Bowen Island Undercurrent April 22 2016

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016 VOL. 42, NO. 64

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A fishy tale becomes an app

Bowen company collaborates with Bobs & LoLo

The final chapter

Griffin & Sabine’s missing letters

Dealing with allergies Pharmacist has top tips

The Salish Sea has scientists concerned LOUISE LOIK EDITOR

More than 1,100 scientists and policy experts, including presenters from Bowen Island, gathered in Vancouver last week for The Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference. The event drew scientists from B.C. and the U.S. to discuss the latest scientific research on the state of the Salish ecosystem, and to guide future actions for protecting and restoring the ecosystem. The island presenters were among scientists, First Nations and tribal government representatives, resource managers, community and business leaders, policy makers, and educators. Adam Taylor, a diver from Bowen, has been documenting and working toward protection of the glass sponges in Howe Sound. He had the crowd’s full attention during his presentation on “Citizen science efforts to study and protect Howe Sound’s glass Sponge Reefs.” Taylor has been focusing effort and attention on Halkett Bay, a location he feels is in critical need of protection. His efforts, along with other recreational divers has, in part, helped to get legislation for the protection of the reefs introduced last month by the Minister of the Environment. It’s this kind of citizen science success story that was the basis of Taylor’s presentation. Taylor says the conference left him feeling hopeful about Halkett Bay, but he also finds it frustrating to see the difference between American and Canadian funding for non-profit environmental groups and scientific research. “They are operating on a whole different plane,” says Taylor. “Here, scientists are scraping by and non-profits are hand-tomouth. In the States, there is lots of funding from big non-governmental organizations.” Talks ranged from ocean acidification to marine transport’s impact on ecology. Bob Turner, one of the presenters on the subject of Howe Sound, said that the presentation that made a big impression with him was that of John B. Buchanan from Squamish, who, as a citizen scientist, has taken detailed notes for five years during his observations of herring spawn in Howe Sound. “John has documented herring spawning along many kilometres of shoreline, not just one kilometre, but many kilometres, year after year. Woodfibre is a major spawn site, north and south. He had the data from five years of record-keeping and it shows that LNG is right in the middle,” says Turner. He finds this disturbing due to the fact that government guidelines say that the intake would have to be two kilometres away from any spawning ground, “but they weren’t using John’s data, but old, imperfect data,” from when the pulp mill was spewing dioxin and furans and populations had become depleted. Bob says that the presentation showed that while people com-

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Children play on a beach by the edge of the Salish Sea while the tide is out and the sun is shining. LOUISE LOIK photo

Bowen kids create a labyrinth for Earth Day LOUISE LOIK EDITOR

A full-scale labyrinth coiled its way around the Community School gym floor last week, guiding those who walked its path toward a greater state of mindfulness. The project, created in honour of Earth Day, engaged the entire school last week. The Earth Labyrinth, an interactive art installation, was also intended to help the students learn the skill of self-regulation, and achieving inner calm and connection to the land. Part of the strategy behind the project was to create an experiential learning opportunity by extracting the clay from the island to create the art installation. By integrating materials from earth, the project attempted to help create “a connection between the past and the pres-

ent, humans and the land, and a new way of looking at how we are connected.” The clay that the students used was part of their handson lessons about local history, geology and geography. Clay deposits were discovered on 68 acres of Bowen Island in the 1880s which went on to become the bricks in the buildings of downtown Vancouver Last February, when the project began, local ceramic artist Susannah Montague began working with the students, helping them to embody their lessons in their art. They created over-turned bowl shapes made from clay into a kind of luminaria, decorated with representations of the things they love about their world, from stars to undersea creatures. An interested Islander, upon hearing about the project

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Wednesday April 27

Presents

Show 8:00 pm

Featuring Brett Martin

Kyle Jones

Tickets $5 Advanced Reserved Seating $10

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NEWS from

Municipal Hall MEETING CALENDAR April 25, 2016 9:30 AM Regular Council Meeting

April 25, 2016 1:30 PM Snug Cove Improvements Working Group

April 25, 2016 2:00 PM Committee of the Whole

April 26, 2016 3:30 PM On-Island Composting Facility Working Group

April 26, 2016 7:15 PM Transportation Advisory Committee

April 28, 2016 7:00 PM Heritage Commission

Ö WE ARE HIRING Summer Daycamp Leader Bowen Island Community Recreation has full and part time positions available this summer. Positions include; but are not limited to, Daycamps and Playcare. Hours per week and number of weeks will vary depending on the nature of the position. Weeks of work will occur from mid-June through late August.

Ö I S L A N D P L A N 2016 Mayor Murray Skeels and the Bowen Island Municipal Council are pleased to present Island Plan 2016.

The ideal candidates for these positions have previous experience working with groups of children, are enthusiastic and creative, able to work in a team environment, enjoy participating in a large variety of activities, have excellent communication skills, and are highly organized. Lifeguarding certification is an asset for some positions. Our interview process will include an interactive group interview to be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, location TBD. Please submit your cover letter and resume via e-mail, fax or mail by 12:00 PM on Monday, April 25, 2016 to Christine Walker, Human Resources Manager (contact information listed below).

Summer Parks Maintenance Crewperson (2) Bowen Island Municipality seeks two full-time temporary Park Maintenance Crewpersons (Summer) for employment for the period of May 16 - September 2, 2016. Crewpersons will primarily be responsible for maintaining the Municipality’s parks, trails and public beaches. The positions also require that the crewpersons interact in a courteous manner with the public. The applicants will have a strong construction/maintenance background, be comfortable working outside under varying weather conditions, have the ability to work under supervision on a task-oriented basis, and hold a valid driver’s license. This position is based on 35 hours per week. A complete posting and job description is available at www.bimbc.ca, or in hard copy at Municipal Hall. Please submit your cover letter, resume, and references via e-mail, fax, or mail by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 to: Christine Walker Human Resources Manager Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 FAX: 604-947-0193 EMAIL: hr@bimbc.ca

The Island Plan outlines how we are continuing on with projects undertaken last year and adding to the list of worthwhile ventures in the coming year with 13 priorities that range from selling community lands to improving transportation options. With this plan, we intend to balance the interests of our diverse community while staying focussed on preserving the best of Bowen. Let us know what you think. Download a copy at www.bimbc.ca or pick one up from Municipal Hall.

Ö J A N E ’ S WA L K O N B O W E N Mark your calendars for May 6 - 8, 2016. Bowen Island is participating once again in the Jane’s Walk Global Festival - free citizen-led walking tours inspired by activist and scholar Jane Jacobs. The walks get people to tell stories, explore their communities, and connect with neighbours. Details of Bowen walks will be posted at http://janeswalk.org/canada/bowen-island-bc. If you’d like to lead a walk, please email mnicholson@bimbc.ca

Ö REQUEST FOR Q U O TAT I O N

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

LICENSED ELECTRICIAN OR CERTIFIED ELECTRICAL COMPANY BIM-RFQ-2016-850

Integrated Transportation Master Plan (ITMP)

Bowen Island Municipality is requesting quotes to replace a control panel with a 200 amp service controlling two 15 Hp single phase 230 volt motors at the Cove Bay Water Valhalla Pump Kiosk.

www.transportationbowen.com

Licensed electricians or a certified electrical company will be considered.

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Bowen Island Municipality

All quotations should be clearly marked with the RFQ title, in a sealed envelope and submitted to the Public Works Department in person, by mail, courier or email to rpryce-jones@bimbc.ca before 12:00 PM on Thursday, May 5, 2016.

join our mailing list:

Full RFQ details are available at Municipal Hall or can be downloaded from www.bimbc.ca

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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Ponds a gift of incredible beauty and a wildlife oasis WYNN NEILSEN

ity to decompose it efficiently.

