VV November 2015 Issue 84 WEB

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SEASONAL RECIPES I LOCAL EVENTS I ARTS I MUSIC & MORE 2015 NOVEMBER ISSUE 84 1

Issue 84 November 2015 Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Editors Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com OUR COMMUNITY November Cover Image 250 746 9319 - 6514 Wicks Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5V2 November Events 6-7 Pile of Acorns Reel Alternatives Presents Woman In Gold 15 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Scott Sanders Designing Green 16 Proofreader Distribution Event Calendar Functional Description Of Masonry Heating Systems 28 Diana Pink Robin Gale Angela Sheppard What’s A Volkswagen Owner To Do 30 Five Weeks In Nepal- A Presentation 34 Advertising Enquiries Please Call Adrienne Richards Cowichan Bay Ladies Night 36 250 510 6596 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Out Of Hand 38 Next Ad Deadline November 18 for December ISSUE Eye On Shawnigan 39 Cowichan Community Appeal & Business Challenge 42 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire.

World Craft Bazaar 43 Experience Downtown Duncan 46-48 COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Win a Cowichan Valley Organic Christmas Dinner 51 Next DEADLINE November 15 for December 2015 Issue 85 Create Your Own Gifts 51 E-mail: Date, Time, Location, Event Title and Cost to: Community Farm Store 56-59 events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com To Burn or Not to Burn 60-61 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to Death Café 68 omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations Websites Emails and Verbal Lint 68 Georgia Nicols August Horoscopes 69 SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Bill Jones, Mark Directory 70-71 Holford, Bruce Stewart, Pam Stiles, David Coulson, Denise D’Fantis, Melissa LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Brown, Jo Ludwig, Sophy Roberge, Lene Kroll, Nick Versteeg, Anyes De Remembering James Barber Fundraiser 8 Laat, Lori Treloar, Mike Boas, Ramona Froehle-Schacht, Rommy Verlaan, Island Farmhouse Poultry Chicken Liver Mousse 8 Jesse Frank, Kathryn Lowther, Dr. Lynn Pascoe, Stefan Sidl, Hassaan Rahim, Musings From The Vines 10 Brenda Kent, Chantey Dayal, Heather Ferguson, Heather Stannard, Patrick A Brief History Of Ancient Wheat 12-13 Amos, Josef Graf, Ilse Sarady, Debbie Wood, Sadie Bartram, Hilary & Patty Natural Edible Gifts From The Bulk Aisle 14 Abbott, Susan Quackenbush, Rowan Hamilton, Nicolette Genier and The Cowichan Bay Seafoods Asian Style Dungeness Crab 16 Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store and The Lovely Georgia The Big Cheese(s) Are Off To Age 66 Nicols.

FARM & GARDEN Community Compost Workshop 54 We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Cowichan Pig Tales 67 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 LOCAL ARTS Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other Country Christmas Artisan Tour 11 contributors. Please send a query e-mail with your suggested topic prior to Comedy Series Has It All 18 sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available.

Gerry Barnum 20 Barra MacNeils: East Coast Christmas 20 Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450 + select locations throughLady Day At Emerson’s Bar & Grill 21-22 out the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Cowichan Valley Artisans Studio Sale 25 Talking Arts With Jo Ludwig 26 Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Teeny Tiny Artworks A Gift Sale 27 Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith, Victoria, Tofino and Parksville Words To Savour 31 The Stone Takes Shape - Mike Boas 40 The Journey of our One Tree Flute 41 Elf 50 Josef Graf 55

2015 Ad Rate Cards Now Available DECEMBER AD Deadline: NOV 18

Over 25,000 LOCAL readers pick up the Valley Voice monthly. For a 2015 Rate Card please contact us!

Contact Adrienne at 250 510 6596 adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com WE ARE BUSILY PREPARING THE DECEMBER ISSUE BUY LOCAL GIFT GUIDE. Call now for Holiday Rates!

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BODY, MIND & SOUL Acupuncture for Everyone with Denise D’Fantis 23 Melissa Brown 24 The Act of Bending 32 Body Pillows 33 Why We Love Wool 34 Zap Chronic Fatigue with Biomagnetism 44 Acne: Your Path to A Clear Bright Complexion 45 Parenting the Sensitive Child 52 November and Marking the Start of Advent 53 Bullying 54 Yoga For Wellness 64 Helen’s Temple Therapeutic Steam Room 65 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE What’s a Volkswagon Owner to Do? 29 Let’s Preserve Our Valley 31 Lucky Dogs Vaccines 62 Free Family Programs 63

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

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hough pizza nights are over at Birds Eye Cove Farm, we will be opening our barn for a cozy Sunday market offering up our warm winter selections. We will be selling our farm raised product as well as serving different specials every week from our kitchen using our farm to table ingredients such as our Berkshire pork sausage rolls, highland beef dips, and a selection of soups and chilli’s accompanied by local coffee and tea. We will be hosting a variety of vendors through out the season. These Sunday markets are open from 10-3pm for all ages and is a great reason for a Sunday

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Southeast Asian Pine Mushroom Dinner

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his dinner prepared by Chef Bill Jones will feature the bold and fresh flavours of Thailand, Vietnam and Malasyia. Pine and other local mushrooms will be mixed with fresh ingredients from the

Birds Eye Cove Winter Market trip out. We were inspired to hold this market so we could share our beautiful land and views with the public while giving them a chance to meet with local vendors and taste what the valley has to offer.

Cowichan Valley with spices and herbs from Southeast Asia.

6 courses of great local food.

Starter: Pine mushrooms and prawn skewer, hazelnut sauce Vietnamese pork and pine mushroom ball with a honey chili sauce. Plates: Rice noodle salad with smoked chicken, pickled pine mushrooms, mint and basil, crushed peanuts. Pine mushroom, tomato and fresh rice noodle soup with minced rare beef and Thai herbs. Grilled Venison, Massaman curry and pine mushrooms over coconut and mushroom rice Preserved peach, coconut custard tart with candied pine mushroom and lychee sorbet. Cost: $90/ personn www.deerholme.com

November EVENTS Southeast Asian Pine Mushroom Dinner Saturday, November 21st Deerholme Dessert Cooking Class Saturday November 28th

For full details visit www.deerholme.com gift certiďŹ cates

4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan

For ReservationS 250 748 7450

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5 www.deerholme.com

FREE DIGITAL EDITION AVAILABLE NOW SIDEWALK CELEBRATION 1DOWNTOWN Downtown Duncan 11-3pm BIRDS EYE COVE FARM MARKET 10am -3pm 5881 Genoa Bay Rd Nov 1,8,15,22,29 SENSE PLAY ages 10+games & movement to 2 develop coordination confidence & balance Lila Music Centre 3228A Gibbins Rd, Duncan 250 701 0978 Nov 2 9 16 1-2pm $15/class

CHAKRA BALANCING w/ essential oils 3 sagewomen@gmail.com Sweet Arts Studio 131 Jubilee St, Duncan 6pm FREE PARENT & CHILD MUSIC & MOVEMENT Lila Music Centre 3228A Gibbins Rd, Duncan 250 701 0978 Tuesdays 3/10/17 or Thursdays 5/12/19 9:30-10:30am $20/class

KINFARMIN FUN DROP IN Visit the farm get your hands dirty Kin Park Youth Urban Farm 5789 Alderlea St, Duncan 250 748 8506 9:3011:30 Nov 3 5 10 12 17 19 24 26 FREE

Décor 115 Kenneth St, Duncan 10-3pm

COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE #103-44 Queens Rd, Duncan Frauke McCashin RAc 250 710 3581 Nov 3 & 17 12-3pm

GOLDEN AGERS’ FALL BAZAAR baking crafts new & used items hot lunch table rental $15 The 50 Plus Activity Centre 55 Coronation St, Lake Cowichan 250 749 6121 9-2pm

WILD MUSHROOM FORAGE WORKSHOP $135 includes lunch 11-4pm deerholme.com

BIOMAGNETISM Bioenergetic balancing w/ 4 magnets talk & demo Community Farm Store MAKE YOUR OWN SAUERKRAUT Enjoy 5380 TCH Duncan 6-7pm FREE 8 improved digestion w/this fermented speciality Clements Centre, Duncan preregister FAMILY DROP IN PLAY TIME Duncan Dynamic Gymnastics 2687 James St, Duncan duncandynamics@shaw.ca 12-12:45pm $6 +

bootlegbetty.ca 2-4:30pm $65

AFTER SCHOOL DROP IN Kin Park Youth Urban Farm 5789 Alderlea St, Duncan 250 748 8506 1-5pm Nov 4 11 18 25 FREE

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING film based on Naomi Klein’s book linking the solution of climate change & our failed economic systems Island Savings Centre 2687 James St, Duncan info dcameron@seaside.net 2pm by donation

COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE #103-44 Queens Rd, Duncan Frauke McCashin RAc 250 710 3581 Nov 4 &18 5-8pm

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #53 11 Charles Hoey Park 11am

NIGHT join us for board & card 5GAME games bring Cowichan Library 6-7:30 FREE

TEENY TINY ART WORKS SHOW a small works show all originals all local for info 12 250 746 1633 Portals 2687 James St, Duncan

CHAKRA BALANCING w/ ESSENTIAL OILS Sweet Arts Studio & Gallery 131 Jubilee St, Duncan 250 533 9081 6-8pm FREE

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TOMMY DOUGLAS The Arrows of Desire fundraiser for the Kaatza Station Museum & Archives 250 749 6142 Lake Cowichan High School Rd Tickets $20/$15 THE COMIC STRIPPERS 7:30 pm 19+ only - Tickets $34 www.cowichanpac.ca DIVAS VEGAS MEETS VAUDEVILLE musical comedy impersonation show Crofton Hotel & Pub 1534 Joan Ave 8-10pm $20

Mon-Sat 10-5pm open late during Christmas Chaos runs to Dec 5 FREE

HANDMADE CHOCOLATES CLASS w/ Carol 6:30 -8pm Scoops Natural Foods Whippletree Junction $40 778-422-3310 CHEESE MAKING IN DUNCAN 13 Learn to make Feta Cheese/Quark makemyowncheese.com Island Saving Centre 2687 James St, Duncan $1-3pm 72

EAST COAST CHRISTMAS Barra MacNeils Cape Breton-based family group 7:30pm www. cowichanpac.ca

AN EVENING OF RUSSIAN MUSIC VICTORIA SYMPHONY Pure Classics 7 Cowichan Consort Orchestra Christian 14 Cowichan Performing Arts Centre Theatre Reform Church 930 Trunk Rd, Duncan 7:30pm raetedrhodes@shaw.ca $40-$25 students/ Tickets at door or Volume One Bookstore

children $5

GALA FUNDRAISER help CWAV build safe affordable housing for women & children live & silent auction live band dancing cwav.org Cow Ex Grounds 7380 TCH Duncan $125 6-12am

CROFTON ART GROUP SHOW & SALE Crofton Seniors Ctr 1507 Joan Ave, Crofton 10-5pm FREE

COWICHAN ARTISANS 1ST 7&8 ANNUAL STUDIO SALE Deals abound at each Artisans’ studio gallery you’ll

find treasures that have been reduced to clear Visit cowichanartisans.com for a map 10-5pm COMPOST CAN SAVE THE WORLD workshops CGC’s Meeting Room 360 Duncan St 9-1pm $25 or $60/3 Preregister 250 748 8506 Nov 7 12 21 COTTAGE PAINT WORKSHOP Embellish Home

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COWICHAN FOLK GUILD COFFEEHOUSE Gerry Barnum Blues Duncan United Church 246 Ingram St, Duncan 7pm $10 /$5 CFG INDUCTION CEREMONY FOR JANE JAMES founder of CTRA Cowichan Golf & Country Club $15 THE GENIUS OF SCHUMANN 15 Chemainus Classical Concerts pianist May Ling Kwok St. Michael’s Church, Chemainus 250 748 8383 2pm $20/ $17adv

SACRED CHANT CIRCLE come together in community experience the healing power of

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

sound no experience necessary Rivendell Yurt sdbartram@gmail.com by donation 7-8:30pm JAMES BARBER FIRE & SMOKE LONG TABLE DINNER six course meal of local food in honour of James Barber & in support of food programs at Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan 12-4pm $100 250 746 4204

WILD MUSHROOM DINNER Pine Mushrooms w/ Asian flavours 4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan deerholme.com 5-9pm $90 HOLISTIC YIN YOGA RETREAT W/ JESS MARAIS Harmony Yoga Centre Register 250 5971919 1-6:30pm $80

ONE-MAN STAR WARS TM TRILOGY 7:30 pm $28 / $25 / eyeGo $5 www.cowichanpac.ca

33rd ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR tables $15 call 250 748-2324 Cowichan Bay Fire Hall 9-3pm

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE DINNER & 16 COOKING CLASS w/ chef Gary Faessler Kilrenny Farm 1470 Cowichan Bay Rd 250 743

COASTAL PAINTINGS & STONE STRUCTURES paintings by Michael Dean & sculptures by Mike Boas Imagine That! 251 Craig St, Duncan runs to November 21

9019 6-8:30pm $65

BOOK READING Paula Wild reading MAKE YOUR OWN SAUERKRAUT Enjoy from her new book The Cougar: Beautiful 22 improved digestion w/this fermented 18 Wild and Dangerous VIU Campus Rm 140 speciality Clements Centre, Duncan preregister cowichanwatershedboard.ca 7pm FREE

bootlegbetty.ca 2-4:30pm $65

COWICHAN TOASTMASTER CLUB 950 open house Island Savings Centre in Duncan, prtoastmaster950@gmail.com 7pm FREE

CHAKRA YOGA CLASSES deepen your 23 understanding of the chakras Rivendell Yurt Sadie 250 748 2089 6:30-8:30pm

IN YOGA CLASS w/ Nadia open to all levels Harmony Yoga #103 360 Duncan St 6-7:30pm FREE

WOMAN IN GOLD Reel Alternatives on the big screen Cowichan Performing Arts Centre 2687 James St, Duncan 7pm $12 Students $5 all proceeds benefit Cowichan Valley Hospice

SPANISH PAELLA COOKING CLASS w/ chef Gary Faessler The Worldly Gourmet 522 1st Ave, Ladysmith 250 245 7307 7-9:30pm $65 LADIES NIGHT IN COWICHAN BAY! Live Music, Refreshments Special Treats 19 and In Store Shopping Specials + Starfish Scavenger Hunt! Cowichan Bay Waterfront 5-9pm

GORDIE MACKEEMAN & HIS RHYTHM BOYS 7:30pm $28/ $25 CFG $25/EyeGo $5 www.cowichanpac.ca SYRIAN REFUGEE SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER Hosted by the Matraea Centre Cowichan Intercultural Society & Plan Canada Silverbridge Travelodge Duncan cost of admission a silent auction item for donation info rupertkoyote@gmail.com 7:30pm

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CURE ARTISAN MEAT & CHEESE OPEN HOUSE & PRODUCT TASTING Celebrate our one year anniversary Valley View Center 250 929 2873 5-7pm FREE RED ROCK DINER Vancouver’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Musical 7:30pm www.cowichanpac.ca

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SUNRISE WALDORF SCHOOL WINTERFAIR: A MAGICAL DAY FOR FAMILY Childrens’s Crafts, Artisan Market, Cookie Cave and more. 10am - 3pm 2148 Lakeside Road, Cowichan Station www.sunrisewaldorfschool.com LA CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Chemainus Legion 9975 Chemainuse Rd 9-12pm

THE NATURALIST AS PHOTOGRAPHER w/ local naturalist author & photographer 24 Bruce Whittington LadysmithCameraClub.com 7pm Non-members $5 drop-in fee

DEATH CAFE continuing conversations on the subject that engages us all refreshments provided RSVP & Info 250 746 7661 Cowichan Library 2687 James St, Duncan 5:30-7:30pm FREE

25 FIVE WEEKS IN NEPAL presented by the 26 Rotary Club of Duncan & DV Media at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre 2687

15 MINUTE SOUPS w/Aafke Whippletree Junction $35 6-7pm 778-422-3310

James St cowichanpac.ca 7pm $5

CHRISTMAS KICK-OFF local choirs & 27 bands hayride Santa fireworks Downtown Duncan 5:30-8:30pm FREE LADY DAY @ EMERSON’S 27&28 BAR & GRILL The Life & Music of Billie Holiday Opening Night Nov 27 Chemainus Gardens Pavilion 3042 River Rd cvcas/ladyday 7pm $25 includes appetisers

SIP & SHOP @ Second Hanger enjoy Silverside wine tastings Ocean Bliss Day 28 Spa Epicure representative Mary Kay Rep door

Road, Duncan deerholme.com 12-4pm $100 DECK THE HALL CHRISTMAS MARKET Cow Ex Grounds 7380 TCH, Duncan cowex@shaw.ca Nov 28 10-5pm & Nov 30 10-3pm FREE LADY DAY at EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL 29 The Life & Music of Billie Holiday Crofton Pub 1534 Joan Ave cvcas/ladyday 2pm $25

OUT OF TOWN COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TOUR 19-22 CEDAR & YELLOW POINT 10am - 5pm cypartisans.com OUT OF HAND : = Art, fashion, 27-29 food & fabulous home décor Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas St, Victoria www.outofhand.ca

prizes 11-3pm Reservations Required 3541 Cobble Hill Rd 250 743-7802 DESSERTS COOKING CLASS Local foods desserts with a few wild twists 4830 Stelfox

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Remembering the Urban Peasant James Barber Fundraiser Dinner

“It’s fresher from here”

Chicken Liver Mousse James Barber The Urban Peasant

Ingredients 1/2 Lb

1 Tbsp.

1 1 Clove 1 Tbsp.

1 Tbsp 1/4 Cup To Taste

Island Farmhouse Poultry Chicken Livers Butter Shallot, Diced Garlic, Chopped Cloves Thyme, Chopped Cognac Or Sherry Butter, Cut In Cubes Sea Salt And Pepper

Method

1 Combine all the spices in a large bowl. Pat the chicken dry In a frying pan over medium high heat, add the butter. When sizzling, add the livers, shallots, garlic and thyme.

Cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until browned but still rare in the center. Add the cognac and deglaze the pan.

Transfer to the bowl of a food processor, scraping all the bits off the bottom of the pan. While still warm, process livers until smooth, add the butter in cubes until incorporated.

Season well with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.

Chill until needed (at least 1 hour). Serve with fresh baguettes.

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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Bill Jones is an author, chef and food consultant who can be found at Deerholme.com

y father served in the Canadian navy, so Remembrance Day was always something special for me. As a youngster whose world revolved around playing, it was often a chance to tour a ship or jump on a helicopter on the base we lived on. Much later I came to see how much it meant to my dad to put on the old medals and join his fellow companions in a march to a ceremonial conclusion. He usually thought of old friends and the bond they had shared, some had passed on - and the survivors remained to remember. We often seem to forget how lucky we are to live in a relatively conflict free world – even while much of it still rocks in turmoil.

Another person who pops into my mind is my mentor James Barber, the Urban Peasant and past resident of the valley. James used to avoid talking about “the war”, he was around for the second world war. You could tell the experience profoundly affected him and perhaps even propelled his love for

living his days to the fullest.

