may issue 2012

1May 2012 Issue 42

Cowichan Bay Spot Prawn FestivalCobble Hill Children & Apple Pie FairMaple Bay Wooden Boat Festival

FREE

Living In The Cowichan Valley

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

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Bench Elementary’s Annual

1501 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay

10:30am-3:30pm

Bench’s Annual Fun Fair

Vendor Market, Food VendorsPetting Zoo and MORE!!!

Everyone Welcome!

We are building a brick path and YOUR name could be on one! The path will lead from the playground to the school, full of names of past, present and future Bench Families. What a memory to leave at our well loved school. Businesses are also welcome to buy a brick. See our

website www.benchelementary.com for order forms. You can also buy a

Bench for Bench!

Buy a BRICK for Bench!

FAIRFUN

FUN FAIR

HUGE Plant, Book & Clothing Sale

Our Gym is FULL of fun games & prizes!Our famous Haunted House and Cake Walk

Saturday, May 12th

We invite you to forever associate your family or your business name (or both) with this worthy project by purchasing an engraved brick or a bench plaque.

Come Dine With Us!

Cobble Hill, 3515 Watson AvenuePhone: 250 743 - 2433

email: [email protected]

3

Bench Elementary’s Annual

1501 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay

10:30am-3:30pm

Bench’s Annual Fun Fair

Vendor Market, Food VendorsPetting Zoo and MORE!!!

Everyone Welcome!

We are building a brick path and YOUR name could be on one! The path will lead from the playground to the school, full of names of past, present and future Bench Families. What a memory to leave at our well loved school. Businesses are also welcome to buy a brick. See our

website www.benchelementary.com for order forms. You can also buy a

Bench for Bench!

Buy a BRICK for Bench!

FAIRFUN

FUN FAIR

HUGE Plant, Book & Clothing Sale

Our Gym is FULL of fun games & prizes!Our famous Haunted House and Cake Walk

Saturday, May 12th

We invite you to forever associate your family or your business name (or both) with this worthy project by purchasing an engraved brick or a bench plaque.

Come Dine With Us!

Cobble Hill, 3515 Watson AvenuePhone: 250 743 - 2433

email: [email protected] unique gift that will provide endless

satisfying and nourishing culinary experiences.

rosettastonekitchenware.com250.709.0720

4 Valley Voice Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at [email protected]

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Published by Cowichan Valley Voice MagazineSheila & Richard BadmanContact us at: [email protected] 250 746 9319 - 936 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan V9L 5X4

Copy EditorMaeve Maguire

Advertising Enquiries Please Call Adrienne Richards250 510 6596 or 250 748 0926e-mail [email protected]*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 SUBJECTBe advised that space is limited to up to 2 spots per business and is prioritized by 1st sent, 1st printed.Next EVENTS deadline May18th for June 2012 Issue.E-mail to: [email protected] Valley Voice magazine reserves the right to exclude any submitted listingsdue to space.

Valley Voices Bill Jones, Bruce Wood, Julia Grace, Aija Steele, Jo Ludwig, Asrael, Pat Amos, , Rick Dennis, Dee Kinnee, Roger Foucher, Kristi Seggie, Heather Walker, John Ehrlich, Joanne Sales, Shawn Taylor, Linda Quiring, Carol Messier, Bridget Bruneski, E,lissa Barron, Margot Page, Sandra Greenaway, Helen Agg, Jean Crowder, Rick Julliusson, Maggie Block, Ramona Froehle-Schacht, Nicolette Genier, Sheila Badman, Cari Burdett, Soleil Mannion, Peter Oliphant, Simon Pidcock, Kenzie Cuthbert, Megan Seal, Lee Masters, Don Genova, Tammy Mercer, Katlhy Lachman, Sheila Jones, Ms. Polly, Sue McKitrick & The Lovely Georgia Nicols

We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however Valley Voice magazine reserves the right to 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 authors.

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, Courtenay and Tofino.

Cover Image taken by Sheila BadmanYoung lambs and a sheep taken on a local farm.

Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com

PAGESTable of Contents 4

May Community Calendar 7

Our Community Dee Kinnee’s Chemainus Report 20

All About Our Pets 32 Websites, Emails and Verbal Lint 34

Mompreneur Tracey Hanson of Clean Choice Cleaners 46Crowder’s Corner 50

Adult Literacy Program Launched 51Cowichan Valley Feature Listings 52

Cowichan Valley Directory 54-55

Local Food and Recipes Milling Your Own Flour 6

Merridale Ceasar Recipe 12Walkabout the Salt Spring Market: Moonstruck Cheese 10

Farmhouse Poultry Spot Prawn and Chicken Spanish Rice 13Bil Jones Crispy Spot Prawn and Chili Wontons 17

Wild Foods - Just Juice It 43Chef Bruce Wood’s Nettle Gnocci Featuring Moonstruck 50

Farm & Garden PagesEarth Medicine Workshop 5

On The Farm w/ SOL Farm Compost 22Helpful Garden 23

Growing an Edible Oasis 24On The Farm w/ Makaria Farm - Tomatoes 25

The Broom Stops Here: May Broom Tips 26Local Root Pulling Tool - Extractigator 27

Art-Penter Doug Marsh 28Local Handmade Gardening Soap 48

Events4th Annual Spot Prawn Festival 14 -19

Kids Can Fish Day 2117th Annual Wooden Boat Festival 39

28th Annual Children & Apple Pie Festival 47Equine Education Event 33

Vintage Hat Making Workshop 41

Art, Music, TheatreTalking Arts: John Agg 30

Artists Remember Japan 39One Voices for One World Call for Singers 40

Noises Off 41Ensemble Laude 51

Sport, Recreation & Healthy Living

Cowichan Bay Whale Report 19Dr. David Suzuki Green Vision29

South Island Fishing Report 34Spring Tune Up Golf Tips from The Pro 35Family Outing to the Glenora Woodlot 49

Body, Mind & SoulQigong Seminars with Master Michael Tse 36-37

Adrenal Health 42Community Farm Store Pages 44-45

Communication with Children 49May Horoscope with Georgia Nicols 53

Outnumbered! Sue McKitrick 53

250 748 0926 / 250 510 6596 [email protected]

Now Booking June 2012 Issue 43AD Deadline: May 18th

Contact Adrienne Richards for specials to kick off your Advertising season!

Beginning May 1st Valley Voice will be distributed from

Victoria International Aiport A Gateway to the Island!

Summer season is just around the corner.Are you ready to advertiseto over 25,000 local readers from over 450+ locations about your business?

5Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at [email protected]

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For those who are interested in fostering a deeper

connection to the natural world in their garden or farmscape, Alderlea Farm and Cafe is hosting Dennis Klocek in May, an international lecturer, researcher, and scientist, and the current Director of the Consciousness Studies Program at Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento for a mini-conference, entitled “Earth Medicine”. Dennis Klocek, who has written six books including the Biodynamic Book of Moons, will be leading this workshop and promoting methods that

Earth Medicine - Agricultural Workshop with Dennis KlocekFriday May 4th 7:30pm Saturday May 5th 9am - 5pm$125 Includes organic lunch and refreshmentsAlderlea Farm & Cafe 3390 Glenora RoadTo register: 250 715 0799 or e-mail: [email protected]

bring healing to our soils, forests, and landscapes. Many argue today that the environmental crisis is a direct result of a crisis of the human consciousness and the dysfunctional relationship humans have towards nature. Dennis will introduce the small steps we need to take to bring healing to ourselves and to our gardens that will initiate this process. Most of this work originates out of Bio-dynamic farming and gardening methods, developed over the last 70 years that have become internationally renowned for creating exceptional quality and sought after products via the Demeter brand.

“I first attended one of Dennis’ workshops in 1993 as a farm apprentice and he quickly opened my eyes to the intelligent design in the natural world through geometry and how I could begin to work in a co-creative way with the four elements to grow better food,” said farmer John Ehrlich of Alderlea Farm and host of the

workshop. The mini-conference will be interspersed with lectures and exercises to cultivate our inner life. Held at Alderlea Farm, the Friday evening talk is at 7pm and open to the public. The full conference continues all day Saturday from 9am-5pm and registration is required. email [email protected] for more information.

Biodynamic Farm Conference

Dennis Klocek


Alan and Hanna Gerber Singing for Sansum PointCheck out the “Sansum Point Songs” video on YouTube. Cowichan Valley Regional District’s Sansum Point Park has many special features that make it a culturally and environmentally signifi cant marine park and outdoors classroom. Quamichan Middle School is sponsoring events on May 3rd and 4th to raise awareness that The Land Conservancy (TLC) still has $380 000 to raise in order to meet its commitment for the CVRD purchase of the Sansum Point Marine Park.

Thursday, May 3rd @ 8pm: Alan & Hanna Gerber in Concert at The Duncan Garage ShowroomPick up your $20 ticket at Ten Old Books or Quamichan Middle School.

Friday, May 4th @ 4pm: Video Taping of the Believe chorus with Alan and Hanna Gerber at Quamichan Middle School This is a free mini-concert for anyone from the community who is enthusiastic about conservation and the benefi ts for youth of spending time in outdoor classrooms. Workshop participants are encouraged to refl ect on and use their own words to express what they believe is important in their relationship with Nature. Fill in your own syllables above Alan’s words to express what you believe.

Sansum Point Still Needs Your Help.Please Donate to TLC (The Land Conservancy) and Pay For the Point!

“Believe” by Alan Gerber (8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________

I believe I’m yours, you’re mine

(11)_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________Standing together forever we’ll shine

(8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________I know you see the way I feel

(8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________‘cause I’ve got the fi re inside me

(6)_________ ________ _________ _________ _________ _________That burns through to reveal

(9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________Without the day there could be no night

(11)_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________And without you I’m a mirror with no light

(8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________Sometimes when I feel all alone

(9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________All I gotta do is close my eyes

(9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________And I see your face and I know

(6)_________ ________ _________ _________ _________ _________That you believe in me too

Quamichan Middle School

all May Noises OffChemainus Theatre Festival, 250 246-9820

runs to26

John Agg, Sandra Greenaway and Margot PageImagine That! 251 Craig St, Duncan

17:30pm

Green Party (of BC) Constituency Association AGMTravelodge Silver Bridge 140 Trans Canada Highway

27pm

Vancouver Island Heather Society LectureSt. Peter’s Anglican Church, 5800 Church Street, Duncan

23:30pm

Bike To Work Week Launch - Ride to City Squareassemble at Beverley Corners and ride starts at 4pm

2,9,16,23,301-2pm

Women’s Writing Group FREECowichan Library Info:[email protected]

3 (see ad )

Alan and Hannah Gerber Sing for Sansum PointDuncan Garage Showroom Duncan $20 for TLC

311am-4pm

Vintage Hat Making Workshop By DonationSt. John’s Anglican Church, 3295 Cobble Hill Rd

3,10,17,24, 31 7pm

Open Meditation Every ThursdayVIU - Cowichan Campus, Duncan 778 422 0155

3,10,17,24, 31 2-7pm

Thursday Farmers MarketAcross from Cobble Hill Hall in Cattle Barn of Fairgrounds

3,4,5,10,118pm show

Mending Fences - Kaatza Lakeside PlayersLk Cowichan Hall, www.kaatzalakesideplayers.ca

4 (see ad )4pm

Alan and Hannah Gerber Sing for Sansum PointQuamichan Middle School FREE CONCERT

4 & 5 Earth Medicine Conference with Dennis Klocek 3390 Glenora Rd, Duncan, [email protected]

47-9pm

CIS Community Dance Night FREE Kids Welcome!Quw’tsun Cultural Centre200 Cowichan Way 250 748 3112

4,11,18,2510-11:30 am

Threshold Singing world, folk, blessings, gospel, lullabiesLila Music Centre 3228A Gibbins Rd 250 701 0978

55pm

Verse & Vision in ShawniganArt House, Shawnigan Lake Village 250 743 5846

5 noon -4pm

The Garden Club/Student Art Show Reception 7pmLadysmith Waterfront Gallery 610 Oyster Bay Drive

5 10am-2pm

Mayfest - Free Community EventSunrise Waldorf School, 4344 Peters Rd

6 2pm

Sara Marreiros DuoShady Grove at the Sussmans 250-929-8226.

6 2-4pm

Jewellery Jam Open House ReceptionThe Pottery Store, 9745 Willow St, Chemainus

6 13, 20, 27 Nichiren Buddha Sunday Service# 4 Johnny Bear Road, Duncan For info 250 710 7594

6 11am

Art & Soul responding to an inspirational themeArt House, Shawnigan Lk Village [email protected]

7 7:30pm

Victoria SymphonyCowichan Theatre, 2687 James St 250 748-7529

117pm

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

127:30pm

Cowichan Consort Concert www.cowichanconsort.comChristian Reformed Church, 930 Trunk Rd, Duncan

12 5pm drs6pm show

Mending Fences-Dinner Theatre Show Catered by the Cow Café Lk Cowichan Hall www.kaatzalakesideplayers.ca

7

Alan and Hanna Gerber Singing for Sansum PointCheck out the “Sansum Point Songs” video on YouTube. Cowichan Valley Regional District’s Sansum Point Park has many special features that make it a culturally and environmentally signifi cant marine park and outdoors classroom. Quamichan Middle School is sponsoring events on May 3rd and 4th to raise awareness that The Land Conservancy (TLC) still has $380 000 to raise in order to meet its commitment for the CVRD purchase of the Sansum Point Marine Park.

Thursday, May 3rd @ 8pm: Alan & Hanna Gerber in Concert at The Duncan Garage ShowroomPick up your $20 ticket at Ten Old Books or Quamichan Middle School.

Friday, May 4th @ 4pm: Video Taping of the Believe chorus with Alan and Hanna Gerber at Quamichan Middle School This is a free mini-concert for anyone from the community who is enthusiastic about conservation and the benefi ts for youth of spending time in outdoor classrooms. Workshop participants are encouraged to refl ect on and use their own words to express what they believe is important in their relationship with Nature. Fill in your own syllables above Alan’s words to express what you believe.

Sansum Point Still Needs Your Help.Please Donate to TLC (The Land Conservancy) and Pay For the Point!

“Believe” by Alan Gerber (8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________

I believe I’m yours, you’re mine

(11)_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________Standing together forever we’ll shine

(8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________I know you see the way I feel

(8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________‘cause I’ve got the fi re inside me

(6)_________ ________ _________ _________ _________ _________That burns through to reveal

(9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________Without the day there could be no night

(11)_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________And without you I’m a mirror with no light

(8)_________ __________ _________ _________ __________ __________ ___________ _________Sometimes when I feel all alone

(9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________All I gotta do is close my eyes

(9)________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________And I see your face and I know

(6)_________ ________ _________ _________ _________ _________That you believe in me too

Quamichan Middle School

Community Calendar MAY 201212 10:30am -3:30pm

Bench Elementary Community FUN FAIR!Bench Elementary School, 1501 Cowichan Bay Rd

12 & 13 Prawn Fest Chef Demonstrations Sat 11am-4pmCowichan Bay Waterfront www.prawnfest.ca for times

13 10am and 1pm

Mother’s Day Brunch at Amuse on the Vineyard2915 Cameron-Taggart Rd RSVP 250.743.3667

13 starts at10am

Mother’s Day Brunch, Lunch or DinnerGenoa Bay Cafe 5000 Genoa Bay Rd 250 746-7621

17 5:30pm- 7:30pm

Glandular Health Class w/ Lorene Benoit (Glandular, Happy Hormones) Duncan White Spot $15 250 743-0544

177:30-9:30pm

Dancing through the Chakras with Christy Rainbow Dawn Harmony Yoga, Duncan, 250-737 1800

187:30pm

Kaatza Art Group Show & SaleDawn Upper Centennial Hall – Lake Cowichan

1911am start

South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club - Opening Dayand BBQ 2290 Cowichan Bay Rd, 250-746-7282

197:30pm

Gary Fjellgaard & Friends Saskia & Daryll The Hub in Cowichan Station 250 715 0426 Tix $20

19 opening10am-2pm

Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market OpensCoffee Mill Cafe site, Honeymoon Bay 250 749 7233

1911am

Launch of new Orchard Cookhouse and ÉconomuséeMerridale Ciderworks, 1230 Merridale Road 250.743.4293

18, 19 & 2010am -4pm

17th Annual Maple Bay Wooden Boat FestivalMaple Bay Marina, 6145 Genoa Bay Rd

19 & 201-4pm

Float Home Open House - By Donation to CV Food Basket J Dock, Maple Bay Marina, 6145 Genoa Bay Rd

207-8:30pm

Sacred Chant Circle with SadieRivendell Yurt [email protected] 250-748-2089

23, 24 & 286-9pm

Chun Yuen Quan seminar “13 Grab Stick” with Master Michael Tse Glenora Hall 3660 Glenora Rd, 250 748 4060

227pm

Ladysmith Camera Club “Underwater Photography” Hardwick Hall, High Street, 3rd Ave, Ladysmith

24 6:30-8:30pm

Qigong Healing and Diagnosis with Master Michael Tse Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Road, Duncan. 250 748 4060

24 12- 4pm

Joint Opening and Closing Gong” Seminar with Master Michael Tse Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Rd, 250 748 4060

26 Noon -3pm

Kick Off the Subaru Shawnigan Triathlon in Shawnigan Lake Village

26 & 27 The Schooling Ride and Equine Educational FairCowichan Exhibition Park

2610am -3pm

28th Annual Children and Apple Pie FairCobble Hill Hall and Fairgrounds 250 743 2433

2611am - 2pm

Arts, Crafts Hobby Demo’s $2Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre 9824 Willow Street

287pm

Reel Alternatives - The WayCowichan Theatre $12 benefitting CV Hospice Society

287:30pm

Jason and Pharis RomeroShady Grove at the Sussmans 250-929-8226.

