Bowen Island Undercurrent February 2 2023

WHAT’S GOIN ON DOWN

Compost Facility explores different composting sytem

BOWEN’S COMPOSTING CAPITAL PROJECT ISN’T BUILT YET, BUT IS ALREADY ESTIMATED TO HAVE REACHED ITS WASTE CAPACITY

ALEX KURIAL Editor

Alternative equipment is being considered to get the future On-Island Compost Facility up and running

The facility (OICF), which would be located on the site of the Recycling Depot, is one of several capital projects currently underway by the municipality (BIM) Once completed it will be able to process the island’s organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, which would be turned into a usable soil Being able to do this work locally could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions The project has been a long time in the making, the idea first being floated in 2012 and being fleshed out in more detail through the On-Island Compost Facility Working Group in 2015 A feasibility study was completed in 2020, and council committed to financial support of the OICF the next year

Based on study results, the machinery chosen to perform the composting work was the ‘Hot Rod’ in-vessel compost system The estimated costs for the Hot Rod and building to house it was $1,528,900 A successful funding application to the Clean BC Organics Infrastructure Grant would cover the majority of costs at $1,019,266, with BIM borrowing $409,634 and the Knick Knack Nook – who have been major proponents of the project since the start – contributing $100,000 of their own

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Events

AllCouncilmeetingsareopen tothepublictoattendin personorelectronically, unlessnotedotherwise.

February 13, 2023

6:15 pm

RegularCouncilMeeting

We’re hiring

Recreational Clerk & Program Assistant

BIMhasavacancyforapermanent,full-timeRecreationClerk& ProgramAssistant,startingassoonaspossibleThiscustomer-facing positionisbasedintheCommunityRecreationOffice,andworks closelywiththedynamicRecreationteamtosupportthedeliveryof engagingprogramsandeventstoourcommunity.

Wewillacceptapplicationsuntilthepositionisfilled

Tofindoutmoreabouttheposition,salaryinformationandtoapply: wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/work-with-us

Sustainable Community Grants

Doyouneedsupportforaprojectthatincreasesclimateresiliency throughcommunityactionorenvironmentalprotection?

BIMisinvestinginclimateactionthroughtheSustainableCommunity GrantProgram.Manydifferenttypesofprojectsmaybesupported. Pleaserefertothegrantcriteriafordetails,andbeinnovative!Weare acceptingapplicationsuntilApril14that4:30pm

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/grants-for-the-community/

Bluewater Park Water System Replacement Project

BIMintendstoborrowupto$3,100,000fromtheMunicipalFinance AuthoritytofundupgradestotheBluewaterParkWaterSystem

ANoticeofIntentwaspublishedJanuary5,2023andallproperty ownersweresentnoticesinthemail

IfyouownpropertywithinthelocalserviceareaandyouareIN FAVOURofthefinancingplanforthisproject,noactionisnecessary.

Seeking Public Comment

1042MillerRoad

PositivelyFitGym

RegularCouncilMeeting

6:15pmonMonday,February13,2023

PROJECTDESCRIPTION:

ATemporaryUsePermit(TUP)andaDevelopmentVariancePermit (DVP)applicationhasbeensubmittedfor1042MillerRoad(shownon map)tocontinueoperatinganexistingfitnessstudio/gymnasiumas anaccessoryuseunderthe‘indoorentertainmentfacility’useandto varytherequiredoff-streetparkingrequirementsfromsixtotwo

February2,2023

MOREINFORMATIONATMUNICIPALHALL:

FormoreinformationpleasecontactNatashaCheong,Island CommunityPlannerbyemailncheong@bimbc.caorbyphoneat 604-947-4255ext247 We’reopenbetween8:30amand4:30pm, MondaythroughFriday(excludingstatutoryholidays)

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/planning

YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:

4:00pmonMonday,February6,2023.

