Bruce Russell, Lise Goumeniouk & Murray Atherton cut a well-dressed trio at the Bowen Island Golf Course recently. As the best players in the world get set to tee off in the Masters Tournament at Augusta this week, the nice weather has brought an uptick in Bowen’s best out to the course too (though there may be a few less Green Jackets among the local crowd). Spring also brings with it the opening of the Shed Eatery, where Lise brings her best each Friday at the now famous and highly popular Pizza Nights The Golf Course is ready to mark its 20th Anniversary next month - stay tuned for much more on the planned celebrations ahead. / Submitted photo
Bowen budget set for adoption
ALEX KURIAL Editor
A final reading of the municipal Five-Year Financial Plan is scheduled for the upcoming council meeting on Monday, April 13.
The 2026 budget maintained its originally predicted property tax raise of 6.6 per cent over last year A house assessed at exactly average property value on the island ($1.367 million this year) would pay $3,539 in property tax - an approximate $221 jump from last year
Final changes to the budget included allocating an additional $30,000 to support new and existing operations taken on by the Museum & Archives The funds were directed from other areas of the existing budget in order to keep the property tax increase the same
Some major capital projects this year include $250,000 to continue upgrades and safety work at the Public Service Yard, $550,000 for dock renewal at Mount Gardner and Snug Cove, $600,000 each for culvert replacement and road rehabilitation, $200,000 to finish Community Centre construction, $100,000 for a Grafton Lake Watershed Management Plan, and $115,000 for resurfacing of the Bowen Island Community School outdoor sports court.
What a wonderful time it was at our colleague (and beloved Islander and friend) Ron Woodall’s Artist pARTy at the Hearth Gallery on Saturday. The mood was lively, the ‘Magnificent Derelicts’ were rapidly finding their way into new collections, and Ron had a seemingly endless lineup of people waiting to congratulate, wish him well or just catch up with a chat (often all of the above!) The Magnificent Derelicts exhibit runs until April 20, featuring Ron’s paintings at the Hearth and cartoons at the Community Centre. Be sure to check both out!
Another hotly anticipated piece of art makes its debut this Sunday. From the puppeteering team that brought you the Heron at Bowfest, this time a 12-foot long Humpback Whale will be the star of the show. The puppet is part of a themed fundraiser for the Bowen Island Gymnastics Club, featuring local photographer Tobin Sparling speaking about his experience taking pictures of whales along with a look at their resurgence in Howe Sound Full details are available on the Gymnastics Club website.
Saturday is the Fix-It Fair! You likely know the drill by now, but the event offers a chance to give your well loved items a chance at renewal with the team of local helpers. Clothes, electronics, jewelry and much more, bring them to the Legion from Noon to 3 pm to give them a look. And check the Calendar for more on specific Fix-It Workshops coming up too!
There’s lots more in the Calendar (including a Slo-Pitch Tourney supporting the Food Bank coming up!) as the Spring season heats up A quick note that our Island-Wide will be a bit earlier this month, going out next Friday, April 17. Submissions on Island happenings extremely welcome!
- Alex Kurial, Editor
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CARTOONIST
VIEWPOINTS
Judi Gedye April Open House
JUDITH GEDYE
Bowen Island Municipality Councillor
Midday last Saturday, I visited Ron Woodall’s art exhibit at the Hearth Gallery. It was packed and festive and on such a beautiful day with so many great options, I was not expecting anyone to come to the Open House. Nevertheless, for a brief hour there was much conversation (mostly about buses and housing), some deluxe chocolate eggs from the Chocolatier, and much good cheer.
There were four councillors present so we tried to talk around council business, but when we got down to it, one councilor left so that we no longer had to worry about quorum. A brief Civics 101: four members of a seven member council is a majority/quorum. Any discussion which could be perceived as influencing decision-making requires the use of “open meeting rules” . Those rules are a fundamental principle of democracy.
