Bowen Island Undercurrent October 31 2019

HAPPY HALLOWEEN: Watch out for little ones Thursday evening

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

‘TIS THE SEASON

VOL. 45, NO. 44

BIUndercurrent

Bowen in Transition is once again offering free energy audits PAGE 3

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Bowen Island’s new disc golf course opens

THE DISC GOLF COURSE PROJECT HAS ALREADY RECEIVED AN ACCOLADE FROM AN ESTIMABLE INDIVIDUAL BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

equipment and training requirements; evaluating fulfilment of provincial training regulations; assessing compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act; reviewing current compensation methods, the B.C. Fire Commissioner’s checklists and the Fire Underwriter Survey recommendations.

Mayor Gary Ander said that this is a completely separate process to the mediation between BIM and the firefighters over the dispute with the fire chief.

Bowen Island’s new golf course requires no clubs.

“You don’t need to book a tee time. It’s free, and it’s available whenever you want,” says its creator Sam Nosek.

All one needs is a disc.

The grand opening of Bowen’s first and only disc golf course is Nov. 3. The 5.7-acre nine-hole course in Veterans Park came to fruition through sponsors, donations, grants, volunteer time and Nosek’s tenacity.

A few years back, some friends introduced the Bowenraised Nosek to the game while he was living on the mainland. However, in 2012, he moved back to Bowen and found it to be disc deficient.

“I just started getting into it and then we moved to the island and there was no disc golf course,” he said. “I made a makeshift course around the yard but it just wasn’t quite the same.”

So began Nosek’s mission to build Bowen a disc golf course.

“I thought it’d be a good fit for the island,” he said.

Nosek’s initial proposal was a Crippen Park course, but when that didn’t work out the plan was shelved for a few years before the hills behind Bowen’s other golf course beckoned.

Council approved the current project location on the north side of the municipally owned Veterans Park in summer 2018 and volunteers got to work. Over the winter the course received funding from BIM, the Community Foundation, and Knick Knack Nook and organizations and businesses sponsored holes. The course and holes themselves (“holes” are baskets mounted on a metal pole) were largely built through volunteer work on the part of Nosek, Tobyn Ross, Gareth Holden, Matt Ritchie, Dan Roden, Scott Bassendale, Steven Young, Bronwen Young, Jesse Milstead, Colin Mahoney and others.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

LEN GILDAY PHOTO

FLOWING QUESTIONS:

BICS was full of inquistive islanders of all ages Saturday afternoon as Bowen Island Conservancy presented the first draft of the Bowen Island - Nexwlélexwem Marine Atlas. Above, Will Husby’s microscope revealed intertidal worms, crabs and other small critters in big screen closeup. For more photos and information see page 7.

Muni Morsels: reviewing the fire department

COUNCIL DECLARES A CLIMATE CHANGE EMERGENCY, TOURISM IS UP AND MORE MUNICIPAL NEWS BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislanundercurrent.com

Monday marked council’s first meeting with interim chief administrative officer Dennis Back. And among the last for outgoing corporate officer Hope Dallas who is leaving her position in December.

The following are briefs from the Oct. 28 regular council meeting.

Core review: BIM is hiring public safety consultant Dave Mitchell and Associates to conduct a core services review of the fire department.

Mayor and council said that a core services review has been in the works for some time. Back in September, council resolved that this review is to include: assessing department capabilities; confirming the level of service; determining

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2 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019

Event Calendar October 31, 2019 7:30 pm Halloween Fireworks @ The Causeway

November 1, 2019 9:30 am Housing Advisory Committee

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Seeking Public Comment

Seeking Public Comment

DVP-11-2019 (1460 Eagle Cliff Rd)

DVP-14-2019 (Area 1 of Lot 2)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

A Development Variance Permit application has been submitted for 1460 Eagle Cliff Rd (shown on map) to reduce rear setback to facilitate construction of a house.

The subject lot is relatively small in size (0.07 ha) with very steep slopes. The resulting buildable area is highly constrained to the very northwest corner of the lot, almost entirely within the rear setback.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

A Development Variance Permit application has been submitted for Area 1 of Lot 2 (shown on map) to reduce required on-site parking to facilitate construction of mixed-use building with 27 rental units.

The application proposes providing 8 on-site parking spaces, a deficit of 8 spaces. In addition, the application proposed constructing 6 parallel parking spaces along Seniors Road.

Meeting

November 1, 2019 1:00 pm Economic Development Committee Meeting

November 5, 2019 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm Short Term Rentals Open House

November 6, 2019 1:00 pm Emergency Program Management Committee Meeting

November 7, 2019 7:00 pm Environment and Climate Action Advisory Committee Meeting

November 12, 2019 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting

November 13, 2019 4:00 pm Finance Advisory Committee Meeting

MORE INFORMATION AT MUNICIPAL HALL:

The application may be viewed at Municipal Hall between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding statutory holidays) or on the municipal website at www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME:

Written submissions may be delivered to Municipal Hall (contact information below): • In person • By mail • By fax • By email to bim@bimbc.ca

Submissions may also be made to Mayor and Council at the meeting:

6:15 PM on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019 in Council Chambers, Municipal Hall To ensure a fair process, submissions cannot be accepted after the meeting has begun.

Questions? Please contact Emma Chow, Island Community Planner, at 604-947-4255 or echow@bimbc.ca

MORE INFORMATION AT MUNICIPAL HALL:

The application may be viewed at Municipal Hall between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding statutory holidays) or on the municipal website at www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME:

Written submissions may be delivered to Municipal Hall (contact information below): • In person • By mail • By fax • By email to bim@bimbc.ca Submissions may also be made to Mayor and Council at the meeting:

6:15 PM on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019 in Council Chambers, Municipal Hall To ensure a fair process, submissions cannot be accepted after the meeting has begun.

November 14, 2019 7:00 pm

Questions? Please contact Daniel Martin, Manager of Planning and Development, at 604-947-4255 or dmartin@bimbc.ca

Heritage Commission Meeting All meetings are held in Council Chambers unless otherwise noted.

