Rhode Island Feeds

The Portsmouth Middle School Athletic Boosters (PMSABC) kicks off their fundraising with an evening at Newport Polo Saturday, Sept. 11 at 4pm. Tickets are $10 (kids free) and all proceeds benefit the PMSABC.

According to an e-mail from PMSABC, there will be tents and tables set up for the group and folks are invited to bring a dish to share. Tickets are available through Friday from any member of the PMSABC board: Kirk Volk, Jeff Swider, Glenn Zitka, Rich Cipriani, Ted Clement, Julie Varieur, Lisa Parsons, Larry Walsh, Mark Grande, Matt McGuire, or John Tomlinson. In addition, Jenny Williams, Meggin Smith, and Julia Coll are also selling tickets.

For more info, call the Polo Info line at Polo Info Line: 401-846-0200, or visit the PMS Athletic Boosters web site

The Portsmouth High School library is having a book sale this week from 7:30am-3pm, according to a note distributed on the district listserv. There will be over 2,000 books on sale, at prices from 25 cents to ten dollars, including audio books on cassette, coffee table books, and some used library titles, with a range of topics including art, architecture, New York, Massachusetts, trains, ships, local history and more.

All proceeds will benefit the PHS Library Media Center, so why not pop by and take a peek. You never know what you'll find.

The annual Portsmouth Democratic Clamboil is scheduled for Sunday, September 12, and everyone is welcome at what promises to be an awesome afternoon of traditional food, amazing auction bargains, and election-year opportunities to chat with local, state, and national political leaders and candidates.

The Clamboil is hosted at the Portuguese American (PA) Citizens Club at 35 Power Street, just off East Main Road. Tickets for the event are just $30/adult, $7/kids under 12, and include all-you-can-eat chowder and clam cakes at 1 pm, with the traditional New England clamboil — fresh clams, chourico, sausage, hot dogs, onion, potato and corn on the cob — served at 3 pm.

But it's not just about the food — each year, dozens of local businesses and supporters provide items for raffles and an auction (featuring incomparable auctioneer DJ Dennis Canario!). This year, there are more than 50 great items up for bid — just take a look at the list below. And new this year, there will be a 50/50 raffle, with tickets $1/each or 6 for $5. You could go home with a full stomach AND wallet.

And of course, in addition to the food and bargains, there's plenty of time for meeting and talking with the elected officials and candidates who drop by to connect with the voters. You can be sure all the local and state folks will be there, and this year, the Clamboil is just two days before a heated primary race in the first Congressional district, so you never know who might stop by...

Tickets are available at the PA Club, Allen's Wine and Spirits, Ferreira's Package Store or by calling Chuck Levesque at 847-2510. Proceeds from the event go to the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee. This is the Town Committee's major fundraiser going into the Fall election, so it's a great opportunity to have some fun, bid on some neat items, and support local Democrats.

