FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015 VOL. 42, NO. 12
$1
including GST
Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Rush hour disaster
Major delays caused by tiny disfunction in ferry ramp
Events galore
Spring brings on the busy season on Bowen Island, see calendar p 10
A job well done
To Bowen businesses, a young bagpipers, and to senior golfers
The English Bay oil spill
Unseen damage puts ecosystem at risk
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Crippen Park Weed Warriors (from left): Virginia Penny, Dee MacCarthy, Moira Greaven, Bill Granger and Michael Penny hard at work on a strip of land beside the commuter parking lot in Snug Cove. Story on page 6 Meribeth Deen, photo
New municipal action group to work on extension of downtown commuter bus MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
W
ith less than one month until the return of the Queen of Capilano and the official end to the lifespan of the “Super Bus” that shuttles commuters to downtown and back, Bowen Island’s municipal transportation committee (BIMTAC) has struck up a special action group to work on finding away to have the service extended. TAG! (Transportation Action Group) is made up of Councillor Melanie Mason, as well as Richard Smith and David Hocking. Hocking says his motivation for this is both personal, and stems from a long-held belief that such a service is critically important
for Bowen Island. “There’s no question I’ve been taking the bus because the bus is timed to the ferry and saves me time on my commute, but also, I’ve been talking about this for a long time. When I was on the municipal sustainability committee, which was set up by the first council, we hired the Pembina institute to do a GHG emissions report and found that by far the highest emissions source results from trips made off the island. And when I ran for council 9 years ago, getting a service like this going was one of my campaign promises so… seeing this actually happen is something like a dream come true for me.” Hocking says that the bus is currently considered to be a pilot project.
continued PAGE 8
Banking in your own backyard ...
On Thursday morning, when Bowen Belle water taxi pulled in to English Bay to drop commuters off at Granville Island, English Bay Launch owner and operator Mike Shannon says he didn’t see anything that indicated there might be a problem in the water. “There were Coast Guard boats out, but they do drills fairly regularly, so I figured that was what was happening,” says Shannon. “I couldn’t actually see an oil slick at that point.” For biologist Ramona DeGraaf, what the average person cannot see in spill-affected waters and beaches is of primary concern. DeGraaf, who was on Bowen conducting a shoreline survey in October, says that the embryo of forage fish that spawn on the shores of English Bay will suffocate and die if the gravelly beaches where they lay their eggs are contaminated with oil. “When I talk about forage fish, I am talking about a very specific group of fish that run the marine food chain – herring, surf smelt, sand lance – without these, the whole Straight of Georgia ecosystem is at risk. A reduction in the biomass of these fish is going to have a major impact on all predators, and that includes killer whales,” says DeGraaf. “And English Bay is super-smelt land.” She says that this time of year, there are surf smelt embryos in the beaches, larvae feeding in the water, and adults coming into Burrard Inlet and English Bay to spawn. “Right now, and for however many years that oil is going to be caught in the sediment of those beaches, any embryo deposited is going to suffocate. Even micro-amounts of oil will cause the effect similar to covering your head in a plastic bag full of fumes.” She adds that the shoreline of the Lower Mainland used to be prime spawning habitat for surf smelt and sand lance, but most of it has been destroyed by sea walls and marinas. “Discovering a beach that is intact and suitable for spawning is so rare, it’s like finding dinosaur bones,” says DeGraaf.
continued PAGE 8
Don’t miss the
just got a whole lot easier!
Bowen Island B&B Tour!
Now Open Saturdays!
Saturday, April 18 11am to 3pm contact carol@simplysafarisuite.com or 604.947.9005 to register
9am to 1pm
www.firstcu.ca | 604.947.2022
brought to you by: Vacation Rental Owners West Vancouver Chamber First Credit Union
2 • FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM PAID ADVERTISEMENT
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Bowen Children’s Centre’s Clothing Sale Fundraiser
FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015 • 3
BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY; 6.917 in; Black; -; R0011017600
2015 - 2019 FINANCIAL PLAN BUDGET CONSULTATION MEETING BOWEN ISLAND CHILDRENS CENTRE SUBMISSION
It is 2015 and the Bowen Children’s Centre Clothing sale is ON! Yes, that’s right, we are open for business and accepting your fine, gently or never used treasures so have a look through your wardrobe for a spring cleanout. We are accepting donations until May 5th. Please drop off your items to the Children’s Centre during regular weekday business hours (8 a.m.– 6 p.m.). We are the big red building with the green roof at 650 Carter Road, on the way to IPS and Cates Chapel. The Children’s Centre Clothing Sale, which is held at Cates Chapel, is a fabulous recycling event where once-loved clothing of all shapes and styles find new, appreciative homes. Most items are priced at a toonie (yes that’s $2) and select up-market items are individually – but still modestly – priced. So, please think ahead to Bowen Children’s Centre’s 14th Annual Clothing Sale
Fundraiser mark down Saturday May 9th on your calendar ! Some clothing may have been gifts, impulse purchases, reminders of a different weight, or evidence of a previous lifestyle, but we all have them: clothing and accessories that aren’t really ‘us’ anymore – so clean out those closets and bring the gently used stuff to us. Variety being the spice of life, the Children’s Centre is hoping for lots of continental clothes to mix with island offerings, and asks you to please spread the word among your off-island friends, relatives and co-workers in plenty of time to get their clothes across the straight. The Children’s Centre will do the sorting, so bring it all: subtle or sparkly, practical or precious, 2015 or vintage. We love accessories in particular: hats, gloves, costume jewelry and more. Not sure what will sell? No worries: quirkier, dated offerings are great fun for children’s dress-up collections and drama costumes. For more information, please contact Ann, at the Centre’s office: 604-947-9626.
