Bowen Island Undercurrent October 14 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

NO ONE HURT: Weekend fire destroys unoccupied cabin

Thursday, October 14, 2021 • A1

$1.50

PAGE 3

inc.

GST

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14 , 2021

BRIEF THEATRE

VOL. 47 NO. 40

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

TOTI thespians are back on the stage next week PAGE 7

Cannabis retail prohibition lifted

ALSO, COULD SECONDARY SUITES BE COMING TO ARBUTUS RIDGE?

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

MARY DAVEY PHOTO

RAINBOW DAYS: A stunning double rainbow had the east side of Bowen in awe Oct. 5. Mary Davey was at the

BICS turf field for the U9 soccer practice just before 5:30 p.m. when she snapped this dazzling shot.

The following are briefs from the Oct. 12 Bowen Island Municipality regular council meeting.

When Happy Isle Cannabis Company opened in 2019, it did so under a temporary use permit. BIM council had prohibited cannabis retail across the island ahead of the substance’s legalization in 2018.

The success of Bowen’s pot shop – and apparent lack of trouble or controversy – prompted a BIM committee to suggest lifting the island-wide retail prohibition when Happy Isle came forward for a rezoning.

Tuesday evening, council unanimously lifted the prohibition. Cannabis retail is now an allowed use wherever retail is a primary land use in the municipality.

This does not, however, mean that anyone may open a pot shop anywhere. There are strict provincial regulations for cannabis stores and all such store applications are referred to local governments. Local government approval is necessary.

So along with approving the rezoning, council adopted a cannabis referral policy to guide council’s future decision making. Referral considerations include location, community input – from property owners and land occupiers within a minimum of 100 metres of the proposed store as well as local RCMP – and consumer demand.

Secondary suites in Arbutus Ridge: A proposal to rezone up to 38 properties in the Arbutus Ridge development on the west side of Bowen to allow attached or detached (if a property is big enough) secondary suites was referred to committees.

The CD 18 zone that contains Arbutus Ridge was created in June 2014.

CONTINUED ON P. 11

BOWEN ISLAND ROOFING ROOFING & REPAIRS

604-987-7663

Trade ticket certified #00012-RO-96

A2 • Thursday, October 14, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Seeking Public Comment

Paving

Council will be considering the following Development Variance Permit (DVP) application at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 25, 2021 at the Regular Council Meeting via Zoom.

Various paving initiatives are underway on the island, including the Grafton Lake Lands development area, repairs to Taylor Way, end of Woods Rd, the BIRD Recycling Depot and more. Paving is scheduled to complete by October 29th, however it is weather dependent and may take longer. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as this important work is carried out, and we apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.

Events October 18, 2021 3:00 pm Finance Advisory Committee

October 19, 2021 5:00 pm

DVP-2021-0243 (1673 Evergreen Lane)

Heritage Commission

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A Development Variance Permit application has been submitted for 1673 Evergreen Lane (shown on map) to reassign side and rear lot line setbacks. The proposed variance would assign the western property line the required rear yard setback of 7.5 metres and would assign the southwestern property lot line the required side yard setback of 3 metres.

October 19, 2021 7:00 pm Parks, Trails and Greenways Advisory Committee

October 20, 2021

Water Main Flushing Flushing of municipal water systems started Tuesday, October 12 and will last for approximately 6 – 8 weeks. This procedure is necessary to remove sediment that gradually deposits in pipes, and does not pose a health hazard.

Most water systems will be flushed between Monday and Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, as crews rotate through each neighbourhood.

Municipal Hall CLOSED

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/alerts

October 25, 2021 7:00 pm

Burn Season

Regular Council Meeting All meetings are online via Zoom and

Open burning is allowed by permit on Bowen Island from October 15 to April 15, when the Ventilation Index allows.

open to the public, unless noted otherwise.

Apply for your burn permit online at

Help stop COVID-19:

Get vaccinated - everyone over 12 is eligible

Stay home if you’re sick

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

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME: Written submissions may be delivered to Municipal Hall by 4:00 pm on the meeting date (contact information below): • In person • By mail • By fax • By email to mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca Submissions may also be made to Mayor and Council at the meeting.

See www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/council-meetings for details.

To ensure a fair process, submissions cannot be accepted after the meeting has begun.

Wear a mask in indoor public spaces

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

Contact Bowen Island Municipality PAID ADVERTISEMENT October 14, 2021

Phone: Fax: Email: Website:

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

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

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/burn-permits

We’re hiring: Casual Youth Workers Bowen Island Community Recreation is seeking Casual Youth Workers. This is an exciting part-time position supporting the Youth Services Coordinator in the running of the Bowen Youth Centre, and community programming for Bowen Island youth. The Youth Worker primarily responds to the needs and interests of young people who attend Youth Centre programs by providing a variety of recreational activities for youth.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/jobs

Municipal Hall Closed October 20 Municipal Hall will be closed on Wednesday, October 20 to allow staff to participate in an Emergency Operations Centre refresher course and half-day earthquake preparation tabletop exercise.

Bowen Island’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) staffing relies on the secondment of municipal staff to the EOC to perform emergency support functions. It is imperative that this staffing pool be comprised of pre-designated, highly skilled municipal employees who train regularly and have the appropriate skills and experience to manage a municipal or multi-jurisdictional emergency.

