February Issue 51

FEBRUARY 2013 ISSUE 51 COWICHAN VALLEY I FOOD I ART I EVENTS I RECREATION I COMMUNITY 1

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

black door decor Entertaining • Relaxing • Living • Giving

124 STATION ST 250.597.2290

126 STATION ST 250.597.2632

RECEIVE A $15 GIFT CARD WITH EVERY $100 SPENT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY Enter ballot for your chance to win a great $100 gift prize at either black door decor or SKANDA.

Name Phone E-mail Draw date February 28, 2013.

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100 Voices for One World Choir sing for Idle No More

Saturday February 2 Mercury Theatre 331 Brae Street Duncan www.joythroughmusic.com The Cowichan Spirit Drummers and others will join the 100 Voices for One World Choir for a benefit concert dedicated to Idle No More.

“I am deeply touched by

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Idle No More. says Cari Burdett, director of choir “This musical event is the way I support Canada, my community of Duncan, First Nations’ Rights, and Humanity as a whole through song. I believe that singing has the power to move people and to open the hearts, creating greater than imagined possibilities.”

Immediately following the musical program, which also features local singersong writer Paul Ruszel, and music from Zimbabwe with Bopoma, the audience will be invited to share as a group on the topic of Idle No More. The guest speaker, Mr. Joe Thorne, Cowichan Band member and Duncan City Council member, will describe how he finds the community currently “awakening to the truth”.

www.sunrisewaldorfschool. org or email admission@ sunrisewaldorfschool.org for more information.

Open House Grade School Feb 5 Paint With Me Kindergarten Feb 7

Sunrise Waldorf School Lakeside Rd (off Koksilah) Cowichan Station 250 743 7253 www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org Sunrise Waldorf School invites families with school aged children to join them for one of two open house events scheduled in February. Visit

Tuesday, February 5th, Grade School Observation Tour, 9am – 10am RSVP required. -We will visit four of the grade school classes while they are in session, to get a firsthand experience of the Waldorf curriculum through the grades. This is an opportunity to see the grade school classes in action.

Thursday, February 7th, Kindergarten Open House -Paint with Me, Valentine! RSVP required.

Spend a colourful hour in Kindergarten with your children painting a Valentine for somebody special.

Explore and learn about Waldorf Early Childhood programs.

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

FEBRUARY 2013 EVENTS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

to Feb 14

Lucky 13 A Jeffrey Birkin Painting Exhibit Gallowglass Books 7-225 Canada Ave

13 & 27 6:30pm

Cowichan Readers Theatre Thespians welcome!

261 Southshore Rd., Lake Cowichan 250 749-3728

to Feb 28

15 Annual Warmland Calligraphy Show and Sale Loft Gallery Valley Vines To Wines Mill Bay Centre

14 10am 4pm

Tea+Sweet Valentines @ Teafarm 8350 Richards Trail 250 748 3811 teafarm.ca

1&2 6:30 -8pm

Islands Agriculture Show Cowichan Exhibition Park

1, 2, 8, 9 7:30pm

One Billion Rising starts At Matrea Centre with a march Conscious Dance at The Art House in Shawnigan Lake

Oklahoma! - A South Island Musical Society Performance Cowichan Theatre For Tickets 250.748.7529

14 Noon 5:30pm 14 7pm

Birds Eye Cove Secret Supper Valentine’s Event 5881 Genoa Bay Road, Duncan 250 748 6379

14 5:30pm

Valentine’s 3 Course Dinner and Pairing at Merridale 1230 Merridale Road, Cobble Hill 250 743-4293

14

4 or 5 Course Valentine’s Candlelite Dinner in the Dark Amusé on The Vineyard Reservations 250.743.3667

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Genoa Bay Cafe Valentine’s Dinner 5000 Genoa Bay Road,, 250 746 7621

15 noon 5pm

The New Wellness Clinic Drop In Open House Harmony Yoga Studio, 201-111 Station St., Duncan

15 -17

4 or 5 Course Valentine’s Dinner Amusé on The Vineyard Reservations 250.743.3667

15 -17

Rocky Creek Winery Valentine’s Weekend Tastings 1854 Myhrest Road Cowichan Bay 250) 748-5622

16 5pm -9pm

Happiness Dinner 2013 with Chef Bill Jones Deerholme Farm 4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan 250 748-7450

Womens’ Post-Partum Depression Peer Group FREE 1,8,15,22 10am -12pm The Matraea Centre, 170 Craig St, Duncan 250 701-9076

2 10am -4:30pm

Big Leaf Maple Syrup Festival BC Forest Discovery Centre Trans Canada Hwy Duncan

7,14, 21, 28 7pm

VIU Weekly Meditation Night Room 250 VIU Cowichan, Info at peace@viretreats.com

2 2 -5 pm

Annual Seconds Sale - Margit Nellemann Ceramics 8350 Richards Trail 250-748 3811 margitnellemann.com

2 2pm

100 Voices For One World Choir sing for Idle No More Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Street Duncan

OUR Eco Village Tour 250 743 3067 2, 16 10am - noon 1565 Baldy Mountain Rd., Shawnigan Lake

3 2pm

Balkan Babes CD Release Concert The Chapel at Providence Farm, $12 www.balkanbabes.ca

3 2pm

Oklahoma! presented by the SIMPTS Matinee Cowichan Theatre 250.748.7529

3 11am

Discovery Service at Nicheren Buddha Society #4 - Johnny Bear Rd, Duncan www.Viretreats.com

4 9:30am

Citizen Science and Bird Conservation 250-746-6141 Freshwater Ecocentre 1080 Wharncliffe Rd Duncan

4, 11 8 -11pm

Cowichan Valley Green Party Meeting - All are welcome Vancouver Island University Café 250-746-7763

5 8 -11pm

Dress Rehearsal Tuesday Duncan Garage Showroom $5 250 748-7246

5-26 7:30pm Beekeeping In The Warmland with Steve Mitchell VIU – Cowichan Campus 250-746-3519 Tues & Thurs - 9:30pm

Image Transfer for Personal Art Exploration with 16 11am -4pm Patricia June Vickers, PhD. RCC. spohn@telus.net

16 7:30pm

Vagina Monologues Cowichan Theatre 2867 James St. Duncan 250.748.7529

17 2:30pm

Palm Court Light Orchestra Presents Rhapsody in Blue Cowichan Theatre 2867 James St. Duncan 250 748-7529

17 7pm -8:30pm

Sacred Chant Circle @ Rivendell Yurt (in Glenora) Contact Sadie Bartram 250-748-2089/sdbartram@gmail.com

17 7:30pm

An Evening with Roy Forbes Duncan Garage Showroom $25adv /$30 250 748-7246

6 3pm

North Cowichan Council Meeting North Cowichan Municipal Hall

19 7 - 9pm

Ladies Night at Cycle Therapy Fashion Show, Wine Tasting, Chair Massage 295 Trunk Road, Duncan

6 6:30pm

Drinkwater School Zumba Party Fundraiser $7 6236 Lane Rd, Duncan Deb Bartilucci, 250-748-2820

22 7:30pm

Spirit Journey Circle www.orcahealing.com $10 Harmony Yoga Studio, 201-111 Station St., Duncan

6 9:30am 11:30am

Muffin Mornings at Chemainus Seniors Centre 824 Willow Street Chemainus, 250-246-2111

22 7pm

The Buddy Holly Story Opening Night Chemainus Theatre Festival - Box Office 250-246-9820

8 8 - 9:15pm

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

22 7pm

Cetaceans in BC Caitlin Birdsall, Vancouver Aquarium Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre By Donation

9 Doors 6pm 7pm start

Cowichan Folk Guild Coffee House - Mike Feeman & Tania Opland Duncan United Church 246 Ingram St

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ART! by Portals Volunteers Portals - The CVAC Centre of Arts, Culture and Heritage

9 9am 9pm

6th Annual MS Charity Scrapbook Event Fundraiser Shawnigan Lake School 1975 Renfrew Rd $75

The Chicken & The Egg: Small Flock Management – 23 9am -12pm Egg Layers VIU Cowichan Campus 250-746-3515

9 8 - 9:15pm

Oysters — Love on the Halfshell with Chef Bill Jones 250 748-7450 www.deerholme.com $100

23 1 -4pm

The Chicken & The Egg: Small Flock Management – Meat Birds VIU Cowichan Campus 250-746-3515

9 7:30pm -10pm

Shamanic Spirit Journey Circle www.orcahealing.com Silent Dragon Martial Arts, 2950 Boys Rd, Duncan $10

25 7pm

Reel Alternatives: Moonrise Kingdom Cowichan Theatre, Benefits CV Hospice Services

10 10am -5pm

Celebrate Chinese New Year @ Teafarm 8350 Richards Trail 250 748 3811 teafarm.ca

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Buy Local, Buy Fresh Map Registration Deadline Contact Raelynn at the CGC 250 748 8506

10 11am

Nichiren Day Everyone Welcome #4 - Johnny Bear Rd, Duncan www.Viretreats.com

26 7pm

Ladysmith Camera Club Hands-on Shooting Workshop Hardwick Hall, High Street at 3rd Ave $5 Drop In

11 11am - 2pm

Shawnigan Family Day Scavenger Hunt Dwight International School 2371 Shawnigan Lake Road

28 5:30pm

Hands On Cooking Class - Braised Meats with Chef Brad Boisvert Amusebistro@shaw.ca 250.743.3667 $80

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Issue 51 February 2013 Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Editors Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 - 936 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan V9L 5X4 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution Copy Editor Proofreader Linda Dirksengale Maeve Maguire Diana Pink Advertising Enquiries Please Call Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 Next Ad Deadline January 18th e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

*Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire.

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

EVENTS DEADLINE FEB 15th for MARCH 2013 Issue E-mail Date,Time, Location, Event Title and Cost to: events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Please list event title in subject with the word “EVENT” Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations Valley Voices In This Issue Bill Jones, Bruce Stewart, Joan Cobham,Tracey Hanson, Lynn Shortt Sandra Beggs,Victor Vesely, Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store, Shirley McGuinness, Heather Kaye, Sheila Walmsley, Jean Burgess, David Coulson, Lynelle Renee Scales, Michael Burdges, Pat Amos, Debbie Shkuratoff, Ajay Applelaar, Amanda Reimer, Raelyn Gibson, Chantey Dayal, Sheila Badman, Jean Crowder, Rick Dennis, Sue McKitrick & The Lovely Georgia Nicols.

We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other contirbutors.

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

Cover Jennifer Numbers

Over 25,000 LOCAL readers read the Valley Voice monthly! Including YOU!

Advertise LOCALLY to your target market!

Now Booking March Issue AD Deadline: Feb 15th Contact Adrienne Richards for more information or a 2013 Rate Card.

Our Community

February Community Calendar 5 Buy Local Buy Fresh Map 16 Is All Gluten The Same? 17 Off The Grid - Making Cheese at Home 18 Meals on The Ground 19 What Would Ms Polly Do? 19 Green Living: Taking A Greener Step Forward 29 Cowichan Valley Feature Listings 37 Community Farm Store Pages 38 - 41 Websites, Emails and Verbal Lint 42 Crowder’s Corner 42 Cowichan Valley Directory 46-47

Local Food and Recipes

Cowichan Eating with Bill Jones 7 The Secret Supper Club 8 Farm Gate Foods and Catering 9 Cowichan Bay Seafoods Asian Crab Recipe 9 The Sweet Taste of Local Handmade Chocolate 10 Who says Port has to be from Portugal? 13 Taste of Tea 15

Farm and Garden

On The Farm with Makaria Farm 14 Bushtits 20 Hope Farm 30 Helpful Garden: Seedisfaction 31

Home & Design

Sky Supply: Your Rainwater Connection 22 Designing Green: It’s Time To Trim Your Verge 23

Art, Music, Theatre

CRAFT Cowichan Valley Artisans Gloria Daly 24 Talking Arts: Chantey Dayal 25 Imagine That Artisan Lynelle Renee Scales 26 Outnumbered by Sue McKitrick 42

Recreation & Healthy Living Cycle Therapy: Lance An Opinion 32 Wild Medicine 33 Pacific Rim Whale Festival 35 Participate In The Great Backyard Bird Count 45

Body, Mind & Soul

Getaway with A Coconut Sugar Scrub 28 Knowing Your Feelings and Needs 29 Coach in Your Corner 32 The Energy of Being 43 Georgia Nicols February Horoscopes 44

250 510 6596 adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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

Cowichan

EATING

Beyond Bok Choy

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

lipping through the seed catalogue, I see a growing trend in the increase of Asian greens available for local gardeners. We have grown many varieties for years and I have often wondered why more of these amazing edibles are not available in our local farmers markets.

