FRIDAY DEC 06 2013 VOL. 40, NO. 27 Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM 75 ¢ including GST MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR A lmost every day for the past 15 years Sue Clark has stocked the shelves of Bowen’s Food Bank at the Little Red Church. “Some days I come in and its completely empty, others its half-full,” says Clarke, who makes sure that toilet paper is always available, along with tins of milk. “We need to have full meals on-hand,” she says, “and once or twice a week, I put eggs and margarine out.” Every ten days or so, she goes shopping. “Walmart is the cheapest, and sometimes I walk out of there with two carts full of food, but sometimes I also go to Save-On Foods to purchase some things.” Clarke says that in recent years, she’s been spending at least $12 thousand in monetary donations per year to keep the shelves of the food bank stocked, and that amount does not include donations of canned and dried food, or soups in the food bank’s freezer. “In the time that I’ve been working, I’ve definitely seen a big increase in the level of need for this food,” says Clarke. “This year we’ve had a number of homeless people living on Bowen, but also I have had people with young families come up to me and say the Foodbank has been a lifesaver in a time of need.” Clarke insists that the Foodbank’s original mandate, to provide food in an emergency situation, remains its central purpose. “In the city there are soup kitchens, but that wouldn’t work here because the people who need food from us don’t want to be known, and in small community like this, you would be just far too visible.” Island Pacific School teacher Bronwyn Churcher says the idea that people who need to use the food bank might feel stigmatized was new to the student’s who were given an introduction to it by Reverend Sheilagh MacKinnon. Sarah and Michael Ewert as Mary and Joseph, baby Sage as Jesus. More photos from Light up Bowen on page 12. Debra Stringfellow photo Food Bank welcomes extra community support during the Christmas season Bowen busi- nesses move forward without the Chamber MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR Last week the Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce sent a letter out to its members stating that the organization has “reached an impasse where membership dues and fund raising do not cover the costs to properly run the organization.” Chamber President Rod Marsh is resigning from his role, but will seek membership in the West Vancouver Chamber in order to continue accessing the ben- efits accorded with being a member of a Chamber of Commerce. As noted towards the end of the let- ter, Bowen businesses have already started to orga- nize themselves beyond the umbrella offered by the Chamber. Jan Stevens, owner of the Lazy Bowen Hideaway and the organizer behind the Bowen Island Accommodation Association (which started in July of this year) says she’s disappointed to hear of the demise of the local Chamber, but thinks that becoming a part of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce sounds like a good move. “I haven’t joined yet,” says Stevens, “but I plan to, especially seeing as there are no Bed and Breakfasts in the West Vancouver Chamber, I think we would be well represented.” Stevens said her initial intention with the Bowen Accommodation Association was to bring all 48 owners of accommodations establishments on the island together for monthly meetings to brainstorm ways of marketing together and supporting one another. However, she said that as of October, the Association decided to only have quarterly meetings. New business organizations “fill the gap” left by a now defunct Chamber of Commerce News from Dorman Bioherm Underwater camera records footage of local sponge reef Renovations in the Cove Major expansion underway at Village Square Life by design The Undercurrent’s first business column continued, PAGE 2 continued, PAGE 3 604.947.2022 www.firstcu.ca Get the mortgage package* that offers more: Ask us for details today! Your home is more than just a house ... more mortgage than just a you deserve
Transcript
FRIDAY DEC 06 2013V O L . 4 0 , N O . 2 7
Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
75¢ including GST
MERIBETH DEENE D I T O R
Almost every day for the past 15 years Sue Clark has stocked the shelves of Bowen’s Food Bank at the Little Red Church.
“Some days I come in and its completely empty, others its half-full,” says Clarke, who makes sure that toilet paper is always available, along with tins of milk.
“We need to have full meals on-hand,” she says, “and once or twice a week, I put eggs and margarine out.”
Every ten days or so, she goes shopping.“Walmart is the cheapest, and sometimes I walk out of there with
two carts full of food, but sometimes I also go to Save-On Foods to purchase some things.”
Clarke says that in recent years, she’s been spending at least $12 thousand in monetary donations per year to keep the shelves of the food bank stocked, and that amount does not include donations of
canned and dried food, or soups in the food bank’s freezer.“In the time that I’ve been working, I’ve definitely seen a big
increase in the level of need for this food,” says Clarke. “This year we’ve had a number of homeless people living on Bowen, but also I have had people with young families come up to me and say the Foodbank has been a lifesaver in a time of need.”
Clarke insists that the Foodbank’s original mandate, to provide food in an emergency situation, remains its central purpose.
“In the city there are soup kitchens, but that wouldn’t work here because the people who need food from us don’t want to be known, and in small community like this, you would be just far too visible.”
Island Pacific School teacher Bronwyn Churcher says the idea that people who need to use the food bank might feel stigmatized was new to the student’s who were given an introduction to it by Reverend Sheilagh MacKinnon.
Sarah and Michael Ewert as Mary and Joseph, baby Sage as Jesus. More photos from Light up Bowen on page 12.Debra Stringfellow photo
Food Bank welcomes extra community support during the Christmas season
Bowen busi-nesses move forward without the Chamber
MERIBETH DEENE D I T O R
Last week the Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce sent a letter out to its members stating that the organization has “reached an impasse where membership dues and fund raising do not cover the costs to properly run the organization.” Chamber President Rod Marsh is resigning from his role, but will seek membership in the West Vancouver Chamber in order to continue accessing the ben-efits accorded with being a member of a Chamber of Commerce. As noted towards the end of the let-ter, Bowen businesses have already started to orga-nize themselves beyond the umbrella offered by the Chamber.
Jan Stevens, owner of the Lazy Bowen Hideaway and the organizer behind the Bowen Island Accommodation Association (which started in July of this year) says she’s disappointed to hear of the demise of the local Chamber, but thinks that becoming a part of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce sounds like a good move.
“I haven’t joined yet,” says Stevens, “but I plan to, especially seeing as there are no Bed and Breakfasts in the West Vancouver Chamber, I think we would be well represented.”
Stevens said her initial intention with the Bowen Accommodation Association was to bring all 48 owners of accommodations establishments on the island together for monthly meetings to brainstorm ways of marketing together and supporting one another. However, she said that as of October, the Association decided to only have quarterly meetings.
New business organizations “fill the gap” left by a now defunct Chamber of Commerce
News from Dorman BiohermUnderwater camera records footage of local sponge reef
Renovations in the CoveMajor expansion underway at Village Square
Life by designThe Undercurrent’s first business column
continued, PAGE 2 continued, PAGE 3
604.947.2022www.firstcu.ca
Get the mortgage package* that offers more:
Ask us for details today!
Your home is more than just a house ... more mortgagethan
just a
you deserve
Business and schools help keep Food Bank shelves stocked
2 FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Sue Clarke makes sure all the necessities are available at the Bowen Island Food Bank.
