Bowen Island Undercurrent December 23 2021 by Bowen Island Undercurrent

BERTH 1 TO BE CLOSED: Expect disruptions January to March

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Pandemic puts a damper on NYE parties

Happy Isle expands to West Van MARTHA PERKINS

Contributor

Bowen Island’s Happy Isle Cannabis store is now setting its sights on a not-so-distant shore. Three years after recreational marijuana became legal in Canada, the District of West Vancouver has inhaled for the first time and approved its first two cannabis shops. One of them is a second location of the retail business opened last year by Glenn Cormier and David Bellringer. Happy Isle Cannabis, take two, will be going into a 620-squarefoot ground-floor space at 6609 Royal Avenue in Horseshoe Bay. “We’re simply looking to replicate what we did on Bowen Island, which was to introduce a professionally-run inclusive boutique cannabis retail store into a small, tight-knit community, while limiting the impact of residents,” Cormier told council earlier this month. In a telephone interview with the Undercurrent, Cormier said “This is something David and I started working on over a year ago with West Vancouver council. CONTINUED ON P. 7

MARTHA PERKINS

Contributor

MARCUS HONDRO PHOTO

Surely the cutest ‘bubble’ on Bowen is this one at the Bowen Children’s Centre. These highly-amusing and cute-asa-button islanders spent a good deal of their day Monday outside enjoying the snow and climbing up and down, and over and under, their Playscape. Oh, and some of them chucked a few snowballs at the photographer.

Once again, Bowen Island businesses are having to pivot to yet another new New Normal. Restaurant patrons can still “eat, drink and be merry” to celebrate the beginning of new year; they’ll just have to do it while sitting at their own table with no more than five other people. “Once you’re at the table, you just have to stay seated there,” says Oydis Nickle of Doc Morgan’s. “Before the new rules, if you got up and were moving around the restaurant, you could mingle but you still had to wear your mask. Now there’s no mingling at all. “It’s a bummer because it puts a damper on everyone’s New Year’s. You can’t get up at New Year’s and hug and kiss or high five.” Doc Morgan’s is also cancelling its one-man musical entertainment lest people not be able to resist the temptation to dance. CONTINUED ON P. 6

Thursday, December 23, 2021

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Development in hazardous areas: What do you think?

Bowen Island Municipality will be closed from December 24 at noon until Bowen Island Municipality is considering regulating Tuesday, January 4, 2022 development in hazardous areas on Bowen Island by for the holidays. establishing a future Hazardous Areas Development Permit For after hours emergencies such as: •

water or sewer main breaks • dangerous debris or fallen trees on a road • damaging potholes Please call 604-834-0770.

Thank you to the essential workers who keep working to keep things safe over the holidays: our public works crews, ﬁreﬁghters, RCMP and BC Ambulance.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Bowen Island Municipality!

Area. The establishment of a new Development Permit Area would require an amendment to Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002. Prior to preparing a draft bylaw amendment, staff are actively seeking public input.

Information and an online survey are available on Citizenlab:

www.bowenisland.citizenlab.co The survey will be online January 23rd, 2022. Paper surveys and information materials are also available at Municipal Hall until January 21st, 2022 (during regular business hours). Questions? Please contact Daniel Martin at 604-947-4255 or by email at dmartin@bimbc.ca.

Help stop COVID-19:

Get vaccinated - everyone 5 years and older is eligible.

Stay home if you’re sick

Wear a mask in indoor public spaces

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3

Pot shop expansion a ‘natural step’

Ferry berth closed January to March

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“They were not welcoming cannabis up until that point. We had the mayor and most of council come to Bowen Island just to view our store to see what a legal store looks like and how it operates. We were able to dispel any fears. But we’ve been waiting for the last year for them to work through process with their policies. Our application went in just before Christmas of last year so it was a good Christmas present this year to get the news.” Asked if this was a sign the partners planned a further expansion, Cormier laughed. “We’re not looking to be cannabis kings. It was a natural step for us to look at that market. With West Vancouver being so close, it’s easy for us to be able to manage the two stores.” The partners have been pleased with the business, which has proven itself to be pandemic resistant. “We saw a good amount of growth through the pandemic; the cannabis industry in general did,” says Cormier, who also owns The Pub. “It was very encouraging that through a difficult time both of my busi-

The staff at Bowen Waste Solutions would like wish you all best of the holiday season. Looking forward to serving you in 2022

