The Bay Magazine January, 2012 by Hey Rhody Media Co.

Residential Properties Ltd.

Barrington: Beautiful 4 bed home in Rumstick –

Riverside: Narragansett Terrace! Waterfront cape with stunning views of Bullock’s Cove, beautifully decorated inside and out, mooring, gourmet kitchen, open floor plan with screened porch, gas fireplace, first floor master with steam shower and sitting room. $869,000

Barrington: Sunny colonial with open floor plan

completely renovated in the past seven years, inside and out. Recent improvements in the last year include new heating system, new kitchen appliances and finished 3rd floor! Central air on 2nd & 3rd floor. Fabulous floor plan! $959,900

Barrington: Pretty 3-story Almeida-built colonial

Barrington: Pristine Almeida-built colonial with

Bristol: Pristine 2 bedroom townhouse. Sunny

in sought after location! Tall ceilings, open kitchen/ family room, private master suite with whirlpool bath, skylit 3rd floor bonus room or 5th bedroom, 5 zone gas heat, wonderful fenced yard with pool, multi-level deck & sprinklers. $648,500

tall ceilings, Silestone/stainless kitchen, hardwoods on 1st and 2nd floors, freshly painted exterior, rec room & study on lower level. Darling private yard, a ten! $470,000

interior, wood floors, cooks kitchen, tall ceilings, fireplace, central air, spacious master with waterviews & balcony. Luxurious baths, delightful sunroom with walls of windows & access to fabulous rooftop deck. Water access, mint! $379,000

Warren: Enjoy sunset and river views from this

Barrington: Enjoy ease of living in this comfortable

Barrington: Cozy and charming 1949 cottage

well designed & appointed home located on just under 1 acre. Open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, wet bar. Finished lower level with family room, bedroom & full bath. Beautiful grounds, stone walls & gardens. $369,000

one level home located on a 17,000 sq. ft. lot! Sliding doors lead to back deck overlooking the spectacular oversized yard with nice plantings. Partially finished lower level with lots of potential & good storage. $259,900

in nautical Hundred Acre Cove neighborhood. Strong surrounding values. Exceptional expansion possibilities. Three season front porch, lovely yard. Great curb appeal! Walk to water. $195,000

and new addition. Terrific great room open to kitchen and living room with fireplace. New master with bath and huge closet! Fenced yard. Barrington Harbor at the end of the street! $699,000

259 County Road, Barrington, RI 401.245.9600 • ResidentialProperties.com Barrington • CumBerland • east greenwiCh • narragansett • ProvidenCe • reloCation

WINTER CLASSES Wheel-throWing Sculpture

Culture Clash Stop-motion Claymation

Call for hours!

30 Cutler Street, Warren, RI 401-297-9412 www.mudstonestudios.com

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2nd Story Theatre Presents

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January 13 - february 12 Thurs 7pm, Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm

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Contents Photography: James Jones Illustration: Eloise Narrigan

January 2012

23 This Month 19 Become a Better You

50 27 Live Well Deck your table with fine linens and deck yourself in jewels 29 Shop Around 30 Connoisseur

Our list of new solutions to your old resolutions

23 Book Love Re-use, re-read and rediscover your local library

33 Taste Game on. Grab your friends and head to Bristol 35 Connoisseur 36 Review 39 Drink 41 Dining Guide

Every Month 7 Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note/Letters 10 The Bay List

13 The Buzz A local travel writer takes a solo trip down the Nile 15 On the Bay 17 Bay Views

43 Gallery This marathon is a whale of a good time 44 Calendar 47 On Stage 48 Artistry

50 Just Add Water The frozen benefits of East Bay winters

On the Cover: photography by James Jones.

January 2012 | The BAY

The Bay, 1070 Main Street, Suite 302 Pawtucket, RI 02860 • Fax: 401-305-3392 www.thebaymagazine.com thebay@thebaymagazine.com For advertising rates call: 401-305-3391

Contributor

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer Matt Hayes John Howell Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre Executive Editor Julie Tremaine Editorial Assistant Erin Swanson Special Projects Manager John Taraborelli

Come visit us at the Rumford Center!

Art Director Alli Coate

20 Newman Avenue, East Providence 820 Hope Street, Providence

342 Broadway, Providence

For directions and hours, visit us at www.sevenstarsbakery.com

Assistant Art Director Karli Hendrickson

Dawn Keable Writer

A freelance writer and monthly

Come Celebrate New Year’s eve at trafford restauraNt

contributor to The Bay as well as our sister publications Providence Monthly and So Rhode Island, Dawn Keable didn’t waste any time diving into her chosen literary field. As a teenager, she spent two years as a student consultant for Seventeen magazine. Dawn says, “I love the creativity and being able to constantly learn about new things.” Dawn now lives in Providence with her husband Andre, but she loves visiting the East Bay as much as possible. “I love the great neighborhood vibe of the Bay,” she explains. “The fact that mom and pop businesses continue to thrive says a lot

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas Graphic Designers Meghan H. Follett Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich Ann Gallagher Nicole Greenspun Elizabeth Riel Dan Schwartz Sharon Sylvester Kim Tingle Jessica Webb Illustrators Alli Coate Ashley MacLure Eloise Narrigan Photographers Amy Amerantes Irina Degtyarova Judith Gardner

James Jones Kate Kelley Laurel Mulherin

Contributing Writers Keith Andrade David Dadekian Meagan Gann Dawn Keable Patricia McAlpine Andrea E. McHugh Jamie Merolla Interns Lauren Criscione Samantha Gaus

David Nelligan Emily Nissensohn James Pierce Caitlin Quinn Rebecca Remillard Bethany Vaccaro

Sara Celano Eilish Shaffer

about the people who are lucky enough to call this area home,

Member of:

and gives me a chance to buy wine and ice cream in support of the community.”

Wishing you a joyous 2012 a restaurant

285 Water Street, Warren, RI 401-289-2265 • traffordrestaurant.com

the Bay | January 2012

We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright ©2012 by Providence Media, All rights reserved. Printed by Gannett Offset.

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Mardi Gras Ball February 11, 2012, 6:30pm at the Linden Place Ballroom 500 Hope Street, Bristol, RI

For more information visit

Live & Silent Auctions The Rockin' Soul Horns Band Blackstone Caterers/Cash Bar

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the Bay | January 2012

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Buzz on the bay

WELCOME

Bristol’s New Resident Author Photography: Irina Degtyarova

Quirky, witty, curious and determined are words that have been used to describe travel writer Rosemary Mahoney, who recently moved to Bristol. In Down the Nile, Mahoney utilizes descriptive prose to tell of the time she soloed down the iconic Egyptian river in a small boat. Yes, the River Nile. The book, which has been ranked on “top” lists by Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times Book Review, is raw and gripping; Mahoney’s 120-mile journey took her through a land of civil un-

rest, which is foreign not only in its geographic location but its long-standing customs and traditions as well. Egyptian women don’t row on The Nile and foreigners are strongly encouraged not to – it’s simply too dangerous. Mahoney relates her confrontations with incapacitating heat, hungry crocodiles and baseless violence, all of which make her adventure even more commendable. We are quite happy to welcome her as a new neighbor to Bristol. www.rosemarymahoney.org –Erin Swanson

CELEBRATE

A Year’s Worth of Festive Fun 2012 will be a year to remember, as the town of Seekonk celebrates its 200th anniversary with a slew of monthly celebrations to include a ball, a parade, barbeques, “birthday bashes” and musical performances. The exciting events will take place at various venues around town throughout the year. The town will be selling bicentennial merchandise such as baseball hats, magnets, T-shirts and a special 2012 calendar filled with photos of historic Seekonk. Once home to the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, the town of Seekonk was incorporated in 1812 after breaking away from the eastern part of Rehoboth, almost 40 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 1861, a

large chunk of the town was allocated to Rhode Island in order to resolve a border dispute with Massachusetts. Highlighting the year’s festivities are the Kiwanis Annual Taste of the Town event at the Johnson & Wales Inn in February, the Seaconke Wampanoag Annual Pow Wow on Rehoboth’s Redway Plain in September and holiday house tours sponsored by the Seekonk Historical Commission throughout November. Don’t forget to also check out the annual Memorial Day parade, which will feature special floats and period dress. A full calendar of events can be found on the Seekonk town website. www.seekonk-ma.gov –Meagan Gann