Summer Parks Maintenance Crewperson (2) Bowen Island Municipality seeks two full-time temporary Park Maintenance Crewpersons (Summer) for employment for the period of May 19th – September 4th, 2015. Crewpersons will primarily be responsible for maintaining the Municipality’s parks, trails and public beaches. The positions also require that the crewpersons interact in a courteous manner with the public. The applicants will have a strong construction/maintenance background, be comfortable working outside under varying weather conditions, have the ability to work under supervision on a task-oriented basis, and hold a valid driver’s license. This position is based on 35 hours per week. A complete posting and job description is available on the Municipal website (www.bimbc.ca), or from the Municipal Hall. Please submit your cover letter, resume, and references via mail, facsimile, or email by April 27, 2015 at 4:00 pm to:
Please be advised that there is a special Council meeting scheduled to review the proposed 2015 ‐ 2019 Five Year Financial Plan on: Monday, April 20, 2015 at 7:15 pm Location: Council Chambers 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC This meeting will provide an overview of the 2015 ‐ 2019 Five Year Financial Plan and will allow members of the public to make comments or ask questions. For more information please contact: Kristen Watson, Manager of Finance Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 FAX: 604‐947‐0193 e‐mail: kwatson@bimbc.ca
Full-time Legislative Assistant Bowen Island Municipality seeks a qualified full-time Legislative Assistant. This is a 35 hour/week position covering regular office hours Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. The Legislative Assistant reports directly to the Deputy Corporate Officer and Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible for providing professional administrative support services to Admin Services staff, Council and the CAO. The individual will also be required to provide information and assistance in a courteous manner to the public on general matters relating to the Municipality, and perform reception and secretarial duties. The applicant should have a strong administrative background, have excellent computer skills using MS Word and Excel, and have the ability to work with limited supervision. Please submit your covering letter and resume via e-mail, fax or mail by Monday, April 27, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. to: Christine Walker, Human Resources Manager Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
Christine Walker, Human Resources Manager 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 Telephone: 604-947-4255 Facsimile: 604-947-0193 E-mail: hr@bimbc.ca
FAX: 604-947-0193 EMAIL: hr@bimbc.ca WEBSITE: www.bimbc.ca
For information call 604-947-4255
For information call 604-947-4255
4 • FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
viewpoint
EDITORIAL
Close to home MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
In Kami Kanetsuka’s letter from San Miguel, Mexico, published in The Undercurrent last week, she wrote that the place is so wonderful in so many ways that it is easy to think that it is paradise. But of course all the goodness that may exist there is not packaged neatly in bubble wrap away from the world’s troubles. This parallels life on our little paradise too, and last week’s events of the oil spill in English Bay drive home the fact that while we may be an island, we are not sheltered from events beyond our immediate borders. On Thursday morning, some lucky Bowen Islanders got to see whales feeding at the mouth of Deep Bay. At the same time, reports of an oil spill in English Bay started appearing in the media. I keep considering the distance between here… and there… We are not the scene of the accident, yet, we are not so far off that we won’t feel the effects of it. The ocean is a big place, and according to a 2002 report published by the National Research Council of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the average total worldwide release of petroleum into the ocean is estimated at 1.3 million tonnes per year. It must be acknowledge, also, that 46 percent of this yearly leakage comes from sources known as “natural seeps.” This statistic will leave the optimists among us saying of the English Bay spill: a drop in the bucket… no biggie this one, easy on the fussing, you doomsayers. But it only takes a microscopic drop of oil to kill a fish embryo, whether it be a herring, or my new favourite fish, the Plainfish Midshipman (these come up from the deep to lay their eggs under seaweed covered boulders in the intertidal zone.
April is National Poetry Month
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.
What Matters What matters is that you do not pretend you do not hear the water’s ancient melody over stones in the river, and you do not turn away from the questions ringing inside you like bells in the monks hands. What matters is that you do not ignore the alpine meadows and their wildflowers singing the cobalt sky, and you say yes to the laughter and yes to the tears and you open yourself up to the mountain so the sun can find you and the wind caress your face and the grass kiss your feet. What matters is that you say yes to the dance and yes to the songs, yes to the night and all her stars yes to the colours painted by light yes to the deserts and their longings for soul. What matters is that you say yes to the voice inside the voice of the one you forgot the one who dreamed, and played and loved and you bring forth what is in you to bring forth and you break through your own walls and erase your own ceilings and stumble and fall and get up again as you find your way home.
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.
Once fertilized, the male fish stick around to guard their young, resulting in a feeding frenzy– some scientists believe these fish make up 50 percent of the diet of bald eagles during the spawning season). And this “small” spill is just one of many ongoing disasters faced by creatures like this one, creatures which most of us are virtually ignorant of. As biologist Ramona DeGraaf put it to me, when it’s death by a thousand cuts already, what happens when there is one more cut? And those drops of oil… over there… as they sink and swirl in the tides and currents will undoubtedly find their way to the shores of our little paradise. Early last fall, two cards representing oil that had been dropped into the water from the second narrows bridge were found near Dorman Point. Vancouver city councillors have been warned to expect gobs of the thick, toxic fuel to continue washing up on beaches as far as 12 km from the site of the spill. As the weather warms and Bowen Islanders start making their way to our lovely beaches, will we be on the lookout? Will we feel comfortable letting our kids, or our elves, splash and romp in the ocean as we always do? In the late 60s, I doubt many Bowen beach goers considered the 20 kilos of mercury the Hooker Chemicals plant was dumping into Howe Sound every day, or any of the other pollutants that were being dumped at that time - but this comparison provides me, personally, with little reassurance. So while I think that it is utterly valuable to hear a range of opinions and statistics on the risks associated with any given project, I think that the concerns of those who have so much to lose (including those who can’t speak for themselves) need to be held paramount. No matter how hard we try, isolating our little chunk of paradise is not an option. Protecting it, on the other hand, is a necessity.
Lisa Shatsky From her new collection When the Colours Run to be published by Black Moss Press in September 2015.
#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0
Editor
Advertising
Contributor
Publisher
Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 Deadline for all advertising and editorial: Monday, 4:00p.m.
