East SIde Monthly March 2012

New Listing! $359,000

New Listing! $1,250,000

$299,000

2 bed, 1.5 bath condo on historic Benefit St. Original details include soaring ceilings, marble-faced fireplaces, large windows. New boiler/water heater. Private patio/ garden. 2 car parking.

Elegant College Hill brick Colonial with lovely detailed interior. Fireplaces, gleaming hardwoods, updated mechanicals, private rear yard with patio, side yard with porch. Excellent condition!

Open, sunny 1 bed unit in historic Tully Bowen. Includes kitchen with granite, stainless steel appliances, gas fireplace, hardwoods, central A/C, parking. College Hill location!

Sue Erkkinen

Kathryn Lawrence

Betsy Walsh

$2,100,000

New Listing! $379,000

Renowned architect Friedrich St. Florian created breathtaking panoramic views. Modern masterpiece with crisp lines and elegant design offers comfortable living with every amenity. Impeccable style.

Rumford. Four bed, 2 1/2 bath Colonial located across from Wannamoisett Golf Club. Large rooms, 2 fireplaces, generous yard, 1 owner. A must see!

Linda Mittleman

John McCann

New Listing! $399,000

Pending! $345,000

New Price! $339,000

Calvin Kent House c1842. Wonderful location for this Historic home! Hardwood floors, high ceilings, period charm throughout. 3 levels, walkout to yard, detached garage, updated electrical.

$499,000

Great location off Blackstone Boulevard. Newly renovated legal 3 unit features fireplaces, hardwoods, parking, separate utilities. New heating systems, kitchens, tile baths. Walking distance to Wayland Square.

Stately townhouse on Blackstone Blvd. Large fireplaced living room, formal dining, eat-in kitchen, sunroom, study, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, new windows, mechanicals, garage.

Fabulous Ranch on large corner lot features 2 plus bedrooms, DR with pyramid ceiling, family room with cathedral ceiling/skylights. Atrium door leads to manicured grounds.

Roxanne Gordon

Suzie Prescott

Linda Mittleman

COLEMANREALTORS.COM Providence 401.274.3636

barrington east greenwich 401.245.3050 401.884.5522 CORPORATE RELOCATION 401.277.0570

corPorate relocation 401.277.0570

watch hill 401.596.2390

Contents March 2012

This Month 13 Chit and Chat Learn the ins and outs of Providence’s PechaKucha night

16 Face Off A P-Bruins forward faces his biggest fear

19 A Show Down The City of Providence confronts Brown University on taxes

30 Theatre Three by Three in Rep packs three times the punch

33 Fink Remembering RISD’s annual student fashion shows

Every Month

16 34 Pajama Monologues

43 Education

Thoughts penned from an East Side café

The importance of designing a nutritious school food menu

37 Movies

44 Finance

The Grey and The Woman in Black discussed

Helping couples make smart financial decisions harmoniously

5 Letters/Editorial 6 Other Side 9 Community News

40 On the Menu Ordering take-out made simple, really simple

47 Calendar

29 Art

41 Dining Guide

54 East of Elmgrove

Your resource for eating out

A lesson in appreciating the life that you have

A RISD grad returns to his old stomping grounds

All the info on March’s happenings

FAmily owned And operAted For over 50 yeArs MAJESTIC BEAUTY!

Photo Credit

148 Blackstone Boulevard Mint condition 5 bed 3.5 bath lovingly restored center hall colonial. Beautiful moldings, floor and old world charm still intact. State of the art mechanicals. New insulation, soundproofing, landscaping, appliances, roofing and baths. Must see to appreciate the beauty and charm. Call today for your special viewing. You’ll be glad you did. Recently reduced to $999,000 Listed by Aleen Weiss 272-6161 X16

Assisting Buyers, sellers And renters

Aleen WeissH Jon WeissHF Howard Weiss Karen MillerH

Claire Sennott Jenny WietingH Paul Levitt Judi BlauH

HAlso licensed in MA FLicensed RI Environmental Lead Inspector 0065

785 Hope street, providence, ri 4 01-272-6161 • spitzweiss.com March 2012 East Side Monthly

3

➺ Happy Hour Raw Bar Specials ➺ $1.50 Oysters | $1.25 Little Necks | $1.00 Shrimp Monday to Saturday: 5-8pm | Sunday: 4-7pm We’re proud to have won this distinction for seven years.

millstavernrestaurant.com | 401.272.3331 | 101 N. Main Street, Providence |

FOOD FOR BODY & SOUL Always enhancing our menu with new flavorful dishes while staying true to our comfort food roots, we invite you to try our newest creations: Veal Saltimbocca, Cider Beer-Brined Pork Tenderloin, Lavender Scented Brick Chicken, and pan-seared Sea Scallops. It’s all food that feeds both body and soul.

TAKE IT

TO GO

Ask about our Lunch Punch Card. Buy nine lunches and get the tenth on us. Ask your server for details.

Whether you’re craving our popular Steak Frites, a mouth watering burger, or signature Grilled Cheese & Roasted Tomato Soup, we make it easy for you to enjoy your favorite Red Stripe dishes in your home, or at work.

Call and place your take out order today!

401.437.6950

Open for Sunday Brunch from 10am to 3pm | redstriperestaurants.com 465 Angell St. in Wayland Square | Providence, RI 02906 | 401.437.6950 |

Editorial 1070 Main Street, Suite 302 Pawtucket RI 02860 tel: 305-3391 | fax: 305-3392 esm@providenceonline.com www.eastsidemonthly.com

Looking Ahead at Brown Despite public words to

the contrary, relations between the City of Providence and Brown, its richest resident, have always been somewhat ambiguous. And, unfortunately, the fragility of this critical town-gown relationship is currently on display for all to see.

While Brown has offered to provide some additional financial support to its host city and while it is frightening to contemplate what the city would be without them, temperatures are rising, especially in the city council, about whether the school really does understand the need to get more involved.

This is not to ignore many of the recent steps Brown has undertaken to improve their relations with its East Side neighbors nor to underestimate its economic importance to the City as a whole.

But despite all this, what hasn’t disappeared is the perceived sense of Ivy League arrogance that all too often emanates from College Hill. At last week’s on campus protest rally, one student speaker noted that Ruth

Simmons’ recent letter to the community wrongly positioned the school as a “benevolent benefactor” rather than as an institution that should be a true “part of the City of Providence.” Small wonder that when the “misunderstanding” developed between President Simmons and Mayor Taveras, sympathy quickly flowed towards a mayor who courageously has closed schools, confronted unions, even raised taxes in a desperate attempt to close a $110 million budget hole while the university seems more concerned with its endowment.

Brown often harms itself with the little things it does as well. Here’s just one tiny example. BCLIR (once called Brown Community Learning in Retirement) is a longstanding and very successful program that started at Brown and now boasts hundreds of members.

Modeled after successful programs throughout the country, retirees, many of them well known former leaders in their communities, create and then teach their own courses to their peers.

As the program prospered, it outgrew

the space Brown could provide and has now expanded its footprint into additional locations at RISD, Johnson & Wales and the Providence Public Library. Yet while the new facilities are being offered free to this community of lifelong learners, only Brown was unwilling to waive their charges to the group. Not a great way to win community support, Simmons, as a former board member of Goldman Sachs, Pfizer and the like, comes with almost overpowering big vision credentials. The corporation board that runs the school certainly boasts world class credentials in terms of fundraising and networking, though likely it doesn’t know very much about the “real” Providence, nor perhaps really cares.

But as these trustees prepare to select Ruth Simmons’ successor, we trust they’ll consider the critical nature of town-gown relations within an increasingly challenging urban environment, along with the ability to raise funds and provide leadership to one of the world’s great universities.

Letters Thank You from the Mayor of Chocolateville To the editor: Thanks for the coverage of the chocolate bar [Other Side, February 2012].

Whole Foods told me that four people came by the store today asking how to buy it. They’re giving us the best display space possible for Valentine’s Day and it looks like the other stores will be carrying them soon too.

You’ve done a good thing.

Mike Ritz

Feeling Left Out To the editor: I am a little perplexed, a little dismayed, and greatly disappointed. Every month I look forward to reading East Side Monthly and seeing a listing for an Opera Providence production/concert in the line-up and each month I go away with a sinking feeling that it has been omitted. This past edition was the greatest slap in the face

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre Managing Editor Barry Fain City Editor Steve Triedman Executive Editor Julie Tremaine Editorial Assistant Erin Swanson Special Projects Manager John Taraborelli Art Director Alli Coate Assisant Art Director Karli Hendrickson Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas Graphic Designer Meghan H. Follett Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich, Ann Gallagher, Nicole Greenspun, Dan Schwartz, Elizabeth Riel, Sharon Sylvester, Kimberly Tingle, Jessica Webb Classified Advertising Sue Howarth

as I submitted an article in accordance with the timeframe as outlined and still did not get a listing. What gives? I know that we don’t bring in Renee Fleming as a feature, but neither do we charge $300 to see our exceptional talent. I cannot help but get the feeling that this community, this state all want to see Opera Providence go away. Well I can assure you that it will not happen under my watch. We are strong, free of debt, contracting with major performers, bringing young and emerging talent to the stage, and thrilling audiences each month with our concerts. So I will keep trying and someday you may notice that Opera Providence is a true gem with exceptional talent and a great Board of Directors. Thank you for listening to my frustration.

Dr. Robert DeRobbio Editor’s Note: East Side Monthly thinks that Opera Providence is a great group, and worthy of support.

Please check our calendar listing on page 47 and look for a feature story in

the upcoming months.

Thanks for the Support To the editor: Thank you for your informational piece calling attention to our new initiative to make parking convenient and affordable in downtown Providence [Other Side, February 2012]. Off-street parking has never been easier with many garages and lots offering specials. Onstreet parking has never been more customer friendly; many meters offer payments by smartphones or charge cards. The key is the first website ever dedicated exclusively to parking information: www.parkdowntownprovidence.com. We welcome East Side Monthly readers to our vibrant downtown where tried and true (as well as new) businesses, restaurants and bars await you. Thanks again.

Frank LaTorre Director of Public Space, Providence Downtown Improvement District

Contributing Writers Keith Burkitt, Bob Cipriano, Mary K. Connor, Jill Davidson, Renee Doucette, Don Fowler, Mike Fink, David Goldstein, Bob Mariani, Betsey Purinton, Elizabeth Rau, Dan Schwartz, David Taraborelli Calendar Samantha Gaus Interns Emily Gardner, Samantha Gaus, Courtney Little, Michelle Reis, Eilish Shaffer Contributing Photographer Dan Schwartz Contributing Illustrators Ashley MacLure, Jessica Pollak, Christina Song 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 ©2012 by East Side Monthly.

All rights reserved. Printed by TCI. March 2012 East Side Monthly

5

Other Side by Barry Fain

Let the Parties Begin?

More Thayer Street entertainment licenses being sought Entertainment Zone Coming to Thayer Street?

In case you haven’t noticed, there is a new movement afoot to allow special use entertainment licenses on Thayer Street. In the past, City policy has been to keep entertainment venues concentrated downtown to ensure better late night crowd control while limiting the impact on residential neighbors. Now, however, several Thayer Street night spots are seeking the right to bring in live entertainment and charge for admission.

The latest applicant is Shark, who will go before the zoning board in February. In its letter of opposition, the College Hill Neighborhood Association noted that “allowing entertainment licenses for areas like Thayer Street, located as it is in the middle of a residential area and populated by students walking at late hours on their way home, would seem particularly counterproductive to well-established and on-going strategies.”

Brown has joined in opposition. If you have thoughts pro or con, weigh in by writing the Providence Zoning Board (Myrth York, chair) at 190 Dyer Street, Providence 02903.

New Holocaust Inspired Concert and Film at RIC on March 21 “Phoenix from the Ashes,” powerful new music inspired by Holocaust poems and stories written by children sent to the concentration camp at Terezin, will be performed at RIC’s Sapinsley Hall on March 21 at 1 and 7:30 pm.

Written by composer, RIC professor and concert pianist Judith Lynn Stillman after visiting Holocaust survivors

6

East Side Monthly March 2012

who shared the children of Terezin’s secret writings with her, the event will also feature Metropolitan Opera soprano Lori Phillips, who will give voice to the children’s words. This living legacy survives because one of the captive children, Sidney Taussig, buried drawings, poems and stories during the war and retrieved them after the camp was liberated. Immediately following the one-hour concert, a new uplifting 52-minute documentary, The Boys of Terezin, will have its northeast debut. Now a Florida resident, 82-year-old Taussig will be on hand to answer questions. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance by calling 456-8144, Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.

PPAC Has a Thing for Providence Some of our favorite characters, Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Pugsley and of course Thing, will soon creep, slink (or do whatever it is they do) as they make their way to the Providence Performing Arts Center from March 20-25. The Addams Family musical has been a hit on Broadway and, we’re told, is a lot of fun. It’s also a particularly appropriate choice given the unusual cast of characters past and present who have been known to inhabit our streets, especially late at night. Call 421-ARTS or visit www. ppacri.com for tickets.

R.I.P., H.P. In this same vein, this month (March 15 to be specific) marks the 75th anniversary of the death of Providence’s best known master of the creepy and weird, author H.P. Lovecraft. We assume there will be some sort of ceremony at his gravesite in Swan Point

either on that day or during the succeeding weekend. Given his cult status among lovers of the supernatural, it likely will draw an, uh, rather interesting crowd as well. Haven’t heard of any specifics yet, but if H.P. wants you there, we’re sure he’ll find a way to let you know.

For a Whale of a Good Time One of the often-overlooked theatrical treasures of our state is the Mixed Magic Theatre. Located in Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket, just over the Providence line, the theatre has been led by Ricardo PittsWiley for years. The range of their offerings is impressive indeed, spanning traditional multicultural plays, musicals (like their recent smash hit on the life of blues singer Bessie Smith), plus some incredibly creative presentations of the classics. Come check out one of the best examples of what they can do when the troupe presents its award-winning presentation of Moby Dick: Then and Now which is adapted and directed by Pitts-Wiley himself.

The play will run Thursdays thru Saturdays during March at 7:30pm. Call 305-7333 or visit www.mmtri.com to reserve and help support this wonderful institution.

B is for Brown... and Beethoven As the decade-long term of President Ruth Simmons draws to a close at the end of June, the parties and celebrations are just now beginning to honor her impressive ten years at the helm of Brown. The first will be a special concert by the Brown University Orchestra at Veterans Memorial Auditorium on March 3. Appropriate-

ly, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with its choral “Ode to Joy” will be performed in her honor. Over 150 choral singers from Brown and Providence College will come together to perform. Tickets (for what should be a sold-out event) are $25, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, and are available at 421-ARTS or www.thevetsri.com.

The Coffee Pot is Brewin’ What better place to hold an indoor mini-car racing event than at our very own Dunkin’ Donuts Center, especially since they’re competing for something appropriately called “The Coffee Pot!” Small, three-quarter midget cars, manned by drivers from several northeast states, will be racing at speeds up to 70 mph in what should be one wild event. The dates are March 10 and 11. Contact www. dunkindonutscenter.com or call 3310700 for more info.

Lost Parking Permit You know that Providence is serious about increasing revenue from parking tickets when they go after your beloved neighborhood newspaper.

The City has decided to tighten up on media parking passes, which allow the working press to park pretty much anywhere but hydrants, crosswalks and handicapped areas. Now they have limited the press to parking meters. While it might slow down our ability to ferret out our Pulitzerworthy investigative pieces, we’ll keep chugging away on your behalf as we try to see all and tell all. And besides, we all have to do whatever we can to help our cash-strapped city in its hour of need.

THE BEST OF ATLANTA’S NATiONAL HANDMADE rug SHOW HAS ArriVED iN PrOViDENCE

RUSTIGIAN RUGS One GOvernOr Street, PrOvidence

401-751-5100 Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-5

rustigianrugs.com conveniently located at the corner of Governor and Wickenden Street on the east Side of Providence.

Just up the street from Adler's Hardware

SmartLipo

at Spa Noor

Tired of walking on that treadmill and getting nowhere? Watching what you eat and your body shape won't change?

Smartlipo LaserBodySculpting™ can help. This revolutionary laser liposuction treatment literally melts away fat in trouble spots. Remove those love handles, saddle bags and back fat. You can now love the body you're in.

Call today for a free consultation.

Where

health and science meet.

Make this year the year of you!

Let Spa Noor help you.

Spa Noor is an oasis where health and science meet to provide the most cutting-edge skin care treatments in a relaxing, therapeutic environment for both men and women.

Services Laser Hair Removal Fraxel Laser Skin Resurfacing Botox & Dysport Dermal Fillers Acleara™ Acne Clearing System Sclerotherapy Laser Vein Removal Red & Blue Light Therapy Treatments Laser Skin Rejuvenation Chemical Peels Photofacials Microdermabrasion

SmartLipo at Spa Noor New Boston Medical Center 373 New Boston Road Fall River, MA 02720 774.488.4130 info@southcoastsmartlipo.com www.southcoastsmartlipo.com

Spa Noor Medical Spa & Laser Center New Boston Medical Center | 373 New Boston Road | Fall River, MA 02720 508.679.3711 | www.spanoor.com | spanoor@aol.com

Community News Community 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.

Brown Street Park

By Wendy Nilsson Friends of Brown Street Park Phone Number: 454-8712 Website: www.friendsofbrownstreetpark.org Email: wendy@friendsofbrownstreetpark.org Mailing Address: 30 Pratt Street, Providence, RI 02906 Events this Month Because of the unseasonably warm temperatures, we were not able to fill and freeze the Brown Street Park skating rink this year. (Our permit was for an ice rink, not a pool.) We will try again next year. We are grateful to our corps of penguin volunteers led by Pedro Dal Bo and Mike Paradiso, and Providence firemen who were ready to fill as soon as temps dropped. We are also grateful to parks for prepping the rink area.

Mark your calendars for the Friends of Brown Street Park first annual Supporting Parks and Recreation in Neighborhoods so they Grow (SPRING) 5K/10K and Kids’ road races on Saturday, May 12 at 8am. The 5K and 10K course will be a 3.1 mile loop through College Hill passing Prospect Park, running through India Point Park and passing the Brook St. play-

ground. Kids’ races will be in green space at the Brown Street Park. Proceeds from the race will benefit both the Brown St. Park and the Mt. Hope Learning Center. Check the website for links to the race registration page.

The 5K and 10K races will be held rain or shine.

Please check the website for updates on the Spring Earth Day Cleanup in April.

Summit

By Kerry Kohring Summit Neighborhood Association Phone Number: (Kerry Kohring) 2726323 Website: www.summitneighbors.org Email: sna@sna.providence.ri.us Mailing Address: P.O. Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940 Board of Directors The SNA held a get acquainted session on Jan. 22 at Hope Street Pizza for people wanting to run for election to the organization’s board; a list of about five candidates resulted. Those names and any others nominated at the annual meeting on Feb. 27 at Summit Commons on Hillside Avenue have been voted on. For the results of that election and a summary of the other actions at the meeting, including reports from area elected officials, please go to our website or to www. eastsidemonthly.com.

Regular Meetings The board meets at 7pm the third Monday of every month in the cafeteria of Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Avenue. The meetings are open and

neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend.

Fox Point

By John Rousseau Fox Point Neighborhood Association Phone Number: 270-7121 Website: www.fpna.net Email: fpna@cox.net Mailing Address: P.O. Box 603177, Providence, RI 02906 Events this Month FPNA Monthly Board Meeting, 7 to 8 pm, March 12, at the Vartan Gregorian Bath House Library.

CPC Passes I-195 Overlay District The Providence City Plan Commission passed the East Side I-195 Overlay District (ESOD) and Revisions to the Comprehensive Plan January 24, then forwarded the documents to the city council for review.

CPC did not recommend the extension of Pike Street in ESOD, as had been requested by the Fox Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA).

The staff of Providence Department of Planning (PDP) said that the issue was not a matter for zoning changes in ESOD or the Comprehensive Plan.

The commission accepted. It is unclear if the city council will review the Pike Street issue and make any recommendations on its future.

In a letter to the CPC, FPNA said, “Not only does the lack of a full Pike Street intersection limit access to the waterfront, but it also adversely impacts existing riverfront establishments and the marketability of the I-195 parcels, including Shooters.”

The I-195 Commission has ex-

pressed deep concern about the need for parking to market the I-195 parcels successfully. FPNA members have asked the commission to consider a parking structure on the two Fox Point parcels, P-1 and 9, just north of I-195 near Holy Rosary Church. If the commission were to agree with those locations for parking, visitors to waterfront attractions, like Shooters, would have to walk an extra distance of about 660 feet – towards Wickenden Street and back to Pike Street.

Already, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) design allows motorists heading east on Pike Street to turn right onto the exit ramp.

FPNA believes that a safe Pike Street intersection would be possible if RIDOT provided adequate traffic signs and signals that urged exiting traffic to slow down as it approaches an upcoming traffic signal. A red flashing or predominantly green signal at the intersection during peak morning rush hour would allow for adequate traffic flow, FPNA maintains.

Lambri Zerva, supervising engineer with RIDOT has indicated that their design plan would not include a full Pike Street intersection crossing the I-195 westbound exit at Wickenden Street because it would result in morning rush hour traffic backing up on I-195. However, Zerva would not answer repeated questions to define existing regulations on exit ramp lengths at the January FPNA board meeting.

