POLL: Are Kids Getting Priced Out of Baseball and Softball?

A NY Times article explores the era of the $250 baseball bat

Did you have to buy a new baseball glove for your Little Leaguer this year? Did you pay more than $100 for it? How about a $250 bat? A New York Times story headlined "Big Price Tags Attached to Even the Littlest Leagues," looks at the big business of equipping youngsters for participation in youth baseball and softball leagues, quoting those costs and more. "A batting helmet protects tiny heads for $39.99," the Times reports. "A pair of Nike Jordan Black Cat cleats will make your child fast and fashionable at $51.99 until he or she outgrows them." So what do you think? Has the cost of bats and gloves taken our kids too far from the simpler days of sandlot and playground ballgames? Or have you had better luck finding more modestly-priced …

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Letter: RI Needs to Focus on Workforce Development

Sen. James C. Sheehan and Rep. Donna M. Walsh, co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Economic Development, write this letter to the editor uring the state to invest more in workforce development.

Rhode Island was the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. During the manufacturing era, our workforce was well suited for the abundant opportunities of its day. Today we are undergoing a new revolution towards a knowledge-based, innovation economy. This change requires a paradigm shift in thinking by both policymakers and the people of our state. However, it is telling that, even with the high unemployment rate in Rhode Island, we continue to hear from business owners who are having trouble finding qualified candidates to fill open positions. It is for this reason that a key component of our economic development efforts has been and remains workforce development. Worker training and re-training to ensure that job candidates …

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Joe Richer

8:54 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012

We should indeed be doing a better job educating our young people for the future...but should we spend even more of our precious treasure on this...NO. We already spend an outrageous amount of money per student with middling results at best. The system must be rebuilt and regarded as an investment; an investment in which we will meaure our return and take action based on acheivement of lack of …   more ›

Should Zimmerman Be Charged? [Poll]

George Zimmerman, who admitted shooting unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is reportedly facing charges in connection with the Feb. 28 incident.

The Trayvon Martin case has been the subject of national discussion for weeks. After widespread public outrage over the shooting of the unarmed 17-year-old teenager that included mass protests by people wearing hooded sweatshirts, or hoodies, it appears that George Zimmerman, who admitted shooting Martin but claimed it was in self defense, is going to be charged. Unlike Florida, Rhode Island has no "stand your ground" law, but people can still avoid prosecution after shooting someone in self defense. Do you think Zimmerman, 28, should be charged? Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, told The Associated Press that she and Martin's father "can't get past our son being murdered and no one being arrested." His father, Tracy Martin, says it will be…

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Patch Readers' Choice

Readers' Choice: Best Place to Buy Sporting Goods

The weather is warming up - where are you going to get geared for adventure?

  It's warming up out there as summer gets closer on the calendar. Maybe you're looking to replace the sneakers you cross trained your toes right through, or you're getting ready to take on a new game. Perhaps you're planning a big camping trip or want to see the neighborhood via kayak. This week, we want to know: where do you go to get equipped for sports? Do you prefer Bennett Sports, Eastern Mountain Sports, 2nd Time Around Sports, Elmwood Sports Center, Players, Continental Arms, Spargo Golf, REI, Strike FX Pro Shop, M-F Athletic Co., UVEX, or Ocean State Job Lot ? Vote in our poll below, then share your thoughts in the comments section. If we left your favorite service off the list, note that in the comments as well. We'll leave the …

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Five Things: April 5, Budget Hearings, Photo Editing, Creative Writing

The city's budget process rolls on, creative writing is the subject at the Hall Library, learn some photo editing basics and keep your hats secured — that's five things you should know today.

Budget: The city's budget hearings carry on tonight at the Cranston High School West auditorium at 6:30 p.m. The Finance Committee will be addressing the school budget. Write: Kiersten Marek, a psychologist, blogger and fiction writer, is conducting a six-week creative writing class at the William Hall Library. The free workshop is limited to 14 people, so please register if you're interested by emailing Kiersten at keirsten.marek@gmail.com. The class begins at 6 p.m. Photo: The tech boot camp series at the Central Library has covered Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and even how to use eBay to sell items. Today's workshop addresses photo editing software. Learn how to make your pictures look better and upload more easily to websites. …

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Readers' Choice: Best Place to Take Your Taxes in Cranston

It's tax time - tell us where to get the best deal.

It's April, and with this month's showers comes the annual tax filing deadline. Will your tax return aim a little sunshine into a rainy day, or do you need to settle with the state and Uncle Sam, ASAP? Having the right person to sort through all the forms and deductions can be a huge relief during a stress-filled time of the year. This week, we want to know: where do you take your taxes when time is running short? Do you prefer popping into H&R Block?, Do you stick with a local office, such as Michael Sepe's or David P. Krekorian? Or do you go somewhere else? Vote in our poll below, then share your thoughts in the comments section. If we left your favorite spot off the list, note that in the comments as well. We'll leave the poll up all …

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Mark Schieldrop

12:16 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Excellent tip, Paula.   more ›

Five Things: March 30, Juggle, Play, Budget, Gogh

It's March 30 and the mayor is presenting the city's fiscal 2013 budget, you can catch a high-flying juggling act and more today.

Budget: The city's budget season kicks off tonight at City Hall when Mayor Allan W. Fung presents his fiscal 2013 budget. We'll have a preview of his budget posted later tonight. Play: It's closing weekend for "Play by Play: An Evening of Works by Mark Harvey Levine" at Artists' Exchange. See our calendar listing for show times and ticket information. Tardy: The Tardy Brothers' juggling act, one of the best juggling acts in the country, will be making a stop at Park View Middle School tonight at 7 p.m. The duo have appeared at the White House and on TV's "Inside Edition" and "CBS Sunday Morning." Sun: It will be sunny with a high near 50 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Gough: Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, one of the …

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Five Things: March 29, Redistricting, PowerPoint, Clouds

It will be cloudy in the 50s, redistricting is on the agenda, learn PowerPoint and take your tot to story time at the Central Library today.

District: Concerned about redistricting? Wondering if you'll be in a different ward? Stop by City Hall tonight at 7 p.m. and find out. The City Council's Ordinance Committee is meeting for a public hearing on several redistricting proposals. The meeting was scheduled to give the public another chance to see the maps and provide valuable input. Boot: The Tech Boot Camp series at the Central Library has been making whizzes out of newbies. Today's class is on PowerPoint. Have you ever sat through a presentation that nearly put you to sleep? The presenter should have gone to this class. Check our calendar listing for more information on cost and how to sign up. Story: Thinking about doing something to get out the house with your toddler today…

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Five Things: March 28, Milita, CLCF, Rain

We've got five things picked out of all the things happening in Cranston today. Check them out.

Rangers: The Pawtuxet Rangers once protected Pawtuxet Village. Though the militia is no longer standing guard these days, the group is still an active militia that takes parts in many historical activities. They're meeting tonight at 59 Remington St. at 8 p.m. in Warwick and they're looking for enlistees over 16 interested in the fife, snare drum and bass drum. CLCF: CLCF is holding its annual baseball winter clinic for 4- to 12-year-olds. See our calendar listing for more information. The event is a Bain at 5:30 p.m. Babies: Don't forget about Book Babies at the Central Library. It starts at 10 and all you need to bring is your baby. Registration is not required. Showers: Showers are likely this afternoon and the daytime high temperature …

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