WVBI

ANNC:
From studios in the BIC Center on America’s Emerald Isle, this is the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for Tuesday, August 4th, 2020.
ANNC:
First, some news…
Today is election today. If you haven’t already voted by absentee ballot, you can vote in person today at your Michigan polling location through eight P-M this evening. If you are an island resident, that’s your township hall of course. On island ballots are contested primary elections for our state House seat, our County board seat and township trustee seats. Also on the ballot are millage proposals for recycling, senior services, airport operations, roads, E-M-S and our local school. There is a link to look at the ballot you’ll see in the script for today’s news on our website:
mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot
Governor Whitmer is facing criticism for attending a National Guard ceremony that exceeded attendance numbers she had set hours earlier in an executive order re-imposing some of her lockdown measures on northern lower Michigan and the U-P. The ceremonial event in Graying was on Saturday at nine in the morning and included more than 700 people. Her Wednesday order limiting such outdoor gatherings to 250 people had gone into effect just nine hours earlier. Our area’s state representative Triston Cole called that a double standard saying― quoting here “It’s so incredibly frustrating for the double talk and the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude coming from this administration.”
The Governor is also under fire from Republicans and some Democrats for vetoing a bill its supporters say would protect nursing home patients from COVID-19. Early in the crisis the Governor signed an executive order requiring that nursing homes care for COVID-19 patients in place. Separately, they state created a financial incentive for homes to accept new COVID-19 patients. According to reporting by the Detroit News, about 34 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the state have been linked to nursing homes. The vetoed bill would have banned nursing homes from admitting or retaining an individual starting Sept. 1 who tests positive for COVID-19 unless the person had recovered or unless a nursing home could provide care in a separate building. Proponents say it mandates procedures similar to those in other states. In her veto message the governor said that the legislation mandated the creation of additional care facilities without providing for staffing or expenses, and would have mandated transfer without patient, doctor or family consent. There are no reports on whether the legislature will seek to override the veto. Reports from state health officials on COVID-19 data included 607 new confirmed cases across the state and 10 new deaths. That brings the statewide total to 83,386 cases and 6,216 deaths. 7 day rolling averages are 697 for new cases and 9 for deaths. Positive test rate for the state is 3.6%. The target is three percent. New case per capita rate state-wide is 37 per million, which is at the top of the medium high-risk zone. That number has been headed steadily down since mid-July. Safe start zone risk levels across the state are set at medium high for all zones except ours, which is set at medium.
Once again, only a handful of the new cases and no new deaths are in the areas the governor recently re-locked down. Instead, they are near where she opened casinos. There were more than 200 cases in yesterday’s reports in the counties around Detroit and all of the new deaths were down state.
In contrast, our region had 8 new cases and no new deaths. In the U-P there were 16 new cases and no new deaths. New cases in our area were in Charlevoix, Emmet and Leelanau counties each with two new cases. Total cases in our region since the start are 538 with 24 deaths. In the U-P, there are 553 total cases with 18 deaths. Compare that to more than 25 thousand cases and 2500 deaths in Detroit and Wayne County.
Full county-by-county data for our region are in today’s script online. Also included today are numbers from the rest of the state, including Detroit, in case you want to have a look.
COUNTY
Cases
Deaths
Δ Cases
Δ Deaths
Antrim
35
0
0
0
Benzie
26
1
0
0
Charlevoix
40
2
2
0
Emmet
51
2
2
0
Grand Traverse
175
5
2
0
Kalkaska
36
4
0
0
Leelanau
62
0
2
0
Otsego
113
10
0
0
Data from 8/3/2020
Our M-I safe start zone numbers continue to look good. Positive test rate is at 1.2 percent which is in the low risk classification for the plan. The new case rate is at 10 per million today, which is in the medium risk category. Low risk rating there, too. 10 new cases reported in the Traverse City Safe Start Zone yesterday. No new deaths. Rolling averages in the zone are 7 for new cases and 0 for deaths.
ANNC:
Now, here’s what’s happening on your island.
Today, Pickleball from 10 to noon on the municipal tennis courts. Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is on today, too, from 10:30 to 11:30 in Ray and Ann’s Hangout here at the BIC Center. And, did we mention that today is election day.
Wednesday, the Marine Museum and the Print Shop will be open today from 11 to 5. Protar’s home open from 1 to 3. And the south end lighthouse is open today and every day for self-guided tours. And, don’t forget Bingo at Gregg Fellowship Center. Doors open this evening at 6:15 for fellowship. Games at 7. Rumor is that Bob Bass will be calling again.
Thursday, Farmer’s Market from 9 to 11. Pickleball 10 to noon on the municipal courts. Games galore at the BIC Center in the Hangout from 1 to 4. Friday, Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program from 10:30 to 11:30 in the hangout.
Saturday, movies are on again at the BIC Center. 4:00 show is Dolittle starring Robert Downey, Jr. You know the story, but this movie is a fun new take on it with lots of C-G-I. Beautiful to watch. Fun for the whole family. Rated PG. And at 7, The Way Back C the story of a basketball comeback with Ben Affleck. It’s an inspiring story, but one for the grownups. It’s rated R. Both shows on the BIG screen with the BIG sound in the McDonough’s Market Theater. Concession stand will be open for both shows for snacks, a meal or both. Trailers are on the BIC Center website at BIC Center dot org, our follow the BIC Center on Facebook to see them.
