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June 2013 Issue 55

COWICHAN VALLEY I FOOD I ARTS I EVENTS I HEALTH I COMMUNITY 1

JUNE EVENTS TRANSFORMATIONS IN CONTEMPORARY FIRST NATIONS ART PORTALS - 2687 James Street, Duncan, CVAC celebrates First Nations art, with this year’s theme being “Transformations”. This group show will reflect both traditional and contemporary art. Runs to June 21st

SUNRISE SCHOOL MULTI FAMILY YARD SALE 10m-2pm The Hub in Cowichan Station. 2375 Koksilah Road

PAINTINGS OF THE COWICHAN VALLEY BY SHARRON CAMPBELL and pottery by Wendy Cyrenne on display at Imagine That! 251 Craig St., Duncan till June 29 WALK OF THE NATIONS event 11am VIU Campus GOOD TIMBER - LAST NIGHT -Dinner available in the Playbill Dining Room Matinees and Various Showtimes. Chemainus Theatre Festival, For Tickets call 250-246-9820 www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca ANNUAL SPCA GIGANTIC GARAGE SALE Cowichan Exhibition grounds (rain or shine) 8:30am – 3pm (both days. Runs to June 2nd LUX MUNDI PAINTINGS BY SOLEIL MANNION Inspire! Shawnigan #4, 2740 Dundas Rd., Shawnigan Lake runs to June 30th Opening Reception 7pm

7TH ANNUAL SHAWNIGAN LAKE ADVENTURE WALK Family friendly fundraiser -Cycle, kayak or go geocaching. Foot massages, energy treatments and delicious vegetarian (and free) food provided by local reastaurants will soothe the body. And all day live music will feed the soul. www.theshawniganlakewalk.com SUNDAY TEA+TALK, Tea 101: Introduction to the World of Loose Tea 11am Teafarm, 250 748 3811 www.teafarm.ca $10/person THE NOT YET QUARTET Sunday Afternoon Jazz Series at The Crofton Hotel, 1534 Joan Avenue, 2- 5 pm, $10 cover HUGE PARKING LOT SALE at Cycle Therapy 5 – 9 p.m.

FOOD CO-OP MEETING Help create a co-operative “food hub” where producers can aggregate, store and distribute their produce. 4pm-5:30pm The Hub in Cowichan Station 2375 Koksilah Road RSVP 250-737-1687 GODDESS GOLF TUESDAYS 6:30 – 7:30pm June 4, 11, 18 ,25 Drop In - $20, Series of 4 - $60 Cowichan Golf & Country Club www.jodyjacksongolf.com 250532-3399 Runs through golf season.

WOMEN’S GROUP ROAD RIDE Wednesdays 5:45 Cycle Therapy Parking Lot June 12, 19 & 26

“RHYTHM BUGS “ ISLAND TOUR 2013 VANCOUVER’S JENNIFER SCOTT & RENE WORST Sunday Afternoon Jazz Series at The Crofton Hotel, 1534 Joan Avenue, 2- 5 pm, $10 cover

COWICHAN WHEELCHAIR RUGBY TOURNAMENT 10am City Square Duncan. Fun for the whole family. 19TH ANNUAL COWICHAN FAMILY LIFE GARDEN TOUR 10am -5pm Self-guided tour of 6 beautiful garden in the Cowichan Valley Tickets $20 Cowichan Family Life Thrift Store on Canada Ave, Duncan 250-597-1117

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INTRODUCTION TO CHEESE MAKING 5pm-8pm Clements Centre, 5856 Clements St., Duncan $30 per person or $25 for CGC Members To register 250-748-8572

AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVENT 1-2:30pm hosted by Social Planning. Learn more about the services BC Housing provides. For more info 250 746 1004 Ext 260

THE WORLD IS ROUND AND CANCER CAN BE TREATED NATURALLY Paw Paw - natural Chemotherapy by Dr. McLaughlin, and Lorene Benoit’s release of 2nd Edition Paw Paw book Island Savings Centre $10 7-9pm Advance tickets 250-748-6802

NICHIREN PEACE CENTER MEDITATION, Thursdays, 6, 13, 20,27 7pm #4 - Johnny Bear Rd..250. 710. 7594

WILD FOOD WALK @ Stoltz Pools with Genevieve Singleton 9:30am-12:00pm Meet at Stoltz Pools Parking Lot, located off HWY 18 $20 per walk or $15 for CGC members Registration: Call CGC 250-7488572

COWICHAN VALLEY GREEN PARTY OF BC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Just Jakes 2nd Floor All are welcome, but only members can vote. 7pm

GODDESS GOLF THURSDAYS 6 – 7pm June 6,13,21,27 Drop In - $20, Series of 4 - $60 Cowichan Golf & Country Club www.jodyjacksongolf.com 250-532-3399 Runs through golf season.

COMMUNITY FOR CLIMATE FAIR 1pm -4:30pm Food and ice cream available - Please bring your own dishes! VIU Cowichan Campus Vancouver Island University, 2011 University Way, Duncan 250746-3500 MID ISLAND SONGWRITING CONTEST FINALS Coffee House with members of the Flying Accusations and special musical guests. Duncan United Church 246 Ingram St, Duncan Doors at 7pm, Open stage 7:30pm CFG $5 Non members $10 Free for performers

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Broadway Musical Dinner available in the Playbill Dining Room Matinees and Various Showtimes. Chemainus Theatre Festival, For Tickets call 250-246-9820 www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca SACRED CHANT CIRCLE @ RIVENDELL YURT with Sadie Bartram, Karen Allen and Temple Dogs (Bills Rd - Glenora) 7-8:30pm by donation Sadie sdbartram@gmail. com / 250 748 2089

JEEPERS KEEPERS Vintage Sale Farmhouse at 2035 Herd Rd - 10am - 4pm Admission $3 partial proceeds to local food bank. 66th COMMUNITY FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW Beauty and The Feast 9am-2pm Rotary Club Breakfast 8am -11am $2 Admission Cobble Hill Hall VENISON AND WILD FOODS FARM TO TABLE DINNER with Chef Bill Jones 5pm Deerholme Farm 4830 Stelfox Rd Please call 250.748.7450 to reserve.

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

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BAMBOLETTA GRAND OPENING AT WHIPPLETREE JUNCTION 1-5PM Whippletree Junction ANNUAL DOG WASH BUCKERFIELD’S Rain or Shine 10am – 2pm 5410 Trans-Canada Hwy, Duncan AUTOHARP MASTER, SONGWRITER, STORY TELLER, BRIAN BOWERS Chapel at Providence Farm CFG members $10 Non-members $20 250-748-3975 to reserve tickets For dinner reservations 250-597-0599 for Farm Table. Please select 5:30pm seating.

WEST COAST MEN’S FATHER’S DAY EVENT 10am – 2pm, Duncan City Square (map) Come and celebrate Dads!! There will be music, vendors, open discussions, family friendly, food, and a silent auction!! PIZZA NIGHT SUNDAYS AT MERRIDALE BEGIN WITH TROPIC MAYHEM AT June 23 with Bijoux Du Bayou 1230 Merridale Rd Cobble Hill 250 743-4293 MAUREEN WASHINGTON TRIO Jazz, Swing and R&B vocalist Sunday Afternoon Jazz Series at The Crofton Hotel, 1534 Joan Avenue, 2- 5 pm, $10 cover

SPEAKEASY COCKTAIL PARTY AND CASK AND BARREL TASTINGS AT MERRIDALE starts 4pm $75 pp 1230 Merridale Rd Cobble Hill 250 743-4293

COWICHAN VALLEY RIDE DON’T HIDE: PEDAL TO THE TRESTLE Canadian Mental Health Association Cowichan Valley $35 Donation to participate cowichanvalleycmha.bc.ca COWICHAN LAKE DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JUNK IN THE TRUNK Saywell Park 10am -3pm South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan

QUARTET An English comedy about retired gifted musicians. Starring Billy Connelly. Reel Alternatives 7pm Cowichan Theatre, $12, Students $5 Proceeds benefit CV Hospice Society.

FAMILY SHOOTING WORKSHOP WITH LIVE MODELS Hosted by the Ladysmith Camera Club. 7pm Hardwick Hall, High Street at 3rd Avenue in Ladysmith. Everyone welcome. Non-members $5 drop-in fee www.LadysmithCameraClub.com

REGGAE RAPTURE ON THE BEACH Featuring Taj Weekes / Ganjo Bassman / Lion Rockers / Emma Plant and Rainforest Come dance in the sand 6-10pm Charles Hoey Park, Dunc

BELMONT AVENUE TRIO and special guests Sunday Afternoon Jazz Series at The Crofton Hotel, 1534 Joan Avenue, 2- 5 pm, $10 cover

MAD HATTER’S STUDIO TOUR and SALE at Linda Richter’s FEAT of CLAY STUDIO June 21,22,23 10am. -5pm at 8063 South Nimmo Rd. in Westholme. Don a wild hat and wander through her sculptureladened gardens. Build a clay creature for prizes and enjoy the talented GUEST ARTISTS’ creations. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND THE ARTS! Contact : featofclaystudio@gmail.com

SUMMER SOLSTICE DAY at Maritime Centre from 11am - 3pm WILD TEA WALK @ Wildwood with Jay Rastogi 9:30-12pm Wildwood in Cedar (Crane Road) $20 per walk or $15 for CGC members Call to register: 250-748-8572 FARM DANCE UNDER THE STARS FUNDRAISER, Live Music. 50/50 Raffle and Silent Auction Fundraiser 7pm - Midnight Live Music begins at 8p $20 pp Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd Duncan For tickets call 250 746-4204 Licensed Event. Advance tickets only.

KIDS SAND BUILDING AND BREAKING SHOWCASE 10am -2pm Beach Volleyball 2- 4pm Concert on the Beach featuring Compassion Gorilla 7pm www. compassiongorilla.com Charles Hoey Park, Duncan DEADLINE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Wild Wings 2013 Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society Art Exhibition/Auction Contact curator Jeffrey Birkin jeffreybirkin@hotmail.com for more info.

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Register now for Summer Art class in the first week of July for ages 12 and up See Nan’s work at her booth in the Duncan Saturday Market. Studio open all June Please phone ahead 746-4130 Watch for upcoming classes at : peterspohn.com

JUNE Ongoing COWICHAN VALLEY ARTISANS YEAR ROUND STUDIO TOUR View and Download brochure at www.cowichanvalleyartisans.com COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE MONDAYS June 3, 10, 17 and 24 6-8pm, arrive by 6:30 for intake Community Acupuncture sliding scale rate ($15-45) with a detox/cleansing focus, assisting to break destructive behaviours 250 510 1910 for more details. Silverfern Clinic 160 Jubilee St Duncan MEDITATION THURSDAYS 250. 710. 7594

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ATTENTION MUSICIANS & ARTISTS (ANY MEDIUM). If you have some ‘Art’ or some ‘Beat’, then ArtBeat is your gig. ArtBeat is the immensely popular summertime Friday evening Artwalk & Street Party in Chemainus. To apply for ArtBeat 2013, visit www.ArtBeatChemainus. com for all the details.

CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS IN CHEMAINUS Chemainus Waterwheel Park 11am -3pm Petting Zoo, Bouncy Castle, Birthday Cake and FUN.

The NEW extended calendar is generously sponsored by Sacred Mountain Studio. Thank you to Nan and Peter!

Look at all the things to do in your community!

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

Issue 55 June 2013

Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Editors Sheila & Richard Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com 250 746 9319 - 936 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan V9L 5X4 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution Copy Editor Proofreader Linda Dirksengale Maeve Maguire Diana Pink Advertising Enquiries Please Call Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 Next Ad Deadline June 12 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. COMMUNITY CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE! Please upload your information through our website Please include: Date & Event Title IN SUBJECT Be advised that space is limited to up to 2 spots per business, space dependant and is prioritized by 1st sent, 1st printed. EVENTS DEADLINE June 15 for JULY 2013 Issue E-mail Date,Time, Location, Event Title and Cost to: events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Please list event title in subject with the word “EVENT” Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations VALLEY VOICES IN THIS ISSUE Wes Dirskengale, Richard Badman, Steve Elskens, Eliza Faulkner, Ajay Applelaar, Sandra Greenaway,Corine Webster, Jody Jackson, Jeffrey Birkin, Gord Iversen,Tim Cech, Diana Pink, Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store, Nika Stafford and Debbie Stapleton, David Coulson, Paultette Tanrawski , Linda Dirksengale,Tracey Hanson, Deb Wood, Swarn Leung, Janelle Hardy, Raelynn Gibson, Grant Waldman, dng, Colin Bartlett, Dr. David Suzuki, Rick Dennis, Sue McKitrick & The Lovely Georgia Nicols. We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style. The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other contributors. Please send a query e-mail prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available. Editorial deadline for July Issue, June 12. Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450 + select locations throughout the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith,Victoria, Tofino and from the Victoria International Airport Arrivals Hall. Cover Image It’s strawberry season in the Cowichan Valley.Visit your favourite market stalls for a first taste of these ruby gems!

