Neighborhood Walk: Historic Federal Hill ..................................................4 Seasonal Special: Tops Spots to View Fall Foliage ................................5 Book Review: The Hanging and Redemption of John Gordon .......7 At Home with Style: Finding Comfort in Your Upholstery .....................8 Wine: Corked Wine ........................................................................................9
Majestic Honda: 50 Year Award Recipient ...........................................10 Welcome to Real Estate Insight ................................................................12 Personal Style: Elegant Doesn't Have To Be Expensive ....................13 Locally Made: RISD Museum .....................................................................14 Rhode Island Cooks: La Maison de Coco ..............................................18 Health: The Outdoor Fitness Versatility of Little Rhody ....................21 In the Garden: A Road Less Graveled ...................................................24
Bob Black,Jennifer Leal, Andrew Grossman, Sally Lapides, Raina Smith, Marcel McVay, Tera Norberg, Jessica Granatiero, Lisa Newman Paratore, Lisa St.Denis, Candita Clayton, Laurel Mulhernin OCEANSTATE MAGAZINE •
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By Bob Black Each time I determine where my next Neighborhood Walk will take place, I look at a host of factors: time of year, local business hours, time of day I’ll be in the neighborhood, and the appeal of the area to the readers. Given the nature of the article, having nice weather makes for a more pleasant experience, at least on my end, but there has been one walk that I’ve eagerly awaited for some time now and I just couldn’t wait any longer. I set out mid-morning for Historic Federal Hill.
Federal Hill plays host to a stretch of road that is widely believed to be among the giants of the culinary world in America - Atwells Avenue. Cities like New York and Boston may have more restaurants per square mile but as I’ve learned - it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality.
I arrived at my destination about 20 minutes before it became over-run by the lunchtime crowd seeking sustenance to carry them through the day. Parking on Spruce Street just across from Pastiche Fine Desserts was a score, considering this street is typically jam- packed, and it
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quickly filled up by the time I was leaving.
Speaking of Pastiche- it was the first place I decided to visit, drawn in by the promise of delicious baked goods and a warm fireplace. Dessert before lunch may not make sense to some people, but I say, “why not?”. The Pastiche bakers are hard at work in the back-of-house producing stunning baked creations that have wowed locals for 30 years. All of my senses were on high alert; the aromas of coffee and pastries, the sights of colorful tarts and cakes, and the sounds of happy morning conversation all combined for a spectacular start to my day.
With a scrumptious wild blueberry muffin and a hot delicious coffee to warm me up, I headed out to meet the locals. Taking a left out the door brought me to DePasquale Plaza, the epicenter of activity for all of Federal Hill. The Plaza is adorned with colorful facades featuring many restaurants, and even a boutique hotel called Hotel Dolce Villa located next door to Cafe Dolce Vita. Passing through DePasquale Plaza, I turned right down Atwells Ave to con- See Federal
Hill, page 6
Tops Spots to View Fall Foliage By Tera Norberg
One of the great natural tourist attractions of Rhode Island is the Fall Foliage. For some Native Rhode Islanders Fall Foliage comes and goes without great fanfare. But for others, its arrival is anxiously awaited as it provides revenue and car loads of new and eager visitors ready to spend the day hiking, taking memorable photos, and enjoying all that is great about our state.
But when and where should one go to view this natural wonder? We have a few places in mind….. Rhode Island’s fall colors shine the brightest in mid to late October, however foliage can be seen from mid-September throughout November. The Northern and Western parts of the state are filled with wooded areas that provide a wide range of colors from gold to deep red and can be seen simply by driving parts of 295, 95, Route 1, and Route 1A. For those looking to actually get out of the car and become one with nature the following areas of Rhode Island are the best places for photo opportunities and picturesque views. The Blackstone Valley area near the Slater Mill in Pawtucket where you can take a
- See Foliage, page 17
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Federal Hill
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tinue on my journey. The vast majority of the storefronts on the main road are occupied by award-winning restaurants, bakeries, and delis, but you can also find the random music shop or eyewear store thrown in the mix.
I was sure to make my way from end to end, because I didn’t want to miss any detail. I arrived down by the arch entryway to “The Hill”, as it’s known, just before the Old Canteen. By this time the streets starting filling with the lunch crowd seeking to enjoy the local fare. My final destination was a few blocks back to the Plaza - Costantino’s Venda Ravioli.