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Council and Committee meetings are open to the public. We encourage you to attend in person or watch online.

General Enquiries

Contact Us

Phone: Fax: Email:

Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019 • 3

ISLAND NEWS

Finding some clarity in a fiery dispute VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS MAIL OUT A LETTER EXPLAINING THEIR SIDE OF THE DISPUTE WITH FIRE CHIEF DICKSON, BIM RELEASES ACTING FIRE COMMISSIONER’S LETTER WITH SOME OF DICKSON’S SIDE

Saving energy and the planet

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Bowen in Transition

The crux of the conflict between the Bowen Island Fire Department volunteer firefighters and fire chief Derek Dickson gained some clarity Oct. 24.

The two parties have been in a deadlock since the firefighters agreed not to resign Oct. 10 in exchange for Dickson taking a temporary leave.

The firefighters sent a letter to every mailbox on Bowen Island last Thursday that explained some of their conflict with Dickson.

The letter alleges that Dickson had “no community experience” and “no understanding of a volunteer fire department” when he arrived.

It includes allegations that Dickson “acted to dissolve the social aspect of the hall;” “made unrealistic demands for more time to be devoted;” “was disrespectful and criticized individual members in front of the membership;” “threatened to replace members with off-island firefighters,” and “wanted a volunteer to act as chief on weekends.” It says that the relationship between the firefighters and chief “soured almost immediately” upon the new chief’s arrival.

On the other side of the coin, some of Dickson’s issues with the fire department were revealed in a letter from acting fire commissioner Jay Brownlee.

(The Office of the Fire Commissioner provides regulatory governance and legislative oversight for B.C. fire services.) Brownlee visited Bowen on Oct. 16, meeting with Mayor Gary Ander, chief administrative officer Kathy Lalonde and Dickson and separately with the firefighters.

In his summary of the conversations Brownlee says that Dickson said that there are “several core, statutory requirements not being followed.” These included: “fire apparatus pretrips,” regular self-contained breathing apparatus equipment checks and documentation of training hours and programs. “[Dickson] also told of the removal of the FF’s beer fridge, prior to which alcohol had regularly been consumed on the premises,” said the letter.

Brownlee’s letter says that as the municipality has the responsibility of setting the fire department’s service level and due diligence.

The Office of the Fire Commissioner’s training standards policy, the “Playbook,” came into effect in 2014 and was updated in 2015. It sets out minimum training and operational require-

On Nov. 30, Bowen in Transition kicks off the fourth season of free one-hour mini energy audits in Bowen Island homes.

When BIT project leader Rod Marsh visits your house, he’ll start by asking some questions about what kind of heating systems you use, the age of the house and your annual bills for heat and light.

He’ll then start taking readings of floor, ceiling, wall, door and window temperatures in each room of your house and from the outside, to identify where heat is escaping, using a thermal imaging camera. He’ll explore possible reasons for the heat leakage he finds, and ways to address it economically.

Rod’s approach to these audits is holistic — he looks for ways to improve the health, comfort and energy efficiency of your home. So in addition to heat loss, he’ll discuss issues of humidity, air circulation, lighting, and air quality with you. He’ll talk about insulation, how you heat your water, baseboard vs radiant heaters, the use of heat pumps, window-coverings and ceiling fans, thermostat settings, and the cost/benefit of upgrading your furnace, wood stove, lighting, appliances, windows, thermostats and wood stoves.

He can also show you how the thermal imaging camera, which you can borrow from the Library, works and how to take your own readings. If you’re keen, Rod is also looking for a homeowner or student to learn the ropes, starting as his assistant during this year’s audits.

Home heating, water heating and lighting are among our island’s largest energy uses. With some simple fixes and upgrades, not only can you make your home healthier, more comfortable and more energy-efficient, you can save money (some participants have reduced their bills up to 30 per cent), and reduce your home’s contribution to climate change proportionally. Rod can fill you in on rebates and other programs that can make major improvements more affordable.

You can sign up for the program, which runs from November through February, by emailing bowenenergyaudits@gmail.com.

DAVE POLLARD

Editor

FILE PHOTO

Some of Bowen’s volunteer firefighters heading to Municipal Hall on Oct. 10 shortly after BIM and the firefighters came to a temporary resolution to keep the firefighters from resigning. ments for fire departments. The Playbook says that should a fire department undertake operations “for which its personnel are not adequately or appropriately trained or supervised,” both the department and authority having jurisdiction (in this case the municipality) face “potential legal liability.”

The firefighters’ Thursday letter addressed the training issue. It says that the firefighters have been training under the guidelines set out in the Playbook and that an outside contractor was hired in 2018 to give the firefighters the necessary training.

“Training is an ongoing process, and the Office of the Fire Commission states ‘there is no hard deadline to be compliant...’,” reads the letter. “B.I. volunteers are working hard toward getting everyone fully trained.” (This is a quote from an Office of the Fire Commissioner webpage last updated in 2015.)

For the firefighters, the social aspect appears to be more significant.

“Volunteers respond to fire calls, medical emergencies and rescue calls at any time of the day or night,” says the letter. “While many calls have positive results, unfortunately some are tragic and the volunteers deal with a great deal of stress.

“We compensate for this by maintaining strong social bonds among volunteers and by providing community service in more upbeat circumstances.”

Of the 122 calls the Bowen Island Fire

Department responded to between January 1 and July 31 this year, at least 65 were medical calls. Three calls were house fires, four were motor vehicle accidents and 11 were public hazards.

In Brownlee’s summary of his meeting with the firefighters, he said that among the topics discussed was labour relations.

“I was not there to offer an opinion about personality conflicts or messaging used in communicating to them about changes, we discussed the higher-level concept of the fire rescue service they provide to their community being far more important than interpersonal disagreements with BIM,” wrote Brownlee. “I provided my opinion that the firefighters had made their story known on the news last week, and that it has clearly got the attention of the employer and the community, and that the employer appeared willing to address many issues.”

While the municipality hired a third-party facilitator a couple of weeks ago, after reading the contract between BIM and Southern Butler Price, the firefighters decided to halt mediation until they hire a lawyer.