Meribeth Deen
Maureen Sawasy
Pauline Le Bel
Peter Kvarnstrom
www.bowenislandundercurrent.com Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year Subscription (With in Canada) $65.00, including GST Newsstand (Single Copy) 75 cents per copy, including GST
editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com
ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com
pkvarnstrom@glaciermedia.com
2011 CCNA
CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Thanks a million to Bowen businesses Dear Editor, We had an utterly super Easter weekend last week, thanks to business’s on Bowen. Baking supplies from the General Store (Cloud Nine gluten free flour, European Cultured unsalted butter...), The Ruddy (organic cream, milk, lemons), Alderwood Farms (sausage, bacon...), MacDonalds Farm and the Weismillers (fresh eggs), Artisan Eats (fresh bread), Cocoa West (71% organic dark chocolate chips), The Flower Shop (beautiful pansies in my window boxes), Bell O’cchio and the Knick Knack Nook (for all the table decorations), Sandy Logan (for helping minimize all the aches and pains so I could stand and bake for many hours). Thank you, all. PLUS, imagine my utter delight to be called by Cocoa West on Good Friday morning and being told I had won the monthly draw for a utterly fantastic Chocolate Mousse Cake. Like Wow! (I will not admit to the fact I
have probably qualified for the draws every month since they started!) What an honour. Such an elegant treat for the senses to share with family and friends. Thank you, Thank you. As a bonus, because I was in Artisan Square to pick up the cake, I got to visit the Flower Shop and get orchids and a lovely arrangement of spring flowers for the table (...husband says my attempt to beautify the house without actually cleaning it! But for me... they just seem to feed my soul). Thank you Caroline. I wanted to write this note to say ‘thank you’ to Cocoa West for adding the crowning touch to Easter and realized I also needed to thank many, many people for helping make Easter a lovely time for my family. The cake was amazing. Thank you, Lynn Krukowski
Too late, I’ve already voted YES. Dear Editor, I read with interest Bob Andrew’s contribution to the debate on the Translink vote [‘Vote No. Are We Naïve Or ????’ The Bulletin, April 8th, 2015]. I agree that TransLink has a lot of cultural problems which need to be addressed. Dysfunction within organizations is rife at all levels, right from the family unit all the way up to the top, and has to be addressed on an ongoing basis. TransLink undoubtedly has many imperfections, but it’s the only TransLink we’ve got. Its faulty governance is not in itself an argument against increasing its funding since the transit ballot clearly itemizes what the additional funds will pay for as opposed to “pie in the sky promises.” I was curious about what a Transportation Economist like Bob Andrew does, so I went to Wikipedia, and under Transportation Economics, found this: As a result of the transportation systems in use, but not adequately meeting the needs of those who rely on them, they tend to generate low revenue. And with minimal revenue or funding the transportation systems are forced to decrease service and increase fares, which causes those in poverty to face more inequality…. in places with no public transport a car is the only viable option and that creates unnecessary strain on the roads and environment. ….[U]nderfunding of public transportation prevents everyone who needs transportation from having access to it. And those who can choose between public transportation and private transportation will choose private transportation rather than face the inconveniences of [inadequate] public transportation. The lack of customers willing to use public transport creates a cycle that ultimately never leads to the transportation systems making significant progress. Metro Vancouver has a congestion problem, true. This is not a result of misguided policy as Mr. Andrew suggests, but is a deliberate, and forwardlooking, process – in response to the factors noted above – that is: increasing density while narrowing roads and implementing other strategies
to favour transit options over individual car driving by making it faster to ‘get there’ by transit [or walking, or cycling] than by car. This is the way of the future. We find, for instance, that ‘millennials’ are eschewing car ownership in favour of car-sharing, transit, and other options. They know what a waste of resources, at every level, car ownership is. I haven’t owned a car since 1987; since moving to Bowen, I’ve ridden Transit roughly twice a day, five days a week, for nearly 18 years (unless a fellow commuter offered me a ride) and banked the difference. So I say thank you to Translink, you’re making me rich. Allow me to return the favour by voting for a modest tax increase. Other advantages of enhanced transit and increased density, such as reductions in GHG emissions and the suburbanization of valuable agricultural land are self-evident and have been discussed at length elsewhere. Note that the ‘unspecified body’ which performs the auditing functions will be headed by Jimmy Pattison – BC’s version of Warren Buffett, a hardheaded businessman of unimpeachable integrity [and who answers his own door on Halloween]. The Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation is there to tell us to vote No. That’s what it does. In the end, I’m guessing that this plebiscite is a test of a major cultural shift. I suspect it has to do with a battle between those who view single-car transport as the norm, versus those who view public transit and other options as the ‘new normal’. ‘Out of my cold dead hands’ would seem to be the sentiment of the NO side, except that this time it’s a steering wheel, not a gun. Years ago, as the project architect working on the VCC-Clark Skytrain Station, at the first site meeting, with the contractors, subtrades, project manager and support staff all present, I asked: how many of you took transit to work this morning? As expected, mine was the only hand up. It’s time to stop treating transit as the sorry secondbest and give it the resources it needs to adequately serve our region now and into the future. -- Michael Epp [Architect AIBC]
FRIDAY APRIL 8 2015 • 5
The hope of Howe Sound: Part 3 PAULINE LE BEL COMMUNITY CAULDRON
In earlier columns, we looked at the remarkable recovery of our fjord inlet and how this is now being threatened by provincial ambitions for reindustrialization. These threats are bringing together many groups and individuals – Concerned Citizens of Bowen, Bowen Island Conservancy, The Future of Howe Sound, My Sea to Sky, Save Howe Sound/ Again, Marine Life Sanctuary Society, Yacht Clubs, Boys and Girls Club, Sewell’s Marina, B.C. Spaces for Nature, to name a few. They differ widely in age and focus and share the desire to protect Howe Sound for future generations. I talked to a few of them to find out why they got involved. Ruth Simons, Executive Director of The Future of Howe Sound, was a member of the Lions Bay municipal council when she heard about the proposed gravel mine at Mc Nab Creek. “I thought: they can’t do it. This is a watershed.” Ruth is committed to a holistic stewardship of the Sound. “Instead of looking at one part, one project, we need to look at the Howe Sound region as a whole. How we treat rivers and streams, how we do fishing, affects everything. Everything’s connected. We need a comprehensive land and marine use plan.” Ruth believes in the necessity of all those involved to come together and make their voices heard. This is what happens at the Future of Howe Sound Forums – engaging interested parties in dialogue around the values of the Howe Sound region, and finding common ground. My Sea to Sky is a grassroots volunteer organization made up of Squamish citizens. They started over a year ago in response to growing concerns about the proposed Woodfibre LNG project. They held an event - Bloom or Bust – to inform people about LNG. “We ran out of chairs,” said Melyssa Hudson, the Executive Director. “We set up 400 and there were people standing.” The purpose of the organization is to support the values of the community and allow for economic growth. She says there have been lots of changes over the past ten years in Squamish: the population is younger, incomes are higher, and a new generation of entrepreneurs is moving to Squamish. “They have strong values, they appreciate recreation, a quieter life, and they are globally-minded people, thinking outside of their own town. There is little evidence the government is concerned with the best interests of
people. Someone has to be the checks and balances and ask the right questions.” Melyssa speaks highly of Eoin Finn, a chemist who lives on Boywer Island. Eoin has been asking all the right questions. “He’s been here so long,” said Melyssa, “he has such a breadth of understanding.” At the Gleneagles event on April 1st, Eoin’s presentation on the hazards of LNG in Howe Sound received a spontaneous standing ovation. “He showed us where Howe Sound has come from, how it has evolved and the intense pressure to industrialize.” Joyce Williams of the Squamish Nation, and one of the organizers of Skwomesh Action, feels heartened by the response of hundreds of people who attended the action in Squamish on March 29th and the event at Gleneagles. “I’m feeling a lot more support,” she said, “hopeful that all these different people are coming together. They’re declaring that this LNG project isn’t just a Squamish issue. It affects all of Howe Sound.” Joyce informed me that the Squamish Nation has been working with the David Suzuki Foundation to create a marine use plan. “We already have a land use plan,” she said. Her group is determined to continue to create awareness and keep the momentum going. Cheryl Wozny represents Save Howe Sound/Again. The group operates loosely, ad hoc. Their purpose is to raise awareness. “We set up tables at events and communicate with people, one at a time.” They also give out snazzy bumper stickers. Cheryl originally became involved when she heard about the proposed Burnco Mine. “When I started to pay attention I found out there’s more going on…It’s a terrible state we’ve come to in our country when regular people are the only ones standing up. The regulatory process is like the fox watching over the hen house. It will take the concerted effort of everyone to overcome the current industrial objectives slated for our beautiful Howe Sound.” These volunteer groups want all citizens of our bioregion to have a say in the development and conservation of Howe Sound. They’re standing up to high-paid government and oil industry professionals. They could use your help. If you feel strongly about the health of our bioregion, choose a partner and help write a wholesome next chapter for the Howe Sound story. Pauline Le Bel is an Emmy-nominated screenwriter, an award-winning novelist, and the author of Becoming Intimate with the Earth, published by Collins Foundation Press.
