November 2020 Issue 144

owichan

2020 NOVEMBER ISSUE 144

BE LOYAL TO LOCAL I FALL FOOD & DRINK I ARTS IN ACTION

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November 2020 Issue 144 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Publisher Richard Badman Editor Sheila Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 6514 Wicks Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5V2 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution Proofreader Calendar Richard Badman Diana Pink Angela Sheppard Advertising Enquiries Please Contact Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Next Ad Deadline November 15 for December 2020 Issue 145 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Next EVENTS DEADLINE November 15 for December 2020 Issue 145 E-mail: Date, Event Title, Time, Location and Cost w/ subject “EVENT” to events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to, omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Cynthia Montgomery, Craig Spence, Susan Down, Miyo Stevens, Kadie Smith, Gloria Solley, Niki Strutynski, Paulina Kee, Jenny Garlini, Karen Bernard, Sharlene Ionescu, Laura Boyd-Clowes, Leah Burley, Dawn Howlett, Kendra Thomas, Anyes De Laat, Monica Docherty, Suzan Kostiuck, Vedrana Ashcroft, Patti Abbott and Kristy Grant, Elke Wind, Ilse Sarady, Dorothea Siegler, David Coulson, Brad Boisvert, Destanne Norris, Chris Turyk, Bill Jones, Sarah Barnes, Pamela Sanderson, Azam Khan, Dalyce Crossley, TinaLee Foster RHN, Grant Easterbrook, Leah Burley, Alistair MacGregor, Hanna Elise, Kate Koyote, Kathie Tenold, Dennis Brady, Oriana Smy, Donna Shaw, Cen Campbell, Terence Miranda, Tracey Hanson, Dr. Gordon Levin, Christy Greenwood, Genevieve Singleton, Lesley Young, David Denning, Debbie Wood, Greg Perry, The lovely Georgia Nicols, Nicolette Genier, Cindy Jolin and the Wonderful Staff at the Community Farm Store.

We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions; however Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/ or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other contributors. Please send a query e-mail with your suggested topic prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available.

Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450+ select locations throughout the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith, Victoria, Tofino and Parksville Cover Image: Nine artists from the The Art of Miniature Show, courtesy Excellent Frameworks, Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery.

Top Row, Margret Fincke, Shelley Ogder, Roger Jackson Middle row Kathy Thomson, Darlene Tully Jen Tinsley, Bottom row Rebecca Scheer, Beverlee McLeod, Michele Debau Show opens November 7.

NOW BOOKING DECEMBER ISSUE 145 HOLIDAY ADS & HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE CONTACT US FOR DETAILS

AD DEADLINE NOVEMBER 18

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OUR COMMUNITY November Events 5 Everybody Knows 6-7 Discover the Wonders of Cowichan’s Backyard 13 Please Thank A Vet If You Love Your Freedom 15 Holiday Shopping at the Duncan Farmers Market 16 Local Makers, Market Creatively 28 Imagination: The Heart of Learning 34 The Salish Sea Shouldn’t Be an Overflow Parking Lot 35 Love Bombing 101 38 Downtown Duncan Arts Pages 46-47 Best of Cowichan Guide to Local Gift Experiences 48-49 Christmas Crafters 50-51 November Forecasts 69 Directory 70-71 LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Seasonal Market Veggies to Make This Filipino Dish! 17 The Good, The Bad and The Mouldy 18 Let It Breathe 20 Mushrooms as Medicine 22-23 Korean Style Mushrooms 23 Crafty Coven: Chocolate Truffles 24 Grape to Glass: Behind the Scenes at Blue Grouse Winery Tour 25 Christmas Dinner Dropped Off to Your Door 26 Farmers at Your Door 27 Butternut Squash a Fall Feature at Unsworth 29 Explore Versatile Microgreens30 Seasons’ Eatings 31 Pickled Beets 31 Roasted Vegetables 33 HOME, FARM & GARDEN The Most Efficient House Is the One still Standing 14-15 Christmas Décor 43 Fall Spruce Check Up List 58 Need to Free up Space? 59 Solar Power on Its Way to Community Gardens on Salt Spring 64 Make Your Home Climate and Air Quality Friendly 65 LOCAL ARTS Clay Hub Collective Christmas Sale 8 Can the Arts Bug Become a Covid Cure? 9 Plays Well with Others 10 Food Tastes Better Served in Pottery 19 Local Potter Mary Fox Releases New Book 21 Kiln Cooking Glass 42 Shop Local with Cowichan Artisans 44-45 BODY, MIND & SOUL Why We Should Read Glass Beads by Dawn Dumont 11 Building and Maintaining a Strong Immune System 32 Temperature Regulation for a Better Sleep 36 Cowichan Women’s Health Collective 39 A Veteran’s Salute to the Healing Power of Wool 41 Winter Stories for Young Children 50 Optimize Immunity With Supplements 56 Audiology: More Than Just Hearing Aids57 Coming Home to the Body 60 What is Sleep Apnea? 61 Nature Rambles 62 Healing the Child Within 63 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE Local Hikes for Everyone 21 No Bird Brains here! 40 Christmas Decor 43 Adventure Tourism Pivots To Shoreline Cleanup 54 Why did the Toad Cross the Road? 55 Lucky Dog 66 Fairy Creek Update 67

NOVEMBER

EVENTS

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Dennis B Del Torre Conversation Starters & Show Stoppers mixed media & found objects Cowichan Valley Arts Council’s Annex 2687 James St, Duncan runs to 11/14 Elements 28 artists working in metal, clay, wood & basketry Cowichan Valley Arts Council Gallery 2687 James St, Duncan runs to 11/14

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Cowichan Valley Naturalists’ Bird Collisions w/ Glass issue, causes & solutions 9:30am Krista de Groot Canadian Wildlife Service Email cmilo@telus.net for Zoom link Everyone welcome

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Vancouver Island Miniature Masterpiece Art Show Opens 10am Excellent Frameworks 115 Kenneth St. Duncan Runs to 11/28

Taste local & imported products 12-4pm Cure Valley View Centre 5 – 1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Every Satruday 11- 14/21/28

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DDBIA Sidewalk Sale Event 11-3pm Big Savings throughout Downtown Duncan

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The Clay Hub Collective 5th Annual Christmas Pottery Sale 10-3pm 2375 Koksilah Rd, Duncan theclayhubcollectove.com

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Holiday Celebration All Day Soul Escape Organic Spa & Boutique 109-2763 Beverly St, Duncan (Thriftys Plaza)

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At 11am please observe 2 minutes of silence in memory of our veterans.

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Natural Wonders show of wood furniture mirrors & wall art Todd McAneeley Cowichan Valley Arts Council Annex 2687 James St, Duncan

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Why did the toad cross the Road? Elke Wind research on Western Toad Migration in Duncan area 7pm Email cmilo@telus.net for Zoom link Everyone welcome

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Creativity and Consciousness Book signing reading & discussion on intuitive art author/artist Destanne Norris 1-3pm Studio Cowichan Valley Arts Council, 2687 James St, Duncan

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Art Bubble@2 an informal discussion on varied art history topics Cowichan Valley Arts Council studio 2pm 2687 James St, Small group 250-7461633

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Art Talk: My career in puppetry master puppeteer from Sesame Street, Tim Gosley 12-1pm Cowichan Valley Arts Council Studio By donation call 250-746-1633 to reserve Tim Gosley LED shadow & light Puppet Storytelling Workshop 1:15-3:15pm Cowichan Valley Arts

Council 2687 James St, Duncan call 250-746-1633 $40-$30

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Deadline for registration for Lotsa LEGO Cowichan Valley Arts Council’s annual holiday show for kids & families cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

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Love Bombing 101 1pm Webinar kthomas@ warmlandwomen.org FREE

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Lotsa LEGO Cowichan Valley Arts Council annual holiday show for kids & families www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil. ca

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Trial By Fire Open Studio Show & Sale Hilary Huntley 9-6pm 4695 George Rd, Cowichan Bay

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Aquamaris Art Gallery Artist Vedrana Ascroft working on large painting 113pm upstairs Duncan Garage Cafe 330 Duncan St

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YOU CAN’T BUY

Old Black Joe’s Still pickin’ cotton for your ribbons and bows

HAPPINESS

BUT YOU CAN BUY

Everybody knows -Leonard Cohen

S

everal years ago, on a mission to bury my mother’s ashes, I journeyed to West Virginia to visit my ancestral home in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.

Spencer is an isolated small town of two thousand souls.

When I arrived, I was surprised to find that all the local shops were closed.

The reason? At the end of the paved road was a new Walmart. Since then, Walmart has changed its business model and closed its small town stores. The cost of those cheaper goods at Walmart had a steeper price than people imagined. We naturally always want the cheapest goods available, but maybe

LOCAL

AND THAT’S KIND OF THE SAME THING...

Everybody Knows we should consider the full cost of our consumer goods.

The Cost in Jobs Amazon is even more effective at killing local businesses and crippling communities. Usually, the only local people it employs are a few van drivers.

Amazon employs a lot of people in its warehouses, but most are highly pressured, poorly paid and without benefits. The Institute for Local Self Reliance, an American advocacy group, estimates that Amazon has eliminated more than 149,000 more jobs in retail

Trial By Fire Pottery Studio Pottery Classes

NEW ONLINE SHOP AND FARM STAND www.trialbyfirepottery.ca I 250-710-8758 www.trialbyfirepottery.ca

than have been created in its warehouses. Its model of low wages and high efficiency is propelling it to a monopoly on consumer sales everywhere -- a good illustration of how free market competition can lead to monopoly and the end of competition.

The Cost to Workers Our quest for bargains means that we are pushing the full cost onto the world’s most vulnerable workers.

There’s a cost to timepressured Amazon warehouse workers who, as reported in “The Business Insider’. sometimes have to pee in bottles to avoid getting fired for taking too many breaks.

There’s also a cost to the workers who are making our cheap consumer products on

the other side of the world.

It might almost be a comfort to us to think that the money we spend on products made in the poorest countries is somehow benefitting workers’ lives there. But such is not the case. A factory worker in China may work 16 hours a day, six days a week, sometimes for as little as 65 cents an hour. (The Life of a Chinese Factory Worker, Adele Burney) Because upgrading substandard and dangerous equipment costs money (and makes our consumer products more expensive), fingers can be lost and sometimes are, without recompense. Hazardous buildings, overloaded wiring and overcrowded sweatshop conditions further contribute to dangerous risk. And yet, there is enough money left over to have created 2,000 new billionaires in the last ten years!

It’s so ironic that in our quest for ‘the good life’, we who enjoy the many benefits and high wages won by labour unions over a century, use our hard-won and well-deserved wage advances to purchase items produced by those with no such guarantees of work safety and wages. Indeed, our demand for cheap goods makes it certain their plight will not improve any time soon.

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Slavery The Washington Post has confirmed that some of Apple’s suppliers use Chinese Uighurs as slave labourers to produce their components.

(Apple says it has improved this situation.) The Australian Strategic Policy Institute reports 80,000 Uighurs have been taken from their home province and rented out to work in slave conditions in factories across China.

Between 2017 and 2019, more than 80 other companies have also been implicated in exploiting slave labour.

The Guardian reports that a major Asian supplier of prawns to North American supermarkets, including Walmart and Costco, uses slaves to peel the prawns in Thailand. This has been confirmed by The Associated Press.

Other products produced by slave labour are diamonds,

knock-off handbags, clothing, electronic devices and chocolate. (Oh no! Not chocolate!) Sadly, some of these products aren’t available from Canadian producers, so research is required to access fair trade, ethical products.

The Cost to the Environment Ninety percent (90%) of all consumer goods we enjoy are shipped on container ships, some of them as large as 80,000 tons. Just one of these monsters can contain as much as 4.5 million gallons of bunker fuel. These ships can consume 200 tons of bunker fuel per day. That’s a whole lot of carbon emissions!

Bunker fuel is the dirtiest, most polluting fuel that’s out there -- but it’s cheap, so it keeps down the price of the products we love. Because of the tens of thousands of container ships and tankers and because of their high consumption of very low-

grade fuel, emissions from these ships are greater than emissions from all other forms of transportation put together.

(Freightened: The Real Cost of Shipping, Polar Star Films) The massive, booming engines that propel these ships produce underwater lowfrequency noise levels of 180 - 190 decibels, (McKenna, Wiggins & Hildebrand) and regularly ply through whale migratory routes, causing disturbance to already struggling populations of whales.

Considering this, we can do our best to shorten that travel distance when we have to buy non-local products.

The Cost to our Economy When we buy cheap goods produced from a foreignowned company, we are draining our community of its prosperity and siphoning it overseas. Instead, we

could be circulating it within our Valley to support local shops and producers. These local businesses gift our lives with the vibrancy of a living, working society. They also pay taxes to fund the services we depend on.

It may seem like a sacrifice to pay more for local goods, but consider the sacrifices that are being made by others so that we can save a dollar.

Cynthia Montgomery is a concerned citizen who loves living in the Cowichan Valley

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THE CLAY HUB COLLECTIVE CHRISTMAS SALE This November 07th and 08th, the Clay Hub Collective will be hosting our 5th Annual Pottery Sale at the Cowichan HUB in the gym. There will be a range of pottery from both beginners to advanced potters and a large selection of items from our talented teachers.

Margot Page

Enamelling on Copper and Steel

Jewelery • Vases • Journals • Guestbooks Frames • Bookmarks • Magnets • Lightswitch Plates

Available locally at: Imagine That Artisans Rainforest Arts • Artzi Stuff • TOSH

www.margotpage.com

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The annual sale evolved from a few Hub members looking to showcase the range of creations produced by the members. The Clay Hub looks to invite the public to this event to see what we teach and meet the range of individuals engaging in clay play at the Hub. It also gives members of all levels an opportunity to showcase and sell their work. The vision is that the show will inspire and provide a fun event for friends and families. We hope to see you there. There will be covid 19 safety protocols in place and wearing a mask will be mandatory for everyone entering the building. The Clay Hub Pottery Collective Annual Christmas Show and Sale, November 7th and 8th, 10 am to 3 pm The HUB at Cowichan Station, 2375 Koksilah Rd. Cowichan Station.

8/8/2011 3:23:00 PM

Creativity & Consciousness Join BC artist and author Destanne Norris, in her upcoming talk called, “Creativity and Consciousness: Is there such a thing as premonitory art?”, where she explores this question and more. Destanne will give a short reading from her recently published book, “Leah’s Gift: A Story about Reframing Loss” prior to her talk.

In her book, Norris journeys through the loss of her daughter as she illuminates her artworks - some of which were created before her daughter was born – that were mounted in an exhibition entitled, Leah’s Gift.

Through her narrative, journal writings and paintings, she tells how she navigated grief and learned to reframe her questions to find new purpose and meaning in life. Hosted by the Cowichan Valley Arts Council at the Cowichan Community Centre on Wednesday, November 18.

Book signing starts at 1 pm, reading and talk is at 2 pm. Free admission but call ahead to reserve your seat for the talk. www.destannenorris.com

collaborate and share. This page will be our portal connecting writers to readers and collaborators in the coming months.”

Can The Arts Bug Become A Covid Cure?

Author Peg Ainsley and musician Preston Davies collaborating in a CVCAS ReachOut! reading.

Getting together for activities like this is harder during the COVID era, but arts activities online offer alternative ways of socializing

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lot of people are looking for ways to remain active and engaged during the COVID 19 pandemic, and it might be a while, a long-while, before the social activities we have taken for granted all our lives can be resumed. But social distancing and isolation don’t have to become our ‘new normal’.

So how do we maintain a sense of friendship and community, while being responsible and safe? And what role can the arts play, connecting us?

One of the answers is the

World Wide Web. Families and friends are getting together through online conferencing programs.

People are travelling virtually.

They’re connecting via Facebook and other social media. And some are engaging in artsy activities, exploring their creative selves during the distancing era of the pandemic.

The Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society has just started a Writers’ Circle and Forum, where people who want to write, or collaborate with writers, can come together and share projects, ideas, skills, and stories… a lot of it online. Go to cvcas.ca/ literature and have a look.

An introduction to the forum says, “We will be establishing circles, workshops and awards that will encourage writers and offer opportunities to

Considering the dire predictions about how long we will be in pandemic mode, that invitation might have to be updated.

‘Months’ will probably stretch into years, according to current projections.

All the more reason to follow our creative impulses, and make an artsy silk purse out of the COVID sow’s ear.

Are there other opportunities?

Facilitating arts activity in the Chemainus Valley is the mandate of CVCAS. If you have ideas about how we can do that online, get in touch via cvcas.ca/connect/. We’d love to hear from you.

In the meantime, a quick Google search might give us some ideas. I looked under ‘online arts workshops chemainus bc’, and up popped a long list of possibilities – sketchbookskool.com isn’t a Chemainus-based offering, but it’s an interesting example.

A Coronavirus Creativity Guide, linked from their main menu says: “If COVID-19 has you feeling stressed, anxious or lonely, we’re here for you. Making art is proven to reduce stress, no matter your skill level.”

Music, visual arts, dance, you could say the same of any artistic endeavour. So can we break the COVID barrier by engaging in enriching arts activity online. Who knows, but our passion for the arts, while not a vaccine, might be a long-lasting cure!

CraigSpenceWriter.ca

The Luxurious Organic Retreat in the heart of Cowichan Bay Village

NOVEMBER SPECIAL

Book a complimentary make-up session and receive 40% off Elate Make-Up products ENJOY 15% OFF ANY MASSAGE OR FACIAL

www.cowichanbayspa.com I 250 597-0668

Located on the lower level of the Oceanfront Suites at 1681 Cowichan Bay Rd.

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NOVEMBER ART EVENTS

Ceramics by Linda Richter

Dennis B Del Torre, Conversation Starters and Show Stoppers (whimsical mixed media and found objects (Runs to November 14) ELEMENTS: 28 Artists working in clay, metal, wood and basketry (Runs to November 14) Tuesdays at 2 pm Open Studio at CVAC Enjoy informal artmaking with a small group Natural Wonders: Show of wood furniture, mirrors and wall art from Todd McAneeley (November 16 - 30) Creativity and Consciousness. Book signing, reading and discussion on intuitive art with author/artist Destanne Norris.

(November 18 1 to 3 pm) Art talk: My career in puppetry, with master puppeteer from Sesame Street, Tim Gosley (November 25 12 - 1pm By Donation) followed by Gosley Puppet Storytelling Workshop (November 25 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm) November 25: Deadline for registration for Lotsa LEGO - Annual holiday show for kids and families (Show opens November 28) Hours: Mon – Friday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturdays 12:00 to 4:00 pm (some Saturday closures may apply – call ahead)

2687 James St, Duncan (250) 746-1633 I cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

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PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS

reating visual art can be a solitary process, what with all those hours contemplating an empty canvas or a hunk of clay. That’s why when artists do get together, there is a clearly congenial mood. We see it at the Cowichan Valley Arts Council’s galleries as artists and appreciators bump into one another while hanging or taking down shows. Despite, or perhaps because of, the careful masking and distancing, people are practically giddy about showing in a group.

This month, CVAC features shows and workshops that celebrate our earliest artistic inspirations from puppets to LEGO. In the Elements show (until November 14), 28 artists from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands display their work in metal, clay, wood and basketry.

Nary a painting in sight. The same kind of playful, tactile shows are happening in the Annex: Dennis B Del Torre shows his thoughtful mixed media creations that turn found objects into statements about contemporary life. And Todd McAneeley displays his wood furniture and more.

Making art can bring out the kid in all of us. What better way to do that than by signing your family up for this year’s Lotsa LEGO

show (November 28 to December 18) The Red Balloon Toyshop in Duncan is sponsoring prizes.

The Cowichan branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library is supporting the project in a creative way by offering to loan mystery bags of LEGO® to kids and families for a limited time. Enter as an individual or group (under 12 years of age, and 12+) on the CVAC website.

Register in person at The Red Balloon Toyshop or online at: www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil. ca The entry fee is $5 and the deadline for entries is November 25.

Finally, on Wednesday, November 25, puppeteer Tim Gosley will give a talk about his career, including his time in television with Jim Henson’s Muppets on Fraggle Rock, Canadian Sesame Street, and his love for numerous puppetry forms. After the talk, Gosley will lead a two-hour LED shadow and light puppetry workshop featuring low-tech live video puppetry and object manipulation. These inexpensive techniques can have a big impact on your website or creative promotion. Register through CVAC. Susan Down is managing director of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council.

Each of the five, from different familial beginnings, has a different story to tell.

At eight, Julie is “nobody’s baby”. Through these twentyfive years they must reinvent relationships, and rules. By the end of the tale, those who survive are creating their own stories. As committed friends, they do it together, though it is not always comfortable, and never spoken.

