Bowen Island Undercurrent October 1 2020

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GRANDFRIENDS GOES OLDSCHOOL: connecting youth and seniors PAGE 8

Thursday, October 1, 2020 • A1

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020 INTO THE HEADWIND

VOL. 46 NO. 39

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Island-raised men cycle for charity PAGE 12

Taking on the slopes

BIM ATTEMPTING SUCCESSOR TO LONG-AWAITED STEEP SLOPES BYLAW

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

the gathering that takes place to view them. Instead, the BIVFD has decided to decorate the main hall on Grafton Rd. to add to the festive spirit.

On that note, B.I. Community Recreation is creating a map for families to tour the island to view decorated houses up to and on the spooky night.

In the time-honoured tradition of trying to pass a steep slopes bylaw during a term, this council is taking its kick at the can.

Bowen Island Municipality is developing two parallel pieces of legislation: a hazardous areas development permit area and a site alteration bylaw.

“Together these would seek to address risks to people and the environment that are proposed by larger scale development and site preparation activities,” said BIM planner Jennifer Rae Pierce at the Sept. 28 regular council meeting. “So these are activities that occur before a person typically would come to us for a development permit or a building permit.”

The first piece, a hazardous areas development permit area, would use detailed mapping from the province, accessed through the Islands Trust, to designate areas vulnerable to earthquake, fire, rockfall, treefall, landslide, erosion and runoff. Any significant development in these areas (the bylaw would define what’s considered “significant”) would have to come to BIM for a permit before proceeding.

(Under a steep slopes bylaw developed in 2011 there was to be a blanket DVP requirement on slopes with a grade of 30 per cent or more. It didn’t pass. The DVP areas under the new regulations are to be more refined said Pierce.)

The site alteration bylaw, on the other hand, would see large scale development anywhere on island (not just in hazard areas) before council prior to proceeding.

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CONTINUED ON P. 8

EYE OF A HAWK: A sharp-shinned hawk, one of the smallest hawks in Canada and the U.S.,

snap its photo Saturday morning in Fairweather.

HAIG FARRIS PHOTO

watches Haig Farris

Preparing for a different Halloween WHAT’S PLANNED AND WHAT’S CANCELLED SO FAR

SHEANA STEVENSON

Halloween Task Force

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced that Halloween will be different this year but can still go ahead. At a news conference in September she said, “I really think

we need to think about small groups outside, not having somebody come into your house but having maybe the neighbourhoods do something at the end of the driveway.”

On Bowen, this means a few changes, such as no fireworks from the B.I. Volunteer Fire Department because of

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A2 • Thursday, October 1, 2020

Events October 13, 2020 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting All meetings are online via Zoom and

open to the public, unless noted otherwise.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Step 3 of BC Energy Step Code effective October 1, 2020 Step 3 is the third step in the system, and involves modeling and testing the building’s energy use to demonstrate that the design and construction go beyond BC Building Code. To comply with Step 3, builders will need to create and adhere to a whole-building energy model, then test the building enclosure on the ground for air tightness. The building’s performance will need to exceed the Building Code by 20% (or no more than 45 kWh/m2 annual energy use).

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/step-code

Provide your input on the Snug Cove ferry terminal development plan

Help slow the spread of COVID-19:

Stay home if you’re sick

BC Ferries is creating a Terminal Development Plan (TDP) for the Snug Cove ferry terminal. The TDP is an important planning document that lays out a long-term vision for future terminal upgrades.

Developing a TDP is a highly collaborative process, and involves working with staff, stakeholders, communities and First Nations to: • Identify key issues and opportunities • Develop conceptual options for the terminal • Refine and identify a preferred concept(s) to guide future upgrades BC Ferries encourages you to learn more and engage in conversation and feedback on the TDP for the Snug Cove terminal.

They will be using the information you provide to help develop and refine the plan.

Learn more at www.bcferriesprojects.ca/snug

Driveway runoff and culvert cleaning

Planning Application Fees Amendment Bowen Island Municipal Council is considering increasing the application fee for a Development Variance Permit (DVP) from $850 to $900. Council will be considering adopting the Bylaw No. 526, 2020 to make this change at the October 13, 2020 Council Meeting.

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

Fire Prevention Week Smoke Detectors Smoke Alarms Save Lives Home fires kill eight Canadians a week. While these fires represent 40 percent of all types of fires, they are responsible for 73 percent of fire deaths. Most of these deaths could be prevented by taking a few precautions.

Every month: Test your alarm Twice a year: Change the batteries in all smoke alarms If you can’t reach your smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector or have any questions about them, please give the fire department a call at (604) 947-9324.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/smoke-alarms

Dangerous road conditions can be created by the discharge of water, dirt and gravel from private property onto public roadways.

Property owners are responsible for controlling run-off onto roadways from their property.

Questions? Please call 604-947-4255 to speak to a bylaw officer.

Clean your hands frequently

Keep a safe physical distance

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

Drinking water and persons with compromised immune system The Provincial Health Officer advises all British Columbians with compromised immune systems (such as HIV, organ or bone transplants, chemotherapy or medications that suppress the immune system) to avoid drinking water from any surface water or ground water that is under the influence of surface water, unless it has been boiled, filtered, distilled or treated with UV. Bowen Island and other areas in British Columbia use surface water sources (lakes, rivers, streams). This is not a general boil-water advisory for the general public, but rather is directed only at persons with compromised immune systems. If in doubt about your immune system status, please discuss this further with your physician.

