Bowen Island Undercurrent August 20 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

PROS AND CONS: Frinton analyses the community centre project

Thursday, August 20, 2020 • A1

$1.50

PAGE 5

inc.

GST

THURSDAY, AUG. 20, 2020

TAKING A HIKE

VOL. 46 NO.33

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

These islanders are walking every public trail and road on the PAGE 6 island

Rebuilding Bowfest

IT WON’T LOOK LIKE ANY BOWFEST BEFORE IT BUT THE CELEBRATION WILL GO ON AUG. 29

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

MAGIC AT FAIRY CAMP: A camper laughs with delight at the wood bug she and the other campers found

at fairy camp in Crippen Park last week. See more photos of fairy camp on page 8.

What will Hallowe’en look like?

HALLOWE’EN TASK FORCE LOOKING FOR IDEAS TO CONTINUE A FAVOURITE TRADITION SHEANA STEVENSON

Halloween Task Force

As Bowen Islanders, we are extreme-

ly proud of many of our wonderful island traditions. These are events that bring us together, that showcase our creativity and community spirit and

allow for some great opportunities to connect with each other. Hallowe’en on Bowen is one of those amazing events that involves a considerable amount of team work and results in a memorable celebration.

CONTINUED ON P. 9

Not even a pandemic will stop Bowen from holding slug races.

Bowfest has recalibrated to COVID conditions to make sure islanders get a chance to celebrate all things Bowen on the last Saturday of August.

While the Bowfest committee decided back near the beginning of the pandemic to cancel the regular crowded field of activities, the committee has spent the past few months building a Bowfest like none before it.

“Bowen is such a long tradition on the island and we just didn’t want to miss doing something,” said Bowfest committee co-chair Joan Vyner. (It appears that there’s been some form of Bowen festival since the late 1950s according to Bowen archivist Cathy Bayly.) The ‘something’ is elaborate.

The day will start off with a parade in a top-secret location.

Any islander (or island bubble) can enter the parade in a personal vehicle decorated in this year’s theme: bubbles. The parading vehicles will drive past the judges and cameras and the audience will watch the video of festivities from home. After the parade, decorated cars are encouraged to roam the island bringing bubbling Bowfest spirit to the far reaches of Bowen. Those interested in entering the parade are asked to email parade. bowfest@gmail.com.

Next up is the country fair. Bowfest will host the fair on its Facebook page.

CONTINUED ON P. 9

A2 • Thursday, August 20, 2020

Events August 24, 2020 11:00 am Community Centre Select Steering Committee

August 26, 2020 6:00 pm Community Centre Re-Imagined!

Reception at the Hearth Gallery All meetings are online via Zoom and

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Municipal Water System Information Meetings

Community Centre Referendum Mail Ballots

BIM will hold information meetings for water users for each Municipal water system in September, 2020.

All meetings will be held via Zoom. Water system users in their respective neighbourhoods are encouraged to attend.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/water-and-sewer

Mail ballot packages are now available. Application forms can be found on our website or picked up at Municipal Hall.

We must receive your application no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, September 11, 2020, to Bowen Island Municipality by hand, mail, fax or email to: Bowen Island Municipality Attention Chief Election Officer 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 Fax: 604-947-0193 Email: Referendum2020@bimbc.ca

Have your say about: Traffic Calming

open to the public, unless noted

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2020 (General Voting Day).

otherwise.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/referendum-2020

Community Centre Re-Imagined

Help slow the spread of COVID-19:

Join the Hearth for an outdoor summer evening reception, where you can learn about the Bowen Island Community Centre project, the upcoming referendum and celebrate achievements to date. Please note that a COVID safety plan will be in place. Please bring your mask - extras are available.

Community Centre Re-Imagined!

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 The Hearth Gallery 430 Bowen Island Trunk Road 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Stay home if you’re sick

We’re hiring:

Clean your hands frequently 2 m or 6 feet

A pulseoximeter attaches to your finger and measuers pulse rate and how much oxygen is in the blood. Individuals with less severe disease may be sent home to recover from COVID-19; having the ability to measure and monitor a drop in the amount of oxygen in your blood may assist patients in deciding when to seek a higher level of care, and in seeking that care sooner.

Pulseoximeters are available through the Library Med Shed.

Keep a safe physical distance

Note that these measurements should be interpreted by a medical practitioner: speak with your doctor about what to watch for and when to call or seek treatment.

bowenlibrary.ca

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

BIM seeks a Permanent Full-Time Manager of Recreation and Community Services who is accountable for the overall management of the Recreation & Community Services Department and reports to the Chief Administrative Officer.

