CNBC TV to air 'Planet of the Apps' on January 7 at 10 pm

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/12/28/cnbc-to-air-planet-of-the-apps/

The one-hour program looks at how the launch of the Apple iPhone in June of 2007 gave birth to a revolution in mobile technology. CNBC's "Planet of the Apps: A Handheld Revolution!" will premiere on Thursday, January 7th at 10PM, and repeats at 1AM.

A recent study reports that iPhone users are in apps over half the time they're on their phones, compared to using just the web browser.

Ford Motor Company Chief designer speaks

"If you go into a person's house and look at his surroundings, you'll see exactly who he is. If you look at the same person in his car, you'll see who he wants to be."

http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/j-mays-0110

LNG article from Hearld News, Fall River MA 12/27/09

This article is dated 12/27/09 from the Fall River, Hearld News -  short and to the point asking questions about the obvious LACK of benefits of LNG coming to our area.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lks3o

Snowflake Raffle huge success

Looking west down State Street from Hope

Shoppers warm up inside Striper Moon.

Looking east up State Street over one of the flame throwers.

Looking west at the corner of State and Thames Streets at the fire truck with Buddy the Elf (yellow pants) and Santa in tow. Miss Fourth of July 2009 was warming up in the cab.

If you happen to have missed Sunday night's first annual Snowflake Raffle on State Street you really missed a wonderful community turn out. Tons of people showed up in freezing, windy, snow-blown conditions to see if they were winners of huge cash prizes and giveaways the raffle had to offer!  The winners, to my knowledge, were all from Bristol. Attached are a few photos from the evening showing Santa and handy helper, Buddy the Elf, on the fire truck, the flame throwers, the bundled up crowd and the shoppers out in full force at Striper Moon. Thank you to our stalwart downtown merchant members of the Downtown Bristol Merchants Association who basically organized and sponsored the event with help from the Town of Bristol, The Bristol Economic Development Commission and our local Eastbay Newspapers. The idea was spearheaded and brought to fruition by two fairly new DBMA merchants: Susan O'Donnell from Sue Casa and Nick Kearney from Striper Moon. Thank you to all for making it happen. 

It should be noted that the first thing that Bristol's many non-profits do when planning a fund raiser is to hit up local merchants - for ads, services, goods etc. For the most part, the merchants generously agree to give what they can. The Snowflake Raffle was a wonderful way to give back and pay back the many merchants who keep and support Bristol many times over. Speaking of merchants, there is still time to shop local. Stop flipping through the mountain of catalogues and making trips to the mall or visits to the mega-stores online and keep the money in our beautiful town. It makes a huge difference to our local economy.

(Click on photos once to enlarge.)

Sunday Snowflake raffle is still ON

If you are snow and home bound and want a fun place to go this afternoon (Sunday Dec 20) get yourself shoveled out and head down to the corner of Thames and State Street for a block party experience -  the drawing of the first annual Snowflake Raffle!! Warm up with hot cocoa and a fire thrower...Caroling begins around 5 pm. The drawing begins at 6 pm with Miss Fourth of July, Santa and Buddy the Elf. Don't forget your raffle tickets. You must be present to win! What idyllic weather for the Snowflake Raffle! Many shops will be open. See you there!

Tri-Mack Plastics given GE award

If you cannot read this, click once to enlarge.

Great local book gift idea for little ones!

Anyone Can Draw Cartoonograms

Bristol resident, Steve Brosnihan has been going to Hasbro Hospital for 18 years on Tuesday and Thursday nights to help hospitalized kids get through the long night and to teach them something they can feel good about. How to drawing secret cartoons using the alphabet. (Knowing how to read is optional!)
"The lessons in this book will engage not only those who are practicing their ABCs, but also older kids who draw and aspire to a more polished-looking result. Remember the rock star in fourth grade who could draw Snoopy perfectly? Cartoonagrams could nudge your young artist toward that kind of stardom. What’s more, a portion of the proceeds from this fun, funny, silly-but-smart book goes to The Tomorrow Fund for children with cancer."

Steve Brosnihan

Fly By Knight Designs
P.O. Box 111
Bristol, RI 02809
401-253-5909

The book is $12.95 and is available at A "Novel Idea" Bookstore in Bristol and many other locations. Details below:
http://kidoinfo.com/ri/anyone-can-draw-cartoonagrams/

http://www.wrni.org/content/late-night-cartoonist

Word flow chart for Hey Jude!

http://loveallthis.tumblr.com/post/166124704

Bristol Snowflake Raffle drawing Sunday, December 20 at 6 pm

Have you been saving up your raffle tickets from purchases made in Bristol? If so, don't forget to show up at lower State Street at Thames for the special drawing for big cash prizes (Grand Prize: $3000.) and giveaways to be made by Santa and this years Miss Fourth of July, Jennae Paul. Come early at 4:30 pm to join carolers ("Santa Claus is coming to Town") and to prepare for the arrival of the raffle gang - Miss Fourth of July, Santa and his Buddy the Elf on a fire truck. A fire show will begin at 5 pm. Hot Cocoa will be provided by the Bee Hive Cafe! Many shops will be open. The drawing will begin at 6 pm. Jack Frost to officiate.

Below is the schedule: Please spread the word! YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
4:30- 5:00 Santa, Buddy the Elf, and Miss 4th of July will cruise the town on The Fire Truck with Bullhorn to announce Drawing.

4:30-5:00 Carolers in Victorian garb will start singing on State Street. Maybe at top by Hope to lure people down.

5:00 Crowd will Sing "Santa Claus is coming to Town" to bring in Santa, and buddies arrival by Truck.
Jack Frost will start the festivities, introduce Santa and gang and then start the Fire Show.

5:00-5:30 Fire Show

5:30-6:00 Carolers on Stage/ Jack Frost will get crowd to participate in group Sing-alongs (or we won't draw tickets!)

6:00 Drawing Begins

1. Santa draws the Gift Certificates and Giveaways
2. Buddy the Elf draws the 500.00
3. Santa draws the 1,000.00
4. Miss Fourth of July draws the 3,000.00 Grand Prize

December 3 extra high tide

The photo above was taken close to high tide at the Prudence Island ferry dock on the morning of the storm we had on Thursday, December 3. Note the angle of the ramp. Even if it wasn't blowing, cars were unable to make it up the steep pitch of the ramp. (click once to enlarge photo) Unbelievably, the ferry did make a crossing earlier in the morning and the captain admitted it was a rough one!

RI wind energy:National Grid and Deepwater form an agreement

This article by Alex Kuffner, Providence Journal reporter and former Bristol resident, is the best one I've read on this new agreement.

http://tinyurl.com/y95ch9t

Tuplin Garage: A French Brasserie?

