton Hope, a respected British designer. She was built by Victoria boat builder J.J.Robinson for W.H.Langley, a young barrister and keen sailor. Today, Dorothy is a sailing ambassador for the Maritime Museum of BC and glory days of vintage sail.
Skippered by Maurizio Hublitz and Cecilia Viktoria Rosell
Bianca is a 32 foot cabin cruiser built in 1959. She is a Chris Craft 32ft Express one of 17 built between 1957 and 1959 in Holland Michigan.
Her hull is Double planked solid Mahogany under the water line and batten seamed Mahogany above the water line. Deck is solid teak, interior is Mahogany and a teak sole. She was originally powered by two Chrysler 392 and had a recorded top speed by the first Dealer at Bryant Marine in Seattle of 33mph (28knots), today she has two Chevy 350 based engines and a top speed we had her to 27 knots. Her normal cruising speed is 20 knots, 20 knots is also our lowest fuel consumption of about 1 liter per nautical mile per engine, compared to 2.5 liters per nautical mile at 10knots or 1.5 liter at 5knots. We have restored her to be as original as possible down to that every item onboard is from 1959, including such items as chairs, table, silverware or magazines in the magazine stand: The galley even features a dishwasher by Husquarna from 1961. We use her extensively and have
cruised up and down the coast and about 2000 nautical miles every year for the past 9 years.
HAVEN is an owner-built lapstrake-plywood runabout, whose design was inspired by boats from the 1950s and 1960s by builders like Lyman and Thompson. I was unable to find existing plans for a boat of this type and size, so asked Paul Gartside to draw up the plans. The beautifully drawn plans were published in Watercraft Magazine (Nov/Dec 2016) and Paul’s book Plans and Dreams Vol. II.
Haven took four years of enjoyable part-time work to build (2016-2020). Her hull is constructed of 3/8” meranti marine plywood, the planks are glued to each other with epoxy, her structure is Douglas fir, and her decks and cockpit are sapele.
Haven is powered by a 40 hp Suzuki four-stroke outboard for clean and quiet power, with a top speed of about 21 knots and comfortable cruising around 15-17 knots. Her hull has a shallow vee for a smoother ride through the chop of inshore ocean waters. We use her mainly for day trips in the Gulf Islands, where we enjoy being able to drive her ashore.
Dorothy sailing at Ladysmith Harbour
Photo MMBC Collection
W.H. Langley sailing Dorothy home to Victoria in 1902. Cape Keppel (Salt Spring Island) and Cowichan Bay in the background. Photo MMBC Collection
Photo Maurizio Hublitz
Photo Paul Gartside
Coastal Bliss Adventures Paddlers Get Stunning Glimpses of Wildlife and Birds
Outdoor
enthusiasts Gary Ward and Georgia Newsome share a deep passion for adventure and connecting with nature and the outdoors. They are not just owners of Coastal Bliss Adventures in Cowichan Bay, they live their passion as operators too, by getting into outdoor spaces as often as they can, sharing this experience with others and training their fantastic team of guides. “It is from this
passion and the understanding of the positive effects on quality of life from engaging in the natural environment that has inspired us to share this passion with others” smiles Georgia “we hope that they too will find moments of bliss, through their participation in nature, through slowing down and breathing in the beauty by allowing all the senses to awaken.”
Coastal Bliss Adventures offers a wide variety of tours for a variety of groups. Children and youth can enjoy summer kayak, canoe and Stand-up paddle boarding, backpacking and mixed activity camps. “We can also work with families to design custom programs that best suit their age group
and interests. Our scheduled coastal trails and kayaking tours are an excellent way for adults to take a break from their busy professional lives and to allow the spirit to soar, as the beauty and magic of nature is discovered, and personal challenges overcome.
At Cowichan Bay Kayaking the most popular tour without a doubt is the Sunset and Evening Bioluminescence Tour. “We meet before sunset, get fitted for kayaks and safety gear and then set off paddling towards Mount Tzouhalem as we watch the beautiful sunset and enjoy the calm of the evening.”
Other paddle excursions include morning and early evening tours. “On a guided morning tour birding enthusiasts will delight in catching the flittering of Purple Martins and Swallows, the stateliness of the Great Blue Heron, or the majestically soaring Bald Eagle and Osprey as we paddle.”
“Harbour Seals are always a delight to see. They are always curious and often pop up in front or behind the kayaks. River Otter families are often seen playing near the shoreline and under the docks. Sometimes you might even see a whale as they are increasingly visiting the Bay. If you come on a tour keep a keen eye on the horizon for the whale spray. Our paddling tours are a photographer’s dream!”
At the Cowichan Bay Kayak dock, we are open by appointment and pre booking, offering tours, rentals and instructional programs to help get people active in the outdoors, while observing safety protocols. There’s truly something for everyone at every level. Call to book your tour! 250 597 3031 www.coastalbliss.ca
All images taken by Georgia Newsome, Lead Guide and Owner Coastal Bliss Adventures
Madeline Southern Education Coordinator Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre Cowichanestuary.ca
Summer is Jellyfish season. Jellyfish are not actually fish, they belong to the same family as anemones, corals and hydroids.
Jellies float in the water column and are mostly at the mercy of wind/current/tides. They can “swim” but not very far, fast or strongly.
How does a jelly catch food?
Jellies have stingers on the end of their tentacles. These stingers are spring loaded, so when a fish or other fleshy creature brushes against a tentacle, that stinger is then shot into its flesh. The more stingers that touch the soft flesh, the more the creature on the other end is stung which eventually immobilises and kills it. The prey is then dragged slowly up towards the bell (top) of the jelly where it will be digested.
Jelly July
Jellies also use their stingers for defence. Unfortunately for jellies, they can’t defend themselves against a hungry sea turtle or a boat propeller.
Jellies come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colours and stinging pain levels. Some of the most painful jellies we commonly see in Cowichan are the Lion’s Mane with its large reddish brown bell and long, almost invisible tentacles or the equally impressive and slightly larger Fried Egg which looks exactly like someone cracked a giant egg into the water. Its
tentacles are also very long and equally painful if you happen to touch one. Both of these jellies have stings that are approximately the same level as a bee sting. So if you’re swimming and you see one, give it a huge amount of space.
*Note: Jellies can still sting when they’re dead! Do NOT touch a jelly that is washed up on the beach. As well, jellies can and do get chopped up by boat propellers which makes them look exactly like pieces of seaweed.
Summer Kids Camps
Treating jelly stings: treat the same way you would treat a bee sting. If you have no instant remedies available, a cold piece of seaweed will help reduce the pain.
“Non- stinging” jellies (they still sting, but we just don’t feel it because their stingers are small) are also common around here- the Moon Jelly has a bell the size of your palm and a 4 leaf clover like pattern on top, while the Water Jelly is almost perfectly clear and has a ring of tentacles around the outer edge of its bell. One other jelly that pops up regularly in early spring is called the By the Wind Sailor, also known as Vella Vella. Vella Vella has a clear disc shaped bell with a blueish sail on top. They are easily blown around by the wind, hence the name.
Jellies are fragile creatures and an essential part of our ecosystem. Please be careful and gentle around them.
Happy Jelly July!
Photo Madeline Southern
A Magical Moonlight Paddle
AMoonlight kayaking trip is a great way to experience nature when it is the quietest. You can hear the sounds of the water splashing off the bow, water droplets coming off your paddle, critters on the beaches; all sounds are accentuated at night.
When in a kayak you silently slip through the water and can float over shallow reefs and rocky ledges where you can catch glimpses of the magical dance of bioluminescence. You can see a sparkling trail of light as it is agitated by passing fish, your paddle dipping into the water or your hand teasing the waves… it alights with a shimmering blueish glow for a brief second or two. Bioluminescence is the production of light by a living organism and the most commonly seen bioluminescence in Maple Bay is from single cell marine plankton. This Bioluminescent plankton occurs in all the world’s oceans and is best seen in late spring and during the summer months when there is more sunlight which enables the plankton to store thisenergy which it then releases as the tell tale bio-luminescent magical glow.
Come and experience the magic for yourself on a Full Moon Tour or New Moon -
Bioluminescence Tour with Wilderness Kayaking! No experience necessary.
Wilderness Kayaking offers two types of late evening paddles:
Moonlight kayak tours occur the days around the full moon July 20, 21; August 17, 18
New MoonBioluminescence tours occur during the dark phase of the New Moon and this allows for greater viewing of the bioluminescence July 5, 6; August 3,4.
This magical experience is only available a few days each month, so book your tour early. Pre-booking is necessary, these tours do fill up quickly
Wilderness Kayaking also offers Sunrise paddling, Harbour Tours and day tours all starting from Maple Bay beach. Maple Bay is a picturesque seaside community and harbor nestled on an inlet surrounded by pebbled beaches and an abundance of marine life; it is a great place to explore by kayak.
Wilderness Kayaking Co. has been offering lessons and tours to many paddling locations around Vancouver Island since 1990.
250 746 - 0151
Wilderness-Kayaking.com
www.wilderness-kayaking.com
Photo Nancy Hamilton
Cowichan Valley
uakers
The Religious Society of Friends
Join us for Meeting for Worship Sundays at 10:30 am at the home of one of our members (A zoom option is also available)
For further information and directions: cvquakers@gmail.com Or call Donna at 250.661.7751
Our faith practice is based on these six core testimonies of the Quaker Faith: and also on the inherent belief that there is that of God in everyone. Silent worship allows us to discover the inward stillness where we can best hear the voice of God.
JUDY’S GEMS
EVES PARK
Welcome
to Eves Park!
Located in beautiful Westholme (north of Duncan), this hidden treasure was established in the 1960’s. Escape to a West Coast rain forest, and surround yourself with majestic Western Red Cedars, Douglas Firs, Maple Trees, and Red Alders. During the Summer you can feast on Oregon Grapes, Salal Berries, Salmon Berries, and Huckleberries. A small network of paths will lead you to a quiet pond, mossy mountain bluffs, a Nature House, and picnic tables spread out under a tree
canopy. You will also step back in time when you visit the Cave (created while searching for copper), the remnants of a train track built to transport copper ore from Mount Sicker to Crofton, and the haunting figures
of tree stumps still showing the springboard marks left behind from the pioneer loggers of the Cowichan Valley. From late Winter to early Spring, Fawn Lilies, Trilliums, Sea Blush, Blue Camas, and Salmon Berry Flowers come alive deep in the forest, and on the sun-kissed bluffs. From Late Spring to Early Summer you’ll be treated to a green carpet of Vanilla Leaf, filling the air with the sweet scent of Vanilla Ice Cream. In the Spring, the fruit orchard overflows with blossoms and daisies. Keep an eye out for the piece of logging history by the parking lot (hint: located on a tree stump). There are a few obstacles to be aware of: a set of steep stairs, tree roots, and some fallen trees to duck under. For the more adventurous (and agile), there’s a lower trail following the creek (prepare to do some crawling). Also, the rock bluffs tend to be slippery in the rain, or during the early morning frost. This treasure is a short drive off of Westholme Road (turn a sharp right before the bridge heading North). The ride in is a bit bumpy, with blind corners (honk as you approach!). Eves Park is one of my favourite places to explore in the Cowichan Valley.
Judy Zelmer Picture Taker, Explorer, Wife, and Mom born and raised in the Valley
Photo Judy Zelmer
Photo Judy Zelmer
Summer Update from MP Alistair MacGregor
July is here, kicking off with our communities’ many different ways to celebrate Canada Day. This year I was happy to join with the Malahat Legion for a nice pancake breakfast, visit the community of Maple Bay for a parade, join families at the Forestry Discovery Centre, and then move off to Lake Cowichan and Mesachie Lake for some fun-filled activities and lots of celebratory cake.
Being back in the riding for the summer is a welcome reprieve from the Ottawa bubble. I always take advantage of every summer as an opportunity to reconnect and ground myself in the expectations that constituents have from federal politics. As your MP, I also want to use this opportunity to provide an important update on a pressing issue. The House of Commons adjourned for the summer last month during grave concerns of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic institutions.
During the middle of June, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) released a redacted special report on foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes and institutions. That report specifically found that our foreign adversaries find Canada to be a low-risk, high-reward environment in which to operate to achieve their strategic objectives. While the conclusion was quite damning against the Liberal government for the delays in taking foreign
interference with the seriousness that it demands, the most troubling parts of the report were serious allegations that some Members of Parliament were wittingly assisting foreign state actors.
Foreign interference in Canada is pernicious; it is persistent; and it is pervasive. The two countries most responsible, China and India, are dedicating significant resources to meddling in Canada’s internal affairs. It is well past time that we counter this threat, which if left unchecked, threatens the foundations of our democracy. In response, the House of Commons came together in a rare move and unanimously passed the government’s Countering Foreign Interference Act.
This important legislation provides important and modern updates to allow our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to counter foreign interference and creates a new Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner and registry. Many experts have testified that it is important that this law be fully in force before the next federal election so that Canadians can have confidence in their ballots. Rest assured that as the Public Safety Critic, I will continue to monitor this important file.
As I spend the next few months enjoying our riding’s many summer community events, I’ll be looking forward to hearing from constituents on this issue and many more. See you out there!
Alistair MacGregor MP for CowichanMalahat-Langford. NDP’s Critic for Agriculture and Agri-food and NDP Caucus Chair
4th Annual Cobble Hill Show & Shine
Saturday, July 20th 2024
8 am - 4 pm Visitors FREE Entry Fee - $20 per car (1 free pancake breakfast) sch as.secretary@gmail.com
Cobble Hill Hall - 3550 Watson Avenue
If250 709-1990 cell/text
3061 Renfrew Rd, Shawnigan Lake cowichanvalleyautodetailing@gmail.com
www.cowichanvalleyautodetailing.ca
Ice Cream
Taco in a Bag
Hamburgers
antique, classic, remodeled cars or vintage or fancy motorbikes spark your interest then you will want to stop by the 4th Annual Cobble Hill Show and Shine on Saturday, July 20th from 8 am to 4 pm. The Show and Shine is located on the Cobble Hill Fairgrounds in the heart of the picturesque Cobble Hill Village. The event is FREE to visitors. But come early because while you are there you might want to enjoy the now near world famous ‘Farmers Institute’s Pancake Breakfast’ starting at 8 am. Later arrivals can enjoy great food the rest of the day - like Tacos in a Bag, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Ice Cream. You can leisurely stroll the grounds while you view the wide variety of cars that will be on display. Vote for the vehicle of your choice as the most popular pick. Last year’s show included more than 80 very unique cars displayed on the grounds with more along Fisher Road and Watson Avenue. Fancy and very stunning motorbikes were also on display as well as some antique farm equipment for the farming buffs in the area.
