Bowen Isladn Undercurrent January 27 2022

BOWEN LANDS NEW CFO: A familiar face returns to help out the island PAGE 3

$1.50

inc.

GST

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

VOL. 48 NO. 02

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

BOWEN HEADS OUT TO EXPLORE Scenic Island Shots PAGE 17

Bowen loses full-time ambulance service MUNI SAYS THEY WERE NEVER INFORMED OF THE CHANGES

ALEX KURIAL

Editor

SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR ALL Seventh-grader Cree found this Seagull, Swan, and Great Blue Heron observing proper health and safety guidelines during a family walk on the Causeway Bridge. But despite these birds’ efforts to stay six feet apart, B.C. still announced an extension of the provincial vaccine passport until the end of June (more on page 20). The local school district is also recommending that the COVID-19 vaccine be added to kids vaccine clinics held in area schools (more on page 11).

BowenIslandnolongerhas 24-hour ambulance coverage following policy changes by B.C. Ambulance Services.

And this has been the case for several weeks. Fire chief Aaron Hanen raised the issue earlier this month after learning of significant gaps in ambulance service since December, sometimes up to eight hours at a time. An inquiry by Hanen revealed the issue was due to new workplace policies by the provincial outfit.

BCAS says in the fall they introduced a new staffing model “that brought new

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

permanent paramedic jobs to Bowen Island. These positions provide regular paramedic jobs with employer benefits and set hours so we can move towards being less reliant on on-call employees to provide more stable, consistent coverage.

“In addition to these changes, new scheduling measures were introduced to avoid severe fatigue for paramedics to ensure the safety of paramedics and the safe care of patients. These measures were enacted as part of the collective agreement with the Ambulance Paramedics and Dispatchers Association of BC,” says B.C. Emergency Health Services communications officer Jane Campbell.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

We are seeking members for our Board of Directors.

Join us in building financially healthy communities.

See firstcu.ca for more info!

A2 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Bowen Island Fire Rescue recruiting new members

Events February 1, 2022 11:00 am Board of Variance Meeting February 4, 2022 1:00 pm Mayor’s Standing Committee on Community Lands Meeting February 8, 2022 7:00 pm Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting February 14, 2022 4:00 pm Committee of the Whole Meeting - Conservation Development Policy February 14, 2022 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting February 21, 2022 1:30 pm Snug Cove Gateway Mural Launch Party

Help stop COVID-19:

Get vaccinated - everyone 5 years and older is eligible.

Stay home if you’re sick

Wear a mask in indoor public spaces

Thursday, January 27, 2022

ADVERTISEMENT January 27, 2022

Phone: Fax: Email: Website:

for BOV-20210355 (958 Spyglass)

Apply to be a firefighter with Bowen Island Fire Rescue. Submit your application by 4:30 pm on February 24, 2022 if you want to dedicate your time, skills and physical ability to helping your community.

Applicants must: • be 19 years of age or older • live on Bowen Island • have a valid BC driver’s license • be willing to undergo a criminal background check • be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination status Firefighters are expected to: • be available and willing to be called out at any time • be willing to undergo training for first responder medical situations, in addition to firefighting • be willing to do online firefighting knowledge courses • attend a minimum of 66% of training practices • attend a minimum of 25% of all calls

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A Board of Variance application has been submitted for 958 Spyglass (shown on figure) to reduce the rear setback. Vehicle and pedestrian access to the property is along a side lot line on Spyglass Road, and the front lot line abuts Windjammer Road.

The variance would facilitate the construction of an addition to an existing dwelling.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/apply-fire-fighter

RFP for Cleaning Services BIM is looking for proposals for a one-year contract for cleaning services at Municipal buildings, including Municipal Hall and Public Works offices. Closing date for proposals is 4 pm on February 11, 2022.

MORE INFORMATION: The application may be viewed online at https://www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning or at Municipal Hall between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding statutory holidays).

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME: Written submissions may be delivered to Municipal Hall (contact information below).: • In person www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/rfps-and-tenders • By mail • By fax • By email to planning@bimbc.ca To be included in the agenda which will be published five days prior to the meeting, please submit your written feedback seven calendar days prior to the meeting.

To be included in the revised agenda to be published one day Join us at 1:30 pm on February 21, Family Day, at the launch prior to the meeting, please submit your written feedback two party for the Snug Cove Gateway Mural! A community art days prior to the meeting. project brought to life by three local artists Di, Paula Love and Written feedback provided after these deadlines will be included as on-table items during the meeting and published Sarah Haxby. The mural painted on sixteen wood panels is to be installed on the lock block wall at the gateway to Snug Cove subsequently.

Verbal submissions may also be made to the Board at the as a welcoming and inviting entrance to Bowen Island that meeting.: shares and celebrates our environment, local heritage, culture 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 and community spirit.

Online via Zoom

Celebrating Heritage Week with the Gateway Mural Launch Party

The mural was made possible thanks to a donation from Sangre For instructions on how to participate, go to: de Fruta Botanical. https://www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/board-of-variance The event kicks off 2022 BC Heritage Week. The theme this year is “Altogether Inclusive”.

Contact Bowen Island Municipality PAID

Seeking Public Comment

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

QUESTIONS? Please contact Amanda McCulley, Planner 1, at 604-947-4255 ext. 252 or by email at amcculley@bimbc.ca

Find us on Facebook Bowen Island Municipality

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3

ISLAND NEWS

BIM to welcome back Kristen Watson as Chief Financial Officer SOPHIE IDSINGA

Bowen Island Municipality

Bowen Island Municipality (BIM) is pleased to announce the hiring of a new Chief Financial Officer, Kristen Watson.

Kristen has lived on Bowen for more than twenty years, and is returning to BIM after five years as the Director of Finance for the North Vancouver School District where she led the finance department, providing financial oversight of the development of the annual budget, procurement services, monitoring of capital project expenditures and risk management. Prior to this experience, she was Manager of Finance at Bowen Island Municipality for ten years, overseeing all aspects of municipal financial adminis-

tration. Kristen’s years of experience as a senior public sector finance professional, direct knowledge of BIM’s financial systems, and personal connection to the community will add a valuable skillset to a strong professional leadership team.

“I am very excited to return to Bowen Island Municipality, and the chance to work closely with staff and Council. This Council is committed to maintaining a high degree of financial accountability and transparency, and I look forward to supporting them in their decision-making by providing relevant and timely financial information. I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to once again serve the community in this role.”

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the municipality’s senior management team, overseeing budget

development, financial reporting, long term financial planning, asset and risk management. The CFO works closely with the Chief Administrative Officer to provide advice and guidance to Council to make financially sound decisions, and provides operational management to finance staff.

Kristen will begin February 16, 2022.

“We are thrilled that Kristen is coming back to work with BIM,” said Liam Edwards, Chief Administrative Officer, “Kristen possesses important corporate knowledge about the Municipality’s financial history, plus she has experience managing multiple large complex financial portfolios which include capital infrastructure investments – a valuable asset as the municipality is taking on various capital improvement projects at this time.”

Snug Cove sewage options weighed as building permits put on pause ALEX KURIAL

Editor

No more building permits will be issued for Snug Cove developments requiring sewage hookups until steps are taken to solve the neighbourhood’s sewer issues.

Mayor Gary Ander made the announcement in a video message last week. “We are in an unfortunate position of not being able to issue building permits that are applying for connection to the sewer because the Wastewater Treatment Plant has reached capacity and simply cannot support the demand of any new occupancy that would be placed on the system.”