Rizwan Ahmed, Bristol resident, proprietor and chef of a restaurant called the Hourglass Brasserie has applied for a liquor license and would like to open his French restaurant at 382 Thames Street (south side), the current location of the old Tuplin Garage. The license will take at least six weeks to get, if it is granted. He plans to be open for dinner only from 5:30 - 9 pm weekdays and until 10 pm on weekends. After a quick glimpse of the menu, it looks fabulous and primarily competitive with Le Central, The Tavern and Persimmon.

The BeeHive Cafe is also applying for a beer and wine license.

We wish them both luck in getting these licenses.

LNG News from Save the Bay

The following is info from a recent email from John Martin from Save the Bay. Go to www.savebay.org to activate the links that appear below. Keep an eye out for Stan Dimock and Steve Roth who will be canvassing Bristol tomorrow with an anti-LNG petition. If you would like to sign the petition online, please go to: http://www.savebay.info/Protect_LNG_epetition_home.asp

Many stores will have the petition on their counters. To my knowledge, the Bristol Town Council is in the process of drafting a resolution to oppose the proposed LNG/Hess terminal in Narragansett Bay. They will be joined by Newport and Jamestown and hopefully many other towns in RI.

The Stop Hess LNG campaign has gone viral in what has been a busy week of activity involving literally thousands of people opposed to the project.

Our petition sign-ups online and on paper have exceeded 1,400 names and the number is growing by the minute. Thank you for your help in spreading the word. It is critical that we reach new people – not just people within our existing Save The Bay network. Be a catalyst in reaching the critical mass that will turn the tide on LNG. Click those “share” and “forward” buttons!

On Monday, the Jamestown Town Council heard a presentation by Council member Ellen Winsor and agreed to draft a resolution opposing the Hess LNG facility. Wednesday night, the Newport City Council passed an anti-Hess LNG resolution lead by Council member Stephen Waluk.

To demonstrate the strength of our appreciation and our determination, please take a moment to send a thank you email to Council member Winsor in Jamestown and Council member Waluk in Newport.

What about your Town Council/City Council? If you would like to encourage your Council to oppose Hess LNG, contact Save The Bay Director of Advocacy John Torgan (and biologist Bay Keeper) and he will send you a draft resolution template we have created that you can email to your town representative(s).

Our following on Twitter is growing (#StopHessLNG). www.twitter.com/#StopHessLNG If you have been waiting to decide if Twitter is worth your time, perhaps now would be that time. It is a powerful tool and helps get the word out. GO to twitter.com and sign up. Our Facebook page is busy, too. Who wants to start a Facebook discussion page? It’s up to the users.


In the Media This Week:
Jamestown Council agrees to oppose LNG terminal - Dec. 10, 2009
Newport Council passes anti-LNG resolution - Dec. 9, 2009
Islanders to study impacts of LNG shipments - Dec. 3, 2009
Save The Bay declares war on Hess, Motif Magazine (pgs. 5 and 9) - Dec.2, 2009

Goetz Boats closed (again)

http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/132916.html

Residents tell Charter Board how to fix government

Bristol citizen and building contractor, Ray DeLeo, brought up many issues for the Charter Review Commission at their meeting this week and some are mentioned in the Phoenix article below. Other ideas not mentioned in the article are the following: • Why all the recent resignations from the Conservation Commission (CC) and specific mention of a resignation letter from one past CC member who felt the CC was in a state of inertia and not as active as it should be -  especially in matters relating to new building developments.

• The DPW does less and less every year and now has a director and two deputies. Can this Dept be scrutinized more closely?

• The Dept of Community Development needs reorganization and currently has too many duties. Mr. DeLeo thinks the department needs a 'good planner' and a five year plan for Bristol.

• Ferry Road Fixing: The backing filling needs to be done in stages with 6 - 8" of fill compacted and then tested to create a good foundation. This is currently not being done.

• There needs to be a public calendar of weekly listed advertised meetings printed in the Phoenix newspaper that is easy to read and find. Finding meetings listed in 7 pt type here and there in the back pages of the Phoenix needs improvement and does not benefit the public. 

Below is the link to the Phoenix article by Michael Yoder.

http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/132931.html

US to Settle Native American Suit for 3.4 Billion

This is an amazing legal victory that began in 1996 about an 1887 agreement between the US Dept of the Interior and many Native Americans.The dispute arises from a trust system in 1887, when Congress divided many tribal lands into parcels — most from 40 to 160 acres — and assigned them to individual Indians while selling off remaining lands. The agreement was established at gunpoint and then never carried out in fairness to the Indians. President Obama's administration had much to do with this outcome. The amount of the settlement for the Native American's is $3.4 Billion and guess what...it's still not enough but does act as symbolic importance and recognition for the half a million native people represented in the law suit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/us/09tribes.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Elouise%20co&st=cse

2010 RI Teacher of the year

Congratulations to teacher of the year Dana Ramey of Middletown High School.  Senor Ramey has taught at Middletown High School for thirteen years and combines cultural "language immersion" experiences with homestays in Mexico and Spain as well as a program he created where his high school students teach 4th graders in Middletown. Read more at link below:

http://tiny.cc/FrVBu

LNG Petition

Keep a look out for Stan Dimock and Steve Roth canvasing Bristol over the weekend with a Save the Bay STOP LNG petition. Please take a minute to talk to them about the issues and then sign petition. Save the Bay has already gathered over 1317 signatures. You can sign it online as well. See earlier entry on this blog.

Green Economy writing contest for RI college and grad students

Do you know any college students who have some ideas about sustainability in RI?

This writing contest is sponsored by the RI Economic Development Corp. The winner(s) will participate in the Green Economy Conference to be held in early 2010 and each will win $1000. For details and directions for online submissions go to the link below: Essays to be no more than 1000 words all focused on five outlined energy related topics. Deadline is in one week!

http://tinyurl.com/yz3es9p

Bristol's Snowflake Raffle article on front page of Dec 7-13 PBN

Providence Business News, December 7, 2009

Retailers Seek an Extra Yuletide Boost

Shop owner Susan O’Donnell says Bristol’s retailers desperately needed something that would create a lasting buzz this holiday season, something that would go far beyond the annual Black Friday hoopla.

After all, in an economy that is still sputtering, potential shoppers might need an extra incentive to be convinced to open their wallets.   read more at link below

http://www.pbn.com/detail/46537.html

Request for Citizen Input

This just in from a member of the Charter Review Commission as a reminder to the public. Anyone wishing to provide info for possible Town Charter amendments will be heard at this time.
The Charter Review Commission's meeting at the Old State House on the Common (south side entrance) on Tues., Dec 8 at 7 PM is scheduled specifically for citizen input regarding the Bristol Town Charter. If you have any concerns about the town's government or administration, now is the time to voice it. The Charter is on line at the town website, www.bristolri.us . You can read what the charter presently mandates about your particular concern.