An islander started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a legal fund for the volunteer firefighters. It raised $7,300 of a $10,000 goal in five days.

Firefighters spokesperson Ian Brown said last week that the firefighters have been in talks with a lawyer.

4 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019

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VIEWPOINT LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Calling for a singleuse plastic ban DEAR EDITOR: Our oceans, waterways, and communities continue to face more and more plastic pollution each year. Even here on Bowen Island, we regularly see plastic pollution on all of our beaches.

Recycling is important, of course, but for far too long corporations have made us all believe that we can simply recycle our way out of this plastics crisis. The reality is that there is just too much plastic being produced, and these major corporations must show accountability to clean up the mess they’ve created. Over 90 per cent of the throwaway plastics produced are never even recycled, with more than 15 billion single-use plastic bags being thrown away in Canada alone each year.

This is not acceptable. Bowen Island deserves better. Our planet deserves better. It’s time for all of us to take a stand and reject single-use plastic.

But where to start?

I am proposing that Bowen Island puts forward a bylaw to ban single-use plastic shopping bags in our local businesses. Similar bylaws have been passed in other communities such as Tofino, and while Victoria’s ban was ultimately overturned reports show that up to 97 per cent of Victoria businesses have not gone back to plastic bags.

I have a created an online petition asking for the ban of single use plastic shopping bags on Bowen Island, which gained over 200 signatures in the first 24 hours, next steps will be to contact our local business directly asking them to consider swapping to paper on their own accord (much thanks to those who have already done so such as Ruddy Potato and General Store) followed by a paper petition and findings report to be presented to Bowen Island Municipality.

If you would like to support this movement please sign the online petition which can be found on change.org “Petition to Ban Single Use Plastic Shopping Bags on Bowen Island” and of course try and remember to bring your own bag from home.

—Sasha Buchanan

EDITORIAL

Scary issues

So our Halloween edition didn’t turn out to be too Halloween-y but that’s alright.

There’s enough scariness in the world. This can be our little (mostly) positive respite from a complicated and often alarming news landscape.

Sheana Stevenson of Bowen Island Community Recreation, a frequent Bowen Beat contributor, did manage to scare up some lovely photos of the youth Halloween Dance last week, which you can find on page 7.

Next week, however, is our Remembrance Day edition. We’re working with the Museum and Archives to bring you a special edition of stories of how Bowen’s been affected by war.

If you have your own stories to share with the Undercurrent please email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste.

HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

Now I have to say, out of all my newspaper tasks, editorial writing is among my most difficult. Opinion pieces are frequently the domain of more experienced journalists and writers. Ones who know their minds and their topics and who are ready to invite criticism. I’m still green, soft and tread shy. But I s’pose this week I have an opinion.

This week I sat in council and watched council pass, as casually as it did any other resolution that night, a declaration of a climate emergency.

This is nothing new – across Canada and the world, towns are declaring climate emergencies, just as the federal government did back in June.

But, as municipal councillor Rob Wynen pointed out when this topic was up for discussion a couple of weeks ago, this declaration needs to inform every single municipal policy and bylaw going forward.

The resolution commits the island to “developing a strategy to reducing emissions in alignment with the targets to limit global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.” But declaring an emergency needs to go beyond reducing emissions. It means recongizing that we are facing a monumental threat and need monumental actions to match.

Councillor David Hocking and the municipal Environment and Climate Action Advisory Committee have drafted up a climate change strategy, which will be referred around to the various other committees.

Strategies and policies can bounce around committees and staff for months but climate change waits for no bureaucracy.

It’s now up to us to hold council and the municipality to this declaration of an emergency. Every bylaw amendment, every development variance permit, we must run through questions of carbon footprints, sustainability, regeneration and ecological health. This isn’t to say these haven’t been

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factors to date, but when you’re in an emergency, these must be the first questions you ask.

Questions of relationships with First Nations on whose traditional land this municipality is built, notably the Squamish Nation, must also play a part in this reconciliation with the environment. Not only because we’re in their territory and have responsibilities to repair colonial damages but because if anyone knows how to steward the land, it’ll be them them.

Sure, one of islanders’ biggest sources of emissions is something the municipality has little to no control over: the ferry. But now is not the time to throw up our hands.

Councillor Maureen Nicholson pointed out Monday night during a presentation about the redevelopment of the Horseshoe Bay terminal that the last significant ferry disruption for Bowen (the Queen of Capilano’s mid-life upgrade in 2015) led to innovative local solutions – like Peter King’s express bus. With disruption, or the threat of, we have free license to get creative.

We must not sit in silos of gloom waiting for the inevitable. We cannot wait for when the waves overcome our docks, for our streams to dry up, for our trees to die. Our council has declared an emergency. Now let’s hold them to it. Even better, let’s support them in it.

—Bronwyn Beairsto, Editor

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR BronwynBeairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com

2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@bowenislandundercurrent. com or call 604-947-2442.

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019 • 5

Wardens of the Rocky Mountains to share music on Bowen NEXT UP IN SHARI’S TRUST ME SERIES IS A BANFF NATIONAL PARK-BASED BAND OF WARDENS CALLED THE WARDENS

SHARI ULRICH

Trust me series

This coming Wednesday, Nov. 6 marks a first for the “Trust Me” Series.

When I first started the series, I stuck to presenting shows for friends who were going to be touring in the area whose music I knew well, with the added bonus of having a nice visit.

But in the world of touring musicians the word gets out amongst performers and I’ve had many artists contact me about presenting shows. Between being unfamiliar and with limited time, I generally politely decline. But occasionally someone comes across my radar who is too compelling to miss out on the opportunity to share with the community.

Such was the case with The Wardens.

Band member Bradley Bischoff contacted me out of the blue about Bowen being a stop on their next tour and the story was so intriguing.

The Wardens – Scott Ward, Bradley Bischoff and Ray Schmidt, are a Banff National Park-based trio celebrating 10 years sharing their stories and songs, which rise from he very land they’ve protected for the decades as––that’s right––Wardens!

