Issuu

THEATRE ON THE ISLE OPENING NIGHT PAGE 7

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2026

VOL. 52 NO. 44

REMEMBRANCE DAY NEXT WEEK

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

PAGES 8-9

New Bowen council sworn into office ALEX KURIAL Editor

ROCKING THEIR COSTUMES Halloween drew everybody to the Loop last Saturday night, including these standout costumers portraying Klek and Khn of the Quebec music duo Angine de Poitrine. Take a look inside to see more Bowen costume creativity on display! / Alex Kurial photo

Bowen Island’s new council was officially inducted during their inaugural council meeting on Monday night. The traditional meeting for the new group serves more as ceremony than business - the latter will begin at council’s first formal meeting on Nov. 9. Monday’s itinerary at the Bowen Theatre included oaths of office, an address from mayor Andrew Leonard, recognition of outgoing councillors, and words from keynote speaker Simon James. Leonard, who won re-election to the mayor’s seat by acclamation, will be joined for the 2026-30 term by returning councillors Sue Ellen Fast, Judith Gedye and Alex Jurgensen, along with new councillors Keith Davidson, Tim Hausch and Caroline Parker. “This next term we are going to wrestle with issues of fresh water. We are going to wrestle with issues of how to balance the necessities of conservation and protecting that beating heart of the natural environment that we love so much here,” said the mayor during his address. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

R Remem mbr rance Day y Pan Panc cake Breakfastt Join us at the USSC Parking Lot at 8:30 am on November 11th for a Community Breakfast

All Proceeds go to the Bowen Island Legion in honour of our fallen soldiers ers

$5 minimum donation per Breakfast Plate

A2 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, November 6, 2026

Public Notice Events All Council meetings are open to the public to attend in person or electronically, unless noted otherwise. November 9, 2026 1:00 pm Regular Council Meeting November 16, 2026 1:00 pm Committee of the Whole Meeting

Mount Gardner Dock Rehabilitation Canadian Navigable Waters Act Registry No. 15792 | NPP File No. 2026-517565 Bowen Island Municipality gives notice that it has applied to the Minister of Transport for approval of the proposed work described below under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act. Pursuant to subsection 7(2) of the Act, the Municipality has deposited a description of the proposed work, its site and plans with the Minister of Transport. These documents are available on the Common Project Search website at http://cps.canada.ca under the registry and file numbers above. Proposed work Replacement of the existing floating dock with a new heavy timber float approximately 3.7 m × 18.3 m, substantially within its existing location; replacement of the anchoring and mooring system; and rehabilitation and reinstallation of the existing gangway.

Support the Blazing Staches in Raising Funds for Men's Health

Location

This November, Bowen Island Fire Rescue is helping to change the face of men’s health by taking part in Movember with a new team, the Blazing Staches.

Mount Gardner Dock, Howe Sound 1590 Mount Gardner Road, Bowen Island, British Columbia District Lot 6610, Group 1, New Westminster District Coordinates: 49.401840° N, 123.380000° W Invitation to Comment Written comments on the effect of the proposed work on marine navigation must be received no later than 30 days after publication of the last public notice. Electronic submissions are preferred. Submit comments by any of the following methods: Online: http://cps.canada.ca/ (search the registry or file number and select the Comment section) Email: TC.WYRNPP-PPNROY.TC@tc.gc.ca Mail: Navigation Protection Program, Transport Canada Suite 820, 800 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2J8

Movember began more than two decades ago, when a small group of friends grew moustaches to get people talking about men's health, a subject few were raising at the time. That simple idea has since become a global movement. The funds raised have put over $1.7 billion toward prevention-focused work in mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Our firefighters are growing their best moustaches and starting conversations about health and well-being. You can help them make a difference! Use the QR Code to donate or visit: www.movember.com/t/team-blazing-staches.

