Thursday, September 4, 2014

Blackstone Valley: Things to do in September



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Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
September: Things to do in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

For a complete, detailed listing of events, see the event calendar

Greenway Challenge

greenway challenge


Saturday, September 27
Rain Date: October 4

The UniBank Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge.
An Adventure Race... Like No Other!

The mission of the UniBank Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge is to promote the recreational quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley. 

Coordinated by he Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc, the UniBank Greenway Challenge supports clean water campaigns, hiking and biking trails, wildlife projects, environmental education and development of waterway access.

Interested in volunteering? Contact Barbara Dixon at 401-762-0250, ext 5503 or barbara_dixon@partner.nps.gov.



Canal Diggers 5K Road Race


Saturday, September 6
Starts and finishes at Fiddler's Green Pub, 
Temple St. in Worcester MA
Start time: 11:00 am


16th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival
Pawtucket Arts Festival
Starting on Thursday, September 4 and going through Sunday, September 28
Multiple Venues
Pawtucket, RI

The mission of the Pawtucket Arts Festival is to promote the arts communities in the City of Pawtucket; and to enhance the quality of life of the residents of the city and the New England region by providing and supporting quality art and cultural events within the city, year-round.



Slater's Ar(t)chitecture and Manufacture Festival

Saturday, September 6
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday, September 7
12:00 - 5:00 pm

Slater Mill / Hodgson Park 
67 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI

S.A.M.FEST celebrates the innovative spirit in the arts and architecture, manufacture and creative enterprise of all kinds, at iconic Slater Mill, the place "where innovation starts." S.A.M.FEST showcases art and design, architectural restoration, artisan manufacture, new music and performance in the center park of downtown Pawtucket, aside the mighty Blackstone River. 

Unique, quirky, historic, futuristic, salvage, antique, and other dynamic vendors, presenters, and performers promoting themes of arts, craft, textile & fiber, jewelry, architecture, gadgetry, and wonder will be offered to the community at S.A.M.FEST.

Blackstone Canalfest

Saturday, September 6
Harding Street, Exit 13 or 14 off of Route 290 at Kelley Square
Worcester, MA
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Fall is the time for festivals in New England, and Saturday, September 6, will see one of the most exciting of them all - right on Harding Street in Worcester's Canal District, directly accessible from Rte. I-290 at Kelley Square.

And, it's free!


Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races Taiwan Day Festival

Saturday, September 6
Festival Pier
Off School Street
Pawtucket, RI

Races are held on the Blackstone River off the School Street pier in Pawtucket with the festival running from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

The event consists of dragon boat races for professional and amateur teams, along with many cultural and artistic events, including a Chinese dumpling eating contest, aimed at adults and children. With the emphasis on competition and fun, the event makes an entertaining day for participants and the entire family. 


French Farmers Market & Heritage Festival

Saturday, September 6
River Island Park
Main Street
Woonsocket, RI
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

The event is free and open to the public. In addition to the open air market, there will be food favorites like French meat pie and dynamites as well as other foods. Music and dancing will be provided by the local Rhode Island band, "Fleur De Lis" and from Canada, "Mathieu Allard Trio." 

Tractors and Trumpets

Tractors and Trumpets Daniels Farmstead Sunday, September 7
Daniels Farmstead
286 Mendon Street
Blackstone, MA
9:00 am - 5:00 pm


37th Annual RI Heritage Day

Rhode Island Heritage Day


Saturday, September 20
Roger Williams National Memorial
284 North Main Street
Providence, RI
12:00 pm to Dusk

Admission to thisfamily event is free. Rhode Islanders of all ages are invited to join in a lively celebration of our state's rich cultural heritage. The Roger Williams National Memorial will be filled with booths from countries such as Venezuela, India, Korea, Haiti, Bolivia, Sweden, Ireland and others that will showcase their culture, music, and dance. 

The booths will have cultural exhibits and display craft demonstrations from all over the world. The food court will have a mouth-watering array of traditional foods and drinks. The children's area will have The Peace Flag Project, face painting and arts and crafts. 

A parade of international flags representing over 30 countries will start off the day. Dancers and musicians from various countries dressed in native and colorful costumes will perform Saturday afternoon. Kobi Dennis of NightVision and Angela Sharkey will be the MCs.


Riverfest



Saturday, September 12
Riverfest by Night
Ciro's Tavern
Woonsocket, RI
7:00 - 10:00 pm

Riverfest by Night is an adults-only (18+), pre-event event Friday night, Sept. 12 from 7-10pm at Ciros! 

Sunday, September 13
Riverfest by Day
River Island Park
Main Street
Woonsocket, RI
12:00 - 4:00 pm

Riverfest by Day is an alchohol-free, family-oriented event featuring workshops, vendors, food trucks, live music, three different contests and so much more. Get to know the Blackstone River like you never have before by taking our guided river walk. We will provide overall-style waders for you to wear as a river systems expert leads you out into the rivers so you can see first-hand the plants and animals that are rejuvenating the Blackstone.



