Bowen Island Undercurrent May 26 2022

STRAIT SWIMMING: New Museum exhibit opens Saturday PAGE 17

$1.50

inc.

GST

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

BOOKS BACK ON BOWEN

VOL. 48 NO. 19

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

BookFest returns PAGE 18

Presentation met with demonstration

AROUND 25 PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO OPPOSE THE WOODFIBRE LNG PLANT PLANNED OUTSIDE SQUAMISH ALEX KURIAL Editor

NOT ON BOARD: A crowd gathered outside municipal hall Tuesday night to protest the Woodfibre LNG facility planned for construction outside Squamish, and subsequent tanker traffic it will bring through Howe Sound. Council heard a presentation from the company during their May 24 meeting where Woodfibre LNG provided an update on the project and outlined how they feel it will benefit Bowen Island and the surrounding area. Read our story on the presentation and council’s reaction on the right. / Alex Kurial photo

NEW LISTING 895 Windjammer Road, Bowen Island

$1,388,000

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Woodfibre LNG appeared before Bowen council for the first time in several years on Tuesday to provide an update on their facility being constructed outside of Squamish.

The presentation was preceded by a demonstration outside municipal hall, where around 25 protestors, some with environmental organization My Sea to Sky, voiced their opposition to the LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant. Holding signs and a banner reading “Stand up for an LNG-free Howe Sound,” participants spoke with councillors before the councillors went in to hear the company’s remarks.

Bowen council has passed several motions stating their opposition to the project since 2015, most recently in 2020.

Anton van Walraven organized the impromptu protest.

“It’s an opportunity for us to let council and Woodfibre know that there’s still opposition against the project, and it’s even more urgent because as we all can see climate change is happening around the world and in our backyard,” he says.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

A2 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

We’re hiring - Utilities Operator

Events All Council meetings are open to the public to attend in person or electronically, unless noted otherwise.

May 26, 2022 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm In person Public Open House at Municipal Hall re Site Alteration Bylaw June 13, 2022 6:15 pm Regular Council meeting June 15, 2022 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Virtual Open House via Zoom re Detached Secondary Suite Minimum Lot Size June 23, 2022 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm In person Public Open House re Detached Secondary Suite Minimum Lot Size

Public Open House

BIM seeks a Permanent Full-Time Utility Operator to fill an existing position that has become vacant. This position requires union membership in CUPE 1004.

This position will primarily be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the Municipality’s Utility Systems (water and sewer).

Additional labour tasks may include roads maintenance and assisting other staff within the Municipality.

The Operator must be comfortable working outside under varying weather conditions and hold a valid class 5 driver’s license. Related experience will be considered an asset.

Detached Secondary Suite Minimum Lot Size Virtual Open House on Zoom Wednesday, June 15, 2022 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm In person Open House at Municipal Hall Thursday, June 23, 2022 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Are you thinking about building a secondary suite or detached secondary suite?

This position is for 35 hours per week. Enrollment in extended health We want to know what you think about a new bylaw that would and dental benefits, and the Municipal Pension Plan, is enacted after 3 remove the required minimum lot size for a detached secondary suite. successful months in the position.

The current bylaw requires a minimum lot size of 0.36 hectares or 0.9 acres.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/jobs

Short term rentals require a business licence If you operate a short term rental on Bowen, you are required to have a business licence, regardless of whether the rental is a B&B, a room, part of a house or a whole house.

Not sure how your rental is classified? www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/rga

The bylaw would also make changes to our regulations for residential guest accommodation proposing to: • not allow short-term rental use within a secondary suite or detached secondary suite, and • permit detached secondary suites on larger lots to have more floor area (140 sq. m., or 1,500 square feet up from the current 115 sq. m. or 1,230 sq. ft.).

The Municipality is interested in what you think about the proposed bylaw. In addition to the vitual open house on Wednesday, June 15, and an in person open house at Municipal Hall on Thursday, June 23, printed Information will be available at Municipal Hall the week of June 13-17, 2022.

Apply for your business licence: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/licences

For more information including zoom login details, please visit www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/detachedsecondarysuites

Flo EV Charging stations are on!

Bowen’s first public EV charging stations are up and running at the Library parking lot. These are available for charging up to three hours at a rate of $2.00 for the first two hours and $3.00 for the remaining hour. Users must have a Flo account. You can sign up and download the free mobile app at https://account.flo.ca/Account/SignUp, and add funds to your account with a credit card.

Inquiries regarding the proposed bylaws may be directed to Daniel Martin at 604-947-4255 or by email at dmartin@bimbc.ca.

Questions? Please contact Natasha Cheong, Island Community Planner at 604-947-4255 ext. 247 or ncheong@bimbc.ca.

BIM is accepting Community Grant applications. This grants program is to help fund not-for-profit organizations that propose, through projects and/or programs, to improve the well-being of the Bowen Island community as a whole. Grants are funded from the Municipality’s annual operating budget. Apply by June 17, 2022.

Residential indoor wood burning restrictions May 15 - Sep 15

Community Grants

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/community-grants

In Metro Vancouver, residential indoor wood burning restrictions are in effect from May 15 to September 15 to help reduce wood smoke in the region. Exceptions apply for off-grid residences, emergency use, or if the appliance is the only source of heat in a residence. www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/news/releases/residentialindoor-wood-burning

Contact Bowen Island Municipality PAID ADVERTISEMENT May 26, 2022

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

Find us on Facebook Bowen Island Municipality

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

Thursday, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3

ISLAND NEWS

Woodfibre LNG attempts to convince Bowen of project benefits CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

van Walraven said he has doubts regarding one of Woodfibre LNG’s primary claims, that energy produced at the Squamish site will be cleaner than equivalent energy produced at coal plants in Asia. The company said during their presentation they’re running a scenario analysis to confirm this, along with an analysis to measure the full emissions impact of producing LNG at the plant, including work done outside the facility.

“The world needs energy, there’s a clear transition from coal into LNG, and later on other types of energy production… But the demand for energy is there,” said Christian Ruilova, marine manager for the company.

“It would be a missed opportunity because that LNG demand would be produced by other sources in other parts of the world, that would not have potentially the same levels of environmental concerns that we have,” said Ruilova.

Woodfibre also used their time to stress what they say are local benefits to the Sea to Sky region, including Bowen Island.

These included job opportunities for residents – 700 during peak construction in 2025 and 100 once complete – donation, sponsorship and partnership opportunities with these communities, and reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples, such as Squamish Nation.

Julia Diamond, senior manager of government relations, told council the plant will also be environmentally beneficial. Diamond said it will be operated by an electric drive, the

second such facility in North America where this is the case, which will make it the lowest emissions facility in the world, and 1/10 the impact of a comparable plant. She added the plant hopes to be operating at net-zero by 2050.

“We think that our project can do all of it,” said Diamond.

“Protect the environment, enhance the environment on site, contribute to emissions reductions, support global energy security and the global energy transition in a way that is socially responsible, minimize impact to the environment, create jobs for British Columbians, create revenues for government and have positive benefits for communities and young people for generations to come.”

Construction is expected to begin next year, with the plant operational in 2027.

Councillors remained hesitant following the presentation.

