Providence Monthly May 2022

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May 26 – June 4 Architecture Ceramics Digital + Media Furniture Design Glass Global Arts and Cultures Graphic Design Industrial Design Interior Architecture Jewelry + Metalsmithing

Landscape Architecture Nature-Culture-Sustainability Studies Painting Photography Printmaking Sculpture Teaching and Learning in Art and Design Textiles

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IN THIS ISSUE

Providence Monthly May 2022

31

ALL-AGES FUN Photo courtesy of Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council

FOOD & DRINK

9 Cemetery programming invites the community to get involved with cleanups, tours, and more

61 Healthy bowls and career programming come to East Providence

12 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: Montañez named permanent school superintendent in Providence 14 OP-ED: Home rule charter needs an old rule back – residency

56

16 The pen pal program that brought together a third-grade writer and an East Side Rotarian 18 Leftist lending library and organizing space in Mount Hope

LIFE & STYLE 47 HOME: A Dutch Colonial is treated to a first-level makeover

20 RHODY GEM: A cobbler sets up shop on Mathewson Street

56 INFLUENCER: How trial and error in a small yard led to a lifelong love of gardening

22 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Hyper local news and contact listings

58 BEAUTY: The joy of discovering an EP salon specializing in curly hair

62 EXPERIENCE: Farm-to-table fare on Westminster

74

64 IN THE KITCHEN: A long-time chef gives old-school Italian a contemporary twist

ART & CULTURE

68 FOOD NEWS: A pizza truck hits the road, sandwich spot on Fed Hill & refreshed dining in Downcity

64

71 The designer behind Stock’s line of RI harvest tea towels

Photo courtesy of Maria’s Cucina

Photo courtesy of Joe Afonso

NEWS & CITY LIFE

On The Cover: River adventures await! Photo courtesy by Kia Davis of the Downtown Providence Parks Network.

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Photo courtesy of New Urban Arts

A field guide to exploring some lesser known activities around Providence

72 Wheeler students rock airwaves with cutting edge classics 74 Community studio for students and emerging artists celebrates milestone 78 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s 80 PIC OF PVD

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NEWS & CITY LIFE

P r e s e r va t i o n | E d u c a t i o n | O p - E d | P e n P a l s | L i b ra r y | R h o d y G e m | N e i g h b o r h o o d N e w s

Newman Cemetery in East Providence

History Engraved A preservation commission continues two months of cemetery programming in Providence and beyond “Cemeteries are among Rhode Island’s most unique and often overlooked cultural resources,” says Sarah Zurier, the principal historic preservation specialist at the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC).

“Nearly 3,000 sites have been identified in our small state,” she continues, “including Indigenous Peoples’ burial places, family plots on rural farmsteads, church graveyards, picturesque garden cemeteries, cemeteries established by religious communities, veterans’ resting places, and more.”

This month, those interested in learning more about preserving these crucial markers of culture can get involved in the work firsthand through Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Awareness and Preservation Weeks, an ongoing series of outdoor programming provided through a collaboration between RIHPHC and the Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries (RIACHC).

Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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P r e se r v at i o n | By Katarina Dulude

North Burial Ground is a new addition to Cemetery Weeks programming this year

The annual initiative began as a single day in 2016 with an event set up to thank a volunteer cemetery cleanup crew in East Greenwich, according to RIACHC chair Pegee Malcolm. But as more cities and towns wanted to get involved, the program expanded to a month, April, and then two months to include May, as well.

This year, events take place in every city and town throughout the state and include free outdoor public programs, historic tours,

environment will be highlighted with a tour on May 21. Families can also visit this historic Mount Hope cemetery for immersive activities, like an ongoing photo contest and Headstone Bingo, encouraging visitors to go for a walk around the cemetery to find different headstone iconography.

Other Providence programming includes a free exhibit, Memoria: Care Work and Memory in the Free Burial Ground, at John Nicholas

other restorations and events spanning neighborhoods across the city and state.

“While many are familiar with historic cemeteries like Providence’s Swan Point and Westerly’s River Bend, there are hundreds of early burying grounds and farm families’ burial lots off the beaten path,” shares Zurier. “Many of these sites are endangered by development, overgrowth, and neglect.”

“Historic cemeteries tell the stories of indi-

volunteer cleanups, conservation demonstrations, and talks.

Though programming began in April, there’s still plenty of time to get involved this month. A new site added to the series this year, North Burial Ground’s natural

Brown Center for Public Humanities & Cultural Heritage; a gravestone cleaning demonstration at Grace Church Cemetery; a tour of Oak Grove Cemetery in Pawtucket featuring methods for finding unmarked graves; a cleanup at Newman Cemetery in East Providence; and

viduals and families,” says Zurier, “of landscape design, grave marker artistry and technology, religious beliefs, traditional cultural practices, and community development.”

For a full list of events and programming, visit Preservation.ri.gov/RICW

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Photo by Annalisa Heppner, courtesy of Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission

NEWS & CITY LIFE

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NEWS & CITY LIFE

Educa t i o n | In Partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org

Montañez Named Permanent School Superintendent in Providence The acting school superintendent in Providence, Javier Montañez, has been named as the permanent superintendent.

By Ian Donnis

Photo courtesy of Providence Public School Department

“Dr. Montañez has risen to the occasion as acting superintendent, and we’re grateful he has taken on this new role,” state Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said in a statement.

Infante-Green continued: “Dr. Montañez has provided the stability Providence needs and brings to the position a deep passion for serving the community. I have heard from educators, administrators, and - most importantly - students and families, all of whom have asked for Dr. Montañez to continue leading the district.”

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Montañez said he’s honored by his selection and committed to improving schools in the capital city.

The 2019 state takeover in Providence three years ago ran into the headwinds of the pandemic, complicating efforts to improve the city’s schools.

A series of school superintendents have cycled through Rhode Island’s capital city over the last quarter-century, as the state continues to wrestle with the goal of improving under-performing public schools in many communities.

After overcoming homelessness as a youth, Montañez went on to attain two advanced degrees, a master’s in education from Rhode Island College and a doctorate in educational leadership from Johnson & Wales University. He previously led a dual language program credited with improving students’ performance.

Montañez has worked in the district for 25 years and was named interim superintendent in the summer of 2021.

Prior to the announcement by state officials, some community members criticized

Montañez became acting superintendent last summer

what they called Infante-Green’s overly opaque process on the selection of a permanent superintendent in Providence.

“I will just assume that she will be extending Dr. Montañez’s contract,” state Rep. David Morales (D-Providence) said in a tweet. “If that’s the case, then that’s fine given the positive work he’s been doing at PPSD – however – transparency and communication prior to an important decision like this goes a long way.”

Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org

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NEWS & CITY LIFE

O p-Ed | By Barry Fain and Steve Triedman

OP-ED: Providence Home Rule Charter Needs an Old Rule Back Every 10 years, by statute, the City of Providence is required to review its city charter, a process that is presently underway in the City Council. Any agreed upon changes would then be placed on the ballot for voter approval this November. To our mind, it is long overdue to consider re-implementing the old Providence residency requirement for city employment with the goal of both saving money for the taxpayers and, more importantly, improving the functioning of our city.

The debate over residency requirements is almost as old as America. “Every matter, and thing, that relates to the city ought to be transacted therein and the persons to whose care they are committed [should be] Residents,” wrote George Washington in 1796. The dollars and complexity involved, of course, are now staggering, but nonetheless just as important.

Back in the years when Providence enforced residency requirements, city garbage trucks did double duty as snow plows. And whenever it snowed, Ward 1 (Fox Point) was always plowed first and best. It wasn’t because they started with Ward 1, followed by Ward 2, Ward 3, etc. It was because the drivers lived there, or more likely their mothers and grandmothers lived there!

Every neighborhood had laborers, police officers, firefighters, and schoolteachers who were integral active parts of their communities. Many were approachable and you actually knew their names and where they worked; they became mentors and role models.

Today, the City of Providence spends $565,000,000 on salaries and benefits, yet over 64 percent of all workers live outside of the city and 80 percent of the critical constituencies – police, firefighters, and teachers – live elsewhere!

Which city workers do live here? Recreation department employees, crossing guards, substitute teachers, and paid members of various city boards who earn less than $25,000 annually, more than half of the labor union members, and the school clerical workers.

Potentially, a large portion of the $361 million that now leaves the city would be spent in Providence, not to mention the

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

huge added fuel savings from city workers who drive home to MA and CT. It has long been held that if people who work for the city live here, they’re vested.

They understand the people and their needs because they are neighbors. Opponents say residency rules limit the pool of qualified candidates for certain positions – a number that we don’t believe could exceed 5 percent.

If you are a Providence employee, you should believe in the city, and the whole purpose of residency requirements is to give public employees a real stake in the city.

