May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

14
Vote date up in air *We will pay the basic title insurance fee (not including migration fee), appraisals/property valuation fee and one discharge/switch out fee at another financial institution (up to $225 maximum). Offer excludes mortgage prepayment charges that you may have to pay. Minimum advance $50,000. †Savings based on $100,000 secured line of credit paid down monthly over 10 years comparing a 3.5% annual interest rate to a 4. 0% annual interest rate. Personal lending products and residential mortgages are provided by Royal Bank of Canada and are subject to its standard lending criteria. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Michael Alexander Mortgage Specialist 604-961-6457 [email protected] Which is better? ADVICE YOU CAN BANK ON™ RBC Royal Bank A. Paying prime + 1/2% with an RBC Homeline Plan ® credit line. or B. Keep paying prime + 1% at your bank. Switch to an RBC Homeline Plan ® credit line at 3.5% (prime + 1/2%) You could save more than $2700 . If you’re paying 4.0% (prime +1%) or more today on your home equity credit line with your bank, that’s how much interest you could save by switching to the RBC Homeline Plan® credit line. Switch to RBC Royal Bank, and we’ll even pick up your switch* costs – now that’s a lot of savings. Wonders of the sea There is a beautiful hidden world in the waters around Bowen Island Hatchery help Parks Canada could be a helpful partner, volunteer club says Elvis lives! He can still rock the night away, raising $4,300 for BICS library FRIDAY MAY 13, 2011 VOL. 38, NO. 14 Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM 75 ¢ including HST MARTHA PERKINS EDITOR B owen Island councillors couldn’t agree on when to reschedule the commu- nity opinion vote about a pos- sible national park but they were almost unanimous in their deci- sion to cancel the June 25 show- down with the electorate. A split three-three vote defeat- ed Councillor Nerys Poole’s motion to postpone the vote until the municipal elections in November. She got the sup- port of Mayor Bob Turner and Councillor Doug Hooper - fel- low members of the national park council committee - but Councillors Cro Lucas and Alison Morse lobbied for August 20 and Councillor Peter Frinton didn’t want to set an exact date. By the end of the hour-long debate on Monday night, coun- cil agreed to Frinton’s suggestion that they not set an exact date for the vote until after Parks Canada has released its revised concept plan for a national park. Frinton agreed to Hooper’s “friendly amendment” requiring council to talk about the date of the com- munity opinion vote within two weeks of receiving that plan. WHALE MUSIC – Juno Award winner Said the Whale won a whole new generation of fans when they performed an outdoor concert at the youth centre last week. Not only was the band a hit with young Bowen Islanders, some of whom enjoyed hanging around with band members before the concert, but the band also helped Bowen Shares raise $4,000 to ensure children at the Royal Seed Orphanage in Ghana can get a high school education. Story and more photos on page 11. Tristan Deggan photo BC Ferries want schedule changes, closure of pedestrian gate MARTHA PERKINS EDITOR B C Ferries wants to make changes to when and how Bowen Islanders get the ferry and the island’s ferry advi- sory committee wants to know what islanders feel about those changes. Most of the proposed changes involve changing departure times at the beginning and end of the day by five minutes, but BC Ferries also plans to close the pedestrian gate on Bay Street in Horseshoe Bay. The proposed changes are as follows: • Changing the first sail time from Bowen Island from 5:35 to 5:30 year round. At present, it’s at 5:35 in the off season and 5:30 in the summer. The proposed change is to allow more time for crew change so that the 6 a.m. ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay can improve its on-time performance. • Changing the last sail time to Bowen Island from 9:35 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. during the off season. The goal of the proposed change is to ensure the last ferry leav- ing Bowen Island at 10 can be on time and avoid crew overtime costs. • Extending the summer sched- ule to between the Victoria Day continued, PAGE 2 continued, PAGE 4

description

This week's issue

Transcript of May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

Page 1: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

Vote date up in air

*We will pay the basic title insurance fee (not including migration fee), appraisals/property valuation fee and one discharge/switch out fee at another financial institution (up to $225 maximum). Offer excludes mortgage prepayment charges that you may have to pay. Minimum advance $50,000. †Savings based on $100,000 secured line of credit paid down monthly over 10 years comparing a 3.5% annual interest rate to a 4. 0% annual interest rate. Personal lending products and residential mortgages are provided by Royal Bank of Canada and are subject to its standard lending criteria. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada.

Michael AlexanderMortgage Specialist

[email protected]

Which is better?

ADVICE YOU CAN BANK ON™ RBC Royal Bank

A. Paying prime + 1/2% with an RBC Homeline Plan® credit line. orB. Keep paying prime + 1% at your bank.

Switch to an RBC Homeline Plan® credit line at 3.5% (prime + 1/2%)You could save more than $2700†. If you’re paying 4.0% (prime +1%) or more today on your home equity credit line with your bank, that’s how much interest you could save by switching to the RBC Homeline Plan® credit line.

Switch to RBC Royal Bank, and we’ll even pick up your switch* costs – now that’s a lot of savings.

Wonders of the seaThere is a beautiful hidden world in the waters around Bowen Island

Hatchery helpParks Canada could be a helpful partner, volunteer club says

Elvis lives!He can still rock the night away, raising $4,300 for BICS library

FRIDAY MAY 13, 2011V O L . 3 8 , N O . 1 4

Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

75¢ including HST

MARTHA PERKINS

E D I T O R

Bowen Island councillors couldn’t agree on when to reschedule the commu-

nity opinion vote about a pos-sible national park but they were almost unanimous in their deci-sion to cancel the June 25 show-down with the electorate.

A split three-three vote defeat-ed Councillor Nerys Poole’s motion to postpone the vote until the municipal elections in November. She got the sup-port of Mayor Bob Turner and Councillor Doug Hooper - fel-low members of the national park council committee - but Councillors Cro Lucas and Alison Morse lobbied for August 20 and Councillor Peter Frinton didn’t want to set an exact date.

By the end of the hour-long debate on Monday night, coun-cil agreed to Frinton’s suggestion that they not set an exact date for the vote until after Parks Canada has released its revised concept plan for a national park. Frinton agreed to Hooper’s “friendly amendment” requiring council to talk about the date of the com-munity opinion vote within two weeks of receiving that plan.

WHALE MUSIC – Juno Award winner Said the Whale won a whole new generation of fans when they performed an outdoor concert at the youth centre last week. Not only was the band a hit with young Bowen Islanders, some of whom enjoyed hanging around with band members before the concert, but the band also helped Bowen Shares raise $4,000 to ensure children at the Royal Seed Orphanage in Ghana can get a high school education. Story and more photos on page 11. Tristan Deggan photo

BC Ferries want schedule changes, closure of pedestrian gateMARTHA PERKINS

E D I T O R

BC Ferries wants to make changes to when and how Bowen Islanders get the

ferry and the island’s ferry advi-sory committee wants to know what islanders feel about those changes.

Most of the proposed changes involve changing departure times at the beginning and end of the day by five minutes, but BC Ferries also plans to close the pedestrian gate on Bay Street in Horseshoe Bay.

The proposed changes are as follows:

• Changing the first sail time

from Bowen Island from 5:35 to 5:30 year round. At present, it’s at 5:35 in the off season and 5:30 in the summer. The proposed change is to allow more time for crew change so that the 6 a.m. ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay can improve its on-time performance.

• Changing the last sail time to Bowen Island from 9:35 p.m. to

9:30 p.m. during the off season. The goal of the proposed change is to ensure the last ferry leav-ing Bowen Island at 10 can be on time and avoid crew overtime costs.

• Extending the summer sched-ule to between the Victoria Day

continued, PAGE 2continued, PAGE 4

Page 2: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

2 • FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

BOOKFEST 2011!

BICS gym

Saturday, May 28 & Sunday, May 29

Great reading bargains!

An Invitation to YouWe welcome you to the

BICF Open House & AGMTuesday May 17th 2011

At 7:00 pmCates Hill Chapel, 661 Carter Road, Bowen Island

Announcing the recipient of the $5,000 major grant award

Introducing the two youth delegates to the Community Foundations of Canada Conference

RSVP APPRECIATED: [email protected]

GIVING BACK TO BOWENwww.bowenfoundation.com

Bowen Island Garden ClubPresents April Reeves at the Gallery

Date: Monday, May 16thTime: 7:00 pm

Theme

Food Security today: why you should garden seriously as a group

All welcome

STUDENT SUMMER JOBBowen Island Public Library is hiring a Summer Reading Club Coordinator to plan, prepare and run a weekly reading program for children ages 5 to 12. The position is open to all students continuing post-secondary full time studies in September 2011.

The successful applicant will be:- Enthusiastic for work with children, books and reading- Comfortable handling a group of 15 to 20 children - Able to work creatively and independently, and as part of a team- Organized and motivated- Skilled in web applications and standard computer applications, such as Word and Excel

Experience working with children would be considered an asset.

Terms of Employment:30 hours per week, for 10 - 12 weeks. Some evening and weekend shifts may be required.Wage $13.00 per hour Start date, June 06, 2011

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MAY 15, 2011 at 4 pm

Resumes can be dropped of at the library (430 Bowen Trunk Rd.), emailed to [email protected] , or mailed to P.O. Box 10, Bowen Island, B.C. V0N 1G0. For more information call Tina at 947-9788. Full details available at www.bowenlibrary.ca.

We want to thank all applicants, however only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

BOWE N ISLAN D PU BL IC L I BRARY

INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC

At the April 4, 2011 Special Council Meeting, the National Park Community Advisory Committee presented their fi nal report entitled “Bowen Island National Park Reserve Community Consultation Report.”

A copy of this report is available for review at Municipal Hall or the Public Library during regular business hours. It is also available on the municipal website at http://www.bimbc.ca/news_notices?nnid=693#693

Council offers their sincere thanks to the National Park Community Advisory Committee members for their hard work over the past few months.

Bowen Island Municipality

weekend and Thanksgiving weekend. Right now it’s roughly from Canada Day to Labour Day. When the summer schedule is in effect, the last ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay is at 9:45 p.m. and the last ferry leaving the island is at 10:10. The goal of the proposed change is to improve the on-time performance of the Queen of Capilano when there are extra sailings on the Langdale and Nanaimo routes.

• Closing the foot passenger gate to and from Bay Street. BC Ferries is building an elevated walkway to allow pedestrians to safely travel between the upper parking areas and Horseshoe Bay. Pedestrians crossing on the parking level may sometimes delay the discharge of vehicles from the unloading ferries. It wants pedestrians to use only the elevated walkways; the ground level pathway would be only for bicyclists.

