Rail Explorers, featuring pedal-powered rail bikes, will begin its 2018 Rhode Island operation season with tours beginning on Saturday, May 12th. Rail Explorers offers scenic rides on the historic railroad along Aquidneck Island and spectacular Narragansett Bay. Rail Explorers Rhode Island Division is presented by the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad. “Over 23,000 riders enjoyed Rail Explorers […]
April 2018
Posted inCity & Government
Food scraps being wasted at Rhode Island public schools, Pell Elementary waste prompts new legislation
“In February, a trash audit at the Pell Elementary School in Newport recovered 238 pounds of food scrap from a single day. The collected food included 45 pounds of unopened yogurt containers, cheese sticks and raisins, and untouched fruit,” Tim Faulkner of ecoRI news writes this week in Food Scrap Being Wasted at Rhode Island […]
Posted inNews
Two Rhode Island groups planning monthly “Peace Walks”
Two Rhode Island organizations that have worked for safer, gun free streets are jointly holding a Peace Walk on Saturday through some of the most dangerous streets in Providence. Rhode Island Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense and the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence are scheduling monthly Peace Walks, beginning Saturday at […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Tour Guides & Greeters News #16: Fifty degrees of daffodils
The temperature finally climbed to 50 degrees, the sun came out of the grey skies, and right on time, daffodils began popping up all over the city. Good thing, too – it’s our fifth annual Newport Daffodil Days Festival! Activities and special Daffy Days are listed below. Tell your family. Tell your guests. Tell our […]
Posted inThings To Do
30+ things to do this weekend
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. You May Also Like – Where to find live music, comedy, movies and entertainment this weekend Friday, April 20th 1 pm – Charlie & The Bucket Truck at Miantonomi Park 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Isle of Dogs at Jane Pickens Theater 5 […]
Posted inNews
Six Picks: The Best in Local Music This Week (April 19-25)
Our weekly music round-up “Six Picks” will focus on some music legends this week along with a pair of classic duos that have dates around the state. Our mantra this week – nothing before the 90’s! Don’t forget to click on our carefully curated videos for a preview. Carl Palmer Thursday at Greenwich Odeum (East […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where to find live music, comedy, movies and entertainment this weekend
Here’s a look at all the live music and entertainment that’s worth seeing, hearing, doing, or knowing about in Newport County this weekend. Friday, April 20th Buskers: Live music at 9 pmCeltica: Karaoke at 10 pmClarke Cooke House: DJ & Dancing in the Boom Boom Room at 10 pmDiego’s Barrio Cantina: Sean DJ at 9 […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Sail into summer with champagne and oysters at 3rd Annual Newport Oyster Festival in May
Taste your way around the Ocean State with 12 different oyster varieties at the 3rd Annual Newport Oyster Festival Friday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20 at historic Bowen’s Wharf in downtown Newport, RI. This rain-or-shine event brings together our local growers with craft cocktails & brews, six bands, a shucking contest and evening fundraiser in a family & dog-friendly event that […]
Posted inBusiness, Style & Shop
Helly Hansen Newport set to celebrate 20 years in business on April 19th
On April 19, 1998, the Lasky family opened the Helly Hansen Newport store on Thames Street in Newport. The Lasky’s and the team at the Helly Hansen invite customers and the public to join them in celebrating this 20–year milestone from 5 pm to 8 pm on April 19th, 2018 at the store, located at […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: Itajaí becomes first South American city to sign up to the United Nations Environment #CleanSeas campaign
In a first for Brazil and South America, the port city of Itajaí has provided a benchmark for other cities by committing to the United Nations Environment campaign to rid our oceans of plastic at an event in the Race Village. Volnei Moratoni, the Mayor of Itajaí, in the state of Santa Catarina, signed up […]
Posted inNews
Pell Bridge temporarily closed on Wednesday due to a crash
Both lanes of the Claiborne Pell Bridge were temporarily closed on Wednesday afternoon due to a crash, according to Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). From approximately 12:17 pm to 1:14 pm, Eastbound lanes were closed due to a small tractor-trailer that had jackknifed. The trailer struck the median barrier and the impact of the […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Podcast: A conversation with Rebuilding Together Greater Newport
Rebuilding Together Greater Newport is one of nearly 200 affiliates of a national program that is rehabilitating properties for low-income and handicapped homeowners. Here on Aquidneck Island, Rebuilding Together Greater Newport has been helping families since 2001 and they have two big projects underway this month. Among those joining me on the radio today were some […]
Posted inCity & Government
Residential Parking Program, metered parking and parking fees return to Newport on May 1st