“Believe me this decision was not taken lightly, but it was the only responsible option for the municipality to take. I want to assure you that we are putting every resource we have into getting to the bottom of this,” Ander continued.

Following heavy interest the matter became the focus of a Committee of the Whole on Monday. In addition to the building permit

pause, the municipality also made a presentation on a two-phase design to solve the problem – and what it will cost.

But first it was the turn of affected homeowners to have their say. If they’re unable to land a permit there are few options to complete their builds.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Public Notice of Intent This is a public notice under Section 26 of the Community Charter that Bowen Island Municipality intends to dispose of lands that are not being made available to the public for acquisition.

The Municipality intends to enter into a renewal agreement with Bowen Fuels Inc. for the continued operation of the current gas station, located on an approximate 596 m2 area of 1060 Mt. Gardner Road, which is also used as the public works service yard.

1060 Mt. Gardner Road is owned by the Municipality. The legal description is PID: 008-899-363 BLOCK 1 DISTRICT LOT 491 GROUP 1 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT PLAN 12372 EXCEPT PLAN BCP39511. The area for lease is shown in bold outline in subdivision plan EPP40609.

• • •

10-year lease, with an option to renew for an additional 10 years.

Increased basic rent amounts.

Ability to assign the premises should the business change ownership, giving BIM absolute discretion in its approval to grant such assignment.

You can request to inspect a copy of the Lease Agreement at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, during our hours of operation of Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed on statutory holidays).

Questions? Please contact Hope Dallas, Corporate Officer at 604-947-4255 ext 229 or email hdallas@bimbc.ca

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

The Lease Agreement is a renewal agreement, and includes the following changes:

A4 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

VIEWPOINTS

Letters to the Editor

Not proud of the country WILLIAMS LAKE FIRST NATION ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THERE MAY BE CLOSE TO 100 CHILDREN BURIED AROUND A FORMER AREA RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

St. Joseph’s residential school in BC has found 93 unmarked graves of children in the small portion of land they have searched so far. I weep for the system that allowed children to be taken from their homes, tortured, raped, starved, beaten, in the name of Colonialism and religious piety. A great shame on our Country. I am not a proud Canadian right now.

The birds circled round the children, witnesses to the sorrow given out like bread. They saw their sparks flicker and die, and cried for all the empty arms and love not yet given.

This deep seam of loss Is filled with filth and lies.

The show must go on...

They are pointing the way To the recognition of the small child.

Dear Editor:

Unable to be heard above the pious sanctity,

In the midst of pandemic restrictions, frigid temperatures, record snowfalls and ice everywhere, not to mention a holiday season, The Hearth persevered.

Under the skillful, creative and determined leadership of Executive Director Jami Scheffer, such a strong sense of community, connection, creativity, invitation, play and appreciation of our community of artists, is being nurtured and encouraged.

Jami enthusiastically brought the

that chained them to this unholy ground Little one, you call from the earth— a strange and terrible song.

The hard white light of remembering will bleach every bone.

— Jude Neale

three of us together to mount the exhibition Flights and Reflections: Windows on memories of home, the substance of air, and the lift of wings, which was open in the Gallery from December 29 to January 10. A carver of birds and musical instruments, an acrylic painter and a photographer came together and in the alchemy of our work, our creative energies, and Jami’s enthusiasm, encouragement and support, a beautiful show was born. And thanks, too, to Kathleen Ainscough for her enthusiasm and promotion, and to the many dedi-

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

— Cherie Westmoreland Lisa Arthur Bob Miller

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.

cated and intrepid volunteers.

And in spite of weather, a pandemic, and not being able to party, the show was so warmly received and well-attended. The artists would simply like to say thank you… to The Hearth and its staff and volunteers, to friends and family and the Bowen Island community…. thank you for making this a wonderful event for us.

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Alex Kurial 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.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A5

Support local campaign TOURISM BOWEN ISLAND You can’t buy happiness.

But you can buy local and that’s kind of the same thing.

This is one of the messages of Tourism Bowen new camIsland’s paign #bowenisawesome. Funded by a grant from the BC Chamber of Commerce, Islanders are invited to share their memorable experiences of supporting a local business. Perhaps a plumber recently saved you from frozen pipes. Or a massage therapist got you back on your feet. Or maybe a store ordered in a specialty product just for you. The #bowenisawesome contest invites you to share your story and you’ll have a chance to win one of five Bowen Island gift packages, each valued at $800.

Why is it important to support island businesses? There are a number of reasons but, essentially, when you spend your dollars locally, you’re actually

contributing to the health and wellbeing of the whole community.

Research and studies by the non-profit organization LOCO BC show that independent businesses foster community wellbeing by recirculating dollars within the community. Independent businesses recirculate up to 4.6 times more revenue in the local economy than multinationals. That’s an estimated $63 of every $100 in revenue into the local economy, compared to $14 for multinationals.

That’s not all. Local independent businesses create more jobs, buy more locally-made and grown products, and have a smaller carbon footprint than multinationals.

Additionally, local businesses donate up to 24 times more per dollar of revenue to local charities in comparison to multinationals. And when we interact with local businesses, we’re

Ben Grayzel photo

kiwi

INNOVATION REAL ESTATE INC.

building personal and community connections.

Bowen’s local independent businesses are owned and operated by fellow islanders, our neighbours and friends of friends.

They hire locally, often providing important first jobs and mentoring our children. They donate to community fundraisers, local charities and sponsor sports teams and special events – like Bowfest and Light Up Bowen. When we enter a store, restaurant or hire a local service, we greet each other by name.

All these local business exchanges contribute to building and sustaining a community that we feel a part of and want to live in.

Watchman Edward and Sharee Johnson of Storytellings helped to guide the Bowen Island brand Municipality’s development that was launched in 2016. They conducted resident, business and visitor surveys to discover the common elements that define Bowen Island and the reasons people choose to live, work and visit here. Community was the top unifying attribute. “I connect, I inspire, and I celebrate the awe and wonderment of who I work alongside – my community, the gift of ‘being with’ people minute to minute” was one business owner’s comment. The research found that people moved to Bowen first

Tourism Bowen Island photo (top); Tristan Deggan photo (bottom)

for the community and then some started businesses so they could work where they live. Business owners’ stories spoke of hard work, independence, pride, dedication, and of wanting to share a little piece of Bowen with their customers. “We’re here because we love this community and we want to make a difference.”

Tourism Bowen Island is excited to offer this support-local campaign and to help us all remember that we live in a caring community. “The #bowenisawesome campaign is a hug to our businesses as well as our residents” says Liz Nankin,

Chair, Tourism Bowen Island. “So many businesses have faced challenges and financial losses due to COVID-19. Thankfully people are realizing the importance of supporting local. #bowenisawesome is a way to thank our local businesses and celebrate our community. I also want to thank board members Basia Lieske, Julie Cree and staff member Jody Lorenz for orchestrating this initiative.”

So do you have a memorable experience of a local business? Then consider sharing and entering the #bowenisawesome contest. There are two ways to enter: Share a post to

Instagram or Facebook using #bowenisawesome and tag the business. Each post is one chance to win – but you must use the hashtag or else you’re not entered. If you don’t do social media, you can send a photograph/story via email to info@tourismbowenisland.com or drop it off at the Visitor Information Centre.

The contest closes midnight February 13 and the draw takes place 12 noon February 14 – a great day to share a little local love. Visit Tourism Bowen Island’s website or social channels for more information.

