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CONTENTS
Photography by Brandon Harmon
East Side Monthly • October 2019
Last summer, JUMP bikes were the newest hype. Now, the city’s backpedaling – here’s why (pg 28)
This Month
14 Empty Bowls raises money for RI Food Bank – and showcases both artists and chefs
28 FALL/WINTER COLLEGE SPORTS PREVIEW Your need-to-know guide to our favorite college teams
33 SWITCHING GEARS What went wrong with JUMP bikes – and how to fix the bike-share syste
Every Month 4 Editorial and Letters News & Culture 9 The new pedestrian bridge is late, costly,
Food & Drink 51 Flavor of the Month: Waffle Providence’s new owner isn’t messing around
16 Four ways to experience the good kind of scares in and around the city
18 Inside the East Side 21 Rhody Gem: A Wickenden Street flower
52 Food News: Knead Doughnuts unveils its “Night Cruller” 54 Dining Guide
shop delights the senses
23 Neighborhood News
Calendar 59 Events you can’t miss this month
Life & Style 43 Home of the Month: A water damage
East Sider 66 Live from the East Side, it’s acclaimed
rebuild leads to a dream kitchen in the Blackstone neighborhood
set designer Eugene Lee
and stunning
12 Brown University Bears go on the offen-
48 Education: Local art educators showcase their own portfolios at Gallery Z
sive in bid to change football fortunes
On the Cover:
JUMP bike sitting on Providence’s new pedestrian bridge. Photography by Nick DelGiudice
East Side Monthly • October 2019 5
EDITORIAL
A Bridge Over Troubled Waters The last few months
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have been rough for our capital city. In addition to the scathing Johns Hopkins report on the current status of Providence’s urban public schools, there sadly have been several more stabbings and shootings in the downtown area, the conviction and removal of a sitting city councilman, and JUMP bike wielding incident that made national news. Still to come was more potential bad news: The long-awaited opening of a new pedestrian bridge linking Fox Point to the old Jewelry District. The project was widely criticized for its $22M expense and delays. Was it going to be another disaster for our beleaguered city to add to its list? But then the reviews came in, and they were both glowing and unexpected. People loved the relatively simple, but tasteful, Brazilian hardwood walkway, its sleek wire facades, and its unexpected and whimsical touches like inlaid chess boards and eye-catching non-linear benches. Surprisingly, Dave Brussat, the former Providence Journal editor, architectural writer, and well-known anti-modernist curmudgeon, reluctantly but enthusiastically admitted on his popular blog (Architecture Here and There) that he actually liked the new addition to our waterfront. Other critics continue to lambast the huge cost overruns and the daunting maintenance
issues that may develop over time. But for our part, we’ll take our modest victories whenever we can. It’s a great addition to Providence! And if the city can maintain the bridge (and that’s a big if) we might look back on this event as the beginning of a turnaround for the city we love. Admittedly, there is more to be done to complete this exciting addition to our waterfront. The same creativity that went into the design of the bridge now needs to be integrated into the important public landscaping on both sides of the river. The unexpected pop-up sunflower patches that greet visitors entering South Main Street are one such example. While they have become a photo bonanza for tourists, unfortunately it’s in part because they magically appear as a dramatic contrast to the dull, under-planted ring of greenery that currently exists. And it needs to be noted that any future greenery, whether creative or not, has to be maintained by someone. But for now, let’s just congratulate the powers that be for coming up with this unexpected gem and for imagining such a graceful addition to our waterfront. More importantly, we’re thankful for the timing of this shot in the arm for a city that badly needs one.
L ET T ERS
kreatelier.com 6
East Side Monthly • October 2019
To the Editor, The cover of the August issue of the East Side Monthly features the Fox Point statue of favorite son George M. Cohan. The article, entitled “City Statues - The stories behind the monuments around town”, is delightful. There is however, a troubling story behind the story of the Cohan statue which needs to be told. The sculptor, Robert Shure has yet to be paid in full for his wonderful “gift” to the people of Providence. Sadly, the Committee which commissioned the
Cohan statue has failed to fulfill its contract with Shure, leaving the artist holding the bag. The well-intentioned plan to honor Mr. Cohan is tarnished; Mr. Cohan, the Yankee Doodle Boy, would not be pleased by this apparent act of razzle-dazzle and flim-flam. Even after ten years however, it is not too late for those responsible to right an old wrong. Sincerely, Peter Mackie
East Side Monthly Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell
Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre
Executive Editor Barry Fain
City Editor Steve Triedman
Editor in Chief Elyse Major
Editor Megan Schmit
Staff Writer Robert Isenberg
Editor Lauren Vella
Art Director Nick DelGiudice
Associate Art Director Brandon Harmon
Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas
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Contributing Photographers Mike Braca Wolf Matthewson
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Contributing Writers Bob Curley
Classified Advertising Sue Howarth
Aleen Weiss★ | Jon Weiss★✦ | Howard Weiss | Karen Miller | Gail Jenard★ | Nicole Sheusi-Church ★Also licensed in MA
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.
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NEWS & CULTURE East Side Stories | Inside the East Side | Neighborhood News
East Side News
Cross That Bridge
The new pedestrian bridge is late, costly, and stunning By Robert Isenberg
At last, the Pedestrian Bridge is here. The structure is built, the chain link fence is coming down, and people are crossing the river on foot. The impossible has happened – after decades of design, labor, and skyrocketing budgets, the bridge is ready for your feet. The ribbon-cutting took place
August 9, and countless locals have moseyed over its floorboards ever since. Not everyone is happy about this. The idea was once simple: When the Route 195 bridge was torn down, two granite supports remained. RIDOT proposed building a spartan foot-bridge on top, to the tune of
$3 million. By 2019, that idea had morphed into a $21.9 million leviathan, with two levels, tiered seating, and the width of an oil tanker. As The Boston Globe tactfully put it: “In a state full of crumbling bridges, $22 million Providence River span stands out.” Critics will forever debate whether that
Photography by Megan Schmit East Side Monthly • October 2019 9
News & Culture East Side News
Experience. Integrity. Results.
money was well used, and the phrase “decaying infrastructure” will echo for years. But fiscal wisdom aside, there’s one thing most visitors can agree on: inFORM Studio designed an architectural masterpiece, and if you like walkable thoroughfares at all, the new bridge is a handsome addition to the cityscape.
“We had recently completed a celebrated pedestrian bridge in Detroit and it seemed like a great opportunity,” says Michael Guthrie, a principal at inFORM, which is also headquartered in Detroit. When Providence held a design competition in 2010, a consulting engineer alerted inFORM staff to the project.
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
Photography by Nick DelGiudice
A Trusted Advocate for Buyers & Sellers for 26 Years
“After reading the brief, we were quite enthusiastic about the competition and felt this was poised to make a significant impact in an area of Providence with huge potential,” says Michael. “The idea of stitching together College Hill, Fox Point, and the Jewelry District with not only a connector but a true sense of place became our objective right away. We loved the idea of making an impact in the city and adding a place of inspiration.” Unlike a plain steel trestle, the inFORM design curves like a boomerang. As you step onto the bridge, the planks seem to flow like a river of wood. A lower platform, nicknamed the “busker terrace,” extends southward; it’s about the size and shape of a restaurant patio. The rails are made of steel, wire, and wood, reminiscent of a cruise ship. In fact, the whole bridge has a nautical look to it – by design. “We were quite interested in referencing the history of shipbuilding and jewelry making near the old harbor of the Jewelry District without overtly using it as a metaphor,” Michael explains. “Many reference the WWII era of shipbuilding, but there was an incredible history of craft, and we were enamored by the idea of demonstrating innovative methods in the craft of woodworking, particularly digital fabrication.” Even calling the new structure a “pedestrian bridge” only hints at its full use. The bridge is already a major bikeway between the East End and the rebranded “Knowledge District,” a boon for students, young professionals, and anyone who doesn’t like to park a car. The bridge’s width and seating options make it ideal for public gatherings, as well. This multiuse approach has won inFORM some attention, as other designers imagine similar projects. “Ideas like the busker terrace were intended for a multiplicity of uses,” says Michael, “including performances, sunbathing, fishing, weddings, lunch, general relaxation, and any number of things we had not imagined. That is the beauty of a design that hopefully inspires: It does not end with the designer’s imagination.”
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News & Culture East Side News
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Let’s Go, Brown Bears, Let’s Go!
Brown University Bears go on the offensive in bid to change football fortunes By Bob Curley
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
a game at Brown is the best deal in town. It’s played on a real grass field in Brown Stadium, which has maintained the nostalgia of classic college football since 1925. There’s no bright lights or big money here; it’s all about the love of the game. And after a pair of lackluster seasons, the proud Brown Bears football team is starting their 2019 season with a new coach and new hope. First-year head coach James Perry, a Brown University alumnus, takes over for legendary coach Phil Estes, who departed
last fall after 21 years of leading the Bears. Estes helmed Brown to three Ivy League championships, but Perry – a former Estes assistant – will get his shot to turn the program around after the team went 1-9 in 2018 and 2-8 in 2017, with zero conference wins. For Perry, who comes back to Brown after two seasons as head coach at Bryant University, it’s a homecoming in more ways than one: the players on his 2019 squad include his nephew, EJ Perry IV, a transfer from Boston College. It could be a happy reunion between the junior signal-caller
Photo courtesy of Brown University
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401-217-0444 and a man who was the quarterback’s coach during Brown 2008 Ivy League championship season, and was known as a quarterback guru and offensive wizard during coaching stints at Princeton and Bryant. EJ Perry’s family ties won’t win him a starting job, because one of the Brown’s best returning players is quarterback Michael McGovern, who led the Ivy League in passing yards per game despite the Bears’ abysmal record. Given Coach Perry’s freewheeling offensive reputation, however, it won’t be a surprise if all of the quarterbacks on the roster see time on the field – perhaps even during consecutive plays. Talented running back Allen Smith will be back in the lineup after an injury-shortened freshman year, and returning all-Ivy League senior wide receiver Livingstone Harriott also could thrive in Perry’s high-energy offensive system. Coach Perry also scored a nice recruiting pickup in freshman linebacker Ethan Royer from Ohio and is hoping that an intensive new conditioning program will result in a faster, fitter, and stronger Bears team in 2019. An early test was the team’s September 21 season opener against Perry’s former Bryant team in Smithfield, and it will be a minor shock if the 2019 Bears don’t improve over their performances the past two seasons. The Bears play their home games at historic Brown Stadium on the East Side of Providence. Opening day of the 2019 home season is October 5 versus the University of Rhode Island, with the winner claiming the Governor’s Cup. It will be the 104th meeting of the two historic rivals. For information and tickets, visit the Brown University Athletics website at BrownBears.com or call 863-2773. Tickets are $10-15.
