Shop in RI - April 2024

Writers

Editor Anthony Manzo

Executive Editor

Jeffrey Manzo

ian festivals,” said Palmisano, who is a third-generation feast festival promoter and a well-known local philanthropist. Our family loves the area and has been a part of this community for years. When this space (for the restaurant) was available, it was like coming home again,” he continued.

Chief Operating Officer Lombari

The restaurant employs a dozen people and prides itself on serving dishes with a nod to the “Old Country.” Diners can feast on several signature dishes, including their bone-in veal chops that are so big that they take up the entire plate, their linguini and clams and their Italian stuffed artichokes. Patrons can also dive into their fresh fish dishes, chicken or veal parmigiana with pasta, or perhaps for dessert, their amazingly delicious homemade cannolis.

President & Creative Director Michael McDonald

Perhaps their calling card is their "World Famous Expresso Martinis,” among other specialty cocktails that are infused with rosemary, ginger and other herbs to give them an authentic flair and taste.

Operating Officer

Managing Editor

David Patricio

Vice President Brian Kelly

Board Members

Paul Matrullo

Palmisano said that his goal for operating a successful restaurant is simple: “I want people to feel like they are eating at my house.”

President & Creative Director

He noted about how meals are cultivated back in Italy. “It starts with visiting the local butcher shop for the freshest meat, then walking to the garden to select the vegetables, and maybe to the local store to pick up a bottle of wine. Palmisano said that the restaurant strives to maintain this tradition because “farm to table” offers the best quality and flavors for their customers.

“I hope that when customers visit Anthony’s Italian Cuisine, they enjoy a little piece of Italy with every made-to-order dish,” he said.

Joseph Matrullo

Michael Mota

Joseph Matrullo

Contributors

Contributors

Wallace Matthews

Wallace

The restaurant is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The bar remains open one hour after closing.

They also cater events and have daily specials and promotions. For more details about these upcoming events, please call 401273-5900. More details may be found by visiting their website at www.AnthonysonFederalHill.com.

Matthews

Stacie Venagro

Stacie Venagro

Lopatosky

Lopatosky

Andrew Irby

Andrew Irby Writers

Mark Berger

Berger

14-15

Brian Lowney

Lowney

Romano

Romano

Jennifer Coates

Lombari

18-19

Patrick Burke

Susan Gazerro

Reilly Lombari

Sarah Wessel

Susan Gazerro

Executives

22-24

Jeffrey Manzo

Sales Executives

Lombari

Lombari

Michael Belsito

Fashion Editor

Rosanna Ortiz

Photographers

Guillermo Garcia

Allyson Barth

Michael Belsito

26-27

32-33

ShopInRI 09

Atlantic City Casinos Could Face Summer With No Beach

Flying This Summer?

Cut TSA Lines for Free

The ocean and beaches have always been a part of Atlantic City’s identity: from salt water taffy to Miss America bathing beauties to the name of the place itself, the city has been marketed as a place to have fun by the sea. But there is a little too much Atlantic in Atlantic City this year as the crucial summer season approaches. Weeks of winter storms have badly eroded beaches in the northern section of town, leaving little if any sand on which to play during all but the lowest tides. Executives with the three northernmost casinos: the Ocean Casino Resort, Resorts, and Hard Rock, are pressing the federal and state governments to expedite a beach replenishment project that was supposed to have been done last year.

Already dreading long security lines for your next flight? There’ve long been services that allow you to cut those lines, but you’ve got to open your wallet and do a good amount of prep work for them. Now, an option for those short on funds and time: the Reserve service by Clear, a free program that allows customers to book a spot ahead of time that sends them to the front of the line at TSA checkpoints.

The Clear site explains how the process works: In advance of your flight (how long in advance depends on the airport), you’d simply log on to make a reservation for the time you’d like to pass through security. You’ll receive a QR code that, on the day of your flight, you’ll show to a staffer in the Reserve lane near the TSA checkpoint. The service isn’t available at every airport (there are about 20 in the US, Canada, and Europe currently listed) and even at those airports, the service may be limited to certain areas. A company rep said they’re working on adding more airports into the mix.

But under the current best-case scenario, new sand won’t be hitting the beaches until late summer, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the agency that oversees such projects. And that has the casinos concerned about not having an essential element of their tourism appeal. Atlantic City has long said its beaches set it apart from the plentiful gambling options elsewhere in the region and the country. Without them, it could be a harder sell in attracting tourists and gamblers. Hard Rock lost its popular beach bar to repeated winter storms. “It was totally destroyed,” says general manager Mike Sampson. He says Hard Rock is hopeful it can still rent out beach cabanas and umbrellas this summer, albeit on a smaller beach. Last summer, the Ocean Casino spent $600,000 to truck in and dump sand on its beach, which was not in as bad a shape as it is this year. “How do you run a beach resort without a beach?” asks Bill Callahan, Ocean’s general manager. “It’s a tough pill to swallow.” And an expensive one: that sand quickly washed away, and even less is left there now. At high tide, the ocean waves lap up against the dune, which itself is badly eroded. “By the end of summer, all that sand was gone,” says Ian Jerome, project director for Ocean’s effort last year. “That is not a sustainable option.”

TravelTips

Reserve customers must still remove their shoes and jackets and take their electronics out for screening. Clear also offers a paid service called Clear Plus, which for the price of $189 per year allows users to not only skip to the front of the line, but also to not have to show ID; instead, your eyes or fingerprints are scanned. TSA PreCheck also offers a paid service ($78 for five years) that, because you’ve gone through advance vetting, means you don’t have to remove your shoes, jacket, laptop, or other items. Reserve remains an option for those who don’t want to pay. “Travelers can now save even more time by seamlessly reserving their spot in the security line,” a Clear rep said in a statement.

A spokesman for the Army Corps, says a contract for the work will be put out to bid in April or May, with the work starting “sometime this summer or in the fall.” “Everyone realizes the importance of getting this sand,” he said. “The sense of urgency is real.”

The for the

Shop In RI Selects: The Taste of Maine Restaurant

in Woolwich, Maine for having the world’s largest lobster roll.

Shop In RI Selects Sugarbush Resort, Vermont as their #1 Skiing Getaway on the East Coast!

Shop In RI Selects: Sanibel Island, Florida as their Secret Getaway of the Month.

Sugarbush is an overlooked gem among its peers, with many skiers heading to nearby Killington, Stowe, or Mad River Glen over this double mountain resort. So why shouldn’t you do the same? To put it simply, Sugarbush offers practically everything that those more popular ski areas boast, minus the crowds. So if you fancy schussing down a freshly groomed slope without queuing for a lift or dodging snowploughers this could be just the place for you!

Fourth of July Airfare Down By 27% From Last Year

Sanibel Island is a hidden gem tucked away in Southwest Florida, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Renowned for its pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, and laid-back atmosphere, Sanibel embodies the quintessential tropical paradise. What sets it apart as a secret destination worth exploring is its commitment to preserving its natural beauty and charm. With strict building codes limiting development, the island maintains a rustic charm and unspoiled landscape. Visitors can indulge in activities such as shelling along its shell-strewn shores, cycling through its scenic trails, or simply unwinding amidst breathtaking sunsets. Additionally, the island boasts a vibrant arts scene, eclectic dining options, and quaint shops, providing a perfect blend of relaxation and cultural enrichment. Whether seeking solitude or adventure, Sanibel Island promises an unforgettable getaway off the beaten path.

There are a few food items that are synonymous with Maine, one of them being the ever-so-delicious lobster roll. Tourists have been flocking to every corner of the Pine Tree state for decades to devour the delicacy. However, not all lobster rolls are built the same. Often, the biggest complaint people have about a lobster is...not enough lobster. So, the Taste of Maine restaurant in Woolwich decided to solve that problem once and for all. Shared on Facebook by Taste of Maine restaurant, they claim to be serving the world’s largest lobster roll, a monster sub at least three times the size of a typical lobster roll. The number one question in comments seems to be about the price. Given current market conditions for lobster, the daily market price for the ’world’s largest lobster roll’ has been between $150 and $170. Some will scoff at the price, but if you’re traveling from afar just to get your hands on a Maine lobster roll, why not try the largest one?

Travelers who plan to fly over the Fourth of July holiday weekend can expect to pay less for their domestic tickets this year, as round trip tickets will be 27% lower this year than they were at the same time in 2022.

Terrain: The resort is made up of two interconnected mountains, Lincoln Peak, where the majority of trails are, and Mount Ellen. Other lower peaks include Castle Rock, Gadd Peak and North Lynx. For the type of gnarly terrain you would expect from Mad River Glen, just hop aboard the Castle Rock Double chair to Castle Rock. From the top at 3,812 ft, you’ll have the steep double black chutes of Lift Line and Rumble to get stuck into. If clocking up maximum vertical drop is more your thing then you’ll find the slopes here laid out much better for top-to-bottom shredding than at Killington. Even if you ski all 111 trails here, there’s also 2,000 ac of backcountry to explore in the Slide Brook Basin area!

A round-trip ticket this year will cost a traveler a little more than $300, which is over $100 cheaper than last year. The prices of round-trip tickets are in line with how much round-trip tickets cost in 2019, according to an analysis by Hopper.

This year, the most booked destination in the United States over the Fourth of July weekend, which is from June 30 through July 4, is Las Vegas. The domestic cities that follow include

Airbnb’s “creepiest policy,” as SFGate puts it, is soon to be no more. The vacation rental company will no longer allow properties listed on its platform to have indoor security cameras. They were previously OK in common areas only, as long as they were disclosed in the listing, NBC News reports. But some had still complained about being, essentially, spied on by overzealous hosts, and the new policy bars cameras from anywhere indoors. Outdoor security cameras are still fine, as are noise decibel monitors, but the new policy, which takes effect April 30, says all such devices must be disclosed in listings.

Woman

United

Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, and New York City.

Airbnb: Indoor Security Cameras Have Got to Go

June 29 and June 30 are expected to be the busiest days of the holiday weekend, with 3.7 million people expected to depart from U.S. airports on both days. The least busy day of the long weekend will be on the Fourth of July itself. A total of 3.5 million people are expected to depart from airports on July 5.

Town: If all that wasn’t enough, Sugarbush is generally a notch cheaper than pricey Stowe, but not at the sacrifice of luxury. For lavish lodgings, look no further than Lincoln Peak Village. For these reasons and more, when it comes to the most practical ski destination in Vermont, Sugarbush is a fantasic choice for a winter weekend getaway!

4 Shop In RI

The busiest airport in the country is expected to be Atlanta’s, where over 1.8 million travelers are expected to pass through. Other airports which will be exceedingly busy include Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), and Las Vegas (LAS).

For travelers who are driving instead of flying, car rental prices are also down considerably from last year at 25%. On average, car rentals this year will set back travelers $47 per day.

These changes were made in consultation with our guests, Hosts and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community,” an Airbnb exec says in a statement. The company says not many properties will be affected, since most do not have cameras. A privacy advocacy group applauded the move. “No one should have to worry about being recorded in a rental, whether the bedroom, the living room, or a hall,” the executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project says. Airbnb competitor Vrbo had already banned indoor surveillance cameras.

You can’t a domestic get a man went a ”stinging dropped the floor, snag ”After on flight lanta ponded MedLink provided said. local customer Feel off those chanics neering non-stop It’s a L’Agulhas, sia—roughly Appalachian encountered via bridge, boat A person three miles or obtain able cold, tions like South the physical than same down

There’s

Elton John, Bernie Taupin Win ’Incredible Honor’

a Fresh Geyser Mystery in Yellowstone

She Became a Bride and a Widow Within Minutes

An 18th-century British painting stolen by mobsters in 1969 has been returned more than a half-century later to the family that bought the painting for $7,500 during the Great Depression, the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office announced.

It’s unclear why the Steamboat Geyser had a record year

Front Page

Top 4 Boston Red Sox Prospects

Top 4 Red Sox Center Fielders of All Time

THE TOP EARNING MUSICIANS OF THE DECADE

It’s the tallest active geyser on the planet— with an emphasis on “active.” From 2015 to 2017, it didn’t erupt at all. There was another largely quiet period from 1911 to 1961, but in 2018 it logged a record-setting 32 eruptions, a feat it has crushed this year with 47 eruptions, per the US Geological Survey. Why? Good question, and one that hasn’t been answered. It’s one on a long list of geyser mysteries, in fact. The geyser-research field is a thin one, and as Yellowstone National Park’s hydrologist explained the area beneath Steamboat hasn’t been mapped. However, seismic sensors there have revealed that the geyser’s water source may sit as deep as 130 feet.

The 40-inch-by-50-inch John Opie painting—titled “The Schoolmistress”—is the sister painting of a similar work housed in the Tate Britain art gallery in London, per the AP. Authorities believe the Opie piece was stolen with the help of a former New Jersey lawmaker, then passed among organized crime members for years before it ended up in the southern Utah city of St. George.

A Utah man had purchased a house in Florida in 1989 from Joseph Covello Sr.—a convicted mobster linked to the Gambino family—and the painting was included in the sale, the FBI said. When the buyer died in 2020, a Utah accounting firm that was seeking to liquidate his property sought an appraisal for the painting, and it was discovered to likely be the stolen piece, the FBI said. The painting was taken into custody by the agency and returned on Jan. 11 to Dr. Francis Wood, 96, of Newark, the son of the painting’s original owner, Dr. Earl Wood, who bought it during the 1930s.

