East Side Monthly January 2015 by Hey Rhody Media Co.

Deals for

A review of

dining well

Scratched by

in January

EST 1975

J. J. Partridge

East Side MONTHLY

Estate Planning The future of the Granoff property is dividing a neighborhood January 2015 EastSideMonthly.com

Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy

2015

Our 86th Year! Myra Braverman daniel Byrnes stephanie Markoff cohen sue erkkinen carl Feldman Kristin green roxanne gordon

thom Hammond chris Healy Michaela Hermann lise Holst Peter Hurley Bob Kumins Kathryn lawrence Michael Young

Helen Macdonald John Mccann linda Mittleman suzanne Prescott luca sawada colleen sullivan Betsy Walsh

Colemanrealtors.Com PrOvidence 401.274.3636

BarringtOn 401.245.3050

east greenWicH 401.884.5522

WatcH Hill 401.596.2390

contents January 2015

CHAnge yOur FOr sAle sign tO SOLD

81-83 ROCHAMBEAU AVENUE Opportunity to own a legal 3 family. Great rental history, separate utilities, vinyl siding. Investment or owner occupied. $299,000 Gail Jenard

new LiSt

the Granoff estate on Blackstone Boulevard

This Month

93-95 ROCHAMBEAU AVENUE A great chance to own a legal 3 family with a solid rental history. Vinyl siding and separate utilities. Owner occupied or investment property. $299,000 Gail Jenard

new LiSt

65 BERGERON STREET, SEEKONK Lovingly maintained 2/3 bed ranch home located on dead end street. Lots of potential, just cosmetic updated needed. Spacious rooms and nice backyard. $245,000 Aleen Weiss

50 WOODBURY STREET Lovely bright and sunny 3 bed 2 bath remodeled home.. classic details with updated/ baths, kitchen, walls,electrical, plumbing,and floors/ New windows and roof, siding. Inviting backyard, with one car garage. Fabulous location. penDing $389,000 Aleen Weiss

61 CRESCENT ROAD, PAWTUCKET Warm and welcoming two family located in Darlington. Nothing to do but move in. Perfect for owner occupied. Great light from new windows in both units. $185,000 Aleen Weiss

34 VERMONT AVENUE, CUMBERLAND Fabulous one floor living. Look out the picture window and watch the deer run by! Walk out to large deck overlooking wooded yard. New mechanicals and 2 car garage. $215,000 Aleen Weiss

119 LAURIER AVENUE, ATTLEBORO Recently updated warm and inviting beautiful open kitchen/ dining area. Screened in porch, with living den area. 1st floor master, full inlaw upstairs with additional living space, great location, 2 car garage, full workroom, move in condition. SOLD $245,000 Aleen Weiss

66 OAK HILL AVENUE, PAWTUCKET Classic center hall colonial located in Oak Hill. Needs some updating. Beautiful untouched hardwoods under carpeting, large rooms, fireplace living, den, sunroom. Fenced backyard, garage parking. SOLD $260,000 Aleen Weiss

penDing

19 | InsIde the Granoff estate A closer look at this controversial proposal 23 | “fIctIonal” Works An East Sider’s latest book draws from the local scene

Every Month 4 | Editorial/Letters

SOLD

Community

SOLD

New beginnings for the New Year 7 | News 11 | In The Know 13 | Neighborhood News

Close to Home Education through collaboration 27 | Home 28 | Education 31 | East of Elmgrove

On the Town Dining deals to warm you up all month long 33 | Flavor of the Month 34 | Food News 36 | Rhody Bites 39

| Calendar

The East Sider 54 | Brown University’s ombudsperson opens the door to communication

On the Cover:

Aleen WeissH Karen MillerH HAlso licensed in MA

Jon WeissHF Howard Weiss Claire sennott gail Jenard

Flicensed ri environmental lead inspector 0065

785 Hope Street providence, ri 401-272-6161 SpitzweiSS.com

The Granoff Estate.

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January 2015 East Side Monthly

Editorial

EST 1975

East Side MONTHLY

Which Way on the TSA? We, like most tax payers in Providence, were ecstatic when news broke that a Dallas-based developer had signed a purchase and sale agreement to build a $50 million, six story development to house 500 students downtown on the west side of the Providence River. It clearly is a major step in the right direction for the I-195 commission. It means construction jobs. It means increased vitality downtown. And we assumed it also means a much-needed expansion of the Providence commercial tax base. Well, maybe. It turns out that the project may be dependent on getting a tax stabilization agreement (TSA) for probably 12 years. So much for expanding our tax base. There is nothing in writing yet, so we too will wait to see how much is being given away and if it’s reasonable. But we are certainly concerned that it not be another one of those “good for them/not so good for us” deals we have seen all too frequently in Providence. We get it when it comes to using a

TSA to sweeten an investment in our city that will pay broad future benefits: the Arcade, to repurpose an iconic Providence landmark; pioneer investments to launch housing in depressed downtown buildings; a mall that brings in increased sales tax revenue, tourist traffic and employment. But we’re talking student housing here and perhaps ten full-time jobs that go with it once the construction is over. The Gilbane project at 257 Thayer St. sought, and then withdrew, its request for a TSA after the City Council, led by Councilman Zurier, analyzed the figures and rejected its initial presentation. Perhaps the neighborhood losing nine historic houses was deemed a sufficient price to pay. To its credit, the Gilbane project seems to be attracting significant renter interest and may prove to be a win-win for both the developer and the City, though not perhaps for those residents and preservationists who opposed its construction. Both the Gilbane and the proposed downtown project are providing the

same service: better housing than the dorms for students willing to pay a premium. That’s how our capitalist system works. But is it fair to pick and choose who gets it? Is it fair to have the taxpayers underwrite for this kind of a “for profit” venture? Is there any real employment or social benefit being supplied here? And is it fair for those who offer rental alternatives and not subsidized? And even more broadly, isn’t it finally time to consider taxing the notfor-profit universities on the buildings they use for non-educational purposes… and dormitories are at the head of that list… perhaps on a per-bed basis? We think so. It must be profitable given the number of national companies now willing to invest into the student housing business. But at the very least, we need to bring our newly elected governor and mayor into the discussions now – because whatever is decided will establish new financial standards that both will have to deal with going forward.

To the Editor: I am writing in response to the recent General Election opinion piece published in the East Side Monthly, “The Next Mayor of Providence,” co-authored by you and Steve Treidman in the November 2014 issue. The second paragraph of your story asserts: “The City of Providence is a physical mess. People do not feel safe in the city. Angel’s job performance is low or incomplete. The roads are a disaster. The schools remain a major problem. The deficit is real and is likely to exceed $25,000,000.” I suggest you dig a little deeper before making such assertions. I cannot speak as to how people feel about crime as perception and reality are often interchangeable. But I can speak to the fact that last year, Providence saw its lowest crime rate in 48 years. That also included the lowest violent crime rate in seven years – and this year, the city has seen more than a 20% drop in violent crime over the same time last year. Community policing remains strong and is a major factor in our fight against crime. Earlier this year Providence received the Community Policing Department

East Side Monthly January 2015

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre @JeanetteSTP

Managing Editor Barry Fain

City Editor Steve Triedman

Executive Editor Julie Tremaine @JulieTremaine

Digital Manager Elyena de Goguel

Associate Editor Grace Lentini @Gracie_NomNom

Art Director Meghan H. Follett

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Assistant Art Director Veatsna Sok

Graphic Designer Caitlin Musso

Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich: Louann@ProvidenceOnline.com Ann Gallagher: Ann@ProvidenceOnline.com Kristine Mangan: Kristine@ProvidenceOnline.com Dan Schwartz: DanS@ProvidenceOnline.com

Letters An Official Reply

1070 Main Street, Suite 302 Pawtucket RI 02860 tel: 305-3391 | fax: 305-3392 esm@providenceonline.com www.eastsidemonthly.com • @EastSideMonthly

Elizabeth Riel: Liz@ProvidenceOnline.com Kimberly Tingle: Kim@ProvidenceOnline.com Stephanie Oster Wilmarth: Stephanie@ProvidenceOnline.com

of the Year Award by New England Association of Chiefs of Police for its remarkable community policing program – and this past December our police department received national accreditation. In addition, we have just added more than 50 new police officers to the Department. I know that any amount of crime is too much crime, but these are the facts. After decades of deferred maintenance, our roads admittedly need work – and that is why in 2012 I asked the voters to approve a $40 million road bond so we could fix our worst roads first. (The ballot question passed with 89% of the vote.) We have paved 60 miles of road in just two years – more than had been paved in the previous decade. On the East Side, this includes Hope Street, Thayer Street, Butler Avenue, Olney Street and many more. The Water Supply Board has also been working on the East Side to replace crucial infrastructure. When this work is completed, the streets that have been affected will also be repaved from curb to curb. Our schools are improving and the data supports that. Our four-year high school graduation has increased and is now at 71% from 65%. Providence

was one of only two cities in the country to receive a prestigious multimillion dollar grant from the Carnegie Corporation to improve our high schools. Our grade-level reading for fourth graders has increased 9% over the last year alone thanks to programs like Providence Reads, that I created. In fact, Providence was one of only 14 cities in the nation to have been recognized as an All-America City for Grade Level Reading. In addition, we were selected from 305 cities to win Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge grand prize for an innovative early childhood education program. With Providence Talks, we are working to close the word gap that exists between more affluent and less affluent kids and helping our children start school ready to learn. Finally, with regard to Providence’s finances, you are again incorrect. It is true that in his first budget Mayor-Elect Elorza will face a $7 million budget hole as a result of the Providence City Council passing a change, over my veto, to the tax rate for non-owner occupied houses. However, your assertion of a $25 million deficit is just plain wrong. Perhaps you are basing your statement on numbers from the City Council’s

Contributing Photographers Hilary Block Mike Cevoli Brian DeMello Stacey Doyle Melissa Stimpson

Contributing Illustrators Ashley MacLure Kendrah Smith

Contributing Writers Erin Balsa Alastair Cairns Bob Cipriano Michael Clark Mary K. Connor Jill Davidson Mike Fink

Don Fowler Wendy Grossman Nancy Kirsch Dale J Rappaneau, Jr Elizabeth Rau Dan Schwartz

Classified Advertising Sue Howarth Interns Emily Davey Claire Flanagan Elizabeth Gallagher

Alexandra Morel Morgan Pekera

Calendar announcements and news releases should be submitted by the 1st of the preceding month. We reserve the right to omit and edit items. Letters to the editor are welcome. We will not print unsigned letters without exceptional circumstances. East Side Monthly is not responsible for typographical errors. Corrections will be run at discretion of editor. Copyright ©2015 by East Side Monthly. All rights reserved. Printed by Gannett Offset.

