Posted inCity & Government

Board of Elections encourages the use of Ballottrax to track status of submitted Primary Election mail ballots

CRANSTON, R.I. – The Rhode Island Board of Elections is encouraging voters who choose to cast their ballot via mail or secure dropbox for the September 13th primary election to utilize the Ballottrax tool (https://ballottrax.sos.ri.gov/voter/) to track the status of submitted mail ballots.
“Casting a ballot by mail or via a secure dropbox is a convenient option, and many voters want to make sure their ballot has been received, processed, and counted by the Board of Elections,” said Robert Rapoza, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Board of Elections. “That is why we are encouraging voters to utilize Ballottrax to monitor the status of their submitted mail ballots. Ballottrax is easy to sign up for by visiting ballottrax.sos.ri.gov/voter/. The tool tracks ballot envelopes, not votes, thus ensuring that your vote remains confidential through the entire ballot tracking process.”
Rhode Island voters only need to sign up for Ballotrax once and they will receive tracking status updates for all future elections in which they choose to vote by mail, unless they opt out.
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Posted inNews

With talk of a 2023 recession looming, what economic indicators have historically preceded every US downturn?

Economic and business news in the United States is currently full of fear over the possibility of a recession. Near-historic inflation has caused the prices of everything from groceries to fuel to soar and has brought many Americans’ ability and willingness to spend money into question. Because consumer spending is one of the major drivers […]

Posted inNews

Biggest sources of immigrants to Rhode Island

Over 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years. And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and […]

Posted inNews

Oldest national parks in America

We live in a land of giants, legends, and ancient history. Early descriptions of the regions that would eventually become our national parks, most often told by explorers or laborers, were so foreign and fantastical to the average person that they simply weren’t believed. Even today, the parks’ grandeur can only fully be comprehended in […]

Posted inCity & Government

A Chapel in Paradise: St. Columba’s listed in National Register of Historic Places

(Middletown, R.I.) A historic church and churchyard in Middletown have received federal recognition for their contributions to the history of architecture, art, and community development. Jeffrey Emidy, Interim Executive Director of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, announced that the National Park Service has listed St. Columba’s, the Berkeley Memorial Chapel, in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the Federal Government’s official list of properties throughout the United States whose historical and architectural significance makes them worthy of preservation. Constructed in 1884-86, St. Columba’s Chapel is an excellent example of the English Gothic Revival style, and the building and cemetery showcase the work of prominent architects and designers. The property is also significant for its role in Middletown’s development as a summer resort community at the turn of the century.
Middletown’s bucolic landscape began to attract summer residents as early as the 18th century. By the mid-19th century, several country estates had been established in the eastern part of town, known as “Paradise.” Eugene Sturtevant of Boston rented a home in the area in 1871 and saw a development opportunity. He purchased local farmland, laid out Indian Avenue, and platted 100 house lots.
By the early 1880s, summer residents were working with the Episcopal Diocese on plans for a mission church in Paradise. Sturtevant and his wife, Mary Clark Sturtevant (daughter of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island) provided a 1.4-acre lot at the intersection of Vaucluse Avenue and Indian Avenue. Members of the Indian Avenue community and a number of Newporters provided funding towards the project and several local farmers made their contribution by digging the chapel’s foundation. The first services were held at the chapel in June 1885, one year before construction was complete.
St. Columba’s, the Berkeley Memorial Chapel, drew its name from two sources. The building was dedicated to St. Columba, an Irish missionary credited with bringing Christianity to Scotland. And it honors the memory of Anglo-Irish philosopher George Berkeley (also known as Bishop Berkeley) who lived in a farmhouse two miles east of St. Columba’s between 1729 and 1731.
The chapel has exterior walls of rough-cut schist and granite and a steeply-pitched, slate-shingled, gable roof. A series of stone buttresses are situated along the window bays and at the corners of the chapel. The principal entry is located in a gable-roof porch. The interior walls are also of stone, floors are wood plank, and the vaulted ceiling is supported by decorative trusses and finished in tongue-and-groove wood sheathing.
The design of St. Columba’s was an early commission for architect Wilson Eyre, Jr. (1858-1944). Born in Florence, Italy and raised in Philadelphia, Eyre had ties to Newport, where his family spent summers and he attended boarding school. Eyre trained for one year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before joining a Philadelphia architectural firm in 1877. ‘His only other surviving Rhode Island project is a summer home known as “Anchorage” in Watch Hill (1913-14).
The chapel features a number of memorial stained-glass windows designed by noted artist D. Maitland Armstrong (1836-1918). A former summer resident of Newport and Paradise Valley, he practiced law before becoming a painter and then a stained-glass designer in the 1880s. The 14 windows he designed for St. Columba’s in 1885-86 were manufactured by the Tiffany Company of New York. The design and manufacture of the large stained-glass window in the west elevation (installed in 1885) is attributed to the Belcher Mosaic Glass Company of New York City and Newark.
The property also includes a historic burying ground with many stones carved by John Howard Benson, John Everett Benson, and Nicholas Benson of the John Stevens Shop in Newport. Another notable work of funerary art is the Art Moderne-style marker for the grave of filmmaker Varick Frissell (1903-1931) by sculptor Gerome Brush. The perimeter of the property is encircled by stone walls with a cypress-and-stone, Gothic Revival-style lych gate south of the chapel entrance. Common in England, lych gates provide a sheltered spot for the priest to receive the casket before a funeral service. Designed by Boston architect Henry Vaughan (1845-1917), this structure was dedicated in memory of Indian Avenue summer residents Reverend Henry A. Coit and his wife, Mary in 1897.
“St Columba’s is a living, evolving community of faith, a 21st-century congregation with enormous respect for its history, and I’m proud of the way that generations of hard-working parishioners have cared for this beautiful chapel and churchyard,” said Rev. Anne Bolles-Beaven, the rector of St. Columba’s. “It is an honor to have this property placed on the National Register, and we are grateful to the RIHPHC and Architectural Historian Joanna Doherty for making that possible. The recognition comes at an important moment in our efforts to preserve this legacy for future generations.”
RIHPHC’s Interim Executive Director Jeffrey Emidy added, “St. Columba’s is a beautiful property with an important place in the history of Middletown. The congregation has done a wonderful job preserving the church, cemetery, and grounds for over 140 years and we congratulate and thank them for their dedication.”
The National Register documentation was prepared by RIHPHC Architectural Historian Joanna Doherty. In addition to honoring a property for its contribution to local, state, or national history, listing on the National Register provides additional benefits. It results in special consideration during the planning of Federal or federally assisted projects and makes properties eligible for Federal and Rhode Island tax benefits for historic rehabilitation projects. Owners of private property listed on the National Register are free to maintain, manage, or dispose of their property as they choose. As the state office for historic preservation, the RIHPHC is responsible for reviewing and submitting Rhode Island nominations to the National Register. The nomination for St. Columba’s is available on the RIHPHC website, www.preservation.ri.gov.