Johnnie Mae had suffered two recent losses, including that of her father, when she stood in front of friends and family and committed to the love of her life on Monday. But within the hour, her groom was dead, too. As Mae and new husband Toraze Davis of Omaha, Nebraska, left the church where they said “I do,” Davis suffered a blood clot that made his heart stop. “It happened within seconds ... just after the ceremony had begun,” friend Jewel Roberson said. Family and friends are now rallying behind Mae, director of ECO Supportive Living, which assists the elderly and those with disabilities.

“Johnnie Mae has suffered through so much,” says Roberson. Now “she’s been widowed and married in a 10-minute span.”

“This piece of art, what a history it’s had,” said FBI Special Agent Gary France. “It traveled all through the UK when it was first painted, and owned by quite a few families in the UK. And then it travels overseas to the United States and is sold during the Great Depression and then stolen by the mob and recovered by the FBI decades later. It’s quite amazing.” According to the FBI, “The Schoolmistress” was taken from Earl Wood’s house by three men working at the direction of former New Jersey state Sen. Anthony Imperiale, who died in 1999.

“It’s seriously the saddest thing ever,” Tricia Pugsley said. She was supposed to DJ the couple’s wedding reception, but “they went to the hospital instead.” That’s where Mae “had to say goodbye to her new husband.”

Authorities say the thieves broke into the house in July 1969 in a bid to steal a coin collection, but were foiled by a burglar alarm. Local police and Imperiale responded to the attempted burglary, and the home’s caretaker told the lawmaker that the Opie painting in the home was priceless, the FBI said. The men returned to the house later that month and stole the painting, the FBI said. One of the thieves, Gerald Festa, later confessed to the burglary and said the trio been acting under Imperiale’s orders. But the claims against the state lawmaker were not sufficiently corroborated, and he was never charged.

A GoFundMe page has raised more than $20,000 for Mae and the children the couple shared. Mae “always helps others; this is our time to help her,” the page reads. Some are finding solace in knowing that 48-year-old Davis died on what was evidently “the happiest day of his life,” a friend said. Another friend says she hopes the tragedy will teach others to care for themselves, including through annual visits

Most other geysers seem to be fueled by shallower reserves; deeper equals warmer, so that could be a factor in Steamboat’s ability to propel water to heights of more than 300 feet. Michael Poland with the USGS earlier this year said it’s possible that increased snowfall in Yellowstone of late has led to more groundwater to fuel the geyser. What scientists are saying is that there’s no link between the increased activity and any potential looming eruption of Yellowstone’s supervolcano. “Yellowstone has an incredible geyser system that is unrelated to magmatic activity—other than the magmatic system basically providing heat,” tweeted one volcanologist. USA Today noted that the Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand has managed to shoot water taller than Steamboat has, but it’s been

$5M Deal To Caitlin Clark

Dom DiMaggio Rapper Ice Cube Dangles

Real Life Happy Gilmore Hears From Adam Sandler

For the record, his given name is Landon Gilmore. But the teenage Indiana golfer has been going by ”Happy Gilmore” since he was a little kid because he can hit the ball like the fictional player of that name in Adam Sandler’s 1996 movie, per the Indianapolis Star. Now, the two have connected in real life. After Gilmore announced his commitment to golf for Ball State University, Sandler took note on Twitter. ”Go get em Happy,” Sandler wrote. ”Pulling for you.” Replied

Caitlin Clark has been smashing record after record this year, and she may be on the cusp of breaking another. The Iowa Hawkeyes basketball superstar now has a $5 million offer in front of her to play for Ice Cube’s Big3 league, which would make her “basketball’s first-ever $5 million woman.”

The offer: Sources say that Clark would receive her payout for playing just eight regular-season games and two possible playoff games, as well as “substantial additional compensation” via sponsorships and merch. Perhaps the most appealing part to Clark: The deal would allow her to still play in the WNBA, where Clark is expected to be the first pick.

The highest-paid player in the WNBA last year was the

Seattle Storm’s Jewell Loyd, who brought home a salary of $600,000 with bonuses. Firstyear players start at $62,000, with pay reaching up to nearly $235,000 for more senior players. Clark’s expected salary in the league would be around $76,000, if she’s the overall first draft pick, as everyone expects her to be.

Ice Cube’s take: “America’s women athletes should not be forced to spend their off seasons playing in often dismal and dubious foreign countries just to make ends meet,” he notes on X, adding, “And they should have more than just one professional option in the US.

and, yes, he enters tournaments under the moniker of Happy Gilmore. One key difference between reality and art: Gilmore doesn’t play hockey and can’t even skate. He has, however, mastered the unique hockey-style tee shot used by Sandler in the movie. ”It never fails,” he says of fellow junior circuit

Beyoncé ($685 million)

Taylor Swift ($825 million)

U2 ($675 million)

Dr. Dre ($825 million)

Marcelo Mayer, SS Age: 21 - ETA: 2025

Roman Anthony, OF Age: 19 - ETA: 2025

Kyle Teel Age 22 - ETA: 2025

Ceddanne Rafaela Age 23 - Called Up to MLB

144 Years Later, Barcelona Landmark Will Finally Be Done

World News News

T. Rex Skeleton Sold at Auction for $6.2M

Meet the New Electric Road

Egypt Opens “Bent Pyramid”

15 Years Later, Tsunami’s Toll Remains Mind-Boggling

Sleep Study Has Warning for Night Owls He Went In With Metal Detector, Came Out With

Ethiopia Planted 353M Trees —in Half a Day

heirs can’t quit squabbling. Here’s a look at where things nearly two years since Prince died, the executor of the Trust, can’t split the money among Prince’s six surviving Revenue Service and executor agree on the estate’s value

might happen. The IRS and state of Minnesota are entitled the estate can stretch out the payments over time. Court Prince’s death suggested that it was worth around $200 actual value remains one of the biggest secrets in the case, redacted documents. The actual valuation could have gone up because the various attorneys, accountants, and industry yet finished appraisals and deals for the use of his music, his Paisley Park studio.

A 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton might have had puny arms, but sold for a hefty $6.2 million at Zurich’s Koller auction house. The 38-foot-long and nearly 13-foot-tall fossil “is one of the most spectacular T. rex skeletons in existence,” though it’s actually not made up of just one T. rex. It’s named “293 Trinity” for a reason: The skeleton is comprised of 293 bones hailing from 3 different T. rexes found in Montana and Wyoming. Still, in an interview on Koller’s website, Dr. Hans-Jacob Siber of the Aathal Dinosaur Museum said that there are just “20 or 30 good T. rex skeletons in the world and this is one of the bigger and better ones.”

Work began on Barcelona’s famed Sagrada Familia in 1882. Today, the massive cathedral towers over the city— but the work continues. The building, long accompanied by cranes and scaffolding, has never been completed. No more than 15% was complete in 1926, the year architect Antoni Gaudi died.

Construction was impeded by the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s, when most of Gaudi’s designs and models were destroyed. That meant a reimagining of the design and more delays. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic halted construction for two years. But there’s now an end in sight. On Wednesday, the group that manages the site announced the building would be completed in 2026. Construction on the Chapel of the Assumption will wrap up next year, followed by work on the tower of Jesus Christ the following year, the statement said.

It still haunts me.” The line from 28-year-old Thai resident Suwanne Maliwan to Reuters expresses a common sentiment Thursday, the 15th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed 230,000 lives. Maliwan, for instance, lost both her parents and five other relatives. ”Sometimes I dream that a wave is coming,” she says. Vigils and memorials across Asia were commemorating the staggering loss of life in what was one of the world’s deadliest natural disasters. A 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra island the morning after Christmas in 2004 triggered the tsunami and unleashed waves as high as 57 feet.

Egypt opened two of its oldest pyramids, located about 25 miles south of the capital Cairo, to visitors for the first time since 1965. Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany told reporters that tourists are now allowed to visit the Bent Pyramid and its satellite pyramid in the Dahshur royal necropolis, which is part of the Memphis Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bent Pyramid, which the AP reports was built during the Old Kingdom of the Pharaoh of Sneferu, in about 2600 BC, is unique in that it has two internal structures. El-Anany said the Bent Pyramid represents a transitional form of pyramid construction between the Djoser Step Pyramid (2667-2648 BC) and the Meidum Pyramid (also about 2600 BC). The Guardian notes its "unusual" shape: The first 160 feet rise at "a steep 54 degree angle, before tapering off towards the top."

sentative contacted school officials Thursday about the surprise message, says a spokeswoman for the district.

You may one day drive down roads charged with electricity that your vehicle automatically detects and sucks up through an automatic arm—if a Swedish project gains any headway. Called eRoadArlanda, it has turned 1.2 miles of road outside Stockholm into a kind of slot-car track where electric trucks insert movable arms into a rail to recharge the vehicle’s battery while driving. Designers say the technology is weather-proof and the arm will rise automatically when one car passes another, Sky News reports. The rails are also said to be safe to the touch.

France Won’t Let Go of Long-Lost Masterpiece

12 Year Old Steals Moms Credit Card.. Heads on Vacation

“If you want to feel young, the most important thing is to protect your sleep.” So says the author of a new study suggesting that just two consecutive nights of poor sleep make a person feel years older than they really are. Researchers in Sweden surveyed 429 people aged 18 to 70 about how old they felt, their sleepiness, and how many nights they had slept poorly in the previous month. They found that for every night of poor sleep reported, participants felt three months older than their true age on average, per the Guardian. In contrast, those who reported no poor nights of sleep felt nearly six years younger on average.

A man exploring with a metal detector hit the jackpot, uncovering what a veteran gold prospector calls a “oncein-a-lifetime find.” The amateur gold digger, who is remaining anonymous, was searching the goldfields of Australia’s Victoria state, site of an 1850s gold rush, when he stumbled upon a 10-pound rock dotted with gold. He then showed up at Darren Kamp’s prospecting store in Geelong. “He pulled this rock out and as he dropped it into my hand he said, ‘Do you think there’s $10,000 (AUD) worth in it?’” Kamp of Lucky Strike Gold tells the BBC. “I looked at him and said, Try $100,000.” It was now Kamp’s turn to be gobsmacked. “He said, ‘But that’s only half the rock,’” the prospector tells the Guardian.

A 12-year-old Australian boy has pulled off a bold feat that drew international headlines: He stole his mom’s credit card and managed to fly to Bali, Indonesia, for a posh, four-day vacation before getting caught. As recounted in the Australian program A Current Affair, the boy did some research online and figured out he could fly alone without needing a letter from a parent on Jetstar Airways. He nabbed his mom’s credit card, tricked his grandmother into giving him his passport, took a train to the airport, and flew to Bali. “They just asked for my student ID and passport to prove that I’m over 12 and that I’m in secondary school,” says the boy, identified only as Drew. He then checked into a four-star hotel, having made reservations in advance, telling the clerk that his older sister would be joining him soon.

In a second survey, researchers polled 186 volunteers aged 18 to 46 on how old they felt after sleeping only four hours for each of two consecutive nights and after staying in bed for nine hours for each of two consecutive nights. With ample sleep, the participants reported feeling three months younger than their true age on average, per the Guardian. But comparing the experiences, participants reported feeling an average of 4.44 years older than their true age when sleep was limited. Some felt more than a decade older. Morning people, used to waking and going to bed early, were particularly affected by the limited sleep. But evening people “typically felt older than their true age even after plenty of sleep,” the Guardian reports.

“One of the most important issues of our time is the question of how to make fossil-free road transportation a reality,” says eRoadArlanda Chairman Hans Säll. “We now have a solution that will make this possible, which is amazing.” Among its pluses, Säll says the electric road lets vehicles have smaller batteries and therefore makes vehicles cheaper to produce. The $7.7 million project will be tested with a truck fleet for two years, and if the government approves, it could be implemented for $1.9 million per mile and include buses and cars. “Sweden is at the cutting edge of this technology, which we now hope to introduce in other areas of the country and the world,” Säll says.

Though the dinosaur was purchased by a private buyer, Koller indicated hope that it would be put on public display. Speaking to the BBC, Edinburgh University dinosaur expert Steve Brusatte expressed concern over private purchases—this was the first T. rex skeleton ever auctioned in Europe—saying in part that “museums can’t compete with the deep pockets of the oligarchs and the super-rich.”

Coastal areas of Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and other countries were deluged. One of the first areas hit was Indonesia’s Aceh province, notes CBS News. In fact, most of those killed were in Indonesia alone, where 170,000 deaths were registered. ”No words can describe our feelings when we tearfully saw thousands of corpses lying on this ground 15 years ago,” said acting Aceh Gov. Nova Iriansyah at a ceremony in Sigli. ”And now, we can see how people in Aceh were able to overcome suffering and rise again, thanks to assistance from all Indonesians and from people all over the world.”

