Bowen Island Undercurrent April 2 2020

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STAY APART BUT STAY CONNECTED: “No one is immune to this virus, but everybody can make a difference.” –Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer

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KEEP UP TO DATE

VOL. 46, NO. 14

BIUndercurrent

COVID information and stories change hour by hour, keep checking our website for the latest

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

BIM hires new CAO LIAM EDWARDS IS TO START AT BIM MAY 26

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

ESSENTIAL WORKERS: Jerica Dempsey, Elaine Loree, Catherine Epps, Abbey Schamber and Carmen Lane are among those keeping Cates

Pharmacy going during the pandemic. The shop is open for all its usual products but only one person is allowed into the store at once and a staff member fetches products for customers. Send in prescription requests via phone, email or fax. See more about essential services: bowenislandundercurrent.com/ news/what-s-closed-and-what-s-open-how-businesses-and-organizations-are-adapting-to-covid-19-1.24103421.

Generosity reigns on Bowen Island

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Twenty Bowen Island households got a very special delivery Saturday evening.

After recently selling quite a few apple trees grafted from their orchard, Christine Hardie and Rob Purdy decided to donate some of the money back to the island.

“We wanted to do something that was more unexpected,” said Purdy. “And that would help a few people out.”

So they got in touch with Renee Turner and Zac Bligh, owners of Tell Your Friends Café, which is currently closed due to COVID-19. “[They] asked us if we wanted to produce $1,000 worth of food for people,” explains Bligh.

Bligh and Turner came up with the idea of

asking islanders nominate other people they thought were deserving of baskets of food.

“We just got sort of inundated with nominations,” says Bligh. They wound up with 19 deserving islanders and the 20th basket went to Purdy and Hardie for their gift to the community.

Bligh and Turner spent all day Saturday cooking and it was 7:30 p.m. in the evening and nearly dark by the time they got in their cars, Turner delivering to one half of the deliveries, Bligh the other. (You can imagine trying to make deliveries in the dark on Bowen.)

“We ended up just catching people by surprise a little bit or just like a cute moment in their night,” said Bligh.

While the couple had asked that nominators tell the nominees that this was happening, it

appears that hadn’t always happened. “Some people, it sounded like they didn’t know that [they] had been nominated and they were totally caught off guard,” said Bligh. He’d tell these islanders, “Someone’s out there thinking of you and we’ve got this package full of food for you.”

Some of the baskets recipients were folks who’ve emerged as leaders in the pandemic: Nancy Lee of Snug Cove General Store, municipal councillor Maureen Nicholson, and Candice and Miguel Kabantsov of Copper Spirit Distillery. “Everyone was so humble and modest and saying, you know, other people deserve it,” says Bligh.

Other deserving folks were those who have come upon more difficult times because of the pandemic. “I know we hit a few people who really were in need of this, says Bligh.

While COVID may be top of islanders’ minds, Bowen Island Municipality (BIM) has still needed to fill a couple of its top jobs. The positions of chief administrative officer and fire chief have been vacant since January but at least one is now filled.

Liam Edwards is to start as BIM’s CAO on May 26, BIM announced in a press release last week.

The CAOis the top bureaucrat in the municipality. The CAO “leads, co-ordinates and supports the strategic direction of the municipality to ensure the municipality is accomplishing council’s vision, plan and priorities and the goals of the community,” reads an excerpt from the five-year financial plan.

Edwards is currently deputy inspector of municipalities and executive director of infrastructure and finance in the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

“His experience in overseeing major capital projects around the province will serve the Bowen Island Municipality well as there are a number of major capital projects that are ready to launch,” read the press release.

“Liam’s innovative, collaborative and integrity-based leadership style will be very helpful in finding solutions to some of the municipality’s more challenging issues,” said Mayor Gary Ander in the press release.

Dennis Back, BIM’s interim CAO who took over from former CAO Kathy Lalonde late last year, will continue in his role until the transition is made.

Bowen PuB

Bulk Food Buying Program.

email glenn@bowenpub.com for details or like and follow us on Facebook.

2 • THURSDAY APRIL 2. 2020

Event Calendar April 14, 2020 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting

As Municipal Hall is closed to the public, we can only accept public comments in written submissions. www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/ council-meetings

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Seeking Public Comment

Seeking Public Comment

Council will be considering the following applicatio :

Council will be considering the following applications

TUP-02-2019 (1034 Miller Road)

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

Regular Council meeting Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 6:15 pm

Regular Council meeting Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 6:15 pm

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A Temporary Use Permit application has been submitted for 1034 Miller Road (shown on map) to allow for office use.

The existing insurance offices on the premises have been onsite as a home occupation and are now seeking to continue onsite as a general services use.

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.

Council consideration on these applications has been deferred until 6:15PM, Tuesday April 14th, 2020.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE:

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME: Written submissions on these applications may be delivered to Municipal Hall (contact information below): • By mail 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2 • By fax 604-947-0193 • By email to bim@bimbc.ca While Municipal staff are working on technological options for public comment, it will likely not be possible for in person comments to be made at the meeting. All comments should be submitted in writing no later than 3:30PM on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020. To ensure a fair process, submissions cannot be accepted once the meeting has ended.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Rae Pierce, Planner 1, by email at jpierce@bimbc.ca

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE:

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Municipal Hall is currently and will be closed to the public. The Council Meeting will take place virtually. The online meeting platform may change as municipal staff look into the best ways to keep Council meetings open and accessible to the public. Given the online setting, submissions will only be accepted in writing and must be made no later than 3:30PM on Tuesday April 14th, 2020.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME: Written submissions on these applications may be delivered to Municipal Hall (contact information below): • By mail 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2 • By fax 604-947-0193 • By email to bim@bimbc.ca While Municipal staff are working on technological options for public comment, it will likely not be possible for in person comments to be made at the meeting. All comments should be submitted in writing no later than 3:30PM on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020. To ensure a fair process, submissions cannot be accepted once the meeting has ended.

Questions? Contact Daniel Martin, Manager of Planning and Development Services, by email at 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

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UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Municipal Hall is currently and will be closed to the public. The Council Meeting will take place virtually. The online meeting platform may change as municipal staff look into the best ways to keep Council meetings open and accessible to the public. Given the online setting, submissions will only be accepted in writing and must be made no later than 3:30PM on Tuesday April 14th, 2020.