This is an artist’s rendering of what the new Happy Isle Cannabis store in Horseshoe Bay will look like. nesses have been able to survive.” There are challenges, however. “People don’t realize that even in places like Bowen or Horseshoe Bay, where they only have one store, we’re still in competition with government,” he says. “The provincial government not only has their storefronts that compete against private retailers, but they also have the ability to sell and ship online. Private retailers can make a transaction online but people still have to come to our store to pick it up. “It’s an uneven playing field when you’re when you’re playing with the government. They are our one and only supplier and they are also our greatest competition. It’s very frustrating a lot of times. It’s very similar to liquor sales in BC. When you watched Canada legalize marijuana, each province

pretty much just copied their liquor model. For BC that’s a mixed model of private and government retailers. The liquor retailers have been complaining for decades about the unfair advantage that their main competition have over them.” The second private cannabis store approved by West Van council will be Avenue Cannabis at 1453 Bellevue Avenue in Ambleside. It has branded itself as a high-end boutique shop catering to baby boomers. The store will be in a 1,100-square-foot ground floor commercial unit of a three-storey mixed-used building and run by three local business owners – Shannon Walker, Scott Walker and Tim Webb. Council rejected eight other applications. — with files from Jane Seyd, North Shore News

Berth 1 at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal will be out of commission for the first three months of 2022. BC Ferries is promising to mitigate the impact for travellers and Horseshoe Bay residents alike. The closure is part of the second (and last) phase of the project to improve the terminal’s infrastructure. The first phase of the project was completed on December 17. The second phase includes improvements in Berth 1 and the remediation of a portion of the terminal’s rock face. Phase 2 will begin on January 4 and is expected to be complete by the end of March. Berth 1 will be closed during this period. Traffic patterns in the terminal may be modified to accommodate the work. Passengers are reminded to follow the direction of staff. “This work is required to ensure continued safe, reliable and efficient service for our customers,” BCFerries says. “The modifications align with the long-term vision for the Horseshoe Bay terminal,” says a corporate press release. “We apologize for any inconvenience this work may cause. BC Ferries would like to thank its customers and neighbours for their patience and understanding as we complete this necessary work.”

Thank you from your Bowen Island Community Foundation

In 2021 your gifts have helped grow the Island’s capacity to invest in the wellbeing of our community. Wishing you all Joy and Peace.

If you would still like to receive a charitable receipt for 2021, please go to bowenfoundation.com and give today.

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Thursday, December 23, 2021

VIEWPOINTS

EDITORIAL

A Blue Christmas

There is a practice among some churches to hold what’s called a Blue Christmas service. It is, in part, for people who are struggling emotionally at a time when they are being bombarded with messages that Christmas is a time of love, joy and family togetherness. Maybe they’ve suffered loss or are in the midst of a health crisis. Maybe Christmas triggers past traumas. Whatever the reason, they need to feel that someone is acknowledging their sadness and distress. They want a pause from pretending that everything is okay. This is turning out to be a Blue Christmas for all of us. At a time when we were ready to throw off the yoke of darkness, we find ourselves thrust back into a time of isolation and anxiety. Christmas gatherings are being cancelled, we wonder if we should be handing out rapid Covid tests to anyone who crosses our threshold and, instead of searching for recipes for the best turkey stuffing, we’re scurrying to find an opening for a vaccination booster shot. We are all feeling a collective form of grief for the carefree (in terms of being infected by a potentially fatal virus, at least) life we enjoyed before the pandemic. We are hyper-aware that whatever form the holiday takes this year, it isn’t the one we thought would be our reward for the past year’s sacrifices. But we also need to remember that one of the goals of a Blue Christmas service is to provide solace. We are indeed reminded that we are not alone and that we’ll get through this. Together. Martha Perkins

Polar Bear Swim cancelled

Due to the unpredictable number of participants and the new Covid restrictions, the 2022 New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim has been cancelled. It’s too much to try and social distance along the shore when the tide will be high. We want everyone to enjoy their new year and stay safe, so it’s best to bring in the new year at your neighbourhood beach. Post a photo or send it in to the Undercurrent for the new’s years issue! We are hoping to be able to bring in a happy 2023 by resuming the New Year’s Day tradition on January 1, 2023. Happy new year! Kelly Miller, Polar Bear Swim organizer

LETTERS

Help build the community centre dream

This message is from Bowen Island Municipality. You’ve probably heard the fantastic news that we’ll soon be breaking ground to build the long-awaited community centre. The Bowen Island Municipality will be awarding a construction contract to Golden Globe Construction Ltd., with the project slated to get underway early in the new year. Council has approved

a revised budget of $18.7 million, which includes $14.4 million for construction and $4.3 million for soft costs, including professional fees, contingencies, fixtures and equipment. Islanders have dreamed about this public amenity, which features dedicated community spaces for recreational and cultural programming, for a very long time. Arriving at this point has been quite a journey, with

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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 mail it to 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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many bumps in the road. We’ve had to accept the reality of the current economic environment, resulting in costs exceeding the original estimated 2018 budget of $14.5 million. Cost escalation has been driven by a number of factors. • The footprint of the building has grown from 16,500 to 19,500 square feet to allow for: improved energy performance,

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Alex Kurial 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.

