March 2023 - Shop In RI

Contributors

March

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.

“I left in 1989 to work in Las Vegas and Florida at various Italian festivals,” said Palmisano, who is a third-generation feast festival promoter and a well-known local philanthropist. Our family loves the area and has been a part of this community for years. When this space (for the restaurant) was available, it was like coming home again,” he continued.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The bar remains open one hour after closing.

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

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

Executives

Jeffrey Manzo

Jim Lombari

Jenn Lombari

Michael Belsito

Fashion Editor

Rosanna Ortiz

Photographers

Guillermo Garcia

Allyson Barth

Michael Belsito

Dr. Joseph Matrullo

United Airlines Has Good News for Families

If you’ve ever flown with young children and had to pass juice boxes and crayons over seat tops or across the aisle because you weren’t able to sit with them, United Airlines has some news you’ll be happy to hear. With the help of a new seat map feature used during booking, passengers will be able to select seats for kids under the age of 12 right next to any adults in their party - even passengers with “basic economy” tickets. The technology will scan first for economy seats, then search for any available “preferred” seats, which would be offered as a complimentary upgrade.

If for some reason adjacent seats aren’t available—ie, if a family is reserving tickets late in the game or flights are already full - passengers can switch to another flight going to the same destination without an extra charge, even if the second flight is more expensive. “We’re focused on delivering a great experience for our younger passengers and their parents and know it often starts with the right seat,” Linda Jojo, the airline’s chief customer officer, said. A Department of Transportation notice in July that strongly urged airlines “to do everything in their power” to make sure kids 13 and younger are seated next to adults in their party, without being charged for it. That release stated that complaints had come in that children as young as 11 months old weren’t seated next to an accompanying adult. Earlier this month, President Biden called for an expedited ban on such seating fees. “No parent should have to pay extra to sit next to their child,” states a White House release. Other airlines

TravelTips

Shop In RI Selects: Times Square, New York City as their #1 weekend getaway hot spot.

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

The World’s for the

Feel in need off those chanics neering non-stop

Like Shibuya Station in Tokyo and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Times Square is an imminently recognizable tourist stop. The ads on the giant screens at One Times Square, where the New Year’s Eve ball drops every year might change, but the energy of the intersection has only grown with time.

Times Square sits in the heart of Manhattan’s Theatre District, spanning West 42nd to West 47th Streets across Broadway and Seventh Avenue. It encompasses the Theatre District and sits in the center of Midtown Manhattan. Central Park, Penn Station, and Rockefeller Center are all within easy walking distance. The region is home to a number of noteworthy bars and restaurants as well as the Air & Space Museum.

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

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

In the heart of Times Square, the streets literally glitter and shimmer in the mid-afternoon sun. The light cast from the LCD screens on the buildings make it feel like mid-day even after the sun has set. The entire area has plenty to explore - including many free attractions and fun flagship stores that are always fun to pop into. Exhibitions and attractions change frequently throughout the year, so look up temporary exhibitions that might be occurring during your visit. That’s the thing about Times Square. It’s always evolving to deliver more of what New York City residents and visitors want. The only constant is change in the city that never sleeps.

Woman United

Aviation Expert Assesses Safest Place to Sit on Plane

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

When picking your seat on a plane, you may not even give a moment’s thought to which ones are the safest. If so, that’s just fine, writes aviation expert Doug Drury. For one thing, flying remains incredibly safe. For another, say they try to avoid separating kids from adults during flights: Delta, for instance, blocks off certain rows to allow for families to sit together, while American’s own technology searches for seats together at the time of booking for basic economy and main cabin passengers. United’s new policy kicks into effect in early March.

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

crashes are so random that predicting which set of passengers might fare better than others is impossible. Still, a fearful flyer who feels compelled to play the odds might buy a ticket for the middle seat in the back row, writes Drury. He bases the analysis on a Time investigation that found middle-seat passengers in the rear had the lowest fatality rates in accidents—28%. That compares favorably to the 44% fatality rate for those in the middle third of the cabin. If safety is a paramount factor, it’s best to sit next to an exit row. But the middle exit rows aren’t a great choice because fuel is stored in the wings, and the front exit rows aren’t great because the front of the plane might take the brunt of the crash. As for choosing the middle seat, the passengers on your left and right might provide a “buffer” of sorts in the event of an accident.

You can’t a domestic get a complimentary man on went to a ”stinging dropped the floor, snag the

”After learning on flight lanta was ponded MedLink provided said.

”The local hospital.

School Janitor Had to Unretire to Pay Rent. Then Kids Stepped In

There’s a Fresh Geyser Mystery in Yellowstone

It’s unclear why the Steamboat

Front Page

A GoFundMe that popped up in late February featuring the rather ominous title “Getting Mr. James out of this school.”

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

It’s not an attempt to see a teacher or staff member fired, instead, it was an effort by high school students in North Texas to help their school’s elderly janitor retire for good. “Mr. James” (who’s declined to be more fully identified) had actually already retired, but at the beginning of the year his rent suddenly shot up by about $400 a month, and the 80-year-old decided to go back to work so he could get by.

And so he took a custodian job at Callisburg High School, which is where three students got wind of Mr. James’ plight. They decided to do something about it, launching the GoFundMe and doing a social media push to promote the fundraiser. “Let’s help Mr. James out!” student Greyson Thurman wrote as a caption on a short TikTok video he shared. “I have 2,000 followers and that was enough to get the word out,” he said.

Most of the donations that poured in during the first 12 hours were from students. The GoFundMe asking for “rent, food, & monthly bills,” had originally set a goal of $10,000, and had surpassed $180,000.

“Nobody deserves to work their whole life,” Thurman said. “ They deserve to enjoy everything.” Jason Hooper, the high school’s principal, says he’s proud of not only the ”three kind kids” who started the fundraiser, “but of all of our students who have pitched in to help that need.” As for Mr. James, he’s “very appreciative” of the students’ assistance, but he “doesn’t want any part of the spotlight” said Hooper.

