This month, the charming town of Barrington is home to the Barrington Harvest Stroll, a day of food, fun and fall cheer. Taking place on October 13 from noon-4pm, visitors can expect pumpkin carving (minus the mess of doing it at home), a hayride and “make your own scarecrow” tables. There will also be lots to eat courtesy of a food truck rally at the Town Hall. Come hungry and bring the whole family. Local businesses will also be in on the festivities by offering sales and specials all day long. Contact the Barrington Business Association for further details. 283 County Road, Barrington. More
To alleviate some of the stress caused by rising dental costs, Dr. David Ahearn of South Coast Smiles Dentistry will be providing complimentary dental care to local residents on September 22 at the 5th Annual Dentistry From the Heart Event. Accompanied by his colleagues and other volunteers, Dr. Ahearn will provide cleanings, fillings and extractions, all free of charge. Participation is on a first come, first served basis, so those in need are advised to arrive early; registration begins at 7:30am.
“My staff and I look forward to this event every year, because we know there are many people out there who simply can’t afford dental care at this time,” says Dr. Ahearn. “Last year we donated over $35,000 of treatment to those in need. It’s such a great feeling to be able to give back to our community in this way.” Last year, more than 150 people received treatment, and now you too have the chance to save big. 8am-3pm. 185 Highland Avenue, Seekonk. More
When old, abandoned buildings receive a breath of new life, it can be a beautiful thing. A group of neighbors recently put their heads together and came up with a plan regarding what should be done with Tiverton’s vacated Nonquit School. They’ve made an offer to the town to purchase the former school building and reopen it as the Nonquit Center, a new community arts and education center. The center would function as a nonprofit and be used for arts and music education programs, environmental and nature programs, food and agriculture classes, local history and Native American studies and wellness programs. The board members of the Four Corners Arts Center are standing up to support this effort and ask the public to sign their online petition of support, noting that the project would be privately funded and impose no tax burden on residents. To support the proposal visit www.nonquitcenter.org. More
In addition to serving up some of the most delicious ice cream this side of the Mason-Dixon Line, Swansea’s Simcock Farm also serves as a haven to neglected animals including potbelly pigs, miniature horses, sheep and more. Sadly, both Mini Moo and her mate Michael Angelo have recently passed away, less than two weeks apart. Owner Beverly Ann Simcock says, “I think Michael Angelo died of a broken heart.” Every year, the farm chooses one special animal to serve as mayor and now they need your help to pick a name for their lop eared baby girl bunny. Participate in the Name the Mayor of Simcock Farm Contest by choosing one of the following names: Mulan, Madonna or Mona Lisa. Stop by the stand to vote; it’s $1 per vote and all proceeds go to Shana’s Last Chance Rescue. More
The all gluten-free specialty food store Healthy Haven celebrates its five year anniversary with a Celebration Gala on September 15 from 10am-4pm. At least 10 local vendors will be on site for product samplings and a free raffle featuring food and beauty items and gift certificates. If you haven’t yet ventured into the delicious (and healthy) world of gluten-free food, owner Kathi Thiboutot is more than happy to help anyone take the leap. 80 Main Road, Tiverton. 401-816-5844. More
On September 12, roving culinary adventure Outstanding in the Fields continues its 2012 North American Tour with a stop at Aquidneck Farms in Portsmouth. The evening starts with a glass of wine and a brief introductory speech by host farmers Jim Booth and Michael Victor, followed by a tour of the farm. After walking up an appetite, guests enjoy dinner at a long table set up in a grass field overlooking the water. Dinner is served farm-style and wines will be paired with each course. Local growers will discuss their craft, encouraging diners to ask questions. $210. 333 Wapping Road, Portsmouth. 401-849-0337. More
The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is offering lots of fun-filled ways to give back to the community this summer through volunteering at its Environmental Education Center in Bristol. One way to get involved is to apply for an internship; duties include teaching, research and helping with special events. Internships require a commitment of at least four hours per week. Volunteers are needed for gardening – enjoy some time in the sun while caring for or landscaping the gardens and trails around the community site. There is no minimum time commitment for volunteers. Finally, if you prefer the comfort of air conditioning, sign up to work at the summer craft tables where naturethemed crafts are provided for children every Friday and Saturday from 10am to noon. Take some time out of your summer vacation to give back and help out. 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. 401-245-7500.
April Showers brought May flowers… and some unwanted plants that have sprouted at Allens Pond. Mass Audubon needs volunteers to help remove the invasive plant species that are disrupting the natural beauty of the sanctuary grounds. To fully restore the pond, volunteers will also be planting native species, returning Allens Pond to its natural splendor. This project has lots of eco-friendly benefits for locals because it will be affecting the bird and animal populations. The work may be physically demanding, but for those looking to break a sweat and spend some time in nature this summer, this may be for you. 508-636-2437.
Rock The Fight Against CHD is an event with a lot of soul. It’s put on by a rock and roll family affected by congenital heart defect (CHD). Event coordinator and local musician Donnie Wilson and his uncle, Ed Violette, are performing as Back-2-Back, singing songs that express their experiences with CHD. Comedian Tom Riles, who is also a CHD father, will be providing the comedy component of the entertainment-packed evening. While the lyrics serve to promote … More
To celebrate its 35th anniversary, the Bristol House of Pizza expanded its restaurant, taking over the location previously occupied by Hair, Heart and Soul. All this new space allows for larger parties, such as little league teams or graduation celebrations. New menu options are expected soon. More
Seekonk’s 1149 Bar & Grill invites cigar aficionados to enjoy the second Cigar Series dinner happening on August 14. In addition to the specialty appetizers and grilled meats, guests are given three premium cigars and a selection of beer tastings. Tickets must be purchased in advance. More
The Wall Street Journal's Smart Money blog has a report on the rising price of corn and the impact it will likely have on consumers' grocery bills. (Did you know corn is used in three out of four supermarket products?!) The high prices can be traced to the Midwest, America's breadbasket, where they're experiencing the worst drought since 1956. Fortunately for us, it's corn season. Fresh, sweet, native corn is in abundance right now at farm stands all over the East Bay. Stop by one of these in your travels today and enjoy some local corn for dinner tonight.
Mello's Farm Stand, 364 Boyds Ln., Portsmouth. Open daily, 9am-7pm.
Johnson's Roadside Farm Market, 445 Market St., Swansea. Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday, 9am-5pm.
Sandywoods Farm, 43 Muse Way, Tiverton. Open Sundays.
Four Town Farm, 90 George St., Seekonk. Monday-Friday, 9am-6:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-6pm.
Highland Greenhouse, 592 Neck Rd., Tiverton. Open daily, 8am-dusk.
Simmons Farm, 1942 West Main Rd., Middletown. Open daily- 9am-5pm. More
Warren’s waterfront has become even more charming now that The Cheese Plate has gotten a make over. New owners Joanne Everett and Matt Vincent – who also own Providence’s Tortilla Flats – purchased the fledgling restaurant at 54 State Street and have breathed into it new life.
Yesterday they hosted a little soiree; we enjoyed wine while sampling their cheese/charcuterie plates, served with all the accoutrements including nuts, jams, mustards and bread. It’s European eating at its best. Stop in for wine and cheese, or wine and cheesecake. Take it from me, you won’t regret it. More
Sarah Schumann doesn't fit the stereotypical image of a commercial fisher: she's a woman, first off, with a master’s degree in Environmental Policy. As she explains in this month's So Rhode Island cover story, her goal is to make the ecosystem a more stable and sustainable environment for people and fish to exist co-dependently.
Schumann now has the opportunity to spread her message even further than her base here in Rhode Island, now that she's earned a TogetherGreen Fellowship award from Toyota and the National Audubon Society. The Fellowship was launched in 2008 to encourage diverse environmental leadership and fund innovative conservation projects and ideas. The TogetherGreen Fellowship gives 40 local leaders $10,000 to help engage a wider audience in environmental conservation, which works well with Schuman’s mission to involve and educate fisherman and their customers about the ecosystems from which their seafood is sourced.