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Top-earning women's tennis players of all time

In 1968, professional tennis entered the Open Era. With the introduction of the four Grand Slam tournaments—U.S. Open, Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon—the division between pros and amateurs finally ended. But there was still the matter of male versus female players. In 1973, Billie Jean King famously beat Bobby Riggs in “The Battle Of […]

Posted inCity & Government

Secretary Gorbea reminds Rhode Islanders of August 23 mail ballot application deadline

PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that they have until Tuesday, August 23, to submit a mail ballot application to their local board of canvassers for the statewide primary election on September 13.
Mail ballot applications must be received by Tuesday, August 23, not postmarked. Voters may place applications in the mail or drop them off in person at their local board of canvassers. Addresses for all boards of canvassers can be found on the back of the mail ballot application.
“Voting by mail is a safe and secure option for casting your ballot,” said Secretary Gorbea. “I strongly encourage all Rhode Islanders that wish to vote from home with a mail ballot to put their applications in the mail at least a week before the deadline to ensure they are received in time. If you are not able to do that, take it to your city or town hall.”
The Department of State has partnered with public libraries throughout Rhode Island to make mail ballot applications available. Registered voters may also access a mail ballot application by visiting vote.ri.gov or by contacting the Department of State’s Elections Division at 401-222-2340 or elections@sos.ri.gov.
Voters who do not return their mail ballot application by the August 23 deadline, or those who prefer to vote in person can still vote in person, either early or on Election Day. Early voting will be available during regular municipal business hours from August 24 through 4:00 p.m. on September 12. Voters may contact their local board of canvassers for details on early voting. Voters choosing to vote on Election Day should go to vote.ri.gov to check their polling place information.
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PROVIDENCE, RI – La Secretaria de Estado, Nellie M. Gorbea, les recuerda a los habitantes de Rhode Island que tienen hasta el martes, 23 de agosto, para presentar sus solicitudes para votar por correo a sus juntas locales de elecciones para las Elecciones Primarias estatales del 13 de septiembre.
Las solicitudes para votar por correo deben ser recibidas a más tardar el martes, 23 de agosto y no llevar matasellos. Los votantes pueden enviar sus solicitudes por correo o entregarlas personalmente a su junta local de elecciones. Las direcciones se encuentran en la parte posterior de la solicitud.
“Votar por correo es una forma segura de emitir su voto”, dijo la Secretaria Gorbea. “Yo le recomiendo encarecidamente a todos los habitantes de Rhode Island elegibles para votar que envíen sus solicitudes para votar por correo antes de este fin de semana, para así asegurar que sean recibidas a tiempo. Si es que no pueden hacerlo, llévelas a su ciudad o ayuntamiento”.
El Departamento de Estado se ha unido con las bibliotecas públicas alrededor de Rhode Island para poner a su disposición las solicitudes para votar por correo. Los votantes inscritos también pueden solicitar sus papeletas de votación por correo, visitando vote.ri.gov o comunicándose con la División de Elecciones del Departamento de Estado al 401-222-2340 o a elections@sos.ri.gov.
Aquellos votantes que no presenten sus solicitudes para votar por correo antes de la fecha límite del 23 de agosto o aquellos votantes que prefieren votar en persona, pueden votar por adelantado o el Día de las Elecciones. La votación por adelantado estará disponible durante el horario regular laboral municipal desde el 24 de agosto, hasta el 12 de septiembre a las 4:00 p.m. Los votantes pueden comunicarse con su junta local de elecciones para obtener más detalles sobre la votación adelantada. Los votantes que deseen votar en el Día de las Elecciones pueden visitar vote.ri.gov para tener más información sobre sus lugares de votación.
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Posted inArts & Culture

