FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016 VOL. 42, NO. 61
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Cirque du Soleil
Raising the roof
Ben Courtney stars in Luzia
Relationship building
Islanders help build Burn Centre
How to stop pushing buttons
The circus is coming to town LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
In a surprising collaboration between a Cirque du Soleil performer Benjamin Courtney and developer John Reid of Evergreen Developments, Bowen is about to become home to an elite acrobatic training school and local acrobatic centre that doubles as community use space. The plan will incorporate a tightrope that will span Grafton Lake, and use the rocks on the far side of the lake for launching acrobats over the water. The flat open space beside the road will accommodate a circus-training tent that provides space for community use and theatrics. Courtney explains that this initiative is not related to Cirque du Soleil, but a separate, local project incorporating his professional expertise. Says Courtney, “By combining provincial funding for sports and fitness, clean energy and funding for seniors healthy living, as well as new business ventures, we had a golden opportunity. The funding has allowed us to access a lot of financial support to get the project off the ground quickly.” Accommodation for the athletes and choreographers in training will be housed in short-term rentals around the island. Reid from Evergreen is pleased to be able to be part of this project. “It’s important to recognize opportunities and seize them when they come up,” says Reid. The developer, who is a strong supporter of sport, contributed $5,000 to the turf field and built Aaron’s field in Evergreen neighbourhood. In response to claims that this approach to providing a unique opportunity for the community places him in the league of visionaries, “–well, I don’t know about that,” says Reid, pointing out that Courtney was the one with the inspiration for the project. “I’ve trained in many gyms,” says Courtney, who is currently based in Montreal during training for the new Cirque tour. “And I think we can create something amazing on Bowen. This will allow for a progression from the gymnastics program on island while drawing athletes from around the country to a place where they can focus without distraction.” “I met Ben, and he had this vision for developing a high level acrobatic training space to attract athletes and tourists to the island and I think it’s perfect. In the off-hours, the general community can make use of the space and equipment. It requires very little investment and the land is already designated for community use. We can incorporate a silks and aerial acrobatic program for seniors so that they can enjoy low-impact activity, be active and relieve joint pain with all the inverted movements. It will be unique and great for a wide age span and it seems to be what the community wants.” Reid concedes that this is a slight departure from the original vision for the Grafton Lakes Lands, but says that only changes a very small percentage of the usage of the land, from open gathering space, to training space which will also double for community use and provide artistic and athletic performances with numerous
Cirque du Soleil’s Ben Courtney started as a four-year-old gymnast with the Bowen Island Gymnastics Club, and now he wants to give back to Bowen by initiating a circus training program on the island. He hopes the space will serve all ages for either elite training, light recreation or serve as entertainment and a performance arena. He is working with developer John Reid to bring acrobatic training to the island in a unique venue by Grafton Lake. photo supplied local business spinoff opportunities. “We would still maintain the communal farm space, the protected zone by the lake,” says Reid. Courtney adds that the performers would be invited to help design the programs, artists would be welcomed to help with sets for shows, musicians to create sound effects, and clothing designers to express their visions through costuming for the community. “There’s so much up and coming talent in the creative and athletic arenas on Bowen. This is a prime opportunity for the island to showcase and develop the goldmine of talent, provide business opportunities and give the island more entertainment and healthy activities.” Says Reid, “We may install a high-ropes walkway in the tree tops around the lake which could provide a source of income for the island. “Lynn Valley has an aerial walkway; we could do the same here while we are installing the cables for the acrobats.” Reid says they have already consulted with the appropriate agencies regarding conservation measures to do with the frogs and mating season around the lake, and with safety consultants who
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have assured him that a cable would safe to use and easy to maintain. He points out that there is already a high ropes course as well as a low ropes course on Bowen, mid-island. “We would use the newest technology for harnessing kinetic energy to power the building in addition to solar power for heat, light and sound. Some food would be grown on site and they would resist the use of plastics and other petroleum-based products so that we can be a beacon of leadership on many levels.” Reid says they have already begun work on the site, “but we haven’t decided on the perfect outdoor high wire locations. We’ve got it narrowed down, now we’ll leave the final decision to the experts that will be arriving next month.” The construction, says Reid, will be done by the end of May, and Courtney is confident that training will start immediately after the last day of construction. “I think we can start early June, which coincides with the West Coast part of my tour,” says Courtney. “I’ll be able to check in with the our staff and the athletes. It’ll be great for performers to have an option to train outside of a city and draw some inspiration from the natural world.”
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NEWS from
Municipal Hall MEETING CALENDAR April 1, 2016 9:00 AM Community Grants Advisory Committee
Ö B U R N S E A S O N E N D S A P R I L 15 Ö W E A R E H I R I N G The backyard and industrial burning season on Bowen Island is from October 15 to April 15 each year. Burn permits are required for yard cleanup and machine burns during this period. Open burning is prohibited after April 15. For more information, please call the Bowen Island Volunteer Fire Department non-emergency line at 604-947-9324. Permits for personal cooking fires and camp fires are available after April 15, provided that a fire ban is not in place. Always check the Fire Department page at www.bimbc.ca for updates on fire bans during the warmer months.
April 5, 2016 5:00 PM
Bowen Island Municipality is seeking a Corporate Officer or Deputy Corporate Officer. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) as a key member of the senior management team, this role has responsibility for the statutory functions set out under Local Government Act and the Community Charter. Leading the Administration Department, the Corporate Officer or Deputy Corporate Officer also provides assistance to Council and the CAO including dispensing routine information, answering general inquiries and preparing, assembling and distributing Council agendas and minutes. In addition to regular office hours, it will require attendance at evening Council meetings. Experience and qualifications we are seeking include:
Advisory Design Panel
April 5, 2016 7:00 PM
•
Certification or course work in local government administration;
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Preferred experience of 5 years progressive experience as a Corporate or Deputy Corporate Officer; and
•
Working knowledge of the Community Charter, Local Government Act and other pertinent legislation.
Heritage Commission
April 6, 2016 1:00 PM Financial Advisory Committee
April 7, 2016 4:30 PM Cove Bay Water System Local Advisory Committee
April 8, 2016 9:30 AM Economic Development Committee All meetings are held in BIM Council Chambers unless otherwise noted.
