Theseislandtheatre practitioners tooktimeout foraphotoopoutside Collins Hallwhile rehearsing‘TheOpenHouse,’Americanplaywright Will Eno’s award-winningplaybeing staged atthe Bowen TheatrefromJune5 to 7.A dark comedy about afamilycaughtin a vortex of dysfunction and theself-serving groupofoddballswho usurpthem,(L-R)directorHeatherHodson and hercast: Tina Overbury,Trevor Campbell, Annabelle Coon, Calder Stewart& John Parker manage to create bothlaughter anda collectionof awkwardandpainfulmoments. Just likein life! Theplay is produced by Theatre on the Isle. Seenext week’s Undercurrent for a storyon theproduction./ Marcus Hondro submission
Engagement for draftOCP underway
ALEX KURIAL Editor
It’s timeforthe public to once again have their sayonthe OCP reviewprocess.
Amonth-long publicengagement period begins today focusing on Bowen’snewOfficial Community Plan(OCP) draftwhich waspresented to council last week Thedocument has beenunder reviewforthe past year viaacombinationofafirst roundof publicengagementand careful crafting by the OCP Steering Committee. When eventually adopted,thenew version will mark thefirst substantive updates to theplan since2011.
Keyamongthefeedback methodsisa survey, available to fill out beginning today, May22,onthe municipal website Questionsareamixof multiple choiceanswers along with spaces to write outlongerthoughts,and will fallunder theumbrellaofthe main categoriesfeatured in thedraft.
Peopleare welcome to fill outtheentire survey,or just part of itifthere’soneissuein particularwhichinterests them. Managerofplanning Daniel Martin says the survey isdesigned to be accessible to people who have never read the OCP before, as wellasthoseenthusiastswho have perusedthedocument severaltimes over.
The municipality (BIM)isplanning several in-person opportunitiesforfeedback too, including at the weekly Saturday Farmers Market,on-board theferry,during Bowen Prideon June6,and at anupcomingopenhouse withthe Fire Department. BIMisalsohostinganin-person session aimed at deepdivinginto specific partsof the OCPon Thursday, June11.
Martin says BIM will also be reachingout toparties who have expressedadesire to be involved inthe process andexpress specificfeedback oftheir own,including government agencies, Indigenous groups, and onislandorganizations.
Asfarasthedraft goes, Martin explains many of the majorthemes resonatenow just astheydid15 years ago. “What we heard wasconsistent with how we think of the Bowen Islandcommunity: we’re very concerned aboutthe environmentand aboutthe ecologicalimpactofdevelopment… We’re concerned aboutinfrastructureand servicing capacityontheisland,and we’reconcerned about diverse formsofhousingandwhere people canafford to liveon Bowen.”
Otherareasofinterest reflectmore recent attitudes and developments. “A resilientcircular economy has beenabigfocus: howdo we reuse stuffon Bowen, reduce input, andwhat can we do to keepthingsontheisland,” says Martin.
“Theotherone we actuallyheardalot,which is probably a reflectionof our changing climate, is peopleafraid about
wildfire risk Every summerit’s wildfire season,andwhat wouldthat doon Bowenandhow do we preparefor that?” added Martin.
Martin,whoisthe staffliaisonforthe OCP Steering Committee(OCPSC), says thegroupisexcited to see what thecommunitythinksofthedraft.“We knowthat it’s a big document, and we knowthat not everything can be rightinit,and we’refullyopenfor change basedon what we hearin ourdraft survey,” he says.“We’ve tried to highlightwhat we think someofthemoreconsequential policiesmight be,andtried to focusquestions specifically onthose.”
Theplanning manager hadplenty of praise forthenine members ofthe public who make up the OCPSC. “They’ve beenamazing. They’vegivenupprobably waymore time thantheythoughtthey were going to whenthey signed up forit. They’reagreatcross-sectionof Bowen Island residents, so theybring lotsofdifferentexpertise to thetable; passions,interests, connectionsandhistory of Bowen,” says Martin.(CouncillorsAlison MorseandAlex Jurgenson, along with Martin, round outthecommittee.)
