March 2013 Issue 52

Cowichan

March 2013 Issue 52

COWICHAN VALLEY I FOOD I ART I EVENTS I RECREATION I COMMUNITY

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Written by

Alan Janes Featuring

Zachary Stevenson

1.800.565.7738

Book online @

chemainustheatre.ca

Theatre Getaway Packages / Playbill Dining Room open before every show

Zachary Stevenson - David Cooper Photography

February 22 to April 7

2013

MARCH EVENTS

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BUDDY The Buddy Holly Story Various Showtimes and Matinees Chemainus Theatre Festival, www.chemainustheatre.ca, 1 800 565 7738 to reserve tickets runs to April 7th.

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THE OLD FORK DINER GRAND OPENING Get Your 2nd Breakfast Or Lunch Entree For 50% Off! Silverbridge Hotel, Trans Canada Hwy 250 748 4311 www.theoldfork.com STRONGER TOGETHER: How co-operative can increase farmer incomes and expand the local food sector with Heather Pritchard, Manager of Farmfolk Cityfolk Friday March 1 7-9 PM, and Saturday March 2 9am -noon VIU Lecture Theatre 250-710-4775 ALBERTINE IN FIVE TIMES presented by The Shawnigan Players Theatre March 1 & 3 - 7:30 - 9:30 pm March 2 2 - 4pm Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St, Duncan $15 SYSTEMIC FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS 7:30pm Alderlea Farms 3390 Glenora Rd, Duncan 250 715-0799 SHAMANIC SPIRIT JOURNEY CIRCLE Silent Dragon Martial Arts, 2950 Boys Rd, Duncan (Inside the Duncan RV Park) $10 7:30-10PM www.orcahealing.com

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DANCING INTO THE HEART MEDITATION, YOGA AND ECSTATIC DANCE JOURNEY WITH CHRISTY LINDELL 5-8pm Harmony Yoga, 201-111 Station St. www. reflectionsholisticretreat.com $30/session MASIMBA MARIMBA DANCE & CD RELEASE WITH GUEST BAND: ABOUBACAR CAMARA 7 - 11pm Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Rd, Duncan $15-12/Children: free

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TEA+TALK: INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF TEA

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8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan $10 www.teafarm.ca

FOLKART BY ROBIN MILLAN AND POTTERY AND FABRIC ART BY SANDI MADSEN on display Imagine That!

Artisans, 251 Craig Street, Duncan to March 31st MIXED GROUP ROAD RIDE WITH CYCLE THERAPY 5:15pm 295 Trunk Road, Duncan info@cycletherapy.ca 250-597-0097

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IN THE HEIGHTS - Tony Award Winning Best Musical Brentwood College School Curtain is 7:30pm. Tickets on line at tgb. brentwood.bc.ca box office 250-743-8756 Runs to March 9th

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‘ONCE UPON A DAY IN COWICHAN’ FILM PREMIERE 7pm Cowichan

Theatre, Duncan FREE Tickets by reservation 250-748-7529

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THE STATE OF OUR FORESTS: The status, ecology, and pre-election politics of BC’s old-growth forests with Ken Wu of the Ancient Forest Alliance. 9:30am Freshwater Ecocentre, 1080 Wharncliffe Rd, Duncan. FREE

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2013 GROUP ROAD RIDES BEGIN for details visit www.facebook.com/Cycle TherapyBikes, Duncan TRACTOR TUESDAY HAY RIDES AND LUNCH! Begins at 11:30am A Farmer John and Ms Katy special event at Alderlea Farm 3390 Glenora Road, 250 597 3438 Please reserve your spot.

March 12 & 26

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COWICHAN READERS THEATRE - No prior acting

experience is necessary- just a love of theatre and a desire to share 6:30pm 261 Southshore Rd. Lake Cowichan, 250 749-3728, www.studio261-thelake.ca March 13 & 27

13TH ANNUAL COBBLE HILL SEEDY SATURDAY 10 am - 3 pm All Welcome Cobble Hill Hall, 3550 Watson Ave, 250-743-7305

SPRING CELEBRATIONS AT MERRIDALE BEGIN - Leprechaun Hunt, Geocaching, Wagon Rides...

1230 Merridale Rd 250 743-4293

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY 8 1/2 ACRES-DUNCAN FARMER`S MARKET Come celebrate with us! www.facebook.com/8andahalfacres City Square, Duncan

“PHALANX” GROUP ART SHOW Portals, Island Savings Centre Duncan Runs to March 23

RYAN MCMAHON IN CONCERT - Special Fundraising Concert for the Islands Folk Festival Doors 7pm / Open Stage 7:30pm Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram St CFG Members $5 Non-members $10 COWICHAN THERAPEUTIC RIDING RIDING GALA Fox and the Hounds 5:30 pm Travelodge, Duncan 250 746 1028 Tickets $60 /Table of 8 $420 THE MUSICAL “NIGHT OF KNIGHTS” staged at the Chemainus Theatre shown on the big screen 2pm Chemainus Seniors Centre 9824 Willow St, Chemainus

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EMILY CARR AND MOVEMENT: A DRAWING AND PAINTING WORKSHOP March 15th-17th Opening lecture Fri. 7:00pm Sat. and Sun 10:00am – 4:00pm 1529 Khenipsen Road Duncan 250 746 4130 Cost $150

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OM CHANTI KIRTAN WITH KAREN ALLEN & FRIENDS 8pm Harmony Yoga 201-111 Station St. Duncan 250 701-0360

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ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER with Live Music - The Sugar Beetles $30 for 3 Courses and First Tasting of limited release cider Project Q 5 -11pm 1230 Merridale Rd 250 743-4293

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

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ST PATRICK’S DAY BRUNCH Green eggs and ham anyone? Special Kids Bruncn Menu 10:30am start 1230 Merridale Rd 250 743-4293

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CARI BURDETT MEZZO SOPRANO, SOLO VOICE CONCERT, WITH LEAH HOKANSON ON PIANO 2PM St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, 2858 Mill St., Chemainus, Tickets Door $20 (Under 18, $5) Adv $15 TenOld Books, Duncan BC (Under 18, FREE w/ adv tickets) 250 701 0978 ST PATRICK’S DAY DINNER Lucky Green Farm Fresh Organic 4Course Dinner $20-$25 Seatings at 5-9pm Children 1/2 price. Alderlea Farm 3390 Glenora Road, 250 597 3438 or johnkaty@shaw.ca Reservations required

TECH AND NATURE SPRING BREAK 3-DAY WORKSHOP 9:30am -3:30pm Ages 7-11 Cowichan Bay Estuary Center, www.westviewlearning.ca runs to March 20th BEEKEEPING IN THE WARM LAND Steve Mitchell Register at VIU Cowichan Campus 250-746-351 7:30-9:30pm

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DUNCAN’S 5TH ANNUAL SEEDY SATURDAY 10am-3pm Cowichan Tribes Si’em Lelum Gymnasium, 5574 River Road, Duncan $2 kids under 13 free AUTHOR SUZI DAVIS 12 -2pm Volume One Books, 149 Kenneth St Duncan 250 748-1533 BACKYARD BOUNTY: SMALL GARDEN LARGE YIELD Linda Gilkeson Register at VIU Cowichan Campus 250-746-351 10am-4pm SACRED CHANT CIRCLE AT RIVENDELL YURT (in Glenora) 7 - 8:30pm by donation sdbartram@gmail.com 250-748-2089

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ESTUARY INVESTIGATIONS - MULTIMEDIA ADVENTURE SPRING BREAK 3-DAY WORKSHOP - Ages 11-15 9:30am -3:30pm Cowichan Bay Estuary Center, www.westviewlearning.ca runs to March 27th

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THE INTOUCHABLES, French Subititled, Reel Alternatives 7:30pm Cowichan Theatre 2687 James St, $12 / $5 Students All proceeds benefit Cowichan Valley Hospice.

250 748 7529

CLIMATE & THE ECONOMY WITH DR. ANDREW WEAVER 7:30pm Vancouver Island Lecture Centre, 2011 University Way, Duncan 250-746-7763

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MARINE INVASIVE SPECIES AND THEIR IMPACTS ON VANCOUVER ISLAND with Kylee Pawluk of the University of Victoria 7:30pm Freshwater Ecocentre, 1080 Wharncliffe Road, Duncan. FREE STEPHEN FEARING, Folk, 8PM Duncan Garage Showroom, www.stephenfearing.com $30

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A DAY OF MEDITATION Nichiren Peace Center For info: www.VIRetreats.com

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BLOOD DONOR CLINIC Tuesday & Wed: 1:15 - 7:15 PM Thursday: 12:00 - 6:00 PM Island Savings Centre -- Heritage Hall

EASTER EGG HUNT AT ABBY LANE FARM BEGINS! to April 1st 10:30am or 2pm Wagon Ride with Egg Hunt.

Limited seats. $15 for Hunters $10 for riders. For more info www. abbylanefarm.com Reservations recommended 250-709-5405

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BAKE WITH ME Kindergarten - Explore Waldorf Education Sunrise Waldorf School , Cowichan Station Call to Register 250 743-7253 www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org

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SANTA LUCIA, Latin Funk, 8PM Duncan Garage Showroom, www.santaluciamusic.com $17 Door/ $ 15 Advance ‘ZERO-MILE LIVING- LIVING THE GOOD LIFE’ WITH CAROLYN HERRIOT Book Signing Mar. 22nd & 23rd, 4 - 6pm Hallway CFS 7- 9pm Carolyn’s TedX presentation and discussion, Community Farm Store, Duncan FREE

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DOUBLE BARREL 1ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY! Live Jazz, Prizes & Specials At Whippletree Junction ANNUAL HEATHER SALE presented by the Vancouver Island Heather Society 10am to Noon (or until sold out) Cobble Hill Farmers’ Institute, 3550 Watson Ave Call 250 748 6379 for more info.

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BIRDS EYE COVE FARM FAMILY EASTER 10 - 4pm 5881 Genoa Bay Road, (off Maple Bay Rd) 250 748 6379

Emily Carr and Movement: A drawing and painting workshop March 15th-17th Opening lecture Fri. 7:00pm Sat. and Sun 10:00am – 4:00pm Cost $150 Learn more about Emily Carr’s philosophy of life and creative process. Deepen your understanding of expressive brushwork by copying one of her paintings in oils or acrylics then make your own composition based on a deeper understanding of movement.For registration, more information and a materials list email: spohn@telus.net

Sacred Mountain Studio

1529 Khenipsen Road Duncan 250 746 4130

Ongoing COWICHAN VALLEY ARTISANS YEAR ROUND STUDIO TOUR View and DownLoad brochure at www.cowichanvalleyartisans.com SELF GUIDED FAERIE WALK Merridale Cider Estate www.merridalecider.com COWICHAN GEO CACHING www.worldcaching.com

Out of Town PACIFIC RIM WHALE FESTIVAL March 16 - 24 Ucluelet and Tofino area www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com SARA MARREIROS OPENS FOR WORLD RENOWNED FADISTA ANNA MOURA FROM PORTUGAL March 5 Showtime 7:30pm Alex Goolden Hall, Victoria Tickets $36 www.saramarreiros.com

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Look at all the things to do in your community!

The new monthly community calendar format has been generously sponsored by Sacred Mountain Studio.

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Issue 52 March 2013 Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Editors Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 - 936 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan V9L 5X4 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Copy Editor Maeve Maguire

Proofreader Diana Pink

Distribution Linda Dirksengale

Advertising Enquiries Please Call Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 Next Ad Deadline March 15th e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

*Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Please upload your information through our website Please include: Date & Event Title IN SUBJECT Be advised that space is limited to up to 2 spots per business, space dependant and is prioritized by 1st sent, 1st printed.

EVENTS DEADLINE MARCH 12th for APRIL 2013 Issue E-mail Date,Time, Location, Event Title and Cost to: events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Please list event title in subject with the word “EVENT�

Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations Valley Voices In This Issue Bill Jones, ,Teresa Mackinnnon, Katy Ehrlich,Tamara Leigh, Guy Johnston, Jennifer Freeman, Linda Holford, Carolyn Herriot, David Coulson, Ajay Applelaar, Ian Parker, Sandra Greenaway, Sheila Jones, Vivi De Graff, Amy Weinberg, Kristine Paton,Tania Gardiner, Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store, Sandra Beggs, John Scull, Elaine Scott, Adam Gibbs, Rick Dennis, Sue McKitrick & 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 contirbutors. Please always send a query e-mail prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available.

Editorial deadline for April Issue, March 12th.

Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450 + select locations throughout the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith,Victoria, Tofino and from the Victoria International Airport Arrivals Hall.

Cover Spring Buds, Kathryn Tisdale See more of her work at: www.themandalapattern.com.

