The Providence League of Women Voters and Providence Community Library will be presenting a debate between the Democratic candidates for the Ward 14 City Council seat, tonight at the Wanskuck Library.

As Council President Peter Mancini is retiring, after serving the Wanskuck community for a number of years (and consistently supporting Wanskuck Library and PCL), the Ward 14 seat is open and the candidates for the Democratic primary will be presenting their views.

We encourage you to attend the debate from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday, August 26th) and meet the candidates.

The Wanskuck Library is located at 233 Veazie Street, just off of Douglas Avenue and behind the Veazie Street School.

Providence Community Library and the Friends of Rochambeau present a free concert with the Mike Miller Swingtet, featuring Mike Turk on harmonica, this Thursday, August 26th at 7pm.

Mike Miller and his Mike Miller Swingtet are well-known to aficionados of the Rochambeau music programs not only for their own extraordinary musicianship, but for seeking out and bringing to our audience local performers of the highest caliber. It’s always a surprise who the Swingtet has decided to jam with next, and this month it’s jazz harmonica virtuoso Mike Turk!

“My good friend Mike Turk is truly one of the world’s great harmonica virtuosos. Jazz, blues, and classics… his repertoire is endless! He can make his instrument sing with lyric beauty, or get ‘down right’ funky with the blues. Mike’s playing is always soulful and straight from the heart. Hearing him play throughout the years has always brought me endless pleasure. Ron Della Chiesa - WGBH Radio, Boston

Thursday, August 26th at 7pm - Rochambeau Library - 708 Hope Street, Providence RI

ProvidenceRollerDerby.com from Laura Crigler on Vimeo.

A post from the Candlelight Vigil for Dave St. Germain…

http://kmareka.com/2010/07/29/loved-and-missed/

(Photo by Matthew Smucker)

This Wednesday at 8 PM, a candlelight vigil will be held for Dave “Doc” St. Germain, who tragically took his own life this past Friday. Dave was a fierce fighter for social justice, and a beloved friend to many. Please join us in remembering him and his work. The vigil will be held on the mall side of the State House–just look for the people with the candles.

As Pat Crowley blogged about it over on RIFuture, we have lost a dear friend and true fighter for social justice here in Rhode Island. Dave St. Germain, aka DOC, died yesterday. Duane Clinker, of the Open Table of Christ, shared this message with his friends and acquaintances:

David “Doc” St. Germain, a fighter for justice and mercy in Rhode Island, killed himself yesterday, July 23, 2010.   He jumped off the garage at the Providence Place Mall.

Doc was a gifted speaker, class conscious and articulate about the challenges being faced by people caught in hard times.  He had  a heart for others  that matched his great  physical size.  Despite mobility issues, and the fact that his address was a one room apartment at Crossroads, David would take precious dollars for gas in his beat up car to get to the State House to demand justice for veterans and others caught on the street.  He would travel to street demonstrations, often just to stand there in his beat up Red Sox hat, and add one more number to those calling for peace, or justice, or mercy, or all of the above.  He advocated for anyone being beat up by life.  He organized voter registration among homeless folks during the last election.  He demanded a grievance procedure for people caught in the arcane world of homeless shelter regulations, alienating some professional advocates in the process.  His last campaign was to help generate  church supported meals for those at the state shelter who previously had to choose between an inside cot or a hand out meal at another location.

Doc had another life once.  In his room, I saw photos of a younger thinner man, sky jumping from planes, and surrounded by others.   An automobile accident that savaged his back ended all that, along with a lot of relationships from that other world, and he found himself on the street.

He lived constantly with the pressure that one flat tire with its unexpected expense, one bounced check, or one minor mistake could sink him and turn him begging to friends or back on the street.  He sought friendship and community.  He had for a time before now, contemplated suicide but instead, David  took several life-affirming actions on behalf of himself.  He  stopping smoking, and started to prepare to meet the qualifications for medical weight intervention, in the hope that he could find the resources for a healthier lifestyle and find a life “with someone who would love him.”   He caught a little job here and there fixing and programing computers and that was giving him hope.

