December 2022 - Shop In RI

Photo credit: Kaffeology. Newport, Rhode Island

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Frontier Airlines Has Ditched Telephone Customer Service

e waiting time to talk to a person on Frontier Airlines’ customer service line has now been extended to forever. e budget carrier says the transition to o ering online, mobile, and text support only was completed last weekend, CNBC reports. Callers to the customer service line now get the message: ”At Frontier, we o er the lowest fares in the industry by operating our airline as e ciently as possible. We want our customers to be able to operate e ciently as well, which is why we make it easy to nd what you need at Flyfrontier.com or on our mobile app.” Callers are not o ered the option of speaking to an agent, Travel Noire notes.

An airline spokesperson says the switch will ensure passengers will ”get the information they need as expeditiously and e ciently as possible.” Frontier exec Jack Filine told investors earlier this month that the change would lower labor costs. He said agents on phone calls were limited to one-on-one interactions, while a chat agent could handle three or more inquiries at once. ” ink about the most sort of obscure question a customer might ask that would take a call center agent many, many minutes to research and nd an answer to,” he said, per CNBC. ” e chatbot can answer that very quickly.”

A er cutting sta during the pandemic, airlines had a lot of trouble nding talented sta willing to work for low wages when travel picked up again, the the New York Times reported in a look at long customer service waits last year. Dean Headley, co-author of Airline Quality Rating, said he didn’t expect airlines to x call wait times anytime soon. ” ey are trying to work with technology instead of sta ng up with people that can answer the damn phone,” he said, adding that airlines ”believe there is always another person who will buy that ticket and that’s probably not altogether incorrect.”

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The World’s for the Faint

In

Here Are the 10 Most Beautiful Skylines in America

rillist o ered its take on the nation's skyscraper-dotted scenes. Whether you're gazing upon famous landmarks like the Empire State Building and St. Louis' Gateway Arch, or a Minneapolis scene straight out of Fargo, America's skylines o er eye candy that are a testament to the architects and builders who've erected our nation's most notable buildings.  rillist looks at cities with high-rises, monuments, and other super-tall structures across the US that repeatedly take viewers' breath away when seen from afar, with some well-known entries and perhaps some surprises:

• Atlanta • Boston • Chicago • Cincinnati • St. Louis

Feel in need o those Christmas chanics ags neering on non-stop walk It’s a more L’Agulhas, sia—roughly Appalachian encountered via bridge, boat or ferry

• Honolulu • New York • Las Vegas • Los Angeles • Miami

Missing Cruise Passenger Turns Up Alive in Gulf Next Day

A man was drinking with his sister at a bar aboard Carnival's Valor cruise ship following its departure from New Orleans when he stepped away to use the bathroom around 11pm. He never returned. His sister reported his disappearance to crew members around noon ursday, some 13 hours a er she'd last seen him. For more than three hours, crew members search the ship for the missing man, to no avail. at's when they assumed the worst. If the man wasn't on the ship, he must have fallen o . What happened next has been dubbed a miracle.

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 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!

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!

Alerted to the disappearance around 2:30pm, the Coast Guard "launched all available resources," including a New Orleans-based helicopter and planes from Florida and Alabama, to search more than 200 miles across the Gulf of Mexico, Lt. Seth Gross, a search and rescue coordinator. e odds weren't good. Around 8:30pm, however, a report emerged that individuals aboard bulk

carrier CRINIS had spotted something oating in the ocean some 20 miles south of the southwesternmost tip of the Mississippi River Delta. It was the missing man. e 28-year-old was not only alive but, amazingly, responsive, despite being in the water for as long as 21 hours.

Woman United Air

You can’t always a domestic get a complimentary man on a went to the a ”stinging dropped a the oor, snag the critter.

at would be "the absolute longest that I've heard about—and just one of those miracles," says Gross. "It kind of blows the norm, the normalcy, out of the water here, and really just shows the will to live is something that you need to account for in every search-and-rescue case." e man was brought aboard the helicopter and transported to a hospital. His current condition is unknown.

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 destina tion in Vermont, Sugarbush is a fantasic choice for a winter weekend getaway!

In a statement, Carnival Cruise Lines expressed its appreciation for "the e orts of all, most especially the US Coast Guard and the mariner who spotted the guest in the water," per WFLA. Valor, which had made a U-turn during the search, continued on to Cozumel, Mexico.

”A er learning on ight 1554 lanta was stung ponded immediately MedLink provided medical said. ” e local hospital. customer to

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

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Rhode Island FC breaks USL Record for Ticket Sales

THE TOP EARNING MUSICIANS OF THE DECADE

e Rhode Island FC has already broken a United Soccer League record before playing in their rst match.

e organization received more than 2,500 season ticket deposits in its rst week. ey tweeted about the accomplishment saying: “Can’t stop, won’t stop. A historic response from you, Rhode Island! 2500 Season Tick ets and Counting.”

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 Yel lowstone National Park’s hydrologist ex plained 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 stadium is located at the Tidewater Landing complex in Pawtucket, RI.

Mercedes: Drivers Can Accelerate Faster, for a Fee

Mercedes-Benz has become the latest com pany to join a trend that many drivers de spise: Charging people to unlock features in vehicles they already own. e company is o ering an ”Acceleration Increase” sub scription service that will—for $1,200 a year—allow some of its vehicles to acceler ate from 0 to 60mph one second faster, the BBC reports. e company says drivers of electric Mercedes-EQ vehicles who sign up for the program will have the motor’s out put boosted, reports Gizmodo. ”Electroni cally increasing the motor’s output also in creases the torque signi cantly,” giving you ”acceleration power you can feel,” Mercedes says on its website.

Car manufacturers have turned to updates and subscriptions as a way to keep money coming in as sales of new cars decline—but while the strategy makes sense with options like premium navigation features, Mer cedes’ acceleration subscription suggests it ”intentionally limited performance to later sell as an optional extra,” Jess Weatherbed writes at the Verge. Weatherbed calls it part of a ”loathsome” trend. Jack McKeown, president of the Association of Scottish Mo

Most other geysers seem to be fueled by shallower reserves; deeper equals warm er, 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 activ ity and any potential looming eruption of Yellowstone’s supervolcano. “Yellowstone has an incredible geyser system that is un related to magmatic activity—other than the magmatic system basically providing heat,” tweeted one volcanologist. USA To day noted that the Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand has managed to shoot wa ter taller than Steamboat has, but it’s been

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toring Writers, tells the BBC that the Mercedes plan is ”unsurprising but dispiriting” and he hopes there’s a consumer backlash against this kind of subscription.

Mercedes isn’t the rst automaker to o er a controversial subscription service: In July, BMW o ered drivers in countries including the UK and South Korea the option of turning on heated seats and/or steering wheels for around $30 a month for both. In December last year, Toyota said the remote start function was being removed from key fobs and replaced with an $8-per-month subscription.

Big Blue Bug Shines for 30th Year in Providence

e iconic Big Blue Bug has been lit up with Christmas lights again for the 2022 holiday season.

Nibbles Woodway was lit up for the 30th consecutive year. Providence College head basketball coach Ed Cooley, helped light Nibbles.

There’s a Fresh Geyser Mystery in Yellowstone

It’s a Complete Catastrophe: Ancient Coins Stolen in Heist

Future Is Remarkable

Egypt Opens “Bent Pyramid”

A “Miracle” Tunnel Might Lead to Cleopatra’s Tomb

Ethiopia Planted 353M Trees —in Half a Day

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

France Won’t Let Go of Long-Lost Masterpiece 15 Years Later, Tsunami’s Toll Remains Mind-Boggling

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

that might happen. The IRS and state of Minnesota are entitled half, though the estate can stretch out the payments over time. Court months a er Prince’s death suggested that it was worth around $200 taxes. The actual value remains one of the biggest secrets in the case, and redacted documents. The actual valuation could have gone up then. That’s because the various a orneys, accountants, and industry point had not yet finished appraisals and deals for the use of his music, including his Paisley Park studio.

e Celtic and Roman Museum has lost its most precious treasure. e New York Times reports 483 ancient gold coins thought to be worth $1.7 million were on Tuesday morning discovered stolen from the museum, located in Manching, Germany. “It’s a complete catastrophe,” said mayor Herbert Nerb. “It’s like in a bad movie.” Indeed, the Times notes “the the played out like the plot of a movie.” Police say the thieves accessed a telecommunications room in the town and severed a cable, which the AFP reports killed phone and internet connections. A technician alerted police, but they gured banks were most vulnerable and sent patrols to those locations.

