The holiday season begins this week with sparkling lights, ice skating, and a winter wonderland pop-up

Good Morning,

Today is Tuesday, November 16.

⚓️ It’s going to begin to feel like the holiday season around Newport this week;

Holidays at the Newport Mansions returns to The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms beginning on Saturday.
Sparkling Lights at The Breakers opens on Saturday.
The Newport Skating Rink is scheduled to reopen at Gurney’s on Friday.
Also on Friday, Gurney’s Igloos will transform into an Après Skate Winter Wonderland pop-up, in conjunction with our skating rink opening.

⚓️ Speaking of the holidays, Newport is one of the 53 Best Christmas Towns in America You Should Visit At Least Once, according to Reader’s Digest.

⚓️ State Rep. Marvin Abney, D-Dist. 73 (Middletown, Newport), remains the leading fundraiser among area legislators, reporting a campaign finance balance of more than $162,000 to the Board of Elections. What’s Up Newp’s Frank Prosnitz with the full story - Abney top fundraiser among area legislators

⚓️ WUN columnist Gerry Goldstein returns today with his latest - Gerry Goldstein: At season’s end, a new start in the soil

⚓️ If you missed our WUN-ON-ONE conversation with Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano, you can watch it now below. We got more questions from readers than we had time for, we’re compiling a list and will work on getting answers to your questions.

⚓️ Save The Date: Newport School Superintendant Colleen Burns Jermain will join What’s Up Newp for her monthly chat at 1:30 pm on December 1. Send us your questions!

⚓️ Join Sail Newport on Saturday at the JPT Film & Event Center for their Challenger Lecture Series Fall Premiere event. The event will introduce Captain Donald Lawson for a live presentation on his quest to set new American, solo, nonstop, speed records.

"I not only want to go around the world, I want to be the fastest, person, the fastest American, and the first African-American to do it non-stop" Captain Donald Lawson

Learn about his voyages and be the first to hear announcements about his quest to be the fastest sailor in the world.

🎥 Members of the public are invited to view a food challenge at The Hungry Monkey on Wednesday. Hungry Monkey says that a nationally known TV show will film their host taking on The Monkey’s famous “ Go Bananas French Toast Challenge” which allows a person an hour to consume an almost six-pound serving of stuffed Texas French Toast filled with cream cheese stuffing and topped with fresh fruits, maple syrup, and whipped cream. Home fries complete the platter-sized meal. The filming schedule begins at 8 AM and seating inside the restaurant will be limited. Anyone hoping to attend will have to bring proof of vaccination and be willing to sign a release.

⚓️ Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes;

The Latest on What’s Up Newp

Gerry Goldstein: At season’s end, a new start in the soil

Age-Friendly Rhode Island names Newport resident James Connell as its new Executive Director

Sour Grapes – A Comic Strip by Tim Jones

What’s Up This Week: Holidays at the Newport Mansions, Sparkling Lights at The Breakers, and the Newport Skating Rink returns

Local artists join Save The Bay for the 2021 Artists for The Bay online fundraiser

Chicago playing Mohegan Sun Arena May 7

What Sold: 17 Newport County real estate sales, transactions (Nov. 8 – 12)

Traffic in both directions on Pell Bridge reopens

Newport Polo President receives George S. Patton Jr. Award

Recent Local Obituaries

Popular on What’s Up Newp Right Now

⚓️ What’s Up Newp runs on reader support, please consider making a one-time, monthly, or annual contribution.

What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

Today - Sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 37. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tomorrow - Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 11 to 13 mph.

Marine Forecast

Today - WNW wind 11 to 13 kt, with gusts as high as 22 kt. Sunny. Seas 1 ft or less.
Tonight - WNW wind 5 to 9 kt. Mostly clear. Seas 1 ft or less.
Coastal Water Temperature: 58°F.

Sun, Moon, & Tide