Food Rules/Michael Pollan

From Amy Goodman's radio show Democracy Now:
Michael Pollan talks about his new book titled "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual". The interview is about 45 minutes. He reminded me of the days I used to work 90-100 hrs/ week and when leaving for the night, I'd drive 4 miles to the closest Burger King and order a double cheeseburger with an extra patty and a large fries. By the time I got home, it was devoured. I had nothing in my fridge and this became habit. Mr. Pollan notes that the food industry and the health industry are much more related than we'd like to think. If Type 2 Diabetes could be prevented and it apparently can be by diet, the health insurance industry would profit $440K per yr per patient. He mentions that much of our eating habits relate to our busy speedy lifestyle. He is not a vegetarian but makes a point of eating grass fed beef. (We are lucky to have a grass fed beef farm in Jamestown RI) Did you know that it takes 10 pounds of grain/corn (to feed a cow) to equal one pound of beef.
Seems that many of Michele O'bama's recent talking points on childhood obesity come directly from this interview. As "Mom in Chief", she seems the perfect person to positively influence the food industry! Her new website is called Let's Move www.letsmove.gov. She has the USDA and the Department of Education behind her!
http://bit.ly/bVqsY6

Town Council Agenda link

http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4494/2010/85940.pdf
Meeting is Wednesday February 10, 2010.

Warren Art Classes for Kids

Don't forget about the Warren Art Spot for fun Winter break art activities with your little ones.
www.warrenartspot.com
Click once to enlarge image.

Senator Reed Meets with Small Business Owners from Bristol

http://thecreditcardcon.com/blog/
Rhode Island small business owners Bart Ferris, Linda Arruda, Karen Binder, Gary Wilson, Jennifer Cavallaro, Dave Berwitz meet with Senator Jack Reed.

These businessmen and women came to DC today (February 4, 2010) to give their representatives first-hand examples on how credit card "swipe"interchange fees are affecting their companies.

Valentine's Day Concert and Dinner

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a lively concert of classic jazz and Latin tunes by the Lois Vaughan Jazz Trio, sponsored by the Community Concert Series @ St. Michael's in Bristol. The concert will take place on Sunday, February 14, at 3:00 at St. Michael's Church, 399 Hope St, Bristol. Lois Vaughan on keyboards, Genevieve Rose on bass, and Art Manchester on sax, flute, and clarinet, have been performing together for many years in southern New England and regularly at the Hotel Viking in Newport and the Bay Voyage in Jamestown. Their play list includes the music of Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Antonio Carlos, Jibim, George Gershwin, and John Coltrane, as well as other jazz and Latin standards. An upbeat sense of spirit infuses their performances.
The popular dinner/concert packages are again available with a post-concert fixed price dinner at Le Central Restaurant, 483 Hope St., 396-9965, for $40 or at Leo's Ristorante, 365 Hope St., 253-9300, for $35 (tax and tip for dinner not included). Reservations must be made by calling the restaurant. Payment for packages will be at the door with cash or check. No credit cards will be accepted.
In keeping with their mission to encourage young musicians, the Concert Series awards a scholarship/grant each year to a worthy recipient and every St. Michael's concert also features a piece performed by a talented student from a local school. There will be a reception with the artists after the concert. Snow date will be Sunday, March 7 at 3:00.
Concert only tickets may be purchased at Paper Packaging & Panache, 418 Hope St., or at the door for $20, $15 seniors, $10 students. For more information, call 254-9626 or 253-6084.

Navy Officer embraces non-violence

Please click on image once to enlarge.

Bristol Animal Shelter Fundraiser at Library February 20 at 3 pm

Please click on image once to enlarge.

Eagles in Bristol

A pair of Bald Eagles was spotted on Friday, January 29, 2010 on Brook Farm Drive in Bristol by Bobbi Flowers-Lemay.
One is shown feasting above on a dead goose. This may be a way to thin out the rampant goose population!
Please send news of more sightings to the blog!

Solar Energy Seminar at Audubon Feb. 11 at 7 pm

February 11, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Considering Solar for your home? Join Alteris Renewables for a community seminar on the new Rhode Island Energy Grant. The evening will include a visual presentation, explanation of solar electric system components, and a system cost analysis. Here's your chance to get your questions answered and have a discussion with experienced solar specialists.

Grant applications are now being taken and must be submitted by March 1, 2010.

To register for a seminar, please call 1-800-399-7804.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol;

Soccer and Entreprenurial Leadership

A great read (and short) from todays NY Times, Feb 1, 2010
Are you a CEO of something?
http://bit.ly/dvrUOq

Teach for America expands to RI

Teach For America today announced that it will expand to Rhode Island, with plans to bring 30 top college graduates to teach in the state's highest-need schools - the Providence Public School District and at Democracy Prep Blackstone Valley charter school - for the 2010-11 school year.

Governor Donald Carcieri, Senator Jack Reed, Congressman James Langevin, Mayor David N. Cicilline, RI Commissioner of Education Deborah A. Gist, and other local supporters welcomed Teach For America to Rhode Island at today's announcement at The Rhode Island Foundation.

Teach for America is the national corps of top college students and professionals who commit to teach for two years in under-resourced schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity.

