voice of bainbridge

A new blog on the block

Welcome to Bainbridge Beat, with many pictures and an anonymous author.
The picture is an aerial of Winslow Way found on BB...

Could computers actually be bad for learning?

This is a reprint from American Public Radio Future Tense  of March 25, 2005

Could computers actually be bad for learning?

Real Audio  |  How to Listen

A new study by two German professors, published by Britain's Royal Economic Society, finds little evidence that computers at home or in schools improve student performance. The study covers hundreds of thousands of students in 31 countries, including the U.S. and Canada. (Download the study as a PDF file.)

Ludger Woessmann from the University of Munich is one of the authors. He says previous studies have shown that computer use is associated with better student performance on standardized tests. But those studies often don't account for important factors that skew the results. (Jeff Horwich guest-hosts.)

**Update:** No sooner did this episode air than I spotted this article from the Washington Post, about a movement to use computers less -- or at least more appropriately -- in public schools in Maryland. -- JH

The high cost of free parking

The high cost of free parking is the title of the new book published by UCLA Professor Donald Shoup.
It should be required reading for everybody: elected city officials, planners, citizens. One problem is the high cost of the book published by the American Planning Association: $60! What went wrong with the printing? But what are $60 to start dealing with all the misconceptions about parking?

Robert F Kennedy Jr in Marin County

On March 4, Robert F Kennedy Jr spoke at the Civic Center in San Rafael.
This recording is provided thanks to the San Francisco Liberation Radio.
Listen (59 min)

Social Security Forum with Jay Inslee

Jay Inslee hosted sunday evening a Social Security Forum to hear constituents' opinions about the President's plan to change Social Security through private accounts. The meeting covers the problems currently faced by the program and examine the President's Social Security proposal. The forum includes guest speaker Kenneth Buffin, a professional actuary and economist who has dealt with Social Security reform issues with the American Academy of Actuaries. LISTEN (87 min)

Welcome to the Bainbridge Buzz

Cathy Nickum has launched the Bainbridge Buzz that she envisions as a community site for women (and maybe men). I would have posted her picture but she has a strict copyright policy that does not fit with our copyleft blog like attitude. So we'll post a picture taken by Julie since she pointed us to the Buzz.
Thanks again Julie and all our best wishes to the Buzz.

Interview with Congressman Jay Inslee

This Monday, Philippe Boucher sat with Jay Inslee on a sunny bench at the Farmer's market.
Jay talks about a recent trip to Europe where he had the opportunity to voice his concerns about Airbus vs Boeing. He  gives several examples of new technologies to improve  energy use but is Detroit ready for them? As a follow up on the presentation given by Amory Lovins on February 11, he  explains how the Pentagon can play a key role to help.
Islanders had asked VoB to transmit questions to Jay about the filibuster and the electoral reform (paper trail etc), here are his answers.
At the end we discussed the ferry problem, the fares and why we are in this situation.
Listen (16 min).

King's West Warriors vs Northwest Christian Crusader

From our special correspondent TF Smeeth in Spokane, Day Four the final day and medal round
at the 'B' State Basketball Tournament from Spokane Arena.

King's West Warriors playing 6th ranked Northwest Christian Crusaders for third place.
(Full unedited version of show that aired on KKNW AM 1150 Sunday afternoon.)

Introduction (1 Min)

The Warrior Boys in the SemiFinals

It is RBI Game Time again with our special correspondent TF Smeeth!
In Spokane at the 'B' basketball tournament, King's West assured a medal. 
Let us follow the Warrior boys in the SemiFinals fighting championship

King's West Warriors (24-3) Semifinals v. Sunnyside Christian Knights (24-12)

Day Three PreGame Tournament Scoreboard (6 Min.)

A-C-H, who downed the KW Warrior girls, win today to gain their second final in two years.
Willapa Valley goes 27-0 on way to fill one side of the boys final Saturday, March 5th.

Sounds of the Tournament in the Spokane Arena (13 sec)

The King's West Warrior girls in Spokane

From our special correspondent in Spokane, TF Smeeth.

The King's West Warrior girls had an incredible season, returning for a third straight year to the 'B' state tournament --the toughest classification from which to emerge in the state.
With 90 plus schools not making it, King's West returned for a third straight year, despite losing seven from last year's team.

Taking third at the Tri-District tournament at Chief Leschi, seniors Kaylee Ross and Kristin Anderson led a remarkable squad versus last year's runner-up, the Almira-Coulee-Hartline Warriors, favored to make the finals.
Dropped King's West faced elimination on day two, versus Toutle Lake Ducks.

We bring you highlighted coverage of the A-C/H loss and this overtime thriller. (Sorry no more pictures, at least for the moment). To Listen, click below continue.

King's West Warriors Quarterfinals

From TF Smeeth, our special correspondent at the Spokane Arena with pictures from Steve Skeels (click on the photo to enlarge).
You can also listen to his radio broadcast  live on Sunday, Mar 6 at 4 PM on  KKNW 1150 AM.
It streams at  www.1150kknw.com

Here are his reports for the Bremerton's Kings's West Warriors (23-3) Quarterfinals v. Lind-Ritzville Broncos (25-2) that took place on Thursday.

PreGame Tournament Scoreboard (5 Min.)

Pregnant wife of jailed weblogger imprisoned

Reporters Without Borders said it was appalled by the imprisonment of pregnant student, Najmeh Oumidparvar, 26 - wife of weblogger Mohamad Reza Nasab Abdolahi - who has been imprisoned in her turn, one week after her husband.

Oumidparvar, who is three month pregnant, has her own weblog (http://www.faryadebeseda.persianblog.com - Dawn of Freedom). She has been accused of defending her husband too openly.

Bainbridge Trees a new program for Voice of Bainbridge

On March 1, I submitted a grant application to the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Fund.

The request is for a $1200 grant in support of a new program to be produced by Voice of Bainbridge about Bainbridge Trees.

You can help make it happen by contributing to raise another $1200 as matching funds from individual islanders in support of the program.

The 2005 WIAA 'B' Basketball Championship Tournament

From our correspondent TF Smeeth in Spokane (photo by Steve Skeels)

The King's West Girls are back for the 3rd year, joined by the King's West Boys team, who make their first trip to state, with SeaTac League Coach of the Year Rick Walker and three all-league team members Jesse Reeves, Adam Shildmyer and Erik Bright. (sorry no pictures yet but we have the sounds, click continue reading and listen...)

In praise of radio

Radio offers a low-cost, high-impact means of reaching vast numbers of people: twice as many people worldwide listen to radio as watch television. Each week, radio reaches over 94% of the American population over age twelve. This is perhaps the broadest cross-section of citizens tuned to any media other than network television.