lake cowichan gazette, january 20, 2016

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2016 | VOL. 20, NO. 3 | $1 + GST | www.lakecowichangazette.com

Dig in: What’s in the soil makes nutritional difference

Take a hike: Retreads hike into 2016 with great turnout

Magic: Food bank fundraising show Jan. 30

PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 15

JAM-PACKED JAMBOREE

The Lake Cowichan Minor Association has 94 players, almost all of whom participated in this year’s Hockey Jamboree that took place at the Lake Cowichan Sports Arena last weekend. For more from the event, see pages 8 and 9 of today’s edition. [JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]

Vote has Sunfest on the moveJAMES GOLDIE GAZETTE

The votes have been cast and the verdict is in: Sunfest is com-ing to Cowichan Lake.

At last Wednesday’s meeting of the Cowichan Valley Region-al District, directors voted in support of two bylaws that will allow Sunfest Concerts to host its annual country music festival — and other events — on recent-ly purchased land in Youbou. Electoral area directors voted overwhelmingly to approve the bylaws, with only Alison Nichol-son, Area E (Cowichan Station/Sahtlam/Glenora) director, opposing the motions.

The vote came towards the

end of the meeting and did not include a public discussion.

More than 30 Sunfest support-ers were present at the CVRD general meeting to witness the decision firsthand.

“All of us who are involved with Laketown Ranch and with Sunfest are all very excited that we can move forward with our plans,” said Sunfest owner Greg Adams, who added he was not surprised by the CVRD’s deci-sion, given all the technical reports and information his com-pany provided during the applica-tion process.

“I think the directors did an excellent job of going through all the information and it was

a positive outcome,” Adams commented.

The approved bylaws amend

the Youbou/Meade Creek Official Community Plan and Youbou/Meade Creek zoning, and enables Sunfest to begin development of the land, which will include a stage, an outdoor amphithe-atre, event parking and festival camping.

Sunfest County Music Festival has operated for 14 years and attracts thousands of music lovers each year.

Area I director Klaus Kuhn said he feels good about the deci-sion he and his fellow directors reached because of the poten-tial Sunfest has to revitalize the community.

“The economy hasn’t been very kind to us here,” he said, citing

the closure of Youbou’s school and several businesses. “You need young people in a com-munity. And our hope is that if Sunfest and related festivities take place here, it will show the visitors that this is a beautiful area and we hope that some of the younger people will move here again.”

The proposal to move Sun-fest to the Lake has provoked strong feelings among some area residents, with opponents voi-cing concerns the concerts would bring unwanted disturbances to the community, particularly in terms of noise and traffic.

Sunfest owner Greg Adams

See OPPONENTS, Page 2

2 Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

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LEXI BAINAS GAZETTE

SUNFEST HAS a long, colourful history in the Cowichan Valley.IT BEGAN at Providence Farm as a one-night, one-stage event, using the Islands Folk Festival’s

setup and stage.IN THE following decade and a half, organizers moved both the event and its focus, discov-

ering a rich vein of country music fans as it went along. After outgrowing Providence Farm on Tzouhalem Road and Avalon Acres farm on Herd Road, it was decided to take a year’s hiatus as plans were developed for a much bigger event at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds on the Trans-Canada Highway north of Duncan.

2000-2003: SUNFEST first rises over the Cowichan entertainment horizon 2004-2008: THE growing festival moves to Avalon Acres on Herd Road2009: TOOK a year off to get things organized for some big changes2010: THE move to the Cowichan Exhibition and phenomenal growth as a country music

extravaganza2015: ANNOUNCEMENT of land purchase at Meade Creek and another, and hopefully final,

move to a site called Lake Town Ranch.2016: DECISION by the CVRD board on zoning change for Lake Town Ranch.

Sunfest timelineTim McGraw was the headliner in 2014. [CITIZEN FILE]

Kuhn acknowledged that dur-ing the festival’s first year there may be some disruptions with respect to traffic or additional visitors to the beaches.

“Will these disruptions be unbearable? I don’t think so,” he said. “It will probably be a bit of a learning experience in the first year…But I have a lot of faith in this area. I think the people will adjust.”

Kuhn said he believes there are a lot of misunderstandings about Sunfest coming to the lake and how the company regards its future home.

“If you start a venture like that, and it takes a lot of effort and money and commitment, you’re going to do the best job that you can. You’re not going to just say, ‘Oh I’m just out to make money and I don’t care what the com-munity thinks.’ I don’t think that will happen.”

Diana Gunderson, who has been a vocal opponent of the project, addressed the CVRD during question period at the end of the meeting.

“I have to tell you I’m devastat-ed,” she told the directors. “I live about a half mile away from the Sunfest site. It’s my retirement home, it’s my 30-year investment. I can’t just pack up and leave. My family lives up there.”

She and fellow opponents Jack Peake and Rosemary Danaher spoke to the Gazette two days after the CVRD’s decision and

said they were still in a state of shock.

“The basis of our concern is that the process itself is flawed,” said Peake, citing what he described as a lack of due diligence on the part of the CVRD.

“They accepted every report from the proponent but did none of their own research…[We have questions] that should have been independently researched by the CVRD and not just assumed that everything that’s told to them by the proponent is 100 per cent accurate.”

Peake, Gunderson and Danaher said residents were not consulted enough and that the approval process was rushed.

Peake also said the number of non-supporters is greater than the 54 people who entered writ-ten submissions opposing the project.

“There was a large number of people who didn’t put in written

submissions, who weren’t pre-pared to jump into the fray and deal with the issue. They’ll tell you one-on-one they’re opposed to it, but that’s about as far as it goes,” he said, noting that while his group of opponents is upset, they aren’t prepared to give up their fight just yet.

Sunfest’s owner said he wants to be respectful of everyone’s opinion, even if he disagrees.

Adams said he doesn’t want to focus on the negative, regarding objections to Sunfest’s relocation, and that his team has already made some changes based on feedback they’ve received from the community. “The people that had valid concerns, we take those into consideration and try to make every adjustment we can. And the people you just can’t satisfy? Well, we respectfully dis-agree,” he said.

Sunfest Country Music Festival 2016 runs from July 28 to 31.

Opponents critical of regional district and rezoning processVOTE HAS, From Page 1

Klaus Kuhn, Area I director Jack Peake, resident

Thousands of fans will be heading to Cowichan Lake for Sunfest, now that the Lake Town Ranch site has gotten rezoning approval. [CITIZEN FILE]

www.lakecowichangazette.com | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | Wednesday, January 20, 2016 3

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JAMES GOLDIE GAZETTE

More improvements to the Lake Cowichan little league field are still to come, although just when has yet to be determined.

