Thank you for visiting. The Westbay blog is taking a hiatus. Not sure if or when it will return.

RSVP Annual Family Pasta Dinner and Raffle

Don’t forget the RSVP Annual Family Pasta Dinner and Raffle!! Thurs, April 28, 2011. 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm $10 Adults, $8 seniors, $5 kids 5-12. Children under 5 are free. Knights of Columbus Hall, 475 Sandy Lane, Warwick, Rhode Island. Entertainment. For more info Sue at 732-4666 x154 or Fran at 732-4666 x152.
Check out photos on Picasa of last year’s dinner.

Farm items are often in the ‘main’ blog….

If you’re really into farm and conservation issues, you might want to make plans to be in Washington, D.C. next month for the National Agricultural Landscapes Forum, April 7 & 8. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, American Farmland Trust, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Foundation NFP invite you to participate in a forum to address the future of U.S. agriculture, natural resource conservation and rural lands. Sounds quite interesting.

Have you checked out the American Farmland Trust? www.farmland.org. It advocates for a variety of interrelated topics, such as food security, saving farmland, the environment, local foods, Farmers Markets. So far, it appears to advocate for the independent family type farms and ranches. Not too much about ranching. It’s unusual for these two groups to be on the same side of the fence. They often compete over the same land and disagree on its usage: cattle grazing vs. sod busting & agriculture. The site also has a Take Action section, which is helpful. ‘No farms. No food.’ is the battle cry. It’s an informative site. It brings to mind that there are some of us who have to actually worry about the food production. How many of us think about it beyond running to the local grocer or Farmers Market? Even if we’re ‘between paychecks’ and worry about rising food prices, we seldom need to worry about the shelves being stocked. But less land, bad weather and other crop damage can really weigh in on the yields. Who thinks Agribusiness and modified foods are the answer? With the increased interest in local foods, community gardens, artisinal foods and back yard growing, it looks like we’re coming up with our own answers.  This may put us all back in touch with the land and an awareness of the challenges of food production and importance of sustainability.

The beat goes on…

CEO Jeanne Gattegno and other Rhode Island Community Action leaders are meeting with our Congressional Delegation to discuss the severe 50% funding cuts proposed by the Obama Administration. It was a bit strange to hear in almost the same breath that CAPs and the military were going to have budget cuts! It’s not like we have similarly-sized budgets! CAPS already work on lean budgets, and many programs, such as low income heating assistance (LiHEAP) had a decrease in funding this year-as oil prices rose.  When programs shut down when funds disappear, where do those participants go for help? They don’t disappear. The next stop is charities, and they are already tapped out and running on empty. One other big challenge non profits have (that is rarely addressed) is how to hire and pay for the staff to actually run the programs and run the agency itself. Grants and other funds that go to programs provide little or no money to pay for all of the necessary managerial and administrative functions that run and support them. As a result, many agency Admin staff work part-time with no benefits; and it’s just not feasible to expect volunteers to ‘fill in.’As usual, despite it all, we will keep plodding along focused on our core mission and continue to do what we can, because like Robert Frost once said, “The best way out is always through.” http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/robert_frost_3.html#ixzz1G80EwfBC

Shifting gears, URI has an interesting series for anyone bored with long nights at home: The URI Master Energy Training Program. They are introductory-level evening classes, April 4-20, that provide property owners and any interested individuals with practical information on how to save money, protect the environment and support RI’s green economy with energy efficiency, conservation, renewable energy and alternative fuels. Shut off the TV and go! http://www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc/ec/energytraining.html

What’s a Westbay blog post without mention of some farm thing? If you’re really into farm and conservation issues, you might want to make plans to be in Washington, D.C. next month for the National Agricultural Landscapes Forum, April 7 & 8. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, American Farmland Trust, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Foundation NFP invite you to participate in a forum to address the future of U.S. agriculture, natural resource conservation and rural lands. Sounds quite interesting.

March is National Nutrition Month

The irony of blogging under a headline about nutrition after enjoying an office birthday party of cake and pizza isn’t lost on us, but we will plead ‘social obligation’ as the excuse……of course, there are less fattening versions of these favorites and moderation is always the key. The birthday girl by the way, turned 80!