Meribeth Deen photo
continued PAGE 1
BOWEN ISLAND MUNIC IPAL ITY
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 604-947-4255
MEMBERS REQUESTEDFOR THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEBowen Island Municipal Council is requesting applications from members of the public interested in serving on the Bowen Island Economic Development Committee.
The Committee provides advice to Council on policies and strategic initiatives that will further enhance Bowen Island as an ideal business and investment location. Please visit the News & Notices page of the BIM website at http://www.bimbc.ca/news_notices to view the Terms of Reference and print a Committee Application Form.
Those interested in sitting on the Bowen Island Economic Development Committee are asked to print and fi ll out an application form (including details of specifi c expertise and the term interested in serving) and respond in writing via email, fax or regular mail by Friday, December 13, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. to:
Sheana Stevenson, Committee ClerkBowen Island Municipality981 Artisan LaneBowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
Pedestrian traffi c on the south side of the lower Cove from the Cenotaph to the Ferry terminal will be closed for sewer line installation for approximately three weeks. Please observe all safety directions and precautions.
Thank you for your patience and courteousness during this time.
Public Works
BOWEN ISLAND MUNIC IPAL ITY
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 604-947-4255
BYLAW SERVICES OFFICERBowen Island Municipality has an opening for a Bylaw Services Offi cer at 35 hours per week April – September and 21 hours per week October - March. Working hours may include up to 7 hours of regular coverage during the weekends. The remainder of the hours will be scheduled during regular business hours, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Duties will include gaining compliance with municipal bylaws through education and direct enforcement, and acting as Wharfi nger, Animal Control Offi cer and Poundkeeper.
The ideal candidate for this position has excellent communication skills, is profi cient with computers, is comfortable handling dogs, possesses a valid BC driver’s licence, can work independently in all-weather conditions, must be able to perform light labour duties and has the ability to interact with the public in a courteous manner. Related bylaw experience is an asset.
We thank all applicants, but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit your covering letter and resume via e-mail, fax or mail by Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. to:
Christine Walker, Human Resources ManagerBowen Island Municipality981 Artisan LaneBowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
“We were in the church talking about ways we could help, and at first the kids thought it would be a good idea to throw a big dinner for Food Bank users. Then someone walked in, and saw all of us and then quickly walked out. I think that then they understood.”
Churcher says Reverend MacKinnon’s presenta-tion also helped the kids understand how quickly the shelves could be depleted, and how a family with a limited income could find themselves struggling to put food on the table. At the end of the session, the stu-dents decided that half of
them would work on cook-ing soup to put in the Food Bank’s freezer, and the other half would collect dona-tions of food and money for the Food Bank. This project will happen on December 18th.
Reverend MacKinnon says this time of year is par-ticularly stark for people struggling to put food on the table, and she hopes that people will consider includ-ing special treats that might just brighten up some-one’s day.
“Of course we need non-perishables,” says MacKinnon, “but a can of frozen orange juice can be a
real luxury. I’m also happy when I see a box of choco-late on those shelves.
”If you want to make a donation to the Food Bank, you can drop food off at any time of day or night on the shelves just inside the Little Red Church. You can also drop off a finan-
cial donation to Vonigo, addressed to the Food Bank.
Also, on December 13th, the Bowen Island Pub will be offering a free drink for every two cans of food for the Food Bank, with a two free-drink limit.
The Penrhyn Academy
student recital, December 8th, asks for donations at the door.
The Bowen Island Gym is encouraging all of its members to bring in dona-tions at every work-out and will waive drop-in fees for non-members who donate non-perishible food items.
BOWEN ISLAND MUNIC IPAL ITY
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 604-947-4255
REMINDERIce Patrol & Snow Clearing
During winter road maintenance operations, trucks fi tted with ploughs and salt/sand dispensers need to be able to manoeuvre freely throughout the island. Please ensure that vehicles or other items are not parked on or blocking roadways and/or cul-de-sacs.
When shoveling snow, do NOT place it onto the Municipal Highway. When clearing your driveway, please pile snow on the left side of your driveway (facing your property) to improve visibility of approaching traffi c and to reduce possibility of snow being pushed across your driveway by plough trucks.
Snow and Ice removal from sidewalks are the responsibility of the abutting property owner and must be cleared by 10 a.m.
Despite the best effort of the crew, conditions can deteriorate and roads can become treacherous. In such conditions, residents are advised to use public transit.
PLEASE HELP US IN MAKING BOWEN’S ROADS SAFER FOR ALL.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 3
MERIBETH DEEN
E D I T O R
In early November, local diver Adam Taylor participated in a group dive off of Dorman Point to explore a local Glass Sponge Reef Bioherm. The amount of explora-tion they could gather during this dive was limited by the depth of the sponge and the amount of time the divers needed to de-com-press after going down 36 meters. This weekend Adam joined his friend and fellow-diver Glen Dennison on another expedition to get more detailed data on the reef. They used a video camera built by Dennison that took hours of footage at a range of depths, with the deepest point being 152 meters.
From the boat, Dennison guid-ed the drop-camera with a high resolution map. As it travelled though the water, the longitude and latitude of the camera was recorded automatically onto the video footage. Taylor will careful-ly watch the video and record the co-ordinates onto a 3-D map in order to build on the understand-ing of the sponge coverage of the bioherm.
Dennison said that the sponge maps will help the Department of
Fisheries and Oceans know what areas of need special protection from bottom trawling and prawn fishing, and also provide more data for marine scientiss.
The video footage gathered by the drop-camera also offer a clos-er look at the species of sponge and other sea-life that gravitate towards the reef.
“It looks as though the reef off Dorman Point is in fact a bio-herm, meaning, sponge growing on top of dead-sponge, with at least four different species pres-ent,” says Taylor. “Subject to con-firmation from biologists, we’ve spotted at least four sponge spe-cies - Cloud, Goblet, Sulphur and Ball. We also spotted numerous fish species including a variety of rockfish, four species of sea stars, squat lobster and some sea-slugs.”
Taylor, Dennison and the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society are hoping that with the help of some funding, they can arrange for a technical diving expedi-tion to collect Sponge specimens, install a temperature monitoring station inside the bioherm and possibly a permanent underwater web camera.
A longer look at sponge reef off Dorman Point
continued PAGE 1
"It's hard to get people out and hard to get people to commit to working on these kinds of things, which I can imagine the Chamber struggled with as well. Within the Accommodations Association, there were a core group of 15 people who have worked really hard on this, but because I live part time in Nevada, I really need someone to take a leadership role in this other than me, and I haven't found that yet."
Stevens says she is still hopeful that Bowen Business owners will find creative ways to pull together and "fill the gaps" that wouldn't exist if there were a fully-functioning Chamber of Commerce on the Island. She points to ongoing conversations with Glenn Cormier of the Bowen Island Pub about how restaurant owners and accommodations can collabo-rate to get more visitors enjoying what the Island has to offer.
"You might have heard about what we've come up with," says Cormier. "The idea is called Taste Bowen, which would be something like Dine-Out Vancouver at the beginning of the tourist season."