Venda Ravioli is one of the most recognized and well-known businesses in the area, and for good reason. When you enter, you’re greeted by a massive square shaped deli that has different sections for getting just what you need. Prepared foods, top-notch deli meats, butcher counter, olive bar, and cheese shop all in one location. There’s also a café, which caters to the foodies looking to enjoy a meal inhouse. Did I mention the market area that offers imported Italian
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goods? It’s an assault on the senses in the most wonderful way possible. Stopping in to Venda is a must for any trip to Federal Hill. I was sure to leave with plenty of incredible food for our dinner tonight. While this wasn’t my first time to Federal Hill, and it most definitely isn’t my last, I’ll admit - really digging into what the area has to offer made this one of the best experiences I’ve ever had doing my Neighborhood Walks. The vibrant people, colorful and stylish storefronts, and many sights and sounds all combine to make Federal Hill one of Rhode Island’s best.
I was sure to make my way from end to end, because I didn’t want to miss any detail.
The Hanging & Redemption of John Gordon The True Story of Rhode Island’s Last Execution By Raina Smith
Paul F. Caranci is a third-generation resident of North Providence. Rhode Island’s rich and sometimes tragic history is what has captivated Paul most of his life. He is a true historian, and along with his wife Margie, founded the Municipal Heritage Group in 2009. He also on the board of directors of the Heritage Harbor Museum and the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. He is also no stranger to politics either, having served as Rhode Island’s deputy secretary of state since 2007. He was also elected to and served on the North Providence Town Council from 1994-2010.
Today, he is on a mega book tour promoting his latest body of work, and writing well-researched and interesting books on our local history, which have history buffs salivating for more! And more is coming... trust me. I can tell you from reading Caranci’s work, this book is gripping - because it’s real life and a part of our history! Everyone knows the Sprague mansion in Cranston, but not everyone is aware of the murder of Amasa Sprague in the 1800’s.
The Hanging & Redemption of John Gordon - The True Story of Rhode Island’s Last Execution is about Rhode Island’s last victim of capital punishment, John Gordon. Through diligent research and interviews with other local historians and experts, who inspired, supported and encouraged Caranci’s book, he brings to life the murder of Amasa Sprague, and the flawed system that held John Gordon accountable for his death.
It was back in 1843 when Amasa Sprague, a wealthy Yankee mill owner, was walking on a cold winter’s day to check on his cattle. It was then, when he was alone and vulnerable, he was attacked and bludgeoned to death and left facedown in the snow to die. According to Caranci, judicial bias, witness perjury, and societal bigotry led to the outrageous conviction of a twenty-nine-year-old IrishCatholic, John Gordon. Despite evidence that exonerated Gordon, Caranci says, Gordon was sentenced to hang. Through this book, Paul F. Caranci brings this story back to life, and places you at the scene of the crime as well as the legendary trial of John Gordon.
This book is incredibly well-told and a true page turner... however, one can’t truly let go of this book once they’ve finished it. The story will haunt you. It is truly a sad story that makes you consider whether or not this could ever happen again. It also makes you reflect on capital punishment in our society.
The Hanging & Redemption of John Gordon - The True Story of Rhode Island’s Last Execution is published by The History Press and is available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. For more information on author Paul F. Caranci, please check out his website at: www.paulcaranci.com.
REVIEW: The Hanging & Redemption of John Gordon - The True Story of Rhode Island’s Last Execution Author: Paul F. Caranci Forward by: Patrick T. Conley, Historian Laureate of Rhode Island How many times I laughed out loud: None How many times I cried: The whole real-life account is tragic and sad How many Ah-Ha moments: Several OCEANSTATE MAGAZINE •
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Finding Comfort in Your Upholstery By Lisa Newman Paratore
This morning I had a second meeting with lovely clients who are redecorating their family room. I presented them with a floor plan to scale and we all agreed on the ideal placement. The next step, of course, was to discuss furniture selection. I was reminded during that conversation of how vitally important it is to understand all the right steps to finding just the right sofa.
The sofa is the heart of the family room. It's where loved ones gather to watch a movie together. It's where couples sit with a glass of wine at the end of a long day to catch up with each other. It's the place for a quick cat-nap and sometimes even where an overnight guest might settle in for the night. As such, finding something that is comfortable is at least as important as finding something that is pleasing to the eye.
The challenge with this is that, unless you purchase the floor sample off of the showroom floor, the piece you sit upon in a furniture store is NOT necessarily going to feel the same as the piece that is actually delivered to your home. It will either come from a warehouse if it is a lower-priced piece or it will be made custom to order at the time it is chosen. The one you sit on in a store will likely not be covered in the same upholstery. The diference between sitting on a tapestry fabric, a velvet, a leather and a chintz is profound. They all have their own density and texture and this will in fact impact the way it "gives" when the weight of a human body comes into contact with it. Furthermore, there is really no way to know how many human bodies have sat on the cushion before you did and it, too, may be quite relaxed as a result.
What truly makes an upholstered seat comfortable is a combination of its interior dimensions and its cushioning.