Also at the announcement, Teach for America named Providence native Heather Tow-Yick the founding executive director of Teach For America-Rhode Island. A Brown University graduate, she began her tenure with Teach For America as a corps member, teaching in the South Bronx, New York. (She is pictured above fourth from the left.)

An article is today's Providence Journal states, "After the Rhode Island Foundation led a campaign to raise $2.7 million locally - a goal reached in just six weeks - Teach for America made a three-year commitment to Rhode Island... The fundraising campaign included donations from 30 wealthy Rhode Islanders plus $300,000 from the RI foundation and will pay for training and support for the new teachers over the three-year period, as well as the salaries of Tow-Yick and her staff."
http://tinyurl.com/yzbrv7z

Digital Nation on Frontline PBS TV Tuesday night

How is our increasingly wired world changing our lives and the lives of our children? How often do you check your email? Can you live without your Blackberry or iPhone?

"Within a single generation, digital media and the World Wide Web have transformed virtually every aspect of modern culture, from the way we learn and work to the ways in which we socialize and even conduct war. But is the technology moving faster than we can adapt to it? And is our 24/7 wired world causing us to lose as much as we’ve gained?"

Below is a link to the trailer for the show. Please check local listings for time. I think in Bristol it is on at 9 pm on PBS CH 2.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/press/

Micro financing. It works!

This is such a great idea for nurturing small ideas that can become bigger ones.

If you have an idea, and would like $1000 to make it a reality, please read on:

http://bit.ly/98KlTe

Photo shows Otto D'Ambrosis, the first recipient of $1000, building a four foot guitar sculpture in his workshop that kids can actually play! He plans to take it to parks and schools to engage kids in music!

The group of funders, calling themselves the Providence Awesome Foundation, says it is committed to awarding $1,000 every month for the next two years to an individual or a business that does something that injects joy, excitement, spontaneity and innovation into the state.

To apply, go to: www.awesomefoundation.org

Video on Herreshoff Waterfront Complex

Interview with Executive Director Larry Fisher where he describes the museum's new waterfront education and exhibition center. Mr. Fisher also speaks a little about the restoration process of the original Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. buildings in Bristol and how the facility will become a Green campus.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Museler1

New Wood Street Store

Looks like a convenient store named "Midland Farms" is due to open soon on the southwest corner of Bradford and Wood Streets - where the Credit Union used to be across from Nick's Fish Market.  We wish them luck and welcome them to the community.

Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 is tonight

http://tinyurl.com/ydqaoup

Help Wanted Hospitality

Bristol is looking for a representative to the Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Applicants must be associated with the hospitality industry and be from Bristol.

Please send resume with application to the Town Clerk on or before noon on February 5, 2010.

(Late applications may be considered without assurance if submitted after February 5, 2010 and prior to February 10, 2010)

Questions? Please call Town Hall: 253 7000

Important Zoning Workshop Monday night

A Zoning Amendment Workshop is taking place on Monday night at the Library Conference Room at 7 pm on February 1, 2010 to review many changes to the Bristol Zoning Ordinance relating to aspects of land use/construction based on specific zone districts. The changes are noted clearly in the text and the document is long.
The proposed amendments can be found on the Town's website at www.bristolri.us.
A summary of the proposed amendments can also be found there. Both are on page one of the Bristol home page. The Town Council and some members of boards and commissions will be in attendance. Please note this is not a formal Public Hearing. This is a meeting for the Town Council and various Boards and Commissions to review, discuss and understand what changes have been made. A Public Hearing date will be announced after this meeting for the public to make their comments (most likely at the next Town Council meeting scheduled for February 10).Go to link below for page one of the summary and for background on how and when these revisions were made:

http://tinyurl.com/ydphlvl

Keith Stokes to speak at Linden Place

Save the Date

Keith Stokes, newly appointed RIEDC chair, will be speaking at Linden Place on Sunday, February 7 from 2- 4 pm. 

His topic: "What's in a Name; Biblical Origins of Plantations in the Colony of Rhode Island"

Admission is free. Free tours of the Museum/House from 12 - 2pm same day.

"Welcome to RI" signs include Bristol!

In honor of the 225th celebration, all "Welcome to Rhode Island" signs will now include, "Home to the 225th Bristol Fourth of July Parade".

J/Boats recognized for awards

INDUSTRY NEWS FROM: FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cruising World/Sailing World Magazines Carol Dietz
Middletown, RI MEDIA ADVISOR t: 401 683-7667
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE e: medadvsor@aol.com


J/Boats To Be Recognized for Multiple National Awards

For First Time Ever, Cruising World and Sailing World Magazines
Choose Same Boat as “Boat of the Year”.
Rhode Island Boating Companies to be Recognized on Feb. 4!

