FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2014 VOL. 41, NO. 39
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The dredges of Mannion Bay Report from this year’s Dive Against Debris
Oil spill warning
Two “drift cards” symbolizing oil from a potential spill, found on Bowen shores
One less appliance
A domestic perspective on cutting carbon emissions
Concerns raised amidst enthusiasm about pub redevelopment MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
The owner of the Bowen Island Pub, Glenn Cormier, introduced his off-island business partner Nicholas Shaw prior to briefly presenting his plans to re-develop the corner of Bowen Island Trunk and Dorman Road. An eager and supportive audience listened, and almost all of the people who spoke following his presentation expressed their feeling Back at BICS! From left: Ainslie, Miranda, Sarah Joe, Ailsa, Sophie and Bronwen. that the project was an important Debra Stringfellow, photo step towards revitalizing Snug Cove. Many people also said that, as someone who has proven to be an adept business person and committed member of the community, Cormier is the right person to undertake the job. However, for all the accolades council heard about the project they also heard major concerns about how the development would affect notify a person, in writing, that a penalty is due and MERIBETH DEEN parking in the Cove, whether it payable. If that fine is not paid within 28 days, bylaw EDITOR services can forward the penalty to a collection agency. would fit within the density provisions of the Official Community At council this week the municipality’s chief bylaw Brokenshire says that the collection agency used by Plan (OCP), and whether any develofficer, Bonnie Brokenshire offered statistics proving most municipalities would deliver 67 percent of all oper cost charges would be added to that Bowen Islanders don’t pay fines when they are tick- monies collected back to the municipality. the project. eted. In a typical year, she said, just 30 percent of bylaw She said that when she looked into how compliant The two lots that Cormier and notices are paid. In the first six months of this year, said people are with paying fines in other municipalities, she Shaw intend to re-develop currently Brokenshire, Bowen Islanders have paid approximately looked to North and West Vancouver. In both of these house the Bowen Island Pub build26 percent of bylaw-related fines, leaving the municimunicipalities, people paid upwards of 40 percent of ing and the parking lot in front of it, pality short roughly $1,900. their fines. on Bowen Island Trunk Road. If the Council approved Brokenshire’s request to use a col“It seems to me that simply having a collection rezoning proceeds as planned, a new lection agency to recover unpaid fines with the adopagency in place increases the level of compliance,” said building will go up on the current tion of the Collection of Fines policy. This policy will Brokenshire. parking lot. This would include retail require the municipality’s bylaw services to have to
Council approves use of collection agency to enforce bylaw infractions
space on the lower floor along, the pub on the second floor, and three studio-style rental-housing units on the third. Cormier called this “phase one” of the project. The so-called “phase two” of the project would involve tearing down the current pub building and replaceing it with up to nine housing units, and one retail-unit. The most prevalent concern about the plan involved the changes to available parking in the Cove that are inherent in this plan. Cormier says that the plan includes 24 parking spaces on the lot as well as seven on Dorman Road and two on Bowen Island Trunk Road. Jan LeRoy, the owner 983 Davies Road (just beside the pub on the Dorman Road side) said that while she welcomed the idea that the pub would move away from the residential part of Dorman Road for the sake of noise, she was concerned that the Davies Road would itself become a parking lot – making the current experience of residents having to listen to people chatting as they exit the pub late at night even worse. Merrel Dyson expressed her fear that parking would become severly limited during phase 2 of the project, when the current pub building is being torn down and re-built.
LIME MOON PIE COMPANY R001877426 BI03
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Parking, density among concerns about pub rezoning
Federal Liberal candidate meets with Bowen-voters MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
The vision for the two lots on the corner of Bowen Island Trunk Road and Dorman Road includes affordable housing, retail, a new pub and no parking lot. Meribeth Deen
from PAGE 1 By far, though, the most vocal objections to the parking situation came from Wolfgang Duntz, who said that while he supported Cormier’s efforts, the municipality has failed to deal with the parking crunch in the Cove. The pub development, he said, will only become worse with the increased traffic. He went on to say that the municipality had set a precedent with this rezoning in terms of parking requirements that future developers in the Cove will want to abide by, and had “disabled” current businesses in the area from operating because they will not have parking for their customers. Both Peter Frinton and Nerys Poole questioned the fact that the re-zoning of the lot was being put forward as a Land Use Bylaw amendment, as opposed to an OCP [Official Community Plan] amendment. “Although the planner seems confident that the density requirements meet complaince with the OCP, I would recommend they take another look at that,” said Frinton. “All Snug Cove housing is subject to section 3.” Section 3 of the Official Community Plan puts a
density cap of 17.5 units of housing per acre of land. Nerys Poole made a similar request. She says that while she considers the plan a great opportunity for the Cove to move forward in the spirit of the OCP, if the plan is not compliant it could leave the project vulnerable to being stopped entirely, or could open the door to a lawsuit. Nerys also stood in agreement with Bill Granger, who earlier, had expressed his general agreement with the plan but who recommended a number of “refinements” to the bylaw ammendment before passing it. Among those recommendations, was the suggestion that council establish Development Cost Charges to ensure that in exchange for the benefit of property development on Bowen, Cormier and other developers help to pay for community amenities such as a new fire hall or a new water system. Due to the regulations surrounding a public hearing, Cormier was not able to respond to the concerns raised. However, he says, should the re-zoning pass, he intends to hold a public information session in order to recieve input regarding the design of the development.
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Public Notice - Bowen Island Municipality Special Waste Fees Bylaw No. 370, 2014 User Fee Implementation for Special Waste Drop-off Days
On Saturday evening, the candidate for the federal Liberals in West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country visited Bowen Island to meet with constituents at Collins Hall. Pamela Goldsmith-Jones served as the mayor of West Vancouver between 2005 and 2011. Goldsmith-Jones has been campaigning in the riding since late June, when she was officially chosen as the Liberal candidate for the riding. “I want Bowen Islanders to know that they are representative of this riding as a whole, which is quite a diverse and healthy mix in terms of political leanings,” says Goldsmith-Jones. “But from talking to people over the past few months it is clear to me that there is a genuine concern, across the board, about the state of democracy in
Canada today.” Goldsmith-Jones adds that Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s commitment to transparency and democratic reform is part of the reason why she wanted to run as a candidate for the Liberal Party. “I think one of the things that is missing in Ottawa is the ability to work across partisan lines. Politics has become hyper-partisan,” says Goldsmith-Jones. “As mayor of West Vancouver, I made a concerted effort to work with people from all parties and all levels of government, including First Nations. I hope to take that experience and put it to work in Ottawa.” Goldsmith-Jones says that as a fourth-generation resident of West Vancouver, she has many ties to Bowen Island and intends to visit regularly.
BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY R001876302 BI03
Bowen Island Municipality Drinking Water and Persons who are Immunocompromised
The Provincial Health Officer advises all British Columbians with compromised immune systems (such as HIV, organ or bone transplants, chemotherapy or medications that suppress the immune system) to avoid drinking water from any surface water or ground water that is under the influence of surface water, unless it has been boiled, filtered ,distilled or treated with UV. Bowen Island and other areas in British Columbia use surface water sources (lakes, rivers, streams). This is not a general boil-water advisory for the general public, but rather is directed only at persons with compromised immune systems. If in doubt about your immune system status, please discuss this further with your physician. For additional information refer to health file http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile56.stm or contact your physician directly.
WATER
Next Dump Day scheduled Saturday October 18th Pre-Paid Receipt will be required to drop off Household Waste
No Payments will be Accepted On-Site by Bowen Waste
Members Requested for the BIM Transportation Advisory Committee
WASTE
Bowen Island Municipal Council is requesting applications from members of the public interested in joining the Bowen Island Municipal Transportation Advisory Committee (BIMTAC).
Pay Dump Day Fees in advance at: Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane M-F from 8:30-4:30
Snug Cove General Store Starting on October 10th right up to and including Dump Day October 18th
The Committee provides advice and recommendations to Council and staff on transportation services to, from and on Bowen Island and to ensure that transportation services meet the needs of the Bowen Community. Please visit the Committee’s page on the BIM website for more information, including the Terms of Reference: http://www.bimbc.ca/content/transportation-advisory-committee-0
Fee Schedule Load Size
Description
Cost
Small Load
Approximately 10 Garbage Bags, or the contents of trunk of Sedan-type automobile
$12
Medium Load
Approximately 20 Garbage Bags, or the contents of an SUV-type vehicle or minivan
$22
Large Load
Approximately 30 Garbage Bags, or the contents of a level Pick–up truck load
$32
Per Mattress or Appliance
$22
Mattress or Appliance Fee
Free Hazardous Waste Drop off Day OCTOBER 25, at the Bowen Building Centre No Fees are levied for this service.
TRANS
Those interested in sitting on BIMTAC are asked to fill out an application form: https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentDisplay.aspx?Id=37770 Please submit your completed application via email, fax or regular mail by Monday, October 6th at 4:00 pm. to: Hope Dallas, Committee Clerk Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 EMAIL: hdallas@bimbc.ca WEBSITE: www.bimbc.ca PHONE: 604-947-4255 FAX: 604-947-0193
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2014 • 3
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Organizational struggles point to broader challenges for Bowen’s Seniors MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
In existence since the 1990s, Bowen Island’s seniors group, Seniors Keeping Young (S.K.Y) offers outings, talks, and exercises to anyone more than 55 years old. More importantly, says former S.K.Y president Renate Williams, it is a place seniors can go once a week to have a coffee and socialize - an important excuse to get out of the house. Williams stepped down as president this past June, but with no-one having offered to fill the job in her place, she continues to do it. “I’m over 80 now, and I’m tired,” says
Williams. “It is a lot of work to put a program together every week. Our volunteers are working hard and cannot take on more.” While part of the reason for a lack of involvement in the running of S.K.Y. can be chalked up to seniors having other things to do - including long vacations in the winter months - another reason is the movement of seniors away from Bowen. Williams says that in 2013, the membership of S.K.Y was 40 people, but since the beginning of 2014, eleven members have left the island. “Mostly they’ve moved to the city, and a number of them have moved into the
seniors more seriously. Kiwanis Seniors Home in West Vancouver,” says Williams. “Five of those seniors continued, PAGE 10 were actively BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY engaged in R001876298 the running BI03 of S.K.Y.” Williams says that she Request for On-Call Ice Patrol/Snow Removal Services hopes, with an election Bowen Island Municipality is requesting applications for interest in the following: coming up, people will start to take 3:30 am start or as required the challengMonday - Saturday Ice Patrol es of Bowen’s
BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY
(Temperature Dependent) Snow Removal (Weather Dependent)
2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS In order to allow mail ballot voting for qualified electors, Bowen Island Municipality will be utilizing Lists of Registered Electors for both resident electors and non-resident property electors during the 2014 Local Government Election. The Municipality is using the current Provincial Voters List prepared by Elections BC as the List for residents and has prepared a List for non-resident property electors.
ADVANCE ELECTOR REGISTRATION Are you eligible to vote in the November elections for Bowen Island Municipality on Saturday, November 15, 2014? Is your name on the current list of electors? If you are not sure you can find out by calling, emailing or visiting the Bowen Island Municipal Hall at 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays).
4:30 am start or as required Sunday & Holidays Anytime, as required
Those interested in either or both of these services are asked to provide a driver’s licence abstract directly from ICBC to BIM by fax at 604 947 0193 and to provide a written response by email, regular mail or in person before Friday, October 24, 2014 at 4:00PM to: Rachel Pryce-Jones, Public Works Clerk Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 EMAIL: rpryce-jones@bimbc.ca A one day paid training will be provided upon acceptance. Thank you.
For information call 604-947-4255
Advance elector registration will be accepted at Bowen Island Municipal Hall until September 23, 2014. With the exception of registration on voting days, elector registration will not be accepted during the period of September 24, 2014 through to November 15, 2014 inclusive.
ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS RESIDENT ELECTORS: NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS: • a Canadian citizen; AND • age 18 years or older; AND • a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; AND • a resident of Bowen Island for at least 30 days before the day of registration; AND • not disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.
• a Canadian citizen; AND • age 18 years or older; AND • a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; AND • a registered owner of real property on Bowen Island for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; AND • not entitled to register as a resident elector; AND • not disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law. • If there is more than one registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a nonresident property elector.
