Friday, December 26, 2014

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 2014

V O L . 4 1 , N O . 5 0

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MERIBETH DEENE D I T O R

There are still dirt roads, pieces of heavy machinery and on weekdays, up to sixty construction workers on the Belterra site, but there are now actual residents of Bowen’s first co-housing develop-ment.

The Yamashita family has moved four times since departing their last “home” in July. The family of five couldn’t find a place to live on Bowen in the summer, so found two temporary accom-modations on the mainland until September, when they had to be here for the kids to start school. Since then, they’ve lived at Artisan Square and Miller’s Landing.

The family’s 1200 square foot, three bedroom unit is not a

“downsize” for the family, whose last home was 1000 square feet, but with three kids, a dog, musical instruments, toys and a minia-ture trampoline, it appears tiny.

“I am thrilled with the storage, especially in the kitchen,” say Carmen Yamashita, pointing to the pantry, the island, and the cup-boards that stretch all the way to the ceiling. “But I expect as we unpack, we’ll be downsizing a lot, getting rid of a lot more stuff.”

For Katy Michener, one of the other new occupants to Belterra, the move to a 706 square foot one bedroom unit is a huge move.

“I was renting a three bedroom, two story house, and this is absolutely wonderful,” says Michener. “And I love it because this is mine, and I am paying less in mortgage payments now than I was in rent.”

Saving lives in 2015


In the past year, the number of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) on Bowen Island has explod-ed, and with that, the chances that someone who’s heart has stopped will have a second chance at life have also increased dramatically. The Municipality’s Emergency Planning Co-Ordinator, Amanda Ockeloen, says there are now at least fifteen AED’s on-island, and she’s hoping that the owners of these lifesaving devices will register them with the BC Emergency Health Service’s (BCEHS) provincial database for AEDs.

“I had been planning to create some kind of map, showing where all the AED’s are on the island,” says Ockeloen. “But I couldn’t figure out where the map should go, in order to be most accessible to people who find themselves in an emergency situation. This database really makes a lot of sense, and will work better than a map.”

The BC AED registry will be integrated into the Computer Aided Dispatch system used by dispatch-ers to direct emergency services throughout the provinces. The dispatchers can advise callers of the closest AED, and provide instructions on how to use it until paramedics arrive.

On Bowen, one life has already been saved because of an AED. In August, the RCMP responded to a call about a man in full cardiac arrest on the Government Dock. A doctor and nurse were performing CPR on the man, and Constable Brian Mulrooney brought an AED within three minutes of recieving the call. The man survived and was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital. In these situations, the use of an AED is said to greatly increase the chances of survival over Cardiopulmonary recusitation (CPR) alone.

Ockeloen says that while she is very pleased to see that the life-saving devices are much more accessible on Bowen than they were a year ago, she would still like to see them available on some parts of the island including Tunstall Bay, Bluewater, and Hood Point. She also says that more people need to get trained on using AEDs, and this requires just four hours at a CPR/AED First Aid course.

For the love of the CoveGuest editorial by Ron Woodall

Even on BowenAddressing isolation during the holiday season

A cook’s kitchenBecky Dawson on best utensils and her biggest culinary influences

The stars of the Bowen Island United Church Christmas Pageant. Front row from left: Bernice Lever, unknown, Don Nicholson, Lilliana Belluck-Orlikow, Sophie Walters, Ellie Walters, Katie Parker, Abbey Walters. Back row: Nicholas Belluk, Lois Belluk, Maggie Menzies, Helen Wallwork. Donkies are Fredo and Sonny.Lorraine Ashdown, photo

Belterra comes alive just in time for Christmas

continued, PAGE 2

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from PAGE 1

One of the casualties of Michener’s downsizing is her 24 year-old son, who said he didn’t want to live at Belterra.

“He’s got his own place now,” she says. As for material possessions, Michener says that

getting rid of the furniture she’s had her whole life has been a liberating process.

“I’ve kept some plates and dishes,” she says. “Small things that have meaning, but that’s it. I’m really looking forward to getting some new stuff. And I can actually afford that now.”

