Bowen Island Undercurrent July 31 2015

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2015 VOL. 42, NO. 27

$1

including GST

Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Making it happen

A filmmaker, volunteer teacher and daughter need help raising money

Let’s play ball

Baseball is taken very seriously on Bowen and young ones are catching on

How I Got Here

A European sailing trip convinced Rondy Dike he’d like to own a marina

Rental bank dries up as housing sales rise MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

Tyler Ruggles was able to enjoy a relatively wasp-visit with Ross Cone, Steve McGroty, Perry Mitton and Jeffrey Simons at Cocoa West thanks to a homemade wasp trap. This has been a record year for wasps. Find out why, and some of the things you can do to fight back, on page 10. Martha Perkins photo

Remembering Cecil the lion Carol Petersen joins outcry against trophy hunting in Zimbwawe MARTHA PERKINS CONTRIBUTOR

Dawn was breaking when Cecil the lion approached a watering hole near Somalisa Camp where Bowen Island’s Carol Petersen was also just starting her day.

As Cecil marked his territory he called out, a sound that has thrilled thousands of visitors to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

“He walked closer and closer and then disap-

peared in the bushes,” says the owner of Nature Encounters Tours and Travel. “I ran over to the main dining area, met my guide Calvet and we gathered the rest of the group and piled into our Land Cruiser to follow him.

“The sun was just coming up and it was ‘fresh’ — he was so cool. He just walked down this road calling and marking his territory.

Fabulous.”

A media storm was ignited on Tuesday after it was revealed that a Minnesota trophy hunter, who’s now in hiding, had killed the beloved 13-year-old lion. Zimbabwean authorities say bait was used to lure Cecil outside the national park’s protective boundaries.

“It breaks my heart,” Petersen says of Cecil’s death. “It’s unbelievably sad.”

continued PAGE 5

Carol Petersen took this photo of Cecil at Hwange National Park.

First Credit Union proudly presents:

FREE outdoor movie!

Monday, Aug. 10th Crippen Park Join us for a fun-filled night of family entertainment!

For details, visit www.firstcu.ca or check us out on Facebook.

Concession provided by Tourism Bowen Island.

www.firstcu.ca | 604.947.2022

No charge * Weather permitting * Everyone welcome

According to the numbers, the housing market on Bowen is still hot – very hot.

Since the beginning of January, 55 homes have sold, while in all of 2014, the total was 60. While this is good news for some people, it seems to be making for challenging times for renters.

Realtor David Riddell is also a property manager who deals with rental properties. He says that while the rental market on Bowen is always tight, the situation has come to a head this summer.

“I get calls constantly regardless of the market, and I’ve always told people that there is basically zero vacancy on Bowen so if they find something suitable, they should jump at the opportunity,” says Riddell. “But when the real estate market was soft, there were lots of home owners who decided to hold off on selling and rent their homes. Now I get a lot of calls from renters who are anticipating that the homes they’re living in will be sold.”

Riddell says that he’s happy to hear that the Accessory Building Bylaw has been brought forward in council yet again.

“I was a member of the Housing Task Force that legalized secondary suites back in 20042005,” says Riddell. “A majority of members on that committee believed that ‘accessory buildings,’ basically another whole building that can be rented out for someone to live in, should be legalized as well. That didn’t happen, but now more than ever we need places for people to live. We don’t have condos and we have a limited number of apartments available for renters. That really needs to be front and centre in the minds of council.”

Mayor Murray Skeels put accessory buildings on council’s agenda on July 13.

continued PAGE 5

2 • FRIDAY JULY 31 2015

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

→ COMPLETE FIRE BAN

IN EFFECT

NO Open Burning NO Camp Fires NO Beach Fires NO Fireworks NO BBQs

→ JOIN THE DISCUSSION Join the Province of B.C.’s climate action consultation, open from July 17 to August 17.

This is an opportunity to contribute your ideas and priorities for the next phase of climate action in B.C.. Your input will be invaluable in helping the Province to develop the Climate Leadership Plan.

In December, you will have another chance to participate, in providing feedback on a more detailed draft plan.

TO REPORT FIRES OR WILDFIRES CALL 911 → WAT E R U S A G E

Please visit http://engage.gov.bc.ca/climateleadership to find out more.

→ FERRY LINE UP l

LET’S KEEP IT MOVING. IT’S OUR BYLAW

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

Mind your Ps and Queues!

Under BIM Bylaw No. 133, 2005 Section 9e, it is an offence to park, stand or stop – impede or obstruct traffic. For traffic safety do not block the ferry line-up. Accidents can be prevented. Please be considerate of those waiting in the queue that may miss the ferry due to a parked car or a queue jumper.

The RCMP will be supporting BIM’s efforts to monitor the ferry line-up.

For additional information regarding traffic and other bylaws please call 604-947-4255.

→ THE BOWEN ISLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE D E PA R T M E N T I S RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works department at 604-947-4255

→ INPUT WANTED FOR

ISLANDS TRUST COUNCIL S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S 2014 l 2018

What matters most to you and your community?

Have your say on Islands Trust Council’s priorities for the 2014-2018 term by visiting: http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/trust-council/strategic-plan.aspx

Deadline for comment is Monday, August 10, 2015.

Applicants must be:

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

19 years of age or older Living and working on-island In possession of a valid BC driver’s license Willing to undergo a criminal background check Available and willing to be called out at any time Willing to undergo training for 1st Responder medical situations, in addition to firefighting Interested in joining our team and serving the community

Applications may be obtained at www.bimbc.ca or at Municipal Hall.

Completed applications may be dropped off at Municipal Hall or emailed to bim@bimbc.ca.

→ BOWEN ISLAND COUNCIL SUMMER BREAK

BIM Mayor and Council will not be in session for the month of August. If you would like to contact Mayor and Council, please email mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca.

Municipal Hall hours will be as listed below.

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

A cancer story with a happy ending

Rhodes says dream of medical clinic soon realizable

Bowen filmmaker wants his father’s triumph to inspire hope in Brain Maker MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

An inoperable malignant brain tumour, officially named an astrosystoma because of its star shape.

That was the diagnosis Lawrence Sparling received just one day after learning that his wife was pregnant with his first child. Sparling was told that there was no hope for him, but he has lived to tell the story and even to coach his son through writing a film script on the details of that story.

Now, 17-year-old Emmett Sparling is making the final sprint in a fundraising campaign that will cover the production costs.

“The short version of the story is

that my father’s brain broke, and to get through the surgery — which he was first told he would never be able to have — he imagined he was an astronaut,” says Sparling. “The film starts out the night my father learned my mother was pregnant with me. He had a seizure and was woken up by the smoke alarms that went off because dinner was still on the stove. The script follows him through the surgery he managed to get because his brother met one of the world’s top neurosurgeons at Duke University.”