Ö C L I M AT E C O N V E R S AT I O N : S O L A R PA N E L S
Are you interested in finding out more about solar panel installation for your home? Following a recent Facebook group discussion sparked by Bowen Islander Kelly Schwenning, a Climate Action Conversation session has been organized with BIM’s support to answer questions about solar panels and more. The info session will feature representatives from the Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative who will talk about appropriate sites, issues, costs, and more, as well as Bowen Islanders with solar panels already installed on their properties who will offer a local homeowner’s perspective.
Consideration may be given to candidates who do not completely fulfil the above qualifications, but who can demonstrate a career interest in municipal government, who possess excellent organizational and communications skills and who have a proven record of transferrable skills and completion of other training programs. If selected, such a candidate will be expected to complete necessary training as required by the position. This is a permanent full-time position. We thank all applicants, but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit your covering letter and resume via e-mail, fax or mail by 4:00 pm on Monday, April 11, 2016 to: Kathy Lalonde, Chief Administrative Officer Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 FAX: 604-947-0193 EMAIL: klalonde@bimbc.ca WEBSITE: www.bimbc.ca
Join the conversation on:
PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS Integrated Transportation Master Plan (ITMP) www.transportationbowen.com
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Bowen Island Municipality
Monday, April 4, 2016 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Bowen Island Community School Multipurpose Room 1041 Mt. Gardner Road RSVP to mnicholson@bimbc.ca
Ö C E N S U S 2016 The next census will take place in May, 2016. Statistics Canada will send census letters and packages to all Canadian Households. The census is designed to provide information about people in Canada based on their demographic, social and economic characteristics, and is the primary source of reliable demographic data for specific groups such as lone-parent families, seniors and language groups. Census information is important for the Bowen Island community and is vital for planning services such as child care, schooling, family services, and skills training for employment. For more information, please go to www.census.gc.ca.
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Ö SINGLE USE PODS NOW A C C E P T E D AT B . I . R . D.
Bowen Island Recycling Depot (B.I.R.D.) is now accepting K-Cups and similar single-use beverage pods for recycling. Beverage pods generally have three components that need to be disassembled before the plastic cups can be recycled.
It’s easy: 1. Remove the foil top and dispose of it in your nonorganic garbage bin. 2. Empty used coffee grounds into your organics bin. 3. Recycle the plastic container at B.I.R.D. along with your other plastic recyclables.
www.bimbc.ca
General Enquiries
Contact Us Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, excluding statutory holidays
Phone: Fax: Email:
604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca
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At left, Benjamin Courtney has to take on the persona of various characters as a performer with Cirque du Soleil. Performers get coached for acting as well as acrobatics. At right, Courtney says that one of his most challenging moves at the moment is when he is coming out of a tumble on the ropes, or silks, as they are called. Acrobats have to be able to transition from a spin in one direction and counter it with instant momentum into the opposite direction. photos supplied
Running away with Cirque du Soleil A dream comes true with opening of Luzia
LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
He moves through space quick and agile, rising, dropping, through the air like a cross between a colourful hummingbird diving through the air and a playful otter. There is no other land creature that moves like this. There are few humans who can move like Benjamin Courtney. He has trained most of his life to become a professional acrobat, and now, the young man will be performing in a lead role in the new Cirque du Soleil show, Luzia: A Waking Dream of Mexico, which opens April 21 in Montreal. “I started doing gymnastics with the Bowen Island Gymnastic Club when I was four,” says Courtney from the Montreal apartment he shares with a friend. “I trained at a few different gyms and then got tired of gymnastics. I found Circus West, the circus school, and started doing acrobatics. It was great.” At the circus school Courtney could ride unicycles, hang from a trapeze, tumble from
straps dangling from the ceiling. From there on in, Courtney trained as an acrobat in East Vancouver, though living on Bowen and going to school in West Vancouver. Like a true circus performer, Courtney became adept at juggling all aspects of his life, between commuting, school and athletics. Building on his gymnastics training, he added acrobatics, and built up his strength, flexibility and precision. Along with all his training, he was acutely focused on improving his skills and had the drive that would shoot him into an audition for the National Circus School when he was 17. The school set up auditions in Vancouver “but,” says Courtney, “I didn’t really think I had a chance.” The tryouts lasted three hours where he was asked to give the circus the best performance of his life. He did push-ups, chin-ups, handsprings, answered questions, showed his confidence and stage presence. To his happy surprise, the teen was invited
to move to Montreal to begin training. “At first I lived in residence at the school,” he says, adding that there was so much to take in and learn that there was very little time to be homesick. The Circus School provides academic training along with circus training, and food and accommodation. The first year in Montreal was a trial period for the athletes and Courtney adapted easily from his quiet home life on the island to life in the circus. “Most of the other people in the Cirque don’t speak English, and some don’t speak English or French, but we are like a family.” Courtney trains with coaches for various parts of his performances, from the acrobatics to the choreography and sometimes, acting. “I have a couple characters,” who he says he will portray in the upcoming Cirque du Soleil shows. Cirque du Soleil first made its mark in the world of circus performances in 1983 with a character driven show, completely eliminating animal performers.
With the Cirque, though he has trainers and specific characters, “we are encouraged to go outside the box, to push boundaries.” Courtney says that creativity and imagination are key to the success of each performer. “We don’t have names for our moves, like a front roll in gymnastics, because we are always creating new movements.” Though he can’t talk much about the upcoming Cirque show, he says that there is a water element, and that it’s a Mexican theme. Otherwise, the performer is tight-lipped. Luzia will not open in Vancouver, but will go to Seattle this summer. Courtney’s mom Julia says she’s never missed an opening of her son’s shows, and she’ll be flying out to Montreal for opening night. “I couldn’t have done this without all the support from my parents,” says Courtney. Courtney says that kids should never be discouraged from following their dreams. “If you aren’t doing what you love, you aren’t really living.”