WHY WE SHOULD READ Glass Beads

by Dawn Dumont

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lass Beads is a collection of short stories that occur over twenty-five years. They string together the lives of five young friends from one generation, each with different experiences, strengths, and weaknesses. As children born in the Seventies, they, for the first time, live their adult lives away from their families and the Canadian governmentmandated “lands reserved for Indians”. The novel situates the story in the times of the Sixties Scoop, the Resistance of the Mohawk near Oka, Chretien, 9/11, and ongoing governmental issues between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples.

Nellie and Julie first meet when they are eight, at the swing set in Nellie’s backyard in their families’ home community. Everett’s roots, too, are in the same Nation.

As the stories progress, they all end up together in the city; Nellie prepping for law school, her roommate Shay majoring in biology, both at the university. And this is where Taz, from the north, first makes himself visible to Nellie. That evening, surprisingly, Julie brings Taz home.

Dawn Dumont illustrates struggles young people have with identity, coming of age, and healing amid systemic racism. While colonialism in the ‘90s and 2000s may look different from the past and the present, its many and varied masks, carved throughout the time of “Canada”, continue to have profound effects. Dumont encourages the reader to take in the stories, to see beyond the exterior of the experiences. Glass Beads speaks about the health and safety of children as they grow into adults; about the gifts of blood and spirituality; about politics -- both in universities and in relations between Canadian and Indigenous governments. It shows the reader the strength of individuals who strive to imagine what it means to be human in the broader world.

Glass Beads is poignant, humorous, and timely.

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The Warmland Book and Film Collective, a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – explore, celebrate and learn from Indigenous authors and filmmakers – the book for November is Future Home of the Living God: a Novel,

by Louise Erdrich. Questions? warmlandcollective@gmail.com Submitted by Miyo Stevens

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here’s something so magical about Cowichan in the fall!

With the warmer temperatures, the deep crimsons and golden yellows seem to hang on a little longer here, while the endless hiking and biking trails come alive with lush year-round greenery. Now is the perfect time to discover the gems in your own backyard and enjoy some local travel around this vast and unique region.

Experience our Living History The legacy of the Cowichan, or Quw’utsun’, First Nations makes up a significant amount of the cultural tapestry here, as evidenced in totem poles, carvings, and in the designs of the world-famous Cowichan sweaters. Truth be told, we are all guests here, as the Cowichan region comprises the traditional territories of the Coast Salish People. Indigenous art and history can be found throughout the region, like the famous Duncan Totem Tour, a visitor favourite.

Immerse yourself in Cowichan’s history with a self-guided tour of over 40 locally designed and carved totems made by Indigenous artists depicting the oral history of their community.

Each totem is carved from Western Red Cedar.

The Totems Tour will take you through the thriving downtown Duncan area, and along the bustling Craig St, where you’ll find countless shops, cafes, and boutiques featuring locally made and locally sourced products.

Stop into Judy Hill Gallery for Indigenous-crafted souvenirs like bentwood boxes or a traditional Cowichan sweater, or visit Resthouse Sleep Solutions for their beautiful selection of sustainable bedding.

Spend the day exploring the many side streets and stop for lunch at The Ainslie where chef and owner Ian Blom and his family serve up local flavours from nearby farms.

Starting in November, locals will be delighted to know that Hudson’s on First will be having their grand reopening! Renowned for their impeccable menu and ambiance, this family-run establishment is a fantastic spot for dinner.

family-run, eco-venture company Vancouver Island Fly Fishing offers guided tours and training for anglers of all levels. Even the most novice guests will be casting like a pro by the end of the full or half-day trip.

Discover The Wonders of Cowichan’s Backyard Nurture Nature Just outside Duncan’s downtown core, you’ll find Westholme Tea Farm and Alderlea Vineyards, two more family-run businesses specializing in the finest of local ingredients.

Alderlea Vineyards is one of Cowichan’s many family-run wineries, and their vast selection of award-winning wines make it easy to find your new favourite.

You can enjoy a tour of the exquisite grounds overlooking Quamichan Lake with a view of nearby Mount Prevost. Enjoy an outdoor tasting well into the fall months, as the property is shielded from coastal winds and is one of the warmest locations in Cowichan, so you can sit still outside.

Westholme Tea Farm has been a must-visit destination for travellers for years. Right now, their tearoom is closed for the year, but locals can still visit the shop and gallery to browse their incredible selection of teas grown right on the property, as well as the beautiful handcrafted pottery made by local Margit Nelleman.

Just south of Duncan, in Cowichan Bay, you’ll find a plethora of artisan producers focused on the tenets of Cowichan: locally grown and locally made. One of the most unique spots in Wild Coast Perfumery. Here, you’ll find one-of-a-kind scents made from

The Cowichan River is also an important historical and ecological spot for Cowichan and is a Canadian and BC Heritage River, a recognition given to areas that support natural, human heritage, and recreational values.

On the south-eastern coast of Cowichan lies Mill Bay Marina.

essential oils and tinctures from needles, leaves, flowers, lichen, fungi, and moss harvested from our own local forests! Did you know, you can also create your own custom scent? Plant based perfumes already adapt to your body chemistry so now you can choose to mix and match from Mill Bay Marina

Wild Coast Perfumery

the unique Wild Coast Perfumery fragrances to make one of your own with a custom label to boot!

These bespoke fragrances are available by appointment only, so give them a call to start creating yours.

On the Water On the western edge of Cowichan is the Cowichan River, a local favourite in the summer.

In the fall and winter seasons, as the water rises, you’ll find some of the best fly fishing in BC. October to December is the best time of year to fish for trout in the rushing waters, and while some may be hesitant to try it as first-timers, it really is enjoyable at all levels...and quite the workout to boot! Local,

During the month of November, “Stay Local” with a package featuring a 2-night stay on your own private luxury yacht docked at the Marina, care of NW Explorations. The package includes dinner and a bottle of Prosecco delivered to the yacht from nearby Bridgemans Bistro, an additional gift certificate for the bistro, and complimentary use of the marina’s kayaks and paddle boards to explore picturesque Mill Bay! Look out for the annual winter swans, seals, bald eagles. Wake up to the sounds of the gentle waves with this truly unique local getaway you won’t soon forget! Visit them at mbmg.ca/adventure for info.

There’s so much to see and do, and so many new experiences to have in your own backyard this year. We hope you get to enjoy our locally grown and locally made community!

Submitted by Kadie Smith

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

The Most Efficient House Is the One Still Standing

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es, we hear a lot today about energy efficiency, Passive House building, Built Green building, LEED building , Step Code and all the tiny tweaks we can make to the building code to make everything air tight and full of foam insulation and supposedly comfy and healthy and cost free and climate changing.

Well, what are we going to do with the tens of thousands or more likely millions of existing homes across the nation that have housed our families and memories for decades, even centuries in the East? Well winter is coming so let’s have a chat.

I say we apply our best efforts to upgrade what we have and keep the landfills for yet another generation or two until they can at least figure out a proper way to upcycle all this mountain of building waste we bury each year.

Use what we have. Build in the vernacular style of your neighbourhood or region.

That means using cedar, Douglas fir, red brick, limestone, slate and marble and possibly some granite.

It is everywhere locally and is still sustainable if we practice the process of extraction properly and with care.

And why all the new construction, ripping up perfectly established forests and landscapes that give so much character to our field of vision and directly to the neighbourhoods and especially wildlife?

Tasting Room Open Saturdays and Sundays 12-4 pm November 7 to December 20

250 597-4075 6798 Norcross Rd, Duncan

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Ask someone the cost of a basic landscape project on a postage stamp lot in a local subdivision and you will be surprised.

No, I don’t want to put any of those fine landscapers and suppliers out of business as I’m sure there will be lots yet to do but really, a $30 thousand dollar landscaped yard sure could pay for a lot of home upgrades.

Of course we need to deal with trends and fads. What else would we do if not forever rearranging the shelf.

Especially now that we’re home so much staring at the walls.

How about stepping back, take stock of the bones, the best parts of the home, the parts that instill memory, good times and bad, favourite nooks and crannies, dark and moody and bright and airy locations to satisfy all your daily emotional needs and start with that.

OK, let’s change the colour a bit. Some say all white, like ‘Cloud White’ or Simply White’ from Benjamin Moore (have it mixed at any supplier like we do). Layer the colours on top.

Or maybe multi colour? Take the four to five shades of greens to rusts that appear seasonally on the local Arbutus tree. We did an award winning waterfront home in Goldstream owned by a nationally regarded oil painter with that very palette. Then you can “play house ‘til the cows come home ‘. Change it up with rugs or weavings or local pottery and handmade furniture from the Valley’s list of artisans or take a shot at creating something yourself.

Bingo, it’s called ‘eclectic’ and the colours and textures are local, so recognizable, warm and never tiring (unless you don’t like Cowichan,

heaven forbid).

Oh, we did say efficient upgrades didn’t we?

Start with a good roof and good boots. Keeps you warm and dry and lasts forever in this climate.

A broad enough roof keeps the summer heat out so no need for cooling, and keeps the building dry so no need for painting or maintenance.

Go with a lower pitched metal roofing and the snow won’t slide off to quick (that may be a thing of the past soon) and reclaim the clean runoff for your garden. The metal roofing can be upcycled multiple times to a garden or wood shed if you are lucky to live long enough to ever change it.

Insulate with cellulose insulation, a ground up paper with harmless anti fire and anti-bug additives to keep you warm and the paper will sequester a ton of carbon.

Use cedar or even Douglas continued on page 15

continued from page 14

fir siding and sequester even more carbon. If your walls are 2 x 6 “ construction, and you fill with cellulose and clad in local wood siding, you are actually on the road to reversing climate change today. Your heating bill might still be higher than the Passive House down the block but you have built simply and responsibly and the return on the climate is immediate, not 50 years down the road.

Take the Green Door for example at 126 Ingram Street in Downtown Duncan. The siding and framing is over 110 years old as are the floors and moldings and trims throughout. 100% knot free Douglas Fir. My own home, that of Carlton Stone’s first residence, the Keating Farm, The McLay Inn, to name a few more that I have been involved in refurbishing, are all 100% Douglas Fir construction, local river stone, locally quarried granite or locally fired brick fireplaces and locally quarried foundation materials, all stand 110 to 130 years or more and house all the comforts of the finest new homes today, but in addition, have retained the adjacent 100 plus year old landscapes and specimen trees that we are so fond of.

See Fortis and BC Hydro for new funding for heat pump upgrades, support local window manufacturers like Northwest Windows and Doors or Fenstur Windows and Doors for quality Douglas Fir windows that I can attest also last upwards to 130 years and provide tremendous comfort and efficiency when paired with proper glazing and gaskets.

OPEN ON remembrance day NOVEMBER 11 Till 5PM

Please Thank A Vet If You Love Your Freedom At 11:00AM Please Observe 2 Minutes Of Silence

modify our events.

Free drip coffee for veterans and those in service.

Come in & warm up with A Hot Drink OR bowl of nourishing soup or stew

Due to the current Covid-19 rules the Royal Canadian Legion Malahat District #134 has had to cancel or

We are open every Friday and Saturday from 1:00 – 6:00 pm.

Meat draw runs on Saturday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. All proceeds go back into local community charities.

Covid-19 rules apply.

We reluctantly must make the following announcements regarding Remembrance Day: On November 11th • There will be no gathering at the Cobble Hill Community Hall.

• The cenotaph ceremony will be restricted to the minister and a small colour party to raise the flag.

• There will be no wreath laying ceremony. For those wishing to remember a loved ones, a legion member will collect and lay wreaths before the ceremony.

• There will be no reception this year at the Malahat Legion.

Freedom Is Not Free (Anonymous) It was the veteran, not the reporter, who gave us freedom of the press It was the veteran, not the poet, who gave us freedom of speech.

It was the veteran, not the campus organizer, who gave us freedom to demonstrate It was the veteran who saluted the flag, who served beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

Check Our Website Or Face Book Page For News Of Any Changes Facebook: Royal Canadian Legion Br 134 www.malahatlegion.ca Submitted by Gloria Solley

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C

Niki Strutynski is coowner of Tatlo Road Farm, an organic vegetable farm in Crofton. She is also a proud member of the Duncan Farmers Market.

hristmas isn’t cancelled, but this year many of the large holiday artisan shows have been put on hold. This leaves both our artisans looking for other ways to sell their work and customers searching around trying to find their favourite artisans for their holiday shopping!

Many local artisans are regular vendors at the Duncan Farmers Market, but in past years they were often away at the holiday shows in November and December.

This year however they will be at the Market throughout the Fall. Now you know where to find them all… and where to do your holiday shopping! Come shop outdoors in the fresh air and support our local artisans!

things they would never see back home…

Come out to the Duncan Farmers Market on Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The days might be a bit chillier than in summer, but I promise the shopping experience is safe and joyful. Get your holiday shopping done in an open-air environment, find unique gifts for your loved ones, and feel great about supporting local artisans!

Holiday Shopping With Your Favourite Artisans at the Duncan Farmers Market

With a rotation of approximately 50 different artisan vendors each week you can find a wide array of gifts including painting, pottery, wood carving and hand-turned bowls, jewelry, knitting, sewing and textiles, leatherwork, and more! All of these are made locally by the very person selling them.

With a low carbon footprint many of the products are also

made using local, recycled and up-cycled materials.

For the person who already has everything, don’t forget about the wide array of consumable gifts! These include items like soaps and candles, as well as lots of different food and drinks such as sauces, preserves, spice mixes, wine, gin, cider, teas, and locally roasted coffee. Plus you can find holiday bouquets and wreaths, baking and sweets!

We have a lot of family members who live out east and it’s a real joy to send them unique gifts from the Cowichan Valley,

16

Duncan Farmers Market vendors images on this page Clockwise beginning at top centre - Robert Cerins Designs, Sarah’s Soap Garden, Westholme Wonderworks Honey Pot Wraps, Neil McCutcheon, Bowlmaker, Hartley Hills Farm.

P

2 tbsp vegetable oil for sauteeing 1 package of thin rice noodles OR Vermicelli mung bean or green bean noodles. Note: all these noodles almost look the same.

1 cup cooked chicken/pork/ shrimp, OPTIONAL, using leftovers makes this recipe super easy, shred the chicken/ pork if using

Ingredients: 3 large shredded carrots 1 small head shredded cabbage 1 thinly sliced medium sized onion 1/2 cup chopped scallions for garnish 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup fish sauce 1/4 cup sesame oil

Soak noodles in cold water until soft.

In a large skillet on medium high heat, sautee onions and cabbage in vegetable oil, stirring frequently. Cook until almost soft. Add carrots and stir until all the vegetables are cooked. Turn off heat.

Add cooked meat if using and combine well with veggies.

Drain soaked noodles and add to pot of boiling water. Cook noodles until done to your liking. Drain noodles and add to meat and veggies. Working quickly, evenly distribute

Pick Up Some LOCAL Fall Veggies at The Duncan Farmers Market To Make This Filipino Dish at Home ancit is a Filipino noodle dish that is easy to make and even easier to eat. This version is Filipino-ish because we are using local and seasonal vegetables. We hope you enjoy this big pot of goodness with friends and family.

sesame oil. With cooking scissors roughly cut noodles into 1 inch pieces, shorter if you want to impress your Filipino relatives. Using two large spoons, toss noodles together with veggies and meat. Add soy sauce and fish sauce, distributing both evenly throughout noodle mixture. Add ground pepper to taste. Mix again making sure sauces coat as much of

the pancit as possible. Add extra of any of the sauces to tweak the flavour if you feel it needs it. Transfer to serving dish and garnish with chopped scallions and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

Recipe by Paulina Kee, veggies provided by Ol’ MacDonald Farm.

Paulina and Cam have been farming in the valley for the past 10 years and currently operate Ol’ MacDonald Farm.

locally grown, organic and delicious

Ol’ MacDonald Farm Asian greens, parsley, carrots, beets, cabbage, leeks, potatoes, free range eggs and more! delicious local food grown with love

Visit us on Saturdays at the downtown Duncan Farmers Market.

17

What is the white stuff on the outside of my salami, and dried cured meats?

S

o, you may ask yourself “What is the white stuff on the outside of my salami, and dried cured meats?”

The salami’s casing is covered in a powdery dusting of benign white mold, this is a “good” type of mold, which helps in the curing process of salamis and other dried cured meats. This white mould like the white mould on the outside of a brie or camembert cheese is put there by the charcutier or cheese maker, and it helps and fend off nasty bacteria.

So what about green mould?

The typical white mould that we see on salami is Penicillium nalgiovense.

However, in recent years,

The Good, The Bad and The Mouldy Mould on your Cured Meats scientists found a different strain of mould from the Penicillium family, Penicillium salamii. Like the common white mould, this particular mould has a green color and does not produce mycotoxins, toxic substances that can have harmful effects on human health. In fact, this green mould is found on salami all over the world.

Now that all being said I am not saying there is all good moulds out there in some cases studies show that some mould fungus species that are connected with cured meat

Come taste local and imported products every Saturday 12- 4pm for the month of November Flown in from Italy! Fresh Burrata and Italian Mozzarella di Bufala 250 929-CURE (2873)

curemeatandcheese@gmail.com

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Valley View Centre 5-1400 Cowichan Bay Rd

products are members of the Penicillium, Aspergillus and Eurotium families. Some of the species can be toxic.

They can create mycotoxins that can make food products both inedible and hazardous to health. So, knowing the difference and leaving the mold work to the experts maybe just what you want to do. Buy your meat from a reputable source, if you are going to make your own dry cured meats at home do your research as well as consult your local charcuterie butcher for help.

250 929-2873 Lower level Valley View Centre, 1400 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cobble Hill

Chef Brad Boisvert, Cure Artisan Meat and Cheese

5 Course Dinner in support of Warmland arts Warmland Foundation for the Arts remains committed to their mission to support access to youth and adult arts training opportunities through our scholarship programs, and providing grant funding for arts productions on Vancouver Island. We invite you to a unique culinary experience to help support our foundation. At the Donor Dinner you will be served 5 sumptuous courses prepared by guest Executive Chef Joel Peck, paired with local wines and world-class arts entertainment. This is a black tie event. All artists involved in the production of the WFA Donor Dinners are properly compensated for their important contributions.

Socially distanced, limited space. The next Donor Dinner dinner is on November 29 at Brunch on Third restaurant.

Book your private table today at warmlandfoundation@ gmail.com

Handmade stoneware soup bowls set. Black glaze with earth.

Hilary Huntley.

Food Tastes Better When Served In Pottery

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riginally a Science major, local potter Hilary Huntley found her way into the clay department while attending Mount Royal College. A few years later, her husband seeing her love for the art gifted her an old Estrin wheel for Christmas.

She later found her first kiln through a very sweet captain and the fire department where she was a firefighter. Shift work gave her plenty of time to practice clay work and develop the studio skills of glaze making, kiln loading and firing that would launch her career.

In 2006, Hilary quit her career as a firefighter, handed in her uniforms and duty gear for a one way ticket to Vancouver Island with her husband David. Now the

proud mother of three children in sunny Cowichan Bay, the family have erected a unique farm stand style mini store that is open on Saturdays and by appointment.

Online purchases can also be picked up without any contact.

Her work is also found at Imagine That! Artisans gallery in downtown Duncan.

Hilary’s Trial by Fire Annual Show and Sale is a mainstay for gift buyers in the Cowichan Valley and after much discussion readers will be delighted to hear that she will host a Covid friendly Open Studio Show. All the favourites will be available for purchase including mugs, bowls, jars, soap dishes, baking vessel, ramekins and more in a variety of glazes, styles and sizes. Masks will be required to enter and hand washing with soap and warm water as well as before touching pots. Only one group at a time will be permitted entry. If protocols restrict indoor visits Hilary will also have a tiny outdoor show under an event tent beside the farm stand.

Saturday November 28 and 29 9am to 6pm, 4695 George Road, Cowichan Bay www.trialbyfirepottery.ca

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Chris Turyk - I love wine, a lot. I’m a Certified Sommelier, WSET Diploma graduate, and get in everyones way at unsworthvineyards.

I

magine being trapped in a 750ml glass bottle for any length of time. Wouldn’t you need to take a deep breath upon release? I know wine does. I bet, at least once in your life, you have poured the last glass from a bottle and said, “Wow! This wine tastes way better now compared to when I first opened it.” I want every sip you take to taste like that.

Generally accepted are two reasons for decanting a bottle of wine. First is to remove an older wine from any potential sediment that has formed and deposited itself on the side or bottom of the bottle during aging. Consistent with much of the wine industry of today, the line is blurred and many younger wines are made in such a way that sediment can

be found at a younger age post bottling. Not to worry, the same method for carefully removing said sediment can be employed. The second reason is to allow a young wine to breath so it can smell and taste to its full potential, and yes, this applies to white wines.

As red wines age the compounds responsible for the colour and tannin slowly start forming larger and larger molecules, which eventually fall out of the wine forming a sediment; gravity then deposits this sediment on the lowest part of the bottle. The enjoyment from cellaring age-worthy reds is well worth the patience. They become more supple, nuanced, and soft compared to their youth.

