Two Sherlock Holmes plays, a bit of musical theater, and an original play composed by the BPA Theatre School teens will all be featured in the school's Spring Sendoff, June 7th and 8th at 7pm.

In this podcast you'll learn about these shows and more as BPA's new education director, Pete Benson, tells us about the school's summer plans. Pete is ably assisted by Nobelle Wilkinson-Bennett, who'll be playing Rapunzel's prince in Into the Woods in August.

August performances of Into the Woods and Willy Wonka, plus an exciting new tech team class led by BPA's new Technical Director, Mark Nichols -- there's a lot to look forward to in this year's summer program at the BPA Theatre School.

For more information or to register for the Tech Team, visit the BPA website at Bainbridgeperformingarts. com -- and don't miss the Spring Sendoff, June 7th and 8th!

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

What do our youth have to say about climate change?

That is what the Bainbridge Island chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby wanted to find out when it had an essay contest for local youth.

In this podcast you'll meet Nilus Swanson, a 16-year old sophomore at Kingston High School, who submitted the winning essay.

Nilus' passionate call to action for why we should address climate change reminds us that sometimes youth can bring clarity to an issue that eludes our broader discourse. It is, after all, his generation and those to follow that will be most impacted by the effects of climate change.

Listeners will also learn about the work of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) from Bobbie Morgan, a Bainbridge Island resident, writer and one of the leaders of CCL’s local chapter. CCL has more than 480 local chapters around the country. To learn more about the one on Bainbridge, please visit: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/chapters/WA_Bainbridge_Island/.

Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; audio editor: Harrison Gaushell;  publisher: Diane Walker; social media: Jen St. Louis.

For a medley of delicious foods, cultural performances, speakers and exhibits, come and enjoy Bainbridge Island's  Celebration of Cultures at the Woodward Middle School, this Thursday, May 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Evolved from the Cultural Fair that was a staple part of Bainbridge education for so many years, the Celebration of Cultures is sponsored by the Bainbridge Island School District and the Multi-Cultural Advisory Council, and now welcomes the entire  community to its celebration.

In this podcast, Karen Vargas, Multi-Cultural Advisory Co-Chair, describes the multitude of performances, speakers and exhibits by diverse groups such as the Japanese-American, Suquamish, African-American, Filipino, and other communities at this exciting event.

Designed for community members of all ages, whether or not they have family members in the school, this event will also offer a variety of ethnic foods, including African-American, Filipino, Native American, East Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Mexican.

For a deliciously diverse evening, you won't want to miss this one!

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

In this podcast Taste of Bainbridge host Bob Ross talks with Christoph Schuler, the creator and owner of D’Bäck German Bakery, about his tasty organically baked pretzels.

You'll want to listen closely as Christoph reveals the secret southern German technique that produces the warm brown crust and the soft bread-like interior of his beautifully formed pretzel twists, sticks, rolls and sandwiches.  

Learn more about Christoph’s unique and tasty creations at www.swabianpretzels.com and find D’Bäck German Bakery at the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market each Saturday 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.

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

Many families and individuals are surprised to learn about the high cost for long-term care, according to Dana Gargas, the Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Kitsap County. In this podcast, she previews a discussion planned for the Bainbridge Island Senior Center on Monday, June 11 at 1 p.m.

In addition to cost, Gargas says people are not familiar with the range of options for ongoing care that exist and how they connect to each other—from at-home care to skilled nursing facilities and everything in between. She will present some of these options in more detail at the event at the Senior Center in June, and is happy to take questions directly at 360-337-5714 and 1-800-562-6418 or by email: dgargus@co.kitsap.wa.us.

The ombudsman represents individuals and families in interactions with providers of long-term care. Dana coordinates a staff of 20 volunteers who can provide guidance on how to navigate long-term care options and respond to concerns about how people are being treated.

The Senior Center requests that people register in advance for the presentation. Do so by dropping in at 370 Brien Dr. SE or by calling 206-842-1616.

Credits: BCB host: Reed Price; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

It would be easier to turn the page on the dark chapters of our history. But then, how would we heal, or learn, or grow as a society?

