What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Buy All You Can at the Farmers' Markets and Farm Stands before Irene Barrels In!

From Coastal Market Manager, Bevan Linsley (Casey Farm, Saunderstown)

As Irene blows up the coast your farmers are working frantically to harvest everything they can just in case she really does hit us hard.  If she does, the damage to crops here may be substantial and our guys are already pretty tired at this time of the year.  Now, at the height of the harvest season, they have to stop their usual work, store everything away, tie everything else down, make sure the animals are safe and then harvest, harvest, harvest just in case there is nothing left next week. And then what to do with all that fresh produce if we don't come to market?  This is where we understand what local and sustainable really means, for this is the time for us to come to the aid of our farmers and share the risks of the weather and the season with them.

So, what they need from us now is our support on Saturday morning at the market. Come early, come often and buy as much as you can possibly afford to cook, can, freeze and eat while you are stuck inside during the storm this weekend!  The forecast currently anticipates Irene arriving here later on Sunday, so we are likely looking at a stormy morning on Saturday with wind and maybe a little rain but the [SOUTH COUNTY] MARKET WILL BE HELD AS ALWAYS!

See What Grows On in Rhode Island Sales Subcalendar for an easy-to-see summary of times and locations of upcoming Farmers' Markets. Full details about what's for sale when and where, and who sells what in addition to lists of farm stands, are on the Farm Fresh RI website.

Statewide Green Drinks ~ August 24, 2011

Today! 5pm to 8pm

Statewide Green Drinks at Narragansett Beach! It's a beautiful day to be by the Sea!

Volunteer ~ Save the Bay Prepares for Irene ~ August 27, 2011

We Need Your Help Preparing for Hurricane Irene!

Volunteers are needed at our Exploration Center Aquarium at Easton's Beach in Newport on Saturday, August 27 from 10 am - 2 pm to help fill sandbags to be used to block off the center from any potential flooding. Anytime you can give to help fill sandbags between 10 am and 2 pm would be greatly appreciated. Come grubby, bring your work gloves, a shovel and a bottle of water and we'll provide the rest!

Parking will be free if you're volunteering, just notify the staff at the beach gate you're there to volunteer for Save The Bay. The Exploration Center is located on the main floor of the Rotunda at Easton's Beach. The address is 175 Memorial Blvd. in Newport.

If you're able to help us out, please let me know at shessler@savebay.org or call 401.272.3540 x 130.

*Note: if you happen to already have filled sandbags that you'd like to share, feel free to drop them off anytime this week!*

Time to Sign Up for International Coastal Cleanup ~ September 17, 2011

September 17, 2011  ~ 9 a.m.-­noon*

*Some cleanups occur on a different date or time; check the Rhode Island International Coastal Cleanups for details.

Each year, volunteers around the world show they care about their coasts by flocking to the beaches to clean up and document the trash they find. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is proud to coordinate cleanup efforts for the Ocean State. If you would like to volunteer, please contact one of the local cleanup leaders listed below. For general questions, contact July Lewis at 401-­949-­5454 x3044 or jlewis@asri.org. This is a rain-­or-­shine event, but may be postponed in the event of a severe storm.

Bring a pair of gloves and come prepared to make a difference!

Rhode Island Water Resources Board ~ Slow the Flow ~ Summer 2011

Rhode Island Water Resources Board Launches
“SLOW THE FLOW THIS SUMMER” Campaign

Campaign aims to inform Rhode Islanders about
lawn watering guidelines and conservation efforts during the summer months

 

PROVIDENCE, RI (June 28, 2011) – The Rhode Island Water Resources Board has launched a public awareness campaign encouraging Rhode Islanders to follow simple watering guidelines this summer to keep lawns healthy while conserving water.

The “SLOW THE FLOW THIS SUMMER” campaign was developed to provide Rhode Island homeowners with year-round instructions on efficient water use for lawn watering both for lawn health and sustainability of our water supply.

“Water is a renewable but finite resource,” said Kenneth Burke, General Manager of the RI Water Resources Board. “Clean water is not always available when we need it and there is so much work and cost involved with producing clean, potable water – that it is truly wasteful to be applying it to lawns. The recent outdoor watering restrictions in both Narragansett and South Kingstown, and existing outdoor restrictions in North Kingstown emphasize the need to balance the use of these precious resources.”

Led by representatives from the Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association (RINLA), the University of Rhode Island’s Turf Program, and the RI Water Resources Board, stakeholders and experts worked for over a year to develop the State’s first lawn maintenance guidelines emphasizing water conservation.

“Working with the Rhode Island Water Resources Board to develop these important parameters was an innovative experience,” said Shannon Brawley, executive director of RINLA. “It brought together expertise from across the State to help educate about appropriate lawn watering and maintenance while conserving our critical resources.”