Emmett says his father often shares his story with people who’ve been handed grim diagnoses, and he’s hoping the film will be a way to reach even more people. Any

MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

Emmett Sparling, right, is turning his father’s story in a film, Brain Maker, with the help of director of photography Shane McLachlan. money raised through screenings and the film festival will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.

He’s been working on pre-production for Brain Maker (script writing, casting, locations etc.) for six months now. His goal is to raise

$10,000 to shoot the film, something he’s aiming to do in August.

He’s already close to his goal, but if you’d like to chip in and contribute to his campaign and learn more, go to Indigogo.com/projects/brainmaker#/story.

Teen vows to help village rebuild after cyclone Fineen Davis raising money for Vanuatu MARTHA PERKINS CONTRIBUTOR

Cyclone Pam might have put an early end to Fineen Davis’s volunteer teaching job in a remote village in Vanuatu but she’s vowing to return.

The Bowen Island teenager has started a $5,000 crowdfunding campaign to send her back to the South Pacific island archipelago armed with more than just a desire to help.

The money will pay for her airfare, materials to rebuild a classroom and scholarships for two students who might otherwise not be able to afford high school.

Why should fellow islanders help her? “Why not,” she responds. “The people of Vanuatu have enough to

Fineen Davis had to leave her teaching job in Vanuatu early because of Cyclone Pam. Now she’s raising money to rebuild a classroom. Meribeth Deen worry about. We’re so fortunate here to have free education, food, and houses that won’t blow over. It

should be everyone’s right to have that.”

Fineen had to leave Vanuatu

after 250 kilometres winds blasted through the southern provinces, destroying 96 per cent of the food crops. Latitude Global Volunteering pulled half of its volunteers, including Fineen, out of the region because their presence was no longer viable.

“I was really disappointed but if I’d stayed I would have been a burden,” the 19-year-old says.

She spent a month in New Zealand where she and her other displaced volunteers raised $15,000 for supplies to send to Vanuatu.

Now that she’s home, she’s continuing her fundraising efforts.

This September Fineen starts her French studies at the University of Ottawa. She plans to return to Vanuatu, armed with as many educational and rudimentary medical supplies as possible.

Her campaign is on YouCaring. com.

Nikki Nagy overcomes obstacles to help others breath easier MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

Bubbles, roller derby, jelly beans and coding… eight years after Nikki Nagy lost her mother to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, this Bowen Islander took on these challenges as a part of the BC Lung Association’s Race and Urban Scavenger Hunt.

Nagy and her sister Crystal also raised more than $2,300, and their fundraising campaign is still running.

Crystal has participated in these events before but this was Nikki’s first time.

“When my mom died, she was just a few months away from a lung transplant and she’d been on oxygen for about four years,” says Nagy.

FRIDAY JULY 31 2015 • 3

“My sister and I want to support people who are in a similar position, and also support the Lung Association in finding ways to help these people other than just a transplant.”

So far, participants in the Rush and Urban Scavenger Hunt have raised almost $75,000.

To support Nikki and Crystal’s campaign, donate at Kintera.org.

We hope everyone enjoys this August civic holiday weekend.

Please remember that there is a complete fire ban in effect.

• • • • •

no no no no no

The Medical Clinic Society of Bowen’s new president believes that, with the existing level of support, fundraising for the project should not be a problem and the goal of building a clinic should be realizable within 18 months.

“There is such widespread support for this project that I am expecting political co-operation coming from council,” says Tim Rhodes, adding that of three potential clinic sites, two are on private land and would not require re-zoning.

He says current challenges include the creation of a workable business plan that will ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the clinic, figuring out what kind of medical practitioners should be in the space and getting Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on board with the project.

“We had a very positive meeting with them last week,” says Rhodes. “They would not need to approve the building of a clinic, but they would need to accredit the clinic in order for their programs to be run through it.”

Rhodes says that while VCH understands the need for a clinic, the Medical Clinic Society and Caring Circle are hoping that the results of their newly released Health Needs Assessment for Bowen Island will underscore those needs further.

To learn more about the Medical Clinic Society of Bowen, go to Communitymedicalclinic. ca/our-people/.

To fill out the Health Needs Assessment, go to: http:// fluidsurveys.com/s/Bowenhealth/

BC Ferries deposes two Queens

Nikki Nagy’s mother died of COPD. Meribeth Deen

open burning campfires beach fires fireworks barbecues

There’s been a palace coup at BC Ferries.

After 7,100 people participated in a naming contest, BC Ferries will honour the Coast Salish people with its three new intermediate class ferries.

The Queen of Burnaby is being deposed by the Salish Orca on the Comox-Powell River run in late 2016; the Queen of Nanaimo is bowing out when the Salish Eagle takes over the TsawwassenSouthern Gulf Islands route in early 2017; and the Salish Raven will ply the waters of the Southern Gulf Islands starting in the summer of 2017.

BC Ferries is working with First Peoples’ Cultural Council to select Coast Salish artisans to design artwork for the vessels’ exterior and interior.

Is it time for the Queen of Capilano to get a new name?

4 • FRIDAY JULY 24 2015

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

viewpoint 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.

Thank you, Paul Hooson It was in November 1987 that 18 Bowen Islanders met in the foyer of the BICS gym to discuss, what ways and means could be found to build a multi-purpose community hall.

Since 1975 Martin Clarke’s imaginative and ingenious stage productions had filled the available venues, such as Evergreen Hall, Collins Hall, the school gym, even the Christian Science Centre. Logistics often were complicated and seating inadequate. Theatreon-the-Isle needed reliable performance space, so did the classical music program, which unfolded in the 80s.

Paul Hooson was one of those first 18 visionaries. His long career as a performer had given him a clear insight into the variety of requirements for stage productions and audience needs. Since those early days he has devoted endless hours to speak to Bowen Islanders on the many different possibilities of sharing spaces with other recreational needs.

He was an outspoken voice on various committees, in front of council and to the press for so many years.

With over 450 islanders earning their living in some connection to the arts, we are one of the most creative communities in Canada. Called for by the municipality, a cultural master plan was created 12 years ago. It brought together Bowen’s many cultural groups in a common purpose. With clever marketing and astute management the Bowen Island Arts Council is running a very successful gallery, a bulletin board for all cultural events on Bowen and a sizable budget with a keen business sense.

It is regrettable that Paul’s voice has not had greater resonance in one of the wealthiest island communities in BC to bring about a multi-purpose hall as tiny communities such as Hornby and Cortez have been able to build.

We owe you a big “Thank You”, Paul, and hope that your enthusiasm will continue to inspire us.

HC Behm

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

A nuanced approach to referenda

the corner and there’s a new firehall being built close to the RCMP offices on the way as well.

Well done to all of who have advocated for these new facilities. And well done to those who succeeded in getting the soccer field built as well. Nobody seems to think that effort was such a bad idea these days, myself included.

