What's Up Newp: Wednesday, October 11
A look at what' up today, plus all of the latest What'sUpNewp headlines.
⚓ Today is Wednesday, October 11 - the 284th day of the year; 81 days remain in 2023.
🎃 The Pumpkin Patch at Trinity Church is scheduled to open this weekend! The Pumpkin Patch will be open daily through October 31.
🎃 Join the Newport Shipyard team on Friday for their Annual Pumpkin Regatta! Race across the basin in their famous "pumpkins", to raise money for this year’s selected charity, Friends of Newport Skatepark.
🇺🇸 Governor Dan McKee yesterday directed United States and Rhode Island State flags lowered to half-staff in recognition of the lives lost to the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel which have tragically killed innocent civilians. Flags should be lowered effective immediately through sunset on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
“Rhode Island stands with the people of Israel and condemns Hamas’ terrorist attacks. Make no mistake — such atrocities are deserving of condemnation worldwide. During this dark hour, Susan and I pray for the people of Israel and for our Jewish neighbors here in Rhode Island,” Governor McKee said. “To all Rhode Islanders who are directly and profoundly impacted by these horrific attacks, those who have friends and family in Israel who are at risk and in harm’s way: We Rhode Islanders are with you and your loved ones. We embrace you and we stand by you.”
🎬 A new film about legendary folk singer Joan Baez tells her remarkable story, an intimate portrayal of her “public, private and secret life.” Joan Baez, I am a Noise, directed by Karen O’Connor, Miri Navasky, and Maeve O’Boyle, is playing at The JPT October 13-16. WUN’s Ken Abrams has a preview here.
🦞 On Tap This Week/Weekend: Broadway Street Fair, Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, Trinity Pumpkin Patch, Citizens Pell Bridge Run, and more! What’s Up This Week
🚧 Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority is reminding commuters about roadway improvements that may impact travel times for those traveling over the Newport Pell Bridge between October 16, 2023, and April of 2024.
Beginning on October 16, 2023, traffic eastbound and westbound will be reduced to one lane in each direction in a 900-yard stretch between the old toll plaza and the bridge. This traffic pattern will be in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The work requiring these lane restrictions is expected to conclude in April.
Signage will instruct motorists to “zipper merge,” which means using both lanes until the final point where it is safe for vehicles to take turns merging into one lane.
The improvements include rehabilitation of a single-span approach bridge structure, realignment/reconstruction of the highway to bring it up to current design standards, installation of a new toll gantry, and demolition of the current toll plaza.
🌳 Applications are still open for Newport residents to receive a free tree from the Newport Tree Conservancy! There are 11 tree species to choose from as they continue their efforts to strengthen and renew our urban forest. If you've never taken part in this program before, they encourage you to do so now! They will also be able to assist some applicants with planting as well! Visit this website to apply for your tree now!
👉 As we mentioned last week, we’ve been experimenting this week with sending our newsletter just once a day - at 5 pm every weekday. The thought is that the newsletter will provide you with a recap of everything that happened today and more time to plan for what’s on tap for tomorrow. What do you think of this format and schedule? Share your thoughts with us by hitting reply or by commenting below.
WHAT’S UP TODAY
Weather
Today: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 66. Light southwest wind becoming south at 6 to 11 mph in the morning.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers before 9 pm. Mostly clear, with a low of around 51. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Marine Forecast
Today: Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming SSW 5 to 10 kt in the morning. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny. Seas 1 ft or less.
Tonight: Variable winds 5 kt or less. A slight chance of showers before 9 pm. Seas 1 ft or less.
Coastal Water Temperature: 63°F.
Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise: 6:52 am | Sunset: 6:11 pm | 11 hours and 18 minutes of sun.
High tide at 6:23 am & 6:43 pm | Low tide at 11:58 am.
Moon: Waning Crescent. 26 days, 13% lighting.
