Thursday, October 31, 2002

Green Building Workshop



Saturday, November 9th, 2002 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Urban Environmental Lab, room 106
Brown University Providence, RI


Sponsored by The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)

Please note: Registration is limited to 45 people for this workshop.

Registration is $85 or $60 for NESEA members. You must pre-register. Call 413-774-6051 for registration information or visit NESEA online




Join Bob Chew, from RemodelWrights, Corp. and SolarWrights, Inc. for an introductory course on the topic of Green Building. Both new construction and renovations will be covered. Learn what homeowners can do with existing structures to lower their environmental impact using state of the art options such as photovoltaics or solar hot water. This workshop will cover both the "nuts and bolts" of construction as well as place building into the larger context of sustainability. Bring your questions and a set of house plans or just sign up for a day guaranteed to enlighten and inform.

Topics will include:


* Siting and orientation of new construction
* Green building materials
* Building simple
* Durability
* Reducing your environmental footprint
* Energy Usage
* Renewable Energy systems


Robert Chew is president of RemodelWrights, Corp. and SolarWrights, Inc. of Barrington. He will be joined by an impressive panel of experts in the field of residential construction including Pat Congdon of the RI State Energy Office, Erich Stephens of People's Power & Light, Ned Reynolds from Conservation Services Group, and Rick Arnold of Insulated Concrete Forms of New England. Handouts will be available for attendees.
For more information, visit Chew's website at www.earthfriendlyhomes.com.

Tuesday, October 29, 2002

TERROR HILL




The only Gothic Halloween Terror Attraction in New England!

The show performs every evening from 7-10 pm through November 2, and takes about 20-30 minutes to go through.
It cost $15 to go, but there is a $3.00 off advertisement at their WEBSITE

Call 1-866-5-TERROR for more information.





Are you prepared? No glitzy sets, overbearing hype, or campy cartoonish characters. Only real, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, life threatening... Horror!
Features more horrific experiences than the human mind is equipped to handle! No breaks, no help, no mercy. Every turn reveals a new, unexpected and totally inescapable HORROR!

Don't believe it? Think we're making it up? We're NOT!
YOU WILL BELIEVE!

TERROR HILL - ENOUGH TO MAKE A GROWN MAN CRY!



1-866-5-TERROR

website: www.terrorhill.info

Monday, October 28, 2002


KOYAANISQATSI/ LIVE!





featuring Philip Glass & the Philip Glass Ensemble
performing live to accompany
Godfrey Reggio's breathtaking film Koyaanisqatsi
Saturday, November 2, 7pm
$40, $35, $30 ($20 partial view)

(includes Orpheum Theatre $.50 restoration fee)

Orpheum Theatre
1 Hamilton Place, Boston
Reserved Seating

"Mr. Reggio's images haunt the viewer, accompanied by one of the most startling and original soundtracks ever written." - New York Times

Koyaanisqatsi, which means "life out of balance" in the language of Hopi Native Americans, contrasts views of the natural against the man-made, and the rural against the urban. Using slow motion and time-lapse photography, Reggio's breathtaking film turns the American landscape into a panoramic dream. This very special viewing features Philip Glass and his ensemble performing live to accompany this modern film classic.


One of the most influential musicians and composers of our time, Philip Glass worked for over three years composing the music to accompany Koyaanisqatsi and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score. The music encapsulates many of the compositional innovations that have served as Glass' trademark for three decades.

To order tickets, Call World Music/CRASHarts (617) 876-4275
Mon. - Fri., 9am - 5pm

All phone orders are subject to a $3.00 handling fee per ticket. World Music/CRASHarts members are exempt from handling fees for 4 tickets per concert.


Find out more about World Music/CRASHarts

Visit the Koyaanisqatsi website

Wednesday, October 23, 2002

An Evening of Jewish Renaissance




On Oct. 26, from 7 p.m. until midnight, "An Evening of Jewish Renaissance," a celebration of adult Jewish learning and culture, will be held at the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island. This year's highlight is an Israeli Shuk (marketplace) in the social hall on Sunday. Vendors directly from Jerusalem will offer a vast array of Israeli goods. Program participants may also choose from 40 educational and cultural study sessions.