Cormier says that while he agrees that joining the
West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is probably a good idea, there still needs to be some line of com-munication specifically for local businesses.
"I'm not sure what that looks like," says Cormier, "Maybe we operate on an event by event basis, I'm not sure, but it doesn't seem to work when people sign up and pay their dues then just wait for things to happen."
Up at Artisan Square, businesses have also started holding meetings to improve communication and organization.
"People don't come up to the Square unless they have a reason," says Margaret Miller of The Office. "But once they're up here, they tend to do more than just the one thing that brought them to the area. So hopefully by working together we can find ways to tap into each other's plans and events, and we can all benefit."
Miller says the Artisan Square businesses met for the first time about a month ago, and since then they've put up both a public Facebook page and a private one, for internal communications.
"I think it's taken the collapse of external organi-zation for businesses to realize they've got to do it themselves," says Miller.
New channels of communications are needed for Bowen businesses
KNICK KNACK NOOKS U B M I T T E D
It’s a natural reaction in the city, after a hard day of house cleaning, to dump everything you decided you didn’t want, at the Sally Ann: of course, in popular folk lore, they take everything!
Here at the Nook things are a little different. There is very little room for the sorting of donations; even less room for long-term storage; and minuscule counter and shelf space for effective sales’ display. The staff is all volunteers.
It’s particularly aggravating when the volunteers have to sort through a mountain of material, much of which can’t be used. It then has to be bagged and taken off island for disposal, again by volunteers.
Some weeks over 20 large bags are taken for recy-cling off Island!
Weekend shifts are the most hard pressed. There are not enough volunteers to process the volume of donations which seem to peak over the weekend.
There are a number of ways you can help.1. Become a volunteer. The need is especially great
with the weekend shifts.2. If possible bring your donations to the Nook
during the week.3. Be patient, particularly at weekends, as the vol-
unteers process your donations.4. Do some preliminary sorting before coming
to the Nook. Because of limited space, bring items of good quality that you know are likely to sell. The reputation of Knick Knack Nook in the community depends upon it!
The Nook: Donate, don’t dump
Thanks to all who joined Bowen Island Community Recreation’s celebration of National Sports Day in Canada this past Friday night in the BICS Gym!Close to 200 participants of all ages came out to Play More and to celebrate sport and physical activity.
Shelley Shannon and Shauna Jennings, Community Recreation Programmers
CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260
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. Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork
Minister of Music: Lynn Williams
FOODBANK DROP-OFF
BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCHPastor Clinton Neal
1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m.
5:30 am # 6:30 am 7:30 am 8:30 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 11:30 am 12:30 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm † 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm * 8:00 pm 9:00 pm 10:00 pm
6:00 am 7:00 am 8:00 am 9:00 am † 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 2:25 pm 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm * 8:30 pm 9:35 pm
REGULAR SCHEDULEIn Effect October 14-December 19, 2013
DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS
School Bus Driver NeededHiring in Bowen IslandProfessional experience is not required as we provide free, friendly training to qualifi ed applicants with good driving & backgroundrecords. UNR Class 4 or Class 2 preferred, but we willtrain the right applicants. No weekendsor evenings. School holidays off.
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
MERIBETH DEENE D I T O R
Last Sunday I attended the CSA Craft Fair, which was my second craft fair that weekend, and also my second-ever craft fair, and I learned a few things.
I learned that craft fairs are a thousand times more fun when they’re in your own community, that there’s even more talent on this island than I would have guessed. I learned that a whole other section of shoreline at Cape Roger Curtis has been found covered in styrofoam, and that there’s a cou-ple with a beautiful lab raising money for his cancer treatments and for other family’s facing the same challenge. Cooper’s Cause couple, where are you I thought you’d call?
So now I am a follower of the CSA Craft Fair tra-dition, and I hope the tradition continues so I can have something to look forward to every December, beyond our family’s lit up Arbutus branch, eggnog,
present angst, etc.I tend to be a person that embraces change,
because there’s nothing you can do to stop it, but when something works I say don’t mess with it.
I can’t say for sure how well things were working with Black Press in the years before I started work-ing at the Undercurrent because I was told of the paper’s sale to Glacier Media on my second day at work. Those of us who work here and contribute regularly to the paper have been living with a sense of uncertainty ever since.
However, I am happy to report that our unknowns are gradually becoming known, and we are optimistic about the future of the Undercurrent.
On Monday we met the President for Glacier’s Community Media division, Peter Kvarnstrom. Years ago, he started the community paper in Sechelt and continues to act as its publisher. So basically, I think he gets what a paper like this is all about, and its importance to the community. He also told me I’d get new software to upload the
paper onto the web which is great, because what I had before was ancient. Yay!
Maureen Sawasy, who deals with ad sales here, is learning the new system for things and she says the people she’s been dealing with are very helpful. While she was coming under pressure from Black Press to get payment for ads prior to publication, it looks as though that’s no longer an issue. People putting advertising in the paper, here’s the deal: hold onto your dough, you’re going to get bills from Glacier.
I’ve finally learned the publication dates for the Undercurrent following Christmas and New Year’s. You can expect a new editions of the Undercurrent as expected on December 27th and January 3rd.
It’s a tricky time to be going through a change like this, but hopefully it will all be seemless. If not, I offer our apology in advance. We’re doing our best and it will only get better.
New owners, same old paper
4 FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Sometimes our impact is a ripple—other times a wave. This was the case when over 100 Bowen Islanders came to support Tyler in his goal of pro-viding clean water to Africa.
We are excited to share that the Gonka Spring water project, in Woliso, Ethiopia is completed. It is the biggest water project Partners in the Horn has helped build and now over 3000 Ethiopians (yes, the population of Bowen Island!) have access to clean water. The community has officially inau-gurated the project in style — with traditional raw meat and home-brewed beer too.
Before this project, these communities were using unprotected dirty surface water that was both con-taminated by parasites and leeches. The completion also means more girls can go to school because they no longer have to spend the bulk of their day col-lecting water. There is a vast difference in carrying a 25lbs Gerry-can 500 meters vs. 5 kilometers!
A heart-felt thank you to all whom supported this project. One such supporter, Mr. Bruce Russell sent Tyler another donation months ago and encour-aged him to continue his charitable endeavors. This planted the seed and Tyler joined forces with his Grandfather and Dad to create Bowen Art post-cards. By next month these cards will have raised enough money to support a smaller water project for the Alleuka primary school in Ethiopia and con-struction is set for early 2014.
Plus, two new postcards have been added to help with their funding. These postcards taken by Tyler’s Grandpa can be bought at local favourite places: The Snug, Pharmacy, Artisan Eats, Bowen Island Flower Shop, and Lime & Moon Pie Shop.
