Celebrating our 86th Year!
Pending! $143,000
Light-filled condo in fantastic location! Hardwoods, two bedrooms, updated bath, stainless steel appliances, and Pella windows all near restaurants, boutiques, entertainment, and universities.
Stephanie Markoff Cohen
Pending! $429,000
Exquisite condo located on Blackstone Boulevard. Completely redone with breathtaking woodwork, moldings, lighting and bathrooms. New appliances. Central A/C, storage, garage parking.
Roxanne Gordon
New Listing! $239,000
Beautifully maintained 2 family off Hope St. Recent roof, mechanicals, new windows. Updated kitchens and baths, hardwoods, pretty fenced yard and patio. Lead safe certificates!
Sue Erkkinen
$1,690,000
Historic College Hill Colonial totally renovated in 2004. Panoramic 180 degree city views. 5 beds, 3 full/1 half baths, living room w/fireplace, open kitchen/family room.
Michael Young
$1,049,000
Stately Queen Anne near Brown. Original architectural details preserved - moldings, grand staircase, beautiful floors, 5 fireplaces. New kitchen, furnace, A/C. Original bathrooms. Triple size lot with possibilities.
New Price! $395,000
Mary A. Doyle house. Charming 1907 Victorian 10 room house with original details. Hardwoods, high ceilings, vintage lighting, wrap around porches. Garage, off street parking. Pleasant garden.
Kathryn Lawrence
New Listing! $288,000
Beautifully constructed brick Bungalow with terrific woodwork and beamed living and dining rooms. Property abuts Roger Williams Park and affords a view of Park Lake.
Chris Healy
New Price! $400,000
Stunning 3 story Townhouse in desirable location. Gracious living, totally renovated, new baths and kitchen. Loft like 3rd floor with full bath. Close to Wayland Square, Brown.
Myra Braverman
Peter Hurley
$234,900
Exquisite 1 bed condo! New cabinets, flooring, bathroom, counter tops, appliances and windows. Community courtyard for relaxation, entertaining. Easy walk to Brown Medical School, RISD.
John McCann
COLEMANREALTORS.COM providence 401.274.3636
barrington 401.245.3050
east greenwich 401.884.5522
corporate relocation 401.277.0570
watch hill 401.596.2390
contents FeBRUARY 2015
CHAnge yOur FOr sAle sign tO SOLD The Time To Act Is Now
21
ri children’s Film Festival
This Month
50 WOODBURY STREET Lovely bright and sunny 3 bed 2 bath remodeled home.. classic details with updated/ baths, kitchen, walls,electrical, plumbing,and floors/ New windows and roof, siding. Inviting backyard, with one car garage. Fabulous location. sold $389,000 Aleen Weiss
42 DANA STREET Unique opportunity! Legal two family, w/ beautiful owner’s townhouse suite. Warm and inviting, 2 beds, 1 bath, nice details. Rental unit provides extra income 1 bed/1bath. Garage & adorable yard. Easily converted to a single family. Move right in! sold $305,000. Aleen Weiss
34 VERMONT AVENUE, CUMBERLAND Fabulous one floor living. Look out the picture window and watch the deer run by! Walk out to large deck overlooking wooded yard. New mechanicals and 2 car garage. $215,000 Aleen Weiss
65 BERGERON STREET, SEEKONK Lovingly maintained 2/3 bed ranch home located on dead end street. Lots of potential, just cosmetic updated needed. Spacious rooms and nice backyard. $245,000 Aleen Weiss
119 LAURIER AVENUE, ATTLEBORO Recently updated warm and inviting beautiful open kitchen/ dining area. Screened in porch, with living den area. 1st floor master, full inlaw upstairs with additional living space, great location, 2 car garage, full workroom, move in condition. sold $245,000 Aleen Weiss
66 OAK HILL AVENUE, PAWTUCKET Classic center hall colonial located in Oak Hill. Needs some updating. Beautiful untouched hardwoods under carpeting, large rooms, fireplace living, den, sunroom. Fenced backyard, garage parking. sold $260,000 Aleen Weiss
21 | Just Kidding Around Winter fun for little ones 25 | PArKs And recreAtion A local legend retires
Every Month 4 | Editorial/Letters
sold
sold
Community A happy ending for the Granoff debate? 9 | News 11 | In the Know 15 | Neighborhood News
Close to Home A new kind of Valentine’s Day 27 | Home 28 | Education 31 | West of Wickenden
On the Town Global flavors on South Main Street 33 | Flavor of the Month 34 | Food News 36
| Rhody Bites
39
| Calendar
Aleen WeissH Karen MillerH
The East Sider 54 | A sole brother in Wayland Square
On the Cover:
HAlso licensed in MA
The Providence Children’s Museum.
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Assisting Buyers, sellers And renters Jon WeissHF Howard Weiss Claire sennott gail Jenard
Flicensed ri environmental lead inspector 0065
785 Hope Street providence, ri 401-272-6161 SpitzweiSS.com
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February 2015 East Side Monthly
3
Editorial
EST 1975
East Side MONTHLY
Happy Birthday to Us. Happy Birthday to Us. With the arrival of 2015, East Side Monthly will officially turn 40. Back in 1975, we began as a weekly, a little more edgy perhaps, and in competition with other alternative publications, among them the New Paper (which later became the Providence Phoenix), the Nice Paper and the Providence Eagle. At one point we tried to go paid. Strike one. At another point we went citywide, calling ourselves East SideWest Side. Strike two. But fortunately, slowly but steadily, we morphed into what seems to have worked best… mail to every home on the East Side and try to produce a product that informs, entertains and is useful to a community we love. Over the upcoming year, we plan to run special features (even a special collector’s edition) to celebrate our first four decades. We are now
asking all our readers, whether newbies or long-timers, to consider participating in the celebration. Maybe you can help us remember “where X used to be” or when so and so did something particularly good (or bad). Perhaps you remember some of those old April Fool’s editions. Or a particularly egregious typo. Maybe you’ve got an idea for a party we should throw or, better still, a worthwhile project we should undertake. Please email us at esm@providenceonline.com or write us at 1070 Main Street, Suite 302, Pawtucket 02860 with any suggestions you may have. We have boxes of old issues buried somewhere so that’ll be one fun project for us. At a time when print is supposedly dead, thanks to your support we continue to grow (we’re up to five papers/magazines plus
1070 Main Street, Suite 302 Pawtucket RI 02860 tel: 305-3391 | fax: 305-3392 esm@providenceonline.com www.eastsidemonthly.com • @EastSideMonthly
Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell
Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre @JeanetteSTP
Managing Editor Barry Fain
City Editor Steve Triedman
Executive Editor Julie Tremaine @JulieTremaine
Digital Manager Elyena de Goguel
Associate Editor Grace Lentini @Gracie_NomNom
assorted special publications now). And we’re looking forward to having an interesting year as we share with you a lot of memories of our 40 years of covering a community we’re so proud to call home.
Art Director Meghan H. Follett
Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas
Assistant Art Director Veatsna Sok
Graphic Designer Caitlin Musso
Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich: Louann@ProvidenceOnline.com Ann Gallagher: Ann@ProvidenceOnline.com Kristine Mangan: Kristine@ProvidenceOnline.com Dan Schwartz: DanS@ProvidenceOnline.com Elizabeth Riel: Liz@ProvidenceOnline.com Kimberly Tingle: Kim@ProvidenceOnline.com
Letters Standing Up for the First Amendment To the Editor: I share your sadness, the sadness of all France and as an American writer I stand in support of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press. Satire breaks through the rigid, unquestioned thinking. Absolute irreverence is the bedrock of humor, and humor relaxes and opens the mind. How many of us as children found Mad Magazine a portal to new ways of thinking. The National Lampoon. George Orwell. Mark Twain. Feel free to add to the list. Virtually every writer has, at one time or another, employed satire to help the reader see. Charles Pinning
To Outgoing Mayor Angel Taveras, We are writing in response to your letter to editor last month in which you chastised Steve Triedman and myself for what you perceived as particularly harsh and unjustified criticism of the City. The article from
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East Side Monthly February 2015
Stephanie Oster Wilmarth: Stephanie@ProvidenceOnline.com
our perspective simply described what any objective visitor to Providence would see or hear if visiting our town back in September: dangerously potholed streets, an audible concern on the East Side about a perceived rise in crime, a feeling that our public schools deserve better than the C+ they received in the latest national rankings. And as for “a possible projected 2015-6 budget deficit of up to $25 million dollars,” well those are City Council projections not ours. Please don’t shoot the messengers. All this said, you are clearly leaving our city in far better shape than you found it…regardless of whose numbers you use. And although many of the changes you have implemented will serve Providence residents well in the future, it is also obvious that the City has a long way to go before we are out of the financial woods. We certainly wish you success in whatever future path you choose to follow and offer our appreciation for your commitment, dedication
and efforts on behalf of our City. Barry Fain, Managing Editor
From the Twitterverse Checking out @HopeStreetProv Winter Stroll tonight! @EastSideMonthly #eastsidebeastside Jared DiMascio (@jmdimascio) @danmcgowan @tednesi @FitzProv @potaxpayer @SamGHoward @EastSideMonthly @bobplain thanks for your detailed coverage of East Side races, all! Ethan Gyles (@ethangy)
From our Facebook Friends To the Editor: Thank you ESM for your insightful and straight forward editorial the November issue concerning the Providence Mayoral race. I am sure that it resonated with many residents who feel betrayed by Taveras and confused by the ProJo’s barrage of negativity rather than analyze the issues that affect Providence residents. Lynette Kapsinow
Contributing Photographers Hilary Block Mike Cevoli Brian DeMello Stacey Doyle Melissa Stimpson
Contributing Illustrators Ashley MacLure Kendrah Smith
Contributing Writers Erin Balsa Alastair Cairns Michael Clark Mary K. Connor Jill Davidson Mike Fink
Don Fowler Wendy Grossman Nancy Kirsch Dale J Rappaneau, Jr Elizabeth Rau Dan Schwartz
Classified Advertising Sue Howarth Interns Emily Davey Claire Flanagan Elizabeth Gallagher
Alexandra Morel Morgan Pekera
Calendar announcements and news releases should be submitted by the 1st of the preceding month. We reserve the right to omit and edit items. Letters to the editor are welcome. We will not print unsigned letters without exceptional circumstances. East Side Monthly is not responsible for typographical errors. Corrections will be run at discretion of editor. Copyright ©2015 by East Side Monthly. All rights reserved. Printed by Gannett Offset.
Say it with dinner ThiS vaLenTine’S day
An Upscale Atmosphere with Down to Earth Prices
restaurant & upscale lounge 284 Thayer STreeT, Providence 401.331.8111 | karTabar.com comPLimenTary vaLeT ParkinG Friday & SaTUrday aT 5
February 2015 East Side Monthly
5
77 South Angell St., unit 103 • eASt Side This impressive and immaculate condo features a designer chef’s kitchen w/ high-end appliances, hardwoods and a master suite. All beautifully appointed including a fabulous private patio. Entertainers delight! Enjoy all Wayland Square has to offer. $645,000
118 Governor St., • eaSt Side Fantastic 4 family home plus 2 bedroom, 1 ½ bath fabulous luxury Carriage House. Plenty of parking. Properties are in fantastic shape! Steps to Brown University. Parking for 6 cars. Laundry in units. A very special property. Over $100,000 in annual income. $1,795,000
130 Cypress st., Unit 3r • east side Great Condo for investment or to live-in. High Ceilings, period details, hardwood floors, central air, fully applianced kitchen and laundry in unit. Deeded parking. Motivated seller! $79,900
20 Hillview Ave. • elmHurst Move right into this 3 bedroom 1 ½ bath home in Elmhurst. Interior has been freshly painted throughout. Home features hardwood floors, updated full bath, newer roof and replacement windows. $124,900
172 ProsPect st. • east side Elegant 3 bedroom College Hill townhouse. Bright & sunny end unit with open layout, hardwoods, high ceilings and large master bedroom. Home has central A/C, updated mechanicals, laundry in unit and integral garage. Must see! $355,000
134 GeorGe M Cohan Blvd. • east side Great opportunity for owner occupied or investment! Excellent rental history close to Brown University & Wickenden St. Newer roof, windows, heating systems, appliances & more. Waterviews across from park. Property is in fantastic condition. $419,000
RI’s #1 Real Estate Company Largest Relocation Company in the Country • Leader in Interactive Web Technology Serving Providence, East Bay & MA | 401-351-2017
| www.nemoves.com
Honor Black History Month with Brown University. Events in February from The Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice:
• Black History Month film series with the Providence Public Library.
• National conference on Race in America, jointly hosted by the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America.
For more information, visit brown.edu/slaveryjustice For more news about Brown: https://news.brown.edu/
6
East Side Monthly February 2015
Sign up to receive weekly notices of public events at Brown: http://news.brown.edu/events/subscribe
historic
2nd Time around
district
Retail, Nightlife, Restaurants & More
294 Thayer Street | 455-2050 secondtimearound.net New and like-new designer consignment. From Tory Burch & Michael Kors to Chanel & Louis Vuitton, shop the best designer labels without the designer price tag!
andrea’s
Berks shoes & CLoThing
268 Thayer Street | 331-7879 andreasri.com
272 Thayer Street | 831-0174 Find us on Facebook
Providence’s original Greek restaurant, serving authentic, homestyle recipes on Thayer Street for over 35 years. Try the chicken and lamb kabobs, lemon oregano lamb chops and souvlaki!
Sperry’s, Blunderstone, Sorel, Uggs and Timerberland boots will keep you looking good in 2015. Stylish footwear for men and women, plus clothing and accessories. On Thayer for over 40 years!
at ThayerStreetDMA ThayerStreetDistrict.com
What’s happening
Thayer
p
Street
saVe 365 Days-a-year With our thayer Bicycle Benefits program
BeTTer Burger Company 215-217 Thayer Street | 228-7373 bbcfoodusa.com Organic grass-fed burgers, gluten-free options, homemade sauces and fries cooked in olive oil. Breakfast served until 3pm daily. Real fruit sodas. Vegan and vegetarian options also available.
eF Bishop group 217 Angell Street | 421-3210 efbishop.com Providing insurance & real estate solutions since 1965. Your Independent Agents representing your needs with many different companies to choose from. Real estate sales and rentals throughout RI.
FaCing Thayer BeauTy spa & BouTique 297 Thayer Street | 331-4777 facingthayer.com Offering luxurious facials, waxing, nail, & eyelash services and selling 25 different beauty lines, this is one spot you shouldn’t miss! Voted Best Day Spa.
Get your helmet sticker and save at participating Thayer Street businesses year round. For full details visit thayerstreetdistrict.com
FLaTBread Company
proViDence chilDren’s film festiVal Feb 12-22
(viewings at Avon Cinema)
kaBoB and Curry
pie in The sky
161 Cushing Street | 273-2737 flatbreadcompany.com
261 Thayer Street | 273-8844 indianrestaurantsri.com
225 Thayer Street | 861-3954 Find us on Facebook
Rock. Wood. Fire. Clay. Ash. Crisp. Stoke. Care. Friends. Thirst. Flavor. Smoke. Organic. Passion. Sweet. Sourcing. Maple. Friendly. To Bake and Serve. Real. Providence. Wood-fired Love.
“Arguably the best Indian food in Rhode Island.” – Providence Journal, Live. Come in and see why this award-winning restaurant continues its tradition of excellence that started on Thayer 27 years ago.
The trend is Bohemia Tribal. The designs are one-of-a-kind with turquoise, corals & tooled metals of brass, copper and silver. A Valentine treat!
proViDence restaurant Weeks Visit Thayer Street during January 11-24
•••
pLeasanT surprise
squires saLon
speCTrum-india
297 Thayer Street | 273-1202 pleasant-surprise.com
50 Park Row West | 274-5660 squiressalon.com
252 Thayer Street | 421-1010 Find us on Facebook
Find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the special person in your life. An eclectic mix of fun gifts, home accessories, quirky books, cards, and toys. Visit our Brick Market location in Newport also!
Squires Salon has temporarily relocated to the Moderne Salon, at Center Place, 50 Park Row West, Providence 02903. We will soon be returning to our new location at 172 E. Cushing Street across from the Nelson Fitness Center.
Attractively priced dorm furnishings, eclectic fashions, exotic gifts, ready-toeat Indian entrees and more... also henna tattoos, henna parties, tarot and astrological readings all by appointment.
Meet Martha... and her personal assistants. At the Highlands, we care for each resident as if they are our only resident. We cook. We clean. We drive. We meet their every need with the compassion, caring and personal attention that keeps them happy, healthy and engaged. Discover the Highlands difference. Call or visit today!
“They’re like my personal staff.” Assisted Living - Memory Care
High Standards. Higher Hopes.