The Wardens’ music, blending folk, roots and western styles, is a piece of Canadiana reflecting the pristine wilderness of the Rocky Mountains.

They have performed widely across western Canada and from

COURTESY OF THE WARDENS

The Wardens are visiting Bowen Nov. 6 at Tir-na-nOg as part of the Trust Me series.

Alaska to California and shared the stage with Blue Rodeo, Pharis & Jason Romero and Ian Tyson.

Bradley, (vocals and guitar) was stationed in the rugged South Boundary region of Jasper National

Park in 1981. Alone with a handful of horses for seventeen days at a time, he penned many songs by the dim

cabin lights and the dusky summers spent in the alpine ranges.

Founding member Ray Schmidt (vocals, upright bass and mandolin) is currently posted in Rogers Pass, B.C., and works with grizzly bears in the interior rainforest of Glacier National Park. Ray founded The Wardens in 2009 with Scott Ward during the national park warden centennial after discovering the rich depth of music and stories within this region of Canada.

Scott Ward (vocals, fingerstyle guitar) was a national park warden for more than 30 years in Banff National Park. Scott’s music stems from a life lived in the deep wilderness of the Canadian Rockies as a horseman, search-and-rescue dog handler and technical alpine specialist. In 2001, Scott was awarded the Governor General’ s Award for Exemplary Service as a Peace Officer.

As a special bonus for this show the trio is joined by the world-class fiddler Scott Duncan. Raised in Calgary Alberta, Scott plays everything from Celtic fiddling, bluegrass, folk, classical, swing, country, Cajun, French-Canadian and other regional folk styles. I’ve heard him with John Wort Hannam and am thrilled to get another opportunity.

The concert is this coming Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Tir-na-nog Theatre.

The tickets are $20 and are available at The Hearth as a first step in collaborating with the Arts Council on future shows, or online at trustme. brownpapertickets.com.

Metro Vancouver bus drivers deliver 72-hour strike notice Monday; island buses not affected KIRSTEN CLARKE

Richmond News

For the first time in 18 years, the union representing Metro Vancouver bus drivers has served Coast Mountain Bus Company with a 72-hour strike notice.

While the 257 Horseshoe Bay Express Bus could be affected by union actions, the on-island bus service will not be affected as it’s operated by an outside contractor confirmed Bowen Island councillor Alison Morse at the Monday evening council meeting. Morse is BIM’s TransLink Mayors Council liason.

Unifor, which represents more than 5,000 bus drivers, Seabus operators and transit maintenance workers, said the notice was served after the transit company failed to address workers’ concerns about wages, working conditions and benefits during the latest negotiations.

“It’s not hard to understand what is happening here. The company is showing little respect for the difficult working conditions that our members must face every day,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor national president, in a press release Monday evening.

Earlier this month, members of Unifor locals 111 and 2200 – who

have been working without a contract since March 31 – voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike mandate, after earlier talks had broken down.

If an agreement isn’t reached between the union and Coast Mountain by Thursday at midnight, transit workers will go on strike.

This job action would affect transit services, and while the exact form of the action is not yet decided, the union said it could include a rolling strike or work-to-rule options. “(Coast Mountain’s) lack of movement leaves us little choice but to set a strike deadline,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor western regional

love, peace, and remembrance

director, in the press release.

In a statement posted online Monday, Coast Mountain said it has been working hard to renew its agreement with Unifor since August 1, and is ready to return to the bargaining table as soon as possible.

“Over the last three years, Metro Vancouver’s transit system has seen unprecedented growth, leading all transit agencies in Canada and the United States,” reads the statement.

Coast Mountain says it has been “implementing unprecedented and significant investments” to the region’s bus service, including hiring over 1,000 bus operators in the

past two years and estimates it will need to hire an additional 1,300 bus operators by 2021.

“At this moment, there are no disruptions to service, but CMBC, (B.C. Rapid Transit Company), Transit Police and TransLink are working to develop a robust contingency plan to assist customers should a worstcase scenario unfold,” says the statement.

Transit workers last held a strike was 2001. They walked off the job for four months and only returned to work after the province passed legislation to end the strike.

With files from BIU.

If you have a story or someone to remember for the Undercurrent Remembrance Day edition please email your submission

by Monday November 4 to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

6 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019

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MUNI MORSELS

Island visitor numbers up nearly 50,000 from 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

A member of the fire department was at the meeting, asking what the demand on firefighters’ time would be.

Back spoke to the Undercurrent Tuesday and said that he clarified with Mitchell that the consultant will be meeting with volunteers, though how or when is yet to be determined.

Back said there had been some discussion as to whether to delay the core review or not due to the ongoing mediation.

“It was agreed that...they’re so independent of each other. Let’s go ahead because it’s a good thing to do,” he said.

“We do it now, we do it later…it doesn’t matter,” said Ander to the Undercurrent.

“It’s due diligence by the municipality,” said Ander. “We do it through all the departments.”

The winds of change, or was that last week’s storm: Council declared a climate emergency and committed to developing a climate change strategy. The motion passed without much discussion as it was the subject of much discussion at a committee of the whole meeting Oct. 15.

Trick o’ treat(ment): The Cove Bay Water Treatment Plant alternative approval process passed with only seven responses against BIM borrowing $2.5 million for the project. The loan is to be covered through Cove Bay user rates, which are anticipated to rise $214 per water connection over the next couple of years. The total project cost is estimated at $7.6 million with the rest of the funds coming from grants and municipal reserves.

Key to accurate visitor numbers was in our pockets the whole time: This summer, the number Tourism Bowen Island visitors rose by nearly half over summer 2018 council heard Monday.

While administrator Jody Lorenz credited some of this jump to

having more staff at the Trunk Road kiosk it also appears that visitation to the island is rising steadily. Lorenz managed to get coveted BC Ferries Experience Card data, which is one way of sorting local traffic from visitor traffic. The data shows an increase of nearly 50,000 non-experience card passengers per year between April 2015 and March 2019. There were 202,557 non-experience card passengers in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Lorenz noted at the beginning of the presentation that the purpose of Tourism Bowen Island is not only destination marketing but destination management––basically managing the tourists flocking to the island (which includes ferry lineup education and directions to the nearest toilet).