To get the best of these greens you have to move beyond the generic bok choy found in most of our supermarkets. Not that there is anything wrong with a good choy (particularly the baby varieties). It is like any vegetable: it suffers from increasing the distance from garden to table. A boy choy from the garden is sweet, crunchy and aromatic. From the produce aisle it is often bruised, watery, starchy and bland. If you search, you will find there is a vast world of choices out there that go beyond the limited offerings in the supermarket.

Here are five outstanding Asian greens you should explore in your garden: Gai Lan. This is a dark-green stemmed plant sometimes called Chinese Broccoli. It has very little in common with broccoli (other than both being members of the brassica family). It has a fine firm

texture with a slight tinge of bitterness on the finish. It has a fibrous stalk that benefits from being cooked until soft.

The Chinese often blanch the stalks and serve with a drizzle of oyster sauce.

Yu Choy.

On first glance this vegetables looks very similar to Gai Lan. The stems however will be much more tender and are occasionally hollow. This plant is sometimes called Chinese flowering cabbage. It is very delicious and a great addition to both salad and stir-fry. A favourite Chinese preparation is to quickly blanch the stems and toss the leaves in hot oil and garlic.

Tatsoi. This plant is a cousin to Yu Choy but has a distinct round leaf and grows in a pretty rosette form. The taste is mild and the greens are very tender with a subtle mustard bite. We usually use the young leaves in our salad mix where they shine with their beautiful shape, long shelf life and clean fresh flavor. When we have lots, they make an excellent stir-fry or addition to a noodle dish, particularly when there is lots of garlic used.

Help Wanted

Saison Market is an agri-tourism destination dedicated to producing quality hand-crafted goods from its Market Vineyard Kitchen. Saison is currently looking for two key players to join its team in the following areas:

Customer Service

As the front-line person, you are extremely organized, enjoy a fast-paced dynamic environment, and excel in customer relations.This permanent part-time position requires a dedication to weekends.

Food Production

Working directly with the owners, you are a self-motivated, hard-working individual that strives for excellence in all areas of food production. Your attention to detail and ability to work with minimal supervision sets you apart.This permanent position offers minimum 30 hours weekly.

Foodsafe Level 1 and experience an asset.

Saison offers competitive wages and benefits based on experience and skills.

Please email saison@shaw.ca by Friday, February 15, 2013. chopped up in rice dishes and is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Mizuna. I love this vegetable. It has a beautiful shape, a nice mild peppery flavour and is versatile as a salad green or a cooking green. Mizuna also grows like a weed in our garden and seems to be very happy in the Cowichan climate. When we have a bumper crop we also make a mizuna pesto with olive oil and sunflower seeds. It is another great source of nutrients and antioxidants.

(Chef Bill Jones recipe on page 17)

Shungiku. It is often called Edible Chrysanthemum.

This is another plant that is easy to grow and tastes fantastic in a salad or stirfry. The shungiku likes our cool local climate and makes a welcome addition to our meals almost on a year-round basis. It is particularly great

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Oklahoma!

Feb. 1, 2, 8, 9 at 7:30 pm Feb. 3 at 2:00 pm Cowichan Theatre 2687 James Street, Duncan For Tickets 250.748.7529 Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, having set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre still being followed today. Set in a Western Indian territory just

after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story.

Although the road to true love never runs smooth, with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, love’s journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road. That they will succeed

in making a new life together we have no doubt, and that this new life will begin in a brand-new state provides the ultimate climax to the

triumphant OKLAHOMA! This year’s production of Oklahoma includes over 50 cast and crew all from the Cowichan Valley!

The Secret Supper Club

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rowing in popularity throughout North America and Europe, the ‘Secret Supper Club’, a deep southern US tradition is coming to the Cowichan Valley. With a twist of course.

Are you ready to become a ‘culinary adventurer’?

The workings of the ‘club’ are simple. Get on the list, get the invite, attend, enjoy, pay on your way out. Traditional ‘Secret Supper Clubs’ will not announce the location until the week of the event and often the Chef and Culinary team are relieved at the same time. Interested individuals confirm their interest with a reservation and deposit. Once on the call list, they wait to see if they make the cut.

There is plenty of speculation as to why these secret clubs were conceived. Some say it was in protest to the modern restaurant, others claim a demand for an elevated dining experience, others will tell you the magic is in the unknown.

On February 14th Bird’s Eye Cove Farm will launch their first of many ‘Secret Suppers’. As the location is

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disclosed all other elements will be concealed until the final course is served. Here is how it works: The date of the Secret Supper is announced, with the number of courses being served. Those interested in attending will secure their spot by paying a reservation deposit of $20 (this amount goes towards the final cost of the evening) at which time they also select their preference of vegetarian or meat.

along with established Chefs and Culinary professionals and are keen to do our part in promoting them. We also believe that people should have the opportunity to experience this a unique way to dine.

On the day of the event, guests arrive and the menu choices are revealed while they enjoy cocktails and appetizers. Guests will then have the option of choosing their entree (from two meat and one vegetarian). Select local wine and beer will be available for purchase. As the dessert course is served the Chef and Culinary team will be revealed.

The intent of the Bird’s Eye Cove Secret Supper is straightforward and simple.

As a venue we embrace exceptional food quality, naturally raised produce, locally grown and sourced elements and the overall culinary experience. We also believe that Vancouver Island is home to a large number of outstanding up and coming

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

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Farm Gate Foods and Catering Steve and Christle.

Delicious handheld appetizers.

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hef Steve Elskens and his wife Christle Pope created Farm’s Gate Foods & Catering four years ago.

Their delicious local food choices have become well known in the Cowichan Valley, having catered many events from intimate 20 guest dinners to 500 hungry geocachers, bringing unique, locally inspired dishes. They have created a following for their fresh and original street food; enthusiasts follow their Facebook news feed closely to find out where they can get their next fix.

Chef Steve said, “It’s pretty cool to be a part of such bountiful farmers’ markets these days, knowing that most of our menu items include products from our neighbours in the valley. We feel really good about what we are able to do.”

Farm’s Gate F&C are bringing their culinary creations and passion for music together in their next venture: a Valentine’s Day three-course dinner and dance at the Cobble Hill Hall on Friday February 15th. A portion of the proceeds will go to Frances Kelsey Dry Grad.

Awesome local band Bijoux du Bayou will keep the dance floor bouncing at this fun, community-inspired event.

“We basically wanted to recreate that old-time community hall dance feeling,” says Christle. The hall will look stunning and it’s going to be a memorable evening!”

Book an event with this husband-andwife team. They cater music festivals and farmers’ markets as well as dinner

in your home, halls, offices, beaches or wherever you can dream up. They cater weddings, family events, business meetings and beyond. For more info visit www.farmsgatefoods.ca.

Valentine’s 3 Course Dinner & Dance February 15 Cobble Hill Hall 3550 Watson Rd Tickets $55 Available at Shawnigan Lake Coffee House or by phoning 250 743 0639 to reserve. www.farmgatefoods.ca

Open 6 Days a Week 10 am to 6 pm Romantic Valentine’s Dinner - Asian Style Dungeness Crab for Two CLOSED Mondays

LIVE DUNGENESS CRAB • FRESH FISH • LOCAL PRAWNS AND MORE! Ask Cowichan Bay Seafoods to crack and clean your live crabs right at purchase!

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

Method

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

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

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

Coarsely crush peppercorns with rolling pin or grind in grinder.

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

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

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

Cowichan Bay Seafoods

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

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ark, milk, diabetic friendly, handmade, organic, Belgium... Five sweet words to describe the Cowichan Valley’s artisan chocolate and fudge industry, making buying local an even sweeter temptation.

Rembrandts Chocolates Downtown Duncan Ernest and Lisette Horvers are the duo behind delicious Rembrandt’s Chocolates.

They emigrated from the Netherlands and began

their careers here running a restaurant in Duncan.

After realizing that running a restaurant “takes every minute of your life” - this lovely Dutch couple looked to something else. Following his passion with food and pastry they have been happily producing sweets for the Cowichan Valley for 17 years. “Making chocolates was a natural continuation of my professional path” Ernest smiles. “The exciting part of chocolate making is to find

Max Bossi of Beaver House Fudge showing off some delicious fair trade, farm grown , organic fudge ingreditents.

Looking for local, handmade Sweets for Your Sweeties? the perfect balance between the flavours, sweetness and texture. The Valentine’s day tradition is now almost 2000 years old. We create a variety of chocolates and novelties, that will come in all shapes and sizes. We use pure Belgian chocolate for our regular chocolates, and also for the diabetic chocolates that are sweetened with Maltitol.

269 A.D. the same day February 14, that had been devoted to love “lotteries” which were popular at the time. maybe not every one was a winner then, but now you can with Rembrandt’s Chocolates shares Ernest.

Beaver House Fudge Company Whippletree Junction Beaver House Fudge Company Inc. was started in 2001 by Max and Karel Bossi. Both Max and Karel bring creative Swiss and Italian expertise to bear in the manufacture of their unique fudge confections.

They also proudly use fair trade and certified organic Fechlin Chocolate, Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Peanut Butter, Cream, Butter, Dried Cranberries and locally grown, Pumpkins, Blackberries, Cranberries, Blueberries, Hazelnuts and Raspberries to their part in supporting local agriculture.

The couple have created 40

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

Truffles for sale at Amuse On The Vineyard. Part of their gourmet food line.

varieties of fudge for an ever increasing clientele who have come to recognize it as superb and outstanding. Their fudge stand at the market is often a sought out destination by many tourists from across the island.

Truly dedicated to the well being of their community, two specialty products “Marmot Fudge” and “Somenos Marsh Fudge” were introduced to support the Vancouver Island Marmot Foundation and the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Refuge. 10% of the proceeds from the sale of these fudges directly support these causes.

“Beaver House Fudge is for celebrating life and we hope you enjoy every bit of it.” Max smiles. Special for Valentine’s Day we make an Ebony Bliss fudge with cinnamon hearts.” The Bossi’s have also owned Next To Nature Trading at Whippletree Junction since 1992. The shop showcases gifts, clothing and jewelery and of course fudge!

Organic Fair Cobble Hill Organic Fair creates delicious organic, fair trade chocolate made right in Cobble Hill.

They have been making chocolate for 8 years, purchasing their small farm in 2005. “ We wanted to live

and work in the same place.

An authentic organic lifestyle was our goal.” shares Marisa Goodwin, co founder of Organic Fair. Their chocolate background stems from her husband, Kent Goodwin’s nearly 16 year relationship with their cacao producing partners in Costa Rica and Marisa is a second generation chocolate maker, an herbalist and a chef. All of of their chocolate is organic fair trade dark chocolate. “We actually make our chocolate here in Cobble Hill. Look for our new single origin, organic and fair trade bean to bar chocolate this spring.”says Marisa.

For Valentine’s Day the company is bringing back their Corazon chocolate bar Corazon chocolate bar composed of rose, vanilla, honey and cacao nib. It was created for the couple’s own wedding in 2006. For your cocktails or sodas, Marisa has also blended a new herb and spice infused Chocolate Elixir (chocolate syrup) that can be used for sodas or cocktails.

Find them locally right from the farm, or at the Duncan Garage Store.

Next To Nature Trading

Visit Us for Valentines Fudge and Gifts at Whippletree Junction

Fair Trade Sweaters Plush Teddy Bears Mohair Socks • Cards Pottery • Puzzles

Outerwear

Beaver House Fudge Featuring our famous Ebony Bliss Fudge

250 748 6647

www.beaverhousefudge.com

Amuse Gourmet Mill Bay Every time a guest has dinner at Amuse, Chef Brad Boisvert ensures the meal is finished

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with a handmade chocolate truffle. Often people would ask if they could buy some so the couple decided to start to selling them as part of their Amuse gourmet foods line.

With a background that included pastry training at New York’s Culinary Institute of America, Chef Boisvert describes working with chocolate as no different then creating a dish of savory food - “it is just playing with flavor combinations” Brad tells us. The truffles are offered in several different infusions

Rembrandts Chocolates in Duncan also features sugar free chocolate options for diabetics.

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of flavours including North Cowichan Teafarm teas, Unsowrth wines and even balsamic vinegar. In addition to the specialty truffles, Amuse will also have a luxurious Ovation red wine chocolate sauce that can be warmed as a fondue or served on dessert.

