A fundraiser will be held this Sunday from 2 to 4 at the Filberg Tea House at the Filberg Heritage Lodge and part to raise money for Alzheimer Society of BC. The “blueberry tea” fundraiser will include tea and sweet treats.

The money is to support the fundraising goal of $10,000 by Alana O’Connell who is hoping to raise the funds by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the Ascent for Alzheimer’s.

Tickets are $20 and are available at Comox Clothing Company, Blue Heron Books, and the Comox Air Force Museum in Comox, as well as at Investors Group in Courtenay.

This Saturday the Cumberland Community Forrest Society will be holding the second annual Bike ‘n’ Bitz, bicycle and gear swap at the Cumberland Recreation parking lot from 1-3. The event is open to anyone wanting to buy or sell anything bicycle related.

To date the Cumberland Community Forrest Society has raised enough money to purchase and donate 150 acres to the Village of Cumberland, and are looking to acquire a second parcel of the historic forest to preserve the hiking and biking trails for the community.

Last year they raised more than $7,500 and are hoping to do even better this year.  If you are looking for some spare parts, or even a new bike, but sure to check out the Bitz and show your support. For more information be sure to visit www.cumberlandforest.com.

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is encouraging residents, businesses and organizations to participate in this week’s nation-wide environmental events for a multitude of reasons including health benefits, sustainable lifestyle choices or just friendly competition.

Canadian Environment Week 2010
This year’s theme for Canadian Environment Week: is Embracing Life on Earth. Environment Week (May 30 – June 5) encourages and celebrates grassroots action to make our environment cleaner and healthier. It is the perfect time to celebrate our achievements and initiatives in tackling climate change and reducing our impact on the environment. Visit Environment Canada’s website www.ec.gc.ca to learn more.

Comox Valley Bike to Work Week 2010
This is a valley-wide initiative. Teams and individuals can register online at www.biketowork.ca/comox_valley. From May 31 – June 6 celebration stations will be set up and bikers can stop by for a snack and drink and have their tires checked by a local bike mechanic.

Commuter Challenge
2010 National Commuter Challenge Event takes place from May 30 to June 5 during Canadian Environment Week and Clean Air Day (June 2, 2010). Commuter Challenge is a national program that encourages Canadians to walk, cycle, ride-share/carpool, tele-work or take transit instead of driving alone to work. Individual Canadians or workplaces can participate.

The program is based on a friendly competition between workplaces and communities across Canada to see which has the highest percentage participation rates during the week. By recording participation online, Canadians are able to see how their healthier commutes affect greenhouse gas reductions by tracking kilometres traveled. To register visit www.commuterchallenge.ca

“People can celebrate Canadian Environment Week by encouraging family and friends to make eco-friendly choices,” said Geoff Garbutt, CVRD manager of strategic and long range planning. “We hope residents consider the options there are to contribute to greener and healthier Comox Valley.”

It is that time of year again. hikers, bikers, campers and everyone else who is adventuring outside with the warmer weather are out and enjoying our Comox Valley forests, but we are not the only ones. Cougars and bears are now out and about also, and encountering them while you are out in the wild is a real possibility.

We were going to post a bunch of tips and advice to help you out should you encounter one of these hungry animals, but a couple other sites have done such a great job, we will just give you a couple links to read up.

• Our Big Earth: A Spring Primer on Cougar & Bear Safety. Published on May 30, 2010
• Comox Valley MTP: Cougars and Mountain Bikers – Not a Great Mix. Published on May 12, 2010

The Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) service is holding a series of free workshops on gardening and lawn care topics this month at the Comox Valley compost education.

The Saturday workshop topics will cover water reduction through mulching and water wise lawn care, organic soil management with local expert Tierry Vrain of Innisfree Farms, and learning techniques for nutrient-rich compost.

Each workshop will start at 10 a.m. at the compost education centre located at 4795 Headquarters Road, Courtenay.

In addition to the workshops, the master gardeners will be on site to answer gardening questions on Saturday, June 5th and 12th from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Workshop Dates and Topics

June 5 – The morning begins with a ladybug release at 9:30 a.m. followed by information on healthy, water-wise lawn care. Patty Rose, CVRD contract educator, will help you understand your lawn’s wants and needs as you maintain it through the summer months.

