FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015 VOL. 42, NO. 26
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Moving on...
With love from the Nook
Healthcare on Bowen
Parting words from an editor and columnist...
A send-off to Bowen grads
More information required to move forward
Bowen to become “closed colony” for honey bees
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
“More than two decades of work, and all we got was this sign,” Paul Hooson.
Meribeth Deen, photo
Hooson’s last stand
After 22 years working to create a community hall, theatre advocate Paul Hooson moves on MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
O
ver the past two decades, you are more likely to have seen Paul Hooson getting theatrical in the municipal hall than you are to have seen him on-stage at Tir-na-Nog or Cates Hill Chapel. The clown and puppeteer says the reason for that is because he’s not an actor – just a champion for the theatre arts on Bowen Island. Last Monday, Hooson stood before council yet again, offering a brief history of the committees struck and reports written in an effort to move forward plans for a community hall on Bowen. After wrapping up, he told council that this presentation would be his last. “I’m feeling resigned,” said Hooson in an interview following the meeting. “I’m not sure if that’s a stage of grief, but that’s where I’m at.” In the report he wrote up for council, called
“Bowen Island Community Hall: A work in progress, or a project neglected?” Hooson lays out possible next steps for moving the project forward, but says he’s not optimistic that they will be taken. His presentation to council last week, he says, was motivated by the fact that as each new council has assumed leadership it has misinterpreted the work and objectives of the Arts Council. “I wanted to set the record straight before I quit,” he says. “What we want is a Community Hall, not a Community Center: a modest, multi-purpose space for the performing arts and public assembly.” Among the uses of this kind of space, he adds, would be weddings and banquets as well as “soft” recreational activities such as yoga, and various kinds of seniors activities. Hooson started his quest for such a space back in 1993, when he played the role of an advisor on the “theatre” aspect of a Community and Performing Arts Centre for the Bowen Island Parks and Recreation Task Force. continued PAGE 3
Over the past three years, Bowen beekeepers Ian Kennard and Nancy Leonard have seen their hives get stronger and stronger. Prior to 2013, says Kennard, between 40 and 50 percent of their bees died over the winter. In 2013, 90 percent of their bees survived, and in this past winter, 100 percent of their bees survived. It turns out, though, that a majority of their bees do not in fact carry the traits that make them resistant to disease – “hygienic traits,” technically speaking. This news comes with new technology that Kennard, Leonard and other Bowen Island bee keepers will assist to test over the coming three years. As UBC professor Leonard Foster explains, bee breeding technology has been stuck in the dark ages as compared to methods used in other agricultural sectors. Until Foster and his team embarked on this recent project to improve it, bee breeders had no way of knowing which bees had the genetic
traits that would help them resist disease and survive the winter. “Most bee keepers in Canada get their bees from either Hawaii or New Zealand. They’re not used to the cold and most don’t survive long enough to adapt, so the bee keepers get new ones every few years,” says Foster, adding that a minority of bee keepers, like Kennard and Leonard, breed the survivors and in doing so create bees that are adapted to this climate. “It is pretty well recognized that the solution that offers the most hope for the industry in terms of bee death is selecting for bees that are stronger and more economically viable, which is not a shocking conclusion,” says Foster. “But the tools that people have to do the selection have not been there. We’ve tried to bring modern molecular techniques that would be used in a hospital, for example, and apply those tools to honey bees. Last year’s project, found a way to quickly and easily determine whether a bee would be hygienic or not based on the presence of a group of proteins in the bee’s genetic material.” continued PAGE 3
Bee keepers Nancy Leonard, Ian Kennard and research technician Heather Higo inspect a frame of drones brought to Bowen from the Fraser Valley. Meribeth Deen, photo
Frazer Elliott 27 1293 Westside Road
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You can immediately see why this magical, 5.8 acre property is know as Island Springs. To your left as you drive in are three ponds stacked upon the hillside. Relax at the top by the Reflection Pond and watch the waterfall pour into the ponds below. The home overlooks all, and features lovingly-crafted details, two bedrooms and two baths. Outside is the Village Green, through which the driveway continues towards the studio building and its surrounding piazza, field pond, and irrigated garden. The studio features an expansive workshop downstairs; the upstairs open plan was originally used for Tai Chi, but is now a musical getaway.