When decanting, care should be taken not to disturb the sediment by slowly pouring the wine into a decanter or suitable substitute. A well lit environment aides in one’s ability to see where the clear wine ends and the sediment begins.

Bear in mind is that especially old wines can start to fall apart aromatically when exposed to too much air, thus choosing a narrower decanter would be advisable for those birth year wines.

Aeration of young wine is the prominent reason for decanting in my house. 95% of the wine I drink gets decanted for precisely this reason; wine needs to breathe. Some contact with air can simultaneously allow certain undesirable aromatic compounds to blow off whilst

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allowing delicious aromas to reveal themselves and for nuance to express itself. One can get fairly aggressive when decanting for this reason.

Literally dumping a bottle into a decanter and allowing it to splash around while doing so is not only fun, but usually in the best interest of the wine.

Young white Burgundy is the prime example of the reward of decanting young white wines. Many top end cool climate whites are more coy in their aromatic expression, but some time in contact with air allows them to exhibit their extraordinary complexity and depth of aromas and flavour.

Fact - most people drink their white wine too cold and red too warm. Far be it from me to tell you at what temperature you should enjoy your wine, but for sake of argument let us assume we are playing by the indoctrinated rules of the wine cognoscente.

Decanting a white wine will also raise its temperature ever so slightly this can be a total game changer in the perceived aromas and flavours, especially in the aforementioned white Burgundy example.

Similarly to wine glasses, decanters come in all shapes and sizes. For the most part the shape of decanter is not particularly important to the wine but the exception proving the rule is an extremely old bottle which could certainly be ruined if it is exposed to too much air. In this case choosing a more narrow decanter with less surface area will slow this affect. My main consideration when choosing a decanter is picking one that is easy to pour from. I’m not particularly compelled by intricate and ornate decanters, I’d rather spend the money on the wine instead of the service vessel.

Arguably a young, structured, fuller red like Cab or Syrah could use a good splash in a wide bottomed decanter

Let It Breathe to give it as much possible surface area. Most whites I will put in a more narrow decanter for no other reason than they are easier to put in a chiller or fridge if they need to be taken down in temperature.

Any clean watertight vessel that can pour adequately and has the ability to hold 750ml of liquid can be a decanter.

Glass is certainly classiest but is by no means compulsory. I recall using milk jugs, mason jars and one particularly shapely flower vase in my tenure as a wine snob and they were all good enough to be perfect. All jokes aside, an actual wine decanter worth recommending is the simple, yet effective Riedel Merlot decanter. I have no idea why they call it the Merlot decanter, probably simple marketing. Regardless it works for everything and will only set you back about $40 at most home stores and can certainly be found online.

a short walk from the parking lot to the trestle which is one of the tallest wooden trestles n the world. This is part of the Great Trail and offers not only walking and hiking but biking accessibility for those who want to wander further. Path to the trestles is hard packed and easier for those pushing a stroller or walking with a walker.

5. Stoney Hill Trail is a bit

Local Hikes For Everyone 1. Maple Grove Park

situated just north of Cowichan Bay offers an easy stroll along the man-made dike. Here you can enjoy the ocean smells and watch the abundance of birds in the marsh. Perfect for families with little ones and for those who enjoy a more level walk.

A favourite when the sun is shining in the winter months.

Access this park near the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club in Cowichan Bay. Limited parking.

2. Eves Park in Crofton is a

hidden gem. The park itself is 18 hectares and a relatively easy walk park. Some reviews from visitors have said it is a place of peace and tranquility and offers plenty to look at with some quick elevation changes. There is also a picnic shelter. Located at 8109 Little Mountain Road in Crofton.

3. Chemainus Lake Park is mostly flat with a little bit of ups and downs on a fairly easy loop.

Great place to enjoy especially in the fall with the turning of the leaves. Popular comments from locals and visitors is that it is a great place for children and pets.

Look for signs off of Rivers Road in Chemainus.

4. Kinsol Trestle is one of our more popular destinations.

Easily accessible via Renfrew Road in Shawnigan Lake. It is

more challenging then those mentioned above but still very easily done with more climbing.

This is a 3.4-kilometre trail which takes you about 90 minutes to do because you are stopping to look and take pictures of the incredible views.

Watch the sailboats below you sailing through Sansum Narrows and look over at Saltspring Island. Very steep cliffs so caution is needed with young children and pets. Take Maple Bay Road to Genoa Bay Road and follow signs to Stoney Hill.

There is limited parking.

Introducing our 3 course Fall menu!

Changing weekly and available with wine pairings.

Contact us to enquire about hosting your holiday events at Unsworth Restaurant.

Call(250) 929-2292 ext 1 restaurant@unsworthvineyards.com

6. Mt. Tzouhalem is suitable all year round and offers many different options from hiking and walking to horse back riding and the ever so popular mountain biking. The most popular destination is to hike up to the cross. We recommend two different trails for this. The first one being the View Point which offers you many views of Duncan and Cowichan Bay and the other one being the Danalyzer that takes you more into the forest where you can enjoy moss covered rocks and trees. Access via Kaspa Road in the Properties. Large parking area.

For more info reach us at: Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre, 250.746.4636 2896 Drinkwater Road Duncan Submitted by Kirsty Grant & Patty Abbott, Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre. Image of Stoney Hill courtesy Patty Abbott.

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shown to have measurable effects on our bodies. Oyster mushrooms are indicated as having anti-cancer (slowing tumor growth) activities, chanterelles are strongly antifungal and anti-bacterial and Cauliflower Fungus are linked to increased brain activity and have memory strengthening properties.

Bill Jones is an author, chef and food consultant Deerholme.com

O

ne of the emerging trends in recent years is the rise in awareness of the power of certain mushrooms to have positive impacts on the body.

Mushrooms are different than most plants and animals and some contain characteristics of both – particularly at the genetic (ie DNA) levels.

Some mushroom compounds act as poisons, some chemicals interact strongly with brain function (for example the hallucinogens in magic mushrooms) - many more mushrooms have positive impacts on body functions and generally

CELEBRATING

13 YEARS IN BUSINESS IN THE

COWICHAN VALLEY Heronwood Custom Cabinetry Inc. Is a local custom cabinetry shop located in the Cowichan Valley.

Heronwood is know for its meticulous craftsmanship and creative design.

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

E4-4970 POLKEY RD. DUNCAN

250-597-4701

heronwoodcabinetry.ca 22

Mushrooms as Medicine boost the immune systems (or help the body perform functions more efficiently).

Keep in mind one of our most powerful antibiotics is based on the penicillium mold (a simple form of fungi).

Medicinal mushrooms do not have to be complicated. One of the more common edible and beneficial mushrooms is the Shiitake. Available fresh or dried, these mushrooms have been used as a health tonic and immune system booster in China for several thousand years. In our local wild mushrooms, several edible varieties have been

Much research is now focusing on the effects of fungi on metabolism and you can now find a wide array of dietary supplements based on mushrooms, the most popular of these are the Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail and the Cordyceps.

Each of these mushrooms has specific functions in the medicinal world – but they have been associated with affecting our body in positive ways. Even the common button mushroom has multiple benefits, providing

health promoting nutrients and aiding in digestive processes. Everyone has a slightly different metabolism, so the dosage and effects might not be consistent for everyone. It also should be noted that a small percentage of people sometimes have allergic reactions to common mushrooms – with a wide range of symptoms from itching and hives to neurological effects like disorientation and tremors.

Care should be taken if you add any new mushroom to your diet. Even so, edible mushrooms have proven to be a safe (and at least benign) way to add flavor and healthy benefits to your diet.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Join Cowichan Hospice and Island Health for the 30th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in honour of those who have died. This virtual event will be streaming live on Cowichan Hospice’s Facebook Page starting at 6 pm on Wednesday, December 2nd. We invite you to join the ceremony by lighting a candle of your own and taking a walk in your neighbourhood.

Share a photo of your candle or a memory of a loved one on our Facebook page to connect with other community members as we, together (but apart), honour our loved ones who have died.

Korean Style Mushrooms Recipe courtesy Chef Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm This is a fresh style of kimchee made to be mixed and eaten quickly. The spice level is low, so you can pump it up as much as you want. Great as a side dish with a variety of tapas or grilled beef.

Makes 6-8 servings

Ingredients

1 lb (454 g)

1 Tbsp (15 mL) 2 Tbsp (30 mL) 1 Tbsp (15 mL) 1 tsp (5 mL) 1 tsp (5 mL) 1 Tbsp (15 mL) 1 tsp (5 mL)

mushrooms(chanterelle, cauliflower fungus, hedgehog, button, etc) grapeseed oil rice vinegar Japanese soy sauce miso or Korean miso-chilli paste hot sauce garlic, minced sesame oil Salt and pepper to taste

Upcoming EVENTS All Scheduled Fall/Winter Wild Mushroom Workshops are sold out.

Private foraging is available by appointment.

Deerholme Truffle Dinner I December 12th Deerholme Truffle Dinner II December 19th

For full details visit www.deerholme.com

BY RESERVATION ONLY

Private Dinners are available • Minimum 8 people – custom menu

4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan

For ReservationS 250 748 7450

Method

Clean mushrooms and rip into pieces. Heat oil in a skillet until hot. Add the mushrooms and sauté until liquid is released. Saute until liquid is evaporated and add the vinegar, soy, miso, hot sauce, garlic and sesame oil. Heat through until seasoning are absorbed. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm or chilled.

Help Fight Child Hunger in our Community WWW.NOURISHCOWICHAN.CA I 250 597-7760 23

Chocolate Truffles

Recipe Courtesy Barnes & Maracle Makes 30-40 decadent and delicious truffles to give only to your favourite people.

Ingredients

8 ounces of semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (high quality, 62% cacao or higher), well chopped into small pieces 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream 1 vanilla bean Toppings!!! Go crazy with toppings!!! Be a purist with cacao powder or be avant garde with orange zest and Chinese 5 Spice. The possibilities are endless chopped nuts, toasted coconut, crushed candy canes, get festive with sprinkles and sparkles.

Method:

Chop chocolate into small pieces and put in large metal bowl.

In a small sauce pan heat cream on medium high heat to a simmer, stirring often.

Cut vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out inside, add to hot cream. Add hot cream to chocolate, and let stand for a few minutes then whisk until smooth.

Allow to cool then refrigerate for 1-2 hours Set up a baking sheet with parchment paper Set up little bowls with desired toppings Use a melon baller or your favourite small spoon to scoop out some of the chocolate and roll small balls in your hand, roll balls in toppings and put on baking sheet.

Refrigerate truffles overnight then package in your beautifully crafted boxes. Put a love or prosperity spell on these decadent balls of joy. Bam! November is a time to be cherished and enjoyed and full of crafts and chocolate.

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Crafty Coven

ovember is the moodiest of all months. Is it Autumn? Is it Winter? Who am I? Summer where are you? The absoluteness of short, drab days and a neverending Winter becomes apparent. The reality of being a super unorganized, hater of commercialized Christmas also sets in.

When I think of November I almost immediately get the blahs and that’s not fair to November, there must be a glimmer of hope. I started to think about Novembers past and what was fun, where I found joy, how I coped with my existential meltdown of cold, dark day realization.

I summoned up memories of crafting and cooking and making homemade gifts with the fabulous and crazy women in my life. We would gather at each other’s houses with our crafting tools, boozy drinks and snacks galore.

It is amazing when women of all ages gather to craft,

men were always welcome but rarely would they dare to join our craft coven. We would make gigantic messes and drink and laugh and craft away into the night. Candles, painted wine glasses, nuts and bolts you name it we crafted it. We would drink fattening cocktails made with cream liqueur and try to out do one another with the appetizers we brought.

The dream of having the most amazing homemade gifts and being the craftiest Christmas women of the world was our November reality. If you are like me and get sulky when winter sets in, host a craft party and invite your aunty and your mom and your crazy girlfriend Wanda. Craft with joy and reckless abandon.

Men don’t be afraid crafting is amazing and fun and there is usually free booze and snacks.

Submited by Sarah Barnes

Valley Economic Development Conference.

After receiving her Sommelier Certification, she continued her studies, completing the French Wine Scholar, Sherry Educator, and Certified Beer Server with the Cicerone organization.

Grape to Glass: Behind The Scenes At Blue Grouse Winery

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f you are interested in learning about what goes on behind the scenes at a winery, now you can! Join us at Blue Grouse for a behind the scenes tour with Pamela Sanderson, resident Sommelier, and tasting room manager. She will take you through a one-hour tour including the tasting room, winery cellar, and barrel room. Learn about the estate history, vineyard property, and an overview of the winemaking process.

Finishing the tour with a tasting of 5 wines.

This tour is great for a get together with your bubble, business holiday gathering, or team-building experience.

Tours are only available once a day at 11 am with a reservation required and a maximum of 10 guests. $25 per person.

The grape to glass tour will be available through the end of the year, ending December 20.

Meet your tour guide Pamela Sanderson...

Pamela grew up on Vancouver Island and fell in love with food and beverage working for top quality restaurants and wine retailers.

Her driving force has always been a passion for the product and the producers and a desire to share her passion with others. Pamela taught for the International Sommelier Guild and has always made time to present seminars at Taste, Victoria Festival of Food and Wine, Victoria Wine Festival, and the Comox

Special Promotion on now: Free gift with purchase!

Purchase a case of any wine and receive one Blue Grouse water bottle or a 6-bottle reusable bag. Your case can be mixed or the same. Gift choice will be added to your order online or in person. Quantities limited. Offer ends December 20.

Look for more promotions at the winery as well when you come to visit! Free shipping, wine club membership gifts, and more. It is a great time to shop local and give the gift of wine this holiday season.

Lexington Spa A PROFESSIONAL MOBILE SPA THAT COMES TO YOU!

Cindy Beam, Owner

MANICURES • PEDICURES • REFLEXOLOGY

250-514-1380

www.lexingtonspa.ca I lexingtonspa@shaw.ca 25

2. Christmas Dinner Drop Off - can accommoate 6 -50 people with everything you need to host your own full Christmas dinner party at your home, workplace or location of your choice - starting at *$28 per person

Tired of spending Christmas in the kitchen?

Why not let Vancouver Island Event Catering take care of all the dinner details!

SAMPLE HOLIDAY MENU *INCLUDED IN MENU OR CREATE YOUR OWN

*Fresh Assorted Dinner Rolls with Butter Tray *Caesar Salad With Fresh Croutons Parmesan and Anchovy Dressing *Baby Organic Greens with Balsamic And Sundried Tomato Vinagrette * Carrots with Fresh Parsley Butter *Sweet Baby Peas with Salted Butter

PLEASE CHOOSE 1-2

Fresh Traditional Roasted Turkey with All The Fixings Maple Smoked Ham with Honey Jack Daniels Bbq Sauce Herb Crusted Baron Of Beef with Merlot Gravy Pan Seared Chicken Breast, Fresh Herbs and Garlic Alfredo Sauce *Fresh Pasta Noodles Tossed with Artichokes Cherry Tomato Baby Spinach Basil Asiago Evoo And Butter (Vegetarians Only) (Vegans omit cheese and butter)

*Tax and gratuities not included.

PLEASE CHOOSE 1

Roasted Nugget Potato with Fresh Rosemary and Parsley Butter Mashed Potato with Fresh Herbs And Sour Cream Basmati Rice Pilaf With Fresh Parsley and Toasted Cumin Seed

PLEASE CHOOSE 1

Salted Caramel Cheesecake with Kahlua Ganche Coconut Cream Cheesecake with Irish Cream Ganache Bumbleberry Crumble Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream Key Lime Cheesecake with Lemonchello Sorbet Apple Crumble Pie with Maple Walnut Ice Cream Pmpkin Spice Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Topping And Vanilla Ice Cream

BOOK TODAY FOR BEST AVAILABILITY

Christmas Dinner Dropped Off To Your Door

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ne popular local caterer Azam Khan is trying to think outside the box this year in regards to his services and the unfortunate Covid pandemic. Azam, owner and operator of Vancouver Island Events Catering offers his menu daily out of the restaurant at Mount Breton Golf Club in Chemainus.

This year the restaurant is offering the option to host your Christmas party on the premises for up to 50 people and includes a full service bar.

“With all that is going on, the hustle, the line-ups and oh those crazy family dinners… we wanted to be able to help with some of the craziness and provide traditional holiday dinners and the trimmings, without any of the fuss.” smiles owner Azam Khan.

Choose from two easy options:

Now booking for Holiday office and home parties. Please call 250.701.8593 or email viec@shaw.ca Prices start at $28 per person plus tax and gratuity some restrictions apply 26

1. Full Holiday Party - Can accommodate up to 50 guests on the premises with a full service bar - choose your date and time based on availability and menu choices - starting at *$28 per person

“We’re general caterers and providing a one stop shop.” says Azam “We will bring everything you need from your place settings to your full holiday meal. Mix with drinks and you have a party!”

Azam Khan has been serving delicious food across Vancouver Island for over twelve years providing full catering services for intimate private dinners, conferences, workshops, engagements, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, meetings and more. He loves what he does and everything is always served hot, delicious and with a smile. Past catering clients have been The Barenaked Ladies and Tragically Hip, Jane Goodall Foundation, NYU Dean of Law, BC Premier, Lieutenant Governer of BC and more. Azam and and his staff enjoy creating foods and providing service for the most VIP guests to the average Joe’s backyard barbecue. To get the date that you may want - book today. www.vieventcatering.com 250-710-8593

Farmers At Your Door Submitted by Karen Bernard

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ne of the new realities of our pandemic life is the concern around shopping in person. Luckily, this situation has been remedied by options that stores and producers have come up with to make our lives easier and safer at the same time. Most stores now offer pick up, delivery and mail options.

Here in the Cowichan Valley, we even have the option of shopping from our local farmers and food producers from the comforts of our home, at the click of a button, through direct to producer online farmers’ markets.

Many farming communities scrambled in March to quickly figure out how to sell produce when restaurants and

farmer’s markets were closed but here, the Cowichan Valley has had an online farmers’ market since January of 2016.

The co-operative of over 100 local farmers and food processors really came into its own this past year when Valley citizens realized the benefit of having fresh, local food and staples accessible right at their fingertips.

Business increased 150 percent and now heading into Winter they are poised to fill that void again.

Another local, online shopping company, and unique to our community, is the Cowichan Milk Company.

With their fresh and very local milk, they also carry several other farms and local food producers on their website.

Online shopping is as easy as logging in to the site, setting up an account and browsing from the comfort of your home. You can “Meet the Producers”, a lovely way to connect to your food. In some instances you can subscribe to items so that your weekly order will always have your favourites without too much effort on your part.

We don’t know what this

Winter will bring pandemic wise, but we do know what the Cow-op and Cowichan Milk Company can bring: fresh milk, bread baked that morning, eggs laid this week, greens picked yesterday and more. All of this paid for with the knowledge that your money is supporting your neighbours and greatly helping towards creating food security in our region.

Sustainably Harvested Seafood

from Michelle Rose CSF

Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery

www.michellerosecsf.com

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home sales and collaborating with other artisans & retailers to curate custom gift options to reach supporters who would normally visit in-person winter markets.

Local Makers, Market Creatively - In The Absence Of The Traditional Winter Market Season

I To my many valued customers As we all continue to move forward in these uncertain times we must still remember there is beauty, great fullness (and great local food) all around us.

Lisa’s Own has been a local food producer and business for over 30 years in the beautiful Cowichan Valley - I support local farmers and growers and then pass the products onto you in my wonderful line of products and preserves.

I am excited to announce that Lisa’s Own has a new online shop www.lisasown.com and a contactless pick up stand so you will still be able to include my wonderful products at your next small gathering, dinner party or special night.

You may also contact me by email at pinklisasown@gmail.com or 250~709~9383 Stay safe, be kind and thank you for supporting local 28

Lisa

n the schmozzle (disorganized mess) that’s characterized 2020, we’ve all had to pivot and regroup to weather the chaos.

This rings especially true for creative small businesses who’ve had to face the shutdown of in-person markets. Many creative small businesses rely on market sales to provide the bulk of their yearly revenue and connect them to their loyal customers. Danielle, owner of local jewelry brand Sedona, echoes this: “... being an artist who works from home...I look forward to socializing with both other artists and customers.”

This “new reality” has forced makers to innovate and expand their market strategy.

In the Cowichan Valley, many opened farm stands, organized community craft crawls and hosted live markets on social media to stay connected with customers.

As the weather shifts, and we inch toward the holiday season, local makers are pivoting once more. Many are participating in virtual markets, arranging private

If you, or someone you know, enjoy supporting winter handmade markets and are looking for a way to continue this tradition in this schmozzle of a year, here are a few things to consider:

• Seek out your fave local creative businesses to give them a follow and a share on social media.

• Sign up for creative e-newsletters.