There are weekend services at Holy Cross on Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday services at the Christian Church and the Episcopal Mission. Times and details are on the calendar.
Quick meeting planner for the week: B-I-C-S Board policy committee meets on today at 3:30. St, James planning Commission today at 7. B-I-C-S Board Finance is at 8:30 tomorrow morning. Facilities at 3:30. St. James Board at 5:30. B-I-C-S Curriculum Committee meets Thursday at 3:30.
Don’t forget about the BIC Center W-V-B-I 2020 Gala Auction or the BIC Center W-V-B-I 2020 Raffle. Both are on now. Go to auction dot bic center dot org to bid on items in the auction and raffle dot bic center dot org to pick up raffle tickets. You can also bid and get tickets at the BIC Center from desk.
[The BIC Center/WVBI 2020 Gala Auction is all online this year at auction dot BIC center dot org. Bid, buy and win two ways by getting something useful and supporting the BICX Center and W-V-B-I. You can also support us by picking up a ticket for a chance to win the 2020 BIC Center-W-V-B-I Raffle. Grand prize is the Tracker fishing and sport boat parked out in front of the BIC Center. Tickets are available now at the BIC Center front desk or buy them online at raffle dot BIC Center dot org. Or get them from any PABI Board member.]

Keep up to date on COVID-19 news with the W-V-B-I COVID-19 info page. Click COVID-19 Info in the menu at W-V-B-I dot net. Stay up to date. Remember: Protect yourself. Protect the island.
ANNC:
Weather, here there and everywhere C presented every day with the support of your McDonough’s Market:
ANNC:
Today A 20 percent chance of showers before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 10 mph. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind around 10 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Friday Sunny, with a high near 82. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Sunday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Sunday Night A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Monday A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
ANNC:
Out on the big drink…
ANNC:
Today N wind 5 to 10 kt. A slight chance of showers before noon. Waves around 1 ft. Wednesday NW wind around 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday SW wind around 10 kt. Sunny. Waves around 1 ft.
ANNC:
Fire Danger Level: Low.
ANNC:
TRAFFIC: None. Nada. Zip. But, let’s be careful out there.
ANNC:
BIRTHDAYS: Brandon Maudrie and Keith Teague are celebrating today along with former President Barrack Obama. Happy birthday to Brandon and Keith, and, if we missed you on our birthday list, happy birthday to you, too, from all of us at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center. And Happy Birthday to President Obama, too, of course.
ANNC:
ON THIS DAY in 1936 Triumph for Owens at Hitler’s Olympics. Adolf Hitler is not pleased as US track-and-field star Jesse Owens, an African American, continues to rack up wins at the Summer Olympics held in Hitler’s Germany. But the Berlin stadium crowds cheer Owens’ long jump win and the show of camaraderie with his competitor, Germany’s Luz Long. Also, on this date in 1958, the Billboard Hot 100 list debuts. Ricky Nelson’s ‘Poor Little Fool’ takes the top spot on the list based on a combination of in-store singles record sales, radio DJ airplay, and jukebox purchases. (bing.com)
ANNC:
WORD OF THE DAY: aficionado (noun) [uh-fish-ee-uh-NAH-doh], which means: a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity: a devotee. The affection an aficionado has for their favorite subject isn’t merely emotional―it’s also etymological. Back in the early 1800s, English borrowed aficionado from the past participle of the Spanish verb aficionar, which means “to inspire affection.” That verb comes from the Spanish noun afición, meaning “affection.” Both Spanish words trace to the Latin affectiō (which is also an ancestor of the English word affection). Affectiō, in turn, is from afficere (“to influence”) and gave English speakers the noun and verb affect. (Merriam-Webster).
SFX:
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Tuesday…

Here’s a thought for the day from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” On a lighter note―because we are aficionados of humor: Why did the deer cross the road right in front of you? Because his friends deered him to.

IMAGINE A SAD TROMBONE SFX
ANNC:
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for Tuesday, August 4th, 2020. I’m Kevin Boyle, reporting from the pest free Hogarth Pest Control Studios of the Voice of Beaver Island, wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And, thanks for listening.