Adding incentives might be a good way to jumpstart residency.

The Home Rule Charter of 1981 required all city employees to live in Providence.

This was even upheld by the Rhode Island

Supreme Court. In 1990, residents voted to remove the requirement. Two years later, they brought it back, despite strong opposition from most of the city’s labor unions.

The legislature subsequently banned residency altogether. For the record, the US Supreme Court affirmed the legality of residency requirements in 1976.

When residency requirements ended, the majority of public employees who moved out of the city were police officers, firefighters, and teachers, and their departure has decimated many neighborhoods.

It’s time to bring back residency, and there are some immediate and simple rules that can be implemented. Let’s start with the obvious. All department directors, the Mayor and City Council staff, all Board or

Photo by Josh D

An argument for reestablishing residency requirements as the city charter is up for review

Specializing in Historic Property on the West Side, Broadway Armory District and Historic Elmwood for the past years.

Commission members, all promotions in public safety, and all new hires must be Providence residents. The fact that there are non-city residents on city boards and commissions is inexcusable and outrageous.

Such a rule would force top officials and leadership to tangibly demonstrate their commitment to Providence. It would put them in contact with the people they serve in their neighborhoods, at the grocery store, at their kids’ school. Most importantly, it would make sure they experience firsthand how well or poorly city agencies serve the public. If top supervisors don’t get a response to vandalism or their trash doesn’t get picked up or they call 911 and get put on hold, you can bet somebody’s going to have to answer for it.

When Boston implemented residency in 1976, blighted neighborhoods were filled with Boston city cops, firefighters, teachers, public works, water department, and other municipal employees. In a matter of a few years, crime went down, property values went up, businesses opened in these same residential neighborhoods, and Boston’s tax revenues increased. Other cities, some large (New York, Philadelphia), some medium (Buffalo, Boulder) require residency well.

This would help all of Providence in so many ways. What needs to happen, we suggest, is that the city seek out employees at all levels who believe that working for the city is not just choosing a job, but also making a lifestyle decision – and in our mind, a damn good one!

Call Jane Driver 401.641.3723 Happy to assist you with all of your real estate needs

jdriver@residentialproperties.com ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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NEWS & CITY LIFE

P e n P a l s | By Abbie Lahmers

Once Upon A Time “One sunny day a girl named Princess Sofia received a letter from a sweet lady named Miss Wendy,” opens the enchanting tale of a young royal dwelling in a kingdom where dragons aren’t out of the ordinary, tigers sunbathe by the palace pool, a kindly Postman Frank delivers letters between Sofia and Queen Wendy, and adventures feature a cast of friends, family, and talking creatures.

This world, with all the trappings of a fairy tale, came from the mind of third grader Sofia Vasquez, who co-wrote and illustrated her own book over the course of two years with the help of “Miss Wendy” Marcus. The pair met through a unique pen pal program created by Inspiring Minds, an education organization supporting Providence Public Schools with mentorship programming.

This first volume of their collaborative work now exists in a limited-edition (only four copies printed for friends and family) hardback assembled by Marcus and presented to Vasquez for Christmas last year.

“Over the two years, her drawings, her pictures, her vocabulary, her imagination have improved with each letter. It’s unbelievable,” says Marcus, an East Side resident and Providence Rotarian who signed up for the pen pals program two years ago and was randomly matched with Vasquez.

Exchanging letters every couple of weeks, Marcus and Vasquez take turns penning chapters of the continuing saga of Princess Sofia, Queen Wendy, and Their Adventures.

“I feel happy when I’m writing it,” shares Vasquez. “It’s technically our relationship and then sometimes we put things that actually can’t happen. So when [Miss Wendy] sends me stuffed animals, she has stories about them and then we get to add it in the story.”

Paging through the story reveals Vasquez’s colorful illustrations of castles and friends flying kites, along with cutout pictures of rabbits, flowers, and butterflies. Vasquez, with her love of animals, contributes lines like, “Then the white bird came and it sat on the edge of the throne

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

and told Princess Sofia and her pet Angel the Rabbit all about the outside world,” while Marcus follows with details about the cottontail dubbed “Roberta” who frequents her backyard.

A separate letter is dedicated to the more traditional musings you would expect from a pen pal relationship, sharing details of their lives from week to week. “She describes her sisters, her cousins, her parents, her grandparents, camping, vacations, her ballet lessons; she spends time at the library – those are in her regular letters,” says Marcus.

“Our pen pal program was inspired by

our volunteers,” says Melissa Emidy, executive director of Inspiring Minds. “After schools closed on March 13, 2020, we surveyed [our 604] volunteers to ask them how they wanted to respond to the pandemic during the shutdown. Our organization believes strongly that relationships matter. They thought it would be a great idea to continue writing to their kids.”

Outside of their creative writing, Marcus and Vasquez’s family have grown closer, too. When Marcus mentioned in a letter during December 2020 that she and her husband were homebound with COVID,

Photos courtesy of Wendy Marcus

An East Side Rotarian and local third grader write magical stories through Inspiring Minds’ pen pal program

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This past January, Marcus invited Vasquez and her mother to attend a meeting for the Rotary Club of Providence to encourage members to volunteer in the pen pal program with Harry Kizirian Elementary School.

“I was nervous – Miss Wendy said I was kind of like the star of the show,” says Vasquez, who spoke in front of the group.

According to Marcus, “she melted every Rotarian’s heart.” Vasquez also brought a bag of her own books to donate to the club’s Little Free Library at Brown Street Park.

While the 2019-2020 academic year saw 42 active pen pals, the numbers have lessened with the return to in-person classes, but Inspiring Minds continues to welcome volunteers. As for Marcus and Vasquez, volume two of their novel is in the works, and their pen pal relationship is stronger than ever.

“It’s fostering her creativity in drawing and art, vocabulary, and imagination,” says Marcus. “It’s everything, it’s sharing your life, sharing history and knowledge.”

Prospective pen pals can apply online at InspiringMindsRI.org/for-volunteers/

gerrischiffman.com residentialproperties.com gerri@residentialproperties.com

@schiffmansells ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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NEWS & CITY LIFE

L i br a r y | By Katarina Dulude

A Revolutionary Idea Red Ink Community Library aims to be a safe space for leftist political exploration

With a vast collection of literature dating back to the early 20th century – from books and periodicals to leaflets, pamphlets, and zines – Red Ink Community Library is, as the name would suggest, a lending library, but also a reading room and organizing space in the Mount Hope neighborhood.

“These are the kinds of materials that traditionally have been relegated to grad school seminars or Ivy League libraries, and we see that as unfair,” says David Rainleanu, director of Red Ink. “While some of the theory that we offer at Red Ink can be somewhat academic, the cultural criticism and historical context that we offer is accessible to a very broad audience.”

Housing a collection of reading materials that often diverge from the “mainstream thought” easily found at other libraries, Rainleanu explains, “you can hear an alter-

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

native opinion and an opinion that respects the socialist values of empowerment, solidarity, and respect at Red Ink.” Red Ink opened on Labor Day weekend in 2021 and was recently thrust into the public eye after being attacked during the Red Books Day reading event they hosted on February 21. A crowd of nearly two dozen neo-Nazis carrying flags with swastikas swarmed the library, shouting slurs, banging on the windows, and attempting to assault members.

The non-profit has since taken measures to strengthen safety and security at the library, but Raileanu emphasizes that this has only reinforced their efforts to become more vocal and visible in the city. “[We’re going to] local community events like farmers markets and flea markets and art festivals and community meetings and all of those things so people get to know us and know what

we do and know that we’re not scary ‘big C’ communists. We’re just folks who are interested in talking and studying and learning and sharing the information that we have.

“We’re part of a long heritage of what have been called infoshops in the past,” he continues, pointing to past waves of social and political shifts and the organizing spaces at the center of those movements. “We see ourselves connected to this international network of libraries and publishers – our relationship with them has now deepened since February 21.”

Never requiring dues or membership fees, Red Ink values the importance of neighbors having access to an open, welcoming space to read, share ideas, and connect with others.

“One of the things we’ve heard from people who have come by and checked out what we do is [their] appreciation for being able to see it literally, physically in their

Photos courtesy of Red Ink Community Library

PLR Podcast records an interview with State Rep David Morales at Red Ink Community Library

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neighborhood,” Raileanu says. “That they aren’t alone in thinking that the system is unfair, and that there are other people out there who agree with that idea and want to do something about it. It’s sort of an eye-opening moment for people who walk into Red Ink – they start to feel a little bit more in a community talking about some of the ideas that they’ve only encountered in chat rooms or social media.”

