CROSS COUNTRY KIDS

BICS runners from Grades 3 to 7 participated in four meets earlier this fall and finished their cross-country season in mid-October. There were a total of 23 runners from the school and by all accounts each ran hard and performed well. They practiced twice weekly and on Tuesdays went on the Queen of Cap over to Ambleside Park in West Van to compete with other schools. Runners of note include Mattias ‘Tee-Ballis the Great’ Blomberg, Benny Boy Welsh, Kate Brougham, Katie McGregor and Grady Huskisson; both Brougham and Huskisson won their divisions. In an email they all expressed thanks to the following adults for coaching, supervising, driving and being of general help: Mary Ann Zakreski, Florrie Levine, David Langmuir, Liz Watson, Jane Misner, Lisa Brougham, Andrea Daniels, Elaine Sun, Vanessa Zandvliet, John Brougham, Kim Eifler, Susan Woodward, Geraldine Brind-Boronkay and Peggy Smith. They send a special thanks to “our favourite bus driver Peter King.”

KNICK KNACK NOVEMBER

Diane Marshall reports the new Knick Knack Nook “will be hosting a Grand Opening on Sunday, Nov. 8th with doors open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.” The official ceremony is at 1 p.m. and Mayor Bob Turner will be on hand. Before opening there are two days they’ll take donations on: Saturday Oct. 31 and Sunday Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (same hours as B.I.R.D.). Items they will accept are washed clothes in good condition, fabric, household items, books, CDs, DVD’s, instruments, electronics, toys and games, tools, sport equipment and collectibles. They ask you include your name and number on items in case you leave “things of special value” as they may want to talk to you about them. There are items they will not accept and Marshall also says they seek a volunteer treasurer and hope to find one before the store opens. The reuse-it store is located on Gardner Rd. across from the gas station by the recycling depot.

COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR

There is a Bowen Island Community Whole Health Fair, the first held here in four years, on Saturday, Nov. 7th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the BICS gym. This event is sponsored by BICS, Bowen Island Recreation and by Vancouver Coastal Health. BICS school coordinator Sarah Haxby tells us that there are activities for all ages related to recreation, health, fitness, culture and more; there will also be information on local services such as counselling, physical therapy, massage and more. She says there will also be “representatives from a new eco-diaper business, demos on juggling, dance, bee keepers, doula services, pilates, gardening and yoga.” You will also be able to learn how to saddle a horse and about Tai chi and Haxby’s email said there’ll be “information on local health practitioners, where the confidential, free youth clinics are, where to work out on Bowen and H1N1 vaccinations may be at the event with the Vancouver Coastal Health booths.” They seek volunteers and ask those able to call BICS (9337). The event is free.

WALK’S ABOUT MUSHROOMS

This comes our way from DG Blair Whitehead of the Bowen Nature Club:

“The Bowen Nature Club welcomes mushroom enthusiast and biologist Dr. John Field to be our leader on a Bowen mushroom walkabout, Sunday, November 1st at 10 a.m. We will meet in front of the library and carpool to the site of our approximately two hour walk. On the walk, we will search for and identify local mushrooms that we spot along the way. Feel free to bring along any local samples that you want identified and we will do our best to ID them. Please dress for the weather – the walk should be a relatively easy amble. Questions? Call DG at 604-947-0134.”

EMERGENCY CHILDCARE FIRST AID

An interactive class covering emergency situations involving children and babies is being held on Saturday, Nov. 14 at BICS from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. It is being taught by experienced island first aid teacher Amanda Ockeloen. You are encouraged to bring a lunch and the cost is $81 and includes a manual and a certificate. For more information call BICS at 9337. Note that Emergency First Aid runs the following Saturday, Nov. 21.

CALL FOR DONATIONS

Tracy McLaughlin of Family Place has put out an “urgent request for infant items and was wondering if you may have any of these items (in good condition) to donate to a family: crib, infant car seat, crib sheets and blankets, receiving blankets, infant clothing, sling, stroller, infant seat.”

She asks that if you can donate items to please “call me or email me before bringing them in (to avoid duplication and overload in our small space). We would like to collect these items for Nov. 4. Thanks for your help.”