Newport, RI…J/Boats of Newport, RI, founded in 1977, was recently awarded recognition for its J/95 and J/97 sailboats by Cruising World and Sailing World Magazines and, for the first time in the history of these prestigious national awards, top honors by both magazines was awarded to the same boat, the J95. The competition was against new models from around the country and around the world: 18 boats participated in the Cruising World program and 14 took part in Sailing World’s. The two models from J/Boats were not only designed and marketed by the Newport-based J/Boats, the J/95 is also being built in Rhode Island by C&C Fiberglass Components of Bristol with the involvement of five other companies in the State. Representatives of the two magazines and the winners will hold a celebration of this coup for the Rhode Island boating industry at the C&C Fiberglass Components plant in Bristol on Thursday, February 4th at 10 AM at 75 Ballou Blvd. (off Broadcommon Road at end of Ballou)

Cruising World and Sailing World, both based in Middletown, RI, are published by Bonnier Corp. one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America. Bonnier Corp. is the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences through 49 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events. Bonnier Corp. is the U.S. division of the Bonnier Group, a 200year-old family owned media group based in Sweden with business operations in 25 countries.
Cruising World is the largest sailing magazine in the world and is considered the bible for bluewater sailors. Sailing World is considered the authority on performance sailing and is a must-read for sailors who race to win. Both publications have awarded their “Boat of the Year” awards for the past seventeen (17) years through the U.S. boating industry’s only process of expert inspection and on the water testing after the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, in October. Winners were announced in the magazines’ January issues.

Cruising World selected the J/95 as the “Best Weekender” one of its six categories in the 2010 program. The J/95 was then selected as “Domestic Boat of the Year.”

Sailing World’s independent judging panel, which includes two Rhode Island marine industry professionals (Charlie Allen, North Sails and Barrett Holby, Holby Marine) chose the J/95 as their “Boat of the Year” in addition to selecting four category winners from its fleet of participants. One of the category winners was another J/Boat -- the J/97 -- that was chosen as “Best Club Racer.”

“We are so proud that a Rhode Island designed boat, built by a Rhode Island boat builder has set the bar in the “Boat of the Year” competition run by two nationally-renowned publications based in our state.” says Sally Helme, Publisher of Bonnier’s two sailing publications. “All in all, it’s hands-down proof that Rhode Island is a leader in the boating business.”

* * * * *
EDITOR NOTE: Other Rhode Island companies providing parts and components for the winning boats include International Marine, Hall Spars and Thurston Canvas, all of Bristol, Harken Yacht Equipment of Newport and Ken’s Canvas of Barrington.

Award ceremony will be at 10 am at C&C Fiberglass Components on Thursday February 4(off Broadcommon Road at end of Ballou).

Apple announces their newest product!

Yesterday Apple Commuter announced their newest product: The iPad. "Magical and revolutionary" are the words Steve Jobs used to describe it.

The iPad is Apple's version of a 'netbook' (a new category between an iPhone and a Laptop), that also plays music, shows videos/photos/TV and has a new eReader App called the iBook that works naturally as a touch-screen. The iPad has support for more than 140,000 applications (currently only availalbe on the i Phone) from the App Store (downloaded through i Tunes). There is no camera and there is no phone although some of the models will have 3G connection capabilities to AT&T (separate contract by month) for ubiquitous internet wireless service. It measures about 8" x 10" and it works in both portrait and landscape modes.The keyboard is touchscreen like the iPhone but a physical one can be added. Price starts at $499.

PS Like the iPhone it does not play Adobe Flash. It will ship in March or April but orders can be placed now.

http://tinyurl.com/yd29c9j

LNG State House hearing

More news on LNG from last week's hearing at RI State House. RI Bill (sponsored by Bristol Democrat Rep. Doug Gablinske) would stop LNG tankers from traveling under Mount Hope Bridge -  changing clearance from 5' to 25'. The tankers ride 130' above the waterline. The Mount Hope Bridge has clearance of 135' at apex. Article below by Bruce Burdett from the East Bay Newspapers. (Scroll down a few entries for additional info on this hearing.)

Photo simulation by Save Bristol Harbor showing LNG tanker on left with bridge clearance of five feet. http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/133698.html

Andy Tyska invited to President's State of the Union address

Washington, DC - Today Tuesday January 26, 2010, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) announced that he has invited Andrew Tyska, a small business owner from Bristol, Rhode Island, to be his guest at the President’s State of the Union address scheduled for Wednesday, January 27, 2010 in the Capitol.

Tyska is an owner of Bristol Marine, a full-service yacht yard and gateway to local marine trades. He is also a principal of the Bristol Harbor Group, a naval architecture and marine engineering firm offering design, engineering and construction oversight services. Tyska also serves as vice president of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association and serves on the board of the Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island. In these roles, he works to encourage and support industry sector training programs and education initiatives to help position Rhode Island as global force in the marine trades industry.

“At a time when employers are struggling to create jobs, President Obama and Congress need to pay particular attention to the plight of small businesses in Rhode Island and nationwide. Sustainable economic growth will be dependent on small businesses ability to innovate and expand. Andrew Tyska is a great example of a small business owner who understands both his business and what the government must do to enable economic growth. While the Recovery Act has pulled us back from the brink of complete collapse, it is clear that much more needs to be done. I have introduced the GROW America’s Small Businesses Act, which would make funding available to entrepreneurs by allowing them to defer taxes for the express purposes of job creation and investment in their business, and I am working with my colleagues on legislation to increase the scope and effectiveness of adult education and workplace skills programs to ensure Americans are prepared for the jobs of the future. I am pleased that Andy is able to attend the State of the Union as an advocate for small business and as a constituent of Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District,” said Kennedy

“Congressman Kennedy has been a tireless advocate for the state’s marine industries as well as a champion for small businesses and workforce development. It is certainly an honor to be invited to attend the President’s State of the Union. I am interested to hear more about federal efforts to drive economic development, health care reform, and workforce training and education. I commend Congressman Kennedy’s efforts in Congress to address these issues which are critical to the success of small businesses and citizens in our state,” said Tyska.

