Vv june issue 103 web by Cowichan Valley Voice

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JUNE 2017 ISSUE 103 SUMMER CAMPS I FARM FRESH FOOD I ADVENTURES IN COW BAY I WOODEN BOATS

Issue 103 June 2017 Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Editors Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Proofreader Nichola Walkden

Distribution Erin Collins

Events Calendar Nejma Belarbi

For Print ads please contact Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Next Ad Deadline June 18 for July Issue 104 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire.

For FREE community calendar please email your event to:

events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

with your event information in this format all on one line. Date, Event Title, Time, address and cost Next Event DEADLINE June15 for July 2017 Issue 104 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Fatima Da Silva, Carolyn Morris, Bill Jones, Jessica McLeod, Niki Strutynski, Elia Zanon, Abe Wahi, David and Diana Pink, Rachelle Lynn, Lois Hellemond, Pam Stiles, Tamu Miles, Tracey Hanson, Simon Pidcock, Sharon McLeod, Kelley Gamblewest, David Coulson, Dr. Lyn Pascoe, Jennifer Barnes van Elk, Veronica Scott, David Slade, Lindsay Campa, Jessica Schacht, Jessica Dalderis-Moore, Sheila Badman, Brett Holland, Andrea Larsen, Debbie Wood, Genevieve Singleton, Ted Leischner, Leslie Rault, Joanne Sales, Sophy Roberge, David Yaeger, Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store and The Lovely Georgia Nicols. We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/ or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other contributors. Please send a query e-mail with your suggested topic prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available. Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450+ select locations throughout the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith, Victoria, Tofino, Parksville and Courtenay. Cover Image: Display hull at The Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre by Ross Howie Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Ross enjoys photography and the outdoors.

INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS This Summer 2017 rate cards now available Contact Adrienne Richards

250 510 6596

adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

OUR COMMUNITY Child Poverty It is happening in our community 5 June Events 6-7 Sing for Cedar and Salmon 8 CSA Programs in the Valley 14 CSA: Not Just a Service, Its a Partnership 15 Taste of the Valley 16 Valley Event Venues 19-20 32nd Annual Wooden Boat Festival 39 DDBIA:he Mysteries of Manly Skin- Solved! 48 Business For Business Network:Canadian Made Gifts 58 Community Farm Store Pages 62 Computer Recycling-Protect your Information 67 Horoscopes 69 Directory of Local Services 70-71 LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Local Pairings for father’s day BBQ 10 Island Icons Pinot Noir Celebration 11 The Art of Grilling 12 Negroni 13 Kombucha- Tea Time with a Twist 23 A Musical Feast 24 FARM & GARDEN Vancouver Island Homesteading Fair 9 Lenora Hive Share: Month Two-Notes from the Hive 17 A Balanced Pond, It’s all about the plants! 26 Rabbits 41 What the Heck is Going On Down There? 56 Make Sure its Hopelessly Queenless 66 In June Cut Broom in Bloom 66 LOCAL ARTS Rachelle Polsom 20 Celebrate Community Music 27 Abstract Painter Thérèse Johnston 42 Wilderness at the OU Gallery 43 Painter Jeffrey Birkin 44 Rock Legends at Chemainus Theater Festival 45 Trees Have a Heart 55 Imagine That Artisan Ken Broadland Q&A With Longevity John Falkner 39 Days of July 51 For Master Craftsman Ken Broadland the Forest is an Endless Source of Inspiration and Creativity 54 CHILDREN & FAMILY Summer Camp Ideas for Cowichan Kids 28-33 BODY, MIND & SOUL Raw Food & Juice Cleanse 25 Free Local Healing Plants Garden Tou With Glow 27 What is Qi Gong? 34 Shaving Gifts Made Locally 47 New Summer Sandal Styles 50 CTRA’s Community’s Relationships 52-53 Yoga for Wellness 58 Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise for Injuries 59 Summer SoulStice 60 Lyme Disease in the Island-What You Need to Know to Stay Safe 61 Live and Let Live 68 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE No Need to GMO This Emu Doesn’t Bruise 22 New Ownership brings New Adventures to Cowichan Bay Kayak 37 Biggs Killer Whales are Here to Stay 38 Mason Lafrance 40 Lucky Dogs- Inflammation 64 Nature Rambles 64-65

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

Image Devon Gillott

Child Poverty- It Is Happening In Our Community

ourish Cowichan Society is a charitable organization based in the Cowichan Valley with a mission to address the issue by helping to feed underprivileged children in the school system. Nourish was born out of the staggering rapid growth of child poverty in our communities. Co-founders Dina Holbrook, Fatima Da Silva and Anita Caroll with the help of a local school principal who shared their vision, began breakfast trials last season and today these natural born community activists have made their mission to make sure that every child has a fair chance to succeed. It is our duty as a community to help each other. No child should go without a meal. We live in an amazing town, with many folks capable of rolling up the sleeves and getting the job done, together we can change the future of our young ones & give them a chance to achieve whatever dreams they may have UNIVERSAL INCLUSION Within time, Nourish Cowichan is also looking to expand its breakfast program to include every child in

school and eliminate the stigma of poverty. Along with nutritional breakfasts, we have a goal to educate both children and parents in making better nutritional choices, regardless of the size of their budget’ Nourish Cowichan will be hosting its first Annual Fundraiser Dinner Gala on June 10th at Vinoteca Restaurant (Zanatta Winery) Hosted by the Fabulous (CNN) Michaela Pereira. Ssuperstar auctioneer Cam Drew will lead the live auction which will include great items and a few fabulous getaways..including a special trip to a 5 star resort in the Caribbeans. It is going to be an amazing evening with lots of exciting auction prizes, entertainment, special foodie guests and more.

• Restaurant • Deli • CAFÉ • Grocery •

1751 Cowichan Bay Road 250 748 0020 croweandappel.ca

Offering fresh seafood, gluten free and paleo friendly menu of soups, broths, pies, jumbo sushi rolls, salads and salad rolls. Always wild, pastured and organic. Join us in Cowichan Bay for some great food events! Saturday Night Dinners with live music celebration Sunday Brunch with wilderness skills for all the family

NEW SPRING Hours Wednesday through Sunday 11am-5:30pm

LET US KNOW IT’S YOUR FIRST VISIT FOR 10% OFF YOUR MEAL

Gift Baskets Gift Certificates Meat & Cheese Platters Cocktail Supplies Gourmet Foods

Tickets have been selling very fast. To reserve your tickets or if you would like to help or donate, please contact Nourish by email for more information nourishcowichan@gmail. com. www.nourishcowichan.ca fb:nourishcowichansociety Fatima Da Silva, Vinoteca on the vineyard

Community Acupuncture Thursdays w/ Frauke McCashin RAc 12-3pm 103-44 Queens Rd Duncan 250-710-3581 $15-$45 also 8/15/22/29 1-28 Recollections - a collection of mixed media works by Therese Johnson 6-8pm Excellent Frameworks 28 Station St Duncan ‘Art Night’ opening w/artist June 1 250-746-7112 2-21 Aboriginal Art Show Mon-Fri 10am-5pm Sat 10am-1pm Portals

Island Savings Centre 2687 James St Duncan www. cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca FREE

Presentations Fun Cobble Hill Village 3550 Watson Ave FREE

3&4 The Gem of the Isle Taste of the Valley- High tea style-art classical music and valley wine & food 2465 Koksilah Rd Duncan (Suggested donation) $20

Ken Broadland at Imagine That Artisans 251 Craig St, Duncan runs to 06/30

3&4 Handbuilding Workshop with Sandi Harquail, 10am -4:30pm Clay Hub, $140 for two days Register early at www. theclayhubcollective.weebly.com

Rock Legends dance in your seats to the beat of classic songs by rock and roll’s musical legends Chemainus Theatre Festival 9737 Chemainus Rd 1-800-565-7738

Traditional Square Dance The HUB 7:30pm Koksilah Rd Cowichan Station 250-929-8226 Contact Peter Sussman peter@ shadygrove.ca $5 Donation 2 Shady Grove Comm

3 SUNDAY AFTERNOONS June 4 • 2PM Saltspring Island Chanteuse Sue Newman

June 11 • 2PM Nick LaRiviere’s Soul Source June 18 • 2PM Scott White Trio - Phil Dwyer, John Lee June 25 NO JAZZ August 6 • 2PM Special Concert: with PJ Perry, Neil Swainson and Oliver Gannon

1534 Joan Avenue Crofton All shows are $15 at the door.

Vocalist Sue Newman from Saltspring Island 2-5pm Pat’s House of Jazz in Crofton 1534 Joan Ave 250-324-2245 $15 Live musc at Bridgemans Mill 4-7pm Bay Marina also 11/18/25

and friends, Doors 11:45am lunch, Show 12:30pm, Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram St., $15 Children under 12 Free., ww.Joythroughmusic.com Huge Crofton Garage Sale 8am2pm scattered throughout Crofton, BC - just follow the Garage sale signs at the end of the streets Japanese Grilling Cooking Class 12-4pm Deerholme Farm 4830 Stelfox Rd Duncan Reservations 250.748.7450

Grand Opening Party in Kinsmen Park 11-2pm Celebrating newly rebuilt Mandala community Gardens! Food- ToursWorkshops- and activities 5789 Alderlea St Duncan FREE

Art Opening ‘Madeline Menefee & Luna: “Acrylic & Film” Abstract Paintings & Figurative Photography 6-9pm @ The Ou Gallery 3091 Agira Rd Duncan www.theougallery.com FREE

Chakra Yoga Classes @ Rivendell Yurt 5215 Bills Rd 6:30-8pm $15/drop-in for info contact Sadie sdbartram@gmail. com/250-748-2089 Also 12&19

Ways of Seeing: Cultivating Wonder and Sparking Creativity Workshop 10-12pm at the Ou Gallery 3091 Agira Rd Duncan www.theougallery.com $20

Kombucha Workshop 5:307pm Scoops Natural FoodsWhippletree Junction $40 also 13/20/27

Auction Sundays La Petite Auction House 9686 Chemainus Rd Viewing10am - 1pm Auction 1pm 250 701 2902

Fundraiser with Masimba Marimba 8pm Duncan Showroom 133 Station St $20

Nick LaRiviere’s Soul Source Band 2-5pm Pat’s House of Jazz at Crofton 1534 Joan Ave.250-3242245 $10

Cowichan Valley Garden Club Spring Flower Show & Tea 1-4pm St Peter’s Church Hall 5800 Church Road Duncan open to all- Judged show & Floral Demonstrations by Andrea Strachan with designs auctioned @ 3:30 $4 Afternoon tea $4 Brentwood College School Art Photography Students end of year exhibition and sale @ Just Jakes 45 Craig St. lAST DAY

3&4

Vancouver Island Homesteading Fair Workshops 10-4pm Vendors Live Music

Community Acupuncture Wednesdays w/ Frauke McCashin RAc 5-8pm 103-44 Queens Rd Duncan 250-710-3581 $15-$45 also 14/21/28

Glow Juicery 1 year Anniversary Dinner 4-7pm Live music by the Smiley brothers band- appetizer sampler dinner plate and dessert 5380 Trans Canada Hwy info: Facebook/ Glowjuiceryduncan The famous Hub Friday Cafe Community run - 11-2pm Koksilah Rd Cowichan Stn

Nourish Cowichan Society Fundraiser Gala Dinner 5pm Cocktail 6:30pm Dinner & live auction Vinoteca Zanatta Winery 5039 Marshall Rd Duncan info: 250-709-2279 or vinoteca@shaw. ca $150 ($70 tax receipts) Sing for Cedar & Salmon, benefit concert for Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre- CoastLine fiddlers, Lila Community Choir

Violinist Natasha Hall-From the Heart- Chemainus Classical Concerts 2pm St Michael’s Churchs 250-748-8383 www. ChemainusClassicalConcerts.ca $20/$5 Adv $17 Cobble Hill Farmers’ Market 10am-3pm Cobble Hill Village also 11/18/ 25 Volunteer Day 11am-2pm Community Garden Nichiren Buddha Center 3904 Johnny Bear Road Duncan Info: 250. 710. 759

Open Mic night outside for the summer months! 7-9pm Shawnigan House Open as always to all musicians! Coffee and treats will be served! 1761 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay Rd

Cowichan Valley Garden Club Monthly Meeting

For full design/build service, give us a call

p 250.746.5372 • coulsondesign@shaw.ca • www.davidcoulsondesign.com 6

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

Speaker Bill Dumont on Gardens of New Zealand 7pm St John’s Anglican Church Hall 486 Jubilee St Duncan

Ben Rogers Band: Highway of Tears Fundraiser Tour w/ Blue Moon Marquee 7-11pm @The Ou Gallery 3091 Agira Rd Duncan proceeds to support battered women’s support services & First Nations women’s programs www. theougallery.com min donation $15 Neil Young Tribute (Dylan Stone) Music in the Park Cobble Hill Village Commons 6:30-8PM family friendly by Donation

Beginners Acrylic class with artist Liz Dailey 1-5pm Learn how to be bold with your colours & brush techniques @ Ou Gallery 3091 Agira Rd Duncan All materials included www. theougallery.com $75

a team build a boat and see if it floats.Entry forms available at www.classicboats.org $50 per team plus up to $100 in building materials Scott White Trio - Phil Dwyer/John Lee 2pm-5 Pat’s House of Jazz at Crofton 1534 Joan Ave 250-3242245 $15 Restorative Yoga Session w/ Nadia 2:30-3:45pm Harmony Yoga HarmonyYogaDuncan.com $12 +tax Summer Solstice Sacred Chant Circle @ Rivendell Yurt 5215 Bills Rd. By donation info: Sadie sdbartram@gmail.com/250-7482089

Cowichan Watershed Board Speakers Night Well Smart Workshop 7pm VIU Cowichan Campus www. cowichanwatershedboard.ca FREE

Summer Solstice Arts Crafts Body & Soul Fair 10-3 Cobble Hill Community Hall & Fairgrounds 3550 Watson Ave FREE

Thus Owls and Evening by Barely North Entertainment 7pm The HUB 2375 Koksilah Road Tickets @ Duncan Music- the HUB & www. eventbrite.ca $20

Japanese Country Style Menu 5pm Deerholme Farm 4830 Stelfox Rd Shawnigan Lake Reservations 250.748.7450

32nd Annual Wooden Boat Festival All Day @ Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre 1761 Cowichan Bay Rd Wooden Boats Music- Kids Activities-Pancake BreakfastSalmon BBQ Dinner and more FREE 17-18 18th Annual Buddha In The Park Nichiren Buddha Center 3904 Johnny Bear Road Duncan Info: www.VIRetreats.com/2017Retreats

Fast & Furious Boat Building Challenge 11am-4pm @ Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre 1761 Cowichan Bay Rd Form

HUB Film Club Movie Night “Rashomon” 7pm Japan 1951 subtitled rated PG13 The HUB Cowichan Stn 2375 Koksilah Rd Admission with membership or donation info: hubfilmclub@gmail. com or FB

Long Table Dinner w/ Chef Bill Jones Dine alfresco on the garden terrace. Enjoy a gourmet five-course dinner prepared by local chef and author Bill Jones of Deerholme Farm. $125 includes wine pairings. Limited seating 250-709-9986 Averill Creek Vineyard

Cowichan Valley Open Learning Co operative Graduating Class Portals Island Savings Centre 2687 James St Duncan FREE

Adam Barter - Music in the Park Cobble Hill Village Commons 6:30-8PM family friendly by Donation

Island Icons Pinot Noir Celebration - 12-4pm Meet the Makers w/wine writer John Schreiner Booksigning: Flagship Wines from British Columbia’s Best Wineries 6552 North Road 250709-9986 $45 (includes Glass) Cowichan Pinot 101 A 11am12pm seminar including a formal seated blind tasting of different examples of Pinot Noir from various producers in Cowichan Valley limited seating $25 250709-9986

VINOTECA AT ZANATTA

Quinn Bachand’s Brishen Concert, Shady Grove at the Sussmans in Mill Bay 250-929-8226 $20

24-30

Amateur Talent Night presented by The 50 Plus Activity Centre in Lake Cowichan 7-9:30pm all ages welcome for info call Ginny 250710-7327 by donation

17&18

6-7:30pm Harmony Yoga Centre 360 Duncan St. Duncan FREE

Join us for Lunch Wed - Sun. Dinner on the Weekends. Brunch on Sundays. Event Shuttle Available through

vinoteca.ca

Local Healing 5039 Marshall Rd, Duncan I 250 709 2279 Plants garden Tour w/ master herbalist Robin Round (Botanical ($10 dinner by donation) FREE Bliss) 11-4 pm 6119 Lakeview Dr Duncan FREE South Cowichan Music Jam Shawnigan Legion Hall 7-11pm Thirty Year Sentence: Jeffrey BirkinA Restrospective 7973 Stoney Hill Jon Middleton - Music Opening Noon -4pm show runs in the Park Cobble Hill to July 30 Village Commons 6:30-8PM

Auction Sundays La Petite Auction House 9686 Chemainus Rd Viewing10am - 1pm Auction 1pm 250 701 2902 CD Release Party -Spinks 8pm Duncan Showroom 133 Station St Artisan Market 11-3pm Find a special something made by local artists! The Ou Gallery 3091 Agira Rd www.theougallery.com FREE

family friendly by Donation

39 Days of July, presented by the Duncan-Cowichan Festival Society Downtown Duncan www.39daysofjuly.com

Multiculturalism Day Celebration 5-8:30pm Duncan Lodge 2244 Moose Rd

Free Yin Yoga Class with Nadia

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Sing for Cedar and Salmon

hen we join diverse voices in song, we build a strong community and a better world. Come hear it for yourself when the Lila Music Community Choir hosts an afternoon of song in support of the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre in Cowichan Bay. Headlining the event will be Our special guests Coastline a string ensemble comprised of BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top young musicians ranging from ages 14-21 coached and mentored by internationally acclaimed fiddler, led by Juno winner, Ivonne Hernandez. The choir will also be joined by local singer, Genevieve Charbonneau, recent winner of the BC song writing contest; Paul Ruszel and his trio; and Corbin Keep, the Wild Cellist. The Lila Music Community Choir (joythroughmusic.com) is

a safe and nurturing environment where people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and religious dedication come together through the simple joy of music. Directed by the exuberant and playful Cari Burdett, the choir is part of the worldwide Ubuntu Choirs Network, a collective of conductors and singers who believe that lifting our voices in song is an essential human birthright. Cari will lead the choir in performing songs from around the world, as well as one of her new original compositions. Hernandez. The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is a project of the Cowichan Land Trust, a nonprofit society that helps people understand and protect nature. Proceeds from the concert will go towards providing experiential learning opportunities for children on the shores of the estuary. Find out more about the Nature Centre by visiting their website at cowichanestuary.ca. June 10, Duncan United Church at 246 Ingram St 12:30- 2:00 pm. Lunch served at 11:45 am Tickets $15 adults/ free for children under 12. Tickets at Ten Old Books, Lila Music Centre, or eventbrite.ca.

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

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Vancouver Island Homesteading Fair

omesteading… What is that anyway? For some, the word ‘Homesteading’ invokes visions of pioneers with their horse & plow. These days, it has further diversified and now encompasses many more elements that ‘facilitate self-reliant, Earth-conscious living’, such as solar technology, backyard hens & homegrown veggies. The Cobble Hill Events Society (CHES) is excited to host the 2nd Vancouver Island Homesteading Fair. The Fair takes place at the Farmers’ Institute in Cobble Hill Village on Saturday and Sunday, June 3rd and 4th, between 10 am and 4 pm. The event is free and

all are welcomed! There will be ongoing presentations from a diversity of expert speakers, as well as vendors and exhibitors sharing their parallel passions. Some of this year’s presenters include speakers on sauerkrautmaking, homeschooling, raising rabbits for meat, solar energy, cheese making and permaculture. There will be 21 presentations in total, and the schedule is available on the website, www.home steadingfair.ca The Homesteading Fair welcomes all and has something for everyone. For further info, contact us via island homesteading@gmail.com.

namelled Note Block and Bude Vase with hickadees by Margot Page

Local PINOT Noir PAIRINGS for FATHER’s Day 2014 Pinot Noir Rocky Creek Winery

Our Pinot seems to have its following and is very similar to a burgundian-style pinot. It has been slightly oaked in French Oak. Good aromas with hints of spiciness. It has the cherry tones and slight plum but also hints of cloves and pepper. Great “catch all” foodie wine; our red has a complexity that changes with each meal. The pinot noir is a red that is very versatile and goes with everything.