Congratulations are in order...
The crew of Bowenshire Stoneworks from left: Amos Rosen, Scott Fraser, Mac Davidson, Katie Mainwaring, Chelsea Mainwaring, and Brandon Hall. MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
..to Fleur Sinclair who after three years of practice on her “chanter,” has been awarded the bags that will allow her project the full power of the bagpipes. Sinclair showed off her pipes to fellow grade 5 students at BICS last Friday. Meribeth Deen, photo
... to the Bowen Island businesses who have been nominated to the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards. Bowenshire Stoneworks has been nominated for the Best Small Business of the year award, and the Bowen Island Pub has been nominated for the Best Medium Business of the Year Award. Winners will be announced at the Chamber President’s Dinner on April 23.
6 • FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Commuter chaos caused by broken ferry ramp in Snug Cove The line-up for water taxis back to Bowen on Tuesday evening.
Ken Simpson, photo
BOWEN ISLAND GYMNASTICS CLUB; 4.917 in; Process color; -; R0011017585
BOWEN ISLAND
INVITATIONAL 2015
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2015
9:30 am - 5:30 pm 100 gymnasts from Sea-to-Sky corridor (Pemberton, Whistler, Vancouver and Bowen) Admission
$3 Kids / $5 Adults / $10 Family BBQ and Concession
SOCIALSHOPPER.COM - GLACIER MED; 7.917 in; Process color; -; R006997238 .com
1%TO
Get exclusive access to the best offers in the city
As the ferry docked at Snug Cove on Tuesday evening, the hydraulic cylinder that helps to raise and lower the ferry lamp broke off from the pin that attaches it to the ferry ramp, causing long delays for Bowen commuters eager to get home on the 5:30 ferry. By 6 p.m., Cormorant Marine’s forty-passenger water taxi, the Kinbasket Queen was up and running bringing passengers back to Bowen. At the request of passengers, Cormorant brought its two twelvepassenger boats in to help, but the company was told by the terminal manager at Horseshoe Bay that BC Ferries would not foot the bill. Cormorant charged passengers $10 for the ride, issuing receipts. Meanwhile, regulars on the English Bay Launch water taxi service who were at Horseshoe Bay
because the daily run from Granville Island was cancelled called owner and operator Mike Shannon and told him about the delay. Shannon brought in one of his smaller boats to help out, and brought three loads of passengers back to Bowen without charge. By 7:15, a terminal maintenance crew from BC Ferries had managed to find a temporary fix for the ferry ramp at Snug Cove allowing the Bowen Queen to depart Horseshoe Bay. As of 9:45 p.m., the hydraulic cylinder was re-welded to the pin making the fix permanent. BC Ferries says that people who paid $10 to Cormorant Marine can call the customer service line and may qualify for a re-imbursement of their ticket price. BC Ferries Customer Service: 1-888-223-3779
Weed Warriors fight the ongoing battle against invasive species “Recently we were clearing blackberries from Miller Road, and underneath we found a patch of EDITOR huckleberries that would’ve soon been choked out completely,” says Greaven. “In any case, the pile of On Monday of this week, the “hard core” members blackberries we left behind was about 7 feet tall, and of the Crippen Park Weed Warriors planted ferns we rely on Kevin and Rod to dispose of those piles.” and salmonberry bushes along a strip of cleared land In the past year, she says the group has been workbeside the commuter parking lot in the Cove. This ing to remove Daphne Laurel, English Ivy, Japanese project is just one of many the volunteer group has Knotweed, Himalayan Blackberry, Lamium, Clematis tackled since being formed roughly a decade ago, and vine and Purple Loostrife from Crippen Park lands. their work continues on the third Saturday of every On the subject of Purple Loostrife, councillor and month. environmental educator Sue Ellen Fast says the surThe group’s de-facto leader, Moira Greaven, says vival of the wetland ecosystem between Miller Road the monthly gatherings are an opportunity to workand Killarney Lake can be attributed to the Weed off frustration, and a chance to talk politics. She Warrior’s work. says that they focus on Crippen Park because Metro “That whole area could’ve been infested, and if Vancouver does not have the staff resources to fight you want to know what that looks like, the area on the ongoing battle against invasive plant species, and the way to the airport near Iona Park is completely because the staff they do have on the island, Kevin infested and is a visible sea of purple,” says Fast. Huskinson and Rod Harding, clean up the mess the “Once a tiny bit of root is there, it just keeps growgroup leaves behind. ing but the Weed Warriors are at it consistently, and without them all the other vegetation could be swallowed by this invaBOWEN ISLAND ECO ALLIANCE; 3.417 in; Black; -; R0011017579 sive plant. We wouldn’t see all the ducks and wildflower beauty we see there now.” When asked whether the group’s efforts ever April 26, (Sun.) at Collins Hall at 2:00 PM felt futile, Greaven and fellow weed-warrior Dee MacCarthy replied: eradication is futile, but conBowen Island land developer trol is the goal and that is very possible. John Reid Anyone is welcome to “Grafton Lake: join the Weed Warriors in their efforts, and the An Opportunity to Get it Right??” group says they would especially be interested in younger volunteers getting on board.
-5
U
P
MERIBETH DEEN
Two-night Stay for up to Four People in One-Bedroom Condo at Douglas Fir Resort - Banff Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets
$534
From
$259
-7
6%
Banff, AB
Bowen Island
Eco-Alliance
Annual General Meeting
Small or Large Locket with 5 Charms and 3 Birthstones Her Story Lockets
$81.76
Redeem online
$20
Get these and other exclusive offers at SocialShopper.com Visit us online
Find an offer you like
Buy it
Enjoy it!