When working with a client to find a seat that will be comfortable for them the first thing I do is ask a few questions. Do they have a piece of furniture now that they find particularly comfortable. Do they have any family members or regular visitors who are either particularly large or small in stature? Are there any issues that would require a firm back support? How many people typically will sit on the piece at one time? The answers to these questions, when coupled with the ideal and already determined dimensions from a floor plan, are the key to finding just the right piece.
What truly makes an upholstered seat comfortable is a combination of its interior dimensions and its cushioning. If you have a piece of furniture that you absolutely love for its comfort measure the height from the floor to the top of the seat and the depth from the front to the back of the seat. It is this combination that works to provide you with the right match for your body. Also, look at the arm height. Are you someone who likes to rest your arm on the chair's arm? If so, be sure to take that into consideration when looking at the aesthetics of potential new pieces. Something with a high and dramatic arm may appeal to your eyes but not to your comfort sensibilities. Also of note, no one piece will be comfortable to all people. If for example you have someone in your life who is rather short, consider adding a chair in the room that has a shallower seat depth to accomodate their comfort.
Back support, which can be a significant issue for some, should be addressed by the style of cushion. A "tight" seat and back cushion (meaning that you can not pick the cushion up off the piece) will give you much firmer support than a detached or semi-attached cushion. By contrast, if you are looking for a piece to sink into you will be quite dissatisfied with anything but the latter. The number of people who will typically sit on the piece is also important to consider. In the case of a sofa, there might be a bench (single) cushion, two cushions or three. Nobody wants to sit in the gutter. So if there will typically be two people sitting on the piece, consider either a single or two cushion style. If three will be the norm, a two cushion style will force the person in the middle to sit right in the gap where the cushions meet and is not the right option.
The good news is that the answers to the questions addressed here are pretty black and white. Once you have taken the time to do a quick inventory of your requirements you can look for the right pieces with the confidence of a well-informed shopper. Happy hunting!
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CORKEDWine
By Jessica Granatiero
Swirl, sniff, sip. Hmmm, something's off. Let's try again. Swirl, sniff, sip. Those were the steps I engaged in that made me realize my beautiful Italian wine was corked.
When a wine is corked it has distinct smells of dirty sneakers and wet cardboard. A corked wine is not from poor winemaking, dirty vineyards or bad storage. Getting a corked bottle, known as cork taint, is from the presence of a chemical compound TCA, trichloroanisole. TCA can affect a $7 or $200 wine, and when it does, it's unsavory. It's hard for many, even some in the industry, to know if a wine is corked. When it happens, many unknowingly often say, "That's a horrible wine," and never want to have it again.
The chemical details of how TCA happens may make you yawn. But basically components in cork, from cork trees, when in contact with certain chlorides react to produce TCA. We don't know it's happened until we taste, and just because one bottle is corked doesn't mean all are. The corked wine I had was from a case that didn't contain other corked bottles.
During holidays, our home is a gathering place where family and friends talk, laugh and enjoy food and wine. It's always fun sharing our favorites, and never when we share these do we want to open a corked bottle. But it happens. Can we prevent it? No. So for our holidays, I always ensure we have multiple bottles of a specific wine. You may want to too, to combat any unwelcome wine visitor during a dinner party or special occasion.
Majestic Honda was the recipient of the 40 year Award from the American Honda Motor Company. There are very few dealers that reach that milestone, and Honda was proud to bestow that honor on Majestic Honda. Starting in 1963, Majestic began with Honda Motorcycles. In 1973, Majestic was awarded the Honda Automobile franchise, and began selling the diminutive Honda 600 hatchback. The Honda 600 was only 84 inches long, about half the size of the current Honda Civic.
WARWICK, RI MANAGERS
It was quite a change, said Marc Charren, owner of the Majestic dealerships. Honda had decided that they wanted to be in the automobile business, and the S600 was their first car. It was tiny by today's standards, but at the time, it sold quite well.
Then, in 1973, Honda came out with the Civic. the timing was perfect, as the oil crisis was about to hit, and the civic got 36 miles to the gallon. Americans loved the little Honda, and before you knew it, there were month's long waiting lists for the Civic.
Powered by a 50-hp, 1.2-liter water-cooled fourcylinder, the two-door Civic became the instant darling of the EPA's new fuel-economy tests.
LINCOLN, RI MANAGERS
Majestic Honda honored for 40 years with American Honda Motor Company 10 • OCEANSTATE MAGAZINE
Gas mileage wasn't the only issue of the day. Meeting the so-called Muskie Law, which called for sharply lower exhaust emissions by 1975, was deemed an impossible task by most carmakers. Honda defied conventional wisdom by announcing that its new Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) engine could exceed the standard without a catalytic converter or unleaded fuel.