The Bowen Island ferry advi-sory committee plans to meet with BC Ferries in early June and wants to be able to include feedback from the community as part of that discussion. Please send your comments to [email protected] attention BIMFAC (Bowen Island municipal ferry advisory committee.)

Parks Canada can be helpful partner, hatchery volunteer saysMARCUS HONDRO

S T A F F C O N T R I B U T O R

The Bowen Island Fish and Wildlife club has been operating the fish hatchery since it became fully opera-

tional in 1986 and though the hatchery is not in imminent danger, the director of the club feels that a national park would help ensure the hatchery remains viable.

The hatchery, as well as the health of fish-bearing streams, on Bowen are two reasons club director Bill Newport says he, and, he says, the majority of club members, support a park. In a recent talk with the Undercurrent Newport said they are sup-portive of Parks Canada on Bowen in part because the lands tabled need protecting.

The club has “about 20 members” and Newport believes they would benefit from the additional stewardship Parks Canada would bring and from any funding the federal organization might be able to con-tribute to the local fish and wildlife land-scape. His group and Parks Canada met in March.

“It is my understanding from the talk I had with Parks Canada that they would partner with us on some of our salmon-related projects within the park and, in this case, funding would - if at that time they had some rehabilitation money - be easier.

“Funding for our club activities out-side of the park would still be our club’s responsibility, such as the Explosives Creek salmon climbing pools, bringing back the

herring, etc.,” Newport said.Newport said that while lands such as

the hatchery and Davies Creek, for exam-ple, are protected, other unprotected lands, if they were developed, could have an impact on them. The current level of land protection is not adequate, he believes, to ensure that there will never be the kind of development that could be harmful to the hatchery and Bowen watercourses.

If Crown land were protected, that would change things.

“If Crown land had a guaranteed water-shed protection and no commercial devel-opment then a national park would not really be required for protection purposes,” Newport says. “But Crown land has no protection from commercial purposes and no guaranteed watershed protection so in this case, for the hatchery and our fish bearing streams, the national park would offer the best protection.

“In the case of Crippen Regional Park, all the water flowing from Killarney Lake and Terminal Creek plus Davies Creek and all the lagoon fresh water - all wild-salm-on-bearing waterways - is supplied from areas outside of the park. In other words all Crippen Regional Park waters come from elsewhere and if protection is not kept up then Crippen will dry up.”

Another area Parks Canada is active in is the educating of youth, an ongoing part of what the wildlife club does. An exam-ple is the Coho Bon Voyage. This year’s 18th annual, open to all ages, takes place

Sunday June 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Terminal Creek Hatchery and 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lagoon Causeway.

In an email, Wayne Bourque, superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Parks Reserve, told Newport that “educating youth and engag-ing them in the maintenance and restoration of the ecosystem is a corporate priority for Parks Canada. The agency is keen to collaborate with groups, such as the Fish and Wildlife Club, in these kinds of activities that actively promote community involvement in restoration and edu-cation programs.”

Newport feels the Wildlife Club and Parks Canada could build a strong working relation-ship. “In my estimation it (would be) positive.”

Ferry advisory committee wants feedbackcontinued, PAGE 1

The fish and wildlife club’s volunteers spend hundreds of hours raising salmon at the hatchery as well as raising funds to pay for their efforts. Director Bill Newport, right, says Parks Canada would be able to help.

Page 3: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 • 3

Distance:3 MILES

Sailing Time:30 MINUTES

6:00 am7:00 am8:00 am9:00 am

10:00 am11:00 am12:00 pm

2:25 pm3:30 pm4:30 pm5:30 pm6:30 pm7:30 pm8:30 pm9:35 pm

BOWENISLAND

Snug CoveVANCOUVERHorseshoe

Bay

Leave

Snug

Cove

Leave Horseshoe Bay

+

DAILY EXCEPT WEDNESDAYS/DANGEROUS CARGO, NO

PASSENGERS

#

*

+

#5:35 am6:30 am7:30 am8:30 am9:30 am

10:30 am11:30 am12:30 pm

3:00 pm4:00 pm

5:00 pm6:00 pm7:00 pm8:00 pm9:00 pm

10:00 pm

*

REGULAR SCHEDULEIn Effect Sept. 7 - June 28, 2011

*

+

DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS

TTIDESIDES

H: 16H: 16L: 12L: 12

HIGH FEET LOW FEETFri. 0226 14.8 0928 3.6 1535 11.8 2057 8.9Sat. 0305 14.8 1013 3.6 1649 12.8 2202 8.9Sun. 0344 14.8 1058 2.3 1751 13.8 2302 9.5Mon. 0423 14.8 1142 1.3 1847 14.8 2357 10.2Tue. 0504 14.8 1227 0.7 1939 15.1 Wed. 0546 14.4 0050 10.5 2029 15.4 1311 0.7Thurs. 0629 14.1 0144 10.5 2116 15.4 1355 1.0

CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260

10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to TeensPastor: Dr. James B. Krohn

(661 Carter Rd.)

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHMass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey

604-988-6304

BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCHRev. Shelagh MacKinnon

Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Evensong first Sunday of each month 5:00 p.m.

Minister of Music: Lynn Williams

FOODBANK DROP-OFF

Pastor Clinton Neal1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384

Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH

Places of Worship Welcome You

SUSANNE MARTIN

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R

Bowen Island truly is a special place to live, and not just for humans.

At a presentation on expanding our world through a national park, a crowd of about 60 learned that recent off-shore con-struction has nothing to do with local real estate prices but is a reflection of a recovering ecosystem.

As Dr. Chris Harvey-Clark put it, “What is happening here almost defies belief. A sys-tem that has been hammered for 100 years is bouncing back. In Howe Sound, the marine food web is reborn. The porpoises are back. They eat ten kilo of fish a day. They’re here because something is happening. We had grey whales come up in the last two years. There has been a discovery of sponge reefs and bioherms, and a very recent discovery of gorgonian corals which haven’t been seen around here. And there has been the return of herring spawn and sixgill sharks. And of course, we have the Pacific white sided dol-phins.”

Harvey-Clark is the UBC director of ani-mal care centre and the vice-president of the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of BC. He joined Dr. Faisal Moola, program direc-tor of terrestrial conservation at the Suzuki Foundation, and Dr. Jeff Marliave, vice-president of marine science of the Vancouver Aquarium, on April 29, at Cates Hill Chapel. The event was organized by Stephen Foster.

Harvey-Clark presented a film about the underwater world around Bowen. He said, “The density of life is enormous. These are things you never expect to see from the surface.” The camera captured an amazing wealth of creatures such as giant sea slugs, starfishes, hermit crabs, sea pens, sponges and octopi. The nine-minute video was an instant hit. A member of the younger audi-ence said, “I like the movie. I like it a lot.”

Responding to a question about the vulner-ability of the ecosystem, Harvey-Clark said, “The hand of man is lying heavily on the sound. But it is surprising that the cleanup of the pulp mill in Britannia made huge chang-es. But there’s still immense pressure so close to a huge urban area.”

Harvey-Clark said he observed “10 times the biodiversity that you see on the other coast.”

The second speaker, Dr. Faisal Moola, backed this theory. He said, “I did most of my research on the Atlantic coast and made a similar observation. In BC the ecosystem is

Stephen Foster (left) moderated a presentation on Bowen’s aquatic marvels with Dr. Chris Harvey-Clark, Dr. Faisal Moola and Dr. Jeff Marliave as part of the debate about impact and opportunity of a national park on Bowen. Susanne Martin photo

incredibly rich both in numbers and in bio-diversity.”

Moola is a professor at the University of Toronto’s faculty of forestry. He said, “The forests are so critical because they sequester and store billions of tons of carbon dioxide and our situation would be a lot worse if we didn’t have them. Our true wealth is not found in our pocket books but in the remark-able natural richness. As biological creatures, we depend on nature to sustain our families and communities, but the value of the eco-systems is often taken for granted, especially when it comes to zoning. For instance, the lower mainland lost half of its wetland cover from 1986-2006. No wonder, it is a hotspot for endangered species.”

Moola said, “We treat nature as if it had no value. That is extremely short-sighted. Without healthy ecosystems, we can’t have healthy economies.” Moola and his col-leagues have been working to change that thinking and even put a dollar value on nature. They dubbed bees as “flying fifty dol-lar bills.” Moola added that there is a finan-cial to benefit of establishing a national park reserve on Bowen.

Harvey-Clark agreed, “This is an opportu-nity to have a massive park on the boundary of a large city. Wouldn’t it be great to pre-serve it not just for locals but for everyone? As for marine protected areas, we only have one in Western Canada. And how it works is, basically, you leave it alone. You can do non-consumptive things like look, sail, kayak, snorkel or swim, but you can’t kill. New Zealand protects 10 per cent of its coastline and the lobster and fish populations there are 15 times higher versus outside the reserve. The lobster fishermen enjoyed good catches adjacent to the protected area even in times when catches in other areas failed.”

Harvey-Clark said “Here we have a cold water ecosystem. Species are slow-growing, have low reproductive potential, don’t move around a lot. They fish out and are very dif-ficult to replace. Unharvested reserves seed surrounding areas. If we protect even 10 per cent of the ocean adjacent to Bowen that

will help to ensure that our kids have fish to catch.” He also suggested the idea about vol-untary reserves until real protection can be in place.

One of Marliave’s roles is to supervise the biological and video imaging at ecological index sites and develop monitoring methods for marine protected areas. He said, “I started working in Bowen Bay in 1981. What we are finding is that the biodiversity is very stable in Howe Sound. It has more nutrients than any other place in the Georgia Strait. What is bad is that we didn’t realize how effectively we fished out rockfish. Rockfish give life birth to a quarter million babies but they all crash and burn until conditions are just right. They live for a century to ensure continued exis-tence. Yellow-eyed rockfish used to be abun-dant around Bowen and in fact there is one reef in Howe Sound that has a big stock. It is very important that we protect these areas. If you see a boat with rods off Bowen, chances are that it is illegal.” Marliave urged islanders to report illegal fishing. Even though a timely response is unlikely, the activity is entered into a log and sometimes perpetrators can be identified and fined.

A member of the audience cautioned that transportation might be an issue for visitors. Marliave said, “The interpretive centre could be close to the seashore and visitors could park in Horseshoe Bay. Islanders will have to decide if they can deal with more people. Some of the most successful national parks are trying to find ways to keep the cars out.”

Moola also argued that federal regulation would protect Bowen’s extensive Crown lands. He said, “I also feel that it is important that kids have access to a national park. I am worried that Canadians are increasingly disconnected from nature. Parks Canada is suffering from reduced attendance, in the Maritimes, visitors have dropped by 18 per cent, in Ontario by 12 per cent. This is a sign that we are progressively urbanized. There are social implications and we need to reach young people. Once they are connected to nature, they’re much less likely to be apa-thetic.”