For more information or to request a Summer 2013 Rate Card Contact Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596

adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Our Community June Community Calendar 4-5 TeaFarm 12 A Cut Above The Rest 24 DBIA Father’s Day 26 Enterprising Women Nika Stafford & Debbie Stapleton 34 Websites, Emails and Verbal Lint 49 New Eco Retreat in Stoney Hill 38 Community Farm Store Pages 44-46 Reel Alternatives Quartet 47 Flea Be Gone 42 Summer To Do List 43 Cowichan Valley Directory46-47 Cowichan Valley Feature Listings 53 Local Food And Recipes Deerholme Farm Cookbook 8 Cowichan Valley Food Co op 18 Black Muscat at Blue Grouse 12 Tunisian Spice Chicken 14 Spot Prawns with Stinging Nettle Pesto and Spelt Fettucini 15 Farm and Garden Urban Farming 20 On The Farm 22 Helpful Garden: Easy Livin’ 21 Pine Siskins 51 Home & Design Chemainus Village Square Geothermal 16 Natural Building Workshop 16 Green By Design: Ceramics and All Things Clay 19 Cohousing The Next Wave 20 Is It A Good Time To Sell? 23 Local Arts Imagine That Artisan Sharron Campbell 28 Local Arts Update 29 Artist Soliel Mannion 30 Transformations First Nations Art Show 31 Talking Arts: Gord Iversen 32 Sunday Afternoon Jazz Maureen Washinton Trio 33 Outnumbered! by Sue McKitrick 52 Family Happy Father’s Day 25 What Would Ms Polly Do? 36 Simplicity Parenting 37 Recreation & Healthy Living Outdoor Pursuits for Kids and Family 30 Cowichan Bay Whale Report 31 Green Living 34 Tim Cech Wants To Get Your Kids Outside 38 Golf Tips With Jody Jackson 48 Body, Mind & Soul Healthy Relationships 35 On Men, Masculinity, Injuries 51 Georgia Nicols June Horoscopes 45 Science Matters:Tiny Bhutan Redefines Progress 50 Meditation Moment 51

serving fair trade certified organic island roasted coffee delicious homemade soups artisan teas

fresh baked goods

specialty coffees

Food to go

At Whippletree Junction

250 597 4490

The Deerholme Mushroom Book For Mushroom Lovers Everywhere Signs of new life are returning to the fields, streams and forests. This season also sees the release of The Deerholme Mushroom Book – From Foraging to Feasting, the first of a two part series on Foraging and Wildcrafting by Chef Bill Jones of Deerholme Farm. Bill is an award winning author, with 10 cookbooks including The Deerholme Mushroom Book and a recognized regional expert on mushrooms and wild foods. “Most of our lives are spent wrapped in civilization. We are nestled in our cars, houses, offices, and landscapes. Stepping outside of this comfortable zone, we find the wildness lurking at the edges of our world. It is here that the mushrooms live, waiting to feed us, kill us, heal us, or alter our perception of reality. But which ones do what? That is a really good question,” states Chef Bill Jones. “Such a question started me on my journey into the world of fungi. Little did I know it would be a path of fascination, delight, and wonder that has kept me learning for more than twenty years.” Bill’s new book is dedicated to the memory of a valued mentor and friend, James Barber (1923 - 2007), whom was known for saying “these mushrooms are marvellous.”

The Deerholme Mushroom Book has over 140 recipes to create exceptional meals using wild and cultivated edible mushrooms. This unique field guide and cookbook shares a thorough overview of the common types of fungi and details how to source mushrooms, through foraging, shopping, and growing.. “Bill Jones and I both developed our first real passion, or perhaps obsession, for the mushroom hunt in France and continued to share this passion when we worked at Sooke Harbour House together. We share the same love for mushrooms, whether crawling around, drenched , on our hands and knees entangled in evergreen huckleberry vines, searching for pine or matsutake mushrooms near Sooke , while stalking the giant white chanterelle in his back yard in the Cowichan Valley or devouring them together in his rustic and charming mycological teaching kitchen at Deerholme Farm. Foraging for mushrooms creates an appetite,” Dr. Sinclair Philip, Member of the Board of the Vancouver Island Mycological Society, Member of the Advisory Board of the Oregon Truffle Festival, Co-Owner of Sooke Harbour House Hotel.

Shawnigan Lake Adventure: A Family Adventure with a Happy Ending A Walk has now become an Adventure – the Shawnigan Lake Adventure. You can now also cycle, kayak or go geocaching. All of these activities incorporate some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. Foot massages, energy treatments and delicious vegetarian (and free) food provided by local reastaurants will soothe the body. And all day live music will feed the soul. . Participate in honour of a caregiving family you know.

It all happens Sunday, June 2nd! Info and registration at www.shawniganlakeadventure.com

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

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Dr. Sinclair goes on to say “Many books on mushrooms are written by mycologists who don’t know how to cook or chefs who have a very limited knowledge of the wide variety of mushrooms available. Bill Jones is one of those rare chefs who combines the skills of an excellent chef and teacher with real and extensive mycological expertise in the field and has the scars to prove it. This is a very uncommon combination and that is why you must buy this book.” Visit www.deerholme.com for details.

This super manly cook book and mushroom guide makes an excellent Father’s Day gift! A thorough and very readable book written by local fungi expert, author and chef Bill Jones. The Deerholme Mushroom Book is both a field guide and cookbook covering Cowichan Valley chantrelles to French truffles. He instructs readers on harvesting, preserving and preparing, guiding us through an amazing array of fungi knowledge.

Do you know a dad who loves to cook?

The recipe sections are packed with dishes both traditional and not so traditional complete with beautiful photos. The collection truly inspires a desire to create with Bill a comfy Bill Jones Mac n’Cheese to a fancier Mushroom Crusted Albacore Tuna with Shiitake Sushi Salad and other surprising twists along the way like the Mushroom Croque Monsieur. It really is an exciting mushroom adventure. On first reading (I have turned to it for meals many times already!) I was drawn to a mushroom variation on a family favorite, Porcini Mushroom Yorkshire Puddings! Everyone loves Yorkshires but mine always stirs a bit of excitement as often they are perfect, though sometimes they fall flat. Following his recipe carefully, I sourced *Untamed Feast dried porcini mushrooms(www.untamedfeast.com) and ground them to a fine powder. I soon disocvered this new secret ingredient that subtley adds a delicious richness to food. The porcinis enhanced the texture and flavor of these already delicious puddings and I was proud to present the family with a dozen beautiful specimens. The family loved them, which makes any father’s day! *Untamed Feast Gourmet Mushrooms can be found throughout town locally but if you purchase them from owner Eric Whitehead’s mum, Eve Whitehead in the giftshop at Crofton by the Sea B&B (1560 Joan Ave) 100% of the profits gets deposited by granny into a savings fund for Eric’s and Michelle’s little girl. How sweet is that? Richard Badman presents hot Porcini Yorkshire Puddings!

Eat, Drink and Buy Local Food!

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

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

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

New Food Sustainability Co-op Forming In Cowichan Valley

www.makecheese.ca

hen our family made the choice to move to the Cowichan Valley, one of our big reasons was the vibrant local food economy. As “locavores” in Vancouver, we kept noting the supply of fresh organic food coming from the island, and when we visited Duncan we found the farmers market, local restaurants, shops, and roadside farm stands specializing in local food. How odd, then, are two contradictory findings in CGC’s new “Growing Connections” handbook about food systems in the Cowichan Valley: (1) Farmers have trouble selling all their produce, and (2) Restaurants and stores have trouble getting enough. The logical solution is to bring the two groups together. A new Cowichan Food Co-op is forming to do just that – create a co-operative “food hub” where producers can aggregate, store and distribute their produce. The end results will be: - increased income for farmers, - steady local food supply for restaurants and stores, - local food more regularly featured in local stores and restaurants year-round, and - an overall increase in food production and sustainability in the valley.

Cowichan Valley Food - As fresh as it will ever be!

This co-operative will ideally not only involve producers and purchasers, but also educators (eg. Cowichan Green Community), government partners, and all stakeholders involved in food security and sustainability. On Tuesday, June 4, and organizational meeting will be held at The Hub in Cowichan Station to agree on overall goals and create a roadmap to developing this co-op over the next year. Farmers, purchasers and all interested parties are invited. Networking and Community Farm Store munchies from 4:00-4:30 (to get you out of the hot afternoon sun), then meeting 4:30-5:30 (home in time for sunset farming.) RSVP to Rick Juliusson: Rick@ FreeRangeConsulting.ca Rick Juliusson FreeRange Consulting Sustainable funding * Effective operations * Achievable vision

Food Co-op Meeting June 4, 4pm -5:30pm The Hub Cowichan Station 2375 Koksilah Road RSVP 250 737 1687

Antique Scale at Teafarm

Overwaitea

n March 8, 1915, Robert C. Kidd purchased a store at 746 Columbia Street in New Westminster, British Columbia. He developed several innovative merchandising techniques to attract customers to his store including odd-penny pricing and selling 18 ounces of tea for the price of a pound. The store was soon known as the “over-weight tea” store. When Kidd opened his second store, he decided to call it “Overwaitea”. This oddly interesting piece of BC trivia caught our attention through wonderful Wikipedia. Recent interest and popularity of tea continues to grow the culture of tea drinking in North America. One thing that has not changed is the ‘old school’ approach to purchasing tea. Loose leaf tea in bulk is a preferred method of acquiring quality tea for individuals who drink tea everyday.

Actually seeing your tea combined with being able to control the amount of tea used is integral to creating the perfect brew. The rule of thumb for using the right quantity of leaf is 2 grams of tea per cup (230ml) of water. Thus, loose leaf teas can easily accommodate your personal preference of enjoying a stronger or weaker cup. Bulk tea saves packaging and can offer greater savings for people who drink tea everyday. The old-style scale may now be replaced by a modern digital scale but the idea of purchasing bulk and loose still remains the same. We encourage you to refill your tins at the farm tea shop and to check out the selection of organic loose tea in the bulk section of the Community Farm Store. Margit and Victor create an eclectic experience of tea+art+nature. www.teafarm.ca

Rick Pipes Barrel Thief

Nifty news, dames and fellas, our aged barrel spirits will soon be on available on the market! Join us for our Speakeasy Cocktail Party to help us say scram to the restrictive liquor laws of the past, and celebrate the opening of our distillary doors. Swingin’ jazz, canapes, and costumes from the prohibition times of the 1920s will make this an event that’s sure to be the cat’s pajamas! Our master blender, Laurent Lafuente, and owner Rick Pipes will be on hand to lead

Eat, Drink and Buy Local!

guests through a wide range of cask and barrel tastings. Don’t miss your chance to be the toast of the town, and among the first to taste our spirits that have been quietly aging behind the big wooden doors at the farm.

Speakeasy Event June 18 4pm $75 Merridale Ciderworks 1230 Merridale Rd Cobble Hill 250-743-4293

Black Muscat Exclusive in Canada at Blue Grouse

estled in Cowichan Station lies a family owned vineyard that is one of the oldest Estate Wineries in all of British Columbia. A truly magical place, this 43 acre south-facing piece of unspoiled Cowichan Valley countryside is protected by the evergreen mountains and fed by artesian spring waters. For decades, Blue Grouse Estate Winery has produced some of the

most award winning wines on Vancouver Island! The vineyard has long had a rhythm and a voice. In the late 1970â€™s the Ministry of Agriculture, under the guidance of pioneering viticulturist John Harper, planted an experimental vineyard on this site with over 150 varieties of vines! Today,

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

Blue Grouse grows eight cool climate varietals which are all well suited to our West Coast environment. In the past year new voices have been added to the “music” of Blue Grouse and its song has become more layered, complex and vibrant. For those familiar with Hans Kiltz and his wines you may be interested to learn that before he retired he produced one last parting vintage in celebration of the 20th harvest, the Kiltz family’s last. He wanted to make a unique wine to commemorate this milestone and thus created VICESIMUS (translated from the Latin means “The 20th ”). An aromatic blend of Bacchus, Muller-Thurgau, Siegerrebe and Ortega this release is absolutely gorgeous. Fresh and juicy with attractive floral aromas, crisp apple and jujube notes that linger on the palate and finish with crisp acidity. A very special wine… 2011 – 240 cases retailing for $19. Another exclusive specialty of the vineyard is their Estate Black Muscat - a very unique wine, and to date Blue Grouse is the only known vineyard in all of Canada who is cultivating and producing

this wine. It is thought that this variety may have been one of the first planted in Washington State in the early 19th century. Black Muscat is a popular choice in California’s central valley for dessert wine - though only a handful of historic vineyards such as Quady Vineyards, Shenandoah Vineyards and Sobon Estate, Rosenblum Cellars and Peachy Canyon produce it. Known under a few different names in other parts of the world (Golden or Black Hamburg in the United States, Muscat de Hambourg in France, Moscato di Amburgo in Italy and Muscat Gamburgskiy in Russia)… But no matter what you call it, Black Muscat is a wild child! Deep red in color with powerful, unmistakable aromas of lavender, lychee, black currant and sweet spices. Dry on the palate this unoaked red is a very enchanting wine with notes of black pepper and black fruit on the finish.

into the current tasting bar surroundings, complete with local farm gate picnic foods, rustic picnic tables and arguably one of THE most breathtaking, unspoiled views of the Cowichan Valley! If you are thinking “picnic or wine tasting” this season, we suggest you check out Blue Grouse. Committed to continuing their part as stewards of this majestic vineyard the Brunner’s and their winery, vineyard and tasting bar teams are dedicated to supporting local agriculture, community and tourism and have aspirations to do their part to help develop the

Cowichan Valley into one of BC’s most premier agro tourism destinations. When was the last time you visited Blue Grouse? Image of Black Muscat bud taken by Gord Iversen. Image below Paul and Cristina Brunner and their daughter Paula. Photo taken by Debora Price Photography

This season the new owners, the Brunner family, with family ties in Nanaimo, have plans to break ground on a new, eco-conscious winery building & tasting bar! They have incorporated a beautiful licensed picnic area

Eat, Drink and Buy Local!

