My initial contact with Josh Bickford was purely in reference to the fact that it is illegal in Rhode Island to have free tastings of alcohol out side of your established business. This is a law. It is in place to keep minors safe as it is nearly impossible to guarantee no underage consumption at events of this nature. Josh and I had some conversations about the partnering of the Food Pantry with a beer tasting as much homelessness and joblessness is a result of substance use. Josh and I spoke in depth about the process that Mr. Ciccione the attorney and liquor store owner went through to circumvent the system when he was denied his permit to offer a free tasting initially. Once denied he had another entity, a civil liberties union and TapIn as a not for profit join in securing the permit as a fundraiser which would sell tickets to raise revenue for the not for profit and he would then be able to provide the alcohol. The Laws are made by lawyers to be broken by lawyers. Josh and I had several conversations about why events of this nature should not be permitted. If TapIn really wants to have a beer tasting then have it at an established bar or liquor store although I personally feel that the collaboration is counterproductive. However, that would not be illegal. I too have received countless emails to the positive stating that the article in the paper did raise a good point. It is a choice that parents in the community need to make. Is it necessary to attend an event where you would not normally expect alcohol when you are with your children? Is it a good idea for the local food pantry to partner with a beer tasting? What Josh did not mention is his article however is why he and I had this conversation in the first place. I founded FAB -For Anything But alcohol, drugs or tobacco 7 years ago. FAB is a volunteer program which offers a variety of substance free activities each week in the community. Students in our summer art camp create tile murals which adorn the walls of many local businesses. Each student paints a tile with their self portrait and a positive quote. The tiles are mounted in groups of 12 fixed to self framing plywood. We donate this artwork to local businesses to raise awareness and aid in prevention by keeping a running dialogue. This year in Summer Camp we will be participating in the Empty Bowls Project. This is a nationwide project where children paint ceramic bowls donated by studios. All bowls are sold or auctioned and all profit is donated to a local food pantry. I had been on the TapIn facebook page to add them to our summer camp marketing material as the recipient of the Empty Bowls Project profits. It was at this point that I saw the posting for the free beer tasting. We would not be able to offer our proceeds to a food pantry that partners with a beer tasting fundraiser as that would not be something that FAB could promote. After reading this I had a representative from RI in my studio with her children and she and I were talking about the situation. She informed me of the law that states liquor stores may not offer free tastings outside of their own established business. She directed me to the RI Bureau of Alcohol and Licensing. When I contacted them I was told in fact that they were aware of numerous infractions on the part of this particular liquor store and were in fact calling him in again. They were unaware of the fact that this Lawyer/liquor store owner found a loophole via the civil liberties union and TapIn as a not for profit front who by selling tickets made it not "free" even though he would be donating the liquor. And in closing, I do know how to have fun. I don't need alcohol, or any other substances to have fun. And I am very aware that children in the community do in fact look up to their parents, teachers, coaches, scout leaders and other adults in the community. We are all role models and we all have a responsibility to lead by example. And I am aware that not everyone who consumes alcohol will abuse alcohol. But I am also aware that no one knows who will so why encourage or enable a behavior that can possibly have such negative results when it is in no way necessary. It's a shame Josh Bickford doesn't choose to use the front paper for more important issues such as FAB and the wonderful substance free events that we offer in the community. That would be good reporting!
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