ISLANDER PERFORMS DECADES OF COMMUNITY SERVICE PAGE 5
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
VOL. 52 NO. 02
LIBRARY CYBER SAFETY TALK PAGE 9
BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
STARTING THE NEW YEAR FRESH Many Islanders kicked off 2026 with an icy blast - including Bowen Island RCMP Cpl. Brad Savage - during the annual January 1 Polar Plunge at Bowen Bay Beach. / Basia Lieske photo Thinking about making a move this year? Whether buying or selling, put our local expertise to work for you.
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A2 • bowenislandundercurrent.com
Events All Council meetings are open to the public to attend in person or electronically, unless noted otherwise. January 12, 2026 1:00 pm Regular Council Meeting January 19, 2026 1:00 pm Committee of the Whole Meeting
Bowen Island Municipality is developing the 2026 budget, and we want to hear from you. Guided by Council’s Strategic Plan, the annual budget is part of a five-year financial plan that outlines the services and initiatives we aim to deliver, and how the Municipality will fund them. To date, Council has reviewed the 2026 Staffing Requests, Operations Budget, Bowen Island Public Library Budget, and Capital Projects Budget. Use the QR code to view the related presentations and staff reports. Information on the 2026 Utilities Budget will be presented at the February 17, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, taking place at 1:00 pm in the Conference Room at the Bowen Island Community Centre. Have questions or feedback? Email us at budget@bimbc.ca or call 604-947-4255 ext. 8.
It’s Business Licence Renewal Time!
Christmas Tree Recycling
2026 Business Licence renewal notices were sent out via email this week. Payment must be received on or before January 31, 2026, to ensure your Bowen Island Business Licence remains valid.
Bowen Waste Solutions will be providing a bin for christmas tree chipping from December 28, 2025 to January 10, 2026. The bin will be located in the parking lot out the front of the Recycling Depot.
Questions? Didn’t receive your renewal notice? Contact us at 604-947-4255 ext. 236 or email businesslicence@bimbc.ca.
Trees must be completely free of all decorations to be dropped off. Questions? Contact Bowen Waste Solutions at 604-947-2255.
Contact Bowen Island Municipality PAID ADVERTISEMENT January 9, 2026
Phone: 604-947-4255 Bowen Island Municipal Hall Fax: 604-947-0193 580 Bowen Island Trunk Road Email: bim@bimbc.ca Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 Website: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays
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Friday, January 9, 2026
bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3
Regulators flag Woodfibre LNG over juvenile salmon oversight
ing with the B.C. EAO to determine how best to monitor fish activity effectively moving forward.” According to the province, when a regulated party is out of compliance, inspectors base their response on: - The level of environmental, human health or safety impacts (actual or potential) - The regulated party’s willingness and capacity to comply - The regulated party’s compliance history The notice of non-compliance to Woodfibre LNG is the enforcement action listed on the inspection report for this infraction.
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marine wildlife that lives there. “During the date range in question, visual detection was ineffective as the sub-surface water was too cloudy, which happens frequently due to the natural influence of turbid Squamish River discharge. We therefore used sonar technology to monitor for fish presence,” he reiterated. “The contractors doing this work are recognized as qualified environmental professionals and the Fisheries Act authorization allows them to determine alternate methods to meet monitoring objectives that suit conditions,” he added. “As current in-water work is considered low risk to juvenile salmon, we’re work-
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The Woodfibre LNG site outside of Squamish. / Woodfibre LNG photo
