VV February 2018 Issue 111

owichan

FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE 111

WEDDING PLANNER I COMMUNITY EVENTS I ART & MUSIC I LOCAL SCHOOLS 1

February 2018 Issue 111 Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Publisher Richard Badman Editor Sheila Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com or by phone at 250 746 931 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution MIchael Andringa

Events Calendar C.A. Linklater

For Print ads please contact Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Next Ad Deadline February 15 for March Issue 112 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire.

For free community events listings please email us at: events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Event format: Date, Time, Location, Event Title and Cost Next DEADLINE February 12 for March 2018 Issue 112 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations Special thanks to following Valley Voices: Pam Stiles, Heather Ferguson, Alexandra Coutu, Jessica Schacht, Grant Easterbrook, Rose Wagner, Bernie Dinter, Kailli Pigott, Leslie Rault, Cheryl Painter-Yonge, Tina Foster, Shawna Hett, Reed Gary, John Scull, Stephanie Stewart, Marhie Gayle, Sybille Webb, Jodie McDonald, Richard Riordan, Ian McPherson, Heather Andre, Jennifer Yee-Fairweather, Lindsay Campa, C. A. Linklater, Alicia Loewen, Caroline Manuel, Tamu Miles, Dorothea Siegler, Marti Webster and Diana Sharpe, Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store and The Lovely Georgia Nicols.

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

Please send a query e-mail with your suggested topic prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available.

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

Cover: Amethyst Crystals: The birthstone of those born in February.

Choose Valley Voice Magazine to be part of your 2018 marketing plan.

Contact Adrienne for details and a rate card

250 510 6596

adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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OUR COMMUNITY February Events 6-7 Valley Voice Wedding Planner 17-23 Upcycling Workshops 35 DDBIA Pages 36-39 A New Hope for Alzheimer’s Disease 41 Sol Centre Pages 48-49 Welcoming the Year of the Dog 53 Let’s Dance fundraiser! 54 Tradebank Now On Vancouver Island 55 Local Family Appeal for Help 63 Social Media Marketing 64 Community Farm Store Pages 66-67 Geogia Nicols February Forecast 69 LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Have You Tried The Hub Cafe? 9 We Found the Cure 10 The Art of Fondue 15 The Hanky Panky Cocktail 22 February 23 is CSA Day 31 Notes on Chocolate 36 HOME, FARM & GARDEN West Coast Seedy Saturday Seed Exchange and Garden Show 28 Fruit Tree Pruning 29 Why Do Some Flowers Bloom in the Winter? 30 Get to Know Your Eavestroughs 57 Keeping your Home and Family Warm in Winter 58 Tax Tips for Vacation Rental Owners 59 LOCAL ARTS Tribute Concert to Soul King Sam Cooke 8 Pat’s House of Jazz 12 Cari Burdett Quintet:Sweet Love 14 Masimba Marimba Spring Dance 33 Talking Arts Taryn O’Gorman 34 Twelve Talented Teenagers 44 CHILDREN & FAMILY A Great 8 Program 45 Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary School & Middle School 46 Sunrise Waldorf School Open House 47 Family With Autism Finds Hope Through Adapted Sports 50 Understanding the Bully Dynamic 51 BODY, MIND & SOUL The Original Love Potions 13 Solving Sleep Issues 24 Renew, Re-engage and Reconnect to Life 27 February is Heart Health Month 40 Connected Living Personal Growth Seminars 42 Grounding Point Health 43 Yoga for Wellness 52 Generation Zapped 68 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE Getting Wild and Going Village; Re-Becoming Resilient! 26 Earthling Instruction Manual 55 A New Groomer at Lucky Dog U-Bath 56 Cowichan Watershed Series 61 Ecopsychology 65

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

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VINOTECA AT ZANATTA

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Season Opening Second Sale 2-4pm Westholme Tea Farm 8350 Richards Trail 250 748 3811 FREE

3 workshops: Life Skills for Challenging Times, 10-4pm, Stonehaven Yurt, 3135 Manor Drive, Duncan, www.connected livingseminars.ca. FREE

Woodwork by Todd McAneeley Imagine That! 251 Craig St. FREE runs to 03/02

Chemainus Lit. Festival writers group 10-12pm Willow Cafe Willow St. 250-416-0363 FREE

Transformational Movement Lessons w/ Brenda Grenier Feldenkrais/ABMP 9.30-10.30am The Hub Annex $10 and 250-7483557 9/16/23

Join us for Lunch Wed - Sun. Dinner on the Weekends.

Brunch on Sundays.

Event Shuttle Available through

vinoteca.ca

5039 Marshall Rd, Duncan I 250 709 2279

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Community Acupuncture Thurs w/Frauke McCashin 12-3pm RAc #103-44 Queens Rd 250-710-3581 $15-45 also 8/15/22 Cherry Point Painters 12-6pm Portals Gallery Island Savings Ctr 2687 James St. FREE runs to 02/15 Generation Zapped 7:30pm Sol Centre (Community Farm Store Complex) FREE RBC Museum WWI Travelling Exhibit 12-6pm Arbutus Gallery Island Savings Ctr 2687 James St. www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil. ca FREE runs to 02/16

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Osborne Bay Hotel & Pub 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton www.cedricks. ca $26.50-35

Soul King a Concert Tribute to Sam Cooke Check-in 6-8pm show@8pm

Friday Afternoon Alanon Meeting Every Fri 3pm United Church of Canada Rear entrance off Jubilee St. buzzer@ramp door 246 Ingram St. FREE

Barely North Entertainment Wildwood 7pm Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd. www.barelynorth.com $20 Transformational Movement Lessons w/Brenda Grenier Feldenkrais/ABMP 9:30-10:30am The Hub Annex 2375 Koksilah Rd. 250-7483557 $10 and 9/16/23 World Wetlands Day Planting Event 10-1pm Meet at Beverly St./Lakes Rd. Roundabout programs@ somenosmarsh.com FREE

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Islands Agriculture Show 8:30-4pm Cowichan Exhibition Park 7380 TCHy $5

Basic Fruit Tree Pruning w/ Bernie Dinter Dinter Nursery 2205 Phipps Rd. 250 748 2023 FREE

Soul King a Concert Tribute to Sam Cooke Check-in 12-2pm show@2:05 Osborne Bay Hotel & Pub 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton www.cedricks.ca $26.50-35

Chow Down Family Cooking Classes w/Childminding 4-6:30pm Cowichan Green Community 360 Duncan St. (in the Commercial Kitchen) FREE

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Canadian Cancer Society Open House 10- 2pm #103–225 Canada Avenue (Canada Building) FREE

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Barely North Entertainment Carrie Burdett Trio 7pm Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd. www.barelynorth.com $20 adv/$25 Kids Cafe Wednesdays 11-2pm The Hub 2375 Koksilah Rd. $2-16 and 14//18

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Understanding Essential Oils 1-3pm Botanical Bliss Farm 6119 Lakeview Dr reg botanicalbliss.ca $35

Community Acupuncture Wed w/ Frauke McCashin Rac 5-8pm #103-44 Queens Rd 250-7103581 $15-45 and 14/21/28

John Miller Quartet Parallel Universe Project 2pm Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton $15

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Family Valentines Day wkshp 12-2pm $10/person or $30/family Bee Alive In The Hive, 139 Station St, Duncan 778-455-4483

Support group for grandparents and others caring for a relative’s child 250 468 9658 FREE

Opening night “Way of the Wind” Photography Exhibition by Daniel Collins Coffee-on-the-Moon, 501 Canada Ave. FREE runs to 03/31 Quaker Friends silent meeting 10:30am St. Ann’s Garden Club, Providence Farm www. cowichanvalley.quaker.ca FREE

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Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary & Middle School Open House1-4pm Kindergarten Info Session 4-4:30pm 2085 Maple Bay Rd Tours 250-7465919 FREE

Introduction to Essential Oils w/ Pam 6pm Scoops Natural Foods Whippletree Junction Reg. 778-422-3310 $15 and 15/22

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‘Once’ Opening Night Chemainus Theatre www. chemainustheatrefestival.ca runs to 03/10 ‘Patience’ sculptures & paintings Lu Volker 7-9pm the Ou Gallery 3091 Agira Rd. www. theougallery.com FREE

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Barely North Entertainment John Pippus 7pm Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd. www.barelynorth.com $20 The Duncan & Victoria Freedom Gospel Choirs present Raining Glory 2pm Christian Reformed Church 930 Trunk Rd. $15 @ Ten

Your Doorway To Exotic Flavours and Aromas “Amazing food, great friendly service, beautiful atmosphere, we will definitely be eating there again!”

5.0

Be sure to ask your server about Our Daily Lunch Features

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Google Review

• Lunch & Dinner • Takeout/Catering • Gift Certificates • Local Wines & Craft Beers • Vegan & Gluten-Free Choices 148 Third St, Duncan 250-597-1483

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30-2:30 | 5-Close | royaldar.ca

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

Old Books Under 12 FREE

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‘Work That Reconnects Reconnecting to Life’ 2 day retreat in the Cowichan Valley RSVP info@transitioncowichan.org $140pp

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A Valentine’s Tribute to Broadway 2pm Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton $15 How to Make Soap 1-3pm Botanical Bliss Farm RSVP botanicalbliss.ca $35

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Creative Kids: Family Day art activities w/ CVAC artists drop in 12-4pm Mesachie Room Island Savings Ctr FREE

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Viva Medical will donate a percentage of earnings to the Cowichan Valley Performing Arts Foundation www. vivamedicalaesthetics.com

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Upcycling Canning Jars Garden Pantry Thrift Store 10-2pm or 5:30-6:30pm 360 Duncan St. FREE

14 250 746 7621

Genoa Bay Cafe Seaside Valentine’s Dinner 5000 Genoa Bay Rd. RSVP

Valentine’s Day Tea and Chocolate 10-5pm Westhome Tea Farm 8350 Richards Trail 250 748 3811 $20/person Bridgemans Bistro 3 Course Valentine Dinner Mill Bay Marina 778 356 3568

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CVAC Speaker Series 12-1pm Island Savings Ctr 2687 James St. cowichanvalley artscouncil.ca FREE Cowichan Valley Green Drinks 5-7pm Craig St. Brewpub 3rd Floor FREE

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Sunrise Waldorf School ECE & Kindergarten Open House 10am-Noon 2148 Lakeside Rd. RSVP 250 743 7253 Masimba Spring Dance 7:15pm Mercury Theatre 331 Brae Rd. $15 advance from The Community Farm Stores $17 at the door.

Cowichan Watershed Board workshop ‘Efficient Irrigation Systems’ 10-12:30pm Island Savings Ctr Mesachie Room RSVP efficient-irrigation.eventbrite.ca FREE Annual Happiness Dinner Deerholme Farm 4830 Stelfox Rd. RSVP 250 748 7450 Master Gardener Clinic 10-3pm Dinter Nursery 2205 Phipps Rd. FREE

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Cowichan Valley Wedding Fair First Gift Bags for first 50 brides 12-3:30pm Ramada Inn 140 Trans Canada Hwy $5 adv/ door Basket making workshop w/ Maria Curtis using wicker work techniques. 9:30 am-3:30 pm $90 Maria Curtis 250-748-7468 or mariacurtis@shaw.ca Piece NMA Big Band Show 2pm Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton $15

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YOP (Youth Outreach Program) Exhibit of Student Works 12-6pm Portals Gallery Island Savings Ctr www.

cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca FREE runs to 28 Registration for Canucks Autism Network Spring Program canucksautism.ca/join CAN annual membership $25 CVAC Opening Twelve Talented Teens Portals Gallery Island Savings Ctr 5-7pm FREE

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Cowichan Valley Naturalists 7:30pm Freshwater Eco Centre 1080 Wharncliff Rd. FREE

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Cowichan Valley Garden Club monthly meeting Dan Jason of Saltspring Seeds 7pm St. John’s Anglican Church Hall 486 Jubilee St $20 membership

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Cowichan Watershed Board Speakers’ Series w/ Dave Polster 7pm VIU Cowichan Campus lecture hall rm 140 250-709-0492 FREE

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Dine Cowichan Fixed Price Menus Around the Valley www.duncancc.bc.ca $15-45 HUB Film Club Movie Night screening “Loving Vincent” 7pm The HUB 2375 Koksilah Rd. hubfilmclub@gmail.com Admission members or by donation Connected Living Seminar: Core Awakening, 2pm - Sun 3pm, Oceanfront Suites, 1681 Cowichan Bay Rd, register connectedlivingseminars.ca

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Bioengineering Workshop w/ Dave Polster 9-4pm Registration info@cowichanlandtrust.ca FREE

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Barely North Entertainment Tom Holliston 7pm Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd. www. barelynorth.com $20 Medicinal Mushrooms Cooking Class Deerholme Farm 4830 Stelfox Rd. RSVP 250 748 7450 Yours Truly’ photographs & paintings Serge Serum 6-9pm The Ou Gallery 3091 Agira Rd. www. theougallery.com FREE Yin Yoga Class w/ Nadia 6-7:30pm Harmony Yoga Ctr 360 Duncan St 250 597 1919 FREE

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Learn to play Native American flutes-flutes provided 1-3:30pm Lake Cowichan reg rommyflutes@ shaw.ca FREE Ryan Oliver Saxophonist 2pm Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton $15

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Chow Down Family Cooking Classes w/ Childminding, 4-6:30pm Cowichan Green Community 360 Duncan St. (in the Commercial Kitchen) cgcf.ca/ projects/chow-cooking-classes FREE

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Reel Alternatives film “Lucky” 7pm Cowichan Performing Arts Centre $12

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Blue Moon Marquee & Ryan McNally Blues & Jazz Music 7-10pm The Ou Gallery $15

OUT OF TOWN 24 West Coast Seedy Saturday 10-3pm Tofino Botanical Gardens 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy tofinolocal food@gmail.com $2-5 Donation

La Petite Auction House

Auction Sunday FEBRUARY 11 & 25 • 1pm Accepting goods throughout the week

Viewings

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY 11am-4pm SATURDAY 1-4pm SAME DAY viewings 10am-1pm To consign email dawngeddie@gmail.com

9686 Chemainus Rd, 250-701-2902 7

the “King of Soul”.

For the Crofton production, of Soul King, Clarke has brought together a talented cast of Vancouver Island singers and musicians, featuring Gloucia Desrochers (Crofton) whose solo performances as Billie Holiday have been enthusiastically acclaimed by local audiences.

The other cast/band members include: Nicolas Rhodes (Nanaimo), musical director, on keyboards who gets to show some acting chops as he helps to tell the story; Donn Tarris (formerly from Salt Spring Island now residing in Crofton) on guitar; Alan Wardroper (Salt Spring Island) on bass & Alicia Murray (Nanaimo) on Drums.

Tribute Concert to Soul King Sam Cooke

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he tribute concert Soul King, coming to the Osborne Bay Hotel and Pub in February, is a musical reflection on the life and times of Sam Cooke, often referred to as the “King of Soul”.

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“Tributes” to legendary figures in pop music have become nostalgic rituals for audiences seeking to revisit the ‘golden oldie’ days when the likes of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and the Beatles reigned supreme.

The task of the impersonator is to create an illusionary reincarnation by looking like, sounding like and acting like the original idols.

But the tribute concert Soul King, offers a very different journey down memory lane.

Written and directed by Toronto singer/actor Michael Clarke, this biographical musical journey delves deeply, and personally, into the life and times of Sam Cooke, commonly referred to as

You don’t have to be a dedicated Sam Cooke fan to enjoy what this show has to offer, Even if the names of Bob Dylan, Little Richard, Cassius Clay and Malcolm X played no part in your adolescent fantasies, you’ll find yourself immersed in the social and political backdrop from which popular music moved beyond mushy romantic ballads to find its voice as a powerful agent for change. In the music of Sam Cooke, it also discovered its Soul.

Soul King, a Concert Tribute to Sam Cooke February 1, 2 & 3, Ticket check in from 6- 8pm / Show starts at 8:05pm February 3rd Saturday Matinee: Ticket check in from 12pm - 2pm / Show starts at 2:05pm. Osborne Bay Hotel & Pub, 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton Tickets $26.50 $35.00 www.cedricks.ca Image;Michael Clarke, Soul King, A Concert Tribute to Sam Cooke

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250-732-1405

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

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Have You Tried The Hub Cafe?

ffering fresh homemade fare, The Hub Cafe certainly isn’t just about serving food says Jeannie McIntosh but has attracted people creating a kinda chat and share place whilst eating some really good grub.

It’s very casual and mostly volunteer run and something is always happening! Indeed when an old timer came in dangling two un-plucked chickens saying ‘going real cheap, still warm just killed them meself” we offered our saintly-food-safe smiles and declined. We provided the gentleman a mug of coffee and a goodie before he continued his chicken mission.

Another time a very large and hairy hill-man burst in declaring “the first person to make it to my truck gets the load of wood for $150; instantly there appeared to be no-one at any tables, they were all outside racing for the truck! ....Or the time when a young volunteer was grilled by a very discerning customer about menu items, when asked what was in something the lad in all innocence replied “food”. It’s not always

crazy, on the contrary, in warmer weather the deck is a relaxing place to spend a moment since our neighbour Richard Cooper organized benches and tables made from wood from his land. Another neighbour, Dinter Nursery always donates lots of fabulous flowers for the deck that look great.

We do try to cater for most, and have gluten free options.

One of our main ingredients in our food is happy seasoning – we always have a good giggle in the kitchen which obviously spills into the food!

We usually have a choice of soups, an Ever Changing Wrap, HUB Special, HUB Salad, Chili, Kids Quesadilla, goodies and bevvies - all made fresh from scratch by our Chef du Hub, the famous singer-song writer Genevieve Charbonneau who cooks like her music. Beautifully.

Check out our weekly menu on facebook @ TheHubAtCowichanStation.

HUB Cafe is open every Friday in February and year round (almost) from 11 am -2.30 pm at the HUB 2375 Koksilah Road, Duncan

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We Found The Cure!

he Cow-op.ca online marketplace’s newest seller, Cure Artisan Meat & Cheese has a history which dates back well before the actual store on Cowichan Bay Road opened four years ago. Owners Leah and Brad Boisvert have combined a lifelong passion for good food and travel with Brad’s many cooking experiences as a professional chef. Together, these influences have led them to their small but “big on flavour” charcuterie and fine foods shop tucked unassumingly in the lower level of the ValleyView Centre in Cobble Hill.

1st hundred customers only. Expires February 28, 2018

Prior to opening Cure, Brad and Leah owned Amuse Bistro in Shawnigan Lake for more than 10 years where they found the Cowichan region to be completely supportive of small local producers, and amassed a loyal following of customers who had a keen interest in their local and seasonal menus. Brad, however, felt there was a gap in Cowichan region in the availability of quality value-added products for customers who wished to cook at home using local ingredients but without all the prep.

Cure specializes in handcrafted charcuterie,

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value-added meat products, smoked cheeses and other specialty products like handmade preserves, mustards and jellies all with a distinct focus on locallysourced, sustainably-raised ingredients. Brad feels strongly about ethically raised animals not only from a taste and quality standpoint, but because it is important to support these types of production methods.

Brad and his team work their magic in the shop’s commercial kitchen where they can express his colourful and creative recipes, including the use of real cold smoke to add a unique flavour to some products.

You can find Cure’s delicious fresh made sausages, cured meats and pates, a wide selection of preserves as well as a variety of cheeses in their store in Cobble Hill, but also in about 25 different locations including Country Grocer, Great Greens and fine charcuterie retailers. Some of their best products are also available to order through the Cow-op online marketplace (www.cow-op.ca) along with the rest of your Cowichangrown fresh produce and baked goods each week.

Alexandra Coutu, is an ecology intern from Universite de Sherbrooke, Quebec working with Cow Op.

