Bowen Island Undercurrent March 30 2023

Bowen Ultimate players headed to Nationals

THE ISLAND TEENS WILL BE REPRESENTING THEIR NORTH SHORE CLUB PROGRAM

ALEX KURIAL Editor

A trio of Bowen teens are heading to Ontario to compete in the Canadian Junior Ultimate Championships this weekend.

Eilidh McDonald, Beck Morissette, and Noah Callewaert will be representing Canyon at the April 1-2 tournament in Oshawa, one of two B.C. squads in the eight-team competition. The three athletes attend three different schools – Island Pacific School (Eilidh), Rockridge Secondary (Beck), and West Vancouver Secondary (Noah) – but have all been part of the North Shore club since its creation last year

The 12-player co-ed team operates under the guidance of veteran coach Cody Hubbard, and is part of the Vancouver Ultimate League While it’s just the team’s second year of existence, they’re already off to take on some of the best young teams in the country. Canyon features a wide range of players, spanning from West and North Vancouver, Squamish, and Gibsons, along with the Bowen contingent

The group was recommended for a bid by their provincial sport organization, BC Ultimate, last summer Following tryouts the team was narrowed down to six boys and six girls

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Events

AllCouncilmeetingsareopen tothepublictoattendin personorelectronically,unless notedotherwise

March 30, 2023

2:00 pm

BudgetOpenHouse#2via Zoom

April 11, 2023

6:15 pm

RegularCouncilMeeting

April 13, 2023

1:00 pm

BoardofVarianceMeeting

Seeking Public Comment

BOV-2023-0011for657Channelview

Thursday,April13,2023at1:00pm

OnlineviaZoom

BoardofVarianceMeeting

PROJECTDESCRIPTION:

ABoardofVarianceapplicationhasbeensubmittedfor657 ChannelviewDrive(shownonfigure)toreducethesetback fromalotlinethatabutsahighwayforaproposedaccessory workshop ThepresenceofCliffRoadontheSouthsideofthe propertyrequiresasetbackof46m,whichtheapplicantshave requestedtoreduceto362minordertobuildonanexisting foundation.

Seeking Public Comment

DVP-2023-0065for1461MountGardner

Tuesday,April11,2023at6:15pm

OnlineviaZoom RegularCouncilMeeting

PROJECTDESCRIPTION:

ADevelopmentVariancePermitapplicationhasbeen submittedfor1461MountGardnerRoad(shownonmap)to increasethemaximumallowablelotcoverageaswellasthe maximumallowablesizeofadetachedsecondarysuite

Numerousfarmbuildingshavebeenaddedtotheproperty overtheyears,andthecurrentlotcoverageexceedsthe maximum Theapplicationistorequestapprovalofthe current2,880sqmoflotcoverage,whichexceedsthe maximumof1500sqm Theapplicantsalsowishtoconstruct anewdwelling,andwilldesignatetheexistingresidenceasa detachedsecondarysuite,whichrequiresavarianceasthe currentfloorareaof188sqmexceedsthemaximumallowable sizeof140sqm StaffwillintroducetheapplicationtoCouncil attheApril11,2023CouncilMeeting AtthatmeetingCouncil willdecidetosetadatetoconsiderissuingthepermit,ormay choosetonotproceedfurtherwiththeapplication

Bike Barn Closure

Wednesday April5

TheBikeBarnwillbeclosed forinstallationofadditional bikeracksonWednesday April5 Allbikes/scooters mustberemovedbyendof dayonTuesthe4th Back tonormalbyWednesday afternoon

Temporaryrackswillbe providedoutsideofthe barnforbikerstousewhile installationisinprogress

Questions?

CallBylawServiceson 604-947-4255ext2or emailbylaw@bimbcca

YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:

Writtensubmissionsaccepteduptosevencalendardays beforemeetingdateandmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHall (contactinformationbelow):

Inperson,bymail,byfaxorbyemailtoplanning@bimbcca

VerbalsubmissionsmaybemadetotheBoardatthemeeting:

1:00PMonThursday,April13,2023

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/board-of-variance/

We’re hiring!

