THURSDAY JANUARY 3, 2019 VOL. 45, NO. 01
$1
including GST
Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The Undercurrent team wishes you and your family the very best for the year ahead.
Boweners selected for Metro Vancouver committees
BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
Bowen now has representatives on three of fourteen Metro Vancouver committees. This is up from two last term. Bowen’s Metro board director, councillor David Hocking, was selected to be vice-chair of Electoral Area A, which acts as the local government for the unincorporated parts of the regional district. These include some of the lands along Howe Sound including Ocean Point, Strachan Point and Montizambert Wynd; Boyer and Passage Islands; part of Indian Arm and UBC. “Ive been around, so I think my role is to be a resource for [the newly-elected chair,]”said Hocking. “I’m certainly pleased to have been selected. Hocking is also on the Climate Action Committee. Hocking worked on Metro Vancouver’s Climate 2050 paper that came out last year. He was also at the 1992 Kyoto Protocol negotiations representing the Suzuki Foundation. Councillor, and former board director, Maureen Nicholson is on the Metro Parks Committee for a second term. “The design phase of the Davies Orchard Revitalization Project begins in 2019. It’s important that a Bowen resident serve on the Metro Parks Committee to help ensure that phase includes community consultation and input,” said Nicholson in an email. “It’s also important because Parks will be undertaking acquisitions this term and Bowen is a potential site for park expansion.”
Mother Nature treated islanders to a seasonal sprinkle of snow Dec. 28. It quickly melted to slush, but for a moment, Bowen was a winter wonderland. Photo: Tracey Wait
Bowen e-ferry: maybe not today, but someday BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
While the Queen of Capilano will likely be diesel-powered for the rest of its operating life, Bowen’s next ferry, in just over 20 years, could be all electric. After the Undercurrent published the story “Electrifying ideas: advocates say the timing is ripe for a Bowen e-ferry” in the December 13 edition, B.C. Ferries contacted the
newspaper to weigh in on the e-ferry debate. In the Undercurrent article, advocates argued that Bowen is a prime candidate for an e-ferry. Its ferry run makes up 25 per cent of Bowen’s total greenhouse gas emissions and e-ferries have been successful in runs similar to the Queen of Capilano’s, notably the Norwegian Ampere. Mark Collins, president and CEO
of BC Ferries, says that while the company is monitoring clean technologies closely, there are several hurdles standing between now and Bowen getting an e-ferry.
Not just charging ahead
“We provide lifeline service to Bowen Island and we don’t want to be experimenting on you,” says Collins. “We want to be going with stuff we know we can rely on.”
At a local level, Collins is concerned with the infrastructure needed to charge ferries. “There is no standard way of connecting the ship to the grid,” says Collins. “Everybody is coming up with their own solution. “You’re talking a lot of electricity and you’re around saltwater which is conductive. So you’ve got to be very careful.” Continued on page 9
2 • THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019
Event Calendar Jan 3 2019 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Business Licence Application Workshop
Jan 3 2019 1:00 pm Community Centre Select Steering Committee Meeting
Jan 4 2019 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Business Licence Application Workshop
Jan 7 2019 9:00am - 1:00 pm Business Licence Application Workshop
Jan 10 2019 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Business Licence Application Workshop
Jan 14 2019 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting All meetings are held in Council Chambers unless otherwise noted. Council and Committee meetings are open to the public. We encourage you to attend in person or watch online.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Committees seeking members
Business Licences on Bowen
Bowen Island Municipality is seeking volunteers to serve on the following Committees of Council: Economic Development Committee (EDC) The Economic Development Committee engages actively in the business community and provides advice to Council regarding community economic growth on Bowen Island. Recent initiatives have included engagement with the food, retail and building trades business sectors, updating the community profile, supporting the development of the business licensing program and the launching of a Shop Local campaign. Volunteer commitment comprises preparation for and participation in a monthly two-hour meeting, work on specific project subcommittees, and attendance at community engagement functions such as breakfast meetings and the annual business summit. More information www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/committees Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) – New Committee The Public Art Advisory Committee will advise Council and develop policies to guide the integration of art into public spaces throughout Bowen Island. Council is seeking up to three representatives of the Bowen Island community with knowledge of or experience in the following: o o o o o
Effective January 1, 2019, businesses operating on Bowen Island need a business licence. Do you have questions, or need assistance applying for your Business Licence? We will be holding drop-in workshops at Municipal Hall to assist with applications and answer questions: • • • • • • • •
Thursday, January 3, 9 am - 12 pm Friday, January 4, 2 pm - 6 pm Monday, January 7, 9 am – 1 pm Thursday, January 10, 2 pm - 6 pm Tuesday, January 15, 9 am – 1 pm Thursday, January 17, 2 pm – 6 pm Monday, January 21, 2 pm – 6 pm Wednesday, January 23, 9 am – 1 pm
For more details about the Business Licence Bylaw and program, please visit our website at:
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/licences
fine arts architecture design urban planning general interest in community-based art programming.
Volunteer commitment will comprise preparation for and participation in monthly meetings, along with policy development, maintenance of a public art inventory, community outreach and support for community art projects. For more information: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/committees Cove Bay Water System Local Advisory Committee The Cove Bay Water System Local Advisory Committee serves in an advisory capacity to Council regarding water system issues including reviewing the operating and capital budgets for the utility. Members of the CB WS LAC are currently engaged in a voluntary, advisory capacity in the process leading to the installation of the new water treatment plant. For more information, please go to www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/committees How to Apply
General Enquiries
Contact Us
Phone: Fax: Email:
Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
To apply for these Committees of Council, please contact Stef Shortt, Committee Clerk at sshortt@bimbc.ca by Monday, January 7, 2019. You may also obtain a paper copy at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane. For questions, please call 604-947-4255.
Find us on Facebook Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, excluding statutory holidays Jan 3, 2019
Bowen Island Municipality
Join our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Jacob Two Two returns in memory of its star COLLEEN BERGIN, GEORGE ZAWADZKI CONTRIBUTORS
In 2005, two local filmmakers produced a feature-length film based on the classic Canadian children’s book Jacob Two Two Meets The Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler. The filmmakers intended to give children an introduction to filmmaking. The film featured over fifty school kids and host of local Bowen personalities and was shot at many recognizable locations around the island. This project was a huge success thanks to support and contributions from the Bowen community, including the Thompson family and their son Kipp (Jacob Two Two) who sadly passed away recently. As a tribute to Kipp and the entire family there will be a onenight-only return engagement screening of the film on Saturday,
The film’s original poster. Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. in the Bowen Island Community School gym, where it originally played to a packed house. Entry is by donation and per the family’s wishes, 100 per cent of the proceeds will go to supporting Bowen youth pursuing a career in the arts.
Protecting Fen nature reserve BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
The Bowen Trail Riders Association (BTRA) was hard at work over the holidays protecting one of Bowen’s natural gems. Old logging roads cross through the 18 hectare Fairy Fen Nature Reserve. BTRA, part of the Bowen Trails Coalition formed last spring, deactivated one of the logging roads in December and put up new signs (provided by the province) marking the reserve boundary. No motorized vehicles or bicycles should pass into the park. The Bowen Island Conservancy website explains that, “Fairy Fen is described by biologists as one of the most undisturbed, biologically diverse and ecologically rare fens in southern British Columbia (a fen
New signs mark the nature reserve boundary. Photo: Kevan Bernards
is a wetland fed by ground or surface water and is neutral or alkaline in its chemistry, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal species).” “This one’s been on the to do list for a while, good to finally check it off,” wrote BTRA president Kevan Bernards in a Facebook post. “We would like to ask all members of the public to please keep out of these areas and not to disturb or remove debris from the deactivations.”
