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.

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.

Here is the schedule of events for Empire Days 2010!

Saturday May 15

Event: Cinch Tournament
Place: Cumberland Rec Hall
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm

Wednesday May 19

Event: Fashion Show
Place: Cumberland Rec Hall
Time: Doors open at 6:00 pm

Thursday May 20

Event: Theatre Works Presents, Coaltown Memoirs
Location: Cumberland United Church
Dates: 20th, 21st, 22nd

Event: Trivia, Movie Night, & Silent Auction
Location: Cumberland Culture Center (Upstairs)
Time: Doors open at 6:00 pm

Friday May 21

Family Fishing Derby
Dates: 21st, 22nd, 23rd
Prizes announced May 24 at Village Park

Sat May 22

Event: Pancake Breakfast
Location: Village Square
Time: 9:00

Event: Village Market Day
Location: Main Street
Time: Till 4:00 pm

Event: Mural Unveiling
Location: Village Square
Time: 1:00 pm

Event: Soap Box Derby
Location: Dunsmuir Ave (in front of the Waverly Hotel)
Time: 10:00 am

Event: Washoe Tournament
Location: Village Park
Time: 10:00 am

Sunday May 23

Event: Beer Garden
Location: Village Park
Time: Noon till 4:00 pm

Event: Legends of the May Pole
Location: Village Park
Time: 1:00 pm

Event: Old Timers Soccer Game
Location: Village Park
Time: 2:00 pm

Monday May 24

Event: Parade Registration
Location: Peace Park
Time: 7:30 am (parade at 10:00 am)

Event: Pancake Breakfast
Location: Cumberland Legion
Time: 7:00 am – 10 am

Event: Parade
Location: Dunsmuir Ave, from 1st st to Village park
Time: 10:00 am

Event: Crowning of the May Queen
Location: Dunsmuir Ave from 1st to Village Park

Entertainment on stage at Village Park after the crowning

Event: Coal Hills BMX Activities

Event: Show and Shine
Location: Village Park
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Who: Royal Canadian Legion Branch #128
Where: 2770 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland
Services: 10:30 am

Who: Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #160
Where: 1825 Comox Ave
Services: 10:30 am

Who: Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #17
Where: 367 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay
Breakfast: 9:00 am
Services: 10:35 am

Who: Union Bay Historical Society
Where: At the Cairn, Old school Yard, Union Bay
Services: 10:45 am

A free day long community celebration with harvest activities, guided hiking, biking & heritage tours, kids crafts & games, plant and book sales, community booths, local merchant specials, films, delicious fall food and the much anticipated 2nd Annual Cumberland Pie of the Year Contest!

Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at the Cumberland Culture Centre and the Cumberland Museum and Visitor Centre. Pick up your Halloween pumpkin (with proceeds to the Cumberland Community School Society) or hang out and carve one with your friends and neighbours.

Head downtown for an Oktoberfest pint at a local pub or take a self guided heritage tour and stop in at the local shops and cafes and enjoy all the Village as to offer.

The Cumberland Harvest Fair is presented by the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce and CIA in partnership with their friends at: Sitka Silviculture Ltd, Cumberland Community Schools Society, Our Big Earth, Cumberland Museum, Cumberland Pathfinders, World Community and many others!

Stay tuned for a detailed day long schedule of craft activities and games, tours, films, pie contest and more!

Comox Valley Watering Restrictions

If you live in Courtenay or Comox, (or receive your water from the regional district) you are now under Stage 1 water restrictions. You restrictions are as follows:

• Watering on even numbered days for even numbered houses (odd houses on odd days). Watering can be done only between 7pm and 7am the following day.
• Hand water at any time.

Cumberland Watering Restrictions

As of June 22, Cumberland will be bumped up to stage 2 water restrictions due to the water level at the Stevens Lake Dam being 3 feet lower than it was at this time in 2008. Stage 2 restrictions for Cumberland resident’s means:

• Lawn and garden watering between 4am and 10am and 7am and 10pm on Wednesdays for even addresses and Thursdays for odd addresses.
• Washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, exterior windows, and building surfaces are prohibited
• Hand watering of gardens and lawns permitted any time if a shutoff nozzle is used. New plants and gardens can be watered anytime within 24 hours of planting.
• Micro-irrigation and drip systems can be used at any time.
• Car washing is permitted if you use a shutoff nozzle

Province wide referendum results  for the BC-STV came in at 38.82% in favor. At least 60% was required to pass. In the Comox Valley 41.62% voted in favor of BC-STV.

Here are the Comox Valley election results:

• Don McRae, BC Liberal Party: 13,016 (47.67%)
• Leslie McNabb, BC NDP: 11,593 (42.45%)
• Hazel Lennox, Green Party of BC: 2,338 (8.56%)
• Paula Berard, BC Refed: 250 (0.92%)
• Barbara Biley, People’s Front: 110 (0.40%

More Detailed Information and Election Results can be found here at the Elections BC website:

• 2009 General Election Results by Electoral District by Party
• 2009 General Election Results by Electoral District by Candidate
• 2009 Referendum on Electoral Reform Results by Electoral District

Schedule of Events for Monday May 18th 2009

7:30 am
Parade Registration at the peace park (Cumberland Rd & Fourth St)

7:00 am – 10:00 am
Pancake Breakfast at the Royal Canadian Legion. Cost is $5 per person

10:00 am
Parade along Dunsmuir from 1st St to Village Park

At The park

• Crowning of the May Queen
• Pipe Bands including the Courtenay Legion Pipe Band, Comox Valley Pipe Band Society, Campbell River Legion Pipe Band, Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band, and the Port Alberni Pipe Band
• Various Events including crafts booths, bead work, gala knits, woven crafts, face painting, petting zoo, bounce-a-rama, rides, races.
• Vendors including Greek food, burgers, donuts, hotdogs Wraps & More

BC PROVINCIAL ELECTION 2009

If you are looking for Provincial Election Results for 2009, Please Click Here

The elections are now over, and the results from all your voting this past weekend are as follows. (These results are as noted on the official City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, and Regional District websites. All results are noted as preliminary.

City of Courtenay

Mayor
Greg Phelps

Councilors
Larry Jangula
Jon Ambler
Manno Theos
Ronna-Rae Leonard
Murray Presley
Don McRae

School Trustee
Janice Caton
Danny White

City of Comox

Mayor
Paul Ives

Councilors
Ken Grant
Marcia Turner
Patti Fletcher
Tom Grant
Ray Crossley
Russ Arnott

School Trustee
Fran Goldberg

Village of Cumberland

Mayor
Fred Bates

Councilors
Gwyn Sproule
Leslie Baird
Bronco Moncrief
Kate Greening

Electorial Area A

CVRD Director
Bruce Jolliffe

School District 71 Trustee
Lori Fowler

Electoral Area B

CVRD Director
Jim Gillis

School District 71 Trustee
Tom Weber

Electoral Area C

CVRD Director
Edwin Grieve

School District 71 Trustee
Susan Barr

Island Trust Trustees

Denman Island
Louise Bell & David Graham

Hornby Island
Fred Hunt & Tony Law

The Comox Valley has numerous parks offering a wide variety of services ranking from sports facilities for Tennis, Basketball, Soccer and Baseball, to picnic areas, playgrounds, hiking trails, and more.

To help visitors discover the parks available in the Comox Valley, we have added a new “Comox Valley Parks” section to our site. This section will be expanded on and is still underway, but much information is already posted for both Courtenay and Comox Parks.

If you have any suggestions or comments, care to write some content or send some photos for various local parks, we will gladly review and post anything appropriate.