If you're a writer seeking to jumpstart your creativity, Author Jennifer Wilhoit's entertaining and inspirational guide to writing and nature may be exactly what you're looking for. Learn more when she presents her newest book, Writing on the Landscape: Essays and Practices to Write, Roam, Renew, at Eagle Harbor Books on Thursday, January 11th, at 7 pm.

Calling her provocative, yet practical, ideas “a pairing of nature and writing toward wholeness,” author Jennifer J. Wilhoit, Ph.D suggests that our connection to the natural world supports us in reaching the depths of our inner world. It is in this profound relationship that we will find the landscape for our most honest writing.

Jennifer will explain how starting with twenty-six words can take us beyond writer’s block. She will discuss the benefits of creating a writer’s log as a map to the most productive and enjoyable routines for our work. And, drawing from the chapter on spirit, she will demonstrate how awe and beauty can inform our writing and take us to a place of wholeness in our lives.

Be sure to mark your calendar for this joyful and enlightening evening.

Credits:  BCB host: Charlotte Cook; BCB audio editor and social media publisher: Diane Walker.

What is the intersection of climate change and social justice?

Find out in this podcast as BCB host Christina Hulet interviews Running-Grass, a long-time environmental justice activist and multicultural environmental educator on Bainbridge Island. He is moderating the next Climate and Energy Forum discussion on January 17.

The Forum – sponsored by Climate Action Bainbridge, EcoAdapt, Sustainable Bainbridge, Friends of Island Power and Citizens Climate Lobby – hosts a monthly series featuring speakers and discussion topics to increase our community’s awareness and response.

This month, the topic is “Climate Justice: Climate Change through a Social Justice Lens.” Panelists include: Kim Powe, Director of Climate Justice at Puget Sound SAGE, Hodan Hassan, Climate Justice Organizer at Got Green, and Sapna Sopori, Director of Youth and Community Education at IslandWood.

Running-Grass shares with us the origins of the Environmental Justice movement and his role as a delegate to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in 1991, which launched the movement onto the national stage.

We also learn about the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations such as racial minorities and low-income communities in our region. These impacts are distributed unequally and must be approached within an inclusive social justice context.   

To learn more, you can attend the next Climate & Energy Forum event on Climate Justice on Wednesday, January 17 from 7:00 – 8:30pm at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.

For more information on the Climate and Energy Forum, please visit: www.bainbridgeislandforum.org.

Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

"Life as Collage: Whimsy and Romance" is the title of Wendy Brown's new exhibition, which will open at the Bainbridge Island Library Friday, January 5th, as part of the island's January Art Walk.

Listen here as BCB host John Fossett talks with Wendy about her unusual pieces and the process by which she builds them. Wendy, who has been making collages for 40 years, is self-taught and inspired by all things old and beautiful.

A self-proclaimed "die-hard romantic," Wendy shares with us about her adventures traveling and collecting the thousands of tiny knick-knacks she uses to feed into her whimsical collages. Postcards, beads, stamps, and trinkets galore dance out of her unusual frames to tell the story of a life deliciously lived.

Credits: BCB host: John Fossett; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

This week Tastes of Bainbridge host Bob Ross discusses the season's produce with Joe Pulicicchio in Joe's native habitat: the Town and Country produce section in Winslow. 

Walking through the aisles, Joe introduces us  to fruits like the cute Rockit apples (a perfect size for Christmas stockings!), the specially cared for Comise pears, some of the interesting berries that have lasted late into December, and of course the various kinds of oranges so popular this time of year. 

Seasonal favorites like chard, kale,  leeks, fennel, and endives capture our attention, and there are also fresh chives and figs to be seen.  Joe gives us a tip on how to save money when buying mushrooms, and explains how dried mushrooms can be used even when the recipe calls for fresh.  (We believe Joe pronounced all the japanese mushrooms correctly, but what do we know?)

Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Looking for a quiet break from the holiday rush? Listen here as noted Shakespeare expert, actor, and co-director of inD Theatre Tom Challinor reads Dylan Thomas’s Christmas classic, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.”

Tom will perform this poem again live this weekend at Eagle Harbor Congregational church, at the corner of Winslow and Madison on Bainbridge Island.  That reading, which will be accompanied by violinist Lea Fetterman, is free, appropriate for all ages, and open to the public.

So bring the kids; come Friday or Saturday December 22 or 23 at 1, 2, or 3pm, and treat yourself to the sights and sounds of a good old-fashioned Christmas.

Credits: Audio tech: Chris Walker; Audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

If you're worried that today's children spend too much time on screens and too little time outside, Kevin Mills has an idea to change that.

An industrial designer turned 'adventure playground advocate and creator,' Kevin Mills joins BCB host Bob Ross in this podcast to share his thoughts on play and why we need to begin thinking differently about its role in children's lives. 

Citing examples in Europe and the U.K., Kevin delves into the meaning of play and how it helps engage young folks in the process of taking risks, learning resilience and problem solving techniques.  Ideally, he believes, children’s play should even offer opportunities to create and build their own playgrounds; including building, tearing them down, and restructuring, all with minimal supervision by trained and skilled play workers. 

Sound intriguing? Listen here to learn how you can bring the adventure playground movement to life right here on Bainbridge.

For more information and to get connected into the Adventure Play network, visit Kevin’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/playczar .

Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

If you’re looking for fun ways to brighten these dark, cold days of winter, and celebrate the holiday season, look no further!  In this podcast Bloedel Reserve’s Programs and Events Manager, Shayla Miles, tells us about two delightful upcoming events at Bloedel this month: The Holiday Village, and the Solstice Walks.

Open Tuesdays through Sundays, December 9-31 from 10 to 4, the Holiday Village offers magical houses created by Island resident  Dwight Shappell.  You’ll see a French Chateau, a Log Cabin, a Castle, a Treehouse, a Cookie Factory, a Gingerbread House, and more, all painstakingly built with wood from Dwight’s workshop, and fully furnished.  Young and old delight in these fanciful structures.  As an added benefit, the Bloedel Mansion is beautifully decorated for the season, and cider and cookies are also provided!

The Winter Solstice Walks allow folks to walk the trails after dark on the shortest days of the year.  Families are encouraged to come on Dec. 17 & 18, while Dec. 19 & 20 are reserved for adults and older children who appreciate the quiet and tranquility of Bloedel’s trails at night.  Doors open at 4:30 and walks begin at 5:30.  Dress warmly and for the weather.  Lanterns will be provided to light the way for these beautiful walks. 

For more information about Bloedel Reserve, the Holiday Village, and these special events, visit http://bloedelreserve.org/events.

Credits: BCB audio tech: Chris Walker; BCB host: Betsy Lydle Smith; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

Maya Fletcher, Zack Huck, Daniel Muir, Cameron Albee and Kyle Schroer are all members of the island’s first LEGO Robotics Club. Their team, called “Mission Implausible," is one of many clubs around the country that teaches middle-school students about engineering through LEGO-based robots of their own design.

As part of their work, each team is required to do a community project. Our group of 6th graders decided to do this podcast on how to access water during an emergency.

Listen here to learn about their talks with city officials, what they've discovered about what happens to our local water supply when the power goes out, and how to make your own home-grown water filter. And, as an extra bonus, stay tuned at the end of the podcast to hear Daniel Muir's interview with Scott James, author of Prepared NeighborhoodsON-021.

All very helpful information indeed!  We want to thank our youth for doing their part to strengthen our community. For more information on emergency preparedness, please visit: www.bainbridgeprepares.org.

Credits: BCB host, Christina Hulet; audio editor and publisher, Diane Walker

In the Ukrainian folk tale Forest Song, a forest nymph falls in love with a human boy, and an intriguing clash of the human and spirit world ensues, with some surprisingly contemporary messages about environmental stewardship.

In this podcast, which is opened and closed by flute music written for the play by musician Jon Brenner, we learn about the Lesser Known Players' upcoming production of Forest Song, a verse play written by Ukrainian playwright Lesya Ukrainka.

Though one of the most beloved works of Ukrainian literature, Forest Song is virtually unknown in the West -- which makes it a perfect candidate for the cleverly crafted staging of Bainbridge Island's Lesser Known Players. Who better to artfully orchestrate curious stage directions that invite actors to dive into a river, fly in from the sky, appear out of tree trunks, and adorn themselves with fireflies like jewels?

In this podcast you'll meet the play's director, Jennifer Hodges, and hear about her own Ukrainian connections, plus we'll hear from actors George Shannon, Mike Loudon, and the play's young romantic leads, Citori Luecht and Lucien Caro.

The play and its themes are so appealing that both a video game and an animated film are in the works and scheduled for release in the next year or so, but you'll have your chance to see it first at Rolling Bay Hall this December 14th - 17th. Shows start at 7:30 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2:30 pm on Sunday. Get your tickets now by visiting the Lesser Known Players’ website at http://lesserknownplayers.org.

Credits: BCB audio tech, Chris Walker; BCB host, audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

A flying car, a dastardly baron, a secret grotto, a lovable toymaker and a brave brother and sister who surmount all obstacles -- can you name that fantastical adventure?

Yes! It's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which opens at Bainbridge Performing Arts on Friday December 1st and runs through Sunday, December 17th.

Listen here as actors Ryan Patrick O’Donnell, Evelyn Cantwell, and Gracie Payne take time out of their busy rehearsal schedule to tell us about their adventures with this fabulous production, the friendships they're forming, and the lessons they're learning as they embark on this incredibly ambitious new show.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will open at BPA on Friday December 1st and run through December 17th, with a pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday November 30th at 7:30. Tickets are on sale now at Bainbridge Performing Arts.org, but they’re going fast, so get yours soon so you, too, can experience the magic of the holidays at Bainbridge Performing Arts!

Credits: BCB host, audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

If you love cheese and ice cream, you're guaranteed to love Kurt Timmermeister's new book, Farm Food.

In this podcast Kurt talks with BCB host Jo Jenkins about life on a small farm -- the challenges, the daily routine, the pleasures of making cheese and ice cream, the childhood foods he left behind and the omelet pan he bought with money from his first job.

Filled with essays, recipes, and glorious photographs, Farm Food invites you to follow Kurt through six months of life on his Vashon Island dairy farm. Most of the meals set on Kurt's table are the truest sort of local, harvested from his thirteen acres of pasture, orchards, and greenhouses. As fall shades into winter, share the satisfaction and hard work of putting up the harvest, the joys of cider parties and cooking celebratory meals for friends, and the setbacks and sadness that are inevitably part of farming and life.

To learn more about Kurt and Farm Food, be sure to stop by Bainbridge Island's Eagle Harbor Books at 6:30 pm on Thursday, November 30th and meet this delightful author: you won't regret it!

Credits: BCB host: Jo Jenkins; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

From Brussels Sprouts, garlic and green beans to squash, mushrooms and citrus, this is the time of year when we really count on particular varieties of fruits and vegetables to make our holiday meals a feast.

With this podcast, BCB's Bob Ross is back from Italy to talk with T&C's Joe Pulicicchio, director of produce and floral, about what's in store for everyone's favorite November meal. The two discuss the produce that typically finds its way to the Thanksgiving table with some interesting observations and suggestions, and Joe shares his philosophy about the uniqueness of this very American holiday.

Best of all, you'll get the inside scoop on some unusual squash, some different approaches to mushrooms, the best way to prepare a quintessential batch of holiday mashed potatoes, and a new fig that's guaranteed to knock your socks off!

Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Susan Wiersema and Lynnette Sandbloom will present an art show in the meeting room of the Bainbridge branch of the Kitsap Regional Library. Their show, entitled Aesop’s Fables, will open as part of the community’s First Friday Art Walk on Friday, December 1st.

Knowing the two artists were preparing for a show, a friend suggested they pursue a theme of animals with stories. Because Susan’s husband had given her a copy of Aesop’s Fables for Christmas a few years earlier, she suggested that as a theme for the library show, and Lynette agreed to the challenge.

Susan and Lynnette, who met while working at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, are both interested in illustrating children’s books, and have shown together at the library before. But their styles and approaches to their work are surprisingly different: listen here to learn more about their respective processes and this exciting upcoming exhibit.

Aesop’s Fables, by Susan Wiersema and Lynnette Sandbloom, opens Friday, Dec 1st @ 5 PM and will continue throughout the month.

Credits: BCB host: John Fossett; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

Did you know that half our carbon emissions in Washington State come from the transportation sector?

Half of that amount comes from our own personal cars, but the rest of those emissions come from trucks, trains and ferries. So what kinds of changes COULD we make to reduce our carbon footprint?

In this podcast, Steve Johnson and Randal Samstag, board members of Bainbridge Island’s Climate & Energy Forum, talk about the work of five local environmental organizations -- Climate Action Bainbridge, EcoAdapt, Sustainable Bainbridge, Friends of Island Power and Citizens Climate Lobby -- that are exploring this very question.

Their Forum hosts a monthly series featuring speakers and discussion topics to increase our community’s awareness and response. This month, the topic is on the electrification of our transportation system.

Steve and Randal talk about what we can do to cut these emissions. For example, they highlight the benefits of buying an electric car and getting our local power from a cleaner, renewable source. They also note work already underway to have more electric buses and ferries.

Joining this podcast via Skype to talk about the opportunities to improve our rail system, Bill Moyer, co-author of “Solutionary Rail: A Campaign to Electrify America’s Rails While Creating Clean Energy Corridors," offers a vision for what can be done in the United States (see link here).

To learn more, you can attend the next Climate & Energy Forum event, the Electrification of Transportation and the Path to a Carbon Free Washington, on Saturday, November 18, from 10:00am-11:30am at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church. Speakers will include Bill Moyer of Solutionary Rail, John Clausen of Kitsap Transit and Matt Von Ruden of the Washington State Ferries.

 For more information on the Climate and Energy Forum, please visit: www.bainbridgeislandforum.org.

Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

What do Elvis and Salvador Dali and yoga have in common? They're all subjects of this year's Celluloid Bainbridge Film Festival, coming this weekend to a theater near you!

In this podcast, Producer/Director James Forsher and Librarian John Fossett share an entertaining conversation about the Celluloid Bainbridge Film Festival, coming this weekend to the Lynwood Theater, Saturday and Sunday, November 4^th & 5^th.

This year promises a delicious smorgasbord of quality films, as Arts & Humanities Bainbridge once again presents its annual two-day event, showcasing films and filmmakers from Bainbridge Island and the greater Pacific Northwest.

The festival opens with a meet-and-greet reception for filmmakers, council members, and filmgoers, beginning Saturday, at 5 pm with fine food and drink served at the Manor House Restaurant. After the reception, the celebration will move across the street to the Lynwood Theater.