Car show organizers are always amazed by how many
of these old and restored gems exist in our community. These special cars and motorbikes come out as soon as the sun begins to shine on a consistent basis. The cars come from across North America and are restored here by enthusiasts who take the time, care and trouble to return these muscle cars and classics to their original beauty.
There is a true art and passion to this work, and we hope you will make the time on Saturday, July 20th between 8 am and 4 pm to visit the 4th Annual Cobble Hill Show and Shine located at 3550 Watson Avenue in Cobble Hill. Attendance for visitors to the Car Show is FREE. If you have a car or motorbike to enter or require more information, contact schfias. secretary@gmail.com We hope to see you there.
Photos by Gerry Giles
Cobble Hill Show & Shine
Music in the Park
Music in the Park (MITP) is back for the seventh season in Cobble Hill. Sponsored by Cobble Hill Events Society, MITP is a wonderful communitybuilding series of nine Thursday night concerts that occur between 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and take place at the beautiful Commons Park in the center of the village. Come with your picnics and lawn chairs to listen to an array of varied styles and sounds for this summer. Thanks the local sponsors, grants and audience donations, there is no set fee for admission.
Our audiences appreciate fine music and having heard your comments, the line-up for July promises to an enjoyable mix!
July 4th The Carlines
July 11th The Hounds of Cuchulain
July 18th Bu VonBlume
July 25th Born Reckless
The Carlines – Their brand of retro indie-pop-rock music presents a taste of nostalgia for the past with upbeat rhythms, punchy guitars, and dynamic vocal harmonies. As they fluidly meld genres and produce appealing melodies, they push the boundaries with their talent.
The Hounds of Cuchulain – Here is a high energy Celtic folk band who perform a wide selection of Irish, Scottish, English and original folk songs. Come hear the traditional style of Celtic
music: rowdy pub songs, tender ballads, spirited dance tunes and ancient airs played with an an authenticity and verve which brings tradition to life!
Bu VonBlume – Are you in the mood for horns? Listen to this six piece, interactive, all original funk, punk, disco, reggae whatever-as-long-as-it’s-dancymusic super fun, engaging band. Expect audience participation.
Born Reckless – returns to the Commons stage with their brand of country/rock music. Beginning as an acoustic duo, the band have played Sunfest and 39 Days in July. Their great mix of styles will appeal to country and rock music lovers.
Our event welcomes back the participation of Cowichan South Arts Guild (CSAG) with their Inspire arts and crafts tent for children, as well as Mill Bay Fellowship with face painting for the kiddies. Overflow parking will again be available at the Cobble Hill Hall grounds, thanks to the Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers’ Institute. For information on volunteering at MITP, contact cobblehillevents@ gmail.com.
See you at Music in the Park, the ‘biggest backyard party’ in the South Cowichan.
EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT 6:30 - 8:00 PM
July 4 • The Carlines
July 11• The Hounds of Cuchulain
July 18 • Bu VonBlume
July 25 • Born Reckless
Pack a picnic, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the bands with your neighbours! Music nights are brought to you by CHES
No entry charged but donations encouraged.
Ann Baty
Bu VonBlume
Have you ever tried bubble tea? It’s often posted on social media because it looks so cute! It’s a drink you can not only drink but also eat, and it’s immensely popular all around the world!
Bubble tea originated in Taiwan and consists of sweet milk tea with large, chewy tapioca pearls that you drink through a wide straw. It made its way to Japan in the 1990s and, after several waves of popularity, it became explosively popular worldwide starting in 2018. It is now widely enjoyed in Asian countries, Europe, and Western nations.
Initially known as “tapioca tea,” it’s often called “bubble tea” in North America because the tapioca pearls look like bubbles. A certain beverage brand in the United States even declared April 30 as “National Bubble Tea Day,” a day for bubble tea enthusiasts around the world to celebrate the value of bubble tea.
Tapioca is referred to as “pearls,” “tapioca pearls,” or “tapioca balls” in English. In Chinese, it is called “boba,”
Bubble Tea: A Worldwide Sensation
so some shops sell it under the name “TAPIOKA Tea” or “BOBA Tea.”
What is Tapioca?
Tapioca is made from
cassava, a type of tuber. Tapioca pearls are like small balls made by rolling the starch extracted from cassava. When boiled, they have a unique chewy
texture. Tapioca is glutenfree and consists mostly of carbohydrates. The term “tapioca” comes from the old Tupi language of indigenous Brazilians, where “tipi’oka” and “tapi’oka” mean “starchy food made from cassava.”
In North America, not only milk tea but also refreshing bubble teas made by adding fruit syrups to green tea or black tea are popular. Many shops offer unique blends and allow you to customize the sweetness and the base of the drink, which can be milk tea, green tea, black tea, milk, or dairy-free almond milk. Although there are still only a few specialty bubble tea shops on Vancouver Island, places like Neko Ramen in Duncan offer customizable bubble tea as well as unique bubble tea inspired by Japanese anime.
Bubble tea is not just for kids but also a fun drink for adults, perfect for outdoor events in the summer or as a snack when you’re a little hungry. Be sure to try bubble tea and enjoy this delightful experience!
With love Midori/Neko Ramen
Photos by Midori
Photo Ally Easterbrook
Meet Me in Downtown Duncan this Summer!
As the warmth of summer envelops us, bringing longer days and even cooler drinks, downtown Duncan prepares to dazzle with a plethora of exciting events. Whether you’re a local or a visitor from afar, our aim at the Downtown Duncan BIA is to ensure your experience is nothing short of delightful, leaving you with memories to cherish and share. So, what can you look forward to this season?
Duncan Days
A highlight of our summer calendar, Duncan Days, returns with a twist. Instead of a single-day affair, we’ve expanded the festivities over three days of non-stop fun from July 12th to 14th. Kickstarting the weekend on Friday the 12th, businesses spill onto the sidewalks for a classic Sidewalk Sale, inviting you to shop and explore with an iced coffee in hand. Saturday, the 13th promises excitement with a carnival games, live music, and market vendors from across Vancouver Island. Don’t miss the spectacular Grande Parade winding through the streets, showcasing floats and walkers in all their glory. Wrapping up the weekend on Sunday the 14th, gearheads will delight in the Motorcycle Show and Shine and the Elks Club Open
Car Show, accompanied by burgers and beer for all. Save the dates and let’s make 2024 a summer to remember!
39 Days of July
Ask any Duncanite their favourite time of year, and the resounding answer will undoubtedly be the “39 Days of July.” This iconic concert festival, presented by the Duncan Cowichan Festival Society, has been a local staple for thirteen years (we’re celebrating the 12th anniversary this year – come and find out why), spanning from June to August. With no entry fees or wristbands, it’s all about the music and community vibes. “Longevity John” and his team curate a world class lineup of musical acts, turning downtown into a hub of rhythm and harmony. Join us in celebrating music and community cohesion this summer! All 39 days of it! Daytime and evening concerts for everyone!
Find Your Happy
Who says summer should be anything but joyful? Downtown Duncan is brimming with businesses catering to every taste and preference. Whether you’re into glass art, coffee, craft beer, or artisan goods, you’ll find something to delight your senses here. Beyond storefronts, our downtown is
home to a vibrant community of professionals offering services ranging from therapy to legal counsel. So, when you need a pick-me-up, take a stroll downtown, where walkability and free weekend parking await.
Summer in downtown Duncan promises endless fun and camaraderie. Come join us as we bask in the warmth of the season and create memories to last a lifetime!
100 Bucks or Less Island Art Show
Opening Night Thursday, July 11 5pm – 8pm Show runs Friday and Saturday July 12 & 13 10am – 4pm
Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 115 Kenneth Street, Downtown Duncan www.excellentframeworks.ca 250 746 7112
$100 Bucks or Less Art Show Excellent Frameworks
Join Excellent Frameworks Gallery for our first “100 Bucks or Less Island Art Show!” Vancouver Island Artists have invited Vancouver Island artists to this unjuried art show located in beautiful downtown Duncan. This is the first time we have hosted a show where all works are under 100 Bucks. This type of accessibly priced art show has been proven popular in cities throughout Canada and the US, so we thought we would give Islanders some local territory to try it out.
be to snag an original work of art. For the rest of the show, artists have submitted pottery, prints, art cards, and small original works at amazing prices – all under 100 Bucks!
Tuesday - Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 3pm
We have 34 artists registered for the show, with each of them offering up to 25 pieces each, so we are expecting at least 500 works for this two day event! Opening night is Thursday, July 11 5pm – 8pm, everyone welcome. For the opening, each artist is offering one original work or art up to 20” x 30” in size priced at only 100 Bucks or Less, so it is a perfect opportunity for collectors and collectors-to-
Opening Night – Thursday, July 11 5pm – 8pm Show runs Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13 10am – 4pm (join us for Duncan Days on July 13th!)
Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 115 Kenneth Street, Duncan 250 746-7112
www.excellentframeworks.ca
Susan Whitham of Mirasol Studio
Nik Sylvan
Barb DeRousie Suzan Kostiuck
Breathable Summer Fashions
AsI write this article, the wind is howling, the clouds are blowing by and the sun rewards us with a quick ray of warm. Hail, rain and thunderstorms have also been the norm this week in BC, as well. So it makes me think, we truly have a three season climate, sometimes all in one week!
There’s no more cut and dry (sorry, pun intended) seasons! So, the good news is, natural fibres are our friends. Layering is what us West Coasters do best! At my shop, Fabrications, our big picture windows, are the lens to our day here in the Cowichan Valley. You know the uniform for nice weather: shorts,
maybe wool socks, maybe not, Birks, tee, sweater and maybe a vest or Gortex jacket. If you add a little fashion into the mix, linen, wools and cotton are great fibres for dresses, sweaters and tees.
Fibres in fashion continue to evolve, so now we’ll see clothing designed with Modal and Tencel fabrics. Modal is made from beech tree cellulose and uses 10 to 20 times less water in the production process than cotton, so a great eco friendly fibre. Another sustainable fabric is Tencel. Feeling soft, yet durable, it is regenerated cellulose wood pulp fibres. Add these to silk, cashmere, hemp and rayon, and you can’t go wrong with warm but also allowing your body to breath. So on days when we go from 10 to 30 degrees in a span of a few hours, our natural fibres have you covered (again, sorry a pun thrown in).
At Fabrications, we love natural fabrics, especially those that have been ethically sourced and sustainable. Fair trade, organic and traceable, third party companies, means your purchase does good in communities world wide. And that should be the forefront to fashion.
Natural fibres allow our body to create its own happy zone. Softness to the touch and breathable, durable yet beautiful; yes, that has us wishing for those lovely days of Summer.
At Fabrications, are always happy to talk fabric and fashion with you! Pop in soon, as our Summer Sale starts July Fabrications, 125 Kenneth Street, Duncan
Photo Jane Spencer
Photo Catherine McNeill
2024 ISLANDS FOLK FESTIVAL CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF MUSIC!
The Cowichan Folk Guild is thrilled to announce the 40th Annual Islands Folk Festival, set to take place from July 19-21, 2024 at Providence Farm in Duncan. This milestone event promises to be a memorable celebration of music, culture, and community, featuring an impressive lineup of local and international artists, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
“We are incredibly excited to mark the 40th anniversary of the Islands Folk Festival,” said Artistic Director, Jack Connolly. “Providence Farm has been the perfect backdrop for this event, and we look forward to welcoming both returning and new festivalgoers for a weekend of fantastic music, food, and camaraderie.”
Highlights of the festival include:
Live Performances:
Featured artists include folk legends Valdy, James Keelaghan and Eileen McGann, new folk heroes Big Little Lions, Scotland’s Shooglenifty, New Zealand’s Mel Parsons, blues icon Murray Porter, and the Sacred Steel Summit Revue featuring The Lee Boys and Calvin Cooke.
Workshop: Engaging workshops for all ages, including songwriting and storytelling sessions.
Camping Experience:
Enjoy the full festival experience by camping onsite with your family. Space for tents and RVS, steps away from the Islands Stage and the Sparkle Zone.
Sparkle Zone/Wee Folks
Area: A dedicated area for children filled with fun! The Sparkle Zone will feature crafts, games, interactive performances, a slip & slide, and don’t forget the much anticipated kids parade!
Other notable performers include Firebird, Twin Embers, Clanna Morna, Tai Williams, Infinite Atom, Ed Peekeekoot, Jenny Allen, Claire Coupland, Shineolas, Hardly Handsome, From the Earth, Luke Wallace, King Cardiac, Eugene Smith, Richard Garvey, Marina Avros, Ghostly Hounds, Desmond Day, Eileen McGann, Dave Gallant, The Tzinquaw Dancers, and the Lila Community Choir.
We humbly acknowledge that this event takes place on the unceded and ancestral land of the Quw’utsun Mustimuhw and of the Hul’q’umi’num speaking people.
Advanced tickets are now available
online, kids under 12 are FREE! Camping options are also offered for those who wish to immerse themselves fully in the festival experience.
For more information on the lineup, tickets, and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.islandsfolkfestival.ca or contact the festival office at 250 748-3975.
Join us at Providence Farm for a weekend of unforgettable music, community spirit, and celebration of folk traditions. See you at the festival!
The first folk fest didn’t have a poster but by the second year they did.
Circa 1984 first Islands Folk Festival left to right: Fred Eaglesmith, Frank Schiffer (his bass player), Willie P. Bennett, Joe Charron, Longevity John, Pat Temple, and Diamond Joe White! Standing in front of the men’s latrine, which was over the ditch near where the paths meet from camping to back stage!
Photo Paul Fletcher
Shooglenifty was formed in 1990 by musicians from the Scottish Highlands, Orkney and Edinburgh, fusing traditional and traditional-sounding melodies with the beats and bass lines of contemporary dance and rock music.
