Sunday, October 23, 2016

Veterans Day 2016: Looking Back and Looking Forward


Every Thursday in November at 9 p.m., Rhode Island PBS features films profiling local veterans with universal stories of war-time duty and extraordinary courage. These films are the work of award-winning filmmaker Tim Gray (Tim Gray Media), the World War II Foundation, and award-winning cinematographer Jim Karpeichik. These films not only document history for us now and for future generations, but the films tell it through poignant stories of the uncommon valor of those who lived the horrors of war and survived.
At 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 13, of Veterans Day weekend, the World War II Foundation marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor with a special advance screening of their newest documentary, Remember Pearl Harbor, at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence. Admission is free for veterans. Tickets for all others are available online or at The Vets box office.
November 3 - Navy Heroes of Normandy
The film chronicles the building and dedication of the first-ever United States Navy monument in Normandy, France. Dozens of interviews with Navy D-Day veterans are included. Won New England region Emmy Awards for writing and photography.

November 10 - Uncle Jack: The Manhattan Project and Beyond (Rhode Island PBS Premiere)
The Manhattan Project in World War II was an enormous undertaking that required the efforts of many of the world's most brilliant scientists. Thousands of physicists, mathematicians and engineers were needed to design, build and test the world's first atomic weapon. The United States government did everything in its power to attract these individuals to the top-secret program. One of those assigned to the project was the filmmaker's uncle, John Edmund Gray. Regarded as a pioneer in the field of nuclear energy John Gray was front and center as the evolution of that power from wartime use to peaceful means came to fruition.


November 17 - Omaha Beach: Honor and Sacrifice
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the green 29th Infantry Division faced some of the most brutal fighting on Omaha Beach. In June of 2014, a handful of remaining members of the 29th Infantry Division made a final trip back to Normandy to recognize the 70th anniversary of D-Day. The World War II Foundation was along as these veterans shared their stories and looked over the bluffs of Omaha Beach one last time. The aging veterans also visited the Normandy-American cemetery to say their final goodbyes to their friends who never left Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Local villages and towns also honored the men of D-Day with dozens of celebrations around Normandy.

November 24 - The American St. Nick
The Nazis had outlawed the annual Christmas-related celebration of St. Nicholas Day when they occupied Luxembourg in 1940. Even though American GIs had liberated the town of Wiltz in late 1944, the citizens had no resources left with which to mark their very special holiday. So a group of soldiers of the battle-weary 28th Infantry Division got together and brought back hope and joy back to a small town. One GI, Corporal Richard Brookins, played the role of Saint Nick, costume and all. His sleigh was a U.S. Army jeep. Brookins and the men of the 28th passed out candy and baked goods to the children of Wiltz.

Beginning in 1947, the annual St. Nicholas day became the American St. Nick celebration, complete with someone dressed as Saint Nick in a jeep re-tracing the exact route Dick Brookins took in 1944. A shocked Richard Brookins knew nothing about the annual American Saint Nick celebration in his honor until 1977 when he was invited back to re-create his role. Thousands of people turned out to welcome him. is a World War II Christmas story that spans seven decades and continues to this day.

Stay tuned for more Rhode Island PBS news mid-November about Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

House of Shadows Returns in November


Rhode Island PBS encores House of Shadows by local filmmakers Michael and Karen Iacobbo of Providence Lyceum, LLC. Featured as part of the ongoing Rhode Island PBS series Rhode Island StoriesHouse of Shadows airs Thursday, November 10 at 8 p.m., Saturday, November 12 at 11 p.m., and Sunday, November 13 at 7 p.m.

Filmed at some of Rhode Island’s most beautiful and important historical sites, the hour-long Gothic romance House of Shadows is inspired by the television series Dark Shadows. And, in fact, Connecticut actress Beverly Hayes, who plays Patience Silverfield, the 19th Century mistress of Silverfield Hall in House of Shadows, appeared in the original Dark Shadows.

