Kids doing Yoga!

Gotta Love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTHdwTBNL8M

Video of Bristol Warren Education Foundation Grants in Action

Take a look at this short video of the Bristol Warren Education Foundation (BWEF) Grants in Action. Film by Katherine D. Reaves documenting the work of BWEF through grants awarded to several programs across a variety of disciplines - including music, art and robotics. Thanks to Lane Sparkman for bringing this film to our attention.http://vimeo.com/21243269

FYI: Sharing a post from this blog

If you would like to share any entry from this blog - click the word 'share' at top of the post you wish to share and you will be able to send it via email, twitter, facebook and others.

Tonight's Town Council Meeting postponed to Thursday, March 31 at 7pm

Tonight's Town Council Meeting has been postponed to tomorrow night - Thursday March 31 - at 7 pm because of a "posting error". Please help spread the word to people who may not know about this. Thanks.

Watershed meeting April 19, 1-3pm in Warren

Click on image once to enlarge.

Organic Lawn Care lecture was Fabulous

Photo: Charles "Chip" Osborne, Jr., founder and President of Osborne Organics, LLC, has worked over 15 years to create safe, sustainable and healthy athletic fields and landscapes.
Thank you to Joan Wilson of the Newport Garden Club and Ted Clement of the Aquidneck Land Trust for sponsoring this inspiring lecture held last night (March 28) at the Pennfield School in Portsmouth.
Chip Osborne president of Osborne Organics from Marblehead MA trains and educates landscapers (and the general public) to go organic. "People are interested in doing it - but just don't know how." He stated:
"The best lawn weed killer is a bag of grass seed and a light 1/4" top dressing of compost. Never cut your lawn less than 3" high and always leave grass clippings on the lawn for added organic matter and needed nitrogen." (The high blade height creates grass that shades out crab grass seedlings that will not germinate.)

He also stated that large Land Grant Universities are funded by huge chemical companies to perpetuate the myth that
chemical fertilizers and pesticides are necessary to create and maintain a 'perfect' lawn. (not unlike the workings of tobacco or the pet food industries) He said this was put in high gear in April 1967 during the televised Masters Golf Tournament. Everyone wanted a lawn that looked just like the golf course they saw on TV. He asked us to think about our children and grand children playing on those lawns/fields - esp year after year in repeated sports activities. (Fertilizers are made from ammonium nitrate - the same material used to create agent orange in Viet Nam and bombs during WW II although obviously in lesser amounts.) Chemical fertilizer lawn storm water runoff to Narragansett Bay is also a huge issue creating unwanted high nitrogen algae blooms that kill and deplete fish and other vital organisms.

What does the Town of Bristol use for fertilizer/pesticides on their beautiful sports fields at Town Beach?
Your comments are welcomed.
Go to www.osborneorganics.com or call 781.631.2468 to learn more. If you don't make your own compost it can be purchased locally from Bob Reed of JAM Materials on Aquidneck Island or you can pick it up for free at the Bristol Transfer Station on Minturn Ave off Metacom Ave.
URI Master Gardeners will be having a FREE soil testing day on April 17 at Prescott Farm in Portsmouth. Call them at 1 800 448 1011 for details.
Related Portsmouth Patch article here:
http://tinyurl.com/4bnuc2a

Our Flood Anniversary

Thought I'd post this tunsami footage on the near anniversary of our floods here in RI. Makes our flood look pretty tame. This amazing footage shows the water slowly creeping in - getting higher and higher - relentlessly going faster and faster until it destroys an entire village and hundreds of lives. Am not sure if the dark dots in the water are people or debris. Watch the building with the green roof. It eventually will be submerged and float away.
http://blog.onbeing.org/post/4157683880/overwhelming-video-of-tsunami-taking-out-entire

A CAPPELLA EXPLOSION April 9 at 8pm

On April 9th at 8 pm the Community Concert Series @ St. Michael’s presents A CAPPELLA EXPLOSION. Three fabulous groups will perform.