Moziro Chocolate - Shawnigan Lake Jake Zaiss and Jenn de Valk own Moziro Coffee Roasters and Chocolatiers.

They recently sold the retail side of the business in Shawnigan Lake to focus more on their wholesale and online ordering (www.moziro. com) They now sell exclusively wholesale. Moziro Chocolate was started in 2005.

Jenn was inspired by her Aunt and Uncle who owned two successful chocolate shops in Southern Ontario.

She grew up helping them out in the summers and was entrusted with a few select secret

Moziro chocolate, Image Nik West

family recipes including the famous Mint Smoothie. The creamy smooth texture of the Smoothie soon became a favourite for customers at Moziro.

Jenn imparts her delectable chocolates with all the good energy she can muster; hopefully it translates in the taste and feeling you get after eating a Moziro Chocolate. All the chocolate is hand dipped and tempered with special care.

For Valentine’s Day, Moziro is offering Mint, Orange, and Cinnamon Smoothies, Pecan Cans, as well as dark chocolate infused with hot chili oil made locally by Fat Chili Farm in Cobble Hill. Moziro will donate 10% of all proceeds from Valentine’s orders to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

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

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ere on Vancouver Island, wineries have created their own “port” phenomenon. Fruit ports, often made with local wild blackberries are quickly becoming one of the sought after items of the region much like Niagara or Okanagan Ice Wines, Cowichan Valley blackberry ports are winning awards and gaining notoriety outside our region.

Methods used to make local ports are similar to traditional tawny ports. Port is a heavy, sweet and delicious drink whose flavour is enhanced when paired with salty, creamy and acidic cheeses

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such as local blues or imported Stilton.

Many of these fruity ports also pair extremely well with dark chocolate, many of which can also be found locally.

As both port and cheese are traditional flavours that have been enjoyed for hundreds of years the pairing could make for starting a new Valentine’s tradition.

Genoa Bay Cafe’s Cindy Bergen suggests Alderlea Vineyard’s Heritage Heath for those looking for a locally produced, yet more traditional style port that is not too sweet. “Classic dark fruit

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and chocolate aromas drive this complex 4 year barrel aged port style late bottled wine, which includes dark fruit flavours and finishes with hints of toasted coconut and black liquorice.” Roger Dosman from Alderlea Vineyards suggests pairing the Heritage Heath with semi sweet chocolate, Stilton cheese, dried figs, hazelnuts, cranberries - or to even sip it on its own.

Enjoy your port!

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

Gifts for yourself and others.

We can print your photos on canvas.

We want to frame your art for you.

28 station St downtown duncan 250-746-7112

13

on the farm

With

Makaria Farm

O

ne of the things I love most about farming is spending my winters brainstorming how to make our farm better, from coming up with more sustainable ways to heat a greenhouse to considering more attractive ways to package and sell our vegetables to better meets people’s needs.

Join us for a romantic Valentine’s Dinner on February 14th and be serenaded by award winning guitar player Eric Harper. Savour a 3 course meal, a glass of bubbly, and live entertainment - All for $50 per person.

Add cider or wine pairings for an additional $15.

Seatings at 5:00pm and 7:30pm

valentines dinner menu Choice of Starter Potato Soup

wild mushroom toast, truffle and thyme

Trio of Oysters

cucumber ice, classic mignonette and apple chili

Elk Carpaccio

parsley aioli, parsley leaves, arugula, piave and lemon

Choice of Main Course Fettuccine

artichoke pesto, pinenuts, tomatoes and chili

Crispy Pork Belly

caramelized squash, cannellini beans and maple demi-glace

Albacore Tuna

gremolata crusted with warm potato salad with guanciale and bacon vinaigrette, olives and green beans

Last winter, for example, we created our Food Security Club, which helps people eat local, organic produce all winter long by providing bulk amounts of vegetables that are easy to store or preserve.

So what have we cooked up this winter? We were looking over a map of where our customers who pick up a pre-ordered weekly bag of vegetables (CSA) from our farm were coming from. We realized that the vast majority lived where it was convenient for them to stop by and pick up their bag of veggies on the way home from work or a visit to town. Of course!

They’re busy. That’s why grocery stores are located close to the various communities in the Valley. So, short of starting a Makaria Farm grocery store in every neighbourhood, what could we do?

Deliver.

We are offering delivery of our weekly bags of produce to your home or office for 21 weeks this summer. So from June to November, regardless of where you live in the Cowichan Valley (from Chemainus to Mill Bay at least), you can conveniently enjoy some of the freshest produce the Warmland has to offer, delivered to your door, for less than $23/week.

As an organic farm, we strive to be environmentally friendly, so we’ll be working on making our delivery service more sustainable over time. If you know of anyone selling a bio-diesel van, for example, please send them our way. And, of course, if you know of anyone looking for local, organic, freshpicked vegetables delivered to their door this summer, send them our way too!

Many people don’t have the time to drive from one side of the Valley to the other to get a bag of vegetables each week.

Duck Confit

braised red cabbage, apple and chili

Beef Tenderloin

pink peppercorn jus, potato and mushroom strudel and brussel sprouts

Choice of Dessert Red Velvet Lava Cake raspberries and mint Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta strawberries and balsamic Norman Apple Tarte salted cidre Normandie caramel chantilly cream

visit merridalecider.com or phone 250.743.4293 to make a reservation

14

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

Brock McLeod owns and operates Makaria Farm with his wife Heather. www.makariafarm.com

W

c s l m 1 a i t a o

Margit and Victor create an eclectic experience of tea+art+nature. www.teafarem.ca

W

hite tea is one of five categories of tea that comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. It is the least processed of all teas, minimally oxidized (up to 15%) and dehydrated without any manipulation. The result is a smooth, almost sweettasting cup, void of the astringency other types of tea often demonstrate.

FEB 02 Saturday 2pm-5pm Annual Seconds Sale FEB 10 Sunday 10am-5pm Celebrate Chinese New Year FEB 14 Thursday 10am-9pm Tea+Sweet Valentines

Coco Jones 2013

Taste Of Tea

The processing of white tea dates back centuries to Fujian province in China. The original and most exquisite white tea is produced from the fresh and plump bud of the Camellia sinensis plant.

It is the white, hairy down of the bud that has given white tea its name. These buds are meticulously handpicked in the spring and processed into the very fine tea known as Silver Needle. It can take up to 10,000 buds to generate 1 kilo of white Silver Needle tea. Other types of white tea include the first two leaves

FEB 02 Saturday 2pm-5pm Annual Seconds Sale

along with the bud. This type of white tea is known as Bai Mu Dan, or White Peony, and produces a mild and very enjoyable cup. In recent years, the popularity of white tea has risen dramatically and as a consequence white tea is now also being manufactured in many other parts of the tea producing world.

The soft flavour profile of white tea makes it popular in different tea blends.

Snake Tea is from the line of Chinese Zodiac teas Teafarm has created. It is a blend of

FEB 10 Sunday 10am-5pm Celebrate Chinese New Year

White Peony and purple tulsi.

Tulsi is also known as holy basil and in India it is revered for its healing properties.

The combination of the soft white tea and the spicy tulsi produces an invigorating brew apt for celebrating the beginning of the Lunar New Year - Year of the Snake - this February 10th. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

FEB 14 Thursday 10am-9pm Tea+Sweet Valentines

15

“It’s fresher from here”

Valentine’s Day Chicken Cordon Bleu Amount

Ingredients

4 6 Slices 4 Slices 1/2 Cup 2 1/4 Cup 1/4 teaspoon 1/8 teaspoon 2 Tablespoons

Island Farmhouse skinless, boneless chicken breast halves Little Qualicum Raclette Quist Farms Ham True Grain bread crumbs Local Eggs, beaten Flour Salt Ground Black Pepper Olive Oil

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking tray with olive oil.

Lay chicken breast between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound using a mallet or rolling pin to 1/4 inch thickness. Lightly season chicken with salt and pepper.

Place 1 slice of Raclette and 1 ham slice on top of each breast. Roll up each breast like a log and tuck in the sides. Secure with a toothpick.

Lightly dust chicken with flour, dip in egg wash and gently coat in the bread crumbs.

Place in baking dish, and roll chicken evenly with bread crumbs.Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.

Remove from oven, and place 1/2 cheese slice on top of each breast. Return to oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove toothpicks, and serve immediately, 1 per person.

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

16

Buy Local, Buy Fresh Farm Map Registration for Farmers Now Open

C

owichan Green Community (CGC) is now accepting registration from farmers and producers for the 4th annual Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Cowichan Food Map. The Buy Local!

Buy Fresh! Food Map is a comprehensive directory of local food produced in the Cowichan Region with the goal to connect consumers to producers. It functions as a direct marketing tool for farmers in advertising food and farm products to residents and tourists alike.

Map Coordinator, Raelynn Gibson, of CGC adds that the map “is more than a directory of farms and products; it is a visual display of the abundance of food and farming throughout the communities that make up the Cowichan Region.”

For a small registration fee, farms are published in both the print map and in the online version of the map. Farms are highlighted on a map of the Cowichan Region and information is listed, including farm name, location, products offered, certifications, and where products can be purchased.

This year the map will include a Quick Response (QR) code, enabling map users to scan the code (with a smart phone) which then directs them to the online version. “I believe this will

increase the usability of the map by making it easier for people to use GPS functions on their phones making navigation easier when they are wanting to buy farm gate, attend map-promoted farm events, or participate in agritourism”, explains Raelynn.

Registration forms can be picked up at CGC’s office (360 Duncan Street), at Dinter Nursery, Buckerfield’s, Top Shelf Feeds, Shar Kare Feeds, or register online at www. cowichangreencommunity. org/ For more information on farm registration or advertising opportunities, please contact Raelynn at raelynn@ cowichangreencommunity. org or phone 250-748-8506.

Registration deadline is February 25, 2013.

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

Raelynn Gibson is prematurely fantasizing about spring asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries.

Japanese Risotto with Sesame, Avocado and Greens Recipe courtesy Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm

Amounts

Ingredients

2 Tbsp (30 mL) grapeseed oil 2 cups (500 mL) sushi rice 1 Tbsp (15 mL) garlic, minced 1 cup (250 mL) mushrooms, diced 1 cup (250 mL) white wine (or sake) 4 cups (1 L) chicken (or vegetable) stock 2 cups (500 mL) mixed greens (mizuna, shungiku, yu choy, etc) 1 Tbsp (15 mL) Japanese soy sauce 2 Tbsp (30 mL) butter (optional) to taste Salt and pepper 1 avocado, peeled, seeded and diced 2 Tbsp (30 mL) toasted sesame seeds 1 green onion, finely minced 2 Tbsp (30 mL) shredded nori (seaweed)

Method

In a heavy saucepan, add the oil and rice. Heat over medium-high heat until the rice turns translucent and begins to stick to the bottom. Add the garlic and mushrooms and stir until warmed through. Add the white wine and cook until it is almost evaporated.

Add the stock, 1 cup at a time, and stir frequently until the liquid is almost evaporated. Reduce heat if it cooks too quickly. Continue with the remaining stock.

Cook until the liquid is almost absorbed and the rice is softened but still with a little bite in the centre. Add the greens, soy and butter (if used). Stir to mix and season well with salt and pepper.

Transfer to serving bowls and top with the avocado, sesame seeds, green onion and nori. Serve warm as a starter or main dish, great with grilled salmon.

Is All Gluten the Same?

A

ccording to the Canadian Celiac Association... “Celiac Disease is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by gluten. This results in an inability of the body to absorb nutrients which are necessary for good health. Celiac disease can be diagnosed with a biopsy and now simple blood screening tests are becoming available.” They estimate that it affects 1 in 133 Canadians. That is 0.8 of 1%.

If such a small percentage of the population suffers from Celiac Disease then why are so many people attracted to a gluten free diet?

The real issue is not those diagnosed with Celiac Disease, but rather those that suffer from what the Canadian Celiac Association refers to as “nonceliac gluten sensitivity”. “In these individuals, the celiac biopsy comes back normal and there is no damage to the intestine. Common symptoms of gluten sensitivity include abdominal pain similar to irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue and headaches. The phenomenon of gluten sensitivity is being researched.

The prevalence of this condition is not well known as there is no diagnostic test available and individuals often diagnose themselves.” It is these people who number in the millions who are driving the gluten free fad.

The problem with self-diagnosis is that it may not be very scientifically executed. As an example, a young woman noticed she was suffering from digestive issues whenever she consumed wheat. She went to her doctor who suggested she avoid gluten. After she did so, she felt a lot better. She came to the conclusion that she is sensitive to gluten and should go on a gluten free diet.