James was a generous man, he loved the Cowichan Valley and the people in it (well most of them). One of his favourite places was Providence Farm.

He loved how they cared for some of our community that could not fend for themselves. He also noticed the comfort it brought to the families of these individuals.

To honor James and his love of Providence, his family and local chefs have come together for several years to produce a fundraiser in his honour.

The James Barber Fundraiser for Providence Farm is a long table dinner in honour of James Barber (The Urban Peasant) and in support of the food programs of Providence Farm. It is taking place on Sunday, November 15th at the Farm. This year we have a theme of Fire and Smoke, with some dishes coming out of the woodburning oven that chefs donated and installed on the farm in 2010.

We have brought together some of the great talent of the area to make this a special and unforgettable dinner and the menu will showcase six

Complimentary Facial when booking AN appointment • Full Hair and Esthetics Services • Natural Sugaring Hair Removal • Onsite Gel Nail Artist

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

courses of local food sourced from produce from the farm and area, paired with fine local wines, ciders, beers and even a cocktail. The results will be delicious.

Please think about joining us and celebrating the farm and our life here in the valley.

Included here is one of James’ favourite recipes for you to enjoy.

Come support the good work of Providence Farm and celebrate the great food and wine of our region in a community spirited long table

James Barber

dinner. Details are available on the website www. providence.bc.ca or by calling the office at 250 746-4204.

Featured Chefs James Barber Long Table Dinner Allan Aikman, Chef/Instructor, Vancouver Island University Bill Jones Chef/Owner, Deerholme Farm Cory Pelan, Chef/Owner, The Whole Beast Dan Hudson, Chef/Owner, Hudson’s on First Janice Mansfield, Chef/Owner, Real Food Made Easy Rob Martin and Ian Blom, Chefs, The Old Firehouse Winebar

On Sunday November 15th, we will present a long table dinner in honour of James Barber (The Urban Peasant) and in support of the food programs of Providence Farm. The theme this year is fire and smoke and will

Ask About Our Express Lunch Meeting Packages

LUNCH MEETINGS I CONFERENCES I WEDDINGS I TOUR GROUPS I BANQUETS

events@travelodgeduncan.com

140 TRANS-CANADA HWY, DUNCAN

250 748-4311

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Mark Holford Owner/ Winemaker at Rocky Creek Winery for the past 9 years

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ell, harvest is almost complete. What a roller coaster ride 2015 has been. After a super warm and early spring, and brilliantly hot summer everyone was predicting the harvest of the century. It was that, sort of.

We started picking Siegerrebe in late August – earliest start to our harvest ever. Barely had time to get our bird netting up before we had to start picking. Then we had that cold, wet spell. Strangely

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enough it was abrupt enough to shock a lot of grapes into a state of inactivity. No ripening whatsoever... it’s like running a marathon and 1 kilometer from the finish line stopping at a cafe for a bite to eat and a cup of coffee.

We’re all ready to proceed with harvest but suddenly the grapes are being reticent, not co-operating at all, and for about 3 weeks nothing at all was happening. Then it finally got hot and sunny again.... And it was like the starter pistol went off and the grapes started a sprint to the finish. We saw total acidity in our Pinot Gris drop from 9.5 to 7.5 in a week. Suddenly it’s picking like crazy to get all the grapes in before the next wave of rain hits. Rain late in the season can cause grapes to literally explode under pressure from the water being drawn into the plants.... Grape juice splattered everywhere on the bunch and mold quickly to follow, so we definitely want to pick before big rain periods whenever possible.

Some days we were picking all day, then I would get to the

winery and have to Tempranillo grapes from Rocky Creek press grapes from the Winery. Image Mark Holford previous day to make room to process the current day’s picking after the pressing was done. Many late, late nights and working under halogen lamps in the dark and then back up at sunrise to repeat again. So we managed to pick all our Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir in the warm sunny weather and have already started on our bigger, bolder reds. So what is the final verdict? With the sprint at the finish we ended up with grapes riper than we’ve ever on the winemaker the next picked before. A steps can be quite different, really beautiful balance of but for me the grapes are sugar levels, pH, and total acidity which came amazingly destemmed (we don’t use a crusher as it can break open close to the textbook the seeds adding bitterness to definition of optimally ripe the wine) and after soaking grapes. They also have intense colour, and great taste. on the skins overnight the white wine grapes are gently It was also the second year in pressed, and allowed to sit a row with really nice sized for a day to allow any solids harvests, so in addition to to separate out. The clear having great quality we have good quantity also. Shouldn’t juice is racked off the solids, and then yeast is added to be any problem finding great ferment the sugar in the grape local wines to drink over the juice into alcohol. Once next couple of years. fermentation is complete the wine is racked off of all the So after picking all day – dead yeast cells which collect then what? Well depending

Musings from the vines

on the bottom of the tank and allowed to clear over the next few months. Red wine grapes are destemmed, left to soak on their skins overnight and then yeast is added directly to the vats and the “must” (a term describing the juice, seeds, skins and potentially even stems) is fermented for one to

two weeks. Once completely fermented the must is gently pressed and the wine is pumped into barrels for aging.

White wines settle out and are ready to bottle usually by early spring, reds wines age in barrels for a year, and are typically bottled just before harvest the next year (leaving

empty barrels for the coming vintage) So cheers to a great 2015 vintage and looking forward to 2016.

Country Christmas Artisan Tour to the Cedar and Yellow Point Area visiting area attractions, artisans and popular restaurants. Four days of fun, food and local Artisan talent!

November 19, 20, 21 & 22, 2015 Tour Hours: 10am to 5pm.

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he Cedar and Yellow Point Artisans’ Association 2015 Christmas Tour is coming up.

We invite you to spend a day or two having an enjoyable visit to our studios, shops, galleries and farms. There is lots to see. If you are a first time visitor or you come every year, you will be sure to enjoy

the magic and excitement that awaits you on this year’s tour.

While you are here be sure to enjoy our wonderful selection of lodgings, restaurants and pubs, rambling country roads and friendly locals.

Explore this wonderful area at a relaxed pace. There is so much to do and see! Plan a full-day or week-end trip

please visit www.cyartisans.com.

If you need any more help with your planning or you are looking for a specific activity

Eat, Drink and Support Local

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A Brief History Of Ancient Wheat And How It Has Changed

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heat is the #1 staple of the human diet in many parts of the world?

As a small-scale miller and bakery owner, people ask me a lot about wheat and the different types, particularly in light of the demonization of the main protein in wheat called gluten.

The objective of this article is to help you understand what the ancient wheats are and some of the key reasons in which they are different from the modern varieties.

The earliest type of wheat is called Einkorn. It has 14 chromosomes compared to modern wheat which has 42.

Einkorn mills very nicely, almost like white flour. It is easily digestible by many who suffer from (nonceliac) wheat allergies. The downside of Einkorn is that it is very expensive. It yields very poorly per acre vs. wheat or even Spelt. The economic upside for the local economy is that it is grown in BC. The second earliest type of wheat is Emmer. Emmer has 28 chromosomes. Emmer and Einkorn) were the first crops that humans grew, and essentially enabled our evolution from that of roaming nomad to farmer. It was Emmer being referred to as “the staff of life” and “our daily bread” in the bible.

Emmer tends to be grittier than Einkorn or modern wheat and is more difficult to

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bake with, even when sifted.

On the upside, Emmer is also more easily digestible than modern wheat for many people. Emmer is also grown in BC. It is worth noting that Einkorn and Emmer are not classified as wheat in Europe.

The third of the ancient wheats is called Khorasan.

The most famous variety of Khorasan wheat is Kamut®.

In the fifties some grain kernels were discovered when excavating an Egyptian tomb.

The kernels were planted and they grew! They were eventually trademarked and marketed as Kamut®. Khorasan, being an ancient wheat, is generally very tolerable on one’s digestion. Khorasan is also grown in BC. The last of the ancient grains, and most popular is Spelt.

Spelt has 42 chromosomes and is a hulled wheat.

Removing the hull requires an extra step in the cleaning process. As a result of this, Spelt was largely ignored as humans began to tinker with un-hulled wheat varieties to drive down costs and feed the world. Spelt has a really unique flavour and is wonderful to bake with. The early adopters of Spelt were those who started to notice modern wheat giving them digestive or skin issues, and Spelt was a great alternative.

Fast forward to today. The ancient grains are making somewhat of a comeback.

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

Most of the aforementioned are widely available, and each are grown in BC. The reality, however, is that 99% of the wheat used in Canada is a modern variety. It is important to understand that wheat and the processing involved has changed in 4 key areas: milling, breeding, enhancement and homogeneity. I will touch briefly on each.

MILLING Every community used to have a stone mill, where the harvest was freshly ground and used in the community.

It was rudimentary technology, so the resulting flour, even when sifted, still maintained a good portion of the outer kernel (bran).

Early communities benefitted from this process because the bran contains most of the nutrients in the kernel and is a high source of fibre. Today, milling is done centrally in large volumes using highly efficient technology. The processing is so effective that the resulting flour is essentially pure carbohydrate and void of any of the bran.

The body treats it like a sugar.

BREEDING It is estimated there are over 25,000 varieties of wheat that have been developed in the last 30 years. The breeding is done to maximize the good traits and minimize the less desirable ones. Suffice to say, over time, human ingenuity was able to overcome many obstacles: Grows too tall?

Dwarf it. Season is too long? Shorten it. Doesn’t carry enough wheat berries per plant? Increase it. The downside is, new research suggests that up to 5% of proteins are newly created in hybridization of grain

each time. (i.e. the protein doesn’t exist in either parent).

When that happens enough times, the protein structure (gluten) of first wheat going in is vastly different from the newly created protein structure (gluten) of 25,000th one coming out. Could this help to explain why more people seem to have difficulty digesting wheat?

ENHANCEMENT Canadian Law has specific rules for “white flour”. It must be enriched with vitamins and minerals such as iron, thiamine and riboflavin.

In addition, the law also allows many chemicals to be added. These agents serve one of 3 purposes; to bleach, to preserve or to improve baking properties. None of the chemicals such as chlorine, benzoyl peroxide, azidobicarbonate or l-cysteine or a host of others need to be declared on the label. Unless it specifically says unbleached and untreated, it likely has been. How is it acceptable that our food labelling laws permit this?

HOMOGENEITY In 1935, The Canadian Wheat Board was established. It was implemented to bundle all grain producers in the Prairies and guarantee a market and market price for grain farmers. This was great economically as Canada could reach export markets very effectively and it was good for the farmer who was guaranteed a customer at a good price. The downside was lack of biodiversity and as a result of consumer choice. If we employed the same strategy to the wine business, you could enjoy a merlot, a merlot or a merlot.

I believe that the renewed

interest in the ancient wheat varieties is more than a passing fad. Each delivers a unique flavour experience, all of them are grown in BC and they are all still niche enough that they are processed by small producers. I hope this information was helpful for

you to make informed choices for you and your family.

Bruce Stewart is co-owner of True Grain Bread and former President of Cittaslow Cowichan

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Natural Edible Gifts from the Bulk Aisle

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ake advantage of the bulk department at your Natural Foods store at gift giving time this year. Shopping from bulks bins means you get fresh ingredients in the exact quantity that you need while saving money. Here are some gift ideas: For the cook on your list consider mixing up some of their favourite spice blends. To enhance flavours, buy whole spices, toast till aromatic in a hot skillet and cool before grinding. Flavour infused salts are a big hit with cooks too. Salts can be infused with flavours such as garlic, chilli peppers, lime and much more.

Consider combining coarse salt with your favourite herbs and spices, toast lightly if desired and present in a stylish grinder.

For bakers, infused sugars such as vanilla sugar or toasted coconut sugar (in a food processor combine 1 cup toasted unsweetened coconut with 1 cup sugar. Process until fine, then spread onto baking sheet to dry) are a big favourite. Along with

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homemade vanilla extract which is simply made by adding 1oz of vanilla beans to 1 cup of vodka (make 4-6 weeks ahead).

Homemade granola is easy and adaptable, make smaller batches to ensure everyone gets their favourite blend, or save money by making large batches.

Use your imagination with the ingredients. Start with oats, add nuts, seeds and dried fruit. One of my favourites is Pina Colada Granola made with pineapple, coconut and a little crystalized ginger. Simply mix your dry ingredients in a bowl, add butter or oil, honey to sweeten and bake until golden brown.

Package cooled granola in large jars or brown paper bags with homemade labels.

Savoury, sweet or spiced nuts in a jar make great last minute gifts.

Grease a baking sheet, spread out your nut mix, sprinkle with your choice of spices, toss and roast slowly in a warm oven.

For sweet-lovers consider the all-time favourite Chocolate

HOMEMADE CARAMEL POPCORN

This tasty sweet recipe makes enough for one 12oz gift jar. Recipe Courtesy Pam Stiles, Scoops Natural Foods Ingredients 1 cup of organic popcorn 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup honey

2 cups coconut sugar pinch of sea salt 2 tsp of vanilla 1 tsp of baking soda

Directions Pop 1 cup of popcorn.

In saucepan, melt 1/2cup butter, pinch of sea salt, 3/4 cup honey and 2 cups coconut sugar.

Boil for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat add 1 tsp of baking soda and 2 tsp of vanilla. Stir quickly.

Place popcorn in buttered roaster, pour syrup over and mix. Bake in over 250 deg. oven for 1 hour, stirring every 10 minutes.

Bark, a versatile gift that can be made to suit the recipient.

Use good quality milk, dark or white chocolate as a base then sprinkle on nuts, seeds and dried fruits. (Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, pour melted chocolate on lined sheet, spread out evenly. Top with your favourite add-ons. Allow to harden then break into large pieces.

If you prefer not to put your cooking skills to the test, you can

still give the gift of food. Here at Scoops Natural Foods we have a great selection of everyday food essentials, packaged in convenient and economical sizes.

Grab a fancy basket or bowl and fill it with our assortment of healthy snacks, dried fruit and candies.

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

Pam Stiles is the owner of Scoops Natural Foods at Whippletree Junction.

(250) 715-6888

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oman in Gold is a story about justice, family and reconciling the past and present. It is the remarkable true story of an elderly Jewish woman’s journey to reclaim her heritage, stolen from her family 60 years before, after she fled Vienna during World War II. Among these stolen possessions is Klimt’s famous painting of her aunt, “Portrait of Adele BlochBauer”, the Woman in Gold of the movie’s title.

Together with her Reel Alternatives Presents inexperienced, but plucky Woman in Gold young lawyer, she embarks upon a battle which takes them all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. Helen Mirren plays the woman and Ryan Reynolds plays her lawyer; they both give excellent performances.

Monday, November 23, 7pm at Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, Tickets $12, Students with card $5.

Reel Alternatives is a monthly fundraiser bringing Toronto International Film Festival’s critically acclaimed films to the Cowichan Valley. All proceeds go to Cowichan Valley Hospice.

CRANBERRY PESTO PIZZA Ingredients

Great Holiday Appetizer

Raw Cranberries Sundried Tomatoes Pizza Shell

Method

Pesto Feta

Spread pesto on a pizza shell.

Add diced raw cranberries, crumbled feta and chopped sundried tomatoes. Delicious!

Open 11am - 5pm Daily

4532 Yellow Point Rd Ladysmith 250 245-5283

COUNTRY

CHRISTMAS TOUR

CEDAR - YELLOW POINT

Self Guided Artisan Tour www.cyartisans.com

NOVEMBER 19-22 10am -5pm

Over 40 Farm-Made Cranberry Jams, Jellies, Sauces

yellowpointcranberries.com

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green DESIGNI NG NOVEMBER, THE NEW SEPTEMBER

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write this article post federal election.

Did anyone running for the various parties speak to climate change and how it might actually benefit us?

Of course I say this tongue in cheek but we do have to face the inevitable.

It is getting warmer in summer, milder in winter and I’m now getting second crops on my fig trees. Wahoo! So I no longer have to save to winter in the tropics?

One only has to look at the Canadian dollar at the same time to see another item that is not so cool anymore.

So let’s stay home and embrace this new stretch in the season.

And there is no better way but to expand the kitchen one more room to the outside.

The necessary ingredients will require a roof, awning or shedlike structure and deck or patio.

A retractable awning would be

LIVE DUNGENESS CRAB • FRESH FISH • LOCAL PRAWNS AND MORE!

ideal to be ready for those golden days in January and February when the sun really counts.

Then a heat source. Will it be oven cooking ‘El Inferno’’ , the barbeque or perhaps an open charcoal grill with a backup infrared overhead heater ?

Whatever your choice, the possibilities are endless but you want to get on it now while the weather is still marvelous and keep the warm momentum going.

We’re currently working with a client to take his wood fired Italian oven to be the heat source and magnet for all activities pre or post dinner hour.

The aromas and radiant heat off the refractory clay walls of the oven keep a good 150 square foot area warm well into the evening and keeps everyone entertained.

A retractable awning from Jeune Brothers Tent and Awning in Victoria can be installed quickly with hand

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10 am to 5:30pm CLOSED Mondays

DELICIOUS ASIAN STYLE DUNGENESS CRAB Ask Cowichan Bay Seafoods to crack and clean your live crabs right at purchase!

Amount 3 1 tablespoon 1 1 3 stalks 1 teaspoon 3/4 Cup 1/2 Cup 1/4 Cup 3 tablespoons

Ingredients Dungeness crabs cleaned and cracked fresh cilantro shallot garlic green onions grated ginger soy sauce local honey fresh cracked peppercorns vegetable oil

Fresh live crab should be purchased and cooked the same day.The crabs can only be stored in the refrigerator for a few hours once taken out of their holding tanks.

Victoria Public Market at The Hudson 1701 Douglas Street, 778-433-4385

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Method Finely chop all fresh ingredients and combine in large bowl with soy sauce and local honey. Add cracked crab* and toss. Cover and chill in marinade for up to an hour, turning crab often to really soak in marinade.

Coarsely crush peppercorns with rolling pin or grind in grinder.

Heat oil in a large wok or large deep pan over medium-high heat. Flash cook fresh crab in hot oil for 5 minutes until crab is hot. Add remaining marinade and 2 tbsp cracked black pepper and continue to stir until crab is cooked and shells turn red.

Sprinkle remaining pepper over crab and mix well. Ladle crab and juices into bowls and serve with crusty bread, steamed jasmine rice and your favourite local white.

For an extra spicy dish add to hot oil when cooking1 tablespoon Sambal Olek. Serves 2. For 4 people please double recipe. * For ease, fresh pre cooked crab can be purchased from Cowichan Bay Seafoods and used in this recipe making this dinner a quick one to prepare! Dungeness crab available live, cleaned, cooked and cracked!

1751 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cowichan Bay 250-748-0020 E-mail: info@cowichanbayseafood.com

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

crank or power options that can easily give you a 14’ wide by 12’ deep coverage at the press of a button.

Figs and flowering ginger by David Coulson

This way the meal is not interrupted should the weather change quickly.

Be sure to keep the wood chimney beyond the awning of course. The Sunbrella line of canvas awnings are flame retardant but not completely fire proof so do design accordingly. This new splash of colour will also perk up the grey days ahead.

If you don’t have an adjacent wall high enough, I suggest a timber entablature supported by posts to mount the awning. It can be well above the eve of your home and stand separate from the house structure to give the framework and strength to carry this flexible convertible top.