I had not understood the principle very well when I started this political work and wanted more workshops and group efforts, but importantly, discussions by decision-makers, with very few exceptions, must happen in open sessions, notably with published agendas. Here there are no set agendas, but there is information sharing and dialogue
The caution is that there are limited opinions expressed Opinions should be encouraged but small samples should not necessarily form the basis for decisions I believe these discussions and their reporting has contributed to our community building but recognize there are many other opinions that are not part of our conversations
One topic that was Councillor Alex Jurgenson’s transportation efforts He is involved with the Canadian Organization for the Blind and Deaf-Blind (COBD) and when they moved their programmes to Xenia they had problems with transportation. He got federal funding for a small bus, and some dispatch and scheduling software, and funding to hire drivers. TransLink recently offered a second bus to the municipality on the condition that there is a community partner to operate it. COBD is working on a business plan for additional services that can be supported in the community
Safety and accessibility upgrades must be carefully assessed, plus operating costs, particularly with rapidly rising fuel prices For a pilot project, COBD is focused on special interest groups who could support a fee-for-service model for group events: for example, SKY’s (Seniors Keeping Young) educational seminars at the Community Centre, or Health Centre sponsored community lunches at the Legion, plus Bowfest and Dock Dance Other services such as providing commuter runs to/from Vancouver, additional routes on Bowen (south side, Taylor Road), adding midday and late-night options to existing services, are more complicated problems that are being explored but aren’t “shovel-ready”.
There are some mid-range possibilities like getting a Handi-Dart contract on Bowen, and involving West Vancouver Recreation’s shuttle bus to meet Boweners at the Horseshoe Bay terminal, that are being explored A taxi service is still considered very desireable for those who cannot get to roadside for pick-up. There were stories of existing bus services being overwhelmed with tourists such that locals have been left behind and a question where we could get accurate information about passengers. A value of tourists
Bowen On-Stage!
JACKIE MINNS Contributor
We continue to celebrate local theatre on Bowen and celebrate our One-Year Anniversary in our new theatre.
Your local thespians Theatre On The Isle and Kingbaby Productions brought you five shows in 2025 with a total of 2,953 audience members filling seats at the Bowen Theatre!
From Rough Crossing and Dancing at Lughnasa to Kingbaby’s Mad Mabel’s Christmas.
We’re thrilled to be up and running.
Thank you for all your support of local professional community theatre.
Here is a sneak peek of our upcoming 2026 Season of Shows that are sure to entertain, challenge, provoke and tickle you, from the Bard to Beckett, a full range of styles and themes:
All’sWell…theBardontheRock’s11thannualShakespeare production! A brilliant cast of newcomers and legends, directed by Graham Ritchie.
The show opens soon! Productions begin on Friday, April 17 with following shows on April 18, 24 & 25.
Heather Hodson returns to direct Theatre on the Isle’s (TOTI) next production of a contemporary award winning play called The Open House, written by Will Eno.
It’s a dark comedy exploring the hidden layers of a dysfunctional family dynamic, when an unexpected open house event flips the family upside down and magically transforms literally everything – plus there is a dog!
The Open House runs June 5-7, featuring Annabelle Coon, Trevor Campbell, Tina Overbury, John Parker and Calder Stewart.
Next up from Kingbaby Theatre is Happy Days by
using our bus services is that they would likely not bring their cars to Bowen.
Again it would be helpful to get more information to support the theories. Please contact ajurgenson@bimbc.ca
One scenario for commuter runs would be for one bus to remain on the mainland during the week and then supplement Bowen services on weekends The TransLink on-demand pilot project, while considered successful, had a problem providing up-to-date location of the buses such that there were long waits, frustration and confusion One financial problem with planning for bus or taxi services on Bowen involves the design of our road networks (no circular routes) and considerable “dead-heading” – going to a destination and not having a paying fare on the return.