Letters continued... Internal Auditor. This is the same Internal Auditor who at various times predicted we would finish Fiscal Year 2013 with a deficit of $26.4 million, $32.4 million and $21.4 million. In fact, we ended Fiscal Year 2013 with a $1.6 million surplus according to the City’s independent outside auditor. Furthermore, the audit for Fiscal Year 2014, which was released on time in December, will also show us on budget. You are entitled to your own opinion regarding the state of the City of Providence – but not your own facts. The facts demonstrate that Providence is on track towards a future of sustainable progress and growth. Sincerely, Angel Taveras Mayor, City of Providence

A Matter of Law To the Editor: On November 4, the East Side’s Ward 3 had the highest voter turnout of any of the 15 wards in Providence, fuelled by an astonishing month-long grassroots write-in campaign. The write-in candidate, Marcus Mitchell, founding president of the Providence Community Libraries, came within 150 votes of defeating 20-year incumbent City Councilman Kevin Jackson, who is currently under investigation by the Attorney General for campaign finance law violations. This incredible demonstration of democracy in action tells me that people are more motivated to vote when new candidates challenge entrenched incumbents, and when voters are given a meaningful choice of representation. Whichever candidate you supported, this election was a victory for democracy, good government and ethics. Councilman Jackson came perilously close to losing his seat because high numbers of residents across the ward were embarrassed and outraged to be represented by someone who (1) relentlessly disregards and violates the law by refusing to disclose his campaign donors and expenditures, and (2) decided to co-chair Buddy Cianci’s mayoral campaign. Many voters also voiced complaints about Jackson’s poor constituent responsiveness. The minutes of the January 16, 2014 meeting of the RI Board of Elections state: “Director Thornton stated that on June 10, 2013, Mr. Jackson was ordered by the Superior Court to file his delinquent campaign finance reports by August 9, 2013. On August 17 he filed a number of past due reports showing no activity on each report. Director Thornton stated that his research indicated that Mr. Jackson held a fundraiser on April 22, 2010, but yet reported

receiving no contributions nor making any expenditure during that period and identified $4,905 in unreported contributions to Mr. Jackson in the period where no activity was reported by Mr. Jackson. A subsequent request for records received no documentary response. Attorney Coloian [Jackson’s attorney] stated that Mr. Jackson acknowledged receipt of contributions, but did not cash all the checks and that Jackson was prepared to cooperate with the Board of Elections and that his failure to properly file his reports was an oversight which he pledges to cure if given the opportunity.” The minutes then show a unanimous vote was taken to refer the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for campaign finance law violation investigation. As of this letter’s submission, December 5, 2014, Councilman Jackson has still not complied with the BoE’s order to properly file those past reports. Jackson also campaigned for re-election throughout October without filing the two legally required campaign finance reports disclosing his donors and expenditures. Yet he held fundraisers, paid for a full-page advertisement in the November East Side Monthly, put up yard signs and printed campaign materials. At the candidate forum hosted by the Summit Neighborhood Association on October 30, Councilman Jackson apologized to his constituents for “not realizing” that he needed to file reports – a statement which completely lacks credibility due to his January BoE hearing – and he promised to file his missing reports. As of this letter submission, Councilman Jackson still has not filed a single report since September, 2013, when he reported no activity and a $0 (zero dollars) balance in his campaign account. Councilman Jackson has been sued twice by the RI Board of Elections (2004 and 2011) and ordered by a Rhode Island Superior Court Judge to file his reports two separate times. He is currently paying off $10,000 in fines for his nonreporting (he recently negotiated a reduction from $30,000). Councilman Jackson managed to hold on to his seat by the skin of his teeth, and he accomplished it while blatantly violating campaign finance law, thus undermining the democratic process by denying Ward 3 voters critical information that we had a legal right to know. Ward 3 constituents await the results of the Attorney General’s investigation and await Councilman Jackson’s compliance with the law. Karina Holyoak Wood Co-Chair, Marcus Mitchell Campaign

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January 2015 East Side Monthly

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Community East Side Stories | neighborhood news & notes

East Side News

Campus Creations A new art installation celebrates Brown’s 250th anniversary By Mary K Connor If you happened to have driven or walked by Brown’s famous Van Wickle Gates in early November, as I did, you might have noticed a very large flat bed truck loaded with what appeared to me to be mounds and mounds of heavy chains. Well, they weren’t chains at all. If only I had taken my usual route of cutting through the campus, rather than walking around its perimeter via George and Prospect Streets, even once over the next few weeks, I would have discovered that the “metal chains” were actually very long sections of recycled lobster ropes, intricately woven into 18” wide strips – the makings of a large sitespecific art installation, titled You, that will occupy the Front Campus between University Hall and those famous gates for the next several months. Readers may recall that a few years back, world-renowned artist Patrick Dougherty spent a few weeks installing Square Roots – his site-specific sculpture made from intricately woven, locally sourced (already discarded by nature) saplings and twigs – in the very same location. Like Square Roots, You, commissioned as part of Brown’s yearlong 250th Anniversary celebration, was

assembled on site, also by a nationally recognized artist, Orly Genger, a 2001 Brown graduate. Work on You began, however, in Genger’s Brooklyn, New York, studio, where the rope (obtained from the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation – a clearing house for worn-out fishing rope) was crocheted, twisted or knotted into strips (after first being cleared of lobster claws!). The sculpture was secured via steel rods threaded into heavy metal plates and then spraypainted on-site. You invites visitors to walk through its space (as did Square Roots), recognize its “physical nature” and, again in the artist’s words, “feel they are being held by it.” Genger’s site-specific works have been installed all over the country, including Madison Square Park in New York, Chicago’s waterfront, the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA and the Austin Museum of Art. Genger is also known for her smaller scale cast sculptures, drawings, performance art and jewelry designs. For more information, go to www.OrlyGenger.com, but don’t miss the opportunity to experience You in person.

Nationally recognized artist Orly Genger assembled her creation on site at Brown

Pop Up Shopping J. marcel takes it to the Streets

Photo: (Top Right) Mike Cohea

By Julie Tremaine If you have been meaning to check out J. Marcel, the shoe and accessory boutique on Hope Street, but haven’t gotten around to it yet, I have a couple of things to say to you: 1) you’re crazy. They’ve been selling affordable and adorable jewelry, bags and shoes for years; and 2) they’ve just made it that much easier for you. J. Marcel owners Dixie Carroll and Bill Jette just launched a Vintage Airstream Pop-Up Shop. The 1970s

silver bullet camper has been making the rounds at outdoor festivals around the state this fall, and will be even more visible throughout the holiday season. Next time you see a vintage camper headed your way – don’t worry, it’s not your weird uncle coming to camp out in your yard until Christmas – take a look inside. You’ll find fab gifts (for you and for your shopping list) inside. 808 Hope Street. 383-9777, www.jmarcel.com

January 2015 East Side Monthly

Community East Side News continued...

Remembering the recently razed Down under Duckpin Bowl By Mike Fink

Running my errands along North Main Street, heading towards Hope Artiste Village, I glanced at the construction being done there at the little hut that hid the entrance to what had once been a bowling alley, happily noting that so far it had been spared by the wrecking crew. Alas just a few days later, as I walked by the same spot, it was quite gone. I sighed in sorrow and nostalgically relived the chapter in my life which that little structure had stood for. On weekends during my Hope High School years, we had a few choices: Stay at home and wait for something to happen and worry if nothing did turn up; head for the bars in Central Falls, get a date and drive to the Farm or Ranch House to dance and drink a fancy cocktail; or join my buddies below North Main Street and roll a few balls down the pine board alleys, keeping score and chatting it up at a nearby bench or table. I remember my crew and most of them have passed on by now, down the duckpin alleys of the decades. I actually kept the score pad pages for years, as souvenirs of happy times. Kenny Macintosh, Buddy Morgan, Larry Gordon, all gone but their names inscribed on the Sullivan’s newsprint tablet.

East Side Monthly January 2015

A city block is like a book with stone leaves, each building a chapter. Each volume is a generation’s collective autobiography. In our current culture, everything is designed to be disposable. Maybe the great American dream is just that: a phantom hope that bursts and the trash men take it all away to the great American dump. I hated to see that cute little cabin vanish into the void. It was, for me, an elfin, token, dusty treasure chest. It always supplied me the opportunity to amuse newcomers to the East Side, who had driven by it a hundred times, never really knowing what mysteries (and in my case memories) were hidden down below. It will take me a number of errands along North Main Street to recuperate from the loss of that charming reminder of my youth, its wishes and dismays, the strikes and spares of life. I criticize our obsession with erasing the past and its poignant glory for the sake of immediate gains and losses. Can’t we sometimes recycle a shack with respect and imagination? I had the instinct to snap a shot of the structure a season before it vanished into the void. I offer it to all who share in its ghosts.

Local Books Spinning a reimagined tale By Emily Davey

Everyone remembers the girl who lost her glass slipper while fleeing the castle at midnight, so get ready to enjoy this classic tale all over again, except this time there’s a twist. Mark Binder and Steve Mardo work together to bring you Cinderella Spinderella, a unique tale about Eleanor, who is confined to a wheelchair and forced to clean up after her pesky stepsisters. What makes the story even more engaging is that it started as an eBook, featuring 25 “seasonal” variations so kids could create their own Cinderella and handsome prince. It became so popular that they decided to create printed versions of the story. There are hard and softcover editions for the autumn, winter, summer, spring and monsoon seasons so that your little ones can enjoy this classic fairytale any time of the year. Even the

pumpkin is replaced by a potato, beet, watermelon or jackfruit depending on which story your family decides to read. Books on the Square has them on their shelves and you can also find it on Amazon, iBooks, Kindle and more. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street. 3312845, www.booksq.com

Perhaps it Does Take a Village A budding support system is taking shape on the East Side By Barry Fain Some 15 years ago, a group of middle aged residents of Boston’s Beacon Hill came up with an interesting idea that is hoping to gain traction here on the East Side. Their concept was to build a support system for residents, which would allow them to stay in their homes as they aged. By creating a “Village,” led by membervolunteers and a small professional staff, they could utilize a “one call does it all” system to provide a wide range of services to its members. This typically could include personal services (things like transportation,

cooking help, check-ins), home services (things like housekeeping, handyman services, yard maintenance and snow removal) and life enrichment (discussion groups, fitness services, social activities). The Village is funded by annual memberships. Some services would be provided by the staff or volunteers; other services would be provided by reliable prescreened outside services for an additional cost, but often at a group discount rate. Anyone in 02906 is eligible. Contact www.ProvidenceVillageRI.org and they’ll fill you in.

Photo: (Top Left) Mike Fink

Bowling Down Memory’s Lane

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Community East Side News continued...

Stop. Look. Listen. Huge turnout for the final one Providence Listening Forum By Barry Fain Almost 250 residents filled much of the auditorium at Nathan Bishop Middle School the first week in December as part of Jorge Elorza’s fourth and final “One Providence Listening Forum” and many of the attendees were more than willing to offer their advice and suggestions to the Mayor-elect. The mood was positive, upbeat and generally collegial. Even Kevin Jackson, who had been the co-chair of Buddy Cianci’s campaign and narrowly won re-election himself, was greeted with polite, though perhaps a bit more muted, applause.

After a few brief words on his One Providence goals, Mayor-elect Elorza did something that many of us wish politicians did more frequently: he quietly took a seat on the stage and just listened. Given the unprecedented amount of support he received from East Side voters, one assumes he was paying attention. Joining him on stage were two of his three transition committee co-chairs, Lisa Ranglin and Victor Capellan (East Sider Sally Lapides had a previous engagement) while the ever peripatetic Leadership RI head Mike Ritz raced around the

A Powerful Collaboration Brown officially joins uRi and RiC in the projected $200 million power plant project

auditorium, mic in hand, acting as a moderator. Meanwhile at the front of the stage, everything was jotted down on a large oversized pad for the attendees to see. During what proved to be a lively session, many of the suggestions were what one might expect: Support the local libraries, concentrate on jobs, streamline paperwork for new businesses, offer young people parttime employment year round not just during the summer, more affordable housing. Others were more East Side specific: Why isn’t the RIPTA East Side

bus line coordinated with commuters trying to return home after work? How come there’s no pre-K offered on the East Side? Why can’t East Side parents be notified earlier if their kids have won the lottery for Henry Barnard? And when are we finally going to bury those power lines? Jon Howard, a non-profit consultant from the Summit Avenue neighborhood, summed it up well. “I think the fact that they were taking notes and listening rather than speaking, showed a lot of respect for the citizens. Quite unusual in a political gathering.”

Good Deeds Coats for Coffee helps to warm the body and soul

By Barry Fain Brown University announced at the end of November that they have reached agreement with Bostonbased Commonwealth Ventures and will officially join RIC and URI in a $200 million public-private project in the long vacant three-towered power station on Eddy Street. Now called the South Street Landing project, the plan calls for the final refurbishing of the iconic building by July 15, 2016. The new education center will be a first time collaboration among the three higher ed institutions. Brown plans to use its portion of the building to house administrative offices. Rhode Island College and URI have already committed to the creation a new nursing school in their space. The project certainly represents a major step forward for the state’s economy. Aided in part by three taxbreak agreements from the City earlier this year, the complicated venture finally seems to have achieved lift off. Work on the site had remained stalled

East Side Monthly January 2015

for years after initial plans, the most notable of which included proposals for a state historical museum, were announced only to flounder. While the city and state expect that the new project will act as a catalyst for the nearby I-195 project, preservationists are equally excited that the iconic Providence landmark will finally be revitalized. It is expected that this will be the first of several other related projects by Commonwealth. The developers have announced plans to build 220 student apartments in Davol Square, across the street from the power station, as well as a 650-space parking garage on Point Street. These two projects are privately financed and will require separate development approval. It’s certainly has taken a while, but things are finally beginning to take shape as the gaps between the East Side, the knowledge district and the hospitals begin to fill in.

That Warm and Fuzzy Feeling: East Side Monthly’s seventh annual Coats for Coffee coat drive, held in partnership with Seven Stars and Courtesy Cleaners, was a rousing success. We collected over 450 kids and adult coats – with the help of UNFI, who added quite a few coats from their own drive – and delivered them to the Fox Point Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Club.