Also at the CPC meeting, the commissioners significantly changed the zoning plans for ESOD from what the PDP had presented at two earlier FPNA board meetings. In response to strong community opinion, PDP had

Can’t Sell it? Rent it!

Call Us To Rent Out Your Property!

March 2012 East Side Monthly

9

DOME

Construction & Roofing Co.

Community News

Serving All of Rhode Island

Residential • Commercial We Specialize in Emergency Roof Work Slate • Shingles • Tar & Gravel • Rubber

Free Estimates • Competitive Rates

RI Commercial Roofing License #11R • RI Contractor’s License #2241

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

723-2877

domeconstructioncoinc.com

COME SEE OUR FABULOUS NEW SPACE! We’re in the heart of the East Side at 5 Lincoln Avenue (on the corner of Cole) ■

Fully equipped Pilates studio: private & group sessions

■

Mind/Body nutritional counseling

■

Power Pilates teacher training center

Call or Email for Schedule

w: providencepilatescenter.com | e: provpilates@aol.com

t: 401-480-0193 | 5 Lincoln Avenue, Providence

three by three in rep three world premieres now–may 27

trinity repertory

company

sparrow Grass

by Curt Columbus the mourners’byBench GeorGe brant Love alone by deborah salem smith (401) 351-4242 • www.trinityrep.com • tickets start at $15 201 WASHINGTON ST. • PROVIDENCE • RI •

• SEASON SPONSORED by

Certified Public Accountants & Business Consultants  Auditing, Accounting & Tax Services  Forensic Examinations  Business Valuations

   

Financial & Estate Planning Business Succession Planning Wealth Preservation Litigation Support

recommended that both South Water and South Main streets be zoned as “A” streets – ones that offer continuous street-level activity (e.g. shops, restaurants) along a whole block without intervening curb cuts for vehicular entry.

I-195 Commission Chair Colin Kane maintained it was not feasible or practical to make both South Main Street and South Water Streets into “A” streets due the foreseeable economic conditions as well as the narrowness and topography of the blocks between South Main and South Water. If they were both to become “A” streets, there would not be enough space left over to put in parking, loading and other curb cuts necessary to potential businesses, he maintained. CPC seemed to agree, favoring South Main Street as an “A” street, while allowing South Water Street to be zoned as a “B” street.

Bonnie Nickerson, a senior planner with PDP staff had told the Fox Point board on January 9 that the I-195 Commission wanted the ability to merge three parcels (from James to Wickenden streets) to make a larger, more developable block. If that were to happen, then it would not allow the reopening of Dollar Street or the Transit Street extension, which divide the three parcels on the ESOD plan.

Final zoning regulations for the parcels need to be in place by July 1 for the I-195 Redevelopment Commission to recognize them, according to Bob Azar, DPD planner. Public Hearings on the zoning recommendations should start in March at the city council, which hopes to pass to a council committee in April. Final council approval is expected in May or June.

Many important documents, in their latest revisions, are available or should soon be available at the Planning & Development Department’s web site: www.providenceplanning. org.

Blackstone Parks

By Jane Peterson

Call us for a Free Consultation 27 Dryden Lane, Providence | 273-1800 yksmcpa.com | Visit our Website for Free Newsletters 10

East Side Monthly March 2012

Blackstone Parks Phone Number: 270-3014 Website: www.blackstoneparksconservancy.org Mailing Address: P.O. Box 603141 Providence, RI 02906

At the back of York pond one morning, a sun-gilded heron lifts and lowers one long leg, then another. Only then do you notice: She’s walking on water! Not really, of course. Her feet are touching sand a few inches below the surface. Apparently York Pond, which was re-created by community volunteers, city departments and public agencies over several years, is silting up again from back to front. And across the road at the edge of the Seekonk River you can see mounds of silt that has passed through the pond.

When the reclamation project ended over five years ago, the pond was expected to remain relatively free of sediment for 20 years or more, which was the amount of time that had elapsed since the previous cleaning.

But a combination of factors spelled trouble early on.

Even today, despite advances in storm water management, the solution to the challenges contained in this 1.75-acre pond isn’t obvious.

Fresh water from long buried streams flows into a ravine in the Blackstone Park Conservation District at Butler Avenue. But storm surges pound down through the ravine as well, so intense that pond water sometimes sloshes across River Road. Much salted sand laid down each winter by the Department of Public Works washes down into the pond. And as if that weren’t enough, there are pollutants.

Much of the trash that people toss throughout a watershed that extends west beyond Hope Street, north almost to Rochambeau Avenue and south to Angell Street ends up in the pond. Volunteers periodically trudge in to pick it up, but they can’t keep up.

York Pond also serves, still, to provide wildlife habitat as it was meant to do. Not only the stately blue heron visits York Pond. There are mallards, wood ducks, black crowned night herons, muskrats, small fish, and snapping turtles – several species actually reside there.

But what’s the best way to head off the pond’s decline? Board members of the Conservancy recently met with experts familiar with the pond’s recent history to ask this question. The reply was, in effect: “I don’t know. But any solution should include the 380acre watershed. Perhaps a study is needed.”

That suggestion made sense to the BPC board. So we have committed to

raise funds for a study by engineers widely respected for their experience with storm water management. Stay posted to watch our progress.

Coming Events Annual Meeting on March 28 (check website for location). Refreshments at 5pm. City Forester Doug Still to give pointers on tree protection, and Tom Brueckner of the Narragansett Bay Commission to speak briefly about the sewer project on the East Side.

East Side Marketplace receipts add up. Thank you for sending yours to P.O. Box 603141.

College Hill

By Allison Spooner College Hill Neighborhood Association Phone Number: 633-5230 Website: www.collegehillna.com Email: chna@collegehillna.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2442 Providence, RI 02906 Leap Year Party February 29 Join us for our first social celebration of 2012. Meet new neighbors or visit with those you know but may not see often. Check our website for event details.

the benefit of the exemption. More details on the CHNA site.

Electronics Recycling Thanks to all of those who brought their recyclables to the Metech/ CHNA/Hope High School sponsored event. We collected 11,850 lbs of waste and are planning another electronics recycling event again this fall. Details will be publicized and posted on our website. Thanks so much to Jim Gardner, the fabulous Project NEED students at Hope High School and Bob St. Jean of Metech for all of their assistance to make this event a success.

Entertainment Licenses on Thayer Street Are you concerned about the number of entertainment license applications on Thayer Street? The third entertainment license request was made last month. Two have been granted thus far. This is an issue we are watching closely and working to suppress. Additional information is posted on our website on the Updates and News page with tools for you to support our efforts.

Crime Awareness See the CHNA website for the most current crime alert information and also the meeting notes from January 23 with Councilman Sam Zurier. Tip: Record serial numbers on large electronic devices. It may make it easier for recovery of stolen goods.

Sign up for www.eastsidemonthly.com Have you seen the new www.eastsidemonthly.com? Our neighborhood group now has a blog on their brand new spiffy website where we can post updates and news throughout the month. Just look under the “Community” tab for the “Blogs” subcategory and you can find more from CHNA, other neighborhood groups and the editors of East Side Monthly. Also be sure to check out their events calendar for plenty of things to do. If you register as a user you can even post your own events.

Homestead Exemption From Councilman Sam Zurier: If you currently pay property tax and receive a homestead exemption, please watch your mail over the next few weeks for a letter and form from the City Tax Assessor. Visit the CHNA website, Updates and News page to view a generic copy of the letter and form. You will need to fill out the form and send it back to the Tax Assessor to re-apply for the homestead exemption. If you do not complete the form and return it, the Tax Assessor will send you a tax bill next year that does not include

Membership Card is in the Mail You may have received a postcard from CHNA in the mail with a membership renewal notice or new member application. Please put it to use. Dues are $20 per calendar year or $35 for two. To join (or renew), visit our website, www.collegehillna.com and click “Join CHNA,” or send a check made out to CHNA (Attn: Treasurer) and mail it to P.O. Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906. Be sure to include your email address.

Not sure about your payment status? Confirm at www.chna@collegehillna.com.

Moving from imagining to reality takes trust.

From design collaboration through seamless installation, RIKB is your partner...every step of the way.

March Showroom Events:

Visit our showroom

March 1 at 5:30 p.m. -- Meet & Greet with Ed Del Grande from the DIY Network

139 Jefferson Blvd.

Warwick, RI 02888

March 13 at 5:30 p.m. -- Visiting Chef Series with Trattoria Roma Events are complimentary.

Registration is encouraged.

Register at www.RIKB.com

401.463.1550 Meet Ed Del Grande from the DIY Network

www.RIKB.com

March 2012 East Side Monthly

11

Roots Cafe founder Len Cabral presents at the March 2011 PKN

Providence PechaKucha Night opens minds, doors and hearts

By Mary K. Connor

Photography: Frank Mullin

PechaKucha Nights: Have you heard of them? If you’ve been paying attention the answer is probably yes, as there have been 34 PechaKucha Nights in Providence over the past three years – one per month, in various venues – and the events have garnered a fair share of media coverage, including a lot of space in our sister publication Providence Monthly. Some of you may know of PechaKucha Night Providence (PKN for short) from a friend or through social media. As for the rest of you, well read on.

The most recent PKN Night took place on January 25, right here at the East Side’s Waterman Grille. I was more than happy to attend, on assignment. It was my second trip to a PechaKucha Night, the first prompted by a friend who was presenting (more on that later). I was hooked. It was a fun and energizing experience and I repeatedly and mercilessly chastised my husband for having been – let’s be blunt – such a deadbeat for refusing to go with me. The second time around, he gave in. A reluctant traveler, he nevertheless had to admit by the end of the night that I had been right after all. Sometimes it works out that way. The wine helped.

So, what is this phenomenon all about?

The name, PechaKucha, is Japanese. It means “chit-chat” or (more literally), the “sound of conversation.” It is not hard to say, once you get over some Americanstyle hang-ups. Ignore that the “K” is capitalized and pay no attention what-

soever to the pesky “u.” Employ magic marker to write the phonetic spelling on your hand, and with just a little practice you will have it: pa-CHAK-cha. It is a nice sounding name and – I think – an appropriate one too.

PechaKucha Nights began in Tokyo in February 2003, when two architects created a forum where other young designers could “meet, network and show their work in public,” according to www. pecha-kucha.org. The key to the success of the events is the unique format that all presenters must use to share their ideas, work, passion or just plain humor.

Presenters stand in front of a projector screen. The format is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds per image.

The pre-selected images forward automatically while the presenter talks along to them. The result is six minutes and 40 seconds of adult-style show and tell.

The Tokyo architects had seen enough PowerPoint presentations to know that in a social setting, the format needed to force conciseness and keep things moving at a rapid pace. Their idea took off.

There are now PechaKucha Nights in 469 cities across the globe. On January 25, while 100 or so people gathered at Waterman Grille, similar groups met to share ideas in Tokyo and Brussels. Providence, it should be proudly noted, is the only city of the 469 that has held an event each and every month.

There are few rules beyond the 20 x 20 format. Anyone can present. Michael

Gazdacko is PKN’s official organizer. By day he is the Director of Development and Operations at Urban Smart Growth (best known for Hope Artiste Village, their funky urban space on Main Street in Pawtucket, which houses The Met).

Social media, he says, is missing the one ingredient that is crucial to old-fashioned storytelling: being able to hear and see the person who is telling the story. PKN does not “curate or jury” who presents or what is presented, he says, which makes for a very interesting evening and contributes to a buzz of anticipation as each presenter is introduced.

The theme for January’s PKN was “New.” Each night is organized around a theme, although, as you might guess, there are no rules about sticking closely to that theme, or indeed sticking to it at all, as Ashley Ernest, a jewelry designer, so hilariously pointed out in her allotted six minutes and 40 seconds. Her presentation could best be described as a personal stream of consciousness narration (revelation really) that began with a Google search of the word new.

Presentations are not tutorials as the format does not lend itself to that. I learned from Richard Durishin a little bit about VeloSprints – 500-meter stationery bike races that happen in places like McFadden’s (the next one is April 1). While these races sometimes involve drinking beer, they always involve raising money to teach urban kids the skills of bicycling.

From Thea Izzi I discovered the ex-

istence of Ecstatic Dance, also known as Trance Dance, which is definitely not drunk dancing. It encourages one to “set your intentions,” a concept that could be applied to almost any area of life.

Artist Rachel Cyrene Blackman amazed with a slide show about words, new word orders, odd pairings of words, and a new product that engages a game-like approach to putting words into poetry.

Joey Chia gave an energetic interpretation of his art process, assuring us that “sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself.”

Duck & Bunny owner Dan Becker assured us that 2012 would not be the year of the Apocalypse, and I can’t really explain his reasoning other than to say his presentation began with the observation, “Have you been around for the last 40 years?” and included images of Callista Gingrich, Michael Jackson, Rush Limbaugh, Al Gore and Ted Haggard.

My overall interpretation of PKN is that it’s an opportunity to hear about things that would otherwise remain completely under my radar screen. That seemed to be the assessment of others as well. Stephanie Zurek, who lives near Wayland Square, has been to three or four events. “I love hearing what other people are thinking about,” she says. “It creates a great feeling of community.” Tony Yu, who also lives near Wayland Square, agrees: “There is an energy. Everybody here is interesting.”

Yu, an MIT graduate, works at Brown as a medical researcher and has only recently March 2012 East Side Monthly

13

Over 25 Years of Building and Remodeling

Waterfire creator Barnaby Evans presents at PKN

RI Reg. #1246

401-434-6600 www.eastsideconstruction.com

Providence’s two-year anniversary

Now AcceptiNg New pAtieNts Welcomes Dr. Martha Pizzarello, MD to our practice!

Dr. Pizzarello offers Botox, Juvederm XC and Latisse From birth control to pregnancy, from menopause to disease management, seeing you through all the stages of your life is our privilege.

297 Promenade Street :: Providence :: (401) 490.6464 www.center-obgyn.com

Experience Daily Yoga Workshops Acupuncture Chiropractic Massage Naturopathic Organic Skin Care and More...

Photography: Frank Mullin

315 Main Street, Wakefield, RI | 401.782.2126 | allthatmatters.com

14

East Side Monthly March 2012

Hundreds gathered for PechaKucha Providence’s second anniversary at the Roots Cafe last March

moved to Providence. He confirmed what I found from going to just two PechaKucha Nights. “You can never predict how each one is going to play out.” That, too, is part of the appeal.

One thing can be safely predicted, though. Inevitably, the idea of becoming a presenter is likely to enter your head. That happened to my friend Wendy Grossman of Fox Point. Another friend suggested she make a presentation about the poems she composes daily and posts on Facebook. Her Facebook poems emerge from the words or phrases others have posted that day. Grossman considers herself to be quiet and shy, but she doesn’t back away from a challenge. She practiced a lot and it went well. The slides were a good prop, she said, and the audience response helped too. “It is the combination of the visual with the talking that appeals to me,” Grossman says. “It is a creative forum, and produces a feeling of community with others in the city.”

East Side Monthly readers will recognize the names of two other past presenters. Karina Wood is a two-time participant. “I love PKN,” she says. In December, Wood was a mystery presenter – ad-libbing to slides she had not previously seen.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking but very fun,” she states. East Side Monthly writer Jill Davidson was intrigued by the 20 x 20 format. She participated in a PKN on the theme of relationships – her presentation told of the relationship between her family and the Providence Public School System. “I liked the challenge of associating images with concepts… and of having to

be concise,” Davidson says.

The success Providence has had in making PechaKucha Nights part of the fabric of the community is thanks to a great deal of work – volunteer work – by many people. Providence Media’s own John Taraborelli is on PKN’s board, and plays an active role in organizing each month’s event. Another East Sider, Tobias Lederberg, was a member of the founding board and now serves as Vice President and pro bono legal counsel. He too has been a presenter. Michael Gazdacko is the President of the PKN board and is the one most responsible for all of the organizing logistics. On event days he puts in “a good six hours” of work; between events he estimates another 1525 hours go towards finding presenters and venues and getting information out to the public each month.

The most stressful thing Gazdacko deals with is when presenters back out and he has to scramble to find back ups.

He likes to have seven or eight presenters at each event. Gazdacko could not point to any one presentation as standing out in his mind as the best, or most memorable. “They are all so different and special in their own right.” And that, I suppose, is the whole point.

The next PKN Nights will be held at Fete in Olneyville on February 22 and at the Roots Cafe on March 28. The theme will be “cities.” Go to www.pecha-kucha. org for more information, or join the “PechaKucha Providence” group on Facebook to find out how to be a presenter. Then let loose and seek out your inner chit. Or chat.

Explore Fox Point Ives & WIckenden

Tastings Every Friday!

Free Hand Cut Fries With Burger!

Warm Customer Service Large Craft Beer Selection 10% Off Cases Of Wine

(must bring ad) For delivery see

dashman.com

10% OFF with ad!

Madeira Liquors

167 Ives Street, Providence 401.369.7838

Mon-Sat 10am-10pm

uglyamericanburger.com

an asian noodle house Take out • Dine In • BYOB

Lunch Mon-Sat 1130 -3 Dinner Mon-Sat 5-9

102 Ives Street, Providence • 383-5004 Visit our website to see our menu

www.noodles102.com

Serving Organic Fair Trade Coffee in Fox Point Since 1984

Come celebrate Losar (Tibetan New year) with us!

View an exciting exhibit of Tibetan art.

Never too late for breakfast

Saturday, February 25 12-5pm And Gallery Night Thurs. March 15, 5-9pm

Photo: Kate Salvi

Noodles 102

174 Ives Street • 272-5911

The Peaceable Kingdom 351-3472 • 116 Ives Street, Providence

234 Wickenden Street 751.2477

brickwayonwickenden.com

Nominated Best Erotic Boutique in U.S., AVN Awards 2012

Mister Sister Erotica More Toys than the Devil has Sinners

Mon 12pm-8pm, Tue-Thur 11-9 Fri-Sat 11-10, Sun 11-5 207 Wickenden St. Providence • 401-273-1198 or 1-877-Coffee-4

sustainablecoffee.com

268 Wickenden Street, Providence • 421- 6969 •

A Friendly Visitor Pet Sitting and Boarding Services

Providing high quality pet services: - Walks/Home Visits - Unique in home boarding services with up to 3 dogs at once for individual attention For more information call Sharon at 401.301.1712

Bring the Gym To Your Home!

25% off For first time clients!

In-Home Personal & Small Group Training. Proven Weight Management. $50/Hour Session

LEAN on

me

GaIl RuGGIeRI FITneSS TRaIneR – CPT

374-7709

Providence tennis academy

uPcoming session: march 9 - may 5 Our vision is to develop players who will compete together in practice and push each other to improve every day.

401-935-4346 providencetennis.com 16

East Side Monthly March 2012

Taking a Shot A Providence Bruin on the toughest fight of his life

By Erin Swanson Ever since Bobby Robins

was five years old, he wanted nothing more than to be a hockey player. Growing up in the icy tundra of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, it seemed as if hockey was in his blood.

After playing on various teams throughout his teens and early 20s, Robins signed a one-year NHL deal with the Ottawa Senators. He played the year for their minor league team but never got the call to the big club. That spawned his decision to play hockey overseas for a few years. Things were good; Robins was playing hockey professionally and living in a Slovenian ski lodge with his beautiful girlfriend. To an outsider, it would seem as if he had the perfect life.

However, something was very wrong.

Although Robins was working out daily, eating for strength and appearing to be (by all outward accounts) the pinnacle of health, he was harboring a secret: his two-can-a-day chewing tobacco habit. “Now replace the word habit with drug addiction,” Robins says.

“I couldn’t go an hour without filling my mouth.” He would sit and spit, in what seemed like an endless cycle. He knew how disgusting his habit was, referring to his brown-tinted spit as “molassescolored slime.”

In addition to the negative affects on his health, Robins’ addiction also did a number on his wallet. He special ordered pouches from Sweden, spending “insane amounts of money.” Robins speaks of himself at that time as a ninja master.

“My day consisted of balancing my nicotine intake, alternating between massive golf ball-sized plugs of tobacco and discreet tiny pouches that I could hold way back in my mouth, way behind the last

molar, and nobody knew but me.”

Robins even hid the habit – as best he could – from his long-term girlfriend, in that mountain ski lodge nestled in the Julian Alps. At first, they lived “in perfect harmony” up there in those frosted peaks; while Robins was at practice, his girlfriend would hit the slopes. “The romance consumed us, as we crept around castles, high in the mountains,” he says.

The months flew by, during what Robins

place strategically lit candles throughout the small room and watch Master and Commander on his laptop. “Everything felt perfect, and I drifted off on heroic oceanic adventures in that dark, dank bathroom,” he says. One night, an hour into his ritual, Robins was surprised to hear a jingling of keys – his girlfriend had returned to their room earlier than usual.

Knowing that she would poke her head in the bathroom and say hello, Rob-

Forward Bobby Robins

calls the happiest time of his life.

But, his tobacco addiction got bad… really bad. Robins’ girlfriend watched him chew his life away; he chose to hold the empty water bottle instead of her, and it put pressure on their relationship. In the evenings, they began following separate routines: she going down to the lodge pool, and he retiring to the bathroom to take a long, hot bath, tobacco included.