Egypt opened two of its oldest pyramids, located about 25 miles south of the capital Cairo, to visitors for the rst time since 1965. Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany told reporters that tourists are now allowed to visit the Bent Pyramid and its satellite pyramid in the Dahshur royal necropolis, which is part of the Memphis Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. e Bent Pyramid, which the AP reports was built during the Old Kingdom of the Pharaoh of Sneferu, in about 2600 BC, is unique in that it has two internal structures. El-Anany said the Bent Pyramid represents a transitional form of pyramid construction between the Djoser Step Pyramid (2667-2648 BC) and the Meidum Pyramid (also about 2600 BC).

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

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

Archaeologists hoping to nd Cleopatra’s lost tomb have instead discovered an incredible feat of engineering: a 6.5-foot-tall underground tunnel stretching for nearly a mile. e Egyptian Ministry of Tourism calls it a “geometric miracle,” per Smithsonian. Kathleen Martinez of the University of San Domingo, whose team uncovered the tunnel cut into rock more than 40 feet beneath the ruins of the temple of Taposiris Magna near Alexandria, tells Live Science it’s “an exact replica of Eupalinos Tunnel in Greece, which is considered as one of the most important engineering achievements of antiquity.” at tunnel on the Greek island of Samos, built centuries before Taposiris Magna, served as an aqueduct for 1,000 years, per Smithsonian.

e Guardian notes its "unusual" shape: e rst 160 feet rise at "a steep 54 degree angle, before tapering o towards the top."

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

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

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

e AP reports that the museum’s security system shows a door that was pried open was breached at 1:26am and that the thieves exited 9 minutes later, having smashed open the display cabinet in that time. Inside were the coins, which date to 100BC. e museum sta discovered the the when they arrived shortly before 10am. Guido Limmer, the deputy head of Bavaria’s State Criminal Police O ce, sees “parallels” between the Manching art heist and two other high-pro le the s in Germany in recent years: a giant coin stolen in 2017 from the Bode museum and jewels taken from the Green Vault museum in 2019. e Times reports that while there were arrests in both cases, the treasure was never recovered.

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

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

“Whether there’s a link we can’t say,” Limmer said. “Only this much: we are in touch with colleagues to investigate all possible angles.” e coins were uncovered in 1999 at an ancient Celtic settlement called the Oppidum of Manchin. e coins, along with a chunk of unworked gold found with them, weigh nine pounds, and the head of the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection in Munich described his big fear: that they’ll be melted down, which would reduce their value to some $250,000.

France is trying to hang onto a medieval painting with a cra zy backstory. e nation has blocked the export of a small, 13th-century work by the Ita lian artist Cimabue, a painting that hung unnoticed for deca des above a hotplate in a Fren ch woman's kitchen. An auc tioneer spotted the painting as the elderly woman was preparing to sell her house, and Christ then sold for a staggering $26 million at auction earlier this year, the Guardian. e buyers are anonymous, but they're believed group of Chilean collectors based in the US. Now, however, they won't be able to own the painting a er all.

Ethiopia claims it has smashed a world record in the name of climate change— and the tree planting isn’t even done. More than 353 million tree seedlin gs were planted across the country just 12 hours as part of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Green Legacy refores tation campaign. e campaign hopes to see 4 billion indigenous trees plant ed between May and October. Citizens had been encouraged to plant 200 mil lion trees but Ahmed tweeted that 150 million had been planted a er just six hours. At the end of 12 hours, the country’s minster for innovation and chnology, Getahun Mekuria, announced 353,633,660 seedlings had gone the ground—more than ve times as many trees as were planted in India over 12 hours in 2017. Some schools and government o ces closed to allow dents and civil servants to take part, which notes 2.6 billion trees have now been planted across Ethiopia. e Guardian reports each citizen is asked plant at least 40 seedlings. e goal is to transform Ethiopia’s landscape, which is seeing degradation, soil erosion, deforestation, and droughts and ooding tied to agriculture. About 80% of Ethiopia’s population relies on agriculture to make a living, with the result that just 4% of land is now forested, com pared to 30% at the end of the 19th century, according to Farm Africa. Al Jazeera, a recent study estimates that 1 trillion new trees could pull most 750 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—or about much as humans have released in the last 25 years—over several decades

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

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

It’s believed this tunnel carried water as well. Parts of it are now ooded by the Mediterranean Sea, likely as a result of at least 23 earthquakes that hit the region between AD 320 and 1303, per the Times of Israel. ose same earthquakes may have brought down the temple above, dedicated to the god of the underworld, Osiris. Its destruction has complicated e orts to search for the tomb of Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra VII and her lover, Roman general Marc Antony, who committed suicide in 30 BC, at the end of the period to which the tunnel dates, per Live Science. ough other experts disagree, Martinez believes the couple’s tomb might be found at the site. Previous excavations uncovered coins bearing Cleopatra’s likeness.

Art Expert Gives Museum Some Really Bad News

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

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

US Teen Wins $3M at Fortnite World Cup

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

teen contestants Emil Bergquist Pe dersen from Sweden and David Wang from Austria shared a $3 million prize.

Archaeologists also found a cemetery of mummies facing in the direction of the temple, which Martinez says could be a sign of a royal tomb nearby, per the Times. She notes some mummies were given golden tongues, which were thought to allow the dead to speak with Osiris. Martinez hopes the tunnel might lead her to the tomb and “the most important discovery of the 21st century,” per the Times. “ is is the rst time that any archeologist has found tunnels, passages underground [and] inside the enclosure walls of the temple,” she tells the outlet. But researchers note the tunnel itself is impressive. It’s believed to have been built to carry water to the city of Taposiris Magna at a time when it counted 15,000 to 20,000 inhabitants.

Multimillionaire Invites 10 People to Come Live in ’Paradise’

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

At 95, She Won for 'Best New Artist'

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

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

A 95-year-old singer/songwriter named Angela Alvarez has won the Latin Grammy for best new artist, reports the Guardian. “To those who have yet to make their dreams come true, know that although life is hard, there’s always a way out and with faith and love everything can be achieved,” Alvarez, who was born in Cuba but emigrated to the US decades ago, said in her acceptance speech.

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

“It was a very big but very beautiful

With a total prize pool of $40 million provided by Epic Games, Fortnite’s pa rent company, the tournament broke e-sports record, though that record is expe cted to be broken by an August event cal led “ e International” Giersdorf, the player in the North American East Region to qualify for the tournament, was domi nant in the six-game series, beating rivals including runner-up Harrison “Psalm” Chang, who took home $1.8 million. Giersdorf was hugged by his family a the win. “ is is life-changing for him,” mother Darcy Giersdorf says. “He’s been playing video games since he was three, this is his passion. He told us he could this, he put his mind to it and he did

the property years before te. He still had to get the nation's Overseas Investment which signed o on his purchase it determined he had the and means to build the and maintain it. "It took to bring it to the standard writes in the ad. It's not ture dwellers in Reipen's med utopia will be selected.

surprise, and I thought a erwards that all my dreams came true,” Alvarez tells Billboard. “At 95, but that doesn’t matter.” She is enjoying fame beyond the album as well. Actor Andy Garcia narrates a new documentary about her life, Miss Angela, and he also helped her land a singing cameo in the Father of the Bride lm reboot.

Meet the New Electric Road

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 1 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, softened

• 1 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, softened

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups finely chopped pecans

• 2 cups finely chopped pecans

• Powdered sugar

• Powdered sugar

Looking Back on 2022, and Looking Forward to 2023…

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

After a year in which our industry began to recover from the restrictive regulations of the pandemic, global economic pressures, and concerns around inflation, staffing, and product shortages, supply chain issues, and more, our staff, owners, and operators all deserve a big pat on the back. As was reported to you back in October, the economic experts’ consensus is that Rhode Island’s recovery process is ongoing and all projections are pointing to a better 2023, for the hospitality industry, in particular.

