An Affordable Means of Expression

As many of you know Bob Arsenault is a passionate guy. He is chair of the Performing Arts Department at Mount Hope High School. Some of you may have read in the local Phoenix newspaper last spring that he was starting up a new after school string instrument program (with a former student) for community elementary school age children to learn string instruments for free. The group calling themselves the Community String Project received money from the Kickemuit Education Foundation for 12 violins as well as grant money from RWU and other sources. The purpose of the project is to make music education more accessible and instruction affordable. The group has 30 students now and is planning to open up registration for adults and high school students in the fall adding another 30 students. Further details will be forthcoming but for the moment please know that you are invited to their first recital next week at Hugh Cole School in Warren.

Wednesday August 5, 2009
Hugh Cole School, Asylum Road (off Rte 103), Warren RI
10:30 am in the gym

For info on a similar group that is up and running in Providence go to:
www.communitymusicworks.org

For more info on the Community String Project email Bob Arsenault at: arsenaultr@bw.k12.ri.us or telephone him at: 401-254-5980 x3165

The new parking lot on the corner of Thames and Church Streets

Here's a photo taken Saturday morning, July 25 at 9:30 am of the new and full parking lot at the corner of Thames and Church Streets.

Dancing wedding video

When Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz decided to spice up their wedding by dancing down the aisle, they had no idea it would become a YouTube sensation.
The video, which shows groomsmen, bridesmaids, ushers, and Peterson and Heinz grooving down the aisle for the whole four-and-a-half minutes of Chris Brown's "Forever," is the most popular video on YouTube right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Farmer's Markets scheduled in our area

Click once on image to enlarge

"Art al Fresco" on the Linden Place fence Sunday, August 2

The Bristol Art Museum and the Portsmouth Art Guild's 3rd annual summer "Art al Fresco" will be held tomorrow Sunday July 26th from 10-5 pm on the fence in front of Linden Place, 500 Hope Street. The 25 contributing member artists will display a multi-media art show for the public to enjoy. The rain date is Sunday August 2nd. For more info, visit www.bristolartmuseum.org

Renewable power mandate now RI law

Gov. Carcieri recently has signed a bill that requires National Grid to sign long-term contracts to purchase electricity from renewable energy developers.

The legislation requires National Grid to sign 10-15 year contracts to buy a minimum of 90 megawatts of its electricity load from renewable developers and up to 150 megawatts from a utility-scale offshore wind farm that Deepwater Wind plans to construct in Rhode Island Sound in the first half of the decade.

The contracting process will be overseen by the RI Public Utility Commission. Once a renewable site begins generating power, rate payers will pay National Grid a 2.75 percent bonus for using its electricity.

Deepwater and other renewable energy developers say long term contracts are key to helping them attract investors because contracts guarantee that projects will generate enough revenue to cover their upfront costs.

Making the blog type larger

If the type on the blog pages comes in on your screen too small, do the following to make it larger:

Press the command/control key and tap on the + sign key to go incrementally larger. Use the minus key (next to it) to reverse the process.

Shop Local: The 3/50 project

Help keep your local businesses in business!

This is something that several Bristol businesses have been talking about that makes lots of sense.

It's called the 3/50 project. The idea is to pick three businesses you cannot live without in Bristol and spend $50 a month at each one. Give it a try! More information will be forthcoming on this idea from the newly formed Bristol Economic Development Commission and the Downtown Business Merchants Association (DBMA). Photo: Look for this new logo for all things grown locally in RI with "I got fresh in RI" campaign slogan.

Ferry Road condition

We have heard from several readers who are concerned with the apparent sinking condition of Ferry Road where the large water pipe was installed straight down the center of the road (in front of Blithewold) for the new water tower at RWU. We need to continue to tell Governor Carcieri that not only does Hope Street need repairing but also its extension — Ferry Road. Hopefully this road will be level and fixed by winter. 

We love hearing from you. Please post your comment below.

