Bowen Island Undercurrent June 18 2020

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This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

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AGING IN PLACE: interior designer offers tips for the home PAGE 21

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

VOL. 46, NO. 25

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SPECIAL EDITION This special edition of the Undercurrent comes to you thanks to funding from the B.I. Community Foundation

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Can’t stop the thespians THE PANDEMIC HASN’T DAMPENED BOWEN’S SUPPLY OF LIVE THEATRE THANKS TO THEATRE ON THE ISLE MARCUS HONDRO

Theatre correspondent

some on Facebook speculated that it was Batman or Spider-Man who paid the island a visit.

“In these challenging times, the masks are a simple gesture intended to help our community stay safe and healthy,” said the masked do-gooder in a message to the Undercurrent. “The act itself is aimed at lifting spirts and promoting kindness.

There has been no shortage of life changes during the global pandemic and the world of the theatre has not escaped that. However, no more live performing to packed houses up on Cates Hill has not stopped ‘Theatre on the Isle’ from providing Bowen with quality play production.

Since April 6, TOTI has been producing online theatre ‘meetings’ on Zoom, using local actors, naturally, and performing a play reading virtually every Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. They plan another two readings before taking a hiatus for a month or so.

TOTI board of directors members spearheading the project, Kat Stephens and Calder Stewart, say it has been a joyful ride and both emphasize it’s about fun, fun for the actors and the audience of islanders who click the link and join them online for live theatre.

There have been technical glitches, like the time an actor lost their internet feed as the play began, missing their ‘entrance’ (removing a cover from the computer camera) but reconnecting in time to deliver their first line. But with that emphasize on fun it’s all remained, well, fun.

With a dollop of learning thrown in.

“We began with The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard,” Stephens, who has appeared in dozens of plays locally, told the Undercurrent. “It’s lengthy for a one-act, lots of characters, and a twisty plot, and was far trickier than I realized to stage in this online format.

“So we opted for smaller casts and simpler plots moving forward, and tried splitting a couple of full-length shows over two weeks: Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood, and another Stoppard piece called Rough Crossing.”

Stephens, a recreation programmer with the municipality by day, said the “short, punchy comedies” they turned to include The Brute by Anthon Chekhov and, last week, Pyramus and Thisbe, the play-within a play from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

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UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

SIGNS OF CONNECTION: Cherie Westmoreland and Dennice Hall, who live in Bowen Court, have kept spirits

up in their corner of Bowen through the pandemic with signs in their windows. Sometimes the messages are heartfelt, othertimes humourous. Toilet paper man (far right) features in the sometimes elaborate window displays––at one point he had quite the bad COVID hair do. Another time Hall (right) posted that she was “up the creek without a paddle” and Westmoreland (left) put a paddle outside her door. While there was a point where the windows would change every day, new signs are a little more sporadic these days. For the full story and photos of the signs, see bowenislandundercurrent.com

The great Bowen Island mask mystery EVERY MAILBOX ON THE ISLAND HELD A SPECIAL SURPRISE THIS WEEK

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Gotham correspondent

Superheroes may be the thing of comic books but Bowen has its own

masked hero.

In an act of COVID kindness, someone(s) bought masks to be delivered into every Bowen mailbox this week.

While some perplexed islanders took to Facebook, initially wondering if the masks were delivered to the wrong addresses, it soon came out that they were in fact, no mistake.

As who is behind the masks is a secret,

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2 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

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Event Calendar

We’re hiring: Fire Department Administrative Assistant

Evacuation Plan Q&A

June 22, 2020 9:30 am

Bowen Island Municipality Fire Department is hiring for the following full-time temporary position:

Community Economic Development

Administrative Assistant – 35 hrs/week Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm Start date to be determined

Committee

June 22, 2020 4:00 pm

The Administrative Assistant works under the direction of the Fire Chief. This will be a full time, temporary contract until December 31, 2020. The Administrative Assistant performs a wide variety of professional administrative and analytical duties in support of assigned functions, operations, and programs of the Fire Department. Main functions include resource coordination, research, records keeping, reporting and data entry.

Public Hearing: Short Term Rental Bylaw Amendments

June 22, 2020 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting All meetings are online via Zoom and open to the public.

Join us to learn about the recently completed Evacuation Plan for Bowen Island. A presentation by the Emergency Program Coordinator will be followed by a question and answer session.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 6:00 pm Online via Zoom

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/emergency-program

STAY CLOSE TO HOME

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/jobs Please submit your cover letter and resume by 4:00 pm on Monday, July 13, 2020 to Human Resources:

Get Zoom meeting details at:

Stop the spread of COVID-19

For more information and to read the job description:

The presentation will be recorded and posted on our website, so if you miss the live event you can always watch later.

Municipal Hall open for tax payments Bowen Island Municipal Hall is reopening slowly and cautiously for the protection of our staff and citizens. We encourage you to make property tax payments using one of the online payment options, but recognize that this may not be possible for everyone.

981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 Email: hr@bimbc.ca Fax: 604-947-0193 Telephone: 604-947-4255 We thank all applicants, but only those being considered for interviews will be contacted.

BC Ferries Schedule Update BC Ferries has announced changes to the schedule as of June 16 until March 31, 2021. Please note the 7:00 pm departure from Snug Cove on Tuesdays and Saturdays has been removed.

Please check bcferries.com for further details on the schedule.

Effective June 17, 2020, we are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm for Property Tax payments ONLY. Safety protocols are in place. Please call or e-mail Municipal staff for any other inquiry.

WASH YOUR HANDS

Every employer is required to have a COVID-19 safety plan that assesses the risk of exposure at their workplace and implements measures to keep their workers safe.

You can read Bowen Island Municipality’s COVID-19 Safety Plan on our website at:

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/contact-us

Don’t forget! Property tax payments are due by 4:30 pm on Thursday, July 2, 2020. Late payment penalties will apply on July 3. Tax deferral applications and renewals, and Home Owner Grant applications must also be made by July 2, 2020. Please contact us at 604-947-4255 or bim@bimbc.ca if you have any inquiries about your property taxes.

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

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Find us on Facebook Municipal Hall open for tax payments ONLY. Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 2:30 pm June 18, 2020

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This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

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COVID DIARIES

How two local cafés are weathering COVID BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

This wasn’t how Joan Hayes pictured her retirement year.

But like many on Bowen, when the pandemic hit, the Snug and Artisan Eats owner and her teams rolled up their sleeves, pivoted on a dime and found ways to keep their businesses alive and Bowen caffeinated.

“We’re doing okay because we have a bit of a unified front,” said Hayes. “I’ve got the kids around me and we all sort of faced this together.”

But it hasn’t been easy. “We went through moments, each of us as a family,” said Hayes.

(Her son William is a business partner and her daughter and son-in-law own a separate restaurant in the cove.) “One day I was down in the dumps and then William was up. The next day he was down and then I was able to help him up a bit.”

“Right from the word go, I knew that it was going to be a struggle to manage it all,” said Hayes. The biggest decision came at the beginning of it all––whether or not to close.

“Once we made the decision to close Artisan, that was big relief,” said Hayes. “But then, what do we do with the Snug because the Snug is almost an essential service really.”

There was a point, at the peak of the pandemic shutdown, where there was only one place on Bowen to buy a cup of coffee. The Snug kept chugging along, with business partner Ai Kanezaki at the helm, not offering hot food or cooking and only serving one at a time.

But the pandemic has given Hayes time to reassess the cove business, which she and her late husband bought 15 years ago.

“It was supposed to be this gem. Piers was retiring and we were going to buy this little Snug and do this thing,” said Hayes. “And it just

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UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

The Undercurrent caught up with Joan Hayes, owner of the Snug and Artisan Eats, this week.

morphed into this monster business.”

“What COVID has taught me and I kind of knew this intellectually…is that if you pair it right down and just offer the essentials, which people really want coffee and a sandwich and a muffin to go, and you staff right low, you actually potentially make more profit,” she said.

“It’s definitely made us relook at how we go forward opening and operating the Snug,” said Hayes. “We’ve started back up and we’ve pared down our menu.”

While Artisan Eats’ doors remained locked this spring, it wasn’t quiet at the business Hayes bought just over a year ago. The bottom floor of the building is a bakery where Michael Lecourt was hard at work supplying the island with bread.

Hayes said that they sold a ton of bread in April but less than usual in May. “When things

settled a bit, the sales dropped,” she said.

While Hayes laid off most of her staff at both eateries, she still had three families to support––those of her managers and business partners––so also had to deal with the government business relief programs. Hayes would be up at midnight trying to sneak on before the system crashed from high demand yet again.

To cover some costs, the Hayes started large pick-up meals at Artisan Eats including Easter and Mother’s Day dinners. For one dinner they expected 30-40 orders and received more than 100. “It was an incredible thing to put together,” said Hayes. In May they did socially distanced market days in the Artisan space.

Now Artisan Eats has reopened and the Snug is once again serving hot food and both have strict COVID policies in place––the fear of the coronavirus spreading among staff or to the island sits heavily with Hayes.

But the community is showing up to support the cafés. “It’s really heartwarming to see how much support there really is in the community,” said Hayes. “We knew that, but when you’re in the cauldron, you don’t always see it because you just feel so isolated and afraid.”

On the first day Artisan was open someone came in and gave a $35 tip for a muffin and a coffee. “He said ‘I just wanted to give this to the girls because I’m so glad you’re open and we’ve missed you,’” said Hayes.

And although Hayes is no longer talking to her accountant twice a week, there are still reinventions to come as the businesses manage COVID restrictions and effects.

At Artisan, they’ll be producing frozen or fresh pick-up meals to try to make up for the government-mandated reduced seating.

In the meantime, Hayes is trying to live in the day. “It’s a waste of time worrying about tomorrow because there’s nothing we can do until it comes.”

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 3

RCMP update Following local concern, Sea to Sky RCMP media relations officer Sgt. Sascha Banks confirmed that Bowen RCMP entered into an investigation on June 1 regarding an alleged sexual assault.

“The investigation is ongoing and information surrounding the event or those involved will not be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation,” said Banks. “If anyone has any information regarding this incident and have not already spoken to police they are asked to contact the Bowen Island RCMP at 604-947-0516.”

Cheer IPS’s graduating class into their next stage of education JULIA MCCAIG

Island Pacific School

IPS will celebrate our 2020 graduates in a truly unique COVID way with our grade nine families taking part in a “Drive Bowen” event featuring a car parade from the ferry dock up Trunk Road to our Rites of Passage ceremony at the school.0 We are welcoming the community to come and cheer our grads (while safely physical distancing) on June 19 at approximately 12:30 p.m. in the cove and up Trunk Road.

