Broom Bust
Help us to gain ground in the battle against Scotch broom, the invasive species that threatens our Area I parks and trails. Join us on Saturday, April 12, at Mile 77 Park at 9:30 am to spend a couple of hours cutting broom. Bring your loppers, small saws, tarps, water, and gloves and, if you have a pick-up truck to haul broom away, that would be welcome too. If more is merrier, we’ll spread the clipping to Miracle Way, and the lower Christopher Rock trail behind Youbou Hall. At noon, we’ll regroup at Mile 77 Park to enjoy grilled hot dogs and fixings, courtesy of the Youbou Community Association.
Life’s a Beach Party
Welcome back the sun and Youbou-style summer fun, with a night of catchy tunes from around the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The tropical breeze hits Youbou Hall on Saturday, May 3, with cabana drinks and dancing music brought to you by Arise Café, in partnership with the Youbou Community Association. Pozitive Rebellion and the Rowdy Boys will set the don’t-worry-be-happy vibe with some reggae notes, a little Latin beat, and of course some time to waste away in Margaritaville. The bar will be serving up Margaritas (of course), Mojitos, Coronas, and a variety of your favourite Youbou summer libations. Floral shirts, tie-dye, and flip-flops are optional, but welcome to set the mood. Purchase tickets in advance for $20 at Arise Café and the Youbou General Store.
Pub Fun
The recent Mexican buffet with live music from Sam Masich and Adam Khomsi was a sellout, so remember to reserve your spot for special nights at the Youbou Bar & Grill.
Next up is the Murder Mystery Night on Saturday, March 1 at 6 pm. As the year 1899 draws to a close, an unexpected gathering is set to unfold at Youbou Manor. A prominent figure has summoned their closest friends, family, and confidants for a grand dinner and drinks—but before the night ends, a chilling crime will take place. For $45, you get a place at the dinner table as a central character and you never know who did it until the end…maybe even be you!
Arise for Music Nights
More good news for lovers of live music in Youbou: The Cowichan Lake Arts and Culture Society (CLAC) will be sponsoring music nights at Arise Cafe on the second Saturday of every month, starting on April 12. Watch the community Facebook pages for information on local and touring talent who may be coming to Arise, plus other details.
Creative Art Classes
Awaken the creative muse within you by taking an art class at the Youbou Arts Centre. And if you appreciate art more by buying it, stop by the shop for great gifts for friends, family, or even yourself! The Arts Centre is open from Wednesdays to Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm, located at 10375 Youbou Road (next to the Arise Coffee Shop).
Check out the exciting workshops online at https://www.cowichanlakeartsandculture.org/upcoming-, sign up for the free newsletter, or become a member to help support this growing initiative.
Still Life & Clothed Figure Drawing: Wednesdays, March 5 through April 9, 12 to 2 pm: Loretta Puckrin teaches this six-week class on still life: three days will be with clothed figures and three days will be with still life. Bring your preferred medium.
Beginners Needle Felting: Sunday, March 16, 10 am to 2 pm: This is an introductory one-day course on needle felting, with instructor Cassy Emerson. Materials for a bunny and coffee-cup sleeve will be provided, but bring your embroidery needle.
Stepping Stone: Saturday, April 12, 10 am to 2 pm: Create your own garden stepping stone with instructor Cassy Emerson. You can make one large stepping stone or two smaller ones.
Classic rustic bent Willow armchair: Saturday, April 26, 9 am to 5 pm:
In one day, Andrew Kent teaches you to make your own classic bent willow chair.
Primitive Pottery Firing : Two Sundays, April 27 and May 25, 12 to 4 pm
Rosemary Danaher will teach how to cure pottery in this two-day class. You must be present on both April 27 and May 25. You can help load and unload the kiln on May 23 and 24.
Cowichan Lake Arts and Culture Society AGM
The CLAC Annual General Meeting (AGM) was a celebration of the first year for the Arts Centre since the rental agreement was signed at the last AGM. The space has been remodeled to fit new visions and an increased number of exhibitors, with minimal budget and a major amount of donations in both time and materials. The Society now has space for artists to meet, showcase their work in the gallery and shop, as well as room to hold workshops.
Members see the Arts Centre as not just a gallery, but a space that celebrates creativity, nurtures talent, and fosters community—a space that is responsive to both members and interested visitors. “Our visitors love the new bright space and the variety of items we offer. All the displays are of locally made handcrafted original items,” explained Jennifer Carlstrom, Store Manager.
Sew-Sew
The Sew Day gatherings at Youbou Church have become so popular, the Wednesday program is now twice a month. Crafters, creators, and quilters are invited to join the fun on March 12 and 26 from 10 am to 4 pm. The church will supply coffee and tea, iron, ironing board, cutting mats, tables, and friendship. You should bring:
1) Your sewing machine and crafting supplies for your project.
2) Your lunch
3) An extension cord and power bar.
4) A suggested cost of $5.00 per day.
Youbou Community Church Society
The next general meeting of the Youbou Community Church Society is Saturday, March 15, at 10 am in the lower hall of the church, a building owned by the community at large. All are welcome!
Bowling at the Alley
Through March, Men’s night is Tuesday, starting at 7 pm; women’s night is Thursday at 7 pm, and mixed adult bowling happens on Sundays at 7 pm. The program then takes a break until resuming in September.