“I became obsessed with this ritual,” Robins says. He’d turn the lights off,

ins hurried to remove the tobacco from his mouth. As he had done countless times before, he plucked the chew wad from its resting spot; he tried to slide it into the water bottle but missed. The bathroom door swung open. “And then she saw it,” Robins says. “I was bathing in a black sea of tobacco juice. The grains were floating everywhere. To this day, I am pretty sure that she thinks that I actually used to bathe in tobacco juice, and that she just happened to catch me on

Photography: (top) Roger Prata (bottom) Alan Sullivan

this occasion.”

Unfortunately, things went from bad to worse. Robins stood in front of the bathroom mirror one morning and saw something behind his back molar. As he stood there, mouth frozen open in horror, he examined the dime-sized spot, “ghostly white in color, with small specs of red blood.” He ignored it for one full week. It got worse. “I knew it was cancer the moment I looked at it,” Robins says. “My fate was sealed. I would have half of my face cut off. I would become a monster.” He flushed all of his tobacco down the toilet. He quit that night.

Robins describes the next 72 hours as a blur; that’s the approximate length of time it takes the substance to exit the body. “The first 72 hours are the most dreadful, torturous, personal hell that you will ever know,” Robins asserts. “But, it will also let you know just how powerful the drug is. How is this drug, tobacco, not illegal? Nicotine is a weapon of mass destruction.”

Once the physical withdrawal symptoms passed, Robins began to tackle the mental addiction. “Slowly it got better.

What started with an ear-blasting scream became a hushed whisper, smaller and smaller, until it wasn’t there anymore.”

One week after Robins faced that bathroom mirror, he stood in his doctor’s office. A small tube with a camera on its end was inserted into his mouth and down his throat to examine his trachea and esophagus. It was clear. Robins recalls the biopsy: “Next the doctor cut out a piece of the spot in question with a pair of scissors. It hurt. Then it was the waiting game.”

Need Help With Your Garden? . Garden Design . Garden Installation & Maintenance . Soil Testing . Garden Consultations . Container Planting . Front Yard Makeovers . Expert Pruning

212-0669 • angela.gardencare@cox.net R. I. Licensed Arborist #120 R.I. Certified Horticulturist

Robins faces off on the ice

He hunkered down, and did everything he could to abstain from smoking; however, he no longer knew how to function in the world without tobacco.

He felt as if he had to relearn everything.

“There was no way I could possibly drive my car without tobacco in my mouth,” Robins says. “How on earth could I play hockey without chewing in the locker room, spitting brown gobs of juice into the trash can as I tape my stick and talk of the latest NHL tough-guy fisticuffs?”

On day 13, Robins made a promise to himself – he would stick to quitting no matter what. Even if that meant he’d become a terrible hockey player. His fear was irrational but to him it was real. “My brain actually believed that tobacco enhanced my athletic performance. I truly believed that hockey would never be the same.” On day 15, he got a phone call from his doctor’s office. “I snapped the phone open in horror to hear my fate.” It wasn’t mouth cancer. He had a wisdom

tooth that had emerged from beneath his gums and had caused irritation on his inner cheek. He now had a new lease on life.

However, as part of the quit, he had put on weight. “My fear of having my jaw removed now had reversed itself, as an extra chin appeared and jiggled and hung.” Robins says. It was off-season. He knew hockey certainly wasn’t an option at the weight he was at. “I pictured myself coming to training camp and being the fat guy. There’s one at every camp.”

He could have given up right there, but he didn’t. Robins began a grueling athletic program in which he pushed himself in ways he never thought possible. “My body was hard,” he says, “and I could run like the wind.” He kept his eye on the prize: returning once again to the NHL. Robins, who utilized the online support group www.quitsmokeless.org to break his habit, now lives in Providence and plays for the Providence Bruins. At well over 600 days smoke free, Robins continues to fight his way to the top.

“Now at 30, I’m in the best shape of my life and playing the best hockey of my life too,” he says, knowing that he’s considered to be “old in hockey years.” Robins notes that, “Ironically, I’m in much better shape now than six years ago when I signed that NHL deal.

I’m a different human and a different hockey player, better in every way.”

And yes, he’s still with the same girl.

“She has been supportive through this whole quitting process and has always been there for me,” Robins explains.

Having grown up in a small town and having spent many years in mountainous, rural locations, the self-proclaimed “small town guy” is really enjoying the city life that Providence offers. “I don’t have my car out here, so I try to walk as much as I can,” Robins says. “What a great city.”

Although he’s only been in town a short time, the right wing already has plans for doing charity work here and is excited to make appearances throughout the city to encourage others to give up tobacco. If you’d like to cheer on Robins and the rest of his fellow Bruins, their season runs through April 15 – longer if they make it to the playoffs, which we hope they will.

Invest in you . . .

Counseling & Life Coaching NO RISK HIGH YIELD NO KIDDING Steven M. Kane, Ph.D. Providence, RI 401-454-5700 kanesmk@verizon.net Inquiries invited

Facebook.com/ EastSideMonthly March 2012 East Side Monthly

17

RI’s #1 Real Estate Company | Largest Relocation Company in the Country | Leader in Interactive Web Technology

18 Fourth St, EaSt SidE – MLS# 999984

93-95 Rochambeau ave- mLS# 1003136

236 Camp St, EaSt SidE – mLS#1007014

3 Bedroom, 2 bath Ranch in the Summit Neighborhood. Master bed w/ bath, hardwoods, replacement windows, newer kitchen.

Large rear yard w/ covered porch & gagrage. $199,000

Great investment property! Fully rented offering parking, nice floor plans, hardwoods refinished, spacious rooms, new windows, vinyl sided & all separate utilities. $299,000

Totally renovated 5 bed, 2.5 bath spacious home featuring new granite & stainless kitchen, refinished hardwoods, new baths, high ceilings, freshly painted inside & out. New roof, replacement windows, deck & fenced yard. $219,000

12 Peach ave, east side – MLs# 1008095

5 Amy St Unit #3, EASt SidE mLS# 1009874 Fabulous 2 bed, 1.5 bath corner unit in

53 Woodbine St, eaSt Side MLS# 1002194 Stunning renovated 4 bed, 2 new full

Spacious apartments in this 2 family home. Updated kitchens in both units, hardwoods & 2 car garage. Townhouse style on 2nd & 3rd floors w. 4 bedrooms. $249,900

College Hill. Featuring living room & dining room w/ hardwoods, laundry in unit, lots of windows, sunroom & great finished basement! 2 Car parking & other East Side amenities! $269,500

bath home w/ granite & stainless appliances. New roof, large yard, freshly painted interior, vinyl siding, refinished hardwoods & replacement windows. $189,900

“Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms” – 2009 J.D. Powers and Associates 280 County Rd, Barrington

| 401-351-2017

| www.nemoves.com

2 1 ’ r e g e e l l o m C d n m a l s Su Rhode I ric.edu

2012

Green and Sustainability Studies program courses!

Accelerate your degree program, enhance your career, or improve your professional skills.

Summer Session I May 21 – June 29 Summer Session II July 2 – August 10 Registration: February 27 for current RIC degree students; March 5 for all others Information & Registration: www.ric.edu/summersessions

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE | 600 MOUNT PLEASANT AVENUE, PROVIDENCE, RI 02908 | (401) 456-8091 18

East Side Monthly March 2012

Brown and City Hall Square Off Can Ruth and Angel repair the rip between town and gown?

By Steve Triedman and Barry Fain

Illustration: Alli Coate, Photography: (left) Michael Cohea

Brown University has a

$2.5 billion endowment, but relative to their peer schools they consider themselves impoverished.

The City of Providence has $2.3 billion in unfunded pension liabilities.

And, according to Mayor Taveras, truly is impoverished.

The university has 8,454 students, 4,525 faculty, executives, clerical and maintenance employees and annual budget of $834 million.

The City has an annual budget of approximately $614 million and serves a population of 173,618 residents, 38,200 of them living below the poverty level.

Brown also owns property assessed at $1,042,111,400, all of which is currently tax-exempt. The City, meanwhile, is try-

ing to figure out how to avoid running out of cash by June.

So last week, at a point when the City and Brown should be constructively looking for ways to work together to bridge the gaps that threaten the City’s solvency, Mayor Angel Taveras and President Ruth Simmons were barely talking to each other. How did things deteriorate so badly and is there a way to mend the widening split in Providence between town and gown?

To get a sense of how bad things have gotten, here’s a description, as reported to us, of what took place at last month’s Providence Foundation annual meeting.

As Providence firemen picketed outside to protest Brown’s decision to only contribute half of what the mayor thought

he had been promised, a crowd of about 75 people inside awaited speeches from Governor Chafee, Mayor Taveras and President Simmons.

The first two went pretty much as expected. The governor was upbeat about the state’s future and hoped that Brown and the City would come to a fair agreement over payment in lieu of taxes. The mayor was similarly upbeat, acknowledging a baby gift he had received from the Brown president and humorously adding that he hoped it symbolized a new beginning in his relations with Brown. Then President Simmons stepped up and, according to several attendees of the meeting, launched into rather aggressive indictment of the City and its lack of appreciation ‘for all Brown does for the City.’

“Most of us in the audience were squirming in our seats, surprised that all the dirty linen was on display in what was supposed to be an upbeat look at the good things happening in our city right now,” reported one of the attendees. The head of the Brown Engineering School went on next, ready to share the investment the university was making in the Knowledge District, but by then the mayor and his entourage had already left.

A few days later, City Councilman Sam Zurier tried a back door approach to bring the two parties together and was told neither party wanted to make the first call. Fortunately, the governor seems to have gained some traction in getting the two parties to reopen the dialogue.

Councilman Zurier is now “cautiously opMarch 2012 East Side Monthly

19

timistic” that Brown and the City can still find ways to create a payment level acceptable to both sides. In fact as we go to press, The Corporation of Brown University is about to convene its February board meetings where we assume a discussion of Providence and its financial woes will be on the agenda. Brown spokesperson Marisa Quinn explains, however, she did not expect action from the corporation at this time. “We are continuing discussions [with the City] but they have not yet produced a proposal for the corporation to consider,” Quinn says.

How did things break down so quickly and publicly?

Early in his administration, it was clear to everyone that despite outgoing Mayor Cicilline’s assurance that all was right with the Good Ship Providence, nothing could be further from the truth. And soon, all parties agreed it would take shared sacrifices from everyone – taxpayers, unions, retirees, the mayor’s office, the city council and the non-profits – to avoid a meltdown of epic proportions. But why pick on Brown first? And, what’s a fair figure for a wealthy nonprofit like Brown to pony up?

Sam Zurier explains that there was consensus by virtually all parties that the non-profits have to help as much as they can to stave off the specter of possible bankruptcy. As the largest and wealthiest of the non-profits, with over $1.2 billion in real estate and an endowment of almost $3 billion, it seemed appropriate “to try to negotiate a payment with Brown first and then use that as a model to talk to the city’s other tax-exempts,” he explains.

So with this as background, Taveras and Simmons had breakfast at the Hope Club last April and by both accounts agreed on the fact that “the destinies of both Brown and the City of Providence are intrinsically intertwined.”

Zachary Darrow, a special advisor to the mayor, worked diligently and exhaustively with Richard Spies, Brown’s executive vice president for planning and a senior advisor. Spies has oversight of Brown’s short and long-term planning, including the growth of the university both on and off College Hill.

“We knew that Brown would not just send a check to the City’s General Fund, so my staff went through our budget line by line to try and identify specific line items within the City budget that might be acceptable to them,” Taveras explained. “For instance, the Library is a $3.5 million line item and I thought if Brown wanted to take that over given their commitment to education, that would be a perfect start.”

“President Simmons informed me that she was on board,” Mayor Taveras

20

East Side Monthly March 2012

On the day that Brown’s governing Corporation Board was meeting elsewhere, Brown students gathered on campus protesting what they felt was a woefully inadequate level of financial support to help the City. Said one speaker: “If we are branding ourselves as the social justice leader of the Ivies, we’ve got to take responsibility for what those values actually mean. We’ve got to put our money where our mouth is and be the good neighbors we like to pretend we are.” continued, “and she was confident that she would get corporation approval since she had only been rejected once before during her long tenure here. An ad hoc committee of the corporation also recommended approval of the plan and I was informed that it would be on the agenda for the October 22 meeting of the corporation.”

It was not. ROTC and athletics were the major agenda items presented by President Simmons, which were approved, along with the announcement of $34.2 million in new gifts and the growth of the endowment. Brown spokesperson and Vice President of Public Affairs and Community Relations Marisa Quinn explained that’s just the way university bureaucracy works.

On December 12, Taveras and Simmons met again. This time, Brown proposed a new and different offer. The meeting was followed by a December 15 letter from Simmons that was substantially different from what the mayor thought had been discussed and “a far cry” from the original agreement that Taveras thought he had in April.

The deal that the mayor thought they had reached would have seen Brown’s payments increase from $3.5 million a year – $2.3 million in taxes, plus $1.2 million as part of the 2003 Memo of Understanding (MOU) – to about $7 million.

Brown offered instead $2 million more a year for five years towards school programs. The offer was based on “Brown’s size and resources’” and that their payments represented “a substantial contribution and comparable to what any U.S. university contributes to its local com-

munity,” wrote Simmons in a letter to the Brown community. “Mayor Taveras’s rejection of the offer was both surprising and disappointing.”

The mayor immediately responded and obviously didn’t see it the same way.

“Everybody has been asked to sacrifice to make sure that the city can survive and thrive. I didn’t have a choice. We must find ways to close the shortfall and I had been confident that we had an agreement for the additional $4 million.” The Brown payment would be part of some $13-$17 million he hoped to raise from the full non-profit community.

So what constitutes a fair compromise?

This of course is the crux of the issue.

New Haven and Yale are often cited as a model of how a medium-sized city and a major Ivy League university can effectively work together. Sam Zurier now finds himself right in the center of these discussions.

As a member of the newly created City Council’s Commission on Revenue, Sustainability and Efficiency, Zurier was at the forefront of analyzing the tax-exempt problem and in particular comparing Providence, New Haven and Boston in their approaches. In addition, Zurier is a Yale graduate himself and has seen first-hand the evolution of a contentious town-gown relationship into one that is now providing ongoing and measurable benefits for both parties.

The magic number across the country seems to be 25% of assessed value, give

or take a few percentage points. Why 25%? That’s the minimal level of taxes deemed appropriate to cover the costs of providing services to the properties owned by the non-profits. When Yale University reached an agreement with New Haven, paying $7.5 million in lieu of taxes, a spokesman for Yale explained why it was in the school’s best interests to help the city. “The progress of Yale and New Haven are inextricably linked and Yale’s voluntary payments, along with its many beneficial partnerships with the city on a host of issues, reflects that mutual understanding.” In short, a healthy New Haven makes for a healthier Yale.

The school actually pays New Haven more than $15 million: $7.5 million in voluntary payments and another $7.5 in regular taxes. The Kenyon and Langley report PILOTS – Balancing Municipal and Nonprofit Interests emphasizes that “in addition to its role as a major employer and incubator for the biomedical sector, Yale also supports the Center for the City, an organization aimed at tapping New Haven’s civic resources to tackle its social problems; has redeveloped several blocks of the city’s retail center and pays a stipend for Yale employees buying homes in the city.”

Brown, however, takes issue with the comparison to Yale and New Haven. In an interview, Marisa Quinn practically leaped out of her chair when we mentioned Yale. “Yale’s endowment is $19.4 billion; Brown’s endowment is $2.5 billion!

They have over 12,000 students; we have 8,000. Their budget is $2.7 billion; ours is just $800 million. You can’t compare the two situations. Understanding the City’s

Photography: Michael Cohea

financial situation, Brown has made a very substantial offer to the City. President Simmons had made it clear that she had to take the proposal to the Corporation and there were several committees involved that had numerous meetings and discussions on the proposal,” she emphatically pointed out.

Therein lies the rub. The mayor sees “fairness” as a percentage of owned assets. Brown sees it as a percentage of their endowment funds. For the record, while Brown’s endowment funds are significantly lower than Yale’s, they are still ranked in the top 30 university funds nationally.

off the hook? Not at all, says Reilly. “The non-profits still need to do their part to help a city and state that is in trouble.

But a better approach is through partnerships and usage taxes. Students are here for a limited period, so I think it’s fair for communities to ask for a fee per student added on to their tuition – a couple of hundred dollars for example – to help their host communities defray costs.”

Pittsburgh, for example, came close this past year to implementing this kind of new revenue stream.

How do other cities handle the process?

Clearly the mood in the City Council is beginning to get ugly. Recently, a bill was introduced to try and revoke Brown’s non-taxable status, though whether it would past muster legally is up for debate. And at a wild press conference held on January 31, the mayor even suggested that bankruptcy might be necessary if the non-profits failed to pay their fair share and retirees didn’t amend the 4-6% annual COLAs that are costing the City millions of dollars each year. A court ruling that went against the City would have required retirees to accept Medicare instead of their current medical coverage is now under appeal.

Before positions harden irrevocably in Providence, what can be done? And are the mayor’s threats of declaring bankruptcy just that – empty threats? Perhaps the most knowledgeable of those involved in the process is John Igliozzi, head of the City Council’s finance committee, who maintains there are still several more things the city must do before seriously contemplating the “B” word: salary freezes, withholding COLAs for a period, anticipation notes and the like.

But Igliozzi also feels it is worth considering changing the ground rules for non-profits, and Brown in particular.

“Brown has two tax exemptions, a special exemption that was in the King’s Charter, which can only be changed by the General Assembly, and the same tax exemption that all of the non-profits in the state fall under. Both of these need to be revisited,” he added. (The King’s Charter was last amended in the 1940s.)

The mayor has already conferred with Judge Robert Flanders, the court appointed receiver in Central Falls, who has used his powers to reduce retiree pensions, break union contracts and slash unnecessary services. Others have suggested employing some of the major outof-town bankruptcy law firms who have had success in shutting down large companies, reorganizing them, and quickly returning them to the marketplace with dramatically reduced overhead and much more efficient operations. It’s a

In addition to looking at New Haven, the City Council report also looked at Boston. Despite its size, that city is not so dissimilar to Providence on this issue. About 50% of city’s land area is not taxed because it is owned or occupied by tax-exempt organizations, including government. Last year, Boston established new guidelines asking non-profits to make payments based on property values. The City asked 40 non-profits to increase their payments. To date, 88% of non-profits have already increased their contributions. The City’s goal is to get everyone to an even level of 25% of what they would pay if taxed.

In terms of other cities, Cambridge uses square footage to determine payments, while Baltimore bases such disbursements on an organization’s annual operating income. Multi-year plans with escalator clauses reduce uncertainty for both non-profits and municipalities.

Some cities grant community-benefit tax offsets for public services, such as providing scholarships or job training, that directly benefit local residents. On the other hand, athletic facilities, bookstores and dormitories are other examples of untaxed university enterprises that deserve a second look – arguably commercial enterprises that could be paying income tax on profits.

Another suggestion came from Andrew Reilly, a venture capitalist and a member of the State of Rhode Island’s Investment Commission. Although not a Providence resident, he notes that other Rhode Island communities are dealing with the same problem: Newport and Salve Regina, for example. He feels that a knee jerk reaction to force non-profits and local businesses to fix problems they didn’t create is unfair. “I think what we really need is to demand so much more from our elected officials too, the ones who should be the conservative stewards of our tax dollars.”

Does that mean the tax-exempts are

How can the parties reach a fair outcome?

The history of plans to tax the non-profits It’s not like the discussion over taxing non-profits is new to the city. A 1982 study of state and local government finances by a special Governor’s Advisory Committee chaired by then Brown President Howard Swearer recommended that public safety costs be paid by the institutions and that only “houses of worship” be exempted. The recommendations went nowhere, and in fact were roundly criticized and opposed by all of the organizations represented on the advisory committee.

Ten years later, Providence looked to legislate public safety fees on the institutions. Brown fought back, claiming among other things that they spent $2.25 million on their police force.

In 1994, in response to another attempt by Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. to tax institutions to make up lost property taxes, a loose coalition of the colleges and hospitals was formed to explore ways of helping the city without making cash payments. Brown, RISD, Providence College, Johnson and Wales, Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Women & Infants, Roger Williams Hospital, Butler Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital participated. A reading of their notes at the time points to the obvious, with each group detailing all of the free services they provide, while carefully avoiding the tax issue.

In 1995, the City created Institutional Zones for all of the colleges to better define their boundaries, but Brown was steadfast, refusing to give up any ground on the tax issue.

Under a 2003 memorandum of understanding, Mayor David Cicilline was the first to work out an agreement with Brown University, Providence College, Johnson and Wales University and the Rhode Island School of Design. The good news is for the first time, the universities would pump $48 million of voluntary payments into the City’s coffers over 20 years. What was not good was that the City agreed to not seek additional revenues during this time. In addition, any new land or buildings that the institutions would acquire would ease off the tax rolls over 15 years. In this case, RISD purchased the Hospital Trust Building for use as a dorm. And while they now pay taxes, in a few more years it too will come off the tax rolls. “It’s another example of how the universities think long term, while cities and politicians think short term.