For more on small business read details of Gov Carcieri's State of the State: http://bit.ly/bnFxK5

Bristol gives Save the Bay $10K to fight LNG

The Town of Bristol committed $10K to Save the Bay at last Wednesday night's Town Council meeting to help with the fight against LNG tankers coming into our surrounding waters. Save Bristol Harbor contributed an additional $1000 to Save the Bay. If you would like to make a donation to the fight against LNG tankers in our Bays, contact Joseph Arruda, President of Save Bristol Harbor at President@savebristolharbor.com or John Torgan, Baykeeper, at  JTorgan@savebay.org

with your contact information. All donations should be made to Save the Bay and will be dedicated to the fight against LNG in our Bays.

Yesterday's winter winds were whistling

Scroll to bottom to read peak wind gusts in RI (mph)

http://bit.ly/Z1Fu2

Bristol's Own Energy Plan

At last Wednesday evenings Town Council meeting, Ken Marshall brought up an idea, some of which had been discussed early on in the conversation about Bristol and sustainable energy projects:
To use Minturn Farm, one of Bristol's highest points, and Bristol's current Transfer Station, as a place to "power up Bristol". Before he outlined his ideas, he read the following text from the most recent Providence Business News dated January 18-24, 2010 about available grant money to municipalities for energy projects.

"Grants Designed to Promote Energy Projects

PBN: PVD - The RI Office of Energy Resources announced that residents, businesses and municipalities may apply for money to install renewable
energy systems.

The office said that the $8.4M in grants are designed to help pay for up
to 25 percent of the upfront costs of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and hydro installations, as well as "any other proven and acceptable
renewable energy programs". The grants come from the federal stimulus passed last year.

Rhode Island residents may apply for up to $10K. Businesses may apply
for up to a total of $500K for projects.Municipalities and institutions
that serve or house 1000 or more persons may apply for a maximum of
$750K for projects."

Below is a quick summary written by Ken Marshall of the plan and scope. A business plan is in the works and financial details have to be worked out before the grant deadline at the end of January. The project would involve Bristol's Sewer Dept., the DPW, the Dept. of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Community Development. Alteris Renewables and Sustainable Global Energies were also mentioned. Keith Stokes might be involved in his new position as RIEDC chair.

Here is the outline of the plan as emailed to me by Ken Marshall:

"Install photovoltaic panels on roof of compost building 50 year life expectancy = $
Install municipal grade wind turbine 25 year life expectancy = $
Install methane/compost burning generator (Kelly Space) = $
Add all energies together to offset utility costs at the Compost facility and extra alternative energy production is credited thru net metering law to offset electric costs at sewer station and other municipal accounts.
Money saved and money generated can create a Town energy endowment account to utilize now and into the future for more projects both public and private to help Bristol and Rhode Island become a more attractive environment to live and do business in.
That's my vision for Bristol and Rhode Island and we are sticking to it."

We welcome your comments.

BCWA to raise water rates by 12%

The Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) Board of Directors is holding a public hearing on February 3 at 6:30 pm at 450 Child Street in Warren RI 02885 to inform the public that it plans to raise its rates by 12%. If you have comments, please show up at the hearing and voice them. Questions? Call the BCWA at 245 2022. They note that because of a wet summer and spring in 2009 fewer people used water, so their income declined. This doesn't speak well as an incentive to use less water, to use rain barrels and conserve the one thing we have no replacement for. Apparently we have the second highest water rates in the state of Rhode Island, second only to Block Island.

RI Bill would stop LNG tankers

RI Bill (sponsored by Bristol Democrat Rep. Doug Gablinske) would stop LNG tankers from traveling under Mount Hope Bridge -  changing clearance from 5' to 25'. The tankers ride 130' above the waterline. The Mount Hope Bridge has clearance of 135' at apex. Currently LPG tankers travel under the Newport Pell Bridge 8 to 12 times a year docking in Providence. The bridge is closed every time this happens. Weavers Cove Energy (WCE) wants LNG tankers to make deliveries 70 times a year - 140 round trips up and down Narragansett Bay.

