Friday, June 27, 2014

FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014 VOL. 41, NO. 25

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Eating out

Rice bowls on Bowen, and Dosas in East Van

Little graduates

Pre-schoolers are ready for the next step

Corrections!

A round-up of corrections from the Undercurrent

Awarding of new woodlots on Gambier on hold again

MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

On June 18th, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) sent out a letter stating that it would announce the winning bids for two new woodlots on Gambier Island. More than 100 people wrote letters protesting this step forward in the process that would lead to 25 percent of Gambier being actively logged.

On June 24th, the Gambier Island Conservancy applied for judicial review in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in an effort to freeze the process. Later that day, the deputy minister, Craig Sutherland informed the Charmaine Heffelfinger and her daughter Frannie sell herbs at the first farmer’s market of the season.

Conservancy that it would be at Dayna Purdy, photo least a few more weeks before any woodlot licenses would be awarded.

Former Bowen Island Mayor, Bob Turner, assisted the Gambier Conservancy with the launch of its letter-writing campaign.

Turner says that Bowen Islanders need to be engaged on this issue tion project goes through, ten parking spots that are curMERIBETH DEEN because as Islanders, we have a rently available will be temporarily inaccessible.

EDITOR common cause.

Among the recommendations put forward by the com“Yes, Crown Lands on Bowen The parking problems in the Cove are the exact same mittee were the options to increase parking enforcement, a are a little bit different. We are as they were 12 years ago, and the solutions are much the bylaw enforcement to include towing for cars parked illea municipality, so there might same too, commented David Wrinch following this week’s gally, engaging BC Ferries and Metro Vancouver in solving be a stronger referral process municipal council meeting. Councillors debated the merits ferry-marshalling related parking issues, and exploring the if there were logging proposed and the realities of a variety of solutions put forward by the possibility of developing a park and ride lot at the corner of here,” says Turner. “We are also Municipal Infrastructure Committee, which took on the Adams Road and Bowen Bay Road for commuters. a part of the Vancouver Forest issue in the face of concerns raised about the rezoning of district, and the attitude might continued, PAGE 3 the Bowen Island Pub’s land. If the rezoning and construcbe completely different with that

Solutions floated to non-existent parking problem in Lower Cove

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district than the Sunshine Coast Forest District, which Gambier is a part of. But I think that what’s happening on Gambier can be considered as a test of how this government operates in terms of consultation, and every Island in Howe Sound should be paying attention.”

Stakeholders on Gambier have been calling for a consultation on the proposed opening of new woodlots on the island. At the request of the Islands Trust representatives from Gambier, the bid process was put on hold until a stakeholders meeting could be held with the ministry.

One of the Islands Trust representative for Gambier, KateLouise Stamford, says that a meeting with the ministry took place on May 29th and the she was not invited, however, she did invite herself and was admitted in to the meeting.

“They [the ministry] seemed to recognize that the communication was not enough,” says Stamford. “There was mention of holding a public forum in West Van, or a stakeholders round-table, but this was all quite vague.”

According to the letter sent out

by Craig Sutherland, the selected woodlot applicant will have to develop a management plan that will require approval. continued, PAGE 3

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Conservation officers have People, Plants, killed the first black bear of the and Places Tours season on the North Shore BOWEN ISLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES SUBMISSION

BRENT RICHTER NORTH SHORE NEWS

The bear had broken into a garage on the 200block of Onslow Place, a side street sandwiched between the Capilano Golf and Country Club and Capilano River Regional Park Tuesday morning.

Homeowner Maria Bleszynski raced home from her medical practice in Surrey after her 91-year-old mother called in a panic to report the bear.

West Vancouver police arrived quickly and shooed the bear off the property using air horns while conservation officers made their way to the scene.

The bear - a healthy, four-year-old male - was highly determined, according to conservation officer Kent Popjes.

"It broke open a deadbolted door on a garage. It ripped it right off its hinges, entered the garage and opened a freezer up and got some food out," Popjes said.

Popjes waited at the scene, knowing the bear would have to be killed.

"We've had a number of reports in that area of bears trying to break into garages and vehicles," he said. "It had done property damage and was quite a safety risk at that stage for re-entering buildings, possibly homes. There wasn't a lot of options. It wasn't a good candidate for relocation. ... There's a 99-percent chance if we move this bear, it's going to come back and repeat this behaviour."

About an hour later the bear returned to the scene and Popjes shot it.

There are other bears active in the area, including a mother with two cubs who have also been attempting break-is who may be better candidates for reloca-

Although you may think of the bi-annual People, Plants and Places event as a garden tour that was never the intention. In fact, the very name indicates the distion, he said. tinction from other tours.

Bear sightings have been down across the North “People” refers to the hosts. They are key elements, chosen for their willingShore this year, according to Christine Miller, eduness to welcome guests in a hospitable fashion to a location of significant interest cation co-ordinator for the North Shore Black Bear Society. But, she added, they may soon be picking up. that they have created or enhanced.

“Plants” refers to gardens, of course, but on this rocky island with water short"Around now is when the young males will be disages, gardening needs to be diverse. The tour has showcased magnificent rock, persed from their home range. The mothers take the seascape, deer-resistant, edible and eco-friendly gardens. Many talented gardeners young males out farther so we might see a little bit demonstrate solutions to the challenges of island gardening. more activity with young males trying to find their “Places” refers to homes. They are chosen for their historic value, environmenway somewhere," she said. tal features, rustic charm, gorgeous location and architectural design. Each home It is possible this is the same bear that broke into is selected because it offers something of interest to visitors. a vehicle parked on nearby Rabbit Lane in May after The tour provides a peak into the places that make Bowen unique. smelling some baked goods inside, Miller said.