• BuildingInspector On-callCasual

• SummerRoadsCrew-PublicWorks

• SummerDaycampStaff-Recreation

Formoreinformationonthejob,payrates,howtoapplyand closingdates:

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/work-with-us

YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:

WrittensubmissionsmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHall before4:00pmonTuesday,April11,2023: Inperson,bymail,byfaxorbyemailto mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca

VerbalsubmissionsmaybemadetoMayorandCouncilatthe meeting:

6:15PMonTuesday,April11,2023

inCouncilChambers,MunicipalHall,or virtuallyviaZoom Fordetailssee: wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/council-meetings

MOREINFORMATION:

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/planning/

Questions?PleasecontactDrewBakken,Planner1,at604-9474255ext233orbyemailatdbakken@bimbcca

ISLAND NEWS

Canyon game with Bowen athletes available to livestream

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

All dozen players have been part of the Canyon club program since its inception in 2022 But co-ed play with the club is a new experience for all of them So the team has been practicing at indoor and outdoor sites in North Vancouver for the past two months to help everyone familiarize themselves with each other and develop their strategies for the tournament

A group of Bowen demonstrators took part in a province-wide organized day of banner raising and poster hanging on Monday, voicing their opposition to the drilling process known as fracking which is used to extract natural gas from below the ground The“End Fracking”campaign saw about 100 groups take part in around 40 B.C. communities. Here on Bowen, in lieu of an overpass to hang their message from, the group hoisted their banner along Bowen Island Trunk Road during commuter sailings in the morning and afternoon. / Alex Kurial photo

Threshold Choir marks 10 years

LORRAINE ASHDOWN

Threshold Choir

Ten years ago, something special and unique began on Bowen Island. It all started with Angie Bosworth, a long time Islander, who had heard about the practice of Threshold Singing from her sister in the States.

Angie brought the idea of starting a Threshold Choir here on Bowen to a handful of us and we were intrigued. But to begin with, what is a Threshold Choir?

In 1990, in California, singer and composer Kate Munger was at her friend’s bedside. He was dying of HIV/AIDS and Kate was afraid and nervous and not quite sure how to comfort him. So she did what she does best. She sang to him for two and a half hours.

It was in these moments when she realized the power and presence of song at a loved one ’ s bedside. From that experience, Kate went on to gather some like-minded women and on March 21 - the Spring Equinox - of 2000, the first Threshold Choir was formed at the home of a friend of Kate’s in El Cerritos, California.

Fast forward to 2012 when Angie brought the concept of Threshold Singing to a handful of us on Bowen. We were intrigued but we needed someone with the musical skills and chops to lead us.

Enter our beloved leader Shasta Martinuk who has now moved off-island but was with us for almost a decade. By gathering at Shasta’s yurt twice a month, we learned some of the vast repertoire of the Threshold Choir.

These are beautiful songs, mostly writ-

ten and sung in three part harmony, at the bedside of those who are ill, or dying, or lonely, or simply in need of a “songbath ” We like to make it crystal clear that you do not need to be dying in order for us to sing to you!

With our new leaders Suzanne Allan and Liz Watson, we gathered on March 4 at Collins Hall to celebrate our 10 year anniversary here on Bowen We were also blessed by the presence of some of the men ’ s choir, Crossing Over, originally founded by Brian Hoover who passed away in 2021 Sadly, the men have also recently lost Islander Bawn Campbell and both Brian and Bawn were remembered in our songs that evening, and always

There is a beauty and a magic that happens when we join our voices together in harmony and offer our songs as a healing gift Something inside the recipient shifts, settles and they often feel deep peace And, the same may happen to us, the singers There is a lot of reciprocity in what we do

We are ready and available to sing for anyone on Bowen We have sung regularly at a hospice in North Van and hope to start that up again soon If you would like us to sing to you or a loved one, please know, we don’t all come at once! We train and practice in a larger group, but when it comes to actual bedside singing, we arrive only as a trio

If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a visit from us, please contact Suzanne Allan at sooz@allanfinancial com or Liz Watson at lizian@shaw ca

For more information on the Threshold Choir, please take a look at Thresholdchoir org

Hubbard especially commended the participants who ferry in for practices –McDonald, Morissette, and Callewaert, as well as the Gibsons duo of Jonah and Lizzy Mani from the Sunshine Coast Hubbard says for now he’s less focused on the final result of the trip, and more interested in creating a positive experience “The biggest thing here is that even though it’s Nationals – and Nationals is a big, scary word for a lot of people – the goal of our program and just in general, even though it’s a very high level, is for everyone to have fun and to make that a great time,” he says Hubbard and two other coaches will

accompany the kids on the trip east, with games taking place at Durham College Three teams from Ontario, one each from Quebec, Manitoba, and Newfoundland, and the other B C team round out the competitors

Canyon’s first match is on Saturday, April 1 at 1 pm against the Quebec team, with their next tilt right after at 1:50 against Team Manitoba They finish group stage play later that afternoon at 4:20 against one of the Ontario squads The middle game is available for livestreaming on Ultimate Canada’s YouTube page (*All times Eastern)

“No matter if we win or lose or come top spot, it’s just that everyone has had the opportunity to have a lot of fun, feel like they improved as a player, and then are able to go back to their school team and say that they had a great experience, and bring that experience to the school season also,” says Hubbard