Guest Speaker:
Everybody is Welcome!
www.ecoalliance.ca
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Learning to feel CHRIS DIERKES SUBMISSION
I worked for years as a priest and now for the last two in a private practice dedicated to soul work. The most surprising thing I’ve learned from my work is this: people don’t know how to feel. Now you might think this is a crazy idea but I stand by it. What I see cultural-wide is the mass suppression of our innate human ability to feel. The suppression of our feeling lies at the root of so much of the suffering we endure. The good news though is we can learn how to feel. There’s a practice or process to cultivate our feeling. There’s an art to working with feeling. My perspective is that feeling is what it is to be human. In my view, thought is a kind of feeling. Thought is what happens when our brain feels. Thought is what our brain feels like. Physical sensations are what are our nervous systems feel like. And emotions are what our heart feels like. The upshot of all this is that if we learn how to feel then we will experience what I call being an integrated(ish) human being. The -ish in integrated(ish) stands for the fact that we never ever reach a completely, 100% integrated place but we can get to a much more integrated place. It’s a process we can learn. A number of positive effects occur as a result of becoming an integrated(ish) human being. For example, when we learn how to work
with our feeling then we find that grounding happens on its own naturally. We don’t have to try to ground ourselves. Grounding becomes an effect of feeling, not something we strive for. Feeling is the conscious state of being a bodily human organism. We humans are feeling organisms. I sometimes say that we are not human beings but human feelings. We are not people who “have bodies”, as if our bodies were some kind of object. We are bodily. Feeling in its deepest sense is the feeling of being a human organismic reality where mind, body, emotion, and sensation are all integrated aspects of one underlying integrated process--what I call feeling. And that birthright of ours has been stolen from us. Our schools, our families, our workplaces, even many of our spiritual teachings have suppressed our ability to feel. We need to relearn this art, this way of connecting to our natural feeling capacity. I’ll be facilitating a half-day workshop at Bowen Island Yoga on Sat, April 18th from 1-5:30 ($50). In this workshop we will learn how to feel. For more information and registration go to www.bowenislandyoga.com Chris Dierkes has a strong background in Christian mysticism, integral theory, global spirituality, as well as shamanic forms of consciousness. He holds a Masters in Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology and worked for a number of years as a parish priest in the Anglican church. teaching.
FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015 • 7
The Best of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival is Coming to Bowen Outside45 students Miranda Berry, Sam Hayduk, Bea McDonald and Molly Quarry. Cam Hayduk, photo
OUTSIDE45 SUBMISSION
Have you ever camped in a snow cave? Wanted to kayak on big open water? Or even experienced what it’s like to climb a towering rock face? How about slowly rafting down a river from its source to its end? Have you ever thought you could not make one more step hiking up a mountain, but found within yourself that you could, and kept going? You too can experience some of these things -- on the big screen. The Best of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) is coming to Bowen for the first time! Hosted by BICS outside45 students, the Best of the Fest will feature great outdoor-themed films that you won’t see anywhere else. Funds raised from this event will go towards purchasing sleeping bags, backpacks and other gear for outside45. Outside45 is a grade 6 and 7 outdoor education program at BICS that helps stu-
dents learn about their community and the natural world around them. We hope this film night will be the start of an annual tradition on Bowen. So come out and see what we love…and you’ll love it too! Gather your friends and family and enjoy a movie night together. We are renting a theatre-quality video and audio system plus supersize screen to present these amazing films. The evening begins with the screening of several short films including “An Education,” which follows a professional mountaineer and his young daughter as they go on a once-in-lifetime adventure in Antarctica. Another film you won’t want to miss is “Delta Dawn.” It tells the story of a paddling team who follow the Colorado River. The iconic river hasn’t reached the ocean for almost two decades due to overuse of its water, when in the Spring of 2014, an experiment included the release of river water that finally reached the lost delta.
continued PAGE 9
8 • FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Broad impacts of English Bay Oil Spill from PAGE 1 “But in my shoreline surveys I’ve found good spawning beaches around Dundarave Pier, John Lawson Creek, Totem Beach in Stanley Park and Rec Beach. I am just so glad that at least there are good spawning grounds up on the Sunshine Coast and near Powell River that should be safe from damage.” Starting this Friday, De Graaf is going to conduct an initial assessment of the impacts of any hydrocarbons at the beach at Sandy Cove, which has been identified as an important smelt spawning site. From there, she says she will decide where to go in order to expand her study on the toxicity rates within smelt embryos on affected beaches. “I am trying to be hopeful that I’ll find the level of contamination in the beach sediment to be low,” says DeGraaf. “But when you look at that oil sheen on the surface, and if we get some high winds come in, that will likely do the job of mixing it in with the sediment.” Bowen Islander Karen Wristen, executive director of the Living Oceans Society, shares DeGraaf ’s concerns about the long-term and less visible impacts of this oil spill. “This weekend, I went down to Seymour Bay and Arbutus Cove because I thought that if oil were to wash up anywhere on Bowen’s shoreline, it would likely be there,” says Wristen. “I didn’t see any evidence of oil, but as I watched the herons feeding, I thought about the impact a contaminated population of fish is likely to have on our local heron population.” Wristen adds that recent research conducted for the Living Oceans Society by Dr. Jeffrey Short, a chemist who worked for the U.S. government assessing damage caused by the Exxon Valdez oil spill, shows that oil is deadly to virtually all fish while they are in their larval forms. “Certain compounds in bitumen or bunker oil can dissolve into water and then be absorbed by the translucent embryos,” says Wristen. “When exposed to sunlight, these compounds promote the oxidiza-
InHabit
Somatic Centre
566 Artisan Square Somatic Patterning Massage Craniosacral Therapy Ball Rolling Classes T’ai Chi Chih (778) 952-3757 Breathe Move Touch
Chiropractor
Dr. Tracy Leach, D.C.
595B Artisan Lane Tues. & Fri. Call for an appointment
(778) 828-5681
Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830
CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
MARY MCDONAGH RMT
CATHERINE SHAW
Dr. Susanne Schloegl
BODY VITALITY MASSAGE THERAPY
M.D.
Open Mon.Wed. Thurs. Fri. Call for an appointment Artisan Square Dr. Dana Barton
Horseshoe Bay 604-921-8522 www.bowenislanddental.com
604-947-9755 EXT #1
At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597
Dr. Gloria Chao
Alternate Fridays 10am - 4:30pm
BOWEN ISLAND MASSAGE THERAPY @ #597 Wellness Centre & #595 next door!! TEXT: 604-653-9755
604-947-9986
Artisan Square 604-947-0734
In the online version of this story, check out the story of finding the spill by sailor Rob O’Dea, as told to Karen Wristen.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
www.leachchiro.com
Family Dentist
tion of tissues within the embryos – in effect, burning them. This effect was demonstrated in herring embryos on the shorelines of San Francisco Bay after the 2009 Cosco Busan oil spill.” Wristen says that the wider impacts of the oil spill in English Bay may be difficult to monitor, but doing so is crucial. “If we don’t start doing it immediately, we won’t have any hope of linking the cause and effect of this in the future,” she says. The report Wristen sights when discussing fish embryos and oil was written for a submission to the Kinder Morgan pipeline hearings, and focuses largely on oil spill response-preparedness. “This event shows the risks, and that really, there is no intention on the part of the Coast Guard to address them,” says Wristen. “They’re saying that 80% of the spill has been picked up, when really, the International Tanker Owners Pollution Fund, which regularly publishes statistics, shows that only 15 percent of a spill is ever picked up. Furthermore, even the sailor who first reported this spill says that he could see the oil sinking right away.” She adds that the prospect of cleaning up oil from affected shorelines is grim. “On the coastline up in Prince William Sound where the Exxon Valdez spilled, there is an estimated 80 thousand litres of oil remaining in the cobble beaches. There is no method proven to be particularly effective of getting oil off of rocks and out of fine sediment,” says Wristen. “You’ve likely heard descriptions of the oil on the shores of English Bay as being like bubblegum. It will take a long time for the elements to break this down and for those beaches to recover.”
Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square
604-730-1174 Natural Family Medicine
OPEN 7 days a week!
HARMONY SHIRE RMT ROBYN IZARD RMT ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT designation pending
778-996-5911
Celebrating 27 years Community Healthcare
Now 7 days a week! James Goldfarb RMT Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon 604-288-2860 Jenni Griffiths RMT Tue, Wed, Thur 604-240-6485 www.bodyvitaliy.ca
Psychologist Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484
604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com
Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist
❦
MARY MCDONAGH RMT, DCH Registered Massage Therapist
❦
SANDY LOGAN Registered Physiotherapist
❦
COURTNEY MORRIS R.Ac, DCH Acupuncturist / Homeopath
Life Labs Tue @ Dr. Schloegl Thur @ Dr. Zandy 6:45am - 8:45am
For routine lab tests. Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.
Committee works to keep commuter bus rolling Commuter Rich Ralph says the Bowen through-bus to downtown allows him to work steadily until 3 p.m and be assured a spot on the 4:30 ferry so he can enjoy time with his daughter, Madison, before dinner. Meribeth Deen, photo
from PAGE 1 “We need time to build up ridership. Our goal is to keep the service running until we can get the level of ridership that is needed in order to make it sustainable,” he says. TAG! Member Richard Smith sites similar reasons (a more convenient commute for himself, but also the island’s sustainability) as Hocking for his motivation for joining this action group. He is working on figuring out what needs to happen in order for the bus to run as a business. “First of all, we do need to see the ridership go up. The average number of riders per day is about 110 at this point, and seeing 130 people per day on the bus is the goal,” says Smith. “Also, it would be really helpful if BC Ferries would offer the bus the Experience Card rate at the equivalent what 1.5 cars would pay. The bus is several feet longer than that, but if we could get that rate, it would make a huge difference.” Smith adds that assured loading for the bus is critical for making the service work, as is permission from TransLink to operate within its service zone. TAG! Made a request to Mayor Murray Skeels to send an email to both TransLink and BC Ferries asking for meetings on this subject, a request which he has already fulfilled. Staff have already entered into discussions with TransLink, and members of TAG! say they are optimistic that a meeting with BC Ferries will be on booked in the very near future.
BOWEN ISLAND CONSERVANCY
GARIBALDI PARK: ALPINE JEWEL OF HOWE SOUND Our 2015 Speaker Series wraps up for Spring on April 18th with a presentation by Bob Turner, island resident and Conservancy Board Member. Garibaldi Park has the most accessible, most diverse, and arguably most beautiful alpine landscapes in the Vancouver region. Its unique volcanic origins have created a landscape of rolling alpine meadows, rich in wild flowers, and have made it a popular hiking and ski-touring destination for nearly a century. The Park’s diverse volcanic features are famous: the lava-dammed and turquoise-coloured Garibaldi Lake, the great landslide scar of the Barrier, the dark tower of Black Tusk, the curious flat-topped Table, multi-hued desert-like Opal and Cinder cone volcanoes, and the great peak of Mt. Garibaldi rising above it all. There are also the stunning glaciers of today, and the debris fields that mark their rapid retreat over the past century. And beyond Garibaldi’s gentler ridges are backdrops of craggy granite spires. So there are lots of stories to tell! • When: April 18th, at 3:00 pm • Where: The Gallery at Artisan Square More information about this presentation is available at bowenislandconservancy.org. Refreshments will be served. We hope that you’ll be able to join us; everyone is welcome. The Bowen Island Arts Council (BIAC) operates the Visitor Centre on behalf of BIM from May – September. This year, BIAC will partner with Tourism Bowen Island to help promote our island’s amenities. In addition to providing tourist information, the VC houses a small gift shop featuring local artist wares. BIAC is seeking to fill two staff positions, a Visitor Centre Coordinator and Visitor Centre Host. The Visitor Centre Coordinator is a 35-hour per week administrative/marketing position. The VCC will take a lead role in attending to the needs of daily visitors, collecting and collating visitor records and statistics, ensuring the smooth operation of the gift shop, and promoting and publicizing local amenities, services, businesses and events. He or she must possess strong leadership, communications, interpersonal and customer service skills and be detail oriented with excellent time management skills. The Visitor Centre Host position is a two-day (14 hours) per week position. The primarily role will be to attend to the needs of visitors to the island as well as administer gift shop sales, maintain records and help promote local events and activities. The VCH will possess strong customer service skills, work well in a team environment but also be comfortable working independently, and have experience in record keeping. For both positions, training or education in tourism is a definite asset, as is knowledge of Bowen Island. Experience in providing friendly efficient service to the public is essential. Must be fluent in English. A second language is also an asset. Please submit a cover letter indicating which position you are applying for and a resumé no later than Monday, April 27 to Jacqueline Massey, visitorcentre@biac.ca.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
FRIDAY APRIL 8 2015 • 9
An update from the Bowen Island Gymnastics Club GAIL LOTENBERG SUBMISSION
Local gymnast Eve Sentlinger is one of BC’s outstanding athletes in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. Five years ago Eve got her start in this sport at the Bowen Island Gymnastics Club under coach Lisa Brougham. At a three-day event held in North Vancouver last weekend, hundreds of gymnasts from across the province showcased their skills. Eve placed 6th All Around in the Junior Olympics Level 7 Competition. Her most notable achievement was making it to the podium in 4th Place on Balance Beam. Eve, who is an 11 year old student at BICS, began as a competitive athlete in Gymnastics in 2010 with the Bowen Island Gymnastics Club and today she still trains under local Pilates Instructor and dancer, Gail Lotenberg, to refine her body alignment and on the performance of dance elements for the Beam and Floor events. Women gymnasts compete on four events: Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor Exercise. Eve has been passionate about her sport from Day 1 and will now graduate to Junior Olympics Level 8. Congratulations, Eve! Bowen Island gymnastics will be hosting over 100 gymnasts from the Sea to Sky corridor on Sat April 18th for our Bowen Island Invitational meet at BICS gymnasium. Our youngest gymnasts start at 9:30 am for the first flight , the second flight starts at 12:30 pm and our oldest gymnasts compete at 3:00 pm Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. There will be a concession and a BBQ fundraiser for the World Helsinki 2015 team. Come out and support our gymnasts !