###
8/3/2020
COUNTY
CASE_STATUS
Cases
Deaths
Δ Cases
Δ Deaths
Alcona
Confirmed
24
1
0
0
Alger
Confirmed
7
0
1
0
Allegan
Confirmed
453
7
1
0
Alpena
Confirmed
111
13
0
0
Antrim
Confirmed
35
0
0
0
Arenac
Confirmed
37
3
1
0
Baraga
Confirmed
5
0
0
0
Barry
Confirmed
141
2
0
0
Bay
Confirmed
495
31
3
0
Benzie
Confirmed
26
1
0
0
Berrien
Confirmed
1115
65
2
0
Branch
Confirmed
298
2
3
0
Calhoun
Confirmed
658
41
2
0
Cass
Confirmed
274
10
1
0
Charlevoix
Confirmed
40
2
2
0
Cheboygan
Confirmed
32
2
0
0
Chippewa
Confirmed
24
0
0
0
Clare
Confirmed
58
3
1
0
Clinton
Confirmed
349
13
1
0
Crawford
Confirmed
90
5
0
0
Delta
Confirmed
62
3
1
0
Detroit City
Confirmed
12788
1486
55
1
Dickinson
Confirmed
45
2
1
0
Eaton
Confirmed
375
8
2
1
Emmet
Confirmed
51
2
2
0
FCI
Confirmed
190
5
0
0
Genesee
Confirmed
2828
269
26
0
Gladwin
Confirmed
51
2
1
0
Gogebic
Confirmed
92
1
3
0
Grand Traverse
Confirmed
175
5
2
0
Gratiot
Confirmed
130
15
2
0
Hillsdale
Confirmed
233
25
0
0
Houghton
Confirmed
41
0
1
0
Huron
Confirmed
125
4
0
0
Ingham
Confirmed
1446
34
12
4
Ionia
Confirmed
232
5
0
0
Iosco
Confirmed
109
11
0
0
Iron
Confirmed
17
1
0
0
Isabella
Confirmed
176
9
0
0
Jackson
Confirmed
670
32
6
0
Kalamazoo
Confirmed
1436
81
10
1
Kalkaska
Confirmed
36
4
0
0
Kent
Confirmed
6599
151
32
0
Keweenaw
Confirmed
2
0
0
0
Lake
Confirmed
17
0
1
0
Lapeer
Confirmed
341
31
5
0
Leelanau
Confirmed
62
0
2
0
Lenawee
Confirmed
364
12
12
0
Livingston
Confirmed
642
27
7
0
Luce
Confirmed
3
0
0
0
Mackinac
Confirmed
17
0
1
0
Macomb
Confirmed
9384
899
120
0
Manistee
Confirmed
33
0
0
0
Marquette
Confirmed
127
11
1
0
Mason
Confirmed
87
0
0
0
MDOC
Confirmed
4146
69
1
0
Mecosta
Confirmed
52
2
1
0
Menominee
Confirmed
95
0
6
0
Midland
Confirmed
238
10
-1
0
Missaukee
Confirmed
26
1
0
0
Monroe
Confirmed
790
21
18
0
Montcalm
Confirmed
162
1
1
0
Montmorency
Confirmed
7
0
0
0
Muskegon
Confirmed
1081
58
3
0
Newaygo
Confirmed
239
0
1
0
Oakland
Confirmed
11605
1084
84
0
Oceana
Confirmed
447
6
2
0
Ogemaw
Confirmed
37
2
0
0
Ontonagon
Confirmed
4
0
1
0
Osceola
Confirmed
62
0
0
0
Oscoda
Confirmed
18
1
0
0
Otsego
Confirmed
113
10
0
0
Ottawa
Confirmed
1640
49
10
0
Out-of-State
Confirmed
116
0
23
0
Presque Isle
Confirmed
15
1
0
0
Roscommon
Confirmed
43
0
0
0
Saginaw
Confirmed
1756
126
8
0
Sanilac
Confirmed
93
5
2
0
Schoolcraft
Confirmed
12
0
0
0
Shiawassee
Confirmed
304
27
7
0
St Clair
Confirmed
657
52
4
0
St Joseph
Confirmed
491
7
3
0
Tuscola
Confirmed
287
28
4
1
Unknown
Confirmed
1
0
-3
0
Van Buren
Confirmed
377
10
5
0
Washtenaw
Confirmed
2109
112
10
0
Wayne
Confirmed
13048
1194
92
2
Wexford
Confirmed
57
4
2
0

State
83386
6216
607
10

Region
538
24
8
0

TVC Zone
862
45
10
0

UP
553
18
16
0

7 Day Rolling Averages
State
697
9
Region
7
0
TVC Zone
9
0
UP
18
0

COUNTY
Status
Cases
Deaths
Δ Cases
Δ Deaths
Antrim
Confirmed
35
0
0
0
Benzie
Confirmed
26
1
0
0
Charlevoix
Confirmed
40
2
2
0
Emmet
Confirmed
51
2
2
0
Grand Traverse
Confirmed
175
5
2
0
Kalkaska
Confirmed
36
4
0
0
Leelanau
Confirmed
62
0
2
0
Otsego
Confirmed
113
10
0
0

From studios in the BIC Center on America’s Emerald Isle, this is the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for Monday, August 3rd, 2020.
First, some news…
Tomorrow is election today. If you haven’t already voted by absentee ballot, you might want to mark your calendar now with a reminder to drop by your township hall (or local polling location if you are a mainlander) to vote. On the island ballots are contested primary elections for our state House seat, our County board seat and township trustee seats. Also on the ballot are millage proposals for recycling, senior services, airport operations, roads, E-M-S and our local school. There is a link to look at the ballot you’ll see in the script for today’s news on our website: [https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot]
On the COVID-19 front, a steady flow of new cases were added to the tally over the weekend. 735 on Saturday and 423 yesterady. A total of seven new deaths. That brings pandemic totals to 82,779 reported cases and 6,203 deaths. As on Friday, the state had classed 60,022 cases. Taking into account deaths, that leaves 16,554 active cases. Seven-day averages stand at 768 for news cases and 8 for deaths. Positive test rate for the state as a whole is 3.6%. The target is three percent. Safe start zone risk levels across the state are set at medium high for all zones except ours, which is set at medium.