“It’s fresher from here”

Tunisian Harissa Chicken Recipe courtesy Steve Elskens Farm’s Gate Foods & Catering These days I’m thinking something smoky and grilled for dinner, maybe with a couple of cold salads and paired with a nice crisp white wine from any of our excellent Cowichan wineries. Chicken cooks great on the grill, especially the dark thigh meat. It stays juicier than the white meat and is much more forgiving on the dry high heat of the BBQ. This recipe uses Harissa, a Tunisian spice blend that packs a tremendous amount of ﬂavour!

Ingredients

Amount

Island Farmhouse chicken thighs, deboned Metal BBQ skewers Salt Olive Oil

8 4 1 1/2 Tablespoons 1/2 Cup

For Harissa Paste: Spearmint leaves, finely chopped Dried Chili Flakes Crushed Garlic Sweet Paprika Caraway and Coriander seed Toasted Ground Cumin seed Salt

6 2 Tablespoons 1 1/2 Tablespoons 1 1/2 Tablespoons 2 Teaspoons of each 1 Teaspoon 1Teaspoon

ack by popular demand, Cowichan Green Community (CGC) is scheduled to host a series of five Wild Food Walks for 2013! Focusing on the diversity of wild edibles found within the Cowichan Region, CGC invites you to join local wild food experts including Della (Rice) Sylvester, herbalist and educator of traditional Indigenous medicines, and the Cowichan Land Trust’s Meg Loop, as they share their knowledge of foraging, traditional plant uses, wild food preparations, and more, along five different walking trails throughout the Cowichan Region.

A way to reconnect with nature and to increase your consumption of nutrient rich foods that are both local and seasonal, the Wild Food Walks are an opportunity for the public to gain skill in identifying and using wild foods. Pre-registration for all walks is required. The cost is $20 per walk or $15 for CGC members. Participants are advised to wear sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes, and to bring their own drinking water. Most walks depart at 9:30am and run one to three hours depending on the number of people and the level of interest. Most walks have limited space so sign up now! 250 748-8506

Method

1. First, make the harissa paste. Blend all paste ingredients and crush in a pestle and mortar. This method brings out all essential oils in the spices and herbs creating pungent and vibrant spice mix. Alternatively, you can blend all ingredients in a spice grinder, quicker yet less fragrant. 2. Slice all thighs in four to six big pieces. Mix these pieces in a bowl, together with the paste, 1 1/2 Tablespoons of salt and a glug of olive oil. Mix together until rubbed in really well. 3.Skewer and let rest in refrigerator for two hours up to overnight. Grill on a medium high fire for 8-10 minutes, or until a thermometer registers 170F. Serve with fingerling potato salad and fresh greens drizzled with some lemon juice and olive oil. You will not believe the flavours you have just prepared for yourself! Happy Summer!

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

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

Farm Dance Under The Stars Now Open In Lake Cowichan

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June 22 7pm - Midnight Providence Farm Tickets $20 available at Ten Old Books 250 746 4204 To reserve Come support the Farm and “dance under the stars” to the live music of Bijou du Bayou, Luv Train and Monte & the Beaumonts, plus an All Star jam finale. Licensed event • Silent Auction closes at 9:30 pm • 50/50 raffle • live music begins around 8 pm • Late night snacks!

LIVE CRAB • FRESH FISH • SPOT PRAWNS • DINE IN AND MORE!

Stinging Nettle Pesto with Poached Spot Prawns and Cowichan Pasta Spelt Fettucini Recipe courtesy Matt Horn Cowichan Pasta

Amount 1 Package 2lbs

Ingredients Cowichan Pasta Spelt Fettucini Head on Fresh BC Spot Prawns

For Stinging Nettle Pesto 2 Cups ½ Cup ¼ Cup 2 Tbsp 2 Cloves To taste

Cooked and Drained,Young Stinging Nettle Hilary’s Fromage Frais Wilberry Farm Hazelnuts Verjus Garlic Salt

Make it a Date Night? The Farm Table restaurant (located onsite at Providence Farm) will be offering a special buffet dinner for $20 (taxes included)! Reservations can be made for a 5:30pm, 6:30 pm or 7:30 pm sitting by calling Maria at Providence Farm at 250-746-4204. Rides home! Farm volunteers will be on hand to give you and your car a ride home til’ midnight. Service by donation. Please note: Because it is a licensed event, ALL ticket sales must be in advance. Tickets cannot be sold at the door. See you there!

Summer Hours Open 7 Days a week 10 am to 6pm

Method

Dehead prawns and place tails in a shallow baking dish. Bring 6L of salted water to a boil and pour over prawn tails. Allow to cool then drain off the water and peel the tails. Freeze the heads and shells to make stock at a later time. In a food processor puree nuts, garlic, verjus and cheese until smooth. Add blanched nettles and continue to blend to desired consistency. Add salt to taste and a little more verjus for more acidity. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for later use. Bring another pot of salted boiling water to boil and cook pasta for a minute and a half. Drain water, reserving a little to thin out the pesto. In a large bowl add prawns, drained pasta and 2 tbsp of the pesto. Thin the pesto with a little of the reserved pasta water if it seems too stiff. Mix together and serve. Garnish with your favourite herbs and a little crumbled Fromage Frais. Enjoy!

1751 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cowichan Bay

Cowichan Bay Seafoods

250-748-0020 E-mail: info@cowichanbayseafood.com

Eat, Drink & Buy Local

Chemainus Village Squareâ€™s Green Initiative - Geothermal Heating

hemainus Village Square, a brand new Shopping Centre in Chemainus, is installing a Geothermal system. Geothermal is an emerging, alternative energy source for homes and businesses. Geothermal systems use the warm, stable temperature of the earth to heat buildings, supply hot water, provide radiant floor heating and air-conditioning. The Earth naturally stores heat. To access the heat, holes are drilled into the Earth, pipes are installed and heat-pumps transfer the heat to buildings.

The benefits of a geothermal system are: Efficiency -geothermal systems are recognized as the most energy efficient means of heating, cooling and providing hot water. Lower Costs - Due to increased efficiency, annual operating costs are up to 60% lower. Environmentally Friendly â€“ Geothermal systems do not use fossil fuels which mean fewer greenhouse gasses and less extraction of non-renewable resources.

Safety - No flame, no flue, no exhaust, no odors, no chemicals and no risk from carbon monoxide. Quiet - Geothermal units are quiet, self-contained and use the warmth from the Earth instead of recirculating the outside air like a traditional heat pump.

The shopping centre opens this summer and is anchored by 49th Parallel Grocery, Island Savings Credit Union, Pharmasave and Village Liquor Store. For more information about Chemainus Village Square and Geotility contact Dee.

Geotility Geothermal Systems will be at Chemainus Village Square, for most of June installing the system. They join the rest of the construction team as walls, roofs and windows quickly appear.

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

Dee Kinnee, a Chemainiac, lives and works in The Little Town. dkinnee@ onsitesales.ca

DESIGNI NG green

• Wood Doors • Wood Windows • Repairs to All Types of Doors & Windows

Ceramic Tiles and All Things Clay

eramic tiles are all the rage these days for covering just about every surface. Especially with the new maintenance free and allergen concerns over dust and all things living in furry places. Tiles have also become inexpensive and with the booming DIY interest, an easy project for all to tackle. My interest started in the basic use of clay itself, from forming and shaping pottery and landscapes, to the making of hand made tiles and the construction of wood fired ceramic kilns. Clay is natural as we all know and in abundance. Good ceramic clay deposits are often a hazard to build on or landscape because of the plasticity and instability of the higher quality creamy deposits. If a readily available fuel source is nearby, whether waste wood, gas or some sort of biomass regenerating heat source, tiles, brick and cookware could be produced for years to come and have a full ‘cradle to cradle’ life cycle. Oven fired to different temperatures and with simple additives of recycled glass, sand and other, can result in porous to very dense products for use in many ways. In the home, it provides a durable and washable surface but also a cool one. Consider the less dense tile like a lower fired (but softer) Mexican clay tile

(sometimes referred to as Saltillo) if you want a surface warmer to the touch. These bisque- fired tiles are often in the raw unglazed state and contain tiny air pockets for insulation from the cold and therefore warmer to the touch. Finish them with a simple water based acrylic sealer for keeping them stain free and easier to maintain.The slicker ‘high fired tiles common from Italy and even porcelain tiles used commercially are very hard wearing but can be much cooler to the tender extremities giving rise to heated floor mats. Although hard to argue with the comfort, the use of electric in floor heating would have to be considered a luxury in this age of energy conservation. I would need another chapter to discuss better ways of heating

250-743-4011

www.kwdoorsandwindows.com Heritage Homes a Specialtyom

floors. Try using a natural fibre mat instead. Clays of the Cowichan have a long history of use. Keep an eye out for the Somenos brick, a beehive kiln fired chimney brick mass produced here at the turn of the century. Let’s bring those jobs and resources back! David Coulson is a local certified Built Green design builder. He has a staff of 25 that have built throughout the Island for over 20 years.

Home and Building

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

Get Your Hands Dirty! Come Learn the Art of Natural Building

ooking for some hands-on experience with natural building.

There will be a natural building workshop this summer in Sooke from July 15th to August 1st covering timber framing, clay and fiber wall construction, wall plastering and roof construction. The workshop starts with a week of timber framing, which gives hands on experience in mortise and tenon timber joinery - a true craft. It offers you a unique opportunity to work with timbers as well as with others of like mind. For some, this experience could be a doorway into the rich world of wooden architecture and perhaps the beginnings of a career in timber framing. Regardless of your intent, the process of transforming a tree into the “bones” of a home is magical. The clay and fiber (straw and/or wood chip) wall is the core of the building system. Learn how to efficiently wrap a building with a 12” thick blanket of dynamic insulation for health, comfort and building longevity. Called “light clay” construction, the walls provide a balance of thermal mass and insulation and allow the free diffusion of water vapour through the wall. The next step is finishing the walls with natural clay plaster. The purpose of plastering is to provide a durable, healthy and beautiful protective surface. In the hands of a master craftsman, natural plaster work can be an art form. Students will be instructed by a master

plasterer and gain valuable handson experience plastering a wall. Finally, with their growing confidence, the students will learn basic roof construction and build the major components of this all important “hat”, which will protect the walls and direct many millions of gallons of water over the life of the home. A well-executed roof should not only be beautiful, but last for many years. The workshop will be directed by a renowned expert in the field of natural building, Robert Laporte of the EcoNest Building Company. Also, there will be a one day seminar by an award winning eco-architect and building biologist, Paula Baker Laporte, FAIA, called “Homing in on your nesting instinct”. This seminar will be of particular interest to anyone planning to create a custom home and will address how to get the most out of the process through incorporating

natural building, health and ecology. The site for this building/learning project is at 7708 West Coast Road, just minutes from the town of Sooke. There is room for camping on site and natural healthy lunches will be provided. For details about the workshop program, including an excellent video showing the steps of the workshop, see the Econest website www. econest.com. Image Left,Straw clay exposed as the forms are moved up. Image Right, Walls being tamped. Image below learning traditional timber framing. All images courtesy EcoNest. Keary Conwright is a natural home designer and builder living in Otter Point. www.kcnaturalhomes.com.

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

URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD FARMING Transforming Neighbourhoods into Villages

s most of you know, I am a passionate urban gardener who believes that gardening, growing food and building community are the most important things we can do. For this month’s column, I’d like to introduce the concept of urban neighbourhood farming; a way to establish food security and self sufficiency -village style. I have always been inspired by the holistic system to biodynamic farming developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1924, where the farm is seen as a self sufficient, closed loop organism. Soil fertility is built through cover crops and on farm animal manure -- no inputs are brought on to the farm; chemicals are never used. I find that creating all my own food and inputs is not possible on one small city lot -- but in one small neighbourhood, it could certainly be achieved. This is what got me thinking about creating a neighbourhood model for urban food production. In this new food focused urban village every person and every garden participates. Some yards will have edible food beds while others grow plants like comfrey and nettle needed for biomass,

soil building and compost. Some folks keep bees, other grow flowers (for the bees) and herbs. Large south facing lawns get dedicated to sun loving fruits and vegetables while other large plots of property are used for the keeping of chickens and small farm animals. Aspiring farmers are offered affordable dwellings in studio apartments and tiny houses situated in backyards and above garages. Greenhouses get built in parks and local schools include urban farming in their curriculum. Fruit and nut trees line the streets, berry bushes are planted everywhere and local halls are utilized for potlucks, canning bees and harvest festivals. The land, soil, plants, buildings and resources of the entire neighbourhood together with the talent, resources and availability of each resident becomes part of the “organism”. It’s hard to describe this idea in one short article but I think you get the idea. For now, it all starts with vision. The times we are living in are troubled indeed but I like to believe that the problems are the solutions. New ways to live and thrive will result from the adversity that we are facing if we dare to meet the challenge -- together!