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A5

Thursday, December 23, 2021

New $1.5 million campaign underway

Celebrate The New Year with

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increased accessibility and improved ventilation throughout the facility, much-needed storage space, and to ensure sufficient capacity to meet municipal staffing needs. • Throughout the global pandemic, the demand for and cost of materials, commodities and labour has risen significantly. Decreased production and supply chain disruption is ongoing across all sectors. • Bowen, as a small island, faces additional challenges such as increased transportation and logistics of material acquisition and significant labour costs with off-island contractors and workers. Despite these challenges, the municipality is excited to be delivering on its commitment to build a gathering place welcoming all islanders to come together, to connect in ways that will increase the sense of community, enhance health and wellness and bolster the quality of life on Bowen. The gap between the $14.5 million secured and the $18.7 million updated budget will be filled by a number of sources including funding from the COVID-19 Safe Restart grant, the Canadian Heritage Cultural Spaces grant and additional community fundraising set at a target of $1.5 million. That’s in addition to the $1.3 million

Hostess Gifts Appetizer Party Fare Brunch Classics Increased costs and size have led to the need for more community support. that was already raised through pledges and donations. Can you help us reach this new goal? It’s the season of giving and a perfect time to consider a gift that will help build this community legacy. Donors who gift $200 or more will receive public acknowledgement on a donor recognition installation in the new building. All donations of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt. Speaking of gifts for someone very special on your list this festive season, we have a couple of suggestions: Take a Seat! Sponsor a seat in the large multi-purpose performing arts space, designed to host theatrical performances, concerts, movies, cultural

events, lectures, graduations, town hall meetings, and more. For a donation of $2,500, an engraved name plate will be attached to one of the 180-retractable seats. The plate can include your name, or a dedication in someone else’s name. Naming Opportunities Naming opportunities are available to individuals, families, businesses and organizations, and will be based on the value of the room and equipment as per the municipality’s donor recognition and naming policy. We would be happy to discuss asset value estimates and see if there is a match for your gift. Please contact Gillian Drake at gdrake@bimbc.ca or 604803-7143.

Easy Heat & Serve Snacks Fondue Supplies Charcuterie Cheeses breads, meats, olives crackers & spreads Festive & Bubbly Drinks Special Desserts

Merry Christmas CONNIE WRIGHT ORIGINALS IN THE COVE

OPEN EVERYDAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS

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Thursday, December 23, 2021

No festive countdown on New Year’s Eve Wishing you a season filled with light and hope! If what we do speaks to your heart there are many ways to give for more information www.bowenchildrenscentre.ca/giving

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“Unfortunately, New Year’s is just another casualty this year,” says The Pub’s Glenn Cormier We’ll be open, of course, but just for dinner…. To try and stay open till midnight on New Year’s Eve, it’s not worth it. No one will want to be here if you can’t party and dance.” Cormier says that his pandemic experience indicates that, while people will still enjoy going out for dinner, they won’t want to stay long after dessert anyway. “Through this whole pandemic I’ve noticed that people just don’t come in late at all. Even we do our Friday Night Live music, we do it earlier now because by nine o’clock everybody’s gone. We don’t have late-night crowds.” “When I heard that they were putting in these new restrictions, I thought no one’s going to be able to have a good time,” says Tuscany’s Sarah-Jane Curry. “But we’re still allowed to do a smaller service so it feels like we can give people a place to go to have a little celebration instead of feeling that everything is cut off. “Usually we would have liked more of a party or take

later reservations. Instead I’m going to do a special set New Year’s menu from five to eight and allow people to celebrate on a smaller scale.” While people are still allowed to congregate in private homes in groups of 10 or fewer, there won’t be many island and off-island people counting down to midnight together. For Bowen Islanders who are hosting friends from off-island, the last ferry is at 11 p.m.. Bowen Islanders wanting to get home from dinner in town can catch the last ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay at 10:30. If you plan to drink, Translink is offering its services for free on New Year’s Eve as a way of encouraging socially responsible celebrations. In years past, getting the Cormorant Marine midnight water taxi was a welcome option for New Year’s revelers. This year, for the second year in a row, the late-night service is not being offered. “At the beginning of the pandemic we suspended all scheduled late night water taxi trips and have not started them up again,” says Leanne Laudrum. “We are not running any trips on New Year’s Eve, especially with the new surge of Omicron cases.”

Omicron anxieties see return of gathering restrictions It takes a village....