Community In the Know by Barry Fain The Bout Stops Here A popular Cranston women’s clothing store has recently relocated to Wayland Square and is already creating some interesting press for itself. Flo Voccola, the owner of F. Bianco on Angell Street, is not only good at selling her own merchandise, she’s also pretty handy at crafting them too. She had always made the robes that Vinny Paz used to wear when he entered the ring in the old days, tassels and all. Now that there’s a new film in production about our colorful hometown hero, Flo was lured back behind the sewing machine to create a new robe for the fight scenes. We haven’t seen the finished product yet, but given Flo and of course the subject of the film, we assume it’ll have plenty of punch.

Brown Does the Math Construction will officially begin on two new major buildings this month on the Brown campus, which unfortunately may involve the razing of four buildings the school owns in the historic district, a move the Providence Preservation Society has opposed. The school says it will consider all offers to relocate the buildings. The new as yet unnamed Applied Mathematics building will be located on the parking lot on Hope Street adjacent to the Barus and Holley building. At the recent fall Corporation meeting, Brown president Christina Paxson promised that the school “is committed to preserving the character of Hope Street and insuring that neighbors are comfortable with the style of the building.” The new project will create space for a second building for the School of Engineering’s new building on Manning Walk. Clearly Brown remains one of the City’s major economic engines and it’s good to see it chugging along peacefully with the community.

Time for National Grid to Dig Deep? We know National Grid is a big conglomerate, but somehow they seem to have lost their energy, at least when it comes to honoring their promises to us. Back in 2004, they grudgingly agreed to a settlement with Providence, East Providence and the Attorney General to run their power lines from a substation at Franklin Square under the Seekonk River to a spot near the Tockwotton Home in East Providence. The idea is that by burying the power lines and eliminating the unsightly towers that carry them, they would beautify the waterfront and make it more attractive both to the community and potential developers, including hopefully some

TAYLOR Company

interested in the I-195 land. The initial cost back then was under $10 million. By 2007, the price had risen to $14 million. Last year in testimony before the I-195 commission, we were told it was now up to $22 million. And then just this week, they announced it’ll take about $36 million, give or take 25%, to finish the job. Talk about a growth industry! Since the total funds allotted for the job right now is just under $20 million, well Houston (actually in this case it’s London), we have a problem. Seems to us it’s time for a reality check or are we missing something?

RESIDENTIAL SALES + RENTALS + INVESTMENTS

Slave Museum for North Main Street Concept Gains Traction Though the Church of St. John’s on North Main Street has been closed for the past few years, there is finally some exciting plans being proposed for the space. Owned by the Episcopal diocese of Rhode Island, the building may soon become a Slave Museum and Reconciliation Center. Bishop Nicolas Knisely sees the project as appropriate in two ways. “First it can attract tourists to Providence and help boost our economy. But it can also provide us self-awareness as to our state’s unfortunate role in the creation of the slave trade.” According to historians, during the 18th and 19th centuries an estimated 1,000 slaving trips were taken between Africa and the Americas with Newport, Bristol and Providence being at the epicenter of it all. In addition to displays on the history of the slave trade, the church plans to use the space for conducting lectures, seminars, concerts and training sessions in reconciliation. Fund raising will begin in earnest shortly but some significant pledges have been made by the Massachusetts-based Tracing Center and by Brown’s Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice. Sounds like a thoughtful and useful endeavor whose time has finally come.

Bridge Building over Troubled Waters Recently, hundreds of bridge players descended on Providence for the North American Fall Bridge Competition held this year at the Convention Center. Perhaps the biggest name who slipped in to play, virtually unnoticed, was none other than Bill Gates. Unfortunately he slipped out just as quietly… and before anyone could ask him to help fund our pension shortfalls. Still another golden R.I. opportunity missed.

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Community Neighborhood News

Neighborhood News is a space that East Side Monthly makes available to community organizations free of charge. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of this publication.

Summit neighborhood Association Annual Meeting Changed to May The Summit Neighborhood Association’s annual meeting, which for years has been in January or February, has been shifted to May 20. At its regular November meeting, the board of directors decided to move the date out of the cold and snowy New England winter to make the annual event more easily accessible. The board also considered the safety of the volunteers who in the past frequently had to brave unplowed sidewalks and icy steps to hand-deliver newsletters to every house in the neighborhood announcing the get-together. As of now, the location of the meeting has not been decided, but it will now be held in the spring. Hopefully it will be another way to shake off the

winter blahs and start a new season. Merchants Hope to See the Lights The Hope Street Merchants Association (HSMA) has launched a project to find a new way to light up our lives. They are seeking to design, produce and install off-the-grid, solar-powered streetlights that will give a distinctive illumination and character to the shopping area. Speaking at a kickoff party in November at Ristorante Pizzico, HSMA co-presidents Pernilla Frazier and Line Daems, owners of Kreatelier home interior services, said the new devices would enhance safety and ambiance to create a “village” feel for an area that is already a premier destination in the city. Frazier said the fixtures they are seeking don’t exist yet, so the association is working with Johnson & Wales University engineering and information technologies professor Jonathan Harris and some of his students to develop the concept. Harris said the students are tasked with “creating a sense of place and identity” and are expected to be finished in about ten weeks. To pay for the initial costs, the merchants are seeking to raise funds

with a “Bring Light to Hope” campaign of selling “keepsake candleholders” at their shops as well as soliciting donations of larger amounts from individuals as well as corporate and charitable entities. They are collaborating with Miriam Hospital and the City of Providence in developing a first-of-a-kind light standard with an innovative solar-collector system. Donations can be made out to the Hope Street Merchants Assn., care of Kreatelier, 804 Hope St., Providence, RI, 02906. For more information, visit info@hopestreetprov.com. Shoveling Aid Starts to Snowball The SNA program that pairs snow shoveling volunteers with elderly or handicapped members of the community needing assistance digging out after storms is up and running. Anyone willing to help or in need of help can contact SNA by emailing SNAsnow@gmail.com or through its listserv or website. Program cochairs Tom Schmeling and Britt Page say they are also working to guard against non-needy people trying to take advantage of their neighbors’ generosity or landlords trying to evade their responsibilities to their tenants. SNA is also willing to assist other groups in setting up similar programs. Tot Lot Update Slows During Winter The planning for refurbishment of the “tot lot” on Summit Avenue is undergoing adjustments during the winter months as some minor differences in equipment placement are ironed out. Certain taller structures such as swing sets may interfere with parents’ ability to see their children in all sectors of the park, so accommodations are being made. Bob McMahon of the city Parks Department says the work is still on track for bidding in the spring, but the timetable is loose. The community garden portion of the plan is to come after the playground part is finalized.

Heavy equipment continues to excavate the foundation for the LA Fitness center on North Main Street at the Pawtucket line in Summit. The building will rise along Ann Mary Street while the old Sears site will be leveled and filled in for a parking lot to extend south along North Main.

Residents Invited to Directors Meetings The board of directors convenes at 7pm on the third Monday of every month in the cafeteria of Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Ave. The meetings are open and neighborhood

residents are encouraged to attend. Minutes of all board meetings are posted on the SNA website at www. sna.providence.ri.us under “Meetings and Agendas.” Contact us at Summit Neighborhood Association, PO Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940 or sna@sna.providence.ri.us. Phone 489-7078 –Kerry Kohring

Blackstone Parks Conservancy If You Care about the Blackstone Parks… 1. If you care about the Blackstone Parks and you haven’t already done so, look at our website: blackstoneparksconservancy.org. 2. If you walk, run or drive by the Blackstone Boulevard Park and the Blackstone Park Conservation District by the Seekonk River – and you like what you see – consider joining the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC). * These heavily used parks don’t look as lovely as they do by magic – they are maintained by the Conservancy in partnership with the Providence Parks and Recreation Department. 3. If you enjoy the Blackstone Parks, send us your observations, suggestions, complaints, whatever. * We can’t always do what people want, but we do take note and, if necessary, we follow through with the Parks Department. For example, we can’t get rid of all the poison ivy in the woods as one member requested (in the Conservation District, only minimal interventions are allowed). But as soon as the resources become available, we plan to remove poison ivy from the edges of the trails where people are most likely to come in contact with it. 4. If you want the Blackstone parks to stay as they are or to become even better, get involved – volunteer for a committee or the Board. Volunteers are essential to our work. * The committees are the engines of the Conservancy, where the work gets organized and done. The Board meets once a month for an hour (a limit strictly observed) to review finances and discuss major questions

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Community Neighborhood News continued...

that come up. * Pick an activity that you enjoy. Come observe a meeting to see if it aligns with your interests. * The Boulevard Committee has accomplished much in recent years: raising money for new roofs for the Trolley Shelter and small shelter, for summer concerts and for the first major pruning of park trees in decades. It helped create the gardens, in the north and south, at the Witherby Statue and at the Trolley Shelter and maintains them. Ongoing maintenance is essential to keep the Boulevard looking good. Current goal: to see the path repaired. * The Park Committee helps manage the Blackstone Park Conservation District. It plans and organizes improvements based on the best scientific advice available. The University of Rhode Island is one of many sources of useful information. The recent trail upgrade project with installation of native plants and the new signs resulted from considerable study and consultation with experts. * The Education Committee brings families with children into the Park for education and entertainment. In two years it has delighted many children and adults with numerous programs, ranging from building fairy houses, bird banding and the Not so Spooky Trail Walk at Halloween to a jazz concert. 5. If you care about the Blackstone parks and you can’t volunteer, tell a friend what the BPC is doing. The ranks of volunteers are thin these days but are needed more than ever as funding for city services declines. 6. If you care about the environment, join the BPC. We collaborate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Save the Bay, the Green Infrastructure Coalition and other environmental groups. We also work with – and benefit greatly from – the Partnership for Providence Parks. Healthy Urban Green Space for All is the Conservancy’s vision for the Blackstone Parks. Please send your East Side Marketplace receipts to Blackstone Parks Conservancy, P.O. Box 603141, Providence, RI 02906. www.blackstoneparksconservancy.org You can also contact the organization at janeannpeterson@gmail. com –Jane Peterson

Waterman Street Dog Park Exciting Progress on Waterman St. Dog Park With a vote of the City Council and the signature of the Mayor, the Waterman Street Dog Park project has now been officially approved. A groundbreaking ceremony is slated for January 17. This exciting news marks the culmination of two years of work by a dogged group of neighborhood activists. Concerned about the lack of a state of the art dog park on the East Side, the group organized into the Waterman Street Dog Park Association and began meeting with the Providence Parks Department in early 2013. Between Angell and Waterman as they curl around to the Red Bridge lies a swatch of forgotten brambles, overgrown and derelict. The Parks Department approved this site and agreed to sponsor the majority of the costs, as long as the neighborhood could raise $25,000 to build the fence. With generous support from the Blackstone Parks Conservancy, BankRI, the Ruffin’ Wranglers, a legislative grant from Senator Gayle Goldin and contributions from countless neighbors, the Waterman Street Dog Park Association has already raised around $10,000 and hopes to raise the rest in the next few months. If you wish to help support this cause, you can donate online at watermanstdogpark.org. The goal of dog parks is to give dog owners a pleasant place to take their dogs off the leash to let them work off their excess friskiness. To protect delicate natural habitats, dogs are not allowed to roam free on the Boulevard or the Blackstone Parks. Instead, dog owners need to go to a designated fenced-in dog park. With a groundbreaking in January, it looks like this new park in our neighborhood will soon be a reality. Waterman Street Dog Park Association, Elena Riverstone, 19 Luzon Avenue, Providence, RI 02906. watermanstdogpark@gmail.com, watermanstdogpark.org. –Sam Bell

A map of the planned Waterman Street Dog Park

Fox Point neighborhood Association Events this Month FPNA Board Meeting, 7pm, Monday, January 12 at the Vartan Gregorian Bath House Community Room, 455 Wickenden Street. FPNA Membership Meeting, TBA. Champlin Foundations Deny Funding FPNA’s Board was disappointed to hear that it did not receive a grant from the Champlin Foundations regarding a funding request to replace the 1906 plaques on the Roger Williams Landing Monument on Gano Street. In a letter dated November 19, 2014, Executive Director Keith H. Lang said he regretted that the foundation was unable to fulfill FPNA’s request for funding. “As is always the case, the amount requested this year far exceeded the funds available for distribution.” He then invited FPNA to apply next year, noting the application period commences on March 1 and extends to April 30, 2015. “We are disappointed to hear of their decision, as we felt we presented a compelling case and had spent a great deal of time researching the plaques’ content,” FPNA Vice President Daisy Schnepel responded. FPNA also secured a detailed price estimate of $24,950 from a leading

foundry to have four of the plaques re-created and cast. “Our membership has already contributed $1,900 to this effort, but we’re still far short of our goal, she continued. “So we’re asking for everyone’s ideas and assistance to correct this gross omission from the commemoration of our history.” The centerpiece plaque, which is a relief of Williams being greeted by the Narragansett Indians as he steps onto the slate rock, will be the most costly plaque to re-create and re-cast. FPNA has already submitted some grants to help defray the cost of the expensive project, but is seeking help from any city, state and federal sources for information on other possible grants. If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to the Roger Williams Monument Fund, you can do so by writing a check to FPNA’s Monument Fund, c/o P.O. Box 603177, Providence, RI 02906. This restored monument would join the historical marker and new boat launch as some exciting destinations along the Fox Point Greenway, Schenpel said. The greenway, which is anchored by the proposed Blackstone Bike Way and Gano Park, is receiving a great deal of interest. Work on the extension of the Blackstone Bike Way along the Seekonk Shoreline is set to begin next year. It will join the Washington Bridge to

January 2015 East Side Monthly

Community Neighborhood News continued...