Local book author/illustrator on Today Show

http://our.risd.edu/2009/12/03/risd-illustrator-on-today-show/

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Min

Please sign the LNG petition below

Please sign the Save the Bay petition against a three story LNG terminal planned for Mount Hope Bay and pass the link on to others - especially those living in MA and RI. Here is what it says.

"The Hess LNG terminal proposal for Mount Hope Bay is ill-conceived, unnecessary and wrong for the Bay. It will become a dominant presence from the East Passage of Narragansett Bay to Fall River that is out of balance with the mixed uses we all enjoy today. Year-round LNG tanker traffic will cost jobs as it disrupts our marine and tourism industries. Required dredging will destroy critical habitat in Mount Hope Bay -- habitat that citizens have spent millions of dollars and more than two decades restoring. Check how we're doing; see who has signed."

http://www.savebay.info/Protect_LNG_epetition_home.asp

Learn more critical facts about LNG at

http://www.savebay.org/Page.aspx?pid=1279

As Jonathan Stone states this is simply the wrong location for this facility. It's bad for the environment, and its bad for the people who live here.

AKC Dog Show has moved to Providence

A four day dog show is having their first- ever event in Providence at the RI Convention Center from Thursday, Dec 3 - Sunday, Dec 6. Every breed imaginable will be there. I wonder where the thousands of visiting dogs are all staying? On Sunday, the Best in Show will be announced from 4 - 6 pm. Go and check out all the purebred dogs and find one you like and then go visit your local animal shelter to get a mixed version of it for (almost) free. 

http://www.pbn.com/detail/46483.html

www.baycolonydog show.com

New RI teacher evaluations in place

"By approving these new standards for evaluation systems and the Code of Professional Responsibility, the regents have acted in the best interest of our students,” Deborah Gist (new RI Education Commissioner) said. “I have said many times that the single most important factor in the education of our students is the effectiveness of their teachers. These new standards, which emphasize student achievement and professional growth for all educators, are a big step in our work to transform Rhode Island education.”  Read full (short) article from Providence Business News at link below:

http://www.pbn.com/stories/46530.html

www.ride.ri.gov

Al Gore blog

http://blog.algore.com/2009/11/

New NPR radio station broadcasting in our area

WGBH 89.7 FM. What used to be an all Classical music station has moved today (Dec 1) to 99.5 FM leaving 89.7 FM WGBH open for more programming! This morning in my car I accidentally heard Diane Rehm talking to President Obama's half sister Maya Soetoro-Ng.  The Diane Rehm Show can now be heard as of today in our area from 10 - 11:30 am at 89.7 fm. If you are not familiar with this show you soon will be. She is a fantastic interviewer on a wide range of topics. We in Rhode Island welcome this change! Boston now has two NPR stations...WBUR and the new 89.7FM WGBH. I wonder what WRNI thinks of this change...? Here is the link to the DR show: http://wamu.org/programs/dr/

YES Gallery in Warren to close

YES Gallery in Warren at 146 Water Street is closing. They are having their last gallery exhibition opening of work by Jim Bush on Friday, December 4 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
The exhibition will run through December 20. For details go to: www.yesgalleryandstudio.com or call the gallery at (401) 245 7174
Jim Bush is a well known artist, political cartoonist for the Providence Journal and an educator. He is a teacher and founder of the new art school for kids in Warren called the Warren Art Spot. http://www.warrenartspot.com
(Click on image once to enlarge.)

Art Talk Wednesday at Bristol Library

Tayo Heuser, an adjunct Professor of Art at Roger Williams University in the Visual Arts will be the Bristol Art Museum's guest speaker on Wednesday, December 2nd at the Rogers Free Library at 7 pm. The Art Talks are free and partially funded by Roger Williams University. A reception is planned at a private home at 5 pm to meet the artist. For reservations , $25 contact ppwoods51@verizon.net

Tayo Heuser, originally from Washington, D.C., has lived in Africa and Europe. She received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and Masters Degree from Vermont College. She lives and works in Providence and Brussels, Belgium. Tayo's presentation will cover her current exhibit at the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C. on view from November 19th-October, 2010. The Phillip's exhibit, "Intersections", explores the intersections between the old and new traditions and modern and contemporary art practices, such as, engaging in the permanent collections and museum spaces. Heuser's unique exhibit, "Pulse" translates Mark Rothko's paintings into three dimensions with large scale wall-mounted sculptures of glowing, colored forms drawn in ink, designed to rise along the spiral stairwell and the paintings in the Mark Rothko Room.

Her most recent shows have been at Rogers Williams University, 2009; The Reeves Contemporary in New York City, Center for Contemporary Non-Objective Art and the H29 Gallery in Brussels, Belgium, 2008; as well as group shows at the Roeder Gallery, New York, The Paper New England Gallery,Hartford, Ct; and the Chazen Gallery in Providence, RI. Her work has been exhibited since 1991 and is included in public and corporate collections, including the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, CA; RISD Museum, Providence, RI and many more.

Marine bird populations sharply declining on Narragansett Bay

This is an excerpt from a story from the November 2009  Rhode Island Monthly magazine by Mary Grady on the decline of local marine bird populations.

"The numbers of several maritime bird species that breed in Narragansett Bay have dropped significantly in the last five to ten years, according to annual surveys conducted by the state Department of Environmental Management. Great egrets, for example, the tall, elegant white birds often seen foraging in shallow coves fringing the Bay, peaked at 251 nesting pairs in 2003, and in 2008 were down to 148 pairs. Their smaller relatives, the snowy egrets, showed an even steeper drop, from 330 pairs in 1979 to just fifty-three pairs in 2008. Cattle egrets and little blue herons have practically disappeared from the state, and black-crowned night herons are also in steep decline."

The reason for this is not entirely clear but the need for continual monitioring is all important. Thank you Save Bristol Harbor for doing your share of this kind of work. For the full article go to:

http://www.rimonthly.com/Rhode-Island-Monthly/November-2009/Bye-Bye-Birdies/

Fantastic Mr. Fox

See it! Here's a video describing the detail in how it was made by the writer and director, Wes Anderson:

http://content.foxsearchlight.com/videos/node/4215

Someones been stealing from the three meanest farmers around...

"Boggis and Bunce and BEAN

One fat, one short, one LEAN

These horrible crooks

So different in looks

Were nonetheless equally MEAN."

Save the Bay announces LNG opposition campaign

November 28, 2009 - Save the Bay (STB) announces a $12,000 media blitz against an LNG facility  planned for Narragansett Bay. Click on the STB link below to study the facts, sign and circulate a petition, write your congressman, show up and speak at meetings and in general spread the word.  Jonathan Stone, executive director of STB,  notes that "a strong public showing is one of the ways the LNG proposal could be stopped." This campaign is timed to prepare the State of RI and its citizens for a forthcoming period of open public comment.