The other thing Michener says she loves about her new home is that, although her son is not with her, she does not live alone.

“There are tons of kids around here, there’s a new-born living right above me, and there’s an 80 year old who’s going to be living here as well,” she says. “And also, I won’t be eating alone all the time.”

Michener’s latter point refers to shared meals at the future Common House, which will include a dining room and kitchen for shared meals. This is a build-ing that currently has a foundation, and will have its walls and roof put on after the final residential build-ing is complete.

“The Common House will be the glue of this com-munity,” says Stephanie Legg, one of the creators of Belterra. “And the members of this community will finish it once everyone’s moved in. We want it to be a really nice space, because all of our homes are so small, the Common House will be an extension of all our living space. Also, there will be a lot of art and furniture that people donate to this space as they downsize and move into their new units. Some peo-ple have really nice stuff they’re going to be giving.”

Legg says despite the fact that this focal point for community has yet to be built, the community feel-ing of Belterra is already tangible.

“There are Christmas lights up, and when a mov-ing truck pulls in to one of the units, there will be a handful of people there to help them unload. So far, everyone’s working together. The little village we dreamed of is starting to take shape.”

BOWEN ISLAND RECS U B M I S S I O N

The term energy management translates in Chinese as chi kung. The term includes awareness of what you are. The growth of your consciousness is something that you have control over. What this means is that you are in control of your way of feel-ing, thinking and acting.

The practice of chi kung has been given to those of heart who can maintain a conscious relationship with themselves as well as their environment. In the ancient system of chi kung these are inseparable. So the practitioner of chi kung is environmentally aware and actively working to know and protect their com-munity and surroundings.

The Chi Kung offered at Bowen Community Recreation is for the sensitive and originates from the weidan consciousness. Meaning, that a person learns how to manage themselves and the energetics of their environment more effectively. This way the body can rest and regenerate even within stressful and chal-lenging situations and environments.

Bowen Community Recreation is offering three types of weidan chi kung.

For beginners who are looking for better ground-ing and stability. We recommend the flying crane chi Kung. In this practice you learn to connect and let the consciousness of body and mind lighten up.

For the 55 plus, there is gracefulness in motion chi kung. This is a combination of postures and soft movements that bring mindfulnessness and ground-ing to the distribution of chi throughout the body.

For those who are enrolled in either of these there is also the community chi Kung that serves to open up issues of energy management at the community and environmental levels.

www.Bowencommunityrecreation.com or 604-947-2216 for details.

JAMES MCCONNANS U B M I S S I O N

So what exactly is Morris Dancing anyway? It’s simply a display dance per-formed at festive occasions. “As with many folk customs, the origins are hidden in the mists of time and coloured by later perceptions, which may or may not have been correct,” says University of Sussex Professor of history, Alun Howkins.

One thing is for sure, William Shakespeare mentioned Morris dancing in five of his plays.

Morris troupes choose which of the main styles to dance in - there are per-haps five or six. The Bowen Black Sheep dance only in the “Border” style which originates from the English counties bordering Wales. Originally performed by out of work farm labourers (we think) the dancers wore black clothes decorated with strips of coloured cloth, bells from their farm animals and pheasant feathers. They also smeared coal dust on their faces to avoid recognition. There was a great deal of grunting and other uncouth behaviour followed by the consumption of ale. No wonder the Victorians disapproved of Morris dancing!

Our humble beginnings on Bowen go back to 2001 thanks to “Squire” Bob Doucet. By May 2002 we were performing at the Northweast Folklife Festival in Seattle. From then on it’s been a seemingly endless voyage of fun. Since those early days the Sheep have grown quite unexpectedly. Who would have thought that after two trips to California, Vermont and many appearances in Washington we are now booked for a return to the UK in 2015 repeating our 2009 success? Closer to home the Sheep regularly dance in and around Vancouver. The annual St Patrick’s Parade has always been a favourite. For ten years we’ve danced the Wine Festival in Penticton and Naramata.

