Going, going, but not goneWar ship finds a new home at thebottom of Howe Sound
Is it right for Howe Sound?Concerned Citizens of Bowen Island taketheir concerns off-island
Remembering TollerEdye Hanen and Kami Kanetsukawriting from San Miguel, Mexico
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Tina Nielsen and library volunteer Allie Drake show off a few of the many pieces of medical equipment available forloan through the Bowen Island Med Shed.Meribeth Deen, photo
MERIBETH DEENE D I T O R
It was back in the summer of 2012 when one of the unassumingsheds behind the library found a higher purpose: as a storage roomfor medical equipment to be lent to members of the communityin times of need. Previously, this equipment was housed and leantout by Adrienne Lawson and Massoud Najare, but when they putthe call out for someone else to take over the service, the librarystepped-up. Since then, Chief Librarian Tina Nielsen and libraryvolunteers have attended to the Med Shed in the same way theyattend to books: they help members of the community find whatthey need, whether it be child-sized crutches, an elevated toilet seator a walker, and put them away neatly when they’re done.Neilsen says the size of the Med Shed’s collection has grown sig-
nificantly since 2012 even though items that are too worn or nolonger in good shape are discarded as necessary.“Sandy Logan comes here about once a year to go through every-
thing and ensure that it is all fit for use,” says Nielsen. “We’re notmedical people, so we don’t necessarily know what’s good or not.”She adds that donations keep coming in, and they accept all
kinds of medical equipment, except for things that are made ofsoft fabric and hard to wash. According to library records, the MedShed was accessed an average of five times per week in 2014.“I think there are still a lot of people who don’t know about us,”
says Nielsen. “But more and more, we are getting calls from peoplebefore they go in to the hospital asking about a piece of equipmentthey might need after surgery. Otherwise, people might have topurchase a piece of equipment they could easily get for free here onBowen.”
Med Shed continues to grow as library evolves
MERIBETH DEENE D I T O R
This Tuesday, council approved and released adocument outlining six strategic pillars containingeleven priorities in the coming year. Within each ofthe priorities fall specific projects, the steps requiredto move each forward, and a member of council orstaff assigned to work on it.The plan was developed following two “retreat
style” day-long meetings, and a great deal of emailssent back and forth over 2.5 months, facilitated byAndrea Verwey and Joyce Ganong.Prior to the official approval of the plan, Mayor
Skeels explained that council sorted all of the pro-posed priorities and projects into groups.“In simple terms, we had to deal with outstanding
infrastructure and administrative issues, and moveahead with some important projects,” said Skeels.“Our overarching goal is to build community, and animportant part of that is achieving a balance where abroad cross-section of our community can feel thatthe things that matter to them are being addressed.”The strategic pillars of the plan include protect-
ing and preserving unique ecosystems, maintainingaccountable and effective government, enhancingthe caring community of Bowen Island, supportinga diverse population, minimizing Bowen’s ecologi-cal footprint, and creating a robust and resilient localeconomy. These tie in directly to the 12 Goals of theOCP, the Vision and the Mission of the Municipality.
“Continue to plan for a new fire hall,” for example,falls under the strategic pillar of building a vibrantcommunity. The success of this project will be real-ized when, by January of 2016, The Undercurrentruns a photo of the sign on the new fire hall site witha story on when the shovels will hit the ground toaccompany it.Facilitator Joyce Ganong, who at the swearing-in
of this council in December, urged a focus on values,says this council created a draft set of values that isincluded in the 2015 Island Plan. They want inputfrom the community on them.“When they discussed values, it was about how
we as Bowen Islanders relate to one another, howwe communicate, and how we make decisions,” saysGanong.She adds that in the process of developing the pri-
orities and the values, it was exciting to see the groupbecoming a team.
Council unveilsstrategic plan for2015
Mon to Fri10am to 5pm
Saturday9am to 1pm
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SATURDAY HOURSStarting April 11 2015
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Visit us on April 11 forFREE coffee and treats!www.firstcu.ca | 604.947.2022
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MERIBETH DEENE D I T O R
For Brian Biddlecombe, owner of BowenIsland’s Cormorant Marine water taxi ser-vice, watching the HMCS Annapolis sink tothe bottom of the ocean for the purpose ofbecoming an artificial reef was a once-in alifetime experience.Biddlecomb says that he waited in his water
taxi with a group of people who were eager towatch the event at the edge of a boom block-ing off Halkett Bay for nearly two hours whilemore than 100 other boats rallied for a spotalong the edge of the Bay.“As I watched it go down, I thought about
what a great day it must have been for somany people, seeing this state of the artship being launched back in 1964. But Ialso thought how great it is that there willbe a continued use for it, as opposed to see-ing the ship being destroyed into tiny piecesas scrap metal. Maybe some of the veteranswho served on the Annapolis will even get achance to dive down and see it underwater,”said Biddlecombe.Biddlecombe says the sound of the charges
exploding in the hull of the boat were louderthan he expected, and they were accompaniedby cheers and whistles by the people watch-ing.“It was interesting how they prepared the
boat,” he adds. “You could see the holes cut
at various heights to allow diver access, andat first the boat was sinking slowly but oncethe water started seeping into those wholes, itdisappeared in about two minutes. It was verydramatic.”For Howard Robins, the President of the
Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia,the sinking of this ship was a long awaitedsuccess.“I feel like I’ve got 3,000 tonnes of weight
off my shoulders,” he told The Coast Reporter.“The project is finished. It’s been delivered tothe province and we’re very pleased. It’s a suc-cessful project — number eight — and nowshe’s going to be our living laboratory of studyand research.”Rick Wall, also with the Artificial Reef
Society, says there’s no needto monitor for environmentalimpacts, as “the ship is so cleanthere shouldn’t be any.”However, the society will be
monitoring diver feedback onnew marine life that grows on,in and around the ship overtime. The GB Church CoastalFreighter, sunk by the ArtificialReef Society in 1989 is nowconsidered to be a mature reef,and an estimated 150 speciesinhabit it.