During the town’s first finance and administra-tion committee meeting of the new year, Nagi Rizk, superintendent of public works and engin-eering for the Town of Lake Cowichan, provid-ed committee members with an update on the field’s redevelopment, which involved replacing its dugouts and fencing last year.

He said $4,000 remains from this work and has been carried over and committed to the instal-lation of an irrigation system at the field. The cost of this upgrade has yet to be determined.

“We have not finalized the budget so we didn’t go ask for tenders or prices yet. Upon your approval we’ll proceed with the request for quotes,” he told the committee.

The project involves installing an automated sprinkler system and its controls, and will have to take place either before or after the ball season.

“Budget is usually finalized by end of March … To complete the project before the season we will need early approval of the capital expendi-ture,” he told the Gazette in an email. “We will be asking for quotes very shortly, in case the pro-ject is to go ahead before the ball season this year.”

Rizk said the 2015 construction went well — and on budget — and he thanked the contractor for his “donation of labour and equipment to complete certain components of the project over and above his quoted price,” such as installing the benches.

Kelly Bergstrom, president of the Lake Cow-ichan District Minor Baseball Association, said he has been impressed with the town’s support for the ball field, noting that his organization requested the repairs last year following their AGM in June.

“This has [happened in] a really short period. Within, say, August we started all this stuff,” he said.

Bergstrom said the players will notice a real difference when the final work is complete.

“The grass will be greener and healthier, which is a good thing. Because right now it’s all hand-watered, so with a sprinkler system they can turn it on at three o’clock in the mor-ning and we have no worries about losing water because of evaporation,” he said.

“Now it’s just getting the kids on the field and getting the season going!”

The association held its registration at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena on Jan. 12 and 13, but did not get the turnout members were expecting. Bergstrom said they will be hosting an additional registration night, and asked people to check the group’s Facebook page for more details.

The minor baseball season begins in April.


A children’s art class on the verge of cancellation has not only rebounded but expanded thanks to a group of dedicated parents.

Last week the After School Art Sampler offered by Cowichan Lake Recreation for kids age seven to 12 did not have its minimum number of registrants and was going to be cancelled. However, when parents of pre-school aged children learn-ed of the situation, they began talking about how they wished their young ones could join.

Heather Kinch was among those interested in her three-year-old daughter taking an art program but unable to travel to Duncan for the toddler art classes there.

“I believe this town really, really needs it, especially for people who have a hard time getting out of town and back,” she said.

Her daughter was already enrolled in programming at the arena, and so Kinch spoke to the program coordinator on behalf of the other parents to find out if it would be possible for younger chil-dren to participate.

“She said, ‘If you can get five (to sign up).’ Well, I already had three,” said Kinch. “We went home, finished dinner and we had seven.”

Recreation programmer Tanya Kaul, in consultation with the class instructor, did the rest.

“We’ve opened up the age group from age three up until 12 and we’re going to ask for parent par-ticipation. We’ve moved the loca-tion from the high school up to the arena, it’ll be located in the play school room upstairs,” she said.

T he class price was also reduced to encourage greater participation.

Kaul said while the rec centre does offer activities for toddlers such as mini gym, play school and dance, it did not have any creative programming in terms of arts and crafts for that age group.

“It’s definitely a go,” she said. Amanda Griesbach, the artist

teaching the course, taught sim-ilar classes on Pender Island for three years before moving Lake Cowichan.

“With all the tablets and comput-ers, we’re losing that connection with real paint and arts and crafts, which help [kids] with dexterity, spatial composition, just a lot of skills that are integrated when you’re doing artwork,” she said.

Because the new class will span a much larger age bracket, Gries-bach will split the group in two, with the older students doing a single project or focusing on a sin-

Ball park’s irrigation upgrades are still to come later this year

◆ LAKE COWICHAN

Parents stop art class cancellationgle technique each class, while the toddlers will do two or three small projects during the class. Children five and under must be accompanied by a parent, and not just for supervision purposes.

“What I’m hoping is [parents] will bring it home with them and they won’t be quite so scared about art,” said Griesbach. “For some reason people get saying, ‘Oh I can’t do art.’ Well everyone can do art. Bring it home and do some artwork with your kids.”

The class begins Jan. 21. Grisebach offers an evening art class for teens starting the same day.

Tanya Kaul, left, shows Heather Kinch and her daughter, Phoebe, the room where the rec centre’s new art program for children will be held. Artist Amanda Griesbach, right, will be teaching the class, which is now open to children under five. [JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]


Caycuse • Honeymoon Bay • Lake Cowichan • Mesachie Lake • Youbou

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TO COMMENTWe welcome your original comments on editorials, columns, on

topics in the Lake Cowichan Gazette or any subjects important to you. Only letters that include name, address and day and evening phone numbers and that are veri ed by the Lake Cowichan Gazette can be considered for publication.

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Email your thoughts to [email protected] or fax it to us at 250-749-4385OPINION

Got a news tip? Email us at: [email protected]

Some in the Cowichan Lake community are not convinced, but in spite of the good questions they have raised, we think that moving Sunfest to the area can be a positive thing.

We hope people can get on board and realize some of the opportunities that Sunfest presents to the community.

Opponents have cited everything from worries about re, policing, and garbage, to noise and traf c. There is merit to some of the concerns, and we think that, as Youbou/Meade Creek area director Klaus Kuhn has said that there will doubtless be some growing pains in its rst year at the Laketown Ranch site.

No matter how much troubleshooting the owners do beforehand, and it’s important to remember that many of the bumps in the Sunfest road have already been smoothed out while it’s been at other sites, there are bound to be some things that have not been anticipated and will have to be dealt with on the y.

We hope that people can be patient through what will be an adjustment period, because aside from being a fun weekend that thousands of people look forward to every year — and we bet that some of those folks are from the Cowichan Lake area — there is an economic opportunity in this.

Not only is this a chance for people to offer goods and services to the festival-goers during the event itself — and don’t underestimate how much food and entertainment these thousands of people will want — but it’s a chance to put the community on the map for a whole lot of people who’ve never heard of Cowichan Lake and its surrounding town and villages, let alone been there.

If the community can make a good impression, it’s possible to lure some of these folks back at other times of the year, bolstering the local tourism economy signi cantly.

We think that the majority of people will welcome the festival, and we believe that the festival organizers will do everything they can to help make the event a good experience not just for their music-loving guests, but for the community, too.

The Cowichan Lake area can use some economic help, as times have been tough. The community should seize this opportunity.