- See Majestic Award, continued on next page
Majestic Award
continued from previous page This approach used two separate intake tracts per cylinder. A dedicated carburetor throat and tiny intake valves fed small precombustion chambers a rich air/fuel mixture that was easy to ignite. After combustion began in the anteroom, the resulting flame front lit a substantially leaner main mixture in each cylinder.
ation of a second sales channel for its Acura models.
In 1986, three years before Nissan and Toyota followed suit with their Infiniti and Lexus brands, the Acura Integra and Legend gave faithful Honda customers an opportunity to spend more money while remaining true to the fold. Finishing at the top of J. D. Power's Customer Satisfaction Index from 1986 through 1989 was instrumental to Acura's success.
The sky is definitely not the limit for this brand.
Having extra air for combustion minimized the formation of unburned hydrocarbon, carbon-monoxide, and nitrous-oxide emissions. More significant, the Honda Civic CVCC topped the EPA's mileage charts from 1974 through 1977, with some ratings exceeding 40 mpg.
CVCC technology also benefited the Honda Accord, which arrived in 1976. During eight generations, Honda's mainstream model evolved from a $3995, 68-hp two-door compact riding on a 93.7-inch wheelbase into today's 271-hp four-door with a 110.2-inch wheelbase and a fully loaded price that tops $30,000.
From 1989 through 1991, the Accord was the best-selling car in America. Car and motorcycle sales gains, along with growing resentment over Japan's rising share of the U.S. market, prompted Honda to ponder a local manufacturing base. Operations began in 1979 with motorcycle assembly in Ohio.
Three years later, those facilities grew into a million-square-foot factory for building Accords and, later, Civics. Learning from VW's mistakes when it established a Pennsylvania operation to build Americanized Rabbits, Honda made sure that U.S.-made Accords were indistinguishable from those imported from Japan.
Further expansion, with new engine and transmission manufacturing plants, gave Honda sufficient capacity in Ohio to begin exporting U.S.built cars to other markets, including Japan. Honda's next courageous step up the prosperity ladder was the cre-
Having established solid foundations around the globe, Honda has spent the last two decades stretching its tentacles into new markets, traipsing boldly into realms ignored by most vehicle manufacturers, and keeping the competition honest.
Today, Honda is the world's largest engine producer, thanks to its broad range of lawn and garden tools and electric generators. Honda's land and sea power toys include ATVs, motorcycles, scooters, personal watercraft, and outboard motors.
The sky is definitely not the limit for this brand. A decade of development evolved a 1997 pencil sketch by Honda engineer Michimasa Fujino into a 480-mph, fivepassenger business jet. Honda's 2006 announcement that the $3.65 million HondaJet would be produced in the United States generated more than 100 customer deposits in three days.
Welcome to
Real Estate
INSIGHT By Sally Lapides
I don’t know what circles Mark Twain ran in but everywhere I go more people are talking about real estate than the weather. People ask me about the market all the time, Is now a good time to sell?, Can I buy a house with so-so credit?, Should I remodel the kitchen before I list it? That is one of the reasons why I started my radio show Real Estate Insight 10 years ago and today I am thrilled to also be joining the onlineri.com community as the local expert and continue this tradition.
Real estate has been my passion and livelihood for over 30 years, and I could not think of a better place to do my business than here in Rhode Island. I grew up in Barrington, got married and raised my children on the East Side of Providence, and have spent many glorious summers in Little Compton. There is something special about each and every community in our little State.
Everywhere I go more people
While the phrase ‘knowledge is power’ might sound cliché, it is the application of that knowledge in real estate that determines one’s success. Today’s buyers and sellers are certainly more educated and sophisticated thanks to technology, but they still need expert representation in order to make good investments. My goal in writing this column is to deliver concise and useful information that can help you realize your real estate goals. Hopefully I will be able to help you cut through the proliferation of information that is out there so you can make more informed decisions.
are talking about real estate
than the weather.
Just as the real estate industry is constantly evolving, this column will be a work in progress, I welcome your feedback and look forward to your questions and comments. Please visit our website for the latest Open House showings, newly listed Properties, and so much more.
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legant E
doesn’t have to be
EXPENSIVE
By Laurel Mulhernin
Hello! And welcome to my brand new wedding column partnering Laurel M. Photography! I'm so excited to be a part of this amazing online magazine and work with the fun, funky, fresh and incredible contributors. I've been a local RI Photographer for the past 6 years and love what I do. And now being able to share some tips, and tricks in the this column is definitely a new adventure and pleasure!
This column is all about, what I think, the most important aspect of a wedding is - and that's YOU. Being able to infuse yourself into your wedding in a simple and elegant way that doesn't have to be expensive. As we all know there are a million and one ideas on sites like http://www.greenweddingshoes.com/ or the all time consuming Pinterest. But before you go and get yourself lost in an internet chock full of ideas (eek!) - do this instead: Step 1: Take a piece of paper. Yup - no phones, no computers, no iPads. Write down 5 to 10 items that scream YOU (and your partner, of course).
- See Elegant, continued page 26
Infuse yourself into your wedding OCEANSTATE MAGAZINE •
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LOCALLY MADE RISD Museum July 12 – November 3 By Marcel McVay
Anyone who lives in or around Providence and creates things is no stranger to the wealth of raw and energetic creators that call this place home, studio, squat or any combination of those. It seems also there is a common frustration: a lacuna of space to present much of this work for dialogue to a broader public.
Whatever our place in the so-called Creative Capital's puzzle, it is no surprise to us, that RISD Museum's Locally Made represents work by 300 Providence area artists: most of whom are eager to disrupt the whole institution's vacuum. It is a celebratory permeation of the membrane that so often keeps separate the institutions of art, and the passionate many who live it. The show's organism generates exchange between two vital systems: identifiably traditional presentations of wall-based work, sculpture and video (the 'feels like a museum' space), and (here is where RISD Museum proves its youthful ingenuity) a modular, transforming performance space: part theatre, part museum, part school and part community center.
NOT WITHOUT FOUNDATION: Corollaries The Upper Farago Gallery presents a hefty selection of work in a plethora of voices, recently acquired by the museum. As a survey of much of the area's visual development, the gallery has moments of a cohesive and contemporary Providence-school opticaesthetic, if I may call it that. Cornered near the gallery's entrance are two works: Ara Peterson's black and white, radial, wooden, Op art-y interference pattern, Forced Spiral 3 (2012) and Anne Spalter's kaleidoscopic and similarly dense, oversensory and fragmented landscape-video, Factory (2011). Colorful Providence anchors, Andrew Moon Bain, Pippi Zornoza, Brian Chippendale and Jungil Hong hang together in a mini-salon hang, in close proximity to Allison Bianco's Sinking of Matunuck, together forming a dominant set of visuals that grew and continue to grow here: psychedelic, information-rich, raw but altered landscape ripe with vibrant and graphically flattened dimensionality.
In the Spalter New Media gallery one will find a video arrangement curated by DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum's Dina Deitch. The display comes in three thematic parts: Language displays Tony Cokes' seething, text-based, video critiques Evil.16.Torture Music, detailing the Disco Inferno of “torture lite,” music-based sound bombardment used in US detainment facilities such as Guantanamo Bay to sonically disassemble the minds of detainees, and Evil.48: fn.kno.it.alls, a running commentary on (mostly male) US policy makers' bilious and ignorant statements regarding and controlling women's bodies.
Across from this powerful work hangs a monitor looping three documentary videos addressing issues and fluid qualities of Water: Chris Taylor's Small Craft Advisory, a documentation of Taylor tediously blowing glass, rocking and balancing his tools on a barely stable rowing boat; Ed Osborn's slow, panning record of waning Arctic glaciers in Albedo Prospect; and Magaly Ponce's explo- See Locally Made, next page
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(Clockwise from top) Ara Peterson, Forced Spiral 3 and Anne Morgan Spalter, Factory. Andrew Moon Baine, Mineral Water Song; Pippi Zornoza, Eagle Heart and Wildcat; Brian Chippendale, Providence 2046; Jungil Hong, Ki Yosei. Lynne Harlow, Shake Some Action, 2006, and Nicole Chesney, Bide (2007). Allison Bianco, The Sinking of Matunuck, 2012. Dean Snyder, Daphne’s Pendant, 2008. Candy and metal-flake auto paint over carbon fiber/epoxy composite. Jessica Deane Rosner, Election Gloves, 2011-13. Rubber gloves, ink, embroider, framed fabric flag, and wooden shelf. Museum Educator and One Room organizer Hollis Mickey introduces One Room, School House Long House, and J.R. Uretsky’s Bromance performance to an eager audience on Locally Made’s opening night. Captivated onlookers watch J.R. Uretsky’s video component of Bromance. J.R. Uretsky attempts to fit her puppet-costume into an inanimate plush puzzle piece in front of her video performance in Bromance.
Locally Made
continued from previous page
ration of “politics and ingenuity behind water collection in Cape Verde.”
Between these facing displays is a bench where one can sit and view the projected centerpiece, a sort of contradictory video triplet using video's immateriality to directly address Material: Xander Marro's Pattern of Ritual exploits the revernt materiality of film and Spell Casting Mishaps Volume 1 a highly patterned, stop motion collage, highlighting video's physical impressionism; Megan And Murry McMillan's
While She Waits for the Light and What We Loved and Forgot unveil the materiality behind video production in eerily silent pans; J.R. Uretsky deepens this self-aware expression with Aggressive Love: The McMillan Family, exploring their house in flagrantly textiled, chaotic puppetry, awkwardly leaving behind assembled relics.
BREAKING FROM TRADITION: Operations These gallery presentations, Deitch's video selection especially, act to situate and establish Providence and its artists in the expected lexicon of display. But it is in the programming behind what
organizers call One Room, that creates a gravid substrate to fill the lacuna, to make permeable the institutional membrane we've established, and feed back (feedback) into established tradition. Organizers and Museum Educators Deb Clemens and Hollis Mickey are responsible for the inventive platform's inception. With the goal of activating community, the duo defined a program that could extract, present and sustain the process of making. As Clemens and Mickey developed an adaptive programming structure, Providence/Philadel- See Locally
Made, page 19
OCEANSTATE MAGAZINE •
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Foliage
continued from page 7
river tour with the Blackstone Valley Explorer and view foliage that might not otherwise be seen.
ROGER WILLIAMS PARK AND ZOO offers rolling hills and tree lined water ways filled with quiet places to picnic, paths to run or walk along, and natural wildlife preparing for the coming winter months. You may also enjoy a ride on the carousel or a trip to the Zoo during your afternoon at the park.
COLT STATE PARK in the southern portion of the state, Bristol, RI, provides views of Narragansett Bay with pops of fall color all around you. Like at Roger Williams, Colt State Park offers picnic areas as well as walking and running paths through out.
OCEAN DRIVE IN NEWPORT with fall colors as the back drop to Rhode Island’s Historic Mansions you may feel as if you were in an old Hollywood film. The lush grounds of most of the mansions may be enjoyed free of charge.
BEAVERTAIL PARK IN JAMESTOWN, RI offers a trip back in time with its Historic Light Houses and rocky cliffs. Many ships and seamen looked forward to docking in this area of New England because of the history and serenity that Beavertail provides not only in the Fall, but year round.
SCITUATE, RI offers winding country roads through heavily wooded areas sprinkled with great markets and shops to stop at along the way. Columbus Day Weekend is by far the best time to visit this area as the Scituate Art Festival rolls out every year filling the town square with local artisans, crafts, and endless varieties of fall themed foods like Kettle Corn, Cider, and all things pumpkin.
Finally, one of the best places to enjoy fall Foliage is right in the heart of Providence. BENEFIT STREET, ON PROVIDENCE’S EAST SIDE, boasts an entire neighborhood flanked by canopies of leafy trees as well as beautiful architecture to go along with them. Enjoy views of the State House as well as the city skyline. A short walk up college hill to Prospect Park or down the hill to the Providence River Walkway will round out your viewing pleasure.
Rhode Island’s fall colors shine the brightest in mid to late October.
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la maison de COCO
A Delicious Indulgence:
By Jennifer Leal
This past week, I had the tasty pleasure of being introduced to ‘La Maison de COCO’ in Newport, Rhode Island. I was not aware of this gem and now cannot get it off my mind.
I first ordered an iced coffee, which they informed me, would arrive very frothy as they whip the iced coffee prior to serving. While they were creating my caffeinated concoction, I glared at the scones and decided on the cranberry, coriander and white chocolate offering. My past dealings with scones are that they are very dry however; this one was the perfect balance of biscuit with a touch of moisture and well balanced flavors.
I then sampled some of their tea-infused truffles and have been inspired to continue to try unique flavor blends and even play around with chocolate and tea in my own kitchen. The truffles are sold by the piece and in gift boxes (2 piece, 6 piece and 10 piece). While you are there, you can also choose from a tantalizing selection of biscotti, french style cookies, tarts and tartlets, teas, and crepes. If I have not enticed you enough, here is a quote from their website that will be sure to inspire you to visit:
'We specialize in tea-infused truffles and French-inspired desserts. All our recipes rely on the finest organic flour and sugar, fresh butter and organic eggs from a local, Rhode Island farm. The cream we use for fillings comes from a local, Rhode Island farm where practicing sustainable farming is a priority. Shunning growth hormones, they also nurture their cows in a pesticidefree environment.'
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The perfect balance of biscuit with a touch of moisture and well balanced flavors.
Locally Made
continued from page 15
phia/Juneau based Strange Attractor Theatre Company conceived of the spacial architecture: a metaphorical alloy of the traditional learning space in a New England school house with the community-centric, Native American long house. The result, a transforming cabin-construction (it actually unfolds, like the Hasbro toy—another local reference) combines these spaces of community gathering and educational discourse with the arrangement of a theater, contracting the proscenium and inviting the “audience” into the dialogue.
ing specific selection to lie outside of the institution. The result, so far, is very refreshing—art institutions take note. At the time of writing, the show has been open for less than a week and already I've visited the Museum as often as I have in the past six months.
stress this: that is indeed a small bit in a cornucopia of credit owed to a much larger conglomerate of artists, musicians, performers and aesthetes that have pollinated and fertilized this visionary atmosphere. And so the real thanks goes to, and actually lies within the Museum Educators' choice to alter our perception of the museum's white space, to tear it open and hand it off with trust and confidence to hundreds of artists that will perform their practices with Pollockian spontaneity, in commune with and against the grain of institutional tradition.