Members of the Eastern Medicine Singers, who are also Mashapaug Narragansett Native Americans, entertained attendants at the dedication ceremony of the Gano Park Historical Marker. A spokesman for the group thanked FPNA for including and remembering the close relationship between Native Americans and Roger Williams during the formation of Providence.

the East Bay Bike System and the City of Providence through India Point Park. For a complete look at the route and proposed destinations, go to www.fpna.net Roosevelt Academy, One Year Later Benjamin Ben Tre’, co-owner of Roosevelt Academy, told FPNA’s Board that its first year in the old Tockwotten Home building has been a good fit, confirming the appropriateness of its use as an international residential high school academy. “No noise complaints have been brought forward,” Ben Tre reported, while noting that the 110 students are very enmeshed with the curricula and extra-curricula activities at the 12 local public and private schools that they attend. “Arranging for transportation has become an extra-curricula nightmare, though,” he joked. Also included in the population are residential life, academic and security staff members, who oversee the curfew sign-ins and sign-outs. Ben Tre adds that the students, who enjoy hanging out along Wickenden Street are beneficial to the community. “They buy a lot of food,” he joked. While this year’s population is comprised mostly of Asians, Ben Tre hopes to be seeking more applicants from Latin America

East Side Monthly January 2015

and the Middle East in coming years. Each student has some community service requirements, Ben Tre pointed out, saying he would like for some of them to find projects at FPNA. Adam Hogue, a representative of the academy, also has reached out and will be attending future meetings of FPNA to find some appropriate positions for student involvement. Brown University Reaches Out, Too Katie Silberman from Brown University attended FPNA’s November meeting, introducing herself as Brown’s new Community Liaison. She is responsible for reaching out to neighbors on College Hill, Fox Point and other surrounding neighborhoods, facilitating Brown’s involvement in the community and responding to feedback and requests. Silberman presented the “Brown Shops Local!” program, held December 4 at the Brown Bookstore. Brown gave away free tote bags, coffee and cookies, along with a list of participating merchants, to encourage its students, faculty and staff to shop locally this holiday season. The new Wickenden Area Merchants Association (WAMA), led by FPNA Board Member Vincent Scorziello, was involved in the effort. Silberman also relayed the news of Brown’s renovation of South Street

College Hill neighborhood Association CHNA Website Now New and Improved We’re happy to announce under the leadership of board member Rick Champagne we have made what we think are some major improvements on our website. Please check us out at chnaprovidence.org and let us know what you think. City Ordinance on Solar Panels Withdrawn The CHNA joined the West Broadway Neighborhood Association and the Providence Preservation Society in opposing an ordinance that would have eliminated any role for the Historic District Commission in determining whether solar panels are appropriate in an historic district. The current policy allows the HDC to evaluate solar panel requests on an individual basis. Over the past few years, some panel projects have been permitted although changes may have been required in terms of size and location. Rather than completely eliminating the HDC’s role in the process, the three organizations feel a committee should be set up that would include homeowners, solar panel experts and preservationists to create a set of guidelines that would be fair and appropriate to all parties. It is hoped new standards will be in place within six months. The ordinance, introduced by Councilman Zurier, and has been withdrawn pending the outcome of the new committee.

Holiday Party Honors Allison Spooner and Ted Trafton The CHNA Annual Meeting and Holiday Party was held on December 10 at the Music Mansion on the corner of Congdon and Meeting Streets amidst beer, wine, food, music and neighbor fellowship. We’re happy to report no one did anything inappropriate and a good time was had by all. A presentation was made to acknowledge the heroic efforts that have been expended over the past three years by outgoing president Allison Spooner. Thanks to her tireless leadership, we have dealt with many issues affecting College Hill, including graffiti, traffic, parking, potholes, crime, blighted properties and liquor license violations as well as participating with the new Thayer Street District Management Authority in efforts to help the street become a cleaner, safer and more vibrant resource for the community. We also would like thank Ted Trafton for his hard work and many contributions as vice president as he too leaves the board. It’s the volunteer commitment of College Hill neighbors like Allison and Ted that make our community such a special place to live. Time to Renew your CHNA membership for 2015 The College Hill Neighborhood Organization is an all-volunteer organization of neighbors working together to protect the quality of life in our community. We are supported by our memberships and invite you all to join us. We promise to make the experience rewarding and enjoyable. Memberships in CHNA are for the calendar year which means your 2015 “dues” of $20 (or more if you want) are due right now. Please visit our website www.collegehollna.com and click “Join CHNA.” Checks may be made out to CHNA Att: Treasurer. Be sure to include your email and mailing address. College Hill Neighborhood Association, P.O. Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906. www.collegehillna.com, chna@collegehillna.com –Anthony Petrocchi, corresponding secretary

Photo courtesy of Fox Point Neighborhood Association

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Granoff Property Debate Galvanizes a Neighborhood

Controversial plans are proposed for an historic Blackstone property By Barry Fain

round the turn

of the twentieth century, the area around Blackstone Boulevard was awash with farms and estates, certainly more rural than urban. One of the most beautiful plots of land, some three-and-a-half acres, was bought in 1915 by William E. Bridgham, a respected professor of decorative design at RISD, and his heiress wife and fellow artist Clara. Originally owned by prominent business leader Robert H. Ives, the land was soon to house a Spanish Colonial revival style mansion, a three-car carriage house, a caretaker’s cottage, plus incredibly well landscaped grounds that included a stone fountain, a grape arbor and a maze of hedges all surrounded by a beautiful stone wall that dated back to the 1840s. It was said that

some 17 gardeners were once on staff to maintain the estate, and that the house and grounds were among the finest in the state. Encompassing the area bounded by Blackstone Boulevard, Rochambeau and Cole Avenues and Linden Place, the Bridgham estate has been owned since 1960 by the family that built American Tourister. To their credit, Paula and Leonard Granoff have been careful stewards of the property, in addition to their well-respected philanthropic support of the arts, particularly the RISD Museum and the Rochambeau Public Library. But their decision to seek Providence Plan approval for a proposed subdivision of their property into 12 lots – two large ones totaling two acres for the mansion and the secondary buildings, and

ten more on the remaining one-anda-half acres for separate single family houses – has created a firestorm of neighborhood protest. While acknowledging the right of the owners to subdivide their land, nearby residents are opposing the size, scale and lack of detail of the proposal and have since organized themselves into a neighborhood association and hired a lawyer to protest the plan before the Providence Plan Commission. That’s the board that has regulatory power to ensure any projects of this size are consistent with the overall Comprehensive Plan for the City. At the November meeting of the Commission, it looked as though D Day (as in decision) was at hand for this controversial proposal. The lawyer for the Granoffs, Thomas Moses,

was confident his clients were within their rights to divide the property as they saw fit, given no zoning variances were being sought. The over 100 residents who packed the meeting room and their lawyer Bill Landry saw it quite differently. Armed with a petition of over 600 signatures and a letter of support from the Providence Preservation Society, they felt they were well armed and ready to do battle. But after just three of their witnesses had testified, the Commission was forced to call at least this meeting a tie, since one of the commission members had to depart early, which meant there was no longer a quorum. The quorum issue is one that may prove to be a problem going forward, warns the head of the commission, architect Christine West. “It’s not like

A view of the main house on the 3½ acre Granoff property

we’re shirking our duty,” she explains. “Our seven person commission has been short two members for a while and we’re still waiting for appointments from the Mayor. Plus one of the remaining members, Meredyth Church, has to recuse herself because she works for Residential Properties who is handling the sale of the property for the Granoffs. That leaves four, the minimum number for a quorum, which means we all need to be present for this to go forward. In addition another member, Jo-Ann Ryan, was just elected to the City Council in Ward 5, so she will have to be replaced.” The groundswell of neighborhood opposition to the plans as submitted, coupled with a new legal argument by Landry, have raised some interesting issues. One revolves around what Landry calls the “shallowness” of the plan that has been sketched out somewhat informally. “It doesn’t come close to meeting the requirements to allow the commission to make (a fair) determination if the plan is consistent with the City’s comprehensive plan,” he says. “A project must… be more than just determining how much you can stuff in there. The plan has to underscore important considerations that have nothing to do with zoning, such as ensuring that historic properties be maintained and traditional neighborhood characteristics be respected.” A second and more substantive issue revolves around whether the Granoff proposal is even a subdivision. Landry argues that given the number

East Side Monthly January 2015

of lots being proposed, the Granoff proposal really is a “major land development project which means there is no such thing as a ‘by right’ subdivision anymore. But regardless, given the size and number of lot divisions being requested, the same submission requirements apply.” Sam Zurier, the councilman for the Ward, who earlier at the meeting had voiced his own opposition to the proposal, in part because of the way it was being rushed through the review process, agreed that in his view the point of law being raised was an “interesting one.” Sharon Steele, a real estate broker, community activist and neighbor, maintains that the “rush” Zurier mentions is that result of the owners trying to circumvent a new City zoning ordinance that will raise the minimum lot size in the area of the City from the current 6,000 square feet to 7,200 on January 1, thereby reducing the number of permissible homes that could be built on the property. She also complains that the notification for a first Plan Commission meeting in October, one that was ultimately cancelled for lack of a quorum, was delivered at the last moment to abutting neighbors giving them only a weekend to see the proposal and formulate a response. “The owners are saying on the one hand they want to be good neighbors and then do things like this and try to fly under the radar. Had they proposed a more appropriate plan, they definitely would have garnered a far different response from the neighbors,” suggests Steele.

As for the effect of any December decision on the proposal, Robert Azar, the Director of Current Planning for the City, explained that the policy in Providence has always been it is the date of the submission that determines what guidelines will apply to a new project, not when it is approved by the Plan Commission. In other words, in his view, the project would be covered by the existing rules. Interestingly, this may not be the way things are done elsewhere. We spoke to a New York City planner and were told their policy in cases of soon-tobe altered planning requirements is to honor the “intent of the upcoming changes” rather than necessarily

conforming to any about to be eliminated regulations. And what of the historic integrity of the property? While the Bridgham estate is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, that does not provide the Historic District Commission with any oversight review powers. Attorney Landry expresses his view of this anomaly. “I do this kind of work all over the state, most typically for the applicant. And throughout most of the state, a house with this kind of historic importance and in this kind of neighborhood would unquestionably require some sort of historic advisory, if not regulatory, opinion. Providence, for some reason, doesn’t do it

that way perhaps because there is so much historic property and never saw it as necessary.” Several sections of the East Side, particularly College Hill and parts of Fox Point, have opted to make themselves part of a regulated historic zone which then qualifies it for HDC protection. This comes with a price, however, since it also means the HDC gets to exercise controls on a house by house basis as well. Currently, for example, homeowners, preservationists and the City Council are debating if the HDC should continue to regulate whether solar panels belong on historic homes and if so, which ones and with what restrictions. And then there is the question of what the subdivision plan being submitted will look like or what the economics of the site might mean in terms of the quality of the project. Since the Granoffs have said they have no plans to develop the property themselves, many residents have expressed fears that an outside developer might not share the same commitment to the historic estate that they had. As for the economics of the proposal, here there are significant differences of opinion. East Side Monthly sought out several developers who have the capacity to do this project. To the ones we spoke to, the problem is pure economics. First a 6,000 sq. ft. lot is small. Second, and more