4 Bed | 5 Bath | 4.03 Ac | $4,840,000 Private | 2-Bed Cottage

A6 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

18th Annual Mini Artworks Exhibit & Auction – We are all Collectors: Will you be adding to your collection or finding your first piece?

ELIZE FITZGERALD

The Hearth - Arts on Bowen

A legacy of creation, collection and appreciation is celebrated at this year’s Annual Mini Artworks Exhibit & Auction. We are all Collectors: Will you be adding to your collection or finding your first piece? As the Hearth team planned this exciting 18th annual show, we marvelled at the number of mini artworks that had been donated and bought over its 17 previous incarnations. At last year’s event 80 artists donated works and we expect a similar number this year. It is truly amazing to think about how many mini artworks might be displayed in Bowen homes right now.

This event is a big deal because it offers a unique and fun way to showcase established and up-and-coming artists and brings together those who appreciate and support them. It is a significant fundraiser for the Hearth and will enable future creative and community projects.

We hope this year’s theme of art collection will highlight this legacy and bring the spotlight back onto some of the wonderful masterpieces of previous years. This year’s collec-

tion of new work is on display from February 4, 11 am to 5 pm (ThursMon).

The Hearth invites people to interact with us on social media – let us know if you own one or a number of mini artworks. What does the work mean to you? How many pieces form your collection? Will you share some images with us? Collectively Bowen Islanders have so many memories and stories associated with the galas and artworks over the years. We want to hear about your stories and memories! Join us on The Hearth Facebook and Instagram pages as we share pictures of the works we have purchased and what they mean to us now…

We are all collectors: experts claim that the need to collect is a universal human fascination. We may not all collect art, or other objects of desire, but we do collect experiences, memories, pieces of language etc. making us all collectors at some level. Collection of even one piece of art involves the anticipation of how it will look in our home, how it will change our relationship with our space and what it will add to our daily lives. I can only agree with Burt Reynolds 1983 comment that “the more the art dominated my life

and my house, the more the house became a home” (Architectural Digest).

I bid successfully on a Janet Esseiva mini artwork in 2010, and I have loved it ever since. Perhaps you are a newcomer to Bowen Island, or a newcomer to the Mini Artworks Exhibit & Auction, in which case we welcome you and wonder – will this be the year you find your first piece?

Seasoned collectors have described the experience of finding a first or new piece as akin to falling in love at first sight. Are you ready to fall in love?

The show opens to the public on Friday, February 4 until Friday, February 25 with a grand Auction Finale on Saturday, February 26!

Much like last year, COVID restrictions mean the traditional gala has been reimagined into a series of ticketed events with music by DJ Yeshe, bar service and delectable appetizers from Flat Fusion Foods.

You choose what level of ticket to purchase, and the competitive bidding is taken to a new level of enthusiasm and fun.

Ticket information and purchase at the gallery from February 4, or contact us for more information – hello@thehearthartsonbowen.ca.

2021’s show: Denise Pugash with “Of the Earth and Of the Sky”

by Monti Blackwell (top) The painting sold for a record-breaking $1,000; “Crippen Park” by Jilly Watson (bottom) / Kathleen Ainscough photos

Dr. Madden will provide mobile services to our on-island clients, primarily wellness and palliative care appointments, one to two days a week. This is a great opportunity for anxious animals to have excellent care in the comfort of their own home.

1655 EAGLECLIFF ROAD

NEW LISTING

$1,398,000

This cozy and fun a-frame home sits amongst the trees on nearly 1.7 usable Eaglecliff acres. Angled for south-east ocean views towards Horseshoe Bay, and filtered views of the North Shore Mountains to the east. Quiet and private, with a zen-like atmosphere. Inside features a loft bedroom/studio above the kitchen, rec/gym space downstairs, and lots of charm. The yard is partially cleared, gently sloped, and offers plenty of room for expanding the garden and for kids to play. Close to Cates Bay and Baker beaches.

FRAZER ELLIOTT Realtor®

To all of the wonderful clients of Bowen Veterinary Services.

We are excited to announce that Dr. Sandra Madden will be joining our team starting February 1st.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment, please call Bowen Vet at 604-947-9247 for further information.

Join us in giving Dr. Madden a warm welcome and we thank you for your continued support.

Bowen’s Top Producing REALTOR® for 2021*

*based on reported MLS sales

604.910.3401 felliottbowen@gmail.com bowenhomes.ca 2020-2021

Specializing in BOWEN ISLAND and HOWE SOUND

For now, due to the Covid-19 pandemic Dr. Madden will be assisting in the clinic and her home visits will begin at a later date when safe for all.

Top 10% of Realtors in the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

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

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A7

Enthusiastic.

Responsive.

“I wanted a realtor with recent experience selling in this crazy market so that I would get the best advice possible as I was a first time seller. Mary Lynn Machado provided helpful guidance through the entire sales process. Her attention to all the marketing materials - clear, crisp, nicely staged and well composed photos, a stunning video, eloquent descriptions and a lovely brochure, all came together to draw serious buyers. The house sold above asking price and I was thrilled with the result. Mary Lynn has a high level of integrity and is very responsive - there to support whatever is needed.” - Denise Lawson

Macdonald Realty AWARD of EXCELLENCE 2021 & 2020

buyonbowen.com

604.220.7085

Recent Sold Listings 3 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • 3061 sf • 3.3 acre lot

1558 Mount Gardner Road

WATERFRONT $1,999,000 Sold over list price in 6 days Multiple Offers SOLD November 30, 2021

4 bedrooms • 3.5 bathrooms • 2283 sf • Built in 2019

869 Seymour Bay Drive

SOUTH SIDE WITH VIEWS $1,988,000 Sold over list price in 7 days Multiple Offers SOLD January 17, 2022

0.54 acre Building Lot

921 Valhalla Place

JAW-DROPPING VIEWS $825,000

SOLD January 21, 2022

Personable.

Knowledgeable.

A8 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

VIEWPOINTS

I speak for the trees

By the time you read this, it is too likely that Bowen will have moved another step closer to becoming more like a cityscape than the rural landscape for which latter reason most of us moved to Bowen. It has come to my attention that the ornamental cherry trees at the corner of Trunk Road and Miller Road are to be removed to make way for the Multi-Use Path. So much for ‘Bowen in Bloom’!

To say I am dismayed and disheartened is putting it mildly, especially after losing the grand old Douglas Fir on the Fire Hall property. The beauty, history and humbleness unique to Bowen is being lost as paradise is paved over ...

I was informed that the Multi-Use Path is not “just any path”, but to me the ornamental Cherry trees, which put on such a magnificent show of blossoms at the island’s most prominent and visible intersection, are not ‘just any trees’! I consider the trees to be island heritage trees, especially due to their age and their location, where everyone can see and enjoy their blossom display. I thought keeping trees is a key action to addressing climate change?

As Bill Granger so poignantly says,

“The Spring blooms are a touchstone treat for everyone passing by, whatever their mode of transport; likewise returning birds and bees always enjoy the sweet nectar as well. Bit by bit old Bowen is giving way to new improvements and discerning the notion of progress is elusive.

One blistering hot day in July, take a walk under some shady trees that have survived the vagaries of modern humanity, and thank them for their stoic, silent contributions to our continuance on this planet.”

Surely the MUP, which being three metres wide, can accommodate the trees?

Can the Municipality not contact the owner of the corner property (the trees border two sides of the property) to see if a deal can be negotiated for land needed so that the trees can be retained and there is space for the path?

