FRIDAY MAR 3, 2017
VOL. 43, NO. 08
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The “Bowen”connection
Green building professionals aim for big impact through island networking
Puppy love
International Women’s Day
Tunstall Bay family supports their dog in early days as a new mom
Bowen women remind you to mark March 8th on your calendars
Architect chosen to design community centre Application made Members of the Municipal Community Centre Working group stand in front of the long-standing sign marking the centre’s proposed location. From left, Coun. Melanie Mason with daughters Emily and Pippa (above), Shauna Jennings, Coun. Gary Ander with grandson Henry (below), Coun. Alison Morse, Kristen Watson, Jacqueline Massey, and municipal Chief Adminstrative Officer Kathy Lalonde. Meribeth Deen, photo
SOPHIE ISDINGA BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY
Bowen Island Municipality took one step closer towards achieving the dream of a community centre for island residents. On February 10, BIM Council passed a unanimous motion to sign a contract with Principle Architecture as Prime Consultant for the project. The Community Centre project envisions the construction of a 14,300 square foot facility providing community, recreational and performing arts spaces plus municipal offices, to be built on Area 3 of Lot 2 of municipal land (east of Bowen Island Community School). The value of the architectural contract, from design to completion of the building, is approximately $535,000, financed from the municipality’s 2017 capital budget. The first stage of work, expected to be delivered by the end of April, 2017, includes the development of a schematic design that will be used to validate costs, currently estimated at around $10 M for the entire project. The selected lead design firm, a partnership of Principle Architecture and local resident Drew Rose of Still Point Architecture, responded to the Municipality’s RFP, as did 23 others. Its submission, along with a subsequent interview, highly impressed the Community Centre Project Steering
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Committee, which was tasked with the job of evaluating proponents. “Principle’s presentation was outstanding in terms of its scope and thoroughness,” said Councillor Gary Ander, Chair of the Community Centre Steering Committee. “The firm demonstrated a deep understanding of the project and awareness of the demand for an innovative design to accommodate the diverse multi-use functions of Bowen’s future civic facility. They also understand that we are a small, some would say unique community and that they’ll be challenged to come up with creative approaches that fit our needs while ensuring budget constraints are respected. We also liked the fact that key members of the team have a personal knowledge and connection to Bowen.” Principle and Still Point and several members of their engineering disciplines have extensive background and expertise leading the design of warm and welcoming community-based budget-driven projects. Drew and his family have lived on Bowen Island for several years and are active members of the community. Drew has chaired the Bowen Island Municipal Advisory Planning Commission for the past four years. BIM is looking forward to developing a facility that will act as a gathering place for people of all ages and interests in our community, fostering and inspiring connections, caring, economy and creativity.
for TransLink bike infrastructure funding MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
After councillors raised objections based on process and concerns raised by Grafton Road residents and BIHORA, council agreed have municipal planner Emma Chow submit a funding application to TransLink to help pay for a pedestrian and cycling pathway on the corner near Charlie’s Lane. In late January, Chow presented an idea for the corner and a proposal to seek assistance from a new TransLink fund to improve cycling infrastructure in Metro Vancouver communities. The proposed project would tackle between 150 and 200m of roadway with a cost-estimate of between $250 and $300,000. If the grant application were successful, Bowen Island would be required to cover half the cost of the project. Council agreed she should set to work on the application. In the weeks following that meeting, Grafton road residents near Charlie’s lane as well as the Bowen Island Horse Riders Association (BIHORA) made objections to the plan. John Kerr, who lives on the corner, said the plan’s price-tag was too high and that it was too urban. Members of BIHORA complained that the project was not inclusive to the island’s horses and riders. A decision on whether or not to pursue the funding for this project needed to be made this week, as the grant application deadline came to a close on Wednesday. “I’m left with the feeling that we’re grant chasing,” said Councillor Allison Morse, noting that plans for a cross-island pathway will be laid out in the Integrated Transportation Master Plan, which won’t come to council until May. She said she felt the recent concerns brought forward by members of the public had not been adequately addressed, and added that while plans discussed meeting “path standards,” no such standards have been developed or approved for Bowen Island. “This is a paved path, which makes it easier for bikes, but when we met with MLA Sturdy he mentioned that in Whistler started as fine-compact or crushed materials to be biked or walked on.” Councillors Maureen Nicholson and Gary Ander expressed their lack of support for similar reasons. The community planner addressed each of the concerns brought forward by the objecting councillors. If Bowen’s application is successful, Chow said, then an agreement to acquire the funds would be signed with TransLink some time in May. From there, the Municipality would have four years to complete the project. The funding, she said, would allow more geo-technical work to be done and ensure that the best possible solution be implemented.
A FULLY LICENSED BOWEN ISLAND RESTAURANT
LOCATED AT THE BOWEN ISLAND GOLF COURSE
RE-OPENING MARCH 4TH
604-947-4366 THECUPCUTTER@GMAIL.COM
11AM - 4PM EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
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2 • FRIDAY MARCH 3 2017
Meeting Calendar March 8, 2017 9:00 am On-Island Composting Facility Working Group
March 8, 2017 1:00 pm
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Innovation grants are back in 2017! Building on the success of last year’s Innovation Grants program, Bowen Island Municipality is once again offering grants of up to $500 to residents, community groups and businesses for small scale projects that will keep Bowen beautiful. The grants are intended to foster civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.
The 2017 Spring and Summer Recreation Guide is in local mailboxes on March 3. It’s time to get outside and PLAY MORE!
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of their contribution to community tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, landscaping, floral displays, and public art. For example:
Steering Committee
-A spark of colour: you’re a painter and want to paint a door or two -A floral display: you’d like to help improve your curb appeal -A public art work for the whole community to enjoy
March 10, 2017
For details about how to apply and more, please go to our website at www.bimbc.ca/innovation-grants
8:45 am
An Innovation Grant helped fund Tourism Bowen’s new planters in 2016:
Community Centre Select
Spring and Summer Recreation Guide
Economic Development Committee
All meetings are held in Council Chambers at Municipal Hall unless otherwise noted.
Changes to your utility bill
Revitalization of Mannion Bay
Last year, Council asked us to review our water rate bylaws in the interest of developing consistent charges and to promote a culture of conservation for all Municipal water users.
Bowen Island Municipality has obtained a 30 year tenure (Licence of Occupation) for Mannion Bay from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations with the intent of restoring socioecological integrity in the Bay.
Tunstall Bay water users were the first to see a new billing system, switching from an annual flat rate to a hybrid metered rate.
Municipal staff will bring forward a Mannion Bay Update and Implementation Report in April 2017.
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Why switch to metered rates?