Preliminary list of auction items:
$25 gift certificate, 15 Point Road restaurant
Bird Feeder, Agway
$25 Dinner for Two, Becky's BBQ
Two kitchen design books, Beyond The Woods
$50 gift card, Blue Plate Diner
$500 in legal services, Atty. Bob Silva
$15 gift certificate, Carmella's of Portsmouth
Plant, Carlone's Florist
Gift certificate for 1-hr session, Center for Therapeutic Massage
$20 gift certificate, Ching Tao Restaurant, Middletown
2 gift certificates for breakfast for two, Cindy's Country Cafe
Round of golf for 2 plus breakfast or entree, Clubhouse Restaurant and Golf Course, Bristol
Gift Basket, Coastal Roasters, Tiverton
Chimney cleaning, Colonial Chimney Sweep
Two bottles of wine, County Liquors of Middletown
Gift basket, Custom House Coffee
$25 gift card, Foodworks
Free will, Atty. David Fox
2 $5 gift certificates and t-shirts, Frosty Freeze
2 bottles of wine, Gleeson's Package Store
Foursome with carts, Green Valley Country Club
Case of Skipping Stones wine, Greenvale Vineyards
One-month membership, Kettlbells Gym
Assorted shrubs, Hoogendorn's nursery
Two $50 gift certificates (Irving, Geo's, BossMan), Irving Gas Station
$10 gift certificate, Irving's Shoes
Plant, Island Garden shop
Gift certificate, Green Grocer
Autographed Congressional Cookbook, Sen. Jack Reed
Three yards of screened loam, JAM Materials
Framed picture, other prints, Joe Matose, artist
5 $10 gift cards, Leo's Ristorante, Bristol
$25 gift certificate, Maplewood Farms
Two 12-packs of Ale and beer, Moriarty's Liquors
Quartz candleholder, Natures, Inc.
Tool box, NAPA Auto Parts of Middletown
Dinner and show for 2, Newport Playouse and Cabaret Theater
Gift certificates: Oil change, car wash, Newport Toyota
Tour and Tasting for 4 and 10, Newport Vineyards
1 pizza, North End Pizza
Gift certificate for 1-month membership, Peak Fitness
2 $10 gift cards, Pizza Wave, Bristol
2 gift certificates for hair cuts, Quic Kutz
Car Wash Kit, R & S Speed Shop
RI State Flag, Sec. of State Ralph Mollis
Cheese Trays, RI Credit Union
Two plants of your choice, RI Nurseries
Gift certificate for oil change, Sacucci Honda
$40 gift card, Scampi Restaurant
$25 gift card, Stop and Shop Middletown
Free month of dance and dance bag, Stage Door Dance Studio
$15 gift certificate, Steve's Famous Pizza
Free septic pump out, free service call Travers Plumbing
1 pizza, West Main Pizza
...and more to come!

Full disclosure: I am a member of the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee as well as an endorsed candidate for School Committee, so obviously, a portion of the proceeds from the event would benefit my campaign.

The Hugo Awards, science fiction's yearly fan-voted accolades, were announced this morning from the World Science Fiction Convention in Melbourne, Australia, and the talent displayed by the winners is an indication of the strength of the field, with a tie for best novel between China Miéville's The City & The City and Paolo Bacigalupi's The Windup Girl.

I will confess a special delight in seeing my workshop buddy Peter Watts win Best Novelette for "The Island." Yay, Peter!

Congratulations to all the winners, and to all the nominees.

Check out the Hugo site for the full list.

Tomorrow is the last day to register to vote in the Portsmouth school budget referendum on October 5, and the canvasser's office in Town Hall will be open from 8:30am to 4pm.

If you're already registered, you don't have to do anything. But if you're a new voter, take a few minutes out of your Saturday to stop by Town Hall. We need every vote — we know those opposed to funding our schools will be turning out their base.

Stay safe and dry tonight, and have a great weekend, everyone.

All Portsmouth schools will be closing early tomorrow in anticipation of the tropical-storm-force winds from Hurricane Earl, according to a note distributed on the District listserv this afternoon:

We will be dismissing our schools early tomorrow due to the weather forecast. The dismissal times will be as follows:

PHS – 12 noon
PMS – 12:30 PM
Elementaries – 1:30 PM

Afternoon kindergarten is CANCELLED. Morning kindergarten will run as scheduled.
All athletics and after school activities are CANCELLED, including the PAY Program.

There was a conference call this afternoon with RIEMA. The severe wind and rain is currently predicted to hit at 5:00 PM. This schedule will enable us to have everyone home safely by 3:00 PM. I am notifying families now so that particularly those with young children can plan and make sure someone is at home to meet their children.

Attached is information on the Portsmouth Middle School Shelter, should anyone need emergency shelter.

Please continue to listen and watch for further updates. If the weather forecast takes a turn for the worse, further cancellations are possible.

Editorial note: I'm really, really sorry about the headline. Sometimes I can't help myself.

With three-quarters of respondents saying Portsmouth's town web site made content hard to find and 70% giving it failing grades for meeting their needs, the survey results reported today by the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee (EDC) couldn't be much harsher. The entire release from the EDC is worth quoting at length. (Editorial note: For your own sanity, don't click on the link to the Town site — it will load up an insane nest of 90's-era frames with a pointless, lumbering Java navigation bar.)

The Portsmouth Economic Development Committee recently concluded a web-based survey regarding our town website; Our thanks to the many people who responded to this survey.