Who are we? Professionals, artists, and youth, ranging in age from 15 to 72. Most sheep come with some desire to perform in costume, dance in the streets, play music, the connection of the Morris community, or simply for the clashing of the sticks or jingling of bells!

We are again looking for your support, Bowen! We’ve raised more than half the costs needed to subsidize our troupe of dancers and musicians. If you love your Bowen Black Sheep, you can help by:• Purchasing one of our new T-shirts, buttons, or playing cards! See the

Bowen Black Sheep Facebook page for details, or the sales desk in Cates Pharmacy.

• Attend our variety show at the Bowen Island Pub, Saturday January 24th – a range of musical acts, theatre and burlesque, and your Bowen Black Sheep!

Happy New Year!

Help the Black Sheep Dance off to England

Chi Kung = energy management

Belterra: Community comes together well before completion of buildings

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WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 2014 • 3

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reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name

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Here’s how.To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to

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EDITORIALPublished by Bowen Island Undercurrent a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, #102 - 495 Government Rd. Bowen Island, B.C. V0N 1G0

RON WOODALLG U E S T E D T O R I A L I S T

Oh!There must be a word for it. That instant when

the opinion you hold very dearly suddenly turns dubious. For years, I have regarded Snug Cove as an historic site. The epicenter of Bowen life. Randomly evolved. Organic. Enduring. Most important, It seemed absolutely authentic and a place which I have come to love very much. Many islanders think just the opposite. They see a shabby eyesore, a mal-aise to be cured.

Strangely, the zeal of decades of planners and visionaries, there has been virtually no perceptible change in the cove for well over two decades. I have an old Undercurrent from the year 2000 which announces the formation a Snug Cove Task Force to review all the earlier Snug Cove Plans. The meet-ings asked for written comments to be dropped off

to assist finalization of a Snug Cove Village plan. This seemed a threadbare process even then. Did every effort for change succumb to a mysterious passive resistance? And if so, why? If stagnation was seen, it should have resulted in pro activity. More likely, I suspect that Snug Cove simply found its groove and embraced its comfort zone,

Think of it this way: What we have in Snug Cove is a genuine rural main street running through a genuine seaside village. It is the last of its kind that you’ll find in close proximity to the urban sprawl. That has always seemed somehow significant to me. Here we have this easily reachable hidden anomaly that is such a delight to discover so nearby.

For visitors, it is a perfect point of decom-pression from city to country. It is unique pre-cisely because it is the way it is. Not just another revamped Dundarave but someplace truly rural and rooted, instantly appealing because its authen-ticity is unmistakable. The warmth and funkiness cannot be fabricated. This village was never artifi-

cially themed like so many revitalized retail strips. Even now, it is free from gentrification or gridded uniformity. It just grew there like a wild garden. I doubt anyone would suggest letting the cove decompose. But there does seem no way to to pre-serve the fragile essence except to leave it alone. It has no real style to protect except the lack of style. It is a place you can like very much. If it goes, we will be watching the paradox of what happens to things quirky.

The word that changed my mind is “Oh!” I saw James Tuers’ drawings for the pub and I said, “oh.” There they are. New buildings, not as authentic and not as rural as the village but great. So this is the beginning, it is probably good for the cove to change. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe they’ll keep one eye on the soul of the old cove.

One last thing. I don’t know what I’m talking about and look forward to hearing the 101 goofy and byzantine reasons that nothing happened.

A love letter to Snug Cove

Dear Editor,

Kudos to the Bowen Island Community Foundation for the three community projects chosen that will receive grants from the Foundation’s Community Impact program. Two of them directly respond to the “vision” our new council was asked by keynote speaker, Joyce Ganong, to share at their inaugural meeting. The Bowen Island Garden Gateway Initiative and the joint Library and Arts Council Cove Culture Corner proj-ect will be a nice step toward the revitalization of Snug Cove and betterment of our community. A “more welcoming expe-rience” is very much needed.