2nd Annual Dine Cowichan Festival

Season Opening Seconds Sale 02.02 @ 2Pm Our Annual Clay Seconds Sale started in 2012 with the idea of opening for the season with a fun and light hearted event that would feel something like an artful Mardi Gras. Seconds in the world of clay are slightly imperfect creations whose flaws are part of their inherent beauty.

Because we are closed for the month of January, choosing the second day of the second month to open again seemed fitting and the event was born.

Friday 02.02 @ 2PM is when we swing open the gates for our 2018 Season and some late winter fun. The Seconds Sale will feature a variety of ceramics that are WILDLY reduced, including everything from teacups to plates, bowls to lamps, vases to teapots and much, much more. This year’s event will also include great savings on select organic teas.

If you arrive at the farm in a TuTu you will get 22% off all regularly priced ceramics. Yes. This is for REAL! Come have some fun... you won’t be the only one! This is the not to be missed event of the year. Bring a friend and share in the wackiness.

Friday February 2, Season Opening Seconds Sale 2-4pm Westholme Tea Farm, 8350 Richards Trail, Westholme 250 748 3811 FREE

It’s time for the second annual Dine Cowichan Festival, February 23 – March 11. We are anticipating 20 plus restaurants to participate this year. All have special Dine Cowichan menus.

Restaurateurs often use Dine Cowichan as an opportunity to create new dishes – but old favourites are also on the regular menu. Choose something new when you feel adventurous, or sit down to a familiar meal.

There’s a dining experience and price point for everyone: pub food, ethnic, fine dining, casual, farm-to-table and more. Dine Cowichan pricing varies from restaurant to restaurant. You see multi-course meals, two-for-one offers and more. Prices range from $15 - $45 per person Dine Cowichan participating restaurants at the time of publication include: Bridgemans Bistro, Cobblestone Pub, CVI Restaurant & Lounge, Duncan Garage Café & Bakery, Farm Table Inn, Genoa Bay Café, Lion Rampant Scottish Pub, Odika Café, Oak Neighbourhood Pub and Kitchen, Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar, Original Joes, Pizzeria Prima Strada, River Rock Bar & Grill, Royal Dar, Rock Cod Café, Sawmill TapHouse and Grill, Owls Nest Bakery Bistro, Satellite Bar & Grille, The Farm Table at Providence Farm, The Old Fork, Unsworth Restaurant, and the Village Chippery. It’s easy to participate. When you arrive, be sure to ask for the Dine Cowichan menu, in addition to the regular menu. The Festival runs 17 days, and there are many restaurants to choose from. So take advantage Dine Cowichan to dine out often and enjoy fabulous food at fabulous prices.

Check out the restaurants, menus and reservation information at www.duncancc.bc.ca.

February 23 - March 11

Fabulous Food.

Fabulous Prices.

Dine Cowichan restaurants offer fixed price menus for pub food, farm-to-table, ethnic, fine dining & more. With 20 participating restaurants, everyone can Dine Cowichan. Just ask for the Dine Cowichan menu.

$15 - $45 | February 23 - March 11 Participating Restaurants & Menus Online: www.duncancc.bc.ca

Eat, Drink and Support Local

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SUNDAY AFTERNOONS February 4 • 2PM Jon Miller Quartet Parallel Universe Project

Hard-hitting, soulful swing, groove and blues-infused jazz

February 11• 2PM A Valentine’s Tribute to Broadway

Lovers of musicals will find plenty of romance

February 18 • 2PM $20 18 Piece NMA Big Band Show

Classic swing standards to contemporary funk, fusion and New Orleans beat, this is one tight, versatile band.

February 25• 2PM Juno-nominated tenor saxophonist Ryan Oliver

swings with melodic inventiveness

Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton All shows are $15 at the door unless otherwise stated.

A Valentine’s Tribute to Broadway Lovers of musicals will find plenty of romance at A Valentine’s Tribute to Broadway.

The show honours Broadway musicals that contributed so much to the jazz tradition, says co-creator Marty Steele from Nanaimo. “Many of the songs in the jazz musician’s Real Book started as Broadway musical numbers that were adapted by jazz musicians in their off hours,” says Steele. Steele and Gabriola Islander Roger Christie have collaborated on several past shows.Expect your favourite songs from The Wizard of Oz, Showboat, Phantom of the Opera, Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof and more — sprinkled with humourous tales of Christie’s life as a young boy soprano in Winnipeg. Christie will regale you with anecdotes about life with his crazy fun folks and his escapes into song and real Broadway shows until his voice suddenly changed during an NBC audition. “Think Woody Allen’s Radio Days,” says Steele, a talented musical leader/ arranger and keyboardist, who will be joined by Larry Miller on

Upcoming EVENTS Annual Happiness Dinner February 17 Cooking Class Medicinal Mushrooms February 24

the legendary Tom Holliston Barely North Entertainment is excited to bring the legendary Tom Holliston (Hanson Brothers, nomeansno, Showbusiness Giants) to the Chapel at Providence Farm. The night will be filled with wit and humour, and brilliantly written songs. The show will be unlike any other you have seen. Doors: 7 Show: 7:30. Tickets $20 at Duncan Music, Providence Farm Store, and www.eventbrite.ca.

FREE FLUTE WORKSHOP February is the perfect month to focus on our hearts.

Our heart, home of our spirit, and the organ that, as it keeps working, keeps us alive.

Our hearts absorb all the hurts the world can throw at us, and with

them, it tries to create balance, understanding and forgiveness as much as we will allow.

Put your hands together…put them on your heart… and breathe… breathe into your heart. Give thanks to your heart for all the work it does, beating every second of every day without being asked and without recognition.

Smile into your heart, actually have a smile on your face. Wait a moment…feel it smiling back. Envision a happy face on your heart.

If we gave our hearts a voice what would it say?

If our hearts could sing what would it’s melody sound like? Rommy has been creating Heart Song, Native American style Love Flutes in the Cowichan Valley, for over 12 years.

On Sunday February 28th Rommy is inviting you for a free fireside Flute playing lesson from 1-3:30.

Experience the healing sounds of the Native American Flute, while finding and learning to play your own Heart’s Song.To register email: rommyflutes@shaw.ca or call 250-749-6563.

For full details visit www.deerholme.com

Rock I Funk I Blues I Reggae I Latin I Metal

BY RESERVATION ONLY

DRUM KIT AND HAND PERCUSSION LESSONS 35+ years experience- Private / One 2 One / Customized / Fun

4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan

For ReservationS 250 748 7450 12

woodwinds. “Together we can create a full orchestral sound.”

Vancouver vocalist Jenny Morgan rounds out the group as Christie’s duet partner.

Table reservations are recommended for this show. Call (250) 324-2245. Tables held until 30 minutes before showtime. $15. 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton. www.osbornebaypub.com.

Paul Jutras

Beginner to advanced - In your home or in my studio in Duncan

778-422-1034 I chopsdrumschool@gmail.com

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

bath along with rose petals for a romantic soak.

Essential Oils – The Original Love Potions!

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

778-422-3310

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or thousands of years many cultures have used essential oils in spiritual ceremonies and meditations.

Hypothalmus the hormonal control centre

Inhaling the scent of essential oils has been shown to directly affect our emotional state. Our sense of smell is connected to the limbic lobe of the brain and activates the hypothalamus, our body’s hormonal control centre.

Which means it can be used to highly influence our love life.

Whether you would like to set the mood for a romantic

Valentine’s date with your partner or are single and thinking about attracting the love of your life, here are 4 essential oils that can assist in bringing a little more love, beauty and sensual delight your way. Diffuse or apply topically or mix with massage oil for a decadent aromatic experience: Always use pure, therapeutic grade oils.

Sandalwood Essential Oil – A great fragrance for your guy. It has a rich, warm woody aroma that is considered enticing, exotic and soothing.

It can also be added to skin care for its moisturizing properties.

Rose Essential Oil – A wellknown scent we associate with love and romance. Rose is known as the oil of the heart chakra and is associated with the Goddess of Love. A naturally calming oil that helps with relaxation and deepening of breath. A floral smelling oil that can be added to your

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil – Soft, sweet and flowery aroma elevates sensual energy and enhances romantic feelings. In Indonesia, these beautiful, yellow flowers are often scattered across marriage beds to set the tone for a romantic evening.

Jasmine Essential Oil – A warm and exotic fragrance that has been associated with romance and attraction throughout history.

It has been used spiritually to balance feminine energy. Blend with any of the oils above and diffuse for an intoxicatingly, exotic and romantic aromatic experience.

Live in the Chapel

Providence Farm

1843 Tzouhalem Rd., Duncan ALL SHOWS Doors 7pm I Performance 7:30pm February 2 • $20 Wildwood

Outlaw Alt-Country from Alberta.

February 7 • $20 adv/$25 Cari Burdett Trio

Award winning local songstress.

February 10 • $20 John Pippus

Critically acclaimed folk/roots troubadour.

February 24 • $20 Tom Holliston

Legendary guitarist of nomeansno and Showbusiness Giants.

Tickets at Duncan Music, Providence Farm Store, and eventbrite.ca

www. barelynorth.com

As will all new things, practice precautions when using essential oils for the first time. When applying topically, mix with a carrier oil such as coconut or almond, especially if you have sensitive skin.

For more information about using essential oils and diffusers, visit us at Scoops Natural Foods or consider attending one of our upcoming information sessions.

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WHO DO YOU LOVE?

Cari Burdett

Weʻll be making BABY CAKES for Valentineʻs Day!

Closed on February 12 for BC Family Day

Available FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 thru the weekend and til’ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14th.

VALENTINE BABY CAKES...

They serve 2-4 people, are 3 inches around, are $18, and will have a heart on them.

YOU SHOULD PROBABLY ORDER ONE. We can’t fit more than about 3 letters on the top of these little guys, but they all say ‘CAKE!’ without even trying. They’re almost entirely organic, too, so you show your love for the earth, too.

HAZELNUT TORTE & BLACKBERRY HAZELNUT TORTE a little square, made with gluten free ingredients with layers of hazelnut covered with chocolate ganache, then layered up with whipped cream or coconut cream. Blackberry version made with local blackberries.

LEMON RASPBERRY TORTE is another little square, a nut free and gluten free sponge cake covered with lemon curd, raspberry jam, and whipped cream or coconut cream.

CARROT SPELT our ALL-TIME favourite, with our not-too-sweet Cream Cheese icing.

The CHOCOLATE CLASSIC, one of our chocolate cakes (choose vegan, which is round, or with gluten-free ingredients, which is square) filled with cream or coconut cream and enrobed in chocolate ganache, or Chocolate Mocha, which is the same cake with mocha cream or coconut cream.

We’ll also be making some special Valentine’s cupcakes and cookies. It’s sweet to show the love!

Only available at the Duncan

Garage Café & Bakery, 330 Duncan St, Duncan 250 748 6223

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Cari Burdet Quintet: Sweet Love

L

ocal music instructor Cari Burdett is finding her place in the music scene as an accomplished chanteuse, embarking on a province-wide tour this month with the Cari Burdett Quintet. The tour will begin with an inaugural performance on February 7, presented by Barely North Productions at the Providence Farm Chapel.

The Sweet Love Tour is a nod to the spirit of Valentine’s Day, exuding romance with Spanish Gypsy Jazz, French Swing, and brooding Italian love songs. Audiences often remark that they’ve been sent to another time and place entirely, escaping the every-day hustle and bustle to somewhere lovely, where romance blooms all around.

With a multilingual repertoire, Cari and the band add another layer of romance to classic and original songs.

Cari will be accompanied by a brand new band of award-winning musicians all playing together for the first time. The lineup is: Marc Atkinson, Gypsy Jazz guitarist (The Bills, Marc Atkinson Trio), Juno-winning Violinist Meredith Bates (Pugs and Crows, Kamloops Symphony,) genius on Piano, Accordion and Mandola, Adrian Dolan (The Bills, the Rankin Sisters)

and the young yet very accomplished Jazz Bass player John Lee (George Colligan, Brad Turner.)

In 2015, Cari dropped her first album, Magnolia. It was nominated for ‘Best World Album’ by Western Canadian Music Awards, and she was awarded Vocalist of the Year 2016 by Vancouver Island Music Awards.

Recently returned from studying in Hawaii with Rhiannon and Grammy winning pianist and composer Lawrence Hobgood, Cari is taking what she has learned to set the stage for beautiful performances in venues across BC, beginning right here in Duncan on February 7.

A performance at Frankie’s Jazz Club will follow on February 8, presented by the Coastal Jazz & Blues Society, and from there it’s on to a show in Oliver, presented by the South Okanagan Concert Series, then Summerland with a special vocal workshop for teens and adults followed by an evening performance, and finally Kelowna, presented

by Jazz Cafe Kelowna on February 11, bringing an end to a whirlwind tour.

For full details and tickets, visit www.cariburdett.com

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

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a t m c s o b c a m w f s R a p s c e

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“fondue” has been generalized to other dishes in which a food is dipped into a communal pot of liquid or kept hot in a fondue pot.

A chocolate fondue is a pot of melted chocolate mixture where participants dip pieces of fruit or pastry.

The Art of Fondue

W

e love to fondue.

Fondue dates back to 1669, with earlier versions having eggs in it almost like a scrambled egg and cheese.

Fondue as we know it today began in 1930’s as the national dish of the Swiss. It was a dish of melted cheese served in a communal pot over a heat source often with a candle or fuel lamp, and eaten by dipping bread into the cheese. Despite its modern associations with rustic mountain life and skiing, it was a town-dweller’s dish from the western, Frenchspeaking area of Switzerland.

Rich cheese like Gruyère was a valuable ingredient which peasants could not afford so they used a less quality cheese mixed with wine to enhance the cheese flavour.

In the 1950s, the name

The classic French fondue bourguignonne, is when pieces of sliced meat are cooked in hot oil or broth.

Today wine is mostly used in a cheese fondue, but cider, and beer are gaining in popularity.

Making fondue is simple.

The tricky part is having the proper equipment and access to quality ingredients.

This February we are embracing the art of fondue at Cure and invite you to pre order to enjoy one at home. We provide you with everything you need pots, forks, fuel and delicious ingredients to make your fondue evening really special.

All you have to do is choose: Cheese or Meat.

Our most popular cheese fondue is prepared with white wine and a blend of our house smoked cheddar, gruyere cheese, and for those that like an extra stretchy fondue we will add a bit of fresh cheese curds too.

Our meat fondue comes with your choice of broth

or oil and fresh, gourmet ingredients. Choose from our dry aged beef, grassfed tenderloin, or dry cured sausages like chorizo or coppa -just to name a few.

We will have your fondue all ready for you, nicely packaged with simple instructions to prepare and serve at home. Four easy steps with the last step being to eat which is our favourite

thing to do too. Upon completion of your fondue evening just return the pot and forks. Simple entertaining ideas.

When ordering the fondue please allow 24 hours- please call or email orders in. curemeatandcheese@gmail. com 250-929- CURE (2873) 5-1400 Cowichan Bay Road Cobble Hill.

BEADS BEADS BEADS

Etc!

9752c Willow St

Chemainus

250 324 2227 Open 7 days a week

Best prices on the island • HUGE Selection • Workshops & Classes Beading I Kumihimo I Bead Weaving I Viking Knit I Herringbone and more!

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

F

P lanning on tying the knot?

ebruary is the month of love. With Valentine’s Day, spring, and of course the 4th annual Cowichan Valley Wedding Fair around the corner, there are many ways to be reminded that “love is all you need”.

The Valley is a hot spot for weddings with lovebirds coming from near and far to say their “I do’s”. Plan the wedding of your dreams all in one place this February 18th.

The Cowichan Valley’s top wedding specialists will be under one roof at the Ramada Duncan Hotel & Conference Centre.

Bring your entourage and enjoy the mobile fashion show highlighting the years’ top trends for bridal gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, tuxes,

will be donated to Cowichan Women Again Violence Society. Advance tickets may be purchased at Eventbrite. com or at the Ramada Duncan front desk.

First 50 brides will receive gifts bags! There will be door prizes including a Paderno pot set valued at over $700, live demos, appies, and a cash bar.

COWICHAN VALLEY WEDDING FAIR and suits. Sample freshly baked wedding cake and sip on local craft beer as you tick off your wedding to-do list.

Meet with photographers, decorators, DJ’s and many more professional vendors

who can assist you in making your special day complete.

The entry fee for brides is $5 in advance or $8 at the door. Guests of the bride are by donation. All proceeds

Sunday February 18, 12 PM – 3:30 PM, 140 TransCanada Hwy, Duncan Submitted by Sheila Leclerc

Visit Wedding Fair Vendors eatured with this star at the Cowichan Valley Wedding Fair!

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LUXURY TRANSPORTATION Encore Limousine Service has been offering luxury transportation service for weddings in the Cowichan Valley for 12 years. You can choose from three stretch limousines or our Tesla to take you where you want to go. Whether it’s picking up guests at airports/ferries, supplying a limo for a stag/ stagette (including wine tours), shuttling your guests to and from the venue, and/ or taking wedding parties for photos and to receptions, we can handle all your needs.

As we are local, your costs stay low as no travel time is charged . Visit us encorelimo. ca or call us 250 710-3927

our portfolio of costeffective, crowdpleasing wine styles.

Be sure to ask us about discounts for wedding purchases and how we can help commemorate your big day by customizing bottles with a personalized message. Visit our table at the Cowichan Valley Wedding Fair for a comp-lementary taste of our products or drop by our tasting room to learn more.

Looking for a venue to host a bridal shower? Consider the beautiful garden patio at Averill Creek Vineyard.

Please contact us to inquire about event options. www.averillcreek.ca

COWICHAN WEDDING PLANNER

Celebrate saying “I do” with premium local wines from Averill Creek Vineyard.

Select your favourites from

Blue Grouse Estate Winery provides a romantic setting that puts you at one with nature. From the dogwoods, maples, and bright evergreen trees encircling a serene pond teeming with life, to the

and our beautiful traditional timber frame barn that sits in the middle of our 300 acre heritage farm. Onsite catering offers authentic farm to table menus. We source everything from our farm first then local farms and businesses. Start with some appies, then a main spit roasted dinner and a late night snack with wood fire oven pizzas. www.birdseyecovefarm.com

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

HERITAGE FARM WEDDING

VINEYARD WEDDING COWICHAN WINE PAIRINGS

pros-perous rows of vines that fill the property.

The views of the valley are simply stunning, and offer the perfect backdrop for photographs of a lifetime. Our idyllic venue is perfect for your wedding, whether it’s the ceremony, the reception, or both. Email info@bluegrouse. ca for more information.

Many couples tend to seek a venue that is natural, beautiful and resonates within their soul. Bird’s Eye Cove Farm offers one of the most magical locations to hold the wedding of your dreams.

Picturesque in setting, rolling hills and cliffs, ocean views

Rachelle Lynn Photography is a creative wedding photographer in the cowichan valley whom customers say is patient, friendly, efficient, and delivers high quality hand crafted edits that they love.

She takes pride in offering one to eight hour weddings so that everyone can afford great wedding photos. Her website shows samples of her 10 years as a wedding photographer among other genres such as a fun photobooth at www. rachellelynnphotography.com You can also contact Rachelle by calling 250-920-6786. She would be happy to discuss your wedding photography needs for 2018/2019.

For full design/build service, give us a call

p 250.746.5372 • coulsondesign@shaw.ca • www.davidcoulsondesign.com 18

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

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s

300 Acre Heritage Farm Award Winning Full Service Wedding Venue Farm to Table Catering www.birdseyecovefarm.com I 250 748-6379

Making your Cowichan Wedding Special

www.encorelimo.ca I 250 710-3927

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ARTtoEAT

looking for a wonderful place to stay, the Farm Table Inn is an excellent choice. Come savour the experience. 6755 Cowichan Lake Rd, Lake Cowichan 250-932-3205 www.farmtableinn.ca

CATERING BY MICHELLE PLAIN

CATERING AND CUSTOM CAKES

25+ Experience from Menu to Venue Intimate dinners to large weddings Professional Full Service Catering Buffet and Family Style Options Exquisite Custom Wedding Cakes michelle-arttoeat@shaw.ca

250-746-4310

It all started with a wedding cake...Art To Eat Catering can accommodate buffet service or family style events ranging from two to as large as 160.