GOOD CAUSE

Heat Up the Winter Banish the winter blues at the Winter Blues Bash on January 14, held by the Middletown Education Collaborative on the Salve Regina University campus in Newport. This exciting 21-plus social function, which takes place at the gorgeous Ochre Court mansion, will feature an appearance by the James Montgomery Band, along with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, dancing, live entertainment, a raffle con-

test and both live and silent auctions. The Middletown Education Collaborative will use the money raised to help support the students and educators of Middletown’s public schools. Tickets must be purchased quickly, however, as they will be placed on a will-call list at the event. If possible, tickets will also be sold at the door. $50 per ticket ($400 for 10). 401-418-3376, www. mecmec.org –Meagan Gann

January 2012 | The BAY

Buzz on the bay

ThE GAME

Westport’s Harvard-Yale Obsession Whoever said that the only certain things in life are death and taxes must never have met Frederick Steele Blackall III (better known as Steele to his friends). Because if there is another certainty in life, it’s that Steele will be at the annual YaleHarvard football game wearing a long, brown raccoon coat, cheering his alma mater Yale Bulldogs to victory. How certain? He hasn’t missed a game in the last 66 years. Steele may be more commonly known as the long-time president of Taft-Peirce Manufacturing Company, a former Woonsocket based engineering, tooling and precision instrument manufacturer owned and operated by the Blackall family for most of the 1900s. He may be known for his philanthropic involvement with numerous local organizations, and his mentoring of business executives and college-bound youth. He may even be known for his wine connoisseurship and extensive wine collection. Everyone in the Acoaxet section of Westport Harbor knows Steele. Bedecked in his colorful Bermuda shorts and sporting a favorite bow-tie, selected from his impressive eye-popping collection, is a fixture at the annual Fourth of July town parades. But his true claim to fame comes in the late fall when Steele trades in his summer attire for something a bit more weather appropriate – an ancient, full length raccoon coat with wool hat and scarf to match – and heads off to cheer on his alma mater Yale Bulldogs to victory over Harvard. It’s a tradition he has maintained for over seven decades. First, a bit of history: Yale and Harvard first met on the gridiron in 1875, and the match up is currently the second oldest continuing rivalry in college football behind Lehigh and Lafayette. “The Game,” as it is known by alumni from both schools, alternates annually between New Haven and Cambridge and typically falls on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the last game of the season for both teams. Crowds are at the season’s peak as alumni from around the world descend on the host for a homecoming flooded in school spirit with another year of bragging rights at stake. A season within a season, a victory in The Game can make the year of an otherwise winless team, just as a loss would

the Bay | January 2012

forever haunt a league champion. Steele was introduced to Yale and The Game by his father, F. Steele Blackall II, who was Yale Class of 1918. He attended his first game as an eight-year-old in 1933 and he attended the annual match up with his parents and family throughout his childhood. He eventually enrolled in Yale himself during World War II. And while he has attended every Yale-Harvard game since 1946 – 66 years in a row – 2011 actually marks Steele’s 75th game. There were no Yale-Harvard games in 1943 and 1944, and Steele was forced to miss the 1945 game due to “Uncle Sam.” Steele’s daughter Holly (now Applegate) has been to 23 games and fondly recalls the huge tailgate parties, the camaraderie among family and friends, and the raccoon coats – two matching coats originally worn by Steele’s parents, and now worn to every game by him and Holly. Says Steele, “Those coats have been to more games than me.” Despite all the revelry, Holly notes that for her father, it was all about what was happening inside the stadium. “Dad never likes to miss the kickoff, and he’s never left a game early… If it’s a blowout, or 20 degrees below zero and snowing, he’ll watch every play.” In addition to some exciting football, Steele notes that some “pretty good pranks” are as old as The Game itself. He recalls his first game in 1933: “Someone at Harvard thought it would be a great idea to cover a bunch of pigs in blue grease and let them loose on the field during halftime. Well they had a hell of a time trying to corral those little guys, and cheerleaders from both schools were running all over the place.” One of the most famous was actually perpetrated by MIT during the 1982 game at Harvard. After a Harvard score, “a little tiny bubble started to come out of the middle of the field. It inflated into this huge balloon with ‘MIT’ painted all over it.” Some MIT students had secretly buried a weather balloon under the 45-yard line and inflated it remotely until the balloon exploded, spraying the field with talcum powder. While he is quite the historian, Steele did not realize the magnitude of his own streak until fairly recently; his status is that of the ranking alumni at-

tendee. There have been some close calls, not the least of which came this past year. For 2011, Steele was thrown a curveball - his grandson would be getting married in Detroit on the day of The Game. Although the groom fully understood the significance of the weekend before Thanksgiving, the difficulty of wedding planning reared its ugly head and left no other choice for a wedding date. But as certain as death and taxes, there was no doubt where Frederick Steele Blackall III would be that day - with his family’s blessing, he attended his 75th Yale-Harvard game. –Keith Andrade

Buzz Bay Views Providence Media hosted our Holiday Open House in December. The party welcomed writers, photographers and clients from all four of our publications to our new Pawtucket offices to ring in the season and the launch of our new websites (www.thebaymagazine.com, www.providenceonline.com). Bristolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wicked Natural provided Cranberry Mint Jalapeno Jelly for favors. Thanks to everyone who attended. photography by Mike Braca

Mykel Palazzini, Megan Duclos, Chelsea Guay, Jordan Katz, Kristina Nalbandian

Dan Schwartz, Mike Ritz, Kate Kelley

Barry Fain, Marybeth & Albert Oullette

Sharon Sylvester, Garrett & Liz LaFrance

Nicole Greenspun, Elizabeth Riel

January 2012 | The BAY

UnitedHealthcare, including the State of Rhode Island plan, is accepted at all Lifespan Laboratories.

Lifespan Laboratories: Highest Quality, Easiest Access Lifespan, the name synonymous with Rhode Island’s best hospitals, has made it easy to find a convenient location and time for your laboratory testing. Lifespan Laboratories has 42 locations throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, each offering a complete range of the most advanced laboratory tests. And because you never need an appointment at Lifespan Laboratories, there’s sure to be a location and time that suits your schedule. Some laboratory locations are even open on Saturdays.

*RIH Ventures d.b.a. Lifespan Laboratories

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44 west River Street 401-272-1649 M-F: 8:30am-5pm 146 west River Street 401-793-3137 M-F: 8:30am-5pm 111 Plain Street 401-444-2084 M-F: 8:30am-5pm

Medical Office Building 2 Dudley Street 401-444-8323 M-F: 7am-4:30pm Sat: 9am-1pm 33 Staniford Street 401-453-8218 M-F: 8:30am-5pm Closed for lunch 12:30pm-1:00pm 160 wayland avenue 401-621-4120 M-F: 8am-4:30pm Closed for lunch 12:30pm-1pm

1195 North Main Street 401-865-6693 M-F: 8am-4:30pm Sat: 8am-12pm 285 governor Street 401-861-2130 M-Th: 9am-5:30pm Friday: 7:30am-4pm

208 Collyer Street, Suite 101 401-793-4615 M-Th: 7:30am-5pm Friday: 7am-5pm Sat: 7:30am-11:30am

1 Hoppin Street 401-793-8780 M-F: 8am-5:30pm Shaw’s Plaza

148 west River Street 401-272-1467 M-F: 8am-4:30pm 1125 North Main Street 401-793-2881 M-F: 8am-4:30pm

For more information, please call 401-793-4242 or 1-800-980-4244. For other locations visit LifespanLabs.org

New

Solutions

to Old Resolutions Trouble sticking to your annual list of self-improvements? Try our innovative approaches. By Rebecca Remillard | Illustrations by Alli Coate

January is a time to repent. It’s the aftermath of the storm, the low after the holiday high. We suddenly notice those added pounds, the mounds of waste our holiday parties generated, the scissors and tape and ribbon mess all over the floor. The worst part of January, however, lends itself to the absolute best part. January is a time to start over. We make New Year’s resolutions and insist that this will be the year that we keep them. But does our desire for absolution cloud our judgment? Is locking the refrigerator really the best way to lose weight, for example? This year, let’s try a few new solutions for our old resolutions.

