May Issue 2012 by Cowichan Valley Voice

Living In The Cowichan Valley

Cowichan Bay Spot Prawn Festival Cobble Hill Children & Apple Pie Fair Maple Bay Wooden Boat Festival

May 2012 Issue 42

FREE 1

FUN

We are building a brick path and YOUR name could be on one! The path will lead from the playground to the school, full of names of past, present and future Bench Families. What a memory to leave at our well loved school. Businesses are also welcome to buy a brick. See our Buy a BRICK for Bench! website www.benchelementary.com for order forms. You can also buy a Bench for Bench!

Come Dine With Us!

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

Benchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Fun Fair

k path and on one! The playground mes of past, ch Families. e at our well es are also k. See our r Bench! mentary.com n also buy a ch!

Bench Elementaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual

FAIR

FUN FAIR Saturday, May 12th 10:30am-3:30pm

Our Gym is FULL of fun games & prizes! Our famous Haunted House and Cake Walk

HUGE Plant, Book & Clothing Sale

We invite you to forever associate your family or your business name (or both) with this worthy project by purchasing an engraved brick or a bench plaque.

Vendor Market, Food Vendors Petting Zoo and MORE!!!

Everyone Welcome! 1501 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay

Cobble Hill, 3515 Watson Avenue Phone: 250 743 - 2433 email: evergreen@evergreenbc.net

A unique gift that will provide endless satisfying and nourishing culinary experiences.

rosettastonekitchenware.com 250.709.0720

Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 - 936 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan V9L 5X4 Copy Editor Maeve Maguire Advertising Enquiries Please Call Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 or 250 748 0926 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Please upload your information through our website Please include: Date & Event Title IN SUBJECT Be advised that space is limited to up to 2 spots per business and is prioritized by 1st sent, 1st printed. Next EVENTS deadline May18th for June 2012 Issue. E-mail to: events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Valley Voice magazine reserves the right to exclude any submitted listings due to space. Valley Voices Bill Jones, Bruce Wood, Julia Grace, Aija Steele, Jo Ludwig, Asrael, Pat Amos, , Rick Dennis, Dee Kinnee, Roger Foucher, Kristi Seggie, Heather Walker, John Ehrlich, Joanne Sales, Shawn Taylor, Linda Quiring, Carol Messier, Bridget Bruneski, E,lissa Barron, Margot Page, Sandra Greenaway, Helen Agg, Jean Crowder, Rick Julliusson, Maggie Block, Ramona FroehleSchacht, Nicolette Genier, Sheila Badman, Cari Burdett, Soleil Mannion, Peter Oliphant, Simon Pidcock, Kenzie Cuthbert, Megan Seal, Lee Masters, Don Genova, Tammy Mercer, Katlhy Lachman, Sheila Jones, Ms. Polly, Sue McKitrick & The Lovely Georgia Nicols We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Valley Voice magazine reserves the right to edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other authors. Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450 + select locations throughout the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith,Victoria, Courtenay and Tofino. Cover Image taken by Sheila Badman Young lambs and a sheep taken on a local farm.

Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Beginning May 1st Valley Voice will be distributed from Victoria International Aiport A Gateway to the Island! Summer season is just around the corner. Are you ready to advertise to over 25,000 local readers from over 450+ locations about your business?

Contact Adrienne Richards for specials to kick off your Advertising season! Now Booking June 2012 Issue 43 AD Deadline: May 18th 250 748 0926 / 250 510 6596 cell adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

PAGES Table of Contents 4 May Community Calendar 7

Our Community

Dee Kinnee’s Chemainus Report 20 All About Our Pets 32 Websites, Emails and Verbal Lint 34 Mompreneur Tracey Hanson of Clean Choice Cleaners 46 Crowder’s Corner 50 Adult Literacy Program Launched 51 Cowichan Valley Feature Listings 52 Cowichan Valley Directory 54-55

Local Food and Recipes

Milling Your Own Flour 6 Merridale Ceasar Recipe 12 Walkabout the Salt Spring Market: Moonstruck Cheese 10 Farmhouse Poultry Spot Prawn and Chicken Spanish Rice 13 Bil Jones Crispy Spot Prawn and Chili Wontons 17 Wild Foods - Just Juice It 43 Chef Bruce Wood’s Nettle Gnocci Featuring Moonstruck 50

Farm & Garden Pages

Earth Medicine Workshop 5 On The Farm w/ SOL Farm Compost 22 Helpful Garden 23 Growing an Edible Oasis 24 On The Farm w/ Makaria Farm - Tomatoes 25 The Broom Stops Here: May Broom Tips 26 Local Root Pulling Tool - Extractigator 27 Art-Penter Doug Marsh 28 Local Handmade Gardening Soap 48

Events

4th Annual Spot Prawn Festival 14 -19 Kids Can Fish Day 21 17th Annual Wooden Boat Festival 39 28th Annual Children & Apple Pie Festival 47 Equine Education Event 33 Vintage Hat Making Workshop 41

Art, Music, Theatre

Talking Arts: John Agg 30 Artists Remember Japan 39 One Voices for One World Call for Singers 40 Noises Off 41 Ensemble Laude 51

Sport, Recreation & Healthy Living

Cowichan Bay Whale Report 19 Dr. David Suzuki Green Vision29 South Island Fishing Report 34 Spring Tune Up Golf Tips from The Pro 35 Family Outing to the Glenora Woodlot 49

Body, Mind & Soul

Qigong Seminars with Master Michael Tse 36-37 Adrenal Health 42 Community Farm Store Pages 44-45 Communication with Children 49 May Horoscope with Georgia Nicols 53 Outnumbered! Sue McKitrick 53

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

Biodynamic Farm Conference

Dennis Klocek

or those who are interested in fostering a deeper connection to the natural world in their garden or farmscape, Alderlea Farm and Cafe is hosting Dennis Klocek in May, an international lecturer, researcher, and scientist, and the current Director of the Consciousness Studies Program at Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento for a mini-conference, entitled “Earth Medicine”. Dennis Klocek, who has written six books including the Biodynamic Book of Moons, will be leading this workshop and promoting methods that

bring healing to our soils, forests, and landscapes. Many argue today that the environmental crisis is a direct result of a crisis of the human consciousness and the dysfunctional relationship humans have towards nature. Dennis will introduce the small steps we need to take to bring healing to ourselves and to our gardens that will initiate this process. Most of this work originates out of Bio-dynamic farming and gardening methods, developed over the last 70 years that have become internationally renowned for creating exceptional quality and sought after products via the Demeter brand.

workshop. The mini-conference will be interspersed with lectures and exercises to cultivate our inner life. Held at Alderlea Farm, the Friday evening talk is at 7pm and open to the public. The full conference continues all day Saturday from 9am-5pm and registration is required. email johnkaty@ shaw.ca for more information.

Earth Medicine - Agricultural Workshop with Dennis Klocek

Friday May 4th 7:30pm Saturday May 5th 9am - 5pm $125 Includes organic lunch and refreshments Alderlea Farm & Cafe 3390 Glenora Road To register: 250 715 0799 or e-mail: johnkaty@shaw.ca

“I first attended one of Dennis’ workshops in 1993 as a farm apprentice and he quickly opened my eyes to the intelligent design in the natural world through geometry and how I could begin to work in a co-creative way with the four elements to grow better food,” said farmer John Ehrlich of Alderlea Farm and host of the

Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Sansum Point Still Needs Your Help.

Please Donate to TLC (The Land Conservancy) and Pay For the Point! Alan and Hanna Gerber Singing for Sansum Point

Check out the “Sansum Point Songs” video on YouTube. Cowichan Valley Regional District’s

Sansum Point Park has many special features that make it a culturally and environmentally significant marine park and outdoors classroom. Quamichan Middle School is sponsoring events on May 3rd and 4th to raise awareness that The Land Conservancy (TLC) still has $380 000 to raise in order to meet its commitment for the CVRD purchase of the Sansum Point Marine Park.

Thursday, May 3rd @ 8pm: Alan & Hanna Gerber in Concert at The Duncan Garage Showroom Pick up your $20 ticket at Ten Old Books or Quamichan Middle School.

Quamichan Middle School

Friday, May 4th @ 4pm: Video Taping of the Believe chorus with Alan and Hanna Gerber at Quamichan Middle School

This is a free mini-concert for anyone from the community who is enthusiastic about conservation and the benefits for youth of spending time in outdoor classrooms. Workshop participants are encouraged to reflect on and use their own words to express what they believe is important in their relationship with Nature. Fill in your own syllables above Alan’s words to express what you believe.

“Believe” by Alan Gerber

(8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________ I believe I’m yours, you’re mine (11)_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ Standing together forever we’ll shine (8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________ I know you see the way I feel (8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________ ‘cause I’ve got the ﬁre inside me (6)_________ ________ _________ _________ _________ _________ That burns through to reveal (9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Without the day there could be no night (11)_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ And without you I’m a mirror with no light (8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________ Sometimes when I feel all alone (9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ All I gotta do is close my eyes (9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ And I see your face and I know (6)_________ ________ _________ _________ _________ _________ That you believe in me too

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

Community Calendar

MAY 2012

all May

Noises Off Chemainus Theatre Festival, 250 246-9820

12 10:30am -3:30pm

Bench Elementary Community FUN FAIR! Bench Elementary School, 1501 Cowichan Bay Rd

runs to 26

John Agg, Sandra Greenaway and Margot Page Imagine That! 251 Craig St, Duncan

12 & 13

Prawn Fest Chef Demonstrations Sat 11am-4pm Cowichan Bay Waterfront www.prawnfest.ca for times

1 7:30pm

Green Party (of BC) Constituency Association AGM Travelodge Silver Bridge 140 Trans Canada Highway

13 10am and 1pm

Mother’s Day Brunch at Amuse on the Vineyard 2915 Cameron-Taggart Rd RSVP 250.743.3667

2 7pm

Vancouver Island Heather Society Lecture St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 5800 Church Street, Duncan

13 starts at 10am

Mother’s Day Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Genoa Bay Cafe 5000 Genoa Bay Rd 250 746-7621

2 3:30pm

Bike To Work Week Launch - Ride to City Square assemble at Beverley Corners and ride starts at 4pm

17 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Glandular Health Class w/ Lorene Benoit (Glandular, Happy Hormones) Duncan White Spot $15 250 743-0544

2,9,16,23,30 1-2pm

Women’s Writing Group FREE Cowichan Library Info:ythedges@hotmail.com

7:30-9:30pm

Dancing through the Chakras with Christy Rainbow Dawn Harmony Yoga, Duncan, 250-737 1800

3 (see ad )

Alan and Hannah Gerber Sing for Sansum Point Duncan Garage Showroom Duncan $20 for TLC

18 7:30pm

Kaatza Art Group Show & SaleDawn Upper Centennial Hall – Lake Cowichan

3 11am-4pm

Vintage Hat Making Workshop By Donation St. John’s Anglican Church, 3295 Cobble Hill Rd

19 11am start

South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club - Opening Day and BBQ 2290 Cowichan Bay Rd, 250-746-7282

3,10,17,24, 31 7pm

Open Meditation Every Thursday VIU - Cowichan Campus, Duncan 778 422 0155

19 7:30pm

Gary Fjellgaard & Friends Saskia & Daryll The Hub in Cowichan Station 250 715 0426 Tix $20

3,10,17,24, 31 2-7pm

Thursday Farmers Market Across from Cobble Hill Hall in Cattle Barn of Fairgrounds

19 opening 10am-2pm

Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market Opens Coffee Mill Cafe site, Honeymoon Bay 250 749 7233

3,4,5,10,11 8pm show

Mending Fences - Kaatza Lakeside Players Lk Cowichan Hall, www.kaatzalakesideplayers.ca

19 11am

Launch of new Orchard Cookhouse and Économusée Merridale Ciderworks, 1230 Merridale Road 250.743.4293

4 (see ad ) 4pm

Alan and Hannah Gerber Sing for Sansum Point Quamichan Middle School FREE CONCERT

18, 19 & 20 10am -4pm

17th Annual Maple Bay Wooden Boat Festival Maple Bay Marina, 6145 Genoa Bay Rd

4&5

Earth Medicine Conference with Dennis Klocek 3390 Glenora Rd, Duncan, johnkaty@shaw.com

19 & 20 1-4pm

Float Home Open House - By Donation to CV Food Basket J Dock, Maple Bay Marina, 6145 Genoa Bay Rd

4 7-9pm

CIS Community Dance Night FREE Kids Welcome! Quw’tsun Cultural Centre200 Cowichan Way 250 748 3112

20 7-8:30pm

Sacred Chant Circle with Sadie Rivendell Yurt sdbartram@gmail.com 250-748-2089

4,11,18,25 10-11:30 am

Threshold Singing world, folk, blessings, gospel, lullabies Lila Music Centre 3228A Gibbins Rd 250 701 0978

23, 24 & 28 6-9pm

Chun Yuen Quan seminar “13 Grab Stick” with Master Michael Tse Glenora Hall 3660 Glenora Rd, 250 748 4060

5 5pm

Verse & Vision in Shawnigan Art House, Shawnigan Lake Village 250 743 5846

22 7pm

Ladysmith Camera Club “Underwater Photography” Hardwick Hall, High Street, 3rd Ave, Ladysmith

5 noon 4pm

The Garden Club/Student Art Show Reception 7pm Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery 610 Oyster Bay Drive

24 6:308:30pm

Qigong Healing and Diagnosis with Master Michael Tse Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Road, Duncan. 250 748 4060

5 10am-2pm

Mayfest - Free Community Event Sunrise Waldorf School, 4344 Peters Rd

24 12- 4pm

Joint Opening and Closing Gong” Seminar with Master Michael Tse Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Rd, 250 748 4060

6 2pm

Sara Marreiros Duo Shady Grove at the Sussmans 250-929-8226.

26 Noon -3pm

Kick Off the Subaru Shawnigan Triathlon in Shawnigan Lake Village

6 2-4pm

Jewellery Jam Open House Reception The Pottery Store, 9745 Willow St, Chemainus

26 & 27

The Schooling Ride and Equine Educational Fair Cowichan Exhibition Park

6 13, 20, 27

Nichiren Buddha Sunday Service # 4 Johnny Bear Road, Duncan For info 250 710 7594

26 10am -3pm

28th Annual Children and Apple Pie Fair Cobble Hill Hall and Fairgrounds 250 743 2433

6 11am

Art & Soul responding to an inspirational theme Art House, Shawnigan Lk Village lauralee99@hotmail.com

11am - 2pm

Arts, Crafts Hobby Demo’s $2 Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre 9824 Willow Street

7 7:30pm

Victoria Symphony Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St 250 748-7529

28 7pm

Reel Alternatives - The Way Cowichan Theatre $12 benefitting CV Hospice Society

11 7pm

Om Chanti Kirtan with Karen Allen by donation Harmony Yoga 201-111Station St. Duncan, 250 701-0360

28 7:30pm

Jason and Pharis Romero Shady Grove at the Sussmans 250-929-8226.

12 7:30pm

Cowichan Consort Concert www.cowichanconsort.com Christian Reformed Church, 930 Trunk Rd, Duncan

28 & 29

Bike To Work Week Celebration Stations Hosted by Power Lunch 921 Canada Avenue

12 5pm drs 6pm show

Mending Fences-Dinner Theatre Show Catered by the Cow Café Lk Cowichan Hall www.kaatzalakesideplayers.ca

30,31 & 1st

Bike To Work Week Celebration Stations Charles Hoey Park Hosted by the Garage Café

6:30-8:30am 6:30-8:30am

Consider Milling Your Own Flour with a Home Mill

et’s face it: Flour has been a basic pantry necessity since...well, forever. Today, you can find large sacks of flour at ridiculously low prices in weekly sales flyers from local grocery stores. Why on earth would you add the extra burden of grinding grains into fresh flour to your already insanely busy schedule? Once you actually start looking into it, it doesn’t take long to discover that there are numerous cost and nutritional benefits to making your own flour.

Cost

Grains store very well and you can purchase them cheaply in bulk. Certain specialty grains like kamut, triticale or hulled oats are difficult or expensive to find in flour form, but easy to grind on your own. You can store all grains, along with legumes, rice and dried beans in your food supply area to grind as needed.

with that added ‘bonus’, commercial contains only a fraction of the food value of the whole grain kernel. Even though there are over 30 known nutrients in the wheat kernel, most, if not all, of these are removed during the high temperature processing method practiced by commercial producers. By removing the wheat germ, flour producers are able to remove the oil that makes freshly ground flour turn rancid before it reaches grocery store shelves. ‘Enriched’ flour is the term they use when a couple of those essential nutrients, and a handful of bran are added back. How considerate!

