Bowen Island Undercurrent February 27 2020

JEAN JAMIESON: What life’s like in the triple digits?

$1.50

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inc.

GST

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

REPEAT SWIMMER

VOL. 46, NO. 09

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com There once was a jewel from Bowen Of the zipper, she was all-knowin’ She got us on our way With fewer delays Even when it was snowin’ For more than 42 days She put up with rants She put up with raves She put up with scoundrels, cheats and knaves She made the most dissident liners behave So today we say thanks to Jewal Who helped us all keep our cool Through the Bowen Queen’s reign (which is this island’s bane) We say to you, Jewal, you rule!

Why this Californian is returning for SwimBowen2020 PAGE 12

Mayor Gary Ander recognized ferry lineup marshall extraordinaire Jewal Maxwell for her work during the ferry refit period at Monday evening’s council meeting. The mayor recited the poem (on the left) written by the municipality’s communications coordinator Sophie Idsinga.

Ander also presented Maxwell with what he jokingly called a “sadistic gift”––a BC Ferries experience card.

Addressing childcare

BOWEN’S COMMUNITY CHILDCARE PLAN RELEASED BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

DUTY DONE, FOR NOW: Jewal Maxwell spent much of the past two months running (or

driving) up and down Trunk Road directing drivers into or out of the the ferry lineup. Amid the overloads and delays of the Bowen Queen’s reign, Jewal kept islanders in line and informed of how many sailings they may be waiting before boarding. The now-beloved Queen of Capilano returned last Thursday.

Some things in life are more precious than gold: a good book, a happy family and on Bowen, a childcare spot.

Mayor and council got a stark picture of the current childcare landscape at the regular council meeting Monday evening.

BIM consultant Suvi Teigen presented the grant-funded Bowen Island Community Childcare Plan to council. The report looks at the island’s current childcare options and needs and provides action recommendations.

Teigen told councillors that while the population of Bowen has grown over the past 20 years, the number of children has stayed consistent. Yet, in the same period, the number of families requiring childcare has grown.

Some of the reasons for this trend given in the report include an increase in single-parent families and the Lower Mainland cost of living requiring two incomes.

According to the report, Bowen Children’s Centre has a waiting list of 26 infants. The centre is licensed for nine full-time infants (seven of those spaces are reserved for part-time attendees, so a single space can serve multiple infants). The dayhome Kinderhaus has a waiting list of 30 children under five. Bowen Children’s Centre’s After School Club has doubled in the last two years and now serves 55 families in temporary, multiuse spaces at BICS. The report notes that Montessori school and Community Recreation’s drop-in playcare face limitations too.

Stay-at-home parenting, shiftwork, grandparents, and help through au pair programs numbered among the creative solutions listed in the report that Bowen parents find for childcare.

CONTINUED ON P. 13

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With 3 years remaining on the home warranty, this nearly-new home with a family-friendly floor plan, will please many Buyers.

2 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27. 2020

Event Calendar March 2, 2020 9:00 am Community Grants Advisory Committee Meeting

March 3, 2020 7:00 pm Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Committees seeking members

Seeking Public Comment

These committees of Council are seeking members: •

TUP-02-2020 & DVP-03-2020 464 Melmore Road

•

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Council is considering two permit applications to allow the Island Discovery Learning Community (IDLC) to operate out of a property at 464 Melmore Road (shown on map). These applications are for: • A Temporary Use Permit application to permit the school use as a principal use and assembly use as an accessory use; and • A Development Variance Permit application to reduce the required onsite parking from 32 to 6 spaces, subject to a traffic management plan.

•

Housing Advisory Committee: meets monthly during the day Parks, Trails and Greenways Advisory Committee: meets monthly on Tuesday evenings and involves walkabouts Environment and Climate Action Advisory Committee: Meets monthly on Thursday evenings

For more information, and to apply, please go to:

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/committees Please apply by 4 pm, March 3, 2020.

Provide your feedback in Bowen’s Housing Need Assessment

March 9, 2020 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting

We have employed consulting firm Urbanics to complete a Housing Need Assessment for our island. As part of that report we want to hear from you about current and emerging housing needs of the island.

The Housing Needs Survey is available online, and takes only 15 minutes to complete. Responses are collected anonymously, and will help inform this report.

If you don’t have a computer, or if you wish to complete the survey in an alternative format, you can get help from staff at Municipal Hall.

Please complete the survey by 4pm, on Wednesday, March 18th, 2020.

All meetings are held in Council Chambers unless otherwise noted.

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

Take the survey: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/housing

New Business Licence Directory Bowen Island Municipality has developed an online directory tool called Business Search for all licensed businesses on Bowen.

TIMELINE:

With Business Search, you can search for businesses by: • Business name • Owner’s name • Business type (e.g. plumber, massage therapist, notary public, etc) • Or get a list of all businesses

RentSmart workshop for tenants

•

Learn about your rights as a tenant as well as your responsibilities

•

Improve your changes for getting housing and being a successful tenant

•

Identify what landlords look for in choosing tenants

•

Learn techniques for communicating with your landlord

Saturday, March 7th, 2020 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Municipal Hall

The applications 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

business.bowenislandmunicipality.ca

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME:

Written submissions on these applications 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:

Bike Park reopens March 1

6:15 PM on Monday, March 9, 2020 in Council Chambers, Municipal Hall To ensure a fair process, submissions cannot be accepted once the meeting has ended.

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

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

Try Business Search now!

MORE INFORMATION AT MUNICIPAL HALL:

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

With this free RentSmart workshop you will:

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2020 • 3

ISLAND NEWS

Bowen and the 100 years of Jean Jamieson

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

On the same land where she was born, metres from where she was married and under the gaze of her parents’ portraits, Jean Jamieson celebrated her hundredth birthday Feb. 9.

At the birthday party at Collins’ Hall, generations of the Collins family (Jamieson was born a Collins), friends and islanders serenaded the 1996 citizen of the year with happy birthday and added their congratulations to the guest book placed near the letters from the Queen and Governor General.

Memories come slowly to the islander these days, after all, she has many to sort through, but a mischievous spark still glows in her eyes.

I’m visiting Jamieson at her Collins Rd. home a few days after her centennial birthday.

Jamieson’s sole roommate in the house she and her late husband Stuart moved into in the mid-1980s, is Felix the cat. Homecare workers come throughout the day to help Jamieson and her daughters visit.

I’ve come to ask, what’s it like being 100––a milestone few of us will reach?

“It’s a bit unreal,” she says.

“Being 100 years doesn’t really mean much to me.” A chuckle.

My knees are nestled right up to the foot of Jamieson’s semi-reclined easy chair, my arm pushed up against a table full of birthday notes and cards. I have to face Jamieson and lean in as she’s now hard of hearing but she can read lips.

Over the course of an hour and a half, with some help from Jamieson’s daughters Karen and Laura, we discuss her life––the moments that stand out over a century.

