VV March 2016 Issue 88 web

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MARCH 2016 ISSUE 88 SPRING BREAK I DELICIOUS WAYS TO CELEBRATE EASTER I GARDENING 1

Enjoy Our Wood Fire Oven Pizza open 11am dai ly bring the kids in for spring bre ak!

40 TAPLINES POURING

#201B 3055 Oak St, Chemainus 250 324-0222

Issue 88 March 2016

Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Editors Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 - 6514 Wicks Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5V2 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Proofreader Distribution Events Calendar Diana Pink Linda Dirksengale Angela Sheppard Advertising Enquiries Please Contact Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com or in South Cowichan Linda Dirksengale 778 746 9319 e-mail linda@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Next Ad Deadline March 18 for April ISSUE 89 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Next DEADLINE March 18 for April 2016 Issue 89 E-mail: Date, Time, Location, Event Title and Cost to: events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations SPECIAL THANKS TO FOLLOWING VALLEY VOICES Steve Elsken, Fatima Da Silva, Zach Blake, Mark Holford, Lori Treloar, Pam Stiles, Orith Horwitz, Dawn Howlett, Heather Lauzon, Chantey Dayal, Sybille Webb, Tina Hamill, Stephanie Cutler, Catherine Macey, Karen Trickett, Morgan Saddington, Veronica Scott, Sue Payne, Tracey Hanson, David Coulson, John Scull, Linda Hill, Helga Feichtinger, David Pink, Christy Greenwood, Debbie Wood, Simon Pidcock, Richard and Sheila Badman, Carrie Nelson, Sophy Roberge, Pat Amos, Judith Quinlan, Joanne Sales, Rowan Hamilton, Dave Street, Christine Beattie, Jessica Dalderis, Rick Dennis, Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store and The Lovely Georgia Nicols We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other 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.

2016 Ad Rate Cards Now Available APRIL AD Deadline: MARCH 18 Over 30,000 LOCAL readers pick up the Valley Voice monthly. If you have a service or business you would like them to see - Request a 2016 Rate Card today!

Adrienne at 250 510 6596 I adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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OUR COMMUNITY March Events 6-7 One Billion Rising 8 Eye on Shawnigan 12 Woodworking in the Waldorf School 22 Experience Downtown Duncan 32-35 Spring Clean Checklist 42 SMART Recovery 43 Designing Green Time to Clean up Again! 44 Solar Inspiration 45 The Community Farm Store 51-54 4 Quick Tips for a Lean Mean Green Spring Clean 57 Chimney Blues 58 Websites Email and Verbal Lint 60 March Horoscopes 61 Cowichan Valley Business Directory 62-63 LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Cowichan Bay Seafoods Wild Salmon Chowder 8 The Origin of Beer Names 10 White Wine Tarragon Chicken in Cream Sauce 10 Musings from the Vine 11 Delicious Ways to Celebrate Easter in the Valley 14-16 Healthy Easter Baking With Kids 18 FARM & GARDEN Cobble Hill Seedy Saturday 46 Duncan Seedy Sunday 46 Is your Irrigation System Legal? 47 Petal To The Nettle 56 The Genus Rhododendron 58 Cut Broom in Bloom 58 LOCAL ARTS Million Dollar Quartet 9 Spring Break Reading 27 Journaling: Good for the Soul 36 CVAC Call for Submissions 37 Talking Arts with Coventry Woodworks 38 Peter & Chris 39 I am Woman Hear Me Laff! 40 Music News 41 BODY, MIND & SOUL Human Beings are Meant to be Musical 19 Looking For Magical Sleep Solutions? 21 Body Self and Soul 23 The Float House Experience 28 Emerald Healing Place 29 March is Birth Psychology Month 30 Valuing Prenatal Classes 31 SMART in the Cowichan Valley 43 Hawthorn for Heart Health 48 World of Probiotics 49 Yoga for Wellness: Emotions and Sound 50 Sabotage 60 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE Big Birds of the Valley 24 Pacific Rim Whale Festival 24 South Island Whale Report 25 Wild Ways to Play at Mount Washington 26 Scaredy Cats 56 Lucky Dogs: Food and Mood 57

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

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FABRIC ARTS & ENAMELS By Artists 1 Katie Daniel & Margot Page Imagine That! 251 Craig St, Duncan Runs to Apr 2 COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE $15-$45 #103-44 Queens Road, Duncan Frauke McCashin, RAc, 250-710-35811, 8, 15, 22 and 29 on Tuesdays - 12 to 3pm THE ADDAMS FAMILY Musical Comedy Brentwood College 2735 Mt Baker Rd, Mill Bay 250 743 8756 Runs Mar1-5 7:30pm $20 FAMILY STORYTIME Ages 0-5 & family Cowichan Library 2687 James St, Duncan Tuesdays 10:30-11am FREE AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY 2 Shawnigan Players Presentation Duncan Showroom 133 Station St upstairs Tickets 10 Old Books $15 7:30pm Runs Mar 2 5 9 12

YIN YOGA Kerry Park Rec Centre alicia@ wildpeace.ca 5:30-6:45pm $12 MINDFULNESS BASED STRESS REDUCTION Kerry Park Rec Centre alicia@wildpeace.ca 7-9pm FREE SMART COWICHAN RECOVERY MEETING New Life Community Baptist Church 1839 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan smartcowichan@gmail.com 7-8:30pm Wednesdays 2 9 16 23 30 COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE $15-$45 #103-44 Queens Road, Duncan Frauke McCashin, RAc, 250-710-3581 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 on Wednesdays - 5 to 8pm

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GAMES NIGHT Board & card games Cowichan Library 2687 James St, Duncan 6-7:30pm FREE KIM YANICK ART OPENING with special guest Reid Williams Old Firehouse Wine Bar, 40 Ingram St, Duncan CROCHET CLUB An evening of crochet learn teach share South Cowichan Library 310 2720 Mill Bay Rd 6:30-8pm FREE ONE BILLION RISING Unite in 4 community against violence against women Duncan city square 12pm FREE

SOMATIC INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION Potluck dinner family entertainment tschoen@cwav.org Duncan Eagles Hall, 2965 Jacob St, Duncan 5-9pm

By Donation

James St., Duncan. Mon. - Fri. 10am 5pm, Sat. 10am - 1pm. Free.

STARTING & GROWING EARLY VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS Ladysmith Library 740 1st Ave 6:30-8pm FREE

TRADITIONAL SQUARE DANCE Shady Grove Dance Band No experience needed age 12+ The Hub 2465 Koksilah Rd, Duncan 7:30 $5

CAPTURING PEOPLE IN A FEW 9 STROKES Ink watercolour pastel new members welcome Chemainus Sketch

BASIC FRUIT TREE PRUNING 5 SEMINAR WITH BERNIE DINTER, Dinter Nursery 5 km south of Duncan

SPEECH CONTEST First step to world championship Cowichan Toastaster Club 950 cowichantoastmasters.com Island Savings Centre boardroom, Duncan 7pm

ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLES SHOW & SALE Diggers Club Chemainus Elementary School Garner Rd 8-3pm $3

COWICHAN CAREER & JOB FAIR Bring your resume meet local employers training & education Quw’utsun’ Cultural & Conference Centre 200 Cowichan Way Duncan info@qvsjobs.ca 10-2pm FREE

10am

HIGHLIGHTS CONCERT Cowichan Music Festival Society local multidisciplinary competition 250 748 7529 Cowichan Performing Arts Centre 2687 James St, Duncan 7pm $15.50 WATER WISE GARDENING WORKSHOP Cowichan Green Community meeting room Registration Req’d 250 748 8506 360 Duncan St 9:30-12:30pm $20

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SUNDAY AUCTION La Petite Auction House 9686 Chemainus Rd viewings 10-1pm PADDLE CANADA BASIC SKILLS KAYAKING COURSE Blue Dog kayaking Mill Bay Marina $180 includes kayak gear dry suit pool session bookings 250 710 7693 Mar 6 or 12 ‘HOUSE OF DREAMS’ Baroque Orchestra Tafelmusik Cowichan Theatre 2pm Tickets 250-748-7529 LENNIE GALLANT East coast music Duncan Showroom 133 Station St upstairs 8pm GLEANINGS FROM THE ABYSS Latest 7 findings from our ocean observatories 250 746 9916 Freshwater Ecocentre 1080 Wharncliffe Rd, Duncan 9:30am

Hellerwork Structural Integration Somatic Counselling Massage Therapy www.pathwaysofconnection.com

BRETT HOLLAND

Rolfing Structural Integration Visceral Manipulation Golden Shield Chi Gong www.islandrolfing.com

250-661-1687 250-920-8818 New office at The Green Door 126 Ingram Street Duncan

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PAWS 4 STORIES Children can practise reading skills reading to therapy dog Percy Cowichan Library 2687 James St, Duncan 3:30-4:30pm FREE I AM WOMAN HEAR ME LAFF 10 Female Comedians fundraiser for CWAV Cowichan Performing Arts Centre 2687 James St, Duncan 250 748 7529 7:30pm $28

SEEDY SATURDAY Cobble Hill Hall 12 3550 Watson Ave Facebook.com/ Cobble-Hill-Seedy-Saturday 10-3pm FREE CELEBRATE BIRTH PSYCHOLOGY MONTH w/ Cowichan Valley Craniosacral wellness@cowichancraniosacral.com Community Farm Store 5380 TCH Duncan 1-2:30pm FREE ADOPTEE SUPPORT GROUP, Cowichan Library 2687 James St 2-4pm COWICHAN FOLK GUILD COFFEEHOUSE Featuring Paul Ruszel & friends Duncan United Church 246 Ingram St 7pm $10 Sacred Chant Circle at Rivendell 13 Yurt 7-8:30pm By donation sdbartram@gmail.com

March 8 - 24, 2016 “See What We 8 Saw...” Fine Furniture & Marquetry by EXOTIC BIRDING DOWN UNDER Karen Trickett and Cam Russell with guest 15 250 746 9916 Freshwater Ecocentre artist Cheryl Painter. PORTALS, 2687 1080 Wharncliffe Rd, Duncan 7:30pm

Correct your posture. Freedom from chronic pain and injury and improve overall health and wellbeing.

MELISSA BROWN

Club Fuller Lake Arena 9:30-4pm

Maroma Incense & Fragrance 10% off in March! * Fair Trade * Earth Friendly * No Animal Testing * Recyclable * Sourced From Renewable Resources 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

CREATE A FAIRY GARDEN The Clay Hub theclayhubcollective@gmail.com 2465 Koksilah Rd, Duncan 1-3pm Mar 15 & 22 $35 All ages welcome.

SIGN-UP FOR GARDENPALS BEGINS A free gardening program for children and parents, Centennial Park, Duncan Call 250 748-0580 to register COME PAINT WITH US Chemainus 16 Sketch Club new members welcome Fuller Lake Arena 10-1pm FRACTURED FAIRY TALE Puppet show South Cowichan Library 310 2720 Mill Bay Rd 11-12pm FREE

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HAIDA GWAII: ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. Duncan United Church, 7pm, admission free or by donation.

BEATLEMANIA TRIBUTE “The Deaf Aids” 7pm, Cowichan Bay Pub

NIKKIDESIGNS STUDIO 19&20 SALE Fabric Clear-out!

Pillow Covers, Table Linens, Bedding, all on SALE! 12-5pm 10969 Hilsea Cres.

Ladysmith (Saltair) www.nikkidesigns.ca

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DUNCAN SEEDY SUNDAY Si’em Lelum Gymnasium 5574 River Rd, Duncan vanessa@ cowichangreencommunity.org 10-2pm $2 ST. ANN’S GARDEN BUILDING Quaker open house Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan 250 746 6141 1-3pm FREE FRACTURED LAND, THE STORY OF CALEB BEHN, Duncan United Church Hall, 246 Ingram St., 2pm, admission $5, contact Donna Cameron 250-748-2444 or dcameron@seaside.net “L’AUBE ENCHANTÉE”:Alec Pearson - guitar and Bernard Blary flute 2pm St Michael’s Church, Chemainus Adv$17/ $20 250-748-8383

THE MARKET @ THE BARN A new community market over 40 local 18 REEL ALTERNATIVES Jimmy’s Hall vendors 1438 Fisher Rd, Cobble Hill 250 21 Cowichan Valley Performing Arts 743 1986 Fri 6-9pm Sat 10-2pm FREE Centre 2687 James St, Duncan 250 748 ST. PADDY’S DAY 3 Course Dinner 5pm Merridale, 1230 Merridale Road, Cobble Hill SPANISH TAPAS with Gary Faessler & guest musician Massimo Pintus playing Spanish Guitar 7-9:30pm The Worldly Gourmet 522 1st Ave, Ladysmith 250-245-7307, $65

7529 7pm $12

MARINE LIFE OF LADYSMITH 22 HARBOUR Presented by Dr Rick Harbo leading marine photographer LadysmithCameraClub.com $5

THAI VEGETARIAN COOKING CLASS Scoops Natural Foods, Whippletree Junction 6-7:30pm 778 422 3310

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SCOOPS NATURAL FOODS GRAND OPENING 15% off Sale Whippletree Junction 2-6pm Music, Prizes and Food ST. PADDY’S BEER AND BURGER: A FUNDRAISER FOR THE YO TEAM 7pm - 9pm Oak and Carriage Pub, 3287 Cowichan Lake Rd. Duncan $20 COWICHAN CENTRE FOR PEACEFUL COMMUNITY USED BOOK & GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER 165 Station St, Duncan 10am -5pm WORKSHOP ON CONSCIOUS AGING Providence Farm – Chapel $80 Register with: joye@telus.net

CLEAR-OUT!

PILLOW COVERS TABLE LINENS BEDDING

Dr. Fei Yang (Dr. TCM, Reg. Ac)

Benefits of the Spring Cleanse:

• Cleanse the liver and gall bladder • Remove excess fat, body waste, toxins • Increase mental clarity and emotional balance • Refresh & rejuvenate energy for the rest of the year

DR. FEI YANG Traditional Chinese Medicine

250-733-2917

www.drfeiyang.ca

Let go of the old

and welcome the new EASTER FAMILY AND 27 COMMUNITY DAY AT BIRD’S EYE COVE FARM Easter egg hunts every hour starting at 11am/ Last Hunt 3pm Wood Fire Pizza served from 10:30am- 3:30pm 5881 Genoa Bay Road, Duncan $5

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HUB EASTER FUNDRAISER FAIR 10am - 1pm @ The Hub, 2375 Koksilah Road $10each/$40 family, kids under 2 free

MASTERING PERSPECTIVE Pencil ink new members welcome Chemainus Sketch Club Fuller Lake Arena 9:30-1pm

WILDLIFE KAYAKING TOUR 3 hours no experience required Blue Dog Kayaking Mill Bay Marina bookings 250 710 7693 9am daily $60

JOLLY DRAGONS AGM New comers welcome nelmar@shaw.ca Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre 7pm

NATUREKIDS EXPLORER DAY 26 Many Hands permaculture farm tour RSVP cowichanvalley@naturekids. bc.ca 10-12pm FREE

SUNDAY AUCTION La Petite Auction House 9686 Chemainus Rd viewings 101pm

FREE YIN YOGA CLASS with Nadia. @ Harmony Yoga Center 6-7:30pm Free (or By Donation).Open to All Levels

CLIMATE CHANGE & THE PARIS 31 AGREEMENT Presented by Elizabeth May VIU Cowichan Campus

DUVET COVER SALE!

FABRIC

Spring Cleanse with

Studio Sale

ALL ON SALE!

Saturday, March 19 & Sunday March 20 12-5pm 10969 Hilsea Crescent Ladysmith (Saltair)

www.nikkidesigns.ca

250 924-5679

Lecture Hall Rm140 7pm FREE

La Petite Auction House Auction Sunday March 6 & 27

Early viewings Wed - Fri 11am- 3pm Plus viewings on Sat before the auction 12 - 3pm.

SAME DAY viewing from 10am -1pm.

To consign email dawngeddie@gmail.com

Auction begins at 1pm

9686 Chemainus Rd, 250-701-2902

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Society, Cowichan Women Against Violence, The Matraea Centre and Benoit & Associates Health.

One Billion Rising Cowichan

S

tand together against Violence Against Women and Girls--here in Cowichan and around the world!

Connect through One Billion Rising--an International Movement committed to Raise Awareness, dispel the secrecy, and build healing, community support, advocacy and education.

Learn “Break the Chain” here: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=fL5N8rSy4CU

For more info contact: Nika Stafford: nikastafford@shaw. ca; ph. 250 710 7339

International Women’s Day Potluck Friday March 4, 2016 5:00-9:00 pm Duncan Eagle’s Hall 2965 Jacob St. (off Boys Rd) Join us for a Potluck Dinner, Family Friendly Entertainment and Speakers, Featuring Live Performances including “The Hardware Girls” Please BYO plates and cutlery.