Nutrition

Thanks but no thanks. Some believe that the wheat germ is the life force of the grain and I prefer to leave it intact. When you mill your own flour, you know that your family is getting all the amazing nutrients this humble little grain has to offer.

Whole grains are an impressive food. Low in fat, they are very high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Most store-bought flours have been ‘enriched’. Even

Have you ever smelled freshly ground flour? The scent is mouth-watering and far superior compared to storebought white and wholewheat flours. A home mill can also grind staple food items like lentils, rice, dried beans and corn into flours to add extra boosts of nutrition, flavour and texture to your

If you are constantly looking for the healthiest options for the family adding freshly ground grains can significantly increase the nutritional quality of our diets.

Eliza Hemingway Art and Design Studio 9752-F Willow Street, Chemainus Hours: Open 11-4 Thursday to Saturday Studio now open for 2012 Season. email: elizahemingway@shaw.ca Phone: 250-324-2212

cooking. Wheat or gluten allergy? Milling introduces a great opportunity for sensitive families to increase their home cooking menu without having to rely on expensive specialty food products.

Home Milling

Finding a suitable grain mill for your family is worth the time, effort, and money. There are many options out there, including electric mills, hand mills and some high end blenders. Here at the Bosch Kitchen Centre, we love the L’Equip Nutrimill Flour Mill. The Nutrimill is the quietest mill on the market. It is a well-designed impact mill with a Force Flow air chamber that reduces noise and improves motor cooling. The variable drive motor allows you to make fine to coarse flour that feeds directly into the large 20 cup canister. The pre-cracking chamber in the center of the grinding micronizer helps to crack bigger grains like corn or soybean before they hit the outer teeth. It takes approximately 5 minutes to fill the canister with delicious fresh flour (seriously, don’t blink or you’ll miss it!). To

avoid the natural oils turning rancid, it is important to use home-ground flour soon after it is milled. Otherwise keep it in the fridge or freezer until it is ready to be used. We also offer large sacks of organic grains including Wheat (Hard Red, Hard White, and Soft), Kamut, Spelt and Rye available for pick up in Cowichan Bay. These grains are available year round, however each fall we bring in bulk quantities of other grains, legumes, and beans. For Valley Voice readers, we are offering competitive pricing and a freebie attachment for the L’Equip Nutrimill (look for our ad!) To find out more about wholesale grains or to see the Nutrimill in action, visit the product demos page on www.healthykitchens.com, For questions about grinding your own flour or the Nutrimill call Pam at 250-701-0864. Pam Stiles is a Cowichan Valley lover of all grains and can be found at www. healthykitchens.com

Eliza Hemingway Writer’s Class Thursdays, 6pm - 7:30pm Cowichan Library, Duncan Free- Everyone welcome Details: www.elizahemingway.com

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

Merridale Opens New Cookhouse

n partnership with Économusée, merridale has been designated as one of the first working artisan museums in BC. An Économusée is much like a living museum, where people can visit and learn from artisans who are following craft methods of creation in a contemporary world. The heart of the Économusée is the artisan’s workshop. In merridale’s case, the workshop is the cidery, distillery and bakery. On May 19th, merridale launches the Orchard Cookhouse menu. The event will feature lots of sampling, freebies, raptor demonstrations, tours and free mini spa treatments! Plus Artists In Action Carol Ann Shaw (painter), Richard Shaw (carver), Devon Gillot (painter), Andrew Kent (willow master) and resident artist Pipi Tustian will be onsite to answer your creative questions. Hope to see you there!

Alan Gerber Sings for Sansum Point

In 1965. Producer Paul Rothchild (The Doors, Paul Butterfield, Janis Joplin) discovered Alan’s talent and soon he was a singer,

songwriter and keyboardist for a group to become known as Rhinoceros. He has toured with Janis Joplin, BB King, Jefferson Airplane, Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf, John Lee Hooker, Jeff Beck and others. Alan and his daughter Hanna are in town for 2 intimate performances on May 3rd at the Duncan Garage Showroom and on May 4th at Quamichan Middle School to sing with kids about what they believe in.

BOSCH KITCHEN CENTRE online at

www.healthykitchens.com

GRAIN/FLOUR MILL

• Mill your own ﬂour from

wheat, rice, beans legumes and more! • Variable speed and coarseness • 20 cups of flour in 5 minutes • Bake Gluten-free food from scratch

DRAFT ON SALE $259.99

We carry large sacks of Organic Grains: Red or White Wheat, Spelt, Rye, Kamut and Soft Wheat

FREE FLOUR BAGGER ATTACHMENT!

This flour bagger attaches to the NUTRIMILL • Mill right into a freezer safe bag (included) • Easy clean up • Large capacity freezer bags allow you to mill more grain at once (includes 10 bags) Regular price - $64.99 LIMITED QUANTITIES!

CALL Pam or Carol at 250 709 0864

COWICHAN BAY SHOWROOM OPEN BY APPOINTMENT

www.Healthykitchens.com

Honeymoon Bay Every Saturday Outdoor Market Every Saturday 10am - 2pm May - Thanksgiving

For market info call Bob at 250-749-7233 or 250-510-1113

Look for in-season local produce, plants, flowers, sewing, baking, preserves, handmade soaps, bodycare, arts & crafts and more! Follow the signs to the Coffee Mill Cafe in Honeymoon Bay.

Sara Marreiros Duo Sunday, May 6th 2 pm Shady Grove at the Sussmans, Mill Bay 250 929 8226 members.shaw.ca/ lmarreiros A Victoria native, from the Portugese community, Sara is known as an interpreter of Fado music. She has just returned from a trip to Portugal where she has refreshed the links to her ancestry. With her bassist making it a duo Sara will use her beautiful voice

Sara Marreiros

for Jazz, Pop, Original and Fado numbers.

Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Walkabout The Salt Spring Market

Every morning when I wake up, I make myself a coffee and pad sleepily onto the deck. Savouring the first sip, I gaze out over a herd of Jersey cows at Moonstruck’s organic farm. Moonstruck is no ordinary dairy farm. Owned and operated by Julia and Susan Grace, it is home to about 25 happy Jersey cows, heifers and frisky calves. One of the things I most admire about Susan and Julia is the love and care they take with their herd. They are the embodiment of the Gandhi quote, “The greatness of a society and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals.” The cows are milked every day; this milk is in turn used to produce some of the most beautiful cheeses I have ever tasted. The cheeses range from soft, unctuous camembert-style rounds, to deeper flavoured blues and---one of my favourites--a hard cheese called White Grace. On my 50th birthday, I shared a bottle of 1959 Moulin Touchais wine with Susan and Julia and we had it with some of their White Grace -- the combination was sublime.Though all the cheeses stand on their own on a cheese board, they shine

Photo Aija Steele

when used in cooking. I often use the White Grace in place of hard Italian cheeses for pasta. The blues go very well in tomato- and cream-based sauces. A popular Bruce’s Kitchen menu item is squash gnocchi with local lamb meatballs and Beddis Bleu. The cheeses are available at Moonstruck Farm, major grocery and specialty food stores, by mail order, and, of course, at the Saturday Market in Ganges on Salt Spring Island. Treat yourself to some soon. To find out more, visit www.moonstruckcheese.com Did you know they even do mailorder? Fresh from Salt Spring Island to your door express delivery cheese. Bruce Wood is chef/ owner of Bruce’s Kitchen in Ganges on beautiful Salt Spring Island. www.bruceskitchen.ca

Julia having some special time with Mimosa

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

Happy Moonstruck Cows Make Delicious Cheese Our cows are Jersey cows and we love working with them because they are small, very intelligent, and give a sweet and rich milk that is well-suited for cheesemaking. The cows know their names and know which order they come into the parlour; they are milked twice a day, at 6 a.m. in the morning and at 4 p.m. in the evening. The cows have a large Coverall barn they can lounge in whenever they want, and they are fed hay and haylage in outside feeders. Our hay comes from the Cowichan Valley and is certified organic. In the milking parlour, they are given grain that comes from In Season Farms in Abbotsford. We have just finished the bulk of our calving and have a few more cows yet to calve. We have six yearling heifers and three heifer calves so far this year. We tend to milk 18 – 20 cows. The male calves go to homes on the island where they are lovingly raised for delicious beef. We raise our own cows because we want to know as much as we can about the milk that goes into our cheese.We adjust the cheesemaking to suit the changes in the composition of the milk over the course of the cow’s lactation. The cows make us smile and bring us peace and a sense of purpose. They are also a lot of work but we couldn’t think of doing it without them. Our cheesemakers get to look out the window of the cheeseroom and watch the cows as they eat and graze. There is a nice sense of cohesiveness and integrity to what we do and we are honoured to work with the cows and their milk.

Check out Chef Bruce Wood’s Handmade Nettle Gnocchi with Moonstruck White Grace on page 50.

Join us on Mother’s Day for Brunch & Dinner!

Sunday May 13th from 9am Here Comes Summer...

Starting May 14th We are OPEN 7 Days a Week! Lunch and Dinner from 11:30am Come Check Out our New Spring Menu

5000 Genoa Bay Road, Duncan Scenic drive under 20 min. from downtown Duncan

Reservations 250-746-7621 • genoabaycafe.com

Julia Grace

Fresh Organic Artisan Pastas & Pasta Sauces SPRING COOKING CLASSES May 3 SUNNY SICILY Don Genova $65 + tax May 15 SPANISH TAPAS Chef Ryan Zuvich $65 + tax May 24 THE ODD BITS Don Genova $65 + tax June 8

SOUTH EAST ASIAN VEGETARIAN Chef Heidi Fink $70+tax June 19 FRENCH BISTRO Chef Ryan Zuvich $65 + tax June 26 4 COURSE LOCALLY SOURCED MEAL Chef Brock Windsor (Stone Soup Inn) $65+tax Check kilrennyfarm.com for details & call 250-743-9019 to register.

KILRENNY FARM - FRESH ORGANIC ARTISAN PASTAS & PASTA SAUCES AS WELL AS COOKING CLASSES:

Going Outside in the Field – May 03 THURSDAY FARMERS MARKET 2-7pm In The Field, Cobble Hill Hall thursdayfarmersmarket@yahoo.ca

20th Annual

Saturday May 5th, 2012

11:00am – 3:00pm

Downtown Qualicum Beach www.fireandicestreetfestival.com

Vote for your favorite chili!

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

Chicken n and you ca and home with your before coa if you pref

“It’s fresher from here”

Spot Prawn and Chicken Spanish Style Rice

A great way to celebrate the opening of BC’s Spot Prawn season and delicious local chicken. Surf and Turf!

Ingredients

Island Farmhouse Chicken Pieces (Breasts or Thighs) Island Farmhouse Chicken Sausage Onion, chopped Garlic, minced Tomato, chopped or grated Red Pepper, Diced Arborio or Valencian Rice Saffron Paprika Chicken Stock Green Beans Olive Oil Spot Prawns, cooked Salt and Pepper Lemon Wedges

Amount

1 Lb 2 Links 1 1 Clove 1 1 1 Cup A good pinch 1 tsp 2 1/2 Cup A Handful 4 Tbsp 1/2 Lb To Taste For Garnish

Heat olive oil in a large and deep frying pan and saute chicken sausage for 2-3 mins. Remove and set aside. Add chicken pieces to the pan and saute quickly over medium high heat until nicely browned. Remove and set aside with cooked sausage. Fry onion, garlic and grated tomato to hot pan and fry until soft and carmelized. Add saffron and paprika. Grilled Ribs

The Odd Bits with Don Genova

Kilrenny Farm 1470 Cowichan Bay Road May 24 6pm -8:30pm 250-743-9019 www.dongenova.ca Join Don Genova for a savory class in using up the “odd bits”, cuts of meat that are less expensive but require a bit more care in preparation. Asian shortribs, Moroccan lamb shanks and easy pulled

pork shoulder are just a few of the ideas you will learn to make during this tasty evening. Don Genova is a freelance food journalist who lives in Cobble Hill. He appears every Wednesday afternoon on CBC Victoria’s ‘All Points West’ radio show with a segment called ‘Food Matters’. Don profiles Island food and beverage artisans and also tackles the tricky questions concerning the best way to lead a more sustainable food life.

Add uncooked rice and coat well with oil. Add chicken stock and stir once. Bring to a boil and cook on medium high for 10 minutes. Watch closely for burning. After 10 min turn down to low and add beans and spot prawns on top of rice layer. Simmer for 10 more minutes. Do not stir mixture to avoid sticky rice. If mixture seems dry, add hot kettle water sparingly to moisten. After liquid has been absorbed (about 20 minutes) remove pan from heat and let sit. Garnish with cooked chicken and sausage and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve on warmed plates with lemon wedges.

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

Fire and Ice in Qualicum

his will be the 20th year for this festival and the main street of the town will be closed to traffic as up 6,000 people from Vancouver Island and Vancouver’s Lower Mainland visit for this fun-filled family event. The theme for this year’s fun family event is “Celebrate Art and Culture” Oceanside’s famous chili cookoff is the centerpiece of the Festival where up to 30 teams in their decorated booths compete for the coveted “Peoples Choice Award”. A one-time cup purchase for $4.00 will allow you to go from team to team sampling the culinary fare and voting for your favourite. Ice carvers, located throughout the town, will work their magic with chainsaw and chisel on two large blocks of ice as spectators gather round to watch. Carvers come from across Western Canada and the USA to compete for cash prizes at this annual event. Musical entertainment comes

Vote for your favorite chili!

from 3 stages featuring wellknown local and recording artists. As Fire and Ice is a familyoriented street festival there is a “Kids Zone” which is one of the busiest places in town with lots of little people getting their faces painted, watching balloon twisting, playing games and participating in activities planned just for them. Volunteers are there all day to ensure that kids of all ages are entertained. www.fireandicestreetfestival.com

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

Photo Marnie Recker

FEAST

Culinary Events to Celebrate West Coast Vancouver Island Boat-to-Table Cuisine May 18 - June 2

ourism Tofino and the Tofino-Ucluelet Culinary Guild (TUCG) unveiled the details of the second annual Feast! Tofino -- a 16-day-long series of culinary events to be held on the West Coast of Vancouver Island beginning on May 18, 2012 and culminating with the Tofino Food and Wine Festival, June 1-2, 2012. A collaboration between acclaimed local and regional guest chefs, restaurants, fishermen, foragers, farmers, accommodation, activity and tour providers, Feast! Tofino celebrates the abundance of available seafood and the sustainable “boat-totable” practices commonly employed by the area’s restaurants and the TofinoUcluelet Culinary Guild. “We are building on the remarkable success of the first Feast! celebration to give food lovers another year of unforgettable culinary experiences,” said Feast! Tofino Event Coordinator Trish Dixon. “Some of the region’s most accomplished chefs will be joining our amazing local culinary talent to create fresh, inspired and real cuisine that supports our area’s boat-to-table food preparation practices.”

Feast! Tofino 2012 highlights include: $29, $39 and $49 “Dine About” set price menus, Salmon Dock Festival (May 19), Spot Prawn Dock Festival (May 26), Restaurant events featuring acclaimed local and guest chefs. Educational “on the water” tours. Sustainable seafood processing and preparation demonstrations. Feast! Tofino’s regional guest chefs include: Justin and Lea Ault, Hapa Izakaya, Vancouver, Kunal Ghose, Red Fish Blue Fish, Victoria, Tom Lee, Edible at the Market, Vancouver, JC Poirier, Pourhouse and Pizzeria Farina, Vancouver, Nico Schuermans, Chambar and Café Medina, Vancouver, Andrew Springett, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, Lucais Syme, La Quercia, Vancouver, Joel Watanabe, Bao Bei, Vancouver and more! A complete list of Feast! Tofino events, chefs and special accommodation, dining and activity offers can be found at www.FeastTofino.com.

Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Celebrate Spot Prawns in Cowichan Bay!

Spot Prawn

Where: Cowichan Bay Fishermans Wharf Saturday May 12 - 10am -5pm Sunday May 13 - noon - 4pm

Spring Hours Thursday, Friday: Dinner 5pm – 9pm Saturday, Sunday: Brunch 8am – 2pm; Dinner 5pm – 9pm Please note Terrain Kitchen is

Mother’s DayBrunch Treat mom to a fabulous brunch on the water while taking in the inspiring views of Cowichan Bay. Specialty dishes featuring the Spot Prawn. Cowichan Bay Waterfront To make a reservation please call 250-597-0050

or the past four years, the town of Cowichan Bay has been celebrating an amazing local product: the Pacific spot prawn. The festival is a great event for the whole family and includes education, music activities, and --- of course--- lots of prawns. Bill Jones is an author, chef and food consultant who can be found at Deerholme.com

Spot prawns are considered one of the more sustainable fisheries on our coast. The spot prawn is the largest of seven prawn species we see in our oceans. They are a tightly managed fishery with a season that usually runs from the first of May to sometime in early July. At the festival you have the opportunity to purchase prawns at the dock as the boats return from the day’s fishing --- it doesn’t get any fresher than this. Spot prawns are fairly perishable when fresh. There is an enzyme in the head of the prawn breaks down the flesh. When you buy fresh prawns, remove the head as soon as possible, but don’t throw away the heads as you can use them to make an amazing bisque. At the farm, we roast the heads with vegetable and make an amazing soup. Often we add coconut milk and Asian flavourings (ginger and cilantro, etc) to make a delicious soup. In Japan the heads are deep fried and eaten whole as a popular treat during the prawn season. For many years, the Japanese demand for our spot prawns had fishermen shipping the vast majority of the catch directly to brokers in Tokyo. In the last five years we have finally seen the fresh spot prawns reach local markets. Although the season for spot prawns is short, they are available frozen year round. Unlike some other seafood, the frozen spot prawns are quite

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

Spot Prawn Festival 2012

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Going On In

Cowichan Bay?

www.prawnfest.ca

excellent. You must buy from a good supplier to ensure they used the freshest possible prawns for the frozen product. Spot prawns are frozen in a salt-water solution, which preserves them for up to two years with little deterioration in flavour or texture.

Annual Spot Prawn Festival

Cowichan Bay Seafood handles most of the prawn sales during the festival. They will have their boats fishing for spot prawns and have invited other prawn fishermen in the area to take part in weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities. Ann and Greg Best, the owners, do a great job and sell some of the best sustainable seafood on the island. They will also be offering a variety of spot prawn dishes, along with many other merchants in the village. The Maritime Centre is hosting a food court tent in the parking lot outside. There are plans to have a lot more food on site to make a delicious event. There manyplank activities planned; information Cooking salmon on are a cedar imbues it withdetailed a sweet smokinessis listthat is not overpowering. This website recipe combines the traditional ed at the festival (www.prawnfest.ca). I will host a chef technique withdemo a Scandinavian approach to seasoning. is island, also includtent featuring six talented chefs fromItthe excellent eaten cold. When you are buying the cedar for the ing our special guest Rob Clark of C Restaurant inplank Vancouver. make sure it is untreated. Rob isplanks one ofavailable the best at chefs in Canada has been a supporter *BBQ Salmon cedar Cowichan Bay and Seafoods. of the festival from the start. The line up of prawn dishes will be amazing and offer a free cooking class for those of you who like to expand your knowledge in the kitchen.

fineFresh

Catch BC Spot Prawns available daily!

Spring Hours Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 5:30pm. Closed Mondays.

Wok-fried Crispy Spot Prawns With Garlic and Chilies

This is a simple recipe that works really well with the spot prawns. The coating traps in all the sweetness and juices of the prawns and keeps the texture crisp. I like to serve these prawns on a bed of shredded lettuce, they could also be served with steamed rice and vegetables or on top of pasta tossed with tomato sauce.

Amount

Ingredients

2 lbs (900 g)

spot prawns

3 Tbsp (45 mL)

rice flour (or tapioca or corn starch)

2 Tbsp (30 mL)

grapeseed oil for frying Salt and pepper to taste

2 Tbsp (30 mL) 1 small 1 2 Tbsp (30 mL)

garlic chopped onion, peeled and finely diced jalapeno pepper, chopped

Method For the prawns, peel and place in a small bowl, sprinkle the rice flour on top and toss to coat. Place oil in a wok. Heat until very hot, add the prawns individually. Stir with a large spoon or spatula. Have a metal bowl with a strainer off to the side. When the prawns are brown, about 1 minute, transfer to the sieve and pour off all but 1 tbsp (15 mL) of oil. Return the wok to the heat and add the garlic, onion and jalapeno. Saute until soft and beginning to brown. Add the prawns and cilantro and toss to coat. Transfer to a plate and serve immediately.

cilantro, chopped

Cowichan Bay Seafoods

Recipe Courtesy Bill Jones of Deerhome Farm www.deerholme.com

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

Chefs Cooking Demonstrations - Saturday May 12th Time

Did you know...

Spot sprawns change sex as they grow. They spend the first part of their lives as males, then change into females.

11am - Noon Noon -1pm 1pm - 2pm 2pm - 3pm 3pm -4pm 4pm -5pm

Chef

Matt Horn Robert Clark Dan Hudson Brad Boisvert Dave Lang Allan Aikman

Shuttle Service all day from South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club to Village (10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday and 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm Sunday ) . A shuttle will ply the Village from one end to the other all day ( from Hecate Park to the Oceanfront Hotel) with stops at the Maritime Centre and Fishermen’s Wharf (same hours as above). From Duncan ( PARK YOURSELF ) – left at Cowichan Bay Road ( just past the Old Farm Market), right at Tennis Club and continue on to Hecate Park From Duncan ( SHUTTLE BUS ) – left at Cowichan Bay Road (just past the Old Farm Market). Park at Tennis Club

An Unparalleled bread experience Check out our NEW Rustic Loaf made with Vancouver Island wheat.

Mill Bay 929-1119

Visit truegrain.ca for hours of operation. 18

Cowichan Pasta Co. C Restaurant Hudson’s Fine Foods Amuse Bistro North Island College Vancouver Island University Note: Chef’s order of presentation subject to change

PARKING OPTIONS & SHUTTLE SERVICE

Cowichan Bay 746-7664

Restaurant

Easy Spot Prawns Steam fresh spot praws suspended over salted water in steamer basket for 1 -2 minutes. Do not overcook. Serve immediately.

Prawn Fest Mission: To exceed Festival attendees’ expectations and provide, at a reasonable price, the best family experience possible.

Rob’s Lighthouse Eatery & Art Gallery Fresh, friendly, affordable and pet-friendly! • Fish, Veggie and Beef Burgers • Fresh-cut Fries • Fish & Chips • Lavazza Espresso and more!

Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out!

Cowichan Bay Waterfront

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

What’s Going On In

Cowichan Bay?

Annual Spot Prawn Festival

he Southern Resident Orcas are back in our waters. J pod and K pod showed up recently looking to feed on the winter Chinook salmon that are holding in our area. The resident orcas are strictly fish eaters that are primarily looking for Chinook salmon the largest of all the salmon found in our waters. Each pod is a matriarchal family that stays together for life. When a female gives birth, their offspring stays with mom for life. There are 27 whales in J pod’s family and 20 whales in K pod’s family. L pod the largest of the three resident pods totaling 40 whales has not made an appearance yet this spring. This is quite normal; L pod usually doesn’t start frequenting our waters until early June. J and K pod should stay in our waters almost daily until the middle of October. L pod will spend most of their time in our waters but will wander out to the west coast of Vancouver Island in search of salmon occasionally. Many days throughout the summer these three pods meet to form what we call a Super Pod. It is truly amazing to see 87 Orca Whales socializing, foraging, mating and generally having a big party together. When the residents leave our waters in October no one really knows where they go. They have Simon Pidcock is been seen as far north as Gwaii Haanas and as far south as Monterey Bay, California. K and Owner/Operator of Ocean EcovenL pod have been documented in southern California where as J pod tends to spend time closer tures in Cowichan to home. We see J pod every month of the year even during the winter months although less Bay www.Oceanfrequently from November to April. Ocean EcoVentures is running daily whale watching tours EcoVentures.com departing from Cowichan Bay. This year we are celebrating our 10th year in the Bay and in business!

Whale Report from Cowichan Bay

HELP! Where do we get a prawn hat? It’s Prawn Fest time in Cowichan Bay and there’s nothing better to get into the prawn spirit then wearing a prawn hat! Spinning Ninny is at it again with prawn hats galore. Catch your very own and join in the Fun filled weekend in Style! You’ll find us in the heart of the Bay, just behind Bo’s Classic Marine Boat Store. Look for the sparkly mosaic signs! Last year’s hats SOLD OUT fast. If you would like to pre orders these locally made prawn hats for kids or the whole family Call Spinning Ninny at 250 597 1444.

Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

shopping IN

s Ice

CHEMAINUS

eet

Willow Street Merchants

eet

Antiques & Collectibles 9756 A Willow Street 250 246-4333 English & European Antiques

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

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

* Toad Hall Emporium 9738 A Willow Street 250 246-4400 THE fun place to shop for all ages

* The Crafty Cuppa 9747 Willow Street 250 324-3338 Drop In Ceramics Studio

* The Wine Den 9779 Willow Street 250 324-2215 Wine Kits, Equipment and Supplies

Eliza Hemingway Art and Design Studio 9752F Willow Street Open Thursdays-Sundays 250-324-2212 Etc. 9747 Willow Street 250 324-2227 Gifts for all ages

* Utopia Bakery A-9780 Willow Street 250 246-9992 Fresh Bread and European Pastries

See you soon!

Seasons Tickets on Sale Now!

We Accept Chemainus Dollars

Come to Chemainus; where the people are friendly and the parking is free! Enjoy shopping, excellent eateries, live music, professional theatre and special events. Come for a day or make it a getaway.

www.visitchemainus.com

* British Allsorts May in Chemainus

9776 Willow Street * Karens Uptown Bistro 250 246-9737 f you want to laugh out Sweets, Treats and Teas 9779 Willow Street loud be sure to get your 250 246-1059 tickets for Chemainus Local and Seasonal

Theatre’s Noises Off, a hilarious play-within-a-play. Life imitates art with high jinks, slammed doors, flubbed lines and sardines. Until Jun 2.Tickets:250-246-9820 or chemainustheatre.ca

* Hansel & Gretel’s Candy Company 9748 Willow Street 250 246-1059 Assorted specialty Willow Street Skellig hosts Open Mic Café Sweets 9749 Willow Street Photo Darren Burry 250 246-2434 Homemade Lunch, Snacks, Pizza, Dessert Johnny Inappropriate plays

classy music for classy people at St. Joseph School’s Annual Auction and Barn Dance. Enjoy a wonderful roast beef dinner before you dance your socks off to Johnny’s tunes. Sat May 5, 5:30pm. Tickets $30 @ Chemainus Foods or St. Joseph’s School. Info:250-246-3191 or sjc@cisdv.bc.ca Food Songwriter’s Open Mic continues on the first Saturday of the month at the Willow Street Café. Hosted by Celtic rockers, Skellig. Good Music, Good Food, Good Company! Sat. May 5, 7:30pm. 9749 Willow Street. Info: 250-246-2434 or willowstreetcafe.com

Willow Street Soaps 9748 Willow Street The Centremen 250Songsters 246-4230 and the Centre Belles present their Fine Imported Soaps Spring Choral Concert at the Chemainus Seniors’ Centre. Sun and9824 Luxury Bath Street. Items Info: 250-246-2111 May 6 at 2pm. Willow

Renovation Blues Band hosts the Clubhouse Partay on Fri May 11 at the Mount Brenton Golf Course Clubhouse. Renovate your soul with this fun, engaging band. Great vocals, deep rhythms and hot solos! Food and drink specials. 7:30pm. $5 cover. 2816 Henry Road. Info:250-246-4948 or clubhousepartay.com Victoria Children’s Choir will delight Chemainus audiences with a unique mix of traditional and contemporary music. Sat May 12, at 2pm in Waterwheel Park. Admission by donation. Info: communications@victoriachildrenschoir.ca Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast!!! On Sun May 13, treat Mom to the full deal! Pancakes, Eggs, Hash Browns, Bacon or Sausage, Coffee, Tea and Juice. AND, a surprise gift for Mothers. Info: (250)246-4532 or chemainuslegion191.ca. 8am to noon. Chemainus Legion Hall, 9775 Chemainus Rd. $6 at the door DieMahler String Quartet presents Beautiful Classical Music on Sun Apr 29, Dee Kinnee is the 2pm. St. Michaels Church. Marketing and Event Coordinator for the Tickets: 250-748-8383. Info: Chemainus BIA. chemainusclassicalconcerts.ca ChemainusBIA@gmail. com

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

help them put them into the lake.

Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Vancouver.

There will be educational booths to learn about identifying fish, rules and regulations about local lakes and rivers, how to tie knots and how to cast. Conservation Officers will also be there to explain the importance of following the rules. Kids may participate in stocking the lake, catch and release, furthering the education of sustainability. There are fly-tying demonstrations and many other fun activities. Each child will receive a hotdog, chips and drink as well as a chance to win a participation prize. All of this is absolutely free thanks to the generosity of our supporters from the Cowichan

The Cowichan Fly Fishers is a non-profit society whose main purpose is to share and promote our enthusiasm for the sport of fly fishing and enjoyment of nature. We support and encourage the preservation, rehabilitation and development of fish habitat in lakes, rivers, and streams. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

6th Annual Kids Learn to Fish” Day Saturday, May 5 10am-2pm Chemainus Lake

Kids Learn to Fish Day Kids’ Learn to Fish Day is intended to not only be a fun way of introducing children to fishing, but to spark an interest in environmental awareness and to get the entire family out to enjoy nature together. The kids go through a series of 6 instructional stations designed by our co-sponsor Freshwater Fisheries Society Go Fish BC. These include fish identification, different types of tackle, different types of fishing rods and reels, knot tying, casting, fishing techniques and fish habitat. They then go to the lake to try and catch a trout. The kids have the option to release

the fish or to keep it and our volunteers will clean it for them. The trout are supplied by the Trout Hatchery in Duncan. There is also a number of other fun activities like fly tying and crafts. Children under the age of 16 do not require a fishing licence, but we hope this event will encourage parents to get a licence and spend some quality time fishing with their kids. If possible, during the day the Freshwater Fisheries Society will bring a truck load of trout from the Duncan Hatchery and let the kids

Honeymoon Bay Market Now Open! Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market is a weekly producers market, meaning we grow, harvest, bake, sew, photograph, paint, pickle, craft ... well, you get the idea. It’s a Market that we ourselves like to go to, and we’re proud of our products and surroundings. What started six years ago as a collection of tents, has grown into a “Frontier Town”, a collection of themed shelters made from re-cycled materials. There’s a great full menu coffee shop on-site (it’s actually their site) and a thriving Community garden, where vendors have picked produce ‘to order’. Can’t get fresher than that! So, bring a friend and enjoy an old fashioned country market. Every Saturday 10am - 2pm from May to Thanksgiving. See you there!

on the farm

with SOL Farm

pring has definitely set up shop in the valley and all those plants lying dormant over the long winter are eager to strut their stuff. A drive down our rural roads, or a stroll through the town streets, reveal a blaze of yellows and purples with green shoots hinting that much more is on its way. While it’s tempting to sit back and enjoy the show, we have an important role to play in this, the first act of the growing season. By now everyone has had a chance to turn the compost pile and get it heating up really well, and if you haven’t, it’s time to get out there as your veggie starts and perennial beds are clamoring for nourishment! Composting is relatively simple. You need only remember the following four components to pull off beautiful, sweet smelling finished compost: C:N ratio, optimum temperature, aeration and moisture.