This was a woman who was born before the Little Red Church was built (by her father and uncle) and who went to the first school on Bowen (taught for some time by her older sister Margaret). Her parents, James and Irene Collins, had a 167-acre farm on Bowen and seven children (Jean was fifth).

The farmhouse that the Collins moved into when Jamieson was just three is still standing, though much of the original property has long-since been divvyed up. Jamieson’s house stands on a portion of the former property. After school every day, Jamieson and her sisters would roam the island looking for the cows that were milked and let out in the mornings.

To finish high school, Jamieson moved to

Changes coming to community swim lessons SHAUNA JENNINGS

Bowen Island Community Recreation

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO/UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

Collins’ Hall was full Feb. 9 as Jean Jamieson celebrated her hundredth birthday very near where she was born (in the family’s old farmhouse.) The cake behind Jean depicts the new (1920s) farmhouse.

Vancouver, working for room and board, and then in the early 1940s went on to live in a working girls co-op, founded by her future mother-in-law, suffragist and Vancouver Centre MLA Laura Marshall Jamieson. For some time, Jean Jamieson Jamieson worked as a telephone operator.

One day, Jamieson biked from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay and back on an old clunker bicycle, only to return to the co-op, hair in disarray to meet the economist (at that time working in a war position in Ottawa) whom she would marry only weeks later at the Bowen Island United Church.

She raised four girls––Anne Marie, Karen, Marion-Lea and Laura––in Burnaby and then Kerrisdale and went back to school for a degree in teaching and then counselling when her youngest was 11 or 12. The Jamiesons would take their children on the road all over B.C. for Stuart’s research––by then he was a University of British Columbia professor. But once Stuart retired, the couple returned to the island.

However, the present seems to capture more of Jamieson’s attention than the past.

“Isn’t it awful? These things fade into the background,” she says as her daughters fill in parts of her story.

On Bowen, Jamieson is well known for rousing a dedicated crew of islanders to attempt to buy the Cape Roger Curtis lands for $16 million back in 2004.

“I remember so all you talked about for years was Cape Roger Curtis,” Karen tells her mother.

“Oh how boring,” says Jamieson.

“No, it wasn’t boring,” responds Karen.

“You guys worked really hard to try to turn

that around.”

Sue Ellen Fast met Jamieson when she (Fast) was a staff person for Crippen Regional Park and Jamieson was one of the forces behind the Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association, dedicated to preserving the Davies Orchard cottages and history (a history Jamieson had experienced first-hand.)

Years ago Fast also helped Jamieson and her younger sister Marion Moore, now too in her late 90s, turn some of the old farm back into a market garden––the garden has now been a community-supported agriculture project for more than a decade. But the Cape years stand out for Fast.

“Jean’s kitchen table was a key place where people came together with their hearts and their ideas and their energy to begin this huge project of trying to preserve Cape Roger Curtis for the future and for the island and for the nature,” she said.

Jamieson was such an inspiration for Fast that she had Jamieson and Moore as the first and second signatures on her nomination papers when she ran for council the first time.

“Keep as much of Bowen natural as possible,” Jamieson remembers after Karen reminds her how much effort went into the cape.

But the obligatory question for anyone turning 100 is if they have any words of wisdom to share with rest of us.

“I don’t think I really have,” says Jamieson.

“It would be rather patronizing I think.”

Karen asks how Jamieson feels about all the changes she’s seen on Bowen.

“I don’t think it has disturbed me particularly,” says Jamieson. “It’s still my island.”

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DISPOSE OF LAND The Municipal Council of Bowen Island Municipality hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 26 of the Community Charter of its intention to dispose of lands that are not being made available to the public for acquisition.

THE LAND “Bowen Island Gas Station” BLOCK 1 DISTRICT LOT 491 GROUP 1 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT PLAN 12372 EXCEPT PLAN BCP 39511 PID 008-899-363 The Municipality intends to lease the land to Bowen Fuels Inc. for an annual lease rate as follows: • Years 1 – 5 $5,000/year • Years 6 – 10 $7,000/year • Two options to renew for a 5-year term, rates to be mutually agreed upon.

A copy of the agreement to dispose (lease) of this land may be inspected at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, closed on statutory holidays.

Questions? Please contact Hope Dallas, Corporate Officer at 604-947-4255 or hdallas@bimbc.ca .

Bowen Island Communit y Recreation has a history of working with many partners in our little community and those relationships are sometimes long-standing (15+ years running), sometimes short-lived and other times on and off again depending on the projects or programs. Either way, we really enjoy working with, and learning from, the many community -based organizations across the island and all the amazing and passionate people who care so much about our community.

Most recently, in 2020, we have been advised by the Tunstall Bay Club Association board of directors that they have chosen to go in a new direction this summer and the Tunstall Bay pool will not be available for BICR to rent for swimming lessons and aquafit.

BICR would like to thank the TBCA Board and all their past board members for being so wonderful to work with over the years and for their dedication to the community. We look back on all the wonderful years of swimming lessons, water certification programs and Aquafit classes at this location and have fond memories of seeing Bowen Islanders challenge themselves, learn new skills, and have fun in a beautiful setting.

In light of this news, BICR will not be offering swimming lessons or Aquafit classes for the summer of 2020.

It is our understanding that these programs will be available to the community through TBCA.

Correction Last week’s p. 3 story about January’s RCMP statistics (incorrectly titled February’s stats) stated the wrong number for the fraud hotline. The true hotline number for the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is: 1-888-495-8501.

4 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27. 2020

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VIEWPOINT EDITORIAL

Neat numbers

Finding topics for editorials can be tricky. As I cannot––or perhaps more accurately, refuse to––take sides on contentious local matters, a “bold” critique or praise of some aspect of local life requires some creativity. So I’m trying something new.

I’m hopelessly afraid of numbers. I don’t understand them. I know when a word doesn’t fit in a sentence but no such logic applies to numbers in my mind. I’m a great scorekeeper if you don’t mind an extra 10 points here or there. As someone whose job it is to be as correct and accurate as possible, this lack of control, of understanding, is beyond intimidating. I think fear of numbers is a trait common among those attracted to journalism, even if one of the most famous industry mantras is “follow the money.”

So to work on this whole numbers fear––and perhaps make up for under-reporting data stories––I’m going to bring you some neat numbers about Bowen every week. (It’s like the podcast The Indicator but not about the economy brought to you by someone with the addition skills of a golden retriever). If you ever have context, thoughts, perspectives to add (or if you want me to dig deeper, do a bigger story) please let me know. Also if I ever get the numbers wrong—like somehow extra zeroes appear—write in!

This week’s neat numbers come from the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting minutes. The committee requested numbers from ICBC of local drivers: ICBC said that there were 2,190 passenger vehicles registered to the 1G0, 1G1 and 1G2 postal codes in Dec. 2019. There were 740 commercial vehicles, fewer than 87 motorcycles or mopeds and fewer than 23 motorhomes. (The last two stats are as of Aug. 2019).