While perhaps difficult to replicate the beautiful seating and arbours that were a part of the waterfront walkway in Mannion Bay many decades ago, along the front of the old Union Steamship Hotel, the new stone seating, native plants and pavers at the entrance to the island will be a much wel-comed addition near the ferry. What a great “1st step” for tourists and locals.

The BICF is to be commended for their vision in mak-ing these grant monies available and choosing projects that respond to the conclusions of their earlier Vital Conversations workshop. Just think of the respectful discourse that can take place on the new seating at the entrance to the Cove. That would be a great place for Council to sit while consum-ing Joyce’s chocolates as that would give them a perfect look up our main street to better understand and appreciate what other “welcome mat” shaking is needed.

Bruce Russell

Dear Editor,

Our MP penned a couple of hundred words explaining the burning ques-tion of why he voted against Bill 603. He took a courageous stand against his caucus on a bill that, if implemented, would have seen new trucks be required to install side guards. In doing so he saved the trucking industry “half a billion dollars.”

I am at a loss as to why he explained this inconsequential act of dissent to us all. I would have been far more interested if he had voted against the gov-ernment on legislation such as the Fair Elections Act (that isn’t fair at all) or the omnibus budget bill (that stripped federal environmental protection from all but an handful of lakes) or any number of acts and bills and decisions that have eroded democracy and privacy, gutted our census, taken the teeth from

our Fisheries Act, muzzled scientists, deported legitimate refugees to danger-ous situations, embarked on a new war and otherwise added to our $1 trillion plus federal debt. And that doesn’t even include all the things the government HASN’T done such as ratifying international climate agreements, inquiring into missing and murdered indigenous women and addressing the gaming of National Energy Board hearings that resulted in senior government scientists resigning in protest.

It would be far more interesting to know about Mr. Weston’s nuanced dis-cussions on these truly game changing acts rather than why he took a prin-cipled stand against side guards for new trucks.

Chris Corrigan

Weston takes a stand?

Snug Cove Improvements

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BOWEN ISLAND HOUSE ACCOUNR001944168BI03



The teddy bears on display at the Bowen Island Museum and Archives are snuggly, furry, funny and above all, unique. Many of them are also made from scratch, by life-long sewer and teddy bear-lover Shirley Wrinch.

Wrinch says making the bears, with moveable limbs and uniquely expressive faces is a labour of love.

“Don’t ask a craftsperson how long it takes,” she says, when asked how long it takes to make a bear.

Wrinch says she made her first bear roughly 26 years ago, with the arrival of her first grand child. She started collaborating with the Museum and

Archives in the early 2000s, and then started up again with the teddy bear exhibit last year.

“I love working with Cathy Bayly,” she says. “I make the dolls, she sets the scenes and we work real-ly well together. And we’re both huge Tolkein fans.”

This year, there is one Lord of the Rings Scene, with Frodo, Gandalf and an Elf. Next year, Wrinch and Bayly want to delve into their passion for both Tolkein and Bears and create a much larger scene.

“We’re thinking about a three layer scene,” says Bayly. “With more characters, elves and maybe even some cute Orcs.”

And if anyone has a stuffed dragon around, she adds, they’re looking for a Smaug.

This year’s teddy bear exhibit is open until January 4.

Bowen creations, made with love

Shirley Wrinch and her handcrafted “Reindeer Bear” with a Santa Bear (made by Eaton’s, Santa’s outfit made By Shirley) in riding the sleigh.Meribeth Deen, photo

TINA OVERBURYC O N T R I B U T O R

This is the article that doesn’t usually get written. Especially not here in our idyllic island home, a place where we’re known to take pride in our active sense of community, we might even brag a little (modestly of course) about the friendly goings-on in our neigh-bourhood. I do it. God forbid I am proud of where I live and I’m willing to say so. However, that said, please note that this article is not about apologizing for how connected we are, nor is it about undercut-ting our community, it is about the reality that the holidays can be an incredibly lonely time for many people. They can be a field of isolation for some and can even trigger a downward spiral into something that is more than just the Christmas blues.