(Sadly, due to large gathering limitations, we cannot welcome you to our Rites of Passage ceremonies inside the Cates Hill Chapel this year).

4 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

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This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

VIEWPOINT EDITORIAL

Mystery of the disappearing neighbourhood

Tracey received a frantic call from me Monday morning. I was desperately trying to figure out where King Edward Bay was as it wasn’t, as I have long assumed, on the other side of Bluewater. I was already 20 minutes late to my appointment as I’d accidentally driven out to Eaglecliff instead of KEB (don’t ask me why I mixed them up, it’s a mystery to me).

Google wasn’t much help either––the road I was searching for apparently didn’t exist. Between Tracey and our officemates, they managed to calm a panicked editor and direct me where I needed to go. This incident followed arriving at the Strawberry Tea this weekend to take pictures 20 minutes after the event was sold out.

Needless to say, I haven’t been at the top of my game lately and I doubt I’m alone. We’ve got a lot going on.

COVID may not be the suffocating threat it was two months ago but that doesn’t mean life is easy.

Businesses are reopening with strict policies and with the heavy burden of keeping their staff, their customers and their communities safe. All the while trying to be profitable.

Questions around bubbles and who’s in them (how many people can be in our bubbles, can we hug) can create awkward chasms in our relationships.

COVID adjacent, we’re (hopefully!) in a societal moment, grappling with and confronting the systemic

racism that pervades our institutions and experiences.

Societally, over the past few months we’ve also been confronting existential questions of consumption, of health, of work (how many people realized they weren’t happy at their jobs), of family.

And, as Joan Hayes mentions on p.3, it can be very isolating when we’re in the thick of things.

This is the third COVID edition sent out to every house on Bowen and the second funded by the Bowen Island Community Foundation’s Resiliency Fund (thank you so much to the foundation). I’d planned to make this edition a “renewal” or “reopening” edition but upon reflection, I’m not sure the pall of COVID has lifted enough for people to feel renewed (please let me know if I’m wrong!)

I would say connection is a far stronger theme through this edition: from Mary Letson learning to swim to Emily McCullum finding new confidence with her Hearing Assistance Dog to Anton van Walraven offering a very personal reflection on the nature of resistance.

In this edition, Tracey and I have tried to bring you more faces, more people, more connection because we’re not alone. Unlike King Edward Bay Monday morning, our neighbourhoods haven’t disappeared.

We’re not alone.

––Bronwyn Beairsto, Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘Health centre will be much more than just a medical clinic’: Purdy DEAR EDITOR: As the newest director of the Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation, I know from first-hand experience why our new community health centre represents such a tremendous opportunity for Bowen.

I am a physician and the medical director of the REACH community health centre in East Vancouver, where I am responsible for clinical leadership, governance of multi-physician practice, service model development, and planning. REACH has been in operation for over fifty years and is recognized as one of the most successful community health centres (CHCs) in BC. Every day, my job provides new evidence of how the teambased, CHC approach to health care can improve patient outcomes. I am excited to be able to apply the experience and expertise I’ve gained, and the lessons that I’ve learned at REACH, to Bowen’s health centre project. We have a unique opportunity right now to radically transform health care on this island.

One obvious and very important purpose of the new health

centre is to address the current shortage of primary care on the island. It will be there to provide an expanded team of physicians and extended hours of service when you, your family, and your visitors need it most.

But that is just part of the story. As a community health centre, Bowen’s health centre will be much more than just a medical clinic. It also seeks to improve access to a broad, integrated range of services and programs in physiotherapy, mental health, counselling, dentistry, nutrition, immunization services, pregnancy and early childhood health, wellness and preventive medicine, expanded laboratory testing services, and other areas, right here on Bowen. Co-located in one place within a non-profit organisational structure provides the best opportunity for coordinated action that addresses health inequities in our community so that nobody on our island is left behind.

I have seen the good things that happen when you bring a group of committed health care professionals together under one roof, with a common vision, in a facility that is owned by

-- and accountable to -- the community at large. As someone who has chosen to live and raise my family on Bowen, I am deeply committed to work with my colleagues on the Board and the Health Services Committee to make those good things happen here.

I have been greatly moved by the generosity of Bowen donors. Every contribution, whether large or small in dollar terms, is a significant investment in the future of this community. With over $4.4 million in donations and pledges, we are eighty per cent of the way to our target. The goal is within our grasp. The sooner we raise the final $1.1 million, the sooner we put shovels in the ground, and the sooner we open our doors.

The COVID pandemic has starkly underscored that nothing matters more than our health security. I urge everyone who can afford to help to please join with your neighbours and donate or pledge today at bowenhealthcentre.com/pledge-now/.

Dr. Lloyd Purdy Director, Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation

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.

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EDITOR BronwynBeairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

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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.

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

An open letter to Bowen RCMP: reporting on domestic violence DEAR EDITOR: I write concerning Bowen RCMP’s regular reporting of statistics about police calls in The Undercurrent. I really welcome this practice and trust it will continue. But I urge the Bowen RCMP to report the full list and not just a selection of calls.

Take the report on April 2020, which appeared in The Undercurrent for May 14. Cpl. Adam Koehle reported 37 calls for service and listed one relating to an abandoned sailboat, two as hang-up 911 calls and three as requests for wellbeing checks on friends or relatives. That leaves 31 calls undescribed. I would imagine that some of those relate to noise or intoxication, but that’s just a guess.

Previous Bowen RCMP officers have told me that the largest single category of calls on Bowen Island relates to domestic violence. If this is so, we need to know. Even if this is not the largest single category, but “only” two or three cases per month, we need to know.

Why is this not reflected in the reporting?

Omitting information about domestic violence and sexual assaults is not serving the community well. The community will benefit from being made aware of the prevalence of such incidents. It is not pleasant to know that such horrible things are going on behind doors in our little community, but we might become a better community if we know.

In particular, this is not serving the women and children of Bowen Island well. In fact, not reporting is letting them down and exacerbating their isolation. Domestic abusers typically isolate their victims and make it hard for them to report

the abuse. All available evidence indicates that domestic abuse has increased significantly during the COVID-19 shutdown. I regard it as crucial that the statistics for domestic disturbance, domestic violence and sexual assault are reported. A failure to do this will only seem to confirm the poor record of the RCMP in relation to gender-based violence.

I believe that if women know that they are not alone in experiencing domestic violence it will be a little bit easier for them to seek help. I believe that if we are aware that domestic violence is happening on Bowen we might become a little more attentive to the signs.

I write as someone who has experienced domestic violence and sexual abuse, including within the home. And I write as an educator who has had to learn how to present material about sexual violence (those Greek myths are full of it) to university students who, statistics show, have by the age of 18 experienced sexual abuse to this astonishing degree: one in ten male students and one in three female students. Statistics suggest that about 7% of the male population are repeat abusers responsible for the majority of cases.

So that is my invitation to our RCMP detachment: please give us the full picture of calls to the RCMP on Bowen Island. Whatever those statistics show, it can only make us a more aware and more caring community.

I encourage anyone suffering from domestic violence to call 8-1-1 for help. There is more information here: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/ health-topics/te7721.

Susanna Braund

A response from Bowen RCMP As you know, domestic violence and sexual assault are complex social issues. You mentioned in your letter that there are numerous barriers to reporting and I agree. Those barriers are different for every person. Anecdotally, one of the barriers that has been mentioned to me in past is the fear that the police won’t be able to guarantee privacy for the victim and their family. In a small community like Bowen, those concerns can be compounded. People don’t always want their neighbours to know what’s going on in their world, for reasons that are their own.

Because of that, I didn’t want to highlight the number of domestic or sexual assault reports in the monthly stat reports to the Undercurrent. I wanted to ensure that the RCMP on Bowen were as accessible as possible and was afraid that releasing information in such a public setting could discourage a person from reporting.

The choice wasn’t based on an RCMP media strategy and it wasn’t made to hide or cover up any reports. I definitely wasn’t trying to make anyone feel isolated, and I hope that isn’t what happened.

I made the choice to release certain information with the intention of supporting victims.

I’m not an expert in human behaviours by any means, and I think I’ve benefited from hearing your perspective. I will re-look at how I release information to the Undercurrent in the future, but I want to research some best practices for statistical reporting before I make that change.

On another note, crime statistics are publicly available online from statistics Canada: gov.bc.ca/ gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/policing-inbc/publications-statistics-legislation/crime-police-resource-statistics.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any thoughts, I’ll do my best to get back to you in a timely manner.

Thank you again, Cpl. Adam Koehle Editor’s note: the RCMP has previously provided the newspaper with statistics that show between 1999 and 2018 there were 18 sexual assaults reported on Bowen Island.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 5

Council’s Mt. Gardner stance reflects popular opinion DEAR EDITOR: Many thanks to Council for voting (with one dissention) to support the prohibition of motorized vehicles on the Crown land of Mt. Gardner by writing to Tom Blackbird of Recreational Sites and Trails BC. Council’s decision was made only after considerable debate at two council meetings, following presentations by both supporters and opponents of the prohibition and after consideration of the many letters from supporters of the prohibition whose concerns included the importance of: 1) Aligning with Bowen community values and vision as expressed in the Bowen Island Community Brand, Official Community Plan and Parks Plan. 2) Observing the spirit of the Bowen Island Municipality Climate Action Program. 3) Protecting local plant and animal species. 4) Supporting eco-sensitive recreation. 5) Realizing that on-island motorized users represent under 1% of trail users (far less of Bowen’s total population). 6) Appreciating that Mt. Gardner is the top attraction for off-island hikers who come for peace and tranquility there (sources: Tourism Bowen, Community Branding process). 7) Understanding that Mt. Gardner, being fully within a municipality, close to some residents’ homes, is unlike Crown lands elsewhere in the province. 8) Considering the incompatibility of motorized and pedestrian traffic on Mt. Gardner trails.

Kevan Bernards, the president of Bowen Trail Riders Association (BTRA), in his long letter to the editor last week, clearly expressed his disappointment and disagreement with Council’s decision.