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Provincial regulators recently called out Woodfibre LNG for non-compliance over junior salmonid monitoring following an August inspection. The company, however, says the visual method of monitoring required was not effective in the turbid Squamish River. The inspection record was publicly posted on the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) website on Dec. 30. It says that on Aug. 27, the EAO’s compliance and enforcement branch (CEB), along with representatives from the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and the company, conducted a field inspection at the Woodfibre LNG site to verify compliance with five of its environmental assessment certificate conditions. The inspection found that the company was in compliance with silt control measures, relocating fish from the construction area, and marine mammal monitoring. The company was not in compliance at the time with the condition regarding daily monitoring of junior salmonids. According to the EAO conditions, “during in-water works when juvenile salmonids may be present — approximately Feb. 1 to Aug. 15 — the environmental monitor will record daily observations of juvenile salmon. Since juvenile salmon may not always be visible from the surface — for example, due to rainfall or windy conditions — an underwater camera, or drop camera, will be utilized to look for juvenile salmon in addition to observations from above the water surface.” The inspection report notes that while there was monitoring, it wasn’t done accord-
ing to the letter of the condition. The report says that on Aug. 6, 2025, the CEB requested Woodfibre provide records of daily juvenile salmon observations and evidence of underwater camera use for the period of July 15 to July 31. On Aug. 13, Woodfibre LNG submitted three weekly marine mammal observation and hydroacoustic monitoring reports for between July 27 and Aug. 2, as well as a note stating that its consultant’s report includes records of daily prework fish scans using sonar to identify the high-density presence of fish, including juvenile salmonids. “Sea-surface turbidity within Howe Sound, which is naturally influenced by turbid Squamish River discharge, was prohibitive for visual detection — underwater camera use — of juvenile salmonids over the period requested.” The inspection report says the EAO found the sonar scan for fish presence was done, however, no records of visual observations — either above or below the water surface — were provided. Additionally, Woodfibre LNG did not provide documentation “demonstrating that adaptive management measures were implemented or approved to account for the change in monitoring methodology.” “Based on the information provided, the EAO CEB determined that there is evidence of non-compliance with respect to the requirement for maintaining daily visual observation records of juvenile salmon.” Thus, Woodfibre LNG was issued an EAO notice of non-compliance. Asked about this, company spokesperson Sean Beardow sent a statement saying that Woodfibre LNG understands the special responsibility it has operating in Howe Sound and is committed to protecting all
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A4 • bowenislandundercurrent.com
Friday, January 9, 2026
VIEWPOINTS EDITORIAL
Hope everybody had a great holiday season and your new year has started off well! We hope you enjoyed our Year in Review issue last week, and now we’re ready to showcase everything that happens on Bowen over the 12 months ahead. Thanks to our contributors this week too - including a pair of lovely stories in the Viewpoints section - for assisting with easing back into the swing of things after our break. Can’t wait to see what we all create in 2026! - Alex Kurial, Editor
Nook aids Community Lunch Dear Editor, Once again Knick Knack Nook (KKN) and their amazing team of volunteers have given of their time and energy to lift up a program on Bowen that needs support. The Community Lunch Program offers a soup lunch twice a month with a goal of reducing social isolation. It’s attended by seniors, generally speaking, although it’s open to any adult on Bowen. SKY, The Little Red Church, Snug Cove House, the Legion and the Health Centre provide the volunteers to help set up and serve. And we pay our chefs (Millie and Cheryl Evans) who offer the most amazing soups, and often homemade breads and desserts. There is a drop-in fee but it doesn’t always cover all our expenses. So in 2025 KKN has contributed, through their in-house silent auction, just short of $1,000. Thank you so much again for helping us keep this program going. It’s through the kindness and community spirit of the wonderful KKN volunteers that make this Island such a wonderful place to live. - Colleen O’Neil BI Community Health Centre 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 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.
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EDITOR Alex Kurial editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com
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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.