Bowen Island diver Adam Taylor wasalso at the sinking, and said that it was greatwatching the boat go down, and that therewas a collective sigh of relief among the divecommunity as it did.“There were 800-odd divers who volun-
teered over the years to clean the ship, and getit ready to be sunk,” says Taylor. “But therewas never any guarantee that was going tohappen. So there are a lot of people who werejust very happy to see this ship go down.”Taylor says that so far, he has been happy
to spend his time underwater exploring natu-ral reefs, but he will likely head out to theAnnapolis just because it’s in the neighbour-hood.“I will probably take photos of the ship as it
is now, bare, and then go back and documenthow that changes over time,” he says. “Whoknows, my experience might even inspire meto check out some of the other artificial reefsin British Columbia.”Taylor adds that with the level of inter-
est this project has generated, he expects fullboatloads of divers to be heading out to theAnnapolis site regularly over the next fewmonths.
With files from Jacob Roberts at The CoastReporter.
The HMCS Annapolis: Bowen Islanders get afront row seat to watch the warship sink
The HMCS Annapolis as she sinks to the bottom of Halkett Bay.Adam Taylor, photo
2015 - 2019 FINANCIAL PLANBUDGET CONSULTATION MEETING
Please be advised that there is a special Council meeting scheduled toreview the proposed
2015 ‐ 2019 Five Year Financial Planon:
Monday, April 20, 2015 at 7:15 pmLocation: Council Chambers
981 Artisan LaneBowen Island, BC
This meeting will provide an overview of the 2015 ‐ 2019 Five Year FinancialPlan and will allow members of the public to make comments or askquestions.
For more information please contact:
Kristen Watson, Manager of FinanceBowen Island Municipality981 Artisan LaneBowen Island, BC V0N 1G2FAX: 604‐947‐0193e‐mail: [email protected]
CHRIS SLATERN O R T H S H O R E N E W S
Speakers at a presentation in West Vancouver onthe risks associated with the proposed LNG projectin Howe Sound voiced concerns, Wednesday, overeverything from environmental contamination to therisk of explosions from transporting natural gas.Hosted at the Gleneagles Golf Course clubhouse
by the Future of Howe Sound Society and in collabo-ration with MySeatoSky.org and Concerned Citizensof Bowen, the “Woodfibre LNG Is it right for HoweSound?” event saw four speakers and area residentsvoicing concerns over the potential dangers theproject could present if approved. The event saw anattendance of well over 100 people.“Canada doesn’t have a whole pile of rules about
LNG because it doesn’t have a whole pile of plants,”said Eoin Finn, a seasonal resident of Bowyer Islandin Howe Sound, and speaker at the event. Finn holdsa PhD in physical chemistry and is a close follower ofthe LNG project.He said an LNG plant of this size has never before
existed in Canada. He has concerns over the coun-try’s lack of environmental regulations in placeagainst this particular resource.“There are no LNG export plants on the West
Coast of Canada nor on the U.S. except a tiny onein Alaska but that’s 100 miles from anywhere and it’sabout one-tenth (the size of) Woodfibre.”When it comes to the risks associated with the
proposed development, Finn said there are many,including emissions output, the risk of shipping acci-dents and the plant’s cooling system, which woulduse seawater.“One of the big issues is that the plant will be
cooled by seawater from the Sound. This is prettyold technology that’s been dismissed and refused andabandoned in California and Europe.”He said that the current proposed cooling system
for the plant would suck in 17,000 tonnes of seawater(3.7 million gallons) per hour, and chlorinate it whileit circulates through the system, before releasing itback into Howe Sound.Finn explained that any such practice would be
“extremely damaging” to marine life and that simi-lar systems down the coast in California have beenbanned.Although the plant will be powered by electricity,
Finn said it will still produce emissions, including140,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year.Among Finn’s other concerns was tanker traffic
associated with the project, which would see betweensix and eight tankers navigating through the soundper month.He cited a risk of explosions associated with the
ships, which could have potential negative effects onarea property values. Large waves generated from
those vessels could also be a problem for the area,something Finn compared to the BC Ferries Fast Catsituation years before.Wade Davis, Bowen Island resident and professor
of anthropology, said the issue of whether or not theplant will go in place holds a deeper meaning thansimply a local environmental danger.
If we are actually prepared toinvest our lives in this way, the
most glorious fjord in the world,what else in our country will be
immune to such violations?