THE SPECIAL GUESTS is Providence College’s only all-male a cappella group and has been performing on the PC Campus, in Providence and New England since they formed in 1996. These boys are notorious for breaking hearts and being terribly good looking.

THE HIGHER KEYS is Brown University’s co-ed a cappella group founded in 1983. The group’s repertoire is an exciting mix of jazz and pop.

THE JABBERWOCKS (photographed above) are Brown University's oldest all-male a cappella group (1949). The name Jabberwocks comes from the Lewis Carroll poem “Jabberwocky.” Now, more than 60 years later, the Jabberwocks remain an important part of student life at Brown with powerful music.
http://jabberwocks.bandcamp.com/

The concert will take place at St. Michael’s Church, Hope Street, Bristol, RI. The cost of the tickets is $20, $15 for Seniors and $10 for Students.
Tickets may be purchased at Paper, Packaging and Panache or at the door.

There will be a dinner/concert package available at Le Central, 483 Hope St in Bristol. Package is $43 and reservations can be made at 396-9965.
Also at Redlefsen’s, 444 Thames Street, Bristol. Package is $35 and reservations can be made at 254-1188.

Playwright Edward Albee at RWU

Click on image once to enlarge.

Save the Date:Bristol Town Wide Clean Up Saturday Morning May 7

Click on image once to enlarge.

Le Central Sunday Brunch sounds scrumptious!

Bristol has some fabulous restaurants. One featured this week in the Bristol Phoenix is the mostly French Restaurant on Hope Street called Le Central. Here is a list of some of the delicacies offered on their Sunday Brunch menu from 10 - 2pm. EAT LOCAL!

Popovers (they sell out fast)
Roasted Potatoes
Lemon Ricotta Crepes
Classic "BLT", grilled chicken "BLT" or Lobster "BLT"
Eggs Benedict
Potato Pancakes
Roasted veggies (including beets)
Litteneck Chowder
Omelettes - five kinds!
Gluten free beer
Coffee, Cappuccino, latte, mocha

Le Central: tele: (401) 396 9965 www.lecentralbristol.net

Race to Nowhere at Jane Pickens Theatre in Newport

Race to Nowhere
Monday April 4th 6:30 doors open 7:00pm screening
Tickets available at door (price?)
A fundraiser for the St Michael's Country Day School Parents Organization &
Sponsored by the Friends of the Jane Pickens as a movie that should be seen in our community
Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren't developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what's best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.

School Funding: Joint Finance Meeting Tues night March 29 at 7 pm in Warren

Kickemuit Middle School is located at 525 Child Street in Warren RI 02885 tele: 245 2010

Related background info below:

To The Editor
For publication in the Bristol Phoenix
March 24, 2011
From: Denise Arsenault
Hattie Brown Lane, Bristol
254-0966


PLEASE ATTEND THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
I am writing with a final plea to all the citizens of Bristol, to consider your duty to our community on Tuesday evening, the 29th of March. Attend the Joint Finance Committee Meeting at 7:00 pm in the Kickemuit Middle School Auditorium. I do hope you believe, as I do, that the mark of a decent community is its commitment to its children, their current education and their future. As they are without choice in most matters relating to their well-being, it is incumbent upon good and generous adults (parents or not) to provide for their needs. As Americans, we embarked long ago on a mission to educate all children in a Public School System. That is a lofty goal, as so many come to us with a multitude of needs, and family support systems that may not be able to assist in their progress.

For nearly 20 years, the communities of Bristol and Warren have participated in a grand experiment (grand and ground breaking in RI anyway). Having regionalized our two school systems pre-k-12, we alone have proven this to be a successful enterprise. There is much to be proud of. Prior to regionalization, I attended many meetings urging more attention to our school buildings. All buildings which house our school programs, though they are still Town property, have been renovated and brought up to safe and healthy standards. The bonus dollars afforded us by the State of RI over the years enabled us to accomplish this. Also contributing to our success is the upgrade in materials and technology, which rate us near the top in the State for educational supports. And as if that were not enough, those dollars have also helped us hire excellent teachers and administrators, to keep our accreditation in place, our students performing at increasingly higher levels (regardless of their social status) and our reputation for creative and effective education intact.

