☀ J-1 workers got cozy at Cape hotel

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Good morning Cape Cod. This is The Cape Coddah, the local newsletter that feels like finding a sweet little note from mom in your lunch.

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

• Help for families of the incarcerated

• Clerk saves man from crypto scam

• Events and live music

  
  Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

J-1 workers got cozy at Cape hotel 🏨

The Four Points Sheraton in Eastham took the concept of "cozy" to new heights this summer, packing 22 J-1 visa workers into two rooms at the neighboring Ocean Park Inn. 14 men bunked in one room and 8 women in another. Despite the J-1 program being crucial to Cape Cod's seasonal economy, with nearly 4,000 workers this year, concerns about inadequate housing went unreported to local officials until mid-September.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of J-1 workers, who often fear complaining due to potential job and housing loss. While town officials attempted to inspect the premises following a complaint, they were unable to gain access, underscoring the challenges in monitoring and enforcing proper housing standards for temporary workers. The CC Chamber of Commerce CEO suggests creating large blocks of professionally managed seasonal workforce housing as a potential solution to improve conditions and relieve employers of landlord responsibilities. Read the full story.

Cranberry bog's second act as conservation land 💰

The Harwich Conservation Trust is rustling up $3.5 million to preserve the 50-acre Thacher property, the largest undeveloped landscape in Harwich, which has been a cranberry bog since the late ‘50s. The trust plans to restore the land to its original stream and pond meadowland state, preventing potential development into a nine-lot subdivision. This preservation effort is crucial for maintaining the area's iconic views, protecting water quality, and completing a 400-acre conservation puzzle in the Herring River watershed.

The project reflects a broader trend of cranberry farmers seeking alternatives as industry pressures mount, with land trusts offering a conservation option. The trust has secured agreements with the current owner, Ray Thacher Jr., and is now seeking community support and grants to realize this significant ecological restoration project. Read the full story. 

New lifeline for families navigating incarceration 🆘

The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office has introduced the Family Outreach, Resource & Support Services (FORSS) program to assist families of inmates. FORSS aims to help families navigate the incarceration system and connect them with community services, recognizing the crucial role family members play in successful re-entry.

The program provides a liaison to answer questions about various aspects of incarceration and offers connections to community-based support services. Sheriff Donna D. Buckley emphasizes that supporting caregivers is key to lowering recidivism and ensuring a continuum of care. As part of this initiative, the Sheriff's Office has partnered with Learn to Cope, a nonprofit offering peer support for families dealing with substance use disorders. Read the full story.

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📸 @andreabunarphotography | 📍 Harwich Port

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Brewster shells out details for oyster harvest 🦪

The Brewster Department of Natural Resources has announced the schedule for Fall 2024 Oyster Sundays, starting October 20th at Mants Landing. Permit holders can harvest 5 quarts of oysters weekly during specified low tide times, with dates and times provided through November 24th.

The department is also inviting residents to participate in oyster culling from September 23-27, offering an opportunity to learn about oyster farming and help prepare for the harvest season. A valid 2024 Brewster recreational shellfish permit is required for harvesting, and participants are advised to come prepared with appropriate gear. The November 24th event will include an annual food drive, and December dates will be determined based on remaining stock. Read the full story. 

LOCAL BUSINESS

Provincetown’s bike whisperer 🚲

Liz Athineos, owner of the Bike Shack in Provincetown, has transformed her business from a small shop into a year-round operation with a newly rebuilt, spacious facility. With a background in auto mechanics and 25 years at Bell Atlantic and Verizon, Athineos brings meticulous attention to bicycle maintenance, emphasizing cleanliness and proper care.

Her journey includes overcoming alcoholism, with 42 years of sobriety fueling her drive to expand her business and give back to the community. The shop, which Athineos initially opened with her late brother Stephen, now houses her family and provides ample space for repairs. Looking ahead, Athineos is already planning her next project: a facility to assist people with Alzheimer's, inspired by her experiences caring for her mother. Read the full story.

CIVIL NEWS

Clerk saves man from crypto con 🪙

A potential Bitcoin scam targeting an elderly man was thwarted at a Cumberland Farms store in Falmouth, thanks to an alert cashier and an off-duty police officer. The cashier overheard a suspicious phone conversation near the store's Bitcoin ATM, recognizing it as a scam attempt based on his personal experience and YouTube videos.