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East Side Monthly • October 2019 13
News & Culture East Side News
Hope-Full
Empty Bowls raises money for RI Food Bank – and showcases both artists and chefs By Robert Isenberg
Find nearly 1,000 locally crafted ceramic bowls at this one-of-a-kind fundraiser
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
“I think the metaphor
is really nice,” says Kelly Seigh, event manager for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We’re helping fill bowls in the community. It’s a kind of reminder.”
The idea is catchy: Ceramic artists donate nearly 1,000 clay bowls to the Food Bank. On October 17, more than 800 people will show up at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, along with 40 local restaurateurs.
Photo courtesy of Empty Bowls Media
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Each visitor will pick a preferred bowl, fill it with gourmet samples, and have a total blast. For five years, the Empty Bowls party has been the Food Bank’s most lucrative fundraiser. Kelly didn’t invent Empty Bowls, but she introduced the concept to Rhode Island, and the party has been a raging success since its inception. “We went big from the very first year,” she says. “There are just so many artists and restaurants that are donating their time. There’s so much good buzz in the room. We want this to be an event that anybody can come to.” Excitement builds long before the actual celebration. Ceramic artist John Mitchell has hosted “Empty Bowl parties” at Dew Claw Studios in Pawtucket, where crafters shape artisanal bowls specifically for the event; other ateliers do the same. Similarly, chefs were originally asked to make different kinds of soup and stew, but the menu quickly expanded to pasta, ribs, bread pudding, mac and cheese, donuts, and cupcakes, among countless other items. Basic admission (booked in advance) is $50, which means unlimited food and a one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl for each participant. There is a VIP table, where some of the more elaborate objets d’art are displayed, but Kelly says that there is plenty of creativity to browse. The Food Bank also has a number of sponsors, including Citizens Bank, which provides “a small army of volunteers.” Last year, the Food Bank raised a total of $117,000. Ironically, Kelly herself has never walked away with a bowl, because she’s so busy organizing. “But my friends come every year,” she says. “Whenever I go to their house, I see their collection of bowls in their cupboards.” Empty Bowls takes place October 17 at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Cranston. RIFoodBank.org
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News & Culture East Side News
Get Your Haunt On
Four ways to experience the good kind of scares in and around the city By Megan Schmit
Wednesdays through October: Providence River Boat Haunted Tours
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
It’s officially fall – for some of us, this simply means changing leaves, pumpkin pie, and sweater season. But for the thrill-seekers,
it’s also time for everything spooky and scary in honor of Halloween. Whether it’s a skin-tingling tour downtown or a terrifying
Photography by Wolf Matthewson
FOR LOCAL RHODE ISLAND RESIDENT’S!
maze just outside city limits, we’ve got you covered with a selection of local haunts – if you can handle them. Haunted Boat Tours You might be familiar with Providence River Boat tours, but Wednesdays through the end of October, their usual ride gets a spooky twist. The dark water, cobblestone walkways, and centuries-old architecture provide a fitting backdrop for stories of Providence’s notso-dearly departed denizens. ProvidenceRiverBoat.com/Haunted-Boat-Tours, Fox Point Marina Slater Park Haunted Tunnel This 200-foot concrete maze houses nine rooms, each designed to bring one of your worst nightmares to life. When you’ve made it out alive, wander their additional attractions, including a cemetery, industrial corn maze, and pumpkin patch. Facebook: Haunted Tunnel RI, Pawtucket The Haunted Labyrinth This is the longest-running haunted house in New England and after 35 years, it’s safe to say they’ve mastered the art of the perfect scare. You’ll get lost in twists and turns full of various nightmares, complete with strobe lights, frightening characters, and dead-ends sure to leave your heart pumping. It’s hard to believe the entire thing is housed in a youth center. HauntedLabyrinth.com, Cranston Providence Ghost Tour If you’re looking for horror with a side of history, then this lantern-led walking tour is the perfect fit. Learn about the local legends and things that go bump in the night. Food trucks are added on Fridays for Ghosts and Grub. Prospect Terrace Park, ProvidenceGhostTour.com
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News & Culture Inside the East Side By Barry Fain
Choreography: Ilya Kozadayev
A fairytale adventure for the whole family
A new police district commander has been appointed for both districts eight and nine which covers most of the East Side. Lt. Joseph Dufault will be replacing Lt. Joseph Donnelly who has served in that position for the past four years. A 27-year veteran with an unblemished record, Lt. Donnelly is currently on administrative leave pending the resolution of a charge of domestic assault.
The Dragon Returns
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Celebrating 10 Years!
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
One of the things that makes the Providence Children’s Museum so special is its clever (and often quirky) creativity, which allows itself to continually reinvent its displays. But for regular visitors, this sometimes makes it easy to lose track of their favorite attractions. Many of us were disappointed to discover that Nori, the huge dragon that had taken up residence on the front façade of the museum for the past decade, had suddenly disappeared. The adornment was sent off for repairs, retraining, teeth sharpening, and who knows what. Not to worry. We’re now happy to report Nori was officially returned to his familiar perch on Friday, August 30 in a “can’t miss” party for dragon lovers of all ages. From 5-8pm, admission to the museum was free, along with an array of dragon-themed activities, dancers,
and of course a gala parade. It was the kind of homecoming a superstar like Nori deserves. Welcome back, big guy.
Anniversary and Party Time for WaterFire With the official opening of our new pedestrian bridge and opening of the new Wexford Innovation Center, attention has shifted to one of Providence’s unique assets. It has a charming waterfront that snakes its way through our downtown and consistently receives raves from visitors. And while the major credit goes to the waterfront’s designer Bill Warner, a close second belongs to Barnaby Evans, whose creative masterpiece WaterFire has brought national attention (not to mention millions of visitors) to marvel at arguably one of the truly original arts projects in the country. Its origin story is one of modest funding, out-of-the box thinking, community volunteerism at an unprecedented level and continually evolving and popular programming. It’s difficult to imagine that this upcoming year marks the 25th anniversary of this uniquely Providence undertaking. The kickoff of what promises to be an exciting year for WaterFire will take place on Friday, October 18 at its new arts center on Valley Street with the arrival of Fireball, a frantic, festive fundraiser that is truly quite special. Along with the quirky touches one expects from WaterFire…
Photo courtesy of Providence Children’s Museum
New police commander appointed for East side
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gargoyles, fire dancers, and who knows what else…this year’s Fireball will honor some of the dreamers and funders who lent their support to launch WaterFire in 1994. In addition, WaterFire will also be honoring set designer and East Side native Eugene Lee on his 80th birthday in recognition of his years both at Trinity and on Broadway in shows like Wicked and the set which continues to this day on Saturday Night Live. Don’t miss what promises to be one of the great parties of the year and celebrate perhaps the most important of our city’s art success stories.
Things brighten at Luminous Congratulations to the Luminous Advertising and Production company for being named one of the fastest growing local companies in the state by Providence Business News! We and the CHNA have been fortunate to have observed firsthand some of the wonderfully creative video work they do involving drone photography, so we’re not at all surprised by their success and hope it inspires other business owners in an increasingly tech savvy new Providence. Kudos to winners Ryan Buttie and Bryan Roberts.
Updated Status of the Fane project Questions continue to swirl as to whether the Fane building is ever going to be constructed. As reported by The Globe’s Dan McGowan, developer Jason Fane requested and was given a one-week extension to file for a tax stabilization agreement among other deadlines that have crept up on him the past few months. Meanwhile, a case in Superior Court challenging the recently passed zoning amendments has allowed the project to move forward. But the plaintiffs feel it violates the City’s Comprehensive Plan in terms of height and other regulations. This past month, both parties have agreed on statement of facts which will speed up the process. According to attorneys from Nixon Peabody who are representing the neighbors, opposing briefs are expected by the end of October with a likely ruling by the end of the year. If appealed, the case would move on to the Supreme Court.
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Nicolsquashclub.com info@nicolsquashclub.com • 401-831-7350 ext: 764 East Side Monthly • October 2019 19
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
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News & Culture Rhody Gem
Studio 539 Flowers Full Service Florist & Retail Store We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-inthe-wall spot that locals love. Email or tag us on social media using #RhodyGem to suggest yours, and we might just feature it!
What it is: Studio 539 Flowers is a boutique floral design studio, and since 2003, has specialized in creating unique arrangements and plants for everyday occasions, weddings, and events. Flowers are also available for pick-up and delivery to some areas.
Photography by Savannah Barkley for East Side Monthly
Where to find it: The shop is located in a brick historic 200-year-old home on Wickenden Street near Fellini’s and across from Adler’s. Nestled on a corner, the entrance is generally adorned with a wreath and seasonal foliage.
What makes it a Rhody Gem? If you enjoy beautiful spaces, this is a shop for you. Inside, there is a massive granite fireplace, exposed beams, and the scent of fresh flowers is everywhere. “The garden-like feeling brings a welcome reprieve from the day’s stresses,” muses Michelle Lariviere, creative director and co-owner. “Beyond the beauty of the blooms and space, we all love what we do, and that expertise helps our customers celebrate life’s moments from big to small.”
Studio 539 Flowers 174 Wickenden Street 454-4400 Studio539Flowers.com @studio539flowers
To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
News & Culture Neighborhood News
Neighborhood News is a space that East Side Monthly makes available to community organizations free of charge. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of this publication.
The gathering at Billy Taylor Day
Summit Neighborhood Association 2019 Property Tax Saga We’ve compiled many resources and articles regarding the proposed city property tax changes that arose and caused some controversy in the early summer, as well as the outcomes and expectations for next year. Neighbors can get up to date on the latest at: SummitNeighbors. org/2019-Property-Tax-Proposals.