CONTRIBUTOR

! Fish or no fish?

I love ponds. Some of my first memories are of peering into tannin-stained water, the ripe smell of warm mud and seeing a whole other world of water beetles, jellied frog eggs and water plants softly waving in a shaft of illuminating sunlight. Ponds have magical creatures that move effortlessly between water and land and are endlessly fascinating. For a time, my youthful mission in life was as self-appointed guardian of the clumsy helpless tadpoles, saving them all from the evil dragonfly larvae that preyed on them. Although there are many ways to incorporate water into a garden, the most creative, gratifying and wildlife friendly is a natural pond. It can be the size of a small wading pool or hundreds of feet long, and the best education on how it should look is provided by nature itself. By first observing how a natural pond is sited within the contours of the land, the natural rise and fall of water levels, growing habits of water and marginal plants and the interaction of the myriad of pond life, you will have the essential concepts of good pond design. Most of us have limited space for a pond but that doesn’t mean we can’t have an ecologically healthy one without needing much, or any, mechanical help in the form of a pump and filtration. Of course, a stream or waterfall will need a pump, but filtration (keeping water clean) can be achieved using natural biofiltration processes with help from micro-organisms and plants. As they say about gardening: Feed the soil and the plants will take care of themselves. With ponds, nurturing the microbial life and plants will take care of the water health. Design considerations:

$ Placement

Your first design consideration is always placement. Full sun makes plant life happy but that includes algae. Green reflective water in the summer is to be expected and is healthy, however too much algae can suffocate pond life especially as it decomposes in overly warm water. If your pond is in full sun, get water plants and overhanging plants growing to provide shade and shelter. Waterlilies work well.

! Natural context

Look for site contours and run-offs where a pond would occur naturally. It will feel settled and visually harmonious. If you don’t have this then construct a version of a natural scene when you dig out the shape. Avoid under trees as too heavy leaf/needle drop may overwhelm the microbes’ abil-

We love them and they bring life and colour to our ponds. Unfortunately they also eat life such as frogs eggs, tadpoles and water bugs, and they harass salamanders. If you can separate your pond into two distinct habitats, e.g, a higher level without fish and lower level with, separated by a stream (see photo), then you have the best of both worlds. Also, in keeping with Darwin’s law, herons love to fish for your fish. As much as you might love your $200 fancy koi, the heron loves them more. In my case the heron provides a management service as my six cheap goldfish exploded into 200 in a few short years. He harvests the large ones and leaves me with those yet unworthy of his efforts – which suits us both just fine. On a happy note, fish do eat mosquito larvae. If you decide against fish, however, there is a very effective ecologically safe product called “mosquito dunk.” Fish should not need to be fed in a properly naturalized and balanced pond.

! Habitat enhancement values

Virtually all indigenous life is served by a pond. There are a myriad of hovering insects, water bugs, amphibians, birds, snakes (harmless here) and mammals that drink at the edges or find shelter in the pond. A natural pond/bog is one of the best things you can do for the environment. I have a charming pair of wood ducks who visit and grace the pond with their iridescent beauty. A heron drops in to fish and stands peering at me – gloomily – as herons do. Like finding a dinosaur in the garden. A variety of water bugs skim, dive, shimmer and skitter about (these tiny bugs are ferocious predators – they make short work of a nest of tent caterpillars. Dragonflies and damselflies will immediately commandeer a new pond and establish territory, a twig or the entire pond (apparently we have 87 species in B.C.). I see common dragonflies in my pond – that I believe are iridescent blue-eyed darner, a small fiery red cardinal meadow hawk and a very large light green species. They are truly reminiscent of tiny inquisitive dragons and one of the most fascinating and beautiful pond life to observe. It’s never boring with a pond. The best ponds for creature life have varying depths, stones, gravel, stumps, floating logs, twiggy branches, plants and muddy edges. At least one side should be gently sloped for easy access/exit and planted for shelter. It should have sunny warm spots for basking and shade under overhanging bushes and water lilies. Fortunately, this natural design is also esthetically appealing to most people

Ponds evoke an atmosphere of tranquility while providing habitat for numerous creatures from frogs to dragonflies. photo WYNN NEILSEN

so it’s a win-win.

! Slime algae and invasive

species This stringy, obnoxious form of algae often appears in new ponds but gradually dies out with growth of microbes and marginal plants that compete for nutrients. It seems to come out of nowhere, even before any plants are introduced. It’s a mystery. I often treat the water a couple of times with liquid products of concentrated bacteria/enzymes that work to break it down. Within a year or two it seems to dissipate on its own, assuming you are not flushing the pond and re-starting the “new water” cycle. A natural, balanced pond should only need to be topped up to replace evaporated water. If your pond is interconnected to a natural stream, greater pond or ditch, you need to be very concerned about invasive fish and plants as these can spread to natural areas and cause significant harm. I love the look of the tall yellow flag irises (Iris pseudacorus) but as these spread, I only use in self-contained ponds and I remove the seeds. Floating duck weed, often hitchhiking in water plants we buy, is terribly invasive and could change the ecosystem of an entire lake. Alien fish introduced to a lake inadvertently could empty the lake of other indigenous life. So be careful.

! Esthetics

Besides placement and visual integration with surroundings there are a few tricks to making ponds look natural. Liners need to be hidden but avoid using a

ring of rocks around the entire edge as it rarely looks right. Build some rockeries and carry the rock over the edge into the pond instead. Or cover the edge with soil and plant compact rockery plants to create a dense carpet-like edge. Plants can draw water by osmosis so let them flow over into it, providing shelter to water life. Incorporate old stumps, logs and moss around the edge and in the pond (transplanted moss will thrive only if the new conditions are identical to where it was found). Moss found growing on stones may turn belly up if transplanted to wood. Moss also needs fibre (similar to bark or a bark layer) underneath to establish itself on a slippery, hot liner.

! Practical side of pond

building My current pond is 100 feet long and undulating, with varying depths from three feet to only four inches. The sides are low and sloped with shallow “beaches” where birds love to bathe. I went with the idea of bio-filtration using a pump at one end to push water through a heavily planted gravel watery “bog” at the other end that functions as the bio-filter. A gentle current pushes water up from a perforated line of pipes through gravel and plant roots. The gravel bed is home to microbes that helps keep water clean and a gentle current prevents stagnation. There are many variations on this and other non-mechanical and mechanical solutions. This one works for my pond, which does not have waterfalls or streams. If you want to attract sal-

Bright red and blue dragonflies are regular visitors at island ponds. They provide a great service as they zoom around eating mosquitoes. photo WYNN NEILSEN amanders, frogs and other slow-swimming creatures enclose your pump with the appropriate net bags to prevent them from being sucked into the pump. I learned this the hard way. Skimmers are not appropriate for a naturalized pond as fallen leaves and debris are important food for pond life. That said, too much decomposition in a small pond can be harmful. You need to be observant and check on your pond often. I prefer soft liners as they are more amenable to the undulating contours of a naturalized pond. But, if you have large dogs, it can be damaged by all the climbing in and out. Concrete is an option but can be challenging to waterproof and become cracked by large tree roots. Use round gravel (two or three different sizes is best), not local crushed rock with sharp edges. Every pond is unique and needs a carefully considered, customized solution. Start with

what effect you want to achieve and what you want to attract to your pond and that will help in the planning and design process. Ponds can be a gift of incredible beauty, an oasis for wildlife and a source of delight. Or, sometimes, they can be a maintenance headache and an expensive disappointment. Careful consideration, forethought and planning is a must if you are contemplating a pond. As for me, they are so worth it! A few good plants for a natural (standalone) pond: ! Arum, arrowhead, bull rush, cattail, rush grasses (invasive), pond iris(s), water canna, pickerel rush, darmera, water lilies, marsh marigold, creeping jenny, maidenhair fern, native liquorish fern, water fern, ostrich fern and native mosses. ! For more information about dragonflies: ibis.geog. ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/ OdonataofBritishColumbia. html.