Coun. David Hocking requested the results of the scenario analysis being conducted, while Coun. Rob Wynen wondered if the project is compatible with a presentation earlier in the evening requesting the municipality proclaim the next 12 months “Year of the Salish Sea”.

Coun. Sue Ellen Fast questioned the usefulness of Woodfibre’s environmental study, first conducted in 2016.

Fast said that since then there’ve been several environmental developments on the island, including population changes among whales, dolphins and glass sponge reefs, a Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, the establishment of a

Anton van Walraven speaks to demonstrators before Woodfibre LNG’s presentation to Bowen council. / Alex Kurial photo

UNESCO biosphere, the declaration of a climate emergency, events such as last year’s heat dome, and more.

Fast says she didn’t believe these recent events were taken into account and that the plant’s operation would in fact make these existing problems worse.

Regarding transport safety questions, Ruilova says the tankers will each be escorted by a pair of tug boats and will reduce their speed when entering the waters around Bowen. The vessels will be supplied by BP, and be around 290 metres long and 40 metres wide.

Ruilova said he doesn’t anticipate delays to ferry service and that Woodfibre will coordinate with BC Ferries to avoid scheduling delays. He estimates a tanker will pass by Bowen every eight to 10 days.

Coun. Maureen Nicholson asked what the “cost” to Bowen would be. Woodfibre responded on a global scale, saying the Squamish plant will offset the emissions equivalent of 700,000 cars a year compared to producing the fuel in Asia.

But Nicholson reminded Woodfibre she’d asked the question on a local scale. “There is a decreased sense of safety on this island related to this project – that is a cost to Bowen Island.”

“I think it would be really important to think more broadly about the costs to Bowen Island and Bowen Islanders if this project were to proceed, otherwise you’re not going to get very far with a significant part of your audience here.”

Councillors came out to talk to the crowd prior to heading inside to listen to the presentation. / Alex Kurial photo

Connect with Head of School, Scott Herrington IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PLANNING YOUR CHILD’S MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION First Wednesday of the month

MONTHLY COFFEE WITH island pacific school START YOUR DAY WITH A COFFEE ON US!

MEET US NEXT ON JUNE 1ST 8:30 AM @Tell Your Friends Cafe on the Pier in Snug Cove

Middle School on Bowen Island

islandpacific.org

A4 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

VIEWPOINTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A bad deal for Bowen “LNG is Canada’s opportunity to provide clean natural gas to growing markets in Asia” is theopeningpitchontheWoodfibreLNGwebsite.

Woodfibre LNG’s proponents urge us to support the project that is a subsidiary of Singaporebased Pacific Oil & Gas Limited, which is part of the Singapore-based Royal Golden Eagle group.

As residents of Howe Sound and the Salish Sea, we will be taking ALL of the personal risk of this project and in exchange we will get… what exactly? Even the Woodfibre LNG website says that some of the workers “may be local.”

The LNG that will be extracted for this project will come from fracked wells. Fracking is understood to have a huge impact on the environment and has been banned in many parts of the world.

Another argument that is used in favour of this project is that BC will derive benefits from taxes paid by the project. The frackers who generate the LNG receive VASTLY more in drilling credits than they pay in taxes and royalties.

Under United States environmental regulations, Howe Sound would have automatically been rejected as a possible LNG Supertanker Shipping lane as it is too dangerous, with pre-existing population and pre-existing commerce.

The Woodfibre LNG is the only single cycle water exchange design among the BC LNG proposals. This is outlawed in the United States and any LNG plants with the single cycle have changed them or are on notice for change. The single cycle water exchange will damage herring roe, and thus harm the health of Howe Sound.

The herring roe is drawing dolphins, who are drawing whales to Howe Sound.

Howe Sound has been in an active recovery for decades and recently had a significant pink salmon catch of 300,000. This renewal of the fish has taken decades to accomplish following a decades-long and amazing clean up. The single cycle plant at Woodfibre will also warm the water further harming spawning grounds and potentially attracting warm water primitive sea life, such as sharks.

If this project goes ahead, we’re not getting any assured jobs, we’re going to be left with the environmental impacts of the plant, of fracking, and of shipping. We’re going to pay the frackers more than we are receiving in taxes and royalties, and we have to bear the brunt of any shipping disaster.

This is a bad deal and I am writing to add my name to the list of Bowen Island residents who oppose the Woodfibre LNG. Thank you, - David McCullum

Seasonal worker solution?

Dear Mayor and Council:

In my humble opinion, Atco sleeper units and wash cars and a septic field could solve the seasonal workforce needs, and take the complexity out of the concept of seasonal housing on individual properties.

The units could be located on Municipal land in the vicinity of the recycle depot, and could be monitored by the by-law enforcement wing of the municipality. Revenue from rental could go against the municipalities initial investment.

Creating a designated area for this concept could sidestep a lot of bureaucracy, and get a solution on the ground very quickly. And on further investigation, one might find that a company like Atco might offer leasing opportunities which would reduce the initial outlay.

This could be a quick way to put a slowdown to the economic and social decay we are witnessing on the formerly ¨Happy Isle¨ Looks like most of you spent your long weekend hangSincerely, ing out on the island last weekend. Hope everybody had a wonderful time! - Alex - Richard Best

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Please limit to under 500 words. HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

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

The Undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs.

#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com DEADLINE for advertising Monday, 4 p.m. DEADLINE for editorial Tuesday 5 p.m.

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

ISSN 7819-5040

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, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A5

VIEWPOINTS

Building Community Resilience During Times of Uncertainty Bowen Island is such a special place. I don’t need to convince anyone of this fact. We have a really unique opportunity to live on such a beautiful island where we are all in relatively close proximity to each other and our shared common spaces with plenty of nature and space all around.

I want to emphasize just how unique this opportunity is and how it presents us with so many possibilities for building a deep resilient community that can lead to strong social, environmental and emotional health outcomes.

I’ve lived on Bowen for close to eight years now and I am still struck by the magic this place holds. Just the other week I was dining at one of our local restaurants with a dear friend to be met with the familiar faces of other friends I bumped into while in the Cove. Small town living at its finest! I can go to the Cove for groceries to end up running into the many people I’ve met and connected with over the years.

These moments, however small, safeguard us from falling in to the trap of modern society – one of anonymity and isolation. Having people smile in recognition of us, or gently tap us on our arm to say hello, sharing a laugh at the general store while we go about our daily errands... These experiences leave us with a felt sense of being seen and dare I say a sense of belonging to a place. One of our basic universal human needs.

I have literally come back transformed from my experiences at the Ruddy by simply having small chats or sharing in a funny moment with a friend or acquaintance. These small interactions become the building blocks for our day. Connection, as we all know, is the antidote to loneliness.

These times we are living in are heavy. There’s no doubt about it, we’ve all been impacted by the growing sense of uncertainty and threat posed by pandemics, wars, skyrocketing inflation, the ever growing extreme weather events of climate change etc... There is much to feel anxious and worried about these days. Stability and predictability seem to have taken a long walk in the woods and are being replaced with an ever growing sense of confusion, fear and disorientation.

Where are we going? What is there to hang on to during these most stressful times?