Newport's LED noise sign

Have you seen the sign on Broadway driving into Newport? It's one of those large LED electronic traffic signs. It says:

"Stereos Strictly Enforced

Loud Motorcycles and Cars"

Nina Murphy's "This I Believe" essay on radio this Wednesday

Nina Murphy, Bristol writer and resident, recently wrote a piece for Rhode Island's newly independent NPR radio station, WRNI. Her 'This I Believe' essay will be aired and read by her this Wednesday, July 29 at 6:35 am, 8:35 am and 5:44 pm on WRNI radio — 1290AM and 102.7FM.
Her topic is "I believe in the 4th of July parade." If you miss it, you can hear it anytime after this date on their website below. Her essay is a beautifully written tribute to Bristol's fourth and all the reasons why she became a parade convert after moving to a house on the route 8 years ago! Photo with daughter Reyn 2007.
http://www.wrni.org/content/i-believe-–-rhode-island

East Bay Idol is Friday, August 7 at Kickemuit Middle School

Bristol and Warren are having their own American Idol talent contest and it's called East Bay Idol. A terrific idea to raise funds for the Bristol/Warren Substance Abuse group being put on in collaboration with the East Bay Chamber of Commerce.  The winner will go on to Rhode Island's Got Talent on August 15th. Go to the website for further details and a simple application: www.bristolsubstanceabuseprevention.org

There is a three minute limit on each act/performance and the participants must be between the ages of 12 - 18 and be residents of Bristol, Warren or Barrington.

Click image once to make larger.

Bristol wants in on Newport market

Attached is an article titled "Towns want in on Newport market" from the Providence Business News written this week by Denise Perreault. It gives a detailed account describing how Bristol, Warren and Barrington want to join the Newport County Convention and Visitor's Bureau and drop out of the East Bay Tourism Council.

James Farley, President of Mount Hope Farm, was the catalyst behind this proposed merger — basically to get more visitors to come to Bristol. This will need a vote from the State legislature to gain approval. The article is about three pages.

Note: This topic was first reported on June 11, 2009 on this blog after the idea had been brought up by James Farley, Lloyd Adams and others at a June 3, 2009 regular Town Council meeting.

http://www.pbn.com/detail.html?sub_id=43654

Making the blog type larger

If the type on the blog pages comes in on your screen too small, do the following to make it larger:

Press the command/control key and tap on the + sign key to go incrementally larger. Use the minus key (next to it) to reverse the process.

Mount Hope Farm Master Plan and Preliminary Review passes Tuesday night July 21 in a 5—0 vote.

The Planning Board met again Tuesday night after a site visit at Mount Hope Farm on Monday afternoon to review location for greenhouses. After the visit, the Planning Board thought the priority site for the greenhouses should be east of the barn nearer existing buildings and not in the middle of the open meadow. It was noted by Mount Hope Farm that this area may have a septic leaching field under it. (For the two baths in the barn and one in the kennel) If this is the case, the farm will return to the Planning Board for further review and other option locations for the four season greenhouses. A secondary site was not chosen.

A permanent cement tent pad (approx. 50' x 100') will be going in near Cove Cabin primarily for wedding functions and MHF fund raisers. (Paul Ryan assistant solicitor for the PB, noted that no building permit is needed for a tent pad.) The farm remains open to the public during these functions although Cove Cabin and the road passing Cove Cabin is closed during the events. Cove Cabin is on a septic system with leach field. The tent pad will honor the location of the existing septic system. The exact location of the pad was not determined.

Discussion followed by concerned MHF Board members, lawyer for Cove Cabin neighbor Angelo Stanzione, Bristol Landing and Weetamoe condo owners about development and noise. The farm needs to figure out a way to make money and sustain itself but still stay as natural open space enjoyable to the citizens of Bristol. PB chair, Jerome Squatritto, pointed out that "the town does not want to pay to maintain the farm and that it must be allowed to pay for itself." Bill Whitty, MHF board member, said the farm spends $350K to maintain itself per year. Mr. Squatritto also pointed out that noise issues were under the jurisdiction of the Town Council and the Bristol Police Department — not the Planning Board.

Nancy Stratton, MHF Trustee, spoke about the lack of meetings and information spread to the 8 member Board of Trustees about current plans for the farm. She mentioned several of the trustees first heard about the Planning Board meeting and the Mount Hope Farm Master Plan Review from reading the Bristol Phoenix newspaper. She said there was no participation in the process or approval of said plans at any board meetings she was aware of. She said the Board of Trustees needs to be involved in the process and share in the decision making in a thoughtful and appropriate manner. She also mentioned that engineering and scientific experts are ready to be brought into the the process to volunteer and donate their time and NEED to be welcomed to help the board make difficult decisions as the farm shifts to new sustainable ideas.

Bill Whitty, MHF Trustee, noted that many of the items within the master plan are things that Jim Farley, president of the board, had 'imagined' for the farm and would be discussed for implementation more thoroughly after the approval of the plan.

Chuck Millard, Planning Board member, summed it up best by saying he didn't "like being in a position to argue with an organization I am in support of."