• Find groups on Instagram and Facebook who promote local businesses.

• Visit small retailers in your area, who carry a great selection of local artisan products.

• Seek out and plan to attend “virtual markets” to purchase artisan products.

• E-mail your favourite local makers and inquire about their winter selling plans.

• Shop early to avoid shipping delays and social distancing lineups.

This year is different, but it can still be special. Buying local, handmade items can make it even more special: for you, for those you are gifting to and especially for local small businesses who care deeply about making quality handmade products for their customers.

Dalyce Crossley, December Studio, member of @cre. ativeheadspace

Butternut Squash a Fall Feature at Unsworth

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ince the inception of Unsworth Restaurant, more supported from our community we could not be. What started as an idea for a CSA model meeting a restaurant, we subsequently launched our CSR (community supported restaurant) program. In light of increasing cases of COVID-19 and potentially all too familiar restrictions coming back for restaurants we made the difficult decision to put this season’s CSR program on hiatus. We adjusted our plan and will be launching a 3 course meal that will change weekly. The menu is open to all guests and is in addition to the regular menu. Previous CSR members have received an email with a unique offer to show our appreciation for their continued support. Naturally we will have optional selected wine pairings from yours truly that will feature old favourites and new friends, including our Gamay Pinot Noir and Petit Milo. The three course meal is $50, to add wine pairings is $25 and, as always, reservations are encouraged to

avoid disappointment.

Chef Maartyn and team remain thankful for the abundance of support shown by our community this year. The feedback we have received, especially regarding our safety protocol has been overwhelmingly encouraging and we extend our thanks back to our guests as safety in hospitality is a two way street.

Maartyn is excited for the Fall bounty and when asked about his favourite fall ingredients put Butternut Squash at the top of the list remarking, “for the Fall I’m most excited to be working with local Butternut squash which I like to accompany with sage, brown butter and goat cheese either in a Stuffed pasta or in a salad or even on a Pizza!” When it comes to wine pairing, Winter squash are a fascinating muse.

Their natural sweetness not only opens the door to wines with some sweetness, but when roasted are intriguing with big high alcohol reds like Grenache from the Rhone Valley or Aussie Shiraz. The unctuous texture and earthy flavours of squash when made into soup are flawless with sparkling wine offering contrasts of both a temperature and texture to the pairing. We can’t wait to experience this new dining experience with us!

Soul Escape Organic Spa and Gift Boutique

Join us Tuesday, November 10th 1pm-5pm

Spaces are limited, so book quickly fora complimentary 20 minute Flash Facial with Eva and Verity *All retail products will be tax free throughout the day *Door Prizes and *Swag Bags We ask that you follow the protocols we have in place: *You must wear a mask *Hand Sanitizer will be dispensed for you *To maintain social distancing we will allow 3 people in the boutique area at one time

109-2673 Beverly St., Duncan (Thrifty’s Plaza) 250 748-2056 I www.soulescape.ca 29

Find us at the Duncan Farmer’s Market on Saturdays!

Charcuterie, Grazing Boxes and Entertaining Ideas

www.picklespantry.ca I 250-266-2464 Sands Funeral Chapel

Cremation & Reception Centre-Duncan

by Arbor Memorial

Janice Winfrey Funeral Director

tel: 250-746-5212 • fax:250-746-7034 sandsfuneral.com/duncan email:sandsduncan@arbormemorial.com 187 Trunk Road, Duncan, British Columbia V9L 2P1

Zak Stolk Violin Maker

25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition.

Making, repair and restoration of Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, and all manner of Stringed Instruments.

250-749-6563 zakviolins@shaw.ca www.zakviolins.com Mugs Plates Bowls Vases Vessels Honey Pots Tea Pots Urns Shakers & more!

The Mud Room Clayworks • Potter Colleen Underwood 1725 Cowichan Bay Road, 250 710 7329 30

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Explore Versatile Microgreens

icrogreens are a natural and innovative ingredient.

Originally used as a garnish by chefs in restaurants, they have become a source of good nutrition and freshness in our healthy lifestyle, and are making their way in our kitchens.

But exactly what are Microgreens? Simply put, they are the second stage of a plant’s life or when the roots establish themselves and the first leaves, called cotyledons, appear. Typically microgreens are grown in soil with ample light, low humidity and good air circulation.

The young plants are harvested before the true leaves emerge, after about 7 to15 days. At that stage of growth the microgreen plants are at their peak of flavour intensity as they have had the opportunity to absorb trace elements and micro nutrients from the soil.

Microgreens are considered “superfoods”: Gram per gram, they provide more nutrients than any other natural food known.

Researches made suggest that they can have up to 40 times more nutrients than their mature vegetable counterparts. These superfood seedlings are naturally high in quality protein, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and anti-oxidants.

Depending on the variety, microgreens have between 5 to 40 calories per 250g, they are virtually free of cholesterol and are low in carbohydrates and sodium.

Microgreens are delicious. Their flavours are fresh and can be bold, sweet, sour, salty, bitter, or spicy. Because the leaves are young, the microgreens can be used whole. They can be used for baking, blanching, blending, canning, cold and hot infusion, pickling, marinating, decoration, extracting, freezing, drying, stirfrying, deep frying and smoking.

They are perfect as a complete salad, as additions to traditional salad, in juices and smoothies, on sandwiches, in soups, with your favourite dish, in oils, and as garnishes. Microgreens pair extremely well with cheeses, fishes, vegetables, meats, eggs, breads, rices, beans, pasta and dough, they are simply a great and versatile ingredient.

Whether purchased live or cut, microgreens are available year round. Most varieties can easily be stored for at least 7 days in the refrigerator. Go ahead and try some microgreens. They are fun, healthy, and more importantly delicious!

Submitted by Sharlene Ionescu

LOOKING FOR MICROGREENS?

We grow plenty of them!

A&S MICROGREENS t.250-710-6135 www.asmicrogreens.com

PICKLED BEETS

Recipe Courtesy Laura Boyd-Clowes Kin Park Youth Urban Farm

Seasons’ Eatings Laura Boyd-Clowes Manager, KinPark Youth Urban Farm

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his is a season of abundance for farmers and gardeners, as we scramble to transform overflowing wheelbarrows and crates of produce into frozen, dried or preserved food to last through the Winter. At Cowichan Green Community, our kitchen has been bursting with beautiful local fruits and vegetables, and we have been juicing, slicing, freezing, pickling and dehydrating up a storm! A perennial favourite is pickled beets, which we make using beets grown at KinPark Youth Urban Farm. The recipe involves slicing cooked and peeled red beets into chunky wedges, and a brine made of a special blend of pickling spices, vinegar, sugar and salt. It’s simple enough, but the canning process that is required to safely seal and preserve these ruby treasures is a bit trickier. We are

lucky to have commercialgrade equipment to facilitate sterilization – but the hot and repetitive nature of the traditional canning process remains the same! If you have ever made preserves such as jam or jelly, you know how long it takes - To make a batch of 100 sealed pints from raw beet to finished pickle, it took our hardworking team of 3 over 6 hours. The benefit is that, done correctly, the finished product will taste good and be safe to eat for a year or more. If you want to taste the latest preserved harvest from KinPark, visit the reFRESH Marketplace and ask for pickled beets.

Warning: They are craveably good, especially with cheese and charcuterie. You WILL want more than one jar.

Ingredients 4 lbs of beets 1 cup water 2 cups vinegar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tsp pickling or kosher salt 2 Tbsp pickling spice Prepare Beets 1. Trim off beet tops. Wash and scrub well. Place in large pot, cover with water, boil, then simmer until tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from water and cool so you can trim and remove peel. Cut into 1/4” slices.

Prepare Canner & Jars 1. Fill canning pot so that jars will be covered by 1” of water.

2. Check jars for cracks, wash with warm soapy water, rinse well and place in canner to heat up 3. Heat lids in small pot of water. Do not boil, just keep hot until needed.

Prepare Brine 1. In large pot, combine water, vinegar, sugar, salt and pickling spice. Bring to boil and simmer five minutes until salt and sugar are dissolved.

2. Add beets to brine to heat through.

Fill Jars 1. Tightly pack beet slices into hot jars to within 3/4 inch of rim.

2. Add hot brine to cover beets. Use a utensil to remove any air bubbles and add more brine, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.

3. Wipe rim with clean cloth and seal with hot sealing lid. Screw band on top and finger tighten.

4.Process in hot water bath for 30 minutes.

Recipe makes four pint (500 mL) jars.

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Building and Maintaining a Strong Immune System Submitted by TinaLee Foster RHN, Essential Remedies

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healthy body and its immune system begins with making an effort of taking care of yourself- this includes eating a whole foods diet while limiting processed food and sugar, getting moving and exercise (which moves the lymph that carries protective blood cells throughout the body), practicing good hygiene, getting sufficient sleep, and also nourishing your mind with ‘happy-making’ things, that are unique to you!

Increasing your vitamin and phytonutrients(see below) intake is becoming more important.

Natural supplements can be

ever so useful to add into your routine, today more than ever- in an increasingly stressful and toxic world. Lack of sleep, chronic disease, poor nutrition, and stress of every kind can all put a damper on your immunity your body’s ability of fighting off bad bugs and disease. There are many things which you can add to your arsenal to strengthen your immunity, fight colds/flus, while aiding other aspects of wellness as well.

Here are a few top picks at Essential Remedies: (we are always happy to help you find what works best for you):

1. Elderberry- helps with upper respiratory symptoms and alleviate flu.

2. Astragalus- a popular TCM herb that works as an adaptogen, strengthening your immune response and fighting stress 3. Licorice- contains substances that fight viruses, chest and cough symptoms, and stress.

4.Garlic- powerful antiinflammatory and antiviral, stimulates white blood cell activity, nature’s antibiotic 5. Echinacea- prevents and helps cold and flus, antiviral support 6. Bee Propolis- cellular immunity, throat infections, antimicrobial, cold/flus, mouth sores

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7. Medicinal Mushroomsincludes reishi, chaga, turkey tail, cordyceps, lions mane, shiitake, maitake- these have immune-enhancing and adaptogenic effects 8. Oregano Oil- natural antibiotic and powerful antioxidant 9. Ginger and Turmeric rootsboth rich in antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and help cleanse body and strengthen immune system.

10. Vitamins C, D, Zinc, and Selenium- ensure extra intake of these vital immune supporters.

Wishing you much wellness this Autumn and Winter!

Essential Remedies 141 Craig Street Downtown Duncan (250) 748-9632

Roasted Vegetables

Recipe courtesy Grant Easterbrook, The Olive Station, 225 Canada Avenue, Downtown Duncan This is an easy recipe that’s simple, tasty, and always a crowd pleaser. You can substitute with other veggies like, asparagus, or substitute the potatoes for butternut squash, or whatever you have on hand. The most important thing to remember is that they are all cut in a similar size so they cook evenly.

PREP TIME: 20 Minutes COOK TIME: 20 Minutes For this recipe you will need the following: 12-15 Brussel Sprouts, trimmed and halved 1 whole Red Onion, peeled and cut into large chunks 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, seeded and cut into large chunks 8 ounces, weight Mushrooms (any kind), quartered or halved depending on size 2-3 carrots, cut into large pieces 2 Red Potatoes, cut into large chunks or 8 oz. fingerling potatoes halved 3 cloves Garlic, minced Salt And Pepper, to taste 1 teaspoon chopped fresh herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme) 1/4 cup Mushroom & Sage Olive Oil 1/4 cup Red Apple Dark Balsamic Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Combine all the prepped veggies in a large bowl.

Drizzle the Mushroom and Sage Olive Oil, then season with salt, pepper, garlic and other seasonings of your choice.

Toss to coat.

Arrange on baking sheet (2 sheets if your veggies are really big!) , spreading the veggies out to give them room.

Roast for 15 minutes, shaking the pans at least twice during that time. Toss and roast for an additional 5-10 minutes, until veggies are nicely roasted.

While the veggies are cooking, simmer balsamic for about 15 minutes or until nice and thick. When veggies are done, drizzle with the Red Apple Dark Balsamic Glaze.

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Imagination: The Heart of Learning

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eah Burley, mother of four, M.Ed., Waldorf educator, and Owner/Artistic Director at Warmland Dance leads the studio preschool and kindergarten programs with a mind for “process vs. product”.

The recital on stage can be a fun opportunity for some young children, and those who want to dance onstage, do, at Warmland Dance’s well-produced, notably tasteful, year-end showcases. “However,” Leah states, “the show is certainly not the goal of our children’s programs” instead, Warmland Dance opts for an innovative and experiential approach vs. over-intellectualized, endproduct driven classes. Leah shares that “the children are just developing a relationship to movement at this age, and if we teach them there’s a right and wrong way to dance, it’s overwhelming. I don’t want them to worry about failure, I just want them to LOVE it… and *laughing* that’s good for business anyway”.

Visit our new Gallery space featuring Local Artists - next door @ 165 Station Street!

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Yes, you’ll see silk scarves flying, hula hoops spinning, balance beams, parachutes, tunnels, beanbags… the works in our studio, though instead of moving from one party trick to the next to keep ten preschoolers busy for half an hour, our Preschool and Kinder Movement lessons are delivered wrapped in a story, each movement intentionally designed and alive in the child’s imagination, keeping creativity and storytelling central to the art of dance.

In An Imaginative Approach to Teaching, Egan regards imagination as one of ‘the most powerful and energetic learning tools’ (Egan, 1986). Beyond ensuring children enjoy and engage in a meaningful way in dance class, Warmland

Dance appreciates that learning through the use of imagination fosters the development of “critical consciousness”; the higher thinking and advanced problem-solving functions (Friere, 2007). Leah recognizes developing the imagination is required for human beings to understand the world around them, conceive their own identity, and find a sense of belonging; the impetus for the popular Warmland Dance social media campaign #BelongHere.

When a teacher views a child as a blank canvas upon which to impart their knowledge, they will tend to focus largely on teaching the movements or techniques themselves – Leah calls it the “old-school” way to teach dance. This unilateral, depository approach to teaching, also known as the “banking method”, will “anesthetize and inhibit creative power”, (Friere, 2007).

“Children come to us as anything but blank canvasses – they are full of colour and wisdom. I am interested in how movement and dance can become a part of their journey; to help them unfold and flourish”. smiles Leah.

Warmland Arts Academy and Dance 225 Canada Avenue, Downtown Duncan www.warmlanddance.ca

The Salish Sea Shouldn’t Be An Overflow Parking Lot Alistair MacGregor is the MP for Cowichan-MalahatLangford and the federal NDP’s Critic for Agriculture

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ast month, I introduced a bill in the House of Commons that seeks to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 in order to address a growing concern of our coastal communities. The South Coast of Vancouver Island is a world-renowned pristine marine environment that is home to many unique species and has thousands of years of First Nations history and culture. The place we are lucky to call home is the envy of many Canadians and the destination of many tourists from around the world, who come for fishing, whalewatching, boating, water sports, and adventure. While this sounds idyllic, every paradise has its problems.

Over the last ten years, the waters off our coast have become overloaded with freighters awaiting their turn at the Port of Vancouver.

Transport Canada has cited that Maritime law allows vessels, some as large as 300 meters to anchor wherever it is safe to do so. In addition to the noise and light pollution, the parked freighters have caused serious concerns with the potential pollution of the marine environment.

Ancient clam beds, prawns, oysters, and endangered species, such as the southern resident killer whale, are at risk of environmental impact from these vessels. The ships have also been shown to swing at anchor and there are increased risks of them

coming aground. Other than the introduction of an Interim Anchorages Protocol, there has been little to no oversight of these anchorages.

Since first being elected in 2015 I have met with and heard from many community members, local First Nations, and stakeholders who have shared their frustrations with me. So far the action taken

by Transport Canada through its Interim Anchorages Protocol seems to have only spread the problem around to more communities. As Canadian trade continues to grow, bringing with it more shipping to our area and longer wait times at the Port of Vancouver, we are left thinking about how we can expand trade in an efficient and sustainable way without harming our precious ecosystems or our costal communities.

The bill I have put forward in the House of Commons will prescribe a specific area in and among the southern Gulf Islands where the proposed National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) is to be established and prohibit the anchoring of freighter vessels.

If the federal government sees value in protecting these waters through the establishment of an NMCA, then they almost certainly should not be used as an overflow industrial parking lot for large freighters.

If passed, this bill will allow us to reclaim the use of this space for members of our communities and to protect our coast and the many species that rely on it. I encourage you to write to my office so that I may share your

WILLOWANDORCHID.COM

Weekly and monthly floral subscriptions • Weddings & Events • Customized Gift Crates • Floral Design Classes and Workshops • Sympathy Arrangements • Online, Telephone and Email Ordering • Delivery 101 Station Street Downtown Duncan 250-748-9868 willowandorchid@gmail.com support with my colleagues, and I want to thank all the community members that have made this bill possible.

Alistair MacGregor, Member of Parliament 126 Ingram Street #101, Downtown Duncan

Alistair MacGregor is the MP for Cowichan-MalahatLangford and serves as the NDP’s Critic for Agriculture and Agri-food, Rural Economic Development and Deputy Critic for Justice 35

M

ost of us grow up learning about the 5 senses (sight, sound, taste, smell and touch), without realizing we have many more that play an important role in our body’s ability to function.

Some of these other senses are: balance, registering thirst and hunger as well as pain, our body’s ability to accelerate and decelerate, and our inherent sense of time. Let’s face it, we all have senses working full time keeping us safe, comfortable and functioning optimally.

Our body’s ability to monitor and manage its internal temperature, called thermoception, is also a lesser known sense. We all have something called a hypothalamic temperature sensor found in our brains, and receptors in our skin cells that run signals back and forth, helping our body respond to fluctuating temperatures. Our bodies respond by sweating, shivering or moving to adjust our external room temperatures. We do this all day, everyday. We hardly notice it’s even happening.

How Do We Regulate Our Body’s Temperature While We Are Sleeping?

When we are asleep and cannot easily adjust our external surroundings without waking ourselves up, our

woven to allow for adequate breathability. In order to help your body stay cool throughout the night, your built up heat needs to dissipate through breathable sheets and linens.

Temperature Regulation for a Better Sleep body has to compensate.

Often this is what causes us to overheat at night.

We are relying on our bedding materials to help create the ideal temperature environment for us, yet some bedding is not built right to do this. Heat is trapped in and we end up sweating and overheating. Since a cooler body temperature is ideal for a restful sleep, let’s see what we can do to make it easier to get our temperature just right at night.

Seven Ways to Regulate Your Body’s Temperature Effectively While Sleeping: Avoid eating right before bedtime. The digestion process creates internal heat.

If you need a light snack in the evening choose bananas, kiwis or cherries for an easy to digest fruit that also contain compounds that will help you fall asleep.

Although regular exercise will help you sleep better,

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refrain from exercising at least 2 hours before bedtime.

Exercising raises your internal body temperature, in turn signalling your body to be in “awake mode”.

Let’s consider snuggling. A lot of couples like to cuddle, yet we all know bodies huddled together create heat. So once you are ready to sleep, find a comfortable position to get your z’s on your own.

Choose comforters that can moderate your temperature rather than trap the heat in.

Wool filled comforters will wick away your heat and sweat into its bulky open fibers and give your body the space to regulate its core temperature. Conversely, feather down insulates and doesn’t allow for breathability, therefore it pushes your body temperature up throughout the night.

Use sheets that are breathable.

Most linens over a 400 thread count are too tightly

Surround yourself with natural bedding materials.

Synthetic fabrics like polyester are often not breathable and will cause you to overheat. Most conventional mattresses are made with these synthetic materials and yet we blame ourselves for overheating.

Natural fibers like cotton, wool, linen and natural rubber latex will help you manage your sleep temperature.

Turn the thermostat down and open a window. The ideal room temperature for sleeping is around 65 degrees.This range will help you keep your body’s temperature at the most ideal level for the best quality sleep throughout the night.

With a little bit of effort and thoughtful bedding choices, you can be on your way to a more comfortable slumber.

Temperature regulation while sleeping makes all the difference to a quality sleep; one that is undisturbed and rejuvenating.

Resthouse Sleep Solutions 126 Station St, Duncan Street, Downtown Duncan 250-597-7378 Dawn is co-owner of Resthouse and enjoys sharing about natural sleep practises.

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Love Bombing 101

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ove Bombing: the intentional development of a dependency relationship for the sole purpose of sexual exploitation and/or trafficking.

A lucrative enterprise with low risks for perpetrators, profits from forced sexual exploitation have been pegged at $99 billion USD annually. One sextrafficking victim can generate between $168,000-$336,000/ year. Although marginalized youth are at greater risk, there is no victim profile – any race, culture, or class from impoverished to wealthy with the average age of recruitment being 13-14. STOP! Read that again: the average age of recruitment is 13-14. 25% of Canada’s human trafficking victims are under age 18, 50% are age 18-24, and 41% of perpetrators are age 18-24.