Friday, January 9, 2026
bowenislandundercurrent.com • A5
VIEWPOINTS Letter: A Lifetime of Community Service
DOUG HOOPER Letter Writer Dear Editor, Over the holiday break, I ran into Wes Magee and caught up on how he and Cecil were doing. Wes told me he was nearing a milestone, retiring on December 31 after 36 years with BC Ferries in caring for the maintenance, upkeep, and cleanliness of the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal area. Thirtysix years is long time! I landed on Bowen in mid-1990, so that means Wes has been at his post for longer than I could remember. Our conversation covered off the usual topics – community affairs, local politics, taxes, the state of the world… but, what stuck with me as I reflected on our discussion were memories of Wes and how his lifetime of service on Bowen has positively benefited all of us. Wes and Cecil and Shiela were the long time operators of the Bowen Taxi, a service we had long before Bowen Transit came into being. A call to ‘0000’ could get you a ride for $5 to anywhere on the island. A friend of mine would ‘cell phone hike’ – a term used to describe wandering aimlessly in the woods until coming to a road and calling Wes for a ride to get back home. My main Bowen Taxi adventures were coming off the midnight water taxi and
‘taxi-pooling’ with anyone going in the same direction – Wes would get you all home for $5 each. You could enhance the experience by asking Wes a politically-loaded question and he would slow the car to 5 km/hr to be sure he had enough time to fully articulate his thoughts! On solo taxi rides, I would ask more personal questions and I distinctly remember a series of conversations about the ‘social service’ role of the taxi service in a small island community – it was indeed! Wes, Cecil, and Sheila were part of the community fabric that looked out for and took care of the Bowen community. They picked up and delivered groceries and prescriptions, got elderly folks out to visit friends, made sure people made their appointments, shuttled kids to school and sports, rescued stranded Islanders, and got the drinkers home safe. Some folks wouldn’t pay, some couldn’t, and some never remembered to clear their IOUs – but, they all got home just the same. The economics of running an island taxi eventually went south, and somewhere along the way Wes and team closed down the Bowen Taxi service; it remains a hole that we need to fill somehow. But, Wes held onto the BC Ferries maintenance contract. Wes would park his car alongside the ablution block between sailings, and we would see him sweeping up and keeping the area safe and in clean oper-
Santa Claus (and the Grinch) were keeping an eye on Islanders over the Christmas season. / Ron Paley photo ating condition. What you may not have seen is a man who has dedicated many decades to caring for Bowen Island and its Islanders and visitors alike. On behalf of all of us, thank you Wes,
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A6 • bowenislandundercurrent.com
Friday, January 9, 2026
VIEWPOINTS
In Light of Winter Solstice indoor heating, the house got so cold that a thin layer of ice would form in the toilet, and the butter we’d left on the kitchen table would be hard as a rock. I slept in the same room with my sisters and my grandmother because she was a collector of clothing from our visits to the Salvation Army. (She used to decorate store windows at the Eaton Centre in Toronto.) Gram slept in our room because her bed was piled high with clothing she’d collected… and rarely wore. In this poem, I see Gram rise in the early hours to light the fire downstairs, so the kitchen would be warm for us when we came down. Mum slept in. She had barn chores to do. My sisters and I trudged behind her through snowdrifts and blowing snow to the barn, which was toasty warm and moist, and smelled of hay and manure. We of course looked forward to returning home to Gram’s warm kitchen.
DAVINA HAISELL Contributor Margaret passed away a long time ago, in September 1991. She was my grandmother, and she was everything to me. It’s funny how time messes with you, though. I wrote a poem for her and have no idea when it was written. I say this now, before sharing the poem, because it recently dawned on me… no pun intended… that there’s an error in the poem. I grew up with my two sisters, Lorraine and Hope, on a farm in the remote wilderness of Northern Ontario, in a big stone house on Granite Hill Road. I loved that place. It was Heaven on Earth. We moved to North Bay when I was 16, and yet, a part of my soul still resides in that farm house. I can still feel the house around me, sheltering me. In July 2023, I visited the farm with Lorraine. That was something we always did. Sadly, every time we went, the house was vacant — doors and windows boarded up, tin roof rusted, lawn overgrown. It made me sad to see the house looking so lonely. However, in 2023, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that new owners were living there. They invited us in for a tour. My eyes filled with tears when we stepped into “our” kitchen. They understood I was grateful to them for being there, and that the house wasn’t lonely anymore. Back to the old days: During the winter, before we had
Grandmother’s Spark Grandmother wakes, at the light of dawn. She stirs from her bed with a whisper. A cheerful silhouette, a memory well drawn, eclipsed by the sunlight that kissed her. A wintry breath, so rhythmic and deep, twisted fingers of frost in the air. The farmhouse rests in a seasonal sleep, under Margaret’s care.
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Doug Stepple wrote music for this, and the most perfect chorus (thank you Doug!): Grandmother’s spark, embracing me. Wrapped in her memory, I hear her call. Grandmother’s spark, speaks through our dreams. This light shines upon us all. Oh, and that error I mentioned? Well, if you think about it, when someone rises in the early morning in Northern Ontario, in the middle of winter, there is no sunshine to eclipse their form because the sun hasn’t yet risen. I guess I was seeing a different light behind Gram while writing. - Davina Haisell
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Lingering affection, humbled and kneeling, her palms cradle the glow of the blaze. Thoughts are alive, tender with feeling… it’s my own hands upon which I gaze.