Blogger note: It was very difficult to hear at this meeting. (Microphones not on or working; air conditioning loud and going on and off) Preserve Bristol did not attend the site review on Monday.

Shouldn't sailing be about tranquility where 'the azure round of harbor meets the paler dome of day'?

Have you ever wanted to go for a sail but never do because of the expense, the hassle, the mooring, the upkeep, of boat ownership? Well now you can do it  and have someone else attend to all those details for a reasonable fee.  A boat club called Sail Time Rhode Island (www.sailtime.com) has recently come to Bristol and has two Hunter 36's at Bristol Marine ready to go. (These boats can easily be sailed by one person.) Rob Lawnsby, man in charge, is having an open house this weekend July 25/26 from 8am - 6pm on Saturday and Sunday at Bristol Marine. Give him a call to arrange a time and he'll take you out for an hour sail and discuss the ins and outs of the program. It is expected that you know how to sail, although some further education may be a part of the program. Since he is starting mid summer his rates are very attractive with no initiation fee. The season ends November 1.

Call Rob Lawnsby: 401 649 1754

From an email Rob describes it like this: One person owns the boat and several other folks (members) share it for a season. One membership gives you seven half days per month. A half day is from 10:30 am to 6 pm or 6 pm to 10:30 am. In other words, either an overnight or a day sail. Half days can be joined to make up a day or more. Usually it is a one year commitment and the payments are broken down monthly which covers a season from May 1 to November 1. Sail Time Boston charges $6900 for a Hunter 36' plus a $1500. initiation fee. What Bristol offers this summer is a half season for $3000. with no initiation fee.

Historic District expansion passes Town Council in 5-0 vote

On Wednesday evening July 15 at the regular Bristol Town Council meeting, phase one of the expansion of the Bristol Historic District to Poppasquash Road passed in a 5 - 0 vote but not without lengthy discussion. There was much talk - for and against - lasting close to two hours. Many people were not aware of a 20% RI income tax credit available to home owners who live within the historic district or within the larger National Register. (Maps are available at Town Hall if you need to review the boundaries.) The need for more education about the districts was also noted.
Bottom line: It is hoped by Ken Marshall, Town Council Chair, along with other members of the council that some of the rough edges towns people have had in the historic district and at HDC meetings can be smoothed out by having a workshop to fine tune some of the work of the HDC -  making it more efficient and 'user friendly' to the public. In a July 16 email Ken Marshall wrote:  "Some elements may be able to be streamlined, others may be able to be eliminated, some may be able to be handled quickly in Town Hall without the need for hearings; and how can we as a Town Council possibly help assist in funding the historic protection of one's home to decrease or eliminate the perceived burden of maintaining or restoring an HDC reviewed home. Hopefully, with the input of the Public, our Board, the Council, and our Solicitor we can reduce or eliminate the concerns of the few that feel we have taken away their freedom of choice."
Bristol has many experienced and knowledgable people within the field of historic preservation (and working within historic districts) who are eager to participate in this future workshop and can add invaluable insight. Stay tuned. (Click on photo once to enlarge.)

Bristol Marine joins Clean the Bay, RI DEM, NOAA, RIRRC and Save the Bay to clean up Narragansett Bay

On Monday, July 20 at 10:30 am (at Bristol Marine), Bristol Marine, RI DEM and Clean the Bay will be hosting Governor Donald Carcieri, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Kennedy along with other federal, local and state officials as well as Jonathan Stone from Save the Bay to celebrate and announce continued grant money from NOAA toward cleaning up Narragansett Bay. The non profit group Clean the Bay has made Bristol their homeport (Have you noticed their landing craft in the harbor off State Street dock?).

Marine debris is a major problem along the shorelines, coastal waters, and estuaries of Narragansett Bay. Launched in August 2006, Project Clean Sweep is Rhode Island's largest effort to rid Narragansett Bay of marine debris. The project is a partnership between Clean the Bay, DEM, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), RIRRC (the RI landfill) and more recently Save the Bay.

There will be a first hand demonstration of Clean the Bay's specially equipped mechanized landing crafts which use an on-board crane to access the large debris on the shoreline.

Project Clean Sweep tackles marine debris on two fronts: Clean The Bay removes large debris, such as abandoned boats, docks, and pilings, by sea, using the 56-foot landing craft; and working in tandem, volunteers are mobilized/organized by Save the Bay to clean up the smaller debris along the same stretches of shoreline.

