Lots of Job Openings and Holiday Events

Nice up-tick in local work opportunities, plus xmas is coming

By Will Collette

Not everyone in Charlestown is a wealthy retiree, contrary to popular opinion (and election results).

Charlestown has 4,471 working people of whom more than 430 are out of work (a rate of 5.2%). Some of those 4,000+ who are employed would like to find better jobs.

As the economy slowly improves, the job market is thawing slightly, enough so that there are a number of openings out there in our area including some that might offer the chance to move up for those who are currently working.

For your convenience, I’ve put together a list and to round out this piece, I've also listed a number of upcoming events.

Job Openings

From RI Community Jobs, a service of Brown University’s Swearer Center (click here to subscribe), here are local non-profit jobs:

• The Ocean Community YMCA in Westerly wants to hire Wellness Center Attendants. Click here for more detail. Applications are available at the Wellness Center, Ocean Community YMCA, 95 High Street, Westerly, RI 02891 or on the website.  Resumes may be emailed.
• Welcome House of South County in Peace Dale is looking for an Executive Director. Click here for details. Submit resume and salary requirements to: board.welcomehouse@gmail.com no later than  December 15, 2014.
• Wood River Health Services is looking for a Dental Assistant. Click here for more details.

Twelfth Night, 2010 (photo by Bryan Lucas)

Performers. On Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7, the Chorus of Westerly is holding auditions for its final performance of "A Celebration of Twelfth Night." 

They are looking for actors, dancers and gymnasts, young and old.

Auditions will be held at their George Kent Performance Hall, 119 High St., Westerly from 10 AM to noon, and 1-3 PM. You must be available for all rehearsals which start on December 26 through show time January 9. For more information, call (401) 596-8663 or visit www.chorusofwesterly.org.

The Town of Narragansett wants to hire a firefighter/EMT. The application deadline is Dec. 5. Find more information here. 

Here are a number of local job postings from the Narragansett-South Kingstown Patch:

• Business and Management Positions, College Pro
• Business and Management Internship, College Pro
• Account Executives and Publishers, Best Version Media
• Associate Vice President, Intellectual Property Management & Economic Development, University of Rhode Island
• Regional Commodity Manager, Marketing and Communications, Global Electric Engineering Company
• Area Sales Director, NEWN2 Publishing
• Salon Manager Job-Salt Pond Shopping Center, Great Clips
• Area Sales Director & Publisher (1031), N2 Publishing
• Creative Solutions Studio Director, Americas, Schneider Electric
• Store Manager, Cox Communications
• Assistant Manager, Wet Seal
• Regional Commodity Manager, Marketing and Communications, Schneider Electric
• Entry Level Sales Management Trainee, Lmk Consulting
• Store Manager, Auto Trader

Rep. Jim Langevin is accepting applications for unpaid internships in both Washington and in his Rhode Island office. For more information, visit Langevin.House.Gov and click on the Internships prompt under “Serving You,” on the homepage.

Pumpkin up

A recent posting on the Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s Facebook page reminds freshwater anglers that the hunting season goes full bore on December 7 with the opening of shotgun season. At that time, and for the ensuing four weeks, the fluorescent orange clothing requirement bolts to 500 square inches, more than double the usual 200 square inches.

"Please keep in mind when out and about your favorite stream this time of year that hunters are out enjoying their time in the woods as well, remember RI requires you to wear at least a hat with 200 square inches of SOLID day light fluorescent orange during all hunting seasons and increase to 500 square inches during shotgun season only (Dec. 7 - 22 and again Dec. 26 - Jan. 2)”

This means you, too, hikers and trail bikers!” We here at Progressive Charlestown suggest you pumpkin up by simply adding a full orange vest to complement your cool orange hat. Throw in some orange gloves to complete your ensemble and you’re legal to go. 

DEM announces hours for area winter farmers’ markets

The South Kingstown Indoor Winter Farmers' Market in the Peace Dale Mill Complex at 1425 Kingstown Road (Route 108) in Peace Dale is open on Saturdays through April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Now in its sixth year, this market is an outgrowth of the South Kingstown farmers' market that operates at URI's East Farm and at Marina Park from May through October. 

This indoor winter market features a cornucopia of locally-grown and produced products, including seasonal vegetables and fruits, cornmeal, breads, harvest decorations, eggs, honey, candles, jams, RI wool blankets and yarns, artisan soaps, RI raised beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, oysters, fish, seafood, baked goods, and dog biscuits. For more information about the South Kingstown Indoor Winter Farmers Market, visit its website at www.southkingstownfarmersmarket.org.

The Coastal Growers' Winter Market in North Kingstown at Lafayette Mill on Route 102, just west of Wickford in North Kingstown, is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through May 2. Throughout the summer and fall, the Coastal Growers' Market operates on Saturdays at Casey Farm in Saunderstown. Shoppers are able to purchase a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, cheeses, naturally raised meats, breads and baked goods, fresh eggs, preserves, honey, chocolate, local seafood and fish, popcorn, flowers, cold-pressed juices, mushrooms, wreaths, soaps, coffee, and handmade pizza for lunch. For additional information about the Coastal Growers' Winter Market, visit its website at www.coastalmarket.org.

The Westerly Sun also featured a winter's farmers market in Hope Valley on Saturdays from 11:15 - 1:30 PM at the Richmond Community Center (second floor of the Police station. Each week features a different theme or special event, with Nov. 29 designated “small business Saturday,” offering a coupon for $1 off every $5 purchase. For more information, visit the market’s Facebook page.

Marking World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day to be marked by weeklong activities. 1,600 Rhode Islanders have lost their lives to AIDS and every year, more than 70 people contract AIDS in the state. To mark the worldwide battle against this disease, events will take place all over RI. More information at www.familyserviceri.org and www.aidsprojectri.org.

The main event in South County will be held at URI on December 3:

Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation

Wednesday, December 3, 2014, 7-8:30pm

URI Alumni Center, 73 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI

Parking off Fortin Road at rear of center

Sponsored by: AIDS Quilt RI, Anna’s Workshop, URI Public Relations Strategies Class

Shopping

Come visit the Purple Shell in Charlestown!

This Friday and Saturday, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center and Northeastern Indigenous Arts Alliance will host a Winter Moon Native Artists Market from 11 AM to 3 PM on the grounds of the Foxwoods Casino Resort. They plan to feature work by Native artists from several different tribes.

But you don’t have to travel all that way to get some fine Native art. You can shop local at the Purple Shell right on Route One in Charlestown for some outstanding work by local Native artists. Here’s our review.

If you’ve got people on your shopping list who seem to have everything, I strongly recommend checking out Dave Barry’s Annual Xmas Shopping Guide. Click here. This extraordinary collection of items will leave you awestruck.