Contact Us Phone: Fax: Email:

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

Bowen Business Digital Meet Ups James Blackwell of Small Business BC 9:00 am on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 Zoom Meeting ID: 223 518 4133 Passcode: 820298 The CEDC Bowen Business Meet Ups have moved from a weekly to a monthly model. In the next one, James Blackwell of Small Business BC will be presenting the newly launched Online BC Marketplace and other initiatives.

Questions? Contact Stef Shortt, CEDC Business Liaison by e-mail sshortt@bimbc.ca or 604-947-4255

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

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays October 1, 2020

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Thursday, October 1, 2020 • A3

‘Somebody here always looks after you on Bowen Island’ BOWENERS RALLYING TO HELP ISLANDER WITH ASBESTOS-CAUSED CANCER

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

When John Overbye started working on houses and buildings on Bowen back in 1993, he’d help people out––charge less, do a favour here and there––and now he needs some help.

A shipwright and cabinet-maker by trade now has mesothelioma, a condition brought on by asbestos exposure.

“It was really bad in those [early] days, because we didn’t have any rules or regulations,” says John.

“You go into a house, you don’t know what you’re digging into.

“You’re wearing gloves and masks and all that kind of stuff, you still don’t know.”

While regular cancer treatment is covered under medicare, John’s doctors are trying a potentially life-extending drug that’s experimental and therefore not covered.

Workers Compensation is covering the cost of the drug but John has to go into a private clinic at $200 a session. John’s not working right now and it’s unclear how much he’ll be able to work in the future.

Friends have set up a Gofundme

to help John with some of his costs over the next few years for which he’s grateful. While John’s no longer paying rent thanks to a kind landlord, he’ll have other expenses as the cancer and treatments progress. The fundraiser has raised $8,900 of its $30,000 goal.

“A lot of my friends are hugely generous in helping me,” says John. “And I’m not really talking about the money there but just in spirit, giving me hands with whatever I need to do.”

“Somebody here always looks after you on Bowen Island, which is one of the great things about living here.”

John started boat building at 17 as an apprentice at Mosquito Creek. “It wasn’t very pleasant at the time,” he says. “For me it was all about fixing old wooden boats…but in that I learned a lot.”

By the fourth year of his apprenticeship John was building 27-foot sailboats. After his apprenticeship, John slipped into cabinetmaking where there was more money and more work. After more than a decade of that, he moved into renovations. “I wasn’t so good at the

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

John Overbye has mesothelioma from his years working with asbestos.

renovations because I’m a shop guy…

“It’s all about using levels and squares, where before I was only using a square because when you build boats, you don’t use a level.”

John moved to Bowen Island permanently in 1993 and has since worked on many developments––Cates Hill, the Ruddy Potato, Rivendell––and done many a smaller project, carports and the like. Hearkening to his wooden ship roots, John likes mortar and tenon joints and high-end finishing. “I’m old-school,” he says.

Last year, John got very sick and started having breathing problems. The doctors couldn’t figure

out what was wrong but the sickness passed. A few months later, fluid started building up on his side. December 14, John was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Most common among people who’ve worked regularly with raw asbestos or asbestos-containing products, mesothelioma develops when the mineral fibres are inhaled and then lodge in the mesothelium––a thin tissue surrounding most internal organs. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 12 to 21 months, though treatments like the one John’s on now can extend that. John’s hoping for four to five years.

Before 1990, asbestos was a

common insulating and fireproofing material in homes. Use of the mineral was banned in Canada in 2018.

“A lot of that work in those days on these older houses, I got my part of my cancer from that,” says John. “The other part of it was from working in Vancouver on these malls because in those days they would spray the ceilings with asbestos. They never painted it.

“We didn’t know anything about it in those days.”

As an avid boater and motorcycle rider, there are a few things John still hopes to do, including ride across Canada, and he does his best to stay positive.

“Always looking at the bright side, always having fun,” he says.

“I’m not afraid of death because I’ve lived a really good life. I’ve traveled the world many times.”

“I’ve covered probably all the West Coast, every little town, by motorcycle in the last 10 years.

“I’ve lived a good life, full life almost,” he says. “Not that I want it to end. I still want to do some more riding.”

Islanders can contribute to the ‘Help John beat cancer’ fund at gofundme.com/f/aa8y2-help-john or directly through First Credit Union.

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A4 • Thursday, October 1, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

VIEWPOINTS NOT REALLY AN EDITORIAL

How to vote by mail

General voting day for the upcoming provincial election is Oct. 24. While it may be burdensome to vote during a pandemic, it’s so important that we all do. If you’re worried about day-of voting, there’s plenty of time to request a vote-by-mail package.

One can request a vote-by-mail package online at eregister.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/ovr/welcome.aspx# or by calling Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683.

“During a pandemic, vote by mail is a good option for voters with underlying health conditions and for voters who do not wish to vote in person at a voting place,” says the website.

One will need to provide name, date of birth, address and one of the following identification numbers: B.C. driver’s licence number, B.C. identification card number, last six digits of your Social Insurance Number or last six digits of your Personal Health Number.

You can also pick up your vote-by-mail package in person at the closest district electoral office.