importantly, the finished house would likely have to sell in the $800,000 plus range. Factor in land cost, roads and utilities, the lack of privacy and the quality of landscaping that would be expected, the problem for a developer becomes apparent. And then there is the bigger issue of absorption. Are there really ten $800,000-$1,250,000 buyers who want to be on a small lot with high taxes and little extra privacy? To Sharon Steele, the answer is a resounding no. She feels a better designed project, with fewer but nicer houses, would make more economic sense and certainly would be more consistent to the surrounding homes. She at least hopes the Granoffs would agree to conform to the new 7,200 foot lot size minimums. Jim DeRentis, a real estate agent for Residential Properties who represents the Granoffs in the sale of their properties, sees things quite differently. “First off, the Granoffs are in their 80s and this is an incredibly expensive property for them to maintain each year. The annual taxes on the property alone are over $160,000 and that doesn’t include the hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for upkeep and maintenance. The property has been on the market for over four years, originally for $12,500,000. The price is now down to just under $5,000,000. Everything they have done has been legal and within their rights as homeowners. That said, they certainly

want to be good neighbors and do the right thing.” DeRentis also disagrees with the assessment that the development doesn’t make economic sense. “There is virtually no new construction or space available for it on the East Side, one of the most desirable places to live in the City. For potential buyers moving into our area from out of town, there is certainly serious demand for new construction and it can demand a premium.” For the record, the two properties that make up the estate are currently assessed at just under $3,200,000 combined. There is one other variable to this discussion. Bob Azar says he and his staff have to respond to the laws and regulation as written. That said, they are rigorous in making sure projects conform to environmental issues, frontage, setback and curb cut requirements, tree preservation and are consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. He sees the Granoff proposal as not about on site development designs but rather about creating new lot lines. A subdivision of this size, that is more than five new houses, is considered major and has to go through a public process and it is. But what if the ten lots are approved and a future developer wants to reduce the number? That can be done, says Azar, but then it becomes an administrative process controlled by the City’s Department of Planning which does not require

public input. Does this happen often? According to Azar, frequently. As we go to press, it should be noted that this article will be out after the December Plan Commission meeting. But in a rare moment of unanimity, all parties agree it is difficult to predict with certainty what will happen there. But regardless, it appears there are likely appeal opportunities available should the neighbors choose to go that route. Better for all parties, of course, would be some sort of compromise that would allow the Granoff’s to sell their property, while providing some sort of reasonable design guidelines for future developers. Perhaps the best outcome from the community perspective was summed up by one of the neighbors. “It is our hope that the Granoffs will indeed leave a positive legacy here in Providence and be remembered as engaged citizens and philanthropists who both championed the arts and were responsive and sensitive to the community in which they have lived and made a home for over 50 years. We hope that they will engage with and respond to the community to find a resolution to the estate’s development that is both sensitive to the historic nature of the area and considers the concerns of their neighbors.” Stay tuned in what should be an interesting few months.

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Sitting comfortably, addressing attendees at his recent book signing at Books on the Square, the author J.J. Partridge, whom most of us know as “Jack,” a successful local attorney and founding partner of Partridge, Snow and Hahn, suggests some possible explanations for why his new book Scratched, the third in his Algy Temple series of mysteries, seems to be doing so well. He points out that most crime novels fall into one of two categories: either thrillers or whodunits. “Mine are certainly the latter, but I like to think they also come well researched, with interesting characters and with enough clues to help someone solve the crime if they want to,” he says. But then again, he laughs, maybe his success is nothing more than having the right last name. On the crime novel shelf, having the last name of “Partridge” means he’s placed between “Parker” and “Patterson,” perhaps two of the biggest names in the genre. More likely, it’s because Partridge has created an ensemble cast of characters who seem to be gaining some traction. At the core of his three tales is Algy Temple, a white shoe general counsel for the East Sidebased Carter University (read: Brown) and who is the scion of one of the oldest and most respected founding families of Providence. He is joined in the series by two of his closest childhood friends. Tony Tramonti, who in the first two books was the head of a successful local contracting company, is now the recently elected, reformist mayor of Providence. Completing the trio is Jimmy Hannigan, a former pool hustler and now owner of a small pool hall/restaurant on Wickenden Street. And finally there’s Sonny Russo, Algy’s nemesis, who is a talented, colorful, clever and perhaps corrupt exmayor, who has the ability to get things done or to get even depending on the situation. Sound like anyone we know?

Flipping through the pages of an Algy Temple novel means taking a delightful stroll along the East Side streets we all know so well. There’s Waterfire, the Brown campus, the Boulevard, Wickenden Street, and of course, the Hill. The issues Algy must confront are often based on ones that actually occurred here… or certainly could have. For readers in other parts of the country, one can almost hear a collective “Is this place for real?” Would a University really let its faculty vote to get rid of Columbus Day in a City with an Italian population the size of Providence? Could they possibly elect a mayor like Sonny Russo? Could the mob influence be as blatant as Algy describes it? Who could make this stuff up? “Been there, done that,” shrugs Providence. What gives the book some extra heft is that Partridge researches well and this, coupled with his years of behind the scenes legal work, gives him particular insights into the way the game is played. So how does the school’s administration deal with its runaway faculty?

And what impact will dissing Columbus have on negotiations on how much the school has to pay the city in taxes? But don’t worry. There’s plenty of action too. Like the retired University professor who’s just been found floating in the river, on WaterFire night no less. Turns out he was also an integral part of the Italian Studies Department that is about to leave millions to the school. Oh yeah, and he may or may not have had an illegitimate son who is now about to contest the will. And oh yeah, the Mafia does in fact play a role in the proceedings, but how much is unclear. And… well you get the idea. Like an Umberto Eco mystery, there’s an intellectual override to the plot, but our author is willing to patiently explain things for us… say the difference between Italian and American laws on inheritance (which actually is sort of interesting). Occasionally the plot gets a little too complicated for its own good, like trying to keep track of some of the names when Algy goes off to Italy, but never enough to derail the journey. And of course, since it is an Algy Temple novel, there’s pool. In this case it’s a national professional pool tournament that’s coming to Providence, the brainchild of former Mayor Russo, complete with (wink, wink) controlled off site gambling that will provide much needed income for our cashstrapped city. In short, Scratched is an entertaining read packed with interesting insights into everything from Ponzi schemes to pool play to life both in the mafia and in the hallowed Ivy League. The book has already been starred as a recommended read by Publishers Weekly. And we’re happy to report, J.J. Partridge is hard at work at entry number four in the series. Nice to see Providence has at least one growth industry.

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East Side Monthly January 2015

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East Side Monthly January 2015

CLOSE TO HOME Home and Family | Education | Style | Real Estate

On the Market

Coming Home to College Hill A Hope Street mansion that feels warm and cozy

On the corner of Hope and Benevolent is a brick Georgian Colonial that looks imposing from the outside, but is anything but. The home, built in 1922 by cotton merchant T. A. Francis, is a beautiful, spacious space that manages to be intimate and comfortable at the same time. In its nearly century-long existence, 156 Hope Street has been owned by only three families. The most recent, the Seelys, both RISD grads, purchased the place in

1987 and raised their family there before deciding to downsize their now-empty nest. The home features three working fireplaces and original architectural details like inlaid hardwood floors, iron work, French doors and decorative molding. While the second floor houses four bedrooms, including a master suite with ensuite bath, the first floor makes a grand impression with its foyer, grand staircase, open kitchen, library and formal

dining room. The home, Mrs. Seely says, is perfect for entertaining because of the open flow of the first floor. She has hosted events for up to 200 people on the property. Outside, a stone terrace is perfect for entertaining in the warmer months, and the back yard, surrounded by old growth trees, feels like a secluded park. The property will belisted in January. For now, take a virtual tour at www.156hopestreet.com. -Julie Tremaine

156 Hope Street at a Glance • • • •

Listing Price: $2,300,000 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 4.5 Square Footage: 4,146 square feet • Listed by: Taylor and Company • For more information: 270-7909 or tandc@raveis.com January 2015 East Side Monthly

Close to Home Education

Banding Together

Public schools need broader support By Jill Davidson who vote at our neighborhood public schools, do you remember how great it was not only to participate in the electoral process but also to support the school through its unobtrusive, non-obstructive bake sale? No? You don’t remember how you rewarded yourself with a wonderful home-baked chocolate chip cookie for doing your civic duty? Of course you don’t. While we have the Rhode Island Board of Elections to thank for an Election Day that was largely efficient and uncontested, during the run-up to Election Day, Board of Elections Executive Director Robert Kando banned polling place bake sales, including those at schools, claiming that they posed a felony-worthy obstruction to the “orderly conduct” of elections. Had the bake sales been allowed, Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) and other school- and youth-supporting groups would have raised urgently needed funds to pay for field trips, drama productions and other activities that benefit entire school communities. Most PTOs that canceled their bake sales will find ways to make up the money and meet their budgets. Located in neighborhoods or within schools that can foster well-organized PTOs, they can and do support learning and engagement with four- and five-figure budgets. However, for completely understandable reasons, many other schools don’t have strong parent- or other supporter-led groups. I served for a couple of years as the head of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School PTO, and can attest, just as every PTO leader can, that it’s real work, done in collaboration with many other parents and other guardians. Even a few grandparents took on big projects. As they say, it takes a village (and more time, meetings, cajoling, negotiating and photocopying than you could possibly imagine). As they don’t say, it takes a village that benefits from some level of preexisting privilege. This assertion is supported by research documented in “The Rise of School-Supporting Nonprofits,” which recently appeared in Education Finance and Policy. Authors Ashlyn Nelson and Beth Gazley, professors at Indiana University Bloomington’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, look at the role that

East Side Monthly January 2015

nonprofit organizations such as PTOs play in supporting public schools. They demonstrate that the number of such organizations grew more than threefold between 1995 and 2010, and their level of giving, adjusted for inflation, increased nearly 350%. However, such giving was not at all equitable. Schools and districts with robust property tax revenues and other measures of high socioeconomic status were far more likely to benefit from such funds. This macro picture is replicated within the Providence Public Schools, where only four groups – those at King, Bishop, Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point and Classical High School – have nonprofit 501(c)3 status, which allows independent organization and partnership with schools. These are parent groups in schools either located on the relatively wealthy East Side or significantly attended by East Side students. Some other Providence public schools have emerging or healthy PTOs or similar parent groups,

but many face daunting financial management, decision-making and other organizational conditions. I’ll make it clear now that I am not advocating that those groups that are independent nonprofits relinquish that status. Nor am I suggesting that parent groups at other public schools within Providence take on the expensive and time consuming work of becoming 501(c)3s. Instead, we need to think bigger. We need systems to aid PTOs and similar groups citywide as they support school-based projects and initiatives that benefit all students academically. Four goals seem clear. First, we need to establish equity across and among our public schools so that nonpublic funds directed toward schools can impact the most urgent areas of need. Second, we need to build capacity within each school community so that parents and family members are engaged and connected contributors to their children’s schools – not

only monetarily, but also in a myriad of other ways, both as individuals and as groups. Third, we need to create a network of parents, family members and other supporters who can serve as advocates for a strong, healthy, wellfunded school system and for each and every one of the children that it serves. And fourth, we need to establish a channel for city and state businesses to support our public schools in mutually meaningful ways. Any organization or effort that works toward these goals will require significant investment, coalitionbuilding and collaboration across differences. It will also require difficult conversations about what should and could be publicly funded, and when it’s sensible to use private money to support essential programs and services. It’s big work – and the kind of effort we need to take on in order to ensure that parents and families can play a leading role in building a better school system in our city.

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Role Call For the Fall For families seeking to register children for kindergarten in the Providence Public Schools, registration is open now and runs through February 6. Your child must be born on or before September 1, 2010 to enter kindergarten in the fall of 2015. For those who have been through the process before, please note that the system has changed. Families may now make an appointment online at ppsdregistration.appointy.com or call Providence Public Schools registration at 456-9297 to set up a 30 minute appointment. You can visit www. providenceschools.org for more information including instructions for necessary documentation and upcoming kindergarten enrollment seminars. The East Side’s Vartan Gregorian Elementary School (456-9377) and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School (456-9398) will be offering tours and open houses for prospective families; please call the schools to inquire about ways to visit. Take A Few Moments… The Rhode Island Department of

Education (RIDE) is seeking public input to shape its 2015-2020 strategic plan, which will be presented to the State Council on Elementary and Secondary Education in June 2015. To that end, take a few moments to fill out a survey at www.ride.ri.gov/ Strategic-Plan-Survey. You may also visit the RIDE website at www.ride. ri.gov to see survey results in progress.