Beautifully filmed as it moves between present day and 1893, the story explores the strange events that unfold - and the force that manifests - after the mansion in the family of famous Victorian poet Nathaniel Silverfield is taken by eminent domain for a planned flood.

Rhode Island locations showcased in the film include the Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum in Providence, the Malbone Estate in Newport, the Governor William Sprague Mansion in Cranston, the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, and the Roger Williams Park in Providence.

With a strong Rhode Island connection through its film locations, the film's cast, too, has local ties. House of Shadows stars Welsh-born actor and former Massachusetts resident Joe Michael Phillips, as Victorian-era poet Nathaniel Silverfield. Actress Jami Tennille of Massachusetts stars as Nathaniel’s fiancĂ©e, Victoria Noble. Connecticut actress Suzanne McCormick narrates House of Shadows and stars as Buffy Silverfield, mistress of the 21st Century estate. Young actor Olivia Sage Pentell, who plays heiress Annabel Lee Silverfield, is also from Connecticut. Rhode Island actor Kevin Cahill plays the villain: Gerard Hawthorne.

Other Rhode Island actors include Lawrence O'Leary as Jeffrey Silverfield, Linda Colvin as Aunt Lacey Silverfield, Josh Passarelli as Toby, Adam Buxbaum as Julian Murk, and Peggy Passarelli as the doctor.


Casting information provided by Providence Lyceum, LLC

BioBlitz: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood Marks Natural History Week


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: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood is a half-hour documentary that chronicles the annual event from 2013. In honor of Rhode Island Natural History Week, Rhode Island PBS is pleased to encore the film on Thursday, November 3 at 8 p.m. (plus, Saturday, November 5 at 11 p.m. and Sunday November 6 at 7 p.m.)

BioBlitz is a aptly named - 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. A special event by any measure, the particular BioBlitz chronicled in the film was made even more memorable for the volunteers  who braved the elements after a tropical storm dumped 4 1/2 inches of rain overnight. Despite the weather, the "Narragansett project," as the 2013 event was called, located 1,265 species of life in the area that included Canonchet Farm, Narrow River, and the Pettaquamscutt Cove.

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.


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. 

Friday, October 14, 2016

Providence and Bankruptcy on A Lively Experiment week of October 14


Panel (l-r)
Jim Hummel – moderator
John Marion – executive director of Common Cause RI
Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz – political science professor at University of Rhode Island
Robert Walsh – executive director of National Education Association of RI
Joseph Paolino – real estate developer and former Mayor of Providence

Topics 
  •             Providence and Bankruptcy – Special interview with Prov. Mayor Jorge Elorza
  •           UHIP computer system failure
  •           Kennedy Plaza issues – Special interview with Prov. Mayor Jorge Elorza


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.

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.

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

This week on A Lively Experiment (October 7 and 9)


Panel (l-r)
Jim Hummel – moderator
Lisa Pelosi – Republican Strategist
Pablo Rodriguez – President, Latino Public Radio
June Speakman – Political Science Professor, RWU
Tim White – Investigative Reporter, WPRI

Topics 
  • Speaker of the RI House of Representatives Nicholas Mattiello vs. challenger Steven Frias 
    • Speaker's recent pledge to phase out car tax and put ethics reform on the ballot 
      • two things just last year he said were not priorities 
  • WPRI story on the new RIDOT signs and their accuracy/transparency
  • Interview with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
  • Vice Presidential debate 
  • Look ahead to Sunday's second Presidential debate

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.

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.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Trimming Hedge Funds and Donning Police Cams This Week on A Lively Experiment (9/30 + 10/2)


Panel
Jim Hummel – moderator
Kobi Dennis – Providence Community Leader
Scott MacKay – Political Analyst, Rhode Island Public Radio
Dave Layman – Communications Consultant
Kate Nagle  –  News Editor, GoLocalProv.com

Topics (subject to change)
  • R.I. Treasurer to move pension money out of hedge funds 
  • New police cameras in Providence  
    • ACLU concerns 
    • The larger issues facing local and national police practices and public expectations 
  • Presidential debate 

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.

