Bowen Island Undercurrent April 20 2023

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!: It’s Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate the many members of our community who work tirelessly to make our home a better place. This includes Sue Ritchie, who volunteers for Snug Cove House Society by travelling to the mainland every other week to pick up flash-frozen meals for Bowen Island residents.The‘Better Meals’service has been provided by SCHS for the past 28 years, primarily serving seniors but available to anybody You can find the full menu at the pharmacy, and can place orders by emailing info@ snugcovehouse.com. Sue is one of many inspiring volunteer stories on our island, and this week you can find many more in our specialVolunteerWeek section from Pages 8-11 A massive thank you to everyone who volunteers here ontheisland,andifyouarethinkingofgettinginvolvedinavolunteerproject,don’thesitate!/GrahamRitchiephoto

Property tax raises to address infrastructure issues on-island

TAXES WOULD JUMP AT LEAST 9.5% FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

ALEX KURIAL Editor

An updated look at Bowen’s five-year financial plan paints a stark picture of what property taxes will look like in the years ahead

Preliminary numbers given at the start of the draft process last month had this year ’ s rise at 13 3 per cent, with jumps from 2024-27 of 5 8, 3 4, 6 8, and 3 5 per cents But during a presentation to council last week, chief financial officer Kristen Watson explained those numbers are no longer viable to address some of the community’s most pressing problems on the infrastructure front

“The staff recommendation included in the report is based on the recognition that long-term pressure is the result of the cost of infrastructure, renewal and replacement, and the cost of additional debt that has been taken on to build capital projects,” says Watson

The increase for this year is minimal (relative to the starting point), the new total rising by one to 14 3 per cent This will equate to around $28 based on the average island home value of approximately $1 5 million Total property tax for the year will be nearly $400 based on the same metric

The 2023 increase will go specifically toward the area of asset management, which council has identified as a priority for the upcoming term

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Events

Tunstal

AttheLocalAdvisoryCommitteeMeetingforTunstallBay Water,staffwereaskedtofindalternativesforrepaymentof theshort-termloanthatwouldextendtherepaymentterms beyondfiveyearsandresultinareductionoftheannualparcel taxof$848.

Staffhavedeterminedthatthroughtheuseofinterimfinancing, theloancanbeextendedtonineyears Thiswouldresultina reductionoftheannualparceltaxfrom$848to$565andbein placefornineyears

ThisrecommendationisgoingtoCouncilonApril24,2023as partofthe2023-2027FiveYearFinancialPlan

Questions?Feedback?Pleaseemailbudget@bimbcca

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/tunstall-bay-parcel-tax/ Prop

Ride Hailing Ageement

In2020CouncilenteredintoanInterMunicipalBusiness LicenceAgreementwithothermunicipalitiesacrossMetro Vancouver,sothatride-hailingcompaniescouldoperate acrossboundarieswithasinglebusinesslicence.Councilwill nowbeconsideringanamendmenttoexpandthisAgreement toincludethemunicipalitiesofHope,MissionandKent.

StaffwillbepresentingtheproposedchangeattheRegular CouncilMeetingonApril24,2023intheformofamendment BylawsNo 600,2023andNo 601,2023

Yourcommentsarewelcome

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/inter-municipal-ride-hailingagreement-changes/

Building Inspector needed for July & August

BIMhasavacancyfortemporary,part-timeCertifiedor QualifiedBuildingInspectorinourPlanningDepartment startingJuly,2023.

Thepositionisresponsiblefortheadministration, interpretationandenforcementoftheBCBuildingCodeand municipalregulationsandbylaws

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/work-with-us

Seeking Public Comment Active Transportation Network Plan

PROJECTDESCRIPTION:BowenIslandMunicipality(BIM) isdevelopingtheirfirsteverActiveTransportationNetwork Plan(ATNP)tofurtherimprovetheIsland’sexistingactive transportationnetworkandidentifypriorityareasforfuture investment.TheATNPwillsupplementtheTransportation Planandhelpestablishtheplanninganddesignofnewactive transportationinfrastructurebyemphasizinggreenerand human-poweredmodesoftransportation

In2021,theMunicipalitywasawardedaconditionalgrant throughtheProvince’sActiveTransportationInfrastructure GrantsProgramforthepurposeofdevelopinganATNP Thisprogrampromotestheplanninganddevelopmentof activetransportationinfrastructurethroughcost-sharing opportunitieswithmunicipalities

YOURFEEDBACKISWELCOME

Tohelpuslearnmoreaboutyourthoughtson,andexperience usingBowenIsland’sactivetransportationnetwork,please completethisshortanonymoussurvey

www.surveymonkey.ca/r/XQ2ZYWL

Questions?PleasecontactNatashaCheong,IslandCommunity Plannerat604-947-4255ext6orbyemailat planning@bimbcca

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/ATNP/

ISLAND NEWS

Attention to boosting capital reserves driving property tax increases

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Earlier in the evening director of engineering Patrick Graham explained his department will need to hire a new staff member on a temporary two-year term to take the load off permanent public works staff so they can focus on this project, and will also need $20,000 for consulting costs

Asset management includes tasks such as culvert assessments, water main replacements, bylaw and policy development, and much more

It’s in the next four years where the most dramatic change would come however Instead of the previous estimates which ranged from 3.4 to 6.8 per cent, proposed property tax raises for each of those years is now 9.5 per cent, with the goal to building up the municipality’s contribution to its reserves Watson says this is necessary to tackle the longterm infrastructure deficit the island is facing

By the end of 2027, Watson estimates the property tax raises will result in an additional $4,179,132 available in capital reserves ($2,962,724 under the original plan, $7,141,856 under the new plan).