King Cardiac is a genre bending ensemble featuring singersongwriter and guitarist Gabriel DeSantis with Toronto heavyweights Paul Metcalfe, Sam Petite, Tom Richards, Lowell Whitty and Alan Zemaitis. Hard grooves and brooding vibes! Check out “Amsterdam.”
Valdy is a force of nature and returns with his band to celebrate 40 years of the Islands Folk Festival. Over the course of his career he has racked up awards and accolades, including two Juno Award wins and seven nominations, and was bestowed the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
Jenny Allen’s experience has been hard won and her songs are expressed honestly without flinching. Jenny performed at the very first Islands Folk Festival in 1984 and it’s wonderful to have her back, vital and better than ever — 40 years later.
Luke Wallace is a songwriter, speaker, choral arranger and environmental champion from the Coast Salish Territory known as Vancouver, Canada. For 10 years Luke has been touring, recording, fundraising and organizing for people and the planet.
James Keelaghan is one of Canada’s legendary songwriters. Throughout a career that now spans almost four decades, the Juno and Canadian Folk Music Award winner has created a repertoire of incalculable importance –either inspired by or drawn from the folk tradition.
Big Little Lions are an award winning duo who were born out of a collaboration that won them a JUNO Award in 2014. Since then they have been cranking out infectious folk pop songs that are jam-packed with emotion and tight harmonies.
Murray Porter’s music career has taken him all over the world for the last 35+ years. He’s a proud Mohawk man from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in southern Ontario, who now lives on Squamish Nation territory in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Check out “Two Hearts, One Soul.”
Firebird is three accomplished singer-songwriters, living and working on traditional Quw’utsun lands, leaning heavily into gorgeous three part harmonies and catchy heartfelt songs — fusion folk that is full of fire and redemption.
Clanna Morna brings their take on the Celtic Traditional genre to the west coast. Their sound is rooted in the traditional Irish, Scottish and English music that many love, and features carefully crafted arrangements, rhythmic spirited energy and captivating storytelling.
Embers is Danielle Leonard and Annika Wilson, joined here by local virtuoso, guitarist Adam Dobres. Together they make high energy folk music referring to various Celtic and Canadian styles and appear at the Islands Folk Festival for the very first time.
Ed Peekeekoot’s unassuming charm and humility make it easy to take his presence here in the Cowichan Valley for granted, but it’s not hyperbole to call him a legend. He likes to say “an artist is aware of surroundings and their beauty” and Ed has been reflecting the beauty of his surroundings for over 50 years.
Twin
2024 ISLANDS FOLK FESTIVAL LINE UP Shooglenifty
Photo Jane-Ann Purdy
Valdy
Luke Wallace
Big Little Lions
Ed Peekeekoot
Tai Williams captivates her audience with a unique blend of ‘70s folk traditions and modern jazz and pop stylings. Her lyricism draws audiences in, capturing their attention. She is a modern romantic and plays with the joy of a born performer.
The Lee Boys put a fierce pedal steel guitar at the front of their gospel. But unlike their contemporaries there’s a slight and unusual country tinge to their bluesy gospel sound, uniting believers and nonbelievers alike, on the dance floor.
Claire Coupland is making a name for herself as a moving songwriter and performer, earning festival slots across Canada since 2016. Claire effortlessly pulls her audience
into her personal world of life experiences touching on themes of love, self doubt and optimism in the world around her.
Paul Ruszel is an accomplished singer-songwriter who, over the course of the last 40 years, has written hundreds of songs. Paul embraces the old-time storytelling tradition, where his lyrics are as much poetry as they are music.
Eileen McGann’s performances are full of laughter, stories and shared voices. With a singing voice of breathtaking beauty, a compelling guitar style and arrangements that grab the ear and the heart, her live shows are riveting, enthralling - and interactive.
Dave Gallant is a talented songwriter and performer who has been a fixture of the coffeehouse scene on Vancouver Island for many years. His quiet, tough songwriting resonates with his listener’s own subtle and powerful life experiences.
Hardly Handsome covers a wide swath of the bluegrass repertoire with some stellar singing and searing instrumentals. Add some good stories, a few great jokes along with some bluegrass history thrown in and you’re in for an entertaining musical experience.
Eugene Smith is a venerable icon of the Canadian music industry and a hero of the Cowichan Valley. He brings his prodigious vocal talents, solid rhythms, and humorous and entertaining style to every unique performance.
The Infinite Atom is a band as wild and untamed as the west coast of Vancouver Island, where they hail from. They put it like this: “Hang around till you’ve surrounded yourself, no longer drowned in the frown, look around, and welcome to the Surround Sound.”
The Shineolas are a dynamic group of award winning veteran performers, multiinstrumentalists and seasoned vocalists. The group combines a dazzling array of musical styles delivered with a funky, rollicking flair that includes great melodies and killer harmonies.
Mel Parsons is anything but a slow burn. From the moment she sings her first note, you can feel the heat. Casually possessing one of the finest voices in New Zealand music, the South Islander is down-toearth but intentional.
The Tzinquaw Dancers are an intergenerational dance troupe, honouring the traditional Quw’utsun dances and songs from the Cowichan Valley. Originating in the early 1960s, they embody and empower cultural identity and the Hul’qumi’num language.
Richard Garvey is a guitarstrumming, banjo-plucking, and sing-along-starting performer and community organizer. His award winning songs explore the highs and lows of love, injustice, and the marbled mess of the human condition.
Marina Avros is an award winning singer-songwriter who has performed internationally as both a solo artist and with her band the Belle Miners. She writes “delightful and genuine songs with memorable melodies, brilliant guitar rhythms and one-of-a-kind vocals.”
From the Earth deliver uplifting harmonies, catchy ballads, and a wide variety of original and unique cover material. Mike & Michelle are becoming known for their relatable lyrics, infectious personalities and a wholesome island attitude.
Mel Parsons
Photo Chris Zwaagdyk
The Lee Boys
The Infinite Atom
Tzinquaw Dancers
Tragedy, Intrigue, Love and Laughter, This Show Has it All!
The Mill Bay/Malahat Historical Society is proud to produce ‘Message In The Dust,’ a live theatre show presented by the ‘Seeds and Salt Theatre Co.’.
Join us as we uncover five fascinating stories of Vancouver Island’s early years, retold with emotional fast paced action and music that lets you share in the exciting lives and events of the past. Stories are hilariously and movingly told, using minimal props and agile acting that challenges your imagination and truly brings history to life.
Written by Will Johnson and directed by Rien Vesseur, President of the Mercury Players. They are joined on stage by Cassidy Marat, Kate Steele and Nathan Power, who all take on the demanding job of playing multiple characters in the blink of an eye.
The show features the following true stories that actually took place in this area, making this a not to be missed production.
1. Murder and Mayhem, A Whale of a Tale (whaling station in Mill Bay)
2. Dirt on My Shovel (Nanaimo Mine Explosion)
3. The Second Son (Remittance Man comes to Cowichan)
4. Marvelous Miss Mabel (teaching at a floating logging camp near Caycuse)
5. Whiskers, the Al Capone of Vancouver Island (Rum Running during Prohibition)
Life here seems to be changing faster than ever before and it is all too easy to forget the origins of this island. Our hope is that audiences will walk away from this entertaining production with knowledge they didn’t previously have and a deeper appreciation for the people and events that shaped our lives today. History can teach us about our mistakes and also make us proud of how we’ve grown but stories like these only survive if we keep telling them.
Get your ticket for this exciting show that gives you a glimpse of your past.
General admission $18 Seniors and Students $15 Limited seating so reserve your ticket now!
To reserve your ticket and pay at the door contact dalexander2@shaw.ca 250-743-9196
Online tickets available at Eventbrite seedsandsalt2024.eventbrite.ca
Photo Will Johnson
Help for Hot Sleepers
Inalmost every conversation I have with couples, there’s always one person of the two who regularly wakes up really hot or sweaty, getting pulled out of a deep sleep because they’re too warm.
So often customers say “I’m just a really hot sleeper,” and I am here to tell you
that in many cases this just isn’t true. We need to ask ourselves, “where is the breathability?” This is a case of “we just don’t know what we don’t know.” Our mattresses and bedding are the culprits. Can you imagine what a positive impact it would have on your sleep if you or your partner could stop overheating?
A large majority of the customers we see sleep on some type of mattress with memory foam, soy or convoluted foams. These are synthetically produced. Add that the majority of mattress tickings are made with polyester and you realize that these materials don’t allow your heat to dissipate. They push your heat right back at you. You’re probably starting to get the point, but there is more. Next, we buy a mattress pad that is cotton, with polyester fill, followed by sheets that are cotton/poly or 800 thread count; more and more heat. The cherry on the top is a down comforter. Loved by many and understood by few. Down comforters completely insulate and don’t allow your heat to dissipate.
Our bodies don’t do well in our sleep cycles while we are hot and sweating. If you are being woken up because of unnatural heat sources, you are not getting the deep sleep you need. Add to this, the natural circumstances that
make people warm, a normal part of the aging process, and the chances of getting quality sleep are close to nil.
Temperature regulation is one Resthouse’s specialties. It’s a must and is one of the most important parts of your sleep system. Get your temperature figured out and your sleep will improve. We focus on simple materials. The three main components in our products are wool, organic cotton and rubber latex, which all dramatically help to keep your sleep system temperate.
When it comes to your mattress, consider the superior comfort and support of organic latex, which conforms to your body’s contours while providing ample cushioning and pressure relief. Its natural hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for allergy sufferers, while its durability ensures long-lasting performance and resilience. Additionally, organic latex promotes breathability, allowing for better airflow and temperature regulation for a cool and refreshing sleep environment.
The mattress and materials we sleep on deserve as much attention as the nutrition and exercise we give our bodies. Sleep is the ultimate healer and should be recognized as such.
Sweet dreams! www.resthousesleep.com
Photo Camille Ufnal
Visions Art Studio Tour
Visions artists will once again open their studios for three days for you to shop and see first hand the exceptional work that they do and to choose work inspired by unique settings in the Cowichan Valley.
You’ll see oceanfronts, gardens, woodlands and farm settings that surround the artists’ studios in Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Cowichan Bay, Maple Bay and Crofton. You’ll discover parts of the Cowichan Valley you’ve never visited before, and take away lovely memories and superb pieces of art to enjoy forever.
For more than 20 years Visions Artists have presented this free, self-guided tour to introduce you to the exceptional artists who live here. You may even find one that is your neighbour!
On the Studio Tour this year are Sue Coleman, Eileen McGann, Catherine Taron, Joan Head, Donna Birtwistle, Carolyn Lucas, Catherine Fraser, Maureen Coles, Cori Mearns, Rosemary Danaher, Charlotte Haggart, Neil Fatin, Jocelyn West,
Carolyn McDonald and Terry Harrison.
Read all about the artists and see some of their work in the Members section on the Visions websitevisionsarttour.ca
Out-of-towners; Come and make a weekend of it, stay over and visit all 13 of the studios and then take in other Cowichan highlights like the Kinsoll Trestle, Forest Museum, wineries, restaurants and the boutiquerich city of Duncan. It will be a memorable weekend, you’ll see! And you’ll be seeing Visions.
For your own copy of the 2024 Visions Art Studio Tour guide please detach the centrefold of this magazine to release your own studio guide and map on page 42 for all the locations available to tour at your own pace. In addition pick up The Citizen newspaper for artist info and the map the week before the Visions Studio Tour. The Visions Art Studio Tour runs July 5, 6 and 7 from 10 am to 4 pm each day.
www.visionsarttour.ca
Watch for the July Issue of Valley Voice for list of artists, guide and map for the Studio Tour.
MILL BAY, SHAWNIGAN LAKE & COBBLE HILL
• Eileen McGann - painter and musician
• Charlotte Haggart - hand-made prints
• Joan Head - acrylics and oil
• Donna Birtwistle - watercolour and pencil artist
• Terry Harrison - flowers on glass and clothing
• Carolyn Lucas - photography
• Cori Mearns - watercolours
COWICHAN BAY
• Catherine Fraser - mixed media
• Carolyn McDonald - acrylics and mixed media
• Sue Coleman - watercolours
DUNCAN & CROFTON
• Catherine Taron - watercolour and acrylics
• Neil Fatin - photographic artist
• Rosemary Danaher - ceramic artist and jewellery designer
• Jocelyn West - mixed media
• Maureen Coles - watercolour and gouache
Photo Michele Heath
EILEEN MCGANN
The Eileen McGann Studio Gallery Mill Bay
Eileen works en plein air and in studio in acrylic, pastel and watercolour. Her paintings are notable for their intense and beautiful colour, and expressively interpreted representations of Canada’s trees, mountains, lakes and oceans. Distinctive compositions featuring light, colour, glow and vibrancy will fill her outdoor tent and indoor gallery. 264 Inlet Drive, Mill Bay
GET YOUR OWN 2024 VISIONS ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR MAP
Detach and pull out this centrefold page spread to have the 2024 VISIONS ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR MAP in hand and ready to use for your FREE SUMMER ART TOUR!