“This is not simply about a local issue in HoweSound, this is a metaphor for who we are to be as apeople,” he explained to the audience. “If we are actu-ally prepared to invest our lives in this way, the mostglorious fjord in the world, what else in our countrywill be immune to such violations?” he asked.The meeting came four days after hundreds of pro-
testors took to the streets of Squamish last Sunday toexpress their opposition to the proposed project.Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation said
it’s too early for the nation, which has been conduct-ing an independent review of the LNG proposal, tohave an official position on the project.“We’re certainly interested in the potential benefits
and risks. We need to understand those very clearlyin order to make an informed decision,” he said.Campbell said the nation had no official involve-
ment in either the protest or last Wednesday’s meet-ing.Byng Giraud, vice-president of corporate affairs
with Woodfibre LNG Limited said in a statementthat the company is committed to finding a projectthat works for the area.Giraud said the use of seawater cooling is a “prov-
en technology” that has been used in over half ofLNG plants built since the 1960s.Giraud also said that LNG shipping is “absolutely
safe,” citing that in the past 50 years there has notbeen “one incident of loss of containment.”Although the public comment process for the proj-
ect closed the week before, speakers at the meetingencouraged concerned residents to spread word tofriends and neighbours, share those concerns withtheir elected officials and to participate in futurepublic events.Woodfibre LNG recently announced the launch
of an interactive website, askwoodfibrelng.ca, thatallows for people to send questions they have aboutthe project. The public can also review existing ques-tions and responses.
Wade Davis, Bowen Island resident and professor of anthropology, speaks at the WoodfibreLNG Is it right for Howe Sound?Paul McGrath, photo
Woodfibre LNG concerns airedEvent at Gleneagles Golf Course draws crowd fromBowen Island, West Vancouver and Sunshine Coast
The Vancouver International MountainFilm Festival comes to BICS!
Hosted by Outside 45 students, this event will take place on April 25.Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets at Phoenix & at the door - $15 adults, $10 students/seniors -cash only please
Places of Worship WelcomeYou
BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH
Pastor Clinton Neal1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384
Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
FOODBANKDROP-OFF
BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCHRev. Shelagh MacKinnon
Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.Collins Hall Bookings: HelenWallwork
Minister of Music: LynnWilliams
CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260
10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens
Pastor: Dr. James B. Krohn
(661 Carter Rd.)
ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHMass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey
604-988-6304
Distance:3 NAUTICALMILESCrossing Time:20 MINUTES
BOWENISLANDSnug Cove▼ VANCOUVER
HorseshoeBay
REGULAR SCHEDULEIn Effect May 15 to October 13, 2014
Leav
eSnu
gCo
ve
LeaveHorseshoeBay
THEWEDNESDAYSAILINGSWILLBE REPLACEDBY DANGEROUSCARGO SAILINGS.
NO OTHERPASSENGERSPERMITTED.
#
*
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5:30 am **6:30 am7:30 am *8:35 am9:35 am #10:35 am11:40 am12:45 pm3:10 pm4:15 pm †5:15 pm6:20 pm7:20 pm *8:15 pm #9:10 pm10:05 pm
6:00 am7:00 am *8:00 am9:05 am#†10:05 am11:05 am12:10 pm2:35 pm3:45 pm4:45 pm5:50 pm6:50 pm7:50 pm *8:40 pm #9:40 pm
DAILY EXCEPTSUNDAYS
DAILY EXCEPTSATURDAYS &SUNDAYS
DAILY EXCEPTSAT, SUN &
MAY 19, JUL 1,AUG 4, SEPT 1 &
OCT 13
* *
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#DAILY EXCEPT
SUNDAYS
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SUNDAYS
**DAILY EXCEPTSAT, SUN &
FEB. 9
†THE WEDNESDAYSAILINGS WILLBE REPLACED
BY DANGEROUSCARGO SAILINGS.
NO OTHERPASSENGERSPERMITTED.
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BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULEApril 1 to May 5, 2015
5:30 am**6:30 am7:30 am*8:30 am9:30 am10:30 am11:30 am12:30 pm1:30 pm^3:00 pm4:00 pm†
5:00 pm6:00 pm7:00 pm*8:00 pm#9:00 pm10:00 pm
6:00 am7:00 am*8:00 am9:00 am†
10:00 am11:00 am12:00 pm1:00 pm^2:25 pm3:30 pm4:30 pm5:30 pm6:30 pm7:30 pm*8:30 pm#9:30 pm
^Wed to FriONLY
APRIL 3
BOWEN ISLAND CONSERVANCYGARIBALDI PARK: ALPINE JEWEL OF HOWE SOUNDOur 2015 Speaker Series wraps up for Spring on April 18th with a presentation by BobTurner, island resident and Conservancy Board Member.
Garibaldi Park has the most accessible, most diverse, and arguably most beautiful alpinelandscapes in the Vancouver region. Its unique volcanic origins have created a landscapeof rolling alpine meadows, rich in wild flowers, and have made it a popular hiking andski-touring destination for nearly a century.
The Park’s diverse volcanic features are famous: the lava-dammed and turquoise-colouredGaribaldi Lake, the great landslide scar of the Barrier, the dark tower of Black Tusk, thecurious flat-topped Table, multi-hued desert-like Opal and Cinder cone volcanoes, andthe great peak of Mt. Garibaldi rising above it all. There are also the stunning glaciers oftoday, and the debris fields that mark their rapid retreat over the past century. And beyondGaribaldi’s gentler ridges are backdrops of craggy granite spires. So there are lots ofstories to tell!