For brief and loose context––ICBC’s 2017 statistics show that Bowen had 2,200 passenger vehicles in 2015, 2016 and 2017 (these numbers have been rounded by ICBC). While it looks like the numbers of passenger vehicles is stable, commercial vehicles seem to be increasing.

In 2015 there were 690 commercial vehicles insured on-island, in 2016 there were 710 and in 2017 there were 730.

But the largest difference looks to be in motorcycles and mopeds, in 2017 there were 260 registered on Bowen.

What happened? Email: editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com —Bronwyn Beairsto, editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hoping for some fiscal prudence DEAR EDITOR: It is disheartening to learn of the proposed further 7.6 per cent increase in taxes for this year. Once again, the rise far exceeds both average inflation and salary increases.

Following are my tax adjustments over the past five years: 2019: 7.98 per cent 2018: 10.85 per cent 2017: -1.8 per cent 2016: 6.38 per cent 2015: 16.9 per cent Of note, my property assessment is less than the $1,086,000 “average” (ref BIM website).

Statistics readily available online from the Government of B.C. indicate that Bowen Island residents have greater total residential property tax rates than North Saanich, Langley, Surrey and Delta, which have similar average property values, provide considerably more services and pay for things like policing. We pay much more than many smaller municipalities such as Hope, Merritt and Port Hardy, which have more amenities.

We are in the top tier (both total tax rates and per capita figures) for the entire province.

Other municipalities that pay similar or

lower rates often enjoy the following services and amenities (to name a few): well-maintained roads, sidewalks, recreational centres such as swimming pools and ice arenas, street lights, paid firefighters, water and sewer services, hospitals, curbside recycling Services and amenities I receive for my taxes: a deteriorating “seal coated” road; no sidewalks or street lights; paying for my own expensive septic and water systems; paying extra “dump day” fees; no testing of local fire hydrants; no hospital, rec centre, etc.; a burgeoning bureaucracy; numerous “studies”; several high-priced proposed projects leading to yet further tax increases; surplus land debt that was promised to be retired decades ago.

What, exactly, am I paying so much for?

The only answer appears to be a questionably high number of well-paying jobs, increasing bureaucracy and costly poor decisions.

I hope some fiscal prudence will be applied going forward. I do not oppose paying taxes, however I strongly believe they should reflect the value of amenities and services received.

Respectfully, —M. McLeod

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.

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The Undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs.

#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com DEADLINE for all advertising and editorial: Monday, 4:00 p.m.

Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year subscription on Bowen Island: $45, including GST. Within Canada: $65 including GST Newsstand (Single Copy) $1 per copy, including GST ISSN 7819-5040

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERYL HUTTON

Karai Killy receives her 10-year service pin from First Transit.

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 FEBRUARY 27, 2020 • 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘They have so much at stake’: Deep Bay resident writes in support of IDLC DEAR EDITOR: I am writing a letter in support for the three-year temporary use permit to have Island Discovery Learning Community (IDLC) in Evergreen Hall. I am a parent of a young child (who goes to school at BICS) and I live on Melmore Road. If the proposal goes through, the IDLC children will be walking past my front door.

Here are my main arguments: 1. Our daughter and I would enjoy seeing children walking from Miller Road to Evergreen Hall a few times a week.

We walk to school every day and some days my daughter walks to school (or returns) from BICS on her own. I think a little bit of walking in the sun and rain has benefits for everyone (socially, emotionally, physically and academically) and I always wish that we saw more children walking in our neighbourhood. It is a bit sad to me that on Bowen, so many people rely on cars to get their children to and from school and that so few children have the opportunity to walk. The Deep Bay kids who currently walk to the bus stop at Deep Bay and the small number of kids that walk to BICS each morning would enjoy meeting and perhaps befriending the kids going to IDLC. 2. Having more children walking in our neighbourhood would hopefully lead to improved infrastructure such as speed bumps or some fencing along the side of the lagoon that could benefit all pedestrians in Deep Bay. It is the only neighbourhood that is really walkable and the walkability is important to build social capital within our neighbourhood. I am hopeful that the IDLC parents might help to create some more action on these issues.

3. Although I understand that some people would just like to have Deep Bay as is, and stagnant forever, the reality is that Deep Bay and Bowen is always going to be changing.

If Evergreen Hall isn’t being used for a school, perhaps the heritage building and trees will be torn down, perhaps a

foreign buyer will buy it and make it into a summer home that is only occupied for a two weeks a year, perhaps it will be bought by a private owner that rents it out to many families who party all night. There are so many other potential buyers who will poise much greater problems for which the community would have absolutely no recourse. Thirty well-behaved but chatty children seems like a pretty good option. Bowen has had a history of NIMBY and opposing development projects that aren’t “perfect” but sometimes (as we saw in Cape Roger Curtis), this can have negative impacts down the road.

4. Children are part of our community. If people are opposing this because children are noisy or inconvenient to be around well, it is important to realise that children are still part of our community. People also complain about older drivers, or about people who don’t speak great English, teenagers who are noisy on the ferry, or people who are rushing to the ferry lineup to get to work each day, or people who make noise with continual construction projects on their homes. As annoying as it may seem, we can’t just live in some isolated bubble. The reality is that we do need to handle being around different demographics of people because this is what creates a community. Yes, perhaps that might mean that we have to handle some complicated conversations, but in a small community, perhaps we should have the tools to do that. If children are being noisy, it is also fine to tell them to be quieter or help to socialize them to be more appropriate.

5. IDLC provides an important service for families on Bowen. There are some children who can’t go to BICS. Perhaps these children have anxiety, learning differences or experience bullying. Perhaps parents just want more challenge or a different type of schooling for their kids.

Some kids just need a year or two in a smaller setting before they can feel empowered to go to BICS. The opportunity to

Nookians energized by composting cause

DEAR EDITOR: Saturday mornings are special for me, it’s when I volunteer. It’s when I get that beautiful Bowen feeling: I belong here.

I get to be with my dynamite co-workers Cindy May and Steve Frazer. We three have a low tolerance for boredom and we can all do just about everything so we jump from task to task and I get to pick the music. It works for us.

We have our regulars, they are real Boweners and they fill my heart with joy. If you volunteer at the Nook you can find the Goldilocks shift just for you. I always come home from my shift in a good mood.

A number of Nook members went to the recent council meeting on composting.

This is not a sexy issue but it’s important. We are literally a very green island and we garden like there is no tomorrow. This produces green waste. We throw out a lot of food and carting all this great material to Pemberton is a bad thing.

My friend Louise MacIntosh made me laugh when she told us about a guy who specializes in composting and went snooping around looking in our green waste cans. Being Louise, She said “What are you doing?”

