FRIDAY DEC. 21, 2012 VOL. 39, NO. 32
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Gettin’ chummy
Bowen Island Fish and Wildlife Club welcomes 200,000 chum eggs
Thanks, you guys!
A spread on our local volunteer firemen during their training session
Interview with Santa
On an uphill hike, the big guy shared his views about the season
BEST program strengthens women’s health
CSA cheque will help to keep school open
Popular strength program for Bowen seniors receives grant
Association views community access to BICS as priority
SUSANNE MARTIN
SUSANNE MARTIN
EDITOR
EDITOR
he link between strength training and the prevention of osteoporosis is well documented, leading physicians to recommend an exercise program, especially for women over the age of 40 who are predisposed to the disease. Ali Hartwick has built on the idea and brought a program to Bowen that helps islanders develop a routine to strengthen their bones. This week, Bowen Island’s Bone Estrogen Strength Training (BEST) program was awarded a Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) grant for age-friendly community and planning, allowing it to continue through 2013 without cost to the participants. “It is very cool to watch them progress and grow stronger,” Hartwick said about those attending the class. “And they report that their aches and pains grow less.” “It all started last spring when I did a course online about BEST,” Hartwick said, adding that a study done by the University of Arizona looked at 300 postmenopausal women, some of whom showed signs of pre-osteoporosis. Those women were exposed to strength training, and, as a result, their bone density increased. “The results were fantastic,” Hartwick said. “And I thought, we need this on Bowen.” This kind of training is also available locally from personal trainers but Hartwick didn’t want money be a limiting factor. “I wanted to make it available more widely,” she said. She had the idea to offer the program though the municipality’s community recreation office where she received the advice to apply for a grant. “I asked Seniors Keeping Young (SKY) and they applied for
t’s part of the mandate of the Bowen Island Community School Association (CSA) to support the community school as a hub for community learning and development. And keeping the school open for Bowen Islanders was identified as a key step toward this objective. At the Monday, December 17, special council meeting, the CSA presented a cheque of $3,500 to council to assist with covering the cost of community access outside regular school hours. Lorraine Ashdown, communications director of the CSA, spoke on behalf of the board of directors and said she was pleased to share the good news. “The CSA has supported the school and the community for many years. In just over one year, in 2014, it will be our 40th anniversary, making us one of the longest-serving organizations on Bowen Island,” she said. “The CSA’s mandate is to strive to represent and engage all sectors of the community in identifying needs, developing goals, as well as work with community partners to develop and implement action plans.” Ashdown added that one of the CSA’s goals from 2011 to 2012 and beyond is to assist in ensuring the access to the school for community use. In order to achieve this, a financial contribution of $1,750 from the 2011/12 and $1,750 from the 2012/13 CSA budgets to the Bowen Island Municipality has been approved. “The CSA will annually assess financial contributions to Bowen Island Municipality to support this access,” Ashdown said, adding that the contribution goes towards the costs associated with access to the
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Kai was very excited while he waited to go on stage to sing Frosty the Snowman at BICS. Debra Stringfellow photo
Peace of mind, financial stability and benefits during your lifetime – enjoy all three in every one of our plans.
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