Our plan includes two 7” x 7” posts with a 14’ x 3” x 12” beam over to mount the awning. It will become a decorative feature with privacy screens when not in use to keep the good neighbour policy.

Of course the Italian oven is

not in everyone’s budget but there are DIY versions you can find online using local clays and straw mixtures that replicate the ‘real McCoy’. And did I mention adding a sauna onto the back of the wood fired oven. Now we’re really cookin!

In the meantime, the barbeque will be a great stand in. Don’t forget the patio lanterns for ambiance!

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.

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Parodies, Improv And Goofy, Spoofy Fun—Comedy Series Has It All

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his season’s threeperformance Comedy Series at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is sure to get you howling with laughter. Complete with parodies, improv and goofy, spoofy fun these three hilarious performances will appeal to everyone.

The Comic Strippers The Comedy Series starts off with a bang, when The Comic Strippers return to our stage for a ‘sexylarious’ improv show on Friday, November 6 at 7:30pm.

They received such rave reviews from last season’s performance; we had to bring them back.

This fictitious male stripper troupe is played by a cast of some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians. Semi-undressed and completely unscripted, The Comic Strippers take off their shirts and take on your suggestions creating a whole new genre of comedy.

This show is for adults only and is suitable for all genders.

One-Man Star Wars TM Trilogy Next up is One-Man Star WarsTM on Sunday, November 15 at 7:30pm, written and performed

by Charlie Ross. Spin Magazine described this performance as “funnier than you could possibly imagine.” Reviews don’t get much better than that.

Much of Ross’ childhood was spent in a galaxy far, far away watching Star Wars videos over

and over again. The result of this misspent youth is his hilarious One-Man Star WarsTM Trilogy, where he single-handedly plays all the characters, sings the music, flies the ships, fights the battles and condenses the plots into just sixty minutes.

Peter n’ Chris’ Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel Wrapping up the Comedy Series is the hysterically funny Peter n’ Chris with their most acclaimed show yet; Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel on Friday, March 11, 2016 at 7:30pm. Join three-time Canadian Comedy Award winners, Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson in an hour of goofy, spoofy fun featuring manic performances and clever characterizations.

Join us for the complete Comedy Series and save!

Comedy Series – Save $18 (3 shows for $72) when you buy the Series www.cowichanpac.ca/series/ comedy-series The Comic Strippers Friday, November 6 7:30 pm 19+ only - Tickets $34 One-Man Star Wars ™Trilogy Sunday, November 15 7:30 pm $28 / Student $25 / eyeGo $5 Peter n’ Chris Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel Friday, March 11, 2016 7:30pm $28 / Student $25 / eyeGo $5

Home of the Cowichan Valley’s “100 Mile Dawg” A locally based, socially conscious mobile food alternative

Now serving Nani’s Secret speciality condiments!

To book events call 250 732-5250 depotdawgs@gmail.com

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

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Barra MacNeils: East Coast Christmas Gerry Barnum

SERVING COWICHAN VALLEY WINES & ISLAND CRAFT BEERS

DAYLINERCAFE.COM

Gerry Barnum is a seasoned and soulful artist. His songs range from tender to foot stomping and his guitar technique and harmonica playing is excellent. Gerry’s music is self described as Soulful Roots Original.

Musical highlights include sharing the stage with some of the best in the business including Lyle Lovett, John Mayall and John Hammond.

Gerry also has done many recording sessions including sessions with Michelle Wright and K.D.Lang and David Gogo. Cowichan Folk Guild Coffeehouse on Saturday November 14th, 2015 Duncan United Church 246 Ingram St. Doors at 7 PM. Open Stage starts at 7:30 PM $10 or $5 for CFG members www.gerrybarnum.com

Cape Breton-based family group the Barra MacNeils: East Coast Christmas features a highly entertaining brand of traditional seasonal fare mixed with entertaining stories and new musical twists. Stamped with their lush harmonies and intricate instrumental stylings, this seasonal show has been touring North America to sold-out houses for years.

Get a head start on this year’s seasonal festivities. Fans can look forward to all the classic favourites and many other tunes of the season, dance, comedy and memories that will extend beyond the season and last a lifetime.East Coast Christmas, Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on Friday, November 13 at 7:30pm. www.cowichanpac.ca

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

bad breaks, worse men and some of the most glorious songs ever written, including God Bless the Child, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, Strange Fruit and T’aint Nobody’s Biz-ness.”

Glaucia Derochers performs as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. Photo Credit: Carlyle Art.

A Performance About Jazz Vocalist Billie Holiday

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talented, young, awardwinning Cowichan Valley vocalist is taking on the role of a lifetime — playing Billie Holiday, the most influential jazz vocalist ever.

Glaucia Desrochers stars next month in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, an acclaimed one-woman musical about the life of the legendary singer that was a smash hit on Broadway.

The play is billed as “an evening filled with personal tales of difficult choices,

When the show’s co-producer, Pat Selman, first heard Desrochers sing, “I knew I’d found the perfect star for Lady Day,” which she’d dreamed of producing for 20 years.

Said Desrochers, “I feel humbled and honoured to be in this role. Billie Holiday has always been one of my favourite singers. I have always admired her for her strength and style.”

Desrochers, who started singing at age eight in an orphanage in Brazil, came to the Island as an adopted child, studied piano, sang in several choirs, appeared in locally produced musicals, was named Duncan’s Idol in 2007 and last year won the Community Voice award at the Cowichan Valley Aboriginal Film Festival.

Lady Day is set in a seedy bar in south Philadelphia in 1959, a few months before Billie Holiday died.

Billie’s on stage, under a spotlight, her trio in the shadows at the back of the stage.

At the beginning of her show, she’s just a little inebriated, and she’s kibitzing with Emerson, the owner and bartender, with her pianist, Jimmy, and with the audience.

Before the evening is through, she’s high on booze and heroin and, between 14 heartrending songs, she’s spilled her entire gutwrenching life story to the audience.

EVERY SUNDAY 2PM

All Jazz Shows $10 unless stated

Sunday, NOV 1 • 2 pm Herb Alpert Tribute Sunday, NOV 8 • 2 pm Sky Valley Alan Waldroper Sunday, NOV 15 • 2 pm Nanaimo Musicians Association Big Band $15

Sunday, NOV 22 • 2 pm Anela & The Experimenters Sun, NOV 29 • 2 pm Matinee of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

One-act play about Billie Holiday

$20 Adv Tickets 250-324-2245

The play’s director, Michelle Tremblay, 1534 Joan Avenue Crofton said “it gives a glimpse into the iconic Written by Lanie Robertson, persona of Billie Holiday, the musical is co-produced not only as a singer but as a

by Pat Selman and the character in real life.”

Chemainus Valley Cultural Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Society, with Karel Roessingh as pianist Jimmy Powers, Grill will be staged six times along with bassist Nick at venues in Chemainus and Crofton in late November and Mintenko and drummer Ron Joiner. early December.

Strong language 18+

JOIN US FOR

LUNCH + DINNER

OPEN

7 DAYS A WEEK

look for our daily specials on 40 Ingram Street

Downtown Duncan

(250) 597-3473

theoldfirehouse.ca

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rocks a signature style that infuses their love of traditional bluegrass and old-time roots music together to deliver an eclectic wardrobe of tunes that’s as unique and entertaining as they are. Hands clappin’, feet tappin’ fun!

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ulti-award winning musicians Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys serve up old-time roots music with an energy level that few other bands can match on Thursday, November 19 / 7:30pm at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.

With a slight bend of his knee, Gordie MacKeeman launches into a song. Guided by the sharp cuts of his fiddle, his famous crazy legs shake and twist with a laughing regard for physics.

The whole time The Rhythm Boys deliver surefooted roots instrumentation to accompany the spectacle.

Hailing from Prince Edward Island, Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys are renowned for their highenergy exhilarating live show, jaw-dropping stagecraft and showmanship. The quartet

The group’s infectious high-energy flair, crisp musicianship and rollicking rhythm and roots sound has drawn international attention. Gordie and the band deliver an ultimate concert experience filled with high-energy electrifying entertainment. They are at the top of today’s vibrant oldtime musical revival.

East Coast Music Week Special Offer: 20% off adult tickets to Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys with the purchase of Barra MacNeils’ tickets. Call the Ticket Centre for details - 250 748 7259.

Tickets are available in person at the Ticket Centre, 2687 James St. or by phone (250) 748-7529 or online at cowichanpac.ca.

affordable sliding scale fees

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From the Art’s Club 2014 Production

Red Rock Diner - Vancouver’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Musical

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he singing and dancing are terrific.

The band is hot.” —The Vancouver Courier Vancouver, 1957. Five teens come of age while DJ Red Robinson plays the biggest hits of the time—from the raucous “Great Balls of Fire” and “Jailhouse Rock” to ballads like “Diana” and “Crying.” This infectious musical captures the excitement and innocence of the city’s burgeoning rock’n’roll scene.

DJ Red Robinson’s early radio days are the subject of this hit musical and he is making a personal appearance at our show! Get the inside scoop on the beginning of rock’n’roll at our Q & A with Red after the performance.

Born in Comox in 1937, Red was spinning the hits on Vancouver’s CJOR while still in high school. He was the first DJ to play rock’n’roll music on a regular basis in Canada.

In 1957, Red jumped to Vancouver Top 40 giant CKWX, where he met Buddy Holly and Elvis and was MC for Elvis’ appearance. A move to Portland’s KGW in 1959 gave Red experience in a brand new rock’n’roll medium: TV. In 1964, Red introduced The Beatles on the same stage where Elvis appeared seven years earlier.

As host of CBC-TV‘s Let’s Go from 1963-1966, Red introduced some of Canada’s best-known rockers, including Randy Bachman, Terry Jacks, The Collectors and many more.

Join us for this exciting, entertaining evening as we flash back to the beginning of rock’n’roll.

Red Rock Diner Cowichan Performance Arts Centre 2687 James Street, Duncan Friday, November 20, 7:30pm Ticket Centre 250 748 7529

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

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A t A M

Acupuncture for Everyone with Denise D’Fantis, Registered Acupuncturist

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efore she began studying Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1997, Registered Acupuncturist Denise D’Fantis spent many years studying alternative healing modalities such as Shiatsu, Reflexology, Reiki, and Western Herbology. After graduating from Queen’s University in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree, Ms. D’Fantis was ready for her next educational pursuit. “I was contemplating graduate studies at the University of Victoria when I received my first acupuncture treatment,” she says. That first visit to an acupuncturist proved to play a pivotal role in her life.

“I was experiencing an extremely painful headache at the time, and it was suggested to me that I try acupuncture.

At the end of that session the headache pain had been reduced by approximately 80%,” she says. It was after that first acupuncture treatment that Ms. D’Fantis decided to attend Traditional Chinese Medicine school.

After graduating from the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2001 with

a diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ms. D’Fantis began practicing acupuncture as a Registered Acupuncturist in British Columbia. Since then she has successfully treated a multitude of conditions including back pain, sciatica, sports injuries, infertility, gastrointestinal issues, neuropathies, respiratory disorders, and pregnancy related ailments. “People are often surprised to learn of the many conditions acupuncture may assist with. There is a common misconception that acupuncture is only beneficial for body pain,” Ms. D’Fantis says.

While acupuncture is the main modality of treatment Ms. D’Fantis offers, she likes to provide lifestyle recommendations to her patients, including diet, stress reduction techniques and natural supplements that may be appropriate. “It is important,” she says, “for my patients to be actively involved in their healing process. This approach not only lessens recovery time, but it also empowers those who are frustrated with chronic or acute health issues.”

“With any condition”, she says, “there are always many factors to consider. The food we eat, the jobs we have, family dynamics, all of this can impact our stress levels and state of health.” Ms. D’Fantis believes acupuncture is a holistic medicine, one that assesses not only the physical realm, but that of the emotional and mental as well.

It is Ms. D’Fantis’ belief that everyone should be able to access safe and effective acupuncture treatments.

However, acupuncture is not a medical service that Medical Services Plan (MSP)

pays for. “This can present a big problem to those individuals who do not have extended health insurance,” says Ms. D’Fantis. To help with this potential financial impediment, she offers those patients who lack extended health insurance, those whose insurance has run out, or those patients who simply cannot afford treatment, significantly reduced rates.

“I will offer patients a rate that works for them,” she says.

Ms. D’Fantis is passionate about the healing potential of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and strives to make it available to anyone who wants to benefit from it.

Denise D’Fantis practices acupuncture at The Matraea Centre in downtown Duncan. She can be reached at 250 715 5649, or cowichanvalleyacupuncture@ gmail.com.

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Melissa Brown

• Hellerwork Structural Integration • Massage Therapist • Body Centred Counsellor

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ellerwork Structural Integration is a system of bodywork, which works directly on the fascia. Fascia, similar to ligaments is a band of connective tissue fibers, beneath the skin that separates muscles and other internal organs.

Hellerwork systematically unwinds the strain patterns held in the fascia, with the goal of bringing the fascia network back into balance.

When the fascia restrictions of the body are rebalanced and integrated this naturally results in increased resilience and flexibility, better balance, Sale up to 50% offimproved physical abilities, less pain and greater health. Research has demonstrated that Structural for our Massive Sidewalk Integration creates more efficient

muscle use, allows the body to conserve energy, and creates more economical and refined patterns of movement.

Within Hellerwork we also explore body mind connection and movement patterns.

Counselling. Enhanced by her deeper knowledge of the body and emotion, her sessions are specifically designed for her clients with consideration of these main elements. Her clients will experience a journey with the healing goal to experience more Vitality, Happiness, Wholeness and a deeper felt sense of who they really are!

Her specialties centre on working with patients afflicted with sciatica, fibromyalgia, headaches, whiplash, back pain, frozen shoulders, knee imbalances, carpal tunnel, TMJ, and more. Melissa is new

to the Cowichan Valley, after living and having a successful private practice in Victoria for over 10 years. Welcoming new clients, her Valley practice offers Hellerwork SI, Body Centered Counselling and Theraputic Massage Services. Hellerwork is for all ages and for anyone who wants to attain better health and understanding of their own bodies, and mind. Each session is 90 Minutes. SPECIAL New clients receive 50% off their first treatment. Sessions are offered out of Matraea Center and Harmony Yoga. For more info visit pathwaysofconnection.com or call 250-661-1687 to book!

Certifed Hellerwork Structural Integration Practitioner Melissa Brown has been in the Healing Arts Profession for over 16 years. To her practice she brings Massage Therapy, which she studied in California at UCSC. She has also completed a two year training in Trauma and Body Centered

Happy Holidays and Thank You for your patronage from the gang at Cycle Therapy

Havoc Pro Scooters - Runner Bikes - Kids Bikes - Bike Accessories • Great Gift Ideas For The Cyclist In Your Life 360 Duncan St, Duncan I Mon - Sun 9:30pm - 5:30pm I 250 597 0097 I info@cycletherapy.ca I www.cycletherapy.ca

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

Cowichan Artisans Celebrate Fall With Their First Ever Studio Sale

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he Cowichan Valley is celebrated as one of Canada’s top 20 places to visit. (Vacay.ca, Concierge to Canada).Touring around our Artisan Studios will give you a wonderful opportunity to see the valley and meet some of the people who create here.

The Cowichan Artisans are comprised of ten full-time professional artists who are passionately dedicated to

Image top Mary Fox Image below Jennifer Lawson

their craft. Our membership includes painters, woodworkers, potters, glassworkers, ceramists and even a maker of traditional balsamic vinegar.

Join us this fall for our 1st Annual Studio Sale. At each Artisan studio gallery you’ll find treasures that have been reduced to clear. Come in, meet each friendly artisan and take advantage of some beautiful bargains.

For a map of studio locations and more information visit: cowichanartisans. com. Follow us on facebook: facebook.com/ CowichanArtisans November 7 & 8 from 10am to 5pm.

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KilnArt Glass Studio Jo Ludwig - Glass Artist 1588 Adelaide Street Crofton 250-246-3991

big 24 inch one. I build all the mandrels I need to make the feet for my ToBs. Lots of lathe work for these projects.

Happy, happy, happy. I also love working with off-the-shelf items; for example, I used a manhole cover that I bought from a road building supply

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love colour. Glass is good for colour. Right up there with colour is shiny, smooth, glistening, liquid-looking.

Glass is really good for that too. And shape is really important to me. So in 1997 I started KilnArt Glass Studio to shape glass into those little, shiny, smooth, glittering vessels that I call ToBs (short for “Things of Beauty”) and that I am getting to be known for. Very satisfying. Even after 18 years.

Talking Arts With Jo Ludwig

steampunk is pretty satisfying too. So Flights of Fancy by Jo Ludwig making the smooth, shiny, articulated, company for the wheel-head mechanical steampunk/ of the 24 inch glass grinder, folk-art flyers that I call my and I used a thrift-store“Flights of Fancy” came bought bar stool and pressure pretty naturally, although cooker to build my 8 inch But I also love working with surprisingly slowly. glass grinder. What fun! metal, particularly brass.

Envisioning each Flight of Different ways of seeing I love my lathe and I love Fancy is exhilarating. Coming the world also attract me as building mechanical things. up with all the moving joints much as colour, surface and So I built all of my glass and diverse mechanical texture does. Folk-art fits the grinders and flat laps, from connections is thrilling. And bill. And good, imaginative the little 8 inch one to the then here is lots of lathe work and plenty of polishing, sanding, filing and soldering as well as many trips to thrift shops and antique stores for the off-the-shelf Natural Beauty and Fashion raw materials, like goblets, 155 Craig St, Downtown Duncan old iron or wooden casters, cabinet pulls, faucet handles, roller skate straps, desk-

Prudence

lamp-come-wing-mounts, etc. which, if you look closely, you can still see in my Flights of Fancy.

How fortunate am I! As part of the Cowichan Artisans’ first ever Annual Studio Sale on Saturday, November 7th and Sunday, November 8th, from 10am to 5pm, there will be a “20% off the retail price” sale at my studio, KilnArt Glass Studio in Crofton. So come for my Flights of Fancy and my ToBs, as well as for my wife Peggy Brackett’s exquisite glass jewellery.

And be sure to check out the other Cowichan Artisans’ studios for their sales specials.

Happy bargain hunting!

For more info call 250-246-3991 or go to www.CowichanArtisans.com.

La Petite Auction House

Auction SundayS - NOVEMBER1, 15 & 29 Early viewings Wed - Fri 11am- 3pm Plus viewings on Sat before the auction 12 - 3pm.

SAME DAY viewing from 10am -1pm.

To consign email dawngeddie@gmail.com

Auction begins at 1pm

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9686 Chemainus Rd, 250-701-2902 Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Teeny Tiny Art Works

Teeny Tiny Art Works - A Gift Sale

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he Cowichan Valley Arts Council presents the Teeny Tiny Art Works Show that features small works in both two dimensional and three dimensional art forms.

A variety of original art work from 50 local artists including painting, jewelery, ceramics, photography, fibre, mixed media, wood and much more.

Just in time for the gift giving season! This show in it’s 19th

year is one of the most popular of the Valley. This show is a small fundraiser for CVAC with 10% being collected on art sales. Teey Tiny Art Works runs Thursday November 12 to Saturday December 5, 2015. Monday thru Saturdays from 10 – 5pm.