Saturday night’s headliner will be Steve Stolee’s tour de force documentary, One Man’s Treasure, about the Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction and Rummage Sale that began as a small-town fundraiser to build a library and has grown to gigantic proportions and international attention. An engaging short comedy, The United Guys Network, from Vancouver filmmaker, Tabatha Galat, will close out the evening.

Sunday, at 9:00 a.m., another exciting day of movies begins with a rich variety of offerings, including a very surprising “sneak” documentary and a who-done it involving a prodigal sister, the practice of Yoga, and a painting by Salvador Dali.

Film fans will not want to miss this exciting weekend of documentaries and drama, comedy and mystery, and a sneak-peek about a very unlikely relationship. Full passes and single movie tickets are available, and can be purchased by going to the Arts and Humanities Bainbridge website: www.ahbainbridge.org.

Credits:  BCB host, Charlotte Cook; audio editors: Chris Walker and Diane Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker

If you've been itching to play another round of mini-golf, the Bainbridge Island’s Kids Discovery Museum has the perfect opportunity for you!

Mark your calendars now for three special FUNdraising events this November 3rd and 4th, when KiDiMu will be magically transformed into a mini-golf course for ALL ages.

On Friday evening from 7-10pm, bring a date or sign up with friends for an ADULTS-ONLY night of goofy golf, mulligans and spirits. Be sure to call ahead and RSVP for your tee-time -- and if you're not the best golfer, be reassured: on this course, cheating IS allowed. While you wait your turn, free beer and wine will be served in the clubhouse tent, with 19th hole specialty cocktails also available. Cost for this event is $75 per person; must be 21 or older to participate.

But that's just the beginning! On Saturday November 4th from 10 to 4, golfers of all ages can come and join in a rollicking FAMILY FUN DAY; no reservations required, and no limit to the number of rounds you can play. Cost for this event is $5/child for ages 12 and under and $10 apiece for ages 13 and up.

And in a final blast of fun, on Saturday evening from 7-9 pm KiDiMu's enthusiastic volunteer teen staff invites island teens ages 12-18 to join them for TEEN NIGHT; no reservations required. Bring friends or come as you are and join in for snacks, soda, and unlimited golf. Cost for this final event is $20 per person.

Detailed information about all three events can be found online at kidimu.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1940491572860585.

Credits: BCB host: Blair Nichols; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; publisher: Diane Walker.

When information is democratized, anyone can post content. On the one hand, this is really liberating, but on the other, it makes it really difficult to accurately assess what is true and what is not.

In this, the final talk of this year's Library U series on Fake News at the Bainbridge Island Library, Di Zhang, reference librarian at the Seattle Public Library, offers instructions on how to evaluate the plethora of information we encounter, and describes some resources and best practices for identifying fake news.

Listen here to learn more about Snopes; reverse image searching; Buzzfeed; the caveats against sharing, liking, and clickbait; and much more.  For additional help, see the resource list posted on the Bainbridge Public Library website at http://www.bainbridgepubliclibrary.org/pdfs/Fake-News-Survival-Guide.pdf.

Library U organizer Kathleen Thorne has created a video of this presentation; to view that video, visit https://youtu.be/m4kVn5aqShQ.

Credits: Audio tech: Chris Walker; Audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

For an inspirational story of healing and recovery, stop by Eagle Harbor Books at 7 pm on October 26 and meet author Jamie Osborne.

In June of 2007, Osborne suffered a tragic spinal cord injury from a cycling accident. Though doctors said it was unlikely he would ever walk again, Jamie now skis, golfs, swims, and has bicycled the full route around Mercer Island.

Jamie's new book, Will Your Way Back, chronicles the journey of his last 10 years, a journey to recovery driven by his determination to walk again and live independently. Having struggled professionally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to overcome his disability and persevere in pursuit of a new normal, he is eager to share the discoveries he made along the way with others who wrestle with traumatic injury and loss.

James Osborne's story is unique and compelling, and an inspiration to all who hear it. Come to Eagle Harbor Books at 7 pm on October 26, meet Jamie, and learn how you, too, can Will Your Way Back.

Credits: BCB host: Jo Jenkins; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

In an era of fake news, how do we know which news sources we can trust?

In this, the third talk of this year's Library U series at the Bainbridge Island Library, David Brewster, founder of Seattle Weekly, Eastside Week, Sasquatch Books, Crosscut.com and Town Hall, explores the current state of our local news media and addresses the search for reliable news sources.

Listen here as, ably assisted by David Harrison, senior lecturer emeritus at the Urban School of Public Affairs at the UW, Brewster discusses the challenges and opportunities of Seattle media; the impact of The Stranger; the role of the "host body" in journalism; our business press; shifting news sources and where to find reputable ones; formulaic journalism; first amendment issues and concerns; the phenomenon of tribal epistemology; what makes a good journalist; and the value of having a plethora of media choices.

Credits: Audio tech: Chris Walker; Audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

This weekend, October 20-22, the public is invited to attend a series of events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha'ullah, founder of the Baha'i faith.

In this interview with BCB host Betsy Lydle Smith, Stan Brown of the Bainbridge Baha'i community tells us more about the worldwide and local celebrations planned around this weekend's events.

On Friday evening there will be a fireside meeting from 7-9 pm at Virginia Villa,  celebrating the birth of the Bab, precursor to Baha'ullah.

But the true celebration begins Saturday, October 21, from 6 to 9 pm. The public is welcome to join the Bainbridge Baha'i community for an evening of prayer, music, dances of peace, storytelling, refreshments and a short presentation on the teachings of Baha’u’llah. This event will be held in Huney Hall at the Waterfront Park Community Center, 370 Brien Dr. SE.

And, for those who might be curious about the world's newest independent religion, on Sunday, October 22, Light of the World, a short film about the life of Baha'ullah, will be shown at Office Ex-Pats, 403 Madison Ave. N. #240, from 4:30-6 pm. 

For more information about the Baha’i Faith, visit www.bahai.org, or attend one of the monthly Baha'i fireside meetings, held on the third Friday of every month from 7 to 9 PM at Virginia Villas.

For information on the local Baha'i community and especially about events this weekend, contact theolga@aol.com

Credits: BCB host: Betsy Lydle Smith; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

In this 45 minute podcast, recorded at a forum held by the League of Women Voters on Wednesday evening, October 11, at Bainbridge City Hall, we hear from Bainbridge Island’s candidates for  Parks and Recreation Commissioner, incumbent Kirk Robinson and challenger Michael Pollack.

Listen here as the two candidates address issues posed by their audience, including questions about the plans for the Sakai park, the district's relationship with the Senior Center, the disc golf setup at Battle Point Park, the inclusion of dogs on the island's trails, term limits, the Parks and Rec budget, open communications, and more.

Special thanks to City Communications Manager Kellie Stickney for providing access to this recording.

Credits: Audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

We know that Bainbridge schools are known to be among the best in the state. But how do our graduates fare in the world beyond our island?

If you're curious about that, you might be interested in attending an upcoming event called How Bainbridge Grads are Changing the World.

The event, which is sponsored by the Bainbridge Schools Foundation (BSF), will feature recent graduates of the Bainbridge Island School District (BISD) who are now pursuing careers in public service, music, STEM and business. These young professionals will share their thoughts on their public school education and discuss specifically what served them well and what they would change.

The evening offers a great opportunity for educators, BISD staff, current students and community leaders to hear directly from recent graduates about what they feel today’s students need to be successful.

In this podcast, BSF's Mairead Shutt and Peter Murchie tell us about the event and describe some of the ways the foundation contributes to the success of our public education system. With generous support from our community, the foundation funds a variety of programs, including professional development and trainings for teachers, a K-4 STEM lab, academic support for struggling students, classroom grants, and, with events like this one, educating and building awareness in our community.  

How Bainbridge Grads are Changing the World will be held on Wednesday, October 25th, from 7-9 pm at IslandWood’s Great Hall. Tickets are $25 per person; educators, BISD staff and high school students are free.

For more information or to buy tickets, please visit the Bainbridge Schools Foundation: https://www.bainbridgeschoolsfoundation.org/events/  

Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher: Diane Walker.

In this 20 minute podcast, recorded at a forum held by the League of Women Voters on Monday evening, October 9, at Bainbridge City Hall, we hear briefly from each of Bainbridge Island’s candidates for City Council.

Listen here as Ted Jones and Matthew Tirman from the South District, Rasham Nassan and Wayne Roth from the Central District, and Joe Deets and Kevin Fetterly from the North District each briefly introduce themselves and answer two questions posed by audience participants. Sadly, additional questions during the evening’s presentation were not recorded due to technical difficulties.

Thank you for listening and for your patience; we hope to record all of Wednesday evening’s session with the Parks and Rec and School Board Candidates, so stay tuned!

Credits: BCB audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

If you've seen photos of a shark swimming in the streets of Houston after Hurricane Harvey, you've seen the particular variety of fake news that appears when emergencies attract national interest.

In this week's talk in Bainbridge Public Library's Library U series on fake news, UW Assistant Professor and former basketball star Kate Starbird describes some of the results and discoveries from her extensive research concerning fake news and social media in times of crisis.

Starbird's talk, delivered on September 30th at the Bainbridge Public Library, was entitled "Finding ‘Fake News’ in Times of Crisis: Online Rumors, Conspiracy Theories, and Disinformation.”

Listen here and learn how phenomena such as Facebook algorithms, the loss of trust in traditional journalism, clickbait, and confirmation bias can make us vulnerable to disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories -- much of which may be being propagated by computer programs.

Credits: BCB audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Looking for something to get you in that spooky Halloween mood? Lesser Known Players newest production may be just what you're looking for!

Set in the swamps on the outskirts of New Orleans, Caridad Svich's Alchemy of Desire: Dead Man's Blues follows the journey of a community of women into a primeval landscape where a soldier's ghost, fried chicken, and other mysteries come together in a search for grace.

In this podcast we meet Kristi Jacobson and Ali Budge, co-directors of Alchemy, as well as two of the play's stars: Michelle Conklin, who plays Selah, the earth mother who is the heart and soul of this community of women, and Citori Luecht, who plays Miranda, the wild child, a mouthy and rebellious teenager.

Listen here as these four women give us a taste of what's in store for us with this exciting and unusual love story. Alchemy of Desire: Dead Man’s Blues will take place the weekend of October 19-22 at Rolling Bay Hall on Bainbridge Island. Shows start at 7:30 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2:30 pm on Sunday. Get your tickets now by visiting the Lesser Known Players website at http://lesserknownplayers.org.

Credits: BCB host: Diane Walker; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Looking for something to get you in that spooky Halloween mood? Lesser Known Players newest production may be just what you're looking for!

Set in the swamps on the outskirts of New Orleans, Caridad Svich's Alchemy of Desire: Dead Man's Blues follows the journey of a community of women into a primeval landscape where a soldier's ghost, fried chicken, and other mysteries come together in a search for grace.

In this podcast we meet Kristi Jacobson and Ali Budge, co-directors of Alchemy, as well as two of the play's stars: Michelle Conklin, who plays Selah, the earth mother who is the heart and soul of this community of women, and Citori Luecht, who plays Miranda, the wild child, a mouthy and rebellious teenager.

Listen here as these four women give us a taste of what's in store for us with this exciting and unusual love story. Alchemy of Desire: Dead Man’s Blues will take place the weekend of October 19-22 at Rolling Bay Hall on Bainbridge Island. Shows start at 7:30 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2:30 pm on Sunday. Get your tickets now by visiting the Lesser Known Players website at http://lesserknownplayers.org.

Credits: BCB host: Diane Walker; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

What do our children really need to succeed? Several Bainbridge Island organizations are coming together to answer that question with a forum entitled What Kids Really Need to Succeed. The forum will be offered from 7-9 pm on October 17th at the BHS Commons.

In this podcast, BCB host Christina Hulet sits down with three local leaders to discuss the social and emotional well-being of our island youth.

Dr. Peter Bang-Knudsen, Superintendent of the Bainbridge Island School District, talks about how the district’s increased emphasis on social and emotional health came partially from what he heard from students, parents, and community members during his listening tour last year, and partly from state and local data, which shows disturbing levels of stress, academic pressure, substance abuse and mental health conditions among our Bainbridge youth.

In response, the school district and several local organizations -- including  Raising Resilience, Bainbridge Youth Services, Bainbridge Schools Foundation, the Bainbridge Healthy Youth Alliance, among others -- have banded together to create a movement with and for our youth.

We learn from Mairead Shutt, Executive Director of the Bainbridge Schools Foundation, that the foundation is sponsoring Clay Roberts, a nationally recognized educator and Bainbridge resident, to train all school district staff—from teachers to bus drivers to administrators—on how to create a more positive and healthy school environment.

Anna Steen, Board President of Raising Resilience, shares why her organization felt it was important to extend Clay’s work to parents -- who are being invited to the What Kids Really Need to Succeed forum to discover what really impacts students’ career and life success. The forum will offer information on how to foster assets in kids that support their emotional health as well as practical tools for supporting your child today. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about how our school staff are approaching this work.

The event is filling up quickly so, if interested, please register at www.raisingresilience.org and join the movement to support our youth.

Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Although the term "fake news” didn’t garner Word of the Year status until 2016, this dubious journalistic practice has been with us a long time.  But our digital ecosystem seems to have evolved into a near-perfect environment for the flourishing of fake news, even as the digital news trend has decimated the force of the traditional, objectively minded, independent press. What to do now? 

In this month's Library U series, four different lecturers will be exploring topics around fake news. This podcast captures the first of those presentations, which was delivered Saturday, September 23rd, by T. Andrew Wahl, journalism professor at Everett Community College.

After an introductory video -- a Ted Talk by internet activist Eli Pariser on the Filter Bubble  -- Wahl goes on to discuss such subjects as the history of fake news, the origins of the filter bubble, the growing political divide, some classic examples of fake news, the challenges of responsible journalism, and how smartphones are changing our awareness of the world around us.

We apologize for the sound quality of this talk; it was held in the library's brand new public meeting space, and we had some difficulties connecting with the new sound system. But we feel certain you'll find Wahl's talk intriguing.

Credits: BCB audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

For many of us who care about the environment, the current political climate and federal-level actions can be particularly discouraging. As Junot Diaz, a Pulitzer-Prize winning writer, recently said, “There’s nothing about our impoverished political systems...that is going to be able to hold us together in the face of the coming storm of climate change. We need a lot more than we have.”

Fortunately Diaz went on to say that the solutions will lie in our collective genius: “from the bottom will the genius come --” and indeed, that’s exactly what’s happening here on Bainbridge Island.