Sunfest presents opportunity to Cowichan Lake

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Letters to the editor are welcome, but writers are requested to keep their submissions to 350 words or less. Keep it local — letters raised in response to issues raised in our pages get top priority. Letters will be edited for clarity, grammar, length — attack the issue, not the individual. All letters must contain the name, address and signature of the writer, and a phone number where they may be reached during business hours. Thank you letters will not normally be considered for publication. [email protected]

Letters to the editor: YOUR SAY

Thanks for all the helping hands

I want to thank everyone who helped make the “free tables” a huge success on Xmas Ham-per Day. We had an amazing 24 tables of donated items.

Thanks go to Janice Neiser for the use of a storage unit. My house is just too small for all the boxes. Also, thanks to Rebecca from Co-op Gas Bar for your donations and a huge thank you to all my helpers who came out to help me set up the tables.

This would not be possible without all your help and last-ly, thank you to everyone who dropped off items for us. I can’t name you all, just too many, but

you know who you are.

Val SangsterLake Cowichan

Province should maintain kids in their homes

I keep hearing or reading that the B.C. Ministry of Children and Families needs more fund-ing to deliver services. The majority of children taken into care and maintained there is the result of one thing and one thing only: poverty.

For a fraction of what it costs to keep a child in care these

children could be maintained in their loving parents’ homes (this could be done for pennies on the dollar). By doing this we elimi-nate one of the largest problems facing our society, children aging out of care. Children don’t age out of their birth parents homes, they are loved forever.

We don’t need an inquiry we need one immediate systematic change. We need a federal sys-tem that rewards the provinces for every child that is main-tained in it’s natural home not the current system that rewards the provinces for every child they successfully adopt out.

Stuart R. StirlingDuncan

Lauri MeanleySales

Andrea RondeauEditor

James GoldieReporter


Street Beat With Malcolm Chalmers

The Gazette asked:

What benefi ts do you think Sunfest will bring to the area?

Letters to the editor

Brenda Mountain“It will help out the econ-

omy. That’s pretty much it.”

David Work“I hope it will benefit all

the businesses here which will in turn benefit every-one else. I think it will be a great thing.”

Jean Losanez“I think it is a opportun-

ity for the Lake to have it here. It will show this area to a lot of people who may never see it otherwise.”

Tanya Halusiak“If one music festival

is coming maybe it will attract more music fes-tivals. Sunfest isn’t my thing but other music fes-tivals might be. I like that idea.”

Rob White“All kinds of benefits; it

will bring money into the valley. That’s about all we got going here.”

‘Avatar’ sequel bombs in WalbranAvatar, the future-fantasy

blockbuster that beat Titanic as all-time Holly-

wood box office champ, has finally been unseated by the latest Star Wars space opera.

I watched Avatar on TV over the holidays for the first time since its 2009 release, and was able to see past the bombastic special effects to examine it for what it is, an anti-capitalist propaganda film.

Psychopathic military com-mander teams with evil mining executive to blast and slaughter their way to a chunk of rare mineral, ridiculously named “unobtainium.” Giant tree, home of highly evolved Na’vi people and their delicate jun-gle ecosystem, is toppled for sadistic fun and profit, before nature’s collective strikes back.

Canadian director James Cameron helped the global anti-development network use the movie in its celebrity attack on the Alberta oil industry. Now the storyline is being employed again in B.C., in an effort to revive the 1990s “war in the woods” that led to the creation of Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.

Protest tactics are being refined. Targeting just outside the boundary of the vast park established 20 years ago, giant trees are named and an Ava-tar-style narrative of unbridled greed is spoon-fed to urban media.

There’s a “Tolkien Giant” now, although I’m reliably informed it is not one of those trees that gets up and walks around in the Lord of the Rings movies. This tree is also pro-tected from logging, as are most of the poster trees used for propaganda and fundraising.

The network uses multiple front groups. Vancouver-based Wilderness Committee stages urban protests and issues news releases, while Ecojustice

lawyers fight forest company injunctions against direct actions that disrupt legal log-ging. An employee of the B.C. branch plant of Sierra Club lurks, apparently coordinating media and protesters.

A 1990s remnant called Friends of Carmanah-Wal-bran issued a statement Nov. 9 announcing “autono-mous action” by three protest-ers to disrupt logging. Not their guys, you understand, just masked individuals willing to lock themselves to equipment or wander into a road-building blast zone, forcing work to stop for safety reasons.

These are among the actions that forced the logging com-pany to go to court for an injunction.

Cast in the role of evil cor-poration is Teal Jones Group, a B.C. forest company trying to operate in what is now the most environmentally restrict-ed forest in the world. It keeps about 2,000 people employed in logging and its sawmills in Surrey, where investments have been made to handle second-growth coastal timber as well as what little old-growth they are allowed to harvest.

Protesters have dubbed their latest target, the tiny 3.2 hectare cutblock 4424, “Black Diamond Grove” for media and fundraising purposes.

Teal Jones forester Chris Har-vey provided me some infor-mation to counter protester claims. Block 4424 isn’t being logged, although it was permit-ted last fall.

Protesters are targeting other operations, none of which are in the contentious Walbran

“bite” area next to the park.Teal Jones has not only

received permits and worked with environmental organ-izations, its operations are independently certified by the Canadian Standards Association.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge granted an extension of the injunction protecting Teal Jones’ operations on Jan. 4. The judge wasn’t swayed by protest-ers packing the Victoria court-room, and upheld a 50-metre safety zone around working equipment in the Walbran Val-ley until the end of March.

A Wilderness Committee spokesman with no evident forestry qualifications was appalled. He will no doubt continue to issue news releases and write his own version for left-wing fringe publications that seek to perpetuate an urban culture of revulsion for logging.

Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @tomfletcherbc

BC ViewsBy Tom Fletcher

Masked protester interferes with logging operation in the Walbran Valley, November 2015. [TEAL JONES GROUP PHOTO]

I’m not lurking, I’m proud of lobbying

According to Tom Fletch-er, “an employee of the B.C. branch plant of Sierra Club lurks, apparently coordinating media and protesters” regarding logging in the Walbran Val-ley (“Avatar Sequel Bombs in Walbran”).

He’s referring to me. Far from lurking, I’m proud to be campaigning with Sierra Club BC to save some of the last sig-nificant stands of unprotected old-growth on Vancouver Island. (And, to correct but one of the many misleading or false claims in Fletcher’s piece, Sierra Club BC is entirely independent.)

Fletcher’s diatribe reveals him as Teal Jones’ willing stenog-rapher, uncritically regurgi-tating the logging company’s talking points. Fletcher and Teal Jones may believe it is morally and ecologically acceptable to cut down these magnificent trees and destroy complex, deli-cate ecosystems. Sierra Club BC

doesn’t, and nor do the majority of British Columbians, who sup-port concerted action to defend endangered old-growth trees, wildlife, a stable climate, clean water and clean air.