For further information, call Robin Kauffman at 331-0956, ext. 180, or check the website at www.bjeri.org.
[NOTE: The Website does not seem to be functional. Probably best to call!]


Also at Brown, two Jewish music events of note:


10/26 9 pm (Saloman Hall 101 on the Brown Campus)

a Klezmer concert from the wonderful band Yarmulkazi


10/27 at 12 noon (Saloman Hall 101 on the Brown Campus)

Kol B’Yachad’s, Jewish A Cappella music. (and brunch!)

Tuesday, October 22, 2002

OPEN ARTIST STUDIOS IN FOSTER
Saturday, November 2 from 10-4:30






Take a country ride to visitÊ artist studios in Foster, Glocester and Scituate that will be open to the public on Saturday, November 2 from 10:00-4:30. It's free!

Wander from studio to studio using the map provided by the event organizers -- fosteringArts.org.


See art-in-the-making, historical homes & studios, and country views. There's an all-day Silent Auction featuring the art of participating artists and a closing party, too. The start, finish and auction location is the South Foster Fire Station in Foster.


LastÊ year, this wildly successful event drew more than 1,000 people to Rhode Island's untamed Northwest corner. Come see why!

Monday, October 21, 2002

Rhode Island Roads in Bad Condition


A study, funded by the construction industry, states that 1 out of 4 bridges in Rhode Island need improvement, and that 1 out of 5 state roads also need improvement.


While I haven't seen this study, I found a study online[PDF] that looks like its basically the same study from a couple of years ago.


Naturally, I'm all for safer roads. And you should be too. But I'm a little leery when the same guys who will be making most of the profit over building the safer roads have also funded the study about the roads, and are doing the budget projections in terms of asking for how much the state should get.



I wish that there had been a COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT study of the road conditions done.



Read a projo article about the new study.

Friday, October 18, 2002

Historic sites of Lincoln RI






Hearthside, built in 1810


The town of Lincoln is full of historic houses and places of interest.

From the Chase farm (and its Butterfly Gardens) to the historic Hannaway Blacksmith shop to Hearthside, the 1810 house built by Stephen Hopkins Smith with his winnings from the Louisiana State Lottery. When he showed it to the girl he built it for,she asked him why anyone would want to live in such a wilderness. Legend has it that due to this rejection, Smith never married



Visit the Lincoln, RI Website


Thursday, October 17, 2002

Public Airport Surveys





If you live in Warwick, this is for you!


In an effort to work together on behalf of all Warwick neighborhoods, please help by participating in the preparation of statistics to present as record to the 20 year Master Plan at T.F. Green. Please take a moment and kindly answer the questions before November 30. You may also add your personal comments.

Take the Survey

There is also a separate Environmental Impact Survey (EIS) to take.

Take the EIS Survey

Wednesday, October 16, 2002

HAUNTED NEWPORT 2002:






Haunted Newport is a community wide celebration with an amazing variety of events and entertainments all during October. Includes a haunted New England Graveyard tour, an Old Town Ghost Walk, a creepy carousel, a ghost ship, a Children's Halloween Party, a Horror Film Festival, and lots of other stuff.

On Sunday October 20, don't miss the NEWPORTÊMETAPHYSICALÊFAIRE, which includes Angels, animal communication, aromatherapy, Asatru, astral projection, astrology, aura photography, books, candle magic, color therapy, crystals, dreams, feng shui, herbs, legends of Haunted New England, paganism, past life regression, reiki, runes, spellcrafting, spirit communication, and tarot. Featuring readers, vendors and lectures every half hour.

SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE!



Tuesday, October 15, 2002

Cranston Historical Society



The Cranston Historical Society was created in 1949 to revive and maintain a lively interest in the history of Cranston; to collect, store and on occasion exhibit books, papers photographs and other incunabula relative to early Cranston, to foster in the minds and hearts of Cranston residents and citizens an appreciation and respect for the founders of the city in which they live and work. To work toward the erection of a museum in which these objects of antiquity may be stored.