Drop-in bowling is open on Friday (6:30 pm) and Saturday nights (7:30 pm) at the Youbou Community Bowling Alley. Toonie nights ($2 a game) are the first Friday and third Saturday of the month, unless it falls on a statuary holiday. Lane reservations are available for Friday and Saturday nights at a cost of $6.25 per lane. (If a reserved party doesn’t arrive within 15 minutes of opening and doesn’t notify the alley of lateness, the next party waiting will get the lane.)
This summer, July and August bowling will expand. Saturday night Rock ’n’ Glow bowling will continue as always from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. New to the mix is Friday Family Fun bowling from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Visitors can either bowl regular games or try out fun bowling challenges, such as Snakes ’n’ Ladders, BINGO, Crazy Bowling Tasks, and others.
Pickleball
Pickleball play continues at Youbou Hall on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 am, with a special welcome for beginners on Tuesdays. Throughout March, the hall is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7 pm for night play during bowling hours. The drop-in fee is $4.00. Note that when the weather turns nice in the spring months, pickleball players tend to migrate from Youbou Hall to the outdoor court in Lake Cowichan.
Firesmart Rebates
Living in wildfire country can put our homes at risk, but it is possible to live safely and resiliently. The choices we make about our homes and properties—out to 100 metres from the foundation—can greatly reduce vulnerability to wildfire. That’s why it’s important to take measures to protect your home from the danger of fire through the Firesmart Program. To enlist expert help from the Firesmart Team, book a free consultation by calling Emergency Management Cowichan at 250.252.8868.
For Area I property owners interested in pursuing FireSmart recommendations based on their free and confidential home assessments, there’s payback. The 2025 Homeowners Rebate of up to $4000 will be available beginning on March 15th. Limited rebates are available; terms and conditions apply.
What are the expert looking at when they come to your house? These factors contribute to the vulnerability of your yard:
• Storing items such as firewood piles, construction materials, patio furniture, tools and decorative pieces against or near a house.
· If combustible landscaping mulch ignites, it can produce embers that may ignite combustible materials and increase the chance of direct flame spreading to the home.
· Evergreen trees (with cones and needles) are highly flammable and should not be within 10 metres of your home.
Consider these guidelines when planning updates to your yard and as part of your ongoing property maintenance:
· A 1.5 metre non-combustible surface should extend around the entire home and any attachments, such as decks, to reduce the chance of wind-blown embers igniting materials near your home.
· Use non-combustible materials such as gravel, brick, or concrete in this critical 1.5 metre area adjacent to your home. Woody shrubs, trees or tree branches should be avoided in this area; any that are present should be properly mitigated.
· Plant only a few fire-resistant plants and shrubs within 10 metres of your home.
· Do not use bark or pine needle mulches within 10 metres of your home as they are highly combustible. Gravel mulch and decorative crushed rock mulch significantly reduce the risk of wildfire.
· A mowed lawn is a fire resistant lawn. Grasses shorter than 10 centimetres in height are less likely to burn intensely.
· Move firewood piles, stored trailers/recreational vehicles, storage sheds, and other combustible materials a minimum of 10 metres from your home.
· Regularly clean up accumulations of fallen branches, dry grass and needles from the ground to eliminate potential surface fuels.
· Remove all branches to a height of 2 metres from the ground on evergreen trees that are within 30 metres.
Are You a YCA Member?
The Youbou Community Association is involved in helping community activities happen, such as the monthly newsletter, crab fest, New Year’s Eve, 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. And if you’re interested in getting involved as a board member, let her know too.
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, by the 20th of the month, please. You can also check our web site at youbouyca.com and our Youbou Community Association facebook page for the latest information.
Your YCA Board
Carmen Bruce
Allison Peacock Giles
Bee Greenway
Adam Khomsi, Web Master
Julia Martinusen, Chair
Sandra McAfee, Vice Chair
Cheryl Morgan, Membership
Debbie Smith
Randall Wilson, Secretary
Steve Watt, Treasurer
Dates
March 1: Murder Mystery, Pub, 6 pm
March 12: Sew Day, Youbou Church, 10 am to 4 pm
March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9: Still Life and Clothed Figure, Arts Centre, 12 to 2 pm
March 16: Needle Felting, Arts Centre, 10 to 2
March 26: Sew Day, Youbou Church, 10 to 4
March 15: Youbou Church Society meeting, Youbou Church, 10 am
April 12: Broom Bust, Mile 77 Park, 9:30 am
April 12: CLAC live music at Arise
April 26: Build a Willow Chair, Arts Centre
April 27, May 25: Primitive Firing, Arts Centre
May 3: Life’s a Beach Party, Youbou Hall
May 10: CLAC live music at Arise
Ongoing
Mon., Tues., Fri.: Pickleball, Youbou Hall, 9:30 am
Tues/Thurs: Pickleball, Youbou Hall 7 pm thru March
Tuesdays: TOPS, Church, 10:30 am
Tuesdays: Men’s Bowling thru March, 7 pm
Thursdays: Women’s Bowling thru March, 7 pm
Fridays: Drop-in Bowling and Open Gym, 6:30 pm
Saturdays: Drop-in Bowling, Youbou Lanes, 7:30 pm
Sundays: Brunch, Pub, 11 am to 2 pm
Sundays: Mixed Bowling thru March, 7 pm