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ISLAND NEWS

Long-time Queen of Cap deckhand retires FOR 25 YEARS, BLAINE ARMOUR’S BEEN A CONSTANT ON THE BOWEN RUN BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Though much has changed for Bowen Island in the past 25 years, islanders could count on Blaine Armour as a deckhand on the Queen of Capilano. But no more. Armour retired this week, making his final Queen of Capilano crossing March 29.

Armour started with BC Ferries in 1989.

“I grew up in Horseshoe Bay,” says Armour. “When I was in elementary school, I always watched the ferries and I thought wow, that’d be neat to try it out.”

After moving away for some time and then returning to Horseshoe Bay and working at Trolls for a few years, he started with BC Ferries.

“I turned 25 and kind of put the beer down, decided this is what I want to do,” said Armour.

He worked in the catering department waiting tables, in the galley, as a cleaner and then got his tickets and switched over to the deck department.

Armour met his wife while they were working on the Queen of Oak Bay and they both went on to work on the Queen of Capilano, Armour starting on the ship in 1995.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLAINE ARMOUR

Blaine Armour’s last day on the Queen of Capilano after 25 years working the Bowen route, was March 29.

“We always worked opposite shifts and I never needed a babysitter,” said Armour. “So it just sort of worked out.”

Over the past 25 years, Armour

has seen a lot.

“I’ve seen a lot of people, seen a couple of generations of kids grow up,” he said. “Really interesting to watch from a distance.

“I was the trainer on board so I’ve trained a lot of the deckhands that are there.

“I know the ship better than a lot of the captains,” he laughs.

He says that while he’ll miss steering the ship (when the deckhands are on the bridge they’re considered quarter masters and part of that job is steering the ship), he won’t miss the early mornings.

“I’m not a morning person, even though I’ve come in thousands of times,” he said.

“There’s something about getting up at 3:25 a.m., just doesn’t quite work.”

“It’s kind of kind of bittersweet, but I am the longest serving employee on that ship,” he says. “No one else can even come close to how many years I’ve been on there.”

“I just appreciated talking to everybody, you know, as they go across, as part of my life,” he says.

“Oh, now I’m getting teary eyed.

Armour says that he and his wife will stick around Vancouver for a few more years and then possibly head up to the Okanagan.

All open burning prohibited

THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2020 • 3

Food bank format changes BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bowen’s food bank is still open but operating under a new format.

As of April 1, food bank volunteers will pack bags and give them out twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, to people who have registered said Rev. Lorraine Ashdown of Bowen Island United Church (where the foodbank is housed) on Facebook.

“Please list your name, phone number and the number in your family. You can then slide this under the door of the church which will assure confidentiality,” wrote Ashdown. “Alternatively you can email your information – name, phone number and number in your family to bowenislandunitedchurch@gmail.com or in an emergency phone Sue [Clarke] at 604 947 2364.

“We want to assure that there will be strict confidentiality so please do not hesitate to register; we want to help,” said Ashdown. “We know this is inconvenient and not the way things have been done on Bowen but we all need to do our part to contain and eradicate COVID 19.

“The food bank has been very thankful for your food donations in the past, unfortunately food can no longer be accepted. We are very grateful for monetary donations which can be sent by e-transfer to msmccall@telus.net.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

Cancer Care Fund is here to help If you’re a Bowen resident in active cancer treatment in need of financial assistance, the Cancer Care Fund is here to help! The funds are generated annually at the SwimBowen open water swim. The application requires only your contact details, level of support requested, and a signature and stamp from your doctor or medical practitioner verifying you are currently receiving treatment. The gifts range from $1,000 to $1,500 depending on your level of treatment. Applications are on our website: swimbowen.com, email us at swimbowenbursary@ gmail.com, or call me at 604 947-9601 to have an application mailed to you, and if you like – an encouraging chat. ––Mary Letson, SwimBowen

STOP

COVID-19

Bowen Island Municipality requests that everyone follow the direction of public health officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

• Stay home, as much as possible.

All open burning is prohibited until further notice.

Campfires are permitted under strict conditions. Read more:

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/fire-danger

Municipal water main flushing As part of its regular water system maintenance program, water main flushing is in progress until May 31, 2020. This procedure does not pose a health hazard and is necessary to remove sediment that gradually deposits in the pipes. Flushing takes place Mon - Fri between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. For daily updates check: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/alerts

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

2 m or 6 feet

• Wash your hands, cover a cough or sneeze, avoid touching your face.

• If you are sick, you must stay home.

• Avoid all non-essential travel such as for tourism or recreation.

Check our website for updates: bowenislandmunicipality.ca/eoc

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The province has banned all open burns to protect community members who may have breathing difficulties during the COVID-19 outbreak.

• If you do go out, maintain physical distancing. Keep at least two metres between you and other members of the public.

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4 • THURSDAY APRIL 2. 2020

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VIEWPOINT Correction: Nancy Lee at

Snug Cove General Store’s email address is scgs@telus.net. It was written out incorrectly in last week’s paper.

POEM

Safe

This is in response to people picking and dropping off groceries for me, providing us with hand sanitizer and all the calls.

We are both fine (I have COPD) but are staying very much under the radar.

Thank you Bowen for showing your caring in so many ways.

—Jude Neale

Safe

With much gratitude to the people of Bowen Island Emptied out of everything Frivolous or non essential I am an oak cask Of in held breath Just staying safe For I’m in that demographic With the weakness in my chest And my children daily chanting My obvious risk of demise So I’m playing It safe but smiling less Yes I’m safe as I can bloody be Stocked up months ago Always lived with disaster On the tip of my tongue But I’m safe Isn’t that what’s it about I am sustained by those Braver than me I’m so full of grateful That I can keep safe In my home in a forest On a rocky island In the Coast Salish Sea I didn’t know until now How much blue lipped Protection would cost Lost in this labyrinth Of tight breathless fear I am safe

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thank you to Bowen Island’s first responders

Thank you’s to front-line and essential service workers

DEAR EDITOR: I want to send my thanks out to both the Bowen Island Volunteer Fire Department and the B.C. Ambulance Paramedics. It is very hard to describe the feeling of having to call 911 and then wait, stressed, for someone to come to the rescue of someone you love. It is incredibly reassuring to personally know every person who walks through the door, and feel confident in their care for a family member. Some of these firefighters and paramedics grew up with my kids, some are older and are parents of kids I saw grow up, others may live close to my neighbourhood; all are competent, strong, caring individuals there to help deal with the crisis at hand.

Bowen Island is very lucky to have such a professional, well trained group of locals to step up and risk their physical and emotional well being to help us Bowen Islanders when we need it!

Heartfelt thanks from the Frost family, Frances, Max, Patrick, Devin, Jamie

We put a call out on Facebook for thank-yous or notes to front-line and essential service workers. We’ll continue publishing notes so if there are people you think of and would like to recognize in the paper, email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

A massive love filled thanks to Andy Behm for being a brave, selfless, and committed firefighter and first responder, father, and husband. We love and appreciate everything you do!

—Becca Behm

Ed Wachtman and Jennifer McGowan for tons of work for this and any emergency mostly behind the scenes.

—Judi Gedye I know I will be only one voice in a chorus here, but I’d specifically like to thank Nancy and Brian at the General Store for going above and beyond to keep us fed during our quarantine. And thanks to you and the Undercurrent for keeping us all informed!

—Shasta Martinuk

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.

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EDITOR BronwynBeairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

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2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

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y APRIL 2, 2020 • 5 THURSDAY

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What do‘Temporary Use Permits’mean for Bowen?

DEAR EDITOR: While Evergreen Hall seems to some to be an ideal spot for a distributed learning school, further information may lead one to a different conclusion. Zoning is the essence of the issue.

Bowen’s Official Community Plan (mandatory under the Local Government Act) and zoning bylaws, put in place by community engagement and previous councils to avoid situations of incompatible uses side by side, do not allow for school use of residences in Deep Bay, zoned SR2, the most common zoning on Bowen Island. Hence the application for a “Temporary Use Permit,” to avoid a longer rezoning process requiring public hearings in the presence of council, that has been deferred in a four-to-three vote to the April 14 meeting. This is more than a Deep Bay issue. Any Bowen property owner, or lessee, can apply for and be issued a TUP by BIM through a four-to-three vote of council. Indeed, Evergreen TUP could be the third issued by BIM since 2017. The first is the classic car show and the second is the cannabis store.

The first meets the requirement of being “seasonal,” and the second meets the requirement of not “creating an unacceptable negative impact upon … the character of the neighbourhood” and had no opposition. The TUP for Evergreen meets neither requirement.

With a three-year time line, and the option to renew for another three years, without public meetings, to be voted on by the next elected council, it does not meet the requirement for temporary, especially in the face of the opposition to the proposal. One councillor suggested making a rezoning application a condition of issuing this TUP, however committing a future council to decisions is not allowed under the LGA which regulates municipal councils.

So at issue is the precedent BIM will set by issuing a TUP, and DVP for reduction of parking requirements from 32 to six, in this situation. Council has a moral, if not legal, duty to protect the rights of opposed property owners over the interests of the applicant. Petitions of opposition from 34 residents of Melmore Rd., 10 residents of Senator Rd., and seven residents of Lenora Rd. directly affected by the proposed change of use in regard to traffic, parking, disturbance of quiet, and property values was presented to council. As well there were 29 letters of opposition and 19 in support written to council by Deep Bay neighbourhood residents. We have been told by the planner and Mayor that households within 100 m will have more influence on the decision, yet at least two councillors do not agree. One councillor sympathized with residents living within eight metres of Evergreen, but stated that the applicant has the stronger case to change the use. Another thinks, that under the current OCP, close-by neighbours do not have weighted consideration in the decision. Would 30 people with a minimum of six cars occupying Evergreen have no negative impact on the neighbours as far as disturbance or the neighbourhood character? How adding 120, or more, site visits to the neighbourhood a week could not have an effect is questionable.

None of the residents who are opposed to the change of use ever considered they would be faced with defending their rights to dmaintain the current residential nature of the neighbourhood and gundisturbed use of their properties. Deep Bay neighbourhood has been divided and this division may only get worse if the TUP is mgranted, especially if the applicant is self-monitoring and self-reporting. This TUP/DVP decision will have lasting ramifications yfor Bowen Island. The planner report states the OCP does not provide “what the threshold is for creating an unacceptable negative eimpact on the character of the neighbourhood.” Ask yourself, what TUP will be issued in my neighbourhood or backyard in the kfuture? Ask, what worth are our existing bylaws if they can be overgridden with such ease in such short timelines?

—Jane Skipsey and Richard Helm k

Issuing Evergreen HallTUP would set a precedent

DEAR EDITOR: I am a long-time Lenora Road resident of Deep Bay and I am against allowing the Island Discovery Learning Community (IDLC) to use the Evergreen Hall to conduct its classes.

Deep Bay is a well established SR2 zoned residential neighbourhood with a single entry / exit road access. It is a quiet neighbourhood, though Melmore Road is used by pedestrians to get to and from the ferry, and recently we are finding more islanders heading into town are parking their vehicles on Melmore Road at the top of the causeway trail. The road is not conducive to parked vehicles, and furthermore due to having been repaved, it is now conducive to people driving fast, and they do. Residents on Melmore have to back their vehicles out of their driveways and the increase in either pedestrian or vehicular traffic by those attending the IDLC is a safety concern for all involved. Can BIM enforce that IDLC parents do not drive their kids to and from the school, rather park at the Catholic Church and walk their kids as IDLC proposes to require of parents?

Also, the residents in the area, and particularly those residing next to Evergreen Hall, purchased their properties in a well established residential neighbourhood without having to consider that a school was next door or in the neighbourhood, a factor which may have influenced their having bought, or not, the property at that time. A school is usually located on a property with sufficient land area around it to serve as playground, and with a buffer zone, usually vegetated, so adjoining residents are not subjected to the activities, noise, building lights and sounds, and coming and going of people and vehicles. The Evergreen Hall property does not have the area around it nor any buf-

fer zone such that the adjoining neighbours would not be affected when they are in their yards gardening or relaxing.

Also, some of the adjoining neighbours have B & B operations and promote the peace and quiet of their location.

The character of the neighbourhood would not be the same for residents or visitors.