So why on earth isn’t there talk of a community hall any longer? Not a peep. It’s almost completely disappeared from everyone’s radar, thanks to some council wrangling a few years back. But who will speak for it now that Paul has gracefully walked away? It’s certainly not an attractive task and only a fool would step up to the bat at this point.

Is it because the arts are considered by the silent majority (probably those same folks who come to every performance at the various juryrigged performance spaces and love every minute) to be a frill here on Bowen, something unessential, a financial burden that we just can not afford any time soon?

As the German poet and playwright Bertold Brecht said, “All arts contribute to the greatest art of all — the art of getting through life.”

I think we, as one of the most artistic municipalities in the country, deserve it. Don’t you?

Bud Long makes an intriguing suggestion about taking OCP drafts to a non-binding referendum. I too am a supporter of more openness and democratic engagement in the design of our public policy documents and so I’d like to build on his suggestion.

The problem with a “yes/no” question on a referendum is that you are never quite sure what a yes and a no means. People choose one or the other for radically different reasons and these are obscured when it comes down to a simple choice. It also provides very little actual information for decision makers. As a result, community conversations are polarized and we lose the nuance necessary to design such a complex document as an OCP. To vote yes, one must be in substantial agreement with the whole thing. Often in referenda citizens vote no for very small reasons (or reasons that have nothing to do with the subject under consideration). Without knowing what “yes” and “no” means it is impossible to further develop a draft that reflects people’s concerns and sometimes the loudest voices are not the best indicator of the community will.

My proposal would be for a more sophisticated referendum similar to processes I have used working with governments and organizations around complex policy choices. The process is simple: allow people to indicate their preference for a draft by ranking it between 1 and 7 on a scale. Follow that up with a space on the ballot where people can write in what specifically can be done to move their vote up one number, from a 4 to a 5 for example.

Doing this gives us a fair idea of the general spread of public support for a document and gives us specific things that can be done to improve the document and make it more acceptable. It allows citizens to have their say, and it gives decision makers access to a great deal of usable data. Sometimes just improving small things can radically change support for a complex plan.

Nothing stops us from using this method.

Referenda are by their nature divisive. But we can easily and simply improve the process by allowing citizens to record their specific concerns so that decision makers can incorporate them. Everywhere I have used this process we have generated much higher buy in from everybody and a much stronger proposal, reflecting more voices and aspirations.

I’d be willing to help make this a reality.

Heather Hodson

Chris Corrigan

Who will lead the battle now?

Paul Hooson is a hero of mine and so I cheered when he most deservingly made his ‘last stand’ on the front page of The Undercurrent last week.

Sadly, one shouldn’t compare his Herculean struggle to get a community hall built on Bowen Island with the overwhelming victory of the Lakota tribes who beat Custer’s forces within an hour or so. No sir, this battle has taken the powers-that-be 22 long years to take down this honourable and most generous man’s tireless efforts.

Paul Hooson, you have indeed given this noble cause your best efforts. I want to thank you, personally, on behalf of those of us who dreamed that one day we could have a wonderful space dedicated to enrich and celebrate our amazing little island.

And to all of the other volunteers who, alongside him, contributed years of brainstorming, sitting on committees, producing handsome feasibility reports, attending endless meetings — keeping this humungous ball rolling up hill all the way — I want to say how much your joint efforts are appreciated.

As an actor and producer who has spent 12 years creating theatre here on Bowen, do I have a vested interest in seeing a community hall built before I die? You bet I do!

We ALL do. The building of a much needed new medical centre seems to be just around Editor

Advertising

Publisher

Meribeth Deen

Maureen Sawasy

Peter Kvarnstrom

www.bowenislandundercurrent.com Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year subscription on Bowen Island: $45, including GST. Within Canada: $65 including GST Newsstand (Single Copy)$1 per copy, including GST

editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

pkvarnstrom@glaciermedia.com

2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

FRIDAY July 31 2015 • 5

What’s the science on the ecological impact of Cape Roger Curtis docks?

Our family recently walked along the Cape Roger Curtis shore, ending up at the beach at the end of Roger Curtis Lane. As we looked towards the North, one of the controversial docks blocked the horizon line, and we remarked that this was somewhat regrettable.

However, as a biologist, I was immediately drawn to the dock’s pilings, which are covered with barnacles, mussels, and other creatures common in the intertidal zone. I reminded my family of an article that I had written to The Undercurrent at the first round of debates on docks – “Docks, memories, and why they matter”. We biologists know that the value of intertidal “real estate” is probably infinitely greater than that of the real estate in Vancouver, for its value is measured in the challenge of life or death! One of the premises of Darwin’s famous argument is that “Resources are limited” and in the intertidal zone, space is a limited resource.

As a scientist, I examine the world using the scientific method: propose a falsifiable hypothesis, devise a method to test that hypothesis, collect data, and then test the hypothesis using statistical methods. Regrettably, this approach has — so far — not been evident to me on Bowen, especially in relation to decisions with an ecological implication.

Let’s take the issue of docks. It is claimed that the docks on Cape Roger Curtis negatively impact the “ecological value” of the habitat. First, I have seen no definition of “ecological value”, nor have I seen any data presented to demonstrate that these particular docks have or will have a negative impact on the “ecological value” of this environment.

Let me propose a definition of “ecological value”: the level of benefits that the space, water, minerals, biota, and all other factors provide to support native life forms. Under this definition, the naval ship sunk in Howe Sound has beneficial “ecological value”: it measurably benefits the biota by providing reef-like habitat for organisms of Howe Sound. I hypothesize that the docks on Cape Roger Curtis, in the same way, would benefit the intertidal community there: that is, the dock at the beach at the end of Roger Curtis Lane would have beneficial “ecological value”. While I have not counted them, I would wager that on only one piling of the six or more on that dock, there are more barnacles, mussels, and small crustaceans than there are people on Bowen. And, I have not even considered the microbial world on each piling, a number that would undoubtedly outnumber the population of the Earth on each piling!

So do these pilings have beneficial “ecological value”?

If we could interview the hundreds of thousands of organisms on those pilings and ask them whether the place they call “home” has “ecological value”, I would imagine they would all say “Yes”, and certainly better than the alternative, which is death.

As a biologist, however, I must be dispassionate.

Perhaps my hypothesis is supported. While I could count all the organisms on these pilings, to what do I compare these numbers to determine whether the increase is statistically significant and therefore “beneficial”? Should it be to the abundances on one side of the beach, should it be to the abundances on both sides of the beach, should it be to the entire shoreline along Cape Roger Curtis?

Given measurement errors, it is unlikely I could provide statistical support for the hypothesis that these pilings have measurably increased abundances or have had a beneficial “ecological value” even in relation to ONE SIDE of the beach! But, it is safe to say that they have not had a negative “ecological value” for the organisms that have chosen to live and thrive there.