Elections BC recommend one request a vote-by-mail package by Oct. 17. Completed packages must be received before 8 p.m. Oct. 24.

More information: elections.bc.ca/voting/how-to-vote-by-mail/ As of Sept. 28 Elections BC had received 431,000 vote by mail requests.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘Her good humour and incisive preserve and protect credo will be sorely missed’: Jean Jamieson

DEAR EDITOR: I was deeply saddened to learn of Jean Jamieson’s passing. She lived a long and full life, primarily here on Bowen, caring for her family and the community on the Collins Farm homestead. I was honoured to be able to help with the Davies Heritage Orchard restoration, bringing eager students from Kwantlen College to assess and carefully prune and replant a number of apples, pears and plum trees. Jean always brought a great big tray of freshly baked cinnamon buns, very welcome in the cold and damp months.

More recently, I was able to join the Cape Roger Curtis Trust Society in providing reasoned, evidence-based input into the Official Community Plan amendments that had been proposed by the landowners over many years. Our board met around kitchen tables and hosted public sessions in Collins Hall, always with good intentions and even better treats, often provided by Jean or her sister, Marion Moore. Each of these talented women contributed a lifetime of experience and articulate compassion to the preservation efforts so important to the rural character and ecological integrity of Bowen Island.

I will miss Jean, and her good humour and incisive preserve and protect credo will be sorely missed by many friends and neighbours.

Thank you, Jean. May you rest in peace.

Bill Granger

Correcting an omission

Last week’s story remembering Jean Jamieson unwittingly left out an important person in her life: her younger brother Roy Collins. Roy and his wife own a home on Bowen and visit regularly. Jean and Roy’s sister Marion Moore laughingly remembers Roy being

very put upon by his many older sisters. Marion, now 98, too lives on Bowen Island. Sorry for the omission and thank you Marion for noting it!

Bronwyn Beairsto, Editor

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.

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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

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

Thursday, October 1, 2020 • A5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

On the removal of fish farms Halloween Queen from Discover Islands by Sept. 30 taking 2020 off due to COVID-19

DEAR EDITOR: For several years the decline of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River had become sufficiently alarming that a commission of enquiry headed by Justice Bruce Cohen was set. The commission took more than two years with a report of 1,100 pages in 2012 and 75 recommendations covering habitat protection, salmon farming, hatchery and fisheries management and government accountability. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to act on the recommendations of the Cohen Commission, with the removal of all salmon farms from Discovery Islands by Sept. 30, 2020.

So far nothing seems to have been achieved by the Sept. 30 deadline despite the disastrous situation of the sockeye salmon of the Fraser River this year, resulting in large part from the destruction of juveniles’ feeding habitat in coastal waters by the offshore fish farming industry.

It should be an infuriating irony for anyone, but particularly British Columbians, to witness the demise of one of the best wild salmon environments of the world. The fishery has been “systematically and scientifically” destroyed by offshore fish farming development made possible by unscrupulous or incompetent administration of the Fisheries and Oceans ministry.

The fish farming industry that has invaded over recent years the best-protected shorelines of B.C. has brought diseases and pollution for all marine wildlife, but particularly to the wild salmon species whose juveniles were feeding in what was their

pristine environment. Offshore industrial fish farming under the control of the department of Fisheries and Oceans, is the source of contamination of the marine environment by the accumulation of intensive fish excretion, fish food wastage and repeated high amounts of antibiotics required in the management of constant high density fish population. The fish farming industry refuses to even acknowledge the reality of those collateral consequences on the marine environment they are endangering under the supervision of the D. F. O. Fish farming ought to be done only in enclosed tanks on land, as it already exists, in manageable and profitable conditions. There should be no possible contact between fish farming and wildlife marine environment. The fish farm removal from Discovery Island by Sept. 30, 2020 is only a first step that ought to be honored. All offshore fish farming must be prohibited, as whale hunting was prohibited years ago in Canada.

Every year, volunteers work thousands of hours for the wild salmon enhancement programs of D.F.O., to which we participate with the Bowen Island Fish and Wildlife Club and its hatchery. Is it not an infuriating irony to have our efforts wasted by the destructive impact of offshore fish farming on juvenile salmon that we release at sea?

It is time for politicians to have the courage to redress the long lasting cost to all, resulting from the repeated abuses by corporate industries for the instant profit of a few.

André H. Chollat, Anne Franc de Ferrière

Donation times limited at Knick Knack Nook

Just a reminder to our generous donors that the Knick Knack Nook will accept your donation on Sunday and Monday only, and betweeion noon and 2:20 p.m. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but we are trying to adjust to new problems, weather, volunteers, other charities’ problems. Thank you for your consideration and ongoing donations and visits. We look forward to your visits Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, noon to 2:20 p.m.

David Wrinch

DEAR EDITOR: Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed a few weeks ago that Halloween 2020 is not cancelled due to the global pandemic (Sept. 9) and there will be guidelines that have not been released yet…but I don’t think that anyone except the Bowen locals can understand how big Halloween in our little community is!

On Halloween night I usually have more than 500 local people of all ages visit, as well as the 100 plus Halloween tourists who visit each year in addition to the up to a dozen Halloween characters haunting my yard for trick or treating and Halloween fun! Halloween has always been my favourite holiday and I’ve been helping out with Halloweens on Bowen for decades. But there’s never been a Halloween like this one before.