Islander Carolyn Nesbitt is a psychologist with a keen desire to help kids and adults who suffer with anxiety and depression. She has a gift and a calling to work with people who have experienced trauma. With close to thirty years in the field and a profes-sional tool-kit that’s a combination of traditional therapy, brain science, and meditation added to her personal creative and spiritual life, I thought she would be the perfect person to help anyone who might be struggling with feelings of emptiness and not belonging. Her main message for all who dance with the dragon of depression is YOU MATTER TO ME, and by me, I mean to me, Tina who is writing this article, to Carolyn who helped to inform it, to

The Undercurrent who helped to choose this topic. Also, you matter to your community here on Bowen Island who lives with you, sees you, and values your place in our island home. You matter. You truly do.

I came into the world with a happy pill perma-nently planted inside me. Yes I have danced with the dragon at times too, and yes, I have experi-enced grief and loss as well. All that being said, I am blessed with a somewhat ‘happy’ disposition. I can be painful to be around for some because I’m just so damn positive most of the time. I’m 44 (well in a few days), and as Carolyn says so beautifully “no one gets to mid-life without a few scars. Mid-life is the great equalizer for all of us.” In the past few years I’ve found that I, too, have the wall of futility more than once, and seen and my inner happy pill failing me. At those times I’ve found myself at a loss as to what to do about it.

Now imagine being in this place during the holi-days. It’s human nature to want to avoid it in our-selves, and with other people, after all, we’re not therapists. We’re not family, we might not even be friends, but we are community. We are in each oth-er’s back pocket at the General Store, at Irly, at the Gas Station. We are connected. So what can we do?

This is where I defer back to Carolyn: “The gifts we give over the holidays are meant to convey that you matter to me. When we give from that place, we ignite our own life-force and open up the possibility of firing up theirs. We experience belonging.

YOU MATTER: Coping with holiday isolation

continued, PAGE 8

SUSANNA BRAUNDA N I M A L A F F A I R S

The reindeer has been given many different names by different cultures. The name 'rein' has its origin in the Old Norse word for a horned animal, hreinn. The various words for reindeer used by the Sami peoples of Northern Europe (formerly referred to as the Lapps), poatsoj, boazu, boatsoj, båtsoj and bovtse, all seem to derive from the Proto-Indo-European root *peku, which denotes cattle. The name of its relative the caribou came through French from the Mi'kmaq word qalipu, which means "snow shoveler,” a refer-ence to its habit of pawing the snow to find food.

ANTLERS: Both male and female reindeer grow antlers each year. When

they are growing, the antlers are soft and rubbery, with a furry skin, hence reindeer are said to be "in velvet" at this time. When the antlers finish growing, in August, they harden and the reindeer rub off the "velvet". Male reindeer drop their antlers after the autumn rut, while the female reindeer keep their antlers until the time of calving, which is in May.

HOOVES: Reindeer hooves adapt to the season: in the summer, when the tundra is soft and wet, the footpads become sponge-like and provide extra traction. In the winter, the pads shrink and tighten, exposing the rim of the hoof, which gives better purchase in the ice and snow and allows them to dig down through the snow to their favorite food, a lichen known as rein-deer moss.

All you ever wanted to know about reindeer, but were afraid to ask...

continued, PAGE 6


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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.

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Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.Collins Hall Bookings: HelenWallwork

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There are so many people on Bowen who not only love to eat, but love to cook. While some our foodie friends kindly offer us the opportunity to taste their food by opening up restaurants, there are so many others whose food-lives are unknown to us. This column is an attempt to pry open the kitchen windows of our local friends and neighbours who have a passion for cooking. Some of them are trained chefs, some of them make a living from cooking, and oth-ers are self-taught, excellent, passionate home-cooks.

If you know of a foodie who needs featuring, please contact:[email protected]

What’s your favourite kitchen utensil? (of all time, or maybe of the moment)

I love my grandmother’s potato ricer, but then again I have this fantastic pepper mill. Finding the right pepper mill is like finding the right relationship, it can take a lifetime. This one’s a Peugot, and I bought it from Ming Wo.