Open late during the Christmas Chaos Craft Fair at Island Savings Centre. PORTALS, the CVAC Centre of Arts, Culture and Heritage, 2687 James Street, Duncan, inside the Island Savings Centre, beside the public library. For more information call 250-746- 1633.

For the month of November all in stock

Pacifica Cosmetics We have it all!!!

CANDLES are 15% off

9738 Willow St, Chemainus 250-246-9838 Hours Mon-Sat 930-530 • Sun 12-4 Closed Stat holidays

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ny heating device will not provide energy without fuel. A furnace cools down without gas or oil supply; the same is true for a conventional wood stove. Austrian masonry heaters are time based heating systems where heat from a single burn process is stored into the stove’s mass and slowly emit this stored energy as thermal radiant heat over a longer period of time.

The burn cycle is normally 1-1.5hours for a 8-12 hour period of heat release.

For wood to be combusted properly, there must be high temperature, adequate air turbulence, and sufficient time allowed. Unlike pellet stoves or gas or oil heating systems masonry heaters function with natural draft.

Primary air supply will create initial draft and and start the wood burning process.

Around 250 to 300 Celsius the Pyrolysis process starts. Pyrolysis products react with oxygen from the secondary air supply; combustion starts and produce more heat. Average temperature during the combustion cycle is 650 Celsius.

Fire chambers are

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built according to the amount of wood used in one burn cycle. Wood will be inefficiently burned when the fire chamber is too big or too small.

Functional Description Of Masonry Heating Systems

The dimensions of the fire chamber take into account that wood creates high burning flames, and that the volatile gases must mix with the air supply. Emission values are highest during the initial “start-up “ phase, and the goal is to reach high temperatures very quickly. To achive this the burn process must be undisturbed, no damper will cut off the air supply during the burn cycle. Once there is no more visible flame the the air supply is closed and the slow burning charring process continues until only the unburnable minerals in the wood are left.

Unlike a conventional wood stove or gas or oil furnace, the flame does not provide the heat; the hot flue gases which heat the masonry channel’s mass does. The hotter the gases are, the more heat storage occurs, and the lower the emissions will be. Fire chamber and channel lengths and diameter are designed

and build to provide highest efficiency . The more mass and surface area is available the higher is the efficiency of the system.

b s t c b t a t a

T a m h b t g o t e c a

A masonry heater consists

of an inner core and an outer shell. There is no contact

Return to a clean home and workplace.

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

Providing professional, eco friendly cleaning services.

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

Home Cleaning Gift Certificates available for Family & Friends!

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

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between inner core and outer shell. This ensures that any thermal expansion of the core, due to the very high burn temperatures, is not be transferred to the outside, as well as more uniform temperature distribution across the heaters surface.

There are different opinions and statements how to measure the efficiency of a heating system and especially by systems using natural draft the temperature of the flue gases entering the chimney is one efficiency factor. Higher temperatures mean lower efficiency , low temperatures can cause chimney problems and loss of draft. Austrian

masonry heaters are designed to keep the flue gas temperature at a safe level but also have a high effiency function.

Sidl Masonry Heating is a family owned business specializing in Austrian masonry heaters, wood fired bake ovens and more.

What’s a Volkswagen Owner to Do? news, now we just know that some cars pollute more than we previously thought.

Of all the questions that have been asked about the Volkswagen scandal – who, what, when, how, and why – the most important one is: What can we do about it?

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o now we know: Volkswagen cheated on its vehicle emissions tests and this may apply to other vehicle manufacturers. What should not be news is that all cars pollute if they’re being run on petroleum-based fuels. Even the ones that pass emissions testing are still releasing greenhouse gases and toxins to the atmosphere. With this recent

If you can afford an electric vehicle you can drive almost emissions free - if you’re certain the electricity you use to charge your car is coming from renewable sources.

But what can you do if you can’t change your car?

Change your FUEL! The Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op (CB-DC) has been

supplying 100% renewable biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil as a petro-diesel alternative since 2005.

Biodiesel offers welldocumented environmental, mechanical and human health benefits; it reduces CO2 and other harmful emissions to the atmosphere and our lungs, including an 80% to 90% reduction in PAHs and other carcinogens.

And for Volkswagen owners asking themselves what to do next, biodiesel is a “drop-in” fuel that can be used now in existing diesel vehicles with little or no modifications needed.

Finally, a fuel to feel good about!

The CB-DC is working to increase access to sustainablyproduced, low-carbon biofuels through the growing BC Biofuel Network. The

BCBN is powered by biofuel producers, distributors, waste cooking oil recyclers like Greasecycle and the local restaurants they collect from, supporters like Vancity and Coastal Communities Credit Union, and of course the most important part of the solution – people who make a real difference by using biofuels. These changeagents can be found at a local biofuel Co-op near you – in the Cowichan Valley, Victoria and Vancouver.

To find out how you can replace your polluting exhaust with the smell of French fries, visit the CB-DC website at: www.smellbetter. org

Submitted by Hassan Rahim

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Let’s Preserve Our Valley

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EWSFLASH: we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world! Okay, so maybe that’s not a newsflash, and maybe I’m a little bit biased. Just a little.

What’s clear, however, is just how fortunate we are to call the Cowichan Valley home. Countless hiking trails criss-cross our many mountain tops. Pristine rivers meander through lush green forests. Lakes both large and small provide habitats for life and playgrounds for the adventurous. And then there’s the ocean...defining our coastal way of life and connecting us with the rest of the planet.

What’s also clear, though, is that we can no longer take all of this for granted. Drought conditions, local wild fires, and ever present pollution all point to the fact that something needs to be done.

We need to commit to longterm, sustainable changes in our communities and in our homes.

Thankfully, we are again lucky in that we have many community resources to help us preserve the natural beauty that surrounds us. We have a number of fantastic local organizations committed to conserving water and teaching us how to live greener lives.

We have commitment and resources of local government through the Zero Waste Cowichan initiative (which named Island Return It’s very own Vince Spronken as a Zero Hero). Zero Waste Cowichan

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also features the Cowichan Recyclopedia, an invaluable resource for disposing of materials responsibly.

We all know that making positive change is easier said than done, but often that is just because we make things more complicated than they need to be. Starting with small, manageable goals and building habits over time is a much more successful approach than overwhelming ourselves and losing steam. Pick one goal and stick with it until you see sustainable change. For some, it might be reducing water consumption (just do a quick internet search for countless ideas). For others, it might mean gathering up the old pile of electronics and bringing them in to us for proper disposal, instead of simply tossing them out when the mess gets too out of hand.

Whatever your goal is, Island Return It Recycling Centres is here to help. We believe that our communities working together for our planet is a powerful force, and we love that we can be a part of the solution. That’s why we say, “It is more than just our business. It is our lifestyle!”

You can help us preserve our valley, one bottle at a time.

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

Sophy Roberge is the Marketing Manager for Island Return It Recycling Centres.

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White Cat Whale bearing gifts by Mary Fox

“I have only one sale a year… but it’s a good one.”

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orn in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 1959, I moved with my family to BC in 1966. I am self-taught and have worked solely as a potter since 1979. My works are exhibited nationally and internationally, and I especially enjoy the time that I spend with customers from around the world who visit my studio in LadysmithAnother year is speeding by and here I am getting ready for the studio sale again. Everything in the gallery is 25% off and for the weekend of the sale, my decorative works will

be 25% off for all website orders as well! Every year it’s a different body of work with, of course, lots of your old favourites too. There will be lots of heavily discounted works available at the sale… I’ve been exhibiting a lot this year so there will be great scores for fans of my decorative vessels and sculptures as this Fox will want to clear out her grade B’s to make room for next year’s work. This year I am introducing my glass work.

“Oh, you’re blowing glass now?” I hear you thinking... that? You’ll have to come by the studio and see for yourself! Mary Fox Annual Studio Sale November 7 & 8 from 11 am - 5 pm Mary Fox Pottery 321 - 3rd Ave, Ladysmith

Everything depends upon pale cat crouching at sun-rise before neighbour’s rain-pocked, earth-brown door. If/when it opens to cat’s cry, this one bright spot of the dull daybreak will be gone.

Judith Belton

The Generous Pig We made a lovely supper, and cooked some luscious pork.

It was so very tender that it melted on the fork.

Accompanied by spuds and beans it was delightful fare.

For after we had eaten, there was still some left to share.

I took it home. It was so good, I gave some to a friend.

The mileage covered by that pork just never seemed to end.

And so in loving memory, I wrote this little ditty Because, deep down I must admit, I felt a certain pity For that dear pig, who gave his life that we might be sustained.

For after we had eaten him, a little still remained.

I wish that little pig had known how wonderful he tasted.

And so in my defence take note, that none of him was wasted!

Christine Bennett is a retired schoolteacher and musician, living in Chemainus. She is currently working on her second book, “Kaleidoscope”, which launched in October.

GOLDA’S LITERACY NUGGETS

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” - Ray Bradbury.

info@gopesto.com I www.gopesto.com

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The Act of Bending

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Lene Kroll is a hen certified Alexander you Technique teacher based in Victoria. go to pick www.alextechonyew. something com 250-385-2600

up from the floor, or touch your toes…do the words “bend from the waist” come to mind? We often don’t know where these ideas of how to use ourselves came from, but they have far reaching consequences down the road.

If I asked you to point to your hip joint where would you put your hand? Many people either place their hands on the bony ridge they feel at the belt level, or down by their side where they feel a bump on the outside of their leg.

Now bend over from there to pick up an object from a chair or table.

Next take a look at the pictures.

Does it surprise you?

Now to find your real hip joints.

Look at the picture

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and find the ASIS (anterior superior iliac spine), work your hands down from top of Iliac crest until you feel a bump and place a finger there. Next place a finger midline on the pubic bone. If you imagine a line drawn from one to the other your hip joint lies in the middle. Students often say “whow!” at this point their faces show how it has changed their thinking about the pelvis/back/leg relationship.

Take a minute now to place your fingers on the real hip joint (or take a broom handle and place it lengthwise across the two joints) and practice hinging forward, moving your entire head, neck and torso as one integrated structure, remember to bend your knees as you lower yourself.

Way easier?

Can you see how bending from the waist is in effect bending the spine as if there were a joint in the lower back? As you can see the spine is one long beautiful structure that is both strong and flexible but there are no joints within it. It is not hard to see why back pain and injury is such a big problem these days.

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Learning to recognize and stop your own patterns of misuse allows a better functioning of the whole self.

Next time you go to sit down, pause and rethink.

What is an Organic Body Pillow?

A body pillow is a long and narrow pillow that runs the length of your body, supporting both your top leg and arm throughout the night.

Organic Body pillows are made with very simple ingredients: organic cotton casing: wool, shredded rubber tree latex and kapok fills. Each one has a different feel and firmness, and all are generously filled for the ability to customize and remove material to achieve the right alignment for a deeper sleep.

When sleeping on your side, the tendency is to have your

Why You Need a Body Pillow

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illows were first used in Mesopotamia (Iraq) around 7,000 B.C. and then later in ancient Egypt. The pillow was used by the wealthy to prevent insects from entering their mouth, nose and ears while they slept. They were not built for comfort like today, but formed out of stone or wood.

Later the Chinese created their own version using materials such as jade, wood, porcelain and bamboo.The Greeks and Romans used pillows that were made with softer materials: cloth pillows stuffed with feathers, reeds or straw. In the 20th century, modern pillows began to be commercially produced. During this time, pillows became more affordable as they were mass produced by textile companies.

Present Day: A pillow is now designed to provide support and comfort to the neck and head. As many of us are side sleepers (a large majority of the population sleeps on their side for at least part of the night) this poses a problem. How do we get the added support for our legs and arms, when we sleep on our side? How do we attain a beneficial alignment with just a head pillow? A body pillow is the perfect solution.

top leg come over the bottom one, leading to a twisting of your spine and the collapsing of your shoulders. This ultimately causes your neck to tilt, which leads to soreness in your neck, shoulders and back. Body pillows give your body the ability to stay still and let all the muscle relax. Very commonly known as Pregnancy pillows, the versatility in being able to change your body pillow height and thickness is perfect for expecting moms that need to be able to adapt as their babies grow and their bodies change.

Body pillows are now being used by everyone.

I started using a body pillow myself 10 years ago after a car accident. My hips and lower back have giving me trouble

“With infinite wisdom, power, fearlessness, and a treasury of laws, the gateway to enlightenment is possible” Weekly Meditation - TUESDAYS VIU Cowichan Campus

Benefits of Sleeping with a Body Pillow: • Provide proper shoulder, hip and spinal support and alignment • Relieve pressure on the lower back, spine and hips • Distribute weight and improve blood circulation • Enhance muscular relaxation • Provide additional support during pregnancy • Can help diminish snoring (by keeping you from falling onto your back) • Calming and relaxing

ever since, and the introduction of the body pillow to my sleep regimen, has provided substantial relief. A surprise benefit is what it does for my busy mind.

There are many studies showing that hugging has many health benefits including lowering your heart rate and creating a calming effect on ones emotional state.

With my body pillow I fall asleep within minutes. I cuddle it, take some deep breaths, get

into my perfect sleep position and slow right down. I feel supported both physically and emotionally.

Chris Manley is owner of Resthouse Sleep Solutions Downtown Duncan and online @ resthouse.ca

Julia Allen MA

Masters Counselling Psychology Registered Clinical Counsellor

Holistic approach to psychotherapyMind, Body and Spirit Weekly blog for insights and personal transformation

250-709-9673 www.longboatcounselling.com info@longboatcounselling.com

13th Annual AGM Nichiren Buddha Society

11 AM Sunday 15th November Txt/phone: 250. 710. 7594 INFO: 250. 710. 7594 or peace@viretreats.com

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Why We Love Wool!

Wool - The Miracle Healing Fibre

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ool has more benefits for the body by far, than any other fibre. 100% wool helps alleviate many common medical conditions including, but not limited to, arthritis, diabetes, menopause, pressure sores/ulcers, and so much more.

Whether your loved one is in

homecare or hospital, wool is the answer to this needless suffering. Medical experts agree 95% of bedsores are preventable. The human body loses an average of 1L of moisture per night. Skin integrity requires it to breathe to prevent breakdown.

Moisture creates bacteria, which thrives on our skin, causing skin to deteriorate.

Wool fibre wicks away moisture and releases it into the air through evaporation, works to regulate and maintain a constant body temperature of 37 C/98.6 F, and is bacteria, fungus, and mold naturally resistant. Dust

Five Weeks In Nepal - A Presentation

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he Rotary Club of Duncan and DV Media will present: “Five Weeks In Nepal”. Producer Nick Versteeg showcases the volunteer work he and his team did in Nepal for the Rotary Club of Duncan.

The first of two short film presentations will feature the incredible work done in Nepal by Duncan resident Susan Marshall of the Nepal Education Fund. Journey with Nick Versteeg and Susan Marshall into Kathmandu and Pokhara, where Susan brings educational programs and materials for underprivileged children with the help of individual sponsors and the Rotary Club of Duncan.

The second film features a presentation by Dr. Jeff Philips who volunteered his dental services to the Sherpa families in Khumjung. In this video producer Nick Versteeg ventures on a three day trek to the dental camp following his arrival at Lukla, the most dangerous airport in the world. Film goers can meet with Nick, Susan, and Dr. Philips during a short intermission which will be followed by Nick’s very personal story of spending five-weeks in Nepal, where the audience will see his experience on the trek to Everest Base Camp and his narrow escape when the Earthquake hit on April 25th, 2015.

www.blacksheeppainting.ca 34

mites and bed bugs can’t live in wool!

Wool is effective at treating and preventing the three main causes of skin breakdown – moisture, pressure and chafing – by absorbing 3040% of its own weight in moisture, keeps the contact skin area dry, and the person comfortable (synthetics absorb 0-4%). Wool fibres are coiled, spring-like, tubular, flexible structures, thus giving gentle support, enhancing circulation to prevent chafing.

be uploaded to our website and social media pages. In a testimonial from a husband and wife, Cliff suffered needlessly for 2 1/2 years’ while healthcare professionals treated his diabetic heel ulcers with “traditional” methods. The Diabetic Store in Victoria recommended they get in touch with Anyes de Laat, owner of Soul Comfort Sheep’s Wool. 2 1/2 months’ after starting treatment with the sheep’s wool, placed directly on the ulcers, Cliff’s heels are now completely healed.

Two new videos will soon

Continued on pg 35

Nick Versteeg filming in Nepal

An evening that will take your breath away as you experience life in Nepal before April 25th, followed by the devastation of mother nature through the eyes and lens of those that were there!

November 26, 7pm, tickets $5 per person. Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. Call The Box Office 250-748-7529 or on line www.cowichanpac.ca Submitted by Nick Versteeg

In addition to being antistatic, wool fibres are fire and stain resistant, odor reducing, durable, machine washable and quick drying. Since most footwear is synthetic, using a wool insole will help prevent bacteria and fungus (athelete’s foot). Wool takes on the scent of mommy and daddy and that’s why the quote goes “You can travel the world as long as your newborn has his/her sheep.”

It helps raise secure children

because mommy and daddy are always close.

Wool pet beds and mats also help settle anxious pets.

Soul Comfort Sheep’s Wool is located on 190 Fourth Street, Duncan.

We carry a wide variety of in-store made products including a medical line, infant/baby items, bedding, pet beds/mats, equine, vests, jackets, slippers, vehicles, motorcycles, bikes and more! We will custom fit to your needs. Feel free to phone 250-737-1281, or dropin Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Our website is www.soulcomfortsheepskin. com or E-mail us at wool@ soulcomfortsheepskin.com.

ROWAN HAMILTON MEDICAL HERBALIST

Diploma in Phytotherapy, MNIMH, SCS, DTCM

at

Wool is a loving, nurturing, renewable and sustainable resource; a return to the womb.

Submitted by Anyes de Laat. www.soulcomfortsheepskin.com

a healing place...

250 510 0062

Cowichan Valley

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Downtown Duncan – the Heart of our Community

Cowichan Bay Ladies Night!

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hop late in Cowichan Bay for the 5th annual Ladies Night! Cozy up and gather your friends for a walk in the Bay while enjoying local wine tastings, live musicians, special treats and in-store deals.

Remember to keep your eyes peeled for the hiding Starfish in each store... find them all for a chance to win one of three gift baskets put together by the local merchants. Donations accepted at most shops for the Cowichan Bay Estuary Nature Centre to support your local starfish!”

Waterfront Dining serving Modern-Comfort Inspired West Coast Cuisine.

Bac k s i T H G I AP P Y N 5-9pm y a d s r u e ve r y Th l y $5 ! n o t a g s t a rt i n

There`s always something for everyone at Cow Cafe!