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

THE TOP EARNING MUSICIANS OF THE DECADE

Top 4 New York City Hotels

Firefighters Leave Stove On, Learn Important Lesson

In their defense, the firefighters were in a hurry to leave. So much so, that nobody in the station remembered to turn off the stove when they left to fight a house fire in Hall County, Georgia.

When a separate fire crew that had been out on a medical call returned to the station about 10 minutes later, they discovered a stovetop fire and lots of smoke, per the AP. As they scrambled to grab a fire extinguisher, the stove’s suppression system did the work for them and put out the fire. Damage to the stove was minimal, damage to the firefighters’ pride was presumably greater, and breakfast was ruined.

Kevin Hart is making a stop in the capital city this spring.

The actor and comedian will perform at the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP) as part of his “Reality Check” tour on Saturday, April 22.

Tickets went on sale on Feb. 24th on Tickemaster.

The Ritz Carlton Central Park

Marriott Marquis

Trump International Hotel

The Plaza Hotel

Comedian Kevin Hart coming to the AMP in Providence

Artificial Intelligence, and Emerging Technologies in the Hospitality Industry

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

While the use of robotics in the restaurant and hotel industries was originally a novelty, modern versions of this technology have become increasingly sophisticated, and as a result, have proven to be useful in providing much needed support to existing hospitality staffers, and filling gaps due to a workforce shortage.

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a launchpad for service robots in the hospitality industry, lessening the impact of staffing shortages and offering businesses a mechanism to provide necessary services without the worry of potential virus transmission to guests via human contact.

Utilizing different levels of artificial intelligence, service robots can perform a variety of functions, from standard transactional tasks (i.e., accepting payments, printing receipts, confirming reservations, etc.), to those that require more data analysis and logical thinking (i.e., answering customer questions, delivering luggage to a hotel room, leading a tour of its facility, etc.). Through collaboration, these functionalities can sometimes alleviate the burden of less important customer requests, allowing human staff members to focus on higher-value priorities and tasks.

As the technology continues to evolve and the “intelligence level” of these robots grows with it, customer engagement with service robotics will likely become more fluid and natural. For now, customer-contact robots work best in support of

their human counterparts, handling transactional and analytical duties, while existing staff members focus on social and emotional tasks.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in the hospitality industry goes beyond the implementation of robotic servers and hotel workers; it can be found in the hotel rooms and kitchens of tomorrow, bringing lodging accommodations to life with voice-activated/enabled room amenities, and allowing for the creation of more personalized experiences for customers and visitors alike. AI can analyze online reviews and social media commentary and send out automated responses, it can support inventory management and help business owners decide the best pricing strategies, and can support sales and marketing efforts through analyzing target segments, market demands, patterns, and more.

While we are seeing more hospitality businesses incorporate the use of robotics and AI in the workplace, the technology is still in its fledgling stage, compared to what experts are predicting for it in the future. Despite this, it is clear that this technology is one that our industry should explore and embrace to remain competitive in this “new” economy, where customers (especially those who are young and technologicallysavvy) expect the best level of service wherever they go, whether from humans or computers!

As labor shortages continue to plague the job market in 2023, it is my belief that more hospitality businesses will employ the use of robotics in an effort to create a more efficient workflow, provide valuable new experiences for guests, and to give existing staff members the tools and support necessary to provide the best service to customers. However, robotics, while on point in performing their specific functions, cannot and will not take the place of industry workers, whose personal touch and work ethic have made the industry what it is today.

Dale J. Venturini Robotics,

musical entertainment on weekends

Features:

HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

Starters, Greens, Pizza, Handhelds, Entrees

Burger & Brew Special $15

Garda Irish Band

Playing March 18th

Daily Drink Specials Features:

Burger & Brew Special $15

Daily Drink Specials

Starters, Greens, Pizza, Handhelds,Entrees

Musical Entertainment On Weekends

1839 Smith Street, North Providence RI • 401-661-9155

1839 Smith Street, North Providence RI - 401-661-9155

Hours: Mon - Fri 4pm-12am Sat & Sun 12pm - close

Hours: Mon - Fri 4pm-12am Sat & Sun 12pm - close

COMING SOON

Notes from the Cooker, Traveler, Master Gardener and Serious Sipper of Creative Cocktails

Notes from the Cooker, Traveler, Master Gardener and Serious Sipper of Creative Cocktails

PORK

TENDERLOIN SOUP WITH CHICKPEAS AND KALE

by Al Milukas

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.

Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat that can dry out easily when roasted. It’s usually just a couple of inches around, and over a foot long…a shape that can easily go from juicy to overdone in just a few minutes if you’re not watching it carefully.

This recipe really is based on what I had in the fridge and pantry at the time, and it just rocked!

I chose chickpeas as my starch. I don’t worry too much about carbs, as long as they’re good ones and in moderation.

I always use organic kale. Kale is one of the most heavily sprayed veggies out there. You don’t need pesticides in your soup!

The soup is gluten-free if you use gluten-free flour instead of regular all purpose flour.

Directions:

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons

Brown Sugar

• 1 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into 1/4″ thick medallions, then cut in half

1 tablespoon

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Ground Kona Coffee

• 1/2 onion, finely chopped

• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 tablespoon

• 3 stalks celery, sliced

Kosher Salt

• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon

• 1 pint veal stock or chicken stock (homemade is best)

Granulated Garlic

• 1/2 cup white wine (I like an unoaked Australian chardonnay)

1 teaspoon

• 1 pint water

Granulated Onion

• large pinch of bouquet garni

1 Teaspoon Unsweetened

• 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Cocoa Powder

• 1 head organic kale, cleaned, stems removed, and chopped

5 lbs. Beef Ribs

Slice the pork tenderloin into 1/4"medallions, then cut each medallion in half. Set aside.