Knockout matches will be played on Sunday, April 2, and may be livestreamed through the same Ultimate Canada page as Canyon’s Saturday afternoon game

The Threshold Choir: (L-R) Jan Alexander, Wendy Alexander, Leah Kline, Kathy Clarke, Sue Hetherington, Angie Bosworth, Suzanne Allan, Rebecca Hurst, Dyan Spear, Shasta Martinuk, Liz Watson, Lorraine Ashdown, Susan Nelson(front), Julie Rogers, & Rabia Wilcox. Not pictured: Jack Callister, Jack Ressels & Matthew Van der Giessen / Submitted photo

Event Season

While we have lots of great content in the paper this week, be sure not to breeze by the calendar, as the next week leading up to Easter is packed full of fun and informative community events April hits the ground running (for some of you literally) with the start of the Trail Society’s 30x30 challenge There’s still time to sign up, and even if you ’ re not officially taking part, 30 minutes spent outside each day is still going to pay off long-term

That same day is a poet talk with Jane Munro, and then Sunday you can get a start on garage sale season with local vendors at BICS Enjoy shopping for stuff at the school? Well you ’ re in luck as a Spring pop up market comes right back next Saturday

Growing families may be interested in a gathering with the Bowen Birth Collective next Wednesday, where all sorts of parenting aspects will be discussed. You can come back to the Library the next night for a screening of The New Corporation, a documentary which explores the role these massive companies have in today’s society - sure to get you thinking.

Want to know more about what our new mayor is up to? Well he likes to get out and about so there’s a good chance you ’ ve talked to him in town. But just in case, he’ll be speaking to the Rotary Club next Wednesday evening. As a past participant in this Speaker Series, I advise Andrew to prepare for some tough questions from the assembled Rotary members, such as whether he understands the rules of cricket or not

And, lots of good luck to a couple of Bowen teams who will be taking part in competitions this weekend! You may have already read about the three talented teens who are headed to Ontario for Ultimate Nationals (If not check out our front page), while back here at home Kelly Konno’s squads - the Bowen Adult Dance Team aka the ‘BAD Dancers’ , and the teen students in the Advanced Training Program will compete at the Shine Dance Festival in Burnaby We’ll have more on both of them next week!

There’s lots more in the calendar too, plus of course much more cool stuff Islanders always seem to be coming up with It is very exciting to see the sun out and events roaring to life as we fly through Spring and into the always exciting Summer season here on Bowen

And Don’t forget to watch out for April Fool’s on Saturday

- Alex Kurial, Editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I’ve spent several decades roaming the Roger Curtis property – long before the footprint of the current development and indeed long before most people dared to venture beyond the then-traditional walk to the lighthouse and into the exhilarating wilds of the south shore

That shore afforded a rare seaside solitude, all the while improbably contrasted to one of the largest cities in the nation standing, then so aloofly, in the distance It all seems rather dreamlike now on reflection - like so many other places, a quiet idyll no more

But of course it’s important to share such magic as remains in that place (and make no mistake it’s still richly endowed in that regard) but equally to recognize that the quality of that experience very much hinges on the measure of its exposure

The honorable objective of the proposed Metro park is to connect city dwellers with nature but there’s a balance in numbers

to be met if truly communing with the natural world is to take precedence over merely meeting throngs of people with similar aspirations (campsites or not) Constraining all issues of popular tourism is a threshold beyond which it no longer enhances but instead depletes the object of its affection

There’s a price to pay for popularity and perhaps this conspicuously limited island has already crossed that line What more can we comfortably accommodate in our day-to-day for the sake of a park to share with so many others - however unique it may be or generous our inclination?

I have no answer to the agonising details of the conundrum as it stands but do know with certainty that preserving the natural gifts of this world - perhaps not always in the best but at least in some imaginable way - has become the richest and rarest of options in these rapacious times Or what else then will be left ?

- Jeremy Howe

VIEWPOINTS

Please Mind theTrees

Dear Alex,

There is this amazing stand of trees on the trail that circles the meadow, on the southwest side; on the Alder Grove trail Struck by lightening and hollowed out, a community of trees that stands together and creates a potent and beautiful place, a testament really These trees are in my neighbourhood and I walk by them often. They always stop me and I feel such a strong sense of reverence, curiosity, and appreciation.

On a recent walk by these trees, I was deeply saddened. Initials are being carved, defacing the trees and, in my view, defacing what feels like a sacred place

What are we to do? Xenia has had to close

public access to Opa for similar reasons The increasing awareness of Bowen Island, the increased visitation, is also bringing this kind of thoughtless destruction. Surely, by now, “Take only photographs; leave only footprints” is understood. But no I have so many photographs of words and images carved into Arbutus trees at the Cape

And I think we have to do something….signage right at the dock; Vancouver Regional Parks protection/signage/warnings Do we have to build fences around these special places? Interpretive signage? Take only photographs signage?

