Friday, April 25, 2014

Restoring Smith Hill: A Tale of Dreams and Muscle


On Sunday, May 4 at 6 p.m., Rhode Island PBS presents Restoring Smith Hill as part of Rhode Island Stories. 

Restoring Smith Hill showcases the extraordinary success of the work by the Smith Hill Community Development Corporation(CDC). The Smith Hill CDC has taken foreclosed houses in the area and turned the blight into safe, affordable housing.

Before
Filmmaker J. Henry Smith packs a lot of information and emotion into his 20 minutes behind the camera.Currently a graduate student at Providence College, Smith decided to document the practical and touching stories about Smith Hill CDC after witnessing transformation firsthand: Smith's father Francis Smith is the executive director of the Smith Hill CDC.

After
Restoring Smith Hill reveals a key element that sets these projects apart: the old homes are not demolished; they are restored, which preserves the historic and architectural character of the neighborhood. The neighborhood may have been established a hundred years ago, but the demographics have changed significantly. To cultivate feelings of belonging and ownership among residents, the film shows young residents recruited to care for things like tree pits and litter, eliciting appreciation from other residents, and fostering greater engagement and a sense of community. The film also shares intimate profiles of some of the newer residents who have moved into the restored living spaces - these profiles are among the most moving moments of the film.

Restoring Smith Hill makes a good case for partnership between the private and public sectors, resulting in optimal outcomes of the investment in neighborhoods and in people.

Providence College Annex
As the film airs on Rhode Island PBS, Smith will screen his film at a reception at the Providence College Annex on Douglas Avenue, another example of reclamation and revitalization in the Smith Hill neighborhood.

After the May 4 debut at 6 p.m., Restoring Smith Hill will encore on WSBE Rhode Island PBS: 
May 6 at 4 a.m.
May 10 at 11 p.m.

Restoring Smith Hill will air on WSBE Learn:
May 6 at 8 p.m.
May 7 at 3 a.m.
May 8 at midnight

Before
After




After





































WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming 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.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; on cable: Cox 808, Verizon 478, Full Channel 89, Comcast 294 or 312.

This week on A Lively Experiment (4/25/2014)


Panel
Dyana Koelsch – moderator
Arlene Violet – former RI Attorney General
Kate Nagle – news editor, GoLocalProv.com
Ian Donnis – Political reporter, RIPR
Steve Klamkin – Reporter and anchor, 630 WPRO AM

Topics
  • Continuing investigation of former Speaker Gordon Fox 
  • New faces in politics 
  • Gubernatorial candidates release tax records 
  • Table games at Twin River pay off 
  • Moody’s Investors Services sound off about pension costs 
A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 8:30 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.

A Lively Experiment 4/18/2014


Panel
Dyana Koelsch – moderator
Ted Nesi – political/economics reporter, WPRI-TV
Maureen Moakley – Political Science professor, URI
Pablo Rodriguez – president, Latino Public Radio
Wendy Schiller – Political Science professor, Brown University

Topics
  • Continuing investigation of former Speaker Gordon Fox 
  • Paycheck fairness 
  • Sales tax holidays 
  • Anonymous political pamphlets 
  • Former Mayor Cianci’s portrait in City Hall 
  • Remembering Nuala Pell
A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 8:30 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.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Coming Home Encore

The September 11th attacks on America in 2001 left a shared scar on the American psyche.

Even so, there are Americans, New Englanders, Rhode Islanders, whose scars are not shared by most Americans. Those experiences are only shared among the small group of American soldiers who have served in the "war on terror" in the decade that followed September 11.

In those ten years, 43 New Englanders lost their lives. Thousands of veterans have returned, forever changed. Coming Home is about four of them. WSBE is proud to encore Coming Home, a documentary by The Providence Journal, on Memorial Day weekend Sunday, May 25 at 6 p.m. on Rhode Island PBS (digital 36.1, Cox 08/1008HD, Verizon 08/508HD, FullChannel 08, Comcast 819HD, DirecTV 36, Dish Network 7776).

Coming Home
In October and November of 2011, The Providence Journal published an extraordinary series titled, "War on Terror: Coming Home." The eight-part series byJournal staff writer G. Wayne Miller chronicled the stories of several soldiers who served and the after-effects of war.

The stories upon which the newspaper series was based were woven into a compelling 50-minute documentary, Coming Home. Produced by Journal photographer John FreidahJournal video editor Cecilia Préstamo, and Miller, narrated by Journal columnist Bob Kerr, and funded by The Providence Journal, the film also includes archival photos and video taken by the soldiers themselves.

In Coming Home, Army veteran Derek Pelletier and National Guard veterans John DiRaimoBrian Santos, and Sean Judge share their combat experiences, and their lives back in the civilian world. Fall River resident Pelletier, twice honored with the Bronze Star, continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, as do Johnston native DiRaimo and Narragansett native Judge. Santos, who served with Judge, has followed a different path, becoming a New Jersey state trooper and marrying. Their interwoven stories illustrate the human toll of a war fought by a tiny fraction of Americans serving in an all-volunteer military.