In the region affecting the island, nine new cases were reported over the weekend with one case removed. No new deaths. New cases were in Antrim with three, Benzie with one, Grand Traverse with four, Kalkaska with one and Leelanau with one. The removal was in Emmet. Total cases in our region is 518. Total deaths are still at 24. Those numbers are totals since the start of the crisis. Full county-by-county data for the region are in today’s script online.
COUNTY
Cases
Deaths
Δ Cases
Δ Deaths
Antrim
35
0
3
0
Benzie
26
1
0
0
Charlevoix
38
2
0
0
Emmet
49
2
0
0
Grand Traverse
173
5
2
0
Kalkaska
36
4
0
0
Leelanau
60
0
0
0
Otsego
113
10
0
0
Data from Sunday
Our M-I safe start zone numbers continue to look good. Positive test rate is down again to 1.2 percent which is in the low risk classification for the plan. The new case rate is up a bit to 6.8 from 5.2 per million today. Low risk rating there, too. 16 new cases reported in the Traverse City Safe Start Zone over the weekend. No new deaths.
Up in the U-P, the report showed 41 new cases bringing their total to 537. No new deaths.
Now, here’s what’s happening on your island.
Tomorrow, Pickleball from 10 to noon on the municipal tennis courts. Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is on tomorrow, too, from 10:30 to 11:30 in Ray and Ann’s Hangout here at the BIC Center. And, another reminder: tomorrow is election day.
Wednesday, the Marine Museum and the Print Shop will be open today from 11 to 5. Protar’s home open from 1 to 3. And the south end lighthouse is open today and every day for self-guided tours.
Thursday, Farmer’s Market from 9 to 11. Pickleball 10 to noon on the municipal courts. Games galore at the BIC Center in the Hangout from 1 to 4. Friday, Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program from 10:30 to 11:30 in the hangout. Saturday, movies are on again at the BIC Center. 4:00 show is Dolittle starring Robert Downey, Jr. Fun for the whole family. Rated PG. And at 7, The Way Back C the story of a basketball comeback with Ben Affleck. That one’s for the grownups. It’s rated R. Both on the BIG screen with the BIG sound in the McDonough’s Market Theater. Concession stand will be open for both shows for snacks, a meal or both. Trailers are on the BIC Center website at BIC Center dot org, our follow the BIC Center on Facebook to see them.
There are weekend services at Holy Cross on Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday services at the Christian Church and the Episcopal Mission. Times and details are on the calendar.
Quick meeting planner for the week: B-I-C-S Board policy committee meets on Tuesday at 3:30. St, James planning Commission Tuesday at 7. B-I-C_S Board Finance is at 8:30 Wednesday morning. Facilities at 3:30. St. James Board at 5:30. B-I-C-S Curriculum Committee meets Thursday at 3:30.
Don’t forget about the BIC Center W-V-B-I 2020 Gala Auction or the BIC Center W-V-B-I 2020 Raffle. Both are on now. Go to auction dot bic center dot org to bid on items in the auction and raffle dot bic center dot org to pick up raffle tickets. You can also bid and get tickets at the BIC Center from desk.
[The BIC Center/WVBI 2020 Gala Auction is all online this year at auction dot BIC center dot org. Bid, buy and win two ways by getting something useful and supporting the BICX Center and W-V-B-I. You can also support us by picking up a ticket for a chance to win the 2020 BIC Center-W-V-B-I Raffle. Grand prize is the Tracker fishing and sport boat parked out in front of the BIC Center. Tickets are available now at the BIC Center front desk or buy them online at raffle dot BIC Center dot org. Or get them from any PABI Board member.]
Keep up to date on COVID-19 news with the W-V-B-I COVID-19 info page. Click COVID-19 Info in the menu at W-V-B-I dot net. Stay up to date. Remember: Protect yourself. Protect the island.
Weather, here there and everywhere C presented every day with the support of your McDonough’s Market:
Today Partly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. North wind around 10 mph. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 10 mph. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 79. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Out on the big drink…
Today NE wind 10 to 15 kt. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. Waves 1 to 3 ft. Tuesday NNE wind 10 to 15 kt. A slight chance of showers before 7am. Waves around 1 ft. Wednesday NW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Fire Danger Level: Low.
TRAFFIC: A check with the virtual W-V-B-I octo-copter high in the skies above the island―so high you virtually can’t see it―shows there is virtually no traffic. None. Nada. Zip. But, let’s be careful out there.
BIRTHDAYS: Master builder Dave Schwartzfisher is celebrating today Happy birthday to Dave, and, if we missed you on our birthday list, happy birthday to you, too, from all of us at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center.
