Bristol Weekend: Raptors Descend, Gala to Restore Warren

What are you doing this weekend in Bristol and Warren? 

The first full weekend of September brings sunny to partly sunny skies with temps in the 70s and drier air throughout — so get out and enjoy some of these great events.

On Friday, haul your gear down to the SSG Christopher Potts Fishing Tournament in Portsmouth. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Riverside Marine, Sam’s Bait & Tackle, Lucky Bait & Tackle and Saltwater Edge. Continues through Sept. 14.

Back in Bristol, on Saturday and Sunday the Audubon Education Center holds its Raptor Weekend. Things with wings, beaks, and claws — and some with all three. Two-day adult passes $20, kids two-day $10. Member discounts, too.

And if you've got little ones too young for carnivorous avians, be sure to sign them up for Miss Molly's storytime at Rogers Library. Storytimes start Sept. 16 — there are 2-3 year-old and 4-5 year-old programs. If you haven't done it yet, get your kids their first library card so they can pick their own titles. [And so you don't see the receipt with Shades of Gray [4th checkout!] next to Glimmerberry Ball anymore.]

During the day on Saturday, you'll see some creative types amidst the Colonial charm in downtown Bristol [meaning: artists painting in the area]. There may be many of them — here's why: Paint Bristol is holding a plein air art event. 

What is that? Basically a painting flash-mob. Of course, the pace of a painters' flash mob is much more relaxed, so they'll be composing their masterpieces between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

On Sunday, Linden Place hosts a sale of the spontaneous [for painters] artwork from 2 to 4 p.m.

Saturday night, there may be a bit of noise down State Street way.

It's Sandy Scott opening the porch at the Eddy Cutler House for the Warren Heritage Foundation's premiere gala.

The just-started group is getting rolling with its first ambitious project: restoring the First United Methodist Church, which is not only a registered historical landmark but a key visual on and across the Bay.

Marcia and Julie, the sisters Blount, are lending their considerable talents to the push for funding to save the bricks and mortar.

The soiree is being aided and abetted by WHF secretary Alexander Scott and trustees Keri Cronin, Kristen Dalbec, Nick Heywood, Scott Mathison, and Bonnie Warren.

Local oysters and gypsy jazz by Minor Swing are on the menu, with food provided by Peter Sebring of Atlantic Aquaculture and shucked by Eli Dunn of The Beehive, wine and beer by Grapes and Grains, more oysters from Roger Williams University — I have it on good authority: not from their science lab — along with hors d'oeuvres by Joe Simone, noshes and desserts from The Cheese Plate, with Wayne Eddy from Narragansett Brewery bringing Summer Ale.

If you didn't get a ticket this time, visit Warren Heritage Foundation donations page and help the effort.