One of the lessons I’ve learned over these last few years is that I can’t get to the shoreline alone. That we need each other now, more then we ever have. Modern convenience and comforts are great, but they don’t build resilience or community. When things start to shift drastically (as they have over these last few years) we are left with a new unease – an understanding that nothing is guaranteed and that life itself can be chaotic and stormy, that we are truly vulnerable.

We need to shelter ourselves and each other from the storm and we do so by coming together. By learning to ask for help when we’re struggling, by gathering with neighbours, friends, family. Breaking bread and celebrating, dancing, laughing, even weeping and grieving together. All of it is too heavy a burden to carry alone.

I’m sharing all of this with you because I have been entranced by the magic of this beautiful land, by the people that inhabit it, and by some other mysterious force that has brought us all here together. There are ways to build community connections that will and can safeguard you too during these extremely unpredictable and occasionally scary times.

Patient of the Week CHICA Chica is the sweetest girl who visited us recently for her vaccines, and followed up with her boosters. Often, if its their first time receiving a vaccine it will need to be boosted 4-6 weeks later to ensure maximum effectiveness. Chica is a gem to have in the clinic and we look forward to seeing her next year for her annual vaccine update!

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

Some examples include forming your own book club, starting a monthly breakfast club with friends, creating learning circles (there are currently two of these running on Bowen and you can reach out to me personally if you’re interested in learning more), building a network of parents to meet up with, joining a sports team or volunteering at one of our many volunteer associations.

I will leave you with these questions.... Where does community fit into your life? How can building a resilient community around you help you cope with the hardships of these times? What small step can you take today to reach out to someone in your social sphere? How can you practice asking for help? Where are you holding yourself back? How can you say yes to that next invitation or event? How can you step outside of your comfort zone and lean into the universal need to be seen, supported and held?

People come together best in times of crisis and celebration. We have been doing so since the dawning of time. Our ancestors have known hard times, we may soon know harder times, what is it that they relied on during those most darkest moments? When do people thrive as a collective – it is during these times of transition and upheaval. When the storm hits people come together to help rebuild. I believe we are still weathering this storm and, because of that we need each other to help steer us toward safe harbour.

- Julie Hughes Registered Professional Counsellor julie@shift-counselling.com

A6 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Bowen Island photographer John Dowler brings “The Camera Trap”to the Hearth THE HEARTH’S NEW EXHIBITION RUNS UNTIL JUNE 12

MATHILDE ROHR The Hearth Gallery The Camera Trap: When is Art Surveillance? is the new exhibition of John Dowler presented at the Hearth from May 26 to June 12. In this show, the artist challenges our relationship with street photography and makes us realize that we are constantly photographed, with and without consent.

As we open the door of the gallery, we enter into a space of contrasts. On one side, still and sharp pictures, on the other, blurry scenes in motion. The artist invites us into a dialogue of tensions where the dilemma of privacy versusart is considered. He pushes it even further by adding interactive elements to the show such as a security camera and a camera trap installation, which make the visitors and their pictures instantly part of the show.

Musician, digital designer, and photographer, John Dowler is a local artist who has been working with

INTRODUCING MASTERWORKS 2022 For more than 27 years, Island Pacific School Grade 9 students have been preparing presentations in a signature program called Masterworks. This capstone project represents completion of one of their academic achievements at Island Pacific School.

photography for over forty years. It all started in a high school darkroom where he spent many hours contemplating the light. Since then, he has been exploring this medium which, he says, helps him see the world more deeply.

Over the years, the practice of street photography has taught him to find ‘decisive moments’ where body language and environment come together to communicate a feeling or an idea.

“Photography is a moving art; a kind of combination of dance and painting.” says John Dowler. Through his long exposure portraits of moving people, he changes perspectives to see how we look in a different frame of time. Blurriness allows him to express anonymity and to explore abstraction with shapes and colors.

This new show at the Hearth expands our vision of photography and invites us to dive into its process, its sensitivity, and its various meanings. Dowler’s work in public spaces also brings up a lot of questions about privacy and surveillance. In a time where security cameras are part of our landscapes and where we all constantly take pictures to feed social media with personal data, he addresses the following question: What does it mean to ‘take’ a picture?

The Camera Trap: When is Art Surveillance? is on at the Hearth May 26 to June 12. The Artist pARTy is May 28 from 6 pm to 8 pm with DJ Yeshe.

JOIN US CATES HILL CHAPEL OR ONLINE

JUNE 13-15, 2022

https:/ /islandpacific.org/masterworks-program/

DATE + TIME

PRESENTER

PRESENTATION

JUNE 13 9:00 am

Lukas Hagglund

Is Nuclear Power Enough for Us?

10:00 am

Jenny Shang-Gagnon

Interior Design 101 - How to Bring your Space to Life

11:00 am

Aviva Rabinowitz

Perceiving Personality - Reliability and Validity of the Meyers-Briggs Test

1:00 pm

Sam Florin

Computer Generated Imagery - My Journey

JUNE 14 9:00 am

Anika Horvath

The Legacy of Olympus - Greek Culture’s Influence on our Modern World

10:00 am

Lukas Legal

Carbon Capture - Removing CO2 from the Air

11:00 am

Kalan McKie

Entrepreneurship - Developing a Product for Market

1:00 pm

Oliver Young

Cooking up Culture

JUNE 15 9:00 am

Finnsson Cane-Osborne

The Future of Transportation: Fuel Cells to Batteries, Coast to Coast

10:00 am

Ethan Harrison

Entering the Pipeline - The Full Process of Visual Effects in Film

11:00 am

Caelan Redekop

Blockchains: The Future of Money, Art and Technology

1:00 pm

Hannah Florendo

Stitching A Story: Creating a Costume to Convey A Character

LEARNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. INSPIRED TO MAKE WAVES.

Local artist John Dowler uses photography to capture time and people in‘decisive moments’.

ELEMENTARY & HIGH SC HOOL

0$@@!3 @1-H<0,G!>,!

-$-73G>J Keep your skills sharp this summer with one on one or small group tutoring!

,9:4/+4; C2+& @+52/*) D?'#A %#' ?'=B F2+&E+82/*)42496.(E/IF"+9E

Thursday, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A7

Why the Masterworks Program at Island Pacific School is a stepping stone for our students’futures JULIA MCCAIG Island Pacific School Can a 14-year-old be expected to conduct a public presentation similar to a TED talk?

If you are not familiar with Masterworks, it is the culmination of Island Pacific School’s Four Year Middle School Program and has been a cornerstone of our curriculum for the 27 years Island Pacific has been operating.

Self-selected, self-directed, and self-presented, Island Pacific School Masterworks independent study project is compulsory for every Grade 9 student and marks a significant academic achievement at the school. Students research their projects extensively, write an extended paper, and defend their work at a public presentation in June.

Island Pacific School has 12 Grade 9 students that have been working hard on their Masterworks project all year. Topics include Climate Change, Myers Briggs, the mechanics of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and Entrepreneurship.

Five Facts about the Island Pacific School Masterworks Program you may not know!

•

•

Self-Directed: Self-selected, self-directed, and self-presented, this Masterworks independent study project marks a significant academic achievement at IPS. A Graduation Milestone: The Masterworks independent study project is compulsory for every Grade 9 student to complete as a graduation milestone at Island Pacific School.

