Something to Talk About

The Bainbridge Island / North Kitsap Interfaith Council is changing up an annual event they’ve hosted to include more ways to support food security. For many years, the IFC has hosted a CROP WALK, but this year it’s growing to include a week of activities. IFC member and longtime island minister Dee Eisenhauer gives us the rundown on “Every Eats Week," Sept. 21-28. Calendar of events: https://bise...

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association is hosting two events on WWII convictions of Japanese Americans that were later overturned. A film, "Alternative Facts," shows on Oct. 2 at 7 pm at the library and a plenary on Oct. 5 at 2 pm at the Rowing Center looks at this history and helps us see what we can do today. In this podcast, Ellen Sato Faust, the executive direct...

This weekend brings the annual Quilt Festival on the Winslow Green. Don't miss this delightful array of fabric art from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, Sept. 13. Learn more in this podcast and on the BI Modern Quilt Guild website https://www.bainbridgeislandmodernquiltguild.com/

Here's the scoop on the BI Beach Cleanup for 2025: Sept. 20 from 9 am - noon - and a special 'ArtCycle' activity from 1-3 pm that Saturday. All details: https://www.sustainablebainbridge.org/event/beach-cleanup/ CleanSwell App for recording your finds: https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/clean-swell-app/ MyCoast App for year-long coastal support: https://myco...

Misty Mountford, the Independent Living Program Director with Housing Resources Bainbridge, talks about how HRB and other organizations are working together to help people stay in the homes and community they know and love. Contact: misty@housingresourcesbi.org or 206.842.1909, ext. 18

We catch up with Julie Rogers, the administrator for the Fire CARES program. CARES aims to respond to behavioral needs in the community — and reduce strain on fire and police staffs for calls that don’t require crisis response, but still definitely require assistance.

The City of Poulsbo is about a month away from opening its first affordable housing project—the 8 unit “Nordic Cottages” that will be home to low-income seniors and adults with disabilities. Kimberly Hendrickson, the director of Housing, Health and Human Services for the City of Poulsbo is joined by Phedra Elliott, the executive director of Housing Resources Bainbridge, to discuss housing needs of...

This month Ann Lovejoy features garden herbs and flowers that are happiest when you ignore them. Learn about oregano, sage, poppies, and other plants that are just fine with a hot, dry summer.

Kathy McGowan and Roan Brumwell joined us to talk about their ongoing project to highlight “flash” recycling. Every month they run a drive for a different item and then collect those items from island doorsteps. Email biflashdrive at gmail.com or visit https://sustainablebainbridge.org/flashdrive.

After her husband died of Alzheimer’s in 2011, Rosalys Peel put her skills as an educator to the test and eventually decided to write the book Mike & Me about the journey she and Mike took through his illness. In subsequent years, Rosalys has been sharing the book, lecturing about her experience, and helping other families who are coping with dementia. We discuss what that journey after publis...

EcoAdapt, a nonprofit organization focused on how to prepare for the disruptions of climate change, has recently updated materials that highlight sea-level rise in the Salish Sea and specifically Bainbridge Island. Senior Scientist Deb Rudnick updates us. Related links: https://ecoadapt.org/ Sea-Level Rise (SLR) support page: https://ecoadapt.org/projects/38/Bainbridge-Island-Sea-Level-Rise-Commun...

Every July 4 the BI Photo Club at the Senior & Community Center shares photos for a public popularity vote. This podcast, best viewed on YouTube, shares the top vote getters and comments from the winning photographers. More info about the club at https://biphotoclub.org

Jen Albrecht and BAC Board President Ellin Spenser join us to talk about the renaissance of the 77-year-old arts institution headquartered on Winslow Way. For more: https://bacart.org

Ballots are due on Aug. 5. Jason Driver, executive director of Kitsap Regional Library, joins us to talk about why KRL is putting a levy before voters, what the effect will be if the levy doesn't pass, and answers common questions about library funding. Related: Kitsap County Assessor Phil Cook on taxes https://youtu.be/Xua8laKaZPc?si=JeUfHzaeID4Rmq5D

Mark Salvadalenda and John Knox join us to talk about the book "Birding Bainbridge Island," which Mark wrote and John supplied most of the photos for. Mark talks about why he wrote the book, how he hopes it will be used, and offers a little taste of insight about locally observed species from the book. (Best viewed at https://youtube.com/biseniorcenter) Related link https://www.birdingbainbridge.o...

The City of Bainbridge Island and Bainbridge Parks have teamed up to ask the public to help guide their transition plans for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Learn how you can participate. Related links: https://www.bainbridgeislandada.com/ ADATransitionPlan@bainbridgewa.gov

We hear from Consuelo Crow with King County Emergency Management, who is providing support for developing Resilience Hubs throughout the state, and Anne LeSage, the Emergency Manager for the City of Bainbridge Island. The goal is to build a hub that is not only valuable during times of disaster or emergency but can also provide services and support during “fair weather days,” helping to build comm...

Scott James and Ann Cook of Bainbridge Prepares join Ann Lovejoy and others to discuss the BI Reads book by Bainbridge author Jon Mooallem. Check out more events -- including event with the author here: https://cityofbainbridgeisland.civilspace.io/en/projects/bi-reads

Ann & friends get together to discuss gardening tips. Watering, fertilizer throughout the growing season, use of sea water, weeding early and often, and summer pruning for fruit trees are among the topics. Check out Ann's blog: https://www.loghouseplants.com/blogs/greengardening/

In this month's visit with a member of the Bainbridge Island Photo Club, Rob Wagoner shares abstract photos he's entered into international exhibitions. You can view the exhibition here: https://biseniorcenter.org/art-gallery/bi-photo-july-2025/ Related link: https://biphotoclub.org

This month: Trump and the Courts, what the Big Bill means, and forecasts for 2026 elections and beyond. David Harrison, founder of the Northwest Policy Center at the University of Washington, joins us to analyze the national political landscape. David's blog: https://ourunfinishedwork.blogspot.com/

Federal budget cuts were the central focus of the American Library Association meeting in Philadelphia. Tressa Johnson, adult services librarian for the Kitsap Regional Library-Bainbridge Island, attended and shares her observations. Related links: KRL impact https://www.krl.org/blogs/post/impact-imls/ American Library Association https://ala.org

Kevin, who runs Sol Farm LLC, spoke with Friends of the Farms Director Heather Burger, as he delivered fresh produce to Helpline House as part of the Friends of the Farms Share the Harvest program.

Friends of the Farms has launched a program to support local farmers and our local food bank. Heather Burger, Friends of the Farms director, describes the need and how you can help. Related link: https://friendsofthefarms.org

Matt Keough, senior planner with Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, updates us on the Parks Dept.'s planning process for the next six years and shares early results of their work. Related link: https://biparks.org/comprehensive-plan