New BHS head basketball coach Steve Haizlip joined Shaemus Kreider in the BCB studio for a preview of the upcoming season. The first game is on November 28th at Kingston, while the first home game is the following Monday versus the North Kitsap Vikings.

The conversation occurred on November 7, 2015.

Credits: BCB host, audio editor and social media publisher: Shaemus Kreider.

Lynn Brunelle is a mama gone geek!

In this "Who's On Bainbridge" podcast episode, BCB's Sandy Schubach has a delightful conversation with Bainbridge Island resident Lynn Brunelle.

A writer, illustrator and former teacher, Lynn believes in getting kids excited about science. For Lynn, science is a magic that can be reality, and something that is accessible in our homes and is ripe for experimenting. Lynn has published over 40 books and is a four-time Emmy award winner for her work on Bill Nye the Science Guy. She has created, developed and written projects for Scholastic, National Geographic, Disney, Cranium, PBS, and many others. Listen in as Lynn talks about her career path, her best day ever, and her dream job!

Lynn Brunelle has over 20 years experience writing for people of all ages, across all manner of media. Previously a classroom science, English and art teacher for kids K-12, she is an editor, illustrator, and award-winning author of over 45 titles. Lynn has created, developed and written projects for Chronicle, Workman, National Geographic, Scholastic, Random House, Penguin, A&E, The Discovery Channel, Disney, ABC TV, NPR, The Annenburg Foundation, World Almanac, Cranium and PBS.

Visit Lynn's website and Lynn's blog called "Mama Gone Geek"

As she says on her website, she lives on Bainbridge Island "with her adorable husband, two wonderful sons, two sassy cats and a pair of enthusiastic dogs."

Credits: BCB host and audio editor: Sandy Schubach; BCB social media publisher: Barry Peters.

In this podcast, BCB host Sonia Scaer talks to NASA Emeritus Scientist Dr. Bob Bindschadler about his upcoming presentation “What Ice Sheets Hate: And Why You Should Care” on Monday December 7, at 8:00 PM.

The pub at the Treehouse Café in Lynwood Center is the venue for monthly first Monday "Open Mic Science" conversations. The public is invited to grab a beverage and explore ideas in various aspects of science and technology in an informal, social setting. Inspired by Café Scientifique, the gatherings are committed to public understanding of science.

Bob has spent many years studying the ice sheets of the Antarctic, has led field expeditions to Antarctica, and has participated in many expeditions to glaciers and icecaps around the world. He has advised the US Congress and Vice President Al Gore on the stability of ice sheets and ice shelves, and has served on many scientific commissions and study groups as an expert in glaciology and remote sensing of ice.

Bob explains “Thawing permafrost, thinning sea ice and retreating glaciers all signal changes that have become the 'new normal' for the colder parts of our planet", and they foretell a future of rising sea levels. Observations of this accelerating ice loss have surprised the experts and confounded the predictive models that policy makers might rely on to take action. The distant future is easy to forecast—less ice on Earth—one million years of paleoclimate data say so, but more detail is needed.

Bob explains that direct field studies have identified a number of causes for the sudden awakening of the ice sheets. Climate models do not incorporate many of the more rapidly acting processes. All have a common element, which will be explained in the lecture. Studies indicate that continued ice sheet mass loss may well be irreversible and will affect your life—whether you attend the lecture or not!

Bob is now a resident of the Port Townsend area and is actively engaged in community education.

For more details, visit the Open Mic Science website.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/wu-206-holiday-village-at-bloedel/

Looking for something special to do this holiday season? Listen here as Erin Jennings, Communications & Outreach Coordinator at the Bloedel Reserve, tells BCB host Channie Peters all about the Reserve's Holiday Village, a magical transformation of the Reserve's iconic Visitor’s Center.

Created out of re-purposed materials by longtime Bainbridge resident and Bloedel volunteer Dwight Shappell, the village is spread out over several rooms of the center, which once served as home for the Bloedel family. The village's pint-sized palaces,electric trains, natural surroundings and intricately designed, hand-crafted miniatures are sure to astound both the young and young-at-heart.

