Thursday, August 27, 2015

Explore World War II Sunken Wrecks on Live TV


Did you know that one of the last battles of World War II happened just seven miles off the coast of Block Island?  The story was featured in a documentary we aired in December, Last Voyage of U-853


Now, for one week in September, the remnants of the battle will be explored. A team of University of Rhode Island oceanographers, engineers and students will spend four days in September investigating the underwater remains of a German U-boat with a state-of-the-art remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and HD cameras. Scientists, divers, archaeologists associated with the Inner Space Center and Research Vessel (R/V) Endeavor are making history, and we want you there with us.

Rhode Island PBS is proud and excited to partner with the oceanography scientists at the University of Rhode Island to bring live coverage of the R/V Endeavor's dives as the crew explores shipwrecks off the Rhode Island coast. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 3-5, we will carry the live feed three times a day: 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Rhode Island PBS (digital 36.1), and at 1 p.m. on Learn (digital 36.2)


Each visit will be about 30 minutes long (regular programming will be preempted) and include interviews with participating experts, historical footage, and highlights from the previous day’s underwater investigations. The 7 p.m. program will broadcast live images of the wrecks from the remotely operated vehicles, with commentary from the scientists, archaeologists and scuba divers knowledgeable about the site. Captain Bill Palmer, who has explored the wreck and was featured in the documentary is expected to be on hand, too, during the three days of dives. 


The full expedition spans Sept. 2 to 6. Working aboard Endeavor, scientists and historians will examine the health of the wrecked submarine U-853, create a high-definition map of the site, and investigate the marine life around the sunken vessel.

“This is a great opportunity for school classes, amateur historians and the general public to learn the intriguing history of U-boat 853 and go behind the scenes of an oceanographic expedition,” said Dwight Coleman, director of the URI Inner Space Center who will lead the project with URI archaeological oceanographer Michael Brennan.

U-853 torpedoed the freighter S.S. Black Point on May 4, 1945 while the freighter was carrying coal to Boston. A day later the German submarine was sunk by depth charges deployed by the Coast Guard frigate Moberly and Navy destroyer Atherton. Located in waters about 130 feet deep, the wrecks of the U-boat and Black Point are now popular scuba diving sites. Both will be visited during the URI expedition.

For those who would like to see more of the work being done, cameras located throughout the ship and on underwater remotely operated vehicles will stream live images to the URI Inner Space Center throughout the five days of the investigation. The public can tune in at any time for free at www.innerspacecenter.org/riwrecks.


The expedition is funded by the Rhode Island Endeavor Program, a state-funded effort to provide URI researchers and local educators with access to the scientific research and educational capabilities of an ocean-going research vessel. Teachers Tiffany Risch of Coventry High School and Shannon Donovan of Scituate High School will be aboard ship to observe and assist in all aspects of the expedition and participate in live chats with school classes.

Among the others participating in the event will be Steven Licht, URI assistant professor of ocean engineering, and his graduate student Jordan Kirby, who will run the remotely operated vehicles and test a new robotic arm they are developing; URI Professors Thomas Rossby and Godi Fischer, who will conduct several underwater acoustics tests of a device they have invented; and Capt. Rich Sanders, a professor at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, who studies the degradation of shipwreck sites to assess their risk to the environment.

Be sure to tune in for this rare opportunity. And spread the word! Share this information with your children, teachers you may know, as well as anyone with an interest in maritime history and history-making technology!

For more information on this and other expeditions, visit the Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) Website, and check out the amazing innerspace center, too.