The Manager provides strong and effective leadership to the Community Recreation staff, ensures that recreation programs and services are designed, built and operated in a professional, safe and cost-efficient manner, and provides opportunities for the public to participate in recreation services.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/jobs

Wear a mask in spaces where you can’t safely distance

Phone: Fax: Email:

Manager of Recreation and Community Services

Find us on Facebook Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Closed statutory holidays August 20, 2020

Bowen Island Municipality

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Pulseoximeters

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

Getting down to community centre business BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

While much of B.C. is occupied with the pandemic and back to school, Bowen Islanders are preparing to go back to the voting booth.

For what would be its largest-yet capital project, BIM is asking to borrow up to $4 million to cover the remaining funds needed to build a community centre and municipal hall abutting the community school. The referendum is Sept. 12 with an advance voting day Sept. 2. Mail-in ballots are too available.

In a 33-page business plan released last week (see ourislandplace.com), BIM laid out the expected tax implications of the project: for the average taxpayer a $50 a year increase for building costs and a further $47 a year increase for operating costs (an overall four per cent increase in taxes).

The business plan anticipates BIM’s annual operating expenditures to rise by $244,307. Just under half of the community centre operating expenses are expected to be covered by rentals, grants and interest from the Community Centre Endowment fund.

The business plan listed six rental revenue-garnering spaces: the large multipurpose room, small multipurpose room, small meeting room and kitchen, conference room, fitness studio and community kitchen.

While BIM will own the building itself, the municipality and the Hearth (Bowen Island Arts Council) have a memorandum of understanding as to how it will operate. A joint management committee will look after the multiuse (designated ‘recreation, arts and community’ spaces) portions of the building whereas the muni (which has a separate entrance) will exclusively oversee the civic portions.

Bowen Island Community Recreation and the Hearth will share programming the community areas and the two groups will have rental priority. BIM chief administrative officer Liam Edwards clarified too that though the Hearth will pay rent, the rate they will pay (as a principle user) is to be determined.

The business plan also states that if the referendum fails BIM will continue fundraising to try to bring the project to fruition. The nearly $8 million federal-provincial infrastructure grant intended for the project needs to be spent by 2025 and only this project is eligible for the funds.

While Edwards said it would be theoretically possible to remove the hall from the plan (the inclusion of which has been a point of contention on social media) and still receive the grant (as the grant is for arts and culture space not the municipal hall) the redesigned hall would need to exactly match the outcomes identified in the grant proposal.

“We can’t redesign the facility and repurpose that facility without achieving those exact same outcomes,” he said.

“The multi-use space and the multi-functional use areas are critical to the success of the project.”

There’s also usage crossover in areas as the room that to be used as council chambers––when it’s not being put to civic use, it can be put to community use in the evenings and weekends. “A portion of the cost for the council chambers is eligible for funding,” said Edwards.

Edwards also pointed to BIM’s argument that it’s economically and operationally efficient to include the muni: increasing municipal assets and minimising rental space; community recreation staff not needing a whole other set of offices for Community Recreation; sharing custodial services, utilities, insurance and maintenance costs.

We know you have many more questions about the community centre.

There was an open house and question and answer session Aug. 19 (after press deadline but before the paper is distributed), which is available on the BIM YouTube channel. If there’s something specific you’d like to see covered, please send a note to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-314-3004.

We’ll have more on our conversation with Edwards and more on the open house on bowenislandundercurrent.com and in next week’s paper.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Bowfest (or some form of fest) has been a tradition on Bowen since the 1950s.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 • A3

DON’T MISS

OU !

OUT!

What’s your earliest Bowfest memory?

Place your school supply order and save 20%!

What’s your favourite part of Bowfest?

Send in your photos and memories of Bowfest by Aug. 25.

Grade supply lists available at the Pharmacy or at BICS website. Full or partial orders happily accepted.

Thank you

for supporting local business.

CATES MEDICINE CENTRE

E d i t o r @ b ow e ni s l a n dundercurrent.com

Village Square

Notice of Public Hearing HAVE YOUR SAY. Public Hearing August 27, 2020 3:45 pm Online via Zoom

Bylaw Amendments to the Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 521, 2020

About the bylaw

Bowen Island Council is considering changes to the Official Community Plan (OCP) to designate the entire municipality as an area where Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) may be issued.

Bylaw No. 521, 2020 amends Policy 135 of the OCP to: 1.

Include a designation of the entire municipality as an area where TUPs may be issued 2.

