Westport
in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Quick
Article Index . . .
Great Pumpkin Derby a big hit at Lees
Market Fall Fest.
The Great
Pumpkin Extravaganza.
Rodrigues hosting public hearing at BCC on October 31.
Rep. Schmid and Westport's Aerostar work hard to get the wind up at MA farms.
|
Great
Pumpkin Derby a big hit at Lees Market Fall Fest. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, October 29, 2011
And the
first Great Pumpkin Derby was a
runaway hit. Kids
stopped by Lees and picked up small pumpkins to bring home to decorate. Then
during the fall fest, they brought the pumpkins back in to race to the finish
line in Lees Pumpkin Derby. The
winners received Lees Market gifts and gift certificates. All had the most
free fun you can have anywhere.... at Lees Market, Westport's social spot. Below: Chapin and Andrea, both of Westport, anxiously watch
their pumpkins careen down the track at Lees' first Great Pumpkin Derby. Andrea
took home the ribbon!
Left:This horrific witch and spider greeted shoppers at the
service desk. Center: Bianca of
Starfish Bakery at Lees. Right: Priscilla Mariani
of Pain D'Avignon.
The Great Pumpkin Extravaganza. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, October 29, 2011
Washed out on Saturday night, the Tiverton-based event nevertheless
attracted hundreds on Friday night, most marveling at the carvings' intricacy.
Left: Cheryl DeDucca, Nonni’s proprietor, is taken aback by a pumpkin dragon spewing its fiery breath,
that was created by the Moose Cafe for The Great Pumpkin
Extravaganza. The Moose Cafe and Nonni’s
split the carving duties, each tackling 125 pumpkins to create different themes
and creatures, some very elaborate. The display was set up in the lawn area behind the
Moose Cafe, 1160 Stafford Road, Tiverton, with a clear entrance and exit.
Visitors were welcome to walk through, following a path. Parking was free and
plentiful. This year, for the first time, organizers asked patrons
to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Rhode Island Food
Bank. Those who visited the display were treated to samples
of hot chocolate and cider. Nonni’s was offering
pizzas to-go for $5, and the Moose Cafe had a variety of Halloween-themed
pastries available for purchase. "It’s been more and more people [coming] every
year," said Federico. "People are really excited. We started
getting calls Oct. 1, ‘Are you having the pumpkin display again.’" For more information, call or click the Moose Cafe at
401.625.2442 or visit their website at: http://moosecaferi.com/. Visit Nonni’s Italian Kitchen
and Pasta Shop website at: http://www.nonnispastashop.com/Nonni_Italian_Kitchen_and_Pasta_Shop/Home.html.
Rodrigues
hosting public hearing at BCC on October 31. EverythingWestport.com Monday, October 31, 2011
Above:
State Senator Michael Rodrigues was recently recognized by Alan Dittrich, President of the Massachusetts Society for
Medical Research. State
Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-Westport) Chairman of the Committee
on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities will be hosting a public
committee hearing at Bristol Community College (BCC) on Monday, October 31,
at 11:00AM. A number of bills related to the Department of Developmental Services
(DDS) will be heard at the hearing, and public testimony is encouraged. In
attendance will be local and state service providers and officials including
the Arc of Massachusetts, People Incorporated and the Committee on Higher
Education. Senator
Rodrigues is happy that BCC is hosting the hearing to provide the Greater
Fall River community an opportunity to testify without the long commute to
Boston. “I’m pleased to bring the Committee to the SouthCoast
for this important hearing,” he said. “DDS currently provides services to
over 32,000 adults with intellectual disabilities and children with
developmental disabilities within our State. I feel it’s critically important
to give local community members a chance to testify on these important pieces
of legislation." State
Representative and Co-Chairwoman Kay Khan (D-Newton) feels it is
important for the Committee to travel to all parts of the state and is
looking forward to the public hearing in Fall River, “This is a wonderful
opportunity for local communities on the South Coast to have access to a
hearing on incredibly important issues regarding DDS. Constituents will be
able to observe and be directly involved in the work we do on Beacon Hill and
I would like to thank Senator Rodrigues for making these arrangements.” Robert
Canuel, President of People Incorporated, whom
serves the Southcoast community, including the
Greater Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton areas, stated, “I applaud
Senator Rodrigues for his commitment to our families and consumers many of
whom are elderly and/or have physical limitations that would preclude them
from being able to participate in hearings at the state house. This truly
gives a voice to all of our citizens on these important issues.” Also
in attendance will be the Committee on Higher Education. Both Committees will
be taking a brief tour of the college prior to the hearing. Chairman of the
Committee on Higher Education Representative Tom Sannicandro,
(D-Ashland) primary sponsor of three bills on the hearings agenda,
plans to testify at the hearing following the tour. “I’m pleased we’re
bringing more hearings out to the public to allow greater access to the
legislative process,” Sannicandro said. “I’m also
very excited to have the opportunity to tour the Bristol Community College
campus beforehand. We’ve had several of these tours around the state and
they’re very helpful as the Committee considers ways to strengthen our higher
education system.” President
John J. Sbrega, Ph.D. welcomes the opportunity to
host the committee members and the public hearing at the Fall River Campus.