Following this current roundoffeedback,which runs until June22, staff willbringa‘What we Heard’ report to council summarizingthe resultsofthe survey,in-person comments,andany otherinput received,and subsequent changes made to thedraft bylawasa result.Afterthat, afully fleshed out OCP Bylaw will be put before councilfor first reading, withfurther referrals,feedback andconsultation to come beforefinaladoption.
Saturday,May 30,2026 at CollinsHall, 1120 MillerRoad 10:45 a.m. Doorsopenfor membership sign-up andrenewal 11:00 a.m. AnnualGeneral Meetingincluding electionofBoard members
Refreshmentswill beprovided.
ECCA welcomeseveryone wholives in EagleCliff, including long-term renters, to join.Pleasecometoour AnnualGeneral Meetingifyou wouldliketolearnmore aboutECCA,whatwedo, andwhatisgoing on in our neighbourhood.
Questions?Contact us ateccabowenisland@gmail.com
VIEWPOINTS
LETTER TO THEEDITOR
Re:BCFerriesservice
PATRICK WEILER
MP,WestVancouver -Sunshine Coast- SeatoSky Country
Many constituentsaskwhether B.C. ferryserviceisbeing treated unfairly comparedtoAtlanticCanada. Thecomparisonisn’tperfect,buttheanswermay be surprising.
Marine Atlanticisan interprovincial ferry service, falls underfederal jurisdiction,andoperatesas afederalCrown corporationtiedtoNewfoundlandandLabrador’sTermsof Union with Canada in1949. BC Ferries, by contrast, operatesentirelywithinBritish Columbia throughthe BC Ferry Authority, making it aprovincial responsibility.
That said,thefederal governmentplays animportant rolein supportingferry serviceinBC. Ottawa hasprovidedannualoperationalfunding forcoastalferryservices since1977,includingapproximately$37millionlastyear alone, withannualfundingincreasesindexedtoinflation. Duringthe pandemic,thefederalgovernmentalsoprovided BC Ferries with$154millioninemergencysupport to help maintain servicewhentravelrestrictionssharply reducedrevenue.
Thefederal government investsinBCFerries vessels and terminals,but hasno sayoverprocurement oroperations.Thinkofitlikefederal support fortransit:Ottawa canhelpfundinfrastructure, buttheprovinceandoperator decidehowthe serviceis run. In thelasttwo yearsalone, the Canada InfrastructureBankhas provided $1.075 billioninfinancingfor BC Ferries’new vesselsandterminals, representingasubsidyvalueofaround $700million. This is roughlycomparable to what the federalgovernmenthas providedtoMarine Atlantic overthe last sixyears.
Forferry-dependent-communities,the challengeis not whether sufficientfederalfundingexists. It iswhether BC Ferriesisprocuringmodern vessels,allocating existingvesselseffectively,andusingfunding awarded by Ottawa to improveserviceonthe routesthatneeditmost.
While Iwillalwaysadvocateforfederal government investments to improvetransportationinBC, thoseare two areasthat areoutsideof ourjurisdiction.
-Patrick
Weiler,MP West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast -Sea to SkyCountry
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TheUndercurrent is amemberoftheNational NewsMedia Councilof Canada, whichisanindependentorganizationestablished todealwith acceptable journalistic practicesandethical behaviour.Ifyou have concerns about editorial content, pleaseemaileditor@ bowenislandundercurrent.comorcall604-947-2442. If youare notsatisfiedwith the responseand wishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.caorcall toll-free 1-844-877-1163 foradditional information.
CARTOONIST
VIEWPOINTS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Citizensdiscussthestate ofBCLNG
ANTON VAN WALRAVEN
ConcernedCitizens Bowen
Will Woodfibre LNGtriplein size? Will LNGtankers traverse through Howe Sound daily? Many showed up forthe well-attended publicforumheldon Wednesday, May13 by ConcernedCitizens Bowen, to find outwhat is goingon.
We hadinvited Tracey Saxby– Marine scientistand executivedirectorof My Sea to Sky,livingand working in Squamish.Traceynotonly gave answers to the above questionsandthe many otherquestionsasked by the audience,shealsoupdated those attending aboutthe wastewater pollutionproblemsof FortisBC withtheir tunnellingfortheEagle Mountain– Woodfibrepipeline, and abouthertripa week earlier to observe the malfunctioningoftheflaring stack at the massive LNG Canada projectin Kitimat.