BIM COM LIST OF REGISTERED ELECTORS
Beginning Tuesday, September 30, 2014 until the close of general voting for the election on Saturday, November 15, 2014, a copy of the Lists of Registered Electors (resident and Non-resident property electors) will, upon signature, be available for public inspection at Bowen Island Municipal Hall during regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays). An elector may request that their address or other information about them be omitted from or obscured on the List of Electors.
OBJECTION TO REGISTRATION OF AN ELECTOR An objection to the registration of a person whose name appears on the list of registered electors may be made in accordance with the Local Government Act until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2014. An objection must be in writing and may only be made by a person entitled to be registered as an elector of Bowen Island Municipality and can only be made on the basis that a person whose name appears on the list of electors has died or that a person whose name appears on the list of electors is not qualified to be registered as an elector of Bowen Island Municipality
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on these matters, the following persons may be contacted:
Kathy Lalonde Casey Grundy Chief Election Officer Deputy Chief Election Officer Bowen Island Municipality
981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, B.C. V0N 1G0 Tel: 604-947-4255 Fax: 604-947-0193 E-mail: cgrundy@bimbc.ca
2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS NOTICE OF NOMINATION Public Notice is given to the electors of the Bowen Island Municipality that nominations for the offices of: MAYOR – one (1) to be elected COUNCILLORS – six (6) to be elected ISLANDS TRUST TRUSTEES – two (2) to be elected will be received by the Chief Election Officer/Deputy Chief Election Officer, as follows:
9:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 30, 2014 To 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 10, 2014
BIM NOM
during regular office hours and excluding Statutory Holidays and weekends at: Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 Candidate Information packages, containing the appropriate nomination forms and procedures, are available at Bowen Island Municipal Hall during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria: • Canadian citizen; • 18 years of age or older on general voting day, Saturday, November 15, 2014; • Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; • Not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law. FURTHER INFORMATION on the foregoing may be obtained by contacting:
Kathy Lalonde Casey Grundy Chief Election Officer Deputy Chief Election Officer Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, B.C. V0N 1G0 Tel: 604-947-4255 Fax: 604-947-0193 E-mail: cgrundy@bimbc.ca
4 • FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2014
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM Published by Bowen Island Undercurrent a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, #102 - 495 Government Rd. Bowen Island, B.C. V0N 1G0
viewpoint
Mayor’s message Dear Friends:
With the municipal election process only days away, there has been speculation as to whether I will run for re-election as your Mayor. I write with real regret to let you know that I’ve decided not to stand for another term due to my current health condition. While my mind and spirit are up to the task, I cannot claim the same for my body. This has been an extremely hard and painful decision, as the advancement of Bowen Island and the interests of its people have been my allconsuming passion over the past three years. But, to keep up with the complicated, long-term challenges our Island faces, you deserve a Mayor who is in strong physical condition, with the stamina to build on the work we so successfully launched in the term now ending. It has been an enormous privilege to represent you here on Bowen, as well as to the Federal and Provincial Governments, Metro Vancouver, the
Jack Adelaar
Helping hands Dear 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.
I would like to extend a big thank you to all of the hard working volunteers who supported the 4th Annual Dive Against Debris in Mannion Bay: all the divers, boaters, and the lone kayaker, as well as the numerous shore hands who worked together as a team to help to do their part in taking care of the ocean and its marine inhabitants. Along with the combined efforts of the Bowen Island Municipality, Bowen Island Yacht Club, Bowen Waste Service, Bowen Island Undercurrent, Bowen Island Marina, Union Steamship Marina, Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans, Ian Henley, and Andrew Stone (Video Footage), as well as the generous food donations from The Ruddy Potato and The Snug we were able to remove another 688 lbs of garbage, a grand total of 3607 lbs of debris over the course of 4 days in 4 years. Great work everyone and again thank you for volunteering your time and energy to keep this annual event in motion and your continuous support.
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. 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 of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Bowen’s budget. I’m proud to point to the extraordinary strides we’ve made in resolving old problems and laying the groundwork for future progress. Now, the momentum must continue. I know that Islanders will approach the forthcoming elections thoughtfully and I trust your judgement in electing a new Mayor and Council who have the energy and commitment to build on the legacy we’ve established. Clearly, we all share a common objective: that is, maintaining our special island community and its environment through balancing its often differing interests in an openminded and respectful manner. Special thanks to the many Islanders who have sent their good wishes during my illness. Maryon and I are grateful for the opportunity to have served you to the best of our abilities. With sincere best wishes to you all.