Call for Reservations 250-597-4353

LOCATED AT BLUENOSE MARINA 1765 COWICHAN BAY RD

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Acres Away Woodworks – French rolling pins

Out Of Hand: = Art, Fashion, Food & Fabulous Home Décor

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ave the date! Join uus celebrating 27 years of excellence at Out of Hand this November 27 to 29 in the Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas Street, Victoria BC. For 27 years Out of Hand has presented a thoughtfully curated selection of the latest artists, designers and artisan food producers in this gorgeous heritage building located right in the heart of downtown Victoria. #TGIF@OOH – Find your festive holiday vibe on Friday, November 27, 5-9pm • Enter to win a shopping spree – one lucky winner will have their name drawn at 8pm • Great prizes including a holiday cocktail kit from Ampersand Distilling Company

• 20% off at the Bengal Lounge (Fairmont Empress) with your OOH ticket stub • selfie photo scavenger hunt New this year! – OOH is excited to present local wineries and craft distillers for the first time! Come meet some of our award winning Island vintners and distillers, sample their products take some local holiday cheer home.

Check out the: • Pop-up Etsy Boutique • Emerging artists • Artisan Food Market •Live entertainment all 3 days Some of the delicacies you’ll find: handmade chocolate, traditional European baking, canning featuring the produce

of local farms, maple syrup, artisan goat cheese, vinegars, smoked fish, cheese kits for the do-it-yourself types and lots more.

Can’t make it until Sunday?

No worries – the first 50 people through the door Sunday morning will receive a complimentary gift bag.

Shop handmade, buy local, buy green - give something unique this holiday season which expresses your personality and you’ll be supporting the local economy and small business ownership. All vendors are

listed on the website with descriptions and images linked in www.outofhand.ca.

THE SECOND HANGER BOUTIQUE CONSIGNMENT

SATURDAY NOV 28 •11-3pm Featuring:

• SILVERSIDE FARM & WINERY TASTINGS • MARLO FROM OCEAN BLISS DAY SPA • EPICURE™ REPRESENTATIVE • REP FROM MARY KAY COSMETICS Draws for door prizes!

3541 COBBLE HILL ROAD In the heart of Cobble Hill

250 743-7802

thesecondhanger@shaw.ca

For full design/build service, give us a call

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

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EYE ON Shawnigan It Takes A Dedicated Community To Buy A Mountain

By Lori Treloar Curator – Shawnigan Lake Museum

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aldy Mountain, Old Baldy or Mt. Baldy...no matter what you call it, Baldy is the central figure in the backdrop of Shawnigan Lake - it is the landmark. Baldy can be seen from almost anywhere in the community.

I once saw Baldy described as an unremarkable mountain. submitted by Lori Inniardo Nonetheless, world class Canadian artist E.J. Hughes was inspired to paint Baldy more than once - he also painted the lake from it. So many families have fond memories of climbing Baldy together – and for some it is an annual pilgrimage. Local private schools used the mountain for gym class workouts - some of those same students, from the Boys and Girls boarding schools, used it as a trysting spot. Locals have used the Baldy summit as a place to disburse the ashes of loved ones. Oldtimers recall the abundance of wild strawberries on Baldy, ready for the picking, and when grouse swarmed in the hundreds. The community has a deep-felt connection with this mountain. It is our mountain… a Shawnigan icon.

Gen-erations of memories have been collected but, ironically, Baldy has always been privately owned. In spite of that, there are dozens of blogs, tourist information and government sites on the Internet that promote Baldy as a hiking destination even though it is neither a public trail, nor park.

Decades ago, the Shawnigan community identified Baldy as a priority acquisition.

Its importance was formally recognized in the first Official Community Plan in the 1970s. In the mid 1990s, the Shawnigan Trails Committee urged the Government to acquire the summit of Baldy and, with adjoining Crown Land, create the Baldy Mountain Recreation Forest Reserve. This did not happen and, in the last 25 years, logging and developers have put Baldy at risk. To date, the community has been able to prevent the commercial development of Baldy, but not the destruction of the crown and some of the sensitive ecosystems (recognized in the Provincial Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory).

The time is now. The Shawnigan community has taken steps to protect Baldy for public use and leave it as a legacy for future generations. The process of acquisition is underway. The summit of Baldy will soon become a 250-acre community park.

Baldy is not a long climb, but it is surprisingly steep and, depending on the route, much of the hike is over exposed rock. Although difficult, it is manageable even for young family members. The views of the lake are spectacular during the climb, and if you keep a lookout, you might find succulents, shooting stars and other lovely flora en route. Nothing, however, can compare with the 360-degree view at the top. That is as good as it gets!

Baldy is a remarkable mountain and, thanks to the Shawnigan community, it will soon be accessible for the public in perpetuity.

Kinsol Trestle Shawnigan Lake Museum Baldy Mountain Coffee & Snacks in the Village - Lots to do!

2750 Shawnigan Lake Road TAKE OUT - (250) 743-1669 www.shawnigansushi.blogspot.ca

Rachel Allen 250 882 4198

Reiki Practitioner Animal Communicator

Blue Tree Creative Custom made wood signs starting at $25

by Bonnie Tytel bluetreecreative@gmail.com 250-507-6922

Shawnigan Lake ... A Cowichan Valley gem.

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Zak Stolk

The Stone Takes Shape - Mike Boas

Violin Maker

25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition.

Making, repair and restoration of Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, and all manner of Stringed ALSO offering Instruments. instrument making classes.

250-749-6563

Violin

zakviolins@shaw.ca www.zakviolins.com

Prudence

Natural Beauty and Fashion

155 Craig St, Downtown Duncan FINE ACCESSORIES FOR DISCERNING WOMEN! Aria Dolyn Handbags Hand tooled by Skilled Craftsman.

100 % leather Handpicked for quality and durability. Carved, burnished, cupped, stiched and painted by hand.

Shablool Silver Jewelry Design Rings Hand-crafted silver rings set with semi-precious stones. Inspired by Nature and made in Nazareth.

Hand Knit Alpaca Accessories

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or Mike Boas, creating stone sculptures is richly rewarding. “I enjoy watching the stone take shape and come to life. The medium is so durable and tough, almost nothing but a diamond could scratch it,” he says.

Mike’s stone sculptures will be on display at Imagine That Artisans’ Designs in downtown Duncan for the month of November.

The exhibition includes works of jade, soapstone, onyx, pyrophillite, marble, flowerstone and laurelstone.

“I use a variety of decorative and translucent materials with simple flowing abstract shapes,” he notes. The sculptures range in size from four inches to one foot.

Mike, who lives in Chemainus, works mostly in local stone which he collects himself. In addition to stone sculptures, he also produces detailed representations of wildlife using real horns, antlers, bone and ivory alternatives. None of

his materials are synthetic.

Mike is a self-taught artist with a long list of mentors in a variety of allied fields including drawing and clay modelling.

He has studied with several ‘rock hound’ groups including the West Coast Sculpture Association, of which he is currently vice president, the Jonanco Hobby Club, and the Vancouver Island Faceting Guild.

Mike is particularly grateful to all those who have generously helped him along the way especially Daniel Cline, Laurel Collins and Ken Glatiotis.

“Throughout it all, I have done my best to forge my own unique identity and style,” he explains.

An accomplished sculptor, Mike has won first place awards two years in a row from the Gem and Mineral Federation of Canada. Don’t miss this exciting exhibition!

Stone Sculptures by Mike Boas runs to November 21. 251 Craig St, Downtown Duncan.

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

The Journey of our One Tree Flute

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he Journey of our One Tree Flute begins as we head over to Live Edge in Duncan, to choose and pick our piece of the tree.

We are looking for a piece with vibrant colour, grain and unique patterns.

However we are also aware that the wood has to be solid and resonant.

We really have no idea what this flute will look or sound

The Story of One Tree

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he Robert Bateman Centre and Duncanbased Live Edge Design are presenting the upcoming oneTree Exhibit, running from November 14, 2015 to Jan. 15, 2016. Artisans and

representatives will be in attendance on the morning of the opening day. The artisans have been working since December 2014 to create over 40 items such as sculptures, furniture, and musical instruments.

like at this point.

It will have to sit and dry for almost 6 months before we will know.

The perfect Totem took a couple tries, first a bird than a curled up maple leaf takes form.

Six months go by and the band saw, router, and planer fall into action and the transformation begins.

Divided into two parts, sound holes created and the parts glued back together, to form the body of the flute.

The totem is strapped to the flute and the first breath is blown in. The sound deep, rich, and clear.

Seeming to flow up from the depths of the earth.

A sigh of relief and excitement, as success is at hand!

As pencil is put to the wood, an eagle emerges flying from the bottom of the flute and maple leaves start to pop around the top. The carving of the Eagle and leaves had to be coaxed out of the wood because of the difficult grain.

The grain being very curly in spots changed directions continuously. The challenge of achieving the right dimensions for the walls of the flute was tricky as the right thickness is needed for the carving to take place, as well as assuring that the wood will resonate.

It is said that carving hard wood will build character, we must say, that certainly holds true here. can be produced by one single maple – the oneTree. 43 artists have been selected to create pieces for display at the

As there was wood left over it became obvious that a second flute was to be made.

A smaller flute, a harmonizing flute. The large flute in the key of Low “C” would have a mate in the key of high “C”.

The low notes flowing up from the roots, and high notes singing from the tree tops, giving a voice to the Spirit of the Old Maple One Tree from the Cowichan Valley.

Rommy Verlaan and Zak Stolk of Heart Song Flutes will have their One Tree Flutes on display at the Robert Bateman Center In Victoria from November 14thJanuary 15, 2016.

Centre, all from oneTree.

The Robert Bateman Centre, 2nd Floor, 470 Belleville Street, Victoria.

The Robert Bateman Centre and Live Edge Design, a company that specializes in harvesting old growth trees that have to be felled for health and safety reasons, have paired up to use what

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Cowichan Community Appeal & Business Challenge

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e envision a Cowichan Community Response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria: the Matraea Centre has pledged over $1000 to get the ball rolling & has partnered with PLAN Canada and the Cowichan Intercultural Society!

• 11 million Syrians have been displaced by civil war.

• 6.5 million have left their homes within the country, while over 4 million have dispersed into the surrounding countries including Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, etc.

• Hundreds of thousands have streamed across Europe to find refuge in Germany and elsewhere--the majority remaining in refugee camps.

• Principally women and children, they seek safety, .

. . and they wait--many still hoping to return to their homes when the fighting stops.

• While it is a complicated situation, the suffering is undeniable, and the situation has reached the point that it has been dubbed the largest refugee crisis since World War II. • Donations are matched by the Canadian government-doubling our impact!

On September 12th, the Canadian government pledged to match private donations of Emergency Humanitarian Aid directed to Syrian refugee camps through the Syria Emergency Relief Fund—up to 100 million dollars before the 31st of December.

1. ONLINE through PLAN’s “Cowichan Community Appeal” www.matraea.com/Syria-crisis 2. Download Pledge forms from PLAN CANADA: www. matraea.com/Syria-crisis and start a linked campaign: share what you’re doing on Facebook: www.Facebook. com/groups/CowichanCommunityAppeal 3. Drop in at the Matraea Centre: we feature a “Change for Change” donation jar at our reception desk alongside pledge forms for those interested in a tax receipt.

4. UPCYCLE your old electronic equipment: Drop off your old electronic equipment at Schnitzer Steel November 1st until November 30th and donate the money to the “Cowichan Community Appeal and Business Challenge!”

5. Join us and Create your own challenge! initiate a “jeans day,” match your employees donations, or create an “affinity program” and donate a portion of sales or services, etc. Link to our Facebook group to let us know what you’re doing!

6. Attend our Fundraising Events! See our Facebook page for dates, etc.

On this basis, we have chosen to partner with PLAN Canada’s Syrian Refugee Appeal: PLAN is a Registered charity focused on assisting women and children throughout the developed world through project-based initiatives. Founded in 1937, PLAN’s inclusive mandate is “All faiths. All cultures. One mission: to improve the lives

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of children.” PLAN Canada will track our community’s donations--Here’s how: Gala Silent Auction 7:30 Thurs, Nov. 19th @ Silverbridge Inn Ballroom.

Admission? “BYO” Silent Auction Item!

Our fundraising goal is $25,000, doubling when matched to become $50,000!

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w d h a e c g i d O a p t f t t c F r d f a f

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en and women around the world have a simple dream – to earn an honest living, provide a home, food and education for their children, and to be gainfully employed in a job that brings dignity and joy.

Often referred to as ‘Fair Trade,’ the philosophy of helping to build a sustainable future is based on the principle that trade should have a conscience. Through Fair Trade, artisans receive respect, dignity and hope from working hard and earning fair value for their work.

Peruvian woman knitting

3rd Annual

Over 20 local and global organizations and businesses selling fair trade products.

Unique quality crafts, books, cards, calendars, posters, games, toys, clothing, jewellery and food!

Tasty ethnic snacks!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Commerce with a Conscience

World Craft Bazaar

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ver 20 local and global organizations and businesses selling fair trade products.

Unique quality crafts, books, cards, calendars, posters, games, toys, clothing, jewellery and food! Tasty ethnic snacks! Saturday,

Fair Trade and Direct Equitable Trade creates opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term, fair trading relationships.

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Eagles Hall, Duncan On Boys Rd just south of the Silver Bridge

open on remembrance day NOVEMBER 11•7am - 4pm

have you tried the bakery’s NEW mason jar cakes? YUM!

November 14, 10am to 4pm Eagles Hall, 2965 Boys Rd. Duncan

Direct Equitable Fair Trade

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he human body is fascinating! It is a wonderful, intricate working machine. However, in the case of Chronic fatigue, sufferers understandably believe otherwise.

Kathryn Lowther, a Biomagnetism and Energy Practitioner, has found hope for some clients, and has discovered interesting similarities with Chronic fatigue.

Usually, in the past, the person experienced a trauma or an accident. Then, many clients travelled overseas and may have contracted parasites, and/or bacterial imbalances. Add viral or other imbalances, and it is no wonder the client has little energy.

There is science behind this. The founder of the Biomagnetic Pair, Dr. Goíz Durán, discovered that if a parasite is present, there exists a bacteria supporting it. When we balance the body’s Ph with non-invasive magnets, it kick-starts the immune system, enabling the body to rid itself of bacterias and the like. Clients often feel better physically, and emotionally. Many clients report that their “brain-fog” is gone, they no longer need naps, digestion is improved, and feel a new sense of wellbeing.

Some client testimonials: “I got my energy yesterday & today, I was full throttle ahead! Truly amazing after almost 20 years of Chronic fatigue. Thank you so much, Kathryn.” - Dawn M. “I was diagnosed with Systemic Candida 20 years ago. In two sessions, the Candida was gone, along with another bacteria and a sensitivity/ allergy to mildew is also gone - Thank you, Kathryn.”- M.E. “ I found that Biomagnetism was extremely

Zap Chronic Fatigue with Biomagnetism helpful with several issues such as stomach, fatigue and an old vertebrae injury from whiplash. The improvement was immediate.”

- Cathy K. Kathryn is continually studying and broadening her awareness and knowledge.

Good health is essential to enjoying life, it is not simply a desire. She says, “When one cannot function optimally, quality of life is greatly diminished. If I can assist anyone on the path to wellness, that is the greatest gift I can share.”

Kathryn works in Duncan and Victoria. www. biomagcanada.ca How does it work?

Come watch and find out for yourself!

Biomagnetism Talk & Demo with pracitioner Kathryn Lowther Wednesday,

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November 4 6pm, at the Community Farm Store 5380 Trans-Canada Hwy, Duncan.

Kathryn has 9 years experience as a Certified practitioner in Biomagnetism & Chakra Balancing

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

Call or Email

First appointment free!

David Yaeger

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

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CHANGING SKIN... CHANGING LIVES

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• Filler • Botox™ • Soft Tissue Filler • Laser Hair Removal • Rosacea Treatments • Photofacials • Spray Tans • HydraFacial MD® • Acne Treatments • Mineral Makeup • Latisse™

Acne Your Path To A Clear Bright Complexion

cne is a troubling skin condition for many people both in their teens and later years.

It can cause significant scarring and also social emotional embarassment. We now know that acne is not caused by bad diet but is reather a condition in those genetically predisposed whose skin does not exfoliate well.

Because of this oil (whose production increases in teen years) becomes trapped in the sebaceous glands where skin bacteria can thrive.

Treatment aims to identify what type of acne a person has and then address the oil production, poor exfoliation or bacterial infection or all of these.

This can now be effectively attained using both physical and chemical exfoliation methods. Physical methods include the Hydrafacial MD and Microdermabrasion.

Chemical exfoliants include glycolic and salicylic acid and tretinoin. Topical antiseptics and antibacterials can be

WWW.VIVAMEDICALAESTHETICS.COM #4 -177 FOURTH ST, DUNCAN 250 746 6512

applied daily to address the bacterial infection. (Benzoyl Peroxide and prescription creams. Acne is an individual condition and so a thorough assesment by a physician is helful in determining a treatment plan. If not treated effectively in it’s early stages significant scarring can occur.

This can be addressed with various technologies now available but prevention is my preference. With all the effective treatments available for acne it is my belief that no one should have to suffer the sequalae of lack of treatment.

Viva Medical staff and myself are happy to help. Please call 250 746 6512 for a consultation.

Submitted by Dr. Lyn Pascoe

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with 1 procedure save $50 with 2 procedures save $100 with 3 procedures save $150 #4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan 250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca The first and only Green Spa in the Cowichan Valley.

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It’s time to get cozy!

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DOWNTOWN November DUNCAN EVENTS winds blow and the rain November 11 falls, it’s The Royal Canadian a time for Legion Branch #53 drawing in Remembrance Day towards the Ceremony warmth and at Charles Hoey Park light of a 11:00am welcoming environment.

November 27 If your nest Christmas Kick-off needs a little 5:30 – 8:30pm work before you settle in for the winter, there are a variety of Downtown Duncan businesses here to provide you with excellent service and products for your home.

When the days get shorter and darkness arrives earlier, it’s nice to come home at the

end of the day, close the curtains and turn on the lamps to get that nice warm glow going inside. If your window treatments are non-existent or need a little updating, Gary Interiors can help you “shut out the world” in style. They carry a wide selection of blinds, shades and shutters and do custom curtains, drapes & reupholstery too.

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A warm welcome to your home starts from the ground up and can include the richness of a beautiful wood floor or the luxury of a new carpet or area rug. Valley Carpet One Floor & Home offers many great choices in flooring and excellent customer service.

If your furniture has seen better days, it might be time to visit Uncle Albert’s where quality is a priority. They have a large selection of Made in Canada furnishings and whether you are browsing or shopping you will receive excellent advice and personal service from all the “furniture girls”.

If your idea of relaxation is a luxurious soak in a soothing hot tub (regardless of the weather!) let the experts at Jim’s Pools and Spas help connect you with the perfect Beachcomber to fit your space and your lifestyle.

to discuss and show you the benefits of an organic bedroom. From mattresses to duvets,

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The coziest place in your home, though, should be your bedroom. If your bed isn’t quite as comfy or restful as it could be, stop

by Resthouse Sleep Solutions on Station St. where they will be happy

Prudence

Natural Beauty & Fashion

Bring in this coupon with your purchase of $75 or more of Elate Cosmetics and receive a free vegan Mat & Nat bag.

155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

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O d l t e T s t T C & M b

While supplies last.

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

from body pillows to bedding – they have everything to give you your best night’s sleep ever.

Of course while you’re downtown visiting all these great local businesses, you’ll want to find a cozy spot to relax and enjoy a hot drink on a grey day.