With its array of microclimates, people, and tastes, the variety beyond the West Vancouver police have had 15 bear-related winding roads is rich. This bi-annual tour not only brings much-needed income calls for service since May, according to Const. Jeff to the Bowen Island Museum & Archives, but it also has helped islanders to Palmer, department spokesman. become better acquainted with their own island and neighbourhoods. Visitors Bleszynski said she is grateful for the prompt from all across Vancouver and BC come during this weekend to immerse themresponse from police and conservation officers. selves in island life, bringing extra summer business. The tour has become part of "The response was immediate from the West community life and has a role in bringing people together. In the long run, howVancouver Police Department and the ever, the tour is really about getting to know Bowen’s People, Plants and Places. conservation officer service," Bleszynski said. "I This year’s tour will be taking place on both Saturday July 19th, Sunday July left my office suddenly. I had to cancel my patients.

20th. Please call for more information (604-947-2655) or visit the Museum and They dealt with this with amazing help and amazing Archives at 1014 Miller Road, across from the RCMP from 10am-4pm. support."

The incident underscores the need to keep attractants like food, garbage, fruit from backyard trees BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY or bird feeders out of R001815911 eyeshot and nose-shot BI03 from the bears, Popjes said.

Bowen Island Municipality PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

PROPOSED OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN AMENDMENTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON BOWEN ISLAND Monday July 21, 2014

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm Cates Hill Chapel, 661 Carter Road Bowen Island, BC

Island Community Planner Bowen Island Municipality is looking for a dynamic, self-­‐motivated professional to join our team.

This is a permanent full-­‐time position at 35 hours per week.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, you will: • • • • • •

Identify and research issues related to the management of land use and the orderly development of Bowen Island.

Formulate policy and the preparation of regulations relative to the Official Community Plan and the Land Use Bylaw.

Process development applications and prepare development agreements, reports and bylaws relative to the Municipality’s planning policies.

Develop an annual operating budget for the Planning Department.

Communicate with diverse audiences utilizing a variety of formats.

Provide excellent customer service to internal and external agencies and groups.

You are a member in good standing with the Canadian Institute of Planners/Planning Institute of British Columbia, or eligible for membership; you hold a Degree in Land Use Planning, Urban Planning or a closely related field; and, you have a minimum of three years’ experience in municipal or regional planning.

Please visit the BIM website to view the full job description at www.bimbc.ca We thank all applicants, but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please submit your covering letter and resume via e-­‐mail, fax or mail by Friday, July 18, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. to: Christine Walker, Human Resources Manager Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

(A presentation and Q&A period will be held at 6:30 pm) Council has given first reading to a bylaw to amend Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 282, 2010. The draft amendments stem from Council’s consideration of recommendations from Bowen Island’s Municipality’s Economic Development Committee, to make the Official Community Plan more supportive of economic development and of the enhancement to existing and new businesses on Bowen Island.

Proposed Bylaw No. 357, 2014 would amend the Official Community Plan to:      

Encourage new commercial development to locate within commercial areas in the Village Commercial designated area; Remove limitations on tourist accommodation, and provide for campgrounds but continuing to not support destination attractions; Encourage light industry in suitable locations to meet local needs; Support the creation of jobs and promoting economic activity that builds on diversity, sustainability, innovation and creativity; Encourage the provision of ferry service to meet the needs of the island, and accommodate population growth; Explore how Bowen Island’s unique attributes can be used to enhance the economic viability and work toward an island economy that is diverse, sustainable and innovative, meeting the needs of residents and visitors.

You are invited to attend this public open house, and to provide your comments on these proposals.

Should Council give second reading to bylaw, a formal Public Hearing will be held at a later date.

Background information, including a complete description of, and rationale for all proposed Official Community Plan amendments and background reports are available on the municipal website, under “Current Topics” at www.bimbc.ca. Comment sheets will be available at the Public Open House.

FAX: 604-­‐947-­‐0193 EMAIL: hr@bimbc.ca WEBSITE: www.bimbc.ca

For information call 604-­‐947-­‐4255

 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2  TEL: 604‐947‐4255  FAX: 604‐947‐0193  e‐mail: bim@bimbc.ca  website: www.bimbc.ca

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FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014 • 3

Parking in the Lower Cove Shika’s fare makes for pleasant dining on the pier from PAGE 1

With all of these options on the table, Councillor Cro Lucas, the liaison to the Infrastructure Committee, added: There is no parking problem in the Cove, the only problem is a lack of free parking.

Commuters are using commercial parking spots, crowding out free spots.

In a later interview, Lucas explained that the central issue is that of commuters parking on Trunk Road for entire days, making parking allocated for shops and restaurants in the lower Cove inaccessible.

“Every time there is any talk about the revitalization of the lower Cove the parking issue comes up, the merchants down there are always say there is nowhere for their patrons to park,” says Lucas. “You can almost never get a spot right out front of the Village Baker, yet there are 40 stalls that are almost always empty just a few minutes walk up the hill on Village Drive. There are 25 parking spots in the Crippen Park lot, which is just a five minute walk from Tuscany or the Snug, and a fairly short walk from the ferry as well, and this lot is almost always empty. There’s also the Rennaison lot right below the General Store. It costs $5 to park there, but it’s also virtually empty most of the time.”

Lucas adds that a simple solution is to simply add more parking in the lower Cove.

“We thought we had this solved with the expan-

Rob Leadely and Mitsumi Kawai of Shika.

Kami Kanetsuka, photo

KAMI KANETSUKA CONTRIBUTOR

It’s summer and the living is easy on Bowen, and there’s no better time to experience local delights. While it’s sad to see Nancy’s tacos leave, Mitsumi Kawai’s rice bowls are a wonderful replacement.

Mitsumi and her partner Rob Leadley, the owners and operators of Shika, have been on Bowen for a year and a half and say they are happy to bring something a little different to the food offerings on the island, and so far are pleased to have had such a positive response by local diners.

As a vegetarian I waited until I had friends coming to Bowen, so I could order the three main dishes. On a lovely warm Friday at lunchtime Mitzumi arranged our orders artistically in little brown boxesl. My friend who had the tuna bowl raved about it, saying she found it to be reminiscent of Hawaiian

Poke and noting the fresh-diced cucumber with its lovely vinaigrette.

My other friend ordered the taco bowl with pulled pork, and described it as sweetly tender with no fat. My veggie rice bowl was also really good with a delicious cilantro pesto.

We topped this meal off with little gluten free mochi balls and left with ice cream cones. I chose the oh-so Japanese ice cream flavour: green tea.