Contact Adrienne Richards for more information or to requesta Spring 2013 Rate Card 250 510 6596

adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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Our Community

March Community Calendar 4-5 Enterprising Woman Lesley Zurrer16 Dr. Andrew Weaver: Climate and The Economy 18 Cowichan Valley Feature Listings 36 Community Farm Store Pages 38 - 40 Websites, Emails and Verbal Lint 43 Cowichan Valley Directory 46-47

Local Food and Recipes

New Breakfast Place In Town 7 Cowichan Eating with Bill Jones 8 About Fresh Fish 10 Alderlea Farm Cafe: Queen of Hearts Macaroni 11 Local Wine Pairings with Local Food 12 Island Farmhouse Poultry: Yummy Drummies 14

Farm and Garden

Learning About Food Coops 8 Helpful Garden: Hey Baby Wanna Pollinate? 44 Climate Change 45

Home & Design

Designing Green: Bamboo 2 15 Beware of Trojan Bearing Gifts 36

Art, Music, Theatre

CRAFT Cowichan Valley Artisans Peggy Brackett 22 Talking Arts: Nancy Wesley 23 Imagine That Artisan Sandi Madsen 24 Local Author Suzi Davis Releases New Book in Series 43

Family

Simplicity Parenting 20 Great Family Walks: Kinsol Trestle 27 Cowichan Nature Estuary 44 Finding Diversity in Schools 35

Recreation & Healthy Living

Pacific Rim Whale Festival 29 Spring Break Whale Festival Schedule of Events 30-32 Cycle Therapy: Group Rides 33 All About Our Pets 37

Body, Mind & Soul

Breathing In and Out 34 Coach in Your Corner 43 Georgia Nicols March Horoscopes 42

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

Comfort food for Island folk Credit: The Old Fork

Making Breakfast Exciting Again!

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n March 1st, 2013, Duncan will become home to an exciting new restaurant concept“The Old Fork”. Nestled in the Silver Bridge Motor Inn in Duncan, BC The Old Fork is an all-day breakfast and lunch restaurant committed to bringing high-quality, delicious hearty fare to the people of Duncan.

With menu inspiration coming from Vancouver Island, down to Portland and stretching all the way to Georgia, The Old Fork’s breakfast menu delivers old favourites such as Banana’s Foster, giant Flapjacks and Praline Bacon Waffles. Rounded out by delicious Benny’s, Omelets tailored to your liking and an amazing kid’s menu, restaurant concept designer and director Chris Jones’ goal is to make you feel like you are back at home, in Mom’s kitchen!

Since opening award winning AURA waterfront restaurant in Victoria, Jones has moved up to the Cowichan Valley to focus on a more laid-back, comfortable approach to food and hospitality. “Our M.O.

will be to offer people fantastic plates of food, in a comfortable setting with trained but friendly service,” says Jones. “We feel we have really identified a need to offer the people of Duncan somewhere new and exciting to have breakfast and lunch and that is what we plan to do.” The Old Fork will also serve lighter fare such as fresh and local salads, crispy fried oysters, and a signature bottomless bowl of soup. For bigger appetites they have a Fried Chicken lunch (served in a cast iron pan!), Chicken and Waffles, Jambalaya, Shrimp Gumbo and a variety of fresh and creative Sandwiches.

With a very eclectic décor featuring repurposed woods, framed in aluminum siding walls, and vintage lighting installations The Old Fork is preparing to become an overnight fan favourite. With an expertly trained staff whose goal is to provide genuine service with their individual personality, they will make you feel as if you have come home each time you visit them. www.theoldfork.com

Leather Showroom

INVENTORY

CLEARANCE SALE WHIPPLETREE FURNITURE in the courtyard at Whippletree Junction.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

250 746 4255

Solid Wood Made in Canada - Bookcases, TV Consoles, Dining Suites, Bedroom Suites and Occasional Tables, Area Rugs, Lamps, Kootenay Forge.

www.whippletreefurniture.com

Eat, Drink and Buy Local Food!

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Cowichan

Public Talk/Workshop on Building Local Food Co-ops - March 1 & 2 VIU

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s part of an ongoing series to promote coops as an effective model of economic development, Cowichan Co-operative Connections is hosting a public lecture, film screening and workshop on food co-ops on March 1-2.

If you are a farmer looking to expand your business, or if you are just looking to get started the local food sector, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

On Friday, March 1, longtime food activist Heather Pritchard will give a talk on the role co-ops can play in expanding the local food sector. Heather is the farm program manager at FarmFolk CityFolk and cofounder/farmer with Glorious Organics Co-op in the Fraser Valley. The Friday event will also include a screening of Food Security: It’s In Your Hands, a documentary film

by Nick Versteeg on local farming and food production.

9am to 12 m. The workshop will explore a wide range of co-op models and will include presentations and question/answer sessions with Heather Pritchard (FarmFolk CityFolk), Carol Murray (BC Co-op Association) and Chris Diplock (BC Co-op Association). These presentations will introduce the basics of the co-op model; discuss how food processing and other value-added co-ops can benefit farmers; outline the advantages of co-op land trusts and community farm co-ops; and touch on examples of successful farmer co-ops.

Admission is by donation.

Preregistration is not required, but please let us know if you will be attending for planning purposes. For more information, please contact Don Skerik at 250-710-4775 or donskerik@gmail.com

On Saturday, March 2, a workshop on building food co-ops will be held at the Lecture Theatre of Vancouver Island University’s Cowichan Campus from

EATING

Big Dreams and Big Leaf Maple Syrup

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y all indications this was a good year for the fledgling maple syrup producers in the valley. For those of you that don’t know, local producers have been tapping the Western Big Leaf Maple for quite a few years and a small local industry has emerged. The best syrup is medium in colour with a spicy after taste and a hit of “tang” in the finish. When you compare it to eastern maple syrup most people comment that the Big Leaf syrup has a bigger flavor profile.

The syrup is relatively expensive, usually at least 2-3 times the price of eastern syrup. This makes the syrup a precious treat that demands a higher purpose than being poured on pancakes – even though they would be mighty fine pancakes. I like to use the syrup to flavor desserts and to make excellent salad from our garden greens. We also like to use the syrup to marinate meats and some fish (salmon and Sablefish) before smoking or grilling them.

The annual Big Leaf Maple Festival, has been a big hit for the Forest Discovery Center and has turned a lot of people onto the idea of tapping their trees and producing a little syrup. This

You’re Invited to our...

1 Year Anniversary Party • Saturday March 30th Enjoy LIVE Jazz, Prizes and Specials

delicious homemade soups artisan teas

fresh baked goods

specialty coffees

Food to go

At Whippletree Junction

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250 597 4490

Cowichan Valley Food - As fresh as it will ever be!

year saw lots of syrup hitting the marketplace. In previous years the whole seasons’ production practically traded hands during the Festival. The new harvest looks like the supply might last a month or two. The one place I know you can source some is the Glenora General Store. They are carrying the product from Mountain Valley Farm. The farm is a past gold ribbon winner at the festival (this year they took home second place). If you want to try this is probably the place to start.

Another way to experience the syrup is to come to my Spring Celebration Dinner at Deerholme Farm on March 23. In honor of the Spring Equinox we will be serving a menu of local wild foods, morels, lamb and to finish a Big Leaf Maple Trifle with sea salt caramel and hazelnut crumble. More details at www.deerholme.com Bill Jones is an author, chef and food consultant who can be found at Deerholme.com

Fox and The Hounds Gala CTRA Fundraiser Event March 9 Travel Lodge Duncan 5:30pm Doors 250 746 1028 $60 / Table of 8 $420 www.ctra.ca

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ome out and hunt a foxy good time at this “Fox and the Hounds” gala! That’s the theme of the Dinner Auction Gala, which is set to be an amazing night of food, fun, and friends for a very worthwhile cause. Enjoy a champagne reception, followed by a delicious dinner, games, live entertainment, and your chance to bid on some fantastic auction items. The grand prize raffle is a trip for 2 anywhere West Jet flies plus $500 in your pocket.

All proceeds support children and adults with disabilities through the wonderful

therapeutic riding and equinebased therapeutic service programs at CTRA. For the last 27 years, CTRA has existed as a place where the human-equine relationship creates opportunities for achievement and positive human experiences. Tickets are $60 per seat, or buy a table of eight for $420 and share the evening with your friends, family or coworkers.

Get your tickets early as this event regularly sells out.

HELP WANTED Cowichan Bay Seafood is looking for bright, energetic and adaptable individuals to work in its seafood retail store/restaurant this season.

Must have: • Superb customer service skills • Availability some evenings and weekends • Food Safe level 1 • Drivers licence Assets: • Experience in food service industry • Experience in seafood industry • Serving it Right • Good computer skills Submit resume and references to 1751 Cowichan Bay Rd, or email to info@cowichanbayseafood.com by March 15.

Cowichan Bay Seafoods Eat, Drink and Buy Local!

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St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Dancing Table d’hôte menu~ 3 Courses for $30

Join us for a three course dinner, drinks, and dancing with the Sugar Beetles!

Playing a variety of musical genres, these local musicians will be sure to get your toes tapping.

Classic “Chop” Salad

iceburg lettuce wedge with buttermilk dill dressing and pickled vegetables

Trio of Oysters

lemon and horseradish

Salt Cod Fritters

garlic aioli and small salad

Cottage Pie

braised beef with peas topped with buttery mashed potato served with braised cabbage

Roasted Rosemary Lamb

boiled potato, cabbage and carrots

Sausage & Bacon Coddle

housemade pork sausage, housemade bacon and potato in a rich cider infused sauce served with traditional irish soda bread

Housemade Fettuccine

pesto, tomatoes and spinach

The Freshest Catch

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pring is always a time for dreaming /planning for the up coming season. We leave for prawn fishing at the end of April and return to Cowichan Bay usually by the end of June. With Salmon the past few years on the south coast there has been a real rollercoaster of no salmon or more fish then there has been for the past 100 years. To make things more stable for us and to ensure that we have salmon every year for the Community Supported Fishery(CSF) we have purchased a troll license to fish the North coast. So for the first time in over 20 years we will be heading North of Vancouver Island to fish salmon this year and will be offering nice fat northern Coho to members of the CSF at the end of August . Check out what it is all about at www.michellerosecsf.com

Gooey Pecan and Caramel Bundt Cake with whisky cream

Apple Tarte Tatin with cider caramel

Selection of Artisan Cheese

with housemade jams and chutneys

Cobble Hill Seedy Saturday

March 9th 10 am - 3 pm Cobble Hill Hall 3550 Watson Avenue 250-743-7305 FREE The 13th annual Cobble Hill Seedy Saturday invites you to help us celebrate our ‘100 Mile Spring’ with everything a gardener could need - or want!

Over 30 vendors will offer a full range of organic and heritage

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seeds, plant starts, flower and fruit shrubs and bulbs and mason bees to fertilize them - native grasses and ferns, edible sprout seeds and even organic salves and mineral soaks for sore gardeners’ bods! Mums and Dads can unleash the kids on the childrens’ activities while they visit with friends, take advantage of free seeds at the seed exchange table, and load up those cloth bags with wee envelopes of summer’s garden joy.

This extremely popular community event is sponsored by the Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers Institute, which celebrated its 100th anniversary a few years ago and continues to blossom from deep roots in our bucolic Cowichan agricultural tradition.

visit merridalecider.com or phone 250.743.4293 to make a reservation Valley Voice Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Queen of Heart’s Macaroni and Cheese Recipe courtesy Katy Erhlich, Alderlea Farm & Cafe

Is there anything better than macaroni and cheese? Farmer John suggested that we make the best comfort food dish in town that will please even the most finicky eaters This recipe is a delicious twist on the fattening traditional recipe. Instead of the traditional buttery, heavy sauce, the squash adds a rich flavor, sneaks in some vegetable, and creates the color and creaminess of cheddar sauce.

This entire dish will last for days and freezes really well too. Make double or triple portions, freeze it in containers, and treat yourself to a delicious easy dinner or lunch.

Amounts

Ingredients

3 cups cubed butternut squash Tip: Cook and blend the squash with the skin on 2 cups milk 2 garlic cloves, minced 4 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt or sour cream 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper pinch of cayenne pepper pinch of nutmeg 2 cups grated cheese 1 box (1 lb.) uncooked elbow noodles Topping: 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

whole wheat breadcrumbs butter cheese

Method

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, combined cubed butternut squash, milk and garlic and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 25 minutes, until squash is tender. Meanwhile your pasta should be cooked as per box instructions.

Pour hot squash mixture into a blender or blend with an immersion blender and add Greek yogurt or sour cream, salt, pepper, and other spices. Blend until smoother and pour mixture into a large bowl.

Stir in cheeses until melted, and then fold in your cooked pasta.

Pour everything into an oiled 13 x 9-inch baking dish.

Mix topping ingredients together and sprinkle over top and place in oven for about 25 minutes. Turn your broiler on to high and allow to sit an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until breadcrumbs are browned.

Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!

Limited release of project “Q” Cider Sunday Tea+Talk

March 3 11am Teafarm $10/person 8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan 250.748.3811 www.teafarm.ca A monthly one-hour session on a variety of tea topics.

Informative, interactive and informal. This gathering will allow you to cup several loose leaf teas, introduce you to varous tea growing regions and create an opportnity to share with other tea enthusiasts.

March 16 11am 1230 Merridale Rd www.merridale.com

Project Q is a limited release batch of cider. Staying true to our “core” values, we have been experimenting with heritage apples to recreate centuries old cider using mixed apples and quince. The nice thing about heritage apples is that they have not been genetically modified. This cider, like our other products, will be organically produced.

Project Q was partnered with the Cowichan Green Community putting some unwanted fruit to good use.

Excellent FrameWorks and the E. J. Hughes Gallery Art for your empty walls.

Gifts for yourself and others.

We can print your photos on canvas.

We want to frame your art for you.

28 station St downtown duncan 250-746-7112

Open Wed-Sun 10am-5pm

Eat, Drink and Buy Local!

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Wines of the Region & Local Food - Why They Work so Well Together!

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ome people love to pair wines with food.

Why is tasting wine and food better together than alone?

