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86 Washington Street
Westport $890,000 | 508-889-2517
Bristol $675,000 | 401-837-2355
Barrington 401.245.9600
East Greenwich 401.885.8400
Providence 401.274.6740
Westport MA 508.636.4760
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Photo by Cassidy Bissitt, courtesy of Mend Yoga
In This Issue
The Bay Magazine January 2021
20
Namaste at Home East Bay yoga studios are here to help you thrive through quarantine
The Buzz
Life & Style
11 Former NFL player opens
27 HOME: An abstract artist’s
gym in Bristol
light-filled Newport condo
12 Get outside for these
32 WELLNESS: Fitness routine
winter adventures around
options around the East Bay
the state
34 SHOP: Tray chic accent pieces 14 Q&A with Barrington resident and rapper Big Lux
made by a Rhody maker
Food & Drink
16 Support local nonprofits
37 Sugar cookies with a
beyond the holidays
surprising added touch
18 RHODY GEM: Portsmouth
38 EXPERIENCE: Enjoying
fabric shop is a sewist’s dream
sushi by the sea in Bristol
Photo by Christine Chitnis
19 CALENDAR: This month’s
40 IN THE KITCHEN: Area baker
Pic of the Bay
must-do’s
recreates fond food memories
42 A stunning image from a local lens
ON THE COVER: Embrace the benefits of yoga from home.
The Bay • January 2021 7
Bling in the New Year Caron Jewelers specializes in fine jewelry and estate pieces, custom wedding and engagement rings, luxury and vintage watches, artisan giftware, as well as its own Michi Designs featuring rare gemstones. In-house jewelry and watch repair, battery replacement, layaway and cleaning services available.
Caron Jewelers YOUR TRUSTED FAMILY JEWELER SINCE 1956
Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell Matt Hayes
General Manager & Creative Director Nick DelGiudice
Editor in Chief Elyse Major
Editor Abbie Lahmers
Managing Editor Megan Schmit
Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas
Editorial Designer Abigail Brown
Senior Designer Taylor Gilbert
Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich Ann Gallagher
473 HOPE STREET | BRISTOL | 401-253-9460 | CARONJEWELERS.COM
Kristine Mangan Olf Sascha Martin Elizabeth Riel
Discover a school as unique as your child
Interested in advertising? Email Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com
Contributing Photographers Gina Mastrostefano
Contributing Writers Alex Nunes
Bob Curley
Ann O’Neill
Sean Morrissey
Interns Gianni Dejesus Looking for an internship? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com
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PROVIDENCE MEDIA INC. 1070 Main Street, Suite 302, Pawtucket RI 02860 401-305-3391 • Mail@ProvidenceOnline.com ProvidenceOnline.com
the Wolf School
Private K-8 Special Education School | Financial Aid Available | thewolfschool.org 8
The Bay • January 2021
Copyright ©2021 by Providence Media. All rights reserved. Proud member of the Rhode Island Press Association
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Web exclusive: Ways Rhode Island is stepping up to help small businesses (and how you can, too!)
Newsletter
Celebrate the New Year! Tom Wegner
Providence Office Sales Manager
401.383.0999 | Tom.Wegner@LilaDelman.com
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Thank you for your continued support during these difficult times. We wish everyone a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year! WATERFRONT DINING • FARM FRESH MENU PRIVATE EVENTS • CATERING • LIVE MUSIC AL FRESCO DINING • SUNDAY BRUNCH
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A NEW WAVE OF LIVING
NOW LEASING! LUXURY WATERFRONT LIVING IN HISTORIC WARREN, RHODE ISLAND The Residences at 99 Water is a newly constructed community situated on the beautiful Palmer River of Warren, RI. Our pet-friendly community offers stylish 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Every apartment showcases gleaming granite countertops, sleek stainless-steel appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, private outdoor patios, most with water views, some with fireplaces, designer paint colors and much more!
We offer many on-site amenities including heated indoor parking garage, fully-equipped fitness center, community game room, library, bike racks, outdoor fire pit and grilling area. Our luxury apartments are within walking distance from many local restaurants and shops, parks, beaches and local museums. Looking for outdoor recreation? Enjoy immediate access to the East Bay bike path!
APARTMENT AMENITIES
COMMUNITY FEATURES
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STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES GRANITE COUNTERTOPS IN-UNIT WASHER AND DRYER PRIVATE OUTDOOR PATIOS MOST UNITS WITH WATER VIEWS SOME UNITS WITH FIREPLACES CENTRAL AIR-CONDITIONING CABLE & INTERNET READY WINDOW COVERINGS
FULLY-EQUIPPED FITNESS CENTER HEATED PARKING GARAGE PET-FRIENDLY SMOKE-FREE COMMUNITY GAME ROOM BIKE RACKS LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM
Please Call or Email to Schedule your Personal or Virtual Tour!