Kelly Matzen(Tyler’s Mom)
Tyler’s water waves project one year later
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 Canada Periodical
Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. Creative Manager: Jaana Bjork
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Editor
MeribethDeen
Thank you Bowen Island! You came out en masse
on Sunday, December 1 to take part in one of the longest standing Island traditions…the Bowen Island Community School Association (CSA) Christmas Craft Fair. You are the reason we have made it happen for 28 years!
BICS was hopping all day long - we loved it and hope you found it to be a wonderful kick-off to the Christmas Season.
Sheana Stevenson steered our sleigh with remark-able organizational skills and a great sense of fun! The rest of the team included: Pernille Nielsen, Nicola Murray, Courtney Morris, Sarah Haxby, Libby Beck and our one and only Helen Wallwork (Chief Elf!) Special thanks to Yvonne McSkimming for tak-ing charge in the kitchen!
The list continues with thanks to Brian Park of the General Store and Safeway at Caulfield for their generous donations to the concession. We also thank Jill and Jordan McLean of Tuscany for the great deal they gave us on the (as always) yummy pizza. The Undercurrent for their steadfast support in promoting the event. Thank you to Tim Hausch for help with the banner.
Thank you also to Jennifer Pardee of BICS, Bowen Island Municipality and Tunstall Bay Community Association for your ongoing support!
Vendors - without you the Craft Fair would not happen! Your talented efforts make this event one of the best of its kind and are to be applauded.
We had so many enthusiastic volunteers this year and we are grateful to each and every one of you. You all know who you are and we could not do it without you.
The winner of the vendor table for next year was Katrina Rose. Winners of the three magnificent raf-fle baskets were: Susie, Gordon and Annie.
We wish each of you a Very Merry Christmas! Submitted byKatherine GishCSA Chair
The Spirit of Community
Bowen Vet goes shave-lessDr. Westcott wishes to extend his sincere regrets
for having missed out on the big Movember shave-off at the pub. A vet emergency kept him in the clinic and away from the clippers for the night. And he was SO looking forward to the public shav-ing!! He thanks everyone for their support and donations for a worthy cause. To get a look at his ever-growing moustache, stop by the clinic on Dec. 12th from 4-6 for a Christmas Open House.
From all of us at Bowen Vet
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 5
MARCUS HONDRO
T H E S L O W L A N E C H R O N I C L E S
To those of us who celebrate it, Christmas is one of the best-est times of the year. Now the more ardent Slow Lane readers may be thinking “Hold on, Marcus, in the past you railed against the commercialism and false sentiment of Christmas and insisted the songs were banal.
Indeed such an ardent reader (should one exist) may go on thusly: “Further, you wrote a column complaining that your wife covers more ground shopping than Genghis Khan did on his sweep of Eurasia and that she spends enough to buy property at Cape Roger Curtis. You’ve also suggested Christmas should be celebrated like the Olympics – once every 4 years.
“So which is it, Bub: you like it or you don’t?”
Okay. Fine. I said those things. And at the time I meant them. But many of us vacil-late about Christmas, have a love/hate affair with it. Since saying those things the joy of Christmas has won me over and any linger-ing doubts I had heading into the 2013 holi-day season were erased on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the annual Bowen Christmas Craft Fair at BICS.
It was a grand affair, Bub.Kids bounced around and worked booths.
Young Michael Blais was selling Christmas trees in his Scouts uniform, with Mom Leslie and Dad Steve and his friend Sean De Beer assisting. His sister Caroline was running about with other kids, just having fun. That’s what Bowen kids can do at the Crafts Fair.
Sienna de Vries and Tessa ‘Tess’ Broderick were selling these things they made, nice things...only I can’t read that page of my notes to tell you what they were. Lindsay Underdown and Aine Corrigan-Frost were selling other...things (same page of notes).
They were small and fine things, I do remem-ber that.
I didn’t happen upon politically opposed groups this Bowen gathering but Andrew P. Pietrow was seeking signatures for a B.C. Ferries petition. Members of council were urging us to fill out a survey at bimbc.ca on how the impending sailing cuts would impact our families and what alternative ideas we may have.
I looked for friends Benny, Bo, Isaac and Samantha and their constant companions Carla and Graham but must have missed them in the crowd. And what a crowd! Everyone was in a fine Christmas mood, or a burgeoning Christmas mood. Michael Epp wore a festive cap and Liz Watson and Sherri Ulrich wore wonderful and warming smiles, while Raia Landry sold me beautiful jewelry at a bargain price.
People were happy to spend time together and in a giving mood. I got a cookie from Gillian and Natalia at half-price. Mind you, Basia Lieske, married to my best friend on Bowen, Paul Lieske, may not have been happy to see me. “What are you writing down?” she said, before turning to a crowd. “He writes down stuff that people say and then puts it in the newspaper! I can’t stand it!!”
(By the way, great nativity scene this year at Light up the Cove, Basia!)
An assortment of mostly boys went outside to play sports: Peyton Grundy, Ollie Sven, Awesome Dawson Taylor, Spencer ‘Big Kick’ Beatty, J-Rod Scribbles and T-Ballis Blomberg among them. Dallen ‘Dal Dal the Human Pal’ Jennings was running about and so was the ever-affable Jewel Minoose. I even saw wee Harper Stiver, who is practically brand new and looking forward to just her second Christmas ever.
Finally brave Jocko Nicolls was there with a cone-thing about his head so he wouldn’t scratch stitches from a medical procedure (my neighbour, Jack Moore, wore a cone-thing 3 times this year because he kept re-opening his stitches). The Christmas spirit was the reason Jocko came and for me that was the clincher: after all, if a dog with a cone-thing about its head can get into the holiday spirit then so should you and I, Bub.
Happy Holidays!
A grand affair to launch the season
On Saturday afternoon Bowen islanders made their way to "the Gallery" in Artisan Square to enjoy the 7th annual Movement/ eco Fashion show.
Special Thanks go to Heather Hodson, Jackie Minns, David Cameron, Carrie Thiel (Pilates, Parks and Rec), Elaine Taylor, Heather Barnes and her daugh-ter Tess, Meghan O'Connell (Positively Fit), Bev Rapley (The Yoga Loft), Deb Brahms (Nia, Parks and Rec) and Kaitey Desante (Movementglobal). David and Carrie did double duty as models and Movement practitioners. It is very special to me that such talented and gracious people came together to model and show-case their expertise and that Bowen Islanders so enthusiastically participated.
Thank you all for making this such an enjoyable event from beginning to end and never missing a beat.
Amrita Sondhi
Bowen Moves
Models display the ‘Bowen Black Tie’ segment of the fashion show.Claudia Schaefer
A big thank you to Paul Rickett of Bowen island Beer and Wine Store for step-ping in to fill the shoes of Jean-Edouard de Marenches at the BI Arts Council wine tasting event on Saturday night. When I first heard that unfortunately Jean-Edouard had suddenly fallen ill, I was disappointed as I had invited two off island friends to come over and attend the event that was so much fun last year.