There are several great coffee shops downtown – each with their own distinct personality.

Try the Twisted Mug, the Tin Cup, the Duncan Garage Café & Bakery or Coffee on the Moon and see what suits you best.

What other Downtown shops can help you get your cozy on? How

about Chari-Teas for a fabulous tea blend to take home and brew up? Or our book stores? Fall is an awesome time to curl up with a good book, so browse through Gallowglass, Ten Old Books and Volume One for a great new read. And nothing says comfort like a warm scarf or sweater – browse through the colourful selection of yarn and patterns at Ingrid’s Yarn & Needlework shop if you’re in a DIY mood or check out all our great shops and boutiques for fabulous fall fashion finds!

This November let Downtown Duncan help you get cozy!

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E

DBIA: Tell us a little about yourself – are you an Island girl?

KJ: I arrived on the Island 12 years ago from Winnipeg, Manitoba where I was employed as an outreach worker, with a Seniors Centre.

DBIA: How long have you been in business and why consignment?

KJ: I have been in business with The Golden Hanger 9 years.

Born out of a love for clothes and accessories like most women I know, I couldn’t afford the top labels so decided to make them available through consignment. I have upheld these high standards ever since.

DBIA: What is your favourite part of your business?

KJ: Interacting with customers and feeling a sense of satisfaction when they walk out of my shop feeling like a million bucks! I also love doing window displays and merchandising.

DBIA: Is there anything about consignment fashion that people don’t know, but should?

KJ: They are paying between 40-60% less than in regular retail boutiques for the same brands/designers. I also carry a wide array of accessories such as purses, shoes, boots and jewellery.

DBIA: With holiday season on the horizon – do you carry a lot of cocktail dresses and glamorous fashion for all the parties?

KJ: Yes, I do. With approximately 30 new items being consigned each day, there are a wide variety of styles and sizes for all women.

DBIA: What’s your best fashion

Q&A with Kelly Jamieson from the Golden Hanger advice for women?

KJ: Following the latest fashion trends without being sucked in to spending a lot of money or buying cheap clothing of inferior quality.

DBIA: How would you describe your fashion style?

KJ: I dress appropriately for my age and given that I have one of the largest wardrobes in the Cowichan, I select what suits my mood and the day ahead.

DBIA: What do you like best about your Downtown Duncan location?

KJ: I like being on the fringe and trading alongside of the other funky boutique businesses.

There’s a great sense of community here on Jubilee Street.

hoodies I skirts I tops I dresses accessories I childrens & more

FIND us LOCALLY at Spinning Ninny 306 Duncan St, Duncan

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

i l o t O o u h e f t Y B O “ V t a y t t o

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ye Design Optometry is proud to be the longest established optometric practice in the Cowichan Valley.

Our office location on Duncan St. (just up from ‘the Garage’) has been providing eye care to patients from Chemainus to the Malahat and from Youbou to Cowichan Bay for over 30 years.

Our philosophy of “Designing Tomorrow’s Vision Today” has led to numerous expansions and renovations over the years while we continue to embrace the latest technology in all areas of patient care.

Eye Design Optometry

Dr Anderson’s arrival in 1994 along with his background in computer science, led to the practice being one of the first in the province to use electronic medical records for more effective patient care, over 20 years ago. That trend has continued so that today’s eye exam literally “looks” very different to a patient that comes to our office. With the latest in non-invasive retinal scans and imaging, patients can actually now see a 3D image of all 10 layers of their retina and objects in the eye 1/1000 the width of a strand of hair, all as a ‘routine’ part of their comprehensive eye exam.

This is invaluable technology for much earlier diagnosis of many eye conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma.

As optometrists, we will always recognize the importance of providing optimal vision for every patient’s individual lifestyle needs as part of our Total Eye Care Model. That’s why we work as a team with trained opticians and assistants who use the latest computerized eyewearfitting technology to create spectacles that are as personalized and unique as every set of eyes.

We welcome serving all your eye care needs for many more years to come at our Duncan St location! Eye Design Optometry 250-746-4634

Available at Resthouse 126 Station St, Duncan Unique Furnishings by Designer David Martinello 250 701 2771 I www.alternativewoodworks.com

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his holiday season, the Broadway musical “Elf” comes to The Chemainus Theatre Festival. Based on the motion picture of the same name, the smash hit is an exciting opportunity to see the “endearingly goofy” (USA Today) show live on stage. Elf: The Musical is made for any Christmas list – kid or grown up – with a modern take on festive music, energetic dancing, physical comedy, and a charming story of finding the place where you belong. Tickets for the allages show, running November 20 to December 31, 2015, are available now at 1-800-5657738 or chemainustheatre.ca.

Elf: The Musical is one of The Chemainus Theatre Festival’s biggest shows of the year. “It’s got abundant wishes, a grand journey, and tons of joy to fill your stockings” says director, Mark DuMez. “You can even take “Elfies” on set before the show- right when Santa’s coming to town. This is Christmasmaximus!” Combining talents with choreographer Jessica Hickman and returning Musical Director Brad L’Écuyer. The trio has created a polished, highenergy classic for this modern

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and much loved holiday story. No winter musical would be complete without a bevy of festive songs, and Elf is filled with playful numbers written by Tony Award-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.

Brad leads a live 3-piece band – including: Alicia Murray and Nico Rhodes who perform 18 resounding pieces, such as: “Christmastown,” “World’s Greatest Dad,” “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” “A Christmas Song,” and “Nobody Cares About Santa.”

Many familiar faces and a few new actors form the top-notch cast. Stepping into the tights of Buddy “The Elf” is Andrew Cohen, who does a remarkable job as the cheerful simpleton. Buddy has just discovered that he is not an elf after all, but a human! He heads south in search of his father, arriving in the big city and meeting an assortment of scrooges, skeptics, and naughty-listed people along the way – as well as a special love interest (Alison MacDonald).

Eventually Buddy meets his father Walter (Timothy E. Brummund), the grumpiest workaholic of all, as well as his stepmother (Sarah Carlé), and pre-teen half brother

Elf The Musical (Reuben Broadway and Ben Williams). Realizing that no one believes in Santa (Hal Kerbes), Buddy’s real mission begins – to bring back the holiday spirit! It will take every elfish trick he knows, maybe a miracle, and a lot of holiday cheer (from an impressive ensemble cast, including: Scott Carmichael, Hal Kerbes, Erik Gow, Richard McBride, Sarina Sorensen and Scott Walters for his plan to work.

Behind-the scenes a busy workshop has been led by: set and costume designer, Drew Facey; lighting designer, Rebekah Johnson; sound designer, Paul Tedeschini; stage manager, Liz King; apprentice stage manager, Claire Friedrich. Together the production team has decked the sets and scenes, from the North Pole to New York landmarks.

All those “cotton-headed ninny-muggins” who enjoyed the motion picture will be pleased to know that the premise of Elf, along with many of Buddy’s nowclassic lines, stay true to the movie. Though audiencegoers should expect some amusingly fresh tweaks. After all, these days Santa wouldn’t be caught without his ipad list of good girls and boys.

Elf is a modern family tradition that “has enough jokes for adults and enough special effects for kids” (Associated Press). See the story in musical form this season! Playing November 20 to December 31, 2015.

Tickets for matinee and evening performances are now on sale at The Chemainus Theatre Festival by calling the Box Office at 1-800-565-7738, or online at chemainustheatre.ca.

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Win a Cowichan Valley Organic Christmas Dinner!

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vergreen Independent School’s 6th Annual Breakfast with Santa is offering families a full and exciting event this year, including visits with Santa, storytelling, a silent auction, talented vendors and a chance to win a local Cowichan Valley Christmas Dinner!

Taking place on Saturday, November 28th at the Cobble Hill Hall (3550 Watson Road) from 9am – 12pm, this event draws families from all over the Cowichan Valley.

Breakfast includes not only pancakes, but also eggs, fruit and beverages. A delicious gluten-free pancake option is always available.

Back by popular demand – enter for a 1 in 100 chance to win all-local ingredients for a 6-8 person Christmas dinner!

This will include an organic turkey, seasonal vegetables, cranberries, apple cider, wine, bread and of course a pumpkin pie!

Breakfast with Santa is a fundraiser for Evergreen Independent School. Our school enrolls nearly 100 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7, plus

the very popular Evergreen Explorers Playschool for 3-year olds. Evergreen offers a balanced education where academic excellence and individual development are equally valued. Events like Breakfast with Santa reinforce the importance the school places on engaging beyond the classroom into the community that has supported Evergreen for over 30 years.

This has always been a very popular event. Come early for a wonderful morning filled with excitement and joy, and bring your camera to take a photo with Santa! A great start to the Christmas season.

For tickets and info, please call 250-732-2443 or send us an email at evergreentix@ gmail.com.

Family Rate: $20 for a family of 5 Advance: $4/child, $5/adult Door: $5/child, $6/adult

hristmas is fast approaching and there are many great gift ideas to create from your own keyboard or mobile device. A single photo or a collection of photos is a wonderful starting point for creating fabulous gifts. A great way to savour your memories throughout the year is to use your photographs to create family calendars, all occasion cards, puzzles, posters and even decals for favourite objects.

Many local stores provide the print service for these projects at a reasonable cost and with very quick turn around.

Create Your Own Gifts

Fabric transfer and magnetic printer pages are still available. When you combine favourite photographs with transfer sheets you can make t-shirts or pillows and simple quilts.

Create custom magnets for your fridge or other magnetic surfaces. Design personalized business cards, bookplates, mailing labels and even wine labels using with labels easily available in stationary stores today.

Create your own digital memory book for the past year to send to family and friends and your iPad or tablet using a simple program.

If you are a little more adventurous with technology, create your own Christmas eCards to send to family and friends using simple animation programs on your iPad or tablet.

Creating custom Christmas gifts is even more enjoyable when one or two family members create the gifts together. WestView Learning will be offering family Christmas Techie Gift classes this November and early December. Check out our calendar of classes at www. westviewlearning.ca

Follow us on Facebook!

EvergreenIndependentSchool

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f the tag on your child’s shirt feels this big, and the seams on their socks are so annoying they have to turn the socks inside out, and the noise of the automatic flush toilets in the mall send them running out in tears, chances are you have a sensitive child.

These children are also stirred up emotionally, because when they feel more, there is more that bothers them.

If you have one of these children, you probably know what I mean! Grandpa’s loud sneeze would leave my twoyear old daughter in tears. My son can’t stand the smell of some buildings.

Most of us filter out 95% of the information coming our way, and this allows us to pay attention to what is relevant in our world. Sensitive children are bombarded with sensory information, yet many don’t have the ability to filter it.

This can make it difficult to get their attention, because we are just a small part of the noise they hear. Imagine your email inbox with 500 incoming emails and no filters: only 3 are important, but the salient ones do not look any different from the other 497 emails and may be easily missed. Sensitive children either can’t filter out the irrelevant input or “noise,” or they have a greater ability

to tune in. Unfortunately, they can’t grow out of their sensitivity, but we can help them find ways to adapt to and manage it.

Sensitive children require a lot of patience to parent, because they react so strongly to their world, have more emotional outbursts and tend to mature a little later than their lighthearted peers. The more extreme the sensitivity, the more they have to adapt to in their world. The challenge is that with more extreme sensitivity, more vulnerability comes with it. The more vulnerability a child feels, the more likely they will defend against it and hinder process of adaptation. For this reason, we need to help them cultivate a resilience to match their sensitivity (see Cultivating Resilience, October issue). We also have to be more mindful to make our relationship safe, so that their defenses can melt and the maturing processes can take root.

One of the most important things we can do is to protect them from overwhelming experiences and stimulation.

Parents need to put the brake on screens, extracurricular activities and endless playdates and provide more opportunities for expressive activities like building,

affordable sliding scale fees

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drawing, journaling, as well as simple downtime.

The rest of the world is often pushing for these kids to fit in, to be “normal” and function like everybody else They need our support and understanding, because it’s hard enough for them to feel their intense feelings, let alone be shamed or disciplined for them. “You’re too noisy, too difficult, too impatient, too sensitive,” we say. Their strong feelings are not a “choice”, however, but happen to them, and often the vulnerability of their experience is enough to put their brain in defense.

If a child gets stuck in defense, they can be very hard to parent and push us away rather than lean on us for support. Dr. Neufeld, developmental psychologist, says: “Instead of trying to fit them in to normal box, they need our compassion for what it must be like to live in their skin!” We also need to stay in the lead and be in charge of their world, as the sensitive child can avoid the vulnerability of depending on anyone and instead seek to take the helm.

At the same time, sensitive kids are also prone to spoiling. This is not because they get upset and have a fit when we say no, but because we give in to their upset.

There is also a tendency to avoid the “No’s” if we know it is going to bring on a temper tantrum. We spoil the adaptive process when

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Parenting the Sensitive Child we don’t give space for their tears, and their need to be upset. We need to shield them from stressors that overwhelm, but not from the upset that gives birth to resilience.

Sensitive kids often mature later than their peers, because huge emotions are harder to integrate. This means they will have poor impulse control for a while longer than most children. With their tendency toward big emotional expression, they can easily be considered a behavioral problem.

Although classrooms can be overwhelmingly noisy and over-stimulating, these children are often very bright, and can appear gifted.

If we can keep their hearts soft enough, and provide a place of rest and refuge in our relationship, they can blossom into remarkable kids, full of their own potential.

Heather Ferguson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a private practice in Duncan. heatherfergusonconsulting.com.

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November And Marking The Start Of Advent

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ovember at Sunrise Waldorf School is a beautiful time of the year.

Parents are preparing for the annual Winter Fair, while the Faculty are winding inwards in preparation for the beginning of the Advent season. Four Sundays before Christmas, marks the beginning of Advent.

This year Advent begins on November 29th and lasts until December 24th. Advent is such an amazing opportunity to reflect inwards, inwards towards the centre of our being, inwards towards the warmth of the fire. It is a time for reflection, quiet and peace.

The children and faculty at Sunrise will have four weekly assemblies, and will walk through a beautiful labyrinth made from the bows of cedar trees, known as the “Advent Spiral”. This weekly ritual will help us to count down the darkest days towards December 24th, which then sets us towards the slow and gentle return of the light. When we walk the Advent Spiral we slowly spiral into the centre, marking a light on the path, we then slowly spiral back out. With each person’s walk through the spiral, our path becomes more and more lit. It is truly magical, and reflects more accurately the nature of

the season. Fully the opposite of what can sometimes feel like a manic, rushed, and frenzied pace towards Christmas, advent celebrations ask us to count and mark the days with reverence and light.

Advent is a time for recognizing, and bringing our attentions to all of the kingdoms of the earth.

The first light of Advent is the light of stone.

Light that lives in crystals, seashells, and bones.

The second light of Advent is the light of plants.

Plants that reach up to the sun and in the breezes dance.

The third light of Advent is the light of beasts.

All await the birth, from the greatest and in least.

The fourth light of Advent is the light of humankind.

The light of hope that we may learn to love and understand.”

Celebrating advent can bring simplicity and calm to children during what is otherwise an outwardly focussed time of the year. Instead we can focus

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on the natural kingdoms of the earth, and use them as inspiration to create a center piece for the table, or perhaps make a beautiful wreath, lighting its four candles one week at a time.

If you or your family would like to experience walking

through an Advent Spiral, you are welcome to join at Island Oak (Waldorf High School).

The spiral is open to one and all on Sunday November 29 at 1pm - 3pm. Island Oak is located at 5814 Banks Rd. in Duncan. They can also be reached at 250.701.0400 for more information.

WHERE CULTURES CONNECT

250-748-3112

Free language classes, employment and settlement services for eligible www.cis-iwc.org newcomers

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here is a lot of talk about bullying in our schools these days, and considerable resources being allocated to curtail such deplorable behaviour. However, until we address the deepest roots of the phenomenon, such efforts will prove only marginally successful.

Bullying is a practice of intimidation that has been employed by people, organizations, governments since ancient times. It involves ‘spooking’ another – as in spies and spooks – to make them feel unsafe. The techniques are many and varied, but in general they are intended to induce feelings of helplessness and despair in the mind of the recipient.

To this end, some of the most effective bullying strategies are the subtlest, in that the recipient has a harder time convincing their support structure that it is really happening. The consequent psychological isolation can be most devastating.

In matters of politics, bullying tactics are employed as

‘cost effective’ means of preempting an unwanted calamity. For example, in the late 1990s the Clinton Administration effectively spooked the Iranian and Iraqi intelligence communities out of attempting acts of aggression towards the US. Likewise, during the Vancouver winter Olympics close to 1000 specially trained RCMP officers were housed on a ship in English Bay and deployed daily to spook people identified as ‘potential trouble-makers’, including those with histories of coordinating peaceful protests. Pretty much every government through history has engaged in such psychological operations, and in all likelihood the operatives involved have believed themselves to be serving the greater good.

Mind you, having found myself on the receiving end of such harassments in recent years (presumably for helping all kinds of people access the services of highly adept Indigenous healers), I hereby beg to suggest that such is not always the case. But this is

Bullying besides the point.

The point is, children learn very much by what they notice out of the corner of their eye. And the behavioural trends in youth culture are but a de-monstr-ation of the behavioural trends within our adult society. Bullying has been on the rise in our schools, because bullying has been on the rise in our society.

And the more common folk threaten to demonstrate their disenchantment with less-than-inclusive social/ economic/environmental policies... the more

authoritarian powers-that-be will work to suppress them.

So, while some folk work to dispel the darkest of human tendencies, and others opt to continue fanning the flames of war... what say we at least stop blaming the kids who only happen to be mirroring the shortcomings of our collective leadership.

Patrick Amos, M.A. is a natural builder and designer .

Shiinzen Clayworks 250 748 2089

Community Compost Workshops

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esearch has shown that living soils produce higher yields and healthier food–that just plain tastes better. Living soils do this all–while capturing and sequestering carbon. The first step to living soil is good compost. Yes folks, compost can save the world!

In this workshop series we will dig into the art and science of composting.

Participants will learn how to turn food scraps and yard waste into the worlds’ best

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plant supplement. The series is offered three sessions: Session 1: Compost 101 Saving the world one compost pile at a time! | Nov 7, 9am1pm Session 2: Vermicomposting - Let worms do the work for you! | Nov 14, 9am-1pm Session 3: Compost happens! | Nov 21, 9am-1pm Where: All sessions will start @ The CGC Meeting Room | 360 Duncan Street Cost: $25/ session or $60 for all 3, and

10% off for CGC members For more info check out our event page @ cowichangreencommunity.org/workshop-events or email jesse@cowichangreencommunity.org

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ne of the most respected teachers and counsellors in the community is Josef Graf.

Josef trained with Barbara Forest in Toronto who developed the Lifespace Institute Life-Centred Transformational Counselling™.

Her method brings a holistic approach to counselling by facilitating the integration of the somatic (body), mental, emotional and spiritual aspects.

Highly trained, Josef also holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Counselling from Post University, in Connecticut.

Josef’s methods for counselling include a variety of person-andspirit-centred techniques, including Eugene Gendlin’s “Focusing”. Focusing shows how to pause the on-going situation and create a space for new possibilities for carrying forward.