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401-252-4116 or email 99waterstreet@dalkeymanagement.com
The Buzz Buzz on the Bay
Rhody Gem
Calendar
Reaching the Summit From the NFL to training others, how this former Colts player landed in Bristol Rob Ruggiero has always had a passion for fitness. As a kid, he looked up to his older brother who played college football at Bentley University: “He and his teammates were superheroes to me,” recalls Ruggiero, who began working out with them as a freshman in high school. “They were the perfect role models: focused, dedicated, and proud.” Ruggiero went on to have a successful collegiate career in football, he worked as both a personal trainer and university strength and conditioning coach, and in 2014 achieved his lifelong goal of playing pro, joining the Indianapolis Colts as an inside linebacker. Ruggiero was signed and released three separate times. “In the big league, no one really tells you when it’s over, it just is.” What followed was an emotional roller coaster where the only constants were the weight room and his fiancé Julie, who joined Ruggiero in training to compete in powerlifting and strongman. The grind worked: In 2019, Ruggerio won first place in the New England Strongman Competition and this past October, both he and Julie took home first in the squat, bench press, and deadlift competitions
during the Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate. For Ruggerio, it wasn’t just about winning, but a chance to capture “that feeling” again. Today, Ruggiero, alongside best friend and business partner Adam Toman, owns Summit Performance, a physical fitness center in Bristol. The journey to the literal Summit began when Toman and Ruggiero decided to channel their collegiate coaching experience into private training at facilities around New England. In January of 2020, just months before COVID hit, the pair opened their gym on Gooding Avenue. Despite the challenges, Ruggiero shares, they’ve managed to survive with both dedicated clients and health and safety standards. For many, working out has been the saving grace to getting through “unprecedented times” – and Ruggerio understands this on a personal level: “I have learned so much in this lifelong process and I love passing my passion and knowledge on to the next generation of athletes and lifters. I truly just love helping people get better, fitter and stronger.” Facebook: Summit PC RI | By Megan Schmit
Photo courtesy of Rob Ruggiero The Bay • January 2021 11
The Buzz
ON THE BAY
by Bob Curley
Rhode Trippin’: Winter Adventures Give COVID the cold shoulder with these safe outdoor activities Some say that Rhode Islanders don’t like going anywhere more than 10 minutes from home, but with the travel bug biting, many of us are now looking for in-state ideas for an afternoon, daytrip, or staycation. Each month, Bob Curley, author of 100 Things to Do in Rhode Island Before You Die, will share about places to go within our own state – this month, he takes us on a series of outdoor adventures. Love to ski? You won’t need any special dispensations to hit the slopes at Exeter’s Yawgoo Valley Ski Area – just a few extra precautions to make a day (or night) of skiing, boarding, or tubing a safe and fun time. From taking your temp at home to respiratory etiquette, it’s all detailed online at Yawgoo.com.
12
The Bay • January 2021
Yawgoo’s 246 feet of vertical drop would make it a mogul at Vail or even Stowe, but the park’s short lift rides and 14 trails make it perfect for getting in a few hours of snow play. Lodge access will be limited this season, but so will ticket sales, so one COVID-19 silver lining is shorter lift lines and less skiers on the trails (similarly, timed tickets will keep Yawgoo’s seven-lane snow tubing park an uncrowded experience for maximum sliding excitement). Roger Williams Park Zoo, which is open all winter from Thursday through Monday, also is selling limited tickets in advance and making zoo walkways one-way only to ensure social distancing. The arrival of winter also means more opportunities to encounter some of Rhode Island’s year-
round wildlife in their natural habitat, like the snowy owls that nest in Newport’s Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge and the harbor seals sunning on the rocks off of Rome Point in North Kingstown. COVID or no, the sun will continue to rise each morning at Beavertail State Park, and when winter nights make their too-early arrival, it’s time to bundle up and head down to Ninigret Park in Charlestown for stargazing at the Frosty Drew Observatory, which continues to host public events (advance tickets required) on Friday nights. Biking and hiking, of course, have become incredibly popular as Rhode Islanders have looked for safe outdoor activities during COVID-19 quarantine periods, so don your hat and mittens for a winter stroll
RIEEA Annual Summit:
Culturally Relevant Environmental Education Saturday, February 27, 2021 • 9:00am – 10:30am
Virtual program will include: Keynote Address by Brianna Amingwa Environmental Education Supervisor at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum in Philadelphia Small Group Discussions Led by leaders in the RI environmental education community RIEEA’s Annual Business Meeting
Hit the slopes at Yawgoo Valley
on Newport’s Cliff Walk, or discover the wild oasis of Neutaconkanut Hill in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Providence. Skating is also back at both the Bank Newport City Center in Kennedy Plaza in Providence, along with the perverse pleasure of ramming your friends across the ice during a bumper car session. The Washington Trust Community Skating Center is open for carving icy turns in downtown Westerly, and while there’s no skating this year at Gurney’s Newport resort, you can still chill out with igloo dining at the Showfish restaurant. Let’s admit it, warming up with a hot toddy by the fire pits on the resort’s rinkside deck is a COVID-safe activity I’ll drink to anytime.
Dolly Towne
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The Buzz
ON THE BAY
by Alex Nunes
In partnership with The Public’s Radio
Rapper ‘Big Lux’ is on a big musical mission Musician Kevin Lowther, aka Big Lux, is many things: a West Point grad, Iraq War veteran, activist, Black American, violinist, rapper, Westerly native and Barrington resident. He left the Army in 2017 after 13 years of service and has since become a full-time musician. Big Lux spoke to [The Public’s Radio] reporter Alex Nunes about music, war, activism, and his concerns about political division in America. BIG LUX: I think that is getting in the way of this common good. People [are] just trying to dig in on both sides instead of doing what’s right for the people, and it’s frustrating to see. NUNES: Do you see similarities with what you saw as a service member in other countries?
NUNES: The song “Chasing Bombs,” that is about your experience in Iraq. Can you explain to me what you’re trying to convey in that song? BIG LUX: The frustration at being in a place where you know that your life might be wasted. There’s something so elemental about that and completely overwhelming and frustrating to know that, if I die tomorrow, it might not be in defense of something that was absolutely necessary. There are very valid times to go to war when you need to: to protect your national interest, to protect your family, to protect everything that you hold dear. That was not one of those times. We ended up doing more damage to ourselves and to the people of Iraq.
