To the Editor: The city of Newport is awash with commissions, planning task forces, and even some landscape projects to increase the amount of green on the island. Both the impact of climate change and evidence of barren, impervious parking lots support this need for change. This year the Newport Tree Society celebrates its 25-year legacy as an official “Tree […]
2016-02-04
Hydroponic Garden Carts
Who doesn’t like, especially in the dead of winter, a nice garden salad made with home-grown lettuce with perhaps a bit of kale and basil tossed in? As a result of a collaborative project that combines the goals of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program at Pell Elementary School and the needed know-how from undergraduate science majors at Salve […]
Alternatives to Red Roses Abound
For years the red rose and a heart-shaped box of chocolates have been all that was needed to assemble the perfect gift for your Valentine. More than 250 million roses will be sold this year on Valentine’s Day alone. It is the top-ranking holiday for florists. Like most of our holidays, Valentine’s Day has its roots in pagan rituals. The […]
Outsourcing Prompts Middletown Employees to File Suit
As Middletown moves towards hiring an out-of-state company to provide janitorial services, a group of employees warns that they will file a lawsuit. The Middletown Town Council approved a three-year contract for cleaning and light maintenance of five town-owned buildings at their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Feb. 1, to S.J. Services of Danvers, Mass. The vote was 5-2, with […]
Open Space Committee Goes to Bat for Sports Fields
An open space advocate is urging the Middletown Town Council to construct two multipurpose sports fields on the former Starlight Drive-In property on Aquidneck Avenue. The council recently reviewed a plan for the site, which included two new fields, a 60-car parking lot, and a stormwater management system to handle rainwater runoff, all at an estimated cost of $705,000. “It […]
Happy Year of the Monkey: A Time for Risk-Takers
The oldest and most venerated celebration in China is the Spring Festival, known to Westerners as the Chinese New Year. The date, which is determined by the second new moon after the winter solstice, can fall anywhere from late January to mid-February. As in the West, the East has a zodiac, but follows a cycle of 12 years instead of […]
Think Big About City’s Future
in·flec·tion point Definition: A time of significant change in a situation. A turning point after which a dramatic change, with either positive or negative results, is expected to result. 2016 is a year of significance in Newport’s evolution. A confluence of events provides unique opportunities to both define and shape our city’s future. Take stock of the following planning activities […]
EDITORIAL
Hoaxes Mar Newport’s 'Sleepy' TimeThis sleepy time of year during Newport’s off-season received a jolt of unwanted energy this week as cowardly, anonymous pranksters used their apparent technology know-how to disrupt the city’s three public schools with automated telephoned threats that, thankfully, proved to be hoaxes. That Newport and state police found these threats to be baseless was the only good thing to come […]
Join the Cancer Crushers Team
To the Editor: I read your recent article about Mr. Crowley and Mrs. Martin. As a 12-year-old, I’m too young to donate bone marrow. My dad is too old. But I think many students and older people around Newport really want to help Mr. Crowley and Mrs. Martin. I have an idea and could use the help of your readers. […]