Fibre benefits BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
The omnipresent buffering circle on Bowen’s computer screens could be nearing extinction. At least for Shaw users. A Shaw fibreoptic line that bisects the island (passing through on its way to Vancouver Island) installed in 2018 should mean faster internet for Bowen residents. “Our teams are working hard to complete the required upgrades to our network to bring enhanced services to our customers,” said a Shaw spokesperson in an email. Shaw says that all the network upgrades should be done by April. “We anticipate customers should have access to the faster internet speeds and enhanced video and phone services from Shaw that are comparable to what customers throughout the Lower Mainland currently enjoy,” said the spokesperson.
Orca talk
BOB TURNER
CONTRIBUTOR
The return of Orcas (or Killer Whales) to Howe Sound over the past decade has been an inspiring reminder that the health of Howe Sound/Atl’kitsem is in recovery. For the past several years, as a long time Bowen resident, scientist, and now amateur filmmaker, I have been recording stories about the wild inhabitants of Howe Sound. To this end, Bowen Island Conservancy is hosting my talk on “The Orcas of Howe Sound” on Saturday, January 12 at 1 p.m. in the multipurpose room (upstairs, past the office) at BICS. I will speak about my experiences making two short movies about local Orcas. Inspired as we are by these magnificent animals, we nonetheless need to confront the question of what it means for us to be good neighbours to the wild inhabitants of Howe Sound/Atl’kitsem.
From the Archives CATHERINE BAYLY
B.I. MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES
The following are unedited snippets from past Undercurrents. To read the complete articles or to follow up on information please contact the Bowen Museum & Archives at bihistorians@telus.net or 604.947.2655.
40 years ago - January 1979
Island News Last New Year’s Day Tunstall Bay sported a lone polar bear who splashed in the cold water to celebrate. This year (1979) the Huggon family took the honours — defying zero temperatures, two young males, Mike Cavanagh and Tom Huggon Junior, donned swim suits and dove off Pete Dickson’s dock at Miller’s landing. Note: they were sober—they were young—and they warmed up with hot chocolate. The water was ice cold. A “slow” streaker made an appearance at the Legion’s New Year’s party –he defied convention, won a bit, and wasn’t sober. The Bow-Wows We hope that you deserve your dog and that you love him well enough to keep him in control. There are petitions in the shops and on the back of the UNDERCURRENT for you to sign and state your opinion regarding a leash law or whatever in the interest of safety. Sign it one way or the other. Please sign only once.
25 years ago - January 1994
School bids adieu to bus driver Haxby Bowen Island Community School thanks Mr. Ron Haxby for the 14 years he drove the students to and from their homes and to and from the ferries and school. 1993 building activity hits 3.7 million Building permits worth a total of $3.7 were issued for Bowen for the past year. The 92 permits included
Mercer, Douglas James June 24, 1957 – December 24, 2018
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
Doug passed away December 24, 2018 at Lions Gate Hospital following a brief illness. Doug was pre-deceased by his parents James and Elizabeth (Wright) Mercer. He is survived by Cindy, his wife of 39 years, and sons Harley and Wade. He is also survived by his daughter in law Kindy (Harley) Riley, grandson Connor, and sister Shirley Loxley. Doug was born in Vancouver and moved to Bowen Island in 1984, where he was a self-employed contractor. In addition to being a meticulous builder, Doug was an avid outdoorsman and loved exploring BC. He could be found boating in Howe Sound year round and spent countless days at the family cabin on Gambier Island. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Proudly Celebrating Over 40 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
email: cormorantmarine@telus.net web: cormorantwatertaxi.com
604-947-2243
THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 3 THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 3
Since 1978
41 for dwellings, 17 for additions, 14 for renovations, and 10 for accessory buildings. The building inspector also issued 72 occupancy certificates, and carried out 737 site inspections. Nature Club conducts annual bird count On Sunday, December 26, the Bowen Island Nature Club did its annual Christmas Bird Count. Although the total the total number count was down this year, bird counters still managed to identify 67 different species, which is quite good. The main reason for the low count was the small number of water fowl spotted this year. Randy Thauberger spotted a Yellow Billed Loon off Roger Curtis that is rarely seen on Bowen. Alan Whitehead saw a Great Horned Owl hanging out in a tree down near the Cove. On January 26 the club did its annual Bald Eagle Count. The total count this year was 58 eagles, 39 adults and 19 juveniles.
10 years ago - January 2009
Snug Cove plan process underway (by Jacqueline Massey) Billed as an attempt to “seek common ground in the guiding principles, vision and strategic policy recommendations of the Snug Cove Village Plan” the municipality launched the latest phase of its public consultation process this week. Forums were held on Sunday and Wednesday with one more scheduled for tomorrow to help assess the “temperature” of the community in regards to the future of Snug Cove. Organizers presented participants with diagrams, charts, conceptual drawings, and a 60-page workbook. The workshop, prepared by facilitators working with community planners, reflects the principles and guidelines set out in the fifth version of the SCVP. It recognizes Snug Cove as the “commercial and community heart” of Bowen, as referenced in the Official Community Plan (OCP).
4 4 •• THURSDAY THURSDAY JANUARY JANUARY 3 3 2019 2019
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 604-9472442. 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.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Hello, 2019 Thank you for the Bowen love We’re back! I’ve been slowly reanimating after a week ignoring the news apps on my phone and checking Bowen Island Everything Else only once a day. There’s definitely something to be said for disconnecting. Now that we’re through our brief hiatus, team Undercurrent will be turning to our redesign (are you ready for a new front page look?) We’ll let you know before it happens lest there be an Instagram-side-scroll reaction (so maybe I wasn’t totally disconnected over the holidays.) In my still-newbie-but-finding-my-Undercurrent legs role I hope to do a few deeper stories over coming months. I hear January, February and March are slow news-wise which allows me more time to talk to people. Over summer months I had quite a few people commenting on the to-island commute many contractors make, if you have other stories you’d like to read about let me know. As always, if you spot an error (especially if I can correct it online) or have questions about a story, please let me know. I really appreciate it! Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com. Happy new year! Bronwyn Beairsto, editor
Dear Bowen Island family: In times such as this, in our loss of Kipp, you’ve shown all of us how deeply we are cared for. We are forever and ever grateful to our community for all your gestures of kindness: all of the fine dinners so caringly made for us, being surrounded in beautiful flowers and kind notes and so many cards left at our door. They all made us feel so loved. And yes, let us
not forget the amazing, comforting hugs. The celebration of Kipp’s life blew us away. There are no words to express our gratitude for the team who put aside everything to make this happen for Kipp and all of us. Although our lives are forever changed, we will never forget the sense of love and community that surrounds us. Thank you. Erin, Ian, Eric, Kipp, Wil and Daly Thompson
Bike Barn location inappropriate Dear Editor: Re: Bike Barn a Bowen win (December 20, 2018.) I think that the location of the Bike Barn on the government dock is inappropriate. The scooters and motorbikes arrive and they have to drive through the crowd standing waiting on the dock to be able to get to the Barn. People waiting for the ferry, especially tourists, aren’t paying attention, watching for a scooter or motorbike trying to get through. Then, on a freezing, frosty morning, the surface of the dock is going to be terribly slippery. It will be slippery for the people trying to get out of the way of the scooter or motorbike and for the driver of the scooter or motor bike trying to get through the crowd. I think
it’s an accident waiting to happen (never mind a lawsuit). The Bike Barn should have been built up by the information cottage. And while I am at it. It would be greatly appreciated if those drivers dropping off people for the ferry or waiting to pick up people off the ferry could please turn off their headlights while waiting as those of us who are walking to and from the ferry into their headlights can’t safely see where we are walking on the uneven, sometimes slippery, road surface. Many thanks! Also, I thought idling of vehicles in the ferry lineup was not allowed? Bring a blanket! Thank you, Moira Greaven
The Dec. 20 windstorm wreaked havoc along B.C. coastlines and Bowen was no exceptions. The wind and waves damaged boats, docks and rafts such as this one seen sinking during the storm. Photo: David Verlee
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.