They currently operate the Governor Sprague Mansion, a beautiful mansion built in the late 1700's. The Society operates entirely by volunteers-- there are no paid staff members. They sponsor events, including lectures, tours, and discussions about Cranston. Their website has a wide variety of articles about various historical elements of Cranston, including the Haunting of Sprague Mansion!


The Historical Society also has an archive collection that is always open to the public at no charge.

To see the collection, call them for an appointment. 401-944-9226. or visit their website online for more information

Friday, October 11, 2002

Flea Circus Invades Times Square



Wed Oct 9,12:07 PM ET

By CAMERON BLOCH, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Saturday was turning out to be a hard day for Professor Adam Gertsacov.

Half of his cast was on strike, the other half went missing and he had yet to discover that the cannon ? which hurtles his charges through a flaming "ring of death" ? was destined to malfunction.

But Gertsacov, who calls himself a "psycho entomologist," was determined that the show would go on, especially since it was the debut of his Acme Miniature Circus at the Palace of Variety, a newcomer to 42nd Street near Times Square.

Midge and Madge, two sisters of the species "pulex irritans" ? fleas Gertsacov purchased from an entomological supply house ? would need to put on the show of their young lives to satisfy the New York audience.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY!

Michael Moschen at Rhode Island College
SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2002, 8 pm





Michael Moschen blends movement and juggling into a unique dance-theatre. He is a juggler, but he moves with the deftness of a French mime, and his work has an awesome effect of magic. Even colleagues and critics aren't sure how to describe him: "illusionist", "movement artist","animator of objects", and "dance-physicist" are a few of their attempts. He relates elements in motion in space, and he himself is one of those elements. Mr. Moschen is a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and has appeared on the Tonight Show, David Letterman and Great Performances on PBS. He has created work for Cirque du Soleil and has performed with the Big Apple Circus and has toured theatres and festivals in Hong Kong, Perth, Edinburgh, Barcelona and Spoleto USA.

I've seen him perform twice, and I HIGHLY recommend seeing him. He is an amazing juggling artist.

Tickets are $26 ($24 for seniors and RIC faculty/staff, $12 for students and kids)


To make reservations, Call (401) 456-8144 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. M-F

The performance takes place at Rhode Island College's Roberts Hall.

View Michael Moschen's Website

Thursday, October 10, 2002

Raku Rhody-0ctober 11-13 in downtown Providence






Yeeha! Git off your horse,and saddle up your kiln-- the Raku Rhody-O is back in town.

Raku is an ancient Japanese technique for firing pottery. The Raku Rhody-O is a three day festival dedicated to the art, in which the public is invited to
purchase and then help fire bowls (the actual firing is down by festival staff)


There will be a lecture by visiting Hawaian raku artist Ramon Camarillo, fire parties, fire dancing, and workshops for children and adults, as well as demonstrations of glass-blowing, raku firing, smokeless-pit firing, and throwing and glazing pots. A gallery will display works for sale by local and regional artists.

Most of the activities take place at the main Rhody-O site: the triangle of land bordered by Steeple Street, Exchange Street and Memorial Boulevard.

On Saturday at 5:30 p.m., a Japanese tea ceremony will be performed. Then from 7 to 10 p.m., there will be a festival party with fire shows, fire dancers and music.

The festival and lecture are free. Tea bowls for firing and metal-pouring workshops cost $10.

For more information, visit www.rakurhody-o.org [WARNING-their site is under construction, and it's hard to navigate] or call CenterCity Contemporary Arts, 521-2990.

Read the Providence Journal Article

Wednesday, October 09, 2002

Miss Pixie's Late Night Clubhouse: Friday October 11th At 10PM








Miss PixieÕs Late Nite Clubhouse is a Humanities event with a twist. A BYOB twist to be exact. Bring a few adult beverage and your sense of humor!
The show costs $3 to attend, and is modeled on a television talk show, but it's LIVE! and hosted by Miss Pixie (a. k .a. Casey Seymour Kim of Improv Jones).

To find out what guests will be there , visit their website
http://www.perishable.org/pixie.html

Tuesday, October 08, 2002

Mark Binder at the Castle!