We will be holding information meetings in March for all other water district users. Please subscribe to your water system’s mailing list to receive notification of the meeting dates.
www.bimbc.ca/sign-up-water General Enquiries
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“Grant chasing” fears subside in favour of moving forward from PAGE 1
“And we’re not obliged to spend the money if successful and I feel this is a community driven project, we did extensive public consultation over the summer and a cross island bike path was a the number one feedback we got” added councillor Melanie Mason. Chow explained that the path’s safety standards refer to those laid out by the Transportation Safety Board Standards of Canada. These require that the path be paved, and if it were not, construction of it would not qualify for the TransLink grant. She said horses would be considered welcome on the path. “In the language for a lot of this funding it doesn’t come up because more communities don’t have horses,” explained Chow. Councillor Sue Ellen Fast said that in the 20 years since a trans-Island pathway was first proposed, this was the real opportunity she has seen to deal with the corner at Charlie’s Lane. Mayor Murray Skeels came forward to say he was not above “grant chasing.” “At this point, without the funding from TransLink there really isn’t a project,” said Skeels. “But if we get a commitment from TransLink, we’ve got a leg-up on getting started with the process. And as Sue Ellen pointed out, this isn’t new. We’ve been working on this for 20 years.” Skeels outlined the various chunks of trail that have been created to slowly connect across the island, and pointed to the Charlie’s Lane corner as the next critical piece. After a lengthy discussion, council agreed that the Charlie’s Lane corner presented a serious safety concern that needs to be dealt with, and endorsed the plan to apply for funding to the TransLink Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost Sharing program. That application was submitted on Tuesday.
On the calendar FRIDAY MARCH 3 Bowen Island Legion Friday night dinner Doors open at 5pm $10 for members $13 for non-members This week we welcome Betty Dhont & Belterra Cohousing for Moroccan Chicken. SATURDAY MARCH 4 Out of My Head: Susannnah Montague Show opens, Gallery at Artisan Square 3-5pm BICC Coffee House Cates Hill Chapel, doors open at 6:45, $10 at the door
SUNDAY MARCH 5 Bowen Nature Club AGM and Potluck Featuring Karen Bodker on the launch of Oceanwatch: Howe Sound Edition 4pm at the home of Jlonka and Marcel Bally 1055 Harding Rd THURS/FRI MARCH 9 & 10 Alice In Wonderland, a production by students at IPS 6:30 at Cates Hill Chapel Tickets $15, available at Phoenix, IPS or the door MONDAY MARCH 13 SKY will have exercise at 9:00, coffee at 9:45, Speaker’s Corner with Debra Stringfellow talking about the Art of Photography at 10:00 and Yoga with Diana Kaile at 11:15. SATURDAY MARCH 18 Bowen Bee House Build 2pm Grafton Community Garden Please RSVP on Facebook or by emailing di@artbydi.ca
2017 Coffee House Eh?! CHERYL HUTTON BICC
On Saturday, March 4th, in honour of Canada’s 150th celebration, talented Bowen Islanders will entertain you with selections from Canadian singer/songwriters and poets. Enjoy this night of pure Canadiana as BICC (Bowen Island Community Choir) hosts their spring Coffee House Eh?! at Cates Hill Chapel. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., concert at 7:00 p.m. Tickets at the door $10 adults, seniors and students, $2 children (6-12).
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Leveraging community connection to make a big impact
Lindsey Tourand and Ed Avery now skip the ferries and city traffic by choosing to hold their business meetings at Artisan Eats.
photo submitted
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
It was a little more than a year ago that Lindsey Tourand and Ed Avery both arrived late for their first official business meeting in downtown Vancouver. Upon arrival, they asked one another where they had traveled from and both responded, “the North Shore.” Further prodding revealed that Avery had come from Bowen, and Tourand was just months away from moving to Bowen. The two have been working on a large project together ever since, and
have launched a regular “night out” for island professionals in the green building industry. Avery sells high-tech glazing for the windows of large buildings. The product improves energy efficiency and comfort for the people working inside. Tourand is an engineer by trade, but now works in project management and capital planning for a property management firm. He says he made the career shift because it would allow him to have a greater impact on the built environment, working directly with clients to make better decisions about energy efficiency and quality. “Both of our jobs have the poten-
tial to make a large scale impact,” says Tourand. “And when we realized that we both had this connection to Bowen, we started talking about how the island actually seems to be something of a hub when you’re in the building industry.” Tourand offers another example: at one point he was working with an LED contractor in Calgary who then connected him with another Bowen Islander. Through this, the two islanders are now working with to reduce utility rates for Tourand’s company’s buildings in Alberta. “I feel like living on Bowen, there is this common thread. Even if the person you are working with isn’t from here – they’ll likely have a friend who is. And there is also such a strong connection to environmental values here,” says Avery. “Lindsey and I just kept talking about this, and on a flight back from Memphis, we came up with the idea to bring other islanders who are working in the field together. It’s just an obvious way to make a bigger impact.” Tourand and Avery recently held their second “Green Beer” night (not to be confused with Bowen In Transition’s “Green Drinks” night). They hope these evenings can continue on a monthly basis. Anyone who works in the building industry and is interested in pushing for large-scale “green” change, is welcome. To find out about the next meeting contact Ed Avery at: ed.avery@viewglass.com or check the Bowen B.E.E.R.S Facebook page.
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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.
Please don’t ban strolling seniors from the Cove
Dear Editor, As an older Islander, I love walking across the causeway and back: it’s a change from walking the Bowfest ground and Boardwalk. Yet walking has become more difficult with age and health problems and I absolutely need my car to take me down to the Cove, park, then walk from there. Park? Have you tried it recently? The place is littered with No Parking signs - small Library lot: full; day parking lot: packed. Anywhere along Union or Cardena streets? Forbidden. I risk the temporary pick-up zone for ferry riders. And of course, the situation will get much worse with the new Cove Commons: I fear it will be difficult for me to even get there, however much I support its creation. And the proposed new parking lot on Miller Road will not help – it is just too far for me to walk from there. Parking should be allowed along Union and Cardena road, with a time limit. I appeal to our Council and to my fellow Bowen Islanders not to ban walking seniors from the Cove. It is sad enough to see many of us leave for easier access to services and space on the mainland. But are we trying to create a seniors-free zone in the Cove? Renate Williams
Honouring a Bowen original Dear Editor, One of Bowen’s oldest residents, Dora Trethewey, will be leaving the island for the Kiwanis apartments in West Vancouver early in March. SKY (simply keeping young) will be hosting a potluck meal in her honour at noon on Monday Feb. 13 at Bowen Court. All Bowen friends are invited to come (just bring something for the table, please). Dora’s life on Bowen began in the early 1920s when her family and some friends came each summer and rented cottages above the lagoon from the Union Steamship Co. She remembers the fare from city
to island was $1, and a band played all the way over while the passengers danced. In fact, her first dance ever was with her father, coming to Bowen when she was 11 years old. There were six picnic grounds scattered around Snug Cove and Deep Bay, each run by a different church or city group. Dora and her best chum would wander around each, seeing what the meal was that day, and simply add themselves to the lineup for the most enticing one. When ‘The Lady Alex’ departed on Sunday evenings, the trumpeter from the band stood on a vantage point playing: “When it comes to the End of a Perfect Day,” as
the ferry left the cove. Bowen was known as “The Happy Isle”in those days. That way of life ended when the Lions Gate Bridge was built in 1939, the war years came, and people had money for cars and a new ferry system evolved. Dora and her husband Dick bought land on the lagoon and began to build their home, living in the basement and planning the structure above. Sadly Dick died in 1980 when he was only 63 years old. Eventually the house was completed and Dora began to look for new outlets. Her son took her to SKY, she liked its range of activities and today Dora
Dora Trethewey at an osteofit program at the fitness studio. photo Bowen Island Recreation is our longest serving board member. She will be missed, but she leaves an inspiring role
model to follow. Sincerely, Bev Rogers
Intense pain, deep gratitude and a man we knew as Blu
Piers Hayes taking a break from slinging coffee at the Snug. photo Louise Loik
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.