#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, 4:00 p.m.
Editor
Advertising
Cartoonist
Publisher
Bronwyn Beairsto
Tracey Wait
Ron Woodall
Peter Kvarnstrom
www.bowenislandundercurrent.com Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year subscription on Bowen Island: $45, including GST. Within Canada: $65 including GST Newsstand (Single Copy) $1 per copy, including GST
editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com
publisher@bowenislandundercurrent.com
ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com 2011 CCNA
ISSN 7819-5040
CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
The Toroka: from beach to bin
Dear Editor: If as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words” the one of Toroka being removed from the beach at Seymour Bay, just prior to Christmas in many small pieces, is worth at least 6,000. Unfortunately that is dollars not words. The photo speaks for itself and graphically demonstrates the great cost to we taxpayers of the removal and disposal cost of yet another abandoned, derelict boat by some uncaring and irresponsible owner. Some eight months earlier I reported this non-functioning, tough-onthe-eyes 40’ sailboat anchored in Mannion Bay. After witnessing this scene repeated time and time again for over 10 years, those tell-tale signs gave me reasons for concern while the following events proves my concern was valid. A week later it was towed to Seymour Bay and one week later again it was on the beach in that that iconic, idyllic location. Surprised, no, disappoint-
KELVIN GAWLEY Jim Layden struggles every morning to pull himself out from under his wool duvet and into the cold lyair of the Watch House on Burnaby Mountain. It’s a daily ritual he shares with a rotating cast of supporters who spend the night in the wooden structure on the path of the Trans Mountain pipeline. While his compatriots take turns joining Layden, the Cree elder and Sundancer sleeps there almost every night, retreating to his nearby heated van on only the coldest nights. The pipeline protesters aren’t allowed to have heating or a fire but are persisting in their months-long vigil, keeping tabs on the nearby tank farm and standing in opposition to the planned expansion of the pipeline, which carries diluted bitumen from Alberta. The Watch House has stood just meters from the outer gate of the tank farm since March, when it was built in Forest Grove Park by members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. The cedar building hasn’t
The math gap
“Empowering” student handbook from Bowen tutor solidifies math foundations The Toroka’s dismantling in mid-December. Photo: JJ Forest ed, yes! I find it incredible that an owner can openly move their boat about, enjoying free anchorage as they either contemplate repairs or abandonment, then either they or Mother Nature “dumps” it on the beach and leaves the proper disposal to us taxpayers. Sadly at that time they don’t have the decency to come forward to identify themselves and take responsibility for dealing with what should be their problem, not us taxpayers. The complex and cost-
ly disposal of Toroka is very typical of many such salvage efforts “we” have to endure. Contrary to what many likely think, the government agencies that inherit these all too numerous derelicts and dispose of them with taxpayer’s money, are not able to hook up a towline and easily haul the it off to the disposal site Oh how we wish it was that simple. Bruce Russell Friends of Mannion Bay
Keeping watch, pipeline protesters weather cold nights on Burnaby Mountain BURNABY NOW
THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 5 THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 5
moved since, even as the nearby Camp Cloud protest camp was evicted forcefully by Burnaby RCMP and municipal staff. In September, Will George, a Tsleil-Waututh man designated as a guardian of the Watch House, told Burnaby Now the structure was set to come downfollowing the Federal Court of Appeal ruling that quashed federal approval of the pipeline’s proposed expansion. But that plan changed when it became clear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau planned to move forward with the project – now owned by the federal government. The nearby support camp, set up in a soccer field, came down voluntarily. Protests raged on the mountain and at the nearby Westridge Marine Terminal throughout the summer, at times resulting in daily arrests of demonstrators who allegedly violated a court injunction. But the blockades also stopped as the FCA ruling put a halt to the controversial expansion project. But the Watch House remains. Layden said he plans to keep sleeping in the cold until it’s time
for the building to come down. That will only happen if a court orders its removal or the expansion project is cancelled once and for all, he said. But it’s not all a frigid slog. Layden said locals regularly bring food and words of support. And a pair of Squamish carvers are working on a totem pole just outside the Watch House. The pole includes a watchman, the Watch House’s symbol; a wolf, the totem of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation; and Tahlequah, the mother orca also known as J35 who carried her dead calf for 17 days off the coast of B.C. and Washington this past summer. “That was her way of saying ‘Look what you’ve done,’” Layden said Sunday. Layden has been watching and recording work being done by Trans Mountain inside the tank farm fence. While the company maintains all expansion work has been halted and it’s now only doing stand-down and maintenance work, Layden remains skeptical and vigilant. The watch will continue in the new year and the winter months, he said.
COME SING WITH US
Bowen Island Community Choir Spring Season begins Wednesday 9th January Cates Hill Chapel Starting from 7.15 p.m. All adults welcome to join our fun and enthusiastic Choir.