Remove language requiring that a TUP be issued for a use that is “short-term or seasonal.” TUPs would remain able to be issued under conditions of the Local Government Act.

Questions?

Contact Daniel Martin, Manager of Planning and Development

Council Direction

1st Reading

April 2020

June 2020

Bylaw timeline

External 2nd ReadReferrals ing

July 2020

Public Hearing

3rd Reading

Bylaw Adoption

August 2020

(Estimated) (Estimated) Fall September 2020 2020

How to get more information

604-947-4255

Visit the municipal website to view the information package on these amendments. www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning

Ways you can Have Your Say dmartin @bimbc.ca

bowenisland municipality.ca /planning

• Speak at the Public Hearing: August 27, 2020 at 3:45pm: 1. Email the Corporate Officer (hdallas@bimbc.ca) BEFORE the start of the hearing to register for the speakers list: • Subject line: Public Hearing - Verbal Submission - TUP 2. Join via Zoom and wait for your name to be called out. Get the Zoom meeting details at: bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning • Write to the attention of Mayor and Council: E-mail: mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca To ensure a fair process, written submissions are accepted up until the end of the public hearing. Council cannot consider any submissions received after the Public Hearing has ended. If your written submission is received after the public hearing has ended your submission will be circulated to staff for information.

A4 • Thursday, August 20, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

VIEWPOINTS LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Snug Cove House seeking support DEAR EDITOR: Snug Cove House Society has launched a last-minute campaign asking islanders to write letters in support of its application for funding from BC Housing for its planned seniors’ residence. Quite a few people are asking if this application will also need money from our municipality.

The answer is no. Your municipal taxes will not go up because of this initiative. BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund finances 100 per cent of winning projects with grants and loans and then provides annual subsidies to make sure rents stay affordable. Snug Cove House Society pays its own way with no need for municipal money. It pays municipal tax on the residence site and pays all permit and utility fees. The sewage branch line it paid for will also connect a multitude of other households to the municipal system.

This BC Housing application is a very big deal for the society. It hopefully will be the culmination of a 25-year effort to create a welcoming home that will allow senior islanders to stay in their community if they so choose.

The residence is smaller than the projects normally considered by BC Housing and a demonstration of community enthusiasm will help convince it that it’s a worthy venture.

We need the boost of hundreds of letters of support from you. Please write! Just a couple of lines will do, addressed to ‘To Whom It May Concern’ and e-mailed to graham_ritchie@ telus.net. The application deadline is Sept. 4 so we need the letters as soon as possible.

With thanks from the board of Snug Cove House: Graham Ritchie, Susan Munro, John Barr, Pernille Nielsen, Carol MacKinnon, Tamsin Miley, Andy Powell-Williams

WHEELER CRAWFORD ARCHITECTS PHOTO

Snug Cove House Society’s proposed 24-unit supportive seniors’ residence

Keep the money paid to Islands Trust on Bowen

DEAR EDITOR: Firstly, we would like to say how impressed we were with Jeannie SewardMagee’s letter to the editor in the July 23 edition.

It’s a real shame that $303,000 is leaving lovely Bowen Island this summer, only to be used for wages of the Islands Trust.

They have a budget of $8 million to do what? They are a huge bureaucracy and they are like a large ship, floundering without a rudder.

We are a municipality, we do everything that the Islands Trust says they do

for us and we believe we do it better. We have paid well over $4.8 million since we became a municipality and those funds are badly needed here on lovely Bowen.

We’re not a gulf island, we’re under the wing of Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health oversees our water controls, etc. We don’t even have a ferry going to any gulf island and we are not connected to those islands at all. When the good residents of Mannion Bay were trying to get rid of derelict boats last year, where was the Islands Trust? The bureaucracy in far off Victoria was no help compared to the dedicated campaigns of local advocates. But they say they are helping to protect us, well they haven’t done much to help with these problems, or any other ones that we have heard of. We have so many volunteers raising money and giving of their time, toward projects like the health centre, the community centre and

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. Please limit to under 500 words. 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.

All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication.

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 advertising Monday, 4 p.m. DEADLINE for editorial Tuesday 5 p.m.

Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year subscription on Bowen Island: $55, including GST. Within Canada: $85 including GST Newsstand (Single Copy) $1.50 per copy, including GST

ISSN 7819-5040

many more projects that will be so beneficial to our community. These are facilities we desperately need, costing millions of dollars, up against all odds. Having to pay a tax to the Islands Trust of $303,000 this year, ($330,000 last year), makes us losers in our minds. Those monies we pay to go off-island, could be used to finance many of these projects, we so desperately need now.