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viewpoint The Write Stuff. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Here’s how. To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com. National NewsMedia Council. The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-947-2442. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication. The undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Gotcha! Sorry, no circus school for Bowen Oops. Did you think Page One was real? Sorry, but with a paper that comes out on April 1, I had to have a little fun with our readers. While Ben Courtney is with the Cirque du Soleil, he is far too busy with his career to be able to work on anything other than his training in Quebec. You’ll have a chance to read about him in a feature this week. Both Courtney and John Reid were in on the joke. Courtney did take the time for a phone interview to talk about his life with the circus, and he was gracious and engaging, with the sense of humour one would expect from someone in the circus. In other events, I got to chase after kids for photos as they chased around after Easter eggs at Tunstall Bay, which was a lot of fun on the weekend. In addition to fun things like kids and chocolates, there is good news about various awards and a nomination for awards for a number of people in the community that you will be able to read about this week. We also have a feature story written by Soorya Ray Resels and Jack Resels who are “spiritual mentors and life and relationship coaches” from Bowen Island Yoga. They will soon lead a three-part series “The Yoga of Relationship: Creating Intimacy When Life is Busy With Family and Work” and have shared some of their insights in their story. With spring in full swing, there are stories on gardening and travel and a native plant. In upcoming features I’ll be looking at alternatives for home construction, more interesting people, animals, and nearby hikes and activities.
I welcome fresh ideas, photography and writing submissions and letters. Don’t be shy. One last note, for anyone worried about a lack of demand for LNG,
BC Ferries has just announced that the two Spirit-class vessels will go to Gdansk, Poland, for refit and conversion to LNG fuel capability next year. Gdansk is also where the new
An inspiration to everyone One of the reasons I both subscribe to the Undercurrent and purchase a copy when I come over each weekend is because sometimes Canada Post is so slow with delivery. This “unique” March 11th “Blue” edition only arrived on March 22, 11 days later. Kudos on last Friday’s issue with the incredible coverage of Piers’ COL which was wonderful, the turnout for which had to be a record on Bowen. As I have said to many people, “year for year, in the
short time Piers, Joan and family have been residents on the island, in my 74 years on the island I cannot think of another individual who has made such a positive, profound impact on the community as Mr. Blue. Of course he was in the perfect interceptor position to meet people, he did it with such enthusiasm, charm, humour and sincerity. Forget the quality of the food and coffee, people wanted to come back because of this very engaging character, which of
#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0
Interim Editor
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Louise Loik
course was very well supported by a wonderful wife and staff. In speaking with Wolfgang Duntz a few days after the COL he told me of a chap, I believe he may have been the general contractor for Belterra, who was from Sechelt/Gibsons who said, “I wish we had a guy like that in our community as he makes it so much more interesting/special. One need not worry about the food, they just want another encounter with Mr. Blue. Bruce Russell
ferry, the Salish Orca, is being built. No joke. I hope you enjoy this edition of The Undercurrent. Louise
Local businesses nominated LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
Nominations are in for the West Vancouver/Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce top businesses of the year. Nominations include: Business Person of the Year: Peter King, Bowen Island Community Transit New Business: Flour Bakery: Boris Schaffer and
Monica Danon-Schaffer Small Business- Positively Fit: Mary Letson Young Entrepreneur: Andrea Clark – Nectar B&B Medium Business: Bowen Building Centre Big Business: The Orchard Recovery Centre The Awards ceremony will be held on April 26 at the Hollyburn Country Club.
Correction
In our “Get your sign up” by Louise Loik, it should be Corporal Paolo Arreaga of the RCMP, instead of Const. Paolo Arreaga. Cartoonist
Publisher
Ron Woodall
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FRIDAY APRIL 1 2016 •> 5
An open letter to Minister Catherine McKenna I cannot adequately express my anger, disappointment, and despair upon learning that you have given the green light for the proposed Woodfibre LNG project in Howe Sound, B.C. The west coast is a long way from Ottawa, so perhaps you don’t fully understand how the communities around Howe Sound have been fighting to stop this project over the last two years? We have invited expert speakers to teach us about the potential impacts of this project locally, and how fracking impacts communities and First Nations in Northern B.C. We have attended dozens of council meetings and open houses related to the project. We have participated in five public comment periods in the last two years, reading more than 12,000 pages in 60 days as part of the B.C. Environmental Assessments for the Woodfibre LNG and associated FortisBC pipeline proposals, which were irresponsibly held at the same time. We have submitted the most public comments for any Provincial environmental assessment process, with more than 90 per cent of submissions saying no to Woodfibre LNG. Nearly 9,000 Howe Sound residents have signed the Howe Sound Declaration petition in opposition to Woodfibre LNG and its associated tankers and pipelines. Councils and regional districts around Howe Sound have all signaled strong opposition to the project through passed resolutions of council. More than 200 volunteers have dedicated thousands of hours to stop this project, sacrificing careers, and personal time with family and friends. Why are we so concerned? Credible and thoughtful experts have established that there will be significant negative environmental impacts if Woodfibre LNG proceeds. This project will kill our recovering herring stocks, set back the recovery of Howe Sound that
we have worked so hard to achieve over the past four-and-a-half decades, pollute our air, impact our health and the health of our children, and endanger every citizen that lives along the LNG Supertanker route. Not to mention the upstream impacts of fracking in Northern B.C., or that the total greenhouse gas emissions for this project from wellhead to burner tip directly contravenes Canada’s COP21 commitment to reduce GHG emissions. Yet apparently you don’t seem to think there will be any adverse environmental impacts from Woodfibre LNG? You have not done your due diligence. In the lead up to the election, Justin Trudeau promised: “We will make environmental assessments credible again.’’ We have not experienced a credible environmental assessment process for the Woodfibre LNG project. Instead, you relied on the weak Federal EA process that was gutted after the previous Harper government passed omnibus bill C38. In your approval statement, you stated that “The federal government also carried out additional consultations with the public and Indigenous groups.” How? By giving us less than a week’s notice that we have yet another public comment period to go through with 21 days to review a highly questionable document compiled by the CEAA on upstream greenhouse gas emissions? And then giving the project your official okiedokie while you were on vacation, before staff at the CEAA could even upload all 1,300 comments to the website, let alone read them, or validate the scientific concerns we have raised about the CEAA’s dodgy greenhouse gas assessment. This is not meaningful public consultation. You also state that “The Woodfibre LNG Project underwent a thorough, science-based environmental assessment that considered
Sam Knowles along with family and friends showed their disapproval of the LNG proposals at a boat rally protest last summer. file photo public and Indigenous input and views.” I counter that the provincial environmental assessment process has been a complete sham. This stems from the fact that the provincial ministers responsible for issuing the B.C. Environmental Assessment Certificate have a conflict of interest as the B.C. Liberals have a mandate to develop LNG export facilities. This seriously undermines the integrity of the process. And why the big rush? We were told by MP Jonathan Wilkinson that you had no deadline to make a decision on the Woodfibre LNG project. Meanwhile, you’ve granted a threemonth extension on the Pacific Northwest
LNG project proposed for Prince Rupert. Why hasn’t Woodfibre LNG been granted the same amount of time to allow you to better engage with the communities around Howe Sound and fully understand the impacts of this project? Your rushed decision at best is uneducated and at worst grossly negligent. As Justin Trudeau said “while governments grant permits for resource development, only communities can grant permission.” Right now, the communities around Howe Sound are outraged. We will do whatever it takes to stop Woodfibre LNG. Tracey Saxby Concerned citizen of Squamish
Golf season is about to be in full swing LNG must meet conditions
Finally spring and the sun have arrived and it is time to dust off your golf clubs and prepare for another funfilled season with the Bowen Island Women’s Golf League. We begin our season at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 7 with a coffee party at the golf course clubhouse. All women are welcome to attend, learn about the plans for our upcoming season and reconnect with other golfers. Opening day with the traditional Scramble will be on April 14 and our season will continue every Thursday morning until the end of September. It matters not whether you are a beginning golfer or an experienced one as our league is structured to ensure that fun and camaraderie go hand in hand with the golf. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call either the Pro Shop at 604 947-4653 or Jane Kellett at 604 947-0771 or email at jkellett@shaw.ca.