14
The Bay • January 2021
Kevin Lowther, aka Big Lux, plays at a gathering of activists in downtown Westerly on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.
NUNES: How did you go from being fulltime in the military to then, within a few years, doing what you’re doing? BIG LUX: I realized that I had an opportunity to do this music full-time. I had enough clients. I was building a reputation. I was building a following. And I was like, “Wow, if I have an opportunity to do this, I have to take it.” And so I came back to Rhode Island, because that’s where I had my people, that’s where my network was the best. And once I got here, I realized that I can’t just play music, especially as a Black man who’s going to be in front of a lot of white audiences. I feel like I have a responsibility to help bridge the gap between the two worlds. And Black entertainers are always put in this position. And I feel like I have the platform to do it, so I’m gonna have to do it.
NUNES: So how do you speak out? You’re saying you feel compelled that you need to say something in those situations. What do you do exactly? BIG LUX: The biggest problem that you have is that, a lot of times, people who don’t want to hear the message that I have to say, and other Black entertainers have to say, they spend so much time trying to legislate the way that we’re telling our message versus the actual message. They’re not going to come out and say, “This is bogus. No Black people are being killed; police are doing everything right; everything is great in the hood.” They will come out and say, “You’re not supposed to take a knee; you’re not supposed to be that loud; shut up and dribble.” And they’ll try to come at us that way.
Photo (L) by Alex Nunes, (R) courtesy of Big Lux
BIG LUX: I do see some similarities, and it’s unfortunate. In Iraq, you will see extremes, like, you can’t have this road go to this Sunni area, or this Shiite area – people might do what they can to destroy or obstruct it so that the “other side” can’t use it, instead of having a public transportation system that benefits everybody. I’m really scared of America going down that route, where we can’t do things for each other, because we think it’s going to benefit the other side.
Musician Big Lux is pictured in this promotional photo
So you have to almost be stealthy about it in a way. This summer, because of George Floyd, and because of everything that happened due to his murder, we’ve been able to be a little bit more explicit about it. So I’ve been able to go to more protests. I’ve been able to write more songs about it. I’ve been able to hold Facebook Live sessions to talk about it and to try to introduce certain concepts. I’m having more one-on-one conversations with people. NUNES: When you’re trying to educate people on race and racism, and you’re playing the violin, does the violin help you do that? BIG LUX: The violin is so amazing. It’s a great common denominator. I think it resonates so well with people, because it mimics the sound of the human voice better than any other instrument. So it almost acts as a Trojan Horse in a way. And it gets me into spaces that I would not ordinarily get into. And I get to play music, and hip hop music, in places that ordinarily wouldn’t have that kind of music. So I think it’s been a really good way for me to just introduce myself.
And I think it’s one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. NUNES: When you are playing, say, you’re playing a public event, and you’re playing covers, then you start talking in a political way. Have you ever had people come up to you and say, “I don’t like that. Stick to the covers”? BIG LUX: No one has been that bold yet. But I sense the time is coming. I, honestly, almost hope it happens sometime. Because that’s where the real growth, and that’s where the real communication, can happen. If I’m playing all to people who 100 percent agree with everything I’m saying, then I’m preaching to the choir. And it’s cool; we’re gonna pump ourselves up, but we’re not really gonna make real change. And we’re not going to really bridge the divide. And that is the most important thing right now. NUNES: The song “Red March” is a lot about civil rights, civil rights history. What was the inspiration for that song? BIG LUX: I had been reading some John
Lewis. It was part of a three part series that he wrote called March. He detailed his journey through the civil rights era. And it really stuck with me – his march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and just police met them, and they beat up these marchers badly. And he was marching for voting rights, one of the most fundamental parts of our democracy. And I realized that all the things that I wanted to change about the country right now, I could probably do by marching. NUNES: Where do you want to go from here? What are your goals? BIG LUX: I’m working on my next album. I definitely want to put that out early 2021. But everybody’s got them long term goals. For me, as a musician growing up in Rhode Island, I think my longest term goal is to play at the Newport Jazz Festival. Man, that will be the ultimate. You can listen to Big Lux’s music and follow updates on his events at Spotify, Instagram, and his official website.
The Bay • January 2021 15
The Buzz VOICES OF THE BAY
by Megan Schmit
Helping Hands Giving doesn’t stop after the holiday season – find ways to support East Bay nonprofits like these in the new year Gifts have been opened, decorations put away, the calendar has turned, and the holidays are over. However, don’t stow away the spirit of giving until next season; too often, people forget that those nonprofits helping our communities are open and operating yearround – and the pandemic has only made
Illustration by Abigail Brown
their roles all the more vital. “Our clients were struggling well before COVID-19 hit,” says Marty Sinnott, President and CEO of Child & Family in Middletown. “The pandemic has exacerbated issues like homelessness, job loss, food insecurity, and substance use disorder that affect people’s
ability to keep themselves and their families safe.” Child & Family is one of the largest social service agencies in the state, and offers a multitude of programs for vulnerable children, elders, and families like foster care, supportive housing, and Medicare/ Medicaid enrollment counseling – and despite
challenges, managed to remain operational throughout 2020, with the exception of pausing their early learning center which, Sinnott adds, “was one of the first childcare programs to reopen.” In April, Child & Family was one of six East Bay nonprofits to receive grant money
from a special fund created by the Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island. Other organizations included the East Bay Community Action Program, James L. Maher Center, John Clarke Retirement Center, Newport Community School, and Newport Mental Health. Child & Family immediately used the money to support nearly 210 households through their programming and provided over 500 seniors with case management services. While Child & Family does not expect a quick fix to COVID-19, they are thankful for the continued support of generous foundations and donors: “We believe that individuals and communities thrive when supported by strong families, and that a community works best when it accepts responsibility for all of its members.” ChildAndFamilyRI.com Read on to learn about more East Bay nonprofits like Child & Family, and how you can help beyond the holidays: The Confetti Foundation, Middletown Spreading happiness one box at a time, The Confetti Foundation supplies fun themed party materials to children who are hospitalized on their birthdays. Volunteer to make cards and banners, start an online fundraiser, purchase wish list items, or donate at ConfettiFoundation.org. East Bay Community Action Program EBCAP provides an array of health and human services through their Primary, Behavioral and Dental Health Centers around the area, plus several programs spanning needs such as job seeking, homelessness, recovery, health education, literacy, and housing assistance. Support through volunteer work, monetary donations, and supplying food, clothing, and other items. Learn more at EBCAP.org. The Fogarty Center, Barrington Providing help like community-based living and home-based therapeutic services to support children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities. Learn more and donate at FogartyCenter.org.