MARK BINDER

Mark Binder, one of the hardest working writers and storytellers I know (and a close personal friend) will be performing every other weekend at the Castle Cinema on Chalkstone Avenue. I highly recommend that you attend one or more of these events. They are good fun for the kids, good for adults, and basically good for what ails ya! Mark has a new CD out (Tall Tales, Whoppers, and Lies), and he usually has other of his merchandise available for sale. When you see him, tell him that Adam sent ya!

Mark Binder Presents Storytelling at the Castle!

Sat, October 12 - Silly Stories
Sat, October 27 - Spooky Stories
Sun, October 28 - Spooky Stories
Sat, November 9 - Silly Stories/Famous Firsts
Sat, November 23 - Tall Tales, Whoppers & Lies
Sat, December 7 - Tall Tales, Whoppers & Lies
Sat, December 21 - Holiday Tales
Sun, December 22 - Holiday Tales

All shows all ages. $5 admission
Print a copy of this article and you'll get a free popcorn!
Doors open at 12:30 pm, show starts at 1pm
Castle Cinema
1039 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI
For directions and information call the Castle Cinema at 401-751-9200


Monday, October 07, 2002

PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS




I just wanted to let you all know that I am now offering programs for schools about Rhode Island. They include author's visits/literacy visits, a hands-on workshop in which I help children make a book, and a game show about Rhode Island.

If you would like to find out more, check out the website:
http://www.riatoz.com/authorvisits.html

If you'd like to know prices, or discuss your particular needs, send me an email!

Friday, October 04, 2002




Two Historical Harvest Festivals this Weekend



The annual Harvest Festival at the South County Museum in Narragansett will feature over 20 different craft and food vendors, including traditional jonnycakes, clam chowder and homemade root beer. There will also be children's games, an apple pie baking contest and demonstrations, including spinning, weaving, rug-hooking and chair caning. Students from Narragansett High School's Future Farmers of America will sell mums that they've been tending all summer.

Meanwhile, in North Kingstown Smith's Castle will host its annual Plantation Days on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This festival features a fashion show of period clothing at 2 p.m. on both days as well as demonstrations of food preparation using 18th-century utensils and recipes. Military musket and cannon drills and fife and drum crops will be presented and ongoing children's activities will include bookbinding and quill pen writing, candlemaking and games.

Strong Woman, a Wampanoag traditional artist specializing in crafts such as basketmaking, storytelling and the presentation of the Native American way of life will also be there for both days. Colonial era music and dancing is also slated, as well as a food concessions.

Admission to Plantation Days at Smith's Castle, located at 55 Richard Smith Drive, just off Route 1, about a mile north of Wickford village, is $5; $1 for children 6 to 12; and free to youngsters under 5. For more information about Plantation Days, call 294-3521 or visit the Smith's Castle Website

Admission to the Sounty County Museum's Heritage Harvest Fesitvalis by donation. Entrance into the museum is through Ann Hoxie Lane, off Boston Neck Road, across from Town Beach. The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information on South County Museum's Harvest Festival, call 783-5400 or visit the South County Museum's Website
Roger Williams Park Zoo - Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

October 10-31 6 pm-11pm Rain or shine (Last entry 10 pm)



This exhibit is one of the zoo's most popular. Over 5000 carved pumpkins are on display, and the artwork is astounding. (as is the play of light and shadow.)
The lines are a bit long, but definitely worth it. This year the Zoobadours (a troupe of young actors hired by the zoo) will be dressed up in animal costumes to help while away the wait. Also, short movies will play (apparently while you are in line!)


For the kids, the zoo hosts "Spooky Zoo Sundays" , one of the zoo's best-loved annual events. [Oct 13, 20& 27 ¥ 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (rain or shine)
Costumed children under 12 get in free! ]

Your kids can meet creepy-crawly critters, build a scarecrow, try some beetle juice and make a fun mask. If they come in costume , there's a contest for spooky prizes. Enjoy trick or treating and festive fall decor throughout zoo grounds. And even the animals love pumpkins - watch as some animals receive special pumpkin treats!

View the amazing photogallery of Jack'O'Lanterns.


Pricing for the Jack'O'Lantern Spectacular:
Zoo Members: $8 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12) and $6 for seniors.
Non-Members:$10 for adults, $7 for children (ages 3-12) and $8 for seniors.
Children under 3 admitted free.
For more information regarding the Spectacular, please call 401-785-3510.