Dismissing the 89 letters from people supporting the prohibition as representing only 8% (his calculation) of Bowen’s total population (failing to mention that only three people wrote to support BTRA’s position), he, perhaps not unreasonably, raised the question of what constitutes adequate and meaningful public consultation. Tellingly, however, BTRA initially consulted with neither BIM nor with island residents at large when striking an agreement with the Province to undertake trail building and maintenance on Mt. Gardner. Only when this agreement was challenged did Kevan consider the need for broader consultation.

It should be noted that even hot issues on Bowen rarely elicit more than 10 letters to Council, so, in this case, 89 reflects remarkable interest. Given BTRA’s concern, it is relevant to consider some major past public issues. While one can never

expect 100% of the population to engage in any public debate (in a good year, only about 60% of us vote!), it was only after extensive community engagement over many months that our OCP, Climate Action Plan, Parks Plan and Bowen Island Community Brand were established. All of these call for preservation of the peace and quiet of the island, its natural environment and its value as a source of spiritual renewal. While they repeatedly express support for providing adequate facilities for hikers, there isn’t a single mention in any of them of supporting the needs of dirt bikers and other off-road vehicles. In addition, the research-based branding exercise showed that a large majority of people who visit Bowen come to hike Mt. Gardner’s trails, many identifying quiet engagement with nature as a reason for their trip. Those visitors contribute very substantially to vital seasonal income for many of Snug Cove’s small businesses. The preservation of Bowen’s tranquil, peaceful beauty makes good business sense, above and beyond its total compatibility with the widely-supported public documents noted above.

Kevan has attempted to present BTRA to Council and to the community (via his letter) as good stewards of the land, respectful of the environment and concerned with the interests of all trail users at heart. Indeed, it appears that BTRA has done work to improve some of our trails, and they are to be thanked for that, but there is no quid quo pro; having done that work doesn’t earn them the right to anything at all, except to our thanks. In addition, the image he projected to Council and the Undercurrent is at odds with the one projected to off-road enthusiasts on YouTube, Facebook and in other media (check out Kevan’s well-made videos at Redneckenroute on YouTube for example!). In these forums, BTRA extols the tough terrain to be overcome here and Bowen as a place where assertive bikers can, for example, display their mettle in Enduro contests.

Peaceful coexistence on our island should be the goal for all of us, despite differences of opinion. BTRA has published a map which shows many other trails that off-road vehicles currently use, and, given the recent Council decision, we hope that the combination of all that terrain plus the wide availability of trails across the mainland will meet their needs, leaving Mt. Gardner to the peaceful pursuit of hikers.

Claire Weeks

Covid-19 has been hard on all of us. It has been particularly difficult on our Bowen Island businesses and their families.

You can support local businesses now by direct donation or by purchasing Island Comeback gift certificates for future use.

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C MEBACK

6 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

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This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

OPINION

I wish they had rioted then

‘IT WAS THIS ATTACHMENT TO ORDERLY CONDUCT THAT WOULD CHANGE THE LIVES OF 140,000 DUTCH CITIZENS FOREVER’ ANTON VAN WALRAVEN

Contributor

“As long as the protests are peaceful, I am okay with them but when they turn into riots or blockades, I loose my sympathy for the protesters and their cause.” We have heard something along these lines often in 2020, and long before then, not only in U.S., but in Canada and many other Western nations.

I don’t flat-out condemn riots or blockades and here’s why.

There is this small country that claims to be one of the best-organized countries in the world. Everything in the country is neatly kept and rioting seldom happens. Only two occasions come to mind: the Iconoclastic Fury of 1566, and the Amsterdam Coronation Riots of 1980. And the first “Fury” didn’t even happen in the country as we know it today, at the time the low-lands were part of the Habsburg Empire.

A peaceful orderly bunch those low-landers. Still, I wish they hadn’t been as peaceful on one more occasion. I wish they had rioted more, burned buildings, burned trains, had shown civil disobedience and general condemnation. As it turned out, it was this attachment to orderly conduct that

would change the lives of 140,000 Dutch citizens forever.

That’s not to say protests didn’t happen when Jewish deportations by the Nazis started. The February Strike in 1941 broke out in reaction to the Nazis violently rounding up Jews. When the deportations turned more “orderly,” the public protests died down. From there on it was up to the Dutch resistance to deter the Nazis.

There were no protests or strikes when the Nazis ordered a civil servant who had designed the new Dutch citizens registration system introduced in 1936, to continue his work that lead to an ID card that every Dutch citizen, 14 years and older, had to carry. The Dutch dutifully responded to exchange their notification card for the new ID. The notification cards were centrally kept as duplicate registration. The ID was impossible to counterfeit and contained information about religious affiliation: it was part of the many small-step Nazi measures to separate Jews from non-Jews.

There were no protests, nor rioting when the Dutch police was ordered by the Nazis to help round up Jews for transportation. It was up to individual officers to resign, few did as they knew Nazi collaborators would take their place and so the police attended to this new task.

There were no protests when the Nazis ordered the Dutch National Railways to transport Jews to Westerbork - the camp from which Jews were sent to the different concentration camps in Germany and Poland. The railways responded, and in fact were so dutiful that during the 1944 railway strike, no trains ran except for the

ones going to Westerbork.

That’s why I wish there had been rioting, torching of trains used for transporting Jews, torching of buildings containing public records. This would have made the difference for my maternal family and 100,000 Dutch Jews. The resistance did what it could, but it couldn’t break the Nazi fear most people lived in.

It all came to and end, and many years later I continue to be deeply grateful for the role Canadian soldiers played in liberating the Netherlands and defeating the Nazis.

Yet that gratitude doesn’t blind me from what Canada’s governments and their laws, their policing, embedded as they are in false ideas of racial supremacy, continue to cause to Indigenous people: hardship, suffering, material loss. Resources from Indigenous lands continue to be taken without Indigenous consent. More than 30% people incarcerated in Canada are Indigenous, although Indigenous people makeup about 5% of the country’s population. Sufficient compensation is still lacking.

And…most people in Canada, including myself, benefit from this twisted situation every single day.

With this knowledge, we must do better, we have no other choice and must make right what is wrong.

So what‘s our excuse? None.

Appendix: The duplicate ID registration was bombed in 1944 by the RAF as it was then capable of ‘precision’ drops. It came too late for Jews as most had been taken away. It did save the lives of some resistance fighters who had used fake IDs.

BIRCH receives $100,000 ROBYN FENTON

BIRCH executive director

Bowen Island Resilient Community Housing (BIRCH) has exciting news to share!

BC Housing has recently supported BIRCH with a $101,500 interest-free loan under its Pre-Development Funding program. This funding supports early stage projects in initiating design for non-market housing by providing funding for refining the building project design and developing more accurate project budgets. This funding will allow BIRCH to continue working with our architects, Boni Maddison Architects, and our development consultants, CitySpaces, to apply for project funding through the BC Housing Community Housing Fund and CMHC’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund. If our final applications are successful, it will allow BIRCH to complete the final design and engineering to begin construction - the ultimate goal being the completion of new community housing on Bowen Island, something the community urgently needs.

As always, we appreciate the support of the Bowen Island community, including Bowen Island Municipality, and look forward to sharing more good news in the near future!

Kindness has ripple effect CONTINUED FROM P. 1

“‘Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world,’[as Desmond Tutu said] seems highly appropriate given current world events,” said the donor(s).

Masks have already been spotted out and about as more islanders don their COVID protective gear.

“The ripple effect of kindness has already begun,” said the donor(s). “No act of kindness is ever too small.

“Also, the Batman comments have totally made my year!”

Doc Morgan’s is Open! Daily 11:30 - 9pm.

Introducing New Chef Eva Vostrel and her team.

New menu focused on house made fresh menu items.

We also have fire pits on the bricks for groups to social distance!

604-947-0808 | www.docmorgans.ca

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

Home prices have remained firm

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 7

HOME SALES TO RETURN TO NEAR PRE-COVID-19 LEVELS BY THE END OF 2020 AND POST A STRONG RECOVERY THROUGH 2021

TIMOTHY RHODES Contributor

Overlay of two charts prepared by BCREA: MLS® Unit Sales and actual sales to date (shown in red).1

972,262

947,133

1,071,189

997,197 940,000

952,817

940,000

1,003,107

957,925

940,000

964,883

1,003,107

950,000

YoY Sold Price Categories

974,725

Data represents the MLS® detached home data only as at 31 May 2020. Data source © 2020 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. All rights reserved. Data deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Fig. 1

6 Month Price Comparison YoY

https://www.bcrea.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/ housingforecast.pdf Timothy Rhodes, REALTOR®, rhodesonbowen.com Angell Hasman & Associates Realty Ltd. 1

969,150 1,014,626

month.) Looking a percentage change in the MLS® HPI over three years (May 2017 to May 2020), Bowen has continued to rank first or second for highest percentage increase.

Bowen inventory is down YoY; however, eleven new listings to date in June indicate renewed interest by sellers. Only two of the eleven listings are priced under $1 million hich is traditionally the most active market on Bowen, and it will be interesting to see how the market responds given current low mortgage rates and anecdotally, interest in Bowen as a great place to ‘stay at home.’

Bowen enters June with a relatively balanced market where both sellers and buyers can benefit.

1,006,399 940,000

“Our baseline projection is for home sales to return to near pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of 2020 and post a strong recovery through 2021, boosted by pent-up demand and historically low interest rates.”1 The BCREA (BC Real Estate Association) used 19 months of data gathered during the recovery from previous recessions to project performance coming out of COVID-19.

The three most recent recessions, 1981/82, 1990/92, and 2008/09, saw significant increases in sales within 12 to 18 months, leading the organization to forecast a 57 per cent increase in sales in 2021.(Fig.1) coming out of the COVID-19 recession. While admitting to ‘tremendous uncertainty’ in the marketplace, the BCREA is forecasting a 2.4 per cent increase in home prices in the REBGV area. The forecast assumes there will be no dramatic increase in inventory, which will serve to keep prices stable. Actual unit sales to date in June 2020 are well ahead of the BCREA forecast, underscoring pent-up demand. (Fig.1) For Single Detached homes in the Lower Mainland, the report forecasts MLS® Unit Sales will be down -14.4 per cent in 2020 and up 50 per cent in 2021, with the MLS® Average Price to be up +1.4 per cent in 2020 and up 3.1 per cent in 2021. Bowen Island performed slightly better than the Lower Mainland in both categories YoY in 2019.

May statistics for Bowen Island indicated no dramatic year-over-year differences from April 2020 other than sale of a $6.5 million listing— the first property sold over $1.5 million since November 2018. (This skews statistics for the

NEW LISTING!