For more information bowenislandcommunitychoir@gmail.com
The following is a question and answer with Laurie Beesting, author of Bridge the Gap Math, a new math handbook for intermediate students and their parents. What is Bridge the Gap Math™? Bridge the Gap Math is a new parent and student handbook, written to equip and empower parents to tutor their child in only the oftenmissing-but-really-need-to-knowbits from the intermediate math curriculum. It targets just core essentials – the intermediate math “golden keys.” The book is designed to firm up math fundamentals, to equip students to succeed in grade seven and high school. Why did you decide to write Bridge the Gap Math? As both a teacher in mainstream school (with class sizes of more than 30 students) over the course of more than 20 years in U.K., and then over seven years one-on-one in Canada, I built up a mental list of the common math sticking points students face. The same issues came up over and over again. I realized that the methods I use for one-on-one lessons to help students gain confidence in math, could be shared with thousands more students if I showed parents what I teach and how I teach it. I had the list of skills... and ways to get them across simply. It was time to share. Who did you have in mind while writing the book? Initially I wrote it to help grades five, six and seven students preparing for high school. But I also started using it with students who were already in grades eight or nine (or further) who needed to backtrack, in a sensitive way which didn’t talk down to them. I had found a way to help, where students could keep their dignity. I have used it with adults too who needed to pass math tests for new jobs. I also started using it with bright grade four students who wanted to get ahead. Another important demographic
I had in mind was concerned parents. Many parents asked me to make the book script-like and easy-to-deliver. They told me they didn’t really feel secure enough to teach the math concepts in the “right way,” as methods change. How is the book different from all the other math-support resources out there? There are two main differences: Bridge the Gap Math is not another single-grade textbook. It does not have every single math concept you would see on a curriculum list for a particular grade, level or age group. Instead, it has only the concepts I identified in my experience as being common sticking points. To firm up fundamentals, it is not practical to revisit every individual grade (an overwhelming and depressing thought.) Instead, with Bridge the Gap, you can zoom right into the core issues. It is not simply another “workthrough-these-questions” text book – it teaches the learning objectives via a script of what to say and do, before you try out questions. It provides instant parent and student self-assessment: “Have we achieved this?” If yes, move on. If no, revisit. It provides a do-able-in-thebusy-family-home solution to nailing the vital bits. It has 100 learning objectives and uses the words of a math teacher of 28 years’ experience. There is only one page per concept: a straight forward learning objective, a concise teaching section, eight questions to try with support, then eight questions to test to see if the student can say, “Yes! Check it off – I’ve got it!” When will it be available? January 2019 Where can people find more information? Telephone: Laurie Beesting 604 947 0520; Website: www.bridgethegapmath.ca; Email: info@bridgethegapmath.ca There will be a book launch Saturday, January 19 at the Bowen Island Library at 4:30 p.m. and a talk at the BICS multipurpose room March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Celebration of Life Angela Jane Parker ^ADI:EI4 QL] S8J8 – KP7ATDAI NV] QVS;
FWAEGA YP=R @ET=W4 ERB @I=ARBG @PI E celebration of Jane’s amazing but EWW <PP G>PI< W=@AZ 3P5AR XGWERB OA?=PR] SQHN 6CEIDPIP:?> 9PEB 6E<:IBE4] UER:EI4 J] QVS8] N[VV MT <P J[VV MTZ
6 6 •• THURSDAY THURSDAY JANUARY JANUARY 3 3 2019 2019
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Thursday January 3 Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 p.m. Info call Irene 604-947-2955
Bob Doucet plays “toetappin’, finger-snappin’” songs Doc Morgan’s 7-9 p.m. No cover
questions
Business Licence Application Workshop Municipal Hall 9 a.m.-noon Drop-in assistance for businesses applying for a Licence
Gymnastics club Bottle Drive Bowen Island 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Email a pickup location to bigcbottledrive@gmail.com.
Art Workshop 1070 Miller Rd. 9-noon Informal painting, drawing group. All stages and ages welcome. Drop-in $7.
Sunday January 6 Free poker league Bowen Island Pub 6 p.m.
Wednesday January 9 Community Choir spring season practices begin Cates Hill Chapel 7:15 p.m.
Friday January 4 Jazz Night Bowen Island Pub 7 p.m. Special guest: Mike Kenney on keys Christmas tree disposal at BIRD ends Business Licence Application Workshop Municipal Hall 2 - 6 p.m Drop in workshop to help with your application and answer your questions Millennials sobriety club 6-9 p.m. For ages 18-35. Activities range from board games to painting to movies to discussions. No booze, weed or pills. Message James Michael Barker on Facebook for more details. Saturday January 5
Outdoor Meditation Circle Meet at the picnic tables at the entrance to Crippen Park 11 a.m. Open to everyone. Dress warmly. Tea will be served. No cost. More info: lisa.shatsky@gmail.com Feast of the Epiphany St. Gerard’s Catholic Church 10:30 a.m. Monday January 7 Seniors Keeping Young 1070 Miller Rd. Exercise at 9 a.m., coffee at 9:45, Ross Doytchinov speaking about Music at 10 and yoga at 11:15. Annual membership $20, drop-in $3. Business Licence Application Workshop Municipal Hall 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Drop in workshop to help with your application and answer your
Tuesday January 8 Bowen Island AA Collins Hall 7:15 p.m.
Thursday January 10 Business Licence Application Workshop Municipal Hall 2 - 6 p.m Drop in workshop to help with your application and answer your questions Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 p.m. Info call Irene 604-947-2955 Friday January 11 Millennials sobriety club 6-9 p.m. For ages 18-35. Activities range from board games to painting to movies to discussions. No booze, weed or pills. Message James Michael Barker on Facebook for more details. Storytime Library 10:30 a.m. Free dropin for 2-4 year olds
BROWN, Helen Margaret (Henry) April 25, 1939 – December 12, 2018 It is with great sorrow that we share word of Helen’s sudden and peaceful passing. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years Bill and her children Christine (Don), Ian (Tara), Colin (Ron), and Graham (Jim), as well as granddaughters Jessy and Marleigh, a large extended family, and many many friends. Helen grew up in a small New Brunswick village where she met and began her life long love affair with Bill. After graduating high school, she attended Mount Allison University and later received her medical laboratory technician training in Saint John. They married in 1960 and after having their family, moved with their four children to Montreal in 1972 and then to West Vancouver in 1976. They built their dream log home on Bowen Island and moved there full-time following Bill’s retirement. Helen was an accomplished artist who enjoyed weaving, sewing, knitting, needlework, but especially quilting, which was her passion. She was a member of the Bowen Island Fibre Arts Guild where she shared her talents and enthusiasm with many fellow artists and friends. Travel, baking, reading, gardening, pets, most games and any kind of puzzles were some of Helen’s many other interests. She and Bill were fortunate to travel the world together, bringing art, new foods and wonderful stories of their experiences home to share. Helen will be lovingly remembered for her ready smile, her contagious sense of humour and wit, her many colloquial sayings (‘Helenisms’), and the love she clearly had and showed to her family and friends. She always had a listening ear ready to celebrate the accomplishments of others and to offer advice and encouragement. A Celebration of Life for Helen will be held Saturday, February 23 at the Bowen Island Lodge, 380 Cardena Street, Bowen Island from 3-5pm. Bring your happy memories to share. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation (www.bowenislandhealthcentrefoundation.com).
Saturday January 12 Bowen Island Conservancy Talk Series: Bob Turner, “The Orcas of Howe Sound” BICS multipurpose room 1 p.m. Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang screening BICS 4 p.m. In honour of Kipp Thompson, the Bowenmade film screens for a second time. Entrance is by donation. All proceeds go toward Bowen youth pursuing the arts. Lorna Crozier reading and talk Annie Laurie Wood Annex (Cove Commons) 6:30-8:30 p.m. Award-winning poet reads from her latest book, God of Shadows. Tix. $10 available at library and BIAC. Sunday January 13 Free poker league Bowen Island Pub 6 p.m. Outdoor Meditation Circle Meet at the picnic tables at the entrance to Crippen Park 11 a.m.Open to everyone. Dress warmly. Tea will be served. No cost. More info: lisa.shatsky@gmail.com Monday January 14 Seniors Keeping Young 1070 Miller Rd. Exercise at 9 a.m., coffee at 9:45, Guest
speaker at 10 and yoga at 11:15. Annual membership $20, drop-in $3.
with Joe MacDonald the piper. Tix. $20, kids $8 Tix avaialble at Phoenix soon.”
Regular Council Meeting Municipal Hall 6:15 p.m. Who needs the cinema? Attend a council meeting.
Millennials sobriety club 6-9 p.m. For ages 18-35. Activities range from board games to painting to movies to discussions. No booze, weed or pills. Message James Michael Barker on Facebook for more details.
Tuesday January 15 Library’s fines for food ends For every dollar donated to the food bank, $2 of your fines waved. Bowen Island AA Collins Hall 7:15 p.m. Thursday January 17 Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 p.m. Info call Irene 604-947-2955 Business Licence Application Workshop Municipal Hall 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Drop-in assistance for businesses applying for a Licence Friday January 18 Rapid Damage Assessment Training Municipal Hall 8:30 a.m 12:30 p.m. No charge. Call or email BIM to register. Robbie Burns Night Legion “Roast Beef, Hagis, Neeps ,Tats and dessert
Storytime Library 10:30 a.m. Free dropin for 2-4 year olds Saturday January 19 Live Music & Chanting The Well in Artisan Square 7-8:30 p.m. Join the “Vibrations of Love” & sing your hearts open. No experience required. Everyone welcome. By donation. Bridge the Gap Math book launch Library 4:30-6 p.m. See the book, enjoy some snacks and chat with Laurie Beesting about her book. Sunday January 20 Free poker league Bowen Island Pub 6 p.m. Submit your events (it’s free!): ads@ bowenislandundercurrent. com
Answering health centre FAQs
TIM RHODES
B . I . H E A LT H C E N T R E F O U N D AT I O N
During our social rounds this holiday season, members of the Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation board were pleased to hear many strong expressions of support for the new health centre. At the same time, we also heard some basic “nuts and bolts” questions about the centre. We thought it would be helpful to address a few of these as we look forward to a very active 2019. How will the health centre be funded? Unfortunately, there is currently no government funding available at any level to build a health centre on Bowen. However, given the passionate response to date from people all over the island, we are confident that our community can, and will, make the centre a reality. A number of generous Bowen families have said that they are prepared to give our funding drive a strong start with major pledges. Later this year we plan to launch a broader, island-wide campaign for the remaining funds so that everyone can be part of bringing health care close to home. Pledges can be made at any time through our website bowenhealthcentre.com. Once the centre is up and running, its operating costs will be covered by rent from the health service providers (tenants), with grants from Vancouver Coastal Health and the Ministry of Health to cover the cost of providing VCH services and other programming on-island. What services will the centre provide? The core team will include a collaborative group of primary care practitioners. This will allow more residents to have a primary care doctor close to home. The health centre will also be equipped to handle many urgent care needs that need to be treated right away, while life or death emergencies requiring advanced treatment will continue to be routed to the appro-
priate Lower Mainland hospital. The centre will host various Vancouver Coastal Health nursing services and clinics (such as immunization, social work, diabetes, asthma, and occupational therapy) as well as the services of allied health professionals, such as physiotherapy. It will be a place of community outreach for health including, for example, CPR training, first aid training and well-baby clinics. It will be a place to learn about prevention so we can all take a more active role in our own health. The centre is also expected to host a dentist, as well as Life Labs collection services. What hours will the centre be open? Expanded hours of access to medical services is a central need of the community. To begin, the centre will be open for extended hours Monday through Friday, and for at least one half day on the weekend. The long-term goal is to have after-hours on-call service. Ongoing service hours will be adjusted to meet community needs. Can we keep our off-island doctor and still use the health centre for urgent care? Yes, services will be available to everyone on a drop-in basis. That said, a key mission of the centre is providing Bowen Islanders with better access to primary care so that no one need get on the ferry just to see their GP. To that end, we plan to recruit a core team of physicians with the collective capacity to provide primary care to everyone on Bowen who wants it. It is interesting to note that 87 per cent of Gabriola Islanders now receive primary care at their on-island health centre, up from only one-third of islanders before their centre was completed. If you have a question we didn’t answer here – or a comment to share – we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a note at info@ bowenislandhealthcentrefoundation.com or visit our website at www.bowenhealthcentre. com.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 7 THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 7
POLARBEAT
Brave islanders lined the Bowen Bay shore for the Polar Bear Swim New Year’s Day. Photo: Susanne Schloegl
Toques replaced swim caps for some. Photo: Dee Elliott
A roaring fire, down coats and a few bathrobes kept swimmers warm before and after the traditional dip. Photos: Dee Elliott
Swimmers ran in (top left). Photo: Colin Ritchie And quickly ran out (above). Photo: Dee Elliott Some lingered in the water (bottom left). Photo: Dee Elliott And many dunked into the chilly waves (bottom right). Photo: Dee Elliott
8 JANUARY 3 8 •• THURSDAY THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 2019
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
AWARD WINNING POET, LORNA CROZIER IS COMING TO COVE COMMONS FOR A 2-PART PRESENTATION January 12, 2019
WRITING WORKSHOP: HOOK, LINE AND SINKER a workshop on the free-verse line Experienced and new writers welcome
Saturday, January 12, 1 - 4pm $38.95 in the Gallery @ Cove Commons Register: 604-947-2216 or online at www.bowencommunityrecreation.com
EVENING PRESENTATION: 6:30 - 8:30pm Reading and Talk relating to Lorna Crozier’s newest book GOD OF SHADOWS Tickets: $10 Available at Bowen Library Presented by The Bowen Island Arts Council www.biac.ca and The Bowen Island Library www.bowenlibrary.ca
Med Review
Pharmacies in B.C. offer a free service called a Medication Review that aims to maximize the effectiveness of one’s medication regimen, as well as help mitigate any adverse effects or interactions. The review may uncover any of a number of drug therapy problems, including taking an unnecessary drug, not taking a drug that should be taken, taking an ineffective drug, a dosage that is either too high or too low, taking a drug at inappropriate intervals or experiencing an adverse reaction or an interaction between a drug and other medicines, supplements or foods. Pharmacare pays the pharmacy a fee for this consultation as long as the patient is taking at least five recognized prescription medications. Many pharmacies, such as Cates Medicine Centre, offer the same kind of pharmaceutical care without charge to all
of their patients. The review involves a confidential discussion and assessment with a pharmacist who generates a detailed list of the patient’s medications as well as the role of each, and seeks to identify any manageable issues that arise. Adjustments may be recommended by the pharmacist, if necessary in consultation with your physician or other healthcare provider. There is always an opportunity for a followup review to monitor progress and address any persistent issues. For those who qualify, Pharmacare will pay a pharmacy for a Medication Review as often as every six months, and up to four follow-up reviews every twelve months. For those who do not, our pharmacists will arrange a complimentary review upon request. A related service worth considering is myDNA. While
it is not presently paid for, it adds another, deeper layer to pharmaceutical care that can have lasting benefits. Based on the results of a simple saliva test, the test provides clinically useful insights by revealing whether you are a poor, normal or rapid metabolizer of a wide variety of drugs. If, for example, you needed to take x and happen to be a poor metabolizer, you would need to take a higher dose of the drug to get a therapeutic effect. But if you are a poor metabolizer, the drug would not be eliminated at a normal rate and could cause serious side effects. Even if, sometime in the future, you happen to need that drug, the dosage would be streamlined to suit your metabolic enzymes, because they do not change appreciably over time. Ask your pharmacist for more information.
Cates Pharmacy in Village Square | 604-947-0766
be in touch with your community.
anywhere.
www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
World in a teacup Weighing carbon emissions against tourism dollars, Gary Kinney contemplates the ethical dilemmas of travelling in our heating world.