All comments meeting these requirements will be considered, but no individual responses will be sent. Comments will not be published and are subject to the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT November 6, 2026

Phone: 604-947-4255 Fax: 604-947-0193 Email: bim@bimbc.ca

Bowen Island Municipality 580 Bowen Island Trunk Road Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2

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

Bowen Island Municipality

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3

Friday, November 6, 2026

Seeking Public Comment Board of Variance Meeting 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 Board of Variance applications have been received for two properties on Bowen Island and will be discussed at the upcoming meeting that will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, in the Conference Room at the Bowen Island Community Centre. 976 VILLAGE DRIVE

954 WINDJAMMER ROAD

A Board of Variance application has been submitted for 976 Village Drive (shown on figure) to reduce the front setback to 1.885 m. The purpose of variance is to allow the applicants to construct an attached carport within the driveway area.

A Board of Variance application has been submitted for 954 Windjammer Road (shown on figure) to reduce the front setback to 0.76 m. The purpose of variance is to allow the construction of a carport.

PROPERTY LOCATION

Further information on both applications can be found here: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning. Written submissions will be accepted up to seven calendar days before the meeting date and may be delivered to the Municipal Offices at the Bowen Island Community Centre at 580 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2. You can submit: In person By mail By fax at 604-947-0193 By email to planning@bimbc.ca Verbal submissions may be made to the Board at the meeting: 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, in the Conference Room at the Bowen Island Community Centre. For instructions on how to participate in the meeting please visit: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/board-of-variance. Questions? Please contact Xerxes Au, Planner 1, at 604-947-4255 ext. 247 or by email at xau@bimbc.ca. PAID ADVERTISEMENT November 6, 2026

Phone: 604-947-4255 Fax: 604-947-0193 Email: bim@bimbc.ca

Bowen Island Municipality 580 Bowen Island Trunk Road Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2

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

Bowen Island Municipality

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

A4 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, November 6, 2026

VIEWPOINTS Round of Applause

A big shoutout to everybody who made Halloween at the Loop such another wonderful success this year! The Goblin Market expanded to both sides of the street and each tent was full of mystery and whimsy - plus some great treats and even music! The block party seems to expand every year throughout Bowen’s designated Halloween neighbourhood, and it is quite the enjoyable sight to see people come from around the island to take part. The houses look amazing and the residents and participants who make the evening happen each year do not disappoint! Check out Pages 10 & 11 to see some of the carefully crafted costumes which made their way around the Loop this year. You’ll also see a bit of the Witches’ Paddle at Tunstall Bay thanks to Chris Wilson. Chris has also graced us with some stellar shots of the Halloween fireworks finale (see one below), as always majestically put on by our own Bowen Island Fire Department. And so, another spooky season is in the books! - Alex Kurial, Editor

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.

#103–495 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: $62.50, 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 Sarah Strother 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.

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A5

Friday, November 6, 2026

VIEWPOINTS

Election sign thoughts Ode to a Friend

JOHN SBRAGIA Letter Writer

Ode to a Friend

NICOLE THOMAS ZYCZYNSKI Contributor

Dear Editor, I congratulate all Bowen Islanders who voted in the provincial election. I also heartily congratulate the efforts of Silvaine Zimmermann, Anton Van Walraven, Gillian Darling and everyone on the island who played a role in re-electing the B.C. Green candidate, Jeremy Valeriote, which includes everyone who posted signs in front of their residences, despite the objections of some Islanders. We live in a world that is faced with a dire and highly perilous environmental crisis that threatens the future of our children and our children’s children. We have a planet to save and we cannot afford to place any obstacle to any legal form of democratic expression that would impede that vital effort on behalf of ourselves and our future generations. The crisis we are facing is monumental, and the real storms that are coming our way are far greater than any tempest in a teapot that would deny the right to legally available democratic expression in fighting our ongoing life and death battle to save our planet. - John Sbragia