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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.

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Something is up when teenagers start wearing life jackets to school With two teenage daughters in the house there’s often some event that will trigger a bit of drama. The unfolding drama that has the entire Grade 12 cohorts from each of the public high schools in its grasp is something called Spy vs. Spy. It’s a game that is not school sanctioned and spills out to anywhere a player may go. This means that you may see some strange things happening in the next week or month involving teenagers and water squirters. This morning, for instance, my younger daughter left for high school wearing both a life jacket and flotation rings around her arms. She’s always been one to dress boldly, confident in expressing her personality, but now, outside of the context of the game, walking down the street wearing water wings over her school clothes, she simply looks like she’s lost her marbles. My daughter is however, just one of the many flouting any sense of style. The kids are wearing life preservers, flippers, water wings, swim goggles, swim caps, wet suits, any two of these things to

get temporary immunity from getting taken out in this game. And they have to wear their aquatic gear all day in class and back home, if they want to be shielded from getting tagged. Spy vs. Spy is a combination, from what I can tell, of Capture the Flag, hide-andseek and tag, with a bit of The Hunger Games thrown into the mix. The kids that want to play pay a fee that goes into a pot for the winner. All the players get the name of another player to stalk and squirt with a water pistol. You’ll probably see them commuting with water pistols, which are more likely giant water pumpers, looking furtively around for foes who have followed them from the mainland. My daughter has given the whole family strict instructions not to allow any kids from her school into the house, or give any information regarding her whereabouts. The players get to wear the aquatic gear this first week in the game. Next week, the water wings come off and they have no protection. They aren’t allowed to squirt

Thank you from Bowen Island Massage Therapy Reflecting on this last year has given me nothing but immense appreciation for our wonderful community. I joined the amazing team of health-care providers at the Bowen Island Wellness Centre in the winter of 2014. Being a born and raised Bowen Islander, I have lived through many phases of growth here, and I feel fortunate to be able to come back to live and work locally as a registered massage therapist. I am so thankful for the many clients who have come through the doors this past year. You all bring me great enthusiasm, motivation and continue to enhance my passion for working with the human body. I now look forward to starting my own family, and will be taking some time off to have a baby! The clinic will remain open and fully operational, with the other RMTs taking bookings. My mother, Mary McDonagh, and Harmony Shire will be welcoming someone new to the team in my place soon. In the meantime Robyn Izard will be returning for some coverage through the coming months. Please direct your appointment inquiries to 604-947-9755 x1. Take care and I look forward to seeing you when I return! Alicia Hoppenrath

#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0

Interim Editor

Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 Deadline for all advertising and editorial: Monday, 4:00 p.m.

Louise Loik

anyone on the ferry or in the ferry terminal. The fun thing is, adults get to play too. When you see a teen with a

water pistol, you can warn that teen that you just noticed some other kid stalking him or her and then watch the

paranoia set in as the kid runs for cover. They’ll appreciate your help. I promise. Louise

Condolences and gratitude from Snug Cove House Society The volunteers of the Snug Cove House Society, past and present, are much saddened by news of the death this week of long-time island resident Marilyn Harris. Marilyn played a central role in the society for a considerable part of its history and is

owed a huge debt of gratitude for her tireless dedication to the seniors of Bowen Island. Our thoughts are with her children Sandra and Bruce. Graham Ritchie, for the board of Snug Cove House Society

Goodbye neighbour and friend Our community has lost another fine, longstanding member with the passing of Marilyn Harris on April 18. If one was to look up the word volunteer in the dictionary, they would find a large picture of our dear neighbour and friend to so many

on the island. Marilyn’s volunteer record is so extensive, space does not allow the listing of all the groups and activities in which she had been involved. Suffice to say, her distinguished record led to her

selection as the 2002 Citizen of the Year and attendance at the recent volunteers lunch at the Legion just a week before her passing. May her soul rest in peace as she joins her beloved Al. Bruce and Dorene Russell

Correction

John Bakes took the picture of the Cape Roger Curtis beacon in last week’s paper, not Wendy Seale-Bakes. Advertising

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FRIDAY APRIL 22 2016 •> 5

Annex/Gallery project Labyrinth was a collaborative effort hits the halfway mark from PAGE 1 The Annex/Gallery project now has half the funds needed to cover the cost of construction. Fundraising is continuing, and with each passing week, we’re getting closer to our goal of building an addition to the current library. The new building will have an annex for the library and a new home and gallery for the Bowen Island Arts Council. As a community hub and a cultural gateway for visitors, this new facility will help to revitalize Snug Cove. There’s a thermometer outside the library, gauging progress of the fundraising. We invite you to watch as the amount raised continues to push upwards Here are some new developments: Our hardworking Fundraising Cabinet continues to attract significant donations from Islanders. The Cabinet is confident that sufficient funds will be raised over the coming year. Members of our Steering Committee recently met with Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, MP, to ensure the project is on her radar. We’ll be keeping an eye open for federal government funding programs. We’ve also been in touch with Jordan Sturdy, MLA, to talk about the project and to request info on any provincial funding opportunities. Local architect James Tuer has been engaged to finalize the design of the new facility. Stay tuned for the unveiling of conceptual drawings in the next few months. David Luksha, of Z.E.I. Project Management, will oversee the construction of the facility. David, who is also an artist, brings a wealth of experience to the position, along with knowledge of Bowen gained when he was a resident here. Our steering committee has scheduled a number of fundraising events. The first is Bollywood on Bowen, a gourmet Indianthemed dinner plus live entertainment featuring Babukishan, dancing and other festivities. Babukishan is an award-winning poet, musician and composer. Tickets are limited to 80 seats and, at $45 per person, are sure to sell out quickly. Sales will begin in late April. We look will keep you updated as we move closer to realizing our fundraising goals. For more information, contact Tina Nielsen at 947-9788 or Jacqueline Massey at 947-2454.

Kudos to our volunteers Bowen Island Municipality hosted its second annual Volunteer Appreciation event on April 12 at Bowen Island Lodge. Community members who have volunteered their time and expertise over the last year were welcomed to an evening of wine, cheese and music to thank them for their hard work and dedication. Coun. Maureen Nicholson spoke to the importance and value of volunteers in the community, and announced the release of Island Plan 2016. Copies of the Island Plan are available to download from www.bimbc.ca or in paper copy at Municipal Hall. BIM would like to thank pianist Mark Gawthrop for his musical talents and Bowen Island Lodge for the hospitable venue.