He also applies the Andreas sisters Core Transformation, a personal change technique which takes clients on a healing inner journey to the depths of each person’s own being. Also considered, the most ultimate of forces, empathy.

“At age nineteen I became resolved to get to the bottom of things in the matter of reality (spirituality), however long, or whatever it would take to do so during my incarnation. Since then, the quest has brought me through exploration of numerous spiritual paths, most of which I grew to realize were essentially “touching in” with past life scenarios. This process culminated in the encounter with Anthroposophy about 25 years ago. Since then, thanks to

that foremost renaissance figure of our modern times, Rudolf Steiner, I have had the intriguing engagement of harvesting a wealth of understanding on a daily basis. My counselling and creative activity become empowered through a living exploration of the Western path - that is, Anthroposophy, as delivered by the Master of the Occident. For most of us today, the wind falls out of our sails when faced with the prospect of pursuing a rigorous Western path, even though, one could say, it is a primary mandate and destiny for those who chose to be born in North America or Europe.

In my counselling practice, unless requested to do so, I don’t disseminate Anthroposophy.

Rather, I silently hold anthroposophical understanding as a spiritual sphere for a client to expand into on their own impulse, sort of like providing a freeing space into which an individual can ultimately find room and freedom to breathe into.

And an arena within which the person can become empowered to unfold or make progress with an issue they are contending with whether it be a life path decision, or a call to transform a part of the psyche, or contending with issues of health, grief, addiction, or self-empowerment, finding one’s destiny, or awakening inner resources. Among other arenas I

Blue Tree Creative

By Bonnie Tytel

“When I counsel it is almost never about giving advice, rather, it is about accompanying the client in their journey of process, and facilitating their own way through to their most ultimate answers.

Resolution is the primary goal of an individual’s soul and spirit, so it is always at hand for us.

Occasionally, there comes a request for some guidance in esoteric development. A session can then become more about assisting the person to wend their way through spiritual terrain, and can sometimes call for more informational guidance.” shares Josef.

Holistic Counsellor Josef Graf

Custom made wood signs starting at $25 Hand painted on pallet wood or cedar bluetreecreative@gmail.com I 250-507-6922 FB: Blue Tree Creative by Bonnie Tytel

engage in and teach - watercolour painting, Steiner study groups, improvisational partner dancing I enjoy the process of counselling, using humanistic and clientcentred methods. One could call it holistic psychotherapy.”

Josef currently takes clients in the Cowichan Valley and Victoria, for either counselling or watercolour classes. Also, Steiner study groups are available for those who are interested in exploring the Western path of knowledge.

Josef Graf, 250-709-8583

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

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To Burn or Not To Burn

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utumn is here and, along with the beauty of the season, comes chilly mornings, warm sweaters and watching the weather through the steam of a hot cup of tea. As the leaves fall from the trees, our lawns are slowly buried under a carpet of yellow, brown and red. We sweat and toil to keep up with the progression of fall, raking leaves and chopping and stacking firewood. The reward is a tidy-looking lawn and a cozy, crackling fire to warm our homes.

Using wood to heat our homes and having backyard fires are long-standing traditions in the Cowichan Valley. Many people associate piling leaves on an outdoor fire after a yard cleanup as a familiar, natural practice. Whatever our motivations for burning, it is important that we ensure that our fall activities don’t come at the expense of our family’s or neighbours’ health.

Smoke from woodstoves and burning yard waste is harmful to our health and, therefore, it is important to consider alternatives to burning whenever we can.

Local Air Quality Data Smoke from woodstoves and open burning contains fine particulate matter. A 2014 air quality study for the Cowichan Region identified fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) as the air contaminant of greatest concern for the Cowichan Valley. Because its small size, PM2.5 bypasses our bodies’ natural defenses, travelling deep into the lungs where it can cause structural damage and chemical changes, leading to heart and lung disease. The

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air quality study shows that PM2.5 levels are elevated during the fall and winter months when open burning and home heating is prevalent.

The Cowichan Valley’s exceedance of the provincial PM2.5 ambient air quality objectives is mostly due to wood-burning appliances and local open burning (e.g., burning of yard and garden waste and land clearing burns).

Why Air Quality Matters Research has found that smoke from wood burning

interferes with normal lung development in children.

Children that live in homes with woodstoves have a greater decline in lung function than other children.

Although young, pregnant and elderly people are more sensitive to the effects of wood smoke, healthy adults are also advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during days of poor air quality.

Locally, data from Island Health indicates that in the Cowichan Local Health Area, hospital admissions rates for children with respiratory diseases averaged 70% higher than provincial rates in recent years.

Ltd. in South Cowichan. All yard waste collected at these facilities will be turned into compost.

Alternatives to Burning Yard Waste Burning yard waste creates unnecessary and harmful smoke. According to the David Suzuki Foundation, yard waste such as dead leaves acts as a butterfly nursery, providing a home to the butterfly larvae and to beneficial microbes and worms over winter. So perhaps this fall, give your rake a break and leave the leaves on your lawn. If you think it looks messy, try to remember that leaves on your lawn will serve as mulch, benefiting your lawn and protecting the soil around your plants. Leaves will help suppress weeds and will fertilize your lawn for free as they break down. If leaving the leaves on your lawn is not an option, rake them up and add them to your backyard composters. Brown leaves will help make excellent compost by providing a carbon source to nitrogenrich green waste such as food scraps and grass clippings. If you can’t compost at home, yard and garden waste is accepted for free at CVRD Recycling Centres and at Central Landscape Supplies

Backyard composters come in many shapes and sizes and offer the cleanest way to dispose of yard waste.

Why New Certified Woodstoves Are Better Many Cowichan Valley residents live in older homes that still use a woodstove as the primary heat source.

If this applies to you, it is a good idea to find out what kind of woodstove you have. A certified woodstove would likely have a label on the back or side indicating it complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) emission standards. Older and uncertified woodstoves create 40% more airborne particulate matter (including PM2.5) than certified woodstoves. Certified woodstoves use new burning technologies allowing for a cleaner burn. In addition, the efficiency of a modern woodstove will save you money as it uses only twothirds of the wood required by an old stove to produce the same amount of heat.

If you have an uncertified woodstove, its best to replace it with a cleaner and more efficient heating appliance.

If this is not a viable option, it is helpful to remember that knowing how to operate your woodstove properly and choosing the right wood to burn, regardless of whether the stove is new or old, is crucial to reducing air pollution.

For example, make sure you have cut your firewood to the optimal burning size and that

your firewood is dry enough for a hot, clean burn.

REBATES FOR EFFICIENT HEATING

Moisture meters help you determine the moisture content in wood and can cost as little as $20.

Woodstove Exchange Program With support from the BC Ministry of Environment and the BC Lung Association, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) offers an annual regional Woodstove Exchange Program. The program provides rebates towards exchanging an old, uncertified woodstove (pre1994) for a new, emissioncertified gas, pellet, or wood-heating appliance. This year, funding up to $350 was available for 90 woodstove exchanges on a first-come, first-served basis. As this program is very popular, the 90 rebates for 2015 have now been issued, but the CVRD is hoping to receive additional funding for Woodstove Exchange Program rebates in early 2016. If you are interested in this rebate program, please contact the CVRD by email (es@cvrd. bc.ca) or telephone (250746-2530) now to receive notification once next year’s allotment of rebates becomes available. Meanwhile, visit cleartheaircowichan.ca to learn how to qualify for the rebate program.

Make sure you operate your woodstove correctly, only a small amount of smoke should be visible from your chimney.

Within fifteen minutes of lighting or adding fuel to your woodstove, only a small amount of smoke should be visible from your flue. If this is not the case, make your fire more efficient by using drier wood, increasing the air intake and making sure you are not overloading your woodstove. After all, you are burning wood to heat your house, not to smoke out your neighbourhood. For tips on wood preparation, woodstove operation and learning how to determine if your wood is dry enough to burn, visit cleartheaircowichan.ca and click on “Burn it Smart” and “Resources”.

Oil to Heat Pump Incentive Program City Green Solutions and the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines’ Innovative Lean Energy Fund are currently offering a $1,700 rebate

Valleyview

Centre

So much to offer!

Fitness

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd

Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes Spa and Wellness Reiki Wellness 250 743-8122 Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Reflexology Monet Spa 250-743-6114 Professional Spa services for parties, groups or individuals.

Food

Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat, Produce Deli & Floral Cure Artisan Meat & Cheese 250 929-2873 Charcuterie, Cheese House Made Pates Healthcare Cobble Hill Dental 250-743-6698 Friendly, Family Practice

We Welcome New Patients!

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

OpenED Daily 8am-6pm Heated patio or take out

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

Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out! Cowichan Bay through the Oil to Heat Pump Incentive Program to upgrade oil heating appliances to heat pumps. For information on the Oil to Heat Pump Incentive Program, visit oiltoheatpump. ca.

Reduce Your Need for Heating Rebates are also available from BC Hydro and Fortis BC for home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, draft

proofing, etc.) through the Home Energy Rebate Offer (HERO) Program, which will help to further reduce your need for heating. For full details, please visit the Program Partner websites bchydro.com/powersmart or fortisbc.com/rebates or contact the HERO Program toll-free at 1-877-740-0055.

Ilse Sarady, Environmental Technologist at the CVRD.

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Lucky Dogs...

Life and Leadership Coaching…

Inspired by Horses Insight Horsemanship - bridging horsemanship with mindfulness practice • Equine Facilitated • Learning workshops for Leadership, Communication, Team-building • Equine Behaviour Consulting • Youth Empowerment Programs • Meditation Retreats • Community Events • Farm Weddings

www.spiritgate.ca

michelle@spiritgate.ca

250 737 1484

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1059 CANADA AVE DUNCAN Power Lunch

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

U Bath or WE Bath

Now Grooming & Teeth Cleaning!

250 597-7DOG

www.luckydogubath.ca

Ongoing classes in weaving, spinning, needle felting, knitting and dyeing

Leola’s Studio 250-597-0820 Whippletree Junction www.leolasstudio.com

Vaccines

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Debbie Wood is a Certified Animal Naturopath and can be found at Lucky Dog U-Bath Sun-Thurs 250-597-7364

here. I said it; vaccines.

I know that many of you already have a firm and emotional response. I don’t know why vaccines are such an emotionally charged debate, but it can be added to the list of things to not bring up in polite conversation along with politics and religion.

Legally, you are not required to give your pets any vaccines in our province. As an animal naturopath I like to see as little vaccination as possible. I am not on one side or the other. I take every case individually based on where the dog is from, where the dog is going to live and travel. Vaccinations should never be given during, before, or after surgery including spaying or neutering. A stressed body can have adverse reactions to vaccines.

A healthy body can deal with naturally occurring disease on it’s own and shouldn’t require “boosting”.

Vaccines should be given one at a time to allow the body to adjust and heal from the first one. Now I know this is nearly impossible to get a veterinarian to get around the combo shots, but it’s worth asking about it. While talking to your vet, be sure to ask about vaccine reactions.

Some are within a few hours, but I often see vaccine reactions months later. Nobody wants to take responsibility for these late bloomers, so it’s up to you to take your time and be informed. The drug companies are obliged to declare the side effects of their products. These are vaccine data sheets and can be viewed online. Ask your vet which vaccines she uses and do some research before you get the shots if you get them at all. Also, vaccines do not guarantee immunity and sometimes make the body weaker and more susceptible to illness and occasionally are connected to auto immune diseases.

I am not convinced that vaccines are completely unsafe. I am convinced that they are very often given at unsafe times and in unsafe amounts. Once immunity is established, your pet is likely immune for life according to Dr Ronald Shultz. He and his colleagues have done amazing research into animal vaccines and I encourage you to read their findings before you get your pet jabbed with “booster” shots.

problems occur. The KinPark Family Drop-In meets CAI’s strategic directions of working together to provide culturally safe collaborative community action that increases families’ knowledge and addresses mental wellness and substance use.

The Drop-In offers multiple opportunities for children, youth and families to learn, play, and grow in both farm and kitchen! All classes and drop-in events are free and inclusive to all ages and stages. Starting October to January 2016, the drop-in will run every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with the exception of holidays.

Monday’s from 4PM – 6PM the Drop-In will continue to host family cooking classes at CGC’s commercial kitchen on 360 Duncan Street in Duncan.

Families can learn how to make delicious, easy, and familyfriendly meals featuring local season foods.

The Biologic Vet Advantage For Pet Health And Wellness

Free Family Programs

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ince 2014, Cowichan Green Community (CGC) has been offering free family programming for children, youth and families through the KinPark Family DropIn located in Duncan. The Drop-In’s vision is to offer free, drop-in, family and youth programming to create a stronger, healthier community based around increasing our connections to food and each other.

Funding for this project is through a two-year grant from Community Action Initiative (CAI). Launched by the BC Alliance for Mental Health/ Illness and Addictions through a $10 million grant from the Province of BC, CAI supports community action to promote mental health, prevent substance use problems and support treatment when

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30AM – 11:30AM all are welcome to join in on fun farming activities at the KinPark Youth Urban Farm on 5789 Alderlea Street. Children, youth and families can learn about planting, growing, harvesting food, and other farming “need-to-knows”. It is a great opportunity to release some stress by pulling weeds and planting seeds!

Come on in and see us at Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery and our knowable staff would be happy to assist you.

Rachel Allen 250 882 4198

•Formulated For The Unique Canine Biologic Make Up •No artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives •Well Received - Dog Approved Taste! •GMP and NASC certified -Freshness guarantee • Easy To Use - No Pills, Fuss Free Potency •High Concentration Of Biologically Active Nutrients •Complete With Active Enzymes And Antioxidants. •Proudly Made In Canada!

www.biologicvet.ca

Helping animals and people find balance.

Tellington TTouch

BIO VITES, BIO FATS - Ensuring a strong nutritional foundation for all dogs.

BIO JOINT - Joint and connective tissue BIO SKIN & COAT - Encourages healthy immune & histamine response to allergy triggers BIO SPORT - For Muscle and connective tissue BIO SLIM - Formulated for less active dogs and those with weight management issues BIO SENIOR - Additional nutrient support for senior dogs

Reiki Practitioner Animal Communicator

BeingsInBalance@gmail.com

Lynn’s

VITAMIN GALLERY

HEALTH FOOD STORE Village Green Mall, 4-180 Central Avenue, Duncan

250 748 4421 www.lynnsvitamingallery.com

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Sadie Bartram is a member of the Forest Yogini Collective. She faciliatates a monthly Sacred Chant Circle and weeky Chakra Yoga Classes at Rivendell Yurt. sdbartram@gmail.com

Yoga For Wellness

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he Sanskrit word Yoga means to yoke, to unite or to join together. As I deepen into my practice of yoga, I experience the union of all aspects of my being as well as union/connection with everything around me. In these times where there is so much strife in the world, this awareness of our union and connection with all beings becomes even more important.

Tuning into the daily news can be quite distrubing as we hear stories from around

the world of hardship and environmental degradation.

We see images of starving and dying children and homes and

landscapes being destroyed by war and resource extration.

Our hearts and minds can become heavy with these images and the thoughts of helplessness, hopeleness and despair that they can evoke within us.

Sometimes I become overwhelmed by thoughts of negativity and sadness and feel at a loss as to what do to. At these times, I turn

to mantra to help focus the energy of the mind/thoughts in a more positive way. As I wrote in an earlier article (Nov/14), mantra can be translated as ‘the thought that liberates and protects’.

Through chanting mantra, we harness the energy of the busy mind in a way that benefits us and the greater world, by sending out healing vibrations.

At this time in our planetary evolution, the following mantra seems especially relevant:

Lokaha Samastaha Sukhino Bhavantu (3x) Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om May all beings be happy Peace Peace Peace When I chant this mantra, I send it out to all beings we share this earth with – animals, plants, earth, water, air, rocks, humans... Russil Paul, in The Yoga of Sound writes “This mantra is an eloquent yogic prayer that treats the whole world as our body... Chant it at least once a day; thrice in succession

is preferable.” Chanting this mantra to begin or end your day can be a beautiful, healing practice and a reminder to act and speak in ways that evoke happiness in yourself and others. Through chanting this mantra, we send a prayer of happiness out into the world.

Denise McLean

CERTIFIED LIFELINE™ PRACTITIONER Activate the subconscious mind and have a direct impact on genetic expressions affecting the health of your body and the relationships in your life.

250-732-0247

azstarplays@yahoo.ca

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Infinite Love & Gratitude

By Appointment in Cobble Hill

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

integral part of the Roman and Turkish life, and water therapy continues to play an important role in cultures around the world. This is especially evident in the Finnish culture with the saying, “Two places are holy, church and sauna”.

Helen’s Temple – Therapeutic Steam Room

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s the door closes the outside world is silenced and you are enveloped in warmth. With a full breath the steam moves deep into your lungs, comforting, soothing, and cleansing. You’re sitting in a pocket of paradise. Feel your pores open and your muscles relax. Another deep breath helps to open your sinuses, chest, and lungs.

Your whole body craves the inhalation as outside worries and stresses evaporate into the mist. Steam continues to pour into the room until the opposite wall is totally obscured and you are sitting in a cloud of healing, Helen’s Temple.

Steam has been utilized for cleansing, healing, and increasing health and vitality for thousands of years. Bathhouses were an

The benefits of steam are numerable. Sweat accelerates detoxification by extracting toxins out of body tissues and joints. The heat boosts the immune system response by increasing white blood cell production. The wet heat of steam opens the mucus membranes of the sinuses and lungs, breaking up congestion and aiding in the healing of lung ailments, asthma, bronchitis, as well as cleansing the lungs after quitting smoking. It also speeds up the metabolism and the heat makes it harder for viruses to survive.

Another benefit of steam is the generation of negative ions. Ions are molecules that have gained or lost an electrical charge. Negative ions are created by air molecules being broken apart by sunlight, moving air or moving water. This is why standing next to a waterfall or in the surf can feel especially rejuvenating. Steam creates an abundance of negative ions that when inhaled relieve

stress, combat depression, and increase oxygen to the brain.

Helen’s Temple is now open at Time To Heal located at 511 Canada Ave in Duncan. It is the only private therapeutic steam room in the Cowichan Valley and can be reserved for 1-5 people at a time for 60 minute sessions. Essential oils such as eucalyptus can be added to strengthen and heal the respiratory system.

Healing sessions are available that combine counselling with meditation and visualization to teach clients how to empower themselves to be their own healer.

For more info visit www. timetohealcommunity.com/ steam-room or call 250-597-1099.

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I

t is with mixed emotions that we bid fond farewell to the many kind supporters who made our lives in the World of Cheese so enjoyable and memorable.

At the end of last month we are moving off, what we affectionately called – “Cheese Pointe Farm” - and our home.

There are so many people to thank. We do so with trepidation for fear of missing some.

We must mention our early champions, however, such as Mara Jernigan, Bill Jones, Don Genova, James Barber and Sinclair Philip, who inspired us to pursue our passion. Through their food and hospitality connections, they encouraged us to develop and foster the craft of artisan cheese making and uphold the pillars of the Slow Food movement.