• When: April 18th, at 3:00 pm• Where: The Gallery at Artisan Square
More information about this presentation is available at bowenislandconservancy.org.Refreshments will be served.We hope that you’ll be able to join us; everyone is welcome.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 3
4 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
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Editor
MeribethDeen
EDITORIAL
MERIBETH DEENE D I T O R
The week of April 12 is National Volunteer Monthin Canada. As the editor of the Undercurrent, I’vetaken the liberty to turn one week into a wholemonth, and recognize a variety of volunteers on thefront cover of the paper each week.On Tuesday, I asked people who walked into the
office which volunteer group or initiative should berecognized, who I might be overlooking. This ques-tion often led to the bigger picture on volunteeringon Bowen - even if we’re not volunteering as part ofa group or organization, we Bowen Islanders have atendency to help out in all kinds of ways.This is so true.We take care of each other’s kids, let people drive
our cars, give rides to strangers standing on the sideof the road, pet- sit, set up meal-trains and so, somuch more.So, for the sake of balancing out my earlier gripe
about our poop and beer-can littered roads (and yes,the gripe still stands - I intend to get back to workthis weekend) it is the every-day generosity andthoughtfulness of people around here that makesthis place home.
Yes I’ll keep griping about the people who litter.And I’ll keep hearing gripes about people who cutinto the ferry line-up, or drive around with theirhigh-beams on... fair enough. But we can’t let theseannoyances bring us down, we just have too much tolose. Without the impulse to help out, we don’t justlose that warm and fuzzy community feel, but hereon Bowen, we might actually cease to function alto-gether.So, I’m glad the municipality is doing their part
to recognize the critical work of local volunteers:Mayor Skeels mentioned while introducing the newStrategic Plan that success would depend on thework of the many volunteers serving on committees,and a municipal volunteer wine and cheese event iscoming up next week.Among the many, many people I would like to
thank are all the people who read this paper, write-in, buy ads and also understand the chaos, limita-tions and challenges of a small weekly newspaper.Also, I would definitely like to keep these pages opento any words of recognition and gratitude peoplehave for those who are helping them out - in volun-teer month an beyond.Thanks Bowen Island!
The volunteers
...to the awesome big guy in the red shirt whocame along at just the right time on Easter Mondaywhen, in a decision I would - ahem - of course ques-tion in retrospect, I jumped off the boardwalk at theend of Killarney Lake to investigate a truly interest-ing “thingy” down there and found - to my surpriseand increasing distress - that I couldn’t jump backup. Nor could I seem to stand on those darn weedythings growing up from the lake. And as far as lilypads being called “pads”? Forget it! My ownerlooked like she wasn’t going to be much help (wasshe gonna jump in? then what?) when YOU miracu-lously came along, sized up the situation, lay downon the boardwalk, grabbed me by the shouldersand lifted me straight up over your head! WOW.Amazing! Thank you thank you thank you. Yourescued me! Deep thank you’s also from my owner:Wendy Holm...
Specialthanksand hugeshake ofmy paw...
Bunny-love inCrippen Park
Dear Editor,
There were two very interesting articles about the trip to Squamish in the April3 edition of the Undercurrent and several others on the LNG issue on previousoccasions. I agree with many concerns almost without exception. I wonder if Ican get the opponents to agree with mine?
First, the world is not going to come to an end as suggested by a member ofthe Squamish Nation. I trust we can agree on that. Next point, BC Ferries passBowen Island 80 TIMES A DAY and to my knowledge there have been no col-lisions. The fearful super tankers will pass Bowen only 3 TIMES PER MONTH,initially, but at no time will that number get anywhere near the 80 BC Ferriestrips. That should ease the concerns of those that think little children paddlingtheir canoes will be at grave risk. Why would little children be paddling in ship-ping lanes anyway?I have read of no dreadful accidents from other ports around the world where
LNG has been being shipped for years.Compared to the old factory system that some of us remember very well there
will be no filthy black smoke belching from the stacks at the proposed Woodfibreplant. There will be a small amount of particulate.Compared to other parts of the world the citizens of BC enjoy a high degree
of prosperity. We became prosperous because we are fortunate to have productsthat others want - forest products, minerals, seafood, and more recently LNG.Do none of the opponents believe in prosperity? Prosperity creates employment.Employment creates income not just for those employed at the plant, but for thedozens of spin-off industries as well – towboat operators, BC Ferry workers, busdrivers, merchants in Squamish, plumbers, carpenters, electricians.So why the big fear about LNG in Howe Sound? The tourist industry will con-
tinue to thrive because nature (which we all cherish) will continue to flourish.BC Ferries is converting its ships to burn natural gas. I don’t have to remind youthat natural gas is relied upon by thousands of people (not us on Bowen Island,unfortunately) to heat their homes, cook their food, and recently power their carsand trucks.There will be risk. Risk is involved in everything we do. Risk will be managed.
The last thing anybody wants - even the proponents of the LNG plant – is anaccident. We are assured that every possible precaution will be taken.
