Providence ranks 5th

 Thought you might like to know according to Yahoo

The 10 Healthiest Cities for Families in the USA

5. Providence, Rhode Island
This small, tight-knit community thinks big. Providence has as many playgrounds and ball fields as cities two to three times its size, plus its own top-notch children's hospital. The food scene is superb, with lots of mom-and-pop cafés in town, many serving up local seafood. "It's not unusual to see 3- Rhode IslanRhode Island; Providenced; Providenceand 4-year-olds digging into clams or shrimp here," says local restaurant owner Ellen Gracylyny, a mom of two. A recent perk: Farm Fresh Rhode Island, a group of 40 local family farms, has set up a "local food guide," which lists all the nearby farmers' markets, farm stands, pick-your-own farms, and community-supported agriculture programs. It also highlights restaurants and private schools that buy locally grown food.

Pet Lovers Unit - Maggie's Pantry Official Opens

Maggie's Pantry was officially opened this past Saturday in Richmond, RI. . We reported on Maggie's Pantry back in April. Today Pet Owners who find themselves out of work, financial stressed, and facing the choice of going without or giving up their pet have an alternative -- Maggie's Pantry. Thanks to Carol Terranova,  her friends and sponsors.

In tough times, just a little help can make all the difference in the world. Often the presence of a cat or dog and its ability to give unconditional love may be all that stands between a life worth living and a life to be lived.

I know. Years ago after losing my job, my wife, my parents and facing the default on my mortgage, all inside of three months, the only reason I felt for living was my responsibility for my pet Old English Shepard/Irish Wolf Hound mix dog, Alpha.

One day when I was scheduled for a job interview I discovered that I had nearly run out of gas for my car and I was also out of food for Alpha. When I went to the ATM, I discover that I had only just enough for a tank of gas and a small bag of dog food. I didn't know what I was going to do once the bag of dog food ran out. Gas was definitely my most important expense if I hoped to get a job. Yet, Alpha was the only friend I felt I really had. The only alternative that I could see, was to take her to the pound. That would have been a death sentence for my 11 year old friend and companion.

Fortunately, I was offered a job a few days later. I was able to buy a very large bag of food for Alpha with my first pay check . Afterwards, I thought, "If only there were a community resource that provided a temporary hand to tide the pet owner over -- like the Community Food Bank -- only for pets, I could have used it".

Many people and families today are facing similar crises and the question, "With all our expenses, how do we afford to feed our pet dog or cat?". They may be forced to take their closest of companion to the pound. They also know full well that this may be a death sentence for their pet. Now today, if you are seeking food for your companion animals, you can visit Maggie's Pet Pantry during its regular hours of operation: Monday 2 to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon. The pantry is located at the Richmond Public Works Department, 51 Buttonwoods Road, near Wyoming, Richmond, RI 02898

Maggie's Pantry is just the solution for this problem. . A non-profit organization dedicated to helping pet owners, it is a Community Food Bank for Pets. It is an opportunity for those who love their pets and are friends of animals, to help each other out. Maggie's Pantry can use your assistance and donation..If you would like to donate pet food and/or supplies to Maggie’s Pet Pantry, please call Carol Terranova at 401-539-3122 (home) or 401-741-1596 (cell phone). You can also email Terranova 

Could Rhode Island benefit from any of these companies moving here?

The research and development activities for these corporations and industries is located in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. Located in the heart of North Carolina between Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh, Research Triangle Park is the home of innovation and the engine which drives North Carolina's innovation economy.  The companies located in RTP have been issued 3,496 patents and 1,849 trademarks. The strength of the area is based on the economic and educational climate to be found there. There is a lesson here for Rhode Island.

But even more so, is there an opportunity here?

Today the Republican dominated NC state legislature has gotten on the budget cutting kick. This could impact the very research base that is the driver of their economy. And it could open an opportunity for other states to lure away some of these firms, an opportunity that Rhode Island should explore.

Are we exploring the opportunities?

Has the RI Economic Development Corporation considered this? Can the RI Legislature open its eyes to the fact that, despite the pension crisis, investing in the state university and educational system is critical to our competitive position attracting new business to the state? Can they see that the long term solution to the pension problem is increasing the tax base through creating jobs and economic opportunities?

Economic Development means investment

The solution to the pension problem is, in part, increasing the jobs and the State's and the local tax base. This is done by bringing business that can serve as magnets to attract entrepreneurs  to develop businesses that can service or feed off of the them. For example, over the years the Navy's Underwater Research Center has been major economic engine for Newport and Middletown. We need more of these engines.

Rhode Island needs jobs and companies to produce those jobs. Rhode Island is planning to develop a research & development center in Providence based on our centers of excellence at Brown, RISD, URI and our Hospitals.This is a good idea. But, after years of indecision, Quonset point is still an under-developed asset and URI is just down the road.. Roger Williams University and Salve Regina University are nearby and yet Middletown's Industrial Park has vacancies. So do many of the state's industrial parks There are many potential locations for a company moving into RI to partner with the local educational institutions. In addition, Rhode Island is strategically located between the educational resources of Boston and southeastern MA, and financial resources of New York city and western Connecticut.

Rhode Island lent Nathaniel Green to lead the Continental troops during the American Revolution which helped to set North Carolina free from colonial rule. When I was growing up here in Rhode Island, the south including North Carolina wanted more, they stole our textile businesses with their offers of cheap labor and low taxes. As a result, many mills were closed and many workers lost their jobs. Turn about is fair play and maybe it is time for Rhode Island to raid the south. Maybe it is time to bring Nathaniel Green back home.

Why doesn't the State of Rhode Island, through the Legislature, the Governor's Office, and the Economic Development Corporation look to the impact of the NC budget cuts as a way for luring away, or stealing, one or two from the Research Triangle Park. It is time to start thinking outside of the box.