To view the film anytime, and to read the original series of stories by G. Wayne Miller published in The Providence Journal, visit providencejournal.com/cominghome.

* *   * *   * *   * *   * *   * *   * *   * *   * *   * *   * *   * *  * *
Veteran and Family Assistance
VA Crisis Hotline 
1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press “1

The Providence VA Medical Center’s OEF/OIF/OND Clinic 
401-273-7100, x 6401 or
401-273-7100, x 6137

Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance Center 
401-275-4194 or
877-440-7994 

The Rhode Island Veterans Affairs 
401-254-8495

Winning Young Authors named in Rhode Island PBS Writers Contest


From Farmer Jack’s tractor to rebellious fruits, to talking carrots and magic portals, the message about nutritious eating and healthy living came through loud and clear - and creatively - in the winning stories in the Rhode Island PBS Kids Club Writers Contest. The purpose of the annual national contest is to promote reading and imaginative writing and illustration among children in Kindergarten through third grade.

More than 70 young authors in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts submitted stories with a healthy living theme to the Rhode Island PBS inaugural contest by the March 21 deadline. Of the qualified entries, up to four winners (first, second, and third places, plus an honorable mention) were chosen per grade to receive special recognition and prizes during a ceremony at Rhode Island PBS studios on April 16. All participants received a certificate.

The first place winning stories (one from each grade) will go on to compete with entries from across the country in the national PBS contest, which will be judged in May. National winners will be announced by PBS in June.

Locally, the four first place winners will be recorded reading their stories at Rhode Island PBS studios later in April. Their stories and all of the local winning entries will be scanned and posted to the Rhode Island PBS Kids Club Web site (ripbs.org/kidswrite) in May.



Congratulations!

Winners of the 2014 Rhode Island PBS Kids Club Writers Contest are:

Kindergarten
Oliver S. of Newport, RI, for his story “Farmer Jack.”

First Grade
Iris B. L. of Providence, RI, for her story “Soccer is Fun and Healthy”
Sage B. of Cumberland, RI, for his story “The Food Problem”
Nola T. of Providence, RI, for her story “Stay Healthy
George G. of Providence, RI, for his story “Be Healthy

Second Grade
Asher P. of Providence, RI, for his story “Healthy Power!”
Grace M. of Providence, RI, for her story “Being Healthy
Morgan F. of Pawtucket, RI, for her story “Cat and Sam’s Healthy Eating”
Jacob A. of Providence, RI, for his story “Katey and the Carrot

Third Grade
Raye O. S. of Providence, RI, for her story “Healthy Living”
Meghan H. of Rehoboth, MA, for her story “Carly’s Healthy Tips”
Trevor K. of Providence, RI, for his story “The Wizard and the Dog”
Sommadina A. of North Providence, RI, for her story “The Fruit Portal”

Helping Hands 
Several organizations from across the state collaborated with Rhode Island PBS to promote the contest, as well as guide the children through the writing process, and ensure that entries qualified. These collaborators include: Cranston Public Library, Henry Barnard School in Providence, The Lincoln School in Providence, East Smithfield Public Library, Joy Feldman and The Picture of Children’s Health, Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and Salve Regina University in Newport. Contest judges were Carolyn Belisle and Alissa Becker from Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI, Kathryn Rok and Dr. Gia Renaud from Salve Regina University, and Megan Weeden from the Cranston Public Library. 

The local contest was made possible by Blue Ribbon Sponsor Corner Bakery Café, with additional support provided by Red Ribbon Sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI and CVS | Caremark. National contest sponsors are LeapFrog and Highlights for Children magazine.


Friday, April 11, 2014

A Lively Experiment 4/11/2014


Panel
Jim Hummel – moderator
Dave Layman – corporate communications consultant
Kate Nagle – news editor, GoLocalProv.com
Louis Pulner – attorney, WPRO/WPRI legal analyst
Edward Achorn – editorial page editor, Providence Journal

Topics
  • Pension settlement vote 
  • Master lever 
  • Brown University poll 
  • Superman Building financing 
A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 8:30 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.

A Lively Experiment (4/4/2014)


Panel
Dyana Koelsch – moderator
Denise Aiken – attorney, former state representative (D)
Ted Nesi – political / economics reporter, WPRI-TV
Scott MacKay – political analyst, Rhode Island Public Radio
Wendy Schiller – political science professor, Brown University

Topics
  • State retirees file Breach of Contract lawsuit against state 
  • Investigation of former Speaker Gordon Fox 
  • Speaker Matiello’s leadership team 
  • Transparency in 38 Studios case 
  • US Congress District 1 race
A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 8:30 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.