Bowen Island Undercurrent January 21 2021 by Bowen Island Undercurrent

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COMMUNITY PARAMEDICS: addressing health needs at home

Thursday, January 21, 2021 • A1

$1.50

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inc. GST

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020

SOUP SEASON

VOL. 47 NO. 03

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

How the Soup Fairy charmed Bowen tastebuds PAGE 6

Protecting the Cape park BLUFFS MAY LOOK BARE BUT RARE SPECIES CLING TO LIFE IN DELICATE ECOSYSTEMS

JEN RITCHIE

Bowen Island Conservancy

ROSIE MONTGOMERY PHOTO

NEW YEAR’S LAMB: Sawyer Coker holds up Ben, Home Farm’s first lamb of 2021, birthed by The Beauty Jan. 11. LD SO

The Bowen Island Conservancy is starting the development of its heavily anticipated new park on the Cape. At 12.9 hectares (32 acres), it preserves a large area between Cape Dr. and the ocean on the southern end of Cape Roger Curtis. Completion is projected for Spring of 2021 and the conservancy encourages everyone to wait until then before visiting, both for visitor safety, as well as the protection of vulnerable features in the park. By the spring, many trails will lead visitors through the forested park to gorgeous ocean viewpoints off bedrock terraces and down to the water. Staying on the trails is key within this special green space, which is home to several unique plant species that need protection. Much of the park consists of sensitive coastal bluff ecosystems. These are steep areas with exposed rock and very little soil. It may look like there is “nothing there,” and they may call you to wander through them, admiring the ocean. However, human activity can cause great damage. Despite the dearth of soil, plucky species put down their roots there and cling to life. Mosses and lichens, in particular, are fragile and easily crushed. The few small trees that grow on these bluffs are surprisingly old but do not need much disturbance to uproot them. The lack of soil slows their growth and turns them into bonsai-like versions of their species. CONTINUED ON P. 7

Vaune Kolber, Realtor® ~ Bowen’s Bridge to the City

Are you ready to sell and move on to your next chapter? I can help. “When I met Vaune Kolber, I knew she was the right Realtor for me. She has the passion and is committed to providing excellent and insightful service. Her dedication goes beyond the purchase/sale of the real estate. Thank you Vaune for making the experience smooth and seamless!” Marie Neys

BetteronBowen.com 604-506-7534 kolber@dexterrealty.com

A2 • Thursday, January 21, 2021

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Bowen Island Fire Rescue recruiting new members

Events January 25, 2021 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting All meetings are online via Zoom and

open to the public, unless noted otherwise.

Apply to be a volunteer firefighter with Bowen Island Fire Rescue. Submit your application by 4:30pm on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. Applicants must: • be 19 years of age or older • live on Bowen Island • have a valid BC driver’s license • be willing to undergo a criminal background check • be available and willing to be called out at any time • be willing to undergo training for first responder medical situations, in addition to firefighting • be willing to do online firefighting knowledge courses • attend a minimum of 66% of training practices • attend a minimum of 25% of all calls

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/apply-ﬁre-ﬁghter

Help us help you. Make room for plows.

Help slow the spread of COVID-19:

Vehicles parked on narrow roadsides make it difﬁcult or impossible for plows to get through. If a plow can’t turn around on a dead-end street, we can’t clear the road.

How we plow On call road crews monitor weather conditions and forecasts to be ready to respond in snowy and icy conditions. Crews salt and plow the roads in the following order of priority:

Business Search

1. 2. 3.

Business Search is an online directory tool showing all licensed businesses operating on Bowen Island. With Business Search, you can search for businesses by: Clean your hands frequently 2 m or 6 feet

Keep a safe physical distance

• • • •

Business name Owner’s name Business type (e.g. plumber, massage therapist, notary public, etc) Or get a list of all businesses

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/business-search

Primary routes - main roads and bus routes Secondary routes, once the snow fall has stopped Tertiary routes, after the snow fall has stopped and all other main and secondary roads are passable.

In the event of continual snowfall, it will take longer for plows to reach tertiary routes because primary and secondary roads require additional attention. We do not clear private or strata roads. For more information and to see the Snow plow priority map:

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/snow-removal

Keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice Business and property owners in Snug Cove are responsible for making sure the sidewalks next to their property are kept clear of snow and ice, to ensure safe passage of pedestrians. Please make sure you have snow shovels ready, and are stocked up on salt and sand.

