Cowichan This Week – Keep going through the rain

Welcome to Cowichan This Week, your source for the latest local news and events. Sign up to get this in your inbox every Thursday.

News and announcements

• The Cowichan Valley Regional District board has delayed a decision on allowing a recreational vehicle campground in the Cowichan estuary, The Discourse reports. The board is waiting to hear if B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy will approve the development.
• Jared Qwustenuxun Williams is a finalist for a Jack Webster Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Reporting. The nomination recognizes Qwustenuxun’s work building bridges in the Cowichan Valley through his articles for The Discourse. Winners will be announced in an online ceremony on Dec. 8.
• Murray McNab and Ben Maartman, candidates in a byelection for director of Cowichan Valley Regional District Area H (North Oyster/Diamond), participated in an online forum hosted by the Yellow Point Ecological Society on Nov. 17. The byelection will take place on Nov. 28. 
• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have spiked on Vancouver Island in the last week. Several Island schools have confirmed cases, including Ladysmith Secondary School. Only essential travel is allowed throughout B.C. for at least two weeks, and more restrictions are expected today. Many of the Island’s cases are linked to travel to the mainland.
• An affordable housing project in Chemainus is moving ahead, the Chemainus Valley Courier reports. 
• The Cowichan Valley Regional District wants residents’ input on its 2021 budget. Information and a survey are available on the PlaceSpeak online platform. 
• The Arbour Cottage long-term care facility in Ladysmith has lost its licence and will close its doors, the Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle reports. Island Health has transferred the five residents to other facilities. 
• The Island Coastal Economic Trust has granted $250,000 to the Shawnigan Lake Museum to expand its facility, according to a news release. 
• Farmer Ben’s Eggs lost a barn and 8,800 hens in a fire on Nov. 15. The company says the best way to offer support is to continue buying their eggs. 
• Volunteer Cowichan is pairing up seniors with volunteers who are willing to make a weekly friendly phone call. Call 250-748-2133 to participate.
• Thursday, Nov. 19 is the last day to participate in a non-binding referendum on if backyard chickens should be permitted in the Town of Lake Cowichan. Ballots are available online and must be returned to the town office.
• Two local women teamed up to create songs, lessons and a website dedicated to teaching the Hul’q’umi’num language, CHEK News reports.

Community events

• Sunday, Nov. 15 to Sunday, Nov. 22: 🐟 Salmon Nation hosts the online Festival of What Works, a celebration of good ideas from and for the Pacific coastal bioregion, from Alaska to California. We’re looking forward to this workshop featuring Emilee Gilpin, managing editor for our sister publication, IndigiNews.
• Thursday, Nov. 19: 👔 Universities on Vancouver Island have teamed up to offer Beyond 2020, an online career fair for students and recent graduates.
• Wednesday, Nov. 25: 👪 Cowichan Valley School District and Cowichan Valley DPAC are hosting Rest in a Restless World, an online workshop on helping children with anxiety.
• Thursday, Nov. 26: 🖥️ Economic Development Cowichan and Innovation Island have joined forces to offer an online presentation on how to thrive in the new digital world economy.
• Saturday, Nov. 28: 🌱 The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre and Jason Greenwood are hosting an interactive workshop on building a drip irrigation system. Register to claim a spot. 
• Late November: 🎅 The Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce is offering several holiday festivities, including art kits for families, photos with prop Santa and a light-up contest. See the chamber’s newsletter for details. 
• Wednesday, Dec. 2: 🕯️ Cowichan Hospice and the Cowichan District Hospital invite you to participate virtually in the 30th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in honour of those who have died. The ceremony will take place on Facebook at 6 p.m., and participants are welcomed to light a candle and share the names of loved ones from wherever they are. 
• Through Wednesday, Dec. 9: 📸 Local businesses have teamed up to offer the Cowichan Community Challenge, a photo scavenger hunt. Participants can enter to win $1,000, and an additional $1,000 will go to Nourish Cowichan. 
• Dec. 12 and 13: 🛍️ The Duncan Farmers’ Market is hosting a special two-day winter market.
• Dec. 27 to 31: 🎭 The Cowichan Musical Society, Mercury Players and Shawnigan Players have teamed up for Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs, a Christmas pantomime. Seating at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is limited and tickets are available only by calling 250-746-2722.

If you’re planning an event that I should consider for an upcoming list, send me an email.

In your words

Last week Mariah sent me a note of thanks for The Discourse’s reporting on the latest news from the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit court battle. 

“Not only do you write clearly, but who can beat the added bonus of an online paper that includes links so one can easily get the full story and history on an issue?” Mariah wrote. “I’m so thankful that I can support the Discourse and help ensure that comprehensive, fact-based, accurate reporting continues to be made available to this community. We are so very fortunate to have you.”

Thanks so much for the words of support! You help me keep going. [end]