Can the opponents of these docks provide any arguments or measurements that would convince me as a biologist that any of the docks have had or even will have a significant negative impact on the “ecological value” of the habitat?

I suspect, as our former mayor Jack Adelaar claimed, that this is a matter not of “ecological values” but of “esthetic values”. I am prepared to consider and argue this matter on esthetic grounds. However, let us not appeal to “ecological value” to justify opposition to the docks without providing at least some empirical data to demonstrate the negative impact that these docks might have in this particular place, at this particular time.

Denis Lynn

The last time Carol Petersen saw Cecil the lion, he was minding his own business as a herd of elephants passed.

The female elephants thought he was a little too close and chased him away. “This handsome, regal male ran away like a puppy.”Carol Petersen/Nature Encounters Tours and Travel

Trophy hunting takes ‘biggest and best’ and must be stopped: Carol Petersen from page 1 Petersen understands why people hunt for food but says more must be done to prevent people like the Minnesotan dentist paying tens of thousands of dollars for hunting expeditions.

“Hunting takes out the biggest and the best — the lions with the biggest manes, the elephants with the longest tusks, the antelopes with the biggest horns,”

Petersen says. “[These animals] have made it through drought, good times, bad times, and they’re the ones who should be protected.

“Hunters make it impossible for these genes to carry on.”

She last saw Cecil last September.

“We found him in an open area of Hwange National Park. He was just lying down, minding his own business when a herd of elephants walked by fairly close

to him. The females were bugged and chased him off. This handsome, regal male ran away like a puppy.”

She believes that one of the ways to prevent the deaths of other Cecils is by visiting Africa and investing tourism dollars — money that will be spent on hiring game wardens and preserving parkland — and shooting Cecil’s offspring with a camera, not a gun or arrow.

Heritage commission would bring groups together, create registry: advocates MARTHA PERKINS CONTRIBUTOR

A proposed heritage commission might help the island secure federal funding to preserve Davies Orchard cottages and pool the resources of local organizations, advocates say.

“We don’t have staff resources so if we have a commission with stakeholders then we’re harnessing that energy,” said CAO Kathy Lalonde, who used her own time to investigate what other communities are doing for heritage conservation and presented her recommendations to council on Monday.

She liked a slow, incremental approach that would see a local advisory group compile a heritage registry as a starting point. The commission would comprise of seven to 13 members and include representatives of the island’s two heri-

tage groups, Bowen Heritage and Bowen Island Museum and Archives, as well as other interested parties.

Councillor Gary Ander wondered if a commission is a knee-jerk reaction to how the orchard cottages are being — or not being — protected. He said time would be better spent lobbying Metro Vancouver, which owns the cottages, to devote resources to their preservation.

Councillor Alison Morse, who ended up being the only one who voted against it, agreed with Ander. “It’s partly being done to make cottages looking better but the only way for that to happen is to sit down with Metro and discuss it. It’s not going to be done by a commission,” she said. “If we want a heritage inventory then that can be done with a working group. We’ve already got two organizations that can advise on what should be in the registry.”

She worried that a commission could

add a layer of red tape.

Lalonde said a working group usually focuses on one project that has a beginning and an end. A commission allows for the registry, which does not impose rules or restrictions on property owners, to become a living document that is constantly updated.

“It would put us in better position to secure federal funding,” argued Councillor Maureen Nicholson, who also liked that it created a formal alliance of the two major organizations. “One group on its own couldn’t pull this off,” she said.

Mayor Murray Skeels didn’t see it as a lot of work for staff. “The cottage situation woke us up to the fact we’re nowhere with this. Let’s let some smart, bright people in the community go to work on this and see where it goes.”

Staff will be asked to draft a bylaw for the commission’s creation.

Accessory buildings to be re-considered from page 1 Council agreed that the Advisory Planning Commission should take another look at an accessory building bylaw.

Skeels says he brought it up because he sees it as low-hanging fruit when it comes to creating more housing diversity.

“When this issue came up a number of years ago, there weren’t enough planning resources available to make it happen,” says Skeels. “So I figure we should bring it back and see if it flies. It is a very simple bylaw, and if we can figure out the right

conditions for it – how big the accessory buildings should be and on what size of property. Hopefully people won’t object to it.”

Councillor Melanie Mason suggested that an affordable housing committee be set up to broaden the possibilities for diverse housing.

In a later interview, she said she sees this bylaw as a good, “first step,” but is also hopeful that the municipality’s new planner, Daniel Martin, will be able to help move things forward as he has a background in affordable housing.

As houses get sold, renters may find themselves without a place to live.

6 • FRIDAY JULY 31 2015

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Let’s play ball!

Young players bring new energy to the Men’s Fastpitch League

Young fans of the Twins, from left: Sophia, Sammy, Alexis, Jack, Fraser, Mason, Ryland, Ty, Mackayla and Rory. Meribeth Deen photo

MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

This past Thursday was a special night down at the ball diamond in Snug Cove: it was Toilet Bowl night, so called because the Bowen Island Men’s Fastpitch League’s two worst teams were going head to head.

Last year’s league champions, the Cruisers, played the Twins for a case of beer and a trophy.

Struggling teams, of course, have been known to make a comeback during the final tournament of the season, and members of both teams say they will come out in force the weekend of August 7.

Julien Stevenson, coach for the Twins, says his team suffers because of the age of its players.

“All our players are in their 40s.

They all have kids, it’s summer time and it’s super busy,” he says. “If we have all our players out, we could beat anyone but out of 17 players it can be tough to get nine to show up.”

Jim Gibson, manager of the Cruisers, says he too struggles to get his best players out at games, but for a different reason.

“I’d say we’re in a development year,” he says, jokingly. “We’ve got these great young players who are really dedicated to the league and commute from town. We even have one, Joe Wainsborough, who comes from Victoria. He doesn’t always make it but they will all be there for the finals.”

Gibson adds that in his nine years with the fastpitch league, the 2015

Jackson Miller and his father Scott Miller play together on the Brewers. Meribeth Deen photo season has been one of the best in terms of the level of play.

“I’d say we’re having a resurgence,” says Gibson. “There are a lot of fastpitch leagues losing membership but here, even when kids move off-island and get jobs in the city, they want to come back and play.

They grow up watching their dads play in the league, and then they play alongside them. Or sometimes against them.”

Derek Sinke, who plays for the Brewers, is just one of those young players. He rose the ranks from Bowen’s t-ball league all the way to a draft camp for the major leagues after a stint at Taft College in California. He says that the day he was set to sign a contract, he blew his arm out. Now he’s back on Bowen, playing against his dad, Rick, who plays for the Firemen.

The Brewers were re-formed last year out of the former Celtics and, last year, were the worst team in the

league. This year, they’re one of the best.

“A lot of us work on-island and we just really enjoy playing together, so we’ve been in the habit of getting together after work to practise,” says Sinke.