Wear a mask in indoor public spaces

604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca

Find us on Facebook Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays January 21, 2021

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Thursday, January 21, 2021 • A3

Meet Bowen Island’s community paramedics KRISTINE KUMAR AND GALE LYTTLE ARE CHARGED WITH HELPING BRIDGE THE HEALTH CARE GAP ON BOWEN

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Bowen may be a 20 minute ferry ride from one of the largest metropolises in Canada but health services can seem a world away. Rural and remote communities, including Bowen, are eligible for BC Emergency Health Services’ Community Paramedicine Initiative, where paramedics bridge health service gaps and provide community health awareness. In 2017, Keith Tyler and Janis Treleaven became the island’s first community paramedics. Now, four years on, Gale Lyttle and Kristine Kumar occupy the two positions. The paramedics focus on assisting patients who are over 65 and who have any chronic diseases. They do education for individuals (managing symptoms, what to look for and when to reach out for help) and in non-pandemic times do community outreach and education at schools and events like Bowfest. The community paramedics also have a vehicle stocked with medical equipment. If someone on the island needs help and the

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINE KUMAR

Kristine Kumar has worked on Bowen’s ambulance for six years but has just started as a community paramedic.

ambulance crew is attending a different person, the community paramedic on duty can respond to the call but they cannot transport patients in the vehicle. “So we would wait and stabilize patients and stay with them until the crew came back,” explained Kumar. Each community paramedic works two days a week. They get patient referrals from primary health care providers and largely visit Bowen Islanders at home. If the health care provider is worried about a patient falling, the com-

munity paramedic can do a fall risk assessment, if the patient has COPD and oxygen level concerns, the paramedic can take vitals and report back. “Our goal as community paramedics is to empower people to manage their own health in the comfort of their own homes,” said Kumar. “Especially right now, with COVID going on, I don’t want people who’ve recently been diagnosed with terminal illness or chronic condition to feel isolated.” Both Lyttle and Kumar start-

ed their paramedicine careers on Bowen Island. Lyttle started as a part-time ambulance volunteer in 1989. “It very much was a community service type thing,” she said. “I just found it interesting and decided to pursue it.” She became ambulance unit chief on-island from 1991 to 1997, proceeding to go full-time in town and become a unit chief in West Vancouver in 2001, then retiring from full-time service in 2015. Lyttle started training for the

community paramedic role in late 2019. “It’s a nice way to stay on the island. It was looping back to my original community service type thing.” Kumar started at the Bowen ambulance station six years ago. Though she lives on the mainland, Kumar feels very welcomed on Bowen. “Coming to Bowen doesn’t feel like work,” she said. “Just the sense of family here. Everyone’s always looking out for each other.” “This community has definitely had a great positive impact in my life. That’s why I wanted to invest more of myself [through the community paramedic program].” When she’s not on Bowen, Kumar has long worked out of Vancouver General Hospital’s emergency department as unit coordinator. “A lot of paramedics would come in and I got really interested in what exactly they had to go through,” said Kumar. “I like the fact that you can impact someone’s life within five minutes of meeting them.” Kumar is just finishing up her training and will soon be taking on on-island clients.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2021 First Credit Union Board of Directors Election.

Are you who we’re looking for? First Credit Union is seeking dedicated, community minded members to join the Board of Directors. Directors are supported with a variety of sponsored training & development opportunities, and are provided with monthly remuneration.

Nomination information can be found at firstcu.ca or at your local branch.

604 947 2022 | 106-996 Dorman Road

A4 • Thursday, January 21, 2021

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VIEWPOINTS Stoking the arts

DEAR EDITOR: Many of us are missing the sound of people spilling out of a live concert or artist celebration, gathering together to sing, play, paint, write — revelling in the collective experience of culture and the arts. The vibrance and resilience of our community is, in large part, because it is infused with the work of artists, performers and musicians. As we pivot and reimagine new and creative ways to rebuild and connect through the arts, The Hearth continues to support our local artists and arts organizations. As an umbrella organization, The Hearth sponsors artists, groups and organizations so that they may offer the quality cultural experiences we are blessed with on Bowen. We are honored to play a lead role in forwarding arts and culture on Bowen Island. But of course, none of what we have achieved and plan for could be done without the support of our members and volunteers. You are imperative to the work we do in building community on Bowen, and for that we applaud and thank you. We are better together! We invite islanders to join us, or if you haven’t yet, to renew your membership today, to enable the Hearth to continue to shine and do the work we do. We are grateful to you for keeping your membership up to date. These funds help to ensure our services and programs can continue to thrive and your donations are also welcome. Revenue generated through memberships and donations support our artists and our arts community and helps build a stronger cultural fabric for Bowen. We are planning an exciting year and we look forward to being together again soon. We anticipate moving into phases of less physical distancing and aim to resume some social activities as the year unfolds (with adapted ways of gathering safely) as we plan our programs and events. We have an impressive line-up of exhibitions for 2021. Subscribe to the Hearth newsletter by visiting the website and click on the ‘sign up’ button, to get the latest arts and culture happenings in the community and beyond. An annual membership is $25 for an individual, $35 for a family. Memberships and donations and can be purchased through the website at thehearthartsonbowen.ca Believe. It’s possible here. Kathleen Ainscough The Hearth – Arts on Bowen

EDITORIAL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Warmed by the support: health centre DEAR EDITOR: For all of us working to create a new health centre on Bowen, it is both gratifying and inspiring to see the creative and generous ways that Bowen Islanders continue to show their support for this vitally needed community asset. We’d like to thank Bowen Island Tree Service and Bowen Waste Solutions for providing Bowen Islanders with a convenient way to say good-bye to our Christmas trees and for the donation to the health centre capital campaign. We would also like to

thank Alfred Rahn for his letter in the Jan. 7 edition encouraging Islanders who are able to make their $500 cheque from the BC Government “last a lifetime,” and Jeanie Seward-Magee, Bruce Russell, and others for their public letters of support. Thanks to the truly remarkable generosity of islanders, we are finally bringing health care close to home! Colleen O’Neil and Bill Brown Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation Capital Campaign Committee

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. Please limit to under 500 words. 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.