Autumn Leaves

I hear the whale but see him not

It was a cold chilly night last Monday, October 26, Carmina Bowena choir practice night. We are preparing for our upcoming Broadway show and last Monday was one of our best rehearsals this season, the pieces were finally coming together and the energy was high. There were a few soloists staying behind afterwards, to rehearse numbers from “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “A Little Night Music” and “Phantom of the Opera”. According to one, “Phantom and Christine” could be heard bellowing into the darkness throughout the neighbourhood (my apologies to neighbours for any disturbance). It was a fun night for all, myself included. When everyone left and I had finished my usual post choir admin, I headed out onto the deck for my evening “sit down and unwind moment” in the quiet of the night. I was hoping to hear the familiar blowing and breathing from my friend, in the water below me, the humpback whale Notcho. I have never seen more of Notcho than a mere after splash of him surfacing in all the seven years I have been living here, either my poor timing or the trees have grown up too tall. I have however, heard Notcho day after day, and night after night, sometimes as often as three times per day. There must be fish off the banks below, or either it’s a fun place to play for Notcho. That night, as I sat listening on the deck, I did not hear the habitual sounds from Notcho beneath me. The night felt weirdly silent, and empty. Something urged me to write about Notcho, remembering in my mind his familiar sounds, as a comfort to me in the dark unsettling silence...

hear his breath, his heaving, caught between the waves of salty sullen strokes, fought through ocean travels mighty, far and wide Our friend, a being So great, thou art! It was only on Wednesday, October 28 that I learned of Notcho’s disastrous accident, being struck by a Langdale ferry, resulting in death. Often I had wondered how Notcho managed to avoid the passing ferries in front of me here - at times I heard him surfacing and within minutes, two ferries crossing in the same spot. What a lot for a whale to have to learn and adapt to, to survive. This news has saddened me greatly, and I felt I wanted to share my sorrow with you all, and also my poem. I have put my poem to music and Carmina Bowena will be performing it at our earliest opportunity. Raise a glass with me to our parting friend, Notcho! - Nicole Thomas Zyczynski Carmina Bowena director

JOHN GIVINS Contributor It’s fall leaf falling season from the local trees. They wave on their stems where they’ve been glued so well all summer and after a brilliant green performance their yearly display ends the adhesive loosened by crisp autumn winds whipping them into a riotous whirlwind dance falling untethered from their parents fluttering down to earth. They’re landing on water and falling on land enveloping the surface with sheaves of leaves of letters, that tell grand stories of a refreshing spring start long sunny summer days and now an autumn glory. A few at first flutter down gradually increasing sporadically all day and night building up to cascading flurries

of thousands upon thousands tumbling down like snow falling like confetti knowingly relinquishing their splendour disconnecting from their reason to be green, re-forming into a yellow auburn autumn patchwork quilt.

It’s stitched together with invisible stitches stitched with threads of seasons passing stitching short crisp days to long chilling nights stitching a comforter for a wedding of autumn to winter. - John Givins

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A6 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, November 6, 2026

Outgoing councillors remembered CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“And how do we balance that with housing folks that need to stay, that are aging out of their homes, working families that just need to catch the ferry and make it to work and come back to make ends meet. These are the tensions that a local government needs to resolve,” said Leonard on some of the work which will be at the forefront of council’s mind over the term ahead. “I think there’s the ability of this island and the community and the people that live in it to come around the table and figure out what it is that we have, what it is that we want to do, how we want to grow, and how we want to build this place,” added the mayor. “I so look forward to doing that with this council and the discussions that we’ll have over the next four years, and doing it in conversation with you, the community.” Leonard also spoke to each of the outgoing councillors, Alison Morse, John Saunders and Tim Wake, who were in the audience. “Councillor Wake is probably one of the most active councillors in the background, with a heart that is nine sizes too large… He has been such an inspiring balance of optimism to my sometimes pessimism when I think this is so intense and everything is so hard. Tim has really been able to have me

see the brighter side this last term on a number of occasions, and has been a real champion for housing and arts and planning and so much of the island.” “When I first met John Saunders, I was like, ‘Who is this cowboy?’ We had a bite to eat during the 2022 election and I quickly recognized that John is one of the most humble, sharpest, down-to-earth people I have ever met,” recalled the mayor. “Whenever I’ve been wrestling with something and I needed an even-keeled, objective sort of ‘What do you think, John?’, I would send him a question and he would dive into the material, come back having understood it, and give me his honest response… he’s been an incredibly stable presence in the council chamber - has more than once gotten us to get on with things and move on with the business at hand - and he will be missed.” Lastly the mayor turned his attention to Bowen’s longest serving councillor Alison Morse - having served as long as possible in fact since being elected to Bowen’s first council upon becoming a municipality in 1999 and serving eight terms total since. “Alison is the organizational memory of this municipality. She knows every decision that has ever happened on the island. She has it catalogued. She’s able to pull it up, and