"How can two decades of hard work by thousands of dedicated citizens who have fought for the Taunton River and Mount Hope Bay be so easily discounted in order to accommodate a project that appears to benefit only a private company?" John Torgan, Biologist and Baykeeper STB

http://www.savebay.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1277

Locally, Save Bristol Harbor is organizing a supplemental movement to work in tandem with STB to be announced shortly.  On December 14, there will be a meeting in Somerset MA where Weavers Cove Energy will be going before the local Somerset Conservation Commission at 6: 30 pm. Email Susan or Keith Maloney for more info or for a ride at ekm2x@cox.net

Bristol has new car service

Have you ever needed a ride someplace and didn't know who to call or didn't want to trouble your neighbor?
Well Bristol finally has a solution. Bristol resident Mike Carroll has started a car service called "Bristol Car Service". (A white van with appropriately a red, white and blue highway stripe down the center of the car.) He can take you to the airport ($65 Green, $125 Logan) or drive you to a movie or a doctors appointment or act as a designated driver for your teenagers or for yourself. His rates are less than a limo and a regular taxi but still competitive.
BTW Mike is Irish, a musician, a composer and a good buddy of Aidan Graham. He is in the movie about Aidan and Ms. Waters titled "Betty Ann Waters". Ms. Waters is played by Hilary Swank. The movie will be coming out in the spring sometime and was filmed in Detroit and in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Makes me wonder why it couldn't have been filmed in RI...?) Call Mike for more info and prices: 401 261 0501

Colt Andrews School Christmas Wreaths

This is a great idea. Buy a wreath and support the reconstruction of the Colt-Andrews Elementary Schoolyard project. (Click on image once to enlarge for details.)

Send a postcard of thanks

Thanksgiving is here. It seems timely to acknowledge and honor our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is not about the conflict there. It is about the men and women serving there now. Click on the link www.LetsSayThanks.com and send a postcard to a soldier. It's free to the sender. You can chose a pre-written message or write one of your own. The cards were all created by elementary school children throughout the USA. The image you chose will be printed and mailed in care packages by the military support organization Give2TheTroops.

Let's Say Thanks was started by Xerox who print the cards and partnered with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, print shops and corporations as a thank you to our service men and women.

Photo: Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan reading Let’s Say Thanks cards.

Blithewold looking for volunteers

The following is information from Blithewold's Director of Volunteers, Donna Grabert. She is looking for some Christmas volunteers. Perhaps you can help her out!

BECOME PART OF THE MAGIC THAT IS CHRISTMAS AT BLITHEWOLD....

Walt Disney thought that he had created the happiest places on earth,
but then, he never encountered Christmas at Blithewold. Help guide our
guests through the magical world of "Fantasies and Fairies" and listen
to the expressions of wonderment as each visitor gets their first
glimpse of the stunningly decorated eighteen foot tree.

Join our talented group of volunteers and see Blithewold in a way that
you have never experienced before. The breakfast porch will once again
be transformed into the Holiday Gift Shop. Tea and scones will be served in the dining room every Wednesday/Thursday/Friday and "Story Time" will enchant the wee ones on Wednesday afternoons. Last year's charming gingerbread exhibit will again delight visitors of all ages. Engage in
a friendly competition to see which volunteer can sell the most raffle
tickets! The house will be open seven days a week from November 27
through January 3. Volunteer shifts are available between the hours of
10 and 5 Sunday through Wednesday and 1 and 8 Thursday through Sunday.

Come as a couple...as a family...with a friend or come alone and make
new friends. Give yourself a Holiday gift and become a volunteer.
Contact Donna Grabert, Volunteer Coordinator at Ext. 18 or email
dgrabert@blithewold.org.

You are invited to the next Charter Review Commission meeting

If you would like to make a comment about the Town of Bristol and how it operates or doesn't operate here is your chance to speak up. You are invited to attend the next Charter Review Commission meeting on Tuesday, December 8 at 7 pm at the Bristol Statehouse and express your opinion, comments and suggestions. The newly re-formed group has been meeting since August and has been eliciting insights and opinions from various groups and individuals as to how the charter affects them or their job and their input on how well it is or is not working. e.g. recreation department and harbor management among other things have been brought up. These meetings all follow the open meeting laws and so far, every meeting has also had an open comment item on the agenda. The next meeting is at the Bristol Statehouse (Courthouse) when the general public is specifically invited to weigh in. The current charter is available on the town website and of course at Town Hall.  www.bristolri.us Copies of past minutes are available from the recording secretary Dot Viera at: dsv3159@yahoo.com or the Bristol Town Clerk.

Compost the Thanksgiving Leftovers the Dog Won't Eat

This is a short article that makes a lot of sense from the new eco ri website mentioned a while back.

http://www.ecori.org/opinion/

East Bay Food Pantry to have grand opening

The mission of the East Bay Food Pantry is to engage, empower, and educate in order to create a hunger-free East Bay. We are already serving over 200 families and the need continues to grow.

The newly established East Bay Food Pantry- Stone Soup Thrift Shop will be celebrating its Grand Opening with two events.

The first will be the official opening of the Stone Soup Thrift Shop on Friday, November 27, from 10am to 3pm. Stone Soup Thrift Shop will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. The shop offers clothing, shoes, accessories for the whole family as well as housewares of all kinds. It is located at 150 Franklin Street under the green awning.

The second event is a fundraiser gala on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Franklin Court Community Room at 150 Franklin Street. Tickets are $50. per person. Following are the details.
East Bay Food Pantry/Stone Soup Thrift Shop will be formally celebrating its Grand Opening with Wines at the Pantry, sponsored by 1776 Liquors. Gourmet Fare will be provided by 195 Franklin with dessert provided by Paul Sousa of The Cake Gallery. Entertainment will be provided by Doug Botelho. There will also be a Silent Auction featuring items from local businesses. For tickets, please contact Anita Randal 396-9490 or visit www.eastbayfoodpantry.org. Tickets may be purchased and donations may be made on the website.

The Many Moods of Christmas Concert

On Saturday, December 5 at 7 pm, and Sunday, December 6 at 3 pm, the newly re-organized Bristol County Chorus will present the 29th Many Moods of Christmas Concert in St. Mary's Church, Wood Street, Bristol RI.  The concert will feature Rutter's "Magnificat"  along with favorites "O Holy Night" and the "Hallelujah Chorus".  Tickets at Paper, Packaging and Panache, Hope Street, Bristol and the George Hale Library, Main Street, Warren RI. $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Joan Doyle Roth, director.

This is a wonderful annual holiday tradition - not to missed.

Don't forget that Bristol's Grand Illumination is also on Sunday, December 6 following the 3 pm concert at the Burnside Building on Hope Street. Tree lighting at 6 pm. Comments from Town officials and Santa begin around 4:30 - 5 pm.