Photo courtesy of Mount Hope Neighborhood Association
Residents Invited to Connect with Us Got a neighborhood issue, problem, or idea you’d like to discuss? We’re here to help. We meet at 7pm on the third Monday of every month in the dining room at Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Avenue. The sessions are open and neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend! You can also stay in touch with us on Facebook via the “Summit Neighborhood Association” page, our website at SummitNeighbors. org, on Instagram and Twitter @SNAProv, or by phone at 400-0986. Memberships and Volunteer Writers As always, we welcome new members who are interested in supporting our neighborhood events, community projects, candidate forums, and advocacy. Memberships are affordable – starting at just $15 per year -- and easier than ever to sign up for digitally or by mail. Additionally, SNA is always seeking local content for our long-running neighborhood newsletter, distributed by our volunteers to over 4,000 households. Have something to say about an event, a new business, or any topic that would resonate with the neighborhood? Please contact us for more information! Summit Neighborhood Association, PO Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940, 400-0986 SummitNeighbors.org, SNAProv@gmail.com
Mount Hope Neighborhood Association Summer is over but what a great ride. Mount Hope Neighborhood Association (MHNA) held one of it’s best, and well-attended Billy Taylor Celebration Days this summer. Young and old, the community came out to support and enjoy a great day of fun in the sun. A wondrous coming together to connect and transition to the new school year. MHNA WIC Program would like to remind their WIC participants that farmer’s market vouchers expire on October 31, 2019. Make sure to visit the farmer’s market soon if you haven’t done so. Also, Baby Café of Rhode Island will be hosting their Halloween edition event October 26 at 12pm where moms come for breastfeeding support and their children can participate in our Halloween healthy trick or treat. The Sharing Garden continues to be open
and sharing its bounty. It provided produce for the plot to plate teen program, feed community with harvest meals and the celebration of the new set of storytelling murals. As always, the Sharing Garden will hold its October Family Harvest Fest. This will start at the same time as the Baby Café Halloween event too and run through the Saturday garden hours until 12-3pm. Please note that MHNA WIC Program is looking for qualifying participants. Email stingwic@gmail.com or call 521-8830 for more information.
Blackstone Parks Conservancy Detour! Starting to Fix the Boulevard path at Last! Until recently, want of a plan for repair that would hold up a long time in the face of
East Side Monthly • October 2019 23
The Place For Sushi
News & Culture Neighborhood News
intensifying storms and the cash to execute it has delayed work on the heavily compacted path. Starting in 2017, the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC) and the Parks Department worked out a lasting solution and eventually found $75,000 – enough for a key experimental section, but a drop in the bucket that could eventually require an estimated one million dollars to be raised from the city, grants,
and individual donations. The money scraped together by local City Council representatives and the Parks Department is nonetheless a vital drop for it should provide reliable answers to how best to proceed with the rest of the popular 1.6-mile walkway worn by erosion and heavy use. Results will yield information about costs, proper engineering, and what surfaces work best in what situations, in
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
Photography by Mike Braca
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 6:30PM TO 9:30PM
FIND YOURSELF at the Dwares JCC addition to giving valuable feedback from the public – the users, who are, after all, what this is all about. Painstakingly prepared by landscape architect and BPC board member, RISD professor Colgate Searle, who drilled dozens of holes along the way to find out what kind of material lay underneath, the plan divides the path into four types needing different approaches. Some involve digging out non-porous soil and installing gravel for drainage, others need less work. For the experiment, the Parks-BPC team chose a challenging section with particularly severe erosion and vulnerable tree roots north of the Trolley Shelter. On top of six to eight inches of fresh gravel, an expensive new surfacing material that allows absorption of some water while stabilizing the path is being applied to the steep section, stone dust to the flatter part. Some boulevard users will remember that the new material was tried out on a 30-foot section recently to generally positive notices. Meanwhile, walkers are being routed to a temporary path that will require repair later, particularly aerating and seeding once it is no longer needed. Searle is particularly concerned that new grass on the edges of the path, which is being brought back to its original width of 10 feet in places, be protected. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-September. “It’s a learning experience for all of us,” says Searle. Yes. And we hope it offers an enduring solution. -Jane Peterson Events Saturday, September 14, 2019, 7pm - MoonRise on the Seekonk. Blackstone Field Sunday, September 15, 2019, 11am - RiverRide on the Seekonk. Narragansett Boat Club Saturday, October 5, 2019, 10am - Spooky Spiders. Blackstone Park South Section Saturday, October 5, 2019, 5:30pm Park-keeping. Blackstone Park kiosk, E. Orchard St. Saturday, November 2, 2019, 10am - Leaf Creatures Blackstone Park North Section
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The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker 231653NE_12/17 Real Estate LLC.
East Side Monthly • October 2019 25
News & Culture Neighborhood News
Fox Point Neighborhood Association
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Neighbors, FPNA, Thrilled With New Bridge FPNA has received a stream of positive responses from neighbors over the last two months about the completion and grand opening of the Providence Pedestrian Bridge, the structure that spans from Water and James streets at the east to Dyer Street near the Wexford building at the west. “People think it is absolutely beautiful,” commented FPNA Vice President Daisy Schnepel, who went on to praise the proportions of the design. “The open quality is very nice,” she said, “and the perspective from the bridge gives the feeling of a comfortable small city. It speaks to the walkability of the city.” FPNA President Nick Cicchitelli likened the clean lines and sleek grasses to The High Line
in New York City. And while he acknowledged recent criticisms of the cost of the project, which reportedly went seven-fold over budget, he is optimistic that residents, visitors, and potential developers will be pleased with the investment. “There an opportunity here to build a vibrant connection,” he commented, and to spur economic growth. “[Such investments] absolutely should be a priority of the City of Providence,” he told GoLocalProv in September. “Structural problems in certain departments deserve criticism, and reform, no question. But we cannot be a city that says no to beautification and other quality-of-life issues and then practically thinks there’s going to be a magic economic beanstalk.” FPNA is thrilled to see an outpouring of enthusiasm for the bridge as well as high foot and bike traffic during its inaugural two months.
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
A view of the pedestrian bridge from South Water Street
Photo courtesy of Fox Point Neighborhood Association
VOLKSWAGEN
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FPNA October Meeting Please join us on Tuesday, October 15 (note Tuesday meeting) at 7pm in the Library/Community Room of Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, 455 Wickenden Street. See our website, FPNA.net, for agenda and directions. All are welcome. About FPNA The Fox Point Neighborhood Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Fox Point and protecting its historic integrity and resources. FPNA speaks out on neighborhood issues and builds community through local events. Please sign up for our mailing list and join us at a monthly meeting!
Wayland Square Neighborhood Association Gano Street Off Ramp Proposed Closure WSNA has been actively following RIDOT’s proposed closure of the Gano Street Off Ramp. We have asked, in a letter to RIDOT Director, for public meetings with our elected officials to request that the ramp be permanently re-opened to benefit residents and businesses. Thanks everyone for following this issue! Be in touch at waylandsquareneighbors@gmail.com or follow us on FB at Wayland Square Neighborhood Association.
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Be Part of WSNA! WSNA is a community group bringing together the residents of the Wayland Square neighborhood. We meet on a regular basis to discuss issues facing our neighborhood, work together on improvements, and grow together as a community. And make some friends! All are welcome. Please join us! Upcoming Meetings: Meetings are from 6-7pm check our Facebook page for meeting locations! 10/16/19: Meet with your elected representatives in the square...social and business event. 11/13/19: Summit Neighborhood President guest as well as regular business meeting. 12/11/19: WSNA Board and friend annual holiday gift wrapping for Adopt A Family and cookie swap.
