Nick Bekolay

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Alexa Grier and Chip Nary on the set of CBC’s Dragons’ Den. The Ladysmith entrepreneurs appeared on the Oct. 2 season premiere.

‘Healing and humourous’ Happy Zak’s enters the Dragons’ Den

The eighth season of CBC's Dragons' Den featured a pitch by Ladysmith entrepreneurs Chip Nary and Alexa Grier.

Alexa Grier and Chip Nary on the set of CBC’s Dragons’ Den. The Ladysmith entrepreneurs appeared on the Oct. 2 season premiere.

Community strives to feed and house its most vulnerable

Organization created in response to the death of David Alton partners with community groups to combat hunger and homelessness.

Local entrepreneurs Alexa Grier and Chip Nary will make their nationwide debut tonight when they pitch their signature lotion to Canada's leading business moguls on the season premiere of Dragons' Den. Tune in to watch as Kevin O'Leary and his fellow Dragons sample Grier and Nary's creation — Happy Zak's Scrotum Bliss — when season eight of Dragons' Den premieres on CBC at 8 p.m. local time tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 2).

Grier and Nary venture into the Dragons’ Den tonight!

Local entrepreneurs seek liquidity from Dragons' to lubricate launch of signature lotion. Tune in to CBC tonight at 8 p.m. to watch.

Local entrepreneurs Alexa Grier and Chip Nary will make their nationwide debut tonight when they pitch their signature lotion to Canada's leading business moguls on the season premiere of Dragons' Den. Tune in to watch as Kevin O'Leary and his fellow Dragons sample Grier and Nary's creation — Happy Zak's Scrotum Bliss — when season eight of Dragons' Den premieres on CBC at 8 p.m. local time tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 2).
North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure (right) and Jeremy Murphy, director of the Sustainability Solutions Group, show off their 2013 Climate and Energy Action Award [for] Community Planning and Development.

Award recognizes North Cowichan’s efforts to address climate change

North Cowichan wins big at the 2013 Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver Sept. 16-20.

North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure (right) and Jeremy Murphy, director of the Sustainability Solutions Group, show off their 2013 Climate and Energy Action Award [for] Community Planning and Development.
Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley addressed a packed house at Cedar Community Hall Monday, Sept. 23 as Steve Rae, a representative of the Save Cedar Schools Coalition, looks on. Routley delivered a 4,000-signature petition — calling on the Minister of Education to review School District 68’s Enhanced Facilities for Learning Plan — to Ministry of Education staff Friday, Sept. 27.

Row between Cedar and Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District heats up

Cedar area parents, Snuneymuxw First Nation and Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley band together to challenge SD68 plan.

Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley addressed a packed house at Cedar Community Hall Monday, Sept. 23 as Steve Rae, a representative of the Save Cedar Schools Coalition, looks on. Routley delivered a 4,000-signature petition — calling on the Minister of Education to review School District 68’s Enhanced Facilities for Learning Plan — to Ministry of Education staff Friday, Sept. 27.

Be bear aware

Residents living close to Holland Creek take note: A mother bear and two cubs have recently been spotted in the area.

Some residents of Chemainus were without power for several hours Tuesday afternoon as BC Hydro crews replaced a power pole left splintered by a single vehicle accident. Cpl. Jon Stuart of the North Cowichan–Duncan RCMP said an impaired driving investigation is ongoing, but there have been no charges brought forward against the driver of the vehicle.

Collision cuts power to Chemainus Road homes

Residents on the eastern fringes of Chemainus were without power for several hours Sept. 24 as BC Hydro replaced a shattered pole.

Some residents of Chemainus were without power for several hours Tuesday afternoon as BC Hydro crews replaced a power pole left splintered by a single vehicle accident. Cpl. Jon Stuart of the North Cowichan–Duncan RCMP said an impaired driving investigation is ongoing, but there have been no charges brought forward against the driver of the vehicle.
The Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock arrived in Ladysmith this afternoon led by Ladysmith resident Const. Misty Dmytar (front right). Check back tomorrow morning for the full story or pick up tomorrow's print edition for more.

Tour de Rock arrives!

The Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock arrived in Ladysmith this afternoon.

The Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock arrived in Ladysmith this afternoon led by Ladysmith resident Const. Misty Dmytar (front right). Check back tomorrow morning for the full story or pick up tomorrow's print edition for more.
49er Piper Doerkson serves during a Grade 8 Girls mini tournament hosted by LSS Wednesday, Sept. 25. LSS defeated Dover B, but lost 23–25 to both NDSS and John Barsby, coach Laura Mazurenko said.

Volleyball returns to LSS

Ladysmith Secondary School's Grade 8 girls hosted a volleyball mini tournament Sept. 25.

49er Piper Doerkson serves during a Grade 8 Girls mini tournament hosted by LSS Wednesday, Sept. 25. LSS defeated Dover B, but lost 23–25 to both NDSS and John Barsby, coach Laura Mazurenko said.
Darian Harris, a former right winger with the Bantam AAA Cowichan Capitals, will spend the 2013–14 hockey season playing with the Pacific Sea Devils in Victoria, an elite Minor Midget team representing the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy. Harris — a member of Stz’uminus First Nation and the lone aboriginal player on PCHA’s U16 squad — said he loves attending B.C.’s newest Hockey Canada Sports School.

Harris stickhandles his way into elite hockey academy

Darian Harris, a 15-year-old training at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy, is our Athlete of the Month for September.

