Galleries

Urban Ponds Procession : On June 12, 2010, a crowd of students, artists, and neighborhood people processed from Mashapaug Pond through Providence streets to the lakes in Roger Williams Park. The aim was to raise awareness of these interconnected urban waters that contain heavy metals from the former Gorham Silver Manufacturing Company and other industries. Holly Ewald led in organizing the event with the Environmental Justice League, Sophia Academy, Highlander Charter School, South Side Community Land Trust, and others. (More at: http://www.ecori.org/a-procession-with-a-purpose/) Photos by Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net).

Urban Ponds Procession

On June 12, 2010, a crowd of students, artists, and neighborhood peopl ...

Updated: Jun 20, 2010 8:50am PST

Celebrating Sonnie H. Kpangbai, B.A. : On May 22, 2010, Sonnie graduated with honors from Rhode Island College. Photos by Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net). Providence Journal story: http://www.projo.com/news/content/ric_commencement_05-23-10_3RIJG7O_v23.17bad3fc.html

Celebrating Sonnie H. Kpangbai, B.A.

BVILDERS OF THE NATION/Montie Class of 63 : Photos by Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net).

BVILDERS OF THE NATION/Montie Class of 63

Photos by Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net).

Updated: Oct 06, 2008 6:38am PST

Tri-Valley Bears Class of 1959 : After 49 years, gathered in Grahamsville for lunch on October 6, 2008. Photos by Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net).

Tri-Valley Bears Class of 1959

After 49 years, gathered in Grahamsville for lunch on October 6, 2008. ...

Updated: Oct 06, 2008 12:44pm PST

50th Anniversary Tri-Valley Class of 1959 : Quizzical looks gave way to smiles of recognition as the Class of 1959 met again, on October 11, 2009, more than 50 years after we went their separate ways. All changed, but we connected again and felt restored. Photos by Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net). Click on a photo to see a larger version and read the caption. Click on the larger photo to download or print. Click above/right to watch as slideshow.

50th Anniversary Tri-Valley Class of 1959

Quizzical looks gave way to smiles of recognition as the Class of 1959 ...

Updated: Oct 12, 2009 1:18pm PST

Case-Denton Reunion, Oct. 10, 2009 : Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Case-Denton Reunion, Oct. 10, 2009

Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Updated: Oct 13, 2009 9:53am PST

CommunityWorks RI : Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

CommunityWorks RI

Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Updated: Oct 21, 2008 7:55am PST

Spring Solstice at the Temple to Music - Mar.21, 2009 : Phil Edmonds, Richard Walton, and Jim Tull convened musicians to celebrate the spring solstice at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island. Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, longed for "soul liberty" after the oppression of Puritans in Massachusetts. Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Spring Solstice at the Temple to Music - Mar.21, 2009

Phil Edmonds, Richard Walton, and Jim Tull convened musicians to celeb ...

Updated: Mar 21, 2009 12:52pm PST

Extraordinary Ordination : Ordination in Baltimore of Annie Britton and Jenna Zirbel by Church Within a Church on October 19, 2008. Click SLIDESHOW to watch the service as it happened. Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net) Baltimore Sun story - http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.methodists20oct20,0,4524486.story (link requires typing all after oct20) Providence Journal story - http://www.projo.com/news/content/gay_minister_11-01-08_I3C4GU6_v22.39de737.html Boston Globe story - http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/11/08/believers_divided_on_rules_for_clergy/?s_campaign=8315 United Methodist News Service stories - http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2072519&ct=6313891

Extraordinary Ordination

Ordination in Baltimore of Annie Britton and Jenna Zirbel by Church Wi ...