His mind reversed course again after being denied medication for chronic pain from the back injury which he was required to work through on a daily basis.  David became labeled by medical rules which especially affect poor people who are  trapped in an double-bind  system that fosters chemical dependency on one hand,  and punishes it, or denies it on the other.  Caught in a glitch between doctors, David got labeled as one just seeking drugs.  He  suddenly stepped into a void, being denied the help by the very medical system and doctors which he believed were his only chance for a functioning life.

I was in his room, he was in our home.  We spent some, but not enough, time together.  I saw him many times in social and other gatherings.  He had a great large laugh and a twinkle in his eye.  I never saw him drunk or high.  I never saw him abuse or hate anyone.  Nor was he selling his medication, for he relied on his own self-discipline and the mercy of friends to survive.  He owned no luxury, except a perceptive eye and a sharp wit.  Doc was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church.

He was an honest man, trapped in a twisted system.  He came to believe that he would now be forever cut off from the medical care relied on to function.

He was a friend and he was a good man.

He is survived by millions who also want justice and mercy.
Duane Clinker
Open Table of Christ, UMC

If you knew Dave, I’m sorry. If you didn’t know Dave, I’m even more sorry.

This time from a candidate’s debate because he wouldn’t put down his statue of the Virgin Mary. He keeps doing stuff like this. Is that his real agenda? To be a Serial Obstructionist?

Where’s the stimulus for public transportation? Just when we need it the most–for clean air, energy independence, access to jobs– the state wants to cut. Any cuts to RIPTA will cost more down the line. Public hearings are scheduled near you, tell them NO CUTS!

http://kmareka.com/2010/06/30/public-transit-cut-again/

Yes!

RI VeloSprints will be at each of the remaining six free Dunkin Donuts Summer Concert Series presentyed by WBRU and the City of Providence.

Come out and race with us! 250 metre sprints for $5 per race! A $25 gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts to the fastest rider of the night!

All proceeds support US Open Cycling’s Cycle-for-Health program to help kids develop an active, healthy lifestyle!

Here’s the Schedule:

July 2: Fairhaven (2009 Rock Hunt Winners) with Johnny Lingo Band (2004 Rock Hunt Winner)

July 9: Constellations (eight freaky hip-hop rockers from Georgia, “Felicia”)

July 16: Santa Mamba (Rhode Island’s best Latin rockers, 2010 Rock Hunt Finalists)

July 23: The Wandas (2010 Rock Hunt Winners)

July 30: Sarah Potenza and the Tall Boys (for fans of WBRU’s Blue Monday)

August 6: OK Go

Look for the bright red U.S. Open Cycling Tent!

See you Friday!

Come on down.

block_party8×11final

Ruth Dealy is one of Providence’s most fearless and uncompromising artists. You can see her work at Imago through July.

http://kmareka.com/2010/06/25/ruth-dealy-at-imago-gallery/

Hey, I used to shop here, and now I’m sipping beer on the roof garden. Who would have thought?
http://kmareka.com/2010/06/19/peerless-lofts/

Who knew there was so much beauty behind the Job Lot on Reservoir Ave? A walk from Cranston to Roger Williams Park along the course of underground rivers, livened by Extraordinary Rendition, What Cheer and Big Nazo– our own Rhode Island Mardi Gras…

http://kmareka.com/2010/06/12/third-annual-urban-pond-procession/

WHERE IS THE TEA PARTY IN RHODE ISLAND?

Rhode Island may be the smallest State, but we have a proud history. We have been there since the beginning of this nation. Our forefathers were there at the conception. We where were there during the

gustation of the Revolutionary War, and we were there at the signing of the United States Constitution, the birth of this nation. Where are we now? What would happen if our forefathers could come back and see us now? Would they be proud, or would they scratch their heads, and wonder where they went wrong?

Soon the various Political Candidates will begin the rounds seeking our precious vote. They will hit the elderly first, and get to the organizations and finally the churches. They will all at some point make claim to being a staunch supporter of “FAMILY VALUES”. Let us take a moment and examine “family values” Firehouses are being closed, and firemen are not being hired, or contracts are not being signed. So much for the family home burning down. After school activities are being cut. Junior varsity sports have and are continuing to be cut. In some schools even varsity are gone. Library hours of operation are being cut. Leaving our children on the streets exposed to the various illegal activities which is prevalent. Not to mention the chance of either being run over by drunk drivers or being shot by the amount of guns on the streets. Despite the fact that the City of Providence is encircled with Colleges and Universities, but for the tuition which includes room and board few students can afford to live here. The constant raising of tuition even at state Colleges and Universities is placing a higher education beyond the grasp of many. Upon graduation most will beat a hasty retreat from Rhode Island.