IfyouownpropertywithinthelocalserviceareaandyouareNOTIN FAVOURyouneedtocompleteaPetitionAgainstformandsubmitit totheCorporateOfficerby

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/notice-of-intent-bluewater-parkwater-improvements/

Invasive Species: Unwanted Pets

PetsarenotwildlifeDon’tletthemloose

Unwantedpetsandplantscancauseseriousdamagetoourlocal ecosystemsManypetsreleasedinthewilddiebystarvation, predators,orvehiclesSurvivorscanthreatennativespeciesby:taking overhabitat,introducingdisease,oreatingthemandtheireggs

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/living-with-wildlife-on-bowen/

WrittensubmissionsmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHallby4:00pm onMonday,February13:

• Inperson

• Bymail

• Byfax

• Byemailtomayorandcouncil@bimbcca

Toensureafairprocess,writtensubmissionscannotbeaccepted after4:00pm

Verbalsubmissionscanbemadeatthemeetingat6:15pmon Monday,February13,inCouncilChambersatMunicipalHallor virtuallyviaZoom

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/council-meetings

Service yard decision headed for further review

ALEX KURIAL Editor

The municipality will take some more time to decide how to proceed with the situation at the public works service yard

A special council meeting was held on Monday morning after Mayor Andrew Leonard said he wasn’t fully comfortable with the decision reached during last week’s meeting, where members approved $190,000 to perform design and environmental assessments on the Carter Road site This came following a report from director of engineering Patrick Graham outlying several hazards at the site – including mold, arsenic, and a rat infestation – that can be harmful to workers and the environment

“I think that the unanimous vote at our meeting last Monday night speaks to an urgent and immediate need to take care of our public works staff Our director of engineering, in addition to the stark images he presented to us of the utter disrepair and decay of the works yard, states in the conclusion of his report that BIM has a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace for municipal employees that enable them to deliver the best value service to the public,” said Leonard.

The mayor visited the site last week and concurred with the situation outlined in the report, though he did note the professionalism of the public works staff despite their unsatisfactory working conditions

Graham’s presentation also came with plans for an upgraded facility with proper amenities for both public works staff and their equipment and vehicles Total costs were estimated around $4 million, and it’s this part Leonard felt needed more discussion – provided the current safety needs of workers can be met in the meantime.

“If the short-term solution is addressed immediately through temporary crew space, this removes the emergency thinking that led council to approve a $4 million capital project without the oversight of our finance committee, and that’s extracurricular to our budget process, ” said the mayor

A new motion from Leonard directed staff to investigate options for crews to base themselves while a decision is made on the future of the service yard. This could be a temporary structure such as a trailer, which would be needed in the future anyway during the several months between demolition of the current building and construction of the new building

These interim options will be heard at the Feb 27 council meeting Graham expressed some concern the change of

Hot Rod or Earth Flow?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

However, after analyzing updated estimates on how much organic waste is currently being produced, the original plan for a single Hot Rod no longer looks sufficient, according to manager of environment and parks planning Carla Skuce

Using the 2018 total of 540 tonnes of waste volume, the feasibility study predicted a 10 tonne annual increase But last year Bowen’s number was 675 tonnes of organic waste, a mark that wasn’t planned to be hit until 2031/32.

“Part of the issue is that we had very little data to go off of, but we ’ ve also had a significant population growth With Covid and everyone staying home there was a large increase in the green waste volume,” says Skuce

Along with collections from the FireSmart program, yard waste, and cardboard, the estimated annual volume stands at 790 tonnes Hot Rods have yearly capacity of between 800 to 900 tonnes, which Skuce says means proceeding with the original plan would already but the OICF at or over capacity.

Skuce presented a pair of solutions, one of which would abandon the Hot Rod plan in favour of a compost system

from Green Mountain Technologies known as ‘Earth Flow’

This equipment had actually gathered favour from the working group, but not pursued because of fears over odour control. Skuce says the Earth Flow would now be placed in an air-tight building, so smells – or other environmental concerns such as runoff – shouldn’t be a problem

A single Earth Flow can process about 1,300 tonnes of waste a year, with the ability to one day modify the composter to double its capacity. Cost-wise the building and equipment is estimated to cost $1,230,940, with BIM’s share of the project at $306,210.

The other alternative would be purchasing a pair of Hot Rods. Skuce estimates this method would run significantly more expensive at $2,406,740, which would increased the municipality’s contribution almost $1 million to $1,287,474. The Clean BC grant can cover a maximum of $1,019,266, and the Knick Knack Nook’s portion is $100,000 regardless of the equipment chosen.