Johnson said he admires Kelzenberg's courage but that he won't be able to attend prom because he'll be in Hawaii filming Jungle Cruise. Instead, Johnson rented out a nearby movie theater on Saturday for Kelzenberg and more than 230 friends and family to watch his latest movie, Rampage. Johnson even covered the cost of snacks and drinks for the theater. "I couldn't believe it. I was so surprised," Kelzenberg says. "I just kept thinking, 'He saw me! He knows who I am!'" Kelzenberg says she became a fan of Johnson's five years ago. Her favorite movies of his include Central Intelligence and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

El-Anany also announced that Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a collection of stone, clay, and wooden sarcophagi, some of them with mummies, in the area. He said archaeologists also found wooden funerary masks along with instruments used for cutting stones, dating to the Late Period (664332 BC). Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said they also uncovered large stone blocks along with limestone and granite fragments indicating the existence of ancient graves in the area. Egypt has been whipping up publicity for its new historical discoveries in the hopes of reviving a devastated tourism sector still recovering from the turmoil following a 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Brusatte added that he’s worried “that these very rare dinosaur skeletons, which are scientifically very valuable and are important for education and public engagement disappear into the vaults of private collectors which means that they are not available for public display.”

There’s a caveat, however. “Work on sculptures and decorative details and, above all, the controversial stairway leading to what will eventually be the main entrance, is expected to continue until 2034,” the Guardian reports, noting that “the stairway, which would extend across two large city blocks, would involve dislodging about 1,000 families and businesses.” Esteve Camps, head of the Sagrada Familia group, says the stairway formed part of the plan Gaudi presented to the local authority in 1915—though at that time, the site was surrounded by farmland, not city blocks—and “we are following Gaudi’s plan to the letter,” per the Guardian. As the city has yet to approve the stairway, however, it’s not clear it will ever be built. The date of the building’s supposed completion, 144 years after construction began, will mark 100 years since Gaudi’s death.

As Kamp tells CNN, the amateur digger had broken apart the full nugget,

Ethiopia claims it has smashed record in the name of climate change— and the tree planting isn’t even More than 353 million tree gs were planted across the country just 12 hours as part of Prime Abiy Ahmed’s Green Legacy tation campaign. The campaign to see 4 billion indigenous trees ed between May and October. had been encouraged to plant lion trees but Ahmed tweeted million had been planted after hours. At the end of 12 hours, the country’s minster for innovation chnology, Getahun Mekuria, announced 353,633,660 seedlings had the ground—more than five times as many trees as were planted in 12 hours in 2017. Some schools and government offices closed to dents and civil servants to take part, which notes 2.6 billion trees been planted across Ethiopia. The Guardian reports each citizen plant at least 40 seedlings. The goal is to transform Ethiopia’s landscape, is seeing degradation, soil erosion, deforestation, and droughts and tied to agriculture. About 80% of Ethiopia’s population relies on to make a living, with the result that just 4% of land is now forested, pared to 30% at the end of the 19th century, according to Farm Al Jazeera, a recent study estimates that 1 trillion new trees could most 750 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—or much as humans have released in the last 25 years—over several

hoping to find gold inside, not realizing dirt was concealing the gold “oozing out of the rock everywhere.” Altogether, the man had found a 10.1-pound nugget containing 5.7 pounds of gold. “I haven’t seen a specimen in this amount of gold in my 43 years of prospecting,” Kamp said.

France is trying to hang onto a medieval painting with a crazy backstory. The nation has blocked the export of a small, 13th-century work by the Italian artist Cimabue, a painting that hung unnoticed for decades above a hotplate in a French woman's kitchen. An auctioneer spotted the painting as the elderly woman was preparing to sell her house, and then sold for a staggering $26 million at auction earlier the Guardian. The buyers are anonymous, but they're group of Chilean collectors based in the US. Now, however, they won't be able to own the painting after all.

And there he stayed, having a fine time while his panicked mom reported him as missing back home. It wasn’t until the boy posted a video of himself in the hotel pool that his vacation finally came to an end. “I was shocked and disgusted, there’s no emotion to feel what we felt when we found out that he’d left overseas,” says mom, per news.com.au. One reason she’s ticked: Her son had actually tried this stunt twice before, only to be turned away at the airport by Qantas and Garuda Airlines. Mom says she was informed her son’s passport would be flagged by federal authorities as a result, but that apparently never happened. In the aftermath, Jetstar promises to tighten up its policies. “He just doesn’t like the word no and that’s what I got, a kid in Indonesia.”

This is important. In this study, feeling older coincided with more sleepiness. But previous research has linked higher subjective age to depression, per New Scientist. “We know those who feel younger than their actual age live healthier and longer,” Dr. Leonie Balter, a psychoneuroimmunologist at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute and lead author of the study published Wednesday in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, tells the outlet. But subjective age is “malleable,” Balter adds, per the Guardian. “If we can make people feel younger, they may be able to have the associated benefits, such as being more willing to take on new experiences and being socially active and physically active.”

“Maybe in the 1850s there was probably a few found, but in today’s terms it’s very rare.” He estimated the value at $160,000. “He said to me, ‘Oh, the wife will be happy,’” adds the prospector, who ended up buying the rock. The finder had been using a budget metal detector capable of locating items buried only a foot underground, which turned out to be well worth the $800 cost.

Art Expert Gives Museum Some Really Bad News

France's culture ministry has declared the work to be a and has at least temporarily overruled the sale, reports ministry hopes to hang the painting permanently in now has 30 months to come up with the money to buy me, the family of the unidentified woman who displayed years, unaware of its origin or its worth, must continue insured. They also owe a multi-million-dollar inheritance likely have to work out a deal to pay it after the sale goes

A museum in southern France suffered a terrible blow when experts declared that over half its paintings are forgeries, The Terrus museum, dedicated to the work of painter Étienne Terrus, apparently knew nothing of the fakes until an art historian informed them. “It’s a catastrophe,” the mayor of Elne, where the museum resides, tells the Telegraph. “I put myself in the place of all the people who came to visit the museum, who saw fake works of art, who paid an entrance fee. It’s intolerable and I hope we find those responsible.” Police have taken the fakes and are trying to find those responsible.

US Teen Wins $3M at Fortnite World Cup

Someone Spent $25.3M for A ’Highly Important’ Bowl

Powerful Mexican Cartel Targets Timeshare Owners

Multimillionaire Invites 10 People to Come Live in ’Paradise’

Looking to permanently while away your days overlooking the Tasman Sea and sipping on vino while watching "nice animals" with other "nice people"? Karl Reipen wants to hear from you. The Guardian reports the German multimillionaire has placed an ad seeking 10 people up to age 70 to come live in what he calls his "paradise," a 550-acre, $5.6 million estate in Awakino, on New Zealand's North Island. "If you are interested to live a life with a Group of Interesting people it can be a new life for you," reads the ad, which Stuff NZ reports was published twice in the New Zealand Herald. Reipen,

The Tyrannosaurus rex, which has one of the most distinctive skulls in the animal kingdom, is among the most iconic dinosaurs in pop culture. As an American Museum of Natural History information page notes, the 1902 discovery of the first T. rex skeleton in Hell Creek, Montana, also sparked long-lasting interest in dinosaurs in general. Trinity, however, isn’t the most expensive T. rex ever sold. In 2022 the Guardian reported that honor went

Pennsylvania 16-year-old Kyle Giersdorf plays 8 to 10 hours of Fortnite a day, but his parents aren’t complaining: Giersdorf, better known as ”Bugha,” won a record-breaking $3 million at the inaugural Fortnite World Cup at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The contest featured 100 participants out of around 40 million who entered the online competition. Giersdorf, who won the solo event in front of a packed stadium, says he plans to save the prize instead of going on a spending spree. ”All I want is a new desk and maybe a desk for my trophy. In the duo event

who made his fortune in canned iced coffee, notes in the ad that the estate boasts a winery "for social meetings and dining," and that residents "can enjoy walking, fishing, shopping, kayaking, bird watching, swimming or looking at the nice animals."

The bowl is pretty and small, and also represents the “peak of painting on porcelain.” The Chinese antique went for $25.3 million at an auction with an unknown entity scooping up the ”highly important” artifact crafted sometime in the mid-18th century, per CNN.

The scam started small. After receiving a call from a supposed real estate agent offering to broker the sale of their barely used timeshare to a wealthy Mexican businessman, the US couple agreed to send a few thousand dollars across the border to settle transaction costs. Then they sent more money to settle government fines. Soon, they’d sent $900,000, more than 100 times the price they paid for that dusty timeshare. As the New York Times reports, the anonymous and very embarrassed couple fell victim to a most lucrative venture of the Jalisco New Generation cartel: scamming US and Canadian seniors with timeshares.

Apparently 82 of the museum’s 140 works are phony, spotted at times because they contained buildings constructed after Terrus died in 1922. Acclaimed for his landscapes of French Catalonia, Terrus was close with artists Aristide Maillol and Henri Matisse and lived mostly in Elne, a town on the Tech River that’s less than three miles from the Mediterranean coast of Languedoc-Roussillon. The museum spent over $190,000 acquiring paintings they thought were his. But the Terrus likely isn’t alone: Art experts say at least one in five paintings in the world’s top museums may well be fake.

rival the cartel’s drug trafficking business, USA Today reports. Scammers operating out of dozens of call centers bribe resort employees to get guest information—there’s some particular concern for clients of Vidanta Group—then call up timeshare owners who are generally older, retired, and looking to sell off assets to benefit their families.

There are also stables and an indoor equestrian center on-site, and Reipen says, "If you would like to bring your own horse it is possible." Interested parties who prefer privacy will like that the property is an hour and a half from the nearest large town or city. The current government under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern put in place a ban on foreigners owning homes in New Zealand, but Reipen scooped up

teen contestants Emil Bergquist dersen from Sweden and David from Austria shared a $3 million With a total prize pool of $40 provided by Epic Games, Fortnite’s rent company, the tournament e-sports record, though that record cted to be broken by an August led “The International” Giersdorf, player in the North American East to qualify for the tournament, was nant in the six-game series, beating including runner-up Harrison Chang, who took home $1.8 Giersdorf was hugged by his family the win. “This is life-changing mother Darcy Giersdorf says. “He’s playing video games since he was this is his passion. He told us he this, he put his mind to it and he

of the Yongzheng Emperor, who ruled over China from 1722 to 1735, is an example of falangcai (“foreign colors”) ceramics, “among the rarest and most celebrated imperial ceramic wares of the Qing dynasty.” The porcelain pieces from this group were fired in the kilns of the city of Jingdezhen, then brought to the imperial workshops within Beijing’s Forbidden City. The emperor himself would greenlight the design, and then painters would finish the enamel job, before the pieces were fired a second time for completion.

“The superb painting of two loving swallows beside a flowering apricot tree intertwined with a willow tree is complemented by a short poem evocative of the spring,” reads the description of the bowl, sold on the Sotheby’s site.

US officials say the scheme has pulled in hundreds of millions of dollars over a decade. It might even

It seems like a good time. “The timeshare industry is booming, with $10.5 billion in sales in 2022,” up 30% from 2021, the Times reports. But scammers are taking advantage. The FBI has seen a 79% increase in timeshare fraud complaints over the past four years. Over the past five years, timeshare owners have lost at least $288 million through this and other scams, the FBI says, and that’s among victims who filed a complaint. Scammers often tease one more fee that, once paid, will put an end to all others. But that’s never the case.

the property years te. He still had to get nation's Overseas which signed off on it determined he had and means to build and maintain it. "It to bring it to the standard writes in the ad. It's ture dwellers in Reipen's med utopia will be

This particular bowl changed hands multiple times over the years, most recently landing in the possession of collector Alice Cheng, who scooped it up in 2006 for $19.3 million. The sale was just one of many in the auction house’s Hong Kong spring block, whose art sales saw nearly $210 million collected. Nicolas Chow, chair of Sotheby’s Asia division, called this week’s auctions “exceptional”

The Great Outdoors: How Rhode Island is Redefining Dining,Post-Pandemic

by Heather R. Singleton President/CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality Association

In a critical step forward, Rhode Island has again demonstrated its commitment to the vibrancy and resilience of our hospitality sector through the passage of RIHA’s proposed, permanent Outdoor Dining Bill. As the incoming Interim President/CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association (RIHA), I celebrate this achievement with our state’s restaurant owners, staff, and patrons.

The journey to this moment has been anything but simple. The challenges of the past several years have starkly highlighted the critical role that adaptability and innovation play in the survival and growth of Rhode Island’s hospitality industry. From staffing shortages and rising prices to the relentless hurdles posed by supply-chain disruptions, our businesses have faced an uphill battle to stay afloat. Amidst these trials, outdoor dining emerged not just as a temporary measure but as a vital component of the hospitality sector in Rhode Island’s ongoing recovery and sustainability.

The Outdoor Dining Bill’s passage is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Governor McKee, the leadership of the House and Senate, the bill’s sponsors—Senator Alana DiMario and Representative Carol McEntee— and our partners at the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, for their support.

Their collective efforts have paved the way for a law that provides stability and dependability for restaurant owners across our state, ensuring that outdoor dining can continue to thrive as an essential revenue stream.