In a bowl, add the flour (unseasoned). Set it next to the pork.

I'm usually a pork rib guy. But recently, I bought a nice slab of beef ribs from my butcher. I love the flavor of the Kona coffee crusted NY Strip at the Capital Grille in Providence, and decided to try my hand at my own coffee rub for these ribs. (If you don’t have Kona coffee on hand, use your favorite.)

In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, coffee, salt, garlic, onion, and cocoa. Mix well.

Heat a heavy skillet big enough to hold all the pork. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil or pork lard. Drop the pork pieces in the flour, coating them well, then shaking off the excess. (No egg wash needed.) Place them carefully in the pan and brown them on both sides. They don’t need to cook all the way through.

Remove the skin on the underside of the ribs. I do this by sliding a knife under a corner of the skin, exposing just enough of a tab that I can grab onto. The meat can be slippery, so pulling the skin off with a folded piece of paper towel in your hands gives a better grip.

Leaving the pork in the pan, add the onions and stir, cooking for a couple of minutes. Then add the carrot and celery slices, stirring again. Sprinkle in the garlic salt and pepper, stirring again.

Cut the ribs into 2-rib portions. Place all the rib pieces on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Add the stock, the wine, and the pint of water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes, stirring gently.

Generously rub the coffee rub into all sides of the rib pieces, turning them meat-side-up, and let them sit on the baking sheet at room temperature for about a half hour, while you warm the oven up to 350 degrees.

Place the sheet pan of ribs in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Add the chick peas. Then add the kale, a handful at a time, waiting for the greens to wilt into the soup before adding another handful. Do this until all the kale is in the pan. Add the pinch of bouquet garni. Bring the soup to a boil again, then reduce it to a medium-low simmer, uncovered.

Remove the ribs from the oven, and lower the heat to 250. Wrap the ribs in aluminum foil, 2 sections per packet, and place them back on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and cook them for 4 more hours.

The soup is ready when the veggies are tender, about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and if the liquid has evaporated and it looks too thick, add more water, bringing to a boil with each addition, then reducing the heat.

Remove the ribs from the oven and take them out of the foil, placing them back on the baking sheet and back into the 250-degree oven for 30 more minutes.

Taste for seasoning before serving.

St. Joseph’s Day

BYJULIA ROMANO

The Feast of St. Joseph is a Roman Catholic feast day, celebrated every year on March 19, a tradition established by Rome back in 1479. The day commemorates the feast of St. Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary and legal father of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Sicily, St. Joseph is recognized by many as their patron saint, as he is credited with preventing a famine in Sicily in the Middle Ages. As the people’s prayers to St. Joseph to end the famine were answered, a large feast was prepared to honor their savior.

Many people wear red on St. Joseph’s Day, also to honor the Italian Patron Saint, similar to the green attire seen on St. Patrick’s Day, two days earlier, for acknowledgement of their Patron Saint, St. Patrick.

In Italy, just like in other Mediterranean countries, such as Spain and Portugal, as well as some Southern American countries, la Festa del Papà happens on the 19th of March, the day Catholic tradition dedicates to the most iconic dad of them all: Saint Joseph.

Indeed, the roots of Italy’s Festa del Papà are religious, because of the association between fatherhood and the figure of Joseph, Christ’s “adoptive” father. His cult was solid in the East, before Benedictine monks brought it to the West and made it popular around 1030. Later in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, devotion to Saint Joseph was embraced also by the Servites in the 14th century and by the Franciscans, a century later. In the same period, the 1500s, Pope Sixtus IV introduced Saint Joseph’s worship officially into the Roman Calendar and, in 1871, he became the patron saint of fathers and of the Church. Saint Joseph’s Day used to be, up until the mid-1970s, a national holiday and not only a religious one, meaning people stayed home from work and kids didn’t go to school.

Also in Italy, San Giuseppe is the day dedicated to the protector of all fathers and, by extension, to all of our beloved papà. There are two things Italians do for the occasion — well, three, if you add getting silly socks and cookies for their dads: celebrating with bonfires and eating zeppole.

It is not unusual, in some parts of Italy, to see traditional Saint Joseph celebrations surrounded with bonfires. This is due to the fact that in ancient pagan tradition, the day was associated with the end of the winter, and therefore, with practices of purification and fertility, both symbolized by the cleansing power of fire. Our falò, so common in the countryside on this very day, are nothing more than a marker for the passage from winter to spring and the rebirth of Nature. In some areas, puppets — usually in the distasteful and unpleasant form of a hag — are burned: a way to say, “enough with cold winter, bring in the spring!”

One prominent custom is the Saint Joseph’s day altar, which spread from Sicily to the United States in the 1800s. These altars are typically elaborate; adorned with figurines, medals, and votive candles. The Saint Joseph’s day altar is divided into three sections representing the three persons of the Trinity, and has a statue of Joseph at its head. The tables are filled with food, which is donated to the poor. Upon a typical Saint Joseph’s Day altar, people put flowers, limes, candles, wine, fava beans, specially prepared cakes, breads, and cookies, and zeppole. Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent saw dust since Joseph was a carpenter. Because the feast occurs during Lent, traditionally there is no meat allowed on the celebration table.

St. Joseph is also the patron saint of many countries other than in the Americas and is celebrated in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, England, Korea, Malta, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Vietnam.

Some countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Spain celebrate St. Joseph’s Day and Father’s Day on the same day. Others, such as Poland, for example, regard St. Joseph’s Day as a special time for family and friends to gather. Sometimes, friends and family simply stop by to spread wishes of Wszystkiego najlepszego! (All the best!) and Sto lat! (A hundred years!) If gifts are given, they are usually flowers or chocolates and, sometimes, a little vodka for toasting.