Admission by Donation

Proudly sponsored by Cowichan Spirit of Women, Cowichan Intercultural

LIVE or COOKED CRAB • FRESH FISH • LOCAL SPOT PRAWNS •

Wild Salmon Chowder

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5:30pm

Recipe courtesy Chef Steve Elsken, Unsworth Restaurant

Ingredients 1 kg Wild Salmon (or fresh fish of your choice) cut into small pieces 30 ml olive oil 375 ml chopped onion 375 ml diced carrots 375 ml diced celery 375 ml diced potato 60 ml crushed garlic 2 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin 1 can crushed tomatoes 1 can coconut milk 1 ltr fish stock 125 ml chipotle in adobo sauce pureed Cowichan Bay Seafoods

Method Saute onions, carrots, celery and add garlic until soft and fragrant, season with salt and pepper.

Add Spices, tomato, coconut milk, chipotle and fish stock, salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 10-15 min.

Add potatoes in the last five minutes and check seasoning.

Add Salmon in at the last minute.

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

VISIT US AT VICTORIA PUBLIC MARKET AT THE HUDSON 1701 DOUGLAS ST. VICTORIA 778-433-4385

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

Million Dollar Quartet

T

he Chemainus Theatre Festival presents Million Dollar Quartet, a popular Broadway musical inspired by actual events. In the mid-1950’s, four young and talented musicians met by chance, and made music history, in one red-hot jam session. Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash are famous for their legendary songs and rock ‘n’ roll hits.

Million Dollar Quartet is the acclaimed story about their astonishing careers and this landmark day in music history. The “birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll” – Sun Records recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee ­– is also the origin of the Million Dollar Quartet.

It’s December of 1956, and

a young Jerry Lee Lewis is playing piano for a Carl Perkins recording session; unexpectedly, the chart-topper of the time, Elvis Presley, walks in. Rising star Johnny Cash is soon to follow, and the music starts to flow.

No one knows whether the gathering was a coincidence, fate, or savvy planning by record producer, Sam Phillips – who slips into the control room, presses record, and captures songs ­that will go on to win hearts and whip crowds into frenzy. Unlike traditional musicals, Million Dollar Quartet sets itself apart by forgoing the orchestra pit for actors who are playing their own instruments. “It’s been a fun challenge to work with the arrangements and instruments as part of the action on stage,” says music

director, Kraig Waye. “Instead of simply supporting the show, the songs themselves are a starring role.”

Featured hits include: “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog” – and more pop, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, and country music mixes.

Make it a night with a special showthemed dinner in the contemporary Playbill Dining Room featuring an impressive hot buffet, fresh salad bar, and tempting desserts. Millon Dollar Quartet Playsat the Festival Theatre from

February 12 – March 26, 2016. Tickets are available now at 1-800-565-7738 or chemainustheatre.ca.

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S

“It’s fresher from here”

White Wine Tarragon Chicken in Cream Sauce Fatima Da Silva, Executive Chef Vinoteca at Zanatta Vineyards

Ingredients Boneless skin-on chicken breasts *I Prefer skin on, you can always discard the skin after Olive Oil Butter (optional) Dry local white wine Heavy Cream Dijon Mustard Lemon Juice Lemon Zest Salt & Pepper

Amount 4 3 Tablespoons 1 Tablespoon 1/4 Cup 1/2 Cup 2 Tablespoons 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon To taste

Chopped fresh herbs, either tarragon or thyme.

Method

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; sear meat side first until golden color, then turn onto the skin side and cook thoroughly, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep them warm.

Pour wine into hot skillet; cook until reduced by half.

Add in cream, mustard, and fresh herbs, Cook stirring until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes, add lemon zest and juice.

Serve with vegetables or any starch of your preference.

Pairs very well with Pinot Grigio or a crispy Cab Sauvignon.

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

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taring at the craft section in your local liquor store can be daunting. Names and terms are being tossed at you as well as art work, wild ingredients, flashy names and acronyms. Some refer to old world styles of beer that have been brewed through centuries of craft, others come from a designation of strength before a measurement of ABV (Alcohol by volume) existed.

A very common style to see on shelves would be IPA, or India Pale Ale. The tale is certainly old, and mired in conjecture but I’ll tell you it as I’ve heard it many times. The British began a brutal colonialization of parts of India taking root in the early 18th century. By the 19th century the East India Trading company with the support of the crown had firm trade roots and agreements starting in Bengal and expanding through southern Asia.

Burton breweries and others around England were searching for new markets of export after the Tsar of Russia halted trading for ale with the British. This led to the advent of a highly hopped beer that was intended to survive the long journey round the Cape of Good Hope and through the Indian Ocean.

Hops serve as a preservative to last the long voyage. Hops are bacteriostatic and were chosen as a preservative and offer a balance to the sweet malt barley.

The wording pale stems from the pale malt used in the beer, much lighter in contrast to a Porter and Stout.

The Origin of Beer Names ale. It was seen as a common man’s drink and has been brewed similarly for hundreds of years.

The dark malt builds flavours akin to chocolate, coffee, molasses or dark rye bread. This brew was so popular that soon breweries sought to build on the name, designating their beer as a “Stout Porter.” The term stout obviously implying a stronger more robust version of the style; and later coming to designate it as darker.

So next time you’re pondering a choice in the craft section consider the steeped history of the style you’re picking up. It may be brewed or at the very least influenced by thousands of years of history of brewing tradition. Cheers!

The clan of watermen that ferried people and goods through the locks of the river Thames were called Porters. These men were thirsty lending to the name of widely available, dark malty

Sheryl Jardine REALTOR®

Cell: 250 661 9754 Bus: 250 746 6621 Fax: 250 746 1766 sheryljardine@royallepage.ca

Results that Move You Duncan Realty

INDEPENDANTLY OWNED & OPERATED BROKER

481 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan www.royallepage.ca/duncanrealty

Zach Blake, proud father, husband and Zymurgist at Red Arrow Brewing Company.

Musings from the Vines

W

ith the incredibly mild winter we have been having, Spring appears destined to be early this year. It’s a very important time in the vineyard, as vines come out of dormancy – sap begins to flow and buds start to swell. In the vineyard this is a milestone that is carefully observed – as the buds for the coming year go from barely visible bumps where the leaves from the previous year were attached to the vine, to big plump buds, fuzzy and ready to open with a new shoot for the coming year. Once the buds get swollen, they become quite fragile and easy to knock off. All of the winter pruning needs to happen before this stage or risk knocking off many of the buds that will form the shoots and fruit for the coming year.

Winter is the one quiet(er) time in the vineyard and winery. The main work in the vineyard is winter pruning – removing 90% of the wood/canes from the previous year and ensuring an appropriate number of shoots are left for the coming year.

In the winery the wines are being stabilized and readied for bottling in the Spring. Both activities are important, but there is a lot more flexibility in terms of time management in the winter, and there is usually an opportunity to take a break, recharge the “batteries”, spend time with family and friends, and get ready for the hectic summer season.

This year in particular I’m very glad for the break and flexibility.

In December I was involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident. Totalled my car, laptop and camera – but emerged with just a few stitches and was quite thankful that the damage seemed limited to “stuff” all of which could be replaced.

Just after Christmas my condition worsened and I ended up being rushed to Victoria to deal with an internal injury which manifested itself after the accident.

Suddenly had to face the reality that I’m not super-human and invincible...

It was certainly a wakeup call...

Not being able to do any “work” for weeks is enough to drive me nuts. I’m a (bit of a) caged bear when I can’t do what I’m used to. And weeks of not getting work done is frustrating to say the least. But the silver lining in all this is that it’s actually the only time of year where this doesn’t have a major impact on our production. We’ve had to adapt, call in some favours, and our pruning is slowly getting done. So overall it won’t impact our wines, and thankfully my prognosis is also very favourable.

It really makes me thankful that we chose this crazy lifestyle.

One of the best benefits of running the winery is that we work from home, and I’ve been able to be around as my daughters grow up. When you face the reality of your own mortality, you end up reflecting on these sorts of decisions and I’m so glad to have spent so much time with my family.

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

Eat, Drink and Support Local

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DELICIOUS SPRING BREAK TREATS CAN BE FOUND AT SHAWNIGAN HOUSE COFFEE & CHOCOLATE. Our apologies to fabulous chocolatier, barista and owner Martine Thomson for our errors in the last issue.

Blue Tree Creative Custom made wood SIGNS

by Bonnie Tytel

bluetreecreative@gmail.com 250-507-6922

Rachel Allen 250 882 4198

Reiki Practitioner Animal Communicator

EYE ON Shawnigan L

ate in Village Site 1911-photo courtesy of the Shawnigan Lake Historical Society the 19th century, the government encouraged home steaders to settle in the Beginnings Cowichan Valley.

Not many headed for Shawnigan Lake. For Shawnigan, it was the advent of the E & N Railway that was instrumental in the development of the community.

In 1885, a year before the E & N Railway was completed, Charles Morton built a hotel on the waterfront at Shawnigan Lake. Morton built his hunting and fishing lodge in anticipation of the railway passing through Shawnigan and carefully positioned it next to the imminent E & N railway line. This placement established the foundation for the future commercial development of Shawnigan Lake. Once the rail line was finished, Morton House benefitted from regular train stops that allowed “thirsty” travellers to refresh themselves. By September 1900, a second hotel, Strathcona Lodge, was in operation on the lake. Both of the Shawnigan Lake hotels relied on the railroad to bring hundreds of people from Victoria every weekend, and the lake became a popular resort destination.

Not long after Morton’s arrival, William Losee (E&N Railway employee) who recognized the value of the timber around the lake arranged a timber lease with Robert Dunsmuir and built a sawmill on the lakeshore. The mill was in operation by the fall of 1890. Losee’s decision to place his mill next to the railway was deliberate.

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

Enjoy a day in the Village!

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Most mills of the day were located near to their market or at an ocean port facility. Thinking outside the box, Losee decided to transport his product by rail. He knew that it was cheaper to transport lumber than to ship logs. The railway connection gave him access to several markets close by, including Victoria, Nanaimo and Cowichan. In addition, he was central to four ocean-going ports on the island. Losee’s personal success at Shawnigan was short lived, but the mill and logging operations were taken over by a group of experienced businessmen and provided work for the community until the mid 1940s. This operation became the successful Shawnigan Lake Lumber Company – an integrated company that owned its timber, and the mill that processed it.

Submitted by Lori Treloar Curator – Shawnigan Lake Museum

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

Traditional Square Dance

A

s recently as the time of our great grandparents, family social events occurred in people’s homes, and that included dancing.

In North American homes, more often than not, some time during a party, rugs would be rolled up, partners would be chosen, and a fiddle would appear to provide the tunes and rhythms for a square dance to be “called” by someone in the know. The rhythm would be set by a set of “fiddle sticks”, small sticks such

MARCH FEATURE LIVE MUSIC

EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT March 3 • 7-10pm

KIM YANICK ART OPENING w/ special guest Reid Williams March 5 • 2:30-4:30pm

RAY HARVEY & BEVERLEY MCKEEN

Evening Show 7-10pm

MARTYN JONES

March 12 • 7-10pm

ZOUBI ARROS

March 19 • 7-10pm

STEW

March 26 • 7-10pm

WAYNE KOZAK

40 Ingram St, Duncan (250) 597-3473

All Shows begin at 2pm Sunday, March 6 Susannah Adams

Lovely vocalist with grace and charm.

as broom straws, which were used to hit the fiddler’s finger board.

Not so long ago every rural town in Canada and the U.S. had, often weekly, a regular square dance attended by many. The music was always live, and consisted of traditional fiddle tunes, many of which had their origins in Scotland and Ireland.

Today, there is a wide net of “club” square dances all over the world, for which the music is often specially composed and always recorded. To participate, dancers must attend classes and outfits such as women’s crinoline skirts and men’s string ties are worn.

By contrast, “traditional” square dancing is becoming rare, and is always done to live music. Having come from a long history of traditional square dancing, Peter Sussman has formed the Shady Grove Dance Band, which provides the music for dances at 7:30pm in The Hub on the first Friday of each month. Peter and guest callers teach each dance to all 12 and over, and partners may be found at the dance. See you on March 4!

Peter Sussman, Producer/Fiddler/Square Dance Caller Peter’s earliest folk/dance days occurred in the early 40s as a member of Margot Mayo’s American Square Dance Group in New York City.

Sunday, March 13 N.O.L.A Nighthawks led by Andrew Homzy

a touch of New Orleans with his 10 piece band Admission$15

Sunday, March 20 Jon Miller Quartet James Young, Rob Cheramy, Monik Nordine

Sunday, March 27 NO JAZZ - Have a Happy Easter Egg Hunt!

All Jazz Shows $10 unless stated

1534 Joan Avenue Crofton

Susannah Adams Jazz vocalist Susannah Adams is riding a rising wave of popularity in the wake of recent appearances around Victoria.

Her career got a huge launch two years ago when she was selected to open the Victoria Jazz Festival’s Sunday afternoon concert series in Centennial Square.

Adams, whose musical influences range from Nina Simone and Chet Baker to Eva Cassidy and Diana Krall, will be backed by the Wes Carroll Trio. Sunday March 6, 2pm Crofton Pub, 1534 Joan Ave $10

Byron Clayton Thomas

vocal harmonies and unique musical arrangements

“From Bluegrass to Jazz and everything in between we enjoy what we’re doing and we’re sure you will to”

St. Michael’s Church Hall Saturday, March 5th, 7 PM

chEMAINuS Admission $10 Presented by CVCAS

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

Delicious Ways to Celebrate Easter in the Valley! produce. The farm raises free range Highland beef, Berkshire pork and chicken with care and consideration.

Tea, coffee and hot chocolate along with some other goodies will be available for purchase in the outdoor cookshed.

Admission $5 per person. Rain or Shine 5881 Genoa Bay Rd, Duncan Easter at Birds Eye Cove Farm

Easter Events

Bird’s Eye Cove Farm welcomes all to their Easter Family and Community Day. Easter is such a fun day for both young and old. Enjoy a pizza, listen to great music and watch the chickens go by while the kids play on the farm. We will be running Easter egg hunts every hour starting at 11am and the last hunt will be 3pm. Two hunts available, one for children under 5 and one for children ages 6-12. There will also be face painting, egg colouring and decorating, colouring, adorable farm animals on site from and afternoon farm tours Miniature horse rides will also be available at an extra cost and a bouncy castle (weather permitting) will be on site.

Come hungry as their famous outdoor wood fired oven will be serving pizzas from 10:30am -3:30pm. Pizzas are made from scratch and feature farm to table

Easter Fundraiser Fair at the Hub! The folks in Cowichan Station invite you and your family to join them at their The HUB is developing as a volunteer-driven community center for arts, cultural and recreational activities and is a fundraising vehicle sustaining the goals of Cowichan Station Area Association. Bring the family to EAT gourmet pancakes, HUNT for eggs in the Hub forest, DANCE to live music, BID on local ware at the silent auction, CUDDLE real bunnies at the photo booth, ENJOY fair attractions including pony rides, bouncy castle, face painting, crafts, cookie decorating, easter claywork, strawberry potting and lots more... We can’t wait to see you there! 2375 Koksilah Rd.

IT’S AN EARLY EASTER THIS YEAR!

Come in and place your baking order for Easter Favourites! Wheat and Gluten-Free Hot Cross Buns, Challah, Bunny Buns, Cookies and more.

Easter Baking

A beautiful addition to Cowichan tables are True Grain Bread’s Edible Centerpieces - an Easter

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Edible Centrepiece from True Grain Bread

specialty composed of 18 different topped buns and arranged into an eye-catching spiral arrangement. It is available in 1 of 4 different doughs. Hot Cross Buns are available now until Easter in both wheat or spelt. Easter Bread is a Italian sweet bread that contains roasted almonds, raisins and rum, will be featured on the weekends leading up to Easter. Pre-orders available anytime right up to Easter.

10% off for orders pre booked 48 hours in advance. 1725 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cowichan

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Bay 250-746-7664.

Duncan Garage Cafe & Bakery offers specialty organic baked goods every day! For Easter pick up an organic fruit pie available in regular or gluten free crusts. For Easter brunch pick up some legendary butter buns and vegan spelt celebration rolls. In March the bakery offers organic hot cross buns on Fridays and Sundays.

