|
From our Langford Family studios on America’s Emerald Isle, this is the WVBI Community Calendar for Earth Day, Friday, April 22nd, 2022. |
|
First, some news… A recent letter from TDS to the island’s Joint Telecommunications Advisory Committee has shed some light on the recent business day long phone and internet outage on the island—that also had 9-1-1 service down. T-D-S says the outage was caused by the failure of a link provided by A-T&T. And had to be escalated within AT&T to resolve. This isn’t the first time that T-D-S has blamed A-T&T for extended outages on the island, so it appears nothing has been done to address that single point of failure. In responding to other questions raised by the Committee, T-D-S said that slow downs in service are cause by limitations in the bandwidth on their links to the mainland. They say they have explored adding capacity but have run into what they describe as line of site issues to the mainland. As for the inability of the company to provide new services on the island—or turn service back on for seasonal residents—they say that’s caused by unexpected population gains on the island—though they did not explain why the problems have continued now for more than two years. But, they did say they do not expect the problems the new service issues to continue. The Telecommunications Committee discussed the T-D-S response at its meeting yesterday and plans to follow up with T-D-S with additional questions as well as suggestions on ways the T-D-S might be able to work with the island to address continuing issues. Full disclosure: I chair the J-T-A-C. Bridge Michigan recently reported that many elementary students across the state get less than 20 minutes of recess time a day. While school administrators say that’s not enough—and have formed a group to address the issue, happily it is not an issue on the island. We checked with B-I-C-S where principal Wil Cwikiel says not just recess, but outside recess is an important part of education. He says island grade schoolers have three recesses—morning, lunch, and afternoon—totaling around 55 minutes. The kids go outside unless the weather is pouring rain or the windchill is below zero. |
|
Now, here’s a look at what’s happening on your island… Here’s your meeting planner: The Health Center Board is meeting today at 4:00 in the community room at the Health Center. That’s a make up for a missed meeting. Next week, the Emergency Services Authority meets on Thursday at 2:00 at Peaine Township Hall. That’s it for next week. Meeting details are in the calendar entries online. On the fun front today, Friday, Pickleball is on—in the Theater at the BIC Center at 10:00. Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is on up in the Hangout at 10:30. And, at 12:30 it is time for BINGO brought to you by the C-O-A. Saturday evening, the movie at the BIC Center is American Underdog. It’s the true-life story of N-F-L M-V-P and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star. It’s an uplifting story that has gotten great reviews and will be fun for the whole family. It’s rated PG. Concession stand will be open. Trailer is on the BIC Center website at bic center dot org. Sunday there are services at Holy Cross, the Christian Church, and the Lighthouse fellowship. Times and more details are in the calendar. Monday, Chair Yoga is on up in the Hangout. Start time is 10:00. Tuesday, Tai Chi is on up in the Hangout at 9:30. Pickleball is on at 10:00 in the Theater. The Arthritis Foundation Exercise program is on at 10:30 in the Hangout. Tuesday evening, it’s Open Mic Night at the Harbour Bodega. Sign-up at 6:30. Performances start at 7:00. Special snacks available for a freewill donation along side the full Bodega menu. Wednesday, Nothing but Needles is on at the Peaine Township Hall starting at 9:00. And, Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 it is Time for Art at the BIC Center. This week’s project is papermaking. Thursday, Tai Chi is on at the BIC Center at 9:30. Pickleball is on, too, in the theater from 10 to noon. Games Galore is on up on the Hangout from 1:00 to 4:00. Thursday evening, Euchre is on deck at Whiskey Point Brewing Company. Cards hit the table at 7:00. |
|
BIRTHDAYS: Today, Maeve Green, Zander Drost, Christine Sylvain and Jamie Moon are all sharing a birthday with Jack Nicholson. Over the weekend, photographer of all things island Becca Foli celebrates on Saturday while Danielle Scheller, Tina Drost and Clairissa Kenwabikise celebrate on Sunday. Happy birthday to Clairissa, Tina, Danielle, Becca, Jamie, Christine, Maeve and Zander…and Jack… and, if we missed you on our list, Happy Birthday to you, too, from all of us at W-V-B-I and your Beaver Island Community Center. |
|
TRAFFIC: Our virtual octocopter is high in the clear Beaver Island skies and spies no delays. But, let’s careful out there. |
|
ON THIS DAY in 1970 peace activist John McConnell, US Senator Gaylord Nelson, and coordinator Denis Hayes create a day to honor and promote protection of the Earth and its ecosystems. Earth Day will gain in popularity, and grow to include observances in more than 192 countries. |
|
MERRIAM-WEBSTER WORD OF THE DAY: simulacrum (noun) [sim-yuh-LAK-rum], which is a superficial likeness or representation of something. There is a similarity between simulacrum and simulate. Both words come from simulare, a Latin verb meaning “to copy, represent, or feign.” Simulacrum is the name for an image or representation, and simulate means “to look, feel, or behave like something.” |
|
Now, to wrap up for this for Beaver Island Friday… |
|
Here’s a thought for the day from John James Audubon: “A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.” On a lighter note: Why did the chef chase the chickens away? There were too many clucks in the kitchen. |
|
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for this Beaver Island Friday, April 22nd, 2022. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day—and asking you: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And, thanks for listening. |
|
### |
|
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Tonight A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Low around 39. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Saturday Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11am, then a slight chance of showers between 11am and 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. East wind around 10 mph becoming south after midnight. Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. |
|
### |
|
|
Community Calendar for Earth Day, Friday, April 22nd, 2022