I did some research to try to help me make a decision about Halloween at my place and the BC Centre for Disease Control website says: “At this time, event organizers are ordered to limit all public gatherings larger than 50 people. This includes indoor and outdoor seasonal fairs, sporting events, conferences, meetings, concerts, theatres, religious gatherings or other similar events.

A new order for Gatherings and Events was issued on September 18, 2020, with information for banquet halls, events in public and private spaces…”

So, I’m afraid that if I open my gates on Halloween night for trick o’treating that I will be considered an organizer or participant in an outdoor seasonal event at a private space that will attract over the allowed participants; that I will not be able to control, or track participants and I’ll end up getting fined, or worse: potentially negatively impact the need to flatten the curve.

I just can’t see a way to follow pro-

SARAH HAXBY PHOTO

Ghosts and goblins are usually aplenty Halloween night at Sarah Haxby’s home in the Loop. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions and limitations, Haxby won’t be participating in Halloween festivities. vincial COVID guidelines at my place on Halloween, so I’ve made the difficult decision to keep my gates closed this year and to not hand out candy and am going to entirely take a year off from organizing or participating in any of the elements of the usual Bowen community Halloween activities.

Halloween will not look the same this year.

The Volunteer Fire Department will likely also issue a statement soon, but it is my understanding that there will not be fireworks this year.

Of note: there is a new Halloween Task Force that B.I. Community Recreation has organized that has been working on things, see its story on p. 1.

Be kind, be safe, and please respect each other’s individual decisions as we figure out new ways to safely celebrate the spirit of Halloween on Bowen Island.

Sarah Haxby

NEW LISTINGS

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A6 • Thursday, October 1, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Recognizing stress-inducing ‘faff’ ROB WYNEN

Contributor

I was at uncle/daddy and me drop-in at the children’s centre the other week, a great program for all you dads, uncles and granddads every Saturday 10 a.m. to noon, when an interesting word came up.

Colm, originally from Scotland mentioned it to me. I had never heard it in Canada: “faff.”

The word came up in one of the many conversations we have about topics as diverse as good whiskey, Trump and the trials and tribulations of being a dad while we keep an eye out for the little ones racing around the playground. We were talking about all the extra items, actions and thoughts we deal with that are just so unnecessary, a waste of time and stress inducing––basically the opposite of keeping life simple. Yeah, I know what you mean, it’s all that faff.

I have been on a somewhat successful journey to eliminate the faff in my life. Partly to eliminate stress, save money and because it just doesn’t bring much happiness to one’s life. In the book, The Happiness Equation, author Neil Pasricha dedicates and entire chapter to removing decision from our daily lives. Decisions come with stress. Routinizing daily tasks can remove a lot of life’s decision making.

Faff often requires more decision making.

It is something I speak to my clients quite frequently about: set up your fitness routine on a certain date/time and stick to it. Whatever the time is, Monday,

Wednesday and Friday at 8 a.m., exer- ferry seats, figuring out where to stand and cise at those times. It removes that battle how to hand merchandise over to the teller of “should I or shouldn’t I go to the gym have become a chore. At my work clients today,” the guilt of not going on that day now have to sign up online for gym visits, and the nagging in one’s head about get- pick a time slot, figure out their pass codes, ting those three workouts in. Hey, it’s pay online…so much faff.

Tuesday, not my gym day, I I was recently speaking don’t have to feel guilty about with Bill, an elderly man not going.

“Faff is increasing swimming in our pool. Bill The word came up in our was lamenting the loss conversation when Colm was of his post-swim hot tub at an incredible explaining the benefits of his reward, the closed change GPS system on his phone that rate in our society rooms, the online booking, he uses for commuting on his waiting outside in swim as is stress and motorbike. “It lets me know trunks for his designated when there is a traffic tie up, swim time and the need to anxiety. It makes which route will get me there plan his recreational activpeople irritable, faster…” ities in advance instead of I told him this wasn’t for just showing up. “Rob, it’s wastes time and all work now.” me. To me it was just another piece of faff, one that requires Faff is increasing at an knocks us off another set of decisions to incredible rate in our socibe made. If I hit traffic, I’ll ety as is stress and anxiety. course.” deal with it. No big deal. I’m It makes people irritable, –Rob Wynen not into figuring out a new wastes time and knocks route to take; I don’t need the us off course. Shopping is extra stress of making anothless enjoyable, focusing on er decision. We all have our ways. Colm what is important becomes more difficult wasn’t convinced––I think he will be stick- and it just isn’t fun. As Bill succinctly put ing with his GPS. it, life has become more work. Sad when Faff is one of those factors that I think has we already see our work consume so much created so much more stress in our lives, more of our lives than a generation ago. especially during these COVID times. Our In these times you would think we could routines have been turned upside down. all do with a bit more simplicity in our Simple tasks have become complicated, lives, the opposite seems to be happening. stressful, some to a minor degree, some One wonders if this will be the “new norm.” more major. It has taken some of the fun As we increasingly put in place measures out of life. At the pub I needed to use an to deal with our new reality, we would be app to get the menu, although they know wise to keep in mind the importance of me well enough to usually bring a paper fun, relaxation and reducing stress whencopy. Simple tasks such as walking into a ever we can. We need to recognize faff, grocery store have been complicated with ensure it is really needed and recognize arrows pointing in all directions. Finding that it does create extra stress.