Scientists explore Bowen’s bounty

MARCUS HONDRO

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R

The Bowen Island Nature Club has paired up with the Bowen Conservancy to send islanders on

a quest to learn about, and experience, nature. The unique, free opportunity takes place Sunday, May 15.

During a visit to Quarry Park, the first of three Quest locations, earlier this week, the Nature Club’s Cynthia Nicolson and D.G. Blair said that Questing began in the U.S. and is gaining popularity. Participants are given a map and direc-tions and solve riddles while gathering information about their community.

“I’m quite excited about it because it really makes us aware of things that are right there and that you might not oth-erwise pay attention to,” Nicolson said. “It’s about connecting to your own place, about the whole idea of learning about and appreciating where you live. In this case our Quest is about the watersheds.”

Quest subjects can be a park, wetlands, historical sites or cultural places of inter-est. This Quest is part of B.C. Drinking Water Week. It’s intended to help partici-pants understand how our drinking water arrives in our homes and what we need to do to protect our water supplies. A ver-sion was done in 2009 by Island students.

It should take about an hour and a half and at the end you find a treasure box, which is a book you sign and a stamp to mark your accomplishment on your map or in a book of your own. The quest map, featuring a character called Raindrop, was conceived and written by Blair and Nicolson and while a labour intensive exercise, the result is amusing and infor-mative. Here’s a sampling of Raindrop’s patter:

From where, do you think, this water comes a-calling?

As part of the cycle it comes from rain that’s falling - My water buddies and I take an enormous round trip - From the sky to the ground and up again we flip.

Arrival time to begin at the Headwaters at Quarry Park is anytime between 1 and 2:30 and after you’re finished there you’ll go to Bowen Brook at Buchanan Park before finish-ing at Grafton Lake. The map has the details about where to go and what to look for. Parking areas there may be parking along roadsides. Parking is lim-ited in Quest locations and Blair and Nicolson suggest car-pooling if pos-sible. In addition to Park or Grafton Lake please take extra caution upon seeing cars parked along the roadside.

Join Quest for island’s watersheds

Page 4: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

4 • FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Vote’s timing decided after report releasedPoole appeared to abstain from

voting; the others were in favour of the motion.

The date change became necessary when Parks Canada announced that it would not be able to release the revised con-cept plan until late June. That would not give Islanders enough time to absorb the plan’s con-cepts before the scheduled June 25 vote on whether there was general support for the park.

Interestingly enough, it was spectators at the meeting who first got to weigh in on when to hold the vote. There is a public comment session at the begin-ning of each meeting and sev-eral people signed up to address council. Most were there to request formal reassurance that the Mount Gardner dock not be included in any national park-lands but the timing of the vote was also a matter of concern.

Fitch Cady says that if the park vote coincides with the munici-pal elections, the park issue will dominate the campaign. “The park issue can swamp us,” he said. “It will become a single issue that will divide us.”

He wanted an earlier vote, saying that once Parks Canada releases its concept plan “it’s not that complicated” to decide whether it’s a good plan.

“What we need is resolution and decision. Your job is to get this process behind us and clear the election for other issues.... It’s time to put a leash on the nation-al park and get this over with.”

Will Husby disagreed with rushing ahead. “A lot of thought has gone into this process and we have to continue to do this. The fact that Parks Canada is taking its time is not a negative thing. They’re doing some things they’ve never done before... We need long, hard thinking and dis-cussion; it’s not a back and forth

once because we’re both learn-ing from what the other side is doing.”

Jean Jamieson said, “I favour delaying referendum until the November election. It will give us time to hear more from Parks Canada and the specific way they’ll accommodate the island’s needs. It will give us time to read and evaluate the literature. It will save the municipality tax dol-lars because having two votes is expensive.”

Don Youngson agreed. “What we have been demanding from Parks Canada is for them to get involved with the community and incorporate that into a conceptu-al plan, and then a plan in great detail. Typically that’s done in three to five years and we’ve said we want it done before we vote. We’ve had a federal election that will put a stop work on Parks Canada activities, changes in pro-vincial ministries and from the information we gathered, there’s a large contingent that demanded more time – ‘you’re jamming it on us.’

“This is a great opportunity to have more time and take pres-sure off them.”

He also said that the munici-pality needed to save the $10,000 that it will cost to hold the vote. (Parks Canada, which has paid for nearly all of the process, will not pay for the community opin-ion vote.)

Then it was councillors’ turn. Nerys Poole spoke first, say-ing that she saw Parks Canada’s delay in releasing the revised park concept as a positive sign.

“I believe that what they’re doing is considering the reports that they’ve received.... They’ve been given an awful lot of com-munity feedback in the past month. I do believe there’s a dif-ference between establishing a national park where no one lives and one where people live. This is the first time they’ve initiated

their urban engagement strategy. I’m in favour of giving them that time.”

The three-member council committee did not think it was fair to hold the vote in summer. “People are away or they’re not paying attention. As well, the closer it comes to the November election, the less it makes sense to hold a separate vote,” she said.

“If we were to spend $10,000 in September when there’s an election in November, I think it’s financially irresponsible.”

She also wanted it noted that very little municipal staff time has been spent on the national park vote. Mel Turner, who retired from a 30-year career with BC Parks and negotiated on the province’s behalf when the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was created, is advis-ing council but his costs are picked up by Parks Canada. Parks Canada also paid for Casey Grundy’s assistance with the national park community advi-sory committee.

“There’s no truth to the state-ment that we’re abandoning other issues,” Poole added.

She said the national park will be an issue in November’s elec-tion “but it will also be an issue of how do you see the process unfolding - will you insist on another vote, would you support a negotiating committee.... As far as it taking up the election, it’s an incredibly important issue for our island.”

Corporate officer Kathy Lalonde says the process for the municipal elections begins in late August. “I do not have the staff resources to hold a community opinion vote in September or October. We would need to hire a contractor.”

It would also “be a stretch” to hold the vote in July or August.

Councillor Morse said, “My druthers is we have the vote no later than August 20. There’s still

plenty of time if we get the infor-mation. There are a lot of people who are here in the summer. You actually might be enabling more people to vote.”

Councillor Lucas said he was “definitely against” a November vote. “I’m cognizant of the fact that Parks Canada made it clear there’d be no new substantive information, that things would progress after the vote. I see postponing the vote as having a very negative impact for the com-munity as a whole.”

He wanted to hold the vote when summer residents were here and agreed with August 20.

Councillor Frinton said, “the timeline has been largely driven by Parks Canada through [former minister of the environment Jim] Prentice who wanted an acceler-ated process. This is in contrast to the Southern Okanogan where they’ve been beating this about for six or seven years.

“There are two questions embedded here,” he said. “It’s entirely appropriate to not hold the vote on June 25. It’s logisti-cally impossible. The second question of when to hold the vote is premature. I don’t think it’s a good thing to combine it with an election. It does force an unnecessary focus on a single issue. There should be a vote when we’re ready for a vote. Wait till we get the report to see if some of the most more com-plicated issues are addressed, such as vision for Crippen Park. I don’t think it pleases anyone to go without a schedule but it’s one I feel most comfortable with. To me it’s far more important that we have good information. What we’ve asked for requires more.”

Councillor Hooper said the two most senior Parks Canada people working on the Bowen Island feasibility study are retir-ing this summer. “They’ve got a practical issue and a turnover process that’s going to have to

pick up on all the recommenda-tions we’ve made and build that team up again.

“We know Parks Canada needs time to engage with Metro Parks about Crippen Park. They haven’t had time to attend to that piece. The reorganization of our federal and provincial government does have an impact. They have to get direction from their ministers. It could take some time for us to get some good answers. More complete information is what the community was asking for in advance of the vote.”

Hooper disagreed with summer being a good time to vote. Voters don’t like summer elections.

But he liked the idea of hold-ing the vote with the municipal election. “It divorces or uncou-ples the issues from the politi-cians. [Candidates] will have to say whether they support the outcome of the vote or not. The community opinion vote will give that set of seven politicians great clarity, which I think is a gift.”

Lucas said, “This is a very complex issue and it will take a great deal of time to get answers. The time could be years. I don’t think it’s relevant to the date of the election. Once the vote is done Parks Canada will start the process of getting the details that we can negotiate on and refine. We’re on the primary stage. I stand with earlier rather than later.”

Mayor Turner support timing the vote with election. “The sum-mer period is just inappropriate to conduct important business. The challenge of running it in the fall is a practical issue. We’d have to hire someone. It’s a weak way to run an election....

“I haven’t been persuaded that it would be a detriment to the election.”

Frinton said, “we should be voting when we’re ready to vote. We’ve set two dates and they’ve both failed. Let’s not set the date;

let’s wait until we get the information back.”

Mount GardnerProperty owners

around the Mount Gardner dock once again made it clear that they were opposed to having the dock includ-ed in any negotiations wit Parks Canada. They said parking is already an issue and there is little room to provide more access. Council had previously said that there’d be no con-sideration of includ-ing the dock until the neighbourhood was consulted but the neighbourhood says it wants the idea taken off the table immedi-ately.

Councillor oole said council had suggested having Parks Canada as a partner as a way to help pay for the costs of the dock. “But I hear your point – you want it removed.”

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

TEMPORARY AUXILIARY BYLAW SERVICES OFFICER

Bowen Island Municipality has an immediate opening for an Auxiliary Bylaw ServicesOfficer, 21 hours per week for a minimum of 3 months, with the possibility of theposition of becoming permanent. Regular working hours will be Monday throughFriday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

This temporary position is intended to provide auxiliary support for the enforcementof municipal bylaws during the reorganization of the Bylaw Services division. Dutieswill include gaining compliance with municipal bylaws through education and directenforcement, and acting as Animal Control Officer and Poundkeeper.

The ideal candidate for this position will have completed high school, haveproficiency in basic computer skills, be comfortable handling dogs, possess a valid BCdriver’s license, and have the ability to interact with the public in a courteousmanner. Related experience is an asset. A more detailed job description can beobtained by visiting the Municipality’s website at: www.bimbc.ca

Qualified applicants are invited to forward a resume and cover letter, by 4:30 p.m. onFriday, May 27, 2011, to:

Kathy Lalonde, Corporate OfficerBowen Island Municipality981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, B. C. V0N 1G0

Tel: 604 947 4255 Fax: 604 947 0193Email: [email protected]

The Municipality wishes to thank all candidates for their interest, however, onlythose selected for interviews will be contacted

Application for a Liquor-Primary License for the Bowen Island Golf Course Clubhouse• The Bowen Island Golf Association has applied for a “Liquor-Primary License”

for the Bowen Island Golf Course Clubhouse located at 917 Cowan Point Drive, Bowen Island, B.C.