At Red Ink, guests are also encouraged to investigate solutions to the injustices they’re seeing around them by engaging meaningfully with history. “Anybody, regardless of

background – whether you’ve spent your entire life studying this kind of thing or you’re brand new to it – you have an opportunity to learn those lessons of history and be able to apply them to your current life.”

Throughout this month, Red Ink will be hosting events celebrating the ways in which Providence is already exhibiting post-capitalist models, from co-ops like Urban Greens to the employee-owned White Electric Coffee.

“All of those interpretations of what it means to participate in an economy and a world that is not driven by profit – that’s what we’re going to be celebrating in May.” RedInkRI.org

JoeRoch.com

jroch@residentialproperties.com ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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NEWS & CITY LIFE

By Karen Greco

Providence Shoe Repair Cobbler and Leather Repair Shop We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-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: Providence Shoe Repair is a full-service shoe and leather repair shop, offering resoles, reheels, stitching, and more for a variety of goods.

What makes it a Rhody Gem? Visible work benches, repair tools, and vintage machines make coming into the store an experience. Providence Shoe Repair offers customizations and repairs on most leather shoes, bags, and other goods. The turn-of-the-century storefront has old-world sensibilities with original wood floors, stacked aromatic leather rolls, and a nine-foot-tall general store shelf that holds house-made leather polish. Cobbler and owner Mike Heimall offers repairs and customizations on most leather shoes, bags, and other goods, plus his own line of handcrafted wallets, bags, and belts are for sale. Enthusiastic about mending well-loved belongings, Heimall also fixes materials like polyurethane, plastics, and rubbers. In a rush? Use the convenience of their curbside service.

Providence Shoe Repair 182 Mathewson Street • 486-6260 ProvidenceShoeRepair.com @ProvidenceShoeRepair

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Photo courtesy of Providence Shoe Repair

Where to find it: In the heart of downtown on Mathewson Street, find this cobbler shop diagonal to Grace Episcopal Church and near Little City Coffee & Kitchen.

To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com

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NEWS & CITY LIFE

N e i ghbo r ho o d News | Curated by Abbie Lahmers

Neighborhood News A space made available to Providence’s neighborhood associations free of charge.

HOT TOPICS An overview of what’s happening around the city right now

The Downtown Neighborhood Association is back in action After a two-year COVID pause, the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) is back and ready to promote, preserve, encourage, and enhance the quality of life for residents and business owners in downtown through sustained action and long-term transformation. Their primary focus will be based on three key areas: safety, engagement and participation, and neighborhood activation. If you are a resident, merchant, or stakeholder in downtown Providence who is passionate about community service and volunteerism; has an interest in improving safety and security in downtown; wants to help to facilitate pedestrian-friendly, street-activated programming and events in downtown; and enjoys working with social media platforms, DNA welcomes you to consider volunteering or serving on their board. Over the next month, DNA hopes to identify new board members and volunteers so they can organize a community forum and begin the next steps in positioning downtown for a tremendous revival in the months ahead. Those interested can email DNAPVD@gmail.com.

Jewelry District hosts tree planting and a community cleanup Greening the Jewelry District – the 2022 edition – went into action on April 9. Volunteers from around the neighborhood gathered to plant new trees around the district.

It’s a major team effort that brings together the resources of the Providence Forester’s office, the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program (PNPP), Brown University, and the public. The city prepares the site for each new tree, PNPP provides the trees, and Jewelry District Association (JDA) volunteers get the trees in the ground.

Then the JDA sees to watering the saplings through their first fragile months. Since the program began several years ago, they have planted more than 60 new trees.

With the snow melted, revealing dead branches here, a beer can there, and face masks strewn everywhere, it’s time to clear the winter’s trash from the streets, sidewalks, and open spaces. JDA neighbors will be gathering for their annual Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 14, 9am at the corner of Chestnut and South Streets. Volunteers are more than welcome. The JDA will supply rakes, shovels, gloves, trash bags, and other gear, as well as drinks and snacks.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Photo courtesy of Providence Preservation Society

Estate Liquidation or Downsizing Can Be Stressful…

And There Are No Second Chances.

College Hill homes included in the Festival of Historic Houses presented by PPS

FPNA neighbors weigh in on Gano Street subdivision

Providence Preservation Society’s Festival of Historic Houses

In November of last year, local developer Bahman Jalili spoke with neighbors at a monthly meeting of the Fox Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) to share plans to demolish three buildings on Gano Street, at the intersection of Power Street, to make way for a new four-building, five-story subdivision. While neighbors were critical of the lack of affordable units in the development and what one resident characterized as its “monolithic” appearance, many were vocal about the parking entrance for the subdivision, which is planned for the eastern edge of that intersection, near the heavily trafficked Gano Street ball fields and community garden. “I am very concerned for the safety of pedestrians, especially children,” a neighbor commented.

Since then, Jalili has modified his plans.

While the parking structure for the building will be accessed from Power Street, as originally proposed, the driveway will be widened to improve visibility. According to Tim Shea, neighborhood liaison with the Providence Department of Planning, Jalili also committed to removing “deteriorating concrete bleachers” that currently stand on the left-field foul line of the ballfield and replacing them with decorative plantings. FPNA appreciates Jalili’s flexibility, particularly on matters related to safety. Jalili will go before the City Plan Commission this spring.

On Saturday, June 4, the Providence Preservation Society will present the 40th Festival of Historic Houses. This year, the self-guided tour explores homes and gardens along the crest of College Hill, on Keene Street and Lloyd Avenue.

The earliest homes in this intimate and treelined neighborhood appeared in the 1850s and by the 1870s, ample Second Empire and Italianate style houses dotted the streets. The building boom of the 1880s and 1890s saw a blend of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival houses, all comfortable in size, rich in detail, and set back from the streets to allow for a dense landscape of flora. The proximity to Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design also attracted professors to this burgeoning enclave, while the nearby Thayer Street commercial district provided household needs and entertainment.

Additional events include an exclusive ticketed Festival Preview Party on Thursday, June 2, special guided tours of private gardens on Sunday, June 5, and a diverse slate of virtual and in-person pre-festival programming.

Tickets for this event must be purchased in advance; no day-of tickets will be available.

Further details and information on ticket sales can be found at ProvidenceHouseTour. com. Please contact Info@ppsri.org or 8317440 with any questions or concerns.

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NEWS & CITY LIFE

N e i ghbo r ho o d News

Providence Neighborhood Associations Blackstone Parks Conservancy Carrie Drake P.O. Box 603141 Providence, RI 02906 401-270-3014 BlackstoneParks@gmail.com BlackstoneParksConservancy.org

Downtown Neighborhood Association DNAPVD@gmail.com DNAPVD.com Facebook: Providence Downtown Neighborhood Association, DNA Elmwood Neighborhood Association Karen Hlynsky ENA-PVD.org Facebook: Elmwood Neighborhood Association PVD Fox Point Neighborhood Association Meeting Date: May 9 Amy Mendillo P.O. Box 2315, Providence, RI 02906 FoxPointNeighborhood@gmail.com FPNA.net

Fox Point neighbors are concerned about increased congestion at the site of a new development on Gano Street, near the Gano Street ball fields and community garden

Mount Hope Community Center 401-521-8830 MHNAInc@gmail.com Facebook: Mount Hope Neighborhood Association, Inc. Olneyville Neighborhood Association Eduardo Sandoval 122 Manton Avenue, Box 8 Providence, RI 02909 ONAProvidence@gmail.com Facebook: Olneyville Library Providence Coalition of Neighborhood Associations Info@provcna.org, ProvCNA.org Providence Preservation Society 24 Meeting Street info@ppsri.org PPSRI.org

Jewelry District Association Sharon Steele Sharon@sharonsteele.com JewelryDistrict.org Facebook: Jewelry District Association Providence, RI

Reservoir Triangle Neighborhood Association David Talan 25 Santiago Street. Providence, RI 02907 401-941-3662 DaveTalan@aol.com

Mile of History Association Wendy Marcus c/o Providence Preservation Society 24 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02903 MileOfHistory@gmail.com MileOfHistory.org

Smith Hill Partners’ Initiative Wole Akinbi 400 Smith Street Providence, RI 02908 Suite #1 AAkinbi@half-full.com Facebook: Smith Hill Partners’ Initiative

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South Providence Neighborhood Association c/o Dwayne Keys P.O. Box 5653, Providence, RI 02903 401-369-1334 SouthProvNeighbors@gmail.com Facebook: South Providence Neighborhood Association Summit Neighborhood Association P.O. Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940 401-400-0986 SNAProv@gmail.com SummitNeighbors.org Washington Park Association Linda Perri 401-241-3522 BettyLinda@aol.com Wayland Square Neighborhood Association Katherine Touafek Facebook: Wayland Square Neighborhood Association WaylandSquareNeighbors@gmail.com West Broadway Neighborhood Association 1560 Westminster Street Providence, RI 02909 401-831-9344 WBNA@wbna.org WBNA.org

Photo by Amy Mendillo, courtesy of FPNA

College Hill Neighborhood Association Rick Champagne P.O. Box 2442 Providence, RI 02906 CHNA@chnaprovidence.org CHNAProvidence.org

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BY ELYSE MAJOR

Sunny days and comfortable temps make spring the perfect season for all ages to go out and explore. Warmer than winter, cooler than summer, it’s an easy breezy time to discover things to do all over Providence. And while we can rattle off a list of deserved greatest hits of places, there are so many activities right under your nose you may not have realized even existed. Provided is a list sure to view the Creative Capital’s offerings with a new set of eyes. Grab a jacket and enjoy!