All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication. The Undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs.

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Next week is our first island-wide edition of the Undercurrent in 2021. If there are stories you’d like to see or contribute to the edition that get sent to every mailbox on the island, please email me at editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com as soon as possible. Though there’s a lot to comment on this week, something that likely passed many by was Buffy Summers’ 40th birthday Jan. 19. For those who didn’t watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV show ran from 1997 to 2003), now’s your chance to bite into the cult classic about slaying demons (and so much more). All seven seasons are on Amazon Prime.

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Bronwyn Beairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com 2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

SPECIAL THANK-YOU Audrey Grescoe

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.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

As we bid Bowen What could be the Cape development consequences? goodbye, thank DEAR EDITOR: I found the letter written by Nerys Poole in the Jan. 7 Undercurrent regarding The Cape rezoning very enlightening. The Cape on Bowen’s method of public consultation and survey is leading us to assume they are planning to be guided by the current Official Community Plan (OCP). As Nerys has pointed out, the Cape corporation purchased the land in the early 2000s and the area was (and still is) zoned rural low density with single dwellings on four-hectare (10acre) lots and they chose to subdivide their development that way. The reasons behind this zoning are still valid today. Furthermore, the 2011 OCP update confirmed that areas for higher density should be in and around the Cove. Now it’s 2021 and the Cape on Bowen is presenting us with some similar issues, namely looking to increase the density from 59 to 300 units and 130 elder support apartments. Their corporate investment has gone stagnant and they want our community’s help to sell it and move on. However, should the development sell after they are able to convince council to amend our Official Community Plan, we have no assurance that any amenities stated in a rezoning will be followed through on. This could be a revolving door. We know what the developers want but to know what the community wants we need to spend money and a lot of time, money and public

consultation on a renewed OCP and rezoning plan. We’re talking years of discussion and we all know how long that takes, right? Tax dollars will be spent in numerous ways to help the current developers whose plans have changed, not ours. Increased density as the Cape envisions will mean more first responder services, more roads and road upgrades, higher ferry volume – the list is long. More green spaces lost. In my view, these changes are neither positive nor inexpensive. This is a small island. Furthermore the Cape developers will need to provide the municipality with funds for a growth management study so that the municipality can hire a firm and determine the impacts so we, the community and council, can make the best-informed decisions. The Cape stands to make a sizeable profit in up zoning versus what the taxpayers receive (they are, after all, a for-profit corporation) and we’re left with the headaches when the initial investors are long gone. So, what’s in it for us on Bowen? Bowen’s citizens need to take an interest in this and not leave it to few people and the BIM Council to decide for us. There’s satisfaction in advocacy done for your community and knowing you took the time to let your voice be heard. The full cost tomorrow can be very high if you don’t and “they’ve paved paradise.” Bruce Steele

Whether you're zooming or grooving pandemic style, we're still here to help get the word out for you or your organization. Listings are always free in our weekly community calendar. Please email your listing to Bronwyn by Tuesday 5 p.m. for that week's edition.

you, Dee Elliott

DEAR EDITOR: I am writing this letter (something that I never do) as I believe that credit has to be put forth where due. Last April my family and I decided to list our Bowen Island property for sale. After some serious discussion, we unanimously agreed that Dee Elliott and her team were right for the task – she also over and over came highly recommended. I immediately called Dee and she came over that afternoon. We explained to her that there were going to be some obstacles and challenges. She knew that our requests and challenges were unique but was still honoured to represent us in finding just the right buyers. Immediately, the photographer was there and the listing was posted. Over the months, many interested people walked and viewed our property but Dee knew it would be a very special family that would eventually come along and recognize the potential and beauty that

Thursday, January 21, 2021 • A5 our yard possesses. Well the day came where Dee did find that special family and I have to admit that they are definitely a perfect fit and are very excited to be part of the Bowen way of life. Through the entire process, I was fortunate to get to know Dee a lot more as a person as we were very often in contact via phone calls. My respect and appreciation for her increasingly grew and I realized even more how lucky we were that she was representing us. She is honourable, caring and a true professional. I experienced how Dee goes way beyond the extra mile for her clients and how she is always giving back to her community. Dee is who I would refer as a “true Bowen Islander” and what the island truly represents. My family want to thank you for your hard work, dedication and just being you. Dee has mentioned lately on occasion that she is trying to wind down into retirement. We wish you all the best and please enjoy your success. The Mitts family, after 32 years, will miss Bowen Island (especially my poker group). Thank you for the memories. Also please welcome Robert and Myshsael Schlyecher as the new proprietors of this property and now part of the wonderful Bowen family. From, Steve, Pam and Roger Mitts