• The purpose of this application is to provide a licensed venue at the Clubhouse for the general public. The permitted hours of operation as outlined in the application will be Monday to Sunday between the hours of 10:00am – 11:00pm. The proposed person capacity is 44 for the interior and 75 for the patio. The Clubhouse will offer alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages and food to community members and operate one beverage cart on the golf course as needed. Minors will be permitted on the golf course and in the Clubhouse until 10:00pm.

• At their meeting on Tuesday, May 24th, 2011 at 7:30pm Council will be considering a resolution to support the issuance of this Liquor-Primary License to the Bowen Island Golf Association.

• Council will receive written and verbal submissions from the Public at the above-noted meeting. Alternatively, the Public are welcome to submit written comments in advance of this meeting by Friday, May 20th, 2011 at 4:00pm to:

Jasmine Jawanda, Community Planner Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, B.C. V0N 1G0 Tel: 604-947-4255 Fax: 604-947-0193 Email: [email protected]

PUBLIC NOTICE

For Information Call 604-947-4255

continued, PAGE 1

Page 5: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 • 5

here’s My Card…here’s here shhhhhhhhere shhhhhhheeeeeeeerrreeeeeeee sssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh ’’’’’’’’’hhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeee’’’’’’’sssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeee’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’sssssssssssssssMy Card…ssss

Corbin

Painting!Keeps

604-947-9454 [email protected]

23 years experience(began apprenticing 1988) Interiors / Exteriors Eco products/practicesFast, Fastidious, Fabulous!

Chris Sorrentino

604 861 5966

[email protected]

The Cape Roger Curtis Trust Societyinvites all those interested in the preservation of natural areas to its

Annual General MeetingSaturday, May 21, 2011

11:15 A.M. – 1:15 P.M. atCollins Hall, 1122 Miller Road, Bowen Island

Please join us – everyone is welcome …

This year, our guest speakers are:

Gwen Barlee and Joe Foy of the Wilderness SocietyGwen and Joe will give us a power-point presentation and tell us about the Wilderness Society’s role in the campaign for a National Park in the Okanagan – what did and didn’t work. They are also willing to talk about issues regarding outreach on their other campaigns as a lot of them overlap in terms of successful strategies.

Important items on AGM Agenda are:• A report on the current state of the Cape lands and the perceived lack of monitoring of

the development – a matter which we have taken up with the municipality. A slide show of what we have recorded at the Cape will be included.

• Consultation with members: is there a future role for the Society? We need your input.

Peter Drake will be the facilitator.Refreshments will be provided and photocards will be available to purchase

www.caperogercurtis.org

MARCUS HONDRO

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R

The Bowen Island Yacht Club - and by extension Bowen Island itself - has become the beneficiary of the

generosity of a long-time Island family. Denys and Marguerite Ford, who have been on Snug Point since 1962, have given the club a sailboat for training kids and adults to sail.

The Fords are handing over their Drascombe Longboat - a three-sail, fibreglass 22’ boat built in the U.K. - as a training craft. The family has owned the boat, which comfortably seats five or six adults, since the 1970s and Denys said they would like nothing more than to see it enjoyed by Bowen Islanders inter-ested in sailing.

The boat will be on lease to the Yacht Club for $1 a year indefinitely.

Yacht club member Damien Bryan says the gesture is greatly appreci-ated. Beginning sometime in early June the club will be getting plenty of use out of it. Bryan, who has sailed many years and was involved with Outward Bound as an instructor, said that the Drascombe is perfect for the task of introducing people to sailing.

“You really couldn’t find a better boat to learn to sail in and Denys’s wish is that the community uses it to teach sail-ing to kids and adults,” Bryan said. “All around this is a great gift to the com-munity.”

In partnership with BC Sailing, the Bowen Island Yacht Club will be offering summer sailing camp for kids aged 6 to 10. The

Mobile Optimist Sailing School (MOSS) trav-els the entire province and the Yukon each summer offering educational and fun pro-grams that introduce children to the exciting sports of sailing.

This year, MOSS will be making its stop on Bowen Island from August 15 to 19.

The five-day course teaches the basics of sailing. Participants will learn some terminol-ogy, knots and how to sail by means of games and activities on and off the water.

Sailors learn in seven-foot “Optimist” sail-boats that are specifically designed for young children. Optis are more stable so easy to learn in, fun and, of course, safe.

By the end of the course, students will become Captains of their own boats as they learn to sail on their own!

At 10 years of age they can transition com-fortably to sailing Laser sailboats. White and Bronze Sail Programs are also offered this summer.

Safe boating practice is a constant theme throughout all BIYC sailing programs, start-ing with teaching children to act responsibly around the water.

In addition to sailing skills, all the pro-grams aim to develop confidence and leader-ship in its participants. Professionally trained, Canadian Yachting Association certified coaches ensure every experience is a positive one.

Special Opti news:The BIYC wants its program to grow inde-

pendent of BC Sailing. It needs to add three Optimist sailboats to its fleet. This would allow the club to provide programming for 6 - 10 year olds for four additional weeks during July and August. If you can donate, share or rent to make this dream a reality on Bowen, please contact Florrie Levine 604-947-2194 or Wendy Wanvig 604-947-0994 .

For more information and to register, visit moss.bcsailing.bc.ca, or register online at www.biyc.bc.ca.

Please register early as this program sold out last year and is expected to do the same this summer.

Damien Bryan and Denys Ford are donating this Drascombe sailboat (now in storage) to the yacht club to be used for sailing lessons. Marcus Hondro photo

Family contributes to yacht club Kids can learn to sail this summer

The club’s existing boats, such as Lasers, will still be used but Bryan says that the Drascombe will get a lion’s share of the work. He is also on the board of directors for the youth centre and says that they, too, will be having the opportunity to learn and hone sail-ing skills, in conjunction with the yacht

club. Bowen’s yacht club offers a range of sailing opportunities with training classes and sponsoring of a number of sailing activities for Islanders to avail themselves of, such as the Spring Race Series and Round Bowen Race each summer. Details are available on their website at www.biyc.bc.ca.

The Bowen Island com-munity recreation department’s popu-

lar summer biking camp is back this summer with two-week-long half-day camps to choose from.

Your four- to seven-year-olds will become confident on their bike and lose their training wheels when they attend Tykes on Bikes. For those who are a bit older (six to nine), Mountain Riders will have them gaining con-fidence to try out some trails on Bowen. Both camps run July 25 to 29 and August 22 to 26. Camp time is 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with an excep-tion on Wednesday when it will be 8:45 to 11:15 a.m. For more information, please call the community recreation

Biking on Bowen summer camps

office at 604-947-2216 or visit www.shorebikecamps.com. Register in person at our office in the BICS undercover area (1040 Mount Gardner Road).

Shauna Jennings, Bowen Island Community

Recreation Programmer

Page 6: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

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.

Here’s how.To submit a letter to the

editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495

Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC

V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.

com.

B.C. Press Council.The Undercurrent is a member of the British

Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body

governing the province’s newspaper industry. The

council considers complaints from the public about

the conduct of member newspapers. Directors

oversee the mediation of complaints, with input

from both the newspaper and the complaint holder.

If talking with the editor or publisher does not

resolve your complaint about coverage or story

treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council.

Your written concern, with documentation, should

be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St.,

Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 1-888-

687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

viewpoint

EDITORIALPublished & Printed by Black Press Ltd. at #102, 495 Government Road, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1GO

Oh boy. Imagine, a split vote on council. This time it was about whether to hold the community opinion vote about the

national park in conjunction with the munici-pal elections. All you’d have to do is tell many long-time council watchers that the vote was split and they could probably tell you, without knowing in advance the details, exactly how each councillor voted.

This sense of stagnation - that the island can’t move forward on big issues - is indeed frustrating but it also shows that the system works. Islanders are split on these issues, too.

It’s clear the community opinion vote will be delayed. If the vote melds in with the munici-pal election, there is a risk that some voters, and candidates, will turn this into a single-issue debate, which is not very constructive. But Councillor Doug Hooper is right in saying that regardless of how each candidate feels about the park, the real test will be whether they put those feelings aside if the community opinion vote doesn’t go the way they want.

KudosIn the past week, Bowen Islanders donated

$8,500 to two very worthy causes: the Royal Seed Orphanage in Ghana and the BICS

library. The money was raised at two very fun events which brought Islanders together not only to support children here and half a world away but also to build upon that sense of community that gives Bowen Island its real strength.

Islanders may disagree on a lot of things but it’s usually because they care deeply about issues. The past week’s events were a positive outcome of such passion. Congratulations to everyone who made it happen, from volunteer organizers to participants. This island can do absolutely amazing things.

BC FerriesBut can Islanders’ sway the powers-that-be

at BC Ferries? Let’s hope so. Some of the pro-posed changes, as outlined in this week’s story, will make getting off and on the ferry a lot more difficult for people. Islanders’ opinions about the changes should matter to BC Ferries. It’s the passengers who really make the system work, not just the staff. Existing rules ask a lot of those passengers and they have the right to ask for something in return - such as having their opinions about the changes be respected.

Martha Perkins

Island discourse, island spirit

6 • FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

To the Editor:

I know you’re all just waiting to hear the results of last Saturday’s big competition. The hockey players may have let you down,

but the kissing contestants at my Deep Fun con-cert last Saturday put everyone in a good mood.

Four couples puckered their way to prizes: Jan Furst and Jana Tubinslak in the length cat-egory, Audrey and Paul Grescoe for their stun-ning reenactment of the royal wedding kiss, and Dana and Alex Torok who took our breath away with their passionate smooch. These three couples took home some of my home-grown garlic. Beata and Sarra Barinbaum were the grand winners of a Deep Fun CD for their mother-daughter kiss.

Thanks to Shelagh MacKinnon for her bossy, whistle-blowing performance as the kissing judge, creating international standards of excel-lence as she went along. And thanks to all those who helped in so many ways: Paul Fast, Robert Ballantyne, Audrey Grescoe, Andrea Little, Jacqueline Massey, Will Husby, Matt Maxwell and Roger Willoughby-Price.

Thanks also to Phoenix on Bowen and to our award-winning editor, Martha Perkins, and to everyone who came to make it a truly memo-rable night - a deep fun night. Merci beaucoup.

