John McDaid

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Portsmouth leads in open space, says new Aquidneck Island Planning report

John McDaid posted an article on - Feb 8, 2012, 12:35 pm
AIPC map of Portsmouth Open Space The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) today released what they call the first comprehensive census of Aquidneck Island's open space, according to a release distributed this morning, and while Portsmouth leads the island with 10,000 acres, the town also ha...
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Help the Portsmouth High School Band buy new uniforms

John McDaid posted an article on - Feb 8, 2012, 8:26 am
If you're a resident of Portsmouth, you know about our fantastic PHS band, and the great opportunities it offers our kids. They need money for new uniforms. You know what to do. Visit Portmouth Music Boosters to donate. Thanks!
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Portsmouth Water District advises customers about mail solicitation

John McDaid posted an article on - Feb 7, 2012, 11:31 am
The Portsmouth Water and Fire District (PWFD) released a notice to customers today suggesting they carefully examine a mail solicitation from a third-party insurance company which has been hitting mailboxes in town. If you're in Portsmouth, you'll want to take a look at this PDF.
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Join PPEF at the Newport Athletic Club for Family Fun Night, Feb 19

John McDaid posted an article on - Feb 4, 2012, 1:00 pm
PPEF Family Fun Night! Click to embiggen. Looking for an activity with the kids on the upcoming February break? Join the Portsmouth Public Education Foundation (PPEF) at the Newport Athletic Club for Family Fun Night on Sunday, Feb. 19! For just $25 for the whole family ($20 with a WinterFest butto...
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Portsmouth senior runs anti-bullying fundraiser; Cicilline helps collect names for Obama

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 28, 2012, 7:43 pm
PHS senior Amanda McCabe kicks off anti-bullying fundraiser This morning, Ernie's Karate in Portsmouth hosted PHS student Amanda McCabe's senior project, a benefit martial arts tournament which raised more than $500 for the RI Parent Information Network 2012 Anti-Bully Walk. More than 100 students...
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Help get Obama on the ballot in RI this Saturday in Newport

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 26, 2012, 9:09 am
In order to be on the March Primary ballot, every candidate needs signatures, and local Dems will be collecting them for President Barack Obama this Saturday in Newport from 2-3pm at the Peoples's Cafe on Thames Street. Get directions and RSVP at BarackObama.com. Want to play an even bigger role in...
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ProJo: Rep. Gordon (R-Portsmouth) announces re-election bid

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 25, 2012, 12:11 pm
According to the ProJo, Portsmouth's embattled Rep. Dan Gordon announced his intention to run for a second term on Twitter. According to the ProJo, Gordon tweeted "The tyrants never sleep & some1 in govt has to fight back." Wow. Just, wow.
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Portsmouth Little League names new officers

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 20, 2012, 4:35 pm
The Portsmouth Little League (PLL) held their annual meeting this past Wednesday night at the Hampton Inn in Middletown and elected a new board of directors, according to a release issued this afternoon. President – Keith Hamilton VP of Baseball – John Skrypiec VP of Softball – Jim Campbel...
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The second coming of Hypercard: Apple introduces iBooks Author

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 20, 2012, 1:16 pm
At a press event at the Guggenheim Museum in NY, Apple yesterday introduced a new, free application for creating electronic books called iBooks Author, and while it has some notable limitations, it promises the kind of step-function increase in user empowerment not seen since the days of Hypercard. ...
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My schedule for the Arisia science fiction con in Boston this weekend

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 12, 2012, 7:18 pm
This weekend, fans of science fiction, fantasy, anime, gaming, costuming, and filk take over the Westin Boston Waterfront for the 23rd annual Arisia convention. As usual, it's an amazing program, and this con is always fun. Oh, and I'm on a couple of panels, so, hey, stop by. Army of Davids: The R...
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RI Blogosphere party rocks Salon (progressive-style)

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 12, 2012, 8:48 am
RI Future's Brian Hull and David Segal of Demand Progress talk with attendees at the RI Blogosphere Party Last night's Rhode Island Blogosphere post-holiday party rocked the The Salon in Providence, with more than 100 bloggers, politicos, and media folks kicking back and talking about the state of t...
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Volunteer meeting Jan 23 for Portsmouth Education Foundation Hidden Kitchen Tour

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 11, 2012, 6:05 pm
The Portsmouth Public Education Foundation (PPEF) is beginning to plan this year's "Hidden Kitchens of Portsmouth" tour, and could use your help. There will be a meeting for volunteers on Monday, Jan. 23 at 5:45pm at the Portsmouth Public Library. If you've ever been on the tour — which is the ma...
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Portsmouth school district tech planning committee reviews updates

