CORN

Sweet corn arrived at the market last Saturday from Barden Family Orchards. The Bardens will have more this Saturday and raspberries, peaches, apples and squash in the weeks to come.
Saturday will also feature a cooking demonstration by Kany Xiong of Pak Express starting at 10 AM. Kany will prepare free samples of her mother’s Hmong cool squash soup and eggplant, peapod and carrot stirfry using local ingredients. The cooking demonstrations are funded by grants from the Rhode Island Rural Development Council and the farmers market.

RIVER TRAIL REOPENS

Thanks to David Schillinger and members of Boy Scout Troop 22 Cranston, the Pawtuxet River trail (from Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, to Warwick Avenue and back on the other side of the river to the cemetery on Post Road) is walkable on the Warwick side. To fulfill his requirements for Eagle Scout, David built a footbridge on the trail across the river from Rhodes on the Pawtuxet to replace one that washed away in the April flood. The new bridge is stable and ready to accommodate hikers who have not been able to complete the loop trail since April.

Friends of the Pawtuxet would like to have a trail maintenance day to pick up trash and clear the trail where it wraps around behind Shaw’s. We have tentatively scheduled our work party for Sunday August 8 at 10 AM. If you would like to help, please respond to this email.

Friends of the Pawtuxet’s July 10 canoeing day, which was part of ExploreCranston, attracted 29 families to paddle the river.

CVS HEARING

During this week’s site plan review committee meeting, CVS made some concessions in the design of a new store planned the corner of Broad and Norwood Avenues. The Woonsocket based drug store chain agreed to install a bike rack at the store and sections of wrought iron fence around some parts of the parking lot. The design, although improved, is still a big box with high solid walls. Knowing the city has no power to block its design, CVS representatives became defensive saying the design is better than the Resevoir Avenue store. They are also insisting on ten more parking spaces than required by city ordinance.

Cranston planner Peter Lapolla commented that if Edgewood had historic zoning, the city would have more control over the store design. He also noted that historic zoning is often opposed by homeowners who do not want to be told how to maintain their homes. That opposition then makes it impossible for the city to force corporations like CVS to build attractive buildings that blend with the neighborhood.

Traffic, the ten extra parking spaces and residents suggestion to move more of the parking behind the building remain major areas of disagreement.

Respect4Edgewood asks interested residents to attend the next site plan review committee meeting August 4 at 4:30PM in the City Council Chambers.

HALL LIBRARY CONCERTS

July 29th, 6 PM: The “premier rock & roll oldies show” performs during the summer concert series. Sh-Bop, featuring Vini Ames, combines music, comedy and audience participation in a performance that will entertain people of all ages.

August 5th, 6 PM: The Mayor’s “Music all around the town” series continues with a first time appearance for The Black and White Band. Since 1990 this band has performed with a unrique blend of high energy swing-blues and roots rock. Bring a chair and enjoy this great band.

The concerts are generously funded by the Washington Trust Company.

See you Saturday at the market.