East Side Monthly • October 2019 27
Fall/Winter college
There’s a bit of a nip in the air at night now, fields more than 30 varsity sports teams in Bryant University leaves are starting to turn, and the pumpkin the Ivy League. Brown’s football team may Team Name: Bulldogs lattes are flowing again, which can mean just not win many games these days, but attendHome Field: Smithfield one thing: water polo season has begun! Just ing a Bears home game is worthwhile for the Tickets: BryantBulldogs.com/tickets or 319kidding, we mean football, although water old-school atmosphere at historic Brown StaTIXX (8499) polo is one of the six fall college sports sancdium in Providence. New head coach James tioned by the NCAA, along with football, socPerry is looking to turn the Bears around after First year head football coach Chris Merritt cer, field hockey, cross-country, and women’s back-to-back winless seasons. Bruins basketleads a Bryant team coming off a 6-5 seavolleyball. While Rhode Island schools aren’t ball has enjoyed more success, going 20-12 son. Former Cranston and Bishop Hendricken national powerhouses in any of those sports, last season (including 13-3 at home) and makquarterback Chris Hindle starts under center, we are home to at least one pretty good cying an appearance in the College Basketball and Pawtucket’s Alfred Dorbor returns to cling team. Invitational in winter 2019. Brown competes in the backfield after rushing for seven touchBY BOB CURLEY Here’s a quick look at what to expect and Division 1 ice hockey, and last year the men’s downs last season. The Bryant men’s soccer where to catch the action as competition gets team advanced to the East Coast Athletic team returns 20 players from a squad that underway in the 2019-20 college sports seaConference semifinals despite a middling 8-9went to the NEC championship game a year leaves starting to turn, and the pumpkin lattes are flowing again, which son: There’s a bit of a nip in the air at night now, 5 record in are the regular season. ago, also returning to the soccer pitchcan on the mean just one thing: water polo season has begun! Just kidding, we mean football, although water polo is one of the fall women’s squad is star forward Alisix Guilmette, college sports sanctioned by the NCAA, along with football, soccer, field hockey, cross-country, and last women’s While who missed seasonvolleyball. with an injury. TwenRhode Island schools aren’t national powerhouses in any of those sports, we are home to at least one pretty good cycling team. Providence College University of Rhode Island ty-three year head women’s volleyball coach
sports preview
Team Name: Friars Team Name: Rams Theresa Garlacy will look to guide her squad Here’s quick look campus at whatand to expect and where to catch the action as competition gets underway the Championship 2019-20 Home Field:a Providence the Home Field: Kingston to a repeat of its 2018inNEC college sports season: Dunkin’ Donuts Center Tickets: GoRhody.com/NavBar-Tickets or season, the first in program history. The men’s Tickets: Friars.com or 865-GO-PC 874-RAMS basketball team tripled their win total in 201819 (to 10-20), while the women’s hoops squad Grab some doughboys at the concession The Rams football team has a rare winning will be led by Sydney Holloway, a two-time stand and settle in for some PC Friars action record (6-5) and climbed into the NCAA DiviAll-NEC selection. but don’t sit until the home team scores if sion I-AA national rankings in 2018, a positive you want to honor school tradition. Despite sign for a program that has historically strugRhode Island School of Design an average 18-16 record last season, PC men’s gled. The men’s soccer team won the AtlanRISD’s phallically inspired club ice hockbasketball at the Dunkremains the hottest tic 10 championship in 2018-19 and earned a ey team, the Nads, earns some laughs (Go Teamticket Name: Team Bears but the art school has actually been college sports in Friars town. The Friars hocktrip to the NCAA Region 1 tournament. TheName: Nads!), Field: big, Providence campus/Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence ey team Home also draws passionate crowds women’s soccer program was picked toHome finish Field: very successful in its only varsity sport: cyTickets: Friars.com or 865-GO-PC or 863-2773 to Schneider Arena; coach Nate Leaman has last in the A10 in the coming season, Tickets: which BrownBears.com cling. RISD Cycling competes in the Eastern compiled a 0.619 winning percentage and a should provide coach Megan Jessee’s squad Collegiate Cycling Conference and is the only Grab some Championship doughboys at the concession standplenty and setPC exand URI more 2015 NCAA National during his with of motivation to prove the artget school in attention, the countrybut withBrown a cycling team: tle the in for some Friarsoff action but don’t sit until theSecond-year head coach fields 30 rider varsity teams tenure, and team is PC coming another perts wrong. David more lastthan winter, Janesports Rossi won the school’s home team scores if you want honor school tradition. in best the Ivy League. a Bears home Frozen Four appearance in 2018-19. The to womCox will look to improve on one of the first-ever Attending sports championship by finishing Despite an average 18-16asrecord last season, PC men’s game is always worthwhile for 2018 the Cyclocross olden’s ice hockey program is strong well, with in school history for URI men’s basketball, first in her division at the Nabasketball the and Dunk remains to the hottest college to a 26-8 record and notched school atmosphere at historic in Brown Sta- Kentucky. the 2018 team going at 24-11-2 advancing which surged tional Championships Louisville, sportsquarterfinals. ticket in town.PC The Friars hockey team also drawswin over Oklahoma during dium the conference men’s soccer a first-round thein Providence. New head coach James crowds Schneider Coach Nate March Madness tournament. Perry is looking to turn the Bears around returns itsbig, toppassionate six scorers from to a 2018 team Arena. NCAA national 0.619 winning percentage andbasketball team has a newafter that wentLeaman 10-7-2 inhas thecompiled Big East,athe women’s The women’s headback-to-back winless seasons. Bruins a 2015 National Championship his tenure, basketball has enjoyed more success, going soccer team has NCAA been to five straight Big East during coach, Tammy Reiss, a former assistant at and under the team is cominghead off another Four Both ap- the men’s and women’s 20-12 tournaments just-renewed coach Frozen Syracuse. ice last season (including 13-3 at home) pearance in 2018-19. The women’s ice hockey program Sam Lopes. hockey teams play home games at theand Bossmaking an appearance in the Colis strong as well, with the 2018 team going Ice 24-11-2 Arena, and with the men coming off alege 21-15-Basketball Invitational in winter 2019. advancing to the conference quarterfinals. PC men’s Brown competes in Division 1 ice hockey, 1 season but an early exit from the Eastern soccer returns its top six scorers from a 2018 team that and last year the men’s team advanced to Brown University States Collegiate Hockey League playoffs. went 10-7-2 in the Big East, the women’sThe soccer teamhowever, won the East the East Coast Athletic Conference semifiTeam Name: Bears women, Coast hasProvidence been to five straight Big East tournaments nals despite a middling 8-9-5 record in the Home Field: Women’sunder Hockey League championship and just-renewed head Sam Lopes. regular season. Tickets: BrownBears.com or coach 863-2773 competed for a national title.
Providence College
PC and URI get more attention, but Brown
Brown University
University of Rhode Island
Team Name: Rams Home Field: Kingston Tickets: GoRhody.com/NavBar-Tickets or 874-RAMS The Rams football team has a rare winning record (6-5) and climbed into the NCAA Division I-AA national rankings in 2018, a positive sign for a program that has historically struggled. The men’s soccer team won the Atlantic 10 championship in 2018-19 and earned a trip to the NCAA Region 1 tournament. The women’s soccer program was picked to finish last in the A10 in the coming season, which should provide coach Megan Jessee’s squad with plenty of motivation to prove the experts wrong. Second-year head coach David Cox will look to improve on one of the best in school history for URI men’s basketball, which surged to a 26-8 record and notched a first-round win over Oklahoma during the NCAA national March Madness tournament. The women’s basketball team has a new head coach, Tammy Reiss, a former assistant at Syracuse. Both the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams play home games at the Boss Ice Arena, with the men coming off a 21-15-1 season but an early exit from the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League playoffs. The women, however, won the East Coast Women’s Hockey League championship and competed for a national title.
Rhode Island School of Design
RISD’s phallically inspired club ice hockey team, the Nads, earns some laughs (Go Nads!), but the art school has actually been very successful in its only varsity sport: cycling. RISD Cycling competes in the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference and is the only art school in the country with a cycling team: last winter, rider Jane Rossi won the school’s first-ever sports championship by finishing first in her division at the 2018 Cyclocross National Championships in Louisville, Kentucky.
Bryant University
Team Name: Bulldogs Home Field: Smithfield Tickets: BryantBulldogs.com/Tickets or 319-TIXX (8499) First year head football coach Chris Merritt leads a Bryant team coming off a 6-5 season. Former Cranston and Bishop Hendricken quarterback Chris Hindle starts under center, and Pawtucket’s Alfred Dorbor returns to the backfield after rushing for seven touchdowns last season. The Bryant men’s soccer team returns 20 players from a squad that went to the NEC championship game a year ago, also returning to the soccer pitch on the women’s squad is star forward Ali Guilmette, who missed last season with an injury. Twenty-three year head women’s volleyball coach Theresa Garlacy will look to guide her squad to a repeat of its 2018 NEC Championship season, the first in program history. The men’s basketball team tripled their win total in 2018-19 (to 10-20), while the women’s hoops squad will be led by Sydney Holloway, a two-time All-NEC selection.
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins’ home season begins October 12, with the team looking to extend their playoff streak to eight consecutive seasons in pursuit of the Calder Cup. Players to watch include forward Jack Studnicka, who enters his first full professional season after scoring 36 goals in 60 games in the Ontario Hockey League; defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, entering his second season with the P-Bruins, and new goaltender Kyle Keyser, who won 32 games in the Ontario Hockey League with a 2.75 goals-against average. Highlights of the team’s 2019-20 schedule include opening night against the Rochester Americans and a rematch with the Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers on January 4. The team calendar is packed with promotional events as usual, including Pink in the Rink Weekend (October 26 and 27) benefitting the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation. ProvidenceBruins.com
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
Switching GEARS What went wrong for JUMP bikes – and how to fix the bike-share system
By Robert Isenberg
The drama started with an armed robbery. And it only got worse from there. The victim was an unnamed man in his 40s. He was outside, on a West Side street, when a stranger approached with a handgun. He struck the victim, injuring him. At the time, it was unclear whether anything was stolen. But the details hardly matter. The point of this story – the reason anyone remembers a random mugging – is the getaway vehicle. The assailant rode away on a JUMP bike. Two months ago, this sounded ridiculous. Who would use a 70-pound bicycle, painted fire-engine red, to flee a scene? How did the suspect even use the bike? Didn’t he need a smartphone, a special app, and an approved credit card? Couldn’t the police just track the bike’s GPS? No, no, and no. A week earlier, the Providence Journal reported that JUMP bikes
In September 2018, a 13-year-old girl was struck by a car while riding a JUMP bike to school
are “easily broken into.” An unidentified teen explained to reporter Madeleine List how vulnerable the locking mechanism was; a bike could be hacked in minutes. Rumors circulated that a rider could dismantle the onboard computer, so the bikes couldn’t be tracked. There was only one drawback: A hacked JUMP bike doesn’t have power-assist. Otherwise, it was a free – if cumbersome – new bicycle. And because JUMP had expanded so quickly, there were more than 1,000 units to choose from, standing on street corners, just waiting to be stolen. From there, the ProJo headlines were fast and furious. “Misuse of JUMP bikes a problem in Providence.” “Police see increase in crimes connected to JUMP bikes.” “Teens on JUMP bikes beat, robbed man on Federal Hill.” And finally, on August 16, just a week after the
West Side assault: “Mob on bicycles blocks traffic in Providence, assaults people, steals snacks, police say.” JUMP was already under heavy scrutiny, after its parent company, Uber, unexpectedly raised its rental fee from $2 per 30 minutes to $9, a 350 percent increase that infuriated many subscribers. In the wake of public outcry, Uber lowered the rates to $3 per 30 minutes. This didn’t look good for a company that had received a $400,000 federal grant to install the bikes in the first place. That wasn’t all. The “dockless” bikes were turning up everywhere, “littering” streets and parks with expensive motorized vehicles. “I have received numerous daily complaints about these bikes… being left on sidewalks, blocking walkways and driveways, and being a hazard for those with mobility issues,” said Michael Correia, Council President Pro Tempore, in a statement. “I have even had complaints of bikes being vandalized by young people. I believe that we need to provide alternate and economical forms of transportation across the city, but I’m concerned that a safety plan or retrieval plan are not in place.” All of this was bad news, whether you cared about JUMP bikes or not. But that last report – of 100-plus teenagers running rampant in Downcity – was the final nail in the innertube. Local media identified the event as a “Rideout,” a kind of two-wheeled flash-mob organized on social media. One man was reportedly punched in the face. Adolescents reportedly flooded a store and snatched items from shelves. The stories of “hooliganism” were graphic and grotesque. And at the center of it all was that bright, red bicycle. JUMP had been taken for a ride. On August 22, nearly one year after the bikes hit Providence, JUMP pulled its entire fleet. A much-circulated quote came from Harry Hatfield, a spokesman for Uber: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and after acts of vandalism on JUMP bikes we have decided, in partnership with the city, to temporarily remove bikes from operation in Providence.”