Ron is still in Mexico so we’ve decided to rerun some of those golden oldies In 2008, Graham Ritchie, for his work for Abbeyfield, and Kingbaby, and for being our star Master of ceremonies was named Citizen of the Year. He was also a Black Sheep.
#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.
Dear Bowen Island, One year ago, on March 3, 2016 our beloved ragamuffin husband, father, grandfather and friend Blu a.k.a. Piers Rothwell Hayes cut the ties with Earth and bid us all farewell as he sailed onto his next adventure. I have tried to write this letter so many times during the last year, stumbled and struggled and ultimately left it undone. Where do we begin? Saying thank you feels so flat and trite ... so far removed from the feelings we have experienced over the last year, feelings of deep gratitude, feelings of intense pain, sadness and loss so deep and so severe it left us speechless and unable to acknowledge kindness and care, and then paradoxically it opened us
up and gave us strength to share and acknowledge our pain ... to reach out to so many of you waiting in the wings to love and comfort us, this is the curious and growth-giving thing called grief. We are thankful to the community of Bowen Island: the churches, service organizations, businesses and all our friends for cards and letters full of anecdotes of the Ragamuffin that made us laugh and cry, pictures from little people for Blu because he made them laugh, for food dropped at our door, flowers, walks, talks and hugs, for financial assistance that allowed us as a family to take a month to deal with things and not worry about the café, for the food and organization that went into the celebration of Piers’ life, what
a huge task and yet done in such a way that it happened seamlessly and with such elegance. Piers was a simple man with a simple faith in God, he loved deeply and cared much about the world and the people in it, he was feisty and quick to flare but equally quick to calm down and say sorry or reach out and hug or touch, always looking for and finding humor no matter the circumstance. He loved us well as a family, as a church and as a community and that is how we all remember him. Thank you for your kindness and care. Joan, Sarah-Jane(Gord, Elijah and Madeleine ) William (Seonaid and Iona) and Miles
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FRIDAY MARCH 3 2017 • 5
Reasons to recognize International Women’s Day LEIGH GILLAM CONTRIBUTOR
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The United Nations has created themes for each year’s IWD. This year their theme is “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.” Here is the UN’s description of that theme and why it was chosen: “The world of work is changing, and with significant implications for women. On one hand, we have globalization, technological and digital revolution and the opportunities they bring, and on the other hand, the growing informality of labour, unstable livelihoods and incomes, new fiscal and trade policies and environmental impacts — all of which must be addressed in the context of women’s economic empowerment.” As the International Women’s Day website notes, the theme for 2017 is #BeBoldForChange. The big change that needs to happen is gender parity in the work force, as it has been predicted by the World Economic Forum that the gender gap in wages will not close until
2186. This is too long to wait. Women leaders need to be celebrated on March 8! There have been a huge number of culturally diverse women leaders throughout world history and others active today who continue to fight for women in recognition of the disparity between men and women and how it affects both the sexes, and how these issues are tied to issues of race and class. It is fun to google: “famous women’s rights activists,” “famous feminists,” “famous women world leaders,” “indigenous women activists,” “famous black women,” or women in arts, culture, medicine, history, politics, economics, science, sports etc. ... We have made great strides but the fight for women is not over. Below are just a few of the reasons I support International Women’s Day. In Canada, being a woman means you are more likely to be poor: ! Two of Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs are women 37 per cent of single mothers in Canada live in poverty ! 72 cents is what a full-time female employee makes for every $1 a man earns ! 59 per cent of minimum wage earners in Canada are women When measuring full-time
job tenure only, women earn 73.3 per cent of men working full-time or roughly 27 per cent less. In Canada, women are under-represented in Canadian politics: ! 26 per cent of the elected members of the 42nd Parliament are women. ! In 2015, women made up 28 per cent of municipal councillors and only 18 per cent of mayors. In Canada, being a woman means you are more likely to experience violence. ! Women face a 20 per cent higher risk of violent victimization than men when all other risk factors are taken into account. ! Women account for 87 per cent of victims of sexual offences and 76 per cent of victims of criminal harassment. ! Each year, Canadians collectively spend $7.4 billion to deal with the aftermath of spousal violence alone. ! Half of all women in Canada experience at least one incident of physical or sexual violence by the age of 16. ! Approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. Out of the police-reported intimate partner homicides in 2014, over 80 per cent were women.
! On any given night in Canada, 3,491 women and their 2,724 children sleep in shelters because it isn’t safe at home and about 300 women and children are turned away because shelters are full. ! There were 1,181 cases of missing or murdered Aboriginal women in Canada between 1980 and 2012, according to the RCMP. However, according to grassroots organizations and the Minister of the Status of Women the number is much higher, closer to 4,000. ! Aboriginal women are killed at six times the rate of non-aboriginal women. ! Women are at greater risk of experiencing elder abuse from a family member, accounting for 60 per cent of senior survivors of family violence. In Canada, women continue to be responsible for the majority of caregiving: ! In 2010, women spent an average of 50.1 hours per week on unpaid child-care, more than double that spent by men (24.4 hours). ! In 2010, women were almost twice as likely as men (49 per cent compared to 25 per cent) to spend more than 10 hours per week caring for a senior. ! Women spend more time than men on domestic work.
In 2010, while women spent 13.8 hours per week doing housework, men spent 8.3 hours. Globally, women and girls are disproportionately affected by poverty and discrimination: Lack of education for girls contributes to early marriage, higher birth rates, and lower income. Discriminatory laws prohibit women from owning or inheriting property, holding bank accounts, or prosecuting abusers. Girls face the greatest risk, as they often have no choice but to leave school so they can help their family earn money, find food, look after younger siblings, collect water, and run the household while their parents work. ! More than 62 million girls are not attending primary or secondary school. ! Pregnancy and childbirth is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 19 year-old girls. ! For every extra year a girl stays in school, her income can increase by 10 to 20 per cent. ! Each year, approximately 15 million girls under 18 will be married; that’s 41,000 each day, nearly 1 girl every 2 seconds. ! When a girl in the developing world receives seven years of education, she marries four
years later and has 2.2 fewer children. ! If all women completed primary education, there would be 66 per cent fewer maternal deaths. Gender equality is good for girls and boys. All children, boys and girls, have a better chance in life when their mothers have gone to school, and their fathers are more involved in the family. ! In developing countries, girls are twice as likely to suffer from malnutrition than boys. ! In 2014, almost 62 per cent of all new HIV infections among adolescents occurred among adolescent girls. ! More than 70 per cent of people living on less than $1/ day are women ! One in five women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime, and at least one in three will experience physical, mental or sexual abuse. These high rates of violence hinder women’s access to education, ability to work, participation in public life, freedom to make choices, or to exercise sexual and reproductive rights ! Around the world only 16 per cent of elected politicians are women ! Laws that promote gender equality are often not enforced.