A main concern with the application proposal by IDLC to the Municipality is the process, specifically as it applies to their request for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP), for a property that is zoned SR2 and will be used as zoned institutional. First of all, a TUP to me should be issued for an event (not for daily use for five days a week), and definitely not for institutional use for a term of three years (nothing “temporary” about that), and with the possibility of a one-time renewal after the first three-year period. The issuance of a TUP would be circumventing the due process as regards the rezoning bylaw, and would be setting a precedent should other residents of Deep Bay, or other Bowen Island neighbourhoods, be considering developing or changing the use of their property. Having had permission to use the property for an institution, the intentions of the property owner for the use of the property, if and when IDLC leaves, are not known. It would seem to me that there are other, appropriately zoned, locations on Bowen where the “school” could be located.

I am opposed to the institutional use of Evergreen Hall in the residential neighbourhood of Deep Bay, which use is not allowed by the OCP nor the zoning bylaws in a SR2 residential neighbourhood. The TUP application, rather than a rezoning process, is not appropriate, and if issued by BIM, will set a precedent.

—Moira S. Greaven

Proceeding withTUP isn’t being a good neighbour DEAR EDITOR: “What would good neighbours do?”

I write this as someone who has two grandchildren in an IDLC program in the city and see in those grandchildren the value of a Distance Learning Program. I am also writing as one of the 34 residents and 29 letter writers expressing opposition to approving TUP 02-2020 and DPV for parking reduction allowing IDLC to operate a “home school” at Evergreen Hall.

This has been an emotional, galvanizing and divisive experience for Deep Bay. It has also confirmed to me the sense of mutual respect and desire to not let this issue continue to divide us as neighbours and friends.

There are procedural, legal, Official Community Plan related, structural, monitoring and mitigating issues that have been discussed elsewhere in these pages and within the walls of our homes and Municipal Hall (back when you could go to Municipal Hall!). One issue that is not at in question is the educational value and community asset IDLC represents and the well-meaning people behind its operations. Indeed, two of the proponents approached my wife and me at the Pub (back when you could go to the Pub!) after the council meeting that deferred a decision by a fourthree vote. Four of us live in Deep Bay, two of us opposed two of us in favour. We respectfully listened to each other, came to an understanding that our positions where reasonable but minds were not going to change. We then agreed

on a deep wish that this issue would not continue to divide us and regretted council did not make a decision that would allow us to move forward and heal. More time will not and has not changed anyone’s minds.

IDLC asked the question “can we be your neighbour?” 34 per cent of Deep Bay respectfully said no. The percentage is well over 50 per cent when those closest to and most impacted by the proposal are considered. The good people of IDLC will find a way to continue to offer their unique education experience in a more appropriate and welcoming location. It is important to understand declining the TUP will not be the end of IDLC as has been rumoured.

When asking to come to Deep Bay, IDLC expressed the desire and promised to be good neighbours. I am hopeful there are enough of those good neighbours in IDLC’s ranks that upon hearing the community’s response and respecting their fellow neighbours wishes, will do the right thing.

If IDLC truly wants to be that “good neighbour” they aspire too, they should gracefully accept the voice of the community and withdraw the TUP application and begin looking at the alternatives in appropriately zoned, welcoming locations that exist elsewhere on Bowen. Good neighbours should not want to let a process that continues to sew animosity, suspicion, resentment and division to continue.

If they choose not to, council must turn down the TUP and the parking DPV and allow the healing to begin.

—Greg Bosworth

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COVID-19 and pets: Q&A with Bowen Vet’s Dr. Midge Virtual town

DR. MIDGE RITCHIE ANSWERS COVID CONCERNS AND GIVES A BOWEN VET SERVICES UPDATE What’s the most common concern you’re hearing from pet owners about COVID-19?

I think the biggest concern from pet owners world-wide is if their pet can become infected with COVID-19 and everything we know as of right now is that there is very little evidence that animals can become infected from an owner who is positive and there is absolutely no evidence of pets infecting a human. It is important to remember that pets can carry the virus on their fur, acting as a “fomite” similar to a pen or other object so infected owners should limit their contact with their pets.

What do pet owners need to be worried about?

Other than the information above, I feel that pet owners should be aware of the type of cleaning products they may be using in their household.

Ingestion of disinfecting products that contain sodium hydrochlorite (bleach) or phenolic (ie Lysol) can be toxic. Your pet may not drink these directly but if they walk on a wet surface that has been cleaned with one of these products and then groom themselves it can cause the toxicity.

What don’t they need to be worried about?

They do not need to be worried about catching COVID-19 from their pet.

What extra measures are in place at Bowen

on Bowen

Veterinary Services to respond to COVID-19?

We are following the CVMA and CVBC recommendations that have been set last week. As we are considered an essential service we are doing whatever we can to provide care for the pets of Bowen Island in the safest manner possible. (Here is a copy of the statement we put out at the end of last week.

COVID-19 Bowen Vet Services Update for March 26 Bowen Veterinary Services remains open but has taken extra precautions to limit human contact and protect our clients and our staff. Read these helpful tips below: • Please call ahead to order medications and food and be prepared to pay by credit card over the phone. When you arrive for pick-up, call the receptionist and they will leave your items outside.

• Clients that show up at our door will be screened with three health questions through the clinic window before allowing entry. If you are symptomatic, please send someone in your place • Vet to client communication will take place by phone whenever possible • Appointments will be spaced to allow the staff to perform disinfecting protocols in between patients • Emergencies or cases requiring overnight hospitalization and/or advanced diagnostics will be referred directly to Mountainside Animal Hospital & 24 Hr. Services. (604) 9731247 as Bowen Vet is not licensed to Island provide emergency services after hours.

The following is a list of what services Bowen Vet is or is not performing at this time as dictated by the CVBC (College of Veterinarians of British Columbia) and the CVMA (Canadian Veterinary

Medicine Association): • Wellness visits are postponed until further notice.

• Rabies vaccines will only be given in a puppy or kitten series and the first booster (at approximately 16-months of age). All animals who have had multiple rabies vaccines will be postponed. We will give any animal with potential exposure to rabies a booster within seven days of exposure.

• All other vaccine series that have been started will be completed if deemed medically important, such as with puppies and kittens.

• Life-threatening conditions will be managed using social distancing. If you are highrisk please let us know when you make the appointment and we will manage the case accordingly.