While the Visitors Centre on Cardena Road currently operates May through September the organization is applying for more funding from the municipality to extend this season. Lorenz said visitors are coming to the island year-round.

“We are an island, but we are not in a bubble,” said Lorenz, highlighting that tourism added more to B.C.’s GDP in 2017 than any other primary resource industry. “We are obviously influenced by tourism coming to B.C., tourism coming to the Vancouver region.”

“We are the do-able gulf island,” she said. “So it’s naïve to think that we shouldn’t be planning and addressing [this].

Some of Tourism Bowen’s recommendations included more washrooms, accessible potable water, and building a destination management plan for the island.

Both Tourism Bowen Island and Bowen Island Resilient Community Housing applied for multi-year core funding from the municipality.

Council referred the applications back to the Financial Advisory Committee and the chief financial officer.

For the full agenda of Monday’s council meeting visit bimbc.ca

DAYNA PURDY PHOTO

Bowen Island youth Henry Sinclair and his best friend Landon Purdy were two of the mascots at the Canada v.

Ireland Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier last Sunday.

Canada won a spot at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo after a dramatic end-of-game penalty shot and then shootout.

Both teams vying for the Olympic spot walked between two lines of mascots at the start of the match and the mascots played mini hockey during half time.

“It was awesome because you get to see these people, athletes, who are going to the Olympics,” said Henry. “It’s pretty cool.”

“It was so awesome to get a high five from both teams before the game and to watch them play!” Said Landon.

Early birds get the best rate and the Undercurrent in their mailbox every week!

Our newstand price is going to $1.50 per week Dec 5th and our subscription rates will moderately increase

Subscribe or renew before Dec 1 to save!

$45 per year local or $65 off island or as of Dec 1st $55 per year local or $85 off island

and if it's not quite time to renew your subscription? we'll take a prepayment!

604-947-2442 ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com online at bowenislandundercurrent.com

Schedule in Effect: October 15, 2019 to March 31, 2020 On December 25, & January 1 service will begin with the 8:35 am sailing from Bowen Island and the 8:00 am sailing from Horseshoe Bay.

Leave Snug Cove

5:20 am^ 6:20 am< 7:30 am< 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm† 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:25 pm* 8:30 pm 9:30 pm 10:30 pm

VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay 5:50 am< 6:50 am< 8:00 am 9:05 am† 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:00 pm* 9:00 pm 10:00 pm

Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES

Leave Horseshoe Bay

▼

BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove

* DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS

< EXCEPT DEC 25 & JAN 1 ^ EXCEPT SUN AND NOV 11, DEC 25, JAN 1 & FEB 17 † DC WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL BE REPLACED BY DANGEROUS CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER PASSENGERS PERMITTED.

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Tina Overbury Service and Sunday School 10:30 am Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Sunday Mass: 9:30 a.m.

Administration Office: 604-682-6774

CATES HILL CHAPEL

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.)

10:00 a.m. Worship Sunday School: Tots to Teens

Pastor: Phil Adkins

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019 • 7

BOWEN BEAT

Marine Atlas open house

Saturday’s Open House, hosted by the Bowen Island Conservancy, presented Islanders with the Bowen Island - Nexwlélexwem Marine Atlas fiirst draft and asked for comments and suggestions. In particular, Islanders were invited to bring their own unique experiences in our local marine world. The Atlas will be published next spring.

People gathered around the big map to record their stories.

TEXT & PHOTOS BY LEN GILDAY Expert tables focussed on birds, salmon and life underwater.

Happy Halloween!

Bowen children overtook the BICS gym on Thursday, Oct 24 in various creative and curious costumes for the BICR Monster Mash grades 5, 6, 7 dance. They danced, they laughed, they ate copious amounts of spooky snacks and most importantly, they had fun! These dances take a lot of work and BICR is extremely grateful for the support of the community to make them happen. Many thanks to all the volunteers, parents and participants!

TEXT & PHOTOS BY SHEANA STEVENSON

8 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

BOWEN CALENDAR on Bowen Island

Annual General Meeting

Saturday November 16th 10:30am at Bowen Court All very welcome

THURSDAY OCTOBER 31

Happy Halloween Bowen!

Trick o treating in the Loop Lenora, Melmore, and Senator Roads 5 - 7 ish 5- 6pm for little ones ( not all homes ready at 5 though) 6- 7 pm for older trick o treaters. If you can, please support this generous neighbourhood by making a candy/ or cash donation or non-food treats for Halloween initiatives at the General Store by Oct 30 for distribution before 31st Great Pumpkin House Collins Hall 5 - 7p.m. A new “Halloween light zone” with faeries, talking Pumpkin, and a place to socialize with a warm cup of apple spiced juice and enter your vote of the best carved pumpkin.

Haunted Yard 1130 Lenora Road 5- 7- p.m.

Enter if you dare. Parents feel free to check it out in advance if you thinki it might be too scary for your children.

Fireworks Lagoon causeway 7:30 pm Enjoy a hot chocolate too served by our Bowen Fire Dept Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 p.m.

Info call Pat at 778-288-7090

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 1

Storytime for 2-4 year olds

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land Take notice that Aileen Walker (retired) and Susan Walker (software marketing) from West Vancouver, BC, have applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNROD), Surrey for residential private moorage situated on Provincial Crown land located at: unsurveyed crown foreshore or land covered by water being part of the bed of Collingwood Channel, New Westminster District, shown on the attached map, in the vicinity of Bowen Island, containing 0.117 hectares, more or less. The land file number for this application is 2412200.

Comments concerning this application should be directed to the Project Manager at 200-10428 153rd Street, Surrey, BC, V3R 1E1. Comments will be received by the Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations until December 11, 2019. Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resources Operations may not consider comments received after this date.