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.

Monday, September 26, 2016

East Coast Antiques Season 3 Begins October 2



East Coast Antiques returns to Rhode Island PBS on Sunday, October 2 at 3:30 p.m. The series is part reality television and part destination show, with host and series creator Mike Rossi acting as the guide on a behind-the-scenes tour through the twists and turns of the antiques world.

As a licensed auctioneer, antiques store manager, and antiquities collector himself, Rossi brings a unique insider perspective to the new season. A television veteran with more than 25 years of broadcast experience, he is also the creator and director of the show.

Traveling from festivals to flea markets, Mike and his crew of hunters put theory to the test as they buy and sell, wheel and deal, haggle and handshake. Along the way, antiques insiders – including Rossi himself – share observations from their booths and shops up and down the east coast. East Coast Antiques presents the people and items that continue to make collecting antiques one of the hottest pastimes today.

This season of East Coast Antiques will air on Rhode Island PBS on Sunday afternoons at 3:30 p.m.  In addition to Mike Rossi, the returning cast includes antiques dealer Steve Mariorenzi, Jolie Stewart, and first season host, Margie O’Brien. Amy Miksis is the newcomer to the cast this season.


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

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

This Week on A Lively Experiment: Interview with Governor Raimondo (9-23 and 9-25)


Panel (left to right)
Jim Hummel - moderator
Arlene Violet - former RI Attorney General
Ed Achorn - editorial page editor, The Providence Journal 
Lou Pulner - attorney, WPRO legal analyst
Donna Perry - public affairs, RI Society of CPAs

Topics 
  • 38 Studios 
  • Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello’s future 
  • Governor Gina Raimondo’s falling approval rating 
  • Special segment: Interview with Governor Raimondo


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.

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.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

This Year's Benefit Auction Offers the 2016 Toyota Prius Two Hybrid



Large or small, one-time or recurring, individual donations are the largest source of financial support for Rhode Island PBS. The station hosts a variety of fund raising events throughout the year to boost opportunities to donate and to offer fun and rewards to you for your loyal support. Among the favorite events each year is the annual Benefit Auction, which, for almost 20 years, has featured a vehicle donated by your New England Toyota Dealer.

This year’s Rhode Island PBS Benefit Auction features the 2016 Toyota Prius Two Hybrid. If you are in the market for a car, this fun-to-drive vehicle is loaded with standard features, is technologically advanced, safe, and environmentally friendly. Put yourself behind the wheel of this car by being the winning high bidder. Plus, you know your winning high bid supports the shows you love to watch on Rhode Island PBS. Win-Win!

Poldark and Sherlock on MasterpieceGreat Performances at The MetDoc MartinCall the Midwife, Antiques Roadshow. These and so many other national and local programs and series are the shows you tell us you love to watch week after week on Rhode Island PBS. These shows are only possible thanks to financial support from you and public television viewers like you.

The Rhode Island PBS Benefit Auction opens on Monday, October 3 and closes on Sunday, October 23 at 8 p.m.

Let us know if you have any questions. Spread the word about the Benefit Auction to your family and friends, especially those looking for a new set of wheels! Thank you for your support.


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Analyzing Primary Night Results on the Next A Lively Experiment (September 16 and 18, 2016)


Panel 
Dyana Koelsch - moderator
Tony Affigne – political science professor, Providence College
Ed Fitzpatrick – political columnist, The Providence Journal 
Pat Ford – chairman of the Libertarian Party of Rhode Island
Wendy Schiller - professor of political science, Brown University

Topics 
  • Rhode Island Primary Results 
    • Very low voter turnout 
    • House Majority Leader DeSimone and five other incumbent Democrats voted out  
    • What do the results mean for November races
  • Former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino's plan for Kennedy Plaza 
  • Search for RI State Police Colonel O'Donnell's successor

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.