The original Woodstock, by the numbers

Three days. Thirty-two acts. Five hundred thousand people…and 600 porta-potties. The 1969 festival known as Woodstock took place from Aug. 15-18 in Bethel, New York, and would’ve been the biggest disaster in music festival history if not for the fabled musical performances and the harmonious spirit of the attendees. Rain delays messed with the schedule […]

Posted inCity & Government

Secretary Gorbea reminds Rhode Islanders of upcoming voter registration and disaffiliation deadlines

PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that they have until Sunday, August 14, to register to vote or update their voter information for the September 13 statewide primary election. Rhode Islanders should check their voter registration status by using the Department of State’s Voter Information Center at vote.ri.gov.
Eligible residents can register to vote in three ways:
1. Go online to vote.ri.gov
2. Download a voter registration form and submit it to your local board of canvassers by August 14
3. Drop off a voter registration form at one of the locations designated by your community (please contact your local board of canvassers for these locations)
“I am committed to engaging and empowering all Rhode Islanders to play an active role in our state’s future, and the first step is being registered to vote,” said Secretary Gorbea. “Go to vote.ri.gov to register to vote or make sure your information is up to date.”
Another important date for voters to be aware of is Monday, August 15, which is the deadline for registered voters to disaffiliate from their political party if they wish to vote in a different party primary election on September 13.
If you are affiliated with a specific political party, you may only vote in that party’s primary. Unaffiliated voters—also known as independent voters—may vote in either party primary. However, by casting a vote in a party primary, voters automatically become affiliated with that party under Rhode Island law.
There are two ways to disaffiliate before the statewide primaries:
1. Update your voter record at vote.ri.gov to change your party.
2. Download a voter registration form and submit it to your local board of canvassers by August 15th at 4:00p.m.
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La Secretaria Gorbea les Recuerda a los Habitantes de Rhode Island Sobre las Próximas Fechas Límites para las Inscripciones y Desafiliaciones de los Votantes
Providence, RI – La Secretaria de Estado Nellie M. Gorbea les recuerda a los habitantes de Rhode Island que tienen plazo hasta el domingo, 14 de agosto para inscribirse para votar o actualizar su información electoral para las Elecciones Primarias Estatales. Los habitantes de Rhode Island deben revisar el estado de sus registros electorales utilizando el Centro de Información del Votante del Departamento de Estado en vote.ri.gov.
Los habitantes elegibles para votar pueden inscribirse de las siguientes tres formas:
1. De forma virtual en vote.sos.ri.gov
2. Descargando un Formulario de Inscripción de Votante y entregándolo a su Junta Local de Elecciones a más tardar el 14 de agosto.
3. Depositando el Formulario de Inscripción de Votante en el lugar designado en su comunidad (comuníquese con su junta local de elecciones para localizar estos lugares).
“Estoy comprometida en involucrar y empoderar a todos los habitantes de Rhode Island a desempeñar un papel activo en el futuro de nuestro estado y el primer paso es votando”, dijo la Secretaria Gorbea. “Visite vote.ri.gov para inscribirse para votar y asegurar que su información se encuentre actualizada”.
Otra fecha importante que los votantes deben estar atentos es el día lunes 15 de agosto, la cual es la fecha límite para que los votantes registrados con un partido político puedan desafiliarse de ese partido político si es que desean votar por un partido político diferente en las Elecciones Primarias Estatales del 13 de septiembre.
Si usted está afiliado con un partido político, solo puede votar en las Elecciones Primarias de ese partido. Los votantes no afiliados – también conocidos como votantes independientes—pueden votar en las Elecciones Primarias de cualquier partido político. Sin embargo, votar por algún partido político en las Elecciones Primarias Estatales, los votantes serán automáticamente afiliados en dicho partido político de acuerdo a las Leyes de Rhode Island.
Existen dos formas para desafiliarse antes de las Elecciones Primarias Estatales:
1. Actualizando su registro de votantes en vote.ri.gov y cambiar su partido político.
2. Descargando un Formulario de Inscripción de Votante y entregarlo a su Junta Local de Elecciones con el cambio de partido político a más tardar el 15 de agosto a las 4:00 p.m.
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Posted inCity & Government

DEM seeks community survey reports of wild turkeys, deer, reptiles, and amphibians