229 MooNWINkS DrIvE 5 bed/4 bath • $1,559,000

www.bowenislandproperties.com

SoLD in two weeks!

734 GrAFToN roAD • $1,125,000 “Carmen and Peter are a breath of fresh air when it comes to buying or selling your home! The service they provided was second to none. They came to us highly recommended from the local community and did not disappoint. Very professional and personable with unparalleled knowledge of Bowen Island’s Real estate market. They immediately realized the true value of our property and treated it as a home and not as a product. They knew exactly how to market our individual home, bringing the right type of potential buyers from their extensive client portfolio and had us an offer within 2 weeks of listing.

Their energetic, bubbly and approachable personalities are infectious! They were very communicative with us and potential buyers, and are extremely hardworking.

Whether buying or selling on Bowen Island, we highly recommend taking the stress out of the experience by working with Carmen and Peter Dives!”

Janet and Tristan

Spectacular custom built home located on a fabulous semi-waterfront lot w/the most amazing point of land as common property with access to the beach. This home has many fine features including in-floor radiant heating powered by a very efficient geothermal ground loop system. Very comfortable. Great layout for the whole family w/games & rec room located on the lowest level w/easy access out to level garden. Top floor has 4 bdrms including the massive mstr suite w/your own private sundeck. Main flr has a stone faced wood burning F/P along w/a grand kitchen & family room w/double doors leading out to the perfect sundeck for entertaining & relaxing. Lower flr could make a great suite.

For all your Real Estate needs please call Carmen and/or Peter for a Friendly, ethical and knowledgeable approach.

We’ll be happy to share our over 40 years of Real Estate experience and life on Bowen Island.

8 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

The ancient art of the dog paddle Mary Letson’s love of ocean swimming is nothing new – she first swam across King Edward Bay at four years old – but with each decade, her relationship with the ocean transforms, as does her style

We're at ARTISAN SQUARE !

MARY LETSON

Contributor

Karmyn & Alex 604-947-2872

EXPERIENCE SHIATSU

Vicky

778-881-9012

The Knick Knack Nook is reopening Friday, June 26.

New hours: 12:00 - 2:20 Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday Donations will be accepted beginning Friday, June 19 and limited to two bags or boxes.

Drop off Friday-Monday only.

Please see our website for COVID-19 procedures including store and parking updates. http://www.knickknacknook.org

My grandpa sent me a letter the summer of 1967 congratulating me on swimming all the way across King Edward Bay. I was four years old. He enclosed a dollar bill as a reward for my efforts. I still have the letter but was not so lucky (or smart) with the dollar and spent it on something important like penny candy.

As children we spent our summers at King Edward Bay, learning to swim in the ocean with our eyes open under water like seals. We memorized the beach and shore line like it was our second home (because it was), and knew all the tidal pools, where the bullheads hid, when the tide was just right for diving off the “Big Rock” and the flattest rocks to stretch out to warm our almost blue bodies after hours in the bay.

Our parents were militant about the rules around swimming: no adult present meant no swimming. Period. Since our parents didn’t arrive at the beach until the afternoon, swimming never commenced until the tide was high, the water warming itself slowly over the rocks. Mom arrived at the beach in her black and white pinstriped one-piece, her beach bag heavy with a family-sized thermos brimming with her homemade lemonade called Imperial. At the bottom of her bag, there was a small, serious, plastic bag enclosing a CPR mask, something that as a child I found vaguely mysterious and a little scary knowing that it was a big deal if this equipment was ever required. It never was.

I didn’t ever get formal swimming lessons, and other than my grandparents swimming pool, I only ever swam in the ocean during the summer. We all dog paddled our way around the bay, our heads above water to get from A to B, diving down when we needed to. Which was often. This is clearly a dated way to swim as I don’t ever see anyone dog paddling anymore.

In fact, a quick Google search clarifies that the dog paddle was “…used by ancient humans and seen in Prehistoric cave paintings…” My parents weren’t ones to fuss with the latest trends.

I remember how adult all our parents were at the beach next to our splashing and dashing barefoot along the stony beach. I wondered how they could be so calm in the midst of so

PHOTO AND CAPTION COURTESY OF MARY LETSON

King Edward Bay late 60’s, my sister Sally on left.

Me topless (as usual!) on right.

much fun. They strolled to the water’s edge, stepped out of their flip-flops to toss them up the beach out of the tide’s way. With a mincing walk, they made their way knee deep into the water to then stop and talk for what seemed a lifetime before lowering themselves slowly into the water. My dad however embraced the theatrical. He would lower himself into the water making hooting noises then submerged himself just until his eyes were above the water line, blowing bubbles and pretending to be a crocodile. Flipping himself onto his back he floated with toes pointed to the arc of blue sky, his arms out to his sides scalloping the water, still hooting. I marvelled at my dad’s ability to float. He was miraculous.

The summer my son was born, I spent long afternoons in the shade of the maple tree on that same beach nursing, reading, chatting, playing Scrabble with my Mom and yes, swimming. Clad in my Mom’s old two-piece bathing suit (the only thing that would fit my post pregnant curves) and with wee son in his granny’s arms, I took to swimming to the south point and back over and over and over. Thankfully, I shed the ancient art of the dog paddle for free style and – thanks to my dad’s genes – I had a knack for endurance. I found the long, submerged exhale comforting and King Edward Bay’s solitude restorative.

This summer I will take to another bay on the same island to train for my own personal event. In lieu of the annual SwimBowen event I will swim from Tunstall Bay to Bowen Bay (1.6 km) in late August. My love of ocean swimming sparked in me so many years ago with a humble stroke and rewarded so poignantly by my grandpa continue to buoy me.

Dear grampa, look at me now. I do believe I have earned the dollar.

Happy Father’s Day Bowen Island!

POSITIVELY HERE FOR YOU STRENGTH, CORE, & FLEXIBILITY Outdoor & Zoomed

PANDEMIC RESILIENT GROUP & PERSONALIZED COACHING When You Need It Most positivelyfit.ca

(604) 947-9601

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 9

FRANCES FROST & FELICITY BUSKARD bowenislandrealestate.info

604.947.9090 RE/MAX Crest Realty - Bowen Island

NEW LISTING!

NEW LISTING!

2016/17/19

NEW LISTING!

New 1.42 acre waterfront listing Architecturally designed 2 bed 2.5 bath home in Prestigious Hood Point

Sunny quarter acre, 4 bed 2 bath

Private & serene 2 bedroom home, guest house and meditation studio, steps from Bowen Bay Beach

$3,099,000 • MLS R2464321 1693 Old Eagle Cliff Road

$799,000 • MLS R2459164 1317 Eaglecliff Rd

$1,495,000 • MLS R2429384 1693 Malkin Creek Road

NEW LISTING!

NEW LISTING!

NEW LISTING!

9th hole beauty! Brand new 3 bed 3 bath, golf course and beaches at your fingertips!

Spectacular waterfront building lot located in Hood Point.

Build your dream home on this sunny perch!

118 Acres of privacy and views!

Rarely available large parcel of land in Hood Point West

$1,250,000 • MLS R2462508 881 Russell Lane

$869,000 • MLS R2337726 214 Finisterre Road

$2,600,000 • MLS R2384067 Lot 19 Smugglers Cove Road

NEW LISTING!

JUST SOLD!

3 bed 2 bath Tunstall Bay home!

$815,000 1544 Tunstall Blvd 10 acre waterfront build ready lot, access to gorgeous beaches and trails, glorious sunsets and room for the whole family, priced below assessed value at

Private view building lot!

Large 2.5 acre gently sloping terrain allows for multiple building options

$3,580,000 • MLS R2392091 1820 Cape Drive

$469,000 • MLS 2450254 390 Creek Road

JUST SOLD!

3 bed 2 bath Cates hill home $888,000 • MLS R2456892

962 Harbour View Place

We look forward to serving our community safely and effectively as we maintain COVID measures to protect us all. Stay safe and healthy Bowen Island, we are all in this together!

10 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

Come write with me this summer

Forging new paths to build resilience

CAROL CRAM

Contributor

MIDDLE SCHOOL

CELEBRATING YEARS

DI SCOV E R US

MATTERS

ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL Accepting Applications for 2020-21 and Beyond

islandpacific.org

I’m thrilled to offer a three-session writing workshop that is free to residents of Bowen Island. The sessions are offered online over Zoom, but will be interactive and allow for lots of sharing. I can’t wait to hang out in a virtual room with other writers.

Over the years, I’ve benefited so much from participating in writing workshops and especially in taking the plunge to share my writing with other participants. I remember well the first time I read something I wrote to a group in a writing workshop. My heart was pounding and I wanted to sink through the floor!

But encouraged by the workshop facilitator, I found my voice, and those who know me also know that I haven’t looked back since my first novel was published in 2014.

My workshop experiences really helped me grow as a writer. So now, I want to help other writers, especially aspiring writers, learn new skills, and most importantly, gain confidence in their writing. Because writing well starts with feeling empowered and knowing that what you have to say matters.

I’m offering the writing workshop over three two-hour sessions. Participants will complete short writing exercises and be encouraged to share what they’ve written—but only if they want to. No pressure! I’ll also deliver interactive presentations on a variety of writing topics such as character and theme development, plotting, research, editing, and publishing options.

Participants will receive worksheets and other materials to help them develop their writing skills.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROL CRAM

The course also includes the optional opportunity to connect with me by phone to receive individual feedback about a specific writing project.

I’m offering two intakes in July: Tuesdays July 7, 14, 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. or Thursdays July 9, 16, 23 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

To enroll in the Tuesday or Thursday sessions, email me at carolcram@gmail.com. The deadline for enrollment in either of the two sessions is July 2, 2020. Please specify which day you’d like to attend (Tuesday or Thursday).

Enrollment is limited, so don’t wait.

For more information about my background and books, please visit my website at www. carolcram.com.

Funding for this free course is provided through a Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grant from Bowen Island Municipality, Bowen Island Community Foundation and Vancouver Foundation.

We're open Monday thru Friday

9 to 4 pm!

Thank you for working with us thru these trying times.

Keep your distance, stay safe and healthy.

Helping Islanders since 1972

BOWEN BUILDING CENTRE

1013 GRAFTON ROAD • 604 - 947- 9622

WE ARE CLOSED SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS and WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY JULY 1st

Patient of the Week TIAMAT Tiamat has been coming to Bowen Vet since she was a puppy and was in recently for her annual health check.