The survey was developed by Portsmouth Economic Development Committee to solicit all citizens input regarding the current town website with a view towards redesigning the website and making it more user-friendly. During the 4 months the survey was active, 158 people responded. The results of the survey were recently forwarded to the Town Council with a recommendation that they provide the Town Administrator with the resources necessary for a complete upgrade of the Portsmouth Town website.

Highlights of the survey results indicate that 75% of the survey responders concluded that the information they were looking for on the current Town website was either very difficult to find or not found at all, 70% rated the website 5 or less on a scale of 10 in meeting their needs, 60% indicated that a full-featured website would reduce their need to visit the Town Hall, and 84% agreed that a modern, easy to use website was important for the Town.

In addition to the survey questions, respondents were asked for their recommendations on improving the website. The general theme of many comments was the desire and need to allow more public access and participation in Town government through an upgraded Town website. Features that are considered to be key to an effective town site are:

• Emergency instructions, information and data. Immediate Up to date to emergency and other important information can be posted as well as “pushed” to Town citizens via blog, Facebook or Twitter feeds.
• Online payments. (For taxes and other Town fees)
• On-line renewals (e.g., Town and Transfer Station sticker renewal)
• Online access to Records. (e.g., Birth, death certificates, etc.
• Online access to necessary forms and applications
• Posted public documents. (Both final and in draft form while being updated)
• User Friendly Searches. Clear and user-friendly website search ability with links to other important external sites (State, other communities, school department, etc.)
• Video Streaming. Streaming and on-demand videos of Town Council, School Board and other important public meetings
• Local Links. Links to local news, Committee meetings, sports schedules, etc.
• Position statements. (e.g. by Town leaders and candidates for office on controversial or upcoming issues such as budget, policies or initiatives)
• Backup reference Information. Posted backup reference material provided to Town officials for all public meetings
• Comments and Suggestions. Ability for citizens to send comments and suggestions to Town officials from the website

Based on the survey results, the EDC concluded that the Town website is in need of major work to be even minimally effective. A full-featured and more user-friendly Town website will benefit all Portsmouth residents by allowing direct access to Town documents, ordnances, meeting agenda and minutes, and Town officials. An updated website will also facilitate the payment of fees and taxes and provide a much needed vehicle for rapidly communicating important information to the public during emergencies. These changes will also enhance Portsmouth’s ability to attract new businesses and residents, since the first impression potential visitors will have of Portsmouth is likely to be from our website.

An attractive and multi-featured website need not be expensive. The Town Administrator has already taken the initiative to improve the website by requesting the assistance of the ri.gov in creating website templates for Portsmouth. We will hopefully see the results of this effort in the next few months

The complete Website Survey report to the Town Council can be found on the PEDC website at www.portsmouthriedc.com

E. Doug Smith
Member, PEDC

Editorial: We've got a bunch of Web-savvy folks in town. If you had to do it on the cheap, it would take a team to port this thing to a modern content management system like, say, Drupal, but after that one-time effort, it becomes possible to distribute content entry, snap in modules to add new features, and leverage out-of-the box Web 2.0 functionality. I think the Council might consider forming a technology committee to take a look at this.

There were just 6 people in attendance at the Portsmouth School Finance subcommittee meeting tonight, and despite the somewhat theatrical buildup given in the Newport Daily News (who didn't bother to send a reporter) there were no secret pots of money discovered, no moment where a school committee member leaped up and said, "Aha! It was Colonel Mustard, in the Conservatory, with the Candlestick."

Rather, it was a prosaic but instructional two hour meeting in which Finance Director Mark Dunham walked through spreadsheets describing each of the restricted accounts (Federal Title I, Title II, Title IV, IDEA, state Article 18), while Asst. Supt. Colleen Jermain, and Supt. Susan Lusi provided any necessary backup on the nature of the fund and the and its restrictions.

Finance subcommittee chair Mike Buddemeyer explained why he wanted everything in so much detail. "I only want to do this once," he said.

At the end of the meeting, the subcommittee voted to direct the administration to produce the same reports on a quarterly basis for the school committtee's review. I would urge anyone who still has questions to watch the tape on Channel 18.