Parent support
Andrea First, VCH Public Health Nurse will be at Caring Circle from 10-12 a.m. April 5 to help with Ages and Stages Questionnaires, provide support for issues around young child health, development, behaviour, nutrition, sleep, parenting, and breast-feeding.
JENNIFER THUNCHER CONTRIBUTOR
The victorious Captain’s team, winners of the first annual Captain vs Vice-Captain match, BI Women’s Golf League. photo supplied
For those opposed to the Woodfibre LNG plant proposed for Howe Sound, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna’s granting the liquefaction plant and export facility its federal environmental assessment last week was profoundly disappointing. Chief Ian Campbell spoke for the Squamish Nation chiefs and council, who have conditionally supported the Woodfibre LNG proposal. “It important to underline two points here: The Squamish Nation conditionally approved the WFLNG proposal this past October, and we are still negotiating with FortisBC in order to ensure that Squamish Nation land and marine habitats are totally protected and safe from any new pipeline and compressor station activities. If not, the deal will simply not proceed.” A U.S. company, KBR, announced Monday it was awarded a multi-phased contract for engineering and design of the Woodfibre LNG project. The amount of the contract was not specified. -excerpt from The Squamish Chief
Members and non-members invited to Garden Club event Pam and John Miller will host, at 685 Windjammer on the Westside of the Island. There is a small admission fee for non-members, but it is possible to purchase memberships on-site. John and Pam built the house on the property in 1996. The driveway approach is thickly wooded and crosses a stream by a wooden bridge; in spate the stream swells to an impressive fast moving river. The property has evolved over time, and with the depredations of the “west-side deer population,” now includes two fenced areas with numerous small beds to accommodate all of those ‘must have plants’ discovered on nursery visits. Stands of
hemlock and cedar ring the site giving shade and the challenge of growing plants under variable light conditions. In Pam’s words, “my garden is a place where I like to ‘play in the dirt’ and enjoy the tranquility of Mother Nature. It is at its best, and very park-like, in the spring when the daffodils are in bloom, and surrounded by the beautiful new growth of the natural vegetation.” Parking: 685 Windjammer is the second driveway on the right past Bowen Bay Beach, heading towards Bluewater. Parking is available past the house on Malkin Creek Road. If you park at the turn-around
on Malkin Creek Road, you can walk a few yards along Amelia Lane and turn right at the trail. This trail will allow you to access the property from the rear, the third property on the right – the only one not deer fenced. The house is gray-green and there is a green tarp covering a “junk” pile that is visible from the trail. Or, you can come in from the front and walk over the 32-foot bridge. For people with mobility issues, there is room for a couple of cars to park in the yard. The gravel driveway is steep so use lots of gas once you are over the bridge. Please don’t stop on the hill, there is plenty of room to turn around at the top. John Lawrence
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Be aware of the hazard of living in tick country BUD MASSENDER CONTRIBUTOR
Why, you might ask, does a town in Connecticut with a population less than that of Bowen carry the name of a prominent infectious disease? Although it has been around for more than 5,000 years, the disease was identified and named in North America partly through the perseverance of two mothers in Old Lyme during the 1970s. The bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, borne in our neck of the woods by certain ticks that lay in wait on tall grass, bushes or trees, is respon-
sible for symptoms of the disease. Erythema migrans, a recognizable bulls-eye lesion surrounding the tick bite is the hallmark of Lyme disease and occurs in at least 80 per cent of patients. It is a slowly expanding red ring, two inches or so in diameter that can appear from: three to 30 days (usually a week or two) after the bite. Symptoms of the infection may include muscle and joint pain, arthritis, cognitive and/or sleep disturbance, and fatigue. The incidence of Lyme Disease in B.C. is very low. Less than 1 per cent of ticks tested in B.C. carry the bacteria. In the 12-year period ending
in 2008, 93 cases of the disease were identified. Nevertheless, when left untreated complications can be serious, so steps can and should be taken to prevent or treat Lyme Disease. Prevention, of course, involves limiting contact with the vegetation that carries the ticks by avoiding direct contact, wearing appropriate clothing and using DEET-containing repellent on exposed skin. Tick checks, while sometimes embarrassing, should always be undertaken after potential exposure. Pets are vulnerable too, and should receive protection and regular checks. Tick removal is tricky, and there
are all sorts of methods. Some – the application of heat, grease or chemicals, for example – may cause more harm than good as it may stimulate the tick to secrete more pathogencontaining saliva. Gently grasping the tick, as close to the skin as possible, and pulling with controlled, steady pressure is the best way. Patience is required. Leaving mouth parts behind increases the risk of infection. After removal, the bite area should be cleansed with soap and water and treated with antiseptic. Consulting you doctor for removal may be advisable if the tick is deeply imbedded. Your physician can also
decide whether laboratory testing and/or treatment is required. The story of those two diligent Connecticut mothers is worth checking out (www.bayarealyme.org) and is a call for all of us to be aware of the hazard of living in tick country. Our own B.C. Centre for Disease Control offers the best source of information at www.bccdc.ca/healthinfo/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease-borrelia-burgdorferi-infection. Bud Massender is one of Bowen Island’s pharmacists.