Breaking the Habit Once and for All You know it’s a bad habit; I won’t bother with the statistics because you’ve heard them before. Smoking isn’t good for you, and there’s no pill, surgery or clear-cut method to quit. Last year you tried abandoning the habit cold turkey. This year, let’s try something a little more therapeutic. Heffner Clinical Counseling and Hypnotherapy Associates has been dedicated to treating the psychological effects of addiction since 1965. Located in Newport, the center is run by Dr. Charles Heffner, who specializes in hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Hypnosis isn’t magic, but it has been

shown to help people let go of tobacco addiction over a period of time by inducing a state of hyper-suggestibility. 226 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. 401-849-5600 Not buying it? To work on quitting smoking while remaining fully conscious, visit www.quitnowri.com for links to local Tobacco Cessation Treatment Programs or make a call to the R.I. Smoker’s Quitline. Every call is answered by a trained quit coach who will help to assess your unique situation and work with you to develop a plan to quit. The Quitline also offers multisession telephone counseling and self-help

January 2012 | The BAY

materials. For the free and confidential support, call 1-800-QUITNOW. For a more solitary approach to kicking the habit, practice addressing the psychological, physical and social aspects of the addiction within yourself. Work on replacing the urge to smoke with an exercise routine. Often just walking around the block can release those “feel-good” hormones that your body is actually longing for, and as a bonus, you’ll be improving your cardiovascular health, which is important after recovering from a cigarette smoking lifestyle. Also consider quitting with a friend, someone who will hold you accountable and give you the support you need to kick the habit for good. And when you begin to physically feel the side effects of nicotine withdrawal, reach for ginger root or peppermint to soothe the stomach, or herbs such as lobelia or passionfruit to calm the nerves. Source them at Seven Arrows Farm on the Attleboro/ Seekonk line, which carries nearly 200 varieties of herbs. 346 Oakhill Avenue, Attleboro. 508-399-7860, www.sevenarrowsfarm.com If your serotonin levels really need a boost, Acupuncture and Herbal Answers may be the holistic approach you’re seeking. For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used to treat anything from back pain to allergies, high blood pressure to depression. This painless procedure actually induces alpha waves, which are brain patterns that accompany a meditative state. 1 Bartlett Court, Newport. 401-619-1912

“We don’t invite friends over for a nice dinner of raw kale and half a grapefruit. It’s always a little awkward to order egg whites and dry wheat toast when going out for a decadent brunch with friends.”

Lose it for Good Blame it solely on the Thanksgiving binge, or on the many dinners of Hanukkah, or on the overindulgence of Christmas, but what it comes down to is that the entire holiday season means weight gain for the great majority of us. So in January, when you’re starting to see the effects of one too many fudge squares, you decide to take action. Last year, you tried a crash diet. This year, let’s try something a little more long-term. Weight loss programs get complicated when you introduce the social aspect of eating. We don’t invite friends over for a nice dinner of raw kale and half a grapefruit and it’s always a little awkward to order egg whites and dry wheat toast when going out for a decadent brunch with friends. Solution: meet up at M.A.K. Bristol Nutrition instead for a nutritious, protein-filled smoothie lunch, available in 20 flavors. You can even heat things up (with hot, energy-boosting tea) or do a few shots (aloe shots, that is). 576 Wood Street, Bristol. 401-230-2369 Cedarz Medical and Cosmetic Center offers a different approach to weight loss: non-invasive laser fat removal. Zerona is the cool-laser technology that is used to remove fat from problem areas: thighs, love handles, upper arms, the works. The treatment encourages fat cells to release from the body’s fatty tissue. Cedarz believes that the results of laser fat removal are comparable to liposuction when paired with a healthy diet and

the Bay | January 2012

an exercise routine. 812 Metacom Avenue, Bristol. 401-253-0025, www.cedarzmedical.com Eat to live, don’t live to eat... right? Perhaps the key to controlling over-eating this January lies in heightened awareness of the body. Yoga and meditation can promote more mindful eating by focusing the mind on the experience of eating. Are you really hungry or just stressed out? If the idea of meditative silence in your own home sounds impossible, Bristol Yoga Studio holds open meditation from 8-9:15am on Wednesdays. 676 Hope Street, Bristol. 401-569-0147, www.bristolyogastudio.com 426 Fitness in Warren has cutting-edge workout equipment (including the only virtual indoor golf course in the state), personal trainers, a dozen different group exercises, but most notably, they have Greg Salgueiro. A registered and licensed dietitian, Salgueiro’s 14 years of experience in fitness and wellness programming lends a perfect background to his role at 426 Fitness, working with clients to optimize their health by focusing on proper food intake. Salgueiro works Mondays and Wednesdays, by appointment only. He can be reached at GregSalRD@cox.net. 426 Fitness also hosts Weight Watchers meetings and monthly nutritional talks. For a full schedule or for more information on becoming a member, visit their website at www.426fitness.com. 426 Metacom Avenue, Warren. 401-247-7440

Grow a Greener You Kermit the Frog said it best: “It’s not easy being green.” Now that you’re feeling good and guilty about all those holiday wine bottles you just tossed because it was too cold to drag out the recycling bins, and about all the shiny wrapping paper you used instead of newspaper because it looked more festive under the tree, it’s time to make a change. Last year, you started turning the faucet off while you brush your teeth. This year, let’s try something a little more sustainable on the larger scale. It’s green to eat in season, and at Persimmon, eating in season is exquisite. Located in Bristol, Persimmon serves up fresh, local when possible, cuisine in harmony with the seasons. The menu changes a little bit every night but sample menus are available online. Slow roasted Vermont lamb loin, shoulder rillette, sausage and braised belly with native cippolini onions, brussels sprouts and parsnips puree anyone? It’s a mouthful – pun intended. 254-7474, www.persimmonbristol.com Boat House is a waterfront gem in Tiverton, allowing diners to enjoy breathtaking views of the Sakonnet while indulging in decadent mouthfuls of fresh local seafood and produce. Try their Native Fluke or Atlantic Swordfish next time you’re in the neighborhood. 401624-6300, www.boathousetiverton.com Downtown Bristol is home to a bustling, cozy spot that’s known for serving up a seasonally changing, locally sourced menu. There’s a reason the Beehive Cafe is so well-loved. As an added green incentive, they of-

fer a Beehive Barter program – trade your home grown produce for anything in the cafe. 401-396-9994, www. thebeehivecafe.com Although the farmers market scene slows down quite a bit in the cold winter months, a few hold strong, including the Mount Hope Winter Market at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol. There’s nothing greener than patronizing small local businesses and farms in the dormant and lethargic winter months. Saturdays from 9-12pm until May, the market hosts vendors such as Portsmouth’s Aquidneck grass-fed beef, Wholly Granola of Barrington, Wicked Good Company of Bristol, and even Cranston’s The Cupcakerie. 250 Metacom Avenue, Bristol. www.farmfresh.org Perhaps the most large-scale sustainable thing we can do this January is to educate our children (and ourselves) about where our food comes from. Even in the wintertime, New England farms are accessible, open spaces to explore. New England Farm Ways was established by the Rhode Island Center for Agricultural Promotion and Education to make our farms more visible to the public. They emphasize that in addition to producing food, farms also preserve wildlife, natural resources, woodlands, and waterways. Included on the initiative’s site are local farms such as Chase Farm Forever and Frerichs Farm and Greenhouses in Warren, Coggeshall Farm in Bristol, and the SVF Foundation in Newport. Go online for a full list of farms or for more information about New England Farm Ways. www.nefarmways.com.