28 & 296:30-8:30am

Bike To Work Week Celebration StationsHosted by Power Lunch 921 Canada Avenue

30,31 & 1st6:30-8:30am

Bike To Work Week Celebration Stations Charles Hoey Park Hosted by the Garage Café

all May Noises OffChemainus Theatre Festival, 250 246-9820

runs to26

John Agg, Sandra Greenaway and Margot PageImagine That! 251 Craig St, Duncan

17:30pm

Green Party (of BC) Constituency Association AGMTravelodge Silver Bridge 140 Trans Canada Highway

27pm

Vancouver Island Heather Society LectureSt. Peter’s Anglican Church, 5800 Church Street, Duncan

23:30pm

Bike To Work Week Launch - Ride to City Squareassemble at Beverley Corners and ride starts at 4pm

2,9,16,23,301-2pm

Women’s Writing Group FREECowichan Library Info:[email protected]

3 (see ad )

Alan and Hannah Gerber Sing for Sansum PointDuncan Garage Showroom Duncan $20 for TLC

311am-4pm

Vintage Hat Making Workshop By DonationSt. John’s Anglican Church, 3295 Cobble Hill Rd

3,10,17,24, 31 7pm

Open Meditation Every ThursdayVIU - Cowichan Campus, Duncan 778 422 0155

3,10,17,24, 31 2-7pm

Thursday Farmers MarketAcross from Cobble Hill Hall in Cattle Barn of Fairgrounds

3,4,5,10,118pm show

Mending Fences - Kaatza Lakeside PlayersLk Cowichan Hall, www.kaatzalakesideplayers.ca

4 (see ad )4pm

Alan and Hannah Gerber Sing for Sansum PointQuamichan Middle School FREE CONCERT

4 & 5 Earth Medicine Conference with Dennis Klocek 3390 Glenora Rd, Duncan, [email protected]

47-9pm

CIS Community Dance Night FREE Kids Welcome!Quw’tsun Cultural Centre200 Cowichan Way 250 748 3112

4,11,18,2510-11:30 am

Threshold Singing world, folk, blessings, gospel, lullabiesLila Music Centre 3228A Gibbins Rd 250 701 0978

55pm

Verse & Vision in ShawniganArt House, Shawnigan Lake Village 250 743 5846

5 noon -4pm

The Garden Club/Student Art Show Reception 7pmLadysmith Waterfront Gallery 610 Oyster Bay Drive

5 10am-2pm

Mayfest - Free Community EventSunrise Waldorf School, 4344 Peters Rd

6 2pm

Sara Marreiros DuoShady Grove at the Sussmans 250-929-8226.

6 2-4pm

Jewellery Jam Open House ReceptionThe Pottery Store, 9745 Willow St, Chemainus

6 13, 20, 27 Nichiren Buddha Sunday Service# 4 Johnny Bear Road, Duncan For info 250 710 7594

6 11am

Art & Soul responding to an inspirational themeArt House, Shawnigan Lk Village [email protected]

7 7:30pm

Victoria SymphonyCowichan Theatre, 2687 James St 250 748-7529

117pm

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

127:30pm

Cowichan Consort Concert www.cowichanconsort.comChristian Reformed Church, 930 Trunk Rd, Duncan

12 5pm drs6pm show

Mending Fences-Dinner Theatre Show Catered by the Cow Café Lk Cowichan Hall www.kaatzalakesideplayers.ca


Let’s face it: Flour has been a basic pantry ne-

cessity since...well, forever. Today, you can find large sacks of flour at ridiculously low prices in weekly sales flyers from local grocery stores. Why on earth would you add the extra burden of grinding grains into fresh flour to your already insanely busy schedule? Once you ac-tually start looking into it, it doesn’t take long to discover that there are numerous cost and nutritional benefits to making your own flour.

CostGrains store very well and you can purchase them cheaply in bulk. Certain specialty grains like kamut, triticale or hulled oats are difficult or expensive to find in flour form, but easy to grind on your own. You can store all grains, along with legumes, rice and dried beans in your food supply area to grind as needed.

NutritionIf you are constantly look-ing for the healthiest options for the family adding freshly ground grains can signifi-cantly increase the nutritional quality of our diets.

Whole grains are an impres-sive food. Low in fat, they are very high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Most store-bought flours have been ‘enriched’. Even

with that added ‘bonus’, commercial contains only a fraction of the food value of the whole grain kernel. Even though there are over 30 known nutrients in the wheat kernel, most, if not all, of these are removed during the high temperature processing method practiced by com-mercial producers. By re-moving the wheat germ, flour producers are able to remove the oil that makes freshly ground flour turn rancid be-fore it reaches grocery store shelves. ‘Enriched’ flour is the term they use when a couple of those essential nutrients, and a handful of bran are added back. How considerate!

Thanks but no thanks. Some believe that the wheat germ is the life force of the grain and I prefer to leave it intact. When you mill your own flour, you know that your family is getting all the amazing nutrients this humble little grain has to offer.

Have you ever smelled fresh-ly ground flour? The scent is mouth-watering and far superior compared to store-bought white and whole-wheat flours. A home mill can also grind staple food items like lentils, rice, dried beans and corn into flours to add extra boosts of nutrition, flavour and texture to your

cooking. Wheat or gluten allergy? Milling introduces a great opportunity for sensi-tive families to increase their home cooking menu without having to rely on expensive specialty food products.

Home MillingFinding a suitable grain mill for your family is worth the time, effort, and money. There are many options out there, including electric mills, hand mills and some high end blenders. Here at the Bosch Kitchen Centre, we love the L’Equip Nutrim-ill Flour Mill. The Nutrimill is the quietest mill on the market. It is a well-designed impact mill with a Force Flow air chamber that reduc-es noise and improves motor cooling. The variable drive motor allows you to make fine to coarse flour that feeds directly into the large 20 cup canister. The pre-cracking chamber in the center of the grinding micronizer helps to crack bigger grains like corn or soybean before they hit the outer teeth. It takes approximately 5 minutes to fill the canister with delicious fresh flour (seriously, don’t blink or you’ll miss it!). To

avoid the natural oils turning rancid, it is important to use home-ground flour soon after it is milled. Otherwise keep it in the fridge or freezer un-til it is ready to be used. We also offer large sacks of or-ganic grains including Wheat (Hard Red, Hard White, and Soft), Kamut, Spelt and Rye available for pick up in Cowichan Bay. These grains are available year round, however each fall we bring in bulk quantities of other grains, legumes, and beans.

For Valley Voice readers, we are offering competitive pric-ing and a freebie attachment for the L’Equip Nutrimill (look for our ad!)To find out more about wholesale grains or to see the Nutrimill in action, visit the product demos page on www.healthykitchens.com, For questions about grinding your own flour or the Nutri-mill call Pam at 250-701-0864.

Consider Milling Your Own Flour with a Home Mill

Pam Stiles is a Cowichan Valley lover of all grains and can be found at www.healthykitchens.com

Th ursdays, 6pm - 7:30pmCowichan Library, Duncan

Free- Everyone welcomeDetails: www.elizahemingway.com

Eliza Hemingway Writer’s ClassEliza Hemingway Art and Design Studio9752-F Willow Street, ChemainusHours: Open 11-4 Thursday to SaturdayStudio now open for 2012 Season.email: [email protected]: 250-324-2212


BOSCH KITCHEN CENTREonline at

www.healthykitchens.comGRAIN/FLOUR MILL

• Mill your own fl our from wheat, rice, beans legumes and more!• Variable speed and coarseness• 20 cups of fl our in 5 minutes• Bake Gluten-free food from scratch

ON SALE$259.99

We carry large sacks of Organic Grains: Red or

White Wheat, Spelt, Rye, Kamut and Soft Wheat

This fl our bagger attaches to the NUTRIMILL• Mill right into a freezer safe bag (included)• Easy clean up• Large capacity freezer bags allow you to mill more grain at once (includes 10 bags)Regular price - $64.99 LIMITED QUANTITIES!

CALL Pam or Carol at 250 709 0864COWICHAN BAY SHOWROOM OPEN BY APPOINTMENT

www.Healthykitchens.com

FREE FLOUR BAGGER ATTACHMENT!

DRAFT

Every Saturday

Every Saturday10am - 2pm

May - � anksgiving

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

Honeymoon BayOutdoor Market

Follow the signs to the Co� ee Mill Cafe

in Honeymoon Bay.

Look for in-season local produce, plants,

� owers, sewing, baking, preserves, handmade

soaps, bodycare, arts & cra� s and more!

Merridale Opens New CookhouseIn partnership with

Économusée, merridale has been designated as one of the first working artisan museums in BC. An Économusée is much like a living museum, where people can visit and learn from artisans who are following craft methods of creation in a contemporary world. The heart of the Économusée is the artisan’s workshop. In merridale’s case, the workshop is the cidery, distillery and bakery. On May 19th, merridale launches the Orchard Cookhouse menu. The event will feature lots of sampling, freebies, raptor demonstrations, tours and free mini spa treatments! Plus - Artists In Action Carol Ann Shaw (painter), Richard Shaw (carver), Devon Gillot (painter), Andrew Kent (willow master) and resident artist Pipi Tustian will be onsite to answer your creative questions. Hope to see you there!

Th ursdays, 6pm - 7:30pmCowichan Library, Duncan

Free- Everyone welcomeDetails: www.elizahemingway.com

Eliza Hemingway Writer’s ClassEliza Hemingway Art and Design Studio9752-F Willow Street, ChemainusHours: Open 11-4 Thursday to SaturdayStudio now open for 2012 Season.email: [email protected]: 250-324-2212

Sara Marreiros DuoSunday, May 6th2 pmShady Grove at the Sussmans, Mill Bay250 929 8226members.shaw.ca/lmarreiros

A Victoria native, from the Portugese community, Sara is known as an interpreter of Fado music. She has just re-turned from a trip to Portugal where she has refreshed the links to her ancestry. With her bassist making it a duo Sara will use her beautiful voice

for Jazz, Pop, Original and Fado numbers.

Sara Marreiros

In 1965. Producer Paul Rothchild (The Doors, Paul Butterfield, Janis Joplin) discovered Alan’s talent and soon he was a singer,

songwriter and keyboardist for a group to become known as Rhinoceros. He has toured with Janis Joplin, BB King, Jefferson Airplane, Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf, John Lee Hooker, Jeff Beck and others.Alan and his daughter Hanna are in town for 2 intimate performances on May 3rd at the Duncan Garage Showroom and on May 4th at Quamichan Middle School to sing with kids about what they believe in.

Alan Gerber Sings for Sansum Point


Walkabout TheSalt Spring Market

Every morning when I wake up, I make myself a coffee and pad sleepily onto the deck. Savouring the first sip, I gaze out over a herd of Jersey cows at Moonstruck’s organic farm.

Moonstruck is no ordinary dairy farm. Owned and operated by Julia and Susan Grace, it is home to about 25 happy Jersey cows, heifers and frisky calves. One of the things I most admire about Susan and Julia is the love and care they take with their herd. They are the embodiment of the Gandhi quote, “The greatness of a society and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals.”

The cows are milked every day; this milk is in turn used to produce some of the most beautiful cheeses I have ever tasted. The cheeses range from soft, unctuous camembert-style rounds, to deeper flavoured blues and---one of my favourites---a hard cheese called White Grace. On my 50th birthday, I shared a bottle of 1959 Moulin Touchais wine with Susan and Julia and we had it with some of their White Grace -- the combination was sublime.Though all the cheeses stand on their own on a cheese board, they shine

when used in cooking. I often use the White Grace in place of hard Italian cheeses for pasta. The blues go very well in tomato- and cream-based sauces. A popular Bruce’s Kitchen menu item is squash gnocchi with local lamb meatballs and Beddis Bleu. The cheeses are available at Moonstruck Farm, major grocery and specialty food stores, by mail order, and, of course, at the Saturday Market in Ganges on Salt Spring Island. Treat yourself to some soon. To find out more, visit www.moonstruckcheese.com

Did you know they even do mailorder? Fresh from Salt Spring Island to your door express delivery cheese.

Bruce Wood is chef/owner of Bruce’s Kitchen in Ganges on beautiful Salt Spring Island. www.bruceskitchen.ca

Happy Moonstruck Cows Make Delicious Cheese

Our cows are Jersey cows and we love working with them because they are small, very intelligent, and give a sweet and rich milk that is well-suited for cheesemaking. The cows know their names and know which order they come into the parlour; they are milked twice a day, at 6 a.m. in the morning and at 4 p.m. in the evening.

The cows have a large Coverall barn they can lounge in whenever they want, and they are fed hay and haylage in outside feeders. Our hay comes from the Cowichan Valley and is certified organic. In the milking parlour, they are given grain that comes from In Season Farms in Abbotsford.

We have just finished the bulk of our calving and have a few more cows yet to calve. We have six yearling heifers and three heifer calves so far this year. We tend to milk 18 – 20 cows. The male calves go to homes on the island where they are lovingly raised for delicious beef.

We raise our own cows because we want to know as much as we can about the milk that goes into our cheese. We adjust the cheesemaking to suit the changes in the composition of the milk over the course of the cow’s lactation.

The cows make us smile and bring us peace and a sense of purpose. They are also a lot of work but we couldn’t think of doing it without them. Our cheesemakers get to look out the window of the cheeseroom and watch the cows as they eat and graze. There is a nice sense of cohesiveness and integrity to what we do and we are honoured to work with the cows and their milk.

Julia Grace

Julia having some special time with Mimosa

Photo Aija Steele

11

Check out Chef Bruce Wood’s Handmade Nettle Gnocchi with Moonstruck

White Grace on page 50.

Happy Moonstruck Cows Make Delicious Cheese

Our cows are Jersey cows and we love working with them because they are small, very intelligent, and give a sweet and rich milk that is well-suited for cheesemaking. The cows know their names and know which order they come into the parlour; they are milked twice a day, at 6 a.m. in the morning and at 4 p.m. in the evening.

The cows have a large Coverall barn they can lounge in whenever they want, and they are fed hay and haylage in outside feeders. Our hay comes from the Cowichan Valley and is certified organic. In the milking parlour, they are given grain that comes from In Season Farms in Abbotsford.

We have just finished the bulk of our calving and have a few more cows yet to calve. We have six yearling heifers and three heifer calves so far this year. We tend to milk 18 – 20 cows. The male calves go to homes on the island where they are lovingly raised for delicious beef.

We raise our own cows because we want to know as much as we can about the milk that goes into our cheese. We adjust the cheesemaking to suit the changes in the composition of the milk over the course of the cow’s lactation.

The cows make us smile and bring us peace and a sense of purpose. They are also a lot of work but we couldn’t think of doing it without them. Our cheesemakers get to look out the window of the cheeseroom and watch the cows as they eat and graze. There is a nice sense of cohesiveness and integrity to what we do and we are honoured to work with the cows and their milk.

Julia Grace

Julia having some special time with Mimosa

Join us on Mother’s Day for Brunch & Dinner!

Here Comes Summer...Starting May 14th

We are OPEN 7 Days a Week! Lunch and Dinner from 11:30am Come Check Out our New Spring Menu

Reservations 250-746-7621 • genoabaycafe.com

Sunday May 13th from 9am

5000 Genoa Bay Road, DuncanScenic drive under 20 min. from downtown Duncan

KILRENNY FARM - FRESH ORGANIC ARTISAN PASTAS & PASTA SAUCES AS WELL AS COOKING CLASSES: Apr 17 BISTRO MENU $60 + tax Chef Ryan Zuvich -

Fresh Organic Artisan Pastas & Pasta Sauces

Check kilrennyfarm.com for details & call 250-743-9019 to register.

SPRING COOKING CLASSESMay 3 SUNNY SICILY Don Genova $65 + tax May 15 SPANISH TAPAS Chef Ryan Zuvich $65 + taxMay 24 THE ODD BITS Don Genova $65 + tax

June 8 SOUTH EAST ASIAN VEGETARIAN Chef Heidi Fink $70+taxJune 19 FRENCH BISTRO Chef Ryan Zuvich $65 + taxJune 26 4 COURSE LOCALLY SOURCED MEAL Chef Brock Windsor (Stone Soup Inn) $65+tax


Saturday May 5th, 201211:00am – 3:00pm

Downtown Qualicum Beach

20th Annual

www.fi reandicestreetfestival.com Vote for your favorite chili!

Going Outside in the Field – May 03THURSDAY FARMERS MARKET2-7pm In The Field, Cobble Hill Hall

[email protected]

13

Di

1615 Koksilah Road Cowichan Bay BC 250-746-6163 • www.farmhousepoultry.ca

“It’s fresher from here”

Chicken available from Country Grocer, 49th Parallel, Duncan Butcher, Chemainus Foods,

Crofton Foods and Thrifty Foods

Spot Prawn and ChickenSpanish Style Rice

Ingredients Amount

Island FarmhouseChicken Pieces (Breasts or Thighs) 1 LbIsland Farmhouse Chicken Sausage 2 LinksOnion, chopped 1Garlic, minced 1 CloveTomato, chopped or grated 1Red Pepper, Diced 1Arborio or Valencian Rice 1 CupSaffron A good pinchPaprika 1 tspChicken Stock 2 1/2 Cup Green Beans A HandfulOlive Oil 4 TbspSpot Prawns, cooked 1/2 LbSalt and Pepper To TasteLemon Wedges For Garnish

Heat olive oil in a large and deep frying pan and saute chicken sausage for 2-3 mins. Remove and set aside.

Add chicken pieces to the pan and saute quickly over medium high heat until nicely browned. Remove and set aside with cooked sausage.

Fry onion, garlic and grated tomato to hot pan and fry until soft and carmelized. Add saff ron and paprika.

Add uncooked rice and coat well with oil. Add chicken stock and stir once. Bring to a boil and cook on medium high for 10 minutes. Watch closely for burning. After 10 min turn down to low and add beans and spot prawns on top of rice layer. Simmer for 10 more minutes. Do not stir mixture to avoid sticky rice. If mixture seems dry, add hot kettle water sparingly to moisten.

After liquid has been absorbed (about 20 minutes) remove pan from heat and let sit. Garnish with cooked chicken and sausage and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Serve on warmed plates with lemon wedges.

Chicken nuggets are always a favourite with children, and you can relax knowing these ones are wholesome and homemade. Serve them for supper or as an appetizer with your favourite dips. Dipping the pieces in butter before coating them makes a tender crispy coating, but if you prefer leaner chicken nuggets, bake them without

A great way to celebrate the opening of BC’s Spot Prawn season and delicious local chicken.

Surf and Turf!

Going Outside in the Field – May 03THURSDAY FARMERS MARKET2-7pm In The Field, Cobble Hill Hall

[email protected]

The Odd Bitswith Don GenovaKilrenny Farm1470 Cowichan Bay RoadMay 246pm -8:30pm250-743-9019www.dongenova.ca

Join Don Genova for a savory class in using up the “odd bits”, cuts of meat that are less expensive but require a bit more care in preparation. Asian shortribs, Moroccan lamb shanks and easy pulled

pork shoulder are just a few of the ideas you will learn to make during this tasty evening. Don Genova is a freelance food journalist who lives in Cobble Hill. He appears every Wednesday afternoon on CBC Victoria’s ‘All Points West’ radio show with a segment called ‘Food Matters’. Don profiles Island food and beverage artisans and also tackles the tricky questions concerning the best way to lead a more sustainable food life.