Things To Do
2 pm to 6 pm: Aquidneck Growers Market on Memorial Blvd
4 pm: AUTHOR EVENT: Debbi Michiko Florence – Jasmine Toguchi at Charter Books
4:15 pm: Senior Ballroom Dance Classes at Common Fence Point Community Center
6 pm: Zumba! at The Academy at Newport Contemporary Ballet
6:30 pm: Fermentation Class at Forty 1 North
7 pm: Ballroom Dance at The Academy at Newport Contemporary Ballet
Live Music & Entertainment
Buskers: Open Mic with Mike Warner at 9 pm
Fastnet Pub: Trivia at 9 pm
JPT Film & Event Center: Flora And Son at 4:30 pm, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window at 7:30 pm
O’Brien’s Pub: Karaoke at 9:30 pm
One Pelham East: Live Music & DJ at 8 pm
Ragged Island Brewing Co.: Andre Arsenault at 5:30 pm
Sardella’s: Live music at 7 pm
Local Government
Jamestown: Housing Authority at 9 am, Harbor Management Commission at 5 pm
Little Compton: Housing Trust at 6 pm, School Committee at 6:30 pm, Harbor Commission at 7:30 pm
Middletown: School Building Committee at 5 pm, Planning Board at 6 pm
Newport: City Council at 5:45 pm, City Council at 6:30 pm
Portsmouth: School Committee – Safety Subcommittee at 2 pm, Planning Board at 7 pm, Solid Waste/Recycling Committee at 7 pm
Tiverton: Zoning Revision Committee at 5 pm, North End and Industrial/Business Park Advisory Subcommittee at 7 pm, Cemetery Commission at 7 pm
See the agendas and a complete list of public meetings across Rhode Island here.
Cruise Ships
On the cruise ship schedule this week;
Wednesday, Oct.11 Seaborn Quest
Thursday, Oct. 12 Crystal Serenity
Friday, Oct.13 Seaborn Quest
Saturday, Oct. 14 MSC Luxury
Saturday, Oct. 14 Crystal Serenity
Sunday, Oct.15 Emerald Princess
ON WHATSUPNEWP
The Latest
Movie Preview: Joan Baez biopic ‘I am a Noise’ coming to Jane Pickens October 13-18
New film tells the story of iconic artist first introduced to the world at the 1959 Newport Folk Festival
What’s Up This Week: October 10 – 15
Broadway Street Fair, Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, Trinity Pumpkin Patch, and more!
Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau named ‘Best Convention and Visitors Bureau in the Northeast’
Voted ‘Best CVB in the Northeast’ by customers
Victim killed by falling mast on Maine schooner carrying tourists was a doctor
A woman killed when a mast snapped and toppled onto the deck of a historic sailing vessel that carries tourists off the Maine coast was a physician at the hospital where three other victims were taken for treatment, officials said Tuesday.
Governor McKee directs flags lowered to honor lives lost in Israel
Flags should be lowered effective immediately through sunset on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
Innovate Newport announces winners of Startup Pitch Competition
The Pitch Competition allowed 9 startup businesses (in any industry) the opportunity to make a 3-minute presentation to the audience, to compete for a comprehensive prize package that included cash, legal services, marketing services, as well as business support services.
Best-selling author to lecture on the war between the Colonists and Native Americans at Portsmouth Historical Society
NY Times bestselling author Michael Tougias will give a presentation on the war between the Colonists and Native Americans in 1675-76 at the Portsmouth Historical Society on October 19
R.I. Public Expenditure Council to honor Dorothy Pascale and Joe Nicholson at its annual meeting
Amy Walter, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report, to deliver keynote
Newport Restaurant Week returns November 3 – 12
This 10-day culinary experience offers a variety of deals and discounts including tastefully crafted prix-fixe menus, gift card promotions, BOGO deals, complimentary add-ons, and more from 55+ participating restaurants.
Newport police reports for Oct. 9 – 10
Here’s a look at the Newport Police Department arrest and dispatch logs for Monday, October 9 through Tuesday, October 10.
RECENT LOCAL OBITUARIES
ICYMI: POPULAR ON WHATSUPNEWP
What Sold: 25 recent real estate transactions in Newport County
Victim killed by falling mast on Maine schooner carrying tourists was a doctor
Mast snaps aboard historic Maine schooner, killing 1 and injuring 3
FURTHER READING
Visiting Newport Vineyards (WPRI)
Anti-wind farm group sues CRMC over Revolution Wind OK (East Bay RI)
Anti-Wind Farm Group Sues R.I. Coastal Agency Over Revolution Wind Approval (ecoRI news)
Portsmouth man arrested after barricading himself with knife (East Bay RI)
LGBTQ+ Center celebrates second annual Coming Out Week (Salve Today)
Many of us grew up with an evening newspaper to read at the end of the day. It was usually a relaxing pre or post dinner read.
There are many early morning news sources, particularly on line. An up to date evening report would be distinctive and enjoyable for many, though it would also take some getting used to for those unfamiliar with an evening news report of local matters.
I think receiving it once a day at 5pm is a great idea. Gives even more time to plan events for next day. I've often found that getting updates in the morning isn't enough time to plan for the day if there's something around town I missed adding to my own calendar.