Building on a tradition of togetherness, female energy The sad MARY KASTLE-CHAN CONTRIBUTOR
The power in marking an occasion like International Women’s Day is simply the reminder of all the work that’s been done in the name of women’s rights and all the work that’s yet to come. I’ve never felt so immersed in the
power of collective female energy as I have participating in a women’s group. Luckily, on Bowen, there is a growing number of them being created that allow us to sink into this environment and reap its benefits. This past Sunday, one of these groups, the Bowen Goddess: Moon Gatherings facilitated by Jen Lafferty, met for a brief hour between dinner
and kids’ bedtimes to collectively reconnect with the beginning of the lunar cycle, meditate and set an intention for the upcoming month. It’s in the spirit of the Red Tent, which is a tradition of women gathering at the new moon when menses would sync. This tradition has been occurring for thousands of years and it’s woven
together a fabric of female resilience and connection based on our most vital contribution to society. In this spirit, we can move forward knowing that our collective power will always reside in our ability to create, hold, and nurture life, each other, and a vision for a future that allows us to be the full expression of ourselves as humans on this planet.
Working for gender equality from Canada to Nepal KATE COFFEY CONTRIBUTOR
Why recognize International Women’s Day? One simple reason, we still have a long way to go. From the vantage point of a woman working in Canada’s investment management industry, we have a long way to go. This is an industry where a small number of young, bright, intelligent men still think a women’s place is best in the home. Because I am not a mother, I am forgiven somewhat by this small number for ‘taking a man’s job.’ Note: I only try to work with companies that are more liberal in thinking, so you can imagine how hard it is to work in this field led by those who think otherwise. I strive daily to coach and mentor young ladies starting their careers to help them get into a position where they can be taken seriously by their male co-workers. I work even harder with the men who need to radically shift their perspectives. Of course, women in other parts of the world face greater disadvantes, and I feel a duty to support these women and help them gain more privileged positions in their societies. In Nepal, I see more middle class families sending their daughters to university, sometimes up to MBA level. They think of themselves as modern in their thinking, and boast about the education level of their daughters. This is great, but it does not translate into
‘allowing’ the daughters to have careers. Parents do not see the correlation between a good education leading to getting a good job and building a career. Even if the young women are allowed to work, they are all too often restricted from attending work for the most minimal of reasons, whereas there are no restrictions for a boy. If meetings are scheduled late in the afternoon and might run over, the female staff member usually cannot attend as she would need permission from her parents to come home late. Such permission is rarely given. No such rules exist for the young man in the same position. The young man goes, meets other male decision makers, makes a name for himself, tea afterwards with chit chat builds relationships and his network. The young women lose out on all of this. They may have the same education, equal or better competency as their male co-workers, but end up with such a different outcome in their careers. What do I do? I meet with the parents, explain what work we are doing (at the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre where I volunteer) what an integral part their daughter is playing in the project, what would happen if she is not there and how I need her there. I tell them that by allowing her to do her job, she will make them even more proud, and bring money into the household (always a key factor). I get the daughter to commit to some ground rules (it’s really
all about keeping the parents constantly informed of where she is) and the parents to trust their daughter. I also commit to the parents that I will get their daughter home safely. In one family, there is one professional young women who, fours years after these conversations, is no longer restricted by her parents and neither is her younger sister. The parents have also convinced their siblings to be more lax with their daughters, so the cousins have also benefited. In total, 15 young women spread across seven families have experienced this shift now. I have also learned that the SIRC (Spinal Injury Rehab Clinic) now calls the parents of the young women physiotherapists who work there and has similar conversations. My hope is that making small changes at this grassroots level makes a big, positive impact. By working in groups, I believe we can start to address and shift some negative cultural norms. Kate Coffey is a Bowen Islander currently working on a project that aims to support small and medium sized businesses in the north and east of Sri Lanka. She has also spent a significant amount of time at the Spinal Injury Rehab Clinic in Sangha, Nepal. She will be back on Bowen at the end of June. You can follow her writing and her adventures at bowen2bangladesh. wordpress.com
truth: Why we still need IWD MEREWYN HINES CONTRIBUTOR
In an ideal world, there would be no International Women’s Days because we wouldn’t need a special day to bring women’s rights to the fore-front. “Women’s Rights” would just be the same rights most men across the globe currently enjoy simply for being men. So, we have International Women’s Day (and so many other days and fights and struggles) because we haven’t been equal, we still aren’t equal, and we continue to hope that some day for our great-granddaughters it can be different. Of course, despite my cynicism and increasing lack of faith in humanity given recent and ongoing events, I will still celebrate the day and fight the good fight. I have no other choice. As Maya Angelou once said, “I’d be stupid not to be on my own side”, not to mention the side of those I love and the side of equality full-stop.
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Correction:
In the Michaels ad starting on February 24, 2017, “Everyday Value $8-$25 for Belmont Frames & Shadow Boxes by Studio Décor®” was stated in error on page 4. The statement should have read “Everyday Value $7.99-$24.99 for Belmont Frames & Shadow Boxes by Studio Décor®”. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
DEPARTS SUN to THURS FRI & SAT SNUG COVE 11:15PM 12:15AM SNUG COVE 11:15PM 12:15AM HORSESHOE BAY 11:30PM 12:30AM HORSESHOE BAY 11:30PM 12:30AM
Scheduled Afternoon Commuter Runs OPERATING 7 DAYS WEEK Mon - Fri Horseshoe Bay -ASnug Cove
Proudly Celebrating Over 36 39 Years of Trusted Transport for Bowen Island & Howe Sound Telephone: 604-947-2243 Cellular: 604-250-2630 24 Hour Tug & BargeService services Special Event Cruises PRIVATE CHARTERS AVAILABLE ANYTIME
Nature club AGM open to all All Bowen Nature Club members and supporters are welcome to join us at our annual general meeting potluck and presentation on March 5, 2017 at 4 p.m. Karin Bodtker, manager of the coastal ocean health initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre will be speaking on the recent launch of Ocean Watch: Howe Sound Edition. Over the past few years, the Coastal Ocean Research Institute has worked with the Squamish Nation and David Suzuki Foundation to host forums on planning, science, and socioeconomic well-being in Howe Sound. Participants in these workshops highlighted the need for a report on the health of the area that pulls together information from different sources. The information is designed to inspire better use, management, and stewardship decisions. This report provides crucial information to help guide decisions as the area grows and changes. Many Bowen Islanders contributed to the web-based report, found at http://oceanwatch.ca/.
email: cormorantmarine@telus.net web: cormorantwatertaxi.com
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Since 1978
Board Member Opportunity – Caring Circle March 2017 The Caring Circle Health & Wellness Society of Bowen Island envisions a community where all people feel safe, connected and healthy by linking individuals to health services, social programs, and each other. Caring Circle seeks to appoint 2 new Board members this year. We are looking for Bowen Island residents wishing to work to ensure that services and programs are in place for the physical and mental health of individuals and of our community as a whole. We seek board members who have skill or experience in one or more of the following: • A passionate interest in the work of Caring Circle • Health, medical or social services • Board governance with a not-for-profit organization • Fundraising events and grants • Public relations and communication • Strategic planning • Experience with volunteers If you are interested, please send a letter to info@caringcircle.ca to express your interest or you can drop into Caring Circle any Mon/Wed/Friday from 10 – 4 p.m. to talk to Colleen if you want to know more about the organization.
A pacific white-sided Dolphin leaps above the waters of Howe Sound. photo
Vancouver Aquarium
Karin will share insights and lessons learned as well as how this new, independent, multi-disciplinary, collaboration-based, institute will fill a major gap in understanding and managing our coastal
ocean environments. Bowen Nature Club is also seeking new directors, if you are interested please let us know at the AGM. We will also be renewing all 2017 memberships. This event is hosted at the home of
Jlonka and Marcel Bally (1055 Harding Rd). Bring a potluck dish to share for 6-8 people (no soups please!). BYOB. For directions or further information, please call Jlonka at 604947-0005.