Still time to donate books in advance of Bookfest Dates for the annual book sale presented by the Friends of the Bowen Island Library are quickly approaching. Bookfest 2016 will feature over 4,000 pre-owned books, music CDs and DVDs in excellent condition. The sale, at the Bowen Island School, begins on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m. in the school gym and will continue until 4 p.m. and resume on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until Monday at noon. Prices are very reasonable from $1 to $5 with proceeds supporting programs of the Bowen Island Library including the summer reading program, and author readings. The Friends will cease accepting book donations on Saturday, May 7 to allow time for all the last minute sorting and preparations for the sale. Volunteers will be needed for setup on Friday afternoon, the sale itself on Saturday and Sunday and pack up on Monday. Ily Allen will be co-ordinating the set up and volunteers for this year. She can be contacted atilyallen01@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering for this fabulous annual sale. Greta Smith Chair of the Friends of the Bowen Island Library Society

Possible cougar sighting On Wednesday morning two people made a report to the RCMP regarding a possible cougar sighting in the Cove, near the Community School. At time of printing, we have been unable to confirm that a cougar was, and still may be, on the island.

helped to excavate the clay for the project. By hand, the students processed the clay to incorporate a small amount into their artwork. After firing, the grey clay that originated off island, turned white and the dark blue-grey Bowen clay turned red. The artist showed the students how to enhance the natural colours of the clay with a clear glaze and second firing. Early last week, as the project neared readiness for installation, the artists, students and volunteers sewed and hand painted a 2,500-square-foot reusable canvas labyrinth base to place the ceramic artworks with more than 300 candles. On April 20, 350 people came to walk the school labyrinth. Gerald Morrisseau, a multi-media First Nations artist, assisted with the overall project To add atmosphere, stu-

On Wednesday morning before the start of classes, students were in the gym, setting battery operated tea lights under the pottery light covers to light the path of the labyrinth. The labyrinth was designed on top of canvas donated by Opus Art Supplies. LOUISE LOIK photo dents and parent volunteer Shawn Cole, along with music teacher Cynthia Fairbank created a sound-

scape from recordings around Bowen Island. Sarah Haxby conceived of the project and was a driving force

in bringing it from concept to completion with a huge team of co-creators and supporters.

No opinion on LNG, says non-stick Pam TREVOR LAUTENS CONTRIBUTOR

You’d think the local member of Parliament would have an opinion on the Woodfibre LNG project, wouldn’t you? Or am I being naïve again? I’ve sent several unsuccessful emails to Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, our woman in Ottawa as MP for West VancouverSunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, inviting that opinion. Surely she has one? Any doubt of the issue’s importance? So what’s our Liberal MP’s stand – on arguably the most important current issue in this awkwardly sprawling and diverse riding wrapped around Howe Sound? Not that she’s lacked opportunity. Goldsmith-Jones recently chaired three open houses on the matter in Howe Sound communities, one in West Vancouver – boisterously anti-Woodfibre. She told a meeting in Gibsons: “Our government is moving quickly to deliver on our promise to overhaul the federal environmental assessment review process and to restore public trust. … The process will have greater transparency.” Moving “quickly” – as governments uncannily always do. “Promise” – yes, look for the bank where you can take a promise of Justin Trudeau’s election campaign.

“Transparency” – no word deserves more banishment form the Dictionary of Political Platitudes. An audience member in Gibsons came fairly close to pinning down GoldsmithJones. He asked if she’d heard from anyone favouring Woodfibre LNG. Jacob Roberts in the Coast Reporter quoted her: “There are definitely people in favour. That’s why this is so difficult. To be honest – and depending on where you go – it’s 50/50.” “The audience,” reporter Roberts drily wrote, “interrupted Goldsmith-Jones with their unanimous disagreement of her numbers.” Eoin Finn, with deep science and business expertise and exhaustive files on the issue, told me: “Pam’s statement – that community reaction was 50/50 for and against – beggars belief, and is at odds with the 9,000 signatories to the (Save) Howe Sound Declaration, and the public comments on the B.C. Environment Assessment Office process,” which showed more than 90 per cent opposition. To be fair: Don’t expect candour. Under the party system the prime minister’s henchmen, and those for all party leaders, tell MPs when to breathe in and breathe out. A maverick is whipped and stripped – of perks such as sunny-climate confer-

ences in January – and sentenced to the Siberian backbench. Thus the adage that MPs aren’t sent to Ottawa to represent their constituents’ views; Ottawa sends MPs to their constituents to represent Ottawa’s views. So can you find it in your heart to sympathize with poor Pam, the most ambitious political animal in West Vancouver of her time, maybe all time? And not to flatter the environment’s more pompous guardians: B.C. has to toil to live, and that means dirty hands and dirty work that upper middle-class urban elites have only heard about. Add this: Liberal MLA Jordan Sturdy, whose West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding also includes the proposed site, supports the facility, partly for its tax benefits. He strongly slams a news story that took on a life of its own – that Woodfibre LNG “hosted” a fundraising dinner for him during the 2013 election campaign. It simply bought a table, he said, like other companies and 200-odd individuals, a tradition for the riding incumbent for 25 years. The biggest barriers to the project may be that natural gas prices are scraping bottom, with inventories swollen since the U.S. vastly grew its fracking production. – The North Shore News

Par T Perfect wins award LOUISE LOIK EDITOR

On Monday, the typically talkative Jim Gibson said he was speechless after the company, Par T Perfect, owned by he and wife Michelle, won the top national franchise award. For the second year in a row, the Canadian franchise association awarded the company the Gold Award of Excellence in Franchising for a non-traditional, established company. The Bowen-based company, providing party staging and supplies, just introduced their own line of stuff-able Par T Pets last fall. The Gibsons flew to Ottawa to receive the award.

Michelle and Jim Gibson with their Par T Pets are thrilled to receive top honours for their party staging business. LOUISE LOIK photo

6 • FRIDAY APRIL 22 2016

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Book series reaches its conclusion Last entry, The Pharos Gate, finishes the story of Griffin and Sabine

LOUISE LOIK EDITOR

“.... Griffin and Sabine leave England and the Sicmon Isles heading for Egypt. Griffin decides to travel overland through Spain and Turkey while Sabine slips secretly across the Southern Seas. Leaving their homes for good, and pursued by the relentless threat of Frolatti and his creatures, the couple are magnetically pulled towards Alexandria and the Pharos Gate where they hope to find their meeting ground.” The book series that Bowen Islanders helped push into the global limelight 25 years ago has finally reached its conclusion with the seventh book by Nick Bantock, The Pharos Gate: Griffin and Sabine’s Missing Correspondence. The Griffin and Sabine Trilogy, followed by The

Morning Star Trilogy, wound up in millions of homes around the world, even triggering an interview with the author on the Oprah Winfrey Show. The first three books alone spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. When he released Griffn and Sabine, he was living on Bowen Island, feeling enormously supported by the community. “The people on Bowen were a part of the jungle drums. In a couple months the books went from being unknown to a best seller,” says Bantock from Victoria. This last book fills in information chronologically, between Book three (The Golden Mean) and Book four (The Gryphon). Consistent with Bantock’s play on shadows and light, the reader never knew, prior to this publication, that there was any “missing correspondence.” This book lurked in the in-between-place, like a secret train platform leading to Hogwarts. Created in a linguistic and artistic style consistent with the other books, this new dialogue that flows between the letters, gives the reader a satisfying conclusion to an ephemeral tale. The author, also an artist, created wild and wonderful art blended with storytelling both on the book pages and