PHOTO: Bowen Island Gymnast Eve Sentingler on the balance beam.
photo submitted by Gail Lotenberg
Places of Worship Welcome You
Churches; 4.2027 in; Black; -; R0011008407
BRUCE RUSSEL SUBMISSION
The Augusta course and Jordan Speith had nothing on two Bowen golfers who won the coveted mustard jackets at our Island Masters last Saturday. Congratulations to Heather Coulthart and Rich Anderson who bested 47 other competitors for the ladies and men’s Masters championships. Our next club event is the May 16th Community Challenge. Each community is encouraged to assemble their teams for the light on competition, high on fun event and their name on the classic Gwynneth Rogers perpetual trophy.
Vancouver Mountain Film Festival from PAGE 7
Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon
Relaxed evening out for Tir-na-nOg Theatre School hosted by Synergy
Pastor Clinton Neal 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
Angie Inglis and Ross Douglas with Synergy’s own, Beverly Elliot, Yvonne McSkimming and Mark James Forth
ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey
604-988-6304
May 5th 6-10pm @ The Rowing club Reservations karenlea@telus.netph.2403 tirnanog@telus.netph.9507
DROP-OFF
BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH
-Musical guests-
Donations from $50 per person or more if you wish!
FOOD BANK
Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams
CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260
(661 Carter Rd.)
10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens Pastor: Dr. James B. Krohn
CORMORANT MARINE; 5.2027 in; Black; -; R0011008542
DEPARTS SUN to THURS FRI & SAT SNUG COVE 11:15PM 12:15AM HORSESHOE BAY 11:30PM 12:30AM
OPERATING 7 DAYS A WEEK
Proudly Celebrating Over 36 Years of Trusted Transport for Bowen Island & Howe Sound Telephone: 604-947-2243 Cellular: 604-250-2630 24 Hour Service Special Event Cruises PRIVATE CHARTERS AVAILABLE ANYTIME
email: cormorantmarine@telus.net web: cormorantwatertaxi.com
604-947-2243
Since 1978
REGULAR SCHEDULE BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULE April 1 to May 5, 2015 Effect May 15 to October 13, 2014 Ferry;In 4.917 in; Black; -; R0011008537
▼
BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove
5:30 am** 5:30 am 6:30 am** 6:30 am 7:30 am** 7:30 am 8:30 am * 8:35 am 9:30 am 9:35 am 10:30 am# 10:35 am 11:30 am 11:40 am 12:30 pm 12:45pm^ pm 1:30 3:10 pm 3:00 pm 4:15 pm † 4:00 pm† 5:15 pm 5:00 pm* 6:20 pm 6:00 pm* 7:20 pm 7:00 pm*# 8:15 pm 8:00 pm# 9:10 pm 9:00 10:05pm pm 10:00 pm
VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay
6:00 am * 6:00 7:00am am* 7:00 8:00am am* 8:00 9:00am am† † 9:05 am# 10:00 am 10:05 am 11:00am am 11:05 12:00pm pm 12:10 1:00pm pm^ 2:35 2:25pm pm 3:45 4:45 3:30pm pm 5:50 pm 4:30 pm * 6:50 5:30pm pm 7:50 6:30pm pm* 8:40 pm # 7:30pm pm* 9:40 8:30 pm# 9:30 pm
Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES
Leave Horseshoe Bay
A brief intermission follows during which you can bid on some fantastic prize packages generously donated by Bowen Island businesses. You may also be a lucky winner of one of our fabulous door prizes. Volunteer parents will be running a concession serving snacks. However, in keeping with BICS’ philosophy of reducing waste, we won’t be serving drinks in plastic bottles or tetra paks. Instead, please bring your own water bottle or mug. In the second half of the evening we’ll be screening the feature documentary “The Little Things”, an award-winning environmental film featuring world-renowned scientist David Suzuki, as well as numerous professional snowboarders who have been convinced of the need to make positive changes for a sustainable environment. Date: Saturday April 25th Time: 6:30pm doors, concession and auction open. Films begin promptly at 7:00pm Venue: BICS Gym Tickets on sale at the Phoenix on Bowen, or at the door (if not sold out). Cash only please.Ticket prices: $15 adult, $10 for elementary and high school stu-
BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH
TIR-NA-NOG THEATRE SCHOOL; 3.417 in; Black; -; R0011019397 Benefit Concert and Dinner
Leave Snug Cove
Bowen Island Golf Club – Island Masters Tournament
*
DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS # DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS SUNDAYS
#
**
DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS & SATURDAYS SUNDAYS & SUNDAYS
** **
DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SAT, SUN SAT, SUN && MAY 19, JUL FEB. 93 1, APRIL AUG 4, SEPT 1 & OCT† 13 THE WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL BE REPLACED BY DANGEROUS THE WEDNESDAY CARGO SAILINGS. SAILINGS WILL NO OTHER BE REPLACED PASSENGERS BY DANGEROUS PERMITTED. CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER PASSENGERS ^Wed to Fri PERMITTED. ONLY
†
10 • FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
On the calendar 10:00 - Emily McCullum will talk about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with her son, David. 11:00 - Yoga with Diana Kaile
FRIDAY APRIL 17
Legion Dinner Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 6:30
Bowen Island Garden Club speaker series presents Paddy Wales who will give a presentation on the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden at The Gallery at Artisan Square. Everyone welcome. 1 p.m.
Bluegrass and fried chicken featuring the Lawndogs Bowen Island Pub starting at 7 p.m. Future of God: An Open Conversation about Mature Spirituality in Community at Bowen Island Yoga 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY APRIL 21 AA Meeting Collins Hall 7:15 p.m.
SATURDAY APRIL 18
Municipal Special Waste Drop-Off Day Bowen Island Recycling Depot 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Purchase receipts per-load at the General Store or Municipal Hall. Payments will not be accepted on-site.
Bowen Ag Alliance AGM at BICS starting at 6 p.m. On the agenda: John Reid, Kim Howden, Matt Matheson and Sarah Haxby
WEDNESDAY APRIL 22
Crippen Park Weed Warriors We will meet by the bridge at the mouth of Davies Creek (at nearby picnic table in field). Everyone welcome. Tools and gloves provided. Dress for the weather and bring your water supply. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Knitting Circle 2 - 5 p.m. Bowen Court - All levels welcome!
SUNDAY APRIL 19
MONDAY APRIL 20
Cut-off for donations to the Bowen Island Children’s Centre Clothing Sale
“Beyond the Edge” photographs by Emmett Sparling and Tristan Deggan Gallery at Artisan Square, opening at 5:30 p.m.
APRIL 25
Wild Food Tour Register by calling 604-947-9563
Seniors Keeping Young (SKY) 9:00 - Exercises
Musical Family Fun! with guest musician, Ripple Illusion Bowen Island Yoga, 3 p.m.