Molly Montgomery, one of this year’s scorekeepers, agrees with Jim Gibson about the level of play this season, and she attributes the quality of the game to the dynamic described by Sinke.

“Each team has its own dynamic and a lot of the guys have been playing together for years,” she says.

“When you’ve got a team that really gels, they play really well. And as the season has gone on we’ve seen the level of play get better and better, with a lot of games going in to extra innings.”

Montgomery, too, spent her childhood watching the fastpitch games. Her family used to sponsor the Tigers (who have been

Sophia earns 50 cents for retrieving a foul ball. MD photo

Twins outfielders keep an eye on the action.

re-named the Shakers) and her summers were spent watching her brothers play.

“They still play for the Shakers, although Noah is out because he broke his fingers. Hamish is back from New York and has rejoined the team,” she says. “It really is the intergenerational aspect of this league that makes it so special.

There’s nothing else like it. And it’s nice to see more people coming out to the games again. When I was a kid, the stands were always packed.

I’d say there was a 10-year lull but now… we’re seeing more and more people coming out to watch.”

year to the top this year.

The Cruisers: Named in honour of the league’s senior player, Eddie Weismiller, because of the 1983 film “Eddie and the Cruisers.”

The Firemen: Known for their colourful Hawaiian attire for Friday night games.

Diggers: “Back in the day they couldn’t win a single game,” says Molly Montgomery. “Since 2010 they’ve made a comeback.”

The Shakers: Currently in the middle of the pack, watch out for the league’s “Godfather” Glen McGregor on the mound at the upcoming tournament.

Bowen Island Men’s Fastpitch League Teams:

The Brewers: Formerly known as the Celtics, have come back from the bottom of league standings last

Don’t forget to come out to this year’s final tournament, the weekend of August 7. The concession will be hosted by the Diggers so support them by grabbing a burger and a drink.

Cloudflower Clayworks 2015 Summer Clay Camps Registration call 604-947-2522

Aug 10-14 and Aug 17-21 and Aug 24-28 1. Mud Puppies (4-7) 10:00-11:30 2. Clay Cats (8-12) 11:30-1:00 3. Adult Camps (14+) 2:00-4:00

Fees: Kids $125 per camp Adults $150 per camp Family Drop in Sundays 12-4 all summer $15/hr per person

589 PROMETHEUS PLACE, ARTISAN SQUARE, LOWER LEVEL

With the Twins’ Julian Stevenson looking on from third base, the Cruisers’ pitcher, Casey Grundy, tries to stop the Twins in their tracks.

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

FRIDAY JULY 31 2015 • 7

Council briefs

On-leash bylaw’s final reading set for September MARTHA PERKINS

New planning staff

CONTRIBUTOR

The following are brief reports of items discussed at the July 27 meeting of Bowen Island Council.

Dogs will likely only have a few more weeks to freely roam Snug Cove.

Council unanimously passed first, second and third reading of a new onleash policy for the Cove after a vast majority of public responses were in favour of the bylaw amendment.

Of the 26 people who responded to council’s request for input, 88 per cent said they wanted dogs in the Cove to be on a leash.

A three-year review of aggressive dog reports revealed that all incidents involved dogs that weren’t on a leash and that a disproportionate number took place in the Cove.

Final reading is expected to take place at the September 14 meeting and, if passed, will be affective immediately.

However, there will be a period of transition and education in the weeks following the rule change.

The on-leash area will include Bowen Trunk Road to Carter Road, past BICS to the recycling depot, down Miller Road to the Abbyfield area, and access areas to Metro Vancouver parks (where dogs are already supposed to be on a leash). It does not apply to private lands. Dog owners will be subject to fines of $25 for a first offence, $50 for a second offence within a 12 month period, and $150 for a third offence within a 12 month period.

Council welcomed two new members to the island’s planning department: Daniel Martin and Emma Chow.

Martin’s previous posting was as a planner in Kitimat; before that he was the development director for the Salsbury Community Society in Vancouver and worked on a rental housing report for the BC Non-Profit Housing Association. He says he and his wife, who are expecting their first child in October, are really looking forward to raising their family on the island.

His new co-worker started her career in a small Vancouver Island port, worked for the city of Lloydminster and more recently was with a private consulting firm in Alberta, working on comprehensive land use plans.

Eagle Cliff driveway

Council allowed an amendment to reposition the driveway and garage of a steeply sloped property in Eagle Cliff.

The land owner had already received permission for the garage and retaining wall, which are behind a new concrete barrier. An engineer created an access plan that would allow a vehicle to make a three-point turn and therefore not have to back onto the road.

The Eagle Cliff Community Association expressed concern about the safety of the entire development application and encroachment on public property along Eagle Cliff Road.

Staff, however, recommended allowing the variation and is working with the land owner to mitigate concerns.

Snug Cove House

A dozen proponents of Snug Cove House applauded when council agreed to allow the Miller Road seniors housing project to hook up to municipal water and sewers.

Council also agreed to explore the municipality’s financial contribution to the housing development.

Staff hopes to bring various funding options forward for council discussion as soon as possible. This would include negotiations about infrastructure costs.

Bowen Court

Bowen Court has asked for permission to expand its parking area onto municipal land and look into the possibility of creating better access for garbage removal.

Staff will look into any issues, such as liability, and report to council.

Have your say

Councillor Sue-Ellen Fast reminded everyone that the Islands Trust is welcoming input into its new strategic plan to set priorities on how to allocate resources and guide future decisions.

The Trust’s executive committee will discuss the strategic plan at its quarterly meeting on Bowen Island on September 15.

Go to IslandsTrust.bc.ca to comment before the August 10 deadline.

Emma Chow and Daniel Martin started with the municipality’s planning department on Monday.

Martha Perkins photo

BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULE REGULAR SCHEDULE March 14 to October 12, In Effect May 15 to October 13,2015 2014

▼

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

#

24TH ANNUAL

*

BOWEN ISLAND

**

Union SteamShip Marina Lawn Registration @ 11am, Events at Noon

*

**

†

† 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.

“Like” the Undercurrent’s Facebook page and keep up to date on stories that are posted during the week!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9th

Hop on the Ferry in Horseshoe Bay Sailings: 10:05am, 11:05am, 12:10pm Contact: 604-947-0707 ext. 2 vices

Join us for a Tail Waggin’ Good Time. $5 Registration for Dogs, Humans Free! Contests, Games, Prizes, Entertainment, Beverage Tent & More! Please come with your dog in costume for the opening costume parade.

All proceeds donated to B.C. Guide Dog Services

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

8 • FRIDAY JULY 31 2015

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Council sends Arbutus Bay plan back to proponents

said, council had an on-site visit and relayed concerns to the property owners.