The newly imposed State Funding Formula is diminishing those dollars, which saved our communities the high costs of education and allowed us to increase other services in our Towns. The BW administration has calculated that to maintain the current programs, services and buildings, an increase of nearly 3 million dollars (shared by both Towns) is needed this year. This of course reflects the increase in costs for obligations, which are contracted.

My request is simple…. If you wish your Town Leaders to add in the dollars the State will no longer provide, you must be clear about it. You must call, show up to witness their actions and talk the talk that says you will manage with less from the Town services if a larger share of tax dollars goes to education.
Be aware that though our Town has contributed millions over the years, we now need to contribute a larger percentage for education. Regionalization, the grand experiment, has succeeded. We are left with the choice to maintain and grow excellence from this point, or to diminish what has been accomplished.
Education is a complex and dynamic process. Make no mistake about it that each individual impacting another is what builds an educational experience for a child. There are no mathematical equations that provide success and growth for kids…only the labor-intensive and well-informed efforts of those who show up to do the work each day, no matter who is put in front of them.
The price tag is higher this year…can we afford not to pay it? I choose to represent you because I believe you want the best that this community can provide for our kids. To shortchange them this year should not be an option. Please vote with your presence next Tuesday.
Thanks,
Denise Arsenault

Below is a blog commentary on the Joint Finance Committee meeting from The Arts Room:
http://theartsroom.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/jfc-drama-part-2/

Learn to ROW

Click on image once to enlarge. Call Deb Sullivan at 401 835 8441 for more info or visit www.eastbayrowing.com

Gardening Workshop: Insect prevention the natural way

Warren Community Garden will be giving a one hour workshop on best BUG prevention practices to explain how to deal with persistent pesky pests using natural methods and repellants. At the George Hail Library Tuesday March 29 at 6:30 pm. Call 245 7686 for more info.

Marine Trades and Technology night at MHHS

31 year old dead woman found behind Stone Harbour Condos

Bristol woman found dead near residence
By Eric Dickervitz

BRISTOL - The body of Shanna O’Brien, 31, of Bristol was discovered Sunday morning behind Stone Harbour condominiums on Thames Street where she had lived.

Police and rescue responded to a call of an unresponsive female at 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 13 when another Stone Harbour resident discovered the body while walking along the waterfront behind the condominiums.

Lt. Steven Contente says there’s no evidence of foul play at this time. Police are investigating the death, and an autopsy will be performed to identify the cause of death.

Adult Art Classes at Newport Art Museum

Maybe you are among the lucky who have the time, money and desire to take an art class. These classes come highly recommended.
http://tinyurl.com/46yjl7z

iPad 2 went on sale Friday March 11

You can order from Apple.com or go to an Apple Store to pick one up. Target, AT&T stores, Verizon stores, Best Buy, Walmart and Sam's Club will also start selling the iPad 2 at 5pm local time.

Addendum March 24: Verizon and AT&T stores never received any. Target sold out in an hour and the only place to actually see one is the Best Buy store in Seekonk. Best Buy had 90 and sold out in an hour on March 11. If you order one today online (they are sold out at Apple retail stores) there is 4 - 5 week wait. Apparently the iPad 2 screens are made in northern Japan which will/or is delaying shipments.

Bristol Bands to play at RWU on March 16 at 7pm

The Bristol Warren Performing Arts Department will present its annual All-Bands Concert in the Paolino Center at Roger Williams University on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 7pm. The concert will feature more than 300 band members from Kickemuit Middle School and Mt. Hope High School.

The concert will open with the Kickemuit 6th grade band performing “Starfire March” and “Refried Beans”. The 7th grade band follows with “Furioso” and “Pageantry for Band”. The 8th grand band concludes the KMS portion of the program with “Jefferson County Overture” and “Mallet Maniacs”. The Kickemuit Bands are conducted by Jeffrey Brackett and Melissa Labonte.

The award winning Mt. Hope High School Marching Band will feature the Flag Squad and the Dance Squad performing “Claire’s Song” and “Eye of the Tiger” directed by drum majors Richard Pavao and Emily Cambrola. The combined Concert and Symphonic Bands will present “Among the Clouds” and “Disney at the Movies” in preparation of their upcoming trip to perform in Disney World.

All musicians will combine to perform American Spirit March.
Admission to the All-Bands Concert is $5.00 and free to students and Senior Citizens

"Word Transformed" Gallery Talk Sunday, March 13 at 3pm

"Word Transformed" is the current exhibit at the Bristol Art Museum, featuring six artists inspired by the written word, whose work transforms text into visual language art. On Sunday, March 13th (the day the exhibit closes) there will be an Artists' Talk at 3pm, an opportunity for the public to meet the artists and learn more about their work. Museum hours, Tuesday-Sunday, 1-4 pm. www.bristolartmuseum.com Tel: 401 253-2250
PATCH article by Leigh Medeiros: http://tinyurl.com/4ovaob4

Bristol Zoning Board continues application for Countrywide Gold Buyers to May

The Bristol Zoning Board has continued the application
of the chain store, Countrywide Gold Buyer and Gallery,
until their MAY 2 meeting.

If a vote had been taken at last night's (Monday, March 7, 2011) Bristol Zoning Board meeting, chances are Mr. Luis Junco, co-owner and applicant for Countrywide Gold Buyer and Gallery, would probably have been denied a 'special use permit' to open his formula business in downtown Bristol at 450 Hope Street. After more than an hour and a half of discussion and questions, a unanimous vote was taken to continue his application until May while the Historic District Commission (HDC) had time to complete their review. (They are planning a site visit to observe the interior decor and planned window signs.) Edward Stuart, Zoning Board member, pointed out that Zoning Board regulations stated that a "Certificate of Appropriateness" was needed from the HDC before the Zoning Board was clear to vote on a 'special use permit'.

Apart from the need for the HDC Certificate of Appropriateness, Zoning Board member and RWU Law professor, Bruce Kogan, said he had "grave reservations" about granting a 'special use permit' to Countrywide Gold Buyers and Gallery and wanted more time to consider his decision. Prof. Kogan asked many questions of the applicant. Here is a sampling of what he asked:

• How many customers a day do you have?
ANSWER: Five on average

• Why do you plan to locate stores both in Bristol and in Warren when they are only a few miles apart?
Warren already has 2 or 3 established gold buyer stores.
ANSWER: In the Cranston RI area where Mr. Junco lives, he has 3 stores within a three mile radius and he stated they all did well and served different customers. He thought if it works in Cranston, then why shouldn't it work in the Bristol-Warren area.
(The Warren store opened two weeks ago. His first store opened in May 2008 in the Warwick Mall.)

• What will you do if the economy improves, the price of gold goes down and your customers evaporate?
ANSWER: I don't know what I'd do. I may switch and become a jewelry store.

• Who makes the sculpture that you plan on selling and what is it made of?
ANSWER: It is made of recycled car and bike parts and made by family members of his business partner in Miami FLA.

Prof. Kogan explained that Bristol's Formula Business Ordinance does not prevent formula businesses from coming into Bristol's Historic
District. What the ordinance does is regulate formula businesses within the historic district. One of the standards of the ordinance notes that a formula business needs "to contribute to an appropriate blend of businesses" and that the formula business "compliment other businesses in the historic district". He than asked:
Is this cash for gold business a negative influence?
Does it complement other businesses?
Is it appropriate being next to a TOY store?
Will the store suck local dollars out of the town and deposit them in a central repository outside of Bristol?
Is this business taking advantage of people down on their luck?