Health checks are an important part of animal care as it allows us diagnose medical problems that otherwise might go undetected. Bowen Vet has recently started to perform 1 wellness appointment a day however we are currently getting through our list of people who have been waiting during the COVID-19 pandemic. If your animal is due for a wellness or vaccine appointment, please be patient with us as we get through our waiting list.

COVID HOURS:

Open - Tues, Thurs, Friday 9-5 and Saturdays 9-1 Closed - Wednesdays (except for food and prescription pick up) Closed - every other Saturday

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Coral Louie crafted this sign for Nexwlélexwm.

On behalf of the Hearth, Library and Knowing our Place

Apologies to those who were planning to watch the live stream of Sunday’s blessing ceremony for the Coast Salish sign – we are unable to provide live streaming. However, we will be posting video as soon as possible after the event. Meribeth Deen is creating a short documentary of the ceremony, the sign, and how it came to be.

Due to COVID-19 health orders, we ask that members of the public please do not attend the ceremony itself. To ensure everyone’s safety and to respect the specific wishes of the Skwxwú7mesh Nation participants, this event cannot be a public in-person event.

The sign will be unveiled June 21 (National Indigenous Peoples Day) with representatives from the Skwxwú7mesh Nation and invited representatives of Bowen Island.

Squamish Nation will bless our new sign, as it is unveiled to welcome residents and guests to Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island).

Again, to ensure physical distancing measures we ask that members of the public please

A N K S TO

OU

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 11

Thanks volunteers for making our trails safer to explore, easier to navigate, and more enjoyable for all users.

MERBIETH DEEN PHOTO

No livestream for sign blessing but doc available shortly afterward KATHLEEN AINSCOUGH

IG

TH

R

B

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

do not attend this event in person.

Once completed, Deen’s full documentary will be available at bowenlibrary.ca and at thehearth.ca.

Pauline Le Bel explained the story behind the sign in her recent Undercurrent story about this historic event. Squamish people called this island Kwilàkm and Nexwlélexwm long before settlers attached “Bowen Island” to its shores. Now the island will recognize its original name with a sign at the Snug Cove Dock alongside the “Bowen Island Welcomes You” sign. The unveiling of the sign is part of the Knowing Our Place reconciliation initiative, which Le Bel began three years ago with the dedicated support of the Bowen Island Arts Council and the Bowen Library.

Funding for this initiative was gratefully received from the following contributors: Rina Freed of Source Environmental Associates, Bowen Island Municipality, who will install and maintain the sign, Heritage Canada and through a Neighbourhood Small Grant from the Bowen Island Community Foundation, Bowen Island Municipality, and the Vancouver Foundation.

@BowenIslandTrailSociety

VOLUNTEERS

BowenIslandTrailSociety.ca

UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY is Hiring!

Housekeeping full & part-time

Apply at Union Steamship Company Store or Email Cottages@ussc.ca

UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY STORE Gifts, Housewares, Shoes, Books, Gift Cards, Toys, Hats, and Ice Cream!

Open daily |Sunday - Thursday 10 - 5pm | Friday - Saturday 10- 7pm.

12 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

bowenislandundercurrent.com

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14 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

Notice of Public Hearing HAVE YOUR SAY. Public Hearing June 22, 2020 4:00 pm

Online Meeting via Zoom

Bylaw Amendments for Short Term Rentals Amendment Bylaws No. 501, 502 & 503, 2020

What are these amendments about?

These amendments are part of the implementation for Short Term Rental Policy #19-05 to establish a regulatory framework for short term rentals on Bowen Island. The amendments are for the Land Use Bylaw, Business Licensing Bylaw and the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw.

How do I learn more?

Visit the municipal website to view the information package on these amendments: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning

Where are we now?

Council 1st Direction Reading

Questions?

Public Hearing

3rd Reading

Bylaw Adoption

Our grad edition open to grads at any level (pre-school, kindergarten, grade seven, middle school, high school, university or of any other sort!) Please send in up to 100 words and a photo. The deadline is June 22 at 5 p.m.

We also welcome (read: highly encourage) notes of congratulations, memories or photos of graduates growing up and reflections on this year’s grad class. This is a year like no other but rites of passage such as graduation are no less important.

To that end, we have some questions for grads. (Fill out and email to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com or text to 604314-3004, even if you’ve already sent in your writeup!)

Congratulations everyone!

Name:

Grad 2020

Graduating from: How did your school celebrate grad?

How has COVID affected your plans for next year?: What are you excited for?: If this year were a song...: (PG)

Contact Emma Chow, Island Community Planner

NOV 2019

APR 2020

MAY 2020

JUN 2020

(Estimated) (Estimated) JUN 2020 JUL 2020

Ways you can Have Your Say: •

Speak at the Public Hearing: June 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm: 1. Email Corporate Officer (hdallas@bimbc.ca) BEFORE start of hearing with: • Subject line: “Public Hearing - Verbal Submission STR Bylaw Amendment” • Your full name, address and phone number 2. Join via Zoom and wait for your name to be called out. Get the Zoom meeting details at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning

604-947-4255

echow @bimbc.ca

• bowenisland municipality.ca /planning

External 2nd Referrals Reading

Grad edition next week

Write to the attention of Mayor and Council: E-mail: mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca Mail: 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2 To ensure a fair process, Council cannot consider any submissions received after the Public Hearing has ended.

From the Well:

Join us for a Compassion Meditation on the Pier led by Lusungu Kayani Stearns with offerings from the community in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, followed by coffee/tea/smoothie at Tell Your Friends Cafe. All proceeds will go to Community Bail Funds & Hogans’ Alley Society.

Physical distancing practices will be followed. Bring your own meditation cushion. Taking place Sunday, June 21 9 a.m .to 10 a.m. $20 per person. Ticket sales limited to 50 in accordance with the BC CDC guidelines for social gatherings. More information: thewellonbowen.com.

From food bank:

Request forms at church to be filled out in advance, if possible, for distribution or delivery Wednesday and Saturdays 11-12 a.m. Otherwise turn up during those times or text or phone Sue at 604-240-2475.

(New number!)

From NERP:

Your Neighbourhood Emergence Response Program volunteers encourage you to attend a Zoom meeting where the most recent iteration of the Bowen Island Evacuation Plan will be presented. June 23 at 6 p.m. Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 836 1175 7033. Password: 280124

Delivered to your mailbox!

Every week for $55 per year ($85 to off island addresses) 604-947-2442 ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thank you for your support of local journalism now and always.

If you are not sure if you have renewed, please call us to avoid disruption

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 15

TOTI play reading accolades pile in CONTINUED FROM P. 1

“We even did the world premiere of Wingmen, an original play by Bowen’s own Frazer Elliott,” Stephens said, noting that the video for that short play is available for viewing on their Facebook page.

Their opening show featured a who’s who of long-time island TOTI actors like Heather Hodson, Tina Nielsen, Helen Wallwork and Martin Clarke. Other veterans, like Maureen Sawasy, Jackie Minns, Colleen O’Neil, Tanya Voormeij-de Zwart and David Cameron, have played since. Some of the younger actors appearing in a TOTI online Zoom production include Annabelle Coon, the ever-amusing Davin Killy, Sarah Cormier, Bev Rapley, Morgan Darcy and noted island juggler, Tobi Volkmann. They’ve used in total some 25 Bowen thespians.

The cast meets online for a brief rehearsal and, for the most part, that’s it. Show time comes and scripts are arranged somewhere easy to read, most actors arranging them onscreen next to the minimized view of the other actors. Faces come and go as entrances

Finding a way to celebrate during COVID KAMI KANETSUKA

Contributor

One year ago who could have imagined that we would be dealing with a pandemic.

Sadly, people are changing plans for all those occasions where one wants to celebrate with friends and family. As an elder, ten year anniversaries are cause for celebration as there cannot be many more. Before this strange time, I had planned a big one, renting a place and hiring a band. I realized it was not to be.

While I was walking through the deserted Snug Cove Field recently, I came up with the idea of a social distancing event. Miraculously a friend said that she could make music for

2020

and exits are achieved.

They get upwards of 30 online audience computers (often entire families watch) and one feature Stephens and Stewart enjoy is the comments after each performance.

“Mostly it’s been enthusiastic messages like ‘Bravo!’ ‘Well done!’ ‘You’ve always been my favourite child,’ and ‘You’re so pretty!’,” Stephens says. “Most of these are written by my mother and Calder’s mother, though, so take what you will from that.

“Paul Hooson and Jude Neale send us some really lovely heartwarming kudos via email after each reading, and sometimes they tell us how their dog Molly felt about the show too, which is a rush as she really is quite the critic.”

To attend an online play meeting/reading all the prospective audience member does is go to TOTI’s Facebook page and click on a link.

You can also sign up for TOTI’s newsletter and have the link sent to your inbox.

Stewart notes that when the pandemic is over “and the day comes that we can safely put on a live theatre performance – we will absolutely be ready.” me. The idea turned into a social distancing dance party. I invite all friends, especially those who like to move, to come and join me.

Or you may just want to exercise to music – believe me anything goes. In this time of not knowing exactly what is going on with COVID 19, many events have been cancelled. Here we just have to contend with the weather, and if it is bad it too will be cancelled. The date is June 23 and if the weather is truly bad, it will be postponed to June 25. I offer music but sadly not food or drink. Due to restrictions one needs to bring their own snacks and drinks.

The time is between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. (to avoid meal times.) Masks are welcome, especially if they are colorful. This is the time to get creative and in this spacious field celebrate in the time of COVID-19.

“Think Outside the Big Box…” “Buy Local…from your Local” bowenpub.com/bulk-buy

VIRTUAL AGM

FIRST CREDIT UNION

Annual General Meeting

June 25 7pm th

Please register at firstcu.ca

16 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

A COMPASSION MEDITATION ON THE PIER

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

Dog in a suit

Life with a Hearing Dog Guide EMILY ERICKSON MCCULLUM

In Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Contributor

SUNDAY JUNE 21 • 9 AM WITH LUSUNGU KAYANI STEARNS AND SPECIAL COMMUNITY OFFERINGS JOIN US FOR A COMPASSION MEDITATION ON THE PIER FOLLOWED BY COFFEE/TEA AT TELL YOUR FRIENDS CAFE $20/PERSON/PLS PRE-REGISER

My dog has a business suit.