Wickford Junction, Guatemala Junket, and the Continued Push for Tolls (A Lively Experiment 8/28/15)



Panel
Jim Hummel – guest moderator (The Hummel Report)
Maureen Moakley - Professor of Political Science, URI
Lou Pulner - Legal Consultant, WPRI-TV
Lisa Pelosi - Republican Strategist
Dave Layman - Corporate Communications Consultant, Former Television Anchor

Topics
  • State to take over Wickford Junction train station to save money 
  • “No Confidence” vote in Mayor Fung – Cranston City Council
  •  Elorza’s unannounced trip to Guatemala 
  • Governor’s continued push for tolls  
  • Relationship between The Big Three: Mattiello, Raimondo and Paiva-Weed 
  • New investigation into 38 Studios? 
  • Race to the White House: 
    • Trump’s numbers 
    • Possible Biden run 
    • Clinton’s emails

A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 7 p.m., with rebroadcasts on Saturdays at 7 p.m. on WSBE Learn (36.2), and Sundays at noon on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.

Can't get to the TV? Watch the episode online anytime and anywhere on our YouTube channel. Episodes of A Lively Experiment are generally available to watch on the next business day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and YouTube will notify you when a new episode is uploaded.

On Facebook? So are we! "Like" A Lively Experiment on Facebook.
updated August 21, 2015

Friday, August 21, 2015

Overdose Crisis, DCYF Turnaround, Healthcare Innovation on A Lively Experiment (August 21, 2015)



Panel
Kristin Gourlay – guest moderator
Nicole Alexander-Scott - Director of the RI Department of Health
Maria Montanaro - Director of RI Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH)
Jamia McDonald - Chief Strategy Officer, RI Health and Human Services 
Melba Depena - Director of RI Department of Health and Human Services

Topics
  • Overdose crisis and Governor's recent appointment of Overdose Task Force 
  • Governor’s Working Group for Healthcare Innovation
  • Turnarounds at DCYF and Eleanor Slater Hospital
  • Focus at EOHHS of improving government operations
Behind the scenes preparing for the taping




A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 7 p.m., with rebroadcasts on Saturdays at 7 p.m. on WSBE Learn (36.2), and Sundays at noon on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.

Can't get to the TV? Watch the episode online anytime and anywhere on our YouTube channel. Episodes of A Lively Experiment are generally available to watch on the next business day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and YouTube will notify you when a new episode is uploaded.

On Facebook? So are we! "Like" A Lively Experiment on Facebook.

updated August 24, 2015

"Ticketgate" and Trump - it's A Lively Experiment week of August 14, 2015



Panel
Margie O'Brien – guest moderator
Scott MacKay - Political Analyst, RI Public Radio
Maureen Moakley - Political Science Professor, University of RI
Wendy Schiller - Political Science Professor, Brown University 
Russ Moore - columnist, GoLocalProv.com

Topics
  • State Police Report and Mayor Allen Fung "Ticketgate" 
  • Donald Trump's Poll Standings
A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 7 p.m., with rebroadcasts on Saturdays at 7 p.m. on WSBE Learn (36.2), and Sundays at noon on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.



WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.

Can't get to the TV? Watch the episode online anytime and anywhere on our YouTube channel. Episodes of A Lively Experiment are generally available to watch on the next business day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and YouTube will notify you when a new episode is uploaded.

On Facebook? So are we! "Like" A Lively Experiment on Facebook.
updated August 21, 2015

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Arthur & George: Crime Author Turns Real-Life Sherlock Holmes


In Arthur & George, Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) stars as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, in a real-life case that inspired the great author to put down his pen and turn detective. Tracing a string of notorious animal mutilations alleged to involve an attorney named George Edalji, Arthur George airs in three gripping back-to-back one-hour episodes on MASTERPIECE, Friday, September 25 starting at 8 p.m.

Co-starring are Arsher Ali (The Missing) as George Edalji, a mixed-race solicitor living in the English Midlands; Art Malik (Upstairs Downstairs) as his Indian father, an Anglican minister; and Emma Fielding (Cranford) as his Scottish mother. Also appearing are Charles Edwards (Downton Abbey) as Alfred Wood, Sir Arthur’s private secretary; and Hattie Morahan (Sense and Sensibility) as Jean Leckie, the woman that Doyle befriended while his wife was gravely ill.

