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In this issue:
What you can do to help others this Holiday season!
We would like to recognize our friends at various emergency food service outlets and all the hard work they put in to assist with improving food security. If you are a food bank donor and looking to make a contribution, please consider what you yourself would want to eat this holiday season, to keep your family healthy and follow suit through your donation. Our food banks are too often full of highly processed, nutrient-lacking foods and in greater need of items that foster better health.
The Cowichan Valley Basket Society (5810 Garden St, Duncan) regularly accepts items such as carrots, potatoes, squash, properly labeled frozen vegetables and various fruits. These are distributed through their hampers and used in the meals that they serve to patrons. For more information about items they do or don't accept, please contact the Basket Society at 250-746-1566.
Sustainable Living Centre:
Open on Christmas Eve?
Yes, for all you last minute shoppers, we will be open from 10am-2pm at our Sustainable Living Centre. One last chance to grab some locally made items, or perhaps a raffle ticket on our electric bicycle? Many, many thanks to everyone who has already supported our local artisans. Cheers to another year of sustainable living and community engagement!
Give the Gift of Sustainability:
For gift ideas that make a lasting impact, why not consider a one-time donation or monthly support to Cowichan Green Community in the name of your loved one? We are happy to offer tax receipts and are proud to recognize our donors who wish to be known.
Membership is another gift with added value. Members strengthen our voice in advocating for food security in our community, and receive discounted rates on workshops, as well as 10% off of purchases in our Sustainable Living Centre.
And finally, for those who love gardens, gift certificates are available for services and products by Ceres Edible Landscaping. Whether it's a beautiful custom planter, full of native plants, or herbs for the kitchen, or a yard clean-up by our experienced horticulturist, Ceres has plenty to offer!
Electric Bike Raffle! 
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! On Friday, November 11th, we started raffling off one of our super funky e-bikes at Christmas Chaos! Featured in our past newsletters, we are excited for the future winner of an Electric Pedego Classic Cruiser Hybrid Bicycle. Tickets are available for $5, and you can pick yours up at our storefront location. Try your luck and perhaps you will be the lucky owner of a new E-bike for the New Year! Draw date: January 13th, 2011 For more detailed information about the Pedego Classic Cruiser please visit www.pedego.com, or visit our Sustainable Living Centre at 181 Station Street and take this beauty for a FREE test drive!
Cowichan Valley Apple Cider Going, Going, Gone? 
You are in luck, we still have a few dozen apple cider jugs left! Due to a bountiful apple season this year, we are still offering our local Cowichan Valley Community Apple Cider to those of you who haven't had a chance to stop by. All proceeds from this cider will go back into supporting CGC, and we thank all of our fabulous volunteers and homeowners for their participation. We will be offering the 2 litre bottles for a suggested donation of $6.00 each, or 4 bottles for $20. But hurry quick because they are going fast and they won't last long!
Ceres Edible Landscaping:
Holiday Greetings!
 2011 was a great year for Ceres. Whether it be designs, maintenance or installation we had an exciting year of growth and outstanding support from our clients. For 2012 we look forward to continue helping you transform your yard, exactly the way you want it. Wishing you a safe and relaxing holiday wherever you may be, with a partridge in a pear tree!
Community Events:
North Cowichan is seeking input to its Climate Action and Energy Plan – everyone in the Cowichan Region is welcome to contribute ideas that will make North Cowichan and the wider Cowichan region greener and more sustainable. Get involved in the dialogue and share your ideas here: http://ncclimateaction.ideascale.com/a/panel.do
Grow Food with Joy! Jan 11, 18 & 25, 2012:
Beginning Wednesday January 11, learn how to grow great food using permaculture techniques that model nature. The cost for the three-class series is $50.
Or give your loved one a Grow Food Gift Package for Christmas, which includes one gardening class with Joy, a subscription to GROW FOOD Network Magazine and two packages of seeds. The Gift Packages are available for $30/each and can be purchased at Sunflower Cafe. For more information about the workshop series, or the Gift Package, please contact growfood [at] shaw [dot] ca or 250-743-1352
Watch for the upcoming Agriculture Forum on January 19th at the Duncan United Church. In partnership with the CVRD Environment Commission and the Cowichan Agricultural Society, CGC will be presenting an all day workshop with David Cohlmeyer - the Joel Salatin of Canada. If you're growing food on Vancouver Island, this is a free workshop that you will not want to miss. RSVPs are required - call CGC at 250.748.8506 to register now.