Overall, 2022 was a successful year for the RI Hospitality Association (RIHA). We launched the RI Hospitality Association Group 401(k) Plan, established in partnership with Napier Financial, to make retirement benefits available for our industry’s workers; saw the 10th Annual Rhode Island ProStart® High School Culinary and Management Competition return to the Rhode Island Convention Center after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic; hosted a number of successful events for our members, including the recent “Women in Hospitality” Self-Defense Awareness Training Seminar, in partnership with the Providence Police Department’s training division; and spearheaded a number of important legislative wins, including the permanent allowance of “alcohol to-go,” the passing of H-7910, which gives hotel management the ability to remove guests who verbally abuse hotel employees, and the extended moratorium on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or zoning requirement, which allows restaurants to continue outdoor dining through April 1, 2023.

New trends emerged in 2022, specifically for restaurants, many of which now have fewer workers and more seating capacity. Many dining establishments are also cutting costs by eliminating paper checks and menus and by revamping menu items and specialty dishes to be more budget friendly. Additionally, an increasing number of restaurants are now charging cancellation fees for reservations that are not honored by their guests. To combat labor shortages and concerns around employee retention, businesses are offering more wellness benefits, including access to educational opportunities; granting permission for more flexible work schedules; recruiting from outside of the hospitality industry; and placing a greater emphasis on company “values.”

For hotels, an increased level of attention is being placed on accommodating business leisure travelers, many of whom are now permanent remote workers who are looking for make-shift offices while on the road. Since the pandemic, many hotel services have become digitized, most notably with mobile check-in, contactless payments, and voice-controlled amenities. The everyday consumers’ increased desire for safety, sustainability, convenience, and wellbeing has influenced each of these new practices.

All things in life are subject to change, and if the pandemic taught us one lesson, it is that we cannot become set in our ways. Business models that refuse to adapt are failing, while those embracing new technologies, trends, and standards are thriving. As it pertains to the hospitality industry, our staff members and valued customers have been telling us what they want since way before the pandemic, we just have no choice but to listen now. By accepting that we cannot undo the damage of the last two-plus years, and instead looking forward to a brighter future, we are putting our industry in the best position to succeed in 2023, and well beyond.

Dale J. Venturini

4.

You can control the volume of a YouTube

more than 21 days in advance.

engines from wandering up the stairs.

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A rhinoceros horn is made of compacted hair.

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

The shortest war in history was between

using the up and down arrows on your keyboard. In New York City, about 1,600 people are bitten by other humans every year.

5. The average man spends seven hours a year hiding in the bathroom for “peace and quiet,” according to a 2018 survey.

40% of college students drop became the rst video game

4. One man, without help and without proper construc tion tools, spent 34 years building the Watts Towers, which still stand in Los Angeles. Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate of any U.S. state, and New Orleans has the highest incarcer Samsung has been granted a patent in South Korea for contact lenses that project images directly into

Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland

levels in most people, regardless of skill. A U.S. study found that the most disproportionately common interest found on people’s resumes in New Hampshire is “Bigfoot.” building in the 432 Park Avenue in Manhattan, was inspired your writing emails between 4am

By 2017, it is estimated that nearly 207 billion emails

Studies suggest that gifted people often have bad handwriting because their brains work faster than Cheetos are naturally gray before they are given a

Studies show the key to happiness is spending your Cotton candy only costs about six cents per serving

study found that only 24% of Canadians know that has found that, on average, a person’s media writing contains three times as many

Shakespeare invented the words “assassinaThe name of all the continents end with the of not being able to remember the word you

Looking through Instagram accounts of healthy meals can actually trick you into enjoying those foods It cost $15 million to build Disneyland’s New Orleans Square—the amount the U.S. paid for the real New

is the only woman ever to land on Forbes’s list of the world’s highest-paid comedians. to USDA projections, by 2025 Americans consume 219 pounds of meat per year on aver-

“sleepless on than 5 hours of sleep without needing co ee the University football games, the fan’s jumping registersontheGeologyDepartment’s be died in 1799 after doctors to Paso (in the western SanDiego,

Tacos & Burritos

thru Saturday

COMING SOON

North Providence

New in North Providence there is a place set for everyone here

By Jennifer Coates

Byde nition,the word “bella”isthe equivalent of the word “beautiful.” It is also the term of endearment by which Chris Lourenco’s grandmother was a ectionately known.WhenChriswascontemplating what to name his new restaurant in North Providence, his aunt recommended he add “Bella” to his original prospect, and “Luna,” as an homage to his beloved grandmother. It was a natural choice. Beautiful Moon it would be!

And thus, on SmithStreetinNorth Providence, “Bella Luna Bar & Grill” was born.

Bella Luna Bar & Grill is the inspiration and creation of its owner Chris Lourenco, a name many may recognize from his twenty-six years in law enforcement. As if being a lieutenant in the Providence Police Department doesn’t keep him busy enough, Chris embarked on a new venture this summer, as a restaurant owner in North Providence. Knowing that he would need the trusted help of someone he loved and respected, he brought his talented daughter, a recent URI graduate, Gianna Lourenco, on board. Together, they make a formidable and dedicated team, whose combined e orts, investment, energy, and aspirations have made Bella Luna Bar & Grill the newest culinary destination in the state.

In June, the Lourencos were handed the keys to a vacant former restaurant and transformed it into its current state. With his considerable background in construction, Chris was able to do much of the work with the help of family, friends, and associates. Gianna, who had worked her way up through the ranks within the restaurant industry as a college student, also had a vision of how to make the restaurant comfortable and inviting. Her touch is seen everywhere throughout, with the restaurant’s seasonal décor, casual seating, soft lighting, and rustic feel. In the days of Chris’s youth, the original building had housed a fruit stand and deli market ~ there is a good deal of nostalgia here. While it was long overdue for a makeover, the bar and grill was always meant to be a place of good food, good times, and good old-fashioned, personalized service.

Today, Bella Luna is a place where all are welcome! It was part of Gianna’s plan from the start of this family endeavor to make this a communityoriented place, where there are never any “outsiders.” e atmosphere is one of warmth and inclusivity, like one huge multi-generational family gathering! As a “Gen-Z”-er, Gianna’s mission is to make Bella Luna a place where human connections ~ and memories, and lasting friendships, and happy times ~ can be made.

Between Chris’s determination and hard work, and Gianna’s enthusiasm and strong will, Bella Luna has thrived. On November 19th, the Bar & Grill celebrated its grand opening with a food drive. is month, they are hosting a coat and blanket drive as a way to give back to their community. Soon, there will be live entertainment from local bands and artists to DJs and Trivia Nights. e restaurant has six 55” atscreen televisions, but don’t worry, this is not just a hangout space for diehard Patriots, Bruins, or Celtics fans. Gianna has made sure there will be plenty of women’s athletics playing on those screens, as well! Remember, there is a place for everyone here!

In the kitchen is Justin Moone, who was hand-picked by Chris himself. It is the sta who have brought Chris and Gianna’s vision to life, with their custom prepared dishes and pub favorites. Always resorting to locallysourced, seasonal ingredients, their sta has created a delicious and classic menu. e menu starts with the ever-popular nger foods that are served up hot and ready to devour ~ gooey mozzarella sticks, a giant soft and salted pretzel, nachos loaded with cheese, onions, tomatoes, and lettuce (BBQ, chicken, or shredded pork too - your choice), and sticky chicken wings (teriyaki sauce or sriracha maple sauce anyone?)

If you are in the mood for some healthier fare, there are crisp, fresh salads ~ but why stop there? How about a succulent burger with fries, a grilled chicken sandwich or sausage & pepper sub? ere are grilled pizzas to suit your fancy or some hearty entrees to ll your bellies. With a full bar, there are also some seasonal drink specials – how about an Apple Old-Fashioned or an Autumn’s Kiss Combo? You will never leave Bella Luna feeling hungry or thirsty!

Bella Luna is also a place to host a private or semi-private event. Perfect for a postseason victory party, a bachelor party, a rehearsal dinner, a birthday celebration, baby shower - you name it and Bella Luna will make it happen! e restaurant comfortably ts 60 to 65 people, so gather your closest friends and family and reserve the space for your function.

e best place to keep up with what is happening at Bella Luna is to check out their constantly updated Facebook page at (@ BellaLunaBar&Grill) and Instagram (at BellaLunaBarGrill), or on Google. Some Yelp reviews are beginning to show up, as well ~ but don’t let someone else tell you how to feel about the Bella Luna Bar & Grill experience! Check it out for yourself.

Bella Luna Bar & Grill is located at 1839 Smith Street in North Providence.

