FRIDAY NOV. 30, 2012 VOL. 39, NO. 29
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Light up Bowen
Popular event includes a great line-up of island’s holiday favourites
Making a better community Rotary Club is looking for youth project proposals
A place to play
Jazz trio is looking for a local venue to continue performing
Promoting Bowen as an arts and nature destination Visitors to the island typically seek information on parks, adventure and cultural events SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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finding a few more young musicians, have them pick a set of tunes, learn their parts and perform. A friend of his, Stephen Fisk, has offered to record the music when it’s ready. “Stephen works as a music teacher at the Sarah MacLaughlin School of Music and the Vancouver Community College,” Stiver said. “He offered to bring in his equipment to record the band.”
n the summer of 2012, approximately 65,000 visitors came through the information centre in Snug Cove that was operated by the Bowen Island Arts Council (BIAC) from the May long weekend until Labour Day. On Monday, November 26, BIAC president Carol Cram presented a report to council, along with two proposals that envision a continuation of the initiative. “On behalf of the arts council, I’d like to thank council for entering into the service agreement with us. The summer went very well,” she said. “Our staff assisted over 65,000 visitors. In addition, we generated revenues that directly benefit local artists and businesses through our mini gallery and gift shop.” Cram said that the arts council operated the visitor information centre in the Boulevard Cottage on a budget of approximately $14,000. Added to the service fee of $12,000 from the municipality were revenues derived through sales of art products and in-kind donations. The overall visitation numbers were lower than those recorded in 2011, according to Cram, but that could be partly due to the later start date and a downward trend in international visitors. The busiest day at the Boulevard Cottage was August 5 when 254 visitors entered the venue on a single day. That number was closely matched on September 3 and May 19, days that saw over 230 visitors each. Cram also noted that Steamship Days attracted many daytrippers. “When people travel to Bowen, the main information they seek concerns parks, adventure and cultural events,” Cram said. “The single most important thing we learned from operating the information centre is that visitors arrive knowing very little about what the island has to offer. They come to the visitors centre for guidance. And that allows us to focus on promoting Bowen Island as an arts and nature based destination.” One of the BIAC initiatives that proved popular with visitors was the Bowen Island Arts and Nature Walk, a self-guided tour featuring public art and natural bounty. Jacqueline Massey, BIAC’s executive director, said, “We’ve been hosting [the art and nature walk] for a couple of years with the idea that people go on the walk and stop along the way to visit local shops.”
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Jay is sharing a moment of affection with Suzi, a black-capped conure. His family is fostering the bird hoping it will recover from feather picking due to stress. Story on page 6. Debra Stringfellow photo
New equipment for jamming at the youth centre SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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hursday nights at the Bowen Island Youth Centre just got a whole lot better - they sound better too. It’s the evening when local youth can hone their musical talents. And two new guitar amps, a bass and a bass amp, a sound system, a full drum kit, an acoustic guitar, as well as mikes
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and mike stands are waiting for a band that is ready to rock. The equipment was purchased with grant money from the Bowen Island Community Foundation and youth services coordinator John Stiver appreciates the help. “We received $3,500 from the community foundation,” Stiver said. “Now we want to focus on playing together and work towards completing a project.” Stiver is excited about the prospect of
Fabulous Finds on Bowen
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Brand name clothing & Accessories for LADIES • MEN • TEENS • KIDS 10% of Sales December 1 & 2 Donated to CAWES
Corner Village Square
Kidswear Samples 3 mo. & up Fantastic Scarves Knitwits Character Hats Party Dresses & Shoes for all ages Jackets & Coats