He said, “I’m a composting specialist and I’m

checking out your compostable waste.” His take on us: “You’re good, very little contamination.”

So that’s it folks. We’re already producing great material for composting.

We can turn this waste into usable safe compost in 14 days, add a little sand and you have top quality soil. The muni, or Bowen Waste Solutions can charge for this gardener’s gold. In memory of Bruce McLeod and a myriad of other reasons, we have to do this.

The fact that we pay to remove stuff we really need from the island is just silly. The muni seems ready to get into composting but they have to know we want it.

Those of you who shop at the Nook get this.

Environmental sustainability is the Nook’s original mission. We are directing our energy toward this project. The Nook wants this. I want this, I think most of us want this.

Get on your devices and let your councillors know you want this. Don’t wait for them to ask you, tell them now. I don’t know one person on this island who thinks this is a bad idea. This is a democracy. You have the power. Use it. We’re ready for this Bowen.

––Sally Freeman Knick Knack Nook

have an alternative option here, keeps families on Bowen.

Moreover, IDLC might provide additional opportunities to bring in more diverse families from different countries with children exposed to different types of schooling systems to Bowen.

6.Finally, it isn’t like the community of Deep Bay is some marginalized and oppressed, disempowered community.

Our community is politically involved, educated, articulate and well-connected. If something is not working out, I have no doubt that people will speak out and that it will be resolved. More importantly, it isn’t like IDLC is some giant, multinational mining company that has a hundred different places around the world where they can run off to if it doesn’t work. They have so much at stake! IDLC is Al Saugstad’s (and the parent/teacher community at IDLC) dream. This is an alternative school that he has spent much of his entire professional career developing. I fully trust that he and the IDLC families are going to be careful and considerate of the community.

Also, please remember that only a small portion of folks who live in Deep Bay have the time to attend a meeting like the one we had Saturday.

I kept hearing Deep Bay residents say “Most of us oppose,” please do not buy that. As far as I know, there has not been any empirical evidence with a survey of all (or at least 70 per cent) of Deep Bay residents that has measured supported. Also be aware that not everyone enjoys public conversations of complex topics on Facebook. Thus I would encourage council to solicit comments from a range of different approaches including an anonymous online survey. However, at the end of the day beyond popular opinion, council has been elected to consider what is in the best interest of Bowen Islanders now and into the future and I believe that, this is to allow this permit.

––Maï Yasué

Keeping up with theTrail Society

DEAR EDITOR: On behalf of the Bowen Island Trail Society, we’d like to thank everyone who was able to join us at our all-members meeting Feb. 18 at BICS. We had a great turn out and are excited to see so much community support and enthusiasm for non-motorized recreation on our Bowen Island trails.

The Trail Society shared our visions, aspirations and state of advocacy for non-motorized trail users, our goals to further improve our image and communication measures with the community and our future plans for further trail stewardship on the island.

We also had the opportunity to discuss the current and future status of the Mt. Gardner navigation project. We’re really excited about enhancing navigation and wayfinding on Mt. Gardner to create an even more accessible trail system for the community. Over the next few months, the Trail Society will continue to dig and install more cedar signage posts, execute and install directional badges, and prepare maps for the

kiosks and key junction posts. We’ve even created a highly detailed trail etiquette guide that will be downloadable, for all trail users.

As a small group of volunteers, we’re always looking for more help to ensure that the purpose and vision of the Trail Society can flourish in the community––we shared a long list of opportunities to volunteer with the Trail Society such as volunteering for trail events, becoming an advocate for non-motorized trail use and organizing public forums on improvements and future projects.

At this time, we are specifically looking for a volunteer to help with general administration, as well as a volunteer to help manage and grow our membership.

Volunteer, find out more or simply connect with us over email: info@ bowenislandtrailsociety.ca or on social media: @bowenislandtrailsociety.

Happy trails!

––Kim Ridgewell on behalf of the Bowen Island Trail Society Board

Increased MV use of Bowen trails concerning MEMBERSHIP 2020

DEAR EDITOR: I am writing in response to the public statement written by Kevan Bernards, president of the Bowen Trail Riders Association (BTRA), in the Feb. 6 edition of the Undercurrent. While Kevan states that “we are not in any way attempting to flood the island trails with off-island riders,” and implies that there is no cause for concern, the increased use of motorized vehicles on our trails is of great concern to many of us.

There are now YouTube videos of motorcycles being ridden on the trails on Bowen, which make Bowen look very appealing to off-island riders.

One YouTube video, MtGardner Enduro Adventure, starts with “Welcome to Bowen Island, home to some of the hard-

est enduro-riding on the west coast and nobody knows about it.” Two other videos, also of riding on Mount Gardner, have each been viewed over 3,000 times. In addition to these videos, there is also the intent, stated at a Bowen Island Trails Coalition meeting in October 2019, for BTRA to publish the GPS track of Easy Street (a dirt bike trail to the top of Mt. Gardner) to off-road-vehicle organizations around the province once the signage is complete.

We on Bowen would be foolish not to be concerned about an increase in the use of motorized vehicles on our trails.

Our island needs to decide what we want to do now, proactively, to anticipate and manage this use of our trails.

––Rosemary Knight

BOWEN ISLAND GOLF MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN JOIN NOW scan here with your phone camera

NEW this year COUPLE PACKAGE Free JUNIOR GOLF u18 For more information please contact les@monaghangolf.com

6 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27. 2020

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BOWEN BEAT

Dancing the cold away The Winterball Dance for Bowen grades five, six and seven children was a huge success this past month with more than 70 children participating in an active and fun evening!

PHOTOS AND CAPTION COURTESY OF SHEANA STEVENSON

People were dancing and singing in the aisle and filled the room with great Samba energy Sunday evening at the Caro Pierotto and Farofa concert.

Photo: Kathleen Ainscough

Speaking of dancing -- Michelle and Dean Mountain dancing at the Caro Pierotto and Farofa concert at the Gallery at Cove Commons last weekend.

Photo: Kathleen Ainscough

Bowen’s men’s choir, Men on the Rock, sang in a house concert last weekend to the joy of singers and audience alike.

Photo: Berni Claus

Delivered to your mailbox!

Every week for $55 per year ($85 to off island addresses) 604-947-2442 ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2020 • 7

Get it done, book your Bowen contractor now.

Build Landscape Upgrade Paint Install Design Finish Renew Repair Refresh

Everything you need Framing Lumber & Plywood Finish Lumber & Flooring Doors, Windows, & Skylights Treated Lumber & Decking Cedar Lumber, Decking & Fencing Concrete Products, Bricks & Pavers Engineered Wood Products Roofing & Gutters Air Liquide Gases & Supplies

BOWEN BUILDING CENTRE helping islanders since 1972

and if we don't have it , we'll get it!