Please note that some locations may require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test result and mask-wearing unless actively eating or drinking.

Photos courtesy of the Community Boating Center

Chances are good we missed one of your favorite things to do. Let us know at Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com

Woony Clubhouse Donny Green and The Red Shed

BY CASEY WILLIAMS What’s that bright red shipping container in Olneyville’s Riverside Park with all the kids and bikes? It’s The Red Shed and it’s run by Donny Green, the bicycle program director known for his bright smile and flaxen hair. Part of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, the program was founded in 2009 and initially provided low-cost repairs, maintenance, and rentals for local cyclists of all ages. As time went on, community demand paved the way for today’s numerous program offerings, accessible to all Rhode Islanders regardless of income.

Green has been instrumental in the evolution of the Red Shed over the past seven years. From raising money to teaching and running the programs, he is an integral part of the initiative, which now has over 700 kids a year attending.

“These programs give them freedom and power they may not connect yet, but it opens up that door for physical activities and alternate modes of transportation” says Green.

During the summer, The Red Shed hosts Bike Camp for ages 8-13. Seven one-week camps teach kids how to ride safely, basic bike maintenance, and environmental responsibility in a creative and fun way. There are even scholarships for Providence area children who may not be able to afford the camp, giving everyone a chance to ride. Other programs include Girls Camp, After School & Beyond, and adult programs that teach safety for both traffic and trail biking to prepare everyone to ride – not just around the Greenway but anywhere in the state. Learn more at WRWC.org

Photo courtesy of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council

LEARNING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BIKE MECHANICS AT RED SHED BIKE CAMP

Let’s Ride Providence has everything you need to hit the bike paths The past few years have seen an increase in adult bike riding – first during quarantine when fitness enthusiasts needed a gym alternative, and now as a lower-cost form of transportation. Factor in solitude paired with fresh air and exercise, and cycling has many adults returning to this mode of transportation and riding alongside younger counterparts. Providence has everything you need, from bike shops to repair services, plus resources for learning how to pedal if you missed that milestone.

BIKE PAT H S Over the past 30 years, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has built an expansive network of bike paths. The East Bay Bike Path is the first multi-town bike path built in the state. From India Point Park, you can ride 14.5 miles to Independence Park in Bristol. Through a series of on-road routes and off-road paths, the Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway links Providence and Johnston; start at Lyman Avenue in Johnston to ride five miles to the Providence Riverwalk at Providence Place Mall. Blackstone River Bikeway is 18.2 miles of bikeway, which includes 11.6 miles of path between Cumberland and Woonsocket and segments of on- and off-road bikeway heading south to India Point Park and north to the Massachusetts border. For complete details on bike paths, maps, and parking, visit DOT.RI.GOV/Travel/BikeRI

B I K E S HOPS

BY CASEY WILLIAMS

DASH BICYCLE SHOP: This full-service community-forward biz conveniently shares a space with The Nitro Bar and offers tune-ups along with bikes and accessories, with pickup and delivery service available. 228 Broadway, DashBicycle.com

PROVIDENCE BICYCLE: Since 1992, this shop prides itself on delivering high-quality service. With an inventory for all kinds of cyclists, friendly staff, and even free pickup, you are sure to have a great experience. 725 Branch Avenue, ProvidenceBicycle.com

FRIENDLY BICYCLE: “Vintage bikes from an amiable dude” could not be any more accurate to describe this wonderful bike shop. Offering a selection of bikes ranging from Italian to Japanese in origin of all makes and models, this is the perfect shop for any enthusiast or collector! 83 Ives Street, FriendlyBicycle.com

PRATT FRAMEWORKS: Founded on bike racing, Pratt has built a solid rep on customizability for their customers. Each frame they create goes through prototyping and testing to make sure it’s perfect for each cyclist. 409 Wickenden Street, PrattFrameWorks.com

LEGEND BICYCLE: Whether you’re a transportation cyclist

RECYCLE-A-BIKE: Community is key at Recycle-A-Bike, where Providence residents can drop in to learn how to build and repair bikes, use the shop’s tools in exchange for a small donation, and shop for

or urban explorer, this one-stop bike and repair shop will set you up with the proper fit to be on your way. 181 Brook Street, LegendBicycle.com

used bikes and parts. Wrenching Wednesdays are set aside for learning bike mechanics. Volunteers are welcome. 1911 Westminster Street, RecycleABike.org

MISSION ELECTRIC BIKES: E-bikes are a clean, sustainable, alternate form of transportation perfect for any outing. With many different makes and models, the staff will help you find the perfect ride. 198 Ives Street, MissionElectricBike.com

TREK BICYCLE: Run by true bicycle enthusiasts, Trek has everything you need to get riding around, including know-how and enthusiasm. We adore that they celebrate #NewBikeDay for customers on their IG, and promise to finish any repairs in just 24 hours. 729 Hope Street, TrekBikes.com

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH! BIKE TO WORK WEEK IS MAY 16-22, AND BIKE TO WORK DAY IS FRIDAY, MAY 20.

Photo by Mike Braca

Photo courtesy of DASH

Photos courtesy of the Ladd Observatory

Stargazing You don’t need to visit Boston to experience a planetarium show. Located in Roger Williams Park, the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium features a dome theater with a Zeiss projector that casts images of stars, planets, and constellations to simulate the night sky. There are five different planetarium shows including Sky Views of the night sky, and eight full-dome shows.

Planetarium shows are Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and tickets must be purchased online. ProvidenceRI.gov

THE DOMED BUILDING AT THE CORNER OF HOPE AND DOYLE IS LADD OBSERVATORY

Brown University’s Ladd Observatory on the East Side is open to the public, weather permitting, on Tuesday evenings. Free tickets are made available seven days before each scheduled event. Masks are required on university property regardless of vaccination status. Ladd.Eventbrite.com

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Historic Pawtuxet Village

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Tennis CURIOUS ABOUT PICKLEBALL? THIS SUMMER PROVIDENCE TENNIS WILL BE SERVING UP FULL PROGRAMMING FOR THE BUZZWORTHY PASTIME FOR ADULT AND JUNIOR PLAYERS

Photo courtesy of Providence Tennis Academy

For over a dozen years, Providence Tennis Academy has been training players starting at age four to nationally ranked juniors with their Spartan System. Outdoor courts include the Providence Tennis Center at Roger Williams Park through October, and Wheeler School Farm in nearby Seekonk through August. ProvidenceTennis.com

Riverboat Tours Hey kids, ever seen a ship graveyard?

Green Jacket Shoal is a 33-acre submerged ridge in the Providence River with the debris of wrecked ships, destroyed docks, and more stuff that’s been piling up for over a century. Providence River Boat owner Captain Tom McGinn and guest guide David Robinson, director of the MA Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, will take you out on the water for a 75-minute exploration. ProvidenceRiverBoat.com

Boating Raise your hand if you’ve been sailing in Providence. The Community Boating Center (CBC) at India Point Park opened in June 1994 with a small fleet of boats, a few docks, and a boat storage shed built largely with donated materials and volunteer labor. Today there is a new boathouse with a fleet of more than 60 boats.

