Lexi Bainas

While property assessments are reasonably stable across the Island, a lot of Cowichan Valley homeowners, including those at Cowichan Lake, will find their home value has increased. (Submitted)

Property assessments reasonably stable on Island, but up for many Cowichan residents

It’s time to act if you want to appeal your property assessment

While property assessments are reasonably stable across the Island, a lot of Cowichan Valley homeowners, including those at Cowichan Lake, will find their home value has increased. (Submitted)
Ballet Jorgen’s ‘Anne of Green Gables’ is coming to Duncan Feb. 7, and there’s a chance for local young dancers to join the performance. (Kevin Lloyd Photography)

Young Valley dancers have until Jan. 17 to apply for ‘Anne of Green Gables’ roles

Ballet Jörgen is offering young performers the chance to join a professional cast for Duncan show

Ballet Jorgen’s ‘Anne of Green Gables’ is coming to Duncan Feb. 7, and there’s a chance for local young dancers to join the performance. (Kevin Lloyd Photography)
Reserve your seats early for the Arrowsmith Big Band. Their show is a sure sell out. (Submitted)

VIDEO: Top acts lined up for some hot January jazz at Crofton

A trio, a quartet, and a big band means January will be jumping

Reserve your seats early for the Arrowsmith Big Band. Their show is a sure sell out. (Submitted)
Lively classic rock is on the menu at Osborne Bay Pub as 5 Whiskeys Deep hits the pub stage on Saturday, Jan. 18. (Submitted)

Osborne Bay Pub kicks off 2020 with quartet of events

From Cuban baseball to father and son duo: check out the pub for January entertainment

Lively classic rock is on the menu at Osborne Bay Pub as 5 Whiskeys Deep hits the pub stage on Saturday, Jan. 18. (Submitted)
Trio d’Argento (Sounds of Silver), Paul Pulford, Sybille Marquardt, and Todd Yaniw, are presenting a multi-facted concert at Chemainus. (Submitted)

Lexi Bainas column: Two weekend shows plus one coming soon, and chance for writers to congregate

Cari Burdett writes that Richard Moody is coming to perform with Oliver Swain

Trio d’Argento (Sounds of Silver), Paul Pulford, Sybille Marquardt, and Todd Yaniw, are presenting a multi-facted concert at Chemainus. (Submitted)
Early in the production, members of the cast welcome various members of the audience. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Classic story of Beauty and the Beast gets full panto treatment in Cowichan

Shawnigan Players lay it on thick in annual holiday season feast of fun

Early in the production, members of the cast welcome various members of the audience. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
One Cowichan’s Parker Jefferson presents his concerns at a Lake Cowichan town council meeting. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

VIDEO: Lake Cowichan takes climate change seriously, council tells One Cowichan delegation

Discussion around the need to safeguard Cowichan Lake and River is not new to the council table

One Cowichan’s Parker Jefferson presents his concerns at a Lake Cowichan town council meeting. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop is a great favourite with Cowichan Lake families as it winds up the annual Family New Year celebration at Cowichan Lake Sports Arena on Dec. 31. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

Cowichan Lake finishes 2019, kicks off 2020 with family fun

Balloon drop at arena plus polar bear swim at Lakeview equals a super send-off

New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop is a great favourite with Cowichan Lake families as it winds up the annual Family New Year celebration at Cowichan Lake Sports Arena on Dec. 31. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Justin Pambrun, general manager and dealer partner at Island Ford, says a rash of thefts of gas and other items from vehicles is a real headache for the dealership. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

Cowichan Valley car dealerships hit by thefts of gas and more

Drilling and syphoning gas, stealing shocks and converters: car crime is up: dealers say

Justin Pambrun, general manager and dealer partner at Island Ford, says a rash of thefts of gas and other items from vehicles is a real headache for the dealership. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
The Langley Ukulele kids light up the Duncan Showroom in the first of two shows Dec. 22. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

Langley kids show Duncan crowd that ukuleles can sound classy, even classic

Singing and playing, these young performers from the Lower Mainland present a charming show

The Langley Ukulele kids light up the Duncan Showroom in the first of two shows Dec. 22. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
It’s time for a Holly Jolly Christmas with Buddy and his friends. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Buddy Holly and friends light up the Cowichan Theatre

With a great mix of tunes and plenty of holiday spirit, this show delighted huge crowd