Full disclosure: I am a candidate for Portsmouth School Committee.

Dr. Christina Martin, recently retired principal of Hathaway Elementary school, announced her support for John McDaid in the Portsmouth School Committee race. The ten-year veteran of Portsmouth's schools issued the following statement:

"John McDaid is a perfect candidate for the Portsmouth School Committee. He is truly schooled in the strengths and challenges of the school department, the sort of in-service training that all school committee members need to make informed decisions."

"During the last four years I have seen John's commitment to the education of his son, Jack, a student at Hathaway, and to all Portsmouth students."

"He is a proven communicator who has covered Portsmouth on his local news blog, where I've often read his coverage of school committee and town council meetings."

"John is a knowledgeable and committed participant in the process of leading our schools into the future. He was a participant in the Future Search workshop -- held at Hathaway -- which developed a strategic vision for the schools. As an appointed member of the facilities committee, he came to Hathaway with the engineers and we toured every corner of the building as they were developing their recommendations."

"His service on the district technology committee shows his dedication to the improvement of our schools. He worked with many teachers -- not just at Hathaway -- to assist in implementing the district's new web site. And I worked with him directly on the search team for our technology integration specialist and found him to be a thoughtful and engaged participant."

"Elected officials are charged with making decisions that impact the lives of all of us, so they need to really know the nuts and bolts of the organizational life intimately. John brings a deep understanding of the challenges and an admired dedication to the schools — he will make a great school committee member."

"I am honored to receive this significant endorsement," McDaid said. "Dr. Martin has been a leader in Portsmouth education for a decade, and as principal of Hathway, her tireless efforts on behalf of our children have earned her the respect of students, parents, and the community."

John McDaid is running as an endorsed Democratic candidate, on a slate with David Croston, Andrew Kelly, and Marge Levesque.

Related links
John McDaid campaign Web site: http://johnmcdaid.com
See the announcement on Portsmouth Patch

Full disclosure: It's pretty clear that I'm in candidate mode from here to November. And yes, this one is from a press release.

At the Portsmouth teacher orientation this morning, the Portsmouth Public Education Foundation (PPEF) announced their 2010-2011 PPEF Educational Excellence Grant Recipients and their 3rd Teacher of the Year Award recipient, Kim Cunningham of Portsmouth High School.

This year's Teacher of the Year award was sponsored by NewportFed, and nominations were accepted throughout the month of May from the Portsmouth community. Cunningham, in addition to the award, received a $1,000 unrestricted grant from PPEF at the presentation this morning.

Thirteen Educational Excellence grants were awarded totaling $8,743 to teachers in Melville Elementary School, Portsmouth Middle School, and Portsmouth High School:

Elaina Amaral (PHS): Whales – Up Close and Personal;
Kimberly Hancock (PHS): Real World Reading;
Leanne Gordon Perry (PHS): Anatomical Modeling;
Diane Roth (Melville): Center Stage + Math;
Kathleen Beebe (PHS): Enhancing Science Labs;
Sandy Oxx (PHS): Using E-Readers in the Classroom;
Rose Escobar (PHS): Tribute to My Hero;
Donna Powell, Sue Roklan, Valerie Seveney, Bryn Weymouth (Melville): Lights Camera Action – Building Reading Fluency;
Alison Ernest (PMS): Listen to This;
Richard Price (PMS): Listen and See the Music of America;
Carol Strakosh (PMS): Poetry in Performance;
Sharon Raposo (PMS): Building the Skills of Autistic Children
Kimberly Hancock, Marilyn Thompson, Michelle Beaulieu (PHS): Reading SOS, Strategies for Older Children.

In addition to PPEF fundraising, the foundation received community support to help fund these grants. A generous donation came from the Dr. Robert A. Davidson Charitable Fund from proceeds earned in a public concert the held this past January. A Civic Support Grant sponsored by Sen. Charles Levesque and another grant by the Barton J. Carroll Foundation also helped fund this year's grant awards. A new memorial grant, the William "Jay" Humphrey Jr. Memorial Grant, was also created in memory of former PPEF President, Jay Humphrey, who passed away this year.