A smile dances through Margaret’s eyes,
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frozen memories rekindled and strong. Glowing red embers, a long wintry sigh, ignites a familiar song.
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5:15 am except Sundays 5:45 am except 6:15 am except 6:50 am except 7:30 am except 8:05 am 8:45 am 9:20 am - except Wednesdays 10:00 am 10:35 am 11:15 am 11:55 am 12:35 pm 1:10 pm 1:55 pm 2:35 pm 3:15 pm 3:55 pm 4:40 pm - except Wednesdays 5:20 pm 6:00 pm 6:35 pm 7:15 pm 7:50 pm 8:25 pm - except Saturdays 8:55 pm - except Saturdays 9:30 pm 10:00 pm 10:30 pm 11:00 pm 11:30 pm Where’s the ferry right now? - live updates at www.bowenferry.ca
Schedule changes on statutory holidays. Stay up to date at www.bcferries.com
Friday, January 9, 2026
bowenislandundercurrent.com • A7
VIEWPOINTS
Judi Gedye Open House - January
JUDITH GEDYE Bowen Island Municipality Councillor There was a small turnout of people but a generous supply of holiday leftover sweets. I made mincemeat tarts. New this year for me: mincemeat is incredibly easy to make from scratch. This open house was a more social event than usual: there were no questions to start. I noted that there will be an election in October, 2026 and a new council. This means a more determined focus in this council’s last eight months to finish projects. One person asked if there was some problem with Bowen’s council, as most people only ran for one term. One idea was the “bothering” of councillors on the street or in the stores. Neither Tim Wake (fellow councillor) nor I had experienced many or any problems with that. This council has a good relationship with the community, and each other, which has made our work congenial. I suggested it’s likely very different for staff. They’re tasked with being as objective and helpful as possible, and I cannot imagine, when they are out in the community, that they would ever enjoy explaining or defending council’s political decisions. Personally, my involvement in the work of both Islands Trust and Bowen councils, plus several committees on each, makes the time commitment considerable, but the complexity and sometimes intensity of debate, particularly with the Trust, has been challenging. There’s often as much preparation time for a three hour meeting, with enough content for four hours, which can easily last five hours. The addition of monthly Committee of the Whole meetings is great for more background, discussion and idea-sharing before making decisions, but those meetings are also long, need preparation and can run late. For balance, we’ve disbanded almost all community committees on Bowen which, overall, has shown benefits for both staff and councillors’ time. Supportive relationships have been built up: Bowen Island Resilient Community Housing (BIRCH), The Hearth, The Museum and Archives, The Children’s Centre – organizations that receive municipal funding to accomplish, in part, mandates that are of importance to council. Those organizations each have independent Boards of Directors with specific skill sets and expertise to help accomplish mutual goals and special projects for community benefit. Mention of BIRCH shifted the conversation to housing. BIRCH’s housing project in Snug Cove, east of the Health Centre, has engineered and architectural plans for a multi-storied building with septic. They have applied for and received funding (local, provincial and federal), have negotiated an agreement with Lookout Society for management of the project, have agreed on a business plan that allows for three levels of rent charges, and will provide affordable housing for Bowen residents, or people with significant connection to Bowen. There is a mix of one and two bedroom suites. There was brief mention of the Municipal & Regional District Tax (MRDT) being used to maintain the affordable rents and how that might be contentious. There was also
mention of Snug Cove House, another project near the Cove, which is privately funded to provide small units and shared amenities to seniors. One person had calculated that with the average income for a family of two teachers, or one carpenter and one plumber who could build much of a house themselves, with the cost of land, permitting and materials, there was still a gap of $90,000 between financing and savings. Without help it is not possible to own a home. And rents are high, such that it is difficult to save. When local trades and trained professionals cannot afford housing here they move off, which ultimately adds to the cost of services on island. One suggestion from an earlier discussion, was for a construction model of high quality but cheaper materials. We riffed on the possibility of reincarnating Jack’s New & Used Building Materials on Bowen; using downed trees cut into lengths for local milling and building projects; encouraging tiny homes; standardized prefabrication as an uplift for pre-approved building permits. It was pointed out that even with reduced costs of finishes and free land, building supplies and qualified labour can still make it cost prohibitive. While the new “step” system is great for the environment, it’s also expensive. Additional regulations (employment, safety, minimum wage levels) make housing in some places much more expensive than others (eg. Canada is 2 times more than Texas). I mentioned the proposed provincial legislation for restrictions on “specialist” reports and what that might mean for local permitting, and a recently published report on the role of banks in the housing crisis, available online by searching ‘Make The Shift’. Kiwi Innovation (a Bowen company) has a demonstration project in Burnaby that Tim Wake visited recently. Their use of reclaimed lumber, subject to inspection, grading and permitting considerations, showed what is possible with such a model. The demographics of Bowen residents have changed considerably since the 80s when many of our smaller, older homes were seasonal cottages. Since then and for decades, new buildings have been large, and the wealth needed to live here has increased. Those changes are occurring across the wider community of the lower mainland. We definitely need to grapple with keeping a diverse mix in our Bowen community, and housing costs are a major factor that needs considerable attention. The final question was with specific reference to the development proposals for Seymour Bay, and more generally, capacity considerations on Bowen. Tim Wake reassured that water, waste and the environment were still top of mind on every project seeking approval. I commented that those concerns were very much in the deliberations of the steering committee working on the Official Community Plan, and I would add in the new policy proposed by the Islands Trust. One example is that an aquifer study has been required of the proponents of the Lot 7 rezoning application currently before council. On that note, our hour was spent and we cleaned up and moved outside. There was still a bit of daylight and no rain or snow, and everyone seemed in good spirits. More next month, we’re meeting on Saturday, February 7 at 3 pm at Collins Hall. Everyone welcome.
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A8 • bowenislandundercurrent.com
Friday, January 9, 2026
Community Choir ready to sound off on a new season JANET ROSS & MARY LETSON Bowen Island Community Choir Start me up! Another Spring session of choral music is about to take off on January 14, to gather and warm up our collective voices, practice, and sing together in May for our community. If you were lucky enough to attend one of the sold out Christmas concerts, you will know the energy and fun that goes into preparing for these events, and if you’ve decided you are ready to join in with the choir and are 18 or older, we’d love to see you at Cates Hill Chapel on Wednesday, January 14, or the following Wednesday, January 21 at 7 pm for registration. The Spring session costs $190. Practice runs from 7:15 to 9:15 pm and includes a snack/social break. Hope to see you there! To repeat the musings of a co-choir member, Mary Letson, from September 2017: “What is it about the focused effort of creating something beautiful with a group of like-minded people that is so quintessentially satisfying? Learning something you didn’t think you could and then having the time of your life nailing it (most of the time) in front of a very appreciative audience? Multiply that joy by 50+ souls and you have the Bowen Island Community Choir. At the first practice I peer down at my full binder of music and wonder how I will ever learn the repertoire by concert time. I don’t read music (although I am learning) and as a relative new comer to
the Choir, often it’s the first time I’ve heard the arrangement. Add to this the challenge of holding my tenuous grasp of the alto line along with my alto mates while the sopranos, tenors, basses, and baritones charge ahead with their parts. It’s an adventure with every practice. Our conductor, Ellen MacIntosh, leads with a balance of humour, wisdom and discipline. When we are lost and sound dreadful she has us laughing and repeating the phrase until we get it, employing metaphors and imagery until the coin drops and we nod our voices collectively. I marvel at how she looks at a section of music and can hear all of its intricacies and textures, and has faith we can sing her vision even though we don’t at first know how to get there. And then we do. She has a knack for choosing music that resonates right to your core as well as pieces that at first mystify me and then I grow to love. She is a magician. Sheilagh Sparks is our remarkable piano accompanist, expertly highlighting the notes and rhythms we miss, continually re-playing sections with shocking patience until we get it, all the while working with Ellen as a seamless team. We are ever so lucky to have her. Learning the repertoire requires a singular focus that is surprisingly restorative at the end of my day. It’s the musical equivalent of yoga: I leave choir calm, satisfied and inspired. The happiness in part comes from learning and layering the harmonies, blending, tag-teaming and leap-frogging our way through the pieces. In the midst of this calming focus we
The 2017 Bowen Island Community Choir stands among a long line of memorable choral sessions. / Submitted photo build our sound, sing the stories and fill the Cates Hill Chapel rafters, and with every practice a sense of camaraderie and trust grows between the sections: we are producing this sound only because we are one of many voices. And for a moment – especially when we get it right - a spacious joy fills my chest and I think I might burst. Four months later, and many sessions on my own frightening my husband and
cat as I bang through my alto lines, concert day arrives. A flutter sits in my belly as it does before a roller coaster ride: once we start it’s a heck of a ride, careening along musical phrases, gleefully clinging to Ellen’s direction and Sheilagh’s accompaniment so we don’t fall off. It’s brilliant fun. Come join us Wednesday nights at Cates Hill Chapel. You will have the ride of your life. “
MAID discussions with Bowen Death Care LORRAINE ASHDOWN Bowen Death Care The topic and questions around MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) in Canada have been surfacing more and more frequently over the last several years. MAID is a complex subject that touches medical, legal and personal systems and beliefs. To assist you with questions you may have surrounding MAID, The Bowen Death Care Collective invites you to an evening with Christa Ovenell, a community educator, funeral director, and end-of-life Doula. Christa is the founder of Death’s Apprentice: Education & Planning.
We will gather on Monday, January 12 at 7 pm at Collins Hall, located at 1122 Miller Road. Christa’s warm and engaging manner will guide us through the history, present and future of MAID in Canada. She will provide up to date, easy to understand information about the current legal framework in Canada, including questions of access, eligibility, criteria, and the process itself. She will also discuss potential future changes to MAID legislation, including expanding access and advanced requests. At the end of the session, there will be time for questions and answers in a safe and inclusive environment. Tea and cookies will be served and we warmly invite you to join us. Bowen Death Care is com-
mitted to providing Islanders with solid and substantial education around all End of Life matters. We are very grateful to Christa for coming over to Bowen and providing us with her expertise and knowledge. We also give thanks to the Neighbourhood Small Grants Program and to the Bowen Island Community Foundation, in partnership with the Vancouver Foundation, for their support. There is no official charge for this session, but a donation to Bowen Death Care would be most appreciated. I look forward to seeing many of you at Collins Hall on Monday, January 12 at 7 pm. Together, let’s continue the life-giving discussions about death.
Friday, January 9, 2026
bowenislandundercurrent.com • A9
Library talk focuses on keeping yourself safe online BOWEN ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY Did you get a new device for the holidays, and want to make sure you’re setting up new passwords and accounts securely? Are you getting more spam texts and emails recently and want to learn how to handle them? When we aren’t totally clear on how to handle technology concerns, we can put ourselves at risk of being scammed, defrauded, or of being the victim of identity theft. A great opportunity to learn is coming up, a workshop at the Bowen Library called How to Protect Yourself Online and Offline, led by Jay Calvert of Cyber Smart Canada, and presented by Bowen Island Public Library. It’s on Saturday, January 17 at 1 pm, and is aimed at seniors, but all are welcome who would find this workshop useful. Registration is required, so do save your spot at bipl.ca/cyber This workshop is meant to be
easy to understand, with no tech jargon — just practical tips on spotting fraud. Learn about phishing, romance scams, investments scams and how to protect yourself and your devices. Jay Calvert, our presenter, is making the trip from his home base on the Sunshine Coast to deliver this special presentation in person at the Bowen Library. He is passionate about helping seniors, and is a Cybersecurity Specialist who is currently employed helping protect the backbone of Canada’s Credit Unions. He has over 25 years experience in Information Technology. Jay started Cyber Smart Canada to help his local community on the beautiful Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to have your questions answered and your confidence expanded by knowing you’re on the right track to being secure online and offline.
Jay Calvert, a cybersecurity professional and founder of Cyber Smart Canada, has launched a not-for-profit platform and a series of in-person presentations aimed at equipping older adults with the tools they need to navigate the digital world confidently. / Submitted photo
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Friday, January 9 Stories-on-the-Go at Baby Connections Library staff are guest speakers at Baby Connections! Drop in to Bowen Island Family Place for a short baby storytime and Q&A during Baby Connections. Chat with a librarian and learn some fun stories & songs with us! From 11 am to Noon. For expecting and new parents, as well as their babies 0-12 months. Saturday, January 10 French Connections at the Library Drop in and join us to practice your conversational French, and get to know other French language learners on Bowen Island! Free, 10:30 to 11:30 am. bipl.ca/French Sunday, January 11 The Princess Bride with Bowen Rec “As you wish!” The timeless tale that blends adventure, romance and razor-sharp wit into one perfect fairy tale. At the Community Centre, doors at 3 pm with movie start at 3:30. Tickets on Bowen Rec website. Monday, January 12 MAID Info Night Bowen Death Care discusses the Medical Assistance in Dying program. 7 pm at Collins Hall, full details on Page 8. Monday, January 12 Rotary Club Speaker Series How to look at wildlife photos through the lens of a Naturalist. Tobin Sparling will be sharing his wildlife photos with commentary at Bowen Rotary Club talk at Artisan Eats Cafe. Starts at 7:30 pm, all community members welcome. Wednesday, January 14 Community Choir Spring Session
The new season begins at Cates Hill Chapel, 7 pm registration followed by practice from 7:15 to 9:15 with snack break. Final concerts on May 9, 2026, more info on Page 8. Friday, January 16 SKY Walk Seniors Keeping Young walk starts at Headwaters Park on Cowan Point Road at 10:30 am. Friday, January 16 Grade 6/7 Swim Night with Bowen Rec Join us for a fun evening out as we take a small group to the West Vancouver Aquatic Centre for open swim! Meet 4:30 pm at the Ferry Terminal for 4:40 ferry. Returning on 8:55 pm ferry. Register on Bowen Rec website. Saturday, January 17 Cyber Smart Canada Talk at the Library Learn how to protect yourself from online and offline scams in this easy-to-understand workshop for seniors. Starts 1 pm, full details on Page 9. Register at: bipl.ca/cyber Tuesday, January 20 Bowen Film Society Screening ‘A Face in the Crowd’ tells the story of a drifter named Lonesome Rhodes, who rises from obscurity to become a national media sensation. At the Bowen Theatre, doors 5:30 pm and movie at 6:30. Tickets $10 thru Bowen Rec. Thursday, January 22 Writers Feedback Group at the Library Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, all ages and types of writer are welcome to share and give constructive feedback on each other’s writing in this positive and supportive environment. Free, runs 5 to 6:30 pm. Registration required –register at bipl.ca/write
Friday, January 23 Tween Night: Skate. Art. Fashion. Get ready for an evening all about skateboarding culture! This teen event celebrates skateboarding in all its forms - on the board, on-screen, and in style. From 6 to 9 pm at the Community Centre, register with Bowen Rec. Saturday, January 24 & Sunday, January 25 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival A two-day celebration of adventure, storytelling and the spirit of exploration. Come for Saturday, Sunday, or both. Doors at 1:30 pm, films start at 3. More info on films and ticket details on Bowen Rec website. SUNDAYS Drop-in Ping Pong Come by the Flex Room at the Community Centre between 1 and 5 pm for free, open ping pong. We have paddles and balls ready to go, so just drop in, play a few rounds, and have fun. All skill levels welcome! TUESDAYS Bowen Celtic Music Group All instruments and levels welcome – we start slow, call out the songs in advance, and can send out a digital songbook as a PDF if you’d prefer sheet music, chords, or guitar tabs. Takes place at Bowen Court on Seniors Road from 7 to 9 pm. Suggested donation of $5 per session. WEDNESDAYS Family Storytime at the Library A free 30-minute drop-in program of stories, rhymes, and songs for children age 0-6 and their caregivers! From 10:30 to 11 am, families are welcome to stay after until 11:30 and socialize in the cozy Annex, read books, and hang out!
Hosting something special on the island in 2026? Explore simple ways to plan a memorable event with the Bowen Island Event Planner.
2026/27 edition publishing this spring