Shika was the perfect place to bring friends from the mainland and they enjoyed just sitting on the pier looking out over the water and watching the boats. We came away very satisfied and coordinated hopping on the bus (it was the anniversary free day) and rode to Cates Bay Beach to loll in the sun. For all of us it was the perfect day out on Bowen.

Shika is open Thurs through Saturday from ll am to 8pm. Sunday and Monday ll am to 6 pm and is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon

Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.

Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Clinton Neal 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Gambier logging process on hold from PAGE 1 “It is important to note that the public opportunity for further input continues after the award decision. Woodlot license holders are obliged by law to share their license plans with interested public and consider the input from the public. The District Manager determines whether identified concerns have been adequately considered prior to approval of the woodlot license plan and before any operations can commence.”

Turner says that this approach does not reflect the concerns of the many citizens who have stated their opposition to the plan to open up these two new woodlots.

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sion of the library parking lot, which would have added approximately 70 parking spaces, but that plan was sidetracked because it is right in the middle of heron nesting territory.”

In its report, the Infrastructure Committee recommended adding diagonal parking spaces along the north side of Trunk Road as another option.

“We could also put parking on a lot on Miller Road right beside the RCMP station,” says Lucas.

“But would people use it? My favourite option is the creation of Park and Ride lots, that way we could increase the use of our bus service. The municipality has a number of small chunks of land at different parts of the island, such as at Bowen Bay and Adams Road, that could be used in this way.”

Council voted on a resolution asking municipal staff to investigate what would be required in order to set up such lots. When it came to the option of increasing enforcement, council was told that resources are too scarce, and people don’t pay their parking ticket anyways.

“Deciding to get stricter on enforcing parking regulations would be a political decision,” says Lucas.

“And this year, we cut back on that in order to balance the budget.”

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“The ministry is saying yes, automatically to logging, and then talking about consultation on the best way to do it,” says Turner. “Almost two thousand people have signed a petition to stop the logging, and more than100 people have written letters – with twenty of those coming from Bowen. I think the ministry is looking at the short term prospect of balancing this year’s budget, but in doing so it is making a decision that will impact the land for the 20 year tenure plus the time that it takes the forest to grow back.”

According to the Gambier Island Conservancy, the Province would make just under a million dollars upfront for opening up the proposed land for logging, and a yearly stumpage fee of roughly $9 thousand per woodlot.

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viewpoint

EDITORIAL

The best of Bowen MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

I have to give credit to Mary Letson for putting the words “The Best of Bowen” in my ear. It has such a ring to it, that I just can’t get it out of my head, and I know that every week I will encounter at least one story on this island and think, “Now that is the best of Bowen.”

Two weeks ago when I met and spoke with our young student athletes, those words were ringing in my ear. I was buoyed by their energy. No doubt, the same can be said for all the graduates who made an appearance in the same issue.

And it’s taken a while to come down from the weekend of June 14th. If you weren’t here, or if you

happened to have stayed hidden away in your own little world (which can be wonderful too, especially your own little Bowen world) you will have missed feeling the energy of this place on that weekend.

Sleepy little town? Think again. Bowen came alive.

We hosted, I am sure, hundreds of visitors.

Let’s just look at the numbers: at least 130 boats sailed in the Round Bowen Race; the Taste of Bowen sold out, with more than half of tickets going to people from off-Island, and I don’t have a number but I know there were a fleet of visitors for the Round Bowen Challenge on the Sunday. The Nature Dive brought in a legion of volunteers, many of them marine biology graduate students from UBC who, I’m told, relished the opportunity to share their passion with the curious participants at the event. And let’s not leave out the five who came

Thanks for the support On behalf of the teachers of Bowen Island, many, many thanks go out to the parents, children, community members and island businesses who have supported us over the last two weeks during the current job action. Thanks for honking and waving as you went by the picket line, thanks for bringing us delicious food and drinks, thanks for stopping by to visit and talk. This island knows how to make the best of a difficult situation and while we know that this has not been easy for everyone involved, we know that our relationships with each other will endure and the spirit of community is alive and well. Thank you, Bowen Island!

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.

Liz Watson

Here’s how.

To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com.

A BIG! thank you!

Thank you to all the hikers and volunteers who came out for the 3rd annual Bowen Island Gives (BIG!) fund-raising hike up Mt. Gardner on June 21. Local bands David Graff and the Continental Grifters, and the FatBack Players kept hikers and supporters dancing at the successful after-party celebration at Doc Morgan’s. A BIG! thanks to all who participated in the event – both on the mountain and on the dance floor! Funds raised will help the Bowen Island Community Foundation support local causes though the Community Caring Fund.

B.C. Press Council.

The Undercurrent is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 1-888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

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. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

for my birthday.

I’m ready to move on from that weekend now that I’ve squeezed in the quick recap but I thought it was worth noting as part of the best of Bowen.

One of the stand-up paddle boarders who participated in the Round Bowen Challenge says the race has brought him to Bowen three years in a row now and will continue to do so. In the meantime he’s contemplating a paddle over from Vancouver with friends to stay the weekend.

“I don’t get why more people don’t go to Bowen,” Harry Saini told me. “It’s an Island and it is RIGHT THERE. You don’t even need a car.”

Once someone gets a taste of the Best of Bowen, they’ll keep coming back. Sometimes they’ll even stay (like I did.)

Bowen Island Gives

Thanks from the Chief!

I am absolutely speechless over the incredible generosity of my fellow volunteer firefighters and their families upon my retirement. Thank you all.

It has been an honour and a privilege to have served as Fire Chief, for the past eleven years, to such a dedicated group of individuals. I intend to stay on as a volunteer as long as I am needed, or until they show me the door!

Thanks also to the staff at the Municipality for their support and friendship over the years. And, the community of Bowen Island - What a wonderful place we live!

Brian Biddlecombe #102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 Deadline for all advertising and editorial: Monday, 4:00p.m. www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

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Editor’s note: corrections

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The World Cup, Bowen and sports fans MARCUS HONDRO THE SLOW LANE

Éliane, Kieran and Bailee were all awarded with the Order of BICS. Congratulations and have a great summer!

MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

When I first started at The Undercurrent, I was dismayed and brought down just a little by when I walked in one Monday morning just a few weeks in, to a page of the paper slipped through the mailbox with all of my typos, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors circled in red.

I took my mistakes pretty hard back then. I learned to never check my work email on weekends, which led to my stomach being perpetually tied in knots on Monday mornings before turning on the computer.

Fortunately, professional copy editor Maureen Nicholson stepped up to help me, and on the weeks when she has the time she pops in to the office to review the paper before I send it off to press.

Her keen eyes have made a huge difference to this paper, as has the increasing level of community involvement in the paper in recent months.

On that note, there are still plenty of accidental omissions, spelling errors, numeric errors and typos that make it into the paper’s final, printed version each week. This morning, Jonathan Bell of the Bowen Island Yacht Club wrote to tell me that in sailing, size makes a big difference. On that note, I would like to note a few errors and add corrections from recent Undercurrents.

1. El Moro, the America’s Cup boat that was first to cross the line in the Round Bowen Race is in fact 72 feet in length(approx 22 metres) and this is her 7th appearance (as

opposed to 12 meters and her 5th appearance.)

2. Martin Wedepohl’s time in the Round Bowen Race was 3 hours and 41 minutes, as opposed to 2 hours and 25, a time he says he will aim for should he win the lottery and buy a bigger boat.

3. The young man who wrote The Undercurrent’s editorial a few weeks ago about the bike park is Sam Howland, not Sam Howlett. I had the chance to apologize to him in person aboard the Round Bowen Race committee boat, the “Lisa Sea.” 4. Apologies to Elle Sims for not getting your photo into the grad edition of The Undercurrent, and congratulations on your achievements. (See right, alongside Wendy Holm’s grad photo which I received just this week.)

5. Back to the May 23 edition of The Undercurrent: Ross and Trisha Beaty offered up $300 thousand dollars (not $300) to establish the Strait of Georgia Data Centre.

6. A few of the fantastic young students who were honoured with the Order of BICS did not make it into our article on the subject last week. See above photos.

So there are just a few of the glaring errors I am aware of in recent papers.

Apologies to all, and many thanks to everyone on Bowen who pitches in to make my job a little easier, and to make The Undercurrent a fantastic community paper.

FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014 • 5

Before moving over I recall wondering what Bowen Islanders attitude to sports might be: would I be on an island of kayakers, with a smaller percentage of competitive athletes? PBS watchers rather than Canuck fans?

Of course there may be more kayakers here, we are all kayakers here, but there are the popular baseball and co-ed soccer leagues and Bowen has legions of kids playing competitive sport,in particular soccer.

As for fandom when the Canucks were in the Stanley Cup finals in 2011 it seemed as if virtually everyone was a fan. Now that it’s World Cup season, it’s the same deal, and I am among the Islander’s obsessed with watching.

Let’s go back to the afternoon of Saturday, June 14.

England is playing Italy up there on the big screen downstairs at Doc Morgan’s and the joint is packed with at least fifty of us. They’re a good lot, these island sporting fans, paying rapt attention, cheering, good-natured ribbing but no tension, indeed, nothing but a convivial type of an atmosphere.

I’d say there are more English fans, led by Mark Pennington and Phil Carlington, than Italian fans, Gian Perroni being an ardent example of the latter.

I’ve come along at the top of the second half and moments after my arrival Italy scores to take a 2-1 lead. Cheering, yes, groaning, even more of that.

I crouch on the floor at the back of the front table.

I would love to stand and turn to see who is behind me but they might hurl abuse for blocking their view. As I sat I saw Gillian Drake back there, herself a noted footballer and, it must be said, a more adept player than her husband, Alex Denis-Lay. Mind you, were it not for the fact Gillian is faster, passes more accurately, shoots better, has a better command of the pitch and more talent, then Alex might be almost as good.

Also back there is Thierry Mohrbach, Damien Bryan, Richard Underdown and the amusing Amos Rosen. Seated ahead of me is Beverly Hotel, Chris Corrigan, Phil’s far better half Jen Carlington, Dominique Perroni, the outstanding Bella Perroni and Emily Carlington (ones suspects Bella and Emily are here more to support their parents).

Here’s the rub: I enjoy the game, no question, and have always supported England, Greece, Cameroon and the Netherlands when it comes to the World Cup. But I equally enjoy being amongst a gang of reprobate neighbors and friends happily hurling barbs at one another.

The match marches on. Wayne Rooney misses two glorious chances and is roundly condemned by Mr. Pennington. Mr. Carlington suggests England play more of the kids, meaning their young players, some of whom, like Raheem Sterling, are already on the pitch and playing well. Incidentally, Phil himself is a fine footballer and once scored on me in a co-ed game, though at the time he was on my team.

Meanwhile, as we near full-time, Mr. Perroni smiles... nervously.

It goes back and forth, the cheering and groaning, and then it’s over with Italy taking the match with a score of 2-1. England will play Uruguay next, the country that has won the World Cup TWICE and beat Brazil in the final in 1950, in Brazi.

Finally there is this: in response to his home-country’s loss Mr. Pennington, truly a fan for the ages, makes the following observation. “It means nothing, it’s not important. No problem. England will beat Uruguay and Costa Rica and be through to the next round. Nothing but a warm-up.”

And so it is that upon hearing Mark wax poetically on a loss, as he, Phil and Gian pose for a photo together, I think the following: “Huh, there seems to be little difference in the attitude between the Bowen Island fan and sports fans pretty much anywhere else.”

More Bowen Island Grads!

Elle Sims “I would like to thank the teachers and support staff at West Vancouver Secondary School and all the people at Access. All who go above and beyond to lend a hand or just have a good time. After taking a short break, I plan on pursuing a career in the trades.”

Long time Bowen resident Wendy Holm wearing a big grin as she receivesher Masters of Management, Cooperatives and Credit Unions from the Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia at convocation exercises on May 16, 2014.

6 • FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014

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Pre-school grad: All ready for kindergarten Bowen Island Montessori class of 2014.

