A sinister scientist, a faithful robot, an uncontrollable monster, and classic rock tunes:  everything you need for a fabulous evening of fun and frolic! Buckle up and blast off for adventure with Return to the Forbidden Planet at Bainbridge Performing Arts, October 12th-28th.

Listen here as we talk with cast member Jennifer Carrillo and long time BPA collaborator and Forbidden Planet director Ryan O’Donnell about the thrills, romance, and classic tunes in this throwback musical for all ages.

... and if you love these golden oldies -- Born to be Wild, Wipeout, Good Vibrations,Great Balls of Fire, and The Monster Mash -- then get ready to bop, rock, and roll into interplanetary space! Don't miss Return to the Forbidden Planet at Bainbridge Performing Arts, October 12th-28th with a pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday the 11th.

For tickets or more information, call the BPA box office at 842-8569 or visit the BPA website, bainbridgeperformingarts.org <http://bainbridgeperformingarts.org>

Credits: BCB host, Justin Lynn; audio editor and publisher, Diane Walker; social media: Jen St. Louis.

Meet Ronald Slye, a Seattle U law professor who will be describing his experiences as one of three international commissioners for the Kenyan Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission on Thursday, September 27, at Eagle Harbor Books.

Between 1963 and 2008 Kenya experienced systematic atrocities, economic crimes, ethnic violence, and the illegal taking of land. The TJRC was established to try to address these historical injustices through a truth commission process. Slye was appointed to the TJRC by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and served from 2009 to 2013.

He has now published a book about his experiences, entitled The Kenyan TJRC: An Outsider’s View from the Inside. It is one of the few behind-the-scenes accounts of such a commission, and details, among other things, how the Kenyan TJRC became the first such commission to recommend that its Chair be prosecuted for gross violations of human rights.  

In the book, and in this interview, Ronald speaks candidly about the shortcomings and limitations of the TJRC. He also reflects on several positives, such as the commission’s very deliberate efforts to engage Kenyan women in sharing their stories.

To learn more about his experiences, be sure to attend Ronald Slye’s upcoming presentation at Eagle Harbor Books Thursday, September 27, at 6:30pm.

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

Ever wonder how Bainbridge was formed and where it lies relative to fault lines?  Cameron Snow's film, The Geological Formation of Bainbridge Island, has those answers and more.

Years in the making, the film will be shown Wednesday September 26 as part of the 4th annual Three Days of Preparedness. Listen here as Cameron talks about her inspiration for this project, the process and research involved, and why this is relevant now.

Over three distinct parts, the film begins by showcasing the geologic history of Bainbridge Island and the Puget Sound region; next, it addresses the impact that seismic activity and faults have had on the region recently. Last, it researches historic glacial activity and its affect on our aquifers.

Gregory Geehan, geologist and narrator of the film, will be on hand for a question and answer period after the film.

Showings will be September 26th at 6:00 and 7:00 PM at  Bainbridge Cinemas at the Pavilion. The event is free of charge, but preregistration is suggested.  

To reserve seats:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3-days-of-preparedness-film-night-2-showings-tickets-47923063172

To see film previews:

www.bainbridgegeology.com <http://www.bainbridgegeology.com/>  

Credits: BCB host, Sandy Schubach; audio editor and publisher, Diane Walker; social media: Jen St. Louis.

If you love jazz, funk, and flamenco, you want to be sure to attend Arte Y Pasion with Deseo Carmin, this Saturday, September 22, 7:30 pm at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

Deseo Carmin is a fiery fusion of Latin, Jazz/Funk with spicy Flamenco, interpreting favorite Latin American and original songs with a style that is unique as well as energetic. In this podcast you'll meet and hear Deseo Carmin composer/musicians Stella Rossi and Andre Stomma -- and they will make you want to dance, so come hear them Saturday night and bring your dancing shoes!

Be sure to come early -- doors open at 6:45 -- to view the spectacular photography of Eva Blanchard, on exhibit this night only. Eva is a concept and editorial portrait photographer whose photography is seen in advertising campaigns, magazines, and publishing.

To learn more about Deseo Carmin, visit their website at:

https://www.deseocarmin.com/

To see more of Eva Blanchard's work, visit

https://evablanchardphoto.com

So join us for an elegant night around the world with music, dance and exquisite photographic art! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the BIMA website.

Credits: BCB host, John Fossett; audio editor and publisher, Diane Walker; social media: Jen St. Louis.

What is the level of homelessness on Bainbridge and in Kitsap County? What's driving the problem, what kind of assistance is available, how effective is it, and what can you do to help? Listen here to learn more...

In this 45 minute podcast, BCB host Christina Hulet talks with Kirsten Jewell, Kitsap County’s Housing and Homelessness Program Division Coordinator, and Maria Metzler, Executive Director of Helpline House, about local statistics, issues, services and misconceptions around homelessness.

According to data from Kitsap County’s Department of Human Services and Housing Solutions Center, 530 people were without a home in Kitsap County during the 2018 “point-in-time” count. In 2017, approximately 3,200 households in Kitsap needed housing assistance and 1,200 households were classified as homeless.

Here on Bainbridge, 116 households needed housing assistance and 25 households were classified as homeless in 2017. Forty of these households included children, impacting a total of 68 kids. The Bainbridge Island School District also counted 18 homeless children in the 2016-2017 school year.

One of the organizations making a difference is Helpline House, a local nonprofit that served 1 in 10, or approximately 2,500, Bainbridge residents in 2017. It provides a range of social services including a food bank, mental health counseling, housing assistance, medical equipment, and case management, among others.

You can support and learn more about Helpline House at https://www.helplinehouse.org/. Come join their 50th Celebration on Saturday September 29th from 11am to 4pm. This is a free community event, including live music, kid activities, food trucks and more.

You can learn more about Kitsap County’s housing and homelessness programs and county-level data on its website.

The County is also hosting a community forum on Bainbridge about tiny houses, as one tool to address homelessness and housing instability. This event will be on Thursday, September 27th from 6:30-8:30pm at Bainbridge’s Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church.  

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

Will bringing Coffee Oasis to Bainbridge help reduce teen suicide on the island? Lee Moniz hopes so. Listen here to learn about Coffee Oasis and why the Tyler Moniz Project is working to bring the organization to Bainbridge.

Here on Bainbridge, we have lost several youth to suicide in the last few months alone. Many others report that they struggle with depression, anxiety, bullying, and various pressures. Some are just looking for a place to connect and feel a sense of community.

This is why Lee Moniz and others are working to bring Coffee Oasis to Bainbridge. Lee is the founder of the Tyler Moniz Project, a non-profit organization that she and her husband, Jeff, created after their son, Tyler, died by suicide at Washington State University two years ago.

In this podcast, we learn about her hopes to partner with Coffee Oasis to create a coffee house where youth can just hang out and, if needed, get access to a variety of programs, activities and support staff.

Coffee Oasis is a faith-based, non-profit organization that creates gathering places for youth by combining coffee and youth programs. They have several coffee shops around Kitsap County, including Poulsbo, Bremerton, and Port Orchard.

In this podcast Daniel Frederick, Coffee Oasis' Director of Community Development, talks about the programs they offer, including job training, counseling, mentoring, crisis intervention, and case management. We also hear from Kyle Koller, a youth actively involved in the organization, who shares what a difference Coffee Oasis made in his own life.

If you’d like to learn more, there will be a Question & Answer session about the Bainbridge Island Coffee Oasis project at City Hall on September 24th from 7:00-8:30pm. You can also visit the Tyler Moniz Project (www.thetylermonizproject.com) and Coffee Oasis websites (https://thecoffeeoasis.com/)

... and 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, which provides free counseling for youth ages 12-19

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

Line dancing? Table Tennis? Yoga? Beginning Chinese? Bridge? Drawing? Chess? Knitting? Photography? Astrology? German? Cribbage? Karaoke? Shakespeare? There's something for everyone at the BI Senior Center -- and you can help them decide what future offerings might be available! Attend one of four strategic planning sessions offered over the next week, and help our senior center plan for the future.

Working with their existing members, the Senior Center's Board has come up with a five point plan for the center's future, but they want to open this discussion up to the larger community, so they are holding 4 strategic planning sessions at different times and places to make it easy to attend:

  • Tuesday, September 11, 10 am-noon at Bethany Lutheran Church

  • Thursday, September 13, 3-5 pm at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church

  • Saturday, September 15, 1-3 pm at Island Volunteer Caregivers (behind Marge Williams Center)

  • Tuesday, September 18, 7-9 pm at the Senior Center

You need only attend one session, so choose the one most convenient for you and be sure to let them know what shape you'd like them to take for the future.

For more information, visit their website at biseniorcenter.org. And to learn more about their wide range of learning and exercise opportunities, stop by the Center and pick up a copy of their Splash newsletter today!

Credits: BCB host: Carolyn Goad; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker; social media: Jen St. Louis.

Are you prepared if disaster strikes our community? Participate in Three Days of Preparedness--September 26, 29, and 30 -- and meet Ready Raccoon and the rescue dogs of Empact NW, experience a simulated earthquake, and learn more about what Bainbridge is doing to build resilience in case of catastrophic events.

• Day One: Wednesday, Sept 26th Film Night @ The Pavilion – The Geological Formation of Bainbridge island Parts 1, 2 & 3. Two screenings @ 6 pm & 7 pm. It’s free, but please reserve your tickets online https://bainbridgeprepares.org/event/3-days-of-preparedness-day-1-film-night/

• Day Two: Saturday, Sept 29th Expo @ City Hall – The Big Shaker: Earthquake Simulator, disaster preparedness workshops, Empact NW Rescue Dog Team, connect with the non-profit and tax funded organizations helping to prepare our community.

• Day Three: Sunday, Sept 30th Emergency HUB Demo @ Island Church – Demonstrations and scenarios. See the non-profit and tax funded organizations, helping to prepare our community, in action.

So come on down and bring the kids: It’s an excellent opportunity to get to know each other, to learn about preparedness, and to meet the individuals, organizations and local government who are helping to prepare our community.

Credits: BCB host, John Fossett; audio editor and publisher, Diane Walker; social media Jen St. Louis.

Who remembers when the first television came to Bainbridge Island? Listen here as lifelong Island resident Karen McCormic Beierle shares her memories of growing up on Bainbridge, including the 1949 earthquake that destroyed the Pleasant Beach School.

Born in the late 1930s, Karen grew up in the Point White/Lynwood area. She left the island briefly to attend college and begin a teaching career, then returned to raise a family here in the home she and her husband still occupy in Fletcher Bay.

In this 19-minute podcast excerpted from a one hour and 47 minute interview with BIHM volunteer Tom Arnold, Karen describes the Point White ferry, Lynwood and Fort Ward in the 1940s, and the Navy’s presence in the area. After we hear of her experiences in the 1949 earthquake, the podcast concludes with Karen sharing some of her perspectives on the return of Bainbridge Island’s Japanese-American residents following their internment during World War II.

Credits: BIHM host: Tom Arnold; audio tech: Chris Walker; publisher, Diane Walker.

What is the development moratorium, why was it enacted, and how does it address growing concerns about the type of development happening on Bainbridge Island? In this podcast, BI Senior Planner Christy Carr and Planning Commissioner Jon Quitslund help clarify the issues.

Beginning in January 2018, the Bainbridge Island City Council passed a series of ordinances establishing and clarifying a six-month moratorium on certain new developments. The moratorium was set to expire mid-summer but was extended on June 26 by an additional 90 days.  

Listen here as BCB host Christina Hulet talks with long term islanders Christy and Jon  about the moratorium and several related topics, including the review process and design of subdivisions; the role of the Design Review Board and the Planning Commission; the Critical Areas and Landmark Tree ordinances; and the recommendations just delivered by the Affordable Housing Task Force.

We also explore some of the criticisms associated with the moratorium and consider how best to hold the tension between development and preserving what we love about our island.

For more information on the moratorium, visit the City’s website at www.bainbridgewa.gov.

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