It’s time for a Holly Jolly Christmas with Buddy and his friends. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
James Meyer, centre, shown here performing with a broken arm, starred here in ‘All Shook Up’, as well as ‘How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying’, and ‘The Strange Story of the Dog in the Night Time’ all within the space of a few months in early 2019. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

Lexi Bainas column: Wow! 2019 was quite a year for entertainment in the Cowichan Valley

From blockbuster musicals to Shakespeare under the trees, it was a banner year

James Meyer, centre, shown here performing with a broken arm, starred here in ‘All Shook Up’, as well as ‘How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying’, and ‘The Strange Story of the Dog in the Night Time’ all within the space of a few months in early 2019. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Duncan’s Carlow Rush and Nanaimo’s Jacksun Fryer, AKA Funkanometry, passed the duels stage of ‘World of Dance’ March 31, making the first cut. (Submitted)

2019 in Review: Funkanometry takes Islanders to NBC’s ‘World of Dance’

Two talented guys: one from Duncan, one from Nanaimo dance their way to national TV appearance

Duncan’s Carlow Rush and Nanaimo’s Jacksun Fryer, AKA Funkanometry, passed the duels stage of ‘World of Dance’ March 31, making the first cut. (Submitted)
From the first time they were tested in 2016, pumps to move Cowichan Lake water over the weir to the Cowichan River have been forefront in a lot of Valley conversations. (Ed Bonenfant photo)

2019 in Review: Dry February, March forced pumping of water from Cowichan Lake for the first time

Water levels were already low even before the ‘dry’ season arrived, making situation ‘dire’

From the first time they were tested in 2016, pumps to move Cowichan Lake water over the weir to the Cowichan River have been forefront in a lot of Valley conversations. (Ed Bonenfant photo)
Rising star Malakai Robson opens for Eugene Smith as the Duncan Showroom hosts ‘Last Performances of the Decade: A Celebration’ on Dec. 31. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

Lexi Bainas column: Family outings and year-end celebrations: we’re winding down 2019

The rush and fuss of Christmas is over, and you’ve probably hit…

Rising star Malakai Robson opens for Eugene Smith as the Duncan Showroom hosts ‘Last Performances of the Decade: A Celebration’ on Dec. 31. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Unfortunately this is from a rather grubby old ‘Lake News’ from December 1979 but it shows Meade Creek as high water roars down to the lake during a heavy rainstorm that Christmas season.

LAKE FLASHBACK: Christmas has always been a special time for Cowichan Lake folks

In addition to lots of Christmas fare, I’ve unearthed a photo showing flooding from December 1979

Unfortunately this is from a rather grubby old ‘Lake News’ from December 1979 but it shows Meade Creek as high water roars down to the lake during a heavy rainstorm that Christmas season.
The Lake Cowichan Fire Department is cooking breakfast for the community Saturday, Dec. 14, part of their annual Toy Drive and Pancake Breakfast. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

Food, toys collected as Lake Cowichan firefighters cook their annual outdoor breakfast for the town

Even Duncan folks offered help to the annual project, firefighters say

The Lake Cowichan Fire Department is cooking breakfast for the community Saturday, Dec. 14, part of their annual Toy Drive and Pancake Breakfast. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Corb Lund is a popular performer with Cowichan Valley country music fans. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Cowichan Theatre offering full menu of tasty treats in 2020

Ashley Foot, the new theatre marketing specialist for the Cowichan Performing Arts…

Corb Lund is a popular performer with Cowichan Valley country music fans. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Lake Cowichan’s works crew were given an honourable mention for their efforts to light up Lake Cowichan. The display at the town entrance is so extensive that only part of it can be shown here. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

Hughes home and Cassy’s Coffee House take top spots in Cowichan Lake light-up contest

They’ve made the area brighter as the evenings get darker and darker

Lake Cowichan’s works crew were given an honourable mention for their efforts to light up Lake Cowichan. The display at the town entrance is so extensive that only part of it can be shown here. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Hamper-filling day at Lake Cowichan works like clockword as big group of loyal volunteers know the drill. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

VIDEO: A host of enthusiastic volunteers turn out for Lake Cowichan’s Christmas ‘hamper day’

This fun and heartwarming event has become a tradition for many Cowichan Lake folks

Hamper-filling day at Lake Cowichan works like clockword as big group of loyal volunteers know the drill. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)