The 2003 deal was front-loaded to help deal with a cash crunch and not necessarily in the long-term interests of the city,” said one observer involved in the negotiations.

In addition, as noted significantly in the City’s Sustainability Report, “in response to agreeing to a $2 million/year PILOT, a group of Providence colleges and universities (including Brown and Lifespan) ceased their participation in HELP, an urban health and education program,” which they had been funding at over $1 million/year.

Another key word in the 2003 agreement is the word “voluntary.” If things go south, there is technically an escape clause that doesn’t bind the institutions forever.

March 2012 East Side Monthly

21

22

East Side Monthly March 2012

heading towards completion. At the last minute, Lifespan withdrew and refused to sign the final draft. Providence College promises to be difficult as well. The good news is that reports from all sides suggest that the City and Johnson & Wales are close to an agreement.

But what if the parties can’t agree?

Hopefully, the door will never be fully closed and at some point a partial plot of common ground can be found. But it’s not as if the City is without other options.

The first of course is to go to the legislature to get the approval to tax the properties of the tax-exempts. Most seem to agree that asking for payments that equal about 25% of assessed value of owned real estate is reasonable and equates to what other cities have been seeking.

Even here though, some activists feel the City should seek the full amount for taxes due, before then settling for a more realistic reduced figure. “That way, we don’t have to go to the non-profits with our tin cup and beg for money. Rather they have to justify all the things they do that add value to our city (and we all acknowledge these are important) but at least the burden then shifts to them,” explained one city advocate.

It’s more likely that the City could start charging “usage fees” on the nonprofits, which is within their prerogative.

The easiest format would be for the cities to charge a flat tax per student to cover the costs of providing city services to them while they live in Providence. If the approximately 30,000 students who come to college in Providence were each charged $250, you’re talking some seri-

scholarships to local residents, $100,000 every five years towards the purchase of a new fire truck or rescue vehicle and $25,000 in small civic grants dispersed annually to local soup kitchens, volunteer fire departments and historical preservation societies. In addition, the university has also given a one million dollar water tower to Bristol for allowing them to build new dormitories, which also resolved a long-standing water pressure issue for residents in that part of town.

It’s clear that Brown, Lifespan and many of the city’s other non-profits have the resources to help Providence as it faces what appears to be a widening financial abyss. It’s also clear that this avenue is only one of several the City needs to incorporate on the revenue side while it continues to slash on the expense side. And one can certainly argue that the non-profits have the right, perhaps even the responsibility, to demand the City address systemic sinkholes like the COLAs and unfounded pension systems as part of any potential settlement agreement.

Ruth Simmons has proven herself to be an outstanding administrator, fundraiser and advocate for Brown. Angel Taveras has displayed an unexpected willingness to address the systemic problems that have plagued the city for decades. Let’s hope the two have the will and the creativity to seek out new solutions for these old problems. And let’s hope they hurry.

Midnight is approaching.

Photography: (left) Michael Cohea (right) Nicholas Millard

path into dangerous, uncharted waters, but with increasingly daunting numbers facing the city, the mayor reiterates that all options must remain on the table.

A more likely scenario is that at some point cooler heads will prevail and Brown (along with other tax-exempts) will come to some sort of agreement. The reality is it’s inconceivable that Brown can or would leave Providence. Yet it’s also unlikely that pressure will not force non-profits to the table to help bail out a capital city in distress. It’s a trend that is developing across the country, particularly in the northeast, as cities scramble for ways to both balance their budgets and readjust the current system into something that is fairer to both sides. “It’s unreasonable,” suggests one observer close to the scene, “to expect something negotiated years ago to remain ironclad when the condition of one or the other party changes dramatically.”

In Providence, the battle with Brown to achieve this “fair balance” is just the beginning. Most of the sources we spoke to were pretty much unanimous in their assessment of what the City can expect going forward: If you think Brown is difficult, wait til you try to agree on a deal with Lifespan.

The City Council has recently experienced this first hand. Lifespan was one of the participants working on the Council’s Commission on Revenue, Sustainability and Efficiency report, specifically on the section dealing with the non-profits.

After many sessions and frequent back and forths on the details, even down into the footnotes, the report seemed to be

ous money, about $7.5 million a year. Add to this a tightening of non-profit facilities that are currently escaping taxation (athletic facilities, some retail stores, perhaps dormitories and doctor’s offices on Dudley Street) and it’s clear Providence could begin to accrue the numbers to offset the shortfall that now exists between PILOTs from the state and what the city feels is the real cost of providing services to the non-profits.

It’s also interesting to speculate on what a doomsday scenario might look like. Though highly unlikely, were a total breakdown to occur, one could imagine Brown suddenly refusing to give scholarships to Rhode Islanders (many, we assume, being the sons and daughters of state legislators to get their attention) or refusing to build anymore in the city (which would get the attention of the state’s unions). To battle back, the City would refuse to help out with police and fire services. Or perhaps they’d start ticketing students for jaywalking on Angell and Waterman Streets in an attempt to raise some serious money.

Ludicrous as these options may be, the issues themselves are critical and, in Providence at least, seem to be getting worse. Fortunately just down the road, there’s a different story with a happier ending. In 2007, the town of Bristol negotiated a $42 million deal over 20 years with Roger Williams University. The package featured a $150,000 payment that slowly increases each year, $1.6 million in

Concord Companion Services…

IURP HUUDQGV WR KRPH KHDOWK VHUYLFHV ZH·YH JRW \RX FRYHUHG

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² JXDUDQWHHG 2XU DFFUHGLWHG VHUYLFHV DUH IXOO\ ERQGHG DQG LQVXUHG

9LVLW RXU ZHEVLWH WR VHH D IXOO OLVW RI VHUYLFHV SULYDWH GXW\ FRPSDQLRQ FDUH OLJKW KRXVHNHHSLQJ HUUDQGV DSSRLQWPHQWV ODXQGU\ KRPH KHDOWK DLGH VKRSSLQJ RYHUQLJKW FDUH PHDO SODQQLQJ PHGLFDWLRQ PDQDJHPHQW GHPHQWLD FDUH

ZZZ &RQFRUG+RPH&DUH FRP

IAN THOMPSON KITCHENS

by Thompson Woodworking & D e s i g n thompsonwoodworkingdesign.com

“Life happens in the kitchen!”

401-432-6167

“... leaving RI was difficult; leaving behind my Ian Thompson Kitchen was heartbreaking.”

-Denise Crossley

March 2012 East Side Monthly

23

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

We Understand Your Desires

day 10-6, 4.

fine clothiers

hair.com

special advertising section

Marc Allen Exclusive clothing and accessories for the discerning man

200 South Main St. Providence 401.453.0025 • www.marcalleninc.com • theclubchair.com Tuesday–Friday 10-6 and Saturday 10-4 • Mondays by appt.

Finally - Ethiopian in Providence!

333 Wickenden Street, Providence • 454-1412 www.abyssinia-restaurant.com

Free delivery in Providence • Open Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm • Fri-Sat 11am-11pm

all 2011 Bikes are on Clearance Making room for 2012 Models! (check our website bikerI.com) trek speCIalIzed sCott Gary FIsher MIrraCo redlIne haro

Caster's on 4th 212 4th Street, Providence • 274-5300 (off Hope across from Seven Stars)

skate sharpening

Caster's 3480 Post Road, Warwick 739-0393

Rhode Island’s Bike Shop Since 1919 HEATED POOL • FITNESS CENTER • BASKETBALL GYM EXERCISE AND YOGA CLASSES • SPIN • ZUMBA™ EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER • AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SO MUCH MORE!

ALL ARE WELCOME! Members get discounts...call for details!

401 elmgrove ave. providence, ri 02906 401.861.8800

www.jccri.org

785 Hope Street, providence, ri 4 01-272-6161 • SpitzweiSS.com

24

East Side Monthly March 2012

“We’re always talking about the guy who has everything,” says Marc Streisand, owner of Marc Allen. “He can find anything in the states, so that is what I found exciting about our trip to Italy and attending the Pitti Uomo show.” This showcase of men’s fashion is considered the best in the world.

Streisand and his chief of staff Jim Fortier met with top-of-the-line fabric designers, manufacturers and clothing apparel companies. “What we do when we’re there is work our tails off trying to find things that no one else has,” Marc explains. “Like this carbon fiber suitcase wrapped in leather. Sexy. Very James Bond.

Marc Allen is the kind of men’s store where you never know what you might find, and that has to do with the concierge shopping that Marc and Jim do on behalf of their clientele. For spring fashion they have beautiful Japanese microfiber outerwear designed and crafted in Italy by Fedeli. Jim says, “This is one of the more luxurious pieces we’ll have for spring. It feels like silk, it’s breathable, waterproof, wind resistant and light as air.” They will offer exquisite cotton sweaters by Brunello Cucinelli, sports shirts by Truzzi and linen and cashmere sweaters with elbow patches also by Fedeli and Loro Piana.

The ultimate in exclusive merchandise at Marc Allen is a coat that was one of only six made in the world: a Russian sable-lined garment with a waterproof cashmere exterior.

“I want people to know that we have the finest clothes in New England, if not the country,” Marc says. “And we’re here in little old Rhode Island.” The custom made bespoke clothing line has been streamlined and doesn’t require the normal three months.

Brian has recently joined the team to head up the made-to-measure clothing line, which is available now in a limited capacity and will be fully functioning in six months. For the man who needs the standards, like charcoal trousers, to the man who needs something exceptional, stop into Marc Allen today. They will soon be offering luxurious lines of timepieces. “A specialty store should be special,” Marc declares.

Marc Allen Fine Clothiers 200 South Main Street, Providence / 453-0025 marcalleninc.com / theclubchair.com

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

McBride’s Pub

special advertising section

McBride’s Irish Pub where friends, good food and spirits abound and memories are made!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with our corned beef and a pint of Guinness on Saturday, March 17th

Live music, great Reubens to a special last call

Plenty of free parking!

Wayland Square - 161 Wayland Ave. Providence, Rhode Ireland | 751-3000 find us on facebook!

McBride’s Pub

Beautiful Pre-Owned Jewelry When brothers Bob and Mark Russell and Mark’s wife Janet decided to open McBride’s Pub, they had a vision for what the pub should look like; however, they had no experience in restaurants. Bob did most of the construction of the fine woodworking himself, and they assembled a great team from the front of the house to the kitchen. McBride’s has succeeded in accomplishing their goal of being a beloved Irish pub. Mark explains, “Our motto is ‘it is what it is.’ We’re not fancy and we’re not everything to everybody, but we’re something for a lot of people.”

One of the traditions that keeps people coming back is their nightly “last call.” If someone you know has passed away recently, or it’s the anniversary of someone’s death, Mark rings a bell and has everybody raise a glass to the memory of the departed, while delivering a short speech. “Last call” happens around 10pm every night (it doesn’t mean you need to leave) and many people come in for that specifically.

McBride’s hosts live musicians on Tuesday evenings 8-11pm and on Sundays from 4-8pm. Being one of the few east side establishments to have live music, it is a treat to be able to enjoy a pint of Guinness while hearing traditional Irish folk to rock and roll classics. McBride’s will be celebrating its first Saint Patrick’s Day this year, and there will be live music, corned beef sandwiches and plenty of good cheer.

The restaurant has done remarkably well, with accolades for their fish and chips, Guinness beef stew, shepherd’s pie and Reubens. “People say the Reuben sandwich is the best they ever had,” Mark mentions. “We hear that day in and day out.” Janet adds, “The corned beef is absolutely delicious.” McBride’s has plenty of complementary parking in the back, so bring in your ticket for validation and forget about the parking woes of Wayland Square. McBride’s Pub has become so popular that people have even requested getting married inside. Visit today to get a little taste of Ireland.

McBride’s Pub

161 Wayland Avenue, Providence / 751-3000 mcbrides-pub.com

437-8421 • 1271 North Main Street, Providence 273-7050 • 358 Broad Street, Providence

Saving Up To 80% off ReTail pRice We have been supplying new, refurbished and scratch & dent appliances for over 7 years Stainless Refrigerators • Ranges • Dishwashers Front-Load Washing Machines • Built-In Refrigeration Cooktops & Wall Ovens

416 Roosevelt Ave. • Central Falls • 401.723.0500 • www.kitchenguys.com

Tomasso Auto Swedish Motors

Tip of the Month Temperature change will affect tire pressure. Be sure to check pressure regularly as it can make a difference on gas mileage and wear to your tires.

We service and repair ALL foreign and domestic models • ASE Certified • RI inspection and repair station #27b Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

729 East Avenue • 401-723-1111 (Top of the East Side, next door to Rite Aid)

March 2012 East Side Monthly

25

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

Home entertainment made simple I’ve been doing this for 25 years right here on the East Side

For superb home theater systems, music systems, HDTV’s, and multi-room systems, call Jon Bell for a free in-home consultation. www.simplysas.com

Jbell@simplysas.com

401.383.4102

special advertising section

Simply Sight & Sound Call Jon Bell for great home entertainment

Tom’s Tree Care 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.tomstreecare.net

Tired of Living with Pain?

“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

Hegeman & Co.

Est. 1970

Fine Jewelry • Custom Design

Many of us would love to have a beautiful home entertainment system but few of us want to spend weekends unpacking boxes, reading manuals and trying to hide wires and cables. Fortunately we have a true professional here in native East Sider, Jon Bell, who has been in the home theater and stereo business since 1980. Jon specializes in creating easy to use home entertainment systems that also blend with the home’s decor. When he designs and installs a system for you, it only takes minutes to show the entire family its easy one-touch operation.

Jon’s company, Simply Sight & Sound, is all about learning a customer’s needs – whether it’s just one television or setting up your house with multiple entertainment rooms – then translating those needs into an appropriate system. Jon explains, “Customers want a system with high quality picture and sound that is easy to use and looks good in their house.” He offers the finest products from Sony, Samsung, Yamaha and Definitive Technology plus quality home entertainment furniture from BDI Design at prices that are comparable to the big box stores. The difference is that Jon also provides you with expert design, installation and follow-up.

Jon works hard to ensure that every customer is completely satisfied with their system as most of his business comes from referrals. He handles every client personally from start to finish, and works with professional installers who have extensive experience. Simply Sight & Sound designs and installs systems from $1,000 to $100,000.

It is truly amazing to see what he offers. Jon showed me a clip from a movie and a Patriots game on his Sony front projection system with a ten foot screen.

The picture looked as good as a top quality flat panel TV, but many times bigger, and the sound was fantastic. When I saw the Patriots game I actually felt like I was sitting in the middle of the field. It’s very cool. Call Jon Bell for a free in-home consultation and see how you can experience the finest in home entertainment with none of the hassles.

Diamonds • Pearls • Emeralds • Rubies • Sapphires 361 South Main St, Providence • 831-6812 www.hegemanandco.com We buy DiamonDs, GolD & Precious Gems 26

East Side Monthly March 2012

Simply Sight & Sound 383-4102 / Jbell@simplysas.com www.simplysas.com

Spotlight

 

HOM DELIV E for ONERY LY $ 1.95

OVER 250 !

ITEMS

Take out the 3 lines on the right and replace with

Reduce Frizz... Tame Unruly Curls.... Get New Customers Receive 25 in Coupons! Use Code ESM12 CLICK or CALL NOW! Soft and Silky Hair for Months $

     

Reduce Frizz...

Tame Unruly Curl...

Leaving Your Hair Soft & Silky

March Special

Full Keratin Treatment for $125!

Salon 58 John Street @ Taunton Ave. (Rt. 44) East Providence • 274-1126

March Special



20% OFF

on any Print/Copy over $100* *Must be presented at time of purchase Offer expires 3/31/12

Design • Print • Mail 102 Waterman Street • Providence, RI p:401.421.5160 f:401.272.0686 w w w. a l l e g r a p r o v i d e n c e . c o m

P R O V I D E N C E

It’s Elementary...

A strong foundation that lasts a lifetime

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

LEARN WHY PEOPLE

THE Y!

> Come in for a FREE consultation

East Side/Mt. Hope YMCA

401.521.0155/ www.gpymca.org

Preschool through 6th Grade

100 Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI 401.434.6913 www.oceanstatemontessori.org

European and Designer Brands Newborn - Teens 139 WaTEr ST. WarrEN, rI • 401.289.2251 WWW.Luca-rI.com • TuES-FrI 10-5, SaT 9-4, SuN 11-3

March 2012 East Side Monthly

27

William Raveis

CHAPMAN ENSTONE exceptional properties

raveis.com

FirstWorks Presents

A Master at the Peak of his Powers

RESIDENTIAL SALES RENTALS • COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROPERTY INVESTMENT MORTGAGES NEWPORT 65 Bellevue Avenue 401.846.3800

E. GREENWICH 235 Main Street 401.336.3994

BRISTOL 423 Hope Street 401.396.9849

LITTLE COMPTON 7 Main Street 401.592-0335

rentalguideri.com Thousands of Rhode Island rentals

raveis.com

The best website in real estate 28

East Side Monthly March 2012

Photo by Paul B. Goode

203 S. MAIN ST. PROVIDENCE 401.751.8100

Bill T. Jones /Arnie Zane Dance Company Story/Time World Premiere Tour

Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones layers movement, language and music for an exhilarating full company performance of 70 stories in 70 minutes.

March 10, 8 p.m.

Tickets start at $18 vmari.com, 401-421-ARTS (2787)

first-works.org

Art by Renee Doucette

SEX TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE WORLD

Free Bird Spencer Finch pushes the boundaries at RISD relationships, Finch creates sculptural artists, we often envision cold lonely installations that may seem abstract studios, a can of beans chased by whisand minimal, but are instead extremely key, or maybe even a bloody ear – after rich with (hidden) references. all, art history is rife with these types Now mid-career, Finch will be showof scenarios. However, contemporary ing in Providence for the first time since artists are anything but depressed and he graduated from RISD, which brings narrow-minded. In fact, many of today’s many things full circle for the artist. artists realize that their visions are not A major source of inspiration for this just confined to their literal art, and they think beyond the canvas. An artist fitting this contemporary description returns to his old Providence stomping grounds to curate a new exhibition entitled Painting Air at the RISD Museum.

Spencer Finch graduated with a Master’s degree in sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design in 1989, the same year when Japanese buyers were hoarding away masterpieces from the Impressionism movement. Soon after this amazing boom came an incredible crash. With his MFA in hand, Finch left Providence for New York. Even though he was living in an artist’s mecca, the art community’s attention eventually began to stray from New York and focus instead on the activity Spencer Finch’s Open Cloud from artists coming out of Goldsmith’s College in London. It was the perfect time for Finch to experiment with a sketchshow is the work of Monet – specifically book full of collected ideas; a successful a work that Finch copied while he was career has followed. in graduate school entitled, The Basin at With a bachelor’s degree in comparaArgenteuil (1874). The Japanese shared tive literature, Finch’s creative process Finch’s interest with Monet. Japan holds can be traced back to the foundations a special place in Finch’s heart as he of his understanding of the written spent a year in Japan’s cultural center, word. He is never making something Kyoto, while still an undergrad. Kyoto’s from nothing; he is interacting with the numerous historic Japanese gardens world via his sculptural works in the feature highly abstract landscapes, same way he was taught to interact which make literal references to Budwith literature. Even though his body of dhism. Much like the influence of readwork may seem abstract, it is based in a ing literature, these elements of Japavery literal experience. Art, like a novel nese gardens are some of the creative or text, makes connections and draws undertones in Finch’s work. references from other sources. Both can The references to Finch’s personal challenge and embrace scientific or hislife in Painting Air are not obvious to torical knowledge; both can transport the viewer without some knowledge the viewer/reader to another place and of the artist, but it’s a special treat for time. To explore the vast tapestries of those willing to meditate on the work.

The exhibit’s title came out of a visit to Monet’s town of Giverny and a statement made by the famous artist in 1895: “I want to paint the air… and that is nothing short of impossible.”

Those not looking for an analytical experience will certainly find Finch’s attempt to literally paint air an interesting and aesthetically beautiful one as they gaze upon a play of color and light using 100 pieces of suspended reflective glass. The viewer is able to interact with the glass through the glass’s apparent movement set off from the motion of people moving in front of the work.

“As abstract and ephemeral as some of Finch’s projects appear to be, they are based in fact and scientific phenomena,” says Judith Tannenbaum, RISD’s first Richard Brown Baker Curator of Contemporary Art. “He acutely observes natural occurrences, which he then filters through memory as well as literary, artistic and scientific accounts. The results are often poetic, as he tries to make visible what cannot easily be seen.”

Painting Air is an idea that stretches beyond the canvas, literally and figuratively. The curatorial staff at RISD gave Finch free rein inside their collection storage to select a series of works for a conjoining exhibition. Some of the works reference tonalism (the opposite of the lightness of impressionism), while Finch selects others in which he sees connections, creating a visual comparative essay.

This unique exhibition serves as more than just the return of one of our own. In addition to the legendary stereotypes of absinthe drinks and destitution, it opens our eyes to the form of the modern artist. In contemporary times, artists such as Finch continue to explore reinventing themselves for our history once more.

Painting Air is on display at RISD’s Chase Center through July 29. For more information go to www.risdmuseum.org.

By Peter Sinn Nachtrieb Directed by Fred Sullivan, Jr.

MAR 8 - APR 8 BUY TICKETS: 401-723-4266 gammtheatre.org

172 Exchange St, Pawtucket, RI

Marc Dante Mancini, Gillian Williams

When we think abstractly about

WWW.HARUKISUSHI.COM

Visit us at the location of your choice...

Haruki Cranston 1210 Oaklawn Ave Cranston 401.463.8338

Haruki ExprEss 112 Waterman St Providence 401.421.0754

Haruki East 172 Wayland Ave Providence 401.223.0332

March 2012 East Side Monthly

29

Theatre

by Molly Lederer

Tomasso Auto

We service and repair ALL foreign and domestic models Toyota • Kia • Nissan • Chrysler Audi • Lexus • Infinity • Ford Volkswagen • Honda • BMW Chevy • Isuzu • Mercedes • Mini Prosche • Ford • General Motors Mazda • Saab • Volvo • Hyundai Saturn • Subaru • Mitsubishi

ASE Certified RI inspection and repair station #27b

401-723-1111

Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

729 East Avenue

Top of the East Side, next door to Rite Aid

Gain Experience Make Connections Have Fun! Now Accepting Resumes for Editorial, Marketing, Design, Multimedia and Photography Internships Send your resume and sample work to: resumes@providenceonline.com

Providence Monthly | East Side Monthly SO Rhode Island | The Bay

30

East Side Monthly March 2012

Home Sweet Stage At Trinity, three new plays explore the state of the American family This spring, Trinity Repertory Company returns to the roots of its name by presenting a trio of rotating world premieres. These three new works were introduced in the early stages of development at a group workshop several years back. With strong interest in all, artistic director Curt Columbus and his team had trouble selecting just one for the season.

So they decided to take a chance, expanding all three into full-length, fullscale productions to be presented in repertory – a first for Trinity, in spite of the troupe’s name.

Columbus suspects that Three by Three in Rep is a first for the American stage as well, since most of the cast members appear in two of the three shows. Because each play is its own distinct work, audience members can see them in any order. And all three can be seen in the course of a weekend, though there is no marathon day of all in a row; as Columbus jokingly points out, no one wants to sit still for that long these days. Nevertheless, seeing the full trio gives new perspective to each. Columbus notes that they “are in conversation with each other. There is a dialogue about who we are and the state of the American family.”

Trinity’s playwright-in-residence Deborah Salem Smith contributes Love Alone. Like her previously staged works – Boots on the Ground and Some Things Are Private – Smith’s new play deals sensitively with a serious subject. It explores the aftermath of a woman’s death on the operating table during a routine procedure. It follows the woman’s widowed partner, her daughter, and the young doctor who attended to her.

It touches on gay rights, the limits of medicine, and a flawed health care system. But in Smith’s hands, such hot-button issues never feel ripped from the headlines. “She approaches it very lyrically and poetically and

Phyllis Kay (left) stars in Sparrow Grass

beautifully,” Columbus explains. “It’s ultimately about how we grieve, how we let go, and how we move on.”

George Brant pens The Mourners’ Bench about a haunting family tragedy. In the first act, two adult siblings struggle to come to terms with the dreadful way they lost their parents years ago. In the second act, which takes place 30 years prior, their aunts grapple with the immediate loss. In the third act, the new inhabitants of the house try to make peace with the horror that happened there. Columbus insists that it’s not as dark as it sounds, but powerful, moving and surprisingly funny. He reveals, “It’s really about home: where home is located, how we make home, how we keep family secrets, and how those family secrets poison us and empower us.”

Columbus himself scripts Sparrow Grass, about a blended family with steamy secrets that erupt after the father’s return from war. Loosely inspired by Racine’s Classical play Phèdre (and reworked with Trinity Rep actor Phyllis Kay in mind for the lead), Columbus describes the play as “savage and sexual and meant to be epic.” He expects it to raise ques-

tions like, “In a world where nothing is taboo, what is still taboo? How do we use sex as a way to focus on something that is not love? What does it mean if the words mother and son and father and daughter are used, but if the real blood connections aren’t there? What’s permissible and what’s not?”

All three plays continue to develop through the rehearsal process, which adds excitement. Different directors take the helm for each, while their shared use of Trinity’s Dowling Theatre – where there is no wing space, fly space, or backstage space – presents an interesting challenge for innovative set designer Michael McGarty. For his part, Columbus can’t wait to hear audiences’ reactions to the trio. He notes, “It’s a real gift to have a community that supports new work.”

Three by Three in Rep Sparrow Grass (now through May 13) Love Alone (Feb. 28-May 27) The Mourners’ Bench (March 7-May 24) Trinity Repertory Company 201 Washington Street, Providence 351-4242 www.trinityrep.com

Photography: Mark Turek

Swedish Motors

Celebrating 41 Years

Let Us Fix or Maintain Your Vehicle!

We Have Been Doing It For 38 Years…

• Offering high-quality automotive service at a fair price • Utilizing the best in automotive technology

Kelly's Car Care QuiCK lube & Carwash Family Owned & run

200 CHARLES ST, PROVIDENCE • 831-9199

Count on us for fair, friendly service!

March 2012 East Side Monthly

31

$10.00 OFF your first luxury hair colour service.

Expires 3.31.12

32

East Side Monthly March 2012

"A landmark known for quality and creativity of its constantly evolving menu . . . One of Rhode Island's very own fine dining places."

Bob Mariani, Find RI.com

RunwayAlterations

"The favorite Sunday brunch spot."

Glamour Magazine

A look back at the evolution of the RISD fashion show

“Relaxed . . . A charming bistro.”

Food & Wine “An authentic café that could have been lifted from the streets of Paris.”

The Best of Daytripping & Dining

Rue De L’Espoir

by Mike Fink

American Bistro Cooking

Benefit Street Antiques March Right in to Find Your Treasure!

401-751-9109 Monday - Saturday 10-5 Sunday 1-5 Marian L. Clark

24 years on Wickenden

243 Wickenden St. Providence • benefitstreetantiques.com

LEGEND BICYCLE F o x P o i n t ’s N e i g h b o r h o o d B i k e S h o p

Cycling Maps/GPS

Tues/Wed /Fri/Sat 11-6 Tr. 11-8 Sun. 12-5

H

Everything for the Transportation Cyclist and Urban Explorer

KE

P

A

Y

BI

AT

Bicycle Sales /Service

B

Throughout the ‘70s, the environmental movement (following in the wake of the anti-war and anti-authoritarian world-wide protest storms), encouraged the special project of recycling waste into wearable – or at least party-going – fabrics. Mannequins boasted garbage bags, plastic bottles, tin cans and yesterday’s newspapers, and crossed the stage to triumphant applause, both comical and appreciative.

Once Lorraine Howes took over as presenter, “haute couture” came to Providence. Not being an archivist or a historian, I can only recount my personal memoir of the end-of-semester grand finale. In the age of feminism, her dignified commentaries in a South African accent brought a new tone of chic to the event.

The dresses, corsets and girdles that women put up with were not signs of oppression. On the contrary, wearing such garments meant that women mattered, had authority themselves, and were worth the investment of fortunes in garbing and be-jeweling themselves. As I recall, that was the gist of Howes’ interpretation, which I very much enjoyed. She taught a course on the history of fashion, which greatly informed the RISD fashion shows.

I often remember Linda Bowab, the greatly missed lady who helped to teach student designers the craftsmanship of sewing. And I often run into my retired colleague, Marie Clarke, who devoted time, effort and professional expertise to the students who spend serious study-time in preparation for the annual event.

But what is perhaps the most special thing about the RISD fashion shows are that our graduates don’t abandon us when they’re over; in fact it’s quite the reverse. Some, like Nicole Miller, join the panel of critics; others teach during our winter sessions and join our alum alliance, which lasts throughout lifetimes. So here’s a toast to the ongoing shows that started a tradition at RISD that continues to nourish new generations of students and fashion lovers.

T

Style Week, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the grand daddy of all fashion shows: the annual RISD student collection.

While last year’s show (held at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium) featured portfolio pieces that were judged by a panel of guest critics including Tommy Hilfiger and Nicole Miller, runway shows of years past were varied in location and execution. They all bring back wonderful memories for me.

Half a century ago and more, Martha Hurd of the Projo used to play hostess at the RISD fashion shows, held in the riverfront auditorium on North Main Street. It was still the time of fine tailoring and Ivy League “elitist” leadership. (I was then an instructor, garbed in J. Press tweed suits, fresh out of Yale, myself.)

When Bert Surprenant took over the apparel department, he celebrated youthful ideas, but also with a nostalgic glance backward at the Hollywood influence, still clinging to Gone With The Wind. He brought wit and irony to the role of master of ceremonies.

The ‘60s, the Kennedy years, introduced the shocking pastel colored miniskirts and bra-less tops to the stage as well as the screen. I recall that there were identical twin student models who strutted their rather substantial selves – they didn’t have legs like Dietrich’s, insured by Lloyd’s of London – in kilt-like above-the-knee wraps.

In that same spring show, I also served as a faculty model. They dressed me in some sort of baseball print outfit. Not being athletic, I brought laughter (not admiration) to the great event on campus, but it was fun. I do have, somewhere, a color snapshot of my pose, with a broad smile, as I paced the ramp.

As the ‘60s progressed, other events, national and global, cast their spell upon what we wore. The gypsy look spawned from the London and Carnaby streets. We wore collages of patches to salute the start of what we now label “diversity.” We borrowed ideas from the Native Americans, and from our own immigrant ancestors. I raided closets rife with moths to rediscover the jackets and shirts of my parents and grandparents, of both genders. It seemed that “anything goes.”

Mike Fink is a professor of Film and English at RISD.

w w w.legendbic ycle.com

E AS

Coming off of January’s

open daily breakfast, lunch, dinner 99 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 info/reservations 751-8890 www.therue.com

181 Brook Street Providence 401.383.3070 March 2012 East Side Monthly

33

MYOFASCIAL PAIN Headaches • Neck Pain • Jaw Pain • Eye Pain Face Pain • Ear Pain • Tinnitus • Dizziness

Pajama Monologues

by Bob Mariani

Dr. Douglas Vrona has successfully treated these head and neck symptoms for over 20 years with physical medicine techniques taught to him by Dr. Janet Travell, White House physician to J.F.K. (covered by most medical insurance)

Douglas G. Vrona, D.M.D. Westport, MA 1-508-636-3044 20 minutes East of Providence

221 Sixth Street

236 Camp Street Totally renovated home featuring NEW granite & stainless EIK, NEW baths, Master w/bath, NEW roof, refinished hardwoods, light & spacious, deck, fenced yard & more! 3 doors from Rochambeau. $219,000.

As some things change, others remain the same Lorimer neighborhood: Spacious 3 bed, 2.5 bath Colonial totally renovated on double lot. Granite and stainless kit, Master w/bath, new windows, etc. $519,000.

Debbie Gold

401-640-0403 • 225 Wayland Ave, East Side Of Providence Deborah.Gold@NEMoves.com Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society award.

2010 Greater Providence Board of Realtors Gold Award.

Relocation & Previews Property Specialist © 2010 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Owned and operated by NRT, Incorporated. An Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Housing Opportunity

Creating Stylish Kitchens with Lasting Value for over 50 years

FOX KITCHENS 1064 Fall River Ave., (Rt. 6 & 114A) Seekonk, MA 508.336.3111

A ugust : O sAge C Ou nty

rize

By Tracy Letts

Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play

March 8 - April 1

Show Times: Thursday 7pm, Fri. & Sat. 8pm, Sunday 3pm

Tickets: $25

2nd Story Theater 34

East Side Monthly March 2012

Sunday at the Café

28 Market St. Warren • 247-4200 2ndstorytheatre.com

February morphs into March with another episode of freezing rain and then snow again. Seagulls scout the supermarket parking lot for grocery remnants. The Eastside Marketplace itself is nearly empty because it’s Sunday morning and many customers are worshipping at various locations, depending on which Supreme Being they believe in.

Here in the Eastside’s café, employees are brushing the crumbs and residue off the tabletops and placing two bright pink roses on each surface. One of my roses has already started to wilt; the other looks like it’s still straining upwards but about to run out of energy.

Its green leaves spread like angel wings. We will not see anything like this outside until March and April have finished with us. No roses until then, but thank you to the café workers for reminding us we have something to look forward to.

“Where should we go now, Abby?”

A young mother at a nearby table speaks to one of her twins: a boy and a girl, still in diapers underneath their heavy winter clothes and just learning to feed themselves.

“Bakery. Phone call on 315.” A highpitched voice comes blurting out of the ceiling speaker, interrupting Cyndi Lauper ‘s “Time After Time.”

Outside, a brief shower of snowflakes silently sprinkles a thin layer of white over the parking lot’s black asphalt. The few cars that are there begin to all look alike under the dusty powder.

The man who works in the florist shop brings the young twins two big yellow roses each. They identify the color immediately, shout-

ing almost in unison. Their mother dresses them for the cold and the three of them leave the store, carrying their pre-spring trophies out into the snow.

Once they’re gone, the café is quieter with just the sounds of a few shopping carts rolling up and down the aisles. The background music – nothing I recognize – seems to cling to the ceiling like cobwebs up among the flourescent lights.

There’s enough space now for a memory of an accidental lunch I shared here at this same table with a writer friend a few years ago. It was early summer then, just two summers away from her very last.

Carlin was in her late 40s when she died. She was a big woman and usually seemed self-conscious about it. Her displeasure with her appearance showed in her writing sometimes too, but she could write as well and true as anyone else I knew. I learned from the newspaper obituaries that Carlin had died just as another long gray winter was drawing to a close.

I didn’t attend her funeral because funerals usually make me angry. I preferred to remember Carlin sitting across the table from me in the café with the busy bustle of shoppers in the background. We talked about writing, encouraging each other to keep at it.

And we both did, until Carlin reached the end of her final sentence.

She may well have gotten published at some point. Or maybe someone who knew her might still find a place for people to read her work. And then she wouldn’t be quite so… gone.

Good morning.

A Providence Original Since the 1800’s Custom Framing • Ready Made Frames • Original Works of Art

P R OV I D E N C E PICTURE Rte. 95, Exit 24, Branch Ave. (Next to Benny’s) Mon-Sat 8:30-6:30

www.providencepictureframe.com

FRAME

D RY D E N GALLERY

March 2012 East Side Monthly

35

Since 1919

Need a Radiator Cover?

And Let’s Face It Who Doesn’t.

WE HAVE THEM. 173 WICKENDEN PROVIDENCE 401 421-5157 Visit us on Facebook www.adlersri.com

Join us

View complete list of events at www.ric.edu/pfa T I C K E T S W W W. R I C . E D U / P FA O R ( 4 0 1 ) 45 6 - 8 1 4 4 www.facebook.com/PerformingArtsSeries.RIC

Tuesday, March 20 7 : 3 0 P. M . | T H E AU D I TO R I U M I N RO B E RT S H A L L

Barynya, Russian Dance and Music Ensemble 36

East Side Monthly March 2012

Movies

by Bob Cipriano

The Grey and The Woman in Black

When choosing art for your home, you have options. If you are looking for just one big piece, remember, it does not have to be as big as the sofa or mantle. In fact it will look better if it is no more than two thirds the total length of the furniture under it.

Neeson and Radcliffe play the brave hero role to a T

Another option is using two or three smaller pieces. They will fill the same space and make for an interesting grouping.

For example, three 16" X 20" portraits will look better than some abstract "sofa" art. You can use photographs, landscapes, paintings, etchings or even maps. Consider either three verticals or two horizontals. One more option would be use four pieces, two on top of two, making a large square.

The Woman in Black

Fight-or-die action movies and haunted house horror films: two genres that are belittled far more often than taken seriously – especially at this time of year, when they’re dumped on the pre- and post-Oscar multiplex schedule to be tolerated by moviegoers desperate to get out of the house for a couple of hours.

But the occasional well-done dark winter movie can be just the thing to bridge the gap until spring.

No nonsense, excess, contrivance, condescension, superiority, camp, kitsch, carelessness or incompetence mar the effects of either The Grey or The Woman in Black.

The Grey is a survival-of-the-fittest flick, all tricked out with macho types, rugged terrain, and dangers from without (wolves and weather in this case). Co-written by Ian MacKenzie Jeffers and director Joe Carnahan, the lean, spare script leaves out fast cars, women, bad guys, even sub-plots. There is no room for anything but survival.

The actors get their requisite clichés, but in Liam Neeson’s leader of the pack role, the writers have fash-

ioned a strong, silent hero who may dredge up an old Clint Eastwood echo, but nothing more. Sacred and profane in thought and action, Neeson knows about wolves. In the Arctic oil fields where he works, his job is to shoot down the wolves that prey on the other workers. When the small plane carrying Neeson and a bunch of his fellow workers crashes, he’s the logical choice to lead the men out of the frozen woods.

And that’s the story. Who survives? Who dies?

Wolves in the wild are tough customers without the subtle mix that makes them bigger than they really ought to be in The Grey. Plus, these wolves hold grudges, seek revenge and possibly accept dares in a script that pushes the envelope of predatory enemies just enough.

In the face of this, the men band (and bond) together behind Neeson to make their vague, frigid way through the snow that’s in the air, in the trees and on the ground. They must rely on the sticks they find to provide a small measure of warmth through burning and to act as weap-

ons when the fires go out.

When there are moments of calm, they talk. As the ravenous, revengeful wolves pick off members of the band, survivors speak about family, fate and God in what increasingly appears to be an existential universe of meaningless violence and cruel chance. Characters evolve as the men who were introduced as criminals, sociopaths and losers, working in the Arctic because they were unfit for anything else, turn out to be mostly family men just trying to make a buck, stay alive and go home.

Action director Carnahan, who hasn’t done anything remotely this good before (the marginally effective Taken and the abysmal The A Team) wisely shoots the screenplay and lets the elements take the lead.

And this time Neeson, who has never seemed completely comfortable as the action hero he has become, is able to play that discomfort into a character of unexpected depth and feeling, given his perspective on life and the arbitrary peril it holds for him.

When framing artwork, obviously take the room into account, but always try to frame the art and not the room. Typically, use the colors within the artwork when choosing matting and framing options. With custom framing you can choose from hundreds of mat colors and thousands of frame styles. By laying mat samples into the artwork you can readily see which colors are compatible, and seeing frame samples next to the piece will give you the best idea how the finished product will look.

158 Wickenden St., Providence 48 Weybosset St., Providence

March 2012 East Side Monthly

37

Movies

THE GAME HAS CHANGED

John Risica 401‐439‐3634 John@LoveTheEastSide.com One site to see almost every Single Family, Condo and Multi‐Family Listing on the East Side of Providence sorted by Most Recent, Lowest or Highest Price, Max or Min Sq Feet

MOVING?

“We definitely recommend Kevin to friends looking to buy or sell on the East Side.” –Justin Reid (Shape Up) & Laura Shawhughes M.D.

Kevin Fox

Kevin Fox: Cell: (401) 688-5556 • (401) 553-6388 ResidentialProperties.com • 401.274.6740 kfox@residentialproperties.com

Rhode Island’s Real estate Company®

Barrington • Cumberland • East Greenwich • Narragansett • Providence

The simple answer to the dozen of questions you have about aging is CALL ME Senior Care Concepts can assist you to:

? Navigate the complicated health care system ç ? Identify your unique needs and connect you with local resources ç ? Design an ongoing care management plan for you or your family ç ? Guide you step by step with your plan ç

For more information, call me today Jenny Miller, MSW, CMC • 398-7655

www.seniorcareconceptsinc.com • jmiller@seniorcareconceptsinc.com

38

East Side Monthly March 2012

The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black is a pleasant throwback to those haunted house, things-that-go-bump-in-the-night British films of the 1960s that found Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing hard at work, sometimes for, sometimes against, various Gothic forces out to hurt or kill innocent townsfolk.

Atmospherically impeccable, The Woman in Black creeps through its steady pace as young lawyer Daniel Radcliffe, the widowed and griefstricken father of a small boy in early 20th century England, reluctantly travels alone to a paranoid hamlet to sort out a dead woman’s estate. Treated with unmasked and unexplained hostility by practically everyone, all of whom seem to want to hide their children from him, Radcliffe finds only one sympathetic presence. Ciaran Hinds is a man of some means (he owns the town’s only car and has a home big enough to put up Radcliffe). He lives with his nutty wife Janet McTeer, who is endlessly mourning the death of their son.

Radcliffe must travel to a large house over a narrow strip of land that floods at high tide. If he misses his low tide ride, he’s there for the night. Amid squeaking floorboards, creaky doors, and not nearly enough candles or fireplaces, Radcliffe studies papers that reveal a twisted history of injustice, betrayal, hatred, recrimination and death.

It’s hard to concentrate, though, because the house and its grounds are clearly haunted, as ghostly ap-

paritions keep murmuring and popping up among the gravestones outside and the children’s toys inside the house.

Radcliffe is an effective leading man. Shorn of his Harry Potter mop of hair and glasses, he is a stalwart hero, continually investigating the disturbances as he moves through the estate. It’s all pretty scary but mercifully free of the indiscriminate bloodletting we’ve come to expect in modern horror. When some blood does appear, it isn’t gratuitous, and therefore all the more effective.

Directed with panache by James Watkins, the story of family evil by Jane Goldman is intriguing, and maintains interest when the scares become more predictable and less threatening. (By midpoint in the film, it becomes obvious that Radcliffe is the entire movie and nothing serious could happen to him without the movie ending immediately.) Director Watkins is clearly aware of this, and employs some wonderful camerawork around twisting hallways, into and out of darkened, dusty rooms, and outside to the grounds of the rain-soaked, ghostly estate. It’s a heady, skillful mix of sights, sounds and wonderment.

This kind of tale is difficult to end without sinking into cliché, and in avoiding that, the filmmakers compromise their grip on credibility. But that’s a small price to pay for such an effectively hallowed re-entry into the haunted homes of last century.

KNOWLEDGEABLE. HONEST. RELIABLE.

E A S T S I D E

PEDIA TRICS

FRIENDLY. And they own Gil’s.

①⑤④

Waterman Street Providence

�

383-4411

Gail and Lisa grew up in the business, which was started by their parents Gil and Sarah, 51 years ago. They offer discounted pricing because they are members of one of the c o u n t ry's largest buying groups allowing them to be competitive with the Big Box Stores.They are very knowledgeable about the products they carry and can offer great advice. So, if you need appliances, why not talk with Lisa, Gail or their expert staff?

HOURS: Mon-Wed-Fri 9:00am - 6:00pm Sat 9:00am - 4:00pm

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Gourmet House

Tues-Thurs 9:00am - 8:00pm Sun Closed - Family Day

397 Metacom Avenue, Rte.136 Bristol, RI 02809 401-253-9789 Fax: 401-253-2404 www.gilsappliances.com

Murals

Fine a rt

il lu s t r at i o n

Affiliated with Apsara Palace

Explore a World of Flavors!

award-winning realist painter

A view of our exotic dining room

Boneless Duck with Mandarin Pancake

BYOB 787 Hope Street, Providence • 401-831-3400 Sun - Thurs 10am - 9:30pm, Fri - Sat 10am -10pm gourmethouseri.com • New owner Kim Te of Apsara

Christine Mcintyre-Hannon Complimentary initial Consultation Fully insured Currently accepting Commissions Please Visit our online Gallery

hannonartworks.com • 401.447.4906 • hannonartworks@gmail.com

March 2012 East Side Monthly

39

On the Menu

by John Taraborelli

The Indian Tech Boom Rasoi is on your phone now If you’re anything like us, you order out for lunch a lot – and for us, it tends to be a lot of Rasoi (727 East Ave., Pawtucket), which is known for its healthy, flavorful Indian food that explores the country’s diverse regional cuisines. Convenience just got even more convenient with the launch of the restaurant’s very own iPhone app. The free app offers a full menu, directions, and options for pickup or delivery. You can save dishes to your favorites, add special instructions to your order and earn bonus points that can be redeemed for food. Just tap out a few choices in a matter of seconds to place your order, and it’s ready when you get there. As if we needed another excuse not to pack a lunch. Go to www.rasoi-restaurant. com to download it.

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING ON THAYER Hercules Mulligan’s is now open at 272 Thayer Street, the upstairs space that has been occupied over the years by bars and restaurants such as Max’s Upstairs and most recently Marley’s.

The pub is named for a real life Irish immigrant who was a friend of Alexander Hamilton and spied for the Americans during the Revolutionary War. He ran a clothing shop in New York that was frequented by British officers, and at the behest of George Washington, he collected and passed on intelligence to the Continental Army.

The pub that now bears his name offers a menu including classic Irish fare like Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie and Irish Breakfast, but also more eclectic selections like BBQ Turkey Tips, Pistachio Crusted Salmon and Point Judith Calamari.

Their Hercules Wings are available with sauces like the traditional buffalo, but also more unique options like Wasabi Teriyaki and Jameson Honey BBQ. The most intriguing items, however, are on the dessert menu, where you can try a Guinness Brownie Sundae or Jameson Whiskey Baked Apples. Check it out at www.herculesmulligans.com A BUCKET OF VEGETABLES Pawtucket has already established itself as a burgeoning force in the

40

East Side Monthly March 2012

local arts scene; now it’s on the verge of doing the same with food.

It already boasts the state’s first and best winter farmer’s market at Hope Artiste Village. Now it’s poised for the launch of a Pawtucket Culinary Arts Initiative. Funded in part by the Charles and Agnes Kazarian Foundation, the goal of the initiative is to create a center for innovative work in vegetarian, vegan and macrobiotic cuisines that can nurture and support about a dozen restaurants, classes and educational facilities, grocery stores and retailers. The project is currently in the process of recruiting board members and scouting possible locations. Visit www.kazarianfoundation.org to find out more.

MORE CHANGES ON THE HILL Last month we mentioned some of the new openings on Federal Hill. There seem to be quite a lot of changes afoot for the last win-

ter and early spring, however. The folks behind the venerable Andino’s (171 Atwells Ave.) are working on a second location, Andino Jr.’s Appetizers Plus, at 301 Atwells, the former home of Gallery 17 Peck. The restaurant will focus on appetizers and dessert. Another Federal Hill mainstay, Ricotti’s (133 Atwells), has closed, and the new Wise Guys Deli will take over. It’s another piece in the restaurant empire of Gianfranco Marrocco, proprietor of Mediterraneo, Caffe Dolce Vita and Geppetto’s, among others. Cup n’ Rol (262 Atwells) has now become Café Nook and 295 (295 Atwells) has closed. Finally, The Grande is opening in the space that was Forbidden City Tea Room (224 Atwells), which was closed last year after a fighting incident. No details yet.

Got food news? Send it to John at onthemenu@providenceonline.com.

special advertising section

Dining Guide

Br brunch B breakfast L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10-20 $$$ 20+

and vegetarian options. LD $ RUE DE L’ESPOIR 99 Hope Street; 7518890. In business for over 30 years, the Rue has only gotten better. Beautifully prepared with the freshest ingredients, the innovative, constantly changing menu keeps diners on their toes. Superb brunch. BBrLD $$-$$$

Wickenden ABYSSINIA 333 Wickenden Street; 454-1412. Enjoy the unique experience of Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine, using your fingers (and Ethiopia’s famed flatbread) to sample richly spiced meat, fish and vegetable dishes. (Forks are available, but less fun.) LD $-$$

Mills Tavern

101 North Main Street; 272-3331. The only restaurant in RI to receive the Mobil Four Star Award for five consecutive years, Mills Tavern provides traditional American cuisine in a warm, friendly setting. LD $$-$$$

Downtown CAV 14 Imperial Place; 751-9164. The New York Times’ choice as one of Providence’s five best restaurants, CAV’s contemporary, award-winning cuisine is available for lunch and dinner daily. They also feature Saturday/Sunday brunch.

LD $$-$$$ HEMENWAY’S 121 South Main Street; 351-8570. A true Providence classic, Hemenway’s has been serving top-notch seafood for 20 years. Their oyster bar features everything from the famed Prince Edward Island varieties to the local favorite Poppasquash Point. LD $$-$$$ JACKY’S WATERPLACE 200 Exchange Street; 383-5000. Experience sushi, Chinese and Japanese food, noodles and much more in a stunning atmosphere, right in the heart of Waterplace Park. Sip an exotic drink while taking in the spectacular view. LD $-$$$

Photography: Kate Kelley

Wayland/Elmgrove HARUKI EAST 172 Wayland Avenue; 223-0332. The chefs behind this sushi bar provide a minimalist, upscale, comfortable dining experience. Try the toro ankimo – sauteed fatty tuna and monkfish liver pate with eggplant tempura, served with a black bean sauce. LD $-$$$ RED STRIPE 465 Angell Street; 4376950. Red Stripe serves classic comfort food with a French influence. Their food is reasonably priced and made with passion. LD $$-$$$

WATERMAN GRILLE 4 Richmond Square; 521-9229. With its covered outdoor seating overlooking the Seekonk River, Waterman Grille offers seasonally inspired New American fare in a comfortable setting. BrD $$-$$$

Hope/Thayer BETTER BURGER COMPANY 217 Thayer Street; 228-7373. With angus beef burgers that are juicy and tasty, this casual spot is a no brainer for anyone looking for a quick, delicious and affordable meal. Serving wholesome veggie, falafel and salmon burgers too. LD $ CHEZ PASCAL 960 Hope Street; 4214422. Chef Matt Gennuso’s East Side kitchen offers French food with a modern twist. Try the Bistro Menu (Tue-Thur), which features three courses for $30 per person. Delicieux! D $-$$$ GOURMET HOUSE 787 Hope Street; 831-3400. Beautiful murals and décor set the mood for delicious Cambodian and Southeast Asian cuisine, spicy curries and noodle dishes. The tamarind duck is a must. LD $-$$ KARTABAR 284 Thayer Street; 3318111. This European-style restaurant and lounge offers a full menu of unique dishes with Mediterranean flair and eclectic flavors. They also offer a top-notch wine list and martini menu. LD $-$$ NICE SLICE 267 Thayer Street; 4536423. Hip and healthy are the best descriptions of this pizza place. It’s whole wheat, New York style pizza with plenty of choices for toppings, including vegan

BRICKWAY 234 Wickenden Street; 7512477. With creative omelets, French toast and an artsy décor, this iconic morning stop on Wickenden remains a neighborhood favorite. Be sure to check the specials board. BL $

Jewelry District/ Waterfront RUE BIS 95 South Street; 490-9966.

This intimate eatery provides breakfast and lunch in a cozy, neighborhood bistro atmosphere – all with the gourmet pedigree of Hope Street dining staple Rue De L’Espoir behind it. BBrL $ BAKER STREET RUE 75 Baker Street; 490-5025. The Rue De L’Espoir empire expands with this comfortable neighborhood café serving “upscale diner food.” BBRL$

Outside Providence BESOS TEA HOUSE 378 Main Street, East Greenwich; 398-8855. With a breathtaking interior, this hip spot offers delicious food and a unique tapas menu. Stay for an after dinner drink as the restaurant morphs to a lounge each Thursday night. BrLD $$-$$$

New England’s Most Authentic Home-Style Indian Restaurant and Indian Spices/Groceries Store

Not Just Spices

Not Just Snacks

Indian Spices & Groceries Store

Snacks, Biryani, Kababs, Naans, Veg and Non-Veg Curry

836 Hope Street, Providence 351-6555 Open 7 Days

833 Hope Street, Providence 831-1150 Open 7 Days

LIFE COACH

adolescents & young adults

Harry Fish MA, BCC 80 Calendars, LLC 401-465-5491 80calendars.com

Juggling Instructor

Digitize!

VHS TO DVD TRANSFER SERVICE MOVIES, SLIDES & PRINTS TO DVD

The Camera Werks Custom Framing & Photo Boutique

766 Hope Street, Providence 401-273-5367 www.thecamerawerks.com M-F 10-5:30 • SAT 10-2:00PM

Passport Photos Only $8.95

LJ’S BBQ 727 East Avenue, Pawtucket; 305-5255. LJ’s features ribs, pork, chicken and beef cooked low and slow in their customized pit, made with recipes from co-owner Bernie Watson’s grandmother, Miss Leola Jean. It’s great food at a great value. LD $-$$ VINE YARD EAST 315 Waterman Avenue, East Providence; 432-7000.

Wine-influenced dining meets casual down home atmosphere, and an eclectic menu of regional fare like local seafood favorites and Italian and Portuguese classics. LD $$ March 2012 East Side Monthly

41

Come in From the Cold

! s t a l F e h t t a u o y See

Hope Street Providence 355

401.751.6777

6th Annual Great International Spring

BEER FESTIVAL

Best of Summer Brews!

BEER LECTURES BY PROFESSIONALS LIVE MUSIC! FOOD & UNLIMITED SAMPLING!

TWO GREAT SHOWS! Sat., April 14, 2012 1:00 - 4:30 pm 6:30 - 10:00 pm

MICRO & MACRO BREWERIES!

American Handmade Jewelry & Crafts

250 BEERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!

southwestpassage.net

Rhode Island Convention Center

Providence, RI

Call For Information 401-351-2632

$40 at the Door (includes taxes) or Purchase Online beerfestamerica.com

A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Volunteers Wanted Or To Be A Vendor Call: 401-272-0980 42

East Side Monthly March 2012

Kitchens • bathrooms

Creating healthy school food environments A mother’s conundrum:

Cupcakes or no cupcakes for my youngest son’s kindergarten class on his birthday later this month? With his older brothers, this was never a question. Discussion about what flavor, sure, but no debate about the cupcakes themselves.

But this year, I wonder whether we ought to try to establish a new tradition in order to contribute to a healthier school food environment. We can put a candle in a slice of watermelon, right? Watermelon is Henry’s favorite fruit, so it might just go over well.

How do we learn about food and nutrition? How do we form our expectations and understanding about what we should eat? Research points to the importance of establishing a healthy, well-balanced food environment. If children encounter fruit and vegetables – or chips and sweets – at most meals, their expectations will develop accordingly. While home is the most powerful source of information about food and nutrition, school also provides a food environment. Most children in the Providence Public School District (PPSD) are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (breakfast is free to all without regard to economic status). Motivated mainly by necessity and sometimes choice, they eat those meals.

In 2009-2010, the most recent school year for which data is available, 86 percent of PPSD students were eligible for free or reduced lunch. At East Side public schools, 83 percent of Hope High School students, 69 percent of Nathan Bishop Middle School students, 73 percent of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School students, and 53 percent of Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point students were eligible. Most children at the public schools in our neighborhood (and citywide) depend on food available at school for much of what they eat.

Of course, breakfast, lunch and snacks provided through federally funded school nutrition programs are not the only source of food at school.

There are plenty of birthday treats to go around, along with sales of ice cream at some schools, vending machines at others and so on. However, school breakfasts and lunches are most likely to have a major impact on students’ wellness in short and long-term ways.

Design contractors inc.

Design / Build Fine renovation general contractors residential • commercial

401-751-6363 www.dci-ri.com

additions • built-in cabinetry

Cupcakes or Watermelon?

Water damage reconstruction

At School Today by Jill Davidson | illustration by Christina Song

Providence, ri 02906 registration #1324 Painting • restoration

The Ultimate Pampering Event Sunday, March 4th, 9am-4pm Rhodes on the Pawtuxet

• Hairstyling • Manicures • Facials • Makeup application • Massage • Reiki & Yoga • Belly dancing, NIA & kickboxing lessons

• Reflexology • Henna tattooing • Proceeds to benefit RI Crisis Assistance Center

$20 entry fee at the door

ChildCare provided all day by

Anyone with a passing interest in the topic of children’s nutrition knows that the increase in childhood obesity is one of our most significant wellness issues, yet research demonstrates a conflict over whether school food contributes to childhood obesity. Nevertheless, the assumption that school food is a significant factor in childhood obesity was a major impetus behind the federal government’s recent overhaul of school food regulations for the first time in over 15 years. Released in January, the “Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs” require more varied fruits and vegetables at every meal, whole grains, adequate healthy protein and serving sizes that correspond to the age of the eaters. The new standards establish the former minimum calorie requirement as the new maximum, demonstrating a shift from concerns about hunger to obesity, and require that menu choices be “food based” rather than “nutrient based,” which means that unhealthy, nutrient-fortified food cannot stand in for healthier choices that provide adequate nutrition in their own right. Nutrientfortified, high-fructose corn syrup laden cereal bar: your days are numbered.

Kids are likely to see – and, we hope, eat – more fruits and vegetables, and be less nutritionally deficient. However, Congress has proposed an inadequate increase of just six additional cents per free meal to pay for these changes. We need to develop some creative solutions to meet both the new regulations and the real interests of young people.

One example of such creativity comes from our neighborhood. Hope United, a group of students at Hope High School committed to improving their school through advocacy and a focus on social justice, worked with Sodexo, Providence Public Schools’ food vendor, to identify ways to serve healthier food within current financial limitations. According to Aaron Regunberg, a Brown University senior who serves as a Hope United advisor, “It’s an issue that everyone has to deal with.”

Working with Karin Weatherill, Wellness Committee Specialist at Kids First, an organization dedicated to creating a healthier food environment statewide, Hope United students surveyed their peers to gather data about lunch preferences. The data helped them to demonstrate to Sodexo that students would eat more fruit and vegetables.

Sodexo’s staff collaborated with the students to make cost-neutral changes that resulted in a daily salad bar and less frequent offerings of nachos and other appealing but less healthy food.

It’s a great example of what’s possible when committed students and adult professionals understand each others’ needs and collaborate to find solutions.

In that spirit, I asked Henry which food he’d like to celebrate his sixth birthday at school. His proposal: cupcakes AND watermelon. Well played, kid. Well played.

401.744.6990 • Based out of Barrington www.NewEraNannies.org

Tuesday special!

Manicure and Pedicure for $28 Acrylic or Gel Nails • Nail Art • Nail Overlay Extra Massage • Waxing Services

Offering Shellac We WelcOMe WAlk-inS

Angell Nails and Spa

490-3137 • 15 So. Angell St, Providence

Mon-Sat 9-7:30, Sun 10-5, after hours appts available

Jill Davidson can be reached at whathappenedatschool@gmail.com or her blog, providenceschools.blogspot.com March 2012 East Side Monthly

43

Finance by Betsey Puriton | illustration by Ashley MacLure

When Couples Disagree Helping Jack and Jill find financial harmony “She’s the spender.”

401-277-2998 174 Wickenden St, Providence www.dugancustomjewelers.com Open Wednesday-Saturday

Trust Your Taxes to 30 years of experience

Proudly serving the East Side

Fiore & Asmussen Certified Public Accountants

Fisher Design Associates, Inc. Interior Design Consultants ResIDentIal • CommeRCIal

NCIDQ #013917

info.fisherdesign@gmail.com • 401-203-5332

125 Wayland Avenue, Providence 351-7000

College Dis Count!

1 5% of f food w / Id

(restrictions app

ly)

Lunch & Dinner Daily 11:30am - close

and Weekend Brunch 10:00am - 2:00pm

727 East Ave. Pawtucket 401.305.5255 • LJsBBQ.com 44

East Side Monthly March 2012

“He’s inflexible.”

“We just don’t worry about the same things when it comes to money.”

Most meetings in my office are very cordial, overlaid by a sense of practicality. Couples arrive with questions and concerns they are prepared to address – for better or for worse. The dynamic is most often one of give and take.

But sometimes my meetings are uncomfortable. Contentiousness creeps in, and I find myself thrust into the role of referee and negotiator in a battle over money.

I usually start my meetings discussing jobs, retirement life, family, property, mortgages and other financial planning issues. Investments come last so that we can determine if the clients are on track to meet their goals. Along the way I ask, “How is cash flow going?” And this is where conflict can seep in.

This happened recently with one couple. The wife was frustrated. She is highly organized, a super planner, desirous of ensuring their future. She has run the numbers, trying to make the expense side match up to the income side.

The husband is much more of a free spirit. He continuously has a next project that is on his wish list, be it a vehicle, a man cave or tool shed. No sooner is one project completed, that the next is hatched. They have no children, high incomes and 15 years until retirement, so they can afford most of what they both want - eventually. But they can’t afford to do everything now and still save an adequate amount of money.

Over the years I have learned to accept my clients for who they are and to work within their personality constraints.

I am not going to change Jack, as I will call him. He will always have a project that helps to define who he is and enables him to cope with life’s challenges.

But that does not mean he can’t rein in some of his free spirit attitude, which he uses to defend against Jill’s desire to line up the pennies.

Jill, in turn, needs reassurance that the money will be there for their ongoing expenses and that her preferences, which benefit both of them, will not always be made secondary to Jack’s.

Where I can be helpful is in determining how much money a couple has to spend and the trade-offs involved in

making their decisions. Whether a couple chooses to use a landscaper, eat out five times a week or spend more time vacationing is not mine to decide.

The couple makes choices with the recognition that they may not be able to do it all. My job is to keep in focus their longer term goals and ensure that today’s decisions are made with an eye on tomorrow.

All does not always end well in my office, unfortunately. For years I sat with a couple who were so entrenched in their ways, it was painful to watch. Unlike Jack and Jill, Samuel and Serena did not have enough income to do all that they wanted to do. Both were retired.

Samuel, whose paycheck had created most of the assets, controlled the purse strings and doled out an allowance to his wife. Serena resented this arrangement.

Her response was to build up credit card debt to the point that Samuel had to step in, pay it off, and then reset the bar, but not before reminding Serena that he had bailed her out.

Samuel was not as unreasonable as he sounds. He was struggling to find a way to establish constraints for Serena to operate within. They had a lifestyle they wanted to maintain and insufficient assets to support that lifestyle. One partner or the other was going to have to give, and they just couldn’t agree.

In the end, our cash flow discussions were not productive. They eventually left in pursuit of greater investment returns in the hopes that the markets would make up the difference between their dreams and their assets.

Occasionally I do take sides, especially when I can remove worry from the equation.

Robert and Rachel are in their early 70s, living on pensions and social security. Their investments are primarily for the “what-ifs,” the unexpected and long term care. Rachel has been through a number of painful, distressing health procedures recently. It has been hard on both of them.

Usually Robert and Rachel head to Florida this time of year, but they held off making arrangements until they knew if Rachel would be able to travel comfortably. When they finally went to book reservations, prices had skyrocketed. Rachel was adamant about not spending the extra money this year, preferring to preserve what they have for a more pressing future need.

Robert wanted to give his wife a welldeserved break. I sided with Robert.

This is where the present takes precedence over the future.

Disagreements aren’t always about cash flow. Couples can differ on how their money is invested. One may be concerned that the other is taking on too little or too much risk. Or the children can be an issue. How long should they be supported, especially after college?

Betsey Purinton, CFP® is Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at StrategicPoint Investment Advisors in Providence and East Greenwich. You can e-mail her at bpurinton@strategicpoint.com.

Enjoy thE Bliss of Body Work!

ELISE PENN PANSEY The Pet Friendly Realtor

• • • • • •

Hand, Foot, and Facial Reflexology Reiki • Holistic Therapies for Children Ayurvedic Therapies Personal Training Private Yoga Training Unique add-on Treatments, Including Private Steam Showers, Aromatherapy, Ear Candling, Auricular Therapy and more

9 different massage modalities, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone and Thai massage

For more info on our packages, visit our website at bodysenseri.com massage & wellness 14 Bassett Street, Providence • 401.521.2565

Conveniently nestled between Downtown and the East Side. Plenty of parking.

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... ...DEDICATED... to serving YOU! Call me today!

ELISE PENN PANSEY The Pet Friendly Realtor Butterman & Kryston, Inc. 749 East Ave. Pawtucket, RI @ Blackstone Blvd

401.455.1625 www.elisepennpansey.com 401.521.9490 x22

SAVE THE DATE! 27th Annual Alliance JCC

Charity Golf Tournament

Wannamoisett Country Club May 14, 2012

• Colds & Flu • Minor Trauma • Sprains & Strains • X-Ray/Labs Available

• Workman’s Comp Exams • Immunization • DOT, School, and Sports Physicals

Monday - Friday: 9am to 8pm Saturdays & Sundays: 9am to 4pm

SINCE 1985

East sidE UrgEnt CarE The Right Care, Right Now

1195 North Main Street, Providence • 401.861.3782

The Alliance JCC is a division of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

March 2012 East Side Monthly

45

Where Can You Find Fun, Friends and

Thank you for helping to make 2011 such a terrific year with over $20MM in property sold. We believe 2012 will provide even greater opportunity. Whether you are buying or selling, you can count on us to help you realize all your real estate goals.

a Fantastic Senior Lifestyle?

SOLD IN 2011 East Side/Oak Hill 51 Adelphi Av 102 Bowen St 24 Carver St 24 Channing Av 146 Elmgrove Av #3 39 Greaton Dr 47 Grotto Av 118 Irving Av 52 Lorraine Av 152 Medway St 196 Morris Av 314 Olney St 315 Olney St 50 President Av 284 President Av 30 Sheldon St 28 So. Angell St 30 – 32 So. Angell St 555 So. Main St #320 52 Trenton St 1 Wayland Av #305 15 Westford Rd

West Side/Elmhurst 135 Ardmore Av 74 Cathedral Av 50 Hammond St 106 Lancashire St 110 Lancashire St 215 Rankin Av 101 Tobey St 37 Willow St 41 Willow St East Bay/West Bay 77 Knollwood Av 95 Jefferson Dr 28 Rushton Dr 1180 Narragansett Blvd E6 60 Oak Forest Dr 223 Olney St 549 Turner Rd

Call Today to Schedule a Personal Visit and See How EPOCH Can Enhance Your Life!

EPOCH of Providence offers an enriching and exciting lifestyle with activities designed to stimulate your mind, body and spirit. Are you a lifelong learner? Enjoy an on-site educational lecture. Fan of Tai Chi? Rejuvenate your body and spirit with a session with our trainer.

Do you possess a creative soul? Take in a poetry or art class with your friends.

Come Join the Fun! Wednesday, March 14th • 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Open House Hosted at Both Locations

Assisted Living on the East Side

One Butler Avenue • Providence, RI

401-285-1213

Markham + DeRentis Associates - Residential Properties Ltd.

Discover how an understanding of God as infinite good and ever-present Love brings healing.

International speaker, Christine Driessen, is a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing and a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.

46

East Side Monthly March 2012

Get focused training in a small group setting with our specialized classes Try one today!

CORE Pilates & Mind/ Body Studio

CORE Fitness Studio

Core’s Signature Services include: Sports Specific Training • Personal Training • C.O.R.E Body-Barre State of the Art Keiser Indoor Cycle Program • MVE • Vinyasa Yoga • Strength Training • Navy SEAL • Pilates Run Group • WillPower & Grace • TRX-Suspension Training Indo-Row Barefoot Training • Zumba • Functional Movement Screening

IAN-OLN KO E A h

Y

Saturday, April 14, 2-4p.m.

RoCHAmbeAu LibRARy 708 Hope Street, Providence

401-237-0024

www.epochblackstone.com

Assisted Living . Short-Term Rehabilitation . Long-Term Care Skilled Nursing . Memory Care . Respite . Fitness Center

No Membership Fee Group Fitness Classes $12 469 Angell St., Providence • Wayland Sq. 208 Governor Street, Providence

W

Healing with Scientific Certainty through the Christ

353 Blackstone Boulevard • Providence, RI

Mass Relay – 711

R, DENISE NE C

www.markhamderentisassociates.com

O

Jim DeRentis | Nancy Markham | Office: 401.274.6740

www.epocheastside.com

Senior Living on Blackstone Boulevard

273.CORE • corefitprov.com

Calendar

by Samantha Gaus

March

music | performance | social happenings | galleries | learn | sports

MUSIC arena & club | classical

DON’T MISS

ARENA & CLUB

THIS MONTH:

CHAN’S Mar 17: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Chan’s with musical guests Fat City Band. Mar 30: Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood.

267 Main Street, Woonsocket. 765-1900, www.chanseggrollsandjazz.com.

10 events at the top of our list

The Red Tent Day for Women, Mar 6 at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, www.redtentri.com.

1

FIREHOUSE 13 Mar 2: Burnham with Romance on a Rocketship. Mar 31: A Great Big Pile of Leaves. 41 Central Street. 270-1801, www. fh13.com.

2 3

The Home Show, Mar 29- Apr 1 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, www.riconvention.com.

FOXWOODS Mar 1: Big Time Rush – Better With You Tour. Mar 2: Neil Sedaka. Mar 23: Toni Braxton with special guest Babyface. 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT. 800-200-2882, www.foxwoods.com.

LUPO’S Mar 2: Middle Class Rut and Janus. Mar 3: Tyga, Careless World Tour. Mar 6: The Saw Doctors. Mar 9: They Might Be Giants. Mar 10: The Kooks. Mar 30: The Devil Wears Prada Dead Throne Tour, Every Time I Die Let Live. Oh Sleeper. 79 Washington Street. 331-5876, www.lupos.com THE MET Mar 1: Fun. Mar 3: Start Making Sense (Talking Heads Tribute). Mar 16: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers. Mar 24: Forever Young – A Tribute to Neil Young. Mar 28: Band of Skulls. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. 729-1005, www. themetri.com.

MOHEGAN SUN Mar 3: Van Halen. Mar 10: Dropkick Murphys with special guest Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls. 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT. 800-477-6849, www.mohegansun.com ROOTS CAFÉ Mar 28: PechaKucha. Sundays: Blues Jazz Jam, open to all musicians who want to come down and play with some of New England’s best. Wednesdays: Open Mic and Late Night Rumba with DJ Papo,

Fun, Mar 1 at The Met, www.themetri.com.

Doctors at Play, Mar 31 at the Providence Children’s Museum, www.childrenmuseum.org.

4 The Vagina Monologues will be performed on March 6

dance lessons and live music. Thursdays: Thursday Night Groove and Late Night Rumba with DJ Papo. 276 Westminster Street. 272-7422, www.rootscafeprovidence.com.

TWIN RIVER Mar 9: Those Guys. Mar 10: D5 & After Effect. Mar 11: Steve Smith & The Nakeds.

Mar 16: Chaka Khan. Mar 30: Run For Covers. Mar 31: Lez Zeppelin, the NYCbased all-girl Led Zeppelin tribute band.

100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 475-8346, www.twinriver.com.

CLASSICAL & SUCH MOHEGAN SUN Mar 18: Celtic Woman. 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT. 800-477-6849, www.mohegansun.com OPERA PROVIDENCE Mar 30 and Apr 1: Murder & Mayhem, Blithewold Winter Concert Series. Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol.

253-2707, www.operaprovidence.org PARK THEATRE Mar 20: Natalie MacMaster, one of the most dynamic performers in Celtic music today. 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 4677275, www.parktheatreri.com PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Mar 31: Chris Botti & Ripo, the best selling American jazz instrument artist. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2997, www.ppacri.org.

STADIUM THEATRE Mar 17: Cinderella, a full-length ballet presented by Heritage Ballet. 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545, www.stadium theatre.com.

VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM Mar 3: Beethoven’s 9th: A Joyful Tribute to President Ruth J. Simmons. Mar 23: Amica Rush Hour with RI Philharmonic. Mar 24: RI Philharmonic Presents

Fresh Pasta WorkshopPasta 101, Mar 20 at Chef Walter’s Cooking School, www.chefwalter.com/WPCooking_School.htm.

5

Riveters vs. NHRD, Mar 10 at Narragansett’s Ocean Club Skating Rink, www.providencerollerderby.com.

6

They Might Be Giants, Mar 9, at Lupo’s, www. lupos.com.

7

Planting for the Planet, Mar 10 at the Roger Williams Zoo, www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org.

8

Our Town, Mar 23- Apr 1 at Barker Playhouse, 273-0590.

9

Photographer Lucas Foglia on his series The Garden, Mar 30 at the Providence Athenaeum, www. providenceathenaeum.org.

10

March 2012 East Side Monthly

47

Join us View complete list of events at www.ric.edu/pfa

Monday, April 2 7 : 3 0 P. M . | SAPINSLEY HALL, NAZARIAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

REJUVENATE YOUR FACE & BODY AT MASSAGE ENVY SPA MASSAGES: Relieve pain Boost the immune system Reduce hypertension

49

$

Introductory 1-hour customized massage session*

CRANSTON 1000 Chapel View Blvd (401) 275-4900 (Massage Services)

FACIALS: Delay onset of wrinkles Increase blood circulation Nourish the skin

59

$

Introductory 1-hour Healthy Skin facial session*

EAST GREENwICH - SPA 1000 Division Street (401) 336-2900 (Massage and Facial Services)

Franchises Available | MassageEnvy.com | Convenient Hours Open 7 days: M-F 9am-10pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm * One-hour session consists of a 50-minute massage or facial and time for consultation and dressing. Prices subject to change. Rates and services may vary by location. Additional location. Additional local taxes and fees may apply. © 2010 Massage Envy Franchising, LLC.

It’s never too early to plan ahead Pre-arrangements are a thoughtful and prudent decision that may help to ease your loved one’s anxieties.

• Accommodations for all faiths, traditions and wishes.

• All-in-one options for calling hours, service and reception.

• Newly remodeled throughout

• Reception room • Easy access from I-195 • Ample free parking • Over 125 years of reputation for excellence

The Muir String Quartet T I C K E T S W W W. R I C . E D U / P F A O R ( 4 0 1 ) 4 5 6 - 8 1 4 4 www.facebook.com/PerformingArtsSeries.RIC

Dentistry Designed for You! Rumford’s newest full service Cosmetic, Restorative and Prosthodontic practice dedicated to the highest standards of care in the restoration and replacement of teeth

All types of fillings, crowns, bridges, cosmetic treatments and bleaching

All patients are screened for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Open HOuse Wednesday, March 7th

Come see our office, equipment and meet our wonderful staff!

For information and specials!

Rumford Dental, Inc. Dr. Baeger is a trained Prosthodontist with over 13 years’ experience 401.331.4592 • 401.421.9887 230 WATERMAN AVE., WAYLAND SQUARE • PROVIDENCE WWW.MONAHANDRABBLESHERMAN.COM • EMAIL: MKDSFH@AOL.COM 48

East Side Monthly March 2012

20 Newman Ave., Suite 1020, Rumford • (401) 434-4304

www.rumforddental.com • info@rumforddental.com Located at the beautifully remodeled Rumford Center!

Calendar What’s Better then Beethoven? One Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 222-1467, www.vmari.com.

PERFORMANCE comedy | dance | theatre

VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM Mar 30: Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Two Man Group, join the popular stars from Whose Line Is It Anyway for a night of Improv comedy and fun. One Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 222-1467, www. vmari.com.

THEATRE

COMEDY AS220 Mar 4: The Empire Revue, a monthly variety show featuring sketch comedy from The Spakling Beatniks, music, dance, burlesque, magic, hula-hooping and more.

115 Empire Street, Providence. 831-9327, www.as220.org COMEDY CONNECTION Mar 1: Frank Santos Jr., R-rated Hypnotist. Mar 2-3: Ben Hague. Mar 9-10: Chris Tabb. Mar 16-17: Craig Gass. Mar 22: Dr. Dirty John Valby. Mar 23-24: Corey Rodrigues. Mar 25: Kitty Litter and Friends Drag Extravaganza. Mar 29: Ralphie May. Mar 30-31: The Reverend Bob Levy. 39 Warren Ave, East Providence. 438-8383, www.ricomedyconnection.com.

EVERETT DANCE THEATRE Fridays: Live Comedy Improv Show, every week featuring live music from Bertrand Laurence. The Carriage House, 9 Duncan Ave, Providence. 831-9479, www. everettri.org.

BARKER PLAYHOUSE Mar 23- Apr 1: Our Town. 400 Benefit Street, Providence. 273-0590.

BROWN THEATRE Mar 1-4 & 8-11: We Can Rebuild Him. Lyman Hall, 77 Waterman Street, Providence. 863-3283, www.brown.edu.

GAMM THEATRE Thru Apr 8: Boom. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 723-4266, www.gammtheatre.org.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Mar 2-4: Come Fly Away, a Broadway musical that brings you the music of Frank Sinatra. Mar 20-25: The Addams Family, a new musical. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2997, www.ppacri.org.

SECOND STORY THEATRE Mar 8- Apr 1: August: Osage County. Market Street, Warren. 247-4200, www.secondstorytheatre.com.

Wintertime Farmers Market at the Hope Artiste Village

Wednesdays: Wine Down Wednesday.

184-188 Wayland Avenue. 274-7177, www. farmsteadinc.com.

WINTERTIME FARMERS MARKET Wednesdays 4-7pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm thru May 16. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. www. farmfresh.org.

RI Crisis Assistance Center, a nonprofit working to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

This day, for women only, features hairstyling, facials, manicures, makeup application, massage, yoga, reiki, belly dancing, kickboxing and kettlebell classes, reflexology and henna tattooing. $20. 9am-4pm. 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston. www.pbn.com.

FESTIVALS FOXWOODS Mar 10: Jo Koy, a regular on Chelsea Lately and named one of the 10 comics to watch by Daily Variety. Mar 8: T.J. Miller, named the next big thing in comedy by Entertainment Weekly and starring opposite Paul Rudd in his next film. Mar 24: Ralphie May. 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT. 800-200-2882, www. foxwoods.com.

PARK THEATRE Mar 4: Reduced Shakespeare Company – Complete World of Sports (Abridged), this three man comedy troupe takes long serious subjects and reduces them to short, sharp comedies. 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 467-7275, www.parktheatreri.com.

TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY Thru Mar 4: The Merchant of Venice. Thru May 13: Sparrow Grass. Thru May 27: Love Alone. 201 Washington Street, Providence. 351-4242, www.trinityrep.com.

VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM Mar 10: FirstWorks Presents: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. One Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 222-1467, www.vmari.com.

SOCIAL HAPPENINGS expos | fundraisers | seasonal FOR FOODIES

95 EMPIRE Thursdays & Saturdays: Improv Jones 10pm. Friday Feb 10 & 24: Bring Your Own Improv (BYOI) 11pm. Friday Feb 3: Live Bait. Friday Feb 17: Blood From a Turnip. 95 Empire Street. 331-2695, www. perishable.org.

BOTTLES FINE WINE & CRAFT BEER Thursdays: Wine Event; Come enjoy a selection of fine wines and cheeses at this free weekly event.

LA LAITERIE AT FARMSTEAD

RHODE ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER Mar 3-4: The 19th Annual RI Pet Show.

Mar 9-11: New England Saltwater Fishing Show. Mar 29- Apr 1: The Home Show.

One Sabin Street, Providence. 458-6000, www.riconvention.com.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Mar 3-4: 10th Annual Southern Rhode Island Home Show. Ryan Center, One Lincoln Almond Plaza Kingston. 788-3210, www.theryancenter.com.

FOR MOVIE BUFFS AUDOBON SOCIETY NATURE FLICKS Mar 4: Raccoon Nation. Mar 11: The Himalayas. Mar 18: The Animal House Skyscrapers. Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. 245-7500, www.asri.org.

FUNDRAISERS RHODES ON THE PAWTUXET Mar 6: Red Tent event, to benefit the

COMEDY CONNECTION Mar 11: The Friends of Zachary Dauphinee Fundraiser, to assist families in the community who struggle financially, and also provide educational assistance. 39 Warren Ave, East Providence. 438-8383, www.ricomedyconnection.com.

TWIN RIVER Mar 19: Heavenly Gingers Fundraiser, to benefit Jessie’s Dream and the Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund, honoring the memory of these two girls and their love of the performing arts. Twin River Event Center. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. www.twinriver.com SEASONAL ASPIRE RESTAURANT Saturdays: Dance with Spogga Hash from Waterfire fame, fire dancing and a mix of all styles of music and performance, every week rain or shine. 311 Westminster Street, Providence. 521-3333, www.aspirerestaurant.com.

March 2012 East Side Monthly

49

Calendar GALLERIES AUDOBON SOCIETY Mar 4: Flora and Fauna of my Travels: Artwork by Tina McCurdy – opening reception. Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. 245-7500, www.asri.org.

GALLERY Z Mar 1-Apr 7: Kevork Mourad, A Solo Exhibit: Paintings and Black and White Works on Paper. Opening receptions on Mar 15, 5-9pm and Mar 22, 5-7pm. 259 Atwells Avenue, Providence. 454-8844, www.galleryzprov.com.

NEWPORT MANSIONS Mar 17: The Victorian Wardrobe Revealed, 1840-1900, never-before-seen highlights from the Preservation Society’s historic costume collection. Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. www.newportmansions.org.

PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY Mar 11: Opening Reception for In a Nutshell: The Worlds of Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are, with special guest speaker Mike Fink of RISD and East Side Monthly. 150 Empire Street, Providence. www.provlib.org RISD Through Mar 25: Building Blocks: Contemporary Works from the Collection, featuring architecturally inspired work in varying scales which represent the relationship between the human body and architecture. Thru Apr 15: Nancy Chunn: Chicken Little and the Culture of Fear, inspired by the fear and panic created by the 9/11 attacks this series of paintings represent the media hype that feeds our fears. Chace Center, 224 Benefit Street, Providence.

454-6500, www.risdmuseum.org.

SANDYWOODS ARTIST CO-OP Mar 10: Charlie Barmonde, an exhibition featuring vessels. 43 Muse Way, Tiverton. www.sandywoodsfarm.org/ sandywoodsgallery.

kIDS + FAMILy BROWN UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE Saturdays: Children’s Story Time, cozy up in the children’s book section every weekend for a reading adventure. 11am.

244 Thayer Street, Providence. 863-3168, www.bookstore.brown.edu.

50

East Side Monthly March 2012

From Lucas Foglia’s The Garden

DUNKIN DONUTS CENTER Mar 10-11: The Coffee Cup: Indoor Auto Racing. One LaSalle Square, Providence.

331-6700, www.dunkindonutscenter.com.

PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Mar 1-3: Re-Constructors. Mar 4: Seussational! Mar 8-9: Math Works. Mar 10- 11: No Time to Waste. Mar 15-18: Air Play Stargazers. Mar 22-25: Animal Adventures. Mar 29-30: Texture Trace.

Mar 31: Doctors at Play. Tuesdays and Wednesdays all month: Play and Learn.

100 South Street, Providence. 273-5437, www.childrenmuseum.org.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Mar 9-11: Sesame Street Live: 1-2-3 Imagine! With Elmo & Friends. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2997, www.ppacri.org.

that were lost to our recent storms. 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence. 785-3510, www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Mar 30: Piccadilly Circus. Ryan Center, One Lincoln Almond Plaza Kingston.

788-3210, www.theryancenter.com.

LEARN discussion | instruction | tour RHODE ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER Mar 21-24: Journal of Light Construction Show, the premiere building technology show in the country. Figure out how to bring historic homes into the new century or add energy updates to a more contemporary one. One Sabin Street, Providence.

458-6000, www.riconvention.com.

Refuge, 1670 Maple Valley Road, Coventry. 295-8283, www.asri.org.

NEWPORT MANSIONS Mar 1: The Guastavino Family & the Creation of Great American Architecture.

The family and the technology that allowed for new possibilities in American architecture in the late 1800s. Newport Mansions Store, Bannister’s Wharf, Newport. www.newportmansions.org.

PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM Mar 30: Photographer Lucas Foglia on his series The Garden, documenting urban food producers at food gardens in diverse neighborhoods across the city of Providence, part of Southside Community Land Trust’s 30th anniversary. 5-7pm.

251 Benefit Street, Providence. www. providenceathenaeum.org.

INSTRUCTION

PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY Mar 4: Family Learning Sunday: Discover Letterboxing, an exciting scavenger hunt outdoor activity perfect for the whole family. 150 Empire Street, Providence. www.provlib.org ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO Mar 7: FrogWatch Training, become an official citizen scientist with FrogWatch USA and learn about the importance of amphibians in nature. Mar 10: Planting for the Planet, learn about the impacts of climate change and find new ways to reduce your carbon footprint. A portion of ticket sales will be used towards a project that will replace 200 trees in the park

DISCUSSION RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mar 15: A Discussion with Christian McBurney, author of The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War. RSVP to Caitlin at cmurphy@rihs.org. John Brown House Museum, 52 Power Street, Providence. 331-8575 x28, www.rihs.org.

AUDUBON SOCIETY Mar 3 & 10: Maple Sugaring, learn the history of maple sugaring and how the Native Americans used to make this tasty syrup then sample fresh maple syrup over breakfast. Parker Woodland Wildlife

CHEF WALTERS COOKING SCHOOL Mar 6: Tapas and Cicchette – Small Plates Part 1. Mar 13: Diabetic Cookery. Mar 20: Fresh Pasta Workshop – Pasta 101. Mar 27: Soups and Minestre. If you’ve ever wanted to hone your cooking skills and learn from one of the best, these small hands-on cooking classes are the perfect activity. Potenza Ristorante & Bar, 286 Atwells Avenue, Providence. Register ahead online at www.chefwalter.com/ WP-Cooking_School.htm.

COOK & BROWN PUBLIC HOUSE Mondays: Kids (and Family) Cooking Classes, hands-on cooking classes for

Leader’s in Eye Care Since 1927

kids of all ages and ability levels. 959 Hope Street, Providence. 273-7275, www.cookandbrown.com.

TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY Mar 14-May 2: Acting the Song, the challenges of musical theatre. 201 Washington Street, Providence. 351-4242, www. trinityrep.com.

STADIUM THEATRE Mar 13: Workshop: Makeup and Hair: The Art of Illusion. Mar 13: Workshop: Public Speaking and Presenting. Mar 25: Workshop: Musical Theatre. 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545, www. stadium theatre.com.

SPORTS DUNKIN DONUTS CENTER Mar 17: WWE presents Road to Wrestlemania Tour. Mar 30: Harlem Globetrotters 2012 World Tour. One LaSalle Square, Providence. 331-6700, www. dunkindonutscenter.com.

MOHEGAN SUN Mar 6: WWE Smackdown. Mar 30: Bellator Fighting Championships. 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT. 800-4776849, www.mohegansun.com PROVIDENCE BRUINS Mar 2: Adirondack Phantoms. Mar 3: Worcester Sharks. Mar 4: Bridgeport

Sound Tigers. Mar 9: W-B/Scranton Penguins. Mar 18: Springfield Falcons. Mar 23: Manchester Monarchs. Mar 25: Portland Pirates. Dunkin Donuts Center, One LaSalle Square, Providence. www.providencebruins.com.

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE MEN’S HOCKEY Mar 2: UMass Lowell. Schneider Arena, 1 Huxley Avenue, Providence. 865-2168, www.friars.com/sports.

PROVIDENCE ROLLER DERBY Mar 10: Riveters vs. NHRD. Narragansett Ocean Club Skating Rink, 360 South Pier Road, Narragansett. www.providencerollerderby.com.

RHODE ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER Mar 9: Who’s Next? Professional Boxing. One Sabin Street, Providence. 4586000, www.riconvention.com.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Mar 25: NCAA Women’s Sweet 16. Mar 27: NCAA Women’s Elite 8. Mar 31: NECA All-Star Cheer & Dance Championship. Ryan Center, One Lincoln Almond Plaza Kingston. 788-3210, www. theryancenter.com.

To have your listing included in the East Side Monthly Calendar, please send press releases or event information to esm@providenceonline.com. Please send submissions at least one month prior to event date.

Dr. David A. Vito Dr. John D. Corrow Dr. Carl D. Corrow Dr. J. Lawrence Norton • 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 • www.AdvancedEyeCareRI.com 780 North Main Street, Providence Official Eye Care Provider of the Providence Bruins

HS Juniors, Get Started Now! Strategy & Essays

CollegeStartOnline.com For a well-written application that delivers results!

• Common Application Essays • Supplement Questions • College Strategy 20 Years Experience

Joan Martin, Ph.D. • MA 781-891-0775 • RI 401-314-6060 www.CollegeStartOnline.com

Boilers - Furnaces - ac Water Heaters - system Design Steam Our Specialty • Oil • Gas • Propane • Radiant • Hot Water • Snow Melting • Steam • System Design • Air Conditioning • Oil to Gas Conversions • National Grid Contractor Steam

Free Estimates

Photography: George Ross

NEW ENGLAND COOLING HEATING RI MP 1798 RI MPT 6385 MASS LIC #25181 RI CONT LIC #16946

Rhoda Perdition and Jetta Von Diesel with the Rhode Island Riveters

One Day Change Out

401-256-9257

Serving RI & SE Mass Burnham - Navian - Viessmann - Bryant - All Brands SeRvING PROvIDeNCe’S eAST SIDe fOR 25 YeARS

March 2012 East Side Monthly

51

Classifieds

To place your classified ad, please call 732-3100.

Need A Tenant?

Kate C. Foster

401-477-6314

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.

CEILING REPAIRS 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.

CHRIS’ LAMP REPAIR 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

COOK/CLEANER AVAILABLE Experienced European woman, legal resident. References available. Call 243-4483.

CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS and more. In-home consultation.

30 years experience. 401-949-1587.

DOG WALKER/PET SITTER Trained to administer medications.

Reliable, bonded, references available. Home visits. Call Susan 5273914. Loves animals.

DOROTHY’S CLEANING We clean your home as our own!

References & free estimates. Call 401-274-7871 or 401-524-7453.

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.

Century 21 Butterman & Kryston, Inc.

I BUY BOOKS Old, used and almost new. Also buying photography, art, etc. Call 401-421-2628. jcvp@cox.net

EAST SIDE HANDYMAN 34 years. Repairs, upgrades & renovations. References. Insured. Reg. #3052. Call 270-3682.

KIND CARE ~ SENIORS Appointments, errands, shopping, cleaning & maint. Refs. Safety bars installed. Reg #3052. 270-3682.

ELDER CARE AVAILABLE Compassionate, intelligent, mature woman seeks sleepover position with elderly person. 20 years experience. Impeccable references. Please call 781-3392 or 497-3392.

MALIN PAINTING 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.

ELECTRICAL SERVICES All types. New circuits. Generator systems installed. RI #A3338. MA #16083A. Insured. Call Larry 5292087. Also, small handyman jobs.

HOUSE CLEANING If you need a house cleaner with good prices & excellent references, call 401-475-3283.

HOUSE CLEANING Experienced. Local references. Free estimates. Call Lilly, 401-419-2933.

MASTER ELECTRICIAN 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.

PROACTIVE Computer Services Home or office. Computer repairs, data recovery. WIFI Solutions.

Fully equipped mobile service. Service calls $40/hr. Call 401-6477702. www.pcsllcri.com

(401) 831-8693 www.chrislamprepair.com

MEDINA Painting & Remodeling Co., Inc. Expert Remodeling of Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements, Etc.

We Specialize in Water Problems

Certified Lead Renovated LRM #0514

Call Al Medina 52

East Side Monthly March 2012

401.438.8771

Classifieds

PRESERVE YOUR MEMORIES Documents, photos, slides, films saved to CD or DVD. Photos of slides and film contents are available. Your memories will always be fresh. Reasonable rates. Comen Co., 401-230-2524. Email: hcomen@cox.net SCREEN PRINTING & Embroidery. T-shirts & Sweatshirts.

Max Formal Co., 1164 North Main St., Providence. 421-3268.

STONE MASON 30 yrs. exp. Stone, brick, veneers, walls, fireplaces, patios, chimneys.

Design work. Reg. #7445. Call 6410362. lousstonework.com SUPERB HOUSEPAINTING High end workmanship. Small jobs a specialty. Call Ron 751-3242.

Reg. #18128.

To place your classified ad, please call 732-3100.

JOBS BY JIM Garages & Attics Cleaned

Unwanteds Removed Small Demolitions - Garages, Sheds, etc.

Free Metal Pick-up

Spring & Fall Cleanups Bushes Trimmed ❊ Tree Removal Pine Bark Mulch

Appliances & Lawn Mowers

Landscape Construction Parking Lot Cleaning

❖Motors ❖Machines ❖Batteries ❖Etc.

Handyman ❊ 26 Years Experience

Call 401-232-5650 Cell 401-742-7258

Reg. #4614

PROPERTY MANAGER AVAILABLE 24/7 on call. Rent collection. Rentals, evictions. Call 421-0092.

Residential/Commercial Free Estimates

Vinny’s Landscaping

& BOBCAT SERVICES

MG Landscaping 743-6015 ❊ 831-5109

497-1461 ● 231-1851

Willard Roofing & Restoration All Types of Roofing & Exterior Repairs RESIDENTIAL

USED MUSIC WANTED! Round Again Records needs your used CDs and records. Cash paid.

Call 351-6292.

SNOW PLOWING

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Siding

● COMMERCIAL ●

Insulation

●

Windows

Call Now for a Free Estimate

949-4440

Insured

Discover

●

Visa

●

Reg. #14074

MasterCard Accepted

Everything you love about the East Side...

a n d m o re !

The All New

EastSideMonthly.com Web Exclusives • Register to Post Events & Comments • Updated Community News Blogs March 2012 East Side Monthly

53

East of Elmgrove

by Elizabeth Rau | illustration by Jessica Pollak

Cancer Schmancer An East Side mother of two comes to terms with uncertainty How does she say goodbye to hair ravaged by chemo?

First, she dyes her beloved locks purple. I mean, really, why not? Any sane person would. Then she strolls through her neighborhood, pulling out clumps and letting them float to the earth like rose petals.

This is what she does; this is her path.

I know everything that Kim Turner Clark wants to tell me about her breast cancer. Every night, just before lights out, I click on her blog, Bad Manners Cancer (“so rude it just shows up without an invitation”), to read the latest post about the “sneaky little bastard’’ that has turned her life upside down and proved in the harshest way that life is luck, good and bad.

Turner Clark writes, “It’s so incongruous that I had cells in my body dividing madly, surreptitiously, and as healthy and good and powerful as I felt, I was horribly sick, my body going haywire trying to kill itself… I didn’t have any symptoms. Cancer is the great deceiver, the trickster.”

For most of us, cancer is a concept. It’s an illness that happens to other people. We are told that chemo causes fatigue, nausea and hair loss, but do we really know how that feels?

No, we do not. Nor do we know how one’s head must spin when mortality knocks, especially when children are in the front parlor.

To call this blog good is an understatement. It’s a memoir in the making: searing and heartfelt without being sentimental. Oh, did I mention that it’s beautifully written, with imagery that will haunt you for days and make you shift in your comfortable chair, as compelling prose should?

If literary awards for blogs exist, this blog should win one. At the very least, it should be required reading in every household where self-pity has run amok. What makes the blog even more special is that it’s penned 54

East Side Monthly March 2012

by a fellow East Side resident, a wellknown local artisan and 48-year-old single mother of two boys, ages 10 and 16.

The November diagnosis comes from nowhere and whacks her silly – stage three breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma, the “wanderlust’’ variety. She soon learns that the tumor is large (one-and-a-half inches), and that the cancer is triple negative: the quickest-growing and most aggressive type of breast cancer, which does not respond to hormone-blocking treatments.

Turner Clark also faces uncertainty: “I thought cancer-schmancer sucks, yeah, but I’m tough; it will be a god-awful year and then I’ll be fine.

One year. I was willing to give up a year of my life to cancer. I didn’t expect it might want a whole lot more than that.”

The moods of her early posts fluctuate between anger, defiance and paralyzing fear; a mounting “free floating anxiety” rooted in her feeling that “everything is out of control.” A flurry of visits ensues with oncologists and nurses. She feels overwhelmed by the new information in her “chemo class” and diligently reviews her “two inch thick” chemo binder at night.

Good news comes. An MRI reveals that the cancer has not spread. A bone scan is clear. A CAT scan shows no evidence of metastases. To prepare for chemo, she is “portified” – a surreal procedure in which a medical device is inserted under her skin to administer the “poison” otherwise known as chemotherapy drugs.

Turner Clark tells of her ordeal: “The procedure went smoothly, but I’m more than sore and I feel like Frankenstein with a slit stitched up the base of my neck. They told me not to shower for a week. LOL. Not shower for a week. That’s funny. This girl doesn’t go a day without a shower.”

Surprisingly, the first day of chemo is a “breeze.”

The nurses are sassy and smart, the chair is comfortable. Five hours of drip, drip, drip. But by evening’s end, she is nauseous with a pounding headache. The next day, she can barely get off the sofa.

“I think I was overly optimistic about this week,” she writes. “I’m queasy and woozy, dizzy, befuddled, confused. My vision is blurry, the lights too bright. I’m tired and teary and just want to sleep. I’ve heard about chemo-brain.”

She is so wiped out over the next few days, she considers lying down during her shower. She has “axe-lodged-in-head caliber” headaches. Her gums bleed. Her guts churn. And then the inevitable: her hair, a luscious mane treasured since girlhood, falls out – in one day.

She reports that she has “two jars full of hair, much hair in the trash and down the drain,” and promptly embarks on her “ceremonial” walk in the neighborhood, letting go of the tufts left behind. Later in the week, she instinctively reaches for a comb after showering and stops herself, blaming “old habits.”

She admits, “I’m afraid of how disconnected from any sense of norm I’ll be when I don’t recognize myself in the mirror.”

Still, through all the uncertainty and discomfort, Turner Clark strives to be optimistic: “When I got in bed last night, I was tired, depleted, but happy. I wasn’t worried or scared, or pissed. This is my life and it’s still a beautiful life.”

Her most poignant posts are about

her 10-year-old son, her “love bug,” whose courage is heart wrenching.

He asks her if she “will be better by Christmas.” With a knot in her stomach, she explains the longevity of her illness.

One day, “love bug” spots a sign that reads, “After Cancer Every Day is a Great Day.” He tells his mother he’s excited about what most certainly lies ahead, for signs don’t lie.

“Isn’t that great, mom?” he asks, cheerily. She wants to say yes.

After months of chemo, she’ll undergo surgery to remove the tumor and then comes the burning of radiation. Her journey is long. She is asking us to bear witness, and for that we should be grateful. If you’d like to follow along, go to www.badmannerscancer.blogspot.com.

Elizabeth Rau is an East Side resident who can be reached at erau1@ verizon.com.

Serving Rhode Island with Awareness, Education & Support!

GloriaGemma.org

249 Roosevelt Avenue Suite 201 Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860

401 861-HERO (4376) 401 728-4816 (Fax)

East Side Monthly Ad 3-2012_Layout 1 1/30/12 4:39 PM Page 1

Rumstick point

Barrington Contemporary w/unobstructed views of the Bay from every room. Open floor plan features custom kitchen, living & dining rooms, fireplaces, media room; workshop. Master suite w/private office & observatory, guest wing. Patios, pool, waterfalls, cabana and mooring. $2,499,000 401-274-1644 | D ETAILS @L ILA D ELMAN . COM

Local Legacy International Reach™

NEWPORT NARRAGANSETT PROVIDENCE JAMESTOWN WATCH HILL BLOCK ISLAND

Grotto avenue

East Side, Providence Elegant country cottage with French influences has been fully renovated. Includes 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, formal living and dining rooms, updated kitchen. Finished basement and spacious deck add to this unique property. $875,000

LILADELMAN. COM

401-274-1644 | D ETAILS @L ILA D ELMAN . COM

March 2012 East Side Monthly

55

E ast

sidE

Pro PE rt i E s Williams Sleek loft enclosed by a Zen garden. Open plan w/ designer kitchen, dining area, living space w/FP and floor to ceiling glass wall. Two large beds, spa like master, covered parking, c/a and deck. $749,000

Blackstone Beautiful Penthouse on the boulevard. Two bed, 2.5 bath condo has hardwood floors, built-ins, wonderful light, comfortable floor plan. Underground parking for 2 cars, elevator. Easy living in a well established building. $599,000

George An architectural gem: The Eliza Ward 1814 Historic Brick Federal. Breathtaking interior with parlors. Features incredible winding staircase, library, detailed moldings and high ceilings. Best location on East Side! $1,400,000 Pratt Stunning townhouse perched on Pratt Hill w/city views. 3 beds, 3.5 baths. Open floor plan, custom kitchen & interior finishes, 3 decks, hardwoods, AC, fireplace, 2-car garage. Walk to train, Universities, shops. $595,000

Benefit A 1783 Colonial with lovely period detailing: 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. All fully restored and updated in 1987 and 2011. Air conditioned, private patio and garage. Charm of the era and comfort of today. $619,000

University Completely renovated sun filled 3 bed 2 bath on second floor with delightful 2 bedrooms and bath on 3rd.

Enjoy cooking in this custom kitchen with room enough to entertain or enjoy family living. $595,000

arnold 1814 charmer in the heart of the Historic District. Lovely formal rooms, terrific kitchen/family room opens to enchanting city garden. Master suite, 2.5 baths, wide plank floors, pretty period details. Freshly painted exterior, newer mechanicals. $499,000 Keene Handsome 3-level mansard Victorian Townhouse. Loads of period detailing: bow windows, in-laid floors, high ceilings. Ample space for home studios, bedroom suites and au pair quarters.

Large yard with patio. $610,000

Elmgrove Gracious brick Tudor recently renovated! 6 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. Lovely custom details, gorgeous stained glass, hardwoods, 2 family rooms, 2 fireplaces.

New cook’s kitchen. Fabulous master.

Large yard. Garage. $995,000 Hidden Charming College Hill Victorian.

Fabulous condo alternative. 2/3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. New kitchen, bath, electric & furnace. Private yard w/brick patio. Walk to Brown & RISD. $420,000

Cooke This architecturally stunning 7 bedroom Colonial is a rare find and brimming with elegance! Stunning 3-story staircase, expansive fireplaced rooms, renovated kitchen and baths, central air, wonderful master bedroom. $1,675,000

Manning Spectacular 1903 Transitional style residence completely renovated.

Gracious floorplan of formal and casual spaces; dazzling original details are preserved and blend seamlessly with modern amenities. Prime location in Cooke-Power-Hope historic district. $1,595,000

stadium Totally charming brick front English Colonial with spacious rooms and lots of sunlight. Rare 1st floor bedroom, generous family room boasts vaulted ceiling with skylights, fireplace and builtins, pretty and private garden, perfect home for entertaining. $575,000

Bowen Wonderful home in the heart of College Hill on the corner of Bowen and Thayer. Well proportioned sun filled rooms with gleaming hardwood and nice detailing. Huge kitchen plus 2 pantries, brand new heating system, updated electric, ample parking. $479,000 Harwich Royal Barry Wills Cape.

Delightful 3–4 bed, 3 full and 2 half bath charmer w/2,900 SF of living space.

Generous eat-in-kitchen, family room, wide plank hardwoods, 6 fireplaces, patio, porch and C/A. $728,000

Meeting Walk everywhere from this stately brick, 7 bedroom home in College Hill. Features include central air, wine cellar, 5 car heated garage, finished basement. Gorgeous details throughout!

One of Providence’s finest. $1,450,000 Emeline Exquisite Charpentier brick Colonial. 6 bedrooms, 3.2 baths on 3 floors. Gorgeous gumwood details, hardwoods, updated eat in kitchen, A/C, lovely porch/yard, 2 car garage. Move-in! $699,500

North Main Outstanding renovation of 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit in historic building overlooking city. Exceptional attention to detail. Highest quality custom everything.

Private patio. Garage. Walk everywhere! $689,000

Sally Lapides, President

Libby Isaacson, COO

Ed Hardie, Manager

David Abbott

Sara Alberti

Celia Almonte

Liz Bodell

Sandy Conca

Ralph Curti

Barbara Dacey

Seth Daley

Debra DeLuca

Jim DeRentis

Rich Epstein

Heidi Farmer Piccerelli

Myra Fishman

Kevin Fox

Susan Gower

Michele Heard

Sally Herreid

Bethany Johnsen

Ellen Kasle

Leslie Kellogg

Teresa Level

Jeffrey Limaa

Nancy Markham

Rebecca Mayer

Paula Morrison

J. P. Pagano

Jennifer Powers

Barbara Rhine

Gerri Schiffman

Beth Schuyler

Cathy Singer

Jillian Siqueland

Trish Sitcoske

C. C. Wall

Christopher Wall

Sarah Wheaton

Katie Worthington

Market Knowledge.

Market share.

Market sense.

Market smart.

ResidentialProperties.com

401.274.6740