Bloedel Reserve is beautiful in all seasons, of course, but in the glow of winter light, the walk from the parking area to the Visitor’s Center takes on a particularly magical quality -- it's definitely worth the trip!

The Holiday Village will be open from December 12 to January 3, 2016; on December 12th, opening day for the village, children 12 and younger will enjoy free admission to the Reserve. After the 12th, the cost to visit is included in your admission charge for the Reserve.  Hours continue to be 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesdays through Sundays (closed on Mondays).  

Bloedel Reserve is located at 7571 NE Dolphin Drive.  More information and a map may be found at www.bloedelreserve.org.

Credits: BCB host: Channie Peters; audio editor: Tim Bird; BCB social media publisher: Diane Walker.

In this podcast, City employees Amber Richards and Heather Beckmann explain why they - and so many Bainbridge organizations and individuals - are working to make Bainbridge a safe haven again for bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

In its first months, project partners have grown to include: ASANI and the Grow Community; Commodore Options School; Bay Hay and Feed (where bee hive education occurs); Bloedel Reserve; Friends of the Farms; beekeeper Charles Shafer (who educates on bees at the Farmers Market); Islandwood; Sustainable Bainbridge; Sweetlife Farm; and, now, BCB!

Pollinators face a number of challenges in modern society and many species are in serious decline. Pesticide use, specifically the use of neonicotinoids, have caused massive die-offs.

See this webpage for advice on how you can make a difference and avoid harmful pesticides in your home garden.

Pollinators (bees, birds, moths, butterflies, and bats) are critical to human survival. Globally, pollinators account for pollination of approximately 85% of the world’s flowering plants and the vast majority of foods worldwide.

One way to help is to become a beekeeper. Beekeeping is pursued worldwide. For one example, BCB discovered an apparently easy-to-use beehive invention on the crowd-funding website called IndieGoGo. However, if anyone tries that Hive Flow system, or any other beehive system for beginners, please let us know and we'll do a future podcast about it. This is not intended, however, as an endorsement of Hive Flow or any other product by the Pollinator project.

Credits: BCB host, audio editor and social media publisher: Barry Peters.

On a sunny crisp November Saturday morning, BCB's Bob Ross talks with a local food maker and seller and the new market manager at the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market.

The Fall weather was perfect for two conversations at the market, which is in the center of Winslow, outdoors, between City Hall and Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA).

Bob introduces us to Dashka Blyzniukova of Iggy's. Iggy's informative website describes their locally-made food and drink products. Dashiki has charming stories about the tastiness and health benefits of Iggy's refreshing kombucha drinks and various types of krauts and kim chee.

Fermented foods contain live nutrients and their health benefits have been praised by the likes of Bainbridge wellness practitioner and naturopath Holly Christy, in an article in the Kitsap Sun.

Iggy's makes its food from fresh ingredients at their commercial kitchen at 7865 Day Road #103, and they welcome visitors. To confirm their hours, call 206-414-9994.

Bob's second guest at the Farmers Market is the new Market Manager, Tom Kelly. Tom is a veteran of 20 years as a real estate reporter at the Seattle Times, and he now has a weekly radio show called Real Estate Today on KIRO. Tom's a former sports writer, and he's a big fan of Bainbridge High School basketball.

Credits: BCB host and producer: Bob Ross; BCB audio editor and social media publisher: Barry Peters.

from BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/wu-205-childrens-book-and-nicaraguan-art-at-the-traveler/

Doley, the Guatemalan street dog, is the star of Jill Brazier’s bilingual English-Spanish book of the same name, which features colorful vibrant illustrations by renowned Nicaraguan artist, Marcio Diaz.  Both the author and the artist will be featured at The Traveler on December 5th.