ELANA SHEPART

Vancouver Is Awesome

British Columbians may have to rethink their party plans this holiday season. At press time, information about household gatherings was unclear. Previous guidelines limited it to one household plus up to 10 guests but on Tuesday provincial officials were discouraging people from getting together in large groups. Everyone who attends a gathering must be vaccinated; no unvaccinated people may attend parties or social gatherings.

mmunity www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

PATRICK WEILER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR WEST VANCOUVER-SUNSHINE COAST-SEA TO SKY COUNTRY

Happy Holidays @PatrickBWeiler patrick.weiler@parl.gc.ca Tel.: 604-913-2660 | Fax.: 604-913-2664

Restaurants may continue to operate at full capacity but guests cannot mingle between tables. All New Year’s Eve parties and events are cancelled but restaurants may stay open for dinner, with no more than six people per table. A new PHO mandating the cancellation of all indoor gatherings means that restaurants and cafes can no longer host parties or events for the next month. Seated events will be reduced to 50 per cent of their capacity regardless of their venue size. Additionally, bars, nightclubs, fitness centres, and dance studios will be closed. The new restrictions will be in place until Jan. 31 at when health officials will reevaluate the risk to public safety.

To all our fellow Bowen Islanders, thank you for your continued support and patronage during this last tough year, we so deeply appreciate the love. Wishing you and yours all the peace, love and joy that is Christmas. from all of us at

The Snug, Artisan Eats and Tuscany

Thursday, December 23, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A7

Insufficient opposition to halt Tunstall Bay water reservoir project payment option over five years. This means residents will be paying an extra $937 per year. If the municipality spread the costs over 10 years, the annual levy would be almost half that at $522. “The short-term approach was the one that the LAC preferred. We supported that and agreed with it and proceeded on that basis,” municipal engineering director Patrick Graham said at the meeting. Now that there is not sufficient opposition to halt the project, the next step is to apply for provincial authorization for the debt and final approval from council to order the tank. The tender for the tank was awarded to Industra Construction in September. Although the approval process took longer than expected, Industra has indicated it will honour the tender price. Graham expects it will take at least six months before the tank parts arrive and are assembled. “It will definitely be the second half of the year,” Graham told the Undercurrent on December 21. With files from Alex Kurial

MARTHA PERKINS

Contributor

The Tunstall Bay water reservoir project is going ahead. As part of its Community Charter, Bowen Island Municipality undertook a petition process for property owners who opposed the project to buy a new tank. Among the 144 properties that would be levied a local service tax to pay for the project, 43 submitted forms in opposition. That’s 30 per cent of the affected property owners. The threshold for halting the process is 50 per cent. There is a similar criteria based on value of the properties; those results were parallel (28 per cent.) At a public meeting in early December, the cost of the $655,000 project was the main point of contention among property owners, particularly how payments will be structured. The municipality plans to borrow the money through the municipal finance authority. It has opted for a short-term

There’s ‘nearly 100 per cent chance’ of a White Christmas Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says “It’s very likely, it’s nearly 100 per cent chance, we’ll have a white Christmas this year for Metro Vancouver.”

Thanks to some Arctic and Pacific air meeting in the area for the next few days, it’s almost certain snow will fall, and stay, for Christmas Day.

Squirrel wishes you all the best for the holidays ...and a huge thank you for supporting this small local business through another year! I look forward to the new space....and hope to see you there for an opening sale in early February, keep an eye on the Undercurrent as we roll into 2022. I would like to add a special thank you to Connie whose quick wit, infectious laugh (and scrumptious homemade sandwiches), combined with her never ending tolerance of my squirrelly behaviour made her the best neighbour ever. She will be sorely missed by us all. Happy retirement Connie xox .

FRANCES FROST

Personal Real Estate Corporation IN THE COVE 604.816.0830

11-5:30 EVERYDAY UNTIL THE 24TH Squirrelonbowen www.squirrelonbowen.com

bowenislandrealestate.info

604.947.9090

RE/MAX Crest Realty - Bowen Island

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bowenislandundercurrent.com

Reflections on the wonder of birds

Thursday, December 23, 2021

JAMI SCHAFFER

The Hearth

Fill up your cultural cup over the holidays at the Hearth Gallery. While strolling through Snug Cove, perhaps wearing off the extra holiday cheer, swing by the Hearth Gallery to experience an art show featuring three art forms – photography, wood carving and original acrylic paintings by local artists, Lisa Arthur, Bob Miller and Cherie Westmoreland. The commonality between these three established artists is the magic and mystery of the lives of the winged ones, what the air can carry… and what is evoked both inside and out, viewing the world through windows and frames. The exquisite wood carved birds (and violins) by Bob Miller will amaze you. The life-like carvings of Bob’s birds will give you a sense of what these amazing creatures look like up close. He is fascinated by the grain, texture and colour of the wood he chooses to carve.

