Newport Opens New Public State Peir at Fort Adams State Park, Newport

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

 

NEWPORT - Governor Gina M. Raimondo, Rhode Island Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed and Director of the Department of Environmental Management Janet Coit today officially opened the new public pier at Fort Adams State Park. Construction on the pier began in April 2014 to improve public access to Narragansett Bay.

 

"Increasing public access to Narragansett Bay is a great way to attract visitors to one of our beautiful state parks," Governor Raimondo said. "Completing this type of project demonstrates Rhode Island is ready to welcome residents and tourists alike to enjoy all our state has to offer."

 

"This investment in a new pier enables us to attract world-class events to Newport and enhances public access to the Bay," said Senate President Paiva Weed. "Fort Adams State Park is an asset that promotes economic development and tourism, and this investment benefits the community of Newport and the State of Rhode Island."

 

"Expanding the park's ability to welcome more boats of varying sizes is important as we work to attract even more visitors and water-related events," said Director Coit. "This strategic investment will help promote Fort Adams as an accessible and welcoming destination for years to come."

 

Funded through the state's annual capital improvement program, the new North Pier is one of several capital improvements at Fort Adams State Park.

 

The 240-foot long pier - with seven rows of floating docks and a public pump out station - was designed by Louis Berger architects and St. Jean Engineering, both of Providence. Middletown based construction group Reagan Construction completed the work.

 

The new North Pier will also be the home of the Oliver Hazard Perry, the state's official Tall Ship.

Woonsocket Plaza Sold for $22 Million !

Today's 5-9-15 Pro-Jo in the Real Estate Transactions on page 6 posted WP Woonsocket Association to Woonsocket Mall LLC 2000 Diamond Hill Road for $22.0 Million
 I wonder what the new business plans will be for $22 million ?

Glocester Prescrition Medication Drug Drop Off Box

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Glocester Police Department has recently acquired a prescription medication drop box where you may drop off your unwanted/unused prescription medications so that they may be safely destroyed. This drop box is available at the station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

May 4, 2015, Part 1 of 3, North Smithfield Town Council Meeting

Bedding Plants, Flowers Available at Farmers’ Markets for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that three farmers’ markets located in state parks are now open on a weekly basis. For the first few weeks, the popular markets primarily will offer bedding plants, hanging plants, cut flowers, meat, early vegetable crops, honey, and maple syrup. As traditional local summer crops become available, more vendors will participate.

"Farmers' markets are great places to get delicious and freshly-harvested local foods direct from the farm to your kitchen table," said DEM Director Janet Coit.  "In addition to offering an opportunity to buy the freshest produce, meats and seafood possible, farmers' markets are great places to purchase beautiful bedding plants and flowers – especially with Mother’s Day just a few days away.” 

The farmers' markets in DEM-operated parks and market hours of operation are:

• Goddard Memorial State Park Farmers' Market in Warwick , Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Fishermen’s Memorial State Park Farmers' Market in Narragansett, Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Haines Memorial State Park Farmers' Market on Route 103 on the East Providence/Barrington line, Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The opening of the DEM Farmers' Markets coincides with the opening of many other farmers' markets throughout the state. Several additional farmers’ markets operated by DEM will open in late July through late October, including:

• Capitol Hill Farmers’ Market in Providence , Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on July 9.

• Johnston Farmers’ Market at Memorial Park on Route 6 ( Hartford Avenue ), Mondays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on July 27.    Most vendors at every DEM Farmers' market accept farmers' market checks from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) administered by the Department of Health (to purchase fruits and vegetables). The successful Senior Farmers' Nutrition Program for purchase of fruits and vegetables, administered by DEM for the past eight years, will be offered at all DEM markets as the season progresses. The coupons are expected to be available at senior centers sometime in July. To qualify for the program, persons 60 or older make a simple self-declaration of income based on household size. DEM coordinates the program in conjunction with the RI Department of Elderly Affairs.   

Farming is an integral part of the state's economy and provides a valuable contribution to Rhode Island 's open space and quality of life. Beyond fresh and local produce, nursery stock, sod and Rhode Island 's own Rhody Fresh milk, in RI agriculture contributes $239 million annually to tourism, open space, landscaping businesses, and a variety of food-related industries.