Whale sightings buoy data Memo to mariners: See a cetacean? Say something MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Alex Steele was working on the water taxi as it pulled into Horseshoe Bay a few weeks ago when he saw a huge dorsal fin pop up through the window behind a customer’s shoulder. “I called out to Eric (Michner) to stop the boat,” says Steele. “I popped up on the roof and started filming. I saw a little orca swimming really close and then under the bow. There were maybe six of them, swimming around us for three or four minutes before the group took off southward towards Sunset Marina.” A few weeks later, Ken Simpson was having a bonfire on the beach at Cape Roger Curtis. “We saw a pod of at least a dozen of them moving past the Cape, really close to the shore,” he says. “It was the most incredible thing.” Tessa Danelesko, from the Vancouver
Aquarium’s Cetacean Sightings Network, says that such sightings can happen any time of year. Her guess, not having seen any photos or videos from these sightings, is that both of these groups were biggs, or transient killer whales. “These whales tend to travel in smaller, fluid groups,” she says. The Cetaceans Sightings Network gathers data on whales, dolphins and porpoises spotted along the B.C. coast. This information can help researchers determine what areas of the coast serve as important habitat, and whether populations are improving or declining. In 2015, the Network received 141 reports from volunteer observers in Howe Sound. If you spot a whale, dolphin or porpoise in Howe Sound (or a group of them) report your sighting to 1-866-I-SAW-ONE or sightings@ vanaqua.org. Check out their website: wildwhales.org.
Bowen Island Conservancy Terminal Creek Salmon Hatchery presentation and tour Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club (BIFWC) have kindly arranged for us to visit the Terminal Creek Salmon Hatchery as part of our 2017 Speaker Series. Early March is the perfect time to tour the Hatchery. There will be Chum fry in the water troughs, and might still be Coho eggs/alevins in the incubation trays. We’ll meet in the Bill Rush Memorial Classroom, and spend about an hour learning about BIFWC, the salmon enhancement work volunteers carry out, and the fantastic Chum spawner returns seen over the last few weeks. Then there’ll be a tour of the hatchery and Terminal Creek’s nearby salmon habitat area. • When: Saturday, 11th February at 2:00 pm • Where: Terminal Creek Salmon Hatchery, Crippen Park (near the Recycling Depot and gas station on Mt. Gardner Road) More information about this presentation is available at bowenislandconservancy.org.
Refreshments will be served
BOARD MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES Expressions of interest invited to serve the Community Foundation as committee members, Ambassadors and Directors. Please review our website www.bowenfoundation.com, and see how we make a difference. If interested, please send a letter identifying how you may contribute to help build a better community to: Administrator, admin@bowenfoundation.com.
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Tunstall Bay welcomes 11 newborns MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
“I’ve named them Charlie, Pepper, Daisy, Chevy…” “Wait, stop! We’ve agreed not to name them remember?” says Jamie Ogden to Piper Tweten in reference to the 11 fist-sized pups curled up on their mother, Pasley. Ogden’s family adopted Pasley last July, and the Twetens, who live three doors down, adopted her brother Murphy at the same time.
Both are rescues from the Baja peninsula, where islander Tara Meal has connections with people who rescue local dogs. The vets in Mexico give the dogs all their shots, and they are then flown up to Washington and brought to Bowen for a total bill of $150. “I was a bit hesitant to get one of these dogs at first,” says Ogden. “I used to have a pure-bread golden lab, who was wonderful but had all
Bee house build: Start a career in real estate DIANA IZDEBSKI CONTRIBUTOR
Join us for a free all-ages community event building mason bee houses for solitary bees and other beneficial pollinators. These insects are extremely valuable to our island ecosystem but face increasing stress due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Let’s give them a helping hand by creating an overwintering habitat and have some fun while we are at it. Follow our Facebook page (bowenbeehousebuild) for material ideas and inspiration, and then bring your supplies to our event at the Grafton Community Garden on March 18, 2 p.m., to let us help you assemble your mason bee house. Participants will learn about native pollinators, help build a large community bee hotel and get to bring home their very own hibernating mason bee cocoon in their new bee house. Prizes will be awarded for the most unique, functional and esthetic home-made bee house. Please RSVP for the event by visiting the bowenbeehousebuild page on Facebook or email byemailingdi@artbydi.ca. Diana Izdebski is a member of Bowen Bee House Build.
One of the most common frames for mason bee houses.
photo supplied
kinds of health problems. Pasley has exceeded my expectations, she’s been an absolutely amazing dog since the very beginning.” Ogden and his wife Maryam Erfani were advised by their vet to wait until Pasley went through one full menstrual cycle before getting her spayed. “We have a fenced-in backyard, so we weren’t too concerned,” says Ogden. The family then noticed
the dog’s nipples were swollen and learned she was pregnant. “We’re pretty sure that Murphy is the dad. I guess when they’re in heat, they will find a way.” Last Thursday morning, February 23, Ogden said that both he and Erfani were focused on getting to work and getting the kids, Elsie and Cashton, to school. “We noticed her panting, and Maryam asked me if I could come home at some point to check on Pasley,” he says. “That wouldn’t have been possible because I was supposed to be working in Eaglecliff. So I just stayed home.” Ogden says the labour started at 9 a.m., and continued until 9 p.m. that night. “The puppies just kept coming,” he says. “Number six was stillborn.” Erfani left work early because of the labour, and she picked the kids up from school early as well. “I wanted to be there for Pasley,” says Erfani. “And also, I didn’t want us to miss this special moment in her life – a once in a lifetime experience for all of us.” She adds that dogs are “low key when it comes to birth in comparison to humans.” The vet visited Pasley the
Elsie and Cashton with Pasley not long after adopting her. Pasley relaxes with her pups in the photo at left. photos Jamie Ogden/Meribeth Deen
day following the birth, and said the pups are in great shape but Ogden and Erfani are working hard to ensure that they stay that way. “They’re not out of the woods,” says Ogden. “They are very vulnerable to disease at this point, so the only one who gets to touch them is their mum. And Pasley is such a good little mother, she will go outside to pee but
come right back and keep them warm. She never lets one wander off.” They’ll be keeping the pups with their mom for the first eight weeks of their life and then, hopefully, sending them off to new homes. If anyone is interested in adopting one of Pasley’s pups contact Ogden or Erfani at: jogden2002@hotmail.com or Maryamerfani@hotmail.com.
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Get lost in the details of ceramics
EMILIE KAPULUN CONTRIBUTOR
The Gallery at Artisan Square is presenting a solo show by local ceramic sculptor Susannah Montague from March 4 to the March 26. The show is titled “Out of My Head.” Many of the sculptures in the show call on the rich Vanitas tradition, a tradition of highly symbolic works often associated with 16th- and 17th-century still life paintings from Flanders and the Netherlands. Though the symbolism in the Vanitas tradition often deals with death and the transient nature of life, the artist is using this symbolism to ask questions about what we choose to focus on and how we choose to act in what appears to be very unsettled times. Susannah uses various techniques for her sculptures, including the use of molds. She
made these molds from a collection of objects including vintage dolls, toys, religious artifacts and handmade lace. Last year Susannah was the Artist in Residence at Bowen Island Community School and was the artist behind the ceramic labyrinth. Like the lantern pieces from the labyrinth, some of the pieces in “Out Of My Head” make use of and play with light, drawing the viewer into the pieces to look closer for the small details that could be missed upon the first glance. There will be an opening reception on the March 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome. The Gallery at Artisan Square will be open Thursday to Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Emilie Kapulun is the curator at The Gallery at Artisan Square.
