Warren Goulding

Jock Hildebrand reveals plans for the Cowichan Valley Public Art Gallery at a gathering held at Blue Grouse Winery on the weekend. (Photo by Dorian Melton)

Business notes: New public art gallery will bring economic benefits to Cowichan Valley

"The Valley will have a precious intellectual and cultural treasure that will enrich us"

Jock Hildebrand reveals plans for the Cowichan Valley Public Art Gallery at a gathering held at Blue Grouse Winery on the weekend. (Photo by Dorian Melton)
Visitor Centre volunteers Jan Rice and Allen Pollard studying up on Vancouver Island maps. (Alec Wheeler photo)

Business notes: Meet the volunteers at the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre

The Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre is an integral part of the Valley's tourism strategy.

Visitor Centre volunteers Jan Rice and Allen Pollard studying up on Vancouver Island maps. (Alec Wheeler photo)
Jim Dias, as a the former CAO of North Cowichan, remembers an even more packed public meeting more than 20 years ago. (Citizen file)

Hearing brings memories of largest meeting turnout N. Cowichan has ever seen

Tuesday night's huge turnout for a controversial public hearing was rare but not unprecedented.

Jim Dias, as a the former CAO of North Cowichan, remembers an even more packed public meeting more than 20 years ago. (Citizen file)
A second night at the public hearing into an expansion plan for the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit turned into a marathon of speakers. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

North Cowichan says no to Motorsport Circuit expansion

North Cowichan councillors have put the brakes on a controversial expansion plan

A second night at the public hearing into an expansion plan for the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit turned into a marathon of speakers. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
Jared Williams of Cowichan Tribes spoke against the expansion plans. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

UPDATED: Fractious two-day hearing ends with a no for Cowichan Motorsport expansion

A marathon public hearing lasted for more than 13 hours over two days

Jared Williams of Cowichan Tribes spoke against the expansion plans. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
On hand for the cheque presentation from Coast Capital were, from left, Bill Rae, Shanna Oud, Patti Ford, Andrea Dunkley and Sylvia Wong. Monica Patsy Jones accepted the cheque. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Business notes: Candidates forum coming Oct. 9

Coast Capital Savings in Duncan has stepped up to assist an organization working to bring attention to the issue of missing and murdered men and women.

On hand for the cheque presentation from Coast Capital were, from left, Bill Rae, Shanna Oud, Patti Ford, Andrea Dunkley and Sylvia Wong. Monica Patsy Jones accepted the cheque. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
A large crowd turned out at the Cowichan Theatre for the public hearing on the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit expansion proposal on Tuesday night. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Huge turnout has public hearing into Cowichan Motorsport expansion continuing Thursday

The hearing wasn't shut down until 11 p.m. and will continue on Thursday night

A large crowd turned out at the Cowichan Theatre for the public hearing on the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit expansion proposal on Tuesday night. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
Isabelle Mercier-Turcotte will be a keynote speaker at the Small Business BIG DAY in October. (submitted)

Business notes: Small business having a BIG DAY in October in Cowichan

One-day professional development and networking symposium

Isabelle Mercier-Turcotte will be a keynote speaker at the Small Business BIG DAY in October. (submitted)
Nikki Bigger, right, Marigold Arbic, left, and Tash Pegg wait for news on Frankie Wednesday afternoon. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Cowichan SAR recovery mission ends in heartbreak for dog owner

Nikki Bigger will leave the Cowichan Valley with a broken heart and without Frankie.

Nikki Bigger, right, Marigold Arbic, left, and Tash Pegg wait for news on Frankie Wednesday afternoon. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
Ryan Isherwood has enjoyed a decade of success and expansion of his Duncan auto body business. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Business notes: CARSTAR owner humbled by huge growth in 10 years

Ryan Isherwood's body shop business is on a roll, but it wasn't always a smooth ride.