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

For houses that will be getting into the spirit, please send your address to bicr@bimbc.ca to be included in the map. Please note that addresses will be kept confidential; just the areas on the map will be highlighted.

BICR will also be posting a virtual costume parade after asking for photos of the scary goblins and ghouls dressed up in their Halloween best! Submit your pics to bicr@bimbc.ca to be included.

The Bowen RCMP will be patrolling the island and encouraging safe driving throughout.

The Snug Cove General Store and The Ruddy Potato will be receiving candy donations to share with residents in their neighbourhood groups who may wish to leave treats at the ends of their driveways as suggested by Dr. Henry.

The Bowen Youth Centre also has some spooky plans for glow-in-the-dark disc golf, so stay tuned for information coming closer to Halloween.

Some other suggestions that the Halloween Task Force has come up with: • Get together in smaller groups in your neighbourhood or bubble and trick or treat safely, closer to home or with close friends.

• For families who are not comfortable going out at all, trick or treat in your own home, knocking on the doors in and outside of the home.

• Hide treats along a trail and go for a spooky “treat-walk” on a Bowen trail, just don’t leave any behind!

• Have a pumpkin carving party in your bubble.

And with that, the Halloween Task Force in this COVID year will conclude its work in trying to ensure the spirit of Halloween stays alive and well on Bowen Island!

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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 3:10 pm 4:15 pm< 5:20 pm 6:30 pm 7:45 pm> 8:50 pm 9:50 pm 10:50 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 2:35 pm 3:45 pm 4:50 pm 5:55 pm 7:10 pm 8:20 pm> 9:20 pm 10:20 pm

Leave Horseshoe Bay

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

CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Schedule in Effect: September 8, 2020 to October 12, 2020

Leave Snug Cove

FAFF: INEFFECTUAL, OVERCOMPLICATED, TIME WASTING TASKS

Houses getting in the spooky spirit to be added to BICR map

Crossing Time: 20 minutes Distance: 3 nautical miles Note: This is a non-reservable route * exCepT SuN aND oCT 12

> exCepT SaT

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

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Thursday, October 1, 2020 • A7

CALENDAR

ONGOING

Bowen Island Library Open noon to 3 p.m. Wed. to Sat. Dialogue: Paintings & Collage by Jennifer Love & Kim LaFave Sept. 17-Oct. 19; The Hearth Gallery

THURSDAY OCT. 1

Online Workshop for Parents: Helping Children Deal With the Stress & Anxiety of COVID-19 7 pm Space limited & registration required. More info: bowenchildrenscentre. ca/seminars-2/ Vaccination clinic Family Place 9 a.m.noon Infant, toddler and kindergarten vaccinations available. Book an appointment through the Vancouver Coastal Health appointment line: 604983-6863. Andrea Firth, community health nurse, is available to answer any questions about vaccinations in advance or about your child’s health/ development, patenting or breastfeeding.

SATURDAY OCT. 3 & 4

Trail Trash Scavenger Hunt

Your favourite trail, head down to your beach, roadway or even the ditch out front of your house Hosted by Bowen Island Trail Society Pick up some litter.

Remember to keep yourself safe and protected while you’re out there – gloves, masks and some socially distanced pals. “We’d love for you take a photo and tag us – or send us an email with a pic of your litter stash (by midnight on October 4th, please)”

SATURDAY OCT. 3

BAA Farmers’ Market BICS parking lot 10 am-noon Bring cash and a mask African Basket Sale USSC lawn 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Nzuri Basket Company will be on Bowen for a one-day pop-up event. “Come see our beautiful collection of handmade baskets and handbags, all woven by a collective of women in Kenya.”

SUNDAY OCT. 4

Outdoor Meditation Circle Meet at the undercover area in Crippen Park 11 am Every Sunday; no charge How to make soil: Lasagna Beds 101 Grafton Agricultural

Commons

“This no dig, no till method is a mainstay of regenerative gardening and permaculture. It is particularly helpful on Bowen where native fertile soil is hard to find. *Limited to 12 participants due to insurance and COVID. For the time & to register, email names to: hellobifs@gmail. com

TUESDAY OCT. 6

Bowen Business meetup Zoom 9 am Monthy model. James Blackwell of Small Business BC will be presenting the newly launched Online BC Marketplace and other initiatives. bowenislandmunicipality. ca/news/releases/bowenbusiness-digital-meetup

SATURDAY OCT. 10

Last BAA Farmers’ Market BICS parking lot 10 am-noon Bring cash and a mask

SUNDAY OCT. 11

« Fresh Local Turkeys from JD Farms Call to reserve your bird now!

« Local fall produce

Fresh cranberries, nugget potatoes, brussels sprouts, squash, green beans, BC apples

« Yummy fresh Pies « Take-home Turkey dinners

from the Ruddy Kitchen with all the trimmings VILLAGE SQUARE 604.947.0098 ruddypotato.com

Thanksgiving Sunday Outdoor Meditation Circle Meet at the undercover area in Crippen Park 11 am Every Sunday; no charge

NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION: 510 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Sidewalk Access Please be advised OCASA Construction Ltd. will be moving our construction fence on Bowen Trunk Road as per the attached photo to facilitate safe construction access. A temporary pedestrian walkway will be installed adjacent to the bike lane. This will be in effect from October 2020 to late spring 2021.