Thursday, October 03, 2002

Cambodian Contemporary Arts







There's a lot of Cambodian Art going on during October!

Providence College will sponsor a program honoring Cambodia from October through December, 2002. Events such as art exhibitions, music, dance and theater presentations, as well as lectures and films, will be offered free to the public. The entire program will pay tribute to the nearly two million lives lost in the ÒKilling FieldsÓ and celebrate the resilient soul of the Cambodian people and their rich cultural heritage.

For a complete listing of the events for The Spirit of Cambodia... a Tribute please open this PDF file.

The opening night reception for the event will be Thursday, October 17, 5:00Ñ9:00 pm at the Hunt -Cavanagh Gallery on the Providence College Campus, and will feature Cambodian music provided by "SEASIA"

Also an event of note: on October 22, 2002 Ñ Dith Pran, a ÒKilling FieldsÓ Survivor, will speak at the '64 Hall, Providence College, 4:30 pm

VISIT THIS WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS.



Wednesday, October 02, 2002

Action Speaks at AS-220





Action Speaks is a six part series of panel discussions designed to give citizens the opportunity to listen to and discuss the major issues of our times. Marc Joel Levitt is the host and creative director of the discussions that bring together experts from the arts, politics, academia and beyond. This year the theme is Security First: Under-Appreciated Days That Changed America

The program happens every Tuesday night at AS220 from 5:30 to around 7 Admission is FREE! The programs are then broadcast from 7-8 pm on WRNI 1290 AM (1230 in Westerly) on Sundays

Here's the upcoming schedule of subjects: (the first one happened yesterday!)

ALREADY HAPPENED TUE, OCT 1: Fallout Shelters for All! 1961
Guests: Ken Rose, Richard Kearney, Bill Martel

TUE, OCT 8: First Issue of Mad Magazine Hits The Stands. 1952
Guests: Paul Buhle, Andrea Miller-Keller, Peter Schuman (director, Bread and Puppet Theatre)

TUE, OCT 15: Hays Moral Code introduced! 1934
Guests: Francis Couvares, Michael Fink, Marshall Berman

TUE, OCT 22: Rockefeller Drug Laws 1973
Guests:David Lewis, Randy Credico, Paul Street

TUE, OCT 29: Reagan's Administration publishes "A Nation at Risk" 1983
Guests: Warren Simmons, Jennifer Wood, Susan Ohanian

TUE, NOV. 5: Sugar Hill Gang releases "Rapper's Delight 1979
Guests: Donald King (director, Providence Black Rep), Marcyliena Morgan, Bakari Kitwana

For information call AS220 at 831-9327 or the Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities at 273-2250.

Listen to previous programs, courtesy of WRNI

Read a Providence Journal article about this year's theme.



From MIT, one of the most astounding visual illusions that you can ever imagine. You'll be amazed!


SEE THE ILLUSION.

Tuesday, October 01, 2002

Two Shows At Trinity Rep





The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder. Through October 13. The end of the world as we know it? In Thornton Wilder's sweeping salute to human ingenuity,a model family (The Antrobus's) confront flood, famine, war and worse. Speeding through the millennia with poise and flair, they beat the odds every time. In 1941, the author of Our Town created this masterpiece of imagination and spirit that strikes a deep chord today. Charming, funny and poignant, it shines the spotlight back on us, doing what we do best: we survive, if only by "the skin of our teeth".



Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill. Through November 3 FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY
With acrobatic wit and stunning alacrity, Caryl Churchill (Serious Money, Top Girls) breaks down the barriers of time, gender roles and racial boundaries. Starting out in colonial Africa, then jumping to London in the swinging seventies, men play women, blacks play whites, and one of those kids is a real doll. Shattering taboos when it premiered in 1979, Cloud Nine still sizzles today. It's Churchill at her best - provocative, insightful, and just plain hilarious. The Trinity Rep company joins actors from Berkeley Rep in this co-production, directed by Berkeley's Artistic Director Tony Taccone.


For info or for tickets, give Trinity a call at 401-521-1100 or visit them online
at trinityrep.com