What Bowen story (old or new) is your go-to when describing the island to off-islanders? Let us know! Email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

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A6 • Thursday, January 21, 2021

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The Soup Fairy lands again FRANK PATT AND HIS SCRUMPTIOUS SOUPS ARE BACK, NOW AT THE MID-ISLAND MEADOWBROOK CORNER BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

If the line of cars waiting outside Meadowbrook Corner last Monday morning is any indication, Bowen Islanders have missed the Soup Fairy. Frank Patt’s signature soups are back Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or as supplies last (these hours could change, so it’s best to check thesoupfairy. ca or @thesoupfairyonbowen1 on Facebook) at 1125 Grafton Rd. Masks are mandatory, as is social distancing. Bowen Islanders were so excited by the Soup Fairy’s return last week, Frank sold out of soup in three days. “People just kept coming and coming and coming and coming,” he said. “I don’t think my heart has ever felt so full.” “Because of this strange world that we’re living in and these weirdo times, in those three days that I was open, there were people I haven’t seen for months. “I got a little face to face time with them, and even though we were masked up, just to hear their voices and see their little eyes was so nice.” Frank Patt has worked in the food and beverage industry for the past 35 years. Before moving to Bowen in 2001, he worked film and television. At one point he produced all of the Canada-wide radio commercials for 7-Eleven. After separating from his husband, Frank sailed to the island he had frequently visited as a getaway and stayed. “I thought the best way to meet people was to get a job in a bar or a restaurant,” said Frank. “So I did both.” He started working at Doc Morgan’s pub and Blue Eyed

Marys restaurant and then during the day started cutting grass at the golf course. He took over the golf course’s burger shack and then food and beverage service in the new clubhouse when it was built. The Soup Fairy landed in Frank’s life in 2014. At the end of each golf season, Frank would get laid off and he’d head down to the tropics for months at a time (he’s a fan of warm climates). But, Frank’s family protested that they never saw him – Thanksgiving, Christmas, he was always gone. One year, he decided to stay. But, “I always have to be doing something,” explained Frank. While he’d been living on his sailboat with its three-burner stove for decades, at around that time he housesat at a home with a luxurious a six-burner stove – perfect for soup making. With one meat soup and one vegan-gluten-free soup, Frank would head to the Legion on Thursday nights to play shuffleboard and have a beer. “The boxes would empty and a little pile of money would appear,” Frank recalled. One night at the Legion, someone commented Frank could be the Soup Nazi (referencing the classic sitcom Seinfeld). “I was never a fan of Seinfeld, I don’t want to be referred to as the Soup Nazi,” he responded. “What about the Soup Fairy?” said the bartender, a friend of Frank’s. “The whole place just burst out laughing,” said Frank. After a chance meeting with a graphic artist, the Soup Fairy logo was born – a caricature of Frank with wings, clasping a ladle with one hand and a cradling a pot in the other. “It either makes people smile

when they see it or they burst out laughing.” The seasonally empty golf course kitchen and clubhouse provided the first Soup Fairy home. “In the winter, in the middle of nowhere, the furthest place away from anywhere on Bowen you can go and I supported myself entirely,” says Frank. “I didn’t need to collect E.I. and the room was packed every weekend.” As soup season slowed (MarchApril), golfing season returned along with Frank’s golf course job. For two years Frank alternated between the golf course and the Soup Fairy before throwing himself into his fledgling business. The Soup Fairy moved in with the Village Baker on Dorman Rd. for a couple of years, the businesses cohabitating. At the end of his first year at the Village Baker location, Frank had made and sold close to 20,000 litres of soup. “I could barely keep up with it,” said Frank. “So it was very nice.” When Frank became the deli manager at the Ruddy Potato a couple of years back, his soups making appearances on grocery shelves, the Soup Fairy left the Village Baker space. After Frank lost his job in November, he started reaching out – looking for places and kitchens that could accommodate the gallons of shrimp and pork wonton soup islanders were craving (or really anywhere with a certified commercial kitchen). The Soup Fairy found a home (for at least the short term) at Meadowbrook Corner, where Orbaek Farm to Table Takeaway & Meats has been for the past couple of years (Orbaek is on hiatus at the moment, planning to return in March).

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

Frank Patt in the Meadowbrook Corner kitchen as wonton soup simmers in the background.

Though he doesn’t have formal culinary training, Frank has always loved to cook – his job when he was little was to look after the baking powder biscuits – and has a long history with soup. “We were really, really poor when I was growing up so we had a lot of soup.” “I remember saying to my mom at one point I’ll never eat soup again. “I didn’t eat soup for a long, long time when I moved to the coast. “Then I started making it again and found that I could afford to make better soup than my mom could afford.” And Frank’s soups have become Bowen favourites. He has about 30 different soups, which get switched up week to week, including, in response to demand, many vegan and gluten free offerings. “There are a lot of vegans on Bowen and I didn’t realize how many people were gluten intolerant to some

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degree.” But Frank’s top-selling soup is, arguably, what has made the Soup Fairy island famous: his pork and shrimp wonton soup. (Frank tried making vegetable wonton soup but, as he puts it, it was a disaster). Initially Frank made the wontons by hand but as soon as he started serving and selling them, he could not keep up. So Frank has a dim sum company in the city make the wontons using his recipe. “Some people eat [the soup] like almost every day,” laughed Frank. “I have a couple of friends that will eat multiple containers of wontons. Some people hoard them.” When asked what it’s like to have people love his cooking so much, “I have never felt that emotion before, that something that I made would have that effect on people,” said Frank. “Never would I ever have imagined.”