Ryan Isherwood has enjoyed a decade of success and expansion of his Duncan auto body business. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
Neel and Rupal Tanna fulfilled their dream of owning their own business with the opening of Duncan Pharmacy in August. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Business notes: Duncan Pharmacy opens doors on Canada Avenue

Neel says the response over the last month has been very positive

Neel and Rupal Tanna fulfilled their dream of owning their own business with the opening of Duncan Pharmacy in August. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny had an unexpected run-in at a mall in Washington. (Citizen file)

Cowichan’s Maynard Johnny confronts racists during U.S. mall visit

Took the opportunity to educate the two couples that he says were in their 20s and 40s.

Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny had an unexpected run-in at a mall in Washington. (Citizen file)
Matt Delange of Surespan Redi Mix, a business located close to Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, expressed his support for the track’s expansion plans. Delange, wearing a carnation in his lapel, was surrounded by several other business people adorned with carnations indicating their support for VIMC. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Business notes: Business community behind Motorsport expansion

Business owners and business organizations are supportive of the Circuit's operation on Highway 18.

Matt Delange of Surespan Redi Mix, a business located close to Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, expressed his support for the track’s expansion plans. Delange, wearing a carnation in his lapel, was surrounded by several other business people adorned with carnations indicating their support for VIMC. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Colin John, from Chemainus, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Derek Descoteau. (File photo)

Accused killer Colin John found unfit for trial

The man accused of killing a Chemainus man more than three years ago has been declared unfit to stand trial.

Colin John, from Chemainus, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Derek Descoteau. (File photo)
Supporters of the expansion project at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit were asked to stand at North Cowichan's council meeting on Aug. 21. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Editorial: Questionable decision

Mayor effectively invited intimidating public display by having people show what side they were on

Supporters of the expansion project at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit were asked to stand at North Cowichan's council meeting on Aug. 21. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Sotheby’s Realtor Christine Ryan was an enthusiastic supporter of Cowichan Valley dancers Brittany Millard and Mara Morris who competed in an international dance competition in Portugal earlier this summer. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Business notes: Realtor steps up to sponsor young dancers

Christine Ryan, a Realtor with Sotheby's International Realty, knows what it takes to be an accomplished dancer.

Sotheby’s Realtor Christine Ryan was an enthusiastic supporter of Cowichan Valley dancers Brittany Millard and Mara Morris who competed in an international dance competition in Portugal earlier this summer. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
Paul Rossmo (right), general manager of Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit welcomes Scott Circuit who has been appointed operations manager. (Submitted photo)

Business notes: New operations manager will help Motorsport Circuit through expansion

With Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit poised to embark on an ambitious expansion project, a new manager has been added to the operation.

Paul Rossmo (right), general manager of Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit welcomes Scott Circuit who has been appointed operations manager. (Submitted photo)
Shawnigan Lake’s Michele Dixon has earned a prestigious award from ‘Pet Age’ magazine. (submitted)

Business notes: Shawnigan woman gets prestigious award from ‘Pet Age’ magazine

Shawnigan Lake's Michele Dixon has earned a prestigious award from Pet Age magazine.

Shawnigan Lake’s Michele Dixon has earned a prestigious award from ‘Pet Age’ magazine. (submitted)
Doug Kitchen of Wee Chip Cowichan has been cleaning up around trees between Duncan Street and the railway tracks. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Business notes: Tree trimming aims to curb illegal activity on Duncan Street

Doug Kitchen, owner of Wee Chip Cowichan, has been contracted to clean up and trim trees along Duncan Street.

Doug Kitchen of Wee Chip Cowichan has been cleaning up around trees between Duncan Street and the railway tracks. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
Zhao Zheng Fu (fourth from left) and guests cut the ribbon to mark the change in ownership at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Business notes: New owners celebrate at Arbutus Ridge Golf Course

The award-winning Arbutus Ridge Golf Course in Cobble Hill has a new owner.

Zhao Zheng Fu (fourth from left) and guests cut the ribbon to mark the change in ownership at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)