Christmas Village at Cassy’s
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Cassy’s Coffee House and Gift Shop! Our favourite friendly barista and her elves have been busy decking the halls for the festive days ahead. Be sure to stop for breakfast or lunch and allow time to take a little tour of Dennis and Donna Jones’ Christmas Village. Viewing is free but any donations will benefit cancer care at Cowichan District Hospital. Cassy’s is open in December from 10 to 2 Thursdays through Sundays plus December 28 and 29, except for 23, 24, 25, and 26.
Shop & Save Changes Hands
After 31 years of running the general store in Youbou, Rose and Cary are stepping away for a well-deserved retirement. They have sold the Shop & Save and will be moving to Lake Cowichan in December. The good news for Youbou is they are not going far and that they leave behind super staff who will continue working for the new owner. Expect the hours to remain the same and to see most of the same people behind the counter. They also leave behind a lot of memories, including the one about the bear who came into the store to eat cookies. If you want to hear more, you’ll have to ask them. Take a moment to swing by the shop in early December before they leave and wish them well. Happy retirement from your friends in Youbou!
Light-Up Cruise
Look out for a convoy of holiday decorated vehicles on Saturday, December 4, cruising their way from Youbou to Honeymoon Bay, starting at 5 pm in Youbou. The Cowichan Lake Arts Teaching Center and Hub is organizing the event and hopes it will lift holiday spirits around the lake. In Youbou, Cassy’s Coffee House will be offering hot drinks and viewing of the Christmas village. After reaching Honeymoon Bay, the ride will head back to the 50+ Centre in Lake Cowichan for caroling and cocoa.
Paired with the event is the collection of holiday donations for Community Services. You can take non-perishables or cash donations to Cassy’s before the event. The organizers are also requesting that we all think “local” when doing our Christmas shopping this season.
Supporters of the event include: Carlow Contracting, Music Together Mid-Island & Voice Care Vocal Studios, Cassy’s Coffee House, Countrywide Village Realty, New Horizons Landscaping, Lake Cowichan 50+ Activity Center, Jan Rishiide, Jayne Ingram, and Coalesence Studios.
Please note that participation of vehicles in the light-up cruise is by pre-registration only.
Beer-Pairing Menu at Pub
The Youbou Bar & Grill is offering a special four-course meal with a beer pairing on Saturday, December 4. Doors open at 5 pm and first course is served at 6 pm. The cost is $75 per person plus tax and tip. Reservations are suggested as seating is limited.
The Pub will also be offering a plated Christmas menu on December 17, 18, and 19.
Christmas Sing-Along
Experience the true meaning of season on Christmas Eve at the Youbou Community Church. The church will open its doors on Friday, December 24 for a 7 pm Family Sing-Along and reading of the timeless Christmas story. All are welcome.
The advent season is in full swing at the church with a Sunday, December 5, Meet & Greet at 10 am. The service of Holy Communion starts at 11 am, followed by a Christmas Community Potluck Lunch at 12:30 pm.
Christmas Craft Fair
They came, they saw, and they shopped till they dropped at Youbou’s Christmas Craft Fair on November 27 at the Community Hall. After taking a break because of Covid last year, the popular annual bazaar was open and ready to provide gifts for the choosiest on every shopper’s list.
New Year’s Eve Dance Cancelled
In case you’ve not heard by now, the Youbou Community Association will not be hosting the traditional New Year’s Eve party at the hall on December 31, 2021. The complexities of Covid around indoor dancing, music, and BC vaccine cards make it too big of a challenge to pull off successfully this year. The YCA has booked one of Youbou’s favourite bands for the 2022 New Year’s Eve.
Youbou Lands Update
By Klaus Kuhn, Area I CVRD Director
I was hoping to be share news regarding the two pending developments at Laketown Ranch and Youbou Lands. However, because of Covid, related staff shortages at the CVRD and other delays, there really is not much to report. Laketown Ranch applied for an extension of their tourist/residential area, which is currently going through the process. If approved, this addition will be a positive economic stimulus. A public information meeting was held in the summer and after a formal application, a public hearing will also need to be held.
The owners of Youbou Lands are planning to build 40 residences as part of a subdivision of 100 homes. Following that construction will be the development of a village core. No formal application has been filed yet, but talks with CVRD staff regarding sewer and water services have taken place. There has been so much talk about plans and intentions, I am not holding my breath. I suggested to the owners that they organize a public information meeting about their plans. I do hope that development of this significant property will take place soon. It will be a positive economic stimulus and it will certainly add an attraction to Youbou and Area I. If you have comments or questions, contact me at Klaus.Kuhn@cvrd.bc.ca
Youbou Lands Requests Youbou Water
At a CVRD Electoral Services Committee meeting on November 17, first-stage review was requested for Youbou Lands infrastructure. The following is reprinted from the analysis portion of the meeting notes and is a matter of public record:
First Stage approval allows staff to allocate time for review and approvals for these proposed new functions. The first phase consists of 40 homes with subsequent phases of approximately 100 lots which will then be followed by the Village Core development. Owners are requesting service for water, sewer, storm water and streetlighting functions.
The developers are requesting that the first phase of 40 homes join the Youbou water system. They propose to transfer the wells on these lands to the CVRD and will apply for registration under the Water Sustainability Act and request to tie into the existing Youbou distribution system. The developer has advised that the well license has been registered, however they have not provided this confirmation to the CVRD.
Water Management can support the inclusion of the lands into the Youbou water service area, provided the wells and access right of ways are turned over to the CVRD in the initial phase of the development.
Water Management also supports a new sewer system which can be constructed and be expanded with growth, provided the treatment, collection and disposal lands turned over to the CVRD also in the initial phase of development. One wastewater plant to eventually service Youbou would be the preferred option, however, in an effort to work with the developers, a steel sewer treatment plan that could be moved later, would be accepted. Septic Tank Effluent Pumping (STEP) servicing of the initial phase which would reduce waste water treatment plan costs, reduce collection system costs and push the cost of the septic tanks and pumps to later or onto subsequent buyers, could also be considered. Further, more separation from the treatment plant to the homes would lessen the odour issues.
It’s a Date
December 4: Cowichan Lake Light-Up Cruise
December 5: Advent at Church
December 24: Family Sing-Along at Church
December 31: New Year’s Eve cancelled at Hall
Are You a YCA Member?
The Youbou Community Association is involved in helping community activities happen, such as the monthly newsletter, holiday decorating, and other events throughout the year. While we love our facebook friends, an official family lifetime membership in the organization is just $10 and involves filling out a form. It is a key to knowing what’s going on around Youbou as well as giving you a vote at our annual meetings. We’ll email you our colourful community newsletter every month. To join, reach out to cherylmtutor@gmail.com
Got News?
If you’d like to contribute news for the newsletter about a public event happening (or not happening) in or around Youbou and Area I, please send particulars about date, time and place to julia@raedwulf.org. You can also check our web site at youbouyca.com and our Youbou Community Association facebook page for the latest information.
Your YCA Board
Chair: Julia Martinusen
Co-Chair: Lori LaFave
Secretary: Randall Wilson
Treasurer: Steve Watt
Social: Eva Fearon
Garry Fearon
Publicity: Allan Gott
Membership: Cheryl Morgan
At large: Spencer Day
At large: Debbie Smith