CCFS Calendar of Events

Summer Sunday Sound Walks in the Forest

"Sound walks" are a part of the New Creative Music scene, and provide an opportunity for people to really listen to the environments in which we live. Often they happen in urban centres, where people go on these walks to become aware of how they fit in to the soundscape of their environment. We internalize or turn off a lot of the sounds that create the background to our daily life, but when we listen deeply we find patterns that inform our language, our movement and our feelings. These walking- singing meditation strolls begin on June 6 and continue throughout the summer and into the fall with alternate "silent" sound walks and "noisy" sound walks. Hosted by VocalEase facilitator Joanna Finch, participants are invited to experience the serenity and beauty of Cumberland's treasured forest in a new way.

Please phone 336-2474 or email joyjobird@gmail.com by 9:00 Sunday if you plan to come. We leave from the #6 Mine Park at 10:40. Walks will vary, so please be on time so you are not left behind. We return at about noon to the Park. If you are interested in having Joanna take your group on a private sound walk please call ahead to book a time and location joannafinch.com.

This is how it works: A small group of people (4-16) gather at the #6 Mine Park at 10:30 where the instructions are given. We start the walk at 10:40, so please be on time. From there, participants walk in silence though an area, paying close attention to all sounds they hear. They do not speak or comment, just participate in active listening as a group. Once we are deep into the forest Joanna will lead an 'authentic voice expression' in which participants integrate the sounds they have heard: birds, frogs, wind, trudging feet, chain saws, cars, the textures and colours of the foliage, and the sounds of our own breath to create a "Naturstra"- the orchestra of Natural sounds that come from within us and surround us. We may choose to remain silent; but the sounds that are expressed are expressed with the intention to integrate, not overwhelm the music Nature offers. The purpose of this event is to enjoy our connection to nature and to enrich our sense of belonging. All life is interconnected. Through participating in Sound Walks people rediscover the childish pleasures of perceiving interesting noises, as they step away from 'busy brain' into the wonderland of active listening.

For those who love the idea and don't feel you can be silent, there is a walk for happy, noisy people! All types of listeners and lovers of the forest are welcome to experience either SiLENT or NOISY walks on alternating Sundays. SILENT on 1st and 3rd Sunday, and NOISY Sound walks with VocalEase improvising and chants for all ages will occur every 2nd and 4th Sunday. This programme begins on the first Sunday in June, June 6, with a Silent Sound Walk. Sound Walks will continue into the summer as participation grows, come rain or come shine. Depending on interest, we may move to other locations and/or starting points. Donations are accepted for the Cumberland Community Forest Society and Project Watershed.

Market Day Volunteers Needed

This coming holiday weekend is the Market Day on Saturday, and we have beautiful shrubs and hostas to sell for the Forest Society.  The sale starts at 10 am but we plan to set up beginning at 9 am. Ron's truck and trailer will be filled with smaller perennials and parked at Dunsmuir Ave.  The large shrubs will be left at Grace's house. We will direct interested gardeners to her house, and we as volunteers will circulate between the Dunsmuir location and Grace's house.

We espectially need people in the 9 am to 11 am slot and in the 2 pm to 4 pm slot, but any time you can donate is welcome. Most of all, we plan to have fun.

FMI Grace (250 336-8921) or Ron (250 336-2867). Or email MaryLynn.

The 10K Giveaway

Many of you already know about the First Insurance 10K giveaway contest. One entry is allowed for each email address, so people with multiple addresses can vote more than once. At this time the CCFS is making an offer to purchase more forest. The $10,000 would go towards that purpose if we win. Consider emailing your electronic address book friends, and asking them to vote as well.

To vote visit 10kgiveaway.ca It only takes a few moments to vote. Thank you.

Daily Fitness Log

ELM – Equilibrium Lifestyle Management owner Sarah Seads has published a book called "Daily Fitness Log".  For each copy sold, Sarah contributes $1 to the CCFS.  For more information about this book visit www.elmhealth.com.

Sarah is also a key organizer of the Perseverance Trail Run, and in 2009 this event raised $1400 for the CCFS. It was a rainy cold day but the enthusiasm of organizers, volunteers and participants could not be dampened. Many thanks to them all.

CCFS and Community Way

The CCFS now has thousands of Community Way dollars to exchange with our donors for Canadian currency. Community Way dollars can be used to buy a wide variety of services and goods in the Comox Valley, such as coffee, bread, printing, massage, or acupuncture. Contact Andrew Nicoll at 897-9781 to purchase the Community Way dollars. This is a great way to donate to the Forest Society and receive valuable goods and services in return. You can find out more about which businesses accept Community Way dollars and how the Community Way system of currency works at communityway.ca.