“Bristol Community College serves southeastern Massachusetts by providing
access to educational services and opportunity,” said Dr. Sbrega.
“Opening our Campus to the critical democratic dialogue offered at public
hearings is an important component of access. The College is proud to be a
part of this endeavor.” The
hearing will be held in The Jackson Arts Theater Center in building H of
Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree Street Fall
River, MA 02720. There will be signs for parking on site and the hearing is
expected to adjourn at 3:00PM. Rep. Schmid and Westport's Aerostar work hard to get the wind up at MA
farms. EverythingWestport.com Tuesday,
November 01, 2011
The
wind systems are designed to power small to medium sized operations and are
manufactured by Westport, MA-based Aerostar.
Although Representative Schmid has only been in office less than a year, he
has taken a very aggressive approach to helping Massachusetts farmers in
these difficult economic times. He
has already sponsored a number of bills to the State Legislature to help
protect and grow their businesses. Representative
Schmid commented, “We have a Massachusetts based wind turbine manufacturer,
employing Massachusetts residents, helping Massachusetts farmers reduce their
energy costs with clean renewable wind power. The Massachusetts Clean Energy
Center helps makes this possible by providing financial incentives to farmers
who install wind systems. This is a winning situation for everyone. We are
putting local people to work building and installing renewable energy
equipment and helping local farmers promote sustainability.” Debbie
Barrett of Allen Farms in Westport, who is one of the first to take advantage
of Aerostar’s new agricultural program, explains that
it is difficult for small farms to thrive on summer crops alone. "The
low cost energy provided by a wind system will help extend the growing
season into the colder months, increasing farm productivity and providing
locally grown foods," Barrett said. In
the past, the biggest roadblock to installing small wind turbines on farms
has been the large initial investment required to fund the projects. In
addition to MassCEC rebates, there are also Federal
grants available. In many cases most of the project cost is funded through
these incentives, however incentives are not paid until the equipment is
installed. Many farmers, who are facing difficult times in this poor economy,
do not have the upfront capital needed to qualify for the incentives. It’s a
catch 22. Money is available for renewable energy, but farmers who need it
most can’t take advantage of the funding, because they are unable to make the
initial investment. Aerostar Wind Group (AWG)
with the help of Representative Schmid has put together a plan which enables
farmers to install wind systems on their farms, without having to come up
with the initial funding. Once the systems are installed and running, the
incentives are received by the farmers, who can then pay for the equipment
and installation. AWG is taking much of the risk off the farmers by providing
the capital needed to jump start these projects. Rob
Rollins, AWG’s president says, “Because of the substantial upfront costs we
will have to proceed slowly, so we will not be able to help as many farmers
as quickly as we would like. However, as the program becomes more and more
successful we plan to expand it to more farms. Our
ability to help Massachusetts farms will depend on continued availability of
funding from MassCEC and Federal grant programs.
There seems to be quite a bit of uncertainty whether Federal funds will be
available in 2012. We hope farmers and others will contact their Senators and
Representatives and urge them to keep these much needed programs alive.” Above:
Paul Schmid (left) with Rob Rollins, president of Aerostar
Inc. © 2011 Community Events of Westport. All rights
reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