Conserving water reduces overall costs as both a home and business owner, according to the RI Water Resources Board – easing strains on water resource infrastructure such as rivers, streams, water towers, water lines, pump stations and treatment facilities. The new guidelines recommend that lawns get no more than one inch of water per week. Rhode Island gets between 39-54 inches of rain a year. To date, Rhode Island has received approximately 26 inches of rain.

“Your lawns should be healthy, but you can easily overwater and overfeed your lawn,” said Burke. “This is not only wasteful – but could also weaken your lawn and result in the runoff of nutrients into surrounding areas.”

RI Water Resources Board Chairman Bill Penn said, “We take great pride in offering these simple dos and don’ts – and we hope that Rhode Islanders take some time during this summer season to appreciate one of our most abundant but delicate resources – our water supplies.”

“This new how-to delivers useful and insightful ways for Rhode Island homeowners to conserve our precious water,” said Dave Wallace, president of The Rhode Island Turfgrass Foundation.

A fully integrated marketing campaign is launching July 4 to build awareness throughout the state of Rhode Island including radio, print, and online mediums. For additional details regarding these watering guidelines and other water resource programs, please visit www.riwater.org.

 
About The Rhode Island Water Resources Board

The Rhode Island Water Resources Board is an executive agency of state government responsible for managing the proper development, utilization and conservation of water resources. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that sufficient water resources are available for present and future generations. The Board actively pursues new and innovative strategies for water resource protection and development on behalf of the State – and as part of its mission is committed to wisely conserving Rhode Island’s water resources.

Barrington Conservation Workshop & Film Series

Presentations on Sustainable Turf Management; Natives, Invasives, Biodiversity; Gardening to Attract Birds; and Home Composting; plus the films King Corn, HOME, two in the National Geographic's Planet Earth Series, and two for kids and families ~ WALL-E and Microcosmos ~ will be held each week at the Barrington Library from June 29 through the end of August. The Barrington Conservation Commission, Barrington Land Conservation Trust, and the Barrington Public Library organized these events.

These events are also in What Grows On in Rhode Island. Find the films and presentations in keyword search: Barrington Conservation Series. The Calendar has lots to do ~ check it often!

Kudos to the Barrington Conservation Commission, Barrington Land Conservation Trust, and the Barrington Public Library for organizing these 7 p.m. events. Barrington is fortunate in having a particularly active municipal conservation commission, and the Providential Gardener hopes other conservation commissions will arrange similar series in the future for their communities. (You can go even if you don't live in Barrington, though!)

You can also download a pdf of the Summer Edutainment Series through this link: Download Summer Edutainment Series 2011

NOFA Organic Growing Summer Conference ~ August 12-14, 2011

From Friday August 12 through Sunday August 14, the NOFA Summer Conference will take place at the UMass Amherst campus. Stay for the weekend to select from over 200 organic growing workshops, enjoy organic food, friends and exhibitors.

There are 225+ workshops on organic farming, gardening and land care, draft animals in farming and forestry, homesteading, sustainability, nutrition, food politics, activism, and much, much more.

Some special workshops are designed for kids and teens. An educational, fun opportunity for your children to bond with others from the Northeast while you attend workshops and events.

Entertainment for the whole family: Music and dance, an old-fashioned Country Fair, farmer's market, games and fun. Modest registration, inexpensive dorm rooms, camping and delicious, wholesome organic meals.

They guarantee it will be worth your while!

Register online!

Two RI Green Drinks Meetups ~ June 16, 2011

Tonight! Two "Green Drinks" Meetups:

Providence Green Drinks is being hosted this Thursday by JTJ Investments and Aten Energy Conservation at 219 West Park St, Providence, RI (in back of Coca Cola bottling off Pleasant Valley Parkway).
 
JTJ Investments specializes in adaptive reuse of properties in the West Side Arts District of Providence. The focus is on affordable sustainable buildings for small businesses, non-profits and the arts community.
 
Aten Energy Conservation is a Providence-based and BPI-certified provider of residential weatherization and insulation services. They help their clients simultaneously save money and the environment by reducing their energy usage through efficiency.
 
The Providence Juice Company will be at the event with their mobile juice truck and will have free samples of a special green drink they make. The Fertile Underground will be providing veggies and salad and information about the business they are starting. There will also be beer and wine for other thirsty types.
 
Come by "thirsty third Thursday" evening and meet people with a wide variety of green interests!

Visit the "HoneyBeast" Food Truck for salad greens from Red Planet, Front Step Farm, and McCormick & Wojnar Farm.  You will not be disappointed- try my own Matlashewski family Ceaser's dressing, made with enough garlic to disturb vampire bats all the way to Olneyville.  Drinks, keg beer, "Green People" of this world & the next.

