Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
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Quick Article Index . . .
An astral show of colossal proportion.
Just Beer is anything but just beer with its new Saison.
Share your Story Day to Document Sakonnet Point Memories.
Local Winery Celebrates: Massachusetts Wine Coming To A Farmers' Market Near You.
An astral show of colossal proportion.EverythingWestport.com
Saturday, November 20, 2010
photos/EverythingWestport.com except as noted
Westport nighttime sky gazers were treated to an astral show of colossal proportion that seemed to fill the entire eastern sky - a giant moon halo. What causes this phenomenon and what does it signify? You may be surprised.
The ring around the moon is caused by the refraction of moonlight (which is reflected sunlight) from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. The shape of the ice crystals results in a focusing of the light into a ring. Since the ice crystals typically have the same shape, namely hexagonal, an average moon ring is almost always the same size, and a lot smaller than the one that occurred Saturday night.
Less characteristic halos are produced by different angles in the crystals. They can create halos with an angle of 46 degrees, like the one seen on this cold Saturday night.
Legend has it that a ring around the moon suggests bad weather may be coming, and in many cases this could be true. So how can rings around the moon be a predictor of weather to come? The ice crystals that cover the halo signify high altitude, thin cirrus clouds that normally precede a warm front by a day or two. In general, a warm front will be associated with a low pressure system which more often than not produces rain.
This coming Tuesday's forecast is 59 degrees with a few showers. We should listen more often to those older folks who know about such things!
Just Beer is anything but just beer with its new Saison.
EverythingWestport.com
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
photos/EverythingWestport.com except as noted
Just Beer is anything but just beer with its new Saison.American farmed beer features locally farmed cranberries.
With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, American families are planning to gather and give thanks for all of their blessings. This definitive American holiday could not be better served than with the fall seasonal from the Westport-based microbrewery Just Beer: their American-grown Saison brewed with local cranberries from Decas Brothers.
Saison (French for "season") is the name originally given to refreshing, low-alcohol pale summer ales brewed seasonally in farmhouses in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium, to refresh farm workers during harvest season - Wikipedia.
"As far as we know, we're the only ones doing a cranberry-kissed version of this Belgian style ale," says owner and brewer Bill Russell. "I love how the bitterness, the tartness and the wonderful aroma of cranberry slides right in next to the aromas and flavors of a true Saison. It's a wonderful marriage."
Cranberries are one of only a handful of fruits native to North America and our region's agricultural gem. "We're in the Napa Valley of cranberries," says Russell "and that's why we've worked with cranberries in several of our beers over the years. But none of these beers has been as spot-on remarkable as this one. This recipe is a classic brew." Saison beers are native to Belgium and "Saison" is French for season. Aptly named because these ales are traditionally brewed in the autumn and spring when it was cool (in the days before refrigeration) and meant to be held for summer drinking. Today they are available year round although Just Beer's Saison is only available this fall (at the brewery and in stores throughout the South Coast).
"I've got the entire Russell clan at my house this year so I'm going to need a few of these to survive the family onslaught." When asked what's next at Just Beer, Bill laughs and says, "Something for Mr. Claus. He's got to get through Christmas."
Share your Story Day to Document Sakonnet Point Memories.
EverythingWestport.com
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
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Do you have a Sakonnet Point story to tell? Between now and January, three Little Compton organizations are teaming up to collect oral histories, written memories, images and objects related to Sakonnet Point. Together, The Little Compton Historical Society, The Sakonnet Preservation Association and The Friends of the Sakonnet Lighthouse are working to create their first collaborative exhibit “Sakonnet Point Perspectives.” The project’s success hinges on active community involvement and as a first step in engaging the community the organizations are inviting the public to “Share their Stories” about Sakonnet Point on Tuesday, November 30, from 9 AM to 8 PM at the Little Compton Historical Society’s Wilbor House Museum, 548 West Main Road.