Updated: Oct 21, 2008 10:28am PST

Wonderful Wedding : Sonnie Kpangbai and Alvin Johnson - Oct. 25, 2008, at Mathewson Street United Methodist Church, Providence, RI. Click SLIDESHOW to watch the service as it happened. Photos by Rishwanth Jayapaul are included in this gallery and noted. Providence Journal story - http://www.projo.com/news/content/lssonniealvin_11-03-08_4VC2I49_v14.374d743.html

Wonderful Wedding

Sonnie Kpangbai and Alvin Johnson - Oct. 25, 2008, at Mathewson Street ...

Updated: Dec 03, 2008 10:26pm PST

Mathewson Street United Methodist Church :

Mathewson Street United Methodist Church

Updated: Nov 29, 2008 7:16pm PST

Phil West : Phil West retired in 2006 as executive director for Common Cause Rhode Island, a nonprofit watchdog group that helped win reforms of the state Constitution and laws. In retirement he is writing a memoir full of backstage stories about those changes. (For links to news stories, etc., Google: "H. Philip West Jr. and Rhode Island")

Phil West

Phil West retired in 2006 as executive director for Common Cause Rhode ...

Updated: Oct 13, 2009 1:25pm PST

Strodl Family Reunion : Jon and Sharon Strodl invited his extended family to Nassau, NY, on September 11, 2010, for lunch and time to share memories. Besides the beauty of the day, we were thankful for memories and hopes we share. Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Strodl Family Reunion

Roger Williams Park - Spring Clean-up : Hundreds of people from dozens of organizations collected trash on an April Saturday. Thanks to Serve Rhode Island, the RI Bass Federation, and neighborhood groups that organized these teams. And special thanks our park staff, often stretched-too-thin, who lugged it all away. All photos taken April 16, 2011. Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Roger Williams Park - Spring Clean-up

WaterFire with family and friends : We shared WaterFire with the Marchands and our friends, Stephen Christopher (a student from Chennai, India, at Johnson & Wales), and Sonnie Kpangbai (a recent graduate of Rhode Island College, who brought baby Gabriel). Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

WaterFire with family and friends

Case-Denton 2011 Reunion : Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Case-Denton 2011 Reunion

Wonderful Wedding - Jonathan Grant and Erika Sites : On July 14, 2007, in Churchville, Virginia, Jonathon and Erika committed themselves in marriage. Many came to bless them -- from north and south, east and west. (You can these photos as a slideshow by clicking at the top right of this page.) We invite family and friends to download photos for your private use. Click on a small photo to make it the feature photo on a page, then move your cursor to the right side of the feature photo to choose a size you wish to download. (Larger sizes print best.) Use "save as" to download photo onto your computer. Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Wonderful Wedding - Jonathan Grant and Erika Sites

On July 14, 2007, in Churchville, Virginia, Jonathon and Erika committ ...

Updated: Jan 29, 2012 5:32pm PST

Sonnie gets her Masters of Education : On May 17, 2012, Gabriel brought a large group of his Mom's fans to Rhode Island College for her graduation. Many went back to her apartment afterward to celebrate. Special thanks to all who helped make this day possible. (INSTRUCTION: You can watch a SLIDESHOW by clicking top right. Click any small photo to make it the large photo on a page. Click on the right edge of the large photo to open the photo in any size you like or download it FREE for printing. The larger the size, the higher quality print.) - Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Sonnie gets her Masters of Education

Memorial for Clarence Bell : On Sunday, May 20, 2012, we gathered in Providence at the home of Dr. Elisabeth Bell to cherish the memory of Clarence Bell. She placed his ashes in the ground, and friends helped plant a Japanese dogwood tree over them as a living memorial. Click SLIDESHOW to watch photos roughly in order. Click through pages or individual photos with NEXT or PREV. Click a thumbnail photo to make it the featured photo on that page. Click the right margin of the featured photo to open that photo in the size you prefer. Download any photos free and print them wherever you make prints. - Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Memorial for Clarence Bell

Barbara Geary's 80th Birthday Celebration : Barbara Geary's family and friends gathered on July 21, 2012 to celebrate her July 4th birthday at Camp Massasoit, Johnston, RI. Click SLIDESHOW to watch photos roughly in order. Click through pages or individual photos with NEXT or PREV. Click a thumbnail photo to make it the featured photo on that page. Click the right margin of the featured photo to open that photo in the size you prefer. Download any photos free and print them wherever you make prints. - Phil West (phil.west@verizon.net)

Barbara Geary's 80th Birthday Celebration

Barbara Geary's family and friends gathered on July 21, 2012 to celebr ...

Updated: Jul 22, 2012 5:32am PST

James Diossa inaugurated as Mayor of Central Falls - Jan. 1, 2013 : In this historic inauguration of James Diossa as the 32nd Mayor of Central Falls, leaders of many communities came together for a new beginning. The mission will be hard. The previous mayor is going to prison, and two of five City Council members boycotted (photos 65-67), but a great staff and transition team are working with Mayor Diossa to build a better Central Falls. Thankfully, Gov. Chafee and many state leaders came to promise their support. Here's how to download any of these photos free of charge: (1) Click a thumbnail to make it the feature photo on that page, (2) Move your cursor to the right side of the feature photo to decide what size you want, (3) Open in the size you like, from medium for email to X3 for prints, (4) Download the photo to your computer or smartphone. You can preview the set by clicking SLIDESHOW, top right of the page.

James Diossa inaugurated as Mayor of Central Falls - Jan. 1, 2013

Central Falls Ethics Ordinance enacted. : On Jan. 24, 2013, Central Falls Receiver John McJennett presided at a first reading of Mayor James Diossa's proposed new Ethics Ordinance. After a workshop on Feb. 7, a final version became law on Feb. 21, 2013. (See photos of James Diossa's inauguration http://philwest.smugmug.com/Other/James-Diossa-inaugurated-as/27366885_ZcccbX#!i=2300875724&k=JfXmVjx)

Central Falls Ethics Ordinance enacted.

TVCS Class of 1959 - Oct. 8, 2011 :

TVCS Class of 1959 - Oct. 8, 2011

Spring in Roger Williams Park : Spring comes alive in Roger Williams Park. Photos 1-16 are from April 22, 3013, 17-54 from May 4. We give thanks to have such a beautiful place to walk less than a mile from our home. Click on any photo to make it the feature photo. Click the right side of the feature photo to download it free in whatever size you like.

Spring in Roger Williams Park

Spring comes alive in Roger Williams Park. Photos 1-16 are from April ...

Updated: May 06, 2013 6:15am PST

Paul Caranci at Faber Line Club : Paul F. Caranci presented his new book--THE HANGING & REDEMPTION OF JOHN GORDON: The True Story of Rhode Island's Last Execution--at the Fabre Line Club in Providence on April 25, 2013. Historian Laureate Patrick T. Conley introduced the author, and many asked questions. Newport Rep. Peter F. Martin sponsored legislation that led to Gordon's pardon on June 29, 2011, and URI History Prof. Scott Molloy commented on the historical importance of this book. Paul Caranci's wife, Margie, his mother and sister were present to celebrate publication of his second book. (All photos by Phil West.) Here's how to download any of these photos FREE of charge: (1) Click a thumbnail to make it the feature photo on that page, (2) Move your cursor to the right side of the feature photo to decide what size you want, (3) Open in the size you like, from medium for email to X3 for prints, (4) Download the photo to your computer or smartphone. You can preview the set by clicking SLIDESHOW, top right of the page. Or you can click through by pressing "Next" over the large feature photo.

Paul Caranci at Faber Line Club

Your Bio

In retirement from Common Cause, I'm teaching Ethics in Public Administration at the University of Rhode Island. My book (SECRETS & SCANDALS: Reforming Rogues' Island, 1986-2006) should be out in 2014.
(For more, Google: H. Philip West Jr. and Rhode Island)
Email phil.west@verizon.net or philwest@mail.uri.edu