In this podcast, Michael Cox, a recently retired climate change advisor of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Dr. Lara Hansen, Executive Director of EcoAdapt and board member of Sustainable Bainbridge, tell us about five local environmental organizations that are coming together to work on climate change: Climate Action Bainbridge, EcoAdapt, Sustainable Bainbridge, Friends of Island Power and Citizens Climate Lobby.

Together they are launching the Climate and Energy Forum, a new monthly series that will feature various speakers and discussion topics to increase our community’s awareness and consider adaptation strategies for dealing with climate change.

The first Climate and Energy Forum will focus on Bainbridge Island’s climate assessment study and how it ties to our city’s comprehensive plan. The event will be held on Saturday, October 21 from 10:00-11:30am at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church. Speakers will include State Senator Christine Rolfes, Mayor Val Tollefson and EcoAdapt's Lara Hansen. 

In this podcast, Michael and Lara also share their personal reflections on environmental stewardship, including what has evolved in the field over the course of their careers. Together they emphasize one central message: how incredibly important and effective local and individual action is, and the difference that Bainbridge Island can make more broadly.

For more information on the Climate and Energy Forum, please visit: www.bainbridgeislandforum.org.

Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Bring your love of barbecue, beer, and the Delta Blues to the Arts &Humanities Bainbridge Fall Camerata fundraiser, to be held at Rolling Bay Hall on October 15th.

The event is sure to be a rhythmic and lively experience as the island's own Rolling Bay Stones take the stage, with Brent Grossman on drums and guitar; Mark Hoffman on guitar, mandolin, and drums; and Jeremy Rothbaum providing vocals and piano. Doors will open at 4 pm for barbecue and beer; the music starts at 5 and should keep rolling on for a couple of hours.

In this podcast AHB communications coordinator Tim Spenser  joins the Stones' Mark Hoffman to give us a sneak preview of the fun-filled evening that lies ahead. Listen here to hear the back story on the Rolling Bay Stones -- and you won't want to miss our recording of Mark’s rousing, on-air rendition of “Two Trains Running.” We also close out the podcast with a sampling of blues from Jeremy Rothbaum.

Rolling Bay Hall will only hold a little over 100 blues and barbecue lovers, so get your tickets soon by visiting the Arts and Humanities website at: ahbainbridge.org.

Credits: BCB host: Charlotte Cook; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Originally a 1994 Australian musical comedy film, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is  a fabulous disco musical about two drag performers and a transgender woman who travel across the Australian outback in their pink bus, Priscilla, performing their unique style of cabaret.

In this interview, lead actors Troy Wageman, Matty McCaslin and Bo Mellinger join BPA Production Manager Deirdre Hadlock to talk about the challenges of staging a bus crossing the desert while singing and dancing in high platform heels, rocking it out with some of your favorite disco tunes from the 80’s. 

But the show isn’t just a spectacular good time; it is also about finding a sense of connection and friendship, and celebrating the inherent basic goodness and worth of everyone.

To honor the original movie’s Academy Award for best costume design, Broadway costume designer Barbara Klingberg will dazzle us with stunning and over-the-top costumes for the leading Queens and performers.

The Community Partner for this production is Bainbridge Pride.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert opens October 13th and runs through October 29th, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm.  Pay-what-you-can preview is Thursday, October 12th. Tickets are on sale now at bainbridgeperformingarts.org: get yours today, and get ready to dress up and start dancing!

Credits: BCB host, Channie Peters; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Meet Channie Peters, longtime Bainbridge Island volunteer and host of over 150 BCB podcast interviews.

Channie and her husband, BCB founder Barry Peters, will be moving away shortly; in this podcast BCB host Christina Hulet talks with Channie about her experiences and observations living on the island for 16 years – what’s changed, what our strengths are, and what we could do differently as a community.

A very active member of our community, Channie is perhaps best known for helping her husband Barry launch Bainbridge Community Broadcasting (BCB) in 2014. But in addition to hosting interviews for BCB and teaching and mentoring new hosts, Channie has also been involved with many local organizations over the years. Not only has she volunteered at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art; she's also served on numerous local boards, including the Bainbridge Community Foundation, the Bainbridge Public Library, and Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church.

Listen here as Channie reflects on her many years of community involvement and the challenges inherent in an evolving life. How does, for instance, a retired banker become a podcaster? What do we have to let go of in order to do something new? And, how can we handle change as individuals and as a Bainbridge community?

Channie also discusses her and her husband’s recent decision to move to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). CCRCs offer people over 60 a continuum of independent living, residential assisted living services, memory care and skilled nursing care all in one place. (More information can be found at www.seniorliving.org/lifestyles/ccrc).

While her choice to move is being made primarily to be closer to her grandchildren, Channie also helps us to understand the value of making significant changes like this one while you’re still energetic and healthy enough to become an active member of a new community.

However difficult it may be -- choosing to leave a place in which you’ve invested so much -- Channie shares her insights with grace and a deep respect for Bainbridge. We know she will be missed. 

Credits: BCB host, Christina Hulet; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

During a Fall week when the City of Bainbridge Island is hosting "Three Days of Preparedness" events, Bainbridge resident and first-time author Scott James is speaking at Eagle Harbor Books about his new book: "Prepared Neighborhoods: Creating Resilience One Street at a Time".

Scott's event takes place Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm at the bookstore. Refreshments will be served. It will be an open discussion and Q&A about how we as individuals, families and neighborhoods can be better prepared -- whether for "The Big One" or for various lesser emergencies.

Scott explains in this podcast why neighborhood action and collaboration is so valuable.

The same week, the City of Bainbridge Island is hosting its third annual set of three events about preparedness:

• On Wednesday, Sept 27th, from 6-8:30pm, or alternatively from 7-9:30pm, attend PSE's Film Night featuring the world premiere of the third of a 3 part series by videographer Cameron Snow and geologist Greg Geehan: "The Geological Formation of Bainbridge Island." At the Pavilion.
• On Saturday, Sept 30th, come to City Hall at any time between 10am and 2pm for a Preparedness Expo, featuring many tables of useful handouts and preparedness items, plus workshops on how to earthquake retrofit your home, or how to reunite with school children amidst a crisis.
• On Sunday, Oct 1st, features a "HUBs Demonstration" at the Pavilion from noon to 2pm. Drop in for any part of that timespan to learn about the City's proposed set of neighborhood gathering points for emergencies.

For further information about the City events, see the City's "Bainbridge Prepares" website.

Further details about Scott James' new book can be found at his "Prepared Neighborhoods" website.

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

Community has always been a passion for BCB founder Barry Peters, who with his wife, Channie, will be leaving Bainbridge Island this fall to join their daughter and grandchildren in Denver, Colorado.

It was that passion for Community that drove Peters, who moved to Bainbridge Island in 2001, to help found Sustainable Bainbridge in 2005, and to serve on the Bainbridge City Council from 2008 to 2011.

But this podcast is about his years with Bainbridge Community Broadcasting, which he founded in May of 2014 specifically to help build community. BCB is the first community-focused podcasting organization in the country, and since its inception Barry has been responsible for establishing and equipping the necessary recording studios; setting up the web presence, hosting over 100 podcast interviews, and recruiting and managing additional volunteers who have collectively hosted over 575 community podcasts.  All of those podcasts have been focused on the people, organizations, issues and events of our local Bainbridge Island community.

But who is Barry Peters? In this podcast BCB Tastes of Bainbridge producer Bob Ross interviews Barry to learn more about what led him to BCB -- and Bainbridge -- in the first place. Listen here and learn about Barry's early years in radio, the surprising decision he made on his first date with Channie -- who is BCB's most prolific podcast host -- and his hopes for the future, both for BCB and its new BARN family, and for his own adventures as an active grandparent of two irresistible granddaughters. 

As Barry says in his interview, "It's a terribly poignant and difficult time for us to leave so many friends and so much that has been meaningful for us in our life here on Bainbridge, but the magnet of grandchildren is very powerful!"

Though we here at BCB can understand the choice that Barry and Channie have made, we will definitely miss them, and wish them all the best in their new adventures.

Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

What better way to celebrate Fall than to attend The Island School's 34th annual Carnival, Saturday, October 7, from noon until 4pm. Open to the public and fun for all ages, the Carnival offers a memorable afternoon of family-friendly fun, rain or shine.

Spend your afternoon listening to local musicians, playing games, eating, and visiting the open school. Bring your gently used books, clothing, or sports equipment for the “free-cycle” exchange. Proceeds from the carnival go to school's Financial Aid scholarships and the Annual Fund.

The Island School is located at 8553 NE Day Rd. Worried about parking? Sage Manufacturing, directly across the street, has graciously allowed use of its upper and lower parking lots for the occasion.         

For more information about the school and the carnival, visit theislandschool.org. See you there!

Credits: BCB host, Carolyn Goad; audio editor, Chris Walker; and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Bainbridge Island is a a rich and beautiful place, but that beauty can mask the underlying pain of mental health issues.

The fact is, in Washington State, 1 in 5 high school sophomores contemplate suicide. Even more disturbing, the suicide rate is steadily increasing among middle school students. Overall, an average of two youth die by suicide each week, and another 17 attempt it.

And here on Bainbridge Island as well, we have lost members of our community--youth and adults alike--to suicide over the past few years. And numerous other islanders grapple with depression, anxiety, bipolar and other mental health conditions.

Unfortunately, suicide and mental health tend to be unmentionables in our culture -- until now, that is. In this podcast, BCB's Christina Hulet talks with two long time island residents, Pegeen Mulhern and Lee Moniz, about what we can do, and what they're doing, to help with suicide prevention. 

Pegeen is one of the organizers of the Out of the Darkness Community Walk, an event being held on Saturday, September 23, to raise awareness about mental health. Lee is the founder of the Tyler Moniz Foundation, which she and her husband Jeff created after their son, Tyler, died by suicide last year while a junior at Washington State University.

Lee and Pegeen’s central message is: You are not alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out and ask for help. There are many resources to draw from including:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text 741741
• Bainbridge Youth Services, https://askbys.org/how-to-get-help/which provides free counseling for youth ages 12-19

A resource fair will also be offered from 10 am to noon at the Out of the Darkness Community Walk. To learn more about suicide prevention or to register to participate in the walk, which starts at the Bainbridge High School, please visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website at www.afsp.org/kitsap.

Thank you for caring, thank you for listening, and we hope to see you walking this coming Saturday.

Credits: BCB host, Christina Hulet; audio editor, Chris Walker; and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Why would a UC Berkeley grad choose to intern on a Bainbridge Island farm? Meet Rachel Bubb and learn why growing healthy food became a priority for her.

Rachel Bubb is a 2017 farm intern for Bainbridge Island's Butler Green Farms. In this episode of Tastes of Bainbridge, she joins us at the Farmers Market to talk about how that came to pass.

Speaking with BCB host Bob Ross, Rachel shares how her education at UC Berkeley opened her eyes and mind to the importance of making well grown, healthy food available to all. She talks about growing up in Southern California, about her gradual and significant transition to understanding more about the issues of global food security, and about her decision to learn first hand the basics of growing hardy and robust food. 

Whether you've considered going into farming or are just curious about why someone would make that choice, you'll want to listen here: Rachel provides a thoughtful, well informed perspective on the subject, including where she is thinking about going with her education, and what the next steps might be in a life connected to agriculture.

Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Come bring a carful of family and friends for History on the Move: a unique opportunity to explore our wonderful island!

In this podcast, BI History Museum event organizer Sean Megy tells us about a unique fundraiser for the museum, the first of its kind on Bainbridge Island: a Scavenger Hunt on Wheels. The scavenger hunt will take participants to eight locations around the island to hunt for clues and learn some of the fascinating facts about Bainbridge Island.  

History on the Move will unroll on October 7th from 1-5 pm, and the museum is hoping for at least 100 vehicles to register, each with as many team members as will fit inside. The advantage of a full carload? More family, friends, and fun -- and more brainpower, to solve the riddles given at each stop along the route!

At 5pm, you'll join the other participants back at the museum for a grand celebration of the day, with food, live music, and prizes.

Sounds like a total hoot, right? Come join the party! For more information and to register your vehicle for this amazing adventure, visit the Bainbridge History Museum website by clicking here.

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

In this episode of Tastes of Bainbridge, Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral of Town and Country Markets, brings his associate Melaine Cherry, manager of the T&C Floral department, to the BCB Studio.

Melanie, who manages the day to day operations of all things floral for each store, shares her thoughts about flowers and how they are recognized as necessary items of beauty important to all of us as well as symbols of the changing seasons.

Together the two discuss seasonal variations and expectations with regard to fruits and flowers, with some special emphasis on the popularity of chrysanthemums and melons as we move into fall.

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

From 11 to 5 on September 24th, at the historic Johnson Farm on Bainbridge Island, enjoy the 16th Annual Friends of the Farm Harvest Fair. Come join the family fun, with carriage rides, a giant slide, cider pressing, sheep shearing, live music, and fresh food -- a great time is sure to be had by all!

Designed to celebrate local farming and community, the fair draws several thousand guests of all ages. In this episode of What’s Up Bainbridge, Friends of the Farms Executive Director Heather Burger talks with BCB host Bob Ross about the history and importance of this much-anticipated yearly gathering.

Come one, come all and enjoy all-day, high-energy activities alongside educational opportunities to gather hands-on experience of local farms and food -- or, you can help out by becoming one of the over 100 volunteers who help make this exciting event come to life!

To sign up to help for a few hours or for the day, visit volunteer@friendsofthefarms.org. And to learn more about the fair, visit www.friendsofthefarms.org.

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Wishing you could do something to help victims of Hurricane Harvey? In this 5-minute podcast, Diana Brink, office manager of Bainbridge Island's Current Dental, offers a way to help victims of Houston’s devastating hurricane.

After a devastating event such as Hurricane Harvey, there is a desperate need for toiletry items (see list, below). Because Current Dental has connections to Houston they're asking people to bring these items to one of Current Dental's two offices: Diana and her staff will pack them up into individual kits and ship them to Houston Recovers, the City of Houston Disaster Recovery Center. Since these are generally low-cost items, anyone, including children, can purchase a few and feel they are genuinely helping desperately needy hurricane victims.  

On Bainbridge Island, toiletry items may be taken to the Current Dental office at 213 Madison Ave. N, Suite 100. In Bremerton, their office is at 2625 Wheaton Way, Suite D. For more information, visit  currentdental.com.