Assistant Bristol Town Solicitor, Paul Ryan, then stated that the Bristol Formula Business ordinance runs "head to head with interstate commerce regulations. If a formula business is deemed inappropriate - specific detailed reasons why it is inappropriate need to be carefully stated."

The owners of three local galleries spoke against Mr. Junco's application. They were Denise Zompa, Nancy Pritchard and
Anita Trezvant. Owners of The Bagel Shop and Coggeshall Jewelers were in the audience.

The next Zoning meeting is April 4. The next HDC meeting is April 7. This application will be heard again at the May 2 Zoning Meeting. Zoning Board members in attendance last night were:
Edward Stuart, William Josephs, Bill McMullen, Bruce Kogan and David Raposa

To read a related article from Patch go to:
http://tinyurl.com/4atnvb8
And an earlier related article on this blog from Feb 9 go to:
http://tinyurl.com/4vdsj36

Bristol Warren School Budget Informational Session Tonight Tuesday March 8

BWRSD Fiscal Year 2012 Budget
When: Tue, March 8, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Mt Hope High School, LIBRARY, Bristol RI

Description: Join Melinda Thies for an informational session at the Mount Hope High School Library to discuss the Bristol Warren Regional School District’s fiscal year 2012 budget and the impact of level funding by the towns of Bristol and Warren on the educational programs and services we provide to our children. Pass the word to any resident in either town to attend. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. The town councils can easily vote to level fund our budget but it’s a lot harder when the public comes together and demonstrates how important education is to our community.

Mount Hope Farm Wine & Chocolate party on March 19

Mount Hope Farm will host “An Evening of Wine and Chocolate” Silent & Live Auction fundraiser on Saturday March 19, 2011 at 7:30pm in the Barn at Mount Hope Farm, 250 Metacom Avenue. There will be a wine tasting, decadent chocolate desserts and much more. Live auction items include a chartered fishing trip, tickets to a Yankees game, golfing, private dinner at “The Farm” and more. All proceeds will be used to support the mission and programs of Mount Hope Farm. Tickets are $40.00 per person and can be purchased at Paper Packaging & Panache 418 Hope St. , the office at Mount Hope Farm, or they can be purchased on line by visiting the Mount Hope Farm website. www.MountHopeFarm.com
Click on image once to enlarge.

iPAD 2 arrives on Friday, March 11 with Verizon or ATT

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

Gallery Eleven Opening Friday, March 11 from 5-7 pm

Gallery Eleven Opening Friday, March 11 from 5-7 pm.
Click on image once to enlarge.

Bee 3 "Top Ten List"

Why the Bodacious Bee 3 is the hottest ticket in town!
Reminder: Tickets must be purchased by March 11. (They must be purchased in advance.)
Tickets/Tables can be purchase in Bristol at Paper, Packaging &
Panache and Gil's TV and Appliances and in Warren at DISH and the Gob Shop.
http://theartsroom.wordpress.com/

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse in Bristol for Community Supper this Sunday from 5-7pm

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse will be in Bristol for a Community Supper at the Mount Hope High School on Chestnut Street on Sunday, March 6 from 5 - 7 pm. A free pasta supper will be served. Come with questions, comments and suggestions for the Senator. Everyone is invited.

Many dogs and cats are over vaccinated says Ron Schultz

Thanks to Wisconsin Professor Ron Schultz and others, RI now requires rabies shots every three years rather than every year. This also applies for parvo, adenovirus and many other vaccines. This is GOOD news for dogs and their owners, and less so for VETS who make a large percentage of their income from annual vaccinations.
For 30 years, Schultz has been examining the need to vaccinate animals so often and for so many diseases. "In the 1970s, I started thinking about our immune response to pathogens and how similar it is in other animals," says Schultz. "That's when I started to question veterinary vaccination practices."
http://www.news.wisc.edu/releases/8413.html

Tell Mount Hope Farm What You Think and Win "Cool Jazz" tickets

Tell Mount Hope Farm What You Think

Survey Participant Can Win August 7th “Cool Jazz” Tickets!

