Bristol on TV

Bristol has been in the news a lot this year. First, a Hungarian television crew visited town last month to work on a documentary on patriotism in the United States. Next, a PBS documentary will soon spotlight the Hope Diner, one of Bristol's true institutions. Finally, Bristol may play a role in a future episode of the "Today Show" on NBC. It turns out that host Meredith Vieira has Azorean ancestry, and she's interested in running a spot that discusses the role of the 1957-58 Capelinhos volcano on the island of Faial in shaping Azorean emigration. A researcher from the show recently called the Bristol Phoenix and asked for information on Faial natives now living here. NBC staffers plan on researching the piece throughout the year, though there's no word yet on when the segment will air.

Just over the water

Coyotes are becoming more and more common in Bristol, and it turns out the predators' return isn't limited to this town. A caller from Prudence Island said Wednesday that island residents are seeing more coyotes than ever this year. He has lost several cats, he said, and neighbors have also lost pets, including cats and a bunny, in recent weeks. "There's a lot of them out here," he said.

Firemen's Field Day will be held in August this year.

Far afield

Firemen's Field Day, the day-long competition that measures Bristol fire department volunteers' stamina, endurance and teamwork, won't be a part of this year's Bristol Fourth of July celebrations. The annual "muster," usually held the weekend before the Fourth at Independence Park, will likely be held some time in August, Bristol Fire Chief Bob Martin said. The reason for the delay? Independence Park isn't available this year, as it's the site of the Fourth of July Committee's concert series while the traditional site, the Colt School, undergoes renovations. "We lost our venue," said the chief, who said he hopes to be back at the park, at the traditional time, next year.