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.
Monday, July 27, 2009
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.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Dancing wedding video
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
Saturday, July 25, 2009
"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.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
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:
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.)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Bristol Marine joins Clean the Bay, RI DEM, NOAA, RIRRC and Save the Bay to clean up Narragansett Bay
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.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Greyhound Rally this Saturday in Providence
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
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.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
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
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
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.
Monday, July 6, 2009
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:
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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:
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:
Friday, July 3, 2009
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
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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!)
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.
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:
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.
Monday, June 29, 2009
George Sisson, Bristol treasure, dies Sunday June 28 at age 89
George Sisson died in Bristol at St. Elizabeth's nursing home Sunday, June 28. George was a unique individual and usually greeted people with a question on a topic he thought you knew more about than he did (which was not always the case). We will miss his gentle soul, his insatiable curiosity and also his tenacity in getting thing done in all things he believed in. Among many projects, he was involved in saving Coggeshall Farm, the creation of the bike path to Providence, saving Linden Place and the Bristol Statehouse. Please leave a comment and tell us your experiences with George. Below is the Providence Journal obits written today. Another tribute/obits will come out in Monday's Pro Jo July 6, 2009.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Fishing Tax: Is it 'bureaucratic bovine scatology'?
This is a thoughtful letter written by Bristolian, Mike Byrnes, to the editor of the Bristol Phoenix. To date, it has not been published. It is addressed to all Salt Water Fisherman in RI.
The June 11, 2009 Bristol Phoenix contained an editorial on an issue that every Rhode Island fisherman should note with great concern. The editorial “Here comes the tautog tax” outlined the impact House Bill-6226 that is presently making its way through the legislative process. The Phoenix editorial makes a strong case that this bill adds yet another unnecessary tax, is a nuisance in that it requires the registration and a license to fish in our bays and harbors. For more than 300 years Rhode Islanders have been able to go to the shore or take a boat into the bay and seek their luck without government interference and the payment of a tax. We should all ask why the federal government is pushing coastal states to enact legislation that will force salt water fishermen to get an annual license. The rationale in the House Bill is that registering salt water fishermen will allow the National Marine Fisheries Service and DEM to better assess recreational catch numbers for effective stock assessment. But recreational fishermen catch only about three percent of the total catch – a statistically insignificant number. And in a dubious assumption the bill expects that salt water fishermen will accurately report their catch numbers. As we all know fishermen tend to be more enthusiastic than accurate. The House Bill maintains that this will be “a convenient and inexpensive licensing process”, but it does not explain how this program will be implemented beyond some reference to a web based application. Nor does it explain at the starting cost of $7 per license how much revenue will be generated. Furthermore, it does not address how the revenues will be used to: “support better fishing assessments”; “improved and expanded opportunities for the public to access the marine waters of the state”, and “effective management programs that optimize benefits and opportunities for Rhode Island recreational fishermen”. Pardon me, but in plain language this qualifies as bureaucratic bovine scatology! The Phoenix editorial was more kind and termed this “tortured rationale”. Both terms fit quite well. Additionally, this $7 tax will also pay for: “administering and enforcing ($100 fines); a “state-approved vendor to develop and administer a web based service”; “authorized licensing agents”; and “collection and transmittal of license fee revenues”. Those who fish in Mt Hope Bay will have to get two licenses as schooling bass and blues do not respect state boundaries. Make no mistake, government regulation of fisheries is important and recreational fishermen by and large abide by these limits, but this federal and state law is nothing but an unnecessary imposition on the liberty of Rhode Islanders. I will have to see if the “Independent Man” still graces the dome of our state house.