Ask any chef why a recipe works. When the ingredients come together in one bite, it’s better than tasting individual flavours on your plate. Amuse-bouche is one tiny bite that should explode in your mouth; it’s crafted to make the ingredients balance each other.

Winemaking is similar. Each winemaker takes the time to taste the wines and work with

them year round to develop a great balance of flavour in your mouth. A good winemaker can balance a wine where one element doesn’t over power the other. When you pair this great balance of flavour with food, it establishes a great taste sensation.

In the Cowichan Valley, we have a great terroir for both the local foods and the local wines. They are all grown here with the same weather patterns and should pair so well with each other. Mother Nature giving us the head start for a great meal. Just think back to other regions of the world: A great Chianti goes so well with pasta—both grown together, or a good Riesling with sauerkraut and schnitzel.

Mass market wines are more limited and get one or two senses. The red wines differ because you have more tannins that will affect the balance of sweetness, acidity and bitterness. The same principle for handcrafted red wines take time to taste the complexity and when these wines are paired with foods then it stimulates even more.

The wine and food last longer and taste well together.

Many of the Vancouver Island whites are light and acidic. Those with a Riesling base have floral tones. Ortegas have a mineral base and Pinot Gris can have lots of fruit forward,

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such as apricot, citrus notes, apple or even fresh hay tones.

Serve the whites well chilled and pair with picnics or buffets where salads, grilled vegetables, fish, chicken or kebabs are predominant on the table. Delicious with sweet shellfish, Dungeness crab and spot prawns. They can also work with creamy

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

soups, as long as they are not too sweet.

The Ortega grape is one such wine that many people were not sure of until they tasted it with food. Ortega is relatively unknown in the world but is used by many wineries. At first, many people didn’t think it was worth trying because it didn’t taste like Chardonnay. Over the eight years I have worked in the business, the Ortega has developed its own following. Those who were skeptical about the grape at first, loved it after tasting with vegetables and dip, asparagus, oysters and cheeses—all things you get in this region.

Our reds on the island are usually light, fruity reds with tones of spice. They pair well with fish, poultry and braised meats with fat in them, and they are fantastic with pork. One red that is predominant on the island is Pinot Noir. Try these wines with the sweetness and acidity of tomatoes, and pasta sauces. One vegetable that shines with red wine is the artichoke.

Pinot Noir from our region has different characteristics of fruit flavours: red fruits such as strawberry, cherry, raspberry and sometimes plums versus those flavours found in grapes grown in hotter regions. Reds in ours also have clove and pepper characteristics. It’s lighter and is an immediate pairing with salmon. These are fantastic examples again of what grows here, what is easy to find and will just burst your taste buds.

Vancouver Island wineries make beautiful sparkling wines many by the traditional Champagne method or by injecting gas bubbles.

Sparklings are great to sip alone and pairs well with many foods even with popcorn or potato chips for a wonderful quick bite.

Sparklings stimulates the appetite, which is why it is best served at the beginning of the meal. Try it with with Asian cuisine and fish for great flavour.

Dessert wines on the island vary greatly but one dessert wine that Rocky Creek Winery specializes in, and is quite predominant on the island, is the Blackberry dessert wine. Each blackberrry varies in sweetness from place to place. Pair it with lemon desserts, ice cream or pears. Some vineyards have reduced the sweetness and these can also be paired with appetizers.

At our winery we suggest pates, sausages or a hazelnut-crusted lamb on a crostini with a blackberry reduction.

Many of the suggestions here really feature the local foods of this region. The terroir contributes to the natural process of food growing and wine making. When wines are sustainable and hand crafted, the flavours showcase the terroir even more and that’s why local foods that are organically grown also pair well with the wine. Every region has its own special terroir. This is your region to explore and enjoy!

Owner Rocky Creek Winery, lover of gardens, travel and food and wine.

For full design/build service, give us a call

 250.746.5372 • coulsondesign@shaw.ca • www.davidcoulsondesign.com  Buy from Cowichan Valley farms & wineries - As fresh as it will ever be!

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D

“It’s fresher from here” Yummy Drummies with Candied Yam Fries and Zooooo Sticks for Fussy Kids My son doesn’t know this but there is no actual candy in the yam fries, just yams full of beta-carotene. Chicken dark meat, like drumsticks contain more vitamins A, K, B6, B12, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid and minerals as selenium, phosphorus and zinc than white meat. So not only do they come in a perfect kid size shape ... they’re good for kids too.

Ingredients

Island Farmhouse Drumsticks Mayonnaise Poultry seasoning Garlic powder Onion powder Salt Pepper (more or less to taste) Flour (substitute a gluten free flour if needed) Parmesan Cheese Yams Cooking Oil Salt

Amount

10 2 tablespoons 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon 1 Cup

2 large 2 Tablespoons

Method

Choose one of Daniel’s famous dishes.

No Matter what your taste buds are craving, we have a great meal for you.

Now open for dinner 7 Days a week Open for lunch Thurs to Sunday

Pre-heat oven to 375F In a large bowl mix drumsticks and mayonaise until well coated. In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients except parmesan cheese. One at a time, gently toss drumsticks in flour mixture and place on cookie sheet.

Sprinkle each drumstick with parmesan cheese and place in oven.

Peel yams, cut into strips and toss in a large bowl with cooking oil, spread onto cookie sheet, add a little salt to taste and place it in the oven with the drumsticks. The yams don’t need to cook as long as the chicken and I find by the time I prepare the yams the chicken has had a good head start.

Serve with fresh veggies and sour cream.

1615 Koksilah Road Cowichan Bay BC 250-746-6163 • www.farmhousepoultry.ca Chicken available from Country Grocer, 49th Parallel, Duncan Butcher, Chemainus Foods, Crofton Foods and Thrifty Foods

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

DESIGNI NG green Bamboo #2

I

don’t know if you are anything like me, but I just can’t get enough of bamboo.

Since attending the 1996 World Symposium on Bamboo in Hawaii, the world of bamboo has surged ahead in leaps and bounds.

Much of the interest delivered by the many Eco-Business entrepreneurs who attended and were inspired to form companies all over the world dedicated to manufacturing and exporting bamboo products.

The real catalyst was the new found functional designs and decorative uses that came forward to make this lowly peasant grass an accepted and nearly worshipped part of every home in town.

Did I mention ‘functional’?

This truly was the real root (rhizome actually) of this tenacious evergreen.

Over the years, it’s uses were long forgotten as mankind progressed to the uses of manufactured oil products and dimensional lumber from endangered forests.

From Edison’s first light bulb filament to natural gas

Cobble Hill

pipelines and suspension bridges throughout Eastern Asia, to the simple items we find daily at gift shops throughout the Valley. The uses today seem trivial but perhaps more suited to our Western needs - hence the popularity. But before we discuss some of the exotic and structural uses, let’s simply understand the plant and it’s primitive uses.

This photo here is a medium sized culm I retrieved while on holiday in Hawaii. A timber species growing in creek gulleys throughout the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island. This piece about 4” diameter, was like falling a tree but all I needed was a fine Japanese pull saw. It cut like a large cucumber while still alive (65 feet tall!). Now that it’s hardened off, any attempts at cutting would be difficult and even dangerous.

The fibres are long, and hence the tremendous tensile strength of bamboo.

I’ve illustrated with a felt, the 1/4” x 3/4” strips that are split out of the length of each harvested pole. This allows the manufacturer to obtain

March 9th

free admission

Cobble Hill Hall, 3550 Watson Ave organic & heritage seeds • plants • flowers snacks and more!

For more info

10 am - 3 pm

Photo of Bamboo culm.

Image David Coulson.

call 250-743-7305 or 250-743-8036 cobblehillseedysaturday@gmail.com

lengths of 20 feet or greater for laminating onto boards for flooring or gluing for plywood, cutting boards and the host of things you now see daily.

Picture the chopstick. A convenient eating utensil split the same way but free of knots, or in this case internodes, those intervals in bamboo that vary often around 12” to 16” apart in larger specimens.

Home & Design

This month I’ll be applying these age old basic skills splitting, weaving and forming this grass into useful home and garden creations.

All the while waiting for the spring shoots to arrive and repeat the pattern.

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.

15

Birds For Hire

Male bluebird entering his chosen nestbox in the Maple Bay. Gabe Daly

A

Adult male Western Bluebird, Bill Pennell

s the days become longer and leaves begin breaking from their buds, yet another sign of spring may be flying overhead – Western Bluebirds! If you are not familiar with these delightful and colorful birds, you are certainly not alone. Western Bluebirds (Sialia Mexicana) have been extirpated (locally extinct) from southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands since the mid-1990s, but as recently as 50 years ago they were a well-known sign of spring in our area, especially in their preferred breeding habitat: open Garry Oak meadows.

In an effort to restore this Georgia Basin population, the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team (GOERT) is working with a large network of project partners on an ambitious 5-year reintroduction project, which kicked off last year. The project has two main components: the translocation of wild Western Bluebirds from a healthy US population to the Cowichan Valley for release and the installation of bluebird

nestboxes in remaining habitat.

The project is modeled after the successful reintroduction of Western Bluebirds to nearby San Juan Island where they hadn’t nested since the 1960s.

Last spring, 17 bluebirds were released in the Maple Bay area and some of them nested in a nestbox near their release site!

The 4 nestlings that hatched in early July were the first Western Bluebirds known to have hatched on Vancouver Island in 17 years.

“The Cowichan Valley has been highly supportive of the project” says Genevieve Singleton of the Cowichan Valley Naturalists’ Society, a key project partner, “Many local residents are volunteering to build nestboxes for the project, while others are hosting and monitoring nestboxes on their properties containing suitable habitat. Assistance has also come by way of the numerous bluebird sightings reported to the project’s bluebird hotline by local birders. It’s been

heartwarming and encouraging to see the community come together for the bluebirds and their habitat.”

Kathrin Amini, who is hosting a couple nestboxes on her property, explains how her family got involved in the bluebird project: “I had seen an article about the project in the local paper and was mesmerized by this beautiful blue bird. I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be neat to help these birds return the Cowichan Valley?’ I shared the idea with my two young boys (Alexander 5, Darius 9) and they thought that it would be fun to monitor some nest boxes and help the birds settle in.”

Keep your eyes on the sky!

Western Bluebirds have been returning to the Cowichan Valley from their overwintering territories south of the border and more bluebirds are scheduled to be released this spring. Please let GOERT know if you see one!

Bluebirds are slightly smaller than a robin. The males have bright blue backs and wings and orange breasts. The females have a similar pattern but are more muted in colour. They hunt for ground-dwelling insects. Please take note of the coloured leg bands they may be wearing. Visit GOERT’s website www.goert.ca for more information. To report a bluebird sighting, write to bluebird@goert.ca.

Custom Carpentry by Doug Marsh Journeyman, earth friendly carpenter available. Specializing in creative living space renos for your home, garden, farm, business or neighbourhood.

Builds gates, fences, sheds, garden beds, tables, shelving, arbours, pergolas, chicken coops, greenhouses. Free consultations.

Duncan: 250-709-9683 Chemainus: 250-246-5081

16

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

Climate & the Economy A conversation

T

hose of us lucky enough to call the Cowichan Valley home know how integral agriculture is to this community.

We have a year-round farmers’ market, CSA programs, certifiedorganic farms, biodynamic farms, dairy farms, meat and veggie farms and even a water buffalo farm. It’s a variety so rich and diverse that it’s hard to think we have any local food challenges at all.

Even with this bounty, the Cowichan Region Area Agricultural Plan identifies “the lack of access to markets, especially wholesalers and restaurants, as an issue for Cowichan Region farmers”. That being said, Cowichan farmers should be happy to learn that an upcoming event aims to address this very issue.

Modelled after Portland’s successful Farmer-Chef Connection, FarmFolk CityFolk, partnered with the Island Chefs’ Collaborative and sponsored

by Vancity, will premier Meet Your Maker on Vancouver Island. This annual networking event focuses on strengthening the regional food economies in BC. The event’s success on the mainland has resulted in over a

million dollars in new business since 2008 and they are confident that similar results will be experienced here.

Meet Your Maker is part networking, part workshop/ conference, part local-foodies luncheon. The combination creates a spectacular event geared to the businesses that are directly involved with local food—be it producer, processor, wild harvester, fisher, rancher, chef, grocer or distributer.

“We are very excited that Meet Your Maker has come to Vancouver Island,” says the Cowichan Agriculture Market Research team at the Cowichan Green Community (CGC). This team is focused on creating tools, such as Meet Your Maker, to facilitate connections between farmers and purchasers. CGC will be launching their handbook in April.

This year, Meet Your Maker will be held at the Saanich Fairground s, 1528 Stellys Cross Road in Saanichton on Monday March 11th. Visit www. farmfolkcityfolk.ca and click on EVENTS to register.

Jennifer Freeman organizes island events for FarmFolk CityFolk and grows food on her organic farm in Glenora, BC

with

Dr. Andrew Weaver

One of Canada’s leaders on climate change shares his vision for a cleaner path to prosperity in BC.

Tuesday, March 19

7:30pm VIU Cowichan Campus Lecture Theatre 2011 University Way, Duncan Suggested donation $10 For more information call 250-746-7763

A presentation of the

Authorized by Jean Dunbar, financial agent, 250-732-1202

www.makecheese.ca Farms & Gardens

17

Participate in our readers poll online! www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Every person who takes the time to complete the poll will be entered in a special giveaway draw and receive a gift of thanks. What will you win?