Photo courtesy of NBC 10 WJAR
Spokes in the Wheel
On paper, a bike share program is a great idea. The bicycle is small and efficient. They’re cheap, compared to cars. They’re carbon neutral. Most Americans know how to ride a bike. In a dense city like Providence, you can navigate the labyrinthine streets nearly as fast as cars can drive; parking is instantaneous. Providence isn’t that hilly, and with a power -assisted motor, you can fly up College Hill without breaking a sweat. The electric
When JUMP bikes came to PVD last summer, it was an exciting addition – now, the city is backpedaling
motor is a dream for riders who may find biking challenging. And in practice, bike share programs are still a great idea. Customers run errands on borrowed bikes all over the world. Pittsburgh has never canceled its own system, Healthy Ride. Phoenix has never been overrun by an army of Grid Bike thugs. Taiwanese aren’t beaten up by random strangers on YouBikes. So why Providence, a small city with moderate street crime? And why now? Part of the problem was technical: A bike that can get stolen will get stolen. Once that vulnerability was exposed, JUMP struggled to keep up with thefts and misuse. The safeguards they had relied on – GPS in particular – couldn’t protect the bikes from abuse. But residents were filing complaints long before any “bike mob.” Much of the misbehavior may stem from the JUMP model itself: Any adult can download the app and start riding, whether they know bike etiquette or not. In theory, this
policy democratizes the system. Yet taking an Uber to the airport requires no skill; bicyclists must obey traffic laws. Curiously, Rhode Island does not require a helmet for any cyclist over the age of 15, but a power-assisted JUMP bike can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour. You don’t have to be a physicist to know how deadly that velocity is, especially in Downcity traffic. JUMP started with a 400 bikes last September, then ballooned its fleet to 1,100 in April. As Providence drivers attempted to adjust to all these new bikes on the road – many of them operated by rookie riders – residents dealt with another problem: the “dockless” system. Riders were free to leave their bikes anywhere within a certain zone. JUMP hires workers to retrieve stray bikes and re-charge them, so they eventually end up neatly displayed at their “hubs”. Riders are also rewarded with a $1 credit when they return their bike to a hub. But this incentive wasn’t enough. “One of the problems is that, after they’re
being used, they’re just being left on someone’s front sidewalk,” Councilman Correia told East Side Monthly. “They’re dumped in the middle of the street. Just left unattended. I believe they need to be brought back to a specific location, like a bike rack.” Correia was a vocal critic of JUMP Bikes, as well as the Bird and Lime scooters that operate in much the same way. Correia called for a suspension of service at the end of July, before the “bike mob” started making headlines. JUMP, and the City, eventually agreed with him. But Correia remains a supporter of the concept. “I’m not opposed to the bike-share program at all,” he said. “I think we need to offer alternative forms of transportation. But the policies and procedures need to be tightened up a lot more, to make sure these bikes don’t become a nuisance to the city.” Indeed, a critical mass of people wants JUMP to work, and it’s often hard to believe
that so much fuss has been made over a bicycle. A major JUMP sponsor is Lifespan Health System, which has a vested interest in daily exercise. Following the suspension of service, Lifespan decided to stay its course. “Lifespan is committed to sponsoring a bike-share program with the intention of promoting exercise and easy, accessible, environmentally friendly transportation in and around Providence,” read a Lifespan statement. “This has been very successful in other markets across the country. We remain supportive of the concept and will continue to collaborate with JUMP management as it works toward solutions that ensure the safe and proper use of its bikes.”
A New Path
Many concerns remained, of course, and answers were few. After all, JUMP had hiked rates before, shocking its subscribers. Would this happen again, and would it preclude low-income users? Uber is a controversial brand, and management has scrambled to address ride-share safety concerns; would it do the same for amateur bicyclists? And in the end, should JUMP Bikes take all the blame, or did those fault lines already exist? “Asking what band-aid solutions an international corporation can offer us is not useful,” wrote Gregory Sankey, in an email. “What problem are we asking them to fix? It is of our city’s creation: public transportation, access, mobility.” Sankey is well versed in Providence’s bicycle
culture: He is director of operations at Recycle-a-Bike, a volunteer-based organization in Olneyville. The facility refurbishes donated bikes, instructs locals in bike maintenance, and provides an open shop. Sankey’s opinions don’t necessarily reflect his organization, but Recycle-a-Bike is arguably the opposite of JUMP: simple, educational, and deeply invested in the community it serves. Much of that community includes young residents from low-income homes – the very demographic spotlit in the “bike mob” headlines. “Bike shares can be really great ways to get folks active and using bicycles if they weren’t using them before,” said Sankey. “They’re also great for that ‘last mile’ of someone’s trip that public transit couldn’t take them. Drawbacks or problems aren’t inherent in bike share programs, they’re products of design. If bike share programs are affordable, accessible, safe, scalable, and their owners are accountable, then they are likely to be successful.” He added: “Uber was given $400,000 [in federal money] to provide goods and services to the city of Providence. If our organization and our peers (Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council) were given even half of that money, we could have given hundreds, if not thousands of Providence residents bicycles that they would be personally responsible for. Not only that, but we could have given them helmets, locks, lights, and instruction on how to fix their own bicycles and how to properly ride their bicycles on the road.” Perhaps it’s time to switch gears.
think outside Rocky Hill Country Day School students, inspired by engaging learning experiences and an expansive coastal campus, achieve new heights every day, inside and outside the classroom. Take a fresh look at education by joining us for
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CREATIVE EDUCATION East Side Monthly • October 2019 39
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
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Join us for Moses Brown’s annual Open House and Homecoming Extravaganza! A fun fall festival of performances, classroom demos, and community events, come and see Quaker values in action. Tour our historic campus, Robotics lab, and state-of-the-art Woodman Family Community and Performance Arts Center. rsvp today:
804 Hope Street, Providence kreatelier.com
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See how a Quaker education can make a difference.
East Side Monthly • October 2019 41
BACK
o t SCHOOL
2020-21 Admission Applications Available OCTOBER 1 Enrolling for Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 “. . . absolutely the best thing that has happened to our family.” —Sarah, Croft Mom www.thecroftschool.org
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Learn more at www.lincolnschool.org. 42
East Side Monthly • October 2019
SWIM LESSONS: Pods Swimming teaches our students more than just swimming-- we teach our students a foundation for life. Our curriculum, teacher training, and evaluation system are all designed to provide a total “aquatic education.” BIRTHDAY PARTIES: Celebrate your child with a pool party! AQUA AEROBICS: Jump right into our aqua classes and build cardiovascular fitness and strength. Tone and sculpt your body with no impact to your joints. LAP SWIM : Swimming is a great way to stay fit! We offer year-round lap swimming throughout the morning and evening. We have all your swimming needs covered. 111 Commercial Way, East Providence, RI 02914 401.337.5678 | www.podsswimming.com
LIFE & STYLE Home | Education
At Home on the East Side
The Bright Side
A Blackstone neighborhood dream kitchen is rebuilt in the wake of water damage By Elyse Major The dark green island serves as a dramatic focal point and draws in the outdoor views
If you’re a homeowner in New England, chances are you’re no stranger to some property damage. However, for Bob and Sharon, their East Side home received such extensive water damage that it required reconstruction to the first floor, which led to some rethinking: why not use this as an opportunity to redesign, refurbish, and create their dream kitchen? “We looked at a lot of home decorating magazines,” Sharon begins. “Bob Photos by by Image Ten Photography, courtesy of Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath
and I both agreed we wanted a bright kitchen – white and light – with the kitchen island a dark color.” The couple called Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath Design + Build, a resource for design build projects, and were introduced to designer Billie Senzek. First came the rebuild: walls were removed to enlarge the existing space, which enabled the inclusion of wish list items like an island, dry bar, and under
Want your home featured in East Side Monthly? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more
Life & Style Home
window seating. They also wanted appliances to disappear so the dishwasher, refrigerator, and a beverage fridge were all outfitted with custom appliance panels. Bob and Sharon love the color green and selected a custom shade for the island from the cabinet company which was then incorporated as an accent in the dining room via both furniture and window treatments to create a sense of flow. In designing the new space, Billie started with a neutral wall color so that the
countertop and island would be a combined focal point. Says Billie, “The countertop also had a bit of bling with soft green veining, which really solidified the color we selected for the island.” She adds, “I love the fun style in their home – a lot of clients shy away from doing a true color, but it was one of the defining elements of the kitchen.” Fifteen years since taking ownership, Sharon still recalls falling for the house at first sight. “I loved the banister and curved archways. There was a lot of warmth and
charm.” With everything brand-new, it was important to Sharon to keep the classic aesthetic of the 1920s Colonial. Fixtures like chandeliers and the traditional dining room set balance perky items like the scalloped wall clock, resulting in a cheerful and elegant mix. “Sharon has a very transitional style of decorating,” Billie explains. “There’s a lot of traditional elements that tie in with the true charm of the home, but she loves to have pops of fun colors, shapes, and a touch of bling.”
GET RHODY STYLE Sharon shares her go-tos for bringing Ocean State love into your lifestyle.
STORY TIME “I have fond memories of walking to Books on the Square on Monday mornings when [our son] Bo was a baby for storytime. I always bought a book every time. I wanted to support the local business. Bo still loves to visit the bookstore and play in the children’s section,” says Sharon. PERFECT SQUARE “The East Side is so much fun,” says Sharon. “We love to walk to the park, stop at my husband’s office on Wayland Avenue, freshen up Bo, and have dinner at Wayland Square.” ENDLESS SUMMER Even if you’re not along the coast, surround yourself with images of the seaside. Sharon has a picture in the shape of Rhode Island filled with pictures she had professionally taken at the beach in Narragansett.
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
Photos by by Image Ten Photography, courtesy of Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath
CURTAIN CALL Add personality to windows with custom shades and curtains. Sharon uses The Drapery House on nearby Mineral Spring Avenue: “I sat down with the owner and we worked together.”
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Life & Style Education
The Masters at Work
Local art educators showcase their own portfolios at Gallery Z By Robert Isenberg
ENJOY THE SUNSHINE IN OUR NEW SPACE!