Boththe tunnelling pollutionandflaring malfunctioningproblems have beenallowed to continuefor months The wastewater containingcopper and aluminiumlevelsfarexceeding government guidelines has been this
wayformorethana year. Butthe BC Energy Regulator (BCER) has failed to putanend to thecompaniesbreaching their permits.
That’s why ForticBCand BCER were invited at last week’s Districtof Squamishcouncilmeeting – May 12- both, to explainthis behaviourandthe lack of publictrustthis has caused inandaround Squamish. At themeetingit became also clearthat mostofthenewpipeline to Woodfibreis large enoughfortriplingitsthroughput, exceptfora stretch –a bottleneck -in the Coquitlamarea.
So theprospectof Woodfibre LNGtriplingis real, especially withthe current political approach of pushingformorefossilfuelproductionandexports, when we shouldonly be investingin renewableenergy to reduceemissionsfast. And with Liberal PM Mark Carney talking aboutfast tracking projectsand weakeningenvironmentalprotections, making itthat a triplingcould happen withminimal assessmentofenvironmentalconsequences, without ourcommunities havinga say, and to be exposed afterthat to theincreased risks that would come withnow-projected daily LNG supertankers sailing past ourisland.
Howthis would work with ourferry, otherferries
Concerningapotentialseptic bylaw
GREGORY POLLARD
Letter Writer
Dear Editor, Mayorand Council,
I wouldlike to respond to the report given at the Bowen Municipality(BIM) Councilmeetingheldon Monday, May 11 regardingtheintroduction of a Septic Maintenance Bylaw.
Thisnew bylawisa perfectexampleof two badthings goingon withthis Municipality.
Firstly,itisafull overreach of responsibilityofthe Municipality;exceptforone specificarea of Bowen Islandwhichisthe groundwater/streamaroundGraftonLake includingLakelandsdevelopment, Harding Roadandthearea upstream towardsthe Bowen Building Centre. Thisarea is suspect ofcontributing pollutantsin ourdrinking waterincludingE-Coli,cocaineandother human pollutants.
I’mnot sure whynoone hascontacted thehome owners/businessanddonea septictank/systeminspectionofpropertiesin thisarea by now?
Asforthe rest of Bowen,that isnotendangering ourdrinking water; we homeowners pumpout our septic regularly because to
notdothat resultsin septic back-upswhich isnot somethinganyone wants to deal with.
It shouldalso be noted that Comox Valley turneddown a similar bylawintroducedin theircommunity.
Secondly,it appears to be anold gameof ‘bait& switch’. Thismeaning, look overhere, where we need to hire staffand have everybodyconforming to yetanothernew bylaw whileactually youshould be stillfocused onthefactthat GraftonLakeis our Water Reservoirandis being madeaccessiblefor recreationand we still have a multi-milliondollar WaterTreatment Plant builtin 2021that is stillnotoperable at 100 percent capacity. Somethingnoone hasaddressed as to whenit will be fixed and at what cost to taxpayers.
Whenarethe ‘NO SWIMMING’ signs goingup?
If youfindthat BIMisonce again overreachingtheircontrol over yourlifeasa homeownerpleasecontactthe Mayorand Councilofthe BIM atmayorandcouncil@ bimbc.ca and tellthemwhat you think You have a sayin howthis Islandis managed Theseareelected councillors; your voice matters!
Respectfully,
- Gregory Pollard
andother marinetrafficis at this point totallyunclear, becauseTransport Canada’s navigational risk review from January2025,is basedon LNGtankers passingina twice-a-week scenario.
Whyare our governmentsallowing this to happen? When we knowthat LNGisnota solution to climate change, buta significantcontributorofemissions.If youarefeeling overwhelmed andisolated,especially withthe lack of mediacoverageproportional to thecrisis, we understand.