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on the pages of letters inside of envelopes attached to pages. Readers could open the envelopes and follow the correspondence of the main characters in each trilogy. As a result, Bowen’s post office became a starring location for media coverage of the best-selling books. News crews raced to Bowen to film the little island post office. At the time, the post office was inside what is now the side door at the library, and opened into what is now the librarian’s office. “It was a geographical geiser,” says Bantock. Bantock never abandoned his winning style of experiential books that centred on correspondence. In Pharos Gate, there is no change of from the previous books; nothing that would hint at the changing times of the author’s reality. In 1991, when the first book came out, computer technology was still, for the most part, in dial-up mode and the Internet was still called the World Wide Web. In spite of the weight of today’s information overload and easy answers, readers will enjoy the change of pace demanded by The Missing Correspondence. This new book resists the times within which it has arrived, luxuriating in detail, in hints, allusions, and dancing shadows. Like all the books before it, The Pharos Gate requires time for thoughtful reflection and providing sustenance to what may be, a starved imagination. “I learned that a kind of

“The people on Bowen were a part of the jungle drums. In a couple of months the books went from being unknown to a bestseller” - author Nick Bantock robbery can take place when we don’t leave room for imagination.” Bantock believes that removing nuance or conjecture, “the imagination is deprived of sustenance. He explains that the art in his books are not there to help explain the words, but are of equal importance to the words. “When we are a subservient creatures of the word and use the images to mimic what has been written, both are devalued by definition, and it devalues the imagination of the reader.” Bantock says he writes the words and creates the images “with equal respect; a marriage of equals between two forms of logic and intuition.” Much has been made by the media about the characters of Bantock’s books being a representation of the dueling parts of his subconscious, logic and intuition. Bantock says, “what the artist produces should be more significantly up front than the person behind it.” With Pharos Gate, if the reader doesn’t understand the significance of a conversation or a drawing, it’s easy to jump to the computer to get an answer, which Bantock hopes the reader avoids. “I am trying to create things that speak directly to the subconscious, and tap into a collective unconscious.” “What has changed,” he

says, regarding about the era of this conclusive book, “is the gestalt of how it is perceived. The colours around it has changed, but very little in the art and writing has changed.” He explains that you get meaning from what isn’t there, by casting a light not on the subject, but on the shadows. With Pharos Gate, the world of the reader “is moving faster and we are more spinny. The faster we go, the more spinny we get, and the less we can understand ourselves.” “I would like to think that a lot of young people will pick it up, and it gets them thinking about thinking.” He says that with the overload of information and technology, he hopes a new generation of readers “will switch off their technology, even just long enough to fully focus on the book, and how the narrative moves; to think it through, just for a short period of time.” Bantock wants the people of Bowen to know that the success of this series is based on the success of Griffin and Sabine. “It’s because the people of Bowen took the book to heart. They saw it as a natural part of themselves They were instrumental in letting the world know about the book. The book belongs to the island.”

BOOKS IN THE SERIES $ (" :!;)1 31. 932;1" Saga $ (" :!;)1 31. 932;1" Trilogy $ :!;)1 31. 932;1"* -1 Extraordinary Correspondence (1991) $ 932;1"'> +%<"2%%8* 41 Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin and Sabine Continues (1992) $ (" :%6."1 ,"31* 41 Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin and Sabine Concludes (1993) $ (" ,%!1;1? 9<3! 7!;6%?& $ (" :!&#=%1* 41 0=;/= the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin and Sabine is Rediscovered (2001) $ -6"531.!;3* 41 0=;/= <=" Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin and Sabine Unfolds (2002) $ (" ,%!1;1? 9<3!* 41 Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin and Sabine is Illuminated (2003) Nick Bantock will be speaking at the Vancouver Public Library on Thursday, April 22 as part of the Writers Festival. Admission is free.

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FRIDAY APRIL 22 2016 • 7

The circle of life begins in Tunstall Bay LOUISE LOIK EDITOR

In a moonlit event timed with the tides, three men gathered like midwives at a water birth, watching for tiny salmon fry to burst out of the narrow freshwater channel to the sheltered bay for a new life in saltwater. Mike von Zuben, Don McQueen and Tim Pardee were on the beach, citizen scientists, who have spent endless hours in an effort to restore salmon to Exposives Creek. This night was their moment of truth. Between midnight and 1 a.m., the freshwater and saltwater would temporarily merge, allowing for a brief opportunity for salmon to continue with their cycle of life by breaking out to the sea. “There was a small channel of water from the beach pool to the ocean about three feet wide and one foot deep beside the stump,” says Pardee. “We shoveled some gravel to make it a bit deeper.” Pardee explains that Bowen Island Fish and Wildlife have been raising chum from eggs

at the hatchery, and had just last week released them into Explosives Creek above the culverts. The group had to time the release with the ideal developmental stage of the baby fish, called fry, as well as a tide high enough to meet the channel which does not flow all the way out to the ocean if the tide isn’t high. Says Pardee, it “is important is that chum fry get to saltwater within a few days or they will die.” On Friday, Pardee made notes of the situation on the beach. “The vast majority of the fry were still in the beach pool and the creek between the beach and the climbing pools. They don’t seem to be in a hurry to get to the ocean despite our attempt to ‘herd’ them toward the channel. I guess they’ll decide themselves when to go to salt water. Hopefully, otters, birds, and other predators won’t discover them before they make their escape.” His notes go on to say “The fortunate thing is that we have similar high tides (14.4 feet)

As swarms of tiny salmon fry prepare for a swim to the saltwater, boys look on, momentarily forgetting about their toy sailboat at their side. LOUISE LOIK photo for the next three days so there should be an open channel each night. Rather than being at Tunstall late at night during high tide, we can shovel gravel from the channel during the day and know that the fry will be able to get to the ocean at high tide. I’ll go there again

this morning and shovel for a while.” The dedication paid off. By Saturday night “most of the fry, “90 per cent of the 25,000,” released into Explosives Creek had safely departed to the ocean. “Hopefully, all the rest will go to saltwater at high tide

over the next few nights,” says Pardee. The group has not had to work on the channel in the past, but a period of dry weather may have made a difference this year. “This is the first year that the channel wasn’t naturally open to the sea. We were down

here in our boots, shoveling away but it was easy. We didn’t mind.” He laughs about the idea of being a midwife for salmon fry. “It was good fun.” By the middle of the week, it appeared that all the salmon had made it to the sea.

Canada and U.S. have shared concerns about the Salish Sea from PAGE 1 monly believed that the herring were back purely because of the Streamkeepers’ work covering pilings, there is more to the story. “John showed how herring spawn in the Upper Sound is historic, up to the ’70s. It’s disappearance coincided with the expansion of the woodfibre mill. They cleaned up in the late ’80s, early ’90s, and herring started coming back in 2000. “You can look at the Hatfield report on contamination of the water. It’s important to remember that the herring have always been there, and when the mills cleaned up the dioxins and furans, ta-dah! back come the herring.” Part of the information presented by Buchanan showed that Woodfibre is the best spawning area with lots of freshwater and a shadow side from the intense afternoon sun. “There are lots on the west side, not on the east.” Turner explains that Buchanan’s presentation “was the big story. It highlights the importance of ensuring that if LNG goes in, they do it right because they would be in a herring hot spot.” Another presenter, Shannon Bard, originally from West Vancouver, but who has been doing research in the U.S., looked closely at intertidal life. Bard has studied the impact of pulp mills on intertidal zones in increasing distances from the source of contamination. She happened to have used Tunstall Bay as a test site many years ago and found dioxin on the beach. She told the audience that in terms of recovery, Britannia has done well, in Port Melon, some areas have done well and others have not. She plans to return to Bowen for a comparative test in the near future. From Bowen, Bonny Brokenshire was another presenter, who presented a talk on “Restoring socioecological and socioeconomic integrity in Mannion Bay. Stephen Foster presented a partnership path for the future of Howe Sound. Richard Wiefelspuett focused on regional and global initiatives to protect the Salish Sea from shipping hazards. Ramona de Graaf, who is running research on shorelines around Bowen, talked about local governance tools for protecting critical shoreline spawning habitats for surf