Gluten free hot cross buns are fresh on Saturdays. Visit on Easter weekend to pick up some bunny buns and Challah on

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

Cured Ham by Chef Brad Boisvert, CURE

Easter Sunday. Pop in for some fun sugar cookies too.They bake fresh every day so please place custom orders 2 days in advance. Cost range .90 - $22 330 Duncan St, Downtown Duncan 250 748 6223.

Saison Market Vineyard will reopen for the season on Saturday, March 12 resuming regular business hours of Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 4pm.Traditional Hot X Buns will be available starting March 12. Due to popularity we are always asked to keep these going for at least two weekends following Easter. This year we will do the same. Visitors can also pick up and enjoy Chocolate Mousse Cake, Lemon bundt cakes, quiches Frangipan Tart, Banana & Coconut Cream Tartelette and Carrot, Ginger soup. Also on offer is Saison’s usual Holiday Bread studded with dark chocolate and dried apricots.

7575 Mays Rd, Duncan, 250 597-0484.

Chef Brad Boisvert of CURE Artisan Meat and Cheese is taking orders for Easter Hams bone in or boneless.

The hams are produced using BC hormone and antibiotic free meats and cured in a custom brine before being smoked.

These full of flavour hams can be ordered in a variety of sizes to suite your needs. And a foodie favourite; have the crackling left on for an extra little bit of flavour.

A selection of condiments are also available at CURE to serve with your ham, including grainy beer mustard, red onion jam and smoked onion chutney.

Add a cheese platter for a great

appetizer and Easter dinner is a breeze.

Order by March 18 for Bone In or March 22 For Bone out Pick up March 25 to March 27, Valley View Centre, Cowichan Bay 250929-2873

Easter Brunch

Visit Arbutus Ridge for Easter Brunch at Satellite Bar & Grille and indulge in a variety of dishes. Selections for breakfast includes eggs bennys, potatoes, bacon and sausage, a seafood station and selection of lunch items which include both hot and cold specialities as well as a hot carving station, dessert table complete with a chocolate fountain to indulge in. Seatings available at 10am/ 10:30//12:30/1pm Adults $31.95/Seniors $28.95/Children $12.95 3515 Telegraph Rd, Cobble Hill 250 743 5100 Easter Weekend at Merridale is always fun. Brunch in the bistro includes an orchard hunt map for the kids to follow clues with a grown up to search for a prize.

Baked goods are available to take home and of course some delicious cider! 1230 Merridale Rd, Cobble Hill 250743 4293 Brunch over a vineyard prepared by Chef Fatima Da Silva at Vinoteca. Brunch begins with fresh fruit, honey yogurt and baked pastries followed by your choice of main including delicious dishes like Caramelized leeks and chorizo crispy polenta with poached eggs and hollandaise, Smoked salmon eggs benedict, Corn flour and buttermilk pancakes with orange cream cheese, caramelized bananas and warm maple syrup, Sausage and potato hash with fried eggs and salsa verde and more served with coffee or tea. $20 per person 5039 Marshall Rd, Duncan, 250 709-2279.

Spice Up Spring! Jamaican Patties and Nasi Goreng!

ART e HE illage h t V in Bay ated Loc wichan o of C

SERVING SHAKES & SUNDAES For Spring Break!

Closed Wednesdays

Dayliner Cafe will be serving breakfast Fabulous food and exquisite decor and brunch items plus at Hudson’s on First specialty Pancake Pops (Aebleskiver) stuffed with fruit, served with fruit syrup, Stuffed Crepes, plus Eggs Benny, Seafood Cakes Benny.

Their family Easter tradition is Pavlova for dessert. It is a chewy meringue crust loaded with fresh fruit and the traditional ‘Full English’ whip cream. For us, it always breakfast featuring fresh represents the first of spring, Notta Farm eggs, house light, fresh and the thoughts of made sausage, bacon, grilled sunny days ahead.Individual tomatoes, mushrooms, house sized Pavlovas are available made fried bread and organic from the cafe throughout Easter Codes Corner Farm baked Season. Handmade Cherub beans. In addition Hudson’s on Chocolate bunnies and eggs First offers a delicious selection are also available for your egg of brunch appetizers, entrees, hunts! 10445 Chemainus Rd, sides from 10-2pm. Add a Chemainus – about 3 minutes round of sparkling Mimosas to morth of Chemainus in Saltair. your meal and make it a truly 250 324-3777 special occassion. Allergies and dietary restrictions Brits in the Valley will be accommodated with advance delighted to learn that Chef notice. 163 First St, Duncan Dan Hudson serves up an 250 597 0066. Cost $12-$22 impeccable local version of

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

(250) 715-6888

S

pring break is the perfect time to bake Easter treats with the kids. Simple changes to traditional ingredients can give you a healthy twist to your favourite Easter goodies.

Replace commercial white flours with highly nutritious freshly milled whole grain flours. Organic soft wheat, spelt, oat and kamut flours are great alternatives when baking cookies and cakes.

For added nutrition and lower carbs, replace ¼ cup of the flour with coconut or almond flour.

Spelt Sugar Cookies (10-12 cookies) 3/4 cup spelt flour 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp baking soda 1/4 cup cane sugar or coconut sugar 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 and 1/2 tablespoons milk (any kind) 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted) Combine dry ingredients in bowl and mix well. In a separate bowl, stir together vanilla, milk and oil. Mix dry ingredients into wet

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ingredients stir until dough forms. Make balls of dough and flatten or roll the dough out (1/4”) and use a cookie cutter to form shapes. Cook in a 325 degree, preheated oven for 10 minutes. Allow to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before decorating.

(For softer cookies, refrigerate shaped cookies on baking sheet before baking).

If your recipes call for lots of butter consider using applesauce and healthy oils such as coconut or unrefined expeller pressed oils instead.

The best part of Easter baking is the decorating. Icing and frosting are designed to be sweet tasting. Consider using healthier alternatives to white sugar. Sugars such as raw cane and coconut can be blended to powders to replace icing or confectioners’ sugar. If you prefer a liquid sweetener such as honey, agave or maple syrup, use a starch such as potato, tapioca or arrowroot to thicken the icing and frosting to a spreadable consistency.

Use natural food dyes that use concentrated vegetable pigments to color icing.

Use your imagination when choosing nutritious decorations. Dried fruits such as apricots, cranberries and pineapple add colour. Seeds

Healthy Easter Baking with Kids and chopped nuts add crunch and texture.

Coconut Cream Frosting (from elanaspantry.com) 1 cup coconut milk 1 cup agave nectar or honey pinch celtic sea salt 5 teaspoons arrowroot powder 1 tablespoon water 1¼ cup coconut oil In a medium saucepan, heat coconut milk, agave and salt, simmer for 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine arrowroot and water to form a smooth paste. Pour arrowroot mixture into saucepan and

whisk vigorously to combine, then bring to a boil, briefly, until shiny. Remove pot from heat and very gradually blend in coconut oil with a hand blender. Allow pot to cool for 10 minutes.

Place pot in refrigerator for 45-120 minutes, until frosting solidifies and turns white.

Remove from refrigerator and blend again with a hand blender, until fluffy. Spread over cake, cupcakes or cookies.

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

I

a a w h t a t a s a g

T c a c a e s a p m b w d t

to synchronize our breathing and heart rate, bringing us together as one pulse.

Music is embedded in both the micro and macrocosmic systems that govern our world.

The 7 innermost planets of our solar system each have a note associated with it. Similarly the names of the week are named after the 7 inner most planets.

The colours of the rainbow and the chakra system of the body also follow this sequence. If we were to sound each of these systems one would hear a major scale.

I

n traditional cultures, music has always acted as a practical companion in all aspects of life including work, childbirth, marriage, hunting and political activities to name a few. Music bonds a community together and in turn helps define a culture. It’s an avenue by which beloved songs, rhymes and dances are passed down from one generation to another.

Regardless of what age we may be, engaging in music promotes wellness and enables us to feel a sense of connection to something greater, like the cosmos doing its colourful cosmic dance since the beginning of time.

The Chinese word or character for medicine actually comes from the character for music. Singing and being in a musical environment elevates moods, soothes the nervous system and brings us into the present moment. Music and movement encourages proper breathing and mental focus while releasing the flow of dopamine and endorphins in the body. It has the ability

Our vision at Jump into Music is to instill or renew the wonder of music into the daily lives of families. We offer a one of a kind music and movement program that engages, educates and entertains both parent and child 6mo – 4yrs old. We strive to ignite or rekindle a musical curiosity by

DAY

PLANET

NOTE COLOUR

CHAKRA

Monday

Moon

C

Red

Root

Tuesday

Mars

D

Orange

Sacral

Wednesday

Mercury

E

Yellow

Solar Plexus

Thursday

Jupiter

F

Green

Heart

Friday

Venus

G

Blue

Throat

Saturday

Saturn

A

Purple

Third Eye

Sunday

Sun

B

Pink/ Violet

Crown

Human Beings Are Meant To Be Musical

providing exposure to the rudiments of music. Our aim is to keep music as accessible and as inspirational as possible.

Music is a great medium in early childhood learning for it activates the whole brain.

It’s been coined to ‘turn on our brain cells’. Words of song and rhythm activate the left frontal lobe whereas pitch and timbre stimulate the right frontal lobe. Moving our bodies in cross lateral ways also stimulates both hemispheres. Accessing the whole brain in such a way awakens and improves overall cognitive function.

Since little people think with their bodies, movement is a big part of the 50min class structure.

Unique to Jump into Music is that every three weeks we explore different cultures or themes such as: Africa, Brazil, Celtic, Classical, Chinese New Year, Japan, Caribbean, Gospel, Jazz, Country, Halloween Harvest, Spain, Italy and much more. Each lesson plan is thoroughly researched and developed to provide a rich sensory experience of contemporary and traditional material.

Your first class is FREE, so please, come join us in the joy of music and movement.

We’ll sing, dance, improvise, explore quality instruments, listen to great music from all over our globe, build relationships and participate in fine and gross motor skill

JUMP INTO MUSIC SCHEDULE TUESDAY •Crofton Community Centre 10 -10:50am •Chemainus Elementary School 3:30 - 4:20pm WEDNESDAY •Mill Bay, Kerry Park Recreation Centre 3:30 -4:20pm THURSDAY Duncan, Island Savings Ctr 10 -11:50am & 11 -11:50am (babies 6 mo-1.5 yrs) FRIDAY Ladysmith, Frank Jameson Community Centre 10 -11:50am

*No classes last two weeks of March activities while making friends!

What ever your ability, age or background, music is something that is and will always be apart of our lives.

Jump into Music in whichever way serves you. Be it listening at home, dancing about, or participating in a Jump into Music class. The harmony that music generates in you, is of benefit to all.

Hope to see you soon!

Submitted by Orith Horwitz, Owner and Music Instructor BA Music, 778 835 4541 www.jumpintomusic.ca

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

Looking for Magical Sleep Solutions?

Resthouse is your answer

R

esthouse in Duncan, was opened by Chris Manley and Dawn Howlett with one simple aim in mind - To help people improve their lives and health through a better night’s sleep.

With over 40 years of retail experience between them, Chris and Dawn bring an intimate knowledge of sourcing the best products for their specialty market, coupled with a deep connection to customer care.

“Both Chris and I have worked in retail for many years. Chris at Sleep Country and myself at Banyen Books in Vancouver.

We have an intimate knowledge and understanding of running a shop, with a basic desire to help people. Its what we know! Chris knows the mattress industry inside and out and I worked at a book store who’s main focus was helping people find resource materials and knowledge to help them improve their lives. Health and wellness was Banyen’s main focus. Opening Resthouse has been a continued extension of that experience.”

Like the rest of us they love Duncan and have fit right in with their demographic of discerning customers looking for ways to improve their health through sleeping better. “We saw that the full range of products to help people sleep was not available, especially those products that were made from healthy ingredients and made of lasting quality.” shares Dawn. “Most mattress stores focus primarily

on selling you a mattress (with pillows and duvets an after thought). We seek to find out specifically what would be the best solution for each individual, whether it’s a pillow that won’t cause allergies, a body pillow that will help support healing from an injury, or a new mattress that can be custom fit for both people sleeping on it. All options are explored and presented.” “We want to be the place that people think of when they want to solve those long standing sleep issues.” adds Chris. “Lastly, we wanted to be a part of the solution rather than the problem. By offering high quality, all natural products, we are keeping the environmental concerns that many of our customers have, at the forefront of our business practice. All our mattresses, pillows and linens are good for your health and for the environment. Its just the best feeling sharing them with everyone. We love it.”

Resthouse Specialties

Specifically, the store focuses on addressing 3 common Sleep Issues: 1. LASTING SUPPORT: Is your mattress doing its job of keeping your body properly supported?

2. PROPER ALIGNMENT:

Do you have the right pillows to support your body’s alignment throughout night?

3.TEMPERATURE REGULATION Is your current bedding causing you to over heat or become cold during the night?

Resthouse specializes in premium and naturally made customizable mattresses, pillows and bedding products.

The customization piece is big.

Clients can continue to adjust and alter their bedding products over time, as their needs change (without extra research and or repurchasing). “People are coming back to the notion that purchasing high quality/ less frequently is more cost effective over time.”

or fire retardant sprays.

Customer Satisfaction Dedicated to getting it right - clients have up to 3 months after purchasing a mattress to exchange a latex layer free of charge, to adjust firmness. “We aim to ensure that you have plenty of time to make the right choice for your unique sleep needs.”

Locally Made Bed frames, Shelves and Furniture “Designer and friend David Martinello has been building us locally sourced western maple bed frames and furniture, since we opened in 2014. Buying local has never been so easy when you see his beautiful work up close and personal.”

Resthouse is located at 126 Station St, Downtown Duncan or shop online at www.resthouse.ca for instore pick up or delivery.

“We also make sure that we only carry properly certified products. Organic certification is crucial in this day RESTHOUSE TOP 3 and age, so you BESTSELLERS TO IMPROVE can be sure that YOUR SLEEP all our product lines are tested and deemed good for • BODY PILLOWS: Especially your health. With for side sleepers. This long pillow 1000’s of new runs the length of our bodies and chemicals entering supports upper leg and arm. Nothing the market place addresses hip, back and shoulder every year without pain issues like it. safety testing, these certifications • ORGANIC WOOL TOPPER: Called are our only line “The Ultimate” for good reason, of defence.” says this mattress topper filled with 5 Dawn “Especially inches of eco wool, adds a natural when we are talking comfort layer to a mattress. Wool is about bedding that anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, wicks we spend so much away your sweat and provides natural of our time hanging softness all the while regulating your out in.”

body temperature.

New at Resthouse

Resthouse has just brought in a new line of organic sofas and loveseats.

Savvy Sofas are made from natural rubber tree latex and organic fabrics without chemicals

• SAVVY REST ORGANIC RUBBER TREE LATEX MATTRESS: Each side of this mattress can be custom designed for each sleeper. Components inside the mattress can be accessed to adjust firmness when needed over time. Wool batting in its cover means no fire retardant sprays. A Savvy Bed is the so natural it is completely biodegradable.

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Woodworking in the Waldorf School

W

ood is one of the most commonly used natural resources the world over. Renowned for both its strength and flexibility, trees from thousands of species provide us with the wood that is used for everything from making paper, to instruments, to furniture, to houses, and bridges. Having the opportunity to work hands on with such an incredible material, gives students a reverence for the mighty tree, and a respect for its growth and lifeline. Wood invokes all of the senses of sight, smell, touch and sound.

In Waldorf Schools around

the world, woodworking is a fundamental part of the applied arts curriculum. As early as 5 years of age children in Waldorf Schools are offered the chance to imitate the work of the adult with basic tools such as hammers and nails, saws and sandpaper. In the Early Childhood Programs at Sunrise Waldorf School, children will build a boat that floats on the river, and tom-walkers to play with in the yard. They also sand and smooth their golden swords and shields. These skills are not taught, but rather brought to the young student through verses, stories, and song, allowing the children to fully

integrate the activity with pictures that they create in their minds.

As students move up into the grade school, the curriculum continues to offer opportunities to explore the use, and beauty of wood. In grade three, for example, a class might bond together over the construction of a shed, a chicken coup, or a small shelter. Again, bringing practicality to the curriculum and applied art to the learning.

By grade 5, students are ready to begin handling sharper and more sophisticated hand tools, and thus woodworking class begins. The children learn to identifying various species of wood, understanding the softness and hardness of different materials. Then with hand tools, such as saws, rasps, gauges, carving knives and sandpaper, they create beautiful forms from a lowly block of wood. Many beautiful and practical creations are made over the years in the

grade school, and the finale is a three legged stool in Grade 8, which introduces the skill of joinery without nails and screws.

The results of working wood by hand, is to be challenged with understanding proportion, resistance, working in three dimensions, and taking projects to a smooth and beautifully oiled completion.

