FRIDAY APRIL 15, 2016 VOL. 42, NO. 63
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Ground rules
Beetlemania
A successful shipwreck
A home built from earth
Bugs with a fan following
The HMCS Annapolis one year later
Logging show chops through lots of red tape LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
Gary Anderson is hard at work preparing the site for his logging show. He had to wade through plenty of red tape to make the event happen. photo LOUISE LOIK
Ferry fix planned for the weekend LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
What used to be a 15minute crossing has become a lengthy ordeal for commuters who are travelling to and from Bowen Island. With one of the motors down, it can take an extra half an hour each way, or there may be a skipped sailing adding to the strain of juggling commuting, family, sports and work. “We recognize it’s a bit of an inconvenience,” says Darin
Guenette, manager of public affairs for BC Ferries, explaining that the vessel has a right rear angle drive malfunction. “One of the four motors broke down.” Guenette says that the boat is designed to work on three motors but it can’t power up to make up for any additional slow-downs. “There’s no contingency, so if there is anything that goes wrong, like congestion slowing traffic in the terminal, it can’t make up lost time.”
For two weeks, commuters have had to live with the late ferries but BC Ferries has no plans to offer discounts to compensate their customers. “We are replacing it Saturday night, overnight,” says Guennette. They will cancel the 6:30 a.m. Sunday crossing to give themselves time to fix the engine. “We’ll be putting a foot passenger water taxi on that run.” He says that because the Queen of Capilano just had its half-life fix it won’t other-
wise be pulled off schedule for planned maintenance this year. There are also no plans for converting this ferry to LNG. Guennette says that it isn’t in the plans for the Queen because “the conversion wouldn’t be economically feasible on a small ferry.” He says that only the big ferries will be worth the cost of the conversion that is currently being done on a C-class ferry in Poland, where two large ferries are being built.
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Gary Anderson decided that his community needed a logging show, and a place for a logging show. He went to Metro Vancouver for approval for a permanent set up in Crippen Park and felt crippled by bureaucracy. Instead, he turned to local council and now, within just a few months, he is well on his way to accomplishing his goals. On Dec. 14, Anderson went to Council asking for 1½ to two acres of parkland where he could clear space for a logging show complete with parking and seating areas. He told them that trying to run the event in Crippen Park during Bowfest, through GVRD was too tedious. “There’s too many policy issues, and no one wants to take responsibility,“ he told council. Disappointed to hear that Bowen also has to adhere to provincial mandates for the park construction, he was encouraged by the general response by Mayor Murray Skeels and council and by the speed at which his application was accepted. Anderson says that he put together the logging show for Bowfest last summer in two weeks, which included getting insurance and installing poles in the ground. He told council that he wanted to stage a bigger event next summer, but that the Bowfest committee wanted to schedule the show into a half-hour slot. The solution was for Anderson to take charge of the situation and find a permanent home for his annual event. Approaching anyone he encountered in the cove, Anderson asked people to sign his petition and got 800 signatures in support of his project, and eventually got his approval to go ahead and wasted no time. He planned for tree cutting to be done before nesting season, and to have his burns finished before the start of burning restrictions. He also wanted the grounds leveled and grass planted before watering restrictions. “There’s no water up there,” says Anderson. As of last week, he was going full tilt, with clearing and burning accomplished. “It’s going to look really different. There’ll be grass over there,” he says, pointing to the centre of the clearing, “and seating up here, with shade.” He’s pleased at how it’s all coming together. “You’ll be able to have all kinds of things here, like weddings and flying a kite, riding a horse, whatever the community wants. Anything.” Last weekend, he organized a country and western fundraising dance at Doc’s that sold out within a few days using word of mouth, and without any advertising. “We’ve got an account set up at the bank here (The First Credit Union) so that people can make donations for the park.” The field is in the area of Josephine Lake, off Salal Road, and Anderson is expecting the park to be ready for action by June.
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2 • FRIDAY APRIL 15 2016
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NEWS from
Municipal Hall MEETING CALENDAR April 18, 2016 7:00 PM Advisory Planning Committee
April 19, 2016 5:00 PM Internet Connectivity Working Group
April 19, 2016 7:00 PM Parks, Trails and Greenways Advisory Committee
April 20, 2016 7:00 PM Recreation and Community Services Commission All meetings are held in BIM Council Chambers unless otherwise noted.
Ö WE ARE HIRING Summer Daycamp Leader Bowen Island Community Recreation has full and part time positions available this summer. Positions include; but are not limited to, Daycamps and Playcare. Hours per week and number of weeks will vary depending on the nature of the position. Weeks of work will occur from mid-June through late August. The ideal candidates for these positions have previous experience working with groups of children, are enthusiastic and creative, able to work in a team environment, enjoy participating in a large variety of activities, have excellent communication skills, and are highly organized. Lifeguarding certification is an asset for some positions. Our interview process will include an interactive group interview to be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, location TBD. Please submit your cover letter and resume via e-mail, fax or mail by 12:00 PM on Monday, April 25, 2016 to Christine Walker, Human Resources Manager (contact information listed below).
Summer Parks Maintenance Crewperson (2) Bowen Island Municipality seeks two full-time temporary Park Maintenance Crewpersons (Summer) for employment for the period of May 16 - September 2, 2016. Crewpersons will primarily be responsible for maintaining the Municipality’s parks, trails and public beaches. The positions also require that the crewpersons interact in a courteous manner with the public. The applicants will have a strong construction/maintenance background, be comfortable working outside under varying weather conditions, have the ability to work under supervision on a task-oriented basis, and hold a valid driver’s license. This position is based on 35 hours per week. A complete posting and job description is available at www.bimbc.ca, or in hard copy at Municipal Hall.
