Thursday, June 23, 2016

BioBlitz: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood


Among the forests, swamps, tidal wetlands, and ocean waves of Narragansett, Rhode Island, more than 200 adult volunteers, school children, working scientists, and avocational naturalists scramble in early June to tally as many species as possible in one 24-hour period within a designated parcel of land. The event is called BioBlitz.

BioBlitz is an annual event in which scientists and citizen scientists spend one full day and night observing, identifying, and recording as many fish, birds, mammals, insects, fungi, trees, and plants as they can.

BioBlitz: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood chronicles the 2013 event in a half-hour documentary that makes its television debut on Thursday, July 21 at 8:30 p.m. 

A special event by any measure, this particular BioBlitz was made even more notable for the volunteers braving the elements after a tropical storm dumped 4 1/2 inches of rain overnight. The Narragansett project, which included Canonchet Farm, Narrow River, and the Pettaquamscutt Cove, located 1,265 species of life.

Hosted by the Rhode Island Natural History Survey annually since 2000 in various sites around Rhode Island, BioBlitz: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood was filmed by the Coastal Institute at University of Rhode Island.

Presented as part of Rhode Island StoriesBioBlitz: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood will encore on Saturday July 23 at 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m.


WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) content over the air on 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08/1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08/508HD, Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD (Comcast SD subscribers check local listings for channel), Verizon FiOS 18/518HD; on satellite: Dish 36/7776, DirecTV 36. 

doubleFEATURE: Your Year-Round Film Festival in Your Living Room



In an exciting partnership with Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival(RIIFF) and the Rhode Island Film and Television Office, Rhode Island PBS proudly presents doubleFEATUREan "only in Rhode Island" opportunity for viewers to see artistic, original films from a collection of animation, foreign language, documentary, or fiction films every week, beginning July 1. 

doubleFEATURE is a new weekly one-hour series that showcases the art of the short film and the artists who create them. Each week, doubleFEATURE will present award-winning short films that have made their world premiere or been screened at recent Flickers' RIIFF. In addition, between the short films, interviews with filmmakers and industry professionals behind the camera lens will be presented with RIIFF Executive Producer George T. Marshall, Director of the RI Film and Television Office Steven Feinberg, as well as independent filmmaker and RIIFF Program Director Shawn Quirk. 

The rundown for the July 1 episode is:
  • The PresentJacob Frey, director; 4-minute animated short from Germany, 2014. Jake spends most of his time playing video games indoors until his mom decides to give him a present.
  • Steven Feinberg's interview with Eric Latek.
  • Sandrine, Nicolas Greinacher, director; 11-minute short film from Switzerland, 2014. One kiss can change everything.
  • Chez Moi, Phuong Mai Nguyen, director; 12-minute animated short from France, 2015. Hugo's mother is back home. The day after, when Hugo wakes up, he finds black feathers all over his house.
  • AnnaEric Latek, director; 16-minute short documentary from USA (local), 2015. Anna is a wife, mother, grandmother, and Native American activist who endures the final stage of Alzheimer's. This film is an intimate portrait seen only though her eyes.
  • Future Hero, Ramin Serry, director; 6-minute short film from USA, 2013. This is a short film about a dad, a son... and a time-traveling killer android.
 

Scene from Future Hero and filmmaker Ramin Serry

The contents of episode two on July 8 is:
  • Eloise, Little Dreamer, Myriam Obin, director; 4-minute animated short from Canada, 2015. Losing her older sister in a parade was the first step to having Eloise's world turned upside down.
  • Steven Feinberg interviews a local filmmaker.
  • Bienvenidos, Academy Award-nominated director, Javier Fedder; 28-minute short film. An amazing innovation reaches a tiny school lost in the heart of the Peruvian Andes and revolutionizes the lives of the whole community: the Internet. It brings the world to their doorstep, but even more importantly, it offers the world the chance to finally discover what's happening in the remote village of Ingatambo.