• Management of painful conditions will be managed with telemedicine (phone or email). We will determine if an in-person exam is necessary. Please note that there will be a charge for telemedicine consults.

• Management of chronic conditions will also be managed via telemedicine.

• All elective procedures (such as spays, neuters, dentals and most mass removals, etc.) will be delayed and elective surgeries of painful disorders will only to be done if the pain can’t be managed with analgesics or if the delay of the surgery could lead to a negative outcome. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

• Blood and urine monitoring delayed unless doing so could increase risk of complications. Determined on case-by-case basis.

• Euthanasia’s will proceed with social distancing in place as much as possible to allow pets and their human families to remain connected during this incredibly difficult end-of-life stage.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER.

Patient of the Week CLEO

WATCH BOWFEST FB AND INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS FOR CHALLENGE DETAILS

Cleo visited the clinic with a condition called KCS (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) - also know as dry eye. It is a relatively common disease characterized by chronic inflammation of parts of the eye which has an effect on tear production. Cleo was treated with some eye drops and is doing well.

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

hall offers islanders help coping with COVID19 outbreak STEVE MITCHELL

Bowen Island Foundation

Health

Centre

At 10 a.m. this Saturday, we invite everyone on Bowen to come together online for an island perspective on how to manage the physical, emotional, and financial risks posed by COVID-19.

A multi-disciplinary panel of Bowen professionals in healthcare and other fields have volunteered for the first Bowen Island COVID19 Town Hall – a virtual Q&A forum presented by the Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation.

The panel will answer questions and share the latest information on the pandemic; provide advice on how to stay well - physically and mentally – while in isolation; and give information on the social and financial supports out there and how to access them.

The panel includes Dr. Susanne Schloegl, who will share her perspective as Bowen’s primary care physician; Dr. Lloyd Purdy, a physician who works out of the REACH Community Health Centre in Vancouver; Dr. Gayle Goldstein, a registered psychologist with extensive experience counselling in critical situations; Sandy Logan, a registered physiotherapist with a longstanding practice on Bowen; Rod Marsh, chair of the Bowen Island Community Economic Development Committee, and well-versed in current financial aid programs; and Colleen O’Neill, program director of Bowen’s Caring Circle, dedicated to providing information about access to health and social services.

The Bowen Island COVID19 Town Hall will take place at 10 a.m. this Saturday, April 4.

To join the forum, go to zoom. us/join and enter Meeting ID 635 941-026 (if you don’t already have Zoom on your computer or mobile device, follow the prompts to download the program or app). You can also join by telephone at 778-907-2071 (Meeting ID 635 941 026).

You can email your questions in advance to townhall@ bowenhealthcentre.com or ask them on the Town Hall.

You can also request a direct link to the Town Hall via email at the same address.

We look forward to seeing you this Saturday.

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2020 • 7

SwimBowen race transforms in light of COVID-19, goes virtual MARY LETSON

SwimBowen

The SwimBowen team and I are keenly aware that now more than ever we need positive, healthy goals to buoy our spirits. To this end SwimBowen 2020 will not be cancelled – instead we are going virtual. We have great online tools at our finger tips to ensure our swimmers, friends, family and supporters can virtually create a shared sense of community, ongoing (ocean) training and ultimately a celebration once a participant has completed etheir swim.

How does a virtual swim event work?

Registration will open May 1 to July 31 ewith no restriction on registrants and three ocourses to choose from: 750m, 1500m and a ncustom course (registrant chooses their own odistance). The event will take place between -August 1 and August 31 with registrants choossing the day, time and location to complete their distance within this timeline. When a lswimmer has completed their event, they post ntheir finish time along with a finish line photo ssporting their fetching SwimBowen cap (not emandatory but encouraged) on their page.

Curious? Great! Check out swimbowen.com lfor more details. e I know – it’s not like standing on the beach ewith 100+ people cheering you on, and your fellow swimmers splashing beside you, howrever we are committed to make this happen tfor you all and confident that our event magic ;will shine through. y Why not just cancel? y Positive engagement despite COVID-19 is eour priority. Forging ahead with a virtual devent ensures we connect with our swimmers e

and support your love of ocean swimming, and with our generous donors, volunteers and sponsors who are the backbone of our annual event and the Cancer Care Fund. In true SwimBowen spirit, we are leaning into a grassroots sense of empowerment and community support all wrapped up with a superbly healthy edge.

The Cancer Care Fund For obvious reasons, fundraising will not be a focus this year. Our team is doubling down to ensure that our Cancer Care Fund reaches those that are eligible and in need in our community. Swimmers will still have a fundraising page for those wishing to support the Cancer Care Fund, but SwimBowen will not post a fundraising goal this year. Nor will there be any prizes in the traditional sense of the word as generating our usual amazing lineup of prizes relies on the generosity of community businesses. This is not the time to ask for anything other enthusiasm. That said we are ever so grateful to our 2020 Corporate Sponsors who have jumped in to float SwimBowen despite the financial crisis.

It will be a different SwimBowen magic this year – but magic nonetheless and that’s the most important thing.

UNDERHILL, Beverly

April 24, 1934 - March 15, 2020 Bev Underhill, mother, grandmother, aunt, and educator of many, died with family by her side on Mar 15, 2020 at North Shore Hospice. She is surv rvived v by her children Graham, Geoffrey, and Frances (Frost), son-in-law Max, and seven grandchildren Antonia, An n Patrick, Simon, Devin, Tristan Trr Jamie, Katrina. All were able to say goodbye. We are indebted to the amazing hospice staff who helped us through the last difficult days.

Mum was born in Nanaimo during the Depression years, and headed to Vancouver to finish high school, and on to UBC to pursue a BA in PE. There she met Richard Underhill whom she married in 1954. Extensive travel with Richard, followed by the birth of her 3 children, 2 years spent in Africa, Aff and settling in Vancouver came next. Mum was busy with the Junior League, modelling, competitive tennis, and learning to ski in the early years of Whistler with her family, but she wanted more. She pursued her education, obtaining a MA Ed from WWSC while teaching full time. She was the 2nd female administrator in the VSB, and retired to Bowen Island in 1995 after a long and respected career.