One way to help with connectivity, with recurring problems of previously public trails getting fenced off, is to develop a system of narrow (not road access) “buffer zones” to allow pedestrians to have easier access to bus-routes, especially when there is a need for evacuation routes That idea roused considerable discussion.
There was a question about a letter in the Undercurrent last week about developments at Grafton Lake. This opened the discussion to work that is before council; Councillor Sue Ellen Fast left to eliminate a quorum problem
Samuel Beckett Directing his parents again is Kingbaby’s resident director Andrew Cameron, who directed The View and Mad Mabel.
Kingbaby’s departure into the land of the absurd features Jackie Minns taking on the role of Winnie and David Cameron as Willie in Beckett’s groundbreaking tragicomic classic. Show dates are July 31, August 1, 7 & 8.
Theatre on the Isle will return with another show in early November, with full details to come soon.
Your support of local professional community theatre makes all of this possible We can’t wait to see you all and share the gift of live theatre
VIEWPOINTS
Whatmakes housingaffordable?
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Theletterwriteremphasizedthatthere wasonlyone councillor who votedagainst the requestbythe developer to re-open the existingzoning. With respect, that’s notwhat we votedon. Theonlyissue before council wastorefer the proposal to threecommittees and getareport from staffonthe history of theexistingzoning.
Five members of this councilwerenot on councilwhen the existingzoningwas decidedand do not knowall theprosand cons that were discussed at thetime.Ivoted infavourofreferrals to relevant committees anda follow-upreportfromstaff.One councillor wasopposed to anyreconsideration of only one part of the prior agreement Thereisone portion of the whole area designated for developer-built “affordable”housing. “Affordable”isverydifficult todefine and moredifficult to “enforce”. With today’sbuildingcodes andconstruction costs,the developer hasindicatedthat theywill have greatdifficultyproviding such housingand insteadisfloating thepossibility of $1 million cash-in-lieu payment. The developer proposes to sell the10lots to local contractorswho cansavewith their own “sweat equity” and their builder/friend networkstobuild an “affordable”home.
Therewas aremarkthat such ascenario isgoodfor that builder but, in thelongrun, does not necessarily provide more afford-
able housingtothe wider Bowenpopulation.Therewas also acommentthat too oftendeveloperscommit to oneproject but come back for more, often with the argument that thefinancial projectionshavechanged, andwhethersuchaprocesswas reasonable Therewas alsoaquestion whether $1 million wasa reasonable amount to offer given thevalue alreadyaddedand the profit to be realizedonthe existingzoning.
Councillor TimWakecommented that BIRCH’s(BowenIsland Resilient CommunityHousing)mandateiswellplaced to use$1million to leverage housing in otherexistingorpotentialprojects, and couldbetterguarantee affordabilityfor longer
Onecommentwas that council needsto look at theissue from the best outcome for the community,without focusing on the needsofthe developers. Further,thatthere is no requirementfor ourplanning staff to workwitha developer to finda solution, whichisaperception.I professedconfidence inour staff,but canadmit that broadly,suchis aweaknessinthe system that needsvigilance
Next Open HouseisMay 2, 2026 at 3pmat Collins Hall. That is dangerously closeto my birthdayand Iwantto perfectapistachio/ raspberry/white chocolateroulade and definitelywill needhelp enjoyingit. Everyone is welcome
PlacesofWorship WelcomeYou
Re:WoodfibreLNG planstotripleproduction
ANTONVAN WALRAVEN Letter Writer
“Welovewhere we live”, Iwrote last week, and now, Idoevenmore, especiallyafter what Ilearned from aMySea to Skypress release last week
FederalEnergyMinisterTim Hodgson mentioned in an interview at arecentoil and gasindustry conferenceinTexas, that Woodfibre LNG“hasthe ambition”totriple theproduction capacityofits LNGfacilityin Átl’ka7tsem/HoweSound. Yes, you read it right: triple.
What abreachoftrust!