Her project, Eating With the Ecosystem, is a culinary tour of the native species from the fishing areas around New England, with a marine scientist and local fisherman explaining the ecological context behind each item on the plate. The next part of this dinner series will take place at Cook & Brown Public House in Providence on September 10, with a focus on the seafood native to Southern New England. Buy tickets here. More
The folks at DeWolf Tavern are busy preparing for their Brunch for Babies event on June 3. Their waterfront deck will play host to this 2nd annual event, which raises money for the March of Dimes. Enjoy a brunch buffet, a cocktail and juice bar, a silent auction and beautiful scenery. Tickets are $25; all proceeds go to the organization whose mission is to help expecting moms to full-term pregnancy and research the problems that threaten the health of babies. More
Bill Pinelli’s Pinelli’s Express, located inside Seekonk Speedway on Route 6 in Seekonk, has just opened for the season. They will serve a select menu of Pinelli’s famous Italian specialties such as sandwiches, pizzas and calzones. Many of the dishes at Pinelli’s Express are based on the menu at B. Pinelli’s Simply Italian in East Providence, and Pinelli’s Café and Deli in West Warwick. More
After just two months of operation, Art Night Bristol & Warren was honored with a 2012 Regional Tourism award. On May 8th, Governor Chafee presented the award at the 27th Annual Tourism and Unity Luncheon and Travel Exchange held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. This year’s Luncheon theme was “Beautiful Rhode Island”, aimed at commemorating the state’s fervent culture. The honorees helped to make travel and tourism the $5.2 Billion industry it is, and maintain over 41,000 jobs statewide. Click here to learn more about Art Night-Bristol & Warren. More
The staff in our office has always been largely female (roughly a 3:1 ratio) and while that has mostly been for the good, we always knew it might come back to haunt us one day. That day has come. Shine America, the production company behind critically acclaimed scripted shows (The Office, Ugly Betty), reality TV hits (The Biggest Loser, Nashville Star) and, well, other things (MTV's Date My Mom, that short-lived American Gladiators reboot), is now looking to the biggest little for its latest reality TV inspiration. They're currently seeking male business owners for what is sure to be the thinking guido's answer to Jersey Shore: the soon-to-be-a-pop-culture-phenomenon Rhode Island Boys. According to the casting call, Shine America "has a fascination with Rhode Island's small businesses," and they're looking for male-owned businesses with predominantly male employees — which means our moment in the harsh, unflattering spotlight of reality TV will have to wait. However, we promise the fine folks at Shine America that if they'll reconsider maybe doing Rhode Island Boys and Girls, we'll deliver all the cussing, petty infighting, drunken tantrums, on-camera meltdowns and delusions of self-importance they could ever possibly hope for. In the meantime, if you think your business fits the bill, contact LDI Casting for more details. More
MUSE American Handcrafted in Warren held what will most likely become an annual diamond event last weekend. Customers were invited to fish for a real diamond valued at $600 with a pair of tweezers through a bowl of cubic zirconium stones. Although no one chose the real diamond, no one walked away a loser since the cubic zirconium could be set inexpensively into a necklace or stud earrings (around $25). Check out MUSE this Mother’s Day weekend – we hear the diamond will be making another appearance and you might just be the lucky winner. Whether you hold on to it or fork it over to the woman who gave you life is your decision — no judgment here. More
Even after a mild winter, there is one thing that everyone looks forward to on a hot day; the thirst quenching, body cooling first sip/bite of a Del's Lemonade. It has the perfect sized ice crush and real pieces of lemon. Okay, you have waited long enough. Here you go — just watch out for the brain freeze.
But one first has to work up a sweat to truly appreciate the cooling effects that a Del's has to offer. I offer the perfect location to get a good sweat on first and then have it remedied immediately by proximity to a Del's stand: The bike path in Warren. Park behind the Del's Lemonade stand located at 65 Child Street, Warren in the municipal lot; it has free parking.
Let's talk about the East Bay Bike Path. To begin with, it's gorgeous. I just bought a new pair of rollerblades (that's right, rollerblades), and needed to break them in. With a friend in tow, we took off.
Within a mile or so we came upon this sight:
This Save the Bay spot is great for a few reasons. Let's say that you are with your kids and they need a break. Not only do you have a beautiful view but you have an educational opportunity. Further down the path, just over the Warren line and into Bristol, is another gorgeous spot next to a small wetland.
This small wetland protected by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island is host to a variety of wildlife. Just in the short time I spent listening, I could hear red-winged blackbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, black-capped chickadees, common grackles, and two pairs of ospreys. I also saw a few frogs jumping around and some tadpoles.
All along the path you'll find families, friends, couples and a few people going solo to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery.
It's free, it's fun, and its right in our backyard. By the time you get back to your car in the municipal lot, I highly doubt you'll need a reminder to quench your thirst with the Del's that is so perfectly located you would have to be blind to miss it. The bike path … More
Who can forget all the buzz last summer regarding a movie being filmed in our area starring powerhouse celebrities Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton and Tilda Swinton? The time has finally come to see our beloved state and its beautiful scenery up on the big screen in acclaimed director Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom. The film is set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965 and tells the story of two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact and run away together in the wilderness. You may have heard rumors of Bruce Willis and Bill Murray spottings at Tiverton’s Standish Boatyard. (The boatyard was just one of the many staging areas for the film.) The Hollywood stars were said to have been very friendly and down to earth. Be sure to look for the much-anticipated motion picture, set to premiere as the opening film of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival on May 16. It’s scheduled for an American release on May 25. More