Anne Walters, photo

Celebrate Canada Day July 1st, 12-3 pm Free Community Event

Crippen Park, Bowen Island

Adam Woodall Band Pack a picnic or grab a grilled burger or a hot dog from Alderwood Farm – Complimentary cake – Face painting Bocce – Croquet – Ping Pong – Badminton – Community art project – Family relays – Live music and dancing!

Hosted by:

With thanks to:

From Coast to Coast to Coast

! y a D a d a n Ca

H a ppy

The Bowen Children’s Centre graduating class of 2014.

Melanie Mason, photo

MELANIE MASON CONTRIBUTOR

The final week of pre-school is winding up for both Bowen Island Montessori and for the Bowen Children’s Centre, and some thirty odd graduates have been celebrating with picnics and barbeques.

Preparation for entry into Kindergarten started earlier this month with BICS hosting the annual “Welcome to kindergarten” event allowing both the children and parents an opportunity to visit the classrooms and teachers. A week later, kindergarten teachers made a visit to the pre-school classes.

“The programme is brilliant,” said Kim Molinski, mother to five-year-old Rachel. “Rachel was really overwhelmed on her first visit with so many adults and children but the subsequent visit with her smaller pre-school class has made her feel much more calm and relaxed about her entry into Kindergarten.

Wendy Cellik, whose son Atom is also heading to kindergarten next year, was equally supportive about the integrated introduction to kindergarten.

“You would not get this in the city, it just shows how integrated our island community is.”

Bowen Children’s Centre pre-school teacher

Melina Toliusis summed up this year’s graduating class as inspiring.

“They have taken real ownership of their own ideas and learning direction,” she says. “I was a bit apprehensive when the afternoon class wanted to write their own Christmas play but they did it, songs and all! The children adapted the Billy Goats Gruff and it evolved to have every creature imaginable crossing over the bridge complete with a mermaid.”

Memorable highlights from this year’s crop of kids at the Bowen Montesorri has been the children’s participation in the community events including the Bowfest Parade, lantern making party, the traditional visit from Santa, and for the first time ever an “Earth, Wind, and Fibre” art show created by the kids.

Before the parents of these wonderful little Bowen Islanders start fretting about packed lunches and missed school buses there is a glorious summer to be enjoyed. Their teachers are wishing them the very best as they get ready to start a new phase in their lives whether at Bowen Island Community School, the Island Discovery Learning Community or through independent learning at home!

JOHN

JOHN

WESTON,MP WEST VANCOUVER-SUNSHINE COAST-SEA TO SKY COUNTRY

WWW.JOHNWESTON.CA JOHNWESTONMP 60 604.981.1790 4 98

FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014 • 7

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The importance of imagination Come out and celebrate BOWEN CHILDREN’S CENTRE

Canada Day!

SUBMISSION

Public art can be a key factor in establishing a unique community identity. It is freely accessible to everyone, invigorates public spaces and humanizes the built environment. It acts as a tangible and vibrant window into the human imagination.

How blessed we are to have an imagination as creative as Stacy Beamer’s here on Bowen Island. His work can be spotted all over the island in public spaces and private residences, in functional pieces and whimsical sculptures. Although his style is distinctive, each work of art is unique with careful attention given to the natural surroundings and the heart of the business, family or community organization it reflects.

We recently asked Stacy to come and touch up the beautiful garden gate at the Bowen Children’s Centre. I was struck once again by both his craftsmanship and artistic vision. The time he took to engage with the children that surrounded him while he worked, showing his commitment to this community.

Thank you, Stacy for helping make Bowen Island as unique and beautiful as the people who live here.

Children from BCC pay rapt attention as Stacey touches up the gate.

Siobhan Catchlove, photo

BCC says goodbye MELANIE MASON CONTRIBUTOR

At the end of June, Bowen Children’s Centre daycare, will be saying a very sad goodbye to Maureen Currin who has been the cornerstone of the daycare for over a decade. “She carries the values of another generation” says Ann Silberman, Executive Director of BCC, “Maureen has such an incredible sense of humour, grace and courtesy and we will miss her calm, quiet presence in the daycare”. Ann recalls the time she came to the daycare to see that Maureen

had set up the lunch tables complete with table cloths, folded napkins, and a full tea set and was in the process of serving the children a very exquisite pudding all while teaching the virtues of please and thank you’s. The children of the BCC Daycare presented Maureen with a collection of handmade wind chimes made out of clay hearts to remind her of all the little hearts she has helped shape over the years.

The staff of BCC, parents and of course all her little charges wish her a very happy and well deserved retirement!

Local Bottled Water Deliver Service FREE DELIVERY

WATER

Competitive Pricing BPA Free Bottles Rental Coolers 609-947-2950 • info@mctaggartwater.com

BOWEN ISLAND RECREATION SUBMISSION

The Bowen Island Community Recreation Canada Day Celebration is a great way for families and people of all ages to kick off summer. The party gets started at 12:00pm sharp on Tuesday July 1 at the Crippen Park Festival Field with Bowen’s own Shari Ulrich singing Oh Canada. The Adam Woodall Band will continue with the entertainment throughout the afternoon and have you on your feet dancing in between rounds of bocce, croquet, badminton, and family relays.

Treat yourself to the concession provided by Alderwood Farm or bring a family picnic before you sample a slice

of Canada Day cake supplied by Glen Cormier from the Bowen Island Pub. Let the beautiful surroundings unleash your artistic side and help us launch our first Community Art Project. A large canvas has been donated by 4 Cats Art Studio, thanks to Rebecca Smith, and we will be encouraging everyone to participate in the painting of our masterpiece. There will be a place for the young ones to play, crafts, tattoos and face painting and before you know it the time will come for the traditional tug of war followed by everyone’s favourite hose down by the local Volunteer Fire Department.

Be sure to come out to Crippen Park between 12-3pm on July 1! It will be a great way to start off Summer 2014!

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BI VET

8 • FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014

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What the heck is “Chicken 65?”

Isaac and Miles Bailey prepare to delve into a dosa at The House of Dosa on Kingsway in East Vancouver. Yes, Miles ate the whole thing. By himself.