Since it began in August 2006, Clean the Bay has removed more than 588 tons of debris from nearly 120 miles of shoreline, and the project has involved some 3,662 volunteers.

The project has received strong support from Rhode Island’s congressional delegation and Governor Carcieri. The project also involves numerous partners from the public and private sectors. The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) allows all of the debris to be disposed of at the Central Landfill free of charge. The Coastal Resources Management Council provides permitting and technical assistance. Cities and towns bordering the State’s shoreline provide in-kind resources. And Bristol Marine has provided clean up bags for the shoreline clean ups.

Groups that have volunteered for shoreline clean ups include: students from Roger Williams, Johnson & Wales, and Brown universities; young people from the Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts of America, and Key Program, Inc.; members and employees of RI Bass Association, Old Navy and KPMG, Inc. Save the Bay and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island have also contributed significantly by organizing extensive clean up initiatives along the shoreline, the largest of which is Audubon’s annual International Coastal Clean Up.

The newly formed Board of Directors for Clean the Bay will be announced - many members are from the marine trades industry.

Greyhound Rally this Saturday in Providence

Calling it inhumane and cruel, about two dozen activists and a half-dozen greyhounds rallied at the State House Saturday to support ending greyhound racing in Rhode Island. Governor Carcieri vetoed legislation in early July that would force Twin River in Lincoln to run a full 200-day season of dog racing, saying it has become increasingly unprofitable. In a news release Saturday, Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association disputed that dogs were mistreated.

Please come to a Rhode Island rally for the greyhounds! Your voices are needed to make sure dog racing ends at Twin River this summer, as planned.

Who: Greyhound advocates and their dogs

What: Rally to End Dog Racing

When: Saturday, July 18, 11 am - 1 pm

Where: State House, 82 Smith Street, Providence

Background: As reported previously, Rhode Island’s only dog track declared bankruptcy and announced the voluntary end of dog racing as of August 8. Responding to the appeals of greyhound breeders, state lawmakers then passed a bill to mandate that live racing continue, which Governor Carcieri immediately vetoed.
Now, these same greyhound breeders are asking lawmakers for an override — something we must stop. Let’s make sure greyhound racing ends in New England.

Photograph above taken on the day of the rally by Providence Journal photographer, Glenn Osmundson

Mount Hope Farm Master Plan continued to next week

The passage of the Mount Hope Farm Trust master and preliminary review was not decided last night and has been continued. Members of the PB (Planning Board) want to do a walk- around at the farm and see other options for the "four season" greenhouse(s) in terms of location. (ie "not in the middle of an open beautiful meadow" Chuck Millard) Wishing Stone Farm in Little Compton has four season greenhouses and finds them successful.

Jim Farley, President of the Mount Hope Farm Trust, noted that many of the ideas in the Mount Hope Farm Master Plan remain "experimental" and are in their very early stages. He said grant monies hinge on the passage of the master plan.

The wind turbine element will no longer be a part of this project and was withdrawn. The PB with encouragement from Ken Marshall TC Chair and others, decided they need to wait and see how it fits into the larger scheme of the nine town feasibility study of the newly formed East Bay Energy Coalition who just received $140K in grant money from the RI Foundation and the EDC in Providence.

The next PB meeting to decide location of greenhouse(s) and other issues will be on Tuesday July 21 at 7pm at Town Hall.
The walk around at the farm is on: Monday July 20 at 2 pm.

Please pass the word to interested parties.

There were many neighbors from Bristol Landing and Weetamoe who were not hot on the idea of developing the farm in any way. The crux is that the farm needs to figure out a way to make money and sustain itself but still stay as natural open space enjoyable to the citizens of Bristol. Ken Marshall, TC chair, brought up the idea of the possible need for a "conservation workshop" where ideas could be exchanged as well as discussion of the actual meaning of "conservation". (Ray DeLeo agreed.) Ken also suggested a "tree farm" as a way the farm might make money.

There was talk of the new concrete tent pad(s) (approx 50' x100') at Cove Cabin turning the area into a "wedding factory" (Tony Murgo). The tent would remain permanently up from May to October. Noise abatement was brought up and all involved parties thought a good idea. Ray DeLeo brought up the mission of preserving and protecting the farm and asked if that could be translated into "making money" for the farm. He also asked to defer all action on this master and preliminary plan until information from groups such as: state and local historical, conservation, the MH Farms board of trustees, the RI state use planning and land use had been thoroughly reviewed and discussed. Steve DeLeo brought up information from the Mount Hope Farm Trust long term strategies plan noting it included 60 new guest rooms in existing buildings and 5 new buildings.