Gardening Tools & Supplies Heating-Electric, Propane, Wood, Pellet Plumbing and Electrical Supplies Hand & Power Tools Household, Automotive Cleaning Items Paint Department Drainage Materials Water Tanks & Storage Septic Tanks

1013 GRAFTON ROAD • 604 - 947- 9622 Open Mon - Fri 7:30 - 5 pm • Saturday 8 - 5 pm • Closed Sunday

8 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27. 2020

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BRITISH TRADESMEN

RESTORING & PROTECTING YOUR CHIMNEY & MAKING IT NEW AGAIN ROOF INSPECTION. ECO ROOF CLEANING. ROOF REPAIRS. GUTTER REPAIRS NOW SERVING BOWEN ISLAND & HORSESHOE BAY AREA FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Specializing in Interior & Exterior Residential & Commercial Design Consultations Free Estimates Tristan Butler 778.238.8705 bowenbrush@gmail.com

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2020 • 9

Gravel, Sand, Top Soil road mulch, drain rock, clear crush, shale, wall rock ....

An Island run business for over 10 years • • • • • • • •

Garden Design, Installation & Maintenance Garden Clean Up and Renovation Dry Stack Walls Patio and Terrace Flagstone & Pavers Fencing, Pergolas, Garden Houses and Follies Green Houses and Winter Houses Raised Beds, Permaculture Vegetable Gardens Irrigation and Lighting

• Construction Labour • Property Management Services • Machine RENTALS Daily, weekly and monthly rates Skid-steer-Mini-Excavator

Noah - 341-7244 • Office - 604-947-6995 www.homefarm.ca

noah@homefarm.ca

Bowen’ss own or tru ucked from town Call Ken for delivery 604-830-9311

Excavating Services Rock Walls, Driveways, Clearing, Site Prep Gary 604-830-9266 Randy 604-830-9261

Celebrating 15 years

of service solely on Bowen Island.

Bc Hydro Certified Utility Arborist Honest, reliable and friendly services for all tree and landscape needs.

24 Hr Emergency Service Call Shane Tweten For A Free Estimate Tel: 604 831 TREE

10 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27. 2020

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ANNE BOA Digging into garden gaffes SU RICKETT

Bowen Island Garden Club

Renovation, Construction, Fine Art Consultation, Colour Anne Boa anne@anneboa.com 604-760-0866

FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION

GUTTERS & SNOWBARS

(604) 947-2025

The start of the year is often a time for reflection, a sifting through of thoughts and doings of the previous twelve months.

It is easy to do a lot of inward finger pointing about personal gardening gaffes but the voice that tells us we can learn by our mistakes sometimes sounds like a stuck record.

The reality is that we all make mistakes in the garden, perhaps none greater than the “dwarf” conifer innocently picked up at Safeway 10 years ago, that has turned into a 50-foot tree and is currently blocking out the neighbour, the view and all your natural light.

One error I see all the time is founded on relying on a product label and believing it will work wonders in your garden.

I know, at some point, we have all innocently used “weed barrier.” We continued recognize those rolls of black fabric, available everywhere and “guaranteed” to block those pesky weeds in your new gravel pathway, underneath paving and as a blanket under the mulch around your plants. It took me many years to realise what a mistake using this product was. Ask anyone who has ever had to dig out a border where this evil creation is lying in wait for you, a few inches below the mulch. A few hours spent untangling this frightful stuff and you will appreciate what a massive blunder installing this product can be.

To use this under gravel or bark mulch and hope to prevent weeds appearing is going to be one of the biggest miscalculations you make in the garden. Even surpassing emptying the entire package of lettuce seeds in among your newly planted potatoes. Most of our weeds are blown in from above and no amount of weed cloth is going to prevent top-sown seeds. To say nothing of those weeds with long tap roots, such as thistles, that appear with alarming reliance.

Once yanked out, the roots pull the cloth up through the gravel. Arrgghh! Try getting that back in, under and out of sight.

Another clanger that we’ve all made at some point in our gardening lives, is pruning at the wrong time. Whether it’s in our rush to clean up the garden after a bad winter, or the panic we find ourselves in, trying to beat the oncoming weather in the fall, there is often a silent sense of urgency that overcomes us and sets the pruning saw on a mission. Disregard the fact that your neighbour has a huge pile of debris in his driveway and to even up the “look how busy I’ve been” scoreboard, you’d better get busy pruning too. Pruning is not an instinctual task. Mother Nature has made it difficult to understand so we don’t end up clear-cutting everything. The best gift you can give yourself is a good pruning book. The Cavendish Encyclopedia of Pruning and Training by

Brickell and Joyce should be in everyone’s library. Pruning is all about timing. Done at the wrong time and you can hinder fruiting or blooms. For the most part you need not concern yourself about cuts at a 45-degree angle. Simply make sure your pruners are extremely sharp, keep everything clean and prune at the correct time.

As the weather warms up, we all get that seasonal urge to go to the nursery and buy something new. Oh, I can hear murmurings of guilt here. Was it the ground cover you picked up that turned out to be a noxious weed? Are your neighbours still avoiding you in case you dump yet another tomato plant on them? Well, who can blame you really, there are over 100 seeds in a package and we are all being chastised for waste these days, why wouldn’t you feel you had to plant them all? Going to a nursery or garden shop can be quite overwhelming, especially after a long hard winter indoors or later in spring when truck loads of new and exciting plants are literally jumping onto the shelves.

Shop mid-week and early in the day, when generally things are less frantic.

Go with a list, even if you don’t stick to it, you will feel in control.

Take a look around at everything first, don’t make the mistake of immediately getting a wagon to put things on.

If you do find plants that tempt you and would find a home in your garden, think of planting them as a grouping.

Buy in odd numbers so you can plant a block of the same for bigger impact. No more single pots of rudbeckia––plant in a drift of three, or seven, or bigger if you have a large garden. Reserve your “singleton shopping” to trees, larger shrubs and for that pot in the corner. While we are in the middle of the nursery, muddled and vulnerable by thoughts of what horticultural missteps we have made in the past, remember where you are planting. Do not be confused by dreams of how we wish our garden was ––flat, sunny and fenced, when, in reality it’s sheer drop of 30 feet, skirted by large hemlocks where the deer scamper around like mountain goats. Try not to be beguiled by plants and their “take me to your bed” eyes. Keep the mantra in your head “right plant, right place.” If you feel that zone nine Eucalyptus edging its way on to your cart, leave immediately, or go into the fertilizer section and read labels. Mistake avoided.

Finally, remember, as gardeners, we are always thinking of tomorrow, next month, next year. If you make mistakes out in your patch, it’s not the end of the world.

“Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it... yet.” L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables Originally published in the Garden Club’s January newsletter: bowenislandgardenclub. ca/. Reprinted with permission.

CONTACT ME FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!

BOWEN ISLAND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Arbutus Point christophe langlois

604-837-4107

arbutuspointpm@gmail.com

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2020 • 11

Strengthening community with Neighbourhood Small Grants A NEW GRANT FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUNDS SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT THINGS LIKE BLOCK PARTIES, GARDENS, SPORTS DAYS AND MORE

SHEREE JOHNSON

B.I. Community Foundation

We believe change comes best from within a community. We believe that behind every change is a spark of an idea. We want to give the opportunity for more ideas to shine.

Your Community Foundation is providing grants of $50 to $500 for local projects that build community and make our island a better place to live. The program is in partnership with Bowen Island Municipality and the Vancouver Foundation.

Neighbourhood Small Grants is a program the Vancouver Foundation started in 1999 that has now spread throughout B.C. in collaboration with other community foundations.

The program is based on one simple idea––that everyone is a valuable member of the community and that we all have something to share.

It helps residents of any age, experience or background take part in building community.

Though these grants are small, the results are powerful. Each project creates new relationships and a better tomorrow.

Lots of different ideas can get funded. In

other communities the program has funded block parties, emergency preparedness workshops, art-making projects and art shows, community gardens, book exchange boxes, festivals, cultural celebrations, sports days and much more. Check out www. neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca/stories to see more about what others have done through the program. We’re particularly looking for ideas that build connections.

Registered organizations and businesses are not eligible to apply. These grants are specifically for individuals and small volunteer-based neighbourhood and community groups. The deadline for applying is April 6 and grant money must be used

by Nov. 30. Get more information on the Neighbourhood Small Grants and apply at bowenfoundation.com/neighbourhood-small-grants/.

The more connected we feel, the stronger our sense of belonging––to our neighbourhood or broader community––and the stronger our desire to make it a better place for everyone.

The Bowen Island Community Foundation is a registered charity engaging the community and inspiring generosity that will benefit Bowen Island for generations.

RAF IZDEBSKI / BOWEN LIFE PHOTO

Raf Izdebski of Bowen Life on Facebook and Instagram captured this photo of a heron basking in the day’s last rays of sun.

Impromptu

Jude Neale

“In this clever and stylish collection of Impromptu verses, she’s conjured a set of poems that pleases the spirit and prompts the questing imagination.” Nick Bantock

Join Jude in celebrating her latest collection of poems,

GRAPHIC COURTESY O F B.I . COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Sunday, March 8, 2020, Collins Hall, Bowen Island 4:00-5:30 P.M. Refreshments will be served. Free Admission

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 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

12 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27. 2020

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He’s raced all over the world but keeps coming back to SwimBowen

on Bowen Island

REPEAT SWIMBOWENER BRIAN SMALLWOOD (OR AS MARY LETSON CALLS HIM, MR. CALIFORNIA) TELLS HIS STORY

Board Member Opportunity – Caring Circle The Caring Circle Health and Wellness Society of Bowen Island envisions a community where all people feel safe, connected and healthy by linking individuals to health services, social programs, and each other.

Caring Circle seeks to appoint 2 new Board members this year. We are looking for Bowen Island residents wishing to ensure that services and programs are in place for the physical and mental health of individuals and our community as a whole.

We seek board members who have skill or experience in one or more of the following: • a passionate interest in the work of Caring Circle • health, medical or social services • board governance with a not-for-profit organization • accounting and budget analysis • public relations and communication • strategic planning • experience with volunteers The Caring Circle Board is based on sound governance, integrity and visioning. We employ a Program Director who implements the Board’s vision. Our job is to provide the guidance. As such, we ensure that the work being done is relevant and true to our mandate, we examine our successes and vulnerabilities, we problem solve as issues arise and we explore the needs of our community and consider where Caring Circle can be of most use.

If you are interested, please come and talk to us, or send a letter expressing your interest to Maureen Witney, Chair, at info@caringcircle.ca or call Maureen at (604) 947-2070.

SINGING BACK THE

Saturday March 14th 7:30pm at Tir-na-nOg Theatre

DAVID ADAMS

SwimBowen

Since 1994, Brian Smallwood has competed in more than 500 races, including some of the top sporting events in the world. The Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

The Ultraman World Championship. The Boston Marathon.

Just to name a few.

Smallwood lives in California and combines travel and racing. With the world at his doorstep, Smallwood will be returning to Bowen Island to participate in the third annual SwimBowen event this summer. We asked, “Why Bowen?”

“I have two basic criteria that I look for in races,” Smallwood shared. “One is the challenge of the race and the competition and the other is the experience. It’s meeting and connecting with other people and making more friends.

“SwimBowen fits perfectly into my lifestyle,” he said.

“It’s an event I will continue to do every year as long as it’s offered.”

For Smallwood, the differences between SwimBowen and other perhaps more renowned events are striking. Bowen is “very much a family feeling environment” he said.

“It’s very welcoming, fully supportive, emotionally, whether you’re a beginning swimmer, just there to see if you can make it, or whether you’re a swimmer who is there to try to swim fast and maybe compete to win it. Either one is going to get the same experience, the same benefits from the event.

“I swim well enough to generally be one of the first few summers finishing but I’m standing there at the water’s edge cheering on and helping every swimmer I can come in. And pretty much everyone is doing that.”

More than the camaraderie, Smallwood appreciates the connections he’s made to both Bowen and its residents.

“One can go to any given event, you can compete, and the memory of that might last a few days, a few weeks.

But when you can go someplace, meet people, and make friends. Friends can last forever. “[From Bowen] you get something that can last your whole life as opposed to a t-shirt or a medal that might sit in a drawer or a box and never be seen again.”

Compared to other races, SwimBowen is a small event but as Smallwood points out it is attracting people from other countries. “I think it’s would be worthwhile for anyone on Bowen Island if they had the morning or afternoon

LIGHT

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Brian Smallwood, 65, (left) lives in California but competes in races all over the world. These races have included Ironman competitions, Ultraman competitions and marathons. Brian is returning to SwimBowen this summer for his (and the race’s) third year. He says he’ll return as long as the race is offered.

free to come by and take in the event. When you have 100 people all trying to encourage each other to complete this thing, it’s very contagious.”

“It would also be equally enjoyable if you were there just to watch the race. You can watch an ice hockey, football, basketball, or soccer game on television––you don’t get anywhere near the enjoyment out of it as coming down and watching an event like this,” he aid. “It’s like being able to have front row seats and sitting with the athletes in a competitive event. And you go do that right on Bowen Island.”

Does Smallwood have any advice for those who might be thinking of participating? “If someone’s thinking about participating they should get water safe. If they feel they can safely and comfortably swim for 20 minutes they can do the short course.”

Oh yeah, did we mention, Smallwood just turned 65.

“There is no better health insurance, anywhere, anyhow,” he said. “The best health insurance anyone can have is staying active. That doesn’t mean having to be the fastest or the strongest. It just means use your body. Get out and do something. Go for a walk, hike. Swimming is a fantastic exercise.