9 INCE 200 S R O T L G R EA BOWEN ISLAND’S TOP PRODUCIN
2 • FRIDAY JULY 24 2015
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→ COMPLETE FIRE BAN
IN EFFECT
NO Open Burning NO Camp Fires NO Beach Fires NO Fireworks NO BBQs
→ WAT E R U S A G E
R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S
The following recommendations apply for all Municipal Water Systems:
NO LAWN SPRINKLING NO CAR/BOAT WASHING NO DECK/POWER WASHING Please limit your water usage: Turn the tap off while brushing or washing Use the dishwasher only when full Use laundry machines sparingly Embrace the dusty look for your car Water garden by hand-held hose or containers Equip hoses with spring-loaded shutoff devices Collect rainwater Flush only when necessary
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works department at 604-947-4255
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P R I VAT E W E L L n U S E R S
Recently, Bowen Island Municipality has received reports of wells starting to run dry in the community. You can take steps to protect your water supply and to deal with a dry well. Below are some suggestions for private wellusers to avoid unpleasant surprises and have peace of mind: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
CONSTRUCTION IN SNUG COVE
June 30 - July 31, 2015 Installation of an oil-water separator Visit www.bimbc.ca for more information and construction updates.
TO REPORT FIRES OR WILDFIRES CALL 911
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
→ NOTICE OF
Check your water level, if you haven’t already Consider speaking to a qualified local water technician about installing a well depth monitor to notify you when your well reaches a lower-thannormal level Work with one of the local water companies or a group of neighbours to coordinate tanker truck deliveries or create communal pump and storage systems Consider purchasing a storage tank that will work in coordination with the natural recharge capacity of your well and will help to protect you from sudden water outages Remember that water quality and characteristics can be affected when the water table changes drastically, this may be a first indicator that water levels are low Talk to neighbours, especially if you are on a shared well or a shared aquifer, to agree on water conservation strategies and share updates on the level of the well Learn more tips about being “Wellsmart” at www.rdnwellsmart.ca or look in the Bowen Phone Book under “Water Systems” and speak to a qualified local water technician Go to www.bimbc.ca for more information
→ REQUEST FOR
MEMBERS ON THE FERRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Bowen Island Municipal Transportation Advisory Committee (BIMTAC) is seeking members of the public interested in serving on the BC Ferries Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC). The FAC is a sub-committee of BIMTAC that acts as an advisory committee to BC Ferries to represent the interests of Bowen residents and to bring forward local ferry service issues and concerns identified by residents of the community to BC Ferries. BIMTAC is particularly interested in receiving applications from students, seniors, commercial/economic interests and other community groups and organizations. To view the Terms of Reference for BC Ferries Ferry Advisory Committees please go to www.bimbc.ca. Please submit your application by Monday, July 27 at 4:30 pm via email, fax or regular mail to: Hope Dallas, Committee Clerk hdallas@bimbc.ca 604-947-4255 Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
→ CONTRIBUTE TO A
CRIMEnFREE COMMUNITY
The Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers group is recruiting a volunteer representative from Bowen Island to serve on its board. The organization is a community service partnership between the RCMP, the media, and citizens to solve crimes in the Sea to Sky corridor. Board meetings for the registered non-profit group are held every five weeks, usually in Squamish or Whistler. More information about Crime Stoppers is posted at www.solvecrime.ca and www.facebook.com/ SeaToSkyCrimeStoppers. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers Board Secretary Jack Knight at jrknight63@gmail.com before July 31.