Must we destroy to progress?

What is needed is a design that works with the trees in place.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

— Moira Greaven Lenora Road

Resilience from the Inside Out MARY LETSON

Contributor

Recently, a single theme keeps prodding me to look up, pay attention and take note: resilience. That elusive balance between softness and strength, resilience is knowing when to let go, when to hang on and learning to navigate the landscape between those extremes all while keeping it together. As a fitness professional, a big part of my job is coaching the physical

side of resilience – functional, supple strength that keeps us strong, stable and moving all at the same time. The kind of balanced strength that keeps you on your feet when you find the ground slipping out from underneath you, or at least able to endure the impact if you can’t avoid the fall.

The pandemic however demands resilience on a much deeper level. It’s been like a 24 month long Tough Mudder of the spirit, an obstacle course of shut downs, restrictions and unknowns that have been truly exhausting. I

Love Local

Several marked trees were felled at the corner of Bowen Island Trunk Road and Miller Road on Tuesday. / Alex Kurial photo

realize too just how much all this navigating effort – at least for me - has been unconscious.

It’s mostly about just getting through, staying on my feet and getting the job done.

My first conscious day of resilience training found me standing in the checkout line up at London Drugs during the Christmas Crunch with all the other weary, masked shoppers just wanting to get home. The gentleman behind me was tailgating. Impatient for the line to move faster, he mistakenly figured that invading my personal space and breaking the

COVID boundary would somehow make the line go faster. Tailgating during normal times is highly annoying, but checkout tailgating during a pandemic is like throwing gasoline on the fire.

We are all a little (or a lot) on edge, each of us with our own unique size and brand of grouchiness simmering away on the back burner of our consciousness. All it takes is nudging that simmering pot, setting someone off, and the potential for a mess is real.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A9

“

A10 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Positive exchanges abound CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

excellence from the ground up PAVING:

interlock block, flagstone, slate, concrete products.

STONEWORK:

retaining walls, steps, stone cladding, pillars.

CONCRETE:

retaining walls, walkways, steps, driveways.

CARPENTRY:

decks, steps, fences, retaining walls, pergolas, sheds & outbuildings.

WATER FEATURES:

Immediately irritated by his pushiness, my first reaction was to mumble something unhelpful and incendiary like “uh, excuse me but can you give me some space?” But I didn’t. I was having a good day (my simmering mess at that moment small and manageable) and instead I cut the tailgater some slack and, pushing my items ahead on the counter, suggested he put his items down. Relieved by my gesture, he put his purchases down and thanked me. As I collected my packages to leave, he turned to me, and through his mask, smiled with his eyes and wished me a very happy Christmas.

It was the tiniest exchange between complete strangers, an exchange that could have gone an entirely different direction (me blurting for him to back off and him snapping back for me to go jump in the lake for instance). As I walked away, I felt a discernible shift down deep in my chest: I do believe it was my heart. A little like that scene in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, where the Grinch’s heart starts to grow in his chest when

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he decides to do the kind thing. For the next few hours that tiny, positive exchange gave me a little more spring in my step, a little more room in my overall energy level that day to carry on with the joys of negotiating a pandemic Christmas. I felt just a little more resilient.

It was like I’d had a little workout: it took effort, energy and focus to show kindness to an irritating stranger, to take the high road when really what I wanted to do was give him the hairy eyeball. His reciprocated kindness was a bonus and made me feel better, stronger, more on my game.

Just like I do when I decide to go for a run when I’d rather be on the couch eating something I probably shouldn’t.

It seems the pandemic has become my accidental resilience coach. It has prompted me to look up from my daily march of simply getting things done, and reminded me of how the tiniest, positive exchange can bloom into something bigger, changing the course of a shared experience and building resilience from the inside out.

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Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A11

Municipality will petition province to restore ambulance service CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

According toBIM,themunicipality only found out about the changes through Hanen – who himself discovered it inadvertently. BIM says BCAS’ silence on the matter has left the majority of residents unaware of the problem. “This lack of communication puts Bowen Island residents at risk especially those dealing with chronic conditions or potentially emergent situations, such as childbirth or serious motor vehicle accidents,” says Christie Stashyn, emergency program coordinator.

“At the very least, the community needs to be informed about the service disruptions in order to prepare a backup plan to ensure the health and safety of themselves and their families,” she says.

The backup plans at the moment are few. Hanen was told patients in serious need may need to be transported to mainland hospitals by the fire department or even private vehicles. There have already been multiple instances of patients waiting for ambulance service from Squamish or Lions

West Vancouver school district requests COVID vaccines be given to kids in schools

DR. BONNIE HENRY, SAYS DECISIONS ON SCHOOL VACCINATION CLINICS ARE BEING DECIDED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS

JANE SEYD

North Shore News

The West Vancouver school district has asked that vaccines for COVID-19 be included in routine vaccination clinics held in its elementary schools.

Carolyn Broady, the chair of West Vancouver’s Board of Education, said at the most recent public board meeting the school board has requested that vaccination clinics for kids five to 11 be held at local schools.

“We know we have high vaccination rates in our community but if approved this will provide another opportunity to reduce a barrier to vaccination,” she said.

Any vaccinations of elementary school children will be by parental consent, said Tricia Buckley, spokesperson for the school district.

So far, however, there’s no word on whether the request will be approved by Vancouver Coastal Health.

Health authorities have so far shied away from providing COVID-19 vaccinations in schools, although other routine vaccinations – including those for the human papilloma virus, for instance – are administered in schools.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, the province’s medical health officer, said early on the decision was made to vaccinate children with their parents at community clinics because that’s what

parents said they preferred.

Health authorities have also been leery of attracting anti-vax protesters to schools.

Henry said Friday (Jan. 20) decisions about providing vaccinations in schools are being made on a “school-by-school basis” by local medical health officers.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said Friday close to 50 per cent of children five to 11 have received a first dose of vaccination provincewide. But he added that varies considerably by location.

As of Friday, 63 per cent of kids five to 11 in West Vancouver had received a first dose of COVID vaccine while 72 per cent of children that age in North Vancouver had been vaccinated.

But the vaccination rate for children in the Northern Health Authority, for instance, is only about 30 per cent – half the rate in West Vancouver, said Dix. The variation in vaccination rates is widest in the youngest group of children, he said.

Dix added vaccination rates have tended to get lower as age groups get younger.

So far, however, school vaccination clinics have been met with a “slow response” from families, said Dix, while bringing “challenges to some of those schools.”

Among local teens, 92 per cent of those 12-17 in West Vancouver and 95 per cent in North Vancouver have been fully vaccinated.

Bay. BCAS says in extreme circumstances they would send an ambulance helicopter over.

CAO Liam Edwards says Hanen’s team would handle calls if nobody else was available but “it’s a very tall request to ask a volunteer fire department to fill in the gap for the ambulance service… This shift in staffing procedures is really having a negative impact on us.”

Edwards says the scheduling changes may be well-intentioned, and can work “quite well in more populated centres and in regions where you have

neighbouring communities that you can borrow an ambulance crew if your crew is off.

Itdoesnotworkwellforislands orruralorremotecommunities.”

He says he’s talked to fellow CAO’s in other B.C. island and coastal communities who have experienced similar gaps in ambulance service.

BCAS says they’re working to address the staff shortages on Bowen. “We are actively pursuing a number of different avenues to recruit for the new positions on Bowen Island including a nation-wide recruitment

campaign to attract paramedics from across the country, along with new individuals to the service,” says Campbell.