That’s why we areholdinga Climate Café on Thursday, June4 at 7pm, at the Bowen Island Library Annex. We are providinga spacefor you to talk with others, to talk about what we cando aboutthe climatecrisis. So drop in on June 4 forahot beverage anda chat Find outmore aboutthis Bowen Library-sponsored program on the Bowen Library Community Calendar (bipl.ca/cal)
If you’dlike to learnmore about ConcernedCitizens Bowenandthe issues concerning Woodfibre LNG, go to ccbowen.ca,and sign up for our mailinglist at ccbowen.ca/uptodate - Anton van Walraven ConcernedCitizens Bowen Team
VIEWPOINTS DivingintoTheChoir
PAULINELEBEL
Contributor
Historicalnovelsarenot my usualgo-to genre. Butwhen Ifound outthat CarolCramhadwrittena new novelcalled TheChoir,Iknew Ihad to readit.
Historicalnovels candistract one fromthetroublesof today’sworldandtransport us to another worldwith its ownproblems.Welearnthat things canget better.And inthecaseof TheChoir,it’ssingingtogether thatmakes things better.
TheChoir,publishedbyHTF Publishing, is setinthe workingclass worldoflate 19thcentury East Yorkshire, England. Thewomen work long hoursinthe cottonmill and once married,theyare expectedtobearmanychildren. They struggle withfinancialdifficulties,maritaldiscord, and afuturethat lookslikemoreofthe same.
Theopportunitytowinprizemoneyinaregionalchoral competitioninspires afew womeninthevillagetoforma choir.Through singingtogether,theyfinda waytocreate new possibilitiesforthemselves.
In alternatingchapters, we meet Eliza, motheroffivegirls andwifeof abrute,seeking away outofher marriage;and Ruth,aProfessional Beauty oftheday,who hasbeenoust-
ed fromher wonderfullifeinthetheatre. No longer able to thrillaudiences with herlovely voice performingGilbert and Sullivanoperettas, shetakesonthe position of acompetition judge.
We learnthatElizaand Ruth hadbeenfriendsintheir youthandhad averypainfulfallingout.Through themusic theymeetagainanddissolveold hurts.
In heracknowledgments,Carol informs thereaderthat she took singinglessons and chattedwith localchoirdirectorstogetthe righttoneand feel of singing. It shows.I admired her facility with musicallanguageand herknowledge of thekind of musicthatwould have been sung inthat period.IalsoappreciatedCarol’s keen eyefor period details —the Yorkshiredialect,thedress,the manners andmores of thetime.
Iloved this story. And not just becauseI’m asinger. Fora good read, Ihighlyrecommend TheChoir.For singersand non-singersalike.
Giventheyhail from London, Ontario, it took some convincingofthemembersofThe Pairsthatitdid notrequire an extraday to drivetoPenticton andtheyshouldcome play Bowenbetweentheir Vancouver date and Penticton!
Theirroots rundeepastheir parentswereclose friends so theyknewone another frombirth and grewup singing together.Theyofficially formed the band by writingsongs andjoiningtheir voices to each other’scompositions, making their debutwithalbum Noisein2019,followedbya quickburst onto the Canadian summer festivalsceneand threemorealbumssince.
Endearingly, ThePairsblurthe line betweenthe stage and the audience,treatingtheirshowsasanintimateexperience comparable to sittingaround akitchen table.
Tickets,asusual,can be purchasedatPhoenix(with cash) or onlineattrustme.tickit.ca
It promises to be awonderful evening, making far more than just JenHallveryhappy!The show takes place Wednesday, May27atTir-na-nOgTheatre.
Enjoycommunity andisland livinginyourcertified BuiltGreen energy-efficient home!Magical landscapingandpatiomaximize thepotential foroutdoor living in this gemofa 500sfcornerstudio unit,brightwithnatural light and viewsofthe North Shore mountains. Residents co-own the 3700 sf common house,guest rooms,gardens,and workshop. Cohousingallowssustainable livingbysharingamenities.
WeatBIMGSwanttowholeheartedlythankthekind,hard workingcrewthatshoweduptohelpon May 12. Moira, Suzy,Billy,SeannaandSheilayoumadeourday!Weappreciateyourhumility,kindnessandgeneroussupport. IfyouwanttojoinourMemorial Garden Society please contactLouise at 604-688-3587.Wegratefullyaccept newmembers!
Formorethan50years,cartoonsin the Undercurrentnewspaperhave documented thelifeoftheisland,oneferry complaint, political jaborcommunitydebateata time. Now,that history comes togetherin ‘The Artofthe Cartoon’,anexhibitfeatured at the BowenIsland Museum &Archivesand part oftheBowen Arts Touron May23 &24. Long beforesocialmedia oronlineforums,the cartoons have offered arunningcommentaryonwhat Islanders caredaboutmost.