At Sunrise Waldorf School the wood shop is a small but lively room. In it you will find an array of hand tools, wood samples, and projects that are on the go. Our woodworking teacher is very skilled, and has a great talent in allowing students to find their way in the process with wood working by hand. If you’d like to come and see it for yourself, or are interested in hearing more about why Waldorf Education works, please feel free to contact Chantey Dayal – Admissions Coordinator for a tour or a meeting today.

250.743.7253

Waldorf Preschool & Kindergarten - OPEN HOUSE This is where children soar through play and imagination

Come and meet the teachers, learn about our programs, and explore our classrooms.

Saturday April 9th 10:00 - 12:00 pm Saturday May 7th - Schedule TBA www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org Space is limited - Please RSVP to admissions@sunrisewaldorfschool.org 250.743.7253

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

,

,

Body, Self and Soul

How accessing our body wisdom can change the life of our children Sybille Webb is a certified IBP counsellor with a private practice in Duncan sybillewebb @shaw.ca

Why is it so hard for human beings to change?

A

ccording to the latest research in Neuroscience, our subconscious controls about 95% of our behaviour.

It has been programmed since conception by our mother and father (or any primary caregiver). Since subconscious means we are not aware of it, we don’t experience ourselves playing out these behaviours. As a result, we often sabotage our own life, and don’t understand why...

Finding out what our unconscious belief systems are and how our behaviour has been shaped by our family of origin, is the starting point for change and the basis of a therapeutic system, called IBP (Integrative Body

Psychotherapy). Tracking back relationships and

interruptions in our family of origin offers keys to understand our behaviour in the present. Once a pattern is conscious, we have a choice.

It changes our perception from being a victim, to being in charge of our life. Or in CG Jung’s words: “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will control you and you will call it fate.”

How do we change?

At this time of year you might be acutely aware that resolutions and the best of intentions don’t necessarily bring the change we so badly want. In IBP we work with the intelligence of the body. While the conscious mind does not have access to memories before the age of 3, our body remembers everything! How? Through breath and acute bodyawareness. Breath heightens body awareness and helps accessing memories in the safety of the presence of a skilled practitioner. Once the old shadow is released, it will be replaced by a new, healthy message, in IBP known as the “Good Parent Messages” (more about those in the next issue).

Learning how to access my body’s wisdom with the help of IBP has been a life changing path of Self empowerment for me. I now feel that I am in charge of my life and create my own reality day by day. I have the freedom to chose how I show up in relationships.

It saved my marriage, helped me make peace with my parents and be a better mother, because I do not have to pass on those old patterns any longer.

I feel blessed to be able to share this precious work with my community.

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

Call or Email

First appointment free!

David Yaeger

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

affordable sliding scale fees

Delicious East Indian Cuisine

Butter Chicken Curry Chicken Vegetarian Specialties Chana Masala Pakoras Samosas

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

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Pacific Rim Whale Festival, March 12-27 West Coast Vancouver Island celebrates 30th year Beach Seine, Amy Hancock

T

Big Birds of The Valley Oh-OH, oh-OH call the Trumpeter Swans as they fly overhead, wings beating steadily and long necks outstretched.

These winter visitors to the Cowichan Valley are one of Canada’s biggest birds! They fly here for the winter to enjoy ice-free places where they can find plenty of delicious plants to eat. Look for Trumpeter Swans in Cowichan Bay, on Somenos Lake and Quamichan Lake and in fields all around the Valley. You can recognize them by their large size, white feathers (greyish for the young ones) and black bills. Don’t wait to look for them because at the end of March they’ll be starting the long journey north where they nest each summer.

Info courtesy Cowichan Land Trust

he Pacific Rim Whale Festival announced extended dates for the 30th Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival being held in Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, from March 12-27, 2016.

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival marks the opening of the region’s renowned whale watching season and the annual migration of over 25, 000 Grey whales on their 13, 000 km journey from the waters of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula to the Bering Sea. Known for the abundance of Grey, Humpback and Orca sightings year-round, the Tofino-Ucluelet area is one of the world’s premier whale watching destinations with more than a dozen operators conducting whale watching boat tours from March through October.

Over the course of the past

Never Have I Seen Winter Not Turn Into Spring Weekly Meditation - TUESDAYS VIU Cowichan Campus

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Build a Whale, Derek Cruikshank

30 years, the communities on the west coast of Vancouver Island, once very dependant on resource based industries to fuel their economy, have transitioned nicely into thriving tourism communities. Both Tofino and Ucluelet offer accommodation of all levels from camping right through to five-star resorts in addition excellent hiking, kayaking, fishing and whale watching opportunities. The ocean is integral to their way of life on the coast and the festival celebrates that relationship. www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com

Check out 2016 Retreat

Schedule at www.VIRetreats.com/2016 Retreats INFO: 250. 710. 7594 or peace@viretreats.com

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

© Simon Pidcock, Ocean Ecoventures

South Island Whale Report

S

Simon Pidcock is Owner/ Operator of Ocean Ecoventures in Cowichan Bay

alt runs in my veins and has in my family for at least four generations. My introduction to boats was at the age of two. At the time my father was a freelance shipwright and took me to work with him. My family moved to a shipyard in Maple Bay when I was four and since then I have not been able to escape my love for the ocean.

Growing up I was taught that you have to find a job that you are passionate about and

you love. I have been lucky enough to find this. In 2003, Ocean EcoVentures opened its doors in Cowichan Bay and started running whale watching tours, eco tours and private charters. Our goal for each and every tour is to share our passion, educate and foster conservation of the Salish Sea ecosystem.

There are few places on earth that are more diverse and beautiful than Vancouver Island’s waterways and we get to share them with people from around the world. A quote from Baba Dioum, a Senegalese Environmentalist really sums up our company’s ethos.

“In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what

we are taught.”

Onto the whales, recently we have had sightings of Resident Killer Whales, Bigg’s Killer Whales and Humpbacks. There have been Humpbacks that have over-wintered in the Salish Sea rather than migrating to Hawaii or Mexico. This is a trend has been growing each year. In the next 10 years we will have a population of Humpbacks that will live in

our waters year round. The big news is the Southern Resident Killer whales’ baby boom. In the last fourteen months there have been nine new calves born to J Pod and L Pod with J55 being the newest, first sighted on January 18th 2016. This is the highest amount of births documented in the forty years that the SRKW have been studied. Great news for the Southern Resident Killer Whale families!

Engaging, Educating, Entertaining for parents and children 6 moNTHS-4yEArs programS run weekly Duncan, Mill Bay, Crofton, Chemainus, Ladysmith

First class is always FREE ! Come and join us!

Drop inʻs & Siblings welcome

www.jumpintomusic.ca 778.835.4541

st s la asse March l c *No eks of 2 we

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L

ooking for something that everyone can do for Spring Break? This season Mount Washington has seengreat snowfalls which also means extended snow play! You don’t even have to be a skier or snowboarder - there’s lots of ways to get into the snow.

TUBE PARK The resort offers 5 lanes of incredible tubing thrills. Each lane is 215m long and depending on your comfort level, tube staff can direct you to the best lane.

Conditions permitting, cluster riding in a group is our favourite because it’s propensity for speed is unparalleled. Multiple riders link together for a hair raising ride as one. This guarantees speed. Adventurous single riders can ask staff for a spin before heading down the icy hill. The whole family can partake in tubing especially the wild wee

TIPS FOR 1st TIME VISITORS TO MOUNT WASHINGTON IT’S COLD! - Be prepared for varying weather conditions and temperatures.

WEAR A WINTER JACKET. Waterproof outerwear is recommended.

BRING WINTER BOOTS with good tread. There is often icy patches and deep snow even by the lodges.

REMEMBER HATS AND GLOVES. Keeping warm is essential, especially if you are planning on participating in or obesrving snow play.

For your convenience winter gear can all be rented on the hill: jackets, snowpants, gloves, hats, helmets, goggles plus any other equipment you might need for fun.

Observe and obey all signs and instructions from tube park and lift operations staff

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ones under 42” - they can ride free on an adult’s lap!

Extremely safe, each tube run ends on a runaway of straw to slow you down. Then effortlessly up the magic carpet with your tube in tow to enable everyone to easily ride again. Open 11am - 7pm Sunday - Thursday, 11am 9pm Fridays and Saturdays TOBOGGAN RUN Families with young children looking for some good oldfashioned tobogganing fun can make the trek down to Raven Lodge to enjoy sledding in their new designated tobogganing area. Bring your own toboggan, please no inflatables, pass must be present and can be purchased at the Raven Lodge. Cost is just $2 per person or $5 for the family. Open 10am - 4pm Saturdays and Sundays.

2 TERRAIN PARKS For skiers and snowboarders of all levels, Mount Washington offers 2 terrain parks. For kids and beginners Easy Acres Terrain Park, with smaller rails and fun boxes provides the perfect stepping stone for beginners. The mini terrain park is introduced to kids in Level 3 Snow School by certified Terrain Park instructors but as it is only one aspect of the lesson. For kids wanting to learn more terrain park lessons are available from the Snow School to help kids and adults learn to fine tune technique and tricks.

With a private instructor, our 6 year old twins took a session in the terrain park to extend their time and expand their skills. By the end of the 2 hours they were literally able to ride the mini rails, land higher jumps and give themselves the foundation of proper technique for the features.

In the learning park, the rails are shorter and the jumps are smaller which gives riders the opportunity to progress in a fun and safe environment. Building confidence equals long lasting enjoyment. But it’s not just for kids!

I learned to brush up on the basics to ensure safe progression to larger features. We began with flat land exercises such as ollies. The instructor corrected my stance and execution throughout the lesson as incorrect style had already been ingrained in my muscle memory. says Richard, snowboarder and skier. “After 15 years riding too “open” it was quite a shock to learn this is not how it’s supposed to be done and the possible cause of not always landing the tricks. Now I am working on aligning my shoulders with the board in a more closed stance to facilitate a more robust ride.” With abundant natural snowfall at their disposal, the Park Crew gets to build the ultimate Terrain Park every winter. The Terrain Park features jumps, hips and step-ups, as well as a sumptuous smorgasboard of street-style rails and fun boxes.

STAY To PLAY With all these wild ways to play in the snow you might consider visiting for more than a day. Cozy ski in and ski out accommodations can be found right on the hill in the Alipne

Wild Ways to Play at Mount Washington For Everyone!

S Village.

Staying on the mountain enables time for night skiing, tubing, snowman making and more. Accommodations on the hill often require 2-3 consecutive nights for booking. There’s nothing like staying on the mountain to truly slow down time and offer quality time for the family including the dog!

Recently, with only 2 nights to spare we opted for our down the mountain favourite the Old Village House Hotel in Courtenay. Here after a full day of skiing and snowboarding we were able to relax in the evening in the outdoor heated pool and hot tub facilities, a perk of staying in town. Our dog is welcome in this hotel and the staff is always ready to greet both humans and dogs with cookies!

See you at Mount Washington!

Private and group Terrain Park lessons are also available for adults wanting to take their skills to the next level. “Though I had been taking small jumps for many years already, in my lesson

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

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H s F b D H i s

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A N B o t A

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Spring Break Reading

S

pring Break is adventure time. It gets kids busy in a good way. At Volume One Bookstore we are all about being busy with books.

How to inspire a budding reader while keeping them occupied? Follow what they love!

Here are some of our suggestions: For the lovers of the “I Spy” books, there’s Pierre the Maze Detective for ages 7-12, by Hiro Kamigaki. Beautifully illustrated and requires seeking with a twist.

Tree by Britta Teckentrup, self-described as a PeekThrough Picture Book, takes us through the seasons as seen from a tree’s perspective. For 3-6 year olds.

have West Coast Wild: A Nature Alphabet by Deborah Hodge. Richly illustrated rainforests and beaches to inspire us to get out of doors with our young naturalists.

In the chapter books genre, the third book in the Hannah and the Spindle Whorl series by Carol Anne Shaw: Hannah and the Wild Woods.

A tale set during Spring Break in Pacific Rim National Park after the Japanese Tsunami of 2011. A glass ball washes up on the surf that is full of magic!

We love the Ultimate Construction Site Book by Anne-Sophie Baumann with over 60 lift the flaps and pop-ups for 5-8 year old categorizers with careful fingers.

New in hardcover is Governor-General’s awardwinner Iain Lawrence’s tale called The Skeleton Tree, reminiscent of My Side of the Mountain, with a raven and two boys who have to forage, fish and scavenge to survive.

Frame and the McGuire by local author Joanna Weston will engage readers from 10 and up and starts with the discovery of a body in the Koksilah River.

Animal Architects by Daniel Nassar and Julio Antonio Blasco is a detailed factfile of how animals from around the world build their homes.

Ages 6-106!!

We’ve got a book to complement every Spring Break adventure. Show us your smile and rosy cheeks and let us know which adventure you are going on.

For book lovers that are learning the alphabet, we

Submitted by the staff at Volume One Books.

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L

ike many, I love the water.

Drinking it, swimming in it, sailing in it, jumping into it. The beach is often the focal point for my holidays and floating buoyantly in a lake or sea my primary aim.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine an opportunity like those of the most eccentric celebrities of my youth be among my favourite activities of today. I float monthly and I love it. Like Edwina from the hit show Absolutely Fabulous I look forward to my solitary floats in the same way I look forward to a healing massage, or a quiet house with my sketch book.

Offering meditative, relaxing sensory deprivation experiences, Float House Victoria opened

by Erik Zaremba is a unique personal event used by many for stress relief, meditation, brain synchronization and increased visualization. Each float tank contains 1000 L of water with over 1200 pounds of dissolved

Epson salt. That’s alot of effortless buoyancy! In my first session I kept testing the waters - so to speak - and curled up in a ball, bobbing on my side, much like a floating child pose in yoga. Amused by the weightlessness, I spent much of the time with my hands folded behind my neck, lying in the dark, warm with wet thinking about swirling colours, people I loved, art, notions and ideas...

We arrived in Chinatown in less than an hour from Duncan on a grey day with falling mist. Jesse introduced us to the tanks and procedures. “Keep your head back, don’t get water in your eyes and enjoy the darkness.” he instructed.

Your 90 minute session begins with a warm shower located in your individual float room.

Soft music plays inside the tank while coloured lights smoothly transition through the water. Wiping your face completely dry before entering the pod helps to avoid getting salt water in your eyes as you

Image courtesy Float House Victoria

If you haven’t already tried Float House.

It’s time. float. I entered water bathed in a soft purple light. The egg shaped chamber was a very modern white and clean with an easily accessible handle to pull the lid down at my leisure.

For convenience 3 soft buttons are located inside the tank, 1 for lights, 1 for music and 1 to call staff if needed. After about 15 minutes the music faded out and the interior lights slowly dimmed to darkness.

Without sight, my remaining senses came to the forefront.

The water temperature perfectly

mimicking my own body’s enabled my brain to stop trying to “feel” anything around me.

When you float, there is nothing to lie on or lean to. You are just gently suspended without sight, sound, smell or touch. On my second visit I tried to steer my mind towards a first memory in the womb. Was it as peaceful as my time now?

No two floats are ever the same.

The magic that happens during yours is entirely up to you.

Submitted by Sheila Badman

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

Emerald Healing Place property amongst the trees.

Sessions are offered indoor or outdoor to suit individual preferences, providing a safe and warm environment to heal and come into alignment.

The heart centred practitioners at Emerald Healing Place come with many years of both personal and professional experience.

J

ust north of Duncan, Emerald Healing Place, a rare gem cradled in nature sits on over 20 acres between mountains, amongst old growth trees and near a gentle bubbling creek. The space was created by practitioners Heather Lauzon and Monica Murphy for their clients “to sit amongst the birds and sky with your feet planted firmly in the earth”. Clients who visit find it soothing to share their story, in the grounding presence of the horses while walking throughout the

Heather Lauzon is an Intuitive Healer, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Certified Quantum Touch Practitioner who is truly vested in the unique journey of each and every client who walks through her doors. She is particularly gifted in supporting those highly sensitive (empathic) individuals who are searching for understanding and the tools necessary to thrive in our chaotic society. She has a unique ability for gently and effectively guiding clients to clarity when they are feeling

lost and unclear of what direction to take. Heather has a great deal of experience in supporting people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, grief and addictions.

Her protocol is to support each client as a whole ~ the energetic body, psychological body and the physical body, when balance is obtained in each of these areas, great results are achieved.

Monica Murphy is a Therapeutic Massage Practitioner who offers massage sessions on an Amethyst Crystal Biomat. Monica’s gentle, knowledgeable touch combined with the mesmerizing atmosphere of Emerald Healing Place and the healing effects of the biomat are the perfect recipe for the ultimate quiet connection of mind, body and spirit while rejuvenating overworked, tired muscles.