“In the meantime, current staff members, including two who have recently returned to the station, are supporting local coverage,” she says.

Until this takes place the municipality determined their next step would be to craft a petition to the premier, health minister, and local MLA to reinstate round-the-clock ambulance coverage on Bowen Island, and to improve commu-

nication between the municipality and emergency services.

“It’s really unfortunate that it’s falling on us to do their job here,” says Edwards, and that BIM will be “communicating back to the ambulance service that it’s their job to communicate to the community.”

“I think it’s shocking that there was no official notice that came out and I think we were probably left just hanging for awhile too. And there could have been very serious circumstances,” added Mayor Gary Ander.

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A12 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Phase 1 sewage upgrades to cost $1.6 million, Phase 2 estimated at nearly $6 million CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

One is installing a septic field on their property if they wish to make it habitable. Construction can also be finished on a building without a septic field, but a covenant must be signed with the municipality saying occupancy won’t be pursued until sewage hookup is available.

The septic covenant was a hotly-discussed topic at the Jan. 10 council meeting, and was ultimately the path forward for the Health Centre to continue their build.

But that isn’t an option for everybody space-wise, particularly on Cates Hill.

There are about 16 properties impacted between Cates Hill and Foxglove Lane, including Robert Clayton, who lives on Rivendell Drive. He received a build permit in December, has paid a sewer connection fee, and was hoping to start work in March.

“We had no warning of this potential over-capacity scenario… I’ve invested my life savings in this project.”

Five properties, including Clayton, have active building permits. There is some hope they can be added to the proposed Phase 1 upgrades, but at the moment “Phase 1 is really only what’s already been built or started,” says Graham.

CAO Liam Edwards added “The existing Phase 1 design doesn’t look like it will have sufficient capacity to address those properties that had an application that

was not yet approved. If we can determine that there could be sufficient capacity… then we may well want some degree of understanding that you may go forward with your building permit, but we cannot issue an occupancy permit until we have certainty that capacity at the plant will be there.”

The necessary upgrades, detailed by engineering director Patrick Graham, are extensive and expensive. Phase 1 will require several areas of the Wastewater Treatment Plant to be addressed, including a new concrete tank and valve chamber, transfer pumps, HVAC upgrades, and much more.

There will also be some space requirements for the project. The municipality is in discussions with Metro Vancouver to acquire about 100 square metres of Crippen Park for the upgrades.

The estimated cost for the opening phase, including design, is $1.64 million. It was proposed this money come from a combination of non-statutory reserves, unappropriated surplus, and the Capital Renewal and Replacement Fund.

Phase 2 upgrades, which are meant to account for population growth over the next 20 years, are expected to cost $5.81 million. There’s no indication yet where this money will come from, although staff asked for $460,000 of it to begin the design process.

The mayor outlined several reasons for the problem in his video.

“The main issue, as we seem to commonly encounter with our aging infrastructure here on the island, obviously is money.

We don’t have enough in the Snug Cove sewer reserves at this time for capacity upgrades that are needed right now. Part of this is due to the age of the municipality.

We’re too young to have built up healthy reserves, but we have inherited lots of older infrastructure.”

Ander also says faulty information in the past has hampered efforts. “Unfortunately staff and council in the past have made decisions based on inaccurate information about the sewer system capacity. This is something we are looking at now, along with making sure we do have accurate information going forward.”

Engineering director Patrick Graham reinforced this in his presentation. He says a 2017 population assessment by the Kerr Wood Leidal engineering firm was faulty, and mixed up the distinction between ‘average day’ and ‘peak day’ flows.

“That probably led to some decisions that maybe shouldn’t have been made,” says Graham.

He added former mayor Murray Skeels made this same mix-up in recent comments online.

“If you want proof that we’re exceeding capacity… we have days of prolonged rain, and the flows coming to the plant can’t get through the existing bioreactors without either causing a washout… or it backs up and overflows at the head of the

plant, or both. Both of those things are contravening our permit to discharge, and it’s clearly exceeding capacity at the plant.

“I don’t know where exactly this comes from but pulling numbers out of a report like that and coming to these conclusions can be dangerous,” says Graham.

Graham says studies and on-site assessments confirm the Wastewater Treatment Plant cannot handle any more flow. “It’s not academic: the plant is over capacity.”

He says Bowen already exceeded their wastewater limit in 2018 and came close again in 2020. These mandates are established under the B.C. Municipal Wastewater Regulation.

Graham adds even since 2020 there’s already been lots of development in Snug Cove, including Foxglove Lane and the new apartments along Bowen Island Trunk Road, and found it “striking that all of this development was happening without a real plan for upgrading the plant.”

And the mayor says developers need to pay their share.

“In the past we were giving away, but we can do longer afford to do that. Going forward new development must contribute financially, with capital costs and any expense or requirements of our community assets.”

Council wasn’t quite ready to sign off on the bill without further input, and referred the $2 million ask to the Finance Advisory Committee. They’re hoping for a report back as soon as possible.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A13

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A14 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Five more glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound protected by new closures KEILI BARTLETT

Coast Reporter

As conservationists and researchers celebrate the announcement of new protections for five more glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound, several societies are also calling for more enforcement in the fragile habitat areas.

Below the surface of Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound lies an ancient and globally unique ecosystem previously thought to be extinct: the glass sponge reefs.

As their name suggests, these forms of marine life are particularly fragile, building their skele-

tons out of silicon dioxide, but create a habitat for marine animals including salmon, rockfish, herring, halibut and sharks.

They also store carbon and filter more than 17 billion litres of water. And Howe Sound, Ocean Wise Research Institute’s website says, “is exceptionally special in having the only known reef-forming sponges in water shallower than 40 m.”

In 2020, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed the discovery of five new living glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound with the help of the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of BC (MLSS).

Now, as of Jan. 17, DFO has declared additional fishing closures, prohibiting all commercial and recreational bottom contact fishing for prawn, shrimp, crab and groundfish in order to protect those five glass sponge reefs. A buffer of 150 metres around the reefs prevents sediment plumes from such fishing – by trap, trawling or line – from affecting the sponge reefs by “choking” them.

Starting April 1, downrigger restrictions for recreational salmon trolling will also be applied to the five sites as well as the Howe Sound-Queen Charlotte Channel marine refuge.

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Damage likely caused by bottom contact fishing, as seen on a glass sponge reef in Halkett Bay Marine Provincial Park. / Adam Taylor photo

The fragile, slow-growing reefs need to be protected from direct contact with fishing gear, and the disturbance of sedimentation. Since most of the reefs’ mass sits above the seafloor, “Even just a hook on a fishing line pulling the top of one of these sponges can topple it over,” Adam Taylor of the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of BC (MLSS) said.

Besides contact damage, the sponge cannot feed and filter on its side as well as it can in an upright position, and it can die. A prawn trap or line connecting traps, Taylor said, can cause “catastrophic damage.”

The new closures cover a total area of 5.2 square kilometres and include portions of Alberta Bay near Lions Bay, Carmelo Point off south Gambier Island, Langdale near the ferry terminal, Mariners Rest on the west side of Gambier and Collingwood Channel between Keats and Bowen Islands.

A notice on DFO’s website states that these closures “will be in effect for the long term,” but the Canadian Parks and

Wildlife Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) notes they are not permanent, and is calling for stronger protection and enforcement for the fragile marine life.