In this podcast, Barbara Tolliver, co-owner of Bainbridge Island’s popular travel store, tells BCB host, Channie Peters, about this fun community event.  From 11 - 3 pm on Saturday, December 5th, author Jill Brazier will read from her heart-warming children’s book as well as from the next colorful book in her series, and artist Marcio Diaz will be doing some drawing with kids and all interested shoppers.  

This event will kick off this year’s charitable giving by The Traveler, which has a 20-year tradition of donating 5% of gross sales in the month of December to benefit Ometepe, our sister island in Nicaragua.  Donations go to buy books for the school and community libraries in Nicaragua.

Marcio Diaz’s art will be on exhibit during the Friday December 4 Art Walk, from 5-8 pm, and throughout the weekend.  He, too, will be donating proceeds from the sales of his art to Ometepe.  

So do stop by the Traveler, both at the Art Walk on Friday December 4th and on Saturday December 5th from 11 am - 3 pm, to view these richly colorful paintings of Nicaragua by Marcio Diaz and to meet author Jill Brazier.

Credits: BCB host: Channie Peters; audio editor: Tim Bird; BCB social media publishers: Chris and Diane Walker.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/wu-204-december-at-the-library/

The library has some exciting possibilities on offer during the month of December!

On exhibit this month, new works by BAC staff artists Susan Wiersema and Lynnette Sandbloom.

On  December 5 from 3-4pm, Join Angie Narus, author of Walking Washington's Gardens, for a virtual stroll through some of our state's finest horticultural treasures.

On Friday, December 11 from 5:30 pm to 7, The Building a Sustainable Economy series will focus on food and agriculture with presentations from Eric Eddings, president and CEO of Oregon Ice Cream, and Sarah Beaubien, VP of Sustainability at Farmer Brothers.

On Saturday, December 12 from 2-3:30 pm, Pam Perry from Grand Asian Journeys will discuss her relief work in Nepal after the April 25 earthquake.

On Monday, December 14 from 7-9 pm, learn to prepare Resumes That Get Noticed, and on Tuesday, December 15 from 7-8:30pm, bring your favorite prose or poetry to share in a Fields End Open Mic night.

And finally, don't miss Island Theatre's annual Christmas play, to be performed Saturday and Sunday, December 19th and 20th, at 7:30 pm.

It's all happening at the Bainbridge Public Library: for more information about these and other programs, be sure to visit www.bainbridgepubliclibrary.org.

Credits: BCB host and audio editor: Joanna Pyle; BCB social media publishers: Chris and Diane Walker.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/wu-203-holiday-fun-with-barn/

In this podcast, BCB host Joanna Pyle talks with Catherine Camp of BARN, the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, about some of the exciting offerings at BARN over the next month or two.  At BARN, you can make crafts as well as friends! 

Opportunities include:

November 20, 10 am - 1pm: Make a Boho wrap bracelet with Amy Margaret

December 1&2, 6-8pm (2 sessions): Pen making on the wood lathe with Bruce Claiborne

December 5 (Studio tour): A Special Holiday Opportunity!

As a volunteer-led fundraiser, BARN members have designed several holiday themed cards that are certain to appeal. The cards will be set up and ready to print on the BARN letterpresses.  Drop in any time before 2:30 on December 5 and MJ Linford will show you the easy process of printing your choice of cards on the press; take home as many as you wish to print. 

The cost for the workshop and printing -- which includes envelopes -- is $5 per card, $10 for 3 cards, and $30 for 12 cards -- but you don't just get the cards, you're also being introduced to letterpress! Letterpress gift tags will also be available for sale. All proceeds from your participation will benefit BARN and its programs.

This printing workshop is suitable for ages 14+. Please register for this event, even at the last minute, so there are enough cards and envelopes for all participants.  

December 8&9 6-8 pm (2 sessions): Create a gift and learn spindle turning on the lathe with Jeff Williams.

... and be sure to check out BARN Bucks!  You can buy them online, print them out, and use them as stocking stuffers: it's a great way to give crafty learning opportunities as Christmas presents.