Got any ideas? Come to the walk around or the meeting next Tuesday July 21 at 7 pm Town Hall.
Mount Hope Farm is your treasure.

Making a difference

"If anyone thinks they are too small to make a difference, they have never been in bed with a mosquito."

Gary Hirshberg

Poppasquash home burns to ground

A 5,800 SF home located at 363 Poppasquash Road overlooking Bristol harbor owned by Brian Sadler burns to the ground early Saturday morning.
Story by Ted Hayes with reporting by Rob Merwin from the Bristol Phoenix http://www.eastbayri.com/town/bristol/town.html

Anthony Marshall's Bristol Eagle Scout project

Have you noticed the changes in the little mud flat island off Rte 114 opposite Sip 'n Dip in front of Guiteras School? It is the result of Anthony Marshall's Eagle Scout project - the planting and protection of 1000 spartina sea grass shoots!

Anthony, age 17, was looking for a project to become an Eagle Scout and his Dad, Town Council Chair Ken Marshall, suggested he get in touch with Walter Burke, Director of Bristol Parks and Recreation, to see what ideas he might have. It so happen that the little island had been assessed by Save the Bay for a planting of spartina grasses to keep it from sinking. The island had been stripped bare of all grasses by invading geese, swans, flooding and desperately needed attention.

So at 9am with a STB canoe and a skiff Anthony made in middle school, Anthony and his eagle scout buddies along with Save the Bay (Wenley F., Marcia and Stan D. to name three), Christine Marshall, Walter Burke and a few others began the project. It was completed in about 5 hours on Wednesday morning July 8. (The same time many of us were celebrating the life of George Sisson at St Mary's church...George - "There is more to do" - would have loved this project!)

What a wonderful environmental and aesthetic gift this is to the town of Bristol and to the animal and plant communites of Silver Creek.

The muddy wetland island damaged previously by destruction from geese and swans, plays a critical role with its new grasses in improving surface water quality by filtering pollutants, providing flood storage and restoring bio-diversity within Silver Creek - ie increasing fish, shellfish, wading and shore bird use. (I have seen several egrets so far and NO geese.)

The map above shows how this island fits into the larger scheme of Silver Creek.

MJ: RIP

Michael Jackson in better days by Andy Warhol, 1984

Amazon.com sold as many Michael Jackson albums in the 24 hours after his death as in the previous 11 years. (via @FT)

SCORE: Service Corps of Retired Executives

Some of you may be familiar with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), a service providing top-rate advice to business owners and start ups for free. They are a diverse group of retired executives who have vast amounts of experience and are willing to share their business expertise to generate success in small business. They provide confidential face to face meetings at no cost pertaining to business plans, financial plans and how to write a business plan. They also hold workshops through out the year but none are scheduled over the summer. More info: 

www.riscore.org

Food: We're making it faster, fatter, bigger and cheaper but at what cost?

FOOD INC is a new documentary film from the producers of An Inconvenient Truth about what's in our food, how its raised, how its processed, why it's cheap, why its addictive and what it's doing to us. "The way we eat has changed more in the past 50 years than in the previous 10,000 but it gives the illusion of being the same." Robert Kenner, Food Inc., director.

The film promotes a more conscious way to eat, examines the industrialization of food and stresses the importance of our rights to know more about its origins.

It will be shown this month in RI at two theaters. Here is a link to a preview/trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0&feature=fvw

The Avon in Providence on July 17

Jane Pickens in Newport on July 24 

Blogger note: There will be a RI Center for Agriculture Promotion and Education (RICAPE) fundraiser showing of this film on Wednesday July 22 at the Jane Pickens Theatre in Newport for $25. Show up at 6 for a gathering with food and drink from Whole Foods, local wineries, breweries; watch the film at 7 and then discuss issues with Q and A at 8:30 with local food folks. For more details:

http://www.rifarmways.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/calendar.calDetail/event_id/375/index.htm

Encourage your favorite restaurants to buy and sell locally grown products. Here's how.

"Increase sales and consumption of locally grown products and rebuild a more efficient local food distribution system, saving farmers and chefs, time, gas and money." These are the goals.

Bristol is known for some really good restaurants. It is important to appreciate what it takes for schools, restaurants and grocers to bypass the big food suppliers and look locally for fresh food by supporting RI farms. It's not always easy. Two restaurants are doing this in Bristol. Persimmon and The Beehive Cafe. Castle Hill in Newport does it as well as Chez Pascal and Waterman Grille in Providence. They are all part of a new program with Farm Fresh RI called 'Market Mobile' and much of the planning, ordering, pricing and availability is all done online. 