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 10, 2012, 9:22 am
Recently upgraded PSD Web site. The Technology Planning Committee of the Portsmouth School District (PSD) met last night to hear updates on current initiatives and discuss a proposed social media policy to be forwarded to the School Committee. The committee, chaired by PSD Tech Director Rose Mulle...
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Black ice claims Portsmouth storefront

John McDaid posted an article on - Jan 10, 2012, 8:31 am
Damaged store front on West Main Road. Black ice appeared to be responsible for at least one accident in Portsmouth this morning, as a vehicle skidded across the parking lot of Portsmouth Wine & Spirits at 1557 West Main Road and crashed into the building, destroying a window and leaving a five-foo...
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State of Rhode Island adds $400K to ALT effort to save Portsmouth's St. Mary's Church land

John McDaid posted an article on - Nov 2, 2011, 4:29 pm
The Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) campaign to save the St. Mary's land in Portsmouth got a major boost today from the State of Rhode Island, the group announced in a statement. Governor Lincoln Chafee and Director Janet Coit of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management presented a $400,00...
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Portsmouth students among RI Foundation scholarship recipients

John McDaid posted an article on - Nov 2, 2011, 10:36 am
Two Portsmouth students were among the recipients of the Rhode Island Foundation's "Miss Swinburne Fund" awards, the foundation announced today. Portsmouth students receiving scholarships were Meredith Fitzgerald (URI) and Lorna Ashmore (New England Tech), placing them among the Newport County stud...
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RISC, GoLocal: Parents of Portsmouth Rep. Dan Reilly (R-72) top tax delinquents

John McDaid posted an article on - Nov 2, 2011, 7:55 am
Portsmouth Rep. Dan Reilly's parents are in the headlines this morning. Today's newsletter from the RI Statewide Coalition (RISC) said they were among "Rhode Island's most delinquent taxpayers" based on a story in GoLocalProv which named them the "top offenders," owing $1.3M in back taxes (an assess...
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RI reports mostly improved student scores on "Nation's Report Card"

John McDaid posted an article on - Nov 1, 2011, 11:28 am
Rhode Island students performed at or above average on all four math and reading tests on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the RI Dept. of Education (RIDE) announced this morning. Results released today for the NAEP, sometimes referred to as the "Nation's Report Card," show t...
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Portsmouth Education Foundation 10th anniversary and teacher showcase this Thursday, Nov 3

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 31, 2011, 1:37 pm
The Portsmouth Public Education Foundation (PPEF) celebrates ten years of making a difference in the quality of education in our community with a Fall Showcase and Social on Thursday, November 3 at Glen Manor House in Portsmouth. More info on the festivities at the PPEF web site. Everyone is welco...
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Portsmouth's Park Avenue still clear after last night's rain

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 30, 2011, 8:38 am
Park Avenue looking normal. After last night's storm, Park Avenue in Portsmouth looks remarkably un-flooded. This is the second day of rain we've had since RIDOT cleaned drains and dug out trenches at the beach outflows, and, so far, it's two for two. Cautiously optimistic that we won't be trapped...
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Mayor cites safety concerns; promises "civil, nonviolent" eviction of Occupy Providence

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 29, 2011, 11:59 am
Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, in an e-mail this morning, promised that the city would "NOT follow the actions of other cities like Atlanta, Chicago or Oakland" but seek a court ruling on the constitutionality of the Occupy Providence encampment in Burnside Park. Citing yesterday's message of supp...
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Portsmouth water main work on Bristol Ferry Road next Mon/Tues

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 28, 2011, 4:59 pm
The Portsmouth Water and Fire District (PWFD) will be doing water main work in the area of Bristol Ferry and Terminal Road on Monday, Oct 31 and Tuesday Nov 1 from 7am to 7pm, according to a release. Two lanes of Bristol Ferry Road will be closed, with north and southbound traffic reduced to one l...
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Occupy Providence turns out in the rain, mulls responses to eviction threat

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 27, 2011, 11:00 pm
Occupy Providence marchers at Sabin and Francis Bolstered by a contingent of organized labor marching in solidarity, Occupy Providence took to the streets this evening in a show of strength, just hours after they had been given notice by the city that they could be evicted as early as Sunday. The ...
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RI Foundation to award $100K to problem solvers; seeking applicants

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 25, 2011, 8:21 am
The RI Foundation will announce a new "Innovation Fellowship" today which will select 1-2 applicants to receive three-year grants of up to $100K/year to solve challenges facing Rhode Island, the group said in a statement. Underwritten by philanthopists Letitia and John Carter, the fellowship will pr...
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ProJo: PUC rules in favor of Portsmouth Wind Turbine

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 20, 2011, 3:32 pm
According to a story posted on ProvidenceJournal.com, the RI Public Utility Commission has ruled in favor of Portsmouth in an action that questioned the rate the Town received from National Grid. According to the article, the PUC ruled "that the Town of Portsmouth has not, and is not currently, rec...
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Portsmouth Middle School suffers blackout