Find us on Facebook Bowen Island Municipality

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, October 14, 2021 • A3

The Bowen parks, trails and beaches waiting for you NICOLA MURRAY

BIM Parks, Trails and Greenways Advisory Committee

You are a Bowen Islander when...well for one thing you have hiked around Killarney lake at least a thousand times. As an avid walker and hiker on Bowen for almost 20 years, I qualify.

And did I think I knew all the options? Well, yes, until recently when I saw a map on the Bowen Island Municipality (BIM) website : bowenislandmunicipality.ca/trails. Are you looking to expand your horizons? There are so many hidden gems on Bowen if you are looking for a new park or trail to explore. In addition to the trail system in Metro Vancouver’s Crippen Park and large swaths of Crown land (Mount Gardner, Mount Collins and Radar Hill) we have over a dozen publicly accessible municipal parks. We also have many beaches, coastal accesses, and viewpoints.

Would you like to find a nice flat piece of grass to practise some soccer moves with your kids, throw a ball, or have picnic? Try Aaron Sluggett field – part of the wonderful network of trails at Evergreen in Bowen Bay. You can also connect to the Mount Gardner trails from here. Or have

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIM

Have you visited the Headwaters Park boardwalk? you visited any of the neighbourhood parks on Bowen or beautiful trails through Cape Roger Curtis, not just the well-known shoreline trail?

Don’t forget the exercise stations at Quarry Park, and the disc golf course at the end of Athletic Park Road. There’s the bike park beside BICS, not to mention the tennis court. There’s also a beautiful walking trail around the golf course.

So, there’s a few ideas if you want to feel like you’re somewhere new. Get out there and enjoy playing with your kids, exploring with a friend or just to feed your soul. Checking out somewhere outside of your zone is also a great way to meet some new friends from other parts of the Island.

Have fun enjoying Bowen’s wonderful trails, parks, greenways and beaches!

Two minor vehicle collisions and other Sept. RCMP stats

CPL. ADAM KOEHLE

Bowen Island RCMP

The Bowen Island RCMP responded to 47 calls for service in September of 2021: • 2 of those files were related to traffic complaints or enforcement; • 4 of those files were requests to check a person’s well-being; • 1 of those files was a hiker lost on Mt Gardner; • 4 of those files were accidental 911 calls; • 2 of those files were minor vehicle collisions; Once the burning season begins on October

BOWEN ISLAND PUB SANGRE

DE

FRUTA

ALDERWOOD FARM ART

BY

DI

THE

TACOS & GIFTS

15, category 2 and 3 fires will be permitted.

These categories of fires are larger than a camp fire, which is anything under half a metre by half a metre. A category 2 fire is larger than a camp fire, up to three metres wide and two metres tall, and requires a free permit from both the municipality and Metro Vancouver. Category 3 fires are larger, they require a visit from the fire chief, and the permit costs $50.

Information about the category of fires and the permit process can be located on the municipality’s web site. Please be considerate of your neighbours through this period, and recognize that smoke may be an issue for people with respiratory issues.

THE REAL RAPUNZEL GIFTS BOTANICALS

FOOD

THE GYM ON BOWEN

WATERING

CAN

ON

AARON HANEN PHOTOS

A fire broke out on Mutiny Lane in Bluewater last Saturday evening. It was a small cabin that was under renovation, said the fire chief, Aaron Hanen, in a message. There were no occupants and the fire was out before 9:30 p.m. The cause is “still undetermined however not suspicious,” said Hanen.

THE RUDDY POTATO

BOWEN

DELIVERY

PHOENIX

BOWEN ISLAND GOLF CLUB

CATES PHARMACY

WREN

OF

THE

MOVEMENT

GLOBAL

HEARTH

GALLERY

BRANCH

BLUE

ARTS

BOUTIQUE

UNION

BOWEN E-BIKES

PACIFIC

GALLERY

STEAMSHIP

COMPANY

CLOUDFLOWER CLAY WORKS

STORE

RUSTIQUE BISTRO MOSS

HAIR

TANAKA

JEWELRY

0N

BOWEN

SNUG COVE

COPPER

SPIRIT

HAPPY ISLE

SALON CALYPSO & SHIATSU

STUDIO

CONNIE

BOWEN ISLAND LEGION BARCELONA TAPAS & WINE BAR MIKI

DESIGN

DOC MORGAN'S PUB & RESTAURANT COCOA WEST

THE VILLAGE BAKER CAFE FABULOUS FINDS ON BOWEN BOWEN ISLAND SEA KAYAKING

KNITS BOUTIQUE BOWEN

THE

BOWEN ISLAND FLOWER SHOP BOWEN BUILDING CENTRE

CANNABIS COMPANY KNICK KNACK NOOK POSITIVELY FIT STUDIO OUT

BOOKS&TOYS

ARTISAN EATS BAKERY & CAFE BOWEN SUSHI

BOUTIQUE

GENERAL STORE CANDY IN THE COVE TELL YOUR FRIENDS CAFE CHOCOLATIER

THE SNUG CAFE CATCHING STARS GALLERY

DISTILLERY

WRIGHT

ORIGINAL

SQUIRREL ON BOWEN

FLORA

TUSCANY ITALIAN TRATTORIA

DIE GOLDSCHMIEDE JEWELLERY BY GEROLD BOWEN PET SUPPLY

BOWEN BEER & WINE CELLAR

MAISON SANSKAR

SHAMANA

BLOOMS

JUNIPER GALLERY

BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY RECREATION HOME FARM GARDENS

NECTAR YOGA FIVE BLOSSOM GATHERINGS BOWEN ISLAND SOAP CO PEACH FUZZ WAX BAR BOWEN ISLAND TATTOO SHOP

BOWEN

MARKET

ISLAND

SUGAR CUBE

EVENT

RENTALS

BOWEN VET

CINDY

MAY

PHOTOGRAPHY

BOWEN ISLAND FREIGHT

MR

POTS

BOWEN BARBER

RILEY'S

CIDERY

BOWEN

GREEN CHAIR RECYCLING

FARMERS

A4 • Thursday, October 14, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

VIEWPOINTS EDITORIAL

Island-wide paper next week We have another island-wide mailout edition of the Undercurrent coming up next week. This one is celebrating Small Business Week. Let me know if you have story ideas!