Arthur & George opens with the illness and death of Doyle’s wife, Louisa. Sir Arthur is at a low ebb-until he receives a letter from the recently paroled George, who wants the world-renowned author of Sherlock Holmes to help him clear his name so he can resume his legal career.

The Edalji case saw an improbable defendant, mild-mannered lawyer George Edalji, convicted for mutilating a pony and, by implication, a host of other farm animals in a slashing spree known as the Great Wyrley Outrages. The anonymous misdeeds also included poison pen letters and intimidation aimed, oddly enough, at George’s family. 

The three-part drama won plaudits from the press during its recent UK broadcast, with The Sunday Telegraph (London) hailing it as “thoroughly enjoyable ... Clunes proves exceptionally winning as the widowed writer and sometime crusader for justice, Arthur Conan Doyle, who finds a new zest for life when he comes across the curious case of George Edalji.”
Arthur & George is adapted from Julian Barnes’s acclaimed novel of the same name, which was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize, the most prestigious literary award in the English-speaking world.

Update: Here's a behind-the-scenes teaser video recently added by PBS:

updated September 21, 2015

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

See Emmy-Winning Wake of '38 in its Annual Commemorative Showing


Rhode Island PBS proudly presents our Emmy Award-winning documentary, Wake of '38 on Saturday, September 19, 2014 at noon, and on Sunday, September 20 at 6 p.m. and Saturday September 26 at 11 p.m., as part of our ongoing series Rhode Island Stories, a collection of local documentaries about the people, places and events with a strong local connection on WSBE Rhode Island PBS. The film also airs on WSBE Learn Tuesday, September 22 at 8:00 p.m.

An annual "fan favorite" among our viewers, the film marks 77 years since the devastating hurricane and 37 years since the WSBE Rhode Island PBS production premiered. The documentary uses archival footage and interviews with survivors to convey the dramatic story.

Click here for our comprehensive 75th anniversary blog post, along with several remarkable photos.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Explore OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN with Rhode Island PBS


The local legends, historical happenings, and backyard secrets of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, are the focus of Our Town, a Rhode Island PBS community project. Rhode Island PBS proudly premieres the documentary Our Town: North Kingstown on Wednesday, September 2 starting at 8:30 p.m.

Earlier this summer, neighbors in North Kingstown became storytellers and filmmakers to capture the stories they wanted to tell in Our Town: North Kingstown. These stories have been woven together into a visual tapestry of nostalgia, humor, enterprise, history, even a surprise or two, all representing life in North Kingstown through the eyes of those who know and love it. 

North Kingstown residents and friends involved in the production will be in the studio on September 2 to share their experiences while working on the project. Volunteers will also answer phones during this fund raising special to benefit Rhode Island PBS. 

Among the stories that will appear in the film is a segment about North Kingstown Community Chorus. A small group of singers wanted to create a choral ensemble to do what they loved best - sing. Under the direction of a dynamic leader, the North Kingstown Community Chorus has grown to more than 100 members of all ages, and has now enjoyed three decades of performing.

Old Salt is a segment about John Bradley, who rigs the sails and takes to the seas almost on a daily basis. He is also restoring an old sailboat to give him "the ride" he used to get from his old Scottie - his favorite boat - lost in Hurricane Irene. The restoration is a formidable task for anyone, but John Bradley sees it as an attainable goal, even as he turns 92 years young this autumn.

In Papa Pilot, a grandson brings the heroic history of his grandfather to life, exploring how the naval pilot survived landing his plane on carriers at sea and how he and his crew mates plucked an astronaut from the Atlantic. Also, see how Quonset Point served as the elder's place of employment and enjoyment.

Viewers will also take a tour with the Harbor Master, the law enforcement official on water. Discover the range of his "beat" from Wickford to Jamestown and what challenges he encounters on the job.

In Labor of Love, Paul DiBiase's morning starts early with sharp focus on the right type of grain. Local baker Paul DiBiase creates artisan loaves of bread the old fashioned way - with hand kneading and patience.