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B.I. Conservancy asking for islanders to steer clear of new Cape park for now

Get to know your neighbour

CONTINUED FROM P. 1

For example, a 30 cm (12 inch) diameter Douglas fir growing on the bluff was aged at 140 years! The bluffs themselves are also vulnerable to erosion by even the most carefully planted shoe. The mosses and small plants – along with their meagre layer of soil and associated loose rocks – can easily slough off into the sea, taking unsuspecting visitors along with them. Most of the beach areas along the water actually consist of debris that has fallen off the bluffs. But this is not just about human safety. Even sitting still on the bluffs to enjoy a picnic can cause damage. Invasive species, like grasses and burdock, can be easily carried on our shoes and clothing, and chemicals like sunscreen and insect repellent may disrupt the delicate balance of these sparsely populated ecosystems. Even dropped food can attract species that wouldn’t normally thrive on

Thursday, January 21, 2021 • A7

KILEY READHEAD PHOTO

Coastal Reindeer (Cladina portentosa). There are many species of Cladina along the coast. They grow on the ground and on rocks.

the bluffs and push out native species. It’s better to stick to the benches and picnic tables that will be installed at various lookouts. The Conservancy mandate “to protect and preserve the natural environment of this island” has been at the forefront throughout the purchase and development of this scenic park area. They are taking great care to balance visitor enjoyment with education and preservation of this special space. Now we can all do our part by waiting until spring to visit, respecting signage, and sticking to the paths and designated lookouts and picnic areas. Let’s make this a community park that will live on in all its glory for generations to come.

all so great, we included them all. I have a key to my house but I don’t know where it is. Everyone will try and take the dangerous cargo ferry at least once in your life on Bowen. Pre-COVID, you could recommend hitchhiking.

NEXT UP IN OUR NEW Q&A SERIES: TINA NIELSEN

Last week we launched our “Get to know your Bowen Island neighbours” column, where we select an islander from our subscriber list for a Q&A. This week, the random number generator came up with another well-known face: Tina Nielsen, who many will know as chief librarian at the B.I. Library. When did you come to Bowen? I came in 1989 How did you get here? I have a good friend who was living here. But really, the reason that we came was looking for a place where one person could stay at home to look after our child. We were looking for a more reasonable cost of living. We looked at places like Langley and out in the valley and then someone suggested, “Why don’t you go check Bowen?” We did and we loved it right

away. But the whole thing was how was my husband going to manage commuting? When you live in Vancouver, the idea of having to get on a ferry to go to work is kind of terrifying. What if the ferry’s late? What if it breaks down? What if there’s a storm? All those things that you can’t visualize when you don’t live here yet. But once we got over that, we loved it and it was far preferable for me to be here than to be somewhere out in the valley or in a suburb. To me, it felt like what I grew up with when I grew up in North Van. Where on Bowen do you live? I live in the Bowen Bay area. I have lived in Tunstall Bay, Queen Charlotte Heights, Miller’s Landing, Snug Cove, the top of Seven Hills in Scarborough. What’s your favourite Bowen fact? Tina had three facts and asked that we chose one. They were

When do you think somebody can consider themselves a Bowen Islander? That’s a hard question because I think, like Bob said [in last week’s edition], as soon as you decide this is your home. But my first thought really was after you’ve spent two winters and you’ve gone through at least one power outage of more than 12 hours. Although I might have to say a power outage of more than six hours because these days, it’s not very often that we have a power outage of 12 hours or more. What’s your favourite COVID19 balm or activity? Just walking in the woods. I feel incredibly lucky to be on Bowen during COVID just for the ability for us to get out of our house and be somewhere where there’s nobody. In fact, these days, walking in the woods is a place where we socialize.I’m finding that to walk around the lake takes about twice as long because you get to see people and then you get to stand there six feet apart and have a little conversation. That’s my favourite thing.

New year, new project?