Theexhibittracesthree generationsof island cartoonistswhosedrawingscaptured themood oftheirtimes.Inthe1970s,Pauline Thureflected thegrowingidentityofa small communitydefiningitself.Duringthe1980s and90s,MortGrahambroughtsharpobservational humourandafast-pacedadvertisingsensibilitytoBowenissues,capturinga communitybalancingtourism,growthand changewhileneverlosingits abilitytolaugh at itself.
At thecentreoftheexhibitis RonWoodall, nearing91,whosecartoons have appeared weeklyforthe past 20 years. Woodall has spentdecadestranslatingislandfrustrations andcontradictionsinto humourthat feels familiartogenerationsofreaders. “Mypact with myself says don’t go to bedwithout
creatingsomethingthatdidn’texistthat morning,” he says.
Theformer CreativeDirectorfor Expo 86, Woodallremains alegendarycreativeforce whoseworkbalances satirewith affection forthecommunity he hasbeenchronicling. Oneimagines him in afast-moving 1980s advertisingmeeting, landingpunchlines andcampaignideas beforeeveryoneelse hasevenopenedtheir notebooks.
Viewed together,the cartoonsformsomethinglargerthanacollection ofdrawings. They become an unofficial socialhistory of islandlife,chronicling everything from ferry breakdownsand stormy winterstolocal elections,development debatesandthe personalitiesthatshapedthecommunity.
As Woodallputs it,“Iftheferry’s on time, Ihavenogag.” Thehairstyles mayhave changed,andthe politicsshifted with each decade,butcertainthemes remain remarkably consistent.Ferry anxietyappears almost timeless.
What makestheexhibitespeciallycompellingisthe wayhumour revealscontinuity. Weekafter week,eachcartoonistcapturednot onlywhatBowen Islanderscared about, butalsothecommunity’sanxieties, arguments,and enduringsenseofshared experience. More than jokes, these cartoons form anunofficialarchiveofislandlife.
www.biuc.ca | 1122 Miller Road 778-688-2061 OFFICEHOURSWEDNESDAY10-4ORBYAPPOINTMENT
Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev Lorraine Ashdown
Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515
BANK DROP-OFF SundayMassat10:00 Sunday Worship10:00 www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.) office@cateshillchapel.com
SHIRAT HAYAM (Song of the Sea) BOWEN’S JEWISH COMMUNITY Shabbat Gatherings ~ Holidays
Contactaryana.rayne@gmail.com •www.shirathayam.ca
Island cartoonsfromartists (clockwise from topleft) RonWoodall,Mort Graham &Pauline Thufeature in ‘The Artofthe Cartoon’, showingatthe Museum &Archivesduringthe BowenArtsTourand until June13.
QUEEN OF CAPILANOFERRY
APRIL- MARCH31,2027
BOWENISLAND except Sundays m m m
5:15 am6:15 am 7:30 am 8:45 am 10:00am 11:15am 12:35pm 1:55 pm 3:15 pm 4:40 pm -exceptWednesdays 6:00 pm 7:15 pm 8:25 pm -exceptSaturdays 9:30 pm 10:30pm 11:30pm DEPART HORSESHOEBAY 5:45 am 6:50 am 8:05 am 9:20 am -exceptWednesdays 10:35am 11:55am 1:10 pm 2:35 pm 3:55 pm 5:20 pm 6:35 pm 7:50 pm 8:55 pm -exceptSaturdays 10:00pm 11:00pm
Where’s theferryrightnow?- live updatesatwww.bowenferry.ca Schedulechanges on statutoryholidays. Stay up to date at www.bcferries.com
Grand Opening Celebration for Seabreeze Gallery
CLAUDIASCHAEFER
Seabreeze Gallery
Bowen Island’s creativecommunityis gettingavibrantnewhome,and everyoneis invited to celebrate.
Seabreeze Gallery willofficiallyopenits doors withaGrandOpening PartyonFriday, May 22from4 to 7pm, welcoming Islanders andvisitors to discoveranexcitingnew gallery experienceintheheartof Snug Cove (located at 455 Bowen IslandTrunk Road).