66th Annual Community Flower & Garden Show June 15 Cobble Hill Hall The Mill Bay Garden Club presents the 66th Annual Community Flower and Garden Show. This easy-to-enter show is open to gardeners of all ages and experience. We have volunteers on hand to help you select the correct class and give advice on displaying your flowers. The show includes over 70 classes from Cut Flowers through Seedlings, Potted Plants, Vegetables & Herbs to Flower Arrangements. Pick up an Exhibitor’s program with a list of classes at Buckerfield’s, Thrifty Foods in the Floral Department, Country Grocer, Laughing Llama, Dinter’s Nursery or download from the Mill Bay website: www. millbaygardenclub.com. For the early birds the show starts with a Rotary Pancake Breakfast at 8am, with the

Grounds and Flower Show Exhibition opening at 9.00am. Included in the show are Plant Sales, Commercial Plant Vendors, Garden Accessories and a large Silent Auction. The Master Gardeners will be there to help solve your garden queries and the Lake Bay Hill Ladies Auxiliary will be serving their delicious Strawberry Teas This is one of the Mill Bay Community’s highlights of the year. It is so easy to enter. Just wander through your garden the evening before and pick your best flowers. Check the exhibitor’s brochure and enter the correct number of flowers for that class. If you’ve got it - flaunt it! Please come out and show your support at the Cobble Hill Hall, Watson Avenue, Cobble Hill.

Nicolette Genier is the very happy co owner ot Duncan’s Community Farm Store.

Quality of life depends on the quality of our communities: Richard Heinberg, author of “The End of Growth” says it is our fate that society will collapse leaving behind decentralized, autonomous pockets of human communities. The quality of our lives will depend on the quality of our communities. If communal structures are strong we will be able to endure. If they are weak we will succumb to the bleakness. It is important that these structures be set in place before the onset of the crisis, he says. This means starting to “know your neighbors.” It means setting up food banks and farmers’ markets. It means establishing a local currency, carpooling, creating clothing exchanges, establishing cooperative housing, growing gardens, raising chickens and buying local. It is the matrix of neighbors, family and friends, Heinberg says, that will provide “our refuge and our opportunity to build anew.”

on the farm

Fresh Start Edibles@Damali

y fun and interesting part-time summer job in 2012 was working weekends at Damali Lavender Farm, Winery and B&B in Cobble Hill. I learned a lot about lavender and wine, and met lots of interesting people.

And as everything happens for a reason, the stars lined up for us when in September, my husband David and I were invited to move to Damali as non-equity partners to realize our passion to grow food. The three partners of Damali recognize our combined talents and skills and the mutual benefit for us all, plus their beautiful 3,000 sq. ft. market garden could once again be utilized to its full potential.

Spring harvest of swiss chard, kale, radishes, red orach spinach and radishes.

We arrived in December, and spent the wet winter days reading and researching about the myriad of food we could grow over the next four seasons. We spent the dry winter days outside preparing for what is now our first commercial garden. In February, we started with seedling trays in the greenhouse which includes a 16 tray propagation table (a whole new dimension in itself). Next, we installed temporary cold frames along the south side of the winery building to harden off the plants before being planted in the fully remediated market garden.

Slowly but surely, the plant babies are all finding a home either in our garden or at the Mill Bay Farmer’s Market. We have unique veggie starts, herbs plus Spring greens and Kale for sale each week, come and visit us!

Diana checking in on the Artichoke plant after harvesting kale and swiss chard.

As we head into summer, we are planning and building new beds on the back area of the farm that has only been used for pasture. This gently sloped south facing space is being transformed to grow primarily winter food, something we have discovered is lacking in the Cowichan. We utilize Permaculture principles and sustainable farming practices to grow our food, working with Mother Nature every step in a most natural way. We have a passion for growing healthy food and we are thoroughly enjoying our new living and farming experience @ Damali! Watch us grow at www.freshstartedibles.com and visit us at the Market at the Mill Bay Centre on Thursdays or daily @ Damali from 10-4. Diana Pink is passionate about health, food and herbs. She is living the dream as farmess with her farmer husband David.

Helpful Garden ….and the livin’s easy.

ummer time.

Here we are, right on the edge of it, I can feel it in the air and see it in the growth of my garden, where already this season foliage is gargantuan and lush. Only time and the season will tell if the blooms will also be so heightened. A moist and seasonal spring has set the stage for what may be an early and long season of summer pleasures. To make your summer chores lighter, prepare now for warm weather irrigation. Set up a rain barrel with a downspout diverter to take care of watering your planter boxes and hanging baskets. Lay down soaker hoses where appropriate and cover with a rich compost that will be beneficial in holding in the moisture and cutting down on weeds. To save time on edging your lawn with a line trimmer, try running your mower off the edge of the lawn with the wheels raised on the garden bed side. I use this method and only use my weed whacker once a season or so. Try locating your compost bin where you will need the compost when it’s finished. I learned this from my friend Joy Story with Grow Food Network. Locate herbs in pots at your back door for easy picking while cooking. Tomatoes in pots are also a great idea by the back door and many early varieties are producing ripe fruit as soon as late June. Marking the beginning of summer, the Mill Bay Garden Club will present its annual Community Flower and Garden Show on Saturday June 15th at the Cobble Hill Farmers Institute Hall. The day begins at 8AM with the Mill Bay Community League Pancake Breakfast.

Doors open at 9AM for viewing the amazing flower show indoors and for shopping the terrific selection of outdoor vendors. Also held is our Silent Auction, featuring donations garden related and otherwise from many local venues, businesses and individuals. The Lake Bay Hill Ladies Hospital Auxiliary will hold their traditional Strawberry Tea in the dining hall, and the whole day wraps up at 2PM with the awarding of rosettes to chosen winners and the Aggregate award. This year’s show theme is ‘Beauty and the Feast’, with almost 80 different categories of cut flowers, foliage, potted plants, vegetables and flower design. There is also a Children’s category that we’ve been working with local schools to fill with the efforts of the students. For further information go to millbaygardenclub.com or check us out on Facebook by searching for Mill Bay Garden Club. Come and help support this exciting and vital community event. Hope to see you all there!

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

Ajay Oppelaar, President of the Mill Bay Garden Club. Contact him at arkengardens@ gmail.com

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Is This A Good Time To Sell?

ots of home owners are debating whether to sell their homes this spring or wait a few more years when the housing market improves? Perhaps another question you may want to ask is “Can we make the space we have, work better for our lifestyle?” Not moving can save thousands of dollars in banking, legal and real estate fees that can never be recuperated. Staying put and getting a home designer to refigure the home you have, can improve the real estate value and give you the space you desire.

fresh perspective, experience and expertise you will be impressed with what can be done to your home by looking at what has been done to others. To view some of Avalon Designs work go to www.avalondesign.ca then call Walter for a FREE consultation at 250-743-0414.

Avalon Design has been designing new homes, renovations and additions for over 27 years on Vancouver Island. With a

Are You Prepared For The Inevitable?

Do You Have? • • • • •

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

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Your One Stop Source for Computer Help in the Cowichan Valley Computer Consulting | Software Sales Computer Repair and Maintenance Computer Training

Phone: 250-929-1199 E-mail: ian@sentinelridgeconsulting.com Web: www.sentinelridgeconsulting.com

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

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

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

www.mcdancolaw.com

communityforclimate FAIR Everyone Welcome!

Saturday, June 8 1pm- 4:30 pm Vancouver Island University (Duncan Campus) 2011 University Way FREE Would you like to learn how to create a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce your ecological footprint while having a good time with your friends and neighbours? We can help!

North Cowichan Council recently adopted a Climate Action and Energy Plan (the Plan) and the findings are no surprise. We have to work together if we want to make meaningful change. To that end we’ve partnered with other agencies to offer an event that will have a fair-type atmosphere featuring booths by various groups that will help everyone learn more about reducing our carbon footprint. Listen to a presentation on the Plan (scheduled for 2:30 pm). Try out an electric car or E-bike. Participate in a bike rodeo. Create your own energy by moving to live music by Masimba Marimba. Play some

old fashioned family games led by the Chemainus Green Team students. All attendees will be able to enter a free draw for prizes (including a bike)! It wouldn’t be a fair without food so arrive at 1pm for local food prepared by Cowichan Green Community and enjoy ice cream courtesy of Island Farms. (Remember to bring your own dishes!) Food and ice cream are available on a first-come first-served basis, so don’t be late!) BC Hydro, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Island Farms, Catalyst Paper, the the Cowichan Valley Voice have all partnered with us to offer this event free of charge, including free all-day transit. So pack up your reusable dishes for lunch, bring your family, friends and neighbours, and walk, carpool, cycle, hop on a bus or drive and let’s spend a fun and informative afternoon learning ways to reduce energy use and emissions, encourage a local green economy and a high quality, sustainable, healthy and safe lifestyle. Together we can make a difference! Spread the word! Want to help? Contact: kate. marsh@northcowichan.ca

A Cut Above The Rest - The Perfect Present for Every Dad

few weeks ago I had the pleasurable experience of my first barbershop shave, in none other than- a classic barbershop. The quaint setting on Willow Street in Chemainus adds to the character, and Doc The Barber, takes her work very seriously, respecting the rich traditions of the barbershop and executing her work with precision. Inspired to preserve the dying trade, Jennifer Morrell (Doc) moved from central Canada to Vancouver Island to complete the only traditional barbering program in Canada. She has been running her shop since 2010, offering straight razor shaves and haircuts on a first come, first serve basis in her antique barber’s chair. My shave started with a series of hot towels to ready the skin for the pampering ahead. I will admit my eyes were closed through the majority of the shave as it is impossible to not just settle in and enjoy as she repeatedly applies hot washcloths, moisturizing creams and shaving lotions. “The traditional shave is an experience akin to a manly facial. shares Doc’s Husband Mark Staples, a frequent shave recipient “The skin gets

stretched, conditioned and lathered. Your face is tenderly and expertly maneuvered into position, using a blade so sharp, only a surgical scalpel could compare. The blade drawn across your face glides so smoothly some are left sceptical if any hair has been removed at all. There’s almost no pulling or snagging as the hair is removed. A final oil shave cuts closer than any multiple blade toss away razor or whirring, buzzing electric razor ever could. For most guys a shave is a basic, at times mundane, ritual that we perform on ourselves on a daily basis, but hand the job over to someone that treats it like a craft and adds a high level of pampering and it becomes an entirely different experience altogether. There is an element of stepping back in time, slowing the day down, and celebrating the simpler things. Looking for the perfect gift for dad or any man in your life? Trust me, a gift trip to Doc will be the highlight of his week.

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

Wes lives in the Cowichan Valley with his family.

Father’s Day Message To Dads

appy Father’s Day! Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, granddads, uncles, brothers, and sons! This is your day to celebrate all that you do for your children, your family, your community and yourself! Here’s my Father’s Day Challenge to dads everywhere: how are you taking care of yourself today and every day? What steps are you taking to ensure that you are in the best physical and emotional health? I think that this is the biggest challenge facing men: asking for help. I think that men were raised to do it on their own – that they are supposed to “tough it out”, “suck it up”, etc. I think that the majority of messages that the media, movies, and society in general deliver to men are all around being super strong and that you can climb mountains, build mega corporations, fight the “enemy”, and come home and have your dinner, watch the NHL playoffs, and hit the hay. How many of you can relate to this?

I can tell you from my experience that men do feel pain; that men do feel down; that men do feel alone in the world. I have connected with many men who have been alone for years. I have spoken with many men that don’t know where to turn. I am here to tell you that there are places for men to turn for support if you are willing to seek it. I am here to tell you that you are not alone. Men’s Circle’s are available to support you – located from Victoria to Nanaimo and in the lower mainland – Please call 250-597-2801 or email: info@westcoastmen.org for more information. Grant M. Waldman, Executive Director West Coast Men’s Support Society

Even Fathers Are Special In Downtown Duncan

It’s Father’s Day once again, and the challenge is to do something really special for Dad this year. In past years it’s been the tie, the new fishing lures, the dinner out. Why not decide to give him an experience, an event? Experience Downtown Duncan! An argument can be give that Downtown Duncan is for Mom, it’s not a place guys hang out unless

they’re dragged there by their wives, and used as a pack-mule or dog walker. The counter-argument is, that there are plenty of things to do, if only we take a moment to look. Bucky’s Sporting Goods - filled to the rafters with sports equipment and outdoor gear. Looking for books? Find used and rare gems at Gallowglass and Ten Old Books, or take a comfortable chair at Volume One Bookstore with their latest offerings. Hungry? Downtown Duncan has over 20 eateries of all shapes and

“It’s the very best toyshop in the whole wide world!”