Requested items include:

• Adult and Kids tooth brushes
  Toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash
  Bar and body soaps
  Shampoo and Conditioner
  Hand sanitizer
  Kleenex (small)
  Combs
  Bandaids
  Nail clippers
  Wash cloths
  Deodorant
  Men's razors and shave cream
  Women's razors and shave gel
  Feminine hygiene products
  Small toys and stickers
  Cards and notes for victims

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

In this 46-minute podcast conversation, we meet Dwight Sutton, who came to Bainbridge Island in 1971 and has since served our community in uncountable ways. He shares his insights about what makes for a great community, and why community values matter.

He explains what initially drew him to Bainbridge Island, and how he initially commuted daily to his work as director of the Virginia Mason research center and as a faculty member of the University of Washington Medical School. And he offers many stories and anecdotes about the history of our island from the 1970s to the present.

Dwight reflects on the gratification of supporting local organizations. And, he tells stories about life as a City Council member in the 1990s and as our City's mayor from 1997 through 2001.

Dwight is an engaging story teller, and he shares with us some of his fondest memories about what makes Bainbridge such an engaging community. But he also has a couple of anecdotes about local events when we weren't at our best.

Among Dwight's stories in this podcast -- mostly about Bainbridge at its best (but a couple of instances otherwise) -- are:

• the odd case of the 1970s ferry commuter with a portable typewriter;
• early campaigns since the 1980s to preserve open space;
• the history that led to the founding of IslandWood;
• efforts to preserve our farming traditions;
• positive and negative attitudes of local residents toward City government;
• what happened on the City Hall commons after the 9/11 attack;
• big anxieties and the subsequent success of the City's proposed traffic circle; and
• examples of islanders avoiding the cynicism affliction and achieving community successes.

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

Worried about con artists? On Wednesday, September 5, at 4pm, IT professional and BI resident Jon Olmsted will offer guidance at the Senior Center on how to avoid phone and internet scams.

In this interview with BCB host and BI Senior Center Director Reed Price, Olmstead says he'll give examples in images and audio of what to look for as clues that someone is planning to pull a fast one. Attendees will not only walk away with information about what to be wary of, but will also know whom to contact if they suspect something fishy.

Don't miss this informative presentation, Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 4:00 p.m. at the Senior Center next to Waterfront Park – 370 Brien Drive SE.

Reed also gives us a rundown of other Senior Center highlights for the month of October, including 1:1 technology tutoring with high school students. Get details at http://biseniorcenter.org, call the Center at 206-842-1616, or drop by the Center for a free catalog.

Credits: BCB host: Reed Price; audio editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

The clatter of metal buckets and the squeals of children: everyday sounds, this time of year, at Bainbridge Island's u-pick blueberry farm.

Listen here as Bainbridge Island Blueberry Company owner Stacy Lewars joins us on Tastes of Bainbridge to tell the story behind her surprising venture into the farming of blueberries, a fruit long recognized as highly beneficial and rich in anti-oxidants.

Why purchase a farm previously run by a single family for several decades? Standing in the midst of her several hundred blueberry plants, Stacy discusses her passion for this work and shares some of the many uplifting stories of individuals and families who've visited and picked through the seasons.

Speaking with BCB's Bob Ross as she welcomes customers and shows them where and how to pick, Stacy provides an insightful view of seasonal changes and the complex maintenance and care required for these extraordinary plants.

Blessed with a bumper crop this year, Stacy will be making her first appearance at the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market with Blueberries from her farm this Saturday, September 2.  You can also visit her Facebook page at Bainbridge Island Blueberry Company.

Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Did you know that the stories we tell ourselves can keep us trapped?

In Lyssa Danehy deHart’s new book, StoryJacking: change your internal dialogue, transform your life, she draws on her many years as a professional counselor, life coach and therapist to show us, not only how the stories we tell ourselves may be trapping us but how we can set ourselves free with greater self-awareness.

In this podcast, Lyssa talks with BCB host, Channie Peters about what the term, “Story Jacking” means, and how “StoryJacking is about learning to grow yourself as a person of self-mastery by exploring your relationship to the stories that you tell yourself.”  

Listen here to learn how Lyssa came to write this book, and about her hope that readers will develop greater courage for self-discovery and begin making choices from a place of self-knowledge rather than a place of fear.

Lyssa will be talking more about StoryJacking at Eagle Harbor bookstore on Thursday, September 14th at 6:30 pm; dont miss it!

Credits: BCB host, Channie Peters; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Robots? Tap dancing? Not concepts we normally associate with Nikola Tesla or Madame Curie!

But after seeing Ricky Coates' production of his original play, Tesla Ex Machina, Lesser Known Players' Jennifer Hodges was so enchanted by Ricky's imaginative vision she decided she HAD to bring these two wonderful shows to share with audiences on Bainbridge Island.

Listen here as Jennifer explains why she -- and her son Garrett, who joins her in the BCB studio -- found Ricky Coates' version of Tesla irresistible. ... And don't be taken aback by the opening of the podcast: you'll be hearing a theramin, courtesy of musician Jon Brenner, whose work will also be featured with the shows.

Tesla Ex Machina and Curie Me Away will take place the weekend of August 31 to September 3 at Rolling Bay Hall on Bainbridge. You can see Tesla Thursday night, Curie Friday night and Sunday night, with a double feature of both plays – each is about an hour long – on Saturday, September 2^nd. For more information about this and other Lesser Known Players productions, and to purchase tickets for this exciting event, please visit Lesserknownplayers.com.

Credits: BCB host, Diane Walker; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

This week BCB's Bob Ross welcomes Tom Clark, who along with his wife Holly owns and operates Clark Farms, purveyors of pork and beef at the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market.

Located just north of Sequim, Washington, Clark Farms dates back to the late 1800's, and is the longest running family-owned farm in the state. What's it like to carry on such a long-standing family tradition?

Tom, who has a degree in Animal Science/Meats from WSU, shares with us his stories about growing up on the family farm, and describes some of the other ventures he tried before returning to what was in his blood from the start. . . farming.  

Speaking from his booth at the market (and occasionally shouting to be heard over the helicopter that was hovering nearby!), Tom also describes some of the challenges of farming, raising healthy livestock, arranging for processing, meeting safety standards, and making those trips to the various Farmers Markets each week.  

And -- if you're a fan of Clark Farms meat, there's good news: starting this week, Clark Farms beef and pork products are now being carried at Bay Hay and Feed.  

For more about Tom and Holly and Clark Farms, visit their website at www.clarkfarms.weebly.com

Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

In this podcast, Deb Rudnick, an environmental scientist and chair of the Bainbridge Island Watershed Council, describes the upcoming Bainbridge Island Beach Cleanup on Saturday September 9th.

All members of our community – individuals, families, groups, and people of all-ages – are invited to participate in this one-day cleanup to maintain our shorelines and ensure the health of our wildlife.

Bainbridge held its first successful beach cleanup last year as part of a broader movement to protect our oceans worldwide. Deb shares with us that some marine creatures have died from ingesting large amounts of small plastic debris and waste. There’s been a huge response by concerned citizens, as over half a million people from 112 countries removed more than 18 million pounds of trash during the 2016 International Coastal Cleanup.

Bainbridge is continuing to be part of this broader movement this year under the leadership of Sustainable Bainbridge and its various partners:

• BI Watershed Council
• Bainbridge Beach Naturalists
• Zero Waste Bainbridge
• BI Land Trust
• Islandwood
• BI Parks and Recreation District
• Bainbridge Parks Foundation
• City of Bainbridge Island
• COBI Road Ends Committee
• Bainbridge Island Harbormaster

This is an excellent opportunity for families and engaged citizens to do our part as well. Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance of the Saturday event at:

http://www.sustainablebainbridge.org/bainbridge-beach-cleanup.aspx.  Advance registration allows you to choose which beach you’d like to work on.   

The main effort is focused from 12pm to 3pm on Saturday, September 9^th, but your help is appreciated even if for only part of that time. Further information can be found at the Sustainable Bainbridge web page for the event. There’s also a Facebook page.

Credits: BCB host, Christina Hulet; audio editor, Barry Peters; and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Dale Henderson, the renowned cellist who founded Bach in the Subways, will return to Bloedel Reserve on the evening of September 3rd for the final concert in the Reserve’s Summer Concert Series. Together with Atlanta Symphony principal harpist, Elisabeth Remy Johnson, he’ll be bringing us a unique and lively program of music for harp and cello.

These two accomplished musicians trained together in Boston as young students, and reconnected in 2015 to form Parsa Duo.  Since then, the popular pair have performed around the country, their unusual instrumental pairing garnering  great acclaim.

Since there’s not an abundance of music written for cello and harp, the two musicians transcribe parts originally written for other instruments — a task that requires a high level of patience and mastery to generate the magically beautiful music that results from their work. For Dale, however, “This program really was a labor of love. Parsa Duo has been one big, fun experiment!”

Pieces offered for the September 3 concert include audience favorites from the last three years of performance, he adds — “Our Greatest Hits so to speak! I’m tremendously excited to share this program with the audience at Bloedel.”

The following music will be performed:

Chant du ménestrel………………….Aleksandr Glasunov (1865-1936)

Piece en forme de habanera……….Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Histoire du tango……………………..Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)

1. Bordel  1900
2. Café  1930
3. Nightclub  1960
4. Concert d’aujourd’hui

Intermission

Kol Nidrei………………………………..Max Bruch (1838-1920)

Roumanian Folk Dances…………….Béla Bartók (1872-1958)

1. Joc cu bâta
2. Brâul
3. Pe loc
4. Buciumeana

For more information, or to order tickets, visit http://bloedelreserve.org/event/summerconcerts/.

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

Looking for fun ways to get your children connected with nature? Look no further!

Bainbridge Island's Bloedel Reserve has the perfect solution: bring the kids to Bloedel on Saturday, August 26, for Bloedel's Out(side)rageous Family Day.

Spend the day from 10:00 am till 2:30 pm exploring the beautiful gardens and grounds of Bloedel Reserve with the new specially designed self-guided children’s activities and children’s garden walks.  

Dance and prance to the popular bands, Recess Monkey (11 am) and Harmonica Pocket (noon), then enjoy a family picnic on the beautiful lawn behind the Visitors Center.

Beverages for children and beer and wine for adults will be available for purchase.

For more information, click here, and to purchase tickets click here.

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

Janette Force, Executive Director of the Port Townsend Film Festival, will again bring a special festival preview to the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art at 7 pm on Wednesday, September 6.

This year's festival preview will feature nine short films - documentaries, narratives and an animated film - to exemplify the depth and passion of the 88 films from 14 countries that will be featured at the festival, now in its 18th year. The preview is a great opportunity for us to see some of the shorts that will be paired with full length films at the festival.

In this podcast, Janette gives us a rundown of the diverse films in the preview screening. Their stories are unique and thought provoking, from Johanna Under the Ice, a documentary about a woman who deep dives through ice, to High Chapparal, a Swedish film about a Wild West theme park converted to a camp for refugees.  You won't want to miss these extraordinary films, which are unlikely to be seen anywhere else.

A complete list of the films at the preview on September 6th:

"Johanna Under the Ice" - Directed by Ian Derry
"The Card Shark" - Directed by Rex Carter
"Legal Smuggling with Christine Choy" - Directed by Lewie Kloster
"High Chapparal" - Directed by David Freid
"Jonah" - Directed by Andrew Michael Ellis
"Slacker" - Directed by Max Lowe
"The Counselor" - Directed by Guy Bauer
"Odd Ball" - Directed by Joshua Moore
"Denali's Raven" - Directed by Renan Ozturk

The preview program begins at 7 pm with two screening segments -- each about 30 minutes -- separated by an intermission, with tasty treats provided by the museum’s bistro.

Once you've seen the preview, you'll see why the three-day festival -- where the delightful town of Port Townsend is completely taken over by festival-goers, catered to by all the restaurants and stores -- is so popular! More information about the festival will be available at ptfestival.com beginning in mid-August.

Tickets for the September 6th preview at BIMA can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets.

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

In this informative podcast, Women in Photography co-curators Greg Robinson and photographer Linda Wolf provide fascinating insight into the development of photography over the 70-year span between the ages of the photographers in this dynamic show.

Evident in the show’s breadth are the changes in photography techniques, processes, types of cameras, and printing materials used by the 10 diverse women from the Puget Sound region chosen for the exhibition:

   •Megumi Shauna Arai

   •Ashley Armitage

   •Marsha Burns

   •C. Davida Ingram

   •Marilyn Montufar

   •Janet Neuhauser

   •Mary Randlett

   •Meghann Riepenhoff

   •Heather Boose Weiss

   •Linda Wolf

Explaining why they decided to focus this photography exhibit on women, Linda makes the point that “Exhibiting women’s photographs not only educates and empowers girls and women, it gives us all much to think about and include in our world-views regardless of gender.

"Advancing and honoring women’s perspectives, women’s imaginations and voices creates new cultural norms and behaviors, and furthers both women’s and men’s enlightenment about the necessity of changing the paradigm from power-over, which is destroying us, to power-with and partnering. The story of women in photography has much to teach us.”

She also tells the story behind the exhibit's signature photograph, shown above, which she took 40 years ago in France.

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

The Lynwood Theater could very well be the “Who” of this Who’s On Bainbridge podcast, since its presence in this small community contributes to making Bainbridge such a special place to live.  But it was TJ Faddis who turned this old and ordinary theater into the art theater it is today.

From 2000 until 2011, TJ managed and curated foreign films and documentaries at Bainbridge’s iconic art theater at Lynwood Center. Over that time the Lynwood became a place where islanders could come, spend a couple of hours watching a film, and return home feeling uplifted, stimulated, and with newly opened hearts and minds.

In this podcast, TJ reminisces with BCB host, Channie Peters about her 11 years at the theater, recalling some of her most memorable moments and memorable films. Listen here, and learn how she got there, why she loved it, how she selected the films, and what she loved about it.  

You'll also learn how the Lynwood Theater came to be differentiated as the island's unique "art theater," and how Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 gave Bainbridge Island a very practical gift that we still enjoy every summer.

Let's hear it for TJ and the Lynwood Theater!

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

Author and pacifist Sarah Sentilles believes humans can choose to create or to destroy: life, art, families, beauty -- it's all up to us.

In Draw Your Weapons, Sentilles' fourth book, she offers visual imagery through the written word in a literary collage that inspires us to look deeper into our choices; to explore our ability both to create beauty and to wreak violence and destruction.

Ten years in the making, Draw Your Weapons is a most unusual book of nonfiction, in which images of war, violence and torture vie with images of peace, ordinary life and art to help readers comprehend the magnitude and power of their choices.

Listen here as Sarah explains the nature of literary collage, and why she chose this format for her book. She also shares the very personal and difficult journey she took in bringing this project to fruition.