Respectfully submitted,

- Cherie Westmoreland

On Park Finances

Dear Mayor Leonard and Members of Council,

Thank you for your News Release

“Correction: Council makes public information about proposed Cape Roger Curtis park from Closed Council meetings” , March 7, 2023

These eight (8) Closed Council meetings spanned the period February 28, 2022 to July 11, 2022, with excerpts of the meetings only being released now. In that time, the discussion reported and voted on between Metro Parks staff and Bowen Island Mayor and Council moved from exploratory to: “support for protection of ecologically valuable land, and connect people to its value through hiking, nature observation and education, and camping” (April 27, 2022 Council resolution) in advance of purchase of the lands and Land Use Bylaw Amendment application.

On May 9, 2022 at a Closed Council meeting, a further resolution was adopted,

RES#22-331, including:

“Bowen Island Municipality: Will contribute to the proposed new park, within one year after the new park lands are acquired (or at an agreed upon time), the Cape Roger Curtis park lands managed by the Municipality, including Pebble Beach (Roger Curtis Beach), the waterfront trail connecting the lighthouse and the point adjacent to Collingwood Lane, and the interconnecting trails across the Cape Roger Curtis lands”

By May 24, 2022, at a Closed council meeting, a further Resolution, RES#22-365 carried unanimously, including:

“Bowen island Municipality will: Work with Metro Vancouver to rezone the lands from RR1 to Park, including camping, resident on-site supervision and office/concession uses; and Work with Metro Vancouver to begin discussions with the Government of British Columbia and the Islands Trust to explore the opportunity to extend the park into the adjacent Crown Lands and Fairy Fen Nature Reserve”

Quarter-Million Milestone

To the Editor,

129 Bowen households have so far pledged almost a quarter-of-a-million dollars towards the construction of Snug Cove House $248,655 in just five weeks

As we reported last week, the project’s major financier was impressed enough by the show of community support that it extended the deadline for raising all necessary funds, so we now have until June 15 to make Snug Cove House a reality.

But don’t delay in making your pledge the more island households that promise a contribution, the more likely it is that we can attract the support of the foundations and big donors Two and a half years ago, islanders sent in 178 individual letters of support for the idea of a residence that would look after the most vulnerable of our seniors That was enough, together with our sound business plan, to convince our major financier to believe in us and put up a loan of $11.6 million. We believe major donors will now step up for the final $2.1 million when they see how much the community cares

So please fill in the form on the back page of this newspaper and make a pledge of as much as you can spare Literally every single household counts,

Thank you,

- The board of directors of Snug Cove House Society

Martine Sampath, Pernille Nielsen, Cindy Macleod, Graham Ritchie, Susan Munro, Rev Lorraine Ashdown, Holly Mackintosh, Andy Powell-Williams, Sheilagh Sparks

In 2005, Bowen Island Municipality purchased 6 lots in the Snug Cove and Snug Cove Periphery area from GVRD (predecessor to Metro Vancouver) for $2 million. These lands had been declared surplus to GVRD Parks need on Bowen Island and would have been sold in the public market if the Municipality had not held a Referendum April 30, 2005 (Bylaw No 141, 2005), cited as “Bowen Island Municipality GVRD NonParks Land Acquisition, Loan Authorization Bylaw No 11, 2005” , authorizing Bowen Island Municipality to borrow a sum not exceeding $2,035,623 to purchase approximately 38 acres of Non-Park Lands from the Greater Vancouver Regional District”

882 electors voted Yes, with 140 opposed. Accordingly, on May 9, 2005, Council adopted Bylaw No 141, 2005 and directed staff to complete the land transfer Bowen Taxpayers paid Metro Vancouver market value assessed price for the Surplus lands that later became known as Community Lands And that early debt has lingered and been added to the ongoing property tax burden.

The municipal park lands at Cape Roger Curtis were hard won by citizens advocating for a fair share of the subdivision that became the 60 lot Cape on Bowen. Parking areas and a pit washroom have been added through local taxation. These parklands and

improvements represent part of our accumulated Municipal worth, and provide three important public access areas to the ocean and natural beach

A fair assessment of the monetary value of these lands could be gained from an independent assessor or gauged by the extrapolated value of the offer of purchase and sale for the remaining lots at Cape Roger Curtis

In my view we should be treasuring our park land for local park and waterfront access and not seeking to give any of it away. Given the record with GVRD/Metro Vancouver charging Bowen Island ratepayers full market value for all of the “surplus lands” , if any transaction is contemplated it should make sense ensuring local parks access and value for dollars received by Bowen Island Municipality. And, any proposed land transaction should be debated in a public forum, fully accountable and transparent

“Transparency is of paramount importance moving forward, both for the informed engagement by our residents and for trust in Council as stewards of Bowen’s interests” Mayor Leonard, March 7, 2022 News Release

Thank you.