Given this information council approved $5,000 for staff to begin consultation with Green Mountain Technologies to

plans – sending the design and environmental requests for further deliberation could delay the end product

“The process that we ’ ve gone through was to look at the program and space requirements, and to work with the design consultant team on the various site and building configurations to provide that space How that building is delivered – whether it’s a purpose built structure… or if it’s delivered as a pre-fabricated or modular type construction – those are construction methods and details that could come out through the remaining detailed design process, ” said Graham

“That was the intention of requesting the $190,000 right away, ” he added, noting whatever decision is reached the final request would still go through the usual budget process

Council voted 6-1 to accept Leonard’s reconsideration, with Coun. Sue Ellen Fast in dissent

“I think this project is really important I think staff can bring us the cost savings I’m concerned that this motion could delay things,” said Fast

Further financial discussions about fixes to the service yard, along with any necessary work at the Salal Road public works site, will now be held during this year ’ s budget process

The Finance Advisory Committee will also review the project’s plans

see if the Earth Flow would be a viable solution for the OICF site These discussions will also fulfill the grant requirement for a “substantial start” to the project by a Feb 20 deadline

Once a decision is made, the Earth Flow system is expected to take around three to four months to arrive, while the pair of Hot Rods would be about seven months out The grant also stipulates the OICF must be completed by March 31, 2024.

An Earth Flow composter would be able to handle Bowen’s current organic waste volume. / BIM

VIEWPOINTS Black History Month

Well folks we ’ ve moved turned the page to February which means it’s Black History Month, and there’s many different ways to take part and learn more about the importance of this observance One is to check out local events, such as the Library’s screening of Summer of Soul on Thursday, February 2 (more information in the calendar on Page 9)

While you ’ re there you might find a good book on the topic too My current read is A Different Drummer by William Melvin Kelley It paints a quasi-history of the United States where an extra state in the “East South Central region of the Deep South” is created following the Civil War Around 100 years later, a mass exodus of the state’s entire Black population takes place (for reasons I take it will be explained in the second half of the book) It’s been an engaging read so far, a story told from many different points of view, and impressively was written by Kelley when he was just in his early 20s I highly recommend giving it a go!

Whatever mode you choose - in-person, printed word, on-screen (another good example of this, with a Bowen connection, can be found on Page 6) - it’s important to devote some time, this month and every month, to seeing what we can do to advocate for racial equality Great strides have been made but injustices continue in Canada, the United States, and around the world, and it’s crucial to know how we can contribute to one day eradicating these in all forms

Alex Kurial, Editor

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Recipe of the Month - with Nancy Lee

I love making desserts but we really only have it if we have company This is a recipe that my sister-in-law Cindy gave to me many years ago It has become a favorite and sometimes even requested by our company

As I mentioned before we don’t normally eat dessert and I do tell our company to remind me to serve it I do remember one time we had company and I forgot all about dessert, so I sent the whole dish home with them as they left!

Cindy’s Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Pre-heat oven to 350

Crust

1 cup chopped walnuts, divided

1 1/4 cup unsifted flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Cheesecake layer

1 8oz cream cheese softened (sometimes

I add another 4 oz if I have it handy)

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

21 oz cherry pie filling

Crust Combine flour and brown sugar Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs Add 1/2 cup of walnuts and the coconut Mix well Remove 1/2 cup of the mixture and set aside Press into greased 8”x12” cake pan (or line pan with parchment paper) Bake for 12 to 15 minute

Cheesecake layer ~ Beat softened cream

cheese and sugar Add vanilla and egg and mix well Spread on hot baked crust Bake another 10 minutes

Spread the cherry pie filling on the cheesecake layer Combine the reserved crust mixture with the remaining chopped walnuts Sprinkle over the pie filling Bake for 15 minutes

Let cool and remember to serve it!

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Camping? It’s complicated

I’ve been pondering the Metro Vancouver Parks proposal for Cape Roger Curtis. When the plan first went public, social media erupted in a flurry. It’s been quiet since but “public consultation” will begin soon and I confess that my inner voice is protesting “But consultation doesn’t equal ownership or consent”

Is the plan entirely in Metro Vancouver’s domain? Or is there space for us to invent parks that are tailored to our unique status as an island municipality?

In my heart, the strongest argument against tens of thousands of annual visitors camping at the Cape is ecology. Dry forest habitats are fragile The lichens and mosses that cover the Cape’s coastal bluffs are essential to the forest nutrient cycle and take decades to centuries to establish but are easily extinguished by human impact

Roads and trails that were part of Cape residential development have noticeably changed the landscape The designated walking trail is intentionally well used but the light footprint of deer trails has been replaced by ever deepening and widening human forged paths to scenic bluffs and mini beaches

Off-road motorized vehicle tracks cut across protected land acquired by the Conservancy to protect rare plants and creatures And the urban hordes haven’t even arrived yet!