smelt and pacific sand lance. With a broader look at the Salish Sea, Jacqlynn Zier and Joseph Gaydos, researchers from the U.S., talked about the growing number of species of concern in the Salish Sea, and how ecosystem decay is outpacing recovery. “The Salish Sea should have a trans boundary designation of ‘an ecosystem of concern’ due to declining species.” Zier and Gaydos incorporated information from both sides of the border and comments that B.C. does not assess the overall health of the ecosystem. “Within the marine ecosystem, British Columbia currently only assesses mammals, birds, reptiles and freshwater fishes that also use marine habitat. Important to this study, conspicuously absent are marine fishes and marine invertebrates.” B.C. is of course, interested in a commercial species, like salmon, a freshwater fish that also uses marine habitat. She notes that based on the available data, “As of November 15, 2013, there were 119 species at risk in the Salish Sea, almost twice the number of species at risk when the indicator was first established in 2002.” She says that some of this increase represents an increase in the number of fish, bird and mammal species known to use the Salish Sea, however, “most additions represent new listings due to concern about declines in populations.” She concludes that “the high proportion of species of concern is suggestive of ecosystem decay and we recommend that it is time to consider the Salish Sea an ecosystem of concern.” Species of concern are native species, sub-species or ecologically significant units that warrant special attention to prevent further decline and promote their conservation. Adam Taylor says though he wasn’t able to attend many presentations, he was glad to see this kind of collaboration between the countries that share a common interest in the conservation of coastal ecosystems. “It’s really good to see the joint efforts,” observes Taylor, who is continuing his work on conservation of the glass sponge reefs. “We’re making progress,” he concludes. “I’m feeling hopeful.”

Tiny lifeless sea stars have been washed onto the Bowen Island shores as the wasting disease continues to decimate the species. LOUISE LOIK photo

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Calendar of events April 22 ! Earth Day: A day to inspire a focus on conscious choices in everyday living. April 23 ! Kid and Kaboodle second-hand clothing sale: Montessori school fundraiser at the Montessori School, Artisan Square. April 25 ! SKY: Seniors Keeping Young Bowen Court, 9 a.m, exercises with Ali Hartwick; 10 a.m. speaker Kathy Bentall

(topic: Rivendell); 11 a.m. yoga /stretch

April 26 ! Make a Will - Free program 7:30 p.m. Notary Pernille Nielsen explains the basics of why you should have a will at any age, and how to start the process. Drop in. No registration required, Gallery @ Artisan Square. April 30 ! VIMFF Best of Fest International Mountain Film Fest doors open 5:30, film 6-8

p.m., at BICS, $15 adults, $10 students/seniors ! Movement(s) Art Exhibit, reception: 5:30-10 p.m., Gallery @ Artisan Square May 7 ! Annual Bowen Garden Club Sale at BICS ! Tail gate produce sales at BICS start every non-market Saturday May-October. ! Annual Clothing Sale at Cates Hill Chapel May 14

! Mental Health Comedy Night, 7-8 p.m., The Gallery ! First big farmers market, 10 a.m.-noon at BICS May 20 ! The High Bar Gang concert, Tir-na-nog theatre May 21-23 ! Bookfest, noon-5 p.m., BICS gym May 21 ! Greenman Festival, noon3 p.m., outside the library

May 22 ! Last Stand for Lelu Film Screening: 7- 9 p.m. June 11 ! Round Bowen Sailboat Race ! Farmers market, 10 a.m.noon at BICS June 12 ! West Coast Symphony Concert for the Community June 18 ! Solo Flamenco, 7- 9:30

p.m. at Tir-na-nog June 22 ! Vanessa Hall-Patch and museum and archives historical photography, @ The Gallery, ends: July 17 June 25 ! BIG! Hike and dance party, followed by evening live music dance party, venue for this event to be announced ! Round Bowen Challenge, an event for kayaks and paddle boards

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Now more than ever, this project makes sense for Canada and British Columbia. It’s vital we receive the most from our natural resources at a time when our economy needs it most. The Trans Mountain Expansion Project will allow Canadian oil to be delivered to international markets and, as a result, Canada will earn approximately $3.7 billion more a year for our oil. By realizing full value, everyone will benefit. In addition, the expansion will create tens of thousands of jobs over the next 25 years.

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FRIDAY APRIL 22 2016 >• 9

Educational app will teach kids about the lifecycle of salmon LOUISE LOIK EDITOR

Learning about life cycles of fish may sound mundane to a child, but bring in Kat Kelly Hayduk, Cam Hayduk and entertainers Bobs & LoLo and watch the spawning of new life in a lesson. After getting a grant last week from the Creative BC Interactive Fund to create a book-based app, the power-packed combination of Bobs & LoLo, and the local production team will build a combination of book, music and video into software that schools can use to teach the lifecycle of salmon. “We had this idea to combine music and song, this could be a sweet little app for school. It’s a storybook app with embedded music video,” says Kat. The basis of the product is a published book, Run Salmon Run, written by Robyn Hardy (Bobs) and Lorraine Pond (LoLo.) Kat and Cam are the producer and director of Bowen-

based Turtlebox Productions. The two have been creating innovative video content for non-profits and children for six years. With a focus on what Kat calls “creating meaningful, positive media,” they have written and produced a series of preschool music videos, Will’s Jams, currently airing on Kids’ CBC. Since the inception of Turtlebox, Kat and Cam have produced 10 music videos for Bobs & LoLo, one of Canada’s favourite team of entertainers for children. Bobs & LoLo are actually Robyn Hardy and Lorraine Pond, stars of the preschool TV series Sing, Dance and Play with Bobs & LoLo. Using the previously published book, Run Salmon Run and “Combining art and song, we made a video, shot on Bowen with fish hatchery support, that ties into B.C. school curriculum,” says Kat. “Tim Pardee, from the Fish and Wildlife Club, believed in it,” she says with gratitude.

“We received generous donations from the Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club.” The production team also received crowdsource funding on Indiegogo for the marketing and software development of the project. “The app connects with the DFO Stream to Sea program,” she says, which runs in 1,200 schools in B.C. and the Yukon, “and with the Salmonids in Schools program.” Because of this, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will include the app in their educational materials for schools. Kat says she talked about her idea with a teacher at the Bowen Island Community School. Peggy Smith, who runs the salmonid program, liked the idea. Encouraged, Kat took the next step, applying to Creative BC for a grant. Her successful application got the team the funding they needed to take the next step and hire someone, in this case, Box of Frogs Media, to build the app.

“Book apps are one of the safest bets for parents and our educational app will likely prove to be an easy purchase for parents who are already fans of Bobs & LoLo.” The app will include animations, stories, games, and a karaoke-style sing-along game, complete with guitar chords for playing along. Before Turtlebox, Kat worked at DreamWorks Animation as a production supervisor on The Prince of Egypt and Shrek and later doing project management at Electronic Arts. Cam was behind the camera for two decades, working on features, documentaries, television and commercials, but also gaining expertise in all aspect of media creation. This is the first app Turtlebox Productions has done and “it’s exciting to break into another area of children’s media,” says Kat. “this is a great tool.” The project goes into pre-production May 2 and will be out this summer.