The soothing heat of the Infrared Biomat removes toxins, reduces, stress, anxiety, relieves pain, clears the mind, increases blood circulation and clears electromagnetic pollution from the body. Its soothing heat has been deemed

“natures tranquilizer” by many because of its effectiveness in relaxing not only the mind, but also the nervous system. Monica welcomes new mothers and babies and creates a baby friendly, peaceful environment where new moms come to rest and revive their bodies from the transformation of childbirth.

Book your session at www. emeraldhealingplace.com.

Contact Heather at 250-7321405 & Monica at 250-5101698 Gift Certificates are available.

ROWAN HAMILTON Dynamic Pathways MEDICAL HERBALIST

Diploma in Phytotherapy, MNIMH, SCS, DTCM

at a healing place...

250 510 0062

Faye Stefan MA, RCC, DHHP Registered Clinical Counsellor and Certified Homeopathic Practitioner

Path to Wellness: Combining counselling with homeopathy for your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs utilizing Heilkunst Sequential Timeline Therapy.

Cowichan Valley Dynamicpathways.biz | fstefan59@gmail.com | 250-815-5029

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M

y family has been noticing the branches of trees outside pregnant with tight bulging buds. I reflect on that and realize that each individual bud will bloom in its own time, no one interfering with its readiness to open and the children waiting in anticipation to discover the blossoms and leaves in their perfection. In the life of the human being, birth has the opportunity to unfold and be received in the same way. However, we tend to hear about this sacred experience going off track for various reasons.

March is Birth Psychology Month, which is an invitation to learn about pre and perinatal health and how these early experiences impact birth and the rest of our lives. The Association for Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health (APPPAH) is a wonderful resource of articles, videos, lectures, etc.

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well worth a “click” and a Bookmark “save” to share with family, friends, and colleagues. Awareness is certainly one of the first steps that can lead us to a deeper understanding of birth as an felt sense experience for both mother AND baby. It also motivates us to implement the needed changes to make our way back to supporting pregnancy and birth with absolute care as a top priority in our approach to life long health.

Professional doulas are trained to work holistically with expectant mothers throughout the pregnancy and for the postpartum period. It is important to feel connected with your doula and that her services match your needs.

It is worth taking the time to meet with more than one before making a decision about who you choose to be one of your key support people on your birthing

March Is Birth Psychology Month! journey.

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST) has a profound ability to support our original health and go back to the earliest places of imprinting. Every session is an invitation to move towards the inherent health from the original force of life that initiated the growth of our body and all its internal systems. From this place of meeting and exchange, there is an acknowledging of health supporting us all the time in the fluids, tissues, and potency within our body. Feeling heard, creates a response inside where we begin to shift from a time when needs were blocked, unmet, or interfered with, to gradual feelings of wholeness. The emotional and

physical body tune into the possibility for repatterining, rebuilding, and reconnecting with SELF feeling loved, accepted, protected, safe, and understood. It is never too early and it is never too late to heal. BCST supports health in pregnant mothers, babies, children, teenagers, and adults.

Spring is a time of awakening. So let us greet the birthing of life with wonder, curiosity, and gratitude for all that it teaches us about our human experience.

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

Christina Hamill Registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist Cowichan Valley Craniosacral cowichan craniosacral.com

Valuing Prenatal Classes

O

class?

ne of the options many pregnant couples consider is whether they should take a prenatal class.

At a time when finances are tight with buying strollers and changing incomes, sometimes the cost of a full class can seem like a luxury.

So what is the real value in a prenatal

Well, having a baby is like running a marathon. Even though almost everyone’s body is capable of running a marathon, for most people it takes some training.

Likewise, while you can trust that your body is absolutely made to birth your baby, it certainly helps to have practice, resources and knowledge so you can handle whatever hurdles come your way. For birth, this training can come in the way of a good prenatal class.

There are many tools that classes offer as training for birth. Beyond providing good information about what you can expect from birth, they can help you understand the reality of your choices so you can be involved in medical decision making.

Additionally, they provide a safe space to work through feelings and face fears, help you plan your optimal birth place and team, and determine your priorities.

These classes are filled with tools for comfort and ways to handle the intensity of labour.

Classes also cover the basics of the postpartum period, so you can be prepared and gather the support you may need afterward. Some also go

beyond this, and teach ways of keeping yourself grounded so that you can process anything that happens.

Additionally, prenatal classes have much to offer to relationships. Taking a weekly class as partners sets aside a whole night each week for the two of you to bond even more. Prenatal classes are incredibly helpful for partners, who often have few places to explore birth and may be unsure about what it’s like, let alone how they can support the mother.

In a good prenatal class, partners are able to explore this support role so they too can feel confident through birth. Working on your relationship prenatally rather than after baby arrives also sets you up to work better as a team through stressful moments in parenting.

Finally, prenatal classes are a wonderful resource for building relationships with other people who are in the same place as you. Group classes are great for sharing information and help build a community once the class is over and babies are born.

What comes down to is this - the day your baby is born is one of the most important days of your life, and just like running a marathon, good preparation can help you birth confidently, and can lead to a smoother postpartum period.

How much is that worth to you?

For more information on prenatal class dates and options in the Cowichan Valley, visit our websites at www.tigerlilydoula.com and www.islandmother.com.

Stephanie Cutler (TigerLily Birth) and Robin Gale (Island Mother) are doulas and prenatal instructors serving the Valley.

Embracing wellness, family and community.

170 Craig St, Duncan • 250 597 0085 www.matraea.com

ISLAND MOTHER PRE NATAL CLASSES Private Prenatal Classes also available

ROBIN is now accepting Birth doula clients for APRIL 2016 www.islandmother.com

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Spring Fun & Fashion in Downtown Duncan Sessions run mornings and afternoons and are divided into age groups of 5 - 8 years and 8 – 12 years. All the artistic fun isn’t just for children though, because 4Cats also offers adult classes and parties, and Sweet Art Studio (121 Jubilee) offers adult beginner painting classes as well.

Fun

L

ooking for something different for the kids to do this Spring Break?

For budding artists, check out the fun and creative options at 4Cats Arts Studio (139 Station). This year, their spring break camp themes include Garden Fairy, On the Plain and Abstract camp – where your little Picassos can dip into painting, mixed media, watercolours and clay to create their masterpieces.

For those who love to race remote controlled vehicles, Duncan RC Shop (277 Government) has a track right across the street from their store that is open Monday – Saturday 9am – 6 pm. Cost is $30/hour for car rental and 1-hour track use or bring your own RC vehicle for $10/hour track time. Guaranteed fun – rain or shine!

If it’s a technology timeout that’s needed this spring break, browse the Red Balloon Toyshop’s (158 Craig) incredible assortment of games and puzzles or find a train or model to work on from Scott’s Toys & Hobbies (68 Station).

Fashion

Spring is, arguably, the most fun fashion season to shop for. After months of wearing layers, heavier fabrics and trying to keep warm (and stylish!) it is refreshing to see lighter colours and fabrics,

and fun patterns. Even window-shopping right now is a pick-me-up, so imagine the mood booster that trying on some great new spring clothes can be.

So what’s in for spring 2016? As soon as you walk into Shades Ladies Clothing (103-80 Station) the answer is obvious – it’s colour! Brights are big – beautiful hues of turquoise, lime green and fuchsia – just the hues to lift the winter blues. Dresses continue to be very poplar for spring and summer – especially in linen.

WHERE CULTURES CONNECT

250-748-3112 32

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

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

Shades have something for everyone and they carry popular Canadian brands such as Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman and Lisette.

If you haven’t tried on a pair of flattering Lisette pants yet, you are in for a treat – Oprah loves these pants and so will you.

Over at Fabrications (125 Kenneth), owner and buyer Jane confirms that classic nautical style remains popular, as do gingham and tiny print florals. And talk about the blues - from cobalt to cornflower to cerulean – blue is definitely a go-to colour this season.

Fabrications carries a wide variety of fashion lines including Ted Baker and White Stuff from England,

Desigual from Spain and Sandwich from Denmark.

As for Canadian content, there’s Parkhurst, and Up! And even closer to home, they carry Brenda Laine Designs from Cowichan Station as well as High Road clothes from Ladysmith, whose pieces are made from ethically sourced merino wool from New Zealand.

These are only two of the many wonderful and unique downtown clothing stores that carry the latest styles for every age-group, so put a little spring in your step this month and shop Downtown Duncan for fun and fashion.

Spring into a Fresh

New Look.

• Filler • Botox™ • Soft Tissue Filler • Laser Hair Removal • Rosacea Treatments

• Photofacials • Spray Tans • HydraFacial MD® • Acne Treatments • Mineral Makeup • Latisse™

WWW.VIVAMEDICALAESTHETICS.COM

#4 -177 FOURTH ST, DUNCAN 250 746 6512

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DBIA: Can you tell us a little bit about your business?

Maura: Something Celtic imports Celtic knitwear, jewellery and giftware. I was co-owner of a Celtic store a couple of years ago and when I shut that down, I realized I wasn’t finished with all things Celtic, or maybe it wasn’t finished with me!

JOIN US FOR

LUNCH + DINNER

OPEN

7 DAYS A WEEK

look for our daily specials on 40 Ingram Street

Downtown Duncan

(250) 597-3473

theoldfirehouse.ca

DBIA: Where can people find you downtown?

Maura: I am a store within a store at Magnolia at 111 Jubilee Street. When I first joined Sue McKay in her shop, I said I only needed a tiny space – how things have changed! Starting this month, I am taking over a larger corner in the store, which Sue and myself are both delighted about!

DBIA: With St. Patrick’s Day this month – can you tell us a little about your Irish roots and how you ended up in the Cowichan Valley?

Maura: I was born in Ireland and spent the first 30 years of my life there. I moved to Toronto with my family in 1988 and lived there for 20 years, until I came to visit a friend here in Duncan, fell in love and moved here just over 7 years ago. I still love it here!

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

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DBIA: Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in any particular way?

Maura: Well, I could answer that in the typical fashion and say I drown the shamrock every year! This may have been true when I was younger, but now I certainly raise a glass with the best of them and celebrate my heritage.

DBIA: What is your favourite place in Ireland and why?

Maura: I am drawn to the West Coast of Ireland, County Clare specifically, with the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. I am in awe of the rugged beauty of the

Q & A with Maura Whelan Something Celtic coastline and it helps keep me grounded.

DBIA: Is there anything you miss about Ireland?

Maura: My family are still in Dublin, and I miss them. I visit every year and now I have the added excuse that I have to go home to go “shopping” for the store, not that I ever need an excuse!

DBIA: What kind of Celtic products do you have in your shop?

Maura: Aran sweaters feature prominently in the store – they are pure wool and very popular!

I have a wide variety of Celtic jewellery including a beautiful new Scottish line called Heathergems. I also have a new fashionable line in knitwear: beautiful knitted shawls, capes and cotton/linen sweaters – just in time for spring.

DBIA: What do you love about your Downtown Duncan location?

Maura: I love the great street exposure on both Government & Jubilee!

Check out Something Celtic on Facebook!

Spring Renewal ~ Welcome to Harmony Yoga

T

he goal of Harmony Yoga and Wellness is to offer something for everyone and the variety of classes and workshops we have scheduled this spring, reflects that desire. From gentle classes that teach you to connect with your breath to vigorous classes that will strengthen your core ~ we have yoga for every body. Check our website for full class times and descriptions and if you’re new to us we invite you to try our 2 week unlimited membership – it’s affordable and convenient offering you a perfect introduction to how practicing yoga can change how you feel.

Highlights on the near horizon ~ Workshops in March: March 5th from 12 – 3 pm Spring Renewal and Detox Workshop with Nikki Pichert.

March 12th from 11:30 – 6:30pm Family Systems facilitation workshop with Jan Hull

March 18th 1 – 5 pm Spring Medicine ~ A holistic Yin Retreat with Jess Marais.

March 20th from 12:30 - 3:30 ~ Yoga for Sleep Workshop with Sarah Harrison March 27th from 1 – 3 pm Spring Cleaning ~ A Mindfulness Meditation Workshop Now is a good time to start fresh, create balance, strengthen your body, still your mind, and feel better!

Ask yourself if what you’re doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow?

Harmony Yoga & Wellness Center www.harmonyyogaduncan. com

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

AVAILABLE AT Spinning Ninny 306 Duncan St, Duncan 35

Journaling – Good for the Soul!

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!

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

Leola’s Studio 250-597-0820 Whippletree Junction www.leolasstudio.com • Full Hair and Esthetics Services • Natural Sugaring Hair Removal • Onsite Gel Nail Artist

GIFT CERTIFICATES Featuring So Pure natural hair care line with organic essential oils

250 510 8700

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Enamel on Steel journals by artist Margot Page www.margotpage.com

K

eeping a journal is uncomplicated, fun, and rewarding. All you need is a pen or pencil and a journal (note book) to record whatever strikes your fancy.

No-one has to read your journal because it is private – just for your eyes.

What to write (or draw)?

Anything and everything, there are no rules, explains Margot Page a long-time journal keeper and member of Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs Cooperative in down town Duncan. “Let your stream of consciousness flow, just write what comes into your mind,” she says.

It could be something you heard on the radio, a poem, a grocery list, a memory, a song, a squiggle – whatever.

“The art of writing and drawing in a journal starts with your first word and your first rough sketch. No-one has to read what you write. It can be your private thoughts or merely squiggles,” she notes.

Why keep a journal? The psychological benefits are endless say the experts.

Journal writing can boost your self-esteem by recalling past achievements and milestones. It helps quiet

the mind, reduce anxiety and stress and improve memory.

Best of all, putting pen to paper helps to clarify your thoughts and to be more organized and focused.

Margot is well known for her beautiful journal books sold at Imagine That. Each cover is enhanced with an original ‘painting’ made of enamelled steel or enamelled copper.

These popular images include a variety of colourful seabirds, flowers, and exotica.

If keeping a journal strikes your fancy, be sure to drop

by Imagine That Duncan and pick one up. Margot’s books will be on display in the store window for the month of March. A gorgeous selection of handcrafted pens by Bud Wilke will also be on display.

“When the urge to write strikes, make yourself comfy in a quiet corner,” she says.

“Pick up that pen and get started. We call it journaling.

I call it heaven.”

During the month of March, the large store window will feature colourful quilts by Katie Daniel and attractive lidded boxes by Robert Andrews.

By CVAC writer-member, Veronica Scott

S

pring is here and once again the Cowichan Valley Arts Council (CVAC) is gearing up for the annual Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show, which runs April 27th to May 1st, 2016 at PORTALS and The Cowichan Suite, inside the Island Savings Recreation Centre. Celebrating its 46th year, the Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show is one of Vancouver Island’s largest open art exhibitions and sales.

The show is an important opportunity for artists and artisans of all backgrounds to showcase their best artistic talents. It is also a great place for art lovers to pick up an original ‘made on the island’ treasure.

Featured will be the works of students, emerging and professional artists. They will be working in a range of mediums, including painting, photography, woodwork, pottery, weaving, jewellery, mixed media, sculptures and glass.

Like to take part?

If you are an artist or artisan sixteen years and older and a member in good standing with CVAC, you are invited to submit one piece of original artwork that has not been previously shown on Vancouver Island.

Submission information is available at PORTALS, the CVAC Centre of Arts, Culture

artists

call for submissions and Heritage, located in the Island Savings Recreation Centre, 2687 James Street, Duncan BC, and on the CVAC website at www. cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca.

In-person registration will take place Wednesday, March 30th to Saturday, April 2nd, between 10 am and 5 pm each day, at PORTALS. The show can accommodate 150 art pieces, divided by category (e.g., 2D contemporary). First come, first served, so come early to ensure your entry gets in.

All pieces submitted to the show will be juried by three professional jurors. One Best In Show, Five Awards of Excellence and Ten Awards of Honour will then be selected.

And of course the popular Peoples’ Choice Award will be voted on during the run of the show.

For more information, please contact Morgan Saddington, Show Coordinator, at the CVAC office at 250-746-1633 or visit www. cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca.

OBJECTS OF DESIRE Consign your antique collectibles and home decor items at our specialty auction, Sunday,April 17 in Nanaimo.

Call Dawn 250-701-2902 check out our website. www.lapetiteauction.wix. com/event auctions Hosted by La Petite Auction House

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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Mountain Chickadee on bed panel made of walnut, black locust, ebony, yellow cedar, holly, yew.