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 Announces Jim Hummel as New Moderator, Effective September 23


Launching its 30th season as the flagship political affairs program on WSBE Rhode Island PBS, A Lively Experiment announces today that Jim Hummel will be the show’s new moderator. A Lively Experiment will also introduce a modified format. The changes begin Friday, September 23, 2016.

"We are excited to have Jim as the program’s new host," said WSBE President David W. Piccerelli. "Jim’s award-winning background in investigative reporting and his inquisitive nature will stimulate lively debate and thought provoking conversation."

The show’s freshened format will now include two to four panelists discussing local politics. New to the format will be introduction of a pre-produced interview or story package featuring content to be discussed by the panel.

"I’m excited to be an integral part in the next chapter of A Lively Experiment’s nearly 30-year history," Mr. Hummel said. "Our team will continue to produce a must-see weekly premier political affairs program and, with the new format, more in-depth discussions to build on what makes Lively so unique."

"We have found that our viewers want the show’s focus to be on Rhode Island politics and stories,” said WSBE Executive Producer David Marseglia. "The changes we are implementing will favor a broader range of local stories over national ones, giving viewers more of what they want to see. We believe the new format will benefit from Jim’s deep-rooted understanding of the Rhode Island political landscape," Mr. Marseglia added.

Jim Hummel is executive director and senior investigator of The Hummel Report. Known for his WLNE-TV/ABC6 You Paid for It segments, Mr. Hummel spent 13 years as chief reporter for ABC6, and 13 years at The Providence Journal. In his career, Mr. Hummel earned the Radio and Television News Directors Association’s prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting.

Mr. Piccerelli also recognized outgoing moderator Dyana Koelsch in his remarks. “We sincerely thank Dyana for her role in guiding the show for the past five years. We appreciate her time and effort, and the professionalism and experience she brought to the show each week. We look forward to her continued insight and expertise as a guest on the panel," he said.

"I have enjoyed being part of A Lively Experiment and look forward to returning as a panelist," said Ms. Koelsch. "The show has a proud history of informing and creating uncensored dialogue around the important issues impacting our state – something that is critically important given today's economic and political climate."

Jim Hummel is only the fourth permanent moderator in the show's 29-year history. Radio broadcaster Steve Kass moderated the show from 1987 until 2005, when he accepted a position in then-Governor Donald Carcieri’s administration. James Hagan, former president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, moderated the show from 2006 until Dyana Koelsch took over in 2011.

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. Episodes of A Lively Experiment are available online on the Rhode Island PBS YouTube channel, usually the next business day. Viewers can also find A Lively Experiment on Facebook.

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

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.


About A Lively Experiment
Since 1987, A Lively Experiment has provided fast-paced analysis of the week's political events in spirited debate, opinion, and commentary by news makers and opinion leaders. Representing independent and partisan viewpoints, a revolving panel of television, radio, print, and online journalists, political scientists, pundits, economists, elected and appointed officials, and other Rhode Island personalities examine local and state issues. A Lively Experiment’s popular segment, “Outrage of the Week,” typifies the essence of the show’s political commentary. This segment features an eclectic collection of each guest's single most significant issue, often under-reported failings and foibles of Rhode Island officials. 

About Rhode Island PBS 
WSBE Rhode Island PBS is operated by the Rhode Island PBS Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, established in 1987 as a public charity to raise funds and provide support services for Rhode Island’s public television station. WSBE-DT is a viewer-supported member of the PBS network of public broadcasting stations, and transmits on three channels: Rhode Island PBS (digital 36.1), Learn (digital 36.2), and Spanish-language programming on Vme (36.3). Committed to lifelong learning since 1967, WSBE Rhode Island PBS uses the power of noncommercial media to educate, engage, enrich, inspire, and entertain viewers of all ages in Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut. For more information about the programs and education services at WSBE, visit www.ripbs.org. 

Friday, September 9, 2016

Bridging the Divide: Fixing the Skills Gap in Rhode Island



As of June 2016, more than 30,000 Rhode Islanders didn’t have jobs and were actively trying to find work, according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT). In April and May, nearly 4,000 jobs in the state disappeared, though 1,700 were added in June.