June Events

Downtown Duncan

Quality clothing for kids From Newborn to size 14 for both boys and girls! Formal Wear Seasonal Coats & Jackets Casual Wear Ballet Wear Christening Gowns Footware Jumpers Pj’s and more! 158 Craig Street

Downtown Duncan 250 748 5545

sizes. Coffee Houses, Cafes, Bistros, International Cuisine, Wine Bar and Brew Pub…every option to fit your taste or budget. The hobbyist can find art supplies and model automobile sets at Scott’s Gifts, Toys and Hobbies. And what about that family painting sitting in the garage? He could have it framed in Excellent Frameworks, Station Street Gallery or Just Framing. VI Cellular and Cowichan Sound and Cellular have the latest in cell phones, Smart phones, Bluetooth

63 Station Street Duncan 250 748 4445

www.gigglegearclothing.com

Sai’s Place Spice Cafe New Asian Fare eatery opening up! 161 Station Street www.spicecafeduncan.com HR Connects Mixer Tuesday, June 11th (4:30-6pm) Sponsored by BC HRMA The Old Firehouse Wine Bar CITY SQUARE Cowichan Wheelchair Rugby Tournament Sun, June 9th (10am-3pm) Organized by Cowichan Wheels 14 Teams, Live Band & Just Jakes BBQ Annual Father’s Day Event Sun, June 16th (10am - 2pm) West Coast Men’s Support Society ~ Honouring Fathers ~ Bringing awareness to Men’s Health

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

INTEGRATED COMMUNITY HEALTH

Lindsay J. Campa, BA

Dr. Daisey Kent MSc ND

Certified Massage, Bodywork & Yoga Practitioner (250) 466-4607

Naturopathic Doctor (250)510-1910

Tobi Jane Panter AHG, R.Ac., RHN Acupuncturist, Nutritionist, Herbalist (250)715-4030

160 Jubilee St Duncan

and all accessories, to encourage him to step into the 21st century. And of course there’s home improvement. Furniture stores like Uncle Alberts, Erickson’s and Merit all have great choices. Paints can be found at Dobson’s and Cloverdale. Valley Floors Carpet One for all your flooring needs.

Griffiths Home Plumbing for kitchen and bath. And when he’s had enough shopping, there’s the Totem Pole Tours, the Cowichan Valley Museum and live music at the Duncan Garage Showroom. That, is how to get out of buying your Dad a tie!

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Arbutus, Sharron Campbell

Excellent FrameWorks and the E. J. Hughes Gallery Art for your empty walls. Gifts for yourself and others. We can print your photos on canvas. We want to frame your art for you. 28 station St downtown duncan 250-746-7112

Imagine That! Artisan Sharron Campbell

t is in assembling a green foliage and shapely body of work for a show chartreuse to scarlet limbs. that an artist exposes her Consistent in the paintings is preoccupations. While Campbell’s ability to portray each piece is created varying light, colour, and on its own terms and to atmosphere of the changing meet specific demands of seasons. colour, composition, and This show has behind draughtsmanship, together it another intention and they are unified by a single that is to celebrate our idea. The work Campbell has Cowichan Valley parks. chosen to show at Imagine We are fortunate to have That! for the month of June more than eighty parks and explores the idea of inherent public spaces in the valley. content in a landscape. All of the locations for Beyond revelling in the these paintings are places evident beauty of our valley accessible to the public. Art she wants the viewer to Cards and Postcards featuring grasp meanings behind the images from the show are substance of nature; water also available at Imagine teaches us about grace, a That! from June 1. mountain illustrates majesty, a tree, endurance and so on. Several of the pieces shown feature the enduring Arbutus which grows out of rock in dry locations and is found on our rocky promontories and along our coast. It is of particular interest to Campbell as a subject for painting with its deep blue Marsh, Sharron Campbell

Downtown Duncan

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interested in submitting a work for the auction and or exhibition is encouraged to contact the curator Jeffrey Birkin jeffreybirkin@hotmail.com for a detailed submissions form. Deadline for interest in call for submissions June 30 2013. The show will take place in October at Just Jakes in Duncan.

Sharron Coppick

Attention Musicians & Artists of Any Medium

Call For Submissions Wild Wings 2013 “This year artists are requested to create works with a theme specific to the Somenos Marsh” - said Birkin show coordinator. Artists are encouraged to donate a work for the auction for which 100% of the proceeds at auction go to the society. If artists donate a work for the auction the society is waiving the entry fee for the exhibition which is otherwise $20 and 20% of sales. “We are encouraging artists to approach this years Wild Wings show from a contemporary arts perspective” said coordinator Birkin whose photo based work entitled “Marsh Mangle” was donated for the auction. “We also have a limited edition Robert Bateman, a Tom Faue and a Frances Westermann all committed to the auction so far “ said the curator. Anyone

If you have some ‘Art’ or some ‘Beat’, then ArtBeat is your gig. ArtBeat is the immensely popular summertime Friday evening Artwalk & Street Party in Chemainus. To apply for ArtBeat 2013, visit www.ArtBeatChemainus.com for all the details.

Local Artist Produces Potential Stamp Series Local artist Dale Nigel Goble has just released a new dng Canadian Postage Stamp Collection inspired first by the wonderful nature and wildlife that surround us, and by a sincere desire to create a series of iconic stamp images that would reflect this beauty in a playful, modern way.

I felt that it would be wonderful to create a fun and energetic stamp collection that would represent Canada in a more modern style than a lot of the postage artwork currently available in Canada.” says dng Although not officially comissioned by Canada Post, the dng collection has been presented to Canada Post, in the hopes that they will indeed become an actual postage stamp series available at postal outlets nationwide. Check out the whole collection at www.dngstudio.com/ canadapost/collection.html. Be sure to give the collection a thumbs up on the top of the home page if you would like to see these at your local post office.

“Having collected postage stamps from legendary artists such as Robert Indiana, Andy Warhol, Stuart Davis, Matisse, and many others for some time,

Weaving, knitting, spinning and dyeing classes for all ages Group workshops available

Leola’s Studio 250-597-0820 Whippletree Junction

For full design/build service, give us a call

 250.746.5372 • coulsondesign@shaw.ca • www.davidcoulsondesign.com  Downtown Duncan

Vintage Scarves

Jeepers Keepers Vintage Show June 15th 10 am to 4 pm 2035 Herd Road $3 Admission

Jeepers Keepers is the brain child of two local women, Lori King and Diane Davis, who share fond memories of hours passed in gramma’s attic and long lovely afternoons at the kitchen table crafting and creating with the props and treasures found in that magical room. They decided to recreate that magic by inviting a group of local vintage lovers, up-cyclers and artists to display their wares and share in a common place. That place is an old farmhouse where yes, gramma used to live! Eventually, the farmhouse evolved into a club house for bridge players, and now a place where lovers of vintage and hand made treasures can unite, share and celebrate! Come one, come all to this family friendly event, for a wander into nostalgia There will be plenty of parking and partial proceeds going to our local food bank.

Local Arts

Feat of Clay Studio

Mad Hatters Studio Tour & Sale

June 21 -23 10am -5pm 8063 South Nimmo Road Westholme, North Cowichan www.featofclaystudio.com Artist Linda Richter of Feat of Clay studio in Westholme invites you to wear your wildest hat and bring family, friends or lovers (real or imaginary) to Linda’s “Wonderland of Whimsy”. Wander through her sculpture garden and see artwork of many forms and mediums. Visit Alice’s Picnic Table or enjoy The Clay Buffet during this special occasion event at the studio. The acreage is dotted with sculptures, gardens, ponds, funky sheds, where whimsy abounds. Trained in claywork in California and Canada, Linda became fascinated with hand building and sculpting over 25 years ago. Clay permits the expression of Linda’s humour and soulful imagination through the earthy and often whimsical characters she creates for home and garden. Here, there are no mistakes, and no judgments. It is a special time to feel inspired by the flow of creativity, surrounded by nature, and immersed yourself in creative works.

Transformations First Nations Art Show

he inspiration for Transformations came from a Mourning Mask created by Penelakut artist, Gus Modeste. The mask was purchased by local Cowichan artist, Gail Robb, in 2012. When Gail first saw the piece, it struck her as a piece that was to be shared with the community to help anyone who was going through a loss, a change, or a life transformation. Gail then asked other local artists, Gord Iverson and Julie Nygaard to create artistic interpretations of the mask through their own art forms that addressed this idea of change. Suzan Kostiuck, a Slavey artist working with the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, decided to curate the show around this theme and collaborative mask interpretation, inviting local First Nations artists to submit works. “Working with Vancouver Island artists for the past five years has been a true honour. The sheer amount of skill, talent, and positivity within the arts community is an inspiration.” Joel Good, a traditional Snuneymuxw Coast Salish artist will be showcasing bentwood boxes and hand carved plaques. Phoebe Punch, from the Northwest Territories, creates birch bark and spruce root baskets, many of which are embellished by quillwork. Jorge and Tina Lewis from Campbell River, a

Snuneymuxw artist and NuuCha-nulth artist respectively, will be displaying drums and appliques. Dennis Nyce, from teh Nisga’a Nation, will be sharing a small totem pole as well as an array of smaller carvings. Lambert Goldsmith of Duncan and Nanaimo will also be sharing a small selection of sculptural works, including a salmon inspired carving featured on the show poster. This will be the third year for Suzan working with local First Nations artists and the Cowichan Valley Arts Council. “Working with the arts council has given me an opportunity to create a yearly show featuring the work of local artists. In some ways, it is challenging. But when I work with each artist, I am reminded that we are all part of the same community, in one way or another.” “Transformations” runs to June 21 at PORTALS – The CVAC Centre of Arts, Culture and Heritage, located by the library in the Island Savings Centre. (2687 James Street, Duncan) For more information, please call 250-746-1633 or email cvartscouncil@shaw.ca.

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Local Arts

Gord Iversen gordiversen@gmail.com

eatured twice nationally in The Globe and Mail, Gord Iversen is a local artist whose passion has been photography for over 35 years. Inspired by the photography of turn of the century Paris artist Eugene Atget, Walker Evans and Diane Arbus when we asked him “ Why photography” He simply stated “ I can take a negative, add light and it becomes a positive. His curious and whimsical images portray this sense of adding light. His sense of light is almost mystical in notion, but subject matter deliberate and intentional. “The ability to create art with light in different forms, mediums and processes has always fascinated me, driving to push the old and new techniques in the art.” says Iversen. Mainly self taught, Iversen has had some formal training in Image Arts from Ryerson University in Toronto, ON and at Emily Carr in Vancouver. “School inspired the hands on technical aspects to film shooting and developing in a wet darkroom. Using techniques in existence from the beginning of the art form, it allowed me to appreciate all aspects of using many formats and processes. I use an ephemeral approach in finding light and subject. It is the changing conditions of the subject itself and it’s environment that draw me in to an image. To see it before, during and after a transition. Digital

Talking Arts • Gord Iversen

allows the choice of all three, where analog photography forces you to usually choose one specific moment. As in life we can have choices or we may be required to just follow the path.” Seen depicted here is Crane. “The crane is from a polaroid series I did at the Forest Discovery Centre. I wanted to capture the beauty in the decay of the machines that built this island. Allowed to retire in perpetuity in there natural working environment, in contrast to our ephemeral world of today. The kindergarten desks and chairs from the Cowichan Station school (The HUB), are placed outside in the upper field of the school. The desks were auctioned off right after this shot was taken.” Right now Iversen is shooting a documentary series on the incredible Cowichan Station community effort of restoring the old Cowichan Station school and restoring it into The Hub. He is also involved in documenting work at one of our local vineyards. Patrons can view his work at the currently running First Nations show Transformations at Portals Art Centre. Inspired by current discussions regarding

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Local Arts

the Northern Gateway pipeline and it’s potential impact, he began a collaborative piece with other artists. “ Taking a mask carved by a local first nations carver, and photographing it in a unique setting. I created this image.” Transformations runs till June 21st. Images from top left; Crane, 2012, IP film (Polaroid) 3.25” x 4”, Schools Out, 2012, IP Film (Polaroid) 3.25” x 4, Masking Oil, 2013, Digital print, 11” x 14”

MAUREEN WASHINGTON QUARTET PERFORMS JAZZ ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON

he slips easily from sassy to sexy within a single line of lyrics, at times echoing the haunting sounds of Etta James and Carmen McRae, then faster than the mind and ear can make the transition, Maureen Washington exudes the impish irreverence of Jann Arden and the vocal agility of Holly Cole. And yet, with all splendor attached to such comparisons, Maureen’s musical style remains distinctly her own. Maureen Washington, John MacArthur, bassist John Hyde and Ron Joiner on drums will be at the Crofton Pub for Sunday Afternoon Jazz on June 16th. Maureen and John MacArthur have shared a musical collaboration for more than 7 years. It began when she joined John at La Piola , a great little Italian eatery in Victoria where John featured different guests every week. Since then Maureen and John have shared the stage many times. Together there is a fluidity and ease of flow combined with a good sense of comraderie. Confident with many genres you can expect to hear jazzy standards, latins, blues and more. Saucy, Sassy and so entertaining! An afternoon of Jazz you won’t want to miss! Maureen Washington By Dean Kalyan

Duncan Welcomes A Brand New Way To Have Fun

Learning To Drum This spring brings the debut of a new private music studio to Duncan named One Planet Percussion, launched by percussionist Michael Beechey.