Yours truly,

- Bill Granger

SwimBowen Registration opens April 1

MARY LETSON

SwimBowen

Amidst the world news and challenges near and far, it’s the small things we can do together as a community that can make a big, beautiful impact SwimBowen is that little bit of grassroots magic that unfolds every year at Tunstall Bay Beach Swimmers, volunteers, donors and sponsors coalesce in their efforts creating a whole bunch of athletic joy all while supporting the Cancer Care Fund that provides financial gifts to Bowen Island residents in active cancer treatment There is something so uplifting about having agency in the face of a disease that has a way of making us feel utterly powerless

This year ’ s fundraising event on Saturday, July 15 at 10:30 am with great prizes for the top swimmers in both the 1500 and 750 metre events, delicious refreshments, and an awards ceremony bursting with draw prizes including a deluxe three night Whistler Getaway awarded to the top fundraiser Registration is limited to 75 swimmers only, so avoid disappointment and register early. To those Bowen Islander

residents on “island time” , if the event sells out before May 1 we ’ ve got you covered with a few spots set aside especially for you available until May 1.

This year we are offering free registration to those registered swimmers raising $300+ on their SwimBowen fundraising page How it works: once you register and reach $300 on your profile page, send us an email to swimbowensociety@gmail com and title your message “Fundraiser Eligible for Refund”

Include your full name, distance you are registered for and we will credit you the registration fee Every participant has an online page to make your own by uploading a photo and adding a few words (or heck, tell us a big beautiful story) about what lights you up about ocean swimming and SwimBowen. Share your SwimBowen goals with friends and family and watch the magic unfold.

Along with the ever excellent Swimbuddy, we are excited to offer limited edition luxurious 100% cotton, full size (40”x70”) beach towels embroidered with the SwimBowen logo. Gorgeous! You can add to your registration order and pick up on event day.

Thank you to our generous sponsors to date who keep

us afloat in the most beautiful way: The Orchard Recovery Centre, Barry Thomas Realtor, Positively Fit, Rainforest Digital, Mary Lynn Machado Realtor, and Brian Smallwood (Mr California!)

Keen to volunteer? From water marshaling to parking attendants, we would love to have you come on board. Email us at swimbowensociety@gmail.com let us know your desired role and then bask in the glory of supporting the best little event in the Gulf Islands

The Cancer Care Fund supports Bowen Island residents in active cancer treatment Thanks to everyone ’ s incredible generosity, since 2018 the Cancer Care Fund has provided $60,800 in gifts to Bowen Island residents doing the full-time work of cancer treatment

Our unique mandate (no other organization does quite what we do at the level we do it) and timely gifts range between $1,500 and $2,000 and are making an immense impact for individuals and families enduring treatment.

Who is eligible for a Cancer Care Gift? Bowen Island residents prescribed any combination of cancer treatment - radiation, surgery, chemotherapy - are all eligible for a Cancer Care Gift Those in palliative care are also eligible As well, individuals who have been prescribed cancer treatment but are choosing alternative therapies instead are also eligible

On Sunday, the Bowen Conservancy welcomed a celebratory crowd in the Library Annex to launch the website Discovering Kwilákm This new website takes a deep dive into the human history and natural wonders of the place also known as Deep Bay or Mannion Bay. At the Open House,Will Husby used his big screen microscope to share his love for tiny creatures; Adam Taylor showed videos and shared stories about his close encounters with Kwilákm’s underwater world; and Bob Turner led the audience on a video snorkel from Terminal Creek through the Lagoon and out into the Bay. The highlight of the program was a

tour through Discovering Kwilákm guided by Will Husby and Bob Turner The website can be opened by searching online for Discovering Kwilákm OR through the link on the Bowen Island Conservancy’s home page. This event was sponsored by the Bowen Island Library. / Submitted photos

Thursday, March 30, 2023

CALENDAR

Friday, March 31

Dinner at the Legion Colombian street food is on the menu this week Arepas with either pulled pork or chicken, served with patacones and guacamole Torta Negra for dessert Doors at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:30. $13 members, $15 non-members

All April

Trail Society 30x30

Get outside for a minimum of 30 minutes every day in April. This event is FREE for BITS members Registration for non-BITS members is $10. Sign up on email and we’ll send you a calendar with some featured group activities: bowenislandtrailsociety@gmail.com

