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State of Rhode Island Supports United States Virgin Islands Recovery

Help is on the way from Rhode Island to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), which is still reeling from two hurricanes that hit last September.

 

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency is assisting the USVI in their ongoing efforts to reconnect their communications since Hurricanes Maria and Irma battered the area last September. At 4:00am this morning, RIEMA shipped six Rapid Emergency Satellite Communication systems to help bridge the gap in their network communications. These portable units enable field personnel to be online and connected to the internet in a matter of minutes.

 

When the Category 4 and 5 hurricanes hit, many of the islands’ communication services were destroyed. The hurricanes disrupted landline phones, internet connections and cell service. These Rapid Emergency Satellite Communications systems will help people connect again. “Rhode Islanders stand with our fellow citizens in the US Virgin Islands,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “I’m glad that we’re able to support their recovery efforts.”

 

Rhode Island’s support is possible through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. EMAC is a nationally adopted mutual aid agreement among states to share resources during times of disaster.

Read “The Hate U Give” and 1,000’s of Digital Titles for Free at RI eZone The Library is Open 24 Hours a Day in the Ocean State!

PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Islanders love their libraries but not all public library users are aware of the free, online resources that are available through their library cards. Visit the RI eZone to find your favorite in-demand books and authors in digital format, even when your local library building is closed. From March 15 to May 15, Ocean State Libraries cardholders can access Angie Thomas’ multi-award winning novel, The Hate U Give, in both eBook and audiobook formats and participate in the 2018 statewide reading event, Reading Across Rhode Island.  Go to RI eZone to read or listen to the book instantly with no wait time, then explore thousands of other digital works available at any time on compatible devices.

RI eZone is a statewide library resource that provides public access to downloadable audiobooks, eBooks and streaming video for viewing and listening on computers, smartphones, tablets, Nooks, Kindles and mp3 players. Login with your library barcode and PIN number to http://ezone.oslri.net  and enjoy free digital access to your favorite authors, regardless of location or time of day.  To apply for a library card, visit your local public library.

Use RI eZone to borrow materials, make requests and compile wish lists. Determine your own loan period from one to three weeks. There are no fines in RI eZone and at the end of the loan, the title disappears from your device. About 65,000 titles are available in the eZone collection, including 4,000 classic works that are always available for simultaneous use by an unlimited number of users.
There are also children’s and teen versions of the eZone site at https://riezone.overdrive.com/library/kids  and https://riezone.overdrive.com/library/teens .

For convenient access to RI eZone on your mobile device, download the free Overdrive app from Google Play Store, Amazon or Apple Appstore. Overdrive Read is recommended for web browsers. Most ebooks are available for Kindles and the Kindle app, and also for Nooks and other eReaders.

For more information about RI eZone, contact your local library.

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

Press release reissued on March 1 due to incomplete transmission of images. No text content changes.

Reading Across Rhode Island
is a program of the Rhode Island Center for the Book at the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, made possible through a vibrant collaboration of librarians, teachers, book group leaders and readers from across the state. The 2018 program runs from January through May with readers in Rhode Island classrooms, libraries, community centers, bookstores and book groups invited to join discussions and participate in local community events such as lectures, exhibits and dramatic interpretations centered on this year’s selection.The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a brave, thought-provoking, conversation-enabling novel about what prejudice looks like in the 21st century. Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she was born and raised and her private high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend.

Press release issued by Providence Community Library on behalf of the Ocean State Libraries network.

 

“Shell-a-brate” the Terrific Turtles of Narragansett Bay this month at Save The Bay’s Exploration Center and Aquarium

NEWPORT, R.I. – March 1, 2018 – Save The Bay’s Exploration Center and Aquarium will celebrate the turtles of Narragansett Bay throughout March with a series of “Terrific Turtle”-themed activities. The Exploration Center, open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, is home to several native species of turtles, including the eastern painted turtle, terrapin and common snapping turtle. This month, guests can visit the turtles at the aquarium and participate in special activities highlighting the creatures’ unique features and habits.

“All of the turtles that inhabit the Exploration Center were rescued and would not have survived in the wild without the care of our aquarium staff,” said Adam Kovarsky, aquarist and education spet at Save The Bay. The aquarium’s two resident terrapin turtles, Phil and Jerry, are on the state’s endangered species list. A scavenger hunt will send participants searching for Bowser the snapping turtle’s food, and guests can craft their own turtle and hear the story “Tudley Didn’t Know” by John Himmelman.

Bowser, a common snapping turtle, was rescued when he washed up at Easton’s Beach, just about the size of a quarter. Save The Bay’s staff took him in, and he is now completely healthy and doing well in a new large tank donated by the New England Aquarium to give Bowser a habitat that fits his growing size. “Bowser is a real mutant turtle; his front left hand has two extra fingers, making for a total of seven. This is caused by a genetic mutation called polydactylism, which has the same effect in cats and humans” said Kovarsky.     Guests can help feed Bowser and the other inhabitants of the Exploration Center at Feeding Frenzy from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, March 15. This interactive feeding time experience gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at the creatures of the Exploration Center when they’re most active. Space for this event is limited and reservations must be made at https://savebay.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd060e3870cfe820bda71bad3&id=df2c010482&e=700f6c9992.

The Exploration Center and Aquarium is located in the Easton’s Beach Rotunda at 175 Memorial Blvd. in Newport, Rhode Island. General admission is $8, and $7 for military and senior citizens. Save The Bay Family Members can enjoy FREE admission for two adults and up to four children. For more information about the Exploration Center and Aquarium, visit www.savebay.org/aquarium or call 401-324-6020.

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     Founded in 1970, Save The Bay works to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed through advocacy, education, and restoration efforts. It envisions a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to everyone and globally recognized as an environmental treasure.

The Northern terrapin is endangered in Rhode Island.
“Phil” is an endangered Northern diamondback terrapin living at the Exploration Center and Rhode Island.

SPEAKING WITH CHILDREN IN THE WAKE OF THE FLORIDA SHOOTING

PROVIDENCE, RI – Family Service of RI, which specializes in mitigating the effects of child trauma, has an expert available to discuss talking with kids in the wake of the Florida school shooting. Although Rhode Island is a good distance from Florida, this terrible event can create anxiety and more among youngsters in the Ocean State.

Please contact me my cell phone  at 508-243-7686 if you are interested in an interview with

Kayla David, MA MFT
Clinician and Clinical Trainer
Trauma. Loss, and Children’s Services
Family Service of Rhode Island

ABOUT FAMILY SERVICE OF RHODE ISLAND
FSRI is a comprehensive non-profit social service agency and essential part of the Rhode Island community. FSRI provides support to children and families-from birth to adulthood-through services focused on three general areas–physical and mental health, education, and overall well being. Every program or service FSRI offers is geared towards promoting healthy families and strong communities.
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