Skwxwú7mesh, locals, and visitors have wild camped at the Cape for generations But I think about the logistics of increased vehicle traffic on ferries and cross-island roads or the alternative of young families setting out across the Island to camp without a vehicle and I can’t quite make the picture work in my imagination.

A park at the Cape needs to encompass the Islands Trust mandate to “Preserve and Protect” And we can add “restore“ to that promise It is worth looking up a recent UBC

Lights and Magic at the ChristmasTree Lawn

Dear Bowen,

As another sparkling season of lights and making merry closes Bowen Children’s Centre and Family Place would like to thank everyone who came together to bring beauty and light to our Snug Cove once more

It takes a lot to make this fundraiser/event happen and so Family Place would like to celebrate those who made this “Festival of Trees” magical:

• Lyndsay, the Manager at the Caufeild Safeway and Naomi, the Manager of Save-On-Foods at Pemberton Plaza got us the best deal on the trees

• Thanks to Anna and her amazing staff at the Bowen Building Centre without

research report, “Measuring and Managing Park Carrying Capacity,” for a sobering review of Case Study attempts to manage transportation and parking at popular parks

Concentrating visitors exacerbates the damaging human footprint and erodes visitor satisfaction. Consider your last visit to Shannon Falls or the Sea to Sky Gondola trails and then consider a comparable density on Bowen destinations

With that in mind, I have been conjuring ideas around decentralization. What about a swap that sends campers to Crippen and restores the Cape for wildlife and “tread lightly” explorers? Davies Orchard comes to mind. Early island residents recall that “the orchard was jam full of trees and tents” Grievously neglected by Metro Parks, “Davies Orchard is the only extant steamship-era holiday cottage precinct that remains (minimally) intact and accessible in British Columbia” (CitizenLab) Perhaps it deserves to be a living heritage site replete with campers and cottagers

There are other forest and meadow spots within Crippen Park that could shelter small, hike-in campsites that would be eminently accessible to foot passengers and close to the restaurants, shops and entertainment that drives the Bowen tourism economy. Metro Parks could diversify by putting their lens on paddle access This would complement a campsite at Apodaca Provincial Park that was zoned for six wilderness campsites in the 1980s and has been given new energy by the Sea to Sky Marine Trail.

Forty million dollars is a huge and rare investment for park development on Bowen Island. I don’t suppose any of us can really know how a new park at the Cape might change us but I hope that we will give our best intelligent contribution to the process

- Betty Morton

A common experience

Talking about death and dying is not unusual in my ageclass, but much less common in younger people. Our culture has commodified and hospitalized what was once a normal part of living, and so it has become uncomfortable to talk about.

Dying is as much a part of life as being born. I was recently asked why I was not afraid of dying. I answered, in large part because of the large amount of hard science I have read and experienced showing that consciousness does not end with death

To share some of that knowledge I have reserved Collins Hall for Saturday, February 11 at 3 pm for a conversation on the NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE I will talk about how common it is, what happens in the experience, and how it affects those who have one

There will be lots of time for questions and discussion On march 11 I will share some of what I have learned about Life after Life All are welcome

- Paul Fast

Start thinking Bowfest!

Bowfest needs you! Our end-of-summer community celebration is about to begin planning for this year ’ s spectacular event on Saturday, August 26, 2023!

We are searching for creative, enthusiastic, and dedicated volunteers to join our Board and organizing committee Our next meeting is on Thursday, February 16 at 7 pm at Bowen Island Community School.

For more information email: bowfestonbowen@gmail com, or call Joan at 778-875-1727

- Joan Vyner

whom setting up the trees would have been a choreinstead it was FUN and then magically the stands disappeared back to their safe place for another year!

• Jen Rosling of Bowen Island Freight delivered our trees and, of course

• Steamship Marina’s Rhondy and Oydis Dyke once again supplied the space and the electricity Thank you to the Dykes!!

• Our surprise volunteers Chelsea and James Strang and Marlon and Shannon Strang really really brought a smile to the whole set up and tear down! Thank you.

• Last but far from

least - To our fearless, tireless coordinator Sarah Leeder, our heartfelt wishes for a calm and quiet spring

• And most of all, Ann Silberman! For her tireless efforts to bring this important fundraiser and beloved community event to us all.

Thank you, - Family Place Festival of Trees Team

Former Bowen residents behind Black History Month kids TV show

ALEX KURIAL

Editor

A pair of former Bowen filmmakers are using their new show to highlight diversity in the literary world – with some help from a young friend.