Coventry Woodworks 1290 Dale Place Cobble Hill 250 929 4396 coventryww@shaw.ca

Talking Arts with Coventry Woodworks

www.coventrywoodworks.ca

A

look at the Coventry Woodworks logo reveals a traditional cabinetmaker’s joinery saw overlaid with an array of automotive gauges.

This strange combination is explained by the two main types of work that flow from the Cobble Hill studioworkshop of Karen Trickett and Cam Russell.

The husband-wife couple work together on a combination of furniture and wooden items on one hand and automotive woodwork on the other. “It’s a bit of a seasonal thing”, explains Russell, ”the fall and winter months being the busiest time for automotive woodwork as owners of vintage cars take them off the road for restoration work. We take in

Western Maple Cabinet from One Tree project

1962 Morris minor traveller

everything from dashboards and interior trim in burled walnut to one of our current jobs, the structural frame pieces for a 1949 Jaguar.”

Fittingly, the name Coventry originates from the English city where Jaguar cars are made.

for a pair of very avid bridge players” describes Trickett.

It has the usual green felt playing surface, but also folds up to reveal a mahogany surface and folds again to compact in a semi-circle so it could be used as a hall table.

In between automotive work, the couple takes on varied furniture commissions and projects, some of which will be on exhibition at the Portals gallery from March 8th to 23rd . “One of our recent pieces is a card table, built

One of the shop’s specialties is Karen’s marquetry scenes.

Marquetry is the nearly lost art of making pictures from small, accurately fitted pieces of thin wood veneer.

“I particularly like working with all of the natural colours

that wood comes in as my colour palate.” she explains.

A life-sized chickadee in one of her pictures required seven species of wood in twenty-two separate pieces to complete. The Portals exhibition, “See What We Saw”, will feature some of Trickett’s detailed work including a bed headboard where a cherry branch passes through four panels and takes the viewer through each of the seasons, from intricate spring cherry blossoms to winter rain make of motherof-pearl inlay.

See What We Saw Karen Trickett and Cam Russell with special guest Cheryl Painter runs March 8 - 24, Portals, 2687 James Street

For full design/build service, give us a call

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

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The 46th Annual Cowichan Valley Fine Art Show Green Party Leader Elizabeth May Peter & Chris Peter ‘n’ Chris, 3-time award winning comedy duo, are bringing their hilariously wicked sketch comedy the Mystery of the Hungry Heart Hotel to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.

This one-act parody follows Peter and Chris, two hapless everymen who become stranded on the side of a spooky highway.

They take shelter at the mysterious Hungry Heart Motel where they are greeted by a murderous motel manager. When Peter and Chris decide they should stay the night, they are too preoccupied that they have to share a single, uncomfortable bed and they neglect to notice the mysterious murders happening around them and hilarity ensues.

March 11, 7:30pm, Cowichan Theatre 2687 James Street, Duncan Adults $28/Senior/ Students $25 Eyego$15

A rare opportunity to hear first-hand insights from one of Canada’s leading environmental voices into the historic “COP21” Paris Agreement, negotiated last December.

“COPs” are Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meetings, and Elizabeth has attended most if not all of these global negotiations since the first one in Rio in 1992. She will tell us about the long road to Paris, and what it means for Vancouver Island communities, and the world beyond. Elizabeth May is an environmentalist, writer, activist, lawyer, leader of the Green Party of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands. Thursday March 31, 7 pm (Seating is limited. Arrive early to secure a space.) VIU Cowichan Campus, 2011 University Way, Duncan Lecture Hall – Rm 140

Upcoming EVENTS

Cowichan Valley’s Largest Open Art Exhibition & Sale

April 27 to May 1, 2016

Wed. April 27 to Fri. April 29 - 10am - 8pm Saturday April 30 - 10am - 5pm Sunday May 1 - 11am - 3pm

Admission $5.00 - 12 & under Free PORTALS & Cowichan Suite, Island Savings Centre 2687 James St., Duncan, BC

Calling All Artists!

Artists are invited to submit one piece of original artwork to the 2016 Fine Art Show. In-Person registration only in PORTALS between Wednesday March 30 to Saturday April 2, 2016

Scandinavian Seafood Dinner Saturday, March 19

10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day $25.00 entry fee

Vancouver Island Shellfish Cooking Class For full details visit www.deerholme.com Saturday, March 12

BY RESERVATION ONLY

4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan

For ReservationS 250 748 7450

Visit www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

to download an entry form or drop

by PORTALS to pick up a form

Call 250.746.1633 for more information

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Proceeds benefit Cowichan Women Against Violence

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ot just a lot of fun, but also a successful fund raiser, I am Woman, Hear Me Laff returns for a second year, Thursday, March 10th, 7:30 p.m. to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.

Billed as a ribtickling fund raiser for Cowichan Women Against Violence (CWAV), the line-up for the evening features top Canadian comics who have exercised their wit in a diverse number of ways—from CBC’s The Debaters to Vancouver’s International Comedy Festival to Just for Laughs.

I am Woman, Hear me Laff! returns with five top comics for a laugh-filled night

Without a doubt, these are some of Canada’s funniest women coming together for a one night stand-up extravaganza. Their only Vancouver Island appearance is the Duncan date.

Headliner Jen Grant is joined by returning host KatieEllen Humphries, Michelle Shaughnessy, Jane Stanton and Sarah Hagen.

“Cowichan Women Against Violence Society thanks Cowichan Performing Arts for bringing back I am Woman, Hear Me Laff as its annual fundraiser for us,” says Jane Sterk, CWAV’s Executive Director. “ Last year was a scream (blast, delight); all four comediennes were superb. This is a great way to support CWAV

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Society and to celebrate International Women’s Day gaining insight into women’s lives through humor and good-natured fun.”

“We didn’t know what to expect the first year we presented this show,” remarked Kirsten Schrader, Manager CVRD Arts and Culture Division. “When we realized how funny all the women were and how much the audience was enjoying the show, we knew we had to bring it back. The great thing is, we have one returning comic and four new ones, so it won’t be exactly the same as last year.”

I am Woman, Hear me Laff Thursday, March 10 / 7:30 pm at The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.

Individual tickets: Adult: $28 | Student: $24 | Group Rate: Phone Cowichan Ticket Centre Tickets are available in person at 2687 James St. | by phone (250) 748-7529 | online at cowichanpac.ca

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

C r a L i a t h V a g d w a

music news

historical houses are all still in existence and our project is a collaboration with their present owners and administrators.

Invitations from the Handel House Museum (London), The Palazzo Smith Mangilli-Valmarana (Venice), the Golden ABC (Delft), the Palais-Royal (Paris) and the Bach Museum and Archive (Leipzig) to visit and photograph the houses have allowed us to situate our performance in the beautiful rooms where guests were entertained with art and music long ago.

Sunday, March 6 at 2pm The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre 250-748-7529

House Of Dreams Cowichan Symphony Society welcomes the return of Canada’s greatest internationally acclaimed Baroque orchestra Tafelmusik.

Led by Jeanne Lamon, Tafelmusic’s vituoso instrumentalists play “off book” from music and are staged by Canada’s great baroque theatre expert, Marshal Pynkoski. His work has recently been staged in the Palace of Versailles near Paris. House of Dreams is a virtual visit to five private homes where great masterpieces of baroque art were displayed on the walls and brilliant music was performed by the leading composers and instrumentalists of the day. The five

Harry Manx An expert in melding East and West music together, acclaimed musician Harry Manx returns to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. Last fall, when Harry toured the UK, Robin Denselow reviewed his performance in The Guardian. “With a dazzling range of instruments, Harry Manx brings an exciting eastern twist to blues, pop and jazz classics.

He kept the enthusiastic crowd on their toes with a varied set, demonstrating his driving, rhythmic slide work on classic blues by Willie Dixon or Muddy Waters, or songs

by Hendrix and JJ Cale. By the end, he was adding Indian influences to both Gershwin’s Summertime and an exquisite treatment of Van Morrison’s Crazy Love.”

It’s no wonder Harry garners these types of accolades. He has spent years fusing eastern musical traditions with the blues, switching effortlessly between conventional guitars, harmonica and banjo and the decidedly different Mohan veena, a 20-stringed instrument.

Saturday, March 12 / 7:30 pm at The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre Individual tickets: Adult: $36 | Cowichan Folk Guild: $32 | eyeGo: $5.00 Tickets are available in person at 2687 James St. | by phone (250) 748-7529 | online at cowichanpac.ca

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Green Living

Valleyview

Centre

So much to offer!

Fitness

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd

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

Food

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

We Welcome New Patients!

Spring Clean Checklist

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hat a beautiful time of year Spring is!

Everything is fresh and new.

It’s an excellent opportunity to renew things indoors as well. I am often asked what tasks should be conquered in a deep, annual clean so here are some suggestions. Equipment needed will be vacuum, microfiber cloths and mop, squeegee, concentrated citrus cleaner, bucket for water and a step ladder.

1. First and foremost clean the windows, inside and out.

What an amazing difference it makes with the season’s bright sunshine beaming in through crystal clear glass.

It is really worth doing the outsides as well so if you have windows out of reach, hire professionals. Be sure to remove screens and gently spray clean with a garden hose. Take this time to also clean out the window tracks, vacuum first then spray with citrus cleaner and wipe clean. If you have any mold or mildew built up from the damp winter months, use a diluted teatree spray (1tbs/500ml) to kill the spores.

2. Dust everything in all rooms. Most surfaces, vacuum first then wipe clean with a damp cloth. This includes hard to reach places, books and other items on shelves, ceiling fans, light fixtures and lamp shades, tops of cabinetry, window and door casings and remove cobwebs as you go.

3. Pull all furniture and appliances out away from the walls and thoroughly clean under and behind them. Clean the floor and baseboards back

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there as well as the backs of the furniture pieces, which may not look dirty but will have been collecting and holding dust, pet dander, pollens etc. Gently beat cushions and throw pillows outside as well.

4. Roll up area rugs to clean under them. Small rugs can be shaken/beaten outside and vacuumed, larger ones need to be steam cleaned along with the wall to wall carpets.

5. Fabric draperies hold dust and odors, some can be vacuumed with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum, or taken down and washed in your washer, others need to be professionally cleaned. Check labels if you’re washing them yourself that they are preshrunk before tossing them in your dryer. Blinds can be dusted or damp wiped, slat by slat on both sides. If they are metal or plastic and are very dirty the citrus cleaner will help remove the “greasy” dust that tends to accumulate on these.

5. Flip and rotate your mattresses, launder pillows, duvets and blankets then swap them out for summer weight bedding.

Have a plan for your deep cleaning projects and work in logical sequence so as not to undo all your hard work.

Compete all your dusting before having carpets cleaned for example and clean blinds before doing your windows.

Whether you take on the job yourself or hire help, completing a deep Spring clean will be rewarded with a fresh, healthy home.

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

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SMART in the Cowichan Valley

SMART

is the acronym for SelfManagement and Recovery Training which is a nationwide, non-profit network of abstinence-based self-help groups utilizing cognitivebehavioral methods of behavioral change.

Based upon researched and proven cognitive-behavioral methods, the SMART program focuses on four key areas: Motivation for change, Resisting impulses to use alcohol/drugs, Problem Solving, and Balanced life style.

SMART is not a spiritual healing program and is very different from traditional, 12-step approaches.

SMART is a program of personal empowerment grounded in the principles of individual dignity and self-determination. While a person’s religious and spiritual convictions can be helpful, these issues are a personal matter, and are not a part of SMART Recovery.

Instead of labeling people as having a “disease”, being “powerless” or “in denial”, or as being in need of lifelong meeting attendance, SMART Recovery emphasizes self-responsibility, selfmotivation, and selfdiscipline at the primary means of stopping one’s

troublesome substance use.

From the SMART Recovery perspective, recovery is a matter of learning to recognize and change the bio-psycho-social conditions that maintain a person’s addictive behavior. Recovery is a process of stopping the substance use and learning to stay stopped by retraining and reconditioning one’s self to cope with problems and enjoy life without using substances.

With time, as one practices staying sober, coping with problems, and enjoying one’s self without substance use, the new substance free bio-psycho-social conditions develop into established behavioral patterns and a new lifestyle. In other words, with work and practice, sobriety becomes habitual.

A weekly facilitated SMART Cowichan meeting is held every Wednesday night at the New Life Community Baptist Church on 1839 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan.

March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Meetings are from 7 – 8:30 PM. For more information on SMART Cowichan please call 250-797-6400 or email smartcowichan@gmail.com For more information on the SMART Recovery program, visit www.smartrecovery.org

Helping animals and people find balance.

Rachel Allen Tellington TTouch

250 882 4198

Reiki Practitioner Animal Communicator

BeingsInBalance@gmail.com

Julia Allen MA

Masters Counselling Psychology Registered Clinical Counsellor

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

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

Denise McLean

CERTIFIED LIFELINE™ PRACTITIONER The LifeLine Technique™ helps to bridge the gap between the subconscious and conscious mind to help balance emotions and live with optimal health.

250-732-0247

azstarplays@yahoo.ca

Now accepting clothing items purchased within the last two years. Washed and pressed and on hangers.

Taking in spring and summer items now. Sizes 0-18.

Infinite Love & Gratitude

By Appointment in Cobble Hill

Please call us to set up your appointment.

CONSIGNMENT BY APPT ONLY 250 743 7802 thesecondhanger@shaw.ca 3541 COBBLE HILL ROAD, In the heart of Cobble Hill

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H

as this continuous wet and mild winter weather left your home, decks and terraces green with summer envy?

masks and it is harmless to plants and the environment. It does kill bacteria so if this is against your principles, what can I say?

I make a point this time of year of getting out my scrub brushes and hydrogen peroxide for just this task.

It’s not only dangerous walking about these days, but permanent green and black staining of siding, stucco and fencing can be a result of the ever present bacteria and mold that develops in this ‘Wet Coast’ climate.

I go to my local Hydroponic Supply shop and get a 1 to preferably 5 gallon pail of concentrated peroxide (28%).

It can be thinned down to milder solutions for any job from brushing your teeth to rinsing off deck furnishings to sterilizing greenhouse interiors.

You may ask why all this fuss over our built environment?

This brings up the conversation I had with friends last week describing how the Japanese have overcome much of this staining and degradation of wood siding, trim and other.

They use little or no surface coatings on their wood in Japan yet they have some of the oldest wood structures in the world. Their secret is using very sharp tools to finish off the exterior of all their products.

The very revered wood cutting blades they produce leave a finish so smooth, the wood is allowed to age naturally creating the desirable WabiSabi effect we all so love about their aesthetic.

I use a back pack tree sprayer I purchased from Buckerfields The wood grain and each to walk around and wood cell are cut so fine they effortlessly spray everything.

Add a little elbow grease with a medium coarse brush on a broom handle from Planet Clean and rinse after an hour with a garden Japanese Bamboo Pull saw, David Coulson hose.

There is no need for gloves, goggles or

Return to a clean home and workplace.

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

Providing professional, eco friendly cleaning services.

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

Home Cleaning Gift Certificates available for Family & Friends!

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DESIGNI NGgreen It’s Time to Clean Up. Again! are literally sealed shut from any contamination therefore never taking on dirt and grime and water and therefore stain and mold.

Our tradespeople here in America are more focused on completing work quickly and more roughly in attempts to keep costs to a minimum.

The tools here are of inferior quality and sharpness and wood products are often installed cheaper and quicker in the rough.

Our saws push and tear and smash wood cells whereas the Japanese pull clean wood Ipe decks, David Coulson saw draws the blade across the wood with no forceful I prefer to think in terms intimidation and therefore no of natural aging and colour damage other than separating and the natural development into two pieces. of all things without over We are then forced to coat intervention. our rough-hewn products in protective layers of toxic And think of all the costly and oil based products or even time consuming maintenance now water based acrylics to you have saved so you can start an endless cycle of strip enjoy this early spring weather and recoat and entrapment playing in the garden. of molds and fungus’s that destroy all things organic.

Celebrate the endless beauty David Coulson is a local of a naturally seasoned look certified Built Green and join the millions shopping design builder. He has at Rejuvenations.com thinking a staff of 25 that have that ‘grey’ is the new white. built throughout the Island for over 20 years.

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p W t i e s C C i a t C m w c m

L s c r a f s T q V T p o w t o

Solar Inspiration

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hat inspired us to install solar panels? Lots of reasons: We are concerned about the environment. We are interested in alternative energy. We admire the small solar system at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre. Investing in a home improvement looked like a reasonable idea in this time of low interest rates.

Community workshops, meetings and conversations with friends have all convinced us that solar energy might be a good idea.

Last year we installed 12 solar panels, the most we could fit on the south-facing roof of our duplex, taking advantange of reduced prices from a bulk purchase. This system is rated at 3.06 kW. The installation was done quickly and professionally by Viridian Energy Cooperative.