"Chefs cannot spend a lot of time away from the kitchen driving directly to the farms to pick up various orders. Farmers would love to sell to more restaurants, groceries and schools, but do not always have the time and labor available to make deliveries. That's why Farm Fresh is piloting a new program called Market Mobile, to facilitate buying relationships between RI producers and business buyers and institutions."

Please go to the Farm Fresh RI link below for more details on how it works and most importantly share this info with your favorite restaurant/grocer/school!  The Beehive Cafe will be serving RI beef and hot dogs and made their ketchup from scratch for their special menu for 3rd, 4th and 5th July!

For Market Mobile info call: 401-529-4952 or email: jen@farmfreshri.org

http://www.farmfresh.org/hub/

Basically British Tea Room closes its doors

After rent went unpaid, the restaurant was legally shut down on Saturday June 27 with orders not to allow the restaurant owner to enter the premises.

Full story in the Warren Times by Abigail Crocker: http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/129685.html

Pro Jo Editorial: Ports and playgrounds

July 1, 2009
"...the state needs to better preserve its working waterfronts to protect high-paying jobs and generate economic activity. Instead of letting developers try to turn the Port of Providence into yet another playground with marinas, festivals and hotels, the state should make sure Rhode Island preserves its ports for industrial activities that take place there. Such ports, with high-paying jobs, are important economic engines for the entire state, and they cannot be moved anywhere else."

To read the complete editorial go to:
http://www.projo.com/opinion/editorials/content/ED_conley1_07-01-09_JBEIS37_v19.3f8f914.html

Photo shows Promet Marine (front) and Patrick Conley brick building far right with curved roof. For more photos of Providence waterfront go to www.providenceworkingwaterfront.org

George Sisson Memorial Service Wednesday July 8

George Sisson died in Bristol on Sunday, June 28 at St. Elizabeth's nursing home. A memorial service will be held for him at St. Mary's church on Wood Street in Bristol on Wednesday, July 8 at 10 am.

Look for a tribute/obituary in the Monday, July 6 Providence Journal. For more info, scroll down to an earlier entry on this blog. (Photo: July 2007)

Also read the following tribute to George Sisson from the July 2 Bristol Phoenix: (Whoever wrote this had a broad and knowledgeable understanding of this special person. Turns out this was written by Ros Bosworth. No surprise!)

http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/129717.html

Nina Murphy Bristol resident writes piece for WRNI 'This I Believe'

Nina Murphy, Bristol resident, recently wrote a piece for Rhode Island's newly independent NPR radio station, WRNI.  Her 'This I Believe' essay will be aired and read by her on July 29 at 6:35 am, 8:35 am and 4:44 pm. 

Her topic is "I believe in the 4th of July parade." If you miss it, you can hear it anytime after this date on their website below. Her essay is a beautifully written tribute to Bristol's fourth and all the reasons why she became a parade convert after moving to a house on the route 8 years ago!  Photo with daughter Reyn 2007.

http://www.wrni.org/content/i-believe-–-rhode-island

Family Energy Independence celebration July 5 from 1 - 4 pm at new Portsmouth High School wind turbine

A family Energy Independence Day will take place in Portsmouth, Sunday, July 5 from 1 - 4 pm at the site of the newly installed wind turbine. Join the RI Sierra Club and other local sponsors for an afternoon of energy education as well as games for kids. It's an energy fair with tables, booths, demos, activities and info about how your family can save money using cleaner energy. For more info and directions click on:

http://aisavesenergy.wikispot.org/Energy_Independence_Day

Greyhound Racing voted to continue in RI

Greyhound racing will not be stopping anytime soon in the state of RI. The RI House and Senate both passed bills for its continuation this week. Ironically, the state of New Hampshire recently voted to give it up (closing 2 tracks) leaving Rhode Island the only state left in New England to continue this outdated, exploitive, money losing activity.  (Sculpture of greyhound in bronze by Alberto Giacometti, 1951) 

http://www.projo.com/news/content/twin_river_dog_racing_06-27-09_F3EK6IO_v34.3dd616f.html?ocp=1#slcgm_comments_anchor

BlogNote:  Gov. Carcieri vetoed the above mentioned bill on July 2. Not sure what the next step is but the governor definitely wants to close down greyhound racing primarily for sound economic reasons.