The non-profit offers a variety of opportunities to experience the thrill of sailing and paddling in upper Narragansett Bay. Find after-school programs for kids, private lessons for adults, even a regatta planned for this summer. CommunityBoating.com

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Photos courtesy of the Community Boating Center ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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Hands-On Providence Children’s Museum has long been a go-to for families with young children, and for good reason. Currently open Wednesday through Sunday, making a reservation is recommended as there are limits on walk-ups and many other COVID-related safety measures. Look for Collette Children’s Theater weekends, a fun way to introduce little visitors to live theater, plus regular programs like Maker Studio activities. ProvidenceChildrensMuseum.org From exploring animation to Zoetropes, cool activities abound at the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA). Across from Classical High School, this 4,500-square-foot space hosts rotating exhibits, all designed to engage traits shared by both artists and scientists. All ages are welcome, but RIMOSA is geared for kids eight and up; children under age five must remain within arm’s reach of their accompanying adult. RIMOSA.org

PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM ALSO OFFERS ALL KINDS OF ONLINE ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS + WEBINARS

Fishing South Providence Library (ProvComLib.org) has six freshwater and six saltwater fishing rods that you can borrow, just like a library book, for three weeks. You supply hooks, bait, and a fishing license, which can be purchased on a smartphone. For where to go fishin’ and even how to get a children’s First Fish Certificate Award, visit DEM.RI.gov

A FRIDAY NIGHT FLEA

3...2...RUN! Photo courtesy of Providence Warwick CVB

ruffinwranglers.com ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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Free Stuff Providence is full of fascinating and beautiful murals. Learn their backstories by visiting The Avenue Concept online to download a map with QR codes of plaques and locations, and embark on a self-guided Public Art Wayfinding tour throughout the city. TheAvenueConcept.org/programs/wayfinding Community Libraries of Providence (Rochambeau Library, Mt. Pleasant Library, Knight Memorial Library, Fox Point, Smith Hill, Washington Park, South Providence, Olneyville, and Wanskuck) have a roster of exciting programming lined up. Many events make use of each library’s outdoor spaces. Look for Readers Theater, Chess Club, Community Gardening, and a concert series, among others. Borrow a Take, Explore, and Discover! (TED!) Kit, which encourages experimentation and creativity, including ideas that draw families outside to explore the city. CommunityLibrariesPVD.org Photo courtesy of Providence Public Library

PPL’S SATELLITE STUDIO OF THE BIG NAZO LAB

Photo courtesy of The Avenue Concept

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Eat, Play, Learn relaunches with a full-scale offering for youth this summer after two years of scaled-back programming due to COVID. The City will offer free meals, summer learning opportunities, and camps this summer for Providence youth. Check for updates at EatPlayLearnPVD.com The Providence Public Library offers The Identities, a series of exhibitions and programs offering new ways of exploring who we want to be and who we are. Try something unexpected, learn a new skill, and meet people like yourself, all at the library.

Check out Tomboy, PPL’s spring exhibition, which takes a look at the many meanings of the term throughout history. ProvLib.org

TURN THE DINING TABLE INTO THE DRAWING TABLE WITH VIRTUAL FAMILY ART SESSIONS FROM THE RISD MUSEUM

Photo by David Santilli, courtesy City of Providence

Family See & Sketch is a RISD Museum free offering that encourages families to explore art using close examination, discussion, and hands-on making. It’s currently held virtually on Saturday mornings and recommended for ages six and up with a grown up. RISDMuseum.org

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Photos courtesy of Eric Weiner/PVD Food Truck Events

Dining Food Truck Friday returned in April to Carousel Village at Roger Williams Park with its convoy of vendors sure to satisfy even picky eaters. Make an evening out of it with a ride on the carousel and carousel train (weather permitting). Food trucks accept cash, credit, and debit. RWPZoo.org Two words: parking and pickles. Located on North Main Street, Gregg’s Restaurants & Taverns is ideal for dining with all ages.

Friendly servers, comfy seating, plenty of napkins, a kids’ menu, and don’t forget about those famous desserts, all add up to a low-stress time. GreggsUSA.com

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY AT RWP CAROUSEL VILLAGE IS A FUSS-FREE FAMILY FAVORITE, PRESENTED BY PVD FOOD TRUCK EVENTS

For pinball machines with a slice of ‘roni, Pizza J on the West End is a must-try for the whole family. If brunch is more your pace, try sister restaurant Julian’s around the corner on Broadway, where you’ll find plenty of sweet stacks or eggs all the ways. A trip to the bathroom is a must to marvel at toy displays and a TV playing old cartoons and shows. PizzaJProvidence.com, JuliansProvidence.com If you want to assemble a picnic on the fly, Seven Stars has you covered. With PVD locations on Hope Street, Broadway, and Point Street, their fridges are stocked with sammies ready to go, along with cookies and drinks. SevenStarsBakery.com

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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LIFE & STYLE Home | Influencer | Beauty

This Old House A tired East Side Dutch Colonial is treated to a fresh start that honors its past When Meg Curran first spied her home years ago, it was a fixer upper. The stately Dutch Colonial Gambrel in the Wayland Square neighborhood of Providence’s East Side has served Rhode Island’s first woman US attorney well. While years later she still adores its many charms, Curran was ready to make some structural updates. She craved open space for entertaining, the kitchen floors were dated, and the cabinets were in disrepair, yet she wanted to be sure to maintain the integrity of the grand old house.

Photos by Aaron Usher III Photography, courtesy of Red House Design Build ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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H o me | By Elyse Major

Saying “cheerio” to the butler’s pantry provided much-needed space

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Photos by Aaron Usher III Photography, courtesy of Red House Design Build

LIFE & STYLE

MEET US OUTSIDE FOR THE COMEBACK! BEFORE Dated flooring and fixtures topped the reno list

Curran turned to Red House Design Build, a firm in lower South Providence specializing in home additions, wholehome remodels, kitchen transformations, and historic renovation projects.

Says Bridget Bacon, RHDB sales and marketing manager, “Our client has lived in the home for more than 20 years and is now in a new stage in life, so she desired a fresh start by improving the flow, organization, and functionality of the kitchen, half bath, and back entrance.”

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P V D F E S T.C O M ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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LIFE & STYLE

H o me | By Elyse Major

which resulted in creating an open space – perfect for entertaining. A stylish new island with glass and rubbed bronze pendant lights overhead, black soapstone countertops, and new hardwood flooring were installed.

Black soapstone countertops offer style and practicality – the material is heatresistant. The half-bath pocket door saves space.

Photos by Aaron Usher III Photography, courtesy of Red House Design Build

Topping Curran’s wish list was having a home more accommodating to hosting family and friends. Focusing mainly on the kitchen and the connecting half-bath, RHDB eliminated the segmented butler’s pantry,

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Stop By The Groden Greenhouse For All Your Spring Gardening Needs!

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LIFE & STYLE

H o me | By Elyse Major

Photos by Aaron Usher III Photography courtesy of Red House Design Build

As a lover of architecture, art, and history, Curran stressed the importance of maintaining a style that fit with the original fabric and feel of the home. “In redesigning custom storage, we kept the soul of the traditional design style with new glass door panels in a linenwhite palette and antique pewter hardware.

A custom farmers sink provides a beautiful juxtaposition,” Bacon notes.

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“Having a partner like Red House, who is so great with this stuff, was the key to my success with this project. Left to my own devices, it wouldn’t have been this nice,” says Curran, who describes her personal style as eclectic grad student, as evidenced by her rainbow-colored locks. “I was happy to hand over most of the decisions to others in redesigning my home.”

Farmhouse style cup-pull hardware lends charm to streamline surroundings

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LIFE & STYLE

H o me | By Elyse Major

Wallpaper and a round mirror are impactful in the half-bath

GET RHODY STYLE Ideas and resources for making the most of living in Providence.

PAPER TRAIL In the new powder room, the wallpaper has the perfect ontrend combination of natural elements mixed with a cool eucalyptus green, creating a serene, clean, and peaceful vibe to the space. The chair rail molding, hardwood flooring, and simple and sleek fixtures complete the look.

COLOR STORY Red House Design Build was named after William Morris’ and Philip Webb’s Red House, which was called the first private house and “the beautiful-est place on earth.”

Find the business at 177 Shelburne Street in Providence, RedHouseCustomBuilding.com

Want your home featured in Providence Monthly?

Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Photos by Aaron Usher III Photography courtesy of Red House Design Build

LOCAL GO-TOS Meg Curran lists the following as local go-tos: Adler’s Design Center & Hardware, CAV Restaurant, Frog & Toad, L’Artisan Cafe & Bakery, Poochie’s Pet Salon, Providence Picture Frame, RISD and the RISD Museum.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

55

LIFE & STYLE

I nfl ue nc e r | By Sascha Roberts

Meet Joe Afonso

What made you want to start gardening?

My interest in gardening began as a way to improve the look of the small yard at my new house in Providence in 1986. The yard had no flowers or plants of interest. I had no gardening experience, but from reading gardening magazines and books, knew that plants can transform any space into something beautiful. I must have bought a hundred plants the first year; some survived a season or two, but most did not. But with each new season, my knowledge and hands-on experience grew, leading to my love of gardening.

If you had to choose your favorite plant, what would it be?

I love the cardinal flower, lobelia cardinalis. This two- to threefoot-high plant has brilliant sharp red flowers that are hummingbird and butterfly magnets. Plant several in a grouping and sit back and enjoy the show. Cardinal flowers like moist soil, so don’t let the soil dry out.

What are your favorite garden centers around the state for buying plants?