Pauline Le Bel

To the Editor:

Re: Park vote likely delayed, May 6th Undercurrent

Susanne Martin quotes Rob Cairns, chair of the national park community advisory committe, as saying that “there is some

confusion on the purpose of the vote. The pur-pose of the vote is to authorize council to con-tinue communications with Parks Canada. It is not to say yes, we want the park, or no, we don’t want a park. This is an important distinc-tion for some people.”

This is not consistent with the motion

approved by council in their special meeting on November 15th 2010, as follows:

“#10-273 It was moved and seconded that council commit to holding a community opinion vote, pursuant to section 83 of the Community Charter, to determine whether or not the Bowen Island Municipality electorate supports the national park concept plan for Bowen Island.”

The motion is very clear, and the purpose of the vote is simple - does the electorate support a national park or not. In a decision as impor-tant as this I believe it is vital that we distin-guish fact from opinion.

John Lord

To the Editor:

The Bowen Island Community Foundation Board congratulates the national park community advisory

committee for its thorough and objective approach, as evidenced in its concrete synop-sis of the issues surrounding the creation of a national park on Bowen.

We are so fortunate to have had such a large and diverse representation of our com-munity on this key committee, and to have had their commitment to a comprehensive, inclusive set of processes allowing input by anyone who wished to express their knowl-edge, opinions and concerns.

That their work was accomplished in a110-day period that included a major holiday season is remarkable. And that special efforts were made to reach out to our youth and young families on the island is commendable.

We appreciate their work, and we thank them for it.

Joyce Ganong, Chair

And the prize for best kisser goes to...

Quote should be seen as opinion rather than fact

Committee’s work finds appreciation

To the Editor:

Much to his surprise and amazement, Bruce won the Bowen Children’s Centre’s Mother’s Day raffle - a bas-

ket for his wife Janey Cruise worth $600 of Bowen’s best services and gifts.

The donations included: Studio B, Still Water Massage, the General Store, Epicure, Cold Beer and Wine Store, The Snug, Cates Pharmacy, Melodie’s Day Spa, BI Nursery, the Chandlery, the Rudy Potato, Miksa, Heartstone Spa, CocoWest, Mary McDonaugh, Bowen Beauty Spa, Arbonne products, and Out of the Blue.

“Janey was happy and overwhelmed to win the spectacular basket,” said Bruce. “And we were glad that we were able to support the Children’s Centre programs.”

For details on the gift basket donations, see the Bowen Children Centre’s website www.bowenchildrenscentre.ca.

Ann Silberman

Mother’s Day a real joy for Bruce Wilkie

Page 7: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 • 7

#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen IslandBC, V0N 1G0

Phone: 604.947.2442Fax: 604.947.0148

Editorial: [email protected] & Classified Advertising:[email protected]

Deadline for all advertising and editorial:Monday, 4:00p.m.

www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

The Undercurrent is published every Friday by Black Press Group Ltd. All

Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content

submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication. The undercurrent is not responsible for

unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs. We acknowledge the

financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications

Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada

through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our

publishing activities.

Production Manager: Jaana Bjork

Contributor

MarcusHondro

Editor

MarthaPerkins

Advertising

Suzanne Carvell

Publisher

Aaron Van Pykstra

604.903.1022

SalesManager

Greg Laviolette

604.903.1013

Publication MailRegistration No. 4003110

Publications Assistance Program(PAP) no. 09531

2011CCNA

C A N A D I A NCOMMUNITYNEWSPAPERAWARD 2011

I sit here in the BICS gym on Friday,

April 22, 2011 at approximately 1:45 in the p.m. It is the first day of three for advance polling in our country’s federal election. I work our poll and with me are

my staff members, for I happen to be in charge. Not nominally in charge, as I almost wrote, but actually in charge.

Or sort of.I must accept it, not run from

or make light of it, not deflect, but accept. I was the Central Poll Supervisor for Bowen’s advance poll or, in the vernacular of the biz, the CPS. Who gave to me this authority, you ask (as did my wife)? Elections Canada, that’s who. The decision was based upon three factors: I was avail-able, willing and have good tele-phone manners.

An outstanding staff had been selected. Sitting to my right is my registration officer, Devon McLeod, who has great hand-writing and is able to adroitly fill out forms. On my left is my information officer, Devon’s little brother, Connor (should he read this, he’ll bristle at that; good). They are pleasant with the public and nose-to-the-grindstone type long-time Bowen Islanders.

Keith and Anne work the hardest, the polling clerk and deputy returning officer. They are each highly meticulous, great at adding and capable of nursing the electorate through the pro-cess of casting a ballot. My main roles are to be here, sign official things - I’m chuffed about that - and diffuse quibbles.

We have only three hours training but Anne Gibson at Elections Canada is truly an out-standing trainer-person and I am confident this team, chalk full of integrity and with a combination of youth and veteran savvy, will get the job done.

Stop the press! Two complaints right off the hop. Someone unhappy about the wait left with the intention of filing a complaint. I feel the wait not unduly long and that democracy is not like ordering fast food but respect his decision. There’s only one polling station for advance polls as more would be a poor

usage of money (most of the day there will be few customers) but he’s gone before I can explain.

Also, someone called us a “Mickey Mouse operation” though not sure why. In other countries people have serious issues surrounding voting etc. etc. and I believe the experience here relatively painless. I also wonder about the comment because I personally have never associated Mickey Mouse with poor organi-zation. Donald Duck, maybe, but not Mickey Mouse.

Most voters say they’re grateful we’re affording them the oppor-tunity to vote early and seem buoyed to see their tax dollars in action. Speaking of action, when no one is about we see who can throw a small ball into a basket-ball hoop across the width of the gym. Any flak to be caught from this is on me since I okay it, feel-ing the team can use the break from the exacting work of serv-ing the electorate.

A member of that electorate found us at this game and said it was a nice touch of community - gotta love Bowen - and imme-diately became my third-favourite visitor; Keith’s wife, Shannon, and their ever-amusing daughter, Matilda K. Smilda, are my favou-rites as they brought us cookies and half a rhubarb cake.

The anonymity of the vote must be guarded at all cost but revealing “so and so” was by is giving little away. Sean Delaney was in with his nimble daugh-ter Raia, as was Gil Yaron and two former teachers of Devon and her little brother, Andrea McKay and Susan Ballou. Darcie Buzzelle, Tim Rhodes and Buzz Rhodes (his first election) came in late Monday and were the last advance voters of the polling place.

Over three days we had 292 ballots cast and the experi-ence was a taste of being part of something that holds import in our lives. While not brain sur-gery it was a contribution and we all of us walk away with our heads held high and, thanks to Shannon and Matilda, our stom-achs full.

Community, democracy, cama-raderie, cookies and rhubarb cake along with the throwing of a small ball into a gymnasium basketball hoop. Somehow they all seem to connect.

Canada.

Hondro is head honcho at Bowen polling place

[email protected]@bowenislandundercurrent.com

slow lane

Marcus Hondro

To the Editor:

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Georg Helenius Sr.

Georg will be fondly remembered by his friends and the many Bowen Islanders who worked with him on the various projects which have shaped the nature of this great island com-munity - a community with a very big heart.

And those are surely the words which come to mind when we think of Georg and his life. His heart was as big as Bowen itself, such that there was nothing left but a truly humble human being who served with the utmost serenity and simplici-ty of purpose. That serenity and quiet wisdom was also beautifully reflected in his wife Rosa, a Haida princess in every sense of the word. Their spirits were so much a part of what Bowen is for all of us, and they live on in the sinew of our island and in the hearts and minds of those who knew them.

Georg was a true mentor who was always there for so many of us when we needed his quiet pres-ence and wise reflection to settle our thoughts and take stock of a situation. When he was regional director for Bowen Island under the GVRD, Georg was instrumental in setting the wheels in motion for the eventual creation of Crippen

Regional Park - the culmination of an outstanding grass-roots effort spearheaded by David Smith and a broad-based committee of islanders. Lending his full support to that vision, Georg’s coopera-tive, practical and strategic approach made him the right person at the right time to shepherd this truly masterful community park proposal through the political process.

I recall a conversation I had with a Native elder who was writing a book on his personal experi-ences with old aboriginal healers and medicine men. He likened his encounters with them as being in the presence of “an old tree”. Those who knew Georg will know exactly what I mean when I make that analogy in remembering him. If future generations can get a glimpse of that kind of serenity and peacefulness when they visit Bowen Island, we will have truly honoured ourselves and his memory as a community.

Meredith and I join many hearts in extending our warm condolences to his son, Georg Jr.

John Sbragia

Editor’s note: This letter was intended for publi-cation three weeks ago. We apologize for the inad-vertent delay.

To the Editor:

All day long I heard the same refrain: “Thank you for bringing the clothing

sale back” as customers shopped till they dropped!

Everyone was full of excite-ment and joy while finding great bargains, so thank you Bowen Island for supporting the Bowen Children’s Centre clothing sale.

And gratitude must also be given to Johanna Wing, Diana

Jennings and all the volunteers who have been tirelessly sort-ing clothing since January; Cates Hill Chapel and Island Pacific School who hosted us and Steve, courtesy of The Office, who took the leftovers away!

“Thank you soooo much”, says Shelagh McKinnon of the United Church food bank (recipients of the entrance fee to the clothing sale.) “The food has been safely stashed and some put on the shelves...the mon-

ies will help. This felt especially well timed as it was in time for Mother’s Day. Many who rely on the food bank are kids.”

Didn’t make it to the clothing sale? Don’t worry, you will have another opportunity next year! For details and photos, see our website www.bowenchildren-scentre.ca.

Ann Silberman, executive director

Bowen Children’s Centre

Clothing sale an unqualified success

Islander embodied serenity and peacefulness and helped to create a community with a very big heart

The crowd had a ball at last Saturday’s clothing sale, mixing and matching and recommending outfits for one another. A rock bottom prices, the shopping didn’t need to break the bank and people left with bursting bags and boxes. Submitted photos

Page 8: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

8 • FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

North Van Suzukiwww.northvansuzuki.com 604-983-2088 1695 Marine Drive, North VancouverCONSUMERS SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING: All offers include Delivery & Destination $1,395 for SX4 and a $399 Dealer Administration Fee. Offers exclude PPSA up to $72 (when fi nancing), applicable taxes, license, registration and insurance. Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. These offers cannot be combined with any other offers and are subject to change without notice. Dealers may sell for less. See participating dealers for details. *Limited time fi nance offers available O.A.C. Special bi-weekly purchase fi nance offers are available on 2011 SX4 Hatchback JXiAWD with manual transmission Model H3NB2J1 (Selling Price $21,629) for a 72 month term. The bi-weekly 72 month payment interest rates are based on 2011 SX4 Hatchback JXiAWD @ 0% purchase fi nancing, bi-weekly payments are $139 with $1,900 down payment. Cost of borrowing is $0. Offer valid until May 31, 2011. 1When properly equipped.