James L. Maher Center, Middletown Fostering the independence of those with developmental and other disabilities through programs with a focus on integration in housing, employment, and social engagement. Volunteer or make a charitable donation at MaherCenter.org. Nourish Our Neighbors, Warren In response to COVID-19, food incubator Hope & Main started this campaign to ensure local families have access to wholesome, healthy, prepared foods. Opt in for the “Buy One/Give One” when you purchase a meal for yourself and another is donated to a neighbor. Learn more at MakeFoodYourBusiness.org. Tap-In, Barrington “Touch a Person in Need” supports members of the East Bay community by providing food, clothes, furniture, transport, and information. Join their volunteer team, give back while you shop via AmazonSmile, or make a donation at TapInRI.org. We Share Hope, East Providence This food bank started with two men giving out bread from the back of a station wagon and today gathers and distributes donated food to the homeless, families in poverty, the elderly and disabled, veterans, and the working poor. Make a donation online at WeShareHope.org. Women’s Resource Center, Newport & Warren In an effort to end domestic violence, WRC acts as a safe haven for those in need of support, shelter, and counseling services. Help out by purchasing wish list items like toiletries, recycling your cell phone at one of their offices for client use, or donate online at WRCNBC.org.
Missed your favorite local nonprofit? Email Megan@ProvidenceOnline.com and we’ll add it to the list online.
The Bay • January 2021 17
The Buzz
RHODY GEM
Sew Nice Fabrics Fabric Store
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: A long-standing full-service sewing shop specializing in bolts of quality fabric along with all the notions, trims, threads, and patterns needed to complete a project.
What makes it a Rhody Gem? With bolts and bolts of unique prints you won’t find in the big-box stores and helpful attendants ready to dispense advice, Sew Nice is the new or experienced sewist’s heaven. “The selection ranges from basics for everyday projects and repairs, to bold and fun materials that inspire,” says owner Elaine Wilson, who has worked in fashion design and pattern making and has a knack for home decor projects. Quilters will find satisfying color palettes in the shelves of fabric, crafters the perfect trimmings for DIY creations, and garment makers plenty of patterns and tools of the trade. The shop supplied materials for the brigade of mask makers who took 2020 by storm, sourcing elastic and CDC-recommended 100 percent cotton fabric to help keep Rhode Islanders COVID-safe. Precautions are in place to ensure a safe shopping experience.
Sew Nice Fabrics 3001 East Main Road, Portsmouth SewNiceFabrics.com @sewsonicefabrics
18
The Bay • January 2021
Photo courtesy of Sew Nice Fabrics
Where to find it: On the northern end of Aquidneck Island, find the shop in the Portsmouth Plaza along East Main Road.
To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Abbie@ProvidenceOnline.com
The Buzz
CALENDAR
THE MUST LIST
5 essential events happening this month
ide statew For a f events o listing online! s visit u m ody.co h R Hey
Through January
Browse artisan wares and more at the Tiverton Farmers Market
Photos courtesy of Tiverton Farmers Market
Inside the spacious Sandywoods Center for the Arts, the Tiverton Farmers Market continues every Tuesday with a revised flow and layout to safely shop local food and art vendors. Facebook: Tiverton Farmers Market
Through January: The Providence Rink is open for the season and hosting COVID-friendly private and group skating lessons with professional ice skaters to help you brush up on your skills. TheProvidenceRink.com
January 11-12: The Coast Guard House will be cast in the soft glow of flickering candles for their themed Candlelight Dinners – reserve a spot for a romantic winter date night. Narragansett, TheCoastGuardHouse.com
January 25: Take a virtual journey to the Highlands for Burns Night: The Home Edition live from the Providence Athenæum, featuring poetry, guided scotch tastings, a costume contest, and a few surprises. ProvidenceAthenaeum.org
January 29: Bring the family to the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium for Stories in the Sky, a celestial tour of the constellations overhead and their many legends, plus a take-home hot cocoa kit. Bristol, ASRI.org
The Bay • January 2021 19
Namaste at Home local yoga studios that can help you thrive during COVID By Bob Curley
In the best of times, yoga offers a wide range of physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. In the worst of times, a yoga class – even livestreamed – can be a saving grace. 2020 felt like the longest year on record, and 2021 isn’t starting out much better. For many of us, the world has felt like one giant stress ball, from the ongoing menace of COVID-19 to political strife, economic uncertainty, lack of exercise, and lost connections to friends and family. Thankfully, there are ways to cope and comfort while also promoting physical and mental health. Yoga is sometimes thought of primarily as an exercise that improves balance, flexibility, and strength. And it does do all of that, along with providing relief for back pain and arthritis and improving heart health, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. But yoga has also been proven to promote relaxation, improve sleep, increase energy, manage stress, brighten mood, and provide a supportive community – in other words, just what you need to push back against many of the biggest COVID-related problems short of actually getting sick yourself. “Yoga is beneficial for the whole self – the physical and mental awareness,” says Tracy Ramos, director of Bristol Yoga Studio. “Physically, yoga helps not just because of the movement but also the awareness yoga brings to the body. Our community reports great benefits from yoga in helping with anxiety and stress, as well as depression.”