Artist Susannah Montague in her studio. photo supplied
Reflections on acceptance and diversity at Café-Philo DAVID KING CONTRIBUTOR
In 1992, French philosopher Marc Sautet started the grassroots movement Café Philosophique, an opportunity for members of the
community to meet up and discuss philosophical topics, from consciousness to sex and death. Less than a decade following the first “Café-Philo” in Paris, there were more than 200 such groups
At a time when difference and inclusivity is questioned, Philosophy Cafe events seek to start a discussion. file photo Mike Wakefield
around the world. A few weeks ago, the Bowen Island Lodge hosted the island’s first Philosophy Café, and the topic of discussion was a timely one: In today’s climate, how do we continue cultivating a culture of acceptance, diversity, and equality? The topic wasn’t just timely, it proved to be one of great concern to Bowen Islanders. Our first gathering was a successful one, both in turnout and in the discussion that ensued. Covering issues from indigenous rights and multiculturalism to the Trump effect, attendees brought up a number of challenges currently facing Canadians. We first realized that words like “acceptance,” “diversity,” and “equality” can be defined and interpreted differently depending on one’s perspective. We largely agreed that acceptance, for instance, has its limits; there is something counterproductive about accepting discrimination
BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULE REGULAR SCHEDULE Jan May 3 to15May 17, 2017 In Effect to October 13, 2014
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and hate (or those who spread it). We also came to the conclusion that a more appropriate goal may be inclusivity. To make another person feel welcome and included is perhaps the greatest gift to offer someone who is “different.” Whether it is class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, age, or religion, we can always find a reason to set ourselves apart from others, but with what goal? During our discussion, we recognized that in-group thinking is a powerful and often socially disruptive force, making our differences feel like causes for conflict rather than opportunities for learning and growth. No current situation is a greater reminder of this than what is unfolding in the United States. Donald Trump’s presidency is a significant threat to what we as Canadians claim to value most, and it seems to worsen by the hour, making people feel more divided
and inspiring hateful acts on either side of the border. We concluded that fear is a major factor in this and every expression of bigotry, even in the kind experienced on Bowen Island. People fear that which is different, and in the absence of something else meaningful or fulfilling in their lives, that fear can be a profound motivator. In the end, it is perhaps this fear that we must first overcome in order to move forward. As a community, adopting a policy of inclusivity is a good place to start. Whether internationally or in our small island community, our differences are great, but they are also beautiful. We must do what we can to preserve them. The next Philosophy Café will be held on March 22. Our goal is to provide a safe space for healthy, respectful conversation and debate in order to raise local consciousness.
Places of Worship Welcome You 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 www.bowencommunitychurch.org Pastor Clinton Neal 1070 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 604-947-0441 Service 10:30Service a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. 10:30 School a.m.
AUG 4, SEPT 1 & † 13 OCT
ST. GERARD’S CATHOLIC CHURCH ST. GERARD’SROMAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
†
604-988-6304 Administration Office: 604-682-6774
THE WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL BE REPLACED THEDANGEROUS WEDNESDAY BY SAILINGS WILL CARGO SAILINGS. BE REPLACED NO OTHER BY DANGEROUS PASSENGERS CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER PERMITTED.
PASSENGERS PERMITTED.
Mass: 10:30 Sunday a.m. Priest: James Comey Mass:Father 10:30 a.m.
CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260
(661 Carter Rd.)
10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens Phil James Adkins B. Krohn Pastor: Dr.
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Through the kitchen window: Michelle Nelson MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
There are so many people on Bowen who not only love to eat, but love to cook. While some our foodie friends kindly offer us the opportunity to taste their food by opening up restaurants, there are so many others whose food lives are unknown to us. This column is an attempt to pry open the kitchen windows of our local friends and neighbours who have a passion for cooking. Some of them are trained chefs, some of them make a living from cooking, and others are self-
taught, excellent, passionate home cooks. If you know of a foodie who needs featuring please contact: editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com. Michelle Nelson has called Bowen Island home for almost five years now, and spent the majority of that first five years farming on Sunset Road. She has also been busy completing her Urban Homesteading Cookbook (published in the spring of 2015), A Field Guide to Foraging Wild Greens and Flowers, as well as her PhD in Conservation Biology. Her passion – beyond food and cooking – is education around sustainability and food. She has now run five workshops on Bowen, and intends to run more in the future. If you are interested in keeping up to date on her upcoming workshops, contact her at therurbanist@gmail.com. Question: What’s your comfort food? Answer: I guess I like uncomplicated, rustic fare – wholesome, hearty meals from scratch and homemade preserves. Question: If you could only have one cookbook… Answer: My go-to (other than mine, which has all my favourite recipes) is the Barefoot Contessa because even when I substitute ingredients (with foraged and homegrown goodies), all of her recipes turn out.
Michelle Nelson preparing seaweed quiche. photo Candice
Kabanstov
Question: Who’s your biggest culinary influence and what did they teach you? Answer: My mom has always done
tons of cooking from scratch, baking and canning, so I learned from her how to make things like homegrown green pea soup, fresh bread, pickled beets and apricot jam. And my mom learned from my grandma, who had a homestead on the Sunshine Coast where she had an amazing food garden, orchard, and hothouse, and made beer, cider, preserves, sausage, pate and ham from homegrown ingredients. When I was little, I spent the summer with her and she taught me to forage for wild strawberries, huckleberries, salal, salmonberries and blackberries, and we would bake them into pies and crumbles. Question: When did you realize you loved to cook? Answer: You know, I don’t really love to cook... I just love to eat. And nothing beats the taste of homemade. I also really love feeding people, I love the community it creates to sit down to a meal together, and I love talking about how things are made. I don’t think you need to love to cook to do a lot of cooking, there are many other rewards to enjoy. Question: Tell me about a culinary challenge, and how you overcame it. For example, when you had to adapt to a particular diet or allergy, or when you had to learn a totally new cooking style. Answer: The challenge of coming up with recipes for new ingredients I’ve found foraging is constant and so fun. First, I’ll spend some time doing research into the ingredient – what
kind of taste it has, what it’s similar to that I’m more familiar with, and then what kind of recipes I might be able to adapt for it. Then I’ll go collect some to do some testing either in the backyard, forest or seashore. Finally, I’ll try a few things, usually at least two recipes in case one doesn’t turn out, and then test it out on my partner (Chris the shark guy) or I’ll invite some friends over too if I’m feeling pretty confident. Nine times out of 10 the recipes need only a bit of tweaking, and the other one time, at least it was interesting and makes for good conversation. Question: How has living on Bowen influenced your cooking? Answer: There are so many things to forage here. Greens, flowers, berries, hips, tree tips, seaweed, mushrooms... the list goes on. And moving to Bowen gave me a chance to raise dairy and meat animals, so I learned how to make my own cheese, kefir, prosciutto, smoked meat and tons of other things from homegrown ingredients, which was pretty much my dream since I was little on my grandma’s homestead. Recipe: Tree-tip infused honey In the throes of winter, it’s fun to start getting excited for spring. One of the first things to forage in the spring is the bright green tips of the evergreen trees that unfurl when the weather starts to warm up, which will be sooner than we think (I keep telling myself). The best trees for tips here on Bowen are Douglas Firs, which are everywhere: roadsides, people’s yards, the forest. Look for branches with nee-
dles that grow like a bottle brush, and soft, brown cones that comfortably fill your fist and have three-pronged bracts sticking out under each scale. To collect the tips, simply break off the new, soft, bright green end of the tree branch. Don’t take more than half the new growth (usually not a problem since these trees are huge). Ingredients: 1 cup tree tips, chopped 1 cup honey A two-cup mason jar Fill the bottom of the jar with tree tips, then add a layer of honey, then add more tree tips, then more honey, until the jar is full. Put the lid on the jar, and leave it on the counter somewhere you won’t forget about it. Every day or two, turn the jar over so the tips mix with the honey. In about a couple of weeks, or maybe three or four (timing is very flexible), taste the infusion. If you can detect the citrusy flavour of the tree tips, you’re done. If you want a stronger flavour, leave the tips in for longer – there’s no time limit, you could leave them for months if you want. Once the infusion has reached the desired flavour, simply pour the mixture over a strainer to remove the solids (which can be composted). It might help to heat the honey up a bit first, depending how warm the room is. You can do this in a pot on low heat on the stovetop. Store your infusion in a glass mason jar with a lid, in a cupboard. Honey lasts forever.