Respectfully,R. Gerry Sear
Dear Editor,
On Wednesday April 1st, a crowd packed the Gleneagles Golf Course ClubHouse in West Vancouver to hear the presentations of opponents to the proposedWoodfibre LNG plant in Howe Sound. The opening was done by members of theSquamish Nation. The audience was made up of people from the Howe Soundand the Sunshine Coast, and many from West Vancouver.The meeting was organized by the Future of Howe Sound Society with support
from My Sea To Sky, Save Howe Sound, and Concerned Citizens Bowen.At this evening, and at previous public meetings organized by the above
groups, the point was driven home that this project and, the drive for export-ing LNG to Asia, don’t make any environmental or economic sense for BC.Environmental concerns are pretty obvious and there is not as much room tomaneuver, as we have found out with earlier industrial development, not only inthe Howe Sound, but in many places in the world. However, when it comes toeconomics, things become a bit fussy.Economics is not a science; it is a set of economic ideas all about how we
design our society. This should mean we have choices. Do we share the wealthwith many or, keep the wealth accumulation for one small group? Do we sell ofour resources for next to nothing, or do we make sure we get our a fair shareback in taxes and royalties? Do we treat this land, we live on, as a colony or do wemake it into to a well functioning sustainable society?The dominant set of economic rules in Canada, when it comes to resources,
has been to treat the land as a colony, rely heavily on foreign investors to makethe investments, negotiate very few requirements to add value, and have low taxa-tion on the units of resources exported or, as is the case with LNG investments inBC, tax only the net-profit of the company.During the last 150 years in BC, we thought this worked well. Many of us prof-
ited off the sale of resources coming from the very rich lands here. Many did sowell, that the fact that the imbalance fact that investors, mostly foreign, madehundreds of billions off of these resources didn’t seem to be an issue. Now we seethe downside: -BC is in debt. There is no heritage fund filled with the billions ofroyalty taxation on fishery, forestry and mining.Something went wrong.It is clear that Christy Clarke’s election promises were all about LNG heritage
funds and 1 million jobs paid off for her. But winning an election is only the start,and we need proof that the government live up to its promises instead of repeat-ing the mistakes made over the past century or so. Now that the EnvironmentalAssessments for a number of LNG projects are underway, it makes total sense foran economic assessment of the whole BC LNG project, to see if it is really such agood deal, as we are all made to believe it is.
Anton van Walraven
End of the world? Not quite.
Time for an economic assessmentof LNG
Bowen Island Recreation Easter Egg Hunt on April 2.Debra Stringfellow, photos
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 5
6 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
KAMI KANETSUKAS U B M I S S I O N
I am once more in this incrediblecity that has recently experienced somerainy B.C.-like days. After severalweeks of an overload of lectures, films,theatre, and festivals around town, itwas rather comforting to find myselfsitting at a sing-along concert by BramMorrison, one of Canada’s iconic folksingers. Famously known for beingpart of the group ‘Sharon, Lois andBram,’ he is a versatile singer whosings in English, Spanish and French.This was a benefit for Amistad Canadathat supports some good educationalcauses in San Miguel, of which Bram isa member.It seems to me that there are now
more Canadian than American visitorsduring the winter months and havinghad nine Bowenians here at one time,made me fantasize somehow of twin-ning this city with Bowen Island anddoing exchanges. A couple of yearsago Condé Nast claimed San Miguelde Allende to be the best city in theworld to live in. Since then the masseshave swarmed here and for many thisparadise is now bursting at the seams
and when walking in the center andone often sees more foreigners thanMexicans.That changes over Easter weekend,
as San Miguel is known for its SemanaSanta, holy week, events and paradeswhich brings in thousands from allover Mexico. Today, as I write, it is theFriday of Sorrows, a day of mourningbut also of faith and tradition. Thisevening one can roam the streets tovisit Mexican households where theyhave set up elaborate altars with per-sonal statues of the Virgin Mary. Theywill also offer refreshments to the pass-ers by.Certainly this visit has had its share
of somber moments. I arrived shortlyafter the death of Toller Cranston andhis many close friends and his devotedstaff were deeply grieving. Many visi-tors to town had lingered in his exoticgarden after spending time at his vari-ous gallery exhibits. To walk past hisnow shuttered house with the fadingwreaths was a truly sad moment.Indeed this little heritage city is a
microcosm of the world where nothinggoes unnoticed and everything passesthrough.
From one apparentparadise to another:Notes from San Miguel, Mexico
continued PAGE 7
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■ A Canadian citizen
■ 18 years of age or older, on or before May 29, 2015
■ A resident of B.C. for at least six months, on or before May 29, 2015
■ Registered to vote in B.C.
■ Living in Metro Vancouver
You can ask for a voting package to be mailed to you by calling1-800-661-8683 or online at elections.bc.ca /ovr. You can ask fora voting package until midnight on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Elections BC must receive your completed ballot package before 8 p.m.on Friday, May 29, 2015.
Visit elections.bc.ca or call 1-800-661-8683 for more information.
elec tions .bc.ca1-800-661-8683
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FIRST CREDIT UNION & THE BOWENCOFFEE STORE
from PAGE 6
The Spring Equinox was celebrated in the Botanical Gardens, with a ritual anda concert with three very talented young percussion musicians. There was alsothe annual spring parade of kindergarten children dressed as flowers, insectsand animals. Recently there was a Fringe Festival with several free events. Oneof the highlights was ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’ a one woman show performedby London actress Janet Prince about Agatha Christie and Margaret Rutherford,which was a sold out hit at Edinburgh, London and New York and now SanMiguel.It is difficult to know the future of San Miguel, where there has been an inter-
national community living here since the 1930s. It used to be “the thing” to comefor creative pursuits or to study and many settled. As Toller Cranston said in aninterview on living in San Miguel, “people come here to reinvent themselves anddiscover what it is that they want to do.” Now many people come for retirement.With all the exiting events happening in the heart of this town, it does feel like
we are all living in a bubble and it is easy to fantasize that it is paradise. One onlyhas to move a few kilometers out of the city to the villages to see another worldwhere people live without some of the barest necessities of life. Thankfully manyof the events in San Miguel are benefits that go towards alleviating some of theseproblems. Programs of awareness abound and hopefully more of the changes willbe for the better and for the local people.