Ainara’s Bookshelf is the latest project from Cam and Kat Hayduk, who lived on the island for more than a decade before transplanting to Hamilton in 2016. The show stars 13-year-old host Ainara Alleyne as she talks about her favourite book selections by authors of minority and underrepresented communities

The young host is an avid reader, “literate beyond her years, ” says Cam She served as the Junior Librarian in Residence at the Hamilton Public Library in her hometown.

It’s the type of project the Hayduks are passionate about, and one of the reasons they made the choice to leave Bowen to grow their production company Turtlebox Productions Toronto – considered the hub of Canada’s kids TV industry, and the most diverse city in the country – is within an hour of their new home in the Steel City.

The Hayduks came across Ainara during the pandemic, where she used her time during various Covid lockdowns to make short videos on her Instagram reviewing books with diverse authors and characters. Ainara, who is Afro-Latina herself, was eager to highlight these various forms of representation.

“She rarely got to see herself in books, so when she did find a book that she was excited about, she couldn’t wait to share it with everybody,” says Cam

The Hayduks reached out to Ainara through her parents and, after the long process of development, distribution, creation, and sales necessary to even begin to think about filming, the idea got the green light Diverging somewhat from their typical do-it-all-themselves approach, Cam and Kat worked with a full crew to make the show come to life, including filming, set building, and editing

Shows typically begin with Ainara explaining why she likes the chosen book (minus spoilers), and highlighting what makes it unique Many episodes feature author interviews as well, including chats with high profile figures such as Peter Ramsey, director of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, or Newbery Medal winner Jerry Craft, author of graphic novel New Kid

Ainara’s Bookshelf debuted in January on the marbleKids YouTube channel, and has its Canadian premiere Thursday, Feb 2 on TVOntario Kids, part of Ontario’s publicly funded broadcast network TVO asked the Hayduks if it would be possible to have the show ready for the beginning of February to coincide with the start of Black History Month It meant some long nights in post production, but knowing it was important, they managed to have the content ready

“Our company ’ s tagline is making meaningful fun. What we love about this project is that we found this amazing talent who has this really important message and passion for creating empathy through storytelling with diverse perspectives It’s meant the world to us to be able to help amplify her voice,” says Kat about the show and Ainara.

“We entered into it as a full partnership – it’s really important that we understand

what it means to be an ally during these times, and to really help get that message and that perspective out there as much as we can, ” she adds

The Hayduks long filmmaking journey –from making small fundraiser videos for the Bowen Montessori school where Kat was a board member, to working for CBC, PBS Kids, Sesame Street, and being nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award – is one they credit Bowen with launching.

“We’ve always considered Bowen Island as the incubator for Turtlebox. It’s where we came up with the idea for our company, and it’s where we were able to, at a small scale, start experimenting and growing,” says Cam

The pair both held jobs in the film industry upon their arrival – Kat with Electronic Arts in Burnaby and Cam as a cameraman in Vancouver – but eventually tired of the daily commutes to the mainland. This sparked the creation of Turtlebox in 2009 (named for a pair of Cam’s pet turtles) which focused on making videos for non-profits, usually

for children’s organizations such as Bowen Family Place

One of these series many on Bowen may remember is Will’s Kids, a music show which ran three seasons on CBC and featured many island children.

It wasn’t long after that the Hayduks vision, and workload, outgrew the small island, and they had to leave for the opportunities of the big city. But they’ve taken their chances to come back to Bowen whenever possible.

Cam journeyed here last month for his birthday (a party was thrown for him at Belterra) and said stepping into the Pub it was like he never left with the number of people coming to say hello “It just felt like coming home,” he said.

“Getting up at 7 am and hoofing around the lake and inhaling that air I miss the trees,” Cam added about some of the local treasures which can’t be replicated out east

“We couldn’t be on Bowen anymore, ” explains Cam “But I have to tell you I miss Bowen Island with my entire being”

Cam Hayduk, Ainara Alleyne, and Kat Hayduk on the set of Ainara’s Bookshelf.