For appetizer events service for up to 250 guests is welcomed.

Initial catering consultations are complimentary. Specialties include an array of appetizers, BBQ’d Wild Sockeye Salmon with Sun-dried tomato, fresh basil, fresh garlic & Celtic sea salt. Our signature Wedding Cake - A lemon pound cake painted with lemon syrup, filled with a lemon curd whipped cream and finished with a butter cream.

Decorated with fresh flowers.

2 weeks minimum order time.

Michelle-arttoeat@shaw.ca 250-746-4310

VENUE, B&B & CATERING This charming Bed & Breakfast, Restaurant and Farm, located between Duncan and Lake Cowichan, offers a unique dining and hospitality experience. Meals are local, organic, and home made. There’s two B & B rooms to choose from. Both are cozy, have their own ensuite, private covered deck and a shared kitchenette.

Whether you are looking for a lovely location to host your wedding, or a catering company to create your meal on-site or off-site or if you’re

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CUSTOM CAKES AND CONFECTIONS Marvellous Cakes specializes in custom cakes and confections in Duncan BC. We provide the whole cake experience from custom tastings, design consultations, rentals, and delivery and set up across Vancouver Island to make your Wedding Day a breeze. Each design is customized and tailored to your individual style, tastebuds and dietary restrictions (Vegan & GF options available). Quality and detail is revealed in each layer of rich, moist cake, luscious fillings and icings, made from only the finest and freshest ingredients. No matter what your vision is, if you can dream it, Marvellous Cakes can make it! Sarah Hayer 250-701-3206 www.marvellouscakes.ca

FULL SERVICE WEDDING CATERING We understand how important your bridal events are, and we’ll work with you to design a menu that’s exactly

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

what you want. Whether it’s your rehearsal dinner, the bridal shower lunch, or the big reception. From small, intimate affairs to extravagant wedding banquets, our wedding catering services can cater at virtually any venue including gardens, ballrooms and even on the beach. Our services include: Professionally Trained Servers, Equipment Rentals, Full Liquor Bar, Bartenders, Special Event Planning and Entertainment. Contact us (250) 701-8593 to arrange a complimentary consultation for your wedding catering. www.vieventcatering.com

BOLD CUSTOM JEWELERY Complete your look with stunning custom designed adornment. Necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.

Choose special semi and precious gemstones set in sterling silver, custom fit and designed for the completion of your dream day. These custom pieces will become your personal heirloom, a daily reminder of the love you forged with each other and yourself. Stylish brides! Book a consultation, send a photo of your dress and design inspirations.

From there we can create a bold, contemporary, one of a kind impact with your jewelry for the big day. Required lead time necessary is one month in order to complete design and fabrication. Taryn O’Gorman Designs 17785545434. tarynogormandesigns.com

ALL NIGHT LONG DJ SERVICES DJ SERVICES ENTERTAINMENT I have been providing disc jockey and emcee services on Vancouver Island for over twenty years and my specialty is wedding receptions and ceremonies. I work with my clients to provide elegant yet fun parties that are customized to their wants and needs. I feel that part of my job is to take on some of the stress of planning the event and making it a success so that you can relax and be in the moment, creating a truly memorable day for you and your guests. For bookings call 250-710-6922.

Elegant Wedding Entertainment geohans@shaw.ca I 250-710-6922

allnightlongdj.net Fresh, Local and All-Natural Food created from the Heart

Excellent food and Excellent Service

corporate • special events • weddings • fundraising Outdoor Food Truck Service to Full Service Indoor Events Azam Khan (250) 701-8593 www.vieventcatering.com I viec@shaw.ca

1-778-554-5434 I tarynogormandesigns.com LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Our marimba band’s name, Masimba, is a word in the Zimbabwean Shona language which, to us, means ‘Strength Together’. Masimba is a collective of all our musical, spiritual and emotional qualities combining to create our unique group.

Centred around the beautiful and unique sound of the marimba, the music always calls people to the dance floor. Our 8 piece band will bring the upbeat, syncopated

rhythms and soulful singing of Southern Africa to your event, as well as contemporary compositions from closer to home.

Entertaining for guests who like to dance, watch or listen. For bookings contact Allan Brown 250-748-9842.

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Jessica Schacht is a local writer and co-founder of Ampersand Distilling Company

J

ust in time for Valentine’s Day, this cocktail is not for the faint of heart. It’s a classic that combines gin, sweet vermouth,

and fernet (pronounced as written: fer-net). It’s the perfect introduction to Fernet Branca, the notoriously bitter liquor that you may just fall in love with.

The Hanky Panky was created

by Ada ‘Coley” Coleman in the early 1900’s at the Savoy American Bar in London. Now a classic the world over, it was

SOU L ESCAPE

ESTHETICS Est. Since 2006

#4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC 250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca

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included in Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930.

Ada was one of the first and few women to hold the title of head bartender at the Savoy.

The signature cocktail that became her legacy was created for actor Charles Hawtrey, who one day came into the bar and said “Coley, I am tired. Give me something with a bit of punch in it.” The next time he came in Coley presented him with her new creation and upon tasting it he exclaimed “By Jove!

This is the real hankypanky!” Coley was a legend among her customers and upon her retirement in 1925 she estimated she had served 100,000 customers and poured one million drinks.

The Hanky Panky Cocktail

Though many will be familiar with gin and sweet vermouth, the Hanky Panky gives imbibers a chance to tiptoe into the waters of digestive bitter liqueurs with the most popular brand, Fernet Branca. Fernets are a type of liqueur that include many different herbs and spices and are traditionally sipped after a meal as a digestif. Believe it or not, Jägermeister actually belongs in this category. The polarizing flavour of fernets has resulted in a shot of Fernet Branca being known as a drink called “The Bartender’s Handshake” because of its popularity among industry professionals. The Hanky Panky

nicely tempers the bitterness of Fernet Branca with sweet vermouth and bright citrus form the gin. A ¼ oz is much easier to measure than an 1/8th, so make one for your Valentine as well and enjoy trying out the Hanky Panky.

Hanky Panky Cocktail

1 ¾ oz Ampersand Gin 1 ¾ oz Sweet vermouth 1/8 oz Fernet Branca

Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

Garnish with an orange twist.

You can also experiment with adding ¼ oz of fresh squeezed orange juice (a la Simon Difford) or play around with using Odd Society’s Bittersweet Vermouth and a grapefruit twist.

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

WEDDING GIFTS & STATIONARY At Little Bird, we understand the importance of coordination and budget when giving a gift, and/or celebrating an event. We offer beautifully wrapped gifts and cards that express your good taste and style. Saying “I do”?

We’d love to make you a custom wire & bead tiara to celebrate your bridal shower, hen party/stagette, or your nuptials! Reasonably priced and original, we can colour coordinate with your outfit, or wedding theme, & help accessorize your wedding party, including flower girls, cake toppers, even pets!

Come see us at Little Bird with your ideas. 163 Station Street, downtown Duncan 250-748-6861

SPA SERVICES BRIDE & BRIDAL PARTY At Soul Escape we have services to help the bride, mother of the bride and her

bridal party prepare for the big day.

A one hour hydrating facial is relaxing and will help make skin look fresh and radiant and make up looks 10x better on hydrated skin!

A pre wedding relaxation massage can make a huge difference to help everyone keep calm and grounded. In the days leading up to the big day waxing can benefit the bride and bridal party to help them look and feel their tidiest. www.soulescape.ca

COWICHAN WEDDING PLANNER

BRIDAL GIFTS AND PARTY FAVOURS

Clients with the opportunity to give quality, exceptional gifts with a meaningful, local product created right here on the gorgeous West Coast. We are dedicated to producing a quality, elegant product with beautiful detail for your special day. Visit fieldandvinegiftco.com for inspiration and gift ideas. www.fieldandvinegiftco.com

YOGA FOR MIND & BODY Getting married?

Congratulations! Consider practicing yoga to ease the stress as you plan the big day.

Remember other days that started with yoga? Did they flow more easily? Did you feel luminous, peaceful, relaxed?

Blissed out even? Yoga can change how you experience your wedding day. A practice the morning of your wedding helps you to connect to your heart, which is what this day is about. Love is infinite and expansive--and so are you. I hope your ceremony and your day are full of unconditional love and when you remember your wedding in the years to come, it fills your heart and brings you joy. Yoga With Paulina Kee 250 597 0313 paulinakee@gmail.com

We are a local company who feature artisan products created here on Vancouver Island and surrounding West Coast com-munities. We’ve taken a modern twist on gifting for friends and family by curating beautiful gift boxes for bridal party gifts, welcome gifts, party favours and all other occasions.

We love providing our

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O

h the mattress industry... it has changed so much.

Over the past 25 years of helping people sleep, I’ve seen everything from pocket coil mattresses to new hybrid designs, flippables to memory foam pillow tops. The industry is constantly reinventing itself. The latest fad is the bed-ina-box retailers where mattresses are purchased on-line and sent directly to your door. Their manufacturers will tell you that these shipped mattresses are suitable for everyone, yet in all my years of observing mattress shopping patterns, I’ve not met many couples who want or need the same firmness.

Nowadays, there are also a number of health and environmental problems to consider when shopping for a mattress. The largest percentage of new mattresses purchased are now hybrids (as opposed to pocket coils), with an all polyurethane chemical ingredients list. This translates to a lot of off gassing that we as consumers are subjected to, for up to a year or more.

There is also the question of what all of these mattresses are doing to our planet. The latest US statistics show that there are over 30 million mattresses thrown away in landfills every year. Yes, you read that right.

Many mattresses are not being made to last. Turnover is the new key to success for most manufacturers and it’s only getting worse. Constantly reinventing the “best” mattress is what keeps the industry profitable and keeps us coming back. To make up for not being able to

Solving Sleep Issues-One Conversation at a Time test drive your mattress first, a lot of the on-line retailers are offering no hassle refunds (with return rates amounting to as much as 30%). That equates to a lot of waste and many unhappy sleepers.

Billions of dollars are spent yearly on mattress advertising in North America, with the message being, “purchase our latest and greatest model”. Yet, if people continue to have to change out their mattresses every few years, clearly these “new and improved” models are not working.

As consumers, we must ask ourselves whether any of these mattresses are the answer to our sleep challenges. In my experience they aren’t. This is why I am urging people to slow down their mattress purchase and not be swayed by clever

advertising. There needs to be more thought invested in figuring out what each individual sleeper needs. Proper sleep solutions cannot be found with a one-sizefits-all approach.

The best way to get a good night's sleep is addressing these 3 key principles: - Proper temperature regulation.

- Lasting support.

- Correct body alignment.

These 3 areas need to be closely looked at and be the main topic of conversation when visiting a mattress retailer. They are, in my opinion, what really fix poor sleep.

No fancy advertising nor magical mattress will do the job. Get your body temperature regulated and stop yourself from collapsing and

twisting when you sleep.

Seeking breathable bedding and health-friendly mattress ingredients is key to managing our body temperature while we sleep. Additionally, exploring pillows of various sizes and uses, and different mattress firmnesses will be just the thing to ensure our bodies are comfortable and aligned throughout the night.

So, when you purchase a bed, choose a mattress system that will last. Make sure to buy one that has durable, healthy materials, and customizable options you can adapt overtime. You will be well on the way to getting your sleep right, one step at a time. www.resthouse.ca Chris and the Resthouse team are passionate about helping people sleep better

Your one stop shop for natural products for home and body • more • more • more • more • more

sustainable fashions natural make up body products mens products natural pet supply

Come in for great natural products, organic produce and so much more!

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• more • more • more • more • more

healthy snacks natural bulk foods cleaning products vitamin selection household for YOU!

PRODUCE SECTION

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

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

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Getting Wild…. and Going Village; Re-Becoming Resilient!

The possibility of living more sustainably as a human species in the world is rooted in the need to ‘re-connect and more resilient’. Re-coming Villagers, re-skilling, rewilding, re-membering and re-connecting ! Throughout the islands communities we are seeing new combinations of programs/schools which have opened lately in our bio-region in order to serve this need.

Lori Austein, C.C.H.T., C.C.T.

Helping you create personal transformation •Certified Council Trainer & Facilitator •Certified Heart-Centered Hypnotherapist® •Transpersonal Life Coach Individual Hypnotherapy, Coaching Sessions & Workshops to Create Healthy New Patterns For Your Life: • Improve Relationships • Resolve Anxiety • Increase Self-esteem

• Heal Trauma • Get Unstuck • End Emotional Eating

Authentic Change for an Authentic Life www.loriaustein.com I (250) 597-7459 I leaustein@gmail.com

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Likewise OUR ECOVILLAGE & Thriving Roots Wilderness School is teaming up with other educators to host collaborative projects bringing together food/ farming, wilderness-skills and villagebuilding for children and youth. Both schools are a part of the 8-Shieds movement which works to reconnect people with nature, community and self. The 8 Shields work is unique for modern times but inspired by very ancient lineage. The premise is connection – not education or even recreation, but the feeling you get when you know something deeply.

Richard Louv defines the consequences of the lack of this the divorce between human and nature or as “Nature Deficit Disorder.”

He suggests that kids who play outside are less likely to get sick, feel anxious or aggressive and are generally more creative and adaptable to life’s circumstances. As a balance to this, Alaina Hallett, Director of Thriving Roots Wilderness School shares

that “for almost all of human history, people have taken their vitamin D from the sun.

They dug into the Earth and didn’t wash their vegetables.

They were either chasing or being chased. They could tell if a predator was near, just by listening to the birds. This way of being is deep in our bones. It’s why when people reconnect to nature, they are more grounded and peaceful, enlivened and creative.

They discover a sense of belonging and self worth that is inherent to their being, and yet constantly under attack by contemporary society.”

Collaboration is beginning with: 1) Thriving Roots Cowichan – River Otter Clan; weekly camp program, 2) “Food, Forest and Farm; Spring Break Camp” – run

by Victoria Nature School and OUR Ecovillage and 3) Coyote Mentoring Training; 8 Shields Model program.

Bringing together the public, private and Homeschool community circles is a natural fit for the BC Ministry of Education new curriculum… project based learning and enquiry based learning factor central in the design. Our next generation deserves the opportunity to build resilience as we move forward into the worlds challenges and opportunities of the future… and it becomes so important for all educators to work together towards this end. www.thrivingroots.org Submitted by Brandy Gallagher BSW, MA Image; Starhawk teaching OUR ‘Little Permaculture People Camp’

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

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E e a a R i F a a B M e s

T r p s a c c

“ w a s -

blocking off the heartpain we carry for our wounded planet in crisis,” says Jackie, “and blocking our heart-pain inhibits our capacity for joy and connection.”

Renew, Re-engage and Reconnect to Life – A Transformative Process for Difficult Times

T

ransition Cowichan, with the Cowichan Land Trust’s Estuary Nature Centre, are excited to bring Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler to lead a “Work That Reconnects Reconnecting to Life” retreat in the Cowichan Valley this February 10th and 11th. Maggie and Jackie – educators, activists and facilitators trained by ecoBuddhist philosopher Joanna Macy – have co-facilitated this experiential two-day process for seventeen years.

“Affected by the materialistic and individualistic dominant culture, we frequently seek personal causes and solutions to our emotional and spiritual emptiness,” Jackie explains. “Even when we’re engaged in activities for change, we’re often busy defending and protecting ourselves from painful feelings - despair, a sense of futility, anger and grief – because we don’t think we can handle these feelings if we express them.”

ECOLOGICALLY ORIENTED • Landscaping & Design • Property maintenance • Ecosystem restoration

François Léonard 250 710 2652

twistedvinelandscaping@gmail.com

This February, through a group process pioneered by Joanna Macy, we’ll have the opportunity to open our hearts with compassion to the suffering of all beings, speak our truths and be heard, and experience the interconnected and interdependent nature of our lives. Reconnecting to Life offers a joyous relationship to creativity, to the human community and to the land.

This retreat integrates a wide range of ideas and experiential processes. Participants are supported to engage heart, mind and spirit in renewing their connection to themselves, their community and all life on earth.

Jackie and Maggie will share practices that allow us to name our deepest concerns about these difficult times, deepen our ecological consciousness, grow our ecological literacy so we can step more fully into our place in the web of life, and move forward in heart-felt, thoughtful and sustainable ways.

“As people concerned about our world -- whether as activists, artists, farmers, educators, scientists, or concerned observers -- we often find ourselves

Reconnecting to Life emerges from the historical movements for social justice and environmental sustainability, as well as from spiritual traditions

that honour the earth as sacred.

Drawing on deep ecology, systems theory and modern science, it offers a powerful opportunity to shift and access greater resilience and energy for renewed action.

This two-day non-residential retreat is $140 per person.

Some partial bursaries are available. For information and registration contact: info@ transitioncowichan.org.

Image above; Workshop facilitator Jackie Larkin (pictured here) will work with co-facilitator Maggie Ziegler to deliver this powerful, experiential workshop

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Manor Bridge

Tofino West Coast Seedy Saturday Seed Exchange and Garden Show

S

pring is around the corner so let’s get excited about gardening!

Gardening on Vancouver Island, as we all know, is a great joy.

Mild temperatures year round render new buds on trees, spring flowers in February and all your relations from afar, green with envy. Out on the West Coast of Vancouver Island along the Pacific Rim, gardeners, like the rest of the island, love growing greens and beans in abundance, with the true test of our skill being a fruiting and ripe tomato plant or an ear of corn. Every

year brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to learn and expand on from our last year’s wins and defeats.

farming, beekeeping, composting and more.

page1image5881568 Tofino Community Food The West Coast Seedy Initiative would like Saturday is Tofino, Ucluelet to take this moment to and surrounding communities’ invite you. Our town is annual opportunity to expand still quite quiet around on our collective knowledge this time of year and it’s of gardening in challenging, an chance to reconnect rocky, overly wet conditions with the raw energy of and to celebrate our tiny plots the Pacific Ocean. Come of soil or raised beds. It’s also enjoy a day with fellow a opportunity to celebrate our gardeners to exchange farmers - fishermen, oyster your saved seeds, take in farmers and gatherers who add a workshop, gain advice to our local food story. Over the from local growers years we’ve strived to produce and master gardeners an event that isn’t just for our and purchase your community but, an event that is seeds for the upcoming slightly off the beaten path and season from Island seed might be of interest to our fellow suppliers. Featured backyard enthusiasts from across vendors include a farmers co-op island. Included in the past have table with organic and free range been workshops about oyster meats, fresh eggs, plant starts, mushroom logs and other garden/ food related vendors.

“The Conscious Gardener” talk will be held by Connie Kuramoto. Gardening can be a great tool to increase our awareness. A good gardener must use all their senses in order to tune in and work with nature. Come join Connie as she explains how to start your garden or renew the connection and passion in your garden with a more complete awareness of what is going on.

Just starting your garden?

Gardening with children? Attend the “Beginner West Coast Garden” workshop (perfect for parents and their kids.) Learn what plants grow best in our climate and the ones the kids love the best! Walk away with a garden plan and a few seeds

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planted and ready to go into your spring garden. This workshop will be led by Leah Austin.

There is also an abundance of kids activities including a planting and activity table. The Tofino Botanical Gardens also provide unlimited space to play and explore. Don’t forget to say hi to the goats!

Lunch, coffee, tea, and snacks will be available for purchase at Darwin’s Cafe. Please bring cash.

Looking for more details? Like us on Facebook Tofino Community Food Initiative, follow us on Instagram instagram.com/ tofinolocalfood and check us out at tofinocomminityfoodinitiative.com.