We knowthe construction costs have balloonedfrom$1.6 billion in 2015 to $8.8 billion in 2025. Is this becauseWoodfibre LNGwas already preparingthe facility for triplecapacity?
Of course,wehad oursuspicions.My SeatoSky chair Dr.Eoin Finn calculated in 2015 that the capacityofthe proposedexpansion of the Eagle Mountain - WoodfibrePipeline far exceeded what WoodfibreLNG actuallyneeded. But we could neverprove it by the plans WoodfibreLNG presented.
ButFinndid proveitbyreviewing FortisBC’s plans for the Eagle Mountain–Woodfibre Pipeline expansion.But thosein power ignoredhis call
This includedthe BC Environmental Assessment Office.The BC Environmental
Assessment Actallowed for these twoprojects to be assessed separately.But they neverwere. WoodfibreLNG would not be able to reachits production capacity withoutthe pipelineexpansion. It wasone projectalways.
Clearlythe provincial andfederal Governments and ministers,the National Energy Boardhavenoproblem turninga blind eye, even though such atriplingwould requirea new assessment, becauseeverythingtriples:LNG supertanker traffic,and the risk that posestoour community; impacts on the wildlife in Átl’ka7tsem /HoweSound; flaring; fracking;the shareinincreasing global emissions,etc., for the coming 40 years.
Ihavenodoubt youfeelasbetrayedas Ido. We need anew assessment. Allthis furtherunderminesthe trustinour governmentsand their agencies.And theyof course,theywantustogiveupour battle for Átl’ka7tsem /HoweSound.
We will not!
At thistime, we must stand together as acommunity. That’s whywewillbeorganizing acommunity meetinginthe comingweeks.Wewill officiallyrequest our MP PatrickWeilerand ourMLA Jeremy Valeriotetoattend.
Thank youfor youattention.
-Anton vanWalraven ConcernedCitizensBowen
QUEEN OF CAPILANOFERRY
DEPART B
BANK DROP-OFF
Mass at 10:00 Sunday Worship 10:00 www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.) office@cateshillchapel.com
5:15 am ex 6:15 am ex 7:30 am ex 8:45 am 10:00am 11:15am 12:35pm 1:55 pm 3:15 pm 4:40 pm -exceptWednesdays 6:00 pm 7:15 pm 8:25 pm -exceptSaturdays 9:30 pm 10:30pm 11:30pm
DEPART HORSESHOEBAY 5:45 am except 6:50 am except 8:05 am 9:20 am -exceptWednesdays 10:35 am 11:55 am 1:10 pm 2:35 pm 3:55 pm 5:20 pm 6:35 pm 7:50 pm 8:55 pm -exceptSaturdays 10:00pm 11:00pm
Where’sthe ferry rightnow?- live updatesatwww.bowenferry.ca Schedule changesonstatutory holidays. Stay up to date at www.bcferries.com
Bowen’s March RCMP Stats
BOWEN ISLAND RCMP
There were 91 calls for service in March.
Bowen Island RCMP conducted proactive traffic enforcement 33 times including speed enforcement of Grafton Road and lower Bowen Island Trunk Road.
Other calls for service:
2 Alarms/False 911’s – Cancelled prior to attendance
3 Animal – Lost dog, distressed deer
1 Vehicle Collision – Vehicle stuck in ditch
2 Harassment – Online and online harassment
5 Liquor Act – Liquor Licenced premise check
2 Fraud – Possible Identity Fraud
12 Assists to the Public – Lost licence plates, neighbour disputes, stuck cars, intoxicated teens, Ding Dong Ditch, unwanted house sitters
1 Assist to other Police/Agencies –Youth Probation Office
5 Bylaw – Foot patrols of ferry lineup
2 Check Wellbeing – Domestics
4 Property – Found Credit card, found wallet and cellphone
4 Impaired Calls – Called in by drivers, businesses and witnesses
4 Suspicious Circumstances – Wind knocking over planters, loose dogs, unknown door knockers
2 Thefts – Shoplifting at Bowen Liquor, theft of newspapers
5 Traffic Complaints – Driving while using electronic device, speed, passing illegally, U-Turns
4 Driving Prohibitions – 2 for excessive speed, 2 for Impairment
Police Message:
In March, Bowen Island RCMP increased speed enforcement in the area of Snug Cove, specifically targeting drivers entering into the ferry lineup. Of concern, Police issued 2 Excessive Speed Driving Prohibitions to drivers going 75km/h and 76 km/h in the 30km/hr zone on different days Both drivers were in the process of attempting to board the departing ferry These prohibitions resulted in the following minimum fines:
7 day Driving prohibition; Fine of $368 and 3 demerit points; Impoundment for 7 days; Tow and Impound fees to be paid by driver; Driver Risk Premium - Increased
insurance costs over time.