The group’s oceans campaigner and glass sponge reef expert Carlo Acuna said they are thankful to DFO for creating the fishing closures, which took about two years since the reefs were verified in 2020. DFO consulted with environmental, community and fishing groups, although part of the process was delayed by the pandemic. But CPAWS would like to see stronger, more proactive enforcement and monitoring to prevent the damage to the reefs in the first place.

“When they are broken, it will take hundreds of years to grow back,” Acuna said. “That was really evident last year.”

In June 2020, DFO seized five strings of illegally set prawn traps from within a glass sponge reef fishing closure near Sechelt. A subsequent investigation

by DFO led to charges, and the case is expected to be

heard in provincial court this April, DFO communications advisor Michele Fogal said in an email.

CPAWS would also like to see the protections become permanent and written into law. While the implementation of the closures can be done quickly, Acuna said they can be removed just as easily. Permanent protections require a longer process, with more consultation that includes infrastructure and shipping.

MLSS provided target information to DFO for several of these five reefs and discovered many of the reefs that are the subject of previous closures, and is also raising concerns about existing and ongoing damage to the glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound.

“We’re very pleased to see the closures come into place and we’re hopeful that they will increase enforcement presence, and outreach and education, because it is still a significant problem with reefs getting damaged through fishing activities,” Taylor said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

These fully-serviced view lots are planned to be released for presale in early 2022.

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Glass sponge reefs are ancient, fragile marine creatures that create a habitat to support other marine life. / Kim Conway photo

Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A15

B.C. old-growth activists block entrance to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal CHARLIE CAREY

North Shore News / Local Journalism Initiative

‘Save Old Growth’ protestors blocked Highway 1 near the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal on Wednesday to call for an end to old-growth logging in B.C. Protestors with “Save Old Growth” blocked part of the Highway 1 near Horseshoe Bay in the morning, coming together to demand an end to old growth logging in the

province.

The demonstration came as part of a weeks long campaign by the group, who have currently had 30 members arrested so far.

Starting at around 7:30 a.m., protestors blocked all lanes of Highway 1 westbound towards the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal for about an hour.

The group began actions earlier this month, with their demands for old growth logging to be stopped by Jan. 9 going unheard. Expecting arrests, the group said it may

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use superglue in its efforts to block traffic. “ The ca mp aig n w ill continue to b e blo cke d multiple times p er w e ek, and the fre quenc y and s cale of actions w i ll es ca late until a l l o l d g row t h l o g g i ng i s sto p p e d . Th e g ove r n m e nt ha s an option to fu lf i ll i ts e le c ti on prom is e s or s end nonviolent p e o ple on the m o t o r w a y s t o ja i l ,” S av e O l d G ro w t h w ro t e i n a st atement.

Organizer Zain Haq said the B.C. government is “destroy-

ing the country, this is our last resort.”

“We are scared of sitting down on the road, but will keep doing it until the government throws us in prison or keeps their own promise to save old growth. Premier Horgan is destroying his own legacy,” Haq said.

Translink had earlier advised customers that bus 257 has a detour in place, riding along Marine Drive from Park Royal to Horseshoe Bay. Normal service resumed later Police interact with a protestor during Wednesday’s blockade on Highway1. / Save OldGrowth Twitter photo in the afternoon.

A16 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Bowen Grown: News and Resources from BIFS SUSAN SWIFT

Bowen Island Food Resilience Society

Ever hopeful, Bowen Island Food Resilience (BIFS) and other perennially optimistic gardeners are preparing the ground for another season. Some keeners have already ordered seeds, picked them out at the Seed Library in the Cove, or bought them at Bowen Island Community School’s fundraiser.

If you are at a loss for how to get started or want to learn more about growing food here, BIFS and other island groups have knowledge and resources to share.

If you are a Facebook user, check out Bowen Gardeners and Bowen Gardeners Marketplace. You can find bags of soil and supplies at The Building Centre, which sells seeds, as does The Ruddy Potato grocery.

Explore BIFS’ website and blogs to unearth the latest news on regenerative agriculture and “no till” garden techniques. And expand your knowledge at events organized by BIFS or Bowen Agricultural Alliance (BAA), The BI Garden Club, and Regenerative Bowen Island. If we’re lucky this year, we might see the return in July of Bowen’s inspiring People, Plants & Places Tour.

To keep track of the island’s many food- and garden-related initiatives, you can sign up for BIFS e-newsletter, which is sent to 200 people about four to five times a year. The latest issue went out Monday, January 24, but it’s not too late to join the mailing list and see what’s on the horizon. Just send a note to: bowenfoodresilience@ gmail.com Here’s a peek at what’s in this issue: THRIVE: A new grant with collaboration between Kwantlen Polytech’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems and islanders who are researching the types and possible locations for commercial and co-op greenhouses on Bowen.

Even in a pandemic, it’s a joy to be learning and growing together. Here, volunteers wave at a drone at Grafton Agricultural Commons. / Phil Gregory drone photo

Island Pest Assessment: A short summary of BIFS’ and BAA’s effort to grasp the nature of mammal and bird damage to crops with links to BIFS’ blog and the survey.

Announcement of a free “dormant season fruit tree pruning” demonstration and how to sign up.

A summation of the Low Hanging Fruit pilot project and what to expect going forward. The first year showed

the promise of this volunteer project, which aims to reduce waste and build resilience.

And finally, there’s a link to a wonderful video celebrating the changing seasons and last year’s volunteers at Grafton Agricultural Commons. It doesn’t hurt that it is set to music, Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers.

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Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A17

BOWEN VIEWS

Moira Walley-Beckett, along with pups Frankie and Tiger, found a landscape bursting with hope and promise on the south side of Bowen (bottom left); Chuck Venhuizen ascended ‘Duncan’s Hat’ hill above Grafton Lake (and the fog) to grab a picture of Howe Sound (top left); and the Paley’s, Ron, Lisa, Caroline and Bea (dog), went for a weekend hike along Dorman Point Trail (remaining photos)

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A18 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Remembering Thich Nhat Hanh THE WELL-KNOWN VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST MONK PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK AGED 95 LISA SHATZKY

Contributor

The passing of beloved Thich Nhat Hanh, peace activist, teacher, poet, non-violent freedom fighter, monk, and founder of engaged Buddhism has been felt ever ywhere. He worked endlessly for human rights and brought East and West together through his teaching of mindfulness meditation. He founded the Plum Village tradition, a global community of mindfulness meditation practice centres around the world offering retreats on mindful living.

I was so blessed to meet Thich Nhat Hanh for the first time when I was nineteen. It was the summer of 1985 and Plum Village in France had just opened a few years earlier. As a student at McGill University in Psychology, I was looking for something deeper,

something that expanded our sense of hope and wonder in the world. Even at a young age, I was drawn to more Eastern traditions and wanted to learn how to bring them into western psychology. I heard about Thich Nhat Hanh from an anthropology professor at McGill and through a series of serendipitous events, I found myself able to go to Plum Village for four weeks in the summer of 1985 and then again in January 1986.

To this day, I still remember the feeling of meeting Thich Nhat Hanh for the first time and every time thereafter.

His smile and presence felt like being hugged. There was such warmth. Imagine if our presence alone could be felt as a hug.

He was known as Thay to all his students and I asked him one day how to stay positive in a world with so many problems. He looked at me with the gentle eyes he brought to everyone and

said, “The seeds of compassion are already in us.

We must learn how to water them. Be the water and be the seeds.”