Pinot Nero 2014 Vigneti Zanatta

Our Pinot Nero is grown on our steepest slopes. Vineyard location and viticultural practices help to concentrate sugars and aromas. Our Pinot Nero is barrel aged in French oak enhancing the complexity and balancing the intensity of the cherry and spicy notes. A great example of the terroir influence in the Cowichan Valley.

2014 Somenos Series Pinot Noir Averill Creek Vineyard

Each of our Somenos Series wines are carefully hand crafted in small batches from our best vines, our finest barrels and our most expressive blends. The 2014 is a bold, masculine Pinot layered with earthy aromas of leather & tobacco, caramel & spice. Medium bodied with depth & richness, revealing flavours of black cherry, plum chutney & hints of tangerine peel. An ideal complement to venison, chanterelles or seared duck breast. Silver Medal Winner, 2017 Global Pinot Noir Masters

2014 Pinot Noir Emandare Vineyard This wine takes your senses on a journey through the rows of Emandare. You will smell and taste notes of fresh raspberries, pomegranates and orchard apples combined with damp slate layered in wild mushrooms and surrounded in a field of wild flowers. Pinot Noir is part of the passion behind Emandare.

and a special local pick for dad’s who like beer...

Working Class Hero Dark Mild Riot Brewing Company An unfiltered English style Mild Ale with added chocolate malt brings a depth of flavour that is atypical of the style. Roasted malt character, light toffee sweetness, and hints of chocolate and toast shine through in this sessionable, light bodied ale.

Quill Pinot Noir 2015 Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Our Quill Pinot Noir has aromas of cherry, eucalyptus and pine on the nose; whose flavours show through on the palate mixed with black plum and a light oakiness. The wine is juicy like a fresh cherry pie, with fine tannins.

Pinot Noir 2014 Three-O-Four Venturi-Schulze Vineyards We fermented and aged this limited release Pinot Noir from our old vines planted in 1988 in stainless steel tanks to showcase its outstanding vibrant and juicy ripe berry aromas and flavours. The wine surprised us with complexity we normally only see in oak aged reds. 304 refers to the grade of stainless steel used in wine tanks. 13.2% alc. Wonderful with lamb, duck and cheeses.

Island Icons Pinot Noir Celebration

hen we think about wine in a global perspective we often associate certain wine regions with a particular grape variety or style of wine. Think, Marlborough, New Zealand for Sauvignon Blanc, the Mosel in Germany for Riesling or the Barossa Valley of Australia for Shiraz. But what is the identity of Cowichan? Even though vineyards have been producing in the area for decades, Vancouver Island and the Cowichan Valley are only just beginning to garner attention in BC as emerging wine regions. Our cool, coastal climate lends itself to the production of sparkling wine, crisp, aromatic whites and medium bodied reds, the most familiar of which is Pinot Noir. Many local winemakers would argue that Cowichan is the natural home of Pinot Noir in Canada and that our wines have the potential to compete on par with examples from Oregon and Burgundy. In fact a number of local producers are already receiving notoriety for their Pinots in Canadian and international competitions. To celebrate and promote Pinot Noir as one of the iconic grapes of our region, the Island Icons Pinot Noir Celebration brings together all Cowichan Valley wineries that grow and craft wines from Pinot Noir.

We invite you to taste, explore and appreciate the uniqueness of our Island wines amid a beautiful setting at Averill Creek Vineyard. Participate in one event or all three throughout the day. Meet the Makers An outdoor tasting event, garden-party style on the terrace at Averill Creek featuring wines produced from Pinot Noir. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with winery owners, winemakers, viticulturists and sommeliers while sampling a range of products from 10 different wineries. Esteemed wine writer John Schreiner will be present at this event for a book signing of his latest release “Icon: Flagship Wines from British Columbia’s Best Wineries”. Noon to 4pm, Saturday June 24th Tickets $45, includes a Pinot Noir specific wine glass to take home.

differences or similarities in wine styles. Saturday June 24th, 11am to noon Tickets $25. Seating is limited.

Cowichan Pinot 101 A seminar including a formal, seated, blind tasting of different examples of Pinot Noir from various producers in Cowichan Valley. Moderated by a panel of experts, the tasting will be followed by an educational discussion about growing conditions, winemaking techniques and other factors that may influence any

Long Table Dinner with Chef Bill Jones Dine alfresco on the garden terrace during the evening at Averill Creek Vineyard. Enjoy a gourmet five-course dinner prepared by local chef and author Bill Jones of Deerholme Farm. Saturday June 24th, 6 to 9pm Tickets $125. Includes wine pairings. Seating is limited.

Eat, Drink and Support Local

Participating Wineries: Alderlea Vineyards Averill Creek Vineyard Blue Grouse Estate Winery Cherry Point Estate Wines Emandare Vineyard Enrico Winery Rocky Creek Winery Unsworth Vineyards Venturi Schulze Vineyards Vigneti Zanatta Winery Please contact Averill Creek Vineyard to purchase tickets to all events. 250-709-9986.

Grilled Spot Prawn Skewers With A Wasabi Ginger Sauce

Courtesy Chef Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm 1 lb. (454g) spot prawns (about 12) 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) ginger, minced 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) garlic, minced 1 tsp. (5 mL) sesame oil 1 tsp. (5 mL) hot sauce 1 Tbsp. (30 mL) shredded ginger 1 lime zest and juice 1 tsp (5 mL) wasabi paste 1 tsp (5 mL) honey 1 Tbsp (15 mL) light soy sauce 1 green onion, minced Peel prawns and place in a non-reactive (glass, non-stick or stainless steel) pan. Add the ginger, garlic, sesame oil and hot sauce toss until evenly coated. Leave to marinade for at least 15 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, lime juice and zest, wasabi, honey, soy and green onion. Stir well to mix and set aside Soak 12 wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Skewer the prawn through the top of the body, down to the tail (keeping the prawn in a straight position). Place on a hot bbq and cook for about 1 minute per side. Remove to a serving platter and serve with the ginger wasabi sauce on the side or drizzle on top. Serve warm.

locally grown, organic and delicious

Ol’ MacDonald Farm SPRING PICKins’ SUgar snap peas, Spinach, beets, arugula, Asian mix, salad mix, RHUBARB, happy free run eggs and Mila’s beautiful FLOWERS Visit our booth at the Saturday Market on Ingram St

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Our apologies for pairing this fabulous wine with the wrong description

Averill Creek 2015 Somenos Pinot Gris

Treat your Mom to the inaugural release of our premium collection Somenos Pinot Gris. Each of our Somenos Series wines are carefully handcrafted in small batches from our best vines, our finest barrels and our most expressive blends. The 2015 is a rich, stylized Gris, barrel fermented and aged sur lie, 12 months in French oak. Inviting with layered aromas of honey, brioche, apricots and cream. Round and silky featuring succulent peach and tropical fruit flavours with a hint of baking spice. A perfect partner to Dungeness crab, halibut, shellfish or poultry.

often specialized in grilling food over special, even temperature charcoal called bincho-tan. This technique lends itself to cooking food very quickly – but it takes constant watchfulness to prepare food this way. The results are truly amazing and are one of Japan’s lesser known contributions to the world of great cooking. You occasionally find this cooking exported to big cities around the world, but it rarely makes it to the outliers like the Cowichan Valley. Other cultures have taken on the artistry of grill raised to some kind of zen meditation, these include Spain (like the Michelin starred grilling temple Asadora Etxebari) and Argentina (Francis Mallman’s 1884) – but no one takes the obsessive and pure track like the Japanese. In this spirit we are holding two events in June that will combine the art of the Japanese grill and the food of the Cowichan Valley. We love to merge these iconic global ideas with the wonderful raw materials of our region. There will be a Japanese Grilling class on June 10th and a Japanese Country style Dinner on June 17th . Both are stellar ideas for celebration Fathers Day or just for expanding your horizons on what the bbq can accomplish when used as a creative tool. More info at www.deerholme.com.

The Art of Grilling Bill Jones is a chef, author and food consultant based on Deerholme farm. Reach him at www. deerholme.com

e often like to think of grilling as a rustic and time honored tradition here in Canada. My childhood memories are filled with good times with the family in the backyard, on trip to the beach or camping in nature. When I left home and ventured into the world of adults (still easing slowly into that) I discovered the charcoal hibachi grill (great for the balcony or picnic table). The bbq was so simple it was something most men (even marginal cooks) could get behind. It likely harkens back to us squatting around a campfire roasting chunks of flesh and roots – satisfying work and always a small celebration of contributing to the family or tribe. In Japan, every home used to have a recessed cooking pit called a irori that was used daily for cooking. Somewhere down the line as the population grew and people lived in increasingly smaller and tighter spaces, these functions moved to the restaurants of Japan and the results were elevated to a higher art form. These restaurants have evolved to the modern Yakitori House which

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

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ingredients of which are equal parts gin, Campari, and Italian vermouth with a lemon zest twist.

Negroni

here is no doubt that the Negroni is the preferred house cocktail at Ampersand Distilling Co. Made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, it is a delicious bittersweet cocktail that can be served on the rocks or up. In honour of Father’s Day, and our resident dad Stephen’s favourite cocktail, I’m pleased to share with you some of the storied history of the Negroni. Count Camillo Negroni is the supposed namesake of this beloved cocktail. He was a regular at Casoni Bar in Florence, Italy. He liked his Americanos (sweet vermouth and Campari, topped with soda), but one day ordered it with more of a kick. Fosco Scarselli replaced the soda for gin in response and it became the counts regular drink. It caught on with the other patrons who would ask for ‘Count Negroni’s drink’ and after a while just became the Negroni. Colonol Hector Andres Negroni says this is all bunk, and that the real inventor of the Negroni was “General Pascale Oliver Comte de Negroni”. He’s not alone in this view, and there is evidence to suggest he invented this cocktail in the 1860’s in Africa, not Italy and that this wing of the family has the letters to back it up. There are even more conflicting sources, but the earliest written evidence of the existence is not called the Negroni at all, but the “Campari Mixte” published in L’Heure de Cocktail in 1929, the

Regardless, we’re happy this combination came to be discovered. For further reading on the history of the Negroni I would point you to Simon Difford’s article on diffordsguide. com and Gaz Regan’s books “The Negroni: A Gaz Regan Notion”, “The Joy of Mixology”, and “The Negroni: Drinking to La Dolce Vita with Recipes & Lore”. The Negroni has gone through many variations since it’s inception, and if you enjoy the classic I urge you to explore the legends of the past. We have one modern variation that we’re very fond of here at Ampersand, the BC Negroni. With the advent of BC distilleries, we have seen so much creativity in the industry. With the launch of the Woods Amaro and Odd Society’s Bittersweet Vermouth we finally had the ingredients to put together a Negroni of our own. This drink seemed to hit the zeitgeist after BC Distilled 2016 and is garnished perfectly with a grapefruit instead of the traditional orange peel. Whether you’ve got a modern or old fashioned kind of father, here’s to raising a glass to dad’s everywhere. Jessica is a local writer & co-founder of Ampersand Distilling Company.

Negroni

1 oz Ampersand Gin 1 oz Campari Bitter or Woods Amaro 1 oz Sweet Vermouth or Odd Society Bittersweet Vermouth Build cocktail in a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with an orange twist or grapefruit twist.

Upcoming EVENTS June 10

Japanese Grilling Cooking Class

June 17

Japanese Country Style Dinner

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

4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan

For ReservationS 250 748 7450 13

CSA Progams in the Valley Fresh Start Edibles

Manna Farm

Manna Farm Run by Elia and Mark. They offer NEW Half Diet Veggie Shares include a wide variety of seasonal organic veg. Small $25/wk, Large $35/wk. 10% discount for year round members. Full Diet Shares include free choice, all-youcan-eat seasonal veggies, fruits, seeds, eggs, poultry, grain (flour and flakes too!), oils, flowers and for year round members Bigleaf Maple syrup. All organic! $45/ adult/wk. Ask about child and senior prices. Run time: 8-52 wearemannafarm@gmail.com 250 510 2958 2590 Sahilton Rd, Duncan mannafarm.ca

You’re the boss, order as much or little produce as you like! Simply go to our website every week and design your box, choosing from over 50 seasonal veggies and berries. Pickup on farm on Wednesdays, or later in the week if you prefer! Vacationing, no problem! Joining us also supports our therapeutic programming for individuals with mental health challenges. CSA runs June 21st – November 1st (20 weeks) Starting at $15 a week For info contact farmer Abe Wahi 250.597.1421 www.providence.bc.ca

TATLO ROAD FARM

Providence Farm

Niki Strutynski & Nick Neisinghoffers a weekly Harvest Box for 16 weeks. Each week receive 8-10 different vegetables, a reflection of what’s in season! All the produce is grown on our Certified Organic farm and includes a range of vegetables, as well as recipes and a farm newsletter. The cost is $25/week ($400/ season). Wednesdays is pick up day at one of our 3 locations in Duncan, Crofton, or

Providence Farm

Year ro

und o

ption

Tatlo Road Farm

Chemainus. Run time: June 28 - October 11 www.tatloroadfarm.com

FRESH START EDIBLES Diana and David Pink happily operate Fresh Start Edibles @ Affinity Farm in Cowichan Bay, a locally owned company growing sustainable healthy food using Permaculture principles, Micro-Irrigation, French intensive market gardening, crop rotation and planning. Diana and David are passionate, innovative and inspired entrepreneurs. They love to grow a wide variety of fresh healthy produce, herbs,

fruits and berries year round and educate people about the benefits of healthy natural food. They are also staunch believers in all forms of conservation and working in harmony with Mother Nature. Once again this year, Fresh Start Edibles will offer a CSA (Customer/Community Supported Agriculture) program for 10 families for 16 weeks starting in July. Enjoy a weekly array of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs from our abundant gardens, all non-certified organic and as fresh as can be. Farm fresh eggs. also available. $25/week, payable monthly, $400 for the season, pick up Sundays from 12-5. freshstartedibles.com 250 597-2102

availa

MANNA FARM ORGANIC CSA SHARES NOW AVAILABLE ble.

Full Diet Share

NEW

$45/wk per adult Half Diet contact us for child prices (Veggie) Shares Includes free choice of Small (unlimited) organic veggies, (1-3 people) $25/wk fruit, herbs, beans, nuts, Large seeds, eggs, poultry, grain (4-6 people) $35/wk (flour and flakes too!), oil, Big Leaf Maple syrup Includes wide variety of and flowers. organic veggies! www.mannafarm.ca

wearemannafarm@gmail.com

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

250 510 2958

Tatlo Road Farm

Csa: Not Just A Service, It’s A Partnership Niki Strutynski is the owner/ operator of Tatlo Road Farm, a Certified Organic vegetable farm in Crofton.

ere in the Cowichan we hear the term “CSA” used broadly to represent a range of pre-paid subscription programs for farm produce for everything from fruit and vegetables, to meat, eggs, and even fish. These programs might vary in some details, they all typically serve customers who pay in advance for an agreed upon amount of farm product to be distributed over the course of the season. While CSA programs are a service provided by the farmer or fisher, sometimes we forget that CSA actually stands for “Community Supported Agriculture”. CSA programs are much more than a service; they are a partnership between the members and the farmer. Community members support their local farmer by committing to him or her at the start of the year, paying for their produce in advance of the season. Most farmers, especially fruit and vegetable growers, incur the bulk of their expenses early in the year when there is very little farm revenue coming in and so CSA programs originated to help farmers with this challenge. The early season income from CSA customers is incredibly helpful to the farmers at a time when they need it most.

Later in the spring and throughout the growing season, the farmers reciprocate by providing fresh, local produce each week to the CSA members. Most program go further though to include a farm newsletter, recipes and cooking tips, and even on-farm events like tours and potlucks. In this way CSA programs offer supporters of local agriculture an opportunity to really connect with a local farm. They are also a great way to learn about seasonal eating, discover new foods you might have overlooked (and find out you love!), try new recipes, and learn new ways to prepare some old favourites. Another benefit is that farmers usually prioritize their CSA customers. On our farm we run both a CSA as well as going to farmer’s markets, but if we only have enough of favourite items like peas or strawberries, we put these in our CSA box first and only send the extra (if any) to market. Joining a CSA program is a great way to ensure your access to the best local produce all season long. Some customers might not be able to make one lump sum payment at the start of the season, so talk to your farmer as some will offer payment plans. While it’s helpful to receive the full payment up front, farmers don’t want to be exclusive; they want everyone to be able to enjoy their produce. Another way to afford joining a CSA program

is to save your change! At the start of this year one of our CSA customers started saving her all her pocket change each week. Over the course of winter and spring she had saved up enough to pay for the CSA in full prior to the program starting. Local food doesn’t have to be expensive! Not to mention that when you join a CSA you’re keeping your

dollars here in the Cowichan, cutting out the middlemen, and supporting local farmers directly. Because each CSA program may vary slightly, I encourage you to talk to the different farmers and find a fit that works well for you and your family. Just remember, though, it’s a partnership: we all need farmers and the farmers need you! We all need to eat!

INTUITIVE HEALER • Certified Clinical

Hypnotherapist • Certified Quantum Touch Practitioner

HEATHER LAUZON

250-732-1405

www.emeraldhealingplace.com

“Live the Island Dream” Nick Brown

Realtor/Associate Broker Pemberton Holmes 23 Queens Rd, Duncan, BC 250-710-3732 nickbrownrealestate@shaw.ca

his year the Gem O’ the Isle historical farm will be hosting the first annual ‘Taste of the Valley’ weekend. The idea is to organize a High Tea style day that now is to be a weekend of Art, Classical music and Valley wine and food. Promoting local fine Art, music and wine and food in the Cowichan Valley, visiting the historical farm paths directs you into the sculpture garden exhibiting over 30 bronzes from artist Ati Emmerik, furniture from Live Edge Design, contemporary industrial design furniture from artist Ben Verduin and

paintings from local valley artists situated in the gardens in a unique, natural way. Suzan Kostiuck, Taste the Valley event Art coordinator and owner of Excellent Frameworks has selected a number of local artists to show including Rachel Cruse, Julie Nygaard and ‎Laurel Hibbert. Rachel Cruse’s landscape paintings embody light, flow, spaciousness, room to breathe and a profound heartfelt love for this world. ‎Julie Nygaard is a mixed media artist who will be featuring digital photography. Her works are an introspective look at the world that surrounds her. Laurel Hibbert of Round Woman Studio will be sharing her joyful paintings, which often depict characters from her imagination and memories. From organizer Ben Verduin “As this is the first time we

are organizing this, we need to see how things will go, It’s really starting to look nice with the old Gem O’ the Isle gardens in bloom. Attractions include: a blacksmith demonstration by metal artist Mika Verduin, a historic 1896 cottage open for viewing, Classic cars including a 1959 Cadillac convertible, a custom 1952 Ford pickup and a 1928 Locomobile Open Touring under the Linden tree, dressed up with period clothing provided by Eclectic Clothing.

Taste of The Valley

Impromptu skits from the Shawnigan Players to promote their upcoming Macbeth Shakespeare play on stage at the Gem this summer. Specialty food sampling will be provided by Hilary’s Cheese, and wine tasting on Sunday will be provided by Blue Grouse Estate Vineyards and on stage classical music and more.” This year’s fundraiser will throw support behind a very unique bee project in the Valley. Funds raised will go towards converting and rebuilding this historic 100 year-old water tower on the property, to include an observation deck and provide access to host bee hives high and safe above

ground. By attending the ‘Taste the Valley’ weekend you will help with this bee tower project, working to support bee populations in the Cowichan Valley. The bee tower is planning to have its doors open for viewing spring 2018, along with the first ‘bee tower’ honey in the summer of 2018. We are looking forward to welcoming you at the Gem O’ the Isle “Taste of the Valley” event June 3rd and 4th, tickets at the gate are a (suggested) donation of $20 per person. Address @ 2465 Koksilah Rd. Parking is available at the Cowichan Station.

Dynamic Pathways

Faye Stefan MA, RCC, DHHP Registered Clinical Counsellor and Certified Homeopathic Practitioner

250-815-5029 Path to Wellness: Combining counselling with homeopathy for your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs utilizing Heilkunst Sequential Timeline Therapy.