“Nobody likes paying taxes and nobody really likes seeing their taxes go up But given the frankly dire financial situation that faces us over the long term if we don’t do something, I think the approach we ’ re taking here – while it’s painful to everybody – is appropriate. It’s not easy for anyone but I’m pleased that we seem like we ’ re getting a grip on things,” said Coun. John Saunders.

The rest of council agreed, unanimously sending Watson’s proposal to official readings next week “In my conversations in the community there’s not a lot of surprise so far that we need to spend on infrastructure, and that those costs are going to be expensive,” said Mayor Andrew Leonard

“This is a five-year financial plan that is going to increase taxes, and we might not see the end of it because there’s a lot of unknowns that we just aren’t certain of, particularly as the asset management plan plays out and we figure out more clearly what the costs are there appears to be no way out from the fact that it’s time to invest and it’s time to get our asset house in order so that we ’ re ensuring the resilience and sustainability of our community going forward. I’m in support of this plan, even though I know that it’s a hit for the next five years, ” added Leonard.

Council also unanimously approved considering an increase in the property tax distribution ratio for properties classified as Utility Class 2, which include electrical and telecoms transmitters The previous ratio of these properties compared to residential was 4.16:1, and will now increase to 20:1. Watson says this should generate around $60,000 annually, which will provide about one per cent of relief to residential taxpayers

The draft budget will be voted on during council’s April 24 meeting The submission deadline for municipal budgets is May 15.

Local Advisory Committee operating budgets to all rise

ALEX KURIAL Editor

The cost of doing business is going up in all seven of Bowen’s water systems, and the Snug Cove Sewer System too

All eight local advisory committees (LAC) approved the increases in their own five-year financial plans. They’ll now be included in the municipal five-year financial plan being presented on April 24.

The rising costs will contribute to a range of projects happening across the eight systems. While the hikes are islandwide, some will be much more noticeable than others.

Cove Bay Water

Expenses coming from the anticipated opening of the Cove Bay Water Treatment Plant will add around $70,000 to the operating budget User rates will go up around $20 each billing cycle, while consumption rates will increase and the metered rate threshold will drop

Bluewater Park Water

This year ’ s operating budget is going up about $40,000, with just over half of that going to pay interest on debt This will result in an annual payment increase from the current $1,085 to $1,302 Going forward, Bluewater Park is attempting to work out a common cost allocation model with the neighbouring King Edward Bay and Bowen Bay water systems

NEW LISTING - 856 Valhalla Place - $2,729,000

This stunning Valhalla Place property boasts Bowen’s premier panoramic views, capturing Howe Sound, Vancouver’s skyline, Mt Baker and the San Juan Islands This phenomenal, super-accessible home sits on a one-acre lot at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, with an electronic gate opening to a level drive, manicured courtyard and easy-care garden Elegant, sophisticated, and immaculately maintained inside and out, with views from almost every room, the open-plan home features four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, office and a large games/rec room, plus attached double garage with heated work area Options for primary bedrooms on either the main floor or above, each with walk-in closets and gorgeous ensuites Wrapped on three sides by decks, and surrounded by green space and privacy

The Undercurrent was very honoured to learn earlier this month that we ’ ve been nominated for several categories in this year ’ s Ma Murray Awards Named for the famed and firey newspaper pioneer Margaret ‘Ma’ Murray, the awards are held by the BC & Yukon Community Newspaper Association to recognize the efforts of community newspapers throughout the province and territory.

Most exciting, and humbling, was our inclusion as a finalist in the Newspaper Excellence category as one of the top three publications in our circulation category in the BCYNA region. A quick glance around the office tells me the Undercurrent is no stranger to this category, and I’m very proud to have been able to uphold the work of my predecessors as a rookie editor fresh on the rock But most importantly, none of this would be possible without the powerful team here at the paper of Tracey Wait, Matt Blair, and of course Ron Woodall too And a special shoutout to our former publisher Peter Kvarnstrom who got me started on this Bowen adventureinthefirstplace Congratulationsalso to the teams at the Quesnel Cariboo Observer and Revelstoke Review, who are nominated alongside us for the award.

On the personal front, our publisher Matt is also nominated in the Reader Engagement Campaign for his vintage online record shop If you’re in need of a vinyl, check it out! And the sports reporter in me was overjoyed to receive a nod in the Sports Photo category for one of my shots from the Logging Show last summer That day remains one of the most fun ones I’ve had on the job here, and I can’t wait to go again this year And to the competitor who cracked a big front-page grin while buzzing away with his chainsaw, thanks for allowing me to capture the moment! (I will try and nail down your name before awards time.)