no grinching

Plan the perfect island party

Mayor Andrew Leonard (left) speaks during the inauguration ceremony for the new Bowen council. Councillors consist of (L-R) Alex Jurgensen, Sue Ellen Fast, Judith Gedye, Tim Hausch, Caroline Parker & Keith Davidson. / Alex Kurial photo more so have the right information at the right time.” “Alison, I cannot tell you how deeply I respect the work that you have put into this community, the lineage that you represent, and the inspiration that you have provided… Thank you so much for everything you have done for this island. Thank you for your service, and thank you for your heart,”

concluded Leonard. With the ceremony complete, council will now shift back to its regular home in the Municipal Hall chambers. They are scheduled for a meeting this coming Monday, Nov. 9 at 1 pm. Council meetings can be attended in-person as well as viewed live or later online via the municipality’s YouTube page.

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A7

Friday, November 6, 2026

Five Women take over the Bowen Stage ALEX KURIAL Editor Theatre on the Isle is set to debut ‘Five Women Wearing the Same Dress’ this weekend at the Bowen Theatre. Written by Alan Ball, famous for his Oscar-winning screenplay for American Beauty and the creation of popular shows Six Feet Under and True Blood, the play transports audiences to the southern United States three decades ago as a group of bridesmaids deal with pressures and unexpected events over the course of a wedding day. Bowen theatre-goers will no doubt recognize the five women in question - Morgan Darcy, Molly Horton, Tina Overbury, Paola Qualizza and Claudia Schaefer - from last year’s Theatre on the Isle (TOTI) production of Dancing at Lughnasa. That play was the first in the newly opened Bowen Theatre, and also served as the inspiration for this current cast reunion. “The cast had such a fun time together (with Lughnasa) that they started doing these script reads - everybody would show up with a script, they don’t know anything about it, and you just jump right into reading it,” says Five Women’s director Frazer Elliott. By chance Schaefer brought a script of Five Women to one of these reads (having searched ‘What is a play for five women?’) and the actors immediately loved it. Elliott came to a subsequent read-through and was asked if he’d be interested in helping produce the play. He says he knew right away this was a play he wanted to direct instead. While Frazer has filled just about every imaginable role on and off-stage among Bowen theatre troupes over the years, this will be the first time he’s taken on full directing duties on his own. The play itself takes place in the mid-1990s in Knoxville, Tennessee, and follows five bridesmaids as they attempt to navigate a wedding where none of them much like the bride or the thought of participating in the day’s festivities. As a result they take shelter in one of their bedrooms, where conversations and revelations about events in each of their lives play out. Many of these revolve around societal issues which were largely taboo 30 years ago, yet still persist and generate

controversy and upheavel even today. “It’s definitely not a play for kids. It is a comedy, but there’s some heavy moments in it as well,” explains Elliott. “Because they’re talking about a lot of personal stuff, of course some heavy things get included in that process.” “We also wanted to push a bit of boundaries. We’ve done shows like this with Theatre on the Isle, but not in a while. We hoped this was a show that was going to help bring something a little different for us.” As the title implies, the dresses themselves also play a key role in the show. “When this one popped up, we looked at it and we’re like, ‘Oh my god, it’s hideous!’ That’s the one we need,” says Elliott of the search for matching dresses which would fit the flavour of the script. “These women are standing there going, ‘I can’t believe the bride made us wear these.’ They’re absolutely hideous, and so the costume, in a sense, becomes one of the characters in the play.” There is one man in the play, portrayed by Basel Hussein who is a newcomer to the Bowen theatre scene. Elliott says Hussein clinched the role in part due to a memorable Rowan Atkinson interpretation during a TOTI open casting session. “When he left we looked at each other and went, ‘Yeah, he’s our guy,’” says Elliott. “We’re really blessed to have found him. He’s added a bunch of energy to the group, and he’s done an absolutely brilliant job with his character and his acting in this.” Elliott says the existing camaraderie among the bridesmaids made his directorial debut much smoother. “Their chemistry is what drove them to continue their search for these plays back when it first started. They get on really, really well on-stage and off, and became really good friends.” “They bounce off of each other very comically, but they also really care for each other, and that helps in some of the heavier moments,” he explains. Five Women Wearing the Same Dress has four showings at the Bowen Theatre spanning the next two Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 6, 7, 13 & 14. All shows start at 7:15 pm, with a run time of approximately two hours including a 10 minute intermission. Tickets can be found by visiting Eventbrite or searching Theatre on the Isle on social media.