1.Your compost pile will ideally be made up with a carbon/ nitrogen ration (C:N) of 30:1. That means that if you mostly compost kitchen scraps, veggie trimmings and grass clippings, which are all low in carbon, you’ll need to layer in leaves, sawdust, peat moss, farm manure or straw to get the carbon component higher. Organisms that decompose organic matter use carbon as a source of energy, and nitrogen for building themselves. Simply put, they need more carbon than nitrogen. 2.Your pile should reach an optimum temperature of 135-160 degrees F to destroy pathogenic organisms and weed seeds, but shouldn’t go higher than 160 because high heat will kill the good organisms. A compost thermometer costs about $20 and is a good idea as it’s useful to know that your compost is safe to use. 3. Aeration is important to maintain aerobic conditions. By turning your pile with a pitch fork or using a handy tool called a “wingdigger” you can get oxygen into your pile which helps it heat up. 4. A moisture content of 30 – 70% is ideal. It should have the consistency of a damp sponge. In the summer you’ll need to water your pile and in the winter it’s a good idea to cover it with a tarp. When the temperature drops and it smells sweet, it’s ready! Another quick idea is compost tea. Jeremy, our son, has been brewing up compost tea all spring and it’s fast and easy to use. It grows beneficial microorganisms which increases soil health. Remember, you want to feed your soil, not your plants!

Jeremy with a bucket of compost tea

Healthy Compost Here’s what to do

Get a five gallon bucket, an air stone and air pump, available at the pet store, and old pantyhose. Place the air stone into the bottom of the bucket, add 3 cups of compost to the pantyhose and tie a knot. This is your “tea bag” which goes in next. Fill the bucket with non-chlorinated water, and add one and one half tablespoons fancy molasses, which is sulphite free. Plug in and leave for 24 hours, then go water your plants! Use it all up and go make another batch --- it’s that simple! Happy composting! Ramona Froehle-Schacht and Stephen Schacht, of SOL Farm – SMALL, ORGANIC, LOCAL-, raise vegetables, berries and chickens with the help of their son Jeremy and his girlfriend Jessi. www.solfarm.ca

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

“An attitude of gratitude goes a long way towards peaceful BE-ing” 2012 Retreat Schedule, Reserve Your Space Now: One Day InSight - Sat. 26th May Buddha In the Park - July 21, 22, 23; Moon Glow Silent Retreat, Fri. 31st August Nichiren Buddha Society Vancouver Island Retreat Garden Peace Center Phone: 778. 422. 0155

Valley Voice Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley Weekly Meditation • Buddha Services • Spiritual Counseling • Nichiren Buddha Society www.VIRetreats.com

Vancouver Island Retreat Garden, Peace Center

Phone 778 422 0155

Helpful Garden

Stake Out

s the adage goes “April showers bring May flowers”. That’s all fine and well but what do June showers bring? How about “June showers cause damaged flowers”. If you’ve got tall, juicy-stemmed perennials, that’s what you will get if you don’t properly support them. For me, it’s the delphinium that ends up waterlogged and shattered. There are numerous hoops, loops, cages, and stakes available at your local garden centre. The purpose of these are to hold everything together so plants don’t collapse under the weight of water or even under their own sheer mass. Last year I had a delphinium that was approaching 9 feet in height mid-to-late June. Unbelievable. Massive. Stunning! Heavy…on its own, even without the added weight of rainfall. For years I’d been using giant tomato cages that I’d anchor into the ground then support with re-bar for extra strength. All the stems would be manipulated to fit into the largest top hoop of the cage and secured with velcro tape. It worked great until the maturing plant attained an enormous mass. Neighbours and friends were amazed at the size of this delphinium “Pacific Giant”. I’d never seen one so tall. I was proud and somewhat smug. My smug attitude dissolved quickly one morning after a heavy overnight rain. I got up, fed the dogs, made some coffee, looked out the family room window and I

nearly dropped all my teeth (quite a fete, given they’re all still secure in my head). My beautiful, amazing, oft-coveted delphinium “Pacific Giant” totally collapsed. It looked like a bear had taken a nap in it. Each long hollow stem was broken just at the top ring of the cage.

Upon inspection, I discovered that each waterlogged stem was about triple its normal weight. “Damn you Mother Nature!” I cried (shakes fist at sky). I hadn’t foreseen this problem. The following week I was in Chilliwack at the most excellent Minter Gardens and they had delphiniums that would have rivaled mine had mine survived. I am a big man and I felt dwarfed by these things. It was pouring rain that day. I was drenched. Individual 8-foot stakes supported the massive stems. Anchored deep in the ground, with stems securely fastened at one-foot intervals, the stakes held these beauties upright and proud even in the face of the constant deluge we faced. Last week I bought myself a whole bunch of stakes. Set them out among the early delphinium shoots. One stake per stalk. Got my velcro tape handy. Shook my fist at the sky and yelled, “Bring it on!” I felt triumphant, but only for a minute: I was standing on the delphiniums tender new shoots (shakes fist at self). Maybe next year.

Farm and arden Pages

g Handmade Gardeners Soap Popular Still After 15 Years!

he idea for this fabulous gardener’s soap was inspired by the owner of Dig This in Victoria over 15 years ago. “She looked in vain for a great gardener’s soap and couldn’t find one and approached Saltspring Soapworks” shares Linda Quiring owner of family run Salt Spring Soapworks. After contemplating the skincare needs of those working in the garden, Linda added natural pumice to one of her moisturizing bars - and thus the Saltspring Soapworks Gardener’s Soap was created. It is a natural, handmade, proven product sought after by many gardeners on the westcoast. After such good response to the soap they also added a Gardener Hand Therapy Cream and a Gardener’s Citrus Handwash. This signature Gardener’s line contains aromatic, uplifting and cleansing herbs found in

Linda Quiring in her garden

many gardens such as lavender, wild thyme and rosemary. Composed of natural ingredients, they will not dry the skin as most detergent soaps do but work to help the skin heal. Ingredients such as aloe vera are there to moisturize and comfrey, which holds allantoin a naturally occurring skin cell regenerating compound that aids in to heal those hardworking hands. One of their best sellers, the Gardener’s products make wonderful gifts for Mother’s Day or even just to treat yourself in celebrate the beginning of gardening season. These soaps can be found at Salt Spring Soapworks stores in Duncan, Chemainus or on Salt Spring Island.

Ajay Oppelaar is an experienced horticulturist and President of the Mill Bay Garden Club. Contact him at arkengardens@gmail.com

Farm and arden Pages

Buy a Brick for Bench Elementary and Make Your Mark The Bench PAC are planning a fabulous new playground expansion for everyone in the Cowichan Bay area to enjoy.

Designing An Edible Oasis

ou wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t build a house without a house plan, but most gardeners build a garden without any planning at all. Gardeners seem to resist the process, believing it will stifle their creativity. Instead they go about blindly plunking plants and trees in places that they later wish they had given more thought to. The first step to designing a garden is writing out a list of what your family eats most. Some crops are easier to grow than others, such as kale, lettuce or cherry tomatoes, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to start with those. Then next year add a few more crops. The single most important factor to growing food is experiencing success right from the start. A garden design will help with crop rotation by assigning a plot for each vegetable crop then moving it to the next plot the following year. This will avoid planting the same family such as Kale, Cauliflower, Broccoli into the same soil and decrease your risk of club root rot in your garden. Some vegetables are in and out of the garden quickly in one season and make room for a second crop that can be planted in the same location. It is important to add nutrients to the soil before planting the second crop. Peas are a good example of a crop that will be finished by the time summer heat arrives, making room for winter vegetables that are planted midsummer or a crop of greens that can be harvested in 6 weeks. A garden plan will help determine what crops can go where and when to plant them making efficient use of all your growing space. Designing gardens and laying out a plan is what Joy Story does best. If you feel overwhelmed, confused or just want a second opinion, Joy will Joy Story, helps people grow food! gladly visit your garden and Check out her offer her expertise. Joy can on-line Magazine be reached at 250 743 1352 or and Newsletter growfoodnetwork.com email her at growfood@shaw.ca

To help us fund this project personalized bricks, or bench plaques can be purchased. The engraved bricks will be a beautiful pathway leading from the school to the new playground and bench area.

Proudly display your business or family names forever in stone! For more info about buying a brick : www.benchelementary.com 250-743-2260 tanyarick@shaw.ca

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

Planting Tomatoes

on the farm

with Makaria

e’ve kept a journal these past four years at Makaria Farm, and when we compare this spring to the past years we get a little giddy … the fruit tree and daffodil blossom dates are coinciding with those of spring 2009. Remember 2009? It was a gorgeous, achingly hot summer. Tomatoes invaded everyone’s gardens. Cowichan tomato lovers have struggled in the summers since then with short, late, cool growing seasons and early fall rains. Do we dare hope that 2012 will once again be the summer of tomatoes? I say yes. Let’s plant our reliable, tasty cherry tomatoes, but also risk a few square feet in the garden for longer-maturing, glorious, juicy beefsteaks and brandywines. Makaria Farm’s usual vast selection of tomato plants is now greening-up in the greenhouse, in preparation for our annual organic tomato plant sale (now a Cowichan

tradition). We’ve dared to plant some of our favourites that need the warmth and sun of a long, hot summer, as well as our tried and true standbys for cooler weather. I can already taste the Black Krims …. Tip to prevent transplant shock: It might seem easiest to dig a hole and stick your tomato plant in it, but if you do this you risk exposing the plant to the chillier soil underneath that sun-warmed top layer. Tomato plants may turn blue/ purple-ish as a result — a sign of transplant shock. They will take longer to recover, which may affect the time or quality of your tomato harvest. Many tomato plants are vines (“indeterminate”), so here’s a quick tip on transplanting vining tomato plants: lay each tomato in its place horizontally on the garden bed, then cover the rootball with soil from the warm top layer of the garden bed surrounding it. Carefully but firmly pat down the dirt to ensure plant/soil contact, then water the root area thoroughly. The tomato plant will turn up toward the sun. Here’s to beefsteaks in September! Heather Walker and Brock McLeod own and operate Makaria Farm. www.makariafarm.com

A Feel Good Nursery to Buy From

he greenhouse at Providence Farm is now open! Available for purchase are an assortment of fresh herbs, veggie starts, trailing begonias, geraniums, ornamental grasses, flower varieties and of course their famous strawberry plants! Looking for flower baskets? Besides growing the City of Duncan’s marigolds that line the highway, since 2005 the nursery has also been commissioned to make all those gorgeous hanging baskets you see around town, there are a good selection for sale to suit every budget as well as all the flowers and plants to stuff your own. The greenhouse and nursery activities support individuals with learning disabilities, mental health issues, sensory or physical disabilities or who are in rehabilitation. Participants work with horticultural therapists and volunteers progressing at their own pace to achieve goals. Come and shop in their 5000 sq foot greenhouses, have a browse through the general store or just enjoy the beautiful space and surroundings. There’s lots of parking and refreshments available too. But best of all the prices are great and ALL the proceeds go back into Providence Farm to support all their wonderful programs and community activities. Open 10-4pm Daily.

Send Broom to It’s DOOM! The Extractigator is the only tree and root pulling device with the feature of automatically opening jaws! You won’t have to get down on your hands and knees to place it around the plant to pull!

www.extractigator.com

Available at many fine local retailers.

Just Juice It - Wild Weeds

ardens are being dug new veggies on the horizon If you don’t like the look of those weeds in your gardens “JUST JUICE IT” some avid gardeners eat fresh all year the warming green tide of spring is washing northward around the globe and with it plants pouring up their stored energies. Try eating the young sow thistle leaves and stalk you will chew it for a minute or so in mild bitterness then saltiness will come through with a bit of oil.

The very pleasant taste period is min 2-5, well worth the bit of mild bitterness which is great for the gut. Juicing Japanese knotweed, stinging nettle and pop weed mustard together makes a great refreshing drink with no sting but lots of zing its sour milky peppery taste has body to it and is good enough to write home about. Now is the time to look where you might harvest the first mustard for your winter curries or scrambled eggs. There are a dozen or so wild mustards that grow around us that we can eat. For pop weed mustard harvest the top of the plant while it is still flowering but has seed developed. Nipplewort is a way undervalued food that grows just about every where but nobody seems to notice it. Tulip Roger Foucher is a wild petals are beautiful to eat, food enthusiast who is crunch y and sweet, a very persuaded by all the creatures around us pleasant surprise. Day lily is that they see it right. crunchy too but more spicy, peppery.

cut Broom in bloom

ay is the best month to cut broom! Broom cut in bloom will die in the summer’s heat. The important things to remember: Use loppers – long handled pruners. Cut all the way to the ground or slightly below. Any tiny little sprigs could regrow. Do not remove the roots in May. Disturbing the soil encourages new seeds to germinate. If the broom is too large, cut off all the living branches. Large broom dies easily. Don’t let any yellow flowers go to seed. Even if you can’t remove the whole plant, cut off the flowers! Stop them from spreading. Joanne Sales is a blueberry farmer, writer & founder of Broombusters in Qualicum Beach

Don’t go after the densest areas - you’ll get discouraged. Start in places where the broom is just starting. Move from the lightly infested areas towards the dense areas. Broom is soft wood and easy to cut, even for children. It’s fun! Gather friends and family. Clear an area and draw the line – No Broom Here! Broom can be taken to the May is the BEST Month To Cut Broom dump, burned, or May Steps to Take composted if cut Cut the Bloomin’ Broom! before the seed pods Adopt a piece of road, field, park or beach. Arrange pick up, chip up or drop off. form. Small amounts Cut the broom to ground level or below. will compost in the Don’t let any yellow flowers go to seed! forest. Some towns Go after the light infestations first. will help. Check out Move towards denser areas. Stop the spread!

www.broombusters.org.

Check out: www.broombusters.org Cut Broom in Bloom!

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

Farm and arden Pages

Local Root Pulling Tool Engineered in Shawnigan Lake Shawn Taylor bench testing The Extractigator.

hawnigan Lake resident Shawn Taylor was inspired by necessity when he purchased 22 acres of land in the area in 1998. “The property was overgrown with Scotch Broom and Alder seedlings. After many hours of back breaking labour pulling... I thought there must be an easier way.” Shawn tells us. After not finding what he needed on the market, this accredited Mechanical Engineering Technologist (with a specialty in machine design) researched, designed and applied for patent a tool with the Cowichan Valley landscape in mind. Shawn planned the Extractigator to utilize a unique cam shape design that applies

maximum force at the beginning to remove troublesome roots from the ground. Making it’s debut in 2000, he built this yard and garden tool to last. What is it? The tool itself is made from high quality steel, it is designed to be lightweight yet strong. Anyone from children to seniors can use this tool with ease. Quick and easy to use, the ‘jaws’ (plant gripping component) open when it’s lifted, simplifying placement around the stem. The tool also boasts an accessory called the “Big Foot” made from aircraft grade aluminum, which increases the surface area to resist sinking into soft soils.

The Extractigator at work

a few. Customers purchase it for both home use and for commercial jobs. If readers have a root bound problem that they set on tackling this season consider the Extractigator. There is no other product that is as light, easy to use or built to last like this Shawnigan Lake tool. All components are local, making it a truly Canadian made product. Visit www.extractigator.com for more information.

“Every June when the broom is in bloom I’m reminded of the broom invasion throughout the Island. We are not alone - the invasion extends to the mainland, and south all the way to the California basin.” This tool has the capabilities of removing the “roots-andall” of problem plants such as Scotch Broom but also shrubs or trees and many other local invasive and unwanted plants such as Gorse, hogweed and daphne Laureola to name

craft

“Art”pentry for your home and garden!

The artisans are gearing up for a three week show at Dale’s Gallery at 537 Fisgard Street in Victoria’s Chinatown. The show runs from May 15th to June 6th.

Mary Fox trimming a large Amphora

Doug Marsh urban farm project .

Ken Broadland turning a big bowl.

Michael Moore shaping a chair back on the band saw.

Brochures are available at Experience Cycling, 482 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan, and at the Duncan Garage Cafe and Bakery, 101-330 Duncan Street, Duncan. www.cowichanvalleyartisans.com

he carpentry of journeyman carpenter and artist Doug Marsh can be found in hundreds of homes and gardens here in the Cowichan Valley, but where his work is most visible these days is at The Community Farm Store in Duncan. Staff and customers at the Duncan Garage have been thrilled by Doug’s artistic flair on all their new custom made shelves and blackboards. Live edge planks line the inside of the hall to display the African baskets and merchandise shelving all feature his signature roller painted edges. Never satisfied with doing regular construction, Doug often seems to attract opportunities to express his natural creativity and innovation with projects that always delight his clients and friends. A firm advocate of urban farming and food growing, Doug has been building chicken houses, garden boxes, arbours, fences, gates, sheds, benches and gazebos – using natural, found, reclaimed and recycled materials. Working with his partner Nicolette on their front yard farm project on Cairnsmore Street has been a great avenue and showcase for Doug’s creativity. The yard (front and back) is loaded with

food beds, split cedar chicken runs, berry arbours, squash towers and lovely fences with windows and gates to encourage back and forth traffic with their neighbours. (Nicolette says they have the best neighbours in the world!). Doug is also the carpenter responsible for spearheading the “smart art” campaign here in the valley to stop the Smart Meters. Hundreds of people have come to the Community Farm Store to purchase his “smart art rings” to make sure that their analog meters cannot be removed. Between projects, Doug builds beautiful tables out of driftwood or split cedar with rootwood bracing to showcase his real passion: crop circle artworks that double as table tops! They’re triple coated so they stand up well in the garden for tea tables. If you’re thinking of getting hens for your garden or planning to grow more food this year, or even if you are in need of some funky home renovations (who doesn’t need more shelving!) consider calling Doug at his Chemainus studio at 250-246-5081 to consult about your artpentry needs! Happy community farming!

