friday FRIDAY JA.N. JaN. 18, 18, 2013 2013 V Vo O lL .. 33 88 ,, n No O .. 33 55
75¢¢
including including HST HST
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Taste the Scotch
Bowen Burns Night goes beyond haggis to include nine single malts
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Making Bowen more agefriendly Bowen Island Municipality receives grant to address needs of seniors SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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Angelyn Toth shares a moment with her horse at Xenia. Story on page 6.
“If you know what your priorities are, you can find ways to save a little bit,” she says, adding that even making coffee at home can represent a substantial saving of $400 per month. Going through family finances can lead to better budgeting, according to White, and that can lead to a more stress free life. “It can be very stressful if finances get out of hand,” she explained, adding that the presentation will include worksheets and helpful tips on different ways to manage the household income. It will also mention different subsidies that are available through the government and how to claim them.
grant of $19,993 has been awarded to the Bowen Island Municipality with the aim to help create programs or tools that address the needs of older residents. At Seniors Keeping Young (SKY) last Monday, January 14, the discussion revolved around the concerns of senior Bowen residents. In attendance were the minister of the State for Seniors Ralph Sultan and West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre who dropped by at Bowen Court to share the news about the grant and hear from the 25 islanders who had gathered. “Bowen Island was one of 27 winners of the grant for age-friendly communities,” Sultan said. “Only a third of all applicants received the award and it aims to make Bowen Island an even more age-friendly place to live.” Sultan explained that the grant covers a sum of just $7 shy of $20,000 and the announcement was greeted with applause. McIntyre added that the grant money will go toward two projects: one that provides information about health care and support services and another where seniors can participate in an osteoporosis prevention initiative. Sultan explained that the government’s strategy can be boiled down to three slogans. “The first one is: Better at home,” he said. “That means that seniors, when they were asked, said that they want to stay at home as long as possible.” The government should facilitate that, Sultan believes, because people staying at home cost the taxpayers less. “It is what seniors want and what the government finance minister wants. And that’s a happy situation,” Sultan said.
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Debra Stringfellow photo
Better financial management leads to less stress SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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amily finances are the theme of two free workshops that will shed light on means and methods that can lead to better financial security. The first workshop entitled Create a family budget and stick to it will be held on Wednesday, January 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bowen Island Community School’s multi-purpose room. Cocoa West chocolates and childcare are provided. Presenter Ellen White has a background in bookkeeping, office management (including budgeting) and accounting. She is also the treasurer for the Bowen Children’s
Centre and BowFest as well as the bookkeeper for the Bowen Youth Centre. She says that the workshop will be useful not only for families but “across the board.” White has recently gone through the exercise of auditing her own household expenses. The findings, she says, were surprising. “I have two young children and my husband works off-island full time. It was his idea to do a financial audit of the household,” White said. “I did that and I was amazed how much we spend on food, which includes going out for coffee, for example.” White suggests breaking up finances to find out what the fixed expenses like rent and hydro are. For the variable expenses, she believes it is important to set priorities.
Robbie Burns Night Scotch Tasting Snug Cafe, Friday January 25, 7pm-9pm
Guided sampling of 8 single malts accompanied by delectable matched food Only 40 seats available, book early and save. Tickets $70* ea. ($65 by Jan 12th) *Includes HST and Safe Ride Home
Sorry Sold Out
Tickets available @ The Snug and Bowen Beer & Wine Cellar