ON THIS DAY in 1977 Radio Shack unveils the TRS-80 computer. Tandy announces one of the first mass-market home computers, the TRS-80, to be sold in its Radio Shack stores. It features 4K of RAM and sells for $399 (or $599 with a monitor and tape recorder for storage). Upgrades will keep various TRS-80 models―lovingly called the Trash 80 by aficionados―on the market until 1991. (bing.com)
WORD OF THE DAY: risible (adjective) [RIZZ-uh-bul], which means: capable of laughing; disposed to laugh; arousing or provoking laughter; especially : laughable; associated with, relating to, or used in laughter. If someone makes a ridiculous remark about your risible muscles, they are not necessarily deriding your physique. Risible can also mean “associated with laughter,” so risible muscles can simply be the ones used for laughing. (You’ve also got a set of risorius muscles around your mouth that help you smile.) Next time you find something laughable, tip your hat to ridēre, the Latin verb meaning “to laugh” that gave us risible as well as ridiculous and deride. (Merriam-Webster).
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Monday…
Here’s a thought for the day: “The greatest thing in live is love. The second is laughtger.” On a lighter note―something you might find risible: Once upon a time, a man found a mushroom in the woods on Beaver Island. And that’s the morel of the story. …
IMAGINE A SAD TROMBONE SFX
OK. So, that one was risible only because it was so lamentable. That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for Monday, August 3r, 2020. I’m Kevin Boyle, reporting from the pest free Hogarth Pest Control Studios of the Voice of Beaver Island, wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And, thanks for listening.
###

From studios in the BIC Center on America’s Emerald Isle, this is the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for Friday, July 31st, 2020.
First, some news…
Lots of discussion in the media this morning about what needs to be done to get back to school come September. TV stations in Detroit and Grand Rapids hosted a virtual town hall yesterday about that during which that state’s chief medical officer said back to school in person is possible if people across Michigan wear masks and social distance to keep COVID-19 cases from spiking. Back to school plans are due from districts across the state on August 15. Right now, a number of districts down state are signaling that they will be virtual only, including Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Ann Arbor. The Kalamazoo teacher’s union is calling back to school in person a looming disaster and demanding that all classes be online. Meantime, Catholic schools there say they will be back in person.
During the town hall, concern was expressed about the availability of funding for safety measures. Some said it was a public health crisis not to have kids in school. As to the risks for educators, one teacher on the panel noted that lots of essential service workers have been out since the start so everyone can get the supplies they need. She said, “It’s disingenuous of us to turn around and say, ‘Well I can’t teach your kids, but you can still keep doing services for me.”
On the island, the current plan is to return to class in person. Our regional numbers and the data the state says it will use for evaluating things continue to look good for that. No change in info from our Health Center. Total tests run still at 134. 129 back negative. Three pending. Two positive, but no known positive cases on the island.
In the region affecting the island, 14 new cases were reported, and three cases removed from the lists. No new deaths. New cases were in Grand Traverse with 16 and Kalkaska with one. Removals were in Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego—each down one. Total cases in our region is 518. Total deaths are still at 24. Those numbers are totals since the start of the crisis. Full county-by-county data for the region are in today’s script online.
COUNTY
Cases
Deaths
Δ Cases
Δ Deaths
Antrim
31
0
0
0
Benzie
25
1
0
0
Charlevoix
38
2
-1
0
Emmet
49
2
-1
0
Grand Traverse
169
5
16
0
Kalkaska
35
4
1
0
Leelanau
58
0
0
0
Otsego
113
10
-1
0
Our M-I safe start zone numbers continue to look good. Positive test rate is at 1.6 percent which is in the low risk classification for the plan. The new case rate is down again from 6.5 yesterday to 5.2 per million today. Low risk rating there, too. 16 new cases reported in the Traverse City Safe Start Zone yesterday. No new deaths.
Up in the U-P, the report showed 25 new cases bringing their total to 476. No new deaths.
State-wide, there was another burst of new cases with 715 reported as confirmed. 19 new deaths were also reported. Total cases now stand at 80,887 and deaths at 6,191. Seven day rolling averages are now at 706 for new cases and six for deaths. Positive test rate for the state as a whole is 3.5%. The target is three percent. Safe start zone risk levels across the state are set at medium high for all zones except ours, which is set at medium.
Now, here’s what’s happening on your island.
The Baroque on Beaver REimagined music festival continues today—for its final day this year. On tap are a reprise two of WVBI’s Behind the Scenes shows. This morning at 10, Dennis Winslow’s interview with Baroque perfromers Liz Bert, Steve Landane and Kim Teachout and this afternoon at 3:00 Baroque board members Tammy McDonough, Sally Rehkopf and Peter Amster will be with WVBI’s Mark Beltaire talking about the past, present and future of the festival. Main events for today are a penl discussion lead by Music Director Robert Nordling on Making Nusic in Today’s World with cellist Andrea Yun, trombonist Joe Radtke, oboist Mezraq Ramli, and violist Dilek Engin-Stolarchuk. That’s at 2:00 this afternoon on the Baroque You Tube Channel. Things wrap up this evening with John Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing. That will be at 7:30—again on the Baroque You Tube Channel.
.Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is on today from 10:30 to 11:30 in Ray and Ann’s Hangout here at the BIC Center. Also today, the Marine Museum and the Print Shop will be open today from 11 to 5. And the south end lighthouse is open today and every day for self-guided tours.