June 12 – This one is about organic soil management. Tierry Vrain, gardener, teacher and co-owner of Innisfree Farms, brings over 30 years of experience on soil biology to help us learn more about how to manage our soil without the use of chemicals.

June 19 – It’s all about compost! Learn about the fantastic five ingredients that will make your compost a nutritious success.

For more information on workshops and presentations delivered through the CSWM’s compost education centres including this month’s features visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/backyardcomposting

Comox Strathcona Waste Management will be collecting hazardous waste from residents on Sat May 29 in the parking lot of the Driftwood Mall from 9am to 3pm.

If you have a surplus of waste such as solvents, pesticides, gasoline, cleaners and batteries now  your chance to get rid of it once and for all.

Items that can be diverted to other locations will not be accepted at the hazardous waste clean up event.

• Residents can return paint in its original container to the Comox Return Centre – Paint Exchange at 678 Anderton Road, Comox or to the Campbell River Bottle Depot at 1580F Willow Street.  However, paint that is not deemed acceptable by these facilities will be accepted at the clean up events.
• Electronics can be returned to the Courtenay Return Centre on 1255 McPhee Avenue, and also to  the Campbell River Bottle Depot
• Oil and oil containers can be returned to locations that are listed on www.usedoilrecycling.com or follow these links for Comox Valley and Campbell River

For more information on recycling other material and to find the closest recycling location to you call the Recycling Hotline at 1-800-667-4321.

For more information be sure to visit the CVRD’s Website here:

Users of the Comox Valley Water System are currently under Stage 1 Watering Restrictions. Below are the details of the bylaw from the CVRD website. For more information be sure to visit the official Comox Valley Regional Districts website.

1.  During stage 1

a)  a person may use a sprinkler to water a lawn growing on a property with:

i) an even numbered address, between the hours of midnight (12:01 a.m.) to 7:00 a.m
and 7:00 p.m. to midnight (11:59 p.m.) on an even numbered day and

ii) an odd numbered address, between the hours of midnight (12:01 a.m.) to 7:00 a.m.
and 7:00 p.m. to midnight (11:59 p.m.) on an odd numbered day and

b)  a person may

i) water trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables on any day with a sprinkler during the prescribed hours for stage 1 lawn watering and on any day at any time if watering is done by hand held container or a hand held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle;

ii) water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables by any method during installation and for the following 24 hours;

iii) use micro-irrigation or drip-irrigation systems to water trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables at any time on any day;

iv) under the authority of a permit, water new sod on installation and during the first 21 days after installation, and water newly seeded lawns until growth is established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less, but only during the prescribed stage 1 lawn watering hours;

v) water all-weather playing fields at any time if failure to do so will result in a permanent loss of plant material; and

vi) wash a vehicle with water using a hand held container or hand held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle and at car dealerships or commercial car washes.

2.  As exceptions to the stage 1 restrictions

a)  Owners or occupiers of property who, by reason of physical or mental incapacity, and where such incapacity has been documented by a medical practitioner, are unable to water their property within the restricted days and times, may water their property on any two days of the week for a maximum of nine hours per day;

b) Nurseries, farms, turf farms, and tree farms are exempted from the restrictions;

c) Public authorities may water lawns and boulevards on any day but no more than two days per week; and

d) Owners or operators of golf courses may water

i) fairways at any time on any day;

ii) trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables grown on golf courses in accordance with stage 1 sections 1 (b) (i), (ii), and (iii) of this schedule; and

iii) golf greens and tees on any day if failure to do so will result in permanent loss of plant material.

The CVEA board is working hard to pull off the best exhibition ever, with some spectacular events lined up including thrilling cattle penning, zucchini races, super dog shows, impressive 4-H exhibits, and the famous Kids Zone.

The board is looking for local entertainers interested in busking on the Meadowland Stage or throughout the grounds. Singers, dancers, comedians and acrobats etc. are invited to send a demo tape to the exhibition office.