We were all immensely proud of her. Mum was a dog lover, her poodles formed a large part of her life. She also cared deeply for the wildlife and environment of Howe Sound, and the Bowen Community. The Bowen Is. Museum and Archives, PPP tour, and Garden Club fulfilled her volunteer appetite. Above all, Mum’s grandchildren became the most important part of her life. She helped with piano lessons, skiing, swimming, tennis, weekend sleepovers, manners, discipline, and so much more. She was an incredible mother and grandmother who cared so much for her family. Her death has left a large hole in all our lives.

8 • THURSDAY APRIL 2. 2020

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Wet’suwet’en informed: Q & A with Dave Ages DAVE AGES HAS BEEN VISITING AND WORKING AT UNIST’OT’EN VILLAGE FOR SIX YEARS

ELAINE CAMERON

Contributor

VIRGINIA MONK PHOTO

Dave Ages and Chief Dini Ze Smogelgem from the Liksamisyu Clan in what will be the Healing Lodge.

Dave: First, it isn’t a case of the king dying and his son becomes king. While there are hereditary aspects, it isn’t automatic. There’s a long process of discussion and consultation.

If the decision is that the choice of chief is not acceptable, then that person doesn’t become the chief.

Secondly, it isn’t a pyramid system. It’s more like a reverse pyramid. The chiefs don’t receive tributes from their people, they serve their people. One of the chiefs I know spends time hunting to feed his people. And the chief’s primary duty is to protect the land for future generations. When people say the land belongs to the chief, they’re saying that he or she is responsible for protecting it.

EC: What is the role of the Band councils?

Dave: The government’s been deliberately

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH masses are live streamed every day. times posted at holyrosarycathedral.org

Administration office: 604-682-6774

CATES HILL CHAPEL

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

now offering worship services via Zoom. a link available on website.

Pastor: Phil adkins

Schedule in Effect: April 1, 2020 to May 13, 2020 CHECK FOR SERVICE NOTICES

▼

BOWEN ISLAND 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

Leave Horseshoe Bay

now offering a youtube channel of reflections and hymn/songs with Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Lynn Williams. youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo

confusing people, and the press has followed suit.

Bandcouncilswereestablishedbythefederal governmentthroughtheIndianActforthesame reason that residential schools were set up and that people were forced onto tiny reservations.

It was an attempt to destroy a culture and a people.

Band councils’ authority is limited to their Reserves. They are given federal funding to provide services such as education, health and garbage collection. They can’t tax, and all their decisions have to be approved by the federal government. The Band councils have no authority to give consent to major industrial developments even on their Reserve land. But what’s worse in this case is that not one inch of the pipeline goes through any reserve within

Leave Snug Cove

My friend, Dave Ages, has been visiting and working at the Unist’ot’en’ Village for six years.

The Unist’ot’en are part of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, and they stand in opposition to pipelines on their territory. Because of his work helping with the construction of new buildings, he’s been given the honourary title of Chief Dabit. I wanted to understand what motivates him and hear his insights into the current situation.

EC: You consider yourself an “ally” of the Unist’ot’en. What does that mean?

Dave: In general, an ally is a relationship between people or groups, each trying to achieve a goal; there’s a kind of equality there.

In this case, we are on Wet’suwet’en land, and when we’re there, we accept their authority; basically, we accept their sovereignty.

EC: How did you become involved?

Dave: Our first contact was delivering food and tools in the dead of winter in 2014. We saw how beautiful the land was, how serious they were about protecting it, and how much needed to be done. The only building was a small log cabin, and all 15 of the visitors and hosts slept there that night. In the morning, we talked about what could be done to help. My role became to help organize the construction of buildings they wanted.

EC: Why did you make that commitment?

Dave: Canada is at a crisis point. We have a decision to make: Are we going to be an economy tied to fossil fuels, or are we going to go in a different direction and develop a different economy? That’s why I’m working there.

Many people understand that coal is bad, that developing the tar sands is bad. But liquified natural gas is promoted as a cleaner alternative even though as a greenhouse gas source it’s just as bad as other fossil fuels. So, stopping the LNG industry is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Canada could become an environmental leader.

EC: Is hereditary leadership essentially the same as a monarchy, or how does it differ?

the Wet’suwet’en territory.

EC: Can you say a bit about the Wet’suwet’en Matriarchal Society, which is another voice we hear?

Dave: They’re a registered society, funded and set up by the provincial government and Coastal GasLink.

EC: We often hear that the Band councils have signed “benefits” agreements. What are these?

Dave: Coastal GasLink knows that Band councils don’t have jurisdiction over land the pipeline is going through. But they also know that it looks convincing if they can say Bands have signed agreements with them. The Band councils are desperate for money for their people. CGL says, if you sign this, we’ll give you millions of dollars, ensure construction jobs, and things like that. If you don’t, we won’t. It’s nothing short of a bribe. I’ve seen part of an agreement, and it contained a clause specifically saying the Band couldn’t speak in opposition to the pipeline.

EC: How has the village changed since your first visit?

Dave: Now there’s a Healing Lodge, Bunk House, root cellar, permaculture garden, tool shed and other sheds, several tiny houses, a permanent house, and a traditional pit house.

EC: What’s going on currently? Can you give an update?

Dave: The deal that was negotiated between the Hereditary Chiefs and the provincial and federal governments is undergoing an elaborate series of discussions through the feast system within the clans and the houses. So, it’s being discussed throughout the nation as a whole. But it relates only to the territorial rights; it doesn’t specifically address the pipeline.

EC: What else would you like people to know?

Dave: The Wet’suwet’en have never signed a treaty, they have never negotiated away their land, they have never been alienated from their land. The land is beautiful; they drink pure water directly from the river. The Wet’suwet’en are protecting that for future generations. That’s what this is about, protecting the land.

EC: Anything else?

Dave: In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, people who are interested should check the Unist’ot’en website to see when they are able to accommodate allies in their Village.

Crossing Time: 20 minutes Distance: 3 nautical miles Note: This is a non-reservable route * exCepT SuN aND apr 10 < exCepT WeD are (DC) > exCepT SaT † DC WeDNeSDay SailiNgS Will be replaCeD by DaNgerouS Cargo SailiNgS. No oTher paSSeNgerS permiTTeD.