Ö SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Sec. 499 of the Local Government Act that Bowen Island Municipal Council will be considering an application for Development Variance Permit DVP-02-2016 for the lands noted below at its meeting to be held Monday, April 25, 2016 at 9:30 AM at 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC. PURPOSE OF THE PERMIT: The purpose of this DVP application is to vary a setback requirement for the replacement of an existing residential building at 1881 Hood Point Road (see location map below). If issued, the DVP would have the effect of varying Section 3.24.2 and 4.17.2 of the Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw, No. 57, 2002 as described below. “Bowen Island Municipal Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002” is varied as follows: 1. Required setback from the sea for development proposal is reduced from 7.5 m to 4.7 m. 2. Maximum projection of an unenclosed deck into a required setback for development proposal is increased from 1.25 m to 4.4 m. TAKE NOTICE that this is a general description only. A copy of the draft permit can be inspected at Municipal Hall. LANDS SUBJECT TO THE PERMIT APPLICATION: 1881 Hood Point Rd, legally described as Lot 16, Block 6, DL 823, Plan 9089. PID 009-685-022.
Please submit your cover letter, resume, and references via e-mail, fax, or mail by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 to: Christine Walker Human Resources Manager Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 FAX: 604-947-0193 EMAIL: hr@bimbc.ca
Ö WAT E R M A I N F L U S H I N G PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS Integrated Transportation Master Plan (ITMP) www.transportationbowen.com
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The Municipality will continue to flush water mains on the Island throughout April. This is necessary to remove sediment that gradually deposits in the pipes. During the flushing process, temporary water interruptions will occur and your water pressure could be low or turned off completely for periods of time. Municipal staff will try to minimize inconvenience where possible. Flushing will take place seven days a week from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and will rotate through each neighbourhood. Every effort will be made to ensure that water quality is not affected, but some turbidity and higher than normal chlorine concentrations may be present for short periods of time. Running your tap briefly should clear this up. It is recommended that persons with compromised immune systems ensure their water is boiled, filtered or distilled. For more information, please contact Bob Robinson, Public Works Superintendent at 604-947-4255, or go to our website at www.bimbc.ca.
A copy of the draft Development Variance Permit DVP-02-2016 may be inspected at Bowen Island Municipal Hall (address and hours listed below) from Friday, April 8, 2016 to 9:30 AM Monday, April 25, 2016. For further information please contact the Planning Department at 604-947-4255. COMMENTS RECEIVED IN WRITING BEFORE 4:30 PM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016 WILL BE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL.
General Enquiries
Contact Us Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
INSPECTION OF THE PERMIT APPLICATION:
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, excluding statutory holidays
Phone: Fax: Email:
604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca
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Nature on Bowen: Wildlife-friendly gardens BILLI GOWANS CONTRIBUTOR
This season, consider gardening with our wild neighbours in mind. In any size of green space or resources, wildlife-friendly gardening is possible and could be the start of something beautiful. A variety of foliage, blooms, berries, structure and layouts create a range of microhabitats than can nurture birds, amphibians, insects and other wildlife year-round. The benefits to you include wildlife viewing and natural pest control, as well as contributions to local biodiversity. Suitable wildlife habitat includes sufficient food, water and shelter. Landscape diversity can potentially meet these needs on many levels. A combination of trees, shrubs, grasses, vines and perennial flowers provide food and shelter in different forms. Flowers produce pollen and/or nectar for pollinating bees, butterflies, beetles, flies and hummingbirds. Once pollinated, flowers transform into seeds, nuts and fruit. Many birds harvest summer berries from native and garden variety shrubs and trees, and seeds supply a critical winter food resource. Tree sap supports a surprising number of birds, butterflies and bees. Leaves and buds from trees, shrubs and herbs provide an abundance of food and cover for birds, amphibians, snails and insects, and across different life stages. Rodents and deer also depend on leaves, buds and twigs, especially during winter months. A greater variety of plants attracts a greater variety of insects, which is a good thing in a healthy garden habitat. Spiders, caterpillars, beetles and a host of other insects are prey for woodpeckers, warblers, swallows and other birds that help keep them in check. This is also good news for bats, frogs and other wildlife that feed on them. Some birds that typically feed on seeds (e.g. goldfinches) or nectar (e.g. hummingbirds) require insects to feed their young. Most wildlife cannot survive on only one season’s food supply, so planning requires seasonal considerations. Early spring flowers are important for returning animals. Both summer and autumn blooms support pollinators and later help prepare them to migrate or hibernate. Berries and seeds are beneficial to wildlife that remain to overwinter. Supplemental feeding, such as bird feeders, helps wildlife to survive harsher times; however, native wildlife are adapted to native plants and a well-planned garden will address natural sources of food and shelter for various life stages and changing seasons. Add a source of water in your yard, and the sound of moving
Coneflowers are a favourite source of nectar for bees. They self-seed and come in a variety of colours. photo B. Martin water, and you’ll be pleased at the additional wildlife you attract. Natural features, such as streams and ponds, are feeding areas for ducks, amphibians, and fish. Maintaining or restoring the water’s edge ensures that wildlife have vegetation for shelter and food, and connectivity to other habitats. These moist and rich “riparian areas” are critical habitat and movement corridors for an abundance of species. In the absence of natural water sources, a small birdbath is helpful. In dishes or birdbaths, large stones that stick out above the water will provide landing sites for birds and insects to safely perch, drink and bathe. Butterflies like mud-puddling after a rain, and other insects such as bees and dragonflies also require moisture, so small wet depressions are welcome areas. Wildlife need safe places to forage and raise young, and shelter from predators and inclement weather, such as extreme cold, rain or heat. A shortage of these areas can limit the wildlife that can
survive. Providing a diversity of plant types and structural features in the garden will enhance the availability of different cover layers, at different heights and moisture regimes. Differing canopy heights support birds that nest in the tops of trees, as well as birds that nest in shrubs or on the ground. A simple flower can shelter insects and spiders. Logs and rocks provide important microhabitats for snakes and rodents. Increased cover allows connectivity between habitats for mobile species that live up high, on the ground, or in between. If you include features of the adjacent natural areas on your property, and you ensure the basics of year-round requirements, your garden can be an extension of that wildlife habitat and you will be able to attract and support more wildlife. There are many local and internet sources of information to help you to develop your backyard habitats. billi.bio@gmail.com
NEWS from
Municipal Hall Ö C L I M AT E C O N V E R S AT I O N : HOW WE REPORT PROGRESS
What is Bowen Island’s greenhouse gas emissions target? What is our emissions profile? How do we report on our carbon neutral progress, as required under the BC Climate Action Charter? Join Councillors Maureen Nicholson and Sue Ellen Fast to discuss these questions and to review prior municipal and agency work on sustainability and climate action. Monday, April 25, 2016 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Council Chambers Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane We would like to hear your feedback on our draft Climate Action Revenue Incentive (CARIP) report that summarizes our 2015 climate actions and maps out corporate and community actions for 2016. For more information on CARIP, see www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/greencommunities/carip.htm Please RSVP by April 22, 2016 to mnicholson@bimbc.ca
Contact Us Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
For more information on load sizes, please go to www.bimbc.ca or contact us at 604-947-4255.
General Enquiries Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, excluding statutory holidays
Phone: Fax: Email:
604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca
4 4 •> FRIDAY FRIDAY APRIL APRIL 15 15 2016 2016
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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. National NewsMedia Council. The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-947-2442. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
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.
Weekend offers early taste of summer It was great to get an early taste of summer over the weekend. People were out playing tennis, on the fields, in gardens and in the playgrounds. I captured pictures of some of the smiles in the sun, and one of the happiest guys was Gary Anderson. He has provided time, equipment and energy to building a playing field and it’s starting to take shape. I also met some kids in the Cove who found a giant bug that resulted in a short feature you can read this week. There were some things I didn’t get out to but sounded like lots of fun, from the choir singing at Kiwanis Music Festival in town, to Angie McCullough’s 80th open house birthday celebration, the roadside cleanup headed up by Sam Knowles, and the fundraiser at Doc’s on Saturday night for the new logger show field. I think you will enjoy reading about the rammed earth house, another feature story this week. I am planning to do a series of stories on the vari-
ous alternative construction homes on the island. There is also hay bale construction and hemp homes, for starters. The alternatives in home building that are both ancient and new technology abound in homes on the island. The Innovation group on the island is looking for new ideas, and inviting speakers to share their fresh perspectives with this community. I interviewed one of the speakers who spoke with the group, Daniel DuBois. He is incredibly energetic, open and young and willing to keep adapting his ideas – a very interesting young man. It’s the one-year anniversary of the sinking of the naval ship the HMC Annapolis, which drew a lot of media attention when it went down. I was curious about what has gone on underwater since then, and you’ll find the feature on the wreck in these pages this week. In upcoming features, you’ll get to hear the local angle on some interesting
R&B Hall of Famer comes to the island LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
Some great soul, funk, rhythm and blues is sure to bring the house down at the end of April when the celebrated Dutch “Teddy” Robinson performs at the Legion. The original front man for the classic funk and R&B band, the Ohio Players, is unleashing his powerful smooth sound at a fundraiser for Steamship Days on April 30. Robinson performed in the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The fundraiser, organized by Alan Mills, will include dinner and is certain to sell out fast.
Writer pleased with decision Dear Editor, I was very pleased to hear this week’s Supreme Court decision about the docks at Cape Roger Curtis. For the last few years we have been told that council does not have the power to stop the desecration of this muchloved coastline. We were told that we
would be sued if council acted to impose the people’s will on this land. You can’t stop people from suing you, but that doesn’t mean that they have a legitimate case. Now we know that they don’t. Yours, Peter Williamson
#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0
Interim Editor
Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 Deadline for all advertising and editorial: Monday, 4:00 p.m.
Louise Loik
people like Wade Davis and Haig Farris, along with so many other fascinating char-
week’s edition of The Undercurrent.
acters that are everywhere on this island. I hope you enjoy this
Louise
Early morning rider calls for return of hourly ferry service To the Bowen Island Municipality Transportation Advisory Committee, The attached photo was taken by myself at approximately 7:05 a.m., Saturday, April 9. The Snug Cove 13 vehicle line-up was for the expected 7:30 ferry sailing, which after 40 years of service no longer exists. The line-up consisted of two commercial flat deck trucks, several out of town guests and locals like myself. One lady traveller from Kelowna was wanting an early morning start home. I personally was taking my printer to town for service, hoping to return on the noon ferry, not wanting to waste an entire day. I’m sure the other drivers had good reason to be trying to catch that early ferry as well. While I was waiting patiently for the next sailing, I wondered
how often these kind of situations take place on weekends? My guess is often, the Cove and Horseshoe Bay terminals alike. The other dominant question: When is the Bowen ferry going to get back to our previous hourly ferry service? In 2014, BC Ferries’ goal was to save $135,000 annually on the Bowen sailings. How did BC Ferries achieve their goal? BC Ferries reduced the weekend sailings, some 234 round
trips annually, at great inconvenience to island travellers. That year a local solution was worked out to save the scheduled weekend sailings. Using 2011-2012 figures of 1,145,637 passengers travelling, the Bowen ferry annually would pay a mere $0.25 increase in fares, generating $286,409 per year, well in excess of the $135,000 required and with no disruption in ferry services. Disappointingly, the simple solution was never presented to BC Ferries. After two years of disruptive ferry service, is it now time for our Transportation Advisory Committee together with council to approach BC Ferries to reinstate our 40 year hourly service. I certainly don’t wish to live out my life with the current disruptive ferry schedule. Erwen Smith
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Congratulations to council on courage of conviction Dear Editor, Congratulations to our mayor and members of council for their victory on the B.C. Supreme Court ruling upholding the bylaw which prohibits future docks at Cape Roger Curtis. It is a victory for the will of the people, for the public interest and for supporting the integrity of our Official Community Plan. It is also a victory sharply contrasted by the decision of the previous council to permit applications for very large docks within the island’s most esthetically beautiful foreshore. The Supreme Court ruling is a clear vindication for the many islanders who voiced their concerns, as it legally upholds the bylaw in the context of the “objectives and policies” of our Official Community Plan – both in the broad sense and with regard to provisions relating to Cape Roger Curtis. John Sbragia
Come walk the labyrinth installation Thanks to funding from ArtStarts, the CSA, PAC, and Opus Art Supplies, as well as the helping hands of many parent and community volunteers, the BICS Earth Labyrinth Project is set to to be unveiled on April 20 for a one-day interactive art installation to celebrate Earth Day in a new way. You are invited to visit the labyrinth and walk it at recess or lunch on April 20.