For more information visit the CVEA Official website
(you can also find more info at our Comox Valley Exhibition page)

You’re invited to a Feast for the Eyes and Palette ….

Mark May 29th, on your calendar as the night to enjoy the best of west coast seafood, art and music at the semi-formal gala dinner being hosted by Project Watershed. This event is part of the “Keeping It Living” campaign to raise awareness and funds for estuary restoration and protection.

Our valley is rich in natural and culinary treasures which will be used by Chef Dawn McRae in preparing a buffet of west coast specialties like smoked tuna canapé, halibut cakes, candied salmon mousse, and sautéed prawns. She has also prepared blueberry ginger chicken and a selection of Natural Pastures Cheeses to satisfy your cravings.

As well as the valley’s rich culinary treasures, art treasures for the silent auction will also be displayed. This will be the last chance to bid on an array of estuary inspired art. Local artists such as Bev Beyerly, Tracy Kobus and Ken Kirkby have produced rich and original pieces to reflect the beauty of the estuary and of Comox Bay. To preview the artwork go to the Gallery section of  www.keepingitliving.ca.

There will be a feast for the mind and heart as well as with Peter Donaldson of the Salmon People. If you did not see this guy last time he was in the valley, you owe it to yourself to see him now. Donaldson will be accompanied by the newly formed Estuary Ensemble, a collection of local storytellers, musicians, and actors. They will be presenting a collage of sights and sounds representing one of the jewels of the Comox Valley – our estuary.

All of this is to raise funds and to help us “Value The Invaluable” here in the valley. Dr. Scott Wallace of the David Suzuki Foundation will inspire us to see that the paradise that we are living in is worth protecting.

To wrap up the evening Luzna Orchestra will get you on your feet with music that will keep you dancing. And if that isn’t enough the Cona Shuttle will whisk you to the after party “Under Water; DJ’s” at the Avalanche Bar and Grill on 8th and Cliffe.

Tickets are $35 per person ($45 at the door) available from: Blue Heron Books, Brambles Market, Freakin’ Coffeeshop, Seeds Natural Market, Tarbell’s Café.  The event takes place at Courtenay Fish and Game Hall on Comox Lake, doors open at 6pm Saturday the 29th.

The Comox Valley Shellfish Festival is pleased to introduce this year’s list of BC grown chefs participating in the Gala Evening Dinner.

On Saturday, June 19th, 2010, 200 guests will be treated to a nine-course gourmet seafood supper served outside along the lapping shores of Comox Harbour. For the first time, the festival is extremely excited to have two renowned chefs from famed Vancouver restaurants, Rick Bowman from Monk McQueens Restaurant & Patio and Scott Practico from Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House join us.

Also volunteering their time and culinary mastery are:

• Nigel McMeans, executive chef at the Blackfin Pub at the Marina, Comox
• Jonathan Frazier, executive chef, Atlas Café, Courtenay
• Troy Fogarty, executive chef, Kingfisher Spa & Resort, Courtenay
• Ronald St-Pierre, executive chef, Locals Restaurant, Courtenay
• Aaron Rail, executive chef, Avenue Bistro, Comox
• Mark Duncan, executive chef, Union Street Grill & Grotto, Courtenay
• Matt MacDonald, executive chef, Berwick, Comox

“I have never been to the festival, but when the organizers approached me to participate; I was honored and jumped at the chance. It’s every chef’s duty to get out and meet the farmers who grow and harvest the food that they serve on a regular basis. At the same time, it will also be great to meet and share ideas with farmers, festival guests and other chefs from around the province. I am really looking forward to the culinary experience that the festival will bring. ” said Rick Bowman, executive chef at Monk McQueens.

Each chef will create their own unique dish according to the seafood option they have chosen. Preparing and cooking each dish and the timing involved serving nine courses to 200 people is not only extremely challenging, but a feat in itself that should not be missed. Chef coordinator Matt MacDonald will certainly have his hands full, but judging by past events, he seems up and ready for another challenge.

For tickets or More information please visit the festival website at www.comoxvalleyshellfishfestival.ca,

(or at the Comox Valley Guide site under Entertainment >> Comox Valley Shellfish Festival).