Not necessarily. The example assumes that all gluten is the same.

Since WW II, humans have become adept at increasing the yields of wheat through science. Specifically, wheat has been hybridized to breed in desirable characteristics (i.e. increase yield per acre) and breed out undesirable ones (i.e. disease). The downside of this hybridization is that we now understand when we hybridize two grains about 5% of the proteins that exist in the offspring cannot be found in either parent. Essentially, we have created new proteins in this “modern wheat”. The protein in wheat is called gluten.

Based on our experience, a person who suffers from “non-celiac gluten sensitivity” may find a solution in these gluten containing grains that predate hybridization. We refer to them as “ancient grains” (emmer, spelt, Kamut® or rye ) or “heritage grains” (Red Fife wheat).

For 10,000 years humans consumed wheat and it became the staple of most diets in the world. In the last 10 years or so, issues of “non-celiac gluten sensitivity” became prevalent.

Is a solution (for non-celiac gluten sensitivity) as simple as avoiding “modern wheat”?

Your body is the only one who will let you know for sure. We recommend talking with your Doctor and then experimenting with the ancient grains starting with the oldest ones first. For many it means being able to enjoy locally produced, flavourful breads again at a fraction of the cost of “gluten free” bread.

Bruce Stewart is co-owner of True Grain Bread in Cowichan Bay and President of Cittaslow Cowichan.

17

OFF THE GRID

Making Cheese at home

M

y husband and I live ‘off the grid’ on the beautiful Maple Bay Peninsula in Sansum Narrows. We consider ourselves so fortunate to live in this--to date--pristine wilderness area, but it does present some challenges!

With no corner store nearby, when supplies run low we ‘make do’ or make our own.

Over the years we have become reasonably proficient in bread making and turning our blackberries and apples into tasty pies and preserves.

Our latest excitement however, and with all our children gathered round..... we made cheese!!

Make Cheese Inc, (www. makecheese.ca) is the home-based business of a Victoria girl now residing in Alberta. She produces kits for making cheese at home and distributes them world wide.

The instructions are easy to follow and to our amazement and great satisfaction we made delicious mozarella followed a day later by some excellent feta. With these

sucessful ventures behind us we feel ready to tackle some Brie. Brie needs 45 days to develop a rind so that will be our next project. I was recently gifted a ‘brie baker’ so i am looking forward to trying it.

g

The kits contain all the ingredients needed to make the cheese apart from the milk.

In most cases homogenized (3.25%) 2%, skim, and goats milk can be used interchangeably but it is reccommended to start out with homogenized and make the mozarella first until you get the hang of it. It won’t take long!

Cheese making produces lots of whey. This is the protein rich liquid left over after the cheese-making curds are removed. This can be drunk in smoothies and shakes or boiled and strained to make about 4 ozs of ricotta cheese (literal meaning- twice cooked). Two cheeses from one batch!

www.makecheese.ca

$15.00 to $80.00 for the Brie. Each kit makes several batches of cheese....about 80 for the Brie which at todays prices has got to be one of the best bargains around. Besides its fun! As well as healthy and delicious.

Cheese kits are available locally at Elements Home Design on Salt Spring Island, 102 Seaview Avenue, Ganges ( between Embe Bakery and Barbs Buns) by phoning 250-213-3470 or through the website at www.makecheese.ca.

Joan and Aubrey Cobham live ‘Off the grid ‘ in Sansum Narrows and are the proud parents of 7 children and 4 grandchildren.

Kits include cream cheese, mini-moza, lotsa-mozza, feelin’feta, goat cheese and Brie, and range in price from

Weekly Meditation at VIU Cowichan Campus

Website: www.VIRetreats.com

Personal realization of Spiritual knowledge is what one should cultivate, for happiness Nichiren Buddha Society, VI Retreat Garden & Peace Center

18

Phone: 250. 710. 7594

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

MEALS ON THE

ground

W

hat does the term ‘food security’ mean when you don’t even have a house to call home? What is a home when you pay all the bills, and then there isn’t enough money left over to feed your family? Although we all struggle with the cost of living in British Columbia, there is an alarming number of individuals and families who have no idea what food security means, or even how they can access enough food to put on the table.

This is where Anne Balding, Chuck McCandless, and the Cowichan Green Community are trying to bridge the gap between empty tables and hungry bellies with a program called Meals on the Ground.

Meals on the Ground is a grassroots and volunteer driven program that provides food for people who are

in need of greater food security in their lives. From the homeless to people on fixed-incomes and minimumwage workers, to single parents with children, and even seniors on below poverty-line pensions; these meals are helping fill a huge need in our community for greater food security in the Cowichan Valley. According to Balding and McCandless, what initially started out with twenty-people showing up for a meal has now grown to over seventy-people, and those numbers are rising every week as the news of this program spreads. However, as the news spreads, there’s an even greater need for more volunteers and community involvement.

Meals on the Ground dinners are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:00pm at the Cowichan Green Community, located at 360 Duncan Street. If you would like to volunteer, make a donation, or inquire how you can also help bridge the gap between empty tables and hungry bellies, please contact Anne.balding@hotmail. com or call Chuck at 250715-5599. Together, we can help each other create a more food-secure region.

By Amanda Reimer

What Would Ms Polly Do? Toy Cull

We are well enough into the new year is to reassess the Christmas toys that bulged under the tree. Are the children playing with the toys or are they piled up in the corner? To cull the toys a parent must be somewhat covert. Never try to remove any toys when your children are present. It will not work and somehow the pile of toys will grow. Wait until there is enough time to clean the play space and rearrange to refresh the area. Sift through the toys to sort for the ones to keep and store for when a new round of toys is wanted and send the ones to be played with by another child through goodwill and bag up the toys that will not go to the landfill but to the recycle depot or unfortunately to the burn pile. The battery operated fun house that really makes your skin shiver every time the tune plays is only annoying everyone including the dog and Aunt Susan gave it as a get even gift for the bongo drums you gave to nephew John in 1983. Take the batteries out and recycle it. I must reiterate how important this task is to be carried out without children present. Yes, it is valuable to have a place to play with toys that is not cluttered and that is tidy and organized but to cull the toys with children rarely works with out resentment growing in the children over a long period of time.

Paulette is an Educator of Parents and Children in the Waldorf Philosophy. She lives in Victoria.

19

How Citizen Science Contributes to Bird Conservation FREE

February 4 9:30am Freshwater Eco Centre 1080 Wharcliffe Road Duncan 250 746 6141 The Cowichan Valley Naturalists’ February morning coffeehouse program will feature biologist Karen Barry who will explain how citizen science contributes to bird conservation. Barry hold a MSc in biology from the University of Victoria and is British Columbia program officer for Bird Studies Canada.Everyone is welcome at this free public presentation at the Freshwater Ecocentre

Bushtits

H

ave you ever looked out at your suet feeder and seen the feeder completely covered by birds that are not starlings? These little feathered friends are Bushtits and are a very social group in the winter. They travel around in flocks of up to 40 plus birds and have one goal and that is food. Typically they feed on insects and you will see them bouncing around in the shrubs and trees checking each nook and cranny. As a supplementary source of food Bushtits will feed on suet and even peanut halves and hulled sunflower chip. Being so social it is common to see ten or twelve Bushtits on the suet feeder at once and then they leave and the next group are in to feed. Once the flock has fed they are off as fast as they came in.

A common description when describing the Bushtits are, a flock of small grey birds without any markings that

20

fine fibers, leaves, grass, and are always on the move, which spider web to construct the nest and cover it with moss is accurate for this bird. The Bushtit is about four (4) inches to help camouflage it. The inside of the nest is then lined in size, a bit smaller than a with feathers, plant down and chickadee. It has a long tail hair. The nests are not always for it’s size and there are no well hidden and can be seen distinguishable field marks. alongside trails and paths.

The Bushtit is grey with a bit of brownish colour cap with no Bushtits do get a bit nervous around nesting season and if other markings and has a tiny disturbed while building the bill smaller than a chickadee. nest or incubating the eggs, As the Bushtits are always they often abandon the nest moving about they are also and separate to find a new chattering to one another constantly calling a short tseep mate and start again. and tsip. Many times you will Keep an eye on your trees, hear them high in the tops of shrubs and your suet feeder trees but not see them.

Killdeer Image Eric Marshall

(Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery) Bring your own cup for beverages. For more information about the Cowichan Valley Naturalists Society, visit www. naturecowichan.net

for a visit by the Bushtits, as they are a great joy to watch with their burst of energy.

Good birding!

For more information contact The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store, 1-888-2494145, thebackyard@shaw.ca or check out our blog at www. thebirdstore.blogspot.com.

When spring arrives the birds will pair up and become territorial for nesting. Their nest is a unique sack shape that hangs below a branch.

They weave their nest from the top down with an entrance hole near the top. The length of the nest is about seven (7) to ten (10) inches long and takes approximately thirty days to construct. They use

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

Colin Bartlet, owns the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store

A

w i b a n b a D I p n H w p a s o e e l w r T a b h b m c s t s I w C s w w p t o

Carpenter For Hire

Pergola made by Doug Marsh

Get Those Spring Projects Done This Winter

A

fter it became apparent that my home based woodworking setup was not in accordance with the local bylaws, I began looking for a shop that I can move my noise and dust to that wouldn’t bother any neighbours. Shortly after renting a big space in Duncan, CGC asked me if I could design and build a pergola for in front of their new offices at the Phoenix Hotel. Thanks to my new workspace, I was able to prebuild all the components and assemble them on site before the deadline on December 21st. While everyone was watching the end of the Mayan calendar looming, I was panicking and working late to get things ready for the ribbon cutting.

Ten minutes before the mayor arrived I was madly removing bracing and pulling pegs. I had yet to install the seating but I was impressed with myself none the less. The next couple of days saw the mill slab benches installed even though one of them was too short to reach the front post.

I thought it was artsy and whimsical but hotel staff and CGC thought it unsafe. I have since replaced the short half with one that reaches all the way to the post. The left over pieces came together nicely to create another seating area on the North side by the pub.

I am pleased to be given the opportunity to bless the space in front of the hotel and to create a place for people to sit and enjoy the energies of the old growth timber. Once the prevailing attitude towards public shelter relaxes a little, I’d love to see glass installed over the pergola to provide some much needed shelter from the rain and solar gain for the grapes and kiwis that will eventually grow up and over the structure. Five years from now I’m imagining an abundance of fruit and foliage and a pleasant place to relax and enjoy a good conversation, maybe even make music and share innovative ideas.

So now that I have this big shop, I’m hoping to use it to create structures and shelters for other people in the valley.

Live edge shelving, fences and gates, benches, garden planters, artful trellises as well.

I’ve got an in at a sawmill and have access to mill waste that makes the most beautiful material to create with.

Custom gate and fence by Doug Marsh

If you want to consult with me about projects you might have I can be reached at 250-2465081 in Chemainus or 250709-9683 in Duncan. I look forward to hearing from you.

Submitted by Doug Marsh

Large or small we feed them all.

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

100% Fresh

100% Locally Owned and Operated

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

21

www.rainwaterconnection.com

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

rainwaterconnection.com

What do you do with your rainwater?

R

The Japanese, refer to rainwater as sky supply– its’ part of their culture.

ainwater harvesting is an ancient technique.

Archeological evidence supports the capture of rainwater as far back as 4000 years ago and ruins of cisterns built as early as 2000 BC are still standing in Israel.

Closer to home in the Cowichan Valley, collecting rainwater was commonplace in the 1920-40’s and is still in evidence today especially on farms, for watering animals and crops. Here in BC, our moderate Mediterranean climate has provided us with wet winters, and dry summers.

A perfect climate for growing garden produce, special plants and flowers.

However, because of our topography, we are groundwater sensitive -especially in the summer when little rain falls to replenish our underground aquifers. A report from the University of Victoria “Beyond Pipes and Pumps” presented 10 ways of “…managing water demand as a core element of sustainable water management”.

The researchers recommended

that we “Look to the Sky”, and make more use of rainwater collection and localized storage as an alternative source of water for our everyday needs.

Thousands of rural, water-scarce households in BC already use rainwater for all their water needs, and in water scarce areas such as Yellowpoint, rainwater capture and storage for outdoor use is becoming mandatory in new construction.

Rainwater is perfectly suited for use in the garden. It is relatively easy to collect and plants love it. Rainwater is living water, nature’s watering agent. It is just the right temperature and ph (acidity), and contains no chlorine or other chemicals.