Five Women’s cast consists of (L-R) Basel Hussein, Paola Qualizza, Tina Overbury, Claudia Schaefer, Molly Horton & Morgan Darcy. The Alan Ball play is directed by Frazer Elliott. / Morgan Darcy photo

A8 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, November 6, 2026

The Legion at 100: 90 Years of Service on Bowen Island CATHERINE BAYLY Bowen Island Museum & Archives This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, an organization that has supported Canada’s veterans, their families, and communities since 1926. Founded following the First World War, the Legion was established to advocate for veterans and ensure that those who served and sacrificed would never be forgotten. Over the past century, it has supported veterans’ welfare, organized Remembrance Day ceremonies, and contributed to communities through charitable fundraising, scholarships, and volunteer service. On Bowen Island, the Legion’s story began in the spring of 1936, when 16 First World War veterans decided that the island deserved its own branch. Branch 150 received its charter on May 5, 1936, making this year its 90th anniversary. In 1937, Legion members constructed the Cenotaph in Snug Cove to honour five men with Bowen Island connections

who lost their lives during the First World War. Dedicated in June of that year, the Cenotaph remains an important place of remembrance for our community. The Ladies’ Auxiliary, established in June 1937, played an equally important role in the Legion’s history. During the Second World War, its members knitted clothing, prepared parcels for those serving overseas, raised funds, and supported families at home. Their community contributions continued long after the war, including establishing the Annie Laurie Wood Memorial Library in the early 1960s. For many years, Legion members dreamed of having their own hall. Through fundraising, donated materials, and countless hours of volunteer labour, that dream finally became a reality in 1968. The Legion hall soon became an important social gathering place, hosting dances, dinners, celebrations, and community fundraisers. Beyond these activities, the Legion and its Ladies’ Auxiliary quietly helped Bowen Islanders in need, providing groceries, heating fuel, visits to the sick and elderly, and

Dedication of the Snug Cove Cenotaph, June 1937. A large crowd gathers for the dedication of the memorial, built by members of the Bowen Island Legion Branch 150 to honour five men with ties to Bowen Island who lost their lives during the First World War. / BI Museum & Archives photo other practical assistance. This year as always, the Bowen Island Legion will welcome the community following the Remembrance Day service on November 11 for its traditional lunch by donation. In recognition of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary, the Bowen Island Museum & Archives will present a special historical exhibit and slideshow at the Legion. An outdoor historical display will be fea-

Lest We Forget g Remembering all the brave men and women

tured on the Museum’s front porch at 1014 Miller Road. We invite everyone to stop by on their way to the Legion and explore some of Bowen Island’s rich history of service and remembrance. As we recognize 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion and 90 years of Branch 150, we remember not only those who served, but also the generations of dedicated volunteers whose contributions have helped shape our island community. Lest We Forget.

We will remember them

Snug Cove House Independent senior living

A Community within a Community

“Today, we remember with gratitude those who serv rved, v those who sacrificed, and those who never returned.”

BOWEN

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BUILDING CENTRE Helping Islanders since 1972

CLOSED REMEMBRANCE DAY Open Monday to Friday 7:30 - 5 pm Closed Saturday & Sunday

Island Pac cific School joins our co ommunity in rememb bering and honouring all those who serve and protect others ab broad or in communitiies at home. Their coura age reminds us that rem membrance is not only y about the past but a also about how we llive today.

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A9

Friday, November 6, 2026

The Wind at Wainwright JUDE NEALE Bowen Island Poet Laureate The prairie grass lay flat beneath the wind. Then the wind turned. Fire ran through the stubble. Smoke blotted out the sun. Somewhere in the blackness, a soldier called another’s name. By evening, nineteen lay beneath hospital lights. White sheets. Oxygen masks. The quiet hands of nurses.

in the room down the hall. Here on my island, I listen to the rattle of my own breathing. I draw another breath and wish that I could give it to someone lying there.