There is no trafficker profile – from 16 year old boys to tattooed gang members, scouts seeking customers (not just victims) at shopping malls, bus stops and parties, 12th graders recruiting 7th graders, and girls already being trafficked trafficking other girls.

In this age of social media youth are vulnerable and developmentally unprepared to deal with the very real dangers associated with sexual exploitation. Many youth don’t recognize they are on the path toward sex trade involvement.

They become victims of persons who establish friendly or loving relationships with them, and more invisible is peer-to-peer exploitation. Today’s youth are technologically savvy but

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are they emotionally savvy?

Can they detect sophisticated recruitment tactics? Can they protect themselves from manipulative grooming strategies? Can caregivers protect youth from adolescent denial, “Mom, you’re overreacting!”

“Dad, you don’t know him/her the way I do.” “Nothing bad is going to happen (insert teen disdain and rolling eyeballs).”

Sound familiar? Do our kids know more about ‘parental controls’ on their devices than the adults? Are you worried? We are.

Understanding the complexities of a trafficking situation is key to the successful intervention of it. “Love Bombing 101” is a free webinar presented by Children of the Street Society, hosted by Warmland Women’s Support Services Society and funded by the Department of Justice Canada, November 26th 1pm and is open to all persons concerned with the wellbeing of our most precious resource – our youth. Contact kthomas@ warmlandwomen.org 250-7108177 for registration details.

Warmland Women’s Support Services Society 331 St Julian St, Duncan (250) 710-8177 Submitted by Kendra Thomas

Cowichan Women’s Health Collective “Babies are born in the circle of the sun, the circle of the sun on the birthing day…”

Kathy Reid-Naiman

“Babies are born in the circle of the sun, the circle of the sun on the birthing day…” These are the lyrics to a folk song I learned one frigid Winter day on an old family homestead in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. “Up to the North, down to the South, the wind and the rain from the East to the West…” The song gets passed ‘round and ‘round, and people make up their own verses. Usually, it ends with: “Scattering my ashes in the circle of the sun, the circle of the sun on the dying day.” Life and death have always existed in sacred relationship with each other, and it is in that space between the light and dark where midwives and doulas stand.

Meg Fulton, a Holistic Reproductive Practitioner and doula here in Quw’utsun, is intimately aware of this, and, as she says, “Unfortunately, not all pregnancies result in a baby.” The hopes and dreams that are sometimes lost in the journey of pregnancy and birth can be harder to grieve, as there is often less cultural awareness and support available. “Pregnancy loss can feel very isolating,” Meg goes on, “Especially when the news of pregnancy hasn’t been shared yet.” Some choose to wait until they’re out of their first trimester to share the news of their pregnancy. If there is a loss in this period, (the most common time for a miscarriage to occur), it can be especially hard as family and friends may not be aware that the need for support exists.

When asked about how the experience might be different, Meg explains, “Many people wait for the second trimester before hiring a doula. However, connecting earlier on with a full-spectrum doula who has been trained in pregnancy and infant loss can mean that the person has professional support if a loss occurs at any point during their journey.” And as with any loss, this connection and support can help women, partners, and entire families to not feel so alone in their experience of grieving the loss of a child. For more information on Meg Fulton and her services visit: https://www.rosewaterwellness.ca/ Last month, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance was commemorated internationally. Miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, molar pregnancies, and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) are all risks people face when bringing new life into the world. In addition to Meg, we have many trained doulas, midwives, and naturopathic physicians in the community who specialize in and provide fertility, pregnancy and birth, as well as early post-partum support services. There are also programs, such as the Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program (DAFGP), that aim to address the financial barrier associated with accessing doula support. For more information on the DAFGP visit: https://bcaafc.com/dafgp/ During the pandemic, Vancouver Island hospitals fortunately allow a second support person in labour and delivery wards. This means that not only can a partner be present, but it also makes it possible for a doula to be present for a birth as well. This extra support is important for all births, and can never be underestimated during times of loss. “The comfort of physical touch and presence has a powerful effect when supporting a person through hardships and grief,” says Meg. “Doulas can easily ‘do’ many things to support their clients, but there’s magic in offering compassionate, unbiased support by simply being present.” Being present for each other’s grief is something we can always do for each other – physically distanced or not!

The Cowichan Women’s Health collective acknowledges our settler relationship to the unceded territory of the Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking peoples upon which we live.

Hanna Elise (she/they) Kate Koyote (she/her) Cowichan Women’s Health Collective

NATUROPATHIC CARE AT MATRAEA CENTRE Dr. Rikst Attema ND and Dr. Jenna Waddy ND provide naturopathic care for the entire family.

Naturopathic medicine offers a holistic approach to health, while aiming to uncover and address the root cause of illness. With over 16 years of combined experience, naturopathic doctors Attema and Waddy use a multitude of modalities, treating a wide variety of ailments with compassionate, professional, individualized and attentive care.

One of their special interests is in Women’s Heath and includes: • preconception care • fertility, • recurrent miscarriages, • prenatal and postpartum care In Naturopathic medicine, safe natural treatments are used including nutritional guidance and supplementation, herbs, physical medicine and more that are incorporated into a treatment plan tailored to the individual Please call 250-715-0444 for more information or to book an appointment.

PRACTITIONER & SERVICES AT MATRAEA CENTRE: Denise D’Fantis, Registered Acupuncturist, Rebecca Christopherson R.C.C., Hayley Sinai Youth & Family Counsellor and Intuitive Reader, Registered Midwives Jane Ballaro, Talia McKenzie, Kate Koyote and Elizabeth Morrison, Amanda Slydell Tax Preparation, Two Moons Lactation with Candice Wray, Naturopathic Physicians Dr Attema ND & Dr. Waddy, ND, Amber Burwash and Erin Sheen, The Place to Mortgage, Cowichan Valley MLA Office.

www.matraea.com I 170 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan I 1-844 Matraea 39

Ravens Crows, Magpies No Bird Brains here!

W

e’re sure you have your favourite animal.

It may even be a really smart one. But corvids - such as crows, magpies and ravens really are something special.

In fact, they’re some of the most intelligent animals in the world. They are one of the few species documented as using simple tools. In addition to their typical vocalizations, they also mimic other birds and animals, including human voices. They can count, work out solutions to simple problems and they are fond of collecting shiny objects like keys, rings, and other trinkets which they will openly thieve from us.

SHOP WITH US Tuesday - Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 3pm Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs 251 Craig St., Downtown Duncan

imaginethatartisans.com I 250-748-6776

JOIN US

WEDNESDAY to SATURDAY look for our daily specials on

Corvids are known for their problem-solving skills and amazing communication skills. For example, when a crow encounters a mean human, it will teach other crows how to identify the human. In fact, research shows that crows don’t forget

a face.

Grab a book about crows and you will be fascinated by the family life and skills of crows.

Bird Brains and Crows, Encounters with the Wise Guys of the Avian World Candace Savage describes the life and behaviours of crows in her two best-selling books.

Drawing on the most recent research, she suggests that the birds may apply their mental powers to such everyday activities as choosing mates, building nests, teaching their young, searching for food and communicating with each other.

Written in an easy conversational style, and supplemented with breathtaking colour photography, these amazing birds will take your breath away!

Come and see all the new and used books on Ravens and Crows at Ten Old Books.

Ten Old Books 330 Duncan Street, Downtown Duncan 250 715-1383

40 Ingram Street

www.theoldfirehouse.ca 40

Downtown Duncan

(250) 597-3473

Submitted by Kathie Tenold

“I

t works.” That’s the simple conclusion from Mid-Island war veteran Jack Rossiter about the comfy, healing power of wool.

For a year now, Jack has used Soul Comfort’s thick, medical-grade sheepskin underpadding on his mattress to address bedsores — with impressive results.

“After using it for only three weeks, the difference in the alleviation of the pain I was suffering using the usual bed sheets was completely eliminated,” the 95-year-old veteran reported, noting his underpadd’s resiliancy.

“The sheepskin has not lost any of its cushioning depth and shows no sign of wear.

I find it easy to maintain. I use it both under a normal bed

A Veteran’s Salute To The Healing Power Of Wool sheet or on top and wash it once every three months.”

Jack just found sheepskin wool a physical blessing.

“I don’t have much fatty skin tissue anymore and as a result, no natural cushioning.

I had no idea such a product existed until the nurse from Veterans’ Affairs told me

www.theainslie.ca 161 Kenneth St., Duncan 250-597-3695

TEN OLD BOOKS

Always something for everyone

Great Selection of Used & New Books • Bestsellers & Award Winners • Classic Novels & Timeless Favourites • BC & Canadian Authors Plus Local Cards • Crafts • Children’s Books • Jewelry • Unique Gift Ideas and More!

102-330 Duncan St 250 -715-1383 Find us inside the historic Duncan Garage

about it and arranged a trial.”

That’s music to the ears of Soul Comfort owner Anyes De Laat.

“Jack was in pain and couldn’t believe the difference after using wool bedding.

“The reason the nurse sent him my way was because he had a bedsore and it was getting worse,” Anyes explains.

“It healed and stayed healed.”

Such results happen because sheep’s wool is a live fibre prompting some folks to conclude the miracle material deals well with what Anyes calls stump pain’s “phantom feeling.”

Wool alleviates ache at the end of a wound stump.

“The fact that wool has a body heat of its own promotes circulation, which greatly helps prevent infection,” she adds.

Soul Comfort also sells prosthesis fillers so there is no rubbing on the unit’s hardplastic surface — which often creates sores and even skin breakdown.

Wool is also naturally bacteria, mould and fungusresistant.

Soul Comfort stocks loose wool or wool strands to put into one’s skin folds if a person occupies a wheelchair for long periods.

And sheep’s wool is effective in addressing healing before and after foot amputation.

Wool between the toes keeps the skin dry. Wool socks and wool insoles also reduce and absorb moisture that accumulates when using synthetic materials.

Miracle mechanics aside, veteran Jack Rossiter pinned a virtual medal on wool’s effective results.

“I have no hesitation recommending your sheepskin.”

For more information about wool’s uses and products for patients of all ages, contact Soul Comfort.

Submitted by Anyes de Laat

Soul Comfort Sheepskin Wool 190 Fourth Street Downtown Duncan 250-737-1281 41

Water Lillies by Dennis Brady, Victorian Art Glass

Kiln Cooking Glass

Y

up. We cook glass in a kiln. We place glass in a kiln and heat it up until the glass is as soft as cooked pasta and will bend over or into a mold to create the shape of a bowl or vase.

That’s called slumping. We can heat it a little more and it softens even more so different pieces of glass will stick together in a permanent bond.

That’s called a tack fuse. We can heat it still more so pieces of glass set onto other pieces of glass with melt down and flow into a single common layer. That’s called a full fuse. We can place pieces of glass in a ceramic mold and heat it enough all the pieces melt together to create a solid glass casting. We can use different heat resistant materials, like ceramic fiber paper or plaster/silica casting compound, to create shapes that glass is fused onto to adopt a bas-relief texture.

By carefully controlling the temperature glass is heated to, and how long it is kept at a specific temperature, we can create a near infinite variety of designs by cooking glass in a kiln.

Hidden Gem Reiki Studio

Judy Johnstone, Reiki Master 250-661-0192 www.hiddengemreiki.com 42

What started in 1980 as Dennis Brady’s hobby has grown into the Brady family group of businesses including

Victorian Art Glass selling equipment and supplies for glass artisans. DeBrady Glassworks produces glass art for sale through galleries and gift shops, Master Artisan Products manufacturing tools for glass artisans and Glass Campus providing glass art instruction in their Victoria BC studio, online through live webinars, ebooks, videos and downloadable classes. With over 300 free tutorials and videos, the Glass Campus website is probably the most comprehensive source of free glass art instruction anywhere on earth.

Master Artisan Dennis Brady and his sons Dane and Jason offer a full spectrum of glass art instruction ranging from a kindergarten level introduction for beginners to master classes in special techniques many of which Dennis invented.

Victorian Art Glass, 566 David St, Victoria www.vicartglass.com

Submitted by Master Glass Artisan Dennis Brady, owner of Victorian Art Glass

Magnolia grandiflora

Ilex verticillata

Ilex x meserveae

Pinus strobus

Christmas Decor Monica Dockerty, Dockerty Gardens horticulturist and Dinter Nursery employee.

A

s the seasons change and the holidays are around the corner many gardeners are switching gears. Instead of pulling weeds, pruning and edging garden beds it is time to create seasonal planters, wreaths, or festive garlands. The cost of purchasing winter greens can add up, and harvesting greenery is not realistic for everyone.

What could be more festive than picking home-grown holiday greenery, straight from the garden?

Many garden-worthy plants can provide beautiful foliage and form to use in wreaths, in table decorations and in long-lasting seasonal arrangements. Here are ten great festive plants to incorporate into your garden, and your holiday décor: • Red stemmed dogwood Cornus sericea: This native shrub offers brilliant red stem colour in both the Winter and seasonal displays. Growing anywhere from three feet to fifteen feet depending on the variety, red stemmed dogwoods can thrive in very wet sites. They

prefer full sun to partial shade.

Prune hard in April every two to three years for optimal stem colour • Salal Gaultheria shallon: This broadleaf evergreen shrubby groundcover is a favourite for florists. The glossy green foliage makes a great filler in displays.

Salal is garden worthy for its ability to grow in dry shade and will grow anywhere from two to ten feet tall depending on the level of moisture and disturbance it receives.

• Evergreen magnolia Magnolia grandiflora: Evergreen magnolias have glossy green leaves golden brown indumentum and makes a dramatic greenery for wreaths and Christmas planters. Growing upwards of 60’ depending on the variety, southern Magnolias can an excellent evergreen addition to the sheltered garden.

• Red or yellow cedar Thuja plicata/ Chamaecyparis nootkatensis: We understand that to have room for one of these behemoths in your garden is a luxury, but if you do be sure to use some greenery for decorating. Hedging cedars also work.

• Cascade mahonia Mahonia nervosa: This low-growing native Oregon grape has evergreen foliage that turns purple to burgundy in the colder months. M. nervosa makes a great shade and drought tolerant groundcover and is not fodder for deer.

• White pine Pinus strobus: This pine species has wonderfully soft foliage and with many different varieties to choose from it can be a compact garden sized shrub or a large elegant tree. The blue green needles also provide a lovely contrast to deeper green foliage.

• Blue holly Ilex x meserveae: An easy to grow, evergreen and deer-resistant shrub, blue holly produces glossy red berries in fall.

As well, blue holly makes an excellent privacy screen. Two different varieties for berry production are required.

Bring colour to your winter garden.

• Winter flowering Camellia • Winter heather • Sweet Box • Witchhazel • Christmas Rose (Hellebore) • Viburnums

• Winterberry Ilex verticillata: This deciduous holly holds its berries on bare stems in fall through to winter. Great for wildlife and excellent for a simple display of 10 or 12 stems. Two different varieties for berry production are required.

• Eucalyptus: The silvery hues of Eucalyptus freshen up the traditional Christmas décor pallet.

Eucalyptus can be grown as a tree or a cut-and-come-again shrub depending on the species. Plant in Spring for the greatest garden success.

No need to leave your pots empty for winter See our table for ideas on hardy winter planters. www.dinternursery.ca

5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1

43

SHOP LOCAL WITH ARTISANS THIS SEASON Donna Shaw is a WFH mom, who helps clients bring nature into their homes.

T

he Cowichan Artisans are finding new ways to create, enrich and inspire this Fall.

“It isn’t possible to open our doors to large tours groups as we have in previous years, so we’re inviting folks in for a more intimate, shopping experience” Says Donna Shaw of Live Edge Design.

Known for their Cowichan Valley Fall Tour, The Cowichan Artisans are hoping to still show folks their process, their studios and

44

their works and are asking for support from regular tour goers by asking them to call and make an appointment and enjoy a relaxed, visit with your chosen artisans. A chance to ask more questions, delve deeper into their process and explore more pieces of work.

Anyone wishing to explore studio options can find the map online and choose a route that meanders through the Valley taking in favourite sights and snacks along the way.

Cowichan Artisan artist members are full time artists with deep rooted passions.

Take Ken Broadland at

Heartwood Studio; All of his pieces are made from trees salvaged locally on Vancouver Island.

Salad bowls and spoons are the most popular gift choices with cutting-boards, live-edge decorative vessels, snack bowls, cooking utensils and other items available.

Karen Trickett of Coventry Woodworks has been designing, making, restoring and finishing a variety of wooden items for twenty years and wouldn’t want to do anything else. A tour of her workshop offers your senses a treat with smells coming from the raw wood, smooth tactile surfaces to caress and always a

creation in process; a feast for the eyes.

Mimi Roy of Mixed Metal Mimi has a keen eye for turning up treasures; she can find copper in clutter, silver in salvage, and bits of brass in bygone boxes. Not only do these vintage plates, platters and serving trays speak to a

different era, they also boast beautiful, intricate patterns which Mimi transforms into stunning pieces of wearable art.

Live Edge Design is passionate about salvaging local trees and turning them in to functional, timeless pieces of art. Preserving and showcasing the beauty of nature so that it can be in the heart of the home; the dining table, where memories are made. Local artisan woodworkers build pieces in consultation with the homeowner to make each piece unique.

Local Gifts

from Local Woods Heartwood Studio Woodturning heartwoodstudio.ca - by appointment

To find out more about the Cowichan Artisan members and to start planning your personal art tour please visit; www.cowichanartisans.com Images; opposite page Square drop earrings in copper by Mixed Metal Mimi, Live Edge Western Red Cedar Bowl, Heartwood Studio. This page; Custom designed dining table by Live Edge Design, Marquetry by Karen Trickett, Silver Bookmark by Mixed Metal Mimi

organic craft coee and mmmore by the sea across from Salt Spring ferry terminal

1532 CHAPLIN ST, CROFTON 45

A Thriving Arts and Cultural Community

The Art of Miniature is Returning to Duncan

By Suzan Kostiuck

F

or the fourth year, Excellent Frameworks – Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery is hosting a Miniature Art Show. We have a stunning array of artworks submitted by over 30 artists

this year, with a new look.

2020 artists include works

by Jen Tinsley, Darlene Tully, Nik Sylvester, Suzan Kostiuck Roger Jackson, Rebecca Scheer, Beverlee McLeod., Edie Miller, Kathy Thomson, Michelle Debau with more works arriving daily. All works of art are 2” x 2” and are beautifully framed. We are proud to continue challenging artists with this demanding technique.

Solis Invicti, Darlene Tully

Notre Dame de Paris, Roger Jackson

46

Miniature art has been practiced for over 1000 years, with a rich history that goes back to the medieval times.

Today, miniature works are treasured by collectors worldwide, and there are several guilds and competitions solely dedicated to it.

Here on Vancouver Island, Excellent Frameworks wanted to bring this art form to our small island and the heart of the Cowichan Valley is the perfect place

Day’s End, Jen Tinsley

for it. For the purpose of this exhibition, we focused on scale and technique.

Learning about miniature art has been an amazing path, and we would like to give special thanks to Saltspring artist, Tiffany Hastie, who paints in miniature. (www. tiffanyhastieart.com) Her works grace the galleries of Gallery 8 and Peninsula Gallery, to name a few.

On Saturday, November 7, the “2020 Vancouver Island Miniature Masterpiece Art Show” will open at 10am, with works being available

for viewing via our Instagram account. One artist will be chosen as our “Miniature Master”. We invite everyone to attend this event to enjoy the beautiful gems created for this show. Please note that we will be limiting viewers to 6 at a time. The show runs until Saturday, November 28.

Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 115 Kenneth St. Duncan, 250-746-7112 www.excellentframeworks.ca www.ejhughes.ca Open Tuesday to Saturday 10-4pm.

One Of A Kind Gifts at Aquamaris Art Gallery

NOVEMBER ARTS EVENTS Aquamaris Art Gallery

At Aquamaris Art Gallery we pride ourselves in assisting our clients in acquiring quality original works or art meant to enhance their homes and places of business, but we also curate a selection of smaller one-of-akind artful pieces priced from $12.50 - $475.00 that make beautiful gifts.

Pottery / Sculptural gift ideas: Nature inspired Raku pottery, Sea Star, Maple Leaf, Salmon and Rock Fish wall sculptures and ornaments by our Raku artist Ed Oldfield are always popular gifts no matter the season or occasion.

Paintings: Little gems that come in form of original 6” x 6” paintings on gallery wrap canvas from Kristina Boardman’s “Pebbles” series; Contemporary 6”x 6” and 8” x 8” framed encaustic paintings by Lynn Harnish; Small oil paintings by Claire Christinel, Lisa Riehl, Rose Tanner & Vedrana Ascroft Plein-air local landscapes painted in acrylic on canvas by Sharon A. Stone Wearable Art: Elegant Eco Dye Silk Scarves with natural botanical designs

by Sandra Froher, and arriving

E.J. Hughes Paints the 1940’s 2021 CALENDAR Eco Tripping Silk Scarf by Sandra Froher 14” x 72” $195

mid-November, just in time, exquisite one-of-a-kind lamp glass jewellery pieces designed by the acclaimed Canadian glass artist Wendy Pierson Diamond.