Grilled Ribs


col

This will be the 20th year for this festival and the main

street of the town will be closed to traffic as up 6,000 people from Vancouver Island and Vancou-ver’s Lower Mainland visit for this fun-filled family event. The theme for this year’s fun fam-ily event is “Celebrate Art and Culture”Oceanside’s famous chili cook-off is the centerpiece of the Festival where up to 30 teams in their decorated booths compete for the coveted “Peoples Choice Award”. A one-time cup purchase for $4.00 will allow you to go from team to team sampling the culinary fare and voting for your favourite.Ice carvers, located throughout the town, will work their magic with chainsaw and chisel on two large blocks of ice as spectators gather round to watch. Carv-ers come from across Western Canada and the USA to compete for cash prizes at this annual event.Musical entertainment comes

Fire and Ice in Qualicum

from 3 stages featuring well-known local and recording art-ists. As Fire and Ice is a family-oriented street festival there is a “Kids Zone” which is one of the busiest places in town with lots of little people getting their faces painted, watching balloon twist-ing, playing games and partici-pating in activities planned just for them. Volunteers are there all day to ensure that kids of all ages are entertained.www.fireandicestreetfestival.com

Vote for your favorite chili!


FEASTCulinary Events to Celebrate West Coast Vancouver Island Boat-to-Table CuisineMay 18 - June 2

Tourism Tofino and the Tofino-Ucluelet Culinary

Guild (TUCG) unveiled the details of the second annual Feast! Tofino -- a 16-day-long series of culinary events to be held on the West Coast of Vancouver Island beginning on May 18, 2012 and culminating with the Tofino Food and Wine Festival, June 1-2, 2012.A collaboration between acclaimed local and regional guest chefs, restaurants, fishermen, foragers, farmers, accommodation, activity and tour providers, Feast! Tofino celebrates the abundance of available seafood and the sustainable “boat-to-table” practices commonly employed by the area’s restaurants and the Tofino-Ucluelet Culinary Guild.“We are building on the remarkable success of the first Feast! celebration to give food lovers another year of unforgettable culinary experiences,” said Feast! Tofino Event Coordinator Trish Dixon. “Some of the region’s most accomplished chefs will be joining our amazing local culinary talent to create fresh, inspired and real cuisine that supports our area’s boat-to-table food preparation practices.”

Feast! Tofino 2012 highlights include: $29, $39 and $49 “Dine About” set price menus, Salmon Dock Festival (May 19), Spot Prawn Dock Festival (May 26), Restaurant events featuring acclaimed local and guest chefs. Educational “on the water” tours. Sustainable seafood processing and preparation demonstrations. Feast! Tofino’s regional guest chefs include: Justin and Lea Ault, Hapa Izakaya, Vancouver, Kunal Ghose, Red Fish Blue Fish, Victoria, Tom Lee, Edible at the Market, Vancouver, JC Poirier, Pourhouse and Pizzeria Farina, Vancouver, Nico Schuermans, Chambar and Café Medina, Vancouver, Andrew Springett, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, Lucais Syme, La Quercia, Vancouver, Joel Watanabe, Bao Bei, Vancouver and more!

A complete list of Feast! Tofino events, chefs and special accommodation, dining and activity offers can be found at www.FeastTofino.com.

Photo Marnie Recker


Where: Cowichan Bay Fishermans WharfSaturday May 12 - 10am -5pm Sunday May 13 - noon - 4pm

For the past four years, the town of Cowichan Bay has

been celebrating an amazing local product: the Pacific spot prawn. The festival is a great

event for the whole family and includes education, music ac-tivities, and --- of course--- lots of prawns.

Spot prawns are considered one of the more sustainable fisher-ies on our coast. The spot prawn is the largest of seven prawn species we see in our oceans. They are a tightly managed fishery with a season that usually runs from the first of May to sometime in early July. At the festival you have the opportunity to purchase prawns at the dock as the boats return from the day’s fishing --- it doesn’t get any fresher than this.

Spot prawns are fairly perishable when fresh. There is an enzyme in the head of the prawn breaks down the flesh. When you buy fresh prawns, remove the head as soon as possible, but don’t throw away the heads as you can use them to make an amazing bisque. At the farm, we roast the heads with vegetable and make an amazing soup. Often we add coconut milk and Asian flavourings (ginger and cilantro, etc) to make a delicious soup. In Japan the heads are deep fried and eaten whole as a popular treat during the prawn season.

For many years, the Japanese demand for our spot prawns had fishermen shipping the vast majority of the catch directly to brokers in Tokyo. In the last five years we have finally seen the fresh spot prawns reach local markets. Although the season for spot prawns is short, they are available frozen year round. Unlike some other seafood, the frozen spot prawns are quite

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

Cowichan Bay WaterfrontTo make a reservation

please call 250-597-0050

Treat mom to a fabulous brunch on the

water while taking in the inspiring views of

Cowichan Bay.

Specialty dishes featuring the Spot

Prawn.

Spring HoursThursday, Friday: Dinner 5pm – 9pmSaturday, Sunday: Brunch 8am – 2pm; Dinner 5pm – 9pm

Please note Terrain Kitchen is

Mother’s DayBrunch

Celebrate Spot Prawns in Cowichan Bay!

Spot Prawn

17

fi ne

Wok-fried Crispy Spot Prawns With Garlic and Chilies

1751 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cowichan Bay 250-748-0020 E-mail: [email protected] Bay Seafoods

Cooking salmon on a cedar plank imbues it with a sweet smokiness that is not overpowering. This recipe combines the traditional technique with a Scandinavian approach to seasoning. It is also excellent eaten cold. When you are buying the cedar for the plank make sure it is untreated. *BBQ Salmon cedar planks available at Cowichan Bay Seafoods.

Spring Hours Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 5:30pm. Closed Mondays.

Amount Ingredients2 lbs (900 g) spot prawns

3 Tbsp (45 mL) rice fl our

(or tapioca or corn starch)

2 Tbsp (30 mL) grapeseed oil for frying

Salt and pepper to taste

2 Tbsp (30 mL) garlic chopped

1 small onion, peeled and fi nely diced

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped

2 Tbsp (30 mL) cilantro, chopped

Method

For the prawns, peel and place in a small bowl, sprinkle the rice fl our on top and toss to coat. Place oil in a wok. Heat until very hot, add the prawns individually. Stir with a large spoon or spatula. Have a metal bowl with a strainer off to the side. When the prawns are brown, about 1 minute, transfer to the sieve and pour off all but 1 tbsp (15 mL) of oil.

Return the wok to the heat and add the garlic, onion and jalapeno. Saute until soft and beginning to brown. Add the prawns and cilantro and toss to coat. Transfer to a plate and serve immediately.

Fresh Catch BC Spot Prawns available daily!

This is a simple recipe that works really well with the spot prawns. The coating traps in all the sweetness and juices of the prawns and keeps the texture crisp. I like to serve these prawns on a bed of shredded lettuce, they could also be served with steamed rice and vegetables or on top of pasta tossed with tomato sauce.

Recipe Courtesy Bill Jones of Deerhome Farm www.deerholme.com

Where: Cowichan Bay Fishermans WharfSaturday May 12 - 10am -5pm Sunday May 13 - noon - 4pm

excellent. You must buy from a good supplier to ensure they used the freshest possible prawns for the frozen product. Spot prawns are frozen in a salt-water solution, which preserves them for up to two years with little deterioration in flavour or texture.

Cowichan Bay Seafood handles most of the prawn sales during the festival. They will have their boats fishing for spot prawns and have invited other prawn fishermen in the area to take part in weekend’s activities. Ann and Greg Best, the owners, do a great job and sell some of the best sustainable seafood on the island. They will also be offering a variety of spot prawn dishes, along with many other merchants in the village. The Maritime Centre is hosting a food court tent in the parking lot outside. There are plans to have a lot more food on site to make a delicious event.

There are many activities planned; detailed information is list-ed at the festival website (www.prawnfest.ca). I will host a chef demo tent featuring six talented chefs from the island, includ-ing our special guest Rob Clark of C Restaurant in Vancouver. Rob is one of the best chefs in Canada and has been a supporter of the festival from the start. The line up of prawn dishes will be amazing and offer a free cooking class for those of you who like to expand your knowledge in the kitchen.

What’s Going On In

Annual Spot Prawn Festival

Cowichan Bay? Spot Prawn Festival 2012

www.prawnfest.ca


Did you know...Spot sprawns change sex as they grow. They spend the first part of their lives as males, then change into females.

Chefs Cooking Demonstrations - Saturday May 12th

Time Chef Restaurant

11am - Noon Matt Horn Cowichan Pasta Co.Noon -1pm Robert Clark C Restaurant 1pm - 2pm Dan Hudson Hudson’s Fine Foods2pm - 3pm Brad Boisvert Amuse Bistro3pm -4pm Dave Lang North Island College4pm -5pm Allan Aikman Vancouver Island University

Check out our NEW Rustic Loaf made with Vancouver Island wheat.

An Unparalleled bread experience

Visit truegrain.ca for hours of operation.

Cowichan Bay746-7664

Mill Bay929-1119

Rob’s Lighthouse Eatery & Art Gallery

Fresh, friendly, affordable and pet-friendly!

Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out!

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

Cowichan Bay Waterfront

PARKING OPTIONS & SHUTTLE SERVICE Shuttle Service all day from South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club to Village (10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday and 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm Sunday ) .

A shuttle will ply the Village from one end to the other all day ( from Hecate Park to the Oceanfront Hotel) with stops at the Maritime Centre and Fishermen’s Wharf (same hours as above).

From Duncan ( PARK YOURSELF ) – left at Cowichan Bay Road ( just past the Old Farm Market), right at Tennis Club and continue on to Hecate Park

From Duncan ( SHUTTLE BUS ) – left at Cowichan Bay Road (just past the Old Farm Market). Park at Tennis Club

Easy Spot PrawnsSteam fresh spot praws suspended over salted water

in steamer basket for 1 -2 minutes. Do not overcook. Serve immediately.

Prawn Fest Mission: To exceed Festival attendees’ expectations

and provide, at a reasonable price, the best family experience

possible.

Note: Chef’s order of presentation subject to change

Whale Report from Cowichan Bay


Time Chef Restaurant

11am - Noon Matt Horn Cowichan Pasta Co.Noon -1pm Robert Clark C Restaurant 1pm - 2pm Dan Hudson Hudson’s Fine Foods2pm - 3pm Brad Boisvert Amuse Bistro3pm -4pm Dave Lang North Island College4pm -5pm Allan Aikman Vancouver Island University The Southern Resident Orcas are back in our waters.

J pod and K pod showed up recently looking to feed on the winter Chinook salmon that are holding in our area. The resident orcas are strictly fish eaters that are primarily looking for Chinook salmon the largest of all the salmon found in our waters.

Each pod is a matriarchal family that stays together for life. When a female gives birth, their offspring stays with mom for life. There are 27 whales in J pod’s family and 20 whales in K pod’s family. L pod the largest of the three resident pods totaling 40 whales has not made an appearance yet this spring. This is quite normal; L pod usually doesn’t start frequenting our waters until early June.J and K pod should stay in our waters almost daily until the middle of October. L pod will spend most of their time in our waters but will wander out to the west coast of Vancouver Island in search of salmon occasionally.Many days throughout the summer these three pods meet to form what we call a Super Pod. It is truly amazing to see 87 Orca Whales socializing, foraging, mating and generally having a big party together. When the residents leave our waters in October no one really knows where they go. They have been seen as far north as Gwaii Haanas and as far south as Monterey Bay, California. K and L pod have been documented in southern California where as J pod tends to spend time closer to home. We see J pod every month of the year even during the winter months although less frequently from November to April. Ocean EcoVentures is running daily whale watching tours departing from Cowichan Bay. This year we are celebrating our 10th year in the Bay and in business!

Simon Pidcock is Owner/Operator of Ocean Ecoven-tures in Cowichan Bay www.Ocean-EcoVentures.com

It’s Prawn Fest time in Cowichan Bay and there’s nothingbetter to get into the prawn spirit then wearing a prawn hat!Spinning Ninny is at it again with prawn hats galore. Catch your very own and join in the Fun filled weekend in Style!You’ll find us in the heart of the Bay, just behind Bo’s ClassicMarine Boat Store. Look for the sparkly mosaic signs! Last year’s hats SOLD OUT fast. If you would like to pre orders these locally made prawn hats for kids or the whole familyCall Spinning Ninny at 250 597 1444.

HELP! Where do we get a prawn hat?

Whale Report from Cowichan Bay

What’s Going On In

Annual Spot Prawn Festival

Cowichan Bay?


Dee Kinnee is the Marketing and Event Coordinator for the Chemainus [email protected]

If you want to laugh out loud be sure to get your

tickets for Chemainus Theatre’s Noises Off, a hilarious play-within-a-play. Life imitates art with high jinks, slammed doors, flubbed lines and sardines. Until Jun 2.Tickets:250-246-9820 or chemainustheatre.ca

Johnny Inappropriate plays classy music for classy people at St. Joseph School’s Annual Auction and Barn Dance. Enjoy a wonderful roast beef dinner before you dance your socks off to Johnny’s tunes. Sat May 5, 5:30pm. Tickets $30 @ Chemainus Foods or St. Joseph’s School. Info:250-246-3191 or [email protected]

Songwriter’s Open Mic continues on the first Saturday of the month at the Willow Street Café. Hosted by Celtic rockers, Skellig. Good Music, Good Food, Good Company! Sat. May 5, 7:30pm. 9749 Willow Street. Info: 250-246-2434 or willowstreetcafe.com

The Centremen Songsters and the Centre Belles present their Spring Choral Concert at the Chemainus Seniors’ Centre. Sun May 6 at 2pm. 9824 Willow Street. Info: 250-246-2111

Renovation Blues Band hosts the Clubhouse Partay on Fri May 11 at the Mount Brenton Golf Course Clubhouse. Renovate your soul with this fun, engaging band. Great vocals, deep rhythms and hot solos! Food and drink specials. 7:30pm. $5 cover. 2816 Henry Road. Info:250-246-4948 or clubhousepartay.com

Victoria Children’s Choir will delight Chemainus audiences with a unique mix of traditional and contemporary music. Sat May 12, at 2pm in Waterwheel Park. Admission by donation. Info: [email protected]

Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast!!! On Sun May 13, treat Mom to the full deal! Pancakes, Eggs, Hash Browns, Bacon or Sausage, Coffee, Tea and Juice. AND, a surprise gift for Mothers. Info: (250)246-4532 or chemainuslegion191.ca. 8am to noon. Chemainus Legion Hall, 9775 Chemainus Rd. $6 at the door

DieMahler String Quartet presents Beautiful Classical Music on Sun Apr 29, 2pm. St. Michaels Church. Tickets: 250-748-8383. Info: chemainusclassicalconcerts.ca

May in Chemainus

Kids Learn to Fish Day

Willow Street Merchants

Antiques & Collectibles9756 A Willow Street250 246-4333English & European Antiques

Chemainus Health Food9738 Willow Street250 246-9838Natural Grocery, Vitamins, Hemp Fashions

* The Crafty Cuppa9747 Willow Street250 324-3338Drop In Ceramics Studio

Eliza HemingwayArt and Design Studio9752F Willow StreetOpen Thursdays-Sundays250-324-2212

Etc.9747 Willow Street250 324-2227Gifts for all ages

Billys Delights Ice Cream Parlor9739 Willow Street250 246 4131

Chemainus Info Centre9796 Willow Street

Food

Saltspring Soapworks9748 Willow Street250 324-2226Handmade Soaps, Natural Body Care

* Toad Hall Emporium9738 A Willow Street250 246-4400THE fun place to shopfor all ages

* The Wine Den9779 Willow Street250 324-2215Wine Kits, Equipmentand Supplies

* Utopia BakeryA-9780 Willow Street250 246-9992Fresh Bread andEuropean Pastries

C H E M A I N U Sshopping IN

See you soon!

*

Willow Street Soaps9748 Willow Street250 246-4230Fine Imported Soapsand Luxury Bath Items

* Hansel & Gretel’s Candy Company9748 Willow Street250 246-1059Assorted specialty Sweets

* Karens Uptown Bistro9779 Willow Street250 246-1059Local and Seasonal

The Olde Gold Shoppe9745 Willow Street250 246-4653Antique, Heirloom and Estate Jewelry

Christmas In Chemainus 9748 Willow Street250 246 1759Christmas Notions

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.

Seasons Tickets on Sale Now!

www.visitchemainus.com

Willow Street Café9749 Willow Street250 246-2434Homemade Lunch, Snacks, Pizza, Dessert

* British Allsorts9776 Willow Street250 246-9737Sweets, Treats and Teas

Skellig hosts Open MicPhoto Darren Burry

21

May in Chemainus

Kids’ Learn to Fish Day is intended to not only be a fun way of introducing children to fishing, but to spark an interest in environmental awareness and to get the entire family out to enjoy nature together.

The kids go through a series of 6 instructional stations designed by our co-sponsor Freshwater Fisheries Society Go Fish BC. These include fish identification, different types of tackle, different types of fishing rods and reels, knot tying, casting, fishing techniques and fish habitat. They then go to the lake to try and catch a trout. The kids have the option to release

6th Annual Kids Learn to Fish” DaySaturday, May 5 10am-2pmChemainus Lake

Kids Learn to Fish Day

help them put them into the lake.

There will be educational booths to learn about identifying fish, rules and regulations about local lakes and rivers, how to tie knots and how to cast. Conservation Officers will also be there to explain the importance of following the rules. Kids may participate in stocking the lake, catch and release, furthering the education of sustainability. There are fly-tying demonstrations and many other fun activities. Each child will receive a hotdog, chips and drink as well as a chance to win a participation prize. All of this is absolutely free thanks to the generosity of our supporters from the Cowichan

Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Vancouver.

The Cowichan Fly Fishers is a non-profit society whose main purpose is to share and promote our enthusiasm for the sport of fly fishing and enjoyment of nature. We support and encourage the preservation, rehabilitation and development of fish habitat in lakes, rivers, and streams. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

the fish or to keep it and our volunteers will clean it for them. The trout are supplied by the Trout Hatchery in Duncan. There is also a number of other fun activities like fly tying and crafts.

Children under the age of 16 do not require a fishing licence, but we hope this event will encourage parents to get a licence and spend some quality time fishing with their kids.

If possible, during the day the Freshwater Fisheries Society will bring a truck load of trout from the Duncan Hatchery and let the kids

Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market is a weekly producers market, meaning we grow, harvest, bake, sew, photograph, paint, pickle, craft ... well, you get the idea.

It’s a Market that we ourselves like to go to, and we’re proud of our products and surroundings. What started six years ago as a collection of tents, has grown into a “Frontier Town”, a collec-tion of themed shelters made from re-cycled materials. There’s a great full menu coffee shop on-site (it’s actually their site) and a thriving Community garden, where vendors have picked produce ‘to order’. Can’t get fresher than that! So, bring a friend and enjoy an old fashioned country market. Every Saturday 10am - 2pm from May to Thanksgiving. See you there!

Honeymoon Bay Market Now Open!


