The OBE Business & Community Directories Are Here!

Wow, what a great sunny day. Have you seen the Comox Glacier yet? It’s truly breathtaking.
With all of this gorgeousness going on, we are excited to unveil the latest OBE tool for folks in the Comox Valley and beyond to easily find the restaurants, organizations, service providers and destinations that make this region such a [...]

Improving Our Community One Elder at a Time

Editor’s Note: Good morning readers. First I’d like to announce that Stacey, Kathy and Melanie won the fantastic cookbooks from yesterday. Yay! Now, we are excited to reveal a new direction for Wendy’s Grand-Parents column this morning, as we move toward a long-term discussion about planning for different stages in our lives and ways to [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Discovering Community Literacy

When you say the word “literacy” the images of libraries and academia often come to mind. It takes you down a mental path of helping kids learn to read and guiding adults through the challenges of needing to be able to interpret for themselves written words in order to manage the day-to-day tasks.
To me, it [...]

Holiday Traditions – A Community Reading of Dickens A Christmas Carol

Editor’s Note: If you missed Marcie Dumais’ column on turning old traditions into something all your own, check it out HERE. Now, it’s time to tell you a bit about Our Big Earth’s last community event for 2009. We hope you’ll join us for a wonderful evening of fun for a great cause.
Our Big [...]

Holiday Traditions – Where To Check Out the Lights

Editor’s Note: This morning we had a fun post about getting organized and creating some cute projects for 2010 courtesy of crafting goddess Vanessa Falle. You can check it out HERE. Now, time for more holiday traditions. Today, where to find some of the best light displays in the Comox Valley.
If there’s one thing about [...]

The Green Wallet – Microlending as a Global Investment

Editor’s note: If you missed this morning’s post, we took a look at some of the hottest eco-friendly Vancouver fashion designers and where you can find them in the Comox Valley. Check it out HERE. Now, Anthony Edwards takes us away from consumerism to a form of global lending that serves as a bridge between [...]

Sustainability Strategy – Begin with Caring for Most Vulnerable

Editor’s note: Earlier this week, journalist Colleen Dane gave readers an introduction to the Comox Valley Regional Sustainability Strategy with a look into how it will effect everyday things in our lives like the contents of our refrigerators – Check it out HERE. Today, Colleen is back with Part 2, digging in to how the [...]

Our Sustainable Future Is In Your Fridge

Editor’s Note: If you missed this morning’s post, check out our list of great, local fresh fruit and vegetables you can find during the Winter HERE. Now, we join Colleen Dane as she gets us to take a look into the Comox Valley Regional Sustainability Strategy and what it means to things like our refrigerator. [...]

Regional Growth in Your Backyard

Editor’s Note: Good morning and welcome to SHIFT News. Today we have Comox Valley reporter Colleen Dane here with the first of a two-part series on the critical roll that local residents can play in the creation of the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy (RGS).
In part one, Dane takes a look at the background of [...]

A Peek Inside A Celebration of Comox Valley Spirit

The day didn’t necessary start off on the brightest foot. Rain, rain, rain – that was the forecast for Sunday. But, with a 40X40 heated tent, happy spirits and a sense of creative flexibility we headed out for a day of celebrating our heritage.

Thankfully, the sunshine made an appearance just about the time we got [...]

Kids In The Arts – Local Olympic Experience

Editor’s Note: This morning we have Lindsay Sterk giving us the low-down on getting an Olympic experience right here in the Comox Valley. Here he is:

On November 2 the Olympic Torch is coming to Courtenay. The flame was lit in Greece on October 22 and is now making its way towards Canada, and will hit the ground running [...]

Comox Valley 2009 Halloween Hot Spots

Editor’s Note: Halloween is just around the corner. Time to bust out the decor and get spooky. If you missed this morning’s post, check out our crafty version of Dia de los Muertos skulls HERE. Now, on to the important stuff, where’s the candy and costume parades. Here’s what’s happening this Halloween weekend in the [...]