Get Your Life in Order You know it’s time to get your life organized when you can no longer see the floor for the laundry, you forgot your own mother’s birthday, and your children are threatening to call the producers of Hoarders. Last year you tried stuffing it all under the bed. This year, let’s try something a little more efficient. Closets shouldn’t really be described as abysses or labyrinthian or any other adjective meant to describe a place where things disappear. Closets, Etc. promises not to cringe at the sight of your mess; chances are, they’ve seen worse. A local and independent company dedicated solely to organizing people’s lives with style since 1987, Closets, Etc. finds economical storage solutions for any room in your house, including but not limited to your closet. They build and install every customized storage unit, tailored to the way you live or work. Closets, Etc. offers free in-home consultations. Bonus: think of how much more sleep you could get every morning if you didn’t have

to spend 25 minutes looking for that other black shoe in the depths of your closet. 401398-0398, www.closets-etc.com Your kids have a soccer coach, your spouse has a fitness coach and your dog has a behavioral coach. These are people who motivate and teach and help support goals. The Institute for Life Coaching believes that everyone needs someone to act as a pillar now and then. Serving all 50 states, the institute specializes in life, career and executive coaching. You will be matched with a nearby, highly skilled, result producing expert in the field, immediately committed to your success. From personal goals of getting your life organized to goals of finding a new career, the institute strives to support you in your positive change. Go online to meet some of the coaches and to read about others’ experiences with the institute or call for more information or to be matched with a local life coach. 800-517-2960, www.instituteforcoaching.com/rhodeisland

January 2012 | The BAY

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for prospective students and their families

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the Bay | January 2012

.com

Check It Out Rediscover what’s happening at your local library

by Meagan Gann • Photography by James Jones

Warren’s George Hail Library

January 2012 | The BAY

George Hail’s reference librarians are always on hand

Thinking of cracking open more books as part of your New Year’s resolution, but not sure where to turn? Revisit your local library – it will meet your reading list needs, and more. A historic site that originated in 1871 as the Warren Public Reading Room Association, Warren’s George Hail Library is home to the Literacy Volunteers of East Bay, an organization dedicated to providing free instruction in basic literacy and English language skills to Rhode Island and Massachusetts residents. Families who visit the library are eligible to receive temporary discount passes to the Audubon Society, Blithewold Mansion, Mystic Aquarium, Pawtucket Red Sox games and more. Additionally, the library features a book discussion group, based around an exciting new title each month; check out the discussion moderator’s blog, entitled “Pam’s Picks,” for more information about upcoming titles, as well as in-depth book reviews. The library will also get into the spirit of Saint Patrick’s Day this spring, with their Celebrating Ireland event on March 6, which will feature fun Irish music with Mary King. The George Hail Library offers multiple children’s programs, foremost among them a story hour schedule that covers various subjects on different evenings. All story hours also include songs, crafts and film clips. Online, children can find fun Tumblebooks for their iPads, which are stories created in flash animation, along with kid-themed library catalogues. Last, but certainly not least, refer-

the Bay | January 2012

ence librarians and tutors are always on hand for help in all school subjects. The Kid’s Corner Information Place, located on the library’s website, keeps a reliable list of Internet resources for K-12 students to peruse. The George Hail Library is part of the Ocean State Libraries (OSL) network, which not only connects it with other Rhode Island libraries, but also boasts a massive catalogue of digital titles for mp3 players, computers and e-readers such as the Kindle and Nook. 530 Main Street, Warren. 401245-7686, www.georgehail.org. Located down the street from the Carpenter Museum, a museum housing over 5,000 artifacts and photographs from Rehoboth’s past, the Rehoboth Blanding Library places a strong focus on art and history as well as literature. Every year they host Arts in the Village, a performing arts series that runs from autumn to spring; the series typically features appearances by award-winning artists from all over the world. This year’s season features the musical stylings of the Providence Mandolin Orchestra (on February 11) and the Zefira Trio, a Boston-based chamber ensemble (on April 21). Arts in the Village is held in the historic Goff Memorial Hall, which is located next to Blanding. Other activities that are held in Goff Memorial Hall include live poetry readings, contra dancing sessions, book club discussions and lectures on the history of New England. Blanding also boasts several children’s programs, not least of which is the Preschool Story and Craft Time for kids ages three through kinder-

George Hail Library’s resident pet

Barrington Public Library offers many children’s programs

A quiet study nook at the Barrington Library

garten, held on Wednesdays from 1011am or Thursdays from 2-3pm. Tot Time, a socialization program for children under the age of three, features books, music and physical activity. Kids and teens can take advantage of one-day discounted and free passes to local attractions such as the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Providence Children’s Museum. Blanding also hosts a book sale in the spring, where comers can snag reasonablypriced used books as well as delicious baked goods. Finally, Blanding is part of the SAILS network, which allows it access to the resources of other local Massachusetts libraries. 124 Bay State Road, Rehoboth. 508252-4236, www.blandinglibrary.net. Tiverton Public Library is split up into two branches: the Essex and Union Branches, each featuring their own hours and activities. Reader’s Corner reading groups, which consist of book discussions centered on new titles each month, are held at both branches of the library. Essex and Union focus on separate titles, and hold their reading group meetings on different days of the month. Unique to the Tiverton Public Library are the weekly Computer Drop-In Sessions, in which people of all ages receive one-on-one assistance learning new computer and program skills, including Internet basics, social networking and navigating Microsoft Office programs. The library is also part of the OSL library network. Children’s programs and activities include Books & Babies, which aims to immerse new babies in a “reading culture” by providing board books,

child development materials and a library card to parents, early literacy programs for young children (such as Preschool Storytime and Toddler Tales & Tunes, where children experience music along with storytelling), and arts and literacy programs. “Strictly Teens,” the library’s webpage for youth services, offers homework help, reading lists and reviews of popular Young Adult books. Essex Branch, 238 Highland Road, Tiverton. 401-625-6796, Union Branch, 3832 Main Road, Tiverton. 401-625-6799, www.tivertonlibrary.org. Home to a vast number of resources and services - and featuring a strong emphasis on music and film - the Barrington Public Library is home to a theater, which regularly presents specially themed Classic Films Series. There’s an accompanying blog that offers synopses and reviews of upcoming films. Themes are varied, and can cover films depicting a certain historical era as well as actor vehicles. In addition, many movies are part of special lecture series, creating educational as well as entertainment opportunities. Viewings are free and open to the public. Musical events and performances also fill out the library’s schedule, such as string workshops and concerts in April, and the Mandolins in May concert on May 20, featuring music by the New York Mandolin Ensemble and the Providence Mandolin Ensemble. The Coffee and Book Chat offers a special twist on the regular reading discussions and book clubs. Held on the first Monday morning of every

January 2012 | The BAY

Middletown Public Library’s children’s room

Local libraries offer options for both education and entertainment. month, members gather together with a hot cup of coffee to share exciting new discoveries in the world of reading. The Barrington Blog, the library’s official blog, regularly updates with news of library additions and events. Another way to keep in touch with the library is by signing up for Bookletters, a subscription for recommended reading notices and upcoming events. Finally, kids and teens will find a lot to love about the Barrington Public Library. Starting this month, registration will be available for several children’s programs, such as Mother Goose, featuring nursery rhymes and age-appropriate books and songs for children ages 0-23 months, and Booklook, an eight-week interactive program for two-year-olds. Teens can drop in for workshops, tutoring and reading lists. 281 County Road, Barrington. 401-247-1920, www.barringtonlibrary.org. Originally the domain of “the Female Benevolent and Library Society”

the Bay | January 2012

in 1825, the Seekonk Public Library has become an indispensable fixture in southeastern Massachusetts. In addition to being part of the SAILS library network, it offers museum passes for members of Friends of the Library, book deliveries to homebound patrons, monthly family nights featuring special music and speakers, storytime hours for toddler- and preschool-aged children, weekend movie matinees, book clubs for parents and children alike and much more. The library is also digitally equipped with an Overdrive program that lets patrons find and download both audio and electronic books for computers, e-readers and music players. Those who are looking to meet their research needs will likewise be pleased with the wealth of research materials available, on subjects ranging from health and local news to foreign language and investment. To celebrate the bicentennial of Seekonk’s founding, the Seekonk Public Library will hold a Happy

Birthday Party on April 12 for children of all ages, as well as a special Breakfast and Books function on April 14. 410 Newman Avenue, Seekonk. 508336-8230, www.seekonkpl.org. The Middletown Public Library isn’t just useful for borrowing books – it also houses a cozy bookstore, made possible by the Friends of the Library organization. It is open every day of the week except Sunday, with newly expanded hours. Most donations are accepted and can be left at the front desk, where staff will evaluate their condition and usefulness. The library also accommodates children and families, with programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and teenagers. Discount passes, available at the circulation desk, can be “checked out” for use at places like the Museum of Science in Boston, the New England Aquarium, the RISD

Museum, Pawsox games and more. The library has a strong online presence: not only can teenage patrons check out the “Teen Corner” (with online articles, learning resources, and library activities), the library also maintains three individual blogs announcing upcoming adult, teen and kid events. It also maintains access to a digital catalogue courtesy of the OSL network. The Middletown Public Library also hosts free monthly Meet the Author events, in which authors are invited to visit the library to discuss their latest published works. Genres include both fictional and nonfiction, and run the gamut from science fiction and historical fiction to antiquing and environmental advocacy. 700 West Main Road, Middletown. 401-846-1573, www.middletownpubliclibrary.org.