When she puts it on, she knows she’s going to work in a public place. And she knows this is not the time for playing or socializing or eating or drinking; it’s only for focusing on her job: listening and communicating to me if there are sounds I need to know about. It’s a good thing she loves her job because I might never know if she chose to, for example, ignore my ringing phone.

Shay’s suit has two components: a red vest with “Lion’s VISIT THEWELLONBOWEN.COM Foundation of Canada Dog Guides [LFCDG] Hearing Dog TO REGISTER OR DONATE Guide” written on it and a head harness called a Halti. The DAVID MCCULLUM PHOTO Halti looks a bit like a muzzle Whenever the pair goes out in public, Shay is suited up in her but doesn’t prevent Shay from vest and Halti, as she is in this excursion to the Cape. opening her mouth as widely as she wants. With the leash connected to the Halti and the or fourth time. They’re also less likely to think me stupid or collar, I can feel where Shay is rude for not understanding them the first time. For me, the turning her head even when difference is astounding and somehow liberating. And it’s all I’m not looking at her. Thus, because of Shay.

The bulk of Shay’s work, though, happens at home where she I am aware of her reacting to sounds beside and behind remains on duty even though she’s not in her suit. She alerts me me—even when I cannot hear to sounds like the doorbell, door knocking, timers, my mornLibrary Assistant – Virtual Program Coordinator them—and this gives me a ing alarm, my phone, the fire alarm, and someone calling my Temporary (June to October) sense of security that I have name. For all but the fire alarm, she gets my attention by placnot known since my first hear- ing her paw on me, then leading me to the sound’s source. For ing loss when I was four years the fire alarm, since I wouldn’t want her to lead me into a fire Bowen Library is seeking a technology inspired, creative, enthusiastic, customer (!), she instead spins around three times. Now I’m more comold. service driven individual to help us establish and run virtual programs for Bowen’s Gaining more confidence fortable in my own home, another thing that I hadn’t realized kids, youth and adults. There will be plenty of opportunity to develop new and in moving through the world was possible. Sometimes we play a game where I or someone is an aspect of having a Dog in my family hides the timer in an unexpected place and Shay innovative online programming, as well as welcoming the public back into the library Guide that I never anticipat- has a wonderful time searching it out. She’s so proud of herafter months of closure. ed. Having coped with my self when she finds it! And of course she gets big treats. As our The summer focus is on the new online Summer Reading Club and finding ways disability since I was small, I wonderful instructors at Dog Guides Canada said, “We work thought I was fine. I did not for money; they work for treats,” which really isn’t so different to connect this provincial program to our local kids and families, so an interest in when you think about it. realize how very conor experience with children’s programming is an asset. As summer wanes, we’ll Shay does love her treats and is very stantly I was on the be working on new programs for all ages delivered primarily online. As we restore alert, always trying to “With Shay dressed clear about her favourite ones. The ball—a physical services in the library you will be part of our team welcoming patrons back particular ball that’s chewable but bounces use my other senses for work and by well—is up near the top. And grooming is to compensate for the into the library, guiding them through new protocols and helping make them feel a frequent highlight, since she must be as enormous gap where safe and comfortable. my side, people clean and presentable as possible when hearing ought to be.

When I was a child, actually believe me we’re out in public.

Tasks and responsibilities We share work and playtime and walks I saw a poster at the Western Institute for when I say that I and Shay loves her Shaymobile, the bike Responding to the new COVID reality by developing and running online library trailer in which she rides. Only when Shay the Deaf and Hard of programs and welcoming the public back into the library building. can’t hear.” is in her crate a couple of times a week Hearing that showed ○ Planning, marketing and implementing online weekly programs for children does she have complete time off. In this the words “Silence –Emily Erickson McCullum way, Shay’s life is a bit different from some is golden.” “Golden” ages 5 to 12 of the other Dog Guides trained at LFDGC, was crossed out and ○ Developing plans for ongoing online programming for a variety of ages and like the vision ones whose primary work is replaced with “lonely” demographics. and “isolating.” Even then, the outside the home. ○ Marketing, promoting and instructing on how to access online programs In addition to Hearing Dog Guides, LFDGC trains Vision, truth of this correction struck Seizure Response, Service, Autism Assistance, Diabetic Alert me viscerally. ○ Working at the library’s circulation desk or as a greeter managing new Since I learned to speak and Facility Support Dog Guides. Their policy is no force-based protocols for library usage, instructing customers and assisting with hygiene before my hearing loss (no training, and this gentle, loving, consistent approach is reflectand safety plans hearing in my left ear, mod- ed in all the people who give their time and love to breeding, erate to severe loss in my fostering and training the dogs, who grow into happy, enthuright ear), my voice does not siastic canine citizens whether they graduate from Dog Guide Qualifications reflect that loss. People there- training or become family dogs instead. LFCDG relies on cor○ Aged 15 to 30 years (funding requirement) fore tend to assume the loss is porate and private donations to fulfill its mission of assisting ○ Tech savvy, creative, organized, customer service oriented, enthusiastic and minor and treat me accord- Canadians with a medical or physical disability by providing responsible ingly, even when I tell them them Dog Guides at no cost. Since the actual cost of training that I’m hearing impaired. a Dog Guide is $25,000, this is quite a feat. This year, LFCDG’s ○ Comfortable working with children, and presenting to groups of all ages.

Naturally, this leads to mis- main annual fundraiser raised one-sixth of what it normally understandings. Much more raises, so the deadline has been extended and the goal revised Employment details emotionally challenging for dramatically downward. If you’re able and interested, please do • This grant funded program provides for 280 hours of employment. me, though, is the everyday donate (www.walkfordogguides.com/virtualwalk) to support experience of feeling exclud- this work which makes such a very great difference in the lives Our preference is for part time work at 15 – 20 hours per week for ed and isolated. For 55-odd of so many people. Shay and I are registered as a participant, 16 weeks. (Other options such as full time for 8 weeks may be negotiable.) years, I’ve relied on lip-read- so you can donate via us if you wish (walkfordogguides.com/ • Starting as soon as possible. ing and guesswork and this locations/walker.cfm?ID=9933&EventID=2367).

• Hours and days to be determined but will include weekend days.

Since Shay and I go everywhere together, our lives are now so extra layer of effort is literally intertwined that we know each other’s rhythms intimately. It’s exhausting.

(Tuesday to Saturday with some remote work possible) With Shay dressed for work an interesting partnership in which Shay knows that, when it • $16.00 per hour and by my side, people actu- comes to sound, she takes the lead and I follow. Her confidence ally believe me when I say that in her hearing and my trust in her build upon each other. Yet, How to apply I can’t hear. When I tell them close as we are, Shay is not my dog. Remember that $25,000 that I need to read their lips, cost to train a Dog Guide? LFDGC retains ownership of its dogs • Full job description http://bowenlibrary.ca/about-us/library-information/ they remember more often to so that they can re-home a dog should they judge that its skills jobopportunities/ look at me when they speak, are not being used or it is being ill-treated. Oddly, for me, this • Application deadline June 21, 2020 or until position filled. and they’re more accommo- fact is a reminder of how very lucky I am to love and work with dating when I ask them to this tremendously talented canine companion whose skills and • Submit your cover letter and resume by email to info@bowenlibrary.ca repeat something for the third devotion expand my world.

Bowen Library is hiring!

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 17

BIIH LifeLabs reminder BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Bowen Island Integrated Health (beneath the pharmacy) is reminding islanders that the LifeLabs cut-off time is 8:30 a.m. and to treat the LifeLabs staff with respect.

While usually health appointments would be scheduled around the Tuesday and Thursday morning LifeLabs slots, due to COVID-prevention measures BIIH co-owner Greg Smith has had more overlap with the biweekly blood clinic.

“I’ve noticed that there’s…definitely not the nicest interactions that I’ve seen [toward the LifeLabs staff],” said Smith. This prompt came after an incident last Thursday where, following some confusion with cut-off times, someone came into the clinic and confronted the technicians. After the event Smith said one of

the technicians said she didn’t want to return to the island.

“I’ve been talking to LifeLabs over the last six to eight months, trying to increase their hours,” said Smith. He explained that Bowen not a cost-effective place to serve and there are staffing issues. “In these sort of situations we’re running the risk, if we upset these techs, they’re going say that they don’t want to come to Bowen anymore.”

“We need to be as respectful as possible and we know it’s stressful times right now [but] they’re doing their very best.”

Smith also clarified that the decisions about hours and such are made by the higher ups, not the technicians on Bowen. While the posted hours for LifeLabs are 6:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., the techs have to stop taking blood by 8:30 a.m. in order to process it for travel. Smith warned that wait times have been longer than usual.

Doc Morgan’s is Hiring !

Servers, hosts’, full and part-time.

Great team environment, generous tips!

Come in to fill out application or email to manager@docmorgans.ca 604-947-0808

Bowen Children’s Centre is moving forward with hope and joy – cautiously and carefully.

A big thank you to:

Bowen Island Municipality for your leadership, our essential services for finding safe ways to serve our community and all Bowen Islanders for your patience and your distancing.

So proud to be part of this community!

The Bowen Children’s Centre Board and Staff.

18 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

We recently asked for your best pictures of bees, here are some of our favourite shots of the pollinating herores CAREY BOLDUC - DOG RANCH’

Have your say

SUBMITTED

CAREY BOLDUC - DOG RANCH’

PERSONAL INFORMATION The Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act wants to hear how you think the Act is working.

The deadline for written submissions is August 14, 2020.

REV. LORRAINE ASHDOWN

To our beloved Bowen community: Last Saturday, June 14, we had our very first-ever, most-likely-not-to-be-repeated, drive through Strawberry Event.

Advertised as the best socially distanced event of the year, you all came out in your cars ––and some on foot––to the Bowen Island Legion in record numbers. Those of us at Bowen Island United Church cannot thank you enough for your generosity, your patience and your presence.

Thank you to the Bowen Island Legion for clearing your parking lot and allowing us the space within the Legion to make sandwiches, strawberry shortcake and

more. Thank you to Artisan Eats for supplying us with the containers that held our yummy, slightly messy, shortcakes.

Thank you to the volunteers who came out Friday to slice strawberries and the volunteers who came out on Saturday to prepare sandwiches and shortcake and to serve our community with a smile and with your own heartfelt generosity. To Bronwyn and the Bowen Island Undercurrent-thank you. To Heather and Barry Adams, thank you.

Above all, thank you to the Community of Bowen Island who hopped in your cars and brought your own enthusiasm and support to B.I. United Church.