•

•

•

Two Words: Ted Talk: Can a 14-year-old be expected to conduct a public presentation similar to a TED talk? Absolutely! Our school students have been doing so for 26 years through Masterworks.

Expert Support: Students are mentored through the process by expert advisors—leaders in their respective fields—who act as external advisors. Working collaboratively with Island Pacific faculty, advisory committees guide Grade 9s through the Masterworks process which provides a foundation for academic achievement.

Project Diversity: We love the diversity of projects the students come up with. In past years, students have made documentary and animated films, created original works of art, written extensive research papers, written and published a novella, and built an actual boat!

Alumni testimonials: • Brendan Churcher (Alumni ‘98) After leaving IPS I served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 12 years and I just recently retired in 2019. While I was in the Canadian Armed Forces forces, I was a member of the intelligence branch, where I did five tours overseas, in South East Asia, North Africa, Europe and South America conducting counter terrorism operations. I specialized in counter terrorism operations, counter insurgency and later on in cyber warware - which was coincidental as my masterworks in Grade 9 was in counter terrorism and terrorism.

Little did I know then that I would be a much more active participant in conflict

later on in my adult life.

• Kasara Toth (Alumni ’02) The masterworks program was for me the greatest stretch. It pulled at me from two separate directions. Of course, the first was the academic challenge. These projects can be huge and in comparison, make any high school assignment seem easy.

The second, and most valuable, were the lessons I was forced to learn about myself. Not only did I choose an extremely complex topic, involving both scientific history and quantum physics, but I also chose an extremely large number of subjects to research. I definitely bit off more than I could chew and as a result I became aware of how often I do this!

I realised how I found it hard sometimes to stick to it and keep going; while conversely I also understood how much willpower I had to hold on to that vision of completion. These traits, and others, once identified, were my saving grace throughout high school. I was able to apply different parts of myself to different areas of study resulting in an all round healthy experience.

Getting ready for Masterworks presentations: Visit our website here to find out more details, view youtube videos and watch for the upcoming schedule of projects to be presented. h t t p s : / / i s l a n d p a c i f i c . o r g / m a s t e rworks-program/

Come join us for the Opening at Cape Roger Curtis May 29, 1 - 3 pm Enjoy a guided walk Opening May 29th!

The Bowen Island Conservancy is excited to announce with local biologists Entrance at the upcoming opening of WILD COAST NATURE REFUGE Huszar Creek Lane www.bowenislandconservancy.org We all love our dogs but we ask that you respect this as a nature refuge and not walk your pets in this small, special place. Thanks!

Write on Bowen, in partnership with the Hearth Gallerry and the Bowen Island Public Library are pleased to pressent

August 6 & 7, 2022 Cove Commons

Eight stelllar work ksh hops in four time sllots are off ffered ff d over two days, along with a Luncheon Panel and Festival Gala featuring an impressive line-up of local and off-island authors.

Registration Now Open Discounted Early-Bird Passes Available only until June 1 To view the Festival Schedule, Line-Up and Full Details, please visit:

www.writeonbowen.com

A8 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Family Physicians central to team-based approach to care at BI Community Health Centre SUZANNE SAATCHI Executive Director / Bowen Community Health Centre

Island

May 19 was World Family Doctor Day, and BC Family Doctor Day in British Columbia. It reminded us that around the world there is a shortage of that central pillar of health care we know as Family Physicians. The President of the Australian Royal College tweeted that Family Doctors provide, “the best evidence of bang for buck AND health outcomes”.

Across Canada and close to home, the message is the same. More than 2,000 people gathered on the steps of the BC legislature on BC Family Doctor Day to give voice to their concerns about a lack of access to family doctors and to pressure the Horgan government to take action.

Following a meeting with Doctors of BC, Premier John Horgan said, “how important primary care is to our health-care system, as

doctors provide us with the confidence that someone will be there to help us when we get sick”.

When family physicians are not available, it is a source of great anxiety and poor health outcomes. That’s why Bowen Island has come together around the issue of access to care, why a Foundation to organize and direct the health centre initiative was created, and why donations from across the community have flowed in to ensure the Bowen Island Community Health Centre’s success.

Frustration and overwork are well known among family physicians in Canada making them harder to find and recruit. The pandemic has only compounded this problem.

In B.C. those without attachment to a family physician have doubled in BC in the last 19 years, growing to nearly 900,000 — about 20 percent of the provincial population.

To resolve the problem the BC Government has recently invested in “team-based care in primary care networks, community health

centres, Indigenous-led clinics, and urgent and primary care centres to expand access to public health care in this province” (John Horgan, May 19, 2022).

For Bowen Islanders, Premier Horgan’s words support a type or style of health care that is just what the Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation has been planning. When we are done building and begin operating as intended, our integrated, team based, Community Health Centre will reflect the key health solutions the government is advocating in policy and action. For this reason, and because the community has done the heavy lifting of planning, raising funds, buying land, building the location, and organizing a service, we are working to finalize government operating support.

The problem of recruiting doctors remains.

We are in competition with health services everywhere. But there are three key features of what we can offer that gives us confidence that our recruitment of doctors and other team members will be successful.

First, we are designing a model of community health care in which professionals are supported by their colleagues — something health professionals have asked for and want. Just like the rest of us, doctors want to work collaboratively in a team with other disciplines.

Bowen’s only family physician, Dr. Sue Schloegl, makes this very clear when she says, “I am really looking forward to working

with a team of health professionals with a common purpose.”

Secondly, Bowen Island is an idyllic environment and extraordinary community. Just scroll through our new website (https:// bowenhealthcentre.com) which was built to help recruit health professionals to Bowen by focusing on the opportunity to build both a life and a practice close in a unique rural community close to the city.

Finally, sometime next year, we will have a brand new, state of the art, building to house our new service. It will be the beginning of a new era of health care on Bowen, with new buildings, new people and new services.

Those health professionals that join us will become the foundation of a wonderful story, tightly woven in the history of our community. Every health professional should want to be part of a story like that.

Our story and recruiting efforts are beginning to pay off. We have more than ten expressions of interest from doctors, as well as interest from nurse practitioners and a dental practice.

And Bowen residents: you have a role to play. As physicians are announced, we need you to consider attaching your family to those doctors and health professionals practicing at the Bowen Island Community Health Centre.

And, if you know a doctor who might be interested in joining this new Community Health service, point them to our webpage and tell them all that Bowen has to offer.

COMING SUMMER 2022 A selection of lots from the $800Ks to $900Ks + GST Perched above Seymour Bay and the neighbourhood of Seymour Shores, these homes will enjoy stunning sunrises and the serene view of the Strait of Georgia, Vancouver and Mt. Baker. This south Bowen location is becoming increasingly sought after with its year-round sunshine and its proximity to the Bowen Golf Club.

These fully-serviced view lots are planned to be released for presale this summer.

For priority information as it becomes available, please email us at info@bowenislandproperties.ca or call 604-947-0000.

This is not an offering for sale. Any such offering can only be made with the applicable disclosure statement.

Prices & descriptions of real estate in this publication are subject to change without prior notice. E.&O.E.

