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In this issue:
CGC's Sustainable Living Centre is all about living with an  environmental conscience, and this holiday season we ask you to think about where you are investing your thoughts and hard-earned money. Although we are keen supporters of consuming less, we are in the business of selling locally made gifts and we take great pride in acknowledging and sharing the importance of supporting our local artists and economy. When you spend money this holiday season, think about the impact those dollars will make on your community and the world at large.
By shifting only 10% of your purchases to locally made goods (including food) hundreds of jobs would be created in the community, as money that is spent in the community recirculates. If you're looking for sustainably made gifts, we offer a variety of stocking stuffers as well as sure gifts that are sure to impress. Every purchase in our store supports the work that we do, and strengthens our local economy. Here's a sneak peek of what we have to offer, and be sure to check out the Community Events section for more local craft fairs.
(Picture Above: Locally written and illustrated book, Suzies Sourdough Circus, that comes with 100 year old sourdough starter)
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, started raffling off one of our super funky e-bikes at Christmas Chaos! Featured in last week’s newsletter, 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? 
No, 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. Come by to try a sample and get your very own taste of thesem delicious Cowichan Valley apples. But hurry quick because they are going fast and they won't last long!
Ceres Edible Landscaping:
Restoring the Balance
 Hey Yew! Have invasive plants taken over your yard? Don’t be discouraged. Whether it be ivy, daphne, or himalayan blackberry Ceres will help. By removing your invasives at the root, we will allow for the natural and native habitat to grow back and that means less work for you to maintain your yard. Call Kristi today for a free estimate at (250) 748 - 8506. We also have some beautiful planters with native regional plants that are ready to take home. These indigneous plants can later be transplanted anywhere in your yard, and then you can reuse the planter as well. Stop by CGC at 181 Station Street to see one for yourself!
Community Events:
CVRD Environment Commission: What's up with the environment? Video contest for children and young adults between the ages of 8 and 24! Do you have some opinions about how the environment is doing and how we should treat it? The CVRD wants to know your thoughts and feelings.All you have to do is make a short video (on your own or with friends) and send it in before December 12, 2011. Winners receive cash prizes and local fame! The winners and their winning videos will be showcased at the CVRD Environment Commission meeting on December 15, 2011 at 7pm. Go to www.12things.ca and click on the contest icon to learn more!
Please join us on Wed, Dec. 14th from 2-4pm at CGC's office to come together as a community to apply for the upcoming VIHA's CFAI Food Security Grant Proposal that is due December 30th. Let's brainstorm, share ideas, and come together to increase our community's food security in an open and collaborative way. Please RSVP to Judy at 250-748-8506.
Hoedown at the Hub! Sat, Dec. 17th, 7-11:30pm
Join Cowichan Station in celebrating the opening of our new community space, The Hub, with our inaugural dance event. This will be a family event, starting with tunes by local folk rocker Puzzleroot, moving to a set of old-time music by acoustic roots trio, The Sweet Lowdown, and finishing up with a set of called dance tunes (like you did in grade 9, but more fun now). And don’t worry, the caller will walk us through the dances, and everyone can join in. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door; kids 12 and under are free. Tickets available from the Cowichan Station Area Association and Ten Old Books, at The Garage. The event will be licensed.
Drift: A Winter Artisan Market: Sat Dec 17th, 11am-4pm Hand-made and full of love: that's what you'll find at the Drift Winter Artisan Market. Browse a selection of locally made beautiful creations in an intimate home setting and find the perfect gift without all the stress. This boutique craft fair will be open one-day only at 2070 Cowichan Bay Rd. Rejuvenating head and hand massage, as well as tarot readings will also be available. For more information, please contact Shannon at 250-597-7705
Damali Winter Wonderland: Fri, Sat & Sun until Dec. 18th Enjoy a unique Christmas outing and see how the farm is put to bed for the winter. Take a cool crisp walk among the lavender 'hedgehogs' and down to the labyrinth. Taste unique wines (even one with lavender) and browse in the gift shop for all natural bath and body products, culinary products, crafts and our wonderful essential oils.
Craft your own Lavender Gifts: Dec 2- 18th
Fridays to Sundays until Dec 18th. Bring the family and let us help you craft beautiful and aromatic lavender gifts for Christmas. While you work on your unique creations, you'll sample some lavender flavoured treats and take home the recipes!
Please visit the Lavender Labyrinth’s website for full details and reserve your places.
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
Public Input on Pesticides on Dec.16th:
The BC government is considering banning the sale and use of chemical pesticides on lawns and gardens. Tell them you care and practice your right to share your opinion by answering their e-questionnaire, open until Dec 16th. For more information about taking action on pesticides, visit the Organizing for Change BC website.
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:
Sorry, there are currently no rentals or garden spaces we know of.
Job 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: FruitSave Appreciation Tea!
On Tuesday, December 13th from 4-6pm we are hosting an appreciation tea for all of our FruitSave pickers and contributors. With the help from our wonderful volunteers and fruit tree home-owners, this year we were able to redistribute over 1,500 lbs of fruit within our community. This is our best FruitSave year to date, and we feel it is one worth celebrating! We invite you to meet your fellow FruitSave enthusiasts and to share your experience as a FruitSave volunteer or contributor. Light snacks, mulled soft cider (made with apples from a fruit pick), and tea will be served by CGC at our office located at 181 Station Street in Duncan, BC. Included in the celebration will be a FREE pruning demonstration conducted by CGC's in-house horticulturist, Kristie Tomlin. The demo will commence around 5:30pm and will wrap-up around 6:00pm. We look forward to meeting everyone who has made this year such a huge success. However, for those who are unable to attend, we wish to express our deepest gratitude for your contribution to this years success. For more information about our FruitSave program, or to get involved, please click here.
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!
Thank You's:
We would like to thank everyone who is making any effort to be environmentally sustainable, especially during the busy Christmas season!
Many thanks to the Canada World Youth for being such an inspiring group of young people. We will miss you all very much, and we hope that Charlotte and Richard stay in touch!
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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