Official Pastry of St. Joseph’s Day

Zeppole, a Neapolitan pastry created in the 1800s by Don Pasquale Pintauro, is the traditional Italian pastry eaten to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day. Zeppole are baked or fried dough, typically (read further to see why filled with either cream or custard, then topped with powdered sugar and a cherry…delizioso!

While bakeries across the state are churning out the traditional varieties with fried dough, some take the seasonal favorite to the next level and offer their own, with versions that have many unique fillings such as Bailey’s Irish Cream,

Strawberries & Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Oreo Mousse, S’mores, and Ricotta Cheese.

In Little Rhody, bakeries up and down Atwells Avenue in Providence’s iconic Federal Hill neighborhood are most popular for this luscious and decadent Italian pastry they masterfully create every year, which is a celebration in itself. But, there are many other bakeries across our great state that will also satisfy and delight your zeppole craving.

Below are some of the best known RI bakeries, to experience a delectable zeppole pastry.

D. Palmieri’s Bakery

Johnston

621-9357

LaSalle Bakery

Providence

831-9563 (Smith Street)

228-0081 (Admiral Stree)t

Wright’s Dairy Farm North Smithfield

767-3014

Antonio’s Bakery Warwick 738-3727

Original Italian Bakery Johnston

919-5777

Pastryland Bakery Smithfield 949-0630

Scialo Bros. Bakery Providence 421-0986

DeLuise Bakery Providence 351-5826

“Block Head”

by Kevin Kearns

When I got married some 20 years ago, my wife and I moved into a 3 bedroom apartment outside the city. It’s always been necessary for me to have a gym in my house or apartment, in addition to a gym membership I’m a big believer in having back up when it involves working out and exercise. The more convenient you make it, the easier it is to stay committed and consistent with your program.

The challenge with wanting to use dumbbells is the space that is needed for dumbbells, ranging from 10 to 90 lbs., takes up the whole apartment ! If I was not the first user of the“Power Block,” then I certainly was in the top 100 first users. The “Power Block” is a great invention, whether it be for a small gym owner, personal trainer, or fitness buff. What an ingenious invention to have a rack of dumbbells that go from 5 lbs. to 90 lbs. in 5 lb. increments, that only take up as much space as a small TV stand!

My wife and I have had our “Power Block” for 20 years and it has followed us from our six room apartment to three different houses. It now resides in my basement gym in the new house we bought 14 years ago with all of my other equipment that I use for myself, my family, and clients. Even my UFC fighters from Boston started in “Dr. Evil’s Dungeon. (that’s me!)” I have clients that have them in their offices, homes, and basements. It’s on my list of recommended go-to products for clients.

Okay, enough dribble. Here’s a quick workout that can be done anywhere.

3 sets of 10 to 12 reps of each exercise, working in a circuit fashion

1. Lunges with the blocks overhead - Take the blocks overhead directly over your shoulders. Now, step out onto 1 foot, as you keep the blocks overhead. (muscles worked - legs, shoulders, and deep core)

2. Double arm bent over rows- Take the blocks in both hands and lean forward at the hips, keeping the normal arch in your back. Now, pull the blocks to the side of your ribs. (muscles worked - upper back, lats, and legs)

3. Stability ball chest press- Lie on a stability ball with the blocks at your shoulders. Keep your hips up in the air, as you press the blocks up over the shoulders. (muscles worked - chest, shoulders, triceps, flutes, and core)

4. Squat curl and press - Grab the blocks in both hands, at your sides. Now, lower down to a squat position. As you come out of the squat, perform a curl and a shoulder press as you stand up. (muscles workedlegs, butt, arms, and shoulders)

5. V ups - Lie on the floor with the dumbbells stretched over your head and your feet on the floor. Now, as you bring your legs and arms up, touch the dumbbells to your toes. (muscles worked - core and upper back)

6. Standing on one leg bent over rows - Stand on one leg with the other leg elevated and behind you. Hold the dumbbells at your side and pull them to your ribs. (muscles worked - upper back, lats, balance, and lower legs)

7. Block Burpees - Warning…these suck! Hold the dumbbells in both hands. Now, drop down with the dumbbells under your shoulders and shoot your feet behind you. Then, return to an upright position. (muscles worked - core, upper body, and cardio)

8. Block upper cuts- Stand with the dumbbells at your side. Now, rotate and punch a dumbbell in an upper cut fashion. (muscles worked - your guns, core, and legs)

Ok, there you have it. Try this workout on for size and you will realize that there is no excuse to not have the “Power Block” in your fitness arsenal.

HOW PETS IMPROVE OUR HEALTH

By: Susan Gazerro

I possess two favorite passions, pets and fitness, both of which can improve our health. Each can be beneficial to our well-being, but in this article, I will explain how combining the two can improve one’s overall health, even moreso. All pets, but especially dogs and cats, not only help us physically by encouraging exercise and improving our cardiovascular health, they also help our mental health by reducing our stress, anxiety, depression, and can even ease loneliness.

Those of us who have pets know that they are just like family members. Pets need food, safety, love, and exercise. You have to provide all of these to your pet, but your pet gives back so much more in return. When I say they improve one’s overall health, that includes our mind, body, and soul.

It has been scientifically proven that pets can help their human caregivers live longer, happier, and healthier lives, both mentally and physically. Let’s start with mental health. As mentioned, pets can alleviate worries, stress, and depression. Those of you with pets may have noticed that your pet wastes no time noticing and then springing into action when you are upset or sad. For those of you who don’t have pets, trust me, they know. They immediately go into “comfort mode,” as they sense something is wrong. Their intuition is what makes them a great support, and therapy animals and animal-assisted therapy are effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Having to establish a routine for your

pet with feeding, walking, etc., gives you a purpose, and that contributes to a healthy emotional state, as well.

“A 2016 Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) study explored the role of pets in the social networks of people managing a long-term mental health problem.

Pets were found to contribute to a stronger sense of identity in pet owners with mental health conditions, including reducing negative perceptions of a mental health condition or diagnosis.