Newport Police Department released the following press release on behalf of the City Of Newport on Wednesday announcing the beginning of the Parking Season. The City of Newport announces the beginning of the Parking Season effective Tuesday, May 1, 2018 and continuing through October 31, 2018.Metered parking will be in effect from 9:00 AM until […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Mary Gauthier will bring ‘Rifles & Rosary Beads’ to Common Fence Music this weekend
Common Fence Music will present An Evening With Mary Gauthier on Saturday, April 28th at 8 pm. Known for her painfully honest lyrics and tender melodies, Americana artist Mary Gauthier has found songwriting to be a source of healing and strength, helping her to move beyond her troubled past. Dealing with issues of abandonment and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor Raimondo directs U.S. and Rhode Island Flags to fly at half-staff in honor of former First Lady Barbara Bush
In accordance with a Presidential Proclamation, Governor Gina M. Raimondo has ordered that the U.S. and Rhode Island flags at all state facilities and buildings be flown at half-staff until sunset on Friday, April 20th, 2018 in honor of former First Lady Barbara Bush. “Barbara Bush was an inspiration to a generation of Americans,” said Raimondo. “I remember […]
Posted inNews
Simmons Farm remains closed due to quarantine order
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced on Monday, April 16th that they have issued a quarantine order for animals at Simmons Farm in Middletown. DEM and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are investigating the connection between the petting zoo at the farm and cases of cryptosporidiosis-associated diarrheal disease. Located at […]
Posted inNews
Tall Ship Eagle and Tall Ship Sagres will visit Newport this spring
The Tall Ship’s are coming! Or at least, two of them are and will be docking at Fort Adams in the next few months. Portuguese Navy’s 292-foot Tall Ship Sagres will be visiting Newport from June 4th – 7th. Joe Dias, Executive Director of Fort Adams Trust, confirmed with What’sUpNewp today that the 81-year-old ship […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission appoints new Executive Director
Commission Chairman Ruth S. Taylor has announced that the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission has appointed J. Paul Loether of Silver Spring, Maryland to serve as Executive Director. The selection follows a five-month search that evaluated 57 candidates from Rhode Island and nationwide. “Paul Loether is an experienced historian and nationally recognized historic preservation […]
Posted inNews
Podcast – What’sUpNewp Radio: Sea Rose Montessori School; Performance by The Geezers
Early expansion at Sea Rose Montessori Co-op School will bring a new, larger classroom space in Fall 2018. Sea Rose Board President Suzanne McDonald joined Ryan Belmore today on What’sUpNewp Radio on AM 1540 WADK to chat about the expansion and to tell us more about this parent-led co-op school. Also, joining us today on the program […]
Posted inNews
Planet Aid to celebrate Earth Day with three-day donation drive
Planet Aid is celebrating Earth Day with a three-day donation drive starting April 20th. Previous drives at the Center have helped divert nearly 20,000 pounds of used clothing and other recyclable material from local landfills. In celebration of this year’s event, Planet Aid’s Rhode Island Donation Center will feature free pizza, music, and a raffle drawing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Portsmouth High, Salve filmmakers will showcase their work at Jane Pickens during Aquidneck Island Student Film Festival
Dozens of student filmmakers from Portsmouth High School and Salve Regina University will screen their short films at the Aquidneck Island Student Film Festival on Monday, April 23 at Jane Pickens Theater, 49 Touro St. Free and open to the public, the juried festival will feature about 10 films that will be screened in two categories: Original […]
Posted inThings To Do
Norman Bird Sanctuary will celebrate spring at 36th Annual Birds & Breakfast
Norman Bird Sanctuary welcomes the community to join them for a gourmet May breakfast overlooking beautiful views at the 36th Annual Birds & Breakfast on Sunday, May 6th. The White Horse Tavern’s Executive Chef Rich Silvia will prepare a “delicious seasonal spread of specialties you won’t find at any other May breakfast”, according to a press […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Heather Ann Thompson coming to Salve Regina University
Dr. Heather Ann Thompson, whose widely acclaimed book, “Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy,” earned her multiple awards, including the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in History, will talk about her account of the prison massacre and why it remains relevant today when she presents the 2nd Annual John E. McGinty […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art House to present ‘The Rewind: Her Stories’, a unique performance on April 21st
Newport Art House will present its second evening of live music, dance, poetry and art in the beautiful setting of Emmanuel Church on April 21st. Newport Art House (NAH) is a nonprofit founded by Tracy Jonsson whose mission is to nurture, promote, and showcase the contemporary arts in Newport. NAH board member Tara Gragg, who […]
Posted inNews
Clean Ocean Access volunteers remove 400 pounds of debris during Cliff Walk cleanup
Clean Ocean Access (COA) hosted a coastal cleanup at the Cliff Walk on April 14th in partnership with the Newport Daffodil Days Festival. Over 150 volunteers of all ages geared up and spread out to help remove over 400 pounds of debris consisting of fishing gear, cigarette butts, plastic water bottles and more, preventing it […]