Learn About the Relationship Between BC’s Climate and Economy

C

an BC be a leader in the economy and the environment? What does that mean for our communities?

Climate scientist and author, Dr. Andrew Weaver will be in Duncan on Tuesday, March 19, to share his vision for the future of British Columbia - a future built on clean technology and renewable energy.

“The economic prosperity of BC depends on the transition of our economy to one that meets the needs of today, without sacrificing the needs of future generations” says Dr. Weaver.

Chemainus Health Food

Morganne’s, uniquely chemainus

Eliza Hemingway Art & Antiques 9756C Willow Street 250 416-0363

Saltspring Soapworks

9747 Willow Street 250 246-2244 Art Gallery, Accessories, Books & Yarn

9738 Willow Street 250 246-9838 Natural Grocery, Vitamins, Hemp Fashions

9748 Willow Street 250 324-2226 Handmade Soaps, Natural Body Care

Etc.

9747 Willow Street 250 324-2227 Beads and Beading Classes

* Utopia Bakery

A-9780 Willow Street 250 246-9992 Artisan Bread and European Pastries

See You Soon!

*

Andrew Weaver is a clear and engaging voice on one of the most important issues of our time. He was a lead author in the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change— the group that, with Al Gore, won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. He is Canada Research Chair in climate modeling and analysis at the University of Victoria, and has received numerous international awards and accolades for his leadership and excellence in his field.

Dr. Weaver is the author of two books, Keeping our Cool: Canada in a Warming World

published

by Viking Canada in 2008, and Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Warming published by Raven books in 2011. He has authored or coauthored over 200 peer-reviewed papers in climate, meteorology, oceanography, earth science, policy, education and anthropology journals. In 2008, he was appointed to the Order of British Columbia.

From the trenches of climate change research to the front lines of politics, Dr. Weaver is bringing his commitment to science-based climate policy and a low-carbon economy to the role of Deputy Leader of the Green Party of BC. He is seeking election in the riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head in the upcoming provincial election.

New times demand new thinking. Join the conversation as one of Canada’s leaders on climate change shares his vision for a cleaner path to prosperity in BC. Presented by the Cowichan Valley Green Party of BC. For more info call 250 746 7763.

We Accept Chemainus Dollars

Come to Chemainus; where the people are friendly and the parking is free! Enjoy shopping, excellent eateries, live music, professional theatre and special events.

COME FOR A DAY OR MAKE IT A GETAWAY.

18

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

The State of Our Forests: The status, ecology, and pre-election politics of BC’s old-growth forests with Ken Wu

Mon March 11 9:30am Freshwater Ecocentre 1080 Wharncliffe Rd Duncan FREE Members of the Discovery Island Marine Tourism Group say their concerns have fallen on the deaf ears of the B.C. Liberal Government and the current logging operations

Reel Alternatives presents The Intouchables (subtitled) March 25 Cowichan Theatre Tickets $12/ Students $5 250 748 7529 When Driss, an ex-con from the projects, is hired to take care of an eccentric French

will harm their industry for years. Policy analyst Eric Hamilton-Smith said there is growing pressure to log marginal forest — including old growth — to compensate for the shortfall due to mountain pine beetle. He also pointed to increased volumes of waste wood, policies absolving companies from having to build mills in communities and a draft policy to convert forest licences into tree farm licences. If government were serious about developing secondary manufacturing in the sector, it could create tens of thousands of jobs. Wu will show a spectacular slideshow on the ecology, wildlife, biggest trees, and politics related to BC’s old-growth forests.

Cari Burdett Solo Voice Concert, with Leah Hokanson on Piano

Sunday, March 17th 2 PM St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church 2858 Mill St, Chemainus $20 (Under 18, $5)

Celebrating Britten’s 100th anniversary, with his song cycle “A Charm of Lullabies”.

Cari Burdett (mezzo soprano) and Leah Hokanson (piano).

Enjoy these musicians weave a spell of sheer enchantment as they perform songs from 17th century Purcell, through Mahler and Britten to present day Canadian works, including John Oliver’s evocative “Unseen Rain”.

Tickets at the Door $20 (Under 18, $5) / Adv $15, from Ten Old Books and Lila Music Centre (Under 18, FREE with advance ticket) 2 performances - Saturday March 9th, Gabriola Island, house concert call for tickets 250 701 0978 and Sunday March 17th, 2pm, part of the Chemainus Classical Concert Series at St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, 2858 Mill St., Chemainus 250-748-8383.

aristocrat named Philippe, his newfound job quickly becomes an unpredictable adventure. Speeding a Maserati through Paris, seducing women and paragliding over the Alps is just the beginning, as Driss turns the often humorous world of upperclass Parisian society upsidedown. As this unlikely duo overcome adversity of every flavor in this true story, they also shatter their preconceptions of love, life and each other. Based on the #1 international best-selling book, “You Changed My Life.”

NOW

MONDAY MARCH 25

SHOWING Reel Alternatives presents on the

7pm

BIG SCREEN The Intouchables (French)subtitled

Cowichan Theatre Tickets $12, Students $5 rows A-C All proceeds benefit CV Hospice Services

19

What is Simplicity Parenting?

Is it a book? A positive life change?

An international movement? The answer is yes, yes and YES!

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W

S

Geoff Johnson at Koksilah River.

Once Upon A Day Premier

March 7 Doors 7pm Cowichan Theatre, Duncan FREE To reserve tickets call 250-748-7529 This exuberant and evocative film celebrates the unique charm, the cultural fusion and the social diversity of lives well lived in The Cowichan.

Thursday March 7 at Duncan’s Cowichan Theatre will see the premiere of a three locally shot films which are the remarkable result of the contributions and involvement of 88 Cowichan based professional and semi-professional singers and musicians, 15 local businesses, an internationally regarded film maker and an award winning local arranger

and composer. There will be three films shown; “Once Upon A Day”, a 5 minute video paying tribute to the culture and natural beauty of “The Cowichan” as it is know in tourism circles, then “The Making of…..”, a visual chronicle of the entire project and finally a longer 42 minute film “Once Upon A Year” that showcases life in The Cowichan through four seasons. Filmed and edited over a period of months by local filmographer Nick Versteeg, the films, commissioned by the CVRD, demonstrate not only why people come to vacation in the area but why the combination of a vivacious arts culture, award winning vineyards, fresh farm gate food and new business opportunities attract more and more visitors each year.

Michelle Rose CSF Fisherman Guy Johnston

Interested in buying the finest catch of the season straight from your local fishermen?

Become a member of Cowichan Valley’s first Community Supported Fishery for access to top quality, sushi grade seafood mindfully caught using low impact fishing methods. As a member you buy a share of the year’s catch before the season commences at prices that are fair to both members and fishermen. prawns • coho and pink salmon • octopus For more info go to michellerosecsf.com or mrfishing@telus.net

20

implicity Parenting is an effective, hands-on, approach to simplifying daily family life and reducing stress on children and parents. It offers s a common sense alternative to the high-speed pace of our modern life, and its long term, eroding effects on our children’s well being.

Written by Kim John Payne, an educator and private family counselor for over 28 years, this book is about “Using the Extraordinary Power of LESS, to raise calmer, happier, more secure Kids.”

Why Simplify?

The concept is based on developmental research that is shows children are becoming chronically stressed and overwhelmed at the quantity of information they are exposed to. Childhood is an ‘unfolding experience’ and serves a great purpose.

Children are not just little adults, but we often treat them this way. They are given access to many of the same choices and information that adults are. Developmentally, this is not healthy and does not have positive long-term results. On the contrary, studies reveal the longer we let our children live in the safe, magical, filtered world of childhood - the more creative, happy, secure, flexible and resilient they will be. Further, children who are given less stuff, less choice, lighter schedules and more consistent daily rhythms are showing significant improvement

in both behaviour at home and attention to learning in school.

So, what exactly does Simplicity Parenting mean?

Simply, it’s about doing, saying, and giving less to our children. Less media, fewer toys, less extracurricular activities, and hearing less adult conversation. The benefit? You save money, have less to explain and, most importantly, your children will be happier and calmer.

Because simplification is not just about taking things away. As Kim reveals, it is about “making room and creating space in your life, your intentions, and your heart”. With less physical and mental clutter; your attention, awareness, and contentment expands, and so will your children’s.

To learn more about Simplicity Parenting, visit www.simplicityparenting.com or contact Linda at linda.simplicityparenting@ gmail.com.

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

f d w s m W o f w “ a t a ju p H g p o u f m M c t H D s v

Enterprising

Women

Brought to you by Oilcheck where every Wednesday is Ladies Day. Be surprised!

P

assionate about colour and good design, former textile artist and owner of Embellish! Home Decor, Lesley Zurrer is an inspiration to those who have an appreciation for artful interiors. “I often say to my clients to choose what they love rather than to follow ‘rules’ in decorating their homes. The great thing about decorating today is that eclectic is very in. Old favorites mixed with new and modern, texture with sleek and shiny...Our homes should be a reflection of who we are and hold the things that make us feel good and bring a smile to our face.” shares Lesley.

With 20 years experience in home decor, Lesley formerly co owned Whimsey Design, a furniture company that built and finished custom wood furniture. Lesley herself would experiment with patinas and painting techniques to get just the right looks.

“My love of old and worn came from summer travels in Europe and also going to auction with my mother when I was a young teenager. I had always wanted a home decor shop of my own and when the building on Kenneth Street came up for sale I jumped in! I still go to the auctions as often as I can to find great pieces for the shop.”

Her multiple room shop on Kenneth Street in Duncan is like a gallery. Here you will find a creative mix of furniture pieces, hand painted tableware, lamps, hooks, clocks and carefully curated original art. “I am always on the look out for that special and unusual piece and I believe that if you have a good eye, you can find treasures any where. I have been very fortunate to attract many artists from the Valley whose work I show at Embellish!

My usual criteria is vibrant colour and bold design. And Embellish! Home Decor thankfully, with artists like Crystal 115 Kenneth Street Heath, Susan Whittom, Chantey Downtown Duncan Dayal and Pipi Tustian, I am 250 746-9809 surrounded by beautiful and embellishhome.ca vibrant art every day!”

Join the Club!

Visit us 4 times & your 5th Oil Change is FREE! 250 748-1215 www.myoilcheck.ca

2752 Beverly Street Duncan

Are You Prepared For The Inevitable?

Do You Have?

• • • • •

A Will An Enduring Power of Attorney A Medical Representation Agreement An Advance Medical Directive (Living Will) An Estate Plan (that deals with jointly owned property, corporate property, trusts, registered accounts, life insurance, income tax and probate fees)

R. Brian McDaniel – bmcd@mcdancolaw.com Julia E. Henderson – jeh@mcdancolaw.com

Call Us To Discuss Your Plans 201 – 64 Station Street Duncan BC V9L 1M4

Tel: 250-748-6633 Fax: 250-748-1496

www.mcdancolaw.com

21

craft

Jewelry designer Peggy Brackett has been creating stunning pendants, earrings, bracelets and hair clips from dichroic glass since 1997. Dichroic glass contains multiple micro-layers of metals or oxides that reflect in a unique sheen and iridescence.

“Once I have prepared my dichroic glass, I cut, piece and layer the glasses to create particular designs, colours and surface alterations. I then fuse them in an electric kiln. After slow-cooling my new sheet, based on my design plan and incidental changes during the firing, I cut my desired pieces, and then grind, surface carve, drill and re-fuse them as the design ideas dictate.”

Silvertails earrings,

Impressively, the British Columbia-born artist also crafts and designs her own nickel-free jewelry findings (clasps, fasteners, wires, links and toggles) out of sterling silver, titanium, or 14K gold to house her vibrant works, each jewelry item an art piece itself.

In 2011, after many years of experimenting, Peggy introduced fine etching, carving and sandblasting to alter the dichroic glass.

“I manipulate the surface of the dichroic glass using self developed techniques, sketching or photographing objects, computer manipulating images and then either cutting them out of vinyl to use as a sandblasting resist and sandblasting them into the glass, or by carving designs freeform onto the glass using a hand-held flex-shaft tool.”

Her higher-end Batik collection of earrings, bracelets and deeply domed pendants showcase the beautiful results of these techniques.

Zak Stolk

Her works can be found at local island markets and specialty craft shows such as the prestigious Circle Craft Christmas Market and the Filberg Festival in Comox. Locally her works can be found at Imagine That! Artisans in Duncan and in galleries throughout Nanaimo, Victoria, and Granville Island.

One of a kind pieces and her Batik collection can only be viewed and purchased directly from the artist at KilnArt Glass studio in Crofton which she shares with glass artisan Jo Ludwig.

Go to www.CowichanValleyArtisans.com for more information about Peggy Brackett.

Violin Maker

25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition.

Making and 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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Local Arts

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H c d p p

“ a c i n d f t h o i

N h s i t

“ d s c

Nan.C Designs Wet felted toys 100% wool

Nancy Wesley

nan. c designs nan.c@shaw.ca www.nancdesigns.ca 250-748-8006

Talking Arts • Nancy Wesley

F

ibre artist Nancy Wesley is always creating.

Having funnelled her creative energy into graphic design, painting, pottery, and photography, Wesley’s current passion is felt-making.

“Its potential is limitless as a medium to express my creative visions. Every piece is a meditative process, nourishing to my spirit, as I design and create everything from small felted creatures to large one-of-a-kind wall hangings. The tactile, raw organic materials used are inspiring.”

Nancy begins her process by hand dying wool roving then sculpting and manipulating it using a variety of felting techniques.

“The inspiration for my dye-pot is nature. The myriad shades and depth of each colour is what I attempt to

The artist in her home studio.

“Tulips” wet and needle felted, 20x20

mimic with the dying process, never aiming for a solid colour.” Using local wool whenever possible, Nancy says her favourite fibre for needle-felting is perendale— the very same wool used for the famous Cowichan sweaters.

Needle Felting is a relatively new craft but wet felting is an ancient technique. In the 1980s, needles from industrial felting machines were first used to create sculptural pieces. These needles have groove-like barbs on the tips that catch the rough wool fibres and felt—or lock—them together. Nancy combines needle felting

techniques with the ancient methods of wet felting to create her current line of art, inspired by her graphic design background. “My work shows my love of line and simple geometric shapes.” She is currently working on graphic flower wall hangings that will be available in the Royal BC Museum gift shop.

“Felt-making transforms wool fibres into beautiful cloth or sculptural pieces without expensive materials or cumbersome equipment—it simply requires a knowledge of the ancient technique, physical labour and patience.

The incredible range of techniques and materials

that can be used in felting sustain my enthusiasm. My vision comes to life as I lay down tuffs of wool like brushstrokes of paint. The repetitive process of felting quiets my mind. I focus on subtly manipulating where the fibres lay and marvelling at how the light reflects and works its way into each piece.”

Nancy teaches workshops in her home studio in the Cowichan Valley as well as in schools and for private groups. Look for her at the Moss Street Farmers Market in Victoria during the warmer months.

7 Retreats for Learning and Realization

Weekly Meditation at VIU Cowichan Campus - Website:www.VIRetreats.com

“The precept of giving is an art and action of awakening love.”

Retreat One: A Day of Meditation and Mindfulness

Saturday 23rd March, 2013

Schedule outline, register onLine Check out all the Retreats: www.VIRetreats.com

Nichiren Buddha Society & Peace Center Phone: 250. 710. 7594

Local Arts

23

Shari Madsen On Show at Imagine That!

H

andmade. It is what drew Sandi Madsen to bring her pottery and textiles to Imagine That! in Duncan.

Sandi learned the meaning of handmade from her family. Her father built and fixed things around the home, a fence, patio, or roof when needed. “I remember my father’s hands were strong, rough and often had scrapes. They had left their mark on the things he created and the things he created left their mark on him.” Sandi’s closet housed hand sewn clothing by her mother and then herself.

She knew the story of every item, from the choosing of material, to each stitch carefully and lovingly placed, to the journey and challenges of creating them.

“It is in the challenges of the making that produces unique qualities that are the inherent beauty of handmade”.

Today Sandi continues the traditions she learned as a child through her own art work. “I create each piece individually, no two are exactly the same, and I follow it through the process from a lump of clay or a piece of cloth, to when it emerges as a beautiful creation”. Sandi

purchases her materials locally and creates her own glazes; she thoughtfully designs her pieces for easy use and believes strongly in the adage of quality over quantity. “I hope that people can see something of themselves in my work, a beauty that they will welcome into their home, that will become a part of their daily lives and that they will create their own story by sharing it with the people they love”. People wonder how an old world artisan can compete in a mass produced disposable world. “I am very grateful for places like Imagine That! and for the support of people who still appreciate beauty in locally handmade”.

A selection of Sandi Madsen’s artwork will be on display at Imagine That!

Artisans’ Designs, 251 Craig Street in Duncan from March 4 to 30.

Tony Award Winning BEST MUSICAL

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n The Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighbourhooda place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It is a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you and which ones you leave behind. In The Heights

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Local Arts

is the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.

Show runs March 5-9 for the public.

Curtain is 7:30pm. Tickets available on line at tgb.brentwood.bc.ca or call 250-743-8756.

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Masimba Marimba Introducing the New Night Collection from

March Facial Special $62 (regular $72)

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The first and only Green Spa in the Cowichan Valley.

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Dance & CD release party Guest Band: Aboubacar Camara March 2 7pm - 11pm Mercury Theatre 331 Brae Street Duncan $15-12/Children free Come and Celebrate! Dance to joyous, upbeat, fun, African-based music at Masimba Marimba’s CD launch party opening with Bopoma Community Music.

Family friendly music all night 7pm~11pm (Masimba plays 7:30-9:30). Special Guests: Aboubacar Camara, Afro Funk Dancing Grooves. and The Finale A Didgeridoo & Mbira Sound Journey with Chris Bertin & Ted Wright (10:30pm).

Local Arts

PHALANX

March 15 – 22 Portals, the CVAC Centre for Arts, Culture & Heritage 2687 James St., Duncan A small but formidable group of women who believe in the power of art. Lynn Harnish works are shaped using acrylic, mixed media, brush and palette knife, while Jean Hamilton uses photography to express her creativity.

Tammie Hunter works with acrylic paint on canvas as her medium of choice. Christine Allan prefers mixed media with the use of iridescent paint. While their mediums vary, they share a similar vision in their art.

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Children have fun exploring the intertidal zone with digital cameras.

Investigating Nature and Technology

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stuary Investigation Camps are for ages 7-11 (March 18-20) and ages 10-15 (March 25-27) . The camps are designed for students who are curious about their world and would like to investigate and document their discoveries. Different types of technology are integrated into the workshop so that photo walks and observations along the Cowichan Bay estuary combine with research time inside the Cowichan Bay Estuary Center. Participants will create digital books, podcasts and movies to share their findings. Participants’

projects will be shared on the website connected to the Center.

WestView Learning is an educational technology company offering training to individuals and groups of all ages. Workshops are active and are designed around the inquiry process.

The company’s focus is on connecting learners to the world around them through the thoughtful use of mobile and traditional technologies, and the creation of digital educational resources. www.westviewlearning.ca

Return to a clean home and workplace.

100% Natural Latex Foam Rubber is the most durable mattress material available. It is completely renewable, sustainable,nontoxic, hypoallergenic, temperature regulating and terrific for pressure point relief.

100% Natural Latex Foam Rubber is from the milk of the rubber tree.

Rubber trees grow within 10 degrees of the equator and constitute some of the best managed forest systems in the world. Therefore, natural latex is very eco-friendly. the foam made from these trees is not subject to the body impression issues that you find in regular coil mattesses.

Natural Latex Queen Mattress with bamboo cover $1199, King $1499

Giving you back the luxury of time and a naturally clean home to enjoy it in!

Providing professional, eco friendly cleaning services.

Duncan Foam & Futons 4485 Trans Canada Hwy (in Crossroads Centre) (Serving the Valley for 20 years)

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250 746-0702

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

Home Cleaning Gift Certificates available for Family & Friends!

Valley Family

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f your spring break weeks have big plans, a small walk to the Kinsol trestle is quick and refreshing. My spouse and I live in Shawnigan Lake near the South end of trestle. We visit it every month or so walking with our daughter and Fredrick (the dog).

Recently we visited again on a Sunday morning with some friends from Victoria who haven’t seen the trestle (past or present).

To reach the South end of the Trestle, follow along Renfrew Rd and turn right onto Glen Eagles Rd. A new gravel parking lot on the right, is tough to miss. It’s about a 20 minute walk to the trestle, which isn’t much exercise, but great for pre schoolers. Emily (my 2 year

old) ran the whole way to the trestle and 90% of the way back.

There are no hills, and the trail is packed gravel. We saw lots of other families with children, many of them on bikes.

About 5 minutes into the walk (at the 1st bend in the trail) we spotted a few trees with thin blue tubes which drained into white 20 litre water pails. Tapping maple syrup!

It was nice to see many other families like ours enjoying a simple walk to a magnificent structure.

If you come from Duncan follow Koksilah Rd and turn onto Riverbottom Rd, following this road until reaching the end.

There is a parking lot on the left.

The walk to the Trestle is only about 5- 10 minutes from this

Spring Break Camps in Textile Arts Spring workshops • Spinning and Dyeing • Mom and Daughter/Son Days

Leola’s Studio 250-597-0820 Whippletree Junction

Easy Walking on the Kinsol Trestle. Meghan Seal

Great Family Walks: Kinsol Trestle direction.

Completing the missing link in the Trans Canada Trail between Shawnigan Lake and Lake Cowichan, the Kinsol Trestle restoration finished last year.

Originally built in 1911, the trestle was used to assist in the transport of minerals and lumber on the island. When the railway took a back-seat to other modes of transport, the trestle began to deteriorate, the last train to travel

Valley Family

across was in 1979. In the last few years the trestle weathered, was victim to vandalism and became very unsafe. A decision had to be made – tear down one of the most amazing timber structures in the world or rebuild and preserve our history? I think we made the right choice. www.kinsol.ca Meghan spends much time outdoors with her family.

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Spring Break Fun on the Wild West Coast - Pacific Rim Whale Festival

Spring Break on the Outer West Coast

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n its 27th year, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates the continued protection and annual return of migrating Pacific grey whales to the coastal waters of the communities of Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Supported by volunteers, business sponsorships, and an array of local education and research organizations, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival’s fundraising efforts benefit local marine field-based research initiatives, which in turn support the whales.

Known for the abundance of Grey, Humpback and Orca sightings year-round, the TofinoUcluelet area is one of the world’s premier whale watching destinations with more than a dozen operators conducting whale watching boat tours from March through October.

2013 Pacific Rim Whale Festival Event Highlights Except where indicated, advanced tickets to all events are available online at: http://www. pacificrimwhalefestival.com/ purchase-tickets.

Mudflats Interpretive Walk The Tofino Mudflats are more

than just mud; they’re one of the little-known jewels of Clayoquot Sound. Thousands of migrating shorebirds depend on these mudflats, and migrating grey whales use them too! Come down to the Tofino Botanical Gardens and join a marine biologist for a 60 minute exploration of the Tofino Mudflats. Great for families, kids and mud-enthusiasts of all ages. Sturdy shoes are recommended; gumboots are not necessary as we will walk NEXT to the mud but not on the mud.

Thanks to the Tofino Botanical Gardens Foundation and the Raincoast Education Society Monday, March 12, 12:00pm – 1:30pm, Darwin’s Café - Tofino Botanical Gardens, Tofino, $10 adult/$6 students/$FREE kids 12 & under

The Chowder Chowdown!

Acclaimed area chefs compete for awards while attendees and local “celebrity judges” sample, compare and vote for their favorite chowder creations. A favourite locals event!

Sunday, March 17, 10:30am2:30pm, Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet $10 Adults/$5 Child/ Family Rate $25. continued on page 33

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Saturday, March 16 8:00 AM

Fire Brigade Community Breakfast The Schooner Restaurant Patio, 331 Campbell St, Tofino Tickets $10

10:00 AM

Parade of Whales & Wonders The Wickaninnish Elementary School, Tofino

11:00 AM

Fire-Fighter Spoutball Challenge Community Tennis Courts, Tofino

4:00 PM

Sea Lions Dr. Andrew Trites UBC Kwisitis Centre, PRNPR 7:00 PM West Coast Photo Showdown Featuring Ucluelet’s own, Left at the Junction Black Rock Oceanfront Resort 596 Marine Dr, Ucluelet

Sunday, March 17 8:15 AM B-Bop Fitness & Wild Pacific Trail Walk UCC Pafking Lot 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet 10:00 AM Fur Seals Dr. Andrew Trites UBC Ucluelet Aquarium 180 Main St, Ucluelet 11:00 AM Frogs and Salamanders of B.C. Coastal Rainforest with Dr. Barb Beasley Kwisitis Visitors Centre, PRNPR 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM 17th Annual Chowder Chowdown Featuring Tofino’s Poor Pistols UCC 500 Matterson Dr, Ucluelet Tix $10 Adults; $5 Children/ Seniors; $25 Family (2 Adults)

Storytelling with Roy Henry Vickers Eagle Aerie Art Gallery 350 Campbell St, Tofino

3:00 PM First Nations Cedar Weaving UAC Hall 1510 Penninsula Dr, Ucluelet - Tickets $15 Supplies Included 6:00 PM ‘BecomingWorthy’ Gallery Opening Introducing Marika Swan 120 4 St, Tofino

1:00 – 4:00 PM

Saturday, March 23

Friday, March 22 11:00 AM

REMOTE PASSAGES presents Tofino Maritime Kids Day! Tofino Community Hall 351 Arnet Rd, Tofino

3:00 PM

REMOTE PASSAGES presents The Kerplunks!

Tofino Community Hall

3:00 PM

First Nations Whaling with Denis St. Claire Kwisitis Visitors Centre, PRNPR

9:00 PM

Electric Gumboot Bash Prizes for most ELECTRIFYING gumboot costume!

3 live DJ’s, Hoopers, Local Beer & Cocktails 2 Pieces of ID + Dress Required Harbour Lounge, Marina West Motel, Tofino Tix $20 in advance/$25 at door

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10:00 AM Beach Seine Interactive Dave Hurwitz Specimen Collecting / Ucluelet Aquarium Society/ Terrace Beach Resort Terrace Beach, Ucluelet 12:30 PM Humpbacks Christie McMilla Marine Education & Research Society Kwisitis Visitors Centre, PRNPR

Monday, March 18 1:30 PM

Wet & Wild – Marine Research Marine Biologist Wendy Szaniszlo Remote Passages Marine Excursions Boat House 51 Wharf St, Tofino

2:00 PM

First Nations Cedar Weaving Tofino Community Hall 351 Arnet Rd, Tofino Tickets $15 Supplies Included – Limited Space

4:00 PM

First Nations Whaling / Marine Connections Wish-Key 120 4 St, Tofino

4:00 PM

Marine Whiz Bang Science Show Science Educator, Glenn Kachmar Tofino Library 331 Main St, Tofino

Sunday, March 24 11:00 AM

Tug – O – Whale Mackenzie Beach, Tofino

12:00 PM

Whale Festival BBQ & Gathering First Nation Welcome & Wild Salmon BBQ Tin Wis Resort 1119 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino Tix $10 /Children $6 Under Eat Free!