Free hearing tests, hearing aid cleaning and checks Caring Circle. Call 604-281-3691
UPCOMING APRIL 24
Wild Food Tour Register by calling 604-947-9563
MAY 5
Rotary: Social Night, bring a dish and mingle. Ask Piers at the Snug for the location, 6:30 p.m.
Bowen Heritage AGM and Heritage Basics workshop to follow. 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., at Evergreen Hall, 464 Melmore Road. The workshop is free for members and $10 for non-members. If you’re planning to attend the workshop, please email bowenheritage@gmail.com.
APRIL 26
Tashi & the Monk: Documentary Screening at Bowen Island Yoga, 7 p.m
Duplicate Bridge @ Bowen Court Call Irene @ 2955
Youth Open Gym: 6 - 8:30 p.m. at BICS
Best of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, hosted by grades 6 and 7 students at BICS Doors open at 6:30, films start at 7 Tickets at Phoenix and at the door - $15 adults, $10 students and seniors - cash only please
MAY 1
THURSDAY APRIL 23
Bowen Island Vacation Rental Tour Starting 11 a.m. at the library Pre-register by contacting: carol@simplysafarisuite.com or 604-947-9005.
APRIL 25 CONTINUED: Bowen Grows, Community Gardeners Information event & mini farmers’ market seedling, seeds & garden starts sale 10am-noon at BICSContact shaxby@sd45.bc.ca to book a table at this event.
Synergy Cabaret, dinner at the Rowing Club Fundraiser for Tir-Na-Nog Theatre School For more info contact Karen Cowper at 947-2403
MAY 14
Bowen Island Children’s Centre Clothing Sale
MAY 14
Free hearing tests, hearing aid cleaning and checks Caring Circle. Call 604-281-3691
BOWEN BULLETIN BOARD Gallery @ Artisan Square Presents
Randall
“WEARABLE ART”
CPA, CA
Featuring magnificent creations By over 20 artists from Bowen and the mainland 27 Mar - 18 Apr Reception: Fri, 27 Mar 7-9pm Dress Code: Over the Top
Yip,
ACCOUNTING, TAX, CONSULTING Tel: 604 -817-9536 Email: randallyip@shaw.ca
I cut grass.
Plus many other services.
One easy call:
Jaime Ogden
h 604-947-0383 c 778-868-1471
The public is invited: Annual General Meeting of the Bowen Agricultural Alliance Society (BAA) Tues., April 21, 6:30-8:30 pm, BICS Multi-purpose Room 6:30-7:30 pm: Speakers, healthy soil workshop + soil amendment sale, seasonal cooking demo 7:30-8:30 pm: Meeting, projects review, 2015 farmers mkt schedule + board election
info: bowenagalliance.ca
MOVING
SALE! Sat. Apr. 25, 10-4 1244 Miller Rd.
Go through gate by diagonal parking spot at corner of Oceanview. Yellow cottage & green screen tent on left Everything must go!
LANCE’S Brannon RECYCLING Brothers I’ll pick up your roofing& sheet metal
Call Mike at
778-829-2516
recycling and deliver to BIRC for $25/load Kindling $20/box at Building Centre
CALL 947-2430
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
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
FRIDAY APRIL 17 2015 • 11
12 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Ambitious young photographers show their work at upcoming exhibit MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
It was a few years ago that 17 year-old Tristan Deggan introduced his friend Emmett Sparling, a year younger, to photography. Now, the friends share their passion and process, and combine it with as much adventure as possible. “Adventure is really the only theme of this exhibit,” says Sparling, referring to the upcoming show, Beyond the Edge, opening at the Gallery at Artisan Square on April 24. “Photography is how I step back from life. I recently hiked Mount Gardner with a friend and we went completely off trail and it took us forever to get back, and I think we only got two pho-
tos out of the whole expedition, but it really doesn’t matter.” Deggan says his obsession with photography grew alongside an obsession with mountain biking. He’s spent half of every year of his life living in the South of France and until this year (he is spending Grade 12 at Rockridge) and with the exception of time spent at Island Pacific School, has been homeschooled. “If I hadn’t been so bored, I probably would have never found these interests,” he says. Both Deggan and Sparling say they are interested in all aspects and techniques of photography. Works in their upcoming show come from adventures on Bowen, in Washington State, and in France.
The Bowen Queen.
A Jewel on the Sunshine Coast BOWEN ISLAND GARDEN CLUB SUBMISSION
On April 20, 2015 the Bowen Island Garden Club welcomes Paddy Wales who will give us a presentation on the newly created Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden. Paddy, one of the founding members and past president and vice president of the botanical garden, will talk about the challenges and successes in creating a botanical garden in the Pacific Northwest. She will highlight her discussion with amazing garden photography for which she is well known. Paddy is a widely published garden photographer, author, lecturer and teacher. She is the author of “Journeys through the Garden: Inspiration for Gardeners in BC and the Pacific Northwest” a book that features coastal gardens of Washington, Oregon and BC. The creation of the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden is truly a story of vision, passion and commitment. It is a community project worth hearing about. Please join us at The Gallery at Artisan Square on April 20, 2015 at 1PM. Everyone is welcome.
Portrait in Stanley Park.
Tristan Deggan, photo
Emmett Sparling, photo
Learn more about Woodfibre LNG An electronic copy of Woodfibre LNG Limited’s EAC Application and information regarding the Environmental Assessment process is available at www.eao.gov.bc.ca. Copies of the Application are also available for viewing at these locations: Woodfibre LNG FortisBC Community Office 38134 Cleveland Avenue, Squamish, BC Squamish Public Library 37907 2nd Avenue, Squamish, BC
Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Woodfibre LNG Project, Squamish, BC
Public Comment Period Extended
Squamish Municipal Hall 37955 2nd Avenue, Squamish, BC Bowen Island Library 430 Bowen Trunk Road, Bowen Island, BC West Vancouver Memorial Library 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC West Vancouver Municipal Hall 750 17 Street, West Vancouver, BC
We are pleased to announce that the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has accepted our request to extend the Public Comment Period for our proposed Project, meaning members of the public now have more time to have their say. Woodfibre LNG Limited made the request for this extension after hearing a desire on the part of the community to have more time to review and comment on our Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) Application. The Public Comment Period has been extended by the EAO to 60 days from the initial 46 days. Public Comments can now be submitted until March 23, 2015.
Participate in the EAO Review Process The EAO accepts Public Comments through the following ways: By Online Form: www.eao.gov.bc.ca By Mail: Michael Shepard Project Assessment Manager Environmental Assessment Office PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9V1 By Fax: 250-387-0230
Building a project that’s right for Squamish. That’s our number one priority. woodfibrelng.ca
NOTE: All submissions received by EAO during the comment period in relation to the proposed Project are considered public and will be posted to the EAO website.