Other factors involved with healthy eating  are cost and availablility. Cheap junk food is everywhere and turns food into the exact opposite of what it should be: nutritious. Instead, snack foods-and many other foods high in salt or fat and many additives-can actually make us very sick. Kudos to First Lady Michele Obama for getting WalMart on board to offer inexpensive, healthy foods. Kids raised on a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle tend to stay that way their entire lives and begin the cycle anew with their own families. If we don’t buy the junk and insist on inexpensive and healthy options, food companies will have to find a way or go out of business.

But at least there are local farm stands and our own gardens to help. Don’t have a green thumb? Ask a neighbor who does and buy from her or help purchase seeds or help in some way to earn some of her fresh fruits & veggies. Very often gardeners produce more than they eat or can for themselves.

Much of the snow is gone and green grass and plants can be spotted here and there. The birds are very vocal and some mornings sound like spring, which by the way, is officially only a couple of weeks away, just after the green beer disappears. 

Budget cuts to so many social service programs have put as much chill in the air as the low temperatures we’ve been having. Such stop & go scenarios can make it difficult for programs and participants to reach full potential, even though they are on the right track.

The older folks among us have seen it all before and give encouragement that tough times work themselves out in a variety of ways. What is interesting about their recollections is how everyone felt they were in the same situation and pulled together. The struggles were tempered by the compassion of others and an ability to find simple pleasures. Ask a parent, grandparent or other seniors you know to share stories about tough times in the past, how they survived and the lessons learned. Share their stories with us.

Despite the gloomy economy, Westbay continues to receive donations of food, clothing and money. That’s enough to brighten anyone’s day.

Bits and Pieces of what’s going on here at Westbay

It’s sunny and cold out today, but much warmer in the community garden hoop house, according to Farmer Steve who just stopped by. The salad greens are popping thru the soil and a buddy of his planted turnips in his hoop house last November and harvested them a few weeks ago! Just as big and flavorful as anything planted in season. Not bad for the dead of winter. Looking ahead, utilizing the hoop houses we will have vegetables nearly all year. Quite possibly, if we time it right, we can have produce year-round. Steve had a few bags of seeds on hand for planting when he heads back out to the farm later today. The farm team is eagerly awaiting the delivery of propane for the greenhouse we’ll be using, where plants will be started for the season.  Meanwhile, the farm team will start priming the two donated lawnmowers they picked up this morning.

If cabin fever has set in and you can’t wait for spring, be sure to attend the Spring Flower & Garden Show at the Convention Center this Thursday (2/24) through Sunday (2/27).  In addition to dirt, plants, color and a nice day long vacation from winter, there will be several gardening and cooking demonstrations. www.flowershow.com

The Center for Plant Conservation suggests backyard gardeners help imperiled plants by growing them-much like beekeepers are keeping hives alive. Plant your gardens with diversity in mind and don’t pick any rare and endangered plants you find. Saving plants is important when you consider 25% of our prescription drugs contain plant ingredients. www.centerforplantconservation.org

There is something going on all the time here, which keeps work interesting, if not hectic. In an attempt to keep up with increased demand this winter, the Marketplace is participating in the Feinstein Foundation’s Annual $100,000 Giveaway to Fight Hunger. Westbay needs food donations. The more donations we receive, the more the Foundation will contribute. Items needed: cereals (not corn flakes), boxed milk, canned potatoes, canned beets, canned fruit, fruit juices, soups. Please call 732-4660×140 or email jcorrente@westbaycap.org.

The United Way tells us that Emmanuel House Emergency Winter Shelter is in need of microwaves, blankets, juices, coffee, powdered milk, boots, thermals and men’s gloves. Please call 654-9917.

If you have been following the various debates over the President’s State of the Union Address, you’re aware of several programs being cut or facing cuts. CAPs-community action groups, like Westbay-were targeted for 50% cuts, and LiHEAP (heating assistance for low income households) is facing a similar cut. Westbay has 4,000 clients on LiHEAP and this year, approx. 50 new applications come in every day. So we will get a double whammy of budget cuts.  As it is, we run a tight ship and are understaffed in some programs, so more program cuts and layoffs are coming soon. What happens when we’re not here to help those in need? We request that all of our supporters and clients let Congress know the value of community social service agencies and of heating assistance programs.