What will we do with the maple syrup?A postcard from San MiguelEDYE HANENS U B M I S S I O N
It was this winter’s gift to Toller Cranston. Eachwinter we come to San Miguel with a gift; alwayssomething sweet. Toller loved sweets. Real Canadianmaple syrup for Toller’s famous breakfasts seemedlike a good idea.And then the news, leaping out from the message
box on my computer. Toller gone.Unthinkable.No more conversations over breakfast that inevi-
tably spiral into brilliant and uncharted territory. Nomore hearing about how he’d need a ‘Valium drip’ toget through whatever crisis loomed on his horizon.No more of those treasured moments when we mightfind him alone in the kitchen on a Sunday morning,lounging in bare feet, reading a book, then gettingto spend two uninterrupted hours talking with him:about our lives, our foibles, our fears. No more din-ners with cakes and roses and candies strewn acrossthe tabletop, towers of ice cream topped with a singlepink rose. No more lying in bed late at night, laugh-ing until the tears came, over one of Toller’s particu-larly amusing witticisms heard over breakfast thatmorning. No more breakfasts.
Breakfast at Toller’s was a mostly informal affairbut with unspoken parameters: you must have beeninvited or brought by someone who was invited. Ifyou felt comfortable enough in your friendship withhim, dropping in was acceptable; he would alwaysmake room. Breakfasts began promptly at 9 am.Toller arrives, often wild-haired from leaving his bedjust moments before. He may be wearing lime greencords and an inside-out shirt – the label sticking outfrom under his chin – or a cashmere jacket he hadjust bought at the Tuesday market.There may be twelve people at breakfast; there may
be two. Musicians, poets, painters, composers, socialworkers, writers, or anyone who walked through hisgate could be there. Most of us came to know himbecause we have his paintings hanging on our wallsat home. Over Toller’s breakfasts friendships wereforged, e-mail addresses exchanged. But regardlessof who was there, it was always a gathering of peoplewho felt a deep loyalty and love for the brilliant, wittyand wildly extravagant Toller Cranston.Breakfasts were varied: coffee, waffles or hotcakes,
toast, eggs and always fresh fruit: mango, pineapple,banana, strawberries, papaya. Often there were richcakes and tortes, oddly served up alongside thewaffles and bacon. Antonia and Graciela worked
for Toller for many years. Sweet andalways gracious, they moved throughthe glass sculptures and the massesof roses and served each person indi-vidually, silently appearing at yourshoulder to pass platters of food orrefill coffee cups.The conversation flashed through
the room like the sunlight that spar-kled off the coloured crystals thatfilled the centre of the table. Toller’sstories were thoughtful, amusing, out-rageous; his exaggerations legendary.He once told the story of chasing NinaSimone down a Montreal street whenshe left his place wearing his covetedfur coat.
Kami Kanetsuka, left. “I had recognized and admired the belly dancer’sAfgan and Indian jewellery and she then presented me with a beautifullittle heart hanging from a chain, probably from Afghanistan.”
Toller Cranston and Edye Hanen.David Darling, photo continued PAGE 8
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 7
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The public is invited:Annual General Meeting of
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from PAGE 7
Conversations pole-vaulted between Toller’s story about Napoleon eatingcheese and potatoes on the battlefield (he insisted this story was true) and hisangst over a soon-to-be house guest.We all shared stories but there really was only one voice. There was never
another voice as cutting, as brilliant and as clever as Toller’s. He likened hisbreakfasts to gatherings in Paris in the ‘20s, the ‘illuminated years’ when the artis-tic minds of the day met, where discussion fueled the day and where no topicunder the sun was off-limits. His breakfasts, he said, were what fueled his daybefore he headed for his studio to paint.After arriving in San Miguel every winter, talking with him always helped
bridge the inevitable abyss that I experienced between North American andMexican culture. I looked forward to that first hug, that first welcome back. Butthis time there was no welcome back. We did not continue the conversation we’dbeen having for the past couple of years: the one about the unwelcome surprisesof the aging journey; our talks about the youth of today that he spoke of withboth joy and longing, knowing that these young people have their whole creativelives ahead of them. His advice to my daughter was something she has never for-gotten: Be creative now. It is the tenet he believed every young person should liveby.Though Toller lived in the Wonderland he created, he was painfully human.
Despite his successes, his flamboyant reputation, his look-at-me posturing – theface that he presented to the world – he was so very vulnerable. At close range,that shadow was always there and visible to anyone who was paying attention. Hewould not want to be remembered in that way but he also would not have deniedits truth. “I’ve accumulated quite a few barnacles on the hull of my ship,” he toldme once.There are hundreds of Toller stories. We each had our unique relationship with
him. We all somehow found our way into Toller’s world and we all have our sto-ries. I think for those of us who knew him and loved him, (because in knowinghim close up you had to love him), it seems impossible that we now must find away to say goodbye. His death is exactly the kind of event that Toller would insiston being discussed at length around the breakfast table.There is also something crazily appropriate about his sudden and unexpected
death. Leaving his own party before anyone knew he was gone was what Tollerdid.He hated goodbyes.