Tomorrow, Pickleball from 10 to noon on the municipal tennis courts. Also, tomorrow the Historical Society has a special Protar Walk planned. That will depart from his house on Sloptown and head down the road to his grave and then back. Along the way, there’ll be presentations about Protar’s life and his work on the island. The walk revives and old tradition. The protar home will be open, too, before and after the walk from 11 until about 1:00.
Movies are on tomorrow, too, here at the BIC Center. 4:00 show is LEGO’s Shazam: Magic and Monsters. Fun for the whole family. And at 7, Booksmart. That one’s for the grownups. It’s rated R. Both on the BIG screen with the BIG sound in the McDonough’s Market Theater. Concession stand will be open for both shows for snacks, a meal or both. Trailers are on the BIC Center website at BIC Center dot org, our follow the BIC Center on Facebook to see them.
Saturday evening at 7 the Beaver Island Sustainability Fair continues its virtual events with a look at Clean Energy on the island and beyond. Sign up information to attend is in the calendar entry.
Saturday is also the deadline for applying for student success grants from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. Find out more and apply on their website at C-three-F dot org. Saturday is also the deadline for turning in bids for some cement work at the library. Details are in the calendar.
Sunday, the Graveyard Walk and Talk that got rained out last weekend will happen. Weather looks good this time. That starts at 11:30 at Holy Cross Cemetery.
And, there are weekend services at Holy Cross on Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday services at the Christian Church and the Episcopal Mission. Times and details are on the calendar.
Quick meeting planner for next week: B-I-C-S Board policy committee meets on Tuesday at 3:30. St, James planning Commission Tuesday at 7. B-I-C_S Board Finance is at 8:30 Wednesday morning. Facilities at 3:30. St. James Board at 5:30. B-I-C-S Curriculum Committee meets Thursday at 3:30.
Don’t forget about the BIC Center W-V-B-I 2020 Gala Auction or the BIC Center W-V-B-I 2020 Raffle. Both are on now. Go to auction dot bic center dot org to bid on items in the auction and raffle dot bic center dot org to pick up raffle tickets. You can also bid and get tickets at the BIC Center from desk.
[The BIC Center/WVBI 2020 Gala Auction is all online this year at auction dot BIC center dot org. Bid, buy and win two ways by getting something useful and supporting the BICX Center and W-V-B-I. You can also support us by picking up a ticket for a chance to win the 2020 BIC Center-W-V-B-I Raffle. Grand prize is the Tracker fishing and sport boat parked out in front of the BIC Center. Tickets are available now at the BIC Center front desk or buy them online at raffle dot BIC Center dot org. Or get them from any PABI Board member.]
Keep up to date on COVID-19 news with the W-V-B-I COVID-19 info page. Click COVID-19 Info in the menu at W-V-B-I dot net. Stay up to date. Remember: Protect yourself. Protect the island.
Weather, here there and everywhere – presented every day with the support of your McDonough’s Market:
Today Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 76. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 79. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 80.
Out on the big drink…
Today N wind around 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday NE wind around 10 kt becoming N in the afternoon. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Fire Danger Level: Low.
TRAFFIC: A check with the virtual W-V-B-I octo-copter high in the skies above the island—so high you virtually can’t see it—shows there is virtually no traffic. None. Nada. Zip. But, let’s be careful out there.
BIRTHDAYS: Today, Joannie Adams, Ann Miller and Rose Hockey are celebrating. Tomorrow, Aiden Martin and Kim Jones. And Sunday, McCauley Connaghan. Happy birthday to Joannie, Ann, Rose, Aiden, Kim and McCauley, and, if we missed you on our birthday list, happy birthday to you, too, from all of us at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center.
ON THIS DAY in 1989 North America gets its hands on Game Boy. Nintendo releases the black-and-white handheld console, letting gamers play ‘Super Mario Land,’ ‘Tetris’ and other titles on the go. The Game Boy (and subsequent color version) will go on to sell more than 100 million units and chew up countless hours of productive time. And, on this date in 1930, evil lurking in the hearts of men is no longer unknowable as ‘The Shadow debuts on the ‘Detective Story Hour,’ a popular radio program. His appeal will grow until he gets his own radio serial, which will run for 24 years, spawning one of the most well-known catchphrases in American radio history and chewing up countless hours of productive time. As for the catch phrase? You’ll have to ask the Shadow. The Shadow knows. (bing.com)
WORD OF THE DAY: rife (adjective) [RYFE], which means: prevalent especially to an increasing degree; abundant, common; copiously supplied : abounding. English is rife with words that have Germanic connections, many of which have been handed down to us from Old English. Rife is one of those words. Not a whole lot has changed with rife in its long history. We continue to use the word for negative things, especially those that are widespread or prevalent. Examples are “shoplifting was rife” or “the city was rife with greed and corruption.” Rumors and speculation are also frequently described as “rife.” But rife can also be appropriately used for good or neutral things. For example, you might speak of the summer garden being “rife” with scents or the island being rife with COVID-19 safety compliance. (Merriam-Webster).
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Friday…
Here’s a thought for the day: “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” On a lighter note: Why did Johnny Appleseed cross the road? To get to the other cider.