What kind of plant is this, and why is it growing in the meadow? To find out, join us on April 24. WILL HUSBY photo

Silverback sojourn in Crippen Meadow WILL HUSBY CONTRIBUTOR

What is a silverback? In great ape communities, these are the old, wise, experienced members of the troupe. In the Bowen Nature Club, silverbacks are our veteran naturalists who have watched, wondered and discovered much about the nature of Bowen Island. Bring your meadow questions. This Sunday, April 24 from 1 to 3 p.m., join Nature Club silverbacks, Billie Gowans, Will Husby, Bob Turner and Everhard van Lidth de Jeude for a wander around Crippen Meadow to investigate and discuss all aspects the meadow’s nature, geology and history. Come dressed for the weather and bring your binoculars and questions. Share your observations on this fun informal ramble. Meet at the horse ring at the meadow in Crippen Park.

Metro Parks commits $300,000 for cottage restoration MERIBETH DEEN CONTRIBUTOR

Representatives from Metro Vancouver met with mayor and council on Monday in order to explain their process on the creation of a plan for the Davies Orchard area of Crippen Park. Of the 10 remaining cottages, built by the Union Steamship Company in the 1920s, six are in a state of major disrepair. Metro Parks has committed $50,000 to the creation of a plan over the next year, and $250,000 in the following two years in order carry out the necessary work. Coun. Maureen Nicholson, who is the chair of the municipality’s Heritage Commission, said that after seeing the Orchard sit for 25 years, it is fantastic to see this happening. Mayor Murray Skeels echoed her comments. “We are really, really tired of looking at those things,” he said. In response, Mitch Sokalski, director of regional parks, planning, policy and environment, told council that Metro Parks made a commitment here a long time ago. “We’ve exhausted everything,” he said. “It is time to come up with a plan that works

for everybody.” In an interview following the meeting, Sokalski explained that Metro Parks has worked with Bowen Heritage to come up with ways to restore the cabins with a mandate that the project would pay for itself. “We’ve been through grant writing, we’ve been through establishing an RFP (Request for Proposal) process to see if there were private investors that would like to come in and do them, and we’ve exhausted all that now. In the meantime, there’s been some good work going on with the restoring of a couple of the cabins, so that’s what I meant about exhausted.” In 1991, Metro Parks was ready to bulldoze the cottages in the orchard, but backed away from that plan in the face of protest. “It was a totally different story,” said Sokalski, when asked whether demolishing the cottages might could come back on the table. “We had no sewer, we didn’t have a proper hydro system, water needed to be upgraded . . . we’ll let the planning process tell us what cabins need to be retained and what their uses are. We know that the Union Steamship era was important to the community, important to the region, and it is a

big part of Crippen Regional Park. So we’ll proceed with trying to achieve a sustainable plan that is pragmatic, practical and affordable.” This Sunday, Metro Parks will be presenting on the initiative at the Bowen Heritage AGM, and will be holding a public engagement session on the project in June. From there, Metro Parks will proceed with an inventory of the buildings and the site. Sokalski emphasized in the council meeting that this will not be an “open” planning exercise, it must be in line with all of the other priorities for Crippen Park as well as Metro Parks own mandate of protecting natural areas and connecting people to nature. He adds that while using the cottages for short-term rentals connects the property to its history, other uses, for the private sector or for housing for example, would not. “Neither of those fit with in the mandate of regional parks,” says Sokalski, “and in fact would go against that. When we talk about short-term rentals, that was a historical use. We’re not in the housing business, but a short term stay in the Davies Orchard cottage is very much what occurred during the Union

Steamship company era.” Coun. Maureen Nicholson says that this project is about more than just the cottages, and more than heritage. “It is about the best uses of the Davies Orchard that are consistent with the Metro Parks mandate, available funds, and the community and regional public interest,” says Nicholson. “We have a potentially beautiful waterfront park there that is now underutilized and partly derelict. It’s public land that’s been effectively privatized through neglect. Metro Parks’ project budget could easily be swallowed up by the full-scale restoration of a cottage or two, but if you recognize that you can’t preserve everything, those funds could go a long way toward creating a simple and sustainable solution: a lovely park, with a well-supported heritage element, comfortable places to sit and enjoy the sunshine, and perhaps a playground for the kids.” NOTE: Sokalski was asked about the plan to demolish the cottages in 1989, to which he responded, “1989 was a different story. . .” Upon fact checking, it seems the plan to demolish the cottages was in fact 1991.

Steamship Days Fundraiser Rhythm & Blues Ribfest A special night with the legendary R&B Hall of Fame Singer…

Dutch Robinson Saturday, April 30th 5 - 10 PM

MOVEMENT(S) art exhibit solo work by J Peachy

Exhibit runs April 29 – May 23,

Opening Reception: Saturday April 30, 2016

Gallery @Artisan Square

For tickets and 5:30 pm: Reception catered by BigHeart Bannock. Tickets: $20. info, visit 7:00 pm: Official welcome including performances by Kathara Pilipino Indigenous www.biac.ca Arts Collective & Kasha Konaka. Admission by donation.

Royal Canadian Legion

Tickets $30

avail at: BOSS Phoenix & Legion

10 10 •> FRIDAY FRIDAY APRIL APRIL 22 22 2016 2016

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Allergens and immune systems: It takes two to tango BUD MASSENDER CONTRIBUTOR

It takes two to tango and it takes two parties to produce an allergy – the allergen and an immune system (albeit an overactive one). Allergens can be anything from a grain of pollen to your aunt Fanny’s favourite feline (actually, the dander it produces). Many drugs too, including sulphonamide and other antibiotics, codeine, aspirin and a host of others can act as allergens. But before you can have an allergic reaction your immune system has to recognize the antigen as a gate-crasher and raise the alarm. The party begins in a rather formal way when a presenting cell introduces the antigen to special T-cells. But things go downhill from there when antibody-producing B-cells get involved. They in turn initiate a cascade of events resembling that of the introduction of a fox into a hen house. The real troublemakers are the mast cells and basophils (normally helpful members of the immune corps) who open the door to all kinds of inflammatory riffraff. These characters (including cytokines and histamine) bring out the worst in the host, producing unwanted and sometimes debilitating symptoms that call a halt to any pretence of civility. If the reaction is severe (anaphylactic), a shot of epinephrine(epi-pen) and a call to 911 are in order. For less severe manifestations, antihistamines are one of the most reliable treatments. If you are allergic to nuts or cer-

tain drugs, the best solution, of course, is avoidance. But that is often not practical or possible, especially when the allergen is airborne. Such allergens can give rise to allergic rhinitis, also known as sneezonal allergy or hay fever (goodness knows why since hay is rarely allergenic and fever is definitely not a symptom). The most common and bothersome symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, watery, itchy eyes and nasal stuffiness. For many people the affliction is limited to eye symptoms and can be managed simply with an eye drop. There are a couple of prescription drops, but there are some over-the counter products that contain antihistamines. The newer, second-generation antihistamines (Claritin, Allegra, Reactine and Aerius) are much less likely to have side effects and often provide consistently good relief for hay fever. Tolerance can develop with extended use, but switching to a different member of the same class usually restores effectiveness. Aerius (or its generic) also helps to relieve the nasal stuffiness that often, especially initially, accompanies seasonal rhinitis. Some of the other second-generation antihistamines come in combination with pseudoephedrine, a nasal/sinus decongestant, but that adds another dimension of possible, sometimes serious, unwanted effects. The classic (older, first-generation) antihistamines are not always appropriate. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is the most familiar example of that

Pollen sits on the local tennis courts, looking as if a sand storm had blown through. An island pharmacist has advice for allergy sufferers dealing with this level of allergens. photo LOUISE LOIK class. They may work as well or even better for severe reactions (to bee stings, for example) or as adjunctive therapy in anaphylaxis, but they are more likely to have side effects in people who have certain medical conditions such as glaucoma or enlarged prostate. Drowsiness, sometimes acute enough to affect the ability to drive, is a common

side effect. Previously available only on prescription, certain intranasal corticosteroids offer another very good choice for treating allergic rhinitis. The nasal spray can relieve both nasal and ocular symptoms. It is generally as effective as an oral antihistamine and may be even more beneficial in combination with antihistamines.