GARY KINNEY MUSINGS ON RETIREMENT
It’s not fair! I suppose I should have acted before, when I had the money, even if I didn’t have the time. It’s my own fault though, and that makes it doubly regrettable, doesn’t it? I mean it’s one thing to blame the younger me and another to thank him for getting me to a place where I am still healthy enough to endorse his methods, still able to act. What I am going on about is travel. Real travel, not the proxies offered up in those myriad of TV programs of exotic islands and steaming jungles often described by an utterly charming British voice to add an air of engaging authenticity. Yes, in them I can almost hear the snake creeping up on the foolishly unwary lizard, almost taste the sweat in my eyes as I slog across a baking desert or feel the leeches clinging to my legs after a gruelling day navigating an endless, muddy jungle wetland, hoping for a place to camp. Almost. It’s not that I would actually opt for that kind of thing, even given the opportunity, but I probably wouldn’t turn down an antipodal beach in the depths of a Canadian February as I scrape Jack Frost off the kitchen window to gauge the depth of snow that fell overnight. There are times when a change is as good as a coffee for the soul. And now that I’m retired, winter conjures dreams of rural summer idylls. New Zealand will do. Or Mexico. Anywhere but the here and now in which I am imprisoned. And it’s not so much the weather or the location I find myself enduring as much as the need to get away. To vacate, as in “vacation.” To see and experience that which is not here. Une belle absence, as it were. But guiltfree. Earned, not from a lottery win but from a pension –something to which I am entitled. Something for which I worked. And yet now I find that although my savings are paltry, albethey adequate for a few trips, they are indirectly proportional to a newfound guilt. Maybe I should just delete my BBC news app, lest I come across more articles such as this one from May 2018: “Tourism’s carbon impact three times larger than estimated.” “A new study says global tourism accounts for eight per cent of carbon emissions, around three times greater than previous estimates,” it reads. “The new assessment is bigger because it includes emissions from travel, plus the full life-cycle of carbon in tourists’ food, hotels and shopping.” Great! First came the childhood tales from my mother – tales of starving children in Ethiopia, or wherever, who would welcome the opportunity to eat my over-cooked spinach. Now, at life’s other end, the inability to check out her facts in person. But wait a minute. If I stay home, I’ll deprive those same Ethiopian kids of a job. “Tourism is a huge and booming global industry worth over $7 trillion, and employs one in ten workers around the world,” continues the article. “It’s growing at around 4 per cent per annum.” Still, it’s hard for the average retiree to argue with Dr. Arunima Malik from the University of Sydney and her data from the study. “In what is claimed to be the most comprehensive assessment to date, this new study
examines the global carbon flows between 160 countries between 2009 and 2013. It shows that the total is closer to eight per cent of the global figure. As well as air travel, the authors say they have included an analysis of the energy needed to support the tourism system, including all the food, beverage, infrastructure construction and maintenance as well as the retail services that tourists enjoy,” says the article. But I guess it’s only fair to count all of that stuff. I wonder if you get offsets for guilt. And, of course: “When richer people travel they tend to spend more on higher carbon transportation, food and pursuits says Dr Malik. ‘If you have visitors from high income countries then they typically spend heavily on air travel, on shopping and hospitality where they go to. But if the travellers are from low income countries then they spend more on public transport and unprocessed food, the spending patterns are different for the different economies they come from,’” says the article. I like to think that I also take public transportation but I’m not so sure I want to be so eco-friendly to the local parasites and bacteria that I don’t want them processed. Otherwise it would be like smuggling when I returned to Canada, right? Drugs or bugs, it’s still bad. Coming from a wealthy country, though, carries its own weight. The BBC article goes on to say, “The report underlines the fact that when people earn more than $40,000 per annum, their carbon footprint from tourism increase 13 per cent for every 10 per cent rise in income. The consumption of tourism does ‘not appear to satiate as incomes grow,’ the report says.” Uhmm, well, since I retired, my income has gone down, not up, so maybe those shoes I got at the Value Village Warehouse leave pretty small footprints. The whole thing seems to be two-edged, doesn’t it? Damnation if I do and a snowy purgatory if I don’t. If I stay home, people will starve, or at least not benefit from my dollar, let alone my advice. The airlines will go broke and so will the hotels –although the ones I usually stay in are probably on their way out anyway. I’m not sure if the Indian and Thai restaurants I can afford are raking it in from my presence either –they are often the only ones that allow me to bring my own wine and sit there for hours eating the cheapest thing on the menu while I drink it. And then I usually attempt walking back to my hotel, evidently dismaying the cab drivers who have been sitting in their vehicles the whole time, when they notice me through the window. Anyway, I’m trying to work my way through the guilt. To expiate without actually having to go out and plant any trees to soak up my footprints. After all, I’m doing the same stuff as I would at home, only I’m benefitting those less fortunate people who are condemned to live without blizzards and who will likely never injure themselves slipping on an icy sidewalk on the way to Starbucks. In fact, I’ve almost convinced myself that I’m part of the solution, that I am actually feeding those kids spinach. If only I could have promised that to my mother… This article was originally published on December 30 on Gary Kinney’s blog Musings on Retirement.
What are your home grown ideas for curbing greenhouse gas emissions? How are you adapting your life to be more climate friendly? Let us know: editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 9 THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 9
Ferries CEO anticipates an electric future Continued from page 1
Collins is watching induction charging technology. Currently most commonly seen with toothbrushes and cellphones, with induction charging, electromagnetic fields wirelessly transfer energy. Engineers are currently trying to scale up the technology. “When that happens that’s when I think you’re really going to see ferry systems around the world going to a much more rapid electrification,” says Collins. “It’s not actually electricity flowing in the traditional sense, rather it’s converted to magnetism and then converted back to electricity on the ship,” he says. “It’s much safer.” Beyond the infrastructure, there’s the electricity required to charge the ships, which Collins says isn’t as plentiful in B.C. as in Norway. When it comes down to it, it’s about money. “There’s a big investment required not just in the ship but…in the shore side infrastructure,” says Collins. “In Norway, many of those investments are made directly by the government. “All of these sorts of capital projects in B.C. are funded by BC Ferries and we are funded by ferry users. So there’s not there’s no tax money available for these kinds of investments.” The ferry company is looking at investments system-wide and money is always a factor for the corporation. As the Vancouver Sun reported in September, the company has a $1.3 debt and plans on investing $3.1 billion over the next 12 years on upgrading old and building new ships. “We have to invest money wisely to get the biggest investment we can or the biggest improvement we can in our [greenhouse gas] emissions,” says Collins. Collins estimates that retrofitting the Queen of Capilano would cost between 15 and 20 million dollars. He says that an e-ferry would likely save around $1.5 million a year in fuel (it consumes around $2.5 million a year but they would spend $1 million on electricity) making it a 12 to 15 year payback. Advocates in the Undercurrent article estimated a four-year return on investment, based on the Ampere, though that was for a new ferry. The system-wide perspective Collins maintains that ferry battery technology is still quite new and fluid. He says that no battery exists that could power one of BC Ferries’ largest vessels –the spirit class ships. The Spirit of Vancouver and Spirit of British Columbia have a 2,100 passenger capacity and together consume, Collins says, 18 per cent of the fuel in the entire fleet.
“We have relatively few runs where batteries of today are ready to give us full electric,” he says. Collins notes that BC Ferries’ runs, Bowen not included, are generally longer than in Norway (the country best known for its ferry innovation, including the Ampere, the world’s first fully electric car ferry) and are frequently “lifeline” services. The bigger the ferry, the longer the run, the more advanced the battery technology necessary. “So far the best available technology that we can act on right now with certainty for ferry users is natural gas,” says Collins. The company has converted one spirit class ferry to natural gas while another is in the process of conversion. It also added three LNG-diesel hybrids in 2016 –the Salish class ships. BC Ferries has two LNG-electric hybrid ferries on order and is looking at getting between four and eight more, built with Richmond’s Corvus Energy batteries. The emissions reduction for a liquid natural gas ship is between 20 and 25 per cent when compared with diesel. The emissions reduction for e-ferries is in the range of 90 per cent. With pressure for green technologies increasing worldwide, Collins says that he does anticipate that over the next decade or two, with technology advancing rapidly, e-ferries should be normalized. With that in mind, all the new LNG hybrid vessels are designed to be able to go all-electric should the time come. For the moment, having the backup fossil fuel backup allows a service reliability that Collins says full battery is not quite ready for. “Electrification is a zero emission technology, we get that, but until electric technology and electricity is available, we need to take steps to get our [greenhouse gas] profile down now,” says Collins.