IMAGINE A SAD TROMBONE SFX
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for Friday, July 31st, 2020. I’m Kevin Boyle, reporting from the pest free Hogarth Pest Control Studios of the Voice of Beaver Island, wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And, thanks for listening.
###

NEWS: 7/30/2020
From studios in the BIC Center on America’s Emerald Isle, this is the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for Thursday, July 30th, 2020.
First, some news…
Governor Whitmer is reversing course and locking things back down in our region and the UP. The new restrictions close bars where more than 70% of the sales come from alcohol and limit gatherings to 10 people indoors and 100 people outside. The governor cited so-called “super-spreader” events in Lansing and Ann Arbor downstate and a July 4th gathering at Torch Lake as the reason for her actions. But, she is allowing Detroit Casinos to reopen at 15% of capacity.
While the absolute number of cases has spiked in the regions affected by the change since the beginning of the summer vacation season, the metrics that the state says are most important have remained good―and are trending down. The governor and her officials offered no explanation for this disparity in what their data show and their actions. The per capita new case rate spiked on July 4th, but has been falling ever since and yesterday dipped into the “low risk” zone. Our positive test rate―the number of positive tests compared to the number of tests down hasn’t left the “safe zone” since May 7th. It moved up slightly in early July, but has been trending down since then. There has been no surge in deaths and, while no death is to be ignored, the fact remains that the number of deaths in our region has been very low since early May.
Congressman Jack Bergman was critical of the governor’s move calling it a “slap in the face” to small businesses. He pointed out that the next month is critical to seasonal businesses and said that the governor, quoting him here, “has used her position over the past several days to complain about draft federal legislation, attack the President, and now bully First District constituents.” He also said it made absolutely no sense to close businesses here while allowing Casinos to open in Detroit.
Locally, there is more information on the recent positive test at the Health Center. As we reported yesterday, the individual involved has left the island on their own transportation―presumably, a private boat or plane―and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan has completed contact tracing for the case. The person had visited Island Energies and the hardware, but was wearing a mask at both places. We were told yesterday that both businesses had been notified, but it turns out that wasn’t the case―apparently due to confusion about who was to do that. Apparently, since the person wasn’t at either location for longer than 15 minutes the Health Department determined that now follow up with the businesses was necessary―so no contacts were made, but the process was reported as complete. Health Center staff misunderstood the notice that the process was complete to mean that the businesses had been contacted. The critical take-away is that the Health Department has concluded that no extra action is needed at either location. We’ve been told that the individual who tested positive is feeling ill, but has not been hospitalized. Hopefully, they will have a speedy recovery and join the pool of plasma donors.
South of the border, Gary, Indiana officials have decided to close beaches there for two weeks after the city saw a jump in COVID-19 cases. Apparently, this was at least partly in response to comments made by Dr. Anthony Fauci [Fow-Chee] on Good Morning America on Tuesday.
Now, here’s a look at the latest data. There was another big jump in the state’s daily case count yesterday―but once again state officials say that is partially the result of reporting issues. 996 new cases were reported, but about 300 of them were the result of clearing a backlog of tests. That brings the actual number more in line with recent results, which have been running high in any case. There were just two new deaths reported. Total cases now stand at 80,172 and deaths at 6,172. Seven day rolling averages are now at 703 for new cases and four for deaths. Positive test rate for the state as a whole is 3.5%. The target is three percent.
In the region affecting the island, five new cases were reported. No new deaths. New cases were in Emmet with two, Grand Traverse with two, Otsego with two. Leelanau dropped one case. Total cases in our region is 504. Total deaths are still at 24. Those numbers are totals since the start of the crisis. Full county-by-county data for the region are in today’s script online.
COUNTY
Cases
Deaths
Δ Cases
Δ Deaths
Antrim
31
0
0
0
Benzie
25
1
0
0
Charlevoix
39
2
0
0
Emmet
50
2
2
0
Grand Traverse
153
5
2
0
Kalkaska
34
4
0
0
Leelanau
58
0
-1
0
Otsego
114
10
2
0
Notwithstanding the governor’s actions, our safe start zone numbers continue to look good. Positive test rate is at 1.7 percent which is in the low risk classification in the plan. The new case rate is at 6.5, dropping into the lowest risk zone. There were nine new cases reported in the Traverse City Safe Start Zone yesterday.
Up in the U-P, the report showed nine new cases bringing their total to 442. No new deaths.
On the island, 134 total tests run. 129 are back as negative. Three pending. There have been two positive tests so far.
Now, here’s what’s happening on your island.
For fun, this week: First and foremost, the Baroque on Beaver REimagined music festival continues. Today, at 10 and 3 we’ll reprise two of WVBI’s Behind the Scenes shows. This morning at 10, Dennis Winslow’s interview with Kevin Simmons and this afternoon at 3:00 Mark Beltaire’s chat with Adam Liebert, Connie Markwick, Leslie Deppe. This evening, tune in to the Baroque Channel on You Tube for a discussion with Music Director Robert Nordling and Choral Director Kevin Simons. Among other things, they’ll reflect on nineteen years of great music-making and look forward to the festival’s 20th anniversary next year.