Lest We Forget

Outside my window, the old maple bends. One red leaf holds against the wind. At Wainwright, the flag hangs halfway down. And beneath it, four names. Sergeant Morgan Wong

In homes across the country, telephones rang.

Private Shaun Farrell

A cup beside the sink.

Private Aidan Goulding

A jacket behind the door. A child asleep

Private Hayden Lykkemark

Remembering and honoring our heroes

for Peace

Open 11:15 am -5 pm November 11th between Tippy's and Doc's

HOME & GARDEN

Artisan Square

Remembering the service and sacrifice of the Danish Resistance and Frank Nielsen who was a member of the resistance.

RHODES ON BOWEN

Tim Rhodes REALTOR®

With loving respect from Pernille Nielsen and family.

MACDONALD REALTY LTD.

WE WILL

Remember

NOVEMBER 11

A10 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, November 6, 2026

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Alex Kurial & Chris Wilson photos

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH www.biuc.ca | 1122 Miller Road

Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev. Lorraine Ashdown 778-688-2061

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

OFFICE HOURS WEDNESDAY 10-4 OR BY APPOINTMENT

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Sunday Sunday Mass Mass at at 10:00 9.30

Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

CATES HILL CHAPEL

www.cateshillchapel.com Sunday Worship 10:00 604-947-4260

www.cateshillchapel.com (661 Carter Rd.) 604-947-4260 Sunday Worship(661 10:00 Carter Rd.) Rev. Phil Adkins office@cateshillchapel.com SHIRAT HAYAM (Song of the Sea) BOWEN’S JEWISH COMMUNITY Shabbat Gatherings ~ Holidays Contact aryana.rayne@gmail.com • www.shirathayam.ca

QUEEN OF CAPILANO FERRY SCHEDULE UNTIL MARCH 2027

DEPART BOWEN ISLAND

DEPART HORSESHOE BAY

5:15 am - except Sundays 6:15 am 7:30 am 8:45 am 10:00 am 11:15 am 12:35 pm 1:55 pm - except Wed dnesdays 3:15 pm 4:40 pm 6:00 pm 7:15 pm 8:25 pm - except Saturdays 9:30 pm 10:30 pm 11:30 pm

5:45 am 6:50 am 8:05 am 9:20 am - except Wednesdays 10:35 am 11:55 am 1:10 pm 2:35 pm 3:55 pm 5:20 pm 6:35 pm 7:50 pm 8:55 pm - except Saturdays 10:00 pm 11:00 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, November 6, 2026

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A11

A12 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, November 6, 2026

A little help for the Nook as we make room for something new! CATHERINE BAYLY Knick Knack Nook Exciting changes are coming to the Nook, and as we prepare for our new building, we’re asking our wonderful Bowen community for a little extra help and understanding when it comes to donations. The first step in our building plans will be the construction of a new storage shed to replace the tattered old tent out back, which we hope to get underway very soon. If you’ve ever peeked inside that tent, you’ll know just how much ends up there! What you may not know is that our volunteers regularly sort, bag and arrange for excess donations to be taken off-island to other charitable organizations. The amount varies, but we’re often dealing with approximately 30 large bags per week. That’s a lot of sorting, lifting and transporting! With our storage space about to become very limited, we’re going to have to be a little more selective about what we can accept for the next while. So what does this mean for donations? We’ll happily continue accepting clean, gently used seasonal clothing and household items that are in good condition and can go straight into the shop. What we won’t have room for are seasonal items that need to be stored for months until they’re

needed again. So, as much as we love Halloween, we’re going to have to ask you to keep those spooky decorations tucked away at home for now. The same will apply to Christmas items once the holiday season is over. With the new Nook hopefully ready by the summer of 2027, we simply won’t have the space to hold onto things until their next season rolls around. We’re also asking everyone to take an extra moment to look over their donations before bringing them in. Are the clothes clean and free of stains or tears? Are household items in good working order and ready for someone else to enjoy? A little extra care at home makes an enormous difference to the volunteers who sort through everything. It also helps us avoid those awkward moments when we have to ask someone to take an item home because we simply can’t use it. We know these changes may take a little getting used to, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding. The Nook has always depended on the generosity and support of this wonderful community, and that hasn’t changed. For the next little while, the best donations will be those we can put straight onto our shelves and into the hands of their next happy owners. Thank you for helping us make this transition a little easier for everyone, especially our hardworking volunteers. We’re looking forward to what comes next!