 In this powerful podcast, students Evelyn Cantwell and Ethan Soltanzadeh join teacher Jim Starrs in a conversation about Sakai Intermediate School's Leaving Our Island curriculum, a study of the Japanese internment during World War II.

Evelyn, a current 6th grader, Ethan, a high schooler and former Sakai student,and Jim, a 6th grade social studies and language arts teacher, share with us the many ways in which the curriculum uses stories, theater, books, and writing to bring to life the internment of Bainbridge’s 276 Japanese Americans. 

It's particularly moving to hear Evelyn and Ethan talk about forum day, when those internment survivors, who were the first to be exiled in 1942, come to the classroom to share their stories with students.

Listen to this podcast and be inspired by their reflections, and the lessons they draw that can serve all of us.

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

Free T-shirts, a parade, fire trucks, art projects, a visit with a therapy dog, bubbles, a sing-along -- sound like fun? It's KiDiMu Play Day, a wonderful celebration of KiDiMu's 15th birthday. In this podcast, Susie Burdick, KiDiMu's executive director, tells us about all the fun -- and FREE -- activities that have been planned for this year's celebration.

All are invited to kick off the festivities with the “Kids for KiDiMu” family fun walk for kids and kids at heart. Island Fitness instructor Tamera Roza will invite all for a warm-up on the plaza at 10 a.m. Then participants, led by the Bainbridge High School Bands musicians will head out to celebrate the power of play with KiDiMu, the whole town and tourists, as they stroll through Winslow and then return to KiDiMu after a short loop.

After the walk, families can engage in exhibit play at KiDiMu, meet Project Canine’s therapy dog, who will teach children how to safely approach four-legged friends, or participate in a BIMA-led art project. Starting at 1 pm children can decorate pillowcases for their emergency kits with Blocks, Inc., collaborate on an outdoor mural or play with bubbles.

And throughout the day Puget Sound Energy will be hosting a safety tent offering activities and books.  At 3:15 p.m. - for the day’s finale – KiDiMu’s new interim education director, Judi Neumann, will lead all in a sing-along to live autoharp music.

For a detailed schedule of events and to get your free t-shirt, pre-register for the KiDiMu walk at KiDiMu.org 

How worried should we be about the next earthquake? And how do we prepare for “the big one”?

That is the topic of this podcast and the next Open Mic Science event on June 5th at 8pm at The Treehouse Cafe.

 Open Mic's Michael Cox, a recently retired climate change advisor of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Dr. Erin Wirth, a research geophysicist with the US Geological Survey and also an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, talk about what researchers are learning about Cascadia’s next earthquake and why this topic is so important.

The last great Cascadia earthquake occurred in January 1700, before seismic instruments were around to record the event. Today, researchers like Dr. Wirth are using the results of computer simulations that demonstrate 50 different ways a magnitude 9 earthquake could unfold. These simulations evaluate the effects on buildings and the potential for liquefaction and landslides in an attempt to improve our understanding of how the Pacific Northwest should prepare for such an event.

In this podcast, we also learn about Open Mic Science, a Bainbridge Science Café based on the principles of Cafe Scientifique and committed to the public understanding of science. On the first Tuesday of every month at 8pm at the Treehouse, the public is invited to explore ideas in all aspects of science and technology in an informal, social setting. Enjoy pizza and beer, and stay abreast of current knowledge. All talks are free.

For more information on Open Mic Science, please visit: https://openmicscience.weebly.com/.

For information on emergency preparedness, please visit: Bainbridge Prepares at https://bainbridgeprepares.org/.

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

If you've been looking for ways to help build connection and community for someone with mild memory loss, the Bainbridge Island Art Museum has two exciting new options for you to consider.

Meet me at the movies, sponsored in partnership with the Frye Art Museum, offers short film clips of beloved film classics followed by audience discussion, and will begin at 10:30 am on May 25.

Look Again, which is subtitled Early Stage Memory Loss Guided Art Discussions, is sponsored in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. It’s a monthly facilitated art discussion in the museum galleries for people with mild memory loss and their care partners, and will be offered on the first Friday of every month, starting June 1.

In this podcast, BIMA education director Kristin Tollefson explains how the programs came to be, how they fit into the Museum's mission, and what participants can expect.

Both programs are free, but the Look Again program does require pre-registration. To inquire about registration, please reach out to Kenna Little, Alzheimer Association’s Early Stage Memory Loss Manager at 206-529-3868 or kelittle@alz.org.

To learn more about these programs, or to volunteer to assist in facilitating these conversations, visit the BIMA website at https://www.biartmuseum.org.

Already well known for their proficiency on the Bainbridge stage, Tom Challinor and Matt Eldridge are adding a new production company to their resume.

Listen here as co-directors Tom and Matt discuss their exciting new venture: inD Theatre. In this podcast you'll learn about their unique vision for local theatre, in which actors are paid and the performances are free. (Donations will be gratefully accepted, however.)    

The InD season will last from June until December of this year, with the first production -- Closed for Maintenance, a play written by Bainbridge Island local,  James E.  Anderson III -- to be offered June 8-9.  Tony award winning Dinah Manoff will direct Shannon Dowling and Ted Dowling in this new work.

Other plays in the offing include The North Plan by James Wells, Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, and a seasonal  performance of the Dylan Thomas poem, "A Child's Christmas in Wales."  Venues will vary, depending on the work. 

We welcome this new addition of inD Theatre to our already rich theater community, and encourage you to

make your reservation soon for Closed for Maintenance, which will be held at the Rolling Bay Music Guild Hall, June 8-9.

To learn more, make show reservations, and read about the up-coming productions, visit indtheatre.org .

Credits: BCB host: Carolyn Goad; audio tech and editor: Bob Ross; publisher Diane Walker.

This year Bainbridge in Bloom celebrates its 30th anniversary with 6 fabulous gardens, enchanting music, and a variety of exciting special offers from local merchants. Listen here to get all the details from Bloom coordinators Patty Bell and Linda Kramer Jenning.

Presented by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB), this premiere garden tour offers a chance to go behind the hedges and fences of six stunning island gardens. In addition to fabulous flora and breathtaking landscape design, each garden will feature charming performances by an array of local musicians.

By tradition, exact locations of the gardens won’t be revealed until the weekend of the tour, but a few hints and highlights of the gardens and music lineup are shared in this podcast.

Tickets are $35 and are good for a single day of the tour. Each day’s tour runs from 9am to 5pm and begins at the Bloom Hub located at the Filipino American Community Hall, 7566 NE High School Road. Tour-goers will receive a map to each of the gardens or shuttle locations, a wristband admitting entry to each garden, and other helpful local information. 

Advance tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com and at Bainbridge Gardens, Bay Hay and Feed, and Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty. Tickets can also be purchased on-site at the Bloom Hub on June 2 and 3.

The Bloom offers a discount for people who are Biking the Bloom, and for active duty military personnel and their families. Discounted tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Bloom Hub on the day of the event. 

For more information about the Bloom and the many special Bloom deals offered by local merchants, visit http://ahbainbridge.org/bainbridgeinbloom/.

Worried about how much time your children spend staring at screens? Could it be affecting their moods? Their school performance? Dr. Delaney Ruston, a world renowned expert in this area, can help.

Physician, filmmaker and parent Delaney Ruston decided to create the movie, SCREENAGERS, when she found herself constantly struggling with her own children about screen time. Today she is an internationally renowned expert on this topic. She has consulted with Google, Pixar, and Facebook, and her views have been cited in Good Morning America, NPR, the New York Times, in Ted Talks, and she has appeared before the United Nations.

And now, Raising Resilience is bringing this Stanford-educated Fulbright Scholar to Bainbridge Island to speak and to answer questions about screen time and how to moderate it successfully. In this podcast Raising Resilience board members Sarah Blaine and Lisa Bernardin tell us more about Dr. Ruston and about this exciting event.

So if you've been worried about the amount of time your kids spend staring at screens – don’t miss Growing Up in the Digital Age, Tuesday, May 22, 7 pm at the Bainbridge High School Commons. Tickets are $10, with scholarships available, and places are filling up fast, so sign up now at RaisingResilience.org.

Learn to cook with a professional chef! Create your own music videos and movie trailers! Build a boat -- or an adirondack chair! These are just a few of the opportunities being offered this summer to youth ages 8-18 at BARN.

In this podcast, BCB Host Finn Mander talks with BARN Program Coordinator Julie Leung about the various classes available and what you can expect this summer at BARN. You'll hear about BARN's collaboration with Parks and Rec, and you'll learn how this year's students can design their own class days -- .

To discover more about the various classes and events at BARN this summer, visit BARN’s website at www.bainbridgebarn.org/youth -- and don’t forget to stop by BARN before summer classes begin. BARN offers free tours every Sunday between 1 pm and 3 pm. Alternatively, become a member to receive discounts on both youth and adult classes, and to have full access to the studios for all your creative ambitions.

Credits: BCB host and audio editor: Finn Mander; publisher: Diane Walker.

Free ice cream, live music, pirate fun, Kayak rentals – there’ll be something for everyone at the grand opening of the new Waterfront Park Dock on Saturday afternoon, June 2nd, from 3-5 pm.

In this podcast, BCB host Diane Walker talks with BI City project manager Mark Epstein about the problems with the old dock, the years of planning that went into the new dock, and what the new dock offers the community -- including lights, water, more room for larger boats and much much more!

Plus -- and it wouldn't be Bainbridge if there weren't a back story -- he also tells us about the amazing community effort that went into rehabilitating the starfish inhabitants of the former dock!

To learn more about the new dock, its features, and the plans for the grand opening, visit the city's website at Bainbridgewa.gov. And stop by the dock any time to check it out -- it's a fabulous place to hang out on these gorgeous spring days!

How could you capture 3 dimensional movement in a 2 dimensional medium?

This is a challenge that has fascinated artist John Wiens for more than 50 years -- first as an architect, and then later as a sketcher, a watercolor artist, and now as a printmaker, working primarily in BARN's printmaking studio.

"My artwork," he says, "is the expression of my joy of being alive. I am in this world and I’m of this world. Art is the act of celebrating that of being alive.  To accomplish artwork requires awareness, contemplation, receptiveness, courage, skill, tools and an idea. In my work I’m trying to capture something specific in the people, landscape, or the still life

Come see John's movement-inspired abstract monotypes at the Bainbridge Library, opening Friday, June 1 from 5-7 pm.

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

Isaac Swanson is an artisan whose  hand blown glass is regularly featured at the Bainbridge Farmers’ Market.

In this podcast, Isaac joins host Bob Ross to share the story of his work and talk about what motivated him to enter the unusual craft of creative glass blowing.  It's a curious story of moving from barista to glass and about his entry into the field on the night shift in Seattle. 

For Isaac, glass blowing is a metaphor for life. Would you agree? Listen here and decide for yourself -- and be sure to stop by the Farmer's Market to appreciate his work!

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

Have you ever wondered what life on Bainbridge Island was like, back before the Agate Pass Bridge and the commuter ferries? Wouldn't you like to hear about that directly from the folks who lived here back then? If you know some of those people, or would like to hear their stories and help others to do the same, this podcast is for you!

The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum is developing an oral history project, and they need your help. In this podcast you'll meet the Museum's volunteer coordinator, Tim Bird, and Tom Arnold, a retired naval officer who's finishing up a masters in oral history, and who ran an oral history project for the city of Lawrence, Kansas before moving to Bainbridge.

The museum, which will be working with the Senior Center, BCB, and other interested organizations, hopes to begin the project by focusing on conversations with Bainbridge Islanders who lived here during the 30's and 40's. They're looking for people to help with the project, either to introduce them to prospective interviewees, or to help conduct, record, edit and/or transcribe the interviews so they can become part of the museum's permanent collection.

Because the museum already has several interviews on file, BCB will join in the project by offering occasional excerpts to give our listeners a flavor of Bainbridge as it once was.

If you're interested in participating in this community-wide project, please visit the BIHM website, http://bainbridgehistory.org/, or you can drop by or call the museum any day of the week between 10 and 4.