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

in the biosphere and in human affairs.” This prognosis rings true in an age when most youngsters can identify hundreds of corporate logos and branded products but can’t name the plants and trees in their backyards. Why are we suffering from a nagging case of plant blindness? There is no simple scientific answer, but Wandersee and Schussler argued that plants don’t capture our attention like animals and other stimuli. To the human eye, they are largely static. Thus we tend to lump plants together into a green backdrop, failing to distinguish between the millions of blades of grass or multitude of plant species. Dr. David Suzuki

Green Vision Offers Cure For Plant Blindness

colleague told me his toddler was wandering through a neighbourhood park picking up twigs and sticks, brandishing them as tools for digging, poking, and tapping. Suddenly the boy stopped and pointed excitedly to the canopy of branches above. “Look papa. Sticks come from trees!” Mentally reconnecting fallen branches to their home on the trunk is obvious to an adult, but many of us have lost our profound sense of wonder about the interconnected web of life that surrounds us. This is especially true when it comes to the plant world. Trees filter pollutants, absorb carbon dioxide, and breathe out life-giving oxygen, and plants provide food and medicine. However, most folks are largely oblivious to our photosynthesizing companions. This has led some researchers to examine “plant blindness,” a condition whereby we cannot see the forest or the trees. In 1998, American botanists James Wandersee and Elizabeth Schussler defined plant blindness as “the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment,” which leads “to the inability to recognize the importance of plants

Show someone a photo of a lush forest with a grizzly bear and ask what’s in the picture. Most will answer, “A bear.” Add a spotted owl to the scene and the response might become, “A grizzly bear under the watchful eye of an owl.” What you are unlikely to hear is a description of the flora accompanying the charismatic fauna. Part of the problem may be related to the overwhelming amount of data our eyes send to our brains. Danish author Tor Nørretranders estimates that the human eye generates more than 10 million bits of data per second. Our brain extracts only about 40 bits of data per second, and only 16 bits reach our conscious vision and attention. Unfortunately, nature’s greenery tends to be drowned out in a visual flurry of noise and shinier items of interest.

became familiar with fruit-bearing trees in the city, she suddenly noticed them everywhere – cherries, plums, crabapples, pears, grapes, and walnuts. This largely untapped urban bounty spurred her to found Not Far From the Tree, a group that has organized volunteers to help harvest more than 14,000 kilograms of fruit from hundreds of backyard trees over the past four years.

Not Far From The Tree

If you want to help bring nature to your community, join one of the many groups working to enhance it. Local efforts to restore wetlands, forests, parks, and public spaces provide great opportunities to get hands-on outside time and boost your community’s natural wealth. Dr. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author, and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Communications Specialist Jode Roberts. www.davidsuzuki.org

Nørretranders also found that people who have had meaningful educational and cultural experiences with plants are more likely to notice greenery. How do we reconnect with nature and learn to give plants their due? The answer is simple. People, especially kids, need to connect with nature in their everyday environment, and we need to bring more to our neighbourhoods, public spaces, and backyards. It might surprise you, but most urban spaces are already jam-packed with natural wonders. After volunteering in an urban apple orchard at the Spadina Museum in Toronto, Laura Reinsborough began seeing the world through “fruit goggles.” Once she

John Agg 1928 - 2011

aggworks.shawwebspace.ca On Show at Imagine That!

till May 26th.

ohn Agg was born in Whitby, Ontario in 1928. He took his art training at Northern Secondary School, graduated from the Ontario College of Art and went on to become a Commercial Artist. During his career he was Art Director of Ontario Ladies’ College before moving to Toronto where he spent all his time painting. In 1961, John and his wife Helen, a potter and painter, moved to Terra Cotta, Ontario. They set up The Country Gallery in Caledon, where they could live, work, exhibit, and sell their own artworks. At this time, John learned the craft of copper enamelling. It was unique at this time to live a lifestyle where they could concentrate on their own

Talking Arts • John Agg artistic productivity. They held numerous one-man shows. John was well known for his eclectic flair in working with various media, mostly water colours, wood-cut prints, and copper enamelling along with his much acclaimed piece the bold mural of Viking ships at the Valhalla Inn on Hwy 27. In 1976, John and Helen moved to Vancouver Island and built a log home on the seashore of Qualicum Bay. Here they set up the Agg Works Gallery featuring paintings, prints, and enamels. John collaborated in carving and decorating Helen’s pottery

producing many coastal themes. Readers may recall their charming little gallery on the old Island Highway near Qualicum Bay. Agg Works closed in 2000 but they continued to live in Qualicum Bay. John died in 2011. Helen has kindly donated all John’s studio supplies to Margot Page, a local enamellist. For May, John’s beautiful enamels will be on display and for sale at Imagine that! They are proud to pay tribute during the month of May to this recently deceased but talented and well-known Vancouver Island artist and enamellist, John Agg.

Image Top Left; Artist John Agg in Vancouver 1978; Woman Dressing 1963, oil on canvas; Nude on Mountain Copper Coast, 1991, enamel work; From The Beach, 1981, mixed media. Above Portrait of the artist L John F Agg by Helen M Agg, 1953. All images courtesy Helen Agg.

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

natural home ought to be a comfortable one. Building with materials such as clay, sand and plant fiber helps to dispel body/mind stress. Feeling warm in winter for negligible cost can also bring comfort. In our northern climate approximately 60% of our energy consumption goes into space heating. With the future of fossil fuel supply and large scale hydroelectric energy becoming unpredictable, alternative approaches to space heating are well worth considering. Annualized Geo-Solar (AGS) is a simple and inexpensive method of storing summer heat for use in winter. In the summer season, a fan (or pump)-driven AGS system removes hot air (or hydronic fluid) from a plenum space below a metal roof surface (or solar hydronic collector array) and circulates it through ducting (or tubing) buried deep along the centerline of the building. Heat is released into the soil, which acts as a giant solar battery that charges slowly through the summer. Whenever the roof temperature is lower than the storage medium, air/fluid circulation is stopped. By burying the heat tubing deep (as shown above) or insulating the area of floor above the central heat deposit zone and leaving the perimeter floor areas un-insulated, the slow migration of heat through the soil delays heat

Annualized Geo-Solar Heating

transfer to the floor surface by up to six months, so that early summer heat radiates up through the floor in early winter. The beauty of this approach is how it stores excess summer warmth for seasons when it will be more appreciated. Unlike most passive solar designs AGS does not rely on winter sunshine. Also, since the warmth is acquired from isolated solar-capture sources (rather than through windows), problems of unwanted indoor overheating during summer collection periods are eliminated. The entire system can be powered by one or two small pumps or fans at a cost of only a few dollars per month. Nothing like the sun – when you need it most.

www.rainwaterconnection.com

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

rainwaterconnection.com

Patrick Amos, MA,is a process worker, natural builder, husband and father of two wild boys. Somatome@gmail.com

For full design/build service, give us a call

 250.746.5372 • coulsondesign@shaw.ca • www.davidcoulsondesign.com  31



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

DOG PARK MANNERS All dogs are supposed to be licensed and restrained either on a leash or when allowed, loose in a specific off-leash dog park. Some dogs are fortunate to live with a family who has more property and also other pets to live with. We are lucky here in our Cowichan Valley to have specific areas for our dogs to run safely while off-leash. There are good rules in these parks – the main one being – you are usually supplied with green, biodegradable bags several places during your walk if it is a designated offleash area, and at the entry of a fenced-in park. Also, bins to deposit these used bags are close by, and must be used. So many times, I have seen used green bags hanging in trees along the walk-way, lying under bushes and wherever else someone decides to leave them. Being biodegradable does not mean it is okay to let them disintegrate along the way – it means put them in the bin and let them be taken to the dump where they will do their natural job and break down in a “green” way! I live in an area with beautiful walking paths, but no bags supplied and no bins long the way – so I discovered packages of biodegradable bags at the local dollar store. When using these – take them home to dispose of them in your outside garbage, or find a bin along the way. Probably not your neighbour’s garbage cans. PEOPLE HAVE RULES, TOO All dogs have to be in control at all times, no matter where they are. I have had several experiences of out of control dogs in an off-leash park. Please, “in control” means taking into consideration other people and their dog’s comfort when your dogs approach them or they are playing. When you call your dogs, they should immediately respond to you and stop whatever they are doing. One time an unleashed, mid-size dog charged my leashed very nervous rescue dog. It kept charging, the owners did and said nothing except “he is young”. I was hanging on to my leash, grabbed a railing to steady myself, and had a very bad fall due to my dog pulling away trying to be free from this charging dog. I was hurt, and my dog was terrified. The young couple walked away saying nothing and eventually their dog followed. It is sometimes not easy to say anything to the owners as dogs are “family” and like your own children – folks can quickly become offended or walk away from you solving nothing. Use the parks and times with your dogs as the most fun time of your day – be happy and laugh lots!

http://thebirdstore.blogspot.ca

Nesting Season L

ove is the air and it is a busy time for the songbirds as they ready for nesting season. Many species of birds will nest in and around the average backyard but some species require a cavity to nest in. These cavities may be an old woodpecker hole, a broken branch or a nest box. Common backyard birds to use a nesting box are chickadees, wrens, nuthatch, woodpeckers, swallows and a couple of introduced species like the European Starling and House Sparrow. The introduced species are aggressive to our native species and can be a problem. The entrance hole of a nest box will determine the species to use the nest box. To attract chickadees, wrens and nuthatches an entrance hole of one and one eighth is best and it will keep the House Sparrows out as well. For swallows a large hole of one and a half inches is used but may be taken over by the House Sparrows. A nest box with an oval hole will allow swallows to use it but not the House Sparrows as they are unable to get through the narrow opening. There are different size entrance holes

for the woodpeckers but a woodpecker nest box needs to be filled with wood chips to the top of the entrance hole as woodpeckers do not build a nest but excavate a cavity to create their nest. Nest boxes do not need to be mount high, six or seven feet works great and position they so the wind and rain does not blow in the entrance hole. Mount the boxes where you can see them and near a tree and out of the heat of the afternoon sun. Put a half inch of wood chips in the bottom of the box and place out some nesting material such as short pieces of wool, string, dog and cat hair, feathers, dry moss and grass for the birds to use in building their nests. Nest boxes are a great addition to the backyard habitat and are very entertaining to watch as the birds build and raise their young.

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

Colin Bartlett is a birder and proprietor of The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store in Nanaimo. 1-888-249-4145

Competitive Trail Riding & Equine Education Come To The Cowichan Valley May 26 & 27

starting on Saturday evening he BC Competitive Trail with Alberta based Horse Riders Association a Chiropractor Dr. Andrea non-profit society will be hosting an Equine Educational Sargent, who will be speaking about Body Positioning and Fair, May 26 & 27,at the Bio-Mechanics in both the Cowichan Exhibition Park. horse and rider. Sunday’s The Educational Fair will be line up includes a used tack in conjunction with its annual sale, Silent Auction and Schooling Ride, which targets educational workshops. newcomers to this unique Workshop topics include sport. Participants in the Schooling Ride will be in class everything from Trailer Handling to local resident on Saturday May 26 learning Joanne Bentley - “The Falcon about subjects such as; Lady” demonstrating with camping with a horse, what to her birds of prey. The event wear, basic nutrition and rules is open to the public but of the sport. This is followed participation in the Schooling by a “mock” ride on Sunday Made on the Island for the Island Ride and Workshops requires morning with seasoned pre-registration. For further mentors. information and/or registration The Fair is a series of go to www.bcctra.ca and click educational workshops

on the link or contact Tammy Mercer at ridingforfreedomranch@shaw. ca or 250-335-3390.

Bees Need Nectar and Pollen Each Season Help ensure pollen and nectar are available throughout the year. This Spring consider planting: Nectar plants Barberry, Bee plant, Blue Pea, Borage, Chinese Houses, Horehound, Lavender, Sage, Salvia, Scented Geranium, Wisteria Pollen plants - Bush Anemone, California Poppy, Yarrow Combination – Bidens, Blanket Flower, Blazing Star, Daisy, Marigold, Tansy

Large or small we feed them all. Hours of operation Sun 10 - 4pm Mon - Sat 8:30am - 6pm

The Land Conservancy BC wants to know more about your bee experiences. Gardeners can request packages of ‘lemon queen’ sunflowers. We just ask that you grow them in a part of your garden that is easy to visit, so that you can observe and record your bee sightings, then enter them at www.beeTLC.ca.

100% Fresh

100% Locally Owned and Operated

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

WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT Spring has sprung in the Cowichan Valley and to celebrate i asked several readers to share their thoughts on the arrival of the season. Bernadette Mccormack: “I was sitting on a patio in lahaina, maui and, although I was sad my hawaiian vacation was coming to a close, I thought of my home in the Cowichan and said to myself, ‘well, if I have to leave, at least i get to go home to a beautiful place where the leaves are budding, the trees are flowering, the tulips and daffodils are well in bloom, and the weather will be mild.’ I am blessed to live in such a beautiful pocket of the world!” Ms. Mccormack is a duncan based artist with world class talent. Log on to www.Bernadettemccormack. Com and i am sure you will agree. Susan Rankin: “the plum blossoms on the trees that surround my house fill me with ecstasy the likes of which i did not experience in my youth. The lift the spring breeze stirs inside of me is more cherished with each passing year. Life in Cowichan Valley is good.” Ms. Rankin is an accomplished composer (gloves off: a hockey opera in three acts) and performer. After living in parts of Canada, the States and Europe she has made her home in Cowichan Bay where she lives with artist/software designer/ understanding husband Herb Rice. Jeff Downie: “the warmth and sun of spring brings with it renewed optimism for the possiblities the year will bring. Bottling new vintages and preparing the tasting rooms and restaurants to open for visitors and locals alike. Many of these vineyards are among the most beautiful sites the valley boasts with row upon rows of vines and pristine and dramatic views. Spring brings them into focus and lets us ponder what may come.” Mr. Downie is the genial proprietor of the recently uncorked Old Firehouse Wine Bar and Gallowglass Books. Log onto oldfirehousewinebar.Ca and/or gallowglassbooks.Com for more info.

South Island Fishing Report

s the weather Kenzie Cuthbert has 25 years of professional guiding on southern turns to more Vancouver Island and owner spring like, more of operator of the Cowichan River us will be heading Wilderness Lodge. out onto the local www.kenzies.com waters. The following is what we might expect to catch through May and into June. Late run Steelhead will still be available in the Cowichan river in small numbers to approximately the third week of May. Cowichan River Brown, Rainbow and Cutthroat trout fishing is just starting to pick up. If fly fishing, I would recommend Prince nymphs, hares ears, wooly buggers, and fry patterns. If you are using spinning equipment, small spoons in various colors should do the trick. (remember single barbless hooks) In our local lakes, May can be very good to excellent for both Small mouth bass and trout. If trolling, try some willow leafs with either worms or flatfish trailing behind or troll plugs at a faster speed. Spin casting with a Gibbs croc in brass/orange or illusion blue can be very effective for both trout and bass. For the fly fishers I would suggest an olive or black wooly bugger with rubber legs, a micro leech or even a small fry pattern. (mix up your retrieval speeds) For the Bass gear fishers, work the structure with a variety of soft rubber or plastic baits. Tubes, crayfish and soft rubber worms will all work if placed in the right location. For the fly fishers, leeches, wooly buggers, fry and sculpin patterns will all take fish in May. Local lakes that I would recommend for Bass fishing are Shawnigan and Fuller. St Mary lake on Saltspring island can also be very good for Bass. Ocean anglers have already been doing well in Sampson narrows for winter springs. This should continue to be good and change in late May to both returning local mature fish as well as fish passing through our area headed both north and south. Remember…. it’s just a fish, stay safe.