Spring has definitely set

up shop in the valley and all those plants lying dormant over the long winter are eager to strut their stuff. A drive down our rural roads, or a stroll through the town streets, reveal a blaze of yellows and purples with

green shoots hinting that much more is on its way. While it’s tempting to sit back and enjoy the show, we have an important role to play in this, the first act of the growing season. By now everyone has had a chance to turn the compost pile and get it heating up really well, and if you haven’t, it’s time to get out there as your veggie starts and perennial beds are clamoring for nourishment!

Composting is relatively simple. You need only remember the following four components to pull off beautiful, sweet smelling finished compost: C:N ratio, optimum temperature, aeration and moisture.

on

the farm

withSOL Farm

Healthy Compost

Weekly Meditation • Buddha Services • Spiritual Counseling • Nichiren Buddha Society

www.VIRetreats.com Vancouver Island Retreat Garden, Peace Center Phone 778 422 0155

Weekly Meditation at VIU Cowichan Campus Website: www.VIRetreats.com

Nichiren Buddha Society Vancouver Island Retreat Garden Peace Center Phone: 778. 422. 0155

“An attitude of gratitude goes a long way towards peaceful BE-ing”

Buddha In the Park - July 21, 22, 23; Moon Glow Silent Retreat, Fri. 31st August 2012 Retreat Schedule, Reserve Your Space Now: One Day InSight - Sat. 26th May

Jeremy with a bucket of compost tea

Ramona Froehle-Schacht and Stephen Schacht, of SOL Farm – SMALL, ORGANIC, LOCAL-, raise vegetables, berries and chickens with the help of their son Jeremy and his girlfriend Jessi. www.solfarm.ca

1. Your compost pile will ideally be made up with a carbon/ nitrogen ration (C:N) of 30:1. That means that if you mostly compost kitchen scraps, veggie trimmings and grass clippings, which are all low in carbon, you’ll need to layer in leaves, sawdust, peat moss, farm manure or straw to get the carbon component higher. Organisms that decompose organic matter use carbon as a source of energy, and nitrogen for building themselves. Simply put, they need more carbon than nitrogen.

2. Your pile should reach an optimum temperature of 135-160 degrees F to destroy pathogenic organisms and weed seeds, but shouldn’t go higher than 160 because high heat will kill the good organisms. A compost thermometer costs about $20 and is a good idea as it’s useful to know that your compost is safe to use.

3. Aeration is important to maintain aerobic conditions. By turning your pile with a pitch fork or using a handy tool called a “wingdigger” you can get oxygen into your pile which helps it heat up.

4. A moisture content of 30 – 70% is ideal. It should have the consistency of a damp sponge. In the summer you’ll need to water your pile and in the winter it’s a good idea to cover it with a tarp.

When the temperature drops and it smells sweet, it’s ready!

Another quick idea is compost tea. Jeremy, our son, has been brewing up compost tea all spring and it’s fast and easy to use. It grows beneficial micro-organisms which increases soil health. Remember, you want to feed your soil, not your plants!

Here’s what to do Get a five gallon bucket, an air stone and air pump, available at the pet store, and old pantyhose. Place the air stone into the bottom of the bucket, add 3 cups of compost to the pantyhose and tie a knot. This is your “tea bag” which goes in next. Fill the bucket with non-chlorinated water, and add one and one half tablespoons fancy molasses, which is sulphite free. Plug in and leave for 24 hours, then go water your plants! Use it all up and go make another batch --- it’s that simple! Happy composting!

23

Farm andgardenPages

Weekly Meditation • Buddha Services • Spiritual Counseling • Nichiren Buddha Society

www.VIRetreats.com Vancouver Island Retreat Garden, Peace Center Phone 778 422 0155

Weekly Meditation at VIU Cowichan Campus Website: www.VIRetreats.com

Nichiren Buddha Society Vancouver Island Retreat Garden Peace Center Phone: 778. 422. 0155

“An attitude of gratitude goes a long way towards peaceful BE-ing”

Buddha In the Park - July 21, 22, 23; Moon Glow Silent Retreat, Fri. 31st August 2012 Retreat Schedule, Reserve Your Space Now: One Day InSight - Sat. 26th May

Helpful Garden

As the adage goes “April showers bring May

flowers”. That’s all fine and well but what do June showers bring? How about “June show-ers cause damaged flowers”. If you’ve got tall, juicy-stemmed perennials, that’s what you will get if you don’t properly sup-port them.

For me, it’s the delphinium that ends up waterlogged and shattered. There are numerous hoops, loops, cages, and stakes available at your local garden centre. The purpose of these are to hold everything together so plants don’t collapse under the weight of water or even under their own sheer mass.

Last year I had a delphinium that was approaching 9 feet in height mid-to-late June. Unbelievable. Massive. Stun-ning! Heavy…on its own, even without the added weight of rainfall. For years I’d been using giant tomato cages that I’d anchor into the ground then support with re-bar for extra strength. All the stems would be manipulated to fit into the largest top hoop of the cage and secured with velcro tape.

It worked great until the matur-ing plant attained an enormous mass. Neighbours and friends were amazed at the size of this delphinium “Pacific Giant”. I’d never seen one so tall. I was proud and somewhat smug. My smug attitude dissolved quickly one morning after a heavy overnight rain.

I got up, fed the dogs, made some coffee, looked out the family room window and I

nearly dropped all my teeth (quite a fete, given they’re all still secure in my head). My beautiful, amazing, oft-coveted delphinium “Pacific Giant” to-tally collapsed. It looked like a bear had taken a nap in it. Each long hollow stem was broken just at the top ring of the cage.

Upon inspection, I discovered that each waterlogged stem was about triple its normal weight. “Damn you Mother Nature!” I cried (shakes fist at sky). I hadn’t foreseen this problem.

The following week I was in Chilliwack at the most excel-lent Minter Gardens and they had delphiniums that would have rivaled mine had mine survived. I am a big man and I felt dwarfed by these things. It was pouring rain that day. I was drenched. Individual 8-foot stakes supported the massive stems. Anchored deep in the ground, with stems securely fastened at one-foot intervals, the stakes held these beauties upright and proud even in the face of the constant deluge we faced.

Last week I bought myself a whole bunch of stakes. Set them out among the early delphinium shoots. One stake per stalk. Got my velcro tape handy. Shook my fist at the sky and yelled, “Bring it on!” I felt triumphant, but only for a minute: I was standing on the delphiniums tender new shoots (shakes fist at self). Maybe next year.

Stake Out

Ajay Oppelaar is an ex-perienced horticulturist and President of the Mill Bay Garden Club. Contact him at [email protected]

Handmade Gardeners SoapPopular Still After15 Years!

The idea for this fabulous gardener’s soap was

inspired by the owner of Dig This in Victoria over 15 years ago. “She looked in vain for a great gardener’s soap and couldn’t find one and approached Saltspring Soapworks” shares Linda Quiring owner of family run Salt Spring Soapworks. After contemplating the skincare needs of those working in the garden, Linda added natural pumice to one of her mois-turizing bars - and thus the Saltspring Soapworks Gar-dener’s Soap was created. It is a natural, handmade, proven product sought after by many gardeners on the westcoast. After such good response to the soap they also added a Gardener Hand Therapy Cream and a Gardener’s Cit-rus Handwash.

This signature Gardener’s line contains aromatic, uplifting and cleansing herbs found in

many gardens such as laven-der, wild thyme and rosemary. Composed of natural ingre-dients, they will not dry the skin as most detergent soaps do but work to help the skin heal. Ingredients such as aloe vera are there to moisturize and comfrey, which holds allantoin a naturally occur-ring skin cell regenerating compound that aids in to heal those hardworking hands. One of their best sellers, the Gardener’s products make wonderful gifts for Mother’s Day or even just to treat your-self in celebrate the beginning of gardening season. These soaps can be found at Salt Spring Soapworks stores in Duncan, Chemainus or on Salt Spring Island.

Linda Quiring in her garden


Farm andgardenPages You wouldn’t build a house without a house plan, but

most gardeners build a garden without any planning at all. Gardeners seem to resist the process, believing it will stifle their creativity. Instead they go about blindly plunking plants and trees in places that they later wish they had given more thought to.The first step to designing a garden is writing out a list of what your family eats most.

Some crops are easier to grow than others, such as kale, lettuce or cherry tomatoes, so it’s best to start with those. Then next year add a few more crops. The single most important factor to growing food is experiencing success right from the start.A garden design will help with crop rotation by assigning a plot for each vegetable crop then moving it to the next plot the following year. This will avoid planting the same family such as Kale, Cauliflower, Broccoli into the same soil and decrease your risk of club root rot in your garden.

Some vegetables are in and out of the garden quickly in one season and make room for a second crop that can be planted in the same location. It is important to add nutrients to the soil before planting the second crop. Peas are a good example of a crop that will be finished by the time summer heat arrives, making room for winter vegetables that are planted mid-summer or a crop of greens that can be harvested in 6 weeks. A garden plan will help determine what crops can go where and when to plant them making efficient use of all your growing space. Designing gardens and laying out a plan is what Joy Story does best. If you feel overwhelmed, confused or just want a second opinion, Joy will gladly visit your garden and offer her expertise. Joy can be reached at 250 743 1352 or email her at [email protected]

Designing An Edible Oasis

For more info about buying a brick :www.benchelementary.com

250-743-2260 [email protected]

Buy a Brick for BenchElementary and Make Your Mark

The Bench PAC are planning a fabulous new playground expansion for everyone in the Cowichan Bay area to enjoy.

To help us fund this project personalized bricks, or bench plaques can be purchased.The engraved bricks will be a beautiful pathway leading from the school to the new playground and bench area.Proudly display your business or family names forever in stone!

Joy Story, helps people grow food! Check out her on-line Magazine and Newsletter growfoodnetwork.com

25

A Feel Good Nursery to Buy From

We’ve kept a journal these

past four years at Makaria Farm, and when we compare this spring to the past years we get a little giddy … the fruit tree and daffodil blossom dates are coinciding with those of spring 2009. Remember 2009? It was a gorgeous, achingly hot summer. Tomatoes invaded

everyone’s gardens. Cowichan tomato lovers have struggled in the summers since then with short, late, cool growing seasons and early fall rains. Do we dare hope that 2012 will once again be the summer of tomatoes?

I say yes. Let’s plant our reliable, tasty cherry tomatoes, but also risk a few square feet in the garden for longer-maturing, glorious, juicy beefsteaks and brandywines.

Makaria Farm’s usual vast selection of tomato plants is now greening-up in the greenhouse, in preparation for our annual organic tomato plant sale (now a Cowichan

tradition). We’ve dared to plant some of our favourites that need the warmth and sun of a long, hot summer, as well as our tried and true standbys for cooler weather. I can already taste the Black Krims ….Tip to prevent transplant shock:It might seem easiest to dig a hole and stick your tomato plant in it, but if you do this you risk exposing the plant to the chillier soil underneath that sun-warmed top layer. Tomato plants may turn blue/purple-ish as a result — a sign of transplant shock. They will take longer to recover, which may affect the time or quality of your tomato harvest.

Many tomato plants are vines (“indeterminate”), so here’s a quick tip on transplanting vining tomato plants: lay each tomato in its place horizontally on the garden bed, then cover the rootball with soil from the warm top layer of the garden bed surrounding it. Carefully but firmly pat down the dirt to ensure plant/soil contact, then water the root area thoroughly. The tomato plant will turn up toward the sun.

Here’s to beefsteaks in September!

on

the farm

withMakaria

Planting Tomatoes

The greenhouse at Providence Farm is now open! Available for purchase are an assortment of fresh herbs,

veggie starts, trailing begonias, geraniums, ornamental grasses, flower varieties and of course their famous strawberry plants!

Looking for flower baskets? Besides growing the City of Duncan’s marigolds that line the highway, since 2005 the nursery has also been commissioned to make all those gorgeous hanging baskets you see around town, there are a good selection for sale to suit every budget as well as all the flowers and plants to stuff your own.

The greenhouse and nursery activities support individuals with learning disabilities, mental health issues, sensory or physical disabilities or who are in rehabilitation. Participants work with horticultural therapists and volunteers progressing at their own pace to achieve goals.

Come and shop in their 5000 sq foot greenhouses, have a browse through the general store or just enjoy the beautiful space and surroundings. There’s lots of parking and refreshments available too. But best of all the prices are great and ALL the proceeds go back into Providence Farm to support all their wonderful programs and community activities. Open 10-4pm Daily.

Heather Walker and Brock McLeod own and operate Makaria Farm. www.makariafarm.com


May is the best month to cut broom! Broom cut in

bloom will die in the summer’s heat. The important things to remember: Use loppers – long

handled pruners. Cut all the way to the ground or slightly below. Any tiny little sprigs could regrow. Do not remove the roots in May. Disturbing the soil encourages new seeds to germinate. If the broom is too large, cut off all the living branches. Large broom dies easily. Don’t let any yellow flow-ers go to seed. Even if you can’t remove the whole plant, cut off the flowers! Stop them from spreading.

Don’t go after the densest areas - you’ll get discouraged. Start in places where the broom is just starting. Move from the lightly infested areas towards the dense areas. Broom is soft wood and easy to cut, even for children. It’s fun! Gather friends and family. Clear an area and draw the line – No Broom Here! Broom can be taken to the dump, burned, or composted if cut before the seed pods form. Small amounts will compost in the forest. Some towns will help. Check out www.broombusters.org.

cut Broom in Bloom

The Extractigator is the only tree and root pulling device with the feature of automatically opening jaws!

You won’t have to get down on your hands and knees to place it around the plant to pull!

www.extractigator.comAvailable at many fine local retailers.

Send Broom to It’s DOOM!

May is the BEST Month To Cut BroomMay Steps to Take

Cut the Bloomin’ Broom!Adopt a piece of road, field, park or beach.

Arrange pick up, chip up or drop off.Cut the broom to ground level or below.Don’t let any yellow flowers go to seed!

Go after the light infestations first.Move towards denser areas. Stop the spread!

Check out: www.broombusters.orgCut Broom in Bloom!

Joanne Sales is a blueberry farmer, writer & founder of Broombusters in Qualicum Beach

Roger Foucher is a wild food enthusiast who is persuaded by all the creatures around us that they see it right.

Gardens are being dug new veggies on the horizon If you don’t like the look of those weeds in your gardens

“JUST JUICE IT” some avid gardeners eat fresh all year the warming green tide of spring is washing northward around the globe and with it plants pouring up their stored energies. Try eating the young sow thistle leaves and stalk you will chew it for a minute or so in mild bitterness then saltiness will come through with a bit of oil.

The very pleasant taste period is min 2-5, well worth the bit of mild bitterness which is great for the gut. Juicing Japanese knotweed, stinging nettle and pop weed mustard together makes a great refreshing drink with no sting but lots of zing its sour milky peppery taste has body to it and is good enough to write home about. Now is the time to look where you might harvest the first mustard for your winter curries or scrambled eggs. There are a dozen or so wild mustards that grow around us that we can eat. For pop weed mustard har-vest the top of the plant while it is still flowering but has seed developed. Nipplewort is a way undervalued food that grows just about every where but nobody seems to notice it. Tulip petals are beautiful to eat, crunch y and sweet, a very pleasant surprise. Day lily is crunchy too but more spicy, peppery.

Just Juice It - Wild Weeds

27

Farm andgardenPages

Shawnigan Lake resident Shawn Taylor was inspired

by necessity when he pur-chased 22 acres of land in the area in 1998. “The property was overgrown with Scotch Broom and Alder seedlings. After many hours of back breaking labour pulling... I thought there must be an easier way.” Shawn tells us. After not finding what he needed on the market, this accred-ited Mechanical Engineering Technologist (with a specialty in machine design) researched, designed and applied for pat-ent a tool with the Cowichan Valley landscape in mind. Shawn planned the Extracti-gator to utilize a unique cam shape design that applies

maximum force at the begin-ning to remove troublesome roots from the ground. Making it’s debut in 2000, he built this yard and garden tool to last. What is it?The tool itself is made from high quality steel, it is de-signed to be lightweight yet strong. Anyone from children to seniors can use this tool with ease. Quick and easy to use, the ‘jaws’ (plant gripping component) open when it’s lifted, simplifying placement around the stem. The tool also boasts an accessory called the “Big Foot” made from aircraft grade aluminum, which increases the surface area to resist sinking into soft soils. “Every June when the broom is in bloom I’m reminded of the broom invasion throughout the Island. We are not alone - the invasion extends to the mainland, and south all the way to the California basin.” This tool has the capabilities of removing the “roots-and-all” of problem plants such as Scotch Broom but also shrubs or trees and many other local invasive and unwanted plants such as Gorse, hogweed and daphne Laureola to name

a few. Customers purchase it for both home use and for com-mercial jobs. If readers have a root bound problem that they set on tackling this season consider the Extractigator. There is no other product that is as light, easy to use or built to last like this Shawnigan Lake tool. All components are local, making it a truly Canadian made product. Visit www.extractigator.com for more information.

Local Root Pulling Tool Engineered in Shawnigan Lake

cut Broom in Bloom

Shawn Taylor bench

testing The Extractigator.

The Extractigator at work


c r a f t

Brochures are available at Experience Cycling, 482 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan, and at the Duncan Garage Cafe and Bakery,

101-330 Duncan Street, Duncan. www.cowichanvalleyartisans.com

The artisans are gearing up for a three week show at Dale’s Gallery at 537 Fisgard Street in Victoria’s Chinatown. The show runs from May 15th to June 6th.

Mary Fox trimming a large Amphora

Ken Broadland turning a big bowl.

Michael Moore shaping a chair back on the band saw.

The carpentry of journeyman carpenter

and artist Doug Marsh can be found in hundreds of homes and gardens here in the Cowichan Valley, but where his work is most visible these days is at The Community Farm Store in Duncan. Staff and customers at the Duncan Garage have been thrilled by Doug’s artistic flair on all their new custom made shelves and blackboards. Live edge planks line the inside of the hall to display the African baskets and merchandise shelving all feature his signature roller painted edges. Never satisfied with doing regular construction, Doug often seems to attract opportunities to express his natural creativity and innovation with projects that always delight his clients and friends. A firm advocate of urban farming and food growing, Doug has been building chicken houses, garden boxes, arbours, fences, gates, sheds, benches and gazebos – using natural, found, reclaimed and recycled materials. Working with his partner Nicolette on their front yard farm project on Cairnsmore Street has been a great avenue and showcase for Doug’s creativity. The yard (front and back) is loaded with

food beds, split cedar chicken runs, berry arbours, squash towers and lovely fences with windows and gates to encourage back and forth traffic with their neighbours. (Nicolette says they have the best neighbours in the world!). Doug is also the carpenter responsible for spearheading the “smart art” campaign here in the valley to stop the Smart Meters. Hundreds of people have come to the Community Farm Store to purchase his “smart art rings” to make sure that their analog meters cannot be removed. Between projects, Doug builds beautiful tables out of driftwood or split cedar with rootwood bracing to showcase his real passion: crop circle artworks that double as table tops! They’re triple coated so they stand up well in the garden for tea tables. If you’re thinking of getting hens for your garden or planning to grow more food this year, or even if you are in need of some funky home renovations (who doesn’t need more shelving!) consider calling Doug at his Chemainus studio at 250-246-5081 to consult about your artpentry needs! Happy community farming!

“Art”pentry for your home and garden!

Doug Marsh urban farm project .

29

Dr. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author, and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Communications Specialist Jode Roberts. www.davidsuzuki.org

A colleague told me his toddler was wandering through a neighbourhood

park picking up twigs and sticks, bran-dishing them as tools for digging, poking, and tapping. Suddenly the boy stopped and pointed excitedly to the canopy of branches above. “Look papa. Sticks come from trees!” Mentally reconnecting fallen branches to their home on the trunk is obvious to an adult, but many of us have lost our pro-found sense of wonder about the intercon-nected web of life that surrounds us. This is especially true when it comes to the plant world. Trees filter pollutants, absorb carbon di-oxide, and breathe out life-giving oxygen, and plants provide food and medicine. However, most folks are largely oblivious to our photosynthesizing companions. This has led some researchers to examine “plant blindness,” a condition whereby we cannot see the forest or the trees. In 1998, American botanists James Wan-dersee and Elizabeth Schussler defined plant blindness as “the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own envi-ronment,” which leads “to the inability to recognize the importance of plants

in the biosphere and in human affairs.” This prognosis rings true in an age when most youngsters can identify hundreds of corporate logos and branded products but can’t name the plants and trees in their backyards. Why are we suffering from a nagging case of plant blindness? There is no simple sci-entific answer, but Wandersee and Schus-sler argued that plants don’t capture our attention like animals and other stimuli. To the human eye, they are largely static. Thus we tend to lump plants together into a green backdrop, failing to distinguish between the millions of blades of grass or multitude of plant species. Show someone a photo of a lush forest with a grizzly bear and ask what’s in the picture. Most will answer, “A bear.” Add a spotted owl to the scene and the response might become, “A grizzly bear under the watchful eye of an owl.” What you are unlikely to hear is a description of the flora accompanying the charismatic fauna. Part of the problem may be related to the overwhelming amount of data our eyes send to our brains. Danish author Tor Nørretranders estimates that the human eye generates more than 10 million bits of data per second. Our brain extracts only about 40 bits of data per second, and only 16 bits reach our conscious vision and attention. Unfortunately, nature’s greenery tends to be drowned out in a visual flurry of noise and shinier items of interest. Nørretranders also found that people who have had meaningful educational and cultural experiences with plants are more likely to notice greenery. How do we reconnect with nature and learn to give plants their due? The answer is simple. People, especially kids, need to connect with nature in their everyday environment, and we need to bring more to our neighbourhoods, public spaces, and backyards. It might surprise you, but most urban spaces are already jam-packed with natural wonders. After volunteering in an urban apple or-chard at the Spadina Museum in Toronto, Laura Reinsborough began seeing the world through “fruit goggles.” Once she

became familiar with fruit-bearing trees in the city, she suddenly noticed them everywhere – cherries, plums, crabapples, pears, grapes, and walnuts. This largely untapped urban bounty spurred her to found Not Far From the Tree, a group that has organized volunteers to help harvest more than 14,000 kilograms of fruit from hundreds of backyard trees over the past four years.

Green Vision Offers Cure For Plant Blindness

If you want to help bring nature to your community, join one of the many groups working to enhance it. Local efforts to restore wetlands, forests, parks, and pub-lic spaces provide great opportunities to get hands-on outside time and boost your community’s natural wealth.

Not Far From The TreeDr. David Suzuki


John Agg1928 - 2011aggworks.shawwebspace.caOn Show at Imagine That!till May 26th.

John Agg was born in Whitby, Ontario in 1928.

He took his art training at Northern Secondary School, graduated from the Ontario College of Art and went on to become a Commercial Artist. During his career he was Art Director of Ontario Ladies’ College before moving to Toronto where he spent all his time painting.

In 1961, John and his wife Helen, a potter and painter, moved to Terra Cotta, Ontario. They set up The Country Gallery in Caledon, where they could live, work, exhibit, and sell their own artworks. At this time, John learned the craft of copper enamelling. It was unique at this time to live a lifestyle where they could concentrate on their own

Image Top Left; Artist John Agg in Vancouver 1978; Woman Dressing 1963, oil on canvas; Nude on Mountain Copper Coast, 1991, enamel work; From The Beach, 1981, mixed media. Above Portrait of the artist L John F Agg by Helen M Agg, 1953.All images courtesy Helen Agg.

artistic productivity. They held numerous one-man shows.

John was well known for his eclectic flair in working with various media, mostly water colours, wood-cut prints, and copper enamelling along with his much acclaimed piece the bold mural of Viking ships at the Valhalla Inn on Hwy 27.

In 1976, John and Helen moved to Vancouver Island and built a log home on the seashore of Qualicum Bay. Here they set up the Agg Works Gallery featuring paintings, prints, and enamels. John collaborated in carving and decorating Helen’s pottery

Talking Arts • John Agg

producing many coastal themes.Readers may recall their charming little gallery on the old Island Highway near Qualicum Bay. Agg Works closed in 2000 but they continued to live in Qualicum Bay. John died in 2011.

Helen has kindly donated all John’s studio supplies to Margot Page, a local enamellist. For May, John’s beautiful enamels will be on display and for sale at Imagine that! They are proud to pay tribute during the month of May to this recently deceased but talented and well-known Vancouver Island artist and enamellist, John Agg.

31

For full design/build service, give us a call

250.746.5372 • [email protected] • www.davidcoulsondesign.com

Patrick Amos, MA,is a process worker, natural builder, husband and father of two wild boys. [email protected]

A natural home ought to be a comfortable one.

Building with materials such as clay, sand and plant fiber helps to dispel body/mind stress. Feeling warm in win-ter for negligible cost can also bring comfort. In our north-ern climate approximately 60% of our energy consump-tion goes into space heating. With the future of fossil fuel supply and large scale hydro-electric energy becoming unpredictable, alternative ap-proaches to space heating are well worth considering.

Annualized Geo-Solar (AGS) is a simple and inexpensive method of storing summer heat for use in winter. In the summer season, a fan (or pump)-driven AGS system removes hot air (or hydronic fluid) from a plenum space below a metal roof surface (or solar hydronic collector ar-ray) and circulates it through ducting (or tubing) buried deep along the centerline of the building. Heat is released into the soil, which acts as a giant solar battery that charges slowly through the summer. Whenever the roof temperature is lower than the storage medium, air/fluid circulation is stopped.

By burying the heat tubing deep (as shown above) or insulating the area of floor above the central heat deposit zone and leaving the perim-eter floor areas un-insulated, the slow migration of heat through the soil delays heat

Annualized Geo-Solar Heating

transfer to the floor surface by up to six months, so that early summer heat radiates up through the floor in early winter.

The beauty of this approach is how it stores excess summer warmth for seasons when it will be more appreciated. Unlike most passive solar designs AGS does not rely on winter sunshine. Also, since the warmth is acquired from isolated solar-capture sources (rather than through win-dows), problems of unwanted indoor overheating during summer collection periods are eliminated. The entire system can be powered by one or two small pumps or fans at a cost of only a few dollars per month. Nothing like the sun – when you need it most.

BOB BURGESSTel 250.246.2155

Gulf Islands Rainwater

Connection Ltd.

Thetis Island, BC

www.rainwaterconnection.com

rainwaterconnection.comEmail: bob@


DOG PARK MANNERSAll dogs are supposed to be licensed and restrained either on a leash or when allowed, loose in a specific off-leash dog park. Some dogs are fortunate to live with a

family who has more property and also other pets to live with. We are lucky here in our Cowichan Valley to have specific areas for our dogs to run safely while off-leash. There are good rules in these parks – the main one being – you are usually supplied with green, biodegradable bags several places during your walk if it is a designated off-leash area, and at the entry of a fenced-in park. Also, bins to deposit these used bags are close by, and must be used. So many times, I have seen used green bags hanging in trees along the walk-way, lying under bushes and wherever else someone decides to leave them. Being biodegradable does not mean it is okay to let them disintegrate along the way – it means put them in the bin and let them be taken to the dump where they will do their natural job and break down in a “green” way! I live in an area with beautiful walking paths, but no bags supplied and no bins long the way – so I discovered packages of biodegradable bags at the local dollar store. When using these – take them home to dispose of them in your outside garbage, or find a bin along the way. Probably not your neighbour’s garbage cans. PEOPLE HAVE RULES, TOOAll dogs have to be in control at all times, no matter where they are. I have had several experiences of out of control dogs in an off-leash park. Please, “in control” means taking into consideration other people and their dog’s comfort when your dogs approach them or they are playing. When you call your dogs, they should immediately respond to you and stop whatever they are doing. One time an unleashed, mid-size dog charged my leashed very nervous rescue dog. It kept charging, the owners did and said nothing except “he is young”. I was hanging on to my leash, grabbed a railing to steady myself, and had a very bad fall due to my dog pulling away trying to be free from this charging dog. I was hurt, and my dog was terrified. The young couple walked away saying nothing and eventually their dog followed. It is sometimes not easy to say anything to the owners as dogs are “family” and like your own children – folks can quickly become offended or walk away from you solving nothing. Use the parks and times with your dogs as the most fun time of your day – be happy and laugh lots!

About our Pets

Sheila Jones offers holistic consultations for both people and pets.www.holisticnc.ca

Love is the air and it is a busy time for the

songbirds as they ready for nesting season. Many species of birds will nest in and around the average backyard but some species require a cavity to nest in. These cavities may be an old woodpecker hole, a broken branch or a nest box.Common backyard birds to use a nesting box are chickadees, wrens, nuthatch, woodpeckers, swallows and a couple of introduced species like the European Starling and House Sparrow. The introduced species are aggressive to our native species and can be a problem.The entrance hole of a nest box will determine the species to use the nest box. To attract chickadees, wrens and nuthatches an entrance hole of one and one eighth is best and it will keep the House Sparrows out as well. For swallows a large hole of one and a half inches is used but may be taken over by the House Sparrows. A nest box with an oval hole will allow swallows to use it but not the House Sparrows as they are unable to get through the narrow opening. There are different size entrance holes

Nesting Season

Colin Bartlett is a birder and proprietor of The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store in Nanaimo.1-888-249-4145

for the woodpeckers but a woodpecker nest box needs to be filled with wood chips to the top of the entrance hole as woodpeckers do not build a nest but excavate a cavity to create their nest.Nest boxes do not need to be mount high, six or seven feet works great and position they so the wind and rain does not blow in the entrance hole. Mount the boxes where you can see them and near a tree and out of the heat of the afternoon sun. Put a half inch of wood chips in the bottom of the box and place out some nesting material such as short pieces of wool, string, dog and cat hair, feathers, dry moss and grass for the birds to use in building their nests.

Nest boxes are a great addition to the backyard habitat and are very entertaining to watch as the birds build and raise their young.

http://thebirdstore.blogspot.ca

Competitive Trail Riding & Equine Education Come To The Cowichan Valley May 26 & 27

33

Made on the Island for the Island

Large or small we feed them all.

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

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

100% Fresh 100% Locally Owned

and Operated

The BC Competitive Trail Riders Association a

non-profit society will be hosting an Equine Educational Fair, May 26 & 27,at the Cowichan Exhibition Park. The Educational Fair will be in conjunction with its annual Schooling Ride, which targets newcomers to this unique sport. Participants in the Schooling Ride will be in class on Saturday May 26 learning about subjects such as; camping with a horse, what to wear, basic nutrition and rules of the sport. This is followed by a “mock” ride on Sunday morning with seasoned mentors.The Fair is a series of educational workshops

Competitive Trail Riding & Equine Education Come To The Cowichan Valley May 26 & 27

starting on Saturday evening with Alberta based Horse Chiropractor Dr. Andrea Sargent, who will be speaking about Body Positioning and Bio-Mechanics in both the horse and rider. Sunday’s line up includes a used tack sale, Silent Auction and educational workshops. Workshop topics include everything from Trailer Handling to local resident Joanne Bentley - “The Falcon Lady” demonstrating with her birds of prey. The event is open to the public but participation in the Schooling Ride and Workshops requires pre-registration. For further information and/or registration go to www.bcctra.ca and click

on the link or contact Tammy Mercer at [email protected] or 250-335-3390.

Help ensure pollen and nectar are available throughout the year. This Spring consider planting: Nectar plants - Barberry, Bee plant, Blue Pea, Borage, Chinese Houses, Horehound, Lavender, Sage, Salvia, Scented Geranium, Wisteria Pollen plants - Bush Anemone, California Poppy, Yarrow Combination – Bidens, Blanket Flower, Blazing Star, Daisy, Marigold, Tansy

Bees Need Nectar andPollen Each Season

The Land Conservancy BC wants to know more about your bee experiences. Gardeners can request packages of ‘lemon queen’ sunflowers. We just ask that you grow them in a part of your garden that is easy to visit, so that you can observe and record your bee sightings, then enter them at www.beeTLC.ca.


South Island Fishing Report

As the weather turns to more

spring like, more of us will be heading out onto the local waters. The following is what we might expect to catch through May and into June. Late run Steelhead will still be available in the Cowichan river in small numbers to approximately the third week of May.

Cowichan River Brown, Rainbow and Cutthroat trout fishing is just starting to pick up. If fly fishing, I would recommend Prince nymphs, hares ears, wooly buggers, and fry patterns. If you are using spinning equipment, small spoons in various colors should do the trick. (remember single barbless hooks)

In our local lakes, May can be very good to excellent for both Small mouth bass and trout. If trolling, try some willow leafs with either worms or flatfish trailing behind or troll plugs at a faster speed. Spin casting with a Gibbs croc in brass/orange or illusion blue can be very effective for both trout and bass. For the fly fishers I would suggest an olive or black wooly bugger with rubber legs, a micro leech or even a small fry pattern. (mix up your retrieval speeds)

For the Bass gear fishers, work the structure with a variety of soft rubber or plastic baits. Tubes, crayfish and soft rubber worms will all work if placed in the right location.

For the fly fishers, leeches, wooly buggers, fry and sculpin patterns will all take fish in May. Local lakes that I would recommend for Bass fishing are Shawnigan and Fuller. St Mary lake on Saltspring island can also be very good for Bass.

Ocean anglers have already been doing well in Sampson narrows for winter springs. This should continue to be good and change in late May to both returning local mature fish as well as fish passing through our area headed both north and south. Remember…. it’s just a fish, stay safe.

WEBSitES, EmAilS AnD VErBAl lint

Spring has sprung in the Cowichan Valley and to celebrate i asked several readers to share their thoughts on the arrival of the season. Bernadette Mccormack: “I was sitting on a patio in lahaina, maui and, although I was sad my hawaiian vacation was coming to a close, I thought of my home in the Cowichan and said to myself, ‘well, if I have to leave, at least i get to go home to a beautiful place where the leaves are budding, the trees are flowering, the tulips and daffodils are well in bloom, and the weather will be mild.’ I am blessed to live in such a beautiful pocket of the world!”Ms. Mccormack is a duncan based artist with world class talent. Log on to www.Bernadettemccormack.Com and i am sure you will agree. Susan Rankin: “the plum blossoms on the trees that surround my house fill me with ecstasy the likes of which i did not experience in my youth. The lift the spring breeze stirs inside of me is more cherished with each passing year. Life in Cowichan Valley is good.”Ms. Rankin is an accomplished composer (gloves off: a hockey opera in three acts) and performer. After living in parts of Canada, the States and Europe she has made her home in Cowichan Bay where she lives with artist/software designer/understanding husband Herb Rice. Jeff Downie: “the warmth and sun of spring brings with it renewed optimism for the possiblities the year will bring. Bottling new vintages and preparing the tasting rooms and restaurants to open for visitors and locals alike. Many of these vineyards are among the most beautiful sites the valley boasts with row upon rows of vines and pristine and dramatic views. Spring brings them into focus and lets us ponder what may come.”Mr. Downie is the genial proprietor of the recently uncorked Old Firehouse Wine Bar and Gallowglass Books. Log onto oldfirehousewinebar.Ca and/or gallowglassbooks.Com for more info.

Graham Cole with a very nice Cowichan River Brown Trout.

Learning to PuttImage courtesy Golf BC

Kenzie Cuthbert has 25 years of professional guiding on southern Vancouver Island and owner operator of the Cowichan River Wilderness Lodge.www.kenzies.com

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“Keep your head down.”“Just put your thumbs straight down the grip.” “Move the ball up in your stance to stop your slice.”

Wow, as if golf wasn’t hard enough without listening to these very damaging common golf myths. Imagine

a young Annika Sorenstam developing her game in Sweden and being told to keep her head down. Even with today’s technology and free information on the web these are still the scary things I see and hear when I teach. The point of all this is that golf doesn’t have to be hard, frustrating and confusing. Find a certified CPGA golf coach who offers coaching programs suited for your level then let him or her teach you what golf is truly all about. Don’t get me wrong it will take work and practice, but like anything if you’re going to do it, it makes sense to learn from a professional.

Bubba Watson who just recently won the Masters Golf tournament said he doesn’t have a coach and has never taken a lesson in his life. Please don’t misunderstand he still works very hard on his game and has a crazy imagination for shot shaping. I once watched him hit a drive that curved 60 yards in the air from right to left on #17 at Glen Abbey taking it over the maintenance area to the middle of the fairway 340 yards from the tee. My experience, there aren’t many Bubba’s in the world.

Do yourself a favour, take a lesson and clear up some of the myths that may be holding you back from enjoying this incredible game.

www.golfbc.com

Peter Oliphant Director of Instruction GBC Golf Academy at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club

Golf Tips From The Pro

The Myths I Hear

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Learning to PuttImage courtesy Golf BC

Kenzie Cuthbert has 25 years of professional guiding on southern Vancouver Island and owner operator of the Cowichan River Wilderness Lodge.www.kenzies.com


I am told that Qigong is for anyone who wants to stay healthy or improve their health condition. The healthier we are, the happier.

In Chinese ‘Qi’ means energy and ‘gong’ means work, so

when participating in the movements one is working to develop the flow of their Qi (energy). This supports our abilities to relax and stay centered, our will and stamina, our creativity and our potential to think clearly.

When our internal organs are functioning well, our body and mind are in balance, we can be more present in our creativity and within our family life and workplace. When our bones are strong and our posture and circulation are good then we have more energy.