Michael T. Byrnes
244 Metacom Ave
The June 11, 2009 Bristol Phoenix contained an editorial on an issue that every Rhode Island fisherman should note with great concern. The editorial “Here comes the tautog tax” outlined the impact House Bill-6226 that is presently making its way through the legislative process. The Phoenix editorial makes a strong case that this bill adds yet another unnecessary tax, is a nuisance in that it requires the registration and a license to fish in our bays and harbors. For more than 300 years Rhode Islanders have been able to go to the shore or take a boat into the bay and seek their luck without government interference and the payment of a tax. We should all ask why the federal government is pushing coastal states to enact legislation that will force salt water fishermen to get an annual license. The rationale in the House Bill is that registering salt water fishermen will allow the National Marine Fisheries Service and DEM to better assess recreational catch numbers for effective stock assessment. But recreational fishermen catch only about three percent of the total catch – a statistically insignificant number. And in a dubious assumption the bill expects that salt water fishermen will accurately report their catch numbers. As we all know fishermen tend to be more enthusiastic than accurate. The House Bill maintains that this will be “a convenient and inexpensive licensing process”, but it does not explain how this program will be implemented beyond some reference to a web based application. Nor does it explain at the starting cost of $7 per license how much revenue will be generated. Furthermore, it does not address how the revenues will be used to: “support better fishing assessments”; “improved and expanded opportunities for the public to access the marine waters of the state”, and “effective management programs that optimize benefits and opportunities for Rhode Island recreational fishermen”. Pardon me, but in plain language this qualifies as bureaucratic bovine scatology! The Phoenix editorial was more kind and termed this “tortured rationale”. Both terms fit quite well. Additionally, this $7 tax will also pay for: “administering and enforcing ($100 fines); a “state-approved vendor to develop and administer a web based service”; “authorized licensing agents”; and “collection and transmittal of license fee revenues”. Those who fish in Mt Hope Bay will have to get two licenses as schooling bass and blues do not respect state boundaries. Make no mistake, government regulation of fisheries is important and recreational fishermen by and large abide by these limits, but this federal and state law is nothing but an unnecessary imposition on the liberty of Rhode Islanders. I will have to see if the “Independent Man” still graces the dome of our state house.
Michael T. Byrnes
244 Metacom Ave
Bristol's Alteris Renewables (formerly SolarWrights) installs wind turbine funded in large part by students in North Carolina
Local renewable energy company works with students to install wind turbine in Boone, North Carolina. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/alteris-4286/news/article/2009/06/appalachian-state-university-with-alteris-renewables-installs-community-scale-wind-turbine-funded-in-large-part-by-student-contributions?cmpid=rss
Friday, June 26, 2009
Newly formed East Bay Wind Consortium receives $140,000 in grant money
http://www.pbn.com/detail/43136.html
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Some New Good Food
• As noted a while back, there is a new food business on Thames Street where Northwind Sports used to be next to A Jour Jewelry called Organically Good. They have finally opened (last Monday) and have gourmet sandwiches, organic salads, smoothies, condiments and yacht provisions. The sandwiches and salads are made from organic produce from Wishing Stone Farm in Little Compton. They will also be selling organic breads (whole wheat, rye and white) made by Bristol Bakery. The business was founded by best friends, Travis Dewire and Victor Melfa, both Babson College 2008 grads who studied "entrepreneurship". Open for lunch only. Telephone: 401 253 0300. They are currently offering a promotional discount: Buy one salad or sandwich and get another one half off.
• Jennifer Cavallero at The Beehive Cafe on Franklin Street has overhauled the menu there with new chef Eli. They are open for breakfast, lunch and tea time and note that they are "not quite a restaurant, but almost one". Just listen to some of the new items on the menu and it changes frequently:
Potato Flatbread Sandwich baked in the oven with roasted vegetables, homemade tomato sauce, goats cheese and mozzarella. (I want that one!)
Roasted Mushroom Sandwich with greens, pesto, tomato and goat cheese
Indian "Butter Chicken" sandwich with greens and curried carrots
Roasted Cod Sandwich (Friday-Sunday only)
French Toast of the Day (They also just added Pancakes!)
Queen Bee Chocolate Cake, Lemon Squares, Shortbreads
Espresso drinks, organic teas, and smoothies
Hours: 6:30 am - 6 pm weekdays; 7:30 am - 6 pm weekends
Telephone: 401 396 9994 (They also cater small functions.)
Bristol Charter Review Commission appointments are made.
At last nights Town Council meeting, nine of fourteen people were chosen to make up Bristol's Charter Review Commission. They are: William Rizzini, Barbara Healy, John Francis IV, Tony Teixeira, Ed Correia, Joe Parella, Mike DeMello, Fausto Anguilla and Gerald Walsh. Congratulations to all. It is hoped that the people who were not chosen may be brought in and heard as consultants in various areas of expertise after the group has formed. However, the Town Solicitor made it clear that the current charter reads that "no more than nine" people may be on this commission eliminating the option for "alternates". The meetings will be posted and open to the public.
Are your trees defoliating?
There is a new pest defoliating local trees - especially maples, cherries, and blueberry bushes called "winter moth".
The caterpillar was first noticed on Cape Cod in MA in 2003 and in Rhode Island in 2005. Coggeshall Farm has plenty. Ditto Juniper Hill Cemetery. The best way to treat the disease is with a parasitic predator wasp that kills the moth after being eaten by it from the inside out. Apparently Cape Cod has used this method with success but it takes a long time (years) to work. Spraying with a pesticide is another method although drifting spray is a real problem and is also toxic to bees. The moths can be seen flying between Thanksgiving and Christmas and are attracted to light. They were thick on the road to Coggeshall Farm last winter. Apparently the moth can kill a tree if they successfully defoliate it two years in a row. Sam ("trees - r - us") Kinder, Bristol Tree Warden and Kinder Tree Company president is investigating the best way to approach the problem locally. He is joined by his associate and scientist Clem De Jardin. If you have questions please call Sam or Clem at Kinder Tree Company on Hope Street in Bristol at 253 7700. Post a comment to let us know how you made out. Thank you Halsey Herreshoff for bringing this problem to the attention of the Town Council.
Spartina to be planted on Silver Creek mud flats
Walter Burke, Director of Bristol Parks and Recreation, reports that after the Bristol fourth of July celebration, a team of Eagle Scouts will be working in tandem with biologist Wenley Ferguson from Save the Bay to plant spartina sea grass on the sinking mud flat in Silver Creek opposite Sip 'n Dip. (Seen in photo above in front of Guiteras School) Geese and swans have totally destroyed this unique estuarian habitat pulling up and eating the native grasses that used to cover the island. After planting, the team will discourage geese and swans from returning by running transparent monofilament line from stakes in a grid pattern. This will allow smaller shore birds and ducks to use the island (under the monofilament) as a natural healthy habitat and hopefully - if it works - keep the geese and swans away.
Blogger note: The spartina shoots were planted yesterday Wednesday, July 8 by eagle scouts and a crew from Save the Bay. Word has it that this was the eagle scout project of Anthony Marshall. Ken and Christine Marshall's son. Great job. Thank you.
Rep. Ray Gallison holds his own and gets apology from FERC chair
Representative Ray Gallison (above) holds his own, risks being arrested and receives an apology from FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) Chair over being barred from an LNG meeting for refusing to sign a non-disclosure statement that would prevent him from speaking out against LNG.
On another subject, we hear that Rep. Ray Gallison was able to secure a Bristol Warren Regional School bonus of $800,000 (for regionalizing) that the General Assembly on Smith Hill in Providence was ready to cut from the budget. Thank you Ray Gallison for keeping a tight look out for Bristol!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Power of Standing Still
It was written by Robert Frost on the occasion of his daughter's engagement.
The Master Speed
by Robert Frost
No speed of wind or water rushing by
But you have a speed far greater. You can climb
Back up a stream of radiance to the sky,
And back through history up the stream of time.