A tremendous thank you to all of you readers and contributors as well. The Newspaper Excellence category is determined by assessing the entire paper front to back, so it is safe to say you all played a role in making this happen Nomination or not, I’m so thankful for the help and support everybody shows the paper each week, it makes my job pretty darn cool.

See you next week!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ma Murray approved Exploring all of our options

To the Editor,

Thank you, good people of Bowen Island, who have promised to contribute towards the creation of a supportive residence for our elders In just eight weeks, islanders have pledged $305,425 towards the construction of Snug Cove House

Once it’s built, the most senior of our seniors can stay on the island among their friends and neighbours instead of having

to look for supportive accommodation on the mainland.

Snug Cove House Society needs more to close up the gap in its funding caused by the past year ’ s inflationary surge in building costs, and is approaching philanthropic foundations, individuals and senior levels of government Meanwhile it’s not too late for you to chip in.

You don’t even have to fill in a form, just e-mail the sentence “I pledge $_____ towards the construction of Snug Cove

House” to info@snugcovehouse com or drop it off at the pharmacy. We’ll ask you to turn your pledge into money when we ’ ve enough to start construction.

- With gratitude, the board of directors of Snug Cove House Society Martine Sampath, Pernille Nielsen, Cindy Macleod, Graham Ritchie, Rev Lorraine Ashdown, Holly Mackintosh, Andy Powell-Williams, Sheilagh Sparks

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Please limit to under 500 words HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Bowen Island Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

- Alex Kurial, Editor

#102–495 BowenTrunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC,V0N 1G0

Phone: 604 947 2442 Fax: 604 947 0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com

VIEWPOINTS

Change is Coming

It’s surprising that after how many months of this conversation we are STILL framing this decision as the park means change and no park means no change. Let’s make something perfectly clear, there is NO scenario in which our island and community doesn’t change as a result of this process. The decisions we are making at this point are (1) what type of change we want and (2) when and how that change will occur.

A good starting point when considering trade-offs is to remove outcomes that are consistent across the different options. In both our scenarios we will see (1) more people come to the island (either to visit or to live), (2) more traffic on the ferry and along Whitesails, and (3) additional strain on our infrastructure.

I can understand folks wanting to know more about the scale of these impacts, but the truth is that we can’t compare the two options at this point in time We know with some certainty the end state of the park, up to 100 campsites phased in over time, about a third of those allocated to drive-in camping Given our community’s feedback to date, hard to imagine Metro Vancouver would ever consider additional sites in the future It’s more likely that they walk back the number of sites now as a compromise

Private development, on the other hand, is a “known unknown” in that we know the status quo context (21 undeveloped lots) but have no idea of knowing what the end state will be If it’s like everywhere else on the island (which it is) it’s almost certain that we will see further subdivision over time Maybe that doesn’t happen with this council or the next, but sooner or later a single lot subdivision will be approved and start the inevitable march towards further subdivision

Purple Stars

Some folks may say that we don’t know that for certain and while that’s sort of true, pretty hard to look at the development of this island over time and come to any other conclusion Further subdivision will happen, it’s just a question of timing and the final extent to which those lots are subdivided

So what’s unique between the two options? For the park it’s clearly the preservation of 97 hectares of environmentally sensitive land, protecting our community’s ability to enjoy that area, and also ensuring that others can as well That sounds pretty good And with private development, ummmm, growing the size of our tax base? More mansions for the house and garden tour in the summer?

Hard to imagine (and frankly, pretty sad) that with the number of “Save Howe Sound” bumper stickers you see in the Cove that our priority as a community is not preserving a special part of our beautiful island and but instead a misguided attempt at slowing or stopping change Forcing Metro to give up on the park will not stop change on Bowen, all it will do is open the door for a different type of change which we will have even less control over, one that has minimal public benefit, and that when fully realized will almost certainly have worst outcomes

With all due respect, this really isn’t that difficult of a decision

- Adam Lougheed

Helga Adolphs

January 26, 1937 –

April 12, 2023

On the day of her passing, Helga longed to be with her husband, Günter, who had passed away just two weeks previously She received a last massage, lots of hugs, told her son that she loved him forever, and said that she would now die. Her body decided that it was time to go, and she passed away quickly in her home on Bowen Island, surrounded by family

Helga envisioned a Heaven where she could be reunited with all the souls she had loved in her life. It comforts her family to think that she is with her husband and cats, as well as with her much missed sister, Caren Walters Helga leaves behind her son, Ralph, his wife, Carol, Helga’s brother Rüdiger and his family in GermanyAnnemarie, Anja and Rigo, and her relatives on Bowen Island - Peter, Ann, Sophie, Ellie and Abby.

Ralph fondly remembers the many happy years of growing up on St George’s Crescent in West Vancouver:ahomemadeofflowersandlove,andgrilledcheesesandwichesbeforebeingwhiskedoffto school; of the smell of baking Christmas Stollen and the tangy taste of Sauerbraten Helga volunteered at Vancouver Palliative Care for many years, enjoying the love she could bring to people at the end of their life. Helga’s family, who helped care for her the last months, remembers her as the most gentle and sweet person, a grace of being that she had carried throughout her life

Sara Milstein and her son Ezra were on the hunt again this year for Bowen’s brightly coloured Starfish They found this large crop at September Morn Beach. There are many other shorelines around the island where you can go and find the Sea Stars too.