In a segment about re-purposing the outdated to give it new usefulness, we trace the transformation of the Little Red Schoolhouse. For decades, the historic building served as the center for education in North Kingstown for decades. After harnessing generous community spirit, the building once again serves a crucial community purpose - providing food for those in need.

Alvin Noss, turning 101 this year, lives in his childhood home in the historic village of Slocum. With his unique vantage point, Alvin Noss shares with viewers how Slocum has evolved and its important role to North Kingstown.

And what would a visit to North Kingstown be without stopping by the "must sees" in town? Viewers visit the annual Wickford Art Festival, The Gilbert Stuart Museum, Smith Castle, and Historic Wickford Village.

"It's been a great experience," said Margie O'Brien, producer of Our Town. "The warmth, hospitality, and genuine enthusiasm we were shown during this project was as inspiring as it was informative and entertaining."

"The film does a great job showcasing North Kingstown's charm and natural beauty, too," said Jodi Mesolella, Our Town project director. "We're looking forward to sharing the stories of Our Town: North Kingstown with all of Rhode Island on September second."

Part fund-raiser, part community builder, part historical and cultural documentary, and part "day-in-the-life" video scrapbook, Our Town: North Kingstown is the second documentary in the Our Town series. The first film, Our Town: Glocester, will be shown at 7 p.m. on September 2, just before the premiere of the new film.

The purpose of the Our Town project is to share the charm and character of Rhode Island towns and villages - in particular, untold or uncelebrated stories that capture the essence of life in the town. Building community by enhancing connections and relationships between Rhode Island PBS and town residents, the stories are told by resident storytellers and videographers, who choose the stories they want to tell about their town. The role of Rhode Island PBS is to offer technical advice and then stitch together the stories into a one-hour film. Next in the series will be Our Town: Portsmouth, now in production and set to premiere in December.

For information about joining the Rhode Island PBS Our Town project, visit ripbs.org/ourtown, or call Jodi Mesolella (project director) at 401-222-3636, extension 209, Margie O'Brien (producer) at extension 225, or email ourtown@ripbs.org.

Our Town: North Kingstown is made possible by the residents and friends of North Kingstown, and by these North Kingstown neighborhood businesses:






with additional support from:


and 

Tony Jones Omnimedia

Thursday, August 6, 2015

It's About the Children on the Next A Lively Experiment (week of August 7, 2015)



Panel
Dyana Koelsch – moderator
Elizabeth Burke Bryant  - Executive Director, Rhode Island Kids Count
Michael DiBiase - RI Director of Administration
Elizabeth Roberts - Secretary, RI Health and Human Services 
Kristin Gourlay - Health Reporter, RIPR

Topics
  • Child welfare/Overall Child Well-Being report 
  • Foster care 
  • Childhood poverty
A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 7 p.m., with rebroadcasts on Saturdays at 7 p.m. on WSBE Learn (36.2), and Sundays at noon on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.

Can't get to the TV? Watch the episode online anytime and anywhere on our YouTube channel. Episodes of A Lively Experiment are generally available to watch on the next business day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and YouTube will notify you when a new episode is uploaded.

On Facebook? So are we! "Like" A Lively Experiment on Facebook.

"URI Today" Debuts New Episode on August 9




URI Today offers a new episode, number five in the series, on Sunday, August 9 at 6 p.m., part of the ongoing Rhode Island PBS series, Rhode Island Stories.

In one of this URI Today episode's three segments, meet the man behind the mic - the man for all seasons, Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame member Jim Norman. The voice of the Rams, he called 1,286 consecutive URI football and men’s basketball games in his 34-year career behind the microphone. Read more about Jim here.

In the second segment, why would grown men and women chase horseshoe crabs in the moonlight? To study them, of course! The horseshoe crab segment focuses on URI faculty and students conducting late-night studies of the well-known armored creatures at Napatree Point in Westerly, where the animals arrive in early summer to lay their eggs. It will feature interviews with the researchers as they count and tag the crabs.