Read some of the testimony from many local people who testified before the House Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources on

Wednesday, January  20, 2010 at the State House in Providence including Ken Marshall, Halsey Herreshoff, Rep. Ray Gallison, Rep. Doug Gablinske, John Torgan, Ann Morrill, Fire Chief Bob Martin and others. Photo: Ann Morrill from the Kickemuit River Council giving testimony. No vote was taken. 

http://tinyurl.com/yhdk2ct

Environmental Film Festival

Save The Bay is hosting a 2010 Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival. The screenings will be at the following locations:

Thursday, February 25
6:00 - 8:00 pm
La Grua Center
32 Water Street
#7 Stonington Common
Stonington, CT

Friday, February 26
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Jane Pickens Theatre
49 Touro Street
Newport, RI

Sunday, February 28
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Avon Cinema
260 Thayer Street
Providence, RI

For more info and to purchase tickets go to: http://www.savebay.org/Page.aspx?pid=1249

Cats in need of adoption

Long-time Bristol cat rescuer, Joan Foley, recently passed after battling cancer. She is survived by her husband, who is currently caring for the 22 cats she had taken in over the years. While these cats have been well cared for and loved, Joan’s husband is unable to manage caring for so many cats on his own. If you – or anyone you know – might possibly be interested in adopting one (or some) of Joan’s cats, please let Stan know, and he'll pass the word along. These cats are in need of safe and loving homes to comfortably live out their remaining years. The cats are all indoor cats and all have been neutered or spayed. Some have buddies and would be best adopted in pairs! Please contact Stan Dimock if you can help. Many thanks.

Post Script from Stan Dimock: Thank you for posting the cat info. I have an update for you. I spoke
directly with Mr. Foley over the weekend, and all but one of the house
cats has been adopted - and two different parties have expressed an
interest in adopting her. Apparently, Mr. Foley found homes for the
other cats on his own. Don't you just love a happy ending?! sd

Stan Dimock
Operations Assistant
Save The Bay® ~ Narragansett Bay
100 Save The Bay Drive
Providence, RI 02905
Phone: 401.272.3540 x115 / 401.837.5838
E-mail: sdimock@savebay.org

Landmark Campaign Finance Ruling

In Landmark Campaign Finance Ruling, Supreme Court removes limits on corporate campaign spending. McCain Feingold overturned.

http://bit.ly/5AWPWc

Linden Place Concert this Sunday

FIRST CONCERT IN CELEBRATION OF LINDEN PLACE MUSEUM'S
BICENTENNIAL 1810-2010


(January 22, 2009) Linden Place will host pianist Rosalind Y. Chua for a concert in celebration of the mansion's 200th birthday on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 3 P.M. in historic ballroom at 500 Hope Street.
Rosalind Y. Chua was born of Chinese parents in Manila, Philippines. She won the National Piano Competition at age fifteen and was awarded the Outstanding Musician Award from the Ambassador of the Republic of China at age 27. She has performed as recitalist, in chamber groups, and with orchestras in the Orient, New England, New York, Michigan, Canada and Bavaria.

Miss Chua, Professor of Music at Providence College retired in July, 2008. Miss Chua has been a member of the Commissioner of Education's Committee on the Arts for Rhode Island, Advisory Board of the Rhode Island Council on the Arts, Advisory Panel Board and On-Site Reviewer for the New England Touring Program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, and member of the Alumni Board of Directors of the New England Conservatory of Music. She is also an active member of the Chopin and Chaminade Clubs.
Celebrating with Rosalind Y. Chua will be John Joseph Masko, student of Rosalind Chua. They will perform solo piano music by Chopin, Schumann, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelsohn and Schubert's Fantaise in f minor for four- hands, one- piano.

The Bristol County Chorus, under the direction of Joan Roth, will appear as a guest and will perform chorale music by Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Rachmaninoff. The Bristol County Chorus is a community chorus of approximately 55 members who come from Bristol County, Rhode Island, and Bristol County, Massachusetts, as well as other near-by communities. The group is best known for its annual "Many Moods of Christmas" concert.

Admission is $10, $7 for members and free for Colt Circle members. Tickets will be available at the door on Wardwell Street. A wine reception to meet the performers will follow the concert. For further information, please call the office of Linden Place (253-0390).
* * *
FRIENDS OF LINDEN PLACE is a non-profit corporation responsible for the preservation, restoration, and promotion of Linden Place, an 1810 Federal period mansion located in the center of downtown Bristol, RI. The Linden Place organization offers cultural and educational programs to the RI community. The mansion is open from May 1 through Columbus Day, during the holiday season or by appointment.

Important Town Council meeting tomorrow night

Below is a link to the Town Council agenda for tomorrow night's Wednesday meeting on January 20, 2010 (at 7 pm at Town Hall, Court Street). The agenda is 12 pages long. Many important items are listed. A few are:

• A date for a special Town Council meeting workshop re our upcoming tax revaluation (January 27, 2010).

• A special power point presentation by Save Bristol Harbor showing a simulation of an LNG tanker coming into Narragansett Bay.

• Save the Bay's executive director, Jonathan Stone, will discuss continuing plans by Save the Bay to oppose LNG in relation to possible funding from the Town of Bristol to help with this effort.

• Liquor license and limited liquor license discussions for the following restaurants: The Hourglass Brasserie (old Tuplin Garage), Le Central and The Beehive Cafe.

http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4494/2010/84815.pdf

Jonathan Landay talk on Afghanistan on TV

East Bay Citizens for Peace Announcement: Jonathan Landay’s talk is airing on local TV!

The Stakes in Afghanistan: The Debate We Ought to Have - A talk by journalist Jonathan S. Landay, Senior National Security Correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers, will be airing on public access TV. This talk was originally given on November 7, 2009 at the Bristol Statehouse.