Rob Bailey, photo

ROB BAILEY FAVOURITE THINGS

When we were living in Kerala in 2009, we would see this item on the menu of several restaurants, and we found ourselves asking that very same question. We had never seen it before on any Indian menu on this side of the International Date Line. Finally, our youngest, Isaac, screwed up the courage to order it one night. It turned out that it was a couple of pieces of chicken that had been coated in a nice spicy masala (or spice mixture) and then deep-fried. It was served on a typical tin plate with a fresh green chili and some sliced red raw onion. It soon became young Isaac’s go-to snack when we found ourselves eating out at one of the many restaurants (or “hotels” as they are called there) that we frequented during our stay.

Many theories abound as to the origin of this quirkily named item. Some say that it was a combination of 65 spices that went into the masala. Mathematically impossible I say. Some say that it was the year that the dish was invented. Perhaps. A more likely story of origin was that the original dish was simply menu item number 65 on the menu of the restaurant that first made the dish, and that customers simply pointed and said “I’ll have the chicken 65”. In any case, this remains an ephemeral item only seen in certain South Indian eateries, and never, ever seen in a Vancouver Indian restaurant. Until now…

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Bowen

Bulletin Board The Gallery @ Artisan Square Presents Informed

by Nature “Wet Paint” Featuring Featuringthe thework art ofof Kathleen & Janet EsseivaAinscough & Sheree Jones Love 24Jennifer June – 20 July 27 May June Reception: Sat –2822June 7 - 9pm

Having a garage sale?

We’ll post it here!

Email

ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Storage units available. 7 X 14 & 5 X 10 at very reasonable rates. Easy access, on-site security. We also store Boats, Cars , Motorhomes. 604-947-0282 / 604-830-9391

S RECYCLING LANCE’S I’ll pick up your recycling and deliver to BIRC for $25/load Kindling $20/box at Building Centre

CALL 947-2430

Brannon Brothers roofing & sheet metal

Call Mike at

604-338-2516

To advertise in the Bowen Business Bulletin Board please contact Maureen at 604-947-2442

Several years before moving to Bowen Island, Laurel and I used to live in the 22nd and Clark area of Vancouver. It was then a somewhat seedy area of town, populated by the numerous nail parlors that functioned as fronts for Vietnamese gangsters, illegal after-hours clubs, heroindealing pool halls, and a plethora of pho restaurants. The one shining light of the area was the House of Dosa, on the corner of Kingsway and Knight. Here, in the midst of the hooker strolls and the occasional crack den, was an oasis of true authentic South Indian food. The neighborhood has cleaned up somewhat (as always seems to happen when we move out of an area…) but the House of Dosa has remained in business, and in my opinion, has actually got better over time. Before we lived in India, I did not fully appreciate its truly authentic nature. That is until I went back to satisfy my craving for a dosa and I saw it leap off the page. There it was. Chicken 65. I was home.

But wait, there’s more…

A dosa (pronounced “doh-sah”) is a truly wonderful thing. It is essentially a large crepe made from a slightly fermented lentil and rice batter (unless it’s a rava dosa, which is made from a grain like semolina), and then filled with a variety of things. A batter is prepared and left to ferment overnight. A foot and a half diameter circle of the batter is spread out thinly on a hot iron flat top griddle (the “paper” dosa is about a 2.5 foot circle!) and then expertly flipped. A filling is then added, and the whole thing is rolled up much like an open-ended burrito. You can get pure vegetarian fillings such as potato masala or non-veg fillings like spicy chicken Vindaloo, chicken palak (spinach), shrimp, and so on.

Traditionally, a dosa is served with a coconut and green chili chutney, a tomato based chutney, and a small bowl of sambar, which is a nice, spicy vegetable stew with eggplant, carrot, tomato, and a very unusual Indian vegetable called “drumstick”. Some people pour the sambar over the top of the dosa and mix it all together, while others prefer to have the dosa remain crisp and sip the sambar on the side. The dosa is a South Indian staple, and it’s always eaten with just the hands. To eat one in South India with cutlery is unheard of! It’s eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s never a bad time for a dosa. It must be true, as this place is open 24 hours a day.

This place is the closest thing I have found in Vancouver to an actual South Indian restaurant.

The only thing that could make it more authentic would be if they had a common sink in the dining area for washing your hands before you eat with them. It would be even more authentic if that sink had a large column of ants marching out of the hole where the faucet exits the wall.

I’ve exchanged knowing winks here with a couple of other Bowen Islanders who have been to India, and appreciate the authenticity and value at the House of Dosa.

My favourite is the chicken Vindaloo dosa, which I always order with a side of rassam, or “pepper water”. It’s a thin and spicy vegetable broth that acts as an aid to digestion. Not traditional with dosa, but I love it. Sometimes we begin with an appetizer of “vada”, which is sort of like a deep fried lentil savory doughnut that comes with sambar for dipping and sipping.

Laurel goes pure veg, often ordering the rava dosa. Miles usually gets the “paper dosa”, which he thinks is impressive because it’s over two feet long. Size isn’t everything, I try to explain, but it falls on the deaf ears of a nearly teenage boy. Isaac usually opts for the Chicken 65, which is no great surprise. We all like our comfort food.

Did I mention that House of Dosa is cheap? Not as cheap as India, but close. This is especially true on a Monday, when they have any dosa on sale for 5.99, which is a serious steal. In fact, they have a different special every day of the week.

House of Dosa is on the northwest corner of Kingsway and Knight, and it’s open 24 hours.

Dinner for two is well under thirty bucks. The neighborhood is now very safe and family friendly. Chicken 65 is available every day.

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Rob Wall Studio Closes ROB WALL SUBMISSION

Thanks one and all for all the love and support over the last 4 years. All though I'm closing, I am venturing forward with my new unusual animated musical art form "moireism" along with my usual realism paintings. Because this new art form is a kind of performance art utilizing projection and computers, I really don't need the "bricks and mortar" setup of a studio so I'm moving my operation to my home

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studio on Bowen.This weekend is my final weekend up at Artisan Square but my prints, cards and t-shirts are available at the Arts Pacific Coop up there. Also, I will be having a projected music show of my moireism art "Real Illusions" at The Galley at Artisan Square (to be announced).

