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.