Garden Spaces/ Greenhouses & Rental Suites:
Living space for active, mature person available on small, hand-tilled, permaculture farm in Yellow Point – Cedar area. The 5 acre farm on no-thru road has pastures, seasonal pond, woods and ~10,000 sq. ft. of garden space. This is a scent-free, chemical free environment - - conservation of water and energy, practice of yoga and meditation, and the 100 Meter Diet are a part of daily life. Living space is ~228 sq. feet and includes a kitchen with convection oven, hotplate all in lower level of farmhouse. Bathroom is close by, shared with owner living on upper level. If renter wishes to grow food, accommodations can be made. Use of workspace suitable for large and tall projects is also negotiable. Non-smoking individual only! Rent is $450 per month, includes utilities and laundry use, furnished or unfurnished. References are required. There are sometimes disabled youth in the home, so a criminal check is required. Email onthewing [at] islandnet [dot] com">onthewing [at] islandnet [dot] com
Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteer Coordinator needed
CGC is currently looking for a volunteer coordinator to help us facilitate our fantastic volunteers for upcoming events. We have so many volunteers that want to get involved with CGC, but due to a lack of staff power we often find ourselves scrambling at the last minute to rally up our people! This would be a volunteer position that would be resume builder alongside a great chance to network and get involved with like-minded people. If you think that you would be a great volunteer coordinator, please email: part6 [dot] 09040607 [dot] 01040404 [at] shawbiz [dot] ca">emilydy [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org and we will be in touch!
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Events: Agriculture Workshop:
Grow More Food
Year Round w/ David Cohlmeyer
January 19th, 2011
9:00am - 4:30pm
Free Event
Pre-registration required
Located at the Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram Street, we invite all farmers and those interested in food production to listen and be inspired by renown farmer David Cohlmeyer, a very successful chef turned four season farmer. Please call CGC at 250-748-8506 to reserve your FREE seat (limited no.of participants available) Includes a FREE lunch and light refreshments. Brought to you by the CVRD Environment Commission, the Cowichan Agricultural Society, and Cowichan Green Community. Holiday Office Hours: Closed December 25th - January 2nd, 2012
Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas Everyone!
Tis the season for a little relaxing, so we will be away from the office from December 25th - January, 2nd and return on January 3rd, 2012! We would like to thank all of our members, volunteers and supporters for another amazing year of reaching our goals towards Food Security for everyone in the Valley. We thought it would be nice to share with our readers what we love most about the Holidays. Cheers to another beautiful year! "I'm so grateful for the amazing energy that seems to be everywhere this time of year. As I walk down the street, people are smiling, wishing each other Merry Christmas and it's just a time to be happy and let go of all of the challenges that have happened over the past year. When the next year is just around the corner, it always gives me hope and a chance to look ahead with joy and faith that things will get even better. Happy holidays to you all!" -Judy Stafford, CGC Executive Director "Although we don't get much snow here, I love the way that it sparkles in the sun. Such a simple joy, but waking up to that on Christmas day is one of my favorite memories. Many blessings of love and light!" -Amanda, Sustainable Living Centre "I love watching Charlie Brown at this time of year because it always reminds me of my mom who would mysteriously buy what she would call a “Charlie Brown tree” every year. She would carefully put on the family decorations, some of which we had used since we were little kids. Suddenly the pathetic little tree would be transformed into something beautiful." -Debra, Seed Literacy Coordinator "I would like to take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed. Through the happy times, the times we struggled, and the times that made us stronger... Reflect on the times that passed, and the people who got us where we are today. The Christmas season should be about giving love, rather then giving gifts. So take a few minutes out of your day to remember this past year and give your love to everyone who has made an impact on your life. Happy Holidays and May your New Year bring only the best". Sincerely, Devann Stafford "Around the holiday season, I'm grateful for my family and the traditions we celebrate together. My favourite thing to do over the holidays is to drink hot tea at the beach near my parents house. My sister and I also have a tradition of watching the National Lampoon Christmas, which is one of my favorite Christmas movies! Cheers to another great year! -Vanessa, Seed Literacy Coordinator When I was in high school, I used to sing in the choir, and performing at our Christmas Concert quickly became one of my favourite things to do at that time of year. There's something really magical about being on stage, surrounded by a beautiful sound and knowing that you're a part of it too. " -Emily, Seed Literacy Coordinator
Tell our Government that you want
Mandatory Labelling on Genetically Modified Foods
We all have the right to choose what we eat. Assert your right; tell our government you want foods containing genetically modified ingredients to be labelled. This petition is in support of Bill C-257.
Add your signature by coming in to our store front at 181 Station St. or print off a copy that you and your friends, family, neighbours and co-workers can sign.
Support CGC through the Peninsula CO-OP!
Would you like to support CGC, but aren’t sure how? An easy way to donate to CGC could be the next time you go to fill up with gas. If you stop at your local Co-op gas station, just tell them you want to donate your gas purchase points to Cowichan Green Community's account (#49620)! It will quickly add up for us, we can put the points to great use, and the Peninsula Co-op is a Vancouver Island based co-operative! Awesome!
Many Thanks to Organic Fair for supporting Farm to School!
Organic Fair is a member of one percent for the planet, and they have chosen to support CGC's Farm to School lunch program. Because of Organic Fair's support, CGC will be able to host farm tours and lunches for local schools in the New Year! We are so appreciative of their contribution to this project and we look forward to working together towards greater food security for all ages. If you haven't been to their farm, Organic Fair is located at 1935 Doran Road. You can also visit their website by clicking here!
Thank You's:
We would like to thank everyone who is making any effort to be environmentally sustainable, especially during the busy Christmas season!
Also, many thanks to Bob Crawford for donating a Christmas tree for our Sustainable Living Centre! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
And of course, new volunteers are always welcome! Contact us at 250-748-8506 or info [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org if you would like to help out. If you would like to
volunteer with us.
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