Helga was full of happiness, peace, and love for all people, animals, plants and wonders of Nature We remember the jars of collected colorful sea glass she had put in the house, and the many beautiful driftwood and Easter eggs decorated with pieces of glass And Nature herself remembers Helga, from the summer walks she used to take with her husband amidst the big wild trees out at the Cape on Bowen

If you would like to attend an informal outdoor memorial on Sunday, April 23 at 3pm, please email radolphs@caltech edu Donations are appreciated to help keep Bowen Island wild (https://bowenislandconservancy org/contact-us/ make-a-donation/) and to build better health and medical resources (https://bowenhealthcentre com/donate/)

Madz about Singing

LORRAINE ASHDOWN

Contributor

There are a few “institutions” on Bowen Island, and the Ladies Madrigal Singers, a k a The Madz, is indeed one of them

The Ladies Madrigal singers first began circa 1995 under the direction of Alison Nixon The existing choir today has two original members; Lynne Hartle and Nan Massender Eleanor Benson, now living in France, took over the direction of the Madrigal Singers circa 1994 The choir has enjoyed the accompaniment of Lois Belluk for many years and currently Sheilagh Sparks is the accompanist Lynn Williams became the director circa 2001 and she and the choir are still flourishing today To celebrate their longevity, The Madz are looking at putting together a reunion sometime in 2023/24

On May 6, at 7pm at Cates Hill Chapel, Lynn Williams, Sheilagh Sparks, Nova Pon on the flute, and The Madz willl bring you a lively spring concert with the trusty humorist Graham Ritchie as emcee Although the Madz is an all female choir, a handful of men

will grace the stage for one number only - Manly Men

You are guaranteed to have a laugh thanks to Davin Killy, David Cameron, Matthew Redekopp and Jack Callister A catchy lyric, “We are men and we like to sing though we may not always inspire, at least we ’ re not a women ’ s choir”

A further sample of songs from the concert include a traditional version of Down to the River to Pray; Over my Head-arranged by Adam and Matt Podd; Sing Gently by Eric Whitacre; This Ol’ Man -arranged by Greg Gilpin; and Altos Lament by William Bowlus.

Please join Lynn and The Madz for this spring tradition. Tickets are sold at Cates Pharmacy and at the door. $20 for adults and seniors. Children are free

Once you see the concert, and if you feel inclined to know more about the choir, please know this is a “by invitation only” group If you ’ re interested, please call Lynn Williams at 778-319-0090

Submitted with glee,

- Lorraine Ashdown: Madz Alumni

Creating a unique Vespers Service

REV. LORRAINE ASHDOWN

Bowen Island United Church

From time to time at Bowen Island United Church, we have afternoon Vespers Services at 4 pm with special musical guests

And so, on Sunday, April 23, we have Jennifer Scott - one of Vancouver’s finest jazz singers: Dawn Pemberton - one of Vancouver’s finest soul, gospel and funk singers and director of the fabulous Roots N’ Wings women ’ s choir in Vancouver and Karla Mundy - musician, singer, choral director extraordinaire This is an embarrassment of riches!

This is not a concert It will be a Vespers Service with music and spoken word, and a tiny bit of silence and prayer Thanks to a generous grant from Provision of the United Church, we are able to pay these wonderful musicians There will be no fee for anybody attending,

but the offering plate will be passed

We are expecting a healthy attendance so we will run a sound and video line to Collins Hall, next to the church, for overflow Or, if it happens to be a warm, spring day - we will be outside

The service is at 4 pm, April 23 The day after Earth Day The theme is Creation

We are at 1122 Miller Road

Mark your calendars Pray for Sunshine

The Madz Singers at Collins Hall / Submitted photo

Karla Mundy (top left, Chara Berkeley photo), Jennifer Scott (top right, submitted photo), and Dawn Pemberton (below, submitted photo) will appear at Vespers Service with the Bowen Island United Church on April 23.

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Solo and group LAC projects underway

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Hood Point Water

A small budget hop of 12 per cent will take place in the northeast part of the island, as the LAC total rises to $97,602 from $86,980. The average user will see user rates and parcel taxes jump five per cent each, for new bills of $882 (user rate) and $441 (parcel tax). Nearly half of this will go toward building reserves

Tunstall Bay Water

User rate increases of five per cent will be introduced this year The LAC is currently exploring options for repaying a $555,000 loan. It’s currently due to be repaid in five years, but they’re hoping to extend this to nine years

Eagle Cliff Water

The LAC will spend $200,000 this year to begin design work for a potential connection to the neighbouring Cove Bay Water System Whether this becomes a reality or not relies largely on the result of a grant application Eagle Cliff has made to fund the project While they wait for a decision, it was decided the design process should still begin. This will result in a 12 per cent budget rise this year, which will be collected from an increase of $50 in the flat rate to $600, and a $100 increase in parcel taxes to $500. High usage rates will also go up

Bowen Bay Water

The new rate in the west side LAC will be $1,216 following a 13 per cent budget increase The next five years will include annual contributions of $12,000 for capital equipment replacement Along

with Bluewater and King Edward Bay, the three systems are working on a cost allocation model.