Drop by Saturday and Sunday if you have the time.

I am offering $100 off any canvas print. See you there! - Rob Wall, robertwallstudio@telus.net

BIAC

Riders celebrate the opening of a new trail BIHORA SUBMISSION

Bowen Island Horse Owner and Riders Association celebrated the opening of a new multi purpose trail beside Bowen Bay road, “the Westside connector trail” on Sunday June 22 at 1:30p.m. at the trail. Seven horses and their riders as well as several walkers and their dogs shared some cookies and conversation in the trail clearing in lovely sunny weather. The trail was built with help from generous donations from Horse Council BC, John Reid and Twin

Island Excavating. Thanks also goes to Kat Beaulieu our out-going BIHORA President who conceived the idea to build the trail and enabled the grant from Horse Council BC. We are sadly saying goodbye to Kat and Rodney Beaulieu as they move to California for a job opportunity. We will miss them and wish them well.

We hope that hikers, dog walkers and riders enjoy this connector route from Bowen Bay road to access both the Evergreen trails and the trails up mount Gardner. It is easy to park on Westside road and access the trails.

On the calendar FRIDAY JUNE 27

THURSDAY JULY 3

SATURDAY JUNE 28

Youth Centre drop-in 6pm - 9pm

Youth Centre drop-in 6pm - 9pm Tunstall Bay Community Summer Yard Sale: A Social Event, Curios, Building Materials, Appliances, Tools, Electronics, Books, Audio-Visuals, Household Items and things you don’t need, but want…

10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Lower Tennis Court Youth Centre drop-in 6pm - 9pm

MONDAY JUNE 30

Caring Circle walking group 10a.m. contact the Caring Circle at 604 - 947-9100 or info@caringcircle.ca Canada Day Mega-Bash with Adam Woodall Bowen Island Pub, 9:30p.m. - 1a.m.

TUESDAY JULY 1 CANADA DAY

Celebrate Canada Day at Crippen Park Festival Field starting at 12p.m.

Shari Ulrich, Adam Woodall, bocce ball, croquet, badminton etc.

AA Meeting Collins Hall 7:15pm Property Taxes due!

INSURANCE

Duplicate Bridge at the hall at Bowen Court.

For more info call Irene Wanless 947-2955

HEALTH & WELLNESS

UPCOMING JULY 5

Trilogy Jazz Concert Gallery at Artisan Square, tickets available online at www.biac.com or at the Gallery at Artisan Square.

JULY 11, 12 &13

Steamship Days Watch for next week’s event guide

Dr. Dana Barton

Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square

604-730-1174 Natural Family Medicine

Chiropractor

To advertise Dr. Tracy Leach, 595B Artisan Lane Tuesdays on the Call for an appointment

Dr. Susanne Schloegl M.D.

Open Mon. Wed. Thurs. Fri.

Call for an appointment Artisan Square

604-947-9986

www.leachchiro.com

Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830 CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

Diana Romer MEd, RCC

Dr. Gloria Chao

D.C.

Health Page (778) 828-5681

COUNSELLING THERAPIST Bowen and West Van offices

604.290.6407

call

Deromer@shaw.ca www.clearhorizon.ca

604-947-2442

Family Dentist

Artisan Square • 604-947-0734 Alternate Fridays 10am-4:30pm Horseshoe Bay • 604-921-8522 www.bowenislanddental.com

BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755 CATHERINE SHAW

Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist ❦

MARY MCDONAGH

Registered Massage Therapist (Available Mondays through Fridays)

❦

SANDY LOGAN

Registered Physiotherapist ❦

ROBYN IZARD RMT

Registered Massage Therapist (Available Thursdays through Sundays)

BLOOD TESTS, URINE TESTS OR ECGS

6:45 - 9:00 A.M. EVERY THURSDAY DR. ZANDY'S OFFICE

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New Bowen tourism website BOWEN TOURISM SUBMISSION

The Bowen Island Visitor Centre, in partnership with Tourism Bowen Island is excited to announce the launch of its new website! Check it out at tourismbowenisland.com.

The intent of the website is to promote Bowen Island to off-island visitors, providing them with information about the island’s attractions and events, and enticing them to explore these shores. The website has a detailed list of restaurants, shops, galleries, and links to online listings of accommodations. A “Play” page is dedicated to the array of tantalizing activities the island offers such as golfing, kayaking, biking/walking/ hiking trails, plus arts and cultural events.

Additionally, the website features a Community Calendar page, listing what’s happening on our busy island. Not only will this be a valuable source of information to those visiting Bowen, we hope it will become a helpful resource and tool for islanders. We GOV COMMUNICATION & PUBLI R001811371 POST

encourage event organizers to contact us to add their information and to use the site for future planning of activities. We hope it will help eliminate some of the schedule conflicts that arise due to lack of communication amongst groups and organizations.

Please note that we have just launched the website and there may be some glitches that will need to be worked out. We appreciate your patience. We also welcome feedback and suggestions, plus of course any information regarding dates of events. Contact us at visitorcentre@biac.ca.

The Visitor Centre in Snug Cove is operated by the Bowen Island Arts Council, on behalf of the Bowen Island Municipality. This is the third year the arts council has managed the space at the Boulevard Cottage in Snug Cove, this year sharing the building with the Caring Circle. In addition to offering traditional visitor centre services, the arts council maintains a small gift shop, with a focus on the arts, and presenting artist wares.

Summer Sessions Kicks off with Award winning Jazz Musicians playing at the Gallery WINNIE CHEN SUBMISSION

Three respected and influential artists with reputations as some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians will kick off the opening concert for the 2nd Annual Summer Sessions. We are thrilled to welcome Bill Coon, Jodi Proznic, and, Miles Black to Bowen Island on July 5th. Their jazz trio, Triology will perform at the Gallery at Artisan Square. It will definitely be an exceptional addition to the summer nights of Bowen. Triology features wonderful arrangements of classical standards as well as original tunes by the trio members.