Ben Weiss, Hillside Village, oil on canvas
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A Delicately Crafted Service That Heralds The Day’s Ending 50 Orchard Avenue, Providence 751-2141 • StMartinsProv.org 48
East Side Monthly • October 2019
Years ago, when Bérge Ara Zobian was an art student at Rhode Island College, he submitted a photograph to his professor, Larry Sykes. In class, Sykes examined Bérge’s print and complimented it. Then he tore it, violently, in front of the other students. Bérge was shocked. His eyes welled with tears. He’d spent three days developing that silver-gelatin image. He had tried 30 or 40 prints before perfecting his portrait. Now it was ruined. The reason: Bérge had cropped the photo paper with scissors, not a scalpel or paper cutter. The edges were noticeably uneven. Sykes wanted to teach him a lesson – not to take shortcuts, even at the end of a laborious process. Bérge never forgot, and he was ultimately grateful for that harsh lesson.
Today, Bérge is a respected pro photographer. He has owned Studio Gallery Z in Federal Hill for the past 18 years, representing more than 400 artists from all over the world. When he describes his incident with Sykes, Bérge is affectionate, even good-humored. He harbors great respect for his old mentor. Indeed, Sykes is one of a dozen fine art professors showing work at Gallery Z this month, in an exhibit called Works of RI Artist-Educators. “The idea came from staff members, sitting around a table,” says Bérge. “The theme is to showcase artists that have a foot in Rhode Island. These people are professors. It’s a group of people that are very independent, very hungry to create art. They’re waking
Artwork by Ben Weiss
OCTOBER 13 TH | 4:30PM
up at five in the morning to work on their portfolios.” Teaching is a common day-job for visual artists. The benefits are manifold: paychecks, networks, intellectual stimulation, and the satisfaction of grooming young talent. Yet students often wonder what kind of art their instructors make when they’re not in an academic setting. Works of RI Artist-Educators is a chance to showcase that extracurricular work, to demonstrate the depth and range of their own creations. As with Sykes, Bérge has a strong personal relationship with each of the artists showing at Gallery Z. The roster is diverse, as are their backgrounds: There’s Nilton Cárdenas, who grew up in Peru and paints colorful expressionist landscapes. There’s Bob Dilworth, who uses lively mixed media in his portraits, much of it exploring the African American experience. Bérge knows all their life stories, and he speaks glowingly of their careers; he notes that two of the featured artists are deceased, and for them, Works of RI Artist-Educators serves as a kind of retrospective. Curated by Julian Penrose, the exhibit features art instructors of all levels. Bérge himself will show at the exhibit, although he is bashful about this fact. After he earned his master’s degree from Rhode Island College in 1982, he briefly taught photography and instructional technology for the college. He has also judged art contests and presented lectures, and his colleagues felt that Bérge more than qualified as a “RI educator.” “I feel it’s a conflict,” says Bérge. “But they said, ‘You’ve taught. You’ve traveled. You should be in this exhibit.’” He finally relented and will show three of his own photographs. This is the first exhibit of its type at Gallery Z, and it’s hard to say whether there will be another. “We try not to repeat,” says Bérge matter-of-factly. “I cannot predict the future.” 259 Atwells Ave., GalleryZProv.com
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
FOOD & DRINK Restaurant and Food | Restaurant Guide | Calendar of Events
Flavor of the Month
Waffling Around
Owner Nikki Medeiros brings a new menu and indulgence to Weybosset By Lauren Vella
Photo courtesy of Waffle Providence
Sure, a pancake is great,
but there’s something about a waffle that takes flour, baking powder, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract to another level. Maybe it’s the texture: perfect, square craters that catch pools of syrup and melted butter and a bit of whipped cream. Or, maybe it’s the larger surface area, or their plain versatility that makes them so great. Whatever that elusive X-factor is, Waffle in downtown Providence certainly has it. The Liège-waffle eatery hasn’t been open for a long time, but over the course of it’s short street life, ownership has changed. In
January of this year, Nikki Medeiros took over with a plan in mind: expand the menu and make the waffles larger. Originally, the waffle joint wasn’t Nikki’s vision. The seasoned businesswoman was looking for more of a diner setup, but when a mutual friend shared the Waffle property on Facebook, she was immediately intrigued. With a passion for dessert and a hankering for starting a new project, Nikki took Waffle off of the previous owner’s hands. This Weybosset joint produces the culinary delights of dreams. Before you ask – yes, they
sell the old stand-bys like banana, strawberry, and nutella waffles. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll hit the chocolate jackpot. Try the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup waffle served with house-made chocolate ganache, Reese’s peanut butter sauce, peanut butter cup crumble, and peanut butter cup ice cream. However, the kicker on this menu is the Grilled Cheese Waffle. A creation worthy of Food Network Instagram envy, this waffle is served simply: a brioche base with a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese on top. 45 Weybosset Street, WaffleProvidence.com -Lauren Vella
East Side Monthly • October 2019 51
Food & Drink Food News
ALWAYS WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS A ROOT-CAUSE, HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTH
Open Late
KNEAD Doughnuts’ Night Window is a must-go By Lauren Vella
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
Think about the magic of a freshly fried dough-
themselves. That experience, coupled with a
nut: That hot, golden-brown, buttery, light dough, glazed with the luscious sweetness of hot sugar or a delicate vanilla coating. The image propels one to salivate profusely, then go on the hunt for the nearest doughnut shop. Now, imagine those glorious confectionary sensations just down the street, or a five-minute drive to KNEAD Doughnuts’ West End location on Cromwell Street. At the new “Night Cruller” window, the artisanal shop vows that customers will “never eat a cold donut again.” And honestly, that’s the most comforting thing we’ve ever heard. The idea came to Adam Lastrina and his business partners when they realized that their staff get to wake up each morning and sample bits and pieces of fresh-made doughnuts
window right next to their fryer at KNEAD’s West End location, propelled the owners to open their Night Cruller station. “[The doughnuts] highlight what we do best,” says Adam. “There’s nothing like it.” Maybe Adam’s words are a bit of an overgeneralization, but in a way, he’s right. There are very few culinary experiences that come close to sinking your teeth into hot, fried, glazed dough. The window on Cromwell focuses on simple menu items since they are made-to-order. There you’ll find doughnuts like chocolate cake, vanilla old-fashioned, and vanilla brioche. For more information about the Night Cruller window, check KNEAD’s Instagram account, as opening depends on seasonal weather! 55 Cromwell Street, KNEADDoughnuts.com.
Photo courtesy of Knead Doughnuts
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LADIES MEET UP SPOT Celebrate Oktoberfest the local way
Let’s Meet Here &
B Social
October holidays are designed for people to let loose. Halloween is our chance to dress up in costumes and eat tons of candy. Oktoberfest is the chance to vaguely celebrate German heritage and drink lots and lots of beer. (Responsibly, of course).
Photography by Robert Isenberg
Say “Ja!” to local brews For the past few months, Rhode Island breweries have busied themselves fermenting autumnal beers. Pumpkin spice is a favorite flavor, of course, but the famous Munich festival is a brewmaster’s chance to show off lagers and Marzens – the traditional Oktoberfest styles. To join in, East Siders now have a solid excuse to visit Beer on Earth, which made the move to Providence earlier this year, and sample their brand-new Oktoberfest brew. BeerOnEarth.com German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island Nothing beats an actual Oktoberfest celebration, complete with dirndls, polka, and Alpine caps. You can easily hop the border to Pawtucket and visit the German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island (GASCRI) for its annual festival. The club boasts an authentic Ratskeller, showcases German cuisine like Bratwurst and Leberkäse, and hosts an outdoor Biergarten. At GASCRI, you can listen to live music and dance to traditional folksongs; for Rhode Island, it doesn’t get more “authentisch” than this. September 28 & 29, GASCRI.org/Oktoberfest. -Robert Isenberg
Tuesday-Friday: Lunch: 11:30am to 2pm | Dinner: 5pm to 11pm Saturday & Sunday: Brunch: 10am to 2pm | Dinner: 5pm to 11pm
WATERPLACE COMPLEX
200 Exchange Street, Providence (River Walk Level) (401) 256-5686 | TheRiverSocial.com | Valet Parking Available
Have you heard the news?! Providence Picture Frame is moving!
Well, after 150 years I guess it was time for them to buy their own building.
Vintage Providence Picture Frame ad, circa 1900
27 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904 M-Sat. 8:30–6:30 401.421.6196 www.ProvidencePictureFrame.com East Side Monthly • October 2019 53
LOVE AT FIRST BITE
RESTAURANT GUIDE Key: B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+
F E AT U R E D R E S TA U R A N T
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Creative American Cuisine LUNCH Wed-Sun: 11am-3pm
DINNER Mon-Thurs: 4pm-10pm Fri-Sat: 4pm-11pm Sunday: 4pm-9pm
Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm
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@SpectrumIndia 54
East Side Monthly • October 2019
OPEN LATE
“PROVIDING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR MY CLIENTS”
PROVIDENCE AREA 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Fashionable prime steakhouse with award-winning sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$ Caserta Pizzeria Casual kid-friendly pizza spot offering traditional Italian crispcut pizza and calzones. 121 Spruce St, Providence, 621-3818. LD $-$$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 7519164. BrLD $$-$$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$ Character’s Cafe & Theatre Hybrid art space with all-day breakfast, coffee, and theater-inspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 490-9475. BL $ Don Jose Tequilas Restaurant Homestyle Mexican fare plus beer, wine, and cocktails in a colorful setting. 351 Atwells Ave, Providence, 454-8951. LD $-$$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Called the “Best Burger in America” by CNN. Over 50 craft beers. 121 N Main St, Providence, 2287437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336. LD $-$$ Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambience. Locations in Cranston and Providence, HarukiSushi. com. LD $-$$
PAT MILNER Now Part Of The Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Commonwealth Real Estate Family
PAT MILNER, REALTOR 461 Main Street, East Greenwich o. 886-6100, c. 401-225-2026 Pat.Milner@commonmoves.com
Stylish footwear for men and women plus clothing and accessories
Joe Marzelli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant High-end Italian restaurant serving up specialty dishes and drinks. 120 Atwells Ave, Providence. 751-5544. LD $$$ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating more than 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express Handmade Italian classics and prepared foods to go. 1457 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 455-0045. LD $$
272 Thayer Street Providence 831-0174 East Side Monthly • October 2019 55
We Make Sandwishes Come True Luxe Burger Bar Build Your Own Burger: You dream it, we build it! 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$
LET US CATER YOUR NEXT EVENT Monday-Friday 10AM-9PM Saturday 10AM-6PM
DINE-IN • TAKE OUT DELIVERY • CATERING 1253 North Main Street, Providence • 272-2590 • www.TheSandwichHut.com
Pizza J Fun, upbeat atmosphere with thin-crust pizza, pub fare, and gluten-free options. 967 Westminster St, Providence, 632-0555. LD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ The Shop on Westminster Authentic Middle Eastern favorites served for dinner. 1551 Westminster St., Providence, 273-0111 D$$-$$$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. $$-$$$
401.339.5621
401.864.8286
Sydney Providence Australian-inspired cafe and coffee shop featuring breakfast and light lunch options. 400 Exchange St, Providence, 648-4994. BL $-$$ The Salted Slate An agri-driven American restaurant with global influences. 186 Wayland Ave, Providence, 270-3737. BrLD $$-$$$ Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun, and Southwestern fare, cocktails, and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 7516777. LD $-$$
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fall is the new spring! LIST WITH THE #1 EAST SIDE REAL ESTATE TEAM *Ranking based in whole or in part on data supplied by the State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. The MLS does not guarantee and is not in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Based on information from Statewide Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for 2019 as of September 2019.
56
East Side Monthly • October 2019
Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra St, Cranston, 781-9693. LD $-$$$
SOUTH COUNTY Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$
RESTAURANT GUIDE Key: B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+
Champlin’s Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 783-3152. LD $-$$
EAST BAY / NEWPORT
Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$ George’s of Galilee Fresh-caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306. LD $-$$ Mariner Grille Seafood, steaks, and pasta in a fun setting, with live entertainment. 40 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 2843282. LD $$ Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza with exclusive ingredients imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$
torinrichards.com | 401.351.8744
Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere. 865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 789-8153. LD $-$$
Coast Guard House A new American menu with a seafood emphasis and extensive wine list, open seven days a week. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700. BrLD $$$ Colvitto’s Pizza & Bakery Pizza Calzones and baked goods made fresh daily. 91 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-8086. BrLD $
Vintage Jewelry Re-imagined
Before
After
Aviary Creative, locally sourced menu featuring rotating craft beers and from-scratch cocktails. 2229 GAR Highway, Swansea, MA, 508-379-6007. BrLD $$ Blount Market & Kitchen Traditional New England seafood summer favorites offered year-round for dine-in and takeout. 406 Water St, Warren, 245-1800. LD $$ Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating, and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$
A Community-Owned Grocery Store Welcoming All Shoppers 93 Cranston Street Providence UrbanGreens.com Open Daily 8am-8pm
Chomp Upscale comfort food featuring award-winning burgers and sandwiches. 440 Child St, Warren, 289-2324. D $$ East Bay Oyster Bar Local seafood meets innovative preparation in a rustic setting. 308 County Rd, Barrington, 247-0303. LD $$
Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$
Ichigo Ichie Traditional Japanese cuisine, creative sushi, and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East Providence, 435-5511. LD $-$$$
Sophie’s Brewhouse Espresso drinks and sandwiches with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. 699 S County Trail, Exeter, 295-4273. BL $$
KC’s Burger Bar Burgers, hot dogs, and sides enjoyed in a retro car-themed diner. 1379 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA. 508-557-1723. BLD $$
Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/ American bistro. 16 West Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$
Tav Vino Waterfront dining with an Italian and seafood focus. 267 Water St, Warren, 245-0231. D $$
The Cove Traditional bar and grill serving burgers, sandwiches, and classic New England seafood favorites. 3963 Old Post Rd, Charlestown, 364-9222. LD $$
The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA, 508-336-8460. LD $-$$$ East Side Monthly • October 2019 57
COATS f COFFEE 12TH ANNUAL
COAT DRIVE MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 THROUGH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
Donate a gently used coat to any Seven Stars Bakery or Courtesy Cleaners and receive a voucher for a
FREE cup of coffee
Accepting all coats but children's coats are particularly needed
SPONSORED BY
good at any Seven Stars location ADULTS & KIDS SIZES ACCEPTED
Donate on the first day of the drive for a
FREE pastry!
Coats will be donated to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Providence
MONTHLY
The Providence Marriott you know and love...REDESIGNED.
Providence Marriott Downtown One Orms Street | Providence, RI 02904 Schedule a tour today 401.553.0400 Follow our transformation: marriottprovidence.com 58
East Side Monthly • October 2019
CALENDAR music | performance | social happenings | galleries | sports
October
Photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo
10 Events you can’t miss this month
October 3–November 3: Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
1
6
October 3-November 3: Take a stroll through Rhody’s favorite pumpkin patch as it’s lined with thousands of masterfully carved, candlelit gourds during the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, RWPZoo.org
October 12-20: Get lost in Festival Ballet chatterBOXtheatre’s production of Hansel & Gretel, the famous German Grimm’s fairytale now told through dance. 825 Hope Street, FestivalBalletProvidence.org
2
7
October 5: Nothing says fall quite like blazing foliage, and nothing says Providence quite like our blazing river. While the weather may be brisk, WaterFire keeps things hot downtown, with a full lighting and artisanal market. Psst...don’t miss their famous FireBall fundraiser on October 18! Waterplace Park, WaterFire.org
October 19: The two ivy leagues go head-to-head as the Brown Bears face the Princeton Tigers during one of many Brown University football home games. 400 Elmgrove Avenue, BrownBears.com
3
8
4
9
October 5: Now in its eighth year, TEDx comes back to Providence, inviting talented speakers like author Jose Rosario and public art advocate Yarrow Thorne to address the central theme: Advance. One Avenue of the Arts, TEDxProvidence.com October 10: Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts brings Daedalus Quartet to Providence. The string quartet has performed in the world’s leading concert halls, and finally makes a stop at McVinney Auditorium. 43 Dave Gavitt Way, RICMC.org
5
October 11: Catch American singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne’s acoustic tour as it stops at PPAC. Providence Performing Arts Center, PPACRI.org
October 29-November 10: Discover a whole new world at PPAC through the Broadway production of Disney’s Arabian classic, Aladdin. Providence Performing Arts Center, PPACRI.org
October 30: It’s a grown-up Halloween party at Lippitt House with Marc Trachtenberg and The Ladies of Lounge, featuring happy hour concert, cash bar, and snacks. Lippitt House, PreserveRI.org
10
October 31: It’s all about the kiddos at this fun autumn bash, a Halloween Parade at Brown Street Park. Find pizza, crafts, games, brass band, and, of course, parade. Brown Street Park, FriendsOfBrownStreetPark.org
East Side Monthly • October 2019 59
Calendar
Charles Dickens’
MUSIC
Arena & Club | Classical COLUMBUS THEATRE October 2: Les Filles Des Illighadad, Kath Bloom, Museum Legs. October 5: Michael Ian Black. October 11: Vundabar, And The Kids, Boyscott. October 17: Rhett Miller (of Old 97’s). October 19: Mark Mulcahy. 270 Broadway, Providence. 621-9660, ColumbusTheatre.com
Don’t wait! Shows will sell out!
NOV. 7– DEC. 29
PRESENTED BY
PICTURED: JUDE SANDY
(401) 351-4242 TrinityRep.com 201 Washington St. Providence
discussion | instruction | tour
OTT with Living Light, Cosmal. October 18: Professor Caffeine & The Insecurities with Sun Of Sound, The Morgana Phase & Junro. October 24: Khary. October 26: Psyclon Nine with Striplicker, Justin Symbol and MisFit Toys. October 27: Fatlip & Slimkid3. 103 Dike Street, Providence. 383-1112, FeteMusic.com
HAMILTON HOUSE ADULT LEARNING EXCHANGE Ongoing: Early American Floor Cloth Workshop, Quilling, Theatre Reading, Poetry Workshop, Religious History of the United States, Yoga, Dance Exercise. 276 Angell Street, Providence. 831-1800, HistoricHamilton.com
THE MET October 4: Start Making Sense. October 5: Emo Night Brooklyn. October 6: The Return of The Probers. October 9: Melvin Seals & JGB featuring John Kadlecik. October 13: Brass Attack. October 19: The Founders. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, TheMetRI.com
LADD OBSERVATORY Open to the public on Tuesday evenings from 8-10pm, weather permitting. 210 Doyle Avenue. 863-2641, Brown.edu
PERFORMANCE comedy | theatre
SUPPORTING SPONSOR MEDIA SPONSORS SEASON SPONSORS
60
East Side Monthly • October 2019
LEARN
FETE MUSIC HALL October 6: Kung Fu Vampire. October 14:
THE STRAND October 19: H-Town & Shai with Jazzmyn Red, Nancia. October 20: Obituary Abbath with Devil Master, Midnight. October 30: Andy Grammer. 79 Washington Street, Providence. 331-5876, TheStrandRI.com
Tickets start at $27
THEATRE PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER September 29-October 5: Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville. October 10: Indigo Girls. October 11: Ray LaMontagne. October 19: Carol Burnett. October 29-November 10: Aladdin. 220 Weybosset St, Providence. 4212787, PPACRI.org
COMEDY CONNECTION October 4-6: Plastic Cup Boyz. October 11-12: Hari Kondabolu. October 2526: Bob Marley. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 438-8383, RIComedyConnection.com
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND PLANETARIUM Public Planetarium Shows on Saturdays and Sundays. Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 785-9457, ProvidenceRI.gov/ Museum PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY LIBRARY October 1: Life Long Learning Collaborative Class. October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Free English Classes, Census Job Information. October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Falun Dafa Group Study & Exercise, Italian Conversation with Alessandro. October 3, 5: Community Restorative Yoga. October 7: Conversations About Race. October 9: Book Chat, CareerDevs Code Night. October 15: Books and Movies of Faith. October 22-26: Big Fall Book Sale. Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence. 272-3780, ProvComLib.org FOR FOODIES BOTTLES
magazines?