To read more about the project: go45.sd45.bc.ca/ blogs/schoolblogs/biblog/ Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=103. Thank you to all of the project’s many supporters and volunteers. We look forward to walking the labyrinth with you on April 20. Sincerely, Sarah Haxby Community school co-ordinator
Heron nest sites active on Bowen Update from Bowen Heron Watch & 2?5!7!(),91 =#4#!79 <@'!#)-!?%%#4 4#B@ B?@#+ ?4 67%9#B* Active. Two nests observed to be active during the past week, with mating observed in one. & =795!7?@A .7( 4#B@ B?@#+ ?4 791#! 741 3#17!* Active. One nest observed to be active to date, with a heron standing in it calling to the other as it arrived. & 27C''4)/#96'!# 4#B@ B?@#+ ?4 3A#!!( 741 3#17!* Active. One nest observed to be active this past week, with an adult sometimes sitting (may be incubating eggs already) and courtship behaviours when two at the nest including soft calls, bill biting and tapping. & $<#3!#@ <">?!!#9D 4#B@ B?@#+ ?4 67%9#* Active. Two nests with two pairs of herons. Sensitive to disturbance, so we are keeping quiet about location until nesting is well established. West side of the island. & 099 ;4':4 A#!'4 4#B@ B?@#B '4 .':#4 8B9741* -'4B?1#!#1 potentially active until at least the end of May. This is recommended because herons may have commenced nesting there, but have not yet been noticed. Herons have already been observed at various nest sites earlier in this season; however, they also sometimes change nest sites, especially when disturbed by eagles or humans. No nest should be approached in case there is an heron in it sitting on eggs. If disturbed the adults might abandon the nest, and/or predators such as crows could swoop in to eat the eggs. Similarly, no nest should be assumed to be abandoned until a qualified biologist has checked and been able to confirm. Please pass along any heron observations for the ongoing database at 604 947-0483 or sefast3@icloud.com, especially if seen in trees or nests, or carrying sticks, or flying together in groups. Bowen Heron Watch A joint project of the Bowen Nature Club and the Bowen Island Conservancy
The marker at Cape Roger Curtis blinks against the darkening sky.
photo WENDY SEALE-BAKES
Bowen Library looking for ‘books’ for upcoming Living Library event MARYSIA MCGILVRAY CONTRIBUTOR
As a Bowen Library volunteer and casual employee, and as a long-time lover of libraries, my interest is piqued whenever I come across innovative ideas around what a library is and can do for patrons and the community. Libraries are moving beyond just providing books and Internet access; some allow people to borrow tools, musical instruments and toys. At the Bowen Library, locals can get free help with their electronic devices from the Tech Tutor, and borrow medical equipment from the Med Shed. Beyond books and equipment, could the next step be borrowing people? An emerging development in library and other educational programming is Living Libraries. These events allow patrons to “check out” a person for a face-to-face conversation of up to 30 minutes. They may be social-justice themed, as with the popular Human Library Organization events. These began in Denmark in 2000 and have been hosted by hundreds of libraries around the world as a way to confront stereotypes and prejudice through personal connection. Some examples of the “book” titles at various local Human Library events were Gay RCMP Officer, First Nation Council Woman, and Dealing with Dementia. Living Libraries can also be themed in other ways. Camosun College hosted 31 human “books” to speak about their various
professions to students. The University of British Columbia held a Living Library of student and university leaders at their recent Student Leadership Conference. And as part of a Living Library at two elementary schools in Chilliwack, community members shared their stories with classrooms and students learned to tell and podcast their own stories as a way of fostering oral communication skills. But with so much quick information available at our fingertips, why take the time to learn the slow way? Humans have been oral teachers and learners for longer than we have had written language. Not only does it feel natural, but we gain deeper understanding and empathy with the story and the storyteller when learning one-on-one, in dialogue. Besides that, talking to strangers (despite our conditioning not to) actually increases our sense of happiness, according to a study where commuters were asked to converse with strangers on the New York subway. It’s something that we, as Bowen Islanders, know well as we benefit in so many ways from the increased social interactions that occur from living in a small community. So, what would a Bowen Island Living Library look like? What personal stories do Bowen Islanders have to tell that we could benefit from hearing? Bowen Library is looking into organizing such an event and we are seeking ideas from you. Do you have an interesting personal story you’d like to share with others in
conversation? Examples might be stories of difference, overcoming odds, fascinating careers, and/or first-hand accounts of historic Bowen. Our event would take place this summer, requiring a volunteer commitment (including planning and orientation) of about three to four hours. Send us a paragraph about your story, and why you’d like to be a “book” in our Living Library event. Email us at info@ bowenlibrary.ca with the subject line Living Library. My friend Mark, who participated in the recent Vancouver Public Library Human Library event, described sharing his complicated and often misunderstood life story with interested listeners as a rewarding experience, one he would definitely do again. In an Undercurrent article, our chief librarian, Tina Nielsen, recently wrote, “I believe the why for our library is to provide a place for connections between humans; and that despite all the wonders that technology provides for us, human beings have a fundamental need to connect face to face.” Living Libraries are an exciting trend aimed at doing just that. Sources: camosun.ca/news/press-releases/2015/ february/living-library.html students.ubc.ca/student-leadership-conference/living-libraries livinglibrary33.wordpress.com/aboutus/ issuu.com/bowen-island-undercurrent/ docs/bowfri20160205 nytimes.com/2014/04/26/opinion/sunday/hello-stranger.html?_r=0
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The little boy who is helping build a playground BEV PAUSCHE CONTRIBUTOR