Cox channel 18, Bristol - Jan. 16 and 23, 5 p.m.
Statewide - Feb. 6 and 13, 3 p.m.

Full Channel channel 9 Tuesdays: January 19 and January 26 at 1:30pm
Fridays: January 22 and January 29 at 10am
Saturdays: January 23 and January 30 at 4pm

Jonathan Landay is the son of Bristol, RI residents, Jerry and Sandy Landay.

Bodacious Bee 2: Save the Date

This is an adult spelling bee usually performed in costume and is a wonderful event to raise money for the Kickemuit Education Foundation (KEF).

As stated on their website "KEF promotes innovative approaches to student development that are outside the scope of existing school budgets. Through events and donations from individuals and businesses, the Kickemuit Education Foundation provides grants to teachers and staff for high-quality programs affecting all grade levels and educational disciplines. These programs complement the existing curriculum of the Bristol Warren Regional School District, enhancing and enriching our students’ educational experience."

$30K grant received in Bristol for transport routes for marine trades

The Town of Bristol is the recipient of a $30,000 grant through the
Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program to study "Transport Routes for Bristol's Marine Trades". Research has shown that the reduced
availability of waterfront real estate makes it no longer feasible to
manufacture on the waterfront, thus requiring most companies to locate
inland and rely on over-the-road methods to transport products to the
waterfront and between each other.

Efficient and cost effective methods of transporting these large items
through town are often a challenge. To support local businesses and
future economic development, the Town of Bristol is looking to improve
the transportation infrastructure. Grant dollars will be used to
collect data by surveying existing business about their needs and
identification of various designated "Boat Transport Routes.  An

engineering study will also be conducted to provide recommendations

on improvements along the route, such as moving utility lines and radii

at curbs to facilitate the boat transport.

The Town of Bristol is among several other cities or towns to receive a
grant from the RI Statewide Planning Program. However, it is noted as
a clear stand out with the only to offer leveraged non-sponsor funding
from a private source. Bristol Marine will be contributing the
equivalent of $8,000 towards portions of the study, demonstrating a true collaborative effort benefiting the future of the Marine Industry in the Town of Bristol.

Congratulations to all involved in this important venture!

Heard on Twitter

" I want a built-in LASER beam in my next iPhone that will melt the snow in my driveway." from the unofficial apple website (tuaw)!

More Help for Haiti

IYRS to open 'Composites Tech' program in Bristol

EAST BAY — The International Yacht Restoration School will open a full-time 9 month Composites Technology Program at its Bristol campus beginning in September of this year.

IYRS says the program’s length, in-depth curriculum, and emphasis on teaching both theory and hands-on skills make this the first of its kind in the fast-growing field. The program is targeted to meet the needs of the marine industry, but graduates will have a choice of career paths since the high strength-to-weight ratio of composite pioneered by boat builders is now in demand by many industries, including wind energy, aerospace, and transportation.

“The Composites Technology Program rounds out our offerings as a technical training institute for the marine industry. The program uses the same in-depth, intensive educational model that has earned our programs an international reputation for excellence,” said IYRS President Terry Nathan.

The Composites Technology Program will be offered in Bristol beginning in September. The nine-month course gives students a foundation in composites processes, techniques and technology — from general composites that employ glass fiber and polyester resin, to advanced composites.

“This program is absolutely unique from the standpoint that it integrates all the skills needed to move forward in the emerging composites industry,” said composites executive Bob Lacovara, who consulted on the development of the program. Also helping advise the project were representatives of local composites firms including Hall Spars & Rigging and New England Boatworks.

According to the American Composites Manufacturers Association, in the U.S. alone the composites industry employs about 550,000 people and generates almost $70 billion in annual revenue.

The IYRS program is being launched on the heels of a composites industry growth spurt.

“I used to say composite construction was an infant industry. Now I say it’s a raging teenager. Composites are really coming of age now because there is a need for humanity to reduce the mass of material that we use to build things — because we are running out,” said Richard O'Meara of Rhode Island–based Core Composites.

By Bruce Burdett from the East Bay Newspapers Life Section January 13-15, 2010

Herreshoff Marine Museum passes resolution against LNG

http://www.savebay.info/PDFs/LNG_Herreshoff.pdf

Bristol Art Museum show at Bristol Library

For 2010, the Bristol Art Museum is celebrating a series of exhibits with a theme of the elements at the Rogers Free Library, 550 Hope Street. Bristol. The first exhibit, focuses on "Earth" and is currently on view until April 6th, and includes a wide range of interpretation. Susan Fossati received the Juror's Award for her pastel, titled "Grains of Sand". Robert L. Pillsbury received the Honorable Mention for a paper construction, titled "Earth Grid". The public is invited to select their favorite entry and vote in the first People's Choice Award. A ballot box is located in the gallery on the lower level. The winner of this award will be announced on our website, www.bristolartmuseum.org on Monday, February 1st.
Painting above by Sheila Clark Lundy titled Earth's Garden is in the current exhibition.

Haiti Relief

Please click on image once to enlarge.