Check out a movie at the Middletown Library

Live Well

Photography: Judith Gardner

Stylish finds for you and your home

A creative outlet

January 2012 | The BAY

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Live Well Shop Around by Emily Nissensohn

organize smarter live better

Jennifer Amenta, owner

Signature Baubles

An inspired boutique owner crafts one-of-a-kind treasures in Warren

Photography: Judith Gardner

Whether you’re on a

quest to find that perfect Valentine’s Day gift or a mission to bedeck yourself, Jennifer Elizabeth houses a selection of unique jewelry that will please even the most discerning accessory aficionado. The boutique, which opened this past October, houses owner Jennifer Amenta’s original jewelry collections that she makes by hand from all different types of vintage elements. From bold statement pieces ornamented with jewels to her quieter items adorned with feathers and stones, Jennifer Elizabeth truly holds a special piece for anyone. “Whether it’s an old artifact, your grandmother’s earrings, or pieces of vintage glass, I find a way to incorporate the unexpected.” Amenta says. At the age of five, Amenta’s mother found her tearing apart her old christening gown and party dresses, drawing on them to create her own fashions. Years later, after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Amenta became a fashion designer, working her way through the corporate world. However, the fashion industry that so many others strive to fit into was no match for such a creative designer. “I’ve always collected vintage everything and one day I just decided to make a necklace out of some vintage pieces,” Amenta recalls. I didn’t think much of it but wore it to work the next day. By the end of the following day I had three orders from co-workers for a similar necklace.”

That push of confidence was all Amenta needed to quit her job. With the full support of friends and family, she began teaching herself how to design and craft her own jewelry. And just like that, Jennifer Elizabeth was born. After living in New York for over 10 years, Amenta packed up and moved her newly-born venture to Rhode Island. While she was searching for a studio space solely to design her jewelry in anticipation of selling wholesale, Amenta stumbled upon a gem of a location in Warren. And although the thought had only momentarily crossed her mind in a long-term sense, she saw an opportunity to open her own retail boutique. Amenta instantly fell in love with the space and the town. “The bay area creates a lot of good inspiration for me,” she says. “In New York City I was go, go, go all of the time, and now being here I’ve learned to slow down just a little bit.” Currently, Amenta is incorporating her other passion – animals – in her collection, creating a piece for the Hartford Animal Shelter with the proceeds going towards the organization; she hopes to bring her charitable contributions to the bay in the near future. “I’ve always had a hunger to succeed on my own,” Amenta explains. “My motivation comes from that. I am constantly thinking ahead about what to do next. I truly love what I do, and love being in this area.” 74 Miller Street, Warren. 860-944-9251, www.jenniferelizabeth.com

Free in-home

design consultation

creative custom designs since 1987

866.642.1705· 401.398.0398· www.closets-etc.com Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts

Partners Village Store and Kitchen

It Always Feels Like Home

Gifts Books Café Sweets Toys Jewelry Cards 865 Main Road Westport, MA ~ 508-636-2572 www.partnersvillagestore.com ~ Follow us on Facebook

January 2012 | The BAY

Live Well Connoisseur Think Spring... by Erin Swanson

Alicia Hamblett

Dine Fashionably

After Christmas Sale 20%-50% Off

A specialty boutique Open Daily 10-5:30 Saturday 10-5

The Village CenTer 290 County road, Barrington 247-1087 Contemporary women’s apparel, lingerie, shoes and accessories

the Bay | January 2012

Barrington’s Alicia Hamblett on dressing your table What inspired you to get into the fabric business and begin Alicia’s Table? I started my web-based company two years ago. I had several inspirations, the first being that I simply love to entertain and to set a festive table. Having a dinner party with close friends, great food, wine and conversation is my idea of a perfect night. Second, I love textiles. My dream is to design my own fabric line someday. Right now, I just buy fabrics that I love and have them made into table linens. I’m also inspired by textile designer John Robshaw. His creation – an amazing cherry red IKAT tablecloth with a green zebra table runner – is a favorite of mine. I love his style. Are you an expert sewer? I am not. I have found some special and talented people who are extremely skilled at sewing. Everything is sewn in Rhode Island, which is something that makes me feel really good. Honestly, I don’t love to sew – I’m all about the end product. I don’t keep a huge inventory, and everything I stock is called a “limited edition.” I buy what I love and when it’s gone, it’s gone. I love updating my selection

with new, favorite finds. Have you traveled to Bali to purchase the Batik products you sell? No. I have never traveled to Indonesia but it’s definitely on my list. I purchase my current offerings of Batik fabrics, which are printed on cotton twill, from a couple who divide their time between Bali and Telluride, Colorado. I have another vendor friend who sells a clothing line made from Batik fabrics made in Bali as well. The unique patterns are really eye catching. I’d like to go to Bali with my designs and find someone to Batik them. Which of your custom fabrics do you have in your own home? I specialize in custom sizing fabrics to fit any table, something that I began doing for myself; I have a custom-made dining table so it was always hard to find a tablecloth that not only fit my table, but was made from a fabric I liked. In my home, you will find a big mix of patterns – floral, animal print, IKAT and even a little check. I am not matchy-matchy, that’s for sure.

Which of those patterns are currently on your table? I currently have one of my favorite Brunschwig & Fils IKAT runners on my dining table. My kitchen table is festive, with a tablecloth made from a red and white Hable Contruction fabric called “beads.” Have you been asked to do any unique custom jobs? Yes. I offer monogramming – I work with a vendor friend who monograms everything. One day, I was contacted by a woman who worked in the events department for TBS. She and a co-worker loved my website and asked me to do the table linens for Conan O’Brien’s launch party for TBS at the Soho House in West Hollywood last November. They ordered placemats and napkins, which each included a monogrammed TBS logo. The colors were bright blue and a color reminiscent of a sweet potato – or of Conan’s hair. I included monogrammed napkins for Conan, wrapped in a separate box as a gift, but I never got a thank you note. Still, it was an exciting job to do! www.aliciastable.com

Photography: Amy Amerantes

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January 2012 | The BAY

Experience Bristol

Olde China Trader High quality Chinese antiques and products reminiscent of the China Trade in the 19th Century Beginning January 2, 2012 we will continue to sell online and by appointment from our Bristol Warehouse

The Spirit of Independence Unique Home and Gift Shoppe Offering home decor, gifts for all occasions, pet supplies and fine furnishings

For appointment call:

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Taste

Savor the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best food and drink

Photography: Kate Kelley

Thames Waterside Bar & Grill Frutti di mare

January 2012 | The BAY

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AFFORDING INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS Come learn about financial aid guidelines and see if your family might qualify for financial aid at an independent school Keynote speaker: Kristen Power, Regional Director for the National Association of Independent Schools

Thursday January 12, 2012 • 6 p.m. The Rochambeau Public Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 Sponsored by: Gordon, Lincoln, Moses Brown, Providence Country Day, Rocky Hill, Sage & Wheeler schools

Open House Dates Gordon January 12 • 9 - 11 a.m.

Moses Brown January 8 • 1:30 - 4 p.m.

Sage January 12 • 9-11 a.m.

Lincoln January 7 • 1 - 3 p.m.