Levi Seaberly, a Kindergarten student at Bowen Island Community School (BICS), is predictably adorable. But he’s also an emblem of the community spirit found across the island, in his school and in the homes of so many of our families. Last year, the Community School Association met to discuss the upcoming Christmas Craft Fair, which among other priorities, included fundraising for the new playground. Levi Seaberly, whose mother, Trish Seaberly, works as an education assistant at the school, brought her son along and let him sit in on the mostly adult-oriented presentation. “He’s a sponge,” says Trish. “During this one-hour, focused meeting on craft fair etiquette, Sarah Haxby, the community school co-ordinator, mentioned that profits could be donated towards the school’s playground, and just like that, he decided he wanted to make a difference.” While Levi’s mom says her son talks non-stop, it’s clear that he’s also a good listener, and able to stay attentive for a lot longer than many kids his age. “I wanted to donate money for the new playground so that it would be good for the school and better for the environment,” explains Levi. “Sometimes when I get really into it, it’s really easy to focus on what someone is saying.” Together with his mom and grandmother, Levi baked almond roca, dog biscuits and tiger butter (a treat containing white chocolate, peanut butter and dark chocolate) to sell at the fair. He donated all of his profits – about $100 – to the playground project. While not a big sum of money in light of the total fundraising goal, it certainly qualifies as a lot of work for someone his age, and illustrates the kind of empathy that the district’s schools hope to instill in children from an
early age. He’s learning plenty at home about self-sufficiency as well, since the family grows their own vegetables in the garden and Levi helps plant, harvest and sell some of them at the local farmers markets “What is most impressive about Levi’s efforts is that it was completely unsolicited,” says BICS principal Scott Slater. “He knew we were fundraising for something that would benefit the school and community and though he was not directly asked, he wanted to help.” Asked why he wanted to do it, Levi has clearly picked up the main themes of the presentation and shows an early interest in the feelings of other children. “If it’s upgraded it might be more fun and the kids will like it, and they might be impressed with the school.” Levi’s mother says her son is always smiling and is friendly, kind and helpful both at school and home. “He has a very outgoing personality, so we include ‘talk time’ before bed,” explains Trish. “He’s also very confident – he can hang out with kids in Grade 7 and play with them.” While it’s very early to say what this little guy will do when he grows up, Levi seems to have a pretty good idea, as the third generation to live on the island. One of his grandfathers was a backhoe operator and Bowen Island volunteer firefighter. At 70 years of age, he’s still going strong. His other grandfather is a retired Vancouver fire chief. Trish and Levi’s family have lived on Bowen Island for 42 years, when her father bought the land and built the farm and buildings, including a hayloft, which was turned into a two bedroom suite, where Levi and Trish currently live. “I want to be a fireman and a workman,” says Levi. “Like my grandpas.” The pair can sometimes be seen astride their horses, on their way to school, a few blocks down the road. His mother, who trains horses
Levi has been happy to help with fundraising for a new playground.
Shasha plays on the climbing apparatus while other boys see how high they can go on the swings.
photos LOUISE LOIK
and has taught horseback riding for 30 years to children and adults, is clearly proud of her son’s love for animals and resourcefulness. The pair have some 22 egg laying chickens, and two cats. Recently, Levi traded some of the eggs for a bridle for his pony. “Maybe you can volunteer and raise some money to set up paddocks (near the
Arts Council Seeks Gallery/Admin Assistant* Are you personable, interested in or currently studying the arts, arts administration, event coordination, marketing or communications? We are looking for an individual who is a selfstarter, possesses excellent time management skills, is computer savvy and who can relate well to the public, volunteers and our members.
ou ncil
The job runs for 35 hrs/week, Wed-Sun, for 16 weeks, beginning 11 May. The wage is $14/ hour. Please submit a cover letter and resumé by email no later than Friday, April 29 to Jacqueline Massey, Executive Director, Isla Bowen Island Arts Council: C nd Arts admin@biac.ca. n Bowe
The Bowen Island Arts Council offers a great summer job working in a creative environment. Responsibilities include acting as a host at the Gallery @ Artisan Square, art sales, volunteer coordination and public relations, including social networking. The Student will assist the Curator with the hanging and presentation of art exhibits, receptions and other special events. He or she will assist the Executive Director in the areas of event and program coordination, promotion, marketing and administration. An interest and/or background in arts, communications, media and working with the public is essential.
photo BEV PAUSCHE
*Please note that under the terms of a federal grant, this position is only open to students returning to full time studies in September 2016. The position is subject to funding from Canada Summer Jobs grant.
school) for the horses,” Trish suggests to her son. “Yeah, maybe I will,” replies Levi. “Maybe I will.” We are proud of the initiative Levi has shown and the support he gets from his school and family to develop his full potential. His story is a lovely example of a community and a child raising each other.
BEST PLANTS PICKS FOR IMPACT IN BIG AND SMALL GARDEN SPACES On April 18, 2016 the Bowen Island Garden Club welcomes Gwen Odermatt operator of Petals and Butterflies, a farm nursery that specializes in plants that attract butterflies and other beneficial wildlife to gardens. Gwen will give us a presentation that looks at approaches and strategies that gardeners can use for the greatest impact in the spaces available (big and small) in their gardens. She will focus on the right plants for the right place in a garden. Gwen describes herself as a life – long gardener who has always been fascinated with plants and bugs. She is a Master Gardener, is on the selections committee for Great Plant Picks, a member of the Hardy Plant Group and a long -time member of the South Surrey Garden club.
Please join us at The Gallery at Artisan Square on April 18, 2016 at 1 PM. Everyone is welcome.