Bowen Island RCMP are requesting that drivers provide themselves with more time when leaving for the ferry If you see the BC Ferries ‘green light’ , and an empty lineup, be aware that the 30km/hr speed limit is still in effect BC Ferries has also confirmed that they do not leave early and will often allow arriving cars on, past the departure time within reason.
Minister reveals ambition to triple LNG production
STEFAN LABBÉ
Owners of the major gas export terminal near Squamish, B.C., are seeking to massively expand the facility’s size, according to Canada’s federal energy minister.
Woodfibre LNG is officially permitted to produce 2.1 million tonnes of liquefied gas per year, but federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson recently revealed the project’s scale could grow significantly beyond its current permits.
“I know Woodfibre has ambitions to double and triple the size of their production,” Hodgson said. He made the comments March 24 at an energy conference in Texas, and they were later posted online in a podcast. Neither the company nor the government has previously disclosed plans to expand the Woodfibre LNG project.
In an email, Woodfibre LNG spokesperson Sean Beardow did not deny the substance of Hodgson’s comments.
“Our priority remains the safe and successful delivery of Woodfibre LNG’s current project,” Beardow said.
Business in Vancouver reached out to Hodgson’s office to confirm how the minister learned of Woodfibre’s goal to expand. His office cited “regular contact” with current and prospective proponents of LNG projects
“This includes Woodfibre LNG, and we look forward to seeing first cargoes from that project which will be the first net-zero LNG in the world in 2027,” the spokesperson said.
Woodfibre’s consultants and executives met with federal officials 38 times over the past 12 months, according to the federal Registry of Lobbyists
Built on the site of a former pulp mill on Howe Sound, the Woodfibre LNG project is 65 per cent complete and on track to be finished by 2027. Once operational, the terminal will process gas from northern B.C. that will be delivered via a new 47-kilometre pipeline from Metro Vancouver Progress has come at a steep price.
Construction costs have ballooned to US $8.8 billion a significant increase from the US $5.1 billion estimate in 2022 and the company’s original US $1.6 billion projection.
While the facility is currently seven times smaller than LNG Canada in
Kitimat, critics argue Hodgson’s comments suggest a “phased expansion” is already in the works.
Tripling its capacity would not only significantly close the gap with its northern rival but also increase the frequency of LNG carriers transiting Howe Sound. For more than a decade, opponents have warned that the project was being overbuilt to eventually exceed its stated production goals
In 2014, former Woodfibre LNG employees allegedly warned advocacy group My Sea to Sky that they had seen maps of the facility showing it at double to triple the size In 2015, a report authored by the local environmental group concluded the facility appeared to be planning power upgrades and gas pipeline capacity six times more than needed to satisfy the company’s planned LNG production.
In a joint statement to BIV, My Sea to Sky and Sunshine Coast Conservation Association called on the federal and provincial governments to require a new, comprehensive environmental assessment for the entire Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC Eagle Mountain Pipeline expansion projects
Read the full story online at BIV.com
Business in Vancouver
‘If You Love This Island’– Upcoming Talks at the Bowen Library
ELAINE CAMERON
Contributor
Since talking with Sue Ellen Fast and Will Husby, I have a new-found appreciation for pileated woodpeckers.
