More posts coming later

I will have more posts later today with some more of my work.

Hearings on state plan for elderly disabled start May 31

By: CHRIS HOGAN

 

Last Thursday, the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) announced a new state plan to help the elderly live with more opportunities. Public hearings have been set up throughout the state in conjunction with the new plan for the years 2012 to 2015.

A new plan is being drafted due to the terms of the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965. The OAA offers support for programs that are involved with the long-term care of the people. Programs consist of Meals on Wheels home delivery, in-home care and legal support.

The DEA is looking for public input so it can focus on services to people over 60 and adults with disabilities.

“These public hearings offer the opportunity for seniors, adults with disabilities, families, caregivers, advocates, providers and other constituents to have a voice in determining the priorities for aging services and services for adults with disabilities in Rhode Island,” DEA director Catherine T. Taylor said in a statement.

Larry Grimaldi of the DEA said that the new plan would be submitted by June 30. It is to take effect Oct. 1.

The DEA has listed the following goals and objectives: to have senior citizens be able to stay in their own homes without any setbacks; promote the elderly to stay active and healthy; guarantee the rights for the elderly and prevent their abuse, neglect and exploitation; and improve performance measures.

Under the goal that allows senior citizens to stay in their homes, the DEA’s objectives include expanding and applying current options with federally supported programs within the RI Global Wavier for Medicaid eligible individuals with the proper health care services. The department is looking to improve the home delivered meals program by encouraging more volunteers and raising public awareness of programs available through local senior center networks, public libraries and the Rhode Island Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

Moreover, in order for the elderly to stay active and live a healthier lifestyle, the DEA is seeking more funding for exercise programs at senior centers and a supplemental state prescription assistance plan to help those in need.

Under the new performance measures, the DEA wants the elderly and their families to make educated choices about what is out there for them by increasing awareness about the ADRC, its services, locations and hours. A single “800” number is being considered to help those get in touch with the nearest office close to them.

The hearings will begin on Tuesday, May 31 at the Westerly Senior Center and be followed by another on June 1 at The Center in South Kingstown. On Thursday, June 2, Johnston Senior Services will host a hearing. On Friday June 3, the hearing will be at the East Providence Senior Center and on Monday, June 6 at the Woonsocket Senior Services.

Hearings will run from 1 to 3 p.m. The DEA will accept written statements until 4 p.m. on June 6 and should be mailed to Rhonda Schwartz, Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs, Hazard Building, 74 West Rd. – 2nd floor, Cranston, RI, 02920, by email at rschwartz@dea.ri.gov, or call 462-0561.


Read more: Warwick Beacon - Hearings on state plan for elderly disabled start May 31

My brief On:Panera Bread recognizes 2 from Warwick

Last Thursday, the Howley Bread Group, owners of Panera Bread, recognized Skyla Walke and Rob Falcon of Warwick as “Associates of the Quarter” during a Leadership Meeting at the Whispering Pines Conference Center in West Greenwich for their respective bakery-cafes. They were recognized based on their excellence and leadership for the first quarter of 2011. Ernie Patnaude of Cranston, was honored as “Baker of the Quarter” for his willingness to assist in anyway as a baker at the Warwick location.

New Post: First Place Sports Changes Locations

Pushed out of RI Mall, First Place Sports reopens on Airport Road

By: Chris Hogan

 

For 19 years, Frank and Pam Silva commuted to the Rhode Island Mall. As of Saturday, they have a five-minute drive to their location and are hopeful their customers will find their new store just as accessible.

On Saturday, with a crowd to cheer them on, the Silvas held the grand re-opening of First Place Sports at 87Airport Rd. A ribbon cutting was held during the day and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian was on hand to witness what Frank said was an exciting time for the Silvas. The event included discounted items, refreshments and a raffle.

In March, the reason for the move came as a surprise; a customer asked Frank if he knew that the mall would shut down on May 22. Silva said he immediately contacted the mall manager and was informed that the closing date was pushed up to April 30.

Frank admitted handling the news wasn’t easy.

“It was very tough. When I first heard it, I heard it from a person that came into my store and asked me where I was going to and I didn’t know I was leaving,” he said. “A lot of them [customers] showed up [during that time] and were very kind and supportive.”

Frank found the new location. He had been driving by it on his way to the mall for years and saw the space was available. He got together with the owners, Bill and Jane Tuttle, who own Shane Awards in the same building, to figure out a plan on how their store would best fit in that location.

