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
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