Cherie Westmoreland

Lisa Arthur

Bob Miller

Birds fascinate Lisa Arthur – so much so that by studying their behaviours and qualities that are extraordinary, entertaining and endearing, she is able to paint them portraying something of those characteristics. Nothing gives Lisa more pleasure than when someone experiences her love for the

birds through her paintings. Photography is a way of experiencing life and the world for Cherie Westmoreland. A doorway, an invitation, a seduction, a gateway to attention and presence. Cherie says, “What is being revealed to me? Where is the invitation to engage with subject matter in a

fresh and new way? If we can view photography as responding to an invitation and receiving, rather than shooting and taking, then so much more is available to us, and we can be surprised by what is revealed.” Flights & Reflections is at the Hearth Gallery from December 29 to January 9, with

Workshops make creative resolutions fun and easy

“I resolve to make time for creativity in the New Year!” How many times have you promised yourself you would explore your passion for drawing, mess around with your penchant for messiness, take a workshop… and make a work of art? Now you can with an exciting selection of creative workshops offered through the Hearth on Bowen in January. The Hearth Gallery is usually closed in January but local artist Jean Bradbury saw this as an opportunity to use the empty space for art classes. “Instead of displaying art, let’s spend a month making art,” she says. “It suddenly occurred to us at the Hearth that January is a great opportunity to relaunch our in-person creative events after shutting or downsizing most of the Hearth’s usual activities for covid. With people now double- and triple-vaccinated we can cautiously start to meet up again. We’ll be masked and spaced in a high-ceilinged room with a vaccine requirement.” Bowen Island is full of creative people who want to share their talents but don’t have a space to teach in, she says. “It’s also an island full of people who want to hone their artistic skills. I put the word out to a few people I know who

Jean Bradbury teach… and bingo! We started an art school. People have been very excited and supportive. If we do it again next year with a little more time to plan we can get an even more diverse roster of teachers. The sky’s the limit!” Teachers include Janet Esseiva, Cyrille Saura, Lisa Arthur, Judi Gedye, Becca Fairbairn, Marlene Lowden and Jean Bradbury. Subjects include acrylic painting, pen and ink drawing, oil painting, crochet, paper collage and an art history workshop! More information at TheHearthArtsOnBowen.ca. For registration and payment please contact the teacher of your choice.

Love & Joy! Shop online 24/7 at movementglobal.com Shop in store at ARTISAN SQUARE by appt. call Amrita at 778 863 7770 Curb side pickup and Gift Certificates

eco fashion made here

Thursday, December 23, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A9

Pottery studio transformed into creativity classroom SARA SKUCE

The Burrow

As many of you know, I have worked at BICS for the last 10 years as an education assistant. I have recently returned to school and am completing graduate studies in art therapy. A few weeks ago, an amazing opportunity presented itself and I decided to take the plunge and open my own studio! I have taken over the space in Artisan Square that master potter Jeanne Sarich used as her Cloudflower Clayworks Studio for many years. Next spring, I would like to welcome you to The Burrow Art Therapy and Creativity Studio. The Burrow will be a diverse and inclusive space that promotes health and wellness and celebrates creative expression through the arts. While art therapy will be offered in the space in the near future, The Burrow will offer art and pottery classes to the community beginning in early 2022. Specifically, children’s after-school art and pottery class-

Former BICS education assistant Sara Skuce is creating a space where children and adults can discover their inner artist. es, youth and adult evening classes, a special focus for families on weekends and membership for weekday use. I hope to offer unique programming that will inspire the creative process. The Burrow celebrates all artists, crafters and makers and welcomes submissions and proposals from anyone interested in teaching a class. The Burrow offers a unique teaching experience that includes set up, clean up, space, and most materials and supplies. All you have to do is provide an amazing teaching experience for your students! Please email info@theburrowbowen.com for more information.

Patient of the Week

Wishing you a very merry holiday season and a happy and healthy new year.

Tim Rhodes

REALTOR®

RHODES ON BOWEN

REAL ESTATE MARKETING rhodesonbowen.com

604-341-9488

INNOVATION REALTY INC.

tim@rhodesonbowen.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from all of us at Bowen Island Properties

ALFIE Meet Alfie! Who could resist this face in a Christmas sweater! Alfie was in recently for vaccines and to pick up some flea and tick

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prevention. Due to the mild climate here, ﬂeas and ticks are active almost all year, so it is important to stay up to date on prevention.

To schedule appointments, please call

We know Alﬁe will be staying warm

or email reception@bowenvet.com

and parasite free this winter.