In 1993 Lee Masters was given the gift of Qigong. “It was an idea, a Way, and for me it seemed to bring together the beautiful aspects of all those

hours of dance and meditation I used to do, into one practice. Yet Qigong was do-able in a short period of time with surprisingly delightful effects.” says Lee.

Now almost 20 years later Lee is very well practiced in Qigong and shares this gift with her own community. Lee’s Duncan studio offers students Wild Goose Qigong. She explains that this form comes from the Western part of China in the Kunlun Mountains where, 1800 years ago, Daoist monks formulated these movement series to stay healthy in their harsh conditions and to foster longevity, wanting to develop immortality. Eventually it was passed to Grandmaster Yang Meijun who, when she

was in her eighties, passed it on to Master Michael Tse the instructor who will be visiting Duncan.

The other form she offers, Chun Yuen Quan, was passed down through the Beijing Opera by a famous opera trainer called Wang Ping to Wu Chun Yuen and then to Master Tse. “We practise this for its enormous health benefits.” she explains.

People often see Qigong being practised outside. We ask Lee why. “When we practise, we exchange Qi(energy) so it is very beneficial to gather the fresh Qi from Nature.” says Lee. Recently Lee returned from New Zealand where she immersed herself in more Qigong training with visiting

Why Qi Gong?Who is it for?

Lee Masters practicing Qigong

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Master Michael Tse. The form was called Triple Crossing Spiral Gong “It is really good for nourishing and calming the nervous system. she shares “eventually, when I have learned the second half and feel more practised in this form, I will teach it to my students here”. Lee is very proud to be hosting Master Michael Tse’s visit to Duncan. “He has been very influential to my own practice. Born in Hong Kong, Master Michael Tse has trained almost all his life with some of the world’s greatest masters in Qigong and Martial Arts. He is one of the gems of our time, having brought together all these high-level skills under the umbrella of the Tse Qigong Centre and then developing his teaching and patiently sharing his skill and deep wisdom with all who are interested to learn.”

In the Friday night seminar, attendees will learn diagnosis based on Chinese medicine skill and Qigong knowledge, various massage techniques and some basic Qi transmission skill. Master Tse will also be talking about how to develop your healing potential and how to develop and maintain good health which is vital for being an effective healer. All of the seminars are open to anyone who is interested, complete beginners welcome.Sounds like a good time to try Qigong! For more information , fees or to register for the workshops visit www.wildgooseqigongcentre.com for more information on visiting Master Michael Tse visit www.tseqigongcentre.com. Special discounts for earlybird registration by May 7th.

Ayurveda~ Ancient Body Therapies

Ayurveda is becoming much better known in the

West, an ancient practice of creating balance and harmony in the entire being. Often the first response is to think of diet and lifestyle, but this ancient practice encompasses much more.

Ayurvedic Body Therapies are an important part of working with the physical body to release held experiences, on the muscular, energetic and karmic levels. Ayurvedic Bodywork uses large amounts of warm organic medicinal oils. The two most popular treatments are Abyhanga and Shirodhara.

Abyhanga~ A deeply relaxing, nurturing full-body massage, that soothes the muscles, cleanses the lymph system and opens

the energy flows to release layers of held emotional and energetic blockages. Hot oil is poured onto the heart chakra and belly, then drizzled over the entire body; the strokes are long and smooth, the experience divine. Not only deeply relaxing this is extremely powerful medicine; it calms the nervous system, increases vitality, stimulates digestion, facilitates the

release of toxins from the muscles and works on the subtle energy layers. Great for all body types.

Shirodhara~ A continuous flow of warm oil is poured onto the third eye and the forehead allowing the mind to surrender its nonstop chatter, releasing you into a truly peaceful state of being - neither fully conscious,

nor asleep. This facilitates space to witness and release impressions from the conscious and subconscious mind. An amazing therapy for balancing the emotions, removing stress, insomnia and pacifying depression. Like no other experience, Shirodhara relaxes the mind to its fullest, opening the doors to our deeper awareness. Ayurvedic Bodywork Treatments are extremely nourishing to the physical body, and they also flow much deeper, bringing balance to body, mind, emotions, energy and spirit. These nurturing, luxurious, and deeply restorative treatments are an amazing gift to the soul.

Asrael is an Ayurvedic Practitioner & Yoga Teacher in the Cowichan Valley. www.anandaayurveda.wordpress.comShirodhara


Come share your boat story at Maple Bay

Marina’s 17th Annual Wooden Boat Festival taking place May 18th, 19th and 20th. This noteworthy event honours the history of wooden boats and the people who keep them afloat by providing a venue for them and their admirers. All types of boats attend the event including; converted work boats, sailboats, rowboats, kayaks, classic Monks and Chris Crafts. The public are invited Saturday and Sunday - it is free to ‘walk the docks’. Guests are encouraged to cast a vote for their favourite boat and awards are presented at the end of the show.

The Festival continues onshore with live music kicking it off Friday evening at the Shipyard Restaurant

and Pub. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons there will be more live music outside for people to enjoy. Wood boat owners are treated to a Friday Welcome Social on the party float, complimentary “Donuts on the Dock” Sunday and Monday mornings, an Awards Presentation Social on Sunday and receive special moorage rates. Onsite Saturday and Sunday. will be a representative from BC Cetacean Sightings Network (www.wildwhales.org) and nautical themed local arts and crafts add colour to the festival.

“I really enjoy learning each boat’s story and meeting the owners. Whether it is a recently built boat or a 100 year old boat.” says Carol Messier, the event coordinator. “It is not very often that we have so many classic boats in one place, and can talk to owners to learn the boats history.”

Wooden boats have a long history and tradition on the West Coast and Vancouver Island. The people that

dedicate their time and hard work to restore them, tie us to our maritime heritage. Maple Bay Marina continues to celebrate these remarkable vessels, and the people who love them.

Interested in Taking Part?Maple Bay Marina is currently accepting moorage reservations from owners of wooden vessels.

For more information, please contact Carol Messier, Maple Bay Marina, at 250-746-8482 or 866-746-8482 or visit www.maplebaymarina.com.

Every Boat Has a Story...

17th Annual Wooden Boat FestivalMaple Bay MarinaMay 18th, 19th and 20To register your wooden boat call Carol Messier250-746-8482www.maplebaymarina.com

Spring Couples Special $99 a Nite

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Maple Bay Marina is located 10 minutes east of Duncan.It provides moorage and recreational boating services year round. It is also serviced by daily float plane service from Downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver Airport

Register now for the Cowichan Challenge Tri at Fuller Lake Park July 8th. Details at www.ceevacs.com

Photo Carol Messier

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17th Annual Wooden Boat FestivalMaple Bay MarinaMay 18th, 19th and 20To register your wooden boat call Carol Messier250-746-8482www.maplebaymarina.com

Float homes have been part of West Coast life for well

over a hundred years. There are several communities of float homes bordering the Cowichan Valley; ours is in Maple Bay, facing Chisholm Island in Bird’s Eye Cove. One resident has been living on her float home here for 28 years!

Come and ask ocean-dwellers your questions about life on the water ~ find out

2nd Annual Float Home Open HouseMay 19th and 201-4pmBy donation (cash or food for the CV Basket Society)J Dock, Maple Bay Marina6145 Genoa Bay Rd

about the many delights and the unique challenges. Bring the kids to see the starfish and sea anenomes, the herons and the eagles - and much more marine life. Admission is by your

Photo Penny McLennan

When you go by the window at Imagine

That! this month take a contemplative look. 3 artists Sandra Greenaway, John Agg and Margot Page are on show with works related to Japan.

Artist Margot Page who sailed to Japan from Ontario almost 20 years ago recalls her voyage. She and her partner spent 4 months touring Japan via their sailboat. “By the time we cast off from Kushiro in July, we will have shared heart-warming friendships and learned their customs. We will have sailed

from Kyushu to Hokkaido, followed the ceremonies of Sakura, the cherry blossom season as we went northward. We will have bathed in their onsen, and been entertained by their hospitality. We will have experienced a typhoon on our own boat, and felt the earth shake from quakes, as we walk the streets. We know when we go back the hospitality will still be

Artists Pay Tribute to Japan

generous donations of non-perishable food and/or cash for Cowichan Valley Basket Society = our local food bank. We love living on the water and look forward to sharing with you a glimpse of our way of life. Each of the houses is different and unique - and so are the inhabitants.

there, in those little villages, and tiny seaports.” Margot’s pieces on view in the window were inspired by the tiny Geisha I saw on the streets of Tokyo. Proceeds of her sales from the May window, will be sent to Japan via: Japan

Earthquake Relief Fund www.japansociety.org.earthquake. Margot Page, Sandra Greenaway and John Agg on show at Imagine That! 251 Craig Street, Duncan till May 26.

Sandra Greenaway

John Agg

Register now for the Cowichan Challenge Tri at Fuller Lake Park July 8th. Details at www.ceevacs.com

See what floathome living is all about

Float Home Open House


Community Music Programs & Workshops• Sing for Joy Choir •Threshold Singers • Music for Children • Gong ChoirVocal Improvisation Class • Helios Song • Deep Listening Evenings • Parent and Child Music • Intuitive Pedagogy: Movement & Musical Games

Visit Joythroughmusic.comCall to Register 250 701 0978

Mondays: Parent + Child Music 9.30 - 10.30 am - 9 classes 150$ per fam-

with Massimo Pintus - Werbeck Singing, Uncovering the voice

Voice Lessons with Cari Burdett BMUS, MMUS from Royal Academy of Music London, UK Folk, Musical Theatre, Classical, Improvisation

Guitar Lessons with Massimo Pintus Folk, Pop, Classical, Jazz, Flamenco, Finger independence

Offering Private and Group Music Classes

Call to Singers for 100 Voices for One World

Duncan turned 100 this year! 100 Voices for

One World invites you to sing alongside a diverse, multi age, multicultural choir composed of people like YOU! “We want this choir to be inclusive for people to sing together regardless of financial situation and age, this will also be fun way for families to come out and share songs together about the planet” says artistic director, Cari Burdett of Lila Music Centre. Cari has a strong track record of developing and creating inspirational and interactive community events on the island and currently teaches voice, choirs and weekly parent and child music groups. “The music will be reflective of a positive, hope filled mood of UBUNTU – a zulu word given by Desmond Tutu ‘I am because we are’.” She adds. There is Love in the World written by local singer/songwriter Paul Ruszel, Duncan’s Centennial Song writing contest winner will be one of the songs performed. Cari has added the choir parts and will invite all 100 voices

to join in with Paul.

Everyone who believes in a dream of creating a place where every voice is heard in harmony is invited to come and sing. Singers will be offered four days in the week to choose from to rehearse. Your required commitment to the choir is to attend at least one of the practices per week beginning May 7th. If you are not able to attend each practice you are required to also practice by listening and learning online at www.joythroughmusic.com (go to bottom of home page and find 100 Voices for One World Photo) Performance dates are: Aborigional Day June 21st, Multicultural Day June 27th and to kick start this year’s Summer festival in celebration of Duncan’s 100th Birthday June 30th and Canada Day July 1st. You can register and get more info by calling Cari at 250 701 0978, or visiting www.joythroughmusic.com.

100 Voices Rehearsal Times Monday nights 7:30 - 8:30pm Lila Music Centre, 3228A Gibbins Rd

Wednesday mornings 9:30am - 10:30am Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Rd

Thursday evenings 5:00 - 6:00pm Quw’ wutsun Cultural Centre, 200 Cowichan Way

Exchange will be sliding scale for the 7 weeks of teaching : $20 - $100 individuals, $40 - $200 families, couples.

Vintage Hat Making Workshop (fascinators too)Thursday, May 3rd,11am-4pm By DonationSt. John’s Anglican Church 3295 Cobble Hill Road250-743-3095

Cari Burdett breathing life into music and music into life. www.joythroughmusic.com

Soliel Mannion EQUUSFletcherfotoRuns to May 13109 Ingram St Duncan250 412-6914soleilmannion.comGrey Horse, Oil on Canvas 36”X48,

Soliel Mannion

Equus is an exploration of all that signifies Horse; power, movement, elegance, and majesty. All of the paintings are oil on canvas, done with a large pallet knife.

Kaatza Art Group Show & SaleFriday May 18 - 4-6pmSunday May 20 10-4pmLake Cowichan Centennial Hall309 South Shore Road

Every year the Kaatza Art Group picks a non profit group to support. This year it is the Lake and River Stew-ardship Society. Not your or-dinary Art Show: Kaatza Art Group members create in a variety of mediums for every price range. 20% of the sale price on featured items will be donated to the Lake and River Stewardship Society. This painting of Skutz Falls area was created by Carol Rettig, a founding member of the Kaatza Art Group.

Carol Rettig

41

Vintage Hat Making Workshop (fascinators too)Thursday, May 3rd,11am-4pm By DonationSt. John’s Anglican Church 3295 Cobble Hill Road250-743-3095

Ilona Marshall, extraordinary hat maker

from Vancouver will lead a ladies Vintage Hat Workshop at St. John’s Anglican Church. “I began doing french silk ribbon embroidery in 1994. Then, began romancing silk ribbons into flowers by following instruction books and then going beyond this to re-create nature on hats through my own imagination and practices. I have made felt hats, cloth hats, and have reconstructed hats from many recycled materials. I have

been designing and selling hats for the past 10 years.” Ilona tells us. In 2011 Ilona won a cash prize for her entry into the International Port Moody Wearable Art Awards. Making hats and fascinators are her passion. Ladies should bring a hat they want to decorate or a new one that we can customize to fit many outfits and their own supplies (hat, glue gun, needle, thread, scissors, bits of ribbon, lace, fabric flowers, leaves - whatever they want to put on their hat. The event is to encourage ladies of all ages to come together & share ideas on decorating a hat that they can wear to the 125th Anniversary Gala on June 2, The Ole Time Country Fair on June 23, to church, yachting or horse events or any other vintage events taking place this summer. Attendees should bring their own lunch (coffee/tea & dessert will be supplied). We are accepting hat and supplies donations for the workshop. Admission is by donation.

Chemainus Theatre Festival is Turning Up The Volume on Theatrical Comedy

It’s chaos backstage at The Chemainus Theatre Festival

with Michael Frayn’s clever masterpiece, Noises Off. Clearly, things are not going well as actors and crew trip over a tangle of love lines, missed cues, and lost hope. Till June 2nd, audiences can find out just how bad things get in the “funniest farce ever written”, as praised by The New York Post.Noises Off is considered to be one of the most popular plays in the English language since its premiere in 1982. It follows a North American acting com-pany’s valiant, yet doomed,

struggle to make their British sex comedy a Broadway hit. From their disastrous first dress rehearsal, the troupe’s flirtations and foibles provide hilarious verbal and physical gymnastics. Approaching their less-than acclaimed closing night, the actors try their hard-est to keep the play going, and to kill each other, without the audience noticing.

Noises Off is produced in as-sociation with Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops. The Playbill Dining Room will offer a delicious buffet to eve-ning (pre-show) and matinee (post-show) guests. Reserva-

tions for the full theatre and dinner package can be made with ticket purchase.

Age restriction: Noises Off contains strong language and is suggested for theatregoers age thirteen and older.

Noises OffMichael FraynRuns to June 2Evenings and MatineesChemainus Theatre Festival250 246 9820

Christopher Weddell as Selsdon, Robyn Wallis and Poppy and Anita Wit-tenberg as Belinda in Western Canada Theatre’s production of Noises Off. Photo by Murray Mitchell

Soliel Mannion EQUUSFletcherfotoRuns to May 13109 Ingram St Duncan250 412-6914soleilmannion.com

Ilona Marshall


The adrenal glands are two small

glands that sit over the kidneys and are responsible for secreting over 50 different hormones—including epinephrine, cortisol, progesterone, DHEA, estrogen, and testosterone.

The adrenals areresponsible for many tasks which include maintaining energy, transport, hormoneproduction, inflammation recognition and control, protein movement through the liver, regulating stress, sodium retention, potassium excretion, bone density, stimulate the breakdown of stored fats and glycogen into glucose, elevating blood sugar levels. electrolyte balance, maintaining pH, allergy response, mineral transport, insulin transport, supporting thyroid function, communication with thehypothalamus and maintaining fluid balance. The cortex or outer portion of the adrenal gland produces cortisone, which helps to regulate blood sugar, energy levels, and muscle function. In stressful situations, levels of cortisone rise, setting off a chain-reaction of changes in thebody. It is believed that lowered immunity, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and other symptoms of stress are directly related to the adrenal reserves of cortisone being used up. The cortex also makes small amounts of the sex hormones testosterone,progesterone and estrogen.The medulla or inner part of the adrenal produces adrenaline.This speeds up thebreathing rate, raises blood pressure, and increases heart rate inresponse to stress.

Adrenal Stress/ExhaustionWith such important jobs to do it is easy to see why it can become exhausted. Stress, lack of sleep and hormone imbalance impacts how the adrenal gland functions. With too much prolonged stress, however, the adrenals can becomeexhausted from continual hormonal output. You can have emotional stress or chemical stress There is a domino effect starting with adrenal exhaustion. In the first stage of stress there is an increased secretion of the cortisol hormone to try and adapt to the situation. High cortisol causes insulin resistance and insulin resistance causes high cortisol. When you have insulin resistance, you gain weight, crave sugar, and are constantly hungry, You also get fatigued after eating a high carbohydrate meal because lots of insulin has been secreted, whilethe cells are no longer responsive to insulin. The body converts carbohydrates into fat, which requires energy. This accounts for the fatigue after meals.

Debbie Shkuratoff Owner/Practitioner Reiki Wellness and The Zen Room www.reikiwellness.ca

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Phobias

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43

Julia Star BHD.BEd

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Medical Qi Gong ExercisesWhat are they, and why do them?

Find out how Medical Qi Gong can be a part of your journey to healing, health

and vitality.

Medical Qi Gong Exercise Classes Fridays 10:15am-11:45 am

Harmony Yoga, 111 Station St., Duncan

Contact Rommy at: 250-749-6563 [email protected]

Medical Qi Gong is the energetic component of

Traditional Chinese Medicine, (TCM). The wisdom of TCM sees us as physical, energetic and spiritual beings. TCM also sees our physical bodies surrounded by an energetic field which is both emotional and spiritual. This acts as our protective shield.

The energy of negative and traumatic events in our daily lives affects us emotionally. This negative energy eventually breaks down our protective shield, and starts to penetrate into our cells and tissues. We hold the energy of these emotional events in our cells and tissues without even realizing it, even when the events are long forgotten. Too many negative or

traumatic events, combinedwith daily stress, will eventually slow the flow of our physical energy down. This begins to create stagnation and blockages in our body. The areas where stagnation or blockages have started to form is where disease begins to set in. Almost all disease can be traced back to emotional or physical traumas which have been held in our physical bodies.Medical Qi Gong exercises help to release emotions, move stagnation, remove blockages and rebuild our energetic protective shield.Medical Qi Gong exercises consist of; Breathing Techniques, Slow Gentle Movements; Visualization; and Meditation.