An introduction to the Bowen Island Artisan Collective
Handmade goat milk soap by Emily Jubenvill and recycled wool sweater wrap by Joy Jubenvill. photo supplied
Hello everyone – please allow me to introduce you to the Bowen Island Artisan Collective. We are a diverse group of local painters, fibre artists, bakers, jewellers and so much more; that are incredibly proud to call Bowen Island, our little rock in the Salish Sea, home. Our collective began last summer when myself, and two other fellow artisans, started discussing the need to have our wares shown on a more permanent basis throughout the year. We had noticed a real lack of locally produced goods available to the public on an ongoing basis and the limited options for such an endeavour. We
Financial Services Representatives (Bowen Island, Permanent, Full and Part-time positions available)
First Credit Union is looking for two team-oriented individuals to provide a high caliber of service. The successful candidate must commit to the service standards of First Credit Union and will possess the ability to work in a fast paced environment. A high level of professionalism must be maintained at all times. Candidates must have excellent customer service skills, ability to foster business development, adhere to security procedures and limits, be able to multi-task, have excellent organization skills, and be able to problem solve. Please forward your resume and cover letter to Angie.Poulsen@firstcu.ca by April 8, 2016 end of day.
www.firstcu.ca • 604-947-2022
decided to think outside the box and create an online presence on both Facebook, Instagram and our website, as well as, organize a series of Pop-Up Shops at the beautiful Sugar Cube Gallery. Our little collective has been growing steadily and has discovered some amazing talents – I am so proud and humbled to be a part of this lovely group. You can find all our artisans to date on our website, learn more about our
collective and follow us on our journey at www.bowenartisans.com. Upcoming events: We are hosting a series of Spring Pop-Ups at the Sugar Cube Gallery (461 Bowen Island Trunk Road) from 10 a.m.4 p.m. on the following weekends: April 2 and 3/ April 30 and May 1/June 4 and 5. During the summer months, you can find us at the brand new Bowen Island Seaside Marketplace on the
Union Steamship lawn from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on the Seaside Marketplace, please visit the Facebook Page: Bowen Island Seaside Marketplace or email ourseasidemarketplace@ gmail.com. We look so forward to seeing everyone this weekend and sharing our handmade, locally produced artisan wares with you. Kirsten Degner
Community school awarded for Grandfriends Program When seniors have a chance to spend time with the younger generation, magic can happen. At Bowen Island Community School, the Grandfriends Program sets the stage for just such an opportunity and in doing so, have won a Golden Star Award. The award, distributed to five schools in the province, was initiated by the B.C. Retired Teachers Association which “believes that within every community there is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom among seniors that should be used to enhance the learning experience of students at every grade level.” The Grandfriends Program is celebrating 20 years of creating special connections between students and members of our community. Grandfriends participants are 55 years or older, but do not have to be grandparents, and do not have to have a grandchild at the school. The program runs during class time in the community school, and at S.K.Y. (Seniors Keeping Young) at the Bowen Court Seniors’ Cohousing hall. The commu-
nity school co-ordinator, Sarah Haxby, works with teachers and parent and senior volunteers to facilitate the program. Seniors and students take turn presenting stories, poems and presentations as well as collaborating in activities such as singing the national anthem, arts, science and kinetic-skills activities. Students learn to use a variety of communication skills, to learn empathy, listening skills, respect and the basic elements of community building. Students practise respect, serving tea, and gain confidence by being listened to and working on activities with the Grandfriends. The prize of $1,500 will be used for future program growth and activities. The BCRTA Golden Star Awards were established to recognize and reward programs in the B.C. public school system that have as the salient feature the interaction of students with seniors. The award is presented in a partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion, B.C. Yukon Command Foundation.