Union of BC Municipalities, TransLink and other off-island agencies. I thank all those who have supported me and members of Council in dealing with the complexities of administering this unique and beautiful community – a task that requires maneuvering through an ocean of different jurisdictions, rules and regulations. I also thank those who have not always agreed with current Council’s direction for upholding the principles of healthy and civilised debate that is the root of our democracy. Yes, we’ve made mistakes and likely could have dealt with some issues better. But overall, our record is one of real achievement. We formed the most productive staff ever in the history of Municipal Hall, sparked OCP changes to enable business creation, initiated rezoning of public lands to set the stage for our community centre and related developments, made infrastructure improvements, pushed for cleanup of Mannion Bay, negotiated hard with senior governments – and balanced
Amber Spitovsky
Peter Smith Legacy for S.K.Y Dear Editor, The family of long time Bowen resident Peter Smith have donated his almost new exercise bike to S.K.Y members and Bowen Court residents. The bike will be housed in the Hall Activity Room. A big thank you for this gift and an equally big thank-you to those three strong friends who helped with the move - gratis. Renate Williams Seniors Keeping Young (S.K.Y)
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Open hearts for the Dogs of War
Spiritual hospitality PAULINE LE BEL COMMUNITY CAULDRON
Dear Editor, Many thanks for your support of the Dogs Of War charity campaign, I doubt if our efforts to raise funds for the war ravaged, Donetsk animal shelter, would have been the success it was. The silent art auction of my work, Secret Meadow, as well as the donation cans spread throughout the village, brought in a much needed $1,356.47. All of which has gone to buy food for over eight hundred abandoned dogs and cats, plus fuel for heat, medical supplies and basic needs for the caregivers, who are risking so much. I also wish to thank my community, who opened their hearts and gave to the cause. Especially to the local K9 couple who's bid at auction took the painting. Their companion, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he bid as well, but in the twelfth hour, was out bid by his two dogs. Being both rescued themselves, apparently, they were moved by the plight of their Ukrainian cousins. Good boys! Marc Baur
In respectful appreciation Dear Editor, Over a month later and I am still being congratulated for finding a new home for Embracing the Spirit of the Flame, the sculpture by Shane Tweten and Simon Daniel James, which was originally placed in front of the Library. The congratulations should more appropriately go to two gentlemen: David Paul Smith who was the catalyst - asking to have the sculpture relocated - and who co-ordinated the physical move of the sculpture, and Simon Daniel James who selected a respectful and appropriate location. Thanks are also due to Shane Tweten, Bowen Island Municipality and the owners of Village Square and for their co-operation, Lonnie Hindle for his input and Jim Clark, Frank Seaberly and Conrad Lindner who volunteered for the physical move. Tim Rhodes
At 5 p.m. every day, the bell on Cates Hill is sounded, calling those gathered at Rivendell to prayer. I hear the bell in my home, and it acts as a reminder to return to myself for a moment, to become aware of what I am doing and why. I resonate with those at Rivendell Retreat Centre who seek time for reflection. In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Rivendell is the retreat place of the elves, where they go for rest and recovery in the midst of their journeys. It seems an appropriate name. I’m no stranger to Rivendell: I’ve attended several retreats there. But I wanted to find out more about its origins. So like many others before me, I take the route up the hill. Kathi Bentall and I sit in the big Adirondack chairs overlooking Howe Sound, and she tells me how Rivendell came to be. “Wolfgang Duntz had acquired the property and had it zoned for a retreat centre as he thought it was too beautiful a site to be in private hands.” When he met Kathi’s parents, Howard and Shirley, they were caught by the vision, and Shirley came up with a floor plan. Kathi became involved “as part of a visioning committee to see how the centre would function. Accessibility was a big issue. If we wanted to make it available for people with limited resources, we needed a more radical fee structure.” This meant they would have to try out a volunteer model. “Not everyone on the committee thought it was possible; Marks and Margaret McAvity gave it six months and they’re still here.” For twelve years now, the retreat centre has run with the help of 15 to 16 volunteers. They welcome various groups who hold retreats for yoga, writing, leadership training, as well as First Nations, and people in recovery. The centre is also available for individuals needing a couple days of quiet. Rates are based on the ability to pay. Those who can afford more are encouraged to do so, in order to make it more available for those with fewer resources. It’s important to book ahead. Guests are invited to be custodians of their own living spaces, and to follow general guidelines for community living and cleaning. Rivendell also has a two-bedroom cottage with a special mandate. In response to referrals, it is made available for families and individuals in need of respite and other special circumstances.
Last week I had the opportunity to go along with my husband and his crew to Bowen Island for a mini-holiday while they set up a modular home for Eagle Homes. I had heard that Bowen Island is a wonderful place to go kayaking and as I just purchased a kayak at the beginning of the summer, I was eager to try it out. On Tuesday morning, September 16, I headed off from Snug Cove where my husband was working. Despite the fact that the waters were a bit rougher than the lake I was used to, I had a wonderful paddle and made it to my destination, Hood Point, in two hours time. I repeated my journey, taking a little more time, on Wednesday morning. When I arrived, I pulled my kayak out of the water but didn’t tie it on to anything. I walked up to my husband’s job site and joined him for lunch, he said not to worry about the tides… Well I quickly realized my rookie-mistakes because after lunch I realized my kayak was gone. I couldn’t even see the “gap” where I had anchored my kayak. My husband and I walked around and asked some of people living on Hood Point if we could use their decks to see if we could locate my kayak. To make a long story short, not only did many people on Hood Point help open up their homes to us and actively help us look for the kayak, but so too did David, from the water taxi service. In the end, my kayak was returned to me - with absolutely everything it it. I was so relieved that I shed tears of relief. Thank you so much to all the good people of Bowen Island who showed me such generosity and kindness throughout this misadventure. I told the RCMP to spread the word about my returned kayak and the wonderful people of Bowen Island. Kathy Drohan
A second retreat site is in the works. The Hermitage will be for individuals staying in small cabins, with an emphasis on silence and solitude. “It will be based on simplicity, and being in touch with the rhythms of nature.” Like Rivendell on the hill, the Hermitage will be managed by volunteers. When I ask Kathi how she would describe the work she does, she answers: spiritual hospitality. “At one point there was a sense that Bowen could become the Iona of North America.” Like Bowen, Iona in Scotland is an island renowned for its beauty and tranquility, and for offering retreats for spiritual renewal. “We offer the chance to come away and reflect. It’s hospitality for the soul.” Not a newcomer to sacred spaces, Kathi tells me she has been on a powerful healing journey since 1995. She lived in Bolivia as a missionary, and in 1999 she opened The Listening Post, at Main and Hastings. It is manned by two volunteers a day, “a sacred quiet space for those needing someone to talk to, as well as offering periods of silence.”
The West Coast is my spiritual landscape... Although Kathi was born in Vancouver, she grew up in Calgary where her father was a minister. “The West Coast is my spiritual landscape,” she says. “I came to Bowen to have more of a contemplative life for myself.” She relishes the peace and quiet of Bowen life and the easy access to Vancouver where she can stay in touch with the inner city. “That’s a reality,” she says. “In this part of the world we really need places where people can be in solitude, surrounded by nature, to experience the cycles and seasons of the Earth.” After my visit with Kathi, I walk to the Sanctuary, a small building in the shape of a nautilus designed by architect, Don Nicolson. The Sanctuary embodies all that Rivendell stands for – a place of deep quiet, rest, and reflection. It is open at 5 p.m. and available to anyone in the Bowen community who would like to join in prayer. Inside the Sanctuary, I sit a while and know I will return for a longer stay, to experience a deeper silence. Then I go back down the hill, refreshed and ready to return to my typically overcommitted life.