Other fun on the island includes the Farmer’s Market today from 9 to 11 out at Paradise Bay. Also, Pickleball today and Saturday from 10 to noon on the municipal tennis courts. Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program on Friday 10:30 to 11:30 in Ray and Ann’s Hangout here at the BIC Center. Also Friday, the Marine Museum and the Print Shop will be open today from 11 to 5. And the south end lighthouse is open every day for self-guided tours.]
Saturday, the Historical Society has a special Protar Walk planned. That will depart from his house on Sloptown and head down the road to his grave and then back. Along the way, there’ll be presentations about Protar’s life and his work on the island. The walk revives and old tradition. The protar home will be open, too, before and after the walk from 11 until about 1:00. Movies are on this Saturday here at the BIC Center. 4:00 show is LEGO’s Shazam: Magic and Monsters. Fun for the whole family. And at 7, Booksmart. That one’s for the grownups. It’s rated R. Both on the BIG screen with the BIG sound in the McDonough’s Market Theater. Concession stand will be open for both shows for snacks, a meal or both. Trailers on the BIC Center website at BIC Center dot org, our follow us on Facebook to see them.
Saturday evening at 7 the Beaver Island Sustainability Fair continues its virtual events with a look at Clean Energy on the island and beyond. Sign up information to attend is in the calendar entry.
Saturday is also the deadline for applying for student success grants from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. Find out more and apply on their website at C-three-F dot org. Saturday is also the deadline for turning in bids for some cement work at the library. Details are in the calendar.
Sunday, the Graveyard Walk and Talk that got rained out last weekend will happen. Weather looks good this time. That starts at 11:30 at Holy Cross Cemetery.
And, there are weekend services at Holy Cross on Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday services at the Christian Church and the Episcopal Mission. Times and details are on the calendar.
Don’t forget about the BIC Center W-V-B-I 2020 Gala Auction or the BIC Center W-V-B-I 2020 Raffle. Both are on now. Go to auction dot bic center dot org to bid on items in the auction and raffle dot bic center dot org to pick up raffle tickets. You can also bid and get tickets at the BIC Center from desk.
[The BIC Center/WVBI 2020 Gala Auction is all online this year at auction dot BIC center dot org. Bid, buy and win two ways by getting something useful and supporting the BICX Center and W-V-B-I. You can also support us by picking up a ticket for a chance to win the 2020 BIC Center-W-V-B-I Raffle. Grand prize is the Tracker fishing and sport boat parked out in front of the BIC Center. Tickets are available now at the BIC Center front desk or buy them online at raffle dot BIC Center dot org. Or get them from any PABI Board member.]
Keep up to date on COVID-19 news with the W-V-B-I COVID-19 info page. Click COVID-19 Info in the menu at W-V-B-I dot net. Stay up to date. Remember: Protect yourself. Protect the island.
Weather, here there and everywhere C presented every day with the support of your McDonough’s Market:
Today Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night A 30 percent chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 76. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 78.
Out on the big drink…
Today N wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WNW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Fire Danger Level: Low.
TRAFFIC: None. Nada. Zip. But, let’s be careful out there.
BIRTHDAYS: A bevy of Belfy birthdays today― Suzy Belfy-Brenden and Mark Belfy are celebrating. Happy birthday to Suzy and Mark, and, if we missed you on our birthday list, happy birthday to you, too, from all of us at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center.
ON THIS DAY in 1975 Labor leader Jimmy Hoffa vanishes without a trace. After arriving at a Detroit restaurant at 2:45 in the afternoon to settle a feud with Mafia members, Jimmy Hoffa disappears. The ex-Teamsters Union leader will never be found, nor will any credible clues to his whereabouts be uncovered, despite decades of law enforcement efforts. Also on this date in 1999, ‘The Blair Witch Project’ haunts theaters. The low-budget thriller tells the story of the fictional Blair Witch legend through ‘found footage.’ It will become one of the first films to attribute its success to viral marketing, thanks to a website with fake police reports, interviews, and other items that convince some viewers it’s a documentary. And, also on this date in 1994, I tricked my wife into marrying me. (bing.com)
WORD OF THE DAY: catastrophe (noun) [kuh-TASS-truh-fee], a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin; utter failure : fiasco; a violent and sudden change in a feature of the earth; a violent usually destructive natural event (such as a supernova); the final event of the dramatic action especially of a tragedy. When English speakers first borrowed the Greek word katastrophē starting with a “K” (from katastrephein, meaning “to overturn”) as catastrophe in the 1500s, they used it for the conclusion or final event of a dramatic work, especially of a tragedy. In time, catastrophe came to be used more generally of any unhappy conclusion, or disastrous or ruinous end. By the mid-18th century, it was being used to denote truly devastating events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Finally, it came to be applied to things that are only figuratively catastrophic―burnt dinners, lost luggage, really bad movies, or bad decisions. (Merriam-Webster).
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday, July 30th…
Here’s a thought for the day: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” On a lighter note: Where does the B-I-C-S science classroom skeleton go for a fun night out? Anywhere on the island so long as it is a hip joint.
IMAGINE A SAD TROMBONE SFX
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for Thursday, July 30th, 2020. I’m Kevin Boyle, reporting from the pest free Hogarth Pest Control Studios of the Voice of Beaver Island, wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And, thanks for listening.
###