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Rammed earth construction is as old as the hills LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
From an esthetic point of view, the outside of the house is eyecatching. It features a cedar door, framed with small logs, one of which forms a curve over the top of the door. The warm colour and naturally smooth and knotty texture contrast the black trim that accents the sandstone-like texture of the walls. The second story, finished in cedar, boasts a roof that curls over the centre of that level, like a quarter of a cylinder that runs from the front to the back of the house. The house looks solid, with a feeling of grounded-ness and of being part of the place. While so many houses are constructed with designs that pay no homage to their location, never looking comfortable in their surroundings, this house has a feeling of belonging. The Jennings house has risen from the ground, of the ground. It is a rammed earth house, constructed from the rock of the island on which it stands, facing true south, tucked away in a sheltered, southwest part of the island. Rammed earth construction, while unusual, has been around since the Middle Ages and is used in many places around the world. The technique is likened by homeowner Burns Jennings to building a sand castle, where damp sand is packed down inside a bucket that is then removed, leaving a self supported sand castle. Jennings, who built the home for his family, says he “had some experience in stick construction,” as he calls wood-frame houses, and noticed that in Canada, unlike Europe, “we build for other people. In Europe, a house stays in the family from one generation to the next. Here, a stick frame house may not even last one generation.” Having a background in environmental studies, and a business in furniture making, Jennings decided to get hands-on with a home that would have permanence, and therefore be more environmentally sound, less toxic, and esthetically pleasing for his family. As testimony to its durability, parts of the Great Wall of China were constructed using rammed earth 2,000 years ago. The walls of the rammed earth island home have the look of geologic formations, with natural flow of colour undulating like layers of sedimentary rock, from a layer of grey, through to black and sage green. Jennings says that Bowen is the hardest place on earth to build a rammed earth house because “it’s pretty much a giant rock.” Jennings says that we live in an area ravaged by glaciers so generally, we have tons of glacial til. “Under one acre of land, you could get enough subsoil to build five houses. In other places, like the valley or across from the Squamish Chief, you build 5,000 homes with the amount of til.” The rammed earth is specifically subsoil, not topsoil. Subsoil is clay, sand and silt, and contains nothing that can rot. “We got it from Eddie’s pit, and had it tested by engineers,” he says. “We put it through screening to prevent larger pieces of stone from getting through. The soil gets mixed with eight per cent cement, and then we added colours.” Rammed earth requires a cross-grade of soils, but it’s important to watch for excess clay, which will cause the walls to shrink and crack. Engineers put the soil through pressure tests to assure builders they have the right soil mix. During construction on site, 15 centimetres of damp soil was poured into a plywood wall form, one at a time, and compressed with a tamper. “If it was too wet, it would be soupy, if it was too dry, it would be crumbly. We needed to get the moisture just right,” says Jennings. Builders can dye the layers of rammed earth in a solid, consistent colour, or with a variable striation of colour. As far as designing the layers of colour, Jennings says, “Being artistic, I just winged it. I let the process take over a bit. I knew how to affect the look, but didn’t overthink it.” The main colours on the inside are sage green, white and black, with most of the colour expressed above the windows. After a section of wall was constructed, the work crew dismantled the form and shifted it to the next section, where they repeated the process. With a rammed earth house, windows and doors are installed after ramming earth around separate forms that serve as placeholders. Once the earth has cured around the placeholder, the
A rammed earth house in B.C. is made with insulation and steel reinforcement, making it energy efficient and strong, as well as eye-catching. LOUIS LOIK photos form is removed and the window and door frames can be installed. Jennings took a course in rammed earth construction on Salt Spring Island, and consulted on the design with local architect Dan Parke of Salal Architecture. “There are two types of rammed earth houses,” says Jennings. “The traditional style is made of walls with highly compressed earth alone. In an earthquake zone, with a cool climate, you build the walls within forms lined with insulation, and reinforced with steel. The walls are very strong.” With the design insights from the architect, a vision took shape, of both the overall look of the house, along with an impression of what it would look like, room by room. For months, along with Jennings’ wife Shauna, the group worked on details down to the location of every light switch and plug. The wiring would follow channels built into the thick walls. The walls of this home have been built like monoliths; the windowless walls constructed individually, on their own, and prior to the windowed walls. “They are true mass walls that retain heat very efficiently,” says Jennings. A wall in this house is 120 tons of thermal mass. He compares the heat effect with that of a rock in the sun. The rock will heat up and then release the heat after the day has cooled, compared to wood “which has little mass.” This building is designed and positioned to trap solar power. “It’s a tight home. There’s not a lot of air leakages,” Jennings goes on. “There’s a lot of glazing on true south with an effect like a greenhouse. There are no north facing glazing, and the windows are all double paned glass to harness the heat and break down the UV rays to prevent ultraviolet damage. We also have a heat recovery
ventilator pumping in fresh air.” There is a small, five-kilowatt furnace to heat the house, along with a wood stove. Because the walls capture and hold the heat so well, “in a 24 hour power outage, the temperature in the house may only drop half a degree.” The one potential limitation with rammed earth construction is that it’s not something that is easy to work with on any thing more than 10 feet off the ground. From an engineering point of view, “15 to 18 feet is allowed without excessive engineering or adding cement. From a green perspective, the less cement the better. Cement is very environmentally damaging.” Jennings says part of the reason rammed earth is not more commonly used in B.C. is the additional cost. Jennings says that a rammed earth house costs approximately 15 per cent more than a stick house, however there are savings in heating and maintenance, as well as health advantages. Because water doesn’t penetrate the walls, there is no mould growth, and no noxious chemicals.
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Beetlemania takes hold on playground LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
Bowen has numerous large, native beetles that generally keep hidden in the woods. Some insects that live on the island look like beetles but aren’t be beetles at all. On the weekend some boys found a beetle large enough to fill their palms. It was a master of disguise. It had what looked like giant mandibles instead of fangs, but they were actually the front legs that it uses to catch food underwater. Although it looked like a beetle, it was a freshwater giant water bug, Lethocerus americanus. It was wandering around near a jungle gym instead of hanging out by trees and water. Naturalist Will Husby identified the insect as a giant water beetle. “They go away from the water during mating season,” said Husby. “They are probably drawn to the lights on the field, then they stick around for a while.” The misnamed creature in the hot sun of the playground either kept still on the wood chips, presumably trying to go unnoticed, or, if picked up ran as fast as it could, from hand to hand to try to get away from the curious observers who soon took the giant insect to some undergrowth to help it find safety. “It is a really cool creature,” said Husby. “It has the original natural aqualung. He continued: “If it flipped over, you’d see the bottom side looks silvery, but it’s actually covered in tiny bent hairs. Those hairs trap air bubbles against the surface of his or her body, which acts like gills so that the insect can use the bubble like an aqualung for underwater respiration.” The insect has an adaptation that is a special surface on the underside of the insect keeping water out but allowing oxygen to pass into the insect so that it can breathe underwater. Biophysicists call it a physical gill. It then breathes out the carbon dioxide. “They also have back legs that are designed like oars, for swimming,” added Husby. This insect has a mouth that is more like the shape of a beak that it uses to bite food it has caught with its front legs, a bit like a preying mantis. It bites its prey and injects a chemical that makes the other insect, tadpole or little fish more digestible, a technique also used by spiders. If the insect bites a human, “it would be like a sting,” said Husby. The giant water bugs mostly live in streams, lakes and ponds. If you stood in mucky vegetation at the edge of the water when a female has laid eggs, she may try to bite to protect her eggs. It may sting, but it won’t do any damage. “Bowen is nirvana for insects,” said Husby. There are forested areas and fewer pesticides than places in built-up areas. “The insects can just go about their lives. It’s ideal.”