Nothing has been done to accommodate those concerns, he said, so he was in favour of doing nothing in return until the owners came back with “more realistic” plan. He was also not in favour of getting around OCP restrictions one amendment at a time.

Councillor Melanie Mason also had concerns about the lack of public benefit in exchange for allowing the development.

Skeels noted that there was a larger, better beach on the property, but under the owners’ current plans, it would be surrounded by private lots and therefore not be accessible.

Councillor Alison Morse said she worked with Cumming on a parks and recreation beach plan that designated large public beaches, such as Tunstall and Bowen Bay, as places where there’d be sufficient parking, garbage cans and washrooms. The Arbutus Bay beach would qualify as a neighbourhood beach that people walk to, she said.

A motion was passed to direct staff to work with the proponents to address concerns about OCP density, roads and beach access. Councillor Gary Ander, who owns property on the land in question, had recused himself and left council chambers.

MARTHA PERKINS CONTRIBUTOR

A small log-strewn beach is not enough of an incentive for Bowen Island council to enter into negotiations to create 21 new lots on Arbutus Bay, councillors said Monday.

“I am usually the last person to not support an application for parks and trails and beach access,” said Councillor Sue-Ellen Fast, who spoke against the offer of a small public beach, with road access, in exchange for allowing three more than the 18 lots that OCP currently allows. “I just wish there’d be a better proposal that didn’t include so many roads and so much development.”

The new lots are jointly being proposed by three separate but neighbouring properties: McGeer, Johnstone and the estate of the late Maggie Cumming.

Fast was a friend of Cumming and served with her on many island committees, most of which focused on protecting nature and restoring environmental damage, she said. She said Cumming’s dream was for three dwellings on that portion of the land, not the nine being proposed. “I don’t think it’s worth sending it forward until the proposal is more in keeping with [Maggie’s] dreams for the land.”

When the proposal first came before council, Mayor Murray Skeels

Snug Cove House Society Board members Carol MacKinnon, Tamsin Miley, Irene Wanless, Graham Ritchie, and Bill Kitchen, building committee chair John Greene and project manager Don Nicolson were all smiles on Monday after council agreed to allow the Society’s Miller Road land to connect to municipal water and sewer services. They say it’s a key milestone on the road to the creation of a residence that will allow seniors to stay on the island instead of leaving to find supportive housing elsewhere. Peter Williamson photo

Dance your way fit with Zumba DEBRA STRINGFELLOW CONTRIBUTOR

Looking to find your groove and stay fit? Zumba’s upbeat, low-impact, Latin-inspired dance moves incorporate aerobic elements and a touch of salsa to spice things up.

Classes are Friday mornings from 9-10am at the youth centre/fitness studio till the end of summer with instructor Gemma Rose.

Rose is a certified Zumba instructor and has been teaching this fitness class for more than four years with Bowen Island Parks and Rec. Choreographed routines to popular music is at

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

Psychologist Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484

604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com

Dr. Gloria Chao Family Dentist

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

Dr. Susanne Schloegl M.D.

Open Mon.Wed. Thurs. Fri. Call for an appointment Artisan Square

604-947-9986

BODY VITALITY MASSAGE THERAPY Now 7 days a week!

James Goldfarb RMT BC#05279 Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon Call 604-288-2860 text 250-726-8080 www.bodyvitaliy.ca

Dr. Dana Barton

Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square

604-730-1174 Natural Family Medicine

BOWEN ISLAND MASSAGE THERAPY 604-947-9755 EXT #1 @ #597 Wellness Centre & #595 next door!!

TEXT: 604-653-9755

By Appt.

7 days a week MARY MCDONAGH RMT

At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597

CATHERINE SHAW Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist

❦ MARY MCDONAGH

HARMONY SHIRE RMT

RMT, DCH

ROBYN IZARD RMT

Registered Massage Therapist

ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT

❦

Celebrating 27 years Community Healthcare

SANDY LOGAN Registered Physiotherapist

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE FOR AS LITTLE AS

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN TALK TO A NURSE ANY TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT IN B.C.?

Life Labs Tue @ Dr. Schloegl Thur @ Dr. Zandy

Email Maureen for more information ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

for non-emergency advice and help.

Just Call 811

6:45am - 8:45am

10/WEEK.

$

the heart of this program but dance experience is not a prerequisite to take this class; it’s all about trying something new and just moving, “This is absolutely a class for beginners but also a lot of fun for people who have dance experience. I have had people as young as 9 years old right up to 70 years old in class. Anybody can take the class!” explains Rose.

“I always tell people not to be nervous because nobody is watching you.

Everyone is focused on the movement which also means everyone is watching Zumba like no the instructor. So there one’s watching, is no pressure on you, Gemma Rose says. because all the pressure is Debra Stringfellow on me,” says Rose. photo This is a drop-in class and tickets can be purchased at the Recreation office. For more information on Zumba and other great ways to stay fit, check out the bowencommunityrecreation.

For routine lab tests.

Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.

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

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

FRIDAY JUYL 31 2015 • 9

Gardeners, photographers, artists: Sunday’s Open Garden features get ready for Bowfest’s Country Fair mini orchard, ideas for dry conditions Measure your sunflowers and hollyhocks, don’t pick one of those monster zucchinis, chase after bees with your camera and watch your garden to see which slugs are the fastest, because it’s time to get ready for a decades-old community tradition.

Bowen Islanders of all ages are invited to participate in the Bowfest Country Fair Contest on August 29 and try to win the coveted ribbons and bragging rights.

The Slug Races are a traditional favourite.

Adults and youth are welcome to bring their racing slug and slug race bribes to the race track.

The Bowfest Community Fair Association makes the Country Fair contests possible and we’re excited once again to see what sort of entries will be submitted!

Country Fair Contest Categories (adult and youth unless otherwise noted): 1: Tallest flower grown on Bowen. Bring in the actual flower, or a photo with proof of height 2: Biggest squash grown on Bowen. Bring in your biggest squashes to be weighed. (Let us know if you want it back, or want us to sell them!)

3: Strangest Looking Vegetable or fruit grown on Bowen 4: Best Photo of a Bee (any type of BC bee) 5: Best Photo of a Bowen Island Slug: explain why you think it is incredible 6: Favourite Farm Animal or Domestic Animal Award: through photos, drawings, poetry, a short story, or online

media, share with us why you think your animal is the best!

7: Lego Contest: create a farm or gardeninspired Lego creation, from the past, present, or your imagination and explain how you were inspired to create it. Youth only 8: Fiber Arts Finest: finest handknit/crocheted/spun/felted creation (extra points if you use any locally-sourced fibers, or did any of the dyeing with local ingredients.) Please explain the inspiration for the piece and what it is made of How to enter: • Bring your photos/stories/creations/racing slugs to the Country Fair Tent 11am 12:30pm • Put your name/phone/age on the back of each entry (except slugs.)