Haiti: The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere now - after being hit by three hurricanes in 2008 - needs help more than ever. If you can afford to make a donation please do so.

This from Secretary Hilary Clinton re Red Cross relief to Haiti:
Cell phone text message the word "HAITI" to the number 90999 (each time you send such a text you're cell phone is billed $10). They have raised millions so far with people just sending $10 via this text message.
(As of Friday, January 15 at 9am Americans with the Red Cross have raised over $8M+ through this text message!)

Above is image of an email link from the Rhode Island Foundation received today January 15, 2010. Click on link below to get there. http://tinyurl.com/yf2ac59
If the links are not 'live' try the ones below in the PBN article or copy and paste into Google.

More links in this PBN article written today (Jan 15, 2010):http://tinyurl.com/yevt3dr

Saturday January 16, 2010: President Obama's administration has set up a new website to raise funds for Haiti relief with Presidents Bush (2) and Clinton. The website is: www.clintonbushhaitifund.org

Donuts and their people everywhere!

We already knew this but this article explains why our 2004 fight with Dunkin Donuts was not an easy one! The donut people are thickly settled in the state of RI and loved by (almost) all!
http://www.pbn.com/detail/47261.html

Documentary Movies in Newport

RIPL
Rhode Island Progressive League presents
January 2010 Documentary Series
Sundays at 7 p.m.
Firehouse Theater
4 Equality Park Place , Newport, Rhode Island


Sunday, January 17th – Garbage! The Revolution Begins at Home, directed by Andrew Nisker, asks an average urban family to keep every scrap of garbage for 3 months. By the end of this trashy odyssey, you are truly inspired to revolutionize your lifestyle!

Sunday, January 24th – The World According to Monsanto, by French director Marie-Monique Robin, reveals this company’s corporate influence in government & technology as it races to genetically engineer (and patent) the world’s food supply.

Sunday, January 31st – Rethink Afghanistan is directed by Robert Greenwald.
Rescheduled from Jan. 3rd.
$5.00 Donation requested

Please RSVP so we can contact you in the event of cancellation
For More Info: Gracious Audette 841-9198. RSVP The Firehouse Theater 849-3473

Support Le Central for full liquor license

This message just in from Le Central chef and owner, Jesse James:

For those interested in Bloody Mary's at brunch or a cocktail before dinner, Le Central is applying for a full liquor license. If any of our loyal guests are interested in showing support for this endeavor, please contact the Bristol town clerk's office (253-7000) or stop by the town meeting(first of many I'm sure) on Wednesday the 20th of January-after the stimulus dinner of course. Wish us luck! Thank you! 

Best, 

Jesse James, Le Central

East Bay Food Pantry Fund Raiser

Rock the Can!
An evening to benefit
East Bay Food Pantry
Friday, January 29th at 7pm
Jacky’s Galaxie, Metacom Avenue, Bristol
Featuring: Band of Brothers, RI Rocks, Juniper Hill and
The Repercussions
Tickets: $20
All Proceeds to Benefit the East Bay Food Pantry
Buffet/Cash Bar/Raffles
Tickets can be purchased at the door or at East Bay Food Pantry/Stone Soup Thrift Shop
150 Franklin Street
Fridays and Saturdays 10-3pm

Campaigns continue against LNG

The Town of Bristol wants to make a donation to Save the Bay to help with their campaign against LNG tankers from coming into our waters. They also want to work in collaboration with Save Bristol Harbor in this fight. This is the year we have to rally against LNG. Just because we've been talking about this for years does not lessen its importance. Jonathan Stone, the new Save the Bay executive director, will be attending the Bristol Town Council meeting on Wednesday January 20 to explain further details re LNG. Save Bristol Harbor will also attend and show their newly created CD presentation on LNG simulation. If you want to gain further info on LNG please show up at this Town Council meeting at Town Hall on Court Street at 7pm.

A recent message below is from Save Bristol Harbor President, Joe Arruda.

"As you know, a proposal before FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) would site an LNG berthing facility in Mount Hope Bay. Save Bristol Harbor is actively opposing this plan as it would forever damage our environment and change the quality of life for all of us who enjoy our local waters.

You can help us fight this proposal by sending your contact information (name, address and e-mail) to president@savebristolharbor.com. We will be coordinating grassroots opposition and will contact you and ask for your help in sending letters and e-mails at key points in the fight.

We are working closely with other local organizations and encourage you to visit Save the Bay’s anti-LNG action center at www.savebay.org and sign their online petition. By working together we can ensure that this facility is never built in Mount Hope Bay.

Thank you for your support!

Joseph A. Arruda
President
Save Bristol Harbor"

Carbon Ocean Yachts

In September 2009, Goetz laid off all his employees. Rumor has it that the boat that Goetz Custom Boats had been building for over a year will be moved out of his facility sometime this week. The yacht owner was granted legal permission per court order to remove the boat. Apparently, a new company on Broad Common Road called Carbon Ocean Yachts has been formed to complete the yacht. This may well put some people back to work. Let's hope. Details to follow.