Graham Cole with a very nice Cowichan River Brown Trout.

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

Golf Tips From The Pro

Valleyview

Centre

The Myths I Hear

So much to oﬀer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Books Bucknuck Books 250-929-2665 Used books and Local authors Fitness Learning to Putt Image courtesy Golf BC

“Keep your head down.” “Just put your thumbs straight down the grip.” “Move the ball up in your stance to stop your slice.”

ow, as if golf wasn’t hard enough without listening to these very damaging common golf myths. Imagine a young Annika Sorenstam developing her game in Sweden and being told to keep her head down. Even with today’s technology and free information Homeon the web these are still the scary things I see and hear when I teach. The point of all this is that golf doesn’t have to be hard, frustrating and confusing. Find a certified CPGA golf coach who offers coaching programs suited for your level then let him or her teach you what golf is truly all about. Don’t get me wrong it will take work and practice, but like anything if you’re going to do it, it Pets makes sense to learn from a professional. Bubba Watson who just recently won the Masters Golf tournament said he doesn’t have a coach and has never taken a lesson in his life. Please don’t misunderstand he still works Spirits, Beer & Wine very hard on his game and has a crazy imagination for shot shaping. I once watched him hitPlus a drive that curved 60 yards Liquor in the air from right to 250-929-1999 left on #17 at Glen Abbey taking it over the maintenance area toWine, the middle of thespirits fairway 340 yards beer and from the tee. My experience, there aren’t many Bubba’s in the world.

Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes Spa and Wellness Reiki Wellness 250 743-8122 Relax, Rejuvenate, Detox, Nutrition, Ionized Water Home Prolink Mortgage (BC) Inc Marla Daniels 250-733-2201 Best rates, Friendly Free Service Pets Dunkin Dogs 250 743-3935 Grooming, daycare, food/raw and more

Food Cobblecinos 250 743 8158 Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat & Produce Dragon Yuan 250 733-2335 Chinese Eat In/ Take Out Healthcare Cobble Hill Dental 250-743-6698 Friendly, Family Practice

We Welcome New Patients!

South Cowichan Physiotherapy & Sports Rehabilitation 250-743-3833 Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Orthotics Computers Teky.ca 1-888-843-8359 Computer service & sales Websites & print design

Do yourself a favour, take a lesson and clear up some of the myths that may be holding Peter Oliphant you back from enjoying this Director of incredible game. Instruction GBC www.golfbc.com

Golf Academy at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club

when participating in the movements one is working to develop the flow of their Qi (energy). This supports our abilities to relax and stay centered, our will and stamina, our creativity and our potential to think clearly.

Lee Masters practicing Qigong

Why Qi Gong? Who is it for? I am told that Qigong is for anyone who wants to stay healthy or improve their health condition. The healthier we are, the happier. In Chinese ‘Qi’ means energy and ‘gong’ means work, so

When our internal organs are functioning well, our body and mind are in balance, we can be more present in our creativity and within our family life and workplace. When our bones are strong and our posture and circulation are good then we have more energy. In 1993 Lee Masters was given the gift of Qigong. “It was an idea, a Way, and for me it seemed to bring together the beautiful aspects of all those

hours of dance and meditation I used to do, into one practice. Yet Qigong was do-able in a short period of time with surprisingly delightful effects.” says Lee. Now almost 20 years later Lee is very well practiced in Qigong and shares this gift with her own community. Lee’s Duncan studio offers students Wild Goose Qigong. She explains that this form comes from the Western part of China in the Kunlun Mountains where, 1800 years ago, Daoist monks formulated these movement series to stay healthy in their harsh conditions and to foster longevity, wanting to develop immortality. Eventually it was passed to Grandmaster Yang Meijun who, when she

was in her eighties, passed it on to Master Michael Tse the instructor who will be visiting Duncan. The other form she offers, Chun Yuen Quan, was passed down through the Beijing Opera by a famous opera trainer called Wang Ping to Wu Chun Yuen and then to Master Tse. “We practise this for its enormous health benefits.” she explains. People often see Qigong being practised outside. We ask Lee why. “When we practise, we exchange Qi(energy) so it is very beneficial to gather the fresh Qi from Nature.” says Lee. Recently Lee returned from New Zealand where she immersed herself in more Qigong training with visiting

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

Master Michael Tse. The form was called Triple Crossing Spiral Gong “It is really good for nourishing and calming the nervous system. she shares “eventually, when I have learned the second half and feel more practised in this form, I will teach it to my students here”. Lee is very proud to be hosting Master Michael Tse’s visit to Duncan. “He has been very influential to my own practice. Born in Hong Kong, Master Michael Tse has trained almost all his life with some of the world’s greatest masters in Qigong and Martial Arts. He is one of the gems of our time, having brought together all these high-level skills under the umbrella of the Tse Qigong Centre and then developing his teaching and patiently sharing his skill and deep wisdom with all who are interested to learn.”

In the Friday night seminar, attendees will learn diagnosis based on Chinese medicine skill and Qigong knowledge, various massage techniques and some basic Qi transmission skill. Master Tse will also be talking about how to develop your healing potential and how to develop and maintain good health which is vital for being an effective healer. All of the seminars are open to anyone who is interested, complete beginners welcome. Sounds like a good time to try Qigong! For more information , fees or to register for the workshops visit www. wildgooseqigongcentre.com for more information on visiting Master Michael Tse visit www.tseqigongcentre.com. Special discounts for earlybird registration by May 7th.

Ayurveda~ Ancient Body Therapies

yurveda is becoming much better known in the West, an ancient practice of creating balance and harmony in the entire being. Often the first response is to think of diet and lifestyle, but this ancient practice encompasses much more. Ayurvedic Body Therapies are an important part of working with the physical body to release held experiences, on the muscular, energetic and karmic levels. Ayurvedic Bodywork uses large amounts of warm organic medicinal oils. The two most popular treatments are Abyhanga and Shirodhara. Abyhanga~ A deeply relaxing, nurturing fullbody massage, that soothes the muscles, cleanses the lymph system and opens

the energy flows to release layers of held emotional and energetic blockages. Hot oil is poured onto the heart chakra and belly, then drizzled over the entire body; the strokes are long and smooth, the experience divine. Not only deeply relaxing this is extremely powerful medicine; it calms the nervous system, increases vitality, stimulates digestion, facilitates the

release of toxins from the muscles and works on the subtle energy layers. Great for all body types. Shirodhara~ A continuous flow of warm oil is poured onto the third eye and the forehead allowing the mind to surrender its nonstop chatter, releasing you into a truly peaceful state of being - neither fully conscious,

Shirodhara

nor asleep. This facilitates space to witness and release impressions from the conscious and subconscious mind. An amazing therapy for balancing the emotions, removing stress, insomnia and pacifying depression. Like no other experience, Shirodhara relaxes the mind to its fullest, opening the doors to our deeper awareness. Ayurvedic Bodywork Treatments are extremely nourishing to the physical body, and they also flow much deeper, bringing balance to body, mind, emotions, energy and spirit. These nurturing, luxurious, and deeply restorative treatments are an amazing gift to the soul. Asrael is an Ayurvedic Practitioner & Yoga Teacher in the Cowichan Valley. www. anandaayurveda. wordpress.com

Every Boat Has a Story...

ome share your boat story at Maple Bay Marina’s 17th Annual Wooden Boat Festival taking place May 18th, 19th and 20th. This noteworthy event honours the history of wooden boats and the people who keep them afloat by providing a venue for them and their admirers. All types of boats attend the event including; converted work boats, sailboats, rowboats, kayaks, classic Monks and Chris Crafts. The public are invited Saturday and Sunday - it is free to ‘walk the docks’. Guests are encouraged to cast a vote for their favourite boat and awards are presented at the end of the show. The Festival continues onshore with live music kicking it off Friday evening at the Shipyard Restaurant

and Pub. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons there will be more live music outside for people to enjoy. Wood boat owners are treated to a Friday Welcome Social on the party float, complimentary “Donuts on the Dock” Sunday and Monday mornings, an Awards Presentation Social on Sunday and receive special moorage rates. Onsite Saturday and Sunday. will be a representative from BC Cetacean Sightings Network (www.wildwhales.org) and nautical themed local arts and crafts add colour to the festival. “I really enjoy learning each boat’s story and meeting the owners. Whether it is a recently built boat or a 100 year old boat.” says Carol Messier, the event coordinator. “It is not very often that we have so many classic boats in one place, and can talk to owners to learn the boats history.” Wooden boats have a long history and tradition on the West Coast and Vancouver Island. The people that

Photo Carol Messier

dedicate their time and hard work to restore them, tie us to our maritime heritage. Maple Bay Marina continues to celebrate these remarkable vessels, and the people who love them. Interested in Taking Part? Maple Bay Marina is currently accepting moorage reservations from owners of wooden vessels. For more information, please contact Carol Messier, Maple Bay Marina, at 250-746-8482 or 866-746-8482 or visit www.maplebaymarina.com.

Maple Bay Marina is located 10 minutes east of Duncan. It provides moorage and recreational boating services year round. It is also serviced by daily float plane service from Downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver Airport 17th Annual Wooden Boat Festival Maple Bay Marina May 18th, 19th and 20 To register your wooden boat call Carol Messier 250-746-8482 www.maplebaymarina.com

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

generous donations of nonperishable food and/or cash for Cowichan Valley Basket Society = our local food bank. We love living on the water and look forward to sharing with you a glimpse of our way of life. Each of the houses is different and unique - and so are the inhabitants.

Float Home Open House

loat homes have been part of West Coast life for well over a hundred years. There are several communities of float homes bordering the Cowichan Valley; ours is in Maple Bay, facing Chisholm Island in Bird’s Eye Cove. One resident has been living on her float home here for 28 years! Come and ask ocean-dwellers your questions about life on the water ~ find out

See what floathome living is all about

Photo Penny McLennan

about the many delights and the unique challenges. Bring the kids to see the starfish and sea anenomes, the herons and the eagles - and much more marine life. Admission is by your

2nd Annual Float Home Open House May 19th and 20 1-4pm By donation (cash or food for the CV Basket Society) J Dock, Maple Bay Marina 6145 Genoa Bay Rd

Artists Pay Tribute to Japan Sandra Greenaway

John Agg

hen you go by the window at Imagine That! this month take a contemplative look. 3 artists Sandra Greenaway, John Agg and Margot Page are on show with works related to Japan.

there, in those little villages, and tiny seaports.” Margot’s pieces on view in the window were inspired by the tiny Geisha I saw on the streets of Tokyo. Proceeds of her sales from the May window, will be sent to Japan via: Japan

Earthquake Relief Fund www.japansociety.org. earthquake. Margot Page, Sandra Greenaway and John Agg on show at Imagine That! 251 Craig Street, Duncan till May 26.

from Kyushu to Hokkaido, followed the ceremonies of Sakura, the cherry blossom season as we went northward. We will have bathed in their onsen, and been entertained by their hospitality. We will have experienced a typhoon on our own boat, and felt the earth shake from quakes, as we walk the streets. We know when we go back the hospitality will still be

Artist Margot Page who sailed to Japan from Ontario almost 20 years ago recalls her voyage. She and her partner spent 4 months touring Japan via their sailboat. “By the time we cast off from Kushiro in July, we will have shared heart-warming friendships and learned their customs. We will have sailed

Call to Singers for 100 Voices for One World

Equus is an exploration of all that signifies Horse; power, movement, elegance, and majesty. All of the paintings are oil on canvas, done with a large pallet knife.

to join in with Paul.

uncan turned 100 this year! 100 Voices for One World invites you to sing alongside a diverse, multi age, multicultural choir composed of people like YOU! “We want this choir to be inclusive for people to sing together regardless of financial situation and age, this will also be fun way for families to come out and share songs together about the planet” says artistic director, Cari Burdett of Lila Music Centre. Cari has a strong track record of developing and creating inspirational and interactive community events on the island and currently teaches voice, choirs and weekly parent and child music groups. “The music will be reflective of a positive, hope filled mood of UBUNTU – a zulu word given by Desmond Tutu ‘I am because we are’.” She adds.

There is Love in the World written by local singer/ songwriter Paul Ruszel, Duncan’s Centennial Song Mondays: writing contest winner will be Parent + Child Music one of the songs performed. 9.30 - 10.30 am Cari has added the choir parts 9 classes 150$ per famand will invite all 100 voices

Everyone who believes in a dream of creating a place where every voice is heard in harmony is invited to come and sing. Singers will be offered four days in the week to choose from to rehearse. Your required commitment to the choir is to attend at least one of the practices per week beginning May 7th. If you are not able to attend each practice you are required to also practice by listening and learning online at www.joythroughmusic.com (go to bottom of home page and find 100 Voices for One World Photo) Performance dates are: Aborigional Day June 21st, Multicultural Day June 27th and to kick start this year’s Summer festival in celebration of Duncan’s 100th Birthday June 30th and Canada Day July 1st. You can register and get more info by calling Cari at 250 701 0978, or visiting www.joythroughmusic.com. Cari Burdett breathing life into music and music into life. www.joythroughmusic.com

Grey Horse, Oil on Canvas 36”X48, Soliel Mannion

Carol Rettig

Kaatza Art Group Show & Sale Friday May 18 - 4-6pm Sunday May 20 10-4pm Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall 309 South Shore Road

Soliel Mannion EQUUS Fletcherfoto Runs to May 13 109 Ingram St Duncan 250 412-6914 soleilmannion.com

Every year the Kaatza Art Group picks a non profit group to support. This year it is the Lake and River Stewardship Society. Not your ordinary Art Show: Kaatza Art Group members create in a variety of mediums for every price range. 20% of the sale price on featured items will be donated to the Lake and River Stewardship Society. This painting of Skutz Falls area was created by Carol Rettig, a founding member of the Kaatza Art Group.

100 Voices Rehearsal Times Monday nights 7:30 - 8:30pm Lila Music Centre, 3228A Gibbins Rd Wednesday mornings 9:30am - 10:30am Mercury Theatre, 331 Rd Pintus withBrae Massimo

Werbeck Singing, Uncovering the voice

Thursday evenings 5:00 - 6:00pm Quw’ wutsun Cultural Centre, 200 Cowichan Way

Exchange will be sliding scale for the 7 weeks of teaching : $20 - $100 individuals, $40 - $200 families, couples.

Community Music Programs & Workshops • Sing for Joy Choir •Threshold Singers • Music for Children • Gong Choir Vocal Improvisation Class • Helios Song • Deep Listening Evenings • Parent and Child Music • Intuitive Pedagogy: Movement & Musical Games

Voice Lessons

with Cari Burdett BMUS, MMUS from Royal Academy of Music London, UK Folk, Musical Theatre, Classical, Improvisation

Offering Private and Group Music Classes

Guitar Lessons with Massimo Pintus Folk, Pop, Classical, Jazz, Flamenco, Finger independence

Visit Joythroughmusic.com Call to Register 250 701 0978

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

Ilona Marshall

Vintage Hat Making Workshop (fascinators too) Thursday, May 3rd, 11am-4pm By Donation St. John’s Anglican Church 3295 Cobble Hill Road 250-743-3095

lona Marshall, extraordinary hat maker from Vancouver will lead a ladies Vintage Hat Workshop at St. John’s Anglican Church. “I began doing french silk ribbon embroidery in 1994. Then, began romancing silk ribbons into flowers by following instruction books and then going beyond this to re-create nature on hats through my own imagination and practices. I have made felt hats, cloth hats, and have reconstructed hats from many recycled materials. I have

been designing and selling hats for the past 10 years.” Ilona tells us. In 2011 Ilona won a cash prize for her entry into the International Port Moody Wearable Art Awards. Making hats and fascinators are her passion. Ladies should bring a hat they want to decorate or a new one that we can customize to fit many outfits and their own supplies (hat, glue gun, needle, thread, scissors, bits of ribbon, lace, fabric flowers, leaves - whatever they want to put on their hat. The event is to encourage ladies of all ages to come together & share ideas on decorating a hat that they can wear to the 125th Anniversary Gala on June 2, The Ole Time Country Fair on June 23, to church, yachting or horse events or any other vintage events taking place this summer. Attendees should bring their own lunch (coffee/tea & dessert will be supplied). We are accepting hat and supplies donations for the workshop. Admission is by donation.