How long is it before we send a clear message that bondage to the Islands Trust, has to come to an end?

That we no longer need that additional level of government for a community of 4,000 people, working so hard to improve our island’s amenities. Losing this money, seeing go off-island is a bitter blow, at a time when dollars are so needed here at home on Bowen.

Tom Edwards, Bowen Island Improvement Association

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.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

On the edge of achieving great things DEAR EDITOR: Bowen Island is on the edge of achieving great things, things that the community has wanted and needed for decades. “Provide diverse housing!” “Bring healthcare close to home!” “Create gathering places for all!”

These three cries from the community have come loud and clear for many years.

Thanks to the herculean efforts of B.I. Resilient Community Housing, B.I. Health Centre Foundation, B.I. Municipality and the B.I. Arts Council, we are very close to realizing the community’s vision.

In both 2014 and 2017, the Bowen Island Community Foundation sponsored Vital Conversations, an event to understand the community’s needs and priorities from the broad range of people who live on Bowen Island. These insights guide this foundation’s work for community granting. Now with the reality of diverse housing, a health care centre and a community centre we are closer to becoming the Bowen Island we want to be: Bowen Island is our community, our home. It is a place of safety and belonging.

A place where the young learn from the old and the old learn from the young.

On Bowen we encourage and accept everyone; all are respected, all voices heard. Our differences make us

stronger.

Here, all have options for secure and affordable shelter. Our vulnerable are safe and warm. Those who work on Bowen, can live on Bowen.

On Bowen everyone has convenient and timely access to on-island healthcare, professional resources and services when we need them.

Bowen is a place where the protection of our natural environment—our greatest asset—is carefully considered in every decision we make. We live harmoniously and in concert with Mother Nature.

Bowen is a role model for green living, bringing positive change into the world.

Bowen is a place where the community gathers frequently with friends and neighbours, giving us the opportunity to share our stories and strengthen our bonds, surrounded by support and caring.

On Bowen we collectively take responsibility for raising the next generation with strong values and dreams.

Bowen is a place where we give back. Do our part. Are involved. A place where we are all united in our efforts to do and be the best we can.

Bowen Island is our community. It is our home.

(Based on Vital Conversations, 2017.)

Your Community Foundation thanks and supports all those that have spent their time and donated their resources to making housing, healthcare, and gathering places a reality for the community.

B.I.C.F. chairs past and present: Holly Graff, 2019 – Present; David Podmore, O.B.C., 2018 – 2019; Soren Hammerberg, 2014 – 2018; Joyce Ganong, Chair 2010 – 2014; Murray Atherton, Chair 2008 – 2010; Bruce Greyell, Chair 2002 - 2008

How do you feel about the community centre proposal? We want to hear from you! Email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

Mulling over pros and cons of this community centre project

DEAR EDITOR: Community centre plan pros: It would bring to fruition a long desired facility. The first serious design came forward in 1992 (Don Nicolson) at 14,000 sq feet and $4.8 million.

A referendum narrowly failed in 1997 for a modest ‘starter hall,’ approximately 3,500 sq feet and $650,000.

The stars are aligned with senior government support to the tune of $7.9 million. This is highly unlikely to happen again in a good long while.

It centralizes municipal, social, performance, assembly and activity functions under one roof adjacent to the community school.

It expands cultural and recreational programming while providing a genuine community hub.

The synergy of all these things. We can only imagine now the things that may happen in a new space, but undoubtedly we will be delighted by the possibilities turned into realities. What community do you know of that does not have a community centre, per se?

Community centre plan cons: Cost uncertainty: while there is a large contingency budget, these kinds of projects easily get out of hand. North Vancouver City has put on hold their redevelopment of the Lonsdale facility due to ballooning costs. To that add variable mortgage rates and inevitably increasing operating costs.

We currently have a very low interest rate environment but that will undoubtedly change over 30 years (even with five-year terms).

Poor BIM track record on capital projects. Two years ago, the $3 million fire hall referendum passed with 81 per cent in favour, yet the actual bids for construction came in at multiples of that (reputedly between $8 and $9 million). There has been some pencil sharpening and BIM is looking at bids coming in lower.

The municipal hall component is unnecessary and expensive. BIM could easily have purchased the current hall for about $2 million, less than the cost of new construction, plus freeing up land for parking and future expansion. This still could happen if minds were set to it, with a portion of the construction money simply going into purchase, the rest for upgrades.

Time for a change?

Let's chat.