N FOR HAVE A PASSIO
New wine expands bar the palate
e Look An Insid Loft at a Boho
ide East S MO NTH
LY
The Dish That Put Sydney on the Map
RISD MUSEUM Through December 1: Gorham Silver. July 19-November 3: David Hartt, Stray Light. July 24-November 29, 2020: Defying the Shadow. August 23-December 27, 2020: Raid the Icebox Now. September 27-April 19, 2020: The Art and Design of Spider Silk. 20 North Main Street, Providence. 454-6500, RISDMuseum.org
SPORTS PROVIDENCE BRUINS October 12: vs. ROC. October 13: vs. SPR. October 26: vs. LAV. October 27: vs. BEL. 1 La Salle Square, Providence. ProvidenceBruins.com
Doors Open RI Festival is Back
SCtaittuy es
MONTHLY
IN THE
SHOWMAN
City
• EastSideM JULY 2019
onthly.com
The complicated life of Buddy Cianci goes onstage at Trinity Rep
Plus:
y • Month Monthl East Side
AUGUST
New head vision for of tourism’s Providence 1
r’s markets, als to farme dence From festiv ening in Provi it’s all happ
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A Provid ence home with Egypt ian flair
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East Side Monthly
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2019 • EastSideMo
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20xx
SEPTEMBER 2019 • EastSideMonthly.com
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PRST STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Providence, RI Permit # 34
GALLERIES
EST 1975
EST 1975
East Side
er
FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND Tuesdays 3-6pm: Woonsocket YearRound Farmers Market. Fridays 11am1pm: Harvest Kitchen Cooking Demo. Saturdays 9am-1pm: Hope Street Farmers Market. Sundays 11am-3pm: Arcade Farmers Market. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. FarmFreshRI.org
East Si de
EST 1975
in Front a Pose Wall Strike Selfie of a New
PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Providence, RI Permit # 34
Thursdays 5-7pm: Spirit tasting. Fridays 4-7pm: Beer tasting. Saturdays 4-7pm: Wine tasting. 141 Pitman Street. 372-2030, BottlesFineWine.com
Apply For Our Internship Programs
Writing • Marketing Social Media Photography Graphic Design 102 Waterman Street, Providence, RI 02906
401.421.5160
Send résumé to
www.AllegraProvidence.com print@allegraprovidence.com
mail@providenceonline.com
The
Need a ride? A social outing? Help with a new tech gadget? Healthcare support & counseling? Help with home chores & maintenance?
Providence Village Join a community • Become a Member • Become a Volunteer • Reduced membership fee available
“
of mutual support for older adults.
Over the past few years, I’ve had to face a number of challenges… The Providence Village has been with me every step of the way… – Thomas
BROWN BEARS October 5: vs. Princeton University. Brown Stadium, 400 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence. BrownBears.com
”
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES • RIDES • HOME HELP • TECH SUPPORT • HEALTHCARE SUPPORT
Learn more and get involved: 401-441-5240
www.ProvidenceVillageRI.org
T H E PR O V I D E N C E V I L L AG E O F R I
IS A
501( C ) (3) N O N - P R O F I T O R GANIZATIO N East Side Monthly • October 2019 61
Business Spotlight
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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STAINLESS REFRIGERATORS
Find Exclusive Crockett & Jones Shoe Selection on the East Side
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
We Buy & Sell Quali
W
ith temperatures dropping and leaves turning, it means your wardrobe is ready for a change, too. Thankfully, Marc Allen Fine Clothiers has the staples you need to thrive in New England’s most colorful – and sometimes unpredictable – season. It all starts with the right shoe. Eighteen months ago, on a buying trip in Italy, the custom clothier was able to meet with English shoemakers Crockett & Jones. Since 1879, C&J has been producing some of the world’s finest footwear from their factory in Northampton, the shoemaking capital of England. To this day, the company is still owned and managed by the founding family, and just like Marc Allen, believes in quality and a timeless sense of style. Longtime fans, Marc Allen convinced the owners to make their shop one of the only spots in the United States to feature C&J shoes and boots. The C&J shoes sport various styles of rubber soles that are as useful in rainy New England as they are across the pond. They’re also stylish, and have been worn by members of the royal family, as well as current 007 Daniel Craig in recent movies. So, if you’re ready to give your shoes a seasonal update, or elevate your footwear to James Bond status, make an appointment at Marc Allen Fine Clothiers for this exclusive selection.
ty Furniture
881 Westminster Street, Providence | 861-6872 RJLGallery@gmail.com | ReliableJewelryAndLoan.com
Marc Allen Fine Clothiers 200 South Main Street, Providence 453-0025 • MarcAllenInc.com
Business Spotlight
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Reserve Your Tree Work Today
T.F. Morra Tree Care, Inc. Ornamental and Shade Tree Specialists • fine hand pruning • tree preservation • hazard tree removal • tree evaluation & diagnosis • tree planting consultation 331-8527 • tfmorra.com
I
BEAUTIFUL PRE-OWNED JEWELRY
f you have been stalling on making that phone call to have the trees in your yard assessed, don’t wait too long because the first available appointments for T.F. Morra Tree Care, Inc. are now in November. Business owner Tom Morra and the arborists at T.F. Morra are your professional tree experts. “A typical mature tree on the East Side is in more than one yard,” Tom explains. “You may be a new homeowner, or have new neighbors, and it’s important to be proactive and know who’s taking care of the trees on all sides.” Having healthy trees for a lush and thriving neighborhood is in everybody’s best interest. Typical fall services include fertilization, late season pest management, structural pruning, and winter storm preparation, such as installation of structural cables or even anti-transpirant treatment for evergreens. “Severe weather is a factor and seems like it’s here to stay,” Tom explains. To learn more about anything related to tree health and their pest mitigation program, visit their website at TFMorra.com for comprehensive information and an updated blog on seasonal topics. Now is the time to analyze the current situation of your trees and formulate a plan, but don’t wait on that call, because the remaining available slots are filling up.
Relax, We Have Your Yard Covered
T.F. Morra Tree Care, Inc. 331-8527 • TFMorra.com
CityEstateGardener.com • 401.935.2312
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Email Sue at SueH@RhodyBeat.com or call 401-732-3100 64
East Side Monthly • October 2019
Brier & Brier Insurance & Employee Benefits 469 Angell Street • Suite 2 • Providence • 02906 120 Lavan St. • Warwick • 02888 • 401-751-2990 cell 401-837-4475 • fax 401-633-6658 • www.brier-brier.com
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East Side Monthly • October 2019 65
EAST SIDER By Robert Isenberg
Builder of Dreams A few years ago, during the writer’s strike, Eugene Lee had some spare time, so he decided to write the story of his life. There’s a lot to tell: Eugene has designed sets for decades. He designed the original set for Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, and Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked – and won Tony Awards for each. If you’re not a Broadway fan, you’ll still recognize his work: Eugene designed Jimmy Fallon’s desk for The Tonight Show. He designed the set for Late Night with Seth Meyers. He’s served as production designer for Saturday Night Live since the show’s first season. When you watch the “Weekend Update” segment, everything you see – except for Michael Che and Colin Jost – was first drafted in Eugene’s head. Yet, Eugene doesn’t live in New York. He commutes regularly from his home in the East Side, where he lives with his wife Brooke. The
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East Side Monthly • October 2019
Lees live in a historic house previously owned by the Lippitt family. “Things work,” says Eugene, with characteristic understatement. “The dumbwaiters work. All the things you can’t do now because of fire laws. The Victorians knew how to build houses.” The Lees have lived on the East Side for 20 years. “I always say, you can’t leave the house without running into somebody,” Eugene quips. Together, the couple has left an indelible mark on Providence’s cultural life: Brooke works as an artist and is involved with WaterFire. Eugene has served as resident set designer for Trinity Repertory for half a century. This month on October 18, the Lees will be honored at the annual FireBall event, WaterFire’s biggest fundraiser and one of the great parties of the year. “It seems like my wife and I are getting some kind of award,” Eugene says. “I don’t think I deserve any awards. I just hope I can
help make some money for WaterFire.” He’s known for this kind of modesty: Eugene holds three honorary PhDs and was inducted into the New York Theatre Hall of Fame in 2006. For the moment, Eugene’s book is a 200page manuscript full of recollections, photos, and backstage anecdotes. A potential publisher ended up dropping the ball, but Eugene is still hopeful that an editor will take interest. He plans to print some proofs and distribute them to FireBall attendees. Beyond that, his schedule is full of TV and theater projects. Early next year, he will help with Trinity’s production of Sweeney Todd – the show he helped create on Broadway in 1979. How does he press on, at an age that most people have retired? Eugene chuckles, remembering some advice from director Harold Prince. “If you just keep working, you don’t have time to die.”
Photography by Mike Braca
At 80 years old, Eugene Lee looks back on a legendary career in set design
85 NAYATT ROAD BARRINGTON, RI | $4,975,000
543 WOONSOCKET HILL ROAD NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI | $995,900
521 SOUTH MAIN STREET #319 PROVIDENCE, RI | $449,900
101 NORTH MAIN STREET EAST SIDE OF PROVIDENCE, RI | Starting at $799,000
28 JOE SWEET ROAD GLOCESTER, RI | $429,900
LILA DELMAN REAL ESTATE OF PROVIDENCE 369 SOUTH MAIN STREET | 401.274.1644
174 DOYLE AVENUE #2 EAST SIDE OF PROV., RI | $249,500
330 Blackstone Avenue East Side of Providence $1,349,000 401.274.6740
Kettle Point East Providence From the High $400,000s 401.553.6389
See the Video Tour at 330Blackstone.com
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#1 in RI Homes Sold Four Consecutive Years *
25 Rhode Island Avenue East Side of Providence $769,000 401.274.6740
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401.245.9600 401.333.9333 401.885.8400 401.783.2474 401.274.6740 401.457.3400 800.886.1775
*This statement is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. The MLS does not guarantee and is not in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Based on information from Statewide Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for 1995-2018 as of January 2019.
365 Cole Avenue East Side of Providence $739,000 401.274.6740
156 Congdon Street East Side of Providence $685,900 401.274.6740
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10 Creston Way East Side of Providence $429,000 401.274.6740
103 Burlington Street East Side of Providence $495,000 401.274.6740