Don't miss the chance to explore this fascinating topic with her further, as Sarah presents her work at Eagle Harbor Books on Wednesday, August 9th at 12:30 as part of their Brown Bag Lunch series.  Bring your lunch and the bookstore will provide drinks and snacks.  Though not required, reservations are recommended so that space and drinks can be generously planned: Just call Eagle Harbor Books at 206-842-5332 to let them know you plan to attend.

For more information, visit www.Eagleharborbooks.com.

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

In this 14-minute podcast, Betsy Lydle Smith -- the Bainbridge-based master facilitator for the international Virtues Project -- describes an upcoming one-day retreat for up to 10 local women. The retreat is designed to restore "The Pace of Grace."

The one-day session, from 9:45 to 5:30pm on Thursday, August 10th, will be held in the comfort of a private home on Bainbridge. The day includes presentations, deep listening, group communications exercises, plus a healthy lunch from local sources and a spiritually-uplifting walk in nearby Bloedel Reserve.

As Betsy explains, The Virtues Project is a global grassroots initiative that began in 1991 to inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life. She says that the project is the catalyst for the renewal of kindness, justice and integrity in more than 100 countries. It has been honored by the United Nations as a "model global program for all cultures."

Founders of the initiative were Linda Popov (a psychotherapist), Dr. Dan Popov (a clinical pediatric psychologist), and John Kavelin (a Disney designer). Among other materials, the founders wrote a "Family Virtues Guide" to help parents raise loving, responsible and caring children.

Betsy explains in this podcast five strategies of The Virtues Project which will underlie the Pace of Grace retreat:

• Speak the language of the Virtues;
• Recognize teachable moments;
• Set clear boundaries;
• Honor the spirit; and
• Offer companioning and be a good listener.

To learn more about the details (and charge) for this first Pace of Grace retreat on Bainbridge, visit Betsy's Virtues Training website, where you can also register.

Betsy also volunteers her skills leading an informal group that meets weekly for an hour on the patio in front of the former Bainbridge Bakers cafe, at Winslow Green. That informal person-to-person session in the summer outdoors involves conversation and learning aids. Newcomers are welcome to join at no charge.

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

Summertime, and the produce is ripe!

Wondering which fruits and veggies to pick up for your summer picnics? Listen here as Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral for Town & Country Markets Inc. returns to Tastes of Bainbridge to discuss the mid summer produce scene. 

In this podcast we learn what are some of Joe's favorite summer taste treats, with a special look at the many melon varieties available. We'll also get his insight into some of the particular growers whose produce  will soon be coming available. 

Joe’s regular overview of the produce scene reminds us all how critical the delicate balance between weather and the human condition can be when working to provide fresh, healthy produce on a regular basis.

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; BCB audio editor: Diane Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

What happens when a lion, a zebra, and a hippo escape from Central Park Zoo? A crazy musical adventure called Madagascar!

In this podcast BPA education director Liz Ellis explains how she came to choose Madagascar for the summer theatre school finale and introduces us to three of the young students at the BPA Theatre School who will bring the show to life on the BPA stage next weekend.

Listen here as Milly Thompson, Rose Weaver and Frances Killian get behind the BCB studio mics to tell BCB host Channie Peters about  Alex (the lion), Marty (the zebra), and Gloria (the hippo) and their decision to escape from their lifelong home at New York’s Central Park Zoo. When these brave critters end up in Madagascar with a talented cast of penguins and lemurs, there is sure to be crazy great fun!

All seasoned BPA theatre school students, Milly, Rose and Frances also tell us what they love about the theatre school. Not only are there lots of opportunities to learn both on-stage and off-stage skills, they get to develop camaraderie and closeness with their friends.  

Take a cast of 40 kids, add the fabulous musical score from the DreamWorks movie production and some high energy dance routines, and it’s clear that everyone on stage is having the time of their lives -- and you will, too!

So click here to get your tickets now for this dynamic musical!Performances will be at 7 pm Thursday, July 27th, 28th and 29th, with an additional performance Saturday afternoon at 3 pm.  

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

In this podcast, meet three of our local Bainbridge climate change activists who invite us to attend the Bainbridge Island premiere of the new movie by Al Gore: "An Inconvenient Sequel - Truth to Power".

The premiere is slated for Friday evening August 4th at 7pm, at the historic Lynwood Theater in Lynwood Center on Bainbridge Island.

After the film showing, there will be a panel of three local climate change experts will field questions from the audience.

Organizations co-sponsoring the premiere and panel include:

• Climate Action Bainbridge
• EcoAdapt
• Island Power
• Sustainable Bainbridge; and
• Citizens' Climate Lobby.

Our guests on this podcast include:

• Michael Cox, who recently retired from the Environmental Protection Agency after a 25-year career in that agency, and wrote a widely publicized resignation letter upon his departure;
• Sally Noedel, an owner of a local business focused on green and sustainable practices ("Whata Piñata!"), and whose previous BCB podcast told the story of her 1,000 mile walk to Oak Flats with her daughter to publicize the plight of sacred native American lands endangered by a proposed copper mine; and
• Dave McCaughey, a scientist who encourages investments in large-scale commercially viable renewable energy projects.

All three of our guests recently returned from a multi-day seminar in Bellevue which was led personally by Al Gore. Approximately 800 participants attended that "Climate Reality Project" for the purpose of mobilizing citizen action now to address climate change.

Tickets for the movie premiere are available either in advance at the Lynwood Theater website, or at the box office. The movie will have at least one week's run at the Lynwood, starting August 4th.

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

Bestselling author Sylvia Brownrigg will return to Eagle Harbor bookstore on July 27th to present her newest book, Pages for Her, a thought-provoking and delightfully enjoyable exploration of the lives of two women, former friends and lovers, who reconnect after 20 years.

In this, Brownrigg's seventh book of fiction, the two protagonists she first introduced 16 years ago in Pages for You meet again after 20 years.  As they explore the very different paths their lives have taken, opportunities arise for them -- and for us -- to reflect on the  impact of life choices.

The two books exist independent of one another: it is not necessary to read the earlier book before tackling Pages for Her. Listen in on this phone conversation between Sylvia Brownrigg and BCB host Channie Peters, and you'll learn why Sylvia decided to revisit these particular characters, and how she came to imagine the divergent lives lived by these two women.  

When asked to describe the different focus of the two novels and the two main characters, Sylvia responds with a fascinating exploration of the various ways we love those whom we love; the children, mothers, partners, and others who people our complex and remarkably individualistic lives.

Please join us at Eagle Harbor bookstore at 7 pm on Thursday, July 27th to hear Sylvia tell us more about this beautifully written novel and how it came into being.

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

'Net neutrality' is a value that helps to make the internet so valuable as a democratic and level playing field of ideas for one and all -- including those of us who use the world wide web or bring services and information to the public as BCB does.

In a week when internet users across the country are taking action on July 12th to show that our current national policy of net neutrality continues to be desirable, BCB wanted to reach out to the manager who oversees Kitsap Public Utility District's public broadband activities to get his take.

In this podcast, we meet Paul Avis, who is the superintendent of the KPUD department that has constructed and maintains our public high speed fiber optic internet backbone on Bainbridge Island and in other parts of our county. That backbone construction started over 15 years ago. KPUD makes their wholesale broadband services available to governmental, commercial and residential users through a variety of independent internet service provider (ISP) retailers.

In this podcast, Paul describes KPUD's approach to offering high-speed broadband connectivity on a nonprofit basis to the community (including to our new building at BARN). And he answers questions about net neutrality from BCB host Barry Peters.

BCB asked these questions this month to coincide with the national Net Neutrality Day of Action on Wednesday July 12th. On that day, internet users and web communicators as small as local bloggers, popular YouTube video makers and the Electronic Frontier Foundation -- and as large as Netflix, Amazon, Google and Facebook -- are urging our national government to preserve the FCC's existing policy of net neutrality rather than succumb to calls from big telecom and cable companies to de-regulate them.

For more information, visit this website for the Net Neutrality Day of Action.

For more information about KPUD's local public broadband backbone and willingness to serve more neighborhoods and business parks, visit KPUD's webpage about their local communications network and broadband services.

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

Whether she is teaching children or adults, calligrapher, artist, teacher, and dancer Yoko Murao doesn’t so much teach as guide her students; helping them to discover their own unique artistic voice.

There is, therefore, no prescribed format for her calligraphy classes: from the moment each student picks up the brush, each experience is different. What's important is the wide-eyed wonder in the eyes of her students when they create the Chinese or Japanese characters with their brushes.  

You, too, can discover your inner calligrapher when Yoko returns to the Bainbridge Bodhi Center on Saturday, July 15th to teach “Calligraphy for Beginners.” To sign up for this exciting and inspiring class, visit the Bodhi Center website here.  All supplies (brushes, paper, ink) will be provided for use during the workshop.

Yoko Murao has been practicing, teaching, and exhibiting in the Pacific Northwest for over 35 years. She has taught at Seattle Asian Art Museum, Lakeside Upper School, Urasenke Tea School, Zen Center, and many Seattle Public Schools.  She has also exhibited in Japan and in the Pacific Northwest, and has created installations for private and public spaces.  For more about Yoko and her work, visit her website at yokomurao.com.

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

In this episode of Tastes of Bainbridge, author Kathryn Lafond talks with BCB's Bob Ross about her new cookbook, Seasoned with Gratitude. 

Unlike the many other cookbooks currently flooding the market, Kathryn's book focuses upon the sacredness of all life, both plants and animals, and it is that understanding that guides the preparation of the 250 recipes in this wonderful tome of over 500 pages. 

Each delicious recipe begins with a brief observation, quotation or blessing that brings the would-be chef to stop, ponder and give a few moments to consider the bigger picture. Combined with the charming illustrations and the tasty treats suggested (do check out the Thai salad!), the result is a thoughtful and altogether delightfully new approach to preparing daily and special occasion meals for every level.

Meet Kathryn at her official book launch at Eagle Harbor Books on Thursday, July 20, or, better yet, come taste her wares at T&C in August (listen here for details of that event.)

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; BCB audio editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Worried about the decline in civil conversation? Curious about what inspires and motivates your fellow islanders?

Meet Chip McDermott, and learn about his new forum, CHiP Talks -- an opportunity for ordinary individuals in our community to share their ideas for what has meaning for them; what inspires and motivates them.  CHiP talks offer a positive and supportive environment in which to share positive ideas with deep listening, without judgment or negativity.

Here's how Chip explains it (From chiptalks.com):

I've started a live monthly talk series; a community conversation, to celebrate our commonality and encourage our connection with others. I've always been fascinated by people's stories and experiences, including their reflections on the big questions: Questions of meaning, virtue, why adversity? purpose and passion.  And, I think it's vitally important we continue to teach and model the art of regular interaction with one another, face to face, regardless of whether we are friends, strangers or even family.

The format for this two-hour event, which will begin at 6 pm this coming Friday, June 30th, is to hear from four speakers, people who may be our friends and neighbors, who will each speak for 15 minutes.  Each will be followed by three questions from the audience.

This week's speakers and topics are:

Chip McDermott - “The Power of Face to Face”
Elizabeth Bell - “Gratitude”
James Bowman - “A Beautiful State of Being”
Jen Breen - “What  We Can Learn from Nature”

Tickets for this event ($5) may only be purchased at the door.

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

Looking for the inside scoop on avocados? Check this out!

Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral for Town & Country Markets, once again joins Tastes of Bainbridge host Bob Ross in the new Media Arts & BCB Studio at the BARN to discuss the current produce scene. 

In this session,  Joe provides and interesting and detailed account of the avocado, the wild ride of this year’s production, and tips on tasting, selecting and best ripening techniques.

Stay tuned to BCB for this on-going series, in which Joe and Bob continue to explore the complex behind-the-scenes planning and design that assures fresh and nourishing produce on a regular basis.

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; BCB audio editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Looking for ways to stay active and healthy? The BI Senior Center can help!

In this podcast we chat with Reed Price, Executive Director of the Senior Center, and meet two of the exercise teachers who have designed or adapted programs just for BI seniors.

Helen Heaslip leads Gentle Exercise at 9 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Her classes combine aerobic, flexibility and strength training in a positive, energizing environment: Gentle Exercises are designed to increase flexibility, joint stability, balance, coordination, agility, muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance. Participants are guided on how to extend or alter the program to accommodate their personal fitness needs.

Tanya Agnew teaches Nia, which combines dance, martial arts and mindfulness to tone our bodies while transforming our minds.  Nia is a holistic fitness practice that addresses each aspect of our lives -- body, mind and soul.  This class is at 1 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Reed tells us about other exercise programs as well, such as line dancing, Tai Chi practice, Yoga Flow with Judith Bardsley,  and more.  For a complete listing of exercise programs click here.

All Senior Center fitness classes are drop-in, no advance registration necessary.  Helen’s Gentle Exercise is $5 per class; Tanya’s Nia class is $7.50 per class.

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

What have we here? Meet Sir John Falstaff (John Ellis), Mistress Ford (Jennifer Hodges), and her jealous husband Master Ford (Pete Benson), stars of one of  Shakespeare’s funniest comedies!

In this hilarious 12-minute podcast, John, Jennifer and Pete have a great time telling us what the Merry Wives of Windsor is about -- and they also share their insights about Shakespeare’s (always ahead of his time) underlying feminist messages.

As our visitors talk about the significance and interpretation of their roles you'll get a delicious foretaste of how fun and entertaining the performances of Merry Wives of Windsor will be. This cast is clearly having a blast, and this is a great opportunity to join them in the merriment. 

Performances begin Thursday, July 6th and will run Thursdays - Sundays through July 23rd.  Bring your family, friends and a picnic to enjoy in the Sheep Meadow at 6 pm; the play will begin at 7.  Wine and beer will be available for purchase (proceeds benefit Bloedel Reserve).  No outside alcohol, please.

Tickets for these fabulous summer Shakespeare events sell out quickly, so visit the Bainbridge Performing Arts website (https://www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org/collections/bpa-presents/products/the-merry-wives-of-windsor) and order yours today!

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

Liam McEvilly, Program Director at Boys and Girls Club, returns to What’s Up Bainbridge together with Liz Ellis, Education Director at BPA, and Lauren Henry, Education Director at Kidimu, to tell us about all the fun, stimulating and educational activities for  our island's smallest citizens.

Listen here to learn about all these organizations are doing to keep your children occupied and learning over the summer. Their fun programs for the youngest build on academic skills (reading, arithmetic) as well as life skills, including listening, getting along with others, patience, and kindness.