Xenia, OPA, the Labyrinth, and the Sanctuary no longer accessible to the public

ANGELYN TOTH Founder/Owner of Xenia

It is with a sad heart I have made the difficult decision to close Xenia for public access

I have owned Xenia for 28 years and in the past two years, things have changed greatly Where once people visited OPA respectfully, it has become a TikTok and Instagram tourist attraction bringing people every day and on weekends, by the droves Sometimes there were so many cars parked down the road, you could hardly get by, and my private guests were unable to use the Sanctuary or take precious time because it was overrun with visitors

Last year we made the shift to having pedestrian access only and this helped but it did not stop the disrespectful acts of literally climbing the tree for a selfie or two and stuffing things into OPA’s bark and turning OPA into a shrine

I regularly take bags full of stuff from OPA’S bark I believe people mean well when they come and don’t realise the damage they are causing

Committees Seeking Members

Committeesareagreatwaytoengagewithcommunitymembers withsimilarintereststoyoursandtogetyourvoiceheardby newlyelectedCouncil!

The biggest problem is OPA’s roots are being compromised. I have spoken to an arborist and Metro Vancouver parks, and they assured me of my greatest fear and that is the constant climbing and stomping on OPA’s exposed roots is negatively impacting the tree.

In addition to these challenges, we have had many people walk by a very large sign saying: STOP…. only registered guests beyond this point. But they continue to walk on in, expecting a spontaneous tour while we have private events going on. We have found people in the barn grooming our horses without permission

This is a private retreat centre and I need to honour the health of OPA tree, our animals and our guests’ privacy Thank you for your understanding

I do know this is not a local problem as many of you visit Xenia with respect and kindness and have thanked me on many occasions

For our local community who want to visit OPA, please call our office: 604-9479816 or email: xeniacentre@gmail com and we will gladly set up a time for you to have access

WhilesomeCommitteesmeetonlytoprovideadvice,othersalso formsubcommitteesanddohands-onwork.Chooseagroupthat matchesyourinterest,capacity,passion,orexpertise–whetherit berecreationoreconomicdevelopment,transportationor heritage,housingortheenvironment,thereareseveral BIM Committeeslookingfornewmembers

Checkoutthelistofgroupsandtimecommitmentforeach. bowenislandmunicipality.ca/join-a-committee-of-council/

Art Installation Explores Local Residents’Experiences of‘Home’

EMILY VAN LIDTH DE JEUDE Contributor

It was a frigid day in February, five years ago, snow still blanketing the crystallized soil, when my father stepped into his garden to be interviewed. He was the first person to speak to me and my camera about his feelings of home.

He came to Canada as an immigrant in the 60’s, cleared and developed a property here on Nexwlélexwm/Bowen Island with my my mother, where they raised two children and hundreds of rhododendrons, building a veritable arboretum of trees, rare and endangered species, and beautiful flowers

He’s a part of this land, for sure, as is Diane Buchanan, who spoke of her childhood here, when the population was about a tenth of what it is now, and how she connects with the land and community.

Dawn Smoke opened up to me about finding a feeling of home (and not) as a survivor of the Sixties Scoop and someone with a rich and varied history of homes across our continent She remembers running away to make her home in the bush at only 13 years old, and also renting a 60-acre farm for only $60 a month, where she homesteaded as an adult.

Children from our community showed me their special places; the fort that one of them built on the mountainside, the skate park in Ambleside, and the bits and pieces of this land that are important to them

This project, called w h a t h o m e, includes the voices, stories and wisdom of 30 people from our region. From immigrants to Indigenous people (from both North and South Americas), to settlers and refugees, this project spans some diversity of those who call this place home, and it digs at the meaning of the word ‘home’ in a broader context: What creates a sense of belonging and identity? What inherent rights do we

have to live and create shelter for ourselves?

Michael Chapman lived on his boat at the time I interviewed him He and many other participants landowners, renters, and homeless people spoke eloquently about the injustice of housing in our society, both from a shelter-need perspective, and from a colonial one.

I developed the installation that came from these interviews during a residency in Amsterdam, with my friends and fellow artists Igor Sevcuk (orig Bosnia) and Go Eun Im (orig Korea), whose own work also involves layers of ideas around home and belonging, and experimental film

w h a t h o m e is a two-channel video installation that explores the concept of ‘home’ through story, voice, landscape and human interaction, in a hanging matrix of fabric Visitors walk into and among the projected landscapes and speakers, where shadows, stories, and movement combine

I’m so very grateful to Igor and Go Eun for their encouragement and critiquing of this

project; to the many people whose thoughts and stories form the backbone of it, to the Hearth Gallery, the Emily Carr Alumni Association, West Vancouver Arts Council, Vigilance Magazine and Spilt Milk for supporting the project, as well.

And, after various pandemic and funding-related BC exhibition cancellations, this Canadian premiere of w h a t h o m e wouldn’t be happening without its gracious host, the Gibsons Public Art Gallery!