British Columbians know that these things form the life-sup-port system of our planet and support long-term prosperity and a diverse economy, includ-ing sustainable second-growth forestry for current and future generations.

A growing list of independent reports from B.C.’s Auditor Gen-eral, the Forest Practices Board and even a Liberal MLA high-light the need for urgent action to save our forests.

It’s long past time for the prov-incial government to reverse the damage done when it gutted the rules governing logging. Four-teen years of trusting corporate interests to manage our forests with little or no oversight has got to stop.

Mark WorthingSierra Club BC

Taxes relative to home prices unfair

I find that our whole system of property taxation relative to house price is an unjust and extremely prejudicial formula.

Now, before I go on, no I am not a millionaire campaigning for the rich. I am a senior living on a one-pension income with my wife.

If I lived in a rundown house that I did nothing to and my neighbour lives in a beautiful home that he maintains nicely worth four times the amount, why should he pay more than me?

Do we not both pay for exactly the same services?

He doesn’t get better policing and fire.

He doesn’t get better water and street services.

He doesn’t get better public schooling etc.

If I had some company come to cut my grass or replace my gutters or doing plumbing or electrical I would expect the same pricing formula as my neighbour in the nice house.

Taxation should be based on what the municipality’s budget is and distributed evenly among all involved in paying for those particular services.

Now if my taxes go up too much because of this formula because the rich are subsidiz-ing my lower taxes, then forget everything I said ha ha.

Evan BegbieCowichan Bay

Name: Terrie ShrimptonOccupation: housewifeHometown: Lake CowichanI’ve always wanted to: travel to Australia Best thing about living here: it’s quiet Favourite food: cheeseProudest moment: marrying my husbandHow do you define down time: watch TV and visit with familyIf I was stuck on a desert island I would definitely need: foodFavourite time of day is: noon, thats when I get upMy go-to wardrobe staple: my Vancouver Canucks clothingIn my car I listen to: ’50s and ’60s rock and rollIn my fridge you’ll find: vegetablesIf I had a $1,000,000: pay off house and bills, help my parents

Terrie Shrimpton

COWICHAN LAKE

Smile FILEWith Malcolm Chalmers

What’s in the soil makes all the diff erence to nutritional quality

Sometimes not even the most dedicated gar-

dener can face the weather; the last two weeks have been an excellent example of this. When the ground is frozen it’s time to curl up with a good book. Fortunately, one of my favourite writers has just published one. I refer to Steve Solomon, whose Gar-dening West of the Cascades is the definitive work for those of us who do just that.

I expected his new book, The Intelligent Gardener, to edu-cate and entertain me but he has managed to turn my take on food cultivation inside out.

When we hear the phrase “organic gardening” we think first about adding compost and keeping out pesticides or other contaminants. The Intelligent Gardener suggests that this may not be enough to guarantee the optimum soil we need to grow our own nutritious food.

David says I sometimes get too technical and this may be one of those occasions, but with cauliflower at $8 a head this is important. In his new book Steve Solomon explains that despite gardeners’ best efforts, our soils’ mineral

balance has been decreasing steadily because we didn’t know we needed to re-mineralize them. Erosion and crop-growing has stripped essential nutrients from vir-tually all soil and prudent growers should have their

beds examined.To make a long story short,

it was all Hitler’s fault. In 1941 the American Selective Service Act required every American man of military age to undergo a physical exam to determine his suitability for military service. In Missouri the number found unfit for service was twice as high in the southeast as the northwest of the state. Dental cavities also increased the closer the men lived to higher rainfall. Coincidentally, rainfall in the southeast is almost twice as much as the northwest.

As a result of this discovery, Dr. William Albrecht of the University of Missouri studied identical groups of rabbits fed on different lots of hay grown from different parts of the state. Results indicated that those fed from areas with higher rainfall grew smaller, bred less and lived shorter lives. Dr. Albrecht found that

nutrient density of the soils across the state varied accord-ing to their mineral compos-ition and this was directly related to the amount of rain-fall. The more rain, the more minerals were leached out of the soil, naturally affecting the health of those depending on local food.

It follows therefore that Cow-ichan Valley soils suffer from the effect of heavy rains that wash out minerals and remove nutrients.

We can fertilize and use com-post to return nutrients, but this won’t remineralize the soils. Solomon says that to cre-ate nutritious crops we need to first bring the minerals into balance and to do this we need a soil analysis.

You can learn how yourself in The Intelligent Gardener. I am determined to figure it out myself, but in the meantime I will have it done professional-ly at Integrity Sales in Saan-ich for $55. When I have the results I will know what I need to add to Mesachie Lake soil to grow nutrient dense fruits and vegetables that will keep David healthy enough to look after me the way I deserve.

We owe Dr. Albrecht a debt of gratitude for discovering this. What a shame it has taken 70 years for his work to be shared.

The rabbit on the left was fed hay from a high-rainfall zone, the rabbit on the right from a low-rainfall zone. [SUBMITTED]

Dig InBy Mary Lowther

Check out our Facebook page:‘Lake Cowichan Gazette’

Find us online at lakecowichangazette.com


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Retreads hike into 2016 with a great turnout and great funIn the spirit of

Retreads and a brand new year, 28

people turned out for the New Years day hike which took us along Beaver Creek trail and around Bea-ver Lake. A week later found us hiking up a lightly snow covered trail along the west side of Cottonwood Creek.

One cynic asked, “How many people turned out for the New Years Hike?” They were a bit astounded to be told, “Just 28.” This hike started at the entrance to the South Shore Motel and fol-lowed the Beaver Creek Trail up to Fair Service Main. Then a small jog across the highway down into the valley and back onto the trail that leads to Beaver Lake Resort. Of course we were following the tracks of the former logging rail-road walking on the remains of cross ties much of the way.

The fresh, crisp air was invig-orating and people were dressed for winter weather so the frost and snow on parts of the path did not deter anyone. The section of the trail north of the highway borders a lovely wetland area that connects to Beaver Lake but there were none of the usual waterbirds in sight because of a sheen of ice on the surface of the water. Along the way we enjoyed some beautiful views of the snow-topped moun-tains which looked particularly impressive against the blue sky.

After a brief break we continued around the west end of the lake and followed a zig-zagging trail

through the bush along the north side of the lake. This was the more challenging part of the hike, but through pleasant scenery with many views of the lake.

We crossed the high-way and headed back along Beaver Creek to the motel. A great way to kick off 2016 togeth-

er with Retread friends! Everyone was delighted to be back out hik-ing the trails after a brief hiatus during the holiday season.

On a sunny Retreads Wednes-day 23 of us motored out through Youbou, admired the new logging truck wash setup and parked opposite the gate leading up the west side of Cottonwood Creek. Crossing the gate led your reporter to fall and suffer minor dents and bruises. But not a problem because on this day we had four very com-petent nurses to take care of me.