RISD showcase thru Dec 11

RISD Exposé is a downcity store front at 232 Westminister that will offer the community a chance to see and purchase a wide variety of RISD student work. RISD Exposé will be open from November 18th to December 11th, with a grand opening on Friday Nov 20th.
Closed Mondays; open from 11-6 pm other days

Mosaico Park on Wood Street

Have you noticed the new and colorful paint job at Mosaico Park at the corner of Wood and Franklin Streets?
The park is getting a make over with help from the Bristol Department of Parks and Recreation (Walter Burke), The Town of Bristol, Mosacio (Diana Campbell), RWU, Tony Teixeira and last but not least Gary Watros. After Gary did such a grand job of organizing and designing Mrs. Perry's Garden across from Topsides at Silver Creek, Diana Campbell, executive director of Mosaico, asked him if he might be interested in doing a rejuvenation of Mosaico Park. The answer was a resounding YES! Gary created the color scheme (approved by Mosaico, the Town of Bristol and the Rec Dept) and with help from RWU freshman and Diana C. painted the concrete benches and planters. He then ordered Mums and bulbs and with the help of RWU students and Tony Teixeira planted over 300 bulbs - mostly tulips and daffodils.

To quote from Gary:
"The color scheme was guided by the ethnic coloring of some neighborhood houses and the colors used by Mosaico in their logo.
In addition to proper maintenance, the park needed to relate better to the surrounding ethnic community and to incorporate diverse plantings that might invoke the Azores. Most importantly, it needed an infusion of color."

"In late August, a contingent of RWU freshmen helped Diana Campbell and me remove weeds, shrubs and trash from the park and stain the benches Antique Wine. Walter Burke from the Parks and Recreation Department arranged to have 8 yards of fill delivered. Then, the students helped plant some mums. These were meant only to provide some temporary color this fall. In late October, Tony Teixeira helped me plant over 300 spring bulbs."

Gary is growing a collection of xeric perennials (plants requiring no watering once established) in his garden for transplanting to Mosaico next spring. They are mostly plants that proved successful this year in Mrs. Perry's garden along Silver Creek. They adhere to the classic yellow, blue, white color scheme plus some orange and purple. There will also be some blue hydrangeas evocative of the Azores.
(Most or all of the plantings were paid for by Gary Watros as a donation to Mosaico CDC.)

Just goes to show what a few people can do with a little bit of leadership and a 'can do' attitude! Thanks to all involved for a fabulous job! We look forward to seeing the blast of color in the spring and hope the park becomes a neighborhood hang out! (Photo above shows Gary putting in the new color scheme.)

Sony Bravia Paint ad

No Photoshop here. This is the real thing. Running time about 1.5 minutes. This toke months to organize and to film!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GURvHJNmGrc

RE/MAX Real Estate in new location on Bradford Street

RE/MAX Real Estate is now located in the old Striper Moon spot on Bradford Street in the brick Tavares Building. (old water company location) They are advertising many Bristol homes under $300K in the window. Bristol Looms is still located in the back of the building on the second floor.

Deborah Gist new education commissioner for RI

Deborah Gist is the new RI Commissioner of Education. She started this job on July 1, 2009 and was appointed by the RI Board of Regents. She is sincere, energetic, curious and so far very active in the East Bay. To my knowledge she has visited this area twice for listening tours and once to quell fears of the H1N1 virus surrounding the death of Bristol's Victoria Sousa. 

She was recently the focus of a public forum in Warren set up as one of five across the state of RI to solicit ideas from citizens and to explain her goals and plans for education reform. She has questioned the idea of teacher seniority being the only method of advancement in our schools noting that placing emphasis on teacher excellence, innovation and performance should not be overlooked. Her statewide tours are part of information gathering for a Federal grant application called 'Race to the Top' - where millions of dollars in grant money if received can be used to aid RI education reform. If you would like to share ideas with Ms. Gist please go to her website. For more about her priorities and to view a short video, go to the commissioners website at:http://www.ride.ri.gov/Commissioner/

Bristol Holiday Preview Stroll this Friday night

Don't forget that almost all of Bristol's downtown shops will be open this Friday evening from 5 - 9 pm opening the season for Holiday shopping and the start of the Bristol Snowflake Raffle.(Read more about this a few entries down) This just came in from the Beehive Cafe. They will be open until 10 pm Friday evening serving yummy Hot Desserts. Here are the details:

THIS FRIDAY November 20th is the annual BRISTOL HOLIDAY PREVIEW NIGHT when all are invited to stroll around town and inspect all the beautiful things on display in our downtown shops for the Christmas Season.  Most of the retailers put out wine and nibbles etc so it can be a merry evening. The Beehive Cafe is doing their HOT DESSERT NIGHT. A great time to rest weary feet and have a scrumptious dessert. They will be open until 10pm. Here's the dessert menu.They will have soup too!

Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Local Apple Streusel Tart

Chocolate Pecan Cinnamon Buns

Warm Plate of Cookies with milk

"affogato" - hot espresso poured over homemade vanilla ice cream with mocha sauce

Pear Crisp

$ 7.95 per person 

New art gallery to open in Bristol

A new art gallery owned by Nancy Pitchard is coming to Bristol at 423 Hope Street and will be opening fairly soon. It will be called The Bristol Art Gallery and is located on the south (left) side of the main Belvedere Hotel/Condos entrance. It's a gorgeous space for showing art. Clean with high ceilings and plenty of light. Details to follow. 

Bristol's DBMA Snowflake Raffle

Something BIG is happening to Bristol businesses this month. It's called the Bristol Snowflake Raffle. There are huge cash prizes. Every time you spend $25. at any participating business (almost ALL of downtown Bristol) you get a FREE raffle ticket. (Buy an appliance from Gils and you'll get tons of raffle tickets!) The raffle begins this Friday, November 20 the day of DBMA's Holiday Shopping Preview and runs thru December 20 - the last Sunday before Christmas. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Bristol Merchants Association (DBMA) and supported by 60+ local businesses including the East Bay Newspapers and the Town of Bristol. The idea was brought to DBMA's attention by Bristol business owners and residents, Susan O'Donnell and Nick Kearney from Sue Casa and Striper Moon. They are the event organizers. Thank you Susan and Nick for your persistence in bringing this terrific idea to Bristol and thanks to all the participating businesses, sponsors as well as the Bristol Economic Development Commission in helping to make this happen.

First prize? $3000. with second and third - $1000 and $500 respectively. The drawing will be the Sunday before Christmas, December 20 at 6 pm on lower State Street. Ticket holders must be present to win. SHOP LOCAL and WIN!

Look for the large circular snowflake image in windows of participating businesses!

New Noise Study group to meet

The newly formed Bristol Noise Study group will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, December 1 at Town Hall at 7 pm.

This group is going to have its work cut out for itself...Luckily it is a large (15 total) and hopefully will divide up into smaller working units. All people who applied were given appointments. (No new names will be taken.) They are:

Nathan Calouro, Christy Nadalin. Peter Wilbur, Joe Antinucci, Tom Pasqual Jr.