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Community Economic Development Committee

A8 • Thursday, January 21, 2021

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Total credits available to BC residents only for vehicles purchased and delivered between January 5, 2021 to February 1, 2021. Credits include $2,000 Non-Stackable Delivery Allowance (Tax-Exclusive), $3,000 Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) (Tax-Inclusive) for BC rebate and $5,000 federal Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program (iZEV) (Tax-Inclusive). BC Ministry of Energy and Mines reserves the right to adjust the CEV incentive amount; the incentive may decline each 12-month period of the program. Federal iZEV funding will be provided on a fi rst-come, fi rst-serve basis. Credit amounts will be prorated for leases with terms less than 48 months (or less than 36 months for BC CEV incentive). Limit one federal credit per person per calendar year. See [https://www.cevforbc.ca/] and [canada.ca/zero-emission-vehicles] for program details. As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact GM Canada to verify eligibility. By selecting lease or fi nance offers, consumers are foregoing this $2,000 Non-Stackable Delivery Allowance which will result in higher effective interest rates. License, insurance, registration, PPSA, applicable taxes and dealer fees not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) may modify, extend or terminate offers for any reason, in whole or in part, at any time, without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. + 17” Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi3 or Latitude X-Ice Snow (215/50R17) Tires only. Rims, installation, mounting and other equipment extra. Four 17” Tire Application Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi3 or Latitude X-Ice Snow (215/50R17)) winter tires included with the purchase or lease of a new 2020 Bolt delivered January 5, 2021 to February 1, 2021 at a participating GM dealer in Canada. Offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other incentives. Limitations and conditions apply. See your GM Canada dealer for details. Void where prohibited. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice.

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Thursday, January 21, 2021 • A9

In case you missed it: the recording of Bowen Island Municipality’s budget consultation public open house Jan. 14 is on its YouTube channel. Over an hour, staff run through how the budget works, what goes into decisions, pressures on the 2021 budget and answer questions.

Book your complimentary meet & greet and ﬁrst walk or drop in. Rates are $25 for group hikes and start at $15 for drop-ins. JACQUELINE BELL-IRVING PHOTO

Dog Walking

The frost brings out the bright reds of holly.

Enjoying the colours of a winter walk on Bowen Island

JACQUELINE BELL-IRVING PHOTO

The red-breasted sapsucker is a handsome sight.

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Cat Care

Home Visits Litter Maintenance Playtime

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Cowan Point Utility Company Ltd.

JACQUELINE BELL-IRVING

NOTICE OF INCREASE TO CONTRIBUTION IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION CHARGE EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2021

Contributor

Although we have had a very rainy and wet few months this winter, we are lucky to live on an island that is full of beauty, colour and abundant nature. There are many colours on Bowen, even in winter. What could be more pleasant than walking through the woods or meadow and seeing the many shades of evergreen trees? There’s the rusty russet of the dead ferns, the brown of the bulrushes and the bright reds of the holly berries. One of my favourite greens is the moss that clings to tree trucks or branches in the woods or that covers boulders and stones in streams. When the sun comes out and hits the water-drenched moss-covered stones, they glitter and sparkle like brilliant green orbs. There is plenty to see in winter but sometimes we have to pause a moment in our walking to notice it. A robin with a red breast, a vibrant woodpecker, a flicker with its stripes and spots of black and red under its chin, or maybe we catch a fleeting glimpse of a hummingbird with its red throat and green iridescent body. There are our colourful ducks too, the multi-coloured wood ducks that look as if an artist has painted their feathers, the mergansers, mallards, the golden eyes and more. Of course, as with most birds, the most colourful ones are usually male. When the sun hits their colourful plumage they are spectacular. The poor females are mostly quite dull in comparison. Also, while enjoying our walks we may be lucky enough to see an eagle, owl, heron, or hawk and we don’t have far to go to see our very own beautiful swan. If you’re luckier still, you may come across one of the otters scurrying under the causeway arches rushing by with a crab in his mouth for his lunch or the beaver foraging for dinner near his watery den. This winter we have been mostly confined to our beautiful island, keeping our distance and enjoying our own small world contained on this 6 x 12 km bit of heaven.

Group Hikes Individual Walks Socialization

JACQUELINE BELL-IRVING PHOTO

Mr. wood duck shows off his striking colours while Ms. wood duck blends into the beachside.

JACKQUELINE BELL-IRVING PHOTO

The vibrant greens of moss-covered rocks.

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Notice is hereby given that COWAN POINT UTILITY COMPANY LTD is seeking approval from the Comptroller of Water Rights for an increase to its Contribution in Aid of Construction Charge. On AUGUST 28, 2019, followed by REVISIONS on DECEMBER 15, 2020 and JANUARY 14, 2021, COWAN POINT UTILITY applied to the Comptroller ofWater Rights for an increase to its Contribution in Aid of Construction Charge (Schedule B, Water Tariff No. 3) from $0 to $21,585 for each unit qualifying as authorized premises. The Contribution in Aid of Construction Charge is applicable to new customers (i.e. developers) applying to become part of the authorized service area of the Utility and to the subdivision of lots within the existing service area. The Charge is calculated by dividing the costs to construct the current system capacity components (i.e. dam, pump house, water treatment plant, storage reservoirs) by the number of units permitted by Municipal zoning for the Utility’s service area. By direction of the Comptroller of Water Rights, comments on the application are to be forwarded to: Chris McMillan, Secretary to the Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights, by mail to PO Box 9340 STN PROV GOVT, Victoria, BC V8W 9M1 (or by email to Chris.McMillan@gov.bc.ca) to be in his hand on or before February 26, 2021, with a copy to COWAN POINT UTILITY COMPANY LTD by mail to P.O. Box 228, Suite 201– 475 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or by email to admin@bowenislandproperties.ca A copy of the application is available for viewing at COWAN POINT UTILITY’S office at Suite 201, 475 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Bowen Island, BC. A PDF copy of the application may be requested by sending an email to admin@bowenislandproperties.ca