The significance of this legislation extends beyond the immediate financial benefits. It represents a cultural shift towards more dynamic and inclusive dining experiences, enabling residents and visitors alike to enjoy Rhode Island’s unique culinary offerings, in the beauty of our outdoor spaces. This law not only supports our economic recovery. but also enhances the social fabric of our communities, fostering a sense of togetherness and joy that has been sorely missed.

As we look ahead, RIHA is committed to working alongside its members to navigate the opportunities and challenges that this new outdoor dining landscape presents. We will continue to advocate for

that support the

and resilience of our industry, provide resources and guidance to help businesses adapt to changing regulations, and celebrate the innovations that keep Rhode Island at the forefront of culinary and hospitality excellence. The landscape of

hospitality is ever-changing. With this legislative win, we are poised to emerge stronger, more adaptable, and more united than ever before. Let us embrace this moment as an opportunity to reimagine the future of dining in Rhode Island, creating spaces where community, culture, and cuisine come together in harmony.

As we usher in this new era of outdoor dining, it is crucial to recognize that this is just the beginning of a broader movement towards revitalizing Rhode Island’s hospitality industry. The Outdoor Dining Bill not only safeguards a key revenue source, but also opens the door to creative possibilities that can redefine the dining experience. We are embarking on a journey to make our state a destination where culinary innovation meets the charm of open-air enjoyment!

Heather R. Singleton

Lemons originated from East Asia, in either Burma or Southern China. Unlike most fruits that grew naturally in the wild, lemons are actually an invention of early civilizations, and the citrus fruit is a cross breed of the bitter orange and the citron.

Christopher Columbus first brought lemon seeds to the Americas in 1493. The Spanish conquest of the region then contributed to the further spread of the lemon.

With time, scientists discovered the medical benefits of lemons, as the fruits became popular for the prevention of scurvy, and that’s not all. Lemons are chock-full of nutrients such as vitamin C, magnesium, dietary fiber, flavonoids, antioxidant limonene, iron, and citric acid. This blend of nutrients boosts immunity, reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, aids in digestive health, and even helps with weight loss.

Lemons, with their bright yellow color, remind us of the beautiful blooming flowers of the spring season. Springtime is a reminder that summer is right around the corner. So, it suffices to say that the lemons you see piled up at your local supermarket are a surefire hint that warmer weather is right around the corner - just one of the many enticing factors for lusting after lemons.

Below are some luscious lemon desserts that are really yummy and easy to make!

Old Fashioned Lemon Meringue Pie

This lemon meringue pie is so delicious, with both sweet and tart lemon filling that is thickened with cornstarch, flour, and egg yolks.

Ingredients

Filling:

• 1 cup white sugar

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 ½ cups water

• 2 lemons, juiced and zested

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 4 egg yolks, beaten

• 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked or store bought

Meringue Ingredients

• 4 egg whites

• 1/2 cup white sugar

Directions

Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

To make the filling: Whisk 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a medium saucepan; stir in water, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in butter.

Place egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of hot sugar mixture.

Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining sugar mixture.

Bring to a boil and continue to cook while stirring constantly until thick.

Remove from heat.

Pour filling into baked or a store bought pastry shell.

To make the meringue:

Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl with an electric mixer until foamy.

Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.

Spread meringue over pie filling, sealing the edges at the crust.

Bake in a preheated oven until the meringue is golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

KFC CHICKEN (ALMOST)

By Al Milukas

Al enjoys discovering great food, creative cocktails, and the people who make them. Listen to him on the Paul & Al show, weekdays on 94HJY. For more blogs delivered to your e-mail, sign up at www.livethelive.com.

I absolutely love fried chicken. So when I saw the story where the nephew of Colonel Sanders revealed the 11 secret herbs and spices that made KFC’s original recipe chicken a worldwide success, I had to try it! I have to say, it may not be exactly like KFC, but it’s darn close!

Making the chicken at home means I do have some control over product quality. I can use pastured or organic chicken. I can use clean oil. And I can oven-fry my chicken, meaning I fry it in oil until golden brown, then finish the cooking process in the oven.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons paprika

1 tablespoon celery salt

1 tablespoon dried mustard

1 tablespoon garlic salt

1 tablespoon ground ginger

2 teaspoons black pepper

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons thyme

1 1/2 teaspoons basil

1 1/2 teaspoons oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 egg

5 lbs. chicken (your choice)

oil, for frying

Directions:

Combine the flour and the “11 herbs and spices” in a bowl. Mix well.

In another bowl, whisk together the milk and the egg. Add the chicken pieces to this bowl and let the chicken soak in it for 10 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Pour a couple of inches of the oil into a pan with high sides and heat it to 340 degrees, using a thermometer. Don’t fill it with too much oil, because oil expands when hot and it could spill over.

Take the chicken pieces and coat them with the seasoning mix one at a time, making sure you coat them well. Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan...work in small batches. Too much chicken could cause the oil to spill over the top.

Fry the chicken pieces just until golden...no need to cook them all the way through. Place the pieces on a baking sheet lined with non-stick aluminum foil. When all the chicken has been fried, place the baking sheet in the oven and cook until the chicken pieces reach an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.

LiveTheLive.Com

Fitness Tips

By Stacie Venagro | 2017 World Miss Fitness America Pro

Springing Into Fitness: Embrace a Healthier You in April

As the vibrant colors of spring start to bloom, April presents itself as the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your fitness routine, and to embrace a healthier lifestyle. With the weather warming up and nature coming to life, there’s no better time to shed the winter blues and spring into a new, active chapter of your life.

1. Outdoor Workouts:

6. Mind-Body Balance:

Incorporate mindfulness practices into your fitness routine, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. Balancing physical exertion with mental relaxation can contribute to overall well-being.

7. Spring Cleaning for Health:

Use the seasonal transition as an opportunity to declutter, not just your living space, but also, your health habits. Dispose of unhealthy snacks, reassess your sleep routine, and make room for positive changes that contribute to your well-being.

Take advantage of the milder temperatures and longer daylight hours by moving your workouts outdoors. Whether it’s jogging in the park, cycling on scenic trails, or practicing yoga in the fresh air, outdoor exercise can invigorate both your body and mind.

2. Variety is Key:

Keep your fitness routine exciting by incorporating a variety of activities. From hiking and swimming, to dance classes and strength training, diversity not only prevents boredom, but also engages different muscle groups, promoting overall fitness.

3. Set Realistic Goals:

Establish achievable fitness goals for the month. Whether it’s completing a certain number of workouts each week, improving your running pace, or mastering a new exercise, setting realistic goals helps you stay motivated and track your progress.

4. Nutrition Reinvention:

Spring brings an abundance of fresh, seasonal produce. Take this opportunity to revamp your nutrition by incorporating colorful fruits and vegetables into your meals. Experiment with light and nutritious recipes that fuel your body for the increased physical activity.

5. Community Engagement:

Join local fitness classes, running groups, or sports leagues, to connect with like-minded individuals. The sense of community can provide motivation, support, and a shared commitment, for a healthier lifestyle.

8. Track Your Progress:

Keep a fitness journal or use technology to monitor your progress. Whether it’s recording your workouts, tracking your steps, or logging your meals, having tangible evidence of your efforts can boost motivation and help you stay on track.

9. Hydration Awareness:

As the temperature rises, staying hydrated becomes crucial. Make it a habit to carry a reusable water bottle, and ensure you’re drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day, to support your body’s increased activity.

10. Celebrate Your Achievements:

Recognize and celebrate your fitness milestones, no matter how small. Whether it’s completing a challenging workout or sticking to your nutrition plan, acknowledging your achievements boosts confidence and encourages continued commitment.

This April, let the spirit of spring inspire you to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. By incorporating these tips into your routine, you can make fitness a joyful and sustainable part of your daily life. So, lace up your sneakers, step outside, and welcome the season of renewal with open arms. and a revitalized commitment to your well-being.

Dynamic Thoughts

By: Dr. Pete Dionisopoulos, PT, DPT

“When should I use ice, and when should I use heat?”

That could quite possibly be the most common question asked for all injuries.

The answer may be different than you thought. Contrary to what you may think, when you first have a tweak, strain, or pull, you should refrain from using ice or heat for the first 3-5 days. The reason being is that inflammation that occurs is a natural healing process that brings more blood flow and repair mechanisms to the area. Ice would slow this process down, and heat would cause an overflow of fluid.

Once this window of time has passed, ice may be beneficial to reduce excessive swelling left over from repair, and control pain levels. If you have a chronic condition of swelling and inflammation in a joint after an old surgery or injury, ice can also be useful.

Heat is beneficial for stiffness. If you feel you don’t have as much pain with a movement, but need more mobility in an area, heat will increase blood flow and fluid, lubricating the joints and relaxing muscles to allow for smoother motion.

Pain associated with stiffness can also be present, making a combination of both heat and ice useful. To tackle this problem, you would heat the area prior to movements, and then use ice afterwards to reduce any excessive swelling.

In the end, whether you use ice or heat depends on the situation.

For more advice and guidance through your aches and pains, call or text Dynamic today at 401-702-0293

12 Industrial Land, Johnston, RI 02919

401-702-0293

BE YOURSELF FITNESS OPENS ITS DOORS AND ITS ARMS

BY PAUL LONARDO

“It ain’t about how hard you hit it. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward,” is more than just a quote from a Rocky movie. There is a lot of truth in these words. The entire speech encompasses resilience, and it speaks to a lot of people. Chelsea Lumnah is someone who understands the significance in the message. She lives it every day.

Chelsea is not someone who is apprehensive or embarrassed to talk about her personal struggles. If she was, she wouldn’t have put herself in a position to help others, a desire which began three years ago, when she opened Revival Strength and Recovery. She established the facility as a community space, offering a combination of services, including a gym, a fitness center, and personal training services.

Additionally, the facility provided resources related to addiction recovery, whether recovering from addiction, injury, trauma, or illness, with the mission of helping individuals on their journey toward better health and wellbeing. But unfortunately for Chelsea and her members, this venture didn’t last.

“When I opened the gym and recovery center, I was very lean and had been through an emotional

year in my personal life,” Chelsea says. “I lacked boundaries and tried to save everyone, without ever putting myself first. So, I carried this into my first year at gym, and between being a mom, working at my dad’s restaurant, and running my own business, I was just going too fast. I wasn’t able to catch up, and I didn’t take care of myself.”

Without proper balance in her life, Chelsea emotionally, mentally, and physically burnt herself out. She ended up having to walk away from Revival Strength & Recovery for her own good.

“I went through an emotional and mental breakdown and became physically exhausted, which left me basically bedridden and zombielike for about a year,” Chelsea said. “I also stopped my counseling, which left me with many unhealed traumas that I never processed. There was a time I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I fought and did not give up.”

Chelsea reopened her gym early this past March, but with a new plan and with putting herself first. She renamed her gym, Be Yourself Fitness, and she is happy for the fresh start.

“I’ve used my 27 years of gym experience and my

27 years in eating disorder recovery, to lay the foundation for my classes,” Chelsea explained. “I have an amazing team of friends, family, customers from the Tavern on Main, as well as the most supportive community. I am also fortunate to have a supportive boyfriend, who is also sober in recovery, and who has helped me establish Be Yourself Fitness, at the same location where Revival had been. The owner of the building saved a spot for me. and I’m so grateful to him for this.”

Be Yourself Fitness has classes for both men and women of all ages. Classes include bootcamp strength training classes and cardio kickboxing. Chelsea is available for one-on-one personal training, and starting in June, Chelsea and several others, including one of her first personal training clients (a teenager who is working on his senior project), are starting a program called Be yourself. The logo for this program was designed by Chelsea’s 8 year old son.

“This program will be aimed at preventing addiction and eating disorder addiction for 5-12 years-olds, by introducing them to fitness in a healthy way, and by encouraging them to be themselves and respect one another’s unique strengths,” Chelsea says.

The classes will include strength training and other exercise and fun activities. There will be fundraisers for kids who do not have the money to attend classes so they can participate.

“I’m excited for this new journey,” Chelsea says. “I’m bringing my truest and healthiest version of myself, as well as all of my hard-learned lessons and experiences to the members at Be Yourself Fitness. The only requirements I ask of members is to be yourself, be prepared to laugh, and have a positive attitude. And, never give up.”

Be Yourself Fitness is located at 16 Terry Lane in Chepachet. For more information, call (401) 7870295. Follow Chelsea on Instagram @chelsea. lumnah and Facebook @Chel Lumnah.

Getting Summer-Ready Doesn’t Have To Be That Hard

By: Susan Gazerro

Here we are again, approaching summer. We all wait for the longer days and the warmer weather. People love this time of year because they can put away the long sleeves, gloves, hats and winter coats. It’s time for tank tops, shorts, sunglasses, and bathing suits. Fitness fanatics, especially, love this time of year, not only for the reasons mentioned above, but they also look forward to not having to be in the gym every day. They can do their workouts outdoors in the warmth of the sun.

