Astronaut set to orbit three Sakonnet schools

SAKONNET AREA — Astronaut Stephen Bowen plans to land at Sakonnet schools today where he will join Rep. John Loughlin in demonstrating the importance of math and science-related education in achieving lifelong goals.

Mr. Bowen — who became the first Navy submariner to be named a NASA astronaut in August 2000 — will make stops at Wilbur McMahon, Tiverton and Portsmouth middle schools.

"An astronaut visit is about inspiration. It's about showing students that anything is possible if you apply yourself in your studies," Mr. Loughlin said.

Mr. Loughlin serves on the Health, Education and Welfare Committee in the Rhode Island House and previously spent four years at NASA. There he was employed as a contractor, earning special recognition as a public affairs officer during space shuttle missions Atlantis STS-37 and Discovery STS-48.

The visit comes at no cost to the schools. Mr. Bowen's $1,500 in travel expenses will be covered by the Citizens Bank Foundation.

"I remember when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and how every child in my neighborhood wanted to be just like him. This is a real treat for students to see an astronaut close up and hear first-hand why education is so important," said Joseph MarcAurele, president and CEO of Citizens Bank.

Mr. Loughlin and Mr. Bowen will begin the day at Wilbur McMahon School in Little Compton at 9 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. stop at Tiverton Middle School before rounding up their Sakonnet area trip around 12:30 p.m. at Portsmouth Middle School.

Later that afternoon the two speakers will meet with Governor Donald Carcieri before a special NASA presentation. Mr. Loughlin will join Representative Anastasia Williams (D-Providence) and House Speaker William Murphy for a proclamation supporting NASA's upcoming return to flight. Ms. William's district includes the Oliver Hazard Perry Middle School, which was recently named a NASA Explorer School partnering with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.