Seabreeze Galleryisuniqueinthatitis theonly galleryon Bowen Islanddedicated exclusively to showcasing Bowen Islandartists. Everypieceondisplay has beenimagined,created,andcrafted right here by local makers, reflectingthe remarkabledepthof artistictalent that exists within ourcommunity. It isalsoa testament to theendless inspirationfoundin Bowen’s landscapes, forests, shorelinesandtheisland’s strong sense ofcommunity.
The galleryopens with work from19 Bowen Islandartists,offeringa rich and diverse collectionof stylesandmediums. Featured artists,listedalphabetically,include Lisa Arthur(paintings), Monti Blackwell(paintings), Cathy Buchanan(hand-painted garden-
ing tools), Jani Carrol(fibrearts), Jane Cooper(fibrearts), Gail Daldy (ceramics and paintings), Kirsten Degner(nature sculptures), Lisa Dobson(paintings), Jane Dunfield(paintings),DianeGrieg(paintingsand jewelry), Marilyn Hayward(fibre arts), Riley Howlett(leather works), Carol McNaughton(paintings), David Riddell(woodworks),Launette Rieb (glassworks), Claudia Schaefer(paintings, resin sculptures, and jewelry), Shane Tweten(wall-hanging woodworks), Mekaila Tyrrell (jewelry),and ConnieWright (jewelryand fibrearts).
Seabreeze Galleryisalso something more thanatraditional gallery space.Asacooperativeoflocalartists,it representscreatorscoming together withashared vision - supporting one another, learning from oneanother, andcreatinga spacewhere artisticideasandinspiration canflourish. Art canoften be a solitary pursuit, butthere is something powerful aboutartists working side by side,encouragingoneanother, exchangingideas,and celebrating each other’s successes.
The gallery reflectsthe spiritofcommunitythat Bowenis known for, creatingopportunitiesforconnectionnotonly betweenartists but withthebroadercom-
The Bowen Island Logger Sports Society
would like to thank everyone in the community who came out, bought tickets, donated, and showed their support. Events like this are only possible because of the incredible people and businesses that stand behind local traditions and community spirit. We are grateful for your continuedsupport of the Bowen Island Logger Sports Society.
A very special thank you to The Bowen Cider House for hosting the event and providing such an amazing venue for everyone to gather and celebrate. We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the incredible businesses, individuals, and community members who helped make our fundraiser such a success by donating a prize for the raffle.
Olive& anchor
Cloverdale Painting
Clover Valley Plumbing
WindsorMeats
LeighAutomotive
BowenIslandBarbershop
TheBowen Pub
TheBowen Island Golf Course
Bowene-bikes
TheVancouver Canadians
DywidagCanada
BowenBeer& Wine Cellar
TheRuddy Potato
MetroBlastingInc.
HarryMonahan
ForeshoreEquipment
Calvin’s Tree Service
munityas well.Each dayadifferentartist will be openingthe gallery doors, giving visitorsanopportunity to meetthe makersthemselves,hearthe stories behindthe work,andexperiencethe gallerythrougha different perspective.
Visitors canexpectavibrant and ever-changingassortmentofartwork spanningceramics, paintings, sculpture, fibre arts,leather work,glass, jewelry, woodworks, andmore. The gallery’sfocusis to celebrate Bowencreativitywhilecreating a welcoming spacewhere Islandersand
Locatedintheheartofthe Cove, withconvenient parkingdirectly behindthe building, Seabreeze Galleryisdesigned to make dropping in easy andaccessible. The changingcollectionmeansthere willalways be somethingnew to discover, giving Islanders a reason to visitoftenand seethe evolving collection of work being made righthere on Bowen Island.
Comecelebrate handmadeartandhelp welcome Seabreeze Gallery to the Cove!
When Community ComesTogether
Island PacificSchoolwould liketogiveabig shoutand thanks to the communityandvolunteersfor allofthe fun wehadonSaturday May 9, 2026!
IPSstudentband,SchoolofRock, setthe stage with theirenergetic opening act followed by Bowen's very ownrootsrockquintet StraightupSevenhills.StraightupSevenhillsdonated their time and talents to getover150 folkstogetherfor apre-showBBQ by Millers Meatcraft at theBowen Theatreand raised $8,176for theschool's BursaryFund- helpingtomake Island Pacific School more financially feasiblefor more families.