Soon after the start, we deviated down a short trail to the edge of quite spectacular small water-falls. We were close to the river on the rest of this hike. We followed the logging road with a gradual incline most of the way and a slightly steeper section before we reached a neat spot near the river for a lunch break. This being approximately the day when our hiking club leader, Willa, cele-brates her birthday we had some hot mulled wine and hot spice cranberry which was expertly served by Willa’s husband Cliff.

Back down the hill rather cautiously on the steep section because you could never be sure

if you would happen onto a patch of slippery ice. Beside the road were some spectacular ice stalactite-like formations where water trickled down over rock walls and continually increased the length of the spear-like pieces.

Back to the cars after about 8.5 kilometers with a 160 metre change in elevation. Then on to member Jean Atkinson’s place for an outdoor wiener roast and a delicious birthday cake. We never did hear which birthday Willa was cele-brating, but another year has rolled by.

We have our schedule for the next three months and welcome people who wish to come out and try this means of keeping fit and meet-ing new people while learning about the fascin-ating geography of our region.

Members of the Retreads hiking group take a civilized break on their hike to Cottonwood Creek to celebrate a member’s birthday with hot mulled wine and spiced cranberry. [SUBMITTED]

Take a hikeBy David Kidd


FAMILY FUN WEEKEND

For families living with autism

MOVIE MATINEE in Duncan When: Sunday, January 31st, 2016 Where: Caprice Theatre, Duncan St When: 9:00am-12:00pm What: Free viewing of Kung Fu Panda for families living with au�sm Note: Free popcorn & a drink!

FAMILY SKATE in the Cowichan Valley When: Saturday, January 30th, 2016 Where: Shawnigan Lake School Rink When: 11:30am-1:00pm What: Free family skate for families living with au�sm Note: Free refreshments & cookies!

No membership required. Please RSVP by comple ng the form at canucksau sm.ca/familyfun

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7405214

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAMES GOLDIE

Games from dawn till dusk, bittersweet goodbyes and even a faceoff between play-ers with a height difference of about four feet — the 2016 Hockey Jamboree had it all.

Now in its 44th year, the annual event hosted by the Lake Cowichan Minor Hock-ey Association was held on Jan. 16 with almost 100 local players participating, ranging in age from four to 17.

The day kicked off with the Lakers nov-ice team playing the Cowichan Valley Cap-itals. Although the Lakers played competi-tively, the final score in the loss of 13-8 was a bit of a disappointment. But coach Allan Fawcett noted the team has been improv-ing markedly in certain areas.

“They’ve been working hard at back-checking and scoring. Scoring has gone up 80 per cent from last year,” he said. “We’ve got multiple scorers now so everybody’s sort of got into that groove.”

The team was also missing some players due to vacation and illness.

“That’s all a part of the game, especially at this age,” said Fawcett. “Overall we had enough players to play the game and they

played really well.”This is Fawcett’s second year coaching

the novice team and he thanked all the coaching staff for their hard work and dedication.

“Everybody really knows what’s expected and we do push the kids but such is life,” he said. “You push the kids hard and they take that with them all through life.”

The initiation-level teams — players ages four to six — took the ice next, followed by the annual skills competition in which all local players are divided into two teams and battle in a series of challenges based on the NHL’s skills competition format.

Ten-year-old Isabella Atchison sang the national anthem a cappella and, repre-senting the Lady of the Lake, first and second princesses Kirsten Mackie and Sidney Fothergill came to centre ice for the ceremonial puck drop.

The white jerseys and blue jerseys com-peted in stick handling, speed and shoot-ing categories, with white ultimately com-ing out on top.

Additionally, the hockey association decided to incorporate a midget 3-on-3 component to the day’s events after the skills trophy had been awarded.

“It was a ton of fun this year and definite-ly going to be one to remember,” said Rai-mund Mullin, one of seven midget players who are graduating from minor league hockey this year.

“It’s horrible to have to leave the league but I’m hoping to stay involved in reffing and coming and volunteering and hope-fully maybe one day coaching a team,” he said.

The Lakers dominated in the afternoon, starting with the atom team’s staggering 16-2 defeat of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Next, the Lakers peewee team had a much closer game against the Nanaimo Clippers, winning 2-1, followed by the Lake’s bantam team which defeated Nanaimo 9-2.

Jamboree still a hit after 44 years in action

This is the last year of minor hockey for seven players on the Lakers midget team. From left: Justin Vaughan, Chase Convery, Raimund Mullin, James Cummings, Stephen Vatcher and Merryam Rizk. “It’s horrible to have to leave,” said Mullin, who hopes to stay involved.

See TEAM HAS CLICKED, Page 9This year the Lakers White Jerseys snagged the association’s skills competition trophy.

Watch for it!

ComingSoon!

Valentines Day Contest!


COWICHAN’S DREAM TEAM

GO! CAPS! GO!

VS VS

THIS WEEKEND’S GAMES7:00 PM

SALMON ARMFriday,

January 22, 2016

NANAIMO CLIPPERSSaturday,

January 23, 2016

Association executive members Kristy Convery, Jenny Fawcett, Trish Gorski and Debbie Longbottom worked behind the scenes—and behind the raffle table—to help make this year’s Jamboree a success.

In the evening, the midget Lakers pulled off an 8-4 victory against the Cowichan Valley Capitals, continuing the team’s season-long undefeated streak.

Association president Todd Vaughan said the team has clicked in a big way this year.

“[They’re] a good group of kids that totally just want to play hockey and are out there; they go out and they put their all into it,” he said.

Vaughan said he’s sad to see seven of his players leaving the league when this sea-son ends, but isn’t concerned about how it will impact next year’s team.

“There’s still a strong group that are coming up from bantam so I think we’re

still going to have a really strong team next year,” he said.

But, he added, that doesn’t make it any easier to see his players go, one of whom is his son, Justin.

“When you’ve been with some of those kids since they were four or five years old and watched them play hockey the whole way, it’s kind of weird to think of them not playing anymore,” Vaughan said of the players’ graduation.

He said this year’s Jamboree was a suc-cess thanks to the hard work of volunteers and arena staff.

“I’d like to put a big thank you out there to all the helpers and everyone who came out and supported us and watched us,” he said.

Second princess Sidney Fothergill and first princess Kirsten Mackie came to centre ice to drop the puck and kick off the skills competition. Mylan Knott, left, faced off against Stephen Vatcher.

JAMBOREE, From Page 8

Younger players listen to the referee’s instructions as they prepare to test their shooting skills.