→ B O W E N B AY
WAT E R S Y S T E M A N N U A L I N F O R M AT I O N M E E T I N G
All Bowen Bay Residents Welcome! When: Thursday, July 30 at 5:30 pm Where: Malkin Creek Road Cul-de-sac (weather dependent, alternatively Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane) What: Overview of Annual Budget, Water Reports & Operations
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FRIDAY JULY 24 2015 • 3
Bees brought to Bowen Hooson: The show will go on Health Needs from PAGE 1 Assessment for to mate in isolation Bowen Island from PAGE 1
COLLEEN O’NEIL SUBMISSION
As many of you might remember, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) conducted a survey for the entire Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions to assess the health needs of all of the communities within those regions. It was broken down into communities not regions, so that VCH could make health care decisions based on local needs. Bowen Island had a higher response rate than any other community in part because Caring Circle promoted it as a way to improve our health care on Bowen. Clearly, given how many people responded, we have many concerns about health care on Bowen.
....having a GP is only helpful if you actually ‘see’ the GP; and we think there is an issue with ‘access to primary care’ on Bowen. One of the questions in the VCH survey asked people if they had a family/general practitioner (GP). Eight-six per cent of Islanders responded that they do indeed have a GP. That statistic has not gone unnoticed by our contacts at VCH, who have in casual conversation wondered why we need a local clinic/health centre when most people seemed well served around primary care. The board of the new Community Medical Clinic Society of Bowen Island explained that having a GP is only helpful if you actually ‘see’ the GP; and we think there is an issue with ‘access to primary care’ on Bowen. The board and board advisors have spent a good part of a year writing a health needs assessment that focuses on access to health services. We hope that
Since receiving a grant for further research from the Ministry of Agriculture last year, Leonard and his team have been working with eight different breeding operations in the lower mainland, including Leonard and Kennard’s here on Bowen Island. When tested for the proteins that Foster has determined make bees “hygienic,” only one hive of Leonard and Kennard’s queen bees qualified to be bred. Because of the way bees breed (the drones, or male bees will fly up to several kilometers from their hive, and the queen bees, when they are ready will fly off in search of them and mate with up to 20 drones) Foster’s team needed to find a way to control which bees were mating. The solution: take the selected bees away from the mainland, and to Bowen Island to do their mating. Last week, Heather Higo, a research technicial from Foster’s lab, brought over a select “drone brood” (male bees) from colonies tested in the Fraser Valley to Bowen. These bees are able to detect bees quickly within their hive, and remove the affected larvae before disease spreads. In roughly two weeks time, when they have reached maturity, these drones will emerge from their hives. During the two weeks they are maturing, Higo will be bringing selected Queens to Bowen, and putting them into a colony near the drones at Nancy Leonard’s bee yard. When the queens are ready in about three weeks, they’ll head off and mate with the selected drones. Foster says the goal of this project, for this year at least, is to breed six or eight strong queen bees for each of the breeders involved in the experiment. Next year and the year after, they will repeat the process, and hopefully prove that it is possible to continue selecting for behaviour that will make the honeybees resistant to disease. (And long term - eliminate the need to import bees from elsewhere?) For Ian Kennard, there is one simple hope that this project might deliver: stronger, better bees.
The report they produced recommended the creation of a 20 thousand square foot building to accommodate artistic and recreational units beside Bowen Island Community School. After the community rejected a proposal to build a “temporary” community centre (4,400 square feet) 1997, and after the creation of the Cultural Master Plan (2003), the Bowen Island Arts Council created another committee, and another report – this time recommending a 5,000 square foot hall. “We had explored all the island events looking at needs and the number of people attending these events, the proposal came with a sound business plan,” says Hooson. “We knew how the funds would be raised, and we had plans for revenue sustainability. Our stumbling block, though, was land.” Hoosen says that other small communities had land donated to them for the purpose of community halls or community centers, but despite their efforts, the Arts Council could not secure such a donation to help bring their plan to fruition.
Instead of implementing any of the report findings, each council has chosen to do more research instead.
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In 2006, that stumbling block was lifted when council offered up Lot 2 of municipal lands, the area between the soccer field at BICS and Senior’s Lane. This was followed by more proposed next steps, analysis, timelines and committees. “For 10 years now each council has received well-researched reports offering them various options for moving forward on this project,” says Hoosen. “Instead of implementing any of the report findings, each council has chosen to do more research instead.” On the final page of Hooson’s report, there is a photo of the Jericho Arts Centre, a roughly 6,000 square foot wood frame building that has been in use for 75 years so far, and will likely another 50. “I could’ve used a prettier building as an example of what we could have here on Bowen, but something this simple, this is all we need,” says Hooson. “Two years ago I was so down about this that I considered moving off the island, but I’ve been here 30 years and it is a great community. We will carry on. And the show will go on, even if it happens in a tent.”
For routine lab tests. Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.
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viewpoint
EDITORIAL
When delays cost lives
Taking a break from the hot seat MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
No way. That’s what I said almost two years ago when Susanne Martin stepped down as editor of The Undercurrent and my husband suggested I apply for the job. Obviously, I came around and submitted my application. Since then, I have many moments of teeth gritting, exhaustion, tears and feeling like the gig is not worth it - but I’m pretty sure I’ve had more moments of appreciating all ways this job has enriched my life. And after two years I sometimes forget that I haven’t always been the editor of The Undercurrent. As I wrap up my last official paper for some time to come (this is only an eight-pager... but for a slew of reasons I am in late on a Tuesday night) I’m feeling a like a tsunami of stories could just sweep me away. Who has time to have a baby when there is so much happening on Bowen Island? So much to dig into? So many people to talk to? I bet you next year when I come back we’ll still have reason to gripe about BC Ferries. I’m honestly not optimistic we’ll have any kind of community
centre (or Hall, says Hooson), or medical clinic, or water treatment plant. Maybe the snazzy new pub will be under construction by then. I’m also hoping that Finn Corrigan-Frost was not being overly optimistic when he told me that there’s a good chance a new bike park will be in the works this September (it turns out that hard packed mounds of dirt are my kid’s happy place). But for all that doesn’t happen, and for all that does (for example: when is it going to rain again, seriously) I’m steeling myself to be an observer for a while. And as I’ve said before, The Undercurrent will be in good hands. Martha Perkins has already brought her fresh eyes and years of experience to enhance this little paper. Make sure you guys cut her some slack, though - it takes a while to memorize the spellings in the Bowen phone book. Van Lidth de Jeude... I’ve almost got that one nailed without looking up. I’ll see you all around, at the General Store, on the playground but probably not much at council. And I’ll be back at it in a year or so... And thank you, Bowen Island, for being such a fantastic, interesting engaged community.
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. 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.
Dear Editor, Once again I hear the sirens and say a prayer that they’ll get there in time and the person will be ok-or that it’s just a baby being born a little early… and once again I promise myself that I will write THIS letter to everyone that may need emergency service that there are serious issues with the delays that can and now have been life threatening. Let me make it clear that I am not finding fault in any way with the paramedics or first responders but rather with the system or lack of funding for these services ! Back in January we had an emergency situation with my husband that looked like a heart attack or serious allergic reaction and had to make that dreaded 911 call. We live on a main road and only 7-10 minutes from the Cove, but after 15 minutes I still heard no sirens. Luckily my husband was feeling and looking better! I called the dispatcher once again and asked where they were and could I at least give him some aspirin (I was assuming it might be heart related.) The dispatcher assured me they were on their way and after consulting them said it was ok to give some aspirin with just enough water to get it down. After 30 minutes the paramedics arrived and he was stable but they suggested we go to the hospital to get him checked out. So we went in the ambulance with them checking his vitals and transferred to the waiting water taxi where they BOTH came with us to the other side and the waiting ambulance in Horseshoe Bay. When I inquired about what would happen if there were an emergency while they were on the water taxi ,one of the paramedics said that it was “the luck of the draw” (!!) I also found out that part of the delay was the fact that only one paramedic was at the station and the other one was working in the community. I learned that the procedure is to page that other person and have them go to the station and change into their uniform before they go to the call! This crazy procedure could cost a life. After sharing this information about our situation with certain people, I had hoped it would be addressed at meetings regarding health issues and emergency response times on Bowen. I said I would write a letter explaining our concerns and request funding for more staff or better response procedure. I kept putting it off and every time I heard a siren I swore I’d write THIS letter!! NOW I am! Unfortunately there was an incident this past weekend when there was a call to one side of the island and then another more serious call to the other side of Bowen. The second call eventually ended up as a fatal heart attack on the way to hospital on the water taxi.This may have been because of delayed service or “luck of the draw” or just an unfortunate medical event( no matter where they were) My condolences to my friend’s family. Perhaps we need a different kind of procedure here on Bowen where the paramedics or first responders have their badge or jacket with them and just meet at the situation-whatever it may be.... I’d rather someone with some training just show up –with or without a uniform rather than have that long and possibly fatal wait!! Once again I am NOT finding fault with the wonderful paramedics or first responders(and I hear it is often the volunteer firemen that show up first!) but rather the system or lack of funding for more resources. Something to think about with our aging population and young families that deserve these better resources. I hope this can be the start of conversation about this issue. Sincerely, Jani Carroll
#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0
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The OCP and other things Dear Editor, In a recent letter (June 19), I ventured to comment on the OCP and one or two other topics. This provoked a letter of sustained disapproval from Dave Witty (June 26) and a much shorter, gentler letter from John Sbragia (July 3). A number of the remarks in those letters had only a remote connection to what I had actually said. No matter. I’d like to concentrate now on what I think is the one significant point at issue - even though it will likely not have any immediate application. First of all, none of what follows detracts from the process that was mainly designed and managed by Mr.Witty for the preparation of the draft of the present OCP. Indeed, I believe that much the same process should be used for any future new (or substantially revised) OCPs. What I am proposing would take place only after the process was largely complete and the draft OCP was under consideration by the municipal council. In Mr. Witty’s own words, an OCP is a “road map for a community to manage itself into the future” (June 12). Fair enough, but if the OCP is to play such an important quasi-constitutional role in Bowen’s governance, it must surely have the support of a majority of the electorate. Indeed, the larger the majority, the better. Otherwise, attempts to implement the OCP will seriously polarize the Bowen community. Thus, before making its decision on the draft of a new OCP, the municipal council must know what the level of electorate support for it is. I believe there are only two ways to reliably find that out: (1) a public vote open to the total electorate, or (2) a survey of a representative sample of the total electorate. In either case, the question would be on the following lines: “Do you support the proposed OCP that is now being considered by the municipal council, Yes or No?”. (A few footnotes: A vote would be preferable to a survey. This is because it would be much more effective in focusing public attention on the arguments for and against the plan’s major provisions. Also, regardless of whether the method is a vote or a survey, its results would be non-binding: they would only inform, not restrict, the council’s decision-making authority. The cost? Assuming a ten year life for an OCP, probably less than one Loonie per year per taxpayer for either the vote or the survey. End of footnotes.) Anyone is of course free to object to a public vote/ survey. But such an objection implies either (a) that the municipal council does not need to know the level of electorate support for a draft OCP, or (b) that there are ways other than a vote/survey of obtaining such information. At first glance, it looked like Mr Witty had perhaps found another such way. There was no public vote/ survey on the present OCP, but nonetheless, he was able to “confirm” that the document had “widespread support” (June 26). But that is an enormously vague phrase. What does it mean in the only terms that are meaningful, that is, the number of voters who support the OCP and the number who oppose it? If these numbers exist, the next question would be on what data and reasoning were they based? Mr. Witty also argues that the “intent” of the provincial legislation governing the preparation of an OCP is that there be no public vote. I believe he’s mistaken. True, that legislation doesn’t require a public vote - but neither does it prohibit one. We should recall here a fundamental principle of our legal system: “what is not expressly forbidden is allowed”. Further, section 83 of a key BC statute, the Community Charter, authorizes a municipal council to “seek community opinion” by means of a nonbinding vote on any “question the council believes affects the municipality”. In any case, Mr Witty fears that the provincial government would “frown” on a public vote. I can’t imagine that the province would even notice, let alone care, that a tiny municipality had done something that was manifestly legal and that affected only itself. Messrs Sbragia and Witty may have the last word (at least for now). Bud Long
On the calendar SATURDAY JULY 25
SATURDAY JULY 25
SUNDAY JULY 26
Farmers Market at BICS 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Svetlana Ponomarëva, concert pianist,the Gallery @ Artisan Square Doors open at 7 pm Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for youth
Optimist, Laser, Laser 2 and any other twoperson dinghies can join members of the Bowen Island Yacht Club’s Learn 2 Sail program and compete in the two race days, the next race day being Aug 31.