Most importantly, we wish to acknowledge our many loyal customers, who continue to support us. Since 2013, when we sold our two cheese shops,

Hope Farm

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or the last nine years Hope Farm has been operating as a working farm with added purpose. Approximately 130 men in addiction have been part of this ‘restorative farming community grounded in Christian Practice.’ The farmgate sales of chicken, pork, eggs, and vegetables help support the primary work of Hope Farm, which is offering an innovative and effective approach to living beyond addiction.

Those who have seen Johann Hari’s recent TED Talk on addiction will appreciate the

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known as Hilary’s Cheese, we seem to have come full circle.

We started selling from the farm gate, on to farmers’ markets, festivals and special events moving on to fine restaurants and specialty shops before opening our own successful seaside shop in Cowichan Bay and later a second shop in Victoria. Now, fifteen years later, we have retreated to our most favourite venue, the very popular Downtown Duncan Farmers’ Market.

Over these past many years it is you, the customer, who has been our inspiration, our conscience and our feedback loop. Some of you are Seasonal, returning to the Cowichan Valley repeatedly to enjoy the bounty, the community, the weather and the friendly lively customer-service you have grown to expect. To our many incredible, regular repeat customers, who visit our booth through rain, snow and this summer’s scorching heat – Thank you! You have made our life most enjoyable and rewarding. We are proud to call the Cowichan Valley our Home.

We are not leaving the approach at Hope Farm. Since 2010, we have operated from a dislocation approach similar to the one he discusses, addressing the root causes of addiction—a sense of un-belonging, trauma, shame, loneliness, control— rather than merely focussing on the symptoms, the substance abuse and obsessive patterns that we think of when we picture addiction.

With a programme of support and making life together— counselling, sharing meals and living in community, of contemplative practices—Hope Farm offers our community members the opportunity to swap dislocation for belonging, and the labels of ‘addict’ or ‘alcoholic’ for something new—an identity the resident rediscovers over the course of his time at Hope Farm.

Hope Farm is part of Victoria’s Mustard Seed Street Church. For the last forty years, the Mustard Seed has lived out a Christian response to poverty, serving 5000 people a month through frontline

Hilary and Patty Abbott with Don Genova

We’ve sold the farm!

The Big Cheese(s) are off to Age neighbourhood. In fact, we’re moving next door onto the Cherry Point Rhododendron Farm, lovingly created and developed by Roger and Anne Slaby over many years.

Gardening is on the horizon and everything else is possible.

We are also looking for partners to help us continue the legacy.

While we won’t be making cheese at our new farm, we are actively searching for a new location to set-up and operate.

Thank you,

programmes and food bank, opening its doors to all who seek its services.

support, we are able to keep the monthly fee for residents to just $550 a month. One way of doing this is by a monthly commitment to help support a space for one of our residents. Contact mike@hopefarm.ca for more information, or enquire about volunteer opportunities.

Hope Farm operates out of that same spirit of generous care.

While daily Christian practices are part of Hope Farm, the Farm is welcoming to all who wish to commit to the programme.

So remember, “Sometimes all you need is an old friend, a good chat, and a slightly expensive block of cheese.” (Source unknown)

Hilary & Patty hsabbott@gmail.com

Michael Burdge is the Director of Hope Farm and a lifelong Valley resident.

As part of this generous care, Hope Farm makes quality residential recovery available to those who otherwise would not be able to pay. With donor

Friendly Neighbourhood Painting Helping you improve your space Serving the Cowichan Valley

Specializing in Residential Interior and Exterior Services

Eric Stiwich 250.709.2680

ericstiwich@gmail.com

ericstiwich@gmail.com

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

P i c p s e

Pig Tales is a new series of pig stories from around the Valley inspired by our local farmers and friends who have shared their captivating, informative and often hilarious experiences with pigs. If you have a short story to share about a drift of piglets, a sounder of pigs or even just one notable pig please email us at editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com. Wordcount 500 - 750 words.

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Pennsylvania hog farm breakfast report: ‘18 nursing, one stillborn.’

Sometimes a quivering runt would be blanketed in a box by the woodstove with a nippled glass bottle at the ready. Like many mammals, piglets are often birthed at night. A flashlight dot outside my window at any hour of the night was my Dad trudging to the barn on piglet watch.

Hampshires, Saddlebacks, Berkshire Chester, Duroc: spots,speckles, or belts.. red or white or black, always curious.. Wiggling snouts and curled tails snuggled under a heat lamp in a pile

of clean wood shavings, and barn cats. The ‘snout disk’ is an adaptation for rooting. A talent they will soon employ outdoors.

My brother and I have mostly fond memories of ‘riding’ pigs. There’s nothing to hold onto and their sloping back and weird gait is a challenge.

No pigs were harmed in our fun, just irritated. ‘Superpig’ was always eager for play. He was a sturdy but docile red Duroc on whom we would demonstrate to our friends how to properly ride a pig.

“Now you choose a pig and have a go!” Dangling an ear of corn from baler twine just above the snouts of the

masses was great way to ensure that your friend got a decent ride.

In the 1980s the US pork industry essentially turned pork from red meat into white meat, from competing with beef to competing with chicken. Some of this was literal, as breeding resulted in a leaner pig with less fat.

In those days our family ran a hog farrowing operation in Pennsylvania and my Dad was on the Pork Producers Board. After one meeting he moaned that they had NO applicants for the ‘Porcine Princess’ position. I was already the dubious reigning PA 1989 Strawberry Queen.

With big hair, a flimsy tiara and a red velvet robe, I tottered around at State events, mingling with the Honey and Potato Princesses and my favorite, the Soybean Queen. My best friend wore a giant homemade strawberry costume with a sprightly felt green cap/stem that sometimes sagged in the heat of the day. If I could transport back in time, I like to think I would have had the confidence and cachet to pull off the ‘Porcine Princess’ role.

In his book ‘A Lesser Beast’ historian Mark Essig says,” Unlike other barnyard animals, which pull plows, give eggs or milk, or grow

Pig Tales “I like pigs. Dogs look up to us.

Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ― Winston S. Churchill wool, a pig produces only one thing: meat. Incredibly efficient at converting almost any organic matter into nourishing, delectable protein, swine are nothing short of a gastronomic godsend.’ Essig describes the rise of industrial pork production. and how the pig has been reviled and revered in various cultures. It also celebrates the pig as a creature and not just a commodity. He covers the nearly outlaw era of pork packing that led to Sinclair’s famous The Jungle, which led directly to the Pure Food and Drug laws.

Susan Quackenbush was once a Strawberry Queen, now founder of Cheers Cowichan Tours

Doug Marsh Custom Carpentry 250 737-1852 doug_marsh@icloud.com

Gates, Fences, Sheds, Garden Beds, Tables, Shelving, Arbours, Pergolas, Chicken Coops, Greenhouses and more!

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about death, their pretenses and taboos can fall away, people talk very openly and authentically. They say things in front of strangers that are profound, beautiful and sometimes humorous.

In our society an open safe discussion about death is very rare.

Death Cafe

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Death Cafe is being hosted on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the Duncan Public Library from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea or coffee, and discuss death in an accessible and confidential space. The purpose of the discussion is to increase an awareness of death and dying with a view to making the most of their lives. Death Cafes are offered with no intention of leading participants to any particular conclusion, product, or course of action.

The atmosphere is an open and respectful space where people can share personal experiences and thoughts around death and dying.

When people of all ages sit down around a small table (gently facilitated) to talk

The idea of Death Café began in Europe only 5 years ago and has spread to more than 31 countries with thousands of Death Cafes hosted. In the Cowichan Valley organizing and hosting is done by a caring group of community volunteers and agencies who have come together to create these ongoing conversations about death and dying. The Death Café on Nov. 24 will be the 5th held in the past 18 months.

If you are interested in joining the discussion at no cost please RSVP to the Duncan Library at 250 746 7661.

There is a maximum of 50 participants due to room size and use of small tables.

Coffee, tea and treats will be provided.

For more information see the website www.deathcafe.com Rowan Hamilton is a Medical Herbalist in the Cowichan Valley and a volunteer at Death Café.

WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT By Rick Dennis NEW FACE IN PLACE: Meghan Dalskog is the first new curator of the Kaatza Station Museum in Lake Cowichan in thirty years. That is because Barb Simkins has had the job since 1984. (I interviewed Barb several times during my tenure as a cable TV news reporter.) “Having a personal family connection to the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) and being aware of the IWA and Wilmer Gold Collections at the museum & archives I decided to contact Barb about arranging an internship to work with those collections as part of my degree program. I had been studying anthropology at Vancouver Island University,” Meghan tells me. “After my internship I was hired as their summer student for two years in a row, and I volunteered where I could .... Working with Barb has been great ... I first met her as a member of Kaatza Lakeside Players. Theatre is something we both share a passion for.” One of the best things about her new position, she says, is working with the volunteers. (“They are all very knowledgable and very helpful.”)

Meghan is excited about her new job. “There is lots of potential in museums these days for community engagement ... I really enjoy working with young people, so I am hoping I can find ways to make the museum fun and accessible to them.”

MEANWHILE. BACK AT THE LAKE: If Meghan’s last name sounds familiar, her father, Karl Dalskog is cofounder of CICV-FM. The small non-profit community radio station is still on the air (and the internet at cicv. streamon.fm) thanks to volunteers like Michael Bishop, Ian Sharp, Rick and Liz Endres, Randy Liboiron, Lucy and Rick Vermiere, the folks on the Board of Directors and, of course, yours truly, that Rick Dennis guy (Jazz n’ Blues Fridays 3 pm-6pm)

Delicious East Indian Cuisine

Butter Chicken Curry Chicken Vegetarian Specialties Chana Masala Pakoras Samosas

The Daily Grind Dine in or Take Out 3218 Sherman Road • 250-709-2299

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

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) In November, you will explore hidden aspects of yourself. You might do some soul searching or psychological self inquiry.

You might also contact someone who helps you do this. You will have a strong desire to experience life on a feeling level that is real – and not just superficial.

You might also encounter someone who challenges your values. Meanwhile, midst all this desire to become a better person through self-discovery, your passions will be ignited, especially sexually. Woo, woo!

Taurus (April 20-May 20) This month the Sun is as far away from you as it can get all year. Since the Sun is your source of energy, this means you will be more tired than usual. You will need more sleep and more rest. However, this is not the time to go it alone. Au contraire, you will benefit most by working with others and even consulting with experts because other people will benefit you in the month ahead. Study these relationships to discover how well you fill their needs, and vice versa, how well they fill yours.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) It’s good news for you this month because the shift of the Sun will energize you big time! Suddenly, you will want to tackle everything around you to make your life run more efficiently.

You will figure out what tasks need to be done and you will do them. You will want to manage your life in a way that makes every action account. This quest for efficiency will also apply to your health. You will want to eat a more healthy diet and exercise more. (Practice

safe eating. Always use condiments.)

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Lucky you! November is one of the happiest months of the year for you because your focus will be on fun activities – the theatre, the arts, sports, parties, social occasions, playful times of children and romance, romance, romance. You will want to have a good time; and your life will feel more lighthearted and fun loving.

Many of you will have a stronger focus on children and activities with children.

And because there is such an emphasis on social fun -- dating, flirtations, and love affairs will be tops on your menu.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) As the Sun shifts into the sign of Scorpio, for Leos, this heralds an increased focus on home, family and your personal life. Not only will you be involved with parents and family members more than usual, you will also want to retreat or withdraw somewhat. You will enjoy hiding or cocooning at home among familiar surroundings.

These thumb-sucking moments will give you a warm feeling in your tummy.

In this respect, you will use this quiet time to regenerate and catch up on things that have gotten out of control.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Oh boy! Take your foot off the brake because November will create an accelerated daily pace. Suddenly, your schedule will be jampacked with appointments, conversations with everyone, increased interaction with siblings, relatives and neighbours, short trips plus more reading, writing and studying. So much to do!

So little time! This is also an excellent time to have important discussions with others, especially to tell others how you feel about something.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) This month your focus will turn to money, cash flow, earnings and major purchases. As you ponder your finances, you will tend to wonder if your financial situation is your true worth?

Of course, you are not your bank account. You are where you eat and what you drive.

(Kidding.) That’s why at a deeper level, you will ask yourself if you are actually putting your money on the right horse. In other words, do you really know what matters in life? Are your values wise and realistic?

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Happy Birthday! The Sun is in your sign for the first time in a year. Because the Sun is your source of energy, you’ll be energized! In addition, the Sun in your sign will attract people to you as well as attract favourable circumstances to you. You will also be able to project yourself with more force, strength and focus. All of this is not too shabby. Obviously, it behooves you to make the most of this opportunity. You will also be able to make a great impression on others, which is timely because this is going to be such a popular year for you!

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) The Sun is in a hidden part of your chart this month, which affects your subconscious mind. That means this highlights a hidden part of you. We all project a persona to the world of what we think we’re trying to do versus what we are actually doing. (Yeah, the old Queen of Denial bit.) Now your hidden, subconscious persona will be more public.

Silly, childish behaviour patterns might trip you up. (Gulp) Because your personal year is coming to an end, use the next several weeks to plan how you want your new year to be different from last year. Ideas?

NOVEMBER Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) November is more popular than any other month of the year. Enjoy hanging out with friends and dealing with groups, because you will benefit from your relationship. This is not the time to go it alone – be open to what others can do for you. Naturally, this is a twoway street. Examine your friends now. Do you hang out with quality people? It’s important to be aware that your friends influence your thinking, and anything that influences your mind, which makes your choices, will ultimately, influence your future. True dat.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This month the Sun is at high noon acting like a spotlight on you. And lo!

This light is flattering! Since others see you in positive terms, they will ask you to take on new jobs. Just say yes because you don’t have to be a superhero to dazzle them. Meanwhile, this is the best month of the year to examine your life to see if you’re going in the direction you want to go. If you do want to change your direction, this is a good year because you will get support both financial and practical – from others.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) You will be keen to broaden your horizons to travel, study and meet people from other backgrounds this month.

Because you want to expand your world, this is a good time to go back to school, sign up for a course, or do anything that offers you new, fresh and unfamiliar experiences. You want to be stimulated! You want adventure! If you can travel– please do so! Some will be more involved with the law than usual. Others will want to explore religious and spiritual paths. www.georgianicols.com

Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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DIRECTORY

Valley Voice Magazine now offers readers a new directory 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 phone to adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Deadline November 12 for December Issue 84

Boatworks & Timberframes

Accounting Services

www.alternativeaccounting.ca

Woodland Boatworks and Timberframe

Alternative Accounting for Small Business Bookkeeping $38/hr. 25 Years Experience Free Consultation. Client Loyalty Discounts.

On or Off Site Service. Quickbooks Training.

281 Canada Ave, Duncan 250-709-3660

Wooden BOATS,TIMBERFRAME, DESIGN, and Solid Wood CONSTRUCTION

Pat Woodland 250-743-1810 www.biostave.com

Computers Repair and Help

Collector Buying

Framing and Local Art

$$ COLLECTOR BUYING $$

139 Station St. 250-748-3311 ssgfs@telus.net

ABSOLUTELY HIGHEST $$$ PAID Silver dollars, mens old watches, medals, fountain pens, propelling pencils, jewellery, antique swords, muskets etc. (gold coin buyer)

Professional Framing •Local Art •Unique Gifts

250-324-1892 250 210 3205

Education and Tutoring

Remedial Reading Teacher Now Available at the HUB. Kate Woodland, BEd BC Certified Teacher readnow180@gmail.com 250-743-1810

PRE NATAL CLASSES:

- 6 week series - weekend series - one day intensive workshops

Robin Gale 250 732 5859 Farms and Food

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

CHEESE MAKING CLASSES Host a party or Attend a class

Learn to make your favourite cheeses!

Paula Maddison cheesemakingclasses@gmail.com I 250 247 8635

REAL FARM TO FORK EXPERIENCE

Serving Local Beer & Wine • Wood Fired Oven Pizza Night • Rotisserie Organic Chicken Night Open Friday - Monday for lunch & dinner Alderlea Farm and Cafe

3390 Glenora Road, Duncan, 250 597 3438

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

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Health and Healing MELISSA BROWN PATHWAYS OF CONNECTION

Acute or Chronic conditions • Substance dependency • Facial Rejuvenation • MSP & extended health coverage if applicable

• Hellerwork Structural Integration 50% OFF YOUR FIRST • Therapeutic Massage, VISIT! • Body Centered Counseling 250-661-1687 MELISSA BROWN

Wu Wei Acupuncture & Acupressure Clinic Frauke McCashin, R.Ac., Dipl.TCM 1 - (250) 710 3581 Mill Bay & Duncan www.worldwuwei.com

pathwaysofconnection.com

BIOMAGNETISM

Are you suffering from chronic illness, fatigue, or want to boost your immune system?

Certified practitioner & Energy Healer Kathryn Lowther info@biomagcanada.ca www.biomagcanada.ca 250-891-5138

Customizable Organic Mattresses, Pillows, Linens and More 126 Station St. 250-597-REST (7378) www.resthouse.ca

RELEASE, RECONNECT, RECLAIM YOUR POWER & HEALTH

HEATHER LAUZON MONICA MURPHY Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist •Certified Certified Massage Practitioner - Sessions offered Quantum Touch Practitioner • Intuitive Healer with Therapeutic Amethyst Biomat heather@emeraldhealingplace.com 250-732-1405 monica@emeraldhealingplace.com 250-510-1698

Gift Certificates Available www.emeraldhealingplace.com Music, Movement and Yoga

Music & Movement for 6 mos - 4 yrs

Yum Yoga & Dance Studio Cow Bay Weekly Yoga & Dance Classes Nia Dance (www.nianow.ca) Sound Healing Journeys, Sacred Sundays Check out FB for Events and workshops

COME TRY A FREE CLASS

Tues 10am Crofton Community Ctr • Wed 3:30pm Kerry Park • Thurs 10am & 11am Duncan Is Sav Ctr Classes are 50min

Erin Collins 250 746 0390

www.jumpintomusic.ca 778-835-4541 Natural Skincare & Cosmetics

Marketing & Web Design

Prudence

Your Cowichan Valley source for Natural Skincare & Cosmetics

www.MAC5.ca

155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

• Website Design • Social Media • Online Marketing 250-732-2937

Pet Care Debbie Wood Certified Animal Naturopath Carnivore Nutritionist

Support from the inside Monday-Thursday 250-597-7364

PUPPY Extended Stays or Just A Day PATCH Lots of Love & Attention On a Fenced Acreage Your Dog’s Best Friend while you are Away.

Dogs Sleep In Home Duncan 250 748 8323

Spray Tanning Making you look good!

SPRAY TANNING Summer may be over but your tan doesn’t have to be. Office location or in the comfort of your home 250 510 1963

It’s Only Natural... caring for Animals MOBILE PET SERVICE SERVING THE VALLEY Herbal Nutrition - Safe & Effective - Organ health - Chronic Joint & Muscle Discomfort, Digestive Issues and more,

Lesley Lewis NHP, VT, RLAT

250-732-4838

Spacious suites, pickup and drop-off service, kitty cams

Cowichan’s Exclusive Boarding Resort for Cats

That Cat Hotel 250-749-3728 www.ThatCatHotel.ca Wordpress Sites Set Up

WORDPRESS SET UP Richard Badman rbadman@gearth.com 250.746.9319 Duncan, BC

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