A School Within A Park EDNA THOMPSON
One happy tourist
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2014 • 5
SUBMISSION
Our Bowen Island Elementary School is a community school and many events, along with classroom learning, are conducted within its hallowed walls. Students attending the school are very fortunate, not just for what happens within the school’s walls but also for the surrounding landscape: not only are there two playgrounds, and a large playing field, but the school grounds are surrounded, on two sides, but wooded land zoned to be passive-park land. My granddaughters, now 22 and 19, have fond memories of the years they attended school on Bowen. They speak of the sheer enjoyment of the treed part of their extended playground, that is, of those areas that provided not only shade, but also shelter. They speak of the endless opportunities for the imagination to take flight, for forts to be built, and for games to be created. Visiting them on the school grounds involved me in some of those delightful flights of imagination as we sought out our choices for Barbie and gnome houses, or apartments, within the gnarled twists and turns of the tree trunks. They had been saddened awhile back, by some of the removal of those trees near the tennis courts and expanded soccer field, and, more recently, by hearing about the prospects of very dense development planning in the area.
The specter of further development threatens more of the wooded land surrounding the school grounds. I fear that with that loss, we are also losing a great many learning opportunities for the children of Bowen Island. A recent study out of the University of Kings College, in London (UK) shows that outdoor learning actually makes lessons more relevant to students. The study also shows that more time spent out doors does great service to the health of students – and teachers. I believe that the some 6 – 8 acres of Lot 2 of the community owned land, still undeveloped and that lie to the east of the school, need to be reevaluated in terms of their value as a protected learning resource so conveniently adjacent to Bowen Island Elementary School. Limiting protection to perhaps just that part of the forest that lies directly behind the school would limit the scope of territory that involves the study of birds, amphibians, other forest creatures, and soil and land ingredients that all work together in sustaining the whole. There is some evidence too, that many flight paths for a variety of birds take the route through and over the trees on Lot 2. We are lucky that here on Bowen we don’t have to spend thousands to restore green spaces around our school. It is all RIGHT THERE, all we have to do is respect it enough to preserve it, and keep it in tact – for generations to come.
6 • FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2014
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Oil spill warnings found near Dorman Point Biologist Ramona de Graaf following the discovery of a drift-card dropped almost one month earlier off the second Narrows Bridge in Vancouver. Ramona De Graaf, photo
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Last week, biologist Ramona de Graaf surveyed Bowen’s shoreline to determine where the tiny fish that act as the cornerstone for our ocean food-web might spawn. On Friday, September 27, she pulled up to a beach just north of Dorman Point that she calls beautiful, and full of potential. There, de Graaf found a yellow card that said, “THIS COULD BE OIL,� in bold letters. Almost a month earlier (August 31) Ken and Nancy Huntingford were walking on the shore between Dorman Point and September Morn beach, just below their house and found a similar card, this time, coloured blue. “Ken said, look, there’s oil,� says Nancy Huntingford. “And because we’d seen it on the news the night before, when I looked I knew exactly what it was.� The cards, dropped in the ocean at various points and various times by members of the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, in conjunction with the Georgia Straight Alliance and the Friends of the San Juans, are meant to both raise awareness about the potential impact an oil spill could have on our coast, and to provide data about the potential movement of surface oil in our waters. Four thousand of these cards have been dropped over the past year. The drop points were selected along the shipping route in areas where the potential for an incident is higher, whether through groundings or collisions. Most recently, cards were launched in the Fraser River just downstream of the Port Mann bridge. This is where the proposed pipeline (and the current one) cross and run along the banks. So far, roughly 1,500 of the cards have
been recovered with the most distant ones travelling to Haida Gwaii and BC’s north and central coast. The card recovered by Ken and Nancy Huntingford was dropped near the Port Mann Bridge on August 26. The card recovered by Ramona de Graaf was dropped under the Second Narrows Bridge, also on August 26. “People have accused this project of being solely a publicity stunt,� says Andy Rosenberger, a biologist with Raincoast. “This has been a very effective tool for public engagement. It makes an impact when people find a warning like this on their local beach. But a stunt implies that there’s no scientific merit in this exercise. We believe that the data we gather through this project will be useful to oceanographers and in spill response planning, and we’re collaborating with scientists to create better models about oil spills in these waters. We are also working on a number of papers we hope will be published in peerreviewed journals.� Rosenberger says that Kinder-Morgan’s application includes modeling on where oil would go if a spill were to occur from a few locations, and the results of the drift card project are comparable within the 15 day time frame that they examined. “I think this is a good thing, because it means that we may have some idea what the impact might look like if a spill were to occur,� says Rosenberger, explaining that according to both results, an oil spill in the Fraser River would likely result in oil soaked coasts in the Southern Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands and BC’s lower mainland. “And to me, the impact would be quite scary.� To see where where ocean currents have carried the drift cards, check out http://www.salishseaspillmap.org/
Earth Pilgrim: A year in Dartmoor Free film screening at Bowen Island Yoga SASKIA TAIT SUBMISSION
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Satish Kumar is a big soul. If you have not yet heard his name and do not know of his internationally renowned work on the many ecological and spiritual issues of our time, you will not want to miss this documentary film screening at Bowen Island Yoga (7-9pm). As part of a fall film screening series focusing on the theme of “inner work for social change�, the BBC documentary Earth Pilgrim (2008), explores the inner and outer aspects of pilgrimage.
