Banned Books Week: What You Need to Know

Censorship is alive and well, as highlighted by Banned Books Week — and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week is held annually, falling this year from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6. The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. More than 11,000 books have been challenged (though not necessarily successfully censored) since 1982, the inaugural year of Banned Books Week. According to the American Library Association (ALA), the vast majority of challenges to books are initiated locally by parents, likely in well-meaning…

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How Much Is That Book?

Got books you need appraised? Ray Rickman is providing his services at a free workshop Thursday in Narragansett.

Release courtesy of the Rickman Group, and Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. Are you holding on to a rare first-edition copy? A priceless signed book? A highly-sought-after collector’s copy? On Thursday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library in Narragansett, Ray Rickman will help you find out. In his fun and revealing Value of the Book workshop, Mr. Rickman will offer free book evaluations drawing on his many years of experience as a rare-book dealer and former bookstore owner in Providence, and as the host of the Rhode Island Public Television program “Bestsellers.” In an Antiques Roadshow-type format, Mr. Rickman will discuss what makes a book valuable, explain which sorts of books have the highest market value, …

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Five Things

5 THINGS: Spring Fever Edition

Sure, it might only be the first day of April vacation… but maybe you really, really need to get the kids out of the house already.

Here are the (more than) Five Things for Monday, April 16: “Babies don’t need a vacation, but I still see them at the beach… It [annoys] me! I’ll go over to a little baby and say, ‘What are you doing here? You haven’t worked a day in your life!’” – Steven Wright. As a reminder, area high schools are on vacation this week. Adjust accordingly. Chicks! (Note: the animal kind. Get your mind out of the gutter.) Peace Dale Library will be hosting Project Chick at 10:30 a.m. Staff from Casey Farm will describe all about chicks to the kids – how they hatch, what they eat, etc. Admission is free. My buddy used to design Nerf guns. Maury Loontjens Memorial Library will host a session on cartooning, cool toys and comic book covers at 11 a.m. Aimed at…

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Five Things

5 THINGS: Budgets, Sports and Kindergarten Prep

We have a wide smattering of events in today’s Five Things.

Here are the (more than) Five Things for Wednesday, April 11, 2012: “If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” – Abraham Lincoln. Here are tonight’s government meetings: “From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it..” – Groucho Marx. There are several book groups meeting today as well. Here they are: The first step on the path to college! Before the kids can go to college, they have to pass high school. And before high school comes middle school. And before middle school comes elementary school. And before that comes kindergarten. And before THAT comes a Narragansett Kindergarten Readiness Camp at Maury Loontjens Memorial Library at 6:30 p.m. tonight. Don’t…

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Narragansett High School Senior Projects

Fiorey's Art Show Debuts Thursday

Come out and support another great senior project!

Narragansett High School senior Leah Fiorey will be hosting her art show, “Beautiful Movements,” Thursday night at Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. The exhibit runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fiorey's mentor is Narragansett High School Art Teacher Kathleen Peabody. Any proceeds and donations will benefit the high school. For more information, contact Peabody via e-mail at kpeabody@narragansett.k12.ri.us.

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Five Things

5 THINGS AND READERS’ CHOICE: St. Patrick’s Day

Hey, it’s some kind of holiday today! Check here for info.

Here are the (more than) Five Things for Saturday, March 17, 2012, along with the results of our Readers’ Choice for best St. Patrick’s Day place. Want to be e-mailed when we have a new Five Things up? Click the “keep me notified!” button below.

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Five Things

5 THINGS: Making A Difference With Bearded Dragons

There is a spattering of different, neat events going on today, so take advantage. Or, if you must, go to a budget hearing.

Here are the (more than) Five Things for Wednesday, March 14, 2012: Make A Difference project needs volunteers! If you like to make crafts, then the Make A Difference project could use your help. The group makes blankets for hospitalized children, and they meet every Wednesday, 9 a.m., at the Center. For more info, click here. Hey, speaking of… The Center is also hosting a book discussion group from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. today. The group will be discussing My Name is Mary Sutter. Hey, speaking of, the sequel… Maury Loontjens Memorial Library is also hosting a book discussion group from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The group will be discussing South of Broad. “It’s not what you know but who you know that makes the difference.” The Mariner Grille …

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Five Things

5 THINGS: Uncommon Common Events, And Common

Your life shant be complete without reading these (more than) Five Things.

Here are the (more than) Five Things for Tuesday, March 13, 2012: Free taxes! Do you make less than $49,000 a year? If so, you could be eligible for free tax preparation at the Education Exchange in Peace Dale. Sessions are available until April 12, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call (401) 783-0293 to schedule an appointment. The Ides of March in March. Maury Loontjens Memorial Library will be showing The Ides of March, starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. today. It’s a movie all about dirty politics, rated R, with a 7.3 rating on IMDB. So basically, leave the kids at home, since they won’t get what’s going on anyway. Something more appropriate for the kids! In contrast, feel free …

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Five Things

5 THINGS: You Know, Just Coffee Talk, No Big Whoop

Join me at Cool Beans at noon, or check out these other wonderful events this weekend.

Here are the Five Things for Friday, February 24, 2012, and the two weekend days: Cawfee chat. I’ll be hosting a low-key event today, and by “hosting” I mean “sitting around at a local coffee place.” I’ll be at Cool Beans at noon, and sticking around until 1 p.m. at the least. Feel free to swing by and discuss the important (or not so important) news of the day. (Next week will be Coffee Connection, and if you have any other suggestions for me, feel free to send them to Stephen.greenwell@patch.com.) Take me down to the Paradise City Park where the grass is green and the girls are pretty. Tonight is the opening night for the Contemporary Theater Company’s Paradise Park at the Towers. The performance starts at 7 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m., …

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Five Things

5 THINGS: Danger! Star Wars References Inside!

If you don’t believe in the Force, well, don’t be such a muggle.

Here are the Five Things for Thursday, February 23, 2012: “There is a great disturbance in the Force… It’s as if a million voices cried out, because vacation is more than half over.” Maury Loontjens Memorial Library continues its week of fun for the kids during February vacation today. From 11 a.m. to noon, cartoonist Corinne Adams will show your kids how to draw their favorite characters from Star Wars and Harry Potter. A show and tell, and a prize drawing, will also be held. Pre-registering is advised, so call the library at 789-9507. “There is no civility, only politics.” – Chancellor Palpatine. At town hall tonight, the Land Conservancy Trust meets at 5:30 p.m. The Zoning Board of Review meets at 7 p.m. Mr. Palpatine will not be at …

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