604.947.9247

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Photo: Susan Pratt

May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve. Unknown

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Thursday, December 23, 2021

Food resiliency: lessons from the pandemic RABIA WILCOX

Bowen Island Food Reslience

Several years ago, I was asked what motivated me to become a member of the Bowen Island Food Resilience Society and my answer was clear: my children, my grandchildren, and future generations; to grow, nurture and harvest organic, regeneratively-grown vegetables, and fruit and nut trees, even though I may never live to reap the benefits of my labour. In March of 2020, the pandemic arrived and BIFS was invited by John Reid (the Grafton Lake Lands) to manage a portion of Agricultural Land Reserve across from Grafton Lake. Grafton Agricultural Commons — The Commons — was born. We found ourselves at the nexus of a crisis, with tools, knowledge and aspirations to share. BIFS volunteers jumped at the chance, gratefully taking on the task of growing food for those who might be struggling through the tough and scary times

of a shut-down world. With the kind offering of a Community Resiliency Fund Grant from Bowen Island Community Foundation, and, the support of the Bowen Island Municipality, we developed the community garden. We gifted many of the garden’s nourishing vegetables and our Bowen Grown soups to the Bowen Island Food Bank. We sold at the Saturday Farmers Market at BICS and hosted a fall charity soup sale. With these sales we donated monies to the Christmas Hamper and the Helping Hands Fund. It warmed our hearts to know that several folks on the island had some relief during these challenging times. Another great joy was the involvement of so many young people at The Commons. Students from Island Discovery Learning Centre and Island Pacific School showed up several times to lend a hand in the garden while learning valuable gardening and team building skills. And, from our Bowen Island

Students from Island Pacific School were among the many volunteers who learned about regenerative agriculture at Grafton Agricultural Commons. Photo submitted community, we enjoyed the help of many adult volunteers who regularly contributed. After reading this, you might ask yourself, “what does regeneratively grown food mean?” Well, it is the best method for increasing soil health and land productivity. It is also an increasingly important climate mitigation because healthy, non-plowed soil sequesters carbon and contributes to the restoration of biodiversity. And, in my world, I think future

generations may well be thankful for this. BIFS members are committed volunteers who work to understand and respond to the impact on our food system of many factors, including changes to our climate, importance of biodiversity, and issues of social and economic justice. In July 2021, BIFS created and printed a colourful photo book entitled Growing Food During the Pandemic. It’s a valuable historical piece with an easy-to-read text that

was made possible by a grant from Regenerative Bowen Island (formerly Bowen In Transition). The book records the good that can come out of a world-wide disaster when a community pulls together. You can find copies at the library and Bowen Island Museum and Archives. We also invite you to visit https://BowenFoodResilience.ca and consider making a donation by contacting us at bowenfoodresilience@gmail.com

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Thursday, December 23, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A11

BICS seed sale celebrates acts of kindness SARAH HAXBY

Contributor

BICS students select various local and global initiatives to support in order to make a positive difference in the world both in their own community and in the world at large. As local citizens, students held a food donation drive to support the needs of the Bowen Island Food Bank. Thanks to the generosity of students, families and staff, hundreds of items and many boxes of food are being delivered to the local food bank. As global citizens, the BICS Student Council looked at various options to raise funds to support the BICS Plan Child. Each year they pledge to raise just over $500 to support a child in need. As the Plan child is from a farming family, they thought it was a good fit to sell seed packages in order to raise funds for Irene and her family who live in Kenya in a single-parent household. Students chose a seed sale because seeds are a useful item, help people to learn how to grow food and because one of the options is an easy-to-grow kid-friendly vegetable garden pack of six seed packages for $10. There

Happy Holidays! our next Undercurrent will be January 6. No paper Dec 30 Keira, a member of the BICS Student Council, displays one of the seed packets that students are selling to help a family in Kenya. are also flower, herb and pollinator packs. Please order online if you would like to support this fundraiser that is being made possible thanks to Make it Sow, a Canadian company. The online ordering is open now and the last day to purchase is Jan 28, 2022. Link to order site: https://makeitsow. com/shop/#code-submission. Group Code: bowen_island_community_2022

Happy Holidays! It's been a pleasure getting to know more community members and being of service assisting with your Real Estate needs over the past year. Wishing you the best of the holiday season and a happy & healthy 2022.

The Snug Cove House Society: Next Steps As most of you know, the Snug Cove House Society has been working on the development of a supportive seniors housing project for many years. An enormous amount of work has already been done, including expressions of support from community residents. We have applied for funding from BC Housing and as part of that process we need to undertake a market study. We have commissioned Lumina Services of Vancouver to conduct the study. Lumina is the leading provider in Western Canada of market and financial feasibility studies for seniors’ housing and care developments. Kate Mancer, Principal of Lumina and the author of The Future of Seniors’ Housing: Planning, Building and Operating Successful Seniors Housing Projects, will lead three lively and informative sessions about housing and aging in the 21st century. Bring all your comments, observations and questions. The three sessions will be as follows, all at Collins Hall:

Angie Kirk

Wednesday, January 5th 2:00 PM

REALTOR ®

Wednesday, January 5th 7:00 PM

25 years experience helping people buy and sell homes

Thursday, January 6th 10:00 AM

604-916-3429 angiekirkrealtor.ca

To make sure we have enough refreshments, please RSVP to Graham Ritchie at info@snugcovehouse.com NOTE: In accordance with Provincial government requirements for indoor organized gatherings, proof of vaccination will be required.