CHARLOTTE
HAGGART
Painter
Shawnigan Lake
Charlotte Haggart does painting and printmaking in an expressive style. Charlotte completed a Fine Arts BA at UBC and graduated from the Vancouver School of Art. Charlotte worked in animation in Vancouver and Toronto. She lives in Shawnigan Lake and is showing at: 264 Inlet Drive, Mill Bay 250-889-3154
MAUREEN COLES
Painter
Crofton
Realizing how she could share her creative spirit with others and determined to evolve her artist’s voice, Maureen completed studies at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Capilano University Studio ARTS. Continuing to learn and practice, she has become a successful artist and valued instructor. Because of her vision impairment, her subject choices emphasize strong contrasts in values, shapes and colours. 1592 Pauline Street, Crofton
JOAN HEAD
Painter
Mill Springs Mill Bay
Joan Head is a visual artist that creates in her home studio with acrylics and oils. Her inspirations and subjects vary in still life, portraits, pet portraits, travel, flowers and capturing a special moment. Commissions and Art Cards are available. Studio visits upon appointments. 2511 Boompond Road, Mill Springs, Mill Bay
JOCELYN WEST
Art For The Nature Lover by Jocelyn Crofton
Art for the nature lover. I don’t paint what I see, I paint what I feel. I paint bears, eagles, trees and oceans. I am a visual artist /mixed media painter. I want to hear your feedback and emotional reaction to my work. Come and visit. Let’s talk. 5-1584 Adelaide Street, Crofton
Painted Glass and Wearable Art Mill Bay
Terry Harrison’s fascination with flowers stems from years as a florist and avid gardener, and she uses these flowers as inspiration for her paintings on glass and on clothing. Bowls, glasses, tile trays and many other glass collectibles can be seen, along with the wearable art at her studio during the Visions Studio Tour. 1213 Royalta Road off Cameron-Taggart Road, Mill Bay
ROSEMARY DANAHER
Ceramic Artist Crofton
I work with high-fire clay, make my own glazes and produce both handbuilt and wheel-thrown functional pieces of pottery. I work in isolation, so welcome the opportunity to display my work with my VISION contemporaries. I am a guest at Neil Fatin’s studio at 7833 Atlin Place, Crofton
TERRY HARRISON
Eileen McGann
Charlotte Haggart
Joan Head
Terry Harrison
Maureen Coles
Jocelyn West
Rosemary Danaher
DONNA BIRTWISTLE
Wistle’s Art Studio
Watercolours Mill Bay
Donna Birtwistle is a Wildlife Artist using Pastels and Water Colour Pencils and Paints. Her Mill Bay home gives the perfect location for viewing and filming sea birds and life activities near the ocean. Her Art is hanging in many private collections in Brazil, Europe and Canada. 2432 Mill Bay Road, Mill Bay
NEIL FATIN
Photography and Beyond
Crofton
Photography is the base of my artistic expression. A creative overlay is added to convey a distinct variation of the original image aimed at engaging the viewer. A more detailed description is beyond the scope of a few words and can be explained more fully in terms of vision and the creative process employed. Please visit during the “Visions” tour. 7833 Atlin Place, Crofton
Photography
Cobble Hill
I am a passionate novice photographer who has embraced my love for capturing the natural beauty around me. I specialize in nature photography, focusing on the serene landscapes, vibrant flora, and diverse wildlife of the Cowichan Valley. My photographs reflect my deep connection with nature and my desire to preserve its beauty.
3109 Cameron-Taggart Road, Cobble Hill
CATHERINE TARON
Painter
Maple Bay
Catherine Taron is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. She interprets Vancouver Island landscapes in watercolour and acrylics, focusing on the moods and energies of the Valley and west coast. “I try to capture the feeling of places I know, with a specific memory or story in mind.” 1268 Maple Bay Road, Duncan
CORI MEARNS
Watercolour Painter
Shawnigan Lake
Hello I’m Cori. I love painting the beauty of our valley from a new perspective....a bird’s eye view and under water. Please come visit my Shawnigan studio and see our valley as I do.
“I’m just an artist standing in front of beauty asking to share the love I feel”.
1707 Shawnigan/Mill Bay Road, Shawnigan Lake
CAROLYN MCDONALD
Seagate Studio Cowichan Bay
Carolyn’s lifelong love of art has been inspired by her Jamaican heritage and her travels. After completing her Fine Arts degree in Ontario, she taught art in Jamaica, Canada, Australia, and England. Her home/studio gallery is at her waterfront garden in Cherry Point and is open by appointment. Visitors are also welcome to tour the garden. Seagate Studio, 4407 Kingscote Road, Cowichan Bay
CATHERINE FRASER
Mixed Media Artist Cowichan Bay/Duncan
Artworks are created in a series, trusting in the process, with a strong interest in colour and design. Paintings are created using a variety of media including acrylics, watercolours, oils, and photography. The subject matter gives me clues as to how I express it. A sense of place, both real and imaginary is important.
5412 Gore-Langton Road, Duncan
SUE COLEMAN
New Moon Studio Cowichan Bay
This wonderful waterfront studio is one foot above the tide line on the North shore of Cowichan Bay. Through the window, view scenes and wildlife that inspire Sue’s watercolours. Actively working to promote environmental awareness and wildlife conservation, Sue’s originals are available in cards, books, prints and gift products.
5378 Gore-Langton Road, Cowichan Bay
Donna Birtwistle
Carolyn Lucas
Cori Mearns
Catherine Fraser
Neil Fatin
Catherine Taron
Carolyn McDonald
Sue Coleman
A Eileen McGann & guest
artist Charlotte Haggart
264 Inlet Drive, Mill Bay
B Joan Head 2511 Boompond Road in Mill Springs, Mill Bay
C Donna Birtwistle 2432 Mill Bay Road, Mill Bay• •
D Terry Harrison 1213 Royalta Road, Mill Bay
E Cori Mearns 1701 Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road
F Carolyn Lucas 3109 Cameron-Taggart Road
G Carolyn McDonald 4407 Kingscote Road, Cowichan Bay
H Sue Coleman 5378 Gore-Langton Road, Duncan
I Catherine Fraser 5412 Gore-Langton Road, Duncan
J Catherine Taron 1268 Maple Bay Road, Duncan
K Neil Fatin & guest artist Rosemary Danaher 7833 Atlin Place, Crofton
L Jocelyn West 5-1584 Adelaide Street, Crofton
M Maureen Coles 1592 Pauline Street, Crofton
2024 VISIONS STUDIO TOUR MAP
FEATURE STUDIOS - 2024 VISIONS ART TOUR
CATHERINE FRASER ART
New artworks done outdoors in Italy, Spain and Orkney during artist residencies will be shown. I used the three colours of yellow, red and blue. This combination of colours was introduced to me many years ago in Hawaii by artist Richard Nelson. I chose to mix the colours with water and medium to paint thinly in layers. I was interested in the light, the sunrise and the shapes of the trees.” Visit Catherine’s studio and see multimedia works in water colours, oils, pastels, graphite, acrylics, photography. Catherine’s practice consists of weekly plein air works, and figurative drawings. You will be glad you visited this studio nestled in the Cowichan Bay Estuary. 5412 Gore-Langton Road, Duncan www.catherinefraserart.com
GLASS AND TEXTILES BY TERRY HARRISON
– Pansies, irises, roses, snowdrops, sunflowers, violets...all sorts of garden and wild flowers and exotic blossoms adorn Terry Harrison’s hand-painted glass and crystal bowls, wine glasses, plates and serving pieces. You’ll see them on elegant shirts and tiles, too, during the Visions Studio Tour July 5, 6 and 7. Choose from the studio or order custom pieces with your favourite flowers painted especially for you. Each piece is unique for you to cherish or give for a special occasion. While visiting the studio you are also invited to enjoy the garden and the view. 1213 Royalta Road, Mill Bay.
CATHERINE
TARON ART I’ve heard that “art creates stories, and stories create culture”. I know art can influence, spark change, provoke thought or heighten awareness. This painting is to underline the value of forests. Not just a natural beauty to behold, they work to reduce air temperature, prevent soil loss, hold water within the landscape, and clean our air—all requirements for continuing life. Then there’s the uplifting of our spirit and fitness benefits through forest activities, like walking, hiking, contemplating nature, and providing respite or solace for mental health. Forests sustain our lives in so many, often unacknowledged ways. Yes, I live in a wooden house, but I am conscious of the need for balance
and grateful to live in a community that values its forests and does not take them for granted. I called this painting “Elevation”, for its height of land and, hopefully, elevated forest mindfulness. 1268 Maple Bay Road, Duncan www.catherinetaron.ca
Harrison Art Glass
Catherine Fraser Art
Elevation by Catherine Taron
The Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society (CLRSS) is pleased to announce the return of the annual Celebrating Water Festival, a community-driven event dedicated to promoting water conservation, environmental stewardship, and the appreciation of the Cowichan Lake and River watershed. In celebration of the progress that has been made towards building a new weir on Lake Cowichan, our theme this year is Weir All Connected!
The event is scheduled to take place on July 20th from 10am to 2pm at Saywell Park in downtown Lake Cowichan, this year’s festival promises to be an immersive and engaging experience for attendees of all ages. With a focus on education, entertainment, and riparian awareness, the festival will feature a diverse range of activities, and interactive exhibits designed to celebrate the vital role of water in our lives and ecosystems.
The “Celebrating Water Festival” serves as a cornerstone event for CLRSS, an organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environmental health of Cowichan Lake and River. Through this festival, CLRSS aims to
Celebrating Water Festival
foster a deeper connection between community members and their local watershed, empowering individuals to become stewards of the environment. Attendees can look forward to a variety of engaging activities throughout the day, including:
• Walk the Weir Tours: Gain insights from specialists regarding the significance of a newly proposed weir, enhancing the river’s value for all stakeholders, including both human and non-human entities. Learn from experts about water conservation, watershed management, and the importance of preserving aquatic habitats.
• Interactive Exhibits: Explore interactive displays showcasing local wildlife, aquatic ecosystems, and sustainable water management practices.
• Guided Nature Walks:
Come join experts in an exploration of the CLRSS’s native species garden, delving into the flora that will enrich your riparian zone knowledge. Enter the draw for riparian Plants!
• Quw’utsun Teachings: Carleen August (Stimaat) and her father Jedson August (Tsusqun), both members of the Quw’utsun Nation, will be on hand with a traditional dugout canoe. They will share stories that trace the history of the Quw’utsun Peoples, highlighting their relationship with the river for sustenance, transportation, and culture. Hul’qumi’num language teachings will also be shared.
• Rub a Fish: Project 84,000 will be actively engaged in crafting 84,000 fish rubbings, a tribute to the approximate number of juvenile fish lost in the Cowichan River during July 2023 as a result of environmental pressures.
• Mascot Mugshot Contest: take a selfie with your favorite water mascot, post it on your social media and win a fabulous prize. Oxford the Otter and The Giant Dancing Fish will be in attendance.
• Meet the Lulumexun Marine Team: S-hwuhwa’us Thi’lut Kw’atl’kwa (Thunderbird Protecting the
Ocean), will be present to talk about their stewardship of Cowichan Tribe’s Marine Territory and all living beings within it.
• Kids Activities: crafts, games, and the Bubble Zone
• Cake Cutting: join us for some free cake at 10 AM
“We are thrilled to invite the community to join us for another year of Celebrating the Water Festival,” said Judy Brayden President of CLRSS. “This event is a testament to the importance of water in our lives and the critical need to protect and preserve our local watershed. Through education, engagement, and celebration, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world and empower individuals to take action in safeguarding our precious water resources.” Admission to the festival is free, with donations welcomed to support CLRSS’s ongoing conservation efforts. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor to Cowichan Valley, the Celebrating Water Festival offers something for everyone to enjoy while promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement.
For more information about the festival, including sponsorship opportunities and volunteer registration, please visit www.clrss.ca, or contact Maureen Quested at mquested@shaw.ca. Join us on July 20th as we come together to celebrate the beauty and importance of water in our lives and ecosystem. Together, let’s make a splash for a brighter, water-conscious future! You can find us at www.clrss.ca or on www.facebook.com/ cowichanstewards
CLRSS Board Members at the Celebrating Water Festival 2023
From left: Jean Atkinson, Judy Brayden, Dave dePape, Jim Deck, Rosemary Danaher, Don Prescott, Beverly Nimmo, Diana Gunderson, Maureen Quested
Cowichan Water Festival visitors will gain an understanding of how a rebuilt weir will help stabilize water levels in Quw’utsun’ Sta’lo’ (Cowichan River)
Image Courtesy CLRSS
Image Courtesy CLRSS
DELICIOUS food THAT NOURISHES & INSPIRES
Our delicious smoothies are made from whole foods, Naturally sweetened, and balanced with some plant based coconut or hemp milk
23 Kenneth Street, Downtown Duncan
www.urbanforestbistro.ca
• SNACKS
• SOUPS
• MEALS
• TREATS
• “BLIZZARDS”
• CONES
• CLEANSES
• SMOOTHIES
• SPECIALTY LATTES
• MOCKTAILS
• JUICES & MORE!
TWELVE MONTHS to zero
waste
Stephanie Farrow & Krystal AikmanPlentifill Refillery & Sustainable Living Store
Summer has arrived and with it comes the bounty of fresh local produce that we are so lucky to have available to us in this beautiful Valley. This month we’re going to explore a few easy ways to reduce waste while stocking our fridges and eating our veggies. Whether you’re loading up at our amazing weekly Farmer’s Market, or dashing into a grocery store on your way home from work, let’s discuss a few simple strategies beyond bringing your own reusable tote bags!
LIST
WITH A TWIST
Try This: The Reverse Grocery List
It sounds crazy, but Canadians produce over 50 million tonnes of food waste every year. A significant portion of this, approximately 60%, is avoidable through better planning and awareness. Before heading out shopping, grab a piece of paper or your phone and make a “Waste Less List”. Create 2 columns, on the left side, list all of the fruits and vegetables that
you already have in your fridge (it helps to keep a running whiteboard list on the outside of the fridge). Before deciding what’s for dinner, scan the list and see what you can come up with (try using Chat GPT for this, it’s amazing!). Once you have a plan, fill in the second column with only the items that you need to complete your recipe. Reduce food waste, and save money!
HABIT STACK
Try This: Create a
Shopping Kit
With the recent plastic bag ban, it seems like BYO Bag has finally become a habitual process for the majority of local shoppers. However, let’s just take a second to consider just how long it took for this seemingly simple change to make its way into the realm of ‘normal’. Changing habits and routines is challenging, and usually requires some sort of disruption to really take hold. So, now that you’ve gotten really good at bringing your totes, let’s add a few more items along with them to have even more impact! First, let’s put in a handful of reusable cloth produce bags. These lightweight, mesh bags are great for things like apples, loose carrots, potatoes, green beans, grapes,
Image courtesy Life Without Waste
etc… items that are better contained, but we usually put into plastic bags. Next, we can include a silicone or cloth bread bag or two. If you’re shopping at a bakery, market or even a grocery store with an in-house bakery, any of these places will be happy to hand over naked loaves and save the bags. The key to success here is to store these simple additions with your reusable grocery bags so that when you head out the door, the whole kit-and-caboodle comes along too!
