The Valley’s Blue Grouse Estate Winery has donated $10,000 to the Nourish Cowichan Society, a charitable organization helping feed families in need.
Through April, in honour of BC Wine Month, Blue Grouse made the call to support Nourish Cowichan and committed to donate $1 for every bottle sold, matched by another dollar from the Brunner family, the owners of the winery.
Thanks to the support of the Blue Grouse wine club, sales teams, restaurants and retail partners, the winery was able to sell 4,000 bottles to wine lovers by April 30, making a total $8,000 donation to the charity.
The Brunner family decided to round the amount up to $10,000, reaching the original goal set by the winery team.
The money contributed by Blue Grouse will provide 2,500 meals to families in need.
“While there are many deserving charitable organizations and societies that require support through the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Grouse and our family committed to helping our local community, and those most in need in that community,” said owner Paul Brunner.
“We believe every child should be given the same opportunities to learn and succeed. We helped by supporting Nourish Cowichan so they can combat hunger with nutritious, locally produced food.”
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The Cowichan Valley offices of Resonance Hearing Clinic are taking the COVID-19 crisis in stride.
Audiologist Dr. Terrence Miranda said that while the offices in Cobble Hill, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan and Sidney are closed for regular appointments during the health crisis, the two in Cobble Hill and Sidney are offering a pick-up/drop-off service for batteries, broken hearing aids and other supplies.
He said the clinics are also available for urgent and emergency appointments.
“We will continue our operations in this manner until the province ends the current regulations that are in place,” Miranda said.
“We are also preparing our operations for when the restrictions are lifted and then we’ll have a space-out approach in that we’ll only have one person in the clinics at a time and face masks will be provided for clients. Our clinicians will also have their own personal protection equipment. We’ll also have ‘telehealth’ abilities in that our clients will be able to program their hearing instruments at home through the Internet using their cell phones or tablets that will tap into the hearing instruments.”
Miranda said that, due to the popularity of the pick-up/drop-off service, it will be kept after regulations are lifted.
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Magnolia, a fashion accessory store on Jubilee Street in Duncan, is open noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, during the COVID-19 crisis.
Owner Sue McKay said the store is observing the necessary safe distancing, is using gloves or hand sanitizing and both steaming and quarantining any clothing tried on.
She said she is treating the store as a safe zone during the pandemic
“We are utilizing our Facebook page (sue magnolia) as a customer contact, as well as my cell phone at 250-710-6872,” McKay said.
“Window shopping has been quite popular. We look forward to seeing everyone again.”
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For the eighth year in a row, Edward Jones has been recognized as the highest in investor satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power 2020 Canada Full-Service Investor Satisfaction Study.
Edward Jones is a full-service investment dealer that has offices coast to coast, including one in Cobble Hill.
The study measured overall investor satisfaction with 17 full service investment firms in Canada based on seven performance factors.
Edward Jones ranked highest with an overall satisfaction score of 836 versus an industry average of 790.
“It’s a great honour to be recognized for what matters most to us at Edward Jones, which is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients,” said David Gunn, a spokesman for Edward Jones Canada.
“Today, more than ever before, Canadians are looking for support from a trusted financial advisor as they navigate the impacts of coronavirus and market volatility on their physical, mental and financial health.”
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Hungry for local food and drink?
For 11 years, the annual Cowichan Grown Farm Map has helped visitors and local residents source Cowichan-grown vegetables, fruits, meat, drink, and specialty products throughout the region, from Shawnigan Lake to south of Nanaimo.
The Cowichan Grown Farm Map showcases the bounty of the Valley, and the talented and hard-working producers behind it.
This year, 55 unique farms and agri-businesses, all with something distinctive, fresh, and delicious to offer, are in the map.
From seasonal fruits, veggies, ethically-raised meat and eggs, to wine, cider, honey, tea, syrups, seafood, nuts and wool, all-local products can be found by browsing listings on the map or using the online component at cowichangreencommunity.org/foodmap.
Colorful print maps are available at Cowichan Green Community’s storefront at 360 Duncan St. in Duncan.
Some farms have temporarily closed to the public due to COVID-19, so people are being asked not to visit farms without pre-authorization.
Many roadside farm stands are still open, and some are now accepting e-transfers instead of cash.
If a farm does not have a roadside stand, refer to their map listing for other ways to purchase from them (such as Cow-op.ca)
Better yet, call ahead to directly arrange contactless pick-up.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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