The setup has worked perfectly except for one occasion; we needed help with the online monitor when the cable company upgraded our internet connection.

Our solar PV (photovoltaic) system is connected into the BC Hydro grid, so there is no detectable difference in the experience of using electricity. On sunny days we generate more electricity than we need and the surplus gets us a credit with BC Hydro.

At night or when it is cloudy, we are using electricity from the BC Hydro grid. Under all conditions, our supply of power is uninterrupted.

We won’t know how costeffective the system is until we have used it for at least a year. So far, we generated a positive balance with BC Hydro in the sunny months of July and August but we have paid for power from September through December. Compared to our average for these six months over the five years we have been in this house,, our usage was down 49% and our bills were down 47%. This represents an annual return on our investment of about 4%.

Besides saving energy and money, our solar system has become a great conversation

starter. We have had interesting discussions with friends, neighbours, and people passing by. One friend, after admiring the solar collectors, observed that energy could be saved with another simple, low-tech solar device, a clothesline. We

have found that hanging up our clean laundry has brought back pleasant memories of childhood. It has certainly been a good investment, paying for itself in a few weeks and yielding nothing but savings since then.

Submitted by John Scull and Linda Hill

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Cobble Hill Seedy Saturday Cobble Hill Seedy Saturday invites you to celebrate ‘100 Mile Spring’ with everything a gardener could need - or want! Over 30 vendors will offer a full range of organic and heritage seeds, plant starts, flower bulbs, fruit and nut trees - and mason bees to fertilize them - compost, books and even organic salves and soaks for sore gardeners!

Plant questions can always be answered by the Master Gardeners, while the permaculture people have many ideas to make your garden more sustainable.

Parents can unleash the kids on the childrens’ activities while they load up their cloth bags with wee envelopes of summer’s garden joy.

We’re open from 10 am until 3.00, so you can enjoy a delicious lunch and absorb the inspiration to propel you into the garden. This extremely popular community event is sponsored by the Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers Institute, which continues to blossom from deep roots in our authentic south Cowichan agricultural tradition.

Duncan Seedy Sunday At this time of year, if you listen really closely, you can hear CGC’s staff humming the tune, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

No, we’re not counting down the days until our winter holidays; we’re counting down the days until the Duncan Seedy Sunday and the advent of spring (a.k.a. gardening season).

For all of those who wait in anticipation for the arrival of warmer and longer days, CGC invites you to celebrate the first day of spring at the Duncan Seedy Sunday. This event will be once again be hosted at the Cowichan Tribes Si’em Lelum Gymnasium.

Featuring 35+ local seed and garden vendors, community booths, a seed exchange, and activities for kids, this event is a one-stop shop for all your gardening needs. This year’s event will also feature a series of four gardening workshops hosted by local experts including: Water Wise Gardening with David Pink of Warm Land Irrigation and Fresh Start Edibles; Drought and Deer Tolerant Plants with Joan Wynden of Garden Lore; continued lower page 47

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

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Is your Irrigation System Legal?

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David Pink and his wife Diana own Warm Land Irrigation, and grow and sell food as Fresh Start Edibles @ Affinity Farm

any home owners already have an irrigation system installed in their garden, systems that use sprayers and popup sprinklers to water the landscape and lawns.

With the implementation of standardized and more rigorous water regulations and restrictions in 2015, they were unable to water their property when it needed it the most during the long hot drought.

This is our new reality due to our ever changing climate!

Brown lawns will be the norm, but all is not lost as most systems can easily be converted to MicroIrrigation, which, for all intents and purposes, is exempt from watering restrictions. Conversion allows home owners to keep their landscape, flower beds and vegetable gardens vibrant and healthy, all while reducing water consumption by 50% or more! An added bonus is the reduction in the number of weeds and time spent weeding.

Micro Irrigation is the precise delivery of water directly to the root zone of plants, keeping it moist, but never saturated. The plants retain the proper air and water balance and avoid the stress and shock of the “drench and dryout” cycle associated with conventional watering

methods. This results in optimum growth and healthier plants, and the yield from vegetable gardens increases significantly.

Water is a limited resource – even here where it seems to be abundant, we all need be mindful and diligent every time we turn on a tap! The average Canadian uses 329 litres/day (over 120,000 litres/ year). If every person in our community reduced their water consumption by 60 litres/day (20%) we would save over 1.8 billion litres of water annually. For a starting list of ideas for your home, please visit www.cowichan waterchallenge.ca, for water restrictions and regulations visit www.cvrd.bc.ca

continued from page 46

Plants Create Wondrous Music (learn to hear the music of plants) with Devmurti Khalsa of Nature Spirit Permaculture; and Seed Saving 101 with Joy Story of Grow Food With Joy! Admission to this event is $2.00, with proceeds going to fund the event. CGC’s members and children 13 years and under enter for free.

Sunday, March 20th from 10am-2pm, Si’em Lelum Gymnasium 5574 River Road, Duncan For more information on this event, please contact the Cowichan Green Community at 250-748-8506 or vanessa@cowichangreencommunity.org

MARCH IS THE TIME TO PLANT FRUIT TREES!

Saturday March 5 10am BASIC FRUIT TREE PRUNING

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

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

All our trees are in!

Visit our web site for list of what we carry. www.dinternursery.ca Catalogues Now Available

Serving local gardeners since 1973

250 748 2023

5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1

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Hawthorn for Heart Health

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alley Voice would like to draw your attention to an incorrect image placed with Rowan Hamilton’s submission on the Hawthorn.

This drawing chosen by production was in fact not a Hawthorn. Herbalist, Rowan Hamilton has kindly provided some information about this

plant for readers’ clarification.

“It is Viburnum prunifolium, the Black Haw. This plant has completely different actions from Hawthorn and is used primarily by herbalists for the relief of cramping, especially menstrual.”

Our apologies to readers and herbalists for the incorrect image pairing. A correct Hawthorn image is shown above.

“Hippocrates said all disease begins in the gut. It may be that some important remedies are to be found there, too.“

NOVA Probiotics carefully selected its’ 14 probiotic strains for the Multi Strain line of products, and its’ 4 dairy free probiotic strains for the Vegan line of products. Each strain has been the subject of clinical studies and has proper identified health benefits on humans.

NOVA produces the widest range of probiotics in the industry!

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GALLERY Lynn’s VITAMIN HEALTH FOOD STORE

Village Green Mall, 4-180 Central Avenue, Duncan

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

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The body does most of its repairing while we are sleeping.

Funny taste in the mouth Reflexology promotes the body to cleanse itself of all toxins. The poor taste in the mouth could be a result of this cleansing.

Why Reflexology?

1. To feel better!

Reflexology brings your body back into homeostasis and maximises your ability to heal physically, emotionally and mentally.

2. To have more energy.

Do you find that you are tired and sluggish? Reflexology can help to boost your energy levels and your motivation.

3. To keep your body running its best.

Reflexology can offer relaxation and a level of pampering. It’s been proven to be extremely effective in helping to remove toxins from

the body.

Cleansing reactions or detoxification are adjustments made by the body to purge waste material from within.

The elimination of stored toxins ( a healing crisis) is part of the body’s healing process.

During a healing crisis the body’s waste products are facilitated for removal from the body through: Perspiration This is another way that the body disposes toxins. The body could also be releasing excess fluids.

Tiredness the body’s reaction to a reflexology session causes it to switch into parasympathetic activity to rest and repair itself.

Nausea and Headache The body is trying to cleanse the toxins, especially in the liver and the bowels. This could be a side effect of this cleansing.

Greatly energized Since the body is cleansing itself, it will run “cleaner” Think of reflexology as a “re-set button” for organ functions.

Mucus It could be related to a clogged sinus, ileo-cecal valve, or small intestine that the body is trying to detoxify. The gall bladder could be increasing the amount of bile it is secreting into the small intestine causing loose bowel movements

cleansing of the lachrymal glands in the eyes.

Release of pain The nervous system switches into parasympathetic activity, the nerves are relaxed and aren’t irritating the muscles.

Reflexology also helps to relax the muscles, this in turn eases pain.

Improved digestion A treatment activates parasympathetic nervous system activity and enables better digestion of food to take place.

Our feet have a very important impact on our health. So whether you are looking to lose weight, improve your sleep, balance your hormones or improve your overall wellbeing, reflexology can help!

www.naturalheelingreflexology.com Helga Feichtinger Certified Reflexologist 250-732-7988

Eyes watering Due to the

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YOGA FOR WELLNESS Emotions & Sound

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he nettle is up & returning birds are gently calling us out into the emerging daylight. It is awe-inspiring to witness the land awaken and ignite our senses in familiar & new ways.

By Bonnie Tytel

Blue Tree Creative

Custom made wood signs hand painted on pallet wood or cedar

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bluetreecreative@gmail.com I 250-507-6922 FB: Blue Tree Creative by Bonnie Tytel

Spring is a wood season according to Chinese Element Theory. Wood energy activates seeds to sprout and relates to the solar plexus chakra, one of the main energy centres in the body relating to power, will, boundaries & goal oriented action. Anger is the emotion related to spring and when channelled in a healthy way, can be the catalyst for great change (think spring cleansing & big life changes).

As a new season begins we are often faced with a myriad of clear and vague memories along with related emotions to process. As we cycle through a time of year that, in the past, has involved trauma or loss, we often are invited to be with uncomfortable emotions that have not been fully digested.

This is seen in seasonal allergies that are exacerbated by unprocessed grief.

Fortunately, this experience can also be intertwined with wonderful memories that are brought to the surface by nature’s seasonal beauty.

Shouting is the wood sound and sound purging can be a very helpful practice to release these emerging emotions. Letting out a therapeutic shouting sound can sometimes spill grief forward into a healthy cry that has been under the surface waiting to be released. Using your voice to shake up inner stagnancy can be simple and effective. Simply breathe slowly into what you are experiencing and exhale with a releasing sound. Child pose is a nourishing way to centre after this process.

May you be gentle with yourself on the inside. ♥︎

Christy Greenwood is a part of the Forest Yogini Collective. She offers massage therapy, bodymind sessions, Reiki and ‘Rewilding From Within’ online and in-person dance journeys. You can find her at the Matraea Centre in Duncan.

www.christygreenwood.ca

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4 Quick Tips for a Lean, Mean, Green Spring Clean

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pring has sprung... or, at least it’s about to anyway.

And if you haven’t already, now’s the time to get going on your Spring cleaning! There’s something refreshing about cleaning out the stale, cluttered living space that seems to always come with Winter.

Whether you’re the type that jumps for joy at the thought of Spring cleaning, or lazily approaches the task like a bear waking up from hibernation, we’ve got a few tips for you below to help you clean with ease and keep your efforts green.

1. One room at a time: This one is pretty self-explanatory.

It’s easy to come in guns blazing, feeling that you can take on the whole of your cluttered house in one fell swoop. Resist the urge! This initial burst of motivation can quickly give way to despair once the true size of the task is realized. Instead, just do it one room at a time. That way, you can make real progress without being overwhelmed.

2. Remove-Sort-CleanOrganize: Here’s how it works. Let’s say you’re cleaning out a closet. First pull everything out. Next, sort into the following piles: Keep, Donate, Recycle, Trash. Clean the closet from top to bottom, then put the

Keep pile back in a well organized fashion. Hopefully the trash pile will be very small or non-existent, as there is just so much that can be recycled these days (Island Return It takes electronics, small appliances, beverage containers, cell phones, batteries, lights, and much more...all for free!).

3. DIY cleaners: More and more is being discovered about the harmful effects of commercial cleaning products. Luckily, a quick Google search is all it takes to find countless recipes for natural home cleaning products. There’s the old standby of vinegar, water, and baking soda for just about all your cleaning needs. Kick your cleaning up a notch with this furniture polish recipe from The Rising Spoon (www.therisingspoon.com).

Simply combine 3 parts olive oil with one part vinegar... that’s it! Add some essential oil for scent if you wish.

4. Go paper towel-less: Paper towels can become a huge source of waste and quickly ruin efforts for a green clean. Instead, old tattered clothes can offer a handy source of cleaning material.

Socks with holes make great rags, and ripped shirts can handle bigger jobs. Wool is particularly good for dusting, as it uses static to attract dust particles..

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

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www.blacksheeppainting.ca 55

Scaredy-Cats T

he signs of fear in a cat include wide pupils and ears back, crouching or curling up postures, reduced eye contact, a low growl, running away and hiding, or hissing and scratching.

Obviously most of these signs are similar to aggression, and for most cats that act aggressively, fear is their most common motive.

Petal to the Nettle Jessica Loves connecting people with plant medicines and healing with Mother Earth

O

n our journey back to the light, we have moved through the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, (known by many fairies and elves across the world as “Imbolc”) and later this month we will embrace the Spring Equinox with its equal balance of dark and light. Now is really the perfect time of year to honour the literal and metaphorical seeds that are stirring below, and beginning to break through, the surface. What fertile seeds have you planted that are ready for nurturing to grow within yourself? Are there any intentions or wellness goals that you may have envisioned for this year that are thirsty and ready for further watering?

Amongst many other plant medicines and herbs, stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is one powerful plant ally that can support us in becoming the most vital and vibrant versions of ourselves. After the dark spell of Winter, Nettle is breaking through the surface with a richness in calcium, magnesium, and iron to name but a few of the essential gifts she brings with her. This multi-vitamin superfood has also traditionally been used

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to treat rheumatism, arthritis, prostate and kidney issues, eczema, hay-fever, allergies, and is a potent diuretic.

One little known gift that Nettle brings is the teaching of presence; as my co-worker and dear friend Jason Greenwood showed me in action one day here at the Farm(acy), when you give Nettle your complete focus and attention and make gentle contact with her at first while harvesting bare-handed, she does not sting you; as soon as your mind wanders and you lose focus, she lets you know! From first (bare) hand experience, I can say that when I consciously approached the plant with a humble and loving focus, and made contact in a gentle and present way, I could visibly see the stingers go down and was able to harvest with ease. And when my mind wandered, well, I was quickly inspired to pay attention again! Crazy you say?

If you are open to this practice in mindfulness and it resonates with you, try it, we say!

Nettle is one of the main certified organic ingredients in our Winter Wizard tea, (which is now also available by the cup/pot at the Duncan Garage Café!) and in one of our tincture blends made locally from fresh herbs here at the Folki Herb Farm.

If you are living with a scaredy cat and want to help it, your aim is to build up its confidence and trust.

Confidence: Approach you cat slowly and quietly, offering a treat. The trick is to wait for the cat to approach you, then reward it. Once the cat allows you to touch it, slow stroking under the chin is best. Scaredy-cats don’t usually like being stroked on the head. Over time, increasing your touching places to include the head, the rump and the belly – these are big confidence-builders.

Playing with a toy on a stick or a string, or with a laser beam is a good way to use up the cat’s nervous energy. At first a scaredy-cat might be uninterested or even frightened of a toy.

Again, start slowly with the gentlest toy (no sudden moves or noises) and build up with time.

Playtime should be rewarded with food.

Scaredy-cats like to hide a lot.

This can mean that they never learn how to feel safe around people or other pets. Offer him or her a lot of choices for hiding places, but they should all be the same sort of container. Over time, you are going to reduce the access to hiding places that are too far from the home’s action.

Gradually you want your cat to have only one or two hiding spaces, but more open bed spaces.

Territory is very important to all cats. There needs to be some shared territory and some territory that is for the cat

only. This is what small beds throughout the home are. Again, when a cat is scared your goal is to encourage it to have safe territory in busy spaces.

Cats want high places- this is an important part of their nature.

Wall shelves, climbing shelves and cushions on high furniture are all good options. A scaredycat will either go to high places whenever possible, or they might be actually scared of them. If the first is true, make sure that the high places are not hiding spots.

If the avoidance of high spaces is true, your goal is to gradually encourage your cat to use them.

Easy climbing at play time, treats when they get there, gentle stroking when they get there – all these things will help a cat adapt to these strong places to be.

Trust: By the time a cat jumps onto your lap and purrs with contentment at being stroked, you are trusted. A scaredy-cat might take a long time to do this, or might limit its trust to one person only. The steps to help a cat learn this trust start with the same gentle approach, in small steps, waiting for the cat to come to you. There’s no point hurrying a scared cat or trying to lift it on to you – that just makes it worse.

Your goal is to welcome the cat onto the couch beside you, with treats and stroking. After that its a small step to your lap (although it might be a very slow step).

Encouraging everyone who lives with or near your cat to also take the same steps will help it to trust more people.

Every cat is different, so figuring out how to build your scaredycat’s trust and confidence might take some trial and error. The important thing is that you don’t give up and leave a cat living in fear all the time.