Crippen Park Weed Warriors: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Meet by the bridge at the mouth of Davie’s Creek (at nearby picnic table in field). Tools and gloves provided. Dress for the weather and bring your water supply.
Homegrown: Bowen Songwriters LIVE at the Pub starting at 9 p.m. $10 admission
MONDAY JULY 28
TUESDAY JULY 28
WEDNESDAY JULY 29
Last day to nominate your choice for the Bowen Island Citizen of the Year. Email: bihistorians@telus.net
Community Lunch 11:30 - 1 p.m at the Legion
AA Meeting Collins Hall, 7:15 p.m.
THURSDAY JULY 30
THURSDAY JULY 30
Duplicate Bridge @ Bowen Court Call Irene @ 2955
Bowen Island Rotary: Lauryn Oats, Programs Director, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan presents on her work - 7:30pm, Collins Hall, All are welcome
Eat. Drink. Paint: A two-hour step-by-step acrylic painting class with Janet Esseiva at The Gallery@Artisan Square.
Can we trust environmental assessments? Dear Editor, Many of us have tried to get an understanding what the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) actually is or does these days, especially in light of the applications of Woodfibre LNG and Eagle Mountain Woodfibre pipeline are under review. Fortunately it has clearly explained in an article in BC Business magazine: “The problem with (self-regulated) environmental assessments.” In a nutshell the writer argues, that the work of BC Environmental Assessment Office does not in fact do any environmental assessment work and has very little capacity to check if data and information provided to be correct. Due to budget cuts, and because of changes in provincial and federal environmental protection laws, the EAO now relies on environmental assessments being done by consultants hired by the company that wants to submit an application for a project. This clear conflict of interest undermines the important principle independence for this process. After reading the article, I must admit that I have lost the little trust I had in the BC Environmental Assessment process, not for political, but for process reasons. It seems the environmental assessment process is designed to function as a mechanism to give the companies, applying for an environmental certificate, an easy route. The environmental standards BC still has, are not adequately applied due to the questionable assessment process. In its shortsightedness, this government has done a disservice to all. Anton van Walraven
FRIDAY JULY 24 2015 • 5
Au Revoir! PAULINE LE BEL COMMUNITY CAULDRON
This is my last column for The Undercurrent. I’ve enjoyed being part of this mighty little community newspaper. It’s been a satisfying adventure – a wonderful opportunity to get to know my island home even better, to interview the oldtimers and the newcomers, a dandy soapbox to air my ideas and explore new ways of looking at the world. Thanks to the many readers who stopped me in The Cove, in Crippen Park, at parties, to tell me how much they enjoyed my column, how they agreed or disagreed with what I wrote, how it gave then something to think about. It’s always gratifying to know that my words have reached a few minds and touched a few hearts. Special thanks to those who took the time to come and have tea and answer my questions so I might share their wisdom with the rest of the island. The research and writing helped me deepen into the heart and soul of my chosen community – something I experienced ten years ago when I created the Voices in the Sound Festival and wrote the musical to celebrate Bowen, which we performed in the meadow in 2005 and 2006. There were many perks to this job – spending time with lovely people such as Cathy Bentall at Rivendell; Soren Hammerberg and Kathy Bellringer of the Bowen Island Community Foundation; chatting with my friend Chris Corrigan about conversation; interviewing the delightful young women at the Yoga Studio; writing and singing a forage fish song for Ramona de Graaf - Queen of Smelts; popping into the Undercurrent Office on Wednesday afternoons to help Meribeth and Maureen proofread the next issue, as well as debrief from the last one; attending the Howe Sound Forum in May as a member of the press, which