Hours are Monday through ursday, from 4:00 pm to midnight, Fridays, from 4:00 pm until 1:00 am, and Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 1:00 am.

ough reservations are not required, you can call ahead at 401-661-9055 if you have a preferred spot, if you want to know about the live entertainment, or if you want to reserve the “bump-out” room, which can accommodate 10-15 guests.

Remember, all family and friends are welcome so COME AS YOU ARE! Chris, Gianna, and their whole crew cannot wait to impress you with the Bella Luna extraordinary experience!

Tis’ the Season for Giving Presents

By Julia Romano

Can you guess what the common practice is that takes place during the holiday season amongst families and friends throughout the world? Well, here’s a hint in case you are stuck - the chubby man with the thick, white beard and bright red suit is best known for his role in this ancient tradition.

If your answer is ‘ ying through the night sky on a sleigh led by eight reindeer, one with a ashing red nose,’ sorry, but that would make you a bauble brain (ha, ha). If, however, you guessed ‘spreading holiday cheer by blessing others with glorious gi s as his primary purpose,’ you would be right on the money!

And, speaking of money, if you don’t budget wisely when you’re spreading your own Santa cheer, you will be spending all of your ‘gingerbread’ on whatever is in those packages under your Christmas tree, and thus, soon a er the holidays are over and the ‘tidings’ come rolling in, ‘yule’ likely feel “not so merry.”

Here are some suggestions that will help you to not ‘snowball’ into bankruptcy when purchasing presents. Since it’s likely your bankroll is not as bountiful as that jolly man who employs a crew of elves at his North Pole home, it would be wise to rst make a list and then, check it twice. ink back on the past year, and remember who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, and ‘yule’ be able to decide who gets kindness and who gets coal. en, ask yourself how many ‘bells’ you can a ord to spend to bring joy to those you’ve chosen to bestow with your good cheer. Next, keep in mind that when choosing that perfect something for that special someone, you don’t have to be a scrooge, but, don’t be a fruitcake, either, by overspending. When all else fails, just follow that old saying of ‘it’s the thought that counts,’ and the ones you’re blessing on that list will undoubtedly think you’re an angel!

In wrapping it up, keep in mind that the gi s given at Christmas are meant to be symbolic of the tributes made to baby Jesus by the ree Wise Men a er his birth, during the story of the Nativity. Furthermore, the true meaning of the holiday season is not supposed to center around making donations to the government to reduce their budget de cit (ha, ha), but, instead, it’s about acknowledging the blessing of the birth of baby Jesus.

To help you stay on-trend and this season with ideas and good tidings for everyone on your ‘nice’ list, and to ensure your wallet is not swept up in the ‘yuletide,’ Good Housekeeping has come up with the following, as the most popular and reasonably priced Christmas gi s of 2022.

Mini Pocket Projector - e lucky recipient of this gi can easily connect their iPhone or Android phone to watch movies, give presentations or games on the big screen. ere’s a built-in rechargeable battery and speaker.

Cloud Slides Like pillows for your feet, these extremely comfortable cloud slides are all over social media - and for good reason. ey’re lightweight, supportive, easy to clean, and versatile enough to wear around the house or while running errands.

DIY Slushy Maker - All you have to do is refrigerate this cup for four to ve hours, pour in their drink of choice, and squeeze the cup for a few minutes - and bam, you have a delicious icy beverage. 14 KT gold hoop earrings - Simple and stylish, these lightweight and hypoallergenic hoop earrings have racked up more than 30,000 ve-star reviews on Amazon. ey’re available in rose, white, and yellow gold, as well as four di erent hoop sizes so you can easily nd the perfect pair for her.

3D Moon Lamp - Be transported to another galaxy with 16 color transformations, four ash modes, and a dimmable feature - all easy to control with the included remote. Makes a great night light or decorative lamp for anyone on your list, especially your tween or teenage girl.

Dino Dig Virtual Reality Science Kit - Let the kids travel back in time and learn about the largest land animal to ever exist, the dinosaur. is virtual reality game o ers eight immersive VR experiences, plus they’ll have the chance to excavate and build their own T-Rex fossil.

Sculpting Bodysuit

e Skim’s Sculpting Bodysuit is meant to support her chest, hold in her core, and li her butt. It’s shapewear, but it’s also designed for everyday use. She can throw jeans and a cardigan on top or wear it under a form- tting long-sleeve dress.

Shiatsu Massager - Super portable, this neck and back massager is a great gi for literally anyone. ey’ll love the eight kneading massage nodes, infrared heating and three adjustable speeds — all super easy to control, and at such a great price!

Hair Dryer Brush If she doesn’t have this yet, she’s seriously missing out on bouncy, frizz-free hair. With three heat and speed settings, the Revlon original hair dryer is so easy to use. And, with a price tag like this, it’s no surprise it was rated as the best value option by expert beauty testers.

Mini Waffle Maker

-A best seller, this mini wa e maker is super easy to use. It heats up within minutes and can also cook hash browns, cookies, or even eggs. Plus, there are more than 15 colors and patterns to choose from.

Build - Your - Own Play Fort - Let their imagination run wild! Your kids will never get bored building space ships, castles and cozy caves that are perfect for movie nightsyou’ll just need to supply some extra sheets and blankets.

Beard Trimmer - Chances are he already has a beard trimmer, but does he have one like this? ere’s a sotouch grip and faceted body to give him more control and prevent his hand from slipping as he shaves. Plus, it o ers eight hours of cordless power and the blade repels dirt.

Compact Air Fryer Voted the best air fryer for one person by experts, this compact fryer takes up less space on the counter (perfect for dorm room and apartment dwellers). ere are ve stylish colors, including white, red, and aqua.

Weighted Blanket

Give the gi of better sleep with this weighted blanket! Temperature-balancing technology will keep them warm (but not too warm) all winter long and the removable cover makes it easy to clean. ere are 12-, 15-, 18-, and 20-pound options; buy the right one by calculating eight to 12 percent of their body weight.

Weighted Eye Mask

It’s like a weighted blanket, but for the face. Rest assured, whoever receives this eye mask will love that it soothes migraines, eases anxiety, and promotes better sleep.

Backpack Cooler Chair

It’s a backpack, cooler, and chair, all packed into one - making it a super creative gi for anyone who loves camping, hiking, or spending time at the beach. If you’re still unsure, ve-star reviewers nd that it’s lightweight and easy to use.

Extra Thick Yoga Mat - Yoga mat’s textured foam construction creates traction so it stays in place through an entire workout and the thickness provides a ton of cushion. Plus, there are elastic straps to keep it secure and a shoulder strap for easy carrying.

Always Pan is best-selling pan is designed to replace eight traditional pieces of cookware. It braises, sears, steams, strains, and more. Choose from gorgeous color options, including azul, spice and sage.

3

- in 1 Charging Sta

tion - Highly recommended, this easy-to-use charging station is the perfect nightstand accessory. Help to keep AirPods, Apple Watch and iPhone (or Samsung phone) fully charged and within reach.

Local Artist Profiles

Michael Munroe & Cameron Siciliano

By Brian J. Lowney

Rhode Island is blessed with many outstanding artists, ranging from painters, sculptors, glassblowers, woodworkers, and other craftspeople, who share their talents throughout the state and beyond.

While many of these talented individuals have traveled across the globe to attend some of the state’s most prestigious colleges and universities, some talented artists are self-taught or obtained their degree in another discipline and later learned their craft with the help of family, friends, community education classes, or through determination and sheer persistence.

Longtime Tiverton resident Michael Munroe shares that he began drawing as a small child and began painting in oils about 30 years ago. He was inspired by his oldest brother, John, who often created paintings for family members and friends and who shared their artistic passion with his five brothers and one sister to enjoy the art world.

“I would pick my brother Jim’s brain, reading books and through trial and error, and over the course of many years, I developed my love for painting in oils,” he continues. Munroe added that he also used his drawing skills in his work as a sheet metal mechanic.

“I got very serious when I retired,” the well-known artist notes. “Jim has been a commercial artist for many years and I would get him to critique my paintings, and we would talk about technique.

Munroe adds that he also is encouraged by his friend Micheal Aguiar, who inspires and continues to teach him about painting and art.

“I am going to push my art as far as I can. I am drawn to the beauty of nature and I enjoy painting scenic ponds, as well as boats and unusual buildings. I like the way that light plays off a subject.” According to Munroe, who says that he tries to paint every day and to get outside to paint every week, his favorite subjects include coastal scenes, boats, wildlife, and old rustic buildings.

“I also enjoy visiting Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont,” he continues. “I bring my art materials along and set up on site. Some people stop and talk about my work.”

e artist explains that he sells original paintings of “affordable art for people to enjoy in their homes or businesses” and that each painting is original and unique. Monroe also makes some of the frames by hand and sells his paintings on Instagram or at local art shows.

e artist’s work can be viewed on Instagram @Mmunroe.oilpaintings; his email is: mmunroe.paintings@gmail.com

Another talented Ocean State artist is woodworker Cameron Siciliano of North Smithfield, who was inspired by his father to become involved in countless home projects.

Siciliano, who serves as an athletic trainer at Bryant University, describes himself as “basically self-taught, who has watched many YouTube videos,” and has mastered his craft through trial and error.

“Most of the work that I do is home-decor related,” the craftsman continues, adding that he produces a variety of scifi and fantasy products, decorative coasters, bottle ware, welcome signs, as well as cutting and charcuterie boards that make attractive housewarming and holiday gifts, wedding presents, and other occasions that require a special gift.

“ese ‘passion projects’ are more than a hobby,” Siciliano shares, adding that he and his wife, Vanessa, and two active young sons keep him busy, but his small basement workshop affords him an opportunity to unwind and relax.

“I get a lot of enjoyment out of work,” he continues, adding that he often gets lost when he gets involved in a woodworking project.

“I would say that I have two main pieces of advice for people who are interested in acquiring a new hobby,” Siciliano observes. “First, especially for a side business, find something that you enjoy. Don’t force yourself into something that you don’t have a passion for.

“Once you find that piece, figure out a way to continue what you enjoy doing and add in slowly how you can try to make money off of your work.

“At the same time, research as much as you can,” the craftsman emphasizes. “Read on establishing a small business

and learn about taxes (a crucial piece to understand in Rhode Island), fees, overhead, and so much more. e more research and understanding of what you are learning, the better plan you will create.”

Siciliano’s story and more info can be found at tall-roots.com, and an online shop is available through Etsytallrootswoodcraft.Etsy.com

‘Tis the Season to Support Businesses in Our Community!

Photos by: Kaffeology. Newport, Rhode Island

The signs are all around us.

Local businesses are coming alive, displaying Open for Business signs as we enter one of the most important shopping seasons of the year. But as our communities face growing economic challenges, now more than ever, ‘tis the season to support area businesses.

When you make purchases, even at your local momand-pop, you’re making an important investment in the neighborhoods where we live and work. You’re also supporting companies that hire local employees, further giving our area economy a much-needed boost. Your dollars spent locally go right back into the community, often through grants and donations, which support vital programs that help our neighbors improve their lives.

BayCoast Bank is actively helping area businesses and customers thrive. The Bank is proud to have made decades-long investments in our communities because that is the right thing to do. It’s a longstanding tradition that continues today.

Originally chartered in Tiverton, Rhode Island in 1851, BayCoast Bank has maintained a strong commitment to the people and businesses on the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island for generations. The Bank is pleased to offer exceptional financial solutions and service in the communities we call home.

Today, BayCoast has grown to offer 25 convenient branch locations in Southern New England. Staying true to its Rhode Island roots, the Bank has expanded into the Ocean State with six branches, including its two newest locations in Portsmouth and Bristol.

BayCoast cares about you and your financial wellbeing.

That’s why the Bank and its subsidiariesBayCoast Mortgage Company, Plimoth Investment Advisors, Partners Insurance Group and Priority Funding, offer comprehensive solutions to help you manage your banking, mortgage, insurance and investing needs. As families head out to make purchases for those close to them this holiday season, BayCoast is here for you, providing convenient money tools to help improve your shopping experience.

For BayCoast’s online banking customers, save time by using their free, secure mobile app to access your accounts anytime, anywhere. Track account balances and transfer funds all from your mobile device.

For a fast and easy way to securely make purchases, connect your BayCoast account to ApplePay and GooglePay. These services offer a convenient way to pay using your mobile device, without needing physical cards or cash.

Need help managing your money? BayCoast Bank’s online customers also have access to a helpful Money Management budgeting tool to help keep your spending habits on track. See account information and money charts so you can view your spending trends and establish savings goals.

BayCoast River's Edge, Fall River, MA (Olga Fernandes, right, Branch Manager)

Learn how BayCoast Bank is helping local businesses and customers thrive!

Credit Score is now available to BayCoast Bank customers through the Bank’s online and mobile banking platforms. With this powerful new tool, you can access your credit score information for free, no matter where you are.

While you’re shopping for everyone on your holiday list, remember, BayCoast’s Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) are available for your banking needs. With 41 ITMs in 22 convenient locations around the region, BayCoast’s ITMs offer the service of a traditional ATM but allow you to interact with a local Personal Banker through a secure, live video session. So, if you need cash in a pinch, have a check to cash, or need to make a loan payment while you’re out and about, the BayCoast Bank ITMs are available Monday through Friday from 7am to 7pm and Saturdays from 8am to 2pm. The Bank’s ITMs also operate as ATMs 24/7. BayCoast ITM service continues to grow, with new expansion coming in 2023.

When it comes to supporting businesses in our communities, it’s important to have a trusted team offering the financial resources you need.

BayCoast Bank works with companies large and small, providing a variety of products and services geared towards their unique business needs. When your business banks with BayCoast, you also benefit from decisions that are made locally, right here on the South Coast.

If your business needs financing, the BayCoast Bank Commercial Lending team is ready to help. Whether its additional capital to cover unexpected expenses, financing to roll out a new product, or a loan for equipment purchases, BayCoast’s Commercial Lending experts are available to assist you.

Business customers can also take advantage of BayCoast’s easy-to-use Online Banking, Mobile Banking and Bill Pay solutions.

These iBanking platforms come with flexibility and the control you need to monitor your company’s finances. Operate your business with confidence with BayCoast’s Business Cash Management Services, which include: Business Credit Cards, Merchant Services, Remote Deposit Capture (RDC), Automatic Clearing House (ACH) service and so much more.

Whether you’re a shopper looking for purchasing power on-the-go, or a company looking for a variety of products such as a business credit card, BayCoast Bank is proud to offer financial solutions for the people and businesses of Southern New England. Learn how the Bank can help you achieve your financial goals, by visiting BayCoast.Bank.

DISCLOSURES:

BayCoast Bank – Member FDIC / Member DIF / Equal Housing Lender. Products offered by Plimoth Investment Advisors and Partners Insurance Group are not FDIC or DIF insured; are not obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Bank; and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal invested

Thinking about applying for a consumer loan or new credit card but want to check your credit history first?

BayCoast Portsmouth, RI BranchStaff (Kara Marley, second from right, Branch Manager)

Add lash exten ons and s le your brows. Customized facials, full body wax, and permanent tattoo service.

Generational Wealth

What Is It and How Can You Create It?

By: Carrie McPherson

In a recent survey from Ameriprise Financial, more than 3 out of four Americans (78%) said they have taken at least one step to build generational wealth But what exactly constitutes “generational wealth” – and how can you achieve it?

1

The most common answer (44%), according to survey respondents, is wealth in excess of $500,000 that’s passed down to loved ones. Depending on your financial situation, half a million dollars may or may not sound like a lot of money. But one thing is clear: no matter how much you intend to one day bestow upon your family and friends, it helps to have a plan.

If you, like the majority of survey respondents (68%), say passing generational wealth onto your heirs is important to you, here are some things to keep in mind:

STRATEGIES FOR GROWING GENERATIONAL WEALTH

Be a strategic saver. Rather than leaving wealth accumulation to chance, strategic savers set goals and work to actively increase their savings. They make regular contributions to savings accounts. Active saving curbs spending and influences earning behavior. They may defer purchases, work longer, pursue higher-paying employment, or make other choices (and sacrifices) to ensure their savings goals are met.

Invest in stocks. Investors who are serious about income growth utilize the stock market. Most experts recommend a buy-and-hold approach to optimize earnings over time. A risk-adjusted, diversified, and balanced portfolio can help investors meet their investment goals.

Invest in real estate. Historically, property values have increased over time, making homeownership a leading method of wealth accumulation. Investors may also diversify their portfolios with Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) and other purchases of property.

Pass along financial wisdom. Financial values are another important asset to pass along to heirs. Many families find it beneficial to discuss their financial decisions with their adult children and stepchildren.

Clear communication can help establish realistic expectations and avoid surprises and conflicts when it comes time to pass along your assets.

Consider “Giving While Living.” Plans for sharing generational wealth can include giving now rather than waiting to hand down assets after death. Beneficiaries are often adult children but can also include charitable organizations. Giving in the present can satisfy the desire to help now and enable you to see the impact of your generosity. That said, it shouldn’t come at the risk of your financial security, so make sure you have the means necessary before writing a check to your favorite cause.

Building generational wealth is a lifelong process. Along the way, an experienced financial advisor can help you develop a financial plan and set achievable goals aligned to your estate planning needs. Your advisor can work with you and your estate planning attorney to ensure your will facilitates your wishes for sharing generational wealth.

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Make Investing Automatic with Dollar- Cost Averaging

By Edward Pontarelli Jr.

Have you ever held off from making an investment because you’re concerned that the timing may not be right? If this fear is preventing you from investing, dollar-cost averaging is an approach that you may want to consider. It has the potential to help you accumulate wealth over time and throughout the market’s highs and lows. Here is an overview of the strategy.

How it works

The concept is simple – you invest a consistent amount of money at regular intervals. You put the money to work in the same investment – a stock, a mutual fund or other type of asset – regardless of the price of the asset. This should continue over an extended period of time.

Investing with such a defined cadence takes market timing out of the picture. If the asset has fallen in price, your periodic investment will allow you to purchase more shares. If the asset rises in price, you’ll purchase fewer shares. If you are committed to your dollar-cost averaging plan, all that matters is maintaining a consistent monthly investment, not the price of the investment you’ve chosen. You may want to periodically increase your monthly contribution amount.

Here’s a brief, practical example of how dollar-cost averaging works. Suppose you commit $200 per month to purchase a mutual fund. In the first month you invest, the share price is $10, resulting in

a purchase of 20 shares. In the second month, the price drops to $8, and you purchase 25 shares. In the third month, the value is back to $10, and you again purchase 20 shares. In total, you accumulated 65 shares at an average price of $9.23/share. Yet after three months, your initial $600 investment is worth $650.

While this demonstrates the advantages of dollar-cost averaging during periods of market volatility, keep in mind that the future direction of an investment’s value is difficult to predict. If the share price continues to rise over time, you’ll purchase fewer shares. That means the benefit of the systematic investment approach will be reduced. It’s important to note that dollar-cost averaging does not assure a profit or protect against a loss in declining markets. It is a way to utilize market volatility to your advantage if you invest consistently, hold the investment over the long term and the underlying investment likely increases in value.

You may already be doing it

Dollar-cost averaging may already be part of your investment regimen. If a portion of your paycheck is directed to investments in your workplace retirement plan, you are taking advantage of this strategy by making consistent investments into a specific investment regardless of its value.

Keep in mind the advantages and disadvantages discussed above as you consider whether to use dollar cost averaging. It may also help to consult with a financial advisor to find out more about how this strategy may fit into your financial plan.

Please

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.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

© 2022 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

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 for 20 years.

Fitness Tips:

By Stacie Venagro2017 World Miss Fitness America Pro

Have you ever heard the phrase “weight nutrition and 20% exercise?” If so, you know that what you’re eating has the most impact on your health. You might be asking yourself, why? Or, how? I want to start o by saying that in my opinion, weight loss is 100% following a good nutrition plan, with exercise at least 3 times a week.

You absolutely cannot cancel out a poor diet with exercise. Exercise is beneficial no ma er what, however, if you’re looking to lose fat, what you eat will determine your results. When clients come in for a consultation, the first question I ask is, “how is your diet?” If they haven’t at least started changing their eating habits, I usually tell them to work on that first before beginning a workout regimen. I don’t want this to sound like I am discouraging exercise; by all means please exercise. e reason why I recommend this is because too o en we overestimate the amount of calories burned during a workout, and this is then taken as an opportunity to consume more calories than necessary. Another reason is because in order to get the best results, knowing how many macro nutrients we need is important for pre and post workout meals.

of simple carbs, but that’s not going to help you reach your goals. Be sure to also track what you’re drinking. Sugary drinks can really pile on the calories. Don’t let fancy labels fool you; always read the nutrition facts and the ingredients because sugar is hidden in everything.

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 England is well known for beautiful fall scenery, so why not get out and discover something

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

Prepare! I can’t say it enough. Knowing exactly what you’re going to eat for the entire day will curb eating whatever is available. Preparing will also help keep you full so you don’t get ‘hangry.’ Keep it simple when it comes to your food, there’s no need to complicate it. Keep the sodium to a minimum. ere are so many delicious spices that you can use to flavor your food that are nutritionally beneficial. If you have a crock pot or Instant Pot find a healthy recipe that you’ll enjoy and make a big batch for the week. Put together uncooked meals ahead of time in individual freezer bags and defrost, as needed. Always have water on hand; it’s the most important part of a healthy diet.

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

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

For example, if my client is working out with me 3 times a week and they aren’t consuming enough carbohydrates or protein, they are not going to feel their best. It is so important to fuel your body with the proper nutrients for muscle repair, recovery, and energy. ere is a common misconception that carbs are the enemy, but they are, in fact, very important for us. ere are many resources online that can help you determine approximately how much you should be consuming daily. If you’re unsure, reach out to a health and fitness professional to help you with this.

No ma er what your goals are, a healthy diet is good for everybody. It doesn’t always have to be about weight loss or building muscle. Simply focusing on what makes us feel good and gives us energy is reason enough to eat well. If you’re struggling with this, reach out to someone! Find a friend that you can do this with to support each other. You can also work with a trainer. A good trainer will support you and understand any struggles you may have along the way. At SVF we’re like family and we all support each other, and I really believe that’s the primary reason for my clients’ successes.

Enjoy the beginning of this beautiful season and stay motivated. Just because it’s getting cooler mean that it’s not a good time to start working out. Anytime is a great time to start! 46 ShopInRI

Where do you start? Begin by tracking your food. Yes, that’s right, every bit of food you put in your mouth. Use this as a tool when you first start to see where you can make improvements. Once you’ve done this for about 3-5 days, start implementing your changes. Set realistic goals, like your target water consumption for the day and your calorie intake. Again, be sure to also pay a ention to carbs/proteins/ fats. You can consume only 1500 calories a day worth

Stacie Venagro Fitness

161 Macklin Street, Cranston, RI

Longevity for Lions How to Maintain

Your Edge as You Age

by Kevin Kearns

Let’s face some facts here. Just like death and taxes, it’s a given that we will all get older. I like to say, however, we are becoming more seasoned, like a good stew or a fine wine. But the facts are that we are getting older every day. A fact of life is that you will inevitably “kick the bucket” to make way for the next generation. Facts are facts, and you can’t dispute them. However, as an exercise scientist, I can say that we can manipulate many variables so we can slow down the aging process. Now, before you go off half cock and say that this is about steroids and HGH, it’s actually not. There are other ways to “play” with the aging card, while we train hard and stay healthy. Or, should I say train smarter, not harder? How do I know? Because I live it every day. As of the summer this year, I, personally, turned 48 years of age! To put that into perspective, my father passed at age 48. Times have changed because people, in general, are more health conscious. To add more to the perspective, I have been working out faithfully for 35 years and have been personally training people since 1987! So, you could say I have some knowledge and flight time under my belt.

Let’s discuss the variables you can manipulate within your workouts. Seven years ago, one of my top clients passed away due to cancer. He made it to 80 years old and could have reached 100, in my opinion. David A. was a great client, mentor, and friend. I started training him when he was 70 years old and stopped when he was 77, due to his disease. The one concept he used to say to me was “it’s all about moderation, Kevin.” What is moderation at age 30 is different from age 40, and so on. At 70 years old, he would train 3 times a week with me, play single’s tennis 2 times a week, and walk 2 times each week, for one hour. He could hit pads for 5 - 3s, after doing a “Burn With Kearns” workout.

VARIABLE 1- EVERYTHING IN MODERATION.

The principle is simple. You are not 20 years old anymore. You need to treat your body like a temple and what you put in is what you get out.

VARIABLE

2- LESS IS MORE.

High intensity training has been around for a long time. Training more intensely for a shorter time is a good way to keep up your physical fitness, while you are on the daily “gerbil mill “ of life. The days of putting hours in the gym are over; you need to train smarter.

VARIABLE 3- CHANGE IS GOOD.

Mix it up. The two words I absolutely loathe in fitness are “I usually” and “I always“ follow this workout. How can you expect results? Try something new. I started doing yoga in 2008, due to plantar fasciitis in both my feet. How did that happen? From running 340 concrete stairs, 3 to 4 times a week for one hour. Yoga fixed it and I was able to run on trails within one year. It was the best decision I have ever made for my longevity.

VARIABLE 4 - IT' IS NOT NECESSARY TO KILL IT EVERYDAY.

This is a tough one for us trainers and athletes. We think we all need to crush ourselves during our workouts. The fact that you are working out should be enough. Every time you train, it’s a deposit into your ‘Fitness IRA.’ If you don’t have an hour to

train, train for 30 minutes; it’s better than zero.

VARIABLE 5- TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND NEW.

Joseph Pilates was ahead of his time and could have competed in multiple athletic endeavors. In the ‘70s, American Footballers were taking ballet to help with their balance, agility, and flexibility. What will you try differently today?

VARIABLE 6- YIN YANG; YOU MUST HAVE HARD WITH SOFT.

I like using steel and iron, as well, but I also get a great workout from resistance bands. Try using a band workout for “unloading the muscles,“ after a heavy weight’s day, the next day. We call it our “rubber and steel workout“ (see Feb issue 2015). The reason why those in China are all doing Tai Chi (Big hint here).

VARIABLE 7 - LISTEN TO YOUR JOINTS.

When in doubt, listen to what your body tells you. If running on a hard surface hurts, try trail running

or hiking. Like box jumps? Swap out the box for a high quality fitness trampoline like JumpSport, or try them on sand at the beach.

VARIABLE 8 - YOUR DIET

My exercise physiology professor once said, “As you age, you either have to decrease calories and maintain activity or increase activity and maintain calories.” What he was referring to was losing muscle mass as we age. Mix up your foods and eat differently each day. You need to keep your metabolism on its toes, too.

The good news is that you can still build muscle mass at any age and stave off Mother Nature’s attempt to slow you down.

Workout alternates:

Box jumps hard box vs switch to fitness trampoline

Stair running vs switch to trail running

Heavy dumbbell work vs resistance bands

End of Year Fitness

By: Susan Gazerro Before the New Years Resolutions!

You don’t have to wait until the new year to start on your fitness journey. Every day is a new day, a new beginning. We seem to start the new year with our new fitness goals. Everything from eating healthier, losing 10lbs, ge ing six pack abs, ge ing in be er shape, becoming our best, etc. When those fitness goals are based on long-term ideas of how we want to look rather than short-term goals on how we want to feel, those goals become una ainable, and the next thing you know you feel let down, disappointed, and like a failure. Focus on what you can do as opposed to how you want to look. Don’t think long term. ink about now, today! What are you physically able to do and build on that every day going forward. For example, if you want to start running, do ¼ mile on your first day then add to it everyday until you reach a mile. Build from there and when you focus on what you can do, as you’re doing it, you will see physical changes in your body. Here are some tips to follow and help you stick with your goals.

Try a new workout every month. You don’t want to do the same thing over and over. is not only leads to boredom, it will also lead you to a

plateau. Your body will start changing but it will eventually hit a wall. To keep seeing changes you must change what you do. Again, this will also keep you from becoming bored. You must also continue to challenge yourself. Add weights or heavier weights. Add a new cardio regime, etc.

Add Stretching to your routine.

Stretching is one of the best things we can do to help strengthen our muscles, avoid injuries, and even relieve tension (both physically and mentally!), Try taking a yoga class. If yoga is not for you, look up some basic stretches and add them in the morning and/or at night but try to always make them part of your workout. You want your muscles to be warm and flexible. Stretching is also great exercise for the mind.

ink about your form.

If you don’t have the correct form you could cause injury or long term damage. e correct form also helps you maximize a workout by using your energy for the extra push. Knowing exactly how to perfect your form (no ma er

what type of workout it is) is crucial for properly protecting your body, strengthening your muscles, and keeping your body healthy. Ask a trainer if you are not sure how the form should look or today everything can be found on YouTube or on google. If you are taking a class, ask the instructor if you are not sure.

is next tip is one I repeat over and over. Walk whenever you can. Walk instead of drive. Park far away at the market or mall and walk. Walking is a “taken for granted” exercise. We can do more than we think and it’s free! My last article I talked about holiday shopping and ge ing your steps in. If you are at the mall, start on the lower level then take the stairs to the upper level, go to a store there then take the stairs back to the lower level to another store. Do this until your shopping is done. Make several trips to your car to drop the bags o . If you are at the supermarket, push the carriage up each aisle. If you are si ing around at lunch or a er dinner, put your walking shoes on and head out. ere are so many opportunities to walk. Just do it. Remind yourself why you are doing this.

Remind yourself daily that you are doing this not only to look be er but to feel be er, be healthy and live longer. Do not think of working out as a chore. ink how good and accomplished you are going to feel when it’s over. ink about the energy you will have for the day. Take a moment every day to compliment yourself and write down a change you are seeing whether physical or mental.

Here are some extra tips: Drink more water. Get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Move more. Live less sedentary. Schedule your workouts on your calendar just as you would a doctor appointment.

You have control. Get up and change your life/ lifestyle if you are not happy.

It’s YOUR life no one else’s.

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”

“Love yourself enough to live a healthy lifestyle”

“Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself”

Raymond Roy Jr.

Owner of Surveillance Solutions and Pro-Wrestler

I rst met Raymond Roy Jr. when he was installing video surveillance cameras at a company I worked for. en I learned he use to be a pro-wrestler under the ring-names of Roy Raymond, e Stormtrooper and e Mountie. He fought the British Bulldog, King Kong Bundy, Razor Ramon, Steve Cold Stone Austin and Lex Luger. I wanted to know how a famous pro-wrestler went from a pro to owning a video surveillance company. We hit it o right away. Ray is extremely outgoing, friendly and 100% French Canadian like me.

By L.A. Reilly

LA: Tell me how you became An American Professional Wrestler

RR: I was in the marines and then worked for an auto repair shop. I had many connections with the world wrestling federation. As a joke I said “I’m done with repair work and I want to join the circuit” So I called up Vince McMahon the CEO of WWF. He told me to meet him at his place in Stamford CT. I went and met with Vince and Macho Man Randy Savage. At the time I was li ing weights and was about 300 pounds of solid muscle and stood 6”4. Vince said if I could survive wrestling school he would dra me. So he gave me a check to give a guy in Boston named Killer Kowalski. He’s going to teach you how to wrestle. I went to meet him and the training was brutal. Way worse than marine boot camp. I did very well and nished in three years. A lot of big names in WWF came out of Killer Kowalski’s School of Wrestling including Chyna and King Kong Bundy. When the dra came around he picked me up. ey gave me a contract, I got licensed and stayed there for 14 years (1993-2007). It was a lot of work. I lived in the gym every day and traveled all over the world. A normal day in the wrestling business: Get up in the morning, go to the gym, eat, production meeting, eat, production meeting, go to the arena, sit around for 3 hours before your match, go back to the hotel, get on a plane and y to the next state and do it all over again. When we ew overseas we had a VIP plane. I’ve been halfway around the world for free. I did this 273 days a year. I was on SmackDown, Raw and Saturday Morning Superstars. It was like a ferris wheel you can never get o of. You do the same thing over and over again. I’ve broken my palette, lost all my front teeth, broke my jaw, scar on my head, fractured my sternum, hyperextended both knees and multiple concussions. When people get hit in the ring with chairs it’s real. You’re only as good as your last show. You have to keep going.

LA: What were your favorite memories of your wrestling career?

RR: On funny memory involved WWF Mr Fuji who was an old wrestler. He use to walk around with a gym bag and would change all the combination locks on the wrestlers lockers. And the wrestler would have to do something funny to get him to unlock their locker. ere were a lot of practical jokes. ere were a lot of good times and a lot of sad times.

LA: Who were your favorite wrestlers growing up?

RR: I liked Blackjack Mulligan, Haystacks Calhoun and Bruno Sammartino

LA: What was your favorite match you’ve been in?

RR: It was de nitely my caged match with King Kong Bundy

LA: Tell me about your wrestling characters and did you have a theme song?

RR: I started out as e Stormtrooper in the amateur league which I chose myself. When I got to WWF I was Roy Raymond and then e Mountie. I used some Metallica intro songs when I was Roy Raymond.

LA: at’s Ray the pro-wrestler. What about Ray the businessman. When did you start Surveillance Solutions. Tell me what made you leave wrestling and start a surveillance company

RR: My contract ended and I had had enough. I got married and moved to Scituate. I was concerned about break-ins to my house. I saw a surveillance system in a store, bought it and installed it. I could monitor it on my phone. I showed it to one of my friends and he wanted one. I went out and bought a kit and installed it in his house. Now his friends wanted them too. I started doing it on weekends making really good money. I invested some money and bought equipment. en I came up with a name and logo. e reason why I have a logo with a wheel is because my mind never stops. I’m always thinking. Before you know it I had business cards made and started banging on doors. I ended up getting some big names like Kirkbrae Country Club and Shaws. We’ve been in business for 21 years.

LA: You service some big name companies like McDonalds, Panera and United Rentals. When you install cameras, how do you decide where to put them and how many they need?

RR: Generally if the business is perfectly square we will put 2 cameras in each corner so you have a better shot of seeing their face.

LA: You service residential & commercial, which one do you think you service the most?

RR: Residential use to be 1 of 10 homes and now it’s 6 of 10. Commercial business do mainly upgrades. ey have an existing system. We take out the old and install a new up-to-date unit.

LA: You have to keep up with the latest technology. What changes have you seen in equipment over the years?

RR: When I rst started the cameras were plastic and 420 TVL then they went up to 1000 lines. Now they are 4K resolution and some have audio built in. Technology has been crazy in the past 6 years. Some cameras have night vision, heat sensors, facial recognition and text overlays. Technology changes every 6-8 months. If I don’t keep up with it, it will roll right over me.

LA: Have you ever been recognized by clients when you install video surveillance?

RR: All the time. Some wrestling fans even sign on because I was a pro-wrestler.

LA: Have you ever witnessed any embarrassing or illegal situations on camera?

RR: I had a guy who wanted 10 cameras outside and 10 cameras inside installed because he didn’t trust his wife. I had to hide it and install when no one was home. e guy came home one day and found his dog bleeding to death. He called me to nd out what happened. I played back the footage. e dog had gotten o the property and the wife had a spade shovel in her hand and hit the dog and slashed him open. She got arrested for animal abuse. e things people do are unbelievable.

LA: at’s Ray the Pro-wrestler, Ray the Businessman. Tell me about the other projects you are involved in

RR: I started Brothers of the Band because all my friends would call me up asking me where to go see bands. I had

to go on each bands website to see who was playing out. So I decided to start a web page to post where everyone was playing. en I started a fundraiser. It’s called Rock for Autism. e rst year we did it at e Last Resort. We had 4 bands playing and raised $9,000. Last year we raised $22,000. I book the best of the best!

Surveillance Solutions is located at 101 Comstock Parkway, Suite 3, Cranston

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!

Two homeowners that we recently worked with have had about as good of an attitude as one might imagine, while addressing issues at their homes that were far from ideal.

In the rst instance, we were working on the client’s home and unco vered signi cant additional rot.

In this case, both the client and the company knew that this was a possibility, but the client’s mindset of the extent of the additional rot was revealed when what was originally anticipated truly became clear.

Instead of trying to encourage us to band-aid things and/or stop short of truly repairing what was rotted, the client urged us to keep going with the attitude of “it has to get xed!”

In the second instance, we were hired to replace a rotted kickboard under a slider door, and throughout the conversation with the client, it quickly became evident just how savvy our newfound client was from a construction standpoint, as she began walking me through what she expected us to nd.

is was very pleasing to me because usually I am the one walking someone through the potential horror of rotted wood, which was very realistic in this case due to where the issue was located.

Both the client and I acknowledged that once we took that kickboard o , the sill under the door would most likely have to be replaced, which meant that the door would have to come out and/or be properly braced, and the vinyl siding around the door area would have to be carefully peeled back and then reinstalled a er the repair was completed. No small task for sure, but a perfect example of un derscoring the value of addressing hidden rot.

In the rst example, prior to its repair, although there was no evi dence of bug damage, this client’s home was a juicy snack, ripe for the picking for the next set of carpenter ants or termites that were looking for a nice feast.

e second client had an actual presence of termites, and their sub sequent eradication is what led her to give us a ring in the rst place. As many that are in the thick of working through a termite or car penter ant challenge are quick to nd out (if they were not already aware), termites and carpenter ants gravitate toward areas in homes where wood has become moist.

is is why many times signi cant damage is o en occurring to ho mes, totally unbeknownst to the homeowner.

Wood rots from the inside out. Once you see a piece of rott ed trim on your home, the chances are fairly high that the piece of trim is already rotted thoroughly on its backside, if not masking even deeper, structural rot behind it.

Typically, the way this happens is that moisture gets behind the trim through some type of a crack or crevice and be gins to do its dirty work. If not discovered soon enough, damage, which is exempli ed in the two examples here, can surely set in before you know it.

Your best bet is to stay diligent, inspect your home twice a year (once in the spring and once in the fall) for potential rot, and reach out to a professional for further examination of anything that appears a bit concerning.

Providing maintenance along the way in the form of ma king sure your paint/stain coatings are intact, seams are properly sealed, siding and trim are tight, etc., is the best preventative approach. If you are able to catch something that is rotted ‘in the bud’ and have it corrected, you may be able to save yourself a great deal of headache then if the situation were to continue to develop and you nd your self in a place which requires monumental repairs. ese steps will help to avoid circumstances that may come along, where you are attached at the hip with a plethora of creepy crawlies, chomping away at the exterior of your home.

About Tom Lopatosky

Tom Lopatosky has run his own carpentry and painting business in Providence since 1995; LOPCO Contracting – the “Personable, Particular Professionals” – specializes in carpentry and exterior & interior painting. 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 the PDCA and RIBA (Rhode Island Builders Association). Tom has weekly ‘Home Improvement Tips’ that air on the radio on 630 WPRO AM (during the weekday morning news) and on television on WPRI 12 (during the Saturday morning news.

The Hidden Rotted Wood That is Leading Your Home to Be Eaten Away

Studies suggest cats recognize their names, but they choose to ignore us.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Honey bees must collect nectar from about two million owers to make one pound of honey. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

The phrase “head over heels” was originally “heels over head,” which makes more sense, literally. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

In the US, only about 1 in 4,200 high school football players go on to play professionally.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

You’re nevermorethan20moves away from correctly solving a Rubik’s cube. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

People tend to forget information that they can easily nd online. It’s called the “Google e ect”. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Walking on LEGO bricks hurts more than walking over hot coals or broken glass, and they’re so hard; they can withstand almost 950 lbs before buckling. With the bricks having zero give, the skin on your foot always give rst.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

A 2007 study found that surgeons who played video games for at least three hours a week made 37% fewer mistakes.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Hummingbirds are the only birds that can y backwards and upside down. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

78% of former NFL players go bankrupt within two years after ending their careers. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

Expands its Service Department

By Mark Berger

There are reasons why the dealership has received numerous awards for their work. One of the core reasons why is their award-winning Service Department.

The staff, led by Service Manager Justin Olivo, has five Mas ter Technicians amongst their 18 technicians ready to diagnose and service troubled vehicles. They prefer to have two to three Master ASE Technicians on at all times to ensure nothing gets missed.

General Manager John Durrani said one of the other ways they help customers is pricing out their services. He said that makes quite a difference.

“We not only shop the area Toyota dealerships, but other dealerships to ensure our prices remain competitive with the market,” he said.

Because of the increased work demands, Durrani said they are currently seeking technicians to help with the workload. While it is not a requirement to have dealership experience, having worked in a smaller shop is a plus. Toyota will pay for training of staff and time to learn the craft. Please contact John with your inquiries.

As for inventory, they still welcome patrons to trade in their used vehicles. High demand and low inventory have made the ask crucial, the general manager said.

To help facilitate the need for more certified, pre-owned vehi cles onto their lot, Toyota of Smithfield offers 115% of the book value for any used cars. It does not matter whether the customer decides to purchase a car from their lot, Durrani said.

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

Customers may also take advantage of their final Private Sales event of 2022. The December event takes place on Friday, December 30 and Saturday, December 31, from 10:00 AM to 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 financ ing 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.

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