Exercise becomes important to a lot of people this time of year because putting on a bathing suit can be challenging for many. You probably think more about your body now than any other time of the year, except when you made that New Year’s resolution. This feeling of wanting to be fit and look good can be very overwhelming, but it doesn’t

have to be. It all begins in the mind. When you have a strong mind, you can accomplish and overcome anything. You must also find a way to be at peace with yourself. Learn to accept who you are, the way you are, and be confident. Think more about how your body feels, rather than how it fits into a predetermined, standard bathing suit. We all want to go to the gym to work on our physique, but it is much more important that you put your effort into activities that will help you move better, stay healthy, and feel strong. Once you have confidence, you don’t stress about the way you look. Your confidence becomes your beauty.

Workouts should also be fun. They shouldn’t feel like a chore. You should want to exercise. Once you have your mind set that you want to workout and feel good, my advice is to find something you love. Find a hobby or

activity that keeps you moving, that you enjoy. Working out doesn’t have to be at a gym. Any type of movement is exercise. The problem is that, we as a country, have been so spoiled with everything being at our fingertips, we don’t have to move as much. Even the grocery stores deliver to our homes. At least when you went to the market, you had to walk the aisles. You had to carry the shopping bags from the car to the house. That may seem small, but all the small steps and carrying things add up. We no longer have to make any effort to do anything. It is all done for us. Although some consider this new way of life a convenience, the truth is, this convenience is not doing any of us any good. It can be hurtful to us, both physically and mentally.

Getting back to summer fitness, my point of all this is that you don’t need to stress about how you look in that bathing suit. Focus on feeling and being the best you! I repeat, don’t have some predetermined standard. Just make it a point to move your body more. Make it a point to drink more water and eat more protein. If you don’t stress about it, but just make small changes it will work. Think about how overthinking never works, but when you don’t overthink, things seem to fall in place. Well, I believe the same analogy is true when it comes to losing weight or wanting to become more fit. Yes, you need to have a certain level of dedication, but you don’t need to be obsessed. You need to relax, appreciate your body, and just make small changes that you can make part of your everyday routine.

Here are some helpful hints to start moving. If you like to golf, carry your golf bag and walk the course. If you are at

the mall, make it a point to walk the whole floor, every floor. When looking for a parking spot, purposely park far enough away, so you have to walk to the entrance. Again, these are forms of exercise. You are walking and moving. However, if you want to get into a more serious workout routine, I suggest working on your core first. A strong core makes all other body parts easier to exercise. Having a strong core is not just about having a flat stomach. It’s about protecting your spine, strengthening your lower back, and making yourself stronger, all-around.

Remember, exercise is not just about how you look, it’s more about being healthy. The outward appearance is a fringe benefit. We are all built differently, so embrace how you look and exercise for the health of it. and you will inevitably see a physical difference. Happy spring. Happy summer.

“Wholesome exercise in free air, under the wide sky, is the best medicine.”

12 Things You Didn’t Know

12 Things You Didn’t Know

1.

cell to make a complete trip around your body.

Charles F. Feeney has given away $8 billion—he now has $2 million to live on.

Spanish just for the purpose of trash talking opponents.

The sentence “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the English language.

The world’s first labor strike was held on the site of a pyramid.

MC Hammer once challenged Michael Jackson to a dance-off.

2. Sir Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity when he was only 23 years old.

New research has found that the more visually creative a person is, the lower the quality of their sleep.

The average American woman now weighs as much as the average 1960s man.

The world’s oldest hotel has been operating since 705 AD in Japan.

All of the Rugrats were voiced by women.

The average human eats 8 spiders in their lifetime, at night.

3. Roughly 42% of Americans play video games for at least three hours a week.

Subscriptions to streaming music services increased by 50% in 2016, totaling 92 million.

Research shows that the creativity may begin in the cerebellum, rather than the “right brain.”

The name tag on Heath Ledger’s nurse uniform in “The Dark Knight” read “Mathilda” the name of the actor’s daughter.

The average human eats 22 flies in their lifetime, at night.

In a group of 23 people, there is a 50% chance that 2 of them will share the same birthday.

According to an extensive study, the best day to buy plane tickets is Sunday—especially if you’re booking more than 21 days in advance.

Making art has been found to lower stress hormone levels in most people, regardless of skill.

You can control the volume of a YouTube video by using the up and down arrows on your keyboard.

4. When a secretary at Apple was late because of car trouble, Steve Jobs gave her a Jaguar and said, “Don’t be late anymore”.

A rhinoceros horn is made of compacted hair.

One man, without help and without proper construction tools, spent 34 years building the Watts Towers, which still stand in Los Angeles.

Studies show that, when it comes to food, the human brain is bad at judging quantity increases but accurate at judging quantity decreases.

5. One bolt of lightning has enough energy to cook 100,000 pieces of toast.

In New York City, about 1,600 people are bitten by other humans every year.

A U.S. study found that the most disproportionately common interest found on people’s resumes in New Hampshire is “Bigfoot.”

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate of any U.S. state, and New Orleans has the highest incarceration rate of any city in the state.

The shortest war in history was between Zanzibar and England in 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after 38 minutes.

50% of Netflix users watch an entire season of a show in a week.

A new U.S. study has found that economy round-trip and one-way airline tickets are the lowest they’ve been since 2013.

6. The opening and closing scenes of people embracing at the airport in “Love Actually” were shot on location with hidden cameras for a week.

The design of the tallest residential building in the world, 432 Park Avenue in Manhattan, was inspired by a trash can.

A polar bear’s skin is black. Its fur is not white, but actually clear.

Samsung has been granted a patent in South Korea for contact lenses that project images directly into the wearer’s eyes.

By 2050, it’s estimated that four trucks of plastic waste will be added to the ocean every minute.

Studies show the key to happiness is spending your money on experiences rather than possessions.

Studies show the key to happiness is spending your money on experiences rather than possessions.

7. On average, it takes sunlight 8 minutes and 20 seconds to travel from the Sun to the Earth.

Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn’t wear pants.

By 2017, it is estimated that nearly 207 billion emails will be sent every day.

Research shows that kids are more likely to be honest when they know it will please their parents, even if their parents still punish them.

8. Disneyland banned men with long hair up until the 1960s. They still don’t allow their employees to have beards.

On average, early risers writing emails between 4am and 8am make 11.8 mistakes per 100 words.

Air Jordans were banned from the NBA, however Michael Jordan always wore them as Nike was willing to pay the fine for each game.

More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes.

Studies suggest that gifted people often have bad handwriting because their brains work faster than their hands.

A recent study found that higher blood pressure in an expectant mother is associated with having a boy.

A study found that only 24% of Canadians know that Queen Elizabeth II is their head of state.

Studies show Americans ages 18-29 are far more stressed out that anyone else in the country.

Shakespeare invented the words “assassination” and “bump.”

9. Every cow and bull on Earth today is descended from a herd of just 80 animals that were domesticated almost 11,000 years ago.

Cheetos are naturally gray before they are given a bright orange artificial color.

In 2015, Americans wrote out 17.3 billion checks. In the same year, they made 69.5 billion debit card purchases.

Research has found that, on average, a person’s social media writing contains three times as many mistakes as their emails.

If you keep a goldfish in the dark room, it will eventually turn white.

Cotton candy only costs about six cents per serving to make, including the cardboard cone.

10. America’s first murderer, John Billington, came over on the Mayflower, got into a fight with another colonist, and shot him with a musket.

Looking through Instagram accounts of healthy meals can actually trick you into enjoying those foods more than you otherwise would, a study found.

According to a survey, 67% of hiring managers cite lack of eye contact as the biggest mistake candidates make in interviews.

According to NASA, the perfect nap should last no more than 26 minutes.

The name of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with.

Amy Schumer is the only woman ever to land on Forbes’s list of the world’s highest-paid comedians.

Women are statistically better drivers then men.

11. Animal studies have found that blueberries can help improve memory and delay short-term memory loss.

New research has found that the NFL players that incur the most penalties get arrested more than their teammates.

According to USDA projections, by 2025 Americans will consume 219 pounds of meat per year on average.feeling to occur.

The word “lethologica” describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.

Studies suggest that eye contact must be held for about 8.2 seconds for that “Love at first sight” feeling to occur.

It cost $15 million to build Disneyland’s New Orleans Square—the amount the U.S. paid for the real New Orleans in the Louisiana Purchase.

3.

1. 2.

1.

2.

3. 4.

Easy Clean: A Family Endeavor

by Mark Berger

Professionals have plenty of things to worry about, either at their jobs or companies, without also worrying about the chores needing to be done at home. There are not enough hours to adequately complete these tasks without something being forgotten or not done right. Even weekends take away from family obligations, work projects, and other plans.

A chore most people delay is cleaning. Whether it’s cleaning the kitchen, vacuuming the living room, or rounding up and throwing away the trash, many people will put it off until the last moment, or make somebody else do the undesirable task. Instead of pushing the cleaning chores down the list, call a company specializing in cleaning large and small spaces, so customers can focus on other important areas.

Easy Clean in South Kingstown is the brainchild of Thomas and Vivian Howard. Their mission is working with residential and commercial clients on keeping their facilities clean and free from dust particles and other airborne viruses that can cause illnesses in the home or office. The couple began the company last April to provide a needed service, while helping others. The idea of providing their time appealed to the Howards.

“I owned another company, Patriot Thermal Controls in Warwick, before selling it, and began what became Easy Clean. Vivian and I discussed what we could do together and concluded that going into homes and offices offered a great opportunity to show off our cleaning acumen. It

has been a slow build, but one that has succeeded this far because of word-of-mouth referrals.”

Thomas was born in Ashaway, RI, and has been part of many successful projects statewide. Vivian, native to Colombia, moved to Rhode Island in 2021, because she loved the culture, the people, and the food. Together, they founded Easy Clean in 2022.

It took about a year for them to create their new business. That included obtaining the equipment, training, and licensing needed to start.

One of their biggest differences and benefits is being bilingual. They are fluent in English and Spanish, which they say breaks down most miscommunication issues. Another point they rely on is their exceptional customer service. They pride themselves on doing a great job every time. Their results have sparked additional work from their initial clients mentioning them to other friends, colleagues, and social groups.

Their process stems from cleaning and sterilizing the space, but continues deeper into the needs of their customers. Thomas also doubles as a licensed general contractor. He helps clients who have other projects that need fixing. He mentioned recently installing a sliding glass shower door for one customer, as one example.

What they also found early on was their ability to help people in need. Some of their customers include the elderly, the terminally ill, and nonprofit organizations. They want to contribute in their own way and clean their home or office at little to no cost. Thomas said that it’s their way of giving back.

“We try helping those who are in some type of need. I am not a veteran, but I help many veterans and veterans’ groups,” he said. “Vivian and I have a deep sense of pride in providing services to those who also helped others.”

For commercial clients, they understand the importance of first impressions. They want to create a welcoming environment for employees and customers alike. Their attention to detail sets them apart from other cleaning companies.

“Elevate your workspace with our exceptional commercial cleaning services that bring a touch of freshness to your professional environment. A clean office isn’t just about appearances – it’s about fostering productivity and creating a positive impression on clients and employees alike,” Vivian said.

Added Thomas, “We want to provide families with a great service. I try to keep customers engaged with positive energy, clear communication, and the perfect plan, for the desired budget. Vivian brings an overwhelming warmness and comfort

to projects, while working diligently to make a time-saving, stress free environment become a reality.”

They have three employees, including the couple. Thomas said that he has several people on call for bigger projects. Typically, one of their projects averages two to four hours to finish. “It depends on the size of the project and how fast it needs to get done,” he added.

Because Easy Clean is growing, they are seeking applications for sales representatives. The ideal candidate would be someone who can generate quality without direction. Compensation would be based on their ability to produce, so the sky could be the limit.

Easy Clean works with residential and commercial clients throughout Rhode Island. Their goal is to be Rhode Island’s most reliable and trusted cleaning service.

More details may be found by visiting their website at www.easycleanri.com. To schedule an appointment, please call (English) 401-7927056, or (Spanish) 401-218-5055.

Embracing Digital Transformation, While Maintaining Paper Solutions

Automated Business Solutions (ABS), a company that began without a single customer in 1992, has evolved into a regional powerhouse, serving over 4,000 clients across New England, and employing 85 people as of March 2024. Founded by Alan Albergaria and Robert Maceroni, ABS has navigated the ever-changing business landscape, adapting to emerging technologies, while maintaining a strong foothold on traditional paper-based solutions.

While the notion of a “paperless society” has been a recurring prediction, ABS does not see it going completely paperless any time soon.

Over the past three decades, ABS has diversified its services, embracing computer-based solutions, like information technology and cloud services, alongside its traditional offerings of copiers, production print machines, postage machines, finishing equipment, and other business machines. This adaptability has enabled the company to cater to the evolving needs of its clients, while maintaining a competitive edge over larger, multinational conglomerates that may struggle to provide the same level of agility and personalized service.

If your office is thinking about going paperless, here are some things to keep in mind…

Transitioning to a paperless office environment offers several advantages. By digitizing documents and processes, businesses can significantly reduce the need for physical storage space, freeing up valuable office real estate, previously occupied by bulky filing cabinets and storage rooms. Digital documents also enhance data security and protection, as they can be safeguarded with robust encryption and access controls, minimizing the risks of loss, theft, or unauthorized access that physical files are vulnerable to. Additionally, digital files are easily searchable and accessible, allowing employees to quickly locate and retrieve the information they

need, boosting productivity and efficiency. Going paperless is also an environmentally friendly approach, as it substantially reduces paper consumption, aligning with sustainability goals, and potentially lowering operational costs associated with printing and paper procurement.