Grant recipients from the last school year will also get to showcase their projects in the upcoming Fall Social on October 21, 2010, which will be held at Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth. This event is open to the general public and hosts a silent auction to raise additional funds for future grants.

PPEF would also like to welcome three new board members to PPEF: Eileen LaCazette, Ellen Toner, and Bruce Jones. They bring tremendous talent to our organization and we look forward to a strong future with their contributions.

PPEF is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to improve, promote, sponsor, and enhance the educational experiences of public school students. PPEF awards grants directly to teachers for events, activities and projects that are not financed by the school or town budget. Since 2001, the foundation has awarded 131 grants totaling over $68,589.00. Learn more at the PPEF web site

Full disclosure: I am a PPEF board member. Yes, this is from a press release.

The awesome science fiction web site io9 posted a list of "strange" sf, and I'm chuffed that my 1995 story "Jigoku no mokushiroku (The Symbolic Revelation of the Apocalypse) made the cut. You can, of course, read it here.

Why is this story strange? Well, possibly because the point-of-view character is a sentient elevator? Maybe this would be a good time to mention that I'm working on a sequel, called "Jigoku de hotoke."

This was a pleasant surprise. I've been so swamped with work and campaign stuff these past few weeks that I didn't even catch the mention (I have io9 set in my newsreader, and truth to tell, often have to make do with scanning headlines). Didn't spot it until it showed up in my referer logs.

Thanks to Jason Sanford for the list, and to Annalee Newitz for the pickup.

Over a hundred were gathered in tents in yesterday's heat at the Patriots Park memorial just off Rt. 114, as Portsmouth paused to remember the contributions of the Black Regiment. The African-American slaves who earned their freedom by serving in this Continental Army regiment were honored for their service in the fight for America's independence.

"This was not just a victory in the gradual securing of their own freedom," said guest speaker Michael Browner, Jr., a social studies teacher from Newport, "But in the fight for freedom and justice for all Americans."

Browner stressed that the struggle the Black Regiment fought was far from over. "In 2010, we still need a regiment who are willing to work tirelessly to address some of the same hardships as those men we celebrate here today."

And he made an explicit connection to his own work as a teacher. "I am on the front line of the battle for public education," said Browner, stressing the need for committed families, and supportive communities to provide educational opportunities.

He recounted what he had said to two of his former students. "I have a dream that you will stay in school, and I will keep you there by any means necessary," said Browner, adding, "That's a quote from Martin, Michael, and Malcolm."

The yearly event was sponsored by the RI NAACP and The RI Black Heritage Society, VFW Post 4487, the United Veterans Council of Newport County, and American Legion Post 7. Newport school committee chair Jo Eva Gaines was the mistress of ceremonies. The Salve Regina community band played the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the RI National Guard provided a bugler and rifle salute as the wreath was laid at the memorial by Charles Newton, Capt. Shirley Hill, and NAACP Newport County president Joyce Williams. Williams also presented Browner with thanks from the organization for his speech at the event.

Local Portsmouth figures attending included state Sen. Chuck Levesque, Town Councilor Jim Seveney, and former Councilor Bill West.

The sound of pile drivers at the Sakonnet River Bridge construction site — painfully familiar to anyone in the Hummocks and audible even from Island Park — is now a thing of the past, says the RI Dept. of Transportation (RIDOT).

In a press release, RIDOT announced that the last round of pile driving finished on Tuesday and positive test results Thursday meant the end of this phase of the project, which involved sinking nearly 500 piles, some to depths of greater than 200 feet below the riverbed.

“We appreciate the patience of the residents and business owners near the bridge and apologize for the noise and disruption the pile driving operations caused,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said in a statement. “We are excited to reach this milestone thanks to the efforts of our contractor, Cardi Corporation, as we continue replacing this valuable transportation link to Aquidneck Island.”

The Department anticipates the new bridge to be open to traffic in Spring 2012, however, the contract with Cardi Corporation includes an early incentive clause which could result in the bridge opening to traffic earlier.

Editorial note: Yep, this one's from a press release.

The fifth annual Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts fishing tournament begins next Saturday, and the week-long fundraising event is capped off with a cookout at the Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club on Saturday, September 11. The event, hosted by the Aquidneck Island Striper team is a benefit for the SSG Christopher Potts Memorial Fund, set up to help the family of the fallen serviceman. Here's more info about how you can participate and contribute.