On A Sunday Afternoon $10 Sunday June 2 • 2-5 pm The Not Yet Quartet Sunday June 9• 2-5 pm Jennifer Scott Quartet www.jenniferscott.com Sunday June 16 • 2-5pm Jazz, Swing and R&B vocalist Maureen Washington Trio Sunday June 23• 2-5pm Direct from Toronto “Trifolia” with pianist Marianne Trudel Sunday June 30 • 2-5pm The Belmont Avenue Trio and special guests

A seasoned professional who has played drums since he was 14, studied at the 1534 Joan Avenue Crofton Berklee College of Music and toured across Canada with professional acts such as Grammy Winner Shirley Eikhard, Mr Beechey comments: “We all learned our first rhythm from our mother’s heartbeat. When we heard our first song or band and liked that catchy beat we entered the captivating world of drumming. Students from 5 to 95 can gain the benefits of drumming including: memory stimulation, improved coordination and discipline and enhanced social skills. The added bonus is that having fun by playing drums is one of the best ways to relieve stress there is! I help students learn to play their favorite songs and beats, so the classes are personalized to them. While it’s important to open their eyes to the work of current and past masters and begin to understand world music influences in popular music, I always ensure that I am helping facilitate their own personal musical journey, not imposing my own preferences” Drumming is a highly physical activity. When Dr. Steve Draper at the University of Gloucestershire, monitored the heart rate of a professional drummer on stage it got as high as 190 beats per minute, his exertion rate equaling that of a professional soccer player. Mental stimulation was show in a study by E. Glenn Shallenberg at the University of Toronto, where IQ test scores of 6-year-old children significantly improved after receiving drum lessons. To celebrate this new opening One Planet Percussion is offering a free trial drum lesson to each family Have Fun – Learn to Drum! Contact Michael at 250 597 DRUM or visit the site www.oneplanetpercussion.com

Local Arts

Green Living

Is Your Vacuum Cleaning Your Home?

acuums range dramatically in price and function. While there are many factors to consider, the filtration system is the component that actually catches and removes dirt, dust and debris from your home, therefore it is in fact the main cleaning component of the whole vacuum. If you think about how a vacuum works, it provides high suction to draw dirt into a bag or canister and then vents all the air it takes in through an exhaust system. So without an effective filter, all the pet dander and dust, etc. gets kicked back out into your house to settle back onto surfaces. Only getting the big chunks is not really cleaning is it? Vacuums come with different types of filters and the debate about their effectiveness is ongoing. Some have primary and secondary filters, some are bagless and rely solely on a filter to remove the smaller particles. And what’s all the fuss about HEPA? HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air and they are designed to remove

99.995% of airborne particles of .3 microns or larger in size. The highest quality of filtration IF it’s actually HEPA grade quality and the way to be sure is to check for its specifications on the bag,. (3 micron) The long and short seems to boil down to budget and user preference. The old adage “you get what you pay for” is pretty accurate here. I’ve bought cheap vacuums and they just don’t perform well or last. I definitely recommend shopping at a vacuum store as opposed to a department store or big box store. They have the knowledge and expertise to advise you on the differences between machines as well as they’ll likely have refurbished quality machines that match the price of lesser quality new ones. Remember also to take advantage of the relationship you build with your local vacuum supplier by bringing it in for regular maintenance. Whether you’re someone who gets great joy from sucking up all that nasty stuff in the corners of your home or someone who won’t admit to knowing where the vacuum is stored in your house, having an efficient machine to get the job done well is worth the investment.

Women

Brought to you by Oilcheck where every Wednesday is Ladies Day.Be surprised!

Dedicated to natural living, Nika Stafford opened the Cowichan Valley’s first natural hair salon in response to a growing need for people seeking healthier and holistic approaches to beauty to better reflect their already holistic lives. “Before opening the salon I was a stay at home mom for 10 years. My husband and I are co-owners of Matraea Centre which coincided with my desire to return to work. I wanted to be in a relaxing, nuturing and non toxic environment and took this as the perfect opportunity”. New for this spring, Nika has partnered with senior stylist Debbie Stapleton from Toronto. With over 17 years experience in hair, Debbie is also a singer songwriter, loves weaving and textile art and also teaches yoga. “Debbie has always wanted to work in a healthy, eco-friendly salon and we both share a love for nature and mindful living.” says Nika. Offering services for the whole family, the newly named Salon Lalita uses Onestà natural hair care products. 100% of Onestà’s energy consumption is offset by wind power and their products contain certified organic extracts to support sustainable farming. For hair colour, the salon features EcoColors Hair Color a permanent non toxic color system with flax and castor oil, formulated for professional hair stylists. These hair colour products are enriched with natural antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin C, nettles, rosemary, flower essence and grapefruit seed extract. “It comes in a wide range of shades and leaves the hair feeling soft, shiny and damage free.” Nika says.

“We connect to people that love to collaborate on a new look, and also appreciate the holistic values we hold. We love meeting new people who are living interconnected lives that value creativity, community and healing. Its what we are inspired by and hope to inspire in others.” Debbie shares. This dynamic duo is ready Tracey Hanson to freshen up your style for local mompreneur summer and are also busy Salon Lalita and owner/operator creating one of a kind funky head 170 Craig street Clean Choice Ecobands and hair chains. Come on (in the Matraea Centre) Friendly Cleaning in and see what’s new! Services

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Community

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HEALTHY relationships

ouples often seek counselling thinking their problem is a “communication issue.” However, I believe there is a deeper issue that creates communication difficulties: an inability to self-regulate and co-regulate. What does “regulation” mean? When you are feeling calm, centered, grounded, relaxed, present, and available for social interaction, you are in a regulated state. In a regulated state, you are able to use the executive functions of your brain: decisionmaking, planning, and critical thinking. Contrast that state to a dysregulated state: when you feel either “too up,” as in anxious, nervous, restless, scared, and manic, or “too down,” as in depressed, lethargic, withdrawn, ashamed, or disassociated. This is no time for important conversations, as the outer layer of the brain, the cortex, has stopped functioning. Unfortunately, many couples do try to communicate and sort things out while either one or both partners are dysregulated. Unkind words are spoken and the disconnect

is worsened. Learning to self-regulate requires paying attention to your internal cues: what sensations are you aware of in your body? Examples: tension, knots, pain, numbness, tingling. Try to discern if you are hyper- or hypo-aroused (too up or too down). Next, learn ways to bring yourself into balance. Grounding techniques, such as noticing your feet on the floor and rocking them very slowly, and feeling the chair beneath you, can work wonders. You can also help your partner regulate if you are already grounded and calm. Just your presence can help your partner relax and feel safe, but a warm hug, a soft tone of voice, and gentle eyes will have the most impact. Once you are both regulated, see how your communication magically improves!

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

Valleyview

Centre

So much to oﬀer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Books Bucknuck Books 250-929-2665 Used books and Local authors Fitness Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes Spa and Wellness Reiki Wellness *New Location #13 250 743-8122 Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Craniosacral

Food Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat & Produce Healthcare Cobble Hill Dental 250-743-6698 Friendly, Family Practice We Welcome New Patients!

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

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Donations Gratefully Accepted

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Community

Flying Daily.

What Would Ms Polly Do? Attention Getting

Our names are one of the first gifts we receive from our parents. They use several strategies in choosing names. Some parents have names for their kids when they themselves were in grades school. Some families have the tradition of naming babies after grandparents. Other parents may take weeks and even months to choose just the right name according to numerology or according to how the child behaves. Our names are truly a thoughtful gift. The child grows and we inevitably experience frustrating moments. We may use the child’s name as a scold and we may wear-it-out; saying it so many times in a row that we may be ignored. We resort to using the child’s full name and demanding the child pay attention to us. Even when we increase the volume of our voice we are still not heard by the child. In challenging moments when we need a child’s attention we must get it without misusing our child’s name. Come close to a child. Whisper. Turn down the volume and most children will be drawn in. The child may begin to whisper too. After a hushed conversation an older child may whisper, “Why are we whispering?” Ignore the question. Soon enough the volume will reach the normal level. When we do need to call from a distance use a sing song voice and we will naturally fall into mood-of-the-fifth tones. Remember when you were called for supper?... THEo TIME to EA...eat. Theo will respond to this call for nearly every meal. There are times when we must say the message and never include the child’s name; “Stop, car!” If I call, “Jacob, Jacob, Jacob”... it may be too late. There are unique family calls that can bind us. A simple whistle of two or three tones or a cluck of the tongue or a hum of a few notes and everyone in the family gathers together.

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Hearing our names should not make us cringe expecting punishment so, call out to the child using their names with love on our lips and love in our hearts and they will be reminded of their first gift. Paulette is an Educator of Parents and Children in the Waldorf Philosophy. She lives in Victoria.

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

c q a p W d a r e A P o d q I i t o

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and more Secure Kids

om, why is the sky blue? A study recently revealed children ask an average of 300 questions a day! “Mom, where are my pants? Dad, what’s a pied piper? Are we there yet? What’s a synonym? Why does the car need gas? What are we doing today? Is lunch ready yet?” No wonder we are exhausted at night! According to Kim John Payne, educator and author of Simplicity Parenting, we don’t have to answer every question…thank goodness! It is our children’s job to be inquisitive and we don’t want to discourage curiosity, but our children also crave our

attention and they often ask questions simply as a way of starting an interaction with us. hemorrhoid is a sore bum, and a tsunami is a very big wave. We can be truthful, while still giving simple answers that won’t cause worry. You can also redirect: “That is a good question. And I have a question for you…what is your favourite animal?!” Some questions just don’t need an answer. Often you can reply with an inquisitive, “Hmmmm….I wonder?” Watch how many times your child bounces away or moves on to a new thought. For many parents I know, this is a tried and true response that works. For older children who are invariably prone to asking questions like, “Mom can I sleep over at Jen’s on Saturday?” when you are

in the middle of chopping broccoli and helping brother with his homework, Kim John Payne has the perfect antidote. His practiced response? “I will have to think about that. But, if you need an answer right now, the answer will have to be no.” This clever reply can be said kindly, with a nod and a smile. It can be used in almost any situation, for ages 5 to infinity. When you have time, you can then sit down with your calendar or discuss it with Jen’s parents to make a good decision. For the really tough questions, don’t feel pressure to give an instant response. Simply acknowledging the importance of the question is key. “That is an important question and I am glad you asked me. Let’s talk about it after dinner when we can sit together.” This gives you time to think, while letting your child know that you take him seriously. Clearly, not all questions can or should be deflected. But if some of those hundreds of daily inquiries can be answered simply, then you may just have more mental space and energy to answer your children well - when the tough questions do come. To learn more about Simplicity Parenting and the Center for Social Sustainability, visit www. simplicityparenting.com. For Vancouver Island Simplicity Parenting resources, please contact Linda at linda. simplicityparenting@gmail. com.

Linda is a certified Simplicity Parenting Facilitator, living in the Cowichan Valley.

im Cech is passionate about the outdoors.

His desire to empower people and especially children to get out into nature and away from computers, ipods, video games and the works inspired him to start a local outdoors company Rectrix Outdoor Pursuits. “The National Wildlife Federation has a campaign to educate parents on the importance of outdoor time for kids. Some of the reasons are obvious, healthier and stronger children. But time outside offers Vitamin D which strengthens bones, improves eyesight, lessens hyperactivity and depression as natural settings are more soothing for the soul, helps kids have longer attention spans, and nurtures patience. Outdoor play also improves children’s sociabilities, as kids relate directly with one another, creating games and using their imaginations.

Best of all they have also measured that more outdoor play improves their abilities at school. I have two young girls, nine and ten, and my most important goal is to make sure that they spend as much time in nature as possible. I grew up spending ever waking minute doing something in the outdoors which I believe has made me the person I am today and I want that for my daughters as well. If I can help others connect or re-connect with nature through the activities I’ve set out in my programs, then I’ve fulfilled my desire.” smiles Tim. “The activities in each of my programs are designed to involve a wide demographic with varying skill sets and experience but mostly to introduce my clients to an activity that they can continue on their own that require a fairly low skill level and minimal equipment cost.”

Tim Wants To Help Get Your Kids Outside and Away from The TV Each activity is also designed to provide a certain amount of physical challenge, mental challenge, and especially confidence. Learning a new skill especially a new sport is extremely gratifying to anyone at any skill level. So whether a person is physically fit or not, he or she can participate in each of the activities quite easily without

Native legends abound – the Legend of Octopus Point being one of the famous ones. Many native species and a Douglas Fir Coastal Eco Zone inhabit the area and the CVRD’s new Sansum Point Park await many. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on which side one views it, access to the area is very limited.

New Eco Retreat Opens In Maple Bay

toney Hill a jewel in the tough terrain of the Maple Bay Peninsula was until recently a little known area of the Cowichan Valley. Starting around a century ago, local inhabitants pioneered the peninsula fishing and boat building.

“Unless you have a boat you can’t legally get to the new Sansum park” said long time resident artist Jeffrey Birkin who has just opened an Eco Lodge in Stoney Hill catering to the environmentally and creatively inclined that want a taste of the off grid lifestyle of Stoney Hill. “I’ve been greatly inspired living along the shores of Sansum Narrows just outside of Maple Bay” Birkin enthused. “I opened the Stoney Hill Eco Retreat to host people wanting to get away from it all and relax, be inspired, explore and create”. Much of Birkin’s eclectic collection of

Family Pages

the fear of feeling left out. The pursuit camps are offered each and every week from july 1st to August 31 as well as every other weekend. To see a complete program list, please visit our website atwww. rectrixoutdoorpursuits.com or call 250-893-5720.

contemporary and aboriginal art adorns the walls of the retreat and he provides an interesting library of 1970’s west coast avant garde poetry books for the writing crowd to peruse as well. “I encourage people to shut off their cell phones and internet while here and learn to breath the force of nature again” Birkin quipped. For the visual artists Birkin also offers guided Pleine Air sketching trips to the local Sansum Point Park’s vistas. “I hope while people are at the retreat, they get inspired to be themselves in tune with nature”. Local organic ingredients can be obtained nearby and cooked up into a feast in the retreats simple kitchen. Birds Eye Cove farm is within walking distance so visitors to the retreat can live a simple lifestyle during their stay. Opening this season June 1’st accommodating up to four visitors, Stoney Hill Eco Retreat’s blog site can be consulted for further details at http://stoneyhillretreat.blogspot.ca/ .