PROVIDENCE, RI– The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is seeking reports of wild turkeys, deer, reptiles, and amphibians from around the state. Three online wildlife surveys are currently accepting observations from the public through the Survey123 Field App: the herp observer, the wild turkey brood survey, and the summer deer surveys. All three surveys can be accessed through a smartphone or desktop computer. Simply take a photo of the animal, open the app, and follow the steps to submit your sighting. With the help of the community and this app, Rhode Island’s wildlife populations will continue to thrive long into the future.
HERP OBSERVER: (Year-round) Securely submit your sightings of frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes, and turtles to RI’s State Herpetologist (reptile and amphibian biologist). Observations of species both common and rare are welcome. This survey will help biologists identify where these animals are in the state, and in turn, where they should focus conservation efforts for RI’s scaley and slimy critters! Click here for a direct link to report reptile and amphibian sightings.
WILD TURKEY BROOD SURVEY: (July 1 – August 31) Have you seen a turkey over the past few weeks? Your state biologists want to know! The goal of this survey is to collect a total of 300 sightings of turkey hens (females), toms (males), and poults (young). The data gathered from the community will provide insight into the health of RI’s turkey population. Click here for a direct link to report turkey sightings.
SUMMER DEER SURVEY: (August 1 – September 30) Community scientists are needed to help spot does (females), bucks (males), and fawns (young) across Rhode Island. These observations will help provide data on fawn to doe ratios and reproductive success. This information will help ensure that management decisions continue to support a healthy deer herd in the state. Photos are optional but recommended where possible. Click here for a direct link to report deer sightings. Tips while recording deer are as follows:
o Record deer observed from dawn to dusk (when headlights are not used for driving).
o Record all deer you see.
o Do not report multiple observations of the same deer, if you know you have reported it before.
o Do not include trail camera counts in your observations.
o Fawns don’t always have spots in September. They have a short snout compared to adults.
How to download the Survey123 app on your smartphone:
Step One: Navigate to the app store on your smartphone and download Survey123. (You will only need to download the app once).
Step Two: Once the app is installed, open the browser on your smartphone and navigate to www.dem.ri.gov/reportwildlife for further instructions. If viewing this document on your smartphone, you can simply click on the survey links listed below and, when prompted, select the option to “open in the Survey123 Field App”:
o Herp Observer: https://arcg.is/1P1X9r0
o Wild Turkey Brood Survey: http://arcg.is/0r48a50
o Summer Deer Survey: https://arcg.is/1SCKWi0
Step Three: The survey will automatically download and will remain in the Survey123 app from that point on, so you can enter future observations by simply opening the Survey123 app on your phone! Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each of the surveys to download all three into your Survey123 app to easily report all of your wildlife observations. To learn more, visit the DEM website.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

Posted inArts & Culture

From Woodstock to Newport Jazz Festival: 50 historic music festivals

Before Woodstock and Coachella, the earliest recorded festivals date back to ancient Greece. The Greeks honored the gods by holding competitions in drama, poetry, music, and athletics. To honor Dionysus, the God of wine and ecstasy, the Greeks would hold the festival of Dionysus, which consisted of tragedy and comedy performances. Well-known Greek playwrights, such […]

Posted inNews

How to protect your dog from hot weather

While sunny months may seem like an ideal time for dog owners to be out and about with their pets, the hot weather can be harmful to dogs. ManyPets analyzed research and reports from veterinary schools and other pet experts to compile a list of ways to protect your dog from hot weather.  The health issues […]

Posted inHistory

The 3,000-year history of toll roads

Bettmann // Getty Images The 3,000-year history of toll roads Paying for passage along one’s journey was a common practice even for the gods. Humans have written the ritual into ancient treatises and mythologies. Whether it involves the transportation of souls, livestock, or a road-tripping family of four, the fundamental truth of the road is […]

Posted inCity & Government

Governor McKee, State Officials announce $2.9 million in placemaking grants to support outdoor and public space capital improvement, event programming