Please visit the Applications, Comments & Reasons for Decision website at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ for more information. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. For information, contact Information Access Operations at the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizen’s Services in Victoria at www.gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/

Bowen Island Library 10:30 am A free drop-in program for 2- to 4-year-olds and their care-givers

Remembering Bowen Bowen Island Museum and Archives Explore Bowen’s veterans and the active role the Bowen Island Legion plays in our community. Exhibit runs Nov 1 -22 Friday Night Jazz at the Pub Bowen Island Pub 7- 10 pm Live jazz, dinner specials, and no cover charge.

Dinner at the Legion Doors at 5:30. Dinner at 6:30 Members and guests welcome.

Youth Centre Drop-In 4-9:30 p.m. bowenyouthcentre.com

SAT. NOVEMBER 2

Knowing Our Place: The Book Club Bowen Library Flex Room 11-12:30 pm Knowing Our Place: The Book Club discusses Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry edited by Steve Heinrichs. Register and find more info at bit.ly/ bookclub2019-3 Bringing Healthcare Close to Home fundraiser Tunstall Bay Club House 6 10 pm Live music, raffle, and Mexican food. Beer and Wine bar. Tickets at Phoenix $25 for TBC members and $30 non members.

SUN. NOVEMBER 3

Disc Golf Course Grand Opening Veterans Park, noon, Free to play. All ages. Discs will be available to borrow or purchase and professional disc golfer Leanne Fulton will provide instructions and coaching. Light refreshments. Bring the whole family Outdoor Meditation Circle Meet at the picnic tables at the entrance to Crippen Park 11 a.m. No cost. More info at lisa.shatsky@gmail.com Nancy on Fire: Artist Reception Catching Stars Gallery #1-479 Bowen Island Trunk Road 1-3 pm Raise a glass and celebrate with Nancy Dearborn - Glass Artist! Intense heat inspires the artworks she makes!

View her works at www. catchingstarsgallery.com

It’s a Wrap submissions deadline today More info at hearth.ca

MONDAY NOVEMBER 4

SKY for ages 55+ 1070 Miller Road Exercise at 9:00, coffee at 9:45, Bob Miller a carver artist speaking at 10:00, and Yoga at 11:15.

Bowen Island Ferry Advisory Meeting Bowen Island Library 5:30 8 pm Committee meeting open to public. For more information contact Melanie Mason, Chair at bowenfac@ gmail.com or Darin Guenette, Public Affairs Manager at daringuenette@bcferries.com

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5

Bowen Island AA Collins Hall 7:15 pm

Short Term Rentals Open House Municipal Hall 3- 8 pm Check out the draft policy, ask questions, have your say. More info at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/ str Insider Secrets: Interior Design Basics with Anne Boa Gallery at Cove Commons 6:30 - 7:30 pm Spots are limited. Register by phone 604 947 2216 or online at bowencommunityrecreation. com

WED. NOVEMBER 6

The Wardens: Shari Ulrich Trust Me Series Tir na nOg Theatre 7:30 pm The Wardens share an intimate evening of stories, music and stunning projected images from the Canadian Rockies. Tickets $20 available at the Gallery at Cove Commons and online at trustme.bpt.me

THURS. NOVEMBER 7

Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 p.m.

Info call Pat at 778-288-7090

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8

Snug Cove Blues Band Bowen Island Pub 7-10pm Dinner at the Legion Doors at 5:30. Dinner at 6:30 Members and guests welcome.

SAT. NOVEMBER 9

Spiritual Misfits: Collaboration and

Belonging in a Divisive World Bowen Library 2 pm.

Assistant Professor of Counselling Psychology at Adler University, Shahar Rabi, PhD, presents on his book, Spiritual Misfits: Collaboration and Belonging in a Divisive World.

Knick Knack Knook Auction: Celebrating 10 years!

Bowen Island Legion Doors open at 7 Auction, Wine & Cheese, fashion show and fun! Everyone is invited. knickknacknook.org

Ives on the Isle: 5 one-act comedies Tir na nOg Theatre 7 pm The Actors Foundry presents 5 one-act comedies by the award winning playwright David Ives. Produced by Wil and Daly Thompson. Tickets at Phoenix or the door Silent Disco!

Bowen Island Pub

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10

Bowen Island United Church Fall Supper BICS Gym 5:30 pm Turkey, Ham, and vegetarian option and all the trimmings. Tickets available at Cates Pharmacy or at church every Sunday.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 11

Remembrance Day Cenotaph Ceremony Cenotaph in Snug Cove 10:30 am Remembrance Day Luncheon Bowen Island Legion 1267 Scarborough Road after Cenotaph Ceremony All are welcome.

“Songs for Peace and Community” with Brian and Shasta Bowen Court 1:30-4 p.m. By donation. All ages welcome.

Call 604-947-2283

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 12

Bowen Island Community Lunch Legion Hall 11:30 - 1 pm Join your friends for delicious homemade soups (m +v), artisan breads, and dessert.

Coffee and tea included.

(Ages 18+) Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. All for only $5!

Bowen Island Yacht Club AGM Tunstall Bay Community Association 7:30 pm Emergency Support Services meeting 7 p.m. “Meet every second Tuesday of the month. contact ESS Director to let us know you’re coming BowenESS@bimbc.ca.

If you have a submission for the calendar please email ads@

bowenislandundercurrent.com

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019 • 9

SwimBowen provides relief for those in cancer treatment BOWEN ISLANDERS IN ACTIVE CANCER TREATMENT CAN RECEIVE UP TO $1,500 FROM THE SWIMBOWEN FUND

DAVID J. ADAMS

SwimBowen Community Outreach

How important are the little things in life? For someone going through cancer treatment, they can make all the difference in their world. Bowen resident, Mary Letson, knows firsthand the ravages of cancer and how even a bit of support or a touch of self-care can relieve chronic suffering.

While going through treatment, Letson says she was blessed to have her husband by her side.

“Anything I needed to help me feel better he made sure I had it,” she says. “I had physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage…I had my toes painted and pedicures regularly.”

“It created a space for myself to feel like I wasn’t being destroyed.

That there was a bit of space and time where it was more of ‘rebuilding Mary’ as opposed to ‘white cell destroying Mary.’