The result, so far, is very refreshingart institutions take note.
Again, walls are collapsed—in this case the fourth—and the programming follows suit. With a surge of ambition for daily events and the realization that they couldn't reach to the depths of the community themselves, Clemens and Mickey presented the five arms of their dextrous programming (Assembly, Spotlight, The Artist's Lab, Demo & Discourse, and Office Hours) to a bellyful of local organizers and curators with specialized networks, allow-
Just in the past few days: J.R. Uretsky with video performance queering masculine identity, Office Hours with Strange Attractor on contemporary theatre design, Demo and Discourse with local celeb Meredith Stern, and every day this week DJs spin at noon in Micah Salkind's The Re-sounding City. It is a social space of sharing, not only presenting works and processes locally made, but bringing those of us working here closer together and creating a reflexive, both external and lived cohesion amongst local cultural producers.
So, in response the the Pheonix's recent request for a bit of credit... a reactionary “Yes, thank you for that spark.” But let's
Follow the surge of acticity: @risdmuseum #RISDmuseum #oneroommuseum
For a full schedule of Locally Made's One Room programming, check out the calendar.
Or just visit the museum's Lower Farago Gallery and press the red button for a daily schedule printout! More information on Locally Made can be found at risdmuseum.org
All photos: Marcel McVay
The Outdoor Fitness Versatility of Little Rhody By Lisa St. Denis
In 2000, I moved here from northern Connecticut to start my undergraduate studies at Providence College. I have to admit, it was a big change for me. I went from being able to ride my bike for miles without seeing a car, to crowded streets and the "big" city of Providence. Other than playing soccer and other outdoor sports, I quickly adapted to the world of gym workouts, which were pretty foreign to me as an 18 year old athlete. I had always been trained on a field or court, and spent the rest of my time climbing things and riding my bike. It took me a while to realize what Little Rhody had to offer in the world of outdoor fitness, but now I am a bigger fan than ever.
As far as New England goes, you are not going to get much more than Rhode Island has in terms of outdoor versatility. We have the city and all of the parks that go with it, the beaches, the hills and fields of northern RI, and lets not forget the trails of all over. Called the Ocean State, and what is more fun than water! Like I said, it took me a while to find all of these little gems, but now that I have, I would love to share them with you. It is the perfect time to get outside and really appreciate these places, and get a workout of course! HERE ARE MY TOP 10 RHODE ISLAND OUTDOOR FITNESS PLACES:
10 Cumberland Monastery, Cumberland, RI
Located right on 114 in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, this is one of the best places to go for jogging and walking trails. It is pristine, well maintained, and absolutely gorgeous. Bring a picnic, go for a jog, and enjoy this little hidden secret. 9 Citizens Plaza, Providence, RI
It may seem silly, but as a fitness professional, any place with a great set of stairs and a view of the city, is perfect in my eyes. Climb those stairs and adore the beautiful and historic buildings of Downtown Providence. Steps can be used for PushUps, Dips, Step Ups, Box Jumps, and Lateral Movements. Be creative, and you could have a heart pumping workout right in the heart of our historic city. 8 Watch Hill, Westerly, RI
Ok, we all know there could be 50 beaches on this list, but I thought I would pick one. Watch Hill is my favorite beach in RI because it is small, quaint, and has a lot to offer. Whether you walk on the beach, run, swim, or play volleyball, you are guaranteed to get a great and fun workout. 7 Burlingame State Park, Charlestown, RI
Westerly, RI
Simple park fun. Trails, open fields, and playgrounds make this one of - See Top
Ten Places, page 22
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It took me a while to realize what Little Rhody had to offer in the world of outdoor fitness, but now I am a bigger fan than ever.
Lincoln Woods State Park Lincoln, RI
Top Ten Places
continued from page 21
the best RI parks to play and workout in.
6 Brown University Stadium, Providence, RI
The Brown Stadium steps can make for a super efficient workout. Walk up, Run the steps, or run the bleachers if you really want to challenge yourself. 5 The East Bay and Blackstone Valley Bike Path
Since I moved to RI in 2000, Rhode Island has made some major upgrades to its bike trails. The East Bay Bike Trail was the first to get constructed and get a face lift. It goes right along the water from East Providence all the way to Colt State Park in Bristol. Riding a bike for 14.5 miles (one way) along the water? How could anyone complain about that. The Blackstone Valley Bike Trail came next, and it has its own things to offer. Located right on the Blackstone River and spanning from Pawtucket to Woonsocket, it has some of the best views of the true history of Little Rhody. If you love these stunning mill buildings the way I do, you should definitely make it a priority to check it out.