David Raposa, Mike Ferreira, Stephen Barker, Karen Binder, Anthony Buono, and Richard Ruggeiro.

Town Council members David Barboza and Ray Cordeiro as well as Bristol Police Chief (or a designee) and Ed Tanner, Town Planner will also be members. The first meeting will be spent creating a mission statement, identifying goals, electing officers and possibly working off a document Ken Marshall spoke of from Rutgers University in NJ as a framework that can be modified for specific towns. (It includes the use of noise meters.) Mary Parella brought up the possibility of creating a map of Bristol noise hot spots. In the long term, the Bristol noise study group may be the beginning of the formation of a RI state wide noise ordinance. This group will be dealing with all forms of noise: Boom boxes, loud motorcycles, trucks and cars, radios, leaf blowers, cannons, bands, blasting, idling engines and celebratory events to name only some. It is hoped that their work will be completed by May 15, 2010. 

Join Colt-Andrews and 'Novel Idea' Booksellers on Holiday Preview Night, November 20

Please join Colt-Andrews School Holiday Bazaar and a 'Novel Idea' Booksellers on Bristol's Holiday Shopping Night to Shine -  November 20 starting at 5 pm downtown for holiday cheer and a Christmas book signing about saving a talking seal inspired by Ryder Ferris, Colt Andrews student and Bristol resident. (Son of Nina Murphy and Bart Ferris) Click on images once to enlarge.

Please: Not another Newport

Keith Stokes: Be careful with too much tourism.

http://www.projo.com/opinion/editorials/content/ED_newport12_11-12-09_PQG8046_v14.3f8b3ff.html

Newport architect creates Thanksgiving iPhone app

If you have an iPhone and you are hosting Thanksgiving this year give this app a try! It will cost you .99 cents.

http://www.pbn.com/stories/46059.html

Former Save the Bay director named EPA regional administrator

Curt Spalding is appointed by Obama with urging by RI Senator Reed to be New England regional EPA administrator.

http://www.projo.com/news/environment/content/Spalding_Epa_Job_11-06-09_RCGC1R4_v10.3a642a7.html

iPhone art by David Hockney

Hockney is quick to ridicule the misconception that this work was some sort of computer art, in which the computer rather than the artist dominates. “Most people thought they knew what ‘computer art’ looked like, but of course that is like saying they know what ‘brush art’ looks like. It is daft. What did Leonardo use to paint the Mona Lisa? Well, he used brushes; so if I get a brush I can do that, can’t I? No! A brush, like a computer, is merely a tool.”
The iPhone app is called Brushes. TIP: He said he uses his thumb not his fingers to make the pictures!

Looking at this painting one is reminded of the many stages of painting DH has gone through in his 50 years as an artist. In the 70's he painted the weather series including works focused on rain and the sun; in the 80's he painted reflective water in swimming pools and the observation of the visual effects of light has always been a constant.

Colt Andrews School Vendors needed

Space is still available at the Colt-Andrews Holiday Bizarre. This event is part of the Bristol Holiday Shopping Preview and is well attended and lots of fun. If you have something to sell think about signing up for a booth. They're cheap! (Click on image once to enlarge.)

RI School Commissioner to speak in Warren RI Monday night at 6pm

Following is a letter from RI's new School Commissioner Deborah Gist. She will be in WarrenRI  Monday night and is trying like crazy to get RI schools where they should be.

Dear Fellow Rhode Islanders,

 The federal Race to the Top funds could bring unprecedented resources to Rhode Island to help us transform education. The U.S. Department of Education will distribute these funds to states that have both made progress and shown promise in four vital areas:

 ·       improving teacher effectiveness;

·       accelerating the performance of low-performing schools;

·       establishing world-class standards and assessments; and

·       developing user-friendly data systems.

 These initiatives are closely aligned with the set of priorities and the strategic agenda that I am developing to get all students ready for success in college, careers, and life.

See http://www.ride.ri.gov/Commissioner/

 As we prepare our Race to the Top application, I have scheduled five community forums at which you can learn more about our strategic agenda and present your views on education reform. I greatly value your feedback, which will help us to submit a first-caliber application. We will hold community forums on:

 ·       Monday, November 9th @ 6 p.m., at the East Bay Educational Collaborative, 317 Market St., Warren

·       Tuesday, November 17th @ 6 p.m., at the Northern R.I. Collaborative,  640 George Washington Highway, Lincoln

·       Monday, November 23rd @ 6 p.m., at Toll Gate High School, 575 Centerville Rd., Warwick

·       Wednesday, December 2nd @ 6 p.m., at the Southern R.I. Educational Collaborative, 646 Camp Ave., North Kingstown

·       Forum in Providence, date and location to be announced

 I have attached to this e-mail a letter of invitation to these forums and a flier announcing these forums. Please feel free to distribute both the letter and the flier to others in organization, your school, or your community. If you have any questions, you may call me at 222-4690, or e-mail: Deborah.Gist@ride.ri.gov

 I hope that I will see you and hear from you at our community forums. 

Sincerely, 

Deborah A. Gist

RI School Commissioner

 

Mosaico looking for Sense of Pride Coordinator

This just in from Mosaico's interim executive director, Diana Campbell:

"I just wanted to let you know that we’re looking for a coordinator for this year’s Sense of Pride program.  This very successful program connects Bristol’s 4th graders with their community.  I’m sure you’ve all seen the children touring the Town in the spring in colored tee shirts, learning about its history & architecture.  Thanks to last year's coordinator, who did a fantastic job of organizing the materials and the calendar, this position doesn't involve "starting from scratch".  So if you are interested, or know someone who is interested, in a short-term (paid) position coordinating this very rewarding program, please give me a call!" Diana's telephone number at Mosaico is: 401 253 4627

New art school opens in Warren for kids!

There is a new art school in Warren for kids!

Located at 6 Child Street, tucked in behind MUSE jewelry boutique you’ll find the Warren Art Spot, a brightly colored art studio for kids.  Jim and Julia Bush finished the renovations just in time for last week’s Warren Walkabout where many curious folks visited the studio, met the teachers and stayed to make colorful duct tape wallets and sew notebooks of recycled paper. 

Classes are starting next week. Go to www.warrenartspot.com or call Julia Bush at 245.0190 for specific class offerings, prices and registration. The studio can also be rented for birthday parties. (click once on image above to enlarge.) 

Talk on Afghanistan policy by Jonathan Landay

Jonathan S. Landay of the McClatchy Newspapers’ Washington News Bureau, just returned from a two-month investigative tour in Afghanistan, will speak in Bristol, RI this weekend on the direction of the war, and its effects on the United States and the nations of Central Asia.