Rommy is a Master level Medical Qi Gong therapist.Find out how a treatment may benefit you..

Dancing through the Chakras Series with Christy Rainbow DawnThursdays, May 17 - June 28 7:30 - 9:30pmHarmony Yoga, DuncanTo registsr 250-737 [email protected]

Dance into the treasures of colour and the elements to ground, flow, and let go with the beautiful and fun world & electronic music that will move you....Through yoga, breath work and Kundalini Dance we will dance to awaken our blossoming potentialin safe and supported space.

Christy Rainbow Dawn

44 Valley Voice Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley Interested in contributing to the Valley Voice? E-mail us at [email protected]


Yeah!! This year we are featuring local seeds from both Carolyn Herriot (The Gardening Path in Victoria) and Dan Jason on Salt Spring Island. Both Dan and Carolyn are stal-wart seed savers and we highly recommend their organic seeds — many of which are heritage. We also have amaranth seeds from Nicolette’s “front yard farm” on Cairnsmore Street for anyone who is interested.

No room for a garden? No problem. Sprout-ing is the way to go. Grow your own fresh “veggies” full of all the vitamins and minerals and enzymes you could ever hope for — year round! You can’t get more local than your own counter. This is simply the easiest and most af-fordable way to meet your daily nu-tritional and life force requirements. All you need is jars and seeds. Come check out our seed selection and pick up the handout, “the Wonders of Sprouting” which outlines easy and practical steps to grow sprouts in your home. We have sprouting lids that fit on any standard mason or mayonnaise jar and starter kits. For more info on sprouting:

Hornby Island and Salt Spring Island resi-dents have united to deliver a unified “NO” to BC Hydro and Corix regarding the installa-tion of Smart Meters. So have other commu-nities all over the world. On behalf of the bees, our children, and people with compro-mised health, please join us in saying NO to this ghastly bombardment of microwave radiation and viola-tion of our rights. Just the fact that it “might” be unsafe (since everyone is still busy debating the “facts”) should be reason enough to say NO. Let’s be a commu-nity that stands together for our rights. For more info contact:

Join Yarrow Willard from Harmonic Arts in Elixir Crafting and Tonic Herbal Drinks. In this class we will create a number of unique health drinks. Sampling a broad spectrum of herbs, nut milks, super foods, and functional nutrition. Through the use of tonic food/medicines we can fortify our energy and increase overall vitality. Each recipe is also cus-tomizable for specific concerns and available ingredients. Enjoy a radiant state of health through using this fun and pro-active approach in your lifestyle.Yarrow’s Bio: Yarrow Willard is a Clinical/Master Herbalist and co-owner/formulator of Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary. Raised with a strong connection to herbs and natu-ral health, he is a passionate promoter of plant-based medicine and nutrition. Yarrow’s path and purpose is in cultivation a shared connection with the natural world, found through living a seasonally balanced holistic approach to life. With hopes in assisting our collective evolution towards high vitality, he shares health empowering practices with herbs, mushrooms, super-foods, and advanced nutrition. Call the store at 250-748-6227to sign up.

There is no middle line for us on this one. Any product line owned by Proctor and Gamble, makers of Bounty, Crest, Tide, Pampers, Mr. Clean, Head and Shoulders, Gillette, Secret, Al-ways, Cover Girl, Cascade, Bounce, Febreeze, Max Factor, Olay, Dash — does not belong on our shelves. You might all want to ask yourselves why Proctor and Gamble would want a company like New Chapters anyways? They currently manufacture and net huge profits from selling conventional laundry detergents, household cleaners and body care products. No mat-ter what way you look at it, it’s about money and control. We do not believe the false propa-ganda from P&G and NC to retain the quality and integrity of the company and so, with much regret and sadness, we say goodbye to this line of Certified Organic Whole Food Vitamins. In the mean-time, we assure you, there are alternatives to New Chapters and as always, we encourage you to explore more and more ways to “let food be your medicine”. As a health food store we have a mandate to research and provide healthy, natural alternatives for our customers with ail-ments and compromised health issues — but our real mission is to help our community to at-tain well being and resilience through real food and healthy living. We would like to imagine a society that does not rely entirely on science and experts and Dr. Oz to tell them what they need to “take” or “not take”. The wisdom for true health is inherent in each and every human — we just have to learn to listen to our bodies. Processed, poisoned, irradiated food laden with additives and genetically modified organisms is not the way to health and vibrancy. Dead food dumbs you down. Eat smart and get smart. Get conscious. Wake up and smell the garlic!

Speaking of real food! We are so excited to announce that we have a brand new line of unpas-teurized sauerkraut from “Culturalive” in Salt Spring. Four kinds to choose from: curry, dulse, carrot and ginger and “Kimchi”. All the cabbage is local, organic and the product is absolutely delicious. Comes in 500 ml and 1L mason jars! The addition of sauerkraut to your diet is one of the best things you can do for your health. The proliferation of lactobacilli in fer-mented vegeta-bles enhances their digestibility and increases vitamin levels. These beneficial organisms pro-duce numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic substances. Their main by-product, lactic acid, not only keeps vegetables and fruits in a state of perfect preserva-tion, but also promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestine.


Notable Mompreneur Tracey Hanson of Clean Choice Cleaners

Successful Mompreneur, Tracey Hanson moved to Cobble Hill in 2007 with hopes of finding a slower paced, community

focused environment to raise her kids in.

With a successful track record of starting and running businesses she knew that what she involved herself in next would have to be a good one that balanced family, lifestyle and ethics. “I was looking for a service based business that would be a valued addition to our community. Eco-friendly was the natural direction, partly because it is how we live at home and also because there was a gap in the market place in the area. My goal when developing Clean Choice was to create a cleaning service that provided the personal atten-tion to detail of a personal cleaner with the reliability and structure of a professional business.

Clean Choice opened for business in August 2008. For their first month the homes they cleaned mostly belonged to friends. By month 2, their client base and appointments grew to needing enough staff for a full time schedule.

The company began as a residential cleaning service, but it didn’t take long before they were receiving requests for commercial and janitorial work. Responding to the call they now proudly provide services in all facets of the cleaning industry. “For home clean-ing we serve clients from large homes to small apartments and for commercial clients we service offices, medical buildings, schools as well as a coffee chain with stores located in Duncan to Camp-bell River.” Tracey says.

Now, 4 years later Tracey literally has staff working around the clock, 7 days/week. Services can be booked by the hour for all tasks. Besides general cleaning they also get booked for move in/move out cleaning, post construction and post-reno clean ups. “As a home-based business with an excellent team of staff to provide the services, I am so grateful that Clean Choice has provided enough flexibility to not have to choose between my career and my family.” Says Tracey.

We ourselves are clients of Clean Choice and we can happily attest to the attention and detail that her employees provide. I think my exact words to Tracey were “ Thank you so much for introducing us to Lucie, she truly enhances the well being of our family.” And we mean every word.

If you are looking to improve your relationship - seriously! How many arguments stem from keeping the house clean? Contact Tracey at Clean Choice to book an appointment. Our family is on a bi-weekly schedule where Lucie comes in to attend to our bathrooms, floors and kitchen as well as vacuuming our stairs, bedrooms and entrance ways. If she has extra time, and she always does, we can ask her to tackle some special jobs such as the fridge, oven, cupboards or windows. If we aren’t here to direct her, she even does the dishes or laundry. Forget the chocolate or spa gifts. Give your loved one the gift of time and a clean room to enjoy it in. You can reach Tracey at 250 929 8381.

Tracey Hanson of Clean Choice Cleaners

OUS LE S C A P E

E S T H E T I C SEst. Since 2006

The fi rst and only green spa in the Cowichan Valley.

Offering Certifi ed Organic skincare Eminence from Hungary. We specialize in skin care,

foot care and offer a full range of spa treatments.

#4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca

47

On Saturday May 26th, from 10am – 3pm at

the Cobble Hill Fairgrounds, Evergreen Independent School will host the 28th annual Children & Apple Pie – a family festival and com-munity celebration, and the school’s primary fundraiser. Proceeds support the ac-tivities and programming that shape our students’ education.

This fabulous festival features something fun for everyone – little kids will enjoy Face Painting, Cookie Decorating, a Bouncy Castle and other games, while older kids will be inspired at the Woodwork-ing Table, prove their skills on the Mini Golf Course, or work on their aim at the Dunk Tank. The Silent Auction is a wonder to behold. Take some time to bid on some unique and inspired donations from local artists and businesses (imagine the treasures you’ll

find). Stop by the Concession and sample the fresh, organic fare. The Bake Table features our famous handcrafted Apple Pies. These delicious treats are enough to lure a crowd (they usually sell out before noon) but to sweeten the pot, every pie purchased comes with a chance to win a pair of diamond earrings!

To keep the festive spirits high, the live entertainment lineup (which continues throughout the day) includes (to name a few) Alex’s Evergreen Kid’s, Woodruff Music Studio, Moon Dance Drumming, William Yoga extravaganza, Bonner Jazz Band, Steps Ahead, One World Youth Dance Theatre, Brentwood College Music Ensembles, and the Hilwi Dancers.

Evergreen Independent School has been a fixture in

the Cobble Hill area since 1983, and continues to fill the mandate of providing balanced education where academic excellence and individual development are equally valued, and where the inherent joy of learn-ing is nurtured in a caring and respectful community.Evergreen is accepting ap-plications for September

2012. Children & Apple Pie provides an excellent oppor-tunity to visit with Evergreen teachers at the Information Booth, or take a guided tour of the school (just across the street from the fairgrounds). For more information please contact the school at 250-743-2433 or e-mail [email protected]

Buy a Pie – WIN a diamond on May 26

Face Painting is serious business for guests of Children and Apple Pie, 2011

OUS LE S C A P E

E S T H E T I C SEst. Since 2006

The fi rst and only green spa in the Cowichan Valley.

Offering Certifi ed Organic skincare Eminence from Hungary. We specialize in skin care,

foot care and offer a full range of spa treatments.

#4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca


Communication With ChildrenBeing receptive to learning language is a great challenge to the new parent to the baby and to a young child. Newborns come with a set of reflexes to ensure survival. A few of the reflexes are verbal sounds that the neonate makes to cue the new parent. These sounds are subtle and come at the beginning of a conversation. If the sounds are not received

and acted upon by the parent the infant will escalate to crying and the subtle nuances will be lost in the heightened decibels.The sounds were observed in the last decade by Priscilla Dunstan who claims the infants mouth form five sounds that correspond to their bodily needs. They are:

“Neh,” translates to I am hungry,“Owh,” sounds like a short yawn and means I am sleepy,“Heh,” a subtle exhale that interprets to discomfort or mild pain,“Eairh,” imagine pressing the diaphragm into the lower abdomen meaning I have gas or need a bowelmovement,“Eh,” diaphragm presses into upper chest cavity means I need to burp.

The roles can be reversed as the infant grows into childhood. There are many subtleties and nuances and cues to pick up on that it takes many years to understand. Along with vocabulary parents are presenting perceptions that may be so abstract that a little one may have no concept what-so-ever of what a parent is saying. When one models an action with out talking a child will be able to imitate amazingly well. An old phrase is, “Monkey see, Monkey do.” Repetition of the action may occur for a child to learn and understand the details.

A tricky time for a child is when a suggestion is made not do something rather than to do something. This really poses a challenge to the child in the way auditory processing works. To illustrate, don’t think of a yellow banana or don’t hit your brother. The first mental image is a yellow banana and we hit our brother. With a little practice the phrases of what we actually want our children to do will naturally come to us.

When we interact with a child we must remember the little one is still learning the language.

Mayfest – Saturday, May 5th 10am – 2pmFree community eventSunrise Waldorf School4344 Peters Rd, 250 743-7253.sunrisewaldorfschool.org

Join us for a day of family fun and community cheer in celebration of all things spring. Children’s crafts and activities, flower crowns, face painting, Mother’s Day ob-stacle course w/prizes, fresh food & salad bar, music and Maypole dancing!

Bench Fun FairSaturday, May 12 10:30am – 3:30pmBench Elementary School, 1501 Cowichan Bay Road4344 Peters Rd, 250 743-7253.sunrisewaldorfschool.org

Bench’s Annual Fun Fair - This year’s theme: A Day at the Beach! This is a great family event complete with a gym FULL of games and prizes, Books,Clothing & Plant Sales, Raffle, Famous Haunted House, Cake Walk, Food Vendors and Petting Zoo. Come out and help up complete our playground!

Have you heard about our new Buy a Brick for Bench? Past & Present Families, Students or businesses are welcome to buy a brick for bench - have your name engraved and be part of the brick path we are building. What a great way to be a part of this great school!

Songwriting Contest Open to All Islanders

Full contest regulations and printable registration form available at

www.folkfest.bc.ca

“We’re looking for a great song about how to protect or improve the environment. Which environmental issues are important to you: Salmon, Global warming, Food? There are hundreds of issues out there. Songs are a great way to educate and inspire and to get people involved in fi nding solutions. Think about songs which have inspired you in the past, then use your own perceptions to write one of your own to inspire others.”

Folk Guild’s Artistic Director, Robert McCourty

Clos ing De adl ine

May 25th!2012 Theme

“Ecology &The Environment”

49

My husband is a firm believer that for a

child to grow up to be a hard worker, they must see this hard work take place.

My family and I have spent many weekends visiting the Glenora, to gather firewood for our wood stoves from the woodlot. We are a wood-burning household, so we need to ensure we have enough to burn for the next season.

Island Timberlands has the rights to a large amount of Crown land on the outskirts of Glenora. There is an entrance off of Glenora Road with a manned gate. This area is open to the public on weekends from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. You will need to check in at the gate and let them know why you are heading into the wilderness.

Other than firewood, people visit for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting. I found with two bodies of water that are also accessible from this area: Wild Deer Lake and Lois Lake. If you are hoping to visit one of these lakes, bring a back-road map book along with you.

My daughter Emily is now 17 months old and she enjoys stomping along the logging road looking for rocks and sticks with Mommy in tow. The rest of the crew diligently hauls logs to the road with the pick-up truck, and cuts the wood into manageable chunks. When the chainsaws stop, we toddle back to help load the truck.

Stu grew-up helping his family get firewood, and he

Communication With ChildrenBeing receptive to learning language is a great challenge to the new parent to the baby and to a young child. Newborns come with a set of reflexes to ensure survival. A few of the reflexes are verbal sounds that the neonate makes to cue the new parent. These sounds are subtle and come at the beginning of a conversation. If the sounds are not received

and acted upon by the parent the infant will escalate to crying and the subtle nuances will be lost in the heightened decibels.The sounds were observed in the last decade by Priscilla Dunstan who claims the infants mouth form five sounds that correspond to their bodily needs. They are:

“Neh,” translates to I am hungry,“Owh,” sounds like a short yawn and means I am sleepy,“Heh,” a subtle exhale that interprets to discomfort or mild pain,“Eairh,” imagine pressing the diaphragm into the lower abdomen meaning I have gas or need a bowelmovement,“Eh,” diaphragm presses into upper chest cavity means I need to burp.

The roles can be reversed as the infant grows into childhood. There are many subtleties and nuances and cues to pick up on that it takes many years to understand. Along with vocabulary parents are presenting perceptions that may be so abstract that a little one may have no concept what-so-ever of what a parent is saying. When one models an action with out talking a child will be able to imitate amazingly well. An old phrase is, “Monkey see, Monkey do.” Repetition of the action may occur for a child to learn and understand the details.

A tricky time for a child is when a suggestion is made not do something rather than to do something. This really poses a challenge to the child in the way auditory processing works. To illustrate, don’t think of a yellow banana or don’t hit your brother. The first mental image is a yellow banana and we hit our brother. With a little practice the phrases of what we actually want our children to do will naturally come to us.

When we interact with a child we must remember the little one is still learning the language.

The Children’s Space

Meghan works part-time and enjoys being a full-time Mom and adventurer.

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

What Would Ms Polly Do?

is ecstatic to be able to show this to Emily. As soon as she sees Stu put the chainsaw down, Emily runs to him calling “Daddy! Daddy!” She loves to watch him work. She might be small, but she does her share by carrying pieces of bark and slivers of wood to the truck.

It’s nice to spend the morning with family in the woods. Sun shining, wood chips flying, and a baby carrying rocks down road. Yes, it is a little dismal to see the lack of trees, but I feel better knowing we are helping to clean up and salvage what can’t be hauled away on a logging truck.

There is no cost to enter through the gate unless you are taking wood out with you, which is $20 per truck load. If you don’t heat your home with wood, don’t let this stop you from visiting this unique area.

Family Trip to The Glenora Woodlot

Emily


Julia Star’s holistic approach unifies the whole person in her unique quantum reflection therapy.

Farm andgardenPages

Every ten years the boundaries of federal ridings are redrawn to reflect changes in population. As Nanaimo-Cowichan is the second-largest electoral district in the province, with a population of 125,149 and 99,872 voters, our boundaries are definitely changing. This is your chance to make sure our new electoral district reflects our population, our history and our community interests. New census data was released in February. The 2012 Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia, an independent and non-partisan body, will identify and confirm new boundaries that will reflect the data. While the main goal is keeping the population roughly even, the Commission must also consider geographic barriers – like the Malahat – and communities of interest – like Shawnigan Lake – in their decision-making. The Commission is working on a proposal right now to redraw the boundaries. Once that proposal is published, the public will be asked to provide input. The deadline for letting the Commission know you want to present your ideas is only 23 days after they publish their proposal. You can find the Commission’s contact info at www.federal-redistribution.ca or there is a link on my website at www.jeancrowder.ca. Or you can call them at 1-855-747-7236 or by TTY at 1-800-361-8935.

Crowder’s Corner

Jean Crowder has been the NDP Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Cowichan since 2004. [email protected]

W I N G S I I IOpportunity Store

You’ll always fi nd a treasure!

193 Station St at Jubilee, Downtown Duncan

250 746 9906 Open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm

Donations Gratefully AcceptedBring your quality womens and childrens clothing, natural fi bres,

household gadgets, jewelry, nick nacks and small furniture.

Nettle Gnocchi with Moonstruck White GraceRecipe courtesy Bruce Wood, Salt Spring Island

When most people think of gnocchi they think of heavy, leaden balls of potato. When made with baking potatoes and handled as little as pos-sible so as not to develop the gluten in the flour, these little dumplings

can be delicate and lovely.