In addition to some specific programs, Boys and Girls Club and Kidimu have ongoing daily programs for Bainbridge Island’s youngest.  For more information, check out their websites:

Kidimu

Bainbridge Performing Arts

Boys and Girls Club

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

The beautiful lawns and meadow of Bloedel Reserve will again this year be the venue for three concerts over the summer, two classical ones wrapped around a rockin’ high energy concert in the middle of the summer.

Tickets for this Saturday evening June 24th concert are available at this Bloedel Reserve webpage. Doors open at 6pm for the outdoor concert behind the mansion overlooking Puget Sound. You may bring a picnic but not alcoholic beverages. Sales of wine and beer that night at the concert will benefit Bloedel's programs. 

In this podcast, Shayla Miles, Programs and Events Manager of Bloedel Reserve tells BCB about the summer concert series, titled “Music with a View.”  She is joined in the interview by the featured violinist of the June 24th opening concert. We meet Dr. Quinton Morris, who is described as having “a multifaceted career as concert violinist, educator, entrepreneur, and filmmaker.”

As the opening concert, Quintin Morris will begin the series setting a high standard.  He will perform three sonatas for violin and keyboard by Chevalier de Saint-Georges, accompanied by Erin Chung on the piano.  There will also be a film screening of “The BREAKTHROUGH”, which premiered at the Seattle Art Museum and the Louvre in Paris among other distinguished locations. “The film explores the music and history of the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a musician of African origin who, against all odds, rose to become one of the most prolific and forgotten figures of the 18th century.” The film has been featured in film festivals in Las Vegas and New York, and it won the “Diamond Award” top prize at the European Independent Film Awards in Paris and the bronze award at the Global Music Awards in Los Angeles.

In celebration of the 270th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Boulogne (better known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges), Quinton Morris created "The BREAKTHROUGH": a short film telling a modernized story of the 18th century athlete, concert violinist, and composer. Quinton performs Saint-George’s three violin sonatas and makes his acting debut as the historical violinist in this visionary film capturing key aspects of musician’s life.

Sebastien Quequet, Head of Cultural Programs at Les Arts Decoratifs at the Louvre Museum at the Paris Premiere of "The BREAKTHROUGH", January 21, 2016, described the film as:

“Creative and innovative—combining an academic lecture with a stellar performance and film with the lecturer as the musician, actor, and filmmaker should inspire everyone to aim towards success.”

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

Sakai and Ordway assistant principal Warren Read will introduce his evocative first novel, Ash Falls, at Eagle Harbor Books on June 22 from 7-9 pm.

In this podcast, Warren talks with BCB host Channie Peters about his first novel, which is already getting rave reviews.  Ash Falls, a small fictitious rural town in the mountains of Eastern Washington, is the setting for this suspense-filled psychological thriller, which beautifully evokes the gloominess of a Pacific Northwest winter.

As Warren describes his choice of location, his process for creating his characters, and his theme -- that we often trap ourselves in prisons of our own making -- listeners can come to a deeper understanding of how he developed his characters with such deftness and insight.

Warren’s previous book is a memoir, The Lyncher in Me: the Search for Redemption in the Face of History.  He has also published numerous stories in literary journals.  Having taught 4th grade for many years on BI, he is currently assistant principal at Sakai and Ordway schools.

Hearing Warren read his book is a beautiful treat.  He reads a short passage in this podcast, but will read more at the bookstore on June 22nd.  Join us for a satisfying listen.

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

It's Kidimu's 12th birthday, and the celebration -- to be held Saturday June 3 from 10 - 2 -- is packed with excitement!

In this eight minute podcast, Kidimu Executive Director, Susie Burdick tells BCB about how Kidimu’s birthday parties have gotten bigger and better each year.  This year, beginning at 10 am, the fun festivities will include:

10:30 am      Poulsbo Leikarringen – folk dance performance

11:00 am      Bainbridge Performing Arts – Theatre School performance

11:30 am     American Red Cross and Ready Raccoon – safety presentation

Noon           Island Aikido – martial arts demonstration

12:30pm     West Sound Wildlife Shelter – animal ambassadors program

1:00 pm      Spartronics Team 4915 – robotics demonstration

Family Fun on the Plaza 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., with special activities, featuring:

     Bainbridge Island Museum of Art – craft

     Bainbridge Prepares and Ready Raccoon – safety tips

     Boys and Girls Club of Bainbridge Island – face painting

     Fire Truck (1 – 2 ) and Police Car (10 – 2 ) – unless called to action

     KiDiMu – Summer Camp Sneak Preview and Bubbles

                     (in KiDiMu’s outdoor space by the Museum)

     Kitsap Regional Library – Bainbridge Island Brach – craft

     Malone Pediatrics – teddy bear clinic

     West Sound Wildlife Shelter – animal ambassadors

And for adults with $10 burning a hole in their pockets, Dr. Brian Kovara from Living Well Chiropractic & Massage will offer 10-minute chair massages for $10 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the museum! Available between 10 and 2.

That’s a Some Pizza will host a stand in front of KiDiMu and offer pizza and drinks for sale between 11 and 2.

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

Be sure to come to BARN's Grand Opening on June 3rd from 10 to 4 pm, when the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network will celebrate their fabulous new facility on Three Tree Lane (off New Brooklyn Road) with tours and treats galore.

Founded in 2012, the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network began as a dream: a group of creative individuals visualizing a place where artisans and crafts(wo)men could all create under one roof.

And now, on June 3rd, 2017, that dream is finally a reality -- a 25,000 square foot building with a soaring roof, many workspaces filled with natural light, and 11 studios for members to sand, drill, hammer, weave, knit, make jewelry, write, cook, weld, fuse glass, print, and make recordings.

In this podcast, BARN Executive Director Mark Nichols, and BARN Board Chair Sallie Maron describe how BARN was conceived and brought to fruition with funds, designs, skills and the hard labor of the Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County communities.  

Listen here as Mark and Sallie wax poetic on the building's design and their visions for its use, not just by Bainbridge Islanders, but by all of Kitsap County.  BARN will become a place of sharing as well as doing, attracting teachers, speakers, and artists from around the country to come and share their knowledge.

Mark and Sallie enthusiastically invite you to join in celebrating the grand opening of this unique center for learning, creativity, and collaboration.

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

On June 3rd from noon to 2pm Eagle Harbor Book Company will host its 3rd annual Seattle7Writers Summer Bookfest.  This year 20% of bookfest sales will be donated to the Bainbridge Schools Foundation.  

In this 10-minute podcast, Suzanne Selfors, Bainbridge Island bestselling author of many beloved children’s books, and Mairead Shutt, Executive Director of the Bainbridge Schools Foundation talk with BCB host, Channie Peters about this year’s bookfest.  

It's a terrific pairing: with their common missions to cultivate a love of reading in students, Eagle Harbor bookstore’s choice to benefit the Bainbridge Schools Foundation with this year's Seattle7 earnings is a perfect fit for all.

Seattle7Writers (www.seattle7writers.org/) is a nonprofit collective of Pacific Northwest authors whose mission is to foster and support a passion for the written word in our community and everywhere.  Authors participating in the June 3rd bookfest include Bruce Barcott, Dave Boling, Terry Brooks, Megan Chance, Claire Dederer, Kevin Emerson, Waverly Fitzgerald, Laurie Frankel, Brent Hartinger, Linda Johns, David Lasky, Donna Miscolta, Boyd Morrison, Suzanne Selfors, Garth Stein, Susan Wiggs, and David B. Williams.

In previous years proceeds from the Bookfest have gone to the Bainbridge Island Library and to establish a library at the Boys and Girls Club. This year proceeds will go to the Bainbridge Schools Foundation (bainbridgeschoolsfoundation.com/), which  provides three critical areas of support to Bainbridge Island Schools:  supporting teachers (e.g., professional development & training, classroom grants); academic support in reading and math, Achieve program & homework clubs;  and Innovation through STEM initiatives, edible education in partnership with EduCulture, Circle of Friends for students with disabilities, and high school arts and lecture series.  

Best of all, the entire community will enjoy meeting and talking with the authors -- so come on down! Get to know some of these terrific authors, enjoy the edible treats provided by the bookstore, and know that you're supporting the Bainbridge schools! Clearly this is a win-win!

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

Why are salmon and steelhead dying in the shared marine waters of British Columbia and Washington State and why does it matter?

In this What’s Up interview Executive Director of Long Live the Kings (http://www.lltk.org/ ) Jacques White talks with BCB Host Sonia Scaer about how federal and state agencies, tribes, academia and nonprofits from the US and Canada are working together to solve the biggest mystery impacting salmon recovery and sustainable fisheries.

The Salish Sea―encompassing Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca―supports all seven species of Pacific salmon. Of these salmon, Chinook, coho, and steelhead have experienced tenfold declines in survival during the marine phase of their lifecycle, and their total abundance remains well below what it was 30 years ago. Historically, our collective understanding of what drives salmon and steelhead survival in saltwater has been extremely limited.

For the last 20 years, Jacques has worked on critical conservation issues in the Pacific Northwest and has focused on being a catalyst for improved health of salmon and the ecosystems they share with people.

Jacques will be speaking on “The Salish Sea Marine Survival Project: wild salmon and steelhead recovery in Puget Sound”at Bainbridge Open Mic Science, 8 pm on Tuesday June 6 at the Treehouse Café.

The Salish Sea Marine Survival Project (http://marinesurvivalproject.com/ ) is a comprehensive study of the physical, chemical and biological factors impacting salmon survival. With continued support and funding, the project will identify causes and solutions related to low marine survival, which could be the missing link in salmon and steelhead recovery.

Join Jacques at Bainbridge Open Mic Science and learn more about this interesting research and the new technologies used to discover why salmon and steelhead are dying in the combined waters of Puget Sound.

Credits: BCB host: Sonia Scaer; audio editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

In this interview, Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral for Town and Country Markets, begins by reminiscing about 2016, one of the best years ever for produce. 

But 2017, with its cooler temperatures and unprecedented rainfall, presents some significant challenges. Listen here as Joe discusses the difficulties posed by 2017's first quarter weather patterns and describes what the current produce situation looks like.

It's an excellent reminder that both the quality and quantity of the produce that will make it to our grocery shelves depend upon a delicate balance of weather and growing conditions.

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Listen here as Maradel Gale, Frank Stowell, and Charles Schmid describe the upcoming May 21st Bainbridge Island Environmental Conference at Islandwood, where the topic will be: “Changing the Nature of Puget Sound: A Look at the Impacts of Industrial Aquaculture.” The event runs from 12:30 to 5:30pm.

As they explain, “industrial aquaculture” includes two commercial activities which, if unchecked, could dramatically impact Bainbridge shorelines -- shellfish farming on beaches, and in-water pens for farmed fish like Atlantic salmon.

Seating for the conference is limited. As of the podcast recording date, there are only about a dozen seats left. To reserve a seat, register at the Sustainable Bainbridge website or at the Islandwood website.

Our podcast guests include:

• Maradel Gale, a founding board member and current officer of Sustainable Bainbridge, and a director of Bainbridge Beach Naturalists, which offers walking tours of the marine life along Bainbridge shorelines;
• Frank Stowell, a long-time member of the the Association of Bainbridge Communities (ABC), president of the ABC Foundation, and the moderator of the Environmental Conference; and
• Charles Schmid, one of the founders of the ABC organization in 1978, and a continuing officer.

The Conference will include an exhibition in the main reception area at Islandwood, representing many of the local and regional environmental organizations co-sponsoring the event. Presentations will include:

• An overview of the impacts of industrial aquaculture
• A talk by a marine ecologist dispelling the myths of aquaculture
• An attorney explaining the legal aspects, and describing the “Shellfish Initiative”
• An explanation of regulatory gaps in the permitting of aquaculture
• A talk on Atlantic salmon net pens -- friend or foe?
• An overview of pesticide use in shellfish aquaculture
• A panel discussion about impacts for Puget Sound homeowners
• Final thoughts on how you can get involved in local efforts

The primary sponsor is ABC, and, in addition to Sustainable Bainbridge, there are more than a dozen additional co-sponsors including the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, the City of Bainbridge Island; Kitsap Audubon; and a committee of the Sierra Club.

In this podcast, Maradel explains why this topic matters on Bainbridge Island and compliments the City for significant and valuable improvements in its shoreline regulations. Frank discusses the notable history of neighborhood and community organizing -- and environmental activism -- on Bainbridge Island. Charles notes that this is the 14th environmental conference on Bainbridge, and offers highlights of prior conferences.

This is BCB’s first podcast in its new Media Arts Studio at BARN. The public grand opening of the newly constructed BARN center will be Saturday, June 3rd from 10am to 4pm.

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

In this quick 9-minute podcast, City Communications Manager Kellie Stickney describes the new City program that offers you an opportunity to apply for funding for a project to benefit your neighborhood. Projects as small as $100 or as large as $5,000 can qualify for funding.

She explains that applications are now being received at City Hall for the 2017 round of funding. It's a competitive process, based on written applications from residents who are willing to be a neighborhood project advocate. Final decisions will be made by vote of the City Council.

Kelly points out that this is the first year of the program, and $10,000 has been budgeted for this year's applicant neighborhoods. Already, several neighborhoods have submitted funding applications for projects, so she encourages you not to miss the opportunity to apply.

On the podcast, she offers several examples of promising projects for neighborhood funding.

Kelly explains that the City's "matching" dollars can match 2-to-1 either the dollars raised by the neighborhood for the project OR the value of volunteer labor for the neighborhood project. Volunteer labor is valued at approximately $28 per hour, so each hour can trigger about $56 in City matching funding.

For further information, go to the City's webpage for the "Neighborhood Matching Grant" program where you can also obtain an application form and instructions. You can contact Kellie with questions via her email address, here.

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

"Great art is the outward expression of the inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world." Edward Hopper

From hot dogs to politics; from pregnancy to funerals  -- no subject is off limits to Bainbridge poets when invited to express themselves -- especially when inspired by the above quote from artist Edward Hopper!

Every year, in April,  local poets submit their poems to Arts & Humanities Bainbridge for posting in island storefronts in honor of National Poetry Month, and each year at the end of April the winning poets gather to read their poems aloud. 

This year BCB was on hand on Thursday, April 27 to record Poetry Corners Live, an event hosted by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. This year's theme -- Expression -- resulted in a broad range of poems: some short, some long; some humorous and some deeply moving; some about memories and others full of hope.

The lucky folks who listened to this hour-long event heard some truly magnificent work --  and now you can enjoy it, too! Listen here, and enjoy a flavorful blend of island creativity.

Credits: BCB audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Multi-media! Puppets! A giant on stilts! Written by Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family), Big Fish is a Broadway musical with great heart and humor -- guaranteed fun for the whole family.