“I had my toes painted and everything else might have felt awful and looked awful but my toes were pretty.”

“I understand that’s not what floats everybody’s boat; but the point is whatever it is that helps lift you up out of the grey, out of the soggy cardboard nastiness of it all.

Whatever it is then it’s important to embrace that.”

After Letson recovered, she recognized the deep impact of these

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO PHOTO

Swimming for a cause: dozens of swimmers take to Tunstall Bay in the second annual SwimBowen fundraising race last July. The 2020 race will be held July 18 and registration for the thus-far annually sold out event opens April 1. little things, such as painted toes, and wanted to support others going through treatment. In 2018, Letson and an incredibly supportive Bowen Island launched ‘SwimBowen’ –an annual fundraising event. To-date, they’ve gifted over $15,000 to support Bowen residents in active cancer treatment.

As Letson explains, “typically, working is not an option when you’re receiving chemotherapy.

Cancer treatment is a full-time job.

In fact, it’s more than a full-time job.

It’s two full-time jobs –physically, emotionally spiritually.”

SwimBowen is there to give relief, whether that be emotional, finan-

cial, physical, or whatever’s best.

The funds are to support self-care or to be used in whatever ways the recipients feel is appropriate for them.

According to Letson, there are few organizations that offer such immediate support. In Canada, she found only three other similar funds

and they all appeared to have onerous application processes. Letson intentionally made the SwimBowen application process as simple and accessible as possible.

Cancer touches everyone –whether that be you, a family member, your friend’s brother, your sister’s boyfriend, or the person next to you in the General Store. Letson encourages any Bowen resident in active cancer treatment to apply through the SwimBowen website (www.swimbowen.com).

Applications are also available at the Pharmacy, Caring Circle, our local physician offices and Docs on the Bay. Eligible residents can receive up to $1,500 and the application only needs some basic information and a confirmation stamp from one’s medical practitioner.

SwimBowen’s goal the first year was $5,000. They raised more than $33,000. Letson attributes that success to the deeply positive reception SwimBowen has received from residents and to an “awesome” SwimBowen Society Board. Letson is also looking to future years to have even more impact –whether that be to gift larger amounts or even to inspire other community to hold similar events within the Salish Sea and beyond.

The next SwimBowen is Saturday, July 18, 2020.

Registration for next year’s swimmers opens April 1, 2020.

Notice to the Public Bowen Island Ferry Advisory Committee Meeting Monday, November 4, 2019 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Bowen Island Public Library 430 Bowen Trunk Road Meetings are open to the public.

For more information, please contact: Melanie Mason, Chair Bowen Island Ferry Advisory Committee email: bowenfac@gmail.com or Darin Guenette, Public Affairs Manager BC Ferries 1-877-978-2385 (toll free) or darin.guenette@bcferries.com

Patient of the Week MEET PERCY You’d never know it but this relaxed-looking cat is enjoying the view from Bowen Vet’s specially designed fear-free exam room waiting to get checked out.

His owners acted quickly when they noticed his swollen eye and brought him in to see Dr. Midge.

Eye issues are considered urgent and should be addressed by a vet as soon as possible as issues such as corneal abrasions or ulcers can quickly worsen and have the potential to have serious consequences. Better to be safe than sorry, says Percy!

HOURS: Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Dr. Midge Ritchie and veterinary assistants are also available 24/7 for urgent care.

Call the regular line at 604.947.9247 and press “1” to be forwarded to the doctor.

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

10 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Bowen Island Community

MARKETPLACE Call to place your ad at

or 604-444-3000 Email: classifieds@van.net

604-630-3300

ATTENTION

INVENTORS! Ideas wanted!

Call Davison today!

1.800.218.2909 or visit us at inventing.davison.com/BC Free inventor’s guide!

HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT? Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,000 yearly tax credit and $20,000 lump sum refund. Expert Help 1-844-453-5372.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

INDUSTRIAL/ COMMERCIAL

GET UP TO $50,000 from the Government of Canada.

ALL Ages & Medical Conditions Qualify. Have a child under 18 instantly receive more money. CALL BRITISH COLUMBIA BENEFITS 1-(800)-211-3550 OR Send a Text Message with Your Name and Mailing Address to (604)739-5600 For Your FREE benefits package.

INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008. Built with concrete posts. Barns, shops, riding arenas, machine sheds and more.

Adam.s@integritybuilt.com.

1-250-351-5374.

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SUDOKU

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PRACTICAL NURSING

Phone Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Office Hours: 9 am to 5 pm

hristmas Cornerr 175 tables of Bargains on Deluxe 20th Century Junque!

Sunday • NOV 10 • 10am - 3pm Croatian Cultural Centre 3250 Commercial Drive, Van. Info: 604 980-3159 • Adm: $5.00

ANSWERS

Don't forget to set your clocks

LEGAL SERVICES

back

one hour this

Sunday, November 3

CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer Employment/Licensing loss?

Travel/Business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US Entry Waiver. Record Purge. File Destruction. Free Consultation 1-800-3472540. accesslegalmjf.com

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween

HEALTH & WELLNESS Dr. Susanne Schloegl M.D.

Appointments Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, 9am - 5pm ECG and HOLTER monitoring Artisan Square

604-947-9986

Bowen Island Chiropractic

Dr. Tracy Leach, D.C. Certified provider of Active Release Techniques Artisan Square Tues. & Fri.

778-828-5681

www.drtracyleach.ca

Dr. Dana Barton

Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square

604-730-1174 Natural Family Medicine

Dr. Gloria Chao HOLISTIC COUNSELLING Brooke Evans, MSW, RSW 604-781-3987

brooke@becounselling.ca becounselling.ca

SHIATSU Shiatsu massage therapy follows traditional Chinese medicine to restore your body’s health with flow and relaxation.

Vicky Frederiksen

Certified Shiatsu Practitioner.