Collecting the rain that falls in winter and using it for gardening in summer is reliable and realistic.

In Duncan, with an annual average rainfall of 44 inches, and 1,000 square feet of rooftop catchment, you can expect to collect about 19,000 Imp. Gallons(86.4 m3) of rainwater

For full design/build service, give us a call

 250.746.5372 • coulsondesign@shaw.ca • www.davidcoulsondesign.com  22

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

continued from previous page

per year. Think about your water needs and link it to storage requirements. If for example, you started collecting this month in a 1,000 gal. tank, you would have approximately 6,100 Imp. Gallons (27.7m3) to use for outdoor cleaning and the garden from March through September.

That’s a lot of groundwater saved.

Over a decade ago, Thetis Island resident Bob Burgess put his 30 years experience in Community Planning and Housing development into a vision to address water conservation and sustainable water applications. His company Rainwater Connection provides design, installation, consulting, and engineered solutions for potable and outdoor rainwater harvesting systems.

His clients are homeowners, residential and commercial developers, architects and local governments. From small garden water systems to large scale storage for nurseries he has learned best practices and good habits. Bob’s own home and office run entirely on rainwater.

“Operation and Maintenance for rainwater systems is key,” Bob says.

There is no denial, the world is changing and thank goodness for visionaries like Bob who are one step ahead of the game working to help Islanders think about existing conservation options like free water from the sky.

For more information visit; www.rainwaterconnection.com

N

ever too early to trim the verge, especially after those nasty wet dumps of snow we saw over the holidays. Here you see three generations of the Coulson clan measuring up the stalks (better known as culms) of bamboo that took some damage Christmas day.

The ever green nature of bamboo that makes it so attractive this time of year, is also it’s bane when we get heavy snow loads The dark green Japanese timber variety (Phyllostachys bambusoides) you see here measured up to 35 feet tall and about 2 3/4” in diameter. These are going to make some kind of colossal fishing poles for that little Tom Sawyer grandson of mine.

Some of the culms still standing that survived that heavy onslaught are up to 3” in diameter and likely 40 feet tall or more but we won’t know until they are harvested.

The Japanese do much of their harvesting this time of year. Their manicured cedar forests are felled in December and allowed to lay all winter long before they are brought out of the woods to minimize shrinking and checking.

Much the same with bamboo. As they lay dormant in winter months, they are easily cut and then air dried for the year before being put to use structurally or aesthetically.

If they are to be used for weaving in basketry, floor mats or for fencing and even building sheathing, the green bamboo is quickly dissected longitudinally with a machete like knife and soaked in water to make it more pliable. Then it is woven for whatever function and allowed to dry or cure once assembled.

Mature bamboo, usually 4 to 7 years old, is considered ready for

upcoming February 16th workshops Image Transfer for

Personal Art Exploration with Patricia June Vickers, PhD. RCC (guest artist) 11am – 4pm $100

March 15th -17th Emily Carr and Movement: A Drawing and Painting Workshop Opening lecture Fri. 7pm, Sat. and Sun 10am – 4pm $125

DESIGNI NG green Never too Early to Trim the Verge

harvest and it’s changing golden colour indicating it is hardening off and ready for its ultimate use as a building or craft material.

The golden yellow variety is also a timber variety of striking beauty. Known as ‘Castillon’ it’s characteristic green stripes that adorn each internode (the straight stretch of bamboo between each node or bump) has a bar graph like pattern that is never repeated on any two culms of this incredible

grass anywhere on earth.

Now that’s variety!

So sorry to say, when it comes to cutting the grass, I’ve got a jump on all of you here in the valley. A true indicator that spring is near at hand.

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.

PETER SPOHN

Landscape Painter & Educator Art Classes Building community through the arts.

1529 Khenipsen Road, Duncan to register email:spohn@telus.net 250 746 4130 For course descriptions please e-mail Peter.

www.sacredmountainstudio.com

www.peterspohn.com

23

craft

Gloria S. Daly was born on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and now lives and works in the Cowichan Valley.

Gloria is a surface design artist. Her qualifications include: the

Snow Country #3

by Gloria Daly inspired by the Boro Style of Japanese textile art.

Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Inc. Master Craftsman in Design, Certification, City & Guilds, UK, in Art Design & Embroidery Diploma, and Level 1 Certificate in Design and Craft (Machine Embroidery), and an Associate Degree, Arts and Sciences from Malaspina University/College she is also the recipient of the BC Arts Council Professional Development Award.

She designs and develops one of a kind textile art: included in her work are wall hangings, sculptural 3D installations, tassels and braiding. Gloria’s latest exhibition Blanket Statement: No Shame in Patches is based on healing and rejuvenation; incorporating recycled or reclaimed woolen blankets. This body of work explores the texture and relationship between yesterdays’ discarded blankets and how they can have a new public image in today’s philosophy of “recycling”. The work itself is a unique combination of mending, darning and patching, each piece is made up of layers of cloth allowing the worn and weathered fibres to have dignity as they record the changes in temperature, the ravages of rust, tints and tones of tarnish and stain, along with shrinking and warping.

Daly’s art challenges the accepted need to find beauty in what is new, it asks the viewer to look for the inner beauty within the old and used. She uses line, shape and colour embellished with hand and machine stitches to create a balance between the ripped and repaired.

Gloria teaches & lectures at workshops and textile related seminars and conferences across Canada and USA including workshops from her studio on Vancouver Island. Gloria’s art has been shown in juried exhibits across Canada, Australia, USA and the UK, her work including commissions, is held in private collections in Australia, Canada, Japan and USA. Go to www.CowichanValleyArtisans.com for more information about Gloria Daly.

24

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

“

makings of a really beautiful dream.

Blue Moon Hear; acrylic on canvas, 16 X 32,

Chantey Dayal

fb fan page: chantey dayal omchantey@hotmail.com www.chanteydayal.com 250.709.2280

“I

come from two very colourful ethnic backgrounds each of which has contributed a great deal to my work. My father’s East Indian origins bring colour, scent, hidden treasures, and most of all spirit to the table. My mother’s Armenian heritage is one filled with song, language, melancholy and tradition.” shares local Cowichan Valley painter Chantey Dayal. “Being born and raised in Canada, has meant the influence of such beauty while trying to “fit in”. Art became a way for me to express that I was different, to explore my background, and to feel pride for what my ancestry had to offer.”

“Painting with acrylics became the obvious medium for me as I quickly came to realize that I could never make a mistake. I could always (and often do) paint over. I simply love the notion that whatever I do on the canvas is perfect... for now. This allows me to dive directly into process and leave the expectation of results behind. I am almost always surprised at the outcome of a piece.” I have always been, and continue to be inspired most of all by other artists. Creators from all disciplines, singers, dancers, poets, cooks, and of course other visual artists are all contributors to what has led me down this path. From a very young age, I could feel in

Currently the artist is working on a series very close to her heart titled 71PRAYERS, a dedication fundraiser to 5 Rhythms Reach Out. “The 5 Rhythms is a moving meditation dance practice which I have come to discover in the last few years. Gabrielle Roth, the founder of the 5 Rhythms practice recently past away and she was dedicated to bringing this healing practice to prisons, seniors homes, youth centre, and more, through the reach out program bringing the practice to those who would or could not get to a dance floor themselves. This practice is healing, rejuvenating, and inspiring and so, this current series of work is directly related to what comes to me, when I myself am dancing. Gabrielle lived for 71 years and I am painting one piece for every year of her life.

Three paintings are being released every month for the next two years and 1/2 of the proceeds from every painting sold will go directly to 5 Rhythms Reach Out.” shares Chantey. You can follow this project by joining my fan page on facebook under the name chantey dayal.

Chantey’s works can be viewed around town at Embellish on Kenneth St. or at her home studio by appointment.

Moon Magic, acrylic on canvas 30 x 30

Talking Arts • Chantey Dayal

my body, that when I was being creative, I was content.”

With bold colour and composition, her synthesizing of the two components are natural to her style. Her works are an outward expression of what she is living internally, giving opportunity to bring lightness to even the most difficult times and subject matter. Sometimes whimsical, her paintings are often inspired by ancient stories or poem by Rumi. Her paintings have been described as having

fFowing Back to Source; acrylic on canvas,30 X 48

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L

ynelle was born and raised in Victoria BC. Her passion for art began at an early age; she has always had a love to create. Twenty three years ago, Lynelle started a small business in the Cowichan Valley offering seasonal window painting, interior custom murals on walls, furniture and linens, faux painting, as well as commission artwork. In 2011 and 2012, she has created paintings on canvas, limited addition giclee prints, and cards of her art work. She has participated in art shows and looks forward to future shows in 2013.

The medium she uses is acrylic paint; finding it versatile and easy to work with.

Her style is realism with a whimsical west coast feel. Most of her art is all about nature.

Lynelle is looking forward to teaching art classes. She has always enjoyed working with people, and has wanted to teach

art for some time. She feels everyone should have the opportunity to try their hand at painting; it’s a wonderful way to express one self. When someone says, “I just make a mess or mistake,” she replies, “You have made an opportunity to create something better.” Some of her best artwork comes from so-called “mistakes.” Being a self-taught artist, she knows a positive and persistence approach as always been an important part of being a successful artist.

Lynelle is looking forward to the showing of her artwork in the window at Imagine That; a wonderful art co-op operated by local artists. She welcomes you to stop by to have a look at her original paintings, and her limited addition giclee prints and cards. The showing will run February 4th until March 2nd.

voice.”

An introduction to fibre arts was the topic of the Renaissance Women’s most recent get-together.

In addition to needle and wet felting, each member of our group had their turn weaving on a rag rug, layering torn strips of upcycled fabric onto the warp Leola had set for us.

At the end, the rug was raffled off to one lucky member of our group. Just like our needle-felted canvasses had revealed something unique about everyone, the colourful rug was a cheerful ode to the

Renaissance Women Visit

Leola’s Studio Everyone is an artist; not everyone has discovered their potential yet.

Leola Witt-McNie Ever since joining the Renaissance Women, a group of local women dedicated to re-skilling, I believed my inner artist voice was being sufficiently expressed through a variety of hands-on workshops. Not so according to Cowichan Valley fibre artist Leola Witt-McNie of Leola’s Studio at Whippletree Junction. “It’s easy enough to learn a new skill.

Art,” she explains, “is using our skills to express our inner

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Imagine That Artisan - Painter Lynelle Renee Scales

diversity in the room.

No two days are alike at Leola’s charming studio. From weaving, tapestries and knitting, to felting, spinning and dyeing wool, everyone from beginner to accomplished, young and old has a chance to benefit from Leola’s 40+ years of experience. Leola is just as inspired by her students as they are by her. “I am an accomplished weaver but I am still learning too” she explains modestly.

For more information on Leola’s Studio, or to book a workshop visit her facebook page or her blog at: http://leolasstudio.blogspot.ca

Images Heather McLeod Heather Kaye is lucky enough to live, hike, swim and garden in Maple Bay with her family.

Experience the Joy of Textiles.

Art Classes•Weaving and Spinning Community Loom•Artisan Textiles

Leola’s Studio 250-597-0820 Whippletree Junction

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

Incapacity Planning – Essential Legal Preparation For Aging Well

M

ost of us hope and expect to continue making our own decisions throughout our lives; decisions about where we live, our health and our financial affairs. However, the reality is at some stage we may need assistance.

A sudden illness, such as a stroke, or slow changes due to dementia, can change everything. British Columbians have a range of legal planning options that ensure one’s wishes are known and can be followed.

Executing an Enduring Power of Attorney and Representation Agreement is an integral and essential part of estate planning.

A Power of Attorney addresses legal and financial decisions, whereas a Representation Agreement addresses health and personal care decisions.

Both documents should provide that their terms endure through the onset of incapacity. These documents must be prepared while you are still legally capable so avoiding the need to appoint a court-ordered Committee.

This court action is time consuming, expensive and distressing for you and your family.

An Enduring Power of Attorney gives legal authority to a trusted person and endures through incapacity.

The Attorney is able to deal with all your legal and financial affairs, such as legal and banking affairs, paying bills, managing investments and real estate.

A Representation Agreement gives a trusted representative the legal authority to help you make health or personal-care

decisions, or to represent you if you are already incapacitated. It endures through incapacity, covering all aspects of your health care and personal affairs. A Representation Agreement gives the Representative legal authority to make health care decisions and give consent to medical treatment if the adult is incompetent. The Agreement enables you, while still competent, to give direction as to your future care---unhurried decisions made with thought and care.

It provides the Representative with a goal to duplicate your wishes. A Representation Agreement may include a living-well element: a statement that in the event of a catastrophic episode you do not wish to be resuscitated, but have pain medication administered only.

Are You Prepared For The Inevitable?

Do You Have?

• • • • •

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

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

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

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

www.mcdancolaw.com

Both documents provide a catalyst for discussion between you, your friends and your family. They let you clearly state your beliefs, values and wishes enabling your family or friends to make decisions accurately reflecting your wishes.

Incapacity planning should be a collaborative discussion between you, your family, healthcare providers and within a legal framework.

The documents should be prepared, without pressure or coercion, with full knowledge and understanding, and with medical and legal advice.

Julia Henderson is a lawyer with McDaniel & Company contact her at 250-748-663 or by e-mail at jeh@ mcdancolaw.com

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a warmed towel was used to wipe away excess sugar and skin cells, leaving soft, relaxed skin to glow.

Sugar Scrub The Winter Blahhs Away

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s most of us have more difficulty retaining moisture in colder weather, a body scrub can be a good option to exfoliate dry, itchy and flaky skin and increase circulation.

Spa Escape specializes in.

After explaining what I was looking for, I booked in and upon arrival I was greeted with a sweet smelling Coconut Sugar Scrub ready for my dry, tired body.

Regular exfoliation of the body helps to improve skin texture, increases blood circulation and lymphatic circulation. Stimulating your lymphatic system encourages the body to rid itself of waste and toxins which in turn encourages new skin cell production.

The scrub, made by a Hungarian company Eminence is composed of a wonderful myriad of natural skin conditioners including: virgin coconut oil, raw cane sugar, comfrey, cucumber, and a special antioxidant booster containing vitamins, Alpha Lipoic Acid (for those wrinkles!) and powerful Coenzyme Q10 to improve cell production.

Like many people, every season I get hit mildly with some winter blues. Close friends suggested booking in for a sugar scrub - a phenomenon that is all the rage in the city.

Having very sensitive skin, I looked for an organic treatment, which Eva, at Soul

With gentle circular motions Eva massaged my tired muscles and body as the fine grain sugars sloughed away my dead skin cells. Eva’s scrub method works on each body section thoroughly.

Once an area was completed,

In the afterglow of the scrub, my body was then treated to another gentle relaxation as she applied a sweet scented Coconut Firming Body moisturizer whose key ingredients include bamboo, coconut milk, coconut water and chicory root to help firm and smooth the appearance of skin. This lotion is good for all skin types but especially

mature skin, and sealed in my renewed moisture for lasting hydration.

At the end of my appointment, I slinked out of there smelling like I had just been to Hawaii and with a body that had just lay on the sand taking in a warm sunny breeze.

Sheila lives in Maple Bay with her family.

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

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

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

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

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

250 746-0702

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

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

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

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

t F t a W o c b l v c o e t n a m o o h c w W t

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Green Living

Taking a green step forward

ebruary has arrived and many of us find ourselves struggling with the New Year’s resolutions from only a short month ago.

Promises made with a big breath in and fingers crossed, filled with optimism and hope only to turn to excuses and guilt by February. Here’s a quick boost to rekindle your motivation and commitment to change.

Whether it’s the changing of the calendar year, the changing of the seasons, a birthday or anniversary, these landmark times provide a valuable opportunity to make changes. By taking advantage of the momentum from the external shifting we can use that energy to propel any necessary internal shifts. It’s a perfect time to explore that microcosm -macrocosm model of individual vs community or global environment and see how we can create a positive change in how we impact the world around us.

We are so fortunate to live in the Cowichan Valley where

so many people, businesses, and families are focused on making eco-friendly choices.

It seems redundant to list the ways we can be more mindfully green, but there is always room for more growth especially after the holiday season where excess and waste can be so apparent.

My suggestion is to pick something that you do on a regular basis, daily or weekly at a minimum, that you can change. Maybe it’s the amount you use your vehicle or reducing water or power consumption. Possibly it’s product choices in terms of ingredients or where and how they’re made that you can be more mindful. Making a small change in something you do regularly will have a huge impact over the long term and you’re more likely to implement it as a permanent change.

Change is about letting go of what’s no longer needed and making room for positive growth in the coming year.

Back to the microcosm – macrocosm model, my eight year old recently enlightened me by saying that we are only responsible for ourselves and if we all make good choices the whole world will be o.k.

Tracey Hanson local mompreneur and owner/operator Clean Choice EcoFriendly Cleaning Services www.cleanchoicecleaners.com

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.

“Pooh! he whispered.

“Yes, Piglet?”

“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw.

“I just wanted to be sure of you.”

-A.A. Milne, 1928

Knowing Your Feelings And Needs

W

e all need reassurance now and then, reassurance that our friend or partner is there for us. It is one of our basic human needs.

Call it the need to belong, to connect, to be safe and part of a group, to be seen and heard: it is a need for love, and it is universal among us.

Many of our human needs can only be met through our relationships with others.

Healthy relationships are a must for our overall sense of wellbeing. Many of us, however, do not have the skills necessary to maintain and repair the important relationships in our lives. All too often people are feeling disconnected, distant, or angry with their spouse.

In her groundbreaking book, “Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love,” clinical psychologist Dr. Sue Johnson explains that as an adult, you are “emotionally attached and dependent on your partner in much the same way that a child is on a parent for nurturing, soothing, and protection.”

Johnson found that couples who are stuck in a pattern of repetitive conflict or a slow drifting apart benefit greatly from learning how to repair their emotional bond.

The first step is to increase your awareness of your own needs and feelings, and to become more attuned to those of your partner. For more on this subject, please see my recent blog post at: www. innerlighthealingarts.com/ blog Email relationship questions to swarn@ innerlighthealingarts.com.

Swarn Leung, Registered Clinical Counsellor, works with individuals and couples in her Duncan office.

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H

Image Kurt Knock Photography

W

G A Farm of Love and Hope

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Morganne’s, uniquely chemainus

Chemainus Health Food

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

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

Saltspring Soapworks

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

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

Etc.

9747 Willow Street 250 324-2227 Beads and Beading Classes

* Utopia Bakery

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

See You Soon!

*

We Accept Chemainus Dollars

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

COME FOR A DAY OR MAKE IT A GETAWAY.

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ike most South Island small farms, Hope Farm Healing Centre is a mixed operation, growing animals and plants suited to the climate and market of the Valley, as we work at being the best stewards for the land on which we sit. But Hope Farm is not just about farming as an end in itself. It is also a means through which a values-based programme of addictions recovery takes place.

The seeds for this vision were planted by the Mustard Seed’s senior pastor Tom Oshiro more than a decade ago, as he saw the cycle of addiction and poverty in the lives of many, and sought a way to break that cycle for his friends who visited the Seed. The MSSC purchased the property in 2006, and the Farm began operating shortly after that. Located on Drinkwater Rd, on land that has been farmed continuously for decades, the farm offers a rare combination of proximity to town and rural quiet.

Hope Farm is a ‘restorative farming community, grounded in Christian practice that offers a sanctuary of hope.’ They offer a six month to one year programme of recovery for men seeking to be free from

addictions and other harmful life patterns. Through the programme’s combination of farm work and other chores, as well as eating and living together, spiritual formation, certified counselling, and living out our four core values of ‘faithfulness, community, stewardship, and shalom (seeking a peace that connotes completeness, restoration, and rest)’ Hope Farm offers those who are committed to their recovery an opportunity to make lasting changes to their lives.

Making farmers is not the first priority—most of our residents return to urban areas—but what sticks for many is an increased care for Creation, including an increased interest in food production and food security.

The Farm increasingly draws on the Benedictine tradition as we integrate work and community as a way of being.

Hope Farm currently grows vegetables, grain, and hay, as well as laying hens, broiler chickens, beef cattle, and a small flock of sheep. They also sell delicious eggs and firewood.

Hope Farm Healing Centre 3504 Drinkwater Rd Duncan BC 250.748.4479 www.hopefarm.ca

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

a a t I i d b w y p m y r c M s h f r

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Helpful Garden W

Valleyview

Centre

Seedisfaction

inter, schminter… it’s not happening again this year. Sure, a bit of snow here and there but in between, I’m zipping around in the car with the top down, though it’s still a bit cold to get out and work the land. Those of you serious about food production already did much in the fall to get your vegetable plots ready for cold weather crops in February and March. These folks have seed on hand and will have started crops in cold frames for planting out at the right time.

For those of us who haven’t been able to organize ourselves yet, a great indoor activity for February is to

plan your vegetable beds and browse through seed catalogues for crops you’d like to grow which are appropriate for the Cowichan Valley.

Local Garden Centres have seed catalogue handouts for the various lines they carry. They also have the best selection of seeds for our specific region and local organic choices. New hardy varieties of hot weather crops are being developed all the time, and we are now able to grow more types of peppers, eggplant, melons (including cucumbers) and tomatoes without the benefit of a

So much to offer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Books

Food

Bucknuck Books 250-929-2665 Used books and Local authors

greenhouse. Garden Centres also offer in person expert advice.

Additionally, check into attending the monthly meetings of our local garden clubs. The Cowichan Valley Garden Club and the Mill Bay Garden Club both have expert members who participate in Q&A sessions. If you can’t find answers there, it’s gotta be a pretty obscure request…

Seed collections are a great way to get variety into your garden without going overboard. They contain numerous varieties of one type of vegetable. Some of the new carrot and beet collections come in amazing colours and are perfect for our climate. Lettuce mixes are good choices too, and will give you the earliest of crops if you have a cold frame.

Also check out the Seedy Saturday programmes in our various communities. Go to the Seeds of Diversity website at www.seeds.ca for a complete calendar of events.

Cobble Hill and Duncan both host a SS in March,

Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat & Produce

Fitness

Healthcare

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

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

Spa and Wellness Reiki Wellness *New Location #13 250 743-8122 Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Craniosacral Pets

We Welcome New Patients!

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

Dunkin Dogs 250 743-3935 Grooming, daycare, food/raw and more though some other areas are scheduled for February including Salt Spring Island, Victoria and Sooke.

Break out the note pads, sharpen your pencils and take notes on what you would like to grow this year. Once you’ve got a plan in hand and seeds in packets, polish up the gum boots, sharpen

your spade and get out there.

Growing your own food is a fulfilling, healthy activity and garden to table food is so much better then freezer to microwave…

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

Contact him at arkengardens@gmail.com

Farm and arden Pages

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Lance - An Opinion

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Flip it to the Positive If I ask you to look up from reading this for a moment and don’t look at the colour red, what do you see? For most of us, the colour red jumps right out, exactly what I asked you not to look at. Our unconscious mind does not decipher between “do” and “do not”, it simply takes in the main message, which above was to see the colour red.

What you focus on expands. If you focus on the good, you will get more of it. If you focus on the negative, you will get more of it.

If we take this bit of knowledge and apply it to getting what we want, it can be a powerful tool. Instead of saying what we don’t want: to put on weight, to eat sweets or to get into another argument with my spouse, we flip it to the positive. I want to be a healthy weight, I want to eat more fruits and vegetables, I want to have a respectful conversation with my spouse. These feel like more powerful statements already and clearly state what it is we do want! Our chances of actually getting what we want are now so much higher.

What goals and resolutions have you already made this year that are in the negative? How can you flip them around to instead direct your mind to focus on what you do want?

t this writing, Lance Armstrong has apparently “confessed” his use of performance enhancing drugs in a pre-taped interview with Oprah Winfrey. When this goes to press his confession will be part of the public record. Will he be contrite?

Will he invent excuses for his lies? Will the world forgive him? Or will he become an historical footnote?

Some maintain that everyone was doping, so one had to dope during the Tour de France to maintain a level playing field; that Lance was the strongest cyclist; that he deserved the wins; and that he deserves continued regard for his great cycling abilities. Others believe that he profited from perpetuating a world-wide fraud and should, at least, return every cent he earned from what has been called “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen”.

One wonders if Lance has any sympathy for those rivals who were determined to race clean. One wonders if he regrets how he maligned and vilified people like the great cyclist Greg LeMond, or his former masseuse Emma O’Reilly, or Betsy Andreu who testified under oath that she was in the room and heard him confess to doping when first hospitalized with cancer.

He publicly called all of them liars and in doing so irrevocably re-defined their lives.

Will Lance continue to race?

Will he continue to dope?

Why has his running time suddenly improved? Will we ever stop doubting him now that we know the truth?

The story is like a train wreck. We don’t actually want to watch…but we can’t look away. To my utter dismay I defended him. I would not believe that someone who has survived the nightmare of cancer would dope and then would hang the hopes of so many people grappling with cancer on lies.

Shame Lance Armstrong.

Shame.

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

Cyclist Lance Armstrong

Sheila Walmsley

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

Tuesday

February 19th 7pm–9pm

d

See You At Cycle Therapy

295 Trunk Road in Duncan Loads of Parking in the rear.

Choose one of Daniel’s famous dishes.

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

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

Enterprising

Women

Originally from Manitoba Shirley McGuinness worked a few jobs in the Valley before she discovered Station Street Gallery and Frame Shop located in Downtown Duncan.

This legendary shop has been framing the works for Cowichan Valley families and businesses for 45 years! For four years she worked in the gallery, immersing herself in the craft and techniques of framing. In 2000, Shirley bought Station Street Gallery and Frame Shop from the original owners and has put her heart and soul into it ever since. The gallery section showcases talented local artists, functional works, pottery, prints and cards. The framing side hosts a vast selection of wooden, metal and decor frames to choose from as well as matte board in every colour of the rainbow.

Shirley truly enjoys fitting frames for each of her client’s artworks, photographs or specially prized documents.

Wood is her personal favourite framing material “as it brings warmth, quality and a classic feel.” shares Shirley “When a customer comes in it is always a pleasure to fit just the right frame ‘feel” to the artwork or document. A professional framer can help you choose just the right size, colour, and style, from classic ornate frames for portraits, or thin black frames for First Nations art.”

Customers torn between choosing a ready made frame or a custom one should know the secret lies in the matting and positioning. The archival methods that professional framers use, help to keep preserve the photo or artwork, inhibiting irreversible Station Street Gallery and yellowing. For extra special pieces conservation glass will Framing Shop protect artwork or images #1-139 Station Street from dangerous ultra violet Duncan rays that could damage those 250 748-3311 treasures permanently.

Join the Club!

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

Donations Gratefully Accepted

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

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

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

2752 Beverly Street Duncan

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Wild Medicine

I

lived for most of my 20s as an urban-based youthworker, sharing all kinds of health arts and growth disciplines with ‘dis-affected’ young people to help them sort through difficulties.

Through my 30s I focused into wilderness-based youth work because I saw how profound a remedy immersion in wilderness offered to even the most troubled souls. Now, at age 47 with family in tow, the opportunity to abide in the wild is ever so rare. So the odd day trip to nearby wildlands is a real saving grace.

The less an environment has been modified by human activity, the more inherently benign it is, and the greater its capacity to absorb and dispel our intensities. No special technique is required. All one has to do is get out there and be-come (be with) the vibrant molecular dance of earth, water, fire and air – the basic elements that are common to all creation. The wilder the environment, the more dynamic the exchange, and the stronger a re-minder to let go of the naratives that keep us bound up in knots. Wandering through wildlands at a comfortable pace is a very effective way to absorb anti-

oxidants, dispel the ‘issues in our tissues’, and experience genuine re-creation.

One of the truisms in Child and Youth Care is that the health of young people is the clearest indicator of the health of their society. Any school-teacher in our hightech society will confirm that a growing number of children are increasingly wound up.

Concurrently, mental illness is on the rise for all age ranges.

We are also experiencing ‘nature loss’ at an unprecedented scale and accelerating rate.

Coincidence?

With all the challenges we as a society are facing, finding ways to unwind (so as to help absorb and dispel others’ intensities…) is bound to be a worthwhile endeavour.

Areas of pristine wilderness near the outskirts of urban centres have the potential to be nurtured as powerful health-enhancing sanctuaries.

Preserving such areas as parkland for the long-term benefit of all is therefore a matter of paramount importance.

Patrick Amos, M.A. is an educator, natural builder and natural health practitioner in the Cowichan Valley. somatome@gmail.com

Zak Stolk Violin Maker

25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition.

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

250-749-6563 zakviolins@shaw.ca www.zakviolins.com

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

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o e t A i R o I

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A CELEBRATION OF THE GREY WHALE MIGRATION

March 16-24

2013

Image Jeremy Koreski

Pacific Rim Whale Festival - Kicks Off Famed West Coast Vancouver Island Whale Watching Season

T

he Pacific Rim Whale Festival today unveiled the calendar of culinary, cultural, musical and educational events — many of them free — planned for the 27th Annual Whale Festival being held in Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, from March 16-24, 2013.

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival marks the opening of the region’s renowned whale watching season and the annual migration of over 20, 000 Grey whales on their 13, 000 km journey from the waters of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula to the Bering Sea. Known for the abundance of Grey, Humpback and Orca sightings year-round, the Tofino-Ucluelet area is one of the world’s premier whale watching destinations with more than a dozen operators conducting whale watching boat tours from March through October.

2013 Pacific Rim Whale Festival Event Highlights Include: • The Wickaninnish Inn “Gala Dinner & Silent Auction” • The Parade of Whales and

Wonders • “Chowder Chowdown” Competition • “Barnacle Blues” presented by Black Rock Oceanfront Resort • A Winter Wave Showdown Photo Competition • Storytelling with artist Roy Henry Vickers • Tofino Mudflats Interpretive Walk • Pacific Rim Festivities – Community Gathering – Closing Ceremonies In its 27th year, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates the continued protection and annual return of migrating Pacific grey whales to the coastal waters of the communities of Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Supported by volunteers, business sponsorships, and an array of local education and research organizations, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival’s fundraising efforts benefit local marine field-based research initiatives, which in turn support the whales.

Whale Watching • Maritime Kid’s Day • Adventure Tours Cultural Events • Films • Live Music • Guided Rainforest Walks • Chowder Chowdown • West Coast Art • Authors • Beach Walks • Educational Speakers and So Much MORE!

www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com

Now Open In Lake Cowichan

Dream Choice Vacations And Cruise Creating Dream Vacations Worldwide

Book Cruises, Europe, Sun Destinations And More!

250-932-0010

www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com

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

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

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

THE ORIGINAL HUNGARIAN ORGANIC SKINCARE LINE IN NORTH AMERICA

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ESTHETICS Est. Since 2006

Valentine’s Special Biodynamic Facial $62 (regular $72)

Om Chanti Kirtan with Karen Allen February 8 8 - 9:15pm Harmony Yoga 201-111 Station St. Duncan.

250 701-0360 Om Chanti Kirtan is devotional chanting and singing from sacred world traditions led by a chant leader. Everyone can participate, from kids to seniors, all adding energy to the chants which are simple melodies andrepetitive lyrics that are easy to do. Kirtan has the power to ignite the spirit and open the heart.

Kirtan can carry us effortlessly to a place of quiet stillness and freedom from the daily chatter of the mind and the resulting experience is very uplifting and a wonderful way to experience community.

The first and only Green Spa in the Cowichan Valley. #4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC 250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca Hypnotherapy is the way to use your subconscious mind to uncover and change patterns and habits that no longer serve.

Effective for: · Fears & Phobias · Stress Management ·Weight Release ·Smoking Cessation ·Pain Control ·Achieving Goals Lori Austein Clinical Hypnotherapist 250-597-7459 • laustein@shaw.ca

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Shamanic Spirit Journey Circle

February 9 7:30 - 10pm Silent Dragon Martial Arts 2950 Boys Rd, Duncan (Inside RV Campground) 250 932 5255 Connect with Spirit for guidance and healing.

Relaxing and safe, led by drum and song.

Walk In Wellness Clinic

Meet And Greet Event February 15 12 - 5 pm 111 Station St Duncan 250-597-1919

A group of Cowichan Valley certified practitioners would like to fill the gap for the members of our community when it comes to Health and Wellness. They would like to see shorter wait periods when it comes to booking an appointment as well as a sliding scale to make wellness more financially accessible to those who could not otherwise afford it.

Come in and meet the practioners of the Walk in Wellness Clinic. The Open House day will be an opportunity to learn more about:Therapeutic Touch from Marilyn Frith and Jennifer Wright, Holistic Therapeutic Massage with Lesley Joy, Sacred Hoop Healing with Ella Morelle, Talk Therapy with Deborah Carruthers, Reiki, Tarot Card readings and Energetic treatments from Carmen Waterman and Medical Qi Gong with Rommy Verlaan.

Opportunities for information as well as mini sessions will be offered.

The Walk In Wellness Clinic has an integrative approach to enhancing health and well being, focusing on prevention, reducing stress, relaxation, personal empowerment, balancing mind, body, and spirit, and creating healing and vitality.

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

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In the evening the Art House will host a Conscious Dance in Shawnigan Lake village at 5:30pm for more info visit www.

Moondancearts.Ca

ONE BILLION RISING Events

February 14 Matraea Centre March Noon to City Square Conscious Dance @ The Art House In Shawnigan 5:30pm - 2pm The Vagina Monologues February 16 7:30PM The Cowichan Theatre, 2867 James St. Duncan Matraea Centre with the support of Cowichan Women Against Violence and Moondance Dynamic Arts School will join with activists around the world for one billion rising, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.

At noon join us at Matraea Centre, 170 Craig St. Duncan on February 14th as we rise. We will march to city square were we will strike, dance and raise our voices to end violence against women and girls. If you like bring a sign to state why you are rising.

One Billion Rising began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls.

About One Billion Rising This year marks v-days 15th anniversary, we are inviting one billion women and those who love them to walk out, dance, rise up and demand an end to this violence. One billion rising will move the earth, activating women and men to dance across every country.

About V-day V-day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of playwright/founder eve ensler’s award winning play the vagina monologues and other artistic works. To date the v-day movement has raised over ninety million dollars and educated millions about the issue of violence against women.

Come join us and millions across the globe on February 14. One billion women violated is an atrocity! One billion women dancing is a revolution! All are welcome! Onebillionrising.Org

AhZenya the newest salon and spa in the Cowichan Valley

Join us for a relaxing ZEN EXPERIENCE

• Full Hair and Esthetics Services • Joico hair color and products • Natural Sugaring Hair Removal • Onsite Gel Nail Artist

COWICHAN FEATURE LISTINGS Want to learn how to make your own jewellery?

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

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

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

9747c Willow St, Chemainus 250 324 2227

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

Lynda Allen 250-748-0934 lyndaallentapstudio@shaw.ca High quality handwoven traditional rugs and carpets made by Tibetan refugees from Nepal.

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

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

Metal Artist Brad Allen

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

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

ADVERTISE IN THE VALLEY VOICE Now Booking March Issue

AD Deadline: Feb 15th Contact Adrienne Richards for more information or a 2013 Rate Card.

250 510 6596 adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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

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

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WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT By Rick Dennis GETTING IN TOUCH WITH HER ‘ROOTS’: While still in her teens, Zoe Lauckner recorded an EP of original tunes at Raincoast Studios in Nanaimo.

(She plays guitar and piano.) She has performed at Duncan Garage Showroom either as a featured act or sharing the stage with homegrown luminaries like Dan Mangan, Coco Love Alcorn and Daniel Wesley. (For a sample of her musical originality try www.myspace.com/zoelaucknermusic.) Her debut collection of short stories Far Out Tales: Stories of Travel and Tragedy was released last year.

(Check out the book trailer at www.slideshare.net/ zoelauckner/far-out-tales-book-trailer-7717000.)

Ms. Lauckner is currently studying creative writing and music at Vancouver Island University. Now, with a new program on CHLY 101.7 FM called Coastal Roots she can add radio host and producer to her growing resume. Every Tuesday from 7:30 am – 9am she plays music and airs interviews with West Coast artists. Not in radio range? Log onto chlyfm. ca to listen online or check out Coastal Roots Facebook page for podcasts. For info on how to submit your own songs (or spoken word) originals email Zoe at CoastalRootsRadio@gmail.com SPEAKING OF WEBSITES: Robert McCourty says the URL link for Cowichan Folk Guild and Islands Folk Festival has been changed. “We are in the process of designing a super new site. The new link is www.islandsfolkfestival.ca That’s where you can find out all the latest CFG news including the Sat. Feb. 9th coffeehouse at Duncan United Church featuring Mike Feeman and Tania Opland. Also on the site: details on how you could win 2 VIP passes to the 2013 Islands Folk Festival. It’s all part of the “Sign Up A Friend” contest.

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

Crowder’s Corner

Did you or someone you know have a Canada Student Loan between 2000 and 2006? You may need to verify that your personal information is safe.

On December 6th, 2012 Human Resources Skills Development Canada discovered that a missing hard drive contained the personal information, including social insurance numbers, of 583,000 borrowers.