A10 • Thursday, January 21, 2021

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PUBLIC NOTICE Transport Canada - Abandoned TO THE OWNER(S) OF THE VESSEL 25’ Sangstercraft blue and white monohull. License 14K23496 - at Hutt Island, BC has been found. If you are the owner(s), or if you have any information about the owner(s), contact Transport Canada before 30 days from the date of the posted notice, at npppac-ppnpac@tc.gc.ca or 604-775-8867 and reference file W2020-501784.

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All advertising published in this newspaper is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to buyers at the advertised prices. Advertisers are aware of these conditions. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading, is never knowingly accepted. If any reader encounters non-compliance with these standards we ask that you inform the Publisher of this newspaper and The Advertising Standards Council of B.C. OMISSION AND ERROR: The publishers do not guarantee the insertion of a particular advertisement on a specified date, or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers. Further, the publishers do not accept liability for any loss of damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any corrections of changes will be made in the next available issue. The Bowen Island Undercurrent will be responsible for only one incorrect insertion with liability limited to that portion of the advertisement affected by the error. Request for adjustments or corrections on charges must be made within 30 days of the ad’s expiration. For best results please check your ad for accuracy the first day it appears. Refunds made only after 7 business days notice!

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FLU SHOTS FOR OUR PATIENTS

Bowen Island Integrated Health Lifelabs at#101-495 Trunk Road Village Square

Tues - 6:45-8:45 am • Thurs - 6:45-8:45 am Book online at https://locations.lifelabs.com

Limited appointment availability Drop in available for all patients- arrive early

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, January 21, 2021 • A11

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FRIDAY JAN. 22

Drive-through Robbie Burns Legion dinner Legion Full Burns dinner (minus the scotch and piper). Starts at 4:30 p.m.

MONDAY JAN. 25

Mini Art Works...with a TWIST art drop off The Hearth Gallery Noon-4 pm Regular Council meeting Zoom 6:15 pm

THURSDAY JAN. 28

Rotary Club talk: Owen Plowman, Bowen Island Conservancy president

Zoom 7:30 pm. “Owen has held this position for eight years and will be speaking about the latest acquisition of lots on the cape for the Conservancy and the role of the organization. Owen will be delighted to answer questions on the other parts of the island held by the conservancy, this will be a very informative and up to the minute presentation. We hope you can join us for what will be a lively discussion. Check bowenrotary. com for the Zoom invitation.

Mini Art Works...with a TWIST exhibit begins The Hearth Gallery Exhibition runs

January 28 - February 20

MONDAY FEB. 1

Embracing differences & strenthening community webinar Online 7-8:30 pm Hosted by BICS Diversity Committee, free and open to all. “How can we work together to create a more inclusive Bowen Island?”

WEDNESDAY FEB. 3

Organizational ‘renovation’ on the road to recovery: Leadership Lab Zoom 11 a.m.-12:30 pm For non-

profits; free; Lee Herrin of SCALE Collaborative talks t financial models and major organizational changes. More info and to register: westvanfoundation.ca/ leadershiplabs

THURSDAY FEB. 11

Rotary Club talk: Matthew Harrison Zoom 7:30 pm Matthew Harrison talks about the Beautiful Gate Orphanage in Maseru, Lesotho. More information at bowenrotary. com

WEDNESDAY FEB. 20

Mini Art Works...with a TWIST Pick-up Party

Hearth patio 1-4 pm Final bidding and pick-up

THURSDAY FEB. 25

Rotary Club talk: Tim Pardee Zoom 7:30 pm Tim Pardee from Bowen Island Fish and Wildlife Club talks the Terminal Creek Hatchery. More information at bowenrotary.com

Do you have an event coming up you’d like included in the calendar? Email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com.

BOWEN HOME SERVICES love the life you live Landscape Lighting Irrigation

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Office: 604-947-9686

Cell: 604-329-3045

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live the life you love To reserve a spot on this page, contact us at 604-947-2442 or ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

A12 • Thursday, January 21, 2021

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Microplastics in the Arctic study finds synthetic fibres rampant A BOWEN ISLANDER IS LEAD AUTHOR OF THE NEW STUDY