Darian Harris, a former right winger with the Bantam AAA Cowichan Capitals, will spend the 2013–14 hockey season playing with the Pacific Sea Devils in Victoria, an elite Minor Midget team representing the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy. Harris — a member of Stz’uminus First Nation and the lone aboriginal player on PCHA’s U16 squad — said he loves attending B.C.’s newest Hockey Canada Sports School.
Local entrepreneurs Alexa Grier and Chip Nary will make their nationwide debut next week when they pitch their signature lotion to Canada's leading business moguls on the season premiere of Dragons' Den. Tune in to watch as Kevin O'Leary (pictured above) and his fellow Dragons sample Grier and Nary's creation — Happy Zak's Scrotum Bliss — when season eight of Dragons' Den premieres on CBC Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.

Grier and Nary spar with Dragons

Local entrepreneurs seek liquidity from business moguls to help launch signature lotion.

Local entrepreneurs Alexa Grier and Chip Nary will make their nationwide debut next week when they pitch their signature lotion to Canada's leading business moguls on the season premiere of Dragons' Den. Tune in to watch as Kevin O'Leary (pictured above) and his fellow Dragons sample Grier and Nary's creation — Happy Zak's Scrotum Bliss — when season eight of Dragons' Den premieres on CBC Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.
Members of the BC Jeep Club recently cleaned up more than two metric tons of scrap metal and trash from Chemainus River Provincial Park.

4WD enthusiasts haul two tons of trash from Chemainus park

Members of the BC Jeep Club help clean up Chemainus River Provincial Park for second year in a row.

Members of the BC Jeep Club recently cleaned up more than two metric tons of scrap metal and trash from Chemainus River Provincial Park.
Eleven-year-old LIS student Corey Cross plans to have his formidable locks chopped off alongside five fellow TDR supporters Monday, Sept. 30 as the Tour de Rock rolls into town.

Tour de Rock rolls into Ladysmith September 30

Ladysmith to host a variety of fundraising events in the lead up to Tour's arrival.

Eleven-year-old LIS student Corey Cross plans to have his formidable locks chopped off alongside five fellow TDR supporters Monday, Sept. 30 as the Tour de Rock rolls into town.
Ladysmith is benefitting from a rising tide in marine tourist traffic, says Tom Irwin, executive director of the Ladysmith Maritime Society. Overnight moorage at the LMS Community Marina peaked in August 2013 at close to 500 “visitor nights,” Irwin said, boosting visitor numbers past 1,300 on the season. Half of all visitors originate from American and “off-Island” destinations, Irwin said, translating to a substantial contribution to the local economy. See story for more.

Number of marine visitors rises significantly

Overnight moorage at Ladysmith Maritime Society Community Marina continues to climb.

Ladysmith is benefitting from a rising tide in marine tourist traffic, says Tom Irwin, executive director of the Ladysmith Maritime Society. Overnight moorage at the LMS Community Marina peaked in August 2013 at close to 500 “visitor nights,” Irwin said, boosting visitor numbers past 1,300 on the season. Half of all visitors originate from American and “off-Island” destinations, Irwin said, translating to a substantial contribution to the local economy. See story for more.
Patrick Warren ­— grew-up in Lake Cowichan and his family still lives here — playing his first game as a Rebel. Warren is wearing the red No.51, blocking No. 92.

Lake Bulldog becomes a Rebel

Local product’s football career continues blocking for Langford

Patrick Warren ­— grew-up in Lake Cowichan and his family still lives here — playing his first game as a Rebel. Warren is wearing the red No.51, blocking No. 92.

Firefighters wanted

Volunteer fire departments from six Cowichan Valley communities are seeking new recruits.

Fundraiser gala set for Stz’uminus scholar-athlete

Family members are hosting a fundraiser gala and golf tournament for Darian Harris Sept. 21 at the Mount Brenton Golf Course.

Ladysmith reaps a bumper crop of harvest celebrations

LaFF partners with the LDBA to host "Harvest Moon" dance and with Ladysmith Community Gardens to celebrate fall harvest.

Tom Sharpe, 60, and Dave Steen, 71, earned three golds apiece at the the 2013 BC Seniors Games last month.

Triple gold for local cyclists at BC Seniors Games

Saltair's Tom Sharpe and Thetis Island cyclist Dave Steen earn three medals apiece at competition in Kamloops.

Tom Sharpe, 60, and Dave Steen, 71, earned three golds apiece at the the 2013 BC Seniors Games last month.
Gord and Kayla Henry emerge from the fog as they approach the corner of Stillin Drive and Dunsmuir Crescent Sunday morning during the Terry Fox Run. Over 100 participants and volunteers turned out for this year’s run, said Ladysmith Parks and Recreation coordinator Anita McLeod, navigating their way along a fog-shrouded 2.5-kilometre course as they helped “keep Fox’s dream alive for another year.” Ladysmith’s run raised $1,923 through donations, pledges and T-shirt sales, McLeod said.

Fox’s dream lives on in Ladysmith

Sunday morning's Terry Fox Run raised close to $2,000 for cancer research.

Gord and Kayla Henry emerge from the fog as they approach the corner of Stillin Drive and Dunsmuir Crescent Sunday morning during the Terry Fox Run. Over 100 participants and volunteers turned out for this year’s run, said Ladysmith Parks and Recreation coordinator Anita McLeod, navigating their way along a fog-shrouded 2.5-kilometre course as they helped “keep Fox’s dream alive for another year.” Ladysmith’s run raised $1,923 through donations, pledges and T-shirt sales, McLeod said.