101 Highland Ave (Near Miriam Hospital), Providence www.HighlandsRI.com
Reserve your table for two, 3000 Chapel View Blvd. | Cranston, RI | 401.944.4900 | ChapelGrilleRI.com 8
East Side Monthly February 2015
401-654-5259
Community East Side Stories | neighborhood news & notes
East Side News
A Happy Ending? Battle over Granoff subdivision plan heads towards closure By Barry Fain
To the surprise of many, it appears the confrontation over a plan to subdivide the Bridgham Estate, the three and a half acre property on the corner of Rochambeau Avenue and the Boulevard owned by the Granoff family, may be headed towards a solution that actually could work for all parties concerned. Just a few weeks ago, such an outcome would have been deemed implausible at best. The controversy began in October when Paula and Leonard Granoff and their lawyer Thomas Moses submitted a plan to the City seeking the right to subdivide their property into ten additional house lots while keeping the two large existing buildings intact. Moses argued that the owners had the legal right to subdivide their property as they wished as long their proposal met all the requirements proscribed by the City. While not endorsing the project, City Planning Department did agree that based on the letter of the law, the proposal seemed to be minimally in conformance. Given just a few days warning before the October meeting the City Plan Commission, which has regulatory oversight over the issue, the neighbors scurried to protest the scale and appropriateness of the Granoff subdivision request. As it turned out, the October meeting was cancelled for lack of a quorum. By November, a much-enlarged group of
neighbors were ready to do battle. Armed with a petition signed by over 600 residents and a letter of support from the Providence Preservation Society, William Landry, the attorney representing nearby neighbors, objected to the proposal. He argued that the plan the Granoffs had submitted calling for up to ten new house lots wasn’t a simple property subdivision but rather a full blown major land development and as such needed to conform to a much stricter and detailed set of standards. As presented, he pointed out, the Granoff proposal provided no information about its impact on surrounding homes, existing traffic patterns, environmental and drainage issues and on the historic significance of the site itself. The public portion of the showdown extended into the December. Over 100 neighbors packed the meeting room, many sporting stick-on badges, to demonstrate their opposition to the proposal, as speaker after speaker spoke out against the plan. In the end, the four Plan commissioners split 2-2 on the vote, which effectively killed the proposal. By statute, the commission requires a majority vote of members in attendance for any proposal to move forward. As a result, any future submissions for the Granoff will be guided by the new citywide zoning regulations that
have now gone into effect, which at the very least will increase minimum lot sizes on the Granoff property from 6,000 to 7,200 sq. ft. Harry Bilodeau and Jo-ann Ryan, the two commissioners who voted against the plan, explained they felt the proposed subdivision “was not consistent with the prevailing sense of the adjoining neighborhood.” Board chair Christine West defended her support of the proposal. “I felt by guaranteeing the survival of the estate building itself, a compromise on the lot sizes was reasonable.” But just weeks after the decision, things have changed dramatically. When contacted by East Side Monthly, Jim DeRentis, the Residential Property representative for the Granoffs, did acknowledge that the property is now under contract and the expectation is that the sale will close in the second quarter of the year. While he was non-committal on the specifics of the deal and would not identify the buyer, he did suggest whatever comes forward will likely be more palatable to the community. For their part, the neighbors are hopeful but wary. Said Sharon Steele, a neighbor and real estate specialist who was part of the leadership team for the group: “When we started, frankly the odds were not in our favor. In fact many said it was impossible. We owe our success to our attorney Bill Landry who brought his brilliant legal arguments,
clear vision and his passion to our cause. And I can’t say enough about our steering committee who rallied the neighborhood in such short order. This effort was born out of necessity, but it has become a labor of love in our pursuit of the fairness doctrine, the common good and the preservation of our neighborhood.” There still are a few months to go before the actual closing date. And of course there are the usual inspections and due diligence that are a part of any real estate transaction, so it’s not yet a done deal. But it does appear the Bridgham estate will remain intact for the short term. At this point nothing is known about the potential new purchaser. The hope from the neighbors is that the manor house will remain owner-occupied by people who share a love and commitment to the neighborhood. A neighbor expressed what to her would be the perfect happy ending of the entire situation. “Our highest hopes are that the new owners will recognize the broader cultural values of the estate and respect the historic integrity of the neighborhood by working to preserve and maintain both the estate and its distinctive landscape.” To which over 600 signators to their petition, and much of the East Side that has been watching, add a heartfelt “Amen.”
February 2015 East Side Monthly
9
We would love to have your son join us!
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FriendS are encountered in weekly Troop meetings.
ConFidenCe comes with the overnight trips and day outings throughout the year: challenges surmounted, group interactions, learning from mistakes.
For parents, meeting other Troop families is valuable. The help and advice from other mothers and fathers is beneficial for you as well as for your son.
Cub SCout PaCk 88 & boy SCout trooP 28
Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America, meet weekly at Central Congregational Church, Providence
Contact Jim Vandermillen at vandermillen@cox.net for details, or go to www.troop28providence.com We are an inclusive Pack and Troop; we do not discriminate in any way
ELISE PENN PANSEY The Pet Friendly Realtor
Since 1919
DEDICATION... ...is a word that is both used and abused these days. But I want you to know that I really am dedicated to my customers and to my profession. If a real estate transaction is in your future, let’s talk. Then you can decide for yourself if you really believe that I am...
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ELISE PENN PANSEY The Pet Friendly Realtor Butterman & Kryston, Inc. 749 East Ave. Pawtucket, RI @ Blackstone Blvd
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East Side Monthly February 2015
401.455.1625 www.elisepennpansey.com 401.521.9490 x22
173 WICKENDEN PROVIDENCE 401 421-5157 M-F 7:30-6PM SAT 8-5PM www.adlersri.com
Community In the Know by Barry Fain
Jump Ball Time at the Dunk
space, they remain frustrated since they are not able to sell their jewelry there for insurance reasons. In short, things remain a mess, figuratively and literally. The Christmas season has been lost. Here’s hoping things will be back to some semblance of normalcy soon.
Providence College has given us a wonderful mid-winter gift with a season that so far has kept them in the hunt for a possible invite to March madness. Boasting a 13-4 record as we go to press, Ed Cooley’s Friars have two February showdown games at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center this month that will reveal just how good our plucky Friars really are. Both Villanova (Feb. 11) and Seton Hall (Feb. 14) are ranked in the top 25 and PC will need a victory over one or both of them to solidify its postseason chances. The team has lost a couple they shouldn’t have… most disastrously against our very own Brown bears (go figger?). But regardless, the two February games should rekindle the old Marvin Barnes, Ernie DeGregorio days when PC basketball was a winter must-see. Thanks, Coach Cooley, for returning spunk to the Dunk!
Pinning their Hopes on the Chinese New Years?
Trinity Goes New York (sort of) An imaginative redo of a classic Stephen Sondheim musical has just opened on Broadway and it has Trinity’s fingerprints all over it. This new version of Into the Woods offers a stripped down, but hyper-creative staging by a theatre group calling itself the Fiasco Theatre Company. The company is almost entirely led and stocked with graduates of the Brown-Trinity consortium. Having seen the play in previews, we can happily report it’s terrific. Replacing traditional, over-the-top Broadway production values with Trinity’s under-theradar cleverness, we’re left with a play that allows us to focus on the wonderful Sondheim songs as we explore the fallacy of “happily ever after” fairy tale endings. The play, which opened in Princeton, NJ and then went on to San Diego before its current Roundabout Theatre stop in New York, has garnered bi-coastal raves. One West Coast review described the reworked Fiasco production as “intelligent, theatrical, emotionally honest and endlessly engaging.” Check it out at the Laura Pels Theatre on 111 West 46th St. and we’ll guarantee you a happy ending.
Speak Up Providence Amidst all the talk about what needs to be done to reboot the Good Ship Providence, one of our current initiatives has just received big-time national attention. The January 12 issue of the New Yorker magazine features a very long and well-researched article on the
The Friars play at the Dunk on February 11 and 14
The Chinese New Year (“The Year of the Sheep”) falls on February 19 this year. And given the growing popularity of Chinese medicine, it’s not surprising that the good folks at the Zenkai Acupuncture and Divine Providence Massage are combining to host an open house on that day at their office at 2 Richmond Square (Suite 205) from 4-7:30pm. All of us are invited to attend to learn more about the holiday, acupuncture of course as well as other ways to improve your health while partaking of free food and drink. Contact www. ZenkaiAcupuncture.com or www. divineprovidencemassage.com for more specifics.
An Artistic Venture pilot program “Providence Talks.” The innovative program won a $5 million grant from the Bloomberg Foundation to study the impact of urban city parents dedicating more time to verbally interact with their toddlers. The theory is it provides one more way to help disadvantaged children “close the word gap” and be better prepared for early schooling. The pros, cons and challenges of the thesis are explored in depth in this fascinating article and outgoing Mayor Taveras is at the forefront of the discussion. It’s an interesting read.
Spoon and he’s in negotiations with a new restaurant for the rest… that doesn’t make things any better for the displaced tenants. Butterfield’s has already announced they will not be returning. Wendy Brown, which had been operating in temporary space across the street, has a sign explaining they will not reopen until the old space is refurbished. And while Reliable Gold plans to remain temporarily in the still vacated Runcible Spoon
Two longtime members of the local arts community will be combining on a show of prints and photographs called Variations on a Theme: Water and Sky that will run at the Providence Art Club through February 13. Ruth A.B. Clegg has been a photographer and print maker for over 30 years. Barnet Fain is the former head of trustees at RISD, a member of the Goddard Partridge studio in Pawtucket and involved with the Art Club since 1967.
So What’s with Wayland? Last September, news that pipes had burst and decimated the building in Wayland Square that housed Reliable Gold, Wendy Brown, the Walking Company and Butterfield sent shockwaves through the venerable East Side commercial enclave. The fact that the building still hasn’t opened four months later is making matters worse. The problem, according to owner Steve Lewinstein, is over insurance coverage and the permitting process. And while he sees some good things happening one building over… a national running shoe company will soon be taking over some of the space that formerly housed Runcible
A mezzotint by Barnet Fain on display at the Providence Art Club through February 13
February 2015 East Side Monthly
11
SO LD
SO LD
Community In the Know continued...
The Real Estate Collaborative We Help You Sell Your House. We Help You Buy A Home. We Love What We Do.
David Hasslinger 401.465.8625
Rebecca Mayer 401.447.8040
Beth Mazor
508.878.3929
Thinking of selling this Spring? Contact us today! Facebook.com
Zillow.com
Trulia.com
Are You Ready for Some Football? Create a media room and enjoy sports, movies, and more!
Run for Your Life A local pro runner uses her pen to keep you motivated By John Taraborelli
Enjoy movies, sports, and TV on a screen up to 10 feet across!
All Your Media - Easily stream movies, watch TV, play your favorite music, and show your photos on the big screen Simple - We design and install quality home entertainment systems, all with totally simple, one-touch operation Stylish - Every system integrates with your unique décor
All-new website: www.simplysas.com
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East Side Monthly February 2015
.
401.383.4102
It’s only February, which means – be honest – you’ve probably already slacked off on your New Year’s resolution to get fit and exercise more. You’re not alone. It can be hard to stay motivated, focused and even organized when it comes to your fitness goals. Providence resident and elite pro runner Roisin “Ro” McGettigan-Dumas understands your struggle. That’s why she, along with co-author and fellow pro runner Lauren “Lo” Fleshman, created the Believe Training Journal, a combination training log, goal setting journal and how-to manual designed to keep runners confident and inspired all year long. It’s a revamp of their previous Believe I Am Training Journal,
which they created when they couldn’t find a similar workout log that hooked them enough to keep using it. The new journal is brimming over with Ro and Lo’s personalized touches: everything from their expert advice and hard-won pro circuit wisdom right down to handdrawn illustrations and hand-written notes. The real beauty, however, is in its function – helping runners to log run distances and times, set race goals and keep themselves honest when it’s tempting to quit. There is a lot of running between now and our next New Year’s Eve. The Believe Training Journal will help you to both keep going and prove that you did. Available at believeiam.com.
TIME TO
SELL?
NOW ENROLLING! Children 17-24 months old and 3-6 years old needed for NEW projects about children’s pretending!
For more information or to register: www.kidthink.org pckidthink@gmail.com 401-865-2342
Join 60 of your friends and neighbors who SOLD with us in 2014! We have buyers actively looking in all price ranges.
East sidE/Oak Hill
MARKHAM
+
D e RME A N RT K I SH A M
associates
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Community Neighborhood News
Neighborhood News is a space that East Side Monthly makes available to community organizations free of charge. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of this publication.
Photo courtesy of The Summit Neighborhood Association
Summit neighborhood Association Neighbors Caroling to Help Neighbors On a clear, cold, star-blessed Saturday night, about 30 Summit neighbors went caroling for a cause. After meeting at event partner Miriam Hospital for refreshments at 5pm, Dec. 13, and singing some nonsectarian holiday tunes including the Dreidel Song, the group went a-wassailing among the streets so clean. Led in traditional carols and a few modern selections by voice and performance coach Ellen Santaniello, the singers wound their way along Sixth, Bayard, Fifth, Summit and Fourth, finishing just short of Hope Street as a star of wonder, star of night example of the Geminid meteor shower silently streaked overhead. Along the way, doorbells of illuminated houses were rung by the teenagers among the carolers, and residents, alerted by leaflets the previous weekend, came out to listen and donate cash plus peanut butter to benefit the St. Raymond’s church food pantry. The collected jars were piled in the back of an appropriately decorated accompanying vehicle provided by another event partner, Zipcar. The carolers collected $120 plus about 140 jars of peanut butter, much of which was donated by employees of the hospital. Prior to announcing the caroling, the SNA directors extensively discussed the ramifications of the organization celebrating an event that has major significance for only one religion in a multicultural neighborhood, particularly in context of the partnership with Miriam, a Jewish institution. As a result of the discussion, the religious aspects of the holiday were not emphasized and an invitation was made to people of all faiths to join together in a joyous procession to light up the night and offer helping hands to neighbors in need.
Summit neighborhood carolers stop at a house on Sixth Street, where the residents brought out snacks for the singers and donations of peanut butter for a local food pantry.
Remember, Annual Gathering In May A reminder that the Summit Neighborhood Association’s annual meeting, which for years has been in January or February, has been shifted to May 20. At its regular November meeting, the board of directors decided to move the date out of the cold and snowy New England winter to make the annual event more easily accessible. The board also considered the safety of the volunteers who in the past frequently had to brave unplowed sidewalks and icy steps to hand-deliver newsletters to every house in the neighborhood announcing the get-together. As of now, the location of the meeting has not been decided, but it will now be held in the spring. The place will be announced on the SNA website and hopefully it will be another way to shake off the winter blahs as well as a fun start to a new season. Residents Invited to Directors Meetings After calling off the December meeting, the SNA board of directors has resumed convening at 7pm on the third Monday of every month in the cafeteria of Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Ave. The meetings are
open and neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend. Minutes of all board meetings are posted on the SNA website under “Meetings and Agendas.” Summit Neighborhood Association, PO Box 41092, Providence RI 02940. 489-7078, www.sna.providence.ri.us, sna@sna. providence.ri.us. –Kerry Kohring
Wayland Square
Monthly Meetings Wednesdays from 7 to 8:45pm, January 28 and February 25, Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street at Elmgrove, next to CVS. Free and open to all. Topics had not been set when this column was submitted, but some possible subjects might be snow-removal and new developments in the former United Way building (Wayland & Waterman), the Waterman Street Dog Park or the Granoff estate on Rochambeau Avenue. Crime and Safety Meeting Last December 3, over 40 neighbors heard Providence Police Capt. George Stamatakos and Lt. John Ryan, the local commander for the East Side, as
well as City Council majority leader Seth Yurdin and Cheryl Simmons, who records East Side crime statistics for her large e-mail list. Officer strength was a major concern of both the audience and the police. The last police academy’s 53 graduates are ready for patrol and will increase available professional staff enough to restore ten foot patrols in the daytime and ten at night. Currently three cars patrol the southern part of the East Side (District 9) at night and three patrol the north (District 8), although sometimes one or two cars are transferred elsewhere to help with an urgent passing need. Captain Stamatakos could recall only one emergency during his 30-year career when every car in the city was pulled into one place. More staffing allows more community policing, which can multiply the professionals’ effectiveness; it also reduces local anxiety about both criminals and police. If you see something that might require an immediate response, call 911 and let the police decide how urgent it is. For significant but less-pressing issues or apparent anomalies, don’t hesitate to call 272-1111 or 272-3121 and then press “0” (operator) to bypass the voice-mail menu. Most of the crime on this side of the river is related to property (or sometimes drugs) rather than the violence that has been scarring some other Providence neighborhoods. There have been only a handful of homicides on the East Side in recent years. Much of the theft is opportunistic and committed by other Providence residents. The police repeated their usual advice to leave nothing visible in an unattended vehicle, even an empty bag that might appear to hold something of value. Always lock your house and car when you’re away from them. Mark your property in case it’s retrieved. More difficult to trace and stop are thefts of wheels and tires from stationary vehicles, which often end up in an informal local market rather than an organized ring. Also hard to handle are juvenile offenses and criminal gangs. The police can make arrests but then Family Court and other youth services are limited in
February 2015 East Side Monthly
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finding effective responses between the Training School and release back home. Mental health issues, including drug and alcohol habits, are also a major challenge for both criminal and noncriminal police work. But Capt. Stamatakos said that some significant progress has been made with the help of social service and mental-health professionals like the Providence Center. Other Commercial News Although Peachwave frozen yogurt was a happy addition to the Square last year – winning an average of 4 stars out of 5 from eleven reviewers on Yelp! – its site at 19 South Angell Street (opposite Minerva’s Pizza) is once again vacant. As Mad Ernie’s ice cream on the other side of Wayland Avenue (now The Olive Tap) found a few years ago, ice cream and yogurt seem to be seasonal hits that won’t support a year-round business. South Angell, busy and oneway, is also a difficult location. More Information Check our Yahoo! Group’s public message board (below) to stay abreast of current local events and issues. Or join the group to receive regular announcements by e-mail, including select notices of neighborhood meetings, civic affairs and cultural events.http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/waylandsquare –David Kolsky
Photo courtesy of Fox Point Neighborhood Association
Fox Point neighborhood Association Events this Month FPNA Board Meeting, 7pm, Monday, February 9 at the Vartan Gregorian Bath House Community Room, 455 Wickenden Street. Anonymous Donor Gives $5,000 for Plaque Fund FPNA has received a $5,000 grant check through the September Fund of The Boston Foundation, specifically, to be used for the Roger Williams Landing Monument Fund, according to FPNA Vice President Daisy Schnepel. “They called me a couple of weeks ago to ask for our 501(c)(3) number and said a grant would be coming to
us shortly from an anonymous donor,” Schnepel said. “The cover letter that later arrived with the check requested FPNA recognize the support from the above named fund at the Boston Foundation, in any public announcements,” and not mention the name of the donor without his permission. “This out-of-the-blue contribution means that we now have raised $7,885 or 32%, of our $24,950 goal to replace the 1906 plaques,” she pointed out. “I know that all we hear is the City and State have no money, but recognizing the historical significance of our founder’s arrival is very important.” FPNA volunteers spent a great deal of time researching the four plaques and located pictures, which would be necessary for their reproduction, she continued. “We sent those photos to a respected foundry and received a detailed estimate to reproduce the 1906 plaques with the proper patina and production techniques.” FPNA has reached out to Councilman Seth Yurdin to provide his leadership to help advocate for the project, she stressed. “We’re charging him with helping us find out the best way to gather the remainder of the money needed to get those plaques recast and replaced in the monument as soon as we can.” The centerpiece plaque, which is a relief of Williams being greeted by the Narragansett Indians as he steps onto the slate rock, will be the most costly plaque to re-create and re-cast. FPNA also will be seeking information on other possible grants from private institutions and any city, state and federal sources for possible grants. If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to the Roger Williams Monument Fund, you can do so by writing a check to FPNA’s Monument Fund, c/o P.O. Box 603177, Providence, RI 02906. This restored monument would join the historical marker and new boat launch as some exciting destinations along the Fox Point Greenway, which is anchored by the proposed Blackstone Bike Way and Gano Park. Work on the extension of the Blackstone Bike Way along the Seekonk Shoreline is set to begin this year. It will join the Washington Bridge to the East Bay Bike System and the City of
Fenner Square, the small triangular park at Governor, Williams and Power Streets, was completely repaved and repaired before the snow began to fall this season – thanks to National Grid and through the mediation of Councilman Seth Yurdin.