While all of this is going on, our wonderful elected officials sit under the great marble dome, and ponder such profound items as a new commission to bring new businesses to Rhode Island, which will give them more money to spend. Perhaps they should look at better management of the money they already have. A posting on the internet www.Toallrhodeislandtaxpayers@blogspot.com, may open your eyes to just how much waste there actually is. Let us not forget the newest idea from this fount of knowledge, the proposed tax on soft drinks, in the name of curbing obesity in our children. Does any one believe that the Legislature is concerned with anything but their own kids, and more of our money to spend? As to obesity, stand outside the entrance to both the House and Senate Chambers as your elected officials walk in and take a look. There is enough lard between them to fry enough french fries to end world hunger. Stop telling me how to raise my kids. That is my job. Yours is to manage the state. The fact is that we are at the bottom of the list when it comes to size here in the good ole US of A, we are at or very near the top when it comes to unemployment. It is time to stop blaming the banks and the economy. We are here because those we elected to carry out our business did a God awful job. They took care of themselves, and left us to the dogs.

We the People can no longer leave the policing of the Legislature to the media. I have more pressing matters to worry about then some aging “mafia don” who is a day away from death, or has to be wheeled into Court. Putting these persons in jail is only adding to the State’s burden. Lets start looking at Department Heads who seem to have way too much money to waste, and who feel they do not have to answer to the people. If Colonel Doherty is having trouble finding criminals, I will be glad to show him where the are. I believe that the media in Rhode Island has not fully gauged the discontent of the people, and they have failed in exposing the real corruption. Forget Federal Hill, the real crime is going on in Capitol Hill. Legislature’s cry of not inciting the Citizenry, is no longer valid. The time is for the People to have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing bu t the truth. If they get mad, if they storm the State House, and demand answers, then so be it.

The time has come for Rhode Islanders to take to heart the adage “throw the bums out” We need to not only take this to heart, but we need to make this our mantra. This is our government, and the time has come to make sure that the elected members dance to our tune. The time has come when elected officials must respond to the demand of the people. The time has come for we the People of the State of Rhode Island to don the feathers and the war paint. We need to sharpen our hatchets and begin to throw both our politician and their failed policies into Narragansett Bay, all the while shouting “good riddance to bad rubbish”. And while we are at it, the time has come for us to take back those wonderful pensions these robber-barons are all waiting to get. I can assure you that if we write that into the next ballot, we will have their attention

You bet I am pissed off

Frank P. Gomes Jr

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you were unable to recall things which were once so simple to remember? An estimated 5.3 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s and every 70 seconds another person develops this disease! On behalf of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS), we would like to encourage otherwise healthy adults with early complaints of memory problems to participate in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Grand Opportunity (ADNI GO). ADNI GO will build on the unprecedented momentum and success of the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a landmark study to find more sensitive and accurate methods to detect AD at earlier stages and track its progress through biomarkers.

By being able to recognize changes in the brain, scientists hope to treat memory loss and other symptoms of AD before they appear, but the only way to recognize what these changes are and learn more about who is at risk is through the participation of volunteers. “We cannot end this terrible disease unless we know more about it,” says Dr. Paul Aisen, M.D., director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS). “That is where the amazing volunteers, their friends and their families can make the difference in our success.”

Dr. Maya Angelou - the eminent poet, author, educator, historian and professor at Wake Forest University - is working with researchers to ask you and your loved ones to be part of the ADNI GO study. Click here to hear from Dr. Maya Angelou.

If you, a friend, or a family member is experiencing early signs of memory loss, you may be eligible to participate in this groundbreaking ADNI GO study that may help bring us one step closer to finding a cure. Please visit http://adcs.org/Studies/ImagineADNI.aspx or call the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center at 1-800-438-4380 for more information on study sites in your area, including the Butler Hospital Memory and Aging Program.