A12 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, December 23, 2021

You’ll need a pass to access parking at Mount Seymour Provincial Park BRENT RICHTER

North Shore News

A trip up to the top of Mount Seymour will require a pass this winter, even if you’re not planning to visit the ski resort. Free online passes are now mandatory to park on the mountain between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.. The province says the “pilot project” is to address the growing surge of visitors coming to the mountain. “Winter is the busiest season for Mount Seymour Park, especially during the holiday break, with downhill skiers and park visitors sharing limited parking,” said Environment Minister George Heyman. “We encourage people to stay active and safe this winter, and plan their visit to Mount Seymour Park in advance so they can enjoy a safe and less crowded experience.” According to the province, more than 1.1 million people visit-

ed the park in 2020, up 20 per cent from 2018. Parks advocates, however, say the province should be working on ways to accommodate visitors, rather than turn them away. Park visitors will have to choose a morning pass, which requires them to leave the mountain by noon, or an afternoon pass, which cannot be used before 12 p.m. The passes, which are issued per vehicle, allow for up to eight visitors. Unlike previous iterations of a pass system for local provincial parks, this one allows people to book their passes up to two days in advance. Passes will be available via the BC Parks website. Foreseeing technical difficulties and poor cell reception at checkpoints, the province is advising people to either physically print their pass out, or download them onto their phone. North Vancouver parks advocate Steve Jones said the pass system speaks to the overall weakness of the “make them go away” management policy used by BC

A snowshoer enjoys a sunset hike on Mount Seymour, December 2017. Kevin Hill, North Shore News files Parks of late. “Unfortunately, the pattern that we’re seeing in BC Parks, is the only arrow they have in their quiver is just trying to limit who can get to a park,” he said. Public transportation geared towards park users would be a big step toward maintaining access, he said. “It’s a large mountain. There’s a very large number of people that can visit the mountain. The constraint is parking. So why would we not introduce a shuttle before we start limiting how many peo-

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH BOWEN BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH www.biuc.ca • 1122 Miller Road

Service Collins Christmas Eve - 5 pm: A family Christmas Minis 9 pm: Lessons and Carols

BOWE

Sunday Service Dec 26 10:30 am Rev. Lorraine Ashdown

FOOD BANK

FOOD DROP-OFF BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Christmas Eve. Carol Singing at 6pm followed by Mass at 6.30 No Mass Christmas Day | Mass 9.30 Sunday 26th Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

604-988-6

CATES HILL CHAPEL

CATES HILL

-6304

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

Friday December 24th 6 pm

(661 Carter Rd.)

10:00Candle Light Christmas Eve service - everyone welcome! Pastor: Phil Adkins

SHIRAT HAYAM (Song of the Sea) BOWEN’S JEWISH COMMUNITY Shabbat Gatherings ~ Holidays Contact aryana.rayne@gmail.com

ple can go?” he asked. “If we’re acknowledging that there’s a lot of members of the public who want to get to a single place, that’s a great reason to run a bus route up there.” Opening the gates an hour earlier would allow more “dawn patrol” snowshoers to come and go before the crowds arrive, Jones said, and a new trail from the base that caters to hikers and snowshoers would be appealing as well. A pass system also introduces new safety concerns, Jones worried. Allowing people to book two

days in advance is helpful, but weather and avalanche risk forecasts can change quickly, meaning some people may feel compelled to visit the backcountry in unsafe conditions, simply because they snagged a pass. Not requiring passes after 4 p.m. is another good step, but it will encourage people to wait until after dark to hit the trails, which carries its own risks, Jones added. Regardless of whether it is a daytime trip or not, BC AdventureSmart is urging people to be prepared.

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule November 22, 2021 to March 31, 2022

DEPART BOWEN ISLAND

DEPART HORSESHOE BAY

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 7:40pm Except SAT 8:55 pm " - 8:30 pm 10:00 pm " - 9:30 pm 11:00pm " -10:30 pm

5:50 am 6:50 am 8:00 am 9:05 am except Wednesdays 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:20 pm Except SAT 9:30pm " - 9:00 pm 10:30pm " - 10:00 pm

Note: Schedules subject to change without notice: Please check BCFERRIES.COM

Schedule changes on statutory holidays

Thursday, December 23, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A13

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND

Winter Solstice

Nick West/Unsplash

The daylight slips behind The cedar grove early now

But tonight the world turns Like a water wheel through molasses

A gold coin through a slot

Soon the deep inky sky Will be nibbled at the edges

The darkness hangs heavy And each year I forget That the swaddle that wraps us In its bondage will once again lift Giving way to the shiver Of snowdrops And small fists of pussy willows

Revealing the greening light That has been waiting all along just on the other side

THANK YOU Wishing peace and joy to all our Bowen staff and patrons, the teachers, parents and other friends, who made 2021 an awesome year! We look forward to seeing you in the spring.