And you were given this swiftness, not for haste
Nor chiefly that you may go where you will.
But in the rush of everything to waste,
That you may have the power of standing still—
Off any still or moving thing you say.
Two such as you with a master speed
Cannot be parted nor be swept away
From one another once you are agreed
That life is only life forevermore
Together wing to wing and oar to oar.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sir Ken Robinson video talks
Below are two video links: One to RISD's 2009 commencement address by Sir Ken Robinson (on right with Senator Reed in photo above). It's funny and inspiring. About 30 minutes long. The second link is a talk he gave at a TED Conference in 2006 on how as we grow older we grow less creative. The TED talk is about 15 minutes. He is the recent author of a best selling book titled:
The Element: How finding your passion changes everything
Greyhound Racing Injury Records Revealed. Banning greyhound racing in RI is a good idea.
For the first time ever, a Massachusetts greyhound advocacy group (http://www.grey2kusa.org) has been able to locate official greyhound racing injury records from the state of Arizona for the year 2008. According to reports provided by the Department of Racing, more than five hundred greyhound injuries were reported. These injuries include dogs that suffered broken legs, broken backs, dislocations, amputations, paralysis and eventual euthanasia. It would be interesting to compare these statistics with the ones from the state of Rhode Island but securing RI records to date has not been possible. The greyhound industry in RI is very enmeshed in the slot machine business. (The dog people get a percentage cut.) Never is a negative word spoken about dog racing by the adoption group at Lincoln/ Twin River because of their association with the track. This is not the case in other states with greyhound racing. If you can bear it, go to this link to read a list of 17 pages of injury statistics:
Attached is a link to a recent article (6.23.09) from PBN on shutting down greyhound racing in the state of RI.
Below is a sample letter to the Providence Journal in support of closing down RI greyhound racing at Twin River written 6.23.09 http://www.grey2kusa.org/pdf/CDorchakProvidenceJournalLetter-062309.pdf
House Votes to Require Greyhound Racing at Twin Ruver
http://www.projo.com/news/content/twin_river_dog_racing_06-27-09_F3EK6IO_v34.3dd616f.html
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Rockwell School evacuated Thursday, June 18 due to toxic odor from pesticide spray
Reported from NBC News Ch 10 in Providence,RI
Rockwell School was evacuated around 1 pm today due to a Gibson Road neighbor who was spraying pesticides nearby.
NBC 10 NEWS
Published: June 18, 2009
BRISTOL, R.I.—Ten people were sent to a hospital Thursday when they were sickened by an odor that the wind blew into a Bristol school.
The Rockwell School on Hope Street was evacuated at about 1 p.m. Officials said eight students and two staffers were treated.
Officials said the odor came from a neighbor who was spraying trees with a pesticide.
The building was aired out and people were allowed back in.
Officials said there is no lingering danger from the fumes. The smell came from a common pesticide available in stores.
NBC 10 NEWS
Published: June 18, 2009
BRISTOL, R.I.—Ten people were sent to a hospital Thursday when they were sickened by an odor that the wind blew into a Bristol school.
The Rockwell School on Hope Street was evacuated at about 1 p.m. Officials said eight students and two staffers were treated.
Officials said the odor came from a neighbor who was spraying trees with a pesticide.
The building was aired out and people were allowed back in.
Officials said there is no lingering danger from the fumes. The smell came from a common pesticide available in stores.
Blog note: This should come as a wake up call to everyone using pesticides in densely settled residential neighborhoods especially in windy Bristol. Great care should always be used especially near young people who are more suceptible to the adverse effects of these toxins. "Common pesticides" sold in most hardware stores does not make them any less lethal. Please use with great care and dispose of responsibly.
New iPhone to be released tomorrow Friday, June 19
New iPhone 3 S (S stands for speed) to be released tomorrow. Click on the link below to read an excellent review by NY Times Personal Tech expert David Pogue. As he explains, the good thing is that anyone who owns an older iPhone can update to this latest version through iTunes and take advantage of most of the new features.
If you are an iPhone user please let us know what you think and leave us a comment.
SBH on Ch 10 TV at 5 pm tonight discussing their water sampling program
Bestest,
Keith, Joe, Chip and Bob
Keith Maloney
Chip Cavallaro
Joe Arruda
Bob Aldrich
All people noted above are Board Members of SBH and participate in the Water Sampling Program
Save Bristol Harbor (SBH) works to preserve the health, safety and integrity of the coastal waters and natural resources of Bristol RI. SBH provides informed leadership of the promotion of responsible environmental practices, the support of educational initiatives and the formation of strategic partnerships to ensure that the long term interests of our community are protected.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Osprey back on the radio/cell tower on Rte 24
It is good to see the pair of osprey have returned to their nest high up on the cell/radio tower overlooking the RWU Baypoint Convention housing at the intersection of Route 24 and Route 138.
What a view they must have...including the new Portsmouth wind turbine.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Two local processions on Sunday, June 14
Two processions and related activities are taking place on Sunday, June 14.
The Bristol Firefighters Memorial Procession will start at 1 pm after a mass at St Mary's . It will leave from the headquarters at the corner of Church and High Streets and wind down to Rockwell Park across from Aidan's where services begin. Bagpipes will be played. Speaker of the day will be Roswell Bosworth Jr., publisher of the East Bay Newspapers for 25 years from 1974 to 1999.
The next procession will begin at 3 pm Sunday and is part of the Portuguese Santo Cristo Feast weekend that starts on Friday at St. Elizabeth's Church on Wood Street. This event dates back for hundreds of years to the islands of the Acores. Clergy and other organizations as well as many philharmonic bands from local churches will accompany the participants. The procession will begin at the church on Wood Street and travel along Wood, Franklin, Magnolia, Bayview, High and Franklin Streets eventually returning to St. Elizabeth's church followed by dancing, livestock auctions, live music and traditional Portuguese food including malassadas. Photo above from last year.
New Dog (and cat) Trainer in Warren
Seems like with winter behind us, many people want to get a puppy (or adopt an adult dog) and are looking for places to socialize and train them. In Bristol, most people end up driving to Westport MA or Seekonk MA to get the necessary training. Finally, since February 2009, we have an excellent trainer in our own backyard - behind the Cutler Building complex in Warren RI. Her name is Alexandra Morgan and her website is
She is on the ground level of a clean, cavernous building that is partitioned off into teaching and daycare/play spaces. She is just starting a new round of 4 different eight week classes for puppies and older dogs. She also provides doggie day care at $10 a day from 6 am to 6 pm - ($9 a day for five days a week). She has been doing this for about 25 years - soon after she graduated from Brown in 1984. She also makes house calls and consults on separation anxiety, socialization issues, house breaking, natural dog foods and has written many articles (some on the website) on dog/cat related topics. She is a certified Delta Society Animal Evaluator and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
Welcome her to the neighborhood, give her a try and get that new dog to be your new best friend:
Alexandra Morgan Animal School
84 Cutler Street, #7
Warren RI
401 434 3687
508 336 4854
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Potter League Grand Opening is Saturday June 20
Speaking of dogs, the Potter League is having their Grand Opening on Saturday, June 20 at 10 am with an Open House on both Saturday and Sunday. Their new building is an amazing achievement. We are lucky to live so close to this animal care, training and educational center. Not only is this one of the best (and greenest) animal care facilities in RI but also one of the best in the USA. Click once on image above for larger viewing.
Nathanael Greene celebrated author giving free talk at RI Historical Society in Providence
Thursday, June 18, 6:30 pm, Gerald M. Carbone, will be giving a free talk called
"If These Walls Could Talk...Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution"
In writing, Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution, Gerald Carbone drew on his 25 years of research experience as a newspaper reporter to ferret out facts on this overlooked hero. Much of the book was previously published in serial form in the Providence Journal, and Carbone has been recognized as an expert on Greene by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the University Club of Providence, and the RIHS.