“To be a pilgrim,� says Kumar, “is to be on a path of adventure, to move out of our comfort zones, to let go of our prejudices and preconditioning, to make strides towards the unknown.� The film is a meditative contemplation, narrated by Kumar himself, on his own extraordinary journey (as a Jain monk, nuclear disarmament advocate, pacifist, ecologist, editor, and founder and Director of Schumacher College and The Small School), undertaken in conversation with the ancient woods, meadows and rivers of Dartmoor in England. continued, PAGE 9
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Considering the climate, essay #2: Domestic impacts EMILY VAN LIDTH DE JEUDE SUBMISSION
Last year our beloved cat took exception to the pelting rain and peed on our down quilt. It was the first time I regretted having sold our dryer. My mother pleaded with me to come stick the washed and heavy quilt in her dryer, but pride made my voice refuse. After two years without using a dryer, I wasn't about to cave in and admit defeat. I hung the quilt on the rod in the living room, raised it with the pulley-system, and lit the wood stove. I shook the quilt every evening, and at the end of four days our quilt was not only dry, but fluffier than it had been these past few years. This first morning of autumn is windy – there is an intermittent gentle rainfall, but because of the wind it's still worth hanging this load of laundry outside rather than in the house. It will dry faster and keep the house from becoming humid. I might have to hang it on the indoor rods tonight, to finish the drying. This kind of thought occupies my mind often, since we gave up our dryer. I wanted to cut our energy bill, and figured the dryer was not only the biggest energy-hog in the house but also the least necessary. So I just stopped using it. At first I thought we were being extreme, and many friends and family were certainly shocked when we sold the dryer. But then I began to discover other people who had lived inconspicuously without dryers all my life, and never made a big deal about it... because it's really not a big deal. It takes a little extra time, but the benefits are far greater than I had imagined. Just the smelling of my laundry has put me in touch with the world around me in a way that I haven't always been. I have to be aware of more subtle weather changes than I did before, and I have developed a feel for the humidity level in the house. Some days laundry will dry in two hours; sometimes
Autumn laundry. Emily van Lidth de Jeude
it takes two days. I am glad for this awareness. It brings a necessary mindfulness not only to my experience of the world but also to how I organize my days. And yes, sometimes it feels like a sacrifice. You know that feeling of a soft, fluffy, dryer-warmed towel? My husband used to pre-warm the towels for the children before they came out of their baths. He bundled them up in his arms and carried around our cuddly lumps of sweetness. We don't have that anymore (we also don't have babies anymore). The pile of our towels is not nearly as soft. O.K. fine. It's hard. And in freezing weather the towels are more like cardboard. But with a good shake they soften up, and they smell like the January sea breeze – as in, that salty, invigorating breeze off the Salish Sea – not the chemically-created SeaBreeze with the little TM after it. They remind us that we live on an island. Living on an island can facilitate a smooth slide into a colossal carbon footprint. We are a family who drives an outdated gas-guzzling vehicle and is supported by a part-time commuting breadwinner. Our carbon footprint is not remediated much by our dryer abandonment, no matter how good our clothing smells. There's a lot further we need to go. We're looking into solar heat-pump technology, a better pantry and an evaporative fridge. Our children are choosing more activities that they can cycle to, and we're trying, in general, to live with less. I am not going to solve climate change just by ditching my dryer or making my kids ride to their activities. But in making these relatively small changes I am becoming more aware of my interdependence with my ecosystem. I am more grateful every day for the human/ecological community that supports me. I hope that, in living with gratitude and awareness, we will find it increasingly easy to live within our means. It's autumn, now. I love that when I reach for a slightly-stiff towel and brusquely scrub myself dry I smell the autumn leaves.
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FUND 1 calendar. 13 firefighters. 13 fun ways to donate to local charities Go to FundAid.ca to donate to the Hall of Flame Donation Challenge.
8 • FRIDAY October 3 2014
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THANK YOU FOR COMING & THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS Bowen Island Properties Limited Partnership held two public meetings on September 20 and 25, 2014 at Cates Hill Chapel to introduce two planning concepts. The concepts focus on: a) providing alternative and diverse housing forms, especially for young families and maturing households, and b) creating long-lasting new business initiatives toward the development of a sustainable local economy. In short, a plan toward implementing some of the most important key objectives of three successive Official Community Plans. Proposal for Parkview Slopes on Cates Hill: • A broad variety of alternative housing forms in cottagestyle “micro/eco homes,” and garden-style homes in duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, including: • Rental housing (a mix of 1-bedroom/studio, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom units); • Live/work areas for trades, artisans, workshops, small businesses, and rental accommodation above; • Ratio ±50% “market” homes vs. ±50% “nonmarket” homes (some on long-term land lease lots). • Theatre school use, and other community uses next to the theatre school, such as daycare, assembly, etc. Proposal for Seymour Landing at Cowan Point: • Independent/Supportive Living in rental housing and owner-occupied detached and attached homes (a range of services provided, e.g. meals, housekeeping, laundry, regularly planned activities, shuttle bus service, assistance with shopping, trips on and off island); • An expanded Inn with associated commercial guest accommodation; • Scandanavian-style spa facility; • Campus-style retreat with assembly and seminar space for “life-long” learning; • A passenger ferry dock at Seymour Bay; • Widened waterfront park at Seymour Bay.
Approximately 100 to 120 people attended the meetings. All comments, without exception, were constructive, measured, and positive. They will find their way into a report by our planning consultant to the Municipality. (If you couldn’t attend a meeting, a copy of material that was handed out, plus a copy of the slideshow, can be viewed on our website rezoning.bowenislandproperties.ca.) The most frequently asked questions at the two meetings centered around the timing of the project. In particular, when would the dock at Seymour Landing be built? When would independent/supportive living facilities at Seymour Landing be ready for occupancy? When would rental housing and the “not so big homes” on Parkview Slopes become available? The short answer is that the start of construction would be possible within 6 months after rezoning, with first occupancies a year later. What will happen from here on? We will keep working on planning details, display materials, and a comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked and specific questions. Parallel to that, Municipal staff and planners will most likely prepare a summary report for Council, which may be followed by a First Reading of the bylaws for rezoning. At this time the intent of our applications for Parkview Slopes and Seymour Landing has been served by creating awareness of both projects, and the potential role these projects could play in helping to turn a larger vision into reality. We hope that the time between now and the Municipal election will provide opportunities to exchange and discuss our own and other visions for the future of the island. A dialogue and exchange about the most appealing visions may be what Bowen Island needs now. Thank you again to all who came to the public information meetings. Stay tuned to updates that will be posted on our website at rezoning.bowenislandproperties.ca.
Seymour Landing Concept by James Tuer, Watercolor Rendering by Jeffrey McSwain
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2014 • 9
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Bowen riders learn dressage
On the calendar (MONDAY CONT’D) BUGS ON BOWEN. Everyone welcome.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3
Dinner at the Legion Doors open 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 7
Youth Centre drop-in 6 - 9 p.m. (Saturday, same times)
AA Meeting Collins Hall 7:15 p.m.