Elizabeth O’Rourke instructs a variety of classes Photo courtesy of Studio 47
Providence Power Yoga class pictured pre-COVID Alyssa Sullivan, owner of Barrington’s Synergy Power Yoga, adds that while most people are immersed in their daily existence, yoga can open the “third eye” of enlightenment about the deeper meaning of life. “We’ve never been this rattled before,” says Sullivan. “People are afraid, and fear is one of the worst things for our bodies and taps into all of our worst qualities. It’s so vital for yoga to offer a reminder of the divine within.” There are more than a dozen distinct types of yoga, many of which are available at studios around the East Bay. “Yoga is malleable and yields to the needs of the person at the time,” says Ramos. “At our studio, we have classes that focus on the physical aspects of yoga (asana) with classes that have many poses, as well as classes that focus on meditation and breathing techniques and slower body movements. Because we all come from different experiences and backgrounds as practitioners, our instructors really focus on helping folks find what works best for them.” Like many other businesses, local yoga studios have gone virtual in response to social distancing requirements to slow the spread of coronavirus. Bristol Yoga Studio, for example, has been offering live online classes since March. “It’s of course different than being in person, but our community has always focused on learning our personal yoga, so doing yoga from our living rooms was a transition we were well prepared for,” Ramos explains. Bringing yoga home has always been part of the practice, even when classes were usually held in person, she adds. “Yoga happens more than just on the mat,” says Ramos. “So, I’d say that if you can only attend occasionally, to take the lessons of awareness and breathing you learn from class into your regular life. That’s where the real magic happens.”
“We’ve never been this rattled before. People are afraid, and fear is one of the worst things for our bodies and taps into all of our worst qualities. It’s so vital for yoga to offer a reminder of the divine within.” -Alyssa Sullivan, Synergy Power Yoga
Photo by Julie Shore
In addition to online classes, Bristol Yoga Studio has offered yoga at several outdoor locations in Bristol during the pandemic, including on the grounds of the Linden Place mansion, Mount Hope Farm, Independence Park, and in the gardens at Blithewold. The studio offers a variety of hatha yoga classes, including slow flow yoga and non-asana classes that focus on meditation and breathing rather than physical poses. Barrington’s Synergy Power Yoga, on the other hand, emphasizes the workout aspects of vinyasa yoga, with sessions held in a heated room and following the Baptiste Power Vinyasa philosophy to use yoga to build strength and flexibility. Mindfulness is still part of the mix, however, and the studio’s commitment to community extends to several charitable programs, such as fundraising for Providence’s McAuley House. “Because of the depths that we go with our shared meditative experience, people have a real sense of their ‘yoga buddies’,” says Sullivan.
FOR THE
Kids
Yoga can be enjoyed at any age, and who better to do child’s pose than an actual child? Tiverton’s Nanaquaket Yoga Studio has carved out a niche with its children’s programs since opening in early 2020, adapting to COVID-19 restrictions by creating “cohort” classes where young students participate in small groups with no crossover to other classes. Live and Zoom classes range from beginner and “foundational” yoga to more advanced vinyasa and align and flow sessions.
FOR THE
Spiritual
Reverend Shelley Dungan is an interfaith minister and yogi: Not surprisingly, her classes at Middletown’s Sacred Center are suffused with spirituality – Eastern and Christian alike. Gentle and all-levels yoga is held in-studio or outdoors at Norman Bird Sanctuary and Third Beach, along with Zoom and on-demand classes via YouTube and Vimeo. Dungan also leads spirituality book groups and prayer walks – she’ll even officiate your wedding.
FOR THE
Upbeat
The broad range of classes offered at Portsmouth’s Seaside Yoga Studio includes Kundalini yoga, where in addition to movement and meditation you’ll get to join in some traditional chanting. On the other end of the spectrum are the thoroughly modern weighted yoga flow classes, which combine yoga poses with isometric exercise using resistance bands. If your idea of serenity is energetic movement to up-tempo music, this is the yoga for you.
Warming up at Mend Yoga Photo by Visual Manor, courtesy of Mend Yoga
find your zen Check out these other studios scattered around the East Bay • Beloved: A Yoga Practice, Bristol
• Rhode Island Hot Yoga, Bristol
• Caryl Sickul Yoga, Little Compton
• Studio 47, Warren
• Innerlight Yoga & Meditation, Middletown
• Thames Street Yoga, Newport
• Island Yoga, Portsmouth • Jen Meyer, Little Compton • Mend Yoga, Newport • Oceanside Yoga, Tiverton • Providence Power Yoga - East, Riverside
FOR THE
Naturopath
Co-founded by yogis Reinette Fournier and Tom Speare, the Tenth Gate Center for Yoga and Meditation in Portsmouth offers online Kundalini yoga classes – some incorporating Reiki healing practices – and school and corporate wellness programs that include yoga, meditation, and relaxation sessions.
“Yoga happens more than just on the mat. So, I’d say that if you can only attend occasionally, to take the lessons of awareness and breathing you learn from class into your regular life. That’s where the real magic happens.” -Tracy Ramos, Bristol Yoga Studio
FOR THE
Sophisticate
Combine some retail therapy with therapeutic yoga at Newport Power Yoga, located in the heart of Newport on Bellevue Avenue. But don’t mistake the tony address for snootiness: The studio offers four weekly community yoga classes for just $6 each, with the aim of making yoga accessible to everyone.
FOR THE
Adventurous
Finally, if you’re concerned about taking a yoga class with other people, consider doing it with a goat. Simmons Farm in Middletown typically offers outdoor goat yoga classes – yes, that’s yoga poses that incorporate live goats – from May to October. But owner Karla Simmons says that with new baby goats expected to be born in February, classes could be earlier than usual in 2021 – we kid you not.
Alyssa Sullivan of Synergy Power Yoga Photo courtesy of Synergy Power Yoga
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The Bay • January 2021
Life & Style Wellness
Shop
Photos courtesy of Inside Style
Home
Legged furniture gives the impression of more space
Simply Transformed An abstract artist updates a Newport condo into a sophisticated home of her own After building a successful career in the financial services industry, about eight years ago, Susan Hunter Petree treated herself to a trip to Santa Fe, and on a lark signed up for a three-hour painting class. Having never swooshed pigments before, Petree still recounts that transformative day with enthusiasm when she experienced something that simply lit her from within. “I went back to New York, quit my job, and put my apartment on the market,” she explains. “That is how I ended up in Newport, since I couldn’t afford to be an artist in NYC and friends suggested moving here,” says Petree, who was already familiar with Rhode Island, having
The Bay • January 2021 27
Life & Style HOME
Plantation shutters help insulate during cold months
By Elyse Major
Photos courtesy of Susan Hunter Petree
spent some time visiting over the years. Initially, Petree made her home in a traditional house with a studio on the top floor but craved more space to paint. “Taller ceilings!” says Petree, who happened upon a condo with cathedral ceilings. “I put a bid on it the day after I first saw it.” The condo did have some dated features, like yellow sinks and tubs, which were popular in the 1980s, and according to their new owner, needed to go. Petree made some structural changes – even more than she had anticipated – like
Want your home featured in The Bay? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more putting in a new kitchen and tearing down the living room wall. When it came time to decorate, Petree enlisted the help of Inside Style in South Kingstown, and Lee Chartier helped reimagine the space. “When I first met Susan and saw her wonderful paintings,
Where to Next? is the title of this mixed media on canvas abstract by Petree
I knew that they needed to be front and center in her home. So we chose furnishings and lighting that would support her work and complement it. The simple lines of mid-century modern period pieces were perfect with her abstract style,” says Chartier. Petree adds, “Lee helped me to find
The Bay • January 2021 29
Life & Style HOME
By Elyse Major
Photos courtesy of Susan Hunter Petree
a little more modern style than what I had before.” One of the things that attracted Petree to the condo was the natural light and throughout most of the home, she installed plantation shutters that offer privacy while still letting in lots of sun. She also prefers a neutral color story: “I have a lot of things my family and I have collected over the years so my style is really one of neutral calm to showcase my things. In addition, I am always rotating paintings in and out as I finish them and before they sell, so it’s important that the decorating style doesn’t fight with the colorful paintings,” she explains. “I like pops of color here and there but not a lot.” Looking around, Petree smiles and says, “I love how this place turned out. Sophisticated yet very comfortable and homey. Great for entertaining if we ever get back to that!”
GET RHODY STYLE Susan Hunter Petree is an abstract painter enjoying her “second act” in Newport. Learn more about her work at SusanPetreeArt.com.
COLOR SPLASH “I’m sure that being close to the water has helped to inspire some of the color choices – it certainly does inspire some of my paintings,” says Petree. CREATIVE STATE Petree enjoys that Newport is small yet has a lot of the amenities of a bigger city. “I love being close to the water and nature. I also like the fact that Rhode Island is so welcoming to artists.” SHOP SMALL Around town, Petree’s go-to’s are Aquidneck Meat Market for prepared foods and Birch Alley for gifts and decor, plus her artwork hangs there. Also, Laura Jean for sophisticated casual clothes; Toci for cashmere splurges; and Wald & Sea for gifts and cool stuff. Over in Wakefield, it’s Inside Style for home furnishings and design services.
The Bay • January 2021 31
Life & Style WELLNESS
By Gianni Dejesus
Let’s Get Physical: At Home Edition With so many studios offering virtual classes, sticking to that New Year’s resolution has never been easier In dire need of a good workout? Join the club. Due to ever-changing protocols, gyms and studios may have limited space or be closed due to COVID, but no worries – you can still get that regimen started because many offer livestream classes, small/private sessions, and more. Virtual classes are becoming a big hit due to the convenience they offer – you can participate right from the comfort of home – so stuff those excuses in your duffle bag! If you are heading out, be sure to register first and mask up. Provided below are 10 great places around the East Bay to help you keep that resolution. If we missed your favorite, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com and be sure to check with your PCP before starting a new routine.