It is also leading up to Halloween – so if you’re organizing Halloween

events, please let me know ASAP (email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-314-3004).

As always, if you have other stories, photos or suggestions, please do get in touch!

Bronwyn Beairsto, Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Nutty surprise for chestnut cupids

DEAR EDITOR: While visiting Bowen recently, I read the Undercurrent article about a local group’s efforts to provide a mate for the heritage Spanish chestnut tree, Castanea sativa, growing in Davies Orchard. As an arborist, I was excited to hear that locals were taking an interest in the welfare of this spectacular veteran tree. The article indicated that a young companion tree, Castanea sativa “Bouche de Betizak” had been selected and was being planted nearby to act as a pollinator for the 150-year-old veteran.

The intent being that the new tree would generate the requisite pollen required to fertilize many more of the otherwise unfertilized flowers, allow-

ing the icon to reach its full potential of chestnut production. Sadly, the hybrid chestnut Bouche de Betizac does not produce viable pollen and is considered sterile, rendering it useless as a pollinator for the Davies Orchard tree. On the positive side, the existing tree should be able to pollinate the young hybrid tree which is a variety commonly grown commercially for its excellent nut production.

Islanders can take comfort in the fact that although they won’t appear on the tree they were expecting them on, Bowen can look forward to a legacy of ongoing nut production.

David Weir Summerland, B.C.

In recognition of Saturday’s Dive Against Debris, the Undercurrent endorses this initiative and strongly condemns the ongoing activities of the Kitchen Appliance Artificial Reef Society

No new COVID-19 cases on Bowen

BC CDC data shows that for the 5,000-odd people of the Bowen IslandLions Bay community health service area: • The average daily case rate per 100,000 was zero between Oct. 5 and Oct. 11.

• As of Oct. 11, 85 per cent of people 12 and over are fully vaccinated.

• 79 per cent of teens between 12 and 17 are fully vaccinated as of Oct. 11; • 86 per cent of people 18 and over are fully vaccinated as of Oct. 11.

Juggling the commute:

Paul has been commuting to work for many years and juggles to pass the time and use body and brain. I was able to capture him the other day.

Jackie Minns

HAIG FARRIS PHOTO

A couple of weeks ago, Haig Farris spotted the first red tailed hawk he’s seen at Fairweather in 25 years.

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

Deadline to register for a CSA Craft Fair table is Oct. 15.

The craft fair is Dec. 5. For more information or a registration form, please email bicscraftfair@live.com.

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper.

You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. 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.

CSA craft fair

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Bronwyn Beairsto 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

SPECIAL THANK-YOU Audrey Grescoe

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Spitkovski historical musical throwback

DEAR EDITOR: What fun to read about Amber Spitkovski in your “Get to Know Your Neighbour” feature in the last issue.

Amber was one of the actor/singer/ dancers in my historical musical about Bowen Island – Voices in the Sound – which was performed in Crippen Park meadow in 2005 and 2006. Amber

was a joy to work with in the 2006 production. The story she mentions is referred to in the musical in Captain Cates’ Song. The Captain’s ship, the Britannia, was headed dangerously close to the island’s shore in dense fog.

The story goes that the son of Jacob Dorman grabbed his bugle and played “Nearer My God to Thee,” the song the

orchestra played on the Titanic as she was going down. That was all Captain Cates needed to turn the ship around.

By the way, if anyone is interested to watch the musical, my dear friend, Robert Ballantyne has just posted the 2005 production on YouTube: j.mp/ voicesinthesound.

Pauline Le Bel

Pulling through the pandemic: The Real Rapunzel reaches its third birthday DEAR EDITOR: Oh what crazy ride it has been the last three years. Last October there was no telling if The Real Rapunzel store would still be here on Artisan Lane for this year’s birthday, but here we are: optimistically looking forward to wonderful collaborations, more interesting people to meet and exciting new things to make in order to give you the most fun and unique experience the store is known for.

You, our wonderful customers, kept us positive and me busy making masks (which we are by the way still doing) and because of you the store is still alive and kicking.

We cannot stress enough what amazing customers we have on our island and thank everyone for their continued support.

As an appreciation to all of you we are going to celebrate this week: From Wednesday – Sunday we are having the biggest sale ever, treats, door crashers and freebees, there will be something for everyone in your family. On Saturday around noon the crazy talented Karen Dance from Tilted Kiln Works in Ladysmith will be in the store bringing more of her unique Monster mugs and character ceramics and she will be available for a little personal show and tell as well.

For more details visit us on Facebook (The Real Rapunzel) or Instagram (@ therealrapunzelonbowen) for details.