Next Level: Once you’ve got this habit dialed in, try adding a spot for your refill containers to make topping up household cleaners and body products a simple part of your routine.
KEEP IT FRESH
Try This: Wrap it Up
The average Canadian household generates 79
kilograms of food waste annually, with Fruits and vegetables accounting for 45% of this waste. By properly storing fresh fruits and vegetables, you can easily extend the shelf life of these delicate, nutrientpacked morsels, keeping them fresh and delicious longer. While root vegetables, bell peppers, and fungi prefer to be fairly dry, others like celery, cucumbers and lettuce, do better with a little (but not too much) moisture. Enter the Produce Saver Bag: this triple-layer cotton bag is designed to protect your produce while maintaining light moisture in the middle layer to keep your produce fresher for longer. Simply moisten the bag, toss your produce in, fold it up and store it in the fridge (but remember to note what’s inside
on your reverse list!). You’ll be amazed at how long your celery will stay crisp and fresh!
By applying these three simple concepts to your kitchen and shopping routines you quickly notice not only a reduction of waste coming into your home, but also heading out! And, you’ll have more time to enjoy the bounty of colours and flavours that summer brings. Now, go get creative with those recipes and let us know what your come up with!
Co -produced with David Coulson Designs Photo credit Tony Colangelo
Image courtesy Rezip
Photo Lydia Li
Image courtesy Dans le sac
The Shawnigan Players present the 13th Annual
Lavender Love
Oneof the things that I most love about the Cowichan Valley is the continuing swirl of wonderful organic aromas in the summertime. From the funk of newly cut hay to the sweet smell of the forests and rivers. At the farm, we always wait patiently for the flowers of the lavender plant to burst forth at the beginning of our walkway. It is a regular treat to gently rub the flowers and inhale the sweet floral aroma. The bees are also crazy about our lavender, the bushes are often buzzing with the activities of several types of bees.
If you grow lavender, choose a drier area (they don’t like their roots too wet) and prefer a nice sunny spot in your yard. In France where you often see fields ringing the Mediterranean the plants are often mulched with gravel between the rows, to both draw heat and keep down competing weeds. The really good news is they are hardy in our climate and do not need much in the way of care and feeding when they are established.
Love’s Labour’s Lost directed by Rob Foell
The Two Gentlemen of Verona directed by Alex Gallacher
Outdoors at Gem o’ the Isle Farm, 2465 Koksilah Road, Duncan August 7 - 18
Tickets at Ten Old Books and online at shawnigan-players. tickit.ca
Most of the aroma from the plant come from aromatic oils that also have significant health benefits. The plant has anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory components but for me there is also great mental benefits derived simply by smelling it. In my book anything that gives you even a momentary lift is a good way to balance the other hectic parts of our lives.
I use lavender in a lot of desserts and it has a magic connection with berries, cream and chocolate. You can also use the leaves as a herb, similar to how you would use rosemary. They shine as a seasoning for lamb, pork and chicken. With vegetables, I like the combination of lavender with roasted or grilled potatoes, squash and zucchini best.
Aromatherapy for the soul, delivered along the walkway or in the odors drifting from the BBQ, smells like another fine Cowichan summer.
Bill Jones is a chef, author and food consultant based at Deerholme Farm.
Photo Bill Jones
Touring Cowichan’s Farm Stands
It’sno secret that the Cowichan Valley contains a treasure trove of agricultural heritage and thriving food and drink culture. The mild climate is suited to yearround growing, so despite our occasional winter snowfalls and chilly days, many farmers are still harvesting greens from their cold frames and greenhouses or digging overwintered carrots and beets out of the ground. In the heat of the summer the vineyards of the region spread across rolling hills basking in the sunlight with their round ripe fruit nearing harvest. Any day is the perfect day for a picnic assembled from the local delicacies purchased at a local farm stand.
The FREE annual Cowichan Grown Farm Map is celebrating its 15th year of publication and is available now! The map highlights many of the farms, food and drink producers keeping us all so well fed and hydrated in the Cowichan Valley. From crispy fresh veggies, to delicious eggs, meat, ciders, wines, preserves and more, each of our farmers grows or raises their products with love, respect, and a lot of hard work.
Whether you’re a seasoned local, brand new to the valley or here for a visit, the farm map is an excellent resource for your next adventure! Get to know your local farmers and join us in celebrating the diverse bounty of the region while supporting the local economy and the farmers who work so hard to provide our community with delicious and nutritious food and drink.
Find your copy FREE at The reFRESH Marketplace at 360 Duncan St., the Duncan and Cedar Farmers’ markets, farm stands or local businesses near you, or visit https:// cowichangreencommunity. org/cowichan-grown-farmmap/. For help finding a copy close to you, call 250 748 8506. The bounty awaits!
Naomi Kulhawy Cowichan Grown Farm Map Manager
Lavender Bread Pudding
Courtesy Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm
This is an easy pudding I would serve chilled, with fresh berries. Strawberries are excellent and fresh raspberries may be even better. Can be made up to 2 days in advance.
Makes 12 portions
Preheat oven to 325 F / 165 C
Ingredients
4 cups (1 L) milk (or cream)
¼ cup (65 mL) lavender flowers
6 cups (1.5 mL) French bread or baguette (sliced thinly)
6 large eggs
1 cup sugar (or ½ cup honey)
More sugar for sprinkling
Directions
In a thick bottomed pot, add the milk and lavender. Heat over high until the mixture boils, be careful as the liquid will expand quickly and can easily overfull. When it starts to double in volume immediately remove from the heat and set aside
In a mixing bowl, add the eggs and sugar whisk to mix. Pour 1/3 of the hot liquid through a strainer and into the eggs, and whisk to mix. Add the remainder of the liquid and stir to mix.
Place a layer of bread in a large casserole dish. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, pushing down with a spoon to insure all the slices are soaked with the mixture. Place in a hot oven for 45 minutes (or until set and slightly browned on top). Remove from oven and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes. Cut into squares (or scoop with a large spoon) and serve warm with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Upcoming Events
Photo by Aiyana Jennings of Acorn Veggies at Under the Oak Farm
Spinach Raspberry Salad with Dark Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar
Courtesy Grant Easterbrook, The Olive Station
Dressing Ingredients
½ cup Dark Raspberry balsamic vinegar
Juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
pinch black pepper
Salad Ingredients
8 oz local baby spinach leaves
6 oz raspberries
¼ cup slivered almonds shaved parmesan
black pepper to taste
Directions
Mix together the lemon juice, oil and honey with a pinch of pepper. Set aside.
Place the spinach in a large serving bowl, pour over the lemon and honey dressing and toss the leaves.
Place the raspberries and slivered almonds on top of the spinach and top with shaved parmesan.
Drizzle over the Raspberry balsamic Vinegar and finish with a little freshly grated black pepper. Use fresh lemon juice for the dressing rather than bottled. It’s much brighter and zingier in flavour.
It’s Time to Order Your Share of the Catch!
For close to 50 years I have been heading out prawn fishing in the spring, this year I didn’t, I am slowing down a bit and will just troll for salmon from now on. It was a bit strange at first sitting on the wharf while all the boats headed out for prawns and I had a moment of weakness when I was asked to mentor a younger fishermen out prawning, I said thanks but no I would be staying home this spring. I have been enjoying seeing all the plants blooming that I don’t usually get to see and have planted a small vegetable garden, which is a treat.
I have way more time to prepare the boat for salmon, so a lot less hurrying to get things done, I am enjoying that too.
We will be doing something besides fishing this salmon season. The Michelle Rose and a number of other fishing boats are working on a project to collect ocean salinity data and samples as we fish, getting samples from many out of the way spots that are not reached in other studies. The project is a collaboration between the Fishermen’s Union, T Buck Suzuki environmental organization and the Haikai institute looking at how science can utilize the fishing fleet to gather data on a large
and geographically spread out scale. This will be an interesting addition to fishing.
We plan to be leaving for salmon in July, earlier than usual so we can put in three trips this season. As usual we will be fishing along the border with SE Alaska and the top end of Haida Gwaii for coho and pinks mainly, with a few springs, rockfish and ling cod mixed in. If you would like to get a share of our catch thru our Community Supported Fishery (CSF) then have a look at our website at michellerosecsf.com. The CSF is about sustainable harvesting, knowing where your food comes from and who catches it, local food security , supporting local fish processing workers, reducing the carbon foot print of our catch and so much more. Thanks for your support and see you in September when we are back with the catch.
Guy Johnston, Fisherman
Michelle Rose Fishing
Sustainably Harvested Wild Salmon
Member Shares NOW Available 2024 Salmon
Why Buy Direct?
• FRESHER FISH Our salmon is flash frozen at sea and is the highest sushi-grade quality available
• BEST PRICE & BEST VALUE No middle man or shipping costs. Pay your fisherman directly and pick your share up from the dock.
Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery
YOU SUSAN for all the love you put into THIS AMAZING CAFé !
Photo Guy Johnston
LOCAL SUMMER MARKETS
has been busy in the field and in our two production greenhouses, where we grow a large market garden. The tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are all in the ground, and we are looking forward to a bountiful harvest this summer. Visit us on Thursdays at our weekly farm market, where fresh seasonal produce is available for sale, every Thursday from 10 am4 pm at the Farm Hub, 2431 Beverly Street, Duncan
Summer is here at Cowichan Farm and Food Hub’s Thursday Market! Our team is busy seeding and transplanting in the nursery greenhouse, where we specialize in growing an interesting selection of vegetable starts, medicinal and native plants. We are always collecting unique varieties of seeds, and we are excited to share our locally grown plants with the community. We grow seeds on site here, and have a collection of local seeds available for purchase here, including a selection of native wildflower seeds. This season
The Duncan Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday. As a true farmers’ market, priority is given to farmers and growers, but the market also plays host to an amazing array of local artisans and makers offering the unique and unusual. The market offers a full array of produce, in-season fruit, honey, eggs, cheese, meat, seafood, tea, coffee, wines and spirits, baked goods, plants, flowers, pastas, jams, pickles, and many specialty items. Don’t forget your lunch! Visit the many delicious food trucks and snack booths at the market. See you on Saturday, 9am2pm downtown Duncan.
Boots n RootsPermaculture at the Duncan Farmers Market
Photo Kelly Raye
Photo Hannah Auer
Arts On The Avenue Festival 1st Avenue, Ladysmith from Warren Street to Buller Street Art Jam, Saturday August 24 from 4 pm - 8 pm - Arts Market, Sunday August 25 from 10 am - 4 pm
Celebrate Art and Music at Ladysmith’s 26th Arts on the Avenue Festival Bring your friends and family to delight in the perfect summer weekend activity for art lovers, music fans, and anyone looking to support local talent and businesses. Art Jam is a fusion of creativity and entertainment. This family friendly day features a paint competition, live music, interactive art stations, and a dedicated kids area.
On Sunday visit the popular Arts on the Avenue Market with over 65 artisans from Vancouver Island and the
Gulf Islands featuring a diverse array of art, including paintings, jewelry, fabric art, glass work, ceramic, Indigenous-made art, and more! Meet featured artist Harold Allanson, enjoy live music and artist demos. Admission is free.
Shop, eat and shop some more! Chemainus Giant Street Market Join us for this well loved summer event in Chemainus with over 150 Vendors and local merchants showcasing their wares as Willow Street to Oak Street becomes a pedestrian market Willow Street from Victoria Street to Oak Street Saturday, July 6, 10 am to 4 pm.
Photo Francesca Reside
Photo Melody Smythies
Photo Francesca Reside
Rain Coast Earthworks
Drone Photography for the Perfect View
Aerial drones are like ‘tripods in the sky’ in that they can take high-quality gyro-stablized photographs (and video) from any height, position and angle. This allows completely unique perspectives and provides fresh, exciting, detailed views of gardens, houses and other scenic locations.
For example, it’s amazing how different things look from just 15 feet up in the air. Suddenly fences don’t block the view, trees don’t hide buildings, and the landscape begins to reveal itself.
At fifty feet above the ground, in many places here in the Valley that’s enough that the ocean becomes visible in the background, which always looks good in a photo!
At a height of about twohundred feet, even the largest properties can be seen in full, and the resulting photos really show off the epic landscape that we live in. I also often
take the ‘classic’ drone shot from this height, namely looking directly downward, it’s usually worth it.
Drones are ideal for taking photos from a difficult-toaccess viewpoint that you wouldn’t normally be able to get. For example, the perfect angle of a flowering garden taken from a gap btwn two trees. Or a landscape photo from a vantage point out over the ocean.
For most of my aerial photos, I use a technique called HDR, ‘High Dynamic Range’. The drone’s onboard 4K camera takes five photos all at once, all of them identical but with slightly different exposure levels. I combine them by hand and digitally develop the final version. With HDR I can dramatically lighten shadowed areas, bring back detail to overly bright skies and whites, and bring out the best qualities of the overall scene.
Andrew Jeffrey is an Advanced Operations licenced & insured drone pilot and the owner of Island Drone Services in Duncan, He can be contacted at 250 701-9931 and at www. islanddrone.ca
Photo Andrew Jeffrey
Water Gardening
Water is an important element in the garden, and the warmer the climate, the more desirable a water feature becomes. Its presence creates a cooling effect and unpleasant background noise can be drowned out by the sound of moving water. The water surface reflects the surrounding plants and the colour of the sky. Fish provide a relaxing scene to contemplate as they slowly move around. And finally, many beneficial animals and insects are attracted to water. A few unwelcome visitors such as herons, raccoons and otters can be managed.
A water feature can range from a re-purposed container to a large pond with pumps, filters, fountains, streams, and waterfalls. The shallow edges of the pond can be planted with marginal plants that like their tops growing above the water. Water quality must be managed to avoid the growth of algae and breeding of mosquitoes. Oxygenating plants, floating plants that shade the surface like lilies and hyacinths, and semi submerged plants on the water’s edge create a healthy balance that keeps the water clear. Adding a few fish controls the breeding of mosquitoes and their presence creates an interesting focal point in the garden. Make sure that you have the required depth for both plants
and fish. A formula is one inch of fish per square foot of water surface or 20 gallons of pond volume. Insects, like the pollinating Blue Mason Bees, are looking for mud to build nests while birds want to clean and bathe themselves in the shallow edges. Dragonflies are attracted to water and are a major predator of pest insects. With the right balance of predator insects, pest management in the garden happens naturally.