Bowen Island Conservancy LEARN ABOUT THE SQUAMISH RIVER WATERSHED SOCIETY
Our Spring Speaker Series will conclude with a presentation by Randall Lewis, President of the Squamish River Watershed Society and Environmental Co-coordinator with the Squamish Nation. Randall sits on the Howe Sound Fisheries Round Table, and has worked internationally in fisheries and watershed restoration. Randall will talk about the Squamish River Watershed Society’s work. • When: Saturday, April 2nd, at 2:00 pm • Where: Collins Hall
Refreshments will be served
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Build stronger relationships with conscious loving SOORYA AND JACK RESELS CONTRIBUTORS
In our business, we often hear the following: “This person and I are just so different (substitute husband, wife, sister, brother, child, parent, co-worker, boss, cousin, friend). We don’t think alike. Our rhythms when we think, act, or go for a walk are just so opposite. We rarely opt to watch the same movie. Our priorities don’t always match. We don’t have enough time doing something we like together. We like to talk about different things and there’s not much in common anymore. Our food preferences are not the same. …” Often we find that when we work on a project together, it can seem like we’re in a boxing ring in opposing corners. Our differences can result in our triggers being pushed. If so, learning relationship skills like “conscious loving” can help you in your relationships. But first let’s look at some examples of unconscious loving. If you think that your differences are the cause of your problems and they are making you grow apart, that is unconscious loving at work. Other examples include: - Repeating the same patterns and problems and failing to claim ourselves as the source of those patterns and problems. Rather, we spend time and energy trying to prove someone else is to blame. - Getting defensive in situations where we could grow and learn something new about the people and circumstances that are in our lives. - Not sharing our feelings with our spouse or any close person, and carrying secrets that we haven’t told them. This creates an invisible wall between us. - Automatically thinking of ourselves as victims, casting others as villains and, in conflicts, arguing from the victim position. - Not expressing our full creativity, having a variety
of good reasons why we’re not doing so, and becoming bored, stuck, restless, irritable, reactive. Can you relate to any of these examples? We certainly can. However, none of this is bad or wrong. This is what each of us learned from our parents, teachers, and society because this was the best that they knew. As children, we may have been told to keep quiet when we were exuberant or angry, to stop fidgeting when we were restless, or stop crying when we were sad. Or, we may have been left to our own devices. For most of us, unconscious loving has become our default and automatic way of relating. We often don’t even know that we are behaving this way. That’s why it is called “unconscious.” One of our teachers used to say, “What’s happening on earth is the education of the universe, one idiot at a time,” and we added, “-starting with me.” That we are one of those idiots is a joke on us … not to minimize us. Rather, this is evolution’s way of creating new possibilities through our human experience of limitation, which our spirit will never accept. When we begin to recognize our unconscious limiting behaviours and gain some perspective, we also begin to develop a sense of humour about our foibles and ourselves. This allows us to expand our capacity to be fully human. At the present time the old paradigm of unconscious loving is breaking down. It is not working for many of us. We’re not getting the love we want and we don’t know how to make our relationships work. The good news is that this is creating the possibility for a sea change to occur. From within, we are being compelled to move towards something new: conscious loving. What is conscious loving then? If we begin to think that our differences are what attracted us to each other in the first place and that our
differences are our opportunities for growth beyond our comfort zone, then this is conscious loving at work. Other examples are: - Looking for the source of any repetitive problem or pattern inside ourselves rather than blaming anyone. For example, even if our partner has overdrawn the bank account for the 100th time, the conscious person asks, “Hmmm, how am I inviting this sort of behaviour in my life?” and “Hmmm, who was it that didn’t put a stop to this after the third time?’ - Making a solid commitment to learning in every interaction instead of getting defensive. We cultivate the skill of thanking people and the universe for providing us with feedback, rather than complaining and then blaming them. (“Thanks for pointing out my technology addiction. I’m spending way too much time in front of my computer.”) - Recognizing and choosing the power of recommitment: knowing that transformation of old habits is a step-by-step process. We can’t suddenly behave differently. Instead we can commit to telling the truth and recommit repeatedly to our new desire for conscious loving. - Taking full responsibility for whatever happens in our lives. We can encourage one another, especially in our committed relationships, to each take 100 per cent responsibility. By itself, this will end power struggles. - Allowing ourselves and each other to take time to express our full creativity without accusing anyone of oppressing ours. Taking even 15 minutes in a day to do something we love makes a world of difference. - Learning to express appreciation and gratitude as many times as we can in a day. (“I appreciate you for helping me last night. I appreciate the way you sing and play guitar. I appreciate your ability to do crossword puz-
zles/look after our finances. …”) Are you getting a feel for the difference between unconscious loving and conscious loving? I can hear you saying, “Yes, all that sounds very good. But how can I shift from unconscious to conscious loving?” The most straightforward way to make this shift is to use relationship itself as the ground of transformation. This means using our relationship interactions to transform our prejudices, expectations, and our limited abilities to see, know, and feel one another into a mutual journey of growth. This is something akin to yoga; only it is the yoga of relationships, which is more than stretching our body and doing all kinds of poses, though that has its benefits. We are talking about making our closest relationships our yoga, our practice of experiencing genuine connection. This is a way of educating ourselves to feel all our feelings, learn truth skills, receive others fully, stretch current limitations, and experience life more completely. Each of us has the possibility of living in a mansion with many rooms. Yet as we grow up, we stop exploring many of its rooms. In relationship terms, this means we avoid our feelings and even stop feeling them. We learn that it’s not OK to feel certain feelings; it’s not OK to think certain thoughts. In this way we become more and more confined to living a smaller and smaller life, in order to stay in our zone of comfort and feel like we are in control. The tradeoff is that as we avoid feelings of anger, fear, sadness, guilt and shame, we also are cut off from our sexual feelings and feelings of joy and happiness. Think of all feelings coming out of the same hose. And think of that hose becoming constricted. When we stop the flow of some feelings, we stop the flow of them all. Feeling all of our feelings as best we can will stretch us mentally,
STRETCH YOUR FEELINGS THROUGH YOGA
Soorya Ray Resels and Jack Resels are spiritual mentors and life and relationship coaches at Bowen Island Yoga. They will soon lead a three-part series “The Yoga of Relationship: Creating Intimacy When Life is Busy With Family and Work.” They also lead monthly Kirtans (chanting), Satsang (expressions of truth.) photo supplied
emotionally, and spiritually. This will draw us out of our comfort zone and expand our ability in all our relationships – slowly and steadily, like any real effective practice. In yoga we learn that we are all fellow travelers on this journey of life here on Earth. The higher purpose of each relationship is to help each other wake up to the unconscious relationship patterns that are running our lives. First we begin to notice our unconscious loving. Then, we can choose to do something about it. We can choose to move out of living in a small world of unconsciousness, reactivity, or feeling separate. We have the choice of living in a bigger world of feeling connected with people, situations, and
life itself. This bigger world includes welcoming our discomfort, triggers, and buried fears along with our sexual feelings, joys, and happiness. This is how we expand our relationship comfort zone. In this new paradigm, we play more, surf life, and appreciate all our relationships. This is conscious loving. Soorya Ray Resels and Jack Resels have been on a yoga/ meditation journey since 1971. At the International Meditation Institute, Himalayas, India, we trained in and taught yoga science, vedant philosophy, and the benefits and practice of meditation for more than 20 years. We see yoga as an evolving discipline of how to live in stability in an unstable world.