Best wishes, Brent

— Jude Neale

Happy Holidays 106-996 Dorman Road | ﬁrstcu.ca

Powell River Courtenay Cumberland Union Bay Bowser Bowen Island Texada Island Hornby Island

A14 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Your Community

MARKETPLACE bowenislandundercurrent.com

Call or email to place your ad, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

604-444-3000 • 604-653-7851 classiﬁeds@van.net

PRACTICAL NURSING

SPROTTSHAW.COM

SUDOKU

BC WIDE CLASSIFIEDS INDUSTRIAL/ COMMERCIAL INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008. Built with concrete posts. Barns, shops, riding arenas, machine sheds and more. adam.s@integritybuilt.com 1-250-351-5374. www.integritybuilt.com

@BowUndercurrent

Join our Join the growing conversation network!at facebook.com/BIUndercurrent www.facebook.com/BIUndercurrent

ANSWERS

MOVING

2 Guys With A Truck Moving & Storage 604-628-7136

HEALTH & WELLNESS BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755

at the entrance to Artisan Square Suite 597

To advertise here please call 604947-2442

Book online at bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca

or email ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, December 23, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SKY members and those interested in joining SKY, may be interested in knowing we are walking together on Wednesday afternoons. Please contact 778-886-3600 TO DECEMBER 26 December Art Market Hearth Gallery: Gift items from local artists and artisans. 11 to 5 daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (Note: the gallery will be open every day until Christmas.)

TO JANUARY 2 Drop by and wander the Museum & Archives’ annual beloved winter wonderland outdoor and window exhibit. This year gets cozy with themes of “Joy, Love and Equality “

THURSDAY DEC 30 Afternoon at the Movies: The Little Prince This event has been cancelled.

* Please note this list was collected on December 21. Events may be subject to change with new Covid protocols.

DECEMBER 29 TO JANUARY 9 Flights & Reflections Bird-focused exhibition Hearth Gallery 11 to 5 daily except Tuesdays Artist pARTy is Saturday, January 1 from 5 to 7 pm.

SATURDAY JAN 29 Teen Advisory Group Meeting 2 pm, Bowen Library Annex A place for Bowen teens, 13-18 years old, to share ideas about the library’s teen programs, services and collections! Drop ins welcome. Visit bipl.link/TAG.

CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICES DECEMBER 24 Cates Hill Chapel

6pm Candlelight Christmas Eve service Everyone welcome Bowen Island United Church

5pm A Family Christmas 9pm Lessons & Carols DECEMBER 26

St. Gerard’s Catholic Church

9:30am Christmas Mass Welcome, all of goodwill

BOWEN HOME SERVICES love the life you live Window Blinds On Bowen 778-995-1902 Landscape Lighting Irrigation

Seascape Bruce Culver

Office: 604-947-9686

Cell: 604-329-3045

I&I TOWING HAULING LTD

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Vehicles • Construction Equipment Sea-Can Containers • Tiny Homes

RENOVATIONS RESTORATION ADDITIONS

Bowen Island • Greater Vancouver Vancouver Island • Sunshine Coast

SECONDARY STRUCTURES UNIQUE OUTDOOR SPACES SUB CONTRACT WORK

BUILT GREEN BC BUILDER Michael Bingham • 604 947 1717 ianditowhaul@gmail.com

BOWEN ISLAND ROOFING ROOFING & REPAIRS

604-987-7663

Trade ticket certified #00012-RO-96

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

A16 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, December 23, 2021

T hank You to all for your support this past year From all of us at the Building Centre We wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy Happy New Year!

HOLIDAY HOURS Closing at noon on Friday Dec. 24th Closed - Saturday Dec. 25th Closed - Sunday Dec. 26th Closed - Monday Dec. 27th Closed - Tuesday Dec. 28th Open 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 29th Open 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday Dec. 30th Open 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday Dec. 31st Closed - Saturday Jan 1st Closed - Sunday Jan 2nd Closed - Monday Jan 3rd

BOWEN BUILDING CENTRE Helping islanders since 1972 • 1013 Grafton Road 604-947-9622

2021 LIGHTS ON BOWEN SNUG COVE

USSC Marina Boardwalk The Hearth MILLERS LANDING

510 Collins Road 368 Eagle Nest Road EAGLE CLIFF Highland Trail THE VALLEY

The Fire Hall Kerr Hill 998 Harding Road

SCARBOROUGH HOME FARM

TUNSTALL BAY

BLUE WATER 847 Windjammer 901 Clipper Place n n n n n n n n

LIGHT CHALLENGE Our expert panel of Christmas Light enthusiasts will be touring the neighbour hoods all week looking for the BEST of the BEST