2:00 PM Annual Rubber Fish Race & Hatchery Tour 2150 Thorton, Port Albion 3:30 PM Cetacean Sightings Caitlin Birdsall & Research Society Ucluelet Aquarium 180 Main St, Ucluelet 8:00 PM Ian Tamblyn Black Rock Oceanfront Resort 596 Marine Dr, Ucluelet

Tofino

2013 Schedule of Events - For more info visit www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com

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Tuesday, March 19 8:15 AM

B-Bop Fitness & Wild Pacific Trail Walk UCC Parking Lot 500 Matterson Dr, Ucluelet

10:00 AM

Marine Whicz Bang Science Show Science Educator, Glenn Kachmar UCC 500 Matterson Dr, Ucluelet

11:00 AM

Storytelling Roy Henry Vickers Eagle Aerie Art Gallery 350 Campbell St, Tofino

Wednesday, March 20 11:00 AM

Killer Whales Leah Thorpe with Cetus Research & Conservation Society Venue TBA, Tofino

11:00 AM

Storytelling Roy Henry Vickers Eagle Aerie Art Gallery 350 Campbell St, Tofino

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

Artist in Action With 2013 PRWFS Poster Artist, Marika Swan Print Making from Original Piece 120 4 St, Tofino

3:00 PM

Print Making Workshop With 2013 Poster Artist, Marika Swan 120 4 St, Tofino $10/Person – Limited Space

Exploring Living Streams & Live Planting Central West Coast Society A Walk in Forest Trail, Hwy 4 East from Ucluelet, Tofino Junction Sea Lions Pat Gearin National Marine Mammal Laboratory Ucluelet Aquarium 180 Main St, Ucluelet

6:00 PM

Sweet Indulgence Dessert Reception – Annual All-you-can-eat Affair Featuring Smalltown Empire UCC 500 Matterson Dr, Ucluelet Tickets $10 Adults / $5 Child / Family Rates

TICKETS For Sale On-line:

www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com

or at event locations.

Save money and buy online

Ucluelet

1:00 PM

1:30 PM

Grey Whales Pat Gearin – National Marine Mammal Laboratory Remote Passages Marine Excursions Boat House 51 Wharf St, Tofino

4:00 PM

Sea Creature Cookie Decorating Common Loaf Bake Shop 180 1 St, Tofino

6:00 PM

Marine Debris Impacts and Issues – Sea Change Panel Facilitated by Mayor Josie Osbourne Tofino Botanical Gardens Darwin Café 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino

7:30 PM

Mix & Mingle Sea Change Panel Reception Tofino Botanical Gardens – Darwin’s Café 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino

Thursday, March 21 8:15 AM

B-Bop Fitness & Wild Pacific Trail Walk UCC Parking Lot 500 Matterson Dr, Ucluelet

11:00 AM

Sea Otters Jane Watson Ph.D VIU Ucluelet Aquarium 180 Main St, Ucluelet

11:00 AM

Storytelling Roy Henry Vickers Eagle Aerie Art Gallery 350 Campbell St, Tofino

12:00 PM

Sinking of the Valencia Silvia Johansson Pacific Rim National Park Kwisitis Visitors Centre, PRNPR

1:00 – 4:00 PM

JAMIE’S WHALING STATION presents Ucluelet Maritime Kid’s Day! UCC 500 Matterson Dr, Ucluelet

3:00 PM

JAMIE’S WHALING STATION presents The Kerplunks!

UCC 500 Matterson Dr, Ucluelet

4:00 PM

Blue Notes ‘An Ode to the Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest’ Peter Mieras Rendezvous Diving UCC 500 Matterson Dr, Ucluelet

7:00 PM

BLACK ROCK OCEANFRONT RESORT presents 11th Annual Barnacle Blues with Spirit of the West’s John Mann & Viper Central opening Black Rock Oceanfront Resort 596 Marine Dr, Ucluelet

Pacific Rim National Park 2013 Schedule of Events - For more info visit www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com

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2013 Schedule of Events - For more info visit www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com

continued from page 29

22 @ 11 AM, Eagle Aerie Gallery, 350 Campbell Street, Tofino Free Event

A Winter Wave Showdown Photo Competition Black Rock

Beach Seine Interactive Specimen Collecting- Join the

Oceanfront Resort is set to host amateur and professional shutter bugs alike all competing with their impressive shots of the 2013 winter on the coast. Saturday, March 16, 7:00pm, Blackrock Resort, Ucluelet, $5

Sweet Indulgence: All You Can Eat Dessert Affair An evening

of decadence, featuring favorite west coast family dessert recipes, door prizes and live local musical guests.

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort presents “Barnacle Blues”

A fundraising evening of music with opening act ‘Viper Central‘ and feature performance by lead vocalist for Canadian folk rock band, Spirit of the West, John Mann. This event includes drinks and gourmet appetizers, a raffle and live action. Thursday, March 21, 6:00pm, Blackrock Resort, 596 Marine Drive, Ucluelet $40

Ucluelet Aquarium and an actual aquarium-bound specimen collection on Terrace Beach.

All ages welcome and boots recommended. Brought to you by the Ucluelet Aquarium Society.

Date/Time: March 23 @ 10 AM Terrace Beach, Ucluelet, FREE

Pacific Rim Festivities Community Gathering Closing Ceremonies- An afternoon of

performances featuring local dancers followed by a Salmon BBQ.Saturday, March 24, Noon – 3:00pm, Tin Wis Conference Centre, Mackenzie Beach $10/ Children 6 and Under Free The 27th Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival takes place in Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and runs from March 16-24, 2013.

Visit www.pacficrimwhalefestival. com for more information.

Storytelling with artist Roy Henry Vickers- Renowned First

Nation artist Roy Henry Vickers intimately shares personal stories of coastal life and inspirations, in his own longhouse gallery.

Roy will be available for signing following the storytelling.

Everyone welcome! March 19 -

March long 2-for-1 Spring Tune-Ups Winter apparel vastly reduced.

2013 Group Road Rides begin March 11th.

Monday, Thursday & Sunday.

Wednesday - Ladies Only.

See Facebook page for details

So Much Cycling going On

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avid and I just returned from a Trek Travel Cycling Camp in Solvang, California. It was wonderful to enjoy sunny cycling in California wine country. We rode every day and tried out some great Trek bikes. Just the same…arriving home to the Cowichan Valley we were reminded how lucky we are to live here. The Valley has some spectacular cycling routes.

So…get ready folks…spring is around the corner and it’s time to get back on your trusty steed. Think about joining a group ride to train for upcoming races…or for the fun of it.

Many of the local bike stores host organized, friendly, and supportive group road rides at Cycle Therapy we have one beginning on March 11th. Cyclists meet at the store at 5:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays (Ladies Only), and Thursdays; and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Monday is a no-drop staggered format for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The leader sets the pace in accordance with the abilities of the group while a “Tail End Charlie” ensures the group remains cohesive and assists with any problems. Rides will last from 1 ½ to 2 hours and the pace is set by each group. Along

Recreation and Outdoors

with compliance with regular road laws, the group also sets basic, common sense rules for safe cycling as a group.

The Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday rides will be for intermediate and advanced level road cyclists.

Things to think about before the ride: Ensure your bike is mechanically sound; tires pumped; chain lubricated; take adequate water & nutrition; a repair kit; and wear suitable apparel for the weather.

Look to the Cycle Therapy Facebook page for a more in depth ride etiquette guide.

Remember that Cowichan Cycles has organized mountain bike rides on Mondays and Wednesdays and Experience Cycling has various group rides throughout the week as well. http://www.facebook.com/ CycleTogetherCowichan http://www.facebook.com/ CycleTherapyBikesDuncan

Sandra Beggs owns and operates Cycle Therapy in Duncan. wwwcycletherapy.ca

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Nourishing Your Breath and Body Janelle Hardy is a Hellerwork Structural Integration Practitioner in Cowichan Bay. www. timetorealign. com

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reathing. Inspiring air into and out of our bodies. It is such an essential and often neglected function in our bodies.

Breathing is something that happens automatically whether we are awake, asleep, scared, excited or sad. It doesn’t matter what’s happening, our bodies make sure we’re breathing.

However, the quality of the inhalation and exhalation is up to us.

Fear, anxiety, grief, injuries, tight intercostal and diaphragm muscles, and habits of holding or restricting our breath can all wreak havoc on the energy and oxygen we invite into our selves.

Ok. So you’ve noticed you don’t breathe fully. But what can you do about this?

There are a few things... pay attention to the areas where you breathe most and least often.

Imagine your ribcage is a bellows or an accordion, and play with expanding the more rigid areas by sending your breath right into those spots.

Notice when you start to hold your breath. Remind yourself to relax and breath deeper. Sit up straighter by finding your sitbones (ischial tuberosities) and balancing on top of them, then notice how much fuller and easier your breath becomes.

Every time you remember, practice this some more. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can shift old patterns.

You’ll also be surprised how shifting physical patterns can open up space to address

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emotional patterns. Is your chest collapsed, your ribs and belly folded into one another? Are your shoulders rounded forward? If so, it must be hard to breathe. It usually doesn’t feel good. How vital, energized or sexy are you able to feel when your body is contracted and curved forward? Take a moment to open up, balance your head over your torso instead of in front of it and lift your chest and heart up. Notice how you feel in this place.

A little more confident?

More energized? Can you breathe deeper?

Perhaps this is a scary place? It’s all ok.

Every time we shift old patterns, whether physical or emotional, we create space for change and healing.

Practice hanging out in these spaces. Consider getting assistance in making those shifts from a Hellerwork Structural Integration practitioner. You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll breathe more freely and feel better, more energized and open! www.rainwaterconnection.com

BOB BURGESS Tel 250.246.2155 Gulf Islands Rainwater Connection Ltd. Thetis Island, BC Email: bob@

rainwaterconnection.com

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Spirit, Health and Well-being

a p t E C o e m e s l e O g e a h a o s u p p w e u a s c s S I s s

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What Students Say Schools Can Do To Foster Inclusion

INTEGRATED COMMUNITY HEALTH

Dr. Daisey Kent MSc ND

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e are proud of our diverse society in Canada, but are all groups really equal participants? March 21st is the International Day for the Elimination of Racism. In Canada we’ve come a long way on the abstract level, but what emerges with the Idle No More movement along with several economic and sociological studies, is that we are still a long way from being a racially equitable society in practice.

One study reveals racialized groups are more likely to experience “a large income gap, above average levels of poverty, high levels of unemployment and underemployment, overrepresentation in low income sectors of the economy… and under-representation in well paid jobs.”* Yes, diversity has potential for enrichment, but when it results in feelings of exclusion and unfairness, it can undermine social cohesion in any society or group. Often the seeds of prejudice are sown in childhood, sometimes through sheer ignorance or indifference.

So I asked a few students at Island Oak High School what schools can do to ensure all students feel included. They

Josef Graf M.H.S, MSW

Naturopathic Doctor (250)510-1910

Holistic Counseling/Psychotherapy

(250)709-8583

Tobi Jane Panter AHG, R.Ac., RHN had these suggestions for staff and students: “Be more social instead of isolating yourself; when you see your classmates as individuals you are less likely to exclude or be excluded,” says Chris, adding “and treat others as you want to be treated yourself.” “Sometimes students need encouragement from the teachers,” says Taya, and recommends starting the year with team-building exercises.

Taya, Chris, Alice and Finian point to the outdoor adventure trip their school goes on for the first three days of every year as a chance to really get to know each other, stating communitybuilding games at school are also helpful. What do you think schools can do to make every student feel included? Start that conversation with your children, their friends and with school staff. *(Galabuzi, 2006)

Acupuncturist, Nutritionist, Herbalist (250)715-4030

160 Jubilee St Duncan

•

silverfernhealth.net

Vivi de Graff is the Communications Coordinator at Island Oak High School and the parent of children with blended racial heritage.

Hypnotherapy is the way to use your subconscious mind to uncover and change patterns and habits that no longer serve.

Effective for: · Fears & Phobias · Stress Management ·Weight Release ·Smoking Cessation ·Pain Control ·Achieving Goals

Experience the Healing sounds of the Lakota Flute Learn to play Workshops, and Flute Circles in lovely Lake Cowichan

Medical Qi Gong Exercise Classes and Treatments at Harmony Yoga, Duncan

Lori Austein Clinical Hypnotherapist 250-597-7459 • laustein@shaw.ca

For information contact Rommy: 250-749-6563 or rommy.v@hotmail.com or visit the Duncan Market 9am - 2pm

Spirit, Health and Well-being

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COWICHAN FEATURE LISTINGS High quality handwoven traditional rugs and carpets made by Tibetan refugees from Nepal.

Hand-knotted and made of 100% Tibetan wool in a family run venture that houses workers and educates children to alleviate poverty.