4 Big River, West Greenwich, RI
Trail Heaven! Big River is home to some of the most beautiful trails in Rhode Island. If you love to hike, check it out. If you mountain bike, check it out. If you trail run, check it out. If you love beautiful places, check it out.
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3 The Hills of Downtown Providence and the East Side
If you have ever run the Star/Jenkes hill, you know what I am talking about. Walking or running these hills that connect Downtown with the East Side of Providence makes for one of the best workouts around. 2 Brown Street Park, Providence, RI
After Brown Street Park got renovated a few years ago, it has turned into one of the places to go for an outdoor workout. Located right behind the Hope High School Track, it has tires, logs, rings, climbing ropes, balance beams, and pull-up bars. There is nothing you cannot do there, and you can even bring your kids to play!
1 Lincoln Woods State Park,
Lincoln, RI
Lincoln Woods is definitely #1 in my book for outdoor fitness in RI. Horseback riding, running, biking, climbing, and swimming. It does not get much better than that. Bring your road bike for the 5 mile loop, or your mountain bike for the trails. There are several outdoor climbing areas for bouldering, and a beach/swimming area as well. If you haven't been to Lincoln Woods yet, go and find out why I ranked it #1! Check out our website for fun outdoor workout ideas! www.PEfitnessstudio.com or our FACEBOOK Page!
No one ever
complains that
their patio is too big.
24
By Andrew Grossman Recently I was contacted by a home owner, who had decided that it was finally time to renovate his family's back yard. He mentioned that the parcel of land was quite small. Nevertheless, when I arrived for our initial consultation, I was more than a little surprised to find nothing but a rotted timber wall and a chain link fence framing a narrow piece of land completely covered by driveway gravel. Even more surprising was the fact that this sadly neglected piece of property had a spectacular view of the the bay. During out initial meeting the client and his wife explained that they needed a place to socialize and wanted to break the sloped piece of property into three or four different levels. It took a bit of negotiating, but I finally convinced them that the space was too small to accommodate more than one main level. Once we were in agreement, I measured out the property and returned to my drafting table. After playing with a number of different options, I decided that a circular patio would compliment the view of the bay and make the best use of the narrow space.
Initially I was a bit torn as to the size of patio. Ideally I would have left a bit more room for plantings, but the client wanted as much space as possible for socializing. I often remark that no one ever complains that their patio is too big. Heeding my own advice, I finally decided on a twenty-seven foot diameter circle. Both the patio and retaining walls were constructed out of prefabricated cement products. I'll admit that I wasn't a big fan of faux stone walls and pavers when they first appeared on the market. Recent improvements, however, have resulted • OCEANSTATE MAGAZINE
- See Road, next page
Road
continued from previous page
in some pleasing options. Cement products are also much less expensive and easier to install than natural stone. Certainly this wall and walkway is a vast improvement over the original gravel and timber construction. Since the client wanted predominantly summer color, I planted the beds with a mixture of some easily grown favorites; potentilla, grasses, daylilies, nepeta and fairy roses all of which should fill in nicely by the end of the summer.
Since 1993 Andrew Grossman has been creating landscapes that reflect his clients’ individual tastes and personal lifestyles. His projects combine imaginative structural solutions with a sophisticated horticultural sensibility. To learn more about Andrew please visit: www.andrewgrossman.com OCEANSTATE MAGAZINE •
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Elegant
continued from page 13
Whether it's, white lights, tree branches, vintage patterns, specific colors, old bottles, antique china, or maybe you're an animal lover. Step 2: Now take these items and create your day! Creating that "vintage" or "antique" chic look is only a Salvation Army, Yard Sale and Dollar Store away.
Buy mason jars, old bottles, and a few fresh flowers for the perfect center piece or table scape. Fill some of the jars with tea lights and you will get an amazingly chic look for a fraction of the price. I've seen this principle applied to many different weddings, whether it's a vintage theme or a nautical theme (go to Michael's and you can buy a bag of star fish for $10 and add some freshly picked of the RI Beach shells for $0. It's easy, timeless and inexpensive. Not to mention a great conversation piece for guests who may not all know one another.
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Whatever your passion may be, infuse it into your day. Because remember, whether you're having a wedding of 30 or 300 - this day really is about your happiness. And realizing you can do it without spending an arm and leg, well, that's just a bonus.
OCEANSTATE MAGAZINE • October 2013 •
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