GirlUp is a chapter of the global United Nations Foundation which gives girls the resources they need to impact change in the world. Listen here as Bainbridge high school student Merrill Keating explains why she started a GirlUp club at the high school and what activities they're pursuing.

Although the global foundation identifies key impact areas including health and safety, chapter clubs are encouraged to focus their efforts in a concentrated impact category. Speaking with BCB host Jo Jenkins, Merrill describes the work her local club is doing to identify the needs of girls, raise money, and brainstorm solutions. 

The Bainbridge Island GirlUp club focuses on education by encouraging girls to pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (“STEM”) fields to counteract the historical gender imbalance in these areas of study. Although the club is relatively new to the island, they’ve hit the ground running by partnering with many local businesses. This podcast is for anyone looking for a bit of good news in their day.

To learn more about GirlUp, visit www.girlup/org

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

Our Fire Department's Community Risk Reduction program is not just about preventing fires; it's also about preventing falls. Listen here to learn what you can do to reduce the risk of falling.

In this podcast, Fire Chief Hank Teran and Janine Courtemanche, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator for the Bainbridge Island Fire Department explain what is meant by Community Risk Reduction.

Listeners will learn how a particular community's risk challenges are evaluated, what the fire department is doing in partnership with other island organizations to help reduce risk, and, more specifically, what WE can do to prevent unnecessary falls.

For more information and some very useful tips and brochures, visit the BIFD website at www.bifd.org.

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

Exercise, used clothes, card games, field trips,  play performances, chickens -- all part of what Citizen of the Year Reed Price deals with daily in his role as Director of the Senior Center. Listen here to learn more!

Join guest hosts Mimi Hicklin and Evan Price as they interview their father: Bainbridge Island City Council’s 2018 Citizen of the Year, Reed Price. You’ll hear them talk about what it means to be a citizen, the future of the Bainbridge Island Senior Center, and -- last but far from least -- what's happening with our local celebrity fowl.

For more information about the Senior Center visit biseniorcenter.org, or email info@biseniorcenter.org

Credits: BCB audio tech: Justin Lynn; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

Widely considered to be one of Shakespeare's finest comedies, As You Like It offers villainy, romance, humor, a happy ending, and the flavor of Robin Hood with romance around every tree -- so appropriate for this summer's setting of the Bard at Bloedel, so get your tickets now!

In this podcast we hear from director Kristi Ann Jacobson and four of her cast members: Rosalind (Amanda Rae Pease), Celia (Citori Luecht), Touchstone (Gary Fetterplace) and Jaques (Liam Sanchez). Listen here as they give us some of the flavor of the play -- what's fun, what's different, why it works so well at Bloedel, and more.

As You Like it will open Thursday, July 11th, and play Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7-9:15 pm through July 28th, with a pay-what-you-can preview on Wednesday, July 10th; there will be no performance on July 27th.

Picnics and set up for picnics will be allowed in the meadow after 6:00 p.m, but beer and wine will neither be sold nor permitted at this year’s event.  Patrons are advised to bring low lawn chairs; there is limited blanket seating available.

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

Now that the kids are out of school and looking for something to do, why not look to BARN? BARN is offering a fantastic line-up of 40 classes for youth and teens starting July 8th through August 23rd, ages 8 through 14. Listen here to learn more about what’s being offered, when to register, and how much fun it can be.

In this podcast BCB host Susan Wiersema sits down with Jess Henderson, Program Manager at BARN and Jasper, a student who participated in last year’s BARN Youth and Teen Programs. We’ll learn about Jess’s background working with youth and teens and what she is planning for the future here at BARN, and Jasper will tell us about his experience last year taking a world cooking class and what he’s looking forward to doing this summer.

To learn what courses are available and to register, visit the BARN website, www.bainbridgebarn.org/youth.

Credits: BCB host: Susan Wiersema; audio editor and publisher: Diane Walker.

The Kiwanis All Comers Track Meet begins again on Monday July 8th for six weeks of family racing fun. Come to the high school track, bring the kids, and enjoy the races!

Kiwanis, with generous support from Bainbridge Island Dental and Coldwell Banker, will again sponsor the popular All Comers Track Meet series this summer.   The event is held every Monday for six weeks - 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5 and 8/12.  

All ages from 2 to 80 are welcome, and no pre-registration is required...just show up at the high school track between 6:00 and 6:30pm and sign in!   The event is free although donations are always welcome.

Listen here as Kiwanis Treasurer John Jay, President Elizabeth Ozimek and ‘All Comers’ Coach Paul Benton share their unique perspectives, amusing past experiences, and why this popular family event continues to be a favorite summer island tradition.

For more information, visit https://bikiwanis.org.

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

How do you capture a storm on canvas? Artist Joanie Klorer grew up in Tornado Alley, and after a career helping others find therapeutic resolution through art she's carried her own awareness of time, place, and storms into abstract paintings she'll share at the Bainbridge Island Library for the month of July.

During her nearly four decades as a social worker, Joanie found art was a great way to help people -- especially non-verbal clients -- express their hearts and experiences. Today she uses her art to achieve the same objective for herself, drawing on her experience of those childhood storms to feed her paintings 

“I think of memory as a shadow which lingers from encounters and places.  Memory, influenced by time, place, and experience forms the catalyst for my paintings.  I believe my paintings are often an attempt at resolution of memories that are stuck like films on continuous replay.” 