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A Big Congratulations Kudos to Nathan Bishop Middle School eighth grader Catherine Brunzos for winning the 2014 International Minecraft Hunger Games. In November, Brunzos represented the Rochambeau Branch of the Providence Community Library (PCL), battled against 94 other teams from around the world. She was collaborated with her partner Elijah Caldwell, an eighth grader at Roger Williams Middle School who represented PCL’s Washington Park branch. Statewide, PCL was the only library system to participate in the tournament, which was part of International Games Day @ Your Library, and worldwide, Brunzos was the victor.

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January 2015 East Side Monthly

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By Liz Rau There’s so much cruelty in the world today – ISIS beheadings at the top of the list – that acts of kindness sometimes get lost in the barrage of bad news. That’s unfortunate. People going out of their way to help others remind us that goodness is really selflessness. Consider Bill Molloy, a former public school teacher and administrator who is spending his retirement trying to improve schools in East Africa. You’re probably thinking that this is another story about someone from a “developed country’’ condescending to someone from a “third world’’ country, but you’re wrong. Through his nonprofit, The Africa Teacher Foundation, Molloy and his band of volunteers – here and abroad – are training thousands of teachers in East African countries how to teach everything from reading to math. So far, the organization has trained more than 1,000 Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ugandan teachers and reached 50,000 students, with that number expected to rise now that the nonprofit has received a $4,000 grant from the International Reading Association to expand the project. That grant supplements the private donations Molloy has raised over the last few years. “There’s always room for growth, but, right now, the foundation exceeds any expectation I had,’’ said Molloy, who lives in Portsmouth. “It’s a passion. It has to be. The reward is the satisfaction of reaching these teachers in East Africa and changing the lives of thousands of youngsters.’’ The creation of the foundation began with an unexpected visit with poverty, progressed through extreme sadness and finally emerged with a clear idea of how to better the lives of people whose fate, sadly, is decided by where they were born. Nine years ago, Molloy took a trip with friends to visit Kenya, a country that had always intrigued him. He was invited to go for a “feeding.’’ He thought he’d be serving hay to elephants.

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What he found instead left him in tears: boys and girls lined up in a Nairobi slum for rice and beans dished from a big pot. That gut-wrenching site prompted him to visit the local schools, which left him even more bereft. Up to 100 students were crammed into classrooms, so crowded the kids took turns sitting and standing – on dirt floors. On good days, there was one book for the entire class. Most of the teachers were untrained. The situation was even worse for the slum’s orphans. The classroom was also where they lived. They slept, ate and died there. Molloy could identify the ones who were terribly sick, many from AIDS, which they got at birth from their parents. Their appetites gone, the children handed off their food to a boy or girl in back. “Poverty turns your head,’’ Molloy said, “but AIDS turns your head twice.’’ He was a wreck on the flight home. He couldn’t get the image of dying children out of his mind. He wanted to help, but how? For 35 years, he had worked in the Fall River public schools, first teaching high school English, then ending his career as assistant superintendent. Surely, he thought, he could use his teaching background to make a difference. In that moment, his organization was born.

Here’s how it works: Rhode Island and Massachusetts teachers – many of whom are longtime colleagues of Molloy – travel to Kenya to train teachers to teach reading, math and writing and create lesson plans. They earn a certificate in professional development – a small but significant step to improve the schools. Molloy is humbled by their gratitude. They have so little, he said, and appreciate any gesture of support. Molloy’s latest plan is to expand teacher training by offering webinars and other online classes. “We can reach hundreds of teachers that way, without having to travel to East Africa,’’ said Molloy. “The goal is to help as many children as possible. The number is limitless.’’ There’s no stopping him. He says the foundation is “clearly’’ the most satisfying work he has ever done. “I went over there initially to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and go on safari,’’ he said. “My life changed. Once you see the need and the impact you’re having, it’s extraordinarily fulfilling. You feel as if you’re bringing a kind of peace to the world through teaching.’’ For more information about The Africa Teacher Foundation, visit africateacherfoundation.org or e-mail Molloy at wmolloy48@cox.net.

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January 2015 East Side Monthly

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East Side Monthly January 2015

On the tOwn

Restaurant and Food | Dining Guide | Calendar of events

Flavor of the Month

Bite by Bite

Flan’s bigger space means more tapas and wine

Photography: Stacey Doyle

By Stephanie Obodda Providence’s tiny tapas restaurant, Flan Y Ajo, closed in July to move to a larger space around the corner, leaving a garlic-shaped hole in the heart of downtown. In November, the restaurant reopened simply as “Flan” in the space adjacent to its sister wine bar, Bodega Malasana. Though the miniature size had its advantages, like watching your padron peppers blister in the pan, the additional seating and in-house bathroom compensate. Plenty of restaurants purport to serve “tapas,” but many just misuse the term as a trendy label for small plates. Not Flan. Except the occasional outlier, this menu is classic Spanish tapas, or more accurately, tapas and pintxos. A menu of small plates can fit any budget or appetite. You can have a snack to temper a glass of wine, or you can, like we did, bring friends and order almost everything on the menu. We started from the top: Pan Con Tomate ($3), four pieces of a warm crusty loaf, rubbed with garlic and tomato, simple yet memorable. Tortilla Española ($3) is a Spanish staple, a thick omelette with potatoes served cold on bread. Boquerones ($4), one of our favorites, are pickled anchovies on crumbly crackers. If you usually avoid anchovies, don’t write this off: these are not the salty, shriveled pizza topping, but tangy, more like pickled herring. The cheese plate ($14) featured ample portions of three cheeses served with plenty of bread: Manchego, Brie and the wine-rinded Cabra al Vino. We also indulged in an order of Jamón Serrano ($10), thinly sliced dry-cured serrano ham that, as clichéd as it sounds, melts in your mouth. Though not BYOB like its predecessor, Flan offers a mindfully chosen, affordable beverage selection. Those on a budget will appreciate the $20 wine bottles or the $5/glass house wine. We started with an Asturian Sidra on draft ($5/glass). If you haven’t tried traditional Spanish sidra, you’ll be surprised how dissimilar it is to sweet

Spanish small plates abound downtown at Flan

American cider, tart and almost a bit farmy. I’ll concede that it may not be everyone’s taste, but try it, it’s a great pairing for these dishes and you may begin to crave the flavor. Other sidras are available by the bottle or glass, as are some beers. Patatas Bravas ($4) is another classic dish, perfectly fried cubes of potato drizzled with spicy aioli and skewered with toothpicks. The Pintxo Quimet ($7) featured slices of baguette spread with chevre and topped with cold smoked salmon, honey and capers. The honey and salty salmon was an unexpectedly pleasant combination. Our Setas Salteadas ($5), sauteed oyster mushrooms, was a little short on the mushrooms this time, but the abundance of garlicky olive oil with some bread for dipping made up for it. We giggled at the Frito Pie ($4), inserted like a wink halfway down the menu, and were not expecting it

to hold its own alongside the classic dishes, but the dark chocolatey New Mexico-style chili was addictive. We continued with a bottle of wine, the 2012 Barcos de Piedra Tempranillo ($30/bottle, or $8/glass) from the Ribera del Duero region in central Spain, “pretty nice and smooth” as the menu promised. And more dishes – the Kale and Garlic ($5), tenderly sauteed and sprinkled with flakes of ñora pepper, impressing even the kale skeptics at our table. The Mejillones en Escabeche ($8) was a treat for the eye and a good mixture of textures: raw slices of colorful radish, each topped with a marinated Maine mussel. The Merluza and Piquillo ($6), two bright red piquillo peppers stuffed with olive oil cured Andalusian mackerel, is one of my favorites. I imagine children in Spain might enjoy this as an afterschool snack while their American

counterparts are stuck with tunastuffed celery sticks. After the meal, I was looking forward to a café bombón, a generous layer of condensed milk topped with a shot of espresso. The espresso machine was still decommissioned from the move, but I suppose this gives me one more treat to look forward to on my next visit. If you, like me, were a longtime visitor of Flan Y Ajo, you might have worried that some of its charm would be lost in a new location. But owner Diego was still behind the counter prepping ingredients in his signature Batman hat, and the food is as good as ever, simple and authentic. It’s nice to see this little restaurant grow without losing its character.

Flan 186 Union Street 228-6775 January 2015 East Side Monthly

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East Side Monthly January 2015

Gluttonous Glory

these January dining deals will keep you well-fed all winter long By Alastair Cairns It’s January,

and some things become more difficult; like escaping the gravity of a hot shower, or moving your hands after a bike ride. Eating, though, is easier. Epidemiological evidence, the CDC, doctors, science, etc. are all in broad agreement that we don’t need a couple extra pounds for our special winter coat, and that’s true, but it fails to answer the most important question: when else is it going to be appropriate to eat like I’m a knight carousing in a mead hall? Combine the undiminished joy of eating and competitive winter prices, and January starts to look quite special. Don’t smile about it though, you’ll crack those cold-ruined lips. To begin with, we’ve got Providence Restaurant Weeks, from January 11 to 24. If you’re a frugal foodie, you know the routine. First, you make reservations at all the great restaurants you normally reserve for special occasions. Next, you smile politely at the waiter – who knows damn well why you are there – as they explain you don’t have to get the special prix-fixe dinner. Lastly, you get the check and smile at each other smugly. It’s $14.95 for lunch, and $29.95 or $34.95 for dinner at participating restaurants. goprovidence.com/rw There are restaurant deals aplenty the rest of the month as well, one for each day of the week. On Mondays, Pan E Vino (365 Atwells, Providence. 223-2230, panevino.net) is doing a Wine Lovers Night, where all wine selections are 50% off. Also on Mondays, Hemenway’s (121 S Main St, Providence. 351-8570, www.hemenwaysrestaurant. com) is doing a “Classics and Cocktails” bar menu, with a rotating selection of their most popular food to go with a featured cocktail, each item at a very reasonable $6. Tuesdays at Cafe Dolce Vita (59 DePasquale Square, Providence. 331-8240, www.caffedolcevita.com) means half-off your entire check, and Wednesdays is half-off house wine bottles with your meal. Waterman Grille (4 Richmond Square, Providence. 521-9229, www.watermangrille.com) enters the fray with a $10 craft burger and beer, on Thursdays. They offer a rotating seasonal craft beer and design a burger to pair. This

Hanley’s Ale House has yummy deals on Thursdays and Fridays

is no slapdash burger; at time of writing they’ve got grassfed beef, butternut squash pickles, poblano onion jam and queso fresco on brioche. That’s almost too classy for my mead hall winter fetish, but paired with their Foolproof beer, and perhaps we’re in the realm of a posh viking. Hanley’s Ale House (52 Pine Street, Providence. 861-0001, www.hanleysalehouse.com) has a series of deals running from midweek, the highlights being half-off all food on Thursdays all day, and their “Fresh Catch Fridays” where you can pick from $10 fish and chips, $5 mussels, $5 tuna melt or a $5 chowda. The Newest Taco Joint Restaurant openings are a dime a dozen in the spring, so don’t neglect a rare new face in winter; check out One More Taco. It is named in honor of the “one more club,” an old-school social club owned by co-owner Lauren Pinto’s father. Chef Ramon Martinez grew up in SoCal, which is always a good sign for tacos. In addition to using local products like Baffoni chicken and Narragansett Creamery Queso, 90% of their meat is smoked in house, with carne asada, brisket, pulled pork and even house-made chorizo. 751 Hartford Ave, Johnston. 280-6815, www. onemoretacori.com. Do It Veggie Style Your lust for food need not be a lust for

blood. The Grange is well qualified to do feasting veggie style, and that’s just what they’re doing on January 25, offering a five-course paired dinner with Berkshire Brewing Company/Berkshire Mountain Distillers, who are providing beer, cocktails and dessert wine. Beer before liquor? Shut up, peasant. 166 Broadway, Providence. 831-0600, www.providencegrange.com. Cool Beans Finally, nothing’s a better deal in the winter months than a free coffee tasting. On January 24 New Harvest Coffee Roasters are running a rare Saturday coffee tasting/class at the Hope Artiste Village Winters Farmers Market from 10am-1pm. Ana Mallozzi will be leading a session from the training room they normally use to make sure staff “are making the coffee awesomely.” You’ll get to taste different single-origin beans, and learn how they have been processed very differently. When you start expressing an opinion on wet-hulling, you’re not far away from modifying your burr hand grinder to achieve better results with a French press. Not that I know anyone like that. I’m a carousing knight, remember? 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 4381999, www.newharvestcoffee.com Send all food, beverage, restaurant and chef news to alastairjcairns@ gmail.com

Photography: Brian DeMello

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January 2015 East Side Monthly

RHODY BITES A Sponsored Statewide Dining Guide

View our full Restaurant Profiles on RhodyBites.com

Julian’s Sitting right on Providence’s very own Broadway is a restaurant that’s been exciting and impressing visitors for over two decades: Julian’s. Walking in the front door is like stepping into your comfort zone. The walls are lined with objects reminiscent of any American’s childhood, complete with display cases of Pez dispensers and classic Star Wars figurines. Their award winning brunch is a Providence staple, and features an

impressive benedict and mimosa selection as well as the famous Julian’s Bloody Mary. Dinner at Julian’s is also a culinary delight (and often an adventure for your taste buds). The bar at Julian’s is home to an impressive list of beers, both domestic and imported. Visitors have their pick of signature cocktails that will arouse their senses, and the wine and liquor menus provide options for all different palates.