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor McKee continued his #RIMomentum Tour on Federal Hill joined by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, members of the General Assembly, Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner, Executive Director of the Federal Hill Commerce Association Rick Simone, and members of the business and arts communities to announce $2.9 million in grants to support the tourism, hospitality, and events industries in Rhode Island with a focus on developing outdoor and public space capital improvements or event programming.
The RI Rebounds Placemaking Program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Placemaking initiative builds upon another RI Rebounds program, HTE direct grant program, which has disbursed more than $6 million in grants to more than 150 severely impacted businesses in the hospitality, tourism, and events industries.
“We’re building on Rhode Island’s momentum by making strategic investments in the tourism, hospitality and events industries by supporting projects that draw visitors to communities and businesses that were impacted by the pandemic,” said Governor McKee. “It’s all about bringing people back together in places that are meant to serve as hubs of activity. In a state like Rhode Island, our size is to our advantage – you can be at the beaches of South County in the morning and on Federal Hill for dinner by the evening. We want people to capitalize on the fact that you can be anywhere in Rhode Island in just about an hour. It’s an attractive destination that offers so much to do in not just a weekend, but a day.”
Placemaking, event programming, and outdoor and public space capital improvements under this initiative include activities designed to draw visitors to impacted districts and support businesses in the tourism and hospitality industries which have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of projects include public art installations, public or co-shared outdoor space, maintenance/improvements to public outdoor performances/event venues. Additionally included as examples under this program are catalytic events and maintaining/improving public parks, plazas, and/or recreational areas, and updating relevant signage promoting outdoor public spaces in tourist regions.
“Our public spaces are the heart of our cities and towns, and businesses and residents alike need them to be vibrant,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “These grants will help restore and improve parks, beaches, and main streets across Rhode Island. I am already looking forward to joining our neighbors at the celebrations that these grants will make possible.
“As Rhode Island continues to recover from the economic effects of the COVID -19 pandemic, the Placemaking Program will bring needed support to the hospitality, tourism, and events industries in Rhode Island”, said Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. “Today we celebrate 32 creative proposals from municipalities improving public infrastructure to festivals, events, and concerts to outdoor Salsa Nights, and holiday celebrations. There is something here for every Rhode Islander to enjoy.”
Eligible applicants to this program include nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, municipalities, business cooperatives, tourism regions, and arts/cultural institutions. To be eligible under this program, an organization must demonstrate the manner in which its proposal will aid the tourism and hospitality industries that have been negative impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following projects were funded:
OUTDOOR AND PUBLIC SPACE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Town of Smithfield – To construct an outdoor amphitheater, stage, electrical work, landscaping, a restroom facility, and garbage receptacles in addition to family friendly summer and early fall programming.
– Grant amount: $150,000
City of East Providence – To implement the recently completed citywide interpretive signage plan for the City’s 31 historic resources. Funding would support research, writing, image acquisition and graphic production for signage.
– Grant amount: $75,000
City of East Providence – For the capital investment of lighting including receptacles along the East Bay Bike Path to enable small and large events to be held in the evening hours. This request is also for the procurement of a portable stage, portable audio system, and two pop-up Canopies. These elements can also be used throughout the City to support additional events that will bring tourism and revenue to support other local establishments.
– Grant amount: $75,000
City of Cranston – To finalize construction drawings and construct an ADA accessible gazebo in Knightsville Pocket Park.
– Grant amount: $150,000
Town of Cumberland – To improve Diamond Hill Park amphitheater purchase lighting and sound equipment and create a portable stage.
– Grant amount: $150,000
Town of Glocester – To construct a large, covered picnic area with tables for outdoor seating to supplement restaurant outdoor dining and a small parking area to facilitate accessibility and wayfinding signage.
– Grant amount: $150,000
Town of Bristol – To support the design and construction of an outdoor performance stage at Bristol’s Town Beach and Sports Complex.
– Grant amount: $150,000
City of Woonsocket – To demolish and rebuild the existing stage that is located at World War II Memorial Park.
– Grant amount: $150,000
Friends of Linden Place Mansion – For lights to expand outdoor programming. Funding request also includes benches for outdoor spaces, project management, audio tour creation of the gardens and grounds, audio tour script development, and installation of power throughout the gardens.
– Grant amount: $34,536.38
PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS
Town of South Kingstown – For design, installation, and future maintenance of an outdoor public art piece in conjunction with the Town’s 300th Anniversary Celebration.