What’s your comfort food?Poached eggs made with eggs hatched fresh from Black Cat

Farms on Taylor Road.

Who’s your biggest culinary influence, and what did they teach you?

Chef Cyril Nytard in Lyon. I spent a year cooking beside him in France and Italy, he challenged my knowledge, speed, and character in cooking. I worked for him in three restaurants on many classic and modern French and Italian dishes.

He taught me, for instance, adding stock to risotto is done to make the rice to rise to the heavens, not for it to be absorbed into the Arborio rice. Also risotto is not to be stirred much and is to be served on a plate and gently shaken to be within the rim of the plate. He trained from Gualtiero Marchesi in Milano who founded modern Italian cuisine.

When did you realize you loved to cook?I realized I loved to cook when discovered I could use all my

senses in the task. I also realized I could create, give recipes away, and always try something new.

Tell me about a culinary challenge, and how you overcame it.

Owning a restaurant was extremely challenging. It’s hard to please everyone, and I am my own toughest critic. After selling Leftbank I rested and have finally started to feel better. I really like cooking for a few good friends now!

What are you cooking/eating lately?I’ve been making lemon curd, baked chocolate mousse, and

crème brulee for friends. My cholesterol dropped as I do not eat pommes frites and mayonnaise on a daily basis. I love kale, col-lards, broccolini, fish or rib-eye steak and Saint Agur compound butter. Oops. I joined Weight Watchers on the north shore and lost

twenty pounds too!

To check out Becky’s fabulous recipe for quinoa salad (which recieved 31 immediate likes on Facebook, and rave reviews from the Bowen Island Fibre Arts Club) see this article online at www.bowen-islnadundercurrent.com in the lifestyles section.

On the calendarMONDAY DECEMBER 29

Seniors Keeping Young Merry Christmas - We’ll be back

TUESDAY DECEMBER 30AA Meeting

Collins Hall 7:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31Knitting Circle

1 - 4 p.m. Bowen Court - All levels welcome!

UPCOMING

THURSDAY JAN 1Annual Polar Bear Dip

2 p.m. at Bowen Bay Beach

Duplicate Bridge @ Bowen Court Call Irene @ 2955

Last chance to check out 40,000 lights at Endswell Farm

Village Song Circle Family New Year’s Eve Celebration Collins Hall, Potluck supper starts at 5 p.m., celebra-tion goes until 8:30 p.m Admission by donation to the food bank

WELCOME TO 2015!!

SUNDAY JANUARY 4Christmas Bird Count

Open to anyone keen on birds Get-together afterwards. Contact Pam Dicer at 9558 or [email protected]

MONDAY JANUARY 5Queen of Capilano midlife upgrade period begins

During this period, the Bowen Queen (smaller than the Queen of Capilano) will serve Route 8 between Snug Cove and Horseshoe Bay. Look up “Service upgrade for Queen of Capilano” on the BC Ferries website.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7Registration open for Bowen Island Community

Choir - Cates Hill Chapel at 7 p.m

Through the kitchen window with Becky Dawson

Becky Dawson in her kitchen with her pepper mill and potato ricer.Meribeth Deen, photo

Happy Holidays fromthe Undercurrent!All the best to you in

2015!

6 • FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 2014 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COMBOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITYR001937478BI03

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from PAGE 4

EYES: According to a study at the University of Tromsø, Arctic reindeer eyes change in colour through the sea-sons from gold through to blue to help them better detect predators, by sharp-ening up their ultraviolet perception in the dark months.

STOMACHS: Reindeer are rumi-nants, with a four-chambered stom-ach. They mainly eat lichens in winter, especially reindeer moss. They have a unique adaptation among mammals which enables them to break down lichen to glucose.

NOSES: Reindeer, like moose, have specialized noses featuring special nasal bones that hugely increase the surface area within the nostrils, allow-ing incoming cold air to be warmed by the animal's body heat before it enters the lungs.

KNEES: Reindeer knees produce a clicking sound as they walk that can be audible from ten metres away. Apparently, loud knee-clicking, which reflects large body mass, is one indica-tion of high status among reindeer.