SHANA RICHMOND SHANA@SHANARICHMOND.COM

Thursday, August 20, 2020 • A5

604.338.3072

BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY PHOTO

The proposed community centre layout.

Public infrastructure can undermine private enterprise. Building a weight room and fitness studio puts BIM in unfair competition with at least two other facilities on-island. Yet these have always been high on the priority list and have been done elsewhere (eg. West Van. 22nd and Marine has a fabulous facility with heavy usage) The site is cramped, with woefully inadequate parking and little room for future expansion. The previous 2008 design by Hotson Bakker was superior by most metrics, and sat more aesthetically on the land with no municipal hall component.

There are undoubtedly other merits and demerits. Some people dearly want a swimming pool, others have said we don’t need a performance hall (not fully understanding that the space would be highly flexible for myriad uses).

I will be supporting the project––largely because items one and two in the pro list outweigh everything else in my view. I would certainly like to see some design and program (use of space) changes.

But I hope that people will vote with full facts at front of mind, not notions or based on misinformation. At the public input sessions, ask tough questions, and keep pressure on staff and council, if the project is approved, to ensure it doesn’t go off the rails and delivers the most that can be had for the dollars spent.

Peter Frinton Past municipal councillor, chair & participant in Civic Facility Task Force, working group, action committees

A6 • Thursday, August 20, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Our COVID Challenge: walk every inch of Bowen WHAT THESE ISLANDERS LEARNED AS THEY ROAMED THE ISLAND

CHRIS STAPLES, STEVE ROSELL

Contributors

We’ve all read about the ways Boweners are making the most of quarantine.

Some are making sourdough.

Others are gardening up a storm.

We chose to take a hike, walking every public road and trail on the island-- keeping strict social distance, of course.

Every afternoon starting in March, we’d set out to tackle a different part of Bowen, crossing off the day’s walk in yellow highlighter on a dog-eared map of the island.

Most of our walks were about four km—or about 45 minutes. This took us far afield of our home base on Mt. Gardner Rd, where we’ve lived for the past seven years, recently retiring full-time.

You don’t realize how big this island is until you attempt to walk it on foot. At 50 square kilometres, it’s about the size of Manhattan.

If Manhattan was covered in hills, mountains and valleys, with no more than a total of 500 metres of

flat earth in the entire place.

During our daily walks, we discovered a few things about Bowen— and ourselves: • Like many of you, we tend to stick to the tried and true, taking countless walks around Killarney Lake, for instance (along with half of the population it sometimes seems). There are so many amazing trails beyond the tried and true, for every level of hiker. The area around Quarry Park and Fairy Fen was especially unique—and almost always deserted.

• Most of them are also dog-friendly, which we discovered with our friend Helen’s pooches Lenny and Lola in tow.

• We encountered plenty of surprises: A helicopter pad with amazing views towards the Cascade Mountains; groupings of mini-Inukshuks sprouting like mushrooms; fields of foxgloves in the hundreds.

Plus at least half a dozen beaches that don’t appear on most maps—luckily almost all are marked with Bowen Mascot signs and

marked trails and stairs.

The number of micro-climates we encountered was surprising. We were plagued by ticks on the south side of island, which felt many days like sunny Kelowna. There are rocks near Cape Roger Curtis that look straight out of Newfoundland. On the North side we accidentally stepped on more than a few slugs going through rainforest that felt like Tofino.

• It’s not news to anyone that there’s been a lot of recent development on the island—some of it involving impressive and expensive pieces of architecture.

But there’s also still a comforting sense of diversity in Bowen’s housing stock— including a lot of original cabins and dwellings from Bowen’s Happy Isle days.

• Whether the houses are grand or simple, Boweners seem to value privacy more than almost anything else. Even in more builtup neighbourhoods care seems to have been taken to protect views and nature.

By mid-July, we’d completed •

about 90 percent of our task. Then we decided to visit some friends in Invermere. At the end of a hike, just 300 metres from our car, Chris went down on his right knee in some loose gravel and snapped his

quad tendon in two.

Recovery is going well, with our walks to resume (carefully) in September. Let’s hope we run into each other then, quite literally, off the beaten path.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS STAPLES

During isolation, Steve Rosell & Chris Staples are walking the entire island.

d e k s a M Get PHOTO CONTEST

Wearing a mask keeps you and those around you safe, and helps everyone feel part of a ‘community team’ of heroes battling Covid-19!

Take a selfie wearing your funny, unusual or self-made mask and send it to us!

Every week starting Aug. 27, we’ll pick a “Mask of the Week” winner and post their photo on our Facebook page.