Providence through India Point Park. For a complete look at the route and proposed destinations, go to www. fpna.net and click on the pdf in the lower right article on the home page. Membership Meeting Set for Spring FPNA vice president Daisy Schnepel will welcome the newly inaugurated officeholders for Mayor, Council, State Representative and State Senatorial positions at the organization’s membership meeting, tentatively set for Spring 2015, times and place to be announced. The theme of the meeting will focus on Fox Point’s number one issue for 2015 – the development of the Fox Point Greenway, Schnepel says. FPNA has invited Lambri Zerva, chief supervising engineer with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, who will update the installation of the Blackstone Bike Way and DPD Principal Planner David Everett. Everett, who helped FPNA to pinpoint development potential and challenges, will address the necessary components of a successful greenway. The elected officials will offer their thoughts on the project and also present their vision for Fox Point and the City, Schnepel adds. “We look forward to an active exchange of ideas in a healthy question and answer period.”
Congratulations to Waterman Dog Park! Congratulations are in order to the Waterman Street Dog Park, which held its groundbreaking ceremony for a highquality dog park January 17. The total cost is estimated at $75,000, of which the Parks Department has asked the Waterman Street Dog Park Association to raise $25,000 for purchase and installation of the fence, park organizers say. The association already has received nearly $9,500 from individuals, local organizations and businesses. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Partnership for Providence Parks, which is allowing the association to use their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. For more information on the project, visit their website, watermanstdogpark.org. The proposed dog park, across from Withersby Park, is another one of the future destinations along the Fox Point Greenway. It will certainly increase daily traffic, which the experts say is necessary for a successful greenway. We applaud outgoing parks director Bob McMahon and the Parks Department for successfully working together on this project. Fox Point Neighborhood Association, P.O. Box 603177, Providence, RI 02906. 270-7121, www.fpna. net, fpna@cox.net.–John Rousseau
February 2015 East Side Monthly
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Community Neighborhood News continued...
Blackstone Parks Conservancy Goodbye to 2014 February is nearly upon us as the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC) is looking both forward and back. Committees devoted to the Boulevard, to education and to the Blackstone Park Conservation District are churning plans for another active warm season and reviewing the accomplishments of 2014 for our annual report. Braced by many longtime supporters and some new ones, we hit new high notes last year thanks to our volunteers. Many hours of preparation resulted in well-attended programs in the Conservation District by the Seekonk River that involved music, birds, Narragansett culture and mushrooms, among other topics. In an era when fewer children play outdoors and have a chance to explore nature, this 45-acre park is more important than ever. Boulevard Committee volunteers weeded the gardens and donor contributions paid for extensive mulching and watering on this 1.6-mile-long park. A grant from Senator Donna Nesselbush enabled volunteers to refresh the South Garden with new plants aided by Groundwork Providence, and once again general contributions funded Trolley Shelter concerts that delighted hundreds of fans. Whether by requesting pruning or by studying ways to defend against predators, the Conservancy works closely with the Providence Department of Parks and Recreation and the City Forester to protect tree health in both parks. Experts at the University of Rhode Island continue to fill in with information about the latest research on the rampaging winter moth, which they hope will be under control in Rhode Island in about six years. Donations over the years and careful management by the committee in charge have enabled the BPC to purchase several hundred trees to fill gaps on the Boulevard, often in honor of individuals. In fall of 2014 we purchased, and the Parks Department planted, 13 such trees, ranging from an American red bud ordered by a young couple to celebrate the birth of their first baby to a grove of birches celebrating the life of a beloved champion of the park. Look for their delicate leaves in another month or two. As climate change and management
18
East Side Monthly February 2015
of stormwater and invasive plant species have become more central to its mission of stewardship, the Conservancy continues to turn to people who are especially knowledgeable for guidance on the best use of scarce resources. A substantial trail restoration project was funded by two grants totaling about $90,000, one from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management in league with the Department of Transportation, and another from the Coastal Resources Management Council, which also gave needed advice. After many years of volunteers’ valiant struggle using shovels and wheelbarrows to stem erosion on the sandy center section of the riverside park, these grants enabled us to hire professionals using machinery and putting extensive nursery experience to good use. This intervention came just as more destructive storms began to hit Providence. Advice and practical assistance from the Parks Department were essential to the trail project’s success, as was supervision by two dedicated Conservancy volunteers. Smaller grants from Senator Gayle Goldin and a new member of the Park Committee rounded out costs of trail rebuilding and the purchase and installation of hundreds of plants to retain soil, along with repeated watering during a dry summer. If you enjoy the Blackstone parks, please consider volunteering for one of our committees. We especially need help with outreach and volunteers. Remember our mantra: Healthy Urban Green Space for All. And please keep sending those Eastside Marketplace receipts to Blackstone Parks Conservancy, P.O. Box 603141, Providence, RI 02906. 270-3014, www.blackstoneparksconservancy.org, janeannpeterson@gmail. com. –Jane Peterson
College Hill neighborhood Association CHNA Request for Stop Sign on Thayer Denied The City of Providence Traffic Department declined our request for a stop sign on the corner of Meeting and Thayer Streets. Neighbors there have observed several close calls and think the sign would keep an unfortunate accident from happening. Though disappointed, we
will continue our efforts to gain City approval for something we feel is important for the safety of pedestrians and students on the street. Ongoing Monitoring of Car Tax and City Plan Commission Meetings As we often do, the CHNA monitors meetings of particular interest to our community. Nothing has been proposed in terms of changes in the City’s current car tax policies. At the recent Plan Commission meeting, the plan to permit the subdivision of the Granoff property into 12 lots was denied in the face of determined neighborhood objections. (See page 9 for more details of the meeting). New Board Members Sought The CHNA is currently looking to expand the size of our Board of Directors. We ask any interested College Hill resident to please call 751-7078 if you’d like to learn more about the opportunity. It’s a wonderful way to get involved with your community and though some work is required, we do try to make the experience a fun and rewarding one. Please consider joining us. Holiday Annual Meeting a Success About 50 College Hill residents attended our December holiday party/ annual meeting at the Music Mansion. The event was festive, the music was excellent and a good time was had by all. Outgoing president Allison Spooner and board member Ted Trafton were honored for their years of service to the Board. A question and answer session followed which allowed residents to raise issues of particular concern. Among them were the current crime situation, traffic situations on certain streets and the need to make improvements to the appearance of Prospect Terrace. The board has begun following up on these issues. We would especially like to thank The Music Mansion, Flatbread Pizza, board members Ed Bishop, Heidi Heifetz and Susan Mardo for their efforts in making the event so successful. CHNA 2015 Memberships Due The College Hill Neighborhood Association is an all-volunteer organization of neighbors working together to protect the quality of life in our community. We are supported by our memberships and invite you all
to join us. Memberships in CHNA are for the calendar year, which means your 2015 “dues” of $20 (or more if you wish) are due right now. Please visit our website www.chnaprovidence.org and click “Join CHNA,” Checks may be made out to CHNA Attn: Treasurer. Be sure to include your email and mailing address. College Hill Neighborhood Association, P.O. Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906. www.collegehillna.com, chna@collegehillna.com –Anthony Petrocchi, corresponding secretary
Waterman Street Dog Park Groundbreaking for Waterman St. Dog Park Held At noon on January 17, the Providence Parks Department and the Waterman St. Dog Park Association held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new dog park. Located on Waterman St. just before the Henderson Bridge, the new park will provide a safe space for dogs to frolic and burn off their excess energy without disturbing our neighbors or delicate natural habitats. The ceremony was introduced by Waterman St. Dog Park Association President Suzanne Renfro and Providence Parks Director Robert McMahon presided over the proceedings. A park sign was unveiled to dedicate the space. Invited guests included: Mayor Jorge Elorza, former Mayor Angel Taveras, Councilman Seth Yurdin, Councilman Sam Zurier, Representative Edie Ajello, Representative Chris Blazejewski, Representative Aaron Regunberg, Senator Gayle Goldin, President of the Blackstone Conservancy Jane Peterson, Director of Partnership for Providence Parks Wendy Nilsson, Jim and Kayla Ricci of the Ricci Foundation, Blythe Penna of Ruffin’ Wranglers and many other important local supporters. The Park’s next big step is to continue fundraising for a fence and begin clearing the park area of fallen trees and debris. If you wish to help support this cause, you can donate online at watermanstdogpark.org. Waterman Street Dog Park Association, Elena Riverstone, 19 Luzon Avenue, Providence, RI 02906. watermanstdogpark@gmail.com, watermanstdogpark.org. –Sam Bell
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Just Kidding Around Make this winter the best ever with our guide to family-friendly fun on the East Side and beyond By Julie Tremaine
Encourage Little Filmmakers The Providence Children’s Film Festival is back for its sixth year, featuring 18 feature films, over 50 short films and fun workshops, all taking place over February vacation, from February 12-22. The movies are selected by kids for kids, and collaborations with the RISD Museum, and the Providence Public and Providence Community Libraries ensure that everyone can see films, regardless of their ability to pay admission. In addition to family friendly flicks showing at Brown, RISD and Wheeler School, the festival is bringing back the Youth Filmmaker Showcase to screen works made by kids. $7.50$9.50, with select free screenings. www.pcffri.org
Appreciate the Finer Things Fine art appreciation is a learned skill, and one you don’t necessarily associate with early education. The RISD Museum makes it easy to start your kids on the path to cultural enlightenment early, with their family programming. The museum offers a Young Explorers
Guide to engage kids with the art, and tips for parents on how to talk to little ones about learning to express their artistic opinions. Tours for Tots are interactive themed tours for families with kids age three and up, including story time and gallery activities. Art enrichment classes like See and Sketch and Open Studio are offered for slightly older kids. $3-$12. Admission is free on Sundays. 20 North Main Street. 4546500, www.risdmuseum.org
The Littlest Literary Salon Members of the Providence Athenaeum, the city’s most historic library, already know what a treasure trove is inside. The literary history is in the air – literally, there are statues of famous writers looking down from the second floor balcony. The Sayles Gorham Children’s Library inside the Athenaeum is the perfect place for little minds to get lost in the magic of books. Events include regular story hours, Nature Days with the Zoo, where Roger Williams critters take over the library, and Family Movie Nights. Starting February 5, the Athenaeum and Trinity Rep are producing
The Providence Athenaeum’s Sayles Gorham Children’s Library
Belle and Sebastian is playing as part of the Providence Children’s Film Festival
a 30-minute version of Macbeth starring kids in grades 3-6. Fees vary. Most activities included with membership. 251 Benefit Street. 421-6970, www.providenceathenaeum.org
Feel Like a Kid Again The Providence Children’s Museum is a fun place to spend an afternoon on any day of the week. Their new exhibit, Water Ways, is a water play environment that allows kids to send items into vortexes, transform water into mist, sculpt ice and form fountains. During February vacation, there’s something special happening every day. Children’s storyteller and singer Keith Munslow performs on Monday, February 16, followed by the Hoopoe Show, Imagination Playground, Wingmasters, Paper Caper and Skygazers throughout the week. Closed Mondays, except during school vacation. $9; babies under 12 months free. 100 South Street. 2735437, www.childrenmuseum.org
Smell the Flowers The Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show returns from February 19-22. This year’s theme is Garden Adventures, and there’s a new Kids Adventure Zone to engage little ones in learning about the environment. Featured attractions include the Roger Williams Park Zoo Zoomobile, Save the Bay’s marine touch tank, Norman Bird Sanctuary’s puppet show and the Audubon Soceity’s owl presentations. $7-$19. Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street. 253-0246, www.flowershow.com
Think Outside the Book Rochambeau Library is a great place to grab a book or a movie, but it’s also a community center that has something fun happening for kids and adults every day of the week. For little ones, there’s Zumba4Toddlers, Baby Books Storytime and Pre-School Storytime. For older kids, there are programs like Lego Club, PaperKraft and Girls Who Code,
February 2015 East Side Monthly
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Explore the Cosmos If you’ve never been to Providence’s Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Roger Williams Park, now is the time to visit. The museum itself is a treasure trove of natural wonders and historic scientific artifacts. Current exhibits include Seismic Shifts: Earth Through Time and Secrets from the Vaults: Ancient Objects and Hidden Treasures. Planetarium shows happen every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm, and during February vacation week. 10am-4pm. $2 museum admission, $3 planetarium admission. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 785-9457, www. providenceri.com/museum
FACE Off Don’t drive all the way into Boston to
see a hockey game when we’ve got all the excitement of the AHL right in Providence. On February 6 and 8, the Providence Bruins are offering Family Games. Just $20 gets you a ticket, a hot dog and a soda. Sticking around to meet the players afterwards? Priceless. Prices vary. 1 La Salle Square. www.providencebruins.com
Get Sew Into It So maybe you’re not a Martha Stewart-level goddess of the home. That’s ok, even Martha Herself has a team helping her be the paragon of domestic perfection that she is. If your little ones want to learn to sew but you’re out of your depth, leave it to the crafty ladies at Kreatelier, the Hope Street textile gift shop and interior design firm. Line and Pernilla offer Sewing Workshops on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Simply choose your project, from simple one-hour stuffed animals to two-hour weekend tote bags, schedule a time and voila. Fees vary depending on class and number of students. 804 Hope Street. 4327995, www.kreatelier.com
Reserve your table at Cafe Paragon today
Read All About It Foster a love of reading in your kids by starting them early. Books on the Square offers storytime for babies every Monday at 10:30am, and for kids up to age six Wednesdays at 10:30 and Saturdays at 11am. Plus, their children’s book section is a pleasant place to visit, even if you’re just a kid at heart. 471 Angell Street. 331-9097, www.booksq.com
Explore Marine Life Think the ocean is just fun in the summer? Think again. Save the Bay is offering a weeklong February Vacation Camp from February 16-20. Your miniature Jacques Cousteau will become a marine scientist for the week, learning how to use scientific equipment, studying marine life and even taking a jaunt out on the open water to view the harbor seals. Open to grades 3-5. $275 for non-members, $250 for members. 8:30-4:30. 100 Save the Bay Drive. 272-3540, www.savebay.org
Scrap Together Some Creativity On Friday afternoons in February, head to the Can Do Group at the Fox Point Library. This creative class, run by local artist Norma Anderson, gets the juices flowing by creating fun arts and crafts projects out of things you’d find around your house. All ages and levels of craftiness welcome – just don’t be embarrassed if your kid is more skilled with a glue gun than you are. Classes run 2:30-3:30pm on Friday afternoons in February, and are free for library members. Subscribe to the Can Do Group newsletter at www. provcomlib.org. 90 Ives Street. 3310390.
Get Live and Loud 234 Thayer Street, Providence 401.331.6200 • paragonandviva.com Complementary valet Friday & Saturday
22
East Side Monthly February 2015
Go for boxing, stay for hockey all while supporting the Providence Bruins
Who says your pre-kids tradition of Friday night date night is over? The difference now is that you can bring your little ones along. Friday Night
Photo (top) courtesy of Save the Bay, (bottom) photography by Dan Schwartz
ALL BLinds
Dur ing the Hol idays, we are here and “At Your Ser vice”
cElEBRatIng 10 yEaRs!
24 HouR avaIlaBIlIty
Prope r ty Super vision Air por t & Per sonal Transpor t ation Housesitting & Pe t Care Elder l y & Per sonal Assis t ance
fully InsuREd and BondEd
ExcEllEnt REfEREncEs!
Skate through February vacation at the Alex and Ani City Center
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Snow Leopards thrive in cold and are outdoors all winter long at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Live at the Everett Stage is a familyfriendly evening of improv comedy, songs and dance skits that are appropriate for “audiences of all ages, personality types and food groups.” The diverse cast of Everett students and up and coming performers is accompanied by live guitarist/composer Bertrand Laurence. $5. Friday evenings at 7pm. All ages welcome. 9 Duncan Avenue. 831-9479, www.everettri.org
Photo (bottom) by Robert Levoie – courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo
Hit the Ice Channel your inner Dorothy Hamill – while you explain to your kids who Dorothy Hamill even is – at the Providence Rink at the Alex and Ani City Center. Don’t worry if you haven’t skated since you were your kid’s age. They offer refresher lessons, and penguin skate aids for little ones who are a little wobbly on the ice. Monday afternoons (excluding vacation weeks) are FUNday Mondays!, where admission for children under 12 is just $2, and admission is free for Providence residents on the first Saturday in February. $4 skate rental. 2 Kennedy Plaza. 331-5544, www.alexandanicitycenter.com
Find Some Inner Peace If your house has less of a “peace and quiet” vibe than a “screaming and running around” one, you won’t get any judgment from us. But if you’re
r r r r
Skis/Board/Boots/Poles Helmet/Goggles/Gloves Socks/Base Layer/Balaclava Boot & Ski straps/Boot bag
r r r r
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looking to cultivate a little zen at home, you might want to head to Meditation for Kids and Families at the Atisha Kadampa Buddhist Center. Every Sunday morning from 9:30-10:30, Angela Stewart leads a family meditation session that’s as fun as it is enlightening, teaching kids how to develop “harmony, confidence and methods to calm their minds and be happy.” Classes include discussion about everyday experiences relevant to little ones, guided meditation and fun activities. $4 per child, ages 5-12. Must be accompanied by an adult. 339 Ives Street. 400-1657, www.meditationinrhodeisland.org
Walk With the Animals It’s Winter Wonder Days at Roger Williams Park Zoo. While the giraffes might be dreaming of the Savannah and keeping indoors during colder weather, many animals like red pandas, snow leopards and camels are thriving in it. But, there’s lots more to do at the Zoo for the littlest guests, like the Zoo Explorers program, which offers hands-on learning, PreSchool Adventures and the Rock and Roar! concert series for toddlers and up. Older kids will enjoy the ZooCamp, a weeklong zoology adventure during February vacation. Admission is half price through February. Program fees vary. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 941-4998, www. rwpzoo.org
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Join Us View a complete list of events and buy tickets at www.ric.edu/pfa or call (401) 456-8144
Cirque Alfonse – TIMBER! Wednesday, March 4 7:30 p.m. This troupe of Quebec acrobats and musicians creates a colorful, energetic scene filled with acts of agility and strength and inspired by the exploits of the first North American lumberjacks, loggers and farmers.
The Auditorium in Roberts Hall Rhode Island College 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Providence, R.I. 02908 PerformingArtsSeries.RIC Accommodations for persons with disabilities available upon request. Call (401) 456-8144 for assistance. TTY/TDD: 711.
24
East Side Monthly February 2015
Providence Parks Superintendent
Stepping Down After almost three decades, Bob McMahon is set to retire this month
SUNDAY CONCERTS
at the Botanical center IN ROGER WILLIAMS PARK
Admission
$10 General $5 BCC Members $5 Children 12 & Under
By Steve Triedman
“Parks make a City work,” suggests Bob McMahon. And who should know better than our outgoing Superintendent of Public Parks, who will be retiring after almost three decades of creating and maintaining Providence’s well-regarded, citywide urban landscape. Yet he’s done his work quietly and almost unnoticed, which is just the way he likes it. Before being named superintendent in 2008, McMahon was hired as deputy superintendent beginning in 1986 and has been involved in every aspect of the department ever since. Ironically, since his promotion, the deputy position has been defunded. During his stellar 29-year career, he served six mayors, (Paolino, Cianci, Lombardi, Cicilline, Tavares and Elorza). He candidly and humorously acknowledges that “they each had their own styles.” He is, of course, too much of a gentleman to comment further, but he certainly has stories. McMahon’s thoughtful and humble style comes through when asked about his greatest accomplishments. After trying to avoid the question, he finally acknowledges the great successes of the 1990s, with the creation of the new zoo, the skating center downtown, the river
walk, Waterplace Park and the botanical center, giving credit to his former boss, Nancy Derrig, and various leaders. Truth be told, it was McMahon’s ability to coordinate all of these projects, while still managing the department’s daily operations, that made this department rather unique. He possesses an unusual common-sense nuts and bolts ability to figure out a way to get projects done on time and on budget. In addition to all of the major projects, he managed the design and construction of more than 70 neighborhood park improvement projects. “Probably my greatest accomplishment,” he suggests when pressed, “is the fact that we’ve been able to maintain an acceptable level of service while losing 30% of our staff. We’ve had to do a lot more with much less,” he explains. “We’ve been fortunate that the revenue from a management deal that we made a long time ago on Triggs Memorial Golf Course has enabled us to fund improvements in neighborhood parks and supplement capital improvements.” “Through the Partners for Providence Parks, we’ve still been able to improve neighborhood parks throughout the city,” McMahon continues. “We’ve added 11 water splash parks, nine
Bob McMahon, Providence Parks superintendent, plans to step down after 29 years with the department
community gardens and 25 walking tracks. And, we have 40 groups that have taken stewardship of their neighborhood parks. This is critical because our maintenance crews have to deal with some parks that are much more heavily used and require more attention so it’s a delicate balance.” McMahon plans to leave at the end of January and there is a search committee that is looking for a replacement. “Hopefully, they will find someone very quickly who can ‘shadow’ Bob,” adds incoming City Council President Luis Aponte. “He’s been a great leader, advocate and ‘do-er’ for almost three decades and his knowledge will be greatly missed.” Under McMahon’s watch on the East Side, we’ve seen the incredibly successful farmers market now a seasonal resident of the much improved Lippitt Park at the end of the Boulevard, a Flea Market on South Water Street, an off leash dog park, a boat ramp on Transit at Gano and improvements in our six East Side parks. “The growth of the farmer’s market is particularly remarkable to me,” he notes. “I don’t think that anyone anticipated how great this would become.” So, what’s ahead in retirement? “I’m going to take a few months off. I like to write and that’s a possibility, but right now, I’m just going to relax.” The Providence Parks Department has around an $8,000,000 annual budget and employs around 170 people, maintains all of the city’s 100 neighborhood parks, including Roger Williams Park, handles forestry operations throughout the City, runs the Zoo, the Museum of Natural History, the skating center, Botanical Center, soccer and Little League fields, the North Burial Ground, the Casino and Triggs Memorial Golf Course. Prior to joining the Parks Department, Bob served for four years as the first executive director for Keep Providence Beautiful. Bob is a graduate of Brown University and has a masters degree in planning from the University of Rhode Island. He and his wife, Pam, and their sons James and Robert live in Providence.
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February 2015 East Side Monthly
25
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CLOSE TO HOME Home and Family | Education | Style | Real Estate
On the Market
Room to Grow
Smart living on Elmgrove Avenue
Let’s be honest
for a minute. Buying a home can be a daunting prospect, especially for a first time homebuyer. No matter how smart you are with your money, the idea of taking on a mortgage for the first time is a little nerve wracking. That’s why so many people are making smart, creative moves with their purchases – like buying multi-family units, where tenant rent contributes to the mortgage payment every month. If you’re like me, you drive past the
stately homes around Wayland Square and dream, one day, of being able to live in one. But that dream is actually a lot more attainable than it might seem. The two-unit house at 331-333 Elmgrove Avenue is a smart buying choice for several reasons. Not only is there a rentable second unit inside the sprawling home, which will make a significant dent in monthly payments, the house doesn’t comprise your average apartments. Each unit is one floor of
the house. There are spacious, sunny rooms with a fireplace and hardwoods throughout, and organic flow between rooms that isn’t always present in homes built nearly 100 years ago. Modern updates to both units, especially in the bathrooms and kitchens, mean easy maintenance (and an easy job of being a landlord). A private city yard lets you enjoy being outside, while still having easy walking access to everything the Elmgrove/Wayland area offers.
331-333 Elmgrove Ave at a Glance • • • •
MLS: 1074419 Listing Price: $585,000 Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 2 Full, 1 Half Listed by: Residential Properties • For more information: Kevin Fox at 688-5556 or kfox@residentialproperties.com
February 2015 East Side Monthly
27
Close to Home Education
The Road Ahead
It’s time to choose the next educational step for your kids We all know people with schoolage kids who leave Providence, citing concerns about school options as a motivation to pull up stakes from our fair city. That’s a personal calculus that’s one’s own to work out, and if you’re reading this while on your way out, I congratulate you for making the choice that’s best for your family. For the rest of us who are committed by choice or circumstance to living in Providence while we educate our children, ‘tis the season to make decisions, particularly if you have kids entering elementary school as kindergarteners, middle school as sixth graders and high school as ninth graders. You have three key tasks as you choose schools. The first task is to conduct a clear-eyed assessment of your family’s values and goals for your child’s education. Are you seeking a school that’s diverse, that offers dual language learning or that supports your religious beliefs? How would private school tuition affect your family’s finances? Is it important to you and your child that the school be in your neighborhood? Do you need bus or other transportation? What are appropriate levels of support and challenge for your child? What’s reasonable to expect from school, and what are you prepared to provide outside of school to ensure a well-rounded education? In order to have a strong sense of what’s best for your child and your family, be relentless about asking yourself these and other tough questions. Trust your values and your understanding of your own child. The second task is to look at your options. You will hear a lot, positive and negative, about the schools in our community. Those conversations are catnip to parents with kids making transitions into or among schools. Hold onto your knowledge of what’s best for your kid and your family, and take what others say about schools with a large grain of salt. You need the authentic experience of visiting a school; it’s the only way to assess whether it may be a good fit for your child and your family. Be open minded, visit as many schools as you can and form your own impressions. If you haven’t yet started to visit schools, it’s time to get on it. Call during school hours and find out what opportunities are available. 28
East Side Monthly February 2015
When you visit schools and consider options, resist the temptation to overrely on your own experience as a child to guide you to do what’s best for your own kids. That experience is less useful than knowing your kids well and understanding what’s best for them now, in this place and time, so you can look clearly and without nostalgia at options. Your third task: keep track of details and deadlines. Registration for the Providence Public Schools concludes on February 6 (admission to schools with special programs, such as Nathanael Greene Middle School and Classical High School, are conducted according to different schedules). If you want the option to send your child to a neighborhood public school that
may fill up, don’t neglect this deadline. School seats in the district – particularly in middle school – are in high demand, and at the start of this school year, quite a few neighborhood families that missed last year’s registration deadline did not get seats at Nathan Bishop Middle School and elsewhere. There is, of course, a fix for this. Moving forward, the Providence Public Schools should set aside a few seats at all neighborhood schools to accommodate families that may be moving into the neighborhood after the registration deadline. Visit the Providence Public Schools website for details about the newly revamped registration process and other registration information. Many independent schools and religious schools may be able to admit
students on a flexible basis but are firm about financial aid deadlines and processes. For charter schools, deadlines for applications occur throughout February. You can visit the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools’ website for more information. Finally, make the best choice you can for and with your child – and as you do, remember that schools matter monumentally to all children and families. All kids need schools in which they can thrive. We need to make sure that’s a reality for our own children and for everyone’s children. That means that no matter what we choose – no matter whether or not we have kids at all – we all have a stake in supporting strong public schools.
Illustration: Ashley MacLure
By Jill Davidson
Education
continued
Looking for ways to support your loved ones? We work with - Spouses, Families & Seniors To help them plan life’s transitions.
Smart News A Classical High School Senior Takes Second in National Competition Kudos to East Side resident Joseph Zurier, named the second-place winner of the 2014 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, the nation’s premier research competition for high school students. A senior at Classical High School, Joseph was awarded a $50,000 college scholarship for his project, “Generalizations of the Joints Problem.” This open problem involved counting the number of intersections of lines and planes in space, improving on previous results. Demonstrating that, in a mathematically precise sense, a certain number of lines cannot create too many joints, Joseph’s findings have implications for digital image processing both in general computer science and medical imaging. At Classical, Joseph leads the math team, is on the varsity tennis team and is looking forward to college next year. New French Programs Available at FASRI Under the leadership of newly installed head of school Jean-Yves Carpanèse, the French-American School of Rhode Island (FASRI), located on John Street, has announced three new programs that will start in the fall of 2015. FASRI will offer a Late Immersion Program for non French-speaking students entering first through fifth grades, an International Program for middle school students with no prior knowledge of French and an Italian Immersion Program for children entering preschool through kindergarten. • In the past, FASRI accepted non French-speaking students only through the kindergarten level. The Late Immersion Program will offer dual-language learning to students in first through fifth grades, expanding access to language learning to area families. • The FASRI Middle School’s International Program will offer intensive language instruction to students entering the sixth through the eighth grade with no prior knowledge of French. They will attend regular FASRI classes for English,
math and science, and will take an intensive French class taught by a specialist in teaching French at the middle school level. • FASRI will also offer an Italian Immersion Program for preschool through kindergarten students. Students enrolling in this program will be exposed to French. A Pilot Preschool Starts its TwoYear Run Ready For K!, a school readiness project created by Providence Community Library (PCL) and collaborative partners that addresses urgent preschool education needs in Providence, is set to become a permanent program after it completes its pilot two-year run in 2015. A collaborative effort of PCL, Ready to Learn Providence, RI Family Literacy Initiative and the Providence Public School District (PPSD), Ready For K! has been funded by a $250,000 grant awarded in 2013 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. PCL will expand the number of library locations offering Ready For K! from four to six early next year with remaining branches joining in the future. Ready For K! will offer three sessions of nine-week courses in January, April and September 2015. Children aged three-and-a-half to five years may enroll in the program with parent or caregiver. New children’s spaces at all locations will ensure that PCL’s youngest patrons enjoy a safe, well-equipped learning environment at all times. PCL also has created special learning kits with bilingual books for families to borrow and purchase age-appropriate toys for each library. Plus, much of the program’s specially trained staff are bilingual in Spanish and English. Families may register for Ready For K! at PPSD’s registration office and participating PCL locations, which include Knight Memorial Library, Mount Pleasant Library, Olneyville Library, Smith Hill Library, South Providence Library and Washington Park Library. For more information about the Ready for K! program, please contact Cheryl Space, Youth Services Coordinator at 401-467-2700 x1616 or visit www. provcomlib.org.
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February 2015 East Side Monthly
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hint
(it’s her favorite store)
happy valentines day JMarcel 808 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 401-383-9777
Close to Home West of Wickenden
Romance Version 2.0
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with a little guest in tow
Illustration: Kendrah Smith
By Erin Balsa
The love of my life weighs 10 pounds 12 ounces, has a blood-curdling scream that can make your toes curl and enjoys eating his own hands. Before my husband Nuno and I became parents, every night was date night. Romance seeped into every nook and cranny of our twosome, much like maple syrup and Belgian waffles. We slept in on the weekends – lazy mornings spent sipping espresso, spooning and gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes – and stayed up late in the evenings, drinking wine in our king size bed and indulging in endless streaming of Breaking Bad and Entourage. Most nights we dined out, favoring chic candlelit restaurants with white linen tablecloths and ambient house music piped into the room. Back then we traveled whenever the urge hit us to do so, taking off at a moment’s notice for a weekend in Paris or Milan. Free to do as we pleased, the world was our playground. But then our son Sebastian was born and life as we knew it came to a screeching, deafening halt. On our first night home from the hospital, Sebastian woke up every 45 minutes, wailing in distress like the alarm clock from hell; we could press the snooze button all we wanted, but we could never shut it off. With each shrill cry, Nuno and I rose from our bed like zombies, tripping over each other’s feet as we changed diapers in the dark, wrestled with oversized swaddle blankets and used a hospital-issued syringe to feed colostrum to our wee baby bird. As the sun peeked over the horizon that following morning, we gazed frantically into each other’s bloodshot eyes, exchanging a look of pure panic. Something had to give. After putting our heads together, we decided it would be in our best interest to run our household like a factory: in shifts. A night owl by nature, Nuno was on baby duty each night from 8pm to 2am while I caught some much needed Zzzs upstairs in our master bedroom. Precisely at
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2am, he’d wake me up to hand me a baby, a burp cloth and a Boppy pillow before retreating downstairs to the guest room. Although we were less than a year into our marriage, we were already sleeping in separate beds. But as new parents you do what you have to do in order to survive. We took our meals apart as well, one of us choking down food at the kitchen table while the other bounced a red-faced, colicky newborn on the yoga ball, waiting to be relieved and salivating over the mashed potatoes that were just out of reach. Leisurely cups of coffee were replaced by hurried morning chores: there were snots to suck out of noses, dehumidifiers to empty and acid reflux medicines to disburse. Our spur-of-the-moment jet-setting had gone the way of can-I-please-get-a-
moment-alone-on-the-toilet? And in spite of it all, the relationship between Nuno and I had never been stronger. It continues to grow with each passing trial and tribulation. Because before Sebastian we were two individuals who cohabitated under the same roof; after Sebastian we became one, united in a shared mission to keep our offspring alive while retaining some tiny shred of sanity. While my husband and I no longer frequent the fancy restaurants that we used to – (they’re nowhere near loud enough to muffle the screams that Sebastian emits at the most inopportune of times) – we really don’t mind at all. In fact, we’ll be spending Valentine’s Day 2015 in the most romantic way we know: in our pajamas and on the couch with our adorable baby boy – who may or may not be crying hysterically.
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401.935.2312 February 2015 East Side Monthly
31
Love at First Bite A Providence Original
101 N. Main Street • Providence millstavernrestaurant.com 401.272.3331 Mon-Thurs. 5-1o p.m. Fri-Sat. 5-11 p.m. Sun 4-9 p.m.
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On the tOwn
Restaurant and Food | Dining Guide | Calendar of events
Flavor of the Month
World’s Fare
A new globally-minded restaurant opens on South water Street
Photography: Stacey Doyle
By Stephanie Obodda
Clean Plate opened in November, hidden at the quieter southern end of South Water Street. Before owners Lauren and Susan set their sights on Providence, they ran restaurants outside of Boston and in upstate New York. Before my first meal at Clean Plate, the name reminded me of “clean” eating and I thought it might have a health food bent. Instead, the menu leans more towards comfort food and the clean plate refers to diners’ penchant to eat every last bite. The split-level space is painted in warm oranges and yellows and accented with mixed natural woods. A long bar spans the length of the lower level, and upstairs has several tables. The layout is open, allowing diners on the upper level to look down at the bar and outside to the Providence river. Breakfast and lunch are served every day except Monday, with brunch on weekends and dinner Thursday through Saturday. We started with two appetizers. The Chopped Liver with Bagel Chips and Cucumbers ($8) arrived with triangles of Lebanese bread instead. The bread was so good; this was a welcome substitution. Clean Plate’s Lebanese bread is made in house on the grill and was warm, soft, with just the right sprinkle of coarse salt. A large scoop of cold chopped liver, spreadable and similar to paté, seemed like a huge portion but we liked it enough to finish. The Hummus and Kisir ($8) also featured the grilled Lebanese bread and cucumbers. I can be picky about hummus but this one was impressive, lemony and bright with a bit of texture. Kisir is a dish of bulgur wheat, a grain about half the size of rice, with tomato and herbs. It had a deep, smoky flavor that beautifully contrasted with the tanginess of the hummus. With the appetizers, I enjoyed a Winter Sangria ($8.50), with apples, oranges and cinnamon. The fruit flavor came through but the drink was not overly sweet, which I appreciated. My husband was excited about the “Uncle Herman,” the pastrami potato
Porchetta Sandwich at Clean Plate
knish, because we’ve rarely seen a knish grace a Rhode Island menu and we wanted to try the house-made pastrami. Unfortunately, the kitchen was sold out, but no matter, it was a good excuse to try the burger ($11). Clean Plate’s burger features their “signature blend of short rib, brisket, chuck burger with Fontina and onion strings.” The meat had a good flavor and the toppings were piled high. With the burger, he had Foolproof’s La Ferme Urbaine ($5), a great local addition to the draught list. Foolproof Brewing is located just six miles away in Pawtucket; La Ferme Urbaine is their much loved saison-style farmhouse ale. I ordered the Korean fried chicken thigh with sweet and spicy honey mustard on a roll ($8). A huge chicken thigh was breaded and fried, served on the same fluffy, buttery brioche bun as the burger. The breading was thick, tasty and freshly fried. I didn’t taste
much of the spicy honey mustard, but the chicken and bun were flavorful. It’s refreshing to see a chicken thigh in a sandwich in place of the ubiquitous breast. My sandwich was enormous, even taller than the burger, and might have been difficult for a small-jawed diner to tackle. A glass of the house Chardonnay ($7.50) paired nicely. Both the burger and sandwich were served with coleslaw and perfectly seasoned shoestring fries. The contrast between our gargantuan sandwiches and miniscule fries injected a little humor into the plate and made me feel like a mid-transformation Alice. For dessert, we shared a slice of Peanut Butter Pie ($7). The peanut butter mousse was fluffy and light but had a rich flavor. With dessert, my husband had the WaterFire Martini ($10), a spicy chocolate martini. Despite the description, it wasn’t too spicy. The drink’s name reminded me that this
new restaurant will be a stealthy waterfront meeting spot for WaterFire visitors in the spring when all the usual bars and restaurants are packed. Clean Plate’s menu and interior are casual, a notch above an upscale deli or cafe. Though there’s a cocktail menu and full bar, dinner doesn’t seem like a focus yet. The menu is the same for dinner and lunch, and luckily, the prices are too. If you go for dinner, expect more casual surroundings, which may be more appropriate for a friendly gathering with good conversation than a really romantic date. The sunny colors will brighten your mood and seem especially appropriate for a happy brunch with friends.
Clean Plate 345 South Water Street 621-8888 www.cleanplateri.com February 2015 East Side Monthly
33
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Service
On the town On the Menu
Farmers’ Market-to-Plate Cuisine Using the state’s bounty to warm up the season By Alastair Cairns The Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers’ Market at the Hope Ar-
tiste Village is the jewel in the crown of Rhode Island’s direct-to-consumEmail us at: germanmotorshelp@gmail.com er food scene. After breaching the new Bread Lab at the entrance, the intrepid market goer has to run not one, but two gauntlets through the main hallways of the beautifully reProvidence Media stored old mill building. With only increasingly heavy canvas bags to Spot ads: 2.125" x 2.875" protect you, you snake around stall December 30, 2014 after stall of everyone who is anyone in our local food scene. It’s like a Proudly serving compendium of Rhode Island’s farmEast Side For Over February anuary 6, 2015the Providence Monthly, Issue ers and food producers, and though Thirty the character January 2, 2015 East SideYears Monthly, February Issue changes for winter, it’s vibrant as ever, making it easier to January 9, 2015 Bay Magazine, Februaryasissue eat local year round. With the market as guide, you’re always eating loCertified Public Accountants cally, and in season. In season needn’t be written in 125 Wayland Avenue stone though, even at the market. Providence • 351-7000 Thanks to the careful storage techniques of some of these farmers, we JOIN US AT can cheat the seasons a little with the right recipes. We don’t normally think apples in winter, or if we do, we think sawdust. This recipe is for a Somerset farmhouse style cake, originally made to use windfall and reject apples, making it a good use of stored apples from Barden Family Orchard. Their coolerstored apples are the best you can find in winter, and the taste is well preserved, but of course their texture isn’t as good as when they were picked. Through February 20th Baked in this recipe, adapted from 879 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 401-272-4266
MERCEDES BENZ VOLKSWAGEN MINI PORSCHE
Income Taxes
Fiore & asmussen
The Peaceable Kingdom
Winter sale
The Great British Book of Baking, you’d never know it’s not the peak of the harvest.
Apple Cider Cake 1-1/2 sticks softened unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 3 medium eggs, beaten 1-1/2 cup self-raising flour (or 1-1/2 cup All Purpose flour and 3 tsp baking powder) 100 ml Barden Family Orchard cider 4 medium sized tart apples, peeled, cored and chopped (I used a mix of Fuji and McIntosh) Preheat oven to 325F. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Add dry ingredients (flour/ baking soda/salt) slowly. When partially mixed, add cider and apples. Fold slowly until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour into a buttered 9” springform cake pan with parchment paper on the bottom for easy removal. Bake for about 1 hour, remove when golden brown, and when a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool, then release springform pan by running round edge with plastic knife, serve warm or cool with ice cream or cream.
Losar, TibeTan new Year saTurdaY FebruarY 21sT FOr TheSe (ANd mOre reASONS)
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34
East Side Monthly February 2015
Blending Carribean Cuisine in Cranston Blend Cafe has opened, bringing creative Latin American food with a farm-to-table approach in Cranston. Blend is chef-owned, by Welbi Genao, a recent graduate of the Genesis Center. His Dominican roots are writ large on the menu, with yucca fries, rice and beans, and one of my favorites, tostones, fried plantains. As the name suggests however, more than one type of Caribbean cuisine is represented, with Cuban sandwiches, as well as chicken and waffles, the culinary equivalent of a “USA USA” chant. Blend is open for brunch, lunch and dinner. 745 Reservoir Ave, Cranston. 270-5533, blendcaferi.com Antonio’s Pizza By The Slice in Pawtucket Antonio’s, which has been slinging late night slices at drunk Brunonians for years on Thayer Street, is expanding into Pawtucket. The new shop is at the old site of LJ’s BBQ, in the plaza on 727 East Ave. Service will be as usual; same wide variety of solid pizza by the slice, same neon sign. 727 East Ave, Pawtucket. 725-0808, antoniospizza.com
by Retired Professor of Engineering
Call today dr. Marc Richman: 401-751-9656 one Richmond Square, Providence
Pawtuxet Village Winter Farmers Market Pilot There may be a new winter farmers’ market to add to Rhode Island’s brimming portfolio in Pawtuxet Village, but that depends on you. The market is something of a pilot program, and only begins to fill the massive gap between winter markets in East Greenwich and Pawtucket. The market will initially function differently than most to test the waters. While there will be a small number of vendors onsite, rather than shopping around, you place an order ahead of time from available goods the day before, and your basket of goods will be assembled and ready for pickup from 5 to 7:30pm at the Little Falls Cafe on Broad Street. Think of it like a CSA, but with no dirt under your fingernails. 2166 Broad Street, Cranston. friendsofthepawtuxet.org/wordpress.
The Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers’ Market
Send all food, beverage, restaurant and chef news to alastairjcairns@gmail.com
Photography: Stacey Doyle
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PerformingArtsSeries.RIC Embodying a theatrical sensibility of wit, style and heart, the contemporary dance company KEIGWIN + COMPANY kicks off the 2015 American College Dance Festival hosted at Rhode Island College.
Accommodations for persons with disabilities available upon request. Call (401) 456-8144 for assistance. TTY/TDD: 711.
Join Us
View a complete list of events and buy tickets at www.ric.edu/pfa or call (401) 456-8144
February 2015 East Side Monthly
35
RHODY BITES A Sponsored Statewide Dining Guide
View our full Restaurant Profiles on RhodyBites.com
Wes’ Rib House Two things that are often in short supply on the Providence dining scene are great barbecue and latenight eats – and we mean really late at night. At Wes’ Rib House, both of those things come together in delicious fashion. That’s right, expect down-home barbecue at hours as late (or as early) as 4am. This Olneyville classic has been around since 1984, offering a variety of portion sizes and flavors to satisfy all barbecue cravings, and is debuting a new menu this month.
Try ribs, chicken, beef, chopped barbecue, ham, pork chops or Flat Iron steak, all cooked (most likely wood fire grilled in their barbecue pit) and sauced to perfection. The menu also gives visitors the chance to choose more than one meat. Eat a smaller portion with one meat choice or create a platter to try a few. Wes’ also offers chicken tenders served with your choice of dipping sauce, and all the proper barbeque fixings, like cole slaw, beans and, of course, cornbread.
Can’t-Miss Dish: St. Louis Baby Ribs Platter: Wes’ top-of-the-line, low fat baby ribs, served with cole slaw, baked beans and cornbread.
38 Dike Street, Providence • 401-421-9090 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Gourmet steaks and sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$ 2 Pauls’ City Grille Comfort food with a family feel. 315 Waterman Ave, East Providence, 228-7285. BrLD $-$$ Andreas Authentic Greek food since 1966. 268 Thayer St, Providence, 3317879. BrLD $-$$ Aspire Seasonal Kitchen Contemporary New England fare. 311 Westminster St, Providence, 521-3333. BBrLD $$-$$ Besos Kitchen & Cocktails Tapas and eclectic cuisine and cocktails. 378 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-8855. BrLD $$$ Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, 508-999-6975. LD $$ Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown,
213-6615. LD $$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Centro Restaurant & Lounge Contemporary cuisine and cocktails. 1 W Exchange St, Providence, 228-6802. BLD $$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 100 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 9444900. BrLD $$$ Clean Plate Delicious comfort food in a casual setting. 345 S. Water Street, Providence, 621-8888. BBrLD $$ DeWolf Tavern Gourmet American/ Indian fusion. 259 Thames St, Bristol, 254-2005. BLD $$-$$$
Wes’ Rib House
cuisine. 733 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, 789-2308. LD $-$$
chic setting. 284 Thayer St, Providence, 331-8111. LD $-$$
Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$
KitchenBar Contemporary comfort cuisine. 771 Hope Street, Providence. 331-4100. BrLD $$
Enn Japanese Creative sushi and Japanese food. 600 George Washington Hgwy, Lincoln, 333-0366. LD $$
Lim’s Restaurant Upscale Thai and fresh sushi. 18 South Angell St, Providence, 383-8830. LD $$
Fieldstones Relaxed family setting, something for everyone. 980 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, 293-5200. LD $$
Lobster Pot Serving traditional New England classics and seafood. 119 Hope St, Bristol, 253-9100 Br L D $$-$$$
Flatbread Company Artisanal pizza, local ingredients. 161 Cushing St, Providence, 273-2737. LD $-$$ Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House Classic clam shack fare, plus famous doughboys. 889 Oakland Beach Ave, Warwick, 737-9459; 1157 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-5608. LD $
Luxe Burger Bar Build your own creative burger. 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ Mariner Grille Creative seafood, pub atmosphere. 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 284, 3282. LD $$
DiMare Seafood Fresh seafood restaurant and market. 2706 South County Trail, East Greenwich, 8858100. LD $$-$$$
Julian’s A must taste Providence staple celebrating 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$
McBlarney’s County Tap Modern, upscale pub with daily specials. 632 Metacom Ave, Warren 401-2890887. LD $$
Dragon Palace Fresh sushi and Asian
Kartabar Mediterranean-style cuisine,
McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub
Key: B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+
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East Side Monthly February 2015
fare in Wayland Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000. LD $$ Meeting Street Cafe Huge sandwiches and cookies. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-0166. BLD $ Mews Tavern Family dining, with a whiskey bar. 456 Main St, Wakefield, 783-9370. LD $-$$ Mia’s Prime Time Café Upscale café cuisine by the Pawcatuck River. 1 West Broad Street, Pawcatuck, CT, 860-599-3840. BLD $$ Mile & a Quarter Eclectic cuisine and wine bar. 334 South Water St, Providence, 331-1500. LD $-$$ Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$ Nonni’s Italian Restaurant Traditional Italian eatery and pasta shop. 1154 Stafford Rd, Tiverton, 624-3087. LD $$ Oceanside at the Pier New England fare overlooking the Atlantic. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 792-3999. BrLD $$ Paragon & Viva Contemporary dining and nightlife. 234 Thayer St, Providence, 331-6200. BrLD $-$$ Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$ Pavilion Steakhouse & Banquets Grand, banquet-hall style dining. 15A Frontier Rd, Hopkinton, 377-9900. BrLD $$$
Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food; great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield. 783-4073 BBrLD $ PJ’s Pub Mediterranean-influenced pub food. 135 Boone St, Narragansett. 401-789-3200. LD $-$$ Portsmouth Publick House Gourmet pub food with a variety of spirit flights. 1 King Charles Dr, Portsmouth. 682-2600. BrLD $-$$ Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing daily inspirations. 120 Francis St, Providence, 919-5050. BrLD $-$$ Rasa Authentic and contemporary Indian. 149 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2822. LD $$ Rasoi Vegetarian-friendly Indian cuisine. 727 East Ave, Pawtucket, 7285500. LD $$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950. BrLD $$ Rick’s Roadhouse House-smoked barbecue. 370 Richmond St, Providence, 272-7675. LD $-$$ Rue De L’Espoir American cooking with French soul. 99 Hope St, Providence, 751-8890. BBrLD $$
Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield. sienari.com D $$$$$ Simone’s Gourmet brunch followed by upscale Mediterranean cuisine. 275 Child St. Warren, 247-1200. BLD $$-$$$ T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, 9465900. BL $ Tara’s Tipperary Tavern Oceanside Irish-American pub fare. 907 Matunuck Beach Rd, Matunuck, 284-1901. BLD $ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$ The Coast Guard House Upscale New England fare with Bay views. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett. 401-7890700. LD $$-$$$ The Dorrance Fine dining with exquisite cocktails. 60 Dorrance St, Providence, 521-6000. D $$$ The Malted Barley Gourmet pretzels and craft brews. 42 High St, Westerly, 315-2184. $
The Twisted Vine Romantic wine bar with tapas and full meals. 3 Canal St, Westerly, 596-4600. D $$ The Village Casual dining and live entertainment. 373 Richmond Street, Providence, 228-7222. BrLD $$ Trinity Brewhouse Rhode Island’s original brewpub. 186 Fountain St, Providence, 453-2337 LD $-$$ UMelt Fun twists on grilled cheese. Providence and Kingston, 383-6732. LD $ Vetrano’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Italian cooking like grandma made. 130 Granite St, Westerly, 348-5050. LD $$ Vittoria’s NY Pizza Best pizza north of Manhattan. 224 Post Rd, Westerly, 322-1901. LD $-$$ Waterman Grille Riverfront New American dining. 4 Richmond Sq, Providence, 521-9229. BLD $$$ Wes’ Rib House Missouri-style BBQ, open late. 38 Dike St, Providence, 421-9090. LD $$ Whiskey Republic Delicious dockside pub fare. 515 South Water St, Providence, 588-5158. LD $-$$
Scampi Seafood and Italian with expansive water views. 657 Park Ave, Portsmouth, 293-5844. LD $$
The Restaurant at Weekapaug Inn Quintessential New England fare. 25 Spray Rock Rd, Westerly, 322-0301. BLD $$$
XO Cafe Creative cocktails and New American fare. 125 N Main St, Providence, 273-9090. BrD $$
Seasons Fine dining at the Ocean House. 1 Bluff Ave, Westerly, 5847000. BLD $$$
The Sea Goose Seafood with New England and Southern flair. 265 Post Rd, Westerly, 315-0788. LD $$-$$$
Zooma Trattoria Fresh Italian using house-made pasta. 245 Atwells Ave, Providence, 383-2002. LD $$
Worth The Drive:
Breachway Grill
Photography: Hilary Block
Breachway Grill was created out of a desire to serve fish tacos and NYstyle pizza to South County’s beach crowd, but it quickly became a yearround favorite in Charlestown. (They even had to install a second pizza oven to keep up with demand). The menu is a mix of classic New England fare, pub favorites and creative
pizzas. Create your own slice from an array of toppings, or try one of their specialty pizzas like the Smokin’ Bones BBQ Chicken or Jammin’ Clam. Breachway Grill is dedicated to providing a warm and friendly atmosphere serving great food at reasonable prices. It’s a place that locals and visitors alike can call their own.
Insider Tip: Breachway Grill has daily specials! On Monday grab pizza at half its usual price.
Breachway Grill
For full restaurant profiles, go to RhodyBites.com
1 Charlestown Beach Road, Charlestown 401-213-6615 @RhodyBites
facebook.com/RhodyBites
February 2015 East Side Monthly
37
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On the town Calendar
by Erin Balsa
February music | performance | social happenings | galleries | sports
DON’T MISS THIS MONTH: 10 events at the top of our list
1
The Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show. February 19-22 at The Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. www.riconvention.com
2 3 4 5 6
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird. February 1-11 at the Chazan Gallery in Providence. www.chazangallery.org
7 8
Winter Sparkle. February 7 at the Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum in Providence. www.jlri.org Monster Jam. February 20-22 at The Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. www.dunkindonutscenter.com Providence Children’s Film Festival. February 12-22 at various venues in Providence. www.pcffri.org The Indigo Girls with the Rhode Island Philharmonic. February 13 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence. www.ppacri.org The Glass Menagerie. February 26-28 at Trinity Rep in Providence. www.trinityrep.com Professor Paddy-Whack’s One Man Extravaganza of Songs & Silly Stuff. February 7 at Ocean State Theatre Company in Warwick. www.oceanstatetheatre.org
9 10
Flickers’ Red Carpet Experience. February 22 at The Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence. www.film-festival.org
The annual Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show comes to the convention center February 19-22
Bored with Four. February 13 at AS220 in Providence. www.as220.org
FILM
Photography: James Jones
Look Who Made the Short List If you simply cannot wait to watch the 87th Academy Awards (otherwise known as the Oscars) on February 22, hit up the Cable Car Cinema beginning on February 1 to watch 2015 Oscar Shorts: Live Action, Animation and Documentary. One hundred forty-one pictures had originally qualified in the category of live action short films; ten will advance in the voting process including The Phone Call, SLR and Baghdad Messi, a film which explores the clash between soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Fifty-eight pictures qualified in the animated category; again, 10 will advance. Some include Coda, Footprints and The Numberlys. Documentaries include Our Curse, Joanna and The Lion’s Mouth Opens, which follows a courageous young actress named Marianna Palka as she confronts her risk of Huntington’s Disease. The Oscar Shorts will run throughout the month of February. 204 South Main Street, Providence. 272-3970, www.cablecarcinema.com.
Watch live action short film Baghdad Messi at Cable Car this month
February 2015 East Side Monthly
39
200 South MAin Street • providence • 401.453.0025
Coming
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Fine Clothiers
142 Bellevue Avenue • newport www.marcalleninc.com • theclubchair.com
On the town Calendar continued...
MUSIC
arena & club | classical ARENA & CLUB AS220 February 10: Soapbox Opera, Grey Morning, Ghosts in the Snow and Howlround. February 11: Moment of Clarity, Octobrists, Apothecary and Nymphidels. February 13: Bored with Four, Maid Myriad, The Cosmic Factory and Planetary Circus Kingdom. February 16: Ugly Hussy, DP Dummer and Phemale. February 26: RAP Slam aka Rhythmic African Poetry Slam. 115 Empire Street, Providence. 831-9327, www.as220.org. COLUMBUS THEATRE February 4: Puddles Pity Party. February 6: Nick Thune. February 7: John Reilly and Friends featuring Becky Stark and Tom Brosseau. February 8: Jay Farrar. February 11: Ophira Eisenberg. February 18: SWANS with special guest Xylouris White. February 28: And the Kids with The Sun Parade. 270 Broadway, Providence. 621-9660, www. columbustheatre.com. DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER February 7: The Illest Takeover. 1 La Salle Square, Providence. 331-6700, www.dunkindonutscenter.com.
Street, Providence. 383-7133, www. thespotunderground.com. TWIN RIVER February 1: Roger Ceresi’s All Starz. February 6: Amish Outlaws. February 6: TransMission. February 7: The Great Escape. February 7: J-Krak & Cairo. February 8: The Reminisants. February 13: Foreigner. February 13: Flashback. February 13: Gary Labossiere. February 14: Prymal Funk. February 14: Kim Thomas. February 15: Jennifer Tefft. February 16: The Bernadettes. February 20: Jim Tootell. February 21: Dezyne. February 22: Kelly Lennon. February 27: Lotus Land. February 27: Gary Labossiere. February 28: Steve Anthony & Persuasion. February 28: J-Krak & Cairo. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, www.twinriver.com. VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM February 18: The Sing Off Live! Tour. 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 2221467, www.vmari.com. CLASSICAL BROWN UNIVERSITY February 5 & 20: Piano Workshop. February 22: Piano Master Class Music
Concert. Grant Recital Hall, 105 Benevolent Street, Providence. 863-3234, www.brown.edu/Academics/Music. LIPPITT HOUSE MUSEUM February 13: Juanito Pascual. 199 Hope Street, Providence. www.lippitthouse.org. OPERA PROVIDENCE February 13 & 15: My Funny Valentine. 101 Ferry Road, Bristol. 331-6060, www. operaprovidence.org. VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM A Night of Chamber Music. 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 222-1467, www.vmari.com. FOLK STONE SOUP COFFEEHOUSE February 7: Mark Douglas Berardo. February 21: Chris Trapper. 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket. 248-4692, www.stonesoupcoffeehouse.com
PeRFORMAnCe
comedy | dance | theatre COMEDY AS220 First Wednesday: LuLz! Comedy Night
Photo: Jeremy Cowart
THE MET February 5: Along Came the Flood. February 14: Michael Franti – Acoustic. 21: Power of Love. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, www.themetri.com. PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER February 13: The Indigo Girls With the Rhode Island Philharmonic. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2787, www.ppacri.org. THE SPOT UNDERGROUND Mondays: Madcap Mondays. Tuesdays: Re-Creation. Wednesday: Free Funk Wednesdays. 101 Richmond
COMEDY CONNECTION February 5: Lil Duval. February 6-7: Lachlan Patterson. February 13-14: Tony V. February 19: Loni Love. February 26: Ralphie May. February 2728: Derek Furtado. Fridays: Hardcore Comedy. Sundays: Comedy Showcase. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 438-8383, www.ricomedyconnection.com. EVERETT Every Friday: Friday Night Live. 9 Duncan Avenue, Providence. 831-9479, www.everettri.org. DANCE AS220 Mondays: Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance. Tuesdays: Yobalates. Wednesday: Open Level Modern Dance. Sundays: Beginner and Intermediate Ballet. 95 Empire Street, Providence. 831-9327, www.as220.org. FESTIVAL BALLET February 6-14: Up Close on Hope. 825 Hope Street, Providence. 353-1129, www.festivalballet.com.
FIREHOUSE 13 February 22: All Out War. 41 Central Street, Providence. 270-1801, www.fh13.com. LUPO’S HEARTBREAK HOTEL February 11: Breaking Benjamin. February 13: Kongos. February 20: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. February 27: The Gaslight Anthem. February 28: Gogol Bordello. 79 Washington Street, Providence. 331-5876, www.lupos.com.
hosted by Randy Bush. First Sunday: The Empire Revue with sketch comedy, improv, music, burlesque and magic. 115 Empire Street, Providence. 831-9327, www.as220.org.
PAWTUCKET ARMORY Mondays: Argentine Tango Class. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 288-1170, www.providencetango.com.
FOLK MEETS CLASSICAL
A Performance of Epic Proportions In a legendary event that’s sure to please both classical music lovers and folk rock fans alike, The Providence Performing Arts Center presents The Indigo Girls With the Rhode Island Philharmonic on Friday, February 13. Yes, that’s right: The Indigo Girls are touring the country to perform their catalog of songs backed by local orchestras in a pairing that seems as if it were made by the music gods themselves. The Indigo Girls are a successful American folk rock duo that has sold over 14 million records worldwide since being formed in 1985. They first performed with an orchestra back in 2001, doing a series of shows with the Atlanta Ballet. Ever since that time, singer Amy Ray has dreamt of singing along with orchestras across the country. This year her dream is coming true. $45-$75. 8pm. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2787, www.ppacri.org.
THEATRE ANGELL BLACKFRIARS THEATRE SMITH CENTER FOR THE ARTS February 6-8: What Dreams May Come: A Musical Revue. One Cunningham Square, Providence. 865-1000. www.providence.edu/theatre. ARTISTS EXCHANGE February 6-8: Steel Magnolias. February 13-28: Shining City. 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475, www. artists-exchange.org. GAMM THEATRE February 1: Morality Play. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 723-4266, www. gammtheatre.org. OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY February 1-15: The Meeting. February 25-28: The Last Five Years. 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. 921-6800, www.oceanstatetheatre.org.
February 2015 East Side Monthly
41
On the town Calendar continued...
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PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER February 24-28: I Love Lucy! Live on Stage. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2787, www.ppacri.org.
FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND Saturdays: Wintertime Farmers’ Market. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. www.farmfreshri.org.
TRINITY REP February 1-22: Middletown. February 26-28: The Glass Menagerie. 201 Washington Street, Providence. 3514242, www.trinityrep.com.
NEW HARVEST COFFEE ROASTERS Fridays: Free coffee tasting. 3-4:30pm. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. www.newharvestcoffee.com.
WILBURY GROUP February 1-7: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. 393 Broad Street, Providence. 400-7100, www.thewilburygroup.org.
SOCIAL hAPPenInGS
expos | fundraisers | seasonal
Rue De L’Espoir American Bistro Cooking
99 Hope St., Providence, RI 02906 info/reservations 751-8890 therue.com open daily breakfast, lunch, dinner
42
East Side Monthly February 2015
RIVIERA BINGO PALACE February 19: Drag Bingo. 1612 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston. 521-3603, www.aidscareos.org.
OTHER AS220 First Tuesday: Open Sewing Circle. 115 Empire Street, Providence. 8319327, www.as220.org.
ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO February 14: Paint Night at the Zoo. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 785-3510, www.rwpzoo.org.
BLUE STATE COFFEE Tuesdays: Got Poetry Live Open Mic Nights. 300 Thayer Street, Providence. www.frequencywriters.org.
TRINITY BREWHOUSE Tuesdays: Stump Trivia. 186 Fountain Street, Providence. 453-2337, www. stumptrivia.com.
FESTIVALS FLICKERS’ RED CARPET EXPERIENCE: PROVIDENCE February 22: Red carpet, paparazzi, champagne, food, swag bags and more. 6pm. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 222-1467, www.vmari.com. RHODE ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER February 6-8: Northeast International Auto Show. February 13: Go Red For Women Luncheon. February 19-22: Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show. 1 Sabin Street, Providence. 4586000, www.riconvention.com. WINTER SPARKLE February 7: Food, drink and merriment to benefit the Junior League of Rhode Island. $55-$85. Governor Henry Lippitt House, 199 Hope Street, Providence. www.jlri.org.
Relight the flame… Rekindle the fire… Fill your valentine’s day With lots of desire.
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY & PRACTICE OF NONVIOLENCE First Friday of Every Month: Open Mic Spoken Word Poetry. 265 Oxford Street, Providence. 785-2320, www. nonviolenceinstitute.org.
FOR FOODIES BIN 312: Thursdays: Wine Tasting. 312 South Main Street, Providence. 7140040, www.bin312.com. BOTTLES Fridays: Beer Tasting. Saturdays: Wine Tasting. 141 Pitman Street, Providence. 372-2030, www.bottlesfinewine.com. ENO Fridays and Saturdays: Wine Tasting. 225 Westminster Street, Providence. 521-2000, www.enofinewines.com.
A FESTIVAL OF FILM
Hollywood Glamour in PVD Celebrate the 87th Academy Awards in style this year as the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) presents its annual Flickers’ Red Carpet Experience: Providence at The Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Your ticket entitles you to an evening of luxury. Walk the red carpet and feel like a star while paparazzi clamor for your photo. Sip champagne, nosh on gourmet food and try one of several specialty cocktails. Bid on upscale items in a silent auction, snag movie tickets and go home with a swag bag filled with treasures. You might even rub elbows with the Producer’s Circle and Dream Maker Award winners. In its sixth year, this signature event benefits RIIFF and is one of its major fundraisers; by purchasing a ticket, you’re helping to keep the arts alive in Rhode Island. $100. 6pm. 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 222-1467, www.vmari.com.
Photography: Mike Braca
Celebrating 44 Years
An Evening of Chamber Music Featuring Philip Glass and Tim Fain
minervAPizzA.Com Photo: Fernando Ace
PHILIP GLASS
PiCk uP or Delivery
orDer online!
FirstWorks Artistic Icons Series
large Cheese Pizza Greek Salad Small Chicken Wings or Fingers
$16.95
Call 272-2279 20 South Angell Street, Providence Wayland Square • www.minervapizza.com
Now offeriNg Zumba, bhaNgra, & PouND carDio classes!
Private & Group Sessions • Offering Mat Classes Power Pilates Teacher Training Center • Register Online 189 Cole Avenue, Providence • 401-480-0193 providencepilatescenter.com
eyewear boutique
trunk show valentine’s day 11am-3pm
“The most powerful composer of our time” —The Daily Telegraph
February 25 7:30pm See a living legend live in concert! Tickets: $38-78 (incl. $3 restoration fee)
first-works.org
Media sponsors:
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43
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS • 601 NORTH MAIN STREET • PROVIDENCE, RI 02904 • 401-621-5990
Connecting Rhode Islanders to services through 2-1-1 “I always thought 2-1-1 was just for people who were struggling, but now I know it’s a resource I could call if I was looking for information to help my aging parents.” — Colleen Dickson, Chair of United Way of Rhode Island’s Women’s Leadership Council
United Way’s 2-1-1 in Rhode Island provides the connection that helps everyone find assistance with everything from childcare needs to mental health issues, food and rental assistance, gambling problems and elder care services. This free and confidential service is available 24 hours a day, every day.
When Rhode Islanders help Rhode Islanders, we get results. United Way of Rhode Island’s fundraising and administrative costs are covered by the Rhode Island Charities Trust, allowing donations to support people and programs.
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East Side Monthly February 2015
1/5/15 11:00 AM
On the town Calendar continued...
WILDFLOUR February 22: Free tarot card readings. 4-6pm. 727 East Avenue, Pawtucket. 475-4718, www.wildflourveganbakerycafe.com.
GALLeRIeS ATRIUM GALLERY February 1-28: VSA Arts of Rhode Island, Paul V. Sherlock Memorial Art Show. One Capital Hill, Providence. 222-3880, www. arts.ri.gov/projects/atrium.php. CHAZAN GALLERY February 1-11: Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird. 228 Angell Street, Providence. 421-9230. www.chazangallery.org. RISD MUSEUM OF ART February 1-22: Circus. February 20: RISD Faculty Biennial. 224 Benefit Street, Providence. 454-6500, www. risdmuseum.org.
KIDS & FAMILY AUDUBON SOCIETY February 17: Fred’s TV. February 18: Owls are Awesome! February 19: Kartusch. February 19: Hand-dipped Candles. February 20: The Ox-Cart Man. 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield. 9495454, www.asri.org. BROWN UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE Every Saturday: Children’s Story Time. 244 Thayer Street, Providence. 8633168, bookstore.brown.edu. DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER February 20-22: Monster Jam. February 25: US Figure Skating 2015 US Synchronized Skating Championships. 1 LaSalle Square, Providence. 331-6700, www.dunkindonutscenter.com. MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND PLANETARIUM February 2: Discovery Tykes. 9:30am. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 7859457. www.providenceri.com/museum. OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY February 7: Professor Paddy-Whack’s One Man Extravaganza of Songs & Silly Stuff. 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. 921-6800, www.oceanstatetheatre.org. PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM February 3: Play & Learn: Animal Tales.
February 4-5: Doodlers. February 6: Toddler Try-It: Chalk Board. February 7-8: No Time to Waste. February 10: Play & Learn: In the Kitchen. February 11-12: Pulleys and Gears. February 13: Toddler Try-It: Heart Printing. February 14: Heart Smart. February 15: Balls and Tracks. February 16: Keith Munslow. February 17: The Hoopoe Show. February 18: Imagination Playground. February 19: Wingmasters. February 20: Paper Caper Skygazers. February 21: Be an Engineer. February 22: Rigamajig. February 24: play and Learn: Fishing Fun. February 25-2: math Works. February 27: Toddler Try-It: Shape Makers. February 28: Chinese New Year. 100 South Street, Providence. 273-5437, www. childrenmuseum.org. PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY Sundays: Family Learning Sundays. 2pm. 150 Empire Street, Providence. 455-8000, www.provlib.org. THE PROVIDENCE RINK Mondays: Funday Mondays. Skating and activities for kids 12 and under. 2pm6pm. 2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence. 3315544, www.providencerink.com.
Now Serving Sunday Brunch! 9:30am -2pm!
Mimosa or Bloody Mary's
Only $5
Huevos Rancheros • English Breakfast • Fresh Granola Omelets • Pancakes • French Toast and Much More....
267 Water Street, Warren 401-245-0231 Winter Hours: Thursday Friday & Saturday 5 to 9pm
LeARn
discussion | instruction | tour BROWN UNIVERSITY February 2: Brown Statistics Seminar. Room 235, 121 South Main, Providence. 863-1000, www.brown.edu. HAMILTON HOUSE Thursdays: Light and Fun Conversational French. Mondays: German. Thursdays: Carpe Diem! Latin. 276 Angell Street, Providence. 831-1800, www.historichamilton.com. INTERNATIONAL HOUSE Fridays: Knitting Group. Fridays: Pranayama Yoga. 8 Stimson Avenue, Providence. 421-7181, www.internationalhouseofri.org. LADD OBSERVATORY Tuesdays: Telescope Observing Night. 210 Doyle Avenue, Providence. 8632323, www.brown.edu/Departments/ Physics/Ladd/. MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND PLANETARIUM February 1, 8, 15 & 22: Cosmic Collisions Planetarium Show. February 7, 14, 21 & 28: Sky Views Planetarium
February 2015 East Side Monthly
45
On the town Calendar continued... Dr. David A. Vito Dr. John D. Corrow Dr. Carl D. Corrow
Dr. J. Lawrence Norton Dr. Matthew D. Doyle Dr. Michael R. Martinez
Accepting new pAtients • Emergencies Seen Immediately • Same Day Appointments Often Available • Evening and Weekend Hours Available • Glaucoma
• • • • •
Macular Degeneration Cataract Diabetic Eye Disease Designer Glasses Specialty Contact Lenses
331-2020 • AdvancedEyeCareRI.com • 780 North Main Street, Providence
Fine Thai and SuShi ReSTauRanT Good HealtH StartS WitH Good Food Way l a n d S q u a r e 18 South Angell Street, Providence • 383-8830 • www.limsri.com Tues-Thurs 11:30-10pm• Friday & Sat 11:30-10:30pm • Sunday 12-9:30pm
Show. February 9: Mountains Under the Microscope. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 785-9457. www. providenceri.com/museum. PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY LIBRARY Mondays: Knitting Circle. Mondays: A Spanish Tea. Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence. 272-3780, www.provcomlib.org. RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY February 21-22: To Turn a Good Leg: Men’s Breeches Workshop. 110 Benevolent Street, Providence. 331-8575, www.rihs.org. SARAH DOYLE WOMEN’S CENTER Mondays: Girls Night Out. Snacks and informal discussions for self-identified queer women. 26 Benevolent Street, Providence. events.brown.edu. THE STEEL YARD Wednesdays: Open Studios. 27 Sims Avenue, Providence. 273-7101, www. thesteelyard.org.
2/28/2015
2/28/2015
WATSON INSTITUTE February 5: Daniel Mügge. February 9: Ilana Feldman. February 11: David Samuels. February 19: Wade Jacoby. February 25: Austerity as a Global Prescription and Lessons from the Neoliberal Baltic Experiment. February 25: Nikhil Anand. 111 Thayer Street, Providence. 863-2809, www.watsoninstitute.org.
SPORtS BROWN MEN’S BASKETBALL February 6: Brown vs. Harvard. February 7: Brown vs. Dartmouth. February 20: Brown vs. Columbia. February 21: Brown vs. Cornell. February 27: Brown vs. Penn. February 28: Brown vs. Princeton. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 863-2773, www.brownbears.com.
The Glass Menagerie a play by
Tennessee Williams
Feb. 26 – March 29 sponsored by season sponsors brian M celeney
trinity repertory company (401) 351-4242 • trinityrep.com • 201 Washington Street • Providence • RI •
46
East Side Monthly February 2015
BROWN MEN’S HOCKEY February 6: Brown vs. Dartmouth. February 7: Brown vs. Harvard. February 27: Brown vs. Cornell. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 863-2773, www. brownbears.com. BROWN MEN’S TENNIS February 7: Brown vs. Quinnipiac.
February 7: Brown vs. Bryant. February 19: Brown vs. Boston College. February 21: Brown vs. Binghamton. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 8632773, www.brownbears.com. BROWN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL February 13: Brown vs. Princeton. February 14: Brown vs. Penn. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 863-2773, www. brownbears.com. BROWN WOMEN’S HOCKEY February 13: Brown vs. Union. February 14: Brown vs. Rensselaer. February 20: February 21: Brown vs. Quinnipiac. Brown vs. Princeton. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 863-2773, www. brownbears.com. BROWN WOMEN’S TENNIS February 17: Brown vs. Connecticut. February 21: Brown vs. Stony Brook. February 22: Brown vs. Florida International. February 28: Brown vs. Houston. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 863-2773, www.brownbears.com. PROVIDENCE BRUINS HOCKEY February 6: Bruins vs. Manchester Monarchs. February 8: Bruins vs. Springfield Falcons. February 13: Bruins vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers. February 15: Bruins vs. Manchester Monarchs. 1 LaSalle Square, Providence. 273-5000, www. providencebruins.com. PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS MEN’S BASKETBALL February 11: Friars vs. Villanova. February 14: Friars vs. Seton Hall. 1 La Salle Square, Providence. 865-4672, www. friars.com. PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS MEN’S HOCKEY February 7: Friars vs. Connecticut. February 20: Friars vs. Massachusetts. February 27-28: Friars vs. Maine. Schneider Arena, Huxley Avenue, Providence. 865-4672, www.friars.com. PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS WOMEN’S HOCKEY February 14: Friars vs. Boston University. February 21-22: Friars vs. Vermont. Schneider Arena, Huxley Avenue, Providence. 865-4672, www. friars.com.
Join Us View a complete list of events and buy tickets at www.ric.edu/pfa or call (401) 456-8144
Tango Buenos Aires – Song of Eva Perón Tuesday, February 17, 7:30 p.m. Direct from Argentina, Tango Buenos Aires traces the epic life of the former Argentinian first lady, from her rise to fame in the 1930s to her early death in 1952. A sparkling and poignant spectacle!
The Auditorium in Roberts Hall Rhode Island College 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, R.I. 02908 PerformingArtsSeries.RIC Accommodations for persons with disabilities available upon request. Call (401) 456-8144 for assistance. TTY/TDD: 711.
February 2015 East Side Monthly
47
Is Your Loved One Ready for Another
New England Winter?
Don’t spend another winter worrying about your loved one shoveling icy sidewalks, driving on unsafe roads or being stuck at home alone without electricity or proper provisions during long, cold days and nights. Instead, enjoy complete peace of mind while they enjoy a winter vacation at EPOCH of Providence – where seniors are safe, warm, entertained and well cared for no matter what Mother Nature whips up. Call today to schedule your visit and wrap up your preparations before the first snowfall! EPOCH Assisted Living on Blackstone Boulevard
353 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI
401-273-6565 (RI Relay 711) www.EPOCHBlackstoneAL.com
EPOCH Assisted Living on the East Side
One Butler Ave., Providence, RI
401-275-0682 (RI Relay 711) www.EPOCHEastSide.com
Assisted Living . Short-Term Rehabilitation . Long-Term Care Skilled Nursing . Memory Care . Respite . Fitness Center
The very first step to your well-being begins just steps from your front door.
sea the view GATEWAY PROFESSIONAL GROUP
Sea our Specials Buck a Shuck
Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm
3 Plate Tuesday rd
Order 2 entrees, get 1 appetizer FREE
Prime Time
SPECIALITY AREAS • Anxiety and Phobias • Career Issues
Sunday & Monday prime rib all day $24
• Child and Adolescent
Throwback Thursday
with Imago Therapy
lobster dinner $18.88
Counseling • Couples Counseling • Depression • Men’s and Women’s
Emotional Health
open for lunch, dinner & sunday brunch Facebook “f ” Logo
48
CMYK / .eps
Facebook “f ” Logo
CMYK / .eps
40 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 401.789.0700 | thecoastguardhouse.com
East Side Monthly February 2015
• Parenting Issues • Social Issues • Stress • Trauma and Abuse
Seeking help from a therapist is a sign of personal strength and wisdom – recognition of the importance of your well-being… at Gateway Professional Group, you will find acceptance and help in overcoming life’s obstacles. Conveniently located on the East Side of Providence, we specialize in therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. appointments (401)728-4357 208 GOVERNOR STREET • PROVIDENCE, RI
SAvINg Up TO 70% Off ReTAIl pRICe New, Refurbished and Scratch & Dent Appliances
Stainless Refrigerators Ranges • Washers & Dryers Built-In Refrigeration Cooktops & Wall Ovens Dishwashers 416 Roosevelt Avenue, Central falls • 401.723.0500 • www.kitchenguys.com
Now offering the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method “After a week of treatment, all the pain was gone... I recommend Dr. Tom to everyone I know.” – J.T.
Northeast Chiropractic Dr. ThomaS moriSon, ChiropraCTiC phySiCian
401-861-1300 • 187 Waterman Street • www.wickedgoodposture.com Getting back on your feet after surgery is easier when you have someone to show you how.
Golden Crest nursinG Centre Exceptional Post-Surgery Rehab Services
100 Smithfield Road, North Providence • 353-1710 • GoldenCrestNursingCentre.com
We Understand His Desires
fine clothiers 200 South Main St. Providence 401.453.0025 • www.marcalleninc.com • theclubchair.com Tuesday–Friday 10-6 and Saturday 10-4 • Mondays by appt. Carter Family Charitable Trust • Entelco • George A. Ramlose Foundation • RISD FAV Department RI OLIS • Providence Public Library • Providence Community Library • Providence Marriott Downtown • Gardner + Gerrish • Rag and Bone Bindery
February 2015 East Side Monthly
49
Spotlight
by Dan Schwartz
special advertising section
Beautiful Pre-Owned Jewelry
Empire Loan Short term loans when you need them
437-8421 • 1271 North Main Street, Providence 273-7050 • 358 Broad Street, Providence
Tomasso Auto Swedish Motors
We service and repair ALL foreign and domestic models
Deal
• ASE Certified • RI inspection and repair station #27b
of the
Month
FREE
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
OIL CHANGE
with any service repair!* *Doesn't include synthetic oil. Expires 2/28/15
729 East Avenue • 401-723-1111 (Top of the East Side, next door to Rite Aid)
T.F. Morra Tree Care, Inc.
Ornamental and Shade Tree Specialists
• fine hand pruning • tree preservation • hazard tree removal • tree evaluation & diagnosis • shade and specimen tree planting 401-331-8527 • www.TFMorra.com
Now Accepting Residents
The Cottage at Briarcliffe Gardens Memory Care Assisted Living Residence 49 Old Pocasset Road, Johnston | 401.944.2450 | briarcliffegardens.com
50
East Side Monthly February 2015
“A person can get up in the morning, have breakfast, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and everything is great,” Jeff Keithline, Empire Loan co-owner, explains. “They have paid all their bills for the month and when they head out to their car and turn the key in the ignition: nothing happens. After a call to a tow-truck, they find out car repairs will be $250. Some people ask their friends, or go into a little account they have, but a lot of people just don’t have it. They can come in here and get that money. Boom. Done. That’s what pawnbrokers do.” With jewelry, consumer electronics or musical instruments, you can secure a three month loan at state regulated interest rates and get the cash you need in five minutes. Banks used to offer smaller loan amounts, but those levels of loans are simply not available today. Empire Loan has the look and feel of a bank, with a clean professional customer area and the equivalent of tellers who can assist you with your loan. Terms are explained up front and you can take out loans ranging from $50 to $5,000 and beyond. In the unlikely chance that you can’t repay the loan, the item used as collateral is forfeited and the matter is done. “There are no repercussions if the loan isn’t repaid,” Jeff says. “We don’t report to any credit agencies, and I’d be happy to loan you money again in the future.” Typical customers include college students and their parents, your neighbor down the street, contractors, business owners and heads-of-households who just have to get it done today. With their new website www.empireloan. com you can use PayPal to satisfy a full repayment, and soon they will be offering the ability to make installment payments online as well. Jeff and his team are always there to answer questions and help you get the money you need. And visit their sister business, Empire Guitars, upstairs to see an amazing selection of new and vintage guitars, plus basses, drums, gear and amps.
Empire Loan and Empire Guitars 1271 North Main Street, Providence / 437-8421 358 Broad Street, Providence / 273-7050 www.empireloan.com / www.empireguitarsri.com
Spotlight
by Dan Schwartz
special advertising section
Pods Swimming Teaching water safety: infants to preteens
Providence AreA Swim School Swim lessons for infants through age 9 Member of US Swim School Association
401.337.5678
www.podsswimmming.com
MARKETING DESIGN • PRINT
P R O V I D E N C E
102 Waterman Street • Providence, RI p:401.421.5160 f:401.272.0686 allegraprovidence.com
Membership...It’s more than just fitness! “Swimming is a rite of passage,
just like going to school,” says Susan Pascale-Frechette, director of Pods Swimming. As residents of the Ocean State, water culture is a huge part of our lives and the earlier we teach our children how to handle the water, the more they will enjoy it safely. Pods Swimming is a Providence area swim school that offers eightweek instructional classes. Lessons are held indoors September to June, and in July and August at outdoor pools at the Wheeler farm and Kirkbrae Country Club. Their biggest location is just four miles from the Henderson bridge near Rumford. “Pods Swimming is the only swim school in Rhode Island that is a part of the U.S. Swim School Association,” Susan explains. “It’s a national organization and we follow their curriculum. Everything we teach is muscle memory and commands, so infants and toddlers can learn to swim forward and roll to their back for a breath and then swim forward again.” The next eight week session starts in the beginning of March, and their website lists their full upcoming calendar. Parent & Child classes, and Pods Level I and II, meet once a week for 30 minute sessions; Pods Level III classes meet for 45 minutes; Pods Level IV classes are an hour long. The children graduate through each session, moving from water safety to fine tuning their technical swimming skills. Susan and her sister Jamie, the Pods Swimming program manager, have extensive experience with swim instruction. Susan was an entry level coach for the Ocean State Squids club swim team at Brown University for 11 years before she founded her business. Pods believes in education. All Pods instructors are certified lifeguards, and many attend the national conference for the U.S. Swim School Association. “To me, teaching swimming is my passion,” Susan says. It’s never too early to get your kids feeling comfortable about being in the water safely. What does Susan love about this work? “Seeing children enjoying the water and love the sport of swimming.” Contact Pods Swimming today to register your child for this fun program.
It’s an open door to a variety of outstanding social, cultural, and educational activities that celebrate family, foster health and well-being, embrace tradition, and expand cultural horizons.
All are welcome at the Dwares JCC! 401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org
Dwares Rhode Island
Exquisite Asian Cuisine Private Banquet Room
Join us to celebrate
Valentine’s Day & the chinese new year! 1190 North MaiN Street, ProvideNce • 228-7805 • yaMafujiaSiaNcuiSiNe.coM
Introducing Clothing For Ladies
Pods Swimming 337-5678 / www.podsswimming.com
178 Wayland avenue • Providence • 621-6452 February 2015 East Side Monthly
51
marketplace HOME IMPROVEMENT A-PERFECT PAINTING
MALIN PAINTING
Residential/Commercial. Apartment turnovers. Carpentry services. High quality work. References available. 35 years experience. Reg. #17730. Call Ken at 516-1438. Perfection is everything!
Most ceiling & wall repairs, wallpaper removal, oil-based and latex finishes, staining, varnishing. Fully insured, many local references. Safe, secure, fast service. Call 226-8332. Reg. #19226.
CEILING REPAIRS
Install, service, repair. Expert troubleshooting. Free detailed computerized estimate. Deal direct with owner. Lic. #AC 004110 & insured. Small jobs done promptly. All work guaranteed. Save $$$. Family owned & operated. Local resident. Calls returned immediately. 401-258-4793, John.
MASTER ELECTRICIAN
Repairing water damaged, cracked, peeling ceilings & walls. Located on the East Side. Over 100 satisfied local customers. Malin Painting, RI Reg. #19226. Call 226-8332.
CEILING WORK, DRYWALL Plaster (hang, tape & paint). Water damage repair. All phases of carpentry. Reg. #24022. Fully insured. Steven, E. Prov., 401-641-2452.
SUPERB HOUSEPAINTING High end workmanship. Small jobs a specialty. Call Ron 751-3242. Reg. #18128.
The Finest in New England Craftmanship
EAST SIDE HANDYMAN
Boreal Remodeling
34 years experience. Repairs, upgrades & renovations. Small jobs welcome. References. Insured. Reg. #3052. 524-6421.
General Home Repair, including Kitchens, Baths, Decks & Additions Reg. # 22013
ELECTRICAL SERVICES All types. Energy efficient & security lighting & new circuits. Master licenses: RI #A3338, MA #16083A. Insured. Call Larry 529-2087.
David Onken Painting Interior/Exterior Lead Certified Carpentry Renovations Gutter Cleaning â– Chimney Pointing Roof Leaks Repaired Reg. #19031
Insured
248-5248 davidokenpainting.com
Michael Packard • (401) 441-7303
Plaster Perfection
Prompt, Reliable Quality Work
★ ★ Commercial & Residential Work
Levine Painting Co., Inc.
Historic Restorations
Harold Greco, Jr. 738-0369 ★ ★
★
★
Interior, Exterior, Residential/Commercial Wallpaper Hanging, Power Washing, Staining 25 Years Experience
(401) 885-1580 • (401) 323-6100 cell R.I. Lic 7140 Liab/ Work Comp Insured
SNOW PLOWING
SENIOR CARE
MISCELLANEOUS
Vinny’s Landscaping
ELDER CARE AVAILABLE
Congdon St., $125 covered carport. Benefit St. (north end), $115/mo. Call Roger, 339-4068. rogernc@mac.com
& BOBCAT SERVICES
Snow Plowing
FIREWOOD: Seasoned Hardwood (18 mo.), Cut & Split, $225/cord delivered
497-1461 â—? 231-1851
Very kind, patient, mature woman seeks position with elderly person. Intelligent, cheerful, reliable, with 20 years experience, including several long-term positions. Impeccable references. Please call 781-3392 or 497-3392.
Residential & commercial. Additions, renovations & new construction. Call Dave: 401-5957070. dave@ds-arch.com
KIND CARE ~ SENIORS Appointments, errands, shopping, cleaning & maint. Refs. Safety bars installed. Reg #3052. 559-0848.
CUSTOM SLIPCOVERS Work directly with seamstress and save! Purchase fabric elsewhere. Linda Toti, 508-695-2474.
INCOME TAXES
Old, used and almost new. Also buying photography, art, etc. Call 401421-2628. jcvp@cox.net
USED MUSIC WANTED! Round Again Records needs your used CDs & records. Cash paid. Call 351-6292.
LEATHERWORKS, LLC A leather and vinyl restoration company. We specialize in funiture, automobiles, boats and aircraft. Visit us at LeatherWorksRI.com, or call Robert at 401 837-0548.
AUDIO/VIDEO HELP If you need some help with your TV, home theater or stereo, call me at 401-383-4102. Jon Bell, Simply Sight & Sound. Reasonable rates. 25 years of experience.
WANTED I BUY BOOKS
BUSINESS SERVICES
ARCHITECT – on the East Side!
PARKING/STORAGE
PROPERTY MANAGER Available. On call 24/7. Rent collection. Rentals, evictions, maintenance. Call 421-0092.
We Make House Calls!!! âœŻ Repairing all types of Lamps âœŻ Vintage Lighting Specialist âœŻ Chandelier Repairs âœŻ Serving the East Side for over 15 years âœŻ Fully Insured
HONEY COMBS PET CARE Insured. Teacher owned. Servicing Oakhill & East Side. Call 508-406-1287.
PAWS-N-CLAWS, LLC Dog walking/pet sitting. Professional, reliable pet care. Insured & bonded. Call 401-369-9000 or pawsnclawsri.com
HOUSING/RENTALS SPACE FOR RENT In East Side Salon, Wayland Square. $400/mo. Call 272-4130.
Upscale
Cleaning Service
10+ years experience on the East Side.
(401) 831-8693
majorrlm@earthlink.net
www.chrislamprepair.com
JOBS BY JIM Garages & Attics Cleaned Unwanteds Removed Small Demolitions - Garages, Sheds, etc. Appliances & Lawn Mowers â?–Motors â?–Machines â?–Batteries â?–Etc.
Cell 401-742-7258 Reg. #4614
Excellent Work & References!
Chair Caning
FEELING OVERWHELMED???!!! Need your cellar, attic or garage cleaned, but... can’t quite get to it?? You can call
TAKE-IT-AWAY-TOM at 401-434-8156 Mobile 316-2273 Counselor on the Debris of Life
HOUSE CLEANING Experienced. Local references. Free estimates. Call Lilly, 401-419-2933.
LEE’S BASIC CLEANING
THE LAUNDRY CLUB
632-0073
HOUSECLEANER Available Crystal Clean, a quality housecleaning service. We don’t cut corners. Weekly or bi-weekly. We use environmentally friendly products. Bethany 265-0960.
House cleaning. Reasonable rates. References. 24 years in business. Call Lee, 785-1230. Basic cleaning done right.
Is now offering free laundry & dry cleaning pick-up & delivery service to the east Side and downtown areas. Call 272-2520 for details.
DOROTHY’S CLEANING We clean your home as our own! References & free estimates. Call 401-524-7453 or 401-228-6273.
PET CARE
40 Years of Experience. Located at 125 Wayland Avenue. Call 1-401-351-7000.
CHRIS’ LAMP REPAIR
HOUSE CLEANING
FREE ESTIMATES
Call 617-4412 PERSONAL ASSISTANCE A BIT OF HELP Mature teacher, Oakhill resident, Lesley graduate, provides intelligent companionship, assistance with domestic chores, shopping, paperwork, & pet care services. Available evenings, weekends & all summer. Experienced. References. J. Mansfield 508-406-1287.
DIVORCE MEDIATION A private, confidential, out of court alternative to expensive litigation. Call Suzette Pintard, JD, M.Ed. 401-286-9587.
PART-TIME PERSONAL ASSISTANT Hourly, daily or more! Too busy to wait for a delivery, sit at the DMV, shop or run your errands? Many references. Call 270-1120.
Advertise in the Marketplace for as low as
$12! Go to www.eastsidemonthly. com/marketplace.html or call Sue at 401-732-3100 or email sueh@rhodybeat.com to reserve your space. Deadline for East Side Marketplace is the first of the month prior.
The easT sider
Bruce Owensby of Wayland Square Shoe Repair
Walk a Mile in Bruce Owensby’s Shoes By Nancy Kirsch
We may be going out on a limb here, but we’re speculating that Bruce Owensby, owner of Wayland Square Shoe Repair, never touched Marcos’ shoes. Nevertheless, he masterfully restores Rhode Islanders’ beat-up and much worn shoes, boots, handbags, suitcases, etc., thanks to his attention to detail and expertise. (Disclaimer: I am a frequent and grateful customer.) How did you get into this line of work? I have a cousin in Massachusetts who is a cobbler. I was working as a restaurant supply salesman, and back in 1988 or 1989 – when the economy got tough – I
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East Side Monthly February 2015
would help him on the weekends with shoe repair. As the economy [worsened], I decided to go into it; I’m good with my hands. It’s all on-the-job training; there’s no school. Who makes the best shoes? Is there any shoe manufacturing in the U.S.? Shoes made [in the U.S.] are very high quality – you’ve got Alden, made in Massachusetts, and Allen Edmonds, [for] men’s shoes. Other high-end shoes [come from] Italy, Spain and Portugal. [Shoes from] China are cheaply made and not made to last. They’re not really in the fashion end of the business. Who’s harder on shoes – men or women? That’s a tough question. Men tend to
have [fewer] shoes and wear [them] more; women tend to have a lot of different shoes that they wear less [often]. Is it better to own only a few expensive shoes or many moderately priced shoes? It all depends; every shoe is made to do a different job. You can’t take a pair of fashion shoes and hike in the woods in them and expect them to hold up [or] wear a pair of fashion shoes in snow and water and not expect them to get destroyed. Best advice for protecting shoes from winter weather? With a leather-soled shoe, use sole protectors, which act as a water barrier;
polish the shoes periodically; waterproof occasionally and use shoe trees. Tell us about your sign: “Whatever you are, be a good one.” A customer gave that to me; it was a quote from Abraham Lincoln. I think we can all live by that. You’re on your feet all day long. What shoes do you wear? Danner boots. Wayland Square Shoe Repair, 148 Wayland Ave. 351-0215. Nancy Kirsch is an award-winning freelance writer based in Providence. Contact her at writernancy@gmail.com.
Photography: Michael Cevoli
Imelda Marcos reportedly said, “I did not have 3,000 pairs of shoes, I had 1,060.”
Lincoln School P R O V I D E N C E
2
OF FORTUNE’S 2014 MOST POWERFUL WOMEN IN BUSINESS WENT TO LINCOLN SCHOOL
SHOULDN’T YOUR DAUGHTER? Partnerships with Brown University's School of Engineering, RISD's School of Architecture, and Girls Who Code Learn more: www.lincolnschool.org/inquire.
Lincoln School 301 Butler Avenue, Providence, RI Co-ed: N-K; All-girls: Grades 1-12
#onlyatlincolnschool
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LTD.
PARTICIPATED
IN THE
238 EAST SIDE
SALE
AND
OF
OAK HILL
PROPERTIES DURING 2014. EAST SIDE 12 Aldrich Terrace, Unit 1 52 Alumni Ave. 64 Angell St. 275 Angell St., Unit 4 415 Angell St., Unit 2 546 Angell St., Unit B1 29 Ann St. 9 Arlington Ave. 37 Arlington Ave. 130 Arlington Ave. 231 Arlington Ave. 5 Arnold St., Unit 9 53 Arnold St. 80 Arnold St., Unit 1 15 Barberry Hill 6 Barnes St. 18 Benefit St. 259 Benefit St., Unit 2 283 Benefit St., Unit C 283 Benefit St., Unit D 283 Benefit St., Unit F 314 Benefit St. 344 Benefit St. 367 Benefit St., Unit 6 367 Benefit St., Unit 7 25 Bevelin Rd. 8 Blackstone Blvd., Unit 10 30 Blackstone Blvd., Unit 102 37 Blackstone Blvd. 124 Blackstone Blvd., Unit 4 203 Blackstone Blvd. 235 Blackstone Blvd. 274 Blackstone Blvd. 767 Blackstone Blvd., Unit 767 264 Bowen St. 36 Boylston Ave. 183 Brown St. 4 Burrs Lane, Unit 4 5 Burrs Lane 8 Burrs Lane 241 Butler Ave. 24 Camp St., Unit 14 37 Channing Ave. 27 Cole Ave. 203 Cole Ave. 507 Cole Ave.
30 Cole Farm Ct. 111 Colonial Rd. 152 Congdon St., Unit 1 88 Cooke St., Unit 2 32 Creighton St. 17-19 Creighton St. 39 Creston Way 24 Cushing St. 38 Cushing St. 42 Dana St. 31 Doane Ave., Unit 2 215 Doyle Ave. 235 Doyle Ave., Unit 2R 238 Doyle Ave.* 253-255 Doyle Ave., Unit 3 270 Doyle Ave. 21 Eames St. 67-69 East Manning St. 68 East Manning St., Unit 3 51 East Orchard Ave. 10 East St., Unit 10 10 East St., Unit 13 19 East St. 75 East St. 108 Edgehill Rd. 167 Eighth St. 209 Eighth St. 245 Eighth St. 132-134 Eleventh Ave. 25 Elgin St., Unit 2 500 Elmgrove Ave. 690 Elmgrove Ave. 133 Elton St. 17 Emeline St. 88 Everett Ave. 169 Fifth St. 219 Fifth St. 61 Fosdyke St. 91 Fourth St., Unit 2 140 Fosdyke St. 195 Freeman Pkwy. 204 Freeman Pkwy. 41 Fremont St. 12 George St. 19 George St., Unit 4 37 George St. 251 George St. 12 Glendale Ave.
32 Glendale Ave. 39 Greaton Dr. 125 Grotto Ave. 342 Grotto Ave.* 16 Grotto Ave., Unit 3 16 Grotto Ave., Unit 4 30 Halsey St. 44 Halsey St., Unit 4 83 Hartshorn Rd. 7 Hidden St. 275-277 Highland Ave. 76 Hillside Ave. 556 558 Hope St. 843 Hope St., Unit 3 62 Humboldt Ave. 140 Humboldt Ave., Unit 4 24 Intervale Rd. 55 Irving Ave. 81-83 Irving Ave. 98 Irving Ave., Unit 7 155-157 Irving Ave. 290 Irving Ave. 76 Ivy St., Unit 2 9 Jenckes St. #3 43 Jenckes St. 17 Keene S., Unit 2 131 Laurel Avenue 119 Lauriston St. 5 Linden Dr. 494 Lloyd Ave. 505 Lloyd Ave. 31 Lorimer Ave. 75 Loring Ave. 44 Magellan St. 59 Manning St. 73 Manning St. 160 Medway St., Unit 4 180 Medway St. 191 Medway St. 61 Memorial Rd. 7 Moses Brown St. 21 Moses Brown St. 63 Mount Hope Ave. 20 Ninth St. 11 North Ave., Unit 3 101 North Main St., Unit 600 101 North Main St., Unit 700 13 Ogden St.
(Subject to errors or omissions)
50 Ogden St. 70 Ogden St. 8 Old Tannery Rd. 40 Oriole Ave. 43 Oriole Ave. 10 Overhill Rd. 16 Overhill Rd., Unit 1 61 Overhill Rd. 98 Overhill Rd. 8 Parkside Rd. 140 Power St. 165 Power St., Unit F 2 Pratt St., Unit B3 202 President Ave. 214 President Ave.* 262 President Ave., Unit 262 303 President Ave. 125 Prospect St., Unit 6 18 Rhode Island Ave. 68 Rochambeau Ave. 187 Rochambeau Ave. 281 Rochambeau Ave. 351 Rochambeau Ave. 74 Savoy St. 137 Sessions St. 15 Sheldon St. 180 Slater Ave. 205 Slater Ave. 220 Slater Ave. 280 Slater Ave. 23 South Angell St., Unit 1 77 South Angell St., Unit 203 77 South Angell St., Unit 301 230 South Main S. Unit 5 274 South Main St., Unit 29 392 South Main St. Unit 64 88-90 Summit Ave. 67 Taber Ave. 160 Taber Ave. 241 Taber Ave. 147 Tenth St. 24 Thayer St. 29 Thayer St. 100 Third St. 2 Thomas St., Unit 500 46 Top St. 52 Trenton St. 183 University Ave.
19 Vassar Ave. 27 Vassar Ave. 65 Vassar Ave. 75 Vassar Ave. 165 Waterman St., Unit 2 253 Waterman St. 1 Wayland Ave., Unit 207N 1 Wayland Ave., Unit 210S 282 Wayland Ave., Unit 2 296 Wayland Ave. 319 Wayland Ave. Unit 319 320 Wayland Ave., Unit 5 433 Wayland Ave. Unit 3 535 Wayland Ave. 563 Wayland Ave., Unit 2 17 Weymouth St. 237 Williams St. 282 Williams St. 23 Winfield Ct. 68 Woodbine St., Unit B 15 Woodbury St. 42 Woodbury St. 47 Woodbury St. 86 Woodbury St.
OAK HILL 14 Cooke St. 55 Cooke St. 538 East Ave. 124 Hillside Ave. 293 Hillside Ave. 28 Kenilworth Way 14 Lafayette St. 28 Lafayette St. 176 Lafayette St. 263 Lafayette St. 45 Marbury Ave. 62 Marbury Ave., Unit 2 120 Marbury Ave. 66 Oak Hill Ave. 404 Pawtucket Ave. 50 Progress St. 182 Raleigh Ave. 232 Raleigh Ave. 170 Ridge St. 48 Waldo St. 105 Wilcox Ave.
*Sold Twice
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