Begin Independence Day weekend by running the 43^rd Mattapoisett Road Race! This 5 mile race has been enjoyed by runners, families, residents of New England and throughout the country for its’ 42 years! The Race begins at 9am, Thursday, July 4, 2013. The mostly shaded course winds through the picturesque village of Mattapoisett, MA. Proceeds from the race are awarded to graduating seniors from ORRHS High School who are involved with running.

Runners can register at www.mattapoisettroadrace.com by June 26^th or in person at Shipyard Park on July 3^rd and 4^th!

The Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club is celebrating their 20^th anniversary by hosting a summer concert fundraiser on Saturday, July 6, 2013.  The day will consist of two events – both on Club grounds at 115 Canal Street, Blackstone, MA.

Event One is a summer concert featuring country music singer Steve Azar, Heidi Newfield, Keith Burns, Ira Dean of Trick Pony, and newcomer, aspiring country artist, Kathleen Regan. Any age can attend this concert. Please note - this is a family friendly event and no alcohol will be allowed... This event will begin at 2pm to 5pm.  Gates will open at 1:30pm.  Adult tickets are $25 and children 12 & under are $10. 

Event Two is an After Hours 21+ Meet and Greet on the night of July 6^th from 6pm to 10pm. Tickets for this event are $100 per person and includes the opportunity to socialize with Steve Azar and Friends, enjoy a full clambake dinner menu, cmplimentary beer & wine, silent auction and access to Event One. 

Tickets for both events are on sale now at the Club office, 115 Canal Street, Blackstone, MA or online at www.bvbgc.com.

"Rhody Rocks for Rhana" is a charitable event that will take place on Sunday, July 7th from Noon-8pm at the Washington County Fair grounds.  The proceeds from this event will benefit a 12 yr old girl, Rhana, from Charlestown, RI, who was recently diagnosed with transverse myelitis.  Transverse myelitis is a painful nerve reaction within ones body. Rhana, a once healthy gymnast, is now paralyzed from the neck down and is currently at a rehab facility in CT.

The music & arts festival will feature 7 local bands/musicians on the grand stage, as well as a Battle of the Bands for young aspiring musicians. On the childrens stage there will be the award winning 'Take Two Tandem Tellers', Bjorn the Magician, a balloon artist, face painter & many more kids activities & games.  There will also be performances by the gymnasts at Rhana's gym- SCMC- throughout the day and as well as DoJo performances in the center arena.  Attendees can also enjoy an art show, craft vendors & food vendors.

Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the gate.  Kids 9 and under are free.  For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/561970790515010/

6th Annual Hasbro Children’s Hospital

Motorcycle Run

Sunday July 21, 2013

Rain or Shine

Donation: $20.00 Rider 20.00 

Location: Walmart

1180 Fall River Ave

Seekonk, MA

Upper Parking Lot

Ride will end at Tweets Balzanos

180 Hope Ave. Bristol, R. I.

FULLY POLICE ESCORTED

Registration begins at 10:00 AM

Ride leaves at 12:00 Noon SHARP!

Helmets required for ALL riders

Food – Music – Raffles – 50/50 Raffle

For more info – Call: Sandy Phillips at

508-336-0290 or 508-336-3749

Portsmouth's 375th Anniversary Pow-wow & Celebration will be hosted by the Aquidneck Indian Council on Saturday, July 27 & Sunday, July 28 from 10am - 5pm at Glen Park Recreational Area on Glen Road (off East Main Rd, Rte 138) in Portsmouth, RI.  The Grand Entry is at noon both days.  There will be drumming/dancing, refreshments & more!  Drums: the Soaring Eagle Singers, Eagle Sings, Eastern Medicine & invited drums.  There will also be many Native & not-so-Native items for sale.

Open to the public. **Free Admission. Good family fun.

**This is an alcohol & drug free event**.

For info, please contact the Council Secretary: 401-683-4589 or aquidneck_indian@verizon.net

The "Leave No Veteran Behind" motorcycle run will be held on Sunday, August 11th, 2013 to benefit Operation Stand Down Rhode Island.  Registration starts at 9:30am and kickstands up at 11:30am.  The ride will leave from Cardi's Furniture located at 999 Newport Avenue in South Attleboro, MA and will convene at Stick's Tavern on 417 Putnam Pike in Chepachet, RI.  The donation is $20 per person.  If you can't ride or don't ride, you are still invited to join everyone at Stick's Tavern.  Come on out, enjoy the day and support a good cause!

Working Waterfront Festival, New Bedford, MA (September 28-29, 2013). An award winning, family friendly event celebrating the history and culture of New England's commercial fishing industry featuring live music, children’s activities, cooking demonstrations, vessel and harbor tours, fisherman’s contests, author readings, film screenings, local seafood, festival bookstore, maritime artisans marketplace & more. The FREE festival presents all that goes into bringing seafood from the ocean to the table in a way that is hands-on, educational and fun.  www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org

The 2013 Festival marks the ten year anniversary of the event and provides us with an opportunity to consider how commercial fishing and coastal communities have changed over the past ten years and what lies ahead.  Festival programming will offer a retrospective look at the themes explored over the past decade: Sustainability; Safety at Sea; the Future of the Industry; Women in the Industry; Preservation of Ports; Fishermen & Farmers; the Cultural Mosaic of New England’s Working Ports; Tradition & Innovation; and Narrative Tradition.