Each year, they chisel fresh nesting cavities into standing trees, and then move on, leaving behind ready-made homes for owls, swallows, ducks, bats, and even flying squirrels These birds help shape the web of life on Bowen, one hole at a time.
It’s exactly this kind of connection that fascinates environmental educators Sue Ellen Fast and Will Husby, who moved here from Edmonton and have spent decades exploring, teaching, and living within Bowen’s ecosystems. Their story together on Bowen begins with a storm.
Sue Ellen arrived in 1991, just after a winter that left the island without power for two weeks. She had landed a job with Metro Vancouver Parks, and her responsibilities included the newly established Crippen Park On Bowen, she quickly found herself immersed in a passionate community.
“I was used to working with amazing volunteers,” she recalls, “and here they were again people who cared deeply about where they lived.”
Heritage Day planning meetings in the old General Store (before it became the Library) cemented her sense that Bowen was something special.
Will, meanwhile, hadn’t been to Bowen until Sue Ellen brought him over on a wild, stormy day. They drove toward Hood Point to look out over the ocean, white waves crashing and wind blowing Will was hooked. On the way back to the ferry, they encountered a massive tree leaning over the road.
“We looked at each other,” she says, “and we thought, if you’re going to live on the coast…” They ducked under it and continued on their way.
They rented at first, easing into island life One memory stands out: Will playing Celtic music on their deck when a stranger’s voice called from the bushes, “Don’t stop. I’m coming up.” The visitor arrived with a fiddle, and within minutes, they were playing together Soon after, Will was part of a local Celtic music group. “That’s one of the ways we got connected right away,” he says
Their professional interests fit with the island. They volunteered on regional conservation planning, the Green Zone initiative, getting to know sensitive ecosystems and identifying and mapping areas for protection. But the fun stuff was joining the Nature Club and hiking across Bowen. It was both research and revelation: a way to understand the island by walking it.
For Will, curiosity about the natural world began early. As a child, he watched ants on sidewalks and rescued earthworms after rainstorms. He carried that fascination into university, where a dynamic entomology professor changed everything.
A summer job collecting insects and learning about plants across southern Ontario turned into three years of summer fieldwork and eventually a master’s degree. “I was hooked,” he says simply.
On Bowen, they both see a landscape shaped by restraint as well as by use. Unlike parks on the North Shore and the Pacific Spirit Park in Point Grey, large areas of Bowen were never clearcut with heavy machinery. Selective logging left much of the ecological web of life intact, and consequently, fires tended to be smaller and less destructive.
Today, stumps with evidence of hand logging can be seen across the island, big trees have grown up from the smaller ones left behind, and biodiversity remains rich
And yet, Bowen’s conservation story is also one of resistance In the 1970s, when large-scale development threatened to transform the island, residents pushed back,
even riding bulldozer blades to halt clearing. (Sue Ellen will have more on that story during her upcoming talk at the library.) That movement helped preserve key areas and laid the groundwork for ongoing stewardship
But the island is changing. Invasive species raccoons and skunks, absent until recently are altering ecological balance. Deer populations have surged, in part because human development has created more open areas and edge habitat. Without many predators, deer browse heavily on understory plants like huckleberry and maple seedlings, reshaping the forest.
And with increasing development, habitat fragmentation is also a concern. “Wildlife, seeds, spores they all need corridors,” Will explains Without connected pathways, species can’t recover from disturbances or move across the landscape.
But both Fast and Husby find hope for Bowen’s future in the knowledge that visitors and residents alike are drawn here by the beauty of nature, and want to preserve it
Sue Ellen and Will return to the same idea:
everything is connected A single standing dead tree can support generations of wildlife Planting a patch of early spring flowers can feed hummingbirds and bumblebees emerging from winter. Even a rotting log becomes habitat, shelter, and nursery all at once for bees and salamanders.