With a tight budget now getting tighter, we rely heavily on volunteers for many kinds of tasks, from stocking food to data entry. If you have any extra time in your week or month, please contact the volunteer coordinator at 732-4666 x152.

Today is Groundhog Day!

Phil the Groundhog didn’t see his shadow and signaled that spring is just around the corner- behind the ten foot snowbanks that won’t disappear until July4th…. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/groundhog-days-a-chilly-look-back/?src=twrhp      Would a cute little furry face like this lie?k1561472 www.fotosearch.com

Things We DON’T like….

A recent post mentioned all the stuff we like, including the beauty of winter….ha! Today, let’s do a little rant about what we DON’T like:

Inches of rain after feet of snow….foot deep slush….drivers who rush thru ‘puddles’ that spray all other drivers into blindness (what do you think can happen when a driver is blinded by a huge gush of water and slows down with cars behind? Ever hear of a pileup??)…neighbors who park right across from your driveway, so there’s no room to back out between high snowbanks into the street made narrow from tunnels of snow….people who take up two or more parking spaces by parking SIDEWAYS (do you really think your car is less likely to be hit when it’s parked broadside?)….snowplows that dump ice boulders at the end of the driveway….did we miss anything?

Sunny winter day

Notice how it sounds like spring out there today? The birds are quite active and the pleasant chatter of chickadees, cardinals and tufted titmouse (mouses?mice?)  are everywhere, along with the usual raucous sparrows and blue jays. The sun is shining, the air is fresh and it’s actually feeling a bit warm out there, a much needed break from recent days. The smooth surface of clean snow covering the lawns twinkle in the sun like glitter and the long icicles hanging by the door sparkle.

Shelters and heating programs are busier than ever, and worry about the next freeze or snowstorm is always present. But for the time being, people seem more relaxed and are taking advantage of this reprieve, which rumor has it will be short lived.

The heating assistance applications are different this year and it is very important to read thru it and be sure to provide all of the information requested. Don’t chance having your application returned for more info. As it is, there are 4,000 applications from last year and Westbay receives 20 new ones every day.

RSVP has just sent out a notice about their annual pasta dinner & raffle to be held April 28 5:30-7:30 at the Knights of Columbus on Sandy Lane. Adults are $10, seniors $8, kids 5-12 $5 and kids under 5 are free.

Working Wardrobe brought bags and bags of clothes and toiletries to McCauly House as part of the call for help that went out for the homeless.

The Community Garden farm team has been meeting about big plans for the next season, which is not that far away. Seeds are being ordered and will be planted in just a few weeks in the heated greenhouse. The Master Gardeners are planning for the second year of their three program. Can’t wait to hear what’s in store.

CCRI’s Warwick campus is offering a beekeeping course for about $199 for 6 weeks starting in April, after which the novice beekeeper will be able to start a hive in spring. In addition to the knowledge gained, students will have an opportunity to buy supplies and bees.

There are no wild bee hives in Rhode Island anymore, so beekeepers are the only hope of perpetuating the honey bees. The rest of us can minimize or completely eliminate pesticides and plant flowers that will attract bees and supply them with food. The flowers that people like and bees need aren’t always the same. Stick with those native plants. 

We’re all ready to yell “uncle” to Mother Nature’s snow dump fests, but between the shoveling, edging out past the snowbanks and taking teeny tiny slow steps across the icy walkways, take a minute to notice how beautiful it all is! With all of its aggravation, you deserve a few minutes here and there to enjoy  nature’s winter beauty before having to deal with it!

Finally, donate your plastic bags and plastic or cardboard berry/tomato containers to Westbay Marketplace.  We need bags for our customers and containers for the farm stand. Another way to reuse & recycle.

This is public posting area

Please keep in mind that this is a public forum and any personal or private information is not protected here. Pls do not give any information you want to keep private.

If you need to get in touch with Westbay’s services, please call 732-4666 or email info@westbaycap.org.