Bob Kerr recently interviewed Jonathan Landay for an article in the Providence Journal to come out this Wednesday November 4, 2009. (Look for an article in the Bristol Phoenix on Thursday as well.)

He has titled his talk and its theme “The Stakes in Afghanistan: The Debate We Ought to Have.” Landay will then take audience questions on his remarks. The event, sponsored by the East Bay Citizens for Peace, is scheduled for 8 pm Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Old State House in Bristol. Suggested contribution is $5 at the door.

Landay has served for ten years as senior national security correspondent for the 26 daily McClatchy newspapers, and the Knight-Ridder chain that it acquired. He was a central reporter in the investigative team that revealed in 2005 how the Bush Administration had manipulated the American Intelligence community to justify its decision to invade Iraq. His stories began several months before the invasion. For that work, Landay and his team received the coveted National Headliners Award, and the Award of Distinction from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. In his current assignment, he has made regular trips to Afghanistan. Landay has appeared with some frequency on NPR’s Talk of the Nation and MSNBC programs to discuss developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He previously covered the Indian subcontinent as New Delhi bureau chief for UPI, and the war in the former Yugoslavia for The Christian Science Monitor.
For more information, contact: Nancy Hood [401-253-8257] or MaryKae Wright [401-253-6084] or go to www.eastbaycitizens4peace.org

RWU neighborhood meeting Wed night

This is a meeting about RWU Party Houses affecting local neighborhoods. The tenants of 629 Wood Street have been invited.

Neighborhood Forum at

Roger Williams University on

Wednesday, November 4th at 6:30 PM

 This meeting of University officials, Bristol Police, Bristol town officials, landlords, student tenants and their neighbors of Wood Street in Bristol, will be a conversation that we hope will lead to better understanding of one another, mutual respect and ultimately, living in harmony.

Please join us for this opportunity to have a civil discussion about matters that concern us all.

 Again, the meeting is on Wednesday, Nov. 4th at 6:30 PM in the Admissions Building media room (first building on your right after entering the main entrance of the university).  Public Safety officers will direct you on where to park.

We hope to see you then!

RSVP is appreciated, but not required.

Please contact Scott Yonan,

RWU Director of Special Projects at 254-3389

Painting Demo to promote health, food, art and exercise

This is a great group of businesses working together. Please support them and try to show up. (Click box above to enlarge)

New RI website covers all that's Green

Veteran newsman, Frank Carini, and his web designer wife, Joanna Detz, have started a new web site to cover all that's green in RI. It's really good. This is the link to the website: www.ecori.org

Here is a link to one of Frank's short articles about the need to slow the use of lawn and plant chemicals/fertilizers that pollute our surrounding waters as runoff. http://tinyurl.com/yfys48b

Set clocks back tonight

Charlie: Faithful Friend, RIP

Beautiful, tender, funny, sad.

This piece is written by Stan Dimock, better known as Bristol's "clean up guy", about his relationship with his beloved cat, Charlie. Perhaps some of you have seen Stan walking Charlie around town. Charlie was euthanized on Tuesday, October 27.

I first met Charlie in April of 2003, on my way to The Gatehouse Restaurant in Providence. Charlie sitting at the front entrance of Simple Pleasures, a garden and gift shop adjacent to The Gatehouse. I said, “You’re a pretty kitty” as I passed by. Charlie neither retreated nor approached. Instead, he just observed, wide-eyed, while I entered the restaurant. The bartender (a cat lover, herself) relayed to me that Charlie had been hanging around the restaurant for the previous three days, and she was worried, because his front paws were de-clawed, so he shouldn’t have been outside on his own. He had a collar (so tight it left an indelible mark on his neck for the rest of his life), but no tag – and no one had come looking for him. 

After I finished my meal, I headed out to my car in a very crowded parking lot to discover that Charlie was waiting for me at my car. He kept pawing at my driver’s door, literally begging me to take him home. Having recently dealt with the death of a pet, I wasn’t prepared to take him with me, so I headed home, alone – but I couldn’t stop thinking about the cat that wanted so desperately to come home with me.
The next morning, I brought my pet carrier to work. After relaying the previous evening’s events to my boss, she insisted that we head directly to Richmond Square to hunt for the cat that had already found a place in my heart. Despite our “here, kitty” calls, there was no sign of Charlie – until we started to pull out of the lot. Suddenly, I spotted him heading towards us. My boss stopped the car, and we hopped out. When I set the pet carrier on the ground and opened it, Charlie came running, all the way across the lot, and dove into that pet carrier as if to say, “I knew you’d come back, now take me HOME!”
We brought Charlie back to Save The Bay’s office, and all available staffers gathered around Charlie in the library, as he walked on top of the conference table greeting every single person in the room. Clearly, Charlie had no fear of people, and despite whatever trauma he had experienced while he was out on his own, he was one very well-adjusted feline.
After spending that first night together, I awoke to a cat I didn’t even recognize. While I was sleeping, Charlie spent the entire night grooming himself. His gray and brown coat of the night before was white and orange in the morning light – a “Prince Charming” of the cat world!
That first week, Charlie was chased by my neighbor’s Australian sheepdog. That’s the only time I ever witnessed him run from a dog. Over the 5 ½ years that we lived together, we were charged by dogs three other times. After that first incident, I had his complete trust, and rather than run from an a potential attack, Charlie would simply lie at my feet, and let me chase away any charging dog.
The move to Stone Harbour was perhaps the luckiest day of Charlie’s life. We immediately developed a routine of taking a walk first thing every morning (usually to visit Angus, the feral library cat who lives across the street), followed by a walk later in the day to visit the downtown shop owners. I am so grateful for the many kindnesses displayed to us by everyone in town. Charlie was a “regular” at Olde China Trader, Claddagh Connection, Floral Fantasy, Studio Six, Harbor Bath & Body, Revival, and European Kitchen – just to name a few. Wherever we headed, he would (almost) always be right at my side. My proudest moments with him were the ones spent walking Hope Street. Pedestrians and drivers would often stop to comment about what an unusual cat he was.
We were only separated once outdoors, not long after our move to downtown Bristol. Just after heading outside, while I was distracted picking up litter, Charlie took a sharp left and snuck under a parked car on Thames Street. I assumed he had taken a right to head to the Thames Street Landing shops, only to discover that I had lost him. I spent the next hour searching high and low for my buddy. Finally, I gave up and headed indoors – only to receive a call minutes later that Charlie had been returned to Stone Harbour by John Allen, who had spotted Charlie lounging in front of the Elbow Room. When I retrieved Charlie from the McQuaids’ condo that morning, he looked pleased as punch – and a bit smug for having thoroughly enjoyed his morning adventure.
Charlie didn’t have a jealous bone in his body. If I spent a night away at my dad’s in Connecticut, or patted another animal before returning home, he would always greet me with tremendous affection.
Charlie had no fear – not of any other animals, people, fireworks, or even thunderstorms. (In fact, he loved to sit on a windowsill to watch lightning!)
Most unusual was Charlie’s ability to say “hello” in an almost human tone. When this behavior first started, I thought I must be imagining it, but one day when Charlie trotted ahead of me on our way outside, he said “hello” to one of my neighbors passing by. He was too far ahead of me for me to hear it, but the neighbor, in disbelief, said, “I think I just heard your cat say ‘hello’ to me.” We would often say “hello” back & forth to each other at home.
There is no doubt in my mind that Charlie was one of a kind. Something between us clicked from that very first moment we laid eyes on each other. He had the most delightful personality of any animal I have ever encountered. He was the best companion I could have ever asked for – like a gift from heaven.
When we took our last trip to the animal hospital, I am convinced Charlie knew exactly what the end result would be. I truly believe he was ready to let go. His exit from this world was a peaceful one, cradled in my arms while I kept repeating how much I loved him, right up to his very last breath. I will miss my little buddy more than words can ever express. Bristol lost its littlest ambassador with his passing this week.