Judith Quinlan a retirep physio therapist and the owner of That Cat Hotel www.

ThatCatHotel.ca

Lucky Dogs...

FOOD AND MOOD Debbie Wood is a certified Small Animal Naturopath and can be reached at 250597-7DOG.

W

e have all experienced emotional side effects from eating certain foods. I get angry when I eat certain hot peppers. I avoid sugars and flours because the coming down isn’t worth the tastiness.

Dogs are effected by what they eat as well.

A healthy diet contains the nutrients necessary to keep the brain functioning smoothly. A crappy diet lacking in nutrients can create bad behaviour in your dog.

Hyperactivity, aggressiveness, lethargy, and anxiety can all be brought on by poor nutrition.

I have been fortunate to help dogs get over physical issues with a change in diet only to be told how much better behaved the dog is. The dog is feeling better. Sometimes

it’s feeling good for the first time in it’s life.

Some of the nutrients that are helpful to the brain are the B Vitamins and omega fatty acids. These are found plentifully in fresh meats, fish and eggs. Nutrients from fresh foods are easy for your dog to assimilate.

Adding a supplement to a poor diet isn’t the same. Most commercial kibbles contain synthetic preservatives and many contain added colour and sugars. These can all make your dog miserable.

Kibbles contain carbohydrates, they have to to hold them together.

Carbohydrates make a mess of your dog’s carnivore digestive system and we all know how we feel when our system isn’t running smoothly.

There are herbs and remedies that can help with behaviour as will adequate exercise and training, of course.

But having a well fed brain will assist all of your efforts and have your dog feeling and acting better. If you’ve corrected the diet and added exercise and still having issues you can look into trying supplements.

Tryptophan and tyrosine are calming amino acids that can be added. Herbs can be very helpful when used correctly: skullcap for anxiety, passionflower for fear, oat straw for older nervous animals.

But start with correcting her diet first and try the new diet for at least three months before you make any judgements. It takes time for chemicals to fall into place and toxins to be released.

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Rhodo (rose) & dendron (tree)

I

f you want to “dabble” in the genus Rhododendron you will soon find that notion near impossible! This genus holds hundreds of irrisistible species & thousands of hybridized evergreen rhododendrons, evergreen & deciduous azaleas (yes azaleas are rhodos), yireyas & azaleodendons with new cultivars being registered every year. Rhodos bloom in every month of the year although March to June is prime bloom time in our region. Not only are the blossoms varied in shape & composition & magnificent in their spectrum of colour, several rhodos are fragrant (R. Fortunei and R. Lodori King George as well as many azaleas.) Rhodos range in size from creeping ground covers to 10 metre trees. There are only 3 rhodos native to Vancouver Island: R. macrophylum (pink), R. Groenlandicum(known as Labrador Tea), R. Albiflorum (white.) There are many tried

& true plants for this region although experimenting with new hybrids in various microclimates makes for fabulous surprises in the garden.

The leaves are a study in & of themselves. There are large leaved rhodos (R. Macabeanum & Rex) & tiny leaved varieties (R. Campylogynum, Shamrock, & Sargentianum - one of my favourites.) Leaves can be variegated (R. President Rosevelt), pillow topped (R. Hodgsonii), shiny & smooth, blue (R. Impeditum), bronzy mahogany in winter (R. Midnight Rose, R. PGM), hairy green (R. Edgeworthii & R. Snow Lady) or covered in tomentum (a silvery to brown fuzz)! In my opinion the underside of the leaves with indumentum is even more attractive. Indumentum is suade-like in tecture & feel, thick or thin; it can be white (R. Golfer), beige, deep orange (R. Yakushianum, R. Ken Janeck) & chocolate brown.

The underside of the leaf can be without indumentum but still be colourful: maroon, red or plain green. Check out some

The Genus Rhododendron of these rhodos on-line and you will be hooked!

propagation of species & hybrids.

Vancouver Island boasts some of the best rhododendron gardens in the world. Besides many private gardens, the book, ‘The Rhododendrons Gardens of Vancouver Island’ by local author Ian. E. Efford (2015) showcases many public gardens. The American Rhododendron Society (ARS) website (www.rhododendron. org) & five Vancouver Island chapters aim to educate the public on the genus, welcome new members & encourage

Check out the Cowichan chapter at: www.cowichan. rhodos.ca, & join knowledgable volunteers at the Cowichan Valley Garden Fair, April 30th , 10-2, at the Cowichan Ex www.

CowichanValleyGardenFair. com. There will be hundreds of rhodos & companion plants, garden products, & a flower show of locally grown rhododendrons.

Submitted by Carrie Nelson

This Spring - Cut Broom in Bloom!

Spring is here. Soon we’ll see Scotch broom blooming everywhere!

The council of North Cowichan has supported local Broombuster volunteers for two years now. Groups in Chemainus and Maple Bay welcome you – and need you! You

can also get Broombusting events started in your own community. It’s easy. We’ll help. Draw the line and say, “The broom stops here!”

Broom invades our green spaces, strangles native plants, and prevents forests re-growth.

According to BC Wildfire Service, broom makes wildfires more difficult to predict and

control.

CUT BROOM IN BLOOM! Broom dies if cut at ground level while the plant is in bloom – in April and May. No need to pull or poison. Plan now. It’s fun! Email info@ broombusters.org. website: www.broombusters.org/ northcowichan.html.

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

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

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

Pat Amos is a wilderness guide and natural builder.

250 748 2089 amos.hearth works@gmx.com

H

ave you ever wondered why so many houses built in North America have brick chimneys located on an outside wall of the living room? It is certainly not for efficiency's sake, as all that mass soaks up the heat from the fire and then radiates most of it out of the building.

In fact, many of the common 'English fireplaces' found in BC houses built from the 60s onward actually evoke a net heat loss within the dwelling while being fired.

Meanwhile, in cultures where combusting biomass is the only means of generating heat, the hearth (fire place) is more centrally located to serve multiple purposes; cooking, drying and heating objects via radiation and conduction. In dwellings with more than a single room the hearth and chimney structure serve as warm-able divider walls. In some traditions the cook fire is set lower than a nearby raised earthen deck and the exhaust gasses travel under the floor to create a hypocaust.

Asian, Nordic and Levantine cultures were warming floors this way thousands of years before the Romans made their famous bath-houses.

So how have we North Americans gotten so off track?

The reasons are a few-fold. For starters, during the pioneering days pretty much everything in a log cabin was made of logs – including the fireplace and chimney! Builders would line them with a fair amount of fireproof cob (clay, sand and straw fibre), but sooner or later cracks would form in the mortar and the wooden sub-

Heating the house long after the fire is out Photo credit: Holger Laerad

Chimney Blues structure was bound to catch fire. So people got to thinking: better to locate the fireplace on the perimeter where the impending catastrophe could be more readily contained. Building fireplaces and chimneys out of brick reduced the damage caused by chimney fires, but they were still a common occurrence in open fireplaces due to incomplete combustion of wood gasses, resulting in high quantities of smoke (unburnt fuel) wandering up the chimney depositing layer upon layer of creosote resin along the way to becoming an atmospheric toxin.

The advent of metal box stoves improved combustion efficiency somewhat, but here again the fire was often too cool – especially when starved of oxygen in an effort to make the fire last longer and/or keep the room from overheating. Here again, most of the gasses pyrolized (released) from the wood are not fully combusted through a flame path. And here again the reasoning goes that the sooner the creosoteladen chimney is outside the building's envelope the better. Thus, as electricity and fossil fuels have come to replace wood fire as our primary heating sources, the far-from-fully-functionalfireplace has been relegated to a mere accessory on an outside wall of the living room.

The most effective way to eliminate creosote and air pollution from wood firing is to de-couple the combustion process from the heat delivery.

Masonry heaters are designed to do just this. No matter how large or small the heating need, the wood is always burned hot (therefore clean), but the heat is absorbed by earthen mass and there-after gradually delivered into the living space. A well built masonry heater produces less particulate matter than a pellet stove, and without need for electro-mechanical fans.

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Sabotage – Taking Away Your Short-term Potential to Kill Your Long-term Vision “Taking away your short-term potential to kill your long-term vision” refers to the choices we make out of fear, laziness, selfishness, or convenience that are not in line with our long-term desires. It is the futile patterns that we repeat expecting different results! It is the suffering we have been brainwashed into accepting as our reality, rarely pausing to ask ourselves, “Will this actually bring me what I desire?” “Is this working for me?” or better yet, “How great can it really be?”

Sabotage is yelling at your partner when your desire is to build a stable, loving relationship. You could choose kindness. It looks like showing up late to work when you desire a promotion and you are capable of discipline. It’s choosing to stay in an unhealthy relationship or a toxic work environment and avoiding setting boundaries or finding positive solutions.

In order to set the stage for patterns of sabotage, we launch a web of denials that distracts us from the reality of consequence. Overanalyzing and intellectualizing becomes our means of fighting for control of the situation. We give away our power by letting others call the shots, minimize this fact, and desperately try to rationalize our behaviour. Predictably we then defend our sabotage behaviours and lash out at those closest to us.

Why do we sabotage?

Our fears of unworthiness, or failure, or vulnerability distract us from our long-term vision and we fall into patterns of sabotage when we lose sight of our longterm desires. We REACT with fear, control, and ego, rather than ENACT consciously in line with our desires, with gratitude and humility for where we’re at in the present and faith for what is to come.

The secret to changing the pattern is to do the opposite of your fears and insecurities. Keep your focus on the bigger picture, with your long-term desires as the compass for your behaviour.

Have gratitude for where you’re at in the present moment.

Consciously focus your energy and reclaim your empowerment by holding yourself accountable.

Know in your heart who you are and what you value. When we truly know what we value, we can consciously choose actions to honour it.

To learn more about sabotage and how to eliminate it from your life visit http://timetohealcommunity. com/media/ and enjoy the full talk by Time To Heal founder, Andrew Louisy or visit Time To Heal, located at 511 Canada Ave in Duncan.

Christine Beattie is a client at Time To Heal

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WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT By Rick Dennis THAT’S THE SPIRIT: Amy and Tafadzwa Matamba of Mill Bay recently returned from South Africa and Zimbabwe where they hosted their first cultural exchange with members of the Cowichan Valley community. (Participants engaged in a 6 week course before traveling to further their education and understanding in the traditions and heritage of Zimbabwe and the Shona people. As well as cultural education, participants came prepared to share creative activities with the community and engage in traditional arts and cultural activities at the Centre.)

Having had their first Matamba Cultural Arts And Education Festival last fall at the HUB at Cowichan Station with over 75 local and international artists in attendance, Amy and Tafadzwa are now planning their first Festival in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe next year. The Matambas have collaborated and recorded with numerous artists in four regions of Zimbabwe and look forward to planning a travelling Festival in that country in addition to offering an education opportunity for local valley artists wishing to experience a cultural exchange and further their own professional development. Their focus is to support and promote arts & culture and the traditions and heritage of Vancouver Island and Zimbabwe.

The Matambas were happy to support their centre this year by providing drums, mbiras and soccer balls and by providing travel expenses for fifteen traditional music and dance artists to attend the international Solomonic Arts Festival in Malawi.

In case you still don’t know what an mbira is, it’s an African thumb piano with a wooden board, fitted with a resonator, with metal tines attached and is played by holding the instrument in the hands and plucking the tines with the thumbs. Both Amy and Tafadzwa will be happy to provide a demonstration.The couple are available for performances and education packages in schools, businesses and community events for all ages. Currently they are Artists in Residence at Colwood Elementary School.

For more info and to support the Matamba Cultural Arts And Education Centres on the Island and Zimbabwe, visit www.mbiraspirit.com, check out the “Mbira Spirit” page on Facebook and watch their videos on Youtube.

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) You are the first sign in the zodiac. You love to try anything new. Not only are you a pioneer - you like to win! You like the first word and the last. Because Aries rules the head, you charge headfirst into life, and most of you like hats and sunglasses.

This month, with the Sun in the last sign of the zodiac, is the time to strategize what you want your new year to be about. Define your goals Give them deadlines Expect success!

Taurus (April 20-May 20) This month is a popular time for Taurus. You value your friends more. You are more aware of the role friendships play in your life. Remember – your friends are a reflection of who you are. (Sometimes scary, isn’t it?) Therefore, this is a great month to socialize and to put your energy into team efforts. It’s also a good time to share your hopes and dreams for the future with someone because their feedback will probably help you. Why not find out?

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This month you are in the limelight because this is the only time all year when the Sun is at the top of their chart. Symbolically, the Sun is “shining down on you” with a light that is flattering. This is why others will ask you to take on extra duties. Say yes because you don’t have to be special to dazzle them. This

is also the one month of the year where you really think a lot about your career and your role in your community.

Examine your life to see if you’re headed in the direction you really want to go. Are you?

Cancer (June 21-July 22) It’s time to broaden your horizons through study, travel, adventure plus thrilling and unfamiliar experiences. Take up a new course of study or a new hobby. Enjoy talking to people from different backgrounds and other countries. Obviously, travel will please you. The main thing is you want to learn something new and feel that you are grabbing more of life, which you can actually do without leaving your city. Often, publishing, the media, the law and medicine become a higher focus at this time. “Here comes the judge!”

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) This month you’ll enjoy being investigative. (Don’t leave home without your deerstalker.) You will dig deep to discover more about yourself and because of this drive for introspection, you will undergo a psychological transformation. You will meet someone who provokes powerful changes in your life or perhaps this person will challenge your value structure? Meanwhile, expect to focus on taxes, debt, shared property and inheritances as well. And yes, sex will be on your mind. As ever.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This month the Sun is opposite your sign, which is the only time all year this

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happens Basically, it means you will be more tired.

You will need more sleep.

Go to bed. Your focus on partners and close friends will deepen. You will study these relationships to see their value in your life. The truth is, for your own benefit, you must be as good for your partner as he or she is for you. In other words, the relationship must be mutually beneficial. This is also a time to consult experts and get support from others. It’s not the time to go it alone.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You are affected by your surroundings. The ambience of a room impacts your mood. This month you want to manage your life efficiently and effectively. You want everything around you to run smoothly and function well.

When your surroundings are clean and attractive – you are happier. Therefore, get to work and create surroundings that make you feel good. Give yourself the right tools to do a great job. (If you put out fresh flowers, you don’t have to dust.)

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Lucky you! Get ready for a month full of romance, pleasure, vacations, the theatre, movies, the entertainment world, sports events and the hospitality industry. Fun city! Therefore, satisfy your urge to get out and have a good time.

You will also enjoy playful activities with children.

In addition, if you have a chance to express your own creativity, this will please you. Basically it’s the one time of year when you can say, “I want to be myself and I want to have fun!” It’s a great month to date or slip away on a vacation.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) This month the Sun is at the bottom of your chart, which heightens your focus on home, family and your private life. You might be more involved with family events or with a parent. Others will cocoon at home. Many of you will think about the past more than you usually do perhaps because an event or a person

March prompts this. Of course, nothing is more conducive to your peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) A busy month! Your daily tempo will accelerate with appointments, errands, mucho conversations, increased reading, writing and studying plus travel – oh yes, and many short trips. You are keen to communicate.

Not only will you want to learn new things, you will also want to enlighten others about your ideas. Because you will be mentally bright and alert, this is a good time to put your cards on the table and tell it like it is. Naturally, you will be polite because you have class plus you value your good reputation.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This month you will ponder your values in general and ask yourself what really matters. It’s true that what you earn and what you own reflect your values; but there are also more basic values that dictate your happiness.

For starters, it’s a fact – what goes around, comes around.

Plus, your values create your choices, and your choices create your future. So for your own future happiness, you have to have a handle on what your basic values are.

Ya think?

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Happy Birthday! It’s your month, which gives you a chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. Plus, it will attract important people and favourable situations to you.

Obviously, this happens only once a year, when the Sun is in your sign; and because the Sun is the source of all energy – you will be centre stage and powerful! This is why you will want to express yourself, especially creatively. If this threatens or overwhelms someone, too bad. This is the one time of year when your first duty is to yourself. Enjoy! www.georgianicols.com

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Valley Voice Magazine now offers readers a new directory to discover local services and businesses. 2 sizes of ad space are available to suit every business message and budget. Affordable, stylish and straight to the point.

Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or by phone to adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

DIRECTORY

Deadline March 12 for April Issue 89

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Health and Healing Acute or Chronic conditions • Substance dependency • Facial Rejuvenation • MSP & extended health coverage if applicable Wu Wei Acupuncture & Acupressure Clinic Frauke McCashin, R.Ac., Dipl.TCM 1 - (250) 710 3581 Mill Bay & Duncan www.worldwuwei.com

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