Cove Commons Champions
Thanks to our supporters and donors for helping to make the Cove Commons a reality Susan Alexander Laura Lee Armstrong Anna Marie Atherton Murray Atherton Mumtaz Bandali Navroz Bandali Thomas Beckman Bellringer Family Debbie Benson Ted Benson Brian Biddlecombe Peter Boronkay Sylvia Boss Terry Boss Bowen Island Community Foundation Bowen Island First Credit Union Bowen Pet Supply Bowen Island Lodge Branch 150 Royal Canadian Legion Susanna Braund Bruce Chutka Barbara Clarke John Clarke Berni Claus Jean Cleator Kate Coffey Carol Cram Ruby Cram Greg Crowe Karen Davis Cristina Delano Ann Dench Markus Dunner Pat Elliott Michael Epp Mary Farris
Nicholas Fritz Colin Forbes Dale Forbes Joanne Forbes Friends of the Bowen Island Library Gordon Ganong Joyce Ganong Joanne Gassman Marc Gawthrop Jerry George in memory of Jan Wells The Gilday and Robertson Family John Givins Sarah Graham Bill Granger Bruce Greyell Pat Greyell Jennifer Hall Ken Hallat Barb Hallat Elizabeth Hammerberg Soren Hammerberg Pauulet Hohn Rob Hohn HUB International HUB Financial Sheree Johnson In Memory of Catherine Kaplun John C. Kerr Family Foundation Timothy C. Kerr Family Foundation Leanne Laudrum Pauline LeBel Doug Leishman Cro Lucas David Luksha - Z.E.I. Construction Management Larry Lunn Maureen Lunn
Mary Lynn Machado Shasta Martinuk Loredana May-Brind Kenneth McArthur Sheila McArthur David McCullum Emily Erickson McCullum In Honour of Cassidy McDonald Tamsin Miley Bob Moles Karen Moles Peter Mulholland Sandy Mulholland Sandra Murray Jude Neale Marie Neys Rod Neys Maureen Nicholson Tina Nielsen Patricia North Gary O’Doherty Caroline Orr Nick Page Jennifer Pardee Tim Pardee Caroline Parker John Edward Parker Catherine Patterson Ross Patterson Diane Ramage Tom Raphael Shannon Rondeau Rachel Rose Steve Rosell Royal Bank Financial Group Bruce Russell Doreen Russell
National Bank Private Banking 1859 Belle Sangster Bob Sangster Donna Scorer Tim Scorer April Sear R.Gerry Sear Gregg Simpson Erwen Smith Patricia Smith Kelly Smith Greta Smith Ken Smith Snug Cove Slam Jam Tournament Dyan Spear Ted Spear Chris Staples Judy Taggart Paul Tennant Craig Tennant Joan Tennant John Tennant Barry Thomas Brian Thomas-Peter Kate Thomas-Peter Elisabeth Thompson Adele Turner Aubin van Berckel David van Berckel Edward Wachtman Nora Weedon Heather Woodall Ron Woodall Anonymous x 6
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Bowen performs well at Destination Imagination ALLISON DE BOER CONTRIBUTOR
The Sorcerer Potatoes worked their magic at this year’s Destination Imagination event. photo Allison de Boer
On Saturday, Feb. 25, two teams of students from Bowen Island Community School travelled to St. George’s Senior School in Vancouver to compete in the Regional Destination Imagination tournament. Over the past few months, the teams had been working hard to solve technical and improvisational challenges that required teamwork, critical thinking and creative
problem-solving skills. The teams competed alongside more than 60 others. Both BICS teams did extremely well, with the “D.I.Nsteins” (managed by Chris Kientz and Josephine) winning the Instant Challenge for their category, and the “Sorcerer Potatoes” (managed by Allison de Boer) winning both their Team and Instant Challenge. Congratulations to both teams!
“I go on board to make sure the tanker conforms with international safety guidelines.” – Captain Robert Scott, Loading Master, Kinder Morgan Canada
Tankers calling at Trans Mountain’s loading dock must comply with internationally accepted oil-handling safety protocols and best practices. If the expansion is approved, enhanced measures will make sure that risks to our waterways from Trans Mountain tanker traffic will remain extremely low. We have been committed to safety for over 60 years – and we intend to keep it that way.
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Tankers calling at Westridge Marine Terminal are held to strict, internationally accepted construction and operating standards.
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All vessels must go through rigid pre-screening and physical inspection.
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Only double hulled tankers are allowed.
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Two expert local pilots are on board loaded tankers to Victoria. In future, pilots will disembark at Race Rocks, extending the piloted distance.
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An expanded tug escort regime will cover the entire tanker route – from Burnaby past the North Shore, through the Strait of Georgia and the Juan de Fuca Strait.
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Transport Canada’s certified marine-based spill response organization, Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC), is on call 24/7.
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More than $150 million will be invested in WCMRC to create new response bases, fund new equipment and employ 100 new people. This will double the spill response capabilities and cut mandated response times in half.
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To support the ‘polluter pay principle’ enshrined in Canada’s spill response regime, there is an approximate $1.548 billion industry fund available for response cost and compensation in the unlikely event of a marine spill.
For more information, go to TransMountain.com/marine Email: info@transmountain.com · Phone: 1-866-514-6700
Committed to safety since 1953.
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BOWEN BULLETIN BOARD The Gallery @ Artisan Square Presents
BOWENSHIRE
Stonework & Landscape
Insured and WCB coverage Phone Andy 604-947-0674 Cell: 778-231-7283 www.bowenshirelandscaping.com
Call Ellen Direct:
45 (604) 349-67com bowendogranch.