Your garden should be an oasis for relaxation and escape from the busy world. The soothing aspect of seeing water with its sounds helps create your tranquil space.
Tranquility in the garden
Fish - Goldfish and young Koi
Trapdoor Snails - to keep pond walls clean
Lilies for beautiful blooms
Marginal Plants - large assortment to line the edge of your pond
Oxygenating plants to keep the water healthy
Water Hyacinths and Lettuce - tropical floaters
Rubber pond liners for any size of small to medium ponds
Preformed plastic ponds, great selection of new sizes just in.
Pond hardware from pumps, totubing, fountains, water conditioning and more
SUMMER HOURS: Weekdays: 8:30 to 5:30
Weekends and holidays: 9 to 5
Serving local gardeners since 1973
250 748-2023
5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1
Bernie Dinter, owner Dinter Nursery. Family owned and operated since 1973 offering 3 generations of horticultural knowledge.
Photo courtesy Dinter Nursery
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
Why We Should Read
In
her novel The Prairie Chicken Dance Tour, Dawn Dumont, a Plains Cree writer from Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, follows in the Indigenous tradition of using humour to relate difficult experiences, understanding that laughter can be a path to resilience and healing.
On the surface, the book is the lighthearted and somewhat whacky story of an Indigenous dance group hastily thrown together for a European tour full of mishaps and near disasters. However, beneath the laughter there is an undercurrent of heartache, as the pain in each character’s story is revealed. Although set in the early 1970s, the story could easily have taken place today as it seems so little has changed for Indigenous people since then.
On their first stop, the group takes part in the World Indigenous Summit hosted by the Sami People of Sweden. For the first time they see the commonalities in the struggles
of Indigenous communities around the world, with one character realizing that “to be born Indigenous is to be born political.”
In Germany they dance at a festival devoted to the bizarre fascination with the Indians of old Hollywood movies. Surrounded by blond people in buckskin and moccasins, it is clear that whether they are seen as “interesting” Indians in Europe or as “dirty” Indians back home, in neither place are they seen as fully human.
In the airport coming back into Canada, one of the characters knows she is back: “… that look of guarded contempt when she opened her mouth and her rez accent popped out. You could trust Canadian prejudice; it was as predictable as rain in the spring.”
By viewing Indigeneity in very distinct contexts, the novel really brings home the point that everyone has their preconceptions of Indigenous people, and we would do well to try to see from their point of view – something this book gives us a glimpse of.
The Warmland Book & Film Collective – a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – next meets online July 10 to discuss the book Unbroken: my fight for survival, hope, and justice for Indigenous women and girls by Angela Sterritt. Books available through VIRL. Email WarmlandBFC@gmail.com for zoom link.
Submitted by David & Ranji, on behalf of the WBFC
Photo Ranji
Photo Amy Luck-MacGregor
Capturing Liquid Sunlight
Leavesare like little solar panels. Chasing the sun, they combine solar energy with water and carbon dioxide to make sugary sap. This liquid sunlight, stored in carbon rings, is the foundation of almost all life on earth. We cannot live without it.
How well a plant carries out photosynthesis depends on a number of factors – access to said sunlight, the minerals in the soil and the soil biology kicking around to turn those minerals into plant-available nutrients. Thus far 17 macro and micro nutrients have been identified essential to plant growth (which itself includes optimal
photosynthesis). For more on this, check out Jesse Frost’s The
Living Soil Handbook.
Brix is a simple and inexpensive measure of how well your plants are photosynthesizing. All you need is a refractometer (readily available online), a garlic press, and a notepad. It works by looking at how light bends through liquid to measure the dissolved sugars in the sap. The higher the brix number, the better your plant is doing.
Brix can be affected by time of day (expect lower numbers in the morning and higher in the evening) and the weather (be aware of extended cloudy periods). So measure frequently, take good notes, and use it as a guide. You can have a little fun and compare the brix in your plants to the brix in your weeds. Which is getting its needs better met in your soil?!
First tear up some leaves of your desired plant (each time taking the last unfurled leaf on a branch in the top third of the plant), extract the sap using the garlic press and place a drop onto the refractometer. Close the lid, gently tap on the plastic, and then hold up to the light to see your reading. You are looking for a blurred line at around the 12-14 mark. Pests can sniff out an unhealthy plant in no time – any lower than this, and your plant is struggling to protect itself. If the line is crisp, your
plant needs better access to nutrients. Change your growing strategy, then check again.
As Jesse says, “It is soil life that feeds plants, not farmers.” If your weeds are doing better than your fruit and vegetables, head over to www. springhillsoil-lab. ca to learn how to better support those soil microbes, so you can better support your plants.
The Biodynamic Book for Beginners
Whetheryou’re just getting started in biodynamic gardening, or you’re an experienced biodynamic farmer wanting to learn more, Biodynamic Gardening is the right resource for learning more about the biodynamic method of organic gardening.
Ado is an organic gardener, foodie and father of three living in the Cowichan Valley. He holds a Certificate in Permaculture from Langara College, and is passionate about sustainability, food security, climate change and organic gardening.
or want to establish Edible Landscapes, Ado is a reliable, friendly and helpful person to work with.
This clear, practical guide gives you tried-and-true advice on biodynamic gardening and tips on this ultra-green, organic gardening method. Full-color photographs and easy-to-understand charts and graphs are helpful tools in organizing information in a way anyone can understand and use in biodynamic gardening.
Biodynamic gardening makes use of natural cycles and mindful planting to take organic gardening to the next level, and Biodynamic Gardening covers everything. Topics include soil preparations, lunar charts, composting, cycles of rest, rich and healthy soil, organically controlling pests, ripening plants, and more. Grow delicious vegetables and healthy food, or grow beautiful blooms and flowers with the information you’ll find in this must have book for every home gardener, Biodynamic Gardening by Monty Waldin.
About the Author Raised in the UK, Monty’s introduction to organics came early as both his parents and grandparents grew their own organic fruit and vegetables. When Monty worked in Bordeaux in his teens (mid-1980s) he first encountered the term “terroir-driven”. Monty sensed that the more unnecessary sprays were applied to the grapes, the more additives and other corrective treatments were needed subsequently during the winemaking. Work in an organic vineyard in the Pfalz region of Germany convinced him of the merits of a more sustainable approach. However it was the discovery of Biodynamics in 1994 during a visit to see Paul Barre, a Biodynamic producer in the Fronsac AOC region of Bordeaux, that was the game-changer. Monty found Biodynamics more all encompassing, more sensible, more cost-effective, and more quality-oriented compared to conventional farming.
“Organics teaches you to worry about what’s under your feet, but Biodynamics reminds you to be equally concerned with what is going on above your head, such as following certain lunar cycles. These have a direct bearing on plant physiology and can save you money by allowing growers to anticipate potential problems. Selfsufficiency is a fundamental tenet of Biodynamics, not an optional extra as it appears to be with organics. And in terms of quality, Biodynamics gives an organoleptic edge because the vine’s roots, shoots, and grapes are allowed to express themselves individually and fully.” – Monty Waldin
In stock at the Anthroposophical Resource Centre & Steiner Bookstore #3 - 5380, TransCanada Hwy, Duncan (250) 597-4763
Photo Vanessa Maben Hamer
Photo Shayna Grimwood
Making the Move to a More Sustainable Garden
There is no better time than mid-summer to gauge how sustainable your home garden ecosystem is! Health of your plants, time spent on garden maintenance, and productivity of your garden, are key things to consider.
While now may be a great time to enjoy abundance and full-bloom, it is also a great time to make a list of what is (and isn’t) working in your garden. How much time are you spending weeding and watering? What do you love about your garden? What would you like to change? What have your biggest challenges been, and what were your most successful planting practices been? Are you growing food, or would you like to?
Shifting your perennial garden to incorporate more droughttolerant, indigenous, and edible plants is a great step towards garden sustainability. Taking a permaculture approach, working to build your landscape in a way that mimics natural environments, while maximizing production, decreasing reliance on water use, and incorporating edible plants can have a huge influence on how much time you put into, and what you get out of, your landscapes.
Incorporating Edible Landscapes, whereby a portion of your garden is allocated to edible plants (or where edibles are incorporated into your existing landscapes), can be a game-changer in cultivating a more sustainable
garden ecosystem. Aiding in soil health, attracting beneficial pollinators, adding interest and biodiversity to your garden, while decreasing your bill at the grocery store, are some of the added benefits to boot!
When the weather is dry and hot it is important to feed your plants beneficial nutrients that may be lost from soil and water run off. In Summer, we love to feed our plants easy DIY fertilizers made from locally available ingredients. Comfrey and seaweed are easily available biomass, that, when steeped, create an affordable liquid fertilizer for dry summer gardens.
Simply place the plant material in a bucket, press down to increase density and cover with water. Two weeks later, remove the biomass, and you have natural liquid fertilizer that can be applied directly to your plants!
If you’re needing a DIY recipe with a faster turnaround, try one of our favourites from local garden expert Stacey Toews:
-4 part Alfalfa Meal (Nitrogen)
-1 part Bone Meal (Phosphorus & Trace Minerals)
-1 part Kelp Meal (Potassium)
-1 part Dolomite Lime (to increase pH)
*note leave lime out for blueberries!
At Sustainable Ado’s ~ Edible Landscapes, Yard Maintenance & Organic Garden Care our specialty is Sustainability. To learn more about making
NOTICE OF INTENT
RE: LIQUOR CONTROL AND LICENSING ACT APPLICATION FOR A LOUNGE ENDORSEMENT
Application for a lounge (with patio) has been received by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch from Telltale Winery Incorporated located at 3897 Cobble Hill Road in Cobble Hill.
Proposed licensed hours are: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Midnight) Person capacity will be limited to 20 persons interior and 30 persons on the patio.
Residents located within a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) radius of the proposed site may comment on this proposal by:
1) Writing to:
The General Manager
C/O Senior Licensing Analyst Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch PO Box 9292 Victoria, BC V8W 9J8
2) Email to: LCRB.SLA@gov.bc.ca
PETITIONS AND FORM LETTERS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
To ensure the consideration of your views, your comments, name and address must be received on or before July 31, 2024. Please note that your comments may be made available to the applicant or local government officials where disclosure is necessary to administer the licensing process.
your summer garden more sustainable, or to incorporate edible landscapes at your home, book your free consult with
Sustainable Ado’s today. 250 815-5789
Building Resilient Youth Through Social and Emotional Learning
Our children and youth, in general young people ages 12-25, are struggling more than ever with emotional well-being. Ongoing research continues to highlight that the COVID pandemic has left lasting negative effects on young peoples’ social and emotional health.
In today’s rapidly changing world, developing social and emotional skills is critical to young people’s success and well-being. Starting around age 12, young people are at a crucial stage in their social and emotional development as they work through who they are and where they fit in the world. They are exploring new emotions and trying to understand what others might be feeling. They don’t always understand how their words and actions affect other people. Unregulated emotional highs and lows play out in many ways.
Social and emotional skills are essential for managing emotions, setting goals, showing empathy, maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. They provide our youth with tools to cope better with stress, reduce behavioural issues, build stronger relationships, and ultimately
become successful in all areas of life.
This July, Cowichan Family Life is offering 4-week workshops for youth ages 1218 and young adults 19-25. Led by skilled facilitators, participants will gain the essential skills and tools in social and emotional learning, foundations for lifelong wellbeing. These free workshops are age-relevant, offered on Fridays for ages 12-14 (9 to noon); for ages 15-17 12:30 to 4:30), and Wednesdays for ages 18-24 (6 pm-8 pm).
Learning will be directed through peer interactions and activities that encourage self-awareness (how we see ourselves in the bigger picture) and social awareness (seeing ourselves from someone else’s perspective), offer skills for self-management (how to settle when we have big feelings), and effective communication skills. Drop off and pick up will be within the Duncan area with exact locations to be confirmed at time of registration. For more information and to register call/text 778872-4661 or email cfla@ cowichanfamilylife.org
Photo courtesy Cowichan Family Life Association
ArtisTREE Festival in Victoria Has Something for Everyone
ArtisTREE Festival is a two day arts festival taking place at historic Government House located on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. Come ready to shop! We are bringing together over 130 of the most talented designer-makers featuring a beautifully curated selection of fine art, jewelry and fashion, craft spirits and artisan foods, textiles and leather, ceramics and glass, woodwork and sculpture, perfume, body care, home decor and a variety of stationary, pet goods and children’s items. Stroll
through our open air market to both shop and be inspired.
Live Music & Artists in Action
Dance while you shop! Live music to soothe your soul throughout the weekend as you roam the grounds and discover vendors, artists in action, installation pieces, performance and the daily Indigenous Art and Culture
Children’s Play Area
Children’s crafts, activities and performers are also part of the fun! Bring the kids to make some beautiful wings with Poppet Creative, be dazzled by the magic of The Great Giffoni and Friends and immerse yourselves with the interactive art installations for
Government House is the ceremonial home to all British Columbians with vast historical gardens tended to by over 300 volunteers known simply as Friends of the Government House Gardens. Sprawling over 36 acres in the heart of Victoria’s Rockland
neighbourhood, these gardens are an inspiration to all, even the late BC Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo volunteered her time on the southeast side with the Terraces garden team. While browsing the festival be sure to search for some limited edition artwork and products inspired by this year’s blooms created by Flore Botanical Alchemy, Nan. C Design, Paige Preservation Flowers and Elaine Brewer White
Delicious Food & Drink
Bring your appetites! A fine selection of hot food, cold drinks, handmade ice cream and artisan snacks will be available onsite to enjoy a picnic on the grounds or to take away at the end of your shopping day.
Walk, Bike, Bus or Stroll
Please note there is no parking on site, but shuttles will be available throughout the weekend courtesy Guayaki Yerba Mate. Visit the artisTREE website for shuttle information. Accessibility friendly. Don’t worry about coming alone we will all be there together! Saturday, July 27, 10am - 7pm and Sunday July 28, 10am - 5pm, 1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria FREE
www.artistreefestival.com
Flore Botanical Alchemy
Photo Stacey Moore
Cold Comfort Ice Cream
Photo Autumn Maxwell
Acupuncture For Sports Injuries
While acupuncture may assist with many health conditions including headaches and migraines, gastrointestinal imbalances, gynaecological concerns, and many others, the treatment of physical pain remains one of this modality’s most promising aspects.