Eagle and whale sightings in Narragansett Bay

A bald eagle was seen circling the skies south of Save the Bay last week. It eventually landed in Squantum Woods and has not been seen again. A humpback whale was spotted the Friday before Christmas off Beavertail Point in Jamestown by a charter boat captain. Both are very unusual sightings for our area.

Free H1N1 flu shots for everyone

If you want to get a free H1N1 Flu shot, go to Reynolds School
on Tuesday, January 26 from 4 - 8 pm. The vaccine is available to
the general public. All you have to do is show up! No insurance card necessary.

Keith Stokes new RI EDC appointment

Keith Stokes, Newport native and executive director of the Newport Chamber of Commerce has been appointed by Gov. Carcieri to become head of the RI Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in a one year contract. Many of us in the East Bay are familiar with Keith Stokes and most of us think his appointment to this position is a win win for everybody. Mr. Stokes has been on the Board of the EDC for 15 years, most recently acting as Treasurer. He has gone through 33 Governors and 9 Directors since being on the EDC Board. He has four kids - three in college and would like them to be able to return to the state of RI to live out their lives and prosper. In a recent interview, he said creating JOBS is his largest priority. "WIthout jobs we cannot collect sales, income, or property taxes and local government cannot be sustained." Below are two links for more information. One to a Providence Business News article on his appointment and another to a radio interview he gave recently with Dan Yorke on WPRO. He plans to return as Executive Director of the Newport Chamber of Commerce in a year. (When asked by Dan Yorke if he would ever consider running for Governor, he said "I'd have to ask my wife about that!")

http://www.pbn.com/detail/47105.html
http://radiotime.com/program/p_20143/Dan_Yorke.aspx

Learn more about local agriculture

The Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) is hosting an evening of presentations and discussions on the challenges, benefits and importance of local agriculture on protected lands that the ALT has saved over the years. The event will take place on Wednesday, January 13 from 7 -8:30 pm at the Pennfield School at 110 Sandy Point Ave in Portsmouth, RI.  Ted Clement, executive director of the ALT will be the moderator. Louis Escobar of Rhody Fresh Milk will participate as well as Newport Vineyards, the SVF heritage breed livestock group and Aquidneck Farms. Click on poster to enlarge it.

Save these dates

Save these conservation and preservation dates:

Details to follow when known.

RI Land and Water Conservation Summit on Saturday, March 27, 2010

www.landandwaterpartnership.org

Historic Preservation Conference on Saturday, April 24, 2010

focusing on the Sakonnet Peninsula including forts, farms, villages, summer resorts, cemeteries and conservation land in Little Compton and Tiverton.

www.preservation.ri.gov/conference

Happy New Year 2010

Yemen LNG shipments scheduled for Boston

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday (Dec 31, 2009) he will ask Boston’s lawyers to see whether the city can block Yemeni tankers from delivering liquefied natural gas into Boston Harbor, calling such deliveries “wrong.’’ Most recent shipments have been coming from Trinidad and Egypt. In the past they have come from Abu Dhabi, Australia and Algeria.

Yemen is facing renewed scrutiny from US counter-terrorism officials. Some say LNG tankers from the country are especially worrying because of a 2004 memoir by former counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke, who wrote that officials had “learned that Al Qaeda operatives had been infiltrating Boston by coming in on liquid natural gas tankers from Algeria.’’

For full article from Boston.com go to:

http://tinyurl.com/yd8kgbl

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

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

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

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

Ford Motor Company Chief designer speaks

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

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

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

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

http://tinyurl.com/y9lks3o

Snowflake Raffle huge success

Looking west down State Street from Hope

Shoppers warm up inside Striper Moon.

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

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

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

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

(Click on photos once to enlarge.)

Sunday Snowflake raffle is still ON

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

Tri-Mack Plastics given GE award

If you cannot read this, click once to enlarge.

Great local book gift idea for little ones!

Anyone Can Draw Cartoonograms

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

Steve Brosnihan

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

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

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

Word flow chart for Hey Jude!

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

Bristol Snowflake Raffle drawing Sunday, December 20 at 6 pm

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

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

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

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

5:00-5:30 Fire Show

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

6:00 Drawing Begins

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

December 3 extra high tide

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

RI wind energy:National Grid and Deepwater form an agreement

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

http://tinyurl.com/y95ch9t

Tuplin Garage: A French Brasserie?

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

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

We wish them both luck in getting these licenses.

LNG News from Save the Bay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Goetz Boats closed (again)

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

Residents tell Charter Board how to fix government

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

US to Settle Native American Suit for 3.4 Billion

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

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

2010 RI Teacher of the year

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

http://tiny.cc/FrVBu

LNG Petition

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

Green Economy writing contest for RI college and grad students

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

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

http://tinyurl.com/yz3es9p

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

Providence Business News, December 7, 2009

Retailers Seek an Extra Yuletide Boost

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

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

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

Request for Citizen Input

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

Local book author/illustrator on Today Show

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

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Min

Please sign the LNG petition below

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

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

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

Learn more critical facts about LNG at

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

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

AKC Dog Show has moved to Providence

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

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

www.baycolonydog show.com

New RI teacher evaluations in place

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

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

www.ride.ri.gov

Al Gore blog

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

New NPR radio station broadcasting in our area

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