Purchase Financing for 72 monthsPPurchase Finfor 72 month

0%$139Bi-Weekly payments plus tax

2011 SX4 HATCHBACK JX iAWD

Not exactly as shown

2011 SX4 HATCHBACK JX iAWD

2011 GRAND VITARA JX 4WD

DRIVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND

DON’T FOLLOW THE HERD.

FIGHT CARFORMITY

TIME TO

WIN!WIN!Enter for your chance to

your perfect getaway to… Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos.

Discover all the region has to offer, from world-class wineries to breath-taking championship golf courses. Watermark Beach Resort defines luxury in the South Okanagan, featuring extraordinary suites, swimming pool, hot tubs, waterslide, on-site spa and yoga/ Pilates studio, kids club and more! All nestled against the shores of Canada’s warmest lake, Lake Osoyoos.Escape the tedium of everyday life and plunge into Summer at Watermark Beach Resort, from $129/ night. Enter online at getawayBC.com…

View packages and promotions at watermarkbeachresort.com or call 1.888.755.3480

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Whistler, BC6:30pm Start

$150 per person

The Whistler Rotary Club Foundation proudly

presents a gala evening of fine dining by

Four Season’s Resort Whistler, paired with wine

tasting and education and a live and silent auction of

once-in-a-lifetime experiences, plus premier colllectable

wines and art. Auction funds raised support Rotary

International’s quest to eradicate polio- Polio Plus.

For more information visit www.elixirsoflife.ca

or call 604-938-9073

The Bowen Island Arts Council and the visual arts committee are pleased to announce that Karen

Watson is the new part-time curator at the Gallery @ Artisan Square.

Andrea Little, chair of the committee, commented that Watson’s acceptance of the job was “great news for the gallery and artists on Bowen.”

Watson, an artist and illustrator, brings to the job experience in hanging and professional presentation of exhibits. Formerly a visual effects artist for TV and film, she has a solid background in managing and coordinating projects, and working with artists, volunteers and committees.

She replaces Kim Kasasian, who has been the acting gallery coordinator/curator since July 2010. The committee applauds Kasasian for her steadfast dedication to the arts community and invites everyone to welcome Watson into her new position, which she will assume immediately.

The gallery continues to showcase the work of mainly local artists, presenting 12 to 13 exhibits each year. A team of volunteers support the staff and work hard to keep the gallery open and thriving. The visual arts committee consists of Andrea Little (chair), Kim Kasasian, Diane Buchanan, Marg Witty, Jilly Watson, Greta Smith, Melissa Crenshaw, and new member, Ginger Lee Erskine.

In addition to operating the Gallery @ Artisan Square, BIAC manages the Bowen Centre for the Arts, offers arts programming, stages the annual Write on Bowen Festival, coordinates the Bowen Art Walk and Studio Tours, participates in Arts & Cultural Week, the BC Cultural Crawl and Culture Days, and sponsors concerts, theatre and many other local events. BIAC is dedicated to representing and coordinating the creative efforts and programs of all cultural groups on Bowen Island.

Its current top priority is the development and implementation of a cultural economic strategy that will benefit the entire community.

For more information, or to become a member, visit our website at www.biac.ca, or contact Jacqueline Massey, the arts council’s executive director, at 604.947.2454, or [email protected].

Gallery hires new curator

APRIL BOSSHARD

W R I T E O N B O W E N

To publish or not to publish? That is the question. And sooner or later, all writers

ask it. Writers write first and foremost

for themselves, but writers also write to be read by others so if you answered ‘yes, I want to publish,’ you won’t want to miss the 4th annual Write on Bowen Festival running this year from July 8 to 10.

Susan Safyan, in-house editor at Arsenal Pulp Press, will offer a workshop called “Pitching your book to a publisher” on Saturday, July 9th. She reminds all writ-ers who want to get published: “Expect and aim to learn a lot, to experience both success and disap-pointment.”

Susan notes that editors look for submissions that are virtually publication ready. She advises writers to “get curious about pub-lishing, to find out its complexi-ties.” The good news is that editors are always looking for writers who write well, who share an under-standing that editing makes the book better, and who can show courtesy, consideration, and ide-ally a sense of humor during the publishing process. “Believe it or not,” Susan says, “some writers see editors as adversaries they have to

fight,” although she readily admits that “most of the time it’s a happy, productive process.”

New York agent, Noah Lukeman cautions, “When set-ting out to get published, writers should prepare themselves for a marathon, not a sprint. Quite often, what makes the differ-ence between authors who get published and those who don’t is simply the number of years they are willing to hang in there. Perseverance is everything.”

Another option for aspir-ing writers is self-publishing—an increasingly viable option. At Write on Bowen, author and expe-rienced workshop facilitator Julie Ferguson shares her wisdom about self-publishing in the electronic age in her workshop ”Get Going with E-books, E-readers, and E-publishing.”

Full festival passes and other ticket options are now available for purchase at www.writeon-bowen.com. The festival passes provide the best value. A Full Festival Pass costs just $199 if pur-chased before June 1 and includes Opening Night with Annabel Lyon and Timothy Taylor, the Saturday Dinner Event & Gala, four work-shops, two lunch sessions, blue-pencil editing, and refreshments. Each workshop is limited to just 15 seats so register early.

All about publishingat Write on Bowen

Karen Watson (top) will take over the helm from Kim Kasasian (bottom) at the Gallery. Submitted photos

Page 9: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 • 9

THANK YOU for your trust.

I am committed to serving you.

JOHN WESTON MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

West Vancouver Sunshine Coast Sea-to-Sky Country

Visit our other Black Press sites

Save you$50

a Week!AAaron’s Run Sunday June 12th

PROCEEDS BENEFIT AARON SLUGGETT’S SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION Register at Bowen Island Community Recreation 947 2216

Registration forms and maps www.positivelyfit.ca Information: Mary Letson 947-9601 [email protected]

DAVID CAMERON

K I N G B A B Y P R O D U C T I O N S

Bowen is a crazy place these days. The island appears to be psychi-

cally split right down the middle between old and new, green and blue and me and you. The discord needs to be healed and Kingbaby Theatre thinks they have the cure. No, it’s not a focus group, a referendum or a slate of candidates. It’s laughter.

The View is an original play written for Bowen Island by David Cameron. Kingbaby Productions first mounted it in 2006 to sold out crowds who were intro-duced to the story of a cou-ple named Angel and Zorg. Angel is a Tantric healer and spiritualist. Zorg is a chain-saw artist. One day, the new neighbours come and knock on their door, hoping to con-vince the couple to cut down a tree in their yard, in order to improve their view.

Of course, this being Bowen, nothing is going to be easy. Before the issue is resolved, the plot farcically

LOIS MEYERS-CARTER

F R I E N D S O F T H E L I B R A R Y

Coming soon is the event that book lovers have been wait-ing for: the annual BookFest

in its new site in the spacious BICS gym. The sale opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28 and closes at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 29.

Mysteries and thrillers . . . family stories, romance, science fiction and all kinds of children’s books. Calvin and Hobbes and other cartoon books will be there too along with a tempting array of books on the arts - painting, photography, music and more.

The Food and Wine section has a lovely selection of newer and older titles and the gardening books will offer every kind of current and his-toric guidance. The history section has an amazing variety of titles but so has the house and home area. Those who are paying attention to their health will find a splendid assortment of books on physical

and mental health. The smaller sec-tion called humour is full of quirky titles.

Readers will find reference books, books on every aspect of nature and science, books on how to write and much more. Island readers have been so generous in donations that the sale is certain to have some-thing for everyone. BookFest prices are set low to allow lots of happy purchases. Mass-market paperbacks are just 50 cents - a marvelous bar-gain in this age when new ones sell for $12 and up. Hard cover books and trade paperbacks are just $2. (A trade paperback is an oversized paperback: it could be a full-colour gardening book, or even a luscious collection of Tuscan recipes.)

Thrifty readers will want to take advantage of the ‘Box of Books for Five Bucks’ sale, scheduled for all day on Sunday. After the 2 p.m. closing, the Friends team will inven-tory the remaining books and pack leftovers for delivery to off island service organizations.

MARY LETSON

AARON’S RUN ORGANIZER

Some people unwind by paint-ing, or writing

or playing music. I unwind by, well, wind-ing up. I run.

Counter-intuitive you say? How can one relax by expend-ing energy? Try it. You may not embrace this same sentiment the first time out. And maybe not the second time out. But follow a proper learn to run program (aka be rea-sonable) and I can almost guarantee that once you are in a rou-tine, the instant feel

good rewards of a gen-tle jog on our fair isle can’t be beat. Drink in the fresh air, the bird song (take off your ear buds) on the quiet lake trail.

For those of you already converted to the bliss of running, make sure you come out for Aaron’s Run Sunday June 12.

Not yet converted but curious about a running event? Sign up for the 5km and walk, jog it: 30 sec-onds of jogging, four minutes of walking will get you to the fin-ish line. Still not sure?

The 2km is an extra friendly distance -

Kingbaby offers cure for island discord

The cast of The View – David Cameron, Jackie Minns, Graham Ritchie and Heather Hodson – marvels at a Bowen Island phenomenon. Bruce W. Steele photo

trips over all the challenges facing island life: Neighbours, trees, power outages, ferry ramps, infidelity and the deer.

The play stars David Cameron, Heather Hodson, Jackie Minns and Graham Ritchie. Direction by Nina Hughes.

Come and be cured.The View opens Thursday

June 23 and runs through to

July 3 at 8 p.m. and is per-formed at the Tir Na Nog Theatre School under the umbrella of Bowen’s first Into The West Theatre Festival.

The View is adult themed and tickets will be on sale at Phoenix.

For more information about Kingbaby Productions visit www.kingbaby.com

Upcoming sale offers books for every taste

Run with your heart at June 12 fundraiser

except for that darn hill. But we love hills on Bowen, don’t we?

For information, forms and route map, visit positivelyfit.ca and click on events. Or drop by The Bowen Island Community Recreation office to register. Registration deadline is Friday June 10. All proceeds ben-efit the Aaron Sluggett Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Page 10: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

10 • FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

You‛ve probably heard and seen a lot about HST — some negative, some positive. Well, now you can have your say. From June 13th to July 22nd you‛ll vote whether to keep HST or go back to PST plus GST. It‛s an important decision for our province,so be sure to take the time to understand all the implications of the two tax systems. And before you decide, put each tax option to the test at HSTinBC.ca

Decide for yourself. Learn more at HSTinBC.ca

JACQUELINE BAKKER

M E M O R I A L G A R D E N S O C I E T Y

The month of April was a very busy period for members of the Memorial Garden Society. Volunteers helped to

clear away fallen debris accumulated dur-ing the winter months, removing the moss creeping over the edges of the pathways.