• Public voting takes place 12:30-1:30, Judging takes place at 1:30.

• Awards announced approx. 2pm • Adult (19+); youth (under 19) Please pick up your entries and ribbons 2:30-3 pm. The Country Fair closes at 3pm on Augut 29.

The 2015 Bowfest Country Fair Tent is hosted by Sarah Haxby, the BICS Student Garden Club, the Young Farmers of Bowen Program, the Bowen Agricultural Alliance and thanks to anyone who can volunteer to help us keep this fun tradition going! To sign-up for a free table at the mini farmers` market contact shaxby@ sd45.bc.ca. All VCH rules apply to participate in the market, so if you have canned or processed foods, please get in touch in advance and ensure you have your testing certificates.

.com

BI GARDEN CLUB

Despite the ravages of drought and voracious, thirsty deer, the Garden Club is hosting an Open Garden this Sunday at the home of Ron and Lea Rochon, 977 Village Drive, on Cate’s Hill.

The Rochons inherited the ‘good bones’ of an existing garden when they moved to the island five years ago. Since then they have planted a variety of espaliered fruit trees in their mini orchard including apples, pears, plums, lemons and peaches.

With serious intentions to grow their own food, a vegetable garden has been developed and an irrigation system installed which takes some water from the roof. Lea ruefully admits that the food she can produce isn’t so much limited by the size of her veggie plot but more by the limitations of personal energy. Isn’t this something that at some point we gardeners all have to confront! The irrigation system however, conserves the energy that would otherwise be consumed in dragging hosepipe from one end of the garden to the other!

The Garden will be open to both club members and the general public from 2 – 4pm on Sunday, August 2. There is a small charge for non-members but full annual memberships ($20 per family) can be bought on site. As parking can be a problem visitors are advised to leave their vehicles outside the ‘two pillars’ on upper Cate’s Hill.

Come and join us for an opportunity to learn more about gardening, bump into old friends, and perhaps make some new ones.

Juice, coffee, tea and cookies are included with the price of admission.

Daffodils

This year the Garden Club’s daffodil queen, Sheila Webster, has a full slate of bulbs to choose from. They are as follows: • King Alfred $27 per 100 (mid season classic all yellow daffodils 40cm tall) • Tete a Tete $20 per 100 (early season mini all yellow daffodils 25 cm tall) • Tahiti $42 per 100 (mid season - double daffodil flecked with orange 40cm tall) • Minnow $20 per 100 (mid season - soft yellow with multiple small blooms per stem 25cm tall) • Suzy $33 per 100 (early/mid spring yellow with orange cup and multiple small blooms per stem 40cm tall) • Snowdrops $35 per 100 (early spring) In addition Bobbex, the deer repellant, is also offered at $12.75 for the 1 litre spray bottle and $22.52 for the concentrate.

Orders should be placed with Sheila before September 15 at sheilawebster@shaw. ca Please note that the bulbs are available to all Islanders at pretty much cost. The program is now in its 10th year resulting in 150,000 bulbs waiting to astonish us in the spring!

Get your order in soon.

Bowen Island Restaurants

O

ff

Get exclusive access to the best offers in the city

JOHN LAWRENCE

45

%

THE SNUG CAFE

BEST BREAKFAST ON THE ROCK!

Bowen’s Favourite Meeting Place

Bowen Island Pub

Bowen Island Pub

Sun –Thurs 11:30am – 12:00am • Fri – Sat 11:30am – 1:00am

604-947-2782

Doc Morgan’s

Four Zip Energy Disposable Vaporizers, Tax & Shipping Included ZIP Energy Vapor Redeem online

604 947-0402

$29

52 Up % To O ff

$52.50

11:30 am - 10:30 pm Sun - Thurs 11:30 am - Midnight Fri & Sat

Thurs. - Sun. 11:30 - 8:30 Monday Noon - 6:00 Wednesday 4:30 - 8:30

604-947-0808

604-947-2997

The Ruddy Potato 996 Dorman Rd.

The Ruddy Kitchen 511 Sunset Rd.

604-947-0098

604-947-0665

9am – 7:30pm everyday

www.ruddypotato.com

Mon – Fri 7:30am – 3pm

Bowen Island Marina Pier Thurs - Sun 11am – 7pm www.shikabowen.com • contact: hello@shika.ca Two-Pack of Star Wars Cooking Aprons, Tax and Shipping Included eFizzle Redeem Online

$60

$29

Get these and other exclusive offers at SocialShopper.com Visit us online

Find an offer you like

Buy it

Enjoy it!

Tuscany Restaurant

Tues – Sun 5pm – 8:30pm • Contact 604-947-0550 • www.tuscanypizza.com

AT THE BOWEN ISLAND GOLF COURSE Monday - Wednesday 11:00-4:00 Thursday - Sunday 11:00-8:00

Call 604-947-4366 for more information

10 • FRIDAY JULY 31 2015

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

War on wasps

Make your own death trap for wasps Wasp traps have been flying off the shelf at the IRLY Building Centre.

So far this year they’ve sold 445 of the death traps, which is “a tremendous amount,” says general manager Lena Simms.

However, the store is also offering tutorials on how to build your own trap:

All-out battle is waged to make the outdoors safe again MARTHA PERKINS EDITOR

Humans weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the warm, dry spring.

Queen wasps coming out of hibernation were able to go forth and multiply in prodigious numbers and their progeny are now driving everyone crazy.

The record number of wasps can be blamed on the weather, says Will Husby, an entomologist who has joined the crusade against the wasp hordes.

When queen wasps come out of hibernation and start looking for new sites to establish colonies, cold, wet weather usually kills many of them off, he says. This year’s warm weather also gave her first broods a better chance of survival and now

Pat Buchanan shows Noemie Picard the wasp traps on offer at IRLY Building Centre. So far this year, the centre has sold 445 traps; it’s also offering advice on how to make your own, at right.

Martha Perkins photo

they are in search of water to feed and house the next generations. (Wasps will shave off bits of wood, mix it with water to make a paste which turns into the paper with which they make their nest.)

“The colonies are big, they’re hungry and they’re coming to us,” Husby says. “There’s no much water available so they go looking for water to take back to their larvae.”

He bought some traps from IRLY Building Centre and in the first weeks of summer was killing 100 wasps a day. (He puts fruit-based vinegar or apple juice in the traps as an incentive and keeps the traps topped up.)

He also tracked wasps to a nest in the woodpile next

to his house and in the early morning coolness, before the wasps were active, he sprayed the hidey-hole’s entrance . No more wasps.

Wasps are our friends when it comes to pest control but their numbers this summer are turning them into the pest. “I appreciate what they do in nature but they’re really annoying this year,” says Husby, who’s been stung in the mouth after taking a sip of a drink, not realizing a wasp had got there first.

To eradicate the wasps you have to kill the queen but he urges caution when trying to get too close. (Five in the morning is the best time.) He also advises that people carefully read the instructions on bug sprays.