Ines Ortner

Thursday, October 14, 2021 • A5

ESTATE STORAGE CLEAN OUT!!!!

Saturday October 23 from 1pm-4pm Storage behind the Pub across from the Village Baker 983 Davies Road Shop Vac, Ladders, Tires, Tools and lots more!!

Conjuring up something for Halloween?

email your event listing to Bronwyn editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Strengthening Connections Across BC's Rural Islands TITANIA MICHNIEWICZ PHOTO

2021

Virtual

RIEP Forum.ca Oct 20 - 21 & Nov 30

Register Today!

Moderated Panels

E

LISA BROUGHAM PHOTO

Week for whales: Lisa Brougham has had an exceptional week. No fewer than three times has the islander spotted a humpback whale in the waves around Bowen and twice while she was on her paddleboard headed toward Worlcombe Island. Last week, we brought you a stunning shot of the whale thought to be two-year-old Scuba showing off its fluke. And here the whale is again a few days later. Islanders can stay abreast of local whale sightings in the Howe Sound Cetacean Sightings Group (facebook.com/groups/372308713726876). For boaters, remember: if you see a blow, go slow.

Ask Me Sessions

ca

RI

PF

oru m

.

Artisan Showcase

Connection Café

Bowen rising:

Our semi-annual sunset display.

As the sun goes down in the west, Bowen rises in the east — on the giant canvas across the Sound. It happens for a few weeks before and after each Equinox.

Photo was taken Oct. 10.

Definitely a Bowen moment!

Paul Tennant

Oct 20 - 21 & Nov 30

info@RuralIslandsPartnership.ca

A6 • Thursday, October 14, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Meet the new CFO BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY’S SHEILA MCCUTCHEON HAS MORE THAN 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND IS NO STRANGER TO SMALL TOWN LIVING

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Sheila McCutcheon started work at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 23, mere hours after arriving on Bowen Island. Island living may be new for Bowen Island Municipality’s chief financial officer (CFO) but neither the title nor small town life are unfamiliar to McCutcheon.

Born and raised in Prince George, McCutcheon spent some of her early career in the temperate south, working as an accountant for a Toyota dealership. It was in her decade in the Lower Mainland that McCutcheon spent considerable time skiing, hiking and exploring the Sea to Sky region and even visited Bowen Island for some cycling.

But, the coastal winters weren’t to last.

McCutcheon’s working life since has been in and around Northern B.C. communities, working in the public sector.

For more than a decade, McCutcheon worked for the College of New Caledonia overseeing finances for community and continuing education, international education and Aboriginal support services. About nine years ago, McCutcheon was working in Mackenzie overseeing finances for the satellite college, when it was time for a change.

The district municipality of 3,700 people wedged between the western edge of the Rocky Mountains and Williston Lake – known for timber and pulp – was also experiencing the effects of the economic downturn. “It was exciting to be part of the

District of Mackenzie…being part of a team that saw the rebuilding of Mackenzie,” she said. “I was part of high-functioning team of managers [who] cared about the community – that’s the biggest thing is you’ve got to care about the community – and wanted to see that recovery happen.”

“The biggest thing was the loss of major industry,” she said. The area had lost a sawmill and a pulp mill. “And then to develop revitalization tax exemption programs in order to see that major industry get back up on its feet…using the local government tools to be able to help support the recovery of the economy.

“To see how the strong advocacy at the mayor and council level to also intervene and how that whole system works together, no matter what part of the team you are.

“Whether it’s governance or administration, just working together for the entire community.”

McCutcheon stayed with the District of Mackenzie for five years before moving on.

She’d go on to take on CFO roles in Cache Creek and Vanderhoof and a CAO role in McBride between 2018 and 2020. Now McCutcheon comes to Bowen following a devastating pandemic and with the young municipality in the midst of the biggest capital projects it has ever seen.

“It’s an exciting time to be living and working on Bowen Island with all the new capital projects and the community hall,” she said.

“My role is really one of stewardship,” she said. “There are lots of challenges in local

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH E BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Sunday Worship 10:30 am v l Rev. Lorraine Ashdown M Lynn Williams - Minister of Music.

Helen Wallwork leads Sunday School.

FOOD

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 00 Sunday Mass at 9.30

Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

CATES HILL CHAPEL

A

6304

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

00 am W Now offering worship services via Zoom.

A link available on website.

Pastor: Phil Adkins

SHIRAT HAYAM (Song of the Sea) BOWEN’S JEWISH COMMUNITY Shabbat Gatherings ~ Holidays Contact aryana.rayne@gmail.com

o

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

Sheila McCutcheon joined Bowen Island Municipality in late summer, coming to the island after decades in Northern B.C.

government.

“I bring a scope of experience, especially with smaller communities, to help navigate some of those challenges.”

But, there are specific challenges for each local government. “No two communities seem to be the same,” she said. “Whether it’s a resource-based community like Mackenzie or Bowen Island that’s much more a lifestyle community and tourist-based.”

She noted the curve on learning the internal operations, the committee workings and council’s strategic priorities. There’s also familiarizing herself with the capital projects

for 2021. “We had a very ambitious capital budget for 2021 and it’s great to see that the majority of the projects are in progress.”

And becoming familiar with grant opportunities and successes – “It’s very impressive the degree of infrastructure grants Bowen Island has been successful with.

“I’m just excited to be here,” she said. “It’s a new adventure, a new work experience.

“It is fast-paced and there’s always something new to work on or learn about and attending council and community meetings is one of my most favourite parts of my role.”