Bowen Island Properties LP Since 1988, building communities where people love to live www.bowenislandproperties.ca

info@bowenislandproperties.ca

604-947-0000

The Meaning of SKY NORMA MCCARTHY Seniors Keeping Young When should you start thinking of yourself as a senior? Well, for Bowen’s SKY group, the answer is 55.

SKY (Seniors Keeping Young) is a group of lively 55-plus Bowen Islanders enjoying social get-togethers, exercise programs, field trips, and each other’s friendship. Ever since covid threw a wrench into our indoor activities, we’ve been concentrating more on the great outdoors.

Each Wednesday our walking group gets together for a hike on Bowen, geared to all levels of stamina and mobility. Each Thursday morning the yoga group meets up on Zoom, led by the lovely Diana Kaile and offering options to accommodate differing ability levels. On the last Wednesday of each month, a lunch party is put together, meeting

at one of our local eateries. Soon, once we feel assured that things are safe again, we hope to add traditional fitness classes to our activities as well as a range of fun, artistic, cultural, and sometimes wacky field trips.

We don’t ask much of our members: be 55 or older, bring your best sense of both humour and kindness, and if you’d like to participate in one of our in-person activities, we ask that you be fully vaccinated. Membership for now is free; while covid has been an issue, we have kept expenses down by keeping our activities outdoors or on Zoom.

SKY has been operating quietly in the background of Bowen Island since 1994. Now, as we approach our 30-year anniversary, we hope to step forward and welcome more of our 55-plus Bowen Islanders to our active and friendly group. If you would like to give us a try, please call Lichen Tilley at 604-9261842 and we will include you on our email/ call list. We’d love to meet you and maybe see you on our next walk!

Thursday, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A9

• SUMMER 202 2 •

BOWEN ISLAND REAL ESTATE GUIDE • WHAT SOLD WHAT’S NEXT

C N W LUXURI RIOUS I INDOOR/ R/OUTDOOR / LIVING ON 2.5 ACRE RES E OF PRI RIVACY I

$2,850,0000 SHOWINGS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY More details inside and at buyonbowen.com

Macdonald Realty AWARD of EXCELLENCE 2021 & 2020

604.220.7085

buyonbowen.com

A10 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

FRAZER’S LISTINGS

1257 Adams Road $929,000

901 Valhalla Place $2,350,000

994 Windjammer Road $2,550,000

903 Trout Lake Road $1,100,000

895 Connolly Road $1,199,000

1122 Lenora Road SOLD

973 Captain Cates Walk $1,598,000

954 Windjammer Road $1,250,000

779 Taylor Road $3,650,000

923 Windjammer Road $999,000

639 Cates Hill Road $2,700,000

Rem. DL 3042 $2,750,000

Lot 11 Forster Lane $1,400,000

Lot 5 Forster Lane $700,000

1562 Eaglecliff Road $600,000

241 Shore Lane $1,550,000

At the end of a quiet street, and in the midst of a sought-after and kid-friendly neighbourhood, sits this perfect family home. Timber-framed and beautifully-built in 2010, and lovingly maintained ever since. Cozy yet crisp and modern, with a design that matches its surroundings. Upstairs boasts three bedrooms, one of which opens out to multiple levels of decks that rest behind the home and features a covered eating area, hot tub and detached studio which could double as an out-of-the-way office. Below the main is a two-bedroom attached legal suite, with high ceilings and separate entry. All close to the Cove.

1601 Joan Audrey Lane $799,000

NEW LISTING 1316 Hillcrest Road

FRAZER ELLIOTT Realtor®

$1,750,000

Bowen’s Top Producing REALTOR® for 2021*

*based on reported MLS sales

604.910.3401

felliottbowen@gmail.com | bowenhomes.ca Specializing in BOWEN ISLAND and HOWE SOUND

2020-2021

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

Thursday, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A11

ON THE COVER

361 Fore rest e Ridge Rii Road 3326 sf • 2.5 acres

Views South to the Salish Sea and Gulf Islands from almost every room

$2,850,000 3 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms Games Room • Family Room • Office • Garage 1300 sf of outdoor decks

Sold as Buyer’s Agent

478 Melmore Road

Listed at

$1,299,000

Enthusiastic. Responsive. Personable. Knowledgeable.

Macdonald Realty AWARD of EXCELLENCE 2021 & 2020

604.220.7085

buyonbowen.com

A12 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

FOR SALE

WATERFRONT LISTING

900 CLIPPER PLACE

$4,700,000

3 BED 3.5 BATH

WATERFRONT LISTING

1591 OLD EAGLECLIFF

239 DAVID ROAD

$2,599,000

COMING SOON

4 BED 2 BATH

5 BED 3 BATH

COMING SOON 1. PRIVATE ACREAGE, 2 HOUSES PLUS A BARN FOR THE HORSES 2. TURNKEY HOME, SEVEN HILLS LOCATION WITH FILTERED OCEAN VIEWS

RE/MAX Crest Realty - Bowen Island #3 - 479 Bowen Trunk Rd. V0N 1G1

Thursday, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A13

1504 ADAMS ROAD $2,429,000 4 BED 3 BATH

871 WINDJAMMER ROAD $1,249,000 2 BED 2 BATH

919 FAIRWAY LANE $1,199,000 4 BED 2 BATH

1308 CHEVY CHASE LANE $1,185,000 2 BED 1 BATH + GUEST STUDIO + SEP. OFFICE

1545 WHITESAILS ROAD $649,998 LOT SIZE 0.21 AC

STRATA LOT 6 GRAFTON ROAD $899,000 LOT SIZE 5.58 AC

SOLD LISTINGS 1. 1264 SCARBOROUGH ROAD $649,900 2. LOT 8 FORSTER LANE $700,000 3. 478 MELMORE ROAD $1,299,000 4. 1288 OCEANVIEW ROAD $1,250,000 5. 884 SUNSET LANE $1,369,000 6. 946 MUTINY LANE $1,380,000 7. 958 WINDJAMMER $1,599,000 8. 1125 LENORA $1,835,000 9. 272 SMUGGLERS COVE $2,790,000 10. 1160 COWAN POINT $2,789,000

FRANCES FROST

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

WWW.BOWENISLANDREALESTATE.INFO 604.657.0660

A14 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Price increases beginning to decelerate RBC – CHANCE OF A REAL ESTATE MARKET CRASH DUE TO RISING INTEREST RATES IS LOW

YoY Change – MLS® HPI/Average Sale/Median Sale

TIM RHODES Contributor

p

2000k balanced market.”1 “[RBC] estimated the chances of an actual market crash resulting from the interest rate hikes as low, and noted there are several upsides to a moderate pricing correction, including more sustainable activity and fewer price wars.”2 There is consensus in the industry that price increases will further moderate over the year and 2023 may see some limited correction in the BC real estate market as mortgage rates rise, governments’ attempts to return growth at more normal rates, and inflation shrinks the home-buyer’s budget.