The Mount Hope Trust invites public input as it engages in a strategic planning process for Mount Hope Farm, which is open to the public. By taking a survey, you can tell trustees about your experience at Mount Hope Farm and your interest in visiting and using the 127-acre property in Bristol.
The survey is accessible at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mounthopefarm. Paper copies are available at Mount Hope Farm, at the Rogers Free Library, and at the Bristol Town Hall. The online survey is open until March 25.

One survey participant will win a prize of two tickets to Mount Hope Farm’s Cool Jazz at Cove Cabin event, on August 7. The winner will be selected randomly from among those who complete the survey and provide contact information. Otherwise, all respondees remain completely anonymous.

Survey input will be used by the Strategic Planning Committee to make recommendations to the board of trustees. The committee is gathering additional data and information through focus groups with Mount Hope Farm volunteers, a workshop with regional experts, and interviews.

Visitors to Mount Hope Farm are amid land held sacred by Native Americans and on the remnant of a British land grant from Charles II. Mount Hope Farm is one of the last preserved saltwater farms on Mount Hope Bay. In addition to offering the historic B&B, a barn, and the waterside Cove Cabin event venue, Mount Hope Farm features an extensive shoreline, woodlands, wetlands, fields, trails, and stunning vistas.

Thanks so much for your help!

Janet K. Zwolinski
Executive Director

Mount Hope Farm
250 Metacom Avenue
Bristol, Rhode Island 02809
Tel. 401-254-1745, ext. 101
Fax. 401-254-1270
janet@mounthopefarm.com

Bristol Boat Company/Herreshoff Design make Captain Nat designed 20' sloop on Burton Street

There will be a special article on the making of a prototype 20' Herreshoff (Capt. Nat designed) sloop called the H-20 on the front page of this weeks East Bay LIFE Section. Its all going on inside the gray buildings on Burnside Street in Bristol where Capt Nat worked for years on his famous boats three generations ago. The project involves the collaboration of Captain Nat's grandson, Halsey Herreshoff and his Herreshoff Designs partner Adam Langerman with Dan Shea, boat builder extraordinaire of Bristol Boat Company and his right hand worker, Bradford Gove, ex- HMM dockmaster. (Can't think of a stronger team of talent and expertise than this crew.) The rigging will be carbon fiber. The boat is to be completed sometime in June.
Overall length is 19'10"
Waterline: 17' 4"
Beam: 6' 9.5"
Draft: 3' 1"
Cockpit: 9' long
This is so exciting. It's one thing to thing about doing this and all together another to actually DO IT. To bring a never before made design by Captain Nat to life and reality. Congrats to all! Can't wait until she's in the water!
http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/141584.html

Marine Industry Career Day at IRYS in Newport Saturday March 5 from 10 am-1 pm

There will be a Marine Industry Career Day this Saturday, March 5 from 10am to 1pm at the International Yacht Restoration School, 449 Thames Street, Newport RI 02840. www.iyrs.org

If you are looking for work, this is a terrific opportunity to get training for specific work in the marine trades
in our area. I have heard that people from CT and New Hampshire are showing up for these seminars and out numbering possible recruits from RI. If you live in RI (or nearby MA) - this is your day and a fantastic opportunity for employment!

• Meet with regional marine employers and career advisors
• Get informatioin on training and career opportunities
• Learn about the training available at IYRS
Industry experts will run seminars on
—Funding your Education
—State of the Marine Industry: Jobs, Trends and Technology
— Rich O'Meara of Core Composites will speak about Career
Opportunities in the Advanced Composites Industry

For more information or to reserve a space contact Clark Poston
401 848 5777 x210 or clark@iyrs.org

Sailing lessons at the Bristol Yacht Club by EBSF

This is a wonderful program and one of three places you can take sailing lessons in Bristol in the summer - the other two are Herreshoff Marine Museum and RWU. The East Bay Sailing Foundation works out of the Bristol Yacht Club. Go to www.eastbaysailingfoundation.org to get times and registration details. Adults are Tuesday (beginner) and Thursday (beginner and Intermediate) evenings from 6 - 9 pm. Classes begin on June 23 and run for 8 weeks. $300 pp for one time a week. There are lots more offerings for kids as well. Any questions email Jim Dollins jdollins1@cox.net or call him at 401 451 0129. He does a superb job of keeping this organized and promoted. Boats used for adults are Cape Cod Mercuries- about 15' w/keel. Click on image once to enlarge.