778-881-9012 call or text email: v.gathe@gmail.com

BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755

Located in Artisan Square

MARY MCDONAGH

Dr. Alea Bell, ND

❦

RMT, DCH Registered Massage Therapist

604-338-5001

❦

HEIDI MATHER

Registered Acupuncturist, Homeopath, Doula

Mary Coleman, MSW, RSW Compassion minded counselling

778-233-4425

MARY MCDONAGH RMT HARMONY SHIRE RMT ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT KIM HOWDEN RMT

Celebrating 29 years

Registered Acupuncturist Registered Nutritionist

Julie Hughes, RPC

Book online bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca

778-858-2669

Community Healthcare

SOMATIC CENTRE

Psychologist

Lifelabs

Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484

Dr. Zandy’s former office

INHABIT

Alternate Fridays 10am - 4:30pm

Massage Therapy Matthew van der Giessen

FREE

RMT

www.bowenislanddental.com

778-891-0370

Registered Physiotherapist

SANDY LOGAN

604-281-3691

On Bowen Island @ Caring Circle West Vancouver

Naturopathic Doctor

Courtney Morris, R.Ac

Artisan Square 604-947-0734

Horseshoe Bay 604-921-8522

Online Booking: www.birchwellness.com

❦

NexGen Hearing Hearing Testing

@ Artisan Square

Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist

Family Dentist

Call us at

604-947-9755 EXT #1

At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597

CATHERINE SHAW

BOWEN ISLAND

MASSAGE THERAPY

(778) 952-3757 566 Artisan Square www.inhabitcentre.ca

Breathe Move Touch

Counselling

604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com

Tues - 6:45 - 8:45 a.m.

Thurs. - 6:45 - 8:45 a.m.

For routine lab tests.

Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019 • 11

Horgan sends letter to disc golf course creator CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

COURTESY OF SAM NOSEK

Playing disc golf at the new Veteran’s Park Disc Golf Course

The game, played with frisbees (discs) is basically the same concept as golf: one throws the frisbee from where it landed last, trying to get the disc in the “hole” in the fewest throws. Like in the other kind of golf, there are putters and drivers, they’re just discs with rims of various thickness.

While not even officially open yet, the course has received some official recognition.

Premier John Horgan sent a letter to Nosek in September commending the islander for his hard work creating the Veterans Park Disc Golf Course and promoting healthy outdoor education.

“As one who enjoys disc golf, I was very happy to hear of

the success of your project,” wrote Horgan.

Nosek said that the letter came as a happy surprise.

“I was really appreciative,” said Nosek. “It was a nice gesture.”

For islanders who want to try their hand at disc golf, the course is fully operational. But this weekend the grand opening will have coffee, hot chocolate, cookies and discs for people to borrow if they just want to try out the game.

In a nod to the municipal contribution to the course, sets of putters, mid-range and long-range drivers with the Bowen mascots will be for sale at the grand opening.

The opening starts at noon Nov. 3 and professional disc golfer Leanne Fulton will be providing lessons.

BOWEN HOME SERVICES love the life you live GUTTERS & SNOWBARS

Landscape Lighting Irrigation

Seascape Bruce Culver

Office: 604-947-9686

Cell: 604-329-3045

NEW CONSTRUCTION

(604) 947-2025 A T

AQUA TERRA EAVESTROUGHS A BOWEN ISLAND FAMILY COMPANY

RENOVATIONS RESTORATION ADDITIONS SECONDARY STRUCTURES UNIQUE OUTDOOR SPACES SUB CONTRACT WORK

BUILT GREEN BC BUILDER CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTATION WWW.WHITEHART.CA ADDRESS 302-566 ARTISAN LANE BOWEN ISLAND, BC PHONE 1 (778) 999-3434

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bowenhomes.ca Accounting Bookkeeping Taxation Virtual CPA

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BOWEN ISLAND SPECIALISTS! QUALITY SERVICE GUARANTEED! Keep Calm and Call Econo

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live the life you love To reserve a spot on this page, contact us at 604-947-2442 or ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

12 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 2019

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

The white poppy and standing for peace in a chaotic world ELLEN HAYAKAWA

Contributor

Remembrance Day is fast approaching. It’s a time when we don brilliant, red poppies to remember those who have died since 1914 in wars fought by the Canadian military. In recent years, you may have seen a growing number of people on Bowen wearing a white poppy. And some people wear a red and a white poppy, together!

You may have wondered why.

The white poppy commemorates all other innocent victims of war: mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and all the children who sadly never got to give their gifts and fulfill their full potential. The white poppy is also a simple, beautiful declaration and commitment to ending war.

It’s a call for dialogue and peaceful, conflict resolution.

Last year, an estimated 16,000 Canadians and 1,600 school

4,000

$

children chose to wear white poppies. Many people wear both a red poppy to remember the military personnel who were killed as well as a white poppy to remember the more than 200 million civilian victims of war who have died since the First World War and to show their commitment to building a better, peaceful future for all.

Another beautiful way of bringing in peace is the simple act of singing together in harmony. There are countless songs about peace and unity, which speaks to the flame of desire of humans to live in harmony.

For many years, Brian Hoover and Shasta Martinuk have hosted a beautiful, inspiring event called “Songs for Peace and Community” on the afternoon of Remembrance Day. This is an opportunity, once the cenotaph ceremony of honouring fallen soldiers is complete, to focus on peace in community, through singing and by reflecting on how we can create greater peace.

D E M O / LO A N E R Financing

What can you do to stand for peace? Here are some suggestions: 1. Commit to one action that you feel passionate about to create greater inner peace. Or commit to one action to create greater peace and calm in your family, school or in our community 2. Make your own white poppy (see how at www.peacepoppies.ca) or purchase one to wear (white poppies are available by donation at Cates Pharmacy).

3. Attend Songs for Peace and Community at Bowen Court from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (no charge, donations for space welcome).

These are only a few ideas.

I’m sure you can think of many more.

If you decide to take action for peace, know that your individual commitment creates greater peace for all of us.

You make a difference.

Next week is the Undercurrent’s special Remembrance Day edition.

In partnership with Bowen Island Museum and Archives, we’ll be focussing on how war and conflict have affected Bowen.

If you have stories to share, please email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

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