Reindeer fun facts

Bowen Island Volunteer Fire-Rescue hasOPENINGS FOR NEW MEMBERSIf you…• Are over 19 years of age;• Live and work on the island;• Have a valid B.C. drivers license;• Are willing to undergo a criminal background check;• Are available and willing to be called out at any time;• Are willing to undergo training for 1st Responder Medical

situations, as well as firefighting,…then you may be interested in joining our team and servingyour community.

Applications must be receivedby 4:30p.m. January 2, 2015.

Ian Thompson, Fire Chief

Applications may be obtained by dropping in at the MunicipalHall, or by calling 604-947-4255, or may be downloaded from the

BIM website at www.bimbc.ca

Completed applications can be dropped offat the Municipal Hall, or mailed to:

Fire Chief, Bowen Island Volunteer Fire-Rescue,981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island B.C. V0N 1G0.

Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Bowen Island Municipal HallOffice Closure

Bowen Island Municipal Hall will be closed for the holidayseason from: 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 24, 2014and will re-open at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2015.

December 31, 2014 is the deadline for paying outstandingproperty taxes. Payments dated December 31, 2014 that arein our mail or our drop box by 8:30 a.m. on January 2, 2015 willbe accepted as December 31, 2014 payment.

Happy Holidays from Mayor Skeels,Council and BIM staff

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE is hereby given that Bowen Island Municipal Council will hold a public hearing for thepurpose of allowing the public to make representations on the following proposed bylaw:

• Bylaw No. 372, 2014 cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Land Use BylawNo. 57, 2002 Amendment Bylaw No. 372, 2014”

The Public Hearing will be held on:Monday, January 12, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC.

At the public hearing, all persons who believe that their interest in property is affected bythe proposed bylaw shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to presentwritten submissions respecting matters contained in the proposed bylaw.Subject Property: Lot 8, Plan 45767, District Lot 489 – 973 Captain Cates Walk and

Lot 5, Plan 44190, District Lots 489 and 490 – 505 Bowen IslandTrunk Road

Purpose:The purpose of Bylaw No. 372, 2014 is to rezone a 5 meter wide, 139 square meterstrip of land from Cates Hill Comprehensive Development Zone 2 CD Zone 2, Area 2,to CD Zone 2 Area 1. This will provide for the consolidation of 5 meter wide strip of Lot5, Plan 44190 to be consolidated with Lot 8, Plan 45767 (973 Captain Cates Walk). Thezone, which permits detached residential dwellings, will resolve current encroachments,and will allow the owner of 973 Captain Cates Walk to construct an addition on to thenorthern side of the existing dwelling.

A copy of the proposed bylaw and any background material that may be considered byBowen Island Municipal Council in respect of the proposed bylaw, may be inspected atBowen Island Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC between the hours of8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, inclusive, excluding statutory holidays, or onthe BIM website at www.bimbc.ca commencing Friday, December 19, 2014

Written submissions may be delivered to:• Bowen Island Municipal Hall in person or by mail to 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen

Island, BC, V0N 1G2 or by fax: 604-947-0193 prior to 7:00 p.m., Monday,January 12, 2015; or

• to Bowen Island Municipal Council at the Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m.,Monday, January 12, 2015.

Inquiries regarding the proposed bylaw may be directed to Judy McLeod, PlanningConsultant at 604-947-4255 or by email at [email protected].

NO REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALCOUNCIL AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.



Pitch for foraging show gets funding for pilot episode8 • FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 2014 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

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from PAGE 4

We feel loveable. We feel worthy. The gift can be as simple as making eye contact at a party and sharing a smile. It sends the message that you matter, and for someone dealing with depression, this can be the dif-ference maker.”

She also said something that really changed the rules for me. She said, “We must bring our whole self to every social engagement. When we hold on to the belief that only our ‘best side’ is what is appropriate, we start to believe that it’s also the only side that’s ever wanted which then becomes proof that who we are is un-loveable.”