Joanie's exhibit, entitled "Where I Come From: Memory and Place," will open during the First Friday Arts Walk at the Bainbridge Public Library on July 5th from 5-7 pm. Don't miss it!

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

What will the future of island parks and recreation hold for you? The BI Metro Parks & Recreation District is currently updating their Comprehensive Plan, which will forecast trends and identify priorities from 2020 to 2026. You can contribute your own ideas by answering their online survey before June 30th.

If you love visiting island parks or have participated in any of the hundreds of recreational activities offered by the Parks & Recreation District, be sure to listen here as Parks & Recreation Senior Planner Perry Barrett explains the process currently underway to update the Park District's Comprehensive Plan.

Using the department's online forum, you can submit input on a variety of park-related issues, including trails, recreation programs, the development of the Sakai property, the proposed swimming pool expansion, and more.

To learn more about the Comprehensive Plan, log onto www.biparks.org and click on the survey link at www.bainbridgeparksplan.participate.online.

This episode references other BCB podcasts focused on island parks. For more about the Fort Ward restoration project, visit https://www.bestofbcb.org/cafe-062-fort-ward-restoration/. And for more information about the proposed renovations to Battle Point's KidsUp playground, click here:https://www.bestofbcb.org/cafe-084-kidsup-playground/

This podcast is the first in what will be a recurring series with the Parks & Recreation District offering in depth descriptions of specific topics, so be sure to keep listening in for more information about our island parks. 

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

On Sunday, June 23rd from 12-6 pm, Bainbridge Pride will host its annual festival at Waterfront Park.  All community members are invited to share in this free, family-friendly event, with live music, food, vendors, crafts, speakers and more.

This event is sponsored by Kitsap Pride and Bainbridge Pride, a new local organization committed to creating community, sharing resources and hosting events for all members and allies of our island’s LGBTQ community.

In this podcast, BCB host Christina Hulet sits down with Steven Facer, Eve Palay, Derek Villanueva and Daniel Warner. Listen as they have a rich discussion about why this work is important, even in progressive communities like Bainbridge, and how we can create a more inclusive, connected community.

For more information or to get involved, please visit the Bainbridge Pride Facebook page.

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

It’s that time of year again! The Rotary Auction and Rummage Sale is on July 6th from 8am to 2pm at Woodward Middle School. Listen here to learn more about what it takes to put on this incredible event.

In this podcast BCB host Christina Hulet sits down with Rotarians Susie Burdick and Deb Rudnick to talk about this long-standing island tradition. We learn about how funds raised during the auction support our community, including Rotary’s efforts to expand partnerships with local nonprofits. We also hear about how Rotary’s Green Team is working to protect our environment.

Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to pull off an event that draws thousands of shoppers each year. What’s the most memorable item that’s ever been dropped off? The largest? When is the most money raised? What’s the farthest someone’s travelled to come to the auction? Listen and find out.

You can learn more about Rotary’s auction, including how to drop off items, details on preview night and logistics for Saturday, July 6th at: http://www.bainbridgerotaryauction.org/.

Rotary also is always looking for more auction volunteers! To sign up, please visit: http://www.bainbridgerotaryauction.org/volunteer/volunteer-sign-up-form/

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

Poetry fans will gain new insight into Emily Dickinson from the William Luce play, Belle of Amherst, being presented by Island Theatre at the Library on Saturday and Sunday June 15 and 16 at 7:30.

Composed almost entirely in her own words from letters painstakingly researched by the playwright, this whimsical one-woman show offers not only readings of Dickinson's poems but a compelling picture of the poet, her wry wit, the possible reasons behind some of her life choices, and what life was like for an intelligent and creative woman in mid-1800's New England.

Listen here as Jennifer Hodges, who plays Dickinson in this reading, and Steve Stolee, director of the show, share some of what they've discovered about the contemporary implications of this elusive character in the process of putting together this production.

.. and be sure to come see why Emily Dickinson's legacy -- her poetry, her courage, and the fascinating life of seclusion she chose -- still has relevance today. That's Belle of Amherst, Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, 7:30 at the Bainbridge Public Library. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. For more information, visit islandtheatre.org.

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

Looking for climate action ideas you can implement right here on Bainbridge? Watch Paris to Pittsburgh and participate in a post-show idea exchange with Mayor Kol Medina and County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido: June 6, 7pm at the Bainbridge Public Library.

In this podcast, BCB's Chris Walker sits down with Mike Kelly, the BI leader of Citizens' Climate Lobby, to discuss this enlightening film, which contains inspiring interviews with people across the nation who are making a difference in their communities.

The movie will be shown at the Library June 6 as part of the Movies that Matter Series sponsored by Citizens' Climate Lobby, Sustainable Bainbridge, Climate Action Bainbridge, EcoAdapt, and Friends of Island Power.

Following the movie there will be a panel discussion led by Bainbridge Island Mayor Kol Medina and Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido to share what’s currently being done locally and to envision together what additional actions we could be taking at the city and county level.

For more information, email bainbridge@citizensclimatelobby.org.

Credits: BCB Host: Chris Walker; Audio Editor and Publisher: Chris Walker