To facilitate the digitization of office paperwork, businesses need to invest in the appropriate hardware and software tools. Essential equipment includes high-quality scanners capable of efficiently digitizing existing paper documents. Additionally, implementing a document management system (DMS) or cloudbased storage solution is crucial for organizing, storing, and managing digital files securely. Optical character recognition (OCR) software can further enhance the utility of scanned documents by converting them into searchable and editable formats.

When selecting digital solutions for paperless office processes, it is essential to carefully evaluate options, based on the specific needs and requirements of the business. Organizations should assess factors such as the types and volume of documents handled, collaboration

requirements, and the need for remote access. Choosing between cloud-based or on-premise solutions depends on considerations like security, compliance, and accessibility needs. Scalability and seamless integration with existing software, such as accounting or customer relationship management (CRM) systems, are also important. Userfriendly interfaces and easy-to-use features can facilitate faster adoption and minimize disruptions to workflows. Above all, having security measures, including encryption, access controls, and backup options, should be prioritized to safeguard sensitive data.

To ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of paperless office processes, businesses should also adopt several best practices and tips. Regular backups of digital files and a comprehensive disaster recovery plan are essential to protect against data loss. Implementing retention policies and schedules for document archiving or deletion, can help maintain an organized and clutter-free digital environment. Leveraging automation technologies can streamline document classification and data extraction processes, further enhancing efficiency. Continuously reviewing and optimizing digital processes based on evolving needs and emerging technologies is also crucial. Finally, staying up-to-date with industry trends and adopting new solutions as they become available can help businesses stay ahead of the curve, and maximize the benefits of a paperless office.

As of March 2024, Automated Business Solutions remains an independently owned dealer in New England, with a network of 6 locations, strategically positioned across the

region: Headquarters and two offices in Warwick, RI; Southington, CT; Marlborough, MA; Hingham, MA; Southbridge, MA; and New Bedford, MA.

ABS’s success can be attributed to its ability to strike a balance between embracing digital transformation and catering to the ongoing demand for traditional paperbased solutions. By offering a comprehensive range of products and services, the company has solidified its position as a trusted partner for businesses across diverse industries, ensuring a seamless transition into the digital age, while acknowledging the enduring role of paper in certain applications.

If you are wondering what solutions are right for you, give us a call. 401-732-3000

Meet The Dream Team: Steven Gosetti

Each month, Shop in RI Magazine profiles one member of “The Dream Team,” a weekly networking group that meets in Smithfield. This month, we feature Steven Gosetti, Insurance Agent & Financial Representative of Bankers Life and Bankers Life Securities, in Warwick.

considering retirement in the next year or two, and/or anyone who is currently retired.

He joined The Dream Team as a way of helping others with their professional problems. He also enjoys helping family, friends, and colleagues, whenever a situation arises.

Gosetti’s involvement in this industry spans almost two decades. He works with clients on ensuring their families are protected from loss. Whether the issue stems from healthrelated topics, such as Medicare/Medicaid, life insurance, or income generation, Gosetti uses his knowledge and experience to navigate through such issues.

Gosetti’s philosophy on what he does is quite simple. “What I do is not exciting; what I do is essential,” he explained.

His mission is protecting clients’ assets that have accumulated over a lifetime, so their heirs aren’t coping with a dual loss of income, and the loss of a loved one. Because the world is an uncertain place, there are often fears from his clients regarding what might happen next.

“My job is to protect the clients’ life’s work,” Gosetti said. “Life is too unpredictable and sometimes, it can throw people a monkey wrench into their plans. Life insurance isn’t there for you, it’s there for your loved ones after you’ve passed away, so they can continue living.”

A client that would benefit from Gosetti’s services is anyone over the age of 50, who is

When he isn’t helping others with their future, Gosetti enjoys hitting objects with sticks. He is an avid golfer and billiards player. He is also the proud owner of 16 patents on golf ball designs. “The Dream Team” currently has 25 members and is growing. They meet every Wednesday morning, from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM, at the Home2Suites Hilton on Douglas Pike (Rte. 7), in Smithfield, across from Laura’s Bar and Grill. The group is looking to grow its team and is interested in meeting professionals from various businesses that are looking to connect and help each other grow through referral business. The Dream Team is all about “Friends helping Friends.”

Further information about the group may be found by contacting either President Rocco Elgar at 401-265-0857 or at therockhbi@msn. com, or Vice President Tim Richard at 401-7664200 or at tim@estenandrichardinsurance. com.

Strategies to Protect Your Goals From Consistent Inflation

By: Edward Pontarelli Jr.

If you’re like most investors, you’ve noticed the impact of higher inflation in recent years – whether at the gas pump or the grocery store. American investors are experiencing the effects of prolonged inflation, for the first time since the early 1980s. As a result, many are concerned about how inflation levels will impact their ability to reach their long-term financial goals. While it may not be possible to avoid the effects of inflation altogether, there are several strategies investors can utilize to mitigate the impact of inflation on their financial plan. Here are three investment considerations that may help address inflation concerns and better prepare your goals for long-term success.

1 – Keep your money invested

When the inflation rate soared in 2022, stock and bond markets declined. Some investors responded by pulling money out of the market. This can be counterproductive, as investors too often miss much of a market’s recovery gain before they put their money back to work. For example, the U.S. stock market (as measured by the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index, an unmanaged index of stocks, often used as a benchmark of market performance, declined 25%, between January and October of 2022. But by the end of 2023, the S&P 500 regained nearly all of the ground lost in the bear market. It is normal for markets to go through ups and downs. Investors that stay the course and keep their money invested, commonly see their investments reestablish gains that were lost in a sudden downturn. While it may be tempting to remove yourself from the market during volatile periods, it could be helpful to stay invested at a level that reflects your risk tolerance.

2 – If time is on your side, take advantage of stocks

Over time, stocks have historically outpaced inflation, an important consideration, as you try to build wealth to achieve your ultimate financial goals with more confidence. This doesn’t mean that year-in, year-out, stocks will keep you ahead of inflation. 2022 is a good example of a year when stocks declined, as inflation rose. But if you have time to let your money work for you, stocks have historically outpaced the rise in living costs. According to data collected since 1871, stocks have grown faster than inflation for holding periods of 20 years or more. Investors who can ride the highs and lows of mar-

kets are often better suited to keep up, if not pass, the rate of inflation.

3 – For short-term money, seek higher yields

You may have money set aside for short-term needs, such as your emergency fund or to cover upcoming expenses. In these times of elevated inflation, you’ll want to find ways to earn more competitive yields on your short-term savings. Search out options such as money market funds, CDs, short-term U.S. Treasury securities, and other savings vehicles that offer yields, and that may keep pace with inflation. Utilizing these tools may allow you to stay more liquid with your investments, while hedging against the impacts of inflation.

Whether an economic cycle brings conventional or elevated inflation, it should be considered as a factor in your long-term financial plan. A financial advisor can help develop a comprehensive strategy that addresses the inflation environment today and over the long term.

Why Work with a Financial Advisor? Perspective from One

By: Carrie McPherson

One of the top questions I receive as a financial advisor is, “What exactly do you do and how can you help someone like me?” If you’ve ever wondered the same thing, you’re not alone. The answer I give when I meet new people is this: Financial advisors are committed to helping individuals and families set and reach their financial goals. Advisors provide value beyond investment strategies and financial advice; they are there to help clients feel more financially confident for the expected and unexpected moments of life. Here are some specific ways you can benefit from this professional relationship:

Personalized advice. There’s no “one size fits all” financial plan. A financial advisor can help you evaluate your current circumstances to create a plan of action specific to your goals and concerns. You don’t have to achieve a certain level of wealth or have complex finances to enlist their services. Financial advisors are equipped to serve you, whether you are starting out in your career, in the middle of your working years, entering retirement or if you’re already retired.

Investment strategies, product recommendations and more. A financial advisor will suggest ways to move forward based on your short-, medium-,and long-term financial goals. Investment strategies will vary based on your time horizon—the years ahead of you in which you have to reach your goals. Your advisor may recommend a balance of stocks, bonds and other solutions aligned to your risk tolerance. You may be advised on ways to optimize your tax situation, which can include investing in accounts that offer tax advantages, such as a Roth or traditional IRA, Health Savings Account, or 529 plan. You can expect an advisor to review insurance coverage and other solutions to strengthen your financial safety net. Lastly, your financial plan may also include tips for saving and budgeting.

Confidence in your financial decision making. A financial advisor can be a sounding board as you move through life and experience events that impact your bottom line. You can ask your advisor for input on how a job change, large expenditure, or other financial commitment will affect your financial outlook. You can feel more secure about your charitable giving when it’s been incorporated into your overall plan. Together you can adjust your investment strategies to accommodate life circumstances. As a result, you will be able to make financial decisions knowing you have considered the larger picture.

Multi-generational support. A trusted financial advisor can be a resource for your entire family. Your goals may include caring for aging parents or putting kids through college. Your advisor can also educate you on a wealth of topics that impact your family’s financial wellbeing. These may include estate planning, wealth transfer, wills, health care directives, powers of attorney, trusts and beneficiary assignments. It’s never too early to introduce your adult children to your advisor and encourage them to make use of financial planning services. Financial advisors understand the values that drive you and can help instill these as your family forms their relationship to money.

Collaboration. In addition to providing consultation to you, your advisor can work directly with a tax preparer and estate attorney as needed. By keeping your advisor in the loop on tax and estate matters, you can be assured of comprehensive professional support.

Ongoing advice for your changing circumstances. Life happens. Goals change. Markets fluctuate. In a constantly changing world, a lasting relationship with a financial advisor allows you to work in tandem with a partner you trust to navigate all that life will throw your way.

Inc. in Providence, RI. She specializes in fee based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 15 years. Please contact her at www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/beacon-point-wealth-advisors or (401)824-2557, 1 Citizens Plaza Ste 610 Providence, RI 02903.

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation.

Stock investments involve risk, including loss of principal. High-quality stocks may be appropriate for some investment strategies. Ensure that your investment objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance are aligned with investing in stocks, as they can lose value.

There are risks associated with fixed-income investments, including credit risk, interest rate risk, and prepayment and extension risk. In general, bond prices rise when interest rates fall and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer term securities.

The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results.

Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

© 2024 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

I T SERVICES

Proactive security and improved productivity through infrastructure evaluations and our highly experienced, in-house Help Desk

• Network Management

• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

• Cyber Security and Firewall

• Document Management

•

•

•

Main Street Home Loans: From Main Street to Your Street

By Mark Berger

Springtime means different things for people. For some, it signifies the end of winter and colder temperatures. For others, it becomes the dawn of an emerging season. Yet, a few gear themselves up for outdoor activities such as golf, baseball, softball, among others.

For real estate industry professionals, it means one thing: The housing market begins its frenzy for buying and selling.

When the snow clears way for warmer temperatures, those looking to participate will be out in force. While that market has seen some unprecedented peaks and valleys over the past several years, one constant has been the ability for buyers to know what they can afford.

Having a mortgage lender that can assess the situation and offer programs and options to make the process move quickly can make a big difference.

That is the trademark of Main Street Home Loans, with offices located on 51 Jefferson Boulevard, fifth floor, in Warwick, and on 500 East Washington Street in North Attleboro, MA. They specialize in getting potential buyers into the fray by developing plans for them to seek out the home they want.

Area Manager David Licciardi said the housing industry constantly changes, and with fluctuations, it helps to know how much buying power they have. He has seen numerous trends over his three-decades career in this industry. What sets Main Street Home Loans apart from other companies is being able to connect customers with funding quicker, he said.

“We actually provide the money directly to the consumers,” Licciardi said. “We work alongside FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to assist customers with the money they need to put an offer on the table. We have an onsite underwriting team that can expedite the process.

“Mortgages are the only thing we do, and we do them better than anyone,” he said.

Dave said helping others provided the background for choosing his career path. He studied Finance at The University of Rhode Island before working at several companies; doing everything from loan processing to re-structuring loan denials. For the latter, David would research other ways to enable the application to become approved. He would continue to thrive in such capabilities until he co-founded Main Street Home Loans over five years ago.

Since the Spring Housing Market will be in full swing, Licciardi believes there could be a drop in the interest rates at some point this year. He is unsure of how low the rates will fall or if the upcoming presidential election will influence them. However, the way people are impacted in other areas can make for an interesting decision, according to Licciardi.

“There are people out there hurting. They don’t have money for food, gas or other essentials because the price of everything has increased. In that case, they can look into the equity in their home. Their values have also increased during that same period. So, it may make sense for people to take money out of their home to either pay off high-interest credit cards, fix up their home or do something else,” he said.

Another point David makes is the competition this spring. The warm weather will encourage those who sat out during the winter to start looking. That will not only increase demand, but it will also start bidding wars that ultimately helps the seller.

Compounding the problem is the lack of new homes being built around here. He said if there

is available land to build something, then it would be sold rather fast. Unfortunately, as the price of materials and properties rise, it makes opportunities to put someone in a new home more difficult.