Acupuncture may effectively promote the healing of damaged soft tissue (sore, bruised, and sprained/strained muscles), and may assist in the healing process of fractured bones. Consequently, acupuncture remains a viable choice for the treatment of sports injuries.
Some common muscular-skeletal conditions that acupuncture may help include acute and chronic low back pain caused by an injury, shoulder pain, (including frozen shoulder), fractures, Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, knee pain, Plantar Fasciitis, repetitive strain due to repetitive motions and overuse of muscles and joints, shin splints, and sciatica.
In addition acupuncture may promote the healing of sprained and torn ligaments, and tendonitis.
According to the Pacific College of Health and Science, acupuncture may effectively treat sports injuries such as swollen muscles, shin splints, muscle strains and sprains of the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Acupuncture may also improve performance and give athletes a competitive edge. (December 18, 2014)
A 2020 systemic review of the use of acupuncture for the treatment of sportsrelated injuries in athletes revealed that acupuncture can help relieve short-term pain and recovery from dysfunction, and in particular, can be used as an effective modality for managing lateral meniscus rupture, sports hernia, femoral acetabular impingement (hip pain), and ganglion cysts. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC7664377/)
Following a 2023 comprehensive review of literature regarding the use of acupuncture in sports medicine, it was revealed that acupuncture improves delayed-onset muscle soreness, pain, swelling, and joint mobility. In addition, peak oxygen levels and maximum heart rate were also improved. (J Acupuncture Meridian Stud 2023, Dec. 31; 16(6): 239-247)
While acupuncture has the ability to reduce inflammation and promote the healing of sports injuries, it may also reduce the need for “rest days”. Acupuncture treatments following a strenuous workout without injury may decrease muscle tension and increase muscle activation, and ultimately prevent injury.
While stretching, the application of ice and or heat, and mindful body awareness remain valid and time-tested techniques to prevent and treat sports injuries, acupuncture should be considered as an efficient and often effective supplemental component to such a treatment plan.
Denise D’Fantis is a Registered Acupuncturist with over 20 years of experience.
Photo Cowichan Valley Acupuncture
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NeuroPlasticity and NeuroGenesis:
Brains’ Ability Beyond Childhood Development
Good health to you! Tina Foster, RHN Essential Remedies
Traditional Chinese Exercise for Health
Wild Goose Qigong (Chi Gong)
Gentle movement • Calms your mind • Heals internal organs • Develops flexibility
Mondays 9 -10 am
Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm (combined Qigong and Chun Yuen) Wednesdays 10-11:15 am
Northern Shaolin
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Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm
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habits are intermittent fasting, travelling, music, reading fiction, expanding vocabular, meditation and mindfulness, sufficient sleep, artwork, and memory games. A healthy brain diet includes the whole foods approach, avoiding processed food, toxins, allergens, and inflammatory foods. Your brain(and the rest of you) calls you to consume more fruits, green leafy veggies, berries, cocoa, green tea, raw nuts and seeds, omega 3 rich foods, avocado and olive oil, turmeric and other beneficial spices. Even coffee in moderation is excellent for your brain and cognition according to many studies on this subject. Choose organic whenever possible to avoid harmful pesticides and other chemicals.
Neurons are the nerve cells that power the brain, the neuronal network being the system of these cells and their relationship to the brain and all its many functions in and for the body. neuroplasticity is the brains’ capability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections and pathways, all throughout life. It is the shaping and molding of our brain, our abilities, and how it functions- memory and learning. Neurogenesis, while a different concept, is also wonderfully possible- the brains’ potential to actually grow and replace neurons that have died. This is important for all of us, especially where preventing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and recovery in traumatic brain injuries. These powerful processes allow us to learn new things at any age, and also to adapt to different environments and experiences.
When we learn new information, experience new things, these can then reshape and change some makeup of the brain. This includes such activities such as dance, yoga, learning a new language or musical instrument, tasks, games, develop new skills, so many things! Having a positive attitude and outlook can be so beneficial for our brain matter as well! The “growth mindset” is essential, this being your belief and willpower in your ability for new skills, talents, to become smarter as you age and grow your wisdom of life. Basically, even accepting neuroplasticity on a broad level is good for it. Other really beneficial lifestyle
Poor lifestyle(including being overly sedentary), environmental pollutants, illness, and depression, can all curb these amazing processes. So my advice is, keep learning, expanding and evolving, try new things, eat healthy, move your body, find a way to stress less, and get happy!! Life is short, so take care of your body and mind, and eachother.
Supplements are a huge help along with diet and lifestyle. This includes(not limited to), Vitamin C, E, and D, the B-complex including extra B12, Curcumin, Ginkgo Biloba, Omega 3 fatty acids, Bacopa, the amino acids, L-glutamine and taurine, and acetyl-L-carnitine, and Lions mane mushroom.
Heal + Co. Brain Complex- brain super-herb extracts of bacopa, ginkgo biloba, and lions mane. TrueHope EMP- essential brain power of balanced and bioavailable vitamins and minerals, with brain herbs
AuD, RAUD, RHIP Doctor of Audiology Resonance Hearing Clinic
It is not as rare as it used to be to see someone who is over the age 100. At Resonance, we’ve had several clients over the age of 100
decide to get new hearing aids and recently, at one of our clinics, a 103 year old decided it was time to start wearing hearing aids for the very first time. Why start now? The primary reason was the need to hear family and friends.
This client is not alone in postponing the decision to
address their hearing; most people with hearing loss delay getting hearing aids. What is remarkable is the age at which the client finally decided to try them. When someone discovers they have hearing loss, one response I hear from time to time is:
“I’m not sure how many years I have left, and I don’t want to invest in hearing aids.”
Hearing is important throughout the lifespan, developing at about 20 weeks of gestation and thought to be the last sense to go before death. Our sense of hearing connects us to our environment and to the people in our lives. Social connectedness contributes to a high quality of life and is an important factor for longevity.
As a clinician, fitting hearing aids to a 103-yearold requires a different approach than fitting hearing aids to a 63-year-old. It is a much more difficult task. Although starting earlier with amplification is better for everyone involved, we are pleasantly surprised at the success we’ve achieved thus far with this client. It turns out that, when it comes to hearing better, ‘new tricks’ can be learned at any age.
OUR TEAMfor
Taking care of your
over Hearing Health 15 years
Our clinics are locally owned and operated. Our team of Registered Audiologists and Hearing Instrument Practitioners offer a variety of services to suit your needs including:
Earwax removal
Hearing aids
Custom earplugs
Hearing assessments
Home visits
And much more!
Terence Miranda,
Photo courtesy Resonance Hearing
10 Reasons To Use Wool As Your Go To Fibre
Sheep’s wool has been one of the most common fibres that humans have utilized for centuries. Since Roman times, wool textiles have been used, along with linen and leather, to outfit the population. Humans highly valued their flocks and relied on every part of the sheep for meat, fibre and skins. It’s easy to see why wool outshines other fibres when we observe how sheep thrive through the bitter cold, all the way to the hottest heatwaves. The key lies within its unique open structure that defines wool’s fleece, as well as its coiled strands.
As humans, we have much to gain
from using wool in its many forms. Let’s take a deeper look at what makes wool so beneficial.
1. Wool is Breathable and Moisture Regulating. Each coiled strand of wool fibre wicks moisture from the skin (through capillary action),
Ricki Weissbach, DHP
Denise Vanderlee, DHP
Photo Anyes deLaat
into its breathable open fibres. Wool has the capacity to hold up to 30% of its weight in moisture. Our bodies lose on average 1L of vapor each night, and wool efficiently keeps us dry and comfortable.
2. Wool provides Thermal Insulation. The open air found in wool’s fibres hold warmth, insulating the skin from the cold outer environment and keeping us temperature regulated. Wool also pulls moisture into its fibres, and maintains a dryer microclimate next to the skin, helping us to stay warm and dry.
3. Wool is Hypo Allergenic. Wool textiles naturally absorb and filter airborne VOCs which can cause irritation to humans. Wool fibres attract and bind to these substances, helping reduce those VOCs circulating in the air.
naturally flame retardant.
9. Wool helps Provide Greater Circulation to those suffering from inflammation. By bringing circulation to troubled areas, wool supports the immune system and helps us increase resistance to disease.
10. Wool is 100% Natural, Renewable and Biodegradable. It decomposes within a few years while releasing nitrogen-based nutrients back to the soil as part of the natural cycle of life.
Wool is swinging back into the spotlight, as many of us have rediscovered its impressive array of benefits. At Soul Comfort, we’ve got you covered. We source and supply many wool products to support you on your journey, whether it be recovering from illness, looking for the best sleep, or the comfort of a custom fit slipper. We look forward to seeing you at our Duncan showroom, or visit us online at soulcomfortsheepskin.com
5. Wool is Odour Resistant. It absorbs large quantities of moisture and prevents the buildup of sweat and bacteria.
6. Wool is Springy and Cushioning. Each crimped fibre is elastic and can stretch up to 50% it length and still bounce back to its natural shape. It is also resistant to compression. Wool flows with our movements protecting us against chafing.
7. Wool is Durable and Hardwearing. Each strand can fold back on itself up to 20,000 times without breaking, making wool one of the most long wearing fibres out there.
4. Wool is Anti-Microbial. Wool is breathable and keeps us dry. Dust mites can not thrive under these conditions. This is also key to preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi.
8. Wool is Fire Resistant. Thanks to its high water and nitrogen content, it is
Anyes Delaat and the team at Soul Comfort
Photo Crystal Cornthwaite
LOCAL ARTISANS AND VENDORS
CALL OUT
Vancouver’s Pacific Arts Market is a world of creativity and self-expression where local artisans gather to showcase an array of art and craftwork. This lively arts market is a must-see for art lovers and anyone looking to spruce up their home decor. This destination Arts Market is on tour and will be coming to Cowichan Exhibition next month to brighten the summer with a colourful splash of BC art, crafts, food, beer, and music.
www.trialbyfirepottery.ca
CALL FOR ARTISTS & MAKERS
Are you an artist, crafts person or creative maker? Join the Pacific Arts Market’s biggest pop-up to date! Held at the massive Cowichan Valley Exhibition Park, the
Summer in the Valley Arts Fest is a new and exciting opportunity for BC artists and makers. This event will feature over 120 BC vendors, food trucks, a beer garden and live music. We are expecting a great crowd!
We’re currently seeking local BC artists and makers of all kinds, food trucks, musicians and more. Visit www.pacificartsmarket.ca/ summer-art-fest to apply or to request more information. The deadline is July 22nd.
The Summer in the Valley Arts Fest takes place on August 10th and 11th at the Cowichan Exhibition Park. This Arts Fest will take place both indoors and outdoors, including Mellor Hall, a Barn Stall and Mulch Ring. Rain or shine. Admission is free, making it an accessible event for all. This event also highlights the highly anticipated opening of our NEW Vancouver Island location, coming soon..
For more information or to apply as a vendor check out our website: pacificartsmarket.ca/summerart-fest
Photo courtesy Cowichan Exhibition
Photo Sarah Angell
SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE AND BUILD COMMUNITY WITH ONLINE COURSES
Online
courses are a great way to share your expertise and build community. Are you an expert gardener, a trained yogi, or a retiree with great recipes? We all have experience, talents, interests, and hobbies that we can share with others. Why not monetize your knowledge while building a network of individuals who share your interests?
Creating an easy-tofollow online course can be accomplished in a few methodical steps that can alleviate the overwhelming feeling of this task. It all begins with an idea, organizing information, note-taking, and developing course materials such as course modules that can include video lectures or tutorials. You can complete the process from the comfort of your home and with the guidance of a course designer who will help you get your course online and advertise to potential students.
Here are five key steps to developing a polished online course:
1. What is your skill set? What knowledge and wisdom do you hold that you can transform into a course? Start by creating an informal list of your expertise.
2. Break it up. Take your informal list and break it up into subject matter subcategories. Separating your information into categories will help you create modules for your course.
3. Describe the process. Begin by taking your students through each step of the learning process. 1-4 PowerPoint slides per step will walk your students through the learning process. Each module will follow a similar guideline to create a whole course. A maximum of 8 modules will keep course information concise and ensure your students successfully complete your online course.
4. Make it interactive. Creating course video tutorials or lectures is not necessary, but it is helpful for captivating your students’ attention and promoting an interactive experience. Everyone has a unique learning style, and some students learn best through their visual and auditory senses. Creating videos to complement each of your modules will help your students follow along and build a personalized connection with their instructor.
5. Choose an online course platform. There is an array of online
course platforms to choose from. I like to use Vancouverbased Thinkific, but other platforms offer similar usability and content creation. Choose your platform wisely, as you want a dashboard that is easy to access and work with when adding your course content. Customer service is also essential to address any technical questions promptly.
Online course platforms are a new digital frontier, so most companies are still developing the usability and services they offer within their platforms. Expect to practice patience as these platforms evolve and hire a knowledgeable course
designer who can help you navigate a content management system.
Sharing your knowledge is not as intimidating as it might seem. With some basic guidelines and digital assistance, you will be on your way to creating valuable online courses that help promote your business, share your skillset, and contribute to your income stream.
OSBORNE BAY
Easy Tips For Your Next Holiday
Camping season is officially afoot. While we are brushing off our gear and prepping supplies, why not add into the mix, a simple yet effective recycling set up, to make life easier? Nothing dampens those nice camping vibes more, than those cringy feelings of throwing out what we would normally recycle at home. With a bit of extra planning, we can bring with us everything we’d need to keep on top of all our recycling, so we can sort and dispose of it while away, and easily bring home what can’t be processed on site.