Juno-nominated guitarist-composer-arranger Bill Coon is one of Canada’s most popular and sought after musicians and is winner of the 2009 National Jazz Awards, “Guitarist of the Year”. He has been performing professionally for over 25 years and has worked with Jimmy Heath, Eddie Daniels and Dr. Lonnie Smith among others.

Miles Black is recognized as one of Canada’s most accomplished jazz pianists and has performed worldwide and recorded extensively. He is also highly acclaimed and brings expertise to most every facet of the music industry.

Juno-nominated bassist, composer, bandleader, and educator, Jodi Proznick has won numerous National Jazz Awards, including Bassist of the Year in ’08 and’09. She brings her talent and passion playing as the bassist in Triology.

This will also be their first performance days after their Triology debut CD release at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Their live performance here on Bowen with their latest music will be quite a treat for Bowen Islanders!

Tickets are now on sale at the Gallery at Artisan Square or can be purchase online at www.biac.ca.

Seats limited. Advanced tickets are $20 and $25 at the door. For more info, please check out their site at http://www.triologymusic.com/.

BOWEN ISLAND HOUSE ACCOUN

R004800972 weekend BI03 weather

TIDES HIGH FEET

LOW FEET

Fri.

00:41 10.5 12:44 2.3

05:22 13.1 19:58 14.8

Sat.

01:24 10.5 13.19 2.6

06:01 13.1 20:31 14.8

Sun. 02:06 10.2 13:52 3.0

06:40 12.8 21:03 14.8

Mon. 02:49 14:24

9.8 3.6

07:22 12.5 21:33 14.8

Tues. 03:34 14:55

9.5 4.3

08:07 11.8 22:03 14.8

8.9 5.2

08:57 11.2 22.32 14.4

8.2 6.2

09:56 10.8 23:02 14.4

TIDES

Cloudy chance of showers

H: 20 Wed. 04:21 15:27 L: 13 Thurs. 05:10 16:02

REGULAR SCHEDULE

In Effect May 15 to October 13, 2014

▼

BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove

5:30 am ** 6:30 am 7:30 am * 8:35 am 9:35 am # 10:35 am 11:40 am 12:45 pm 3:10 pm 4:15 pm † 5:15 pm 6:20 pm 7:20 pm * 8:15 pm # 9:10 pm 10:05 pm

VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay 6:00 am 7:00 am * 8:00 am 9:05 am# † 10:05 am 11:05 am 12:10 pm 2:35 pm 3:45 pm 4:45 pm 5:50 pm 6:50 pm 7:50 pm * 8:40 pm # 9:40 pm

Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES

Leave Horseshoe Bay

Leave Snug Cove

10 • FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014

#

DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS

*

DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

**

DAILY EXCEPT SAT, SUN & MAY 19, JUL 1, AUG 4, SEPT 1 & OCT 13

† THE WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL BE REPLACED

BY DANGEROUS CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER PASSENGERS PERMITTED.

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014 • 11

12 • FRIDAY JUNE 27 2014

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Bowen Island dancers light up the stage DONNA KREUTZER-JONES SPECIAL TO THE UNDERCURRENT

From four year olds adorned in fluffy blue tutus to seasoned dancers swathed in elegant dress, the talented students of Bowen Island Perform Art Studios wowed the audience over and over again with their choreography, energy and music.

More than 100 dancers took to the stage to celebrate Perform Art Studios’ year-end show at BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts at Capilano University earlier this month. The theatre was filled to near capacity with beamingly proud family and friends who came to watch the dancers perform dance styles from ballet to hip-hop.

Twice a year the dancers of Perform Art Studios have the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of a doting audience. While the mid-year recital is a chance to see the student’s progress at a glance, it is the year-end performance where the dancers, from tiny tots to aspiring professionals, get into full costume and perform all they have learned throughout the year. Twenty-five spectacular performances took place this year, each one as impressive as the next.

Dancers, ranging in age from three to 18, showcased each dance class and style including musical theatre and the high-energy tumbling of the acro class.

Ballet and lyrical performances captivated the audience, while the three to five year old First stART classes stole the show as they twirled and danced to their own beat.

The shows are a great opportunity to prepare the dancers for competition. Many of them move beyond the adoring show audience to compete in front of judges. This spring, The Dancers in Company took part in a convention and competition in Whistler as well as two competitions in North Vancouver. The studio also encourages its dancers to

audition for local performances such as GOH Ballet’s, The Nutcracker in Vancouver. Dancer Ethan LocherKinakin participated in the ballet last season while both Irene Blasig and Sydney Florin will be a part of this year’s ballet. Along with the shows, competitions and auditions, some of Perform Art Studios’ students will take part in a dance trip to New York in 2015.

For 10 years, Artistic Director, Miranda WidgeryWebber, owner of Perform Art Studios, has been giving the gift of dance to the North Shore. Seven years ago she and her family, who have a long history on Bowen Island, took over an existing dance studio on Bowen. “Buying the studio allowed us to come back to the island,” says Widgery-Webber, whose husband Ian Widgery is the Music Director, while both her parents run the administration of the company.

Widgery-Webber along with her husband, parents and four children, run the show. “It’s a true family business, she laughs. “We all play a role right down to having my kids hand out programs at the show.”

At the close of each year-end performance, Widgery-Webber acknowledges the dedication and hard work of the talented dance instructors and also acknowledges those dancers who are graduating and dancing with the studio for the last time. This year, Lissy Allan and Ella Klein, both long-time dancers with Perform Art Studios, were honored for their years of dance on Bowen. Allan graced the stage with a beautifully choreographed solo performance.

The 2014/15 season is well underway with registration already taking place for 31 weekly classes ranging in styles from tap, to jazz, to lyrical. Although the number of dancers and classes fluctuate each year, it’s the determination of the dancers that is most noticeable. “What’s really changed in the past few years,” says Widgery-Webber, “is the frequency and dedication to dance by the students, that’s what’s blossomed. Some of the students are taking three or four classes. The demand has really grown.”

From top, clockwise: Juniior hip hop, Ruby Bottay & Ethan Locher-Kinakin, ballerinas Gretta Son and Mischa LaRoche steale the end of the show.

Dayna Purdy, photos