The Chemistry of tomatoes

Free workshop on personal finances this Monday.

Tanzi invites residents to Capital Good Fund event

Rep. Teresa Tanzi invites South County residents to an event at Welcome House next week to introduce them to financial and educational services available to them from the Capital Good Fund.

The event, which she spearheaded, is being held at the Welcome House and cohosted by the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale, is scheduled Monday, June 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Welcome House, 8 North Road, Peace Dale. It is free and open to the public.

The GMO debate just got a lot more complicated

GMOs May Be Safe to Eat, But Some Are Still Bad for the Planet

By: Julie M. Rodriguez

For years, one of the major arguments that has been made against genetically engineered crops is the fear that, by tampering with a plant’s DNA, it could potentially cause health issues for consumers. 

It’s an understandable worry, however, the scientific consensus now seems to be undeniable: Whatever faults GMO crops may have, they are safe for human consumption.

A new, incredibly comprehensive 400-page analysis from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine argues very persuasively that the past two decades of research have revealed no increased ill effects in populations that have consumed GMOs.

And it’s important to be clear about one thing: This is not simply another industry study bankrolled by Monsanto or Dupont. Most of the 20 experts involved in putting together this review are academics.

It is, instead, the result of a review of more than 1,000 studies on the effects of GMOs, testimony from more than 80 expert witnesses, and more than 700 public comments. It’s basically a summary of everything the scientific community has learned about GMOs over the past two decades.

VIDEO: "The Greatest" dies at age 74

Memories of an ex-boxing fan
By Will Collette

To see this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYoh62jUFpk

When I was in my teens, I fell in love with boxing, largely because of Muhammed Ali, then known as Cassius Clay. Never before had I seen any athlete with that kind of strength and power and finesse.

When Clay converted to Islam and became a voice against the Viet Nam and racism, I not only became an even bigger fan, but considered him to be much more than just a sports star.

My father hated him and referred to him as "that cocky n***r, but that only boosted my admiration for him. I'm sure that many white teenagers in that period had similar experiences.

I watched every Muhammed Ali fight, even the ones where he stunk, because there was always the hope that Ali would turn the switch and do his magic.

Even after he retired, I stayed a boxing fan, hoping for another Ali to arise. Sugar Ray Leonard came close. But as the years passed, I came to realize that Ali was one of a kind in what is otherwise an abominable sport.

Meet David French

Republican “Great White Hope “ to stop Trump

By Ryan Denson

Conservative commentator and Trump hater Bill Kristol  has been hinting at a third-party alternative to the GOP frontrunner for months. 

Last Friday, Kristol tweeted that he had indeed found his candidate, and that he was the true principled conservative who would offer voters something real and unique.

Well, it’s been announced who this Republican savior is and it’s National Review writer and constitutional lawyer David French.

The man with absolutely no name recognition is the alternative to Trump – a guy who literally has his name plastered on skyscrapers.

Congratulations, Republicans, you’ve managed to make yourselves look more stupid than you already have.

Charlestown budget vote this Monday

What you get for your tax dollars

By Will Collette

The tax rate will jump to $10.22 in July if the budget is approved

On Monday, Charlestown voters will have the opportunity to vote for a citizens’ initiative to save the iconic General Stanton Inn, saving it from decay, arson or the wrecking ball and instead preserving it as an asset for the town. I urge you all to vote YES for this important measure.

But in addition to this important issue, Charlestown voters are also being asked to decide whether or not to approve the proposed town budget for the upcoming fiscal year that starts on July 1.

This budget calls for the eighth consecutive hike in Charlestown’ property tax rate even though the Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA Party) which has controlled town government for that period, keeps claiming that it is saving taxpayers money.

Yet taxes keep going up even though the CCA Party claims it saves money by (A) paying cash for major capital improvement projects that normally are financed by bonds and (B) uses bonds to add to Charlestown’s already loaded inventory of town-owned open space. This chart from the town tells the tale:

Chariho costs are down, town operating costs up less than 1%. Tax hike is being driven by the choice to pay cash for capital projects.

The CCA Party seems to also be running an unofficial, sub rosa campaign against the Save the General Stanton Inn citizen initiative. Just check out the CCA Party’s official website to see how they are doing it.

Ironically, nearly all the arguments raised by opponents to the General Stanton Inn (GSI) initiative could actually be levelled at the CCA Party’s town budget.

The GSI critics say the town should not be in the real estate business. Really? Tell that to Planning Commissar Ruth Platner and Town Council Boss Tom Gentz who gleefully take more and more land off the tax rolls and onto the town’s property inventory for open space.

The GSI critics say the town should not spend tax-payer money to take title to unsaleable property. Again, really? That’s exactly what Charlestown did in its most recent openspace acquisition.

The GSI critics say the town is taking on liability by purchasing a building like the General Stanton Inn. Well, duh. Every piece of property the town owns, from Town Hall to Ninigret Park to the Moraine Preserve represents a liability. 

Charlestown has its fair share of slip-and-fall lawsuits as well as its share of costs for upkeep to town buildings. CLICK HERE for an example for how the property could be managed.

It is a normal part of municipal business. And we are insured for the contingencies of accidents or major property damage.

I want to know where all the new critics of the General Stanton Inn initiative were when the town bought property in the past. All those "serious concerns" they are raising now could have been applied to these past decisions.

Wingnuts of the week

Trump University Documents Expose Con-Man Trump

Scheme that "preyed upon the elderly and uneducated to separate them from their money."