The next SwimBowen 2020 is July 18. Registration opens April 1.

Do you have an idea to bring people on Bowen together?

Small Grants. Beautiful Ideas. $50 to $500 grants to bring your local project to life.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS APRIL 6 INFORMATION & APPLICATION: bowenfoundation.com/neighbourhood-small-grants

Music by Brian Hoover Tickets $20 at Phoenix or at the door A benefit concert for the Bowen Island Food Bank

Have any questions? Contact Lisa at the Bowen Island Community Foundation: lisa.wrinch@bowenfoundation.com

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2020 • 13

Muni Morsels: water protection, signage and more

More before, after school care spaces needed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In the online survey, 87.2 per cent of respondents said that Bowen residents don’t have adequate childcare supply. Also of note, 87.5 per cent of respondents said that they are “very” or “somewhat” satisfied with their own childcare arrangements.

Short-term recommendations in the report include: creating a before school program, identifying funding for more childcare spaces at BCC, more occasional childcare hours, creating a centralized childcare waitlist for Bowen Island families, having the Early Childhood Development Table report to council quarterly and building local awareness of child-

they were satisfied with the environmental assessment’s assurances that this amendment wouldn’t affect the lake’s water quality. Coun. Alison Morse asked after restricting fertilizers in the landscaping but appeared satisfied that the property came under WASP. The covenant amendment passed four to three––Fast, Hocking and Wynen against.

When the Bowen Queen ferry is retired, BIM wants a keepsake. Council voted to send a letter to BC Ferries asking that the commemorative plaque presented to the ferry by the Bowen Island Property Owners Association when the boat was the island’s main ferry be donated to the B.I. Museum and Archives.

But that’s not to say BIM isn’t without ferry complaints, council also voted to send a letter to BC Ferries asking that it review the process for getting a medically assured loading permit as apparently BIM received a “high volume” of requests during the refit period.

Bowen Island Conservancy sent a letter to the municipality asking after the “Welcome to Bowen Island, an Island within the Islands Trust” sign that once welcomed ferry passengers arriving to the island.

Corporate officer Hope Dallas told council that after some digging, she discovered that the sign was taken down for repair, was found to be too far gone and was likely disposed of. She said that the issue is on the Islands Trust radar and they say there’s money in their budget for a new sign this year.

Patient of the Week MEET BOWIE No, this is not a stuffed animal!

Bowie made a visit to Bowen Vet to get his annual check-up and vaccines. Because he had a minor reaction to vaccines in the past, he is given some good old fashioned Benadryl to ward of any possibilities of a reaction.

The likelihood of reactions to vaccines in animals, similar to humans, is very rare.

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

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

COLLECTIVELY CREATED BY JEN ZDRIL AND THE ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL PLAYERS care facility needs.

In the mid-term: creating a designated space for before-school and after-school care, building a new infant-toddler wing at BCC and reassessing on-island childcare needs when the next census comes out.

In the long-term the report suggests that BIM consider childcare space creation in future community planning and development.

Manager of Recreation and Community Services Shauna Jennings clarified that the drivers behind completing the recommendations will frequently be organizations themselves.

Jennings and BCC’s executive director Ann Silberman both noted how their organizations’ respective childcare initiatives have outgrown their spaces (notably After School Club and playcare), particularly when held in widely used multipurpose rooms.

Councillors unanimously voted to endorse the action plan and consider its recommendations in future planning.

CELEBRATING YEARS

The following are briefs from the Feb. 24 council meeting: Council voted to reduce the coverage of a wetland preservation covenant on a Josephine Lake lot.

A staff report from BIM community planner Emma Chow said that the original intent of the covenant was to protect the lake’s water quality and the natural state of the covenant area and that an environmental assessment showed that this covenant reduction would have no detrimental impact on these counts.

Chow’s report said that the covenant was reduced from .518 ha to .353 ha in 2011 and this reduction brings it down to .217 ha. She said that the reason given for the covenant amendment was to allow for landscaping work around the wetland.

The entire property is, however, also in the Watershed, Aquifer & Stream Protection (WASP) Development Permit Area so any development on the land will require a development permit.

The topic was controversial among councillors.

Coun. Sue Ellen Fast said noted that Josephine Lake was a reservoir for the Cowan Pt. area and that in coming expectedly drier years it could be necessary to raise the level of the lake, which could change the area’s hydrological landscape.

She urged a precautionary approach.

Coun. David Hocking echoed Fast’s sentiments, noting that he finds it hard to believe that there’s no connection between the lake and wetland. Coun. Rob Wynen said he worried about setting a precedent as many of the properties around the lake have similar covenants.

Mayor Gary Ander and Coun. Michael Kaile on the other hand indicated that

Tell your friends it's spooky here!

CATES HILL CHAPEL BOWEN ISLAND THURSDAY, MARCH 12 FRIDAY, MARCH 13 6:30 PM

PHOTO COURTESY OF IPS

Island Pacific School students and staff don pink shirts for anti-bullying day Wednesday.

OR TICKETS $15 AT IPS, PHOENIX, AND AT THE DOOR FREE SHUT TTLE BUS FROM SNUG COVE AT 6:15PM AND RETURN AT 8:15PM

Presented by Island Paccific School on Bowen Island | ISLANDPACIFIC.ORG

14 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27. 2020

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Bowen Island Community

MARKETPLACE Call to place your ad at

604-630-3300

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

HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT

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

SPROTTSHAW.COM

SUDOKU

BC WIDE CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

ATTENTION

INVENTORS! Ideas wanted!

Call Davison today!

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

LEGAL SERVICES 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

ACIDIC AERATION ALKALINE AMENDMENT CLIPPINGS CLOVER CLUMPING COMPACTED

CULTIVAR DISEASES GRASS GREEN GROWTH MOISTURE MOW NUTRIENTS

PESTS PLANT RUNNERS SOIL SPREADER THATCH TOOLS VARIETY

ANSWERS

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 Family Dentist

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

NexGen Hearing

BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755 At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597

ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT

MARY MCDONAGH

604-338-5001

HARMONY SHIRE RMT

❦

778-891-0370

Registered Acupuncturist, Homeopath, Doula

RMT, DCH Registered Massage Therapist

Mary Coleman, MSW, RSW

SANDY LOGAN

Julie Hughes, RPC

❦

Registered Physiotherapist

❦

HEIDI MATHER

Registered Acupuncturist Registered Nutritionist Book online bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca

INHABIT SOMATIC CENTRE

FREE

RMT

www.bowenislanddental.com

Dr. Alea Bell, ND

BOWEN ISLAND

Courtney Morris, R.Ac

Alternate Fridays 10am - 4:30pm

On Bowen Island @ Caring Circle West Vancouver

MASSAGE THERAPY

Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist

Massage Therapy Matthew van der Giessen

Horseshoe Bay 604-921-8522

Online Booking: www.birchwellness.com

MARY MCDONAGH RMT

604-281-3691

Hearing Testing

Online booking at bowenislandmassagetherapy.ca

Naturopathic Doctor

CATHERINE SHAW

Artisan Square 604-947-0734

Call us at

Located in Artisan Square

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

Breathe Move Touch

Compassion minded counselling

778-233-4425 Counselling

778-858-2669

KIM HOWDEN RMT

604-947-9755 EXT #1 @ Artisan Square

Diana Romer, RCC Youth, Adults and Couples Counselling www.clearhorizon.ca | 604 290 6407 dromer.therapy@gmail.com 569B Artisan Lane on Bowen Is.

