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Coming up in Cowichan: Genealogy, climate workshop, Women’s Day with CWAV

Some of what’s coming up in Cowichan
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Duncan’s Cowichan Library branch manager Annette Van Koevering stands next to their new seed library which officially opened on April 27, 2023. The library will once again be back in 2024. (Citizen file)

A series of three free genealogy classes will be taking place at the Duncan branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, located at the Cowichan Community Centre, starting Saturday, Feb. 24.

The first session is titled “Finding Grandma” and will teach different techniques to find out who your ancestors are and where they came from. This session will specifically deal with those looking for ancestors from England, Canada and the U.S., though those looking in Europe can also benefit from the techniques.

The session runs from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the presenter is Carol Stiles-Womack.

The second session is “Making Sense of the Census” on Saturday, March 2 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with presenter Liane Lyle.

The class will teach how to find ancestors on the census and how to interpret the information. Canadian, British and U.S. census records will be explored.

The final session is “Immigrant Investigations” on Saturday, March 23 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with presenter Carol Stiles-Womack.

The session will examine ways to find and analyze records to discover where ancestors were born and raised.

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The Cowichan Climate Hub and RegenerateBC are hosting a Climate Workshop on Monday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. in the main atrium of the Duncan branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, which is located at the Cowichan Community Centre.

The workshop will explore proven solutions for addressing the climate crisis.

“This session, grounded in science and full of solutions, will inspire hope and encourage action. This is an opportunity to meet with others who are interested in helping create the thriving, just, and sustainable B.C. and world we know is possible,” said a press release for the event.

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The Duncan branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library is hosting several other programs in the coming weeks as well.

On Feb. 27 seniors are invited to meet and attend a presentation by the BC Office of the Seniors Advocate with Isobel Mackenzie from 10-11 a.m. Hear about prevention of elder abuse, scams and fraud, affordable housing advocacy, long term care facility capacity improvements and support for seniors on low incomes.

On March 4 there will be a seed packing party for the seed library, and attendees will get first pick of seeds to take home. It runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On March 5 an English conversation circle starts weekly meetings to practice English. The circle meets from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and is being offered in partnership with the Cowichan Intercultural Society.

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The Cowichan Women Against Violence Society is hosting a dinner/dance to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8 at the Duncan Community Lodge.

Tickets are $50 and the event includes dinner, dessert, a silent auction, a keynote speaker and dancing with a DJ. The event is 19-plus. Tickets are available at canadahelps.org.



Andrea Rondeau

About the Author: Andrea Rondeau

I returned to B.C. and found myself at the Cowichan Valley Citizen.
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