Bowen Island Undercurrent, February 15, 2013

Page 1

FRIDAY FEB. 15, 2013 VOL. 38, NO. 39

75¢

including HST

Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Here’s to good neighbours

The Undercurrent again takes part in Heritage Week with a pull-out section

Broadway on Bowen

Local production delivers impressive line-up, Broadway-style

Obedience and play

Dog Ranch adds lessons in etiquette to pampering and play,

Drop off option on back burner SWRMAC will first focus on education and waste management contract SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR

M Undercurrent photographer Debra Stringfellow and Bowen Heritage’s Judi Gedye went on a search to find (and recreate) scenes of Bowen’s history in an effort to record changes or show things that have stayed the same. One of their stops was Mannion Bay, here shown in a photograph in Bowen Island Reflections. Debra Stringfellow photo

Jamming to raise funds for instruments DEBRA STRINGFELLOW CONTRIBUTOR

A

creative solution to happier, more effective students without any side effects other than sheer enjoyment of the learning process is what music can bring to the table. And a fundraiser for the music program at the Bowen Island Community School (BICS) will showcase the student’s enthusiasm for music and help to expand the range of instruments. “There is plenty of reason to think that all this music truly matters. An increasing number of studies show the importance of music and music education to the maturing child,” states Agnes Gund, president emerita and chairman of the International

Council of the Museum of Modern Art. How lucky for BICS to have a dedicated music teacher, Mr. Steve Karagianis (Mr. K.) and a part-time band teacher, Laurence Santos and a designated space for the music program which is separate from the main school. But here’s what BICS doesn’t have: instruments. Well, that’s not entirely accurate. At the start of the 2011/12 school year, BICS had two alto xylophones and 13 glockenspiels (glocks). Approximately half of these instruments require major repairs. Fortunately, Mr. K. was able to borrow 13 glocks from the Caulfeild Elementary school, a loan that was extended into the fall of 2012. The lack of quality instruments at BICS

hit a chord with the community and through generous donations from one family and money collected at the spring concert the school was able to purchase additional instruments including four diatonic resonator glocks, and one bass xylophone increasing the total of playable, and in good repair, mallet instruments to 10. “Our main goal with mallet instruments is to have a class set of 30 decent quality xylophones and metallophones. The glocks currently in use at the school are harsh in sound (a.k.a. tinny), have an inferior design which makes them difficult to hit notes clearly, especially in the upper register, and are in disrepair,” says Karagianis. continued, PAGE 2

ore education is needed to help the community understand the different options the Solid Waste Resource Management Advisory Committee (SWRMAC) is looking at, said SWRMAC chair Don Marshall at the council meeting on February 12, where he presented a follow-up report to the committee’s presentation on February 4. Public meetings and possibly surveys to elicit meaningful input from residents are envisioned to be part of the process. “Subsequent to our meeting last Monday, the committee has done some soul-searching about what solid waste management should entail,” he said, explaining that further study of the drop-off option and further investigation of a municipal composting system have been deferred. “We have to do education work talking to the community to find out how much they want a composting system and that it would require some sacrifices to accomplish that.” He added that, due to “predicted unfavourable economics,” the committee will focus on other options for now. “We have the intention to continue working on [the drop-off option], but need to do a good job helping the community to understand what it is all about,” Marshall said, adding that his sense of the issue was that even council was not up to speed. SWRMAC member Dai Roberts explained, “We feel that there is a massive misunderstanding what drop off means. Drop off means that we continue a pick-up service for everyone who wants it. But for those who prefer another option, we provide a drop off facility.” Mayor Jack Adelaar said, “A comprehensive education process maybe starts with council but the community should have a shot at it as it affects every household. The community as a whole would want to weigh in on drop off as opposed to pickup and I would like hearing what the public has to say about the concept.” continued, PAGE 2

smart.

Our PowerSaver account is

Our PowerSaver is a high interest savings account - a smart choice when you want great interest rates.

Ask us for details today. 604-947-2022 www.firstcu.ca


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.