Scene from Bienvenidos and filmmaker Javier Fedder

  • Rabbit and Deer, Peter Vacz, director; 17-minute animated short from Hungary, 2015. Deer and Rabbit are good friends who share every happy moment while living together in their two-dimensional world. One day, the TV breaks and Deer sees a strange thing in it: a 3D cube. From that moment he is obsessed with finding the formula for the unknown third dimension while he totally ignores Rabbit. Then an unexpected accident transforms Deer into the third dimension, standing face to face with their flat 2D world.

Scene from Rabbit and Deer and filmmaker Peter Vacz

Brand new content debuts every Friday at 8 p.m. on Rhode Island PBS, then the same content replays on following Thursday (for example on 7/7/2016) at 10:00 PM, and Saturday (7/9/2016) at 2:30 AM. On Learn, the content airs Wednesday (7/6/2016) at 9:00 PM, Saturday (7/9/2016) at 3:00 PM and 5:00 AM.

Pop some popcorn and join us each week for the year-round film festival doubleFEATURE starting Friday, July 1 at 8 p.m. 

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air on 36.1; Rhode Island cable: Cox cable 08/1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08/508HD, Full Channel 08; Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD (Comcast SD subscribers check local listings for channel), Verizon FiOS 18/518HD; satellite: Dish 36/7776, DirecTV 36. WSBE Learn transmits over the air on 36.2; Rhode Island cable: Cox 808, Verizon 478, and Full Channel 109; Massachusetts cable: Comcast 294 or 312.


    



ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Javier Fesser (Madrid, 1964) Film director, scriptwriter and author. Internationally acclaimed for his films, he has been awarded thirteen Goyas and an Oscar nomination. His last work “Mortadelo y Filemon contra Jimmy el Cachondo” (2014) was awarded a Goya for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay).

Péter Vácz (1988, Budapest) Biography Péter Vácz was born in 1988 in Budapest, Hungary. He graduated from Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Animation BA (2010) and MA (2012) with his film called 'Streamschool' and 'Rabbit and Deer' which has won over 50 awards at international festivals including two Oscar-qualifying awards at Atlanta and Nashville Film Festivals. During his studies at MOME he attended The European Animation Production Workshop and took the Professional 3D Character Animation Course in Viborg, Denmark. Since 2013 Péter is represented by the London based Picasso Pictures animation studio as a commercial director. Filmography - Rabbit and Deer (Nyuszi és Őz) – 2013 - Satellite Dish (Parabola) – 2013 - Streamschool (Patakiskola) – 2012

Thursday, June 16, 2016

The Commemoration of Elisha Hunt Rhodes in August


On July 19 of 2014, a graveside memorial service in Swan Point Cemetery celebrated the life and legacy of Elisha Hunt Rhodes, the Civil War private who rose to become colonel of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Regiment and, later, the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island. On Sunday, August 7, 2016, The Commemoration of Elisha Hunt Rhodes encores on Rhode Island PBS at 7 p.m. as part of Rhode Island Stories.


Endorsed by the Rhode Island Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission, the ceremony featured a military salute and a period honor guard, as well as state and local government representation, the Rhode Island National Guard, Boy Scouts, and various historical organizations and reenactment groups.

Great grandson Robert Rhodes, an author and historian, delivers the keynote address tracing the Rhodes family genealogy - including naming Elisha's great-great-great-great grandchildren.

The ceremony was funded and sponsored by Brian E. Guiot of West Warwick, RI, with the support of local organizations including The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), and The Rhode Island Civil War Round Table.

"Colonel Elisha Hunt Rhodes was a true officer and a gentleman," said Guiot of the inspirational officer. "I thank everyone for their efforts and I shall never forget this fine tribute to my American hero. Rhodes represents everything that was great about the private soldier from Rhode Island in the Civil War, and our State's dedication to the Union cause."

Rhodes, a resident of Pawtuxet at the start of the war, fought in nearly every major conflict in the eastern theater: from the outbreak of the land war at Bull Run to the final surrender of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse. Throughout the war, his commitment to the cause and singular bravery was rewarded by his battlefield promotions until he came to command his entire regiment as colonel. Rhode Island's finest representative of this state's commitment and sacrifice during the Civil War, Elisha Hunt Rhodes was born in 1842 and died 1917.

