Cowichan Valley lawyer Patricia Blair has been named as the president of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association for the 2025-2026 membership term.
A family law practitioner and founding partner of River Valley Law LLP in the Cowichan Valley, Blair said she is committed to championing solo practitioners and small firms across British Columbia.
“Solo practitioners and small firms outside major centres in B.C. are on the front lines of the access to justice crisis,” she said.
“My priority is to ensure that British Columbians, regardless of their income or where they live, can get the legal representation they need.”
At CBABC, Blair served as county representative for the Cowichan Valley on Provincial Council for five years, and on the board of directors for four.
Her career reflects her dedication to community-based legal service.
Before founding her firm in 2021, she worked at the Duncan office of a mid-sized Vancouver Island firm for nearly a decade.
A supervising lawyer for the Poverty Law Advocate Program through the Law Foundation and a former chair of the board for the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society, she is deeply committed to access to justice for all British Columbians.
"Patricia’s deep roots on Vancouver Island and her experience make her an informed voice for our regional communities,” says CBABC CEO Kerry Simmons. “The board and I look forward to the unique and valuable insights she will bring to her leadership.”
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No Frills employees, local dignitaries, and shoppers turned out early on Aug. 20 to officially open the newest addition to downtown Chemainus.
The discount grocery store — only the second one on Vancouver Island — is located in the former Chemainus Foods building on Willow Street, across from Waterwheel Park.
The 10,000 square-foot building underwent an extensive renovation after the Chemainus Public Market closed earlier this year.
Owner Raman Sangha said she is thrilled to be a part of the Chemainus business community.
“People in Chemainus have been incredibly kind and welcoming people,” Sangha said as she prepared to cut the ribbon to open the store.
“I have to thank my family from the bottom of my heart. I wouldn’t be here without your support.”
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Don Allingham is becoming famous for supplying really good corn to customers in Chemainus during the summer months.
He hauls as many as 1,000 ears to a single market and leaves with an empty truck.
So what is it that makes Don the corn guy’s corn so delicious?
“It’s just fresh,” he said, standing beside a truck bed brimming with fresh-picked ears of corn.
“When I started this, I made myself promises. I’d only sell corn we picked that morning. I never sell day-old corn.”
Locals keep watch for his next appearance. He can most often be found parked on Chemainus Road just south of downtown.
As summer winds down, Allingham’s profile drops with the temperature, but anticipation for his sweet corn doesn’t fade.
Come next July, Chemainus will once again be asking the only question that matters: “Does anyone know when Don the corn guy will be in town next?”
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The Downtown Duncan BIA is reminding people that the annual Every Child Matters event will be held on Sept. 30, which includes a walk that typically draws thousands of people to the downtown core that will begin at 10 a.m. after speeches and prayers.
“Shops downtown may be open and we hope you can support local businesses as that is what makes Quw’utsun unique,” the DDBIA said.
“We would love to have you and your families, co-workers, students, and Elders join us to recognize the children that survived residential schools, and honour the children that did not make it home."
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Just another reminder that members of the public have until Sept. 26 to vote on who they feel is the best local company, organization, place and event in the Cowichan Valley in a number of categories as part of the annual Best of the Valley 2025 Awards.
It’s the final voting round after the five nominees with the most nominations in each category were chosen by votes from the public, and the current voting asks people to choose from them.
The contest, sponsored by the Cowichan Valley Citizen, allows the newspaper’s readers to vote on who they feel is the best local restaurant, florist, motel, car repair shop, pub, and much more.
Nominations for the final round of voting can be made by going to the Cowichan Valley Citizen website's contest section where you can vote for your favourites to help decide who will be crowned the Best of the Valley 2025.
Winners will be announced in the Citizen’s special Best of the Valley feature this fall.
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The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce is hosting one of its popular Mix & Mingle events at the family-owned Udder Guys Ice Cream and Candy in Cowichan Bay on Sept. 24.
The Johnson family, consisting of Lizzi and David Johnson and their four children, took over Udder Guys in 2023.
Located at 1765 Cowichan Bay Rd., the shop is known for its old fashioned, made-from-scratch ice cream, nostalgic and imported candy, made-in-store fudge and cotton candy.
The Mix & Mingle, which is free for chamber members and their guests, runs from from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Join us at Udder Guys for a sweet evening of cones, conversation, and community in Cowichan Bay,” the chamber said. “Ice cream just makes everything better.”