NANAQUAKET YOGA What is it: This groovy community based studio offers classes for all levels of yogis, from beginner to advanced. Virtual classes available. Good to know: Register for classes online or via nys.punchpass.com 2490 Main Road, Tiverton; NYSTiverton.com
FITNESS TOGETHER BARRINGTON What it is: Offers one-on-one virtual training, small group classes, and nutrition services. Good to know: Private studio suites and staggered appointments are among their COVID-19 safety protocols. 334A County Road, Barrington; FitnessTogether.com/EastBay
SALT CYCLE STUDIO What is it: Indoor cycling made possible with a long list of safety protocols, or cycle along remotely via Vimeo. Good to know: Book bikes using their own app on iPhone, Android, or via their website. 315 Main Road, Tiverton; SaltCycleStudios.com
PROVIDENCE POWER YOGA What is it: Find $5 virtual lunchtime sessions and a menu of classes held both virtually or in their sunny studio. Good to know: Safety protocols include reduced class sizes and studio floors marked to keep mats 10 feet apart. 1235 Wampanoag Trail, Riverside; ProvidencePowerYoga.com
H.I.T. HEALTH & FITNESS What is it: Looking for high-intensity interval training? Find it here, along with personal training, sports conditioning, strength training, and weight loss programs. Good to know: A variety of circuit classes are their specialty, but there’s also yoga including a weekly all-female class. 286 Maple Ave, Unit #3, Barrington; HITHealthandFitness.com
STUDIO 47 PILATES What is it: This Pilates studio with daily livestream and private classes has been featured on Goop! Good to know: The studio spaces currently accommodate five clients at a time with social distancing guidelines. 91 Main Street, Suite 120, Warren; Studio47Pilates.com
MEND What is it: Three besties founded this yoga studio. Currently all virtual with new classes daily along with a library of 80+ workouts. Good to know: Prides itself on no terms, no cancellation fees, and “amazing playlists!” 4 Equity Place Park, Newport;MendYogaRI.com
THRIVE, NEWPORT What is it: Interested in doing Pilates with a reformer? Try this piece of exercise equipment that resembles a bed frame with a rolling platform right here. Good to know: Use the MindBody account to reserve a spot or sign up for the waitlist if a class is full. 580 Thames St, Newport; ThriveNewport.com
32
The Bay • January 2021
TRUE BALANCE PILATES What is it: Explore a range of equipment and techniques at this studio, including Redcoard, a suspension system commonly used in Norway for physical therapy and training for elite athletes. Good to know: Currently offering small classes in the studio. 8 State Street, Warren; TrueBalancePilates.com WAVE CYCLE STUDIO What is it: Cycling classes are held both indoors and out, featuring their signature 45-minute WAVE ride. COVID measures include HEPA filters, eight-foot plexiglass walls, UV air purifiers, and hospital-grade sanitizer. Good to know: Book a bike using the WAVE Cycle iOS app or via their website. 198 Thames St, Newport; WaveCycleStudio.com
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The Bay • January 2021 33
Life & Style SHOP
By Sean Morrissey
Local Accents Launched in 2012 by photographer Samir Dhamija and his wife Akanksha Aga, My Méz is a home label with an artistic soul. The new Rhode Island brand, which is named after the commonly used Indian word for “table,” specializes in hand-crafted wooden furniture and housewares that are customized with work from local artists and Dhamija himself. Some of our favorite pieces include the nautical-themed – and super practical – trays and coasters, which lend a unique accent to any room (pro tip: they also
make great gifts). For an extra-personalized option, My Méz will create bespoke designs using customers’ own photos. The collection’s artistry extends beyond the aesthetic. Furniture and decorative pieces are cleverly dreamed up to serve multiple purposes: table legs unscrew, transforming a tabletop into a tray or easily mountable piece of wall art. Whether you’re looking to elevate your own space or want to gift one of these keepsake pieces to a loved one, My Méz has something for everybody. MyMez.com
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Providence Media November 23, 2020 Since 2013 Providence Monthly Our mission is to provide financial assistance to the parents of o children January 2021 Issue (upgrade) battling Brain Cancer1/3 andad: to honor the children, who fight everyday, 5.125" x 4.75"
with that special wish. Our hopes are to make a day in the life of a family suffering from cancer a little bit brighter. We will continue raising funds to be used in the fight against Childhood Brain Cancer and awareness, awar bringing it to the forefront in the fight against all types of cancers. Cory ’s Crusaders, Inc. is a 501(c)3 Non- Profit Organization, Public Charity and all donations are tax deductible. Tax ID# 46-1849031
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CorysCrusaders.org The Bay • January 2021 35
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Local news for Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts
36
The Bay • January 2021
Food & Drink Experience
In The Kitchen
Botanical Bites The chef at Weatherlow Farms whips up cookies with surprising ingredients Emily Whipple’s scallop-edged cookies are a splash of spring on a plate: Dusty green sprigs of rosemary and pink gomphrena petals with a dash of bright red cayenne. Whipple has been chef and kitchen manager at Weatherlow Farms in Westport for nearly two years, cooking up prepared foods to showcase the farm’s grass-fed meats and eggs, and baking these botanical cookies since January of 2019, when she teamed up with floral manager Phoebe Poole. “We started working together to focus on ways to showcase the gorgeous flowers and herbs Phoebe grows, which were originally only for her wholesale cut-flower and fast-growing wedding businesses,” says Whipple. “There are many herbs and flowers that she uses in her arrangements already that are edible and that we wanted to be able to share with our customers. This is how the botanical cookie was born.” After a few trials and taste tests, Whipple found the winning recipe: A sugar cookie that’s simultaneously sweet, salty, and melt-in-your-mouth. They’re the perfect base for the seasonal flowers, leaves, and herbs to be pressed on top and finished with sanding sugar for sparkle. “The cookies are a lot of fun to make because the colors and textures are forever changing as the months tick on, which means I get to have a lot of fun creating them,” says Whipple. “Even though the base is the same, this traditional cookie that I always think is underrated is given a life of its own.” Find these clever cookies available for pickup at The Store at Weatherlow Farms – and don’t forget to try Whipple’s latest botanical goodies, including fresh-made brioche donuts and the pastry featured in their pot pies. WeatherlowFarms.com, @weatherlowfarmschef | By Megan Schmit Photo by Christine Chitnis The Bay • January 2021 37