We look forward to welcoming you and assisting you with selecting something beautiful for the special people in your lives. And while in the building, why not combine shopping for gifts at Aquamaris Art Gallery with treating yourselves at Duncan Garage Cafe & Bakery downstairs?

Aquamaris Art Gallery Upstairs in the historic Duncan Garage Building (Level entry from the back) Suite 202 - 330 Duncan Street November Hours: Tuesday Saturday 10am-4pm Closed Sunday & Monday (250) 597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com

Chinook and Herring by Ed Oldfield Raku Wall Sculpture on Driftwood, 13” W x 41” L x 10” D $450

Our ever-popular E.J. Hughes Calendars are due to arrive the first week of November, just in time for the upcoming holiday season. This year, the calendar contains works of art painted in the 1940’s.

After he returned from the WW2 as a wartime artist, Hughes and his wife, Fern, settled in the community of Shawnigan Lake, where he was able to begin a career that spanned over seven decades.

During this decade, Hughes images are dominated by dark skies, choppy waters, and have a darker palette than his later works. After 1951, Hughes signed on with Max Stern of Dominion Gallery in Montreal, and his palette lightened up in his works.

The 2021 Calendar is available at our NEW location at 115 Kenneth Street in Downtown Duncan, where you can visit our new Hughes Gallery. They can also be ordered online at www.ejhughes.ca.

November 30 Artist in Action - Gallerist and artist Vedrana Ascroft will be working in the gallery on her own large painting. Feel free to stop by for a sneak peek at the work in progress between 11:00 am 3:00 pm. November Hours: Tuesday Saturday 10 am - 4pm

EJ Hughes Gallery & Excellent Frameworks

ENTER OUR CONTEST! Enter to win in person at the gallery, via our FB page or on Instagram to win an open edition E.J. Hughes canvas giclee of your choice.

Contest runs November 1 to December 18.

Gallery hours:Tuesday - Saturday 10-4pm, Closed Sunday to Monday

Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 115 Kenneth St., Downtown Duncan 250-746-7112 www.ejhughes.ca

VISIT THESE DOWNTOWN DUNCAN GALLERIES Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 115 Kenneth St, Duncan 250-746-7112 excellentframeworks.ca ejhughes.ca

Aquamaris Art Gallery in the historic Duncan Garage Building Suite 202 - 330 Duncan Street 250 597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com 47

2020 BEST OF COWICHAN GIFT GUIDE TO LOCAL

BLUE GROUSE WINERY One-year membership of local award-winning wines, Blue Grouse Fan Club makes a great gift! 2182 Lakeside Road, Duncan fanclub@bluegrouse.ca 250-743-3834 www.bluegrouse.ca

GROVE HALL FARM ITALIAN KITCHEN & DELI Local, farm fresh and imported Italian foods. Gift certificates, gift baskets, custom food hampers, pizza, pasta & gelato. Online market at www.grovehallfarm.com 6159 Lakes Rd. 250-597-8388

ROCKY CREEK WINERY NEW KATHERINE’S SPARKLE Try our traditional method sparkling with many varietals and great complexity Experience our Takeout/Delivery for locals. Free wine club memberships. www.rockycreekwinery.ca

LISA’S OWN in Cowichan Bay has put together ‘Kindness & Gratitude Baskets‘ containing her most popular preserves and treats ($25) All ready and wrapped for giving! Pre-order at 250-746-7813 www.lisasown.com

FARM TABLE INN Enjoy a Destination experience - a weekend stay at the B & B, a fabulous 3 course dinner at the restaurant or shop at our onsite Farm Store to take goodies home. 250-932-3205 www.farmtableinn.ca

COW-OP ONLINE FARMER’S MARKET Give the gift of supporting over 75 local farmers and food producers in the Cowichan Valley with a Cow-op Gift Certificate! www.cow-op.ca

VANCOUVER ISLAND EVENT CATERING Gift a traditional Christmas dinner to those who really need it! Great for new and busy moms, the elderly or those who can’t cook! LOL Restrictions apply. 250 701-8593 www.vieventcatering.com 48

IRONWORKS CAFE & CREPERIE Give the gift of incredible Italian Roast Coffee & Delicious Crepes packed with fresh local ingredients!

Gift Certificates Available. Locations in Duncan and Ladysmith! www.ironworkscafe.ca

CURE ARTISAN MEAT & CHEESE Personalized and corporate foodie gift baskets available to suit every gift budget. Valley View Centre lower level. 250-929-2873

EXPERIENCES I FOOD I WELLNESS I CLASSES I TREATMENTS

SOUL ESCAPE SPA & BOUTIQUE Give the gift of a Natural pedicure $60 with nail polish $70 Medi-Pedi $70 Double pedicures now available for pampering 2 at the same time!

250 748-2056 www.soulescape.ca

REIKI WELLNESS Relax with a Reiki Balancing session and/or Detoxing Foot Spa - Relax - Balance - Energize Packages and Gift Certificates Valleyview Centre 250 743-8122 www.reikiwellness.ca

ISLAND GEM AND BEAD SUPPLY Gift Certificates for one on one classes, tools and supplies. Gifts from you, made by you. 378 Trunk Rd #2, Duncan 250-597-4369 www.islandgem.net

SACRED SILENCE MODERN DAY ORACLE Book an “ONLINE” Virtual Psychic Reading Party for Christmas.

Holiday sharing for you and 5 of your closest friends 250-710-5287 www.SacredSilence.net

BIOMAGNETISM CANADA KATHRYN LOWTHER Give the Gift of Health & Wellness! Loved Ones will appreciate feeling better with increased energy, reduced pain and symptoms! 250-891-5138 www.biomagcanada.ca

REFLEXOLOGY & CHI WELLNESS Are your feet sore? There are 7200 nerve endings in each foot that corresponds to each organ in your body. 3x Foot Reflexology sessions for $150 Call Terri 250-701-8962

WARMLAND DANCE Is there someone on your list that has always wanted to tap dance? Give the gift of dance! Adult Learn-to-Tap 8-week Session for $99 250-818-9086 www.warmlanddance.ca

A FRESH START Detox & Balance your Life with Personal Bach Flower Remedies, Detoxing Foot Spa, PEMF or EFT session to Restore your Vitality! Combo Sessions + Gift Certificates Available Diana 250 597-2102 afreshstart@shaw.ca

EMOTION CODE BODY CODE QUANTUM TOUCH Experience yourself at a higher resonance. Rise above day-to-day sameness. Find out what can be overcome and healed. Gift to a friend who needs it or gift to yourself! 250 597-3686 49

BEST OF COWICHAN GIFT GUIDE to LOCAL EXPERIENCES

WARM LAND IRRIGATION Give the gift of micro-irrigation! Conserve water, preserve plant health, increase yield and eliminate stress while saving time & money! Free Estimates warmlandirrigation@shaw.ca

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL CRAFTERS!

CLEAN CHOICE CLEANING SERVICES Professional, eco-friendly cleaning services for home or business. A great gift idea for new moms, busy households, move ins/ outs and workplaces. 250-929-8381 www.cleanchoicecleaners.com

DEERHOLME FARM WITH CHEF BILL JONES For the foodie who has everything! Gift certificates available for Local Food Dinners, Foraging Workshops and Cooking Classes.

250 748-7450 www.deerholme.com

CREATIVE HEADSPACE MARKETPLACE

Due to the strict health and safety protocols put in place this year, annual local in-person Christmas markets and holiday craft fairs have all been cancelled. Market vendors and local artisans rely heavily on these holiday gift sales to carry them through the year.

Before spending your dollars outside the community - please consider the superior, one of a kind and unique gifts made by one of the many talented Cowichan artists, bakers and crafters. Dollars that stay in the ‘hood help keep all of us and our community thriving!

NAN.C DESIGNS Make your own Christmas ornaments to keep or give as gifts with Nan.c designs Learn-toFelt kits for beginners! Order online or by phone for local pick up. www.nancdesigns.ca 50

CREATIVE HEADSPACE GIFTS A collection of items from seven local artisans who paint, upcycle, design, pot, stitch and make soap.

Instagram: @cre.ativeheadspace

URCHIN BAGS by Clare Mackinnon are sewn from punctured bike tubes and reclaimed seatbelts to create unique and durable bags, wallets and accessories. www.urchinbags.com

DECEMBER STUDIO by Dalyce Crossley is a Cowichan Valley illustration company selling unique art prints, greeting cards, stickers and more. www.decemberstudioart.com

STITCHED PICTURES BY CAROLINE STORIE: whimsical images using fabric, paint, thread and ink. Greetings cards and 2021 Calendar now available. www.stitchedpictures.com

Winter Stories for Young Children

A

Cen has served as a children’s librarian in public and school libraries in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, California and Washington state.

s the days grow ever shorter and the air colder and wetter, many families spend more time inside staying warm and dry. Sometimes it’s tricky to find high quality books that are enjoyable for young children and parents alike, but luckily the Cowichan Valley is blessed with lovingly curated independent bookstores such as the FreyaSophia Waldorf Store. Here is a selection of books to help warm our children’s souls as they warm their toes by the fire: Winter Songbook: Seasonal Verses, Poems and Songs for children parents & teachers by Sally Schweitzer Winter Songbook is a slim, and therefore not overwhelming, compilation of winter songs, rhymes, stories, images, and useful parenting hacks for use with young children.

Schweitzer’s material is mostly sourced from Christian/Western European traditions, but she does make an effort to include references to different cultures, languages, and ways of being.

There is some discussion of musical theory (pentatonic scales, rhythm & meter) but it is done in an accessible way so that

a non-musician can understand, and musical notation is included for some of the songs.

Winter by Gerda Muller Muller’s wordless board books offer ample opportunity for discussion with young ones about seasonal activities. Winter offers snowy representations of families, friends and neighbours playing outside together. These scenes easily lend themselves easily to inspiration for outdoor play: skating, making a snowman, filling up the bird feeder, taking the dog for a walk, shoveling snow, and finally, watching the early spring flowers bloom. Wordless books are especially wonderful for prereaders since they can “read” the stories themselves, or focus on a single picture page rather than reading the book from beginning to end.

King Red and the White Snow

by Reg Down King Red and the White Snow contains six funny stories that center around colour. Reg Down is a masterful storyteller who is most famous for the Tiptoes Lightly books, most of which are seasonal and wonderful to read to children before bedtime. In King Red, leprechauns, elves, gnomes and sprites caper through the snow, sky or around the world.

Each gentle story is brilliantly illustrated in watercolours and are eminently re-readable, at bedtime or anytime.

The Story of the Snow Children by Sibylle von Olfers Sibylle von Olfers’ books offer children whimsical adventure stories in the natural world. In

The Story of the Snow Children, a young girl named Poppy goes outside to dance with the snowflakes until her feet hurt, at which point the Snow Queen sends her back to her mother in a magical sleigh.

Von Olfers strikes a fine balance between adventurous play, and returning safely home to family.

checking on the sleeping animals and people) and facing one’s fears (when the fox is peeking with yellow eyes into the chicken coop). Great for cuddling up and reading together!

Astrid Lindgren’s Tomten Tales Astrid Lindgren, of Pippi Longstocking fame, also wrote two books for children that center around a creature called a Tomten who takes care of a farm and all the creatures on it. The books (The Tomten and The Tomten and the Fox) are published both individually and together in one volume. The illustrations are gorgeously wrought

by Harald Wiberg, with a delicate balance between comfort (when the Tomten is

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• All things natural and beautiful for you and your children • Beautiful and inspiring books for all ages and levels of interest • Wonderful organic merino/silk, wool clothing from age 0 - adult • Wooden toys, puzzles, games, silks, dolls, cards, calendars, prints • Birthday rings, craft kits, musical instruments and much more.

• Painting, drawing, knitting, felting, beeswax, craft kits & lots of handwork books & supplies.

Ph: 250-597-4763 ~ Located next to the Community Farm Store

Here at the Freya-Sophia Waldorf store we are inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner and committed to meeting the soul needs of our children and our community by providing books, toys, supplies, resources, classes, workshops, instruction, support and conversation to those who visit us. We are here to help and to support. We are happy to accommodate orders by phone or email; we can ship your orders by mail or accommodate drive-by pickup.

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OPEN 11-3 MONDAY THROUGH

SATURDAY

Closed Sundays and Stat Holidays

In contrast to a complicated world let’s keep things at home simple and beautiful. Together we can make Christmas 2020 the time of new traditions that warm the home, the hearth and the heart. Our store is a colorful, tranquil and inspiring “portal” to warmth, wonder and wisdom. We are here to help!

“Nourishing Traditions Cookbook for Children”

by Sally Fallon Morell— A Great Gift Idea!

“The Nourishing Traditions Cookbook for Children” has been one of this year’s bestsellers! Your children will love the beautiful illustrations on every page with step by step directions for original recipes for healthy snacks, desserts, baked goods, lunches and breakfasts.

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Adventure Tourism Pivots To Shoreline Cleanup In The Time Of Pandemic

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here’s no question that tourism took a particularly hard hit this year due to COVID-19. For the adventure tourism industry, there was certainly no exception. The Small-Ship Tour Operators Association of BC (SSTOA) is made up of seven different companies that operate smallship expeditions to the remote coastal regions of BC, such as Haida Gwaii and the Great Bear Rainforest.

In the early days of the pandemic, the companies – typically friendly competitors –worked together to navigate these new waters defined

by COVID. The owners of the SSTOA put their heads together to find a solution

that would both utilize their idle ships and crew, but also give back to the marine environment on which their industry depends.

The SSTOA proposed a marine debris removal initiative to the BC Government as a follow up to a report published in February 2020 by NDP Parliamentary Secretary, Sheila Malcolmson, on the effects that marine debris has on coastal environments and communities.

Awaiting with bated breath, the SSTOA silently prepared for the hopeful approval of the response. Ships and crew were on stand-by awaiting the go-ahead, as the weather window for such an ambitious project was slowing closing.

On August 11th, the muchanticipated approval came through and the ships were mobilized. Nearly 100 crew were rehired and nine expedition vessels departed Vancouver Island to conduct a shoreline cleanup of epic proportions.

The project was conducted in Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’Xais

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and Gitga’at First Nation territories of the Great Bear Rainforest. Each nation was part of the planning process, and with their approval and feedback, protocols were put in place to ensure health and safety was paramount.

The two, 21-day expeditions focussed on the outer islands of the Central Coast of BC, a region that is exposed to the open Pacific and prone to high-energy ocean storms. The crew are skilled in working in this type of environment with variable marine weather conditions.

Each day the crew would deploy their teams to remote beaches where derelict fishing nets and various consumer and industrial material – predominantly plastic – were found in enormous quantities.

A helicopter and tug and barge operation was employed to get the marine debris off the shoreline.

Overall, 127,000 kilograms of debris was removed from the coast – far more than any one involved could have anticipated.

The data is currently being analyzed and a comprehensive report will determine the next steps for this project and hopefully can inform management and policy in the future. In the meantime, it’s safe to say we need to find better solutions for waste management and we can all play a part.

Oriana grew up in the Cowichan Valley and is a writer, photographer, and aspiring filmmaker.

and moved across the highway. The road survey and salvage work was expanded to multiple locations, including Comox, Nanaimo, and Duncan, and increased our awareness around the issue of roads and amphibians. Experts shared their knowledge and experience about this issue at Herpetofauna and Roads workshops held in Nanaimo in 2010 and in Kamloops in 2018. The culmination of this work led to the development and release of a provincial guidance document in 2020 focussed on herpetofauna and roads for road developers and managers.

WHY DID THE TOAD CROSS THE ROAD? Elke Wind E. Wind Consulting Nanaimo

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f you live on Vancouver Island you have likely encountered amphibians while driving, especially on warm, wet evenings. Why are these amphibians on the road, and where are they going? One of the species we see on our local roads is the Western Toad, a species listed as Special Concern federally. This species often catches our attention while driving because the newly emerged toadlets move en masse in summer, sometimes crossing roads or trails by the tens of thousands, making it almost impossible to prevent crushing them by our cars, bicycles, or feet.

The six native amphibian species that breed in water on Vancouver Island spend the majority of the year on land. As such, they need to go between these aquatic and terrestrial habitats, resulting in multiple migrations each year for the different life stages.

Roads and trails often intersect these important habitats. In 2007, I began working with the provincial government on various amphibian road mitigation projects on eastern Vancouver Island, starting with an emergency salvage of toadlets crossing Highway 19 north of Courtenay. This migration lasted 82 days and approximately 94,000 toadlets were captured

The road survey drew attention for the need to learn more about amphibians within terrestrial environments. The Vancouver Island Toad Research Team* knew that Western Toads spend much of the year on land, but we did not know what habitats they were using or where they were spending the winter.

Could winter hibernacula be as important for toad conservation as aquatic breeding sites? Over a three year period, our team conducted a research project on Western Toads near Duncan. We used road surveys and volunteers to locate toads in the fall so that we could fit them with radio transmitters. The use of radio transmitters allowed us to track toads to their winter hibernation sites. Over the course of the three-year study we captured 60 toads and identified 28 confirmed hibernation sites.

I will be presenting the results of our study at the monthly meeting of the Cowichan Valley Naturalists’ Society on Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 pm. We hope community volunteers and other interested folks will attend this meeting. Email cmilo@telus.net for the Zoom link.

Ms. Wind has been a selfemployed contract biologist since 2002 and has more than 20 years experience studying amphibian populations. She specializes in the habitat associations and requirements of amphibian populations in relation to impacts of timber harvesting, rural and urban development, linear infrastructure projects, and non-native species. In addition, Ms. Wind has built or restored more than 20 wetlands and written numerous amphibian related reports for government, species recovery teams, and nonprofit organizations. Ms. Wind has dedicated many volunteer hours towards community and non-profit groups such as the BC NatureKids, the Society for Northwest Vertebrate Biology, and Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Her passions include hiking, travel, and videography.

*The Vancouver Island Western Toad Research Team consists of Elke Wind (E. Wind Consulting), Melissa Todd (Coast Area Research Section, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations), Connie Miller Retzer (Coast Area Ecosystems Section, Regional Operations Division, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations), and Shari Willmott (Vancouver Island GIS Services).

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Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes

Cobble Hill Dental 250-743-6698 Friendly, Family Practice

Fitness

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OPTIMIZE IMMUNITY With Supplements

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inter is right around the corner and by now we are well into cold and flu season.

How can we ensure that our immune systems are able to protect us from the numerous germs and other organisms floating around?

Come in and see all the great new products available to help you maintain a healthy and sustainable household.

250-748-4421 4-180 Central Rd, Duncan - Village Green Mall www.lynnsvitamingallery.ca

Ideally, we want to start out with our body in the healthiest condition possible. Good habits such as eating a clean and varied whole-food diet are extremely important for overall wellness; staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, excercising regularly... We know what needs to be done, but don’t always manage to fit all of it into our busy lives.

Learning to manage stress is also an important step in optimizing immunity. A stressed system is not going to provide the protection we need to stay healthy. This includes the stress that exists to one degree or another in our daily lives, as well as stressors we impose on our bodies. Eating junk food, smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, spending way too much quality time on the couch...

A stressed system is extra vulnerable to any nasty microbes with which it may come into contact.

Traditional Chinese Exercise for Health Wild Goose Qigong (Chi Gong) Gentle movement Calms your mind Heals internal organs Develops flexibility Mondays 9~10:15am (Rivendell) Wednesdays 10:15am-11:30am Thursdays 8:45am-10am (HUB) Fridays 10am-11:15am (Victoria) Northern Shaolin Chun Yuen Quan Dynamic movement Improves posture Increases energy Strengthens bones Tuesdays 6pm-7:15pm Wednesdays 9am-10:15am

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www.WildGooseQigongCentre.com 56

If we see our lifestyle as a kind of spectrum, the majority of us would, of course, fall somewhere in between perfection and total negligence. Most of us are doing something on a regular basis to look after ourselves properly, but a little help is always welcome.

A great place to look is Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery. They have many tried-and-true vitamins and supplements which can give your immune system a much-needed boost, as well as products derived from the most recent research and studies.

For example, it turns out that your grandmother was on to a good thing when she recommended Cod Liver Oil as a tonic and preventative back

in the day. Cod liver oil is high in Vitamins A and D. Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy eyes, brain function, and skin.

Vitamin D, also known as the Sunshine vitamin, is excellent for immunity. Also it helps bones, teeth, brain and the nervous system, as well as lung function and cardiovascular health.

During the winter months when the sun is often in retreat, it can help keep seasonal depression at bay.

Vitamin C is another classic immune booster, as well as having many other benefits.