February 24, 10am - 3pm ofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino Suggested admission donation $2 & suggested workshop donation $5 For vendor information please contact: tofinolocalfood@gmail.com

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

www.dinternursery.ca

TIME TO PLANT FRUIT TREES!

Fruit Tree Pruning

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ruit trees in the yard can produce an abundant supply of food every fall. To keep your trees healthy and productive, some basic pruning must be done in late winter before the tree leaf’s out. One wants to create an open structure that admits light and permits air circulation to reduce disease. This is done by training the branches to radiate out from the centre and removing crossing branches.

First step is to remove the ‘3 D’s’ or dead, diseased, and damaged wood.

Check for live wood by scratching the bark to see if it is green and moist under the bark. Cut back to a healthy bud or lateral branch. Then remove crossing branches and those growing towards the centre. Keep the height down by removing vertical branches at their origin or cutting back to a lateral shoot or an outward facing bud. This will create a tree with branches gently radiating up and away from the centre.

Finally look at last year’s growth on the ends of the branches and head back by about 1/3 to an outward facing bud.

This last bud will grow into an outward growing shoot. The buds below will produce lateral branches, creating a fuller tree. Next year some of the extra lateral branches can be removed.

Most fruit trees including apple, pear, plum and cherry produce short stubby branches with a swollen bud. These are fruit spurs with flower buds, when pollinated, will swell into fruit. Look out for these to anticipate how much fruit to expect. Older ones without a plump bud can be removed. Peaches are different and fruit only on last season’s wood.

It is best to give the tree a light pruning every year instead of a hard pruning after having missed a few years. Hard pruning can trigger excessive growth that becomes difficult to manage. A few minutes of attention in late winter will yield an abundant crop of healthy fruit.

Bernie Dinter Horticulturist and owner of Dinter’s Nursery

Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 am Saturday, March 3 at 10 am BASIC FRUIT TREE PRUNING

Demonstration of basic pruning of fruit trees and small fruits with Bernie Dinter

Shipments of new fruit trees arriving weekly.

Will be fully stocked by mid-February.

Adding fruit trees to your garden gives home grown food that increases every year as the trees grow.

Saturday, Feb. 17, 10am -3 pm MASTER GARDENER CLINIC

Bring your questions for detailed answers from local gardeners.

Catalogues Now Available Serving local gardeners since 1973

250 748 2023

5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1

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Why Do Some Flowers Bloom in the Winter?

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or many of us on the island, the first glimpse of a snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is a telltale sign that we’ve made it through winter and spring will soon be on its way.

But from an evolutionary perspective, it would seem counter-intuitive for a flowering plant to bloom in the late winter.

After all, insects are scarce and aren’t available to distribute pollen from flower to flower.

Why do snowdrops spend so much energy to push delicate white blossoms through the icy cold snow? As it turns out, it remains a bit of a mystery in the scientific world, but there are some theories.

With over 350,000 flowering plants worldwide, competition is fierce, and for some species, doing things differently can result in success. Snowdrops are able to flower in cold weather because flowers develop internally in the bulbs during the previous summer. They inhabit forest floors and, by the time spring is in full swing, they are shaded out by other species. Therefore, early flowering means full access to the sun without shade from competing neighbours.

While snowdrops can reproduce sexually through the transfer of pollen from one flower to the next, they primarily multiple via their bulbs, and when reproducing by bulbs, the new plants are identical clones of one another.

While reproduction by seed is

Open 9am to 9pm!

DAILY 1606 Joan Avenue 250-324-2249

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rare in snowdrops, it turns out that the seeds exude substances that attract ants, who aid in seed dispersal. Flowers are cross pollinated by early season bees, but snowdrops also selfpollinate. Perhaps the most interesting finding about snowdrops is related to the green dots that are found on their tepals, the petal-like organs that create the blossom. Like many flowers, the colour and shape of the tepals are used to guide insects to the pollen and nectar sources. But studies have shown that a second function is performed by the green dots, too: these dots aid in photosynthesis, and this is why producing a flower without shade in early spring would be quite beneficial. Another advantage to spring flowering is the avoidance of drought and heat. By the time the warmer late spring temperatures arrive, snowdrops are finished flowering, and can send sugars and nutrients down to the bulbs to store away for the rest of the season.

Dan Jason of Saltspring Seeds

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he Cowichan Valley Garden Club will be 65 years old this year. The club is a vibrant community of garden enthusiasts who share gardening information and knowledge. There is enthusiastic participation in flower and garden exhibits and all other activities that advance the enjoyment of gardening.

The club meets at 7pm every second Wednesday of each month except in July and August.

There is an annual flower show on May 26th and a plant sale on April 21st. The club organizes bus tours to public and private gardens, workshops on garden related topics as well as visits to members’ gardens.

February’s guest speaker is Dan Jason of Salt Spring Seed

Company. Dan is a writer, lecture and has been a passionate food grower since he planted his back yard at age 13. Dan is committed to empowering people to grow their own food and save their own seeds. For more than 30 years, as owner of the heirloom and organic seed company, Salt Spring Seeds, Dan has been promoting safe and sustainable agriculture and is gratified to see so many communities embracing this concept. Since 2002 he has been president of the not for profit Salt Spring Sanctuary Society which now has an active community seed bank plus allotment gardens.

They send out over 50,000 seeds packets annually around the globe of hundreds of varieties of organically grown, open-pollinated, untreated and non-GMO vegetables, grains, culinary and medicinal herbs and flower seeds, including many unusual varieties. Salt Spring Seeds is the largest small seed company in Canada that sells its own seeds. Dan has written many gardening books including the recent best seller, The Power of Pulses. In his presentation to the Cowichan Valley Garden Club, titled Growing More Food in Uncertain Times, he will speak on growing food locally and will also discuss his latest book, Awesome Ancient Grains and Seeds. Seeds and Books will be available to purchase.

February 23, 7-9 pm St. John’s Church Hall, 486 Jubilee St Duncan.

Now, when you spot your first snowdrop of spring, you’ll have a good idea why this pretty, eager and early flower has arrived!

Kailli Pigott, Dancing Dandelion Farms has a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Biology. www.danci ngdandelion.ca

All new high efficiency machines!

DOUBLE, TRIPLE & QUAD front load washer extractors Oversize gas dryers

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

Niki and Nick, Tatlo Road Farm

February 23rd is CSA Day!

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Niki Strutynski is the owner/ operator of Tatlo Road Farm, a Certified Organic vegetable farm in Crofton.

ebruary may not be the time of year when you’re thinking about fresh Cowichan cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries…

But if you’re interested in joining a CSA this season, now is precisely the time to start thinking about local produce!

Community Supported Agriculture or “CSA” is a term that has come to represent a range of direct farm marketing partnerships where community members support their local farm

by pre-paying for a season’s worth of produce. Members usually pay in advance for a set amount and then in turn receive a weekly share of produce starting later in the spring and over the course of the season, as the harvest comes in.

The concept began out east over 30 years ago as way for community members to better connect with local food and farmers. Today CSA programs take on many formats and may contain much more than vegetables, including items such as bread, eggs, and more. Here in the Cowichan we even have a Community Supported Fishery that works the same way, as well as the Happy Goat cheese club which is also a type of CSA. On our farm we have two forms of CSA: a Harvest Box program and our Farm Friend Card. The Harvest Box is a more traditional CSA where members pay in advance for 16 weeks of produce. Then starting in June they receive a box of fresh seasonal vegetables every week up until mid-October.

Our Farm Friend Card, on the other hand, is a more modern take on the CSA and is akin to a pre-paid debit card: customers purchase a card for a set amount in the winter or early spring and then use

it throughout the season to purchase produce from us at the farmer’s market.

Regardless of the format, CSA programs are very beneficial to farmers as they help us with early season planning (“How many carrots should I grow this year?”) as well as all those early season expenses such as seeds and supplies. This is why CSA Day was started! In 2015 a bunch of CSA farms realized it would be great to remind folks that it’s time to sign up for the coming season good and early, so they started CSA Day on the last Friday of February. The movement has taken off and now more people sign up for their local CSA on this day than any other across North America. You can find more information about CSA Day and even search for a CSA program in your area at csaday.info.

Here in the Cowichan there are number of CSA programs and I encourage you to check them out sooner rather than later. Find a program that is the right fit for you and your family, and connect with a local farm- it’s a great way to eat local and support our Cowichan farmers! And sign up now- it’s not too early! www.tatloroadfarm.com

Cowichan Valley Naturalists Plants are fascinating; fungi are fascinating. But for sheer entertainment value, it’s difficult to beat plants plus fungi! Fungi have been associated with plants since the earliest plants colonized land, and are requisite partners of almost all of our familiar Pacific Northwest plants. Join Andy MacKinnon, forest ecologist and co-author of the wellknown book series, Plants of British Columbia, in this exploration of the fruitful union of two of his favorite Kingdoms. Tuesday, February 20 7:30 pm, Freshwater Ecocentre, 1080 Wharncliffe Rd, Duncan.

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Crazywise Join us in community as we explore ways of transforming and treating a mental health crisis.

We’ll share lessons learned from those who have successfully navigated psychological crisis, and teachings from indigenous cultures, community support and peer mentorship. In sharing this film with you we hope to restore connections and conversations among families and reawaken hope of recovery in the face of overwhelming stigma and fear.

Discussion afterwards; please join us! This film is co-sponsored

by Canadian Mental Health Association - Cowichan Valley and Duncan United Church Social Justice. February 8, 7pm Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram St, Duncan

Ou Gallery Shows After a winter hiatus, The Ou Gallery, a contemporary art space located in Duncan, is excited to be kicking off our 2018 exhibition season

featuring work from our Artists in Residence. What is an Artist Residency? They come in all shapes & sizes but is essentially when a gallery/collective hosts artists for a period of time & helps support their practice & projects. We’re thrilled to welcome 3 artists this month from Newfoundland, Oregon & Los Angeles (and from Denmark, Germany & Luxembourg later in the year!). You can come check out their paintings, photographs & sculptures in our updated exhibition space & visit them in their studios throughout the month. Friday, February 9, 6-9pm,’Patience’ sculptures & paintings by artist in residence, Lu Volker from Oregon. Artist talk at 7pm. Saturday, February 24, 6-9pm, ‘Yours Truly’ a popup installation of photographs & paintings by Los Angeles artist in residence, Serge Serum Both events FREE New hours Tuesday – Saturday from 1-5pm.

3091 Agira Rd. Duncan. www.theougallery.com

Cowichan Hospice. Stanton is cast as a 90 year old atheist, Lucky, living in an American Midwest desert town, who has outlived and outsmoked all his contemporaries and finds new meaning in his last stage of life.”

Tuesday, February 27, 7:00 p.m. at Cowichan Performing Arts Centre,

with a distinctive thick and smoky vocal while playing a jazz tinged blues guitar. Jasmine Colette, aka Badlands Jazz, is the rhythm section who not only commands the upright bass but also keeps the swing with both feet while singing harmonies. www.bluemoonmarquee.com February 28, 7-10pm, Blue Moon Marquee & Ryan McNally live at The Ou Gallery. $15 at the door.

3091 Agira Rd. Duncan www.theougallery.com

Lila Community Choir

Blue Moon Marquee Stemming from the Badlands of the Rocky Mountain prairies, Blue Moon Marquee is a self-styled gypsy blues band.

This authentic duo writes and performs original compositions influenced by early blues, swing, and ragtime. A.W. Cardinal, a Metis of Cree heritage, howls

The Lila Community Choir and Lila Family Choir will begin again on Weds Feb 21 at 5:30 PM, for all who would like to welcome the joy of song into their lives. ”I came wanting to sing, but very shy about my voice. This choir is a safe, welcoming and fun space to find my voice and sing,” (Nancy Surkes) -“Your choir is music therapy” (Zoe Dalton) joythroughmusic.com

Cowichan Valley Arts Council presents Cowichan’s largest open Show and Sale

May 2-6, 2018

Reel Alternatives Movie Night Reel Alternatives presents “LUCKY”featuring Harry Dean Stanton’s final role. A Reel Alternatives film fundraiser for

Portals and Cowichan Suite in the Island Savings Centre Registration April 5-8 Details: www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

Special 3 Course Dinner for Valentines Day… Call us today to book your table OPEN MON - FRI 11:30am / SAT & SUN 10am MILL BAY MARINA • 740 HANDY RD • 778-356-3568 www.bridgemans.ca

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LIVE MUSIC ON SUNDAYS! 4 -7PM

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

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s

Artisan Designs

TODD MCANEELEY HAND-CRAFTED ARTISTIC WOOD PIECES

Masimba Marimba Spring Dance

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asimba Marimba has really exciting news that will help the community bring up the energy to greet the Spring.

Firstly, at our mid-February dance at the Mercury Theatre, we have the huge honour and delight of very special Zimbabwean guest musician Zivanai Masango from San Diego coming to join us. As well as being a solo artist, Zivanai is a sought after session player, and has toured with Zimbabwean pop superstars Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mutukudzii. He plays multiple instruments, is a talented guitar player and singer, and a deeply soulful being. (Incidentally, while he’s here, Zivanai will be teaching some workshops.

Those interested should contact Ted Wright.)

We also have the pleasure of featuring our teacher and talented musician, Ted Wright, skilled at playing marimba, mbira and percussion. A long-time member of the well-

loved band, Marimba Muzuva, Ted, through his Bopoma Community Music, actively brings the joy of learning to play the infectious rhythms and melodies of Southern African music to many happy students of all levels both here in the Valley and in Victoria. A group of his Bopoma students called Machikichori will open the evening.

Our marimba band’s name, Masimba, is a word in the Zimbabwean Shona language which, to us, means ‘Strength Together’. Masimba is a collective of all our musical, spiritual and emotional qualities combining to create our unique group, made stronger and stronger over time.

Adding the two exceptional musicians – Zivanai and Ted - to the mix promises to make our Dance an amazing night.

We plan to share an abundance of new songs to weave in with old favourites, several of which came to us from Zivanai himself. Masimba is just

Mugs Plates Bowls Vases Vessels Honey Pots Tea Pots Urns Shakers & more!

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

FEBRUARY 2-MARCH 2

Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs 251 Craig St., Downtown Duncan

imaginethatartisans.com I 250-748-6776

TWELVE TALENTED TEENS PORTALS GALLERY PRESENTS •Cherry Point Painters on until February16 •Work by talented Youth Outreach Program members February 19- March 10

ARBUTUS GALLERY PRESENTS •World War I exhibit from the Royal BC Museum on until February 16

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

bursting with joy to share this evening with you!

Come and contribute to the evening with your presence, good feelings and your dancing feet on Saturday February 17th 7:15 pm at the Mercury Theatre 331 Brae Road, Duncan. Tickets are $15 in advance from The Community Farm Stores and $17 at the door.

MARGOT PAGE

Enamelling on Copper and Steel

Studio Visits by Appointment 250-746-8446 7113 Osborne Bay Rd, Duncan I www.margotpage.com

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Taryn O’Gorman Designs 1 778 554 5434 www.tarynogorman designs.com

FB: Taryn O’Gorman Designs Instagram: togdesigns Studio visits available by appointment.

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self described aesthetic hedonist, Taryn O’Gorman pursued beauty in many forms beginning in arts at Camosun College, then furthering her skills at the Kootenay School of Arts in the Jewelry and Small Object Design program and then immersing herself in Billy King’s tutelage at his school in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Here she was urged to push herself to create pieces that exceeded her known boundaries and to not settle for resting on the laurels of past designs.

“Since I was just a kid, I had always loved both Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

Not only for the design

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inspiration, but also for the sentiment behind those movements… The fact that art became part of the everyday vernacular. All daily life objects were created to be beautiful as well as functional. I had been sewing hats, clothing and custom textiles for a few years.

Beadwork and simple crafted adornments. I began to work in the theatre; costumes and props… Trying to find ways of creating, not just sewing.”

Her career as a jeweller began with a heavy box of well loved jewellers tools which had been given to her to inspire. “. I carried this box around with me for years, every move, every new home, every new town… I was finally motivated to break the tools out when I wanted to create interesting custom closures and adornments for the goods I was sewing.

When I figured that it was possible to manipulate the metal like I could fabric, I was hooked. No looking back!

Taryn mostly works in sterling silver, but often accents with copper- “for the richness and the contrast against the silver” she adds.

Semi and precious stones also feature strongly in her pieces.

She also has experimented with found materials, antique

Sterling silver cuff with tourmaline and ruby. Hand hammered and formed.

One of a kind, private commission. Signed and dated.

Talking Arts Taryn O’Gorman buttons, industrial mementos, old medals, cutlery. If it is beautiful she will work with it.

“Jewelry serves the purpose of ceremony. It informs others of our celebrations.

It helps us mark a personal triumph.

It symbolizes a passage, to the next level, or through a rough patch- life’s challenges. An outward expression, or an inner reminder of our strengths when we need it most… It is a talisman. A trophy.

It is deeply personal and never trivial.”

Necklace of dendrite, set in sterling silver.

Strung with raw and faceted grey and black moonstones, labradorite, rubies, and jasper. One of a kind.

All of Taryn’s work is handmade, one of a kind and original. For more information about current selection, commissions or custom work visit her website www.tarynogormandesigns.com.

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as this is the future, we believe.

To start off the year, we are offering a workshop entitled “Upcycling Canning Jars”, on February 13th, in our boardroom at Cowichan Green Community, 360 Duncan Street. The workshop is all about making ordinary canning jars into extraordinary on-the-go hot beverage or soup/stews etc. containers by creating a custom designed “jar sweater” from felted wool sweater scraps. There are two times available: 10 AM to 2 PM or 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This workshop is Free, snacks and supplies will be provided.

Space is limited so please register early. Registrations can be taken in the store or by emailing leslie@ cowichangreencommunity.org

Upcycling Workshops First, what exactly is Upcycling?

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pcycling is a term used to describe anything that is reused or repurposed from old, unwanted things. Rather than recycling, which refers to the breakdown of a product into its original raw material form, upcycling transforms a product from its original use to something that will provide better use and give greater benefit to the owner.

Additionally, upcycling also keeps an abundance of material out of the landfill, most particularly textiles.

During 2016, we at the Garden Pantry Store began to embrace Upcycling as a way to reduce landfill dumping of things we thought we could Upcycle for sale in our store, and by giving Upcycling Workshops in partnership with New Horizons for Seniors. We have volunteer sewers and artisans who make wonderful products for sale in the store, very talented Upcycling Artisan Vendors whose products we sell under our Vendor Showcase program and the Upcycling Workshops brought a lot of attention to Upcycling and a lot of participation in our workshops.

So for 2018, we are continuing to be very enthusiastic about our in-store Upcycling initiatives and have also decided to continue offering Upcycling workshops, throughout this year and hopefully well into the future,

Future workshops will include a number of the ever popular Upcycling Men’s Shirts into Aprons, Upcycling T-shirts into t-yarn, shopping bags,scarves etc, Upcycling felted Wool Sweaters into Tea Cosies, Coffee press covers, device covers and of course canning jar sweaters… to mention just a few! These workshops will have a fee attached to them, but all supplies are included.

The exact focus of the workshops, the dates and times will be published by Feb. 01, 2018 on the Garden Pantry section website at https:// cowichangreencommunity. org/the-station/garden-pantrystore/ Garden Pantry Store Cowichan Green Community 360 Duncan Street, Duncan (beside The Garage Cafe) Submitted by Leslie Rault

UPCYCLING CANNING JARS

February 13th, 360 Duncan St. Two workshop times: 10AM-2PM or 5:30-8:30PM

Make ordinary canning jars into extraordinary on-the-go hot beverage/soup containers by creating custom designed “jar sweaters” from felted wool scraps.

Designs only limited by your imagination!

ISLAND HELLERWORK

HELLERWORK AND COUNSELLING

MELISSA BROWN www.islandhellerwork.com islandhellerwork@gmail.com 250-661-1687 50% off first session for new clients ALIGN, CONNECT, EMBODY

Zak Stolk Violin Maker

25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition.

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

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

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Notes on chocolate by Duncan Chocolatier, Cheryl Painter Yonge

“Love” is a word we hear all the time from our customers at Chocolate Pearl in Downtown Duncan.

If they’re not using the word to describe the ambiance of the shop, they use it to describe how our

chocolates look and taste.

Even after less than a year of business, we now have regulars who have professed their love for Chocolate Pearl chocolates.

Needless to say, that’s something we love to hear.

right here in the Cowichan Valley. Just some of the local products we use include wine from Unsworth Vineyards, ale

The other thing that people love about our shop is that each and every chocolate that we produce at Chocolate Pearl is handmade, right in our shop using ingredients from

NEW STYLES FOR SPRING ARE ARRIVING!

FAIR TRADE, NATURAL FIBRES, BAMBOO February Open Sunday to Friday

Prudence

Natural Skincare & Cosmetics • 155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

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www.prudencenaturalbeauty.ca

f D V t a V a y m l b o D

“ s m (

I e m T i m k

B m i I m t m i N d e h i r s

from Red Arrow, coffee from Drumroaster, sea salt from Vancouver Island Salt Co., tea from Westholme Tea Farm and lavender from Cowichan Valley Lavender. And those are just the local companies you may have heard of. Many more of our ingredients, like apples and rhubarb, are bought a block away from our shop on Saturdays at the Duncan Farmers Market!

“Nigel! We’re out of fresh strawberries, run down to the market and get some, OK?” (Yes Dear.)

In the future we’ll be experimenting with many more local ingredients too.

This year don’t be surprised if you see chocolates on our menu made with local nuts, kiwifruit, cherries and more.

Buying products that are made locally using local ingredients is a no brainer.

It’s called the “Localvore” movement and it’s a trend that’s rapidly gaining momentum, not just here in Cowichan, but all over North America. Not only does the practice help the environment, it makes for healthier eating and most important, your dollars stay right here in the Valley, not at some head office in Victoria

or Vancouver.

The other thing people love about our locally made chocolates is that they look better, taste better and have none of the chemicals inherent in the mass made ones snuck in from out of town. If you love Cowichan as much as you love your Sweety, consider giving handmade, artisanal chocolates from Chocolate Pearl. At our lovely Craig Street location, Cheryl and Nigel have a divine assortment of Valentine’s Day chocolate gifts that we’d love to wrap up for you.

Chocolate Pearl, 133 Craig St, downtown Duncan. www.chocolatepearl.ca

Cheryl Painter Yonge is head chocolatier and co-owner of Chocolate Pearl

Violet Reynolds, RMT, CASE, RDYT500 Classes: Somatics and Somatic Yoga Individual Appointments:Clinical Somatics

www.duncanwellnesscentre.com

250 748-6600

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I

t’s February, and once again Valentines’ Day is just around the corner…a day which can strike fear into the hearts of men - young and old alike.

What to do for a gift? What to buy, what size, price, colour, scent or no scent…etc etc.

May we suggest the gift of a box of great quality, fair trade certified Rogers’ Chocolates?

Generally considered a woman’s favourite treat, chocolate’s not only exciting to look at and smell, but it can also make you feel sexier when you eat it!

There’s a biological basis for chocolate’s sexy effects. Dark chocolate possesses substances that affect our moods, energy, and overall function in truly remarkable ways.

JOIN US FOR

LUNCH + DINNER

OPEN Tuesday

Happy Hour 3-5pm

to Saturday

look for our daily specials on 40 Ingram Street

www.theoldfirehouse.ca

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Downtown Duncan

(250) 597-3473

Stimulating and elevating your mood, dark chocolate is known as a super libido food partly because it is a rich source of PEA, or phenylethylamine, sometimes referred to as the “romance chemical.” As a stimulant and mood elevator, PEA can induce sensations of euphoria—and it’s naturally released by your brain when you’re in love. This chemical enhances feelings of well-being, joy, and pleasure.

Acting as an energy booster, chocolate really packs an aphrodisiac punch because it also contains a compound which works on the central nervous system, causing us to feel stimulated and excited. Wahoo!

Dark chocolate is also a hearthealthy food, lowers blood pressure, helps prevent plaque

buildup in the arteries, improves blood flow through the heart, lowers cholesterol, prevents memory decline, heart disease and stroke among many other benefits.

All that while satisfying a deep inner urge to indulge in delicious chocolate!

Another major benefit to giving the gift of great chocolates to your Valentine is that it’s easy for them to share with you, so you can both experience the chocolate high! Sounds like a win win!

The perfect accompaniment to your chocolate gift is a beautiful card, to profess your love for your Valentine. Records show approximately 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.

A great card can help you express your love and be a beautiful keepsake to remember that awesome Valentines’ 2018!

At Little Bird in Duncan we specialize in great Valentines’ Day cards and delicious Rogers’ Chocolates, plus we wrap!

Come and see us!

Little Bird, 163 Station St. downtown Duncan 250 748 6861

Coleslaw Deserves Better Than Mayo Olive Station Honey Lime Slaw, With Tangy Pickled Carrots

Recipe courtesy Grant Easterbrook, The Olive Station

Coleslaw Ingredients 1/4 head 1/4 head 1/4 head 1/4 Cup 3 1 Tsp 1 1/2 Cups

Red Cabbage Green Cabbage Iceberg Lettuce Cilantro Fresh Peeled Carrots Coarse Salt Premium White Balsamic Vinegar

Dressing Ingredients 1 Tbsp 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 tsp 2 Tbsp

Serrano Honey White Balsamic Toasted Sesame Premium Olive Oil Lime Juice Minced Garlic Sesame Seeds for garnish

Method

To prepare pickled carrots -julienne carrots into a bowl.

Add 1 tsp coarse salt. Cover with Premium White Balsamic Vinegar. Store in fridge until needed.

To prepare coleslaw base - thinly slice purple and green cabbage, iceberg lettuce and fresh cilantro. Mix in large bowl. Top with pickled carrots.

Mix dressing ingredients in small bowl and whisk together. Drizzle mixed dressing over coleslaw vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds.

This coleslaw is a great side dish for chicken, pork, Asian meals.

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February is Heart Health Month Tina Foster, RHN is a registered holistic nutritionist in Duncan MineTheHarvest@ hotmail.com 2507488774

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s February is heart month, we remind you to take greater care of your ticker!

Millions of North Americans suffer from heart disease. An early sign of this occurring or a big risk factor is what is called ‘Metabolic Syndrome’, characterized by high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol and triglycerides, being overweight especially around the middle, and diabetes/ glucose or insulin disturbances.

Elevated insulin levels are the underlying metabolic denominator of these conditions, and so first and foremost I want to emphasize the need to cut refined carbs/sugar. These are not natural, your body doesn’t like them, and your heart and other organs are harmed by excess consumption. Elevated insulin / blood sugars=inflammation.

Most people can lower blood cholesterol and pressure, and get themselves out of the risk zone by focusing on diet, exercise and lifestyle choices, nutritional supplementation and plant-based medicines.

In addition to cutting processed carbs and sugar, it is encouraged to limit packaged foods and return to a whole foods, largely plant-based natural diet. Lean proteins, including nuts and seeds,

legumes and sprouts, wild salmon, free-run and organic poultry, healthy essential fats such as avocados, nut/seed butters, flax, and olives, and complex carbs in moderation like buckwheat, quinoa, yams and squashes. Lots and lots of vegetables especially greens, and some fruit. This diet is high in fiber and full of nutrients for a healthy body. It is vital to drink at least 8-10 cups of water daily and herbal teas can be drank in addition if desired, for implementing nutrients into the bloodstream and circulating throughout. Aerobic exercise daily(that in which gets your heart beating quicker and you breathing and oxygenating more), is vital too. This will also help you to achieve a closer to ideal body weight for yourself. Even 20 minutes in addition to your daily activities is beneficial. For extra benefit aim for at least 30-45 minutes 3-5 days/week of brisk walking, jogging, cycling, hiking, etc. Swimming and winter sports are also forms of aerobic exercise. Aerobics (aka Jane Fonda workout- I did this!) can be so fun- and some do well with a structured workout like a video or class, and is a great way to get motivated and moving! Other important lifestyle tips are quitting smoking and to manage stress.

Here are a few all natural cardiovascular supplements to aid in your circulatory health, and to help prevent disease: PROVASCIN is an excellent comprehensive blend by Purica, to assist in weight management, reduction of stress, support healthy cholesterol levels, relief of chronic venous insufficiency, and removes toxic tissue waste. It consists of

continued on pg 41

Have a sound body and a sound mind...

“ Commit to be Fit!” Our passion is Fitness, Our success is Helping You! Please sign in online for classes.

Your first class is always FREE!

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5301 CHASTER ROAD, DUNCAN I 778 677 3749 WWW.FITYOURWAY.CA Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

A New Hope for Alzheimer’s Disease

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lzheimer’s Disease is not a mysterious untreatable brain disease – it is a reversible, metabolic/toxic, usually systemic illness with a relatively large window for treatment” – Dr Dale Bredesen There are over half a million Canadians currently living with dementia and 25 000 new cases diagnosed every year. Of those with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form and in those who are diagnosed over 65 years old, 65% are women.

According to current guidelines, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.

Because Alzheimer’s disease can be so devastating to individuals and their families, it is no surprise that a healthy brain is a top priority for many.

In 2014, researcher-neurologist Dr Dale Bredesen published a paper that caught my attention.

Using a comprehensive approach continued from pg 40

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), L-carnitine, alpha ketoglutaric acid, betaine, chaga, alpha lipoic acid, and Nutricol(broad spectrum antioxidant and anti inflammatory EGCg green tea and grapeseed extract). CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps to maintain and support cardiovascular health by protecting the cells’ energy factories—the mitochondria.

Natural levels of this in the body decline as we age. It also increases the contractility of the heart thus making more efficient its blood pumping. Statin usage interferes with CoQ10 production and so is recommended by medical authorities to protect the heart from damage. CoQ10 in this formula plays both a preventive and therapeutic role.

L-carnitine is an amino acid-like

to assessment and treatment, he reported that the reversal of cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s disease was possible. Since then he has published two more papers, trained hundreds of practitioners in his protocol and released a book, “The End of Alzheimer’s” this August.

After decades of research, the Bredesen team has discovered that the changes we see in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) come from a change in how the brain cells are communicating. There is a shift towards brain shrinkage and cell death, rather than renewal and growth.

While these changes are similar in everyone with AD, there are many root causes that lead to this common pathway. Dr Bredesen believes that no one should receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) without an investigation of the cause. He has identified several major cause sub-types – inflammatory, insulin resistant, deficient (in vitamins or hormones) and toxic (molds, metals and infections). The types can be identified with a thorough medical history and lab testing.

The beauty of this approach to prevention and reversal of symptoms is that it treats each individual’s unique biochemistry.

substance which promotes energy production within the cells by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria. This is particularly helpful within the muscle of the heart, where the mitochondria are dense. Alpha ketoglutaric acid also assists in cellular energy production and scavenges damaging free ammonia in the blood. Betaine neutralizes free homocysteine in the blood, whose elevated levels can cause damage to the cells lining the arteries and inflammation in the blood vessels causing arteriosclerosis. Chaga is an antioxidant that supports the heart, normalizes cholesterol ratios, and is adaptogenic for stress alleviation. Stress hormones can damage and inflame arteries and elevate triglycerides. Alpha lipoic acid helps regulate blood

Alzheimer’s Prevention

Intensive Workshop

March 3, 2018 • 9:30am - 3:30pm

th Dr Karina Wickland ND and wi Red Seal Chef and Holistic Nutritionist

Christina Acevedo

More information and registration at www.drwickland.com/workshops

A successful program will address multiple risk factors at once as there is a powerful synergy that occurs when you have a comprehensive approach.

Dr Bredesen has found it can take 3 – 12 months to make a real difference in cognitive symptoms.

The Bredesen Protocol is most successful for people with early signs of memory problems, who have a supportive

healthcare team and social network and who can commit seriously to a comprehensive plan.

In partnership with chef and holistic nutritionist, Christina Avecedo, I will be offering an intensive one-day workshop on March 3rd for people who want to learn how to apply the Bredesen Protocol in their own lives. Information and registration at 778 356 3306 or info@ drwickland.com

sugar, thus preventing glycation in the heart and arteries which causes stiffening and damage.

serve to support and maintain cardiovascular health and function.

MEDI-C PLUS was developed

by Dr. Gifford-Jones. It contains vitamin C, magnesium, and the essential amino acid L-lysine. High dose vitamin C and lysine have been found to increase collagen production, significantly strengthening coronary arteries. Vitamin C is a very important water-soluble free radical scavenging antioxidant.

Magnesium is the buffer, and is a regulator of heart rate. L-lysine is a building block of protein that repairs skin, effects healthy blood pressure, and has positive affects on mood and stress. Together these components of Medi-C help connective tissue formation and

HAWTHORN herb is renowned for its heart benefits as it dilates coronary blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and restores heart muscle.

It also helps to decrease fatty deposits, while increasing intracellular vitamin C levels.

Rich in various phytochemicals and nutrients, hawthorn is available as a tea, tincture, in capsules, and also as in a product called HeartDrops.

Your heart is of course vital to your life. Take care of your ticker, and it will take care of you!

Here’s to being well, circulating freely, and enjoying a full life!

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W

hen we are living in connection, we feel grounded, safe, and supported. When we learn how to connect with ourselves, we become available for connection with others in personal relationships that are stable and authentic. From this place we can also connect more deeply with community, where our presence is needed and transformative.

Connected living means creating greater and greater circles – self, family and friends, community, work and ultimately a sense of universal connection to all things.

In our work as Integrative Body Psychotherapists, we see many people who struggle with connection.

Even in their closest relationships, they experience anxiety and isolation, leading to depression and a feeling of simply playing a part, not fully present or alive.

How does it get so difficult,

especially in families and relationships where we expect love, to maintain a sense of connection?

The trouble begins when to feel connected to another person, we must forego our connection to ourselves – to our inner voice, our truth.

Many of us have learned to create connection by denying and ignoring our own needs, a habit that often begins when we’re quite young.

As a strategy to earn love, this works for a while, and is sometimes necessary – as anyone who’s ever spent time caring for a baby knows – but it’s not sustainable in the long term. If we ignore our needs for too long, we inevitably succumb to a powerful wave of resentment.

Connection also is troublesome when it seems like there’s too much expectation attached to it.

Some people feel profoundly inundated – flooded – by the feelings, needs, desires and activities of those around

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

250-597-3686

First appointment free!

David Yaeger

Certified Emotion Code Practitioner davidyaeger650@gmail.com https://www.healerslibrary.com/global-practitioner-map/ (find me just north of Duncan)

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Connected Living.

Personal Growth Seminars them. They crave space, breathing room, solitude. Do these people need connection any less than others? We don’t think so. We believe what they truly crave is connection to themselves.

The basic course in our Connected Living Seminars Series is the Core Awakening, four weekend workshops over four months, with support and online meetings in between. We help you identify what stands in the way of your living in connection with yourself and others. In addition to working with your personal patterns, we teach techniques and practices to remain present while interacting in daily life.

When you regain connection with your inner voice, you experience more aliveness, a stronger sense of yourself,

and healthier relationships.

As a group of four trained and certified Integrative Body Psychotherapists, we have created this educational program as a safe container for you to experience this profoundly transformational work.

Our first seminar will be February 23rd-25th, in Cowichan Bay. For more information, dates or to register please go to www. connectedlivingseminars.ca.

We would love to connect with you.

Submitted by Shawna Hett, Margie Gayle, Sybille Webb, Jodie McDonald 250 709 5501 connect@connected livingseminars.ca

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c a A B m H c m w S t m q g t p h

A i

Craniosacral Therapist Terri Bishop

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Grounding Point Health

rounding Point Health is an energy healing practice that combines Cranial Sacral Therapy and Integrated Energy Healing.

As an intuitive practitioner, Terri Bishop understands that each modality complements the other.

Her home-based practice offers clients a blend of these gentle modalities that she’s worked with over the past 15 years.

She incorporates non-invasive techniques such as mindful movement, breath work, medical qi gong, guided meditation, grounding, energy clearing, tapping, and Kundalini yoga postures as adjuncts to her energy healing work.

A central aim of Terri’s practice is to help clients feel safe in

JODIE MCDONALD, MSW RSW 250-580-2252 jodie@livingandbreathing.ca

the physical body. Using her Cranial Sacral skills of listening to the body while blending her therapeutic Integrated Energy Healing skills to sense energy blocks in the energetic field, Terri helps to create a space of deep listening and stillness. When a client is able to reach an inner state of deep relaxation, then the body is given the freedom needed to unwind and let go of old patterns. Ultimately, her work enables a client to get out of the mind and into the physical body where blocks can begin to release.

Terri has a particular interest in helping children, teens, and young adults come back into their bodies, so that they’re

Unwind and release the body’s own healing potential Cranialsacral Therapy RCST • Integrative Energy Healing Therapist • Kundalini Terri Bishop 1-778-288-7533 Yoga Classes

www.GroundPointHealth.com

able to feel connected again, without having to disconnect through drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, unsafe sex, internet addiction, self-abuse, or harmful relationships. Working with clients in palliative care has been a great joy and privilege for Terri, and she’s been volunteering with Cowichan Hospice for the past year and a half bringing her unique approach to grounding in the body.

In working with clients of all stages of life, from newborn babies to the elderly and palliative, Terri believes that Cranial Sacral Therapy and

IBP INTEGRATIVE BODY PSYCHOTHERAPISTS COUNSELLING AND HEALING BREATHWORK

Integrated Energy Healing are uniquely suited to help clients of all ages ground into the physical with body and breath awareness, to allow the mind to quiet, and to bring clients into the present where healing can take place. It is within this grounded state of stillness that personal healing unfolds, and we can touch into where we are stuck in our physical bodies, and where we need to be unwound from past injuries and traumas. For more information on Terri Bishop and her practice, please visit her website: groundingpointhealth. com, or call her Duncan office: 778-288-7533.

SYBILLE WEBB, MEd 250-715-6957 sybillewebb@shaw.ca

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Grade 8 students preforming the Lion King Musical

A Great 8 Program

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n 2014, Brentwood College School responded to the demand in the Cowichan Valley created by the government decision to remove all middle schools and integrate the Grade 8s into the high school system.

In response, Brentwood introduced a preparatory Grade 8 class for day students.

This program provides the opportunity for a superior educational experience, specially designed for the middle school learner. It acts as a bridge to high school, giving Grade 8s the opportunity to prepare themselves for secondary learning and beyond.

The program is now in its 4th year and has been a great success. Students are able to ease into the Brentwood curriculum in a highly supported environment while being introduced to various aspects of the School program.

Brentwood prides itself on being a modern, innovative place of learning and this program is designed to support that tradition. While an extension of the Grade 9- 12 school, the Brentwood Grade 8 class has its own independent timetable, focus and attention.

This environment prepares successful candidates for the main school’s university preparatory program and beyond.

Experiential learning is at the heart of the Grade 8 experience and the students start off fully embracing this concept.

Every year begins with an off-campus adventure. After this experience, bonds are created and the students are ready to start off their year-long academic journey on a positive note.

During all three terms, in conjunction with all the fun they have, students also manage to get down to the business of school. Skill acquisition is the cornerstone of the program.

There is a recognition that students acquire and develop skills at different rates and the program works to cater to these. Important life skills are practiced and developed including: time management, organization, self-advocacy, assessment preparation, and mindfulness training.

In addition, supporting the tripartite philosophy of the school, sports teams and fine arts groups are buoyed along by our young Grade 8 participants.