Psychologist Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484

604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com

Lifelabs

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.

located at Bowen Island Integrated Health #101-495 Bowen Island Trunk Road

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2020 • 15

Singing Back the Light food bank fundraiser returns

You are invited to a benefit concert for the Bowen Island Food Bank on Mar 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tir-na-nOg Theatre on Bowen Island. The concert consists of two sections. The first is a reading from my recently published book Tales from the Heart read by master storyteller Alison Nixon.

The story is interspersed with original music written to reflect the meaning and mood of the story.

Last year we had a full choir but this time around we have a vocal quartet and soprano soloist plus flute, guitar and bass to provide the accompani-

ment. The second half of the concert is a musical setting of twelve meditations I have written on the basic goodness of humankind. The first half of the concert has a dark theme of the irrepressible folly of humans and the second half looks at the essential goodness of people so the evening progresses from from dark to light hence the title: Singing Back the Light. Tickets are $20 and available at Phoenix and just a reminder that last year’s performance sold out so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. ––Brian Hoover

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

Brian Hoover and his wife Shasta Martinuk at a rehearsal for last year’s Singing Back the Light. Both are once again playing in this year’s iteration.

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16 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27. 2020

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY FEB 27

Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 pm Info call Pat at 778-288-7090

Rotary Talk: Kim Hauner on Housing and Transportation in the Future at BIYC Collins Hall 7:30 pm

FRIDAY FEB 28

Storytime Storytime at the Library! 10:30 am on Fridays, join this free program for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Hamlet Cates Hill Chapel 7:15 pm Bard on the Rock presents the story of everyone’s favourite prince of Denmark. Tix. $25 at the Pharmacy

Legion Dinner Bowen Island Legion Doors at 5:30 Dinner at 6:30pm Your choice Halibut or Lamb Stew with bangers and mash, Sticky Toffee pudding and custard. Members and guests welcome.

Bob Doucet: Friday Live at the Pub Bowen Pub 7-9 p.m. No cover

SATURDAY FEB 29

The Earth Child Collection: reception with photo journalist, Cindy May Catching Stars Gallery 1- 3 pm Join Cindy May as she shares her photojournalistic collection from world travels.

Show runs Feb 20 -29 Mini Gala 2020 and live Art Auction Gallery at Cove Commons 6:30- 9:30 Live Art Auction and the gala of the year, dress as your favourite artist or work of art. Prizes for best costume! Tickets $20 at the gallery or online at https:// bowen-arts-council.square. site/mini-gala-tickets Straight Up Seven Hills BI Legion 8 pm Big Leap Day gig! Tickets $10 at the door only

VISIT US

MATTERS

ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL

7:15 pm Bard on the Rock presents the story of everyone’s favourite prince of Denmark. Tix. $25 at the Pharmacy

CELEBRATING YEARS

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Hamlet Cates Hill Chapel

islandpacific.org

Bowen Island Community Choir Presents

DEPARTS SUN to THURS FRI & SAT SNUG COVE 11:15PM 12:15AM HORSESHOE BAY 11:30PM 12:30AM

Scheduled Afternoon Commuter Runs Mon - Fri Horseshoe Bay - Snug Cove

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MONDAY MARCH 2

Introduction to Tao Hands The Well on Bowen 589 Artisan Lane 5-6 pm Introduction to Tao Hands with Certified MasterTeacher of Tao Academy, Nancy Kyle.

All are welcome. By donation.

For more info contact Nancy at 604-312-1661

MONDAY MARCH 9

Seniors Keeping Young 1070 Miller Rd. 9 a.m. exercises, 10 a.m. Guest Speaker: Nutritionist, Natasha Va, 11:15 am Yoga

TUESDAY MARCH 3

Bowen Island AA Collins Hall 7:15 pm

TUESDAY MARCH 10

THURSDAY MARCH 5

Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 pm Info call Pat at 778-288-7090

FRIDAY MARCH 6

Friday Night Live at the Pub 7- 10 pm Dinner specials and no cover

SATURDAY MARCH 7

Bowen Island Community Choir: Coffee House Cates Hill Chapel 7 pm The BI Choir Coffee House returns with “2020 Vision”, brings singers, songwriters, musicians and poets together to share dreams, intuition, global perspectives, love and reflection. Tickets are $15 at the door.

SUNDAY MARCH 8

Impromtu: Jude Neale Collins Hall 4 - 5:30 pm Join Jude in celebrating her latest collection of poems. Free admission. Refreshments served. “.. a set of poems that pleases the spirit an prompts the questioning of the imagination.” Nick Bantock

Bowen Island AA Collins Hall 7:15 pm

SATURDAY MARCH 14

Singing Back the Light Tir-na-nOg Theatre 7:30 pm Special guest, Alison Nixon reads Brian Hoover’s, Tales of the Heart, . Followed by a vocal quartet with musical accompaniment of Brian’s meditations of Singing Back the Light : “on the basic goodness of humankind” Tickets at the Phoenix and the door $20. Don’t miss out, last year it sold out.

Do you have submissions for the community calendar? Email ads@ bowenislandundercurrent. com with the date, time, location and a short description.

Thank you!

Catching Stars Gallery presents

Local Performing Artists Share Their Take on

by

Vision ... Dreams ... Intuition ... Global Perspectives Love & Reflection

COFFEE

March 7 7:00 p.m.

Chapel te a C s Hill

V I S I O N

Cindy May Photography You are invited to our reception: Saturday, February 29, 2020 1-3 pm

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Outdoor Meditation Circle Meet at the picnic tables at the entrance to Crippen Park 11 am. No cost. More info at lisa.shatzky@gmail.com

The Earth Child Collection

Telephone: 604-947-2243 Cellular: 604-250-2630

PRIVATE CHARTERS AVAILABLE ANYTIME

SUNDAY MARCH 1

Outdoor Meditation Circle Meet at the picnic tables at the entrance to Crippen Park 11 am. No cost. More info at lisa.shatzky@gmail.com

SINGERS SONGWRIT ITERS T MUSICIANS POET ETS T

Join Cindy May as she shares her photojournalistic collection from world travels.

catchingstarsgallery.com Unit 1-479 Bowen Island Trunk Rd - Bowen Island, BC