However, neither I nor my friends were disappointed long. Paul Rickett stepped up last minute and put on a great show, displaying his wealth of knowl-edge about wines generally and specifically his attachment to our growing and changing BC wine industry. I have often shopped at our local wine store and I intend to continue to do so, taking advantage of our own “local talent” to help me with my wine selections. The store will bring in any wines of your own choosing as well.
And another big thank you to the hardworking BIAC committee who put together the delicious wine pairings that were all locally sourced.
Thank you, BIAC and Paul Rickett, for providing us with such a fun and infor-mative evening. And best wishes to Jean-Edouard for a speedy recovery and return to good health.
SincerelyNerys Poole
A display of local talent
Bowen Island Municipal Council does not believe that the Province comprehends the damage it’s recently announced ser-vice cuts and fare increases will have on the future economic health and social fabric of Bowen Island. Council is requesting the Honourable Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, to direct his senior staff and BC Ferries’ senior staff to enter into detailed discussions with Bowen Island Municipality to find creative options to the service cuts.
Mayor Jack Adelaar is unimpressed with the proposed solu-tion: “BC Ferries is proposing service cuts in the hopes of saving $270,000 over the next two years. Service cuts are not a step towards sustainability – quite the opposite. Given the hundreds of millions in capital costs BCF is budgeting over the next decade, in two years time we will be here again, facing further cuts, to save yet another $270,000. It will be a slow and painful death – death by a thousand cuts.”
Last week a representative of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) admitted at a public meeting on Bowen that it has not conducted any studies of the economic and social impact of the proposed reduction in service. The importance of understanding these consequences before mak-ing decisions that affect dozens of communities cannot be overstated; and the negative economic impact on the Province
will be far greater than the savings it has asked BCF to achieve. If MOTI proceeds with its proposed solution, the social
impact will be immediate as individuals are forced to give up their jobs or move off Bowen Island. Like any community, to remain healthy Bowen needs young families, and in order to allow their children to participate in extracurricular educa-tional, cultural and sports activities, families may be forced to leave the island. A community that cannot attract and retain young families faces a slow and painful death – a slow death made even more painful over time as the economy shrinks with the population, businesses close, real estate assessments decline and with them, municipal revenues followed by infra-structure investment and municipal service reductions. It is a scenario currently being played out on other Gulf Islands not as fortunately placed as Bowen.
Bowen Island is unique in BC. Part of Metro Vancouver, which has Canada’s most expensive real estate values, Bowen is a more affordable alternative in an exceptional setting just 20 minutes from the mainland. The Island is also the gateway to Howe Sound, which is finally being recognized for its impor-tance to the ecology and its potential as an economic driver in the future. Bowen Island fully intends to be a contributing par-ticipant in this future. To weaken the transportation links in
Howe Sound at the beginning of an undertaking of this scope instead of working to strengthen them is at best short-sighted.
Council is prepared to work with MOTI and BCF to discuss alternatives to service cuts; and comes to the table with what it believes are practical and pragmatic alternatives to cuts to the Bowen service, including: replacing the current ferry, The Queen of Capilano, with the Island Sky, which could poten-tially allow BC Ferries to reduce their current operating costs, and home-porting the vessel that serves Bowen Island in Snug Cove, an option that could save BC Ferries in excess of the $270,000 savings it is hoping to achieve over the next 2 years.
Council has already contacted the Premier’s office and is looking forward to a positive response from the Minister.
Council is asking Bowen Islanders to fill out a survey to help it quantify the economic and social impact of the proposed service reductions on Bowen Island. The survey is available at www.bimbc.ca.
Mayor Jack Adelaar and Bowen Island’s Municipal Councillors
Death by a Thousand Cuts: Economic and Social Impact of Reducing Ferry Service
6 FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
MERIBETH DEEN
E D I T O R
A major renovation of Village Square in Snug Cove started this past week with the removal of the stairs on the east side of the Square beside the Ruddy Potato. Property manager David Bellringer says the renovation will add 2000 square feet of retail and office space to the square, and the goal for its completion is June 2014.
The project was prompted chiefly by the Credit Union’s need for more space. The lower part of the new building alongside the existing building on the north side of Village Square will become the Credit Union’s new home, providing it with close to 2100 square feet of space in comparison to the 900 square feet in its current location.
“For us, this move really signals our success to date,” says branch manager Kevin Manning. “We started from scratch in 2007 with zero members, zero dollars, second hand furniture and a two-year exit strategy, now we’re signing a lease.”
The lease will with Harris Properties for the space will be for 10 years, so Manning says it should indi-cate to Bowen Islanders that the Credit Union is here to stay.
The extra space will allow for a number of other changes to take place at the Credit Union. For one, there will be room for more staff.
“We’ve been able to afford to hire more people than we’ve had space for for some time now,” says Manning. “But before we start looking for new employees I would like to offer our four part-time
employees more hours.”The extra space will allow for more privacy
between bank staff and customers, an issue that Manning says has come up repeatedly on customer surveys.
There will also be a drop box for deposits avail-able 24-hours, as well as a walk-in vault with secu-rity deposit boxes.
“We’ve already had 50 people sign up for a secu-rity deposit box,” says Manning, “And I know that once it is built there will be much more interest.”
The Ruddy Potato will also expand its floor space with this renovation.
The Ruddy’s general manager, Ellen MacIntosh says she has some ideas about what the store will do with its extra 1300 square feet of floor space, but isn’t ready to discuss them.
“We are excited about getting more room though, just so people won’t be so crowded in with their shopping carts,” says MacIntosh. “With the Credit Union moving, that just gave us the opportunity to grow and we’ve been open since 2001 so it is prob-ably time to do something.”
The Ruddy Potato will be tracking the renova-tion’s progress on its website. MacIntosh says she is open to customer ideas on what to do with the extra space.
Bellringer says he hopes this renovation signals the beginning of the revitalization of Snug Cove.
“There’s so much potential in the Cove,” he says, “ and I am proud to be working with local businesses that are thriving and growing.”
Expansion of Village Square Underway
Architect James Tuer: “What we’re trying to do is create a market space. Two big overhead doors will open up to dorman road creating a space that can either be indoor or outdoor.”Watercolour by JWT Architecture
The families of William Hayes and Seonaid Robinson would like to announce their engagement. We wish you all the happiness in the world and all our love.
“Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear.”
John Lennon
Saturday, December 14th, 1:30-3:30
This is a special shopping time for the children to choose gifts for their families. Prices will be greatly reduced and there will be Knick Knack Nook volunteers to help the children if needed. All parents can socialize outside and enjoy a hot drink and a festive atmosphere while waiting for their children to complete their shopping. (Note: this is a time for the children to choose their gifts on their own, without their parents' involvement!)
Located beside BIRD (the recycling centre)The Nook will be closed at 12:30 on Saturday Dec. 14th to prepare for the children’s sale.
Knick Knack Nook’sChildren’s Christmas Shopping DayFor children ages 3-12
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 7
KEN BEATTYS U B M I T T E D
Could you find Fairy Fen on a map? Most Bowen Islanders may have heard of Fairy Fen but don’t know its significance, beauty or loca-tion.