Concerned, he alerted his manager to call the police, but fortunately, Officer Sean Lowe of the Falmouth Police Department was already in the store getting a cup of joe. Officer Lowe intervened, stopping the transaction and convincing the elderly customer not to proceed with transferring nearly $10,000 into Bitcoin. This incident highlights the vulnerability of older folks to scams and the importance of public awareness and quick action in preventing fraud. Read the full story.

PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Kinsey
🐾 Labrador Retriever
🎂 9 months old
♀︎ Female
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Friday

• SeaStar Scrapping Weekend @ CC Irish Village, Hyannis (Fri-Sun)

• Great Beach Cleanup @ Center for Coastal Studies, P-town (Fri-Mon)

• P-town Library Book Festival @ P-town Public Library (Fri-Sun)

• Open House & Family Night @ PAAM, P-town

• 50 Shades of Blue @ Falmouth Art Center (Fri-Mon)

• Oktoberfest! @ Ocean Edge Resort, Brewster (5 PM)

Saturday

• Ancient Burial Ground Walking Tour @ Brewster UUC (9:30 AM)

• Harvest Moon Festival @ Onset Bandshell (10 AM)

• The Art of Lisa Raczka @ Brewster Ladies Library (10 AM)

• Good Neighbor Day Open Houses @ S. Yarmouth Library (10 AM)

• 2nd Annual Cotuit Oyster Festival @ Kings Grant Racquet Club (12 PM)

• CC Doxie Day @ Barnstable County Court House (12 PM)

• On the Water Striperfest @ Marine Park, Falmouth Harbor (12 PM)

• Meet the Ponies @ Off the Grid, Sandwich (1 PM)

• Brazilian Art Festival @ Hyannis Library (4 PM)

• ShuckALS @ Cape Playhouse, Dennis (4:30 PM)

• Pig & Oyster Roast @ Chatham Bars Inn (5:30 PM)

• Comedian Jimmy Cash @ Skippys, S. Yarmouth (8 PM)

Sunday

• Love Local Fest @ Aselton Park, Hyannis Harbor (11 AM)

• Sandy Paws Rescue Meet & Greet @ The Black Dog, Falmouth (12 PM)

• 10th Annual TIR Golf Tournament @ Paul Harney Golf Club (12 PM)

• Fall Fun @ Tony Andrews Farm, Falmouth (12:30 PM)

• Falmouth Dog Park Fundraiser @ Bad Martha’s, E. Falmouth (3 PM)

• “Not Eye, Us” @ CC MOA, Dennis (3 PM)

Live Music 🎸

Friday

• Natalie Bonfini @ CC Beer, Hyannis (5 PM)

• ARLO @ Dino’s Sports Bar, Mashpee (8 PM)

• On the Rocks @ Lanes Bowl & Bistro, Mashpee (8:30 PM)

• Honeysuckle @ Cotuit Center for the Arts (7:30 PM)

• Spoonful @ Grumpy’s Pub, Falmouth (9 PM)

Saturday

• Mwalim @ Falmouth Art Center (4 PM)

• Kate Taylor @ Cultural Center of CC, S. Yarmouth (7:30 PM)

• Panorama @ The Music Room, W. Yarmouth (7 PM)

• Monica Rizzio @ First Encounter Coffee House, Eastham (7:30 PM)

• Slambovian Circus of Dreams @ Payomet PAC, N. Truro (7 PM)

Sunday

• Sean Murphy @ O’Shea’s Olde Inne, W. Dennis (4:30 PM)

• Eilen Jewel @ Payomet PAC, N. Truro (5 PM)

• Willie J. Laws @ The Music Room, W. Yarmouth (5 PM)

_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.}

WEATHER

Friday

71 🌡️ 57 | 🌤 | 💧25% | 💨 W 5 mph

Saturday

68 🌡️ 57 | 🌤 | 💧 6% | 💨 NE 8 mph

Sunday

67 🌡️ 55 | 🌤 | 💧 8% | 💨 NE 7 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 62ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

8 Port Pines Road, Harwich Port, MA
Asking $2,695,000
4 🛌
3.5 🛀
2,698 square feet
4,792 square foot lot

_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.}

THANKS!

Thanks for reading The Cape Coddah today. If you found something useful or entertaining, please share it with someone whose favorite season is fall.