It took until January 7th for them to inform the public.

New Democrats are very concerned that the Conservative government still isn’t taking the privacy rights of individuals seriously and waiting a full month to let citizens know their personal information was compromised is not acceptable.

HRSDC has promised to send letters to all affected individuals.

There is also a toll-free line operating from 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time that you can call to learn if your information was on that hard drive. In Canada (and US) you can call 1-866-885-1866. For those people outside of Canada (including those working overseas to pay off their loan) the number to call is 416-572-1113. People with a hearing or speech impairment or TTY can call 1-800-263-5883.

The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has started an investigation into the breach. If your information was compromised and you want to file a complaint, go to http:// www.priv.gc.ca/complaint-plainte/index_e.asp.

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

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

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

Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out!

Cowichan Bay Waterfront

15 Annual Warmland Calligraphy Show

Loft Gallery Valley Vines to Wines Mill Bay Centre Runs to February 26 Tues - Saturday 9:30am - 5pm FREE (Closed February 9) Warmland Calligraphers of the Cowichan Valley is

a non-profit group formed to facilitate the exchange of information between calligraphers and to promote interest in and appreciation of calligraphy as an art form within the community. This purpose is furthered by making available workshops, classes, exhibitions and lectures on calligraphy and related arts.

The activities are based on the premise that calligraphy is the art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush.

Modern calligraphy ranges from functional hand lettered name plates to fine art pieces.

Calligraphic manuscripts can be traced throughout history in the western and

Asian cultures. Western work is traditionally done with a broad edged pen while Asian work uses a pointed brush. Both cultures used calligraphy as the method of recording religious texts and monasteries were the ones to preserve the tradition.

For more information visit members.shaw.ca/ warmlandcalligraphers.

The Energy of Being

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e are all spiritual, energetic beings yet so often we forget the energy of being. The day-to-day routines, busyness, and ‘shoulds’ keep us disconnected. In day-to-day life with all that we do how do we keep the connection to our essence?

become attached to outcomes, circumstances, and ways of doing. When we become attached, we limit the possibilities and narrow the field of vision. By attached, I mean needing it to be just so and excluding other possibilities.

When we are in meditation or removed in some way from our day-to-day life, we can often connect with our inner stillness - the essence of who we are and allow it to permeate our energy field. Once we mix in the husband, children, job, and life in general, the connection fades. As our energy field absorbs the energy around us the roles we’ve defined for ourselves, the beliefs we hold, and the energy of others, it’s easy to slip into the state of doing without conscious awareness of being.

Having a preference for something is not attachment.

We forget that as spiritual, energetic beings we can experience the external without becoming it. We

being. Taking the time to focus on your breathing brings your attention back to the present moment and energy of being.

Consciously taking three deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling through your nose periodically throughout the day will help

you stay in the energy of being.

Debbie Shkuratoff Owner/Practitioner Reiki Wellness www.reikiwellness.ca

When we step into the energy of being, we open the door to possibilities that we may never have even dreamed of. When we are in the energy of being we are tuned in to the essence of who we are. This essence does not have the constraints of limiting beliefs, attachments, or preconceived roles to play.

Awareness is the first step to staying in the energy of being.

Becoming aware you can bring your conscious attention back to the present moment and step out of doing and into being.

Using your breath is a great tool to stay in the energy of

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) This month socially energizes you. Many of you will be involved in group sports, classes or activities with others. You might be in competition with someone.

Your interaction with younger people will increase and you will feel younger and more energized. This is the best time of the year for you to think of your long-range goals and how you can make your hopes and dreams for the future a reality. Talk to others about these dreams. There is a good chance that their feedback will help you.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) This is the only time of the year when the Sun is at the top of your chart acting like a spotlight on you. This is why bosses, parents and people in authority notice you more. However, because this light flatters you, people will approach you with offers and positive prospects. Don’t hesitate to say yes because you don’t have to do anything special to succeed. The lighting will do its magic.

They think you’re great! (So milk this for all it’s worth.)

Make your pitch. Ask for a raise or promotion.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You’re restless and hungry for a change of scenery. Travel if you can but if you can’t, then be a tourist in your own city. Visit places you’ve never been before. Take courses or “travel” through film. Sign up for a language course.

An Italian lover could be a great shortcut. (Remember Kevin Kline in A Fish Called Wanda?) Meanwhile, gifts, goodies and favours from others will come your way. Yes! The very thing to help you take a short trip.

Romance sizzles because you want to express your affection in physical ways. (Still got your Zorro cape?) do a bang-up job. This impulse to improve things will spread to a desire for better health as well. Many of you will try to exercise more or eat more wisely. (Never eat more than you can lift.)

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Cancer ( June 21-July 22) Something prompts some soul-searching this month.

You might undergo a psychological transformation, perhaps triggered by someone else challenging your values or by someone who is thoughtprovoking. You feel a passionate desire to experience life at a deeper level. You don’t want to be outside pressing your nose against the window, you want to be part of the circus!

Your sex drive will be amped.

This can apply to anyone because after all, as Woody Allen said, “I’m the best I ever had.”

Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22) This month is all about partnerships and close friendships. Partnerships will be feisty and contentious.

(You’ll be annoyed with your main squeeze.) However, this position of the Sun is now as far away from you as it gets all year – and because the Sun is your source of energy, you will be tired. You need more sleep in the six weeks. That’s why you’re dragging your heels.

(Go to bed with a good book, or a friend who’s read one.)

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You want your life to run efficiently so that you can be effective and productive. Since you’re on this improvement kick, naturally it will apply to your health. Many of you will go on a diet, get more exercise or do whatever you can do be more perfect. Yes, “perfect” is the byword. That’s what we’re aiming for. (Why try for less?) You will even delegate to others because Mars likes to give orders. “Move that mountain.” “Build that bridge.”

“Bring me a piña colada.”

(Fruit drinks are healthy.)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You have a fabulous, fun-filled month ahead! Get out and have a good time! Movies, the arts, the theatre, sports events and playful times with children will be sources of pleasure and delight.

Romance and love affairs beckon; saucy flirtations will titillate; the only downside being you don’t want to work. Self-discipline is mush.

Obviously, this is the perfect time for a vacation. However,

since you also want to express your creativity, this can be a productive time Enjoy!

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Home, family and your private world are your focus now. You might want to cocoon at home, or tackle renovations and home improvements, or you might be involved with a parent more than usual. You want to withdraw because childhood memories bubble to the surface of your mind. Fiery Mars could create tension with family members. You are more powerful than you know (this is the case with all Scorpios), so be gentle and tolerant. If one person in the family does this, it affects everyone, just as the flipside – when one person is angry – it affects everyone.

Sagittarius (Nov.22-Dec.21)

Your daily pace will accelerate now with a jam-packed schedule of short trips, errands, conversations with everyone plus increased reading, writing and studying.

If you write, sell, teach or market for a living you will be unusually vigorous and competitive. This is because you identify with your beliefs and will be quick to defend your opinions. Be careful about coercing others to agree with you. Lighten up.

Nevertheless, your powers of persuasion are strong. Use these powers wisely but at least, use them!

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This month is the perfect time to shop for wardrobe goodies. This is because you feel good about yourself. You feel charming and attractive and you like what you see in the mirror. That’s the frame of mind to be in when you shop for clothes. Meanwhile,

February

a handful of planets will highlight earnings, cash flow and financial matters. You’re dreaming up ways to boost your income or make money on the side. But this same high-energy will activate your spending as well. The cash is flowing in both directions.

Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18) It’s all about you, dear Aquarius. The Sun boosts your energy and attracts people and favourable circumstances to you.

Mercury makes you want to communicate. You have something you want to say and you intend to say it.

Mars rules your sexual energy which means that at every level of your being you will be turned on this month. Mars is in your sign once every two years, so do make the most of this. It’s your chance to show the world would you can do.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) This is a popular time! Enjoy the company of others. A friend could become a lover.

Expect to meet artistic, talented people. However, you might withdraw because you feel the need to seek out some quiet time so that you can refresh, re-energize and restore yourself. Your year is coming to an end as your birthday approaches, which means your new year will begin in about a month. How do you want your new year to be different from your last year? What do you want to change? What do you want to improve? What do you want to avoid?

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

Evening Grosbeak Image; Norm Dougan, BC

Participate in the Great Backyard Birdcount

A

fter 15 years of success in North America, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will open up to the entire world for the first time in 2013. Anyone, from anywhere on earth, can participate by visiting www. birdcount.org and reporting the kinds and numbers of birds they see during the 16th annual count, February 15­­ –18, 2013.

A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with partner Bird Studies Canada, the four-day count typically receives sightings from tens of thousands of people reporting more than 600 bird species in the United States and Canada alone.

During the 2012 count, Snowy Owls thrilled many participants when these striking birds-of-prey ventured south from the Arctic in record numbers.

In 2013, scientists predict that U.S. and Canadian bird watchers will see an influx of Red-breasted Nuthatches and winter finches (such as Pine Siskins) because of scarce food supplies on their northern wintering grounds.

“The GBBC is an ideal opportunity for young and old to connect with nature by discovering birds and to participate in a huge science project,” said Gary Langham, Audubon’s Chief Scientist.

Participating is easy. Simply watch birds for at least 15 minutes at the location of your choice on one or more of the count days. Estimate the number of birds you see for each species you can identify.

You’ll select your location on a map, answer a few questions, enter your tallies, and then submit your data to share your sightings with others around the world.

Return to a clean home and workplace.

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

Providing professional, eco friendly cleaning services.

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

Home Cleaning Gift Certificates available for Family & Friends!

The global capacity for the count will be powered by eBird, an online checklist program for all of the world’s 10,240 bird species.

Participants will be able to view what others are seeing on interactive maps, keep their own records, and have their tallies recorded for perpetuity.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited.

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Valley Voice Magazine readers directory a great way to discover local services and businesses.

2 sizes of ad space are available to suit every business message and budget.

Affordable, stylish and straight to the point.

Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or by e-mail at adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Deadline February 12 for March 2013 Issue 52.

DIRECTORY

Accounting

Alterations and Sewing

www.alternativeaccounting.ca

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

• sewing alterations, custom projects & lessons 250 743 2858 email carolyncarr67@yahoo.com

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

Vernice Vita Yoga Mats Richard Badman 250 746 9319

Beauty and Hair Salon Services

Belly Dancing Registering for Winter Session - All Levels Classes Mon-Thurs • Workshops & Parties For More Information: Debrajeenah at 250-748-3148 Angelina at 250-710-8161 angelinadancerblogspot.ca

Studio 2000 Belly Dance

Business Services

Nika’s Natural Hair & Relaxation Salon haircuts for the whole family color & hi-lites (featuring eco-colors) hair and scalp treatments Matraea Centre all natural products 170 Craig Street Duncan 250 710-7339

Child Care Need childcare?

Taking care of children?

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

Domains, Hosting and Websites Web. Domains & Hosting Services WEB HOST Richard Badman rbadman@gearth.com 250.746.9319 Duncan, BC

Counselling Individual and couple counselling services.

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

Farms and Food More than a Meat Shop

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

The Duncan Butcher 430 Trans Canada Hwy 250 748 -6377

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

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

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

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Health and Healing

IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN 141 Craig Street, Duncan 250 748-9632 www.mercias.ca

•A Large Variety Of Supplements, Flower Remedies •Homeopathics, Tinctures •Aura-Soma Colour Therapy, Bath and Body Products •Hair Care Products, Specialty Creams, Bulk Soap and More!

•Duncan’s Largest Selection Of Bulk Medicinal Herbs Amazing Lines Of Professional Natural Cosmetics including: Zuii Organics Make Up and ZUZU Luxe: luxury color cosmetics line - spa inspired - VEGAN!

Downtown Ladysmith

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

www.wildflowernaturalhealth.ca

For more information on how to be part of the

2013 Valley Voice Directory

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

Reflexology and Chi Wellness by Terri

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

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

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

Home Maintenance

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

250-737-1757 atlasfunk@gmail.com

Creative MUSIC Programs building a strong foundation for

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

www.woodruffmusic.ca

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

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

Simplicty Parenting

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

Using the extraordinary power of less.

Certified Facilitator Private Consultation Group Leader

Linda Dirksengale

778 422 0070 linda.simplicityparenting@gmail.com

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Written by

Alan Janes Featuring

Zachary Stevenson

1.800.565.7738

Book online @

chemainustheatre.ca

Theatre Getaway Packages / Playbill Dining Room open before every show

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

Zachary Stevenson - David Cooper Photography

February 22 to April 7

2013