At the same time, some Rhode Island employers say they can’t find qualified workers to fill their job vacancies. This divide is known as the "skills gap."

On Thursday, September 29 at 8 p.m., we broadcast Bridging the Divide: Fixing the Skills Gap in Rhode Island, a one-hour interactive discussion moderated by Jennifer McCaffery, associate editor of Rhode Island Monthly. The program brings together the academic, private, and public sectors on one stage to explore solutions and map out strategies and plans for remediation.

Panelists are
  • Scott Jensen, Director of the RI Department of Labor and Training
  • Joe Devine, Partner of Bridge Technical Talent
  • Dr. Meghan Hughes, President of the Community College of Rhode Island
  • Mario Bueno, Executive Director of Progreso Latino
The public is invited to be in the studio audience for the taping on Wednesday, September 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event includes a reception with the panelists, then watching the taping of the show in the studio. Seating is very limited; reservations are required in advance by September 20. (Sorry, but walk-ins cannot be accommodated.)

Audience guests will likely be seen on camera and should plan grooming and attire accordingly. Guests who do not wish to be on camera are invited to watch the taping from the reception room.

Interested parties who may have a skills gap question for panelists but who cannot attend the taping are invited to email the question to marketing@rimonthly.com no later than Tuesday, September 20.

Bridging the Divide: Fixing the Skills Gap in Rhode Island is presented by the Rhode Island Foundation, in conjunction with Rhode Island Monthly and Rhode Island PBS.




At a Crossroads: 6/10 Connector, PayPal, Primaries + a Power Plant (A Lively Experiment 9/9 and 9/11)


Panel 
Kim Keough - moderator
Jim Vincent – president, Providence NAACP 
Wendy Schiller – political science professor, Brown University 
Scott MacKay – political analyst, Rhode Island Public Radio 
Kate Nagle – news editor, GoLocalProv.com

Topics
  • State Police Colonel O'Donnell announces retirement
  • Governor Raimondo’s announcement about 6/10 connector project 
  • Courting PayPal to Rhode Island
  • Invenergy Burrillville power plant
  • Next week’s General Assembly Primaries
  • Emerson College Poll and Clinton slim lead over Trump in Rhode Island 

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.

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.

Friday, September 2, 2016

PARCC Results with Ed Commissioner, School Committees + Unions


Panel 
Dave Layman - Moderator
Tim Duffy, Executive Director, RI Association of School Committees
Dr. Ken Wagner, Rhode Island Education Commissioner *
Robert Walsh, Jr., Executive Director, National Education Association RI


Topics
Rhode Island Education Special Topics: 
  • Recent PARCC Results 
    • Achievement gap grows, how do we resolve that? 
    • Some improvement but is it enough? 
  • Empowerment Schools 
    • What’s the point? 
    • Cost? 
    • Teachers Unions on board? If not, why not? 
    • Are they just a hybrid of Charter Schools? 
  • Should RI move towards MA education model? 
    • Some say it’s outdated. If so, how? 
    • Why are MA test scores considerably higher than RI? 
  • Governor’s computer science goals 
    • Are they realistic from a resource and cost perspective? 
    • Do enough teachers truly have the skills to teach CS? 
    • Could those $$ be used somewhere else with better results?

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.

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.

Monday, August 29, 2016

All Aboard! Thomas Land at Edaville USA Features Sensory-Friendly Autism Weekend


Rhode Island PBS and Edaville USA invite all families to the beautiful park for a weekend of fun,

inclusion, education, and merriment as Edaville USA hosts its first ever Autism Weekend, Friday September 16, 2016 to Sunday September 18, 2016, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Everyone is welcome for a great weekend where the park will be sensory friendly. Edaville will be turning down the music and quieting down the dinosaurs so all guests can join in the fun and have a wonderful time together.

To make this event even more outstanding, Edaville USA will be hosting a Touch-A-Truck event with some truly amazing vehicles.