Amount Ingredients 3 Baking Potatoes, washed but not peeled1 lb., cleaned Nettles (CAREFUL they do sting)1 small Egg¼ tsp. Ground Nutmeg¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated 1 ½ Cups All Purpose flour¼ Cup Melted Butter1 Cup Moonstruck White Grace, grated

Cook the potatoes until tender, drain and cool.Peel the potatoes and put through a food mill or ricer.

Blanch the nettles in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Puree in a food pro-cessor until smooth. Place the nettles in a bowl with the potatoes and beat in the egg yolk. Add the seasonings and cheese.

Add the flour and gently knead to a smooth dough.Working on a well-floured work surface, take one-quarter of the dough and form into a rope, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Cut the dough into one inch lengths and transfer to a baking sheet sprinkled lightly with cornmeal.Repeat with the remaining dough.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss the gnocchi into the boiling water and cook until they just float.Drain in a colander and toss lightly with a little olive oil.

To finish, heat a saute pan over medium high heat and add the but-ter. Add the gnocchi and cheese and heat through, season to taste and serve with roast chicken or on their own. Serve hot! *Gnocchi can be prepared a day ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator.

Bruce Wood/Moonstruck Cheese continued from page 11

51

Adult & Seniors Literacy Program Launched

It takes a community to raise a life-long learner. And thanks to the galvanizing

efforts of Literacy Now Cowichan, our valley has – as always – come together to address another challenge: adult and senior literacy.

The “Pathways to Learning” program was launched for adults and seniors who face literacy challenges. Rather than insult people with “See Dick run” books, learning is tailored for each individual’s

receiving graduates back once their literacy skills are sufficient.

· School District 79 likewise enjoys cross-referrals.

· Rotary Club of Duncan donated 2 new computers, screens, and an e-reader for clients with visual problems.

· Bellamy Learning Centre, Global Vocational, GT Hiring, and House of Friendship all send referrals.

Clients can call 597-1776 or come into 213B-80 Station Street on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday between 10-3 to be linked to a tutor. Evening hours can also be arranged. Community members interested in volunteering 1-2 hours/week as tutors are also encouraged to contact program coordinator Kathleen Erickson.

real life needs. Clients work one-on-one with volunteer tutors to prepare for such hurdles as updating resumes, getting a First Aid or Serve it Right certificate, computer skills, forklift training, professional driver’s licence, and even citizenship. Linking the learning to tasks that are essential to their livelihood results in high client motivation and success. As Outreach Coordinator June Hughes explains, “For people who are struggling, the light bulb comes on. It’s wonderful to see people’s confidence grow – it’s what holds them back.”

Like a delicious stone soup, many community chefs threw in key ingredients:

· Ministry of Advanced Education gave the grant funding, with the proposal co-written with FreeRange Consulting.

· VIU is the grant partner, referring learners to the program and then often

Rick Juliusson supports non-profits with sustainable fundrais-ing and organizational development. FreeRangeConsulting.ca

Ensemble Laude, Victoria’s award-winning women’s choir, (featuring 2 singers from the Cowichan Valley) will perform their spring concert The Garden at Providence Farm on May 6th. Directed by Elizabeth MacIsaac, the forty singers explore a marvellous cornucopia of music past and present, from aboriginal fishing chants to medieval love songs, to a modern interpretation of Persian poetry. This year, they

Ensemble Laude perform at Providence Farm May 6

debut their first commissioned work, written by Victoria com-poser Nicholas Fairbank, based on the works of Christine de Pizan, a 14th century feminist writer. Two concerts are offered, beginning at 2 pm and 4 pm. Advance tickets are available at The Community Farm Store in the Duncan Garage: Adults $10; Youth 18 and under $5; Children 5 and under are free.

Summer Nights Open Stage Entertainment, Cowichan Lake - Call for Performers!

Summer Nights Open Stage Entertainment, Cowichan Lake are looking for any and all entertainment that would like to perform on one of the 9 Saturday nights in the sum-mer. This will be done on a volunteer basis, gratis, no pay.

The first hour of the show will be an Open Stage, just come to the park with your talent and get on the list. (limited to around 15 minutes /performance ) Scheduled groups will have their “set” to perform that will be sched-uled from 7:30 – 9:30.

These sets can be 30 minutes to 2 hours long. We provide: Stage, sound system, chairs

and an audience! This venue is family oriented; the entertainment must be children friendly. Decisions regarding who will perform and when will be made by the Entertainment Committee for Summer Nights Open Stage Entertainment, Cowichan Lake. For more info please contact: [email protected]


Cowichan Feature Listings

9747c Willow St, Chemainus

250 324 2227

Want to learn how to make your own jewellery?

Etc! offers a wide range of classes from introductory classes in Beading, Kumihimo and Bead Weaving to more advanced techniques and workshops. We have a fantastic range of beads and supplies as well as unique gifts.

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 [email protected]

High quality handwoven traditional rugs and

carpets made by Tibetan refugees from Nepal.

Hand-knotted and made of 100% Tibetan wool

in a family run venture that houses workers and

educates children to alleviate poverty.

Small World ImportsTibetan Rugs and Carpets

www.smallworldimports.ca250-748-6570

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

- Metal Wall hangings - Free Standing Sculptures

Metal Artist Brad Allen

Studio located in Duncan by appointmentBrad Allen 250 748 0934www.meddleart.com

Offers individual and couple counselling sessions related to grief, stress management, conflict resolution, communication and personal growth. Specialized in addiction issues.

Mes services sont aussi offerts en francais si desire. N’hesitez pas a appeler pour avoir de l’aide!

Sophie Barbant - Hayward, M.A.Registered Professional CounsellorBilingual French and English

331 St. Julian StreetDuncan, BC250- 510 - 0182

Memory foam yoga mat with skid proof, bottom layer as well as textured, top neoprene labor for extra grip. PVC Free. Ideal for pre/postnatal yoga, pilates and those who need more support. Suitable for all types of yoga including, Vinyasa Flow, Power, Bikram, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Gentle and Kundalini. www.vvitayoga.ca

Richard 250 746 9319 Vancouver Island and

Gulf Islands Distributor

Call for prices and dates 250 324 2227Open 10 am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday.

Decor and Designat historic

Whippletree Junction

Specialising in beautiful woods and Canadian furniture.

Dining Room • BedroomLiving Room • Tables

Home AccesoriesEco friendly

Sofas & Chairs

250 737 1773www.sassywood.ca

The home of fi ne furnishings

Leola’s Studio In The Courtyard

- Classes - Shared Studio

- Weaving and spinning- Community Loom - Gift Certifi cates

- Locally made textiles

Learn and Experience the joy of textiles.

leolasstudio.blogspot.com

The Loom yarns, wools, needles,

books and notions.250 746 5250

The WickertreeBC’s Largest selection of indoor and outdoor rattan furniture!thewickertree.com

JUNCTION 4705 Trans Canada Hwy

WHIPPLETREE

Furniture Craft and Design

53

Cowichan Feature Listings

9747c Willow St, Chemainus

250 324 2227

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You want to travel, see new places, meet new faces and learn new facts. You want adventure, fresh knowledge and the feeling that life is stimulating! You’re Gene Kelly strutting across the stage singing “Got-ta dance!” This is a fabulous time to take a course or enroll in any kind of study or take up a new hobby. By all means, travel anywhere if you can. You’ll love discussions that are metaphysical, philosophical, spiritual, religious and political because you’re intrigued by big ideas.

Aries (March 21-April 19) This month you want to boost your earnings, get a better job or make money on the side. Plus, you’re considering a major purchase. Specifically, you want to feel what you own helps you in your life, not hinders you. (Do you own your stuff or does it own you?) If you buy something, you’ll want to show it off. All this just prompts you to think more deeply about your value system. In other words --what really matters in life? Hmmm?Taurus (April 20-May 20) Now the Sun is back in your sign for the first time in a year. It’s all about you! This is your chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. It’s totally appropriate to put yourself first. This is not selfishness. It simply means it’s time to focus on you. Furthermore, you have a strong need to express yourself to oth-ers. It’s the one time of year when your first duty is to yourself. (Yes! Seconds on dessert!)

Gemini (May 21-June 20) We all send out two signals to the world: one is what we consciously say and do and the other one is what unconsciously propels us. Although we might not be aware of it, others see both. This month, your unconscious self will grab you by the throat. Childhood behaviour patterns that are no longer appropriate might manifest in an embarrassing way. Grab this chance to identify them and let them go! (“Be gone!”) It’s also a good time to look back and see

Cancer ( June 21-July 22) You’re going to be very popular this month! Not only will you en-joy involvement with groups and friends, others will love to see you as well. Get out and schmooze. Team efforts will be productive. (In fact, it’s a good time to form working relationships.) Speak freely about your hopes and dreams for the future because others might be able to help you (almost a certainty). Plus you’re excited about your ideals. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

The Sun is your source of energy, and this is the only time all year when the Sun is opposite your sign. This means you need to get more rest. (The Sun is far away!) Do yourself a favour and acknowledge this. Furthermore, the Sun opposite your sign makes you focus keenly on partnerships and close friendships. Clean up messy situations and examine your relationships with others. Do these relationships benefit you? After all, it’s a two-way street.

Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This month your attention swings to home and family. Some will cocoon; some will tackle special projects. Because you’re doing lots of personal self-evaluation and evaluating your surround-ings, you’ll think a lot about your lifestyle. This focus will manifest externally (as you check out where you live and relations with family members) and internally (as you acquire a deeper, psycho-logical self-awareness.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Your love of restaurants, social fun, chic clothes and a beautiful home is tough on your pocket-book. Because you’ve enjoyed recent travels and splurges, now your financial reality is com-ing home to roost. This is why you’ll be focused on debt, taxes, inheritances, insurance matters and shared property in the next month. You want to reduce your debt so you can have more fun in the future! Along with this desire, you want to improve your life at many levels.

Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22) The Sun is at the top of your chart acting like a spotlight, and this lighting is flattering! Everyone think you’re hot! Naturally, you can use this to your advantage. Go after what you want. You’ll be surprised how easily doors will open for you. This is also the perfect time to think about your life direction. Where are you headed? Where do you want to go? Meanwhile, back at the ranch, many of you are involved with parents more than usual. (Don’t know about you, but my parents turned out pretty well.)

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

Sagittarius(Nov.22-Dec.21) You’re making To Do lists because you’re keen to get better organized. You want to establish a better sense of order; in part, because you’re also keen to im-prove your health and you know that cluttered surroundings contribute to a cluttered mind. Vigorous, daily outdoor exercise is probably on your list along with getting rid of whatever you don’t need. You love to lighten your load because it means greater freedom in the future, which of course, means freedom to travel.

May Horoscopes

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Strap on your sneakers because you hit the pavement running! You’ve got places to go, things to do, people to see. You’ll love the pace because you feel excited. You’re stimulated talking to everyone, running around doing errands and taking short trips. You’ll also be increasingly aware of the need for clear communica-tions with others because this month is the perfect time to tell others exactly what you think.

www.georgianicols.com

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Oh joy! You’re entering one of the most fun-filled months of the year! Because it’s your turn to party, you’re motivated to get out and have a good time. You also want the freedom to be able to express who you are. Everything around you feels lighter, prankish and social. Your involvement in sports, the Arts and children will be increasingly rewarding. Your passion to have a good time en-courages love affairs and romance to flourish.

how well you’re doing at the art of living.


Division of C.A.R.S

www.TASTEtheCowichan.ca

GREAT for ALL Businesses!Does your business have ‘Good TASTE’?

MAKE SURE IT’S LISTED

The Second Hanger Consignment15-850 Shawnigan-Mill Bay Rd. Cobble Hill 250

743 -7802 www.thesecondhanger.ca

D I R E C T O R Y

Valley Voice Magazine now offers readers a new directory to discover local services and businesses. 3 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 0596 or [email protected] May 16th for June 2012 Issue 43.

Health and Healing

Farms and Food

More than a Meat ShopGluten Free/Organic Pasta’s, Organic Meat, Homemade Sausage, International Foods.

The Duncan Butcher430 Trans Canada Hwy 250 748 -6377

4-180 Central Duncan (Located Beside Sears in Village Green Mall) 250 748-4421

SENIORS! 15% Discount Every Day! on Supplements *Unless Already Re-ducedLast Tuesday of Every Month Seniors receive 15% off most food items as well as supplements.

Vitamin And Herbal SupplementsOrganic Bulk Foods & Herbs

Health & Beauty AidsHerbal Medicine & Food For

Dogs And CatsSports Nutrition & Weight Loss

Snack Bar

Slim Down Now for Summer: 3 Sessions Hypnosis $199 Expires May 31, 2012

Danette Noble, RCH, CCHt250 709-7380www.cowichanvalleyhypno.com

The Valley’s 1st Certified Organic /Biodynamic Community Supported Agriculture Program Year round availability or 24 weeks

Come eat at our Organic Farm Cafe - Child, Celiac and Vegan friendly!Alderlea Farm and Cafe 3390 Glenora Road, Duncan, 250 715-0799

Open Tues, Fri, Sat, 11am-5pmSpecial seating for family meals!

Reflexology and Chi Wellness by Terri AWAKEN YOUR SPRING VITALITY * RELEASE DISEASE CAUSING STRESS * STIMULATE IMMUNE FUNCTIONS

Gift Certificates Available Hours: Mon - Thurs 9am - 8pm

Registered * Licensed * Insured * Certified

Terri 250 709-23881453 Algonkin Rd, Duncan [email protected] • www.terriswellness.com

May Specials : 3 x 1hr sessions $159 (regular $180) - 3 X 90 min sessions $225 (reg$255)Offering: Indian Head Massage, Chair Massage , Foot and Thai Reflexology, Energy Work

COMPLIMENTS ALL CLEANSES

Business Services

Clothing and Consignment

Accommodations

Beauty

Accepting Spring and Summer ConsignmentsLearn how to turn your closet into cash.

Matraea Centre 170 Craig Street Duncan 250 710-7339

Nika’s Natural Hair & Relaxation Salonhaircuts for the whole familycolor & hi-lites (featuring eco-colors)hair and scalp treatmentsall natural products

Year round waterfront vacation rental with dock. Great for a family holiday or a

getaway with friends.www.shawniganlakevacationrentals.ca

[email protected] or call (250) 743-5941

Shawnigan Lake House

141 Craig Street, Duncan 250 748-9632www.mercias.ca

IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN Amazing Lines Of Professional Natural Cosmetics including: Zuii Organics Make Up and ZUZU Luxe: luxury color cosmetics line - spa inspired - VEGAN!

•A Large Variety Of Supplements, Flower Remedies•Homeopathics, Tinctures

•Aura-Soma Colour Therapy, Bath and Body Products•Hair Care Products, Specialty Creams, Bulk Soap and More!

•Duncan’s Largest Selection Of Bulk Medicinal Herbs

Ananda Ayurveda with Asrael

Asrael 250-597-3973www.anandaayurveda.wordpress.com

Luxurious Hot Oil Massages. Ayurvedic Treatments & Consultations. Jyotish Astrology.Yoga - Mondays & Wednesdays 4- 5:30pm Oceanfront Suites, Cowichan Bay.

55

For more information on how to be part of theNEW 2012 Valley Voice Directory Call Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 or

e-mail [email protected]

Reflexology and Chi Wellness by Terri AWAKEN YOUR SPRING VITALITY * RELEASE DISEASE CAUSING STRESS * STIMULATE IMMUNE FUNCTIONS

Gift Certificates Available Hours: Mon - Thurs 9am - 8pm

Registered * Licensed * Insured * Certified

Terri 250 709-23881453 Algonkin Rd, Duncan [email protected] • www.terriswellness.com

May Specials : 3 x 1hr sessions $159 (regular $180) - 3 X 90 min sessions $225 (reg$255)Offering: Indian Head Massage, Chair Massage , Foot and Thai Reflexology, Energy Work

COMPLIMENTS ALL CLEANSES

141 Craig Street, Duncan 250 748-9632www.mercias.ca

IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN Amazing Lines Of Professional Natural Cosmetics including: Zuii Organics Make Up and ZUZU Luxe: luxury color cosmetics line - spa inspired - VEGAN!

•A Large Variety Of Supplements, Flower Remedies•Homeopathics, Tinctures

•Aura-Soma Colour Therapy, Bath and Body Products•Hair Care Products, Specialty Creams, Bulk Soap and More!

•Duncan’s Largest Selection Of Bulk Medicinal Herbs

Prenatal, Birthing and Maternity Professional Framing and Local Art

Yoga Classes, Studios and InstructionSadie Bartram - Inspiration YogaChakra Yoga and Sacred Chant Circle at Rivendell YurtPrenatal Yoga and Mom and Babe Yoga at Matrea Centre, 170 Craig St [email protected]/250-748-2089

Web Services, Domains and Hosting

Local Hosting and Domain

Services

Need a domain?WEB HOST Richard [email protected] Duncan, BC

• DOMAIN REGISTRATION & NAME LOOK UPS• WEB HOSTING • E MAIL MANAGEMENT

Health and Healing (continued)

DIETS DON’T WORK! - CLINICAL HYPNOSIS DOES

15 Min Free Phone ConsultationsBook Your Appointment Today

Lori Austein Clinical Hypnotherapist250 743 5685 [email protected]

Pet Health and CareHolistic Care For Pets and PeopleSpecializing in Holistic Nutritional Education, Acid/Alkaline Balance, Food Buddy Shopping Services, Alternative Healing, Home CareSHEILA JONES chp Holistic PractitionerMOBILE SERVICES www.holisticnc.ca250-597-3212

139 Station St. 250-748-3311 [email protected]

Professional Framing •Local Art •Unique Gifts

Fertility issues? Hypnosis works - Call Now for an 8 Session Couple Hypnosis only $899Danette Noble, RCH, CCHt250 709-7380www.birthwithhypnosis.vpweb.ca

Home Maintenance

Classroom Space AvailableEnquire Within The Matrea Centre

170 Craig Street, DuncanCall: 250 597 0085Email: [email protected] visit our website: www.matmercantile.ca

Political Event

Promote Your Business to over 25 000 loyal local readers!Beginning MAY 1st - Valley Voice Magazinewill be distributed from the Victoria International Airport!

www.wildflowernaturalhealth.ca

Downtown LadysmithMarilyn Swallow RMT RAGillian Leverkus PhD RHP

50 Years combined experience(250) 245 9269 / 714 5044

WCB covered & Fully insured Seniors discounts & affordable ratesContact Saldana today for your FREE QUOTE (250) 7017197 or [email protected]

Exquisite Designs Painting

Jane Sterk, leader of the Green Party of BC, will be speaking at the Silver Bridge Travelodge, 140 Trans Canada Highway on Tuesday, May 1st at 7:30pm to help launch the very first AGM of the brand new Cowichan Valley GPBC Constituency Association.


Division of C.A.R.S

may issue 2012

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