Film Screening: Earth Pilgrim Bowen Island Yoga, 585 Prometheus Place in Artisan Square. 7 - 9pm Join us to watch this spell-binding and insightful BBC documentary, Earth Pilgrim. It follows the world-renowned ecologist and creator of Resurgence magazine, Satish Kumar, through the landscapes of Dartmoor in different seasons as he reflects on the profound insights and spiritual experiences that come from spending time close to nature.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4
North Shore Schizophrenia Society One day workshop for families coping with severe mental illness, class size limited, please register a.s.a.p. through Caring Circle at 604-947-9100 or email info@caringcircle.ca
Lenya Dowler. John Dowler, photo
Our group, involving nine horses and twelve riders, were definitely not as sharp as the Olympic dressage ridOn Sunday, Sept. 28 BIHORA ers but everyone learned a little about had the first Dressage Practice Day. the sport and had fun. We are hoping What is Dressage you may wonder? to continue with the practice days and Dressage is an art, a sport and a meth- build on what we have learned. One of od of training both horse and rider. It the fun parts of the day is having the involves very precise movements, is kids involved. We were able to share an Olympic sport and very beautiful horses so everyone could have a turn to watch. riding the course, or test as they say in dressage language. The day started out REGULAR SCHEDULE with a drill team demonIn Effect May 15 to October 13, ** 2014 stration, using dressage Distance: movements and set to BOWEN VANCOUVER 3 NAUTICAL MILES ISLAND Horseshoe Crossing Time: music. It was very enterSnug Cove Bay 20 MINUTES taining to watch and an inspiration to others.. 5:30 am ** ** 6:00 am *except daily# DAILY EXCEPT saturdays Even though it was not 6:30 am 7:00 am ** SUNDAYS # 7:30 am ** 8:00 am advertised we had a lot daily except *EXCEPT DAILY suNdays 8:35 am 9:05 am# † of spectators drop by SATURDAYS & 10:05 am 9:35 am # SUNDAYS *except daily and watch and enjoy the saturdays & 11:05 am 10:35 am ** lovely sunny day. suNdays DAILY EXCEPT BIHORA
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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
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
Leave Horseshoe Bay
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SAT, SUN & daily except MAY 19, JUL 1, sat, suN &1 & AUG 4, SEPT MayOCT 19, 13 Jul 1, auG 4, sept 1 & Oct 13 † tHe WedNesday THE WEDNESDAY sailiNGs Will SAILINGS WILL Be replaced REPLACED ByBEdaNGerOus BY DANGEROUS carGO sailiNGs. CARGO SAILINGS. NO OtHer NO OTHER passeNGers PASSENGERS perMitted. PERMITTED.
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KNICK KNACK NOOK R001877119 BI03
Silent & Live Auction
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7:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 At the Legion
Extraordinary items selected from the ordinary treasures at Knick Knack Nook
UPCOMING OCTOBER 12
Applefest! 11 a.m - 3 p.m. at Davies Heritage Orchard Last farmers market of the season
OCTOBER 18
Kid and Kaboodle Sale at Bowen Island Montessori School Emergency Child First Aid 8:30 - 3:30 at the BICS library $69, register through Bowen Rec ages 12 +
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
Bowen Island Yacht Club AGM 7 p.m. Cabin 20 in the Davies Heritage Orchard
Bowen Island Fibre Arts Guild Harvest tea and fabric sale at Rustique Bistro Tea, scones, and goodies $10 Fabrics, yarns, and handcrafted items for sale 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bowen In Transition Potluck and Meeting Building a Resilient Community on Bowen Island 5:30 p.m. potluck 7:00 p.m. meeting with special guest, Soren Hammerberg of the Bowen Island Community Foundation. Everyone welcome. For more information and to RSVP contact shastamartinuk@gmail.com
MONDAY OCTOBER 6
S.K.Y. Seniors Keeping Young 9:00 to noon, for the 55-plus, exercises, coffee/tea break, @ 10:00am a presentation by Will Husby:
OCTOBER 20
OCTOBER 23
Dementia Caregivers Support Group 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Cates Hill Chapel. To register, call 604-984-8348.
OCTOBER 24
Who We Are - book launch with Elizabeth May, 7 p.m. at the Gallery at Artisan Square Tickets on sale now at Phoenix, the Gallery at Artisan Square and the BI Public Library
OCTOBER 25
Halloween at the Legion More details to follow
JOIN THE CALENDAR! Please send a brief description, date time and location of your upcoming event directly to The Undercurrent at: editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com
Places of Worship Welcome You Earth Pilgrim BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon
from PAGE 6 FOOD BANK
Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams
DROP-OFF
CHURCH
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 Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey
For info contact: 947-6953 (Katherine) 947-0967 (Donna)
CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260
www.kknauction.ca
Knitting Circle 2 - 5 p.m. Bowen Court - All levels welcome!
Exhilarating Indie Half-day workshop on independent publishing precented by author Carol Cram 9 a.m. - noon, to register go to the Gallery at Artisan Square or visit Bowen Rec online
All money raised will go towards the Bowen Island Public Library construction of the Annie Laurie Wood Annex
Online bidding for the silent auction begins on October 1
Bowen Island Community Foundation deadline for grant applications
604-988-6304
(661 Carter Rd.)
10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens Pastor: Dr. James B. Krohn
A great deal of the life and extraordinary work of Satish Kumar has been inspired by the time he has spent walking the earth to connect with nature. He believes passionately that an intimate connection with nature is vitally important for anybody who wants to meaningfully engage in the world’s political and social debates about the great challenges we are facing. Kumar proposes that the spiritual aspect of the environment is what has been lost in the great debate about the way we live, and that the broad environment movement has not understood the power of concepts such as love and reverence. “The environment movement here is very logical and analytical. But it is driven by doom, gloom and disaster.” In this lyrical, beautiful documentary, Kumar drives home the importance of bringing soul into the heart of everything we do, and how this can enhance our creativity and our work for sustainability and peace: “We are looking for what I would call a new trinity, a ‘soil, soul, society’ philosophy - soil for the environment, soul for the spiritual dimension, and society for the social justice that is essential.”
10 • FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2014
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Caring Circle and S.K.Y team up to provide more support for seniors Members of S.K.Y enjoy the first in a series of hot lunches provided. Cook - Lorraine Ashdown provided the entertainment. Meribeth Deen, photo
HEALTH & WELLNESS Dr. Dana Barton
Dr. Susanne Schloegl
BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE
HEALTH
Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square
604-730-1174
Natural Family Medicine
Chiropractor
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
Bowen and West Van offices
Artisan Square • 604-947-0734 Alternate Fridays 10am-4:30pm
Dr. Tracy Leach, D.C.