SUNDAY - APRIL 3 - 7:30 pm Tir-na-nOg Theatre 585 Rivendell Dr., Bowen Island
Tickets at Phoenix $20 adv. $25 door New Album Wondrous Traveler Available Now
PH. 604-947-0606 for ino
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Sweet rewards EASTER EGG HUNT The Tunstall Bay Community Association hosted their annual Easter egg hunt around the waterfront on a sunny Sunday morning, following it up with an Easter brunch. Kids decided to team up, run quickly, poke along carefully or enlist the help of a parent to help fill a basket with chocolate eggs. Photos clockwise from top left: Girls gather on the deck with their baskets and the Easter Bunny, hoping that they haven’t missed a single chocolate egg. Mains and Ema team up, looking for eggs along the path and among the plants. Sage has finished her Easter egg hunt and is enjoying her spoils. The wind in the bay was cool but it didn’t stop Kasha, in her silver parka, or Sawyer from having fun looking for eggs. Maeve shows the treats she has just found while she keeps her eyes on the next possible hiding spot for a chocolate egg. photos Louise Loik
Fri. April 1, 7pm Sat. April 2, 7pm Sun. April 3, 2pm Tir-na-nOg Theatre 585 Rivendell Dr.
Tickets: $10
cash or cheque only
Phoenix on Bowen
Adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “Sara Orewe” Book by Vera Morris, Music and Lyrics by Bill Francoeur xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx
Saturday April 9th 2016 Entry Fees:
Saturday, April 9th 2016 11:30am - 9 Hole Shotgun
$20 - Members, $40 - Non Members *Includes 9 holes of golf and great prizes
Join us for one of the most fun 9 Hole stroke play events of the season at the Bowen Island Golf Club. Entrants randomly draw a partner from the Masters in Augusta before commencing play. After they finish, their “net score” is combined with their PGA tour player’s Saturday score at the Masters to calculate their final score. Example: John scores a net 34 and is paired with Jason Day who scores a Saturday’s Masters round of 68. John’s score for the day is 34 + 68 = 102 The Men’s, Women’s, and Jr tournament champions also get the honour of wearing the highly coveted and often poorly fitting BIGC Yellow “Champions” Jackets.
The Cup Cutter will be open following play. Stick around enjoy Frank’s Famous Chili while you watch the 3rd round of The Masters. Registration open to the first 60 paid entries received. Sign up today by calling 604.947.GOLF (4653) or by emailing proshop@bowengolf.com
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FRIDAY APRIL 1 2016 • 9
Mexicans delight in blowing up Trump EDYE HANEN CONTRIBUTOR
The blowing up of the Judases is a fiery end to La Semana Santa in San Miguel, Mexico. After a week of tolling church bells and solemn processions, from the Night of Sorrows to the complete re-enactment of the 14 Stations of the Cross and the Holy Burial, thousands turned out for the ritual exploding of the Judases
Rhiannon van Lidth de Jeude Roemer, 11, is happy to have her work published in Cricket magazine after winning an award for her writing. photo Emily Van Lidthe de Jeude
Island girl wins writing competition Rhiannon Van Lidth de Jeude Roemer, 11, won third prize in a writing competition within Cricket Magazine. The competition was based on an original story about an unexpected visitor. Rhiannon’s story Apple Seeds will be in the Cricket League section of the April 2016 issue. “I have loved to make stories for as long as I can remember and I think that writing them down is really interesting and fun because I get to find words that seem to fit well and I just love finding ways to make a story come to life and be beautiful,” says Rhiannon. In each monthly issue, the children’s magazine runs a writing or art competition
with changing themes. Each month the magazine gets hundreds of entries pouring in from enthusiastic readers all over the world. “I actually wrote the Apple Seeds story when I was about six or seven,” says the young writer. “I completely forgot about it and one day when I was about 10 I found it again and re-wrote it. I re-wrote it about five times, always changing the story but keeping the original idea. Then I saw the Cricket contest and changed the story one more time to make it short enough.” Rhiannon will receive a certificate and publication in the award-winning magazine and on its web site, cricketmagkids.com.
IT S KAYAK TIME AGAIN!
20th Anniversary
Open House and Sale April 9 & 10
SAT. & SUN. GREAT DEALS ON USED BOATS AND BOARDS Bowen Island Marina
R LE FO L F F A R TA REN FREE OPEN APRIL 2 OCTOBER 17, 2016
604-947-9266
www.bowenislandkayaking.com
that officially ends the holiest week of the year for Mexicans. The Judases are huge papiér maché effigies, created in the likeness of reviled political figures. The shouts and boos from the crowd were the loudest when the effigies of “the two Donalds” (Donald Duck and Donald Trump, touted as one and the same) were unveiled, deafening when they exploded. photos Edye Hanen
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Elusive ephemerals offer fleeting garden magic WYNN NIELSEN CONTRIBUTOR
Spring ephemerals appear as if by magic as soon as the weather hints at warmth and then rapidly go dormant in the heat of mid spring. In that brief period, they manage to leaf, bloom prolifically, expand their territory and go to seed, and in the process delight us. One definition of ephemeral is “short-lived or lasting for a brief time.” In the case of spring flowering ephemerals, the latter definition is more appropriate since the plants don’t die, they just go dormant for the summer. The word ephemeral means transitory or quickly fading. We have several delightful ephemerals, typically woodland ones that thrive in our Pacific Northwest gardens. I will focus here on the early spring ephemerals that can grow successfully here, both native and introduced. 2 4O::;7::3 K+@L%0#L@7#@ canadensis) 2 1'O@L;#L' 8:88J K+3JO:8$:70N ;#8$JOO0ND 2 /:%3::3$ (#:O'3 K-7J3$7:L#0N ;'L5B<@L#5D 2 1J<O@N'L 58'<#'5 K$@7;JD 2 -7J3$7:L#0N KL@3#.' 58'cies) 2 H:$LLJ "0N8B085 K(#:O@ cornuta) 2 E#L! O@;JM5 5O#88'75 K1J87#8';#0N @<@0O'D 2 F'77J>'OO5 K).0O@7#@ %7@Ldiflora), 2 +$::3#L%53@7 K/:;'<@3$':L 80O<$'OO0ND 2 *7#OO#0N K*7#OO#0N %7@L;#florum) 2 *7:03 O#OJ 9 L@3#.' ,$#3' K-7J3$7:L#0N @N'7#<@L0ND 2 (#7%#L#@ >O0'>'OO KN'7tensia) 2 /03<$N@LM5 >7''<$'5 K/#<'L37@ <0<0OO@7#@DA 2 H@<!B#LB3$'B80O8#3