Food & Drink EXPERIENCE
By Chuck Staton
On a Roll Baba Sushi is a tasteful addition to Bristol Waterfront District’s vibrant culinary scene On Bristol’s quaint waterfront, along a row of colorful Colonials, you’ll spot a bright blue building with a Chinese character hanging from a sailcloth curtain and know you have arrived at Baba Sushi. The first Rhode Island location of a small but mighty award-winning chain of three – the others in Massachusetts – all founded by Chef Wilson Wang. As a sushi lover, I’m beyond happy that Baba Sushi is here, complementing the already diverse culinary options in
downtown’s Bristol’s small coastal footprint. Inside, the look is upscale-meets-cozy and relaxing, a perfect combo for indulging in highquality maki and watching the sun set over the water. I was determined to try a variety of their dishes when I sat down, and my expectations were exceeded at every turn. First up was their Sumo Oysters Supreme ($12) prepared with yuzu citrus sauce, Tabasco, black caviar, and scallions. I’ve had a
recent obsession with oysters that dominated last summer, and these were some of the best I’ve ever had. For me, the combination of spicy, sweet, and salty was an innovative take on traditional half-shell heaven. The Gyoza ($6) was exactly what you’d hope for: Fried dumplings with a crispy crunch on the edge, flavorful pork on the inside, and a sesame sauce to lightly sweeten the pot. The Poke Chips ($14) are wonton chips
Angel Maki
38
The Bay • January 2021
Photos by Gina Mastrostefano
Poke Chips (L) and the Crunchy Maki Hand Roll (R)
with tuna and avocado, served with spicy mayo, black caviar, and sesame seeds – a thick base with a tried-and-true classic sushi combination on top. It’s a great way to get your “spicy tuna” fill in the appetizer realm. The Angel Maki ($15) was made up of lobster tail tempura and sweet potato, topped with crab stick and Japanese mayo. This was an interesting combination of two semi-subtle flavors – lobster and sweet potato – brought to life with the salty contrast of crab stick, sharply hitting the mark. The “special rolls” menu section at most sushi restaurants is a place where they can bring their own unique ideas to the table; the Angel Maki roll is the first special
listed for a reason. This is a specific roll that Baba Sushi is using to introduce itself. Finally, I had what I was most looking forward to: a simple, straight-forward Salmon Avocado Hand Roll ($8). I love all types of sushi, sashimi, and maki. I’m open to all combinations, ideas, special rolls, and fusions but I do think the true test of a sushi bar is something simple. Baba Sushi served me a packed, meaty hand roll with crisp seaweed and delicious, thick slices of salmon. Perfection.
CUISINE: Sushi PRICES: $5 - $24 ATMOSPHERE: Relaxed and upscale
Must-Try Dishes Crunchy Maki ($6) Crabstick, spicy mayo, tempura crunch, masago, and scallion
Tataki Maki ($14) Beef
tataki,
cucumber,
and
avocado,
wrapped in soy, topped with wasabi miso and spicy mayo
Baba Sushi 205 Thames Street, Bristol • 401-655-6077 BabaSushi.com/Bristol
The Bay • January 2021 39
Food & Drink IN THE KITCHEN
By Ann O’Neill
Delicious Deliveries
Schantel Maxine Neal carries on her grandmother’s legacy, baking and frosting fresh cakes out of Hope & Main
Photos courtesy of Schantel Maxine Neal
Recreating fond food memories with family is a passion project for one local baker
When life gives you lemons, an old adage says you’re supposed to make lemonade. If you’re Schantel Maxine Neal, you make lemon buttercream. However, as the founder and owner of Maxine Baked, Neal didn’t always see the sweet side of baking. “I actually favored cooking above baking,” Neal says, so she studied savory fare at Johnson & Wales. It wasn’t until her beloved Grammie Maxine passed a decade later that she thought of baking in earnest. Having lived with her grandmother, Neal wanted to honor her memory. As a child, Neal not only cooked with Grammie Maxine but also watched her literally carry her love, in the way of baked goods, to her extended family. “Whenever someone had kids she would hop from house to house,” Neal says. With nearly 30 grandchildren in total, that was quite a bit of hopping. “She really made her way around town making sure we all got a little love from her.” The image of a few dozen kids in jammies waiting for cake is a great one. Following Maxine’s example, Neal makes a point of “trying to achieve things naturally.” That means no fondant. “It’s just not my thing. I like whole, clean desserts. It’s homestyle.” That is, homes with two dozen cake flavors that encourage special requests. Neal is also a one-woman show; she runs Maxine Baked in her “spare” time, having kept her full-time job in Waltham. She admits that her husband Amin provides the “muscle” and assistance managing the business side. For a long time, Neal sold exclusively at weekend markets to keep quantities manageable. She baked until she was tired and sold until things were gone. Then 2020 came and weekend markets went. It was time to be proactive and reinvent herself. So, Neal started taking orders. Her market regulars sought her out online, as did a host of new clientele, eager to support small local businesses. Neal
spends many evenings in her car, though she prefers to arrange a pick-up at Hope & Main, her impeccably clean incubator kitchen in Warren. When asked if she hires anyone to make those deliveries, she quickly replies, “Nope. It’s just me.” Picture a vehicle, stuffed with delicious cargo, a lone driver turning up the heat as the sky darkens and the weather chills.
She’s tired, but there are people in pajamas peeking out from behind their curtains, anticipating her arrival. Depending on her. And she delivers.
Maxine Baked Hope & Main, 691 Main Street, Warren MaxineBaked.com; @MaxineBaked
The Bay • January 2021 41
Pic of the Bay
Seasonal visitors in Narragansett Bay Little Compton
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