When the Revolutionary War began, Nathanael Greene was a private in the militia, the lowest rank possible, yet he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer--celebrated as one of three most important generals. Upon taking command of America's Southern Army in 1780, Nathanael Greene was handed troops that consisted of 1,500 starving, nearly naked men. Gerald Carbone explains how within a year, the small worn-out army ran the British troops out of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina and into the final trap at Yorktown. Despite his huge military successes and tactical genius Greene's story has a dark side.
The lecture is at the RIHS at the John Brown House
52 Power Street
Providence RI
RSVP: Dalila Goulart at the RIHS: 401 331 8575 ext. 45 or email: programs@rihs.org
Newport and Bristol Tourism groups to merge
At last Wednesday evenings regular Town Council meeting (Mary Parella absent), the council after some deliberation approved a merger between the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the East Bay Tourism Council to improve local tourism. The Newport Bureau is made up of 6 districts: Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown, Little Compton and Tiverton. The East Bay Council is made up of three towns: Bristol, Warren and Barrington. When and if the merger is complete, each of the nine towns will have a Town Council appointed representative on the newly formed larger group to be called The Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitor Bureau. This merger will favor Bristol which ranks third after Newport and Middletown in tourism. Newport has 4000 hotel rooms: Bristol, Warren, Barrington combined have around 80. The money to fund the advertising/marketing comes from the RI State Lodging "bed tax" and as you might guess Newport gets alot more of it than Bristol. (About 2.3M vs $40K) It was stated by James Farley, executive director of Mount Hope Farm, that RI State Representatives Ray Gallison and Doug Gablinski were both in favor of the merger as well as the Downtown Bristol Merchants Association and the Bristol Museums Association. Kristen Swanberg, president of the East Bay Tourism Council, Jim Farley, Halsey Herreshoff, Lloyd Adams all spoke in favor and also noted that timing to get this passed in this years legislative session is important. Evan Smith, executive director of the Newport Bureau, presented the information.
The Warren and Barrington Town Councils must approve the merger before state legislature votes on the bill. (No comments to date have been heard from either the town of Warren or Barrington.)
Note: The East Bay Chamber of Commerce and a group called Destination Bristol (the Heritage Trail connection) are not a part of this merger although their goals are related.
More free public parking will soon be available downtown
Thanks to the Dianes - our Town Administrator and our Director of Community Development - and their arrangement with Russell Karian, Robin Rug owner, we will soon (after it has been striped) have the use of a large public parking lot on the corner of Church and Thames Streets. The lot has been leased to the Town of Bristol on a trail basis for the months of June, July, August and September. There will be no overnight parking allowed, no boat trailers allowed and no charge or time limit to park there.
Please pass the word and get some value out of this fabulous offer! Use it or lose it.
Bristol Historical Society New Goree walking tour on Saturday June 13 at 10 am with Kevin Jordan
The Bristol Historical Society will host a walking tour led by Kevin Jordan PhD, former RWU Professor and Chair of the Historic Preservation Department, on an area of northern Wood Street called New Goree where African Americans historically lived. Dr. Jordan is an expert on this little known Bristol topic. The tour will begin at the Society on Court Street at 10 am. Free to members. Call 253 7223 for more information.
Strawberries are ripe for picking
Local pesticide free strawberries can be purchased on east Franklin Street at the little farm there that usually advertises potatoes!
A place where you can pick your own strawberries now is at Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown.
The farm is located at 915 Mitchell's Lane in Middletown RI
Tele: 401 847 3912 or www.sweetberryfarmri.com
By the way, if you've been too busy to notice, now is the time to stop and smell the roses. They are beginning to come into bloom all over town - even in this cold and drizzly weather!