If over-the-counter formulations do not give sufficient relief, a physician should be consulted. But, if your immune system has to entertain this sort of challenge, consider inviting one or two chaperones from the list above to join the party. Bud Massender is an island pharmacist.

More acclaim for David Podmore’s community work LOUISE LOIK EDITOR

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Governors’ Banquet and Rix Awards paid tribute to Bowen’s

David Podmore by giving him an Engaged Community Citizenship Award last week. Podmore, chair and CEO of Concert Properties Ltd., and Chair of FortisBC Board of Directors, was commended

by numerous dignitaries in person, and in a tribute video, for his long-term impact in Vancouver and British Columbia. John Furlong, former CEO of the Vancouver 2010

REGULAR SCHEDULE BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULE AprilMay 1 to 18, 2016 In Effect 15May to October 13, 2014

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^ 5:30 am** 5:30 am 6:30 am 6:30 am 7:30 am*^* 7:30 am 8:30 am 8:35 am 9:30 am# 9:35 am # 10:30 am 10:35 am 11:30 am 11:40 am 12:30 pm 12:45 pm 3:00 pm 3:10 pm 4:15 pm 4:00 pm†† 5:15 pm 5:00 pm * 6:20 pm 6:00 pm 7:20 pm 7:00 pm** 8:15 pm # 8:00 pm# 9:10 pm 9:00 pm 10:05 pm 10:00 pm

VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay

6:00am am 6:00 **^ 7:00am am 7:00 8:00 8:00am am 9:05 9:00am# am††# 10:05 10:00am am 11:05 am 11:00 am 12:10 pm 12:00 pm 2:35 pm 2:25 pm 3:45 pm 3:30 pm 4:45 pm 4:30pm pm 5:50 * 5:30pm pm 6:50 6:30pm pm 7:50 * 8:40 7:30pm pm#* 9:40 8:30pm pm# 9:30 pm

Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES

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BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove

#*

DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS

SUNDAYS

# DAILY DAILY EXCEPT EXCEPT SATURDAYS SUNDAYS &

*

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^ **

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†

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Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, remarked in the video that Podmore has, “never been properly recognized for the things that he’s done. ... Because he does them and moves on to something else. He’s quiet about it, and it’s terrific now that he’s being recognized.” Furlong went on to refer to Podmore’s

impressive, “body of work,” remarking on how much Podmore, “has contributed to the growth of B.C.” Gordon Campbell, High Commissioner for Canada in the UK, remarked that the award winner, “has helped shape our city.” The evening began with a cocktail reception followed

by welcoming remarks by master of ceremonies Jas Johal, BC LNG Alliance director of communications, and included an award to FortisBC for Engaged Corporate Citizenship. Podmore’s newest award joins numerous other awards, including his 2014 Order of British Columbia.

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon

Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Clinton Neal 1070 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 604-947-0441 Service 10:30Service a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. 10:30 School a.m.

ST. GERARD’S CATHOLIC CHURCH ST. GERARD’SROMAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Mass: 10:30 Sunday a.m. Priest: James Comey Mass:Father 10:30 a.m.

604-988-6304 Administration Office: 604-682-6774

CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260

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10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens Phil James Adkins B. Krohn Pastor: Dr.

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All advertising published in this newspaper is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to buyers at the advertised prices. Advertisers are aware of these conditions. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading, is never knowingly accepted. If any reader encounters non-compliance with these standards we ask that you inform the Publisher of this newspaper and The Advertising Standards Council of B.C. OMISSION AND ERROR: The publishers do not guarantee the insertion of a particular advertisement on a specified date, or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers. Further, the publishers do not accept liability for any loss of damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any corrections of changes will be made in the next available issue. The Bowen Island Undercurrent will be responsible for only one incorrect insertion with liability limited to that portion of the advertisement affected by the error. Request for adjustments or corrections on charges must be made within 30 days of the ad’s expiration. For best results please check your ad for accuracy the first day it appears. Refunds made only after 7 business days notice!

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Another successful Sun Run for Bowen Island group AMANDA OCKELOEN CONTRIBUTOR

Running ancient roads in Roman marathon: Shana Burrows Griffiths and Margaret Gray qualified for and competed in a marathon in Rome recently. The route took them along ancient cobblestone roads and twisting city streets. photo supplied

With 49 participants, and seven leaders for the Sun Run In-Training, it was quite a crowd heading over on the 7:30 a.m. water taxi on Sunday morning. Thanks so much to Brian (Cormorant Marine) and Peter (Bowen Bus) for getting us there in perfect timing to start the 32nd largest annual 10-kilometre race in Vancouver. With 13 weeks of training under our belt, the excitement was tangible even at that early hour on a Sunday morning. It’s hard to describe the energy you feel from 43,372 people collectively standing together on Georgia Street waiting to start on a route that is the same for all, but is being approached by so many different stories and backgrounds. For some it’s a family affair, with strollers and kids trying to stick together, others are recovering from something, while a great deal are just there for the fun of a shared event. Bands playing live music

Participants from the Sun Run Training Clinic on Bowen Island say they enjoyed the run and the energy of the April 17 event. photo supplied line the streets, andstrangers come out to root runners on. There are loads of high fives, and this year organizers added a “misting” tent at around the eight-kilometre mark, which was nice as it was warm. It is mind boggling thinking of all of the logistics required to put on an event

for 43,000 people: police managing the streets, paramedics on bikes, in tents, and in ambulances, the bands, the food, the race packages, picking up all of the coats and sweaters that are shed and taking them to shelters, thousands of balloons set up to mark the waiting sections, the porta-potties and water

stations all along the route, and barricading off all of the streets to cars. At the finish line there is a party in BC place stadium with snacks, chocolate milk, clothes to buy, and more bands playing. All in all, it was a fantastic experience, and I am looking forward to next year.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Dr. Susanne Schloegl

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Contact

Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830

James Goldfarb RMT BC#05279 Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon Call 604-288-2860 text 250-726-8080 www.bodyvitality.ca

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CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

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Mary Coleman

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Maureen to advertise in this space.

Alternate Fridays 10am - 4:30pm

604-947-2442

Horseshoe Bay 604-921-8522

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BODY VITALITY MASSAGE THERAPY

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BOWEN ISLAND MASSAGE THERAPY 604-947-9755 EXT #1 @ #597 Wellness Centre & #595 next door!! TEXT: 604-653-9755 By Appt. 7 days a week MARY MCDONAGH RMT HARMONY SHIRE RMT ROBYN IZARD RMT ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT

Celebrating 27 years Community Healthcare

Life Labs Tue @ Dr. Schloegl Thur @ Dr. Zandy 6:45am - 8:45am

For routine lab tests. Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.

At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597

CATHERINE SHAW Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist

❦

MARY MCDONAGH RMT, DCH

Registered Massage Therapist

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SANDY LOGAN Registered Physiotherapist

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN TALK TO A NURSE ANY TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT IN B.C.? Just Call 811

for non-emergency advice and help.