In this upcoming BPA production, which will run May 12 -28 (with a pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday, May 11th) Jason Gingold stars as Edward Bloom, the bigger than life father whose fantastic tales amuse everyone except his son, who searches for the truth in his father’s tales and life.

Listen here as Jason and Big Fish musical director Aimee Hong describe the show's touching plot and beautiful music, and share what they find to be challenging, rewarding and inspiring about this show and its story.  It seems clear from their discussion that audiences will leave the theatre humming the beautiful musical themes and reflecting thoughtfully on their own relationships with parents and children.

For more information and tickets for this heartwarming new BPA production, visit  bainbridgeperformingarts.org.

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

Claire Dederer’s soon-to-be-released book, Love and Trouble: A Midlife Reckoning, is a very personal, honest, and intimate memoir about one woman’s sexual self-discovery as a teenager, and her resurgent sexuality as a mid 40’s wife and mother.  Claire’s authentic voice is what makes this memoir what good memoirs should do - bring you into the world of the author to feel what she feels.  

In this podcast, Claire talks with BCB host Channie Peters about why she wrote this very intimate, sometimes painful, sometimes funny, often sexy memoir.  And it isn’t just personal.  She also shines a light on how society now talks about sexual assault, unwanted sexual advances, and how women cope with these.  If such discussions can happen more openly, then perhaps the sexual assaults that still continue - on college campuses, in the military, and even at the highest levels of government - will receive the legal attention they deserve -- and hopefully women will be less afraid to speak out.

The book launch for Love and Trouble is Tuesday, May 9th at 7 pm at Eagle Harbor bookstore.  Claire will be joined by Bainbridge Island author Carol Cassella for a conversation about Claire’s new memoir.

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

Peter Weber, president of the Bainbridge Island Farmers’ Market and co-owner of Farmhouse Organics, joins us on Tastes of Bainbridge to talk about Farmhouse Organics and the 2017 Market Season.

Farmhouse Organics has been a long time major anchor for the Market. In this lively interview, with BCB's Bob Ross, owner Peter Weber shares the story of how he and his wife Anne came to Bainbridge and started farming. He provides an interesting overview of seasonal changes, talks about some of the challenges of farming, and discusses the educational merits of the intern programs that help our local farmers survive. 

Peter then puts on his Market President hat to tell us about 2017 plans for the market, some of the new vendors, and how the market is broadening its audience.

To learn more about Farmhouse Organics, visit www.farmhouseorganics.com. And to learn more about the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market, be sure to check out www.bainbridgefarmersmarket.org/.

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; BCB audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

In this 26-minute podcast, we learn the pros and cons of 6 alternative sites for the proposed new building for the City's police department and municipal court.

We meet the local Bainbridge architect chosen by the City Council to review and rate the potential sites, Matthew Coates, who is president of Coates Design. And the conversation is joined by City Communications Manager Kellie Stickney, who reports on the citizen engagement session at City Hall on April 12th, when about 100 citizens offered feedback on the sites under consideration.

Matthew reports on the months of comparative analysis, and his findings, since he was appointed by the City Council last October.

Kellie encourages citizens to stay engaged in this open process to identify the best site and eventually design a building that could embody green and sustainable design features, and offer public benefits for decades to come.

Matthew describes the three sites that look least promising, in part because of inadequate size: - Yaquina Road, east of 305 - North Madison Ave above 305, and - 249 Winslow Way East.

And Matthew explains the pros and cons of the 3 highest scoring sites: - New Brooklyn Road (the highest scoring site) - wooded land north of Vineyard Lane, and - the existing site at 305 and Winslow Way.

Citizens are encouraged to attend the next public meeting on this topic, at the 7pm meeting of the City Council on Tuesday May 2nd, when there will be a formal presentation by Matthew Coates and an opportunity for additional public comment.

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

In this podcast, the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center’s new Executive Director, Reed Price, tells BCB about the festivities happening on May 1st from 10am to 4pm to celebrate their Open House.

All are welcome - seniors and and their families, plus volunteers and anyone else who is curious about the fun, stimulating, inspiring activities that happen there every day. The Senior Center is located in the Waterfront Park Community Center.

Reed explains the recent changes at the Senior Center, some of which are contractual and administrative, while many of the popular programs and events will continue as before.

One change involves the Senior Center’s newly independent status from the Bainbridge Island Parks and Recreation District, which in recent years has provided the staffing for the Senior Center. The change to a system of board-appointed staff, like the Executive Director, means that the Senior Center will have more freedom to create new programs and partnerships with other community organizations.

Reed is enthusiastic and open to new ideas for programs and activities, and encourages members of the community to contact him with their ideas.

If you are interested in learning more about coming events, go to the Senior Community Center website, check the Center event calendar, and sign up to receive the newsletter, the "Splash".

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

As reported in dozens of national and international newspapers, podcasts and internet articles, Bainbridge Island resident Michael Cox wrote a strong and forthright resignation letter to the new Presidential administration upon retiring from EPA last month after 25 years of service.

In commemoration of this Earth Day (April 22nd), and in recognition of the citizen marches for science and climate action occurring in so many cities on that day, BCB presents this conversation with our island neighbor Mike Cox.

As you'll hear on this podcast, Mike cares passionately about standing up for important values like human health, protection of environment, pursuit of scientific research, and action to resist climate change.

In this 23-minute conversation with BCB host Barry Peters, Mike explains how demoralizing it has been since November for the dedicated and committed scientists and environmentalists at EPA to witness the apparent abandonment of that organization's mission in recent months.

He describes in personal terms what led to his writing of a 5-page resignation letter that was soon reported by dozens of news outlets from the Washington Post, to Canadian radio and podcasters, to Bill Moyers' blog and elsewhere.

Mike also explains how meaningful it has been to him to supplement his EPA service with community service -- on the City Planning Commission, as a local sports coach, and as an in-school teaching volunteer.

And he talks about his latest effort (the Common Ground Project) to reach out person-to-person across our current polarized divides to find common ground with community members who see politics differently.

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

We know winter's finally coming to an end when we gather to watch the mayor toss the cheese!

Yes, it's time again for the opening of the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market, and the annual ceremonial Tossing of the Cheese -- this year by island mayor Val Tollefson.

Join BCB host Bob Ross as he chats with Val about our iconic market and its importance to the Bainbridge Community, and then listen in for a sneak preview of the coming season with the new Treasurer of the Farmers Market, Jessica Osborn.  Jessica's enthusiasm for the market and its plans for 2017 are sure to be a bright spot in your day...

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; BCB audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

“The most wondrous thing in the world is that all around us, people can be dying and we don’t believe it can happen to us.” King Yudhistara from The Mahabbarata.

Esteemed Tibetan lama and teacher, Anyen Rinpoche, who founded the Phowa Foundation in Denver, will be at the Bainbridge Bodhi Center April 29th and 30th to conduct an introductory retreat, together with his teaching partner Allison Choying Zangmo, on “Dying with Confidence”.

In this podcast, Rinpoche and his teaching partner talk with BCB host Channie Peters about what their upcoming retreat will include.

Death, including our own, is inevitable. Yet many are reluctant to talk about it or even think about it. We think that planning for our death is mostly limited to where and how we will be buried or cremated. But consider the possibility that preparing for death, for the ultimate letting go (of life), for an acceptance of impermanence, might enable us to die with confidence, and might even enable us to live with confidence.

Anyen Rinpoche's vision is to help sentient beings around the world who are ill or dying or who wish to prepare for death in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Phowa ("transference of consciousness") is a Tibetan Buddhist practice, which helps the dying to leave this life behind without attachment or regret and find a positive rebirth. The practice of Phowa can benefit all beings, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, including animals.

Based on his valuable book, "Living and Dying with Confidence: A Day-by-Day Guide", Rinpoche, seeing the need around the western world for facing death, and being asked to benefit people by providing guidance for this inevitability, has developed a Dying with Confidence training program, a transformative series of retreats that give students the guidance and skills to prepare themselves and others for confidence in facing death.

This retreat will help participants face the experience of illness and death (both one’s own death and that of friends and loved ones), through sitting meditation practice, mind training, breath practices, teachings on impermanence, awakening the heart and other practices that will help us to understand and respond to death with wisdom and compassion. Each day begins with gentle yoga and breath work to prepare the body for meditation practice.

You can register at the Bainbridge Bodhi Center website.

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

Ah, Carmina Burana!  Who would’ve thought that Bainbridge Island would have the talent and capability (if not the space) to perform this spectacular, powerful, and complex opus by Carl Orff!  

But we do!  BI Symphony Orchestra and Bainbridge Chorale will perform Carmina Burana and four well known works of choral sacred music on April 22 and 23 at the High School Gym -- and in this podcast you'll hear BI Symphony Orchestra conductor, Wes Schulz, and Bainbridge Chorale Conductor, Michael Austin Miller talk about the music, the lyrics and the challenges of performing this very popular music.

In their fun and informative conversation with BCB host Channie Peters, we learn about the poetic texts that form the origin of the sometimes romantic, sometimes raunchy, sometimes melancholic lyrics for Orff's masterpiece, the work for which he is best known.  Michael and Wes explain where and when the texts were found and how they are used.

We'll also hear about the challenges of combining so many musicians and singers on one makeshift “stage” and how they rehearse for this grand undertaking, and we'll learn about the other beautiful choral pieces that will be performed.  

More information and tickets can be found at bainbridgeperformingarts.org and bainbridgechorale.org.

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

On April 13th and 15th, Bloedel Reserve is offering guided plant-identification walks to point out the diversity of Spring plants that are now on view.

Andy Navage, the Director of Grounds and Horticulture at Bloedel Reserve, is the knowledgable guide for these walks.

In this podcast, Andy joins BCB host Bob Ross to discuss those two upcoming ‘Wild & Foraged Plant Walks’.

Andy is a talented and passionate horticulturist. He discusses some of the plants that walkers are most likely to see and enjoy as the tour group forages in the lush wonders of early Spring.

For example, Bloedel is famous for its many varieties of Rhododendrons, and the earliest to emerge are now awakening. Tour visitors are sure to see the lovely beds of Trillium, Epimedium, and the unfurling of the Fiddlehead ferns. Andy's tours are the perfect way to ask questions about the species in sight at Bloedel, of which there are thousands.

The cost of the tour is $7 per member or $22 for a non-member. Plant ID walks are academic walks designed for adults, and are not recommended for children under age 14.

For more information and to reserve a ticket for the guided walks, go to the Bloedel Reserve events webpage.

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

Educator and practitioner in biomimicry, Denise DeLuca has now written down the steps we can take to re-align ourselves with nature in our everyday lives, which may impact how we solve the world’s problems. And, in her book, each step is illustrated with a delightful drawing.

To learn more about Denise and her book, come to her upcoming talk at Eagle Harbor Books on Sunday April 23rd at 3pm.

In this podcast, DeLuca speaks to BCB host Sonia Scaer about her book: "Re-Aligning with Nature: Ecological Thinking for Radical Transformation".

We’ve heard about the “green” architect or designer who attempts to safeguard air, water, and earth by choosing eco-friendly materials and construction practices. But in the field of biomimicry, designers, engineers and makers create solutions to human challenges by looking at nature's ways and adopting nature-inspired designs.

Denise briefly describes her career journey -- working initially as a civil engineer -- and tells us what led her to become an educator and practitioner in biomimicry. After many years teaching biomimicry, she observed that people, while learning the practice, started thinking and feeling more creative and curious and as a result came up with innovative and sustainable solutions.

Denise is Director and co-founder of BCI: Biomimicry for Creative Innovation, a network of innovators and design professionals seeking to radically transform businesses and organizations to be in harmony with nature. Denise also teaches an online course in Biomimetic Design and Creative Leadership for the Masters in Sustainable Design program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD).

"Re-Aligning with Nature" is a richly-illustrated book, with every page accompanied by a light-hearted line drawing by Stefanie Koehler, one of Denise's MCAD students. In this podcast, Denise describes how that book-design choice came about and why she chose the format to actively engage the reader in a transformative journey.

Denise's book can be obtained from Eagle Harbor Books.

Credits: BCB host: Sonia Scaer; BCB audio editor and social media publisher: Barry Peters.

Bainbridge resident Rob Bernard, Microsoft's Chief Environmental Strategist, will be speaking Thursday, April 13 at 7pm at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art on the topic, “Using Information to Save the Planet: How Energy, Food, Water and Biodiversity will be Transformed with Technology.”

At a time when many environmental activists are feeling discouraged about public policy retrenchments on climate change issues, Rob sees reason for optimism in the readiness of many major corporations, including Microsoft, to take the lead on sustainability and climate change initiatives.

In this podcast Rob describes the carbon-neutral strategy Microsoft has sustained since 2012, when it began introducing energy-conserving measures to reduce the climate impact of its own data centers, offices, software development lab and company air travel.

Throughout its global facilities a company the size of Microsoft consumes an amount of energy comparable to a small state -- and we can imagine Microsoft’s energy-use at some point becoming comparable to a small nation’s. So corporate policies like these can have a significant impact.

Rob sees the next step for Microsoft as a shift in its fuel mix for energy --the company’s goal is to achieve 50% renewable sourcing in 2018 -- and he describes additional Microsoft initiatives pertaining to water and food.  For example, a data analysis solution that has enabled the Puget Sound shellfish industry to more effectively predict changes in the pH levels of salt water surrounding shellfish pens is already leading to higher survival rates for the seeding of juvenile shellfish.

Rob's talk, which is open to the public, is being sponsored by the Bainbridge Citizens Climate Lobby in anticipation of the upcoming Earth Day celebrations. For more about our Climate Lobby, visit http://citizensclimatelobby.org/chapters/WA_Bainbridge_Island/

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

How can we keep our trees healthy without pesticides?  Bainbridge Island Arborist Olaf Ribeiro has some exciting solutions to offer.

April is Arbor Month! And as part of our monthlong celebration of trees, nationally recognized tree scientist Dr. Olaf Ribeiro will speak at Bainbridge Open Mic Science on Tuesday April 4^th at 8:00pm at the Treehouse Café in Lynwood Center. The title of his talk is The Role of Soil Microorganisms in Maintaining Tree Health & Longevity.

Since 1985, Ribeiro, a renowned plant pathologist, has been saving historic and ancient trees by improving their health. His research on soil microorganisms has provided greater understanding of the effects they have on plant growth and longevity.

In this podcast Olaf tells BCB host Sonia Scaer about his work in isolating soil microbes that has resulted in techniques to treat common infections in pacific northwest trees. He finds that tree health can be maintained without pesticides, by enriching the soil around the trees with a complex mix of microbes that when controlled in special ways can help control soil borne plant pathogens.