Saturday, April 1

Poet Talk: Jane Munro

Join us starting at 2:30 pm with a Poet Talk and Q&A with Jane Munro, at the Bowen Library Jane Munro is a Canadian poet, writer, and educator, with several published books Blue Sonoma won the 2015 Griffin Poetry Prize Munro’s newest poetry collection is False Creek

To April 1

‘Primary Colours’ Kids Art Show

Works from Bowen’s youngest artists at the Hearth Gallery

Sunday, April 2

Book Donation Day

10:30 am at the Bowen Island Library Annex, until volunteers’ bins are full (no later than 12:30 pm) A volunteer will pre-screen your donations with you there, and will accept those that meet donation guidelines Donors will need to take back any items that do not meet the guidelines See the guidelines at bipl link/donatebooks

Sunday, April 2

Community Wide Garage Sale

BICS gym, 11 am to 2 pm Open to all community members, free admission Skip market place headaches and sell your treasures here! To book a table and/or a rack for

$25 you can email Tara at taramichelly@hotmail.com. Bring in your items and sell what you can. Funds raised will go toward PAC budget for physical literacy equipment, outdoor learning kits, field trip subsidies, technology, and much more

Sunday, April 2

Meat Bingo at the Legion

1:30 to 4:30 pm All meat is from Bowen Island’s own Meadowbrook Market

Wednesday, April 5

Storytime at the Library

10:30 to 11 am A free drop-in program of stories and songs for 2-4 year-olds and their caregivers!

Wednesday, April 5

Island Pacific School Fundraiser

IPS alumni Emmett Sparling will present an evening of storytelling through his photography Live auction of Emmett’s work, music, food & drink, and more 5 to 8 pm at Cates Hill Chapel, tickets $20 at islandpacific org

Wednesday, April 5

Bowen Birth Collective Community Gathering

6:30 pm in the Library Annex Join a (re)birthing of the Bowen Birth Collective - a community focused initiative to support folks in all aspects of their perinatal, birth, postpartum, and parenting journey

Wednesday, April 5

Rotary Club Speaker Series

Mayor Andrew Leonard will speak to the Rotary Club of Bowen Island. Any Islander who is interested is welcome to attend no charge. The meeting will be at Artisan Eats Café, from 7:30 to 9 pm. Rotary is a non-political, and non-religious organization. Nevertheless we are interested, and are often involved, in beneficial community affairs and developments. Our members are looking forward to hearing about Andrew’s adventures and perspectives gained after five months in the office of the Mayor

Thursday, April 6

Film Night at the Library

Join us for a showing of the film The New Corporation (2020), directed by Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan Drop-in, no registration required Come a little early and grab a comfy

EMMA

chair film starts promptly at 6 pm, and runs 105 minutes

Saturday, April 8 & 22

Spring Pop Up Market

Fresh food, crafts, coffee and more at the Bowen Agricultural Alliance Pop Up Market Taking place at BICS from 10 am to Noon Veggies, herbs, eggs, crocheted items too Please bring cash and shopping bags

Saturday, April 15

Wild West Yellowstone Concert

Fundraiser for the Gymnastics trip to Amsterdam for World Gymnaestrada Black Molly plays 8 pm at the Legion, tickets $30 at Phoenix and Cates Pharmacy.

MONDAYS

Chair Yoga

Attention SKY members and Community members 55+ Diana Kaile will be resuming her in-person “Seniors Keeping Young” chair Yoga classes, 10:30 am at Bowen Court, 1070 Miller Road No charge, although donations are happily received For details please email: skyonbowen@outlook com

TUESDAYS

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

Yoga at Collins Hall

Tuesdaysfrom1to2pm AgingwithGrace Easyyogaformobility, flexibility, strength, balance and stress reduction for Body and Mind. $15 e-transfer or cash. Drop in welcome. Email jackie. minns@gmail.com or call 604-220-9092

WEDNESDAYS

Bowen Bridge

We meet from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Bowen Court on Wednesdays. Fee is $6 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

Thursday Art Group

The Thursday Art Group (TAG) meets every Thursday at Collins Hall from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm to create, paint, sketch and enjoy meeting like minded souls If you think this group might be for you, pop by and see what we are all about

Dual exhibitions focus on essential nature at Sechelt’s Sunshine Coast Arts Centre

BOWEN ARTIST JEAN BRADBURY FEATURED

MICHAEL GURNEY Coast Reporter

Imposing artworks by two artists now exhibited at Sechelt’s Sunshine Coast Arts Centre examine the meaning of inheritance, in both genealogical and ecological terms

An opening reception on March 17 attracted dozens of visitors to meet Gibsons-based multidisciplinary artist Nadina Tandy and painter Jean Bradbury, from Bowen Island.