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 20, 2011, 1:12 pm
According to an AlertNow message from the Portsmouth School Department, PMS lost power at 11:30 in an outage that is currently affecting portions of Middletown and Portsmouth. PSD said that National Grid hopes to have power restored by 2pm. Here's the text from their AlertNow e-mail: Emergency back...
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Island Park streets clear after day of rain

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 20, 2011, 7:37 am
This morning, Park Ave was not flooded. Normally, that wouldn't be newsworthy, but after a day of soaking rain, this might be a sign that the drain cleaning and trench digging on the beach performed by RIDOT might be having an impact. I hesitate to draw large inferences from one data point, but this...
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AP: Gordon says pension session was not worth attending

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 19, 2011, 4:13 pm
According to an AP wire story that just moved, embattled Rep. Dan Gordon (R-71) did not attend last night's joint session of the legislature on pensions because it was a "dog and pony show" not worth the mileage reimbursement. Hat tip to AP reporter Erika Niedowski.
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Buh-bye, ProJo. And take your ugly teaseware with you.

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 18, 2011, 7:59 am
Feast your eyes, glut your soul upon my accursed ugliness! (1) Rhode Island's newspaper of record has announced plans to vanish into the black hole of a paywall, leaving behind a hideous, malformed shadow of news lingering at the event horizon. The free site, ProvidenceJournal.com, is a catalog of...
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Rep. Jim Langevin visits #OccupyProvidence

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 16, 2011, 9:16 pm
Rep. Jim Langevin stopped by Occupy Providence this evening and stayed for about half an hour, talking with people. Langevin did not address the group, although he arrived during the General Assembly, but instead stayed at the periphery and engaged people one-on-one. Another welcome visitor was a m...
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Occupy Providence brings thousands into the streets

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 15, 2011, 11:09 pm
The Occupy movement came to Providence, RI tonight, as well over 1,000 joined in a peaceful march and occupation of the city's Burnside Park. Pictures up on Flickr. After a brief session in the park, the marchers wound their way past the Federal Building and the streets of downtown, with more joini...
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EastBayRI redesign rocks so hard it hurts

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 14, 2011, 5:24 pm
Redesigned Sakonnet Times landing page The EastBayRi.com web site has been redesigned, and it is a pitch-perfect implementation of everything a "news 2.0" site should be. Go look at the SakonnetTimes landing page to see what I mean. Look at the information architecture: big, clear section heads, v...
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Portsmouth's past comes to life this Sunday at the Historical Society

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 14, 2011, 4:00 pm
This Sunday, Oct. 16, the Portsmouth Historical Society and Portsmouth Community Theater team up to take you "A Step Back in Time." From 2-4pm at the Historical Society at East Main Rd. and Union St., you can meet Col. William Barton, Julia Ward Howe, Unitarian minister William Ellery Channing, Joh...
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Portsmouth Town Council meetings now online!

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 12, 2011, 7:24 pm
According to a post on Facebook by Portsmouth Town Councilor Keith Hamilton, meetings will now be available online at PortsmouthRecord.com. W00t!
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Portsmouth Education Foundation 10-year anniversary and teacher showcase Nov 3

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 12, 2011, 7:40 am
The Portsmouth Public Education Foundation (PPEF) celebrates ten years of making a difference in the quality of education in our community with a Fall Showcase and Social on Thursday, November 3 at Glen Manor House in Portsmouth. You can get your tickets at the PPEF web site. Everyone is welcome to...
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AP: Dan Gordon writing autobiography, has "about a dozen" pages

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 11, 2011, 2:21 pm
According to an AP squib in the ProJo newsblog, embattled Rep. Dan Gordon (R-71) has begun writing an autobiography and has finished "about a dozen 'rough' pages that chronicle his childhood, education and entry into military service." Over on Portsmouth Patch, some wags have already begun suggesti...
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Portsmouth Water District to begin flushing mains tonight through next week

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 11, 2011, 10:11 am
Residents in the Portsmouth Water and Fire District (PWFD) may see discoloration and reduced water pressure over the next week as a required flushing process clears out the water mains in town, the PWFD advised in a notice to local media. Beginning tonight, those in the affected areas should avoid w...
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NewportRI.com relaunches; runs aground

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 7, 2011, 11:24 am
Ooh, look, they have "blogs!" Uh..wait..that's just an empty page... The flacks at the Newport Daily News just sent out a breathless e-mail piece announcing the relaunch of their interactive community site, NewportRI.com. We've just relaunched NewportRI.com, and it's more interactive than ever! Log...
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More than 40 Portsmouth High School students score academic kudos