Not cleaning up your garden can be an act of stewardship “Untidy,” Will says, smiling, “just means diverse.”
Will and Sue Ellen will be talking about conservation and controversy, stewardship, and interesting things you didn’t know about Bowen and its wild side in a series of two talks, ‘If You Love This Island’: Looking Back, Looking Forward – The Nature of Conservation on Bowen, Saturday, April 11, 1 to 2:30 pm, with Sue Ellen Fast; Our Natural Neighbours: Helping Them Help Us, Saturday, April 18, 1 to 2:30 pm, with Will Husby.
The talks are presented at the Bowen Island Library Annex as a partnership between the Bowen Island Public Library and the Bowen Nature Club ‘If You Love This Island’ is a free, drop-in programme Find out more at bipl.ca/nature
Welcoming the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir to Bowen
ALISON NIXON
Contributor
There is nothing quite like it, the glorious sound of more than 45 men joining their voices in song.
Come and join in with the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir as they sing favourites like Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, The Wellerman, and We Rise Again.
Founded in 1980, the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir has long been a vibrant musical community for men of all ages Rooted in the rich cultural traditions of Wales, their music carries with it a deep sense of place, storytelling, and connection. But they are also very much a part of our West Coast community bringing those traditions into conversation with the diverse experiences that shape life in Canada today.
The concert they will present here on Bowen is more than a performance; it is a weaving of story and song. At its heart is a narrative familiar to so many Canadians the journey of leaving one home and building another Through music and text, we follow the story of a young man growing up in Wales and eventually emigrat-
ing to Canada, carrying with him memory, identity, and hope.
It is a story that resonates deeply in a country built on journeys like these and in a community like ours, where so many have come from elsewhere and chosen to make their home here on Bowen.
For an island of our size, the number of people who come together to make music and sing is remarkable. By some estimates, as many as 150 Bowen residents take part in various choirs. That doesn’t even begin to count the informal gatherings the kitchen-table harmonies, the living-room jam sessions, the spontaneous moments where music simply happens because people feel moved to make it
It’s in this spirit that we are delighted to welcome the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir to Bowen Island.
In keeping with Bowen’s participatory spirit, we are also extending an open invitation to the community. If you are planning on coming to the concert, and would love to join your voice with this amazing choir, we are inviting anyone who wishes to join us for the penultimate song in the concert, ‘You Raise Me Up.’
Rehearsal for You Raise Me Up will be in Collins Hall at 5 pm on Sunday, April 12. No matter your level of experience, you are welcome If you want to join in, please get in touch with myself at alisonnixon@ hotmail.com
The concert itself will take place at Cates Hill Chapel on Saturday, April 18 at 3 pm It promises to be an afternoon of music, storytelling, and shared experience one that reflects not only the traditions of Wales, but the story of Bowen Island itself.
PlanningaSummer get-together?
everything youneed in the Event planner!
Vancouver Men’s Welsh Choir are set for a Bowen show. / Submitted photo
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COMMUNITYCALENDAR
Saturday, April 11
Fix-It Fair at theLegion
Bringyourbrokenthings! Volunteerswillworkto repair and mend yourhouseholditems.Max 3items perperson, runs from Noon to 3pm.
Saturday, April 11
TheNatureofConversation on Bowenatthe Library
Free, drop-in presentation by SueEllen Fast in the“If You Love This Island”series.Starts1 pm,moreinfoonPage9 and online at bipl.ca/nature
Sunday, April 12
Book Donation Morningatthe Library
Friends of the Librarywelcome your donationsofclean, good condition used books.They’re especiallyseeking novels and kids books. From 10 am until bins full (Noon latest).