has launched me on another writing project; and last but not least, lunch with Bruce Russell at the Cup Cutter. I’m especially grateful to Meribeth who approached me 14 months ago and asked me to write a column on community. At first, it was to be a summer gig. When she liked what I was doing, Meribeth suggested I “just keep writing until it’s not fun anymore.” Well, it’s been fun – every minute of it – still is fun, but I have two big writing projects needing my attention. I will miss Meribeth’s passionate presence as editor of The Undercurrent, her quest to find the stories that needed to be told, her investigative instincts, her fair-mindedness and her beauty of spirit, as she moves on to her next big project. So it’s time to sign off, to turn the heat down on the Community Cauldron. One last word or two: my wish is that my column may have inspired you to fall more deeply in love with Bowen Island and Howe Sound, our spectacular inlet. That’s what writing the column did for me. See you at the beach! Pauline Le Bel is an award-winning novelist, Emmynominated screenwriter and the author of Becoming Intimate with the Earth.
Summer Rhapsody To the Editor, We would like to express our profound appreciation for the wonderful audience that attended the “Summer Rhapsody” fundraising concert and reading, last Sunday. As anyone who was there would attest, it was a passionate and thought-provoking performance, with a truly virtuoso cast. The event raised over $500.00 for the Library/Gallery Annex project. Thomas Beckman’s latest EP download album, featuring a collaborative track with Jude, will be available for purchase at various island commercial outlets, the Library, and the Gallery, and all proceeds go directly to the project. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors, and of course the Library, for their unflagging support of the Arts. We couldn’t have done it, without you. Jude Neale
Celebration of Life for FRANK NIELSEN
Sunday July 26, at the Bowen Lodge by the Sea 3 pm.
6 • FRIDAY JULY 24 2015
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Help improve access to health care on Bowen Island from PAGE 3 We hope that this will give a more complete picture of the health needs on Bowen and that we can use that information to advocate municipally, regionally, and provincially for improved access to primary care services. Of course as many of you know, we also hope to use this information to more specifically ascertain whether a health clinic on Bowen would improve the health of Bowen Islanders and make good economic sense for Islanders as well as for the health authority. Please go to this link: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/Bowen-health/ and take the time to help us improve health care on Bowen. It will take approximately 20-30 minutes and you can start it, save it, and finish it later if you are interrupted. This was a very labour-intensive project with countless volunteer hours involved and we now need the com-
munity to help us make it all worthwhile. It will all be for not if we don’t have a statistically relevant number of responders. If you don’t have a computer, you are free to use the computer at the Library, at Caring Circle, or at the Pharmacy and staff in all of these venues will help you log on and give you support if you have any problems with the technology. And if you are housebound and don’t have a computer, the Municipality has loaned us the use of a laptop while we are working on this survey. Call Caring Circle and we will find a way to get a laptop to your home and wait while you respond to the survey. Call Caring Circle at 604 947-9100 Also, check out our newly launched Bowen Island Health Clinic website at: www.communitymedicalclinic.ca/ If you want to see improvements to health care, do your part and fill out this survey!
Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon
FOOD BANK
Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams
DROP-OFF
BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH
Upper from left to right : Bronc Stark, Tara Cole, Sophia Saugstad, and Kim Eifler (Bursary Awards Committee). Lower from left to right: Taja Jinnah, Brenna Rosen, Neela Todd.