Northbridge Historical Trolley Tour
Northbridge Historic Tour
Saturday, September 27
9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm

The Northbridge Historical Commission is sponsoring 3 free trolley tours of historical Northbridge. 

The history of Northbridge will be brought back to life by Paul Whitin (aka Ken Warchol) in the historical garb of the 1830s. The tours will depart from the 1770 James Fletcher House at 1 Elm Place in Whitinsville. Mass Registrants should be there 1 hour before departure of each tour for a short slide presentation. Tours will last 2 hours with 15 minute stops to tour the 1780 John Adams home and the 1890 Lasell Mansion of 29 rooms. 

There is no charge but reservations must be made by calling or visiting the Whitinsville Library at 508-234-2151 with the tour time requested and the number of attendees and your telephone number.

Event Calendar

Check out the event calendar for a more complete, detailed listing of Blackstone Corridor Events:

We are glad to include Corridor-related news and events, both on our web site calendar and in our monthly newsletter, Corridor Currents.

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
About The Blackstone River Valley
National Heritage Corridor
Congress established the National Heritage Corridor in 1986 to restore and preserve the nationally significant heritage of the Blackstone River Valley, where the industrialization of America began. It has become a successful program of partnerships between federal, state and local government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations, pooling their resources and pursuing a common agenda of preservation and revitalization. 

Ongoing Blackstone Corridor programs and projects include historic preservation, river cleanup, land conservation and stewardship, visitor centers, ranger walks, programs with schools, recreational programs and events, support for arts and cultural events, training for partners and volunteers and assistance to towns trying to preserve their heritage while also improving the local and regional economy.
One Depot Square
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
401-762-0250


Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895

In the News: new high school, STEM roundtable, clean water grant


Every student has been assigned a Google Chromebook — affordable laptops — to use in class, Waite noted, saying it’s one of the things she’s been most excited about. 
Bates and Waite, as well as the other members of the student-led transition teams, were integral in preparing the school for the first day, Light said. 
"It was impressive work by a group of kids who were so enthusiastic and positive and willing to do all of the hard work behind the scenes to get the school up and running," he said. "That, to me, is really the most exciting thing: This is a place for the students, and we’re trying to create a culture where it’s led by the students, as well."
Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140904/NEWS/140908725/1994/NEWS

Sparking interest in science and engineering early at the middle school level is one way to build a stronger workforce in the high-tech manufacturing fields, according to officials in the industry. 
Executives from four such companies on Wednesday met with U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III and state Rep. John Fernandes, D-Milford, for a roundtable discussion on potential solutions to the problems the industry faces. 
Kennedy, a Democrat who represents the state’s 4th Congressional district, organized the session in part to update leading manufacturers on his bill that aims to establish regional manufacturing institutes across the country for education and research. The government would dole out funding for the centers through a competitive grant system.
Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140904/NEWS/140908721/1994/NEWS


The town has received $117,650 in state funds to improve storm water runoff, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced today. 
The money will aid the town in "mitigating the effects of polluted storm water," according to a press release.. 
"Clean lakes and streams mean thriving communities and healthy ecosystems," said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David W. Cash.
Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140902/NEWS/140909473

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Friends of Franklin Library - Meeting Agenda - Sep 3


FOFL Meeting Agenda for Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Meeting time:  7PM
Meeting place:  Franklin Library, Community Room

·         Welcome and introductions

·         Public Comments

·         Library Director

·         Library Board of Directors

·         Acceptance of minutes from last (June) meeting

·         Treasurer's report

·         Committee updates
o   Membership 
o   Outreach – Facebook/Twitter
§  newsletter
o   Downtown Partnership  
§  Harvest Festival

·         Continuing items
o   Scholarship 2015
o   FoFL Bulletin board content, monthly themes

·         New Items
o   Fundraising 2014-2015      
o   Presenting/sponsoring programs in conjunction with other town groups
§  Upcoming:  October 7 with Garden Club at Alumni.          
·         Author of "Garden Club Mysteries' and other mysteries (Neal Sanders)
o   Other authors?  Topics?
o   Other

Franklin Public Library
Franklin Public Library

Starbucks: Another chemical dumped (almost...)

Given the recent hype about the new Starbucks, this seems appropriate to share. Caveat emptor!

Hi from New York City! 
I can't believe we did it again. We are bending policies of multi-billion dollar companies overnight. It really blows my mind! 
In this latest post, I reveal the email exchanges I had with the Starbucks PR team leading up to last week, including what happened after they invited me to their headquarters in Seattle.  
And…because of what you did last week, their stance completely changed. 
Watch me talking about this issue on national TV this morning & read the latest news HERE. 
At the end of this post, I have one little favor to ask. Even though Starbucks has agreed to some of our requests, they have a lot more work to do. Millions of people are still drinking these chemicals as I am typing! 
None of these changes could become a reality without you and your unwavering determination to improve the quality and safety of our food. 
I hope you are proud of yourself. I certainly am. 
Thank you for standing with me and for your continued love and support.

Xo,
Vani 


P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231


Drink Starbucks? Wake Up And Smell The Chemicals!

Drink Starbucks? Wake Up And Smell The Chemicals!