Central Nurseries in Johnston, The Farmer’s Daughter in South Kingstown, and Smith’s Nursery in Smithfield. All have great plant selections and helpful staff.

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Gardening Tips from Joe LEARN: Plant the right plant in the right place. Before buying any greenery, read the planting conditions usually found on the pot to see if your garden has a place for its requirements.

DESIGN: Plant flowers in groups of odd numbers and repeat; this catches and holds your sight along the entire bed. Set tall plants at the back of the bed, and medium to shorter ones toward the front, for interest. Add flowering shrubs and grasses to create height and add texture.

PREP: Add one to two inches of compost to the garden each spring to increase the fertility of the soil. Apply an organic fertilizer in the spring to give plants and lawn a boost. Add mulch before the hot weather arrives to retain moisture in the soil and keep the plant’s roots cool. When buying potted plants, tease out the roots before planting to ensure the roots don’t continue to grow in a circular fashion, causing girdling and choking the plant.

CARE: Water the garden and lawn with at least an inch of water each week, more often if the weather is hot and dry.

Walk through the garden often to observe problems before they become a nuisance.

Follow along on Instagram and TikTok at @joethegardenerpvd

Photo courtesy of Joe Afonso

With a little help from daughter Laura of Buns & Bites, this Master Gardener and Arborist with a growing TikTok following shares how to get a green thumb

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LIFE & STYLE

Be a ut y | By Tanaka Sotinwa

A Natural Fit The life-changing experience of finding a curly hair-exclusive salon close to home I was eight years old the first time I walked into a hair salon. It was a busy Saturday morning and my aunt had taken us to “tame” our hair. Sizzling our hair for church with a stovetop-heated stretching comb or thread plaiting for a week of school was par for the course, until it was decided natural hair was too much stress. My sister and I walked in excitedly, our senses bombarded by the smell of chemicals, the steady whirring of the hood dryers, and the bustling conversation.

Alluring images of the life-changing power of relaxers surrounded us and I pointed to a photo of Diana Ross, her curly hair flying behind her – I wanted that look. I left the salon with a curly, dripping perm that did anything but fly….or make me look fly.

Fast-forward to adulthood, adding a move from the UK to Rhode Island and nothing much changed. Instead of four-hour flights to London, I was doing round-trips to Boston to relax my hair. The times I had embraced my natural hair, I was left relying on YouTube evangelists to show me the way. Pregnancy in 2020 saw me abandon relaxers completely, and as my natural hair grew, so did my desperation for a hairdresser who could “cut it kinky” without being New York-based. Alas, I fell prey to a local “Edward Scissorhands” who botched my postpartum hair (insert tears). After lamenting the state of Afro hair care in Rhody, someone recommended The LOFT in East Providence and my life was forever changed!

I could ramble on about the serene salon environment set up specifically for my hair, and the stylists who looked the part. But first let’s focus on how the appointment began on time. Stylist Shawnette (with her envy-inducing curls), was ready for me. “What’s your

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Tanaka Sotinwa

Portrait courtesty of Tanaka Sotinwa; salon photos courtesy of The LOFT.

Sharita Payton assessing shape at The LOFT

hair goal?” she asked. “To not look like an extra from Trolls,” came my response.

Posters of women proudly wearing their different hair textures adorned the walls and I pointed to one. She smiled and with some snips, a treatment, and twists, Edward Scissorhands’ handiwork was history!

She equipped me with knowledge and product recommendations, and I literally floated out of that salon.

The LOFT is one of three “Curly Hair Exclusive” salons founded by Connecticut native, Sharita Payton whose vision is “Helping women of all textures to better

learn and embrace their God-given hair”.

After visiting them in East Providence I can say they succeeded on their mission with me.

T he LO F T H air Stu d io 182 Taunton Avenue, East Providence TheLoftMedford.com, 642-6767

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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HAWAIIAN INSPIRED BOWLS MADE TO ORDER 185 CAMP ST. PROVIDENCE RI, 02906

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

FOOD & DRINK Experience | In The Kitchen | Food News

Bowl Foods Flourishing food truck biz prepares to expand and serve up new eats and employment opps With humble roots as The Salad Man & Juice Bar – which hit the then much smaller food truck scene in 2013 – Russell Spellman and partner Sterling Clinton-Spellman are growing their current mobile Incred-A-Bowl fleet with an East Providence storefront.

“We created our business out of the love of good food, the love of culture, and the want to offer healthier food options,” says Clinton-Spellman.

“Russell has literally been cooking his whole life and his dream was always to open his own restaurant. We figured a food truck was a great first step.”

Now the bright green truck is synonymous with wholesome bowls in the Rhody food truck circuit, and, Spellman shares, “having the space in the restaurant really allows us to be creative and expand our menu offerings.” This means more varieties of Liberian, soul food, Jamaican jerk, and ramen bowls, along with several smoothies, salads, desserts, and small bites.

The new shop will also be homebase for their career program centered around personal and professional development, with a goal of employing 2,500 team members by 2030. “The launch of our Incred-A-Bowl TM Fresh Start Program is our most exciting opportunity to date. We have a plan to assist our community in an impactful way by offering career opportunities to people who are historically disenfranchised and deemed ‘hard to employ’ or difficult to hire,” says Clinton-Spellman, who will use her experience as a life and business coach and former teacher to help employees tap into their strengths.

“In the vein of celebrating culture, we will host events that will bring the community together,” adds Spellman. “Imagine attending an event where you get to learn about the 200 different types of kimchi and you get to try some!”

Renovations are currently underway for a late summer or early fall opening; in the meantime, you can find the two Incred-A-Bowl trucks at Food Truck Friday at Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Providence Flea, and other events, or inquire about catering online.

IncredABowlFood.com | By Abbie Lahmers Photo courtesy of Incred-A-Bowl ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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FOOD & DRINK

Expe r i e nc e | By Rose Kenyon

Sharing the Bounty Cozy dining meets spring harvests at an eclectic BYOB eatery on Westminster This Westminster destination was inviting before even stepping foot inside – al fresco diners chatted outside amid plant-lined windows in a mini oasis in bustling downtown.

Once home to Flan y Ajo and then Sushi Yama, I was intrigued to see how the intimate space had been reconfigured into Amaryllis.

The answer is homey yet elegant. A tiny kitchen is tucked behind the wrap-around bar in the center, while a bookshelf scraping the ceiling is filled with cookbooks, dried and fresh herbs, an array of lemons, oranges, and leeks. Hanging baskets full of vegetables suggest a casual and seasonal approach to fine dining, like taking a seat in your best friend’s Italian kitchen.

Congregating at the bar with friends, I chatted with the lovely and welcoming co-owners, Tracy DeFusco and Deanna Marandola, who served as our hostesses, waitresses, and chefs (and, as DeFusco jokes, “dishwashers, too!”). Having spent years working in Providence restaurants and then

Ginger noodle bowl

Photos courtesy of Amaryllis

Grass-fed beef meatballs

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Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake

Marinated feta, local radishes, olives, and warm pita

Must-Try Items Miso Ginger Rice Noodle Bowl: Vermicelli noodles, local greens, shaved vegetables, assorted sauteed local mushrooms, house-made kimchi, seaweed almond dukkah, miso ginger vinaigrette

Local Grass-Fed Beef Meatballs: Tomato, braised greens, house-made ricotta, sourdough

Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake: With an almond frangipane filling

offering pop-up events at local bars, the pair opened Amaryllis last June. With the return of warm weather comes the chance for guests to once again enjoy their lively outdoor patio.

Next door to this BYOB spot is ENO Fine Wines, where you can find a selection of bottles pulled specifically to pair with Amaryllis’

farm-to-table menu of shareable plates.

For our first course, we were tempted by the Cheese Plate and Charcuterie, but ultimately chose the fresh Beet Carpaccio and the Marinated Feta. The beets were roasted, sliced thin, and dressed in a delicious honey walnut vinaigrette. The feta was served with soft pita, and paired perfectly with watermelon radishes, sun-dried tomatoes, and a mix of olives.

Marandola pointed out a few options for mains: Local Grass-Fed Beef Meatballs, Sicilian Linguine, Braised Chicken Thighs, and their famous Miso Ginger Rice Noodle Bowl.

We chose the meatballs to share, which were served hot in a small cast-iron skillet with a delicious house-made ricotta and braised greens. We couldn’t get enough of the lingering kick of the tomato sauce, soaking up every drop with wedges of sourdough.

Seeing the farm-fresh ingredients, I couldn’t pass up the ginger noodle bowl, which was loaded with local greens, veg-

gies, and mushrooms and topped with house-made kimchi seaweed almond dukkah (a blend of spices and nuts), a miso ginger vinaigrette, and an optional house sriracha. Both nourishing and flavorful, this veg-forward noodle bowl is very much like a hearty spring salad.