Parent Wellness – Dress Up For Grown-Ups

Editor’s Note: Today we have the super fun and friendly Marcie Dumais serving up some tips on laughing your way to better health. Get your costumes ready… Halloween’s just around the corner. Here’s Marcie:

At this time of year our “tickle trunk” is in high demand. Knights, storm troopers, super-heroes, ghosts, fire fighters, pirates, farm animals, dinosaurs [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Kristi Walker of Eco-Centric

Motherhood, it changes you.
While there’s a whole list that involves sagging and wrinkled, exhausted and emotional that can be wrapped in there, for many women becoming a Mom takes life to a whole other level.
It brings out our genuine loves, forces them into places creatively and personally that reveal talents and ingenuity unrealized until that [...]

Discovering Iconic Canada In A Guitar

A nation that defines itself through music is one that can connect on so many levels. It can honor and sound off clearly about the tragedies, admire the drive and determination of individuals and communities and tell the stories of each of its citizens.
That is what Jowi Taylor set out to do when he envisioned his [...]

Eat Real. Eat Local. Take the 30-Day Challenge

It’s a big day here at Our Big Earth as we have long been waiting to announce what we think is one of the most exciting community events in the Comox Valley this Summer.
Our Big Earth, Brambles Market and EatRealEatLocal.ca are excited to announce that – from July 2-31 – we’ll be hosting the EatRealEatLocal [...]

Come and Celebrate Community with Cupcakes

I have to start this one out with a big, gushy moment. I love you guys. Seriously, you are inspiring.
There is a purposefulness about all of you that I want to forever linger in – that warmth, sense of place, community and love for others is unmatched and I am so very grateful to connect [...]

Spring NeighbourWood Walks Series Delayed

Good morning. It was a troubled evening last night as I continued to read about the increasing global concern over the spread of Swine Flu – particularly in North America.
There are now at least 19 cases confirmed in Canada – including one in Victoria – and the World Health Organization has raised the alert level [...]

Earth Day – Top 10 Reasons to Eat Local

Happy Earth Day!
It’s Food & Your Family day here at Our Big Earth. With all the talk around food sustainability and the ever-increasing prices at the grocery store these days, there are a lot of questions about why local food is such a big deal.
There are a ton of scientifically significant reasons why food that [...]

Growing Children with Song

Editor’s Note: This morning, Comox Valley Children’s Choir Director Carol Anne Parkinson has stopped by to talk about the wonderful ways song can help your children grow strong.
Music was a huge part of my childhood. It gave me the space to be that could be found no place else.
Enjoy!

From my very earliest memories, I [...]

Win Kids Gear with the Click of the Camera

M and I just spent an hour or so watching the gorgeous sunrise this morning and, while we were busy telling stories about unicorns in the clouds and watching them change lovely, mid-Winter shades of pink and orange, she belted out “This needs a picture mommy. Go get the camera.”
While I passed, wanting more to [...]

Learning to Live With Loss – Together

 
Down a Friday post, Ken and I hashed through a whole whack of topics that seemed a perfect fit to jump into while we all piled into our bed for movie night with the kiddo yesterday.
Taking a look at your water usage and how critical it is to start reigning ourselves in terms of consumption [...]

Deepa Guides Us Through Loss

This is for Robin and her family and all of those who are grieving a child who died inside the womb.
It was Autumn last year, although the sun warmed us like it was mid-day July. The kids were jubilant after seeing, feeling, choosing, and weighing pumpkins at the Shamrock Farm. It was another [...]

Movie Adventures & Family Flick Favourites

I am more than a bit under the weather today, reluctantly submitting to at least a few days of bed rest as while the tiny person in my belly seems to be A-OK, my body is struggling a bit through this part of pregnancy.
Being mostly couch bound is not really my speed. But, when the [...]