COVID-19 Restrictions

1750k 1500k 1250k

+27.3% +30.3%

1000k

Avg Sale Med Sale

Med Price

YoY Percentage Change No. of Sales / Total Inventory / $ Per Square Foot

Avg Sale Price

04-22

02-22

12-21

10-21

08-21

06-21

04-21

02-21

12-20

10-20

08-20

06-20

04-20

02-20

12-19

10-19

Tim Rhodes, REALTOR® tim@rhodesonbowen.com rhodesonbowen.com/blog-and-stats-report

08-19

1 https://bit.ly/0425R0B 2 https://bit.ly/0422RoB

MLS® HPI 06-19

750k

04-19

The number of sales of detached homes on Bowen Island decreased -28.0 per cent year-over-year and the dollar volume of sales was down -10.5 per cent, both in part due to the very low inventory levels over the winter. Prices continued the upward trend with the benchmark price up 30.3 per cent YoY and the average sale price and median sale price up 34.7 per cent and 27.3 per cent respectively.

April’s inventory was 22.2 per cent higher than in April 2021 and 120 per cent higher than in March 2022. At this writing, there are 30 properties with detached homes for sale on Bowen Island ranging in price from $929,000 to $18.6 million. Twelve properties are listed at over $2.0 million and only two listings are under $1.0 million.

Of the current listings, half have been listed for less than 30 days.

Wednesday, June 1st, the Bank of Canada rate is expected to rise another 0.5 per cent and further increases are anticipated in July, September, October, and December.

Compared to 2020 and 2021, price increases are beginning to decelerate, buyer demand is beginning to soften, and mortgage rates are rising but “it is too early to call this a tipping point however home prices could begin to fall if demand softens further and listings begin to accumulate – turning the Vancouver market into a

Per Cent Change 21-20 +34.7%

MLS® HPI

5-Year YoY Percentage Change Median Price / Average Price / MLS® HPI 100

50

50 0

0 2017-18

2018-19

Total Inventory

2019-20 No. of Sales

2020-21 $ Per Sq Ft

2021-22

2017-18

2017-19

Med Price

2017-20 Avg Sale Price

2017-21

2017-22

MLS® HPI

Personal Real Estate Corporation

3 BED / 2 BATH / 2030 sq.ft. / 0.38 Acres

Personal Real Estate Corporation

3 BED / 2 BATH / 5.52 Acres

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A15

LIS NEW UN DE TING R OF FE R

Thursday, May 26, 2022

899 RUSSELL LANE

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A17

Swimming the Strait exhibit opens this weekend at Museum KATHRYN GAITENS Curator / Bowen Island Museum & Archives An open water swimmer can endure the cold, dark, open water often for up to fifteen hours at a time. This is where the silent unpredictable battle with the current and one’s own physical and mental drive play out.

Bowen Island holds, in its archives, a special piece of open water history and is excited to share its film, photos, artifacts and stories of Frances Cannon. In 1972, Frances was the first woman ever to swim across the Strait of Georgia, which separates the B.C. mainland from Vancouver Island.

Despite Frances’ four previous unsuccessful crossing attempts in 1971, she tried again in 1972. Starting at 10 pm in Nanaimo, swimming through rough water, intense wind, currents and tide changes, arriving fifteen hours and seven minutes later on the Sunshine Coast to a crowd that had gathered by word of mouth.

Frances was inspired by Marilyn Bell, the first women to swim across Lake Ontario at age 16. Through looking at the archives we discovered her meticulous journal which helped us decipher some of her secrets. They revealed Frances’ studious natures where she found it easier to do as the teachers requested than rebel. At the same time she would show a rebellious spirit later on to venture into the unknown.

The tradition and rules of Marathon Swimming have been largely unchanged since 1875. By definition, it is a solo non-stop unassisted swim of a minimum of 10 km.

Frances was coached for a period by Ann Meraw, who herself is firmly rooted in BC sports history. In 1938, she was the first person to swim from Vancouver to Bowen Island as a teenager and went on to set many speed and endurance records worldwide.

Ann became the first registered female lifeguard in Canada.

The history of women in the open water goes back even further, thousands of years ago with the Ama divers in Japan. Ama, meaning sea women, were divers going up to depths of 60 feet in freezing cold water without oxygen tanks. Their techniques have been passed from generation to generation and often starting at 12 years of age, building up their ability to hold their breath for long periods of time and diving into their 70’s and 80’s.

These efforts and achievements have rippled forward, in time inspiring and engaging new generations. Linking us to the present we are proud to include a special feature in the exhibit on Vancouver born Jessi Harewicz, who was the third female to complete the Strait of Georgia swim. Her recent but prolific Marathon Swimming career includes her 2018 circumference of Bowen Island, part of her Howe Sound series, the English Channel in 2017 and the Manhattan

circumference in 2020.

Jessi is part of a growing movement of open water swimmers drawn to the beauty of Howe Sound, like an unofficial ambassador she is always a pure advocate of the Sound. This last weekend in May, a friend of Jessi’s, Kim Hedges, is coming from San Francisco with the goal of being the fourth female to swim the Strait. We’ll be cheering

her on.

‘Swimming the Strait: The Ultimate success of Frances Cannon’ is on view at the Museum and Archives opening May 28 (Tuesday – Saturday 10 am to 4 pm). With the lazy days of summer and swimming around the corner come visit us and get inspired. Maybe you’ll swim a little further, a little longer this year.

Where You Bank Makes a Difference.

In 2021 a group of Bowen Islanders founded THRIVE an unincorporated group dedicated to promoting community resiliency through food security. One of the key critical issues the group has been looking at is food security and what’s emerging around climate change in terms of access to farmland, access to resources and supply chains. In partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University, THRIVE sought funding to support a feasibility study for community-owned commercial greenhouses on the island.

“We have immense buy-in from our community.” Said THRIVE Co-Founder David Adams. ”The recognition within the community that food resiliency is of vital concern is reflected by how quickly people were willing to donate. They recognize that it is important, and that we can only look to ourselves to address the issue.”

Find out how First Credit Union supported this initiative & others at firstcu.ca/blog Powell River | Courtenay | Cumberland | Union Bay | Bowser | Bowen Island | Texada Island | Hornby Island

A18 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Boxing up BookFest The return of BookFest last weekend was made possible by dedicated Friends of Bowen Island Library Society volunteers who hauled books, set them up at Bowen Island Community School, and then spent time working the event itself. All three days were busy as people frequented the gym to enjoy the first BookFest since 2019. Many people thought they might grab one or two books, but after spending some time perusing, ended up leaving with a box or dolly cart full of new reading material to enjoy. / Alex Kurial & Murray Atherton photos

Places of Worship Welcome You

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule APRIL 9 - JUNE 22

BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH www.biuc.ca | 1122 Miller Road

FOOD BANK

Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev. Lorraine Ashdown

DROP-OFF

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

Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

CATES HILL CHAPEL

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

Sunday Worship 10:00 Services offered in-person or online via Zoom.

Link available on website.

Rev. Phil Adkins

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

PART BOWEN ISLAND DEP

DEPART HORSESHOE BAY

5:20 0 am except Sundays 6:20 0 am 7:30 0 am 8:35 5 am 9:40 0 am 10:5 50 am 12:0 00 pm 1:10 0 pm 2:55 5 pm 4:00 0 pm - except Wednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:25 pm - except Saturdays 8:30 pm 9:30 pm 10:30 pm

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

Note: Schedules subject to change without notice

Please check BCFERRIES.COM Schedule changes on statutory holidays

Thursday, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A19

BICS Student-Service Project Warms Community Hearts CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2022 COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARDS SARAH HAXBY Bowen Island Community School How do we recognize the people in the community who make a positive difference? BICS students set out to answer that question with cards, and plants and in-person ThankYous, and the Community School Association seeks to recognize community members with the annual Community Spirit Awards.