Indeed, we all look forward to this annual event when we can gather, visit, share

More details at: leg.bc.ca/cmt/pipa Toll-free in BC 1.877.428.8337 PHOTO COURTESY OF LYNN WILLIAMS

Lynn Williams and Lorraine Ashdown touch elbows at the drive-through Strawberry tea.

what are

2021

SALLY REDECKER

SUBMITTED

Strawberry drive-through tea sold out, thank you all

B.I. United Church

The PRIVATE SECTOR and Your

SUE FAIRBURN

stories and linger on the lawn. This year was different. But thanks to you, it was a huge success. As many of you know, we had enough for some and not for all.

To those of you who were turned away once we had sold out, thank you for your patience. With this year’s circumstances and an uncertainty around the number of people we would be serving, our inventory only stretched so far. Due to the support of the community, we closed early with a sold out sign posted in the parking lot. We were overwhelmed.

Thank you so very much.

And one more thank you. Lynn Williams, our Minister of Music (and so much more) and Sheila McCall, our chair of the board, this would not have happened without your dedication, energy and insistence that yes, this year, COVID or no COVID, our annual “Strawberry Tea,” would happen. And so with your energy and willingness, it happened.

Thank you, As the minister at Bowen Island United Church, my heart is warmed and I am deeply grateful to all of you who support us. These days we need each other more than ever.

Thank you.

your ideas?

In your hands every Thursday

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BY JUNE 26 For more information on all the ways to participate, and to share your ideas and input, visit our website or call the Parliamentary Committees Office.

Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

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This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

Who’s in your bubble?

Provincial guidelines have allowed B.C.ers to expand their bubbles, with the caveat that if you expand your bubble to include someone, you’re exposed to their entire bubble. Within bubbles you can hug, kiss and be within two metres of one another without a mask. Outside of Dbubbles, still physical distancing applies and masks are to be worn if two-metre separation isn’t possible.

bowenislandundercurrent.com From nine weeks, to 90 years of age, four generations in the same bubble.

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 19

Celebrating 15 years

of service solely on Bowen Island.

––SUSAN LEITHEAD

With Bryn and his wife Steph moving back to Bowen within the next couple of weeks, how lucky can I be to have my kids and grandson all living within a half a kilometre from me !!?

L to R: Steph, Bryn, Dee, Kellan, Janina and Frazer Elliott.

––DEE ELLIOTT

Vicky, Alex and Karmyn of Salon Calypso are back at work with protections in place after their COVID hiatus.

––SALON CALYPSO

Bc Hydro Certified Utility Arborist Honest, reliable and friendly services for all tree and landscape needs.

24 Hr Emergency Service Call Shane Tweten For A Free Estimate Tel: 604 831 TrEE

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Two Sessions: July 7, 14, 21 from 2- 4pm OR July 9, 16, 23 from 7 pm to 9 pm Enrollment limited—please apply by July 2 Contact: carolcram@gmail.com More information: www.carolcram.com Funding provided through a Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grant from

20 • Thursday, June 18, 2020

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HOUSE fOr rENT lONg TErm 2 bedroom/2 bathroom with ocean view of Lions Bay. (Lots of stairs) Fully furnished. Available now. $2200. + utilities. Would suit professional couple.

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This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

‘A crisis is a terrible thing to waste’ HOW BOWEN’S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL KEPT LEARNING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC CLOSURE

SCOTT HERRINGTON

Head of School, IPS

DEPARTS SUN to THURS FRI & SAT . ended p12:15AM s SNUG COVE 11:15PM u s SNUG COVE 11:15PM 12:15AM s run HORSESHOE BAY 11:30PM 12:30AM muter m HORSESHOE BAY 11:30PM 12:30AM o c d n

ta Scheduled Commuter Runs e nigh Afternoon LatOPERATING 7 DAYS A WEEK

Mon - Fri Horseshoe Bay - Snug Cove

We’re still here for essential services such as ambulance transport and we’re here for your private charter needs. Please feel free to call us with your questions as we chart these waters together.

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Since 1978

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH

FOOD BANK

FOOD DROP-OFF BANK DROP-OFF

BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Clinton Clinton Neal Neal Pastor ST. GERARD’S GERARD’S ROMAN 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 ST. ROMAN 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 11:00 a.m.

Service 10:30 a.m. a.m. Sunday Sunday School 11:00 Service 10:30 School CATHOLIC CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH

Masses are live streamed every day.

Sunday a.m.

SundayMass: Mass:10:30 9:30 a.m.

Times posted at holyrosarycathedral.org

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Administration Office: 604-682-6774 Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey Administration Office: 604-682-6774 604-988-6304

CATES HILL CHAPEL

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.)

(661 Carter Rd.) 10:00 a.m.

W Worship Now 10:00 offeringa.m. worship services via Zoom.

10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens Sunday Totson towebsite.

Teens A School: link available Pastor: Dr. James B. Krohn

Pastor: Adkins Pastor: PhilPhil Adkins

tance learning, in-person instruction and all the related safety protocols. As per tradition, the second week of June is dedicated to the grade nine Masterworks presentations. Only the grade nine class, the presenters family and the advisors were able to watch the presentations live due to gathering restrictions.

However, others were able to watch a YouTube live stream. It was amazing to watch the 18 ninth graders present and defend their topics and we all noted that there was not even a slight dip in the quality of the presentations.

IPS begins the year and finishes the year with whole school camping and adventure programs and this year will be no different as we have an exciting week of safe outdoor fun for all the grades next week that will include camp games, kayaking, wall climbing, hiking, and even the traditional “solo” camp for the grade nines.

Over these past 12 weeks the IPS faculty and staff have worked extremely hard to ensure that we were fulfilling our mission to equip, inspire and cultivate the humanity of our students on a daily basis.

Just some of our accomplishments include: conducting more than 700 Google Meets, including whole-school assemblies.

Creating weekly whaky workouts. Writing French job resumes and conducting accompanying virtual job interviews. Creating French cooking videos. Creating “upcycling” projects using recycled or unused materials from home. Making musical and visual parody videos, creating COVID shopping outfits and designing an instrument in art class. Designing windmills and experimenting with kitchen chemistry in science. Debating over Google Meets for PR and seminar classes. Creating an Earth Day video campaign. Investigating Biomimicry in design class.

I am so pleased with the way our small, independent school has managed this pandemic. Early on, I read a quote that “A Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste.” I do think our school has done a remarkable job taking advantage and learning from this experience and I am confident that we will actually come out of this stronger, more versatile and better able to meet the needs of our students. Should you have an interest in learning more, please contact us as we are still accepting applications in all grades for the 2020-21 school year.

On December 25, & January 1 service will begin with the 8:30am sailing from Bowen Island and the 8:00am sailing from Horseshoe Bay.

▼

BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove 5:30 am* 6:30 am> 7:30 am> 8:30 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 11:30 pm 12:30 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm< 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm^ 8:00 pm 9:00 pm 10:00 pm

VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay 6:00 am> 7:00 am> 8:00 am 9:00 am< 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 2:25 pm 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm^ 8:30 pm 9:30 pm

Leave Horseshoe Bay

Shelagh Mackinnon Marie Paul channel of Rev.Rev. Shelagh Now offering a MacKinnon youtube Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.

Service and Sunday School 10:30 am and hymn/songs with Collinsreflections Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Williams Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Collins HallLynn Bookings: Lynn Wallwork Williams.

Helen Helan youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo Minister of Music: Lynn Williams

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL

School this spring hasn’t looked like spring any before it but a pandemic hasn’t prevented some pretty fun learning.

Schedule in Effect: June 16, 2020 to March 31, 2021

Leave Snug Cove

on Bowen Island

Like other schools around the world, our school has been affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. We have not only managed this upheaval, we have responded effectively, and students are thriving despite the disruption to in-person learning.

While our school history spans over 25 years, I just want to go back three months to the beginning of March 2020. COVID-19 was not yet declared a “pandemic” but it was clear there was a strong likelihood we would not be returning after spring break.

In anticipation, we revised and updated our contagious disease policy, created a new exposure control plan and developed our first distance learning plan.

Our first Distance Learning plan (1.0), launched April 1 following the provincial shut-down of schools, was very similar to our pre spring break class schedule with a few modifications: homeroom classes shifted to begin and end the week and we instituted a mandatory quiet, screen-free time during the lunch break for students and teachers. The expectation was that students and teachers could interact and communicate at a scheduled time but students could also do work at their own convenience. After four weeks we conducted a comprehensive survey to see how we could improve our new world of distance learning.

Distance learning 2.0 launched on April 27 and lasted five weeks. Academic classes took place before noon and were reduced from three to two classes as we wanted to reduce screen time, workload and stress. Off-screen breaks throughout the day became mandatory because we recognized screen fatigue was rampant. A daily study hall was introduced and physical and health education classes were scheduled twice a week. We also introduced “Passion Pursuits” as we understood that physical distancing presented an amazing opportunity to grow and learn in individual and innovative ways. Finally, this phase introduced online social and interest clubs on Fridays.

As B.C. flattened the curve and the province allowed in-class learning, next came distance learning 3.0, launched June 1. We now had to operate simultaneously in two worlds: providing distance learning and in-person instruction. We also had to meet the stringent Worksafe BC Education Protocols for returning to operation. Our survey to parents indicated over 90% were ready for a return to school (most other schools saw a return of approximately 30% of students).

June 1 to 5 saw each class in the school for one day a week.

It was an exciting opportunity for students to reconnect and became a reference for the school as to how to manage dis-

Crossing Time: 20 minutes Distance: 3 nautical miles Note: This is a non-reservable route * exCepT SuN aND Jul 1, aug 3, SepT 7, OCT 12, NOv 11, DeC 25, JaN 1, & Feb 15 < exCepT WeD are (DC) > exCepT DeC 25 & JaN 1

^

exCepT Tue, SaT & SuN † DC WeDNeSDay SailiNgS Will be replaCeD by DaNgerOuS CargO SailiNgS. NO OTher paSSeNgerS permiTTeD.

This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 21

Q&A: Preparing for aging in place on Bowen Island INTERIOR DESIGNER BARBARA WAHLER TALKS TIPS & TRICKS

Barbara Wahler is a local professional interior designer of more than 30 years of experience, a member of the interior designers of Canada and a member of the American Society of Interior Design. She has a full-service residential practice with specialized training in kitchens and L bathroom design. The Undercurrent a recently chatted with Wahler about what islanders can do to adapt their homes to age in place. The following interview has been abridged for length, clarity and grammar.