The Grade 8 program is a rewarding one that enriches both the students in the program and all the students of Brentwood College School.

Find out more about this new Grade 8 program at grade8@ brentwood.bc.ca Submitted by Ian McPherson, Brentwood College School

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e

y

Twelve Talented Teenagers

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owichan Valley Arts Council (CVAC) are pleased to present the 2017/8 cohort of their Youth Outreach Program, which offers artistic mentoring and development opportunities to grade 10 -12 students from the Cowichan Valley.

These highly talented twelve students have been following their dreams of artistic excellence in a variety of genres with the help and support of the professional team at CVAC. Now it is time to show off their efforts in this year’s “Studentworks” exhibition, many students from the Youth Outreach Program go onto study their chosen medium in colleges and universities throughout Canada, some have even gone as far as Europe.

Opening on Monday Feb 19th from 12pm in Portals Art Space at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan, they will show work in oils, acrylics, graphic art, portraiture, writing, music and dance photography. The work is the result of a rolling two year study program so some of these youngsters have been shown here before, others are showing their work for the very first time in a professionally hung exhibition.

The gallery will close at 4p.m. on Monday 26th to enable the artists to receive a live personal critique from a team of three local art professionals, which

is an important part of their development as artists, within the program provided by CVAC. Come along to the opening evening, Monday 19th Feb from 5-7pm to meet them all and hear live music performed by some of the students, or visit throughout the show to see their magnificent efforts and if you know someone with artistic talent, collect an application form to apply for a position on the program beginning this September. Applications are welcome from all students studying in the valley who will be in grades 10-12 in September, regardless of whether they are in school or home educated. A small bursary is paid annually to ensure the student can afford the professional tools of their craft.

Show dates are Monday 19th February – 10th March Monday to Friday 12-6pm Saturdays 12-3pm early closing at 4pm on February 22nd and 26th. Come and meet our team.

CVAC are launching a new series of children’s art and expression workshops for this Spring. Starting on Family Day, February 12th, at the Island Saving Centre, at 12 noon for 4 hrs. Children (7 -11yrs) with their parents, or custodians, can enjoy an afternoon of creative fun, entry by donation.

Submitted by Gill Riordan CVAC Youth Outreach Coordinator

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Take a Tour of Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary & Middle School

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very student at Queen of Angels is valued and respected for their individual talent and uniqueness. In our Catholic community, the values of self-esteem and friendship, as well as a strong commitment to society, are instilled throughout daily school life. Our faith-based learning environment instills Christian values through spiritual, character and leadership development.

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We are committed to providing a quality education in a safe & nurturing environment.

We are dedicated to the continual development of the whole individual as a lifelong learner, Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, Culturally, Emotionally & Socially. “Our school is a family, where we care for one another, as we grow

and learn” - Kathy Korman, Principal.

Queen of Angels offers an extensive extra-curricular program designed to supplement the regular curriculum. Numerous sports teams, clubs, and projects occur throughout the entire school year giving students the opportunity to become involved in ‘their’ school.

Upcoming events: Open House, Monday, February 5th, 2018 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Kindergarten Information Session Monday, February 5th from 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm.

Please call 250-746-5919 or email qa@cisdv.bc.ca to schedule a tour of our school, meet our staff and see our school community in action.

Queen of Angels has an open admission policy and welcomes families of all faiths.

Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary & Middle School 2085 Maple Bay Rd, Duncan Grades offered - Early Learning Centre for 3-5-yearolds, through to Grade 9 Bussing is available from Ladysmith to Cobble Hill and bussing to the Salt Spring Island ferry.

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

ECE AND KINDERGARTEN

OPEN HOUSE

Sunrise Waldorf School Open House

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lease join us for an Open House event being hosted in our Early Childhood Education (ECE) classroom this month. The Open House is an opportunity for your child to explore the beauty and wonder of our Kindergarten and Preschool classrooms. Parents can meet the teachers and learn more about Waldorf Early Childhood Education and philosophy. Our Kindergarten and Pre-school teachers will be there to answer questions and to welcome you and your family.

The Sunrise Waldorf School community are a dedicated group of teachers, administrators, parents, and families striving towards an education that is holistic, integrated and meaningful. In the ECE, Waldorf education is one that emphasizes the develop-ment of imagination and play. It is rich with artistic and creative activities, and is imbued with life and joy. Our

students spend time in nature everyday while playing and observing their surroundings and the rhythms of the seasons.

Festivals, class plays, handwork, drawing, singing, and gardening are just some of the creative ways that children learn and grow in our ECE classrooms.

Please join us this month for a special Open House event hosted in our Early Childhood Education (ECE) Classrooms.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 10AM-12PM

Sunrise Waldorf School (SWS) is an independent school, supporting choice in education for discerning parents. We welcome your family to visit and see what we have to offer. Space is limited. Please RSVP.

2148 LAKESIDE RD, DUNCAN I 250 743-7253 www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org

The Open House is an opportunity for your child to explore the beauty and wonder of our Kindergarten and Pre-school spaces. Saturday, February 17 10am - Noon, 1pm-3pm. 2148 Lakeside Rd, Duncan. In order to offer a personal experience, space is limited Please RSVP to admissions@ sunrisewaldorfschool.org.or call 250 743 7253 if you would like to attend.

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

49

Family With Autism Finds Hope Through Adapted Sports

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will never forget the moment my husband and I received the news: “Your child has autism.” In an instant, my world came to a screeching halt.

Among our three boys, Dylan is the youngest. He was two years old when we noticed something was different. He lacked the words to express his feelings and on family outings, his sensory sensitivities would often result in a meltdown.

Autism is currently the most commonly diagnosed neurological disorder in Canada.

With a prevalence of 1 in 68, there are over 11,000 children and youth diagnosed in BC alone. Primarily, autism is characterized by challenges with social skills, communication and repetitive behaviours.

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With the diagnosis, Dylan struggles to interact with his peers. Meanwhile, our two older sons are always playing sports with their friends – fully enjoying an active lifestyle.

We dreamed of the same opportunities for Dylan, but struggled to find programs that could adapt to his unique needs.

It was heartbreaking.

Then, when Dylan was seven, we found Canucks Autism Network (CAN).

For the first time, we felt part of a community that not only welcomed Dylan, but understood him. The staff in their sports and rec programs were able to meet him at his level and get him excited about the activities.

Since 2011, Dylan has taken part in CAN’s weekly skate and multisport lessons. In the summer, he has learned to bike and even had the opportunity to go on an overnight camp with his brother. As a family, we have had attended countless CAN events where we get to spend time with each other and meet other families with autism.

By joining CAN, we know that Dylan can take advantage of the same active lifestyle that his brothers enjoy. We have had the opportunity to be part of a community.

Become a Canucks Autism Network member for $25/ year! Access programs in Cowichan Valley, Victoria by visiting canucksautism.ca/ join. Registration for Spring programs opens Monday, February 19, at noon, to Friday, February 23, at noon.

Submitted by Heather Andre, Canucks Autism Network parent

Understanding the Bully Dynamic

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ullying wreaks havoc in the social and emotional realm of our schools (and our workplaces, churches, politics, and even our families), yet our attempts to address bullying are not often making the difference we yearn for. The impact of bullying is always serious for those who are bullied, yet parents and teachers often feel at a loss of how to help. It is difficult to address a problem we don’t understand, and the abhorrent behavior of a bully deftly camouflages what creates and drives the bully dynamic. Some think bullying is a learned behavior or a moral failure, but these ideas fail to take into consideration bullying’s deep instinctual roots.

Children are meant to be dependent upon the adults responsible for them. This attachment relationship is about closeness and connectedness in every way possible: love and belonging, significance, and emotional and psychological intimacy. Attachment is also meant to facilitate caretaking by those in the provider position.

All of us have these instincts to take care of as well as instincts to depend. For various reasons, children can sometimes assume the dominant role, and become bossy and prescriptive, telling their parents what to do and becoming upset when the parents don’t do their bidding. This renders a child unreceptive to being parented and taught.

This in itself, however, does not create a bully. Many children are bossy without being moved to exploit the vulnerability of others. What makes a bully, then?

The bully syndrome involves 2 powerful human dynamics gone awry: Bullies have both a relationship problem and a vulnerability problem. They are compelled to dominate—to win, to have the last word, to demand and control, to be superior—and they are also devoid of caring and responsibility, 2 very important and vulnerable feelings. It takes both of these conditions to create the bully’s aberrant behavior.

When the attachment instincts

to dominate are no longer tempered by caring (compassion, enthusiasm, concern) and responsibility (guilt, remorse, a desire to make things better, to protect), the bully instinct is born.

A bully asserts their dominance by exploiting the vulnerability of others, using fear and intimidation, put-downs, shaming and humiliation, tricking and conning, exposing and embarrassing. The normal human instinct is to take care of and protect a person who shows any vulnerability, but the bully is instead moved to attack in others what he or she is defended against in themself. Bullying at its roots is not so much a behavior problem as it is an emotional one. Bullies lose the feelings that would make them human.

Ironically, the bully themself has experienced wounds too much to bear, causing their own emotional hardening. They may have faced too much physical or emotional separation from their caregivers, felt too unsafe, or experienced too much shame and humiliation.

The brain will not stand idly by in these situations, and moves to protect the child by not feeling as much.

The bullying dynamics are so strong that it is difficult to stop the odious behavior. Bullying is not a learned behavior, nor is it “on purpose;” this behavior has deep instinctive and emotional roots.

The bully is simply true to their powerful instincts (i.e., they are compelled to dominate), and their brain has moved them to defend against unbearable vulnerability.

Dr. Neufeld, developmental psychologist who developed this understanding of the bully, says, “No one is truly a bully…

The true personality of the bully lies dormant, unexpressed and unrealized, imprisoned within an outer shell of emotional hardness and invulnerability. When the bully loses his toughness, we will also see the sensitivity that was defended against, the out of phase immaturity that has been locked in, and the desperate need to be cared for and for someone to depend upon.”

Most anti-bullying programs don’t work for this reason: We need to look beyond the behavior

Working to see families thrive.

Supporting individuals to achieve their goals.

LIVE WITH AFFINITY

Florie Varga, MPA

florie@affinitycoaching.ca I 250.709.7063

www.affinitycoaching.ca and understand the underlying dynamics that make a bully, in order to understand how to unmake a bully. Zero-tolerance and labeling the behavior “unacceptable” doesn’t work: a bully is not able to reflect on their behavior, shows no remorse, and is devoid of the feelings that would make them feel badly for what they’ve done. Consequences will only harden their defenses and lock in the bully problem. For reasons of social justice we often need to apply consequences, but we can’t be fooled into thinking this will help teach the bully a lesson. Empathy training does not work because we can’t teach kids to care; we need to create the conditions where tender emotions can be felt. Standing up to the bully is generally not recommended, and getting children together to work it out is not the answer. We should never advocate for the bullied to tell the bully how they feel, because a person with a defended heart will only use that information to wound further.

Caring Adults The answer lies in bringing bullies back in to right relationship, able to lean and depend on those who are responsible for them. We need to find a way to come to the bully’s side, to have a context of relationship to help them.

Only when a child is shielded with a safe relationship will the heart soften. The challenge is that the bully’s tough exterior is not endearing and doesn’t draw out our care-taking impulses.

Nevertheless, an adult needs to move in with confidence, conveying they can handle them, and become the answer to fulfilling their relationship hunger. This is often difficult with a child in the dominant

mode, and involves some creativity and perseverance.

Once in relationship, we need to soften their defensive shell by protecting them from further wounding, and leading them in to vulnerable territory where they can feel their hurts and wounds, their insecurities and futilities.

Once their heart is restored and they can feel their own wounds, they will no longer be moved to wound others. Until that time, the adults in charge must compensate for the bully’s immaturity and defenses, protecting others from further wounding by implementing good supervision, and using structures and rituals to orchestrate their behavior. The bully must be moved by feelings of responsibility and feelings of caring in order to become fully humane.

Pink Shirt Day, an annual event happening on February 28th this year, inspired this article.

Pink Shirt Day “aims to raise awareness of [bullying], as well as raise funds to support programs that foster children’s healthy self-esteem,” and was inspired by an act of kindness in smalltown Nova Scotia. “Two boys and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘ The Globe and Mail. See www.pinkshirtday.ca for more information.

Heather Ferguson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and on faculty with the Neufeld Institute. www.heather fergusonconsulting.com

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YOGA FOR WELLNESS

W YOGA THERAPY FOR EVERY BODY Yoga Therapy for Lower Back, Hips, & Feet Yoga Therapy for Neck, Shoulders, & Upper Back

Tuesdays + Thursdays Start Line Physiotherapy NEW Duncan Location Mixed level accessible classes guided by professional Yoga Therapist Kate Case.

“Teaching people, not poses.”

Try your first class for $5!

Registration required. Register + More Details at: www.shecollective.ca/FoxOwlYoga Can’t make it to class? Join online! (replay available)

POSTURES FOR REST AND RECOVERY

hen I experienced an injury a few months ago, I had no choice but to heed my body’s need for rest.

I am ever grateful for yoga, and the guidance to connect to my breath and slow down.

I found a template of simple postures very helpful for the healing process.

Feel the back of the head resting on the earth.

Remain 3-5 minutes.

Legs on a Chair

When there is an injury in the body, the nervous system responds by eliciting a stress response.

Yoga (therapy) aims to calm and soothe the nervous system, to provide a healing environment within the body.

These postures are great for Rest and Recovery of Injury, back pain, pelvic re-alignment, SI issues, sleep challenges.

Constructive Rest Pose

Begin by lying on your back.

Bend the knees and bring the feet to ’standing’- as wide as the mat or wider.

Allow the knees to fall in and rest on each other in the middle.

Feel the connection of the feet on the ground or earth.

Find the breath.

Feel the corners of the feet on the ground, the back of the pelvis and the sacrum.

Place hands onto your lower belly, lower rib cage, or on the floor beside you.

Sense the tops of the shoulders (the shoulder blades) as they are supported by the floor.

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Bring yourself close to a chair with a seat a good height to have you legs at 90 degrees on the chair.

Have a yoga strap or belt handy, and a pillow to support your head.

Come onto your back, with your head and neck supported by a pillow.

Bring the loop of the yoga strap around your upper/mid thigh bones, loosely for now.

Bring your legs to 90 degree position and place them on the chair or stool.

Allow the back of your pelvis to settle onto the floor beneath you.

Now begin to tighten the strap so that the thigh bones are ‘snugging’ in towards one another. This should feel like support rather than tension.

See if you can soften the inner/ lower rib cage.

Find your breath. Soften the arms and hands.

Remain 3-5 minutes.

Lindsay Campa offers Yoga Therapy as part of her Massage Therapy practice in the Cowichan Valley.

She is a member of the Forest Yogini Collective. www.thehealingbody.ca

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favourites. Chow mein with long noodles to represent longevity, dumplings shaped like traditional gold ingots to represent wealth, steamed fish in soy sauce and ginger for prosperity, and sweet rice balls in soup for family. For any friends we visited during this time, we would bring tangerines to their home to wish them good fortune.

Welcoming the Year of the Dog

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hinese New Year is often referred to as the Lunar Festival, marked by the first new moon of the lunar year, or the Spring Festival, in anticipation of the change in seasons. The new year marks a fresh start for the Chinese, a time to clean out the old by wearing new clothes, having our hair cut, pay off debts and sweeping out our houses to make way for the coming year’s fortune.

As Chinese families are preparing for celebrations for Chinese New Year, this year landing on 16th February, I recall many happy childhood memories of going to Chinatown in Vancouver with my family. We would find an open spot along

the busy Pender Street corridor to watch the parade, wrapped up in down jackets my mom sewed for us. The firecrackers were lit to ward off evil spirits and bad luck and create a festive atmosphere.

The lion dance would visit each shop keeper to accept their offerings of lettuce and money in exchange for blessings of prosperity and success in the upcoming year.

Our home was often in commotion during the two weeks leading up to New Year’s. We cleaned and swept our house to be rid of last year’s “bad luck” and to make way for the upcoming year’s “good luck.”

My mom would cook a huge feast which included so many

Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga

A Vehicle for Deep Meditation The Collective Space 166 Station St., Duncan

Every Thursday at 5PM Drop-ins Welcome 250-897-5576 Email: info@movingpresence.center Web: movingpresence.center

New Year’s Eve was the time for our family to gather together with cousins, aunts and uncles.

When my maternal grandparents immigrated to Canada, the celebrations became much bigger. My PoPo (grandmother) would spend days in the kitchen preparing for the feast. She would chide us for washing our hair on New Year’s as she believed we were washing away the New Year’s fortune. She would ensure that we wear our new red outfits to ward off evil spirits and bring luck. She was generous with red envelopes and we and our cousins would beam with the amount of “lucky money” we would receive from all the adults.

This year, the year of the dog, my family will gather for a family reunion and celebrate with close friends and new family members, while cherishing the memories of those no longer with us. For us, this is the time of year to honour our culture and traditions while spending time with family.

The Cowichan Intercultural Society (CIS) is spearheading the movement to welcome and support refugees and immigrants to the community. CIS is the leading immigrant and refugee aid organization in the region.

We facilitate mutual respect, trust, support and education in the culturally diverse Cowichan Valley. Our vision is

of an inclusive and welcoming community, where every person feels valued and has a sense of belonging. We offer intercultural fluency training, intergenerational leadership programs and community outreach. Learn more at www.cis-iwc.org.

Submitted by Jennifer Yee Fairweather, Cowichan Intercultural Society

Chinese New Year Factoids The lion dance is a traditional symbol for Chinese New Year.

Performers in the traditional lion costume dance through the streets to the beat of gongs and drums. When the lion briefly stops at houses and businesses along the way, it will “eat” lettuce that is hung up outside the doors and hiding a red envelope.

The 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac represent each year. According to the Asian astrology, your year of birth and the zodiac animal determines many traits of your personality.

Those born in the year of the dog (-1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018) are considered to be communicative, serious, and responsible in the workplace.

FREE LANGUAGE CLASSES, EMPLOYMENT AND SETTLEMENT SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE NEWCOMERS

WHERE CULTURES CONNECT

www.cis-iwc.org

250-748-3112

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Two local non-profits seek to increase access to sustainable biofuels in the Cowichan Valley with a Let’s Dance fundraiser!

Cowichan Energy Alternatives hosts live band fundraiser event to build Green & Go Pump™ in Duncan

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ocal green energy advocate Brian Roberts and his team at Cowichan Energy Alternatives Society (CEA) and the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op (Co-op) are driven by a deep passion to be part of the solution, and to be a provider of solutions for others to do the same.

Julia Allen R.C.C. MCP, IMHA, BA

Masters Counselling Psychology Registered Clinical Counsellor

Shamanic Practices, Therpeutic Altered States Therapy

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

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CEA was founded in 2008 by a dedicated group following a dream to make their community and the world a greener, healthier place. The Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op was formed in 2004 when 20 founding members came together to provide a renewable, war-free, carbonneutral fuel made locally from recycled cooking oils. Since their establishments, both organizations have worked together to empower our community to advocate for change by being the change.

They do this in a number of creative ways.

The Community Carbon Marketplace is a communitybased carbon exchange initiative of CEA that enables local governments and businesses to become carbon-neutral by supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gases in communities throughout BC.

Centre.

CEA also provides a Used Cooking-Oil recycling program for Vancouver-Island restaurants and residents, and upcycles it into renewable biofuel with our Co-op partners at the Cowichan Bio-Fuel Facility at the CVRD’s Bings Creek Recycling

The Cowichan Bio-Diesel Coop has distributed bio-diesel to over 200 bio-diesel co-op members through its Green & Go biofuel pump technology developed with CEA and partners at Ergo Sustainable Solutions Inc. Bio-diesel is a fill-and-go solution that can be used in diesel vehicles and machinery with little or no modification, making it an affordable, easy-to-use, sustainable alternative to fossil fuel.