Captain Hook. Simon Pidcock

c b t e n l r d B f w r c W y s w A y c t

WHALE REPORT FROM COWICHAN BAY

e view two eco types of orca whales or killer whales in our local waters. Resident Orcas, which are strictly fish eaters and Transient Orcas, which are strictly mammal eaters. Scientists have considered these whales two separate eco types since the early 1980’s. Recent DNA research has revealed that the genetic divergence between these two types of orcas is much wider than previously though. It turns out that they were genetically split over 700 000 years ago. This discovery has prompted the scientific community to recognize the resident and transient populations as separate species. The transient orcas have also received a new name designation due to becoming a distinct species. Transient orcas (mammal eaters) are now known as Bigg’s Killer

Whales in honour of the late Dr. Michael Bigg from the Cowichan Valley. It is from his research that we are able to identify individual orcas, his research also led to discovery that orca whales have separate and distinct cultures. The past two springs have proved to be very productive times for Bigg’s Killer Whale sightings in the Salish Sea. Recently in Cowichan Bay we have had visits from two of my favourite Bigg’s killer Whales; Chainsaw(T063) and Captain Hook(T040). These two male orcas are massive with very distinct dorsal fins that have garnered them some exotic names. I like to equate Bigg’s Killer Whales to a motorcycle gang that has ridden into town to create a little havoc with the resident marine mammals. We have witnessed numerous Harbour Seal kills as well

as two epic Steller Sea Lion kills. It usually takes the orcas two to four hours to make a Steller Sea Lion kill and the orcas are only successful about 50% of the time as the sea lions really fight back. The Steller Sea Lions have the same muscular and skeletal system as a Grizzly Bear and they

can weigh up to a ton. It is truly amazing to be able to witness nature unfold from a safe and non-invasive distance. Simon Pidcock is Owner/ Operator of Ocean Ecoventures in Cowichan Bay www. OceanEcoVentures.com

W UT HUGE BLOW O ALE! PARKING LOT S 3RD MONDAY, JUNE 5PM - 9PM

Recreation and Healthy Living

Women on Wheels; Why Does It Hurt?

iding a bike shouldn’t hurt! But for some women, chafing can make riding their bike unbearable. Happily… there are things one can do to ensure that riding is a pleasure… not a pain. When going on a long training or recreational ride you may experience some discomfort…that is not unusual. But pain? Never. Three are four important things to consider when looking for a pain-free ride. Bike fit; saddle; shorts; and chamois crème. When you are properly fitted on your bicycle you’ll realize that sometimes a few millimetres will make a world of difference. A bad bike set-up results in your sitting incorrectly, which can increase pressure on soft tissue and result in chafing. You

might find yourself see-sawing sideways or back and forth on the saddle…never a good thing. Your sit bones should be firmly on the saddle and your knees should be slightly bent when fully extended. A proper bike set-up will relieve chafing, increase overall comfort, lead to more power and will reduce the risk of injury. Using the wrong saddle can cause pain and chafing as well. Saddles are a very personal choice…what works for me may not work for you. But…there are some terrific Women Specific Design saddles on the market now that have been engineered with you in mind. Many bike shops will let you test your saddle out and will guide you toward a saddle that best suits your needs. Shorts with a chamois are a must when it comes to riding distance. Poor quality short with a poor fit can cause chafing. It’s worth investing in quality female specific shorts that have a high quality chamois. That means

good padding, breathability and no seams. Shorts should not move around when you ride. And consider wearing bib shorts (my favorites!) because they always stay in place and are more comfortable because they are not restrictive around your middle. Finally, chamois crème can help reduce the friction that causes chafing and will assist in protecting your skin. Some people use chamois crème on every ride and some only use it on their long rides. Most bikes stores have women’s specific chamois crème which

is preferable to the men’s crème which sometimes has a warming agent….not what you want to be using. You can get help with all of these things at your local bike shop. Don’t be afraid to let them know that chafing is an issue. And get out there and enjoy your ride. Sandra Beggs owns and operates Cycle Therapy in Duncan. wwwcycletherapy.ca

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Recreation and Healthy Living

ell it’s started; flea season. You want to live without the little bloodsuckers, but killing them usually takes poison. What is a pet lover to do? If your dog or cat is sensitive to chemicals or you would prefer not to use them, flea control can happen with a little extra diligence. Vacuuming often, keeping the bedding washed and bathing your dog all help, but the use of diatomaceous earth will kick your efforts over the top! Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from the microscopic exoskeletons of fresh water diatoms (a type of algae). It is a naturally occurring substance that is mined from the earth. These tiny shells absorb the protective waxy coating of fleas so they suffocate to death (tee hee!) DE works on any hard shelled bug including ants and bedbugs. It can be taken internally to kill intestinal worms and actually contains a high concentration of valuable minerals. It is very safe to use around anything that isn’t a bug. Use only food grade DE, not the kind used for filtering pool water and sprinkle it everywhere; beds, pets, floorboards, carpet, furniture, the car. Be sure to vacuum

Flea Be Gone a little up to keep the bugs in the vacuum bag feeling crappy. I add DE to my pets’ food once a week to kill worms. About a ¼ teaspoon is enough. I sprinkle a layer down every time I clean the hen house to keep lice away. Diatomaceous earth is easy to find online, but not as easy to find in shops, yet. Island Pet Zone carries it, and so does Lucky Dog U-Bath. Top Shelf Feeds carries a feed grade variety which is safe for external use.

a i s o G B

Keep fighting the good fight people. We shall overcome the fleas! Debbie Wood loves to help pets live naturally with their people. crashtana@yahoo. ca Cory Spencer and his goats at ‘The Happy Goat’ Photo, Kirsten Thorarinson

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

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

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Summer To Do List

Cory Spencer and his adoring goats. Kirsten Thorarinson

hat do a corn maze, a lavender labyrinth, and a pumpkin catapult have in common? They are on my summer to-do list and I found out about them on the Cowichan Green Community’s Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Map. The Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Map is an annually produced local farm map. Spanning from Shawnigan Lake to Cedar, the map highlights food, farm products, events and family fun. Take a day to discover the farms in the Cowichan Region. Set in idyllic, story-book landscapes and offering free tours, lunch bistros, farm stand veggies and fruit, wine tasting, animal petting, and much more -there is something for everyone. Visit a handful of farms in one day or challenge yourself to visit them all over the summer season. This year, the online component of the map was also updated to make it more interactive and user friendly. Use it to plan your adventures, locate your favourite products, or find contact information for your local farmers. One of the highlights of visiting farms is getting to meet the farmers behind your food. I had a chance to catch up with Cory Spencer at The Happy Goat. Recently approved to build a cheese making facility on his farm we discussed his goat herd,

his decision to become a cheese maker, and his passion behind quality food production. “We have complete control from the grass that we grow to the end product, which is the cheese coming out, so we can ensure quality control every step of the way,” says Cory, when asked about what makes his products unique. You can visit Cory’s farm on request and meet his goat herd (and chickens and ducks). But Cory is just one of the many interesting and passionate farmers in the Cowichan Region. Whether you want to get lost in a corn maze, stroll along a lavender labyrinth, or launch a pumpkin catapult, make it a mission to meet your farmer this summer. Check out the website at cowichangreencommunity.org/ foodmap, scan the QR code with your smart phone, or pick up a copy of the map at Cowichan Green Community’s office at 360 Duncan Street in Duncan BC (call 250-748-8506 for other pick-up locations). When Raelynn isn’t visiting farms and sampling local fare, you can find her busy in her gardens or hiking through the forests.

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Chemainus Health Food

Morganne’s, uniquely chemainus

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

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9747 Willow Street 250 324-2227 Beads and Beading Classes Quartet is a 2012 British comedy-drama film based on the play of the same title by Ronald Harwood, which ran in London’s West End from September 1999 until January 2000. It was filmed late in 2011 at Hedsor House, Buckinghamshire. Lifelong friends Wilf and Reggie, together with former colleague Cissy, are residents of Beecham House, a home for retired opera singers. Every year on Giuseppe Verdi’s birthday, the residents unite to give a concert to raise funds for their home. But when Jean Horton, a former grande dame of the opera fallen on hard times, also Reggie’s ex-wife, moves

into the home to everyone’s surprise, the plans for this year’s concert start to unravel. As old grudges threaten to undermine past glories and theatrical temperaments play havoc with the rehearsal schedule, it becomes apparent that having four of the finest singers in English operatic history under one roof offers no guarantee that the show will go on. 1hr 37min‎‎ - Rated PG‎‎ Comedy/Drama‎‎ - English‎ Director: Dustin Hoffman Cast: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, Sheridan Smith, Tom Courtenay, David Ryall, Trevor Peacock

NOW

MONDAY June 24

SHOWING Reel Alternatives presents on the

7pm

BIG SCREEN Quartet

An English comedy starring Billy Connelly. Cowichan Theatre Tickets $12, Students $5 rows A-C

All proceeds benefit CV Hospice Services

* Utopia Bakery

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See You Soon!

We Accept Chemainus Dollars

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

COME FOR A DAY OR MAKE IT A GETAWAY.

Golf Tips: Get a Grip

good golf swing starts with a proper hold on the club. So before you start getting overly focused on your backswing or any other moving part, go to your hold and give it the attention it deserves. Tip #1: Respect Your Natural Arm Hang Your hold should complement the natural rotation of your forearms. Stand with your arms at your sides and note how your hands set themselves. This is how your hands should look on the grip. Tip #2: Hold the Handle More in the Fingers vs. the Palms Top Hand: Place the grip across the base of the fingers starting at the callus below the little finger and ending at the bottom segment of the index finger. Curl the fingers AhZenya the newest salon and spa in the Cowichan Valley

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on first, then wrap the heel pad on the top of the handle and the thumb down the inside half of the grip. Bottom Hand (closer to club head): Place the grip along the base of the fingers, between your knuckle joint and the callus pads. Wrap the fingers on first then the hand; the thumb of the top hand disappears as the palm of bottom hand fits on top. The thumb is placed on the outside half of the grip (closest to the target). Create the letter “V” between the thumb and forefinger and have it point between the same-side shoulder and ear. Linking the Two Hands: Experiment with the different ways to link the two hands, generally speaking smaller hands should use the 10-Finger hold, the other

two options are an Overlap (Vardon) or an Interlock hold. Bottom-line – the two hands work as a single unit. Tip #3: Relax – No Death Grip Please Too tight of a hold is the most common error I see on the teaching tee, there is absolutely no chance of a good swing with a “whiteknuckle” approach. On a scale of 1 to 10, your grip pressure is best set at 4 - 6. Tip #4: Equipment is Part of the Equation Firstly, wear a glove. Why? Your club will not slip as easily, the leather glove is tacky and clings to the grip whereas a sweaty hand may cause havoc.

bunch before you decide and with both selecting the size and style, I highly recommend you solicit the help of a teaching professional. I cannot say enough about the importance of the hold on the golf club. This is essentially the technical foundation to a great swing. All you need is a good measure of perseverance, practice and intermittent checks to ensure your success. And before you know it, your hands will simply attach themselves to the club without much thought at all.

Jody Jackson, LPGA-Class A Teaching Professional, Cowichan Golf & Country Club

Secondly, the size and style of your grip contributes to your handhold success. Try a

Goddess Golf Tues 6:30pm-7:30pm & Thurs 6 – 7pm Drop In - $20, Series of 4 - $60 Goddess Golf will teach the ability to remain grounded in the moment, with absolute conﬁdence, experiencing each shot and enjoying your game. Join like-minded gals for some fun and socializing, while learning how to hit it pure!

WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT By Rick Dennis ON THE MOVE AGAIN: No, it’s not a new Willie Nelson single. CICV is relocating from Wellington Street HQ to Lake Cowichan Senior Secondary School. John Harrison and a team of volunteers are busy building sound-proof studios in the band room for the hardy little community station, founded seven years ago by Karl Dalskog, Brian Simpson and Ron McKenzie) “We are in the process of moving our gear. Cataloging and sorting will be completed in June.” Karl writes,” There will be educational seminars for DJs, and volunteers that would like to become DJs and/or work behind the scenes.” Grand opening at the new location is set for September. A TOUCH OF LEVITY: Valley singer/songwriter/wordsmith Bill Levity (not his real name, he’s in the Witness Protection program) hosts a weekly open stage at Cowichan Courts Bar & Grill from 2-5 pm Saturdays and a monthly “word jam” at Duncan Garage Showroom (next one is June 25th. Bring your original written stuff or read something by somebody else. It’s all good.) PS Bill is also involved with Cowichan Folk Guild Jammers. (Next jam is June 1st at Island Oak High School, featuring Cowichan Youth Voice Award Contestants.) AND SPEAKING OF JAMS: “We are currently looking for another sun somewhere,” writes Jeff Smiley (of The Bratz fame) as the Station House wanted to take the summer off. “ He is referring to the popular Sunday afternoon jams at the Duncan watering hole. Currently Jeff and friends are playing a bimonthly rock jam at Trafalgar/Pro Patria Legion branch in Victoria (www.rcl292.ca/calendar.html. for more info) but he is always open to offers. (Check out his Facebook page.)