Rounding the meal out with something sweet, the Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake earned its title as my favorite dessert in the city after a single bite. It’s dense yet moist, sweet yet not overly so, and beautifully plated with a shake of confectioners sugar and rose petals on top.

With tweaks to their menu reflecting seasonal harvests, a return trip promises more surprises, and yet a feeling of familiarity and warmth in Amaryllis’ snug kitchen and friendly owners.

A maryllis 225a Westminster Street 537-7177 • @amaryllisri

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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FOOD & DRINK

I n T he Ki t c he n | By Jenna Pelletier

Old-School Italian Reimagined Executive chef Guy Charles’ inventive new menu at Maria’s Cucina honors the Broadway mainstay’s timeless charm

Months after taking on the role of executive chef at Maria’s Cucina on Broadway, Guy Charles still marvels over the beauty of his new workplace – the two-level restaurant in the 1880s-era Italo-American Club, adorned with historic murals, stained glass, and other intricate architectural details.

“I’m sitting here looking at the chandeliers and all the woodwork – it’s just amazing,” says Charles. “You couldn’t build this restaurant today.”

Charles, who started the job last November, remembers one of the first conversations he had with the restaurant’s co-owner Chris Spertini. “I said, man, if we could have anywhere near the level of craftsmanship with the

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food this building has, we will be onto something special.” With that in mind, Charles put together a menu he describes as “old-school Italian with plenty of contemporary touches.”

For example, for a more refined twist on mozzarella sticks, Charles fries less-common scamorza cheese and tops it with Pecorino Romano and torn basil. Other popular dishes include gnocchi with short rib ragu, grilled octopus with fennel and arugula, and linguine vongole with shaved bottarga (cured fish roe).

Charles, who was previously the chef at Locanda in Saunderstown, brings decades of experience to his current role. His affinity for Italian food goes back to when he was growing

up in an Italian-American family in New Jersey.

“You have to have a feel for cooking Italian food that takes time, and I think that’s just why I love it,” Charles says. “You’re taking peasant food and making it something special, and it also brings back childhood memories for me.”

As a young adult, Charles was inspired by the work ethic of his father, who was the first in his family to attend college and later became a school superintendent, but he decided to follow a different path. “I was the black sheep in the family because I wanted to be a chef,” he says.

Charles graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1990 before working at various restaurants around the country.

He spent an especially influential three

Photos courtesy of Maria’s Cucina

Stuffed lobster fishermen style from Maria’s Cucina

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FOOD & DRINK

I n T he Ki t c he n | By Jenna Pelletier

years working as sous chef at Jeremiah Tower’s now-closed San Francisco restaurant Stars, considered one of the birthplaces of California and New American cuisine.

About eight years ago, Charles moved to Rhode Island after making regular trips here to visit extended family. “I always thought Rhode Island was a beautiful place to visit every year from San Francisco,” he

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says. “I thought it was the best kept secret.

And so now I’m very happy here.”

Charles has seen a lot of changes and challenges in the industry over his more than 30 years as a chef, but none of them, including the most recent stresses of the pandemic, have diminished his enthusiasm for cooking.

“I’m at the stage of my career where a lot of chefs don’t work the line anymore,”

Charles says. “But even after all these years, I still get a real kick out of having my hands in producing the food, and the camaraderie that comes along with working in the kitchen. It never gets old for me.”

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Photos courtesy of Maria’s Cucina

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Fo o d N e w s | By Karen Greco

Wood-fired pizza truck rolls out this summer

A new hut for sandos on Federal Hill

New York native Anthony Giordano and his fiancé came to Providence in 2020 to wait out the pandemic. Not only did they decide to stay, but Giordano’s sister Amelia pulled up roots and also relocated to the Creative Capital. Together, the two NYC restaurant veterans (Anthony, a chef; Amelia in operations) are opening Anna’s Vesuviano, a wood-fired pizza trailer, rolling out in early summer. Towed by a “Scooby Doo-style” van, the 22-foot trailer sports 12 feet of covered kitchen with the final 10 open air.

The mobile pizzeria is named for their great grandmother, who was something of a renegade during Prohibition, making moonshine, running alcohol, and helping Italian immigrants get their bearings in Brooklyn. “Deep down, we want to create pizzas representing the multicultural community here in Providence,” says Anthony. “We’re ready to break the rules and open our minds to what is possible with pizza.” AnnasVesuviano.com

The Sandwich Hut’s spin-off sandwich shop The Hut is set to open in late spring on Federal Hill. “A second location is something I wanted to do for a while,” says third-generation owner Peter Kammerer, who returned to the family business in 2008, after testing out a few different careers (including interning at Providence Monthly). “Over the years there were lots of opportunities, but nothing felt quite right,” until a tiny dilapidated structure at Luongo Square became available.

Kammerer calls the 500-square-foot restaurant “the biggest little project in the biggest little state.” With the pandemic top of mind, he designed it to be takeout-friendly, and it includes a big patio with plenty of outdoor seating. To match the smaller footprint, The Hut will have a pared down menu, but favorites remain like the Italian grinder and the meatball sandwich. TheSandwichHut.com

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

Photos courtesy of Anna’s Vesuviano

FOOD & DRINK

A juried sale of alumni work Saturday, June 4 10 am–4 pm Benefit Street Providence

Work by Jenine Bressner 01 GL

A kitchen reno and menu refresh in time for Downcity strolls “It was time,” says Rosalina’s chef and owner Lauren Lynch with a laugh. “We did a lot with the space when we took it over from Cuban Revolution,” she continues, but the one thing they couldn’t revamp was the kitchen floor.

“No contractor would touch it,” she says, because the kitchen was already installed. With a builder finally up for the challenge, Lynch closed down for six weeks and got her new floor, as well as new chandeliers in the restaurant and a new beer cooler.

To go with the refreshed look, Lynch made slight updates to some menu items, including the chicken parm, which is now made with a Calabrian chili pink vodka sauce and burrata served over fresh pasta. This summer, as part of InDowncity’s Open Air Saturdays, she’s installing a bocce court and serving sausage and pepper sandwiches from a cart along with ice cold Peronis. EatAtRosalina.com

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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(401) 284-4545 • 14 Woodruff Avenue, Suite 10 • Narragansett •. www.SpaByInspire.com 70

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

ART & CULTURE Music Scene | Community | Calendar

Asparagus in May Rhode Island Harvest Tea Towel

Organic Design A designer draws inspiration from Rhode Island’s harvest season for a line of linens Leah Ammerman loves to draw. She doesn’t need fancy pens and often relies on Sharpies to get the juices flowing. Two years ago, she was hired as the designer for Stock Culinary Goods to work on the website, advertising, window displays, and a few product ideas. Around the same time, her longtime partner was setting up a screenprinting studio in Westerly and Ammerman began playing around with lighthouse designs, which resulted in tea towels for the store. Stock owner Jan Dane mentioned always wanting Rhode Island’s harvest calendar printed on a series of tea towels and the two got busy.

“We started by pouring over the Farm Fresh Rhode Island harvest calendar,” says Ammerman, who notes that many of the one dozen illustrations were drawn and printed just before the beginning of their respective month. “That allowed me to really shop at farmers markets and have these fruits and vegetables in my hand for inspiration for the drawings.”

Originally from New York’s Hudson River Valley, Ammerman attended college in Boston where she lived and worked until three years ago when the need for a change of scenery prompted a move to Rhode Island. She recalls a lifelong love of drawing, with plants, animals, and “anything with a strong silhouette” being favorite subjects; deep reds and oranges or ocean blues and greens are her preferred colorways.

“When I was working on the harvest tea towels, I really made sure to not have a bunch of green vegetables in a row. I wanted all 12 towels to have a cohesive palette and look good together in any combination,” she says.

The Rhode Island Harvest Tea Towel collection includes fiddleheads for April, radishes for June, apples for October, and more. Find them at Stock Culinary Goods, 756 Hope Street. Learn more about Ammerman at CricicisDesign.com. | By Elyse Major Photo courtesy of Cricicis Design ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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ART & CULTURE

M usi c Sc e ne | By A dam Hogue

Radio On A new generation delivers classic cutting edge music to your FM dial I’d been wishing for more community-based, independent, non-profit radio, with a decent signal to bring really good alt-rock music to people, sans streaming service. Then, a few months ago, a slight buzz permeated conversations and social

Wheeler students at the WEHL studio

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media posts. Nothing big, just the occasional, “I heard The Cure (or Echo & The Bunnymen or the Sex Pistols) on the radio today!” or the cryptic, “Have you checked out 88.1 lately?” The stars aligned to bring us WELH, a station that came seemingly

out of nowhere to fill the alt-rock hole left when Brown University sold WBRU in 2017.