For anyone looking to begin the process, Licciardi said lenders usually want two years of W2’s (tax returns for the self employed), a month of paystubs and recent bank statements. Those are all needed to determine what people can afford and where they might be able to go house hunting.

David encourages anyone interested in getting started should talk with him and his staff.

“Some people think that if they either have no credit or bad credit they will be automatically disqualified. That isn’t always the case. Their credit score may be fixed in a month or two and put them on track, numbers-wise. We work with many individuals who may have less-than-stellar credit. Or, we can put them in programs that will repair their issues so they can get back on the

path to home buying,” Licciardi said.

Main Street Home Loans is an award-winning, multi-state residential mortgage lender currently licensed in 42 states. Main Street Home Loans focuses on assisting consumers in obtaining a residential loan that meets their needs while ensuring that they are receiving exemplary service throughout the process. They are dedicated to streamlining the loan process in order to shorten the time from loan application to closing without sacrificing service, quality, or compliance. Their company operates on a platform of high standards, while always putting honesty, integrity, and ethics at the highest level of importance.

For more details about their services, please contact David Licciardi at 401-487-7691 or david@mainstreethl.com

Additional information about Main Street Home Loans may also be found by visiting their website at mainstreethomeloans.com.

In House Underwriting!

Access to Every Mortgage

“An incredible team that made my home buying process easier than I thought. They cut straight to the chase and don't sugar coat anything. They're honest people who really know what their doing. Best mortgage broker around!”

“We have worked with this team several times now and they are wonderful. Would highly recommend!”

“Omg, thanks to these folks. They helped me a lot during the purchase of my house. Everything was smooth and stress free. Couldn’t have done it without

What’s Up With That?

Just three hours of exercise a week lowers your risk of depression.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Gray hairs can naturally regain their color when we feel less stressed.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

The sentence ‘Pack my box with five Dozen Liquor jugs’ uses every letter in the English alphabet.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

No president of the United States has been an only child.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

If you doubled one penny every day for 30 days, you’d have $10,737,418.24.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Forgetting minor details, such as the name of someone you’ve just met, helps your brain maintain efficiency by prioritizing more important information.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

In 1777, George Washington temporarily stopped the Revolutionary War to return a lost dog to its owner, who was a British general.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Approximately a third of the United States population lives within four states: California, Texas, Florida, and New York.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Restaurants will avoid using dollar signs on their menus as a psychological trick to make you spend more money.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Smoking a cigarette begins to cause genetic damage in minutes — not years.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Rick Pimental Owner of Headframez

by L.A.Reilly

In my opinion, Rick is one of the best drummers in RI in one of the most popular bands Crushed Velvet. But this article is about his unique one-of-a-kind business called Headframez. A display frame for autographed drum heads. Easy to install a signed drumhead into this rockin’ frame. Ideal for music rooms, recording studios, man caves, collection rooms, restaurants and home décor. He is globally known and has reached thousands of customers around the world.

LA: Your company “Headframez”, how did you come up with this idea and how long have you been doing this?

RP: My wife Tammy’s brother Norm ended up working for Sevendust and Slayer. We got to meet these stars. I ended up getting drumheads signed. Starting a collection with signed heads and being a drummer I had spare rims hanging around. I wanted to display my drum heads. At the time I was putting a nail in the wall and hanging it up. Since I had spare drum parts I took my hot glue gun and glued the head into the frame. I did some research and nobody had anything close to a frame… everything was shadow boxes with no hoop around the head. So I came up with the design after finding out that nobody had them. It took me a little while to come up with a design that worked. I got a registered trademark and started marketing them in 2016. I sold 8 heads in two months. Since then I sold 1,258. I advertise on my website and I sell on eBay and Etsy as well. When my dad passed he left all kinds of tools for me that I could use to create them. I make the frames, ship them and send them instructions on how to install their drum heads. I’ve sold to a few celebrities and I sold to a lady in Florida who was doing a Devo exhibition. When I started there were 3000 listings on eBay for autograph drum heads

for sale but there are no frames. By me making the frames, they complete the look of the autographed drumhead and they are so easy to install. So many people asked for custom colors and I spray paint them. I sell them around the world. I include cleaning cloths and all frames have my logo on them. There’s a collectors market for autographed drum heads. My sizes go from 6 inch to 18 inch in steel hoops, 14 inch to 26 inch and wooden hoops. My record sales were 34 in one month and I just do it this part time. If I went full production and listed them on Amazon I wouldn’t be able to keep up.

LA: Tell me about the process you go through from someone contacting you for an order to completion.

RP: They order what size they need for whatever drum head they have. I list different sizes, different finishes including chrome, black, nickel, brass and custom. It takes me about 40 minutes to complete the frame. I have to grind nuts that go around the bolts, cut the bolts, filling and making the wires and applying the stickers. I ship it out the next day.

LA: Slayer was your first head frame. I didn’t even know it was a thing. How do you get them to sign the drum head?

RP: In most cases people know the bands or someone who knows the band or they have a backstage pass. I’ve noticed lately that at the merch booths, the bands are already signing drum heads to purchase. On eBay a lot of drummers sell their products including signed drum heads. Some of the heads I have are the actual drum heads used by the drummer. You just have to make sure they are legit when buying online.

LA: Do you have a favorite frame you ever did and what colors do you offer?

RP: One of my favorite bands growing up was Kiss. One client had a Kiss autographed drum head and it was a 24 inch that he wanted to have a silver sparkle. I do a lot of one-of-a-kind finishes. The finishes can be yellow, red, white, black and Chrome. Chrome and black are the most popular everything else is custom. I’ve done drum heads for raffles, birthday parties and wedding gifts. Everyone at the party will sign the drum head. If someone orders for a party, you’d get the head, the marker and the frame as a kit.

LA: How is the competition in this field? I don’t know anyone else who does this

RP: I’m the only guy globally. I did the research before I started making them and they don’t exist other than shadow boxing. The first autographed drumhead wasn’t Slayer. It was a drummer from Journey. He was in Warren at a recording studio. The band I was in at the time, the recording studio asked my guitar player if he could borrow his amp for Steve Smith from Journey. He was there doing a solo project. We went into the studio and met Steve and I signed something on the drum booth wall that said “If you all have North Drums… go home” signed Richie Rich. Steve liked my quote that I put on the wall and he signed a drumhead for me that said “To Richie Rich”. That was my first drum head.

LA: Your studio is in your basement. I’ve seen your studio and it rocks! The ceiling is covered with album covers, your band “Crushed Velvet” practices there and you also have collections. Tell me about your collections.

RP: I have a massive guitar pick collection that I started in the 70s. I was front row for Kiss and I got a pocket full of picks that are worth about a $500 a piece. When I was younger I went to a lot of concerts. I’m a collector and I must have over 800 guitar picks in binders. My rarest guitar pick is Paul McCartney and Wings.

LA: Lastly when you’re not doing your full-time job with your painting company, building frames and playing gigs with “Crushed Velvet” what do you like to do for fun? What would be your favorite restaurant in RI?

RP: For me playing drums is fun. I like to go to concerts too. I’d say Portside in Bristol is my favorite restaurant and also Jack’s in Warren. As I finished the interview, yup, he sold another Frame!

Email: sickrick@headframez.com

Website: headframez.com

Facebook: @headframez

Eagle Exteriors:

Three Generations of Building in RI

by Mark Berger

Springtime comes with the changing of the seasons and a plethora of home improvement projects. Homeowners awaken from their winter doldrums to realize they don’t like what they see. Perhaps, they want to do a makeover, or change their furniture or appliances. Maybe they see their roof or siding is weathered or in need of another type of help. Whatever the reason, there are many jobs that require the direction of an experienced contractor.

That becomes tricky because with so many contractors out there, it can be daunting to select one who is trustworthy, licensed, and will stand behind their work. Nobody wants to become the victim of someone who turns out to be much less than advertised.

Anyone who contacts Eagle Exteriors, located on 1270 High Street in Cumberland, will receive top notch services from people who pride themselves on providing on using the best materials, as well as having the ability to successfully communicate with their customers. Owner David Lacreta grew up in the industry and knew that becoming his own boss would become his calling.

He understands the reputation contractors as a whole have, resulting from some taking advantage of customers. That is not the way he conducts business, and on the contrary, ensures that each project has the direct involvement of the homeowner to monitor its progress.

“We work to be as organized for every

project, so that we meet our deadlines and exceed our clients’ expectations,” Lacreta said. “There are some companies that will use inferior materials, not have enough people working on-site, or have some other issues. What’s worse are stories of contractors either showing up to work sites late, or not at all, on the first day.

“We aren’t that way; we have technology to show options, so the client can see for themselves what their project will look like after it’s finished. That is one way we set ourselves apart from other companies,” Lacreta said.

Eagle Exteriors opened in 2012. The company came as a result of their initial endeavor, Eagle Home Improvement, for the first few years. Lacreta saw the need for more outside work, and left to focus on handling that area of the business.

They primarily deal with residential homes throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. While Lacreta and his 15-member

crew can handle many outdoor projects, they are especially adept at replacing roofs and siding. These jobs can take a day (for roofs) to a week (for siding), depending on what’s involved.

They are currently taking on waterfront projects, such as in East Greenwich, Narragansett and the Cape. They also have ongoing projects in Foxboro and Wrentham.

Lacreta said that while jobs fall typically in that range, the craftsmanship can be a determining factor in whether they are built to last.

“If the contractor or his crew don’t know what they are doing, then they are going to cause problems. If they install the client’s roof the wrong way, for example, it could lead to leakage. Faulty installation and materials used for siding won’t withstand the elements as well as quality stuff.

“The bottom line is the customer will end up double paying for the same job because they need to fix

the issues brought on by the first contractor,” Lacreta said.

Before that ever becomes an issue, Lacreta sits with each customer to figure out the scope, needs, time frame, and budget. One of the ways he achieves this is using a 3-D picture to give the customer a better sense of what the project entails, and how it will look upon completion. They can build it out beforehand before the project begins, so customers can have their questions answered, and adjust the project, as necessary.

The firm is a certified Master Craftsman Installer. Lacreta and his staff took several courses and programs, and passed the exam to hold that distinction.

Eagle Exteriors is getting more work within commercial properties, such as low-income housing and a project for the City of Warwick. They recently inked a three-year deal to complete a 80-unit complex in Bristol.

Lacreta said that he is very excited about Eagle Exteriors’s participation in the Rhode Island Home Show. The four-day event begins on Thursday, April 4, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. Their booth is sponsored by Arnold Lumber. They

will be situated in Booth #521, and are planning a surprise, as to how people will see their services for themselves.

Another surprise is what awaits a certain visitor who stops by their booth.

“The first person who stops by our booth and mentions the phrase, ‘Striped Bass,’ because Eagles like to eat fish, will receive a special gift! It’s our way of saying thank you for coming to see us. We will have other information and giveaways throughout the event. “Take a moment to see what we could do to make your home or business get a fresh, new look,” Lacreta suggested.

They offer financing for their projects, as well 25+ years experience in the field.

For more details and to schedule time to meet with David, please contact him at 401-298-0449, or at david@eagleexteriorsRI.com

Further information may also be obtained by visiting www.eagleexteriorsRI.com

Our versatile product lines make it possible to complete any custom project you’ve been considering. We’ll help you bring your vision to life with our selection of paving stones, walls, stepping stones, and more.

Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra Presents Grand Production of Mendelssohn’s Elijah

By Mark Berger

The Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra (RICCO) proudly announces its upcoming performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah on April 6-7. Featuring 200 singers and a 60-piece orchestra, this monumental event promises a captivating rendition of the timeless oratorio. Mendelssohn’s Elijah, renowned for its powerful drama and themes of perseverance, will be performed at the Cathedral of the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Providence and the First Baptist Church in Worcester.

For Dr. Joshua W. Rohde, Music Director & Conductor, RICCO’s mission as a Civic Chorale is meaningful.

For Elijah, RICCO will be joined by singers and instrumentalists from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) where Rohde is Director of Choral Activities, as well as professional soloists and orchestra.

“I believe such music and repertoire should be for everyone. Music is about expressing oneself, about life, about things that are exciting - and choirs, in general, bring communities together.”

Rohde’s dedication to inclusivity is evident in RICCO’s collaborative and welcoming approach to music-making.

“Mendelssohn’s Elijah combines sacred themes with intricate musical compositions. An oratorio is a sacred opera. It’s massive, massive in scope. RICCO’s performance of Elijah in English, as originally premiered, aims to connect audiences directly with the music’s profound themes and emotions.”

“There will be moments when we rattle the rafters, and moments where you can hear a pin drop. I can’t tell you how excited we are to put nearly 300 performers on stage,” Rohde said.

Tickets for Mendelssohn’s Elijah are priced at $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors, and $10 for students with proper ID. With the support of local businesses and grants, RICCO continues its mission of enriching local New England communities through music.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the

Eventbrite link here or visit the RICCO website at: www.ricco.org.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Mendelssohn’s Elijah brought to life by the talented performers of RICCO and WPI. Join us for an unforgettable musical journey filled with passion, drama, and inspiration.

About RICCO:

Since its beginning in 1957, the Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra (RICCO) has been a community organization of people from all walks of life, united in their love of choral music. The membership of the Chorale includes residents of Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. The Directors of this nonprofit organization are dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy, and financial resources in recognition of the valuable cultural contribution that the Chorale makes to the community.

Dr. Joshua W. Rohde has been RICCO’s music director since the 2019, and has grown the singer membership so that there are currently over 100 singers. Dr. Rohde is the Director of Choral Activities at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he conducts all four of the university’s choral ensembles – Alden Voices, Glee Club, Festival Chorus, and the Chamber Choir.

About WPI:

Founded in 1865, WPI was one of the United States’ first engineering and technology universities and now has 14 academic departments with over 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Music is a significant part of WPI, embedded into the curriculum through the university’s Humanities & Arts Requirement and is a vibrant part of the campus. Offerings range in scope from courses in theory, history, and technology to over 18 faculty-led performing ensembles, such as Orchestra, Concert Band, Stage Band, Festival Chorus, and African Drumming. Further student organizations include Pep Band and five a cappella groups. Our musical groups perform regularly throughout the academic year, both on campus and on tours abroad.

About the RICCO-WPI Collaboration:

Both the Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra and Worcester Polytechnic Institute believe that music is one of the most powerful means available for personal and collective expression. RICCO and WPI use music as a vehicle to create inclusive communities that proclaim messages essential to our human nature. This is seen through the diversity of individuals on the stage: With more than 70 years range in ages, they come from different states and communities, and hold divergent musical expertise as students, amateurs, and professionals. Together they share a message of perseverance and hope amidst despair. As with Elijah, they share the knowledge that despite how bleak it sometimes may seem, none walks this life alone.

Ask An Expert

My name is Tom Lopatosky. I’m the President of LOPCO Contracting (www. LopcoContracting.com) & I’m honored to have the opportunity to talk to you about home improvement on a monthly basis. I love answering your questions! Please send them to tom@ LopcoContracting.com or call 401-270-2664. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this column!

How I Prevent Mold on Bathroom Ceilings

The list of items that I have found of ‘things that get people concerned around the home,’ reads almost like a frightful scroll of ‘heart-dropping-into-stomach’ moments…

The discovery of peeling paint

The discovery of an annoying leak, which subsequently cannot seem to be properly sourced

The discovery of a broken pane of glass on a window, or a window that will not properly open/close/lock

I can go on and on.

One of the items highest on the list is the discovery of some type of mold.

While certainly there can be ‘one-offs,’ like a random patch of mold that is simply related to a recent leak, and there are definitely grave causes of concern, such as the spread of a deep case of toxic black mold, which goes unnoticed in someone’s basement for years, perhaps, one of the more frustrating examples of mold is that it’s found on someone’s bathroom ceiling, and no matter what they do, they simply cannot seem to get rid of it.

Fortunately, I have worked through countless examples of this specific type of situation and have been able to come up with a process to help even the most discouraged of homeowners. work through this type of scenario.

There are a number of tactics I would initially steer folks toward in eliminating the mold; here is my checklist:

Make sure there is a bathroom ceiling fan (especially in bathrooms with a shower/bathtub).

Ensure the ceiling fan is functioning properly (toilet paper test).

Make sure the ceiling fan is correctly vented to the outside of the house (preferably through the roof if possible).

Clean all of the existing mold (prior to doing so, if there is a concern that the mold is of the harmful variety, have the mold tested by a professional testing company and then have the mold cleaned by a professional remediation company).

Ensure the surface is well prepped.

Apply a mold killing primer to the entire ceiling.

Properly apply a mold resistant finish coat.

Adhering to these steps should get you where you need to be, in terms of once and for all, stopping the mold challenge with the bathroom ceiling.

If for some reason this develops into one of those extremely rare instances where the mold returns, a more drastic approach would be recommended, as there may somehow be mold trapped deeper into the building material of the ceiling, and at that point, it would be recommended to take down and dispose of the existing ceiling, hang a new ceiling (I prefer blueboard and plaster), and repeat the painting process recommended above.

Though there are many types of things occurring around the home that can be very disheartening, having mold return on a bathroom ceiling, after seemingly countless attempts to eliminate it, can be near the top of the list of irritating dilemmas.

As maddening as these types of things may be, there is a path to work through things – as there almost always is –just be sure that your approach is methodical and in-line with what is recommended, and you can be confident that this will be one more thing that can be crossed off the ‘things that bother me about my house’ list.

About Tom Lopatosky

Tom Lopatosky has run his own RI-based painting and repair business since 1995; LOPCO Contracting – the “Personable, Particular Professionals” – specializes in exterior & interior painting and carpentry. Recently LOPCO Contracting was named ‘RI’s Finest Painting Contracting Company’ by ShopInRI Magazine. In 2013, Tom was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) and a “40 Under 40” award winner by Providence Business News. He is a member of both PCA (Painting Contractors Association) and RIBA (Rhode Island Builders Association). Tom has often had weekly ‘Home Improvement Tips’ that have aired on the radio on 630 WPRO AM and on television on WPRI 12. You can catch Tom LIVE on the radio EVERY Saturday, 2pm-3pm, on 630 WPRO AM (99.7 FM) during his weekly ProTalk Home Improvement Radio Show!

Spring into Savings at Toyota of Smithfield

By Mark Berger

Located on George Washington Highway (Rte. 116) on the Smithfield/Lincoln line, the dealership has new and certified, pre-owned vehicles available to own right now. Regardless of what type of car or truck you seek, Toyota of Smithfield has the experience to make car-purchasing simple.

1543

General Manager John Durrani hopes anyone looking for their next vehicle should work with their award-winning Sales Department to discover many dealer incentives.

“Anyone who trades in either their used or certified, pre-owned cars, will receive an additional $1,000 over book value,” he said. “There won’t be a better time for anyone to trade in their cars. Your trade is worth more than it ever has before, and it’s worth more now than it’s ever going to be worth.”

For those who already have a car or truck, customers should visit their award-winning Service Department to keep their them running efficiently. Their highly-trained staff are adept at diagnosing the small problems before they become major problems.

With lower-than-normal inventory, Durrani said they are seeking all available used cars. He said there are several incentives designed to get someone from their older car into a newer model. “We are appealing to the public to come in with their used vehicles. Right now, we do not have available inventory to fulfill orders,” Durrani said.

To help facilitate their need for additional certified, pre-owned vehicles, Toyota of Smithfield also offers 115% of the book value for any used cars. It does not matter whether customers decide on purchasing a car from their lot.

“We will purchase your trade-in, even if you don’t buy a vehicle from us,” he added.

The dealership holds a monthly private sale. This month’s event is scheduled for Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, by appointment only. Attendees will have access to their inventory. Managers will be there to answer questions and offer additional incentives.

The Dealership’s Peace of Mind Purchase Process means no hassles over pricing, trade-in values, cash back and rebate incentives offered up front, and the best available leasing and financing terms also offered up front. Durrani said that this is just part of the allaround, customer-driven experience he implemented to ensure the process does not get bogged down in miscommunication.

Schedule an appointment by calling them 401-723-0962, or visit their website at www.toyotaofsmithfield.com

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

COLLISION REPAIRS

When an accident occurs, it’s important to find a reputable auto body shop that will ease your mind and help you every step of the way. Our trusted team is trained in collision repair, framework, dent repair, computerized diagnostics, paint matching, paint restoration, and detailing / refinishing services.

CONVENIENT RENTALS

We own and maintain our own fleet of rental vehicles ready for you the second that you walk through our doors. Delta Auto Rental helps streamline the rental and collision process. We are proud to offer a wide selection of rental vehicles from compact to luxury, Jeeps, SUVs, etc.

24/7 TOWING

Delta Auto Body and our partners now have multiple tow trucks able to pick you up 24/7, 365 days a year wherever your vehicle is located. Delta Towing will immediately send out a truck to recover your vehicle and bring it to their facility for repairs.

Spellman Signature Auctions Coming to JMAC in Pawtucket

By Adam Brandon

LA: How did you come up with the name “Nest”? It’s very unique.

GC: I think of your home as your nest I like to say “Feather Your Nest” with all these fun little things .

LA: Tell me about what you sell…. everything from bath & body, jewelry, candles, bags, clothing and home décor. I love what you’ve chosen to sell. Where do you come up with ideas of what to sell? You have really cool items that I’ve never seen anywhere else.

There is a thread that connects all automotive history. The need to move and be moved has been present for as long as man has dreamed to explore and make sense of the world around him, forging new roads that wind like a thread through the fabric we call America. We can follow this thread to the historic Conant Thread District of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Saturday, April 27th, as the Spellman Signature Collector Car Auction comes to Jeff Millette Auto Center. Jeff Millette’s all-new 20,000+ square foot automotive showroom, also known as JMAC, will play host to 150+ classic, muscle, luxury, and exotic cars as Spellman Signature Auctions brings its worldfamous collector car auction to Pawtucket for the first time.

GC: I call it “Personal Luxuries. It’s stuff that I’m drawn to. I have a wholesale portal that I go to called “Faire”. All small wholesalers sell their stuff through Faire. For example I buy handmade soaps from a woman from Cambridge that sells on Faire. I get stuff from all over the world through this company including products from Germany, Italy, anywhere in the world. Most of my products are made in the USA and you can’t find them on Amazon and most are women owned. I have non-alcoholic tastings and I’ll also have samples of chocolates and gummy bears. I sell a lot of different things and it’s things I’m drawn to that are fun and cool.

LA: Nest offers an array of decorating and design services including color consultation, custom built-in design, room make-overs, small construction projects, kitchen design, and botanical design. Tell me about these services that you offer.

GC: You can contact me through social media and email but customers will usually come in my store and talk to me about doing their interior decorating and consultations. I will go to your home and come up with ideas I keep it very casual and affordable .

Jeff Millette’s state-of-the-art automotive showroom, also known as JMAC, is set to play host to an awe-inspiring assembly of over 150 classic, muscle, luxury, and exotic cars. This event, brought to life by Spellman Signature Auctions, is celebrated for bringing its globally recognized collector car auction to the historic city of Pawtucket for the very first time. The collaboration between long-time friends and business partners, Larry Spellman and Jeff Millette, has previously manifested in the incredibly successful “Auction at the Museum” held during the summer of 2023 on the picturesque grounds of the Newport Car Museum. That event, a heartfelt tribute to the rich tapestry of automotive history, featured an evening of preview night entertainment starring Scott Brown and the Diplomats, led by the former United States Senator and known car aficionado, Scott Brown. The auction

itself was a showcase of over 200 museumquality automobiles, painstakingly collected from every corner of the globe, including several prized vehicles from the Newport Car Museum’s esteemed collection. The grandeur and prestige of the event were unmistakable, reflected in the elevated sale prices, with select cars commanding bids of upwards of half a million dollars.

In this latest endeavor, a key objective for the organizers was to broaden the auction’s appeal by offering a more accessible array of vehicles, with many anticipated to sell for $20,000 and under. For those with an eye for an exceptional, premium vehicle, the auction promises plenty of marvels, among which is the highly coveted 2024 “Panther Edition” Camaro, an exclusive marvel of engineering and design, limited to just 350 units worldwide. Additionally, an original 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, with an astonishingly low odometer reading of under 100 miles, stands as a testament to the diversity and exclusivity of the vehicles on offer. This diversity mirrors the personal taste and extensive experience of Spellman Signature Auctions’ founder, Larry Spellman, a venerable car collector whose own collection boasts an impressive array of vehicles numbering well into the double digits. Ensuring the auction resonates with car collectors and enthusiasts alike was paramount for Larry, who has played a pivotal role in preserving our shared automotive heritage through his meticulously curated events, spanning from Florida to New England. This dedication has cemented Spellman Signature Auctions as a recurring topic of enthusiastic discussion within the New England classic car scene.

Moreover, collectors have a unique opportunity to take pride in their acquisitions, as proceeds from event fees will bolster the efforts of JMAC’s community-focused non-profit neighbors, Shri Yoga and the Segue Institute for Learning. The Segue Institute for Learning is dedicated to empowering students to achieve academic excellence, equipping them for the challenges of high school and beyond. Shri Yoga’s Nonprofit, through its funding, supports free yoga outreach and wellness programs targeted at special needs and underserved populations, employing highly skilled teachers who employ a joyful, rhythmbased curriculum. This curriculum is designed to mitigate toxic stress and amplify physical, social, and emotional well-being through the adoption of shared and safe methods firmly rooted in the rich traditions of yogic philosophy and evidencebased practices.

The eagerly anticipated auction preview is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 26th, from 5-9 pm, with the auction itself commencing at 9 am on Saturday, April 27th, exclusively at JMAC, located at 371 Pine St., Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Those interested in either consigning or bidding are encouraged to visit Spellman Signature Auctions online at www.bidssa.com, where they can find more information on how to participate in this remarkable event. This auction not only represents a gathering of extraordinary automobiles but also serves as a celebration of the enduring spirit of exploration and innovation that defines our shared automotive history. Don’t miss this very special opportunity to find a truly special automobile- you’ll be glad you bid!