Be sure to stop by the Rhode Island PBS Kids Club booth for stickers and other fun stuff on Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Rhode Island PBS has a limited number of family four-packs of tickets* (valued at $148) as a very special "thank you" to new members who join Rhode Island PBS at the $75 level.

Current members are entitled to a special member discount.* CLICK HERE to get your "secret code" for Thomas Land tickets.

*Free and discount tickets are good anytime during regular park operations, and are not limited to Autism Weekend.



About Thomas Land at Edaville USA 
Set in the lush New England landscape of Carver, MA, Thomas Land at Edaville USA covers 11.5 acres and features 11 rides based on Thomas & Friends™ and the Island of Sodor. Attractions include a 20-minute scenic train ride on a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine™ and theme park favorites like a roller coaster, drop tower, Ferris wheeland much more. All of the rides and attractions feature beloved characters such as Thomas, Percy, Diesel, Toby, Cranky the Crane, Harold the Helicopter, and more favorites. Guests can also visit familiar destinations like Tidmouth Sheds, Knapford Station, and Brendam Docks. For more information, visit www.edaville.com/thomasland.

[updated: September 13, 2016]

Meet Remarkable FarmHers Near and Far


FarmHer the Documentary examines the work of photographer Marji Guyler-Alaniz and gives viewers insight into the lives of the inspirational women in agriculture captured by Marji's lens. FarmHer the Documentary premieres Monday, September 5 at 8 p.m. on Rhode Island PBS.

FarmHer the Documentary follows seven women farmers and ranchers from around the country and discusses what it’s like to be a woman doing what is typically thought of as a man’s work. The women vary in age, ethnicity, and the type of farming or ranching they do. The FarmHers include a produce farmer and a row-crop farmer from Iowa, a sheep rancher from Montana, a dairy farmer from Wisconsin, a goat rancher and an urban farmer from Texas and a cattle rancher and exporter from Florida. These hard-working women all share an enthusiasm for their chosen lifestyles.

Rhode Island PBS recently visited with a local FarmHer, Amanda Rubio at Magaziner Farm in Bristol, to get a local FarmHer's perspective on a career in agriculture. Magaziner Community Farm is worked by a group called Yogis Feed the Hungry, a network of local yoga studios, and grows produce for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. In breaks during FarmHer the Documentary on September 5, we will show video segments of our visit with Amanda.




Wednesday, August 24, 2016

A Lively Experiment, week of August 26 - 28, 2016


Panel 
Diana Koelsch - Moderator
Ed Achorn – Editor, The Providence Journal Editorial Page
Pat Ford – Chairman, Libertarian Party of Rhode Island
Wendy Schiller – Political Science Professor, Brown University
Peter Wells – Editor, Providence American  

Topics
  • Local Races 
    • 27 Primaries for GA seats, 18 with incumbents (36 percent are running unopposed)
    • Compared to 2014 when 43 percent went uncontested 
    • Libertarian candidates and who they are challenging 
  • 38 Studios 
    • The Providence Journal seeking criminal investigation records 
    • WellsFargo, Barclays Capital settlement 
  • Kennedy Plaza issues and panhandlers 
    • Albuquerque model is interesting but would it work
    • Much larger issue: Brookings Report found Providence had the fifth largest income gap in the country in 2014 
  • Extension for RI tourism campaign 
 

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.

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.

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Explore OUR TOWN: West Warwick with Rhode Island PBS


The local legends, historical happenings, and backyard secrets of West Warwick, Rhode Island, are the focus of Our Town, an ongoing Rhode Island PBS community project. Rhode Island PBS premieres the documentary Our Town: West Warwick on Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. 

Earlier this summer, neighbors in West Warwick became storytellers and filmmakers to capture the stories they wanted to tell in Our Town: West Warwick. These stories have been woven together into a visual tapestry of nostalgia, humor, enterprise, history, even a surprise or two, all representing life in West Warwick through the eyes of those who know and love it. West Warwick residents and friends involved in the production will be in the studio to share their experiences 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 “The Divide” that occurred in 1913, when the struggle between a strong Republican leadership in Warwick and a group of Democratic businessmen in West Warwick resulted in a “revolt” of sorts, led by a prominent mill owner.