Insider Tip: Take Julian’s with you to any party or special occasion. Whether by Omnibus, smoker or even just dropping off a platter, Julian’s can provide the food that fits your tastes and your budget

318 Broadway, Providence • 401-861-1770

2 Pauls’ City Grille Comfort food with a family feel. 315 Waterman Ave, East Providence, 228-7285. BrLD $-$$ Andreas Authentic Greek food since 1966. 268 Thayer St, Providence, 3317879. BrLD $-$$ Arturo Joe’s Italian food close to the beaches. 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 789-3230. LD $$ Aspire Seasonal Kitchen Contemporary New England fare. 311 Westminster St, Providence, 521-3333. BBrLD $$-$$ Besos Kitchen & Cocktails Tapas and eclectic cuisine and cocktails. 378 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-8855. BrLD $$$ Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, 508-999-6975. LD $$ Bon Asian Bistro Sushi and hibachi, stylish bar scene. 1386 Atwood Ave, Johnston, 270-0777. LD $$ Breachway Grill Classic New England

fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$ Caprice Restaurant & Bar Upscale Italian, romantic atmosphere. 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. D $$-$$$ Casa Della Luce American/Italian bistro and gourmet pizzeria. 105 Franklin St, Westerly, 637-4575. LD $$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Centro Restaurant & Lounge Contemporary cuisine and cocktails. 1 W Exchange St, Providence, 228-6802. BLD $$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 100 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$ Clean Plate Delicious comfort food in a casual setting. 345 S. Water Street, Providence, 621-8888. BBrLD $$ DeWolf Tavern Gourmet American/ Indian fusion. 259 Thames St, Bristol, 254-2005. BLD $$-$$$ DiMare Seafood Fresh seafood restaurant and market. 2706 South County Trail,

East Greenwich, 885-8100. LD $$-$$$ Dragon Palace Fresh sushi and Asian cuisine. 733 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, 789-2308. LD $-$$

Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House Classic clam shack fare, plus famous doughboys. 889 Oakland Beach Ave, Warwick, 737-9459; 1157 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-5608. LD $

Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$

Julian’s A must taste Providence staple celebrating 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$

Enn Japanese Creative sushi and Japanese food. 600 George Washington Hgwy, Lincoln, 333-0366. LD $$

Kartabar Mediterranean-style cuisine, chic setting. 284 Thayer St, Providence, 331-8111. LD $-$$

East Side Creamery & Diner Neighborhood diner and ice cream shop. 170 Ives St, Providence, 865-6088. BrLD $

Kon Asian Bistro Sushi and hibachi, stylish bar scene. 553 Main St, East Greenwich, 886-9200. LD $$

Fieldstones Relaxed family setting, something for everyone. 980 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, 293-5200. LD $$

Lim’s Restaurant Upscale Thai and fresh sushi. 18 South Angell St, Providence, 383-8830. LD $$

Flatbread Company Artisanal pizza, local ingredients. 161 Cushing St, Providence, 273-2737. LD $-$$

Lobster Pot Serving traditional New England classics and seafood. 119 Hope St, Bristol, 253-9100 Br L D $$-$$$

Giros Hometown Grille Pub-style food, friendly service. 501 High St, Peace Dale, 887-752-0794. BrLD $-$$

Luxe Burger Bar Build your own creative burger. 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $

Guytanno’s Cafe Inspired international cuisine. 62 Franklin St, Westerly, 3846221. LD $$

Mariner Grille Creative seafood, pub atmosphere. 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 284, 3282. LD $$

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

East Side Monthly January 2015

Photography: Melissa Stimpson

10 Prime Steak & Sushi Gourmet steaks and sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 4532333. LD $$$

Julian’s

McBlarney’s County Tap Modern, upscale pub with daily specials. 632 Metacom Ave, Warren 401-289-0887. LD $$

Pavilion Steakhouse & Banquets Grand, banquet-hall style dining. 15A Frontier Rd, Hopkinton, 377-9900. BrLD $$$

Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield. sienari.com D $$-$$$

The Village Casual dining and live entertainment. 373 Richmond Street, Providence, 228-7222. BrLD $$

McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub fare in Wayland Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000. LD $$

Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food; great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield. 783-4073 BBrLD $

Simone’s Gourmet brunch followed by upscale Mediterranean cuisine. 275 Child St. Warren, 247-1200. BLD $$-$$$

Tolento’s Ice House Grille Upscale bar featuring authentic Cajun food and more. 1460 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence, 353-3100 . LD $-$$

Meeting Street Cafe Huge sandwiches and cookies. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-0166. BLD $

PJ’s Pub Mediterranean-influenced pub food. 135 Boone St, Narragansett. 401-789-3200. LD $-$$

Sweet Cakes Coffee shop and gourmet bakery. 1227 Kingstown Rd, Peace Dale, 789-5420. BL $

Mews Tavern Family dining, with a whiskey bar. 456 Main St, Wakefield, 783-9370. LD $-$$

Portsmouth Publick House Gourmet pub food with a variety of spirit flights. 1 King Charles Dr, Portsmouth. 6822600. BrLD $-$$

Two Ten Oyster Bar & Grill Enjoy fresh seafood and sushi by the salty water. 210 Salt Pond Rd, Wakefield, 782-0100. LD $$-$$$

T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, 946-5900. BL $

Mia’s Prime Time Café Upscale café cuisine by the Pawcatuck River. 1 West Broad Street, Pawcatuck, CT, 860-5993840. BLD $$

Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing daily inspirations. 120 Francis St, Providence, 919-5050. BrLD $-$$

Tara’s Tipperary Tavern Oceanside Irish-American pub fare. 907 Matunuck Beach Rd, Matunuck, 284-1901. BLD $

Mile & a Quarter Eclectic cuisine and wine bar. 334 South Water St, Providence, 331-1500. LD $-$$

Rasa Authentic and contemporary Indian. 149 Main St, East Greenwich, 3982822. LD $$

Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$

Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$

Rasoi Vegetarian-friendly Indian cuisine. 727 East Ave, Pawtucket, 7285500. LD $$

The Coast Guard House Upscale New England fare with Bay views. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett. 401-789-0700. LD $$-$$$

Nonni’s Italian Restaurant Traditional Italian eatery and pasta shop. 1154 Stafford Rd, Tiverton, 624-3087. LD $$

Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950. BrLD $$

The Dorrance Fine dining with exquisite cocktails. 60 Dorrance St, Providence, 521-6000. D $$$

Oak St. B&B Delicious, inventive burgers and breakfast. 87 Oak St, Westerly, 315-2520. BLD $

Rick’s Roadhouse House-smoked barbecue. 370 Richmond St, Providence, 272-7675. LD $-$$

The Malted Barley Gourmet pretzels and craft brews. 42 High St, Westerly, 315-2184. $

Oceanside at the Pier New England fare overlooking the Atlantic. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 792-3999. BrLD $$

Rue De L’Espoir American cooking with French soul. 99 Hope St, Providence, 751-8890. BBrLD $$

The Restaurant at Weekapaug Inn Quintessential New England fare. 25 Spray Rock Rd, Westerly, 322-0301. BLD $$$

Whiskey Republic Delicious dockside pub fare. 515 South Water St, Providence, 588-5158. LD $-$$

Paragon & Viva Contemporary dining and nightlife. 234 Thayer St, Providence, 331-6200. BrLD $-$$

Scampi Seafood and Italian with expansive water views. 657 Park Ave, Portsmouth, 293-5844. LD $$

The Sea Goose Seafood with New England and Southern flair. 265 Post Rd, Westerly, 315-0788. LD $$-$$$

XO Cafe Creative cocktails and New American fare. 125 N Main St, Providence, 273-9090. BrD $$

Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 3310003. LD $-$$

Seasons Fine dining at the Ocean House. 1 Bluff Ave, Westerly, 584-7000. BLD $$$

The Twisted Vine Romantic wine bar with tapas and full meals. 3 Canal St, Westerly, 596-4600. D $$

Zooma Trattoria Fresh Italian using house-made pasta. 245 Atwells Ave, Providence, 383-2002. LD $$

Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine.

Trinity Brewhouse Rhode Island’s original brewpub. 186 Fountain St, Providence, 453-2337 LD $-$$ UMelt Fun twists on grilled cheese. Providence and Kingston, 383-6732. LD $ Vetrano’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Italian cooking like grandma made. 130 Granite St, Westerly, 348-5050. LD $$ Vittoria’s NY Pizza Best pizza north of Manhattan. 224 Post Rd, Westerly, 322-1901. LD $-$$ Waterman Grille Riverfront New American dining. 4 Richmond Sq, Providence, 521-9229. BLD $$$ Wes’ Rib House Missouri-style BBQ, open late. 38 Dike St, Providence, 421-9090. LD $$

Worth The Drive:

Photography: Hilary Block

Coast Guard House The Coast Guard House is a Rhode Island institution and has reopened its doors after being devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The renovated space features a new lounge, kitchen and dining area with double the ocean view.

Their menu has also been revamped; alongside classics like the house-made lobster ravioli, new menu items include shrimp tempura, crab mac ’n cheese and a fried oyster po boy sandwich (among others).

Insider Tip: The Coast Guard House has daily specials, including buck-a-shuck oysters Mon-Thurs from 3-6pm. Coast Guard House

For full restaurant profiles, go to RhodyBites.com

40 Ocean Road, Narraganset • 401-789-0700 @RhodyBites

facebook.com/RhodyBites

January 2015 East Side Monthly

Mexican & SOUTHWESTERN Comfort Cuisine

355 Hope StreeT, Providence 401.751.6777 â&#x20AC;˘ tortillaflatsri.com

On the town Calendar

by Erin Balsa

January music | performance | social happenings | galleries | sports

DON’T MISS THIS MONTH: 10 events at the top of our list

1 2 3 4 5 6

The Illusionists. January 16-18 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence. www.ppacri.org

Fleetwood Mac. January 28 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. www.dunkindonutscenter.com Snowshoeing with Audubon. January 24 at Fort Nature Refuge in North Smithfield. www.asri.org Middletown. January 22-31 at Trinity Repertory in Providence. www.trinityrep.com Funday Mondays. January 5-26 at The Providence Rink in Providence. www.providencerink.com

An Evening of Motown Starring The Four Tops and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. January 16 at Twin River in Lincoln. www.twinriver.com

7 8 9 10

Live Bait: Cracks, Holes and Openings. January 2 at AS220 in Providence. www.as220.org

Friars vs. Brown. January 10 at Schneider Arena in Providence. www.friars.com Morality Play. January 1-31 at The Gamm Theatre in Pawtucket. www.gammtheatre.org

Catch The Illusionists at PPAC January 16-18

Meet our Alumni Recital and Presentation. January 23 at Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School in East Providence. www.ri-philharmonic.org

ARTISTIC SPACES

Take a New Look at City Hall Although many people aren’t aware of it, Providence City Hall is home to the Providence City Hall Gallery, which features rotating exhibits that are free, open to the public, and completely worth a look. Stop in from January 1-12 to catch a glimpse of The Artists Loop Exhibit, a program for artists and art enthusiasts in which participating artists get together to share work and chat about all things art. They discuss both their work and the process involved in creation. Each program is accompanied by a related artwork display. The current Artists Loop exhibit is in celebration of The Artists Loop’s third anniversary so be sure to swing in and support the program. Sure beats going to City Hall to pay your tax bill, does it not? 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri. 25 Dorrance Street, Providence. www.providenceri.com/ArtCultureTourism.

January 2015 East Side Monthly

Is Your Loved One Ready for Another New England Winter?

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Call today to schedule your visit and wrap up your preparations before the first snowfall!

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East Side Monthly January 2015

On the town Calendar

Income Taxes

continued...