DEM's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing, which helps farmers with marketing info rmation, offers a free brochure that lists the locations of all farmers' markets and roadside stands, along with addresses, hours, days and months of operation, and telephone numbers. The brochure is available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on “Agriculture in Rhode Island ” on the left side of the homepage, then “RI Ag Products.”  To participate in the state farmers' markets, or to receive a copy of the brochure by mail, please contact the Division at 222-2781.   

DEM ANNOUNCES WEEKEND OPENING OF STATE BEACHES BEGINNING SATURDAY, MAY 9

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

 

PROVIDENCE -- The Department of Environmental Management announces that state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on Saturday, May 9.  Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler and Misquamicut state beaches will be open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from May 9 until Memorial Day to accommodate early beach-goers and advance season pass sales. All state beaches will be open on a daily basis from Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer outdoor recreation season, until Labor Day. 

 

The beaches at Lincoln Woods State Park and Goddard Memorial State Park beach will be open Saturdays and Sundays, beginning May 9, weather permitting. The remaining non-surf state beaches, Burlingame picnic area, Pulaski Park and Fort Adams State Park will be open daily beginning Saturday, May 23 until Labor Day.

 

"We're excited to welcome Rhode Islanders and visitors back to Rhode Island ’s spectacular state beaches for the season," said DEM Director Janet Coit.  "Our world-class, state-of-the-art beach facilities are among the state's major tourist attractions and generate millions of dollars for the local and state economy every year.  Enjoying these beautiful beaches with family, friends and visitors creates memories that will last a lifetime.” 

 

            The fee structure for the 2015 season will remain the same as the previous four years. The daily beach parking fee for residents is $10 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays.  The daily non-resident beach parking fee is $20 on weekdays and $28 on weekends and holidays.  The fee for a season pass remains at $60 for residents and $120 for non-residents. 

 

Senior citizens 65 years and older will continue to enjoy half-price rates on daily beach parking fees; those rates are $5 on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays.  Non-resident senior beach parking fees are $10 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays.  The fee for a season pass is $30 for resident seniors and $60 for non-resident seniors.

Parking fees at state beaches are based solely upon the registration (i.e. license plate) of each vehicle entering the beach facilities. All Rhode Island-registered vehicles will be subject to resident parking rates (daily and seasonal); vehicles without Rhode Island plates will be subject to non-resident rates (daily and seasonal). The regulations define a vehicle as any street legal equipment, motorized or non-motorized, properly registered for over-the-road travel.

 

R.I. DEM. Janet Coit

DEM is still accepting applications for qualified lifeguards for state beach facilities. Entry level and senior lifeguard positions are available at numerous locations throughout the state. All lifeguard positions require certification and special training in first aid, CPR, and senior lifesaving. Information about DEM and all lifeguard and seasonal positions is available on the parks website, www.riparks.com.

 

The state's job application process has been automated and is available online at www.apply.ri.gov. First-time users must create an account and select a Username and Password. After an account has been established, applicants can build an application by clicking on the "Build Job Application" link. This application can be saved and used to apply for more than one job opening. Paper applications are no longer being accepted. 

 

For those who do not have online access, a computer kiosk is available in DEM's Office of Human Resources at 235 Promenade Street , Room 350, Providence , weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to electronically apply for seasonal positions.

 

Rhode Island is proud to support “Navy Week” throughout many locations in Rhode Island during the last week of May. As a closeout to the weeklong event, the Popular Music Group (rock band) from Navy Band Northeast stationed in Newport will perform free concerts at Misquamicut State Beach on Saturday, May 30 at 1:00 p.m. and at Scarborough State Beach on Sunday, May 31 at 1:00pm.

 

Burrillville Farmers Market May thru October Saturday 9:30am to 12:30pm

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Burrillville Farmers Market Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the promotion and marketing of local farm and garden products in the Town of Burrillville and surrounding areas, and to stimulate public interest in the consumption of local farm and garden products. The market supports local farms and products and helps to preserve farms and land that support farming and, thus, improve the quality of rural life in the Burrillville area.
Our StorySince its beginning in 2007, the Burrillville Farmers' Market located in the center of Harrisville , has been growing bigger and better each year. Dedicated to preserving Burrillville's rural character and fine quality of life, farms and growers bring high quality local products directly to the community every Saturday from May through October from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
From the expected to the unexpected, we have it all! Fresh beef, honey, baked good, eggs, cut flowers, plants, wool, entertainment, children's programs, educational literature and guest experts — each market brings something new and different. Come see what's growing on in our town!