Dynamicpathways.biz | fstefan59@gmail.com

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

Lenora Hive Share: Month Two -Notes from the Hive

ur hives have been in place for a month now and we are looking forward to seeing it’s progress and how the new bees are doing. We sit down for tea and Chelsea hands out some notes and goes through some of the general duties in month two. “Now that we have controlled spring build up as much as we can, it is time to do a split.” smiles Chelsea. This sounds like a delicate process and we are grateful to have her leading us every step of the way. A hive split. she explains is done for a few reasons: to prevent swarming; for expanding the number of hives in your apiary and in the years to come, increase honey production. After our tea it is time for our hive check. We head to bee headquarters the Lenora van which houses everything members need to suit up for the hive checks. Richard who dabbled in beekeeping last year has his own head cover and jacket sent to him from England. I am reminded to fasten every zipper and velcro latch to avoid any unforseen possibilities of stinging. Chelsea shares a story with us about not doing up her velcro and a a bee flying in

through the gap and buzzing around inside her suit! I double check and triple check that they are all fastened.

Richard and Chelsea observing the comb

We gather the smoker, some burlap, a bucket of sugar syrup and head towards the south end of our garden. We stop and observe the land of the bees and Chelsea points out our bee highway. “Always keep clear of their entrance way” she explains “approach from the sides, but never directly infront.” Makes sense. She gently puffs smoke into the entrance way to calm them for our inspection. She opens up the hive and shows us how to use the top as a platform on the ground. Initial hive observations are good. Our outer frames are empty as expected for our late hive start. One by one she uses her tool to inspect the inner frames pointing out our queen and her distinguishing appearance. “Hive looks great” Chelsea announces and we are filled with joy. There are full circles of brood in all stages. We identify the egg, larvae and pupae stages.We see drones and the workers coming in and out with sacs of pollen. We even witnessed a remarkable sight, trophallaxis, the sharing of liquids between the bees. Lots of honey, lots of action. She is very pleased with the progress of the hive. This is a far cry from where we were last year as bee amateurs where approaching

the hive felt tense. Opening and inspecting a whole other story. I barely ever accompanied Richard to the hive fearing the bees sensing my hesitation and stinging me. Bees smell fear was what I always remembered as a child. Hive check with your beekeeping tutor is a truly rewarding experience. It begins to lightly rain so we swiftly inspect the other frames and shift the empty ones to closer to the middle to give them some space for production. With all those capped brood frames we have to feed them so Chelsea carefully replaces the top and pours the sugar syrup into the frame feeder in the hive. She makes notes into a notebook about today’s inspection and leaves it under the lid for

Chelsea feeding the bees

next time. “Do we have any homework?” I ask wondering if we have to inspect the hives in between her visits. “ Nope” she smiles “ When we are both fully confident that you are able and ready to handle the frames yourself then we can talk about that, but for now you can just leave them and we will do the inspections together.” Fine by me. In fact it is perfect.

For more info on Lenora Bee’s hive share program www.lenorabee.ca

Sheila and Chelsea inspecting the frames

convenient location to rent for pre-event party preparations and a beautiful postevent sleep. www.bluegrouse.ca

Blue Grouse Estate Winery Capacity: 20-200 people Soaring ceilings and numerous windows provide a spacious and bright atmosphere surrounded by breathtaking views of the vineyard and vibrant wildlife living in the Cowican Valley. With two levels of rental space available, the venue can accommodate small to large groups. Wheelchair accessible and state of the art catering kitchen facility available for use by preferred caterers. Boasting 45 acres of stunning property, the modern elegance of the estate is like no other. It is home to sun-drenched vineyards, winding trails, open fields, tranquil ponds, and a guest house. The winery takes cues from a bird’s form which separates this structure from the covey of wineries on Vancouver Island. Also onsite is the Grouse House, which offers a two-bedroom suite, making it a

A peek into a

brentwood college Capacity: up to 400 Brentwood’s unique oceanfront campus, sheltered on the pristine coastline of Vancouver Island opens up a wide variety of opportunities for every special occasion. Our 77-acre campus has over 1,000 meters of waterfront facing the Gulf Islands and offers stunning views of a snow capped Mount Baker. Just 40km north of Victoria, our campus is less than one hour’s drive from four major ferry terminals and the Victoria International Airport. Our modern, west coast inspired facilities offer open concepts, ocean views and an abundance of natural light, creating an inspiring atmosphere suited for a variety of events: intimate family ceremonies, large celebrations and corporate programs. These facilities will be of exclusive use for you on your special day. First class dining, accommodation in dorm like settings and transportation are all options that Brentwood offers. Executive Chef, Morgan Milward and his experienced event staff will work with you to create a menu to bring your vision and event to life. www.brentwood.bc.ca/

BIRDS EYE COVE FARM CAPACITY: 150 seated indoors 200 standing Bird’s Eye Cove Farm specializes in Cultivating Memories. Consider what our award winning farm venue has to offer. We are able to accommodate up to 150 of your special guests in an exclusive timber-frame barn setting on one of the oldest working farms in the Cowichan Valley. We have for you a truly unique experience with farm to table food enjoyed together with spectacular mountains and oceanfront, pastoral hay-land views with Highland cattle and deer placidly grazing. For your dining options, we proudly present our very own grass fed beef and pork born that is born and raised holistically on our farm. We have exclusive caterers and chefs that you can choose from who will come in and give you the experience you want for your guests. For a more casual, country picnic-style atmosphere, we offer our very own wood-fired pizza. Our pizzas are made with our own farm produce and fired in our oven using seasoned alder and maple from our own farm woodlot. Call us or drop us a note to find out how we can make your next special occasion memorable. www.birdseyecovefarm.com

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

T e w w o a s T i t l b c

A a h d P

few Valley EVENT VENUES

birthday, anniversary, receptions and garden parties. Onsite specialty catering. Find us in Sunny Saltair, 3 minutes north of Chemainus. www.daylinercafe.com

ARBUTUS RIDGE GOLF COURSE

Capacity: Up to 240 Guests The Arbutus Ridge Golf Club offers full event services with a Japanese garden wedding ceremony site, reception room with spectacular views, unique photo opportunities, on-site coordination and a wide range of food and beverage selections to make a lasting memory. The culinary team uses fresh ingredients, including items from their herb garden, to dazzle the taste buds. A fabulous location for weddings, meetings, banquets and golf events. www.golfbc. com/courses/arbutus_ridge

DAYLINER CLUB CAR CAFE Capacity: Up to 35 GUESTS FOR INDOOR SEATING A delightful little Bistro featuring local and seasonal fare in a beautiful setting, historic building, French doors open to decks and gardens for additional guests. Perfect for small intimate cocktail parties,

Providence Farm & ChapeL Capacity: Up to 100 InDOORS Up To 3000 Outdoors Providence Farm is a 400 acre working organic farm nestled at the foot of Mt. Tzouhalem. We provide a variety of innovative programs for individuals with mental health or developmental challenges and believe caring for the land together is healing and therapeutic. Our meeting rooms fit up to 30, chapel up to 100, Home-like setting up to 50, outdoor pavilion and tents, up to 3000, gardens up to 300. Providence is well suited for weddings, festivals, small and large meetings, concerts, celebrations of life, family reunions. Guests can enoy watching the

organic farm at work, enjoy the historic setting and walk through the beautiful all season gardens and labyrinth Self catering options are encouraged. www.providence.bc.ca.

AN EXCELLENT LUNCH STOP

FEATURING COWICHAN VALLEY WINES & ISLAND CRAFT BEERS

DAYLINERCAFE.COM CLOSED TUESDAY & WEDNESDAYS

oes planning your wedding photography have you confused? Here are some questions to ask yourself, your wedding photographer, and your guests. Ask yourself what style of photos do you want? What is your budget? And what are your must have photos? You can figure out what style you like by browsing local wedding photographers online portfolios. This is far

more important that your budget as you don’t want to end up with photos you don’t like! To keep costs down once you pick your photographer you can limit the number of hours your photographer spends shooting. In my opinion the reception should be the first to go as it is usually lengthy and poorly lit and the ceremony and formals are most important. Also important are your must have photos! Think about these ahead of time and send the list

to your photographer well in advance. Ask your photographer if you and your partner can meet in person before the wedding by adding an engagement shoot or going for coffee first so you can get comfortable, which can show in the photos later. To make sure your photos are especially thorough ask your photographer if they have a second shooter. This will come at an additional cost but will make sure moments that only happen once during the ceremony are properly captured and are at different angles and perspectives by using different lenses. To add a lot of fun for you and your guests ask your photographer if they have a photobooth service. These are usually set up for the reception and can be an actual booth or open air and include unlimited photostrips. If your photographer doesn’t offer this consider hiring a photobooth service as well.

You and Your Wedding Photographer

Keeping It Alive “HAIR REMOVAL aka WAXING” Skin is always shedding, replenishing and leaving a trail of dry skin mess behind! It is my job to assist with this process, by removing unwanted hair, & that dead dry skin - which is great for exfoliation & better absorption of moisturizers. Now wouldn’t that be a great metaphor for LIFE’S other dead or unwanted thoughts or ideologies, - that can hold us back, so that good ways of being, - DON’T get a chance to do their ‘magic’! Call today to book an appointment with Kelly for: FACE • LEGS • ARMS • BIKINIS • UNDERARMS • FOREARMS • BACK • ETC.

Last but not least ask your guests to put down their

cameras and phones at least during the ceremony. Ask them to just be present in the moment. This is called an unplugged wedding and allows your photographer/s to capture beautiful shots without cell phones in their way! Rachelle Lynn photography offers wedding photography and photobooth services at an hourly rate and first come first serve basis. They do not favour larger longer weddings. Check out their portfolio at www. rachellelynnphotography.com

CONTOURS only uses: “EPILLYSS” white Queen wax (essential oils & zinc oxide). & “CIREPIL” essential rose wax (wax encapsulates hair for smooth eﬀective removal). Both are recommended for many types of sensitive skin. Check our website for prices.

Contours Aesthetics 3515 Cobble Hill Rd • 250-715-7935

www.contoursaesthetics.com

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

Reiki Master Debbie Shkuratoff

fter watching many family and friends suffer from health issues and her son’s struggle with asthma as a child, Debbie Shkuratoff started to look into diet, nutritional supplements, detoxing and other alternative therapies. ”I took a variety of courses and decided to open Reiki Wellness & The Zen Room at Valleyview Centre with the intent of assisting people in finding ways to improve their health, relax and detox, with a choice of alternative & natural therapies” shares Debbie. “Total wellbeing involves balancing your mind, body and spirit. This will boost your mood, help your body heal itself as well as have a dramatic effect on the way you live, the way you experience life – and each affects the other. This balancing of one’s Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual energy can provide peace and happiness to all aspects of our lives. Just taking a few minutes throughout the day to unify ourselves through key elements is all it takes. Energy work is a noninvasive technique that uses the laying on of hands as well as techniques performed

in the energy aura or field, surrounding the body. Energy, which is the vital Life Force essence, is moved through the energy system of a practitioner to facilitate the flow through the energy system of another person. The practitioner then acts as a connection or channel for the energy so that the recipient has the opportunity to access a healing frequency which can assist their harmonious balance, and facilitate healing in body/mind/spirit. Energy Work increases the flow of the Universal Life Force by balancing your internal and external energy systems, using the techniques of Reiki, Healing Touch, & Chakra Balancing to promote harmony in body, mind & spirit.” As a Reiki Master, Debbie offers classes teaching all levels of Reiki - Usui/Karuna/ Komyo/Tibetan/Seichim/Holy Fire. She also offers other complementary treatments including Chakra Clearing, EMF Balancing, Detoxifying Foot Spa, Infrared therapies including the Jade Roller, Amethyst Crystal Bio-Mat, Herbal supplements and classes. www.reikiwellness.ca

We have expanded our school!

Spaces Available For September

250-743-6279

Preschool & Child care Part time & Full Day Programs

We offer Montessori classes for children 30 months to 6 years of age, including kindergarten. Full and part time programs available. Our experienced staff, using an enriched Montessori curriculum, will provide the best preschool education for your child. www.shawniganlakemontessori.com

Summer Specials! 3x 1 HOUR of FOOT REFLEXOLOGY for $120

4x 30 minutes of LightWorks $90 ($30 savings each) Reﬂexology & Chi Wellness by Terri

Terri Lewis RABC , IHM Reiki Master

250-701-8962

www.terriswellness.com

No Need To GMO This Emu Doesn’t Bruise

here are estimates that emu have been roaming the Australian countryside for 40 thousand years. Aboriginals have been and continue to hunt emu to supplement their highenergy demand diet, for traditional healing practices and spiritual folklore. It has only been since the early 1980s that farming emu was permitted by the Australian Government. Consequently, the emu’s evolutionary

characteristics are pretty much in tact and little time has passed for producers to influence their generational biology. So, farming emu requires a different skill set as the farmer accommodates rather than dictates. Emu are gentle animals by nature and given a chance will usually run away from a fight. They evolved into running machines that can maintain speeds of 30 mph for 30 minutes as they learned to run on their toes; resulting in very few natural predators. They travel in large groups when not breeding and this mob mentality works in their favour to discourage predation. When cornered

Benefits Of Emu Oil FROM Mt. Sicker Family Farm

• contains omega 3,6,9 fatty acids • has anti-inflammatory properties • penetrates deeply

FOR BULK EMU OIL CONTACT BCEMUFARM.CA

however an emu has a dangerous double footed kick that farmers have learned to respect. Well maintained 6-foot fencing around large exercise pens satisfies their natural fence walking habits. In the wild emus are nomadic as they forage for seasonal food such as seeds, grasses, leaves, fruit and insects. Recyclers by nature they frequently retrace their steps as their short 6-hour metabolism allows them to harvest a second helping. In addition to grazing our emu farm provides a specific feed formula comprised of barley, lentils, soybean and alfalfa. Unlike other animals, emu’s feed consumption reduces to half during breeding season as these birds have evolved to store a large fat pack used as an energy source during egg production and incubation. Emus have also developed a body structure that will accommodate wide variations in climate. They can tolerate high temperatures and also cold winters with snow. They have an unusual feather construction of two feathers out of one quill. This allows them to raise their feathers for cooling or for warming insulation. They

usually prefer to live outside year-round in our Cowichan Valley weather however will seek shelter from windy conditions. So, minimal housing construction is required for the farmer, only that to keep their feed dry. The adaptive characteristics of the Australian emu has produced lean omegarich red meat and health promoting fat and oil without the benefits of modern science. Not necessary, from our point of view, to mess with a good thing. Lois Hellemond works with her husband John at Mt. Sicker Family Farm

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

Kombucha – Tea Time with a Healthy Twist

ombucha (Kom-boo-cha) also known as the tea of immortality, champagne of life, mushroom tea, tea kvass, and tea cider is a fermented tea that has been consumed in Asian cultures for centuries and is recognized to have many powerful health benefits. Recently, popularity for this gut-friendly drink has seen a significant increase as more people learn about the health benefits of having a balanced ‘microflora’, an entire ecosystem of bacteria living and working in our digestive system. Consuming fermented foods, like kombucha, every day is a great way to feed and replenish this microflora, in turn promoting good health. Maintaining a strong population of ‘good’ bacteria helps protects us against invasive pathogenic bacteria because it creates an environment that is undesirable to ‘bad’ bacteria. Lining the inside of our digestive

JODIE MCDONALD, MSW RSW 250-580-2252 jodie@livingandbreathing.ca

systems these good bacteria assist our body in making vitamins, protecting us from pathogens, binding to toxins, boosting our metabolism, they alkalinize the body, create digestive enzymes, make nutrients more bioavailable and even create the preferred fuel that our gut cells use to function. Kombucha is available at most health food stores as a pre-made, ready to serve drink. However, many fans of this healthy elixir are discovering the benefits of making it at home. Making your own kombucha is easy, once you get the hang of it. Initially it can be fairly intimidating, there are ‘mushroom-like’ cultures, warm teas, sugar – all put together in the perfect mix and incubated like a living lab experiment. If you don’t know what you are doing, it can be daunting (and perhaps a little gross if you don’t like the look of your culture!). June is Kombucha month at Scoops Natural Foods, we have dedicated our workshops to those that want to learn more about making this ancient tea at home. Spend some time with Renee, our Registered Holistic Nutritionist, as she explains how fermented foods benefit your life and shows you the steps required to make kombucha at home. Renee will supply you with your own culture and starter tea, all the steps you need to make the original tea as well as how to ‘flavour and sparkle’ it up with a second ferment. This is a great opportunity to take control over your gut and overall health! Kombucha Workshops June 6, 13,20,27 5:30 -7pm, Scoops Natural Foods, Whippletree Junction. Pam Stiles is the owner of Scoops Natural Foods at Whippletree Junction. 778-422-3310

Lori Austein, C.C.H.T., C.C.T.

Helping you create personal transformation •Certified Council Trainer & Facilitator •Certified Heart-Centered Hypnotherapist® •Transpersonal Life Coach Individual Hypnotherapy, Coaching Sessions & Workshops to Create Healthy New Patterns For Your Life: • Improve Relationships • Resolve Anxiety • Increase Self-esteem

• Heal Trauma • Get Unstuck • End Emotional Eating

Authentic Change for an Authentic Life www.loriaustein.com I (250) 597-7459 I leaustein@gmail.com

IBP INTEGRATIVE BODY PSYCHOTHERAPISTS COUNSELLING AND HEALING BREATHWORK

SYBILLE WEBB, MEd 250-715-6957 sybillewebb@shaw.ca

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

Supported Raw Food & Juice Cleansing With Glow

s we think about getting our bodies into shape for the summer consider increasing your chances for success with a supported raw food and juice cleanse with Glow. No exercise unless you- no sweat. You just pick up your tools and you are on your way to gentle detox and the flushing out the last of the cold weather stores in your body. Much like the support of a yoga teacher, a supported cleanse gives you every thing you need without thinking about what to buy, what to make or what to eat at different points of the day. With the work taken out of the experience - you are able to just enjoy the cleanse and all the benefits that come with it. Why cleanse? Toxins accumulate in our daily lives from the environment and from the foods we eat. These toxins build up in our bodies and slow down the way our brain and bodies function, impeding our ability to be the best that we can be. Most of us accept these sluggish changes as part of the ageing process. The gentle detox of an organic raw food and juice cleanse helps reset the body’s digestive system, helping with elimination and boosting the immune system.

Day 1: As recommended by

Glow, I begin every morning with a cup of hot organic lemon water to alkalize my pH balance. I refer to my Glow Raw Food + Juice Cleanse schedule posted on the fridge and reach for my cup of raw granola and fresh almond nut mylk. Seedy, crunchy, tasty. Great start. 10AM - mid morning juice After Glow – a pre lunchtime blend of leafy greens - organic spinach, kale, parsley, cucumber, celery and apple. Noon- I enjoy a beautiful garnet coloured raw borscht made with 250g of organic beet and zucchini topped with a cashew sour cream. 3PM On schedule for Skinny Glow a quenching organic blend of melon, apple, cucumber, spinach and celery. Each bottle contains 3-6 lbs of fresh organic fruit and vegetables by suppertime I am still feeling full. 6pm- Sit down for supper with the family and a beautiful fresh Pad Thai salad

with organic zucchini noodles, julienne vegetables, cashews and special spicy raw almond butter sauce is all ready for me to enjoy. The rest of the family is curious and asks for a bite. The servings are big and healthy and there is more than enough to share.

All organic! Cold-Pressed Juices + Juice Cleanses + Smoothies + Elixirs + Raw Food + Bulletproof Coffee

Try A Glow Cleanse! Whether it’s to lose weight, get in shape, or to start eating healthy, an Organic Glow Juice Cleanse is a great way to accelerate your health goals.

Day 2: Yesterdays cleansing

menu is evident with this morning’s elimination. I prepare school lunch while sipping on lemon water. After the morning chaos I sit down with a curious looking blackberry chia cup. It’s looks deceive me. It is absolutely delicious and has quickly become my new favourite treat. A superfood, chia seeds are one of the richest source of antioxidants and an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that work to protect the heart. Very high in fiber, it promotes healthy bowels and as a breakfast item keeps you feeling full till midday. By 10AM juice time I am feeling cleaner, healthier and despite my busy work schedule quite energetic. I grab a Glow Boost - a refreshing vegetable blend of organic spinach, kale, cucumber, broccoli, mint and pomegranate. Glow Taco Salad is for supper with black beans, tomatoes, orange peppers and topped with a special raw food blend of taco “meat” - dehydrated mushrooms, walnuts, vegetables and spices drizzled with a bursting cilantro lime dressing. I attend my weekly yoga class, and am feeling more in tune on all levels - mind, body and spirit. Organic carrot, cucumber, orange, lemon and ginger juice blend closes Day 2 at 8PM on a high.