By Lauren McCauley, staff writer in Common Dreams

A swindle and a sham that "preyed upon the elderly and uneducated to separate them from their money" is how people who worked for Trump University described the methods behind the self-titled, now-defunct real estate education program run by the presumptive Republican nominee.

Donald Trump's shifty business practices were laid bare on Tuesday after U.S. district court judge Gonzalo Curiel unsealed more than 400 pages of Trump University "playbooks" (pdf) as well as testimony from former employees as part of a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of fraud.

Trump University billed itself as an educational program dedicated to helping students "achieve financial independence" through real estate investment, holding multi-day retreats that cost as much as $35,000 to attend.

"I believe that Trump University was a fraudulent scheme," said Ronald Schnackenberg, who worked as a sales manager from October 2006 to May 2007, "and that it preyed upon the elderly and uneducated to separate them from their money."

In his testimony, Schnackenberg recounts being "reprimanded" after he refused to push the $35,000 Elite seminar package on a financially struggling couple who "would have had to pay for the program using his disability income and taking out a loan based upon equity in his apartment."

Celebrate World Oceans Day June 8 to 11

You can be a hero for our oceans this World Oceans Day. Learn how below.

June 8 is World Oceans Day, but we're extending the celebration! On Saturday, June 11, join us for stroller parades, mud pies, hands-on experiences and more. You can also help prevent unnecessary waste in our landfills through the Better Bag Challenge. Make waves and learn how you can be a hero for our oceans during the World Oceans Day celebration at Mystic Aquarium.

Mystic Aquarium | 55 Coogan Boulevard | 860.572.5955 TAIL US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Another rescued seal returns to the ocean from Charlestown’s beach

Mystic Aquarium program saves marine animals

Dale Wolbrink

Jasper at Blue Shutters Beach. Photo courtesy of Mystic Aquarium

After spending much of the spring recuperating at Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Clinic, Jasper, a male harp seal that was rescued in Falmouth, ME on March 8, became the latest in a long-line of success stories as a result of the partnership between Marine Mammals of Maine and Mystic Aquarium.

Weighing in at a hardy 95 pounds upon arrival to the Animal Rescue Clinic, Jasper was still severely dehydrated and suffering from pneumonia.  

Following nearly three months of specialized care from Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Team, the approximately 1-2 year old harp seal was fully recovered; weighing in at more than 105 pounds.

Jasper wasted no time dashing quickly to the shore and into the surf at Blue Shutter’s Beach in Charlestown, RI for a successful release.

Register NOW for Nature Weeks at Frosty Drew

“Give them the best summer ever!”

From the Frosty Drew Nature Center

Children ages 4-10 won’t want to miss out on Frosty Drew Nature Weeks!

They are a fun, educational alternative to summer day camp, and one week is already filled to capacity.

Nature Weeks begin on June 27 and runs through August 19.

Each week has a different theme and different age group, but all run Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the option of after-care available.

The flight of the rich to avoid taxes is imaginary

New Study Dispels Myth about Propensity of U.S. Millionaires to Move from High to Low Tax States 

American Sociological Association

The view that the rich are highly mobile has gained much political traction in recent years and has become a central argument in debates about whether there should be “millionaire taxes” on top-income earners. But a new study dispels the common myth about the propensity of millionaires in the United States to move from high to low tax states.

“The most striking finding in our study is how little elites seem willing to move to exploit tax advantages across state lines,” said Cristobal Young, an assistant professor of sociology at Stanford University and the lead author of the study. “Millionaire tax flight is occurring, but only at the margins of significance.”

In any given year, Young and his fellow researchers found that roughly 500,000 individuals file tax returns reporting incomes of $1 million or more (constant 2005 dollars).

From this population, only about 12,000 millionaires change their state each year.

The annual millionaire migration rate is 2.4 percent, which is lower than the migration rate of the general population (2.9 percent).

The highest rates of migration are seen among low-income tax filers: migration is 4.5 percent among people who earn around $10,000 a year.

“Let’s not be the ones who allowed the General Stanton Inn to disappear”

On June 6, Vote YES to save the General Stanton Inn
By Candy Adriance

Ms. Adriance has lived in Charlestown for 26 years, and is the widow of Robert Rohm, Chair of the Planning Commission from 2002-2008."

I am the president of the board of the Providence Athenaeum, a literary, cultural, educational and historic institution that has stood on the corners of Benefit and College Streets for the last 180 years.

Many of us have important institutions and buildings in our midst, but they tend to “disappear” into the landscape as we move though busy days.

It’s a natural inclination to take our surroundings for granted. I've found one of the best ways to focus people’s attention on the importance of The Athenaeum is to ask them how they'd feel if one day it weren't there.

We, the citizens of Charlestown, have a different but similarly iconic building in our midst, the 349-year-old General Stanton Inn.

Many of us pass by it at least once a week, on the way to the bank, the store, the post office.

Recently, because of the battle going on over the future of the General Stanton Inn, I've stopped taking for granted its place in the landscape and started asking myself:

What if one day it weren't here?

Solution to school funding issues

For more cartoons by Jen Sorenson, CLICK HERE

Smelling beluga breath. Really

URI undergrads play key role in beluga whale research

Todd McLeish

URI student Krystle Schultz collects a breath sample from a
beluga whale at Mystic Aquarium as part of a research study to
learn about the whale’s reproductive status. (Photo by Justin Richard.)

Eleven University of Rhode Island undergraduate students in a variety of disciplines played key roles in a recently completed study to identify a non-invasive method of determining the reproductive status of beluga whales. 

The students collected samples of beluga “breath” from animals at Mystic Aquarium, isolated their DNA, conducted behavioral observations, assisted with ultrasounds of the whales, and much more.