A fen is like a bog but while a bog depends on pre-cipitation for all its water, a fen has water flowing into it from the surrounding land-scape. The moss that grows in Fairy Fen is so deep that when you walk on it, it feels like stepping on a sponge. In fact, it is a sponge filled with acidic water.
When wetland biolo-gist Karen Golinski surveyed the Bowen wetlands for the Bowen Island Conservancy, she was amazed at the qual-ity and collection of species at Fairy Fen. She brought a team of peatland special-ists to the site to study it further, coring down into the peat and radiocarbon dat-ing it. The peat moss was 6m deep (as high as a two-storey building). Moss samples from just 3m down dated back to 10,458 years ago, proof that
this wetland has existed since the last ice age.
Outside 45 (O45) is an out-door environmental learn-ing experience for Grades 6 and 7 students at Bowen Island Community School. The program features many small and large trips learn-ing about our community and places further away. There are camping, cycling and kayaking expeditions. O45 recently received a generous grant from the TD Canada Trust’s TD Friends of the Environment to purchase ten GPS mapping units and other equipment and supplies to help map not just Fairy Fen, but also other areas that the 45 O45 students visit each year.
Around Fairy Fen, the stu-dents went to several places that hadn’t been mapped and identified viewpoints, land-marks and natural trails.
“Using the GPS, we learned how to create a trail with some bushwacking,” says Jarod Scrivens. “We also spot-ted a small waterfall.”
Laura Magrath, who teaches the program along with Vice-Principal Scott Slater, recalls one student
saying that the technology made him more aware of the things around him. “We were looking at a special patch of moss” she says “and, using the GPS, the students began to get an idea of how far it reached.”
Outside 45 student Sophie agrees, “The GPS units are a good way to get a different experience of what Bowen is all about.”
Besides their teachers, the students have considerable help from a few of Bowen’s many professionals, includ-ing naturalist Sue Ellen Fast and professional biologists Claudia Schaefer and Nick Page. As the year progresses, further studies on repeated visits will lead to the creation of a website mapping differ-ent parts of Bowen Island’s natural heritage as well as tips on how to properly pre-serve it.
Sophie explains that with exploring comes understand-ing. “Fairy Fen is a great place to reflect on the many places on Bowen that need protecting.”
Mapping the Wild
Outside 45 boys try out new GPS tools.Claudia Schaefer, photo.
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ELLEN COBURNS U B M I S S I O N
Among the local treasures that will be for sale at the craft fair in Collins Hall on December 14th and 15th, you will be surprised to find beaded jewelry, hand-made by Maya-Quiche women in Guatemala, our third neighbor to the south. Julio Alva Cochoy, a Maya-Quiche Human Rights activist from the town of Santa Lucia near Lake Atitlan, will be visiting Bowen to sell their jewelry In 2007, Julio founded Maya Skills an organization that supports Mayan women whose husbands, sons, fathers and other family members were victims of the brutal war which ravaged Guatemala from 1960 - 96. These women had no opportunity to get an education, growing up during this time of violence. Many of them had to do manual labour to support their families of origin when they were as young as six or seven. Now these women meet regularly to support each other and as they talk, they create beautiful necklaces, bracelets and ornaments like brightly-colored humming birds and dream catchers. The sale of this jewelry helps
support these women and their families and bring their standard of living above the poorest of the poor in Guatemala
I met Julio last year in Vancouver and have since visited him and his family in Guatemala, where I have an education project. I have had the privilege of meeting some of the women who make the bead-work that Julio has brought from Guatemala I heard first-hand, their stories of terror and injustice that were captured in Julio’s book, “Voices breaking the silence of Utitlan,” published in 2006 with funding from the United Nations. Julio will have the oppor-tunity to share a glimpse of his story at the little red church on December 15th: His uncle Filipe Alva and his cousin Gaspar were murdered by the army. His cousins Domingo and Pedro were kidnapped and “disappeared.”. Julio has struggled to overcome his anger and hatred of these perpetrators of Mayan genocide His journey to a place of peace and hope is truly inspiring.. It is a rare opportunity to meet this Human Rights activist and to see the beautiful work that the women of Maya Skills have created.
Mayan human-rights activist comes to Bowen
8 FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Ellen Coburn in Santa Lucia Guatemala with the women who craft beaded jewelry for sale this weekend at Collins Hall.
Bowen In Transition invites you to consider these ideas, if you are giving gifts this holiday season...
And can you fi nd sustainable ways to wrap or present your gifts, that don’t add to the waste stream?
We wish all Bowen Islanders a healthy,happy, resilient Holiday!
www.bowenintransition.com
• The Gift of your time: Can you offer an hour of your time to do a service (dog walking, babysitting, weeding)? and perhaps create a uniquely crafted “gift certifi cate” to give?
• The Gift that’s already been given: Do you have an object that you no longer need, that your friend or loved one would fi nd useful and beautiful, knowing it was once yours? Do you have objects that you can recycle? Upcycle? Re-create into something new?
•The Gift of our Bowen Island Businesses: Can you fi nd the gift you wish to give from one of the many businesses on Bowen Island... including the artists, performers, healers, shops, B&Bs, and many others? Or make a contribution to a local charity in that person’s name? Every dollar we spend on Bowen supports our local economy!
Time
Re-Gift
ShopLocally
To Advertise on the Bulletin Board, Call 604-947-2442
BOWEN BUSINESS BULLETIN BOARDBOWEN BUSINESS BULLETIN BOARD
DOC MORGAN’S DOC MORGAN’S NYE EXTRAVAGANZANYE EXTRAVAGANZA
TUESDAY, DEC. 31ST, 6PM-1AMPlease call ahead to reserve your table.
BUFFET DINNER 7PM-10PM • 25$10$ cover without Buffet
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 9
TINA OVERBURY
C O N T R I B U T O R
Here on Bowen many of us have lived through last week’s major shopping events south of the border, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, blissfully unaware. Retailers “in town” as we call it, have scrambled to keep Canadian dollars in Canada, bottom-line, to keep Vancouver businesses viable. Does this sound familiar? For Bowen Island it might as well be Black Friday here every day. Or is it?
We live here to have a life by design. We do business here to live well. As a shopper, think about the handwritten notes you’ve seen taped to Bowen business doors: Sharon Dunbar’s Bell’occhio’s gift shop has said “I’m a grandma and this week I’m away with my daughter and will return on…”. I have seen “Picking up my kids off the boat, back in five minutes” on Gino Rutigliano’s Bowen Island Roasting company door. My favourite is always seeing what Becky Dawson is up to at Leftbank “Off to France, will re-open in two weeks”. As a business owner, they are choosing to live well and they can on Bowen.