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

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

June is Self-Improvement Month on Rhode Island PBS

Sometimes it's just making simple changes to menus and movements that make all the difference in sustaining happy, healthy living. To help you get there, you are invited to tune in to some outstanding self-improvement specials in June on Rhode Island PBS.

Part of the June membership pledge drive, these shows offer tips and information we hope you enjoy and find useful in your life - and will share with others to enhance their lives as well.

Premiere dates are listed, but please check your local TV listings for more dates and times.

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Saturday, JUNE 4 at 1 p.m.
In Smart Fats to Out-Smart Aging, Steven Masley, MD, brings years of research-based results - and success with patients - to public television viewers. As a physician, nutritionist and fellow with three medical organizations, Dr. Masley offers proven, simple lifestyle changes to help lose unwanted weight and keep it off, feel and look better than ever, control blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol profiles, and prevent and reverse heart disease. In a nutshell, enhancing quality of life for decades to come.
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Saturday, JUNE 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Concerned about bone health? In Stronger Bones, Longer Life, Dr. Lani Simpson - an expert in osteoporosis and author of Dr. Lani's No-Nonsense Bone Health Guide - leads viewers in understanding how to take charge of their bone health and retain their independence.
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Saturday, JUNE 4 at 4 p.m.
Saturday, JUNE 11 at 2 p.m.
If you suffer from allergies, you are not alone. The epidemic of allergies is bigger than you ever imagined. But one needn't be a victim of allergies. Leo Galland, MD, renowned physician, researcher, and writer, presents The Allergy Solution, with Leo Galland, MD. In the special, Dr. Galland reveals four hidden truths about allergies that will forever change thinking - and dealing with - allergies, including astonishing facts about the relationship between allergies and weight gain.
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Sunday, JUNE 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, JUNE 12 at 4 p.m.
Joel Fuhrman, M.D., is on a mission to change the way America eats and has chosen PBS to help him get his message out. A board-certified family physician, New York Times bestselling author and renowned nutritional expert, Dr. Fuhrman is often called “America’s Health Coach.” His new program, Eat to Live with Joel Fuhrman, M.D. focuses on how his revolutionary Nutritarian diet can help viewers achieve sustainable weight loss, lower blood pressure and cholesterol without drugs, and reverse type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
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Monday, JUNE 6 at 9:30 p.m.
Many of us have long been told that fat makes us fat, contributes to heart disease, and generally erodes our health. Now a growing body of research is debunking our fat-phobia, revealing the health and weight-loss benefits of a higher fat diet rich in eggs, nuts, healthy oils, avocados, and other delicious super-foods. In Eat Fat to Get Thin, Dr. Mark Hyman introduces a new weight-loss and healthy living program based on the latest science and explain how eating fat can help promote weight loss and optimum health. Offering practical tools, meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists, as well as step-by-step, easy-to-follow advice, it's a cutting edge way to lose weight, prevent disease, and feel good.
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Thursday, JUNE 9 at 9:30 p.m.
Our gut is responsible for a lot more than processing the food we eat! Our gut is a vital immune barrier, protecting us from disease and contamination, accounting for 70% of our immune system. Eat Dirt with Dr. Josh Axe will help with leaky gut syndrome. Once you identify your own Gut Type, you can heal your gut more quickly, by following a plan that is designed specifically for you.
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Saturday, JUNE 11 at 3:30 pm
Plastic surgery trims waistlines and reduces wrinkles, but in The Age Fix, Dr. Youn gives easy home remedies to save thousands of dollars and achieve the same results without surgery. Dr. Youn's goal is to offer a way to fix age-related skin concerns, without in-office treatments, painful surgery, or spending a lot of money. While he acknowledges there are some instances where the only real good option is actual surgery, in most cases he offers ways to turn back the clock in a significant way without even seeing a doctor, much less a plastic surgeon. Throughout The Age Fix Dr. Youn reveals tips, tricks, and secrets - natural anti-aging tips other plastic surgeons don't want you to know.