On completion of our work, public land will be reinstated to existing or better condition. We appreciate cooperation of all and commit to maintaining a safe and tidy area as well as reinstatement as soon possible.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Neel Gurung, Site Safety Officer, at 604.362.6007 or by email at bowenproject@outlook.com.

A8 • Thursday, October 1, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

What are your thoughts on the 2020 provincial election?

We want to hear them.

Email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com with your thoughts, wishes and questions for candidates.

And don’t forget to vote Oct. 24!

Grandfriends branches into old technology to connect youth and seniors SARAH HAXBY & MARYSIA MCGILVRAY

Bowen Island Library

Delivered to your mailbox every week for $55 per year ($85 to off island addresses) 604-947-2442 ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com Thank you for your support of local journalism now and always.

Book your complimentary meet & greet and first walk or drop in. Rates are $25 for group hikes and start at $15 for drop-ins.

Dog Walking

Cat Care

Group Hikes Individual Walks Socialization

778 898 5950 |

Home Visits Litter Maintenance Playtime

www.barkpetcare.ca

COVID has got us communicating and socializing in all kinds of new ways—Zooming, Facetiming, shout-chatting from two metres away through multiple layers of cotton mask. This fall, an old way—letter-writing— will become new again, for youth at Bowen Island Community School (BICS) and anyone wanting to be their “Grandfriend Pen Pal.” You could be a “grand” friend to students at BICS if you’re 55 years old or over, and are interested in writing a letter per month to BICS students and receiving letters from students in return. We’re looking for older adults who want to share their stories, lives and love of writing with youth.

The program starts in October and will run throughout the school year and is open to all Bowen Island community members age 55+ and all BICS students in kindergarten to grade seven.

BICS has partnered with the Bowen Island Public Library for this reconceptualized version of the tried-and-true Grandfriends program.

Grandfriends has been running for 25 years at BICS, seeking to foster community connections and building intergenerational social connections in traditional and new ways.

These connections are even more important during COVID times, when it can be that much more challenging to stay in

touch with friends, family and community.

Bowen Library is excited to partner with BICS on this new pen pal version of Grandfriends, as we share similar mandates to foster connections and to promote literacy. Both BICS and Bowen Library appreciate the importance of intergenerational connections and we very much wanted to provide a new COVID-safe way of continuing the Grandfriends program.

Participating Grandfriends will go to the library to drop off and pick up their monthly letters to students (we can also mail them to you if needed).

Grandfriends can also participate via email, if email is preferred or something they would like to learn. The library’s tech tutor is always here to guide anyone through using email or their devices. There will also be optional opportunities for the Grandfriends to connect via video chat with BICS classrooms from the Bowen Library, with library staff guiding individual participants to connect successfully and securely. It’s all about exploring new-to-you ways of communicating and connecting!

To get involved as a Grandfriend Pen Pal, register online

by Oct. 15 at bipl.link/penpals or ask for a paper registration form at the Bowen Island Public Library. And of course, you can always call us at the library to register over the phone.

Find more information about the Grandfriends Pen Pals Program at bowenlibrary.ca; email us at info@bowenlibrary. ca, or call us at (604) 947-9788.

Muni morsels: hazards zoning, pot rezoning & emissions CONTINUED FROM P. 1

on Bowen Island

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“[It’s] triggered by the magnitude of the work, rather than by the area of the work,” said Pierce, “generally measured in volume of disturbance or area of land.”

The idea is to not impede locals’ everyday work but to catch more major endeavours––such as preparing lots for construction––before they happen. It’s not uncommon for a site to be prepared for work, including blasting and clearing, before a building permit comes in said Pierce (which is the way the building permits work she added). “At that point, it’s not really something that can be put back,” she said.

Identifying what types of activities increase risks to “water contamination, groundwater lowering, ground instability, soil runoff, drought or other hazards” is part of the BIM workplan.

The year-long workplan for developing and implementing the two bylaws approved at Monday’s council meeting estimates a cost of $8,800. While the hazardous areas DPA development will require technical expertise, BIM is hoping to take advantage of a university work program to employ a graduate student, bringing the cost down significantly.

Councillors voiced general support for the workplan.

Coun. Sue Ellen Fast noted she was glad to see public engagement built into the plan. Coun. Alison Morse noted that defining hazards would be important to the success of the bylaw (she was on council for the 2011 failed bylaw).

Coun. Maureen Nicholson was the sole vote against passing the work plan. Her reasoning was that council has a strategic planning session coming up and it would be good to see what projects are underway and what projects could conceivably be done by term’s end two years from now.

Puff away: Happy Isle Cannabis Company is applying for a rezoning to allow for a non-medical cannabis retail unit.

In anticipation of the federal government legalizing marijuana in 2018, BIM adopted a bylaw prohibiting the cultivation, production, packaging, storage, distribution, trading, or selling of cannabis in the municipality. Farm use, medical purposes and the four personal plants allowed under federal legislation are exceptions. The understanding was that should anyone want sell or cultivate cannabis they could apply for a temporary use permit or rezoning, giving the

municipality more control over where dispenseries can be located.

Happy Isle got its TUP in 2018 and opened in May 2019.

The TUP is to expire in 2021.

