Cowichan This Week: Climb that mountain

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

• Two years after residents voted for a new tax to support affordable housing initiatives, the fund is showing a return on investment, The Discourse reports. 
• The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is doing what it can to support local arts and culture despite a lack of COVID-19 relief funding, The Discourse reports. 
• The Cowichan Community Land Trust has released a report and recommendations on improving forest conservation in the Cowichan region.
• Social Planning Cowichan has released results from its spring surveys on household impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization has also launched a new set of surveys to gauge how things have changed since then.
• Applications for the British Columbia government’s BC Recovery Benefit open Friday, Dec. 18. The benefit provides up to $1,000 tax-free for qualifying families and individuals. Applications will remain open through June 30, 2021.
• The provincial ombudsperson will investigate a complaint against the Municipality of North Cowichan for secrecy in public consultations on the future of the forest reserve, sixmountains.ca reports. 
• Family members are fundraising to help the 75-year-old woman who lost her home south of Duncan in a fire earlier this month, the Cowichan Valley Citizen reports. 
• Tap water is again running to Stz’uminus First Nation reserve lands near Ladysmith. The First Nation delivered bottled water to residents during repairs after a fire hydrant broke on Dec. 14. 
• Malahat Nation intends to build a massive, $300 million film studio on its land, CTV News reports. 
• Dozens of residents wrote to the Municipality of North Cowichan council with concerns that the Kaspa Road trailhead on Mount Tzouhalem is overcrowded and causing problems for the neighbourhood. Copies of the letters are in this week’s agenda package and an addendum to it. 
• Young Cowichan Valley musician Malakai had a moment in the spotlight last month when legendary artist James Taylor posted Malakai’s cover of one of his songs to Instagram, the Cowichan Valley Citizen reports.

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Community events

• Through Friday, Dec. 18: 📸 The Town of Ladysmith invites you to submit your festive photos to its holiday contest, with six chances to win $50 to spend at local businesses. 
• Friday, December 18: 🛍️ Downtown Duncan invites you to its final Festive Friday, with extended shopping hours at select businesses. 
• Sunday, Dec. 20: 🐦 A local birder is looking for volunteers to help count birds in the Ladysmith/Chemainus area and contribute to ecological data. Contact Robert Hay at [email protected] 250-755-5745 to participate.
• Tuesday, Dec. 22: 🎵 The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre will present the debut digital performance of local band Cabin Fever. The concert will stream from CPAC’s website and social media channels. 
• Through Thursday, Dec. 24: 🎁 Tourism Chemainus presents the 25 Days of Chemainus advent calendar, with daily opportunities to celebrate and support local businesses.

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

Community shout-out

A few weeks back we sent out a survey asking what’s making you feel hopeful, and which people and groups are making a difference where you live.

“Hard to select one. The good thing about Cowichan Valley is that it is not about “a” person or organization/business, it is about the community, as a whole, making a difference,” writes Lloyd Loisel.

I couldn’t agree more! Here’s to all of us, and to you! [end]