5 Things You Need To Know Today: June 17

Today is Friday, June  17, 2011. Here are five things you need to know.

Brien named on waste to energy commission

Speaker Gordon D. Fox has appointed members to a special legislative study commission that would look into the creation of a waste-to-energy facility in Rhode Island. The commission was created in light of by Rep. Jon D. Brien (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket) which would allow a trash incinerator to be created in Woonsocket, ending Rhode Island's 20 year ban on such facilities.

Brien, Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), Rep. Stephen R. Ucci (D-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston) and Rep. Daniel Patrick Reilly (R-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport) were named to the commission yesterday.

The commission would be charged with studying the economic and environmental impacts of a waste-to-energy facility in Rhode Island that would turn compost, food waste and sewer sludge into energy.

According to the Energy Recovery Council, a national trade group of waste-to-energy businesses, last year 86 waste-to-energy plants operated in 24 states with the capacity to process more than 97,000 tons of municipal solid waste per day Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut have waste-to-energy plants.

Old I-95 Demolition to affect Water Street in Providence

For those traveling to Providence this weekend, be advised that Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) warns they are continuing with demolition of the old I-195 highway in Providence and next will be working in the area of South Water Street on the east side of the Providence River. Demolition activity over the next two weekends will mean partial road closures to allow for safe demolition of the old highway structures.

Beginning Saturday, June 18, 2011 at approximately 6 a.m., RIDOT will close one of two parallel service roads at the end of South Water Street that connect to Wickenden Street. Police officers will be positioned at key intersections to help motorists through the work zone.

Motorists may encounter delays, but will not have lengthy detours. At all times, RIDOT will keep one of the two service roads open to traffic while it is working on the other. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Both roads will reopen by 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Concurrent with this work, RIDOT is demolishing a portion of the old highway over Chestnut Street. That closure, between Clifford Street and Friendship Street, will be in effect until Wednesday, June 29. Additionally, RIDOT is dismantling the old Providence River Bridge, but that activity does not require any road closures.

Under a $6.8 million Iway demolition contract, RIDOT will demolish more than 3,500 feet of old I-195 and seven bridges. The Department anticipates the entire highway demolition project to conclude in late summer.

Former Iway contracts demolished an additional 1,500 feet of old highway. Old I-195 was built in the late 1950s and was officially closed in October 2009.

Those with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov.)

Today and Tomorrow

is holding its 6th Annual Golf Tournament today at Crystal Lake Golf Club, in Mapleville, RI. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the shotgun start at 8:00 a.m.

On Saturday, the Opening Ceremony of the new accessible playground will take place at , 192 Avenue A from 11-1 p.m. The event is open to the public and will include a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:15 a.m. and light refreshments to  follow as well as a variety of activities children, including Shrine Clowns, The R.I. Freemason (CHIPS Program,) entertainment, and face painting.

Harris Elementary Students Perform for Flag Day

First grade students from the Harris Elementary School visited the residents at St. Germain Manor, 429 East School St., earlier this week to sing patriotic songs in celebration of Flag Day.  They were led by first grade teacher Stephanie Roberts.  After the sing-a-long, Woonsocket Housing Authority Executive Director Robert Kulik presented the class with a new American flag to be used at the school.  Later, students and residents were treated to frozen pops and pastry. See the attached photos for shots from the event.

And of course, your weekly Friday "thing to know," Reflections with Connie Lemonde:

REFLECTIONS

Billy Greenwood was born in a home where money was no problem.  His father was a CEO in a major company, and his mother had an inheritance from her parents.  So whatever Billy needed or wanted, Billy got--but not until he met the one condition that his parents had set: He had to work for it.

At age six,  Billy was taught the value of money.  He was given a small allowance and had to earn it by doing  appropriate chores.  If he received a monetary gift, it was to be divided into three parts: some  for his bank account; some for charity; the rest, for spending.  At sixteen, his allowance was for volunteer work outside of the home; and when he enrolled in college, he had to take summer jobs.  

“I can't believe you're putting these conditions on your son,” someone said to his mother. “Doesn't he resent it?”

“Not at all,” she answered. “My parents were immigrants from the old country. They worked very hard to amass their small fortune.  It didn't kill them.  In fact, it made them better persons and better citizens. I want the same for my son. From early on, he understood what my father repeated to me very often, and what I have repeated to Billy.  It's a quotation by Richard Whately.   "A man who gives his children habits of industry provides for them better than by giving them a fortune."

Think about it. Have a great day, and may you enjoy the benefits of good, reasonable financial management.

(quotation from bellaonline.com)

Connie Lemonde's short audio stories about the life and challenges of local people can be heard on radio station , every Friday at 9:05 a.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m.