“Review of comments from BIM Bylaw Services and RCMP have expressed no concerns and found no evidence of complaints or any calls of concern from the neighbourhood during the entire duration of this company at this location,” said a BIM staff report.

Councillors voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare a rezoning bylaw.

Emmitting a plan: An update to BIM’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) is in the works.

The first plan in 2016 “has guided BIM’s climate action from 2017 to present” said a staff report and the update is to guide the following five years.

Actions related to the previous CEEP plan listed in the report include the on-island composting feasibility study, multi-use pathway progress (though none’s been built outside of the cove to date), site alteration bylaw in the works, Land Use Bylaw updates in the works, conservation development policy in the works, adoption of step three of the STEP code (comes into effect Oct. 1) and adoption of the climate action strategy.

The plan is to cost $15,000 with half covered by BC Hydro and the other half taken from the Carbon Initiatives Reserves Fund.

The plan is to incorporate emissions data and analysis, initiatives, components of the climate action strategy and other relevant policies and plans.

Water grants: Council authorized staff to apply for an infrastructure grant to connect the municipal Eagle Cliff Water System and the Cove Bay Water System. Director of Engineering Patrick Grant said it would likely be fall 2021 they’d find out if the application was successful or not with construction going into 2022.

Slow down: The speed limits bylaw passed adoption, legally setting the speed limit across the island at 40 km/hr except where otherwise noted.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Formula for a life: HEROISMS FULFILLING 100 LIFE VISIONS

Win one of four high school scholarships

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Writing a book was goal 82 of Peter Boronkay’s 100 life visions––a goal he achieved last month in publishing HEROISMS: 8 Pillars to a Life of Passion, Beauty and Creativity.

In the memoir-manual, the islander of more than 25 years lays out his approach to life through HEROISMS, an acronym he’s trademarked, and invites readers to apply his formula to their own existences.

Boronkay breaks his “grand life plan” into eight categories: health, education, relations, occupation, interests, society, money and spirituality (HEROISMS) and explains each category in a chapter of the book.

“If we look at these eight categories, there’s nothing you could say that will not fit into one of these categories,” Boronkay told the Undercurrent. “I came up with the acronym HEROISM, which was an appropriate acronym because we strive to be brave in tackling our life aspirations.”

As an avid journal-writer, the associate portfolio manager recounts his accomplishments to date in astounding detail and describes his approach to everything from wealth management to heart health to volunteering for the Olympics.

“I was trying to be very honest, and open, which I thought would make it a better read,” he said.

Thursday, October 1, 2020 • A9

TO LIVE AND LEARN IN VICTORIA, BC PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER BORONKAY

Peter Boronkay, author of HEROISMS: 8 Pillars to a Life of Passion, Beauty and Creativity

To write the book, Boronkay reviewed every year of his life and wrote what meaningful things happened in that year. “Then I had a spreadsheet of everything that happened in my life chronologically, so that that helped me identify what stories I’d want to expand upon.”

Sprinkled throughout the text are life insights from Boronkay’s journal: “persistence more than any other quality is needed to achieve success in whatever you pursue,” reads one. Indeed, persistence is key throughout Boronkay’s text as he talks his way into schools, envisions a home on a lake, contemplates career paths and strides toward achieving his 100 life visions.

HEROISMS: 8 Pillars to a Life of Passion, Beauty and Creativity is available at Phoenix and the Hearth as well as online.

uld This coou be y

d e k s a Get M 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

WE’RE IN YOUR AREA OCTOBER 15-22 We’re making a special trip to Vancouver and Whistler to meet with students and their families who are interested in St. Michaels University School and our scholarship contest, The Best School Year Ever®.

Book your in-person or virtual appointment today Contact the Admissions team at: 1-800-661-5199 or admissions@smus.ca Visit bestschoolyearever.ca for more information.

A10 • Thursday, October 1, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Your Community

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Call or email to place your ad, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

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ADVERTISING POLICIES

All advertising published in this newspaper is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to buyers at the advertised prices. Advertisers are aware of these conditions. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading, is never knowingly accepted. If any reader encounters non-compliance with these standards we ask that you inform the Publisher of this newspaper and The Advertising Standards Council of B.C. OMISSION AND ERROR: The publishers do not guarantee the insertion of a particular advertisement on a specified date, or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers.

Further, the publishers do not accept liability for any loss of damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any corrections of changes will be made in the next available issue. The Bowen Island Undercurrent will be responsible for only one incorrect insertion with liability limited to that portion of the advertisement affected by the error. Request for adjustments or corrections on charges must be made within 30 days of the ad’s expiration.

For best results please check your ad for accuracy the first day it appears. Refunds made only after 7 business days notice!

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Changes at Catching Stars EMILIE KAPLUN, THIAGO RAMIREZ & KATHLEEN AINSCOUGH

Catching Stars Gallery

As you have now heard, we have some big changes happening at Catching Stars Gallery. We wish Marie Neys all the best in her new artistic endeavours of teaching and marketing art.

We look forward to continuing to showcase Marie’s amazing oil paintings at the gallery. We are excited to announce that Kathleen Ainscough will be our third co-owner as of Oct. 1.

Kathleen’s background and experience, as well as her love of the arts make her the perfect candidate to join Emilie Kaplun and Thiago Ramirez at the helm to run the gallery.

Kathleen was a founding member of a co-operative on Bowen Island, Foxglove Fibre Arts Studio, from 2000 to 2005. There, Kathleen helped organize and promote workshops and exhibitions with local and international artists.

For many years, Kathleen worked in advertising and marketing at the Undercurrent newspaper and as a customer

Thursday, October 1, 2020 • A11

service rep at First Credit Union as well as developing her professional artist practice. She exhibits widely and teaches workshops as well. Kathleen currently works as the program coordinator at the Hearth, taking care of programming, marketing and the communications of the organization. We feel that she will easily transition into the role of co-owner and we hope you will join us in welcoming her onboard.

“It was just a year ago that I joined Catching Stars Gallery as an associate member and what a year it has been. I am excited to be joining Emilie and Thiago as a partner in this cooperative gallery and I wish Marie every success in her creative ventures,” says Kathleen. “Solid groundwork has been laid by the founding members, and well into its third year, we are grateful for the support of our community and beyond.

“Today more than ever, I feel the arts are vital to lift our hope and spirits during this difficult time.”

“As artists, we’ve been blessed with the ability to turn to our work at such a time: for solace, or for catharsis, or simply to make sense of our experience…and although we do this for ourPHOTO COURTESY OF CATCHING STARS selves, it’s a double blessing when such work speaks to others as Emilie Kaplun, Kathleen Ainscough and Thiago Ramirez. well.” – Alan Weisman

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A12 • Thursday, October 1, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

A cause to cycle: island-raised men ride 1,400 km in nine days for charity BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

From a farm in Northern Alberta, across the prairie flats, up into the foothills, over the Rockies, through the Caribou and the interior and finally over the Coastal Mountain Range, it was a relief for island-raised childhood friends Liam Zahara and Mateo Everitt to coast into Horseshoe Bay Sept. 23 and see their friends and family cheering.

The duo cycled 1,400 km in nine days to raise money for the barrier busting non-profit Power to Be. B.C.-based Power to Be was founded in 1998 to help people living with disabilities or other barriers to access nature. “We work to remove cognitive, physical and social barriers to the outdoors, supporting participants to explore who they are,” explains the website.

In a year where usual fundraising events are altered or cancelled, Zaraha and Everitt decided to take on their endeavour of endurance to raise money. Though the two are active (Zahara ran a 100-mile ultramarathon last year also for Power to Be) neither had cycled seriously––they got their new bikes in April.

Though some might think twice

about taking on the Rockies for their first long-distance bike trip, not Everitt and Zahara.

“My mindset has changed a little bit over the last couple of years of what I’m able to do,” said Zahara.

“We’re all so much more capable than what we imagine we’re capable of.”

“That’s what Power to Be does, is they really help enable people to overcome those limitations,’ said Zahara.

“During [quarantine], I think we all got a taste of being trapped in our apartments. And it was kind of a helpless feeling,” said Everitt.

“That was super hard on me to not be able to get out to nature and just reset my mindset.”

“That’s a reality for a lot of people who can’t access [nature] with whatever disability they have,” said Everitt. “And it’s just something they live with their with their whole lives.”

The two did one trip to Halfmoon Bay in August, but other than that, didn’t have the chance to do much training together before they set out for their starting point: Zahara’s grandparents’ farm in Northern Alberta Sept. 15.

“A trip of this length, you have so many physical battles but also mental battles,” says Everitt. On a bike for 10 to 12 hours a day

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIAM ZAHARA

Liam Zahara and Mateo Everitt were sure to represent Bowen Island on their journey of endurance from Northern Alta. to Horseshoe Bay.

through a gruelling terrain took perseverance.

The two grew up on Bowen but Everitt now lives in Victoria and Zahara now lives in North Vancouver. Yet, they knew Horseshoe Bay, gateway to Bowen Island, needed to be their destination.

And through brutal uphills, crushing headwinds on downhills in the Rockies, peddling through pounding rain, the two visualized their arrival in Horseshoe Bay. “Knowing that we..[had] both our families waiting for us at the

finish line, it was that carrot at the end of the stick,” said Everitt.

While there were many points where they were in pain, raising money for Power to Be was too a strong motivator. “Collaborating with them is really something that pushes you to wake up in the morning and get back on the bike and try and reach a different destination,” said Zahara.

The journey wasn’t always a smooth ride.

“Everything that could have gone wrong with my bike did go wrong,” said Everitt. After several

setbacks, the derailer snapped off his bike and Everitt had a friend come and switch it out for a new one.

Zahara didn’t have much trouble until five km from the finish line when he got a flat tire. “It started pouring on us that day. And it was just kind of a funny but fitting way to end the trip,” he said.

The Undercurrent talked to the two a couple days after their trip had ended. They were still feeling a bit fuzzy and were coming down off the adrenaline rush of the trip.

“It almost feels in a way like hasn’t really happened,” said Zahara. “It just came and went and now we’re I guess just settling back into reality.”

“Each day felt like an eternity because you’re in so much pain and you’re riding for so long. But then when the trip was done, it was kind of like snap your fingers… where did those nine days ago?” said Everitt.

Their trip, called “Riding our Roots,” has raised $10,800 of an original $5,000 goal with the fundraiser closing Oct. 8. See more information at powertobe.ca/riding-our-roots/.

“The amount of support that we received the whole trip was overwhelming,” said Zahara. “But we’re both extremely grateful.”