On the following Saturday, a large pile of gravel was waiting and, much to my amazement, the parks board lent us a small machine and operator to move the gravel as required. The male volunteers - Bruce, Van and Effron - raked and spread the gravel neatly on the pathways. The other volunteers, mostly seniors, raked up and removed leaves and debris.

After a few well-spent hours, all retired to the Snug for coffee and a sandwich, well pleased with their work.

Our sincerest thanks go to all who par-ticipated; the parks board for its assistance, the gift of gravel and a special thank you to Bruce for his powers of persuasion.

The Coastal Animal Welfare Education Society is fundrais-ing again so it can continue its

efforts to create harmony between pets, wildlife, and people on Bowen Island.

There are three great prizes to be won this year.

The grand prize – a solid wood deluxe slab coffee table – was hand crafted right here on Bowen. It is a beautiful piece of furniture that would add character and charm to any inte-rior decor. Truly a functional work of art.

One of the other two prizes is a gar-dener’s delight: a wheelbarrow donat-ed by the building centre, loaded with gardening goodies, such as a bag of the finest Bowen Island horse manure and more when you want it; an assort-ment of plants from The Flower Shop; hummingbird feeder from Bowen’s Little Pet Shop; Nucelle’s Mandelic Sunsense Sunscreen products (valued at $110); potting soil, gardening tools, and other garden-related items donat-ed by CAWES’s friends.

Last but not least: three romantic nights at La Casa de Espíritus Alegres. This unique B&B establishment is in Guanajuato, considered to be the jewel of the colonial cities of Mexico situated in a sunlit canyon of Mexico’s central highlands (sorry... airfare not included).

You can purchase tickets ($6 each or two for $10) from Angie - 9737, Carol -2990, Iris - 0032, Jen (778) 772-4322 or Kasara (604) 992-1176.

Winning tickets to be drawn end of June.

CAWES is taking this opportunity to send out a special thank you to the Cocoa West chocolatiers, who raised $67 for the animals with their draw. Some lucky person won a delicious, chocolaty Easter Bunny creation!

CAWES is grateful to have so many supporters and thanks then for their continued help.

Without such support, CAWES defi-nitely could not do what it does for the Island’s four-legged and two-legged community members.

Please pause for CAWES

Thanks to a hardy and hard-working group of volunteers, the Memorial Garden was spruced up for spring. The parks board also assisted with spreading this large load of gravel onto pathways. Submitted photo

Spruced up for spring

Page 11: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 • 11

CALLING ALL GRADS!It’s time to start thinking about being part of our 2011

Salute to Grads IssueEmail a short bio and your favourite high-resolution grad picby 4:00pm on June 6 to [email protected]

PATTI-JO WIESE

E V E N T M E N T O R

I am overwhelmingly proud to tell Bowen Islanders that the youth of our island

raised $4,000 (or 5000 cedis) for the children of Royal Seed Orphanage in Ghana last Thursday night.

The youth-initiated-and-run Said the Whale benefit con-cert for Bowen Shares was an extraordinary success on many levels.

Four hundred people of all ages attended the outdoor con-cert at the youth centre park-ing lot. It was a transformed landscape: a colorful, natural amphitheatre with blow-up orca whales and Ghanian and Canadian flags flying overhead.

The vision and support of Ann Silberman at the Children’s Centre and the hard work and tenacity of Matt Neufeld at the Youth Centre redefined the plain parking lot into a vibrant public space.

Parents sat on the slope, tod-dlers frolicked on the playground and teens danced in the mosh pit below. It all worked.

Thanks to the skill and lead-ership of Joel Bravo and the support of Rob Van Dyke and Brad Ryan, the concert sounded incredible!

Island sponsors such as the

Youth come together to make a difference Building Centre, Bel’Ochio, The Office, Tuscany, the recreation department and municipal hall supported youth in chasing a dream of a mid-week concert with Canada’s hottest band.

Young Bowen islanders Lauren Spear and Emily Allen soothed the crowd with their delicate har-monies, followed by The Works, who rocked out with four origi-nal tunes. One song, dedicated to IPS students’ penpals at Royal

Seed Orphanage, brought the audience to its feet. IPS students one by one approached the stage and called out the dreams of their African friends.

Teacher Jen Henrichsen, found-er of Bowen Shares, watched the whole show on Skype from Ghana. Video and photos of the concert are now being edited by local youth to send to Ghana.

Representatives from Free The Children/ We Day were also

in attendance. They were very impressed by the initiative and spirit of our island youth, noting that it was unique to have youth working as performers, writers, publicists, videographers, editors, decorators, musicians, cleaners and sound technicians.

Bowen is breeding a wonder-ful group of young social activ-ists. The adults of this community should know it!

Bowen youth involved in this

event should feel very proud of their contributions. Working together to make this concert happen has made a big difference in the world.

Just ask Ottilia, the young Ghanian girl at Royal Seed Orphange, who now gets to go to high school and chase her dream of one day being a pilot.

You are the generation we have been waiting for.

I believe that!

Is it surprising that an event organized by the island’s youth was so much fun? Said the Whale helped Bowen Shares ensure children at the Royal Seeds Orphanage in Ghana get a high school education. Enjoying the concert were Eliot Beamer, above, and Caro Johnson, Amanda Ockeloen and George Milligan, right.

The outdoor concert raised a staggering $4,000 for Bowen Shares. It was also a chance to highlight the musical talents of island youth. Emily Allan and Lauren Spears brought the crowd to a magical silence with the sweet harmonies of their original music. At left, The Works – Alexander Bingham, Noah Gotfrid, Chad Ruloff, Kai Tocher-Wiese – opened for Said the Whale. Lorraine Ashdown, Patti Jo Wiese and Tristan Deggan photos

Page 12: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

12 • FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

CATHERINE SHAWDr. Traditional Chinese

Medicine/Acupuncturist

MARY MCDONAGHReg. Massage Therapist

Classical Homeopath

SANDY LOGANRegistered Physiotherapist

BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE604-947-9755

Dr. Dana BartonNaturopathic Physician

596 B. Artisan Square

604-947-2957Natural Family Medicine

Lisa ShatzkyB.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., RCC

Family TherapistFamily, Child, Couples and Individual Psychotherapy

947-2246

BLOOD TESTS, URINE TESTS OR ECGS

6:45 - 9:00 A.M.EVERY THURSDAY

DR. ZANDY'S OFFICE

Genevieve McCorquodaleGenevieve McCorquodaleCerti ed Massage Practitioner

wholistic massage & doula servicewholistic massage & doula servicemember, Natural Health Practitioners of Canada

gift certi cates availablestillwatersmassage.ca • 604-722-4472stillwatersmassage.ca • 604-722-4472

Dr. Gloria Chao Dr. Peggy Busch

DentistsArtisan Square • 604-947-0734

Fridays 10am-5pm

Horseshoe Bay • 604-921-8522

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Bowen Island Family Physicians

Dr. Susanne Schloegl M.D.

Call for an appointment566 Artisan Lane, Suite 203

604-947-9986

Dr. Utah Zandy604-947-9830

CALL FOR APPOINTMENTOPEN MONDAY, TUESDAY,WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

We work for you,not the banks!Sound Mortgage Advice

for Today’s Economy.

BC Mortgage Connection Corp.

Rod Sinn 604 947 [email protected]

Residential Mortgage Specialists

Call us to review your mortgage.We could save you thousands!$

Serving Bowen Island since 2001

Telephone: 604-947-2243

Cellular: 604-250-2630

24 Hour Service

Special Event Cruises

PRIVATE CHARTERS AVAILABLE ANYTIME

email: [email protected]: cormorantwatertaxi.com

Proudly CelebratingOver 33 Years of

Trusted Transport for Bowen Island & Howe Sound

Since 1978604-947-2243

DEPARTS SUN-THURS FRI & SATSNUG COVE 11:15PM 12:15AMHORSESHOE BAY 11:30PM 12:30AM

experience

life in their shoesThe Hero In You® education program offers a series of FREE curriculum-linked lesson plans (grades 4-7) aimed to motivate children to find the champion within themselves. In addition, teachers can request a FREE classroom presentation delivered in-person by a Hall of Fame athlete!

If you are a principal, teacher or parent and would like to book a presentation for your classroom, call

Michael Markowsky (604) 647-7449 or visit www.heroinyou.ca to download lesson plans.

AttentionTeachers:

“The Snug’scooking dinner

for you!”

Dinners to Go at the SnugDinners to Go at the SnugServing dinner for you Monday toServing dinner for you Monday to

Friday and Sunday.Friday and Sunday.Open 7 Days a WeekOpen 7 Days a Week 604.947.0402604.947.0402

KATHERINE GISH

B I C S P A C

We’ve all heard the expres-sion “Elvis has left the building” right? Well

“Elvis rocked the building” on Saturday, May 7 at the Tunstall Bay clubhouse. His reappearance had women swooning, screaming, clap-ping and dancing (and not a few men too!) as he sang and danced his heart out on behalf of BICS Parents Advisory Council library fundraiser.

Elvis....you MADE the evening and we thank you, thank you very much.

Elvis didn’t appear on his own but came complete with back-up band members Buff Allen, Rob Bailey and John Stiver. Guys, thanks for giving up your Saturday evening to be with the King and all of us.

It takes so many people to put on an event and I would like to take a few lines in the Undercurrent to publicly acknowledge and give sincere thanks to them. Starting with the Undercurrent itself, I would like to thank Martha Perkins and Lorraine Ashdown for the wonderful article in last week’s issue on the BICS library.

Park Heffelfinger, owner of Memphis Blues Restaurant, gave us a “smokin’ deal” on his fantastic southern barbeque meal and served it up with panache. Thanks, Park!

Thanks to “Mr. Suave MC” Ken Beatty who, sporting a white sports coat and bow tie, led us seamlessly through the evening. The dream team volunteers: Mary Ann Zakreski, Rebecca Salmon, Kim Morales, Carmen Lane and Nicola Murray. These women did everything and are ALWAYS there for BICS.

Kat Kelly and Cam Hayduk of Turtlebox Productions created the Elvis poster and tickets.

The always-kind Sandy Bristow from BICS office took care of ticket sales, Sarah Haxby put up posters. Mike Lightbody and

Richard Graham thought they were just delivering tables and chairs but ended up doing some serious furniture rearranging at the same time... thanks guys. Thanks to Jeff Matheson and Sue McIntyre who stuck around at the end to help put it all back.

