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.