Tandy’s collage-style prints compose Generational Imprints, a fully-realized exhibition of the series she previewed at the Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek in September Meanwhile, Bradbury’s Stewards and Defenders presents monumental paintings on cut plywood that address the relationship between humans and wooded landscapes

“When it comes to matching concurrent exhibitions, these two were a natural,” said Sadira Rodrigues, curator and director of the Sunshine Coast Arts Council, “considering their focus on portraiture, relationships, and history.”

The bulk of Tandy’s works are large-scale unframed prints, each featuring a composite face that confronts viewers with its arresting gaze. The images are a combination of five photographs of Tandy’s mother, grandmother and herself at different ages.

“I think what I want is connection,” said Tandy. “The material I use is personal, but there’s also more archetypal imagery in here So when you look at it, I don’t want you to question, oh, who’s that? Instead, I want you to have your own experience, and truly feel what you’re feeling”

The notion of transformation across successive generations is reinforced by Tandy’s use of repeated floral motifs, as in her Reclamation with repeat pattern in violet In works like Study with Scissors and Octopus Dreaming, foreground faces are accompanied by enigmatic artifacts Recurrent apple blossoms and flailing cephalopods form a distinctive iconography that reinforce Tandy’s emphasis on transformation and heterogeneity.

“I loved experimenting with faces,” said Tandy. She works and reworks her composite images until they reach aesthetic apotheosis and achieve a comfortable

CULTIVATING CREATIVITY

equilibrium of mixed metaphors These are especially prominent in her ceramics, textiles and smaller prints also on display, which culminate in the comic juxtapositions of Bucket Full of Nuns

In the adjoining gallery, Bradbury’s Stewards and Defenders explores the artist’s deepening understanding of the link between people and woodlands Bradbury is a Scottish-born painter who has created nature-infused installations and murals throughout the Pacific Northwest, in Asia, and the Middle East

For her Stewards and Defenders series, Bradbury visited the Fairy Creek logging blockade on southwestern Vancouver Island where she interviewed and photographed members of the encampment The resulting life-size portraits are painted in oils on irregularly-shaped plywood surfaces

The size and stature of the subjects prompts automatic reverence, even in casual poses that would suit Instagram

In Raven and Whaletail, which shows an embrace between land defenders of Cree and Pacheedaht First Nation heritage, hagiography is intermingled with the solidity of in-the-trenches companionship

“There wasn’t an agenda to depict them as heroic,” said Bradbury, “because I went in not really understanding who they were or why they were there. I was looking for people who were aesthetically expressive of where they were. ”

Bradbury’s images of West Coast landscapes are inspired in part by her admiration for paintings by Canada’s Group of Seven. Her Beloved Trees of our Coast includes the contortions of arbutus trunks in a composition evocative of Tom Thompson’s The West Wind with an important distinction: a woman and a youngster paddle in shallow seawater at one extremity of the canvas

“As much as I love [the Group of Seven], I’ve been feeling like: where are the people?” Bradbury said “What is their relationship to the land? As a landscape painter, I ask myself: am I guilty? Is it enough just to paint things that are extraordinarily beautiful so that we treasure them, or do I want to tell more of a story about people and our relationship to the land?”

Bradbury grapples with her questions by painting herself into the story In Sold, a self-portrait, she stands on the wooded lot she purchased in 2020 on Bowen Island Mum and Dad portrays her parents, who are volunteer stewards of West Vancouver parks

“I love story in my work,” Bradbury said. “I’m not one of these modernist painters who don’t use the word narrative. I think narrative is very important to me personally, and in art.”

Generational Imprints and Stewards and Defenders remain on display at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt until April 15.

(Above) Jean Bradbury poses with one of her works in a natural setting / Submitted photo ; (Below) Bradbury (L) & Nadina Tandy (R) speak about their art at the Sechelt exhibit / Michael Gurney photo

Hearth on theWild Side: Still Life in Motion Returns!

MATHILDE ROHR

Cultural Connector / The Hearth Gallery

After a successful first edition last Fall, the Live Art and participatory event, Still Life in Motion, will be back at the Hearth on Tuesday, April 4 from 5 to 9 pm

Bowen-based artists will once again work live for four hours, creating artworks around a still life installed in the center of the gallery. Once again, visitors will be able to watch the artists at work and step into the installation in different ways

While the first edition was about home, this second one will be about plants! The Hearth is this time very excited to partner with the Bowen Island Flower Shop, thanks to whom a green and floral installation will be built alongside garden objects and matter from the forest

We are all related to plants Metabolized and transformed, plants traverse and constitute us, through the food we ingest, the air we breathe, our remedies, and our goods, as well as through our thinking, from the human and social sciences to artistic creation. In addition to their undeniable aesthetic and therapeutic potential, plants have woven the history of art, they also form the fertile ground for contemporary alternative movements that seek renewal through the earth, well-being through plants, and communion around the art of planting