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule October 12, 2021 to March 22, 2022

DEPART BOWEN ISLAND

DEPART HORSESHOE BAY

5:20 am except Sundays 5:50 am 6:50 am 6:20 am 8:00 am 7:30 am 9:05 am except Wednesdays 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:15 am 11:25 am 10:50 am 12:35 pm 12:00 pm 2:20 pm 1:10 pm 3:30 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm except Wednesdays 4:35 pm 5:10 pm 5:45 pm 6:15 pm 6:50 pm 7:25 pm except Saturdays 8:00 pm except Saturdays 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 9:30 pm 10:00 pm 10:30pm Note: Schedules subject to change without notice: Please check BCFERRIES.COM Schedule changes on statutory holidays

Theatre’s brief return

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, October 14, 2021 • A7

TOTI IS BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ‘BRIEFS: A MULTI-PACK OF SHORT PLAYS’

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Theatre has found ways to go on during the pandemic – in open fields and on Zoom screens – but finally, it’s returning indoors.

Theatre on the Isle is presenting Briefs: A Multi-Pack of Short Plays at the Legion Oct. 22 and 23. It is a 19+ event and proof of vaccination is required.

“A nice variety of comedy drama, absurd – a really nice mix of good human stuff,” said Kat Stephens, who is charge of TOTI’s communications and is one of the actors in the plays.

Of the five short plays, two are more dramatic pieces – there’s the mother-daughter story about generations and growing up: The First Fireworks by Alex Brown. Then there’s Kain Town by Douglas Hill, more about human connection in difficult times – “Just the struggle to connect with someone when you’ve been hurt before,” said Stephens.

“Short plays are a lot like short stories in that they just pack so much into a short little experi-

ence,” said Stephens. “So you have a whole arc – you really see a character’s life. And it’s a bit of a gut punch.”

There’s the absurd comedy Smoke Scenes by Nick Zagone.

“It’s a little snapshot of what it’s like to workshop theater. It’s like a theater exercise,” said Stephens.

Comedy of Errs by Jim Leonard – “a fun, kind of slow paced Midwest comedy, looking at Shakespeare through a lens of a subculture that doesn’t quite understand it.”

And then Wingmen, written

by TOTI’s own Frazer Elliott, “An uproarious buddy comedy heavily influenced by Top Gun.” The Multi-Pack’s cast includes six TOTI veterans: Martin Clarke, Annabelle Coon, Frazer Elliott, Davin Killy, Kat Stephens and Calder Stewart.

Though the stages have been unconventional, the show has gone on during the pandemic.

There was a short foray back into live theatre in summer 2020 with the outdoor production of Lysistrata in Veterans Park, which was cancelled in the second soldout weekend because of COVID-19

concerns.

And throughout the pandemic, TOTI has presented Inside the Actors’ Quarantine over Zoom.

“The Zoom stuff was really fun.

It was nice to keep that muscle going. It was so nice to stay connected with our acting community, but as well as the Bowen community,” said Stephens. “So many Boweners tuned in and ex-pats.”

“But it’s so confining when you’re working in this little Zoom screen – it’s really rigid.”

“Trying to cram theater into a Zoom box was a challenge,” she said. “It’s so nice to just break out and actually embody some performance again.”

But returning to indoor theatre has been “really liberating” said Calder Stewart. “The absolute best.”

“I definitely cried during the first rehearsal,” he said.

“Oh, absolutely,” chimed in Stephens.

“It is different in the way we have to think about things and safety. That is such a big priority,” said Stewart.

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

There’s comedy and drama in ‘Briefs: A Multi-Pack of Short Plays’ coming up Oct. 22 and 23. Kat Stephens and Calder Stewart are among the six actors in TOTI’s first foray into live theatre in more than a year.

The spectre of last year’s cancelled Lysistrata weekend and an ongoing pandemic does hang over the show.

“There’s definitely an awareness that everything could come crashing down at any minute in this process. But if anything that just makes it more precious,” said Stephens.

They’ve also put in a few more safety measures. “It’s a much smaller cast – we’re doing five pieces with six actors. So each actor is playing multiple roles,” said Stewart. “And we’re only doing two shows – one weekend. So there is no second weekend.”

Everyone involved in the production is fully vaccinated and the audience must be too, said Stephens.

The 19+ show includes a cash bar but usual COVID-19 protocols apply – no mingling and masks are required unless you’re sitting down with your drink.

TOTI is also looking for more people who want to get involved with theatre – whether it’s actors or music or volunteering – “we’d love to hear from you,” said Kat. Briefs: A Multi-Pack of Short Plays is on Oct. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Legion. Tickets are $25 at eventbrite.ca.

A8 • Thursday, October 14, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

‘Seeding conciousness’

NECTAR YOGA’S ANDREA CLARK TALKS YOGA ON THE PIER, THE RETREAT CENTRE’S ORIGINS AND ITS MISSION

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

The geodesic yoga dome nestled in the island rainforest has become an iconic Bowen Instagram image.

But where its owner, Nectar Yoga has grown in online and off-island prominence over the past seven years, the yoga retreat has flown under the radar locally.

When owners Andrea Clark and Satjeet Pandher moved to Bowen, there were already a few yoga studios on Bowen. So, they left the community side of yoga to the studios and carved their own niche for Nectar Yoga, mostly catering to off-island guests (though there are islanders who come for a “staycation.”)