To learn more about these workshops, the holiday cards, BARN Bucks and other opportunities at BARN, visit www.bainbridgebarn.org

Credits: BCB host: Joanna Pyle; audio editor: Chris Walker; publishers: Chris and Diane Walker.

In this podcast, newly re-elected School Board Director Tim Kinkead shares his thoughts about the key challenges and opportunities to preserving the quality of education for the students in the Bainbridge Island School District.

By chance, Tim's BCB studio interview happened to occur on the day (Friday November 13th) that our community's much appreciated School Superintendent Faith Chapel publicly announced her planned retirement as of the end of this school year (see her press release, below).

In this podcast, Tim speaks of his respect and appreciation for Faith, and notes some of her accomplishments.

Tim also outlines four sets of issues that will be important to the future of the school district:

- the need for community-approval in 2016 of capital bond funding for the reconstruction and repair of schools and facilities;

- the importance of finding a successor to the retiring Superintendent;

- the need to attract and retain the district's excellent teaching staff amidst a failure of the majority of the state legislators to follow the Constitutional mandate to adequately fund public schools (see our January 2015 BCB podcast interview with our community's State Senator Christine Rolfes advocating for the State Senate to step up to its duty to fund public education);

- finding the limited and balanced role for testing to play in Bainbridge student schooling records.

Credits: BCB host, audio editor and social media publisher: Barry Peters.

In this episode of “Who’s On Bainbridge” BCB host Barry Peters interviews a long-time Bainbridge resident who was a pioneer of podcast-like radio … before the technique now known as podcasting was invented in 2004.Philippe portrait

Philippe describes his early 2003 experiments with recording the “Sounds of Bainbridge” on audio “mp3” files that he made available through his blog website of the same name. Philippe tells stories of his early interviews with well-known Bainbridge leaders such as then-Congressman Jay Inslee, and then City Council member Christine Rolfes.

Philippe laughs now about some of the mishaps when his extremely modest equipment let him down. He describes how he attended and attempted to record a fascinating talk by an author at Eagle Harbor Books, only to discover that the device hadn’t actually started to record.

In the second half of this podcast, Philippe describes what he’s learned in recent years about the process of self-publishing of books. He describes a few of the softback books he’s produced, and the ideas and concerns that have motivated him to become an author and book self-publisher.

Credits: BCB host and audio editor: Barry Peters; BCB social media publisher: Valerie Adkins.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/wu-202-holidays-at-wpcc/

In this podcast BCB host Joanna Pyle chats with State Health Benefit Advisor Genevieve Moyer and Waterfront Park Community Center Manager Sue Barrington.

Genevieve summarizes a couple of Medicare changes coming in 2016:

Medicare has become more proactive in their commitment to preventive health care -- (preventing illness or detecting illness at early stage, when treatment likely to work best.) Examples of this include pap tests, flu shots, prostate screenings, and more.

... and be sure to check out Medicare’s Blue Button -- https://www.medicare.gov/manage-your-health/blue-button/medicare-blue-button.html The Blue Button offers access to your personal health information, helping you make more informed decisions about care while at the same time giving health care providers a more complete view of your health history.

Sue wanted to remind us all about the Holiday meals provided annually by Sportsmen’s Club, which has provided free holiday dinners for 35 years, every Thanksgiving & Christmas. Even leftovers are provided -- and transportation if needed.

For a fresh-cooked, pull-out-all-the-stops dinner with friends and neighbors, sign up at front desk of the Waterfront Park Community Center or give them a call at 842-1616. 

Credits: BCB host and audio editor: Joanna Pyle; BCB social media publishers: Chris and Diane Walker.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/wu-201-anita-feng-nov-22/

“Beautifully told in poetic prose,” Sid is a remarkable book about a modern-day Siddhartha which deftly portrays what it took and what it takes to be enlightened, then and now.

In this podcast, BCB host Channie Peters talks with the book's author, Anita Feng, a raku sculptor and Zen master who has also won the Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry and a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship.