Above left: Novice Laker Liam Fawcett races into the attacking zone. Above right: Casey Thomas bumps fists with Novice teammate Dixie Bergman after scoring a point against Cowichan Valley.

Team has clicked this year, says coach


Heather Boehmer Heather.boehmer@cowichanvalleycitizen,com

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Drivers in Lake Cowichan may have noticed a subtle change creeping onto the town’s main drag since Christmas.

The town has begun installing new street signs along Lake Cowichan Road and South Shore Road as part of an ongoing improved wayfinding initiative which started last year. The new street signs are black with white letters, and match the large directional signs by the South Shore Road bridge and Saywell Park.

“They’re going to be right through from one end of town,” said Ross Fitzgerald, chairman of the town’s advisory planning commission. Approximately 30 signs have been purchased and will be installed over the coming weeks and months when the public works department has time.

“[Signs in] other parts of the town will prob-ably be replaced in the future, but our intent was for visitors who come through town to see some-thing that’s consistent, and the black sign with the silver or white letters is…a new appearance for the town,” said Fitzgerald.

“You’ll know you’re in Lake Cowichan because you’ll see those colours consistently throughout the town.”

He said the changes are part of Lake Cowic-han’s overall transition from a resource town to one that is centered around recreation and the environment.

The bulk of the funding for the new signs came from ICBC, although the town pays for their installation. The signs were just one com-ponent of an application the town made to ICBC last spring, which also included money to paint crosswalks and install the speed reader board on the east end of town.

“They [ICBC] have been very nice to us,” said Joseph Fernandez, chief administrative officer for the town.

Fernandez noted that in addition to fitting with the town’s new wayfinding design, the street signs will be a little more user-friendly for seniors.

“They’re reflective signs so they’re a little more visible,” he said, adding that although the letters are no bigger they do stand out more.

“We looked at slightly bigger font size … but that would have made the street signs too long. At least in some instances. So we had to make it standard.”

According to Fernandez, four signs have been installed since Christmas.

He said that the town has submitted another funding request to ICBC for 2016 to address “some sidewalk issues” and to pay for new stop signs.

Finding your way: new street signs going up

New black and white street signs have begun to appear along Lake Cowichan Road and South Shore Roads. The signs are part of the town’s improved wayfinding initiative. [JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]


It’s been a long, winding road, but the end is coming into sight for Lake Cowichan School’s class of 2016. On Jan. 15, Grade 12 students participated in the first of two Portfolio Days — an opportunity to sit down and share their journey thus far with a notable member of the lake community.

“It’s sort of a celebration of their learning,” said teacher and portfolio day coordinator Noni Battye. “It’s their chance to show off what they’re good at and where they’re going. And it’s kind of a neat way to wrap up their schooling.”

Students have the option of partici-pating in Portfolio Day in January or May, but must choose one as the activ-ity is mandatory for graduation. They are paired up with someone from the community and spend 15 minutes shar-ing a little bit about who they are, their interests, and what have been some of the important milestones in their life.

“Some of [the portfolios] are scrap-books. Some are PowerPoints that they’ve pulled together. Things like

that,” said Battye.Plans for the future are also an import-

ant topic of discussion during these exit interviews, for which a teacher super-visor is also present. The community member has an opportunity to ask questions or provide insight and advice.

Grade 12 student Chase Convery said although the activity was a little daunt-ing at the outset, it ended up being easi-er than he expected.

“It was not as long as I thought it was going to be,” he said. “It helps me real-ize that high school’s ending and I have to kind of pick it up. Just figure out how to live, I guess.”

Convery plans to study computer sci-ence, and has already received a condi-tional acceptance at Vancouver Island University. It was because of this inter-est in computers and technology that Convery chose to share his life story through a PowerPoint presentation on a laptop he brought with him to the interview.

“And so that I could pull up the web-site,” he adding, referring to a website he is building for the school’s upcoming mural project.

His classmate, Isabella Kuta, brought in a “memory board” of photos and clip-pings she’s collected over the years.

“I thought it would be perfect for a portfolio,” she said.

After graduation, Kuta plans to get her bachelor of science degree and eventually pursue medicine through the University of Victoria’s Island Med-ical Program. She said she found port-folio day a helpful exercise.

“It was really nice to get to share everything about myself and hopefully I can make more memories like this in the future,” she said.

Kuta had presented her portfolio to retired RCMP officer Larry Olson, who was participating in the activity for his third time.

“It’s nice working with the youth,” he said. “I enjoy seeing where the students are at and seeing what their future plans are.”

Olson said he tells students not to get discouraged in pursuit of their dreams.

“It’s going to seem like it takes a long time to get where you want to — like it’s a long process — but it goes quick,” he said.

2016 grads strut their stuff As part of Portfolio Day at Lake Cowichan School, Grade 12 student Chase Convery, left, shares with Larry Olson and Noni Battye a PowerPoint presentation and a website he’s building. [JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]


NOMINATION DEADLINE IS JAN. 31/16Go to www.blacktieawards.com to nominate*

Duncan Cowichan ChamberT: 250.748.1111 F: 250.746.8222 E: [email protected]

*Rules & criteria apply. See website for details. Nominate online or download & print.

Nominate for the Black Tie Awards• Everyone is invited to nominate• 8 categories to choose from• Awards honour businesses, individuals & organizations• Nominees must live or do business in Cowichan (CVRD)

CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE!

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British Columbia’s #1 Consumer Show Producer, Evergreen Exhibitions, is pleased to present the Cowichan Valley Spring Home and Wellness Expo! The Cowichan Valley has been home to the popular Home Show each spring for the last 28 years. This year brings an exciting new element, a section dedicated to helping families live a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

The Health & Wellness industry is growing exponentially, with more variety than ever before. Stand out among the crowd in this already saturated market by exhibiting in the new Wellness section! This is the perfect place for natural health practitioners, wellness products, and nutrient and supplement suppliers to promote their business to thousands of potential customers, face-to-face!

The 2016 Cowichan Valley Spring Home and Wellness Expo happens April 22, 23, and 24, 2016, at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan. This event always draws great crowds, off ering FREE ADMISSION to the public. There is something for everyone to see over the three-day event.

Contact Show Manager Glenda Gall for more information about the show and book your space today. Limited space available!

Please visit our website at www.homeshowtime.comor call us at 1-800-471-1112.

HOME SHOW OFFERING NEW EXPANSION TO

HEALTH & WELLNESS

7407324

PAULINE CAMPBELL RADIO COWICHAN

There are many new things happening at the our local Radio Cowichan, 97.5

on the FM dial, with the most exciting being as follows as told by radio chair Mike Bishop: “Radio Cowichan is broadcast-ing on our new frequency 97.5 FM Stereo right now! Industry Canada has authorized a three-week test period on 97.5 FM at 50 watts. Send us a comment to tell us where in the valley you are listening from! Youbou, Cay-cuse, Mesachie Lake, Old Lake Cowichan Road, Paldi, Tansor or are you hearing us better in Lake Cowichan? We’d really like to know. Help us celebrate...become a regular listener!”