Providence Country Day January 11 • 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Wheeler January 28 • 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Rocky Hill January 21 • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information or to RSVP please call 401-331-9696 ext 3157

the Bay | January 2012

Taste Connoisseur

by Julie Tremaine

ExpEriEncE TradiTion

Live Music Saturdays 12 Beers On Draught Cocktail Lounge ModernCreative & Traditional Cuisine

Chef Melina, Pattie Gaudreau and the Blount Market staff

Fresh Catch

90 Pottersville Road Little Compton • 401-635-8367 crowthersrestaurant.com

Pattie Gaudreau on the sea’s bounty this winter

Photography: Amy Amerantes

Blount is best known for seafood, but there are so many other foods you produce. Tell me about the some other notable products. Blount is famous for its lobster bisque and lobster salad; both are made at Blount’s Fall River production facility, where hundreds of recipes come together for retailers and restaurant chains alike. We also make great seafood dips and Greek-yogurt dips. Our clam shacks are famous for their clam cakes and their fish and chips. What will we find at Blount Market? The Blount Market originally opened up as a small factory outlet store to sell Blount Fine Foods soups and chowders. Over the years it partnered with Halls Seafood and has grown into a specialty market where you can get fresh seafood, gourmet soups and chowders, local fresh bread, sauces, dips and freshly made sides and seafood entrees to go. All of our customers can come in at any time and sample our new additions. What prepared foods are the favorites? We make to order anything that our customers request. Our biggest re-

quests are our cooked shrimp, seafood casseroles with fresh lobster meat, New England clam chowder, lobster macaroni and cheese, lobster bisque, seafood curry with coconut rice, baked stuffed shrimp, and our large panko scallops wrapped in bacon. We also make our famous clam boil in a can which people really love. What’s new at the market? We have just finished a renovation in order to better serve our customers and at the same time we have expanded our salads and gourmet side dishes by hiring a full time chef. Chef Melina with be creating a few New England classics: freshly made Seafood Newburg, fresh seafood pies, salmon and dill pies and oyster stuffing, as well as adding to our menu many assorted appetizers. Our goal is to use all of the freshest seafood and to create more entrees that our customers can take home and heat for a meal. Along with the entrees, we will have freshly made sides. By popular demand we will also add all the ingredients to make your own salads. Our loyal customers have requested us to be more of a one-stop shop and we are

pleased to accommodate! You supply foods for Legal Sea Foods and Panera Bread. How did that come about? What do you supply them? Blount has licensing agreements with Both Legal and Panera. We do not make core products for the restaurants themselves, but rather make identical branded products for sale at retailers across the country. People think more about fresh fish in the summer. What’s in season in Rhode Island at this time of year that we can get from Blount? During the winter months we remain extremely busy. Our large variety of soups, chowder, stews and chilis are always quick and easy. Even though many people do not grill in the winter, our fresh fish is still in high demand. Local fresh sole, haddock, cod, quahogs, lobsters (off of our own boat), and fresh Scottish salmon are just a few that customers eat year round. Pattie is Director of Retail Operations at Blount Fine Foods, 383 Water Street, Warren. 401-245-8800, www.blountseafood.com

January 2012 | The BAY

Taste Eat

by David Dadekian

Casual Consumption A menu that’s as laid-back as the atmosphere Thames Waterside Bar & Grill

Baby back ribs with house marinade

the Bay | January 2012

Cozy booths line the bar

off the bat. The Buffalo Chicken Wings ($8.50) were very good. Sure it’s not the most unique dish a place can offer, but I’ve had plenty of bad buffalo wings in my life and it’s a crowd-pleasing dish when it’s done well. I could have been happy with buffalo wings and Guinness for the night, but then that wouldn’t have been much of a review. My wife ordered the Lazy Man Na-

chos ($8.95), which were a little different than your standard platter of nachos in that the Lazy Man is a large bowl of chili with a heaping pile of tortilla chips alongside — again, not hugely original, but very tasty. The chili was really good and both of us said we’d have been happy with it alone. The chips went well with it, and while it might not have been the most graceful way to eat chili, it was perfectly suitable for stuffing chili in your mouth as you watched a game. For dinner we ordered the Great Steak Sandwich ($11.50) and the Falerna Panini ($10.95). The steak sandwich contained grilled and sliced steak topped with onions and gorgonzola cheese, all stuffed into a bulky torpedo roll with a side of fries. The Falerna is made of grilled chicken, roasted peppers, prosciutto, provolone and a pesto mayonnaise on flat bread. Grilling the sandwich flat with a panini press unfortunately rendered it a little dry, though some more pesto mayonnaise helped. A burger is probably a better bet, but my wife was feeling a little adventurous. The beer list is great with about a

dozen beers on tap and another dozen by the bottle. Our server also told us there was one special beer addition that evening. Speaking of service, for a bar with a crowd of customers pulling servers in all kinds of directions, the service couldn’t have been friendlier or more attentive. Part of the beauty of the rich dining scene in Bristol is that there is much diversity in both the foods and the ambiance offered. In the mood for fine dining? I have a recommendation. Pizza? No problem. Want some good bar food while watching the game in a great location? I’ve got the right place for you.

Thames Waterside Bar & Grill 251 Thames Street, Bristol 401-253-4523

Photography: Kate Kelley

in Bristol is a good bar for watching sports and grabbing a drink with your friends. There’s a nice, ushaped bar in the main room, ringed with stools and plenty of televisions, along with a few booths around the perimeter of the bar. There’s a modest indoor dining area as well as a large deck that’s open year-round, overlooking Bristol Harbor and out toward Narragansett Bay. That deck would make a great spot for a large party to enjoy a night full of drinks and bar food. I’ll make no bones about it, that’s what they serve best at Thames Waterside – bar food. Buffalo wings, nachos, clam cakes and stuffies (it is a waterside bar after all). There are some burgers and sandwiches on the menu that can be serviceable with a beer, and perhaps the salads or pastas would be a revelation. But the atmosphere on a Monday night, with all the TVs turned to football and a few on hockey, definitely called for bar food – so that’s what we ordered. The menu pretty much said that a great bar has to have a great buffalo wing - and claimed that they did - so I decided to judge that boast right

February 16-21

2012

Providence Children’s

Film Festival

Features & Shorts | Filmmaker Presentations | Workshops

Cable Car Cinema RISD Auditorium Metcalf Auditorium, RISD

www.pcffri.org

Carter Family Charitable Trust

Healthy Smiles for the Whole Family

Breakfast 7am-12pm daily Full Menu 12pm-10:30pm M-Sat 12pm-9:30pm Sunday

All of our bars are open late each night. Visit us for

Providence Restaurant Week 1/15-1/28 and

Wine Week

Dr. R. Craig Wood 600 Wampanoag Trail, Riverside, RI 401-434-2626

All bottles of wine will be sold 50% off for the first two weeks of January

DeWolf Tavern at Thames Street Landing 259 Thames Street, Bristol www.DeWolfTavern.com • 254-2005

January 2012 | The BAY

Always a Good Read AvAilAble every month At: Barrington Public Library

Portsmouth Public Library Riverside Branch Library George Hail Library (Warren) Rogers Free Library (Bristol) Brownell Library (Little Compton)

TheBay your Guide to living Well on the east bay & South Coast

TheBayMagazine.com While the weather outside is frightful,

The Wharf is so delightful! Warm up with a warm, home-style meal

Baby Buck! Saturday, January 14

Under new ownership by the Esmay Family of The Old Grist Mill Tavern

401-289-2524

Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week

Free bOTTle OF Wine with the purchase of any 2 dinner entrees*

the Bay | January 2012

From clothing to furniture and toys, Children’s Orchard¨ has a great deal on every little thing you need for baby’s first year, with everyday prices up to 80% below retail! Tell your friends, and shop January 14 for savings too good to miss. *Offer good on resale clothing items priced $4.99 or less. Store credit not valid for Baby Buck items. Cannot be combined with any other offers or coupons. So that all our valuable customers can share in the savings; there is a limit of 20 one dollar items per household.

215 Water Street, Warren www.thewharftavernri.com

Monday through Thursday

For one day only, get Newborn – 12 month clothing for JUST ONE DOLLAR!*

*Not valid on Holidays. Expires 1/31/12

Seekonk Square - Off Route 6 20 Commerce Way, Seekonk, MA 02771 (508) 336-7757

Taste Drink

by Caitlin Quinn

Sweet and Hot

Illustration by: Ashley MacLure

Warm your winter nights with an old time classic As much as I love an icy cocktail, when I’m chilled to the bone and cursing all manufacturers of drafty windows, I seek warmth in my glass. Perhaps the simplest choice is the hot toddy. Traditionally made from fresh lemon, honey, bourbon and hot water – and rumored to possess medicinal properties – the hot toddy offers a balanced tonic to warm the body, calm the nerves and soothe the throat if need be. To someone who has been known to order vodka sodas, this sounds inviting. For those who need more from their libation, take comfort in knowing that the hot toddy’s blueprint of a warm base, spirit and sweetener can take nearly any form you like. Just be prepared for some traditionalist backlash. The hot toddy’s origins are a bit of a grab bag of Scottish and English folklore, however, everyone knows of a version and has a personal story, to boot. My good friend Matt tells me of his time in Dublin when he curiously watched a bartender fill half a glass of Jameson with hot water, a lemon wedge and cloves for another patron who had a cold. Another friend Kim shares that when she was a child her mom had “magic cough syrup,” a gold colored liquid that killed her cough and put her to sleep. For years she searched drugstores to no avail. On her 21st birthday, her mom finally told her the magic ingredients: whiskey and honey. Other tales speak to the same theme of the hot toddy as a remedy for those under the weather. A spoonful of honey might help the whiskey go down, but alcohol and sugar will also dehydrate you and some medications do not mix with booze, so I’m not sold on the hot toddy as a cure-all. Its magic lies in its comfort. As Matt puts it, the hot toddy is “like a natural, better tasting Theraflu that helps to take the edge off.” When making a hot toddy, use the highest caliber ingredients you have, as it’s a short list that doesn’t leave

much room for error. It’s best to use honey with low water content so that it maintains its freshness. Eli Sweet, bartender at DeWolf Tavern in Bristol, where hot toddies are a menu favorite, recommends using tea and cinnamon over hot water and cloves. “Really, you can use any liquor of your choice, just adjust the sugar based on how sweet it is. If you use rum, you’ll want to use less; with whiskey you might want more sweetness to balance.” It seems that the hot toddy leaves almost all to the imagination, if you choose. Try white or brown sugar – or ginger simple syrup – instead of honey. Use brandy, rum, scotch, citrus liquors and even vodka, with herbal or black tea. Dabble with the spice rack, from allspice and cardamom to star anise and juniper berries. An apple slice will absorb a little heat and help to balance the spice and citrus dimensions. Surprisingly, some even prefer a slice of butter for extra ammunition against a sore throat. I chose the traditional route for my first hot toddy, mostly due to household availability of necessary components. Many recipes call for the muddling of half a lemon into your mug, but I found this to be too much. I suggest muddling a smaller amount to start and adding slices as needed once the other ingredients have been mixed. My second attempt reined in the fruit, added a touch more honey and struck gold. Maybe it’s the old man in me who loves bourbon (and hot water with lemon), or maybe it’s because I’m reminded of my nineyear-old self’s obsession with books like Heidi and The Secret Garden where sick children needed exotic, mixed tonics; either way, I am really on board with this drink. It’s satisfying, clean and smooth. If I felt ill I would most certainly make this with herbal tea. Whether you go traditional or experimental, and whether you’re sick or just sick of the cold, enjoy the comforts of the hot toddy this winter.

Traditional Hot Toddy Cut a lemon into eighths. Muddle a quarter of the lemon (2 pieces) into a mug. Add 1 tsp honey. Add 1 tsp bourbon. (Optional: Add spice, such as 2 cloves or 1 cinnamon stick.) Top with just boiled water. Stir well, adding lemon slices to taste.

January 2012 | The BAY

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the Bay | January 2012

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Taste Dining Guide special advertising section American cuisine in a historic waterfront setting, DeWolf Tavern is consistently ranked among the best restaurants in New England, and has been nominated for several James Beard Awards. BLD $$-$$$ JaCKY’S GaLaXIE 383 Metacom Avenue; 401-253-8818. Jacky’s offers an eclectic taste of Asia, including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese. Enjoy traditional recipes combined with modern technique and flair for a unique dining experience. LD $-$$ LE CENTRaL 483 Hope Street; 401-3969965. Enjoy a variety of classic French staples from Coq au Vin and Croque Monsieur, to North African tajines in an intimate setting. They also offer a gourmet wine list. BRLD $-$$$

Black Bass Grille 3 Water Street, South Dartmouth; 508-999-6975. Located right across from Padanaram Harbor in South Dartmouth, this hidden gem specializes in inexpensive seafood, fresh off the boat. Be sure to try one of their creative nightly specials. BrLD $-$$$

Barrington BILLY’S 286 Maple Avenue; 289-2888. Billy’s creates a warm, inviting family atmosphere and ensures the finest quality ingredients in everything from fresh salads to juicy burgers to pizzas and Italian entrees. Full bar available. D $-$$

Photography: Kate Kelley

CHIazza TRaTToRIa 308 County Road; 401-247-0303. Chiazza provides delicious Italian American cuisine in an upscale setting nestled in the heart of historic Barrington. Enjoy brick oven pizzas, as well as antipasti, pasta, seafood and a full bar. LD $-$$ MaDIGaNS’S CaFE & WINE BaR 328 County Road; 401-245-1900. Enjoy upscale bistro cuisine with international influence, from a full breakfast menu to sandwiches, pastas, and chicken and steak entrees with a gourmet twist, plus excellent wine and beer selections. BLD $-$$ ToNG-D 156 County Road; 401-289-

Key

2998. Curry lovers and Asian food fanatics will go crazy for this authentic Thai restaurant. For great food and service in an upscale yet comfortable atmosphere, try Tong-D. LD $$ TYLER PoINT GRILLE 32 Barton Avenue; 401-247-0017. With its nautical décor and open-air kitchen, Tyler Point Grille serves up contemporary Italian fare and classic seafood in a relaxed waterfront setting. You can even arrive by boat. D $-$$$

Bristol aGaVE 805 Hope Street; 401-256-1566. Agave presents an eclectic mix of flavors and influences, encompassing tapas, Latin food, Southwestern dishes, pizzas, local seafood favorites, even pastas, all with a great view of the waterfront. BLD $$-$$$ DEWoLF TaVERN 259 Thames Street; 401-254-2005. Serving contemporary

THaMES WaTERSIDE BaR & GRILL 251 Thames Street; 401-253-4523. Enjoy all your seafood and pub favorites – from lobster rolls to half-pound burgers, from pizzas to pastas – in an incomparable waterfront setting overlooking Bristol Harbor. LD $-$$

East Providence DECK FoRTY TWo 28 Water Street; 401-270-4245. Enjoy fresh seafood and Italian favorites at family friendly prices, along with the best waterfront view of the city. It’s a convenient trip from downtown, just off the East Bay Bike Path. LD $-$$$ ICHIGo ICHIE 5 Catamore Boulevard; 401435-8989. The name roughly translates as “one encounter in a lifetime,” but you’ll want to visit again and again for the enchanting Japanese décor, and of course, the sushi and hibachi menus. LD $$

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VINE YaRD EaST 315 Waterman Avenue; 401-432-7000. Wine-influenced dining meets casual down home atmosphere, and an eclectic menu of regional fare like local seafood favorites and Italian and Portuguese classics. LD $$

Little Compton CRoWTHER’S RESTaURaNT 90 Pottersville Road; 401-635-8367. Crowther’s has maintained a tradition of quality dining and service in Little Compton for

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

January 2012 | The BAY

Taste Dining Guide over 25 years, serving everything from small plates to seafood classics. LD $-$$

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Middletown aTLaNTIC GRILLE 91 Aquidneck Avenue; 849-4440. Since 1992, the Atlantic Grille has been a daily stop for locals in search of a hearty breakfast, quick lunch or a special dinner. It’s always a hot spot. BBrLD $-$$

Portsmouth 15 PoINT RoaD 15 Point Road; 401-6833138. If you’re not too entranced by the breathtaking view of the Sakonnet River, be sure to try the seafood, poultry and beef dishes that make up 15 Point’s signature selection. Traditional yet innovative cuisine at its best. D $$-$$$

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FIELDSToNES GRILLE 980 East Main Road; 401-293-5200. The casual and lively atmosphere of Fieldstones is perfect for family dining, seven days a week. Choose from pizzas, pasta, seafood, steaks or their specialty fajitas, all made with the freshest ingredients. LD $-$$

Providence CaV 14 Imperial Pl.; 401-751-9164. The New York Times’ choice as one of Providence’s five best restaurants, CAV’s contemporary award-winning cuisine is available for lunch and dinner daily. They also feature Saturday/Sunday brunch. BrLD $$-$$$

Seekonk 1149 EaST 965 Fall River Avenue; 508336-1149; also 1149 Division Street, Warwick/East Greenwich line; 401-884-1149. Metropolitan chic comes to the suburbs – its second location, no less – at this super stylish restaurant with a raw bar, outstanding menu and some of the best cocktails around. LD $-$$$ oLD GRIST MILL TaVERN 390 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk; 508-336-8460. Built in 1745, the Old Grist Mill offers classic New England dishes to match the atmosphere. Come to the river’s edge for legendary crab cakes and lobster. LD $-$$$