“They were all for me coming, and I want to see if this [area], which is not a prime retail area, and look at all aspects of the locations before I made a final decision because this one was always in the back of my head,” Silva said. “They made it an easy transition and are the nicest people.”

Pam mentioned that she and Frank put in around 58 hours per week operating the store.

“We split the shifts at times but we mostly work together running the store, and are the only ones that run it,” she said.

All four of the major sports leagues, MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL, are represented in the store. Some of the better selling items are Red Sox and Yankees apparel, including “New ERA” fitted hats and licensed player shirts.

Frank worked in a variety of roles when the store opened as Merle Harmon’s Fan Fair in 1987, before Silva bought the business and renamed it First Place Sports in 1992. Frank said his store is different from other places.

“If you have never been to my store before, we carry a wide variety of teams that has made us survive for all these years,” Silva said, adding he has goods you probably won’t find anywhere else around.

Now that the store is ready for business, Frank has high hopes; including the continuing support of longtime customers, attracting new patrons and listening to any feedback he gets.

“I loved sports all my life, and it’s in my blood now, and I don’t really see myself doing anything else,” Silva said. “I just appreciate all the good wishes from the people, our past customers, their families and friends.”

Will be updating this blog again soon. Stay tuned.

Senior Profile: Rakel Hinriksdottir

  It wasn't until the age of 11, while playing for her club team Thor/Ka that senior Rakel Hinriksdottir found her niche: soccer. Fast forward 13 years later, it is her drive and commitment as a leader for the women's soccer team that made her the person she is today.

  Growing up in northern part of Iceland in the town of Akureyri, Hinriksdottir was first introduced to the game of soccer when she was five, while playing with some friends. As a child, she said her experience as the only child was the ideal one for any child by living in a big house with a large yard and swimming pool. Hinriksdottir said soccer became serious after interacting with an acquaintance.

  "It [becoming involved with soccer] sort of just started because a friend of mine asked me to come with her to practice and I just sort of made really good friends with the other girls on team," Hinriksdottir said. "I have played for the same club team since then."

  After completing grade school at the age of 19, she worked at coffeehouse for a year and a half before attending a boarding school in Denmark that held classes dealing with different types of sports. It wasn't until the spring of 2007 after speaking with a former UB soccer player Sandra Sigmundsdottir (1999-2002) told her that women's soccer head coach Magnus Nilerud needed some additional players for the 2007 and Hinriksdottir agreed to try it out. She admits it was tough adjusting to the style of play shortly after joining the team.

  "The first game we played was against Dominican [College] and I was just really confused as to if I really wanted to stay," Hinriksdottir said. "I had remembered getting called out on so many times because we are used to much more contact at home."

  She points out after her freshman season; she started to like UB a lot and would go on to becoming a three time First Team All East Conference selection player and a captain for her final three years. One of her fondest memories as a Purple Knight was making the NCAA tournament last year after not thinking the team would make it at all and then getting revenge on Franklin Pierce University in the tournament after losing to them the previous year at Knights Field.

  As for her major; Graphic Design, Hinriksdottir has enjoyed taking drawing, painting and illustration classes the most and mentioned that her advisor Gary Munch and graphic design professor Brian Miller have been two people that have helped her succeed in classroom because of their knowledge about design and the feedback they provided for her.

 "Rakel's a great design student who works hard on her concepts and on her production to come up with something new, interesting and useful," Munch said. "She's working on a couple of new typefaces this semester with me and it's great to see her progress from sketch to final refinements."

  After graduation, Hinriksdottir, who finished her career playing in 85 games and recording 17 points (6 goals and 5 assists), is scheduled to play in September for her club team Thor/Ka in the European Championship League. She would also like to become a free lance designer or have her own studio in the capital city Reykjavik and tour India as well.

 "Obviously I am not going to be the goal scorer but I just would like to be remembered as the player that would always work really hard even if I was having a bad game or not," Hinriksdottir said.  "I always have everything that I had and have the heart to drive the people."

Future of Knights End Cafe

Talking with a source close to the future of Knight's End Cafe this week revealed to me that there will probably be change to the space. I have heard that it will probably be closed for the Fall 2011 semester and changed into a convenience store for the Spring 2012 semester. The plan is to have it act as a student run space for the future and act as an easy place to pick up something pick and go. There is even talk of Twisted Cafe possibly moving into the area and room for an entertaiment space too; possibly even room for a stage. This is still developing news and will stay on top of it.