King Edward Bay Water

It’s a large jump to the operating budget of 24 per cent in this LAC, with the total coming in at $79,000. This is partly due to last year ’ s totals which hit about $75,000, over the 2022 budget of $64,000. This likely won’t be a common occurrence though, as the $10,000 overrun was due to one-time work on a new well in the area

The annual rate this year for King Edward Bay users is $1,216, mirroring the Bowen Bay total. The two systems are also coming in equal on the annual $12,000 spent on capital equipment The LAC is also expected to receive $40,000 from Bluewater Park this year in exchange for them tapping the KEB water supply. And, along with Bluewater and Bowen Bay, shared cost allocating is being explored.

Snug Cove Sewer

Phase 1 upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant are expected to be completed soon. This year ’ s budget has $560,000 remaining to spend on the project. Going forward, significant increases to the user rates (up 20 per cent) and parcel taxes (up 25 per cent) are set to take place. They’ll go toward building a reserve fund for the LAC, since it is currently empty.

You will have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life, and Psyched: Seven Cutting-Edge Psychedelics Changing the World. You’ll also have the chance to learn about the latest developments in the cannabis and psychedelic spaces, as well as get your questions answered by the author

Amanda is an award-winning journalist, photographer, and host covering cannabis and psychedelics, and she owes her life to the plants and fungi she writes about. Her work can be found in Forbes, VICE, New York Times, DailyOM, Healing Maps, and others. In 2018, her first book, The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life, was named a Canadian bestseller

(Right) Stats show various user and financial information for Bowen’s water and sewer systems / BIM chart

Coho Bon Voyage, Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club

L to R Diana Kaile, Pam Miller, and Anna-Marie Atherton Bowen Library

Leading by example: Volunteering with heart!

SARAH HAXBY

Contributor / Proud Daughter

Helen Wallwork is one of those perennial Bowen-Island volunteers that flies under the radar. Humbled yet dedicated, I have watched her give her time, enthusiasm and wisdom to many boards, committees and community events.

Over the decades Helen has volunteered with Theatre on The Isle, (TOTI) since the organization was co-founded by her father Les Wallwork sometime circa the late 1950s. She has also served on the Bowen Island Community School Association (CSA) for over 30 years!

The CSA is a society that was founded shortly after the local Bowen Island school adopted the community school model in 1974 The United Church, Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association, Haunted House, Strawberry Tea, Bowfest, and many other organizations and events have been supported by Helen over the years From scheduling and minute-taking, to wearing a ghost costume, to helping to bake 50 pies in two days, Helen’s volunteer-resume is jampacked with a wide array of practical and fun experiences and memories

Volunteering is a practice that was instilled in Helen by her parents, Les and

Kit, and that she has passed down through the generations of her family, with Helen’s children and grand-children all being taught by example the importance of contributing to community by volunteering

As a child I remember my mother baking multiple batches of cookies and watching her divide them up Some cookies were for the family, and some were for the community! If you wanted the cookies, you could go volunteer!

Besides the chance for extra cookies, Helen taught her children that volunteering for something that you believe is an important thing to do. To be part of the community and contribute to a cause, a special local tradition brings personal joy, social connections and the satisfaction of contributing. Skills can be gained, fun can be had and a sense of belonging is cultivated by giving back to the community.

Volunteering makes things better for the individual and the collective. Helen Wallwork is the epitome of a local community member who doesn’t volunteer because it gains her recognition; but because it is important to give back and to belong to a community.

In this day and age when many people are commenting on a sense of disconnection and a diminishment of social fabric, one way to weave and embellish the fabric

of community society is to thread your way into doing something by giving a bit of your time A simple way to feel connected is to volunteer

As it says on the National Volunteers of Canada website: “Like each individual thread makes weaving stronger, every volunteer’s experience, perspective, and abilities add to our collective resilience Woven together from coast to coast to coast, volunteering reinforces our ability to grow, thrive, and create change within our community, province, and country.”

A few tips on how to get started: Choose an organization or event that shares an interest or something that is fun. Actively make the effort to contact the people running the event and tell them a) what part of the event/project/initiative you are interested in and b) any special skills you might be able to contribute and c) how much time you have to offer and d) be patient, many local events are run by volunteers with more volunteers, so response time, etc might take a bit of time, and e)

If you’re not a group-joiner, or are meeting-averse, you can solo-volunteer by taking on various activities such as neighbourhood or beach clean-up, or become part of a group like the Weed Warriors Many Bowen Island groups have volunteer opportunities that don’t involve meetings!

If you’re not sure how you would like to volunteer, think about what events, or aspects of Bowen that you have a personal love of, or connection to Check out the Bowen Island annual phone book to find contact information of the different groups, jump in as a volunteer, or go to an event or meeting to meet the people that are part of the group to learn more.

Many volunteers don’t know how to start, or are afraid that it will take too much of their time, but as long as you set and keep your limits, volunteering can be very rewarding Not everyone has the time or interest in being a marathon-mega volunteer like Helen Some people like to go for a walk, and other people like to run Ironman triathlon

Choose to flex your ‘volunteer muscles’ at a time that suits your schedule If you are new to volunteering, a ‘recommended’ volunteer amount is at least two hours per month, and if possible, involve your friends or family in the activities Intergenerational volunteering is especially rewarding, and if enough people actively volunteer in a community, many hands do, indeed, make light work!

One last note about volunteering is about the importance of volunteer-appreciation. Whether you choose to volunteer or not, please be kind and appreciative and supportive of volunteers throughout the community They might be trying something new, or giving their time to something they have volunteered for years at It’s sometimes easy to treat volunteers as if it’s their job, if they’ve been doing it for a long time, or as something they are expected to do, when in fact, they are individuals leading with their heart and giving the most precious gift of time.

So, wherever you go, if you see a volunteer: thank them, and then spend a moment thinking about how you can volunteer and give back to your community as well.

- Sarah Haxby, appreciative daughter of perennial super-volunteer Helen Wallwork, (who has no idea I’m writing this article about her.)

Helen Wallwork served as a CSA volunteer at the recent Bowen H20 youth art exhibit at the Hearth Gallery / Sarah Haxby photo

Students put their stamp on supporting a long-time volunteer

SARAH HAXBY Community School Coordinator / Bowen Island Community School

The Bowen Island Community School Grade 5 Leadership teams have been undertaking a variety of projects to develop theirleadershipqualitiesandtohelpmakealocal,andglobal, positive difference! Some of the projects include: Jump Rope forHeart,aKindergartenCraftClubandworkingwiththelocal post office on a multi-part initiative that they would like the community’s help with.

The first part for the Grade 5 Leadership Team of Vale, Lucas, and Storm is a May Stamp Drive for charity They are hoping that everyone in the community could start saving their used stamps by cutting or carefully tearing them off their mail (please try to keep the stamped ink postal mark if there is one) and then donate them by dropping off used stamps in the collection box at the BICS main office

The May stamp drive will end on May 31, and then the Grade Five Leadership Team will take all the collected stamps to the post office at the beginning of June, where the post office staff will give them to a local volunteer who gives them to a charity that globally benefits children in need. The post office accepts stamp donations year-round, but the students really want to spot-light stamp-saving in May on behalf of this long-time community volunteer stamp collection initiative

The second part of the Grade 5 postal initiative is to raise awareness about how to properly address envelopes and tips about sending mail. The students are going to visit classrooms and teach envelope-addressing skills and challenge students to write a letter to friends or family.

These skills aren’t just something kids need to learn about apparently many people in general (including people who live on Bowen Island,) don’t know how to address

an envelope properly, which can cause a lot of confusion and delays at post offices

The Canadian postal system does its best, but if there is no return address, and the letter or package isn’t deliverable, it will go to the large UMO building at the Undeliverable Mail Office! So: don’t create UMOs!

A few tips for addressing envelopes:

• Use upper case letters, or print lower case neatly

• Blue or black ink is most easily scanned

• Avoid using Canada when addressing domestic addresses

• You may add ‘local delivery’ for on-island Bowen Island mail, but this is optional

• The return address should be on the upper left of the envelope and be in smaller font than the address (or on the back, top of an item)

• Leave room for the stamps/postage

• Do not hyphenate the postal code, do not use extra punctuation unless it is part of a proper name (ST JOHN’S)

• Adding art, especially extra lines and stripes, to a package can confuse the scanners, so try to keep the artwork and patterns to the inside

• Do not send dangerous or hazardous goods many people accidentally send goods that can become a hazard. There are some things that might surprise you, that become hazardous in various situations, such on airplanes due to cabin pressure changes Go online to find a whole list of dangerous goods, from strong magnets to mothballs!

• Also, when you are sending mail, do not mail with the gift-wrap on the outside, and don’t use string, twine, ribbon, or bows that can get caught in mail-sorting machines.

For more information, check out the online information

BICS Grade 5 Leadership students Vale, Lucas, and Storm are on a quest to help a charity, and teach people how to best send mail / Sarah Haxby photo

at Canada Post.

A big thanks to Postmaster Karen Shea and all staff at the Post Office for taking the time to meet with BICS

Grade 5 Leadership students and show them a glimpse into the inner-workings of the post office and how to address envelopes

Students also learned about the history of stamp collecting, how stamps can be a way for artists to show their work, as well as to feature important social, environmental and historic information. They are very excited that used stamps can also be turned into a way to help children around the world and hope the community will support them in their May Stamp Drive

For more information, please contact Community School Coordinator Sarah Haxby, shaxby@wvschools.ca

CALENDAR

Friday, April 21

SKY Walks

For residents 55+. Walks are held at various trails weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays On April 21, meet on Harding Road for Grafton Lake trail walk, and April 26 and 28 meet at Killarney Lake Picnic Area Aim for 10:30 am, all walks start promptly at 10:45 am Walks are more fun with friends!

Friday, April 21

Dinner at the Legion

This Friday is a vegan feast from Marysia and friends! Falafel Plate with lemon potatoes, turnip pickles, salad, flatbread, muhammara, hummus, and garlic sauce, and namoura (Lebanese cake) for dessert All vegan, filling, and delish! Doors at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:30. $13 members, $15 non-members

Saturday, April 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 22,

Earth Month Talk at the Library

2 pm. Local author and academic Dr. Phil Gregory speaks about food resiliency at the Bowen Library for Earth Month. Presented by Bowen Island Food Resilience Society and the Bowen Island Public Library.

Saturday, April 22

Daniel Wesley at the Bowen Island Pub

7:30 pm at the Pub Daniel will be playing with special guests Cannery Row. Tickets $29, available on Eventbrite

Sunday, April 23

Gather for Games with SKY

At the Bowen Library. Drop in for fun and friendly games in the cozy Library Annex Anyone aged 55+ can come enjoy a variety of games, along with tea and coffee Free (SKY membership not required).12:30 to 2:30 pm

Sunday, April 23

Special Vespers Service at Bowen Island United Church

Three guest singers will help present the service at the United Church 4 pm Full details on Page 6.

Monday, April 24

SKY Workshop

Presented by Maureen Mackey, entitled “Zestful Till The Cows Come Home: Building my Resilience and Strengthening

My Vitality” 1:30 to 3:30 pm, , no charge, open to anyone 55+ RSVP to SKYonBowen@outlook com

Monday, April 24

Regular Council Meeting

Starts at 6:15 pm Attend in-person at Municipal Hall, or watch live or later on the municipality’s YouTube page

Monday, April 24

Rotary Speaker Series

Our guest speaker is Olha Levchenko. She’ll be speaking about the war in Ukraine and its impact on the lives of refugees and those who remain in the country Zoom event at 7:30 pm, virtual doors open at 7:15 pm Find online lobby info to join the talk on Monday at bowenrotary com Free to attend, and everyone is invited to come

Tuesday, April 25

Career Advisor at the Bowen Island Library

Come drop-in to get one-on-one help with resumes, cover letters, interviewing, job searches, insights on the job market, career and education advice, and more from Janice, the friendly WorkBC Career Advisor 11 am to 2 pm

Thursday, April 27

SKY’s Sit-Stand Yoga

10 to 11 am w/ Diana in Bowen Court’s Multi-Purpose Room Open to anyone 55+.

Thursday, April 27

ChessMates+ at the Library

Calling all chess lovers! Drop in for casual chess at the Library – all experience levels welcome (though it helps if you know the basics) We also have lots of other games available: Catan, Scrabble, Monopoly, Jenga, Mah Jong, cards, blocks, and more! Runs from 6 to 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 29

Earth Month Talk at the Library

2 pm Dr Charles McNeill will talk about recent initiatives and trends to transform global and local food systems to solve the dual climate and biodiversity crises. Presented by Bowen Island Food Resilience Society and the Library.

Saturday, April 29

Scottish music at Tir-na-nOg

Scottish Folk Band Dàimh will be performing at Tirna-nOg at 8 pm and leading a Gaelic singing workshop at 3:30 pm Tickets at Cates Pharmacy - $35 concert, $25 workshop, $50 for both Must RSVP for workshop Email ntzharmonium@mac.com or call 778-926-4286

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule

APRIL 1 - MAY 17 2023

Sunday, April 30

Bowen Children’s Fair

Rescheduled from earlier this year Parents and caregivers of kids aged 0-5 welcome at the BICS gym from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Featuring children’s musician Katie Brock, and games, music, snacks, crafts, a drumming circle, and more Thursday, May 4

TaKeTiNa Full MOon Journey

Newbies most welcome. No experience necessary; each journey is different. Please bring a spare warm layer, as you may like to lie down at the end; it’s a good idea to bring a blanket Please arrive by 6:50 pm, starts at 7. $10 to $20 suggested but free or bartering is fine as well. Come regardless!

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

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! Runs to June 14.

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.

Spring Book Club

At Sweat the Technique Studio until May 4. Come discuss the book ‘Breath’ by James Nestor 7:15 to 8:15 pm Register at sweatthetechniquestudio.com

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

pm

pm - except Saturdays

Note: Schedules subject to change without notice

Please check BCFERRIES COM

Schedule changes on statutory holidays

RCMP emphasizes local community involvement at Town Hall event

ALEX KURIAL

Editor

Sea to Sky RCMP visited Bowen Island at the end of March for a Town Hall to talk about policing in the community.

The event was part of a series Sea to Sky RCMP hosted in the four communities which compose its region –Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, and Bowen Island The goal of the evenings was to both gather feedback from the public, and to highlight the theme of the talks: “We are your RCMP”

The Town Halls took the form of discussions, led by Sea to Sky RCMP Officer in Charge, Inspector Robert Dykstra. While Bowen’s event was sparsely attended by about a dozen people, there was still a lively exchange of ideas from the audience

“I call it my ‘Small but mighty Town Hall’ We didn’t have as many people as I would have liked, but in some sense I feel like that might be an indicator that people are just generally happy with the service that they’re receiving – which seemed to be a common theme from the people who were there,” said Dykstra of the evening at Cates Hill Chapel

Resident expectations for local police centered on accountability, visibility, and engagement in the community. “In order to be effective in the community policing context, our members need to get to know the people in the community as best they can, and integrate in that community. Part of that balance as well is that the people in the community recognize that we are your officers. We are here to serve you, ” says Dykstra

On this note, he says he’s been very impressed with the work of Bowen’s trio of officers: Corporal Adam Koehle, and Constables Robert Notari and Paul Towne The group can frequently be seen out and about in the community, either at baseball games, driving around the Cove, appearing at town events, or checking in on the local restaurant scene on a Friday night

“They’re doing amazing The team that you have in Bowen is extremely strong,” says Dykstra “They’re engaging, they’re friendly… I really let them do their own thing because I know that they do a good job.”