Then, a five year journey has come to a happy conclusion on upper college road, and the opening of the Gender and Sexuality Center is putting the University of Rhode Island on the map as the first in the country.

At 6:30, we encore the second episode of URI Today "The Science of Survival," which examines innovative work being done by the University of Rhode Island in immunology and ecology. The program explores the threat of Dengue fever and the search for a vaccine against this deadly disease. The show also looks at what role sea level rise may have played in the damage caused by Super Storm Sandy. 

The series is co-produced by the New Media unit of URI’s Department of Marketing and Communications and Ocean State Video.

Updated August 6, 2015

Helping Hands and Speaking Their Language this week on Rhode Island Spotlight



HELPING HANDS

Every month volunteers help needy homeowners in South County with repairs and maintenance - a lifeline for some to stay in their homes. Neighbors Helping Neighbors RI provides the materials and the manpower at no cost, and has grown significantly since the effort began several years ago.

This month Jim Hummel and Rhode Island Spotlight interviews two leaders of the group, who talk about the impact the non-profit organization is having in the southern part of Rhode Island.

Helping Hands will air on Rhode Island PBS on Thursday, August 6 at 1:52 p.m.

Also this month, Speaking Their Language

Despite all of the public education and shifting social mores, smoking is still attractive to some teenagers. And while Rhode Island has one of the lowest smoking rates in the country for young people,the Department of Health has launched an initiative aimed at helping 13-18-year-olds stop using tobacco: an interactive texting program that’s the first of its kind in the country.

Speaking Their Language airs on Rhode Island PBS (36.1) on the following dates and times:

Sat  8/08  at 9:46 p.m.
Tue  8/11  at 2:23 p.m.
Tue  8/11  at 9:52 p.m.

Rhode Island Spotlight for more information about this and other stories about people and organizations that are making a difference in our community.

Blood. Food. These Needs Don't Take a Vacation

Summertime can be especially challenging for those in need of blood and of food because regular donors are on vacation. You are invited to help ease the shortage!


Summertime Blood + Food Drive 
Thursday, August 27, 2015 
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
 RI Community Food Bank Parking Lot 
200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 

Rhode Island PBS, the Rhode Island Blood Center, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank are proud to partner to create this special summertime giving opportunity to enable us all to better serve the community. With two ways to give, please come donate a pint of blood and bring a non-perishable food item. And even if you can’t give blood, your food donation is most welcome!



Rhode Island Community Food Bank staff will be on hand to give tours of the Food Bank and gratefully accept canned goods and other non-perishable food to help feed the 63,000 Rhode Islanders who visit various food pantries across the state every month. Your gift of a food item will help the Food Bank reach their Summer Food Drive goal to collect 150,000 pounds of food by August 31.


In 2015, the Rhode Island Blood Center celebrates 36 years of supplying hospitals and patients in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut with lifesaving blood components. Over the past three decades, much has changed in blood banking and transfusion medicine, but the fundamental concept of volunteer blood donors providing the gift of life for patients in need is as important as ever.


Beyond the personal satisfaction of making your life-giving donations on August 27, you’ll also receive organic, fair trade chocolate courtesy of the local Equal Exchange Cooperative. Now, that's a sweet incentive!


We appreciate and welcome participation by employees and patrons of local establishments in the Cranston Business Park and in the greater Niantic Avenue / Cranston Street areas.

Please contact Rhode Island PBS (401-222-3636) if you'd like a simple 8.5" x 11" paper poster to display in your business for your staff and customers. Thank you!

So, give the gifts of life - give blood and give food - because these needs don't take a vacation.

The Fine Print: 
• Blood donors must be at least 16 years old. 
• Parental consent is required for blood donors age 16. 
• Minimum weight for donors 17 years and older is 110 lbs. Minimum weight for 16 year olds is 130 lbs. 
• Photo ID required for ALL blood donors. 
• For questions about eligibility or medical requirements, please call Rhode Island Blood Center nurse's confidential line at (401)-453-8307