Anyone with a story to tell is encouraged to contact the Historical Society at (401) 635-4035 to schedule a 1 hour oral history interview. Volunteers will record their stories which will later be transcribed. Every story will be saved in a permanent Sakonnet Point archive and will be considered for inclusion in the “Sakonnet Point Perspectives” exhibition and publication that will debut in July 2011. During “Share Your Story Day” individuals are also encouraged to make an appointment to bring in photographs, paintings, letters, postcards and objects related to Sakonnet Point. Two dimensional items will be scanned while you wait. Objects may be loaned (or donated) to the Historical Society for possible use in the exhibition or addition to the collection.
The three organizations have been planning this multi-faceted project since the spring of 2010. They have been aided by a grant from the Newport County Fund. Their goal is to look at the Point from a variety of perspectives—historical, environmental, economic, cultural - and share the resulting information with the public.
Sakonnet Point Perspectives will:
create a single, comprehensive, permanent archive of information on Sakonnet Point that will be housed at the Historical Society and made available to the public both in person and on-line.
produce a 100 page illustrated publication on Sakonnet Point exploring its history and its importance as an economic and environmental resource
present an exhibition on Sakonnet Point at the Historical Society that will be open to the public from July 1 to October 10.
offer a variety of programs and events enabling and encouraging the public to learn more about, and enjoy Sakonnet Point including walking tours, children’s programs, an exhibit Preview Party and a Family Day Celebration.
The project is now in its research phase which includes the collection of oral histories and written memories. The committee has hired the team of Dr. James Garman of SalveReginaUniversity and PhD candidate Michelle Styger to carry out the research and write the text for the project. All oral histories, written stories and other research must be received by January 15 in order to be of the greatest value to the project.
Anyone who is unable to participate in “Share your Story Day” is encouraged to write their story and send it to the Historical Society at r to call the Society at (401) 635-4035 to schedule another time.
Local Winery Celebrates: Massachusetts Wine Coming To A Farmers' Market Near You.
EverythingWestport.com
Thursday, November 18, 2010
photos/EverythingWestport.com except as noted
A quiet revolution (of sorts) has started.Winegrowers in Massachusetts can now sell wine at local farmers' markets and other agricultural events. Massachusetts legislators passed the legislation earlier in 2010; it was signed into law and is now ready to be pursued by your friendly neighborhood Massachusetts winery (there are 21 of them!).
Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery, at 80 acres of grapes, plans on selling Massachusetts grown wine at local markets as soon as possible.Rob Russell, owner and vineyard manager couldn't be happier. "This legislation has taken a lot of work. We're very thankful to the Massachusetts lawmakers, especially our own (new State Senator) Mike Rodrigues, for making this happen." Rob's brother, Bill Russell the farm's winemaker, agrees. "It's simply superb work. When government decides to create opportunity for small business by removing roadblocks, it's win-win for everyone, especially for the consumer."
Starting last week, Massachusettsfarm wineries could begin submitting applications to sell wine at approved agricultural events. "We've already begun pursuing several of the Winter Markets and are considering how best to serve those people who shop there. It's all very exciting," says Rob. "After 21 years of producing wine grown on our Bay State soil, in Bay State sun, it's a fantastic time to get out there, into Farmers' Markets, and let people taste and see how amazing our own, our Massachusetts, wines are."
"Massachusetts grown wine rival any grown anywhere," says Bill. And he should know, having made wine that has garnered over 20 gold medals and endless acclaim by local, national and international press.
How do the wineries go about getting permission to sell at your local Farmers'' Market? Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is the certifying agency for the agricultural event (e.g. farmers'' markets and fairs), the legislation specifies that the applicant is the winery, not the agricultural event. The winery will need information from the event manager in order to complete the application, including a letter of interest from the agricultural event, copy of the event's rules and vendor list. After the application is approved by MDAR, the winery will need to make an application with the local liquor/license control board that has jurisdiction over the event's location to obtain a license to allow the sale of wine.By statute, applicants to the MDAR cannot include non-wineries such as retail stores wishing to sell local wine. The law also limits a winery to sell only their own wine. Cooperative selling arrangements are not allowed.
Farmers' Markets, including wine as a vendor, must meet the minimum qualifications for recognition as a Massachusetts Farmers' Market. A list of Massachusetts farmers' markets (and agricultural fairs), as well as the Farmers' Market Policy can be found at .
For more information, please call or click Bill Russell at (774) 201-9297, or email
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