Some of my favourite Bowen shopping moments have happened at the General Store, or The Ruddy. I’ve been the person in line who is short a few dollars or have left my wallet at home! Both times, I’ve been rescued either by the store itself or an unknown
Bowen “neighbour” behind me! On Bowen, we blend life with business, community with commerce and shopping with being neighbourly. Being in business on Bowen and shopping locally is what we moved here for.
That’s all nice and good, but what about bottomline dol-lar? Okay. Let’s look at that. As of today, there are NO houses for sale under $500,000 in East Vancouver. There is ONE under $600,000, and just nineteen under $700,000. That means in town, you can be carrying a massive mortgage for a probably tear-down in East Van. On Bowen, you can find multiple homes in the $400k-$600k range. Wow.
What about the ferry you ask? What about it? You just saved $300,000 plus interest on your home. Groceries? Did you know that Alderwood farms has $175 family freezer packs of organic beef/chicken/pork that will feed an average family of four? I have easily spent that across the water, and not bought organic.
Have you noticed that the General Store and The Ruddy bring in speciality items like Lowney’s chocolate Cherry Blossom (which our local ambulance driver confessed to only buying when he’s here because he can’t find it in town), or Avalon’s holiday eggnog (my doom and vice)just for us because as Bowen Islanders, they know that we have selective and sophisticated palettes. Moving over to toys now, the answer is Phoenix. Just go there. Better yet, give Bonnie Wright a call, and with enough lead time she can have your shopping list for the holidays done! Last on our list is clothing. I agree, if you are a man, your choices are limited, but if you are a woman, it’s easy! Go see Erin at Wren, Amrita at Movement, Lisa and Carol at Out of the Blue or Susan at Fabulous Finds. Everything you need is right here, and I haven’t even touched on the unbelieveable restaurants we have within walking distance from each other.
Your ‘cost saving’ trip to shop in town doesn’t save much when you factor in the cost of the ferry, increasing gas prices, and the usual four hours it takes to get it all done!
There are many gifts to living on Bowen Island, one of which is perspective. We are far enough away from the maddening distrac-tions of noise, lights, cars, and people that we have time to think, and Bowen Islanders think a lot. We moved here to live our life by design. We do business here to live well, and we can. Sometimes we just need a reminder that we actually do.
Business by design is a good living
BOWEN IN TRANSITION
S U B M I T T E D
In the spring of 2005, acclaimed environmental photographer James Balog headed to the Arctic on a tricky assignment for National Geographic: to cap-ture images to help tell the story of the Earth’s chang-ing climate. Balog had been a skeptic about climate change, but that first trip north opened his eyes to the biggest story in human history. With a band of young adventurers in tow, Balog began deploying revolutionary time-lapse cameras across the brutal Arctic to capture a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers. His hauntingly beautiful videos compress years into seconds and captures ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate.
‘Chasing Ice’ is considered by many to be the best produced and most important
environmental film since Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. It tells two stories: the life and work of celebrated photographer James Balog, and the melting of ice at an alarmingly un-glacial rate.
‘Chasing Ice’ has received numerous awards including the Sundance Film Festival’s excellence in cinematography award.
‘Chasing Ice’ will be showing at the Gallery at Artisan Square on December 7th. Doors open at 7:00. Film starts at 7:30. Entrance by donation.
Documentary Screening: Chasing Ice
Roderick Marsh, PresidentDaniel Heald, Past PresidentBowen Island Chamber of Commerce
Nov 25, 2013
Subject: What is happening with your Chamber of Commerce?
Dear Bowen Island business person,
A Chamber of Commerce supports a vibrant local economy by connecting business people and promoting their products and services. Bowen Island businesses are challenged by a small market and a seasonal tourism industry. At the same time we are supported by a community that cares about ‘buying local’ and supporting a neighbor. We know that a dollar spent on Bowen circulates here many times over.
A question that is often asked is: “What are the benefi ts to a business that joins a Chamber of Commerce?”
I rate the main benefi ts to be: 1. to network with a group of business people with overlapping interests 2. to boost business and brand credibility 3. to advertise and create awareness of goods and services with other businesses, the local
community and with visitors 4. to access preferred rates for employee health care service plans 5. to receive discounts on credit and debit card services 6. to gain opportunity to lobby government on Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels 7. to support community events, scholarships or other acts of good will.
To deliver these benefi ts (and others) a Chamber of Commerce needs to operate like a good business - a Chamber needs to be a reliable and trustworthy organization. For that it needs leaders, managers, committees, volunteers, a board of directors and the fi nancial resources to carry out its operations.
The Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce has reached an impasse where membership dues and fund raising do not cover the costs to properly run the organization.
Over the last four years the BI Chamber of Commerce membership dues: say 40 members x $135 = $5400 annually, are insuffi cient to pay for overhead and ongoing programs. Further, this does not allow for a paid chamber manager and leaves the membership under served on the most fundamental level. The good intentions of each new board of directors and chamber manager are undermined by lack of support to follow through on initiatives.
After much consideration, I will be resigning as President of the Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce and joining the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce to continue accessing the benefi ts of Chamber of Commerce membership.
The BI Chamber board reached out to the West Vancouver Chamber Executive Director, Leagh Gabriel. Their board members responded with much interest and an offer to match the $135 membership dues for at least two years. I think there are many business on Bowen Island that could benefi t from membership in the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. Take a look at http://www.westvanchamber.com/ or call Leagh Gabriel executive director, at (604) 926-6614 for more information about joining the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
Bowen business groups such as merchants, restaurants, accommodation providers, home businesses can organize locally and request the support of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and their two staff. Similar relationships exist in Horseshoe Bay, Dundarave and Ambleside already. In the near future the BI Municipality may act on recommendations by the EDAC to support a tourism strategy and an economic development offi cer for Bowen Island. There is a continuing need for business groups to have a voice in our community.
Already less formally organized business groups on Bowen Island such as the BI Accommodation Association, the Women in Business and the Bowen Home Business Network are meeting. I hope that these business interest groups will continue to grow in members and meet the needs specifi c to their members.
I think that Bowen Island is a great place to do business. Our challenges are also our strengths as we benefi t from a large urban market at our doorstep yet are a small and distinctly rural/island community. I deeply appreciate my fellow Chamber of Commerce members and value the relationships I have developed by being actively involved over the last fi ve years.
“ Maintaining a Chamber of Commerce on Bowen Island has been a challenging task for many years. Rod and the executive are to be commended for tempering this diffi cult but necessary decision with an agreement allowing Bowen Island businesses to benefi t from chamber membership through the West Vancouver chapter.”
Come out to meet representatives from the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce who will be on hand to answer questions regarding membership with their organization. Executive Director Leagh Gabriel and Membership and Events Coordinator Debbie Janson will also be discussing their upcoming event, ‘A Taste of Bowen’. This will be the fi rst offi cial Bowen event under the West Vancouver Chamber banner. See you at the Summer House (Between Docs and USSC Store) on December 12th at 10 AM.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM10 Friday December 6 2013
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WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM Friday December 6 2013 11
MERIBETH DEEN
E D I T O R
Sunday December 15th, local jazz musicians Tuen Schut (guitar) and Buff Allen (drums) will hit the stage of TirnaNog theatre with the fantastic Jennifer Scott (vocals) and her also fantastic partner, Renee Wurst (bass).