K67#5@'N@ 37#8$JOO0ND 2 G#.'7,:73 KI'8@3#<@ L:>#lis var. obtusa) 2 65#@L 3,#LO'@& KH'&&'75:L#@ dubia) 2 6L'N:L' >O@L;@ K<:Nmonly called Grecian Windflower) 2 1:7J;@O#5 5:O#;@A 1:NN:L >0O>5 50<$ @5 snow drops, bluebells and scilla could also be considered spring ephemerals as they do die completely back #L 3$' 50NN'7 $'@3A 6O3$:0%$ a short time above ground, spring ephemerals can be stunning en masse or as specimen plants for the connoisseur. 6L;C ,$'L 3$'#7 &:O#@%' ;#'5 back, other non-aggressive perennials or annuals can fill in without disrupting the colony. I@7;J <J<O@N'L #5 @ 8'7sonal favorite that includes species that emerge in the cooling nights of autumn, rather than spring. The incredible variety in leaf patterns, shapes and variegation is spectacular and some are ;'O#<#:05OJ &7@%7@L3A I@7;J cyclamen is undemanding with a little attention to their preferences and spreads slowly but surely. It looks exquisite planted randomly in lush moss %@7;'L5A I'8@3#<@ #5 @L:3$'7 favorite; expensive but well worth it, at it is most vivid early blue found in the garden K#3 ;:'5 L:3 O#!' $'@.J 5:#O5DA In cultivation, experts are increasingly advising more gentle techniques for maintaining gardens, echoing L@307'M5 87:<'55'5A 40#O;#L% soils by adding friable, quickly decomposing mulches rather than heavy applications of top soil or disturbing the structure and life of established soil/ microbe communities by digging - instead allowing soil and plant communities to mature
slowly and more naturally. This, of course, is great news for ephemeral plants that live most of the year in the top 2-3 inches of topsoil, except for a few weeks responding to ideal conditions of warmth, light and moisture when they explode from the earth to delight our senses and provide an early buffet for foraging insects. These plants often share space with other deeper-rooted cousins whose turn may or may not overlap. Too aggressive or thick groundcover such as pachysandra, periwinkle or thick grasses can crowd them out. Some dainty ones such as hardy cyclamen and small '7J3$7:L#0N KL@3#.' 37:03 O#OJD need open space and minimal competition to thrive. 65 5:N' :& 3$'5' 8O@L35 @7' a bit fussy about growing conditions you should do a bit of research and “on-site” experimentation before planting a N@55 :& 3$'N K,$#<$ #5 @O5: easier on the pocketbook). 6&3'7 &O:,'7#L%C N@LJ '8$'Nerals, e.g., trilliums, bear seeds with fatty appendages, known as elaiosomes. These attract ants that carry the seeds back to their nests for their young 3: '@3A 6&3'7,@7;5 3$' 5'';5 are discarded onto the colony’s garbage heap where conditions are ripe for germination. One ant colony can harvest as many @5 =C??? 5'';5 #L @ 5'@5:LA 6OO of this happens in a few feet of space, which explains how colonies of ephemerals can expand over time. If you have an open, protected semi-shaded woodland without aggressive groundcovers you have the basics for establishing ephemerals. You can experience the enchantment of these in your garden every year. One of the delights of having a garden is
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the annual celebration of an “event”; a celebratory explosion of blooms that heralds the arrival of a new and hopeful year after the grey and rain :& @ ,'53 K,'3D <:@53 H@L0@7JA It never fails to lift the spirits, whether in the form of cherry blossoms, pink flowering ribes, salmon berry or, if you are especially blessed, a patch or hillside of ephemerals magically emerging from the moss or last autumn’s leaves. H053 >' 507' 3: 3@!' J:07 coffee and wander off into the garden daily or you might completely miss it! Artist in the Gardens Designs
CATCH THEM WHILE YOU CAN Spring ephemerals are beautiful but lack any lasting ambition. They range from rockery plants, bulbs, and leafy flowering clumps. photos Wynn Nielsen
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Bowen 11-year-old raises $8,000 for burn trauma centre LOUISE LOIK EDITOR
Oscar Knowles-Dekkers is no ordinary kid, as most of his proud community will attest. It is therefore no surprise that the 11-year-old was invited to the grand opening of the Burn Fund Centre in Vancouver last week because of his success in fundraising for the Centre. Oscar, who tipped a cup of tea and suffered second and third degree burns to his arm and chest at 10-months-old, grew up with great empathy for the needs of others suffering from burn traumas. When, at nine-years-old, he heard about an effort to raise funds to build a home away from home for patients and families during and after treatment, he jumped in with both feet. By chopping and selling kindling reclaimed from old library roofing shingles, along with bottle and can returns and on-line donations, Oscar was able raise $8060.85 According to a B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund release, each year almost 700 children and adults from around B.C. need burn care. Serious burns and trauma mean that a patient and their family live in or near the hospital for a month
Islanders Oscar Knowles-Dekkers and David Podmore celebrate the opening of the new Burn Fund Centre Building March 18. Oscar was honoured with a brick bearing his name after raising more than $8,000 for the fund. photos Sam Knowles Centre, after 13 years of effort, will solve the problem. For his part in this accomplishment, Oscar’s name is on a brick at the Centre. Oscar says that touring the building and seeing the Centre open was “very satisfying.” Oscar’s mom, Sam Knowles, reflects that it’s a “fabulous end and a great beginning for the Burn Fund. It’s fully paid for, and free for families and burn survivors to use while they are in treatment and recovery.” Also attending the opening were islanders David
or more for acute care periods. When the acute period is past, outpatient care continues which can last for two years, during which families and patients vulnerable to infection continue to need housing close to the treatment centre. There is currently a critical shortfall in appropriate patient accommodation for burn and trauma survivors that may potentially have resulted in compromised health outcomes, according to the Burn Fund release. The new Burn Fund
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Podmore, co-chair of the Burn Fund Centre fund-raising campaign and CEO of Concert Properties, which donated $750,000, and professional firefighter Elizabeth Johnston, also from Bowen and a representative for the Burn Fund for Port Coquitlam Fire Department. The building is located at 3891 Main St. between the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn, Trauma and Plastics Unit at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital.
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