Terms such as Leave No Trace and the more recently coined Zero Waste Camping, are becoming much more popular when it comes to holidaying out in the wilderness and minimizing our impact. Similarly, leaving a site better than when we came, also round out those set of values that help preserve our shared outdoor spaces,
Bring Your Camping Recycling to Island Return It:
1. Glass beverage bottles (store in sturdy box)
2. Aluminum drink cans (separate beer from pop cans)
3. Milk and plant based beverage containers (rinsed and cap on)
4. Soft plastic such as snack wrappers or ice bags (clean please)
5. Styrofoam trays and clean aluminum foil
so we all can enjoy them. Packing out everything we pack in will be super easy, with a bit of thoughtful preparation.
I suggest bringing recycling receptacles for each of the following: Returnables ~ Recycling ~ Soft Plastic ~ Compost ~ Garbage. Take
Dawn is a Professional Organizer in the Cowichan Valley. www. closetstocastles.ca
Image Dawn Howlett
a look at the diagram for an example of how you can set up using the Island Return It Bag Buddy System.
Here are some other tips on how to recycle on your next camping trip:
1. Phone ahead or research online what recycling your destination provides. This helps us know what we can leave at the site, and what we need to bring home
2. Bring some bins, baskets or bags that you can set up while camping. Try collapsable or stackable systems such as Bag Buddies from Island Return It
3. Make sure to label each and show family and friends, so they can help out too
4. Use your grey water at the end of doing dishes to rinse recycling. It will be much more pleasant when you get home if your recycling is prepped and ready to be integrated into your system
5. Have your bins handy during the day, and secure them at night to deter animals from being drawn to the food scented recycling
6. Make sure to allot space in your vehicle to transport home what your site doesn’t handle
7. Let your site managers know you appreciate any recycling they do, and that it gives them an edge over other campgrounds.
8. Make suggestions for improvements, as there are a some places that don’t offer much.
9. Consider taking time during your trip to go on a garbage clean up tour. It feels great to be part of a growing movement of people who give back, in order to protect our wild environments
10. Always use biodegradable plastic bags for your trash
As the population of the planet increases and more people are utilizing our parks and camping sites, it’s more important than ever to leave it better than when we arrived. This encourages the next guest to take care of the site, and so on and so on. We set a positive example to other campers, site management, as well as our family and friends. It just feels good to be prepared, and I bet it will make the camping experience more enjoyable.
Happy holidays everyone.
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Why not minimize what we bring into the wilderness to begin with?
Here are my favourite 5 Zero Waste Camping Tips:
1. Food storage: repackage your food in reusable containers and recycle the plastic and glass at home
2. Prepare your food ahead of time or choose one pot recipes that are easy to cook up, minimizing waste.
3. Use liquid fuel stoves, and solar powered lighting to cut back on trash.
4. Borrow camping gear. Why not borrow what we use only occasionally?
5. Bring biodegradable soaps and hygiene supplies. Avoid wet wipes which don’t biodegrade.
Image Dawn Howlett
SUMMER READING CLUB FOR KIDS
5380 Trans-Canada Hwy, Duncan (by The Brick) (250) 597-4763
FSWS BOOKSTORE - OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY 10 AM - 5PM CLOSED SUNDAYS
It’s summer and that means it’s time for Volume One Bookstore’s annual Kids Summer Reading Club! The club launches on Saturday, July 6th and continues throughout July and August (you can join anytime). Kids can pick up their very own TREASURE MAP to Reading (made to colour-in, by artist Vivi de Graaf!) and join in some fun activities, like storytime, make-yourown bookmark, enter a draw to win a gift certificate and more! The launch runs from 10-4pm at the bookstore at 149 Kenneth St, Duncanmore info at volumeone.ca under Events.
SKETCHING PLANTS WITH CHILDREN
by Shiloh Badman
There are so many lovely styles and types of journal books to choose from, they make a great gift, and provide a meaningful way to go out into the world with your children to observe and document healing plants you can find and identify together. Write what you notice about the plant: are the laves round or pointed, are the edges straight or serrated…what is the pattern on the leaf…lined or perforated or veinlike, are the leaves smooth verses rough fuzzy or spiky hairs. This will really help them to be able to identify plants on their own, and even better if they know what the uses can be. Use quality pencil crayons or water colour paint pucks to make illustrations to remind you of what the plants looked like when you identified them for later reference. A variety of toxic-free crayons, paints and art supplies as well as a wide selection of children and adult plant identification books are available at the Steiner Book Centre, 5380 Trans-Canada Highway (by the Brick)
Photo Melanie Watson
Photo Vanessa Maben Hamer
LUCKY DOG
Lickety split…
Why do dogs want to lick us? We call them kisses. When we greet our dogs it’s normal behavior for them to reach in for a lick somewhere. This is how dogs greet each other and get information. Where have you been? What did you eat? Did you meet anybody interesting?
Dogs like to lick our wet legs when we get out of the shower. They like to lick the salty sweat off our hands on a hot day. A young dog will lick an older dog’s mouth to gain favor and show submission. Dog tongues have all the same taste receptors as ours do, just in different balance. They have slightly more salt receptors and fewer sweet receptors than we do. Their tongue has a very different shape than ours, too. They spent their evolutionary years not learning to speak a language (and they likely never will. I can’t imagine a chatter box dog being my companion, but who knows? Dogs do have deep thoughts), so their tongue isn’t thick and
limber as ours is for speech. And a dog’s tongue isn’t any cleaner than our own. Having a dog lick your wounds is not recommended. Their mouths are full of bacteria, they are just germs that are specific to dogs. Our mouths are full of germs specific to humans which is why a human bite is worse for infection than a dog bite. Although neither bite is pleasant.
A nervous dog will flick her tongue out and lick her lips as a calming signal. To either calm herself or those around her. Some dogs lick themselves compulsively, usually their front paws as a soothing action, like a child sucking their thumb.
As a tool for drinking, the dog’s tongue works backwards to what you’d think. You can look up slow motion dog drinking clips and see that their tongue actually collects the water on the bottom of the tongue and spoons it into the mouth with a sloppy splash. That is why they make such a mess when they drink from a bowl. Half the water squirts out the sides of their mouth. Like a rinse and drink session all in one. This amazing appendage does so much for our dog. It tastes, it sips, it helps cool our dog when she pants. It’s a wash cloth. The dog’s tongue communicates without speaking. Your dog could not survive without her tongue. And it gives us kisses.
Debbie Wood owns Lucky Dog U-Bath. She can be found on trails in the Cowichan Valley with her BF, Bonnie.
Photo Debbie Wood
THERE WAS THIS ENGLISH MUSICIAN
who used to come through all the time and his name was Mike Ballantyne. Well, in those days we spent a lot of time around campfires playing music. That’s where I got to know Mike. One day he called me up and said “I have a bunch of friends in Vancouver who would love to come over and play music. Could we do it on your farm? I thought that was a brilliant idea. But the farmer didn’t think it was such a brilliant idea. I approached Devon, another one of our friends at the time, and Devon said, “Sure, great idea. But we’ll do it out of Providence and we do it as a fundraiser.” So suddenly we had a venue and we had a purpose: A fundraiser for Providence.
Tony Latimer, who was living on a boat in Cowichan Bay at the time, did the artwork for
Folk Fest Memories
the first poster. The following year we formed the Cowichan Folk Guild and the rest is history. –Deb Maike
WE CREATED a stage in the backfield another in another corner. Sort of where the allotment gardens and stuff are. We put a stage up there facing the other way so the sound wouldn’t be interfering with the mainstage. And then we shot the sound out the other way. It was all fine until the wind came up late in the afternoon and lifted the whole apparatus up in the air. We had to actually hang on to it to keep it from floating away! So that was a bit of entertaining.
I think we made a urinal out of cutting a piece of culvert. It cut it in half and stuck them and made a little shelter overhead for the men and just
ran off into the ditch. Yeah, well, there you go. Public Health might be a little upset. But at the time, they weren’t even looking at us because we were just
out there doing it. I insisted that the participants from our mental health crew, who were doing all the physical work, cutting the grass, digging up the roots, cleaning up campgrounds, creating the campsite, etc, would be encouraged to participate in the folk festival. We would do all that preparation work with that understanding. In the early days, it was pretty well understood that, if not for the farm and the mental health program, the festival wouldn’t exist. My line was: “well, if they’re not here, you’re not here. And that ended that discussion.
– (excerpt from an interview with Jack Hutton)
PROVIDENCE FARM has always held a close place in my heart. I remember playing the 1st one. It was such an honor to headline with my dear friend Scott Parsons. Back then the main stage was on the circular driveway. It was a blistering hot day and everyone was simply happy to be there. From humble beginnings to 40 years strong, it has been my profound joy to watch this gem of a festival grow. Truly the memories are too numerous to pick the standouts. They all standout! Starry nights dancing and playing music into the wee hours. Playing in the Chapel. And the workshops!! It always feels like I’m coming home. – Jenny Allen
Tad, Lorna and Paul Ruszel and Al at the first Cowichan Folk Festival and them again 30 years later at the 30th festival event. Images courtesy Paul Ruszel
Photo Jack Connolly
Aries (March 21-April 19)
You’re excited about big ideas! You’re learning new things and perhaps taking a course. You want to travel. Involvement with relatives and siblings is strong. Nevertheless, even though you’re making exciting plans, this month your focus is on home, family and your private life. You might be involved with a parent more than usual. Home repairs and redecorating projects will be a priority, despite confusion and misunderstandings right now. Make sure your expectations for yourself are reasonable. Meanwhile, you’re working hard and shopping!
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
You’re pumped because fiery Mars is in your sign. Look at you go! In addition, three planets will further boost your energy and give you a busy, daily agenda. The tempo of your days will accelerate! Make plans for short trips. Set aside time for increased interactions with siblings, relatives and neighbours. Grab every opportunity to learn, study and write because you’re eager to communicate. These activities might also increase your opportunities to boost your earnings. (Meanwhile, double check details and sources.)
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
This is a fortunate time for you because lucky Jupiter is in your sign. (Even though this good fortune is going to last until the middle of next year, it’s nice to be reminded because we should never take good fortune for granted.) Meanwhile, this month, your focus on money, cash flow and earnings (including exciting purchases) will accelerate. Trust your moneymaking ideas. Enjoy shopping for pretty things for yourself and loved ones. You will also give more thought to your values and what really matters in life. (Heady stuff.)
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
With Mercury, Venus and the Sun in your sign, you have a tremendous advantage! Mercury will make you keen to talk to others. (Oh yes, you’ll be out there schmoozing.) Venus will boost your charm and make you oh so diplomatic with everyone. (Kiss, kiss, hug, hug.) And the Sun will give you a chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of year! Meanwhile, this is a great time to get things done by working with others because teamwork will pay off for you. Enjoy physical activity and athletic competitions as well.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
For the most part, you might choose to be low-key and work alone or behind the scenes this month. Nevertheless, your ambition is aroused and you’re motivated to take care of your own best interests. With Mars high in your chart, you won’t hesitate to defend yourself and speak up. With this in mind, don’t hesitate to cherish your privacy and seek quiet time to think about your future goals. Take it easy. Get some rest. You will soon be out there flying your colours!
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
It’s a fact that unexpressed expectations, especially with someone close to you, will almost always lead to disappointment. Remember this. Meanwhile, this month, your focus on friends, groups, clubs and organizations will be strong. You’ll be more popular! You might be more involved with younger people. You might also be more involved with creative, artistic types. Share your hopes and dreams for the
future with others because their feedback will help you. Bonus!
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This month, three planets have just moved to the top of your chart, which calls attention to you in a favourable way! Without doing anything different or special, you’ll look attractive, capable and competent to others in the next four weeks. (It’s all smoke and mirrors.) This is why you might be approached by someone to take on increased responsibilities. Mercury and Venus will encourage conversations with bosses and VIPs; and because others admire you now, you might begin a romance or have a flirtation with a boss.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
This month you’re making big plans. That’s because a big shift of energy has just entered your life that makes you want to travel or get a change of scenery. You want new experiences! One exciting change might be a romance with someone different or from another culture. Others will explore opportunities in the media, medicine, the law, publishing and higher education. Methinks it’s time to expand your world! Go do that voodoo that you do so well.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
This month you’re working hard and getting great results. (Yes!) Your focus on shared property, taxes, debt and the wealth and resources of others (especially your partner) will be strong and stay that way for the entire month. This will also include dealing with wills and inheritances. On the upside,
be happy because money will come to you! You might also receive gifts and goodies from others. Someone might let you use something that they own. (Life is starting to look really good!)
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
This month three planets are opposite your sign, which increases your focus on partners and close friends for the entire month. Discussions with others will be important. Someone has something to say, which means you need to listen. These relationships will go well because you’ll find it easy to express your affection. One thing to note: you will need more sleep this month. Respect this need and take naps or go to bed earlier, despite many opportunities for physical sports and fun schmoozing!
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Three planets are shifting your attention to your work, your job and getting things done. That’s why you’ll be gung-ho to be as productive as possible! You will excel at mental work and pay attention to detail and make careful plans. Your relations with coworkers will be excellent. In fact, for some, a work-related romance might spring up. Many of you will be keen to do something to improve your health as well. Admittedly, increased chaos and activity on the home front will require your attention. (Relax, you’ve got this.)
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Lucky you! This month, three planets are sitting in the most fun-loving part of your chart! (This is the only time all year this will occur so make plans to party!) This month is an excellent time for a vacation. You’ll also enjoy social outings, sports events, musical performances, fun activities with kids and romantic adventures. New romance will begin for some. All of you will enjoy fun times plus chances to express your creative talents. Relationships will be more lighthearted. Enjoy these good times! www.georgianicols.com
DIRECTORY OF LOCAL SERVICES
LINDSAY CAMPA, RMT
The Final Report of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - Excerpt page 497
“I didn’t know I had depression. I guess because it’s so normalized to experience trauma for Indigenous [people]. It’s normal. It’s like the norm to witness violence, family separation, poverty, violence. It’s normal, I think, in every Indigenous family across Canada. We all have experienced losing somebody. We’ve all experienced and know somebody in our family that has been murdered. We’ve all experienced seeing our cousins or our nephews and nieces or our neighbours’ children taken away. We’ve experienced violence, lateral violence, and we experience racism, discrimination. And those are all somehow normal for Indigenous people.” -Chrystal S.
Reading and discussion group meets July 8 (also 15, 22, 29) Cowichan Library 2687 James St Duncan FREE