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THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2020 • 9

PANDEMIC SAFETY

How to shop for groceries In the effort to stop COVID-19, many Bowen businesses have voluntarily closed, however some businesses are busy as ever providing essential services to our island population.

Bowen Island Municipality and the island’s grocery stores have put together a list of ways islanders can protect these essential services when getting necessities.

“Now more than ever, our local small businesses need your support,” said BIM in a press release. “So far, supply chains are good.”

Bowen’s grocery stores are implementing the provincial guidance to retail food and grocery stores, said the release.

BIM’s list of how to protect local grocery stores: • If you’re sick, or self-isolating after travel, stay home. Do not shop in person.

Artisan Express is offering a free delivery service (Monday to Friday) for people who are in these situations.

• Both the Ruddy Potato and the General Store are offering a pickup option.

Consider this as an alternative to shopping in person.

• Don’t bring your own containers, reusable bags or boxes.

• Limit your frequency of shopping. Try to go only once or twice a week for essential items. See if your neighbours need anything picked up, this will reduce the number of people going out.

• Shop efficiently: make a list in advance and avoid browsing in the store longer than is needed.

• If you have it, use hand sanitizer before you enter the store. Avoid touching anything that you are not purchasing.

• When inside the store, maintain a distance of 2 m (6 feet) between you and

FILE PHOTO

others at all times. This is about two full arms’ length apart.

• Follow store staff instructions on how to line up and check out, and cooperate with them as they work to manage the number of people in the store.

• Try not to use your time in the store to socialize with other customers. Take your (physically distanced) chat outside to the fresh air.

• Take a moment to say thank you to the staff. Their jobs are stressful right now and they always appreciate a warm “hello, how are you?” A thank you goes a long way!

• Whenever possible, use a debit or credit card rather than cash. [The General Store is not accepting cash] • If you have it, use hand sanitizer after you leave, and wash your hands well when you get home.

• Above all, be patient, be calm and be kind. Our workers are doing their best, and we are all working together to keep our community safe.

Hours: Snug Cove General Store is open 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. except for Tuesdays when it opens at noon. The Ruddy Potato is open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Safe Seniors, Strong Communities Call 2-1-1 or visit bc211.ca A message from B.C.’s Seniors Advocate We want seniors to be safe and to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home. Many people want to help seniors who are self-isolating by offering a friendly voice to talk to, picking up groceries and medications they may need and making sure seniors do not feel alone during these difficult times.

Safe Seniors, Strong Communities is a new initiative funded by the government in partnership with the Better at Home program and community agencies throughout B.C. It matches people who want to help, with the seniors who need help.

If you can help, or if you need help, please call 2-1-1 or visit bc211.ca. You will be matched with the local COVID-19 community response agency nearest to you.

Seniors, please stay at home. Your family, friends, neighbours and community want to help, so please let us help.

ACTIONS TO STAY SAFE •

Stay at home and stay away from anyone who is feeling unwell

•

If you must go out practice physical distancing and stay six feet away from other people

•

Wash your hands several times a day with soap and water and ask anyone coming into your home to immediately wash their hands

•

Wipe down surfaces in your home frequently, including your outside door handle

www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca Toll-free: 1-877-952-3181 TWITTER @SrsAdvocateBC FACEBOOK /SeniorsAdvocateBC

10 • THURSDAY APRIL 2. 2020

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Bowen Island Community

MARKETPLACE Call to place your ad:

604-630-3300 604-444-3000

Email:

Phone Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

classifieds@van.net

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HEALTH & WELLNESS dr. susanne schloegl m.d.

Appointments mon, Wed, thurs, Fri, 9am - 5pm ECg and HoLtER monitoring Artisan square

604-947-9986

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

604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com

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

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

CATHERINE SHAW Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist

Located in Artisan Square

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Mary Coleman, MSW, RSW Compassion minded counselling

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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.

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THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2020 • 11

FOR A LAUGH, OUR APRIL FOOLS STORIES: (we published these entirely invented stories on April 1) How do you make the best out of a bad situation? Bedazzle it.

Bowen League of Artists is commissioning locals to bedazzle the now ubiquitous “keep out” signs across the island.

“We need to make sure we stay away from one another, but it needn’t be ugly,” says local artist Ann Hepburn.

While hunched over a laminated sign and affixing tiny plastic jewels to red lettering, Hepburn’s husband, Joe Bradley, nodded his agreement. “We thought about painting the signs but jewels really make the message pop.”

The two artists haven’t been closer than two metres to anyone other than each other in more than a month ––their spaniel Mr. Radovich is their only other company.

“We go for walks, cruise around on the scooter and that’s it,” says Hepburn.

While the couple has been asked to create 50 standard sheet signs––each taking about four hours to make–– several other artists have too heeded the call.

Dick Avery and Jo Stockton are working on bedazzling the police tape

that surrounds the BICS playground.

“The colour scheme is yellow and dark brown but every tenth jewel I’m throwing in a green, just for fun,” says Stockton.

“The kids love it,” says Avery.

While some islanders were worried about creating more plastic to pollute the ocean, Bradley pops one in his mouth to assure the Undercurrent that the jewels are seaweed-based and quite harmless.

“They’ll disintegrate when the virus is done,” he smiles.

Nearly 10 years after it was published, an infamous but classic novel is arousing local interest.

E.L. James’ erotic best-seller 50 Shades of Grey now has a 30-year waiting list at the Bowen Library.

“We hadn’t had much interest in that book lately, but since the pandemic started, people kept placing it on hold online, so much that we couldn’t keep up,” says library assistant Lisa Fremont. “By the time we managed to turn off the automatic waiting-list function, the list had grown to 30 years––

approximately 520 islanders.”

“It’s great that people want to use the library but maybe this is one book they can just buy,” says Fremont.

“Maybe it’s like the toilet paper,” muses her friend Jeff.

“We did figure out that at least one person wasn’t wearing his glasses and was in fact trying to borrow The Picture of Dorian Gray,” says Fremont. “He was actually quite thrilled when he thought there were that many Oscar Wilde fans on Bowen.”

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12 • THURSDAY APRIL 2. 2020

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Getting through this together Bowen Islanders are a resilient bunch. On Facebook, I see a never-ending stream of schemes and ideas of how to stay connected and help one another during this pandemic. I’ve curated a selection of these in our story “Here’s what Bowen Islanders are doing to help one another: COVID-19,” a story that will remain on our homepage for the duration of the pandemic. People who are willing to talk with you, people willing to get groceries, how to get in touch with NERP volunteers, it’s there.