Chemainus Theatre Festival is Turning Up The Volume on Theatrical Comedy

t’s chaos backstage at The Chemainus Theatre Festival with Michael Frayn’s clever masterpiece, Noises Off. Clearly, things are not going well as actors and crew trip over a tangle of love lines, missed cues, and lost hope. Till June 2nd, audiences can find out just how bad things get in the “funniest farce ever written”, as praised by The New York Post. Noises Off is considered to be one of the most popular plays in the English language since its premiere in 1982. It follows a North American acting company’s valiant, yet doomed,

struggle to make their British sex comedy a Broadway hit. From their disastrous first dress rehearsal, the troupe’s flirtations and foibles provide hilarious verbal and physical gymnastics. Approaching their less-than acclaimed closing night, the actors try their hardest to keep the play going, and to kill each other, without the audience noticing. Noises Off is produced in association with Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops. The Playbill Dining Room will offer a delicious buffet to evening (pre-show) and matinee (post-show) guests. Reserva-

Christopher Weddell as Selsdon, Robyn Wallis and Poppy and Anita Wittenberg as Belinda in Western Canada Theatre’s production of Noises Off. Photo by Murray Mitchell

tions for the full theatre and dinner package can be made with ticket purchase. Age restriction: Noises Off contains strong language and is suggested for theatregoers age thirteen and older.

Noises Off Michael Frayn

Runs to June 2 Evenings and Matinees Chemainus Theatre Festival 250 246 9820

Start SPRING with 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.

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Home Cleaning Gift Certiﬁcates available for Family & Friends!

he adrenal glands are two small glands that sit over the kidneys and are responsible for secreting over 50 different hormones— including epinephrine, cortisol, progesterone, DHEA, estrogen, and testosterone. The adrenals are responsible for many tasks which include maintaining energy, transport, hormone production, inflammation recognition and control, protein movement through the liver, regulating stress, sodium retention, potassium excretion, bone density, stimulate the breakdown of stored fats and glycogen into glucose, elevating blood sugar levels. electrolyte balance, maintaining pH, allergy response, mineral transport, insulin transport, supporting thyroid function, communication with the hypothalamus and -maintaining fluid balance.

DIETS DON’T WORK! CLINICAL HYPNOSIS DOES The cortex or outer portion

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of the adrenal gland produces cortisone, which helps to regulate blood sugar, energy levels, and muscle function. In stressful situations, levels of cortisone rise, setting off a chain-reaction of changes in the body. It is believed that lowered immunity, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and other symptoms of stress are directly related to the adrenal reserves of cortisone being used up. The cortex also makes small amounts of the sex hormones testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. The medulla or inner part of the adrenal produces adrenaline. This speeds up thebreathing rate, raises blood pressure, and increases heart rate in response to stress.

Adrenals

Adrenal

Health

kidneys Adrenal Stress/Exhaustion With such important jobs to do it is easy to see why it can become exhausted. Stress, lack of sleep and hormone imbalance impacts how the adrenal gland functions. With too much prolonged stress, however, the adrenals can become exhausted from continual hormonal output. You can have emotional stress or chemical stress There is a domino effect starting with adrenal exhaustion. In the first stage of stress there is an increased secretion of the cortisol hormone to try and adapt to the situation. High cortisol causes insulin resistance and insulin resistance causes high cortisol. When you have insulin resistance, you gain weight, crave sugar, and are constantly hungry, You also get fatigued after eating a high carbohydrate meal because lots of insulin has been secreted, while the cells are no longer responsive to insulin. The body converts carbohydrates into fat, which requires energy. This accounts for the fatigue after meals.

42 Voice Consultations Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley FREE 15 Valley Min Phone ess Reduction, Dependencies, Relationship, Fears, Depression and Live Smoke Free packages.

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Medical Qi Gong Exercises What are they, and why do them?

edical Qi Gong is the energetic component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, (TCM). The wisdom of TCM sees us as physical, energetic and spiritual beings. TCM also sees our physical bodies surrounded by an energetic field which is both emotional and spiritual. This acts as our protective shield. The energy of negative and traumatic events in our daily lives affects us emotionally. This negative energy eventually breaks down our protective shield, and starts to penetrate into our cells and tissues. We hold the energy of these emotional events in our cells and tissues without even realizing it, even when the events are long forgotten. Too many negative or

traumatic events, combined with daily stress, will eventually slow the flow of our physical energy down. This begins to create stagnation and blockages in our body. The areas where stagnation or blockages have started to form is where disease begins to set in. Almost all disease can be traced back to emotional or physical traumas which have been held in our physical bodies. Medical Qi Gong exercises help to release emotions, move stagnation, remove blockages and rebuild our energetic protective shield. Medical Qi Gong exercises consist of; Breathing Techniques, Slow Gentle Movements; Visualization; and Meditation. Rommy is a Master level Medical Qi Gong therapist.Find out how a treatment may benefit you..

Christy Rainbow Dawn

Dancing through the Chakras Series with Christy Rainbow Dawn Thursdays, May 17 - June 28 7:30 - 9:30pm Harmony Yoga, Duncan To registsr 250-737 1800 reflectionsretreat@yahoo.ca

Find out how Medical Qi Gong can be a part of your journey to healing, health and vitality. Contact Rommy at: 250-749-6563 rommy.v@hotmail.com

Spiritual Counsellor

Medical Qi Gong Exercise Classes Fridays 10:15am-11:45 am Harmony Yoga, 111 Station St., Duncan

Julia Star BHD.BEd Spiritual Counsellor

Take your life to a whole new level. Rate $60/hour 250-709-9673 www.longboatcounselling.com info@longboatcounselling.com

Working with the Whole Person

Dance into the treasures of colour and the elements to ground, flow, and let go with the beautiful and fun world & electronic music that will move you.... Through yoga, breath work and Kundalini Dance we will dance to awaken our blossoming potentialin safe and supported space.

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

Yeah!! This year we are featuring local seeds from both Carolyn Herriot (The Gardening Path in Victoria) and Dan Jason on Salt Spring Island. Both Dan and Carolyn are stal-wart seed savers and we highly recommend their organic seeds — many of which are heritage. We also have amaranth seeds from Nicolette’s “front yard farm” on Cairnsmore Street for anyone who is interested. No room for a garden? No problem. Sprouting is the way to go. Grow your own fresh “veggies” full of all the vitamins and minerals and enzymes you could ever hope for — year round! You can’t get more local than your own counter. This is simply the easiest and most affordable way to meet your daily nu-tritional and life force requirements. All you need is jars and seeds. Come check out our seed selection and pick up the handout, “the Wonders of Sprouting” which outlines easy and practical steps to grow sprouts in your home. We have sprouting lids that fit on any standard mason or mayonnaise jar and starter kits. For more info on sprouting:

Hornby Island and Salt Spring Island resi-dents have united to deliver a unified “NO” to BC Hydro and Corix regarding the installa-tion of Smart Meters. So have other commu-nities all over the world. On behalf of the bees, our children, and people with compro-mised health, please join us in saying NO to this ghastly bombardment of microwave radiation and violation of our rights. Just the fact that it “might” be unsafe (since everyone is still busy debating the “facts”) should be reason enough to say NO. Let’s be a commu-nity that stands together for our rights. For more info contact:

Join Yarrow Willard from Harmonic Arts in Elixir Crafting and Tonic Herbal Drinks. In this class we will create a number of unique health drinks. Sampling a broad spectrum of herbs, nut milks, super foods, and functional nutrition. Through the use of tonic food/medicines we can fortify our energy and increase overall vitality. Each recipe is also cus-tomizable for specific concerns and available ingredients. Enjoy a radiant state of health through using this fun and pro-active approach in your lifestyle. Yarrow’s Bio: Yarrow Willard is a Clinical/Master Herbalist and co-owner/formulator of Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary. Raised with a strong connection to herbs and natu-ral health, he is a passionate promoter of plant-based medicine and nutrition. Yarrow’s path and purpose is in cultivation a shared connection with the natural world, found through living a seasonally balanced holistic approach to life. With hopes in assisting our collective evolution towards high vitality, he shares health empowering practices with herbs, mushrooms, superfoods, and advanced nutrition. Call the store at 250-748-6227 to sign up.

There is no middle line for us on this one. Any product line owned by Proctor and Gamble, makers of Bounty, Crest, Tide, Pampers, Mr. Clean, Head and Shoulders, Gillette, Secret, Al-ways, Cover Girl, Cascade, Bounce, Febreeze, Max Factor, Olay, Dash — does not belong on our shelves. You might all want to ask yourselves why Proctor and Gamble would want a company like New Chapters anyways? They currently manufacture and net huge profits from selling conventional laundry detergents, household cleaners and body care products. No matter what way you look at it, it’s about money and control. We do not believe the false propaganda from P&G and NC to retain the quality and integrity of the company and so, with much regret and sadness, we say goodbye to this line of Certified Organic Whole Food Vitamins. In the mean-time, we assure you, there are alternatives to New Chapters and as always, we encourage you to explore more and more ways to “let food be your medicine”. As a health food store we have a mandate to research and provide healthy, natural alternatives for our customers with ail-ments and compromised health issues — but our real mission is to help our community to at-tain well being and resilience through real food and healthy living. We would like to imagine a society that does not rely entirely on science and experts and Dr. Oz to tell them what they need to “take” or “not take”. The wisdom for true health is inherent in each and every human — we just have to learn to listen to our bodies. Processed, poisoned, irradiated food laden with additives and genetically modified organisms is not the way to health and vibrancy. Dead food dumbs you down. Eat smart and get smart. Get conscious. Wake up and smell the garlic!

Speaking of real food! We are so excited to announce that we have a brand new line of unpas-teurized sauerkraut from “Culturalive” in Salt Spring. Four kinds to choose from: curry, dulse, carrot and ginger and “Kimchi”. All the cabbage is local, organic and the product is absolutely delicious. Comes in 500 ml and 1L mason jars! The addition of sauerkraut to your diet is one of the best things you can do for your health. The proliferation of lactobacilli in fermented vegeta-bles enhances their digestibility and increases vitamin levels. These beneficial organisms pro-duce numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic substances. Their main by-product, lactic acid, not only keeps vegetables and fruits in a state of perfect preserva-tion, but also promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestine.

Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Notable Mompreneur Tracey Hanson of Clean Choice Cleaners

uccessful Mompreneur, Tracey Hanson moved to Cobble Hill in 2007 with hopes of finding a slower paced, community focused environment to raise her kids in. With a successful track record of starting and running businesses she knew that what she involved herself in next would have to be a good one that balanced family, lifestyle and ethics. “I was looking for a service based business that would be a valued addition to our community. Eco-friendly was the natural direction, partly because it is how we live at home and also because there was a gap in the market place in the area. My goal when developing Clean Choice was to create a cleaning service that provided the personal attention to detail of a personal cleaner with the reliability and structure of a professional business. Clean Choice opened for business in August 2008. For their first month the homes they cleaned mostly belonged to friends. By month 2, their client base and appointments grew to needing enough staff for a full time schedule. The company began as a residential cleaning service, but it didn’t take long before they were receiving requests for commercial and janitorial work. Responding to the call they now proudly provide services in all facets of the cleaning industry. “For home cleaning we serve clients from large homes to small apartments and for commercial clients we service offices, medical buildings, schools as well as a coffee chain with stores located in Duncan to Campbell River.” Tracey says. Now, 4 years later Tracey literally has staff working around the clock, 7 days/week. Services can be booked by the hour for all tasks. Besides general cleaning they also get booked for move in/ move out cleaning, post construction and post-reno clean ups. “As a home-based business with an excellent team of staff to provide the services, I am so grateful that Clean Choice has provided enough flexibility to not have to choose between my career and my family.” Says Tracey. We ourselves are clients of Clean Choice and we can happily attest to the attention and detail that her employees provide. I think my exact words to Tracey were “ Thank you so much for introducing us to Lucie, she truly enhances the well being of our family.” And we mean every word. If you are looking to improve your relationship - seriously! How many arguments stem from keeping the house clean? Contact Tracey at Clean Choice to book an appointment. Our family is on a bi-weekly schedule where Lucie comes in to attend to our bathrooms, floors and kitchen as well as vacuuming our stairs, bedrooms and entrance ways. If she has extra time, and she always does, we can ask her to tackle some special jobs such as the fridge, oven, cupboards or windows. If we aren’t here to direct her, she even does the dishes or laundry. Forget the chocolate or spa gifts. Give your loved one the gift of time and a clean room to enjoy it in. You can reach Tracey at 250 929 8381.

Tracey Hanson of Clean Choice Cleaners

S L OU

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ESTHETICS Est. Since 2006

The first and only green spa in the Cowichan Valley. Offering Certified Organic skincare Eminence from Hungary. We specialize in skin care, foot care and offer a full range of spa treatments. #4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC 250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca

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

n Saturday May 26th, from 10am – 3pm at the Cobble Hill Fairgrounds, Evergreen Independent School will host the 28th annual Children & Apple Pie – a family festival and community celebration, and the school’s primary fundraiser. Proceeds support the activities and programming that shape our students’ education. This fabulous festival features something fun for everyone – little kids will enjoy Face Painting, Cookie Decorating, a Bouncy Castle and other games, while older kids will be inspired at the Woodworking Table, prove their skills on the Mini Golf Course, or work on their aim at the Dunk Tank. The Silent Auction is a wonder to behold. Take some time to bid on some unique and inspired donations from local artists and businesses (imagine the treasures you’ll

find). Stop by the Concession and sample the fresh, organic fare. The Bake Table features our famous handcrafted Apple Pies. These delicious treats are enough to lure a crowd (they usually sell out before noon) but to sweeten the pot, every pie purchased comes with a chance to win a pair of diamond earrings! To keep the festive spirits high, the live entertainment lineup (which continues throughout the day) includes (to name a few) Alex’s Evergreen Kid’s, Woodruff Music Studio, Moon Dance Drumming, William Yoga extravaganza, Bonner Jazz Band, Steps Ahead, One World Youth Dance Theatre, Brentwood College Music Ensembles, and the Hilwi Dancers. Evergreen Independent School has been a fixture in

Face Painting is serious business for guests of Children and Apple Pie, 2011

Buy a Pie – WIN a diamond on May 26 the Cobble Hill area since 1983, and continues to fill the mandate of providing balanced education where academic excellence and individual development are equally valued, and where the inherent joy of learning is nurtured in a caring and respectful community. Evergreen is accepting applications for September

2012. Children & Apple Pie provides an excellent opportunity to visit with Evergreen teachers at the Information Booth, or take a guided tour of the school (just across the street from the fairgrounds). For more information please contact the school at 250-743-2433 or e-mail evergreen@evergreenbc.net

Mayfest – Saturday, May 5th 10am – 2pm Free community event Sunrise Waldorf School 4344 Peters Rd, 250 743-7253. sunrisewaldorfschool.org Join us for a day of family fun and community cheer in celebration of all things spring. Children’s crafts and activities, flower crowns, face painting, Mother’s Day obstacle course w/prizes, fresh food & salad bar, music and Maypole dancing!

Songwriting Contest Open to All Islanders

2012 Theme

“Ecology & The Environment”

lin e ad D g in C l o s 25t h ! y Ma

Bench Fun Fair Saturday, May 12 10:30am – 3:30pm Bench Elementary School, 1501 Cowichan Bay Road 4344 Peters Rd, 250 743-7253. sunrisewaldorfschool.org Bench’s Annual Fun Fair This year’s theme: A Day at the Beach! This is a great family event complete with a gym FULL of games and prizes, Books,Clothing & Plant Sales, Raffle, Famous Haunted House, Cake Walk, Food Vendors and Petting Zoo. Come out and help up complete our playground! Have you heard about our new Buy a Brick for Bench? Past & Present Families, Students or businesses are welcome to buy a brick for bench - have your name engraved and be part of the brick path we are building. What a great way to be a part of this great school!