(Photo courtesy of Alayne White)

Noise Study Committee growing

At Wednesday night's Town Council meeting three new names were added to the list of people interested in making up the Noise Study Committee. 

They were:

Steven Barker, Mike Ferreira and David Barboza. 

The others on the list are: 

Nathan Calouro, Christy Nadalin, Peter Wilbur, Joe Antinucci, Tom Pasqual Jr. and David Raposa.

Ken Marshall, Town Council Chair, told the audience that the Department of Health monitors noise in New Jersey. That Rutgers University has detailed information on noise that hopefully can be adopted by Bristol and maybe even state wide. The issue for the moment has been "tabled" until further notice. If you are interested in being on this committee, contact Lou Cirillo, Bristol Town Clerk, at Town Hall.

High School Collaboration Saving Silver Creek

Members of Save the Bay, Save Bristol Harbor, Mount Hope High School and the Town of Bristol are all working together to create a high school curriculum (in Marcia King's MHHS Marine Science class) for approximately twenty 11th and 12th graders working together to clean up Silver Creek and make it healthy again for birds, fish, vegetation, soil, general water quality as well as flood control.

The students will work on this project for the entire school year beginning in November.

The project will cost a total of $8000. $4000 will be contributed by Save the Bay, $1000 by Save Bristol Harbor, $2000 by Mount Hope High School and $1000 (approved last Wednesday Oct 28) by the Town of Bristol.

The goals of the project will be addressed by removing the tidal restrictions, removing the invasive species and possibly removing some historic fill. A secondary benefit to the project will be reducing the risk of flooding on properties within the Silver Creek watershed. Other project partners include: the Natural Resources Conservation Service, NOAA and the RI Department of Transportation.

Save the Bay conducted an analysis of the change in area of the Silver Creek over time. Results showed that 55% of the native marsh habitat has been lost since 1939.

Phragmites (the very tall grasses) now covers 52% of the marsh and the expansion of Phragmites has constricted the creek and reduced the open water area by 33%. Since 1939, 15% of the marsh has been filled, however a significant portion of the marsh was likely filled prior to 1939 due to the town landfill.

At the request of the Town Council a report will be published summarizing the work and results of this collaboration.

The information for some of this article was taken from a report created by Save the Bay's Rob Hancock (Bristol resident and Board member of Save Bristol Harbor). Bob Aldrich from Save Bristol Harbor and Walter Burke from the Town Recreation Dept introduced this project to the Town Council last Wed night. Congratulations to all.

Potter League offering free housebreaking clinic

Wednesday, November 18

6:30pm

Potter Pet University - Housetraining 101

Behavior Coordinator Byron Davies will discuss how to house train puppies and how to deal with adult dogs who are experiencing house training lapses.This program is free but pre-registration is requested. Please contact Amy.

amyc@potterleague.org

Mosaico needs your help on November 19

Diana Campbell, new interim director of Mosaico, has asked that I post this for her. Please try to help if you can - especially if you have some large jars of change at home that the bank will count for you!

"Bank Newport is celebrating 10 years of service to the Bristol community and they’re generously included Mosaico CDC in their celebration.

On THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, they will be counting coins FOR FREE. At the end of the day, they will make a donation to Mosaico CDC based on the amount of money counted on that day. They will actually be doing this for the whole week, but the donation to Mosaico is only for those coins counted on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19.

Bank Newport’s Celebrating 10 YEARS flyer is attached

So we are asking that you please bring those dusty jars of coins you have in your closet or on your bureau to Bank Newport, on Gooding Avenue, on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19. Bank Newport will count your coins for free, exchange them for cash, and will make a donation to Mosaico CDC based on the day’s tally.

Pass the word! This is a painless way to show your support and make a donation to Mosaico CDC, an organization that is dedicated to helping the community through storefront renovations, mentoring, scholarships and in so many other ways. All of our funding for these programs comes from donations and grants, and this year especially, we can really use your help.

Thank you for your support, and thanks to Bank Newport for including us in their celebration!"

Bristol Art Museum opening Friday, October 30 at 7 pm

The"Decorata Project: A Dialogue with Nature", sponsored by the Bristol Art Museum, Saturday October 31st for three weeks until Sunday November 22nd, is an opportunity to see Joan Backes, Carpet Of Leaves, Wendy Wahl's Rebound: Mixed Editions and Paulette Carr, Earth Pendulums, three art installations that interpret life and nature. The opening reception for the exhibit will be on Friday, October 30th at 7:00 pm at the museum on the grounds of Linden Place, 500 Hope Street, Bristol. On Sunday, November 1st at 2 pm, the three artists will talk about their individual artwork. The Museum Hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 1-4 pm.

Paulette Carr, Director of Exhibitions for the Bristol Art Museum found the inspiration for the show in the word, "decorata", which is used to refer to the plant and animal kingdom and symbolizes nature. Joan Backes's Carpet of Leaves, brings the outside inside to the museum with leaves from different tree species along with the spectrum of colors from Spring through Fall. "Leaves have been used as a design motif for cloth carpets throughout history, "Backes states. Her other installation, "Cardboard Trees", are made from recycled boxes from every continent. The box material is a tree product and now the cardboard is returned to the tree.

Wendy Wahl's,"Rebound: Mixed Editions", challenges assumptions about our surroundings through the use of tactile text by using discarded encyclopedias as a building material. The books have been deconstructed and restructured to create a work that considers the associations between the tree of life and the tree of knowledge. Paulette Carr's, "Earth Pendulums", is an interactive installation that revisits the passage of time. "The pendulums are to be touched and gently pushed, just as we touch and move with the earth each day we are living", says Carr. "Patterns are traced in sand and vary with the force and length of the touch to the pendulum. The steel spheres that sound with each movement evoke the bells used through the centuries to mark celebrations."
For more information, www.bristolartmuseum.org