My name is Captain Michael Littlefield and every year the family of Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts and our fishing club, the Aquidneck Island Striper Team, has the honor of hosting a fishing tournament for our friend who was mortally wounded in Iraq. For the last four years, we have been raising money for the SSG Christopher Potts Memorial Fund through local donations. This will be the 5th annual fishing tournament for the family of Sgt. Potts.

Sgt. Potts was assigned to 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery Regiment, Army National Guard, Providence, Rhode Island. He died in Taji, Iraq, while conducting traffic control operations. Sgt. Potts died on his 38th birthday October 3, 2004. He leaves a wife and two sons behind.

Chris was an avid fisherman. He loved to spend time fishing with his family. In his memory, we gather annually to fish with his family and friends. This year’s tournament will start on September 3rd at noon and end at midnight September 11th. The benefit will be held at the Portuguese American Club in Portsmouth on Saturday, September 11th (ALL DAY). Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased at Riverside Marine 401-625-5181, Sam’s Bait and Tackle 401-848-5909 and our website www.AIStriperTeam.webs.com. There will be food, prizes, 50/50 raffles, and live music at the benefit.

In order to make this fundraiser a continued success, we need your help with food, raffle and prize items. Whether it’s fishing equipment, gift certificates, a simple monetary donation or food for the benefit, we would greatly appreciate your generosity. Please send donations to Riverside Marine at the address listed. If you prefer, we can make arrangements to pick up the donation at your convenience. Monetary donations can also be made by visiting our website and click the donation button on the tournament page. If your company would like to find out more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at the numbers below.

Come celebrate with the Sgt. Potts family and over 300 anglers at this great event. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Contact info
Captain BJ Silvia 401-529-2267
Captain Michael Littlefield 401-529-2267
Captain Mike Littlefield 401-525-0813

Riverside Marine
211 Riverside Drive
Tiverton, RI 02878
Attn: SSG Christopher Potts Fishing Tournament

www.AIStriperTeam.webs.com

The Portsmouth school budget referendum has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 5, according to a posting this afternoon on the Save Our Schools web site. Absentee ballots will be available from September 15.

SOS organizer Dave Croston reminded students who are still registered here in Portsmouth to stop by Town Hall. "Students should visit the Canvassers Office before they head-out for school and sign-up to receive an absentee ballot. Emergency ballots will also be available up to the election."

According to an e-mail from Croston, the final tally of signatures validated by the Canvasser's office was 1,871.

Thanks again to all the volunteers who made this happen, and to everyone who signed.

The Rhode Island congressional delegation has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to visit the state to see the proposed LNG site firsthand and discuss concerns with state and local officials, according to a letter obtained by harddeadlines.

The letter to FERC chairman Jon Wellinghoff, provided by Rep. Ray Gallison (D-69), notes that while the facility would be located in Massachusetts, "the project would arguably have a more profound effect on Rhode Island. Yet, Rhode Island's formal role in approving this project has been severely limited."

Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Patrick Kennedy and Jim Langevin signed the letter, which asks the FERC chair to visit RI with his fellow commissioners to meet with the delegation and state and local officials and visit the site of the project.

Editorial note: I want to thank our delegation for their persistence. I think it would be a great idea to have FERC come see the Mt. Hope bridge and upper bay and explain directly to the communities living right along the shore just how this could possibly be safe. *cough* Gulf of Mexico *cough*

You can read/download the letter here (PDF).

You might have noticed a slight off taste in your tap water over the past week, but the Portsmouth Water and Fire District (PWFD) has identified the issue and determined it poses no health risk, officials said in a release. The source of the musty or earthy taste, the District said, was algae or other natural growth in the Lawton reservoir and St. Mary's Pond. Although the plant material is removed during treatment, the taste and odor can remain.

PWFD general manager William McGlinn said that despite the taste and odor, the water is safe for drinking and all other uses, and is routinely tested to Department of Health water quality standards. McGlinn indicated that earthy, musty taste and odor problems in the island’s treated water are not uncommon in August and September, particularly during unusually hot, dry summers. McGlinn noted that the taste and odor problem is noticeably more intense this year, which is prompting complaints from customers that normally do not notice the problem.