Of course the small size of Bowen’s detachment – the three uniformed officers and one clerk – does present its own challenges, particularly regarding scheduling Currently all three members work together, which “allows them to do more community policing work more cooperative types of work like traffic stops, and other things collectively,” explains Dykstra

This strategy also ensures if a member is away for vacation or training then two officers are always on the island While it also means there are periods where no officers are at the station (due to the 40-hour work week), at least two of the contingent are on call 24/7 for emergencies Bowen’s relatively low call volume has allowed this approach to be successful on the island.

The look of local policing could change in the future though, especially if Bowen’s population surpasses 5,000 in the next census in 2026 (currently it’s 4,256). Once this mark is hit, municipalities have to decide whether to retain the RCMP or form their own police force If RCMP are kept, 70 per cent of the financial costs become municipal responsibility.

This benchmark brings new opportunity though, as the municipality can then decide if they want more officers than the minimum three, what priorities they want them to undertake, whether they want increased civilian staff, a new building, and more

“It’s an interesting time when that comes, and I highly

recommend municipalities that know they’re getting close to start thinking about what that could look like,” says Dykstra, adding he’s briefed Bowen on the potential for this scenario in the next few years

A shift in the narrative people have of the RCMP as a primarily national organization is one of Dykstra’s main goals in engaging each of the Sea to Sky communities “They think of Ottawa, they think of The Musical Ride, they think of counterterrorism They think of all these different things that are bigger – which are very important

but don’t always apply or have resonance at the local

level,” he explained.

“We’re trying to remind people just like with other municipal forces… we ’ re not just the RCMP, we ’ re your RCMP,” says Dykstra “Our members work and live in the communities that we serve they have kids that go to school in those communities, they participate in events in those communities, they go to church, they participate in sports”

Bowen’s RCMP Detachment can be found at 1017 Miller Road. Their telephone number is 604-947-0516, however in an emergency it is always recommended to dial 911.

(L-R) Bowen Island RCMP Constable Paul Towne, Corporal Adam Koehle, and Sea to Sky Officer in Charge, Inspector Robert Dykstra attended the Town Hall at Cates Hill Chapel last month / Alex Kurial photo

One Solar Year: Enter a Time Capsule

MATHILDE ROHR Cultural Connector / The Hearth Gallery

Have you ever tried to keep track of all the life data you encounter in a whole year?

From the Winter Solstice 2021 to the Winter Solstice 2022, this is what local artists Emily van Lidth de Jeude and Markus Roemer, with the contribution of Taliesin van Lidth de Jeude Roemer, have been doing. Grasping the change of seasons through photographs, collecting local environmental data, and translating their experience into poems and visual art in order to create an interactive installation called ‘One Solar Year’

After a year-long journey of mindful observation and creativity, the two long-term Bowen residents are now offering to the community an astronomical, social, and ecological landscape of the previous solar year at the Hearth Gallery

When you enter this time capsule, 2022 unfolds itself as a map all around the gallery As you walk clockwise, the photographs and poems of Emily overlap the graphing of Markus which all together create a frieze responding to environmental and socio-political events

The pictures of local wilderness, taken by Emily and her son Taliesin, show the evolution of the color scheme over the solar year, while the graphing translates visually the cycles of sun, moon, temperatures, tides, and light on Bowen Island

“Visualizing the data not only helps us understand our world, but also plan better. We think it’s really an enlightening experience to see the year ’ s natural cycles visualized in this way and look forward to sharing it with others,” says Emily van Lidth de Jeude. Below the artists’ work, an additional component

adds itself to this long frieze: a community mural! On a continuous stripe of paper, the artists are inviting all the visitors to contribute to this collective memory by sharing their experience of seeing the year in this form, as well as depicting personal events and experiences through mark making, words, or abstraction

In the center of the exhibition space, Emily also showcases one of her altered wedding dresses, entitled (dis) robe: Gaia Gown, which, in another unique way, depicts local ecology over the course of a year

Throughout this interactive installation, local seasonal changes, events, temperatures, and solar aspects of the previous year become tangible and visible in a way we don’t commonly experience – a creative way to reflect on our world, plan for the future, and appreciate the present.

The pictures and poems are compiled in a beautiful book which, like the show as a whole, explores the changes of 2022 Local wilderness photos by Taliesin and Emily are the foundation for poems that discuss our human connection with each other and our ecology Some copies will be available at the Hearth for the time of the exhibition and purchase will be available on Emily’s website : (www emilyartist ca)

On Saturday, April 22 from 3:30 to 5pm, an opening reception will be hosted at the Hearth gallery with the presence of the artists This will be followed by a tour into the cottage trail where the artists will talk about the social and ecological history of the trail, point out individual plants that have stories associated as well as wild edibles, and read poems

One Solar Year, an interactive exhibit by Emily van Lidth de Jeude and Markus Roemer, runs at the Hearth from April 19 to May 1