Announcing The Fall NeighbourWood Walks

Good morning.
I am happy to say that after a couple months of NeighbourWood Walk withdrawl since our fantastic Summer series that saw 60 kiddos and their families out for walks all over the region, the Fall walk series is nearly here.
September is always a nutso month for families, and October has been a bit of [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Tina Willard-Stepan of Seeds Natural Market

Motherhood, it changes you.
While there’s a whole list that involves sagging and wrinkled, exhausted and emotional that can be wrapped in there, for many women becoming a Mom takes life to a whole other level.
It brings out our genuine loves, forces them into places creatively and personally that reveal talents and ingenuity unrealized until that [...]

Summer NeighbourWood Walk No. 5 – Seal Bay Beach Trail

Good Morning!
Well, the hiking gods conspired against our trip out to Cumberland this week as, while the family and I were out on our test run of the trail out at Cumberland Community Forest last Saturday we ran into a few unfriendly bits of poison foliage and bugs that, while they shouldn’t discourage you from [...]

To Nap or Not to Nap, the Drama

I don’t even remember what it was like to have our daughter nap on a regular basis.
The occasional act of God does occur, with her crashing for hours on end with no sign of waking while her go-go disposition refuels. But, when my friends who have 3+ year-old kiddos who are still napping in the [...]

Summer NeighbourWood Walk No. 4 – Fanny Bay

Note to self: wine with the girlfriends after a long day on the trail is excellent fun at 9 p.m., not so excellent fun at 6 a.m.:)

A small group of super intrepid walkers made it out to our fourth NeighbourWood Walk yesterday, which took us to the far south end of the Valley and a [...]

The Farm – Rocking the Barnyard

When we popped in at the Hands-On Farm over at the Filberg on Sunday, Popsicle was giving us the evil eye.
Maybe it was the “Please save me from these crazy pigs” eye. Nonetheless, his new “buddies” Penelope and Veruca are scaring the spots off of him.
P & V may only be six weeks old. But, [...]

Summer NeighbourWood Walk No.3 – Oyster River

I realized yesterday that one of the most fun things to do on a day in the woods is have a picnic.
OK, so that’s an easy one to figure out.
But, we are always hauling around food, snacking on the go, on the move. Stopping to actually sit down and have a formal, yet informal, meal [...]

The Farm – Keep Cool, Pioneer Style

It is HOT on the Farm these days.
This week is blazing as the dog days of Summer set in the animals are feeling it too, bucking for shady spots and taking quick dips in the pool (they have one, ya know) to beat the heat.
Our Hands-On Farm Friend, Popsicle, was feeling a little sluggish in [...]

Summer NeighbourWood Walk No. 1 – MacDonald Wood

It’s about 8:45 a.m. as I sit down to write this post.
As a general rule, I write the night before. Mornings are nuts around here and throwing blogging into that mix is generally a stress of the unnecessary kind. But, today, it’s entirely beautiful.
That’s totally because I got out of bed about five minutes ago [...]

The Farm – Meet Our Farm Friend Popsicle

We’ve been waiting for this all year.
Spring gave us a taste of Summery good times. But, now it’s official.
Today is opening day at The Hands-On Farm over at The Filberg.
It’s something our daughter looks forward to every year – weeks on end of getting to know our farm friends and trying to talk me into [...]

In The Community – Frosting is Calling You

With the Spring sunshine warming up the house nicely, Ken always turns the heat off this time of year. It’s always so great to snuggle up under the big pile of blankets in a cool house.
Usually, the tough part of getting out of bed in a cold house isn’t too chilly – until this morning [...]

Community Cupcaking Tomorrow

Look at our kiddo slaving away in the kitchen, baking up cupcake after cupcake for all of our guests tomorrow.
It’s amazing how much time she’s logged in the kitchen this week.
Or, it would be if she’d actually made cupcakes. The Sugarheads – who are a bit more adept at the art and craft of baking [...]

Save The Date – Community-Building Cupcakes

One of the great things about life at Comox Valley Kids is the amazing opportunity to connect with community-minded families, businesses and organizations around the region.
Every day I find myself a bit open-mouthed at the fierce enthusiasm for life folks around here have individually.
Bringing people together to share that energy is magic.
So, when my pal [...]