– Grant amount: $150,000
The City of Providence Department of Art Culture & Tourism (ACT) – To create three immersive cultural heritage installations along Broad Street in Providence.
– Grant amount: $75,000
Partnership for Providence Parks, Recreation Centers, and Streetscapes – To build ARTCarts that will promote creativity and facilitate placemaking by attracting residents of Providence back into the public spaces, neighborhoods, and businesses around them.
– Grant amount: $61,691.10
The Avenue Concept – For temporary lighting events , permanent public art light in downtown Providence, as part of the Three Nights of Light Providence experience.
Project will align with two other events-based projects recommended for funding below: Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau and WaterFire Arts Center.
– Grant amount: $152,500
South County Tourism Council – To create public art trail, with art focused on sustainability set up in rural locations near Blackstone Valley throughout South County.
– Grant amount: $50,000
EVENT PROGRAMMING
City of Central Falls-Blackstone Valley Tourism – For funding of a food truck festival, salsa dance night, 4th of July celebration, a river cleanup program, car show.
– Grant amount: $42,150
Town of North Providence – To expand their Centredale Village Festival, successfully hosted in 2021, a three-day festival that attracted a crowd of approximately 500 each day to the Smith Street corridor.
– Grant amount: $150,000
Town of Lincoln -To improve and expand programming amenities at Chase Farm and to expand public event programming to consist of outdoor events throughout the year. Expanded events include second annual Memorial Day Parade and Post-Parade, a weekend Farmer’s Market, Fall Festival, and Holiday Tree Decoration and Lighting Festival.
– Grant amount: $26,423
WaterFire Arts Center – For 3 nights of light to take place December 1-3, 2022. Funding would support activation of basin for 3 nights of WaterFire and additional illumination/activation of the State House.
Project will align with two other events-based projects recommended for funding below: Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau and Avenue Concept.
– Grant amount: $86,250
Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau – To develop citywide Three Nights of Lights to take place from Dec 1-3, 2022 in partnership with WaterFire (also Placemaking applicant) and The Avenue Concept (also Placemaking applicant). Funding request is for advertising, collateral production, and public relations.
Project will align with two other events-based projects recommended for funding below: Avenue Concept and WaterFire Arts Center.
– Grant amount: $40,000
NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley – To expand Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series, now entering its 5th season. The initiative will expand the 10 weeks of diverse, free, live music, to include extensive food offerings, a vendor fair, cultural activities, youth activities, and other opportunities to engage small businesses.
– Grant amount: $15,000
Federal Hill Commerce Association – For Christmas on the Hill event spanning December 1-31, 2022, with the aim of expanded dining and retail footprint for restaurants and retailers in a month that is vital to closing out the calendar year in a positive way. Request includes staffing, production, performers and other equipment, trolleys, signage, and marketing.
– Grant amount: $133,200
Wilbury Theatre Group – To support the production of outdoor performances at the 9th annual Providence Fringe Festival, July 17-30, 2022.
– Grant amount: $59,235.78
Grow Smart RI -To develop and present a series of professional and community education workshops, events, and materials that will increase the capacity of local organizations and individuals to implement a variety of placemaking strategies in traditional commercial districts that support Rhode Island’s tourism and hospitality industries.
– Grant amount: $36,206
Dirt Palace Public Projects – To create Post Pandemic Picnics, which will focus on public art, preservation, poetry, and music.
– Grant amount: $87,492
East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce – For a series of outdoor events (new and proposed enhanced existing) as an extension of the work that the Chamber has done for many years, particularly during 2020 and 2021 to enhance the East Greenwich business community.
– Grant amount: $44,840
Newport County Development Council – To deliver a range of one-day to series events including hosting the Aquidneck Growers Market, Broadway Street Fair, and Outdoor Art Biennial Exhibition.
– Grant amount: $88,358.64
Rhode Island Zoological Society (Roger Williams Park Zoo) – To enhance outdoor Holiday Light Spectacular (HOLS) event for 2022 and beyond, all designed to attract additional new visitors to the zoo’s HOLS event from Rhode Island and visiting states.
– Grant amount: $59,989.95
Firstworks – For two Urban Carnevale projects to activate Providence public spaces, the bandstand at Roger Williams Park and Downton Providence (via video projections).
– Grant amount: $138,338
Island Moving Company – To expand reach and help to produce the Newport Dance Festival.
– Grant amount: $77,280
COMBINATION OF EVENTS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Hope Street Merchant Association – To continue beautification projects and to bring back revenue generating events including landscaping, outdoor pop-up spaces, small business Saturday valet parking, marketing and public relations, neighborhood decorative initiative, and a holiday winter stroll.
– Grant amount: $96,600
The Providence Foundation – For an initiative focused on activating 8 parks in downtown Providence and creating planned programming in those spaces.
– Grant amount: $132,000
Woonsaquatucket River Watershed Council – For pocket parks, greenspace amenities, public art tours, and river based events.
– Grant amount: $75,000
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Posted inNews