Another exciting development is the spotlighting of a monthly Hometown Hero local to the Cowichan Valley that is making a positive impact on the people and/or community around them. Our first Hometown Hero of the year, and ever, is Betty Anne Weberg Sanddar.

Betty Anne was raised in Lake Cowichan and is a mother to three and grandmother to eight. Betty Anne’s whole life is dedicated to contributing to the community of Lake Cowichan and the surrounding areas. She worked at Kaatza Childcare for 27 years and now works at Lake Cowichan School and Playskool

Daycare. Betty Anne has been at Lake Cowichan School for three years and has been employed through the CVRD at Lake Cowichan Recreation’s Play and Learn Program for three and a half years.

My main reason, though, for choosing Betty Anne as our first Hometown Hero, is in regards to her tireless work at the food bank. She started as a volunteer through the church she attended and is now chair of the society. Her dedication and the dedication of her vol-unteers have sustained this essential service through a time of insecurity. With the sale of the church it had been using, they needed to find a new home. They then had temporary hous-ing in the Annex. At the time of the interview the deadline for them to leave the present loca-tion was Feb. 28 and they had nowhere to go. Since then, the good news is a new space for the food bank has been found.

Now there is the momentous task of moving. Betty Anne and

the food bank would welcome volunteers to come and help in this process. Other ways to help are through cash and food dona-tions, as well as attending the upcoming hot dog sales at Coun-try Grocer throughout the year.

In regards to cash donations, the food bank is a registered non-profit that can issue tax receipts. Betty Anne posted this update on Facebook, “Well some very exciting news!! Lake Cowichan Food Bank has a new home!!! Today we signed a one year lease and as of March 1st 2016 we will be operating out of #105 205 South Shore Road!! We will still be actively looking and Fundraising for a permanent location. We are looking for volunteers to help out with Hot Dog Sales on January 16 and February 6 at Country Grocer and we will also be needing volunteers to help us move in February!! Anyone who would be willing to volunteer please message me or Cindy Vaast!! Thanks so very much to all who regularly volunteer, donate non-perishables or donate cash to us!!! Every donation is so very much appreciated!! Also we do want to acknowledge the very generous help from the Town of Lake Cowichan and Council as they provided us with use of the Mildred Child Annex for the last 14 months!! We really appreciate any and all help!!!”

Radio’s new location on the FM dial and Hometown Hero“Today we signed a one year lease and as of March 1st 2016 we will be operating out of #105 205 South Shore Road!”BETTY ANNE WEBERG SANDDAR, food bank

Betty Sanddar has been named Radio Cowichan’s very first Hometown Hero for her dedication to the community. [GAZETTE FILE]


The South Cowichan Parks Commission and CVRD Parks & Trails Division are hosting the Public Open House #2 to invite public input on the Bright Angel Park Recreation Rejuvenation Project. The CVRD has received grant funding from the Province of BC to rejuvenate specific park facilities at Bright Angel Park which must be completed by March 31, 2015.

Join us for discussion and input at Open House #2:date Saturday, June 8, 2013 time 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.place Bright Angel Park Lower Parking Area

Public Open House #2BRIGHT ANGEL PARK RECREATION REJUVENATION PROJECT & PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN

for more information, please contact: Graham Gidden, CVRD Parks & Trails Planner, Parks & Trails Division, 250-746-2620 or [email protected]

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OPEN HOUSE NOTICEThere will be an Open House on Thursday, January 21, 2016, for residents of Electoral Area F, Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls, regarding the curbside collection service in the area. The Open House will provide an opportunity to learn more about the curbside collection program and the recent curbside survey that was distributed in your area.

Note that the location has been changed from the Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall to the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena.For more information, please visit cvrd.bc.ca/survey or call the CVRD Recycling Hotline at 250.746.2540 or toll free 1.800.665.3955.

The South Cowichan Parks Commission and CVRD Parks & Trails Division are hosting the Public Open House #2 to invite public input on the Bright Angel Park Recreation Rejuvenation Project. The CVRD has received grant funding from the Province of BC to rejuvenate specific park facilities at Bright Angel Park which must be completed by March 31, 2015.

Join us for discussion and input at Open House #2:date Saturday, June 8, 2013 time 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.place Bright Angel Park Lower Parking Area

Public Open House #2BRIGHT ANGEL PARK RECREATION REJUVENATION PROJECT & PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN

for more information, please contact: Graham Gidden, CVRD Parks & Trails Planner, Parks & Trails Division, 250-746-2620 or [email protected]

DATE: January 21, 2016 TIME: 7:00 pm

PLACE: Cowichan Lake Sports Arena311 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan

LEXI BAINAS GAZETTE

Municipalities spend money. Sometimes lots of it. But,

even if it’s only a small dollar amount, councillors and admin-istrators have usually wrestled feverishly to make sure it offers value to the taxpayer.

Lake Cowichan town coun-cillors talked last week about developing a new procurement policy to streamline how pur-chases are handled.

Town CAO Joe Fernandez kicked it all off by saying, “Basically we’ve got policies that affect how we spend our money but one of the issues that communities have been looking at is what impact muni-cipal spending has, not only on the economy but socially as well.”

He was reporting out from a recent administrators’ talkfest he’d attended.

He gave the councillors copies of Vancouver’s procurement policy, which he said was “in sync with Lake Cowichan” despite the difference in the size of the two communities.

“Basically, their community vision is very similar to what we have. It’s useful to look at something similar to this policy for the town. The spending that we incur does have economic ramifications,” he said, urging council to consider spacing out infrastructure spending.

“We should be looking at not spending all our capital dollars either at the beginning or at the end. We should be spacing it out in such a way that community contractors benefit from that because any spending a muni-cipality does has a multiplier effect. It is a benefit that goes down the chain and we should as a community look at spend-ing in a way that is meaning-ful, useful and organized. We should have plans and a policy that directs that spending plan,” Fernandez said.

Coun. Bob Day asked if the CAO was planning on bring-ing back a draft procurement policy.

“Only if you so direct,” Fer-nandez said.

Mayor Ross Forrest said, “I think it’s definitely something we should be looking at and

discussing. Anything that can benefit our community and do it from an organized plan is the way to go.”

Day agreed, “But if you read here, [in the Vancouver policy] it’s even got a section on child labour. It also says not to use prisoners as employees. This might be a little more complex than we need to look at right away.”