I hope you’ll come see the show it’s a double-ferry trip from our little island, followed by a 10-minute bus-ride to the gallery (or a nice bike-ride, if you ’ re so inclined!) A happy afternoon spent on the Sunshine Coast!

w h a t h o m e - An art installation by Emily van Lidth de Jeude

February 9 to March 5, 2023 Gallery

Hours: Thursday to Monday, 11 am to 4 pm

Meet the Artist: February 11, 12 to 2 pm

Gibsons Public Art Gallery, 431 Marine Drive, Gibsons, BC

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday, February 2

Black History Month Film Night at Bowen Library

Join us for a screening “Summer of Soul” directed by Questlove Drop in, no registration required Film starts promptly at 6 pm, and runs 118 minutes Rated PG

Friday, February 3

Legion Dinner

Meal will be prepared by former Blue Eyed Mary’s chef Kindy and friends. Doors at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:30. Meat Bingo is also being held Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 pm.

Saturday, February 4

Judi Gedye Open House

3 to 4 pm at Collins Hall. Come by to chat with Coun. Judith Gedye and others, and enjoy some baked goods too

Thursday, February 9

Game Night! At the Bowen Library

5 to 7:30 pm Drop in for all ages, family-friendly games, including cards & board games Bring your own games too

Saturday, February 11

Near Death Experience

A conversation with Paul Fast At Collins Hall at 3 pm

Saturday, February 11

Overnight Sensation comedy show with Deborah Kimmett

Tir-na-nOg Theatre at 3 pm (evening show sold out) If you need a good laugh then join Deborah Kimmett from CBC Debaters and Second City for her new show Overnight Sensation Kimmett riffs on bicycle cops, how to get along with your neighbours (especially the ones who try to tell you how to parallel park) and how not to deal with your hecklers, even if she’s your Mom. Don’t miss one of Canada’s funniest comics, get your tickets at www.kimmett.ca/event

Monday, February 13

Rotary Speaker Series

Lieven Callewaert on A Healthy Life Means a Healthy

Community and Planet: The Resilience Institute Everyone is welcome to join us at Artisan Square at 7:30 pm

Thursday, February 16

Bowfest Meeting

Come help plan this year ’ s festival. 7 pm at BICS. See Page 5

February 17, 18, 24, 25

The Winter’s Tale

Bard on the Rock presentation. At Cates Hill Chapel, doors at 7 pm and performance begins at 7:15 Tickets $25 by cash or cheque at Cates Pharmacy Look forward to seeing you there!

Wednesday, February 22

Getting to Know Dementia Workshop

1 to 3 pm at the Bowen Library. Register for this free workshop where you’ll learn basic information about dementia and support services available Enhance your knowledge about dementia and learn about the different types of resources that are available at any stage of the disease Pre-registration is required; to register, please call the First Link® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033. This is a Bowen Library Supported program, presented by the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia

TUESDAYS

Community Lunches at the Legion

2nd and 4th Tuesday’s of every month from 11:30 am to 1 pm Adult only, drop-in event $10 for a full lunch

Yoga at Collins Hall

Tuesdays from 1 to 2 pm. All levels of experience welcome... Chair to Standing. $15 drop in. Email jackie.minns@gmail.com or call 604-220-9092

WEDNESDAYS

Storytime at Bowen Library

Bowen Bridge

After a three year absence, duplicate bridge has returned to Bowen! New members are welcome. We meet from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Bowen Court on Wednesdays, starting February 1. Fee is $5 per person per session. Your place at the table must be arranged - by email - no later than 6 pm on the Monday before. To make your booking or to seek more information, please email bowcates@yahoo ca We look forward to seeing you

THURSDAYS

Breath & Workspace @ Sweat The Technique Studio

Join this beginner movement class created to rebalance and prep the body for more active mobility. 6 pm

SATURDAYS

Men’s Mobility Circuit Class @ 9 am, Mobility Skills Class (All Levels) @ 10:15 am - Sweat The Technique Studio. Pre-register for both Thursday and Saturday classes weekly at sweatthetechniquestudio com

Tunstall Bay Ocean Plunge

Saturdays at 11:45 am Free community activity. Register at sweatthetechniquestudio.com

STAMP SEARCH!