595B Artisan Lane Tuesdays Call for an appointment
(778) 828-5681
ToCOUNSELLING advertiseTHERAPIST on the Health Page
604.290.6407
Deromer@shaw.ca call 604-947-2442 www.clearhorizon.ca
Family Dentist
Horseshoe Bay • 604-921-8522 www.bowenislanddental.com
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
BOWEN ISLAND HOUSE ACCOUN R001876828 BI03
Bowen
Bulletin Board BOWENSHIRE Stonework & Landscape
S RECYCLING LANCE’S I’ll pick up your recycling
CALL 947-2430
Insured and WCB coverage
BB
www.bowenshirelandscaping.com
Gallery @ Artisan Square Presents “Patches of Colour” A show of paintings by Andrew Plewes 19 Sept - 13 Oct Reception: Sat. 20 Sept 7 - 9 p.m.
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
Brannon Brothers roofing & sheet metal
Call Mike at
604-338-2516
FOUND @ The Ruddy Potato Gold Wedding Band To claim call RCMP at 0516. Quote file #2014-597. Must describe ring to claim.
“Everybody talks about providing housing for seniors,” says Williams, “But how come the only people doing it, are the ones who built Bowen Court thirty years ago?” She says that Bowen Court is made up of 18 units, four of those units are occupied by people who are more than 80 years-old, and there are twelve people on the waiting list to move in to this seniors housing co-operative. “There is a lot of talk about the lack of healthcare as the big problem for seniors, and this is definitely
true,” she says. “But I see so many more obstacles than that. Even the seniors that are lucky enough to have their kids live on island, well, their families are so stretched, with their own kids and with both parents working, that they don’t have time to drive their parents somewhere, or really be there for them.” S.K.Y has recently started working with Caring Circle to provide seniors with a monthly lunch in order to entice more seniors to get out and interact. “I feel confident that working with Caring Circle we can really do more and be in touch with more people,” says Williams. “And the lunch is a great start. Food is the best equalizer.”
Stand-up Comics Wanted laugh? Have you ever found yourself giggling at thoughts or jokes? Have you ever wondered about doing or have you done stand-up comedy? Have your friends told you that you make them Yes? Then we are looking for you! Come audition for the stand-up comic contest that will be held at the Rotary Variety Show in November. The Bowen Island Sea Kayaking Bowen Island Rotary Club is putting on this variety show, which will feature singing, dancing, skits, poetry readings – and the Bowen’s Best Comedian Contest. To book your audition, call Bawn at 947.9347. You might have the chance to make us laugh, guffaw or cry, and you could receive the Bowen’s Best priced $750 - $2500 Comedian Award. You See website for details would win a trophy to put on your mantle and under: rentals/kayaks sales make you smile. The Rotary Variety Come take a test paddle while stock lasts. Show will be held on Saturday, November ALSO CHECK OUT: 22, 2014, at Cates Chapel and is a fundraiser for the Africa Village Project, The Bowen Island Firemen and Rotary projects. Everyone is welcome to attend. Save the date and see you there!
BOWEN ISLAND ROTARY
and deliver to BIRC for $25/load Kindling $20/box at Building Centre
Phone Andy 604-947-0674 Cell: 778-231-7283
from PAGE 3
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Annual End of Season
Kayaks and SUPs FOR SALE
4 double and 7 single Seaward Kayaks
Come to the Bowen Butcher Shop at Alderwood Farm for your free-range
Thanksgiving Turkey Order before Oct. 6. Open Wed-un 10am - 5pm 1351 Adams Rd. 604-947-9434
Got a great photo? Got a great story or story idea? Please get in touch with us!
Contact Meribeth Deen at the Undercurrent editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com
3 Jimmy Styks stand-up paddle boards www.bowenislandkayaking.com
604-947-9266 ask for Brent
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FRIDAY October 3 2014 • 11
12 • FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2014
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From the depths of Mannion Bay... MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
The winner of this year’s Dive Against Debris, guess how much junk divers can pull up from the depths of Mannion Bay contest was Andrew Stone, with an estimated weight of 502 lbs. The total amount of debris hauled to shore by divers, which included two anchors, a crab trap, a skull, cigarette filters, a diaper, and plastic plates, cups, forks and spoons, weighed in at 688 lbs. Event organizer Amber Spitovski,
says this weight is up a bit from last year (with a haul of 678 lbs) but down from 2011 and 2012. Spitovski says the inspiration for the event came from her work as a diver. Requests to clean the underside of boats or to check mooring chains in Mannion Bay, she says, made her all to familiar with the mess of garbage under the water’s surface. “If I could afford to, I would love to just dedicate my time to going down and cleaning up the base of mooring buoys,” says Spitovsky. Thirty-two volunteers participated in this year’s clean-up.
From top right, clockwise: a dinghy filled with debris gets pulled to shore, diver Adam Taylor, the crew of volunteers that helped with this year’s Dive Against Debris. Melisa Spitkoski, photos
Salvaged, electric powerboat helps clean-up of Mannion Bay MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Moored in the Union Steamship Marina for just a month, a boat called the E-Tolly manned by its owners Bill Haley and Stan Taliadouros spent last Saturday in Mannion Bay helping divers drag garbage out of the water. With engines powered by golf cart batteries, the salvaged derelict boat (purchased in Pitt Meadows for $2,500) has been parked in the Union Steamship Marina for the past month. “It’s great to do something to become integrated with the community,” says Haley. “But also, we want this boat to be something that raises environmental awareness and shows people what’s possible, so it’s
good to put it to work in this way.” Haley says he’s a novice boater, but was determined to convert the boat to an electric engine after seeing a similarly powered-engine on a friend’s sailboat. He says that filling up with fully powered engines, the boat can run for 8 hours at 5 knots, and it costs him $3.66 to fill up. “The nice thing about an eletric boat, as opposed to an electric car, is that all the marinas already have places where you can plug in and charge up.” Haley adds that he loves touring, slowly, in waters around Bowen on weekends. “For me it’s not about being fast,” says Haley. “I call it a martini day hopper, or a Winnebago of the sea.”
Bill Haley and Stan Taliadouros (above) on their boat the E-Tolly. Boat left, as well.