Giving back and taking time to thank people is important.

Students created lists of people who help them and then created cards, grew plants, wrote speeches and then went out and delivered them through the community. Teacher Kim Hicks was very proud of her students and observed: “It was such an impactful day! Not only for our students, but also the recipients we met with. There were many happy tears and full hearts!”

After a very full day of leading two classes through a well-organized line-up of presentations to community members that Grade 1 and Grade 4-5 students chose to recognize, teachers and students were aglow with joy. The two classes are ‘Buddy classes,’ which means that younger students and older students work together throughout the school year on a variety of projects and activities. As a way of building community connections and to think about services, and supporting the community, Little and Big Buddies were asked to thoughtfully reflect on recognizing people in the community who help others and then to brainstorm different ways to recognize how people give back to and serve our community.

To recognize the people who serve our community students planted and cared for seedlings of sunflowers and marigolds (to represent the big and little buddies) and then potted them up into larger pots. Students collaborated on songs, wrote speeches, letters, and crafted cards… and then went out into the community to deliver their thoughtful gifts of appreciation. First responders, the public library, pharmacy,

the people who make and sell food for us to eat, local government, doctors, bus drivers, and more were on the list. After a day of delivering their recognition gifts and presentations, students were abuzz with the excitement of meeting people and making a tangible difference.

“The project was to say thanks to people in the community, I especially liked meeting the people at the Public library in person.” - Oona “I felt a lot of joy and it felt good to give back to the people who serve our community.”- Gemma Students hope that if they take the time to say thank you to all the service people of Bowen Island that those people will feel appreciated and respected, and that their small gestures and sincere gratitude will help make the island a more positive place. Students are also looking forward to the year end assemblies which recognize student service activities, as well as community activities. One way to introduce more people in the community who are making the island a better place in many big and small ways, is through the annual Community Spirit Awards (formerly known as the ACEbc Awards).

The Community School Association and ACEbc annually recognize people in the community through these awards and are asking you for your nominations for the 2022 Community Spirit Awards. Is there someone in the community who has made it a better place that you would like to be recognized? The categories are: Bowen Island Community School Volunteer(s) of the Year Award, Youth Leadership Award, Community Resident, Agency, Organization or Individual Community Spirit Award, and the Educator Award, presented to an individual or team of teachers, or educators, of a school or organization who have rendered exemplary service, support, and leadership in the development of community education at the school, centre or neighbourhood level.

Please email the names of your nominees, and 1-2 sentences sharing why you are nominating them, to shaxby@ wvschools.ca by June 12. Thank you.

Bowen Golfathon for the Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis BOWEN ISLAND GOLF CLUB Many Canadians have a strong connection to Ukraine.

We all feel for the many colleagues, clients, and community members who have deep connections to Ukrainian family and friends here in Canada and in the Ukraine. To those who are living this nightmare, we share their worry for loved ones and stand with them in the hope that this catastrophic war and resultant refugee crisis will end soon.

Hoping to make a difference to the lives of these refugees, Peter Boronkay, a governor of Golf Canada and resident portfolio manager, along with a team of volunteers is attempting to set a new Bowen Island golf course record for the number of rounds played in one day. Peter will play from dawn to dusk in order to attempt to complete 10 rounds

(90 holes) on Monday, June 6, 2022.

You are invited to support this initiative by contributing to the Canadian Red Cross in support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal through the following donation portal or by calling: 1-800-418-1111 http://www.redcross.ca/UkraineCrisis/ GolfMarathonforUkraine Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable donation tax receipt.

Sample donation sizes for an estimated 90 holes played: $0.50/hole = $45 $1/hole = $90 $2/hole = $180 $5/hole = $450 $10/hole = $900 Thank you in advance!

Bowen Island Garden Club Presents: Soil Testing: What It Can Tell Us About Our Garden Soils Speaker: Jo Tobias Date/time: Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 7 pm via Zoom Do the plants in your garden look like they are struggling? How do you know if the soil in your garden is healthy? Do you wonder whether you should add something to the soil to help improve it? Soil scientist, Jo Tobias, will be the Garden Club’s next guest speaker. She will conduct microscopic biological analysis of soil samples collected from three garden sites on Bowen Island.

Using that information, together with the results of soil chemistry tests, she will present her overall assessments to the Garden Club. Jo will discuss what defines a healthy soil, the current state of the soil at each of the three garden test sites, and any remediation that would help make those soils more productive.

Open to members of the Bowen Island Garden Club. Membership info: bowenislandgardenclub.ca.

See you on Zoom Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 7 pm

A20 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022 AFFILI ATE

BC Community Newspaper Week

CO NT EN T

SU PP ORTED

BY

Shop local – with local media You might have seen this message more than once on your Facebook feed:

It’s a substantial part of most news sites’ audience.

“When you buy from a small business, you’re not helping a CEO buy a third holiday home. You’re helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy his team jersey, moms and dads put food on the table.”

But that traffic just simply isn’t enough to make money from that audience at an individual site level – and Facebook, by stacking thousands of those communities together, can.

Or this one: “Amazon doesn’t sponsor your kid’s ball team!”

Facebook is an incredibly powerful force for building community, especially right now during the COVID crisis.

But in the same way that Amazon doesn’t sponsor your “When you buy from a small business, kid’s ball team, Faceyou’re not helping a CEO buy a third book doesn’t employ holiday home. You’re helping a little local journalists girl get dance lessons, a little boy his and the dozens of team jersey, moms and dads related support put food on the table.” staff that your local media outlet does.

It doesn’t sponsor But there’s a certain sense of irony when community non-profit groups and events you consider where you’re reading those with hundreds of thousands of dollars in messages – on Facebook. You know, that free advertising every year. little local company out of Menlo Park, It’s going to take a conscious effort California, that brought in $117 billion in for local readers and local advertisers to revenue and $39 billion in profit last year. include their local media outlets in their Meanwhile, local media outlets – local marketing plans if they want them to still businesses who have been working, living be here to perform those essential commuin and supporting the communities they nity services. serve for decades or even centuries – find In short, please shop local – with local themselves still out in the cold when it media. It’ll do you and your community comes to local advertising. good.

Local media outlets have long had a conflicted relationship with Facebook.

The COVID-19 crisis from which we are still emerging has reinforced our awareness of the need to support our local communities, in a world that has become increasingly global and digital.

Thursday, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A21 AFFILI ATE

BC Community Newspaper Week

CO NT EN T

SU PP ORTED

BY

Who was “Ma” Murray?

The newspapering pioneer behind the awards

Ma and George moved back to Lillooet in 1958, where George died in 1961. Ma rededicated herself to the News, bashing out editorials and columns that were picked up across Canada.

willing. Guarantees a chuckle every week and a belly laugh once a month, or your money back. Subscriptions: $5 in Canada. Furriners: $6. This week’s circulation 1,769, and every bloody one of them paid for.”