However, Day, who was recent-ly elected vice-chair of the Cow-ichan Valley Regional District board, also added, “I know the regional district is hot on this idea because they run so many different things like water and sewer where you’ve got differ-ent people buying stuff all over the place. They want to bring it into one policy.”

To Fernandez, it was even simpler.

“To put it in one line: we have to get value for the money we spend,” he said.

Coun. Tim McGonigle said he was interested in pursuing the idea.

I think it would be interesting to digest a policy and see what is already in place that limits us in what we can purchase, for example TILMA [The Trade, Investment and Labour Mobil-ity Agreement] or other agree-ments that have been imple-mented and how they would be affected by such a policy,” he said.

Fernandez told councillors that there are different schools of thought as regards public spending.

“Some people think it reduces the local economy while others think it enhances it. Econo-mists haven’t agreed on that. But we have taken for granted that we spend money. It’s time we look at how we do it,” he said.

McGonigle agreed that opin-ions really differ.

“You can even see with the federal election results that

public spending was a major contributor to the [Liberal] Party becoming the leading power. When you look at cam-paigning on deficits: it’s not that long ago that you would be booed and hissed for doing that. The idea of economic stimulus was at least embraced by the majority of Canadians, who thought that was worthy of giv-ing them a chance. It’s interest-ing, yes. But, as the mayor said earlier, everyone has an opin-ion,” he said.

Day asked that Fernan-dez bring back some more thoughts on the idea to a future meeting and the CAO prom-ised to “massage it” into “a made-in-Lake-Cowichan” policy of about two pages rather than the extensive document used in Vancouver.

Asked later to expand on what effect could come on local pro-curement policies from things like the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has already been seen as interfer-ing with the use of local con-tractors on some municipal projects in Canada, McGonigle said, “That’s what I meant when I asked about the effects of TILMA and the other trade agreements, to make sure we don’t limit what we can pro-cure locally by legislation that’s already in place.”

He also pointed out that cities like Vancouver, “with a larger budget than probably Vancou-ver Island, I can see that being a problem. That’s why they put limits within TILMA so it didn’t limit or obstruct your ability as a small community to procure locally. There is a threshold there but it was put in place so small communities could do some local procurement.”

Lake Cowichan’s works super-intendent Nagy Rizk said that Lake Cowichan’s projects were likely to be too small to attract the interest of contractors from distant locations.

Fernandez concluded by say-ing that was another good rea-son for spacing out the spend-ing of municipal project money. It kept individual projects too small to interest big companies and left the town free to post-pone certain jobs to wait until prices improved.

“Basically we’ve got policies that affect how we spend our money...”

JOE FERNANDEZ, Lake Cowichan CAO

Big trade pacts aff ect local procurement

Councillor Bob Day asked for a made-in-Lake-Cowichan policy. [FILE]


On Jan. 21, Area F residents are invited to the second open house on the curbside collection survey issued by the CVRD Recycling and Waste Management staff.

People are invited to share their thoughts on the survey at the meeting.

According to the CVRD’s website: “The survey asks residents if they

are interested in adding garbage collection (in areas that do not already receive this service from the CVRD) or garbage and organ-ics collection to the existing recyc-ling pick up.”

Areas currently without garbage would have bi-weekly pick-ups on the same day as recycling. Organ-ics would occur weekly.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena.

Waste survey open house Jan. 21

PORTFOLIO OF MEMORIES

Isabella Kuta brought in her memory board of photos and awards to share as part of Portfolio Day at Lake Cowichan School last Friday. [JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]


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Conveniently located in the heart of Lake Cowichan. Fully fenced, fl at backyard for easy maintenance with a detached shop/garage and brand new deck. The home features 3 bedrooms & a big cozy fi replace. Needs minor TLC and is Priced to Sell!

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147 MacDonald $220,000

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10 Riverside $269,999

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This home features 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens and plenty of storage. There is a 560 sq ft double garage to store those summer toys. This big home sits on an extra large 0.37 acre lot with fenced garden area and lots of room for building that dream car garage. Quick Possession Available. Call to view today!

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LEXI BAINAS CITIZEN

Magician Darren Charles, think-ing that shelves at Valley food banks could well be running low after the Christmas rush, is offer-ing a unique way to help them out.

He’s holding a magic show at Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall on Saturday, Jan. 30.

“They’ll be seeing big illusions. I’ll be floating a woman in the air, stabbing a woman with swords and making her disappear from the stage, cutting a woman in half and more.

“I’ll also be doing the meta-morphosis, a classic illusion first performed by Harry Houdini.”

The show is all kid-friendly with plenty of surprises. “This is fun for the whole family, it’s all-age appropriate,” he said.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show itself starts at 6 p.m. so the timing is right even for young children. Tickets are $15 each,

but if you bring a non-perishable food item, there’s a $5 discount and you can get in for $10 each.

Asked what made him think of it, Charles said he is between careers right now and thought it might be a great time to get back into an old love: magic.

“I did magic years and years ago and I thought I would come out of retirement and get back into doing shows again. So, I’m trying to pay off my Visa and help out the community at the same time,” he said, chuckling.

“And as you know, after Christ-mas, food banks are essentially cleared out with the hampers and all. This is a way to help them get a jump on things, to get them reloaded. I just thought it was a good idea.”

The show in Cobble Hill on Jan. 9 was a crowd pleaser, with Charles and his assistant, Meggie Stylez, presenting magic tricks and illusions that produced oohs and ahhs from the audience.

Food bank fundraising magic show coming to Lake

A flame appears in his hand as if by, well, magic, during Charles’s Cobble Hill show. He’s taking his act on the road, and on Jan. 30 he will be in Lake Cowichan. [LEXI BAINAS/GAZETTE]

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Offers valid at Lake Cowichan and Cobble Hill Country Grocer locations only1400 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cobble Hill • Open Daily 8 am - 9 pm83 Cowichan Lk. Rd, Lake Cowichan • Open Daily 7 am - 9 pmWATCH FOR OUR

FLYERTHIS FRIDAY

in the Citizen Newspaper

All items while stocks last.

Midweek SpecialsWed. thru Sat.

January 6 - 9, 2016

You’ll Feel Like Family.Proud to be serving the

Cowichan Valley since 1985

197EACH

Jordans

Organic Granola

450 g

Mitchell’s

Low SodiumBacon

375 g

lb8.75 Kg397Cut From Canada AA Beef

Boneless Cross Rib Pot Roast

Reg. 7.49

297EACH

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Oasis Fruits Etc.

DeliciouslyYellow

Juice960 ml

297lb6.55 Kg

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500EACH

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Mexican Grown Premium Quality

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lake cowichan gazette, january 20, 2016

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