For information about local businesses, essential services that are still open, other businesses that have transitioned to virtual shopping, and how organizations are adapting to COVID, visit “What’s closed and what’s open: how businesses and organizations are adapting to COVID-19.” I update these stories daily or as information changes. Now more than ever we need to support local businesses.

If you don’t have access to the internet, call me at 604-3143004 and I’ll help you with information that isn’t included in our print pages.

If you see something that could be added to these stories,

please do reach out: editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

However, something that has been missing on these stories is how the churches are adapting to COVID-19: Bowen Island United Church: “We have created a YouTube channel and I will be recording reflections and Lynn [EllisWilliams] will be singing hymns/songs,” said minister Lorraine Ashdown in an email. “There is something up there now but it’s is only audio recordings. We may get more adventurous as the weeks go by with actual video.”

The link to Ashdown’s first recording is here: youtube.com/ watch?v=teE-jV7Y6jo Cates Hill Chapel: “The Chapel is closed to all public gatherings, both for the church as well as the groups who use our space,” said pastor Phil Adkins in an email. “However, the Chapel is now offering live worship services via Zoom. We did our first gathering on Sunday. There were a few glitches, but it was heart-warming to see everyone and to practice our faith (even if by digital means).

“Because each worship gathering has its own link through Zoom, I will be posting a new link on the front page of our web-

Bowen Waste Solutions Recycling depot to re-open with temporary limits and procedures Bowen Waste Solutions (BWS) is pleased to announce the re-opening of the Bowen Island Recycling Depot (BIRD).

site each week for those who can join us.”

See Cates Hill Chapel’s website here: cateshillchapel.com.

St. Gerard’s: Is closed until further notice. However, Mass from Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver is streamed live on the internet every day, said Gayle Stevenson. Live streams are at 7:15 a.m., 12: 10 p.m., 5:10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 6:30 p.m. (in Spanish) and 8 p.m. on Sundays.

“Cathedral staff are hoping to have other video resources, such as Stations of the Cross, available for download in time for Holy Week,” said Stevenson.

See the cathedral’s website here: holyrosarycathedral.org/ Some other updates (see more info online): The Bowen-based Actor’s Foundry is offering free • lifetime subscriptions to The Actor’s Campus (Bowen Islanders only).

• First Class Property Services Ltd is still helping Bowen Islanders with exterior building maintenance needs on-island • An islander has compiled a pdf of all the take-out menus for open Bowen restaurants. Available here: shorturl.at/ahjGM. • Bowen Building Centre is no longer open to the public except for sales of propane, presto logs and pellets on Tuesday and Friday between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Contractor sales will be load and go and only for existing accounts who order in advance. We will no longer be accepting cash so credit or debit accepted.

• Health Centre Foundation coffee house times changed.

Bronwyn Beairsto, editor

Community Foundation building up supports for community resilience HOLLY GRAFF

B.I. Community Foundation

Careful consideration has been taken to comply with health and safety requirements for our staff and the community. In consultation with Bowen Island Municipality (BIM), BIRD will reopen with the following procedures and limitations on Friday, April 3rd.

Hours of operation are Thursday-Monday 9am-2:30pm. (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday) Upon entry to BIRD, vehicles will be directed by staff to the parking area. A maximum of 2 vehicles will have access to the building at one time, allowing for physical distancing requirements.

The following temporary limits and procedures are required for a timely servicing of the public.

• • • •

All recyclables must be CLEAN and PRE-SORTED for efficiency.

1 person per vehicle can enter the building. Please ensure children and pets remain in the vehicle.

5 minute sorting time per vehicle.

Maximum 4 containers per vehicle.

Unfortunately, no electronics or refundables can be accepted at this time.

There are some Vancouver bottle depots accepting these items, please check availability.

BWS would like to thank residents for their patience, cooperation and support while we navigate these challenging times.

Please visit the updated BIRD website for NEW information and guidelines regarding garbage, organic and recycling service. www.bowenislandrecyclingdepot.com

BOWEN WASTE SOLUTIONS 604-947-2255

Bowen Island is all about community. We’re unequivocally seeing this now as we navigate our way through the new and dangerous waters of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontline essential services employees are helping to keep us all healthy and safe. Restaurants are providing more take-out meal options and delivery. Retail stores are pivoting their business models to offer virtual tours, honour systems, and delivery. Health and wellness providers are coming into our homes through video conferencing to help with the physical and emotional challenges many of us face. Individuals are purchasing gift certificates to help local businesses get through these difficult months. Neighbours are shopping for those in isolation and in high-risk groups. Every organization and every individual is stepping up to this community challenge. We are seeing heart-warming gestures in a time of fear and uncertainty.

Your Bowen Island Community Foundation (BICF) is working to provide assistance to the Bowen community through a new Resiliency Fund. This fund will respond to the community’s current needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic at an integrated, systems level, and will establish the framework to be able to respond quickly to any future island-wide emergencies. We are currently working through how we can best get funding to those who need it in the most expeditious manner. We have already met with representatives from the Municipality, Health Centre Foundation, Caring Circle, United Church/Food Bank, Bowen in Transition, Bowen Rotary, Cates Hill Chapel, Bowen Children’s Centre, and the Community Economic Development Committee to discuss community priorities. Stay tuned for more information about this new Resiliency Fund at bowenfoundation.com/resiliency-fund/.

The Foundation has also made changes to the inaugural Neighbourhood Small Grants program to allow it to be a responsive community-building tool during the COVID-19 crisis. These grants are from $50 to $500 and are specifically for individuals and small volunteer-based neighbourhood and community groups to take part in building community.

We have eliminated application deadlines and will review and decide on applications on a “one-off” basis in order expedite funding. Project ideas that can ease social isolation of vulnerable people and build community with physical distancing and safety in mind are particularly needed now.

Details can be found at bowenfoundation.com/neighbourhood-small-grants/.

During this unprecedented time, the Foundation’s focus will be on helping the community today, while still looking towards the future. Thank you to every organization and every individual that is working so hard to help the entire community. We have never been so grateful to call this our home.