Her eclectic and utterly fearless writing style, punctuated with her signature ending “and that’s fer damshur,” made her famous despite the relatively remote environs of Lillooet. A 1966 profile in Maclean’s magazine, titled “The Salty Scourge of Lillooet,” begins thus: “She is like her paper – as gentle as a shotgun and timid as a muleskinner.”

The Murrays moved to Fort St. John in the 1940s and founded another newspaper, Who is this “Ma” Murray, and why are the the Alaska Highway News, with another BC and Yukon Community NewsMedia As- memorable motto still found on the namesociation’s annual awards named for her? plate to this day: “The only newspaper in the world that gives a tinker’s damn about In a newspapering world dominated by the North Peace.” men, she pioneered a host of community newspapers, argued with premiers and The Murrays also founded papers in prime ministers and took no guff from Squamish – the Howe Sound News, which anyone on her way to becoming a legend. folded during the Second World War – and the Fort Nelson News, which continues to Margaret Lally was born in Kansas in this day.

1888, the seventh of nine children leaving school at the age of 13 to enter the The Murrays merged politics and journalworking world. She moved to Vancouver ism over the decades, with George serving with her sister Bess in 1912 with the aim as Liberal MLA for Lillooet while Ma edited of moving on to Calgary and marrying a the paper. She later sought office herself as cowboy. Instead, she met her true love, a a Social Credit candidate in the Peace River young journalist named George Murray at area (placing third) while her husband bethe Greater Vancouver Chinook, and her came a federal Liberal MP for the Cariboo true calling – the newspaper business. in 1949 – she stayed behind in B.C. to run the papers while George went to Ottawa – The Murrays settled in Lillooet in the she found the conversation “too damned 1930s, where George won elected office dull.” to the B.C. Legislative Assembly, and the couple founded the Bridge-River Lillooet But she still found herself at the forefront News in 1934. of politics in B.C., backing the provincial Liberals and showing up to heckle PreMa’s unique style came shining through in its masthead: “Printed in the sagebrush mier W.A.C. Bennett at one of his public meetings. country of Lillooet every Thursday, God

She made a memorable guest appearance on the CBC-TV show Front Page Challenge, followed by her own half-hour, twice monthly TV program. She also kept up a lively correspondence with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and was named to the Order of Canada in 1971, and playwright Eric Nichol wrote a play about her, Ma! A Celebration of Margaret Murray, which debuted in 1981 at Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops.

Even after selling the Lillooet News to Jeff den Biesen in the 1970s, Ma continued writing for the paper with her trademark salty wit right up to her death in 1982 at the age of 94.

The BCYCNA named its annual awards of excellence in her honour in 2001, and her name lives on in the Margaret “Ma” Murray Community School, opened in Fort St. John in 2018.

Thank you to the very generous sponsors of this year’s Ma Murray Newsmedia Awards T I T L E

S P O N S O R

P R E S E N T I N G

AWA R D

S P O N S O R S

S P O N S O R S

To support or attend next year’s awards please call 604-669-9222 or email info@bccommunitynews.com

A22 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Your Community

MARKETPLACE

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

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

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ENT NAM annual men’s field 42nd L TOUR Cove is the Snug Q&A IONanswers our LECT coun PRE-Elor Gary Anderon Bowen Council s about being question

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

To advertise here please call 604-9472442

at the entrance to Artisan Square Suite 597 7

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Thursday, May 26, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A23

COMMUNITY CALENDAR SATURDAY, MAY 28

Swimming the Strait exhibit opens Bowen Island Museum & Archives. Come learn more about the open water distance swimming achievements of Frances Cannon. More info on Page 17.

Teen Advisory Group - 2 PM to 3:30 PM Library Annex - We’ll have games and activities, discuss our favourite books, and spend some time planning a Bad Art Night event for June. Teens are welcome to register with us via email at info@bowenlibrary.ca or drop in to any TAG dates.

Kelly Konno Studio Year End Show - 6:30 PM Tickets available at Phoenix Books. Second show Sunday, May 29 at 1 PM, both at BICS Gym.

TUESDAY, MAY 31

Casual Tuesdays Book Club @ Bowen Island Library 11:30 AM Library Annex. Bring one or more books you love and join us for coffee/tea and conversation. Share your favourites, meet other book lovers, and find your next great read! A welcoming drop-in book club for adults and seniors.

Future dates: June 28

EVERY SATURDAY + SUNDAY

Yoga on the Pier - 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM Snug Cove North Dock. Times will change to 9 am to 10 am in hot summer months. $15 or 10 Class Pass Available.

Pre-register at nectaryoga.ca/yogaonthepier (Drop in if space allows)

Frankieenjoyedsmellingtheflowersduringthisbeautiful holiday weekend! / MoiraWalley-Beckett photo

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A24 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, May 26, 2022

BC Annual Bat Count seeks bat roosts and volunteers DANIELLE DAGENAIS Regional Bat Coordinator / Community Bat Programs of BC Spring is here, with rain, flowers, insects, and – bats! Our BC bats are now returning to summer roost sites. One of our more familiar species in buildings and bat boxes is the Little Brown Myotis. Like all BC bats, the Little Brown Myotis is an essential part of our ecology, consuming many insect pests each night.

Unfortunately, the Little Brown Myotis is now endangered in Canada. In fact, bats in BC suffer from many threats, and almost half of our 15 species are ‘at-risk’.

A simple way to support bats is to participate in the BC Annual Bat Count this June. The BC Community Bat Program is asking homeowners to report at any bat colonies found in their homes this summer and to report any bat boxes they may have installed. The program is also requesting volunteer assistance for their citizen-science initiative that encourages

residents to count bats at local roost sites.

The BC Annual Bat Count stars next week, June 1st. It is easy, fun, and safe, not to mention vital for monitoring bat populations. “The counts are a wonderful way for people to get outside, learn about bats, and be involved in collecting important scientific information” says Danielle Dagenais, coordinator of the Greater Vancouver-Squamish Community Bat Program. Volunteers wait outside a known roost site, such as a bat-box, barn, or attic, and count bats as they fly out at twilight. A guano sample can also be sent in to identify the species of bat at the roost site. Find more information at https://bcbats.ca/get-involved/counting-bats/.

The count data helps biologists understand bat distribution and monitor for impacts of the devastating bat disease called white-nose syndrome. White-nose syndrome is an introduced fungal disease, fatal for bats but not for other animals or humans. Not yet found in BC, the disease continues to spread in Washington State, less than 100 km from our border.

Results from the Bat Count may help prioritize areas in BC for research into treatment options and recovery actions.

Funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, the Habitat Stewardship Program, and with support of the BC Conservation Foundation and the Province of BC, the BC Community Bat Program provides information for people dealing with bat issues on their property or who have questions about how to attract bats. To find out more about bat counts or white-nose syndrome, to report a dead bat, or to get advice on managing bats in buildings, visit www.bcbats.ca or call 1-855-9BC-BATS.

There are four species of bats that are commonly found in buildings in B.C. / Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project photo

Bat boxes installed on a local home. / Nicki Brompton photo

Map of bat count sites across B.C. / B.C. Community Bat Program map