Welcome to Cowichan This Week! This is your essential reading for staying connected to what’s up in the Cowichan Valley. If you want to receive this information straight to your inbox, sign up for our Cowichan Valley newsletter.

The long weekend is nearly upon us. And the word from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is clear: stay close to home, unless travel is absolutely necessary. 

The guidance is the same as it has been: Don’t leave your house if you’re feeling unwell, or have been around someone who is sick. Keep distance between yourself and people outside your household or close circle. 

But also: enjoy yourself, as much as you can. Taking care of your own wellbeing is an important part of keeping our communities healthy through this pandemic.

If you’re looking for a fun, safe activity: Join The Discourse Cowichan tomorrow, Friday, May 15 at 3 p.m. for a virtual Public Newsroom. Please register to get the Zoom link. We’d love to see you there!

Announcements

• Social Planning Cowichan is tracking the impact of COVID-19 on Cowichan communities. Visit the website to participate in the surveys. 
• There has been a recent increase in overdose deaths across Vancouver Island from opioid and stimulant use. Island Health asks people to test their drugs and refrain from using alone.
• The City of Duncan is accepting applications for grants up to $10,000 for organizations to support people through the coronavirus pandemic or develop recovery programs.

News of the week

• Cowichan restaurants are bracing for a summer season without tourists, The Discourse Cowichan reports. 
• Halalt First Nation has acquired two commercial properties in North Cowichan as part of ongoing treaty negotiations, according to a news release. 
• The Municipality of North Cowichan has identified the south parking lot of Fuller Lake Arena as a potential location for a short-term “family cluster” tenting site to support people without housing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.
• Cowichan community members gathered in Duncan on May 9 to raise awareness of missing and murdered men, women and children, The Discourse Cowichan reports. 
• Vancouver Island University will move some learning online in the fall of 2020, according to a news release. The hybrid model will allow for face-to-face learning where possible and necessary.
• A Chemainus man is using his 3D printer to make and donate face shields for essential workers, the Chemainus Valley Courier reports.

Community events

The community events section will now include scheduled events that take place online or by telephone. If you hear about something local coming up, let me know!

• Through Friday, May 22: 🎨 The annual Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show has gone virtual. Check out great local art on the Cowichan Valley Arts Council website. 
• Thursday, May 14: 🌎 How will the planet bounce back from COVID-19? Get your questions for local leaders ready for a virtual town hall on #GreenRecovery, hosted by the Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians, For Our Kids and One Cowichan. 
• Through Friday, May 15: 🐦 The Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society is hosting a virtual World Migratory Bird Day Scavenger Hunt. 
• Friday, May 15: 🔍 Join The Discourse Cowichan for a virtual Public Newsroom at 3 p.m. Bring your questions about where we’re at, and tell us what coverage you need from us to get through COVID-19. Please register to get the Zoom link.
• Saturday, May 16: 🐶 For Family Heritage Days, Cowichan Lake residents are invited to participate in a virtual pet dress-up contest. Submit entries by May 15.
• Monday, May 18: 📣 Join Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau for a Virtual Town Hall. 
• Through Friday, May 22: 🎨 The annual Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show has gone virtual. Check out great local art on the Cowichan Valley Arts Council website. 

Photo of the week

Conservation photographer Ryan Tidman has been hanging around Youbou lately, documenting the famous elk. Thanks, Ryan, for sharing this amazing photo with us!

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.

Campaign update

It’s been amazing to watch the community step up in big and small ways to support this work. Help us reach our goal of 100 new supporters by May 23 by making a contribution today. [end]