I tuned into my FM dial, and 88.1 hasn’t left my presets since.

“I created the music format and manage all of the programming that goes on WELH,”

IYRS SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY & TRADES

Photos courtesy of WELH

NEWPORT, RI

says David A. Schiano, director of operations and program director at Wheeler School Broadcasting. “The station signed on in 1995 and has always been owned by The Wheeler School. In October 2011, we entered into a 10-year agreement with Rhode Island Public Radio (since rebranded The Public’s Radio), and carried NPR programming. Wheeler School took back the airwaves in October of 2011, and that’s when I put on the Cutting Edge Classics music format along with student programs like Beats After Dark, which features EDM (electronic dance music) every Friday and Saturday night.” Schiano notes that even when The Public’s Radio was renting the frequency, student programming aired on nights and on weekends; now it airs all the time.

“The music format of WELH is a trip down memory lane for the old WBRU listener,” Schiano continues. “It is mostly classic alternative in nature, though we feature new indie and alternative music through our student shows. These shows run at 7pm weeknights, and some student shows feature new artists of all genres, and bring new underground music to the airwaves. We also have sports shows, car and movie review shows, and a variety of great educational programming.” WELH is commercial-free with only station-ID breaks and nonprofit ads from The Ad Council interrupting the music.

Schiano notes that the mission of the station is part of a program where students

take courses in radio and video broadcasting. “WELH and the school website serve as the foundational media outlets students utilize to broadcast their work and reach out to the Wheeler community, as well as the greater Providence area.”

While college radio might not be new to anyone, high school radio is something a bit more unique. Airwaves devoting some portion of the program schedule to listeners of the teenage demographic opens the door to voices and experiences that might bring more relevance to the broadcast medium that gets overlooked in the constant pull for attention.

“Finding your voice at a young age and being able to prepare podcasts or broadcasts about your passions and interests is such a very valuable and unique opportunity that a student at Wheeler can engage in,” says Schiano.

Along with Brown Student Radio on 101.1 and the hardworking college radio DJs over at Providence College, Rhode Island College, and University of Rhode Island, WELH and the Wheeler School talent deliver an independent, local radio atmosphere that gives voice to a range of people. While some may already have favorite stations picked out, or not even give radio a second thought, might I recommend clearing your mind, tuning into 88.1 FM, and letting the universe bring you the programming as you were meant to hear. As Elvis Costello says, “You better listen to the radio.”

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401.612.4148 www.renegademac.com ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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ART & CULTURE

Co mmuni t y | By Ka ren Greco

The Kids Are Alright New Urban Arts executive director Daniel Schleifer

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While the pandemic took a toll on the already fragile mental health of many teenagers, New Urban Arts remained a lifeline to the high school students enrolled in their afterschool arts program. Even virtually, it continued to offer students the mentor- and ally-ships that have been its hallmark for over 25 years.

“New Urban Arts is a welcoming space that offers flexible ways [for students] to engage,” explains executive director Daniel Schleifer.

“Art is the hook to get them in the door. We give them an opportunity to make investments that go beyond the arts.”

Schleifer points to their robust post-secondary advising program, A Life After School, as an example.

It starts as early as sophomore year, when students begin envisioning their post-high school future with New Urban Arts’ resident artist mentors, who then help connect students to summer pre-college programs. For seniors, New Urban Arts arranges regional college visits; they help students navigate the application and financial aid processes and assist them in narrowing down school choices.

They also work with the students to make wise financial decisions around college, such as looking at debt-to-income ratios.

The program doesn’t end when the students head off to school. It continues to follow and help students overcome hurdles that occur throughout the college experience.

The vast majority are first-generation college students. For kids who aren’t college bound, New Urban Arts helps secure apprenticeships or helps them navigate post-high school life and gap years.

For Dana Heng, a former student

Photo courtesy of New Urban Arts

New Urban Arts brings more than the arts to Providence high school students

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who returned as a resident artist mentor, New Urban Arts was responsible for the development of her creative career as a visual artist. “My family was encouraging even though they didn’t have the resources or know-how to foster it,” she says, noting it was a cousin who recommended the program. “The first day of high school [at Classical], I crossed the street and barged in while the staff was having a meeting. The programs don’t start until October.” Heng laughs.

“They gave me a registration form.”

The studio is drop-in and student led, and the staff is trained in youth work and restorative justice as well as the myriad of issues that teens face today – from relationships to gender identity to drug use.

“We take our cues from the students,” Heng says. “Some want to talk about boys, some want to talk about art.” Art can range from the technical (“show me how to paint”) to more experiential. “The core thing we are building is trust. Art is a vehicle for that. It keeps the hands busy while talking.”

“There is a small but consistent body of academic research that shows the arts as the most effective at promoting a variety of positive academic, emotional, and social outcomes,” says Schleifer. He cites a 2021 EdVestors study that analyzed a decade’s worth of data and showed Boston’s public school system saw an increase in student performance, higher attendance rates, and better parental engagement when they reintroduced an arts curriculum.

Arts-ed cuts are typically most severe in low-income neigborhoods and communities of color. “Twenty-five years ago, Providence Public Schools had 150 arts teachers. It’s just under 40 now,” Schleifer points out. The reasons are complex, particularly with the pandemic taking a sizable chunk from an already limited public education budget. These finite resources must flow to academics.

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75

ART & CULTURE

Co mmuni t y | By Ka ren Greco

“We’re here to fill a gap for the young people we serve.”

Mentors like Heng are the lifeblood of their program. Unlike volunteer staff that changes year-to-year, resident artist mentors are paid staff members, providing a needed consistency for the students that fosters a sense of trust. “If we are an arts organization, we’ve got to employ artists,” says Schleifer, who was able to diversify the teaching staff by offering

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paid opportunities.

This pivot turned out to be fortuitous.

When COVID hit, New Urban Arts had to put their volunteer program on hold.

But they upheld their mission remotely through the shut-downs with their cohort of paid artist mentors. Schleifer’s quick to note they are not immune to skyrocketing inflation. “Our biggest challenge is maintaining funding.”

While countless studies point to the

advantages of arts learning for students, for mentor Heng, the lessons that New Urban Arts imparts aren’t necessarily tangible.

“The biggest impact is helping students find agency in the world. Knowing you can make choices and be an active participant in your own life, the opportunities out there are infinite.”

New Urban Arts celebrates 25 years with an October gala at the Providence Art Club.

NewUrbanArts.org

Photo courtesy of New Urban Arts

Resident artist mentor Dana Heng

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ART & CULTURE

Ca l e nda r | By Casey Williams

The Must List 10 essential events this month May 8: Wrestlemania Backlash is ready to bring down the roof. The Dunkin Donuts Center will be hosting all of your favorite WWE superstars and the fallout from Wrestlemania 38 in a premium live event. DunkinDonutsCenter.com

May 16: Multiple Grammy Award-winner Tori Amos comes to The VETS, touring with her 16th studio album, Ocean to Ocean, considered her most personal collection of songs since her career-defining Little Earthquakes. TheVETSRI.com

May 17-July 8: Immerse yourself in a three-dimensional experience of over 300 of Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpieces – from Starry Night to Sunflowers – at the global smash hit Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. VanGoghProvidence.com

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Don’t miss the signature drumming, colorful explosions, custom-made instruments, and quirky comedy of Blue Man Group, the show that turned the three bald and blue men into an international phenomenon. PPACRI.org

Through May 8:

May 1:

May 21:

Catch the final performances of Sueño, adapted from Pedro Calderón de la Barca’s Life is a Dream by José Rivera, about an imprisoned prince caught between destiny and free will. TrinityRep.com

Runners up for the challenge can enter the Providence Marathon and race through the historic sites of downtown Providence. Free beer, live music, and a variety of vendors greet runners at the finish line. ProvidenceMarathon.com

Renegade Music & Concerts presents Operetta Elegance at The Lincoln School Music Center.

Singers George Lyons and Jennifer Zamorano perform opera classics with Nathan Johnson on piano. RenegadeMac.com

Through July 4:

May 7:

May 21-22:

Presented by Hanart Culture, the Asian Lantern Spectacular returns to Roger Williams Park Zoo, celebrating 2,000 years of tradition in an illuminated journey through interactive displays and delicious cuisine. RWPZoo.org

InDowncity kicks off the popular Open Air Saturdays this month with an outdoor stroll, inviting guests to enjoy all downtown has to offer with live music, beer gardens, marketplaces, games, food, and more. InDowncity.com

WaterFire Arts Center will be transformed into a celebration of spring for the May Day Market, featuring artisan-made gifts, home goods, sweet treats, food trucks, and more.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2022

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