Day 3: Yesterday I picked up

my next two days of freshly blended organic juices and raw food meals. Breakfast today Fuel Bar and delicious Vanilla Almond Mylk followed by an Ener-G Glow a dark green elixir of organic pears, spinach, cucumber, celery and chlorophyll for my mid morning juice cleanser. Throughout the cleanse I remember to sip on 8-10 glasses of lemon water. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold. It keeps my hydration up day and night and supports this cleanse effectively. Today was a fabulous day and

Call, come in, or book online at www.glowjuicery.ca. 250 597 2595 3-5380 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan my energy levels were so high I skip lunch opting instead to continue the day with a fabulous savoury snack. Raw pesto dip with sesame onion crackers is enjoyed with a bottle of Citrus Glow - organic oranges, lemons, ginger and coconut water. Dinner is a gently warmed up organic Thai Carrot Soup made with lemongrass, carrots, ginger, turmeric and coconut served with sesame onion seed crackers with almond pulp which I enjoy with the family as they gobble down their baked mac and cheese. Body is loving the clean food and no cravings for anything else. Glow offers a perfectly balanced menu of sweets, fresh and savouries - all organic. As a lover of savouries my palette has enjoyed their delicious array of food. I wandered into the raw food eatery thinking that it would just be a selection of different salads. Modern raw is so much more than salad.

Day 4: Observations from

the family were that I had a brighter disposition than normal. Personally I also experienced deeper sleeps, healthier and more regular elimination and no stress, despite a very busy work time. An overall lighter feeling in spirit

and body. A good break for my digestive system to not have to work so hard breaking down my usual dairy, meat and cooked foods. Pre-lunch juice today is Sky Glow - pear, cucumber, kale, lemon, e3 live, and mint. Delicious and refreshing for the hot weather that has suddenly come. I have not felt this good in a long time. My sluggishness and unhealthy pallor virtually disappeared during the cleanse by intensely boosting myself full of fresh organic vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants in a natural and very powerful way. This was one cleanse that was just as easy said and done. The cleanse ends with an 8PM After Glow. A perfect end to the beginning of a healthier body just in time for the transformational powers of summer solstice. Glow’s One Year Anniversary Celebration is all day Friday, June 9. There will be samples all day long, plus a 3 course Raw Food dinner from 4 -7pm. and live music by the Smiley Brothers! Check Facebook for more details. 5380 TCH, Sol Centre. Submitted by Sheila Badman

A Balanced Pond It’s all about the plants! www.dinternursery.ca

WATER GARDENS!

Water features enrich the ecology of the garden. We can supply all your water gardening needs with: • Pond liner and underlay • Pumps and filters • Plants • Fish and snails Our water department staff can help with selection. Serving local gardeners since 1973

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5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1

f you have a pond in your back yard chances are you’ve struggled with how to keep it clean and algae to a minimal and thus provide a healthy, oxygenated environment for fish and plants. Well, by passing on a few bits of information—and advising patience—I hope to help you help your pond be the thriving little ecosystem that it can be. First of all, what does a balanced pond mean? A balanced pond is one that gets enough oxygen and one that is not saturated with too many nutrients or debris (and thus creating the perfect haven for algae). Luckily, nature is here to save the day. To achieve these goals the best thing you can do is add a few plants to your pond. Different plants help out in different ways, and they can be divided into several categories: floaters, oxygenators, and marginals. Floaters include Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce, Frogbit, and Duckweed (makes a great snack for Koi and Goldfish and provides camouflage coverage). Oxygenators include Water Lilies, Water Hawthorn (has fragrant blossoms), Elodea, and Hornwort. For marginals you are looking at Dwarf Cattail, Marsh Marigolds, Iris, Carex, and Pennywort. In addition to oxygenating

the water and absorbing nutrients, many of these plants provide coverage and shade for fish and other critters. Fish are also an important factor to consider when thinking about a balanced pond. Koi are a great pet, but because they grow up to 3’ they can harm the balance of a pond by ripping up plants and causing other damage. When thinking about fish for your pond, you might want to consider Shubunkin, or Comet or Sarassa Goldfish. These species will help to clean up debris in the water, keep bugs and mosquito larvae under control, and improve water circulation. Pond depth is also important. A depth of about three feet is optimal. This is important for a couple of reasons: it provides a cool place for fish to hide in the summer months, a warmer place to hide in the winter months, and it’s too deep for heron to land in and comfortably feed. Ponds that are less than

3’ (many people have ponds that are 2’), are difficult when it comes to keeping oxygen and temperature levels at optimum. The last thing to consider is sunlight. While sunlight is needed for both plants and fish, it is recommended that you plant a tree in a location and distance from your pond that will provide shade or filtered sunlight later in the day. If your pond is getting too much sun, or if it is too shallow, it will be difficult to keep algae in check. While regular maintenance, such as using a pond vacuum to cleaning out excess debris is important, the key to a healthy and balanced pond lies in letting plants do most of the work for you. Using the tips provided above, you should be able to improve the health of your pond for years to come. Tamu Miles, Novelist, blogger, and employee at Dinter Nursery

ECOLOGICALLY ORIENTED • Landscaping & Design • Property maintenance • Ecosystem restoration

François Léonard 250 710 2652

twistedvinelandscaping@gmail.com

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

Cobble Hill Market Opens FREE Local Healing Plants Garden Tour The Annual Garden Tour at Botanical Bliss in Duncan offers an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with over 65 healing herbs. Learn what they look like, what they do and how they have been used for centuries for healing all over the world. Visitors can tour the extensive gardens with a guidebook of all the plants and Robin Round, Owner of Botanical Bliss, will offer personal tours and plant insights. “From Angelica to Yarrow, the herbs are getting ready to show off their many talents and abilities,” says Robin, “Every one of them has a story to tell.” Robin will host a demonstration of herbal tincture and healing oils making at 1pm. There will be refreshments and a Botanical Bliss prize basket to be won. Check the website botanicalbliss.ca or call Robin at 250-710-1276 for more information. Sunday June 25, 11-4 pm, 6119 Lakeview Drive, Duncan, just off Sherman Road near the Canada Ave roundabout. Please park on Sayward Road, follow the signs and walk up into the garden. A FREE community event.

Get ready for the 2017 Cobble Hill Farmers’ Market. This year’s market is set to be fantastic. We have many new market vendors joining us as well as last year’s amazing returning vendors. We are so excited to showcase what the South Cowichan region has to offer from our local artisans, crafters, farmers and tasty-treat makers. So come join us in this great community event every Sunday from 10-3 starting June 11th in the village at the Cobble Hill Commons.

ENVIRONMENTALLY BETTER THAN BURNING!

Celebrate Community Music Masimba Marimba is delighted to be playing a fundraiser for the Duncan Showroom. We are proud to support Longevity John in his continued quest to promote music and performance in the Cowichan Valley. Not only does John bring in amazing talent from afar, treating the community to both well-loved favourites and fresh new sounds, but he also encourages local talent by holding open mic and spoken word nights and

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providing the venue for local theatre productions and youth performances. Join us for a night of rousing African music that will get you out of your seat and dancing. Tunes from Zimbabwe

and South Africa plus original works will bring you to your feet and thrill your heart. Duncan Showroom, Saturday, June 3 at 8:00 PM. Tickets $20

743-2189 or email registrar@camppringle.com. www.camppringle.com

COASTAL BLISS ADVENTURE CAMP

Camp Pringle

CAMP PRINGLE Discover fully-accessible Camp Pringle at Shawnigan Lake. Kids will enjoy experiential adventurebased activities, develop greater self-awareness and build confidence. We offer Classic Co-Ed Camps, Family Camp, Day Camp and more. Try our Leader or Counselor in Training programs, or join Crew. Learn to build positive relationships with your peers and the environment. We welcome new or experienced campers and all families. Come for a week that lasts a lifetime! Please call for more info 250-

Coastal Bliss Adventure summer camps have been running since 2012 in the Cowichan valley, with inspired children returning annually, or progressing onto leadership rolls as junior instructors. Our camps provide a mixture of water and land based camps that include: Kayaking, canoeing, Stand-up-paddleboarding, surfing, backpacking and nature exploration as main focuses, with an assortment of exciting afternoon activities including archery, sword fencing, juggling and high stilt walking. Register early as programs fill up quickly! Programs for Ages 9 – 12; and 12 - 18 costs start at $237.50 +Tax 1 800 896 9525 www.coastalbliss.ca

LILA MUSIC CENTRE FAMILY CAMP Come together for Music, Art, Play and Movement under the

Summer Camp Ideas Coastal Bliss Adventures

summer sun! The third Lila Summer Family Music Camp is the ONLY music-based camp in the Cowichan Valley. Work with professional musicians, learn to compose songs, and play cello & guitar. Join the camp orchestra & choir, and experience a week of musical discovery! For ages 6 and up-- All stages and levels welcome. General cost $250/ week. Early Bird, family and sibling discounts available. http://www.joythroughmusic. com/summer-arts-camps-lilamusic-centre-2016/

WILDERNESS KAYAKING CAMPS

Bring your friends to Maple Bay and try out Sea Kayaking and Stand up Paddle boarding! Games and play are used while learning kayak paddling strokes and safety skills . Some highlights of the camp include a treasure hunt, kayak polo and taking a half day kayak trip on the final day. We offer both youth introduction to kayaking camps for ages 6-12 $115; and we offer Paddle Canada Level 1 7 day kayak camp which includes overnight camping in the gulf islands for those 12-18 $650 (this camp runs in partnership with Coastal Bliss). Plus we offer youth day trips throughout the summer $49. Offering Kayak Kids, Youth Tour ‘n” Learn, Youth Lila Family Music Camp

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

FOr COWICHAN KIDS Summer Kids Camps 2017

Cowichan Estuary Centre Marine Biology Camp

day tours, Paddle Canada Level 1 Kayak Camp 12 – 18 yrs For more information call 2507460151 or email info@wildernesskayaking.com

MARINE BIOLOGY CAMP

If you find yourself hearing the question “why” on a daily basis, the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre has the summer camp for your kids! Marine Biology Camps are being offered for curious kids ready to dive into nature. From jellyfish to whales, kids are going to discover the answers to questions they are dying to know. Camps run through July and August for age groups 5-7, 8-10, and 13-17 and cost $215. Registration is at: http//:www.cowichanestuary. eventbrite.ca.

DUNCAN DYNAMICS GYMNASTICS CAMP Duncan Gymnastics is once again hosting our *very flexible* summer camps for ages 5-12.

Experience gymnastics for the first time or practice your skills so you don’t get rusty. Book one day or book a full week – again very flexible. Book a morning, an afternoon or a full day. *So Very Flexible*. Afternoon camps are also available for the preschoolers (age 3-5). For more information, policies and pricing, please visit our website camp page – http://ddgc. ca/camps/summer-camps/

1 800 896 9525 coastalbliss@shaw.ca

KIN PARK KIDS camp

KinPark Kid’s Camp gives children the opportunity to learn plenty about gardening, and farming while making long lasting memories and friendships at the KinPark Youth Urban Farm downtown Duncan. Each day highlights a theme that is reflected in the day’s activities, discussions, and games. Our goal is to teach children how to grow, harvest, and cook healthy food in a fun, hands-on, and engaging way, and how to live sustainably. Ages: 6 - 12 Cost per week: $150/week, $35/day ($125 for Week #1 July 4 - 7, and for Week #6 Aug 8 - 11) https:// cowichangreencommunity.org/ project/kinpark-kids-camp-2/

WESTview Learning Camps Duncan Dynamics Gymnastics Camp

Day Programs & Overnight Camps

Arts Canp 1: July 24-28 ages 5-10 Arts Camp 2: August 21-25 ages 5-10 $250 9am-3pm. Explore dance, music, drama, art, cooking, claywork, outdoor play and more. Dance Intensive 3-Day Workshop: August 16-18 ages 9-12(alllevels) and 13+ (experience required) $200 10am-2:30pm. Multiple dance styles,new choreography, audition skills, improve techinique, with guest instructors.

WestView Learning offers single day and week long camps. Girls Code Too offers one-day experiences for girls ages 8-14 learning to code in 3

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

different programs. Young Programmers is for girls and boys ages ages 8-14 offer introduction to 4 different programming options. WVL also offers two full weeks camps: Programming with EV3 Robotics and a craft week called Celebrate Canada with Crafts. For more information contact Heather. 250-701-3359 heather@westviewlearning.ca www.westviewlearning.ca

WOLF COWICHAN OUTDOOR CAMP Wolf Cowichan Summer Programs. Every Monday and Wednesdays throughout July and August we will be running programs for youth 7-11 and teens 12-15 based on passionbased experiential activities, challenges and adventures. Mondays will be at Sacred Cedars where we will learn traditional living skills and

Warmland Dance Arts Camp

Marine Biology Camps Come explore! Learn about the plants and animals of the estuarine habitat through fun hands-on activities, including beach seines, mud digs, bird surveys, swimming, games, and crafts!

cultural arts. Wednesdays we will be tracking, kayaking in Cowichan Bay. Exploring the estuary, rivers and ocean. Art journalling and photography. Any 4 days- $120. Any 8 days$220. Runs July 5 - August 30 10am -3pm. at 250 732 1175 www.wolfcowichan.com

CHALKBOARD THEATRE CAMP Explore drama games that build

self-esteem, teamwork and creativity. Learn to sing, dance and act! Tell a story & put on a show! Theatre camp runs from July 17-22. Theme is to be announced. Ages 8-13. Cost $250 per child. Students will immerse themselves in the fun and imaginative world of musical theatre and build skills in singing, dancing, and acting. A “review style” show will be performed the last day of camp. www. chalkboardtheatre.com/summercamp/

AGES 5 - 7: July 17 - 21 July 31 - Aug4 Aug 21 - 25

AGES 8-11: July 10 - 14 July 24 - 28 Aug 14 - 18

LEADERSHIP 12-18 YRS: July 4-7 Includes ﬁrst aid certiﬁcate

All camps run 9am—3:30pm $215 per child

Marine Biology Leadership Camp for youth aged 12-18 who are interested in leadership in the marine biology and/or child and youth care ﬁeld. Participants will learn about the plants and animals of the estuary and how to engage younger children in activities and games. They will also receive First Aid Training and can earn our Estuary Leader Certiﬁcate.

To register visit:

http://www.cowichanestuary.ca/programs/camps/ 1845 Cowichan Bay Rd, 250-746-0227 For more info email camps@cowichanestuary.ca

CLAY HUB SUMMER PROGRAM

An opportunity for kids to explore clay at their experience level. July 4, 7, 11, 14 from

1-3. Choose the dates that work for you. Each day is $30. Contact theclayhubcollective@ gmail.com or visit our website theclayhubcollective.weebly. com

Dramatic Arts • Musical Theatre • Camps We provide innovative professional theatre, and quality drama educational programs for youth.

Summer Camp July 17 - July 22 Registration now open!

REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR’S SHOW

Peter Pan

now on - closes June 23 For more information - cathyschmidt59@gmail.com For more programs visit www.chalkboardtheatre.com

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

Brentwood summer Musical Theatre Camp

BRENTWOOD SUMMER CAMPS

Brentwood College School has five exciting camps on offer this summer. Musical Theatre camp will focus on jazz, hiphop, disco, improvisation and creativity. This array of talent and diversity will lend itself to this year’s Broadway performance, which is a not to miss ages 8-12 – Co-ed Teen: Day & Overnight. Adventure Camp is five action packed days of fun on the waters, trails and in the forests of Southern Vancouver Island Youth: ages 8-12 – Co-ed Teen: Day and ages 13-16 – Coed. Rock Band Day Camp This co-ed camp will focus on popular music of all commercial styles rock, pop, country, hip-hop, improvisation and creativity. Ages 13-16 – Co-ed. Also on offer are coed Rugby 7’s and Soccer sports camps. We

welcome campers of all abilities. We have beginners to campers with years of experience. For more information visit http:// www.brentwood.bc.ca/.

Warmland Dance Arts camp

Warmland Dance hosts their popular Summer Arts Camps and three-day Dance Intensive this July and August at the HUB! Arts Camps $250/week: Children ages 5-10 explore dance, music, drama, art, clay projects with Clay Hub and daily outdoor adventures on the playgrounds and in the beautiful forest. Holistic instruction, experienced teachers and a wonderful variety of indoor and outdoor artsy activities! Dance Intensive $200: Youth

ages 9-12 (all levels) and 13+ (experience required) explore multiple dance styles, choreography, audition skills and improve technique. With guest instructors including

Hip Hop performer and sought after instructor Darius Zaviceanu. For more information visit www.warmlanddance.wix. com/cowichan Gymnastic camps are structured in nature. In our camps children practice basic gymnastics skills through drills, games, equipment time, etc. Registration on now!

Book one day or book a full week… we are very ﬂexible! SUMMER SESSION BLOCKS Ages 3-5 Ages 5-12 8:30am-12:30pm 1:00pm-3:00pm OR OR 1:00pm-5:00pm 3:00pm-5:00pm OR OR 1:00pm-5:00pm 8:30am-5:00pm

Please visit our Summer Camps website page for more details

Registration online at www.ddgc.ca Island Savings Centre 2687 James Street, Duncan

LESSONS • TOURS • RENTALS • SALES

www.wilderness-kayaking.com

Summer Youth Programs From Maple Bay • KAYAK KIDS - INTRODUCTION TO SEA KAYAKING July 10-13, July 24-27, August 7-10, August 21-24 Sessions Monday - Thursday 9am - 1pm • YOUTH TOUR N’ LEARN - GULF ISLANDS 3 DAY OVERNIGHT TRIP July 21-23, August 18-20 AGES 13-16 • YOUTH DAY TRIP ADVENTURES - LEAD BY EXPERIENCED GUIDES - July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25 Fridays 9am - 3pm • Paddle Canada Level 1 Kayak Camp 12 – 18 yrs Aug 1-7 ALSO OFFERING: family paddles, sup rentals, harbour tours, moonlight paddles, birthday parties, day tours, multi day tours, double kayaks, single kayaks, rentals, sales, lessons and more. Call for more info or to reserve.

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

info@wilderness-kayaking.com

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

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Green Living

Wilderness Kayaking

Great Camping Hacks

ips and tricks to ensure a happy camping season!

Tent set up: - birthday banner flags and pool noodles make great markers on tent fly strings or awning stands - foam click together squares to cushion the floor of your tent - a mat at the door of your tent to keep dirt and debris contained - don’t forget a broom and dust pan - hot water bottles for cool nights - put up a tarp, it WILL rain if you don’t and if not it provides shade - give kids a labeled tote for their clothes and belongings , can pop outside or stack up to keep things organized Campfires: - save TP tubes and stuff them with dryer lint - keep matches in a mason jar to keep them dry - dip cotton make up pads in candle wax to use as fire starter - burn bundles of sage to keep mosquitos away - corn chips work as kindling in a pinch Lighting: - solar lanterns are becoming more affordable, remember to put them in the sun during the day - point a head lamp into a jug of water to cast more light - not eco friendly but glow sticks work well to keep track of kids when it gets dark and

then make great night lights when the kids go to sleep Cooking and Food Storage: - blocks of ice melt slower than cubes and can be chipped for putting in drinks - make spaghetti sauce or other one pot dinner in advance and freeze to help keep cooler cold while its thawing - freeze gallon jugs of water instead of ice, no watery mess in the bottom of the cooler and you’ll have drinking water later - google a DIY wasp catcher and hang it away from eating and food prep areas - keep cheese and butter in air tight containers in the cooler so they don’t soggy - crack eggs into sealed a container for easy scrambled eggs - don’t forget tinfoil – useful cooking and leftover storage Activities: - keep kids busy with a scavenger hunt ie. Find a pretty rock, “y” shaped stick, heart shaped leaf, something round, something you think is a treasure etc. Tracey Hanson local mompreneur and owner/operator Clean Choice EcoFriendly Cleaning Services cleanchoicecleaners. com

“Kiki” - J53 getting some hang time in Boundary Pass at Monarch Head, Saturna Island. Image courtesy Simon Pidcock

LESSONS • TOURS • RENTALS

MILL BAY & SIDNEY 2 FOR 1 JUNE SPECIAL Book a guided Kayak or Paddleboard Sunset Tour for 2 in June and pay for 1! 2 FOR 1 JULY DEAL Take a Paddle Canada Basic or Level 1 Course in July & bring a friend for free!