Theresa Wishart is an amazing baker... You might know her from her CSA Christmas Craft Fair cupcakes. She provided the utterly delicious chocolate cupcakes - complete with Elvis theme. Thank you, Theresa!

Peter King... well, what can we say about Peter and his bus service? Bowen Island is so fortunate to have this service provided. Picked up at an event and dropped off at your door - does it get any better than that? Thank you, Peter, for your donation of transportation for this event.

Thanks also to Karai Killy who was the bus driver on the evening - apparently there was singing and good times as they trundled across the island.

Thanks to Julie of Artisan Eats, Steven of Blue Eyed Marys, Sharon of Bell O’cchio.

We gratefully acknowledge our supportive silent auction donors: Liz Watson, Yvonne McSkimming, Janet Esseiva, Donna Bottay, Catherine Epps, Katherine Gish, Nicola Murray, Damien Bryan, Brian Creswick, Mary Ann Zakreski, Ann Beatty, James Glave, Andrea Little, Dave Dobson, Melodie Mosier, Paul Welsh and Lorraine Ashdown.

Cash donations were also made and thanks go to: Frank Gish and Joanna Mereu, Caroline Hurd, Carol Correll, Katherine Gish and Phil Kemp, and Tim and Jennifer Pardee.

An event wouldn’t happen without all of the wonderful people who purchased tickets and turned out for this fundraiser. I am excited to report that we raised, with everyone’s help, $4,300 (give or take a couple of dollars!)

Elvis lives! Or at least he did on Saturday night when he and his band performed to a sold-out crowd at Tunstall Bay to raise money for the BICS library. Lorraine Ashdown photo

PAC manElvis rocks the world of BICS library by raising $4,300

Page 13: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 • 13

Doug JamiesonPh: 604-947-9434Cell: 604-690-3328

Allan PedleyPh: 604-307-0423Fax: 604-947-2323

BIGBOWEN ISLAND GENERAL

CONTRACTORS

New Homes - Additions - Renovations Quality Craftsmanship - Foundations to Finishing

Experienced - Certifi ed - Guaranteed

Add to your kit:• First aid kit • Special items such as prescription medications, infant

formula and equipment for people with disabilities

Tip of the Week:

TOM ROOCROFT EXCAVATING INC.

Rock Walls

Landscaping

Clearing

Grading

Site Preparation

Large and SmallMachines Available

Weeding

Weedeating

Mowing

Pruning

Hedging

Yard Maintenance

TOM ROOCROFT EXCAVATION ARTIST

Phone: 604.947.0812Cell: 604.916.TREX (8739)

CHRISTINE ROOCROFTGardenerCell: 604.319.8739

HOUSE & HOME

To

advertise

in

House

& Home

call 604-9

47-2

442 Brannon Brothers

roofi ng & sheet metal

Call Mike at 604-338-2516THE PAINTERProfessionalInteriors & Exteriors

CALL ROGER604-947-0078

Is your family prepared?

Learn more at www.sd45.bc.ca

Kindergar ten Registration

Full Day Kindergarten is a play-basedapproach to early learning thatprovides children with the gift of time—time to gradually build languagedevelopment, creativity, and problem-solving skills—all critical for success—at a pace that meets each child’s needs.

Play-based learning helps to developstrong social-emotional skills throughpeer-to-peer interaction. A full day oflearning also provides time for more—more music, more drama, art, dance,time with technology tools, andoutdoor play. Our wonderful schoolfacility also includes a large gymand an expansive library within adynamic learning hub.

At BICS, children develop their skillsand interests under the guidance ofexpert teaching staff. The extended Kday also allows for greater involvementof parents and famil ies.

Each child transitions into Full DayKindergarten based on his or herreadiness. We look forward towelcoming our newest learners toBowen Island Community School!

Bowen Island Community School (BICS) is a publicelementary school in West Vancouver School District.At BICS, children thrive in an innovative and enrichededucational environment, with a caring and supportiveschool community that encourages family involvement.

Children may begin Kindergarten in September of thecalendar year in which they turn f ive years old(born in 2006 for the 2011/12 school year).

When can my child begin Kindergarten?

Kindergarten inSept 2011?

We are pleased to invite all registered children to attendour FREE “Welcome to Kindergarten” orientation event!

“Welcome to Kindergarten”—June 1 (6–7:30 pm)

Bowen IslandCommunity School

What is Full Day Kindergarten?

It’s time to register for Kindergar tenat Bowen Island Community School

FRIDAY, MAY 13

• Legion Dinner: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Members and guests welcome.

• Baby Connections: For new and expecting parents and babies. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Family Place, 947-6976.

• Youth Centre: 6 -10:30 p.m. Free food, free movies. Drop in.

SATURDAY, MAY 14

• B.I. Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale and Raffle: 11 a.m. to noon at BICS. Bowen Island Garden Club members offer wide variety of plants at rock-bottom prices. Raffle tickets on sale at BICS the morning of the sale.

• Spring Concert: Bowen Island Community choir celebrates spring with two concerts, both at Cates Hill Chapel. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets at Phoenix or at the door: $12, $10 for seniors, $5 children under 12.

• Tir-na-nOg Theatre School’s 23rd Annual Festival of Plays: The Phantom Tollbooth, 7 p.m. Info: 947-9507 or [email protected]. Tickets $8 at Phoenix or at the Theatre School; $10 at the door.

SUNDAY, MAY 15

• Tir-na-nOg Theatre School’s 23rd Annual Festival of Plays: The Phantom Tollbooth, 7 p.m, Info: 947-9507 or [email protected]. Tickets $8 at Phoenix or at the Theatre School; $10 at the door.

• Parent and Tot Drop-In: 9:45-11:15 a.m. in BICS gym.

• Drop-in Meditation Circle 7:15 p.m. in the yurt at 903 Windjammer. Call Lisa 947-2246.

• Bowen Island Community Museum & Archives: Open Sun. and Mon., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tues. and Thurs., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appt. For appt. call 947-9526 or 947-2440.

MONDAY, MAY 16

• B.I. Community Foundation: Open house and AGM. Announcement of the major grant recipient for 2011. 7 p.m. at Cates Hill Chapel.

• B.I.Garden Club: April Reeves will speak about food security today: why you should garden seriously as a group. 7 p.m. at the Gallery at Artisan Square. All welcome.

• SKY: 9 a.m. line dancing, 9:45 a.m. exercises, 10:30 a.m. singing and refreshments, 11 a.m. “Here Comes Treble” - six women singing.

.• Family Place: For parents, caregivers and children 0-6 years. Mon., Tues., Thurs., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 947-6976. Lower Artisan Square.

• AA Meeting: Women’s: 9:15 a.m., Collins Hall.

• Bowen Children’s Centre: Community Daycare, and Bowen Island Preschool, 947-9626.

TUESDAY, MAY 17

• Legion: Open from 4-7 p.m. Tues., Wed. and Thurs. Drop by for socializing, pool, darts and shuffleboard.

• AA Meetings: Open Meetings, 7:15 p.m. Collins Hall/United Church. 434-3933.

• Bowen Island Library: Library hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wed. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Now open Sun. Closed Mon.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

• Drop-in knitting group: Every Weds., from 2-5 p.m., in the lounge at Bowen Court. All levels welcome.

• Weight Watchers: Collins Hall. 6:15-7:15 p.m. Info: Angie 947-2880. Free registration until May 28.

THURSDAY, MAY 19

• Youth Centre: 4 to 6 p.m. Practise with your band or listen to music. Free food.

• Bridge Club: 7 p.m. at Bowen Court.

• Rotary Club: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Snug Cafe. Guests welcome.

On the Calendar

To post your free listing here, send a one-paragraph description to

[email protected]

JACQUELINE MASSEY

BI ARTS COUNCIL

Share your passions and your skills! The Bowen Centre for the Arts (operated by

the Bowen Island Arts Council) is seeking workshop ideas and presenters in all arts-related areas.

Do you have a course or a workshop you would like to give? Let BIAC know!

In preparation of our fall/winter calendar, the BIAC programming committee will consider to offer programs in all genres of the arts, including visual, literary, performance and crafts. Also welcome are workshops related to

the healing arts and holistic living. Workshops can be tailored to

adults, children, teens, seniors, or a combination of age groups.

The season runs from September, 2011 to June, 2012. The Gallery@Artisan Square is available for classes and workshops for all of January and is not available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

If you are interested in presenting a workshop or course, please complete the workshop application form available for download at www.biac.ca. Email your form to [email protected] by Friday, May 27.

Please enlighten usArts centre seeks ideas and presenters

Ya

K dG wWe We llove ove leletttteers…Especially yours.rs…Especially yours.r Fax 604-947-0148

mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 email [email protected].

Page 14: May 13, 2011 Undercurrent

16 • FRIDAY MAY 13 2011 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

GREAT, CLASSICPUB FOOD

FANTASTIC (& CRISPY!)FISH & CHIPS

CAESAR SUNDAYSARE BACK!

DRINKS, WINE & BEERSPECIALS EVERY NIGHT

The new ownership, management and staff of Doc Morgan’s are proud to announce that we are now open 7 nights a week!

At Doc’s, we will always invite Bowen residents to the front of the line. This is your Island, and we want Doc Morgan’s to be your place.

Please join us for complimentary canapés, featured wines and draught beer.

Thursday, May 19, 20115 to 7 PM

Babysitting services will be provided until 8 PM(courtesy of experienced child-care professionals).

(604) 947-4339

ISLAND HOSPITALITY INC.

Watch all the gameson our BIG screens

Bowen Island ResidentsAPPRECIATION PARTY!

DURING ALL PLAYOFF GAMES

(and yes, OF COURSE we turn the sound UP!)

dropsat DOC’S!

THE PUCK

BIG RACK OF

RIBS$20+ =

GONUCKS

GO!

B

E

F

C

B A muddy West Vancouver Secondary School ultimate team cheers for the Sentinel Secondary Spartans at the North Vancouver District ultimate tournament last Friday. The West Vancouver stormtroopers, coached by Bowen Islander Jesse Baker came in third while Sentinel took first place. The Island Pacific School team also competed. Susanne Martin photo C Young Irene is thrilled to catch a bubble on her finger on Mother’s Day at The Little Red Church. D Students at IPS created both the script and music to The Secrets of Sugarloaf performed at the Youth Centre on Tuesday, May 10 and Wednesday, May 11. James Milligan plays mandolin in the house band. E Nel Dumbrillle and Caelan Thomson share the tension. F Brenna, Sienna, Mimi, Savanah and Olivia command the stage. Lorraine Ashdown photos.

DAround Bowen