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 7, 2011, 8:46 am
More than 40 students at Portsmouth High School (PHS) have been recognized for their performance in the National Merit Scholarships and Advanced Placement Testing, the district announced yesterday. Two PHS seniors, Caroline Herter and Sam Black, were named National Merit Commended Students. Their p...
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A visionary passes

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 5, 2011, 8:36 pm
Said everything here.
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ProJo: Gordon demoted in Marines, curses reporter

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 5, 2011, 6:07 pm
In a story posted on the ProJo this afternoon, a US Marine Corps spokesperson released a list of the ranks and duty stations of embattled Rep Dan Gordon (R-71). You'll want to go read it in detail, but the news is not good. According to the ProJo, Gordon had two demotions during his service, and no...
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Portsmouth Democrats host Yard Sale Saturday at the PA Club

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 5, 2011, 7:46 am
Looking to sell some stuff? Want to find some bargains? Head on down to the Portuguese-American Citizens Club on Saturday from 8am-1pm for the first annual Portsmouth Democratic Committee Yard Sale. There will be coffee and refreshments available, and if you want a table, it's just $10 — reach ou...
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Rep. Edwards: RIDOT "committed to figuring out a solution" to IP flooding [update]

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 4, 2011, 2:06 pm
According to Rep. Jay Edwards (D-70) RIDOT Director Michael Lewis was personally informed of the Island Park flooding situation this morning by the head of Inter-Governmental Affairs Bernie Frezza. In a brief phone interview, Edwards said that Lewis has "committed to figuring out a solution," and un...
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Island Park flooding and school bus safety: ANOTHER open letter to RIDOT and the Portsmouth Town Council [Updates]

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 4, 2011, 9:07 am
From: John McDaid To: joeys31@juno.com, joe.robicheau@gmail.com, dDolce@portsmouthri.com, kessonp@gmail.com, Dfaucher@portsmouthri.com, jrobicheau@portsmouthri.com, jseveney@portsmouthri.com, keithhamilton@cox.net, contactlizpedro@aol.com, mbuddemeyer@portsmouthri.com, krizicl@portsmouthschoolsri.o...
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Rep. Gordon draws small (9) but rabid crowd at statehouse rally

John McDaid posted an article on - Oct 2, 2011, 9:42 am
Hey King Linc, Sheriff Gordon's a comin' for you. At yesterday's anti-Chafee rally, the 9 supporters of Rep. Dan Gordon (R-71) had to share the Capital steps with a photo shoot for a wedding party wearing "Phantom of the Opera" masks. Rep. Gordon's half-hour rant focused on attacking Gov. Chafee f...
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Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair this weekend!

John McDaid posted an article on - Sep 30, 2011, 8:51 am
NBS Harvest Fair! The Norman Bird Sanctuary (NBS) hosts their 37th Annual Harvest Fair from 10am-5pm this Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2. For just $6 adult ($3 kids 3-12), you get hay rides, crafts, food, games, animals, music, and, of course, the ever-popular mud pit. This is one of our never...
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Rep. Gordon organizing anti-Chafee rally (and defending record) via Facebook

John McDaid posted an article on - Sep 29, 2011, 8:22 pm
Reproduced under Fair Use. In the Facebook group "We The People of RI" a user identified as embattled Rep. Dan Gordon (R-71) has announced that the promised State House "bi-partisan protest against His Majesty, Governor Chafee's, defacto implementation of legalized thievery" will be this Saturday, O...
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Globe: Gordon calls for Chafee resignation, promises "statehouse protest"

John McDaid posted an article on - Sep 29, 2011, 2:50 pm
The Boston Globe is reporting that embattled Portsmouth Rep. Dan Gordon (R-71) has again called for Linc Chafee's resignation, and now plans a rally and petition drive to oust the governor. According to the Globe story, Gordon told the Associated Press that Chafee's support for in-state tuition for...
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Fall River Herald: PCC "waiting to learn more" before calling for Gordon resignation

John McDaid posted an article on - Sep 28, 2011, 10:57 am
A story in the Fall River Herald quotes PCC President Larry Fitzmorris who has not yet decided whether to call for the resignation of embattled Rep. Dan Gordon (R-71). “He has some very serious problems, but it’s so murky,” Fitzmorris said. Murky? Wow. That's not the word I would have chose...
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Breaking AP: Dan Gordon military records show no Iraq service, no Purple Heart

John McDaid posted an article on - Sep 23, 2011, 12:29 pm
According to an AP wire story that just moved, "Military service records for a Rhode Island lawmaker who has blamed a string of legal troubles on combat stress he suffered in the 1991 Gulf War indicate he never served in the Middle East." Go read the story.
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About Me

science fiction writer and localblogger from Portsmouth, RI

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