What are Green Burials? HILARY BUTLER Bowen Island Rotary Club The Bowen Island Rotary Club’s guest speaker this month will be Matthew van der Giessen from the Bowen Island Green Burial Society. He will be addressing the topic: What is Green Burial? Matthew will describe the growth of the Green Burial movement and its contribution to stewardship of the land. Discussion will include the positive ecological impact of Green Burial, its adaptation to Bowen Island’s unique ecological landscape and its contribution to protecting the land in perpetuity.

He will also describe Green Burial’s unique contributions to a community’s approach to dying and death, providing empowerment and choice around creating meaningful rituals as well as creation of supports such as the crafting of shrouds and natural burial containments that often arise in communities with Green Burial. He will also describe the Green Burial Society’s current search for appropriate land to give Bowen’s Green Cemetery a home. As part of the presentation there will be room for discussion and answers to your questions. Everyone is invited to our meeting this coming Monday evening, November 9 at 7:30 pm at Artisan Eats.

A full storage shed at the Nook... It’s time for a new one!

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Friday, November 6, 2026

Arts on Bowen Gallery presents A World Seen: Studies in Belonging MADY BONIFACE Arts on Bowen Gallery Nikki Baxendale’s new exhibition at the Arts on Bowen Gallery, ‘A World Seen: Studies in Belonging’, features grizzly bear photographs from around BC. This show will be up from November 11 to 29. The Artist pARTy is Saturday, November 14 from 6 to 8 pm. Come and immerse yourself in the wild forests of BC through this gorgeous exhibition. Originally from the UK and now residing in Vancouver, Nikki Baxendale is a storyteller by heart. She is skilled in many mediums in addition to photography, such as writing, drawing, mixed media and painting. Her current focus is photographing wildlife in remote parts of BC. She is passionate about environmental and wildlife conservation and imbues this passion into her art. Her inspiration to take up this cause can be traced back to her time working as a photographer for the Red Cross, capturing natural disasters and their effects on the land. Through this experience, Nikki developed a deep understanding of the power that photography holds to tell a story. Each of her images evoke factors beyond their subject matter and you are invited to consider the surroundings of these great creatures in tandem with the creatures themselves. This is reflected in her work

capturing wildlife in BC, as she considers the environmental factors at play when she creates an image. To find these majestic shots and creatures, Nikki ventures into remote locations and immerses herself in the wilderness. For this photo series, she slept outside with the grizzly bears in the vicinity. With her subjects, Nikki tries to capture the natural beauty of the world and the animals that inhabit it. This exhibition takes you through many vast landscapes, but still captures moments of connections with the wild grizzlies. Nikki accomplishes this by centering the animals’ gaze, creating an intimate connection with the bears and inviting you into their view of the world. Through this series, Nikki hopes to bring the conversation around climate action away from shame and into understanding. In her artistic composition, she invites viewers to consider the impact that global warming and climate change has on wildlife and the striking beauty of our planet. It is easy to get caught up in the manmade world. In Nikki Baxendale’s exhibit, she asks viewers to consider a world beyond the human, and to connect with the natural beauty of the grizzly bears. AOB Gallery and Nikki, encourage you to join the conversation about wildlife preservation and our continued coexistence with nature. We hope to see you there.

Patient Jasper

of the

Jasper was found on the side of a road in Ontario when he was just 3 months old, and he's been my best friend ever since. Since moving to Bowen Island, he's grown from a shy, anxious kitten into a conﬁdent little social butterﬂy who loves making new friends and being part of everything we do. At home, he's our resident "lover boy" and healer, always close by for comfort and companionship. He was especially brave at his recent vet visit; all wrapped up in his cozy blanket.