South County Green Drinks:

Our June South County Green Drinks happens Thursday, June 16, beginning at 6:30pm at 19 Cleveland St. in Wakefield. Cleveland is right off Main St., going towards SK High School. Look for the peace sign hanging on the front of the house. Thanks to Natalie for hosting again! Park in the hospice parking lot if you need to. Please bring a dish or beverage to share, and bring your own plate, cup, flatware, napkin, hopes, dreams, extra tomato plants, flea beetle eradication tips, etc.

Nicholas Oliver from Sierra Club RI is joining us to talk about the Go 60 MPG campaign.

Go 60 MPG is a national regulatory campaign led locally by the Sierra Club. This campaign is focused on encouraging the Obama Administration to strengthen fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles to at least 60 miles per gallon and emit no more than 143 grams of carbon pollution per mile by 2025. The goal for this effort is to create more fuel efficient cars using current technology, create new jobs here in the U.S., reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help save Rhode Islanders money every time we head to the gas pump. If these standards were already instituted, Rhode Islanders would each save $474 during the summer. More information can be found at our website.

Secret Garden Tour in Newport, RI ~ June 17-19, 2011

Newport, RI 02840
401-847-0514

A self-guided walking tour of private gardens in historic Newport, Rhode Island.
 

For over a quarter of a century, our Secret Garden Tour has provided more than 1.25 million dollars in support of art education in our public schools.

The 2011 spring tour will take place on Friday, June 17, Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. each of the three days.
 
To Purchase Ticket(s) on the Day of the Tour

Tickets may be purchased for $25 at the Newport Visitors' Center at 23 America's Cup Avenue (cash or credit card), or at the main ticket office at 33 Washington Street (cash, personal check and credit card accepted).

For further information, see the website.

Audubon: RI's air quality will be threatened if this Bill passes ~ Hearing June 16, 2011

From the Audubon Society of Rhode Island:

House Bill No. 5315, sponsored by Rep. Brien, entitled, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY proposes to allow burning of garbage in Woonsocket. Air pollutants, including potential dioxins plus increased acid rain and fog accompany incineration. 
 
Burning garbage to generate energy is inefficient and unhealthy.
  
Air pollutants don't know town boundaries. This is not just a Woonsocket issue.

Current RI General Law says:  
 
R.I.G.L. §23-19-3 declares that the "ultimate solid waste management objective of the state is to maximize recycling and reuse of solid waste."  
 
R.I.G.L. §23-19-3(16) declares that it is a policy of the state that "incineration of solid waste is the most costly method of waste disposal with known and escalating costs that would place substantial and unreasonable burdens on both state and municipal budgets to the point of seriously jeopardizing the public's interest." (emphasis added).  
 
Air pollutants move.  
 
Your taxes or disposal fees are at risk.
  
Please call or email your State Representative to express your concerns. To find your state rep use the links in the right-hand column.
 
Use this sample letter/ talking points:  
 
Dear Rep. or Sen. _____________________:  
 
As your constituent, I am concerned about the H-5315, proposing a municipal waste incinerator for Woonsocket.  
 
Woonsocket claims it will help their finances, but I am concerned about my family's health.  
 
Incinerating municipal waste can create dioxins, increase the acidity of atmospheric moisture (rain & snow), and vaporize toxic elements in the trash.
 
I wonder whether there will be sufficient enforcement in DEM, given recent budget cuts, to protect air quality from this proposed facility. Air does not recognize town boundaries.  
 
We live in the "air shed" of a Woonsocket incinerator.  
 
I think about the transportation of toxic ash from this plant, potentially through our communities.   
 
Please oppose this legislation.    
 
Thank you, [your name]

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If you would like more information on this important issue or help in contacting your representative, please contact me directly.

Please share this information with friends and neighbors by using the "forward email" button below or spread the word on Facebook.
 
Sincerely,
Eugenia Marks
Senior Director of Policy
Audubon Society of Rhode Island

emarks@asri.org

Contact your representative
 
Find the contact info. for your state representatives by clicking on the links below:
 
Your Representative

Your Senator
 
Just scroll down to "View general voter information", enter your address, and hit search. That's it! 
 
You can click on each official's name to get all their contact info and other details.
 
When you feel strongly about an issue, let them know-it really does make a difference.

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Ed. note: There is a hearing today on this bill in the House Committee on Municipal Government at the Rise of the House (after they meet in their session this afternoon), which will be somewhere around 4:30 or 5:00pm.

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

---

 

NOTICE OF MEETING

 

DATE:    Thursday, June 16, 2011

TIME:    Rise of the House

PLACE:    House Lounge

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION


House Bill No. 5315
BY Brien
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY {LC258}
02/09/2011 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government
03/24/2011 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
03/24/2011 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
06/16/2011 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration