April 2023 - Shop In RI

grating from Sicily and Naples, Italy. His family grew up close to the area, and when he opened his restaurant on 441 Atwells Ave. in Providence three years ago, it was a homecoming for him and his family.

restaurant employs a dozen nod on several signature dishes, including their bone-in that are so big that they take ni and clams and their Italian also dive into their fresh sh na with pasta, or perhaps homemade cannolis.

Perhaps their calling card Martinis,” among other specialty rosemary, ginger and other and taste.

Palmisano said that his rant is simple: “I want people house.”

Thanksgiving | Hanukkah

Thanksgiving | Hanukkah

Christmas | New Year’s

full menu is available catering, including our special Artichokes and Cannolis!

Christmas | New Year’s full menu is available including our special Artichokes and Cannolis!

Vice President

Brian Kelly

Coffee with us before heading New Year’s Eve Party! New Year ANTHONY’S!

Board Members

Dr. Paul Matrullo

with us before heading New Year’s Eve Party!

Dr. Joseph Matrullo

He noted about how meals with visiting the local butcher walking to the garden to the local store to pick up the restaurant strives to to table” o ers the best quality

“I hope that when customers they enjoy a little piece of he said.

e restaurant is open Monday, 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, e bar remains open one

Michael Mota

|

Contributors

Jen Wallace

Al Matthews

Stacie Venagro

Tom Lopatosky

Andrew Irby

Writers

Mark Berger

Brian Lowney

Julia Romano

Jenn Lombari

Patrick Burke

Susan Gazerro

Sarah Wessel

Sales Executives

Jeffrey Manzo

Jim Lombari

Jenn Lombari

Michael Belsito

Fashion Editor

Rosanna Ortiz

Photographers

Guillermo Garcia

Allyson Barth

Michael Belsito

ey also cater events and For more details about these 273-5900. More details may by visiting their website at www.AnthonysonFederalHill.com.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED | CLOSED AT 10PM New Year ANTHONY’S! SHOP IN RI the Magazine 1525 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904 ph: 401.270.2832 fax: 401.353.0792 email: ShopInRI@ShopInRI.com Visit ShopInRI.com to view all current and past issues of Shop In RI magazine! at Franklin Rogers 42-43 Savon Shoes Keeping Customers on Their Feet 44-47 Holiday Shopping on the East Side 52-53 The Matrullo Family Investing Decades Keeping Customers Smiling 56 Laurie Reilly’s Breast Cancer Journey 58-59 Yoga, Pilates & Meditation 60 Stacie Venagro Fitness Tips 64-65 Holiday Fun Activities For the Entire Family 74-75 Claudia’s Creations at Mangiamo 76 12 Things You Didn’t Know State The Facts 80-81 Shang Bailey Hotel Johnston, RI 82 Ameriprise Financial Tips Planning for Inflation? 85 Whats Up With That Silly Laws 88-89 Troop Providence 94-95 Brew Grindz It’s A Whole New Taste 102-103 Christmas Dinner for the Homeless December 4 Travel Tips 5 Front Page 6 National News 7 World News 9 RIHA - Regaining Consumer Confidence 10-11 Sunny Side On The Street 12 Live The Live Recipe 14-15 Entertaining Events in April 18-19 Satisfying Recipes 20 12 Things You Didn’t Know 22-23 Style Profile 24-25 Blooming Blossoms 28-29 Self Serenity Wellness Spa 30 Stacie Venagro Fitness Tips 32-33 It’s My Health 36-37 A New You! 38-39 RI Vaccine Updates 40-42 Ameriprise Financial Tips 44-45 Leading By Example 48-49 Dare to Dream Ranch 50-51 Cover Story Certa Pro of Northern RI 54-55 Time Zone 59 Silly Laws State The Facts 62-63 Custom Stars and Stripes By Tom Jones 66-67 Furs Fins and Feathers 71 Ask An Expert 72 What’s Up With That 74-75 Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce 78 Toyota of Smithfield Expanding Staff 80-81 E2G Sports Editor Anthony Executive Je rey Chief Operating O cer Jim Lombari President & Creative Director Michael McDonald Managing Editor David Patricio Vice President Brian Kelly Board Members Dr. Paul Matrullo Dr. Joseph Matrullo Michael Mota Contributors Jen Wallace Al Matthews Stacie Venagro Tom Lopatosky Andrew Irby Writers Mark Berger Brian Lowney Julia Romano Jennifer Coates L.A. Reilly Jenn Lombari Susan Gazerro Sales Executives Je rey Manzo Jim Lombari Jenn Lombari Michael Belsito Photographers Guillermo Garcia Allyson Barth Michael Belsito the magazine Shop In RI 9 28 22 10 24 features: 4 Travel Tips 5 Front Page 6 World News 7 National News 10-11 Easter Brunch 13 RIHA’s Monthly Column 15 Live The Live - Recipe 16-17 Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza 18-19 How to Choose A Personal Trainer 21-23 Lincolnwood Rehabilitation 25 Getting Back Your Motivation 26-27 Susan Gazerro Fitness Tips 30 What’s Up With That 31-33 Spotlight - Johnny Villella 36-37 Funny 4 Funds 39 Aura of Rhode Island 40 & 42 Ameriprise Financial Articles 46-47 Renee Moussally Realtor 50-51 Heart of RI Networking 53-55 American Blind Cover Story 58-59 The Travel Connection 60 State The Facts 61 Ask An Expert 62-63 Village Paws 65 12 Things You Didn’t Know 67 Yankee Peddlers 68-69 Spring Break Activities 70 Toyota of Smithfield Column 72-73 Women In Cannabis Editor Anthony Manzo Executive Editor Jeffrey Manzo Chief Operating Officer Jim Lombari President & Creative Director Michael McDonald Managing Editor David Patricio Vice President Brian Kelly Board Members Dr. Paul Matrullo Dr. Joseph Matrullo Michael Mota Contributors Jen Wallace Al Matthews Stacie Venagro Tom Lopatosky Andrew Irby Writers Mark Berger Brian Lowney Julia Romano Jennifer Coates L.A. Reilly Jenn Lombari Susan Gazerro Jim Ignasher Paul Lonardo Sales Executives Jeffrey Manzo Jim Lombari Jenn Lombari Michael Belsito Camilla Splid Photographers Guillermo Garcia Owen Head Michael Belsito April 2023 18 31 39 46 62 72 Shop In RI 3 15

Passenger Jets Do 360s Mid-Flight, Intentionally

TravelTips

Shop In RI Selects: Ft. Lauderdale Beach as their #1 Spring Getaway Destination.

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

The World’s for the Faint

Feel in need

o those Christmas chanics ags neering on non-stop walk

An easyJet ight turned around midair while ying from Iceland to the UK though this detour le passengers pleased. ere was no incident on board. Rather, the pilot decided to give passengers the best possible view of the northern lights, which were putting on a show over the North Sea, just o the Faroe Islands, per Sky News. “Big thanks to the easyJet pilot of EZY1806 from Reykjavik to Manchester who did a 360 y by mid- ight to make sure all passengers could see the incredible Northern Lights,” one passenger tweeted, sharing photos of the display with a plane’s wing in the frame. Others highlighted the ight path, with the looping maneuver clearly visible.

An easyJet spokesperson said the company was “pleased” with the “controlled maneuver,”which allowed passengers to “witness an amazing display from the air of one of nature’s greatest sights.” But the pilot wasn’t alone. A day earlier, easyJet ightEZY35BM from Reykjavik to Edinburgh made “an unscheduled 360” for a full view of the northern lights, as another passenger tweeted.

So, too, did Finnair ight FIN488 from Kuusamo to Helsinki, per YLE News.

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 o ers 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!

Located just over a mile from Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale each is the area’s beating heart. Get your bearings strolling along the infamous Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade, which skirts the coast and features a series of swanky hotels and happening restaurants and bars, like Lona Cocina Tequileria at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach resort and fine dining Japanese-Korean eatery at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach. While wining and dining are the highlights here, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the water, two favorites being by paddleboard or yacht tour.

Need an Escape? Live on This Cruise Ship for $30K a Year

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. type of gnarly terrain you would expect from 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 bet ter 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!

It’s a more L’Agulhas, sia—roughly Appalachian encountered via bridge, boat or ferry A person could three years miles a day), or obtain able for the cold, as well tions through like South the physical than 385,000 same amount, down Everest

Woman United Air

How much does it cost you to live your life each year? If the answer is more than $30,000, you may want to consider a new o ering from Life at Sea Cruises: a three-year cruise, priced at $30,000 per person per year. e MV Gemini sets o on the 130,000-mile trip, which will visit 135 countries (on all seven continents) and will hit 375 ports, on Nov. 1 from Istanbul. Among the sights you’ll see: the Taj Mahal in India, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, and the Great Wall of China. Not included, per CruiseCritic: Russia, the Middle East, or Greenland. Of course, there will also be 103 “tropical islands” visited on what’s

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

reportedly the rst-everthree-year cruise. And it’s not all about the destinations: all meals, laundry, and housekeeping are of course included, as is free wi and access to remote work facilities and a large business center, and all medical care at the 24/7 ship hospital will be free. Alcohol is even covered, provided you drink it only at dinner. ere’s a pool, a sundeck, a wellness center, an auditorium, a gym, and dance instructors will be on hand. Visitors are even allowed on the ship for free.

You can’t always a domestic get a complimentary man on a went to the a ”stinging dropped a the oor, snag the critter. ”A er learning on ight 1554 lanta was stung ponded immediately MedLink provided medical said. ” e local hospital. customer to

NASA Rover Snaps Photos of Ancient ’Waves’ Carved Into Mars Mountainside

There’s a Fresh Geyser Mystery in Yellowstone

Front Page

It’s unclear why the Steamboat THE TOP EARNING MUSICIANS OF THE DECADE

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has photographed rocks imprinted with tiny ripples from an ancient lake. And these tiny ripples are making waves on Earth, as they are the clearest evidence yet that water once existed on the Red Planet.

It’s the tallest active geyser on the planet— with an emphasis on “active.” From 2015 to 2017, it didn’t erupt at all. ere 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. e gey ser-research eld 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.

e ripple marks were discovered frozen in Martian rock on the slopes of Mount Sharp. ough Curiosity has traversed many rock deposits laid down in ancient lakes, scientists had not seen such vivid marks in the rocks before.

“ is is the best evidence of water and waves that we’ve seen in the entire mission,” Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said in a statement. “We climbed through thousands of feet of lake deposits and never saw evidence like this – and now we found it in a place we expected to be dry.”

Since last fall, the rover has been exploring a region of what scientists call ”sulfate-bearing” rock. Scientists believe this salt-rich area was deposited when an ancient lake was nearly dry. But the ripples were created on the bottom of a shallow lake as winds created waves on the lake’s surface, disturbing the sediments below. e presence of ripples in a supposedly dry area suggests that Mars did not go from wet to dry in a simple, linear manner, the Curiosity researchers said. Near the rippled rocks, researchers also saw rock layers with regular spacing and thickness. ese types of layers o en occur on Earth during patterns of periodic change.

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

“Mars’ ancient climate had a wonderful complexity to it,” Vasavada said, “much like Earth’s.”

Top 4 NCAA Basketball Championships Of All Time

On Family Trip to Scatter Ashes, a Double Tragedy

An unimaginable tragedy took place during a family’s trip to Puerto Rico to scatter ashes, leaving the family to return home missing two members. While scattering his grandfather’s ashes in the ocean, Damian Walker jumped into the water to save his wife when she was swept away by a rip current. Walker’s father, Luis Walker, then went in a er his son to help. Neither of them survived, though Luis Walker’s body has not been found. Damian Walker’s wife made it out of the water alive. “Damian jumped in, as he 100% lived his life with that hero mentality,” says the owner of the Phoenix CrossFit gym where Walker was a coach. “He le this life exactly how he lived it. And that was putting others 100% before him.”

“Damian so loved life, he loved the ocean, had a huge heart for animals of all kinds and most of all, Damian loved his wife Salmeh with all that he had and more,” reads his obituary. Adds a GoFundMe campaign set up for the family, “Coach Damian gave the ultimate sacri ce and lost his life while saving family members from the rip currents in Puerto Rico this past Friday, March 3, 2023. Coach Damian has been with WildFire CrossFit for 10 years. He was the spark that lit the re for so many people.” e gym has created a “hero” workout to honor him.

Taylor Swift ($825 million)

Dr. Dre ($825 million)

2016 #2 Villanova 77 #1 North Carolina 74

The RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF) hosted the 11th Annual Rhode Island Prostart® High School Culinary Arts, Foodservice & Hotel Management Competition at the Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick in February. This was really special, as it marked the second time since the pandemic that they were able to host this amazing real-world competition for highschool culinary students.

Nearly 600 RI students are enrolled in ProStart®, a twoyear hospitality career-building program designed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, and another 100 Rhode Island students are enrolled in the Hospitality & Tourism Management program, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s (AHLEI) two-year, turnkey high school curriculum.

As part of the competition’s awards, seven different colleges and universities pledged $500,000 in available scholarship money to be shared among the winning teams. And, as usual, the competition was fierce.

This year’s event featured teams of culinary, foodservice management, and hotel management competitors from area schools including: CHARIHOTech, East Providence Career & Technical Center, Exeter Job Corps Academy, Newport Area Career and Technical Center, William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School in Lincoln, and Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center.

More than 50 local industry professionals judged the 45 students, who competed in three areas:

Culinary Arts: competing teams demonstrated their technical skills including safe food transportation, knife skills, a cook-off by preparing a three-course meal (using only two burners), teamwork/cooperation, professionalism/appearance, plate presentation, and more.

Foodservice Management: students presented a restaurant concept and business plan including design boards, floor plans, marketing plans, and menu design.

Hotel Management: competing teams demonstrated their hotel industry acumen by designing a hotel property, using skills and knowledge learned in the classroom. Teams also submi ed a wri en proposal for review and presented their concepts to various judges through verbal presentations, critical thinking question and answer sections, and posters.

A culinary team from the Exeter Job Corps Academy won the Culinary Arts portion of the competition, a foodservice management team from the East Providence Area Career & Technical Center won the Foodservice Management portion of the competition, and a hospitality and tourism management team from CHARIHOTech won the Hotel Management portion of the competition.

Newport Restaurant Group’s Avvio Ristorante in Cranston is featuring an adaptation of the winning dish from Exeter Job Corps Academy Culinary Arts team on its menu: panseared Tuscan-Style Veal Chop served with mashed Yukon gold potatoes and sauteed root vegetables. Sin Desserts in Providence is also featuring a dessert created by William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School: a Whipped White Chocolate Ganache with grapefruit curd.

The winners of the ProStart® competition go on to represent Rhode Island at the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s National ProStart® Invitational competition, which returns to Washington D.C. on May 2nd. There, nationally recognized hospitality and foodservice industry professionals will lend their time and talents to judge the students.

It’s because of enthusiastic and engaged students like these that the future of Rhode Island’s hospitality scene is looking so very bright. Seeing these students demonstrate so much passion for their respective crafts, whether culinary or management-based, is enough to make you smile ear-toear, and to fill your belly with unrelenting hunger pangs.

The RI Hospitality Association and RI Hospitality Education Foundation are proud to host such a unique and invigorating event for hospitality’s up-and-coming talent, each year, and they are extremely grateful to each of the respected industry professionals who dedicated their time to judging this year’s unforge able competition!

Dale J. Venturini Celebrating the 11th Annual Rhode Island ProStart® High School Culinary, Foodservice & Hotel Management Competition

ByDale J. Venturini, President/CEO, RI Hospitality Association (RIHA)

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.

Directions:

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

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.

HOW TO CHOOSE A PERSONAL TRAINER?

A Comprehensive Guide

By Kevin Kearns | Burn With Kearns

My name is Coach Kevin Kearns. I have been a personal trainer and strength coach since 1987. Personally, I have worked with over 15 UFC fighters and have created my own MMA Fitness Training certification system, which is now used globally. Additionally, I have produced over 15 workout videos and written over 300 articles. I have presented for Idea Fitness, ECA, SCW, and Can Fit Pro. My sponsors include JumpSport Fitness Trampolines, WearTrueForm, Purmotion, TITIN, Bosu, Rev Gear, and Hedstrom Fitness. Yet, I am still training clients one-on-one and small groups, on a daily basis. These are my credentials and the reason I was asked to write this article.

Choosing a personal trainer is no easy task in today’s market. The internet for personal training business is a double edged sword. A trainer’s website can look outstanding, but then at a first training session, it can leave you wondering if you called the right number. It can also be a challenge when you see the best in-shape trainer. You think to yourself, “Wow, I want to look like that guy or girl.” Then, while training with them, you realize they are spending more time checking out their pecs in the mirror, then making sure you bench press correctly.

Have no fear, there are some simple steps to choosing the right trainer.

Word of mouth - This is an age old tool that has been around since man has been selling services. When in doubt, ask a friend or family member if they are using or know of a good trainer.

Check the references - Ask for references of other clients they have worked with in the past and who

are their current clients. Many times, this is a great place to start.

Credentials-check them out - If a trainer does not have at least one certification, chances are they are not the trainer for you. Also, check out who certified them. If they took the test online, and in one day, that would not be the person to hire. I have a tendency to lean towards trainers that have an actual degree in a fitness related field. This also has to be ‘taken with a grain of salt.’ I have also worked with trainers who have had a master degree, but did not know the right side of a kettlebell.

Reputation - Street cred, or more importantly, gym or fitness cred is important, as well. What are other trainers and clients saying about this person? What have they been doing in their career? Better yet, is it a career or are they just looking to make a few bucks on the side? It would be wise to seek a trainer that is committed to the job, full-time. In other words, a trainer for which the job is a calling, not just a “jump in and out“ job.

Style of training - Is this the trainer the right fit for you? Depending on what you are looking for, will determine the type of trainer you will need. If you want to look like a bodybuilder or are concerned with how much you can deadlift, then a trainer that is only teaching pilates is not the place to start.

Your needs and goals - A good trainer will focus on what your needs and goals are, not theirs. I have a client that has been with me for 2 years, who has had prior heart disease. One trainer he worked with before hiring me was adamant about him being able to bench press a lot of weight so he fired him. That client happened to be the president of one of the top banks!

Pills powders and potions - Okay, this is a real red flag. Quick weight loss schemes never work. This is why we have an obesity pandemic. If it worked, we would all be at our ideal weight. I never have had a client use or take anything I would not put into my own body. Many will upsell you on a certain powder or vitamin. If I don’t use it, I won’t recommend it!

Lack of personal debt - This is a big one that was conveyed to me by my mentor, Douglas Brooks. If the trainer has no personality or enthusiasm, how are they going to motivate you at 5am! Do they have an integrity model? Business is Business- I have seen ‘many a trainer’ that crossed this line too many times. If you hear through the grapevine that this particular trainer dates his or her customers, it’s another red flag, and one that I consider to be unprofessional .

Right client, right trainer - Is this a match? You need to ask yourself if you could actually, outside of this business, have a good conversation with them. I can generally tell if someone is the right fit for me or for one of my other trainers. It’s ok for you not to like someone; it happens from time to time.

Communication and follow up - Does this person communicate well? Are you satisfied with their follow up? With follow up, anything more than 3 to 6 hours is way too long. You are a paying customer and should be treated as such.your clients and your income!

My ‘rule of thumb’ is if I don’t know something, I’ll tell the client I will get back to them and will then educate myself, so as to learn about the concept they are asking about. As far as explaining the exercise, your trainer should be clear and concise. You will be better served by a trainer that is willing to show their clients a drill multiple times and sometimes, if it’s one that is not useful, they know enough to delete the exercise completely, from the program. As Bruce Lee would say. “Absorb what is useful, throw out the rest.”

Have no doubt…‘Burn With Kearns’ is EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, and SAFE!

Coach Kevin Kearns, Founder, Burnwithkearns.com, Founder, MMA Fighter Fit

2012 Top UFC Magazine S and C Coaches

Lincolnwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

Announces Its New Dialysis Center

by Mark Berger

Citing the increased need to help chronic kidney disease patients through improving the population’s access for a dialysis center within a skilled nursing facility, one North Providence facility is tackling this head-on.

Lincolnwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, located on 610 Smithfield Road in North Providence, recently expanded their Chronic Kidney Disease Program, adding a 6-chair hemo-dialysis den to their skilled nursing facility. The new dialysis den provides an opportunity for patients to receive short-term rehabilitation, while receiving in-house dialysis treatments, and without ever having to leave the facility to meet these needs. The new expansion will offer dialysis to short-term patients who are staying at Lincolnwood, while receiving rehabilitation, giving them the all around support and services required for with no need to travel outside of the facility.

FOR TICKETS: text 489-8839 or call Thirsty Beaver 270-7686

Tips

By Stacie Venagro -

By: Stacie Venagro

Ge ing Back Your Motivation for a Healthier & Happier You

2017 World Miss Fitness America Pro

Welcome fall! I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward tocoolerweather,sweaters,apple picking,andpumpkineverything!It’s alsothebesttime

tosavorthetime

spentoutdoorsbefore colder weather comes. If you haven’t

already it’s a great time to focus your fitness routine a couple of times a week getting out of the house. New England is well known for beautiful fall scenery, so why not get out and discover something new.

Although it may not yet feel like it, spring is here, once again. You might notice that the days are getting a little longer, and now that the clocks have been set forward, the extra sunlight feels good. As a tness professional for 20 years, this is the time when I see people lose some of their motivation. e winter months have had us in the house a bit more, with storms and freezing temps, so that comfort foods, along with snuggling up in cozy blankets, just feel right. Maybe you haven’t lost your motivation, but you’ve hit a plateau; either way, there’s a solution. I want you to get motivated before the warm weather gets here! If you’ve read any of my other articles, you know I truly believe that anytime is a good time to start.

Exercise doesn’t have to monotonous, there are plenty of great places to hike locally. There’s a wonderful book called Weekend Hikes in Rhode Island by Ken Weber that I was introduced to awhile back. He does an excellent job of breaking down each destination with detailed directions, approximate walking time, and the distance. A couple that are great for fall are Napatree Point and Browning Mill Pond- Roaring Brook. These are just a couple of the many that are close by. Always be safe when hiking new areas and do your research prior to heading out. As always never hike close to dark. If hiking new areas isn’t your thing take a walk or run in your neighborhood or local park.

you, it doesn’t change you.” Many times, my clients will do really well on a speci c nutrition and exercise regimen, which is great, however, sometimes when we do the same thing for too long, our bodies become comfortable with it. My advice for this is to ramp up your workouts. Add something new to your routine. If you’ve been doing steady state cardio like walking, jogging, cardio machines, switch to HIIT (high intensity interval training) or Tabata, a couple of times each week. Increase your weight for strength training and decrease reps. Please be sure that you are using a weight that is safe and that you’re using proper form. High weight, low rep strength training will not make you “bulky”; that is a misconception. In order to really increase muscle mass like that, you not only have to li heavy weights, but you have to eat more than you’re burning each day. Increasing your weight will help you build muscle and burn more fat; this just might be that your metabolism needs to get the extra boost to get o that plateau. Switch up your food choices. If you are eating pretty much the same thing everyday, try out some new foods. Switch up your protein and carbs, and be sure to make sure you’re eating enough for the exercise you’re doing. A healthy, balanced diet will help repair and build lean muscle mass and you’ll burn more calories, even when you’re just resting.

Get your family involved in fitness! If you don’t have children take the dogs along with you. Children love to get outside and explore nature. There’s plenty to explore to stimulate the mind and get some physical activity in. When you’re having fun exercise doesn’t feel like a task. Most dogs are always up for a walk, you can train them to run while you’re training g yourself. Alternate between jogging and walking in 30 second intervals to start off and work your way up from there. Bring water for you and your pet to keep everyone hydrated.

Enjoy the beginning of this beautiful season and stay motivated. Just because it’s getting cooler out doesn’t mean that it’s not a good time to start working out. Anytime is a great time to start!

Let’s talk about that word…motivation. ere is nothing magical inside of us that’s going to get us moving. Motivation is a series of small actions we take to achieve a larger goal. Some days are tougher than others, but if you set a clear goal and specify your reasons for accomplishing your goals, it will keep you going each day. Let’s say, for example, you were working out 5 days a week and prepping your healthy meals, then your kids got sick, work got really busy, and you stopped. You’ve been telling yourself every week you’re going to start Monday, but when that day rolls around, you just don’t have the time or energy to get it done. Listen, I get it. Life gets hectic and exercise usually gets tossed onto the back burner. First, I want you to think of your workout and meal preps as an appointment that’s just as important as all of the other tasks you need to do each day. Schedule it in and make sure nothing else is planned at the same time. Block out a couple of hours on Sunday or Monday to prepare food and snacks for the next few days so that no matter what, there’s always a healthy option on hand. Essentially, this will save you time throughout the week, especially if life throws unexpected events at you. Exercise does not have to be long and you don’t even have to leave your house. If going to the gym or taking group classes is what you enjoy, however, then be sure to account for the time it takes to get there and back. If you can, add another half hour a er your meal prep to plan your workouts for the week.

Do not underestimate the amount of time it takes to gure out what workout you’re going to do, especially if you’re in the gym. You want your workouts to be short and e ective. Hitting the treadmill 5 days a week isn’t the best use of your time. Remember that a mix of strength training and cardio is the best way to go. If your goal is a weight or size goal, buy an article of clothing that is a size too small and hang it up. is will be a reminder of where you want to be and will motivate you to get it done. Strength goals can be measured by giving yourself a t test every couple of weeks. Pick 5-10 exercises, write them down, and track how many reps of each exercise you do in 1 minute. You can see your progress each time you track it.

Plateaus are very normal, so don’t let this get you down! You will get past it a er making just some simple changes. ere’s a quote you’ve probably heard that says,“if it doesn’t challenge

Stress is something that can cause a plateau. Not too long ago, doctors did not recognize the physical e ects that stress has on the body, but now more research has shown that it can indeed change our bodies. Too much stress and anxiety can produce a hormone called cortisol, which can cause weight gain and di culty losing fat. Although I’m sure we could all use some stress relief, if you feel that this is a signi cant issue, then there are ways to combat it. We rst have to accept that there are things we simply cannot change; once you make peace with this, you can focus on the aspects of your life you can control. What you eat, your physical activity, and your train of thought can all be controlled. Start out with a simple 10 minutes of meditation each day. You might want to start your day with meditation, or maybe you’re more comfortable meditating at the end of the day, but it really doesn’t matter when, just do whatever feels right. ere are now great apps that o er guided meditation that are very helpful. Increase your time, as you make this a habit. Try yoga or simply gentle stretches a couple of times a week to slow down your mind and to improve your strength and exibility at the same time. Yoga isn’t about headstands or fancy poses, it’s an individual’s practice of strengthening the mind and body. Let go of judgment and comparison. Take some time to be outside and enjoy nature. Even though it might be cold outside, bundle up and enjoy the fresh air. Keep a journal of your feelings each day; sometimes, just the simple act of expressing yourself through writing down your thoughts, can really reduce your stress level.

Lastly, keep in mind that you are not alone on this journey. ere are many others who experience similar struggles, and they, also, have to continue to remind themselves why they started working towards being healthier, in the rst place. Take care of your mind and body, not just because you want to look great, but maybe even more importantly, to feel great, as well.

161 Macklin Street, Cranston, RI

Stacie Venagro Fitness is located at 161 Macklin Street in Cranston.

The Best Protein For Weight Loss / Weight Management

By: Susan Gazerro

Eating foods high in protein is so helpful when trying to maintain or lose weight. ey are also very beneficial for muscle mass and helping you feel full without overeating. Following is a list of the best protein packed foods. (Please note, the list is in alphabetical order, not in order by amount of protein)

Artichokes: Artichokes are high in fiber and have a good amount of protein.

Beef: Beef is full of protein, but depending on your goal, there are di erent types of beef from which to choose. If you are on a lowcarb diet, fa er beef is recommended. If on a moderate carb diet, it is recommended you eat lean beef.

Bison: Bison meat is another excellent source of protein. Bison is lean meat, o ering less fat per serving than beef. Bison is becoming more available, and some people use it as a beef substitute.

Black beans: Black beans are not only inexpensive, they are an easy add-on to any meal.

Broccoli: is is one of my favorites. Broccoli is not only a good source of protein, it also contains a variety of nutrients such as folate and potassium and is only about 30 calories per cup.

Cauliflower: Just like broccoli, cauliflower is loaded with protein and very few calories. Again, one cup is under 30 calories.

Chicken: I should say chicken breast. e most protein in a chicken can be found in the breast. Most of the calories in a chicken come from protein when the skin is removed.

Chinese cabbage: Some call this bok choy. All of the calories in this vegetable are from protein. is is also full of antioxidants. A win/win.

Eggs: Eggs are a great source of protein, nutrients, and healthy fats. Studies have shown that eggs make you feel satisfied and stop you from overeating. Eat eggs for breakfast, and you will find you are full until dinner. Eat bagels for breakfast, and you will find you are hungry again a couple of hours later.

Halibut: is fish is loaded with lean protein.

Lentils: Love my lentils! Lentils are packed with a good dose of plant protein and fiber. Other added benefits are they are very a ordable and may promote heart health.

Lima beans: Lima beans o er about 21 grams of protein per 100g serving. Just like black beans, they are a great add-on to any meal.

Oats: is one is surprising, as oats are considered a complex carbohydrate. However, raw oats do have protein and can be served with fruit, nuts, milk, etc. I say raw oats because prepared oats or oatmeal o en contain a lot of added sugar.

Peas: Peas are high in protein, fiber, and other nutrients. Peas are inexpensive and can be used in many recipes.

Potatoes: is is not my first choice because potatoes are a starchy carb. You have to be careful when eating potatoes. However, they do have some good sources of nutrients including protein. You get more protein if you leave the skin on.

Quinoa: Had to include quinoa. Quinoa is the only complete source of vegetarian protein. It contains all 11 amino acids.

Salmon: Salmon is one of my favorite foods. Although it may be more expensive than the other protein foods in this article, it is certainly one of the best. When you hear about a fa y fish, this means it is loaded with omega-3 fa y acids. Salmon is an excellent source of protein and is guaranteed to fill you up.

Tuna: Another favorite. Tuna is a lean fish, very low in calories, and a great source of protein.

e following are some extra great choices for protein: Spirulina, legumes, hemp seeds, sun-dried tomatoes, guava, pumpkin seeds & pork.

Avoid bacon, turkey, Greek yogurt, co age cheese, almonds, milk, avocado, pistachios, chia seeds, asparagus, watercress, and brussel sprouts.

Some not so common high protein foods you may not be aware of:

Spelt: Spelt is a type of hulled wheat that has a very high protein content. It has risen in popularity and is o en available with the specialty flours.

Te : Te is a grass that is o en ground down to make flour. is gluten-free food has a fairly high protein content, with 13g of protein per 100 g serving.

As mentioned, protein is an important part of a healthy diet, but it’s so important to balance protein, carbs, dairy, good fats, and fiber. It’s such a cliché, but it’s true; everything in moderation and it should always be about being healthy. If you are trying to lose weight, you should be trying because you want to be healthy.

Again, it’s about being healthy. Eating right and exercise is about the inside. e outside result is a fringe benefit.

“By choosing healthy over skinny, you are choosing self-love over self-judgment.”

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What’s Up With That?

Reed Hastings founded Net ix after being charged $40 in late fees for a video rental from Blockbuster.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

It’s faster to say “World Wide Web” than it is to say “WWW”.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

If you have a net worth of $93,170, you’re richer than 90% of the world.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

The Pope hasn’t watched television for the past 33 years.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Prince left behind a vault of unreleased music containing enough material to put out an album every year for a century.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Research has found that when we fall in love, the brain’s judgment and critical thinking areas show reduced activity, leading to idealization and overlooking a person’s aws.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Talking to yourself can help improve cognitive function, focus, and problem-solving.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Bananascontainnutrientslikepotassiumand tryptophan, which can help regulate mood and reduce stress.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Reading for 20 minutes a day exposes you to roughly 1.8 million words a year.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Drinking eight glasses of tap water daily costs about $0.33 per year, while the same amount of bottled water can cost more than $200.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Laughing All the Way to the Bank!

By Mark Berger

What began as an idea between two friends and fellow comedians has become a useful resource for people who want to raise money for various causes. Funny4Funds is a fundraising company with a comedy show kicker.

Funny4Funds was born in Rhode Island in 2014, and was co-founded by Mike Murray and Bill Simas. Over the last eight years, their proven system of laughter and fundraising has helped more than 2,800 groups and causes, raising over $8.4 million dollars. Their company goal is to surpass $10 million raised by year’s end. While each event has different fundraising goals, Simas said that the average amount raised at their events is between $5,000 and $7,000, after expenses. Their formula is unique because they are not just a mic stand and a stool. The duo wanted

of and groups and Their company year’s end. at after because are wanted to serve their clients by offering not only a flat rate for their services, but also by providing so much more.

From the beginning, Funny4Funds meets with your group for what they call a “Game Plan,” where everyone huddles up and is given the formula for success. The goal for the client is to make the most fundraising dollars for their group or cause.

Funny4Funds helps take a ton of stress away and they do most of the work that slows people down. They take care of the staging, the setup, the breakdown, the lighting, the backdrop, the mic, the sound, raffles tickets, and even emcee the entire night.

“Mike and I look to make people happy,” Simas said. “We can do shows that are either clean or more adult. However, we never do anything vulgar or offensive. It’s a night out for everyone and we want people to leave smiling and saying they enjoyed themselves. They also have a Clean Comedy Division, which specializes in church groups and cleaner events. No matter what, every Funny4Funds show is an amazing date night out to support your group or cause.”

The majority of shows are booked on weekends, but they are available to host on any night. Many people believe holding a fundraiser during the weekend will bring in the most money. Simas was adamant that this is not always the case. “We held events on Mondays that have raised a lot of money,” said Simas. “There was one event that we had on a Monday night that raised $12,000. It really depends on what the show entails, the crowd, and the type of event. No matter the

situation, no matter the day the event is booked, as long as people follow the Funny4Funds system, whatever the goal, it can be raised on any given night.”

Some of the events can be very emotional and can have people on stage and in the audience holding back tears at the end of the night during the “Big Check” presentation. Bill and Mike have had to hold back tears many times themselves. The revelation to both as they were building this company early on became very clear. PTE. Passion Trumps Everything! “We don’t book shows, we book moments.” Every show is a unique moment captured by all and shared within the community and beyond.

It didn’t take Funny4Funds long to expand throughout New England and up and down the East Coast. They also hold events on the same day at different venues. There are many nights that Funny4Funds in the New England area will be doing multiple shows at the same time in

different locations. Check out their website, www. Funny4Funds.com, for shows near you!

The online site you see today would not be possible without their behind-the-scenes IT guru, Dave Cordeiro. Dave’s passion for Funny4Funds came from him seeing firsthand the impact this company has had on our communities. His hard work and dedication to the site has kept Funny4Funds ahead of the curve and out of the dark ages of paper tickets only.

Today, the organization continues to thrive with the addition of their new executive assistant, Bethany Linden. Simas said that she is the reason why Funny4Funds runs as smoothly as it does, with all its moving parts. Believe it or not, unlike most other companies out there, she actually answers the phone when you call! Simas praised her work and hopes they enjoy a long, healthy relationship.

Anyone who is thinking about holding a fundraiser should contact Funny4Funds. They help all types of groups from churches to schools to sports teams and corporate events. They can help with medical bills, cancer benefits, wheelchair vans, and anything you can dream up.

For more details about their services and availability, please call Bethany at 401-996-3907, or email her at beth@funny4funds.com or visit their website at www.funny4funds.com.

A new company based in Central Falls actively bridges the gap between the myths and facts regarding cannabis and ensuring people have the education to make informed choices.

Aura of Rhode Island, located at 1136 Lonsdale Avenue, offers a variety of quality products at competitive prices for both medical patients and adult recreational customers. They also offer private consultations for patients and customers that require more one-on-one time to help educate them and ensure their needs are met.

Colin Chabot, Director of Marketing, believes the best approach is educating their customers on all things pertaining to cannabis. He said, “A better informed consumer will most certainly have a better cannabis journey and that is our number one goal.”

Aura’s initial educational push has been through Instagram reels on their page @auraofri. Their short videos introduce various subjects, starting with basic knowledge and eventually refining into more complex topics. Chabot said that the reels and posts have had a positive reaction from consumers.

Human Resources Director Andrea Biszko said, “Our budtenders and staff are both extremely friendly and

knowledgeable on all the products that make up our menu.” Each month, a learning video is posted on our social media platforms that explain a particular cannabis topic to help educate those who are interested.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there. As a new business, it is important for us to help inform our customers so they can have the most personalized positive cannabis experience,” she said.

Aura of Rhode Island is open to adults, 18 and over, with a medical marijuana card and ages 21 and over, for recreational customers.

The shop is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Delivery for medical patients is coming soon!

More details can be found by calling 401-335-5356, or visiting their website at www.auraofri.com.

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What Will You Do with Your Tax Refund?

By: Edward Pontarelli Jr.

The average refund in 2022 (for the 2021 tax year) was $3,176 for individual income taxpayers, according to the IRS.1 If you expect to receive a refund in 2023 after filing your 2022 tax return, will you save or spend it? While you may be tempted to indulge, consider using the money to solidify your long-term financial position.

No matter your stage in life or the size of your refund, there are ways you can use it to help reach your current and future financial goals. Here are a few:

FOR PEOPLE STARTING OUT IN THEIR CAREERS:

• Add to your emergency fund.

Consider saving enough to have the equivalent of at least threeto-six months’ worth of income in an emergency fund. This could come in handy if you experience a sudden interruption to your income or a major unexpected expense.

• Pay off student loans.

If you are carrying college debt or other loans, applying your refund to the balance can help reduce the total interest you pay or eliminate the debt entirely. Once you pay off your loans, allocate the amount you spent each month on student loans to another financial goal to keep building your financial foundation.

• Invest in an IRA.

Think about starting a habit of investing your tax refund each year into an IRA, where any earnings can accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. While you are limited to contributing $6,500 annually ($7,500 for those age 50 and older), the savings can add up. For example, investing a $3,000 refund each year from age 26 to 65 earning seven percent annually would build to more than $640,000.

FOR THOSE STARTING FAMILIES:

• Save for a down payment on a home.

A tax refund can make a meaningful impact as you accumulate enough to purchase your first home. Consider saving enough to cover at least 20 percent of the home’s value. Doing so will eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance, which will cost you extra in interest payments.

• Start or add to a college fund for your children. With the cost of higher education continuing to rise, starting early and saving often can help you make funding tuition a reality. Certain options may provide tax advantages, so work with your financial and tax professionals to find the best strategy for you.

• Invest your refund.

Consider adding your refund to your portfolio, using it to accelerate progress toward your long-term goals. Your refund could be used to purchase stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investments that are aligned with your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

• Create or update your legacy plan.

Developing a will, trust, or other estate documents is important so that your wishes are clear in the event of your death. If you need to create or update legal matters, use your refund as a reason to take the next step.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A SOLID FINANCIAL FOUNDATION:

• Apply to home improvements

If you are planning to remodel your home, you may want to use the money to fund specific upgrades, or to keep as a contingency fund throughout the project.

• Save for starting a new business If you want to start your own business now or in retirement, the refund can provide a cash buffer to help you get started. It can either replace some of your regular income or be used to fund expenditures required to get the business up-and-running.

FOR THOSE APPROACHING RETIREMENT:

• Increase your retirement savings. As your retirement date and goals get clearer, maximizing your retirement savings should take priority. Your refund can help you make an additional investment towards your financial future. If you are 50 or older and have earned income, current tax laws allow you to invest extra dollars in your IRA and workplace retirement plan. Work with your tax professional to learn about the opportunities and limitations that apply to your situation.

• Pay down your mortgage. Consider using your refund to make an additional principal payment to your home mortgage. Erasing debt prior to retirement can minimize a major financial burden.

FOR RETIREES:

• Spend it on your retirement dream. If you plan to travel or pursue a hobby in retirement, use the refund as a trigger to make it happen. Allow yourself to spend the money without guilt – after all, you’ve earned and planned for this opportunity.

• Invest in a Roth IRA. If you have any earned income that allows you to make retirement contributions, your tax refund can likely be placed into a Roth IRA. This vehicle provides potential tax-free growth of any earnings.

• Pay health care expenses. Today’s rising health care costs are often one of the biggest expenses for retirees. Consider applying the funds to Medicare or long-term care policy premiums. If your health care expenses are manageable, save the refund to pay for future expenses.

Review your tax withholding

If you regularly receive a large tax refund, you may want to adjust the withholding on your paycheck. Decreasing your refund may increase your monthly net pay, allowing you to allocate extra income each month to your financial goals. This strategy isn’t right for everyone. Consult with your tax professional and financial advisor before making adjustments or deciding how to manage your refund.

for 20 years.

Pleasecontacthim at www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/beacon-point-wealth-advisors or (401)824-2532, 1 Citizens Plaza Ste 610 Providence, RI 02903

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

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.

A Roth IRA is tax free as long as investors leave money in the account for at least 5 years and are 59 ½ or older when they take distributions or meet another qualifying event, such as death, disability or purchase of a first home.

Edward Pontarelli Jr, APMA®, CRPC® is a Financial Advisor and Managing Director with BeaconPoint Wealth Advisors a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Providence, RI. He specializes in fee based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice

1 – IRS.gov, “Filing Season Statistics for Week Ending October 28, 2022,” Nov. 03, 2022. www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-season-statistics-for-week-ending-october-28-2022.

Financial Planning for a Family Member with Special Needs

By: Carrie McPherson

Having a child with special needs presents unique challenges. You may worry about his or her physical and mental wellbeing. You may also worry about their financial future if their condition limits their ability to earn a living and pay for living expenses upon reaching adulthood. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help ensure your child has sufficient financial resources along with a dedicated support system. Here are six strategies to help protect your child’s future.

Fund an ABLE account. Thanks to The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014, families can participate in a tax-advantaged savings program for a family member with a qualifying disability that occurred before age 26. As the owner and designated beneficiary of the account, your child can withdraw funds tax-free to pay for eligible disability-related expenses. They also may be eligible for a tax credit for contributions you make to the plan.

An ABLE account is very similar to a 529 college savings plan. Anyone can contribute to the ABLE account, including grandparents and non-relatives, up to the annual gift tax exclusion (unless limited by your state). Contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are not tax deductible at the federal level. Some states do allow contributors to take state income tax deductions. Not all ABLE plans are equal; shop around to find the most advantageous plan for your child’s needs.

Establish a special needs trust. A special needs trust (SNT) can provide financial security by creating an income stream to a loved one with special needs. Having funds in this type of trust would not disqualify your child, as beneficiary, from receiving government assistance. Note that he or she would not have direct control over funds in an SNT, which may not be ideal if he or she is capable of managing their own finances.

There are several different types of SNTs (first-party, second-party and pooled); each of which is governed by various requirements. Because of their complexity, SNTs are usually prepared by a licensed attorney and may cost several thousand dollars to set up.

Buy a life insurance policy. Consider purchasing a whole or term life insurance policy that names your loved one as the beneficiary when you die. To ensure the payout does not disqualify the recipient for federal and state resources, set up the policy to pay proceeds into a special needs trust.

Ask the courts to appoint a guardian. When an adult family member with special needs has significant assets or property and is unable to manage their own financial affairs, a guardianship may be appropriate. When a guardian of the estate is appointed, all financial matters are managed for the person with disabilities. This person will pay bills and is required by law to maintain detailed records to account for all spending. A family member is often appointed to this role; however, in some cases the court will appoint an unrelated individual.

Watch out for scammers. Individuals with disabilities may be more vulnerable to identify theft and other scams. Monitor credit reports to keep an eye out for unauthorized accounts. Consider enrolling your child in an identity theft protection program. Be aware that phone and internet scammers routinely target recipients of government checks by impersonating government agents.

Consult the experts. Talk to your financial advisor for ideas and guidance on ways to safeguard the financial well-being of your special needs child. Your advisor will be able to recommend a qualified attorney if you decide to open a special needs trust. A tax specialist can also be a valuable resource to help with tax planning for you and your child.

Wealth Advisors, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Providence, RI. She specializes in fee based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 13 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

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

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.

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

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

© 2023 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Carrie A. McPherson, CRPS®, CDFA®, ChSNC® is a Financial Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with BeaconPoint

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Renee Moussally Has Her Customers’ Backs

By:

Being able to find a good REALTOR® can be a hassle. There are so many variables that can come into play, including finding that compatibility between the parties. While thinking about the process entailing multiple evolving parts to assess, what happens when it becomes a challenging situation? Can a REALTOR® make a difference in what happens through the process?

The answer is “yes,” if that REALTOR® is Renee Moussally of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate Team, based in the East Greenwich Business District and licensed in RI, MA, and CT. Moussally specializes in clients who are going through a serious life event: a divorce, a relocation, downsizing a loved one into a nursing care facility, or one of the many other reasons for a necessary move. It often becomes very stressful, not only for the person, but also for their families and relatives.

However, Moussally has the tools to make what could be tumultuous into relatively smooth sailing. It comes down to listening to her clients and helping where she can.

“It is never easy when someone has to pick up and leave for whatever reason,” said Moussally.

“To be successful, it takes plenty of compassion and patience to see the process through. Real estate is in my blood, and I have dealt with people who are facing all types of issues. All they want is to make the best of a pivotal point in their lives,” she continued.

To that point, Moussally understands that feelings can determine such outcomes. It’s challenging on many levels, but finding common ground on any potentially-contentious issues is very important. That levelheaded experience comes from being kind and patient, according to Moussally.

From there, any remaining problems can be mitigated.

What can buyers and sellers do to provide the best deals for themselves? Removing clutter and other debris from the property is one important step toward making its appearance more appealing. That includes cleaning out the garage, storage area, and even the shed, so people can picture themselves moving into their new home. Perhaps, showing part of the home and showcasing the better parts of the property could be a winning strategy.

Another point Moussally makes is to be certain of the room dimensions. A new home can turn into a problem if, for example, the new furniture does not fit through the doors. Knowing what to expect before signing the paperwork and picking up the keys are vital to preventing such headaches.

It’s not something many buyers or sellers think much

Mark Berger | Photography: Owen Head / Alfram Videography

about during the process, but Moussally insists on knowing the property thoroughly to avoid problems.

“I make it a point to make sure the buyer has the sizes of each room before they get to the closingtable,”Moussally said. “It’s all about the details; the little, minute partsthat can pose big problems and embarrassment if they are not addressed early enough.”

Moussally mentioned real estate as being in her blood. That comes from her family, who were investors in the industry. Her parents owned properties and she would eventually follow suit. The experience left an indelible mark on what she wanted to do with her career. Wanting to helppeople is amajorreasonwhy she wanted to stay in the industry. Moussally’s feelings stem from loving what she does and her readiness to help her clients succeed in the process.

“This is where I want to be,” Moussally said. “I still love what I do and love helping people. I am grateful for friends and returningcustomersbecause they enjoy the home-buying/ selling process.”

As a Luxury Specialist, Moussallyalsohelpsthose clients who are buying or selling luxury homes. She has a true understanding of affluent buyers and sellers and uses her superior market knowledge to ensure a smooth transaction.

She is currently a one-REALTOR operation. Moussally said that she plans to hire several new REALTORS® in the coming year. That would have a greater impact in betterserving the region.

Moussally is the proud recipient of the 2021 President’s Circle award for being Top 6% of the Network, and now proud recipient of the 2022 Chairman Circle Goad award for being Top 2% of the Network. In addition,

Moussally is the recipient of the 2023 Professional Excellence award, featured by RI Monthly. All of these great achievements are proof of how hard Moussally works for her customers, and thatrealestate is truly her passion!

Her office is located on 39 Main St., in East Greenwich. More details about Renee Moussally and her services may be found by visiting her website at www.ReneeSellsRI.com.

For a no-obligation consultation, please contact her at renee.moussally@ commonmoves.com or 401-499-9049

Heart of Rhode Island Networking Serves the State

by Mark Berger

An idea created last spring has turned into a state-wide phenomenon bringing business professionals together to meet and expand their businesses.

That is the backdrop to Heart of Rhode Island. This monthly event takes place at Plant City in Downtown Providence and enables people to find new customers.

Heart of Rhode Island Co-Founder Debra Honor said the idea came from wanting to provide professionals with an outlet to succeed.

“I have always been someone who likes to put on events,” said Honor. “The Heart of Rhode Island just came to me as a result of good timing and a need for people to meet and connect. It started small and had exploded into something wonderful.”

Honor said the program began at Insperity with Co-Founder Natalie Delmage as a test site. They wanted to test its viability. The initial event drew a dozen people, so there was interest, Honor said. From there, a meeting with Plant City owner Kim Anderson provided Honor with the venue that currently resides the event.

Delmage agreed the idea had plenty of potential.

“Our goal is for members to make new connections each month as they gain a deeper understanding of each other’s businesses. This group includes people from various industries and functions. We are seeking to add value for each other,” she said.

The event’s name comes from someone who said Honor is, “the Heart of Rhode Island” in reference to her hosting such meetings. That was her hope going into this, Honor said.

“I live by the adage, ‘if you build it, they will come’ from the movie ‘Field of Dreams’. The Heart of Rhode Island has become a community for business referral partners to connect and grow. Several clients and deals have happened from people attending. Not only have we had a bunch of people come from all over the state, we have also had people coming from Massachusetts and Connecticut attending. It has been a wonderful few months for this group,” she said.

The Heart of Rhode Island logo came from a local vendor, according to Honor. She tapped Creative Director Mark DaPonte and Owner Lynette Allaire of Mirage Design to create the piece. Their work was what they envisioned to make their message seen, she said.

For those who have not yet attended this event, meetings are held upstairs with a large room ready with snacks and beverages. People sign in and meet other guests. Midway through the meeting, everyone gathers in a circle and gets the chance to introduce themselves. They can explain who they are, what they do and how people can help them. Business cards and contact information are then disbursed.

Honor looks to expand the event in 2023. She recently mixed things up at recent meetings by implementing “speed networking”. That meant people sitting together and sharing their thoughts on business and how each can help the others. Honor said that often starts the conversation and also helps break the ice for people who may not know one other.

“I am very excited how quickly this has grown,” she said. “We average around 40 people per meeting. The word-of-mouth advertising has really helped the event expand. The upcoming year is going to be fun to see how this works.”

One company gets a little longer to speak. That opportunity is reserved for that month’s Event Sponsor. That representative has a chance to further educate the public about their company. Besides Plant City, other companies that have been sponsors included Workforce Ready Solutions and New York Life

Honor said she is looking forward to any business that is eager to either sponsor or co-sponsor. Some other benefits include, mentions on LinkedIn four weeks before the event and again prior to the event. More information can be found by contacting Debra.

Delmage said she has been impressed with the turnouts.

“We’re very proud to the community we are building with this group,” she said “There are so many valuable connections and opportunities to help one another succeed.”

Debra works for Human Interest, a company devotes toward helping small and medium-sized businesses offer low-cost, high quality retirement plans to their employees.

Natalie works for Insperity, a company dedicated to harnessing the power of strategic HR to improve business success. They have grown from two people sharing a one-room office to a $4.3 billion company with more than 90 offices across the U.S. since 1986. Their local office is inside the Citizens Bank Building in Downtown Providence.

For those looking to join Debra and Natalie, they will be at Plant City, located on 334 South Water Street in Providence, on Wednesday, April 26th, Wednesday, May 24th and Wednesday, June 21st. The Heart of Rhode Island runs from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM. Anyone may register on Eventbrite now to secure their spot for these meetings.

More information about The Heart of Rhode Island can be had by contacting Debra Honor at 508-498-6497 or debra.honor@gmail.com.

By: Jennifer Coates | Photography: Owen Head - Alfram Videography

There’s a local choice in Rhode Island for disaster restoration services. With a name SO EASY to remember, you WON’T forget it. Water, fire, asbestos, mold and more — Rhode Island Restoration has the expertise required to clean up, repair, and restore all types of property damage and make it even better than before. Emergency Service available 24/7.

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!

The Toilet Paper Test!

Upon rst glance, when someone hears the phrase, ‘ e Toilet Paper Test,’ it would not be uncommon for the undeveloped far reaches of one’s brain to automatically default to imagining imagery that would fall in-line with thoughts parallelling the great ‘90s thought leaders Beavis & Butthead. As facetious as this may seem on the surface, it is probably not far o .

e toilet paper test, however, is one that can be critically important to the functionality of the air ow in one’s bathroom, while not necessarily having anything to do with the toilet itself.

One of more common items that we get called upon for advice about is how well one’s bathroom fan is working.

A bathroom fan is a fan, o en coupled with a light xture and attached to the ceiling, whose purpose is to suck air out of the bathroom and guide it to the outside of the home.

e purpose of the bathroom fan is multifaceted, as its aim is to guide as much moisture, humidity, and yes, odors, as possible, from the bathroom to the outside of the home.

Ideally, there is a hose attached to the backside of the bathroom fan that brings the air which is being drawn out from the bathroom to the home’s exterior, preferably out through the roof (as the higher the exit point, the better), though many times through an area of the home’s so t (the ‘overhang’ area of the home).

As surprising as it may seem, I can’t tell you how many times we nd the bathroom fan is simply venting out into the attic itself, with zero attempt visible as to making an e ort to vent it outside.

is is problematic on a number of levels.

In these types of cases, in particular, with regard to moisture and humidity, having a bathroom fan that is vented into the attic can be the catalyst of a breeding ground for mold. While it may take a period of time for this to occur, it is almost a sure thing that mold will begin to form somewhere in the attic in the vicinity of the backside of the fan, creating potential health challenges for those unsuspecting residents in the oors below.

You may be wondering what any of this has to do with a ‘toilet paper test.’

Whether a bathroom fan is correctly vented or not, sometimes people are just wondering, in general, if their bathroom fan is truly working or not because in all honesty, it can be hard to tell.

Enter toilet paper.

To test if your bathroom fan is even close to viably working, turn the bathroom fan on.

Next, take a piece of toilet paper and position it directly under the bathroom fan.

If the toilet paper sticks to the fan, the fan is most likely drawing in air, as it should be.

If the toilet paper does not stick and instead falls to the ground, the fan is not working properly and should probably be replaced.

Super scienti c, I know.

Ensuring one’s bathroom fan is operating properly and vented to where it should be vented to, is a small exercise which every homeowner should check up on at least once or twice each year.

To me, it is fun that something known as a ‘toilet paper test’ can be super helpful in helping to determine whether one’s bathroom may have proper air ow, or if a conversation should be had as to what has to be done to improve things.

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!

VILLAGE PAWS

Putting Their Best Paw Forward

If you think you’re spending too much money on grooming, you are!

We offer the best grooming, great prices, and the most experienced groomers in the area!

By Paul Lonardo

CATS ONLY SUNDAY’s stress free grooming for your kitty!

Christine Nickell and Jules Martins are passionate about dogs, but at Village Paws in Smithfield, a pet grooming business they started together, the residents of the community enjoy a mutual benefit.

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“Dogs have always been an important part of my family growing up,” said Jules, who was nine years old when she rescued her first dog and took it home. She’s had a passion for rescues ever since.

Originally from Framingham, Mass., when Jules moved to Rhode Island in 2000, she already had extensive experience working with animals. When people ask Jules how long she has been grooming dogs, she likes to tell them that she groomed for Noah on the Ark. While it hasn’t been quite that long, Jules got her start in the business in 1978.

In 2011, Jules and Christine established a successful dog grooming business in Foster, before opening Village Paws in Smithfield, in 2017. The Foster business was sold shortly afterward, and Village Paws became the sole focus. The business took o right away, and with success and growth came opportunities to help animals, as well as the community, in a number of ways.

The Kibble Closet, run by Kristene Hebert, was something that was actually established in 2015. Through donations of pet food, this service provides free dog and cat food to pet owners who are struggling to feed their pets. If anyone would like to donate material goods, including pet food, cat litter, pet beds, and blankets, or if you are in need of pet

food or supplies, contact Kristene, or drop by Village Paws to find out more about this program.

Village Paws will often hold charity dog washes, donating the proceeds to local rescues, the Kibble Closet drive, or for purchasing backpacks and other school supplies for children.

“Village Paws has been such a wonderful platform to do charity work,” Jules said. “I like to say that we are giving for a living.”

Anytime they hear about someone who needs help, whether it is pet related or not, the owners of Village Paws will do everything they can to help out.

The owners recently teamed up with Meals on Wheels to provide pet food for pet owners who are homebound. Village Paws receives donations from Little Rhody Rescue, a non-profit dog rescue and quarantine facility located in Chepachet. Any over ow they generate goes to Friends of Homeless Animals, a local animal rescue organization, as well as to a sister rescue organization in Mississippi. So, the generosity is spread around.

Every Christmas, Village Paws adopts two families that the whole community gets behind to help,

ensuring that these families have a nice holiday dinner. Gift certificates for grocery stores are donated and there are ample presents provided for the children and adults to open.

“There’s nothing better than to help someone who is less fortunate than you,” Jules said.

One of the things Jules and Christine are most proud of is that they’re able to o er discounts to veterans, those with disabilities, and senior citizens. They pride themselves on having really reasonable prices for everyone.

Village Paws is a full-service groomer, which includes nail trimming. One thing that they o er that you likely won’t get anywhere else is free nail trimming for your pet, if that is the only service you are seeking, with 100% of all tips collected going to various charitable endeavors within the community.

“If we have the money, we donate it to anyone who needs it,” Jules explained. “It’s something that Christine and I love to do.”

While Village Paws is open every day, except for Sunday and Tuesday, their hours will vary, and that is dependent upon their customers, not them. Appointments are encouraged, but Jules and Christine understand that dogs do not recognize 9-5, so if a special situation comes up, where you have to drop your pet o earlier or you have to work late, the ladies at Village Paws will accommodate you.

“We understand that life happens,” Jules said, “so we’re very exible with our time.”

If someone wants to stay while their pet is being

groomed, that’s something that they welcome.

“We take the time to develop a rapport with pets, as well as with people,” Jules said. “We try to remain a stress-free environment for the animals and their owners.”

One Sunday each month they have what is called a Dog-Free Day, where they will groom cats only, so that their feline friends can get clean and trimmed, without the added worry of having dogs around them.

These are all the things that Village Paws does for pets and their owners. The relationships that Jules and Christine have developed over the years with both pets and people is something the owners of Village Paws cherish.

“The welcome we’ve gotten from the town of Smithfield has been overwhelming,” Jules said. “The people are wonderful and generous. They give so much and we pass it forward.”

Visit Village Paws at 615 Putnam Pike in Smithfield, or call for an appointment at 401-949-5000.

Forgo en Tales of Yankee Peddlers

By Jim Ignasher

There’s a story I found in an 1843 newspaper that tells of a Yankee peddler in a tavern, who was insulted by a military major, who declared the peddler to be a liar, and when the peddler stood up for himself, he was challenged to a duel at sunrise. The major was known for having instigated, and won several duels in the past, and the outcome of this one seemed a foregone conclusion.

At the appointed time, the peddler arrived with a rifle, while the major held a box with two loaded pistols. Pointing the rifle, the peddler demanded the man hand over the pistols in exchange for the rifle. The man did so and promptly attempted to shoot the peddler with his own rifle, but the shots failed to go off, for it wasn’t loaded. Taking the loaded pistols and pointing them at the major, the peddler retrieved his rifle and made for greener pastures. Whether the story is true or not is open to speculation, but it’s fun to consider, nonetheless.

The term “Yankee peddler” was born in New England and dates to the early days of the Massachusetts’ colony. Boston is credited with producing the first Yankee peddlers, who set out from the fledgling seaport to carry goods of all kinds to rural towns and hamlets across the north east.

Cooking spices were common items carried, and it’s been said that Connecticut came to be called “The Nutmeg State” due to the introduction of nutmeg by peddlers. Legend also has it that dishonest peddlers would pass off “wooden nutmegs” to unsuspecting farm wives, thus the warning, “beware of wooden nutmegs,” which goes along with the old adage, “Don’t take any wooden nickels.”

The more successful Yankee peddlers made their way by horse-drawn wagons, while others walked carrying sacks on their backs. Each traveled routes of their own choosing, usually competing with other peddlers for the same profits.

Being a peddler was dangerous work, for, not only did highwaymen roam the back roads looking for travelers to rob, there are numerous ghostly legends of peddlers who met their demise after staying at some wayside taverns. One such tale comes from Mattawamkeag, Maine, where a peddler known as “Peddler Pete’’ disappeared from a tavern in 1856. Pete sold inexpensive jewelry and wore a unique shell bracelet on his right wrist. From time to time, his ghost would appear, sometimes pointing at the floor in front of the tavern’s massive fireplace, but it wasn’t until 1906, when the building was being dismantled for its lumber, that Pete’s remains were discovered, still wearing his unique bracelet.

Closer to home, a peddler reportedly murdered in an apple orchard in Douglas, Massachusetts, was said to haunt the site for years afterwards, and the apple tree under which he died was said to produce apples containing a drop of blood in the center. A similar legend is told in the town of Franklin, Connecticut.

And Smithfield has such a legend of its own involving an unnamed peddler, who disappeared one night, while sleeping in the basement of the former Waterman Tavern. It was thought he’d fallen down a well, but one would think someone would have checked before taking another drink. In any event, he was never seen again.

Yet, not all legends involve murder, as with the tale of an unfortunate peddler, who was swallowed up, along with his wagon, when he drove into quicksand, while navigating Muck Swamp Road in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1830. (This road does not appear on contemporary maps.)

And take the case of two peddlers who reportedly entered a strange partnership. The first, according to a newspaper account, “…a tin peddler wishing to coin money more rapidly than by disposing of his wares…” made his rounds, while deliberately passing on some type of ailment, causing his customers to itch (possibly from lice). A week or so later, his partner appeared, selling an “infallible (itch) remedy” to the same customers!

Yet, another legend tells of an enterprising Yankee, who during the American Revolution, traveled to New York City, hoping to sell wooden bowls and plates, but wasn’t having much luck. Somehow, he procured a British uniform and approached a merchant telling him the commodore of the fleet was looking to purchase a large quantity of wooden ware. The merchant said that he knew where some could be had and that if he came back later, he would have the merchandise. The merchant sent an employee to buy up all the peddler had to sell.

By the late 1800s, many household items were no longer hard to get, even for those living in rural areas, and the traveling peddler disappeared from the American landscape and became a thing of the past, yet their legends linger.

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jlafl0117@gmail.com

Visit Toyota of Smithfield’s Online Parts Store

By Mark Berger

One of the many ways the dealership works to create an overall positive buying experience is making it easy to buy either a new or certified pre-owned vehicles. They recently unveiled their ‘SmartPath‘ option, where anyone can purchase their new car from the comfort of their home or office. Now, the dealership is announcing the opening of its Online Parts Store.

Like SmartPath, the new feature is the first one of its kind in Rhode Island. General Manager John Durrani said that the store gives customers the ability to get their materials at their own pace.

“Customers can search for the parts we have available, purchase them online, and have them delivered right to their door,” Durrani said. “Plus, we are offering free shipping for any order over $75. Whether you need floor mats, maintenance supplies, or even an engine, you can visit our website at www.toyotaofsmithfield.com and see what inventory we have in stock,” he continued.

As with the new online parts store, Toyota of Smithfield’s SmartPath program is an easy and simple way of purchasing a vehicle without having to travel to the dealership, or even leave your house. Find your next vehicle by shopping online for the latest makes, models, styles, and colors.

Durrani explained that more people are enjoying the remote way of conducting business. He noted with the changing economy, customers are shopping differently. These approaches are options to better serve them.

The dealership will hold its monthly private sale on Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30, from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, by appointment only. Those who attend will be expected to follow social guidelines, but also 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 up front. Durrani said that this is just part of the all-around, customer-driven experience he implemented to ensure the process does not get bogged down in miscommunication.

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

Women in Cannabis is out to Educate

e legalization of cannabis in Rhode Island last December provided numerous opportunities, as well as issues for everyone involved. It signaled moving forward with the situation of those wishing to grow, consume, and sell cannabis on small levels. However, its passage also meant state and local authorities had to tread lightly to ensure all parties were compliant and knew what boundaries must be followed. e details are in place, yet, changes are inevitable, as new questions arise.

As opportunities get clearer, several women are each becoming valuable resources to help guide people through the process.

With the cannabis industry being opened in the Ocean State, four businesswomen recently aligned as a collective resource for anyone either interested in the cannabis industry or who have questions about the process.

By Mark Berger

Atty. Megan Sheehan of Green Path Legal, Eve Santana of High Beautiful, Emily Cotter of Lovewell Farms, LLC., and Andrea Biszko of Aura of Rhode Island are striving to inform and teach people about the issues and how they can assist in the safe sale, distribution, and consumption of cannabis.

e women each met one another during various times at cannabis-related events.

Sheehan, who practices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and has o ces in Barrington, RI and Lexington, MA, said being able to discuss the matter with clients is the rst step in what can be a long process.

Bis “People are beginning to get excited about the possibilities regarding the uses of cannabis,” she said. “ ere is so much potential surrounding cannabis in Rhode Island. It isn’t the evil, destructive drug some purport it to be. e expansion of

the cannabis industry in Rhode Island is a huge step forward and opportunity for Rhode Island. It’s also exciting to see some of the social equity components that were included in the legislation.”

e attorney pointed out three areas her rm specializes in: licensing, corporate/ business and litigation. She said there are potential landmines with each of these areas. Her rm works to mitigate them so her clients can proceed further.

“ ere are so many potential stumbling blocks for cannabis businesses that can be time consuming and expensive—if not properly handled,” Atty. Sheehan said. “For example, relying on handshake agreements can mean major problems down the road. Finding a location for your business is incredibly important, and there are many potential hiccups in that process. Lastly, if you want a retail license that is based on a lottery system, then it can be very challenging. It’s

Andrea Biszko & Staff Emily Cotter

important to get to the lottery stage, but you also have to be ready if your number is picked. ese are a few of the many reasons to consult me.”

Sheehan noted there were very few women in the cannabis eld when she began several years ago. Sheehan’s boutique law rm, Green Path Legal, is currently all women owned and run. More and more women are breaking into these elds. Not just in the legal arena, they are becoming store owners and businesswomen looking to create their industry niche.

Such is the case with Eve Santana, who owns ‘High Beautiful,’ a lifestyle brand o ering marketing services. High Beautiful focuses on delivering positive experiences and perspectives about cannabis. Santana has been involved with the industry for nearly a decade, working with leading east coast founded companies and organizations including Ardent, Billow, the Farmacist, Equitable Opportunities Now (EON), and NECANN— longest running and largest canna-convention on the east coast of the US.

It was at EON, a 501c3 organization, where she found her calling. EON focuses on programming and advocacy of legislative policies that empower people impacted by the failed drug war, not corporations in the fast-evolving cannabis industries.

“Historically, Black and Latinx folks mostly know about this plant through tribulations, rejection, and discrimination. For work, I am guided by the mission of empowering Women, Black, and Latinx communities in the industry through access to the plant for consumption, information about ownership opportunities, and mentorship with some amazing people in the cannabis industry who give a damn about helping other people come up too,” Santana said.

Santana began High Beautiful in 2016, in hopes of aiding people su ering from depression, sleep apnea, anxiety. and other health issues. She said that cannabis in some form can provide relief from these and other ailments. She stresses that it is not a cure, but it does possess some positive bene ts.

Cotter is the director of operations of Lovewell Farms in Hope Valley. ey produce high-quality, handcrafted hemp ower and large varieties of CBD products, using responsible and sustainable practices throughout the process. Although Cotter is passionate about the cannabis industry, she feels there is much more work to be done at the state and local levels.

“My passions for social justice, environmental sustainability, and love of plants all come together in the cannabis space. I am driven to help create an industry that re ects the goals of the movement behind it,” she said. “I believe in the power of community, and that the lines between food, drugs, and medicine are not as distinct as one might think. In our industry,

I believe that business and advocacy work can and should coexist in a way that a ects positive change for all, especially those on whose backs this newly legal industry has been built.”

Lovewell Farms will celebrate its fth year in 2023. Although these past few years have not been easy, they are grateful to be part of a robust Rhode Island cannabis industry going into 2023. In an industry as challenging as it can be, Cotter believes it is essential to work together to create the industry they want to participate in. ey are excited to be partnering with more local cultivators, dispensaries, and other small businesses to make high quality CBD more accessible to all Rhode Islanders.

Biszko, the human resources director, whose business is based in Central Falls, said that there was little doubt that she wanted to begin a business in this industry. It became her mission to ensure a safe environment for such use.

“One thing I have found is that there is a real camaraderie between cannabis businesses, and we really come together to achieve shared goals unlike any other industry because of the unique circumstances and challenges that we face in this industry,” she said.

Aura o ers a variety of quality products at competitive prices for both medical patients and adult recreational customers alike. ey also o er private consultations for both medical patients and adult use customers that require one-on-one time to learn more about a particular product or products to ensure their needs are met.

Last December, Biszko said that there was built up anticipation statewide for the beginning of recreational sales of cannabis. She believes the newer dispensaries that recently entered the marketplace expected a higher volume of recreational users compared to the actual numbers. Restrictive advertising makes it di cult to let consumers know such places exist and prevents the opportunity to educate the public on the bene ts of cannabis. However, she has high hopes for the future and will continue to grow their brand.

e women are looking forward to helping others in this arena. ey encourage anyone interested in learning more about the cannabis industry to contact them.

Megan E. Sheehan, Esq., 401-396-9113 | Megan@greenpathlegal.com

Eve Santana, 401-594-1224 | Evemarie@highbeautiful.com

Emily Cotter, 401-218-5008 |Emily@lovewellfarms.com

Andrea Biszko, 508- 493-3437 |Andrea@auraofri.com