Nikki Baxendale’s new exhibition at the Arts on Bowen Gallery, A World Seen: Studies in Belonging, features grizzly bear photographs from around BC. This show will be up from November 11 to 29.

Week!

GOOD BOY!

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Friday, November 6, 2026

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Friday, November 6 (& other dates) Five Women Wearing the Same Dress Theatre on the Isle’s latest play hits the Bowen Theatre. Shows Nov. 6, 7, 13 & 14. All 7:15 pm, full details on Page 7. Saturday, November 7 Kids Vaccine Clinic Vancouver Coastal Health will be at the Health Centre providing flu immunizations for those aged 6 months to 11 years old. From 10 am to 2 pm by appointment only, sign up at www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/bookavaccine Saturday, November 7 Bowen Island Men’s Shed Meetup Men please come and join us behind Island Pacific School, 671 Carter Road, for some coffee, snacks and good company. For more information on the Bowen Island Men’s Shed visit www.bimshed.ca Saturday, November 7 Bowen Island Coffee House Participate in an evening of music performed by talented Bowen Island artists! Produced by Blackberry Studios; all proceeds support the Bowen Island Community Choir. First come first served. Tickets are by donation at the door, cash only. 7:30 pm at Collins Hall. Sunday, November 8 BIHPA AGM Bowen Island Heritage and Preservation Association welcomes you to their Annual General Meeting. Cottage #20 in Davies Orchard at 1 pm. Call 778-245-9951 for more info. Monday, November 9 Rotary Speaker Series Matthew van der Giessen will be discussing the growth of

the Green Burial movement, its contribution and its adaptation to Bowen Island’s unique ecological landscape. All are welcome to this event at 7:30 pm at Artisan Eats. Tuesday, November 10 Speak the Spark Storytelling True stories told by your Bowen neighbours! Theme: “It seemed like a good idea…” Bowen Library Annex at 7 pm, doors open at 6:30. Wednesday, November 11 Remembrance Day Ceremony Proceedings for Remembrance Day take place at the Cenotaph in Snug Cove. Please assemble around 10:30 am. Saturday, November 14 Bowen Mudder Grab your costumes and your friends for this fun, all-ages obstacle course race! Tackle either the 2K or 5K course, each starting and ending at Island Pacific School. Starts 10 am, post race fun includes food truck, sauna and music. Saturday, November 14 Bowen Conservancy AGM Everyone is welcome to join to learn about the Bowen Island Conservancy and what we do. Guest speaker Bob Turner. Collins Hall from 1 to 3 pm. Sunday, November 15 Book Donation Morning The Friends of the Bowen Island Library will be accepting gently used books at the Library Annex from 10 am to Noon. Wednesday, November 18 Happy Wednesdays Meditation The Healing Power of Meditation, Buddhist teachings and meditations to heal the mind and body: From 7 to 8 pm

Calling All Visual, Literary & Performing Artists

Tour Weekend May 29 & 30

at the Bowen Island Community Centre. $12 drop-in, learn more at www.meditateinvancouver.org Thursday, November 19 Bowen Island Yacht Club AGM Hello boaters! Come learn about our exciting year on the water! Round Bowen Race, S/V Brigadier and more! Social and food at 6 pm downstairs at Doc Morgan’s, meeting starts at 7. Please rsvp to membershipbiyc@gmail.com Saturday, November 21 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, 10:15 to 11:15 am. bipl.ca/French WEDNESDAYS Family Storytime at the Library Drop in for a free program of stories and songs! From 10:30 to 11 am in the Library Annex. Ages 0-6 with caregivers. No registration required. Families are welcome to stay until 11:30 am and socialize, read books, and hang out! THURSDAYS Thursday Art Group TAG (Thursday Art Group) meets every Thursday at Collins Hall from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Come join a group of self-directed artists working in different mediums in a supportive environment. Monthly $35, drop-in $12, first drop-in free. Info at jilly.watson@shaw.ca FRIDAYS Legion Dinners Friday dinners are back for fall at the Legion. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Members can purchase tickets every Thursday, non-members welcome to buy tickets Friday if not sold out.