CEA and the Cowichan BioDiesel Co-op are working to increase access to sustainable biofuels in the valley with a second Green & Go pump. The project involves upgrading an aging, low-tech pump currently operated at Allenby Road with community partner, Cowichan Petroleum Sales. The creation of a new pump will increase easy, 24 hours access to sustainable biofuels in Duncan and surrounding area.

To help achieve this vision, CEA is hosting a Let’s Dance fundraising event for the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op, featuring live local bands Bijoux Du Bayou, Genevieve and the Wild Sundays, and musician Johnathon Churcher. The entire line-up includes musician members of the Co-op!

The event will take place on Saturday March 3, at The Hub in Cowichan Station. Doors open at 6:30pm and tickets are $15 per person and available at Ten Old Books (330 Duncan Street) and CEA’s Office (55 Station St.).

Children under 12 are included with adult admission. Come join us and dance away the winter chill!

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Tradebank Now On Vancouver Island Interview with Doug Robb, President,, Tradebank Vancouver Island

Tell us about Tradebank and how you got involved.

For several years now I have owned a Barter Network, but the only thing holding me back was the size of my economy. Tradebank is the largest Trade/Barter Network in the country with 18 offices in Canada So when they introduced themselves and their 4,000 members and offered access to all of them, it was an easy decision.

My members had a bigger economy to do business in and so did I. Quite literally the Bigger we are the Better we are for everyone.

What is a Trade/Barter Network?

A Barter Network or Trade Exchange is a centralized system that allows members to exchange goods and services of unequal value for a credit which can be used to purchase goods or services with ANY of the other members.

Why not just use cash?

A Trade Exchange allows you to sell excess capacity at full value. What you don’t sell for cash, you can trade for.

No discounting necessary.

If you have staff sitting around waiting for the next cash customer, why not fill the space with a Trade member. Better Trade dollars than No dollars.

What can I get in return?

The goods and services are as broad as your imagination.

If we don’t have a member that provides your “wants” then let us know and we will find them and sign them up.

Presently we can find you anything from European River cruises, to acupuncture, excavating your backyard or Concert tickets, Lawyers, Accountants, tradesmen. Our goal is to have access to every part of the economy.

Where are you located?

Effectively a trade exchange is virtual … on the web, but by the nature of the services offered it remains largely local. Vancouver Island is home but with our National Franchise relationships we can access and offer your goods and services on a global level.

Who are typical Tradebank members?

We are a group of likeminded business people who use trade to expand our customer base and decrease our cash costs.

Any other Advantage?

We offer an interest free line of credit on simple terms.

Just like “old time banking practices”. You can then access our network to start purchasing products and services to help build your business.

Why pay cash when you can pay with excess time or inventory.

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Lucky Dog U Bath M Just north of

1059 CANADA AVE DUNCAN Power Lunch

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U Bath or WE Bath

! ng i om o Gr Fido rolled in dead fish?

We can help!

STEPH STEW’S DOG DO’S Stephanie Stewart Professional Dog Grooming Services Over 5 years’Experience

250 597-7DOG

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SKINTASTIC FACIAL SPA

COLD LASER SERVICES

Jane Knight 250 514 2223 www.skintasticmedispa.ca

y name is Stephanie Stewart and I am dog grooming out of Lucky Dog U-Bath on Canada Ave in Duncan. I am recently married and just completed the move back to the island. We have a lovely large mutt Sooke and two cats named Presley and T-Rex. With my love for animals I knew I wanted to work with and help them and that is why I started dog grooming.

A New Groomer At Lucky Dog U-Bath

I began grooming five years ago while being apprenticed under a certified groomer in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Upon completion I was hired on and continued to develop my skills under her guidance.

I love getting to meet so many different dogs on a daily basis. I have experience in grooming many different breeds and coats and also have experience in grooming difficult and elderly dogs. I take a calm approach to all dogs and work with them.

It is important to read a dog’s body language since they can not speak. I have to think about what they are trying to tell me, maybe they have arthritis in a knee and that is why they are bearing their teeth when I lift that leg. I will not put any dog through

unnecessary discomfort and so will work around that issue with a different approach that keeps your dog comfortable.

I am accepting new clients and I would love to meet you and your dog and talk about your dogs specific needs for grooming. Maintaining your dogs coat at home between groomings helps get you the hair cut you want and also helps keep your dog comfortable. I am happy to give combing demos for proper technic and brushes.

Call Lucky Dog at 250-597-7364 to book an appointment with me.

Mention this ad and get $10 off your first grooming!

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Get To Know Your Eavestroughs Things to consider before installing a new gutter system

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id you know that just 2.5 cm of rainfall on an average size roof equals 7,192 litres of water sloughing into your eavestroughs? Gutters have an important job, they direct moisture away from your fascia, roof structure, and siding preventing rot and damage from mould.

They protect decks and doors, and direct water away from your foundation which could otherwise flood your basement or settle into the cracks of sidewalks, patios, and walkways.

So if you are you thinking of replacing your leaking or damaged eavestroughs this year keep a few things in mind before undertaking the project yourself or calling a gutter installation company.

1.Get to know your gutter system. What kind of gutter do you currently have? Is it vinyl or aluminum? Is it a fascia style (wide at the top

and narrow at its base), is it a K-Style (designed to look like crown moulding), or a half round? Are your downpipes small (2” by 2”), rectangular (3” by 4”), or square (2.5” by 2.5”)? And is this system sufficient for the amount of rainfall you receive? While inspecting, really get to know where the leaks are: at the mended corners, where the gutter has been crushed, or at the seams between 10’ lengths. Not all rainware systems are created equal, so do your research.

2. Next, take a look at your

fascia boards (wood attached to the end of your roof trusses). Is this wood rotten or deteriorating? If so, it tells you that your gutters were not installed properly or were otherwise not able to do their job, allowing moisture to run behind instead of taking that moisture away. It could also be because the roofing material does not overhang sufficiently to drain into the gutter system.

3.Now take a look at the

access to your gutter system.

Is your home two stories or more? Does your roof have many dormers or gables? Is there a fence or tree line that

is close to the house making access difficult? Having trees close to your home also contributes to excess debris and you should therefore should some kind of gutter guard.

Taking the time to inspect your gutter system in this way will help you to determine the kind of gutter your home needs. Though vinyl is often the most cost efficient, it is

not as durable as aluminum, and though it might be tempting to do the work yourself, take your safety into consideration as well as things like warrantied work and value added to your home.

Writer, Editor, Journalist, Horoscope Columnist and Office Manager for Vancouver Island Gutter

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Reed Gary, Owner 360 Comfort Systems Inc. Proudly Providing Comfort with Integrity

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inter thus far in the Cowichan Valley has been somewhat mild compared to previous years.

That being said,, valley homes still need to be heated between the months of September and April.

Depending on what sort of heating system you use, you may have been comfortable with your heating costs and your level of home comfort or maybe one of those is giving you grief. Let’s talk about the different ways Cowichan residents keep their homes comfortable from fall to spring.

One of the most common ways we west coasters heat our homes is with a heat pump. A heat pump is a device that extracts heat from the outdoor air and converts it to thermal energy which is then transferred to the air inside our home. This is a very efficient way of heating homes and our place on the globe is very conducive to the use of heat pumps. The average cost of heating a Cowichan Valley home with a heat pump is $520 for the heating season.

Another method that is commonly used to heat our homes is with the use of a

natural gas furnace. Natural gas is becoming more popular every year since the cost of natural gas to the homeowner has been going down and the cost of electricity has been going up. This makes the potential savings of heating with natural gas lucrative to anyone who is looking at a different heating source for their home. Average annual heating cost is around $460.

An option that is more prevalent in homes that are older than 30 years is electric force air. Electric forced air furnaces provide a comfortable home but not a comfortable monthly cost of operation. Many homeowners are sometimes shocked to find that a single month of heating with electric forced air cost them $500 or more. This cost of operation is similar to that of our next common heat source, electric baseboard heaters.

Electric baseboard heaters are also very common in the Cowichan Valley due to the low cost of the initial install. Unfortunately, the cost of operation is also very high in comparison to some other options. Some other drawbacks of electric baseboard heaters are that they provide no airflow and can have the potential of being a fire hazard if objects are left too close to the heater.

The average annual cost for heating with electric forces air

COWICHAN BUSINESS FOR BUSINESS

Keeping Your Home and Family Warm In Winter or electric baseboard heaters is $1865.

The last popular option that I will talk about is the common oil fired furnace. Oil fired furnaces are much more common in rural areas where natural gas is not available and where a home may not have the electrical capacity to run anything other than oil.

Oil furnaces are generally 60% to 70% efficient and insurance companies are becoming increasingly strict on oil tank replacement and other stipulations. The average cost of heating with oil annually is $1625.

Whichever systems and fuel source you use to keep warm, regular maintenance must be

performed. Maintenance costs are small in comparison to the cost of a new system, but the benefits are huge. Lower operating costs, cleaner indoor air and longer system life expectancy are just some of the benefits.

I have not even come close to listing all of the different heat sources used to heat homes in the Cowichan Valley, but I hope that I have can give you the info you need in order to make an informed decision when choosing what heat source keeps you and your family warm.

Sands Funeral Chapel

Cremation & Reception Centre-Duncan

by Arbor Memorial

Janice Winfrey Funeral Director

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

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

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Tax Tips for Vacation Rental Owners

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Alicia Loewen operates Coastal Tax and Accounting Services from her 5-acre farm in North Cowichan.

any homeowners are making some extra income by listing their suite or home on short-term vacation rental sites like Airbnb or VRBO. If this is you, read on to find out some important tax tips for your vacation rental income!

1. Determine if you have to charge GST -

Most residential rentals are not GST taxable, but some shortterm vacation rentals are taxable.

GST must be charged on a residential rental when ALL of the terms below are met: The period of occupancy is less than 1 month to the same individual The consideration for the rental is $20 per day or more The total income over the year is $30,000 or more and so the owner does not qualify for the small supplier GST exemption If you can say YES to the above three conditions, you are required by law to register for, collect, and remit GST. The good news is that you can claim back the GST you paid on expenses so make sure to keep those receipts! If you need help, Coastal Tax can set up a GST account for you, do the bookkeeping, and file the remittances.

2.Rental or Business Income - You will need to

determine if your vacation rental qualifies as rental income or business income. This affects the deductions that you can claim. For example, home office expenses can be claimed on business income.

“In most cases, you are earning income from property if you rent space and provide basic

services only. Basic services include heat, light, parking, and laundry facilities. If you provide additional services to tenants, such as cleaning, security, and meals, you may be carrying on a business. The more services you provide, the greater the chance that your rental operation is a business.” Source: CRA Rental Income Line 126

3.Claim Expenses - An

expense is deductible if it was necessary to earn income. You should keep all receipts or have a hand-written receipt made up if the supplier doesn’t already have one.

Here are the basic categories of expenses for Rental Income: • Advertising • Insurance • Interest - On a mortgage or loan • Office expenses • Legal, accounting, and other professional fees • Management and administration fees - Strata fees or Property Management • Maintenance and repairs - Soap, towels, linens, cleaning supplies, lightbulbs, appliance repair, painting, replace flooring, etc.

• Property taxes • Travel - Flights, ferry, hotel, and meals if you had to travel to the unit for maintenance or another related reason.

• Utilities • Motor vehicle expenses - I recommend keeping a mileage logbook for business use of your personal vehicle. Details should include date, destination, roundtrip km, and reason for trip.

• Other expenses - For example, housekeeping service, landscaping, security, etc.

If you need help filing taxes for your Rental Income, check out Coastal Tax’s online and paperless tax preparation service on our website coastaltax.ca.

This is the easiest way to have your taxes professionally filed without leaving the house!

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Earthling Instruction Manual

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here is a place within all of us that still hears the call of the wild places, desires natural form and function and yearns for a return to a simpler existence.

Recently, there are amazing chances to re-evaluate our lives and choices, and perhaps begin to reconnect to an inheritance of great value.

Valleyview

Centre

So much to offer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Fitness Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes Spa and Wellness Reiki Wellness 250 743-8122 Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Reflexology Monet Spa 250-743-6114 Professional Spa services for parties, groups or individuals.

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

We Welcome New Patients!

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Food Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat, Seafood, Produce, Deli & Floral, Supplements Cure Artisan Meat & Cheese 250 929-2873 Charcuterie, Cheese House Made Pates Pizzeria Prima Strada Cobble Hill 250-929-4655 Wood-fired pizza, meatball sandwiches, local wine & craft beer

Here in the Cowichan Valley, and in many other places around Canada and the world, there are more and more earth skills instruction programs and schools sprouting up, making available to those who seek it a renewal of the spirit and lifeways of our ancestors which sustained humanity for countless eons past. These skills were and are our best inheritance and most important link to the world we inhabit. Think of it like an instruction manual for earthlings, with timeless methods for providing the absolute necessities for survival and even living with the earth.

In most survival teachings and texts, the order of human needs to be fulfilled vary slightly, but almost always progress as: water, fire, shelter and food...the importance will depend on where you happen to be, and what conditions exist immediately. Within the Maskwah Earth Way teachings, the order is determined by the elemental needs of the human body and the earth at the same time, to better show how the 7 Generations teachings are integrated and mutually inclusive.Through teachings, practical exercises and games, and group envisioning, Maskwah Earth Way uses the 7 Earth Ways, or ‘Earthling Instruction Manual‘, to link the applications of earth skills and

the spirit of living with the earth as taught to him; basically a template for human existence based on an indigenous life way.

Maskwah has received some of these teachings and is sharing it with community to create an opportunity to increase our awareness of the earth.

The 7 Ways can inspire us all to realize that we are a part of a web of life which has always existed and will continue to exist, ready to give what we need to live, as long as we are willing to accept the stewardship of the place we live in and learn well the teachings of 7 Generations. Each of the Ways is a circle within a circle, and through the teachings everything will be connected together showing the need for these basic skills for human existence, with Ways of living with the earth to be inseparable from daily life wherever we may be. This ‘instruction manual’ can build an authentic human being to ensure that the next generations may receive a world more abundant with life and meaning then when we leave it.

Maskwah Earth Way is offering an ongoing series of gatherings and workshops designed to introduce and develop the basic earth skills needed to begin to understand how to live within the Earth Way. Registration begins now for 1st gathering, Spring 2017.

Contact maskwahearthway@ gmail.com for reg. details and calender of events.

C. A. Linklater is an Otipemisiwak Knowledge Keeper, lecturer, writer, garden designer and musician.

function. Soil bioengineering techniques can be used to treat eroding banks, excess gravel and unstable slopes, and can provide a finished product that treats the problem as well as providing appropriate riparian vegetation. Soil bioengineering systems have been used to treat a variety of degraded riparian areas.”

Cowichan Watershed Board Speakers Series Featuring local plant ecologist David Polster M.Sc., R.P.Bio., CERP

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ome on out to this month’s Speaker Night as Cowichan Watershed Board presents longtime Cowichan resident David Polster. Dave will share knowledge and photos from his lengthy and impactful career using native plants to restore damaged ecological areas.

As a plant ecologist with over 40 years of experience in vegetation studies, ecological restoration and invasive species management, Dave has been “healing” wounded ecosystems for years.

He has helped to develop innovative revegetation programs to lessen the impact of major industrial developments, and pioneered the use of “soil bioengineering” solutions to stabilize steep and/or unstable slopes otherwise prone to landslide or silting up rivers.

What is soil bioengineering?

Dave writes, “…the use of living plant materials to perform some engineering

Dave has contributed his expertise in plant ecology to parks, hydroelectric projects, and mine impact assessments.

His broad knowledge of environmental issues has contributed to the successful completion of the Develop with Care: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia (2006 edition).

Locally, he is very well respected for his contributions to important projects like stabilizing the Broadway Run of the Cowichan River bank using willow stakes, and volunteering as a member of the Cowichan Watershed Board’s Riparian Health Working Group.

In this presentation Dave will show examples of how he has used innovative approaches to stabilizing and restoring riparian zones, including live bank protection such as wattle fencing, live gravel bar staking, and live pole drains.

Bring your questions from your own landscape challenges and learn some simple and inventive methods to help restore damaged areas from a pioneer in this field.

February 22nd at 7pm FREE VIU - Cowichan Campus - Lecture Hall, Room 140 Featuring David Polster M.Sc., R.P.Bio., CERP

Fe per foc ou

250 715 6174

DELICIOUS MEALS MADE FROM SCRATCH

Saturday & Sunday Brunch Featuring our famous crêpes & bennys!

1765 COWICHAN BAY RD • 250 597 7373

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

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

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

Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out! Cowichan Bay

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February At Mount Washington is Full of Fun for All Ages

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elebrate family all month long at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

Come celebrate the opening of the PyeongChang Winter Games on Friday, February 2 in the Eagle View Bistro with a special five course Korean themed dinner. Reservations required. $39 per person.

Viewing of the Winter Games February 5-9 marks Boomers Week, a perfect way for those 50 and over who are active and love to ski and ride. This week offers a “Boomers Only!” program that incorporates a morning of guided fun on the slopes from 10 am to Noon. Package includes an all-day lift ticket, a group lesson from 10 am to 12 pm, and a delicious lunch.

Includes après. For boomers without gear, rental options also available. Lessons are available for all ability levels.

Bookings required.

To celebrate the Olympic Winter Games, the resort has some fun activities to help kick off BC Family Day weekend and the Olympics.

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Watch the Olympic Winter Games at the hill from February 10-25! Look for international food specials at the Eagle View Bistro from Noon-7pm, to celebrate the participating countries.

Have an adventure together this Family Day, Monday February 12. Everyone can enjoy 50% off alpine lift tickets and nordic trail passes.

Family Fun Races run February 10-12 each day at 1-3pm. Race your mom, race your dad, beat your brother and make him mad! Join us for the Family dual fun race on Marmot Run. Entry is free! Head over to the top of Marmots Run and race as many times as you like.

On February 18, there’s Kids Slope Style in the mini park.

Got a little ripper in your crew! Join us in the Easy Acres Terrain Park for our Kids Slope style. Kids are judged on 2 runs, but its all about fun! Register on the Marmots floor 10-11am. On February 23,5-7 pm Strut your stuff at the Evening Rail Jam. Show your best moves in the Rail Park by the lodge.

Competitors are judged on 2 runs, but its all about fun!

Register on the Marmots floor 3-4 pm.

For full schedule of events visit mountwashington.ca.

Local Cowichan Family Needs Support

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f you ever had the good fortune to rub elbows with Szos St. Germain around the Cowichan Valley, you immediately knew you were in the presence of loving kindness and compassion. He came to our community a few years ago, with wife, Jenny, and daughter, Georgia Bean, having found their “heaven on earth” here on the west coast.

You may have even read Szos’ articles, “Pattern Interrupted,” in this very magazine where, as a Leadership and Life Coach, he wrote radically, yet tenderly about interrupting the unconscious fears that have us never open the door to the core of who we really are.

His devotion to his daughter inspired him to make profoundly loving connections at Georgia Bean’s school with families and faculty alike. He volunteered every

chance he got; co-chaired the Parent Association, and even hosted a weekly Friday morning cafe for parents at the school during drop-off, initiating conversations that united people. Our days were richer for having spent time with Szos. Talking with him left you feeling a little stronger, uplifted, like you were connecting with a life-long friend, even if you’d only just met him.

Because he has such a strong spirit, Szos appeared vital and animated, but beneath his engaging exterior, he was free-falling into a serious internal health crisis. His misdiagnosed illness for over two decades began spiraling into a state of intense suffering and debilitating pain leaving him bed-ridden since February of last year.