It is excellent for the skin and the cardiovascular system. It is a powerful antioxdant. It also encourages the production of white blood cells, which are on the front line of fighting infection. Oil of Oregano has shown itself to be helpful. It is a powerful antifungal and antibiotic, and many people believe that strong dosing at the first sign of infection can stop a cold in its tracks. Elderberry is another supplement that has long had a reputation for immuneboosting properties. It can be found in the form of syrup, capsules, and tea. Supplementing with garlic has many benefits, lowering blood pressure, acting as a vermifuge, as well as strengthening the immune system. Zinc is another immunity standard, and is often found in lozenges, often paired with elderberry or echinacea for added strength.

The common thread that runs through what most of these remedies are about would be their ability to make it harder to catch a cold or flu bug, or, failing that, limiting the severity and duration of symptoms. The staff at your local health food store will be more than happy to discuss these and many other options with you. The good news is that while Winter is inevitable, spending most of it under the weather is not.

Submitted by Gina Cone

hearing clinics focus on hearing aids only.

My advice to the public is that if you are interested in the health of your ears and your hearing, find yourself a hearing clinic that is focused on your hearing, not just on hearing aids.

Currently, in order to work with hearing aids in BC, one must go through the appropriate coursework and be registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHHPBC) as a Hearing Instrument Practitioner, a designation you will see as RHIP. These professionals typically work in hearing clinics and fit hearing aids.

AUDIOLOGY: More than just hearing aids Terence Miranda is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Resonance Hearing Clinic

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here are an enormous amount of mailers, TV commercials and internet pop up ads that are promoting hearing aids. All of this can lead one to believe that

Less commonly, you will see a designation of RAUD, which denotes a Registered Audiologist. These professionals are trained at a Master’s or Doctoral level in the science of hearing, the vestibular system and the rehabilitation of hearing loss through hearing aids, cochlear implants and other assistive devices. Audiologists are registered with CSHHPBC and are the only professionals licensed to diagnose hearing loss. Audiologists can specialize in a variety of areas such as tinnitus, balance disorders, cerumen management (earwax removal), cochlear implants and working with infants and children. If an Audiologist works with hearing aids, they must also

have the RHIP designation.

A good piece of general advice, whether you have hearing problems or not, is to get a solid baseline hearing evaluation and keep track of your hearing levels over time.

Diagnosis of one’s hearing levels and a consultation with a registered Audiologist leads to greater awareness of one’s hearing and is a good first step in the prevention or rehabilitation of hearing loss.

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FALL SPRUCE UP CHECKLIST

START THE NEW YEAR WITH A CLEAN HOME & WORKPLACE

10-Point Disinfection with Every Clean Equipment Sanitized after every Clean Providing professional, eco friendly cleaning services.

Ask about our all-surface, whole room disinfection service for home or office. We use a totally Green, Health Canada registered disinfectant.

Home Cleaning Gift Certificates Available for Family & Friends!

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FAIZAL CHARANIA

Licensed Real Estate Consultant RE/MAX of Duncan - Mill Bay 472 Trans Canada Highway Office: 250.748.7200 www.faizal.charania.remax.ca • Residential • Agri Business • Strata I mobile (250) 732.5250

Prudence

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Open: Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm Sundays 12 - 4pm

• 155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

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Tracey Hanson, proud Cowichan Valley community member and business owner www.cleanchoice cleaners.com

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f you’re like me and spent the downtime at the beginning of this pandemic making to-do lists but not actually getting much accomplished, here are a few things to consider trying to get done to prepare for the upcoming Winter season.

Kitchen:

• clean out and defrost the freezer to make room for all the harvest bounty • clean the oven, you’ll likely be using it more in the coming months • clean the range hood and fan • treat yourself to new dishcloths and tea towels

Living room:

• vacuum behind couches and flip them up to vacuum the underside too, you’d be amazed how many spiders make their home in the undersides of furniture • clean window coverings.

Dust and wipe blinds, vacuum or wash fabric curtains • clean light fixtures • some new throw pillows or lampshades will freshen up the room too

Bathrooms:

• clean out under the sinks and cabinets, invest in storage solutions to keep things tidy • go through make up and replace or discard old products 58

• clean grout on floors and tile surrounds with a baking soda paste and toothbrush • reward yourself with new candles or bath salts

Bedrooms:

• time to clean the mattresses.

Remove all bedding, vacuum with the upholstery attachment and then mist spray with a natural enzyme cleaner, let dry before remaking the bed • clean all pillows and duvets as per instructions on the label • go through closets and drawers to sort through seasonal clothes, items that no longer fit or that aren’t being worn anymore • how about a new set of coloured sheets for fresh look If this feels a little overwhelming, pick just 1 task in each room or focus on just one room. We’re all spending more time indoors and at home these days, there is benefit to making the spaces clean and healthy.

NEED TO FREE UP SPACE? Pacific Rim Storage can help. We offer self-storage facilities in Duncan, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island and Courtenay CLEAN. SAFE. SECURE. Our facilities offer a wide range of storage solutions for your residential or commercial storage needs. State-of-the-art security and video monitoring ensure your belongings are safe and secure. Perimeter fencing, security lighting, surveillance cameras and computerized gate access ensure your possessions are protected. Each unit is individually locked with your own lock so no one but you can access your unit.

We offer drive-up, interior, heated and insulated storage units. Our staff are friendly and knowledgeable, ensuring you receive exceptional customer service and value for your storage dollar.

Here are some important storage considerations when selecting a facility: Determine your space needs. Small storage units (20-150 square feet) will fit a small room of furniture and some boxes, or a 1-bedroom apartment.

For business, small storage units

can accommodate your business files and records and hold anywhere from 30 to 130 boxes.

Small storage units are suitable to store chairs, file cabinets, boxes, and small office furniture. Small units are excellent for seasonal clothing changes, patio and household decorations, camping supplies and other items that aren’t needed for the full year.

Large storage units (150 – 400+ square feet) may store desks, bookcases, patio furniture, sofas, beds, and other large household items. Large storage units hold anywhere from 3 rooms of furniture up to 6 rooms of furniture, or a 3-bedroom home.

Businesses can store conference tables, sofas, cabinets, cubicles, and other large office equipment.

Business owners can also use large storage for inventory management, storing tools and other equipment.

Location. Location. Location.

Contrary to residential real estate, storage isn’t all about location.

Convenient access is great but it is important to ask yourself how often you will be accessing your storage unit. It might be worth an extra couple minute’s drive to avoid high traffic locations that are more visible to the public and that are easier targets for breakins and theft.

Protect your possessions.

All of our facilities have gated access, are monitored by security cameras and have a good track record for safeguarding your possessions. We ensure our facilities are well built and well maintained to keep your possessions protected from the elements or unwanted critters. If you want added protection for

your possessions you can purchase a storage policy from your insurance broker.

Ensure your possessions are storage ready!

Here are some packing tips to ensure your valuables remain protected: USE SUITABLE BOXES Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly.

Purchase special boxes for dishes, mirrors and other valuable items to protect your possessions from damage.

LABEL APPROPRIATELY Label each box and indicate: which room it should go in, whether it is fragile and if it should be loaded last so that it will be unloaded first. Giving some thought to where in the storage unit your items will go will help you find things when you need them.

ENSURE ALL ITEMS ARE CLEAN AND DRY Spend some time when moving your contents in to storage to ensure everything is wiped down, clean and dry. This prevents any mold growth and ensures no unwanted critters live or die in your unit.

LEAVE A PASSAGE When unloading your belongings into the storage unit, ensure you leave a walkway so that you can access items in the rear of the unit without having to relocate items further forward. If this

isn’t possible ensure that the items you need to access are in well-marked boxes and at the front of the storage unit.

ADD EXTRA PROTECTION Cushion contents with packing material such as bubble wrap or newspaper. Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items.

EMPTY ANY FUEL AND DON’T STORE ANY ODOROUS ITEMS Fuel or flammable materials are not safe to store in storage facilities. Please empty any containers housing dangerous or flammable materials prior to storing. Odours and food attract unwanted pests, it’s best not to store these items in your unit.

Pacific Rim Storage offers 4 Island locations to serve you: Duncan, Salt Spring, Nanaimo and Courtenay. For storage advice or for a free quote visit pacificrimstorage.ca or call us at 1-877-507-8673 (1-877-50-STORE).

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This invitation to return home to our embodied true nature can feel vague at times and hard to put a finger on, though once experienced provides a palpable impression of arrival. The choir of unprocessed emotions held in our cells can make the experience of returning home to the body quite uncomfortable at times and thus instigates the rampant pattern of addiction in our culture, this understandably strong desire to escape.

VALLEY DENTAL CLINIC Dr. Gordon Levin DMD Dentist New Patients and Dental Assistants Looking to Return to the Dental Office Please see our YouTube Video: “How We Made Our Dental Office Completely Safe for Patients and Staff “ https://youtu.be/tMvTDHfTP10 Qualified Dentist American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

250-746-9697

reception@valleydentalclinic.ca

ACUPUNCTURE MASSAGE THERAPY HERBAL MEDICINE

Online Booking & Direct Billing www.pestleandpins.com DR. KEVIN IANSON, Dr.TCM (R.Ac)

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COMING HOME TO THE BODY

# 101-321 Festubert St Duncan, British Columbia V9L 3T1

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ur body-mind systems experience gaps in communication due to trauma, beliefs, ancestral patterning, undigested memories and cultural conditioning. Our entire network of functioning; physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, culturally and ecologically is founded on the efficient working of this neural network and communication web.

Body-centred therapies spark the nervous system’s ability to reconnect that which has become separated or fragmented.

We can cultivate fluency with the language of the body to support our capacity to listen to the subtle cues offered by our innate genius. Encouraging this articulation requires gentleness, patience and a willingness to befriend our dormant potential and neglected aspects.

The inevitable traumas of life and culture have left most of us frequently traveling on thought out of our bodies in excessive over-thinking. We experience this when we are driving and don’t remember how we got to a location. Thanks to the reptilian brain and our diligent survival mechanisms we can drive and be literally “lost in thought”. What do you notice about your own thought travel?

From over 20 years of experience inviting people home to their bodies, I trust that anchoring with presence towards the body and breath is a courageous and worthwhile path though not without challenge. The cultivation of embodied presence is a continual daily practice.

I provide a space for my clients through offerings of massage therapy, energy work or embodied rewilding dance journeys that all come down to the same intent: reconnection to body wisdom and the innate creative spark which allows time for the somatic genius to be deeply nourished.

I offer in-person sessions with COVID protocols at the Starlight Studio, Zoom sessions and an online Rewilding Chakra Dance Journey. Stay tuned in the year ahead for ‘Plants & Dance • In the Wild’ and Expressive Arts Therapy Counselling in oneon-one and group sessions to nurture the creative nature within you. Follow the Dance Temple Cowichan group on FB to be updated about the amazing West Coast dance facilitators offering in-person (with protocols) and live-streamed online events.

Christy Greenwood is a healing artist, holistic practitioner, embodiment dance facilitator and contributing music bearer at Dance Temple Cowichan.

Subscribe to her newsletter at: christygreenwood.com | rewildingfromwithin.com

Welcome our newest esthetician

Verity Martin.

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She comes with 17 years experience and is an expert in foot care, waxing, organic facials and massage!

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

leep apnea is a serious medical condition unique to humans. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by collapse of the mid-section of the airway above the trachea and below the oral/nasal cavities. Central sleep apnea is caused by failure of the central and peripheral receptors (e.g. carotid body) in the nervous system to initiate breathing. There can also occur a combination of the above two conditions.

These phenomena also include hypopnea which simply stated means reduced breathing with significant loss of oxygen in the blood-called oxygen desaturation.

Reduced oxygen saturation during sleep along with very poor quality sleep causes significant stress Sleep is designed by nature to be restorative and to afford us a period of time during our daily lives when body tissues get a chance to recover .This includes the brain. Like the rest of our body the brain has lymphatic supplies to allow the removal of naturally produced toxins, for example beta-amyloid. Drainage of these waste products also involves glial cells and this system in the brain is referred to as “glymphatic”. Sleep is critical to the function of this process.

With the poor quality sleep associated with sleep apnea there is a failure of blood pressure to drop during the night. Likely partly why high blood pressure and sleep apnea are correlated.

The list of medical conditions associated with sleep apnea is long and includes metabolic

syndrome, hypertension, and greater risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and automobile accidents (due to sleepy driving).

The most widely accepted treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) to splint open the collapsible portion of the airway between the oro/ nasopharynx and the trachea.

CPAP (or Bi-Pap or AutoPap) is the “gold standard “for the treatment of OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).Problems with CPAP arise from frequent non acceptance of the system by the patient for a variety of reasons.

A very good alternative to CPAP is an oral appliance designed to advance the lower jaw and the tongue along with it. This also splints open the airway.

There is no doubt, proven by many good studies that such oral appliances are effective in treating OSA. Although not as efficacious as CPAP (or other applied air pressure) oral appliances are often equally or more efficient due to much greater patient acceptance.

WHO CAN DIAGNOSE SLEEP APNEA? Only a Physician with special training in sleep medicine can properly diagnose sleep apnea.

The rest of us including primary care physicians, dentists, etc. can be very effective however in screening for sleep disordered breathing, including sleep apnea.

Typically in my dental office, as the Dentist, if we have found evidence that suggests sleep apnea through screening tools, example Epworth Sleepiness scale, and also often conditions

Soul Escape Spa can now accommodate two treatments at the same time.

Grab some one special and book a dual appointment to share! soulescape@shaw.ca 250 748-2056 I www.soulescape.ca 109-2673 Beverly St., Duncan that are commonly associated with sleep apnea that are obvious to Dentist’s and hygienists, we will refer the patient to their primary care physician with our findings.

If and only if the primary care physician or sleep specialist find the patient to be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and the decision is made between patient and medical doctor that an oral appliance is preferred will a qualified sleep dentist become involved.

A prescription from the medical doctor, usually a pulmonologist or internal medicine doctor is required, specifically requesting oral appliance therapy, before a qualified sleep dentist can or should assess whether an oral appliance might help.

As a diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine I will see patients to try to help treat obstructive sleep apnea after receiving such a prescription.

As an aside…since there is such a strong correlation between snoring and obstructive sleep apnea before I will consent to

making a snoring appliance I will always recommend a referral to a physician to consider a sleep study first. Only a qualified medical doctor not a dentist can properly differentially diagnose OSA from primary snoring.

WHY IS THE DIFFERENTIATION IMPORTANT? Because sleep apnea has such serious health effects and because current estimates have sleep apnea at about 80% undiagnosed, it is inappropriate to assume that primary snorers do not have obstructive sleep apnea.

I sincerely hope this article has been helpful to the reader and I hope to follow up with many others dealing with related topics like childhood OSA and how that presents, and the difference between men and women’s symptoms and how they present.

Wishing everyone a good night’s sleep.

Dr. Levin is a general dentist with special interest in Orofacial Pain and Sleep dentistry

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Quw’utsun

NATURE RAMBLES Protections in Place for Cowichan Lake Lamprey Critical Habitat

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Genevieve Singleton: Nana, Mum, and Wild About Nature Contact her at: twinflower4@gmail. com

ith all the negative environmental news that we face each time we log on or crack open the paper, it is refreshing to hear good news for conservation of species at risk. It was precisely that, good news, that was presented at the last Cowichan Valley Round Table meeting in September.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada presented new protections for our very own local novelty, the Cowichan Lake Lamprey.

This species of fish, although not terribly attractive, is found only in Mesachie, Cowichan and the adjoining Bear Lake in Cowichan Valley, nowhere else in the world. This lake

Cowichan Lake lamprey being measured as a part of a spawning study. Released unharmed! Image courtesy Joy Wade

spawning lamprey spends its whole life in these waters, most of which is spent in larval form (called an ammocoete-rhymes with feet). It spends a relatively short time as a parasitic fish, feeding off of other fish species in the lakes, particularly cutthroat trout. That is why when you go fishing in these waters and catch a cutthroat trout there will likely be scars on the fish caused by feeding lamprey. Although it may look harsh, a scarred cutthroat means the lamprey had a good meal but also that the trout survived, until you caught it that is! Although it is not known for certain, if Cowichan Lake lamprey are like other lamprey species, they spawn only once before dying. They make nests in the sand and cobble where rivers empty into the lakes and spawn in pairs or groups from about May to August.

Cowichan Lake lamprey was designated “special concern” in 1986 and after reassessment was designated “threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act in 2003. The animal itself has protections under the act and as of February of this year, the habitat critical for their survival also became protected.

Critical habitat for this species includes Cowichan, Mesachie and Bear lakes themselves, as well as portions of key rivers and tributaries flowing into these lakes, as well as riparian areas, varying from 15 to 30m width therein. What this now means is that it is prohibited under the act to kill, harm or harass the fish itself and it is

Two Cowichan Lake lamprey building a nest. Once built, the male will wrap his body around the female’s to squeeze out her eggs and fertilize them.

Image courtesy Joy Wade

prohibited to destroy or damage nests and critical habitat.

If anyone conducts these prohibited activities, charges can be laid under the Species at Risk Act. So if you are planning on changing riparian areas around the lake or disturbing sediment which may be a lamprey nest you need to obtain a SARA permit first.

So good news for conservation and for society. Helping protect the vulnerable components of our ecosystem will aid in ensuring the complexity of the world around us and build resilience to withstand threats. What can you do to help? Support and

Release trapped emotions Resolve sleep problems Manage stress and pain Achieve self-confidence 250-597-3686

First appointment free!

David Yaeger

Emotion Code Body Code and Quantum Touch davidyaeger650@gmail.com

https://discoverhealing.com/practitioner-map/ (find me in Duncan)

• Permaculture Design + Food Forests • Lawn Care / Pruning / Hedging / Irrigation • Gabion Systems • Flagstone Pathways & Patios • Erosion Control / Habitat Restoration • Therapeutic Medicinal Plant & Zen Gardens • Fungal / Herbal Medicine Products & Consultation • Compost & Soil Fertility Management

Eco + Ornamental Design 62

participate in conversation activities in the watershed, conserve water and report infringements when you see them. Call DFO’s Observe Record Report line (1-800-4654336) when you see potential infringements to the species and its habitat. You have the power to make a difference in your community.

To learn more about the critical habitat and specific locations see: https://speciesregistry.canada.ca/index-en. html#/documents/3326.

For information regarding development activity email ReferralsPacific@dfo-mpo. gc.ca.

Kurtis Howes 250-210-1705

Genevieve Singleton’s

Sculpture by Alexander Milov

Healing the Child Within

H

Lesley Young is an Advanced Neuroptimal Neurofeedback practitioner offering transformative sessions locally.

ave you ever been triggered by something or someone and suddenly out of nowhere you become overpowered by your emotions? Perhaps it is your inner five-year-old playing out an emotional wound from your past.

According to Freud and many Psychologists today, the inner child is a psychological reality that relates to an unconscious part of ourselves and is made up of our accumulated childhood experiences. This innocent part of ourselves holds both the joyful positive experiences as well as the traumas and hurts of our negative experiences. When our healthy inner child appears, we may feel playful and full of awe. However, when our wounded child is triggered, we can feel overwhelmed by anxiety, anger, sadness, and/or a myriad of other difficult emotions.

Over the years I have been tormented by my wounded inner child’s anxiety, anger, and abandonment issues. My daily mental strategies to push aside and/or banish these past wounds enraged my unconscious child within until

eventually, it transformed into my shadow and sabotaged my life at every turn.

By remaining unconscious, this dissociated child within me was empowered to take over my adult self until I decided to courageously go within to connect, acknowledge, and listen to her.

When I authentically became present to this innocent part of myself and compassionately began to unconditionally love and validate her experiences and feelings, my inner child started to feel safe, acknowledged, and loved.

As her wounds healed, she eventually was able to release the suffering that no longer served me. I realized by deepening my relationship with my inner child and becoming the parent to her that she never had, I was truly able to heal my own heart resulting in a greater sense of well-being, lightness, and integration.

If you are haunted by past wounds and your coping strategies are no longer effective, perhaps it is time to connect with your inner child.

Through my Neurofeedback practice, I often assist clients in connecting with this innocent part of themselves that is often deeply hidden in the subconscious mind.

Neurofeedback can gently help to illuminate these buried

traumas allowing you to more easily connect and heal the wounded child within.

For more information please

contact Lesley Young at 250-533-9797 or www.neuroharmony.ca.

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We’ve a whale of a good reputation!

Image courtesy Ron Watts

• • • •

Pool installs & liner replacements Hot tub service, including bio-film flushes Equipment repair/replacement & supplies Inspections & consultations Contact Mike, owner & certified technician

CALL: 250-466-4050 I TEXT: 778-837-0138 orcaspaservice@gmail.com

www.orcapoolandspa.com

Solar Power On Its Way To Community Gardens on Salt Spring

V

egetables use solar power to make our food.