Each winner will receive a great prize!

Email your photo to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com (put “Get Masked” in the subject line) and be sure to include your name and phone number. Have fun and thanks for being a masked crusader in the fight against Covid-19!

CoNTEST RULES: one entry per person, all ages can enter. By entering the contest and submitting your photo, you agree to have your photo published on our Facebook page.

EMAIL YOUR PHOTO TO: editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Patient of the Week J.J. This is JJ. JJ is an insulin dependent diabetic who has been coming to Bowen Vet for many years. JJ has recently been at the Vet for his weekly laser treatments to help with his arthritis. JJ is a special boy that is living a full and happy life with the help of proper medical care!

NEW COVID HOURS OPEN: 9 - 5 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday* OPEN: 9 - 1 pm every second Saturday (closed Sat. Aug 22) *Please note: Friday medical appointments will be available on alternate weeks. The clinic will be open for prescriptions and food pick up only on those Fridays.

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, August 20, 2020 • A7

A8 • Thursday, August 20, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

One of the many fairy houses

BOWEN BEAT

Fairy camp

Every year, islander Catherine Barnum introduces some lucky campers to the magic around them in Crippen Park.

Usually held for three weeks every summer, because of the pandemic this year’s fairy camp only ran two weeks on the trails behind the library. For some campers, this was their first socialization since March when the pandemic began.

Campers are in the grades one to three range and create elaborate houses for the fairies of the forest–-some the houses (often at the base of tree trunks) include secret rooms and guest rooms. While Barnum sets firm boundaries of where the kids can and cannot go, within those limits, the kids are free to run around and get to know the forest very well.

Looking for solid instrumental players interested in traditional Celtic, European and Canadian folk tunes.

Large Covid safe rehearsal space available. Please inquire.

Nicole 778 -926-4286 or ntzharmonium@mac.com

on Bowen Island

‘Grandfather tree’ is a favourite with campers.

Interested in learning to play piano? How to read and understand music symbols? How to understand rhythm basics? Join Nicole and a group of curious open minded people each week in exploring the language of Music, on Zoom.

Multiple class times available.

Please inquire at 778-926-4286 or ntzharmonium@mac.com to register. Starts September.

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While the kids spend a lot of time running around, Barnum also brings them in for some quiet time. She reads a novel to them and with some kids even learned embroidery.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, August 20, 2020 • A9

BOWEN NATURE CLUB

Do you know about these seldom seen island inhabitants?

THE SIGNAL CRAYFISH CAN GROW UP TO 15 CM LONG

Rotary Run for Rwanda

ALAN WHITEHEAD

It’s time to run or walk in support of girls’ education!

Bowen Nature Club

Signal crayfish are one of Bowen Island’s many fascinating native species. They occur in Killarney Creek, the lower reaches of Terminal Creek, and possibly elsewhere. Native to western North America from the Pacific to the Rockies, their scientific name is Pacifastacus leniusculus.

Because of their impressive growth rate and large size, they were introduced several decades ago to the eastern and southern parts of this continent as well as the UK, mainland Europe, Scandinavia and Japan, where they were stocked in lakes and streams or raised commercially in ponds. In those regions, this species has displaced the local crayfish and, as a result, it is now considered an undesirable invasive species.

Found mainly in fresh waters, it is tolerant of brackish water and high temperatures. The largest seen on Bowen can reach total lengths of up to six inches (15 cm) not including the long antennae or the male’s large claws. When not feeding on the bottom, the signal crayfish lives under stones and in deep burrows dug into the soft banks. It can also travel overland between water bodies.

Each crayfish starts out as one of up to 500 sand grainsized eggs laid in the fall, that then hatch in the spring and early summer of the following year. The young initially stay with the mother and gradually become more independent

Anytime. Anywhere. August 22nd to 29th!

Bowfest events go mostly virtual CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Entrants will upload photos of their entries starting 2 p.m. with prizes announced at 4 p.m. Categories this year include best LEGO design; best Bowen photo; biggest zucchini; most entertaining animal, vegetable or plant photo; and, of course, the slug race.

Finally, in the evening islanders will get a musical treat from Bowen’s own Black Molly with a concert livestreamed from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Vyner suggests at-home bubble dance parties. “It should be a lot of fun.”

While usually this time of year the committee would be selling tickets to the daylong festival on Bowfest field, instead they’re selling t-shirts and masks featuring Bo the banana slug (Bowfest’s mascot).

“We thought this would be a great time to commemorate the event––not only this

Bowfest 2020 but just this weirdest year ever,” said Vyner.