5 Day Kayak Leadership Award (16-19years) Includes Paddle Canada Level 1 Skills & Basic Instructor Course

Also half day youth kayak camp for 12-15 yrs available this summer

CHECK OUT WWW.BLUEDOGKAYAKING.COM

Cowichan Bay Whale Report

inally it’s starting to feel a bit more like summer on the Salish Sea and we’ve had J Pod, one of our three resident families of salmon eating orcas return to our waters. All the members of J Pod are present and accounted for, confirmed by the Center for Whale Research. We were lucky enough to have an evening encounter with J Pod at East Point on Saturna Island. It was a great sight to see them spread out actively foraging in their matrilineal groups and actively catching fish. As the sun was setting they started to group up and rounded East Point as a family. They then spent the next four days foraging between Nanaimo and Courtney. I hope they are finding the salmon they need and their bellies are full! Hopefully our late winter and abundant snowpack will help the rivers and Chinook salmon of British Columbia and Washington State. The past two years have been extremely hard on our Chinook salmon with record low river flows and some Vancouver Island rivers almost drying. This drought has put even more pressure on our endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. In

less than 20 years we’ve lost 20 whales from a population of 98. The higher water levels, cooler temperatures and deeper snowpack bodes well for the Chinook returning to the Salish Sea’s rivers. Both the salmon and the whales need any and all the help they can get these days. The Biggs Killer Whales (mammal eaters) are thriving in the Salish Sea and we’ve been having some excellent encounters. It is now almost a regular occurrence to have large gatherings of Biggs Killer. Some days we are seeing over 20 Biggs socializing and hunting together. We would only see these gatherings about once a year ten years ago and now it’s almost weekly. There is just such a huge abundance of Harbour Seals and Sea Lions for the Biggs to prey on in the Salish Sea. All in the the sightings have been excellent and we’ve seen whales on every tour run in these past two months!

Simon Pidcock is Owner/ Operator of Ocean Ecoventures in Cowichan Bay

VEGA SPORT

New Ownership brings New Adventures to Cowichan Bay Kayak

ew owners Gary Ward and Georgia Newsome share a deep passion for adventure and connecting with nature and the outdoors. As owners and operators of the successful tour company Coastal Bliss Adventures, Cowichan Bay is thrilled to welcome them to their shores. “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 “in the hope that they too will find moments of bliss, through their participation.” Coastal Bliss Adventures offers a wide variety of tours for a variety of groups. Children and youth can enjoy our summer kayak, backpacking and mixed activity camps. “We work closely with families to design tours 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 allow

their spirits to soar, as they discover the beauty of nature and overcome personal challenges hiking or kayaking. With the new opening of our Cowichan Bay Kayaking location we will be including tours especially for ladies.” Due to it’s worldwide acclaim, their most popular tour is without a doubt the ‘West Coast Trail’, but they also run tours to other coastal trails and kayaking waterways; Juan de Fuca, Cape Scott, Broken Group Islands and to the Gulf Islands. From the Cowichan Bay Kayaking shop they will continue to offer tours, lessons, rentals and retail plus have added sit on top kayaks, canoes, SUP boards and pedal boats. Stop into the new adventure centre for ocean tours, walking or hiking tours. There’s something for everyone! 1-800-896-9525 www.coastalbliss.ca

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32nd wooden boat festival JUNE 17 & 18

Cowichan bay maritime centre

MUSIC kids crafts

Pancake Breakfast

Dinghy Races

fast & furious boat building

chowder contest

show boats

tours

www.classicboats.org

T EAR ge H e a th ill ed inn Bay V t a c a Lo wich o of C

OPEN

weekdays 7:30am - 5pm weekends 8am - 5pm Closed TUESDAYS

PATIO DINING NOW OPEN!

•ALL DAY BREAKFAST •Local ELK Hotdogs •Hot Drinks •Nasi Goreng •Jamaican Patties

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Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre’s 32nd Annual Wooden Boat Festival

oin the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre for its 32nd Annual Wooden Boat Festival on June 17 & 18. As always, there will be a lot of fun to be had. On Saturday, June 17 the festival kicks off with a Cittaslow pancake breakfast followed by a host of activities for the entire family. There will be face painting, children’s boat building, steam bending and steam engine demonstrations, the highly anticipated Clam Chowder Contest, brown bag dinghy races, live entertainment, boat races including the not to be missed Seagull ‘All Out and Out’ Race, an RC boat pond for the kids, and more! All of this to be capped off with a BBQ Salmon Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday evening. Sunday’s festival activities will include many of the above plus the community favourite – the Fast & Furious Boat Building Challenge. Guaranteed to be highly entertaining, teams of two to four people are given four hours to build a functional boat from scratch, with up to $100 in environmentallyfriendly building materials

of their choosing. Two members from each team will participate in the friendly three-part water portion of the competition: a paddling leg and sailing leg followed by a ‘get back to shore however you can’ leg. Start recruiting your team today! For wooden boat enthusiasts there will be beautiful boats from near and far on display along the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre docks. Festival goers will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite. For complete festival details, including an event schedule and entry forms for the Fast & Furious Boat Building Challenge, visit www. classicboats.org or call the centre at 250.746.4955. Submitted by Sharon McLeod

Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre

Beginner Tours

Paddling • Day Trips Hiking • Overnight Tours • Lessons • Ladies Only Tours • Birding and more!

West Coast Trail

Overnight Paddles

Youth Programs

Big Tree Hikes

Canoeing Adventures

Choose your own adventure!

coastalbliss.ca

1-800-896-9525

coastalbliss@shaw.ca

Mason Lafrance Arbutus Ridge’s Newest PGA Canada Member

rbutus Ridge Golf Course is proud to announce that Mason Lafrance one of their golf shop team members has just passed his Player Ability Test to become a member of the Professional Golfers Association of Canada.

Mason began as a junior member in his mid teens but didn’t begin thinking about golf seriously until his first year of college. “As a junior member it was all about learning the game, the history, and most important the values”. Mason shares “A lot of what the game is about is enjoyment, respect, sportsmanship and honesty and that to me is something I can take off the course as well. I am still very new to the industry and as much as I like playing I am also very interested in the business of it. Becoming professional to me was about being able to take the next step forward to get to where I can one day take on more of a management role. But right now I am going to enjoy playing in tournaments and learning as much as I can from the other great pros I

work with and in the industry. To become a professional all applicants must pass a playing ability test (PAT). This requires us to play a 36 hole stroke play event (two 18 hole rounds) with a target score of two times the course rating plus 15 strokes. I played at a course in Delta called Kings Links by the Sea. My target score was 158 for the two days. I struggled the first day but came back strong the next shooting the low round of the day and getting in under the target score with a 156. To play a course I had never played before under a lot of pressure and pass on my first try was a feeling I still can’t fully explain but I know I will remember it for a long time.” What he hopes to do next? “Right now I really just want to play golf!” Mason smiles “ Over the next few years I will be working on getting

my certification for teaching and continuing learning as much as I can about the golf industry as a business.” “Mason’s dedication to the game of golf came in his teens as junior member. We would drop him off at the golf course and he would spend the whole day there. “ recalls Paul Lafrance, Mason’s dad “Members and golf pros at the course took him under their wings and his love of the game grew. Their knowledge and advise that they gave him helped him decide to pursue his love of the game and make a career from it. Every week he helps run the Junior Night and thoroughly enjoys seeing the kids improve under his guidence. Just as the members and pros did for him, he wants to do for the kids, and have them improve and enjoy the game as he does.” www.arbutusridgegolf.com

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

Hugh Hopner and the Play Barn Bunnies

hy rabbits? Not only are they clean, quiet and take up very little space but... When we decided to find a wee bit of property on which to grow our own healthy food, of course we knew we would have our ducks, chickens and Bruce the Goose, their body guard. Since I would be feeding us, the dog and cats, I was pleased to learn that rabbit is one of the best meat for cats. Rabbits also meet the criteria we set for animals on the farm – they must serve at least three purposes. The rabbits rocked it! Meat: My husband was a bit skeptical at first, but after finishing his first bite, he stated “rabbit is my new favorite meat!” Being simple cooks, we simply apply salt, pepper and some other herbs then cook the meat at a low temperature. Mmmmm. Fur: Lovely soft, warm fur. Wanting to tan the hides I acquired Rex rabbits from a wonderful breeder here in the Cowichan Valley.

Composters: Rapid composters of appropriate kitchen scraps, weeds and other garden “waste”. Rabbits then create a very nutritious, ready to apply manure. Hill Billy TV – the rabbit channel: Endless entertainment. When acquiring rabbits, the first thing to consider is what breed. Then;

Expecting guests this summer? With 22 Bed and Breakfasts to choose from (over 70 rooms), for all tastes, styles, budgets and locations, we are a better way to stay.

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Serving Crofton, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay and Shawnigan.

Housing: Cage, tractor or a colony. Each method comes with its own rewards and challenges. Feeding: We choose to feed top quality feed and hay but in the growing season the rabbits eat mostly off our land. There is more to learn but there are many websites, Facebook groups and breeders that are more than willing to help “newbies”. Then there’s the end. I am lucky that my husband was willing to “do the deed”. After caring for my rabbits for four months, snuggling all the babies making sure they stay happy and healthy, picking weeds and going “shopping” in the forest, I still find it difficult when they come to

the end. It helps to always have more babies to dote on. Want to learn more? Come see us (and Hugh) at the Homestead Fair on June 3 & 4 at the Farmer’s Institute, Cobble Hill. “We choose to eat meat; therefore, we must ensure they

have the best life, and best death possible”.

Submitted by Dean and Kelley Gamblewest of Laughing Duck Farm.

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

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

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

as I can remember, I have always been drawing or painting. While painting, I feel fortunate and grateful to be able to spend my time doing something I love. I lose myself in the colours, textures and emotions each piece generates. I experiment with shapes, inks, textures, bright colours and collage, which adds contrast and interest. I let the paint guide me and I encounter many surprises along the way. I am always striving to accomplish something new and exciting and it is always my hope that the viewer will pause and enjoy my work. June 1-28, “Recollections” a collection of mixed media works by Therese Johnson. Excellent Frameworks, 28 Station St., Duncan. ‘Art Night’ opening with Therese Thurs. June 1, 6-8pm. For info 250-746-7112

Handbuilding Workshop

Abstract Painter Thérèse Johnston My fascination with art started as a young child. It has now become a passion to express my emotions through my art. As far back

Join us and Sandi Harquail for a two day hands-on workshop. We will explore how to create functional pottery with soft slabs. We will develop paper templates, use slump and hump molds, and explore a variety of different handle making techniques. The time will be a balance of demonstrations, hands on

HELLERWORK STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION MYO-FACIAL STRETCH THERAPY COUNSELLING 50% off first session for new clients

MELISSA BROWN

•Freedom from chronic pain and injury •Improved alignment •Connect more deeply with your body •Expanded energy vitality and aliveness

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plays Nick’s R&B arrangements. The energy from the band is electrifying, so ready your best moonwalk, prepare your finest hustle, rock your electric slide, and we’ll see you down there! 2pm, Sunday, June 11th at the Crofton Pub - 1534 Joan Ave.

experimentation, and discussion. The workshop is on June 3rd and 4th from 10-4:30 at The Clay Hub in Cowichan Station. The cost for the two days is $140. Register early to ensure a place. More information at www. theclayhubcollective.weebly.com

Sunday Jazz Nick La Riviere

Thus Owls at The Hub

The mesmerizing and dark velvet sounding Thus Owls is built around the core of SwedishCanadian couple Erika and Simon Angell. Simon’s harshly charismatic guitar blends with the urgency of Erika’s vocals to create a sound that bends and stretches their unusual compositions into ever newer and surprising shapes. June 22, 7:30pm $20 at The HUB, 2375 Koksilah Road, Duncan www.thusowls.com

Under the direction of Nick La Riviere (trombonist from The Paperboys, Locarno, Michael Kaeshammer, The HiFi, and more), Soul Source is a 19 piece community R&B band. Performing the music of Chaka Khan, Dr John, Ryan Shaw, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Michael Jackson and more, this band rocks! Featuring 4 singers, a big horn section, and a big rhythm section, the band exclusively

Multiculturalism Day Celebration The evening will include a $10/ pp catered dinner of ethnic food, Aldon Habacon, cultural expos and community awards. Hosted by the Cowichan Intercultural Society June 27 Duncan Lodge, 5pm start 250-748-3112

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

Call or Email

First appointment free!

David Yaeger

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

Luna T Craig

Thérèse Johnson

June 1-28 “Recollections” a collection of mixed media works by Thérèse Johnson. Art night opening with Thérèse Thursday June 1, 6-8pm

Wilderness at The Ou Gallery

he contrast of two art forms, conceptual photography and abstract painting, opens an emotional wilderness of arranged abstraction, bold acrylic colour, (un)imagined spaces, and highlights the vulnerability of form in the

abandoned elegance of the wild west coast. Madeline Menefee is an artist & wild woman born of the Western Frontier. Her paintings are inspired by music, stories, and her travels throughout Africa, India, Mexico and the American Southwest. Luna T-Craig is a soft soul from the prairies whose intimate photographs connect the viewer to both the Earth and her subjects. Spend the evening with us June 2nd to explore & share in the beauty, color & contrast of our lives’ wilderness. Show open Saturday & Sunday from 123pm until June 25th. The Ou Gallery, 5091 Agira Rd, Duncan. Show runs to June 25.

Madeline Menefee

Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 28 Station St., Downtown Duncan www.excellentframeworks.ca 250 746 7112

JUNE 15 - AUGUST 31 COBBLE HILL VILLAGE COMMONS

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT 6:30 -8:00PM

JUNE 15 NEIL YOUNG TRIBUTE Acoustic (DYLAN STONE) JUNE 22 ADAM BARTER JUNE 29 JON MIDDLETON* Music nights are brought to you by No entry charged but donations accepted

iew Of The Coast

Painter Jeffrey Birkin opening June 25th at Birkin’s new venue: Stoney Hill Art Gallery. The show surveys three decades of Birkin’s work as a professional artist. Jeffrey, what inspired you to become a painter? Thirty Year Sentence is the title of artist Jeffrey Birkin’s retrospective art exhibition

“In 1986 I was working as a software engineer on a U.S. Air force project called the Automated Weather Distribution

System and had an epiphany that I didn’t want to continue being part of the military industrial complex and I’d rather be a full time artist so I let my contract expire and pursued my bliss” quipped Birkin. “I had been exposed to the artists lifestyle through friends I met in Robert’s Creek B.C. where I grew up and co-owned a cabin in the woods. The homesteader’s cabin was lit by candles and kerosene lamps and surrounded by luscious fruit trees and majestic old growth like in this painting View Of The Coast” Birkin explained. “Roberts Creek in the 60’s and 70’s was a haven for hippies, draft resisters and artist enclaves. Although that was before my time, key figures from that history became my artistic mentors in the early 80’s :Publisher and photographer Arthur Richardson, poet painter bill bissett, and artist Michael Morris were all influential in my inspiration to become a painter myself” Birkin noted. Vancouver’s art scene became part of Birkin’s artistic influence where he maintained a studio/apartment along Sunset Beach. “Those were heady times, attending art openings at artist run centres like the Western Front and hanging out with all the artists, curators, musicians , these experiences informed my artistic practice and became subjects of my paintings. Eventually I got the respect and attention of my peers and mentors and had a few major shows, including two solo exhibitions at Richmond’s public art gallery” Birkin exuded “Between my winter ventures to Mexico where I painted huge works inspired by the local culture, my summer’s inspirations at the Roberts Creek cabin and Vancouver’s busy artworld lifestyle, I had lots to keep my palette full” Birkin explained. Jeffrey, why did you move to Stoney Hill? “Back in 1996 when I bought the property out here with my friend Arthur, the Maple Bay Peninsula, as it was then known, was truly a jewel in the rough off grid lifestyle. That really appealed to me as it reminded me of my life growing up on the Sunshine

Coast. It took a while to get my artistic stride in the valley, but eventually I met some inspiring figures like Simon Charlie who I painted several portraits of Simon telling The Legend

like this one: Simon telling The Legend” noted Birkin. “remote stretches of the Chemainus river is another valley series I’m quite proud of like this one here: Chemainus river in fall, that’s my nod to Tom Thomson of the Group Of Seven” Birkin enthused “times have changed out here in Stoney Hill though, with the new paved road there’s lots of traffic, some of the locals have died off or cashed out. I guess the upside of all this new interest in the area is that I can host visitors to my gallery/studio” explained Birkin “back in Roberts Creek when I was a kid, there was a private museum along Beach Avenue so I guess its possible to have a gallery anywhere” Birkin’s retrospective exhibition Thirty Year Sentence on display at his studio/gallery at 7973 Stoney Hill road opens Sunday June 25th, noon to four. The show continues to July 30th with Summer Gallery hours: Sundays, noon to four or by appointment. com. Drive down the new Stoney Hill road off Genoa Bay road just past Birds Eye Cove Farm. Its right across from the stop sign, park at the top and walk down. For further info. Contact the artist at 250 715 8209, jeffreybirkin@hotmail.com.

La Petite Auction House Auction Sunday JUNE 11 & 25 • 1pm

Accepting goods throughout the week

Viewings

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY 11am- 5pm SATURDAY 1-4pm SAME DAY viewings 10am-1pm To consign email dawngeddie@gmail.com

9686 Chemainus Rd, 250-701-2902 MARGOT PAGE

A Salute to Musical Pioneers: Rock Legends at Chemainus Theatre Festival

et ready to rock with one of the most anticipated shows of the season! The Chemainus Theatre is filled with the melodies of the world’s greatest musical pioneers as Rock Legends takes centre stage through August 26. Conceived and directed by Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment, Rock Legends revisits the incredible discography that forever changed the landscape of modern music. Rock Legends is a sequel of sorts to the smash-hit Twist and Shout: The British Invasion, which wowed sold-out audiences in 2015. “From the mid 1950s through the mid 1970s, a number of artists refused to bow to industry pressure and creatively set their own musical trends,” says Mustakas. “They were courageous and outrageous, and this production is our way of saluting the most influential rock and roll acts of the 20th century.” Once again, the story harkens back to a simpler period in history, when families gathered around the television to watch the

hottest acts of the day perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. This time around, popular television host Roy Solomon is signing-off the air after 20 years with The SBC Studio, and theatregoers become the live studio audience who are taken on a stroll down memory lane, while millions of television viewers look on from their living rooms. And what a stroll it is! Featuring a hit-parade of over 60 unforgettable songs by such unique artists as Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beach Boys, The Everly Brothers, The Supremes, Ray Charles, Elton John, ABBA, The Monkees, and many more, this lighthearted musical tribute captures the spirit of the era in an imaginative piece of pop culture nostalgia. Rock Legends runs through June 2 through August 26. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Chemainus Theatre, online at www.chemainustheatre.ca or by calling the Box Office at 250246-9820 or toll free at 1-800565-7738.

Enamelling on Copper and Steel

Studio Visits by Appointment 250-746-8446 7113 Osborne Bay Rd, Duncan I www.margotpage.com

Zak Stolk Violin Maker

25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition.

Making, repair and restoration of Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, and all manner of Stringed Instruments. 250-749-6563 zakviolins@shaw.ca www.zakviolins.com

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OPEN MON - FRI 11:30am / SAT & SUN 10am MILL BAY MARINA • 740 HANDY RD • 778-356-3568 www.bridgemans.ca

LIVE MUSIC ON SUNDAYS! 4 -7PM

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

DESIGNING

GREEN S

o my last article in the May issue assumed we would be into spring barbequeing weather by publishing date. Well what happened to that one? This warmth has been so long in coming that I’m sure you dads out there must be really

chomping at the bit to create some kind of grilling machine to burn something. But for you vegetarians, we can talk today about fireplaces and surrounds to warm the hearth inside as well because you just never know what this weather is going to bring anymore. So for remodels and bringing that fireplace up to date, try simplifying and remove the clunky shin destroying raised hearth and pick up the extra real estate in the living room. There are exceptions if you can make that raised hearth a proper height and size to sit on, or even better, to lie down on, creating a new piece of furniture in itself (see attached Dwell style home photo). Assuming you are switching

115 Kenneth St Downtown Duncan 250 746.9809

to natural gas, electric or high efficiency wood, consider a recessed hearth into the floor if you still require clearance for floor protection by code. My favourite hearth is always a single slab of antiqued black Carmanagh marble from Matrix Marble and Stone. Quarried and manufactured right here in Duncan. How cool and sustainable is that? If you cut your flooring back to insert the marble slab and even allow a slight bit more of marble to stick up say by 1/4 to 1/2 inch, it allows a soft transition without affecting your furniture layouts. Be sure to bullnose the edges to protect those toes! If you switch to natural gas or electric, you likely won’t need any hearth at all so the flooring can abut the face of your new fireplace. You might want to consider raising the fireplace slightly as well. We find raising the whole unit anywhere from 8” to 12” gives a nicer more visible flame appreciated from all across the house. With the popularity of a more horizontal flame, the higher installation reads more pronounced. And think about it, how often do you bend over to capture the warmth? This way it is at a more receptive height physically and

visually. Then clad over old brick or tear out your uncles attempt at stone work surrounds with a simple hardi panel sheet for bonding new tile or stone to. One of my most popular we finished is a simple cement scratchcoat (see photo). Also popular and affordable and quick is a large format tile like 12” x 24” minimum and run vertically to the ceiling in a stacked effect to give the room some extra height if it needs it. Or bringing some of the new West Coast ledgestone that is easily applied in a groutless manner really brings the outside into your home as well. Now available with outside wrapping corners, you can create an effect that really is substantial and well crafted like the masons of old. Whatever you do, never, never buy cultured stone for anything. The false look tires very quickly. In about a split second for some. If you’re looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift, go to the Huckberry Store site and check out the carbonated copper beer growlers for packing your favourite Red Arrow beer to the beach or the Uuni portable wood fired pizza oven that cooks perfect pizz in 60 seconds. Call me when it arrives!