And therein a journey for me began, a journey around meditation and activism and finding ways to water the seeds in myself and others and sometimes be the water too. The journey is ongoing and there are as many paths as there are people. But compassion was essential to Thay.

I was blessed to see him again over the years when he came to give talks in North America, places like Portland, Seattle, Minnesota, and Vancouver.

The last time I saw Thay was in 2010. We had a small conversation. He glowed. I always intended to return to Plum Village again. Maybe one day soon.

In the meantime, we have a drop-in Outdoor Meditation Sangha (community) here on Bowen

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Lisa Shatzky photo that has been meeting since 2015. When we practice meditation in community, especially outdoors, we experience a deeper connection to the world and all beings and cultivate a

richer space for personal growth and revitalized health. Everyone is welcome to join us, regardless of experience. We are all students of life. We meet the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the

month at 11am in the Cove.

No cost. Just gift us with your presence.

Don’t hesitate to be in touch if you need more info. lisa.shatzky@gmail.com

Having an event?

Listings are always free in our weekly community calendar.

Please email your listing to Alex by Tuesday 5 p.m. for that week's edition. editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thank you!

Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A19

Snug Cove Gondola Proceeding?

support from a few other major donors, and just needs a bit of money to push the project over the finish line. There were even drawings of golden retrievers waving from inside the gondola!”

Richard Smith and Holly Graff, Grants Committee members, had never heard of the International Funicular and Gondola Creation Charity, but it is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. The charity has partnered with Godot on the project. “These guys like gondolas. I mean… they really like gondolas. I’ll leave it at that,” said Graff.

The Grants Committee is still deliberating awarding this project a Community Impact Grant. In previous years they have supported the creation of the disc golf course, the mountain bike park, playground equipment at BICS, diversity training and awareness, the Garden Gateway and many other projects to improve the lives of Bowen Islanders.

The Grants Committee determines its funding priorities by looking at the needs that Bowen Islanders themselves identified in the Vital Conversations Report (available here: https://bowenfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/ V i t a l _ C o n v e r s a t i o n s / B I C F-V i t a l Conversations-Report-2017.pdf ) .

Do you have an idea to make life better for Bowen Islanders? Complete the application available on the Community Foundation’s Website. https://bowenfoundation.com/community-impact-fund/ DEADLINE: Applications must be submitted before midnight on February 15.

HENRY CAMPBELL

Bowen Island Community Foundation

Dr. Keyser Soze Godot blames the Poblano Hot Chocolate. “I couldn’t get enough of it. I was going to Cocoa West five, six times a day. And that meant that I was walking up from the ferry terminal to Artisan Square five or six times a day.

My calves are like beachballs. I can’t wear pants anymore so I had to switch to Lederhosen full time.”

Indeed, the tree-trunk legged Godot, who lives in the Blackwater neighbourhood on the north side of the island, looks more like a centaur than a human. But he insists that his plan to build a Gondola from Snug Cove to Artisan Square is no fantasy— and he’s applied for a Community Impact Grant from the Bowen Island Community Foundation to make it happen.

“The process was shockingly easy. All I had to do was write 500 words about how much the project will benefit Bowen Islanders. I could have written 10,000!”

Grants Committee chair Neil Boyd says: “It is a somewhat unusual project.

I have reservations about the platinum gilding on the outside of the cable cars… and it might be a problem that semitrucks won’t be able to drive on the main Trunk Road anymore.”

Boyd was impressed by Godot’s presentation to the Grants Committee. “He did a short PowerPoint presentation. His budget was incredibly detailed, he already had

LARRY SCHMIDT AND ROSS PATTERSON RENOVATIONS(INCLUDING KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS) SUNDECK RESTORATIONS INCLUDING RAILINGS. ACCREDITED DURADEK DEALER/INSTALLER SINCE 1991.

+#5/&5(/#!!# '1 %6$"24.,3"'-$31)"3.'-7062''*"'4

Have your say!

Community grows here

2022/2023 Budget Consultation Offer comments on the 2022/2023 proposed budget through an online survey. ! Open: January 21st–February 6th " islandstrust.bc.ca/budget

C

WANT TO GROW THAT SEED OF AN IDEA FOR BOWEN? Your Community Foundation is here to help!

scan me

Want to learn more about the 2022/2023 budget?

Join a webinar on January 27th at 7:00 pm. # islandstrust.bc.ca/budget $ Questions? budget@islandstrust.bc.ca

Community Impact Grants deadline is Feb 15th Your idea should help make Bowen better in the areas of: Seniors, Social Health & Well-Being, Environment & Parks, Education & Youth, Arts & Culture

bowenfoundation.com/community-impact-fund/

Preserving and protecting over 450 islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea. !

250.405.5151

A20 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

B.C. extending COVID-19 vaccine card program to June 30 TYLER ORTON

Business in Vancouver

The province is extending its vaccine certificate program through to June 30 but is leaving the door open to making “adjustments” if the COVID-19 situation improves before then.

The B.C. vaccine card program was due to expire Jan. 31 and was widely expected to be extended after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said repeatedly since December an extension was under consideration.

“If we are in a better place before June

30, however, we will look to make adjustments,” she said during a Tuesday briefing.

The vaccine certificates, which are required to enter discretionary venues such as restaurants or cinemas, were introduced in September 2021 as COVID19 cases were heading upward amid the Delta variant wave.

Provincial authorities slated a Jan. 31, 2022, end date at that time with the possibility of extending it past the end of this month.

While the province is the midst of a booster dose campaign, the vaccine card is meant to confirm whether someone is fully vaccinated. The province defines

that as someone who has received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (boosters are the third dose).

“I don’t expect to add a booster dose as being part of it,” Henry said, referring to how the government defines whether someone is fully vaccinated.

Among the reasons for that, she said, is some people have not yet had the chance to become eligible for a third shot.

Last week, the province administered 350,000 booster doses and Health Minister Adrian Dix said he expects the same number to be administered this week.

He urged the 624,000 British Columbians

— 48,070 of whom are over the age of 70 — who have not yet booked an appointment for a booster after receiving an invite to go ahead and schedule their shots.

Meanwhile, earlier Tuesday, the National Advisory Committee for Immunization (NACI) recommended immunocompromised children ages five to 11 receive a booster dose four to eight weeks after their second dose.

NACI had previously stated boosters may be offered to such children.

Henry said she was pleased NACI was strengthening its prior recommendations with the new language it was using.

Rule clarification could help glass sponge preservation “A positive outcome would be to combine the different types of closures into a more comprehensive closure to make them easier to enforce and easier to interpret,” Taylor said.

MLSS has been working with BC Parks on a management plan to allow specially trained and certified divers to access the sponge glass reefs in Halkett Bay Marine Provincial Park (near Gambier Island) for recreational and citizen science purposes. In the near future, Taylor said, they will be installing a divers’ mooring buoy and working to promote where the boundaries are.

“Because if it’s sitting at the bottom of the ocean and nobody knows about it, nobody cares,” he said.

The society is also developing proposals to continue studying the reefs and exploring restoration proj-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Taylor himself reported four incidents of commercial fishing vessels deploying traps within the closures on multiple occasions last year, some of which he said were visible from downtown Vancouver.

One way to help, Taylor said, would be to provide more clarity around where the protected areas are and what activities are prohibited. Part of the challenge in Howe Sound is the different protection areas such as marine protected areas, no fishing areas like those at Porteau Cove and Whytecliff Park, rockfish conservation areas and glass sponge boundary closures, each with varying levels of restrictions and protections.