There’s a limited supply of t-shirts so Vyner suggests ordering soon at bowfestshirts.eventbrite.ca. There are adult and kid sizes. Pick-up is in the BICS parking lot Aug. 26 and 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Vyner said that the dedicated volunteer committee will work over the coming year as the pandemic evolves to make sure there’s a celebration in 2021.

“We hope to be back at full Bowfest fest fun next year but we don’t know at this point.”

In the meantime, Vyner is excited for Aug. 29. “We want to thank the community for always supporting Bowfest in such a huge way,” she says. “That’s it makes it such a fantastic community event.”

Ghostly group looking into how to make Hallowe’en happen CONTINUED FROM P. 1

This year, as we await word from the Provincial Health Authority (PHA) on how celebrations may be affected, a group of islanders are putting their Frankenstein heads together to consider safe alternatives to our traditional procedures that will still offer some smiles and excitement for kids and adults alike.

The Bowen Halloween Task Force (BHTF) is made up of representatives from BIM/ BICR, BIVFD, RCMP, BCC, BIMS, Family Place, Phoenix, Bowen Halloween Collective (Deep Bay Resident Rep) and the Snug Cove General Store.

JULIE JENSEN PHOTO

Kyle Jensen and Elsa Heath show off a very large Bowen crayfish back in 2009. as they moult (shed their shell and grow a new one) over the summer. Although most don’t survive beyond age two, the oldest recorded signal crayfish lived to 16.

Seldom seen despite their large numbers, crayfish are important members of the food web. They feed on aquatic insects and other animals (including their own kind) as well as plant matter. In turn, they are important food for mink, river otter, heron, grebe, merganser and others. Although not aggressive to humans, they can cause a painful pinch if not handled with care.

This ghostly group has come together to try to figure out a way to keep Bowen safe but spooky this Hallowe’en! We have some great ideas on our brainstorming worksheets, but wanted to put the ask out to see if you have any great suggestions that we may be missing.

The BHTF is reaching out to Bowen Islanders for your ideas on what you think we could do this Hallowe’en on Bowen that will take into consideration COVID safety.

Please email bicr@bimbc.ca or call the rec office at 604-947-2216 before Aug. 31 with your ideas so we can add them to our list of items for discussion for our next meeting.

• Register at rotaryrunforrwanda.com to run or walk a 5K, 10K or 1.5-mile kids’ run.

• Record your results on Race Roster.

• Submit a photo of yourself and/or your family in action to be entered to win a prize for best picture! Send your photos to info@komera.org.

Your participation in this event directly funds educational scholarships for girls at high school and university in Rwanda!

A10 • Thursday, August 20, 2020

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURS. AUG. 20

Bowen Island Library seniors’ hours 10 a.m. - noon

FRIDAY AUG. 21

Ultra Happy Hour Bowen Island Pub. Live music on the patio 4-6 p.m.

Half-price appetizers & rotating drink specials.

Outdoor storytime Bowen Island Library 11-11:30 a.m. For 2-4 year-olds. Preregistration required. Space limited.

More info: bowenlibrary.ca/ for-you/kids/storytime/

SATURDAY AUG. 22

Yoga on the Pier Snug Cove Dock 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Hosted by the Well.

With Sarah Kraatz. Join class for $8-10 or use existing class pass. Pre-register only; bring own mat; physical distancing protocols followed BAA Farmers’ Market Lower BICS parking lot 10 a.m. to noon Hosted by Bowen Agricultural Alliance Virtual Rotary Run for Rwanda starts Commit to running or walking 5 Km or 10 Km (or 1.5 Km if 9 or under)

Email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com to submit events for the calendar.

between Aug. 22 and 29.

More info: raceroster.com/ events/2020/32164/rotaryrun-for-rwanda-2020

existing class pass. Preregister only; bring own mat; physical distancing protocols followed

SUNDAY AUG. 23

Community Centre re-imagined The Hearth Gallery 6-8 p.m.

“Join the Hearth for an outdoor summer evening reception, where you can learn about the Bowen Island Community Centre Project, the upcoming referendum and celebrate achievements to date.

Please note that a COVID safety plan will be in place.

Please bring your mask extras are available”

Sunday Patio Sessions: live music and DJs Bowen Island Pub 1 p.m.

- 4 p.m. Every Sunday afternoon. No cover. Benny brunch until 2:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY AUG. 26

Yoga in the Park Crippen Park (behind baseball field) 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Hosted by the Well.