Military medals and what they mean

In 1787, Col. David Humphreys wrote: “Few inventions could be more happily calculated to diffuse the knowledge and preserve the memory of illustrious characters and splendid events, than medals.” The Revolutionary War colonel and aide-de-camp to Gen. George Washington made that statement more than a decade after the Continental Congress first instituted the tradition of issuing […]

Posted inCity & Government

R.I. Board of Elections finds campaign finance violations committed by Rep. Ramon Perez

CRANSTON, R.I. – At yesterday’s meeting of the Rhode Island Board of Elections, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Audit Report and Consent Order executed in the matter of State Representative Ramon A. Perez.
Mr. Perez was fined $6,000 for campaign finance violations and ordered to reimburse his campaign bank account $1,072.49 for personal use of campaign funds.
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Posted inCity & Government

Governor McKee, Rhode Island Department of Health announces expansion of Monkeypox Vaccination Campaign

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s Monkeypox Task Force today announced an expansion of the state’s monkeypox vaccination efforts this week by opening vaccine eligibility to additional at-risk populations and scheduling two community clinics. These clinics will be for eligible people who cannot be vaccinated at one of the healthcare facilities that will be vaccinating patients in Rhode Island. Today’s news comes as Rhode Island is receiving additional vaccine doses following a request Governor McKee made on a recent call with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“At this time, the risk of monkeypox for most Rhode Islanders continues to be low. However, we are taking this global outbreak very seriously,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I want to thank our task force and our local partners on the ground who will be operating clinics and vaccinating individuals. We will also continue to advocate for more vaccine doses so we can meet the demand.”
“While we are making monkeypox vaccine available as soon as it comes into the state, there is still more demand than supply right now in Rhode Island and across the country. Additional prevention measures are very important for people at elevated risk, including for people who have started the monkeypox vaccine series,” said Interim Director of Health Utpala Bandy, MD, MPH. “Our vaccination campaign is just one component of our far-reaching response, which also includes broad community engagement about many of these prevention measures, close coordination with healthcare providers throughout the state, case interviews and contact identification, and a comprehensive approach to testing.”
National and local health officials are currently responding to a global outbreak of monkeypox. To date, 25 cases of monkeypox have been identified in Rhode Island. More than 5,100 cases have been identified in the United States. There is a vaccine to help prevent monkeypox virus infection. However, this vaccine is in short supply nationally. Rhode Island’s vaccination campaign is expanding because of a limited supply of additional vaccine received from the federal government this week.
Vaccine eligibility
CDC is using a very specific formula to allocate monkeypox vaccine to states, considering factors such as population size, current monkeypox case counts, and historical data on sexually transmitted infections. To date, Rhode Island had only been vaccinating people identified as close contacts of someone who has tested positive for monkeypox. Rhode Island’s expanded vaccine eligibility now includes:
People who are identified through a case investigation as close contacts of an individual with confirmed monkeypox, and
Rhode Island residents who:
Are 18 years of age or older, and
Are men who identify as gay, bisexual, queer, or who have sex with men and/or transgender individuals, and
Have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the past 30 days.
Vaccination sites
Open Door Health, the Miriam Hospital Infectious Disease Clinic, and Thundermist Health Center have received limited amounts of monkeypox vaccine. These clinics regularly provide care to people who are at elevated risk for monkeypox. Using the clinical judgement of staff and eligibility guidance from RIDOH, these sites will be contacting existing patients about vaccination.
RIDOH will be operating two community clinics or people who are clinically eligible for vaccine but are not able to get an appointment to be vaccinated through Open Door Health, the Miriam Hospital Infectious Disease Clinic, or Thundermist Health Center.
Friday, August 5th – Rhode Island College, Alger Hall (Room 110), 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 6th – Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School, 375 Adelaide Avenue, Providence, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pre-registration is required for these clinics. People who are not pre-registered will not be vaccinated at these clinics. People can pre-register for these clinics at health.ri.gov/monkeypox. (People who cannot register online can call 401-222-5960.) People should arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointments.
People being vaccinated in Rhode Island are receiving the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine series. People who are vaccinated at these community clinics will receive information about where and when to receive their second doses, roughly 28 days later.
In addition to being able to make appointments, people will have the ability to submit their information to RIDOH and/or Open Door Health. People will be contacted when additional vaccine is available. (The Open Door Health list is for people who are and are not Open Door Health patients.) Visit odhpvd.org to submit information to Open Door Health. Visit health.ri.gov/monkeypox to submit information to RIDOH.
An additional shipment of 900 doses of vaccine from the federal government this week is supporting the expansion of Rhode Island’s vaccination campaign. RIDOH is working with community organizations to host additional community vaccination events as more vaccine becomes available.
Monkeypox transmission
An individual becomes contagious when symptoms first appear. (Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.) Transmission occurs through close physical contact with body fluids, monkeypox lesions, items that have been contaminated with fluids or lesion materials (clothing, bedding, etc.), or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact. The infectious period ends when all skin sores have crusted over. This may take between two and four weeks.
Nationally, many gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with other men have been diagnosed with monkeypox, especially those who have reported multiple or anonymous sexual partners. However, people of any sexual orientation or gender identity can become infected with monkeypox.
Monkeypox prevention
In addition to getting vaccinated, there are other prevention measures that people can take. Before having close, physical contact with others, talk to your partners about their health and any recent rashes or sores. Additionally, if you have symptoms, particularly a rash consistent with monkeypox (even if you do not think you were in contact with anyone with monkeypox), or if you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox:
– Stay home and isolate from household members
– Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible for an evaluation
– Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others, including sexual contact
– Inform sex partners about any symptoms you are experiencing
– Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing
– If contacted by public health officials, answer their questions to help protect others who may have been exposed
More information
More information about monkeypox is available at health.ri.gov/monkeypox. RIDOH has additional prevention information on its webpage Sexual Health Information for Gay/Bisexual Men and Gender Diverse People.
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Posted inCity & Government

State, municipal beach lifeguards square off in “Guard Games” competition through August 6

PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) state beach lifeguards are competing against their counterparts who protect municipal beaches in the annual, weeklong Guard Games competition that began Monday. The tournament encourages competition, camaraderie, and professionalism among Rhode Island lifeguards.
For over 50 summers, lifeguards from state and town beaches have formed teams and trained to compete against each other in various events. Each night is broken into separate swimming, rowing, paddle, or running events at different beaches and attendance is free after 6PM. East Matunuck, Misquamicut, Roger Wheeler, and Scarborough are the state beaches with participating surf rescue teams. Municipal beach surf rescue teams participating are Charlestown, Easton’s (First) beach Newport, Middletown Second, Narragansett Town Beach, and Westerly Town. A self-described “Old Timers” alumni team consisting of retired lifeguards also will participate.
“We are excited and wish our state beach lifeguards good luck as they compete with some of the top athletes in Rhode Island in the Guard Games,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “The experience of lifeguarding creates camaraderie and close friendships that last a lifetime. Lifeguards are DEM’s first responders at state beaches and the games are a perfect way to showcase their talent and professionalism while highlighting to the public how lucky we are to have great lifeguards. Hopefully, this year’s games will inspire the next generation of lifeguards. Good luck to all competitors!”
“Having been involved in this tournament across four decades, it is great to see the tradition flourishing,” said RI Lifeguard Tournament Director Brian Guadagno. “This is the week lifeguard teams get to showcase all their training and dedication. There is competitive pride for the beaches they represent but also a palpable lifesaving camaraderie that has no boundaries.”
“The races are a great way to showcase to your community the skills you have learned throughout the summer in a highly competitive week of lifeguarding events,” said Narragansett Town Beach Waterfront Director Mike Florio.
“Westerly Town Surf Rescue is extremely excited for another year of the Rhode Island Lifeguard Tournament,” said Westerly Town Beach Supervisor Brian Skorupski. “This is also a special time of year for lifeguards to either meet for the first time or rekindle a friendship from last year’s tournament. At the end of the day, the tournament is about creating awareness that lifeguarding in Rhode Island is still alive and well. Hopefully, spectators that are watching will see this and maybe get inspired to come lifeguard either next year or in the future.”
“Second Beach is fired up and ready to compete this week!” said Second Beach Captain Katie Mangano. “The guards are very motivated after tying Narragansett last summer and will be giving it their all again this year. However, it’s not all about winning or losing at the games, it’s about having fun and sharing good vibes with our fellow guards around the state. I started competing back in 2007 and I love seeing this tradition carry on to the next generation. The tournament is an annual way to reconnect with old friends and competitors from every beach. We all share the same passion for ocean safety and it’s a great week to come together on that.”
Here is the schedule for the remaining events of the Rhode Island Lifeguard Tournament:
Wednesday, Aug. 3: Roger Wheeler State Beach, Narragansett, 6:30 PM
Thursday, Aug. 4: Second Beach, Middletown, 6:30 PM
Friday, Aug. 5: East Matunuck State Beach, South Kingstown, 6:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 6: Scarborough State Beach, Narragansett, 6:30 PM
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

Posted inCity & Government

DEM announces changes to the surf rescue certification process to increase the number of lifeguard applicants

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that it has implemented changes to the lifeguard certification process to make it easier for candidates to apply. DEM hopes the changes will increase the number of lifeguard applicants and its ability to keep beaches supervised and protected. This will be a multiyear process, and DEM will be implementing two changes before the traditional full certification test in August. Below are the changes for 2022:
o Any lifeguard who currently holds a full certification that’s due to expire on Sept. 30, 2022, will be exempt from taking a test this month. DEM will be extending the expiration of their current state certification until June 15, 2023. These eligible candidates will receive notification for their records.
o Any lifeguard who presently holds a conditional certification is still required to attend the August certification. However, these candidates will be tested only on the swim portion. They will not need to demonstrate rescue skills at that time.
Certification for 2023 will take place in the spring of 2023 and require a demonstration of rescue skills and the completion of the endurance swim. The endurance swim may be performed in a pool before the certification or may be completed at the time of the certification testing in the spring of 2023. There will no longer be any testing in August after 2022.
Below are the changes that will take effect in 2023:
o The allowable endurance swim distance will be 400 meters or 440 yards. The endurance swim still must be completed in under 10 minutes and with only a forward-facing swim stroke.
o The endurance swim may be performed in a pool before attending a testing date for state certification. You may perform this endurance swim in any state in which you reside or attend school between March 2023 and the date you intend to attend the state certification test. The endurance swim must be performed in front of an approved aquatic examiner who will attest and complete a proof of endurance swim form. DEM is developing this form and will define who may be considered an approved aquatic examiner. The form will be housed in the Lifeguard Certification Portal.
o At the time of the state certification test, you will be required to present the proof of endurance swim form along with all other required forms and certifications (first aid, CPR, lifeguard training) and the completed lifeguard certification form to DEM.
o If you do not complete the endurance swim before the state certification test or if you fail to provide a properly executed proof of endurance swim form you will be required to perform the endurance swim on the state certification test date.
o All candidates are required to register for a specific testing time via the Lifeguard Certification Portal. Walk-ins will be allowed as testing schedule dictates. If you need to perform the endurance swim at the state certification test, we recommend the use of a wetsuit if you have concerns about the water temperature.
o Starting in the spring of 2023, state certification test dates will be expanded to include later hours, as well as weekend testing dates to better accommodate candidates’ schedules.
To review any changes, please review on our website. For questions, please contact the DEM Division of Parks and Recreation by phone at 401-667-6200 or DEM.RIparks@dem.ri.gov. DEM continues to accept applications for seasonal positions including qualified lifeguards for state beach facilities. Positions are still available at many locations throughout the state. All lifeguard positions require certification and special training in first aid, CPR, and lifesaving.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

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