Small World Imports Tibetan Rugs and Carpets www.smallworldimports.ca 250-748-6570

Metal Artist Brad Allen

With a torch,welder and array of metal finishing tools, Brad creates joyful, nurturing and thought-provoking pieces.

- Metal Wall hangings - Free Standing Sculptures Studio located in Duncan by appointment Brad Allen 250 748 0934 www.meddleart.com

Want to learn how to make your own jewellery?

Etc! offers a wide range of classes from introductory classes in Beading, Kumihimo and Bead Weaving to more advanced techniques and workshops.

We have a fantastic range of beads and supplies as well as unique gifts.

Call for prices and dates 250 324 2227 New Hours Monday - Saturday 10 - 5 and Sunday 11 - 4

9747c Willow St, Chemainus 250 324 2227

Our mission is to inspire, motivate and most of all...to have fun! We offer encouraging, experienced tap dance instruction for beginners to advanced of all ages.

Lynda Allen 250-748-0934 lyndaallentapstudio@shaw.ca

Beware of Trojans Bearing Gifts

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n Greek mythology, the Greeks overcame the city of Troy by hiding their army inside a large wooden horse, which the unsuspecting Trojans, thinking it was a parting gift, proceeded to bring into the city.

The modern day equivalent of the Trojan Horse is malicious software that pretends to do something useful while, in fact, it proceeds to steal information or harm the computer in some manner.

Trojan malware may allow a hacker to steal money, crash the computer, hold the user to ransom, use the system as a repository for illicit programs, delete files, log keystrokes, view the contents of the screen or perform any number of other unwanted and potentially very dangerous activities. There has been a huge increase in Trojan malware, with Trojans now accounting for 83 percent of all malware across the Internet. It is estimated that 15 percent of all computers worldwide are members of so called botnets, groups of computers under the control of hackers. Most botnets result from a Trojan infection.

including Windows desktops, mobile devices and, yes, Macs, which were at one time thought to be immune to malware.

As with other types of malware, defending against Trojans requires a robust endpoint protection suite that features multiple layers of protection, including antivirus, firewall and intrusion prevention capabilities. A regular backup routine is also essential. Finally, as with the mythical wooden horse of Troy, most Trojan infections rely on the user to extend an invitation. You can reduce the risk of inadvertently inviting Trojans by only visiting trusted Web sites and opening e-mail attachments only from people you know.

Trojan malware can affect all kinds of computing devices,

Contact Adrienne Richards for more information and a Spring 2013 Rate Card 250 510 6596

adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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

Ian Parker specializes in incident handling, intrusion analysis, network security and system administration. sentinelridgeconsulting. com.

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F 3 f a c c a u h a c p

F t a f p a s i m e b t c m

s

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Kristine Paton, Feed Buckets

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Chow Down & Buck- et Up!

ocal artist Kristine Paton has donated a large acrylic work on canvas titled Feed Buckets, valued at $1950.00. The 32” x 36” representational painting features five weathered feed buckets atop a worn wooden storage trunk. As you can clearly see, the buckets are empty. Paton conceived the painting with the dinner auction in mind: “The buckets were once used at Cowichan Bay Farm to feed horses, and so the imagery seemed an appropriate choice to help ‘fill the empty coffers’ that feed the therapeutic riding programs.”

Founded in 1986 at Providence Farm, the CTRA provides therapeutic riding and equine-based therapeutic services for persons with disabilities: “We promote and facilitate access to horses as a therapeutic alternative, recreational/ sport opportunity.” Therapeutic riding is especially helpful to persons with mobility problems, providing the essential physical activity (cardio, balance, coordination, strength) required to live positively with a number of conditions, such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy,

or spinal/brain injury.

The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association depends largely on donations, grants, sponsorship and fundraising to finance these programs.

By purchasing your ticket to this worthy and fun-filled event, and bidding on one (or more) of the many items up for auction, you can sit tall in the saddle knowing that your support has made it possible for therapeutic riding to “carry” on for another year. (see page 9 for event details.)

About our Pets PETS ARE SPECIAL to us, whether they bark to warn us of danger, sit in our laps and cuddle, follow us from room to room, live in a cage or tank - or live outside and wait for us to put seeds out we know we are much happier when they are in our lives. A slight variation of the well known saying would be “animals are people’s best friends”. The love between humans and animals is mutually beneficial - pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure, less anxiety and tend to be much happier.

COMMON REMEDIES FOR PEOPLE and PETS:

- Ear Mites in cats and dogs - 1 tsp Olive Oil and 400IU of Vitamin E in a small bowl, warm to body temperature. Apply 1/2 dropper into pet’s ear and massage ear canal for about a minute. Wipe area to remove excess oil.

- Paw licking, easing constipation, gas

and urinary tract infections, itchy skin and removing skunk odour - Apple Cider Vinegar into water bowl: 1 tsp for small dog or cat; 2 tsp for medium dog; or 1 TBSP for large dog. CAUTION if pet is allergic to yeast, has yeast infection or irritated intestines, this is not a good treatment for them.

- Neem Oil heals small cuts and abrasions and also acts as deterrent to fleas, ticks, and scabies. Spritz your pet every week during flea season.

PETS LIKE PEOPLE COME WITH SOME BAD HABITS:

- Urinating outside the box: *most important, some cats do this to “tell” you they have a bladder, or some kind of infection - this requires an immediate diagnosis by a Vet. If no infection, but a habit - place aluminum foil over the cleaned area to stop cat from returning.

- Clawing or Chewing - apply bitter apple or lime spray to carpeting, arms of furniture and table legs.

- Eating pooh - an ugly habit, but it’s true and does happen! either their own or other animal’s. Consistency is important - add natural supplements made from fermented vegetables to their food, makes pooh less appealing; or add a little pineapple, spinach or pumpkin to dog’s meals Spring is coming!! Time to spend more time outside with your pets, and open your doors and windows to clear out stale winter air!

Large or small we feed them all.

Hours of operation Sun 10 - 4pm Mon - Sat 8:30am - 6pm

2800 Roberts Rd. Duncan (250) 746-5101, Fax (250) 597-0312 Pets and Animals

Sheila Jones offers holistic consultations for both people and pets. www.holisticnc.ca

100% Fresh

100% Locally Owned and Operated

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Community Farm Store Pages

Community Farm Store Pages

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Community Farm Store Pages

The series is set on Vancouver Island, incorporating historic Victorian sites such as Beacon Hill Park, the Inner Harbour, and Beach Drive. E-book fans have reached out to her on an international scale. One reader from the United States sent Suzi a picture of her new tattoo, a direct replica from the cover of Silver Dew.

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or Suzi Davis, family always comes first, but the 29 year old author and Cowichan local believes that carving out time for individual passions really makes one a fulfilled person and parent.

“My mom always said you can do anything you want,” says Suzy, “and that’s one cliché that really is true.” Now, she is ready to release her third book in the popular Lost Magic Series.

After a year-long search for a publisher, she found a home with Central Avenue Publishing in Burnaby, B.C.. Her first novel Amber Frost started as an e-book, quickly gaining an online following. Central Avenue decided to print the book, followed by the second in the series Silver Dew, both of which are now available at Volume One Books in Duncan, and Chapters Online. Technically, the series is classified as “young adult paranormal romance” but Suzi simply thinks of it as “a teenage love story with an element of magic.”

Amazingly, Suzi has written the series while working as an education assistant and raising two young boys with her husband. Busy as it sounds, Suzi finds writing relaxing – something just for herself. And it always helps to have supportive people around you. Readers, fans, and perfect strangers will say whatever they want, and it’s not always good, but “the important people in your life ultimately just want to see you succeed” says Suzi. Sapphire Sun, her third book in the series was just released last month. She will be at Volume One Books in Duncan on March 23, 12 -2pm to answer questions and sign your copy of the just released Sapphire Sun. For more information on booksigning events, and the Lost Magic Series, visit: www.authorsuzidavis.com Amy Weinberg is a Cowichan Valley musician, writer, teacher and arts lover

Fun and Learning in Cowichan Bay

Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre 1845 Cowichan Bay Rd in Hecate Park, Cowichan Bay Open Thurs - Sun 12 - 4pm Admission by Donation

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boy and girl bring a small container of mud from the beach, dilute it with a bit of water, and put it under a dissecting microscope. After some fiddling and adjusting, “Look, there’s a tiny clam with a teeny tub coming out of it.” Other children are getting to know the intertidal creatures in the touch tank, working at the craft table, or watching fish in the aquarium.

Their parents and grandparents are reading the displays and watching movies of Elders telling about the estuary. Outside, a family in the viewing tower can watch the gulls wheeling below them and see the swans and ducks feeding in the estuary.

It’s Sunday afternoon at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.

The Nature Centre is run by the non-profit Cowichan Land Trust and by volunteers from the Cowichan Valley Naturalists and the Cowichan Bay community.

During the week the Nature Centre has programs for schools and other groups – home learners, young naturalists, elder college.

Hands-on activities are led by a professional nature interpreter assisted by volunteer docents.

On Thursday morning at 11am there is a story time for pre-school children.

Each month volunteers participate in the Coastal Waterbird Survey – led by an experienced birder, a team counts the birds visible from the shoreline near the Nature Centre. Everyone is welcome to come along for this opportunity to learn about some of our local birds. Film night is held at 7 pm on the last Thursday evening of each month. This spring the feature is the One Ocean series with David Suzuki. For the latest information, visit www.cowichanestuary.ca.

Rob’s Lighthouse Eatery & Art Gallery Fresh, friendly, affordable and pet-friendly!

• Fish, Veggie and Beef Burgers • Fresh-cut Fries • Fish & Chips • Lavazza Espresso and more!

Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out!

Cowichan Bay Waterfront

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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) In the last few years, many of you have suffered with challenges in relationships, which means that in the next two years, you might be getting along with less support from others. This is scary, but consider it bootcamp training for a career peak in about five years. Yay! This process will strengthen you and give you confidence in yourself. Since 1996, you have reinvented yourself. And around 2003-05, hopefully, you strengthened your home base. You can handle whatever arises.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Around 1999, you started to reinvent yourself. By around 2005, it was vital that you establish a solid home base.

After busting your buns since 2010, you are now bookending a process you began in 1999. It’s time to step out in the world and gain increased recognition for your efforts.

However, as you focus more on your external world, this switch of focus might create problems in partnerships because the balance of power is shifting. Nevertheless, you must go forward. (Pack a hot lunch.)

Gemini (May 21-June 20) In the mid-90s, you got recognition for your achievements; and by 2001, you were in a new sandbox, creating a new identity, which was eventually established by 2008. (Right?) Now you’re entering a time of hard work.

In fact, in the next few years, you might feel overwhelmed; but fear not, you will prevail.

Lucky Jupiter is in your sign giving you a major boost of good fortune and by next year increased earnings will reward your hard labour. (Applause!

Applause!)

Cancer ( June 21-July 22) Around the turn of the millennium, you began to downsize. By 2003-4, you sailed off into a new world. The last few years have been a strong focus on home and family

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with renovations or residential moves. Now you’re entering a time where you might have increased responsibilities with children, but privately you’re asking, “What do I really want to do with the rest of my life?” (That, plus the basic question of how long after Labour Day one can get away with wearing white shoes.)

Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22) Although you’re focused on shared property, taxes and debt, in the big picture, you want to solidify your home base by moving or repairing/ renovating where you live. In 2003-4, you gave up a lot so that by 2005, you could move in a new direction that would completely redefine you. The big question now is what are you going to do with the new you? What do you want to do? Where is home? Once this is settled, you will be free to pursue career questions.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) If you feel you are in a state of flux, that’s exactly how it should feel. Since 2008, you’ve been tweaking your life to where it is now. This is a crossroads. In the next two years, you will either change jobs, change residences or both so that you have a strong sense of who you are and what you’re doing in the world. Right now, a gaggle of planets opposite your sign heightens your focus on close friendships and partnerships. Think of this as a learning opportunity.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Since 2010, you’ve been reinventing yourself. Now you’re focused on cash flow, earnings and major expenditures. The question is how do you want to earn money? At a deeper level, you’re questioning your basic values. Essentially, you have to define to yourself what really matters in life. Different things matter for different people. If you don’t know what’s important for you, you won’t know what to work for.

This is why success is defined so differently by so many different people.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) This is a defining time for you because Saturn is in your sign. Saturn is the Great Teacher forcing us to focus on responsibilities and duties in turn, lead to external success, rewards and a sense of accomplishment. Saturn is a straight shooter and always comes through. Right now you are beginning to redefine who you are in the world.

Ironically, this is a very playful month for you. Love affairs, sports events, vacations and fun times with children are all promising diversions.

Sagittarius (Nov.22-Dec.21)

Home, family, renovations, family meetings and visiting guests keep you on the go.

Enjoy entertaining midst the chaos. But in the bigger picture, you’re starting to let go of people, places, relationships, homes, jobs and possessions. Why? Because in about 18 -24 months, you will enter a new sandbox, which will be the beginning of you completely reinventing yourself in the world.

(Wow.) You love an exciting, stimulating future full of all kinds of possibilities!

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Short trips, visits and errands create an accelerated pace but you love it. This is a good time to write, teach, edit, act, sell or market. This is also an excellent year to improve your job as well as your health. You feel confident and much on top of your game because others appreciate what you have accomplished.

Later this year and into next year, partnerships and close friendships will be

March

wonderfully enriching. In fact, singles could meet and marry someone older, richer or worldlier.

Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This is wonderful time to wrap up financial projects.

But in the bigger picture, you want to play! Lucky Aquarians are on vacation, enjoying love affairs and delighting in the arts, sports events plus playful activities with kids. However, in the “really big” picture — we’re talking a 30-year cycle — you are entering your time of harvest where you will achieve success and recognition for past efforts.

It’s a time of kudos, raises, promotions, graduations and the achievement of cherished dreams. Yay me!

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) It’s all about you now.

However, retrograde Mercury brings confused communications, lost papers, books, glasses and keys. You might lock yourself out of the house with the bathtub running. Nevertheless, you have much to look forward to because this year, you will feel richer at home. In fact, many will move to a bigger home.

You will also enjoy a happier relationship with family members. Start planning for a big vacation late this year or next year because it’s going to happen.

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

WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT By Rick Dennis IDEAL SOLUTION: Brendan Nyhan and Kevin Cochlan call their business IDeal Technical Solutions. Among other things the technically proficient twosome renovate old “junkers” and sell them second hand. I heard about the biz from my friend Stephanie Cerins while shopping for a laptop to take on a family visit. (My sister and brother-inlaw believe in Prairie hospitality but they draw the line at sharing their computers. Short of packing my PC in my Samsonites I figured a portable computer would enable me to check email and surf the net during my stay.) I was going to buy a Notebook from a franchise outlet when Brandon told me he had a used Gateway laptop with a new motherboard, keyboard and 17” screen for $400! Stephanie had already gotten a great deal on a used Mac so I decided to take the plunge. (Yes, the computer came with a guarantee.) If this sounds good to you give Brandon a call at 250-710-6564 or email Kevin at kcochlan@vicellular. ca TECH TUTOR: When I got a six month Netflix gift subscription from my nephew, Andrew Blount helped me hook up my laptop to my TV screen without cracking a smile or giving me a quizzical look when I asked questions that would probably seem naive to younger and more technically literate folks. “I can hook up all types of technology and give a run down on how to use it, ”Andrew writes.

“For example I’ve just helped a lady who got an error message every time she opened an ebook because the computer didn’t know what kind of file it was.”

Log onto www.cowtechtutor.ca for more info.

Team Values Connect As a business leader working with teams, what values do you work and live by? What is your vision? Mission? When there is agreement on vision, mission, and values the rest is small stuff.

You can move effortlessly past any issues that arise.

Values define the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of the vision, connecting vision to actions. Action steps cannot be planned unless the team is in alignment, having values each member of the team can agree to. One tool that can assist a team to elicit values and develop a strong vision and mission is a charter.

A charter is a structure for agreements so that team members can be relaxed, resourceful and engaged. With these agreements, dialogue flows, moving forward in a productive way. Alignment fosters innovation, inspiration, and high performance. Teams that perform well enjoy their work, have better lives and create sustainable results through time.

Do you have a charter of agreements with those you work with, whether stakeholders, a team of employees, or family business? Having a charter on how you agree to be with each other and work together deepens commitment, collaboration and contribution. Imagine a day-to-day experience of really contributing in your best way. What difference might that make in your business?

Tania Walter Gardiner

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Helpful Garden T

Valleyview

Centre

So much to offer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Books Bucknuck Books 250-929-2665 Used books and Local authors Fitness Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes Spa and Wellness Reiki Wellness *New Location #13 250 743-8122 Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Craniosacral

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

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

Hey baby, wanna pollinate?

he bees minus the birds’ still equal reproduction, at least for plants anyway.

There are many plants that are self-pollenating and wind pollenated (corn for example) but the vast majority rely on assistance to develop a fruit or the next generation of seed.

Pollinators are the single most important aspect of growing food crops. If nobody carries pollen from male parts to the female parts, no reproduction takes place and no fruit, vegetable, or seed head develops.

It’s widely known the commercial honeybee in North America (not a native species by the way) has been decimated by something, though the jury is still out on what is causing the death of bees by the billions. Parasite infestation, fungus, pesticides, virus, many things may ultimately be the cause. The result is that we need to take the initiative now to nurture the other pollinators we rely upon in their absence.

There are literally hundreds of native bee varieties aside from the well-known Mason bee. Do an online search for bees native to British Columbia and you’ll see that there are at least 450 different species! They all pretty much do the same job, though maybe at a different time of year. Butterflies also do an excellent job of assisting in the work of pollenating and there are many things we can do in our own gardens to attract and utilize this invaluable resource. Number one rule: Use no pesticides.

None. Nada. Aucun.

If you are growing food crops in your home garden, plant lots of brightly coloured and

Cowichan Valley Farms & Gardens

sweetly scented flowers and herbs to help draw these nomadic species and keep them around and well fed so as to establish a home-grown workforce.

For choice, use annual flowers, plant marigolds, cosmos, snapdragons and zinnias. Tuck in a few of these randomly between your vegetable and fruit rows for a more colourful summer vegetable garden. Stay away from highly hybridized varieties and those that have a double flower. These types hold less nectar and nectar is what these bees need.

Flowering herbs are a really good choice. Lavender, sage, thyme, borage, rosemary and bee balm (monarda) will have native bees swarming them when in full bloom.

I have some lambs ears (stachys byzantina-not an herb, but what the heck!) that literally have bees drunken and overloaded with nectar and pollen, lolling about like they’re recovering from a three-martini lunch. Plant these guys, trust me, you’ll get bees! You’ll also get higher crop yields, and will be doing something great for your own environment and for that of the bees of the world.

Ajay Oppelaar is an experienced horticulturist and President of the Mill Bay Garden Club.

Contact him at arkengardens@gmail.com

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Climate Change-The New Norm?

The Challenges Facing The Home Gardener

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n preparation for this article I tried to determine what we are really talking about when we talk about Global Warming. My research has led me to believe many different definitions and opinions exist. This is the first challenge for the home gardener and one way of facing this dilemma is to keep a record of what the conditions are in your own garden. Keep track of the daily, monthly and yearly rainfalls, the daily temperatures, first and last frosts and minimum and maximum temperatures. I have done this since 2000 and have a good picture of the climatic conditions and trends in my garden.

In this area November, December and January are very wet months with February and March also having reasonably high rainfalls.Therefore, fall or late spring are the best times to plant most plants as they will have time to settle in prior to our dry summers. My records tell me that unless I have definitely drought resistant plants I must water during our dry summer months and that the use of mulches and good ground cover plants will help me to conserve moisture. I

also know that my garden is temperature zone 7b/8a.

Some plants that you may wish to consider that suit these conditions are grasses. Miscanthus sinensis “Morning Light” will give you wonderful colour, texture and height. Other grasses, such as Stipa gigantea will add great form to your garden as the seed heads sway in the wind in late summer and throughout the fall. Plants to consider to give you colour at this time of the year include Helleborus and spring flowering bulbs such as snow drops and crocus.

And that brings me to heathers which are not water gluttons but you will need to water them once a week during the summer. They provide great ground cover, love our acid soil, suit our temperature zone and give us colour twelve months of the year. As an added bonus, in my garden the deer do not eat them. So the large group of hardy heathers is one that suits our local climatic conditions well. One thing to know is that they do need sunlight to flower and four to six hours of sunlight a day will give you a wonderful show.

To learn more about heathers and to buy from a wonderful selection featuring vibrant colours for all seasons, consider the Vancouver Island Heather Society’s annual sale on Saturday, March 30 at the Cobble Hill Farmers’ Institute, 3550 Watson Avenue. The sale starts at 10am and lasts until noon or sold out. Veteran buyers know to get there early.

Check Gardens West January./February edition for wonderful photos of what your garden could look like

Cowichan Valley Farms & Gardens

with the use of heathers.

Visit www.bcheathersociety. org for a description of the heathers and kits that will be for sale.

Submitted by Elaine Scott

Heather garden photo courtesy Adam Gibbs and Gardens West.

Saturday March 30 2013 Annual Heather Sale

Cobble Hill Farmers ‘Institute 3550 Watson Avenue, Cobble Hill, B.C. 10:00 am – 12 noon (or sold out) Featuring vibrant colours for all seasons, including varieties from the David Wilson Collection as seen in Gardens West Jan./Feb. edition. Starter kits available.

Members’ discount on sales.

www.bcheathersociety.org

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Valley Voice Magazine readers directory a great way to discover local services and businesses. 2 sizes of ad space are available to suit every business message and budget.

Affordable, stylish and straight to the point. Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or by e-mail at adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Deadline March 12 for April 2013 Issue 53.

Accounting

DIRECTORY Alterations and Sewing

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www.alternativeaccounting.ca

Alternative Accounting for Small Business On or off site service. Free initial consultation Package pricing from $49.95. Quickbooks Support Matraea Centre, 170 Craig St, Duncan 250-709-3660

• sewing alterations, custom projects & lessons Carolyn Carr - 250 743 2858 suzieqarts@shaw.ca

Balancing and Supportive Yoga Mats

Belly Dancing

Memory foam yoga mat PVC Free. Ideal for pre/postnatal yoga, pilates and those who need more support.

Vernice Vita Yoga Mats Richard Badman 250 746 9319

Now registering for Spring Classes

Classes Mon-Thurs Feminine Celebration For More Information: Debrajeenah at 250-748-3148 Angelina at 250-710-8161 angelinadancerblogspot.ca

Studio 2000 Belly Dance

Business Services

Child Care Need childcare?

Taking care of children?

Call the Cowichan Valley Child Care Resource & Referral 250-746-4135 local 231

Domains, Hosting and Websites

Counselling Individual and couple counselling services.

Web. Domains & Hosting Services

Sophie Barbant - Hayward, M.A. Registered 331 St. Julian Street Professional Counsellor Duncan, BC Bilingual French and English 250- 510 - 0182

WEB HOST Richard Badman rbadman@gearth.com 250.746.9319 Duncan, BC

Farms and Food

Farm & Winery 3810 Cobble Hill Rd 250 743-9149 www.silversidefarm.com

We harvest fruit from our farm and around the Valley for fresh blueberries and unique wine tastes - Come...

Savour our Berry Flavours!

More than a Meat Shop

Gluten Free/Organic Pasta’s, Organic Meat, Homemade Sausage, International Foods.

The Duncan Butcher 430 Trans Canada Hwy 250 748 -6377

The Valley’s 1st Certified Organic /Biodynamic Community Supported Agriculture Program Year round availability or 24 weeks Come eat at our Organic Farm Cafe - Child, Celiac and Vegan friendly!

Alderlea Farm and Cafe Open Tues, Fri & Sat 11am - 6pm 3390 Glenora Road, Duncan, 250 597 3438 Special seating for family meals!

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Valley Voice readers support local businesses!

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d

Health and Healing

Downtown Ladysmith

Marilyn Swallow RMT RA Sherry Bezanson BSW, M.Ed., RCC John Carter DOM (250) 245 9269 / 714 5044

www.wildflowernaturalhealth.ca

For more information on how to be part of the

2013 Valley Voice Directory

Call Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 or e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Reflexology and Chi Wellness by Terri

Foot Reflexology, Indian Head Massage,Thai Foot Reflexology, Reiki, & Therapeutic Touch

Terri Lewis 1453 Algonkin Rd, Duncan 250 709-2388 • www.terriswellness.com

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH 3-1 hour relaxation sessions of your choice for $159.00 (Gift Certificates Available)

Metal Fabrication Bumpers, Railings, Stairs, Gates, Custom Jobs and more.

Experienced fabricator will take your ideas from blueprint to finished product.

Mark 250 709 0277

Cowichan Valley and surrounding areas.

Music Lessons Allan Cameron B.Sc., Diploma in Music (Jazz Studies) Drum Set and Percussion Lessons Specializing in Rock, Funk, Latin and Jazz Drumset And Afro-Cuban percussion.

250-737-1757 atlasfunk@gmail.com

Pet Care

Creative MUSIC Programs building a strong foundation for

Toddlers & Children,Youth & Family Marimba Classes woodruffmusic@gmail.com

www.woodruffmusic.ca

Seedy Saturday - Duncan March 23 10am - 3pm

Lucky Dog U-Bath

We supply everything except the dog! All natural products and locally made dog gear.

Open 7 days a week. DROP RIGHT IN!

1059 Canada Ave, Duncan www.luckydogubath.com 250-597-DOG

The Cowichan Green Community would like to invite everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring by joining us at the 5th annual Duncan Seedy Saturday, on March 23rd. This year we are pleased to hold this community event at a new location: Cowichan Tribes Si’em Lelum Gymnasium located at 5574 River Road in Duncan.

From new gardeners to master gardeners, Seedy Saturday has something to offer everyone including seed, plant and gardening vendors, a seed exchange, workshops, and kids’ activities. This family friendly event runs from 10am to 3 pm. Admission is $2 at the door, children under 13 are free. For more information call 250-748-8506 or email: vanessa@cowichangreencommuntiy.org

Professional Writing Services Freelance Writing Services: Website Content Promotional Communications Technical Writing

Maeve Maguiire www.describewriting.com maeve@describewriting.com

Simplicty Parenting

Professional Framing and Local Art 139 Station St. 250-748-3311 ssgfs@telus.net Professional Framing •Local Art •Unique Gifts

Using the extraordinary power of less.

Certified Facilitator Private Consultation Group Leader

Linda Dirksengale

778 422 0070 linda.simplicityparenting@gmail.com

We hope you enjoyed reading this issue of Cowichan Valley Voice!

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