With Chantal Russell. Join class for $8-10 or use

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A12 • Thursday, August 20, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Sharing how Xenia came to Angelyn Toth: Radical Trust

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

The title of Angelyn Toth’s latest book, released earlier this year, came to her 20 years ago but it’s taken her decades to write the story of her retreat centre, Xenia.

“This is a very vulnerable book,” said Toth. “I’ve put everything out there. It’s out there for scrutiny.”

Part autobiography and part spiritual manifesto, Radical Trust: Manifesting a vision when it seems impossible is Toth’s journey toward her trust in a higher intelligence and founding Xenia 26 years ago.

“The first part of the book is my story of learning how to trust,” Toth said in a phone call with the Undercurrent. From near-death at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, her husband’s death at 41, an eating disorder, Toth lays out her pain and her path to radical trust.

Toth starts with a two-month stay on Bowen Island in a tree house on Miller Rd in 1986. Wife to a farming executive and a business owner in her own right, Toth had been living a busy corporate life in White Rock and took a sabbatical

to write a corporate manual. That’s not what happened. Instead, Toth spent the months catching up with herself “and learning how to really listen to inner guidance.”

The guidance led her to Xenia.

“I could see 40 acres in my mind’s eye––I could see trees and meadows,” she said. “And it was to be a place for the magical child within all to feel safe to be creative.”

But Toth didn’t have the means to buy such a property.

“I’m like, I have no idea why this vision is following me around because I don’t have the money to do it. Go away.”

But in that summer, while the world was falling in love with Vancouver at Expo 86, she fell in love with Bowen. “I felt at home for the first time since coming to Canada,” she said. “I knew that one day I would buy a house here.”

It was five years before her family moved to the island and a further two (1994) before Toth had the money to purchase the 38 acres of a dilapidated sheep farm and what was to become Xenia.

“I honestly didn’t have a clue what I was doing,” said Toth. “I didn’t know anything about renovation. I didn’t know anything about running a business.”

“But I was following inner guidance…and that’s where I learned radical trust.”

“If I hadn’t followed the guidance, then Xenia would never have come to be.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGELYN TOTH

Angelyn Toth is founder of Xenia on the west side of Bowen.

“Radical trust isn’t 99 per cent,” she said. “That’s not enough. It’s 100 per cent, which means jumping into the abyss when you have no clue how but you know you have to.”

“The rest of the story is very intimate about the things that happen here, the silent retreats, the community, the volunteers, and that whole journey,” explained Toth: how OPA became OPA (the millennium-old tree that was one of the reasons Toth was so drawn to

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the property); how the labyrinth and sanctuary came to be; friends’ and guests’ experiences at Xenia.

At Xenia, Toth runs the silent and writer retreats (with online and residential components) and then the rest of the programs have other facilitators, hailing from all over the world. The expansive property also has some resident animals––a couple of horses, a miniature horse, a donkey, dogs and cats (Charlie the pig died last year).

“Even corporate CEO guys can come here and go, ‘I don’t know what it is about this place, but it just feels so good.’”

“It’s a very loving, beautiful place and we really protect it from dogma,” said Toth. “So we’re not professing any particular religion or philosophy, it’s just really nature and creativity.”

Ten years after creating Xenia, Toth nearly lost the property to the bank. After being on the brink of giving up, she created another business––relationship marketing through Univera––to support the retreat centre. (And it’s that business that’s too keeping her afloat during the pandemic.) Toth again points to inner guidance seeing her through that time.

On why it took her so long to be able to write Radical Trust, Toth noted the adage of sharing the wisdom of your scars not your open wounds. “The wisdom is far greater to share,” she said.

Through the book, Toth hopes she can inspire readers to trust in themselves.

“I want people to learn how to trust their deepest, deepest knowing about what to do,” she said. “I think people don’t trust in themselves enough. So they do jobs that they hate and they’re discontent, and because they’re not trusting the stern of their own soul.”

Radical Trust: Manifesting a vision when it seems impossible is now available in audiobook and paperback on Amazon.

Schedule in Effect: August 5, 2020 to September 7, 2020

Leave Snug Cove

‘I WANT PEOPLE TO LEARN HOW TO TRUST THEIR DEEPEST, DEEPEST KNOWING ABOUT WHAT TO DO’

Crossing Time: 20 minutes Distance: 3 nautical miles Note: This is a non-reservable route * exCepT SuN aND SepT 7

> exCepT SaT

< exCepT WeD are (DC) DaNgerouS Cargo SailiNgS. No oTher paSSeNgerS permiTTeD.