Many of us know the story of Siddhartha, the young prince who grew up in India and left his privileged upbringing to seek enlightenment. Like Siddhartha, Feng's hero, Sid, is an ordinary mortal, in this case a privileged young mathematician growing up in Cambridge, Mass. But Sid, too, feels compelled to search for the obstacles to and causes of happiness, and eventually finds the answers within.

Feng’s book weaves together the stories of Siddartha, the historical Buddha; of Sid, an American math teacher; and, surprisingly, of two creatures, crow and rabbit. In addition, she includes the voices of the women in both Siddartha’s and Sid’s lives, basing her portrayals on historical research she did for the book.  

Feng will be reading from and discussing Sid at Eagle Harbor Books on Sunday, November 22nd at 3 pm.  We hope you'll join us, both for her reading and for the discussion afterwards, which promises -- given her accounts of what has occurred at previous readings -- to be as intriguing and enlightening as her book.

Credits: BCB host: Channie Peters; BCB audio editor: Tim Bird; BCB social media publisher: Diane Walker.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/cafe-025-etacs-frank-gremse/

In this podcast, retired scientist and engineer Frank Gremse talks about his volunteer service for the City’s Environmental Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC) and other public spirited organizations taking a stand on climate change.

Frank Gremse (pronounced “Gremz”) is a 25-year Bainbridge resident who retired 1½ years ago from a professional career in science and engineering.

Years ago, after seeing the Al Gore movie “An Inconvenient Truth” about the significance and impact of climate change, Frank traveled to Toronto Canada to participate with hundreds of other attendees from many nations in an Al Gore “Climate Reality Project” training and workshop.  Years later, as he approached his anticipated retirement, he sought out an idealistic group of professionals known as “Engineers Without Borders”.  Like the better-known “Doctors Without Borders”, the engineers group engages in humanitarian projects around the world.

Frank currently serves as chair of the City’s ETAC committee of citizen volunteers. Frank notes that ETAC currently has vacancies to fill. An interested Bainbridge resident can apply on the ETAC page of the City’s website.  In prior years, ETAC advised the City Council about the multi-year project known as the Shoreline Management Program (SMP). Currently, ETAC is focused on the City’s update of the local Comprehensive Plan, and is advising on environmental topics -- like adaptation to climate change -- that should form a portion of the plan update.

Frank mentions the upcoming November 18 City workshop, hosted by a scientist and planner from the local nonprofit, EcoAdapt. The subject is adaptation to climate change and what the City’s Comprehensive Plan update should say about the City adapting to climate change.

In this podcast, Frank provides several basic scientific facts about the evidence of climate change and its significance. He also discusses some hopeful new alternatives that are emerging in solar and wind energy.

Credits: BCB host: Barry Peters; BCB audio editor: Chris Walker; BCB social media publishers: Chris and Diane Walker.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/wu-200-david-williams-speaks-nov-15/

Ever wonder why there are parking lots in Seattle where the cars sit catawampus to each other (the ground underneath is a former tidal swamp), or why the train tracks make a broad sweep instead of going straight (the tracks were laid before the lowering of Lake Washington)?  

The answers are contained in author David Williams' fascinating new book, Too High and Too Steep: reshaping Seattle’s Topography.  David was inspired to write this book out of his own curiosity about the many natural and unnatural features of Seattle’s topography.  His book encourages us to explore Seattle with more probing eyes and to learn how Seattle's founders have helped to shape the city's landscape.

At 3pm on November 15 at Eagle Harbor Books, David will show slides of many of the maps and photos in his book depicting how Seattle used to look prior to the major topographical reshaping of the city that occurred in the early years of its development.  He'll also discuss the surprising engineering projects - both monumental and minuscule - that have shaped the Seattle we all know today.

Be sure to join David Williams at Eagle Harbor bookstore on Winslow Way on November 15th at 3 pm for a fascinating view into Seattle’s topographical history.

Credits: BCB host and audio tech Channie Peters;  publishers Chris and Diane Walker.

How might companies large and small reflect our highest values?