PhoenixonBowen
BowenBuildingCentre
Richmond Elevator
TheBCLions
Real Rapuzel JULY 18TH 2026
Quickway Painting
Pharmasave at Caulfield
Sunset Stables
HappyIsleCannabis
YellowdogBrewing
BowenIslandGym
Lordco
There isstill room in Island PacificSchools Grade6 and Grade8 classesfor September, 2026. So if you'reinterested in exploring whymiddleschoolersfindout whotheyare,gainconfidence and thriveacademically,callIPS today:604-947-9311!
Whether you’rea seasonedwriteror juststarting out, all agesand typesofwriterare welcome to share andgive constructivefeedback on each other’s writinginthis positiveand supportiveenvironment. Free,from4:30 to 6pm. Registration required - sign up at bipl.ca/write
Saturday, May23&Sunday, May24
BowenArts Tour
Thethird BowenArts Tour runsall weekend,featuring paintings, sculptures, poems, music&morefrom130artists across19 studiosand hubs. Self-guided tour from11am to 4 pm each day. Fulldetailsinthe BowenArts Guide, available for free at storesandonlineonthe Undercurrent website.
Sunday, May24
RedCross BabysittingCourse
Course offers basicfirst aidand caregiving skills for youth ages5 to 11. Youthlearn to care forall ages of kids.From9 am to 4pm at the Community Centre. Register& findfull detailson the Bowen Recreation website.
Sunday, May24
AllWheels Skate Day
Ramps, rails, boxesandobstacles forall skilllevels! Presented by theAll Wheels Society,hosted by Island Pacific School.Free event, runs2 to 4pm,helmets mandatory.
Sunday, May24
Kirtan/Chantingat Nectar Yoga
Come joinus tochant, sing &open yourhearts to the soundof your soul. Everyoneis welcome, suggesteddonation$10.From7 to 9pm,720 GardnerLane.
Monday, May25
Mending Monday
Allmenders welcome(noformal instruction), please bring your own supplies. Community Centre from7 to 9pm.
Tuesday, May26
Career Advisor&Community Specialist at theLibrary
Dropin to seea Career Advisor(10am to 3 pm)& Community Integration Specialist(11am to 2 pm). Advisor helps w/ resumes,coverletters,interviewing, job searches &more, Specialisthelps w/ access to financial,housing, health supports, governmentprograms,disabilityassistance &more. Learn more about both at bipl.ca/get-help
Wednesday, May27
FibreArts Guild Meeting
Allfibreenthusiasts welcome (quilting, knitting, weaving, etc).Lastopenmeeting before summer break. Bringshow& tell.$20annualmembership. Collins Hall at 7pm.
Friday, May29
Hemlock Hill Village GroundbreakingCeremony
We invitethe publicon Bowen Island to attendthiscelebrationofanew affordablehousingdevelopmentfrom BIRCHand Lookout Society. At the Hemlock Hill site (1033 Miller Road)from2 to 3pm, remarks at 2:05.
Saturday, May30
FrenchConnections attheLibrary
Dropinand joinus to practice yourconversational French, and get to knowotherFrench language learners on Bowen Island!Free,10:30 to 11:30am.bipl.ca/French
Saturday, May30
YouthPride Party attheLibrary
For teensandpre-teens age11+. Get ready for Pride with crafts,pizza, snacks,andmore! Hosted by the Libraryand
BowenPride, begins at 1pm. Register at bipl.ca/ypp
Saturday, May30
GardenClub AGM& Open Garden
Bowen Island Garden Club welcomes you to theirAnnual General Meeting, heldintandem withanOpen Garden. Taking place at 331 JosephineDrivefrom2 to 4pm.
Saturday, May30
Bowen Nature Club Evening
Owl Walk,led by local naturalist& wildlifephotographer/ bird watcher Charlotte Gruneau Email bowennatureclub@ gmail.comformembershipoptions& registration.7pm.
SATURDAYS Farmers Market
Theannual Farmers Market returns withanewhome at DaviesOrchard. Come see all your favouritefood,arts& craft vendors. From 10am to Noon.