Knick Knack Nook, photo
The Nook has provided student bursaries for a number of years now. To qualify students must be enrolled in post secondary education; have strong links with Bowen Island with an emphasis on community commitment; provide appropriate academic credentials; plan post secondary programs .com with the aim of advancing environmental and Get exclusive access to the best offers in the city social sustainability. This year the $12,000 pot was divided between six Bowen students, all graduating from high school, and moving on into tertiary education. With the high cost of college tuition fees we believe that the bursary awards will take some of the financial burden from hard pressed parents. The Bursary Awards program is only one of several KKN programs Four Zip Energy Disposable Vaporizers, which support Bowen Tax & Shipping Included Islanders on an annual basis. It is through the ZIP Energy Vapor generous donations of Redeem online $52.50 our community and the
KNICK KNACK NOOK SUBMISSION
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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
BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULE REGULAR SCHEDULE March 14 to October 12, In Effect May 15 to October 13,2015 2014
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BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove
Leave Snug Cove
6:00 am * 6:00 am 7:00 am* 7:00 am * 8:00 am 8:00 am 9:05 am††# 9:05 am# 10:05 am 10:05 am 11:05 am 11:05 am 12:10 pm 12:10 pm 2:35 pm 2:35 pm 3:45 pm 3:45 pm 4:45 pm 4:45 pm 5:50 pm 5:50 pm* 6:50 pm 7:50 pm 6:50 pm * 8:40 pm 7:50 pm^# 9:40 pm 8:40 pm# 9:40 pm
Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES
Leave Horseshoe Bay
5:30 am** 5:30 am 6:30 am** 6:30 am 7:30 am** 7:30 am 8:35 am * 8:35 am 9:35 am## 9:35 am 10:35 am 10:35 am 11:40 am 11:40 am 12:45 pm 12:45 pm 3:10 pm pm 4:15 pm pm†† 5:15 pm pm 6:20 pm pm* 7:20 pm 7:20 pm^* 8:15 pm 8:15 pm## 9:10 pm 9:10 pm 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay
^
DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS # DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS SUNDAYS DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS & DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS & SATURDAYS SUNDAYS DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SAT, SUN & SAT,19, SUN MAY JUL&1, MAY 18,SEPT JULY1 1, AUG 4, & AUGOCT 3, SEP 13 7 & OCT 12
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%
45
Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey
$29
52 Up % To O ff
ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
O
ff
Pastor Clinton Neal 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
They are off with a little help from their friends
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† THE WEDNESDAY THE WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL SAILINGS WILL BE BE REPLACED REPLACED BY BY DANGEROUS DANGEROUS CARGO SAILINGS. CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER NO OTHER PASSENGERS PASSENGERS PERMITTED. PERMITTED.
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dedicated work of our volunteers that have made it possible to send these young people off on the next stage of their educational journey. Well done Bowen Islanders! Thank you for your support. We couldn’t do it without you.
Enjoy it!
Get the word out in our BULLETIN. Starting price for advertizing $9.80 contact: ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-947-2442
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FRIDAY JULY 24 2015 • 7
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8 • FRIDAY JULY 24 2015
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RENT:
hing! T n e w o It’s a B
ferries
stall n u T t a s Summer We want to hear from you
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(250) 405-5174
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Islands Trust Council 200-1627 Fort St Victoria BC V8R 1H8
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www.islandstrust.bc.ca /strategicplan
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strategicplan islandstrust.bc.ca
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Have your say! The Islands Trust Council wants to know what issues you think are the most important for it to work on during this term. For example, we hear people say they want us to protect the natural environment – on land and sea – and they want sustainable economies and healthy communities. People also want the Islands Trust to be cost-effective. Trust Council is considering 11 objectives for this term.We want to know what matters most to you. Did we miss something important to you? The Islands Trust Council will consider your input in public and decide about a strategic focus during its next meeting in September.
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STAGE 3 REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE JULY 20, 2015
It’s hot. It’s dry.
Be waterwise.
RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL LAWN SPRINKLING IS PROHIBITED Learn more ways to conserve at metrovancouver.org