Soon, gardeners at the Shaw Family Community Gardens in Burgoyne Valley will use solar to help grow and transport the veggies they produce.

That’s the idea behind a new initiative from Salt Spring Community Energy who have partnered with Viridian Energy Co-operative and the Salt Spring Farmland Trust on an innovative plan for sustainable local gardening.

The project to install eight solar panels on the Sun Shelter Gazebo at the gardens was first proposed by Kjell Liem, a founding member of the Community Energy Group and also one of over 70 individuals and families who farm at the site.

“We are very close to having all pieces in the puzzle in place,” said Liem. “The Viridian Energy Co-operative has generously donated both the solar equipment and the labour to install it. The Farmland Trust will manage the vehicle and electric tool charging. Imagine being able to cycle to the

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gardens, plug in your electric bike and electric tools to charge from solar energy, and then go about the business of creating sustainable, locally grown food. It’s a fantastic way to decarbonize our food chain.”

The Community Energy Group is now reaching out to members of the Salt Spring community for the final piece of the puzzle.

“We need a little over $2,000 (out of $11,000 total project costs) to complete the EV/ bicycling/and electric tool charging portions of the project,” said Liem. “We greatly appreciate contributions that will help make this project a model of sustainable, renewable energy-based food growing.”

Salt Spring Community Energy has been instrumental in local climate action awareness and renewable energy initiatives, including a recent detailed electric school bus study widely referenced around B.C. and the solar scholarship solar array at GISS that has provided sungenerated scholarships for over five years.

Donations can be made by cheque — made out to “Salt Spring Community Energy” and sent to Salt Spring Community Energy, P.O. Box 123, Fulford Harbour, V8K 2P2 or etransfer to the project account. People can phone Kjell Liem for details at 250-538-7855.

Submitted by David Denning Originallhy printed in the Driftwood

Take this Opportunity to Make Your Home Climate and Air Quality Friendly

I

t seems like rebates are flooding in from all corners to help residents make their home heating systems climate smart, healthier and cheaper to operate. Below are three examples of incentives that Cowichan Valley residents can access right now: 1. Rebate to Replace Woodstoves and Reduce Smoke Pollution and Improve Local Air Quality and Community Health As of January 2020, Cowichan Valley residents can receive up to $2,000 when upgrading a woodstove to a heat pump. This initiative aims to improve local air quality and community health. While we have limited control over summer wildfire smoke, we can reduce smoke in the winter by upgrading woodstoves for cleaner home heating options. Woodstoves can be cozy, however when possible they should not be

Heat pumps can provide climate and air quality friendly home heating

used as the primary heat source for your home. Living in a valley is like living in a “bowl� - smoke can get stuck here because of limited air movement and mixing of air layers. As a result, the air quality in Cowichan Valley is often worse than in other places in BC. Poor air quality translates to poor health.

Hospital admission rates for children with respiratory illness is 70% higher in the Cowichan Valley than the BC average! Chronic respiratory illness for people over 45 years of age are 50% more common than in BC as a whole.

Help improve Cowichan air quality - take this opportunity to upgrade your woodstove to a cleaner and healthier home heating appliance. Rebates are offered on a first-come-first serve basis until they run out.

Apply today at: cvrd.bc.ca/ woodstove 2. Rebate to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Address Climate Change As of October 1, 2020, and until December 31, 2020, there is a golden window of opportunity to receive double the rebate amount when upgrading fossil fuel home heating appliances (e.g. gas, oil, propane stoves and furnaces) to a heat pump. For example, residents can receive $8,000 when installing a combination space and water heat pump system.

There are also great incentives ($2,000) to support residents upgrading from electrical baseboard heaters to a heat pump. Find out

more at: betterhomesbc.ca/ rebates/double-the-rebate BONUS: Group Purchase Rebate If you and your friends or neighbours want to upgrade your heating system you can receive additional rebates if you collaborate! The Group Purchase Rebate ranges from $200 per home, for a group of 2 homes up to a maximum of $500 for a group of 20 to 30 homes. Find out more about this bulk buying program

at https://betterhomesbc.ca/ rebates/gpr/ (Note: this bonus rebate only applies homes that are currently using fossil fuels).

For more information about the CVRDs woodstove rebate program, health impacts from woodsmoke and real-time air quality in the Cowichan Valley, visit cvrd.bc.ca/ woodstove.

Submitted by Ilse Sarady

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LUCKY DOG War Dogs

Debbie Wood is a certified Small Animal Naturopath and can be reached at 250-597-7DOG.

F

or as long as humans have gone to war, we have been taking our dogs with us to the front lines. Dogs have served as sentries, messengers, pack and cart animals, and loving companions to homesick soldiers looking for a little

sympathy.

From ancient times when packs of dogs were loosed on the enemy, to the middle ages when Spain had the most frightening beasts. Specially bred and suited with armour, the dogs would “soften” the enemy lines for the cavalry.

LUCKY DOG Celebrating 7 Years!!!

Thank you to all our clients!

U Bath or WE Bath

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

We have professional grooming!

ALL BREEDS + SIZES

250 597-7DOG

Book online!

www.luckydogubath.ca 1059 CANADA AVE DUNCAN • Affordable Drop Off Services • Large Capacity Machines • Ask About Pick Up Service

1606 Joan Ave Crofton 250-324-2249 66

Just north of Pots & Paraphanelia

WWI had tens of thousands of dogs working in the trenches. The dogs were more nimble and smaller targets than the soldiers.

They could smell approaching enemy troops across No Man’s Land and had better night vision. The most famous of these American Dogs is Sergeant Stubby who is credited with finding a German soldier sneaking into the Allied trenches.

His story is wonderful and I recommend Googling “Sergeant Stubby”. His stuffed remains are in the Smithsonian Museum.

WWII had Americans donating over 10,000 pet dogs to the war effort. They were trained to sniff out bombs and alert soldiers to gas leaks.

Most were left behind to fend for themselves if they survived their tour.

Cairo, a Belgian Malinois dog worked with American troops to hunt out Osama Bin Laden.

He sniffed for boobytraps and secret passages. He went on to meet President Obama with his SEAL buddies.

Canada’s most famous war dog started out as Pal, a big black Newfoundland Dog who was donated to the cause of WWII. As he came from Gander, Newfoundland, the soldiers renamed him Gander. He sailed with his infantry friends to

OPEN: 9am to 9pm! 7 Days a Week

Hong Kong and is credited with saving many lives during the battle of Lye Mun. With many battles occurring at night, he would ferociously chase enemy soldiers, biting their legs and backsides. Canadian POWs were interrogated to get information on the “Black Beasts” that were being deployed on Japanese troops. Gander, like Stubby, was promoted to Sergeant.

He unfortunately picked up a hand grenade and ran it far from his soldiers. He lost his life. Sixty years later Gander was awarded the Dicken Medal for Gallantry and his name is listed among lives lost that day in battle.

There are plenty of statues dedicated to our noble dog soldiers all over the world.

These dogs may have been used for things we’d rather not think about, but they have always been held to high esteem by their regiments.

Their stories are wonderful and I recommend reading them and looking at the photos of these beautiful heroes.

Give a thought to the dogs of war when you place that poppy in your lapel.

Dogs of war: Military history now Gander the dog: cdnhistorybits

Collectibles Eclectibles Estates & More!

Come Snoop Around!

Destruction of the natural cycles of a mountainside mean that hundreds of birds and thousands of small mammals are killed, left without a home, or lose their offspring in a crushed nest.

To believe that after clear cut logging an area, a system will bounce back and become what it was, is choosing to see the dollars and not the wholeness of life.

FAIRY CREEK UPDATE

O

ne month ago, my husband took me into the Fairy Creek Watershed very near Port Renfrew. Our old Suburban made it up a 22 km logging road, a narrow road so steep that the Earth dropped off on the one side. It became a bit of a scary ride: crawling up steep banks. Someone in an old pick up escorted a logging truck past us (we pulled over), and a few other loggers were packing up a massive crane-like machine as we passed by and continued upwards. Later after exiting our vehicle, I noticed how large chunks of crushed rocks had been thrust into the earth to construct the road.

We arrived at Camp # 1 and offered a chocolate treat to the friendly “forest defenders” who are sacrificing their time to protect the last, intact, unlogged, unprotected, Old Growth watershed. I felt honoured to be in their presence. They had built a trail in the higher elevation so folks who were able to visit could experience what the forest was like in this unique habitat.

The tall giants, so silent, so far from “civilization” put me in touch with my deepest self.

These are truly our elders. We saw them again at last weekend’s visit to Camp 2. Their strength gives me the power to connect to my true creative self. You cut them, and you cut people off from this experience forever.

So, please stand-up for Fairy Creek. Join the movement.

“If you want to see real change, you’ve got to stand up for it.”

Will O”Connel at the Fairy Creek Blockade

A forest is a living entity, a phenomenal cooperation of life forms, a cleanser of water and air, a home and sanctuary for larger mammals including ourselves. And the soil, how much land to we want to expose to erosion, to the heat of the summer sun, to the drying up of countless streams and rivulets and to the loss of natural life?

The Fairy Creek giants are also invaluable to the tourism industry and to Vancouver Island recreational enjoyment—these trees are worth more standing than cut.

Open consultation with the community must take place.

It is a work in progress and must continue. Yes it is more complicated, yes it takes more time, but the results will be community driven and healthier for everything and everyone.

Be not afraid, trust the process.

For more information see oldgrowthblockade.com

You can hear and see the beauty with this song on a Youtube post for the Fairy Creek Blockade: If you lose this forest, If we savage the land, We might as well be cutting off our own right hand.

For we and the Earth are one.

Under the moon, under the sun.

Dorothea Siegler As a long time resident of Vancouver Island, and based on my having spent most of my working days in local ecological restoration and running a small sawmill operation I am urging the Minister of Forests to step away from a traditional industry based approach to managing forests.

The costs of clear cuts outweigh the benefits to the local workforce, very few of the dollars that this logging produces stay in the communities, only the token jobs of handling the wood so that it can leave to be processed elsewhere bring some income - this is a very poor state of affairs.

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The Community Farm Store Pages — Your Organic Health and Whole Food Market in Duncan — 250-748-6227

November is all about staying cozy and supporting our immune systems. We naturally gravitate towards nourishing foods like bone broths, soups & stews, and warming drinks like Chai tea & fire cider. We believe in keeping our bodies strong and resilient, and we are here to help guide you to be your healthiest self.

The CFS Café Celebrates 1 Year! If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the CFS Café has certainly become the heart of the Farm Store, filling the store with its glorious aromas and our bellies with nourishing food.

Make Your Own Bone Broth Enjoy this nutritious, healing broth on its own, or use it as a base for your favourite soup.

Ingredients: 2 lbs bones from a healthy source 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 onion 2 carrots 2 stalks celery 1 bunch parsley Optional: Salt, peppercorns, garlic, herbs Cover bones with fresh water & vinegar, soak 30 minutes.

Add chopped veggies to pot, bring to a boil, then simmer for 8 hours. Add garlic & parsley in the last half hour of cooking.

Strain before using. Be sure to remove any bone bits.

Happy One Year Anniversary to Chef James & the CFS Café!

Chef James serves up a divine soup & sandwich every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-3. If you missed the Cafe during those hours, our Grab & Go Cooler is packed with all kinds of delicious, gourmet CFS Housemade offerings to enjoy at home.

The Community Farm Store

Organic Health & Whole Food Market www.communityfarmstore.ca

2-5380 Hwy 1, Duncan BC V9L 6W4 250-748-6227

CFS Hours

Monday-Saturday 9-6 Closed Sunday Open Remembrance Day 10-6

Soul Hours

Monday-Saturday 11-3 Closed Sunday Closed Remembrance Day

Please follow our Facebook Page for the latest information

• CRYSTALS • • BOOKS • • ORACLE DECKS • • GIFTS •

Thank you to our wonderful customers and community!

We appreciate everything you are doing to help us and each other.

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Georgia Nicols M.A. Georgia’s book, You and Your Future is a best seller with international printings in 3 languages. georgianicols.com

Aries (March 21-April 19) This month your feelings are more intense; however, this will help you focus on what needs to be done because you’re concerned with joint finances, shared property and the wealth of a spouse or partner. (This includes borrowing money and dealing with credit and bills.) Fortunately, Mercury retrograde will help you wrap up this stuff to such an extent that you’ll be surprised at how quickly and smoothly things will get done! Finito! (Way to go!)

Taurus (April 20-May 20) This month the Sun sits opposite your sign, which can happen only once a year.

When it occurs, it means you will need more sleep. (Go to bed.) However, this polarized position of the Sun also will give you more objectivity so that you can better understand the subtle ramifications of your closest relationships. Hey, this is an advantage not to be ignored. This detachment can help you see how you can improve your style of relating with others. (Good time to make future vacation plans!)

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This month you’re revved up to work smart and work hard, cuz you want results! You intend to make every action count. This is because you want to work at an effective, efficient pace. Fear not -- all it takes is motivation, and because you have the desire to do this, you will see concrete results and will accomplish a lot. Incidentally, this high standard that you are setting for yourself will also apply to your health. Yup! You’re turning over a new leaf.

(Hopefully, not fig.)

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Good news! This month the Sun is in your fellow Water Sign of Scorpio. This occurs

twice a year about four months before and after your birthday.

This is a beneficial connection because it will help give you balance and equilibrium in your life. It makes things work smoothly and your life will hum along in a better way.

It also gives you a chance to regroup and rethink. You will be more lighthearted and more fun-loving, and will enjoy social occasions, fun activities with kids and a greater interest in sports.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Oh my. Your focus on home, family and your private life will be more intense this month. Nevertheless, you will be most comfortable at home among familiar surroundings. Your focus will be inward and memories of your youth and early family days will return. Some of you will be more involved with a parent. All this private rumination might reveal how past behaviour patterns are no longer appropriate. (A learning curve!)

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Your daily pace is accelerating this month because of short trips, appointments, errands plus increased reading, writing and studying. Yes, you’re hopping! Expect some delays and silly frustrations because Mercury retrograde is still in the picture creating transportation problems and mixed-up communications.

Mercury retrograde will also attract relatives, siblings and people from your past back into your world. Fortunately, you will be productive, focused, efficient and joyful.

How nice.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) This month your focus on money, earnings and assets will be stronger. It will prompt you to think about your movable possessions and whether or not they serve your needs or you are a slave to them? (It happens.) You will be more interested in everything that you own. You might want to show something off. You will want to establish greater control in your life through what you own. (Which is a good thing.) Meanwhile, study and research will reward you.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Ta da! This month the Sun is in your sign. This happens only once a year and when it does ,it’s great because it boosts your energy and gives you a chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. Plus, it attracts people and favourable situations to you. Meanwhile, Mercury retrograde will attract expartners and people from your past back into your world, which means you might want to look sharp when you go out because as you know – living well is the best revenge.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Because your birthday looms ahead, this means your personal year is ending.

Therefore, set aside time this month to think about what you want for your new year ahead because this is the perfect time to define goals, especially since you are a forward-thinking sign. Goals give you a clearer focus on what is important. They give you more clarity in decisionmaking. They give you better control over your future and

they certainly give you a sense of purpose. Get on it!

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This month the Sun will have the effect of making you more popular, more in touch with friends, and more interactive with clubs and organizations.

You will enjoy interacting with others and you will encounter people from your past. You will also have a stronger interest in making goals and thinking about how you can translate your hopes and dreams for the future from the abstract to the concrete. Meanwhile, will love learning anything new and meeting people from other cultures. Some of you might meet a guru-like figure or teacher.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) The Sun is at the top of your chart this month and this happens only once a year.

Symbolically, this means you are cast in a flattering spotlight, which means others admire you and see you as competent and capable, even if you don’t do anything different. (Ah yes, the magic of great lighting.) Money and practical support will come to you. This will include banks and financial institutions.

Accept whatever help is offered to you because it could bring you a long-term benefit.

Ka-ching!

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) This month you want to do whatever you can to broaden your horizons, especially through travel or exciting studies into metaphysics, philosophy, religion or any discipline that proves to be a positive learning experience for you. Likewise, you will enjoy meeting people from other cultures. Some of you might have a greater involvement with the law or medicine. Meanwhile, with Venus is opposite your sign, you will enjoy relating to members of the general public, as well as those who are closest to you. Things are going your way! www.georgianicols.com

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DIRECTORY OF LOCAL SERVICES

A great way to discover local services and businesses. 2 sizes of ad space are available to suit every business message and budget. Affordable, stylish and straight to the point.

Directory Size A - 1 logo + 8-12 word listing Full Colour 1 X $63 6X $53 12X $43 Black & White 1 X $52 6X $42 12X $32 Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or by email to adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Deadline for DECEMBER 2020 Issue 145 - NOVEMBER 18

Acupuncture

Alternative Covid

ACUPUNCTURE MASSAGE THERAPY HERBAL MEDICINE

Clinicians, Researchers, & Health Experts from Around the World Interrogating the Mainstream Narrative Around the Pandemic

Online Booking & Direct Billing

https://questioningcovid.com

4705 Trans Canada Hwy I 250-889-9066 I www.pestleandpins.com

Art Classes

Trial By Fire Pottery Studio

GLASS ART SUPPLIES GLASS ART CLASSES STUDIO DROP IN KILN RENTAL 566 David Street, Victoria I 250-382-9554

Pottery Classes

NEW ONLINE SHOP AND FARM STAND www.trialbyfirepottery.ca I 250-710-8758 www.trialbyfirepottery.ca End of Life Care

www.vicartglass.com I www.glasscampus.com

Waldorf Kindergarten

Let us help you with: •advance care plans •celebration of life •legacy projects

Sunrise Waldorf School is accepting applications for Kindergarten. A warm loving and nature based environment for children.

•downsizing •support networks •family meetings

admissions@sunrisewaldorfschool.org 250.743.7253 Ext 22

250 732 6452

www.greatcircleplanning.ca

Natural Beauty

Prudence

THE PROFESSIONAL MOBILE SPA THAT COMES TO YOU!

Lexington Spa

Natural Skincare & Cosmetics

• MANICURES Cindy Beam, Owner • PEDICURES • REFLEXOLOGY 250 514-1380 lexingtonspa@shaw.ca I www.lexingtonspa.ca

Open: Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm Sundays 12 - 4pm

• 155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

www.prudencenaturalbeauty.ca

Discussion Group on 5G A concerned group of citizens in the Cowichan Valley are looking for a moratorium on 5G until proven safe for our communtiy. If you are interested in more discussion on this topic with others please contact dorotheasiegler@gmail.com

Food More than a Meat Shop Gluten Free/Organic Pasta’s, Organic Meat, Homemade Sausage, International Foods.

The Duncan Butcher 430 Trans Canada Hwy 250 748 -6377 70

CSA shares available in 15 or 30 week options CERTIFIED ORGANIC VEGETABLES & MEAT rupert@shawlfarm.ca

Health and Healing Customizable Organic Mattresses, Pillows, Linens Locally made Platform Beds and Furniture 126 Station St. 250-597-REST (7378) www.resthouse.ca

Hidden Gem Reiki Studio

Judy Johnstone, Reiki Master 250-661-0192 www.hiddengemreiki.com

What’s your story around body image/ food/health?

Did you know?

It’s not so much WHAT you eat that affects you, but what’s EATING YOU! Lifestyle Mentor I Certified Eating Psychology Coach

AMANDA CHARTRAND

778 678 1705 I mbodympowermbrace@outlook.com

The good news is that Eating Psychology can help you understand.

Reflexology by Joy Relax and rejuvenate each and every part of your body, including the glands and organs. specializing in toes•calves•lower legs• knees jstalinski@shaw.ca I 250 246 1401

Psychic

Modern Day Oracle * Spiritual Mediumship * Energy Healing

* Card Readings * Empowerment Sessions

Call Sacred Silence 250-710-5287 www.sacredsilence.net or facebook: Sacred Silence

Pet Care & Grooming Lucky Dog U-Bath, Duncan Now accepting new grooming clients.

Book online www.luckydogubath.ca Or call 250-597-7364

Bioenergetic Balancing with Magnets & Energy Healing

* Boost the immune system *

Prevent illness & fatigue * Feel healthier

Kathryn Lowther - Biomagnetism & HUE Energy Healer 250-891-5138 www.biomagcanada.ca

Reflexology I Indian Head Massage Lymphatic Release Technique Enabling your body to heal itself, naturally.

naturalheelingreflexology.com Call Helga 250-732-7988

Restore your digestive system with Colon Hydrotherapy.

Your health is the only wealth that matters!

Michelle Bird Colon Hydrotherapist

250-510-3540 Sol Centre 5380 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan I www.thecleansingroom.com

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

D B b 2

LEARN WHY - WE SHOULD STOP OLD GROWTH LOGGING NOW www.ancientforestalliance.org/bc-old-growth-panel-report-announcement 71

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