But, that’s starting to change.

When one of the island’s most prominent yoga studios, the Well, closed at the beginning of this year and with the pandemic still raging, Clark and Pandher saw a need for community yoga space.

“Doing online yoga is wonderful and it’s great that that is an option, but at the end of the day, yoga is really intended as an energetic exchange between teachers, student and a collective,” explained Clark.

So, Nectar Yoga started hosting some community classes in their geodesic dome with small numbers and lots of space.

They also took on The Well’s ever popular Yoga on the Pier program. This summer, Nectar Yoga brought pop-up classes to the public pier with the help of Well teacher transplant Sarah Kraatz. Clark and Kraatz alternated teaching over the summer.

“Yes, there are elements like the ferry coming in and people walking around… that’s also part of the attraction of it – you’re in this energy of summer.”

“It’s been really lovely to see not only the Bowen Island community coming back and practising together, but also people from off-island.

“Most people haven’t been able to practice in a studio for a long time.”

Yoga on the pier is ongoing in October (more information at nectaryoga.ca/yogaonthepier.)

Finding yoga

When Clark started practising yoga, many years ago, she came to know a yoga teacher who had studied with Indian yoga guru Swami Vishnudevananda – known particularly for popularizing yoga in the West. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Vishnudevananda founded ashrams in Quebec and it was at one of these places of spiritual hermitage that Clark’s teacher to be met the famous guru. “They lived in tents or very simple structures without a lot of heat – it sounded very austere,” said Clark. Her hippie teacher started living there and practising yoga with Vishnudevananda.

Decades later, Clark started practising with the teacher and he encouraged her to pursue teacher training and go to India. “I did it for my own personal self-knowing and exploration,” said Clark.

Then, when she and Pandher met, they were both working corporate jobs and decided to take a year’s leave to travel. They did Karma Yoga (selfless service) in India for a month and found the experience so meaningful, they used it as a model for their own endeavour. “For thousands of years in India, people have gone to ashrams and studied with a teacher, and lived in community and given back to community.

“This is something we need in the West.”

Finding Bowen

When the couple came back to B.C., Clark didn’t return to the corporate world, instead taught yoga in Vancouver, and the couple started looking for a property for their vision.

After a few misadventures, they found a place on Bowen seven years ago. “It was an experiment,” said Clark. She and Pandher knew that they wanted to live out of the city, closer to nature and build something conscious in their lives.

On Miller Road, the couple opened a little bed and breakfast and a little yoga dome.

“We didn’t really focus on retreats or anything at that time, because we had a small space,” said Clark. “[But] it was the initial little spark of the vision.”

The first three months here, Nectar Yoga was all booked up with Clark’s students from the city – she’d told them about this new project she wasn’t sure was going to work and asked for feedback on the experience.

“Then, through word of mouth, and through many of our wonderful guests staying with us and lovingly writing articles about us and different things, we got a lot of media coverage, all through the generosity of others.”

(Nectar Yoga has been featured on many a travel blog, not to mention Canadian Press, Narcity, 604 Now, the Daily Hive and other outlets.)

Finding the retreat

Five years later, the couple came to a crossroads – they had to decide to stay small at their Miller Road property or go bigger, much bigger.

In 2019, the couple purchased a 20-acre property just off of Meadowbrook Corner on Grafton Road. The driveway winds in towards Mount Gardner, but instead of climbing upward, dips into a valley – “It’s like a womb, like a bowl. And you’re held here,” described Clark. “It feels very remote and secluded and lush.

That’s the space that we wanted, especially for people who live in high rises downtown,” she said. “They don’t have the direct access to nature.”

Clark and Pandher designed the retreat centre buildings, drawing inspiration from the West Coast modern design movement.

“We wanted a space that was really thoughtfully designed and modern and I love architecture and design.”

There are the Scandanavian-inspired deluxe cottages, sleeping one to two guests; the one-person A-frames; the forest cottage; and the Onyx Lodge hub. The black-clad buildings were pre-fabricated on the mainland – to reduce waste – and the couple salvaged and repurposed what they could from the old buildings on the property. There is, of course, also the yoga dome.

“You wake up, you open the door, and you’re in the forest,” said Clark. “So that creates the perfect tone for the experience that we are providing.

“Our mission here is to seed consciousness.

“We need lots of places like this around the world that people can come to, and just get more in touch with their creative side, because we’re all creative beings,” said Clark. “When people come here, there’s a little bit of rigidity to how they speak and their actions and then slowly that melts away.

“Then it’s like, ‘Okay, I see you. You see me. We see each other.’”

said Clark. “Finally, you can do all the things that you thought you wanted to do. But you actually can’t.”

When Clark and Pandher opened the space, the goal was to host yoga retreats – curated experiences over four or six nights with yoga and other community-type activities. Obviously, this wasn’t a pandemic-friendly plan.

The couple is young and doesn’t have a big outside funder, like some retreat centres, but they’re building this as a legacy project, said Clark. “That’s what sustained us through it,” she said. The two spent a lot of time connecting to the land over the pandemic months, giving themselves and the buildings time to settle.

Did they ever reconsider this huge endeavour over the long months of COVID19? Yes. The pandemic hit tourism, yoga, food and public-facing organizations – and Nectar Yoga has aspects of all of those. “At the end of the day, we just keep coming back to our vision, and it’s one of people.

“We can’t change the nature of what we’re doing but we did find other ways.”