Newport Water (which supplies PWFD) began the process of switching to a different water source last week to help eliminate the taste and odor problem. Water from the Watson Reservoir in Little Compton is now being treated and supplied as of last Friday. Although the District continued to receive taste and odor complaints as of Monday afternoon, the intensity of the problem appears to be lessening and should continue to improve during the week as the existing water in the storage tanks and piping system is used up by customer demand.

McGlinn suggested that chilling the water in an open container in the refrigerator will help improve the taste and odor. Although the District does not generally recommend water filters, some customers have indicated that pitchers with charcoal filters have also helped to reduce the taste and odor. Although there is nothing the District can do to eliminate this problem in the treated water, McGlinn said that the District apologies to its customers for this temporary, seasonal inconvenience.

Editorial note: Substantially from a press release.

The US Department of Agriculture provided a $1M helping hand to efforts by the Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) to conserve Portsmouth's Wicks Nursery property, ALT announced this afternoon. The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) made the award to help ALT reach their target of $2M for a permanent conservation easement on the 40-acre property off East Main Road.

Ted Clement, ALT's Executive Director, said in a statement, "We thank USDA/NRCS for giving us a foundation for success with our important and time-sensitive campaign to save Wicks Nursery. I would also like to thank NRCS programs staff for helping me with our grant application for this project."

Rhode Island NRCS State Conservationist, R. Phou Vongkhamdy said, "I am excited about assisting Aquidneck Land Trust in acquiring this last major unprotected parcel within this important watershed."

On July 2, ALT and the Wicks family signed an Option Agreement that will give ALT nine months to raise the necessary monies. Wicks Nursery has been under constant development threats the last few years, including a proposal in 2008 to convert the farm into an 108-lot subdivision that would have put immense pressures on the island's already burdened infrastructure and limited natural resources. The Option Agreement was reached despite new development offers this year.

For more information, visit AquidneckLandTrust.org.

Editorial note: Yep, this one's from a press release.

According to Registrar of Voters Madeleine Pencak, Portsmouth's canvassing authority verified sufficient signatures this morning to hold a special referendum election on the school budget.

Pencak said there were "another 600" names left to count, so the Save Our Schools organizers had met the goal with room to spare.

Once the board finishes reviewing all the submitted signatures, the date will be set for the all-day election where the single question will be whether to maintain the budget set by the Town Council or add back $765K of the $1.2M that was cut.

Patch, the AOL-owned local news organization which recently launched in Portsmouth, announced today that they had rolled out their 100th site, with plans to expand to 500 sites in 20 states by year end.

According to a statement sent to media outlets, "With over 500 journalists still to be hired, Patch expects to be the largest hirer of full-time journalists in the U.S. this year."

Go back and read that graf again.

If I'm running a dinosaur dead-tree newspaper (*cough* Newport Daily News *cough*), I'm cowering in the tornado shelter and praying that the iPad and Android will magically rescue me. Me, I'm not betting on that. The future of news is online, open, and social. I like Patch, and I'm a big fan of the Washington, DC news cross-media play TBD.com which goes a step further, explicitly acknowledging local bloggers as part of the news ecosystem. I couldn't agree more with statement from one of the Patch advisory board:

“All news is essentially local, and the pace at which Patch has grown shows that the demand for meaningful community news and information is alive and well,” said Phil Meyer, Professor Emeritus in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a member of the Patch Editorial Advisory Board. “Patch’s strength lies in the hyper-relevant nature of the information it provides to users in the communities and the robustness of its journalism. Patch has made a demonstrable leap toward filling a distinct gap in news and information at the hyper-local level.”

More about Patch:

Every Patch site is run by one professional local editor who, along with freelancers, provides quality original news and information to its community. As part of its expansion, Patch continues to hire experienced professional journalists to fill important new roles in the organization.

Patch sites are already up and running in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia. The 2010 expansion includes plans to extend Patch’s reach into more than a dozen new states including Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.— via press release

Visit Portsmouth.Patch.com

Editorial note: Written substantially from a press release.