So here is a time to create, reflect, and meditate from and on the plant kingdom during an artsy and fun evening! If you’d like to introduce your favorite plant to the crowd, bring it in with you for the night! If you have a floral or green attire, put it on! During the Live Art event, visitors will be invited to stand in a plethora of plants, sit in the middle of this ephemeral garden installation, strike a pose, put a costume on, tell a story, read a poem, sing a song, or simply be. At the end of this effervescent evening, the artworks made

on site will be showcased and put for sale in the gallery around the remaining still life during a two-week group exhibit, from April 5 to 17. A couple of art stations will be installed for visitors to get creative and explore different art mediums as well

All the plants from the Bowen Island Flower Shop displayed in the installation will also be for sale at the Hearth during the Live Art Event and the whole time of the show. A unique opportunity to enjoy some art while shopping for some beautiful plants!

The Hearth is inviting all the Bowen community to take part in this collective and participatory art experience, and to encourage and watch the artists at work!

Still Life in Motion 2 - Hearth on the Wild Side - A Live Art Event with snacks & bar service on Tuesday, April 4 from 5 to 9 pm at the Hearth (Attire: Green & Floral!), followed by a group exhibition from April 5 to 17.

There are children and youth in your community who need temporary, nurturing homes

We have an urgent need for foster caregivers who are:

• First Nations, Metis, Inuit

• Interested in providing care for sibling groups

• Passionate about engaging and caring for youth

• Interested in supporting children and youth who identify as LGBTQ2S+

• Skilled in caring for children and youth with complex support needs

Interested in providing weekend respite care for children and youth

To learn more about becoming a foster caregiver visit FosterNow ca @BowUndercurrent

Primary Colours-Bowen H₂O is on at the Hearth until Saturday, April 1. Don’t miss the vibrant artworks of Bowen Island Community School students and take a picture of yourself with their creative fish wings! The multi-media artworks were inspired by learning about local ecology and finding a sense of belonging through collaborative artworks One example is the popular ‘Bowen Fish wings’ photo-op artwork, which features three types of fish that live in the waters around Bowen Island that students learned about thanks to local videographers and underwater photography. Every BICS student has their art in the exhibit!The Community School Association will host a Fool’s Closing pARTy on April 1 from 11 am to 1 pm in front of the gallery. Bring your jokes and enjoy some coffee, hot chocolate, and yummy donuts! / Submitted photo

Still Life in Motion 1 took place on October 1, 2022 at the Hearth Gallery. / Submitted photo

You Can Make It Happen!

Snug Cove House Is Almost Ready

✓Registered Charity: 890207970RR0001

✓Project Manager: SiFo Construction

✓Architect: Wheeler Crawford and Sons

✓Construction Manager: Kindred

✓Appraiser: Westbridge Group

✓Market Study: Lumina Seniors’ Housing

✓Auditor: MacCormac and Company

✓Freehold Serviced Land 1082 Miller Road

✓Plans for 24-unit Residence

✓Rezoning, Development Permit

✓Development Variance Permit

✓Building Permit (ready in March)

✓Society Assets: $3,600,000

✓Construction Loan: $11,600,000

Can You Help Us

Check the Last Box?

Still Needed: $2,151,335...................

Everything’s in Place to start building Snug Cove House, the supportive residence for Bowen seniors

24 one-bedroom Apartments

Large Balconies

Close to Snug Cove Village

Protected vehicle Parking

Surrounding Parkland

Commercial Kitchen

Spacious Dining Room

Top floor view Lounge

Weekly Laundry & Cleaning

Personal Care Services

Social and health Activities

Shopping & Leisure Trips

Community Events

Attentive Staff

Experienced Management

Except

Pledges to March 27th $248,665

Still Needed: $2,151,335 in interest rate increases and inflationary price increases for materials, labour and insurance

We have 88% of our Construction Budget

Construction Cost: $17,600,000...................

We have: $15,448,665

We need: $2,151,335

That’s a lot of money, $1,400 for every Bowen household, but anything you can contribute will help, even to show other potential funders that every Bowen household cares and contributed something

And please do it now A condition of our financing is that we must raise the remaining 12% soon. Your contribution is as a pledge, redeemable only when we have enough for construction.

I pledge a gift of $__________ to the construction of Snug Cove House. (Pledge is redeemable only if we raise enough to begin construction.)

Signature: Date Signed:

Name: Address: Phone: Email:

□I/we wish to remain anonymous. □Please do not disclose the pledged amount.

Please drop off completed form at Cates Pharmacy or mail to: Snug Cove House Society, 1080 Miller Road, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G1