Listen here as Olaf describes this treatment and some of the challenges involved in getting those microbes extracted for application.  The goal is to put the right microbes in the soil to keep the tree healthy for a long time.

As a big proponent of planting trees, Olaf believes planting trees is the simplest way to reduce the affects of climate change, since trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. He supports those efforts here and abroad, and will be participating in the month long tree celebration throughout Bainbridge Island.

For more about Bainbridge Island’s Open Mic Science, visit http://openmicscience.weebly.com

Credits: BCB host: Sonia Scaer; BCB audio editor and social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Bainbridge Islanders are famous for commemorating Earth Day each April, but this year Earth Month will be marked by events on the theme: "Celebrate Trees."

In this podcast, Deb Rudnick, a board member of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and the chair of our island's Watershed Council (affiliated with Sustainable Bainbridge) describes many of April events being hosted by nonprofits and businesses of Bainbridge island.

As noted on the Sustainable Bainbridge webpage that provides a detailed calendar and listing of all the tree events for the month: "The goal of Celebrate Trees! Earth Month Bainbridge Island is to raise awareness and encourage involvement for Arbor Day and Earth Day, and to inspire all to protect our trees, our environment, and our planet. Celebrate Trees!"

In this podcast, Deb fills us in on a sampler of the nearly 30 events and activities during the month. All events -- and their time and place -- can be found on the web calendar on the Sustainable Bainbridge website.

The events are varied and include activities for all ages. They range from highly active -- such as weed pulling and a walking tour of the remarkable old trees of Winslow -- to quiet and contemplative -- such as the events for gardeners or those who want to simply say a blessing for our abundance of trees.

Among the nonprofit sponsors of Celebrate Trees are: the Historical Museum, the Land Trust, the Parks District and Parks Foundation, the Watershed Council, Bloedel Reserve, Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, IslandWood, KiDiMu, Sustainable Bainbridge, Weed Warriors and the West Sound Wildlife Shelter, plus many businesses.

Also, during Earth Month, there will be two Seattle-area opportunities for political action: Seattle March for Science on April 22nd Earth Day, at 10am; and the 
Seattle Climate March, April 29th at 10am.

As noted by Sustainable Bainbridge, here are some related treats during April:

• Trees You Can Eat! All month long local bakeries, including Bainbridge Bakers and Blackbird Bakery, will be offering tree and earth-shaped cookies for sale. Some of the best tasting trees you’ll ever try!
• Tree Reads: Stop by Eagle Harbor Book Company where they’ll have a fascinating collection of tree-related books highlighted for sale, as well as nature-themed author presentations during the month.
• Library Picks: Bainbridge Public Library will display books that fit with the Earth Month theme, including invasive species, sustainable gardening, native trees and more!
• Nature and Art: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art exhibit: "Revering Nature" with work focusing on the beauty and forces of nature.

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

In this interview, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Chief Curator Greg Robinson has an illuminating and delightful conversation with Chris Maynard, a local artist whose medium is (legally sourced) bird feathers. His exhibition called "Featherfolio" is currently showing at the Art Museum. 

Chris’s first solo museum show has over 40 astounding artworks with feathers “carved” and artfully laid out in creative compositions. This show also includes four site-specific installations of birds - surgically formed from feathers - taking off on the walls in beautiful patterns.

Late in his life Chris Maynard became an increasingly recognized full-time artist, having first had a career as a biologist. But it was that career and his long-time interest in nature, especially the inspirations of wildlife, birds and their feathers, that eventually brought him to creating what is now very unique, unusual, and exquisite finely formed designs composed of feathers.

In response to Greg's questions as Curator, Chris tells us why he became an artist and why feathers would naturally be his medium of choice. In this conversation, Chris talks about who and what inspires him, and how his artistry has developed and evolved, about his artist mother and eye-surgeon father who worked with small precision tools. In this podcast, learn how Chris designs his compositions and looks for feathers that will best express his design. Or sometimes Chris holds a feather and gains inspiration for a composition.

Chris’s beautifully written and photographed book, "Feathers: Form & Function", describes “what feathers are; how they work; and why we find them alluring.” There is much to learn in this "Art Museum Encounter" with Chris about his Featherfolio exhibit, currently on exhibit at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

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

Who would think that a chance meeting in a ferry engine room would lead to a whole new way of looking at food!

BCB's Bob Ross, host of BCB's Tastes of Bainbridge series, met Forrest Nichols, Executive Director for the Wild Society, while on a guided tour of a Washington State ferry. Somehow Bob and Forrest, who works as an engineer on the ferries, fell into a conversation about food, and before long Bob found himself attending a Wild Society film festival in Kingston called For the Love of Plants.

The Wild Society is a nonprofit outdoor education organization based in Kitsap County, and offers camps, classes, food gathering techniques and community events, all designed to inspire a sense of love and connection with the natural world.

In this podcast Forrest joins host Bob Ross to discuss the relationships between human hearts, food and the everyday wild. An energetic and passionate outdoors person, Forrest shares his love of growing mushrooms and his special and intelligent approach to preparing food for outdoor adventures. 

To learn more about the Wild Society, visit www.wildsociety.org.

Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; BCB audio editor and social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Gary Faigin's talks at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art sold out in 48 hours. Listen here to learn why he chose the subjects he chose, and why the museum is eager to bring him back in a few months to present additional art talks.

Faigin -- an author, artist, educator, critic, and sought-after speaker -- is perhaps best known for his expertise on the artistic analysis of faces, both human and otherwise.  His popular book, The Artist’s Complete Guide to Facial Expression is the definitive guide to capturing facial expressions, and is widely studied in art schools and even in Hollywood. In this podcast Gary tells us about his experiences working with Industrial Light and Magic to help them with the animation on faces in such favorite movies as Star Wars.

You'll also get the inside scoop on his upcoming talks at BIMA from Sheila Hughes, Executive Director of the BI Museum of Art. Her conversation with Gary is both fascinating and informative: Gary believes that art criticism and history should be accessible to everyone, not just artists and art lovers, and his wealth of knowledge about art and refreshing perspective on art history is clearly in demand.

Learn why Gary chose the 10 art works in Europe for his first talk; why he'll be focusing on Caravaggio in the Baroque period for his second talk; and about the immense amount of information that can be gleaned from observing the human face, the subject of his third presentation at BIMA.  

For more about Gary, click here: Gary Faigin. And to stay informed about upcoming presentations at BIMA so you don't miss Gary's next series, be sure to visit www.biartmuseum.org/‎.

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

Carl Johnson’s new book, Where Water is Gold, combines breathtaking photography of Alaskan wilderness and waters with eloquent essays about the ecosystems, wildlife habitat, sustainable fisheries, and people in Alaska's Bristol Bay region, all of which are currently endangered by the proposed Pebble Copper Mine. Carl will speak and show his photos at the Suquamish Museum on Saturday, April 1 from 3 pm - 5 pm.

The Bristol Bay region is home to the nation’s largest and wildest state park, a world-famous wildlife sanctuary, and Alaska’s largest lake.  It is also home to the largest salmon fishery in the world, supplying the world with 50%-60% of its demand for sockeye salmon.  The salmon - and also cod, halibut, herring, and smaller fish - sustain the ecosystem, feeding bears, birds, and all manner of wildlife.  The fishing industry - fishing, canning, seafood companies, and related services - supports thousands of local native people and those committed to showing up each year when the salmon season is in full throttle.  All this happens in the pristine, pure waters of Bristol Bay, which is now threatened by the proposed Pebble copper mine in the headwaters that feed Bristol Bay.

In his book and in his Suquamish Museum presentation, award-winning landscape photographer Carl Johnson will celebrate how Bristol Bay’s  water and salmon connect us all, globally.  Carl's beautiful photographs and eloquent essays combine to present a heart-rending picture of the potential devastation that the proposed Pebble Copper Mine poses to this beautiful unspoiled region, and serve as a moving call to action.

The final essay in the book describes the impact the proposed Pebble mine could have on this exceptionally rich and vulnerable ecosystem, reminding us that “acid mine drainage can render the water 1,000 times more acidic than battery acid.” Once unearthed, he adds, “mine tailings never become safe again...tailings are forever.”  

And now we have to ask ourselves: Is the risk of permanently contaminating these waters worth the financial profit in mining the copper?

Reserve seats for this event here or here.

Credits: BCB host: Channie Peters; BCB audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Bawdy humor, mistaken identities, espionage, and a woman playwright who may not be quite what she seems: Charles Evered's Celadine is restoration comedy with a decidedly modern twist.

In this podcast BCB host Diane Walker chats with Jennifer Hodges, star of the Lesser Known Players' upcoming production of Celadine, and her co-actors Tom Challinor and Gary Fetterplace, all three of them familiar to local Shakespeare fans for their work in various Shakespearean enterprises around the island.

As Celadine, Jennifer plays a woman playwright who runs a coffee shop back in the 1600's. while Tom Challinor plays an actor in search of a play, and Gary Fetterplace is... well let's just say he's a former lover who hasn't quite let go! Together the three give us tantalizing hints of the humor and mayhem to come in their upcoming production.

Written just 13 years ago by a professor of playwriting at the University of California-Riverside, Celadine is directed by Kristi Jacobson, and will air at Rolling Bay Hall this coming weekend: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 (March 23, 24, and 25), with a 2:30 matinee on Sunday the 26th.

For more information about The Lesser Known Players and Celadine, visit their Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/lesserknownplayers/. Tickets for the event may be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2887552.

Credits: BCB host and social media publisher: Diane Walker; BCB tech and audio editor, Chris Walker.

This podcast provides insights into the caring, concerns and community values that motivated our City Council to adopt a Resolution Affirming Bainbridge Island as a Welcoming and Inclusive City. That action was intended to reaffirm our City's long history of supporting civil and human rights, and to protect targeted groups and vulnerable individuals.

The resolution and an accompanying legal ordinance were unanimously approved by the Council less than 2 weeks after President Trump promulgated a ban on refugees and immigrants from any of 7 mostly-Moslem countries. That ban was promptly held unlawful by federal courts in a case brought by our State Attorney General with the strong encouragement of our Governor Jay Inslee, who himself is a resident of Bainbridge Island.

The City's compassionate action occurs in this year in which we will soon mark the 75th anniversary of the forced removal of more than 200 Japanese Americans from their homes on our island to internment camps during World War II.

In this candid and personal podcast conversation, we meet Mike Scott, a former School Board member who now serves as one of our 7 elected members of City Council, and who championed this resolution and ordinance.

Also on this podcast, we hear from two local advocates for the City's action. Ray Garrido is the Legal Services Director of Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center (KIAC). And Althea Paulson is a Bainbridge resident, mom, blogger, activist and former attorney who is now volunteering with KIAC. Both of those individuals played active roles in assisting Mike Scott with the preparation of the resolution. And, in this podcast, Althea makes an impassioned plea for your donations to the Immigrant Assistance Center.

This podcast conversation reveals profoundly moving insights into the concerns, motivations and person-to-person caring that came to the fore in this outstanding example of principled civic leadership.

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

We've heard a good deal about autism from the perspective of parents and therapists, but local author Margaret Combs has now thoughtfully articulated what it means to grow up with an autistic sibling,

In this moving podcast, Combs speaks with BCB host Christina Hulet about her poignant new book, Hazard: A Sister’s Flight from Family and a Broken Boy.

Combs' unflinching memoir describes the challenges of coping with autism in a Southern Baptist family during the 50's, 60's and 70's -- an era of ignorance and shame about the subject -- and shares her own experience of being torn between helping her brother and yearning for her own life.

Like many siblings of disabled children, young Margaret drives herself to excel in order to make up for her family's sorrow, ultimately fleeing her family for what she hopes is a "normal" life.

Hazard offers important insights for us as parents and family members, particularly for those where so much of a family’s attention and energy goes to a child with significant needs. To learn more about Hazard and hear the author share her experience, come to her upcoming talk at Eagle Harbor Books this coming Sunday, March 19th, at 3pm.

Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; BCB tech: Channie Peters; BCB audio editor and social media publisher: Diane Walker.

In this podcast, we meet one of the Northwest's leading experts on Social Security benefits, Andy Landis. He describes his upcoming 2-hour free talk at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Auditorium on March 22nd: "Social Security 101: Avoiding Myths and Mistakes".

The informative session -- part of a series on financial education -- is generously sponsored by the Bainbridge Community Foundation. Andy's talk and slides will start at 6:30pm that Wednesday evening, but it's advisable to arrive early, as the comfy auditorium seating is limited.

In this podcast, Andy shows his insights and practical knowledge, gained through employment at AARP, Social Security, multinational companies and as a consultant.

His free talk on Wednesday from 6:30pm to 8:30pm will address:

• The ABCs of how Social Security works for you and your family.
• How to get every dollar you have coming, without bureaucratic bother.
• What payments to expect for a spouse (working or non-working), former spouse or children.
• The bottom line on career changes, early retirement, switching to part-time, or starting a business.
• Options for saving Social Security for future generations -- or your own. Andy is optimistic that the valuable and vital program can be saved and sustained.

As a special feature, the session will conclude with Paul Merriman, a Bainbridge retiree who is a nationally-known investment guru and the mainstay of this financial education series, speaking on the interplay of Social Security benefits and your investment planning.

Andy is author of a comprehensive guidebook that has been called "the Social Security bible", titled "Social Security: The Inside Story."

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

From birth through high school, children on Bainbridge Island are presented with an unusually wide variety of fun programs and activities. Learn more about some of those exciting possibilities as Susie Burdick, Executive Director of Kidimu, Liam McEvilly, Program Director of Boys and Girls Club, and Kate Drummond, Teaching Artist at Bainbridge Performing Arts, describe  what their organizations have to offer the younger set.

In this podcast Susie, Liam and Kate talk, not only about what each of their respective organizations has to offer for our little ones, but how those programs are designed to expand with the children as they age. What fun, to learn that the older children are staying within the familiar programs and spaces and mentoring the younger ones, thus learning new useful skills along the way.

Take the Boys and Girls Club, for example: their robust after school program -- now offered at the Coppertop -- covers everything from help with homework to learning yoga in a safe and nurturing environment which serves about 120 children every weekday.  

Bainbridge Performing Arts’ theatre school teaches much more than theatre arts and skills, offering opportunities for role play, teamwork and imaginative play from the ages of 4 to 18 and beyond.  

And Kidimu is not just a museum for youngsters, but also a varied learning environment for parents, siblings and even brand new babies! Kidimu’s website also offers additional resources for the very youngest Islanders.

Be sure to watch (and listen) for future periodic BCB podcasts of What’s Up Bainbridge for Wee Ones.

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