Don’t forget that Save the Children Canada would like to receive your Christmas stamps The stamps will be sold to a dealer and the money raised will be used to help children in many countries

10:30 to 11 am

A free drop-in program of stories and songs for 2 to 4 year-olds and their caregivers! Runs every Wednesday to March 8

Bowen Islanders have been saving and donating cancelled postage stamps for many years and the woman at Save the Children who takes care of this program always admiringly comments on the generosity of Bowen residents. The stamps should be taken to the post office and given to a staff member there. They will then be sent on to Save the Children.

Thank you for your contributions.

- Susan Tennant

Clean and Clear waters

PAM MATTHEWS Contributor

1,625. That is the number of pounds of garbage pulled out of the waters surrounding the Bowen Island marina and the government dock last Saturday.

It took over 3 hours and 25 volunteers consisting of more than 10 divers and support people to haul the ocean debris up and sort it. The clean-up was part of a movement called Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans where scuba and free divers donate their time to clean up the waters around the coast.

There was an incredible array of items that were retrieved from the

depths, ranging from glass bottles to sailboat toilets to coffee makers! It is dismaying to think that while we live in such a beautiful and wealthy country, people can be so careless and unthinking about the importance of taking care of it

But it is heartwarming to think that so many people are willing to put in the time and effort to help clean up that mess I was especially grateful to see the young people who came to help

They were enthusiastic about some of the crazy finds (an iPhone 14 for example) and they too were impacted by the amount of trash in our ocean.

They were inspired to get involved

in more cleanups in the future as the work was rewarding and it was fun to be part of a community project with caring and like-minded folks Once the debris is sorted, counted and weighed, some of it will be recycled but much of it is destined for the landfill

However, a select few interesting pieces were claimed by Liz Nankin and Keith Shapland who will be using the pieces as part of an art project they will be creating with students from around the lower mainland at a sustainability conference later this month.

Many thanks to the divers and the volunteers as well as Amber Spitkovski for organizing the event, and to Bowen Waste and the Municipality for taking care of disposing of the debris.

Fire on Gambier Island burns down cabin

NEIGHBOURS SPRANG INTO ACTION, BUT THE FIRE FELL OUTSIDE OF THE BC WILDFIRE SERVICE’S JURISDICTION

KEILI

BARTLETT

Coast Reporter

Ian Shu got the call from his neighbour on Gambier Island around 10:15 am on Jan 30 just a few homes down from Shu, a cabin was on fire

Shu is the fire chief for the Gambier Estates neighbourhood He took a look outside, and could see the black smoke billowing and moving quickly Still in his pajamas, he ran over to help

“It was unfortunately already too late The whole building was completely engulfed in flames,” Shu said

Four neighbours, including Shu, arrived quickly with their fire response equipment (paid for by the residents themselves) Although it was a sunny day, Jan 30 was cold and their water supply was frozen Instead, they pumped seawater onto the flames hurrying to stop the spread to nearby propane tanks

The homeowners were not present, and there were no injuries

Shu said the surrounding neigh-

bourhoods of Halkett Bay are connected by a road and use a Whatsapp messaging group for emergency situations

“Unfortunately, there’s only a few of us that really knew how to operate the equipment,” Shu said When he took over fire coordination duties from another volunteer last year, Shu had about two hours of community-led training Since then, his training has been through on-the-ground experience

More neighbours arrived to help “By the time we had everything set up, it was just a pile of rubble, but it was still burning,” Shu said, so they worked to keep it from spreading

The house was gone before noon By 3 pm, the fire was mostly out, so a neighbour stayed up through the night to make sure it didn’t reignite It was all over by 8 am the next morning

The smoke had been visible to passing ferries and skiers at Cypress Mountain

BC Wildfire Service received reports of the fire, but did not attend Marg Drysdale, a fire information officer for the Coastal Fire Centre, said BC

Wildfire generally responds to fires in forested areas, but not to structure fires

“A lot of times if we get called on structure fires in areas where there’s forested lands around it, if we are concerned that it will spread to the forest, our people will attend However, because of the reports they were getting, and the general weather, et cetera, we learned that there were no reports of it spreading to the forest area So they did not attend,” Drysdale said

Instead, the response is up to the local fire jurisdiction but Gambier Island does not fall under such a jurisdiction Instead, residents form their own fire protection groups

The Jan 30 fire was in the same area of Gambier Island that saw a wildfire in August 2022 that came close to residences That fire drew a response from BC Wildfire and residents alike

“We were just very grateful that they showed up, ” Shu said of the August fire “I think we were, in a way, lucky that day that there wasn’t something else going on ”