Key 42

the Bay | January 2012

Swansea TICKLE’S TEa RooM 2219 Grand Army Highway (Rte. 6); 508-379-0717. A cozy spot for tasty meals, Tickle’s features a variety of salads, soups, sandwiches and quiche. Enjoy a classic and delicious Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, or a fresh Apple Walnut Salad. L $

Tiverton BoaT HoUSE 227 Schooner Drive; 401624-6300. Enjoy views of the Sakonnet River as you sample fresh seafood and local produce. The award-winning clam chowder and prime waterfront location make this a quintessential New England restaurant. D $-$$$

Warren SUNNYSIDE 267 Water Street; 401-2471200. Daytime dining goes gourmet. Featuring innovative dishes and local ingredients served in a refined but relaxed atmosphere, this cozy waterfront favorite brings nighttime sophistication into the sunshine. BBrL $-$$ TRaFFoRD 285 Water Street; 401289-2265. While the bright interior space and beautiful waterfront deck are charming, the eclectic menu is Trafford’s specialty. The fresh seafood and seasoned wood grilled entrees are bold enough to match the decor. Valet service offered. LD $-$$$ WHaRF TaVERN 215 Water Street; 401289-2524. Fine American dining and fresh seafood are what distinguish the Wharf’s menu. You’ll find everything from soups and salads to classic surf and turf options in a beautiful waterfront location. LD $-$$$

Westport MaRGUERITE’S 778 Main Road; 508636-3040. Chef Trafford Kane infuses classic New England comfort food with the flair of the Southwest and California. It’s no wonder Marguerite’s boasts about their “fresh ingredients, fresh air, fresh food.” BLD $-$$

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

Gallery

The best of Januaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art and culture

44 52

Amazing Take The Maize Plunge

Polar Bear Plunge swimmers dive into the water at Eastonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beach

January 2012 | The BAY

Gallery Calendar by Dawn Keable

January from previous page January 1: Swimming in the frigid waters of the Atlantic? There was never a better idea. Granted, the average high temp of the ocean in these parts only makes it into the upper 30s come January, but isn’t that a small price to pay for all of the other benefits that come with a mid-winter’s day at the beach? The list is long. No melting ice in the cooler. No trying to look cool while attempting to stroll barefoot across miles of scorching sand on the way back to your seat. There’s no danger of sweating off your sunscreen, getting stung by a jellyfish or eaten alive by a great white. See? The Polar Bear Plunge has all the makings to be the perfect day at the beach, especially when you mix in an opportunity to raise funds for A Wish Come True. Noon. Free. Easton’s Beach, 175 Memorial Boulevard, Newport. 401-846-0028, www.newportpolarbears.bravehost.com. January 2 Prepare for the face-off of the dueling guitars at Holiday Musical Performances: Jaime James Duo. The two are college buddies who (much to their parents’ approval) bonded over their passion for jazz, rock and classical music, instead of the usual beer pong. 3-4pm. $12, $10 seniors/ students, $4 ages 6-17. Blithewold, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol. 401-253-2707, www.blithewold.org. January 5 Get all the facts during the Reverse Mortgage Educational Seminar, which will cover misconceptions, qualifications, tax benefits and costs, so you can rid yourself of false ideas of what you think will happen. What a relief. 10am-noon. Free. Large Meeting Room, Seekonk Library, 410 Newman Avenue, Seekonk. Pre-registration requested: 800-446-6997 Ext. 2375, www.seekonkpl.org. January 7 Get off the sofa and go outside for the Little Compton Scenic Winter Road Race/Walk, a 4.8 mile course that benefits the Little Compton Education Fund and puts you in the rare category of those actually tackling their New

the Bay | January 2012

Year’s Resolutions. 10am. $18, $20 day of. Wilbur-McMahon School, 28 Commons, Little Compton. 401-885-1382, www.lceducationfoundation.org. January 9 Eat for Energy (and that doesn’t mean the fantastic sugar high that you get from a candy bar), with tips from Margaret Slepkow, M.Ed,. This Harvard University educated Holistic Health Coach looks at how your diet might just be making you sleepy. 7pm. Free. Weaver Memorial Library, 41 Grove Avenue, East Providence. 401-434-2453, www. eastprovidencelibrary.org. January 13-February 12 Take Me Out to the ballgame, and into the locker room of a professional baseball team, where the all-male cast explores themes of homophobia and racism. Thursday: 7pm, FridaySaturday: 8pm, Sunday: 3pm. $25, previews $15. 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market Street, Warren. 401-247-4200, www.2ndstorytheatre.com. January 14 School yourself at the Winter Blues Bash, where the sounds of the James Montgomery Band will teach your feet some moves on the dance floor, and benefit kids served by the Middletown Education Collaborative. 7-11pm. $50. Salve Regina University, Ochre Court, 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport. 401-418-3376, www.middletowneducationcollaborative.org. January 15 Balance your life, not by taking a calculator to your checkbook, but by accepting an Ayurveda Introduction to nature’s five elements. Once you can figure out how they manifest in your life and form doshas, you can then use the knowledge to become the holistic healer at any party. 1-3:30pm. $35. Bristol Yoga Studio, 676 Hope Street, Bristol. 401-569-0147, www.bristolyogastudio.com. January 15 Forgive yourself for using the novelty of twins Emily and Julia Bruskin, two-thirds of The Claremont Trio with Donna Kwong, to pique interest, instead of the program with Ravel Trio

in A minor. 3pm. Snowdate: January 29. $20, $10 students under 21. Westport Point United Methodist Church, 1912 Main Road, Westport. 508-6360698, www.concertsatthepoint.org. January 19-29 Wonder no longer what’s really going on in the mind of say, a fundamentalist snake handler or a baton twirler, as Talking With…, monologues by Jane Martin, gets to the root of it. Thursday: 7:30pm, Friday-Saturday: 8pm, Sunday: 2pm. $16, $14 seniors/students, $10 ages 12 and under. The Fire Barn, 340 Prospect Street, Fall River. 508-6751852, www.littletheatre.net. January 21 Trespass Beyond the Barways, legally, when an invited guide takes you through an opening in a stone wall to explore a piece of privately owned land that’s been preserved as open space for the town’s future and gets you thinking about land protection. 1pm. $5, free Trustees of Reservations members. 1100 Main Road, Westport. 508-636-4693, www.thetrustees.org. January 21 Take a deep breath – even if your historic corset is cutting into your ribcage and draining your air supply – then give the town of Seekonk help in blowing out the candles on their birthday cake. Truth be told, during the Bicentennial Ball, they’ve got a small bonfire on their hands. 6-11pm. $50. Johnson and Wales Inn, 213 Taunton Avenue, Seekonk. 508336-2920, seekonk-ma.gov. January 22 Travel to Sunset Boulevard, 1950, where down-on-his-luck Hollywood scriptwriter Joe Gillis, played by William Holden, teams up with former silent movie star, Norma Desmond, portrayed by Gloria Swanson, to try to stage a comeback, pay off creditors and look classy in a tux. 8pm. $7. Jane Pickens Theatre, 49 Touro Street, Newport. 401-846-5252, www. janepickens.com. January 23 Apologize to your belly for always blaming it for your struggle with

the scale, with Spiritual Support for Weight Loss and Management, a weight loss approach that looks at your whole being of body, mind and spirit, not just your rumbling tummy. 7pm. Free. Weaver Memorial Library, 41 Grove Avenue, East Providence. 401-434-2453, www.eastprovidencelibrary.org. January 27 Welcome Opera Providence into the living room, where the dress code should be slightly snappier than your usual sweats, during their presentation of The Three Tenors. You might also want to consider replacing your normal popcorn and Skittles with wine. 7-8pm. $40, $110 three tickets. Members: $35, $100 three tickets. Blithewold, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol. 401-253-2707, www. blithewold.org. January 28 Whip up a bountiful buffet during Cooking for the Birds, using cookbook recipes to attract those notorious cheap tippers. 11am-noon. Regular admission: $6 adult, $4 ages 4-12, free members, plus program fee: $5 child, $3 Audubon Society child; ages 5 +. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. 401949-5454, www.asri.org. January 29 Raise the heat again, accepting all the financial negativity that’ll come the way of your savings account, or stitch yourself a blanket, with Crochet 101. Stacie Parillo will teach basic stitches, and more importantly, fixes, so you don’t have to unravel. 2-4pm. Free. Barrington Library, 281 County Road, Barrington. 401-2471920, www.barringtonlibrary.org.

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