But surely sharing a long list of what’s wrong isn’t appropriate either. Is it?

“You can bring your whole self to the holidays without losing yourself in the process. When some-one asks how you are doing you can say: honestly,

I’m struggling right now, but we’re at a party and I’m not up to talking about it... That honours what is true but also respects the context of where you are.”

Okay, I say, but what if you’re the person on the receiving end? I don’t know about you, but I want to avoid those awkward moments as much as possible.

“Again, you can give the gift of you matter to me by simply holding eye contact and listening. You might offer ‘I’m sorry to hear this. Do you have someone you can talk to? Are you alone for the holi-days? You can check in without taking-on becoming their caretaker.”

If you are beginning to experience the overwhelm of isolation here are some suggestions from Carolyn to help you reconnect with your life-force.

- Get outside and breathe in some fresh air. - Make eye-contact with someone today. - Pick up the phone and keep dialing until some-

one picks up. You only need to say hello to get a conversation started.

If you have some ener-gy to pull yourself up a few more rungs of the ladder, try:

- Writing down 3 things you are grateful for. Read them and re-read them.

- Give to someone else that which you crave. Choose to smile at a few people and receive their smile that comes back.

- Meditate on a phrase that creates a sense of peace in your body. It might be “I matter and I am loved.”

We live in community. In doing so, we don’t have the luxury of expe-riencing only the more desireable situations. We get them all. It’s daunt-ing to step into the arena of connection and risk dueling with the dragon of depression, but if we are the community we wax on about, then sure-ly, this is part of how we hold each other together.

If you are reading this and feeling completely at a loss, know that you matter. In light of open-ing up for this article, Dr. Nesbitt is available by phone to anyone who is in dire need of con-nection over the holi-days. You can reach her on her business line at 604-376-9801.

Tools to overcome feelings of isolation during the holidays


For Bowen Islander Lisa Marie Bhattacharya, foraging for wild foods is a hobby, a passion. Mushrooms, she says, is what’s she’s really into. Medicinal mushrooms, Turkey Tails, for example, are abundant on Bowen and have been used for medici-nal purposes for hundreds of years, but have also been proven to be a beneficial immune booster to people undergoing cancer treatment.

Hearing Bhattacharya’s foraging stories peaked the interest of her filmmaker step-sister, Deborah Burns-Johnson.

“I always knew I wanted to do something with Lisa Marie on foraging, but I wasn’t sure what,” says Burns-Johnson. “And then this competition, the Telus Storyhive came up, and I thought this was our chance.”

The idea Burns-Johnson (director), her husband

Rich Johnson (producer) and Bh attacharya (host) came up with is called Found + Foraged, a video series to highlight the abundance of natural foods on British Columbia’s coast, and to tap into all the local expertise on these foods.

Filmed partially on Bowen, the pitch won one of fifteen $10,000 prizes to make a pilot episode, the Found and Foraged crew is getting ready to shoot their first actual episode of the show. The challenge, says Burns-Johnson, is finding the abundance their looking for in January. If they win the next round of competition and get the funding to do five episodes, that challenge will continue through the winter.

Whether of not they win, both Battacharya and Burns-Johnson say that the experience of putting the pitch together has got them excited enough about the idea to pursue it, whether or not funding from Telus pans out.

To check out the pitch for Found and Foraged, go to www.storyhive.com

Lisa Marie Battacharya holding clover leaves and flowers.Found + Foraged, photo


Make givingless taxing

It feels good to donate to charity. There can also be tax benefits,especially if you’re a first-time donor. If you make a donation to aregistered charity by December 31, you can submit your receipt for2014 tax purposes.

FundAid.ca has 16 crowdfunding campaigns for registered charities.A tax receipt will be automatically issued, by email, as soon as youmake your donation.

If you want your donation to count on your nexttax return, please consider donating to

• FundAid.ca/touchstone• FundAid.ca/burnabyfamilies• FundaAid.ca/bcguidedogs• or any of the Hall of Flame (firefighters’ calendar)campaigns

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Friday, December 26, 2014