Out of My Head Ceramic Artworks by Susannah Montague March 4 - 26 Artist reception March 4th, 3-5 pm
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I’ll pick up your recycling and deliver to BIRC for $25/load Kindling $20/box at Building Centre CALL 947-2430
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CANADA BENEFIT GROUP Attention British Columbia residents: Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888-5112250 or www.canada benefit.ca/free-assessment
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT LAMPLIGHTER MOTEL in Kamloops BC seeking Chamber person/desk clerk. Send resume to anilparekh23@gmail.com or call 250-372-3386. No experience necessary will train right person.
FOR SALE - MISC HARDY TREE, Shrub and berry seedlings delivered. Order online at www.treetime.ca or call 1-866-8733846. New growth guaranteed.
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EDI reports on well-being of young islanders Molly Chan-Heyes CONTRIBUTOR
Bowen Children’s Centre board members were lucky to receive a presentation on the Early Development Instrument (EDI) by our local expert on the matter, Kerry Watts. Kerry, a Bowen resident and mother of three, is coordinator of the Connect For Kids (Early Years) Planning Table, which brings together over 30 agencies and organizations from across the North Shore, including Bowen Island, to increase the capacity of the early years community and provide information, resources and support to families with children ages zero to six. The development and application of the EDI is underpinned by the belief that the first 5 years of childhood development are important for shaping and influencing a child’s future experiences. Research has shown that what happens during those first 5 years are a fairly reliable indicator of outcomes in later life, and that the roots of problems such as depression/anxiety, poor health, lack of success in education or behavioural issues can be traced back to experiences during early childhood. The EDI was therefore developed as a means of collecting data, from which patterns and trends in populations of chil-
dren can be measured. It is intended as a catalyst for action for policy makers concerned with early childhood development. Theoretically, if interventions can be made, or support provided, during early childhood then negative outcomes in later life might then be averted. It is not intended as an individual diagnostic measure or a way to evaluate teachers or individual programs. The format of the EDI is a questionnaire that is administered by kindergarten teachers province-wide. Data is collected in two to three year cycles. The questionnaires are completed in February once kindergarten teachers have had the chance to get to know their students. The EDI includes 104 questions and measures five important areas of early childhood development: physical health and well-being; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive development; and communication skills. Researchers are interested in populations of children identified as “vulnerable” in any of those five scales. Data collected from Bowen Island children are grouped together with Horseshoe Bay and Lions Bay. The reason for this is that the three areas in isolation are small populations. Grouping them together not only provides more meaningful data, but also
Preschoolers from the Bowen Island Children’s Centre listen to a story at the Bowen Island Library. photo Meribeth Deen
protects individual vulnerable children from being identified. The most recent wave of results from 2016 inform us that 32.2 per cent of all children province-wide, and 25 per cent of HB/LB/Bowen children, were classified as vulnerable on one or more scales. On the physical health and well-being scale, 14.8 per cent of all children province-wide and 13 per cent of HB/LB/Bowen children were classified as vulnerable. In the area of social competence,
15.7 per cent of all children province-wide and 12 per cent of HB/LB/Bowen children were reported as vulnerable. On the scale of emotional maturity, 16.1 per cent of children province-wide versus 15 per cent of HB/LB/Bowen were reported as vulnerable. Perhaps what is most concerning is that vulnerability in this area has been steadily trending upwards since data collection first began. In the area of language and cognitive
development, 9.4 per cent of children province-wide and 3 per cent of HB/LB/Bowen children are reported as vulnerable. This is clearly the area where B.C. kids are the most “successful”; not only is the overall percentage of vulnerabilities the lowest of the five scales, but there has also been significant decreases trending over a course of time since data collection began. Finally, on the communication skills scale, 14.2 per cent of children province-wide versus 10 per cent of HB/LB/ Bowen children are reported as vulnerable. In summary, it looks like Bowen kids are doing “better” than the wider population of children province-wide across all 5 scales. So this supports the widely-held belief that Bowen Island is indeed a great place to raise children! It seems that our kids are doing just fine in language and cognitive development, so all those hours of reading with our children have paid off and no need to invest in Kumon classes to ensure academic readiness for school. But before we rest on our laurels, let’s not forget that data from the emotional maturity scale indicates that (province-wide) our children’s mental well-being has been steadily decreasing over a course of time. Looking into more detail on the emotional maturity
subscales, province-wide data reveals that while pro-social and helping behaviour has seen some increases followed by more recent dips across time, aggressive behaviour, anxious and fearful behaviour and hyperactive and inattentive behaviour have all seen steady increases in vulnerability rates. Previous research has shown that such behaviours are associated with context factors such as poverty, economic pressures, social stressors, and lack of social connectedness and support. Again, data collected from HB/LB/Bowen children have not shown pronounced increases in vulnerability rates in the emotional security scale, and instead have remained steady at 15 per cent since 2010. In the case of Bowen Island, community ties and (comparatively) low house prices may be a contributing factor, although it would be interesting to know if the recent housing crisis has had a significant negative impact in that regard. But families coming together at the playground, beach or at community events, and opportunities for unstructured play - those are likely factors keeping our children (and parents) mentally healthy and are something to hold onto. Molly Chan-Heyes is a Bowen Children’s Centre board member.
HEALTH & WELLNESS Dr. Susanne Schloegl
NexGen Hearing
Open Mon.Wed. Thurs. Fri. Now accepting Bowen patients. Artisan Square
604-281-3691
M.D.
604-947-9986 Bowen Island Chiropractic
Dr. Tracy Leach, D.C.
Bowen Island Naturopathic & Acupuncture Clinic #201 - 566 Artisan Square
Certified provider of Active Release Techniques
Natural health solutions for the whole family
Artisan Square Tues. & Fri.
draleabell@gmail.com
Courtney Morris, R.Ac
778-828-5681
604-338-5001
www.drtracyleach.ca
BODY VITALITY MASSAGE THERAPY James Goldfarb RMT BC#05279 Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon Call 604-288-2860 text 250-726-8080 www.bodyvitality.ca
Dr. Alea Bell, ND Naturopathic Doctor
778-891-0370
Registered Acupuncturist, Doula, Homeopath
courtneykmorris@gmail.com
Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830 CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
Call us at
Hearing Testing On Bowen Island @ Caring Circle West Vancouver
MARY MCDONAGH RMT
Dr. Dana Barton
HARMONY SHIRE RMT
RMT, DCH Registered Massage Therapist
ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT
SANDY LOGAN
FREE
Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square
604-730-1174 Natural Family Medicine
Dr. Gloria Chao
778-233-4425
Artisan Square 604-947-0734
Docs on the Bay and Bowen Island Compassion minded counselling to grow wellbeing in the midst of serious illness, loss and grief.
604-947-9755 EXT #1 @ Artisan Square Suite #597 Wellness Centre Suite #595A Next Door
Mary Coleman MSW, RSW
BOWEN ISLAND
MASSAGE THERAPY
Family Dentist
Alternate Fridays 10am - 4:30pm Horseshoe Bay 604-921-8522 www.bowenislanddental.com
Celebrating 29 years
Community Healthcare
Psychologist Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484
604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com
At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597
CATHERINE SHAW Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist
❦
MARY MCDONAGH
❦
Registered Physiotherapist
❦
HEIDI MATHER
Acupuncturist Registered Nutritionist
Life Labs Tue @ Dr. Schloegl Thur @ Dr. Zandy 6:45am - 8:45am
For routine lab tests. Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.