“We’re looking for a great song about how to protect or improve the environment. Which environmental issues are important to you: Salmon, Global warming, Food? There are hundreds of issues out there. Songs are a great way to educate and inspire and to get people involved in finding solutions. Think about songs which have inspired you in the past, then use your own perceptions to write one of your own to inspire others.” Folk Guild’s Artistic Director, Robert McCourty Full contest regulations and printable registration form available at

www.folkfest.bc.ca 48

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

What Would Ms Polly Do? Communication With Children Being receptive to learning language is a great challenge to the new parent to the baby and to a young child. Newborns come with a set of reflexes to ensure survival. A few of the reflexes are verbal sounds that the neonate makes to cue the new parent. These sounds are subtle and come at the beginning of a conversation. If the sounds are not received and acted upon by the parent the infant will escalate to crying and the subtle nuances will be lost in the heightened decibels. The sounds were observed in the last decade by Priscilla Dunstan who claims the infants mouth form five sounds that correspond to their bodily needs. They are: “Neh,” translates to I am hungry, “Owh,” sounds like a short yawn and means I am sleepy, “Heh,” a subtle exhale that interprets to discomfort or mild pain, “Eairh,” imagine pressing the diaphragm into the lower abdomen meaning I have gas or need a bowel movement, “Eh,” diaphragm presses into upper chest cavity means I need to burp. The roles can be reversed as the infant grows into childhood. There are many subtleties and nuances and cues to pick up on that it takes many years to understand. Along with vocabulary parents are presenting perceptions that may be so abstract that a little one may have no concept what-so-ever of what a parent is saying. When one models an action with out talking a child will be able to imitate amazingly well. An old phrase is, “Monkey see, Monkey do.” Repetition of the action may occur for a child to learn and understand the details. A tricky time for a child is when a suggestion is made not do something rather than to do something. This really poses a challenge to the child in the way auditory processing works. To illustrate, don’t think of a yellow banana or don’t hit your brother. The first mental image is a yellow banana and we hit our brother. With a little practice the phrases of what we actually want our children to do will naturally come to us. When we interact with a child we must remember the little one is still learning the language. Paulette is an Educator of Parents and Children in the Waldorf Philosophy. She lives in Victoria.

y husband is a firm believer that for a child to grow up to be a hard worker, they must see this hard work take place. My family and I have spent many weekends visiting the Glenora, to gather firewood for our wood stoves from the woodlot. We are a wood-burning household, so we need to ensure we have enough to burn for the next season. Island Timberlands has the rights to a large amount of Crown land on the outskirts of Glenora. There is an entrance off of Glenora Road with a manned gate. This area is open to the public on weekends from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. You will need to check in at the gate and let them know why you are heading into the wilderness. Other than firewood, people visit for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting. I found with two bodies of water that are also accessible from this area: Wild Deer Lake and Lois Lake. If you are hoping to visit one of these lakes, bring a back-road map book along with you. My daughter Emily is now 17 months old and she enjoys stomping along the logging road looking for rocks and sticks with Mommy in tow. The rest of the crew diligently hauls logs to the road with the pick-up truck, and cuts the wood into manageable chunks. When the chainsaws stop, we toddle back to help load the truck. Stu grew-up helping his family get firewood, and he

The Children’s Space

Emily

Family Trip to The Glenora Woodlot

is ecstatic to be able to show this to Emily. As soon as she sees Stu put the chainsaw down, Emily runs to him calling “Daddy! Daddy!” She loves to watch him work. She might be small, but she does her share by carrying pieces of bark and slivers of wood to the truck. It’s nice to spend the morning with family in the woods. Sun shining, wood chips flying, and a baby carrying rocks down road. Yes, it is a little dismal to see the lack of trees, but I feel better knowing we are helping to clean up and salvage what can’t be hauled away on a logging truck. There is no cost to enter through the gate unless you are taking wood out with you, which is $20 per truck load. If you don’t heat your home with wood, don’t let this stop you from visiting this unique area. Meghan works parttime and enjoys being a full-time Mom and adventurer.

stic s the n her m apy.

Bruce Wood/Moonstruck Cheese continued from page 11 Nettle Gnocchi with Moonstruck White Grace Recipe courtesy Bruce Wood, Salt Spring Island

When most people think of gnocchi they think of heavy, leaden balls of potato. When made with baking potatoes and handled as little as possible so as not to develop the gluten in the flour, these little dumplings can be delicate and lovely.

Amount

3 1 lb., cleaned 1 small ¼ tsp. ¼ Cup 1 ½ Cups ¼ Cup 1 Cup

Ingredients

Baking Potatoes, washed but not peeled Nettles (CAREFUL they do sting) Egg Ground Nutmeg Parmesan Cheese, grated All Purpose flour Melted Butter Moonstruck White Grace, grated

Cook the potatoes until tender, drain and cool. Peel the potatoes and put through a food mill or ricer. Blanch the nettles in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Puree in a food processor until smooth. Place the nettles in a bowl with the potatoes and beat in the egg yolk. Add the seasonings and cheese. Add the flour and gently knead to a smooth dough. Working on a well-floured work surface, take one-quarter of the dough and form into a rope, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Cut the dough into one inch lengths and transfer to a baking sheet sprinkled lightly with cornmeal. Repeat with the remaining dough. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss the gnocchi into the boiling water and cook until they just float. Drain in a colander and toss lightly with a little olive oil. To finish, heat a saute pan over medium high heat and add the butter. Add the gnocchi and cheese and heat through, season to taste and serve with roast chicken or on their own. Serve hot!

Jean Crowder has been the NDP Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Cowichan since 2004. Crowder.J@parl.gc.ca 1-866-609-9998

Crowder’s Corner

Every ten years the boundaries of federal ridings are redrawn to reflect changes in population. As Nanaimo-Cowichan is the second-largest electoral district in the province, with a population of 125,149 and 99,872 voters, our boundaries are definitely changing. This is your chance to make sure our new electoral district reflects our population, our history and our community interests. New census data was released in February.The 2012 Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia, an independent and non-partisan body, will identify and confirm new boundaries that will reflect the data. While the main goal is keeping the population roughly even, the Commission must also consider geographic barriers – like the Malahat – and communities of interest – like Shawnigan Lake – in their decision-making. The Commission is working on a proposal right now to redraw the boundaries. Once that proposal is published, the public will be asked to provide input. The deadline for letting the Commission know you want to present your ideas is only 23 days after they publish their proposal. You can find the Commission’s contact info at www. federal-redistribution.ca or there is a link on my website at www.jeancrowder.ca. Or you can call them at 1-855-747-7236 or by TTY at 1-800-361-8935.

*Gnocchi can be prepared a day ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator.

WINGS III Opportunity Store You’ll always find a treasure!

Donations Gratefully Accepted

Bring your quality womens and childrens clothing, natural fibres, household gadgets, jewelry, nick nacks and small furniture.

250 746 9906 Open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm 193 Station St at Jubilee, Downtown Duncan

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

Adult & Seniors Literacy Program Launched

t takes a community to raise a life-long learner. And thanks to the galvanizing efforts of Literacy Now Cowichan, our valley has – as always – come together to address another challenge: adult and senior literacy. The “Pathways to Learning” program was launched for adults and seniors who face literacy challenges. Rather than insult people with “See Dick run” books, learning is tailored for each individual’s

real life needs. Clients work one-on-one with volunteer tutors to prepare for such hurdles as updating resumes, getting a First Aid or Serve it Right certificate, computer skills, forklift training, professional driver’s licence, and even citizenship. Linking the learning to tasks that are essential to their livelihood results in high client motivation and success. As Outreach Coordinator June Hughes explains, “For people who are struggling, the light bulb comes on. It’s wonderful to see people’s confidence grow – it’s what holds them back.” Like a delicious stone soup, many community chefs threw in key ingredients: · Ministry of Advanced Education gave the grant funding, with the proposal cowritten with FreeRange Consulting.

receiving graduates back once their literacy skills are sufficient. · School District 79 likewise enjoys cross-referrals. · Rotary Club of Duncan donated 2 new computers, screens, and an e-reader for clients with visual problems. · Bellamy Learning Centre, Global Vocational, GT Hiring, and House of Friendship all send referrals. Clients can call 597-1776 or come into 213B-80 Station Street on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday between 10-3 to be linked to a tutor. Evening hours can also be arranged. Community members interested in volunteering 1-2 hours/ week as tutors are also encouraged to contact program coordinator Kathleen Rick Juliusson Erickson.

· VIU is the grant partner, referring learners to the program and then often

Ensemble Laude perform at Providence Farm May 6

supports non-profits with sustainable fundraising and organizational development. FreeRangeConsulting.ca

Summer Nights Open Stage Entertainment, Cowichan Lake - Call for Performers! Summer Nights Open Stage Entertainment, Cowichan Lake are looking for any and all entertainment that would like to perform on one of the 9 Saturday nights in the summer. This will be done on a volunteer basis, gratis, no pay.

Ensemble Laude, Victoria’s award-winning women’s choir, (featuring 2 singers from the Cowichan Valley) will perform their spring concert The Garden at Providence Farm on May 6th. Directed by Elizabeth MacIsaac, the forty singers explore a marvellous cornucopia of music past and present, from aboriginal fishing chants to medieval love songs, to a modern interpretation of Persian poetry. This year, they

debut their first commissioned work, written by Victoria composer Nicholas Fairbank, based on the works of Christine de Pizan, a 14th century feminist writer. Two concerts are offered, beginning at 2 pm and 4 pm. Advance tickets are available at The Community Farm Store in the Duncan Garage: Adults $10; Youth 18 and under $5; Children 5 and under are free.

The first hour of the show will be an Open Stage, just come to the park with your talent and get on the list. (limited to around 15 minutes /performance ) Scheduled groups will have their “set” to perform that will be scheduled from 7:30 – 9:30. These sets can be 30 minutes to 2 hours long. We provide: Stage, sound system, chairs

and an audience! This venue is family oriented; the entertainment must be children friendly. Decisions regarding who will perform and when will be made by the Entertainment Committee for Summer Nights Open Stage Entertainment, Cowichan Lake. For more info please contact: kayakluver60@hotmail.com

Cowichan Feature Listings Offers individual and couple counselling sessions related to grief, stress management, conflict resolution, communication and personal growth. Specialized in addiction issues. Mes services sont aussi offerts en francais si desire. N’hesitez pas a appeler pour avoir de l’aide! 331 St. Julian Street Duncan, BC 250- 510 - 0182

Sophie Barbant - Hayward, M.A. Registered Professional Counsellor Bilingual French and English

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

Want to learn how to make your own jewellery? Etc! offers a wide range of classes from introductory classes in Beading, Kumihimo and Bead Weaving to more advanced techniques and workshops. We have a fantastic range of beads and supplies as well as unique gifts. Call for prices and dates 250 324 2227 Open 10 am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday.

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

Metal Artist Brad Allen

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

- Metal Wall hangings - Free Standing Sculptures

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

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

Studio located in Duncan by appointment Brad Allen 250 748 0934 www.meddleart.com

Memory foam yoga mat with skid proof, bottom layer as well as textured, top neoprene labor for extra grip. PVC Free. Ideal for pre/postnatal yoga, pilates and those who need more support. Suitable for all types of yoga including, Vinyasa Flow, Power, Bikram, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Gentle and Kundalini.

Decor and Design at historic Whippletree Junction Lynda Allen 250-748-0934 lyndaallentapstudio@shaw.ca

Furniture

Craft and Design

The Loom

yarns, wools, needles, books and notions. 250 746 5250

The Wickertree

BC’s Largest selection of indoor and outdoor rattan furniture! thewickertree.com

www.vvitayoga.ca Richard 250 746 9319 Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands Distributor

Leola’s Studio In The Courtyard

WHIPPLETREE

JUNCTION 4705 Trans Canada Hwy

9747c Willow St, Chemainus 250 324 2227

The home of fine furnishings

- Classes - Shared Studio - Weaving and spinning - Community Loom - Gift Certiﬁcates - Locally made textiles Learn and Experience the joy of textiles.

Specialising in beautiful woods and Canadian furniture. Dining Room • Bedroom Living Room • Tables Home Accesories Eco friendly Sofas & Chairs 250 737 1773 www.sassywood.ca

leolasstudio.blogspot.com

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

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

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This month you want to boost your earnings, get a better job or make money on the side. Plus, you’re considering a major purchase. Specifically, you want to feel what you own helps you in your life, not hinders you. (Do you own your stuff or does it own you?) If you buy something, you’ll want to show it off. All this just prompts you to think more deeply about your value system. In other words --what really matters in life? Hmmm?

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Now the Sun is back in your sign for the first time in a year. It’s all about you! This is your chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. It’s totally appropriate to put yourself first. This is not selfishness. It simply means it’s time to focus on you. Furthermore, you have a strong need to express yourself to others. It’s the one time of year when your first duty is to yourself. (Yes! Seconds on dessert!)

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

We all send out two signals to the world: one is what we consciously say and do and the other one is what unconsciously propels us. Although we might not be aware of it, others see both. This month, your unconscious self will grab you by the throat. Childhood behaviour patterns that are no longer appropriate might manifest in an embarrassing way. Grab this chance to identify them and let them go! (“Be gone!”) It’s also a good time to look back and see

how well you’re doing at the art of living.

Cancer ( June 21-July 22)

You’re going to be very popular this month! Not only will you enjoy involvement with groups and friends, others will love to see you as well. Get out and schmooze. Team efforts will be productive. (In fact, it’s a good time to form working relationships.) Speak freely about your hopes and dreams for the future because others might be able to help you (almost a certainty). Plus you’re excited about your ideals.

Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22)

The Sun is at the top of your chart acting like a spotlight, and this lighting is flattering! Everyone think you’re hot! Naturally, you can use this to your advantage. Go after what you want. You’ll be surprised how easily doors will open for you. This is also the perfect time to think about your life direction. Where are you headed? Where do you want to go? Meanwhile, back at the ranch, many of you are involved with parents more than usual. (Don’t know about you, but my parents turned out pretty well.)

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You want to travel, see new places, meet new faces and learn new facts. You want adventure, fresh knowledge and the feeling that life is stimulating! You’re Gene Kelly strutting across the stage singing “Got-ta dance!” This is a fabulous time to take a course or enroll in any kind of study or take up a new hobby. By all means, travel anywhere if you can. You’ll love discussions that are metaphysical, philosophical, spiritual, religious and political because you’re intrigued by big ideas.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Your love of restaurants, social fun, chic clothes and a beautiful home is tough on your pocketbook. Because you’ve enjoyed recent travels and splurges, now your financial reality is coming home to roost. This is why you’ll be focused on debt, taxes, inheritances, insurance matters and shared property in the next month. You want to reduce your debt so you can have more fun in the future! Along with this desire, you want to improve your life at many levels.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

The Sun is your source of energy, and this is the only time all year when the Sun is opposite your sign. This means you need to get more rest. (The Sun is far away!) Do yourself a favour and acknowledge this. Furthermore, the Sun opposite your sign makes you focus keenly on partnerships and close friendships. Clean up messy situations and examine your relationships with others. Do these relationships benefit you? After all, it’s a two-way street.

Sagittarius(Nov.22-Dec.21)

You’re making To Do lists because you’re keen to get better organized. You want to establish a better sense of order; in part, because you’re also keen to improve your health and you know that cluttered surroundings contribute to a cluttered mind. Vigorous, daily outdoor exercise is probably on your list along with getting rid of whatever you don’t need. You love to lighten your load because it means greater freedom in the future, which of course, means freedom to travel.

May Horoscopes

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Oh joy! You’re entering one of the most fun-filled months of the year! Because it’s your turn to party, you’re motivated to get out and have a good time. You also want the freedom to be able to express who you are. Everything around you feels lighter, prankish and social. Your involvement in sports, the Arts and children will be increasingly rewarding. Your passion to have a good time encourages love affairs and romance to flourish.

Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

This month your attention swings to home and family. Some will cocoon; some will tackle special projects. Because you’re doing lots of personal self-evaluation and evaluating your surroundings, you’ll think a lot about your lifestyle. This focus will manifest externally (as you check out where you live and relations with family members) and internally (as you acquire a deeper, psychological self-awareness.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Strap on your sneakers because you hit the pavement running! You’ve got places to go, things to do, people to see. You’ll love the pace because you feel excited. You’re stimulated talking to everyone, running around doing errands and taking short trips. You’ll also be increasingly aware of the need for clear communications with others because this month is the perfect time to tell others exactly what you think.

www.georgianicols.com