Giant water bugs (seen in the photos above and below left) live around Douglas fir trees and pines. A group of local kids recently came across a giant water bug in the Community School playground. They thought it was a beetle at first. They eventually brought it to some undergrowth for safety. WILL HUSBY/LOUISE LOIK photos
Bowen Island Community Foundation invites you to our
2016 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Bowen Island Community Foundation’s AGM is an opportunity for us to thank our donors and supporters and showcase how philanthropy builds community. We will announce successful grant recipients, introduce the Foundation’s new Board members, and share stories of the successes you have helped us achieve over the past year.
Please join us in celebration of community! Thursday, April 21, 2016 • 7 - 9pm • Cates Hill Chapel 661 Carter Road, Bowen Island • www.bowenfoundation.com Please rsvp by April 15, 2016
Since 1989
British Columbia’s premier specialist in handwashing and restoration of all types of area carpets is now serving Bowen Island! Pickup and delivery available.
Peter Tolliday and Ara Mavyan, partners Open 9am-5pm Monday through Saturday 121-1305 Welch Street, North Vancouver, BC • 604-986-1165 tollidaycarpetservices.com
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Young entrepreneur talks about island opportunities LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
Hoping to “be of value to Bowen,” a university student who is making waves as a top young entrepreneur met with the Bowen Innovation group recently. Daniel DuBois is in such high demand as a business speaker he is regularly booked for three engagements a week. Still, he was convinced that Bowen was a good place to share his ideas, even though he speaks at events with audiences with thousands of attendees who pay thousands to be there. “Denise Lawson found me and said that Bowen has a lot of forward-thinking people, and that I should come
and share some ideas.“ Lawson is a member of the Innovation group, and having initiated an island Women in Business group, is always noticing innovators and fresh ideas. When DuBois began his rise to entrepreneur stardom, his idea was to create a sharing community based on trust, which is a natural occurrence on Bowen. In town, the idea needed a nudge. DuBois wrote up his idea as part of his Capilano University business course and he then used Facebook to test the idea. “It found some solid ground,” he says of that initial stage. His professor was impressed with his Sharing Shed concept, but he needed
CALENDAR April 15: Live Jazz At Bowen Island Pub, 7-9 p.m. April 16: Seedling sale and mini market 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the BICS undercover area followed by the Bowen Ag Alliance AGM and talk upstairs in the BICS MPR at 12:30 p.m. VIMFF Film Festival 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m. at BICS Ladies Madrigal singers spring concert 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Cates Hill Chapel. Tickets at Cates Pharmacy: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors/students; kids eight and under are free. Accompanied by Lois Belluk. Special guests: Nova Pan (flute), Christiaan Venter (clarinet) and Sheilagh Sparks (piano). April 18: Bowen Island Garden Club speaker series At 1 p.m. Gwen Odermatt will give a presentation titled “Best plants for impact in big and small spaces” at The Gallery at Artisan Square. April 23: Kid and Kaboodle second-hand clothing sale A montessori school fundraiser at the Montessori School, Artisan Sq. April 25: Tailgate farm and garden sales In the lower BICS parking lot, every Saturday on nonfarmers’-market weekends. Fresh picked fruit/veggies/ eggs and garden starts only (no processed foods/other items). Vendor vehicles arrive and set up from 9:15-10 a.m. Buyers may line up early as sales start at 10 a.m. Vendors will stay until they sell out, or noon. BIHORA will be there to sell manure at BICS from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. as well.
April 26: Community lunches at the Legion Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 30: Fundraiser for Steamship Days Dutch “Teddy” Robinson performs at the Legion. $30, includes dinner. VIMFF ‘Best of Fest’ International Mountain Film Fest 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m. at BICS Movement(s) art exhibit reception 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. at Gallery @ Artisan Square Bowen Farmers` Markets monthly and tailgate sales of fresh produce Every Saturday, May to October at Bowen Island Community School, 1041 Mount Gardner Rd., 10 a.m.12 p.m. May 7: Annual Bowen Garden Club Sale at BICS Annual Clothing Sale at Cates Hill Chapel May 10: Community lunches at the Legion Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. May 14: Mental Health Comedy Night 7-8 p.m. at The Gallery First big Farmers’ Market 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at BICS May 20: The High Bar Gang concert at Tir-na-nog theatre May 21: Greenman Festival 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m. outside the library May 21, 22, 23: Bookfest 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m. at BICS gym
to refine his ideas. DuBois was selected to join a mentoring program housed in the trendy Hootsuite offices.
