Set clocks back tonight

Charlie: Faithful Friend, RIP

Beautiful, tender, funny, sad.

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

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

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

(Photo courtesy of Alayne White)

Noise Study Committee growing

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

They were:

Steven Barker, Mike Ferreira and David Barboza. 

The others on the list are: 

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

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

High School Collaboration Saving Silver Creek

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Potter League offering free housebreaking clinic

Wednesday, November 18

6:30pm

Potter Pet University - Housetraining 101

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

amyc@potterleague.org

Mosaico needs your help on November 19

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

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

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

Bank Newport’s Celebrating 10 YEARS flyer is attached

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

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

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

Bristol Art Museum opening Friday, October 30 at 7 pm

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

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

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

Pro Jo article on death of Bristol girl

Today's (Wed. Oct. 28, 2009) Pro Jo front page article on the death of 12 year old Bristol resident, Victoria Sousa.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/Death_in_Portsmouth_10-28-09_9QG8KDV_v19.3c1c831.html

More info on death of Bristol girl

From WRNI PBS radio RI - Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Scroll down for yesterday's entry on death of Bristol girl

(Click once on text above to enlarge.)

Beehive Cafe: Roasted Buttternut Squash sandwich a hit!

Twit from the Beehive on Franklin Street. Sounds yummy! (Click on text above once to enlarge.)

PS: By popular request, the Beehive Hot Dessert night will coincide with Bristol's Holiday Shopping Preview night: Friday, November 20, 2009 from 5 - 9 pm.

Zipcar: Rent a car by the hour

Zipcar is a very handy way to rent a car - all from your iPhone. www.zipcar.com(Click on image once to enlarge.)

RI Audubon wins urban education grant

RI Audubon wins $143,000 urban education grant

http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/10/ri-audubon-wins-143000-urban-e.html

"It is imperative that the next generation have a solid understanding of our natural environment," Audubon executive director Lawrence Taft, said in a statement. "If children do not form a personal connection to the environment, they will not be invested enough to protect it in the future. This federal funding allows us to bring innovative science-based environmental education to underserved students across the state."

Meet with Governor Carcieri

Have an idea or a comment for the Governor?

Go to Open Door Thursdays

Five minute meetings with the Governor are held on the last Thursday of the month. Appointments are made on a first- come, first served basis. Appointment line: 222-2080

Bristol death of young girl

A 12 year old girl died today possibly from the swine flu in Bristol. She was a student at St. Philomena's in Portsmouth. It was reported by a family member that an autopsy is being done to determine the cause of death. Calling hours are on Friday, October 30, 2009 from 4 - 8 pm at Smith's Funeral Home in Warren, RI. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10:30 am at St. Mary's Church on Wood Street in Bristol. Her name is Victoria Sousa, youngest daughter of Lou and Cathy Sousa, Hope Street, Bristol.

For info on swine flu in RI go to www.flu.gov  or call the hotline at: 222-8022 between 8:30 am — 4:30 pm M-F.

Obama's Clean Energy Leadership speech at MIT

October 23, 2009

Running time: 28 minutes

In framing the clean energy issue in a global and economic context, Obama declares, "Countries on every corner of this earth are beginning to recognize that energy is growing scarcer. Energy demand is growing larger and rising energy use imperils the planet that we will leave to future generations. That's why the world is now engaged in a peaceful competition to determine the technologies that will power the 21st century. From China to India, from Japan to Germany, nations everywhere are racing to develop new ways to produce and use energy. The nation that wins this competition will be the nation that leads the global economy. I'm convinced of that, and I want America to be that nation."

http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/716

Annie Leibovitz new Obama family official portrait

Twin River: The slot machine/ greyhound racing connection needs to end

http://www.projo.com/news/content/TWIN_RIVER_DOGDEAL_10-24-09_CFG6QTQ_v20.38b8908.html

Seems like the RI General Assembly needs to create a new law to detach the greyhound racing from the use of slot/VLT/ gambling machines or to change the 125 days of racing requirement. As it is today, the 4800 + slot machines are not allowable without the dog racing. (60% of every lost gambled dollar at Twin River goes to the State!) Sounds easy to change but this may take years to get accomplished. Meanwhile, the state of RI will use/rent cheaper dogs from the state NH — but I thought dog racing ended for good in NH over the summer? Perhaps there are some ready Teddy racing greyhound workers recently unemployed with dogs and eager to come to RI.

Economic downturn challenges creativity

Economic downturn challenges YES gallery owner's creativity. The following is an article from last week's Providence Business News on YES Gallery owner Leigh Medeiros and how she is dealing with the current economic downturn.

Her gallery is on Water Street in Warren RI. She realized early on that one way to a customers pocket book is through complimentary food and drink!

http://www.pbn.com/detail/45231.html

Hachiko: Richard Gere movie trailer

Much of this film was shot in Bristol RI last winter! (Remember the yellow and black HCK signs all over town?) It's a film about a faithful dog and his master and is based on a true story. Due to come out Friday, December 18, 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaS37E3gKOU&NR=1

MicroSoft new operating system, Windows 7, is out today

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/technology/personaltech/22pogue.html?em

Only at Microsoft do “user-friendly” and “write down this password: E6fQ9UX3uR” appear in the same sentence.