Sunday,April 12
Fix-It Workshop at theLibrary
Sewing Machine 101: Abeginner friendlyhands on workshop to learn howtouse your sewing machine.From1to3 pm.Registration required:bipl.ca/fix
Sunday, April 12
Food Resilience Society AGM
You’rewarmlyinvited to BI Food Resilience Society’s Annual General Meeting. It’s agreat chance to supportus, learn somethingnew, and stay afterwards to connect with others over refreshments.2to3:30 pm at BelterraCohousing Common House, everyone is welcome.
Monday,April13
Rotary SpeakerSeries
BowenRCMP Cpl. Brad Savage will speakabout Mental Health and his experiences with ourBowen community.
Free event, everyone is welcome—Rotarymemberornot! Come meet the manbehind the uniform. Talk begins7:30 pm at ArtisanEats.
Tuesday, April 14
Speakthe SparkStorytelling
Bowen’sown storytelling night, where Islanderscome to tell and listen to each other’s stories.Stories must be true, aboutthe storytellerand 10 minutesmax! From 7to9 pm at the BowenLibrary Annex.
Wednesday, April 15 &Friday,April 17
SKYWalks
SeniorsKeepingYoung meetingatQuarryParkonApr.15 &Grafton LakeonApr.17. Both walksstart 10:30 am
Thursday,April 16
Women’sGolf League OpeningDay
Season kickoff inascramble format,all levelof experience welcome with a fun social luncheon following play.Whether you’renew togolf, or alongtime league player we hopeyou will join us! To registergotowww. bowengolf.com and clickunder events. Starts 10 am at the Golf Course
Friday,April 17 to Sunday, April 19
MixedSlo-Pitch Tournament
Join us at Snug Cove Fieldtohelpraisemoneyfor the Food Bank and watch some ball! Full details nextweek.
Saturday, April 18
OurNatural Neighbours at the Library Free,drop-inpresentation by Will Husbyinthe “IfYou Love This Island”series.Starts 1pm, moreinfoonPage9 and online at bipl.ca/nature
Sunday, April 19
MOCHI
Nature Club Walk
Join the BowenNatureClub for aSpringSoundwalk. Tune into the soundscapesofBowen’sforestsand wetlands. Email bowennatureclub@gmail.com for registration and membership options.From10 am to Noon.
Sunday,April19
Fix-It Workshop at theLibrary
Electrical Repairs101: Learn keysafetyprinciples and foundational repair skills,with the chance to troubleshoot and fix alamp. Registration required:bipl.ca/fix
Tuesday, April 21
MovieNight at BowenTheatre
BowenIslandFilm SocietyisscreeningThe Apprenticeship of DuddyKravitz. Showtime 6:30 pm
MONDAYS
HappyMondays!
Meditations&Buddhist teachings on “InspiringSolutions for Difficulties”. $12 perclass or 5weekpassfor $50. Everyone is welcome.”AtBowen Island Community Centre from 7to8 pm,thruMay 4.
WEDNESDAYS
Family Storytimeatthe Library
Afree30-minute drop-in program of stories, rhymes,and songs forchildrenage 0-6 and their caregivers!From 10:30 to 11 am, families are welcome to stay after until11:30 and socialize in the cozy Annex, read books, and hangout!
THURSDAYS
Thursday Art Group
Join the ThursdayArt Group (TAG) at Collins Hall from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm to paint and create together. $30 per month or $10 drop-in. Infoatshannonrondeau@shaw.ca
To renew or subscribepleaseemail us at subscribe@bowenislandundercurrent.com
Meet Mochi, our adorable Patientofthe Week! With those strikingblueeyes and fluffy coat, Mochihas alreadystolen plentyof hearts—but it’s theirquirky personality that really makesthemunforgettable. Mochi hasaspecial lovefor pinecones, treating eachone likeaprized treasure, and is absolutelyconvincedthat sticks arealive (and possibly plottingsomething). Whether they’re pouncing,sniffing, or proudly carryingtheir latest “find,”Mochi brings curiosity andcharm to every moment. We’resolucky to have this playful little explorer brighten our days!
