In our all-too-short summer, it's hard to ever get enough of Newport, especially for those of us who live on the far side of the bridges. But remind yourself that it is really not that far away, bridge tokens are only a dollar apiece, and the long walk from wherever you find to park to wherever you want to go is good for you, and part of the fun.

So here is a great excuse to visit Newport on a summer night -- Bliss Natural Grocer and Cafe, a whole foods restaurant, is hosting dinners once a month to help promote the Source Newport Conference on Sustainable Development and Restoration, coming up in October. "These  dinners provide another venue to demonstrate the innovations that are working here for continued [ecological] independence and sustainability," says Robert Bailey, organizer of the conference.

The next dinner is coming up next Tuesday, August 26, at 7 p.m. and will feature five courses of Greek cuisine. Each meal is prepared by Bliss Chef Alex Hart Nibbrig, using locally grown produce. Cost is just $40 per person, beer and wine included. The evening’s special guest is Sarah Kite of the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, who will offer advice for disposing and recycling of household goods. "These sustainability dinners feed body and soul,” said Bailey.
 
You can find Bliss Natural Grocer and Cafe at 311 Broadway, in Newport. Click on the link above for more info and directions. For reservations and information, call (401) 608-2322.