AMOS (H)EARTHWORKS

super-efficient wood-fired masonry heaters rocket stoves and bake ovens cob, adobe, light clay and hemp-crete natural building earthen floors and clay-based finish plasters

amosclayworks.ca 250 748 2089

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

LOCALLY MADE SHAVE ESSENTIALS!

Our new Men’s Line was inspired by women who told us that their sweethearts and sons were stealing all their Botanical Bliss face products for themselves! Shave Forté is a hand-made castile shaving soap with olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter and pure essential oils of cypress, lime, bergamot and carrot seed. Castile soap is very mild and is good for all skin types including dry, irritated or sensitive. The lather is super soft and smooth and smells delicious! Cypress essential oil is refreshing and also stops bleeding and heals wounds, so if you nick yourself shaving, your soap will help you heal! Bergamot and Lime essential oils soothe the nerves and lift the spirit with their bright citrus scent. Carrot seed’s antioxidant qualities can keep your skin looking younger. “I love the clean masculine scent of this soap “ says Robin Round of Botanical Bliss.” Makes a man’s face very kissable!” A single jar of Shave Forté can last a year, making it an incredible value. For those who are environmentally in tune - we use NO palm oil in our soaps as its extensive use is causing massive rainforest deforestation and groundwater pollution in Malaysia and Indonesia. Robin and her team create a line of over 40 hand-made herbals in Duncan. Botanical Bliss can be found every Saturday at the Duncan Market – 9-2 and at botanicalbliss.ca

We originally formulated Smoother Soother Skin Calming Creme to comfort shaving rash for the Cops for Cancer head shave some 18 years ago. Since then, its cooling peppermint, soothing aloe and chamomile and broad range of omega oils have earned it ‘must-have’ status by guy-fans who appreciate how well it nourishes their skin as an aftershave moisturizer - can you say ‘Elixir of Youth’? Dragonfly Dreaming Organics is celebrating 20+2 years of growing and creating outstanding, effective body care products, here in the Cowichan Valley. Thank you to our many supporters and partners! Available online and at Dragonfly Dreaming’s studio in Cobble Hill (call 250-743-8036) and in Duncan at the Community Farm Store.

Salt Spring Soapworks produce simple, healthy, and natural body care products (since 1979). This light, all-natural blend is formulated to generate a rich and lubricating lather. It softens the beard for a close and comfortable shave - leaving skin smooth, soothed and moisturized. Key ingredients include; argan oil, butcher’s broom and Aloe Leaf Extract. Available at Saltspring Soapworks 269 Craig St, Duncan and online at www.saltspring soapworks.com

Father’s Day Contest!

Valley Voice Magazine, Botanical Bliss, Dragonfly Dreaming and Salt Spring Soapworks have teamed together to give away a special Father’s Day gift basket with each of the above products and other goodies. Be one of three lucky readers to find three of these old fashioned shave kit in this June Issue Valley Voice and email us the location of all 3, including page numbers and you will win. Email your contest entries before June 12 to editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com. If you are correct you will win a gift basket to pick up just in time for Father’s Day.

Mugs for DAD! • Plates • Bowls •Vases • Vessels • Honey Pots • Tea Pots • Urns • Shakers & more!

The Mud Room Clayworks Potter Colleen Underwood 250 710 7329 1725 Cowichan Bay Road

Located between True Grain Bread and Get Phil’d Up in Cow Bay

Handmade, local Father’s Day gifts!

The Mysteries of Manly Skin – Solved!

en are becoming much more concerned about the health of their skin. For a variety of reasons, men have some different skin care needs than women. We have gathered 10 of the most frequently asked questions from our male clients and outlined the answers. 1) I’m in my 40’s and I still get acne like I did when I was a teenager! What’s that about and what can I do? Men produce a lot of testosterone which drives oil production in sebaceous glands. When these become plugged by dirt, debris, and aging skin cells, blackheads and cysts can form. To treat this, use a chemical exfoliating wash containing salicylic acid in the morning and / or a retinol cream before bed. In addition, exfoliating and cleansing treatments such as the Hydrafacial MD and superficial chemical peels can be of enormous benefit…that’s right, there is such a thing as a manifacial! 2) There are younger guys eager to take my job. What can I do to stay looking young and maintain a competitive edge at work? There are many procedures available to help you achieve a more youthful look. Many men

are now using Botox to soften forehead lines and crow’s feet. Filler can be used to make the chin squarer and strengthen the shape of the jaw. Nasolabial lines can be softened and the area around the eye can be “opened”. 3) My nose area is so oily and the skin around my nostrils is starting to swell and get red. What’s going on? You may have rosacea. This causes veins around the nose to enlarge and a general redness of the skin to evolve. Sometimes pustules develop which may look like acne. You will notice that your skin is sensitive to soaps, extreme hot or cold weather, and alcohol. This can all be treated with appropriate skin care and intense pulsed light treatments (IPL). 4) I have olive coloured skin and I tan easily. Do I still have to use SPF? Yes! We all need sunblock to protect our skin from the damaging and harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Melanoma rates are increasing and as we age, sun damage becomes evident in the development of other skin cancers: actinic keratosis, squamous and basal cell cancers. It is important to use a sunblock when out hiking, fishing, skiing, or

just lying by the lake or pool. The best sunblock is a physical block containing zinc oxide which is now formulated so it doesn’t look white on your skin - you don’t want that cool white nose look made “famous” by the surfers in the 70’s. 5) I’m back in the dating scene. The amount of hair on my chest is just right but the thickness on my back is too much. What can I do about that? Permanent hair reduction using intense pulsed light (IPL) is one of our most popular treatments for men. It effectively reduces the amount of hair in a few treatments. 6) Razor bumps and ingrown hairs drive me crazy. Aside from growing a beard, what should

I do? This is sometimes known as folliculitis and it is again true that gentle exfoliation with specific cleansers and sometimes treatment with topical antibiotic cream can be very helpful. In addition, oscillating brushes like the Clarisonic can help keep your skin exfoliated. 7) My female friends are always pushing me to use moisturizer. Isn’t that just for girls? Well, if you are going for the weathered Harrison Ford or Mic Jagger look, you could avoid moisturizer, but if you want to keep wrinkles at bay for a while longer, listen to your female friends. Your skin needs hydration to stay healthy and youthful looking and splashing

FREE LANGUAGE CLASSES, EMPLOYMENT AND SETTLEMENT SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE NEWCOMERS

WHERE CULTURES CONNECT

www.cis-iwc.org

250-748-3112

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

on some water just doesn’t do it. Many sunblocks now contain moisturizers so it is a one step process after showering in the morning.

Those wrinkles are caused by use of the peri-ocular muscles. Treatment with Botox can relax these muscles and soften crow’s feet lines.

8) My skin doesn’t have that healthy glow like it did when I was younger. What am I doing wrong? Skin cells have a rapid life span and if they are not removed when they die, your skin ends up looking dull and dry. Regular use of an exfoliating cleanser and moisturizer will help bring back that youthful brightness. The Clarisonic brush, HydraFacial MD treatments, and superficial chemical peels are also beneficial additions to your exfoliating routines.

10) I had severe acne when I was a teenager. That’s gone now but I’ve been left with significant scarring. What can I do about that? Acne scarring can be embarrassing. Luckily, there are now very effective treatments available. Fractional resurfacing and micro needling treatments have resulted in satisfied clients.

9) The wrinkles around my eyes used to make me look wise and distinguished, but now they just make me look old. Why are they there and can I get rid of them? For men who spend a lot of time outdoors, wrinkles around the eyes are common due to squinting to block out the glare.

Submitted by Dr. Pascoe Viva Medical Aesthetics

New Summer Sandal Styles

ummer is here and with it comes the great outdoors ‘summer style’. If you’re walking , hiking the hills or making your way to the your favourite swimming spot, you’re going to want the right shoe to do it in. You’re only as good as where your shoes will take you so make sure you’re well supported, protected and shod – you’ll go far! Keens are always a ‘go to’ choice for walking, swimming

and generally doing ‘it all’ in summer. Keen sandals were originally made with a toe bumper to protect your toes hiking or kayaking. It’s still very popular but a little more refined now and a favourite for walking, light hiking or swimming. Merrell’s sandals have a smooth and sleek look and an exceptionally comfortable

sole. This company made a product for women by realizing that women have a different body shape and foot strike than men. So, they came out

DOWNTOWN

DUNCAN

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with a different base that has a unique midsole that provides support and cushioning as well as a corrective positioning that is very lightweight yet deceptively supportive. At home, on the beach, or walking on pavement, they are easy, comfortable and colorful too. Summer isn’t complete without Mephisto’s and Birkenstocks. Classic molded footbeds made with cork and latex rubber with a layer of memory foam and nubuk leather these sandals are

great for home, gentle walking or anyone who stands and needs the correcting footbed. In beige and black are always a favourite, however this year the colours are delightful. Always a popular choice Naot with their rubber and cork molded footbeds are super comfortable, breathable and stylish; a ‘go-to’ shoe for Cardino’s staff when it gets hot! Cardino Shoes, 165 Craig St, Duncan.

Longevity John Falkner in front of his venue The Duncan Showroom

Q&A with Longevity John Falkner, Artistic Director of the 39 Days of July (39 Days, 300+ performers, 100% free to public) DDBIA: What year is this now for the 39 Days of July? L.J.: Now in its 6th year. DDBIA: What have been the biggest changes in the festival that you’ve seen? L.J.: Acceptance by the community…the park fills up all day and every evening now.

DDBIA: Have there been any specific days or shows that stand out as really special or memorable for you? L.J.: Each year throws many excellent surprises. Our touring and local acts have really stepped up to the plate performing in the park and the concerts on the City Square stage are always special… each one of them.

DDBIA: Are you changing or adding anything new this year? L.J.: This year Showcase Mondays will have performers at 4pm and 5pm, as well as 6pm and 7pm. We’re keeping the Blues on Tuesdays series alive and Thursdays Evenings in the Park will have some special musical treats. And the 40th Day of July is now a given – to be held on Sunday, September 3rd – the final summer fling…music in City Square from 2pm till 9:30pm.

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DDBIA:What would you most like people to know about the 39 Days of July? L.J.: That it is “a rather fun place to be”.

DDBIA: How would you summarize the 39 Days in only 3 words? L.J.: Rather. Fun. Place.

DDBIA: What do you envision for the festival in the years to come? L.J.: Huge financial support.

DDBIA:What is the biggest crowd that you have had in the park and who was performing? L.J.: Many an evening in 2016 we reached 300 or more. Blues on Tuesdays is a hit and Walkabout Wednesdays in City Square has seen audiences number from 300 – 800 with over a 1,000 for the multi-denominational service that is also held in City Square.

The 39 Days of July, presented by the Duncan-Cowichan Festival Society June 30th – August 7th Charles Hoey Park & City Square Stage, Downtown Duncan. Check out website and FB page for further info.

Sue’s daughter Louise on therapy horse “Scotia” at the BC Summer Games with coach Lisa Pink.

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The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association (CTRA)’s Remarkable Community

he Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association (CTRA) is well known for their therapeutic interventions. Services including therapeutic riding, therapeutic horsemanship, adapted equestrian vaulting,

and stable management vocational training have provided countless individuals with unparalleled physical, cognitive, and developmental outcomes. For these reasons, medical professionals have referred

persons with special needs to CTRA for decades. One of the lesser known, but profoundly powerful aspects of becoming involved with CTRA is the Association’s remarkable community. Since 1986, CTRA has offered the Cowichan Valley an inclusive, healing space for persons of all abilities to come together over a shared love of horses, build strong friendships, and realize their dreams. The emotional, psychological, and social benefits that this sense of belonging offers to all comers means that many soon become “lifers,” who transition between various roles in the organization (e.g. parent, participant, volunteer, staff, supporter). It is these “lifers” that transform CTRA from a service provider to a community, a family. Perhaps no individual has better exemplified this capacity than Sue Wells. Sue Wells started riding as a child and became a lifelong horsewoman. Her first introduction to CTRA came when her daughter was referred for therapeutic riding (she excelled, eventually competing in para-dressage at the BC Summer Games for Athletes with a Disability). Sue’s involvement as a parent soon transitioned to the role of volunteer. A lifelong humanitarian, Sue enjoyed combining service for others with her love of horses. A skilled equestrian, Sue excelled as a horse handler – earning a reputation as an expert volunteer. “She had a great relationship with the horses,” says Lisa Pink, CTRA’s Head Instructor. “She was always dependable and very capable.” Loree I’Anson met Sue when

they volunteered together at CTRA. The two soon became close friends. “We volunteered on Fridays,” Loree remembers. “One day she turned to me and asked if I wanted to hike the Nootka trail. She was fearless.” Sue was involved with CTRA for about 20 years, volunteering until the time she received a diagnosis of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After the diagnosis, Sue was proactive – researching about the disease and starting her own therapeutic riding treatment right away. For Sue, the wellness component of the therapy was the greatest benefit. Being aboard a horse enabled Sue to leave behind her wheelchair and return to nature. “We did a lot of trail rides,” recalls Lisa, “She would tell us all about the plants and flowers along the way. Often we would just pause – standing, breathing, listening to the forest.” Therapeutic riding helped Sue feel like her old self. “She lived for her riding days,” Loree remembers. When the disease progressed to the point where Sue was no longer able to ride, she came every Friday to bring carrots to the horses. “She was a ray of sunshine,” Loree reflects, “She always had a smile and a hug. She was an inspiration.” When Sue passed, she included CTRA in her estate planning - her final gift to the organization and the community she loved so much. www.ctra.ca Submitted by Jennifer Barnes van Elk

I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. It began in mystery, and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beautiful country lies in between. Diane Ackerman American poet

In Loving Memory of Sue Wells To the special caretakers, friends and acquaintances who provided loving support to the late Sue Wells, we wish to extend our deepest gratitude for your incalculable kindnesses and assistance over the course of her battle with ALS. We do not have the words to convey our appreciation to the community for the magnitude and depth of your support. The Norman and Jean Wells Family

Spirit Wishing Tree Prayer Where do you go when things get tough? when global issues wear you down, when all seems lost ,when the dice are thrown, when hope is helpless,when the seeds are sown? We need a place when the church is gone, We need a place when ill is done. Who can help? Who creates change? Who do we turn to? Who do we rely on? We are they, each of us here, who have the power, who can stand as one. How do we do it? How can we help? How does it happen,this change we want? How can we bear all the need? How can we plant the healing seed? What can an individual do when a community cries,when a planet dies, when catastrophe strikes, when the weight is so heavy, we want Love as our kite? The What is the Tree that stands strong that bridges both heaven and earth. The Where is the Tree in home or community The How is the wish,the prayer,the blessing, the flag that moves in the wind - in the sky. The What is also the wind that carries the prayer to the world, to the heavens, to all, to the self, for a loved one, for the earth held dear, for a child overseas,for a country under siege, for a fish, for a whale, for a wrong in a jail, for a doubt, for a plea,for a wish to be free. The What is the Tree The Who is you

Project Community Wishing Tree is an invitation to create. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how it works.

Select - A willing tree, with permission Empower - Use a string, ribbon, or flag (biodegradable) Open your heart and pray, wish, intend, love Hang your ribbon on the tree Let go - There is power in this action (repeat as necessary) Everyone needs a place of hope that they can go to. The Spirit Tree, The Wishing Tree, The Prayer Tree, can be this place. Like an altar,the tree becomes a sacred place for an individual,a family or a community, where they can go to and engage with spirit, release their worries and wishes and create change through love, intention and action. It is nondenominational, inclusive and free! When considering this project, please ensure no harm come to your chosen tree. Submitted by Marilyn Swallow

Trees Have A Heart

o you ever wonder why wood from a single species has lighter and darker colour tones in it? Before I became a furniture maker in the Cowichan Valley, I would wonder about that. Under the bark and cambium layer is both sapwood and heartwood in the trunk and older, thicker branches of a tree. Sapwood The sapwood is the newer wood near the outside of the tree and its purpose is to store and transport water and minerals up and down the tree and also to the leaves. Sapwood has a considerable amount of moisture and when it is milled and dried, has considerable amount of shrinkage. In most species, it is lighter in colour than the older, central area of the heartwood because it is very much alive. Heartwood Heartwood is basically sapwood that no longer has much moisture in it causing the pores to fill with organic material, called extractives, which causes the wood to become darker and stronger than the sapwood. A tree needs the strength in central area of the trunk to hold up its massive weight. Since the heartwood has very little moisture in it compared to the sapwood, it does not shrink very much and is much more resistant to decay and insects.

The ratio of sapwood to heartwood depends on how many leaves the tree has and how fast the tree grows. The more leaves and faster growth need more water and of course, more sapwood. I personally enjoy the look of sapwood and heartwood combined in a table top or in solid wood flooring. A couple of my favourite woods, walnut and cherrywood, are beautiful with the lighter and darker tones intertwined together to add more of a dramatic, and unique pattern. I make and sell live edge mirrors and wine racks made from local, big leaf maple in the Cowichan Valley and I try to incorporate the various colours and tones together. Local maple trees have various tones of orange and brown in the heartwood and the sapwood are a creamy white to a light tan in colour. So I hope you feel you know a little bit more why the colours in furniture and cabinets are not a boring brown colour. If they are, they most likely have been stained to a uniform colour. Todd M. McAneeley toddmcaneeley@gmail.com Owner of Reflections Of Perfection, a company that makes and sell live edge mirrors and wine racks online and locally in the Cowichan Valley.

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For Master Craftsman Ken Broadland, the Forest is an Endless Source of Inspiration and Creativity

owichan Valley resident Ken Broadland loves everything about wood. He and his wife Jan live in a beautiful log house complete with post and beam studio, both of which he built himself. Since retiring as a Conservation Officer in 2002, Ken has turned a ‘wood turning’ hobby into a successful second career. For Ken, a tree knocked down by the wind or felled for safety reasons is an opportunity to carve out an exquisite creation using the wood’s subtle colours, textures, and unique features. Ken says that his main goal in turning wood is to present the wood’s natural beauty in a useable form. His specialty is large salad bowls and servers, along with a host of cutting boards, kitchen implements, small bowls, coasters, and cremation urns. In fact, Ken will make just about anything that catches his interest and is supported by his many customers. A selection of Ken’s wood creations will be displayed at Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs in downtown Duncan for the month of June. Ken works with a wide variety of Vancouver Island woods. His two favourites are big leaf maple and arbutus. He particularly likes maple because of its range of grain

‘Inspired by Nature’

ARTISTIC WOOD DOORS & LIVE EDGE MIRRORS patterns and arbutus for its hardness and durability. These trees enable Ken to rise to the challenge of creating pieces that enhance the natural colour and form of the wood. Wood turning starts with a treasure hunt for ideal wood, he notes. With arbutus and maple, Ken looks for diameters of over two feet. The wood he uses is salvaged from dead or dying trees or ones taken down for safety reasons or to make room for development. His purpose is to prevent the wood from being wasted.

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The creation of each piece takes time involving several steps along the way. It isn’t simply a case of carving a bowl out of a hunk of wood. First he cuts blocks of the fallen tree with a chain saw. It is important that he have access to the wood when it is still wet so he can control the drying process. Later in his workshop Ken cuts the wood into a circular shape and mounts it in a lathe. After much turning, inspecting, and fine tuning, the rough bowl is dried - a process which takes between two to six months. It is then final-turned, sanded and oiled. “The wood I gather in the winter isn’t usually finished being processed until late summer or early fall. That’s when my reward comes,

being able to review with satisfaction the beauty of nature in all the bowls I’ve made,” he notes. Ken will be showing his works in the window at Imagine That Artisans

June 2-30. Don’t miss the exhibition! 251 Craig St, Duncan Veronica Scott is a mosaic artist and freelance writer.

What The Heck is Going On Down There?

t’s not the tenants or the kids in the basement, it’s the aquifers and the groundwater we’re talking about. It’s deep, it’s dark, it’s mysterious and it’s soaking wet……. Most of the time. On Southern Vancouver Island and in fact on most of the BC coast, our plentiful rains and annual snow pack generally do a pretty good job of keeping our lakes and rivers full and flowing. A portion of this same precipitation finds it’s way through the upper layers of soil and rock, eventually becoming part of the moving bodies of underground water we call aquifers. For most of the last 10,000 or so years, the surface waters have been largely abundant and while tree ring data, marine sediments and other markers illustrate that droughts did occasionally occur, the combinations of climate change and human water diversions have been creating low levels and low flows on an increasingly regular basis. Groundwater on the other hand has for most of human history been a huge unknown. As recently as 100 years ago, very few aquifers had even been encountered. Most wells at that time were dug by hand, cribbed with wood or brick and were usually less than 20 ft deep and

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generally recharged by what we would consider surface water sources. Most wells that harness true groundwater aquifers are more than 30 ft. deep, with many having drilled hundreds of feet through soils and solid bedrock in order to find productive aquifer formations. There is much folklore and superstition surrounding ground water. Some believe it travels in underground rivers, or though “veins” and “arteries” of the earth and that “good water” flows North to South and “bad water” flows East to West. Many believe that artesian wells and springs have special or magical properties. Almost everyone knows, or knows of, a dowser, diviner or well witcher and if you live in an area where the snow-capped mountains of the Coastal Range, the Olympics or Mt. Baker are visible you will likely hear the rural myth of how the local groundwater originates in those distant mountains. Now I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, be the one to break the news about Santa Claus, or declare that the stories and beliefs detailed above could not possibly ever be true. But I am not prepared to totally rule out the possibility of pigs with wings either. I try to have an

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open mind and have been proven wrong on more than one occasion (a lot more than one), but I know that groundwater follows some basic laws of nature and physics and my experience in the groundwater industry has taught me a few things. One of these is that our groundwater starts as surface water within a very few kilometers of where we pull it back out of the groundwater aquifers. I truly was born into the well drilling business, in that my dad met my mother when he was drilling a well on a farm on Phipps Rd. for the man who would become my grandfather. It was the classic story of the well driller and the farmers daughter. It wasn’t a very good well, or a very good farm, but it was a great relationship and a great business, such that 65 years later, the great grandchildren of that farmer (my children) are taking over the family business. A lot has changed in 65 years. It now takes 3 days to drill a well that used to take 3 weeks, so there is no time to get friendly with the client’s daughters. The rigs are much larger and more expensive, and the wells are tending to be deeper. There are a number of reasons why we are drilling deeper wells. The first is that people today require a lot more water than in the past for things like flush toilets, dishwashers, and showers with 3 shower heads; as opposed to outhouses and weekly baths. The other reason in some parts of the world and in some parts of the Cowichan Valley is that water tables are dropping. There are some areas, particularly in the South Cowichan area where there has been a disturbing trend over the last 25 years that has shown some aquifers dropping steadily and wells that were great producers for decades, gradually declining as the water level dropped below the bottom of the wells. The result is that these unfortunate well owners

had to deepen the well, or if that was not possible, drill a new and deeper well. The graph below shows a Provincial Observation Well near Braithwaite Rd. in Cobble Hill. The data before 2010 is a little sketchy, but the general downward trend from 2010 is worrying. The really good news is this winter’s high water level shown in pink, is the highest seen in more than 10 years, and is still climbing. While the data is somewhat

250 715 6174 comforting for the moment, we need to remember that climate change models predict that our summers will be getting drier on average, and droughts more frequent. We need to continue to improve our knowledge of carrying capacity of our freshwater resources and we need to continue creating a culture of conservation to combat the tendency to treat our freshwater resources as though they had no limit. I had a stark reminder of the value of water when I volunteered on a water well drilling project in Benin, West Africa. We were drilling wells using the same equipment and technology that was used back in my father’s day when well drilling was a great way to meet a girl. Wells were being drilled in remote villages and fitted with hand pumps so that the women would no longer have to walk miles to dirty watering holes and carry the family’s daily water home in buckets and jugs balanced on their heads.

access to good water, that they showed their gratitude by dancing, clapping and singing songs of thanks. In these communities, a whole family is accustomed to meeting all of their needs with 20 litres per day, while we typically use more than 200 litres per day per person! While I would never advocate for a return to hand pumps and outdoor latrines,

there is no doubt we can do a lot better and should continue to find ways to reduce our water consumption in order to assure ample future supplies for us and the ecosystems we depend on. For more information on the magic and mysteries of groundwater including licensing and regulations under the Water Sustainability Act, please join us at the Cowichan Watershed Board VIU speaker series at VIU Duncan campus at 7 PM on Thursday June 22. David Slade studied geology at Uvic and spent the last 30 years working at Drillwell Enterprises, a third generation Cowichan Valley well drilling business.

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co Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise for Injuries

assage Therapy feels good. It can help us relax, decrease stress, sleep better, and can improve our posture. It is also very effective support for the healing of injuries. Massage therapy can realign muscle fibres, decrease swelling and edema caused by injury, improve joint range of motion, and can help relieve secondary pain and tensions that arise with an injury. Different types of injuries can improve with hands on massage therapy, including: ankle sprains/breaks, knee injuries, surgeries, back injuries, SI injuries, hip replacement/pain, shoulder injuries/rotator cuff tears. Massage Therapists in BC are extensively trained in hands on techniques that can address different issues that manifest in the physical body. They are also trained to offer Therapeutic Exercise as an addition to a healing treatment plan. The combination of hands-on work and carefully assigned therapeutic exercise, can offer safe and effective support for the healing of injuries. How Therapeutic Exercise can help in Injury Recovery When paired with therapeutic massage, the overall effect of adding safe and gentle remedial exercise, is a quicker recovery time, and a more successful and complete recovery from an injury.

In the acute phase of injury(within first 3 months of when the injury occured) -is when we need to rest in positions that can support the body to return to balance. Activating the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system to promote optimal healing is key. Approaching exercise gently, using restorative and supportive poses that encourage the body-breath connection can be helpful. Simple resting postures with the head and limbs supported, using mindful breathing to rest are recommended. Chronic injuries include any injury that have been present for 3 months or longer. Often a chronic injury is one that was never properly addressed and healed in the first place, and often secondary injuries or compositions can arise over time. Careful and thoughtful exercise application can begin to improve movement and function in the body/injured area. It is important to approach movement safely, and really feel the movement from the inside out. Be sure the range of motion and exercise is pain free. We can be kind with our barriers, injuries and nurture then gently back to wellness. Lindsay Campa is Registered Massage Therapist in Duncan, passionately offering Therapeutic Exercise in her practice. www.thehealingbody.ca Lindsay Campa, Registered Massage Therapist lindsay. campa@gmail.com 250-466-4607

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Summer SOULstice Fireflies In the hearth of my soul blazes a fire of Truth the quintessence of my passion my Burn I kindly stoke its Ancient Embers and the flames birth sparks emblazoned with the secret whispers of my Heart These fiery flashes travel through Tectonic Layers and arrive to you on the cold night air As radiant Fireflies illuminated with the Blessings of a thousand Suns

ummer Solstice. Summer SOULstice. The celestial soul portal of infinite potential and inner FIRE, illuminated with the Blessings of a thousand Suns. A moment in time where the sun appears to have stopped; Solstice, the word and meaning, comes from Latin sol, meaning ‘sun’, and stitium, meaning ‘stop’. This is the perfect moment in time to stop and reflect on the radiant potential of one’s own inner

Benefits of Qi Gong?

i is synonymous with life force or vital energy. In traditional Chinese culture the practice of cultivating our life force or vital energy is called Qi Gong. The key benefits of a consistent qi gong practice are to strengthen and integrate a person’s physical body, energy and spirit. These key benefits are integral in all styles of Qi Gong practice. Why is this important? There is something special that comes about when we balance and strengthen the physical, energetic, and spiritual aspects of our being. They can start working together as a team and there is a felt sense of unity or completeness within our actions. Each aspect supports the others and the end result is an increased expression of all three.

Light Consciousness, as well as find that seemingly halted eternal place within, that is purely at Centre. Many ancient cultures such as the Druids, Egyptians, and Mayans all honoured the innate wisdom of this spiritual gateway, and reflected this sacred connection to the Divine through their temples, pyramids, and sacred sites (one beautiful example of conscious creative capture of this Divine moment of alignment can be seen at the Sphinx at the Great Pyramids of Egypt, when She is crowned by the sun of the Summer Solstice). In light of all this, I’m here to share a download I powerfully once received at the pyramid of Kukulcan, an ancient Mayan ruin, at Chichén Itza: we ALL each hold the potential to be perfect reflections of this Divine Alignment; whether we perceive it or not, we are ALL Living Pyramids, Sacred Sites, and Living Prayers! While drawing these golden sunlit threads from the wisdom that I received at the Pyramid that is the Heart Chakra of the Ancient Mayan Ruins, I also wish to turn to one of the heddles of my family loom, that is one part of the larger tapestry of my mixed heritage, to co-weave a Summer Solstice transfiguration While there are many different varieties of Qi Gong, my personal experience with Qi Gong has been deeply aligned with Jingui Golden Shield Qi Gong, a traditional style of Qi Gong that originated five hundred years ago in the temples on Emei Mountain in Western China. In this style of Qi Gong the body’s “will to live, to get stronger” is used as the means for creating growth and cultivation. The practice begins by giving the body a slight challenge. The body interprets this challenge as “the need to grow stronger” and responds accordingly. What used to be perceived as a challenge is now recognized as no challenge at all. The person has shifted to recognize that a stronger physical body, energy, and spirit are now its “normal state of being”. At this point a new challenge is applied, and the process begins all over again. This is similar to what the body does during exercise. The muscles are challenged so

meditation ritual for us with the Latvian Goddess Saule (pronounced SEW-lay). I offer it to you as playful, nourishing Medicine, dear reader, with all of the Summer bounty and blessings that help ignite us to celebrate the return to Light. First, I will share that Saule, the Sun Goddess, is the mother of the Morning Star, the Goddess of fertility, and the transmuter of transitioning souls at the end of her full day’s ride across the sky with her flaming chariot of luminous horses. She rides through the hearth of our Hearts most passionately during the Summer Saulestice, bringing the manyfold increase of conscious reach into our shared, radiant Universal Heart. She reminds us to connect to our Centre-- to the Eternal Instant between Death and Rebirth-- to rekindle the ancient flames within and radiate our pure Light for the benefit of all beings. This Solstice, feel free to take some time outside in nature. You are invited to dig your feet into the Earth and imagine yourself growing deep roots that go all the way down to the crystalline core of our precious Mother. Now feel your whole being opening up to the sun like a beautiful flower. Breathe in the sun’s energy with every cell of your being; imagine they grow stronger to meet the challenge. In Qi Gong, however, not only do the muscles grow stronger, but so do the organs, the meridians pathways, and the spiritual awareness. For many Chinese martial arts, the high level masters also practiced Qi Gong to help develop an unusually strong body and health. While there are many different styles of Qi Gong, for the purpose of martial arts it was important to practice a Qi Gong that developed exceptionally strong bodies with quick results. Jingui Golden Shield Qi Gong was passed down in this generation from Master Yang Jin Gui. He was a high level Master of martial arts and was the head of martial arts training in the Sino-Japanese War, instructing the Chinese army in hand to hand combat. In all of his teaching, only nineteen formal students were selected for the high level Qi Gong training. His 19th student is Dr. Don Zhang, DAOM,

yourself breathing magnificent sunlight through all of your skin. Keep breathing fully and deeply, and feel the gratitude overflowing in your Heart for being alive at this amazing time. Take as long as you need here and once you are ready, ask Saule to help show you your own inner Light. Call on the ancestors, and any guides, or beings of Light to support you. Once connected, begin to breathe in the miracle that is your own Divine Fire with your whole being. Begin to see your Fire merging with that of the sun’s, revealing your True Nature emblazoned in your Heart’s eternal wisdom. Feel warmly welcome to see your own awakening enkindling sparks (or bonfires!) of Divine Consciousness in all of Life! In addition to guided meditations, I also facilitate Circles, Conscious Dance, Shamanic Journeying, Sacred Cacao Medicine, Flower Essences, and other Wellness Sessions. Connect with me: facebook. com/thirteendreams ~ thirteendreamspracticalmagick. com Jessica is here to help (re)connect people with plant and nature medicines & heal with Mother Earth.

PhD. Before Dr. Zhang came to the United States from China, Master Yang transmitted all the teachings of this tradition to him and gave him his blessings to teach this tradition to anyone wishing to learn. Dr. Zhang has found that these rare Qi Gong forms are not only valuable for the high level Masters of martial arts but, they are also valuable for everybody to build a strong body. This is why he emphasizes the health aspects of these forms. It is important for us as individuals in today’s world to have a strong healthy body, energy and mind. Through the consistent practice of Qi Gong these benefits can be achieved. brettjholland@gmail.com Brett Holland, Jingui Golden Shield Qi Gong Instructor 250.920.8818 islandrolfing.com

Lyme Disease on the Island- What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

yme-infected ticks are, and have been on Vancouver Island for much longer than the public has been aware of. Part of the problem has been that until very recently, health officials here were told that Lyme disease did not exist on Vancouver Island. Medical boards & health authorities did not have accurate information and were not trained to test for Lyme disease. Many people on Vancouver Island that have been infected with Lyme disease were given inadequate testing (if any) as well as inadequate treatment, including Dr. Martin Rodgers (1) who was bitten at his home on the Malahat. Rodgers developed a bulls-eye rash (rashes only occur in approximately 30% of Lyme patients with only 9% reporting the classic “bulls-eye” formation) and was given two days of antibiotics and told not to worry. After developing classic Lyme symptoms such as chronic fatigue and pain, he had to obtain a test result from a US private laboratory which confirmed the presence of Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria which causes Lyme Disease. Dr. Lucy Kinninmonth, a veterinarian from Vancouver Island has seen about 20 specialists who had tested her for everything but Lyme disease because doctors told her “We don’t have Lyme disease here”. She finally had to spend 900.00 to send her own blood sample to a lab in California and her result came back as strongly positive for Lyme. (2) There are at least four species of ticks known to carry Lyme disease on Vancouver Island. There is also a species that is carrying another Lyme causing bacteria called “Borrelia genomospecies 2” that is

commonly found on rabbits, but can bite anyone and potentially spread Lyme disease. (3) Thankfully, things are starting to shift- largely in part because of the work of nonprofit organizations such as the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation (CanLyme) as well as new legislature thanks to Elizabeth May and the Green Party that will start to change the way Lyme Disease awareness, testing and treatment occurs in Canada. Elizabeth May’s Private Member’s Bill, C-442, the Federal Framework on Lyme Disease Act was passed unanimously at third reading by the Senate the morning of Friday, December 12, 2014, making it the first piece of Green Party legislation in Canadian history. Just one more reason to love Elizabeth May and the Green Party! (4) Now that the medical community are recognizing that Lyme disease is on Vancouver Island and that it is a serious potential threat to public health, it should make proper diagnostic and treatment more accessible as time goes on. To prevent Lyme disease, it is important that everyone become aware of tick prevention methods as well as safe removal techniques and that people make themselves aware of what to do as far as medical attention and testing are concerned if bitten by a tick. When hiking in the woods, or generally spending time outdoors, wearing light colored clothing can be helpful. It is easier to spot ticks on white or very light colored clothing than dark colors like brown or black. Tying hair back, tucking socks into boots and wearing long-sleeves and pants will help decrease surfaces for ticks to bite. Remember, ticks do not jump down on you from abovethey cling to you when you brush by bushes (like Scottish Broom), plants and animals or if you are laying on the ground and crawl up until they find a nice place to

bite. When you finish your hike or time outdoors, do a tick check of yourself and kids. Especially inspect around and inside ears, belly buttons, arm pits and the groin area as ticks like dark, moist areas where they will be most concealed. Give your head a thorough check as well. A brilliant and inexpensive tool that can help pull off unwanted, unattached ticks, is a lint roller. Simple roll the lint roller up and down your legs, arms and torso to help remove any ticks you may have missed with just your eyes (ticks can be so tiny!). Officially, the recommendation is to wear an inspect repellent with DEET (yikes!) but if you’re like me and want to avoid potentially harmful substances- try making your own or purchasing one like I make with herbal tincture and essential oils. My general recipe is as follows: 4-6 oz of Yarrow tincture (1:2 from fresh flowers) with 40-50 drops of catnip, eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass essential oils and about a 1/2- 1 tsp of vegetable glycerin. I spray this on every 15-30 minutes when tromping through the woods. Herbalist Susun weed states that the US military has done studies confirming that yarrow tincture is more effective than DEET at repelling ticks. (5) The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation (CanLyme) states that Lyme disease is less likely to be contracted if a tick is removed within the first 24 hours of it biting you. They recommend that you NEVER burn or smother a tick, but instead use a pair of needle nose tweezers to gently but firmly pull the tick straight out by gripping its mouth piece. For more information on safe tick removal check out their website here: https://canlyme.com/lymeprevention/tick-removal/ CanLyme also has a really awesome tick kit that includes several tick removing tools, an ID card, containers to place a tick

and directions on where to send it, etc. The best part is, it’s only 15.00! It can easily fit in your backpack, pocket or first aid kit. I highly recommend it, especially if you have children or pets and love to play outdoors! If you have been experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease and even if you have received a negative test result in Canadathat doesn’t guarantee you don’t have Lyme disease. Tests in Canada are highly controversial and considered by many to be faulty and inaccurate. Many people have spent months or years trying to get a proper diagnosis only to finally send away their samples to a private lab in the States and get back the result that they are positive for Lyme disease. (6) Finally, remember that our herbal allies are all around us and they are powerful healing and restorative beings. Herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner (one of my favorites... and he’s from British Columbia!) has an entire book dedicated to helping people with Lyme. He outlines the most powerful herbal allies in combating Lyme Disease- with or without antibiotics. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about herbal medicine for Lyme Disease. You can easily find it online. Enjoy the outdoors, everyone! Andrea Larsen RNCP & Herbalist of Nutrition Matters AndreaLarsenRNCP. com 1.http://www.timescolonist.com/news/ local/how-one-small-bite-can-change-alife-1.1930078 2.http://vancouversun.com/news/ staff-blogs/controversies-continue-overlyme-disease-diagnosis-treatment-atcanadas-first-complex-chronic-diseaseprogram-clinic 3.https://www.cheknews.ca/new-strainlyme-disease-vancouver-island-298425/ 4.http://elizabethmaymp.ca/ news/2014/12/12/senateunanimously-passes-elizabeth-maysfederal-framework-on-lyme-disease-act/ 5.http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ ezine/september03/herbalmedicine.htm 6.https://canlyme.com/just-diagnosed/ testing/

YOGA FOR WELLNESS

Om Surya Namaha

ith the warmth of summer and the longer days, I enjoy starting my day with yoga in the garden. I often begin my practice chanting to the sun combined with movement to welcome the new day and the livegiving energy of the sun and honor that energy within my own being. The chant I use is ‘Om Surya Namaha’. Om is the underlying sound of the universe. Surya means sun and Namaha is used as a greeting of respect or gratitude.

the midline of your body above your head. Continue to

or keeping your hands at your sides with the palms facing the sun. Once you feel complete with the chant and movement, come to standing with your hands at your side facing outward to the sun. Take time to notice how your body, your mind and your breath are feeling. You can also imagine a golden sun at your own sun centre

(solar plexus, or 3rd Chakra), inviting the energy from both the outer sun and your own inner sun to flow throughout your body to the places that it is needed. Happy Summer Solstice!