found his buiness niche. His new company, supported by a number of investors, is called Guiides.com, a web-
“DuBois talked about owning less, sharing more, living more sustainPOVTQ NLJA JAIKLMI=OVT S P KAJ@ACG RG @LJ G>A HLUAM PFB=AMCA U>L RVVAB the room, except that on Bowen, neighbours simply borrow from MA=?>OLFJI U=G>LFG PMT RMPMC=PV expectations.” While in the program, his concept evolved to allow for income generation. Through all the evolutions, DuBois talked about owning less, sharing more, living more sustainably, more responsibly – a perfect fit for the Bowen audience who filled the room, except that on Bowen, neighbours simply borrow from neighbours without any financial expectations. Though the Sharing Shed idea was what caught the group’s attention, DuBois was onto another idea he is just launching, and one that he feels can provide some great business opportunities for islanders. DuBois believes he has
site where you can “discover and book authentic adventures led by local guides.“ He explained to the Bowen group that he takes on the business side of things for outdoor adventure guides. He provides access to a market, does the advertising and promoting, and facilitates some of the transportation logistics by aligning with Modo, the car co-op. “It would be great if we could get some Bowen guides to lead adventures around Bowen instead of having someone from town coming over.” Guiides.com takes a 15 per cent commission of the booking for their
service and guides set their own prices. DuBois told the Innovation group that he put out an offer to a meetup community online, inviting people to come for a social hike on Bowen. He expected 15 hikers and had 70 sign up. “Though only 50 actually turned up.” He said that they broke into smaller groups staggering their start up the mountain. “It was my first time on Bowen, I’m ashamed to say,” says the North Vancouver resident. He is hoping to offer guided tours from Bowen locals in activities ranging from naturalist-led forest talks to kayak and hiking tours. “The education piece is important. It’s about curiosity, adventure and learning.” He believes strongly that people are more likely to want to take care of the natural environment once they get out to experience all that it has to offer. With adventure travel continuing to be the fastest-growing area of travel, he sees this as a great opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a guide. Because he is just in the midst of launching Guiides.com, he has yet to be certain about the likely makeup of the people who sign up for the
tours. He ran a trial guided snowshoeing package with great success. Now he has guides offering a wide variety of experiences and drawing customers they would not have otherwise accessed. DuBois adapts quickly to market information, he’s charismatic and has a plethora of accolades. He was chosen as The Next Big Thing (TNBT) Fellow and Entrepreneur at Hootsuite, a BC Business Top 30 Under 30, Canadian G20 Delegate, speaker at We Day with an audience of 20,000 youth. He’s been a TedX speaker, and advisor for the Vancouver Board of Trade, and a keynote speaker at some of the most prestigious events for businesses. This was the second talk organized by Holly Graff, who started the Innovators group, sponsored by Allan Financial, for whom she works. The first talk featured John Bromley, founder and CEO of Chimp Technologies. Chimp, in the simplest terms, is a way to donate money online to any charity of your choice, at any interval you like, for any amount. You can use the Chimp website to promote your charitable cause. You can also give money to friends and family using Chimp.
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Destroyer hosts new life off Gambier LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
One year ago, media from across the country flocked to Howe Sound to document the Artificial Reef Society of BC sink an old Canadian navy destroyer ship, the HMSC Annapolis, off Gambier Island. While the hope was that the wreck would attract divers to the area, the concern by others was that the aged anti-fouling paint would actually do its job and prohibit life forms from attaching to the shell of the ship. On the anniversary of the sinking, local scuba diver Jan Breckman says she’s really pleased. “There are over 48 different species that have been identified living on the Annapolis.” Breckman runs local dive company SeaDragon Charters out of Horseshoe Bay with her husband Kevin. They bring divers to the waters around Bowen, and out to the Annapolis. She says that what she has seen at the 111.5-metre-long Annapolis has exceeded her expectations. “Last weekend we went diving there, and saw baby plumeless anenomes that are only a couple inches tall but can get to two to three feet tall. All the starters are there.” After the first six months of the sinking of the ship, the artificial reef society was already recording a variety of invertebrate life including tubeworms, anemones, tunicates, hydroids and shrimp, noting: Schools of perch are a common sight, several small rockfish and a few large rockfish have been sighted as well as Northern ronquils, a few pollock and kelp greenlings. Breckman, who is thinking of moving to Bowen, says that all the media attention on the sinking of the Annapolis has been a boon for local businesses, and has drawn divers from Washington, Alberta, and Oregon, in addition to local divers. “I did not know what to expect. Every site is different, and this one is being studied a lot more carefully so we’ll know what to expect in the future,” she says. The Vancouver Aquarium, Squamish Nations, the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society and BC Parks are collaborating to observe and catalogue the growing biodiversity. The groups are also asking for anyone who visits the wreck to share their observations with the aquarium using a special link for citizen science and this five-year project (aquablog.ca/2016/01/all-aboard-the-annapolis/). Breckman says that the next closest wrecks for diving are off Nanaimo. The HMCS Saskatchewan and the HMCS Cape Breton were also scuttled to create artificial reefs. Both lie in about 40 metres of water, within easy reach of most recreational divers. The Annapolis is appealing in terms of light, increasing life forms and accessibility, says Breckman, as the Annaopolis is sitting on the ocean floor at 33.5 metres, with the wreck rising to as little as 12 metres below the surface. “There are dive shops in Vancouver now that will train you for wreck diving specifically,” says Breckman. From Howe Sound to the shores off Vancouver Island, there are eight artificial reefs, including a sunken 737 airplane off Chemainus, Vancouver Island. photos courtesy of Vancouver Aquarium
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Bowen Children’s Centre 50/50 draw winner donates half of winnings After weeks of anticipation, Nancy Lee drew the winning ticket for the Bowen Children’s Centre’s first ever 50/50 draw last Friday. Winner Don McQueen came to pick up his $6,563.95 cheque on Wednesday – and generously donated half of that back to BCC. McQueen lives in Kitsilano, but has been coming to Bowen regularly with his family since he was a small child. As he made his donation, he said he was happy to have the opportunity to give back to this won-
derful community. So, with this fundraiser wrapped up, BCC now has money to put into programming and the playground. The Children’s Centre is very grateful to the 50/50 organizers, all the parents who worked so hard selling raffle tickets, as well as the local business that sold the tickets at their cash registers. Superstars Bob and Pat Buchanan sold 400 tickets at the Irly Bird Building Centre. – the BCC fundraising committee
Don McQueen donated half of his winnings to the preschool. DAYNA PURDY photo
Bob and Pat at the Irly Bird sold 400 tickets.
DAYNA PURDY photo
GAMES OF SUMMER STARTING EARLY As temperatures made it up into the range of summer weather, picnickers and swimmers hit the beach, while others found drier ways to play outside – like Carmen Dives (photo at right), who readies for a rally on the tennis courts. LOUISE LOIK photos
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