The Weather Channel's "Road Crew" show will be filmed on Block Island March 30, 31 and April 1.

"We want to show the fun side of the weather, and our other goal is to cross the United States," said the show's producer Stephanie Oswald. "We want people to come up to us and say ‘Hi,' and tell us how the weather affects them."

The three-person crew, made up of a photographer, the host, and Oswald, will examine the island's weather station, the preservation of its lighthouses, bluffs erosion, and the effect of its weather and seasonal changes. Oswald said that the crew has never been to Block Island, and is looking forward to seeing what it looks like in the spring.

The segment will air on the Weather Channel April 8 through 11; it will consist of four 2-minute episodes, one airing each day.

Tourism Council Executive Director Susan Shea said that Weather Channel representatives surprised her last month with a phone call expressing their interest in the island. The council will help the crew coordinate their visit. At a meeting this week, the council picked the Spring House, by lottery, to host the crew.

More island visitors will arrive May 1 as part of the state's one-day tourism event called "Tour Rhode Island: There's no place like home" (see ad, Page 16). The state's tourism regions are sponsoring a series of individual tours that day exploring different parts of Rhode Island, including Block Island. Three charter buses have been almost fully booked; a few seats remain. The local event's itinerary remains to be decided.

In other business

• The council members discussed who would oversee the routine cleaning of the bathrooms outside the Chamber of Commerce this summer, at its meeting, Friday March 12. They hope to find someone to take charge before the bathrooms open for the season April 10. Shea said she hoped the council would have an answer by its next meeting, March 26.

• The council decided to grant $2,500 to the North Light Commission for fencing and planting around the North Light. North Light Commissioner Robert Gilpin has said that the fence repairs would help protect the dunes around the light.

• The council also decided to grant $5,000 to the Lions Club to help install a basketball court at Ball-O'Brien Park. Lions Club President Steve McQueeny said he expects the project to be completed by the start of Race Week.

—Abby Fo