Nectar Yoga, like many folks, have offered many online classes – the majority of them pay-what-you-can. “Then as soon as we were able to reopen, it was like this huge wave of positivity. All of our guests have been lovely this summer.”

Nectar Yoga is offering two-night curated experiences with morning meditations, yoga classes, and plant-based breakfasts (but they don’t serve lunch and dinner so as to encourage guests to visit restaurants.)

The retreat centre is open all year round, so guests visit Bowen’s tourism-driven shops, even outside of peak tourist season, said Clark. “Our guests are eating out and our guests are shopping and our guests are still frequenting these places,” she continued. “We need businesses like this, that bring around visitors, because it helps everybody.

“We’re a tourism-based economy locally, here on Bowen.”

Building a legacy

But just as everything was getting lined up for the new retreat centre, the pandemic hit. “It’s like a little joke from the universe,”

Andrea sits before one of Nectar’s A-frames.

online success for your business here, there and everywhere

Call 604-947 -2442 or email ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, October 14, 2021 • A9

to know COMMUNITY CALENDAR Get yourneighbour

SEPT. 30  OCT. 18

At the Hearth Gallery: Mending Cracks Artist: Raghavendra Rao Karkala

OCTOBER

October StoryWalk® Bowen Island Public Library; Find the first page outside the front of the library. October’s book is At The Old Haunted House by Helen Ketteman.

THURSDAY OCT. 14

Rotary talk: Cathy Peters talks Human Sex Trafficking in B.C. Artisan Eats 7:30 pm Masks please!

OCT. 14  27

Catching Stars Gallery featured artist: Victoria Stop by to see her full collection of gorgeous floral jewellery. Enter the draw to win a pair of earrings!

FRIDAY OCT. 15

Deadline to register for a CSA craft fair table

Craft fair is Dec. 5. For more information / a registration form, please email bicscraftfair@live. com.

Riparian forest planting Terminal Creek meadow 9 am - noon EcoBlitz: Help enhance and protect the biodiversity by planting shrubs and trees. Latecomers welcome. Groups are welcome. More info: shorturl.at/enHXY

BIM Committe of the Whole with housing committee Zoom 10 am

SATURDAY OCT 16

Bring Your Own Book Club Bowen Island Public Library Noon-1 pm For Bowen Islanders 18-35 years old. Rave (or rant!) about a book you’ve read, find your next great read, and meet other young book lovers. Questions? info@ bowenlibrary.ca Dive Against Debris

Sandy Beach 10 am 2:30 pm; Art, music, clean the ocean.

Also looking for volunteers including divers, kayakers, boaters, shore crew, musicians and artists if you are interested in volunteering email underwaterangel@ hotmail.com

SUNDAY OCT 17

Bowen Island beach clean-up Sandy Beach 2-4 pm Bring reusable gloves and a smile, we provide the pickers & buckets.

Yoga on the Pier 10-11 am; More info: nectaryoga.ca/ yogaonthepier

MONDAY OCT. 18

Bugs in your garden on Bowen!

Zoom 7 pm Bowen Island naturalist, Will Husby presents. There will be a brief Q and A. Open to members of the Bowen Island Garden Club. Membership info: bowenislandgardenclub.

ca

West Coast Glow Sunset painting class Develop an understanding of the play of light, along with discovering opaque and transparent colours.

Zoom 1:30 - 3:30 pm Details and registration marieneys.com

TUESDAY OCT. 19

Deadline to get fall cleanup decals from General Store.

More info: bimbc.ca

WED. OCT. 20

Paint It Forward In the Style of Tom Thomson Zoom 9:30 - 11:30.

Register: marieneys.com

SATURDAY OCT. 22

Briefs: A Multi-Pack of short plays The Legion 7:30 pm Theatre on the Isle presents. 19+ event. All attendees need to be fully vaccinated. Tickets $25 at eventbrite. ca/o/theatre-on-theisle-34386557675

Get our newsy newsletter emailed to you every Sunday

MEET: PAUL TENNANT

When did you come to Bowen?

I moved here in 2002.

How did you come to be on Bowen?

In the 1990s my UBC department held a retreat at Bowen Island Lodge. After several more visits, I knew that Bowen was a much better place for me than Vancouver, so I moved here just before I retired from UBC. I soon realized that Bowen is not merely a better place, it’s the ideal place.

Where on Bowen do you live?

Belterra.

What’s your favourite part of Bowen?

Belterra. I have wonderful neighbours, wonderful views, there are lots of birds, and the Cove is within walking distance.

What’s your favourite fact or story?

People have been on Bowen for thousands of years. Ancient stone tools have been found at various places, including Belterra, and several beach sites have been modified for canoe launching and landing. Yet there is a fairly common belief that Indigenous peoples never came here, and so have no rights or interests today.

Patient of the Week KEELA Meet Keela.

Keela visited us last week to get a senior checkup

Sign up to keep up with Bowen Island news and events – the things you may have missed and the things not to miss! bowenislandundercurrent.com/account/mailinglist

What’s something Bowen Islanders have in common?

Willingness to help one another, whether neighbour or visitor, and whether it’s merely giving advice, directions or something more substantial.

What are you doing for fun these days?

I enjoy our Belterra pot-luck dinners, which we’ve just resumed, being Covid-cautious, of course.

But most of all, I enjoy keeping in touch with my four sons and their families — including my 12 grandchildren.

When you’re going around Killarney Lake, do you turn left or right?