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y parents lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s and were profoundly affected by it. They taught us to work hard to earn a living, live within our means, save for tomorrow, share and not be greedy and help our neighbours because one day we might need their help. Those homilies and teachings seem quaint in today’s world of credit cards, hyperconsumption and massive debt. Society has undergone huge changes since the Second World War. Our lives have been transformed by jet travel, oral contraceptives, plastics, satellites, television, cellphones, computers and digital technology. We seem endlessly adaptable as we adjust to the impacts of these new technologies, products and ideas. We only become aware of how dependant on them we are when they malfunction (work comes to a standstill when the network goes down) or don’t exist (when we visit a “developing country”). Most of the time, we can’t even imagine a way of living beyond being endlessly occupied with making money to get more stuff to make our lives “easier”. But some people have had the benefit of directly comparing a simpler way with the accelerated societies we’ve created. In the mid-20th century, the tiny Kingdom of Bhutan, hidden deep in the Himalayas between China and India, emerged from three hundred years of isolation. In 1961, the third king of Bhutan started sending students to schools in India. From there, some went on to Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and other universities. The first of their nation to encounter Western society after three centuries of separation, those young people clearly saw the contrast in values. Upon returning to Bhutan, they expressed shock that, in the West, “development” and “progress” were measured in terms of money and material possessions. At a 1972 international conference in India, a reporter asked Bhutan’s king about his country’s gross national product – a measure of economic activity. His response was semi-facetious: He said Bhutan’s priority was not the GNP but GNH – gross national happiness. Bhutan’s government has since taken the concept of GNH seriously and galvanized thinking around the world with the notion that the economy should serve people, not the other way around. In 2004, Crown Prince Jigme Khesar

Namgyel Wangchuck, who became king in late 2006, said, “There cannot be enduring peace, prosperity, equality and brotherhood in this world if our aims are so separate and divergent – if we do not accept that in the end we are people, all alike, sharing the earth among ourselves and also with other sentient beings.” In July 2011, Bhutan introduced the only resolution it has ever presented at the United Nations. Resolution 65/309 was called “Happiness: towards a holistic approach to development.” The country’s position was “that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal” and “that the gross domestic product...does not adequately reflect the happiness and wellbeing of people.” The General Assembly passed the resolution unanimously. It was “intended as a landmark step towards adoption of a new global sustainabilitybased economic paradigm for human happiness and well-being of all life forms to replace the current dysfunctional system that is based on the unsustainable premise of limitless growth on a finite planet.” That empowered Bhutan to convene a high-level meeting. I was delighted when its leaders asked me to serve on a working group charged with defining happiness and well-being, and developing ways to measure these states and strategies. Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley even cited the David Suzuki Foundation’s “Declaration of Interdependence” as an inspiration for the proposal.

Tiny Bhutan Redefines “Progress” The people of this tiny nation see that money and hyper-consumption aren’t what contribute to happiness and well-being. I’m proud to be part of the important initiative they’ve embarked upon, and look forward to the work leading up to a presentation to the UN by 2015. Dr. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.

The Bhutanese understand that wellbeing and happiness depend on a healthy environment. They vow to protect 60 per cent of forest cover in their country, are already carbonneutral (they generate electricity from hydro) and have vowed to make their entire agriculture sector organic. They have snow leopards, elephants, rhinos, tigers and valleys of tree-sized rhododendrons – and know their happiness depends on protecting them.

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

On Men, Masculinity and Injuries genitals.

y father came close to dying of cancer right before he was diagnosed with cancer. I tell this story mainly to illustrate a point – men, in all their wonderful and glorious strength and masculinity often have such a hard time asking for help and admitting to weakness. Because of this, by the time they see a healthcare practitioner, the initial problem has often snowballed into many bigger issues. By the time my father finally went to the doctor, because my mother got so concerned she made him go, he’d been experiencing symptoms of leukemia for at least a year. These symptoms were somewhat general, and, as a man invested in the culturally sanctioned masculine attributes of vigour, courage and potency, my 49-year-old father had spent that entire year dismissing fatigue, foggy memory, weakness when climbing stairs, constant bruising and confusion, as well as pain in the body and

Our concerned family doctor did a quick blood test and he was medevac’d south to Vancouver immediately, with the general consensus that if he’d waited even 2 more days he would have been dead. As it was, he got four more years of life on this wonderful earth before passing away. Both men and women experience pain, tension and discomfort in the body. They both experience poor posture and lack of energy flow and vitality.

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However, men have an added burden. Classic male injuries and ailments are compounded by the specific pressures of masculinity – men are rewarded and deemed to be more manly for being stoic, for toughing things out, and for not listening to their bodies, for ‘pushing through it’. Given that the body’s language of distress is pain, this means that the pain has to get louder and louder and louder before most men start to seek out help. Help is, however, available to be had. Hellerwork Structural Integration is a great approach for men. It uses an intense combination of deep-tissue massage and movement lessons that not only realign the body to relieve pain and tension and increase vitality and flow, but also teach body awareness -

ways to listen and learn about the body and what pain is trying to tell and teach us. Men, consider visiting your local Hellerworker for some intense, useful and timely support.

Janelle Hardy is a Hellerwork Structural Integration Practitioner in Cowichan Bay. www. timetorealign.com

MEDITATION, Thursdays 7PM

7 Retreats for Learning and Realization

“It does not take much to make me happy, I awaken and I am ﬁlled with joy”

13th Annual Buddha In the Park,Retreat July 19 - 20 - 21 Schedule outline, register onLine

Nichiren Buddha Society & Peace Center Phone: 250. 710. 7594

Check out all the Retreats: www.VIRetreats.com

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) This month you’ll be busier than a one-armed paper-hanger with hives. Accept this accelerated pace; go with the flow. Short trips, busy errands, conversations with neighbours and siblings, increased reading and writing plus an ambitious To-Do list will make this month fly by in a blur of activity. But it will be fun, upbeat and stimulating! You are experiencing big changes -- changes for the better. We’re talking radical -- appearance, personality and style of relating. The whole enchilada. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Money, money, money. In the month ahead, your focus is on earnings, cash flow, financial matters and major expenditures. You’ll be checking your bank accounts online to confirm what you have and what you don’t (almost wishing your dough could grow by magic). Actually, this is a possibility because you’re full of money-making ideas right now and the Force is with you. Oh yes. (“Luke, I am your banker.”) Now and for months ahead, you have one of the best chances in more than a decade to boost your income. (“Spare change?”) Gemini (May 21-June 20) Four planets in your sign! You haven’t had this kind of attention since 2001. The Sun energizes you, giving you a chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. Mercury makes you talkative, while Venus makes you diplomatic and charming as hell. Of course, lucky Jupiter boosts your enthusiasm, increases your confidence and attracts fortunate people and favourable circumstances to you. a

stimulating, fun month ahead full of new experiences that blow your mind. Hooah! Cancer (June 21-July 22) Some of you are having a secret love affair. Others are enjoying solitude, especially in beautiful surroundings. Ah yes, the good life. Some of you are making plans and doing research, while others are exploring spiritual ideas and getting more in tune with their inner world. Nevertheless, surprise news from authority figures might actually change your life direction. (Whaaat?) Tension or competition with a friend or a member of a group is also likely. You’re treading water, waiting for your break-out move. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) You’re popular! Go forth and speak to your subjects in full dazzle. You’ll love hanging out with younger, creative people. Because your ambition is aroused, you’re not sitting around getting dusty. Au contraire, you’re out there with your colours flying. Since you’re talking to others and sharing ideas about a secret dream – quite likely someone will help you. Something unusual will expand your world through travel, politics, religion, brilliant ideas and philosophical concepts. Expect a thrilling, promising month ahead. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) There are more planets at the top of your chart now than in more than a decade. This means you’re high viz. in the eyes of many, especially authority figures, bosses and parents. It also means you’re putting out energy to travel, explore ideas and expand your world. You might be so enamoured of someone in a position of authority, in part because you attract favourable attention. It’s almost as if you can do no wrong, you look that good. (Opportunity knocks only once, but temptation bangs on the

door for years.) Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) This month life is exciting because you can expand your experience of the world. Most of you will travel or get further training and education. One thing is certain — you will meet people who stimulate you, teach you and introduce you to new concepts and ideas. Some of you will develop a love affair or romance with someone from a different background or a different country. Be careful because radical changes with partnerships and close friends might catch you off guard. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) This is a powerful time because your ruler Pluto is electrically charged by Uranus triggering explosive situations, which might set you off on a new path. Mars opposite your sign creates tension with others. Be patient because anger serves no purpose other than to make everyone miserable. By midJune, this influence of Mars is over. In the meantime, it makes you annoyed with others. Of course, from your point of view they are annoying! Good news: In the next six weeks, gifts, goodies and favours from others will come your way. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You’re working hard now plus dashing around and delegating like mad. Plus you are focused on partners and close friends. Things look good but you might want to redefine a relationship. Quite likely, you will have a more accurate appreciation of others. Conversations will be meaningful and the month ahead will be the perfect time to patch up misunderstandings. But do take note: You will be more tired in the coming month, which means you need to get more sleep. Go to bed. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Surprising changes at home make you keen to get better

June

organized. You’re almost directing traffic. You’re working hard because you have great job opportunities now or chances to improve your job or get a better job. You’ll also want to make where you work look more attractive. And speaking of attractive – co-workers and bosses look appealing, which is why a work-related romance is likely. Fortunately, it’s not all work and no play. Mars makes you feisty, prankish and eager to explore sports and competitive activities. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This is a fun-filled month! Take a vacation. Plan social activities; make time for sports, picnics, barbecues, short trips, movies, the arts and playful times with children. Romance can flower beautifully now. This is also a wonderful time for creative and artistic ventures because your productivity can surge. You’re full of innovative ideas that help you put a new spin on things. However, do be careful because this week is a mildly accidentprone time for you. Pay attention to everything you say and do. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Home, family and your domestic, private world are your primary focus now. You can enrich your home life and enhance and deepen your family relationships at this time. Enjoy entertaining at home and tackling home repairs. Conversations with a parent will be significant. You’ll love redecorating and making where you live look more beautiful. You’re aggressive in communications with others now. Keep an eye on financial matters because something unusual might occur. A sudden job offer or a job change? www.georgianicols.com

F b a S o h g a a t a o d P c t l s o s c p l a t w

I s i t t d t t o a

A t p a m o n s

Cowichan Community

Pine Siskins

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n easy way to identify Pine Siskins is by their habits. First would be the hundreds of birds that have just landed and are taking over the backyard. Secondly is the arguing that goes on between them about who is higher on the pecking order and gets the perch. Pine Siskin’s are part of the finch family and are similar in size and shape to the American Goldfinch, at about 5 inches long, bill to tip of tail. They have a slender bill, different from the House and Purple Finches that have a heavy conical bill. There is little colour to identify them, with only a little yellow on the wings that sometimes looks white. The rest of the body is a gray-brown, streaky body. Also listen for their call, zhreeeeee, which rises in pitch. A couple of other birds that look similar to the Pine Siskin are the female House Finch and the American Goldfinch in its winter plumage. It is not just by chance that the siskins have returned, they work in a cycle, about two years where there are plenty of siskins and then another two years where we don’t see many. One thought why these cycles occur is to allow the food supply to replenish in one area while the bird’s feed in another. Attract Pine Siskins and finches to your backyard with their preferred seed, sunflower seed and nyjer seed. Although a majority of birds feed on black oil sunflower seed, you may notice them tossing the black oil sunflower seed away. Why do

they do this? I like to think of bird as being energy efficient, a bird will weigh each seed and take only the ones that are heavy in weight and will provide the most energy. Pine Siskin’s also have a fine bill that is not as strong as other finches, and have a harder time opening some black oil sunflower seeds. Place the seed in a sack or heavy bag and crush it with a wooden mallet or whatever, this will crack the shells to make it easier for the siskin’s to open. Sunflower chip is the seed without the shell and is great for feeding all the birds and creates little mess and does not grow. Nyjer seed is also preferred by Pine Siskins and American Goldfinch, it also does not grow but does have a fine shell on the seed. Remember to clean your feeders with a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water at least once a month or weekly if you have a lot of siskins around the feeder. Also clean up any seed that is under the feeders weekly and move the feeder’s location periodically so droppings do not concentrated in one location. Having Pine Siskin’s in your backyard provides a flurry of activity to watch and enjoy all sumer. Good birding! For more information contact The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store, 1-888-2494145, thebackyard@shaw.ca or check out our blog at www. thebirdstore.blogspot.com.

9747c Willow St, Chemainus 250 324 2227

Contact Adrienne Richards for more information and a Spring 2013 Rate Card 250 510 6596

adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

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

Lynda Allen 250-748-0934 lyndaallentapstudio@shaw.ca

Metal Artist Brad Allen

With a torch,welder and array of metal finishing tools, Brad creates joyful, nurturing and thought-provoking pieces. - Metal Wall hangings - Free Standing Sculptures Studio located in Duncan by appointment Brad Allen 250 748 0934 www.meddleart.com High quality handwoven traditional rugs and carpets made by Tibetan refugees from Nepal.

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

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

Valley Voice Magazine readers directory a great way to discover local services and businesses. 2 sizes of ad space are available to suit every business message and budget. Affordable, stylish and straight to the point. Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or by e-mail at adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Deadline June 12 for July 2013 Issue 56