• take an empty two-litre pop bottle • cut off the top portion and put it upside down, lidless, into the top of the remaining portion bottle • pour in a little bit of cooking oil and add a piece of raw fish or bacon. (In the fall, substitute the protein with something sweet.)

• set it out and wait for the wasps.

The oil makes it impossible for the wasps to climb out and they die.

Wasp sting remedy?

FAMILY FUN AT

CAMP BOW-ISLE 871 GREEN RD, BOWEN ISLAND

Try this simple remedy when you get stung by a wasp: dab a little deodorant on the welt.

“As soon as I put it on, the pain was gone, gone, gone,” said one reader who wished to remain anonymous.

“Within two minutes, I couldn’t even have told you where I’d been stung. It was amazing.”

She used her husband’s Degree, not her all-natural product.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH: 9 AM - 2.30 PM

However, she says that when her sister-in-law tried it, it didn’t do the trick.

Pick delicious organic apples from our heritage orchard. Then enjoy a light lunch followed by a talk by Stormy Falso during which she will discuss how a better understanding of God leads to healing.

Places of Worship Welcome You

Stormy is from Atlanta GA where she is in the full-time practice of Christian Science healing.

Apple picking by donation.

Orchard closes at 11:30 am.

BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon

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

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

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

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

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey

604-988-6304

Camp Bow-Isle is designed to help students of Christian Science gain a better understanding of their relationship to God, to enjoy fellowship with other Christian Scientists, and to have fun. • www.bowisle.ca

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

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

FRIDAY JULY 3 2015 • 11

BOWEN BULLETIN BOARD KANE CUSTOM AND GARDEN ISSTONE NOW ACCEPTING NE W CLIENTS.

PROFESSIONAL HARDSCAPIN SPECIALIZING IN G SERVICES ; - Stonework

- Retaining walls - Water features and - Planter Boxes ponds - Raised Bed Ga - Flagstone and rdens - Irrigation and pavers Lighting • Competitive Ra tes • References • Free estimates •

ections and s Free Roof Insp Roofing System of all Types of n tio la al st In l e Professiona anship Guarante nty and Workm Material Warra 7 66 Valid WCB #527 surance In y lit bi Lia nt Curre BBB A+ Rating m Recycle Progra 67 22 7 604 94 AIL.COM ROOFING@HOTM TE ET AR CH RY GA

604-928-6926

26 June - 19 July Reception:

Fri 26 June 6-8 pm Featuring the art of students 3-19 years

Brannon Brothers roofing& sheet metal

Call Mike at

778-829-2516

BOWEN PRO-PAINTING Any paint job big or small For your free estimate

Contact Steve Baskerville sdbaskerville3@gmail.com

604-970-0433

- Visit us today online an www.kanecustod on Facebook m.com

Gallery @ Artisan Square Presents STUDENT ART SHOW

LANCE’S RECYCLING

c. e Roofing In tt re a h C ry Ga Accurate Quotes

I’ll pick up your recycling and deliver to BIRC for $25/load Kindling $20/box at Building Centre CALL 947-2430

BOWENSHIRE Stonework & Landscape

604.349.7402

info@bowenconcrete.ca

Insured and WCB coverage

-231-7283 Phone Andy 604-947-0674 Cell: 778 www.bowenshirelandscaping.com

FOR ALL YOUR

CONCRETE NEEDS We Dig it, Form it, Mix it, Pump it

12 • FRIDAY JULY 24 2015

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

How I Got Here

Rondy Dike creates a marina where happy people like to stay MARTHA PERKINS CONTRIBUTOR

It was a sailing trip in Europe that charted Rondy Dike’s path to a funky little marina for sale on an island he’d never heard of.

He and his wife Dorothy were taking a year’s hiatus from his career as an architect by sailing their 37’ Fisher from England to France and then on to the Mediterranean in the early 1980s.

The trip was also a chance to get away from the stresses inherent in their apartment building investments.

As they moored in the various ports, they realized that marinas were in some ways very much like apartment buildings — places you rented out to people.

But whereas apartment owners deal with tenants who sometimes punch holes in walls or leave a mess behind, marina tenants do their utmost not to damage their rental space, partly because they’d do much damage to their own property while they’re at it.

“No one with a very expensive boat hits my greasy old dock piles,” Rondy says more than 30 years later.

As an added bonus, “People who are in marinas are usually happy

because they’re playing with their toys.”

When Rondy and Dorothy returned home to Seattle — he’s originally from Oklahoma, she’s from Wyoming — they started looking for a marina to buy.

There are two types of marinas, he says: holiday marinas, which are usually more remote and open seasonally; and city marinas, which have a steady clientele but not much atmosphere because there’s not the constant ebb and flow of visiting boats.

A realtor told them about a marina for sale on Bowen Island.

“It was a beautiful town and yet close enough to Vancouver to get permanent boats and far enough away to keep it as a holiday slip.”

Now, if you think of the Union Steam Ship Company Marina today, you picture a historic looking building perched regally beside a resplendent flower garden and grassy lawn where dogs and families frolic. A wooden boardwalk connects you to the orchard cottages and Crippen Park. Walk down the gangplank to the floating marina office, and there are up to 150 boats gently rocking in the ferry wake.

That’s not the scene that greeted the Dikes. There was an ancient

Rondy Dike transformed a small marina into the popular destination it is today. Martha Perkins photo bungalow that doubled as the marina office which overlooked a big field which morphed into a vast mud flat before you reached water deep enough to accommodate the marina’s 30 to 40 slips.

As architectural co-ordinator for Westin Hotels — the first hotel he built with them was the Bayshore Inn — he thought he had a good idea of how long it would take to transform the little marina into destination it is today. A year maybe?

They bought the marina in 1985 and, in Rondy’s words, “some people did everything they could to stop us.” There was a committee called Save the Park, bylaws were

enacted, dredging proposals were fought, roadblocks were put in their way. When the federal and provincial governments disagreed with the Islands Trust and backed the project, including providing money to dredge the cove, there was outrage.

A 1989 article in the Vancouver Sun quoted one islander who opposed the effort to “turn Bowen Island into Coney Island.”

It took six years to get the marina built and 20 years to go through all the required hoops to get the floating office and clubhouse built.

As to that little bungalow, it was lifted so what’s now the gift shop could be the main floor. The bunga-

low became part of the second-floor living space and the flag tower was the finishing touch. The main building may look like it was here during USSC’s steamship days, but it’s totally modern.

Last year, there were 11,601 offisland visitors to the marina and its cottages; the average amount most visitors will spend overnight is $200 to $250, Dike says, so that means the marina contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to Snug Cove’s economy every year.

It’s also is the home of their boat, Moxie, which is a word some people would say perfectly describes what it took to create USSC Marina.