Edye Hanen has spent winters in San Miguel, Mexico for the last 10 years. Sheand her partner have been sharing breakfasts with Toller Cranston for the past 8years. She is an award winning writer who is published in many literary magazinesincluding This Island We Celebrate and is the author of Bowen Island: Reflections
Breakfasts with Toller
CAROL PETERSENS U B M I S S I O N
On Saturday April 18 everyone will have a greatopportunity to tour some of the great vacation rentalaccommodation choices we have on this island.First Credit Union, along with the West Vancouver
Chamber of Commerce, felt that it was time to letthe secret out about how many diverse and wonder-ful places there are to stay on Bowen. From the westside with views of the Paisley Islands, to a mid islandfarm or mid island place overlooking Killarney Lake,to the many ‘suite’ locations closer to the cove, thistour is exciting in that it covers so much that is greatabout staying here with a relatively small sample
size. The idea is to show the island a cross sectionof what vacation accommodation is available and toenlighten off-island folks how easy and relaxing a 15minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay can make you feela world away!You are welcome to drive to the locations or take
the free shuttle bus (courtesy of the vacation rentalowners) that will take you to each accommodation.The first bus will leave the cove (by the library) at 11.Both self drives and bus riders must pre-register toreceive your map. Upon arrival at the various accom-modations, owners or representatives will tour youthrough their beautiful properties! Join us for a greattour but please… pre-register at [email protected] or 604-947-9005.
You can stay here: Free Tour of 11 greatBowen Island vacation rentals
ELLEN MACKAYS U B M I S S I O N
Type 2 diabetes is caused by either the body notbeing unable to make enough insulin to meet it’sneeds or not properly using the insulin it makes.This may take months or years to develop butPrediabetes may be diagnosed in the meantime. Itis during this transition period that we have a greatopportunity to reduce our risk of diabetes and tohelp improve our overall health.North Shore Chronic Disease Services is pleased
to announce our Diabetes Educators, will offer a freepresentation on “Prediabetes – What Is it?” BerniceEvans and Ellie Mackay are Certified DiabetesEducators with years of experience educating clientsof all ages and stages of diabetes. They will assist youin determining if you are at risk for diabetes and willbring insight into understanding what steps you cantake towards prevention. The presentation is hostedby Caring Circle (432 Carder Drive in the Cove) at1 p.m. on April 15. For further information, pleaseemail [email protected].
Prediabetes: What Is it?
HANS BEHMS U B M I S S I O N
The third of the CSA sponsored four part discus-sions has the topic: “Doctor Assisted Suicide”. It willbe held at the BIAC Gallery in Artisan Square onThursday, April 16th, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.Recent assisted death cases, here on Bowen Island
and in the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision toallow an appeal by Carter et al and the BC LibertiesAssociation, are reminders of the importance of thistopic to so many. In their reasons the Justices sus-pended “for 12 months” the effect of Criminal Codesections 241(b) and 14 ff as “ unjustifiably infringingon section 7 of the Charter (of Rights).You are invited to a discussion on this subject,
which will effect most of us at some stage in our lives.The moderator will be Judge Judith Gedye. Forfurther information please contact Hans-ChristianBehm at 604 947 9447 or hcbehm@shaw .ca.
AGORA FORUM:A conversation on Assisted Suicide
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 9
HEALTH & WELLNESSInHabit
Somatic Centre566 Artisan SquareSomatic Patterning
Massage
Craniosacral Therapy
Ball Rolling Classes
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(778) 952-3757
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ContactMaureen toadvertise inthis space.
Dr. Gloria ChaoFamily Dentist
www.bowenislanddental.com
Artisan Square604-947-0734
Alternate Fridays10am - 4:30pm
Horseshoe Bay604-921-8522
Dr. Utah Zandy604-947-9830
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James Goldfarb RMTFri, Sat, Sun, Mon604-288-2860
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PsychologistDr. Carolyn NesbittPhD, R.Psych #1484
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CATHERINE SHAWDr. Traditional ChineseMedicine/Acupuncturist
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At entrance to Artisan SquareSuite #597
Life LabsTue @
Dr. SchloeglThur @Dr. Zandy
6:45am - 8:45amFor routine lab tests.
Specialized tests & children maybe referred to the mainland.
May 5th Cabaret - A truly delightful event6 for 6:30 at the Rowing club in Stanley Park.A benefit for Tir-na-nOg hosted by Synergy.
Cruise to and from Snug Cove with Cormorant Water Taxi (25$)or meet us there.
Enjoy dinner, complementary wine tasting, 2 sets singers,raffle, cash bar,
Musical guests- Angie Inglis and Ross Douglaswith Synergy’s own, Beverly Elliott, Yvonne McSkimming and
Mark James Fortin.
Donations to Tir-na-nOg of $50 (- or more if you wish!)100% Tax receipt given.
Meet your friends, invite your Mom (Mother’s day follows.)Please treat yourselves and support Bowen’s Theatre School
for young people.
Tir-na-nOg, teaching confidence, insight and delight toBowen’s young people for 28 years
Reservations/enquiries - please call Karen 604-947-2403
Bowen Island CommunityFoundation
Annual General MeetingThursday, April 30, 2015, 7pm-9:30pm
Rivendell Retreat Centre
All WelcomeLearn more about the Bowen Island Community Foundation:
bowenfoundation.com
10 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
On the calendarFRIDAY APRIL 10
Legion DinnerDoors open at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 6:30
SATURDAY APRIL 11Youth Open Gym: 6 - 8:30 p.m. at BICS
SUNDAY APRIL 12Bowen in Transition Potluck5:30 p.m. potluck7 p.m. meetingDedicated to creating resilient, vibrant communities throughpositive, grassroots local action. All welcome.