It can be confusing, Taylor said, for fishermen and the general public to understand what the rules are and where they apply.

ects. More information can be found at mlssbc.com.

Acuna said 2022 is off to a good start for ocean protection, and CPAWS hopes even more announcements will be made ahead of Vancouver hosting the fifth International Marine Protected Area Congress in September, as well as Canada’s commitment to protecting 25 per cent of its oceans by 2025.

The Jan. 17 closures follow similar closures in 2015, 2016 and 2019 that protected 17 glass sponge reefs in these waters, which were supported by Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). Consultation regarding Indigenous food, social and ceremonial bottom contact fishing is ongoing for the new closures, DFO’s fishery notice states.

Right: A map shows the five new fishing closures areas established by DFO on Jan. 17, 2022. / CPAWS-BC map

Places of Worship Welcome You

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule to March 31, 2022

BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH E v l M

www.biuc.ca | 1122 Miller Road

FOOD BANK

Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev. Lorraine Ashdown

DROP-OFF

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

Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

CATES HILL CHAPEL

A

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260

W

(661 Carter Rd.)

Now offering worship services via Zoom. o 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

(

)

DEPART BOWEN ISLAND

DEPART HORSESHOE BAY

5:20 am except Sundays 6:20 am 7:30 am 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm except Wednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:40pm Except SAT 8:55 pm " - 8:30 pm 10:00 pm " - 9:30 pm 11:00pm " -10:30 pm

5:50 am 6:50 am 8:00 am 9:05 am except Wednesdays 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:20 pm Except SAT 9:30pm " - 9:00 pm 10:30pm " - 10:00 pm

Please check bcferries.com for Saturday evening changes to January 15, 22, and 29 sailings Note: Schedules subject to change without notice:

Schedule changes on statutory holidays

Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A21

MLS® HPI vs Average Sale vs Median Sale

Fig. 9

Per Cent Change YoY

YoY at December 31

1 800k

+25.0%

COVID-19 Restrictions

1 600k

1 400k

1 200k

+33.7% +11.4%

Average Sale

1 000k

Median Sale MLS® HPI

D ec

-1 8 Fe b19 A pr -1 9 Ju n19 A ug -1 9 O ct -1 9 D ec -1 9 Fe b20 A pr -2 0 Ju n20 A ug -2 0 O ct -2 0 D ec -2 0 Fe b21 A pr -2 1 Ju n21 A ug -2 1 O ct -2 1 D ec -2 1

800k

MLS® HPI

Average Sale

Median Sale

YoY MLS® HPI Per Cent Change 44.7% 41.7% 40

$12,950,000

33.7% 30.8%

30.6%

30

10M

26.3%

24.3%

18.5%

20

5M

$675,000

$1,726,196 $1,353,000 $1,370,075

0

0

JAN THRU DEC 2021 Highest

Lowest

Average

Median

10

JUL 2020 THRU DEC 2021

MLS® HPI

Bowen Island

JAN 2021 THRU DEC 2021 Whistler

Sunshine Coast

REBGV

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.

A22 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

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

HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT SPROTTSHAW.COM

SUDOKU

BC WIDE CLASSIFIEDS INDUSTRIAL/ COMMERCIAL INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008.

Built with concrete posts.

Barns, shops, riding arenas, machine sheds and more. adam.s@integritybuilt.com 1-250-351-5374. www.integritybuilt.com

MOVING

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

follow us on follow us on

@BowUndercurrent

@BowUndercurrent

Join the growing

conversation at www.facebook.com/BIUndercurrent

ANSWERS

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

at the entrance to Artisan Square Suite 597 7

To advertise here please call 604947-2442

Book online at bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca

or email ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A23

CALENDAR JANUARY 2330

Family Literacy Week Come play Book Bingo at the Library and see how many different kinds of books you can read this month. We’ll post your Bingo successes on our Wall of Fame! Print at home and find other literacy activities at: bipl.link/FLW

TO FEBRUARY 3

The Hearth Gallery will be closed We will reopen on February 4 with the Mini Artworks Exhibition and Auction.

Learn More: www.hearthartsonbowen.ca

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Bowen Island Municipal Council 6:15 pm - Regular Council Meeting Both meetings will be streamed live on t h e B I M Yo u t u b e p a g e . P l e a s e c o n t a c t t h e municipality if you wish to speak or enter a written submission.

Spring around the corner? Bill Granger certainly thinks so, if his snowdrops are any indication. The early bloom in his Deep Bay garden is a welcome sign following Bowen’s unexpected snowstorm earlier this month.

BOWEN HOME SERVICES love the life you live I&I TOWING

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Office: 604-947-9686

Cell: 604-329-3045

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Keep Calm and Call Econo

604.980.3333

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

Landscape Lighting Irrigation

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Vehicles • Construction Equipment Sea-Can Containers • Tiny Homes

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BUILT GREEN BC BUILDER CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTATION WWW.WHITEHART.CA ADDRESS 302-566 ARTISAN LANE BOWEN ISLAND, BC PHONE 1 (778) 999-3434

Michael Bingham • 604 947 1717 ianditowhaul@gmail.com

BOWEN ISLAND ROOFING ROOFING & REPAIRS

604-987-7663

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

A24 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022

New Year, New Beginnings! - Catching Stars in 2022 KATHLEEN AINSCOUGH/EMILIE KAPLUN

Catching Stars Gallery

We wish you all a new year full of inspiration, and creativity! Starting the year with many challenges still on our plates, we look forward to celebrating the wins and renewing our hopes for a better future. The support from our local community and online patrons has been amazing and heartwarming and we are constantly delight-

ed by the response to the gallery from our visitors.

There will undoubtedly be a few changes for the coming year and one of them is that Thiago Ramirez has stepped down as co-owner at Catching Stars but the happy news is that he will remain as an Associate and his dynamic photographic prints will continue to be available to add to your collection. We will miss his many contributions behind the scenes to the running of the gallery and wish him all the best in his exciting endeavours. We will eagerly follow his amazing projects and wild adventures!

“After almost 3 years being part of this amazing team/family at Catching Stars, I’ve now decided that it’s time to get back out there again!

It’s time for me to take all the incredible moments and experiences I’ve had with all these amazing artists who are part of this family and spread its good energy through my new creations!

In my film projects, photography work, skydiving adventures or whatever I head to, having been here and being with all of you definitely made me more prepared for a future of great achievements! hey, I’m still here as associAnd an forget to come ate, so don’t say hi!” says Thiago Ramirez.

Our gallery now has well over 50 different artists, who continue to amaze with the level of creativity and expertise in the many varieties of mediums available - from locally created jewellery, mixed media wall art, textiles, limited edition prints, fine oil paintings, stone and bronze sculptures, and so much more!

This past year, we welcomed several new artists to the Catching Stars family and will be introducing some new ones in the coming months.

Receiving funding for improvements to our online store has enabled us to grow beyond the shores of Bowen Island and we are very grateful to everyone who has used this service to send their love across the miles.

Every day you have an opportunity to meet one of our associate members who are local artists and as a cooperative, their contributions enable us to keep our doors open on a daily basis. This past year has been challenging on many levels for local businesses and we are so grateful to these committed artists who help with the many moving parts of running a small business!

Happy New Year to all of you and wishing you a Creative and Inspiring 2022!

Emilie and Kathleen

Peace out 2021! Partners Kathleen Ainscough, Thiago Ramirez, and Emilie Kaplun / Jo & Glo Photography