In this podcast, BCB host Christina Hulet speaks with Jill Bamburg, president and co-founder of Pinchot University (formerly known as Bainbridge Graduate Institute).

Jill talks about a speaker series that is open to Bainbridge community members at the local Library -- the BASE lecture series (Building a Sustainable Economy).

This is a monthly series featuring business and community leaders from around the country who present topics pertaining to social justice, environmental protection, sustainability, corporate responsibility and related concerns.

The first in this year’s series is: "Diversity and Inclusion in Social Entrepreneurship".

It will be held on Friday, November 13 at Bainbridge Public Library from 5:30-7:00pm and will include two speakers: Effenus Henderson, President and CEO of HenderWorks, and Janis Puracal, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Oregon Innocence Project. They will talk about building bridges across diverse communities and the value of inclusion in the workplace.

Jill talks about why this is such an important and timely conversation in our country today and how it ties to the mission of Pinchot University. The event is sponsored by several organizations including the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, Bainbridge Public Library, Sustainable Bainbridge, YES! Magazine and Pinchot University.

This is a free event but seating is limited; please register here. To learn more, visit the Pinchot University website.

Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; BCB editor and social media publisher: Barry Peters.

In this podcast, Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra conductor Wes Schulz gives BCB a preview of the first concert on November 14th to kick off the new 4-concert season.

The first concert will begin the season with vibrant, joyous pieces by Christopher Rogerson, and Carl Nielson, Denmark’s most famous composer, sandwiching in between, Beethoven’s 4th piano concerto.

Wes also tells BCB about the coming season and why he chose these composers, pieces and collaborations (including with the BI Ballet on stage). The season includes three other concerts after this first one - in February, April and June. Check out the exciting programs here.

Maestro Schulz is beginning his fifth season with BSO. Under his leadership, the orchestra has commissioned new works, reinvigorated the Young Artist Competition, brought top soloists to the stage, and collaborated with many Bainbridge arts groups including the Bainbridge Chorale, the Shakespeare Society, and the Edge Improv. Wes enjoys working creatively with all of this community's many talented individuals and groups to produce sold out concerts.

Tickets for the November 14 & 15 concerts, as well as the season, are on sale now at the Bainbridge Performing Arts website.

Credits: BCB host: Channie Peters; BCB audio editor: Tim Bird; BCB social media publisher: Barry Peters.

Helene Smart will be singing cabaret-style over dinner at the Manor House, in Lynwood Center, on Nov. 9-10.

Helene has always loved to sing since she was small.  She sang with her family around campfires, in musical comedies during school and community theater but has hit upon a type of music she resonates with and she loves to share it with her audiences. It’s Cabaret!

She got her start in Cabaret on the island at Bainbridge Performing Arts.  Dennis Faust, the director, asked her to extend the play he was directing and fill out the evening by singing songs that related to that play. While she researched songs for the play, she realized how much she liked songs that told a story, hence her start with cabaret music.  

Cabaret songs are sung in an intimate setting with words that portray stories. Helene chooses her songs very carefully thinking about her audience; will they appeal to a wide range of people? Will they portray the story she wants to tell and which songs can be strung together that deepen the impact of the story?  Choosing music is a past time Helene loves for she rediscovers music she hasn’t heard for a while or she discovers new songs that were recorded long ago by a different artist or she remembers favorite songs she sang as a child with her family. She tries to find songs that are whimsical and humorous because they get the point across in a fun way.

Does she write her own songs?  In one case, yes.  She collaborated with a friend and wrote the song “The Name Song” which is about the pronunciation of her name.  It is a humorous, clever and light song about an irritating situation for her.

On November 9th and 10th, the Manor House at Pleasant Beach will feature Helene and their grand piano. 

The show on November 9th is sold out but folks have another opportunity to hear this talented artist on Tuesday, November 10th.  

Dinner reservations are for 6pm only and are accepted by calling the Manor House at 206-842-8439.  You won’t want to miss it!

http://www.manorhouseatpleasantbeach.com/