MONDAY APRIL 13Seniors Keeping Young (SKY)9:00 – Exercises10:00 – BICS Visit to SKY with Sarah Haxby11:00 - yoga with Diana Kaile
TUESDAY APRIL 14AA MeetingCollins Hall 7:15 p.m.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 15Knitting Circle2 - 5 p.m. Bowen Court - All levels welcome!
Diabetes Educators visit Caring Circle (432 Carder Drive) at 1p.m.
THURSDAY APRIL 16Duplicate Bridge @ Bowen CourtCall Irene @ 2955
Rotary Club of Bowen Island PresentsKate Coffey7:30 p.m. at Collins Hall, all welcome
AGORA ForumConverstation on Doctor Assisted SuicideStarting at 7 p.m. at the Gallery at Artisan Square
UPCOMING
APRIL 17Future of God - Part 2Bowen Island Yoga
APRIL 18Municipal Special Waste Drop-Off DayBowen Island Recycling Depot 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Purchase receipts per-load at the General Store or MunicipalHall. Payments will not be accepted on-site.
Bowen Island Vacation Rental TourStarting 11 a.m. at the libraryPre-register by contacting: [email protected] or604-947-9005.
APRIL 19Bowen Heritage AGM and Heritage Basics workshop to follow.12:30 to 3:30 p.m., at Evergreen Hall, 464 Melmore Road.The workshop is free for members and $10 for non-members.If you’re planning to attend the workshop, please email [email protected].
APRIL 21Bowen Ag Alliance AGM at BICS starting at 6 p.m.On the agenda: John Reid, Kim Howden, Matt Matheson andSarah Haxby
APRIL 24“Beyond the Edge” photographs by Emmett Sparling andTristan DegganGallery at Artisan Square, opening at 5:30 p.m.
APRIL 25Wild Food TourRegister by calling 604-947-9563
...APRIL 25 CONTINUEDBowen Grows, Community Gardeners Information event &mini farmers’ market seedling, seeds & garden starts saleFocus on vegetables, fruit and edible plants. Bowen gardenersare welcome to book a table to sell their extra starts and seed-lings. 10am-noon at BICSContact [email protected] to booka table at this event.
Best of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival,hosted by grades 6 and 7 students at BICSDoors open at 6:30, films start at 7Tickets at Phoenix and at the door - $15 adults, $10 studentsand seniors - cash only please
April 26Wild Food TourRegister by calling 604-947-9563
MAY 5Free hearing tests, hearing aid cleaning and checksCaring Circle. Call 604-281-3691
Synergy Cabaret, dinner at the Rowing ClubFundraiser for Tir-Na-Nog Theatre SchoolFor more info contact Karen Cowper at 947-2403
MAY 14Free hearing tests, hearing aid cleaning and checksCaring Circle. Call 604-281-3691
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 11
12 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
s
Now is the time tohave your say andshape your province.
WEBSITE:
www.bc-ebc.ca
EMAIL:
PHONE:
1-800-661-8683
BRITISH COLUMBIA ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES COMMISSION
In a Preliminary Report to the Legislative Assembly,the British Columbia Electoral Boundaries Commission is proposingchanges to the area, boundaries and names of electoral districts in B.C.
Read the Preliminary Report at www.bc-ebc.ca/reports.
Tell the commission your views on the Preliminary Report online atwww.bc-ebc.ca, at a public hearing during April and May,or by email at [email protected].
All submissions and presentations to the commission mustbe made before 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
For a schedule of public hearing locations and dates,and more information, visit www.bc-ebc.ca
Tell us your views on ourPreliminary Report beforeMay 26, 2015.
woodfibrelng.ca
Building a project that’s right for Squamish, andright for BC. That’s our number one priority.
Community BenefitsIMPORTANT TO YOU. IMPORTANT TO US.
Jobs Here At Home
Multiplying The Benefit
We know that some people have to leave the community eachday for good-paying jobs. If our project is approved, we willhire a quality local workforce and contract local businesses andsuppliers whenever we can. This has already started, as ourproject employs eight people in Squamish. That means morepeople can work and live in the community they love.
WoodfibreLNG will employ more than 650 people each year ofconstruction, and we will create more than 100 local jobs duringoperation. During construction, our project will also help tocreate another 1,080 jobs in the community through indirect*and induced** employment. This means Woodfibre LNG can helpcontribute throughout the local economy.
Paying Our ShareWe are a member of the community, so just like you, we’ll pay ourfair share of property tax to the District of Squamish. In fact, asthe site’s official owner, Woodfibre LNG is now a contributing taxpayer to the District of Squamish. We have offered to pay at least$2 million in property tax each year of operation, an amount thatwill help ease the burden on local residents.
Building A Strong CommunityWe want to support the things that give Squamish its strongsense of community, so we’re providing financial support toyouth sports and education programs, as well as communityevents and other local groups. So far, we have given more than$100,000 to groups in the community.
* Indirect impacts arise from changes in activity for suppliers.** Induced impacts arise from shifts in spending on goods and services as a consequence ofchanges to the payroll of the directly and indirectly affected businesses.
Having been with Woodfibre LNG since thebeginning, Byng Giraud understands how importantit is to build a project that is right for Squamish.For him, it’s about ensuring Woodfibre LNG is anactive member of the community; a company thatrespects the local environment and that works tocreate long-term local jobs.
tant
at
There are many reasons to be optimistic about thefuture of Squamish.
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