Anti-war Rally in Providence Saturday March 19

MAJOR ANTI-WAR MARCH AND RALLY IN PROVIDENCE ON MARCH 19, 2011:
“END THE WARS NOW! -- US OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST!!”
Media Contacts:
Jared Paul (401) 345 7705 / jaredpaul1@gmail.com
Paul Hubbard (401) 580 4518 / joeypaul@cox.net
Important note to the media: Press attending Armory Park Rally should be ready to film at 2:00 PM, not at 1:00 PM, as set up may still be taking place and the crowd is expected to swell around 2:00 PM in preparation for the peace march downtown.
On March 19th, a diverse group of Rhode Islanders, young and old, will be taking to the streets to demand an end to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The date marks the 8th anniversary of the illegal invasion of Iraq, and community action groups across the state have planned a day of poetry, music, workshops, and protest to demand an end to all U.S. military occupations and air strikes in the Middle East and around the world.

An opening rally will be held at Armory Park (Dexter Street and Division Street) featuring Iraqi, Afghan, Egyptian, and Palestinian speakers, as well as poetry from the Providence Youth Poetry Slam Team and the Brown University WORD performance crew. There will also be music by local anti-war songwriters Joyce Katzberg, Jan Luby, Alan Hague, and Roz Raskin, as well as an all-star line up of Providence radical marching band members and puppet/performance art street theater from the Big Nazo Lab.

After the rally, a march will leave from the park, stopping at several sites in downtown Providence to peacefully protest military recruitment practices, weapons manufacturing, and civil rights violations against community organizers. There will also be a special vigil to remember the civilian and soldier deaths resulting from the occupations, as well as to honor Bradley Manning, the U.S. military whistleblower who has been in solitary confinement for over eight months without a trial.

This is expected to be the largest Providence anti-war protest of the year. Recent polls have clearly shown that the majority of U.S. citizens are against the war in Afghanistan and are in favor of drastically reducing military spending. On March 19, Rhode Islanders are gathering in the spirit of democratic people’s movements from Egypt to Wisconsin to demand an end to occupation, and to call for taxpayer dollars to be spent on schools, roads, and jobs, not for endless war and predator drones. All are welcome!

WHEN AND WHERE:
Saturday, March 19th
1PM: Rally at Armory Park: Music, Poetry, Speakers
*(Located at the corner of Division St. & Dexter St.)
2PM: March For Peace (to downtown)
4PM: Community Dinner (Potluck Welcome!) at DARE Community Action Center *(Located at 340 Lockwood St.)
5PM: Workshops: “From Activism To Organizing” & “Students For Justice In Palestine”
6:30PM: “Know Your Rights” Legal Clinic with members of the National Lawyers Guild and the D.A.R.E. Behind The Walls committee *Childcare available during workshops & clinic!

Endorsing organizations include: Anti-War Action, Students for Justice in Palestine (Brown University Chapter), Rhode Island Mobilization Committee to Stop War and Occupation, International Socialist Organization

For further information please visit:
RIMC on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/RIMCfacebook
RIMC Website: http://www.ristopwar.com/

RI Mobilization Committee to Stop War and Occupation
http://ristopwar

Bristol Restaurant chef nominated for James Beard Foundation Award

Yes! It's Chef Champe Spiedel at Persimmon!http://tinyurl.com/4m9h59z

Stephan Brigidi Bristol Art Opening on March 6

Click on image once to enlarge.