Born in Vancouver, Scott has recorded eight of her own albums and toured extensively throughout North America. She also plays piano in Novo Tempo, a Brazilian group based in the San Francisco area.
Worst was born in New Guinea, and moved to the West coast of Canada in 1960. His long list of per-formance credits include Chet Baker,
Rita MacNeil, David Bowie and Joe Pass.
Scott and Worst are partners in music and life, and with that, bring their chemistry onstage. Their pres-ence is most often described as “magi-cal.”
Last year the Christmas Jazz Concert was not quite sold-out, and it left a lasting impression on those in attendance.
“We were in the front row and it was so awesome, had a smile on my face all night,” says Troy Tilley. “This year we’re bringing our family over for it from the mainland, so I guess I’d better get my tickets!”
Christmas Jazz!
FRIDAY DECEMBER 6
Youth Centre 6pm-9pm Snacks, video-games, Movies, Food and Fun!
Ages 12 +
Operation Red Nose will drive you and your vehi-cle home. Phone 604-619-0942
Bowen Children’s Centre (BCC) Online Auction
SATURDAY DECEMBER 7
Camp on Bowen AGM Bowen Island Lodge (Formerly the Bowen Lodge by the Sea) from 3:30 to 6:00 PM. It will be a great opportunity to connect with the community and meet the team behind the project.
Youth Centre 6pm-9pm Snacks, video-games, Movies, Food and Fun! Ages 12 +
Documentary screening: Chasing Ice Gallery@Artisan Square, doors open at 7pm, film starts at 7:30 Entrance by donation
Operation Red Nose will drive you and your vehi-cle home. Phone 604-619-0942
Bowen Children’s Centre (BCC) Online Auction
MONDAY DECEMBER 9
S.K.Y. - (Seniors Keeping Young) 9 to 10:30am, dancing/exercises 10:30 to 10:45am, singing with Robin Wall and refreshments 11:00am to 12:00 noon, Angie Bosworth introduces the Threshold Singers: a very special choir.
Bowen Children’s Centre (BCC) Online Auction
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11
Drop-in knitting Bowen Court 2 to 5 p.m. Update your skills, begin from scratch, share your expertise
Weight Watchers Collins Hall. 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Bowen Children’s Centre (BCC) Online Auction ends, 8pm
UPCOMING
December 13th
Artisan Eats Long Table Dinner Asian street food theme Tickets $39 including gratuities and taxes
Bowen Island Municipality Movie Night “Elf ” 6:30 - 9:30 at Tunstall Bay Clubhouse $7 per person, pre-register by Dec 11
December 14th
Bowen Island Community Choir Christmas Concert Cates Hill Chapel, 2pm and 7:30pm
December 15th
Christmas Jazz Concert TirNaNog Theatre 2pm Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
December 16th
Victorian Candlelight Christmas 7pm at the Little Red Church
On the Calendar
BOWEN ISLAND RECREATION
S U B M I T T E D
Better not pout. I'm telling you why, a “special guest” is coming to town! Shhhhh … It’s a surprise for the kids… so if they are reading this article- distract them immediately. Tell them that you are going to see the Movie Elf at Tunstall Bay clubhouse - with family, friends and popcorn… and… no special surprises whatso-ever! None. Notta. Nope. Nothin. Nothin else. Help to keep Santa … err… I mean the “special guest” part of it a surprise!
Friday, December 13th, 6:30 pm till the reindeer ride away or 9ish pm (whichever comes first). This event WILL sell out as space is limited- so please register now if you haven’t already. Don’t be disappointed.
www.bowencommunityrecreation.
com or 604-947-2216.Shelley Shannon, Community
Recreation Programmer
You better watch out. You better not cry.
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ALTO CONN SAX $495. 604-859-5925
FOR SALE. My Piano accordion collection of 16 piano accordions. Priced from $190. to $1500. (604)853-7773
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3BED/2BA Beautiful renovated home on 11,000 sq feet lot in Pano-rama Ridge. $1650/month. Call 778-929-4696
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The Scrapper
AAA SCRAP CAR REMOVALMinimum $150 cash for full size vehicles, any cond. 604-518-3673
560 MISC. FOR SALE
566 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
REAL ESTATE
627 HOMES WANTED
639 REAL ESTATE SERVICES
RENTALS
736 HOMES FOR RENT
TRANSPORTATION
810 AUTO FINANCING
810 AUTO FINANCING
845 SCRAP CAR REMOVAL
3 bedroom home on 1 acre, fenced, private, beautifully land-scaped, vegetable garden, fruit
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Garden suite, Deep Bay, 1 Bdr, full kitchen. Walk to everywhere. $725 + 1/3 utilities, free wifi , 1 parking spot, shared laundry.
Greg - 778-847-1933
LOST: Girls jacket lost at BICS2 weeks ago. Beige TNA Hooded insulated jacket. Sorely missed.
Call 604-947-4367 Karen
Home For Rent: newly renovat-ed, family home in Tunstall Bay, 3 bedrooms + den/offi ce on the main fl oor, master bedroom with en-suite and walk-in closet, 2 1/2 bathrooms, lots of storage. The house is in a sunny lot close to
beach and has a membership in Tunstall Bay Clubhouse.
All lit up!12 FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 2013 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
The rains stopped just in time to give the crowd a chance to enjoy all the Light Up Bowen festivities.
Artisan Square was all lit up! Lynn Williams and the Morris Dancers welcomed the crowds. Artisan Eats served up Crepes and warm drinks.
The lanterns lit the way down to Village Square where there was more dancing and warm treats served up by Ruddy Potato. Davies Orchard and the Heritage Museum were all dressed up for the season and along the path, Tuscany surprised the crowd with pizza and warm cookies.
Then on to the Rotary Stage for a lovely Nativity Scene produced by Cates Hill Chapel. The scene came to life with a Christmas sing-a-long by the crowd.
Rondy set off his cannon indicating the Light Up at 7pm and the arrival of Santa was soon to be!
Santa was sponsored by Bowen Island Pub and arrived with Cormorant Marine at the helm.
On Doc's patio, the children whispered their Xmas wishes to Santa, while the adults enjoyed the Mulled wine provided by Doc Morgans and USSC. Lot's of cookies and hot chocolate provided by the Snug cafe, Tuscany Restaurant and Miksa Restaurant.
The Bowen Island volunteer fire department whisked Santa away to his next engagement, and the rains started again.
Many thanks to all the the Volunteers that made this night happen.
Happy Holidays to all,
Maria Steernberg
VILLAGE SQUAREMerchants Welcome You!
Best wishes for the Holiday Season! Cheers!
Bowen Beer & Wine Cellar996 Dorman Rd. At Village Square • 604-947-2729Open 10am to 11pm every day