Other segments include:

“The Mills” were the cornerstone of life in West Warwick in the early 1900s, providing income, housing, and fulfilling the American dream for many different immigrant populations. This segment describes the relationship between the families and the mills that were the foundation for the town of West Warwick.

“Bradford Soap Works” is the world's largest custom manufacturer of specialty bar soap, and one of the oldest manufacturers in operation in Rhode Island. The segment visits the history of this Original Bradford Soap Works, founded in 1876, and still manufacturing soap today from their granite mill building in West Warwick on the banks of the Pawtuxet River.

“St. James Church” delves into one family’s history with the church from its early years to the day the Catholic church closed its doors. In the 1900s, churches formed the centerpiece of immigrant community life, the site for prayer services, for schooling, and for social gatherings that united families.

“The House on Maple” features excerpts of a book by the same title, written by life-long West Warwick resident, Edna Butler Holdsworth. In the segment, Edna’s descendants read excerpts from her book, sharing what it was like to grow up as the daughter of immigrant mill workers in the heart of a West Warwick mill community.

“The Railroad” recounts the connection generations of one West Warwick family had to the railroad. West Warwick was on the main railroad corridor for the Northeast region, making it a great job for local residents. Describing a typical day, the segment explores different jobs railroad workers might have, and the type of living the railroad provided to families, as the town’s second main source of income.

“Hometown Hero” profiles George Luz. He was a typical West Warwick resident who grew up in a family of 12 during the depression, working as a shoe-shine boy and sign boy for the town shops, doing anything he could to help his family put food on the table. In 1942, Luz joined the Army’s Airborne division and headed off to fight for his country. Luz’s unit landed in Normandy and became well known for their actions in WWII. Upon his return, Luz and his unit became the subject of a book, and eventually the HBO mini-series, Band of Brothers.

“Union Cornet Band” may have been called the main entertainment for the town of West Warwick in the early 1900s. A group of town residents shared their love for music by playing at dozens of community and private events. A family member of one of the band’s original members provides a unique look into the history of the band, and displays some of the original instruments and costumes of the Union Cornet Band.

“The Jaycees” profiles the leadership group that has helped build self-esteem and leadership skills in West Warwick’s young men, as well as provide the community with a group of volunteers to help make West Warwick a better place. This segment also traces how the Jaycees were instrumental in bringing a central library system to town, spearheading the fundraising effort that made construction possible.

“A Central Library” takes a look at how the current library system in West Warwick was established, born from several smaller libraries throughout the mill communities. The segment also reviews how the library has changed over the years, in preparation for its 50th anniversary.

“Theater and Arctic” explores the role theater played in the town’s early history. The main theatre in the Arctic section of West Warwick has deep roots in the town, but has also evolved and survived while some of the other businesses have not.

“Fire Department” and “Police Department” segments trace the evolution of the town’s public safety units.

“Historical Society” takes a look back at how the West Warwick group got started.

“Community: Then and Now” celebrates the resiliency and unifying community spirit of town residents, despite the changes to West Warwick over time.

Part fund-raiser, part community builder, part historical and cultural documentary, and part “day-in-the-life” video scrapbook, Our Town: West Warwick is the fourth documentary in the Our Town series. The first film, Our Town: Glocester, premiered in December 2014; Our Town: North Kingstown premiered in September 2015, and Our Town: Portsmouth debuted in December 2015.

The purpose of Our Town 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: Westerly, now in production and set to premiere in December.

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

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) content 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 (check local Comcast listings for standard definition channels) and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. WSBE Learn transmits SD on digital 36.2, Cox 808, Verizon 478, Full Channel 89, and Comcast 294 or 312.

Our Town: West Warwick is made possible in part by support from the following West Warwick businesses: