East Side Monthly September 2011

September 2011

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Another night game set for Brown Stadium

The disaster in Japan, up close and personal pg 21

Nathan Bishop supports a beloved teacher pg 17

New Listing! $320,000

New Price! $1,250,000

Open and light-filled 1 bedroom condo in historic Tully Bowen. Amenities include kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances, gas fireplace, hardwoods, central A/C, parking.

Custom redesign in 1982 transformed this 1922 Tudor into an extraordinary contemporary home. Nearly half acre of beautifully landscaped grounds. Master suite, kitchen/family room, porch all open onto lovely back garden. Gracious living!

Betsy Walsh

Lise Holst

New Price! $369,000

Great custom built mid century Ranch in desirable location. Central air, hardwoods, 3 beds, 1.5 baths, den, open living room/dining room, large private yard, attached garage. Worth the look!

Myra Braverman

New Listing! $258,000

New Listing! $669,000

New Listing! $432,000

Stunning, renovated 2 story Townhouse condo with original period details. Kitchen features cherry cabinets and granite counter tops, 2 full/1 half baths, 4 working fireplaces, central air, private yard and patio.

Michael Young

New Listing! $199,900

Elegant 1909 Charles Eddy house, with 7 bedrooms and 3 + baths. Gracious entry foyer, lovely period details including atrium windows, 3 fireplaces, paneled library, high ceilings. Fabulous 3rd floor. 2 car garage.

Historic Greek Revival with charm and detail; great location one block off historic Broadway. Resurfaced original flooring, updated electrical, newer full bath, 1st floor opened up with fireplace in middle. Move in condition!

Sue Erkkinen

Ron Hirschauer

New Price! $895,000

Appealing garden level condo recently renovated historic building. Hardwood floors, renovated kitchen, great marble bathroom, central air, 2 assigned parking spaces. Near Brown, RISD and downtown.

Custom built Ranch completely remodeled 7 years ago.

French doors from family room (with bookcases) lead to exquisite grounds with waterfall and dog run. Master suite on 1st. Granite counters. New windows. Closets throughout.

Helen Macdonald

Linda Mittleman

New Listing! $550,000

Elegant Townhouse condo in Tully Bowen. Very high ceilings, beautiful moldings and hardwood floors.

Oversized windows with built-in shutters, 4 fireplaces.

Fabulous location on Benefit Street.

Betsy Walsh

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Contents

September 2011 This Month 17 Class Act

A community rallies around a beloved teacher

21 Images from Japan

A local photographer documents the tragedy

25 Are You Ready for Some Football?

Brown gets ready for its second big night game

30 Copy That

Plagiarism, classical style

Every Month 7 Letters/Editorial 10 Other Side 13 Community News 33 Pajama Monologues Sunday night on the Emerald Isle

35 On the Menu Tapas come to Providence (finally)

37 Dining Guide

21

A resident of Kesennuma, Japan points to his house on a map

39 Movies

53 Calendar

Cowboys and Aliens and Rise of the Planet of the Apes reviewed

All the info on September’s happenings

43 Art

62 East of Elmgrove

The fall season begins at Cade Tompkins Projects

Fear of flying

49 Finance

East Side Monthly is now online!

Investing advice for women

50 Education

Visit www.providenceonline.com to read the entire issue

Help inspire minds

Your resource for eating out

Fall Colors Fabulous Homes

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5

Editorial The Great Generational Divide Thomas Friedman, the author and New York Times columnist, often writes provocatively, but a few Sundays ago he headed off in a direction that strikes us as particularly prescient. He argues that when the Cold War ended, the assumption was that the next great struggle was going to be a clash between civilizations. Not so, he suggests. It will be one between generations.

Using the current street riots in Greece as an example, he maintains the fight there is not just over the distribution of economic assets and opportunities.

Rather it is the frustration of a new generation of twenty-somethings who can’t find jobs because a generation of fifty-

somethings benefited from a system that has allowed them to retire early, live off overly rich government subsidies, avoid taxes and pass the funding problem on to future generations, the ones now rioting in the streets. No wonder an increasing number of them see the current system as a rigged game run by legislators who refuse to deal with reality and simply, to quote overused phraseology, just “kick the can down the road” for the next generation. Sound familiar?

While the current younger generation of Rhode Islanders may not actually take to the streets, they will increasingly take to their feet by moving to areas that have pension systems that are actually

likely to be around when they retire. Or move to states that implement policies like cost cutting, equitable taxation and a willingness to invest in the future as a way to attract companies that will actually provide job opportunities.

The answer as to whether this will happen locally should become evident when the legislature reconvenes for a special session to tackle the pension problem next month. Our state’s tradition has always gravitated towards “cankicking.” On the other hand, new voices, led by Treasurer Gina Raimondo, have been pleading that we have no alternative other than substantive change.

Want to place your bets?

Letters

1070 Main Street, Suite 302 Pawtucket RI 02860 tel: 305-3391 | fax: 305-3392 esm@providenceonline.com www.providenceonline.com Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre Managing Editor Barry Fain City Editor Steve Triedman Executive Editor Julie Tremaine Special Projects Manager John Taraborelli Art Director Alli Coate Assisant Art Director Karli Hendrickson Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

The Man with No Name To the editor: Your July issue included a letter to the editor critical of U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, the former mayor. I was dismayed that the author was not identified.

Instead, the letter was “signed” by “A former Cicilline supporter and contributor” and carried the notation “Name withheld by request.”

I too have contributed to Cicilline, but he is not immune from criticism, and if someone wants to take issue with his performance, he or she is free to do so.

But anyone who wishes to do so should be willing to stand behind the criticism and give him, and the readers at large, the courtesy of knowing who is doing the name-calling.

Remember: We are not talking here about news sources who are granted anonymity to provide factual information that citizens need to learn and which would otherwise be unobtainable. We are talking instead about people who want to air abrasive, even abusive, opinions but are too cowardly to allow folks to know who they are and to evaluate their standing and motives.

As a retired journalist, it drives me to distraction that so many news outlets, notably online but also some in print, carry such anonymous views. I wish you – and they – would stop doing it.

M. Charles Bakst Providence Editor’s note: ESM is confident in the authenticity of the letter-writer and

felt the message was not abusive or self-serving.

Is Hope On the Horizon?

To the editor: Last spring, the City’s financial difficulties triggered painful changes in our public schools. The School Department sent dismissal notices to all teachers in order to avoid the strict seniority rules that apply to layoffs. The School Department also closed four schools and reconfigured two others because our portfolio of school buildings far exceeds the actual population. With that said, these changes were dramatic and not communicated well, leading to anxiety and protest by the affected groups.

In February, Superintendent Brady announced his resignation effective in July, which limited his ability to manage these changes. On top of all of this, the Providence Teachers Union contract is up for renewal, and the Mayor’s Office and the School Board, despite their agreement on 95% of a reform agenda, reached a communications impasse on negotiating strategy. As a result, the mayor asked the General Assembly to enact legislation removing the Providence School Board’s authority to approve contracts (while retaining that authority for every other school committee in the state). This change produced understandable dissent and turnover in the School Board.

In short, the City’s financial turmoil has taken its toll on our public schools and their leadership. I supported the

decision to avoid the seniority-only layoff approach for our teachers, as well as the decision to close some schools.

I disagree with the decision to change the School Board’s role, as I believe that the impasse that the parties reached could have been resolved with more hard work. I have not reviewed the new teachers’ contract, and therefore I do not yet have a position on it.

The entire episode reminds me of the myth of Pandora, who unleashed a flood of troubles on a previously innocent world.

At the bottom of Pandora’s box there was one last spirit named Hope, and I see the chance for hope in our public schools in our new interim superintendent, Susan Lusi. Sue served as the chief of staff to Superintendent Diana Lam in early 2000s, and I worked with her when I served on the Providence School Board. As chief of staff, Dr. Lusi helped keep affected stakeholders working together through difficult changes that Superintendent Lam (who was not a great communicator) brought to Providence. Superintendent Lusi also worked at the Rhode Island Department of Education, and brings to her job good working relationships with many of the key stakeholders. She also is committed to education reform. In short, Superintendent Lusi might be just the right person to stitch our public education system back together again and help us make a fresh start.

Sam Zurier Member, Providence City Council

Graphic Designer Meghan H. Follett Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich, Ann Gallagher, Nicole Greenspun, Nellie Lima, Dan Schwartz, Elizabeth Riel, Sharon Sylvester, Jessica Webb Classified Advertising Sue Howarth 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 Calendar Christina Evon Interns Thomas Anderson, Erin DeVito, Nathaniel Fuller, Samantha Gaus, Ariana Joharjian, Devin Karembelas, Christopher Sionni, Kimberly Tingle Contributing Photographers Mike Braca, James Jones, 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 ©2011 by East Side Monthly.

All rights reserved. Printed by TCI.

September 2011 East Side Monthly

7

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Other Side by Barry Fain

Big Things are Happening PPS and Providence Rotary both gear up for signature events PPS Urges Providence to Think Big On September 16 and 17, the Providence Preservation Society (PPS), in association with the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is presenting a special two-day symposium titled “Make No Little Plans: Visions for the City of Providence.” The symposium will bring together speakers who were involved in the creation of Capital Center on the occasion of its 30th anniversary who will then join other experts to suggest what might be done now in the Jewelry District and with the land opened up by the removal of I-195. Sessions will include lectures, panel discussions and tours, as well as networking opportunities. Also included in the two-day event will be cocktail parties at One Citizens Plaza, a WaterFire lighting and a special PPS gala at the rooftop terrace of GTECH, the event’s lead sponsor. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ppsri. org or call Lauren Goldenberg at 831-7440. Then be prepared stretch your mind and FutureThink.

Painting the Streets to Help the Children of Providence On October 2 Mark the date Sunday, October 2 on your calendar. The 12th annual Providence Rotary Street Painting Festival comes to the Bank of America Skating Rink in what has become one of the city’s most popular family fun events. Over 100 artists of all shapes, sizes and ages will be competing for cash awards as they convert the floor of the skating rink into a colorful tapestry of chalk artistry. Meanwhile some of the area’s best restaurants will be offering tastes of their most popular dishes while local bands perform on the stage. There will also be fun activities for the kids as well, including an eight-foot dragon. All monies raised at the event go to support the Providence Rotary Foundation, which distributed over $40,000 last year to projects that help the children of Providence. Circle October 2 on your calendar (colorfully, of course) and don’t miss this wonderful community event.

Moving the Pieces at Wayland Square If you’ve visited the square lately, it’s obvious someone is shuffling the deck there. Comina, a longtime fixture on the corner of Angell and Wayland, is moving up the street to the space where, as we say in Rhode Island-

10

East Side Monthly September 2011

ese, Chico’s used to be. Meanwhile the hot new jewelry store Alex and Ani is rumored to be moving into the coveted corner spot. We also understand the new McBride’s Irish Pub is doing quite well on Wayland.

(And everyone loves those nicely priced lobster rolls at Mad Ernie’s.) Stay tuned for whatever comes next.

Whole Foods at Waterman Shares the Love After its successful East Side Block Party in July (which ESM was proud to sponsor), the good folks at Whole Foods on Waterman Street raised over $1,600 to help the Everett Dance Theatre and Carriage House, an East Side-based dance troupe. We don’t know how many burgers they went through, but everyone describes the efforts of their staff grillers (Good Will From the Grill) as nothing short of heroic – and not a single one burned, we’re told. Kudos to all for a job well done.

Pictured on the right are dancers from Carriage House performing at the Block Party.

Gimme Shelter On Hope Street Somehow, the merchants on Hope Street seem a little more daring than most. You see it with their colorful street plantings, their bold outdoor art and, starting this month, even their bus shelters. Anyone can put up an ordinary bus shelter, but the Hope Street merchants have used federal stimulus funds to take theirs to another level. Two artsy shelters, one with planters of wisteria bolted to its sides, now adorn the street. Eighty percent of the money came from the feds, the rest through a community block grant (secured by Councilman Kevin Jackson) and a gift from Miriam Hospital. The project falls into that win-win-win category. Good people were put to work on the project, it supports mass transit and it bolsters the community by supporting local commerce and raising property value. The project was spearheaded by Asher Schofield, from Frog and Toad, who deserves our collective thanks for his leadership in making this community fairy tale come true.

Has Perishable Really Perished?

It was sad to hear about the potential demise of Perishable Theatre this past month. We understand the company is in limbo right now. Several of its key people have moved on and most of its employees have been terminated. Is this the end or just an attempt to reorganize itself? If it’s the former, how sad. The company was

founded in mid-1980s and had always been a conduit for plays that were a little more experimental and edgy than your typical Providence theater. In particular, projects like the Women’s Playwriting Festival for example, always attracted interest and participation from writers around the country. Whatever happens next, we hope the company is able to land on its collective feet and get back under the spotlights soon.

Fine Art for a Fine Cause One of the under-appreciated churches of downtown Providence is the All Saints Memorial Church at 674 Westminster Street. Inside are arguably some of the finest stained glass windows in all of the city. You will have the opportunity to check them out, along with some spectacular artwork, when the church holds a giant silent art auction on Saturday, September 24 from noon to 4pm. Dan Mechnig, head of the Providence Art Club and a parishioner, assures us that collectable art from some of the state’s premier artists will be on display likely at incredible prices. Call 751-1747 or access www.allsaintsmemorial.org for more details. All monies raised will go to support the church.

Comfort Food 101 @ Red Stripe School’s back in session and nothing fuels the brain like good ole’ fashioned comfort food. Providence academics, residents and visitors in-the-know can be found enjoying signature dishes like our famous Grilled Cheese and Roasted Tomato Soup or our savory Steak Frites - sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings!

We’re getting top marks….check out why Red Stripe is “head of the class”!

“Eclectic and imaginative…Red Stripe is big on presentation, making the food almost too good looking to eat.”

Don Fowler – The Warwick Beacon & Cranston Herald: July 2011 Voted “Best Neighborhood Restaurant”

by Rhode Island Monthly: August 2009

“Chef Rob Harrison and his menu, in collaboration with sous chef Edward Bolus, is a reflection of the care that goes into creating an award-winning dining experience.”

Michael Janusonis – The Providence Journal: June 2011 “I have always considered Providence’s four-star Mill’s Tavern as one of the finest restaurants in Rhode Island… you owe it to yourself to enjoy the service and atmosphere of an upscale restaurant like Mill’s Tavern.”

An American Brasserie

Don Fowler – The Warwick Beacon & Cranston Herald: June 2011

Summer doesn’t end on Labor Day… visit us at the beach where we’re receiving rave reviews!

Forbes

“We have never tasted such tender, sweet mussels... and the swordfish was as good as it gets.”

2011

With all the great restaurants in RI, only one restaurant is rated 4-Star by Forbes Travel Guide. We’re proud to have won this distinction seven years in a row.

Don Fowler – The Warwick Beacon & Cranston Herald: June 2011

Voted “Best Mussels”

Check out our newly launched website at www.millstavernrestaurant.com!

Voted “Best Eating & Drinking on Route 1”

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Visit our website or our new page on OpenTable.com and make a Mill’s Tavern reservation at anytime from the convenience of your computer or mobile device.

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East Side Monthly September 2011

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Community News

Community News is 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 Address: wendy@friendsofbrownstreetpark.org Mailing Address: 30 Pratt Street, Providence, RI 02906 Upcoming Events Summer is coming to an end, but the good stuff goes on: Save the Date for our 5th Annual “Fiends” of Brown Street Park Halloween event Monday, October 31 from 3:30-5pm.

simple art activities. If the weather looks poor please call Lindsay at 421-6970.

Free Fall Fitness Classes The East Side/Mt.Hope YMCA will conduct a series of free fitness classes in the park that include hybrid training, yoga, meditation and Parkour. Check out our website for specific times. You do not need to be a member of the YMCA to take these classes!

Please contact wendy@friendsofbrownstreetpark.org to find out how you can donate or get involved in Brown Street Park.

Blackstone Parks

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

Check out the website for more info on our Thanksgiving Veggie Rhode Race, The Ice Skating Rink, RakuRhod-Y-O and most importantly, our annual fall cleanup and perennial planting day.

Upcoming Events Annual Membership Meeting/Party: September 13 at the Trolley Shelter. Music and refreshments at 5pm.

Meeting starts at 5:30pm. Historian Matt Woodward will speak.

The Providence Athenaeum Little One’s Story Time runs Wednesday afternoons at 4pm through September 14, featuring songs, stories and

Unsung Heroes If you think that the two Blackstone parks – Blackstone Boulevard and the semi-wild 45-acre conservation

district by the Seekonk River – are as clean and as safe as they are thanks to the Parks Department, you’re only partly right. For it’s not only dedicated city workers who care for these two Providence treasures; many nearly invisible volunteers tend them as well.

Blackstone Boulevard Early most mornings you may see two women walking and talking, and occasionally bending over to grab trash that didn’t reach the Parks Department trash containers. By the time they’re done, Blackstone Parks Conservancy members Carol Delaney and Gale Aronson have filled three or four bags.

Volunteers like Carol and Gale take on essential tasks: picking up trash, digging, weeding, mulching, planting, hauling logs and staking them in place. Without people who love the parks to do this work, there would be no gardens on the Boulevard and no habitat planting at the corner of Irving Avenue and River Road, and the Conservation District would be in shambles. The ground crew of Swan Point Cemetery, Don Cordner and landscape designer Alex Knott, have given many hours to the Boulevard gardens.

Blackstone Park Conservation District In the Conservation District, Don and BPC board member Jon Ford focus on erosion control and trail management. It gives them satisfaction to see grass and other parts of the natural plant community re-establishing themselves in eroded areas

above the coir “logs” they helped stake across a new gully at Parkside.

Without local volunteers and the indispensable Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), that area would still be bare and soil would still be washing into the river.

A few individuals work hard to push back against invasive species to keep them from leaping across the roads to neighboring yards.

A handful of people also help the Parks Department maintain the trails in the heavily used center section of this park.

If you think you’d like to make a difference in the Blackstone parks, take a look at our website above or write to us at the P.O. box above.

Kindly send your East Side Market receipts to the Conservancy (address above).

Fox Point

By John Rousseau Fox Point Neighborhood Association Phone Number: 270-7121 Website: www.fpna.net Email Address: fpna@cox.net Mailing Address: P.O. Box 603177, Providence, RI 02906 Upcoming Events FPNA Monthly Board Meeting: 7-8pm, August 9 at the Vartan Gregorian Bath House Library.

FPNA Plans Fundraiser The Board of Directors of the Fox Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) will

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September 2011 East Side Monthly

13

Community News continued...

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East Side Monthly September 2011

276 Angell Street, Providence 401-831-1800 hamiltonhouse276@hotmail.com www.historichamilton.com

be hosting a cocktail fundraiser at 7pm on Saturday, October 1 at the Joseph S. Cook House, 125 Hope Street. Built in 1819, the Joseph S. Cooke House was built by the grandson of the first revolutionary war governor of Rhode Island, Nicholas Cooke.

FPNA President Ian Barnacle says the extra funds are more necessary this year than ever. “It is unclear if the Rhode Island Senate will renew the small grant that has allowed us to retain a part-time executive secretary since 2007,” Barnacle said. That small grant has helped the organization with its advocacy efforts for land use, waterfront development and other issues associated with the re-location of Interstate 195, Barnacle said.

FPNA’s Board has planned an enjoyable event, including lots of food, beer and wine, musical entertainment, great surroundings and of course, conversations about what Fox Point needs. There also will be a silent auction of donated, taxdeductible items at the event. Cost is $50 per person.

Some of FPNA’s past advocacy efforts have included changes to the proposed I-195 Redevelopment Commission, current work on the mayor’s I-195 Advisory Committee, and Shooters.

FPNA has also formed an I-195 Noise Pollution Committee to urge reduction of increased traffic noise into the neighborhood; continued the conversation over the current RIDOT design plan for Wickenden and other I-Way streets; stepped up beautification efforts in our parks and continued monitoring of permits and re-zoning applications.

Summit Neighborhood

By Ben Goulet Summit Neighborhood Association Website: www.summitneighbors. org

Address: PO Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940 Join the listserv at: http://sna. providence.ri.us/mailman/listinfo/ summit_sna.providence.ri.us Upcoming Events SNA Meetings are held every third Monday of the month at 7pm at Summit Commons on 99 Hillside Ave in Providence.

Planting on North Main Street Median Thanks to the North Main Street Association and Groundwork Providence, planting will be done on North Main Street, approximately from Sandwich Hut to Providence Urology (running south). Groundwork Providence donated their time to plant and will approach local businesses to ask for support.

Don’t Miss the 2nd Annual Summit Yard Sale Come on out to enjoy and support the neighborhood-wide “Summit For Sale” yard sale on Saturday, September 24. There will be yard sales scattered all over the neighborhood, so go find that treasure and have fun!

Crime Watch Block Captains Needed The SNA listserv has been actively reporting recent break-ins around the neighborhood. The Summit Neighborhood Crime Watch needs Block Captains to volunteer. Are you interested? Please visit www. summitneighbors.org for information on how to volunteer.

Farmer’s Market and Open Market Dates The Farmer’s Market will be held in Lippitt Park at Hope Street and Blackstone Boulevard on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30pm and Saturdays from 9am-12:30pm. The 2011 Providence Open Market of crafts and collectibles operates from June 11 through September 24. Selling

The PenaltyBox 14 beers on tap Over 50 bottles Wed & Fri: Karaoke Sat: Live Music Mon: Free hot dogs during Mon night football

Always $2 Pabst and $4 drinks 1119 North Main Street Providence • 641-4589 See events & weekly specials at

day is Saturday and selling times are from 10am-2pm.

Wayland Square

By David Kolsky Neighborhood Discussion Group at Books on the Square http://groups.yahoo.com/group/waylandsquare Upcoming Events Monthly Meetings: Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, street level (at Elmgrove, next to CVS). Free and open to all. Future meetings will be at the same place and time on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except for different dates in November and December).

RIPTA Cuts As this is being written in early August, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is holding public hearings about possible cutbacks, which may be more acute due to a loss of both government subsidies and of RIPTA’s share of the gasoline tax. (Paradoxically and counter-intuitively, RIPTA loses when gas prices rise, because drivers buy fewer taxed gallons and ride public transit more.)

The main losses to East Side riders from the cuts that are being currently proposed are the end of holiday service on all lines, and of service after 10pm on the 42 Hope Street, 78 Angell-Waterman-Beverage Hill, and 99 North Main Street lines. Those 42 Hope buses that turn into No. 1 Eddy Street buses would no longer run south of Providence.

Other News The Wayland Square merchants’ annual sidewalk sale took place in mid-July, followed by a block party co-sponsored by Whole Foods Market and East Side Monthly.

The city has installed new blue bicy-

cle hitches outside the Edge coffee shop and Pow! Science. Neighbors, merchants and city officials alike hope that this will reduce the attachment of bicycles to young trees and the “Shop Wayland Square” banners.

McBride’s Irish Pub on Wayland Avenue at Waterman (next to the Monahan-Drabble-Sherman funeral home) has opened for business, serving food and drink both indoors and at a popular outdoor patio.

Rufful’s is now Wayland Square Diner, with new management and an expanded menu.

Staying Abreast To check on our meeting dates and topics, as well as current news, please check the public message board at our Yahoo! Group’s website above. Or join the group to receive these notices (if you wish) by e-mail.

College Hill

By Allison Spooner College Hill Neighborhood Association Phone Number: 633-5230 Website: www.collegehillna.com Email Address: chna@collegehillna. com Mailing Address: CHNA, P.O. Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906 Open CHNA Board Member Positions The CHNA Board wants to make more of an impact on issues that directly affect our neighborhood. We need your help to make it happen.

Consider becoming a CHNA Board member. We are looking for residents who are specifically interested in graffiti control and abatement, road and sidewalk repair or replacement, pothole repair, traffic issues, neighborhood signage, and property management issues such as trash and overgrowth, among others. If you are interested, please contact Allison at allison@colllegehillna.com for additional details.

We are also looking for a fall intern

to assist us with a few initiatives such as graffiti, road and sidewalk repair, and publicity. Up to 15 hours a week are available for credit. You’ll learn a lot about the community and organizational skills, plus have some fun.

Please contact allison@collegehillna. com for more information.

Thanks to Diane Greco We would like to congratulate Diane Greco on her new job position, but we regret that she will be stepping down from her current CHNA officer position. Her stellar work as Secretary, writer for the CHNA e-news and the East Side Monthly will be missed and not easily replaced. Our thanks to Diane also for making a very generous financial donation to CHNA, which contributed to the debut of Cocktails on College Hill. We wish you the best Diane!

Fall CHNA Board Meeting Schedule The next CHNA meeting will be held on September 12, and again on October 3. Our meetings are held at the Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, at the corner of Waterman and Angell, from 7-8:30pm. The meeting on September 12 will be closed as it is designated for strategic planning.

Typically CHNA Board meetings are open to the public.

Annual Dues We encourage residents to join CHNA! Dues are $20 per calendar year, and membership, which is open to all, includes invitations to events, as well as timely email crime alerts and our free, mostly monthly e-newsletter which reports on neighborhood news as well as CHNA’s activities. All new members receive a welcome packet with coupons, so your membership practically pays for itself! To join (or renew), visit our website, www. collegehillna.com, and click “Join CHNA.” Or send a check for $20, made out to College Hill Neighborhood Association, to the Treasurer, Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906. Be sure to include your email address.

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September 2011 East Side Monthly

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Nathan Bishop Middle School

his friends that he was going to come seventh grade English teacher Theresa in with pink hair in support of one of his Fox, better known among her students favorite teachers. When seventh grade as Mrs. Fox, was dealt a blow this past English teacher Donna Perrotta saw him April when she was diagnosed with walk into school, she realized they were breast cancer. A favorite among her on to something. “Nick came in with students for her energy, sense of humor pink hair one day with all his friends, and ability to connect at their level, Mrs. and I’m looking at it and thought to Fox had hoped to return to the classmyself, We’re going to have a Pink Hair room three weeks after her surgery in Day!” she recounts. “Everybody loved May to finish out the school year. Unforthe idea, and it caught like wildfire.” tunately, her doctors had other ideas.

The following Wednesday arrange“The doctors took a deep breath ments were made for kids to get their and kind of paused, looking at me,” she recalls of those early days. “I said, ‘I’m getting the vibe that you really don’t think I should go back at this point.’” She immediately had to begin chemotherapy, involving heavy duty treatments of Adriamycin and Cytoxyn. Then series of remarkable events began to unfold for her. A group of her students, fellow colleagues and parents decided they were going to do what they could to help.

It began with seventh grade Theresa Fox student Nick Ciniglio telling

hair sprayed pink (which was washable), have their face painted, and wear pink bracelets, necklaces and hair ribbons.

Each option was priced at $1. A total of $430 was raised over the course of two official “Go Pink” days at the school.

The money was intended for Mrs. Fox to donate to the cause of her choice, like the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

However, when it was learned that Blue Cross/Blue Shield didn’t cover all of her expenses, including the juicer and Vitamix she was purchasing to help her feel better, it was decided that the proceeds should go directly to her.

When another student, Cameron Wessel, mentioned to her dad that she wanted to do something for Mrs. Fox too, he suggested that she organize a walkathon. “I saw Cameron in the computer lab working on it and got her to tell me about it,” Nick says.

“Then we started to plan the whole thing together after school.”

The project ultimately evolved into something called “The Fox Trot” and was sched-

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

Wednesday, October 5 7:30 P.M. THE AUDITORIUM IN ROBERTS HALL

River

North Dance

Donna Perrotta (far right) during a “Pink Out”

uled for the final week of school. With the help of Facebook and hand-drawn posters, a broad range of people soon learned of the event, including mrs.

Fox’s former colleagues and students at nathaniel Green middle school. nick’s mother, nina ciniglio, who is the president of the nathan bishop Pto, was instrumental in getting the word out. over 40 students (current and former), teachers and parents came to participate in the Fox trot, which started at the school and traveled down blackstone boulevard for a total of three miles. then another incredible thing happened. “it was like a miracle,” nick explains. “it had been pouring all day but we knew we were walking, rain or shine, because this was the last Wednesday before school ended. When we got outside at 2:30, the rain just stopped. And then, just as we came back from the walk, it started to rain again.” close to $1,200 was raised from the Fox trot. “this (whole thing) just blew me out of the water,” Fox says of the efforts on her behalf. “the Pink outs were pretty amazing and then seeing former students of mine home from college in the walkathon – that was really touching.”

Fox was given pictures of the school events taken by Perrotta. “i don’t know what i’d do without donna,” she enthuses. “everyone’s been so supportive: my colleagues at bishop, friends and parents of students, peo-

ple in the community call, and even my husband’s colleagues at residential Properties have been bringing me food every week – and these are three course meals too.”

What is clear is that mrs. Fox has been a special teacher who has touched the lives of many people. “the woman is a warrior and has been an incredible inspiration to all of us,” her colleague Perrotta declares. “she makes reading and english class fun,” adds her student nick. “i can write an essay and be as creative as i want as long as she gets what she wants, detail-wise.” What?

A student who actually looks forward to writing an essay? theresa Fox really must be an amazing english teacher.

As of press time, Fox was busy preparing for fall classes to begin August 30. she is hoping with the next round of chemo that she will be able to work mondays through thursdays. typically, it was her students that were foremost on her mind. “We’re starting with some short stories and then we will be reading Hamlet. the Gamm theatre is doing a production, and the seventh and eighth grade teachers at bishop will be taking their students,” she explains, adding, “i have to be there. this is what i love to do.” theresa Fox’s “trot” is becoming a “gallop” as the new school year approaches, and her friends, colleagues and students couldn’t be happier.

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East Side Monthly September 2011

Students, including Nick Ciniglio (middle) and Cameron Wessel (right), at the “Fox Trot”

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East Side Monthly September 2011

AT WAT E R M A N

Documenting a

Disaster A Providence photographer captures the devastation of inland Japan Story and Photography by James P. Jones On March 11, one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded hit the country of my birth, Japan. By the time I saw the news, the ensuing tsunami wave had already swept inland. Hundreds of miles away from the epicenter, in Yokohama, my parents were without power but unharmed. In the region called Tohoku, comprised of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, over 20,000 people drowned and a nuclear plant was on the verge of failure.

Fukushima is a name now infamous and irreversibly entwined with nuclear politics. But town names like Kesennuma, Minami-Sanrikucho, and Otsuchicho are rarely mentioned. They did not suffer nuclear damage, but like nearly 300 miles of coastal towns, they lay in ruins. It was not the massive earthquake that leveled them; it was the ensuing ocean waves.

The ocean overwhelmed some tsunami barriers like an overflowing bath.

In others, it came so swiftly that upon hitting the barriers the wave exploded into the air and rained down with crushing force on the seaside homes. The tsunami was higher than almost anyone had anticipated. In some places in Tohoku, it would reach over 60 feet high. In Fukushima the tsunami was 48 feet high. As it drained out to sea it took with it a bounty

in buildings, artworks, homes and lives.

At Photography RI, I document the best of times. I make images for ads and capture the joy of weddings. However, I would find myself in a different role in June as I traveled to Japan to bring a human face to this epic catastrophe.

Working on behalf of a nonprofit called the Third Responders (www.ThirdResponders.org), I interviewed the young and old. I traveled through many devastated towns. I carried a Geiger counter as we drove through irradiated parts of Fukushima prefecture. The scale of the disaster was beyond anything I imagined. Tens of thousands were living in shelters and temporary housing (a condition that still persists). The stories of survival and devastation were harrowing.

For me, the journey started in Tokyo.

Ironically there was even a Rhode Island connection.

Jessica Walker, a RISD graduate and longtime Providence resident, had just started teaching at an international school in Tokyo. She, like many, was stranded at work after public transportation stopped in the aftermath of the quake. It proved to be a major challenge just to get home to where she lived with her parents. Any sense of relief upon seeing them evaporated when she

learned about her uncle. Her uncle’s family in the Sendai area had survived the quake but was stranded on a mountain waiting for help. It would be days before they heard more news. Her uncle’s family was coping and in generally good health.

It was not until later she would learn that another uncle, who had previously been reported safe, had died after saving his paraplegic wife. After the quake, he had taken his wife to high ground only to go back into his town to help with the aftermath. He was swept away and killed. Jessica later said that her family

“felt lucky” that they had a body to bury when he was found weeks later. Due to damaged facilities and extraordinary demand, it would be months before he could be cremated.

Rena is a 15-year-old high school freshman. When I met her, she had been living with her parents and sister in a repurposed elementary school gymnasium for over three months. Her town of Koizumi had been swept away with only the remnants of a roof sitting on a broken elevated highway bridge as a reminder that a thriving residential neighborhood

Jessica Walker, a RISD graduate

September 2011 East Side Monthly

21

Never too late for breakfast

Suzuki Soichiro in front of temporary housing

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When I asked her what the biggest downside was to living in the center, she told me she can’t look nice at school and they have no privacy. Bathing, if possible, was not regular for weeks after the quake. Her clothes are all donations. Her days are long as she leaves the center early in the morning and returns around 8pm. Privacy at night is defined only by the stacks of cardboard boxes that form a makeshift wall around their sleeping area. She may have had to transfer schools again before the year was over, as her family was being shifted from emergency housing into temporary housing at the end of July. For her, the future is unclear.

The children are the greatest victims of this disaster. Bus stops are near debris fields. The combined psychological effect of being near the remnants of disaster coupled with the physical danger of being near asbestos-laden rubble raises concern for long-term health. Their homes are gone, some friends may be dead, and their parents are likely struggling to find work and maintain some sense of normalcy in their daily lives.

Sadly, counseling is not well integrated into Japanese culture, even at schools. It is unlikely that students transferred from ravaged areas received any counseling upon integration into a new school. At the school I visited in Hanamaki, the teachers were earnest and their concern for the wellbeing of their students was obvious. At the same time, my questions regarding counseling for

the transfer students who had lost parents and their homes were met with vague answers. It boiled down to the notion that they didn’t want to single out any students for special attention. It is a symptom of a problem that I would see in different forms many times during my stay.

It is not desirable in Japanese culture to stick out. Homogeny and group thinking are revered. So when the Shelter Box initiative of Rotary International landed in Japan the day after the quake with hundreds of emergency shelters, they ran into a problem. They found that their shelters were not being distributed by the government. Instead, they were being warehoused. When they inquired why these very necessary emergency shelters weren’t being used, they were given an answer they were not prepared for: “Because there aren’t enough for everyone.” This kind of thinking drives many of the decisions made after the quake, for better or worse.

Driving for hours along the shore, the destruction seems endless. Small villages whose names I will never know – some located behind mountains out of view of the sea – were utterly destroyed as the tsunami swept over plains and up rivers. Places deemed safe, well over 60 feet above the sea, were the scenes of horrible tragedy. Signs placed on the roads indicating potential tsunami heights were accurate, but having only been put up a few years ago they had little effect on already existing cities.

For the people of Fukushima the story

is far from over. Two men, unrelated, named Shiga told me their stories. One had lost his home in the tsunami and the other to the nuclear fallout. One of them said ,“Even if it is lies I want the government to tell me there is hope I will go home.” Both of them had brief opportunities to retrieve items after the nuclear plant exploded, but they did not retrieve precious objects, photos or mementos of loved ones. They were allowed one paper bag’s worth of items.

With this precious space what did they retrieve? They got their money and their kids’ baseball equipment. Such are the necessities of life for a parent in Fukushima, Japan. Their children’s wellbeing was more important than any possessions of their own.

For those now struggling to survive, they find themselves contending with national politics. A moratorium was in place on rebuilding in the most affected areas. Cities are so damaged that prefectural and national government groups are stepping in to make decisions regarding the future of the region.

It is the people of the towns that seem to have no voice. They are scattered like ashes in the wind across the region; finding shelter with family, friends, or struggling to make it on their own.

As one evacuee said to me, “We may smile and laugh, but in our eyes you will see the truth.” The truth is they are tired and skeptical of what the future may bring. When said I “ganbatte”, which loosely translates to “good luck,” a young man replied to me fiercely, “We’re not dead yet!”

For more stories and pictures please visit www.facesoftohoku.com

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22

East Side Monthly September 2011

Rena and her younger sister

Editor’s Note: A resident of Tokyo until he was 18, James P. Jones grew up living in the U.S. and Japan. He now lives in Providence with his wife Amie and together they run isquared, Inc., a graphic design company, and Photography RI, a full service commercial and portrait photography studio. He became involved with Third Responders, a Japanese nonprofit organization focused on sustainable redevelopment of the Tohoku region, after the earthquake in March.

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24

East Side Monthly September 2011

Fans at last year’s first-ever night game

Saturday Night Football Fever Brown-URI Football Rivalry Goes Nocturnal on October 1

By Keith Andrade PoP quiz: What was the most highly attended sporting event in Rhode Island in 2010? If you guessed a Providence College or NCAA Tournament basketball game at the Dunk, or a PawSox game at McCoy Stadium, you are not even close. The unlikely winner of that distinction belongs to the Brown University Bears and their September 25 football game last year against the Harvard University Crimson, the first night game in the 86year history of Brown Stadium.

An estimated 17,360 fans, almost triple the average attendance, watched Brown defeat Harvard under the lights by a score of 29-14. How did this unique game come to be and what did it take to successfully pull it off? As any football coach would preach: determination, teamwork,

planning and a little bit of luck.

The genesis of a night game at Brown Stadium is largely credited to three officers of the Brown Football Association (BFA): President Jerry Massa ’77, Vice-President/Marketing Jon Land ’79 and Director Richard Gouse ’68. Brown played in the first night football game at Harvard Stadium back in 2007, losing to the home team 24-17. Despite the loss, Brown took note of the event’s success: almost 19,000 in attendance, a 60% increase from the last time Brown visited in 2005.

Land recalled what happened next: “Richard Gouse had been saying for years, ‘If Harvard can do it, why can’t we?’” With the seed planted, Land came across an ad in early 2010 for temporary lighting by Iowa-based

Musco Lighting, the industry leader in sports-lighting systems. Armed with this new info, but anticipating some serious logistical planning would be necessary, Land emailed Brown football head coach Phil Estes to ask his thoughts about playing a night game some time the following 2011 season.

Estes’s response? “How about Harvard in 2010?”

Harvard was a natural selection for an inaugural night game. It was not only a league and geographic rival, but one of Brown’s oldest; the two teams have battled 110 times over the decades. The game was the Ivy League opener for both teams, and early enough in the season that good weather was still likely. The game was on a Saturday night and Harvard was close enough that both teams could

bring a lot of fans, raising the game’s cache to “event” status.

With Estes enthusiastically behind the idea, the BFA team sprung to action. Musco Lighting was engaged for a feasibility study and within a week they were on site conducting tests. Although supplying temporary lights at Brown Stadium was certainly doable, it came at a price: approximately $50,000. Knowing that the sales pitch to the university administration would be stronger with financial support, BFA President Massa spearheaded a fundraising campaign among the BFA membership.

Founded in 1875, the BFA has approximately 2,500 members worldwide and includes former players, alumni, parents, students, faculty, administration and fans. The organiSeptember 2011 East Side Monthly

25

zation’s mission is to support Brown football through fundraising (to supplement the university’s athletic budget), mentoring programs and career counseling. Within weeks, the BFA had raised funds to offset the costs of the temporary lights, allowing Brown to focus on the game’s normal expenses, such as security and staff.

This combined effort to fund the event would set the tone for further planning.

By several accounts, the university administration at all levels embraced the idea of a night game and supported it from day one. However, the excitement was tempered with a cautious reservation about being sensitive to the community and delivering

for the event. As Chris Humm, Director of Sports Information at Brown, notes, “It was a community effort. No one was against this.”

Minimizing the impact on the neighborhood was the biggest concern. Neighbors were ensured that the lights would not be permanent and that a night game would remain a once-a-year event. With a largerthan-normal crowd expected, the potential for traffic and parking chaos had to be considered. Brown provided shuttles to transport students and help mitigate congestion, but convenient parking would still be scarce in the dense East Side residential area.

However, according to Humm, “The parking didn’t turn out to be a big

“The Harvard night game last year was the best athletic event I have witnessed in my time at Brown... Recreating that kind of atmosphere is something we’re looking forward to and we hope that it’s the start of a long tradition.”

Senior defensive lineman Clayton McGrath

- Athletic Director Mike Goldberger

a favorable experience to not only the fans, but the neighbors as well.

According to Land, “Brown historically embraces the new, the daring, the different, and thrives on things others say can’t be done. This was ‘too big,’ and so the university was up for the challenge. But they were very conscious of making sure they did it right.”

The university reached out to the neighborhood in advance of the event.

They mailed letters to homes in the area, distributed tickets, spoke with the College Hill Neighborhood Association and fielded calls from anyone who raised concerns. According to Al Dahlberg Jr., Director of State and Community Relations at Brown, “We made every attempt to stay ahead of issues and communicate openly. We viewed this as part of the broader efforts we’ve been making to engage the community through events like theater night, movie night and our community skates.” While some neighbors did express concerns, it was not at the expense of enthusiasm

deal. People just parked a few more blocks away. The walk to the stadium might have been longer than usual, but no more than the walk they’d have from the parking lot to the stadium at any professional sporting event.”

Additional concerns included crowd management and safety, but with over 150 security officers between the Brown University Police Department, Providence Police Department and private event staff, there were no major incidents reported. A 6pm kickoff ensured that the game and its accompanying noise would not intrude too late into the evening, with the stadium cleared by around 10pm. Cleaning crews would go to work immediately after the game to make sure that all trash was removed by morning.

The game itself proved to be a good one, with Brown prevailing 2914. Freshman kicker Alex Norocea tied the Brown school record for field goals in a game with five, and a stingy Brown defense limited Harvard to 110

yards overall. It also proved to be an important stepping stone for the Bruins, who finished tied for second in the Ivy League last year, behind only undefeated Penn.

While the Brown football team was victorious that night, the bigger winners might have been the university and the community. The reported attendance of 17,360 was the largest crowd for a Brown football game in decades, dwarfing the average crowd of 6,600 and coming within reach of the stadium’s 20,000-seat capacity. It is estimated that 500600 hundred Brown students normally attend home football games, but on this night approximately 4,700 of the university’s 5,600 students came to support their team, an almost 84% attendance rate. An incredible crowd, a warm summer-like evening, a bright moon and a Brown victory created an almost magical setting where Land proudly notes that “everything fell together.”

With the success of the Harvard game last season, there was no doubt there would be an encore night game this fall. However, since Brown travels to Cambridge this year for the annual matchup between the two Ivy teams, a new opponent would have to grace the nighttime gridiron.

Luckily, Brown did not have to look far for another longtime rivalry with a storied past steeped in tradition – in fact it didn’t even have to cross state lines.

On October 1, the Bears will host the University of Rhode Island Rams for their first home game of the season. The 6pm kickoff will mark the 96th meeting between the intrastate rivals, a series Brown leads 67-26-2.

The modern era has slightly favored the Rams, however, as they own a

16-13 record since the two teams began playing for the Governor’s Cup in 1981, a trophy that is awarded annually to the winning team by the sitting governor. This year, Brown looks to avenge a 27-24 overtime loss to the Rams last year at Meade Stadium.

Although a non-league game, the matchup features two of the larger programs in New England and the two biggest in Rhode Island. Given the proximity of URI’s student body, as well as the school’s local alumni fan base, an even bigger crowd is anticipated this year. According to URI Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn, “We’re pushing the game to our season ticket holders and we will be providing student transportation. It wouldn’t surprise me to see anywhere from 3,000–5,000 URI fans.”

With last year’s Harvard team bringing an estimated 400 fans, this year’s game could potentially sell out. Land envisions a true statewide event, influenced by the nature of the rivalry, but he expects it will be mellow. “The atmosphere will be different,” he notes. “There isn’t the same hatred as Harvard, and lots of people have friends at both schools, so the pregame mixing will reflect that.”

Both teams are working together to indeed make this an event. “We were excited that they asked us to play a night game,” Bjorn says.

“They didn’t need our permission, but the fact that they reached out to us, asked us to collaborate in brainstorming sessions, and kept us abreast of developments shows the camaraderie between the schools and how there’s a lot we can do together.” On September 27, for the first time in the history of the Governor’s Cup, the two teams will have a press conference at the State House

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the highlight reel MeMoRABle MoMenTs AnD noTABle nAMes In BRown fooTBAll while Brown University football may be a long way from playing in a new Year’s Day bowl game, the program certainly has a long, illustrious history. It began in 1874, when a football association was first formed on campus. The Bears played their first intercollegiate game a few years later on november 12, 1878, nine years after the first-ever intercollegiate game between Rutgers and Princeton, when they traveled to Amherst College and suffered a loss.

Mascots are an important part of many football team traditions, and for the last 40 years, “Bruno” has been represented by a person in a bear costume roaming the sidelines. However, this was not always the case. In 1905, in a game against Dartmouth, Brown introduced the university’s first live bear mascot, Helen. In 1921, the mascot’s name was changed to “Bruno” and several live bears went on to represent the team throughout the years, until the change to a costumed mascot in the late 1960s.

The early part of the 20th century was marked by several notable teams. on new Year’s Day in 1916, Brown lost to washington state University in the first Annual Tournament of Roses football game, more commonly known as the “Rose Bowl.” The game has been played annually since that date and is today one of the most popular and prestigious bowl games in nCAA football.

Perhaps the most successful Brown team was the “Iron Man” team of 1926. They finished 9-0-1, the only undefeated team in Brown football history, with the only blemish on the record coming from a 10-10 tie with Colgate on the final game of the season. The team outscored their opponents 223-36, recorded seven shutouts and gained its “Iron Man” moniker by playing the same 11 men during all 60 minutes of a 7-0 win over Yale, all 60 minutes of a 10-0 win over Dartmouth, and 58 minutes of a 21-0 win over Harvard (with the starters being pulled in the last two minutes of that game so that underclassmen could earn their varsity letter).

Colgate would be the spoiler of another historic event. The football team began playing their home games in Brown stadium in 1925, a facility with a capacity of 20,000 fans. on a Thanksgiving Day in 1932, approximately 33,000 fans (portable bleachers were brought in for the game) watched Colgate defeat Brown 21-0, an attendance record that still stands to this day.

Brown has won the Ivy league title a total of four times: in 1976, 1999, 2005 and 2008, with the last three titles coming since head coach Phil estes began his tenure in 1998.

Many notable players have graced the Brown roster through the decades. John Heisman – namesake of the Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top college football player – commenced his collegiate career at Brown during 1887-89, before finishing at Penn in 1890-91. fritz Pollard ’19, was the first black All-American and the first black head coach in the national football league. legendary Penn state football coach Joe Paterno ’55 is one of the longest tenured and winningest college football coaches of all time. The last few years have produced new York Giants Pro Bowl linebacker Zak Deossie ’07 and now retired Pro Bowler sean Morey ‘99, who helped captain the super Bowl Xl champion Pittsburgh steelers. finally, while not actually a football player, Hall of fame sportscaster Chris Berman ’77 is known throughout the living rooms of every sports fan.

28

East Side Monthly September 2011

Brown vs. Harvard to promote the game. Along with Governor Chaffee, the coaches, captains, local players, athletic directors, and university presidents from both schools will be on hand.

In addition to the bigger crowd that is expected, fans will notice some other enhancements to this year’s event. According to Land, there will more food, music, entertainment and “fun stuff” in the parking lot tailgate area before the game, including a Punt, Pass and Kick competition.

There are plans to fix one of the primary issues from last year, excruciatingly long lines at the will-call window that caused some fans to miss part of the game.

Overall, however, there will be very few logistical tweaks. Although 2010 was a real pilot, and no one quite knew what to expect, the game was widely judged to be well-managed and executed, with only a few small lessons to be learned; one is to make sure whoever was responsible for the spectacular weather last year comes through again.

Night football looks to have a future at Brown Stadium, though the exact format remains to be seen.

An annual game seems likely, as any more than one per season would potentially be cost prohibitive, a larger intrusion on the neighbors and a dilution of the special event status that the current games have attained.

Many hope to see a fixed rotation of current opponents, Harvard in evennumbered years and URI in odd-num-

bered years, though others have suggested braving the cold and moving the night game to a later date in the season in the hopes of producing an effective Ivy League championship game.

Whatever the date and whomever the opponent, two of Brown night football’s founding fathers know that what started as an idea for a game has blossomed into something greater. As Massa puts it, “This is an opportunity to bring people together in a spirited, friendly way – like graduation or Campus Dance – that is more than an athletic event; it’s a community event.”

In the short term, Brown athletic director Mike Goldberger is excited about this year’s game as he emphasizes his enthusiasm for the project.

“The Harvard night game last year was the best athletic event I have witnessed in my time at Brown,” he says. “The possibility of recreating that kind of atmosphere, especially against our in-state rival, is something we’re looking forward to and we hope that it’s the start of a long tradition.”

Land enthusiastically agrees: “This is Brown football and Brown athletics taking the university footprint and widening it to something bigger, an outreach to produce a familyfriendly destination that welcomes not only East Siders, but people all over Providence and Rhode Island.”

Final score aside, that could be the biggest win of all.

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by Herbert Rakatansky Plagiarism is becoming more common in our electronic “copy and paste” world. It is, however, no less reprehensible now than it was in the past. The use of words written by someone else without credit is considered a deception.

Claiming an idea as original when another truly conceived it is also deception.

In the realm of classical music, there also are instances of melodies being “borrowed” by a composer.

In most cases there is attribution.

Many composers have written “variations” on a theme composed by a different musician. The title of the piece usually gives credit where it is due. Among the more famous are Variations on a Theme by Paganini

by Rachmaninoff and Variation on a Theme by Haydn by Brahms. There is no deception here or in many other similar works.

A few works in the classical genre have incorporated themes from compositions by other composers without any attribution in the title.

In most cases the source is obvious and the composer fully expects the listener to be aware of the original source.

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) has been much played last year and this (150th birthday and 100th anniversary of his death). Mahler’s music is known for hints and suggestions of folk music and marching bands.

But in Mahler’s first symphony (first performed in 1889) there are two examples of appropriation of themes from well-known sources.

The origins of these melodies are so well known that Mahler surely had no intention of claiming credit for them.

The third (of four) movements opens with a muffled drumbeat and a single double bass playing solo a quite unexpected melody. This

is perhaps the most unlikely place you would expect to hear a children’s nursery rhyme. In one of the most famous of all double bass solos (albeit short in duration) there appears the song “Frere Jacques” sounding strange as it is played in a minor key. Following this somber introduction there follows a grotesque funeral march with further iterations of the song. First time listeners today will be just as shocked at the transformation of this child’s song into a dirge as was the original audience.

In the fourth movement there is an easily recognizable theme from the Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah by Handel. It corresponds to the words “And He shall reign for ever and ever.” We hear it in snatches and pieces. We hear it in different instruments. Finally at the end of the symphony we hear it in glorious brass tones proclaiming the victory of life.

Mahler’s intent with this final affirmation is clear. His instructions are for the eight (yes, eight) horns to play the finale while standing up. There are few more thrilling moments in all of music. Mahler and Handel end up sending the same message in widely divergent musical statements. I am sure Handel would be surprised beyond his imagination by Mahler’s use of his theme, but I am also confident that he would be happy.

There is no plagiarism here. This is imaginative use of well-known themes by a supremely creative mind to create a new artistic statement.

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East Side Monthly September 2011

Pajama Monologues

by Bob Mariani

Sunday At the Pub Precious moments in the Emerald Isle Custom slipCovers From out of a dream

comes a real memory of a silver-gray sky on a Sunday afternoon in late summer.

I’m driving through the countryside towards the City of Belfast in Northern Ireland. The mood is slow and sleepy, a day of rest. The rusty shipyards and markets all closed.

Eily, my companion and guide, has driven across the country to show me around for a few days. Our first destination is Belfast’s venerable Crown Pub. Built during the reign of Queen Victoria, the Crown’s interior is a woody haven of carved, stout-colored paneling. Wrought iron gaslights cast a sepia glow on the few patrons sipping Guiness, reading the Sunday paper.

We slip into a “snug,” one of a half-dozen aptly named cubicles where you close the door behind you and the world goes away. It reminds me of a confessional booth.

In fact, there is something very church-like about the entire pub.

Not surprising when you think about it, that the places people go for solace and retreat should so resemble each other.

After some delicious Bushmill’s whiskey, we leave the pub and drive northwards towards the town of Portaferry in County Down. I am in a land where the color green is almost overwhelming in its soft, relentless beauty, the rolling fields flecked with white sheep and checkerboard cows.

There are sprinkles of rain with intermittent patches of sun as we drive into the lovely little lakeside village of Portaferry. Eily tells me that the fishing boats moored here are called “hookers.” People stroll the narrow, mist-blown streets eating ice cream cones and French fries.

We don’t finish supper at the Inn until 11pm but the northern sky is still half bright. Eily wants me to hear some authentic Irish music at the Fiddler’s Green Pub, but she’s

not sure we’re in time to catch the tail end of the singing. (Local laws dictate that pubs close by midnight on Sundays.)

We walk about three blocks up the windy street to a plain brick, onestory building with a narrow green door. As we approach, a group of people are just being politely but firmly turned away by the pub owner. Eily waits until the group disappears up the street. Then she proceeds to tap a series of dots and dashes on the window until the proprietor opens the door a crack.

The pub master, a barrel-chested, bearded man in his fifties, is about to gently turn us away too until Eily explains that she has a “guest from America.”

Instantly, his demeanor changes.

He swings open the door graciously gesturing us inside. “Guest from the States,” he says proudly. “ We’ll have to be lettin’ them in now.”

There’s a good crowd of people at the bar in snug little groups finishing their last pints of Guiness, smoking profusely. Lovely young girls with dark hair and big seagreen eyes are chatting away like sisters with two aunty-ish ladies with shawls and tightly permed hair.

It would have been easy to feel like a tourist here, coming into the midst of a group of people who had been drinking and singing together all night, all their lives. But somehow you didn’t. You became, not exactly a part of it, but you were accepted. Your good intentions were presumed.

There in the dim, amber light of the Fiddler’s Green Pub, where the walls were hung with early Celtic musical instruments, football trophies and pictures of gallant racehorses, I discovered the real meaning of the word “conviviality.”

Two older, ruddy-faced men at the bar clasped hands warmly and

patted each other on the shoulder.

It had been a long night but they’d not yet gotten enough of each other’s friendship.

“I’ve got to be goin’ now, Brian.”

“Oh, must ya go then?”

“Ya, I’ve got to be gettin’ home.”

“It’s sad your hav’n to be goin’ so soon, Michael. I’ll miss ya, I will, and I’ll see ya tomorrow then.”

No sign of “The Troubles” here in this wind-rattled little town cuddled into the curve of the loch. In the back room, where evidently the more “political” songs are sung, a raven-haired young beauty started singing a ballad about the pain and suffering that every letter in the word “Ireland” stands for, about the struggles of being “prisoners in their own land.” There are tears in some eyes. It is not a maudlin or sentimental moment. It is something far beyond camaraderie or even patriotism.

Outside, a well-lit public bus pulls right up to the door of the pub. Its sign says “Belfast,” and the driver waits patiently as the stragglers exit the pub and climb aboard for the hour’s ride home.

Walking back to the hotel, I see a man in a blue flannel shirt and seaman’s cap striding purposefully from a pub towards the quay. He stops short when he sees that his one-masted boat, his “hooker,” has been left high and dry on the sand by the retreating tide.

“Oh-oh,” he mutters to himself.

“Look at that now, will yuh. I’ve run out of water.” He turns on his heel and heads back towards the pub.

Good morning.

Bob Mariani and his brother, John, have published a memoir, Almost Golden, about growing up in the North Bronx in the fifties. Available at www.bbotw.com or on Amazon. com.

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(401) 861-HERO (4376) • www.flamesofhope.com 34

East Side Monthly September 2011

On the Menu

by John Taraborelli

A Little Bit, Often

Photography by: Mike Braca

Providence finally gets a tapas bar The Spanish have a saying: A little bit, often. (Not that I know from experience, but I read extensively and quite longingly about their food culture.)

That’s their approach to the famed tapas bars that dot the streets of most Spanish cities and towns: a little bit here, a little bit there, and only the best from each.

Of course, in America our approach to dining tends to be quite different. It could probably be summed up as: A lot, whatever it is. There is, however, much to be gained and experienced by taking the more Spanish approach of sampling lots of little plates, usually accompanied by drinks. Unfortunately, there haven’t been many options to encourage dining that way.

Downtown, however, is looking more and more like a good place to enjoy a little bit, often. Tini (200 Washington Street) deals exclusively in small plates in a very small space. Just grab one of the handful of seats at the bar, and sample a little something or two. Local 121 (121 Washington Street) also offers a selection of small plates to pair with a good cocktail.

Westminster Street adds a couple of good new options to the mix. The new Sura (232 Westminster) features a wide array of Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes for sampling and sharing, including appetizers, sushi and izakaya (Japanese bar food). The recently remodeled Tazza (250 Westminster) boasts an excellent cocktail menu to go with the all-new “Tazza Plates,” both cold and hot short plates of all sorts.

The best news is that soon we will finally have tapas – actual tapas – something that has long been a glaring hole in Providence’s food scene. Later this month, Flan y Ajo tapas bar will open in the space formerly occupied by Farmstead Lunch (225 Westminster).

Proprietors Diego Perez and Siobhan Chavarria, both of whom have spent time eating and exploring in Spain (Perez is of Spanish heritage, while Chavarria is from Costa Rica), are crafting an authentic tapas bar, complete with stand-up counter for noshing on a selection of small plates.

What started as a mobile catering business and tapas cart quickly blossomed into a full-fledged tapas bar,

Welcome Diego and Siobhan at Flan Y Ajo one that Perez promises will not skew towards more modern, liberal interpretations of the cuisine. “It’s great news that people have an interest in tapas,” he enthuses. “I have noticed the great lack of Spanish food in Providence, but also the misunderstanding of what traditional Spanish tapas really are.”

To that end, they will be serving traditional dishes like tortilla española, which is not a tortilla in the way we would normally think (something for wrapping a taco), but rather a Spanish-style omelet with potatoes and onions. Though they intend to stick mostly to such beloved Spanish favorites, they will add their own signatures, such as their saffron flan, a different spin on the ubiquitous custard dessert. Chavarria sees it as a creative way to incorporate the spice, which is a staple of Spanish cuisine, into their menu since paella, the dish with which it’s most closely associated, doesn’t figure into a tapas menu.

While Flan y Ajo will not serve booze, they will be BYOB, and will foster a handin-hand relationship with Eno Fine Wines right next door. The store will offer plenty of wine and spirits to pair with tapas, and Perez and Chavarria will stock a house made sangria mix, which they will happily blend with your wine of choice for a truly Spanish experience. It’s a welcome addition to Downtown dining. Maybe one day we’ll be able to do as the Spaniards do and spend the night roving the streets in

search of only the best little bites.

OUTSIDE PROVIDENCE After more than a year of reconstruction following the tragic March 2010 floods, NYLO Hotel (400 Knight Street, Warwick) finally reopened last month.

Perched on the bank of the Pawtuxet River, the boutique hotel took in more than four feet of water on its first floor, causing significant damage. The good news for diners is that the hotel’s stylish restaurant is also back in business. The chic, Miami-esque lounge space boasts a great patio overlooking the river and the menu promises “sophisticated comfort food.” It’s just one more success story of people and businesses rebuilding after the historic floods. Congratulations, NYLO. The space formerly occupied by Cattails, a long time favorite among residents of East Providence, is now home to Vine Yard East (315 Waterman Avenue). As the name implies, the menu will be very much wine-influenced, continuing that address’s tradition of offering sophisticated takes on local favorites at reasonable prices. There are grilled pizzas, pastas and sandwiches, as well as appetizers and entrees with Italian and Portuguese flare: calamari, Portuguese kale soup, seafood fra diavolo, pork and clams, etc.

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

September 2011 East Side Monthly

35

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East Side Monthly September 2011

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Dining Guide

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

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 $-$$$ MAD ERNIE’S 485 Angell Street; 3311031. Mad Ernie’s serves an array of soups, homemade ice cream, and sandwiches, including corned beef, reuben, chicken salad and lobster rolls. 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 $$-$$$ WAYLAND SqUARE DINER 208 Wayland Avenue; 421-2712. An East Side classic lives on. With fantastic breakfast and now lunch, the location is synonymous with great daytime dining in Wayland Square. BBrL $

Hope/Thayer CHEZ PASCAL 960 Hope Street; 4214422. Chef Matt Gennuso’s East Side kitchen offers French food with a modern twist. Try the Bistro Menu (TueThur), which features three courses for $30 per person. Delicieux! D $-$$$ GOURMET HOUSE 787 Hope Street; 831-4722. Beautiful murals and décor set the mood for delicious Cambodian and Southeast Asian cuisine, spicy curries and noodle dishes. The tamarind duck is a must. LD $-$$ KARTABAR 284 Thayer Street; 3318111. This European-style restaurant and lounge offers a full menu of unique dishes with Mediterranean flair and eclectic

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 $$-$$$ SAWADDEE THAI 93 Hope Street; 8311122. Serving authentic Thai cuisine since 1984 (originally under the name Bangkok Cuisine), Sawaddee Thai continues to set the standard, while providing a comfortable, neighborhood atmosphere. LD $

Wickenden BRICKWAY 234 Wickenden Street; 751-2477. With creative omelets and French toast and an artsy décor, this iconic morning stop on Wickenden remains a neighborhood favorite. Be sure to check the specials board. BL $ TEA IN SAHARA 69 Governor Street; 709-3252. Tea in Sahara brings a little taste of Morocco to Providence, with a selection of traditional appetizers, panini, coffees, teas and more in a relaxed atmosphere decorated with Moroccan handicrafts. LD $ Z-BAR 244 Wickenden Street; 8311566. This cozy, classic bistro offers value, and a wide range of fare including, steaks, panini, salads and house made ravioli with an emphasis on fresh, local and organic ingredients. BrLD $$

Outside Providence 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 $-$$

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HEMENWAY’S 121 South Main Street; 351-8570. A true Providence classic, Hemenway’s has been serving topnotch seafood for 20 years. Their oyster bar features everything from the famed Prince Edward Island variety to the local favorite Poppasquash Point. 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 $$-$$$

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September 2011 East Side Monthly

37

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East Side Monthly September 2011

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Movies

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Cowboys and Aliens and Apes, Oh My

Two takes on summer blockbuster cliches The cinematic world feels upside down lately, given the bland, tame science fiction/horror and the raucous, wild romantic comedy on screens. Why not let righteous apes and space aliens reign down upon us, then, with great vengeance and furious anger?

This summer’s latest entries aren’t nearly furious enough, but are pleasant in their way, especially the one that knows how to handle its clichés.

Cowboys and Aliens pretty obviously combines two second-tier genres, westerns and science fiction.

It’s an intriguing idea, with a wealth of rugged drama and excitement in the offing – unless the production team only wanted to lure audiences of both genres to the same movie, based only on its title.

That’s the trouble. Cowboys and

Aliens is a concept movie without a decent script. There is a director and actors to rely on, and this film is blessed in this regard. But to work, Cowboys and Aliens would have to establish and pay a little homage to classic western and science fiction clichés, yet move past them quickly to break either some new ground or enough eggs to scramble up a tasty meal.

No such luck, in spite of all the talent on display here. Director Jon Favreau has done some fine work with the Iron Man movies, and once again stages exciting sequences with a couple of genuine jolts. In addition, he gets subtle meaning and fine comic asides from his actors. Daniel Craig brings true grit in the best sense of the words to his man-withno-name character. (Given his per-

formance here, alongside the terrific work of Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in 3:10 to Yuma, you may wonder why anyone would even consider casting an American actor as a lead in a western again.)

Speaking of Americans, Harrison Ford shows off his cranky elder statesman expertly in his latest salty, entertaining characterization. (The only trouble with Ford’s presence is the ghost of Indiana Jones, hovering, reminding you of the truly terrific movies he was in when he was just a simple archeologist.)

Unfortunately, five different writers (too many to list, really) get so heavy into clichés that they don’t know how to get out. Favreau spends a long half-hour fooling around with the wealthy cattleman and his itchy trigger-fingered son, the orphaned

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Have No Fear We're Here!

September readingS & SigningS Wed Sept 14, 5:30pm

Anthony M Amore Stealing Rembrandts thur Sept 15, 5:30pm

Michael Benfante Reluctant Hero thur Sept 22, 5:30pm

continued...

Indian boy, the gun-slinging preacher, the gentle doctor, the kid from Shane and, of course, the faithful mutt. This is a hokey B movie, not Lawrence of Arabia on the road to Damascus.

Everybody came to see the aliens mix it up with the cowboys, so land the spacecraft already!

Once Favreau finally stops walking on eggs to begin breaking and scrambling some, the movie settles into much more watchable, if no less predictable, CGI action clichés that will hold your attention, but not stay in your memory.

Faced with tougher challenges and a crummy title, Rise of the Planet of the Apes gets everything mostly right. Lacking the motivation or the guts to mount a 28 Days Later or District 9 production of raw energy and depth, it makes the most of its token nod to environmental outrage while concentrating on a basic Dr. Frankenstein theme. The result is entertaining PG-13 terror and a shot in the arm for a movie franchise that’s been as uninvolving as caged animals for decades.

Old movie franchises never die, as we all know; they just get prequeled.

So how did the apes take over this planet in all those movies anyway?

Certainly, Charlton Heston’s beach scene at the end of Planet of the Apes (1968) suggested nuclear apocalypse. But not so fast. All those awful sequels and the nonsensical remake never really did effectively get to the ground zero beginning of things.

Thus, Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

James Franco is an idealistic scientist out to cure Alzheimer’s through his work for a major pharmaceutical firm. To accomplish his benevolent

Gail Caldwell Let's Take the Long Way Home 244 Thayer Street (corner of Thayer & Angell) 863-3168 • bookstore.brown.edu

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

40

East Side Monthly September 2011

aspiration, he humanely experiments with chimpanzees. But something goes wrong with Franco’s favorite chimp (never mind what) and Franco quickly finds himself raising her orphan baby while caring for his own father (John Lithgow) who is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Before you know it (never mind why), Franco must choose between breaking all the rules of science and his love for his dad. Or, to put it in context, like so many cinematic scientists (all the great ones, anyway), he gets to play God. You know how that goes.

Director Rupert Wyatt can do the dirty digital dance well with his exciting apes, shooting some beautiful, tense scenes as Caesar (Andy Serkis), the ape who just says no to human domination of nature, leads a worldwide prison revolt. Wyatt does well with his actors, too, keeping Franco serious and sympathetic throughout, and benefitting from Serkis’s ability to project in digital format. (When you watch Caesar, it’s like watching Serkis’s Gollum in Lord of the Rings.

In a digital image of a beast, you can see humanity.)

There are several good allusions and homages to the franchise’s best moments, and a pleasing atmosphere of right triumphing over might, even though it results in the end of the world as we know it. But given the sympathetic bent of this film, the global economic collapse just outside the theater and the end of the Mayan calendar, and the world, coming up in 2012, you might find yourself welcoming the apocalypse, now, rather than later.

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September 2011 East Side Monthly

41

Fresh! Fresh! Fresh!

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East Side Monthly September 2011

Art

by Renee Doucette

Welcome Back Students!

Life Is a Mountain An artistic journey to find Shangri-La Pad Thai

93 Hope St., Providence • 831-1122

Mon-Thur 11am-10pm Fri 11am-11pm Sat-Sun 12pm-11pm A print from Serena Perrone’s Volcano Series

During the summer, most of the major players in the city’s art community lie low, collecting themselves for their busiest season. With this in mind, make time this month for Cade Tompkins Projects as she launches her fall season with a brilliant solo exhibition by artist Serena Perrone.

As with many exhibits in Providence, there is a connection between the artist and the city: Perrone attended RISD to earn her MFA in Printmaking. Since graduating in 2006, her work has been showing all over the country. Her list of exhibitions is impressive, especially because it is uncommon to see so many noteworthy shows so early in an artist’s career. There is an immediate sense of skill, maturity and unique innovation.

Perrone’s style highlights a new trend in the emerging art community of being proudly fickle when selecting a medium; why select just one method when the combination of several can create a perfect fusion on the paper? The artist shows her ability to create combinations of woodblock prints, etchings, monotypes, and silver or gold point drawings. There is excellence in her technique. Unlike a canvas that be painted over or a photo that can be manipulated on a computer, each of the mediums Perrone chooses to work with have existed for hundreds of years and are

not particularly easy to master. They each require patience, precision, skill and the understanding that if there is even one hiccup in the process, there is no choice but to start over again.

Amidst the different techniques, Perrone weaves a rich, symbolic visual language that can both tell a story for an inquisitive viewer and stand strong without explanation for those just seeking a gorgeously composed work. An example of this is the masterful Volcano Series. This print series consists of 20 dry point, gouache monotype, silkscreen and letterpress prints of volcanoes, which at first glance are expressive landscapes in which the volcano exhibits a humanlike quality. While the work is formidable when taken at face value, a deeper understanding reveals that the series is inspired by the journeys of an award-winning poet named Craig Arnold who went missing during a pilgrimage to a volcanic island off the coast of Japan in 2009. Hidden within the volcanoes’ plumes of smoke are words taken from the blog Arnold kept during his trip. Each print is date stamped to correspond to a particular blog entry. This work is a celebration, but even without the knowledge of this back-story, Volcano Series stands as visual proof of Perrone’s passion for and in her work.

Also worth noting is Perrone’s

sculptural work, 27 Views of Shangri-La, which highlights her skill in wood burning on slices of a log through a series of drawings featuring businesses named “Shangri-La.” All of these drawings show the locations with a plume of smoke as if they were on fire, but they are also physically drawn on wood, which is the likely fundamental building component for each structure. Again, Perrone leaves her work complete and still open to interpretation. It is subtly mysterious, which seduces her audience to explore her imagery and symbolism. Though most of her art still remains silently personal, there is a hint with her recent work that she is beginning to discover the world outside of herself, while still giving her viewers something endlessly fascinating to observe.

As a new season begins, it is important to not let certain opportunities slip through the cracks. Serena Perrone’s talent truly stands out in the fertile field of emerging artists and the chance to see her work in person is not to be missed.

Serena Perrone September 10-October 31 Cade Tompkins Projects 168 Hope Street 751-4888 www.cadetompkinsproject.com

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September 2011 East Side Monthly

43

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East Side Monthly September 2011

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

special advertising section

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Protecting Your Property’s Living Assets Many homeowners look into their yard and see trees as static elements, sometimes forgetting that these leafy residents are alive and require maintenance to thrive. Providence is lucky to have ISA Certified Arborist Thomas Morra, owner of Tom’s Tree Care, available to provide qualified, honest consultation and advice about the health of your trees and landscape and to identify potential hazards. With the significant storms of last winter and the recent microbursts, it’s best to think in terms of preventative measures. Having your trees evaluated by a Certified Arborist is a great step toward managing the safety and health of your property.

Tom’s two decades of experience include serving as arborist and Tree Resource Manager for the City of Providence for 15 years, and he places great emphasis on client education, having been published in the international Arborist News on this very subject. “The more informed the client is, the better off they are,” he explains. “Being clear and honest with property owners helps them make sound, informed decisions.”

Weight reduction pruning, cabling, and structural pruning are just a few of the common practices employed by Tom and his crew to help preserve trees.

Another beneficial procedure is soil aeration/decompaction, which improves the soil’s structure and absorptive qualities, allowing trees to better access water and nutrients which ultimately affects vitality. Fall is also planting season. “It’s a great time to plant a tree,” Tom says. “Temperatures are cooler and we start to get more moisture. Trees have time to establish and aren’t immediately exposed to heat and drought.”

Most East Siders have small yards, and the loss of even one tree can turn a little slice of heaven into a treeless yard. Preservation of existing trees is Tom’s main goal and his crew of Certified Arborists are well versed in these practices. Tom is proud to have taken care of Providence’s trees for so long, and he strives to be a steward of both individual landscapes as well as the overall community forest. Give him a call today to help preserve a vibrant part of your property.

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.

Tom’s Tree Care 331-8527 www.tomstreecare.net

www.simplysas.com

Jbell@simplysas.com

401.383.4102

September 2011 East Side Monthly

45

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

special advertising section

Helping you make a healthy adjustment to your lifestyle.

Bayside Chiropractic, PC Welcomes our new Associate, Dr. Meghan Schaffer. Dr. Schaffer specializes in women and children’s care including pregnancy, cranial pediatrics, whole health nutrition, and wellness.

Dr. Schaffer

Bayside Chiropractic | 291 Waterman Street | 401.223.0111 See www.BaysideChiroProvidence.com for information • Traditional pub fare with an Irish twist • Enjoy a pint on the outdoor patio!

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Bayside Chiropractic, PC Specializing in Pregnant and PostPartum Women, Infants and Children When a child is born and there are unforeseen problems, like plagiocephaly and torticollis, it can be daunting to find proper care. Bayside Chiropractic, owned by Dr. Paul J O’Brien, is the place to go for the best in cranial procedures to correct misshapen heads. This past March, Dr. Meghan Schaffer joined Dr. O’Brien and together they are able to do highly skilled work that requires three and four hands. “With kids that young, the soft spots are still there and everything hasn’t unified yet,” Dr. O’Brien explains.

“It’s a time when you can make great gains.”

The methods Bayside Chiropractic uses employ very gentle pressure.

One mom recently came to the office because her five-month-old was suffering from infant congenital torticollis and mild plagiocephaly. He could barely move his head to face the left side, causing significant facial asymmetries. In 12 visits within a three-month period there was drastic improvement in the baby’s condition. Dr. Schaffer treats newborns and babies for feeding, colic, sleeping and birth trauma concerns. Both Dr. O’Brien and Dr. Schaffer also utilize a practice called Sacro Occipital Technic™ which is a low pressure whole body technique that aims to balance the relationship between the Sacrum (tailbone area) and Occiput (base of skull).

Bayside Chiropractic performs myofascial work, specializing in Active Release Technique (ART). They work with pregnant mothers to alleviate symptoms from low back pain to heartburn to general aches and emotional stress. They also have an 80% success rate for moms with a breech presentation by balancing the pelvis and utilizing the Webster Technique. “This helps prevent C sections,” Dr. O’Brien says. Dr. Schaffer adds, “Just being in balance will make for an easier labor process as you make more room for the baby.”

Bayside Chiropractic has been in business for 12 years and they also do general chiropractic work. Both doctors exhibit very positive energy and practice a holistic approach toward care, with the goal of having their clients attain optimum health. Give them a call today to schedule an appointment.

Bayside Chiropractic, PC

291 Waterman St., Providence/ 223-0111 www.BaysideChiroProvidence.com 46

East Side Monthly September 2011

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

special advertising section

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

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Hegeman & Co.

Est. 1970

Fine Jewelry • Custom Design Pearls • Pearls • Pearls

Kitchen Guys Appliances Now Up to 80% Off

While the economy may be in constant flux, you do have the option to own some beautiful appliances at a cost well below what you’d pay at the big box stores. Kitchen Guys owner Michael Gaffin is sitting on an enormous amount of inventory and he has recently decided to further discount his merchandise to 40-80% off the retail price. “Everything is priced to sell and no reasonable offer is refused,” Michael explains. It is certainly worth your while to browse the selection on their website or pay a visit to their no-frills warehouse and walk the maze of appliances.

For those who aren’t in the know, Kitchen Guys offers one of the largest selections in New England of new, scratch-and-dent and refurbished appliances. His building is teeming with refrigerators, gas and electric ranges, wall ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, cook tops, washers/dryers, ice machines and wine refrigerators. A glance to the left reveals a gorgeous, practically new Electrolux fridge with bright LED lighting: this retails for $3,000 and Kitchen Guys is offering it for $1,200. In another area sits a majestic, top-of-the-line Thermador Freedom series refrigerator with interior shelves that move electrically to any height. This unit retails for $7,000 and Kitchen Guys is selling it for $3,000.

Kitchen Guys has recently expanded their merchandise to include more brand new, in the package appliances, most of them offered at half off.

This business specializes in stainless steel and has the largest selection of cook tops in the state. People come from all over New England to view the selection, but you have the benefit of being only a quick 15 minute drive away. “Our biggest thing is we save people money,” Michael says. Explore their aisles full of Whirlpool steam washers, GE Cafe and Dacor gas ranges.

They carry a large selection of Energy Star certified appliances. Open Monday through Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm, or by appointment. Time to get that new appliance you’ve always wanted!

Kitchen Guys

416 Roosevelt Ave, Central Falls / 723-0500 www.kitchenguys.com

361 South Main St, Providence • 831-6812 www.hegemanandco.com We buy DiamonDs, GolD & Precious Gems

Providence’s Longest Running Doggie Day Care

The Dog house

– – – – –

Jed Sheckley, Certified trainer

Doggie Day Care Overnight Boarding Dog Walking Service Behavior Training Fully Licensed

Celebrating over 5 Years!

401-455-dOGS • 1255 North Main Street, Providence, RI

Tomasso Auto Swedish Motors

Tip of the Month As summer draws closer to the end be sure to have your antifreeze, battery, tires, suspension and brakes checked for the upcoming season.

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)

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 September 2011 East Side Monthly

47

carpet hardwood

Preschool through 6th Grade

ceramic tile

If he needs to stay home, make sure he's comfortable

vinyl laminate cork orientals

factory carpet outlet 25 Esten Avenue Pawtucket, Rhode Island 401.723.6996 www.factorycarpetoutlet.com

Limited spaces available in our Wee Threes program (Children who turn 3 between September 1 and December 31)

100 Grove Avenue East Providence, RI

401.434.6913 • www.oceanstatemontessori.org The Groden Network Your Autism Experts

www.GrodenNetwork.org

The Groden Network, Your Autism Experts, ASA Rhode Island Chapter Proudly Presents

Gourmet House

Sunday, September 25 Colt State Park, Bristol

Affiliated with Apsara Palace

Welcome students, residents and new neighbors!

THE 9TH ANNUAL

in step for

Run starts at 11am, followed by walk

autism 3K WALK/5K RUN & FAMILY FIELD DAY

In Rhode Island autism diagnoses have increased 2000% over the last decade.

1 of every 110 children born in the United States is diagnosed with autism.

67 children are diagnosed each day.

After the walk/run, be sure to stay and enjoy the BBQ and family field day complete with games, field events, pumpkin painting and much more!

Duck with Mandarin Pancakes

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

48

East Side Monthly September 2011

All funds raised will benefit programs and services for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities.

For more information you can go to

www.grodennetwork.org The Groden To register or create a team visit Network Your Autism Experts www.firstgiving.com/asari-groden www.GrodenNetwork.org

The Groden Network Your Autism Experts

www.GrodenNetwork.org

Finance by Betsey Purinton | illustration by Ashley MacLure

A Good Financial Education

Morocco in Providence?

• • • •

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Questions women need to ask “Can I ask a question?”

a female client queries, in a tone that implies questions might be an unwelcome part of investment management. It bothers me when I meet a woman for the first time and she doesn’t feel entitled to financial education.

Women still earn less than their male counterparts in the workforce, but the income gap is declining, according to a study by the Boston Consulting Group.

As women’s earning power increases, they participate more in financial decisions, with 30% of women in the BCG study saying that they make investing decisions alone and not with a spouse or family member.

Greater independence has not necessarily led to greater security, however. In a survey by Mass Mutual of its retirement plan participants, women were significantly less confident in making their own investment decisions (25.9%) than men (44.1%).

In addition, the “fear gap” is widening. The fear gap is the difference between men and women’s anxiety over retirement savings.

75% of women surveyed said they were concerned about not having enough retirement savings vs. 63% of men.

Additional studies show that women are more risk averse and less confident than men when it comes to investing. A common explanation is tied to the fact that women earn less, have smaller pensions and receive less in Social Security benefits. Since they statistically live five years longer than men, security becomes more elusive, leading them to be more conservative.

Regardless of risk tolerance or confidence levels, 90% of women, at some point in their lives, will be responsible for their own finances. This statistic alone calls for women to ask good questions and educate themselves.

Women feel comfortable when it comes to asking the financial planning questions, but not so much the investment questions. I find that women like to think longer term and prefer to have a clear set of goals. They evaluate their investments based on whether or not they are on track to meet their plans,

but it is the goals, not the investments, that demand the most attention.

Take Erika. Her questions were very specific. She came to me when she was about to settle a suit related to the death of her mother. She knew that she wanted the settlement earmarked for her nieces and nephews, but she also wanted oversight of the distribution of money. The family relationships were complex and she wanted to ensure that her mother’s wishes would be carried out.

Erika’s primary question was, “How can I set things up so that the money goes where I want it to go during my life and afterwards?” As someone who managed a number of real estate properties, Erika was comfortable talking about money. However, she admitted that there was a lot she didn’t know and wanted to fully understand her options before making any major decision.

Joan described herself as “lacking in confidence.” Over time she had adopted a fairly predictable lifestyle to keep her in her comfort zone. She was on track to have a decent retirement until life threw her a curve ball.

For Joan, it was a divorce and a sudden drop in income. Long out of the labor force, she sold her house, left her neighborhood and headed back to a childhood haunt, where she needed to find new employment.

Joan’s questions included: • Can I afford to do this?

• How long do I have before I need to find work?

• When should I buy a house? At what price?

Joan knew she had to change her life and had taken some bold steps to initiate that. Her goal set had been altered, leaving her with a lot of unknowns.

While she felt she lacked confidence, she knew what to ask.

So if women are good at asking the financial planning questions, what should they ask about their investments? I contend that there are a few simple questions everyone should have the answers to if they put their money in the markets in a sputtering investing environment.

How much risk am I taking on?

Risk is the chance that your portfolio will perform other than expected.

Risk allows you to make money and to lose money. It is important for you to understand your risk tolerance to determine how much.

What do I own?

You would be surprised how many people can’t describe what the funds in their accounts actually hold or do. Knowing helps you avoid being blindsided by an unexpected loss.

Why do I own it?

Usually you choose a fund for a good reason, but that reason can change over time. If it has, you need to consider whether something else would be more appropriate in your portfolio.

Will what I own get me to where I want to go?

Longer term, what matters is that you meet your life-long goals. If your portfolio can’t do that, you may be forced to make unwanted changes to your lifestyle. Over time, it is easier to change the portfolio than the way you live.

My advice is to ask a lot of questions.

If your questions aren’t answered fully, ask again. And if you still feel you don’t understand, ask someone else. Everyone deserves a good financial education.

Betsey Purinton, CFP® is Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at StrategicPoint Investment Advisors.

You can e-mail her at bpurinton@strategicpoint.com.

TeaInSahara.com

401-709-3252 69 Governor St, Providence Open Daily 11am-11pm

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

Thai Massage Free your body & mind toward wellness

thai tranquility M A S S A G E

thaitranquility.com 615- 4052 144 Waterman Street, Providence September 2011 East Side Monthly

49

Now Open Mondays!

At School Today by Jill Davidson | illustration by Jessica Pollak

Track the LJ’s BBQ 2U Foodtruck on Facebook, Twitter or www.LJsBBQ.com

Get Inspired, Get Involved Lunch & Dinner Daily 11:30am - close

A plea to spend time with students in schools

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

727 East Ave. Pawtucket 401.305.5255 • LJsBBQ.com

1860 Broad Street • Cranston www.thecupcakerie.net • 467-2601 Kristin@thecupcakerie.net

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

Joel Levine Piano Tuning 30 Years Experience • Concert Tuning • Aural Tuning • Appraisals & Estimates • Repairs & Restoration • University Technician • References

741-9400 Homes • Schools • Churches Recording Studios www.JLpianotuning.com

50

East Side Monthly September 2011

Hey, you. Yes, you,

reading this column right now. I’m about to ask you to channel into action your general good will toward children and your belief that education has the power to transform us. I have a specific proposal: go back to school. The best thing you can do to support meaningful teaching and learning is to spend time inside a school on a regular basis. It’s the only real way to comprehend the opportunities and challenges that confront schools.

A perennially red-hot topic of public discourse, education is actually quite difficult to talk about because so many of us already feel saturated with information. We constantly see portrayals of schools in our media. Most of us have put in plenty of time as students.

Many of us are currently or have recently been parents of schoolchildren. A healthy number of us have worked in or with schools at some point in our careers.

The evidence that a thoughtful person can glean from these exposures is meaningful, but it’s not enough to understand the specific challenges of teaching and learning in today’s schools. Schools have changed enormously. Most parents have some sort of contact with their kids’ schools during the trailing edges of the day or one-off events designed specifically to welcome visitors. The only real way to understand the opportunities and challenges that today’s students and educators face is to be with them as often as you reasonably can.

Just to be clear, I am not suggesting that you drop everything and start hanging out at your neighborhood school. I am suggesting that you consider volunteering with Inspiring Minds (formerly and sometimes still known as Volunteers in Providence Schools, or VIPS) for an hour or two a week helping Providence’s early elementary schoolchildren to become proficient readers by third grade. Without any prior training or skills – with simply the desire to show up on a consistent

basis – you can ensure that the children you work with have the skills they need to become lifelong learners.

I talked with Executive Director Terri Adelman about “The Time is Now: Proficiency in Reading and Math by Third Grade,” Inspiring Minds’ flagship program committed to focusing the powerful resource of adults who are willing to spend time with kids in kindergarten through third grade working on literacy and math skills. Describing the purpose of the program, Adelman says, “Study after study shows that for lifelong academic success, it really matters that kids know how to read by third grade. Until then, their work is to learn, but after third grade, that kids need to use their literacy skills to gain critical knowledge and information. Learning to read by third grade is essential so that our kids are able to do well in school and graduate as welleducated citizens.”

Driven by the conviction that the best use of its resources – primarily the human resources of volunteers – is to ensure that all early learners are getting the help and support that they need, Inspiring Minds focuses

on younger elementary school children. It aims to accelerate the learning of those young students who need extra support.

Working in collaboration with the Providence Public Schools in ten elementary schools, the program pairs volunteers with students who have been identified as likely to benefit from added support. During this school year, Inspiring Minds aims to match 800 students with volunteers, who receive training and ongoing support. In future years, Adelman hopes to expand the “The Time Is Now” program to reach students in every elementary school citywide.

Inspiring Minds volunteers work with students two to three times a week, though individual volunteers can be one member of a team and therefore spend time with the child once a week.

More hours are great, but not necessary. The impact of volunteers’ work is powerful: data collected during prior implementations of the program demonstrate that children who participate in “The Time is Now” program learn 30 percent faster than their peers who don’t get extra help.

An hour a week. Maybe two. Consider the clear impact that working on reading and math with eager young learners can have not only on them, but also on you. If the commitment really is too much, and I can understand why for some it may well be, I still urge you to contact Inspiring Minds to offer your help. There are ways that you can participate in the life of a school less intensively, and the organization itself needs support so it can continue to thrive.

For many of us, the good karma alone is likely enough. In case you need more, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time in a school gaining insight into the lives of teachers and students that you can’t get any other way. We need more citizens with that insight.

Jill Davidson can be reached at whathappenedatschool@gmail.com or her blog, providenceschools.blogspot.com

Personalized Service at a Price You Can Afford

We design kitchens of all sizes and styles For a free consultation, call or visit our showroom to speak to one of our Kitchen Design Specialists M&J Supply Company is not associated with M&J Kitchen Supply Company of East Greenwich

“THE CONTRACTOR’S CHOICE”

185 Union Avenue, Providence • 943 - 9369 Conveniently located off of Route 10



We would like to welcome our newest neighbors to town.

We are very pleased they have chosen to call Providence home.

East Side/Oak Hill Lisa Bisaccia & Robert Naparstek Edward Broderick Ben Close James Dack & Laura Sica Andrea Mazie and Brendan O’Sullivan Frank & Sarah Mitchell Steve & Cheryl Provazza Steve & Heather Tingle Jeremy & Emma Crisp Jose & Brenda Ramirez Wendi Simeone West Side / Elmhurst Brian Cottle & Emily Perry Michael & Jess Schoonmaker Nadie Whealton Gavian Whishaw Stacy Grooters & Andrea Optiz

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

 September 2011 East Side Monthly

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East Side/Wayland Square Offered at $699,500 Fabulous Victorian features original details and gleaming hardwoods throughout this expansive home. Double living with fireplace, formal dining, library, custom cherry/granite kitchen with built-in appliances, updated marble baths, large master suite with fireplace, private au pair suite on third level. Finished walkout lower level offers potential in-law with fireplaced family room and original “Camille’s” restaurant wet bar. Includes a total of 6 bedrooms and 6 full baths, 2 car garage and porches with fantastic East Side views.

When you can do this?

Call the Dias team at 401-261-0434 for additional details and a private showing.

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

Personalized Supportive Care EPOCH Senior Living . . .

Serving Seniors in Your Neighborhood for Over a Decade.

Assisted Living on the East Side One Butler Avenue • Providence, RI 401-285-1213 www.epocheastside.com

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Everything for the Transportation Cyclist and Urban Explorer

KE

P

Senior Living on Blackstone Boulevard 353 Blackstone Boulevard • Providence, RI 401-237-0024 www.epochblackstone.com

w w w.legendbic ycle.com

E AS

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Bicycle Sales /Service

Why do this?

181 Brook Street Providence 401.383.3070

Stop in Our Garden Center for Quality Selection of Annuals, Perennials,Trees, Shrubs & Organic Products

Redwood Nursery and Landscaping Service, Inc.

Complete Landscape Design • Installation • Spring Clean-Ups Weekly Lawn Maintenance Services • Fertilization • Pruning

Proudly Serving the East Side since 1978

508-379-0081 or 800-585-3790 • 2664 Grand Army Highway (Rte. 6) Swansea, MA (Exit 2 off 195E) • redwoodnursery.com • redwoodnursery@comcast.net

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any purchase of $50.00 or more With this coupon. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires 10/15/11

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Assisted Living Skilled Nursing

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Short-Term Rehabilitation • Long-Term Care Memory Care • Respite • Fitness Center

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

Beautiful Pre-Owned Jewelry

437-8421 • 1271 North Main Street, Providence 273-7050 • 358 Broad Street, Providence 52

East Side Monthly September 2011

401.331.4592 • 401.421.9887 230 WATERMAN AVE., WAYLAND SQUARE • PROVIDENCE WWW.MONAHANDRABBLESHERMAN.COM • EMAIL: MKDSFH@AOL.COM

Calendar

by Erin DeVito

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

DON’T MISS THIS MONTH: 10 events at the top of our list

Al frESco

The Gazillion Bubble Show, Sept 30-Oct 2 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. www.ppacri.org.

1

MUSIC arena & club | classical ARENA & CluB MET Sept 1: Polar Bear Club. Sept 8 & 29: Epic Thursdays with D.J. Nook and Ron C. Sept 9: 1st Anniversary with The Agents & The Ravers. Sept 10: Yo La Tengo. Sept 16: Sean Hayes. Sept 17: Itchy Fish- A Tribute to Pearl Jam. Sept 20: MUTEMATH – The Odd Soul Introduction Tour. Sept 22: Drag the River. Sept 23: Donna The Buffalo.

Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, www.lupos.com.

CHAN’S Sept 2: Greg Hodde. Sept 3: Sugar Ray and the Bluetones. Sept 10: Debra Mann. Sept 17: Mississippi Heat. Sept 23: Killborne Alley Blues Band. 267 Main Street, Woonsocket. 765-1900, www.chanseggrollsandjazz.com.

TWIN RIVER Sept 2: Dezyne. Sept 3: M-80. Sept 4: The Bernadettes. Sept 9: Fast Times.

Sept 10: Witzend. Sept 11: Brandy.

Sept 16: Amish Outlaws. Sept 17: Wicked Peach. Sept 18: Niki Luparelli & the Gold Diggers. Sept 24: Steve Anthony & Persuasion. Sept 25: Kim Thomas Band. Sept 30: Something Else. Lighthouse Bar, 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 877-82-RIVER, www. twinriver.com.

FIREHOUSE 13 Sept 2-3: Rotten Records Showcase.

Sept 9: Demolisher, The Oppressor,

Parley, locals tba. 41 Central Street.

270-1801, www.fh13.com.

MOHEGAN SUN ARENA Sept 3: American Idol Live! Tour. Sept 4: Trace Adkins with Kellie Pickler.

Sept 6: Incubus with Young the Giant.

Sept 9: ABBA. Sept 10: Marc Anthony.

Sept 29: Chuck Wicks. See website for full schedule. Uncasville, CT. 800-4776849, www.mohegansun.com.

FOXWOODS Sept 3: Snoop Dogg. Sept 23: Vince Gill. Sept 29: Celtic Thunder. 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT. 800-200-2882, www.foxwoods.com.

COMCAST CENTER Sept 9: Incubus. Sept 17: Ford F-Series presents Toby Keith with Eric Church.

885 South Main Street, Mansfield, MA. 508-339-2331, www.livenation.com.

STADIUM THEATRE Sept 10: Simon & Garfunkel Retrospective performed by AJ Swearingen & Jonathan Beedle. 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545, www. stadiumtheatre.com.

LUPO’S Sept 7: Warren Hayes. Sept 23: John Hiatt and the Combo & Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Sept 25: Mac Miller with Casey Veggies & The Come Up. 79 Washington Street. 3315876, www.lupos.com.

AS220 Sept 20: Free Speech Tuesday featuring Singer-Songwriter Open Mic. 9pm. $4. See website for full performance

RI Philharmonic presents Ilya & the Titan, Sept 24 at the Vets. www. thevetsri.com.

2

Hot 106’s Comedy Night 2 starring Mike Epps and friends, Sept 16 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. www.ppacri.org.

3

Circle Mirror Transformation, Sept 8-Oct 9 at the Gamm Theatre. www.gammtheatre.org.

4

Rhythm & Roots Festival, Sept 2-4 at Ninigret Park. www.rhythmandroots.com.

5

Providence Art Festival, Sept 10 on Grant’s Block. www.providenceartfestival.com.

6

Pawtucket Arts Festival, Sept 9-25 at various locations. www.pawtucketartsfestival.org.

7

Cheeseburgers in Paradise “Paris” Fundraising Event, Sept 9 at Pell Chaffee Performance Center. www.rifpa.org.

8

StyleWeek Providence, Aug 28-Sept 3 at various locations. www.styleweekprovidence.com.

9

International 10 Newport Boat Show, Sept 15-18 at

the Newport Yachting Center. www.newportboatshow.com.

Z Bar & Grille 244 Wickenden St. East Side of Providence 831-1566

free

1/4 hour

with every 1st massage 10,000 massages… since 1993 "Best of Boston"

cathryn moskow, lcmt 401.808.0837 145 Waterman St, Providence

Pickup/Drop-off Laundry Service • Wash/Dry/Fold • • Dry Cleaning • • Shirt Service • • Furs/Leathers/Suedes • • Blankets/Quilts/Rugs •

Mr. Ralph’s Laundry & Dry Cleaning Center

1070 Hope Street, Providence 401-421-5020 September 2011 East Side Monthly

53

Raise a glass for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State at

SWIM, WALK, RUN PAINT, DANCE, LIVE HEALTHY 50% OFF YMCA PROGRAMS*

NEWEST Adult Program Offerings: Drawing and Painting Classes, Capoeira and Socorobics 5K Training, and POWER YOGA! *ExpirEs 9/30/11

East Side/Mt. Hope YMCA

A Branch of the YMCA of Greater Providence 438 Hope Street, corner of Hope and Doyle, 521-0155 For more information, visit YMCAGreaterProvidence.org Financial Assistance is available.

Saturday, October 15, 2011 2:00pm - 7:00pm Join us for this unique, fun event at the Regatta Place on Goat Island, Newport.

Experience distinctive microbrews, exquisite wines, rare rums, tantalizing tequilas, delectable martinis and delicious cuisine!

General Admission: $45.00 •VIP: $75.00

(VIP’s enjoy a tutored tasting in a more intimate setting with a local brewmaster while experiencing gourmet cuisine.

VIP’s-only tasting starts at 1:00 p.m.)

To purchase tickets please visit

http://bbbsos.ticketleap.com/the-big-toast or call Emily Hampton at (401) 921-2434, Ext 104.

The YMCA of Greater Providence is a 501(c)3 Charitable organization

Rhode Island’s Real estate Company®

295 Olney St: Stately Colonial on lovely park like grounds w/large deck & mature landscaping.

Spacious rooms w/ original architectural details, including newly refinished oak floors, wood paneling, high ceilings. Updated elec, furnace, roof & windows. Steps to MB & Wheeler $739,000

38 CuShing St: Stately College Hill Queen Anne Victorian with many outstanding original details, including arched doorways, leaded glass windows, moldings, hardwoods throughout, butler’s pantry.

Large south-facing porch & mature landscaping.

Walk to Brown, RISD & shops. $639,000

317 Wayland ave: Stunning top-to-bottom renovation of grand East Side duplex loaded w/ period details. 4-bed, 3 1/2 baths. New roof, windows, AC, heat, electric, kitchen & baths. Beautifully manicured grounds w/2 garage spaces. Steps to Wayland Square. $639,000

2 Pratt St: Sleek, stylish 3 bed, 3.5 bath townhouse w/ glorious views. Designed & built in 2005 by award-winning architect. Features open floor plan w/ fireplace, custom kitchen w/ stainless & granite. 3 decks, storage, garage. Convenient to Brown, train, downtown & Rt. 95. $675,000

Kevin Fox cell: (401) 688-5556 (401) 553-6388

residentialProperties.com East GrEEnwich • ProvidEncE narraGansEtt • BarrinGton • cumBErland 54

East Side Monthly September 2011

Jason Roderick, MSW, LCSW 35 South Angell Street Wayland Square East Side of Providence, RI 02906 508-748-3131

Jason has a great deal of experience working with adolescents, with a specialization in adolescent and adult substance abuse, valuing a holistic approach to overall mental and physical health. He joined our team in November 2010 and has been a great asset to both our Providence and Marion offices.

To schedule an appointment please call our office at (508) 748-3131.

Comprehensive, Quality Therapy for Children, Adolescents, Adults and Families.

Calendar

continued...

WWW.HARUKISUSHI.COM

comedy | dance | theatre COMEDY CATCH A RISING STAR Sept 2-3: Dan Crohn. Sept 9-10: Bret Ernst. Sept 23-24: TuRae. Sept 30-Oct 1: Gene Renfroe and Lil Rel. At Twin River Casino, 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 475-8520, www.catcharisingstar.com.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Sept 16: Hot 106’s Comedy Night 2 starring Mike Epps and friends.

7:30pm. $38-58. 421-2787, www. ppacri.org.

COMEDY CONNECTION Fridays: Hardcore Comedy. Sept 2-3: Orlando Baxter. Sept 9-10: Ira Proctor. Sept 16-17: Derek Furtado. Sept 23-24: Harrison Stebbins. Sept 29: Tom Green. Sept 30: Pete Costello. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 4388383, www.ricomedyconnection.com.

PERISHABLE THEATRE Thursdays & Saturdays: Improv Jones.

CARRIAGE HOUSE STAGE Sept 2: Open Stage - monthly openmic event with a headliner and opening act by local hip-hop troupe, Case Closed. Note: This event is uncensored. 8pm. $5. 7 Duncan Ave. 8319479, www.everettdancetheatre.org.

AS220 Sept 4: The Empire Revue. 8pm. $8.

115 Empire Street. 831-9327, www. as220.org.

GAMM THEATRE Sept 8-Oct 9: Circle Mirror Transformation. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket.

723-4266, www.gammtheatre.org.

TRINITY REPERATORY COMPANY Sept 9-Oct 9: His Girl Friday. 201 Washington Street. 351-4242, www. trinityrep.com.

DUNKIN DONUTS CENTER Sept 14-18: Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream. Sept 29: So You Think You Can Dance Tour. 1 La Salle Square. 3316700, www.dunkindonutscenter.com.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Sept 30-Oct 2: The Gazillion Bubble Show, a spectacular production with special effects and lighting starring bubble artist Fan Yang, holder of 17 Guinness World Records. $23-$58.

421-2787, www.ppacri.org.

expos | fundraisers | seasonal FESTIvAlS RHYTHM & ROOTS FESTIVAL Sept 2-4: This dynamic music and dance festival features four stages including a family stage and dance pavilion, and artist workshops. Tickets $25-$175. Ninigret Park, Old Post Road, Charlestown.

888-855-6940, www.rhythmandroots. com.

NEWPORT WATERFRONT IRISH FESTIVAL Sept 3-5: A family event featuring live Irish music, cultural exhibits, kid’s area and marketplace. Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport.

846-1600, www.newportfestivals.com.

PAWTUCKET ARTS FESTIVAL Sept 9-25: The 13th annual festival brings artist showcases, workshops, performances, and several events (check website for schedule). 724-5200, www. pawtucketartsfestival.org

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

PROVIDENCE ART FESTIVAL Sept 10: Downcity’s arts and crafts fair on Grant’s Block with vendors, live music, and street performances. 10am6pm. Union Street. www.providenceartfestival.com.

RALLY 4 RECOVERY Sept 10: In honor of National Recovery Month, a free festival and educational event to raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and recovery. Features kid’s activities and a WaterFire Luminaria Procession in memory of family and friends who have passed. 2-7pm. Free. Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 N. Main Street.

521-5759.

NEWPORT MANSIONS WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL Sept 23-25: The 6th annual three-day event hosts more than 100 vintners and more than two dozen restaurants and caterers at the Rosecliff and Marble House. Rain or shine, Ages 21+. Tickets are date and event-specific, see website for details. 548 and 596 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. 847-1000, www.newportmansions.com.

Hot 106’s Comedy Night 2 starring Mike Epps and friends

Visit us at the location of your choice...

HERITAGE DAY FESTIVAL & RING CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY Sept 24: Starting off with a parade of

Sept. 24 and 25 11 am - 5 pm Visit with artists in six mills, view art, meet the artists, and purchase directly.

g

PERFORMANCE

THEATRE

SOCIAL HAPPENINGS

en Fo st r i ud nf io o sp an aw d m tu a ck p: et .o r

THE VETS Sept 23: RI Philharmonic Rush Hour.

6:30pm. Sept 24: RI Philharmonic presents Ilya & the Titan. 8pm. One Avenue of the Arts. www.thevetsri.com.

Sept 9,23 & 30: Bring Your Own Improv. 95 Empire Street. 331-2695, www.perishable.org.

op

schedule. 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, www.as220.org.

September 2011 East Side Monthly

55

ELISE PENN PANSEY The Pet Friendly Realtor

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

East Side Primary Care welcomes Dr. Peter Kim to the Practice

Dr. Peter Kim Board Certified in Family Medicine

Convenient location • Immediate appointments Accepting New Patients • Adolescents - Adults

East sidE Primary CarE

1195 North Main Street, Providence 401.331.8555 56

East Side Monthly September 2011

Calendar

continued...

Enjoy balanced nutrition with the foods you love!

Introducing Vitabot

Punch Gym’s Online Nutrition Program “I love the program because it’s not just about calories. It tells me what I need to eat to be an overall healthy

“It’s so easy to use.

person. I think anyone who can turn on a computer can use it.”

-Anne Marie

Even a non-computer person can use it.”

-Mary Anne

CAll todAy to get stARted!

Newport International Boat Show

Receive a 7 day Free trial expires 9/30/11

over 30 international flags, this festival, at the Roger Williams National Memorial, is a celebration of the state’s cultural heritage. Noon-6pm. Free. 222-4133.

FALL OUT OF SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL Sept 25: Celebrate the arts with vendors, live music and theater, food, contests, and more, all surrounding Artist’s Exchange. Rain date: Oct 3. 11am-5pm.

50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. www.artistsexchange.org.

FuNDRAISERS POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE FUNDRAISER FOR ANDREW DOUGHTY Sept 2-4: Eighteen bands will perform to raise money for Polycystic Kidney Disease. Free Sept 2. 751-3407, www. pkdofri.org.

CHEESEBURGERS IN PARADISE “PARIS” FUNDRAISING EVENT Sept 9: The 9th annual event hosted by the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association is a Parisian-themed soiree featuring live and silent auctions and delicious cuisine. 6:30pm. $100. Pell Chaffee Performance Center, 87 Empire Street. 438-3900, www.rifpa.org.

FRIENDS GIVING BACK FUNDRAISER FOR ADOPTION RHODE ISLAND Sept 10: A benefit for Adoption RI with dinner, dancing, and entertainment by Brother to Brother at the Pearl Restaurant and Lounge. 7-11pm. $45, Ages 21+.

393 Charles Street. 685-6000, www. adoptionri.org.

THE WALK FOR HASBRO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Sept 24: A 5k walk through Roger Williams Park with music, refreshments, and activities in support of the hospital’s patient care and pediatric research.

9am registration, 10am start. $15. 4446411, www.lifespan.org.

20 Newman Ave. Rumford, RI • 401.383.5959 http://myartofstrengthrumford.com

ALL SAINTS’ MEMORIAL CHURCH Sept 24: Works of well-known Rhode Island artists, as well as wine and cheese, will be featured at a Fine Arts and Collectibles Silent Auction. Noon4pm. Free and open to the public. 674 Westminster Street. 751-1747, www.allsaintsmemorial.org.

SEASONAl MOVIES ON THE BLOCK Sept 1: The Lost Boys. Sept 8: Notorious.

Sept 15: Saturday Night Fever. Sept 22: Pineapple Express. Sept 29: Purple Rain.

Free admission starting at dusk outside Tazza on the corner of Westminster and Union Streets. 421-0254, www.downcity.com/news.

STYLEWEEK PROVIDENCE Aug 28-Sept 3: Providence Performing Arts Center hosts a week of fashion shows featuring emerging and established designers from both the local scene and around the country. There will also be post-show parties at various locations. www.styleweekprovidence.com.

AUDOBON SOCIETY Sept 10-11: Raptor Weekend. Demonstrations and educational programs feaSeptember 2011 East Side Monthly

57

Calendar

turing eagles, falcons, owls and hawks.

10am-4pm. 1401 Hope Street, Bristol.

245-7500, www.asri.org.

“A New Leaf” New and Recent Work by

Scott Wm. ____Simmons

Mister Sister Erotica

Make a Trip to

continued...

More Toys than the Devil has Sinners

Now opeN MoNday 12pM-8pM! Tue-Thur 11-9 Fri-Sat 11-10, Sun 11-5

268 Wickenden Street, Providence • 421- 6969 •

WATERFIRE Sept 10 & 24: Full lighting. www.waterfire.org.

NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW Sept 15-18: One of the largest in-water boat shows in the country, featuring more than 700 boats and 850 exhibitors. Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport. 846-1115, www. newportboatshow.com.

THE BIG E Sept 16-Oct 2: The largest fair in the northeast features a Mardi Gras parade, Super Circus, horse show, performances

by Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Reba, and much more. Most exhibits and buildings open 10am-10pm, $12 before Sept 15. 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA. 413-737-2443, www.thebige.com A CAPITOL CITY WALK Thru Oct 1: A 5 or 10km stroll through Providence, including the Roger Williams National Memorial, the Rhode Island State House, Waterplace Park, Brown University, Benefit Street, and Prospect Terrace. Free. Daily, 9am-4pm.

978-443-4857.

RI LIGHTHOUSE CRUISES Thru Oct 30: A one-of-a-kind tour featuring 10 lighthouses and sailing past 10 islands. See website for full schedule.

Departs from 1347 Roger Williams Way, Quonset Point, North Kingstown. 2954040, www.rhodeislandbaycruises.com.

• 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

East sidE UrgEnt CarE The Right Care, Right Now

1195 North Main Street, Providence • 401.861.3782

58

East Side Monthly September 2011

KENNEDY PLAZA Thursdays: Noon Tunes, eclectic lunchtime music series; Fountain of Youth Skateboarding. 5-9pm. Fridays: Downtown Farmers Market. 11am-2pm. Burnside Park, 2 Kennedy Plaza. 331-5544. www.kennedyplaza.org.

GALLERIES PAWTUCKET ARTS COLLABORATIVE Aug 28-Oct 28: Annual Open Juried Exhibit. PAC Gallery, 17 Main Street, Pawtucket. www.pawtucketartscollaborative.org.

BELL GALLERY AT BROWN Sept 3-Nov 6: Building Expectation: Past and Present Visions of the Architectural Future. List Art Center, 64 Col-

lege Street. 863-2932, www.brown.edu.

GALLERY Z Thru Sept 3: Shared Visions: Glass by Daniel Read and Jewelry by Margarita.

Sept 8-Oct 1: Ewa Romaszewicz: The Emotional Landscape. 259 Atwells Avenue. 454-8844, www.galleryzprov.com.

URI PROVIDENCE Sept 12-Oct 28: New Perceptions, Dominican Republic, a photographic documentary collection by Ann Casale, including resources and educational information for students wishing to work and study in the DR. Reception Sept 15 at 5pm. 80 Washington Street. 277-5206.

FOXWOODS GREAT CEDAR EXHIBITION HALL Sept 16-Jan 15: Diana: A Celebration features more than 150 personal objects from the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales. 11:00am. $25. 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT. 800-2002882, www.foxwoods.com.

OPEN STUDIOS PAWTUCKET Sept 24-25: As part of the 13th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival, 80 artists will open their studios to the public in the historic Pawtucket mills. 11am5pm. Check website for locations. www. openstudiopawtucket.org.

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY & CORMACK PLANETARIUM Thru Sept 30: Curiouser: New Encounters with the Victorian Natural History Collection, six artists share work inspired by over 250,000 rarely-seen items in the museum’s vault. Thru Jan: Alien Worlds: New Discoveries Around Distant Stars, a look at the science behind the discovery of planets. 10am-5pm. http:// cityof.providenceri.com/museum.

RISD MUSEUM Thru Oct 23: Journeys: Conrad Shawcross and Tavares Strachan. Starting Sept 1: Distant Climes: 18th-Century British Views of Italy, Japanese Buddhist Priest Robes from the Lucy T. Aldrich Collection. 224 Benefit Street. 4546500, www.risdmuseum.org.

KIDS +FAMILY PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Play & Learn: the museum’s open-ended story-based program especially for 2-to 4-year olds and their parents. See website for full schedule. 100 South Street.

RAPTOR WEEKEND Owls, Hawks, and Falcons

273-5437, www.childrenmuseum.org.

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK Saturdays and Sundays: BalloonMagik & RagtimePiano featuring AmyTheMime is coming to the Carousel Village. 11am-4pm.

LEARN discussion | instruction | tour DISCuSSION BROOKLYN COFFEE TEA HOUSE Sept 1: Christina Aguilera- Creating An Artist Brand presented by Al Gomes and A. Michelle, who were Directors of Online Entertainment and Marketing for Aguilera and her company, Three Wishes Productions, Inc. $5. 7:00pm.

206 Douglas Ave. 274-4770.

BROWN UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE Sept 14: Anthony Amore, art security expert, reads from his book Stealing Rembrandt’s with a discussion to follow.

5:30pm. Sept 15: Michael Belfante, Brown alum, discusses his book on 9/11, Reluctant Hero. 6:00pm. 244 Thayer Street.

999-8015, http://bookstore.brown.edu.

RHODE ISLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP Sept 15: Perfecting the Art and Science of Collaborations. Sept 29: Aristotle Model for Complex Problem Solving. 8:00am. $75. 315 Iron Horse Way. 637-4595.

PROVIDENCE 375 EXHIBITS & LECTURES Sept 17: Size Matters: The Corliss Steam Engine & the Industrial Ingenuity of Providence reception at 2:00pm; talk with historian Richard Greenwood, PhD at 2:30pm. Through October: Exhibit of materials from PPL’s RI Collection, including historic photographs of the Corliss Steam Engine, on the 3rd floor. Free, Ages 21+. Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street. 455-8000, www.provlib.org.

FLEET LIBRARY AT RISD Sept 30: Poetry reading and discussion with Forrest Gander presented by the Rhode Island Center for the Book.

7:30pm. 15 Westminster Street.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS Thru Oct 15: Benefit Street: A Mile of History. A 90-minute walk beginning at the John Brown House Museum.

Tuesday-Saturday at 11am. Adults $12, Seniors & RIHS Members $10, Children under 12 $6. 52 Power Street. 273-7507, www.rihs.org.

GOVERNOR HENRY LIPPITT HOUSE MUSEUM Fridays: May-Oct., tour this amazing 19th century house at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Adult $10, children under 12 free. Tours can also be scheduled by calling the Museum office in advance at 453-0688, www.preserveri.org.

INSTRuCTION

September 10 and 11, 2011 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI

www.asri.org Watch website for a complete schedule of events.

Purchase your tickets in advance and avoid the lines.

TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY Sept 12-Nov 17: Fall acting classes (see website for details). 521-1100, www.trinityrep.com.

AS220 Tuesdays: Life Drawing: Bring drawing utensils and paper and sketch from a live model. 6-8:30pm. $6. Sept 25: Providence Poetry Slam presents: A Writing Workshop- a low-pressure setting for writers of all genres to meet and share their work. 5:15-7pm.

Free. 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, www.as220.org.

PERISHABLE THEATRE Sundays: American Tribal Belly Dance, Intermediate Ballet. Wednesdays: Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance. 331-2695.

517 Hope St. $449,000 Completely renovated 2 Family also zoned for business. NEW granite & stainless, NEW baths, NEW windows, NEW roof, NEW everything.

221 Sixth St. - $529,000

Completely renovated 3 bedroom plus office, 2.5 bath, 2616 sq.ft. Colonial. NEW granite & stainless kit, NEW Baths, NEW windows, double lot & 2 car garage.

Debbie Gold

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

2009 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

SPORTS PAWSOX Sept 2-3: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Sept 4-5: Rochester. McCoy Stadium, 1 Columbus Avenue, Pawtucket. www. pawsox.com.

PROVIDENCE ROLLER DERBY Sept 3: Sakonnet Roller River Rats vs.

Old Money Honeys. 6pm. Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street. www. providencerollerderby.com.

NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL POLO SERIES Sept 3: USA vs. England. Sept 10: Newport vs. Washington D.C. Sept 17: USA vs. Brazil. Sept 24: Regional Championship Finals. 4pm. $10 general admission, free ages 15 and under. Glen Farm Polo Grounds, 715 East Main Road, Portsmouth. 846-0200, www.newportinternationalpolo.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.

September 2011 East Side Monthly

59

Classifieds

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

ET’s PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE Cleaning homes & offices. Over 15 years experience. Insured. Free estimates. Call 272-0334.

JOBS BY JIM Cellars, Attics & Garages Cleaned â?–

A+ INTERIOR PAINTING Fine interiors. 20+ yrs. experience.

Highest quality work. Many references. Fully insured. Based on the East Side. (RI Reg. #19226). Call Patrick, 226-8332.

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 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

(401) 831-8693 www.chrislamprepair.com

CYC PAINTING Interior & exterior. Minor carpentry. Power washing. Reg. #27017 & insured. Carlos 749-3928

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.

ELDER CARE AVAILABLE Very kind, patient, mature woman seeks position with elderly person.

Intelligent, cheerful, reliable with 20 years experience, including several long-term positions. Impeccable references. Please call 781-3392 or 497-3392.

ELECTRICAL SERVICES All types. New circuits. RI #A3338.

MA #16083A. Insured. Larry 5292087. Also, small handyman jobs.

Cell 742-7258 Reg. #4614

HANDWRTING ANALYSIS by appointment. Call: 421-1010.

SPECTRUM-INDIA, 252 Thayer St. Satisfaction guaranteed!

JUNK THAT AUTO

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

www.JunkThatAuto.com

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.

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

Specializing in all Masonry Repairs Decorative Stamp Concrete Chimney Repair

East Side Monthly September 2011

Serving the East Side of Providence for over 15 years!

HENNA TATTOOS by appointment. Call: 421-1010.

SPECTRUM-INDIA, 252 Thayer St. Satisfaction guaranteed!

All Concrete Services

60

â?–

We Purchase Junk Vehicles and Repairable Vehicles For Recycling at Premium Prices. High Mileage, Emission Problems, Accident Damage or Junk Vehicles Call Paul @ 401-639-9425

No Job Too Small

Unwanteds Removed Small Demolitions Garages, Sheds, etc.

EYEBROW THREADING by appointment. Call: 421-1010.

SPECTRUM-INDIA, 252 Thayer St. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Reg. # 12299

or visit us @

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.

MATH TUTOR AVAILABLE Proven results. East Side/Oak Hill.

35 years experience. Algebra I & II. SAT preparation & remediation.

Call 751-4848

Need A Tenant?

Apt Rental Services Professional & Motivated!

Kate C. Foster RI Realtor

401-477-6314 Century 21 Butterman & Kryston, Inc. PRESERVE YOUR MEMORIES Photos, slides and papers saved to CD or DVD. Comen Co., 7516200. Email: hcomen@cox.net

Classifieds

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

Willard Roofing & Restoration All Types of Roofing Repaired or Replaced RESIDENTIAL

â—? COMMERCIAL

Never Clean your Gutter Again - Install a Gutter Guard System Siding â—? Exterior Carpentry â—? Metal Work Flashing â—? Gutters â—? Call Now for a Free Estimate

949-4440

Insured

Outside & Inside Painting Clean Cellars, Yards & Garages Install Fences

We also Clean Apartments & Houses Specializing in Removing Boilers and Oil Tanks Bennie Woods Office 438-5708 â—? Cell 286-6338 Reg. #6515

PROACTIVE Computer Services Home or office. Computer repairs, data recovery. Fully equipped mobile service. Service calls $40/hr.

Call 647-7702. www.pcsllcri.com

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

SALE! ROOFING, CHIMNEYS & Decks. Cash & carry Harvey windows, doors, patios, etc. Lic. & insured. Reg. #27807. Call Bradshaw Contr., 401-365-9194.

SPREADING MY WINGS Looking for a partner for a successful, established women’s designer clothing collection shown 4 times a year in home. Must be active in community and/or professional world. 401-575-1610.

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

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September 2011 East Side Monthly

61

East of Elmgrove

by Elizabeth Rau | illustration by Christina Song

Fear of Flying You can escape a disaster, but not the memories Up, up and away, and here we go over amber waves of grain and purple mountains, majestic and utterly American at 10,000 feet. They are down there, where I want to be, but it’s too late.

I’m stuck.

I am surrounded by passengers gabbing about their great aunt in Kansas or happily munching on stale peanuts in between sips of flat Coke.

I’ve got the jitters.

I am double crossing my fingers and asking the Hound of Heaven to delay the inevitable. I have that tingly feeling in my belly that comes from sheer terror. I dig deep into the front pocket of my jeans and rummage around for a tiny white pill. My sweet lady. A Valium. I don’t even ask for water.

I love to sing, but I hate to fly.

A long time ago, I didn’t mind zipping through the air at 580 miles per hour in an aluminum tube with low ceilings and cramped bathrooms. I flew alone from my hometown of St. Louis to the Delaware coast when I was a mere nine years old to spend the summer with a friend and never panicked during the three-hour flight.

The breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage was delicious.

Then along came that train wreck and the sky turned from Robin egg’s blue to gunbolt gray. The deadly experience made me realize that those big objects that take you places and the people who drive them are imperfect.

Flashback to the winter of 1987: After visiting my sister and her husband in Washington D.C. for the New Year, I boarded Amtrak’s Colonial to Connecticut, where I lived during my early months working as a reporter for The Providence Journal.

The train was packed with holiday travelers, so I ended up sitting in a rear car. We left around noon, and I remember thinking that I should go to the café car to get a cup of coffee to perk up for the six-hour ride.

The crowd was thick, and I decided to stay put.

Less than an hour later, just outside Baltimore, the train jolted to a stop.

The lights flickered and then went out.

I heard a deafening screech. I lunged forward, hitting my head and leg on 62

East Side Monthly September 2011

the seat in front of me.

I got up to investigate and bumped into a man standing in the aisle with a bloody gash across his forehead. I ran outside and screamed for help and soon realized the enormity of what had happened. The cars in front were piled on top of each other in a horrific pile of twisted metal.

Passengers, most with bloody wounds, were walking around in a daze. Residents living in tiny West Twin River heard the blast from their houses and ran to the track to pull people from the burning wreckage.

I was one of the lucky ones. My decision to sit in back and to forgo coffee probably saved my life. It was one of the worst crashes in Amtrak’s history. Fifteen people — many of whom were in the café car — were killed, as well as an Amtrak engineer and café worker. Hundreds of the 600 passengers were injured.

I stayed in the town for four days, sleeping in a family’s house near the track and filing stories to the Journal.

I also took photos that ran all over the world. Back then there was no such thing as a laptop. I dictated my articles over the phone to the newsroom:

Passengers with bloody foreheads and swollen eyes called out for loved ones still trapped inside. “My husband went to get some food,’’ one woman said, weeping and pacing frantically. Some gathered on a road nearby, clinging to each other with their heads bowed. A train conductor, his face splattered with blood, sat on the ground with his legs splayed out in front of him and a blanket over his shoulders. He stared ahead vacantly. A woman held his hand.

I even received treatment for my wound: a gash on my leg from hitting the seat.

In no time, rescue workers figured out what had caused the crash. Moving at more than 100 mph, the Colonial had rammed three Conrail locomotives that had run a caution light and failed to slow down. Months later, the Conrail engineer admitted to smoking marijuana and eventually served time in prison for his role in the crash.

Traveling for me has never been the same.

It took a decade before I would ride a train again. Even now, when a train speeds up, I clutch the armrests and count the minutes until we arrive safely at our next stop. I always sit in

a rear car, and I try my best not to get up while the train is moving. I refuse to go to the café car. Can you blame me?

Surprisingly, flying is a challenge too. When the pilot hits the brakes on the runway, my back presses against the seat and, for a moment, I feel like I’m back on the Colonial speeding down the track. Will we make it?

Minutes after the collision, I met Eric, a 23-year-old neighbor who rushed from his house to help. I slept on a hide-a-bed in his parents’ basement for days while I reported the story.

Back home weeks later, Eric wrote me a letter saying that he was having anxiety attacks and nightmares. He said his life would never be the same.

“The trains give everyone the chills when the whistle blows,’’ he wrote in his loopy handwriting. “The feeling is a tense feeling like you might feel when you hear a car slam on its brakes just before an accident or in a close call.’’

He told me he was going to be an architect.

I wonder if he made it.

I wonder.

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

E a s t

s i d E

P r o P E r t i E s

President. Impressive brick estate offers 3 levels of gracious living, huge kitchen, 5+ beds, 4 full baths and 2 half baths, sun room, walled courtyard, garden, AC. $799,900.

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Updated mechanicals, a/c. Garage. $799,000.

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Unbelievable gardens w/summer kitchen. 2 car parking. $694,000.

Fosdyke. Brick Georgian with handsome slate roof and wonderful yard on quiet street. Great value! 5 bed, 2.5 bath home w/fireplace, new windows, hardwoods throughout. Classic details throughout. Close to shops, restaurants, Boulevard. $645,000.

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