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

Want to ensure your children's financial future? Inspire them to save by bringing them to BCF's free workshop on Launching a Strong Financial Future for Young People, May 17 from 6-8 pm.

in this final workshop of the series offered for free by the Bainbridge Community Foundation, educator and lecturer Paul Merriman will help set a strong footing for young investors 16 to 25 years of age.  Participants (hopefully along with a parent or grandparent) will learn how to make smart investment decisions that will change the rest of their life.  Of course, regardless of age, any first time investor will benefit from this presentation.

Bring you children or grandchildren, and they will learn:

• How the stock and bond markets can work in your best interest
• How to make one decision that will make you a successful investor for life
• How to avoid investment mistakes that cost young investors millions

The workshop will be held in the BIMA auditorium Thursday, May 17, from 6-8 pm. For more information or to register, visit the Bainbridge Community Foundation website, BainbridgeCF.org.

What is the future of energy?

In this podcast, Randal Samstag, board member of Bainbridge Island’s Climate & Energy Forum, and Jonathan White, retired Director of Member Services and Marketing at Peninsula Light Company, talk about our energy future and the prospects and challenges for renewable energy in the Northwest.

We learn about significant trends in the electric power industry and the work of Peninsula Light, a member-owned electric cooperative serving the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsulas, as well as parts of Pierce County. This utility has grown to be the second largest cooperative in the Northwest, serving over 112 square miles of service territory.

To learn more, you can attend the next Climate & Energy Forum event, Future Energy Challenges, on Saturday, May 19, from 10:00am-11:30am at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church. Speakers will include Jonathan White and Amy Grice, Engineer at Peninsula Light Company.

This forum is brought to you by five local environmental organizations — Climate Action Bainbridge, EcoAdapt, Sustainable Bainbridge, Friends of Island Power, and Citizens Climate Lobby. Together, they host a monthly series featuring speakers and discussion topics to increase our community’s awareness and response.

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.

The Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network invites you to join them on Saturday May 12 to celebrate BARNIVERSARY: BARN's first year of service in their fabulous new building on Three Tree Lane.

Listen here as BARN membership coordinator Carla Mackey tells us all about the exciting activities planned for the day. You'll want to bring the kids and tour the many BARN studios: there'll be craft demonstrations, work samples, tasty treats and much much more.

In addition to spaces in the BARN lot there will be overflow parking at the nearby Baptist Church at Madison and 305, with a shuttle running all day. So don't miss it: that's this Saturday, May 12^th, from 10 -3.

Credits: BCB host/editor/publisher: Diane Walker.

From senior flirting to downward dogs and runaway beets, no subject is off limits to Bainbridge poets when invited to submit their favorite works with no theme to inhibit their creativity!

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 Wednesday, April 25th, to record Poetry Corners Live, an event hosted by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. This year’s lack of theme — a conscious determination on the part of the judges — resulted in a broad range of poems: some short, some long; some humorous and some deeply moving; some remembering loss and others full of hope.

The lucky folks who listened to this event heard some truly magnificent work —  and now you can enjoy it, too! Listen here, and enjoy a flavorful blend of island creativity. For more information, or to purchase a Poetry Corners 2018 chapbook with Karen Chaussabel’s colorful image, “Surrendering to What Is” on the cover, visit the Arts & Humanities Bainbridge website or stop by their office in the Marge Williams Center on Winslow Way West.

Credits: BCB audio tech: Finn Mander; audio editor: Jeff Wenker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Planning your finances in anticipation of retirement can be challenging -- but the Bainbridge Community Foundation can help with those important decisions. BCF is sponsoring a free workshop with renowned -- and retired -- investment counselor Paul Merriman on investment decisions for those close to or in retirement Thursday, May 10, from 6-8 pm at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum.

In this, the third of four workshops BCF is sponsoring, BCF board member Paul Merriman will share a wealth of experience to help you learn how to make the most of your retirement funds. Participants will learn to build their personal best combination of stocks and bonds to maximize income, minimize risk and leave more to children and charities.

You will learn:

• How to get the most out of your investments in retirement
• How to avoid making the most common investment mistakes made by retirees
• How much you can spend in retirement

For details and to register visit BainbridgeCF.org — and begin preparing for a brighter, wealthier future!

Credits: BCB host: Chris Walker; editor/ publisher: Diane Walker.