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Hi there,

Here’s some cool news: The Municipality of North Cowichan could sell carbon credits instead of logging the municipal forests and potentially bring in a similar amount of revenue, according to a report presented in the committee of the whole this week. Also, the advocacy group Where Do We Stand has set up a website to share information about that possibility, based on information from the report. 

I look forward to digging into this further in the coming weeks, particularly as North Cowichan launches public consultations on the future of the municipal forests. What do you want to know? Send me an email and I’ll do my best to get to your questions.

More news and announcements

• The Town of Ladysmith has received a $3.3 million grant for an arts and heritage hub, the Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle reports. 
• The Station Street Common outdoor food court has opened in downtown Duncan. Visitors are invited to bring takeout meals from local restaurants and enjoy live-streamed music from the 39 Days of July festival. 
• The Lake Cowichan First Nation hopes to acquire 30 hectares of Crown land near Lake Cowichan as part of ongoing treaty negotiations, the Lake Cowichan Gazette reports. 
• The Cowichan Valley School District will change the dates of spring break to align with the rest of the province, My Cowichan Valley Now reports. 
• The Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society will resume events at the Waterwheel Park bandshell, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. 
• The Hamlets, a long-term care facility under construction in Duncan, will not allow medically assisted deaths on the premises, the Cowichan Valley Citizen reports. 
• Malahat First Nation is one of three new partners in a federal government project to develop and test a new maritime information system.

Community events

• Now – Monday, Aug. 3: 🎶 The 39 Days of July continues, with a packed schedule of live-streamed performances by local talent. Sunday, July 12 is Intercultural Day, including a belly dance extravaganza. 
• Fridays, July 10 – Aug. 21: 🎻 The Vancouver Island Symphony is performing pop-up outdoor summer concerts, including in Saltair and Yellow Point/Cedar. 
• Friday, July 10: 🎨 The Descendants Native Art Gallery officially opens its doors in Duncan, with a grand opening ceremony at Charles Hoey Park. 
• Saturday, July 11: ☀️ Join Harmony Yoga Centre in Centennial Park in Duncan for a full day of outdoor yoga, meditation and more, by donation. 
• Tuesday, July 14: 🌼 Bag the Yellow Flag with the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society and do your part to tackle invasive yellow flag iris in the Somenos Marsh.

What did I miss? Let me know what events are coming up near you by sending me an email.

Photo of the week

Thanks, Lon Wood, for sharing this bright shot of North Cowichan staff Jody and Betty giving Maple Bay fire hydrants a makeover.

Do you have a great photo of life in Cowichan? Send me an email, I’d love to see what this place looks like through your lens.

In your words.

It’s been great to see the feedback on Jared Qwustenuxun Williams’s story this week about how Mount Prevost got its name. 

“Great article,” Bill wrote.  “Look forward to the next chapter!”

Coming at you next week, Bill! Be sure to spread the word to your friends.

Thanks for reading,

Jacqueline [end]