JENNIFER THUNCHER

Squamish Chief

As the saying goes, when we know better, we can do better. Synthetic fibres are invading the Arctic Ocean and a local is one of the key people behind a recent study that revealed this troubling fact. Squamish’s Anna Posacka is the co-author of the study Pervasive distribution of polyester fibres in the Arctic Ocean is driven by Atlantic inputs, and research manager at the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab, which has produced the comprehensive analysis of microplastics in the Arctic Ocean. Bowen Island’s Dr. Peter Ross, special advisor to Ocean Wise and adjunct professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences at UBC, is lead author of the study. “Synthetic fibres make up approximately 92% of microplastic pollution found in near-surface seawater samples from across the Arctic Ocean. And about 73% of those fibres are polyester and resemble fibres used in clothing and textiles,” reads a news release on the study, which was published in the international scientific journal Nature Communications. The project also had support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The research involved analyzing water samples from 71 loca-

the Atlantic Ocean. There is still much researchers don’t understand about the impact of these microfibres, but something that has been reported has been blockages of marine animals’ intestines, which potentially reduces the caloric intake of those species. Basically, if they ingest large quantities of these fibres, they feel full from eating the wrong things. And it is known from laboratory experiments that zooplankton that are ingesting or interacting with microfibres, may get their feeding appendages entangled, which impacts their ability to feed. It can also impact their reproduction. There needs to be more of an understanding of what other species are vulnerable to negative impacts, which is something Posacka said her lab is investigating. “There are huge research gaps,” she said. Most microfibres are captured by wastewater treatment facilities, where such facilities exist, but that isn’t enough, in the big picture, Posacka told The Chief. “While that retention is quite high — so up to 99% — on an annual scale and long-term scales, the emissions of microplastics with the treated effluent can be quite significant,” she said, adding her team estimates that in Canada and the U.S., that amounts to more than 800 tonnes of microfibres in the ocean every year — equal to 10 blue whales in weight. An important question is what

tions from the European and North American Arctic, taken from aboard One Ocean Expeditions RV Akademik Ioffe and by Fisheries and Oceans Canada Arctic programs aboard the Canadian icebreakers CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent and CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier in 2016. “The analysis took quite some time,” said Posacka, who moved to Squamish from Vancouver three years ago. “Microplastics are very difficult to study because of their size but also because they have many sources.” The research highlights the role that textiles, laundry, and wastewater discharge have in the contamination of the world’s oceans. “The Arctic Ocean, while distant to many of us, has long provided` food and a way of life for Inuit communities,” said Ross in the news release. “The study again underscores the vulnerability of the Arctic to environmental change and to pollutants transported from the south. It also provides important baseline data that will guide policymakers in mitigation of microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans, with synthetic fibrews emerging as a priority.” The study found the average concentration of microplastics to be around 40 microplastic particles per cubic metre and the data leads them to believe an important source of microfibres in the Arctic is likely the countries surrounding

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Now offering a youtube channel of reflections and hymn/songs with Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Lynn Williams. youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo

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Masses are live streamed everyday. Times posted at holyrosarycathedral.org Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

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Now offering worship services via Zoom. A link available on website.

Pastor: Phil Adkins

at this point we can do retroactively, to clean up the fibres that are already in the ocean, Posacka said. “It would be very, very challenging because we are dealing with such small particles that are now part of the ecosystem. And, within water where we have those microfibres, we also have phytoplankton and we have zooplankton and other creatures. So when we start to think about removal, we need to ask ourselves, what are the potential knock-on effects?” Where there are high levels of microfibres, such as in sediment, citizens can ensure communities don’t dredge that environment and cause more damage, she said. “That would lead to more of the microfibres being re-suspended in the water column. Those are the types of things we can think about.” Posacka said a point of reflection for her was that this isn’t the first case where a pollutant from the south is entering the Polar region. “I think it really resonated with me, particularity for plastics, is that it is a trans-boundary issue. Things that we do in one region can affect an ecosystem that is very far away and often time there are people in this eco-system who rely on it,” she said. “It is a moment of reflection, but also energy — to work to identify solutions together with my team. There are solutions. We just need to do some research around some of them, so that we can better understand the best approach.”

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule October 13 to May 15 2021 DEPART BOWEN ISLAND DEPART HORSESHOE BAY

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happens to the fibres that are captured by the facilities, Posacka said. “Because they end up in sludge, so all those solids that are in wastewater and oftentimes, sludge would be treated and applied as biosolids... and that can be applied to agricultural land for fertilization purposes and so there’s a potential for these microfibres to return to contaminate the terrestrial environment,” she said. She said there is some evidence that microfibres from people’s dryers are travelling by air and getting into the ocean. “The takeaway is really that in general one of the important opportunities for addressing this problem, is to improve the quality of our materials — and that is an important one that industry needs to play to help with that — but as consumers, we should be watching out for our fashion habits, the more we consume the more of that polymer is in our society,” she said, adding reusing and remaking of textiles will help. There are also lint traps you can install into the washing machine that can capture some of the microfibres that are normally released. “Reducing fibre releases from textiles represents a significant opportunity to curb marine microfibre pollution. And together with Ocean Wise’s Microfiber Partnership, some forward-looking companies and initiatives are looking for ways to address this problem,” the news release states. Unfortunately, there isn’t much

5:20 am except Sundays 6:20 am 7:30 am 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm except Wednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:25 pm Mon Wed Th Fri 7:26 pm Tue Sun 8:30 pm 9:30 pm 10:30 pm

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