The first major snowfall of the season coated Bowen in white Dec. 28. Passengers on the Queen of Capilano were treated to a Thomas Kinkade-esque seasonal portrait. Photo: Bronwyn Beairsto
433 Bowen Trunk Road facebook.com/rustique bistro # 604-947-2277
Winter Specials Sundays 50% off 1 Dinner Entree with the purchase of a bottle of wine 25% off Desserts
Wednesday & Thursdays $5 House R/W Wine & Domestic beers 25% off Apps 50% kids menu & sundaes (4pm-7pm)
available until march
Rustique Bistro
Back to the bay When it comes to the $250 million Horseshoe Bay terminal upgrade, Collins says that the company is anticipating electrification. He notes that the company is considering how future ferries will charge when designing the three berths and the ramps. He says that the company is also working with BC Hydro on electrical capacity. “We’re anticipating the future,” he says. And for e-ferry proponents, there is some good news. “I would anticipate a run like the Queen of Capilano’s onto Bowen Island, when she is replaced, she could very feasibly be replaced at end of life by a fully electric ferry,” says Collins.
AS LITTLE AS $35 A MONTH Join now at www.thegymonbowen.ca
The Queen of Capilano makes its way through the waves of the Dec. 20 windstorm. The storm knocked out power in many parts of southern B.C. and caused many ferry delays. The Queen of Capilano was out for a few hours after this journey for repairs (and due to weather conditions.) Photo: David Verlee
10 • THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Bowen Island Community
MARKETPLACE Or call to place your ad at
604-630-3300
Email: classifieds@van.net
HEALTH & BEAUTY
$"3%"9!?< 1*"9%&@ *6 86@ ?3>) 3 9); 4.6+@/B <+)3- 1@B 86@0.) 96B ,@.) ;?).) B6 ,B3.B2
'*## &*3$<!" 9!&*/
,;B44;:,B;:040 !? 3$<$9 6< *9
$27)2=82>D&-78C.2D+.5A('
&(= 5#:" '"(( %$7($=#"0! &:%*(A
Your Community Newspaper
GET UP to $50,000 from the Government of Canada. Do you or someone you know have any of these Conditions? ADHD, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, COPD, Depression, Diabetes, Difficulty Walking, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowels, Overweight, Trouble Dressing...and Hundreds more. All Ages & Medical Conditions Qualify. Call British Columbia Benefits 1-(800)-211-3550 For Your Free No Obligation Information Package TODAY.
LEGAL SERVICES CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer Employment/Licensing loss? Travel/Business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US Entry Waiver. Record Purge. File Destruction. Free Consultation 1-800-347-2540, accesslegalmjf.com
MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get the online training you need from an employer trusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!
SPROTTSHAW.COM
SUDOKU
BC WIDE CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER
Phone Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Office Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
ADVERTISING POLICIES
call to place your ad 604.630.3300
ANSWERS
All advertising published in this newspaper is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to buyers at the advertised prices. Advertisers are aware of these conditions. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading, is never knowingly accepted. If any reader encounters non-compliance with these standards we ask that you inform the Publisher of this newspaper and The Advertising Standards Council of B.C. OMISSION AND ERROR: The publishers do not guarantee the insertion of a particular advertisement on a specified date, or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers. Further, the publishers do not accept liability for any loss of damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any corrections of changes will be made in the next available issue. The Bowen Island Undercurrent will be responsible for only one incorrect insertion with liability limited to that portion of the advertisement affected by the error. Request for adjustments or corrections on charges must be made within 30 days of the ad’s expiration. For best results please check your ad for accuracy the first day it appears. Refunds made only after 7 business days notice!
bowenislandundercurrent.adperfect.com
!"& )$, ! #&-- ! %.+' ! .+(-*##.%.&'# . . .
)$, ! #&--.! %.+'.! )$,.! #&--.! %.+'.! .
Please recycle this newspaper.
)$, ! #&--.! %.+'.! )$, #&-- %.+' . .! .! .!
HEALTH & WELLNESS Dr. Susanne Schloegl
Appointments
604-947-9986 Bowen Island Chiropractic
Dr. Tracy Leach, D.C. Certified provider of Active Release Techniques Artisan Square Tues. & Fri.
778-828-5681
www.drtracyleach.ca
BODY VITALITY MASSAGE THERAPY James Goldfarb RMT HOLISTIC BC#05279 COUNSELLING Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon Brooke Evans,
MSW, RSW
Call 604-288-2860 604-781-3987 text 250-726-8080
brooke@becounselling.ca becounselling.ca www.bodyvitality.ca
Dr. Dana Barton
Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square
604-730-1174 Natural Family Medicine
Dr. Gloria Chao
Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830 CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
Located in Artisan Square
Online Booking: www.birchwellness.com
Dr. Alea Bell, ND Naturopathic Doctor
778-891-0370
Courtney Morris, R.Ac Registered Acupuncturist, Homeopath, Doula
604-338-5001
Mary Coleman, MSW, RSW Compassion minded counselling
778-233-4425
Julie Hughes, RPC Counselling
778-858-2669
INHABIT
Family Dentist
NexGen Hearing
Artisan Square 604-947-0734
604-281-3691
Alternate Fridays 10am - 4:30pm
Massage Therapy Matthew van der Giessen
FREE
RMT
Horseshoe Bay 604-921-8522 www.bowenislanddental.com
Call us at
Hearing Testing On Bowen Island @ Caring Circle West Vancouver
At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597
CATHERINE SHAW Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist
❦
M.D.
Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, 9am - 5pm ECG and HOLTER monitoring Artisan Square
BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755
SOMATIC CENTRE
(778) 952-3757 566 Artisan Square www.inhabitcentre.ca
Breathe Move Touch
BOWEN ISLAND
MASSAGE THERAPY
604-947-9755 EXT #1 @ Artisan Square
MARY MCDONAGH RMT
MARY MCDONAGH
HARMONY SHIRE RMT
❦
ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT
RMT, DCH Registered Massage Therapist
SANDY LOGAN Registered Physiotherapist
❦
HEIDI MATHER
Registered Acupuncturist Registered Nutritionist Book online bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca
KIM HOWDEN RMT
Celebrating 29 years Community Healthcare
Psychotherapist ~ Hypnotherapist Online & Artisan Square
Dr. Diane Greig PhD, RCC #701, CSCH 604-727-7794 • drdianegreig@gmail.com
Psychologist Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484
604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com
Lifelabs Dr. Zandy’s Office Tues - 6:45 - 8:45 a.m. Thurs. - 6:45 - 8:45 a.m. For routine lab tests. Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM TAZ
THURSDAY JANUARY 3 2019 • 11 TEX
Have you seen these two cats lately? Desperately seeking the whereabouts of our two cats. They are only 1.5 years old and went missing from Grafton lake area (Connolly Rd) between Saturday Dec 1 Sunday Dec 2. This is abnormal for them, so please check your sheds and any accessible places that they may have crawled into on those dates or shortly after. If you see or find them, please call us at 778-833-4002. Thank you!
Places of Worship Welcome You
Schedule in Effect: October 9, 2018 to March 31, 2019 On December 25, & January 1 service will begin with the 8:35 am sailing from Bowen Island and the 8:00 am sailing from Horseshoe Bay.
BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH
DROP-OFF
BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Clinton Neal ST. GERARD’S ROMAN 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. CATHOLIC CHURCH
Sunday Mass: 10:30 a.m.
ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Administration Office: 604-682-6774 Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey
604-988-6304
CATES HILL CHAPEL
www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.)
10:00 a.m. W 10:00 a.m. Worship
(661 Carter Rd.)
10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens Sunday School: Tots to Teens
Pastor: Dr. James B. Krohn
Pastor: Phil Adkins
5:20 am^ 6:20 am> 7:30 am< 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm† 5:10 pm * 6:15 pm 7:25 pm* 8:30 pm# 9:30 pm 10:30 pm
VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay 5:50 am> 6:50 am< 8:00 am 9:05 am† 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm* 6:50 pm 8:00 pm* 9:00 pm# 10:00 pm
Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES
Leave Horseshoe Bay
Helan Wallwork Helen Minister of Music: Lynn Williams
FOOD BANK
FOOD DROP-OFF BANK
Leave Snug Cove
Shelagh Mackinnon Marie Paul Rev.Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon
Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Service and Sunday School 10:30 am Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork MinisterCollins of Music: Williams HallLynn Bookings:
▼
BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove
BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH
* DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS > EXCEPT DEC 25 & JAN 1 < EXCEPT SUN AND DEC 25 & JAN 1 # DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS ^ EXCEPT SAT, SUN AND NOV 11, DEC 25 & JAN 1 † DC WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL BE REPLACED BY DANGEROUS CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER PASSENGERS PERMITTED.
BOWEN HOME SERVICES love the life you live CNC ROUTER WORKSHOP en on Bow
Keep Calm and Call Econo
604.980.3333
Landscape Lighting Irrigation
Seascape Bruce Culver
Office: 604-947-9686
Cell: 604-329-3045
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Macdonald Realty Ltd.
What do you need made?
BOWEN ISLAND SPECIALISTS! QUALITY SERVICE GUARANTEED! 991 West First Street, North Vancouver, BC www.economovingandstorage.com
DEE ELLIOTT
GOLD MASTER MEDALLION CLUB
Cell: 604-612-7798
Craig 604-366-2229 • seatoskycnc@gmail.com
Window Blinds On Bowen 778-995-1902
PRESIDENT’S CLUB (Top 1%)
info@bowenhomes.ca www.bowenhomes.ca
2017 10 YEARS
12 2019 12 •• THURSDAY THURSDAY JANUARY JANUARY 3 3 2019
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Photo: Lorraine Ashdown
The choir pitch
Patient of the Week Meet Kai.
What to expect when joining the community crooners LORRAINE ASHDOWN BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHOIR
Proud to serve North and West Vancouver and Sea to Sky with comprehensive emergency & general veterinary services.
The next Chinese Year of the Snake is not until 2025 but we couldn’t help but feature Kai this New Year. After having his eye enucleated(removed)- he came in to have his sutures removed and to discuss his upset stomach. Some suggestions were made to make some changes in his environment before proceeding to further diagnostics such as x-rays.
Bowen Veterinary Services opening soon 24/7 Emergency Service
604 973 1247 Mountainside Animal Hospital 2580 Capilano Rd., North Van mountainside24er.ca
Since 1989
BOWEN ISLAND SPECIALISTS! QUALITY SERVICE GUARANTEED!
Short on Space? Call our Place! We have all the Solutions! THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT US! Need help to get Organized? ■ Clean Dry & Secure ■ Over 99 different sizes to suit your needs ■ Open 7 days a week ■ Storage for your Household or Commercial goods
Need help Moving? ■ Call us for your Moving Estimate ■ Full Packing Services ■ We sell or rent you boxes for your move ■ Professional Movers ■ Licensed, Insured, Bonded ■ Check us out at the BBB
Keep Calm and Call Econo
604.980.3333 991 West First Street, North Vancouver, BC www.economovingandstorage.com
“Music is a world within itself with a language we all understand. With an equal opportunity for all to sing, dance and clap their hands.”-Stevie Wonder. Music is a world within itself and choral singing is a unique “nation” with far reaching appeal. When I moved to Bowen 17 years ago, I joined the Bowen Island Community Choir to meet new friends and because I wanted to learn more about music. Both were readily achieved. Then there benefits I wasn’t expecting. Ellen MacIntosh, the director of the Community Choir for the past 21 years, provides us with extraordinary teaching. She is a gifted musician with a music degree in voice and cello from UBC. Sheilagh Sparks, our accompanist, possesses an acute ear and a razor-sharp ability to sight read. As the years have gone by, I have heard some surprising myths about the choir I have come to love, so here’s the real truth about the Bowen Island Community Choir. Myth #1. The music is hard. You have to be able to read music in order to join the choir. Many of our members do not read music. We generally perform pieces with four sections: soprano, alto, tenor, bass. To help us find our line, practice MP3s for each section are created allowing us to practice at home or in the car or while walking around the lake. Along with this electronic assistance, there are singers in each section who support those uncertain about the music. Reading music may add confidence but it is certainly not a requirement. Myth #2. They sing Christmas carols in September. Well, we do sing Christmas music in September so we’ll be ready for our concerts in early December. Beautiful choral music from different traditions - yes. Unique arrangements of some familiar, well-worn songs - yes. A humourous take or two on the festive season – of course. But the singing of traditional Christmas carols is confined to Light Up the Cove and our allchoirs social. And for the spring, we have a completely different musical line-up. Myth #3. It’s too much of a time commitment. Each season lasts three or four months. We meet every Wednesday evening for a two-hour practice during the season and twice a season we meet on a Sunday afternoon for a three hour practice. The week before the concert, we practice Monday, Wednesday and Friday night with two performances on Saturday. This is time well spent for those of us who love music. We receive guidance from Ellen on harmony and theory, become more comfortable reading music, and learn to sing with strength and confidence. And, the reward of creating a beautiful communal sound for the pleasure of audiences at concerts at the end of a season is well worth it. Myth #4. The Community Choir is too serious. I just want to sing and have fun! In the 17 years I have been part of the community choir, I cannot recall any practice where laughter didn’t ring out. We work hard, but this is a group of people who support each other with warmth and humour. And, we have awesome snacks at our break while we socialize! Myth #5. You have to commit to the choir the first night of the session, even if you don’t like the music. Not really. On January 9, 2019, we begin our next season. Anyone who loves to sing is invited to come and meet Ellen, have a look at the repertoire and test drive the choir to see what you think. You don’t have to commit at the first practice. The Bowen Island Community Choir will work for anyone who loves to sing in an adult mixed-voice choir. It is a good fit for folks who like to challenge themselves in a non-threatening, supportive environment. It Is a good fit if you enjoy tackling songs in French, Spanish, Latin and English. And it is a great fit if you want to learn more about music. Ellen is an excellent teacher who provides patient encouragement and good humour at every practice. Come and meet us at Cates Hill Chapel, on January 9, at 7 p.m. Take a look at the music, experience Ellen and Sheilagh, our awesome team, and discover what Bowen Island Community Choir has to offer.