BIU: Why do you think aging in places important for islanders?

Wahler: I think it’s important to seniors everywhere, especially now as we’ve been watching some pretty ugly truths unfold about senior care options. Aside from that, there are so many aspects of Bowen’s special character and the quality of life that we have all come to really love here that we would sorely miss if we’re forced to leave because of age. And over the recent years, we’ve watched lots of people leave for exactly this reason.

BIU: What are some easy things people can do to make their homes more aging in place friendly?

W: There are a lot of easy things.

A lot of us have door knobs–– switch those out to leavers which are much easier to manipulate if you’re suffering from arthritis. Same thing with cabinets: take any knobs

off, drill a second hole and replace those knobs with a pole that’s easier to grab.

A really big one in my mind is lighting. As we age, our sight starts to decline and on a rainy day it’s pretty dull and dark inside a lot of people’s homes. You can improve lighting tremendously in terms of manufactured light: lamp light, surface fixtures. It can be as simple as replacing ceiling lighting fixtures.

The other thing with lighting is the issue of glare. That’s a really big problem for seniors. We live in a place where nobody likes to put anything on their windows because we want to be looking out at our beautiful view. But there are lots of non-obtrusive options, easy to raise or lower when you’ve got glare streaming in the window.

Another one is safety features and convenience items in bathrooms: add grab bars, a shower seat, a bathbench, change to a comfort-height toilet. A lot of homes have alcove tubs that can be so easily popped out and turned into a shower and the fittings can be changed to single-leaver fittings. That’s goes for faucets on lavatory sinks too. It is much easier for a senior to use a single-lever faucet as opposed to two leavers that you have to manipulate and fiddle with to get the temperature right.

Or just simply reducing clutter and adding some really good, easyto-reach accessible storage options.

Or painting, adding colour. A lot of people here are afraid of colour because they think we live in this this grey environment and they

don’t want to make their room dark. accommodate a professional careBut the eye perceives lightness and giver too. brightness, not just from manufacOr integrated technology: there tured light, but also from contrast. are all kinds of wonderful systems So you can use color accents in a like Control4 where you can intespace that will actugrate all of your lighting ally make it a lot easfixtures, your heating in ier to navigate the “Since the COVID a simple touch screen space. as opposed to having to situation began, manipulate switches.

BIU:So then what are some of the more And it can incorporate all of a sudden involved things to alert systems like fall make homes more I’m coming across alert systems. aging in place friendBIU: What are some ly? common misconcepyoung families W: More intense tions you see when it who are starting comes to aging in place? means more bucks– –a complete kitchen That in order to have to think seriously a truly or bathroom remodaccessible space, el. There are lots of about this because it needs to be ugly. guidelines about There is a basis for that they’re thinking what one would misconception because look into to make 10-12 years ago when about caring those spaces more people started talking user-friendly. about this, you could for their aging Another thing is a only access products residential elevator, being made for hospiparents.” which people think tals or care facilities.

–Barbara Wahler is scary in terms of That is so not true cost and space, but now. Every major manseveral manufacturufacturer has come out ers have designed great small-scale with the most beautiful things. You residential elevators and it’s often can design an accessible space in easy to find a corner or a closet to every possible style: traditional, conaccommodate something like that. temporary, West Coast modern, etc.

Look at moving a master suite A bathroom can look like a spa bath to the main floor. Sometimes that in the finest hotel and yet be totally requires an addition and adding aging in place friendly. extra space but often it doesn’t.

[Wahler later added that interior Many times I’ve been able to say, design doesn’t need to cost a lot of hey, there’s this space here and if we money and that there are affordable move this wall and do this or that. options.]

Adding a suite to be able to I participated in a really interest-

ing webinar the other day…aging in place has been the label for this for all of this time. And lately, professionals are starting to look at it a little bit differently: we’re talking about calling it living in place as opposed to aging in place.

BIU: When should one start thinking about this sort of matter?

W: It is never too soon. It’s been really interesting since the COVID situation began, all of a sudden I’m coming across young families who are starting to think seriously about this because they’re thinking about caring for their aging parents. They’re also thinking about the advantages of multi-generational living in this new normal where kids might be learning remotely or parents might be working from home.

Also, young people have accidents and need a place to recover that is user-friendly. Or there are kids with disabilities. There are lots of good reasons to be looking at this, not just from the perspective of aging, and not just from the perspective of remodeling. A lot of developers now are being encouraged to consider this as they’re building new homes.

BIU: Anything to add?

W: There are easy ways to move forward with these initiatives without island shopping or off island labour. There are lots of good people, besides myself, here on the island to make these things happen.

With most of the easy options, the important thing is to get some good guidance in order to be sure that product choices are compatible with existing circumstances.

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This edition brought to you in part by the B.I. Community Foundation

bowenislandundercurrent.com

FICTION CORNER Editor’s note: the following is the eighth in a series of segments from Island Pacific School student Hannah Florendo’s short story continuation of Peter Pan.

Gwennie goes to Neverland HANNAH FLORENDO

Contributor

“I’m going inside,” Curly announced, and disappeard down the hole in the tree trunk.

“We should all head in,” Peter said. “Before Hook and his crew recover and come after us.

This way, we may be able to coordinate a surprise attack. Imagine the look on Hook’s face when we ambush him!”

“YEESS!” cheered the Lost Boys, and one by one, disappeared down the trunk of the tree.

Gwennie, James and Annie, a little unsure

sidled over to the tree and peered down the trunk.

“Why don’t you go first, James?” Gwennie asked politely.

“Oh, no.” replied James, equally politely.

“What would Mother say? I insist, ladies first, and if not ladies first, oldest and bravest first.”

“Alright, James.” said Gwennie. “I’ll go. You don’t have to be scared.”

“I’m not scared,” said James. “I am just following the rules that Mother set for us. You know the ones that tell us how to properly behave, and be polite. But if you really want

to, go first.”

“Fine,” said Gwennie, and sat down on the edge of the hole. “But you are a scaredy-cat!” and she pushed off, and disappeared into the darkness.

“Am not!” James called down the hole.

“Are toooo!” a voice called back from somewhere below him, echoing upwards with Gwennie’s fall. Suddenly, James heard something—no, a herd of somethings—running through the bush toward Peter’s hideout. He shoved Annie down the hole, and, as the herd grew nearer, he heard the distinct tones of the pirate who captured Annie.

“This way!” the pirate called. “Stuvvey trailed them all the way to their hideout! It’s just a bit further!”

“Wait ‘till I get my hands on that blasted Pan!” shouted an answering voice, and James

Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 23

knew with a chill running down his back and away from the speaker, that it was Hook. James disappeared down the hole in the trunk of the tree faster than a rabbit into its burrow.

James landed on a pile of leaves in a cavelike room with two other smaller cave-rooms branching off of it.

“Quick! “ he called. “They’re coming!”

“To arms, lost boys!” called Peter. “Our hour is at hand! We shall fight the pirates!”

“Fight the pirates!” the lost boys echoed, gathering their supply of weapons, which was many more than it should have been.

Slightly handed a short sword to James and a dagger to Gwennie.

“Those pirates won’t know what hit them,” said Gwennie. “Now huddle up everybody, here’s the plan.”

To be continued...

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Keeping us healthy & inspired These are a few of the organizations and individuals on Bowen working tirelessly through this pandemic to help keep us healthy and inspired.

BI Community Foundation https://bowenfoundation.com Engaging the community and inspiring generosity that will benefit Bowen Island for generations.

Grants currently available: Resiliency Fund Grants, Neighbourhood Small Grants, Helping Hand Fund, Youth at Risk BI Health Centre Foundation https://bowenhealthcentre.com To help ensure every resident and visitor on Bowen Island has access to preventive and primary health care services without leaving the island. Currently providing relevant community information through virtual town halls and developing services and programs for our vulnerable populations.

Caring Circle https://caringcircle.ca Guiding people to health information, education and helping them to navigate the health care system.

SwimBowen Society https://swimbowen.com Assisting Bowen residents in cancer treatment. In recognition of the unusual challenges of these times, SwimBowen Society’s Cancer Care Fund eligibility has been expanded to include anyone who has completed cancer treatment in the past 12 months.

BI Youth Centre https://www.bowenyouthcentre.com The hangout and a second home for generations of Bowen youth, has continued to engage youth aged 12-18 through on-line programs including Leaders in Training, Strength and Core training, and Creative Writing.

BI FoodResilience Society* https://www.facebook.com/Bowen-Island-FoodResilience The Society is creating a community of volunteers by providing space at Grafton Agricultural Commons, material support, and garden mentoring to grow food for those on Bowen challenged by food insecurity.

The Gallery @ Cove Commons https://thehearth.ca Though closed through Phase 1 of the pandemic, you can arrange for private viewings, or view their collections through videos, interviews, and virtual tours.

Outdoor Exploration with Emily* https://bit.ly/3hePQIy Emily VanLidth de Jeude, with her videographer son Taliesin. shares her knowledge of the abundance nature provides us on Bowen on Youtube.

Interactive Writing Workshop* mailto:carolcram@gmail.com Carol Cram, local celebrated author, provides free online workshops for writers.

Online Art Sessions* https://bit.ly/CyrillesArtLessons Cyrille Saura Zellweger offers free weekly art lessons for all ages. The sessions cover many different art techniques as well as a little bit of art history.

Discover Your Health* fiveblossomgatheirngs@gmail.com Denise Richard offers a free online program in support of your physical and energetic needs on Wednesdays at 8 am.

Guitar Tips* https://www.facebook.com/john.stiver.7 John Stiver offers free guitar tips on his Facebook page.

Unveiling Event for Nex̱wlélex̱m Sign* bipl.link/NIPD Pauline Lebel is organizing the blessing ceremony for the new sign for Bowen Island that puts the Squamish name for Bowen at the ferry dock. The event will be livestreamed to the community on June 21 at 1:00pm.

The ARK on Bowen Island* shaharrabi@gmail.com Shahar Rabi offers a free online meeting for ages 17 and older where people can check in about their life in these difficult times, connect, sing together, and have community conversations about things that matter to them. *With help from funding from the Community Foundation’s Neighbourhood Small Grants and Resiliency Fund.

Community is the heart of Bowen. This pandemic is one more reminder that, especially as an island, we’re all dependent on one another. Please donate to Bowen’s organizations to help your friends, neighbours, and community get through this challenge. https://bowenfoundation.com/