Finally, Szos was correctly diagnosed with both Toxic

Mold Illness and Lyme disease just recently after an intensive week of being assessed and tested in Calgary with Dr. Bruce Hoffman, the leading expert on mold toxicity and lyme in Canada. The family was thrust into urgent action upon learning that Szos could not return back to their home with unsafe mold levels. The emotional devastation came next: due to the risk of mold spore cross-contamination, part of the recovery process was letting go of all of their furniture and virtually all personal belongings, including clothes, books, linens, towels, games, toys, instruments, rugs, artwork. Recovery looks different for each person, but experts and survivors all say that mold avoidance is critical and for someone who has been as sick as Szos - nearly 24 years now - he shouldn’t take any chances.

After visiting with the family, I’ve seen firsthand that they are experiencing extreme exhaustion, depletion, emotional and financial devastation. Since treatment for

toxic mold and Lyme disease are extremely costly (in the ballpark of $100,000 for his first year of treatment) and all out of pocket, the St. Germains are in complete crisis and in need of financial support. Szos has already returned to Calgary solo for daily treatment as he could no longer sustain his level of sickness.

Jenny recently wrote on her facebook page: “This is an urgent appeal for help. Szos is in profound pain and is just hanging on. His health crisis is spiraling our family into a financial crisis. His illness is treatable; it’s just incredibly expensive and all out of pocket.

May he be blessed to know that all the love and support and healing he has given the world comes back to him in a time of crisis. Now is that time.”

Sasha Singer-Wilson, a family friend in Vancouver, set up a GoFundMe campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/ help-szos-stgermain). Please consider donating and share the campaign fast and wide to help Szos recover, so he can get back to his life’s work of helping humanity.

Friends of the family, Diana and Marti urge you to visit Szos’s Go Fund Me page for their full story. www.gofundme.com/help-szosstgermain

ROWAN HAMILTON MEDICAL HERBALIST

Diploma in Phytotherapy, MNIMH, SCS, DTCM

at a healing place...

250 510 0062

Cowichan Valley

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A

good place to start when considering setting up social media for your business is with a plan. In the same way that your business needs a business plan, your social media presence needs a sound strategy.

1. Choose your social networks. In order to identify the best social networks for your business you’ll need to take a look at your audience-who is your target? Take a look at things like gender, age, average income and location. How much time can you spend social networks?

One hour a day is a good place to start! What kind of resources do you have at your fingertips?

Who has time to execute your strategy? Additionally, what type of product are you selling?

This will inform your choice of social media channels. For

• • • • •

content engage your audience.

Social Media Marketing Where to Start? example if you are in the food or clothing business Instagram is a must whereas LinkedIn or Twitter might be a better choice for businesses selling services.

Facebook is an good choice for the majority of companies wanting to build a community and engage with clients.

2. Fill out your profiles completely. Ensure that

Website Design & Development Social Media Solutions Search Engine Optimization Internet Marketing & PPC Consulting & Training

250-732-2937

info@MAC5.ca www.MAC5.ca @MAC5WebDesign

1- 855-622-5932

FLOCK SOCIAL MEDIA • specializing in brand awareness • growth strategy • events and promotions • targeted campaigns

both the visuals and text are consistent and familiar and that you have filled out all available fields. Your branding is often the first interaction your customers have with your company. It shows that you are professional and serious about interacting.

Social media profiles should not appear to be an after-thought to marketing. Your social media profile will be seen by all of your customers and customers-to-be and is an important piece of your marketing plan.

3. Establish your Voice and Tone. What kind of personality do you want to convey? How do you want your customers to perceive your company? What are some adjectives to describe what your company is not? Are there any companies that have a similar personality to yours? Snoop around and do some research!

4. Pick Your Posting Strategy. How often, what time of day and what should you post? There are suggested guidelines all over the Internet to answer these questions. The important thing to consider is being consistent, but also monitoring and assessing what times of day and what type of

5. Create a Social Media Calendar. This is an essential piece of your content marketing plan. It must include projected dates and times you want to publish to Facebook, Instgram and LinkedIn and tweets, in addition to any other social media content. The post when something comes up strategy can be pretty inefficient and will set you up for forgetting major events and holidays ie: marketing opportunities. Plan ahead, get organized and you will save time.

5. Post Often, Analyze and Test. The more you post, the more quickly you’ll figure out what content, timing and frequency is best for your brand. Once you build up a body of content posting will become easier and posting across platforms will be as simple as formatting existing content for each of the social media channels you’ve chosen. You have more available content than you think!

Keep at it. Abandoned presences are worse than no presence at all. When you enter the social media space, you’re building a relationship with your audience, potential customers, and brand enthusiasts. Don’t let them down.

Caroline Manuel, Social Media Specialist Caroline’s dream is to make your customers pause, smile and engage with your business through providing useful information and meaningful content that will have them coming back for more.

DOWNTOWN

DUNCAN

caroline manuel

M: 604.754.0271 E: carolinemanuel@gmail.com

250 510 8700

• Skin Care Services • Esthetics Services • Natural Sugaring Hair Removal • Onsite Gel Nail Artist • Facial Bar

#105 80 Station Street - Please use Craig St entrance

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

Ecopsychology

E

copsychology explores the relation between personal health and well-being and the health and well-being of our home, the Earth. When the focus is on healing ourselves in nature, it is usually called ecotherapy.

When the emphasis is on healing the earth, it is often described as deep ecology. At its best, as in Joanna Macy’s “Work that Reconnects,” ecopsychology works both ways. The Earth cares for us and we need to care for the earth.

The word “ecopsychology” was coined by historian Theodore Roszak in his 1993 book, Voice of the Earth. He was building on the foundation laid by his own earlier book Person/Planet and the work of environmental educators and therapists such as Michael J. Cohen and Robert Greenway and deep ecologists such as Paul Sheppard and Gary Snyder. Ecopsychology has even deeper roots in the

writings of Wordsworth and the other romantic poets, Henry David Thoreau and the transcendentalists, and pioneering naturalists including John Muir and Aldo Leopold.

In recent years ecopsychology has become more mainstream with the publication of Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods, the Japanese concept of “forest bathing,” a growing awareness among mental health professionals, urban planners, and educators about the importance of our connection with nature, and increasing concern about the need to care for the natural environment.

The Connecting with Nature sessions led by John Scull provide simple guided meditations which enable individuals to be mindful of their connection with the natural world and to share their insights with others. The activities are based

on the work of outdoor educator and ecopsychologist Michael J. Cohen. For each activity, John gives a brief introduction about an aspect of ecopsychology and instructions on the meditation.

Participants spend some time alone in nature and then gather together to share their experiences and insights.

Dr. John Scull will once again be leading peaceful nature meditations in Duncan on Saturdays this February. These free sessions are for anyone who might enjoy an hour connecting with nature and sharing the connection with others.

The outings are held in McAdam park along the Cowichan River.

The park has level paths so it is accessible to wheelchairs and walkers. At each meeting, John gives a brief talk about ecopsychology that sets the context for the meditation and then brief instructions on the day’s activity. Individuals commune with nature for about 20 minutes, then gather

back together and share their experiences. Participants are encouraged to repeat the meditations on their own or with a partner and to apply the results of what they experience in their day-to-day lives.

John’s nature meditations are based on the work of Michael J. Cohen’s Project Nature Connect and on John’s belief that mindful contact with nature can help us find balance and wholeness in our lives.

The free one-hour sessions begin promptly at 1:30 on Saturdays beginning February 3. Meet by the tennis courts on McKinstry Road in Duncan. Call John at 250-715-5261 or email john@ ecopsychology.org for more information or just show up a few minutes early in sturdy shoes and dressed for the weather.

John is a retired psychologist and university professor.

Float effortlessly on the surface of 1000L of water saturated with 1200 lbs of Epsom salts heated to 94.5 degrees. Experience life without sensation and distractions in this unique light and soundproof environment.

662 Herald St. I Victoria, BC I V8W 1S7 I 778 433 3166 I hello@floathousevictoria.com I floathousevictoria.com

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World Health Organization in Lyons France, declared that microwave radiation... from phones, from wi-fi, from towers, I-pads etc...is possibly carcinogenic, and in the same category of concern as DDT and lead. I am including in the article a link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AEOcB7Svhvw.

Please take 52 minutes to watch it soon.

Generation Zapped I am writing today because I am connected to you by a common vision--the goal of a just world and a greener future. Here in the Cowichan Valley we actively work towards this vision. We all have particular gifts to help realize this dream.

Delicious East Indian Cuisine

Butter Chicken Curry Chicken Vegetarian Specialties Chana Masala Pakoras Samosas

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

EARTH MEDICINE GARDENS Creating medicinal gardens for your health needs

N. Belarbi - Herbalist, Ethnobotanist & C.A Linklater - Horticulturalist, Garden Designer

250-709-7114

earthmedicinegardens@gmail.com

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We, the Cowichan Citizens for Safe Technology are working proactively to raise awareness about how much radiation our young ones and the elderly are exposed to, and to improve the safety margin for exposure to any microwave technology.

We have a concern for our health and for the environment. Currently, some of us have chosen to live far from cell antennas. The telecommunications industry has plans to eliminate cell towers and place micro transmitters every 2-10 houses. This plan is for urban centres but could spread to other areas and would saturate the environment with microwave radiation.

We would no longer have a choice as to how much radiation everyone and all of nature is exposed to.

Other countries are doing much to protect citizens, for example, France will ban cell phones from schools starting Sept 2018. France and Isreal have laws to prevent young children from exposure to wi-fi. In the last 20 years, 70 declarations asking for the precautionary principle to protect citizens from radio frequency, microwave radiation were made in Europe, the UK and Canada. Here is one quote from among the 70: “Today (May 11, 2015), 190 scientists from 39 Nations submitted an appeal to the United Nations, UN member states and the World Health Organization, requesting they adopt more protective exposure guidelines for EMF and wireless technology in the face of increasing evidence of risk.”

“Less is More” is the title of a series of films in the 20172018 season. We will show our second film “Generation Zapped” this year at the Sol Center February 1 at 7:30.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Happy New Year, and may our dreams for a healthy future come true.

In 2011, 30 scientists from the

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

Dorothea Siegler teacher, organic gardener and health enthusiast

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 your popularity rating will soar because everyone wants to be in your presence. Enjoy hanging out with creative, artistic types.

Friendships will be warm and supportive. Some will turn a platonic relationship into a romance. Meanwhile, disputes about shared property, inheritances and insurance issues will continue. (Likely, these will settle in your favour.)

Use this time to set serious goals for your future. What are your hopes and dreams? Chase your dreams with all your strength!

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) This month the Sun is at the top of your chart “shining” down on you like a flattering spotlight. This means you don’t have to do anything special to make bosses, parents and people in authority admire you and see you as competent, capable and talented. Do not do anything to dissuade them of this illusion. (You can take this to the bank!) This is the perfect month to ponder your life direction and make some decisions. Ideas?

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) You want adventure and something fresh, new and different this month. You want to travel. (“I need to blow this pop stand!”) You want the stimulation of new places, new faces and exotic adventures. (Well, what’s new?

This is who you are anyhow.

It’s just exaggerated this month.) Therefore, grab every chance to travel or take a course or get further education because you hunger to learn and experience something that turns your crank. A new romance with someone who is “different” will begin for some.

This month is also an excellent time for a vacation!

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) This week the Sun moves into one of your money houses.

(We all have two money houses – one which concerns our own earnings; and one that concerns shared wealth and how we benefit from

others.) Your focus right now is on the wealth and resources of others: your partner’s wealth, inheritances, money back from the government, shared property, taxes, debt and insurance issues. Because Venus is present, this looks favourable! (Venus attracts money.) This means not only will your focus be on issues about shared wealth but these issues will likely go in your favour. Keep your pockets open because goodies are coming your way!

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) Once a year, the Sun sits opposite your sign for four weeks. That time has arrived.

Because the Sun is your source of energy, and it is now as far away from your sign as it can get all year (in your chart), this means you will be more tired and will need more sleep. Go to bed. You’re not losing it – you just need more rest. Fortunately, Venus (also opposite your sign) ameliorates difficulties with relationships and makes your interactions with others charming, diplomatic and friendlier.

Sweet!

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) “Gentleman, start your engines.” This month you will bust your buns because your sites are set high. You want to be effective, efficient, productive and on top of your game. You want to be healthy, energetic, vibrant with a great sense of humour and an ability to accessorize. You want shoes that don’t hurt, and pants that fit you perfectly in a smaller size. Relations with coworkers will be more supportive because Venus will guarantee this. Not only will you receive praise from coworkers, you might get a raise from your boss. Yes! LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) It’s play city for Librans! Yahoo!

This month is the perfect time for a vacation. It’s also a wonderful time to schmooze, enjoy social events, have fun at parties, explore the arts and attend sports events. Romance will flourish because Venus will attract new romance to many. (Both these planets will promote “romance” in existing relationships.) It’s great you will attract more money to you because fun stuff costs money. (You never see a headline saying, “Psychic

Wins Lottery!”)

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) Your focus is on home, family and your private life this month. Many will be involved with a parent and family discussions. Family businesses will flourish and increase in profit. You will buy beautiful goodies for your home or a relative. You will be more interested in redecorating your home and exploring real-estate opportunities.

Expect to entertain at home, perhaps to show off new purchases? Despite these busy distractions, you will make time to cocoon at home for your own peace of mind and sanity.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) You hit the pavement running this month because the Sun is in a fast-paced part of your chart that accelerates your daily rhythm and gives you a jam-packed schedule. Short trips, errands, ambitious To Do lists, conversations with everyone (especially relatives and neighbours) plus increased reading, writing and studying will keep you running. Have I left anything out? Life will be happy because you will notice more beauty in your daily surroundings, and realize just how much love there is in your daily world. Lucky you!

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) “Show me the money!” Both the Sun and Venus are in one of your money houses, which means your focus is on earnings, money, cash flow plus the possessions and assets that you own this onth. You will buy beautiful things. You will be more aware of your earnings and think of ways to boost your wealth. At a more subtle level, you will give thought to your basic values in life like, “What really matters?”

February FORECAST You want to make sure you know what matters so that you don’t end up with regrets in your old age. Oh yes, you are a long-lived sign.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) Ta da! The Sun is now in your sign, recharging your batteries for the rest of the year. The Sun will also attract favourable situations and people to you.

You will enjoy increased good fortune and increased popularity. Things will tend to go your way -- as if you’re living your life like a hot knife slicing through butter. This month is a perfect time to buy wardrobe goodies because you like what you see in the mirror. You’re charming and diplomatic (the influence of fair Venus in your sign) and everyone admires you. (It’s a bit much.)

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) Your personal year is coming to an end. As such, the Sun is now moving into a “hidden” part of your chart, which means you will hide and seek solitude in beautiful surroundings before your birthday arrives. This is not to just down time. You can use this time to think ahead and strategize what you want your new year (birthday to birthday) to be. We know you’re going to travel in the coming year.

Plus you will welcome any opportunity to learn more by taking courses. What are your plans? Make personal goals with deadlines. www.georgianicols.com

Hola Fernando!

Serving delicious breakfasts and fresh lunches Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 8am-2pm Duncan Curling Club, 3191 Sherman Rd, Duncan www.vieventcatering.com I 250 701-8593

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DIRECTORY OF LOCAL SERVICES

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.

Directory Size A - 1 logo + 8-12 word listing Full Colour 1 X $63 6X $53 12X $43 Black & White 1 X $52 6X $42 12X $32

Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or by phone to adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Deadline FEBRUARY 12 for MARCH 2018 Issue 112 Ayurveda

Natural Beauty

Prudence

Ayurvedic Life Transformations

Uniquely Tailored Explorations Into The Self

Natural Skincare & Cosmetics

Coaching, Counselling, Yoga Therapies & Bodywork

• 155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

Asrael 250 597 3973 www.ayurvedicbliss.com

www.prudencenaturalbeauty.ca

Childcare Services

Growing Together Childcare

A home childcare program inspired by nature and the Waldorf philosophy for ages 3 to 5

FULL TIME Spaces Available Now

Ages 3-5 year olds 8:30am-3pm 1033 Nagle Street, Duncan 250-748-9754 or visit us via

250 710 4062 www.hhchildcare.com Computers

In-Home Computer Lessons

Organizing your computer Office Programs Business Office Assistance

Social Media Website Building PC’s and Mac’s

Call Nettie: 250-510-0408 Website: www.inhomecomputerlessons.com E-mail: nettekevw@gmail.com

Employment

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

Photography

Raindog Camera Services Photos that help tell your stories. www.facebook.com/fotomatic5/

Fitness the Fun Way @cvzip 12 classes/week 3 different venues Nicolette EveryBODY Welcome 250-735-0770

Farms & 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

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Mt. Sicker Family Farm

We supply these local companies • e3 Naturals: Sensitive Skin Therapy • Buddies Natural Pet Food

www.buddiesnaturalpetfood.ca www.e3naturals.com

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

Health and Healing Acute or Chronic conditions • Substance dependency • Facial Rejuvenation • MSP & extended health coverage if applicable

Customizable Organic Mattresses, Pillows, Linens Locally made Platform Beds and Furniture

Wu Wei Acupuncture & Acupressure Clinic Frauke McCashin, R.Ac., Dipl.TCM 1 - (250) 710 3581 Mill Bay & Duncan www.worldwuwei.com

126 Station St. 250-597-REST (7378) www.resthouse.ca

REFLEXOLOGY

Indian Head Massage Enabling your body to heal itself, naturally.

FEEL BALANCED & CENTRED naturalheelingreflexology.com

Call Helga 250-732-7988

Unwind and release the body’s own healing potential Cranialsacral Therapy RCST • Integrative Energy Healing Therapist • Kundalini Terri Bishop 1-778-288-7533 Yoga Classes

ISLAND ROLFING

REALIGN YOUR BODY

• better balance • increase flexibility• improve posture • re alignment • eliminate chronic pain and more NEW client special! - 50% off your first rolfing visit

BRETT HOLLAND I 250.920.8818

www.GroundPointHealth.com

Bioenergetic Balancing with Magnets & Energy Healing

* Boost the immune system * Prevent illness & fatigue * Feel healthier

Kathryn Lowther Certified: Biomagnetism & HUE Energy Healer

Tina Foster, RHN Registered Holistic Nutritionist

250 748 8774

MineTheHarvest@hotmail.com

Sol Centre, 5380 TCH, Duncan Ph: 250 920 8818

In holistic nutrition, a complete approach of mind, body, and spirit is taken for improving your ailments. The state of these all play a part on the way to dis-ease, and so therefore must be considered important on the pathway to wellness. Contact Tina for guidance in achieving your greater health and wellness potential. Enjoy the journey!

Receive Relaxing Reflexology and Empathic Listening On a pay what you can basis!

Relaxing your body to increase your bodies ability to heal itself!

In My Studio or Your Home.

Stephanie Cerins 250-732-4599 or happinessishealthy@gmail.com www.happinessishealthy.com

Pet Care Spacious suites, pickup and drop-off service, kitty cams

Cowichan’s Exclusive Boarding Resort for Cats

50% off your first month of Qi Gong!

WWW.GOLDENSHIELDQIGONG.CA

250-891-5138 www.biomagcanada.ca

WAKING WELLNESS NUTRITION

Join Brett Holland for Jingui Golden Shield Qi classes every Wednesday

That Cat Hotel 250-749-3728 www.ThatCatHotel.ca

FOOT REFLEXOLOGY

Reiki, Thai Foot Reflexology, Indian Head Massage

PEMF Mat/pad

30 Minutes for $20.00 (& FOR PETS)

TERRI LEWIS 250-701-8962 www.terriswellness.com

Relax, Rest & Repair, to help your body heal naturally

Yoga

VITASANA YOGA & WELLNESS CO-OPERATIVE Classes in Mill Bay on Tue, Wed, Thurs Morning/Evening

Yin, Hatha Flow, Restorative, Chair Yoga...

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:250-217-6255

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