Pets provide a sense of security and routine in the relationship, which reinforces stable cognition.

Pets provide a distraction and disruption from distressing symptoms, such as hearing voices, suicidal thoughts, rumination, and can facilitate routine and exercise for those who care for them.

Now, let’s move on to how pets help to improve our physical health. Every step counts. I have written numerous articles about walking as much as you can. When you visit the mall, walk all of the floors and avoid the escalators and elevators. Park your car further away from the entrance to add in some extra steps. Walk up and down all of the aisles at the supermarket.

Having a dog will certainly help to increase your exercise and daily steps. A dog needs exercise just the same as their caregivers do. It has been proven that people who own dogs are less likely to be obese. As a fitness instructor, I have spoken about the most important muscle in the body, on many occasions, namely the heart muscle. Your heart is one of the biggest areas to see the full benefits of owning a pet. Just the presence of an animal will have a significant impact on one’s blood pressure. Pet owners are known to have lower blood pressure than people without pets.

According to the HABRI, cat parents also have healthy heart benefits. A feline friend in your home reduces your risk of death due to cardiovascular diseases, including strokes and heart attacks. People without cats have a 40% higher relative risk of heart attack than non-cat owners.

Here are some additional facts I found while researching how pets may improve your health:

Approximately 60% of dog walkers met the criteria for regular, moderate, and/or vigorous leisuretime physical activity, compared to about 45% for non-dog owners and dog owners who did not walk their dog, in the 2005 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey.

In a study of adults over the age of 50, with mildly elevated blood pressure, the presence of a pet, either dog or cat, had a significant impact on blood pressure, with dog ownership being associated with lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure, compared to people who did not own pets.

A study of over 2,400 cat owners concluded that there was a significantly lower relative risk for death due to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack, compared to non-owners, during a 20-year follow-up.

Now, let’s talk about how pets can improve the aging process. Research has shown that older adults get social and emotional support from their pets, which goes a long way to combat loneliness and depression. Aside from promoting exercise and reducing stress, pets can also assist in the treatment of long-term diseases like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

I also want to mention the extraordinary intuition of our pets. They are inbred with an intuition we humans don’t have. They can sense potential dangerous situations before we can. They also sense when a human is sad, or even dying. They are more loyal than most humans, but never ask for anything in return. There truly is no better companion than a precious pet, so do your very best to reciprocate by tending to their needs and by providing all of the love and affection they deserve.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul has not been awakened.”

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Fill your home or office with green and make 2023 come alive!

It is no secret that the recent pandemic forced an infinite number of changes throughout seemingly every level of our society. These changes run the gamut of negative to positive and everywhere in between. While these certainly may appear to be obvious statements, every time an example is provided, it serves to further solidify these points.

One such example of this is East Providence, RI’s Cheer UP Athletics.

Cheer UP Athletics is a competitive cheerleading gym, which was located in Providence, RI, for 6 years.

At the tail-end of this time period, the pandemic reared its ugly head, and as with many businesses, forced a literal standstill with the majority of Cheer UP’s operations.

As the unforeseen tidal wave of disruption that COVID brought upon us all crept up on Cheer UP, they were, at that time, on quite the trajectory of growth. Being forced to come to a grinding halt when so many exciting things were happening all around them, was as devastating a blow as one can imagine any business to experience.

Fast forward to the point where we were all beginning to come out of the pandemic, and suddenly Cheer UP was faced with circumstances that had them essentially pick up where things left off leading into the pandemic, and the serious need for new space was suddenly back upon them, as well as all of the pressures that went along with it.

After quite the search, a place was found in East

Providence that definitely was suitable, but would require an enormous amount of work to come close to making the space even remotely viable for the program. The new lease was signed, construction began, and Cheer UP officially moved its operations from Providence to East Providence in the summer of 2022.

Whereas the space in Providence was a tight-fitting 4,500 square feet, Cheer UP’s new home in East Providence is a sprawling almost 13,000 square foot facility, with ceilings that approach 40 feet tall.

The facility boasts space for three full - 9-panelSpring Floors, though the current configuration has a strategic layout with one regular Spring Floor, one set of ‘Dead Mats’ (a cheer floor without a spring base underneath it), and what is certainly something extraordinarily unique, a Full Spring Floor set into the gym’s massive concrete floor, providing an illusion that one is walking on a regular floor, when in fact, they are standing on an actual competition Spring Floor (VERY cool!).

Though still completing certain elements of construction as this article is being written, the facility’s design includes a foam pit (which we are told that athletes are beyond excited about), a rod floor, and plenty of parent room and athlete lounge space.

As if the new facility in and of itself were not enough to be hyped up about, the list of riveting items Cheer UP has happening at the moment is quite long.

The summer of 2022, not only marked the gym’s new move, but it was also the launching point of a new YouTube series focusing on Cheer UP, as they were followed and observed on their day in and day out preparation for competition, as well as everything that goes along with it.

The series has been primarily focused on one of the teams - Reckless - but has also showcased a number of the other teams involved in its programming.

Speaking of showcase, in November 2022, Cheer UP had a ‘Showcase’ in which it invited family members of the teams to come in and see all of the teams in Cheer UP’s Full Year program perform their routines for the first time, publicly.

It was a fun day for all.

The mayor of East Providence (Bob DaSilva) even stopped by to take in the performances and to welcome Cheer UP to their new home in the City of East Providence.

Cheer UP continues to offer a wide variety of programming, highlighted by their Full Year competition cheer teams.

The Full Year program runs June through the following May and would definitely be considered to be the ultimate experience when it comes to what Cheer UP has to offer, especially because of how successful Cheer UP’s Full Year teams have

placed at competitions over the years!

In addition to Full Year, Cheer UP also has a Half Year program (running from December through April), a ‘FUNdamentals’ program (geared toward the youngest of athletes), Team & Open Tumble Programs (where kids of all ages learn how to flip), and gym rentals (where Cheer UP rents out their space to other area cheer programs needing a place to practice).

As exhilarating as things have been throughout the early history of the program, it is safe to say that the thrilling nature of the All-Star Cheerleading experience at Cheer UP Athletics has only just begun!

How to View Your Investments in 2023

By: Edward Pontarelli Jr.

Investors came off a difficult year in 2022 – stocks fell into a bear market (defined as a decline of 20%+ from peak highs) and the bond market lost significant ground, as well. The stunning jump in inflation after years of very low interest rates made matters worse. Watching your investments and the value of the dollar depreciate simultaneously wasn’t easy – and the prospect of more volatility ahead has many investors nervous. As a financial advisor, I’ve fielded many of the below questions from my clients that you may also be contemplating. Keep in mind that while there is no single solution that applies to all investors, there are some general guidelines, based on where the markets stand today, and the historical record, that may be helpful.

Q: How should I cope with market fluctuations that are affecting my retirement savings?

A: If you’re within five years of your retirement date or already retired, be aware that you have less time to make up for losses in your portfolio. You may want to re-evaluate your risk tolerance, projected income needs, and investment strategies. It may make sense to pursue multiple strategies, seeking to grow a portion of your nest egg while protecting dollars you will need to tap more immediately (in the next 3-5 years).

If you are more than five years from retirement, focus on mitigating risk in your portfolio with high-quality investments and income-producing securities. If you have available cash to invest, do so using a systematic approach, investing a portion monthly over 6-12 months. By dollar-cost averaging in this way, you may be able to offset some of market’s inherent unpredictability.

If retirement is ten or more years away, work on growing your nest egg. Time is still on your side. View the market’s recent downturn as an opportunity to position your money in quality assets that are available at more attractive prices. Although markets will experience downturns from time to time, keep in mind that over rolling ten-year periods, the broad stock market (as measured by the S&P 500, an unmanaged index of stocks) has always moved higher.

Q: What should I do if I have not yet invested or am fairly new to it?

A: If you’re new to investing, chances are you have a long time horizon before retirement and can ride out the short-term bumps in the stock market before you’ll need to start withdrawing assets. Start by finding ways to save even small sums on a regular basis. This includes contributing to your workplace retirement plan such as 401(k) or 403(b) accounts and putting money to work monthly in a traditional or Roth IRA. The sooner you start investing, the better your opportunities to accumulate wealth.

Q: I’m very uncomfortable with the markets and volatility these days. How can I overcome that?

A: While you may wonder whether you should invest in or continue to “ride out” the challenging market, it’s important to stay invested. You want to be positioned for a recovery, which typically occurs without warning. Keep in mind that in the first year after the low point of the last nine bear markets, the S&P 500 returned an average of nearly 50%.

A good place to start is to speak with a financial advisor who may be able to help you steady the boat. Your advisor can help make sure that your portfolio is positioned to meet your key financial goals and is consistent with your risk tolerance level.

Enhancing Your Retirement Plan Through the SECURE 2.0 Act

By: Carrie McPherson

The newly-enacted SECURE 2.0 Act contains significant changes that may affect how you plan for retirement. The bill, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in late 2022, could help you bolster your retirement savings and income strategy. Here are some of the key provisions included in the new law, which are being phased in over the next several years:

New rules now in effect

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) start after age 73

Until recently, RMDs from traditional IRAs and workplace retirement savings plans, such as 401(k) or 403(b) accounts, had to begin after reaching age 72. Now individuals can wait until reaching age 73, extending the benefit of tax-deferred growth of earnings. Distributions must commence by April 1 of the year after turning 73.

New rules in effect in 2024

Matching contributions for those paying student loans

Employers will have the ability to offer contributions to workplace retirement savings plans that match the amount of student loan debt repaid by an individual employee in a given year.

Rollovers of 529 education savings plan balances to Roth IRAs

Beneficiaries of 529 plans that have been in place for 15 years or more can transfer assets from the 529 plan to a Roth IRA. The transfer is subject to the beneficiary’s annual contribution limit and up to a lifetime maximum of $35,000.

This provision may alleviate a parent’s potential concern that they are over-funding a 529 plan. For example, if a child qualifies for scholarships, or school expenses are less than anticipated, leftover 529 amounts could be transferred to the beneficiary’s Roth IRA.

Requires catch-up contributions to be made as Roth contributions using after-tax dollars

Catch-up contributions for participants aged 50 or older must be made on a Roth basis under 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans. However, the requirement applies only if the employee’s prior-year wages from the employer sponsoring the plan exceed $145,000 in the previous taxable year. The option to make pre-tax catch-up contributions will continue in 2023. When deciding whether to make pretax or Roth contributions for 2023, consider that your future catch-up contributions will have to be Roth contributions if you earn more than $145,000.

No RMDs for Roth workplace plans

Under current law, those with Roth 401(k)s or Roth 403(b) plans are subject to the same required distribution rules as standard workplace plans. However, the new law will elimi-

nate RMDs for workplace-based Roth savings plans, comparable to current rules for Roth IRAs.

Emergency savings

New emergency savings accounts associated with an employer’s retirement plan can be established for many employees. It will allow them to accumulate up to $2,500 in the account, with penalty-free access to the funds allowed once a month, to meet current needs.

Other key changes beyond 2024

Other provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act that will take effect in 2025 include:

• The ability of workers ages 60 to 63 to make catch-up contributions of $10,000 per year above the standard limit for workplace retirement plans.

• A requirement that employers with 401(k) or 403(b) plans automatically enroll eligible employees in a workplace savings plan, starting at a contribution rate of at least 3% (workers can choose to opt out of the plan).

• The ability of part-time workers to participate in a workplace retirement plan once they’ve worked at least 500 hours for two consecutive years, rather than the current three-year threshold.

What does it mean for you?

How can these changes enhance your own retirement savings plan? It may be beneficial to talk to your financial advisor to determine how you might be able to leverage the new rules listed here, and others, to help secure your retirement savings plan.

Please contact her at:

www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/beacon-point-wealth-advisors or (401) 824-2557

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

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Ask An Expert

Mysterious Leaks

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!

If there was ever a topic that I could write about and of which I could provide seemingly countless examples, ‘mysterious leaks’ would certainly be at the top of the list.

While unintentionally developing a bit of a reputation over the years as an expert leak diagnoser, my list of ‘out of the ordinary’ leak situations has definitely grown quite long.

Clearly, there are a whole number of leaks that are quite obvious to figure out.

Real world examples of these that I have run across include:

• A satellite dish which was held in place by brackets drilled right through the top of a roof shingle, and when removed, leaving the holes behind open and without filling them.

• A rotted (to the pulp!) window sill, which was fostering moisture between the walls of the home each time it rained, which gave water a free path in.

• A clogged gutter system that in moderate and above rainfall backed up into the soffit it was hung from, and subsequently, into the home.

(Reminder, when you have your gutters cleaned, flush the system as well! Do not simply pick the debris out of it!) These were simple ones that did not take a rocket scientist (as they say) to figure out.

A list equally as long, if not longer, are those leaks whose sources are head scratchers on steroids to solve. A few examples of these types of leaks include:

• A cracked sewer venting pipe situated behind a wall, and in between the wall and ceiling above it.

• A leaking vinyl window, where the leak is stemming from, and where the side of the vinyl window meets the inner sill, and then leaking to places below from there.

• A leak coming from a bathroom, where the initial thought was that it was a pipe leak; two ‘Plumber-of-the-Client’ visits

later, after they had “fixed” the pipes, it was learned that the leak was actually coming from the floor of the bathroom and not the pipes.

There is a system I utilize when working to nail down where a leak is coming from, and there are specific things I hone in on first to see if it is an easier leak to figure out than others. For instance, if the leak appears to very much be coming from the roof, I start with what we refer to as “penetrations.” Penetrations are anything that literally ‘penetrate’ the roof.

This could be a chimney that is not flashed properly (or that calls for a diverter behind it, but does not have one), it could be flashing around a dormer that pops out of the roof of the house, or it could be the flashing of the portion of the sewer venting pipe that goes through the roof.

Once I go through the obvious progressions, I proceed to scenarios that may not be as glaring.

These could include anything that I might be able to access without tearing into the house itself – one example is a window sill that looked to be intact, but was actually rotted to the degree that it was able to allow water in.

After this, if still not found, the next step is to recommend ceilings and/or walls to be opened up. Unfortunately, many times this is the route that is necessary to take, as without approaching a leak from the backside and tracing its path, the leak’s starting point may not be able to be established (a leaking pipe is often the perfect example of this).

Whether a leak is super simple to recognize, or one that requires an entire ceiling to come down to even begin having a shot at finding it, mysterious leaks are often not that mysterious at all; they simply need a formalized system of peeling back the layers to determine why they are occurring, what needs to be done to fix them, and finally, to execute the actual repair in correcting them so that the damage that has been caused can begin to be properly repaired.

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!

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What’s Up With That?

Forges a “SmartPath” to Car Buying

By Mark Berger

The new year is now in full swing. There is no better time than right now to consider purchasing a new vehicle from Toyota of Smithfield. They offer a selection of new and certified, preowned vehicles that are priced to sell.

The dealership recently announced a new, innovative way to make the car-buying process easier.

Walmart loses about $3 billion every year to theft. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

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• With patience and understanding you can teach any old dog new tricks, depending on what you are trying to teach, or un-teach the dog, which is usually more difficult. Dogs can learn at any age, and like humans, it’s just old habits that are hard to break!

• According to a recent survey, the most popular name for a dog is Max. Other popular names include Molly, Sam, Zach, and Maggie.

• An estimated 1 million dogs in the United States have been named the primary beneficiary in their owner’s will.

• Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not sweat by salivating. They sweat through the pads of their feet.

• Dogs can alert their owners of an epileptic seizure up to an hour before it occurs.

• Walt Disney’s family dog was named Lady. She was a poodle.

• The heaviest dog ever weighed 319 pounds.

• The oldest dog ever died at age 29.

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Toyota of Smithfield is the first dealership in Rhode Island to unveil “SmartPath,” an online feature enabling customers to find their new vehicle from the comfort of their homes and/or offices.

In 1997, Bill Gates invested $150 million in Apple so the company wouldn’t go bankrupt.

lifespan is thirty

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

General Manager John Durrani said that this innovative approach to car shopping will change how cars are bought.

Just the smell of coffee has a placebo effect that can increase focus and feelings of ambition.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

“The SmartPath program will make car buying easier for anyone looking for a new vehicle,” he said. “You can find, finance, purchase, and deliver your car right to your home or office. People can come into our dealership as much or as little as they want. They have the power to choose their new ride, as well as have another option to find it.”

One McDonald’s hamburger can contain meat from 100 different cows.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

It takes 50 glasses of water to grow enough oranges to make one glass of orange juice.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

By visiting the dealership’s website at www.toyotaofsmithfield. com, anyone can access the program and go through the process at their own pace. People can browse through their inventory, discover the car they want, determine their trade-in value, as well as learn about finance options and how they can receive their vehicle (either by picking it up at the dealership or having it delivered to their doorstep).

New York’s area code is 212 because it was the fastest number to dial on a rotary phone.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

“The pricing is not a trick or a gimmick,” said Durrani. “The pricing is what the customer pays, without hidden fees. They won’t be surprised by the numbers.”

“We are proud to offer this service and be the preferred dealership in the region,” he added. “It’s another way for us to bring our services and ‘Peace of Mind Purchase Process’ to our customers, while establishing life-long relationships.”

Roughly 49% of all Americans over the age of 20 consume one sandwich every day.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Listening to music you enjoy causes your brain to release dopamine, boosting your mood, and making you feel good.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

The dealership will hold its monthly private sale. This month’s event takes place on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, 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.

40% of Americans believe humans and dinosaurs existed at the same time.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

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 up front. Durrani said this is just part of the all-around, customer-driven experience he Implemented to ensure the process does not get bogged down in miscommunication.

Two tablespoons of honey would give a bee enough energy to fly around the world.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

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

ment prohibition.

Medical errors are the 6th leading cause of death in the US.

The New River, which flows from the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina to Virginia and West Virginia, is thought by most scientists to be the oldest in North America.

Lake Superior, on the United States-Canada border, is the largest body of freshwater in the world by surface area. The lake covers 31,700 square miles.

Judge Darius Baker imposed the first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile on August 28, 1904 in Newport.

Virginia has birthed more presidents than any other state.

The Pentagon - the headquarters of the Department of Defense is the world’s largest office building by floor area.

Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen colonies to become a state.

27% of Americans don’t believe we landed on the moon.

The Civil War ended in 1865, but Irene Triplet is still collecting a pension. Her father served in the war which entitles Triplet, who is now 91 years old, to a survivor’s benefit of $73.13 a month

If you have $10 in your pocket and no debt, you are wealthier than 25% of Americans.

The United States is home to nearly 45 million immigrants – more than any other country in the world.

The White Horse Tavern was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States.

The United States is the most generous country in the world, based on a tally of charitable donations and volunteer hours.

Much of the music the world listens to – jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, country, folk, R&B, soul, and gospel – were born in the United States.

A storage room on the top floor of the Supreme Court was converted into a basketball court. Justices and their clerks shoot hoops there.

Rhode Island Red Monument in Adamsville pays homage to the world-famous poultry breed.

100 acres of pizza are served in the US every day. Americans spend roughly 4.4 years of their life at each of their jobs.

Rhode Island founder Roger Williams established the First Baptist Church in America in 1638. The existing structure was built in 1775.

The Library of Congress is keeping an archive of every tweet ever tweeted.

Many people assume Jamestown, Virginia is the oldest city in the United States, but the reality is Jamestown is merely the oldest English settlement. The oldest city in the United States is actually St Augustine, Florida.

The United States film industry is the largest, oldest, and most profitable film industry in the world. According to research firm IBISWorld, the American film industry generated about $33 billion in 2019 alone.

22 million chickens are consumed in the US every day.

Settled in 1642 Pawtuxet Village in Warwick lays claim to being New England’s oldest village.

1 out every 3 Americans is obese.

Nearly one-third of all land in the United States – or about 650 million acres – is federally owned.

Portsmouth is home to the oldest schoolhouse in the United States. The school was built in 1716.

The book believed to be the first-ever to be printed in America was called Bay Psalm Book, published way back in 1640. In 2013, one of the 11 copies known to be still in existence sold at auction for $14.2 million.

The White Horse Tavern in Rhode Island was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States.

The United States was the first nation to use the title of “President” for its head of state.

Since 1785 Bristol has the longest running, unbroken series of 4th of July Independence Day observances in the country.

There are an estimated 75.8 million dogs in the United States, more than double the number in Brazil, the country with the second most dogs.

If you were thinking the astronaut who has spent the most time in space was a man, you’d be wrong. That honor belongs to a woman. Astronaut Peggy Whitson has spent the most cumulative time in space.

What’s Up With That?

Sleep deprivation can cause mood swings and irritability, making it difficult to maintain healthy relationships and complete daily tasks.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Kids today take approximately 90 seconds longer to run a mile than their parents did at the same age.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Mosquitoes have a special organ that allows them to smell humans from 100 feet away.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

There are more tigers in captivity in the United States than in the wild around the world.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

When humans interact with dogs, their brains release oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” which promotes feelings of relaxation and social bonding.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Air Jordans were banned from the NBA, but Michael Jordan still wore them since Nike was willing to pay the fine for each game.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Giving your brain a break to daydream can increase creativity and problem-solving skills.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

If you had a billion dollars and spent $1,000 every day, it would take you about 2,740 years to spend it all.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

In Vietnam, the ‘Vietnam War’ is known as the ‘American War’.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Children who grow up speaking two languages tend to be better at multitasking.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

In Wisconsin, state law requires that cheese labeled as Wisconsin certified premium Grade AA meet a certain standard: it must be “fine, highly pleasing and free from undesirable flavors and odors.”

In Skamania County, Washington, the “slaying of Bigfoot is a felony and punishable by up to 5 years in prison.”

In Virginia, it’s illegal to “hunt or kill any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species” on Sundays. However, it is permissible to kill raccoons.

In Vermont, the law forbids regulations that prohibit “clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources.”

In Texas, marriages by proxy are perfectly legal. In other words, if you have a legitimate reason for absence - like military service - you can send someone to get married in your place, as long as you have all the right documentation.

In Tennessee, it’s illegal to hold public office if a person does any of the following: “fight a duel, or knowingly be the bearer of a challenge to fight a duel, or send or accept a challenge for that purpose, or be an aider or abettor in fighting a duel.”

In South Carolina, a law once made a man guilty of a misdemeanor if he seduced an unmarried woman using “deception and promise of marriage.” The law was repealed in 2016.

In North Carolina, it’s illegal to hold a meeting or demonstration while wearing a mask, hood or other costume.

In Reno, Nevada, it’s illegal to sit down or lie down on a public sidewalk. The law states that “no person shall sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk, or upon a blanket, chair, stool, or any other object placed upon a public sidewalk in Downtown Reno.

In Jefferson, Missouri, It’s illegal to have more than two garage sales in a particular location during the course of one year. And, a garage sale can’t last longer than three days, and must be held within certain hours.