Sadie Bartram is a member of the Forest Yogini Collective. She will be offering a Summer Solstice Sacred Chant Circle on June 18th and offers weekly Chakra Yoga Classes at Rivendell Yurt. sdbartram@gmail.com

chant ‘Surya’, bending your knees, as your arms come out wide to your sides and slowly move down towards

Facing East, come to a comfortable standing position with your feet just past hip distance apart and your hands in prayer position at your heart centre. Take a few conscious breaths here, feeling the earth beneath your feet and if you are outside, the warmth of the sun on your face and body. If the sun is hiding behind the clouds, you can imagine the warm, nourishing energy of the sun shining down upon you. As you begin to chant ‘Om’, bring your arms up

the sides of your body. With the ‘Namaha’, straighten your knees as your hands come back together at the mid-line of your body and move up to heart centre at the same position you began. Continue coordinating the chant with the movement. If you prefer, you can chant while standing with the feet together, just doing the arm movements,

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Lucky Dogs... Inflammation…

nflammation is an important part of your dog’s immune system. Inflammation occurs every time your dog encounters a germ. Fever and a rush of fluids go to destroy the invader and clean up the debris. Inflammation occurs when your dog gets a cut or a bruise. In these cases, the inflammation is visible with swelling and a hot area (localized fever). Unless stiches are needed, (and even if stiches are needed and used) just keeping the area clean will allow the body to heal itself.

Chronic inflammation is also the body trying to heal itself, but chronic inflammation causes damage. Inflammation is chronic if it continues for weeks, months, or years. If your dog’s body is constantly trying to heal itself or fend off invaders the immune system starts to burn out and new problems start to reveal themselves. Chronic inflammation isn’t always easy to see, either. Joints can be mildly inflamed for years without us noticing them, them arthritis sets in. The gut can be chronically inflamed making digestion inefficient and unpredictable.

The most common cause of chronic inflammation is a poor diet. Omega 6 fatty acids create inflammation, which is needed to fight off bacteria and viruses. This is when inflammation is a good thing. Omega 3 fatty acids lower inflammation, so too much of these can weaken the immune system. So, a balance of these fats is essential to long term healing and keeping chronic inflammation at bay. Ideally the ratio is 2 parts omega 6 to 1 part omega 3. This balance comes from a varied diet including red meats and poultry and fish. Kibble is notoriously unbalanced and needs tweaking with supplements. The oils in processed foods usually are so damaged by the time your dog consumes them, that they are worthless.

feed-lot beef. Fish is usually high in Omega 3. It can be overwhelming to try to figure out if your balancing your oils properly. I feed a diet that is about 50% poultry, 40% red meat, and 10% fish. I also add a daily fish oil supplement to balance out the Omegas. Check the label for an oil high in Omega 3 to get the balance. Pollock oil is particularly good. Hemp and flax oils are not easily digested by your carnivore so stick with fish oils. Buy in small bottles and refrigerate them. Spoiled fish oil is worse than no fish oil. This is just one aspect of a balanced diet. For more information on getting your dog’s diet just right, call me. Debbie Wood is a certified Small Animal Naturopath and can be reached at 250-597-7DOG.

Chicken is high in Omega 6. Beef is more balanced on the Omega 3 side, but grass fed beef has a better balance than

For the Love of Upcycling Recycling Senior’s Knowledge of Upcycling Cowichan Green Community is offering a series of Workshops, that have been funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, all about UPcycling “the stuff” that we accumulate, rather than sending it to the landfill. What makes these workshops unique is that they are geared towards engaging Seniors as both instructors and participants, in conjunction with the community at large. Seniors have a wealth of experience in crafting and Upcycling and these workshops provide an opportunity for them to share their knowledge and skills with others in the community. Using reclaimed products from within the community, the Senior Mentors will host a series of 20 FREE workshops. The focus will be on the various means in which common items can be Upcycled or reused and made useful again, which has almost become a lost art. The ease of “throwing things away” has contributed to the lack of knowledge of upcycling

and reusing, thus keeping things piling up in the landfill needlessly. The first workshop is “Creating and Using T-Yarn”. T-yarn is created from tee shirts and can even upcycle tee shirts that can’t be given away to Thrift shops, due to staining, which would make them automatically part of the landfill problem. T-yarn can then be used to knit, crochet or even macrame new items that will extend the use of the tee shirts well into the future! This first workshop will be held Monday, June 26th at the Cowichan Green Community and snacks are provided. Space is limited, so please register early. For more information about either becoming a Senior Mentor or attending the workshops, please drop into Cowichan Green Community’s Garden Pantry Store, Tuesday through Saturday 10am-4:30pm, or email leslie@ cowichangreencommunity.org

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

W H

c ‘ s b s k f b t d a d o b s i e

T v b t a m t c s i s t b m b

Nature Rambles

Genevieve Singleton, nature nut and nature interpreter, twinflower4@gmail. com

Words in bold are our local Hul’q’umi’num’ language.

ots of us have something in nature we detest. Some common culprits are ‘e’ul-lhqi’, snakes, qutqut-tsala’, spiders and slhul’p’ul’exun’, bats. I am not keen on being surprised by hewt, rats and kw’et’un’, mice. Some of this fear and disgust is thought to be based on instinctive responses that has evolved from cave days and some of it is learned as children. Two local, often disliked, creatures I will focus on in this article are q’iyatl’un, banana slugs and qutqut-tsala’, spiders, both playing critically important roles in our Valley ecosystems. There is a high “yuck” factor in viewing our lowly q’iyatl’un, banana slug sliming through the forest. Seen most often on a rainy day, these composting machines are closely related to snails. Yellowish green in colour, sometimes with black spots and strips, the q’iyatl’un is our most common native slug. The grey ones in the yard that eat your veggies and the black ones with deep corrugated markings, known as licorice or black velvet slugs are introduced,

Baanana Slug Eric Marshall

likely coming over in soil and plants from overseas. If you are so lucky as to have a banana slug in your yard this is a good sign, since it means that you live near a healthy forest. Please help these little guys, who mean you no harm, and pick them up with a leaf and take them back to the forest so they can do their job. They will eat anything not moving; favourite foods are decomposing leaves and animal droppings. Yuck, but wait something needs to be doing this! Their poop is an important part of making healthy soil, that we all depend on. They breath from a largish opening on the right-hand side of the head. An “oh so interesting!” fact is that they poop from an opening right beside where they breathe! They have four tentacles, and when not frightened, they will reach these out and if you look carefully the top two tentacles have a tiny black spot on them. This is its simple eye. Slugs sense of smell and touch is much stronger than that of sight. Slime provides many attributes, assisting them in locomotion, protecting them from heat, cold, and sharp surfaces and predators. Slug slime has a special chemical that induces numbness in the tongues of animals eating them. Slug

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slime has been a topic of research in several American universities with hopes that learning more about it could provide clues for making water based lubricants, pollutant traps and possibly even learning more about mucus in the disease of cystic fibrosis. Who knew that the despised q’iyatl’un had so much to teach us. All qutqut-tsala, spiders, have eight legs and are NOT insects. In fact, spiders evolved long before insects. Qutqut-tsala are unfairly blamed for many bites. There are actually very few documented spider bites. Some will give you a pinch, but only when being disturbed. Black widows do bite, but these spiders are rare. What most people think of as spider bites are likely flea, bed bug or mosquito bites. People often wonder why spiders come up their bathtub drains. They do not, rather they fall in and cannot easily get out up the slippery bath edge. All qutqut-tsala make silk, not all make webs. Here we have not only the gorgeous orb spiders but also the filmy dome spider making ephemeral domes visible in the slanting light coming through the forest. Spiders eat your household and garden pests providing effective organic pest control for no cost! We need them, please do not kill them!

“She asks me to kill the spider, Instead, I get the most peaceful weapons I can find. I take a cup and a napkin, I catch the spider, put it outside and allow it to walk away. If I am ever caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, just being alive and not bothering anyone I hope I am not greeted with the same kind of mercy.” By Rudy Francisco, poet

Wanted! Western Bluebird sightings! Please call 250-710-5618 or email cowichanbluebird@gmail.com with any sightings you have. Bluebirds are smaller than Robins. Easy birds to mix up with them are Swallows and Steller’s Jays. Resident Western Bluebirds disappeared from the Island over twenty years ago and became an extirpated (locally extinct) species. Five years ago The Cowichan Valley Naturalists is now the lead of the Bring Back the Bluebird Project, stepping into the big shoes of the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team who have done an awesome job of shepherding the project through the last five years. Ryan Hetschko, Project Manager, reports that over twenty Western Bluebirds have returned to the Cowichan Valley. As of press time there are six active nests, and three of them have wee nestlings!

Thanks to Claudia Copley, entomologist, Royal BC Provincial Museum and Ryan Hetschko, Bring Back the Bluebirds Project, for assistance in writing this article.

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Make Sure Its Hopelessly Queenless Ted Leischner and ALL the pollinators on the west coast islands.

his is the swarming season for our honeybees. Swarming is the natural way honeybees increase their numbers. Swarms of ten to thirty thousand bees in the air are dramatic to watch but the bees are not aggressive, mainly because they re full of honey to make honey beeswax comb at their new location to store food and raise brood. Prior to the swarm a colony invested much care to raise young bees, new queens and male bees called drones to produce

In June, Cut Broom in Bloom By Joanne Sales, Director of Broombusters Invasive Plant Society www.broombusters.org

he late season this spring will allow us to Cut Broom in June! So you can still go out and cut down the broom you’ve been wanting to clear away until the seed pods form. Here is how: Cut broom at ground level with loppers. Broom is soft wood, so it should be easy to cut. If the broom is too big for your loppers, as an

a cluster of bees destined to swarm to a new location to set up a hive. But beekeepers wanting to increase their hives numbers need to be careful on how they do things to get the new hives that they want. It is easy to shake a couple of pounds of worker bees or take for frames of sealed brood and bees and put them into a box but you are not going anywhere unless the new split of cluster of bees has a young mated queen. It is important to heed the advice from experienced beekeepers when introducing a new queens to a stock of bees. Bees are very loyal to their queen and any stage of a new queen if a colony goes queenless because it was accidentally dropped on the ground or squished between two frames in a brood super. . If any virgin queens emerge from these queen cells any hope of introducing a new queen will be alternative, you can cut off all the green “leaves” and smaller branches. The plant and roots will still die in the summer’s heat. If you have broom on your private property, cut as much as you can “properly.” But when the seed pods start to form, cut off all the yellow flowers before the flowers turn to seeds. If there are no seeds, you can keep cutting until mid-summer! You can take the broom without seed pods to the green dump, or stack is out of the way to burn in the fall or let it compost. Once the seed pods form, do not spread the seeds by moving it around. Remember, the problem with

met with disappointing results if a colony that you want to re-queen is not made “hopelessly queenless”. With shaken bees like package bees, there will be no queen if the bees are shaken from frames that excluded the movement of queens and virgin queens onto the frames that are used to shake bees from. Frames of sealed brood are a different story. When taken from a big hive these frames must be checked for any queens and the queens put back into the big hive. Once in the nuc box they need to sit of a few days to encourage any attempt by the worker bees to raise queen bees but to get a bunch of bees in the magical hopelessly queenless state these ‘rogue cells’ must be destroyed every two days until there are now virgin queen broom is not the roots - it’s the seeds! 18,000 seeds per plant - in the soil for 40 years! So keep the ground cover intact. Don’t disturb the soil. Do you have a spread of Scotch broom in your community? Email Broombusters to ask how to start a group. Our latest new communities are Sayward and Powell River. In the Cowichan Valley, Maple Bay and Chemainus have dedicated Broombusters that are clearing their roads. You can do that too! It only takes a few

cells present. Only then can you introduce a new queen or quality queen cell into a cluster of bees for increase. I cannot stress this enough. I have lost big time by getting to busy to make the series of checks needs to work a cluster of bees to the ‘hopelessly queenless’ state. Good luck introducing you new queens. Inage; bees attending a queen bee in a mini-queen introduction cage Courtesy of Ted Leischner

Chemainus area broombuster volunteers.

people, and only a few hours a year. Do you love GREEN? Then save the native green plants and young trees. Cut Broom in June! www.broombusters.org.

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

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Computer Recycling – Protect your information!

omputers and related devices are a part of everyday life for most Canadians. In fact, the CRTC recently declared high speed internet access an essential service, putting it right up there with the good old landline. The fast pace of technological advancement means that devices now become rapidly obsolete. But what happens when your computer breaks down or simply doesn’t meet your needs anymore? A lot of us just stick it in the closet/attic/garage/ crawl space and forget about it. Resist the urge. Get it out of your house before the inevitable nest of wires and hardware starts multiplying! So what should you do with it, then? If it’s still in good shape, you can try selling your old machine on sites like eBay or Craigslist. Local charities and community organizations will also sometimes take usable computers – just make sure the donated computers that don’t get used are recycled responsibly. For many computers, the only reasonable option is to bring to a recycling depot for disposal (which you can do for FREE at almost Island Return It Recycling Centres). Electronics Products Recycling Association (EPRA) endorsed Return-It centres like us make sure that the materials are handled and recycled in a safe and ethical manner. Here’s the thing. Most computers are full of personal information that could be

devastating if it falls into the wrong hands. Does the phrase “identity theft” ring any bells? Simply deleting files or emptying your computer’s trash or recycling bin doesn’t actually get rid of your information. No matter how you ultimately dispose of your computer, you need to take it one step further by actually destroying the hard drive’s information. There are two basic options for destroying the information on your computer. The first is to literally destroy your computer’s hard-drive. You could figure out some way to render that hard drive unusable at home, but the better option is to contact the government of BC’s Secure Electronic Media Destruction program. Unfortunately though, there are only three locations across the province – Prince George, Surrey, or Victoria. The phone number for the Victoria office is 250-952-4439. The other more accessible option is to use data erasing software, sometimes called data shredding, which electronically destroys the information stored on your computer. There are software online but always do your own research to make sure that you are using a reputable product. Once you have your software of choice, simply follow the instructions and you should be good to go. So get that computer out of your closet, destroy your data, and dispose of it at Island Return It at no charge.

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he phrase “live and let live” is usually spoken or written as an invitation to be tolerant of others, no matter how different

they may be from us. These are wise words, for sure, but what do they really mean? What does it mean to live in such a way that we are completely at peace with the way others live around us?

person with our “emotional baggage” out front. I have been hurt, so you must treat me in some particular way. If you do not, then we can’t be friends, or have a harmonious relationship.

I have observed that we often wish others to act in a way that will please us. The idea is that if they do this, we will be at peace, and happy to have them around us. But is that really “letting them live”? Isn’t that rather some idea of how we think they should live?

Where does this emotional baggage come from? It comes from past experiences where we have been hurt or neglected. The world is full of many stress situations these days. They may even leave us with post-traumatic disorders that impinge on every aspect of how we experience life. There are a number of ways of releasing this emotional baggage. I prefer the method created by Dr. Bradley Nelson. He made it accessible to everyone in the book The Emotion Code. His commitment, and mine, is to help people release the emotional charge of past hurts.

It all comes down to how we live in ourselves. If we are honest, we see that we approach another

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We can be the best version of the person we came here to be. We no longer need to limit others’ behaviour in an attempt to make ourselves feel better. When we are living free of our past emotional charges we can truly let others live, too.

Here some responses from people who have experienced this work with me: When I started working with David I was in a quagmire of angst and sadness from a challenging past. Now my base is one of ever-expanding peace and serenity. His enthusiasm for his work with a good and kind heart made it so easy and possible to go forward. Transformation with David’s work is magical! Giselle – British Columbia David has accompanied me through deep healing with skill and generosity, with respect, and with integrity. I feel welcomed, cared for, and safe in our sessions. He has warmth of heart, insight, and intelligence which I value and trust. I can count on his support and kindness, and I am truly grateful for him. Valeriana – British Columbia David Yaeger is a certified Emotion Code practitioner living near Duncan. Phone 250-5973686

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

Georgia Nicols M.A. is Canada’s most popular astrologer. A Buddhist, this Vancouver-based astrologer is featured in regional papers across Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. www.georgianicols.com

Aries (March 21-April 19) This month your daily pace will accelerate. Just accept this and go with the flow. Your schedule will be busy with appointments, errands and demands from siblings, relatives and neighbours. Many will be more involved in writing, studying, reading or making sales presentations. Because of your ruler Mars, you will be super forthright and to the point. You will say what you mean and mean what you say! Note: This month is also excellent to buy wardrobe treasures. A fun month ahead! Taurus (April 20-May 20) You are the financial wizard of the zodiac; and this month, your focus will be on money, cash flow and earnings. Whatever you do with respect to finances or negotiating deals – you will be more aggressive than usual. And brave! In part, this is because this year, your employment situation is so blessed. And the blessing you have regarding your employment is something that occurs only once every 12 years. Therefore, use your good fortune! Believe in yourself and your ideas. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Once a year, the Sun is in your sign for four weeks and that time has arrived! This is your chance to recharge your batteries. Not only can you replenish and restore yourself during this window of time, you have the upper hand. Without any extra effort, you will attract important people and favourable situations to you. You can take advantage of these because you will be pumped with energy! Get more physical exercise to blow off some of this pent-up steam. Grab a vacation if possible. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Once a year, the Sun is “hiding” in your chart, which is why your energy will be more subdued this month. Expect to work behind the scenes or alone more than usual. Take time to plan and strategize. This is happening because it feels like the natural thing for you to do. And it is. Because next month, the Sun will enter your sign and you

will suddenly step out centre stage in all your glory! Therefore, before this happens, this is your chance to plan your new year ahead. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) June is one of the most popular months for Leo. Enjoy time with friends. Make new friends. Attend meetings or join clubs and associations. Some of you will be competitive in sports or a group situation. You want to travel for pleasure and meet people from other cultures and different countries. Meanwhile, your enthusiasm will attract people to you. Please note: This month is the perfect time to make long range future goals. Write down five goals – with deadlines. (The litmus test.) Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This month, the Sun is at the top of your chart, which is the only time all year this occurs. The symbology of this is that the Sun is shining down on you like a spotlight and this spotlight is flattering! This means that in the real world, inexplicably, bosses, parents and VIPs admire you even though you don’t do anything special. (Go figure.) Obviously, this is the time to make your pitch and advance your agenda. Ask for what you want! Small wonder, this is the year for you to boost your earnings! Ka-ching! Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) This is a wonderfully supportive time for you. Lucky Jupiter continues to help you feel content in your world. No matter how many problems you have, you have more reasons to feel grateful. The placement of your ruler Venus at this time will ensure smooth relations with partners and close friends. Yes, things are cozy and smoochie-boochies! This month is exciting because you want to expand your experience of the world. You want to learn more. You want to meet exciting people. That’s why this window of time is perfect to travel or to sign up for a course. Lucky you! Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) For Scorpios, June is passionate and intense! Sex will be the stuff of steamy diaries – but who has time to write? Admittedly, you will also be focused on issues related to inheritances, taxes, debt and shared property. Many will be in dispute about some of these issues. Fortunately, everything to do with your job and your employment scene is hunky-dory. It’s easy to

get praise and some will get a raise. Now is the time to line your ducks up in a row because in a matter of months, lucky Jupiter will enter your sign for the first time since 2006 bringing fabulous opportunities. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) This month, the Sun will be in a sign that is 180° opposite your sign. This happens only once a year; and because the Sun represents your energy, it means you will need more rest and more sleep during this time. Respect your need for more rest. This polarized position of the Sun also makes you focus more on your closest partnerships. Because Mars is opposite your sign as well, it’s easy to be annoyed with others, which means you have to be patient. Relax: whether you’re first class or economy – you both hit the tarmac at the same time. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Use this month to get better organized. You want to be effective, efficient and productive in all your activities. Basically, you want to make your efforts count – you want the most bang for your buck. Admittedly, because you have high standards for yourself now, you will be on someone else’s case directing their efforts and urging them to work harder as well. (You might want to lighten up on the little people.) Meanwhile, this is a good time to entertain at home as well as redecorate your digs because family relations are

JUNE FORECAST warm and rewarding. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Yay! June is all about a fun vacation. All kinds of exciting activities will be tops on your menu. Enjoy sports events, playful activities with children, romantic getaways, flirtations, fun socializing with friends as well as exploring opportunities to express your creative talents. Actually, it will be easy for you to do this because fair Venus promotes your schmoozing skills with others. It also promotes writing, sales, marketing, acting and teaching because your words are like gold! Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) For a while now, your focus has been on home and family. However, in June, this focus will much stronger because you will be forced to deal with increased chaos and activity at home. This could be due to residential moves, visiting guests or renovations and do-it-yourself projects. Fortunately, this is the year when you easily get financial support and physical and practical assistance from others so that you can make the changes you want at home. And why not? After all, life is short – and fat. www.georgianicols.com

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