New community string program in partnership with Bristol/Warren Schools
Did you see the photo of the two sisters (ages 8 and 9) being fitted for violins from Guiteras School last week in the Bristol Phoenix? This is just one of many new programs happening in Bristol due to available funds from the Kickemuit Education Foundation and the Fund for Civic Activities from Roger Williams University (part of the PILOT agreement between the university and the town). The Civic Activity fund will award $25,000 twice a year to community projects until the year 2027. For further details, application forms and grant deadlines go to: http://www.rwu.edu/about/administration/bristol_rwu/
Another RWU grant recipient was the Kickemuit River Council. They will publish and mail a brochure informing Bristol residents on how to care for their septic systems. The brochure was developed in cooperation with RI DEM and parallels a new ordinance (2009-05) passed at last weeks Town Council meeting authorizing the inspection, repair and replacement of worn out cesspools and septic systems over a seven years period that are located outside the town sewer system. (A copy of this ordinance can be found on the town's website www.bristolri.us)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Water Conservation yields many benefits
It may sound odd, but the Ocean State is grappling with a potential water shortage. And the impact on the economy could be serious.
The issue first surfaced three years ago when Amgen announced that it wanted to double daily water usage at its West Greenwich facility. A subsequent conflict with the Kent County Water Authority was only resolved when the General Assembly guaranteed that the bio-pharmaceutical firm would get the fresh water it needed to run its production lines.
But it became clear that if other companies wanted to build facilities that used water in large quantities (and many of the highly prized biotechnology enterprises do just that), something would have to change.
The Coalition for Water Security – an environmental/development/industry group formed to address the issue – has found that the state has enough fresh water at its disposal to meet current and future needs, presuming that the state is smart about how that water is used.
What is not smart is diverting 76 percent of Rhode Island household summer water usage to maintain verdant lawns. The coalition suggests limiting the number of days per week for watering, or establishing a standard, per-person water-usage target, with excess use incurring premium pricing.
The R.I. Water Resources Board is undertaking a multiyear study of the Hunt, Annaquatucket and Pettaquamscutt rivers to see what water conservation measures would be most effective.
The bottom line is the state needs to get serious about carefully stewarding its water resources – the economic and environmental cost of continually sucking more water out of the ground for vanity’s sake has taken that option off the table.
(pb blog note: A brown lawn is not a dead lawn. It is only temporarily dormant.
All the more reason to save roof run off with rains barrels...an idea so old it is new again.)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Sal Parella dies at age 82 on May 30, 2009
Click once on image above to enlarge image and text.
Visiting hours are at the Sansone Funeral Home, Wood Street from 5 - 8 pm, Wednesday June 3, 2009. The funeral service will be on Thursday, June 4 at 11 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Sal will be sorely missed.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Salvaged and Recycled House Parts - Old and New
Many people when renovating (if they can still afford it), like to source recycled old house parts to match the age, period and style of their homes. Below are several quality salvage places nearby.
New England Demolition and Salvage
73 Cove Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
Tel: 508 992 1099; Email: homeneds@aol.com
Principals: Harry and Jeanine
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 to 5 pm
Brooklyn Restoration Supply
12 Gorman Road
Brooklyn, CT 06234
(not far over the RI state line off of Rte 6)
Tel: 860 774 6759
Principal: Rudy Rzeznikiwicz
Open 'by chance of appointment'
Scott’s Woodworks (excellent for rehabbing old window sash)
Tel: 401-743-2083
Principals: Scott and Marilyn Matheson
E-mail: Scottandmarilyn@hotmail.com
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Charlestown RI
Offers good quality building materials at reduced prices that change weeky.
Inventory ranges from doors,windows, countertops to paint, lumber, ovens, sinks
They also provide good recycled reusable building materials.
Tele: 401 213 6716 best to call to check inventory often
Web: www.southcountyhabitat.org
Open Friday and Saturday from 9 - 2 pm
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