I’m wishy-washy on this one: I allow whomever I’m with to lead the way.

and have a lump looked at.

REGULAR HOURS Tuesday to Friday 9- 5 Saturday 9- 1 Closed Sunday and Monday

It is very important to have regular wellness checks in our older animals to

To schedule appointments, please call

ensure we keep them

or email reception@bowenvet.com

healthy!

604.947.9247

A10 • Thursday, October 14, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Your Community

MARKETPLACE bowenislandundercurrent.com

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

604-444-3000 • 604-653-7851 classifieds@van.net

COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER

SPROTTSHAW.COM

SUDOKU

BC WIDE CLASSIFIEDS MOVING

&*."+. $.!%!*. )-,+ (.'+&"&.$#

2 Guys With A Truck Moving & Storage 604-628-7136

ANSWERS

@BowUndercurrent

@bowenislandundercurrent.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755

at the entrance to Artisan Square Suite 597 7

FLU SHOTS FOR OUR PATIENTS

Book online at bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca

To advertise please call 604-947-2442 or email ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, October 14, 2021 • A11

Unclear why Arbutus Ridge doesn’t allow secondary suites; Eagle Cliff Water System looking at funding options CONTINUED FROM P. 1

The development was zoned after attached secondary suites were allowed in the municipality but not detached suites, according to manager of planning and development Daniel Martin.

There are a few areas on Bowen that don’t allow secondary suites, including in the Cove and Artisan Square but they are few and far between. “It is not clear from a review of the rezoning documents why this [secondary suites] accessory use was omitted,” said Martin’s staff report – a conspicuous unanswered question councillors reit-

erated they wanted to know the answer to.

The proposal is in line with the Official Community Plan, said Martin.

Martin included proposed conditions of the rezoning: proof of adequate water supply, sprinklers in the suites, adequate septic and storm water management.

Environmental considerations listed in the staff report include how increased density could affect water resources, west side infrastructure and public amenities.

Council unanimously referred the proposal to several municipal committees.

Eagle Cliff’s future water: Council

I&I TOWING HAULING LTD

approved the Eagle Cliff Water System spending $80,000 from its reserve fund for the detailed design phase of the Eagle CliffCove Bay Connected Water Systems Project.

In late summer, the troubled water system found out it was unsuccessful in its grant application for the expensive project. A local advisory committee meeting last month saw members agreeing to spend the money on design so that should another grant opportunity come about, they might have a shovel ready project. There’s a grant opportunity coming in January, said CAO Liam Edwards.

Further steps in the Eagle Cliff-Cove

Vehicles • Construction Equipment Sea-Can Containers • Tiny Homes Bowen Island • Greater Vancouver Vancouver Island • Sunshine Coast

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

604.980.3333

991 West First Street, North Vancouver, BC www.economovingandstorage.com

Michael Bingham • 604 947 1717 ianditowhaul@gmail.com

Bay project include investigating financing options and grant opportunities and gauging community support for a possible self-funding option. Staff are also to look into short-term options for meeting Eagle Cliff’s water needs. Staff are to report back to council before the end of January.

Court hearing delayed: On a completely different note – the court hearing for judicial review of the temporary use permit approved for the cidery on Laura Road has been bumped to Oct. 22, said Edwards. The hearing had previously been scheduled for Oct. 5 but there was no judge available.

Window Blinds On Bowen 778-995-1902 Landscape Lighting Irrigation

Seascape

Licensed Electrical Contractor 778.266.6465 www.bowenislandelectrical.com

Bruce Culver

Office: 604-947-9686

Now serving Bowen Island

Join our growing network!

facebook.com/BIUndercurrent

Free estimates nelcan.ca 604.428.1119

Certified electricians Service calls, renovations, new construction

Cell: 604-329-3045

BOWEN ISLAND ROOFING ROOFING & REPAIRS

604-987-7663

Trade ticket certified #00012-RO-96

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

A12 • Thursday, October 14, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

“More than Honey Bees” Bugs in your Garden on Bowen! zoom Monday October 18, 7:00 pm Your garden is home to many kinds of beneficial insects that pollinate your flowers, control pests and enrich your soils.

Mending Cracks: Beyond

An enthusiastic crowd attended the Hearth Gallery’s Artist pARTy Oct. 2 for islander Raghavendra Rao KV (Raghu)’s opening of ‘Mending Cracks: Beyond.’

The exhibit, exploring trauma and the journey to healing, is on for a few more days – until Oct. 18.

Have you noticed in your garden a leaf-cutter bee? One of the many species of native bee that do a better job of flower pollination than the non-native honey bee.

PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN AINSCOUGH

Have you seen the Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly?

One of the many native butterflies and moths that pollinate Bowen flowers.

How about the Ground Beetle? A friend or foe? Is it a species of voracious garden guardians that gobble up slugs, caterpillars and other garden pests?

Bowen Island naturalist, Will Husby will share some of his prize winning photos and share some stories of the tiny creatures that help you create beautiful and bountiful gardens.

There will be a brief Q and A period where you can ask Will Husby questions and get ideas about enhancing natural pollination in your garden. All of this from the comfort of your own home via the magic of ZOOM! Open to members of the Bowen Island Garden Club. Membership info: bowenislandgardenclub.ca See you on Zoom Monday October 18, 7:00 pm

“More than Honey Bees” Zoom at 7 pm Monday October 18

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.

If you are not sure if you have renewed, please call us to avoid disruption