MUSIC

arena & club | classical ARENA & CLUB AS220 January 7: Shemantic, Alec K Redfearn and the Eyesores, The Vox Hunters. January 8: Voodoo Cuisine, Christian Shields, Starship Shape. January 9: The Viennagram, Gavage, Sean Eldon & The Couple-Too-Tree Pyramid. January 13: Pharmakon, V Manuscript, Rectrix. January 17: Sunshine Riot, Satellites Fall. January 31: Beta Motel, Daniel Ouellette and the Shobijin, Vavablume, Skyjelly. 115 Empire Street, Providence. 831-9327, www.as220.org. COLUMBUS THEATRE January 11: Mother Falcon. 270 Broadway, Providence. 621-9660, www.columbustheatre.com. DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER January 24: Linkin Park. January 28: Fleetwood Mac. 1 LaSalle Square, Providence. 331-6700, www.dunkindonutscenter.com.

and Presentation. January 9: Piano Student Recital. January 23: Chamber Music Recital. 667 Waterman Avenue, East Providence. www.ri-philharmonic.org.

hosted by Randy Bush. First Sunday: The Empire Revue with sketch comedy, improv, music, burlesque and magic. 115 Empire Street, Providence. 831-9327, www.as220.org.

TWIN RIVER January 16: An Evening of Motown starring The Four Tops and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, www. twinriver.com.

COMEDY CONNECTION January 2-3: Ace Aceto. January 8: Bill Bellamy. January 9-10: Dan Soder. January 15: Sebastian Maniscalco. January 16-17: Tom Dustin. January 29: Pauly Shore. January 30-31: Mark Normand. Fridays: Hardcore Comedy. Sundays: Comedy Showcase. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 438-8383, www.ricomedyconnection.com.

FOLK STONE SOUP COFFEEHOUSE January 10: Debra Cowan with John Roberts. January 24: Sarah Blacker and Jamie Kent. 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket. 921-5115, www.soup.org

comedy | dance | theatre

PeRFORMAnCe

EVERETT Every Friday: Friday Night Live. 9 Duncan Avenue, Providence. 831-9479, www.everettri.org.

COMEDY AS220 January 2: Live Bait: Cracks, Holes and Openings. January 3: Improv Jones. First Wednesday: LuLz! Comedy Night

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER January 9: Terry Fator. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2787, www.ppacri.org.

FIREHOUSE 13 January 6: Skull Fist. 41 Central Street, Providence. 270-1801, www.fh13.com.

Proudly serving the East Side For Over Thirty Years

Fiore & asmussen Certified Public Accountants 125 Wayland Avenue Providence • 351-7000

K r i s t e n C a s e y, L M t

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LUPO’S HEARTBREAK HOTEL January 16: A$AP Ferg. 79 Washington Street, Providence. 331-5876, www.lupos.com. THE MET January 9: Winners Only. January 10: Collington. January 18: Balance and Composure. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, www.themetri.com. OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY January 17: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. 921-6800, www. oceanstatetheatre.org. THE SPOT UNDERGROUND Mondays: Madcap Mondays. Tuesdays: Re-Creation. Wednesday: Free Funk Wednesdays. 101 Richmond Street, Providence. 383-7133, www.thespotunderground.com. CLASSICAL OPERA PROVIDENCE January 23 & 25: Blithewold Mansion Winter Concert Series. 101 Ferry Road, Bristol. 331-6060, www.operaprovidence.org. RHODE ISLAND PHILHARMONIC January 3: Meet our Alumni Recital

KNIT AND PURL

Slater Mill’s Knitting Weekend Gather your yarn and needles, knitters. On January 16 through January 18 Trad Arts Studio presents the 7th Annual Knitting Weekend at historic Slater Mill. Trad Arts Studio is Slater Mill’s initiative in fiber, textile and maker arts. It also organizes times for the public to gather for presentations in fiber arts, folk craft and performance. The very popular Knitting Weekend is an annual event that pairs nationally-known fiber arts professionals with knitting enthusiasts. The goal of the weekend is to enrich local knitting practice. Take a master class with an artist or chat with designers, authors and producers. Friday night brings the evening reception and salon; Saturday features a fireside tavern in the 1758 Sylvanus Brown House; Sunday wraps up with a vendor marketplace in the mill. Stop by for some or all. 6pm Friday to 4pm Sunday. 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket. 725-8638, www.slatermill.org.

January 2015 East Side Monthly

On the town Calendar

Middletown a play by

continued...

Will Eno

Jan. 22 – Feb. 22 JOE WILSON, JR.

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East Side Monthly January 2015

DANCE AS220 Mondays: Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance. Tuesdays: Yobalates. Wednesday: Open Level Modern Dance. Sundays: Beginner and Intermediate Ballet. 95 Empire Street, Providence. 831-9327, www.as220.org. PAWTUCKET ARMORY Fridays: Introduction to Argentine Tango Class. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 288-1170, www.providencetango.com. PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER January 22: Mummenschanz. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 4212787, www.ppacri.org. THEATRE ANGELL BLACKFRIARS THEATRE SMITH CENTER FOR THE ARTS January 23-25 & 30: Marie Antionette: The Color of Flesh. One Cunningham Square, Providence. 8652218. www.providence.edu/theatre.

SOCIAL hAPPenInGS

expos | fundraisers | seasonal FESTIVALS RHODE ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER January 4: Southern New England Bridal Expo. January 23-25: Providence Boat Show. 1 Sabin Street, Providence. 458-6000, www.riconvention.com. TWIN RIVER January 23-24: Northern Rhode Island Spring Home Show. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, www. twinriver.com. FOR FOODIES BIN 312: Thursdays: Wine Tasting. 312 South Main Street, Providence. 7140040, www.bin312.com. BOTTLES Fridays: Beer Tasting. Saturdays: Wine Tasting. 141 Pitman Street, Providence. 372-2030, www.bottlesfinewine.com.

THE COMMUNITY PLAYERS January 9-19: Sly Fox. Jenks Auditorium, Division Street, Pawtucket. 726-6860, www.thecommunityplayers.org.

ENO Fridays and Saturdays: Wine Tasting. 225 Westminster Street, Providence. 521-2000, www.enofinewines.com.

EPIC THEATRE COMPANY January 9-25: This. 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475, www.artists-exchange.org.

FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND Saturdays: Wintertime Farmers’ Market. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. www.farmfreshri.org.

GAMM THEATRE January 1-31: Morality Play. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 723-4266, www.gammtheatre.org.

NEW HARVEST COFFEE ROASTERS Fridays: Free coffee tasting. 3-4:30pm. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. www.newharvestcoffee.com.

OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY January 28-31: The Meeting. 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. 921-6800, www.oceanstatetheatre.org.

OTHER AS220 First Tuesday: Open Sewing Circle. 115 Empire Street, Providence. 831-9327, www.as220.org.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER January 16-18: The Illusionists. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 4212787, www.ppacri.org.

AUDUBON January 24: Snowshoeing with Audubon. 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield. 949-5454, www.asri.org.

TRINITY REP January 22-31: Middletown. 201 Washington Street, Providence. 3514242, www.trinityrep.com.

BLUE STATE COFFEE Tuesdays: GotPoetry Live Open Mic Nights. 300 Thayer Street, Providence. www.frequencywriters.org.

WILBURY GROUP January 22-31: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. 393 Broad Street, Providence. 400-7100, www. thewilburygroup.org.

THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY & PRACTICE OF NONVIOLENCE First Friday of Every Month: Open Mic Spoken Word Poetry. 265 Oxford Street, Providence. 785-2320,

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS *

* Please be advised, Please University be advised, University HeightsHeights in the in the only onlyRI RI location location participating participating in this event.in this event.

The Ocean State boasts a wide variety of fine dining establishments along with some nationally recognized restaurants. In support of our capital city and its superb dining venues, Taco is a proud sponsor of Providence Restaurant Weeks. This month come out and sample the three-course, prix fixe menu offerings at participating establishments. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great value and it helps our economy.

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January 2015 East Side Monthly

ASPIRE ASPIRE • AURORA • AURORA • BILTMORE • BILTMORE SPA SPA BIRCH BIRCH • BODEGA • BODEGA MALASANA MALASANA BOLT BOLT COFFEE COFFEE • THE• BOOMBOX THE BOOMBOX • CIVIL• CIVIL CLOVER CLOVER • CRAFTLAND • CRAFTLAND DASHDASH BICYCLE BICYCLE • DASH • DASH DELIVERY DELIVERY DOWNCITY DOWNCITY OUTFITTERS OUTFITTERS THE DEAN THE DEAN HOTEL HOTEL • THE• EDDY THE EDDY ELLIE’S ELLIE’S BAKERY BAKERY • ENO• FINE ENO FINE WINES WINES FAUST FAUST HOFBRAUHAUS HOFBRAUHAUS FIGIDINI FIGIDINI • GOURMET • GOURMET HEAVEN HEAVEN GRACIE’S GRACIE’S • HOMESTYLE • HOMESTYLE HOTEL HOTEL PROVIDENCE PROVIDENCE KEN’SKEN’S RAMEN RAMEN • LOCAL • LOCAL 121 121 THE MAGDALENAE THE MAGDALENAE ROOM ROOM MODERN MODERN LOVELOVE • NOON • NOON DESIGNS DESIGNS PAPERWORKS PAPERWORKS PROVIDENCE PROVIDENCE OPTICAL OPTICAL QUEEN QUEEN OF HEARTS OF HEARTS • ROSALINA • ROSALINA THE SALON THE SALON • SMALL • SMALL POINT POINT CAFECAFE SURASURA • SYMPOSIUM • SYMPOSIUM BOOKS BOOKS WESTMINSTER WESTMINSTER LOFTS LOFTS • WHARF • WHARF ZIPCAR ZIPCAR

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East Side Monthly January 2015

On the town Calendar continued...

www.nonviolenceinstitute.org.

Smithfield. 949-5454, www.asri.org.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER January 16-18: The Illusionists. January 22: Mummenschanz. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2787, www.ppacri.org.

BROWN UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE Every Saturday: Children’s Story Time. 244 Thayer Street, Providence. 8633168, bookstore.brown.edu.

RIVIERA BINGO PALACE Third Thursday: Drag Bingo. 1612 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston. 521-3603, www.aidscareos.org.

PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY January 2-18: Come, Sit a Spell. January 25: An American Ghetto Tale. 150 Empire Street, Providence. 455-8000, www.provlib.org.

TRINITY BREWHOUSE Tuesdays: Stump Trivia. 186 Fountain Street, Providence. 453-2337, www. stumptrivia.com.

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO January 22-23: Creatures ‘N Kids. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 7853510, www.rwpzoo.org.

WILDFLOUR Last Sunday of the month: Free tarot card readings. 3-5pm. 727 East Avenue, Pawtucket. 475-4718, www.wildflourveganbakerycafe.com.

GALLeRIeS CHAZAN GALLERY January 17-30: Group Show featuring Hannah Antalek, Harrison Bucy, Jenn Houle, Anne Rogers, Margaret Rogers, Jodi Stevens. 228 Angell Street, Providence. 421-9230. www.chazangallery.org. DAVID WINTON BELL GALLERY January 24-31: NCECA 2015 Biennial. 64 College Street, Providence. 8632932, www.brown.edu/campus-life/ arts/bell-gallery. PROVIDENCE CITY HALL GALLERY January 1-12: The Artists Loop Exhibit. 25 Dorrance Street, Providence. www. providenceri.com/ArtCultureTourism. RISD MUSEUM OF ART January 1-4: What Nerve! 224 Benefit Street, Providence. 454-6500, www. risdmuseum.org. SAVE THE BAY CENTER January 1-31: Artists For the Bay Show and Sale. Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence. 272-3540, www.savebay.org.

KIDS & FAMILY ARTISTS EXCHANGE January 5-26: Mondays: Upcycled Arts for Kids. Tuesdays: Play With Clay. 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475, www.artists-exchange.org. AUDUBON SOCIETY January 10: Animal Tracks and Signs for Families. 2-4pm. 12 Sanderson Road,

LeARn

discussion | instruction | tour BROWN UNIVERSITY January 3-31: Images of Power. Haffenreffer Museum at Manning Hall. 21 Prospect Street, Providence. 8632065, www.brown.edu. HAMILTON HOUSE Mondays: Mathematics. Thursdays: Light and Fun Conversational French. Thursdays: Latin. 276 Angell Street, Providence. 831-1800, www.historichamilton.com. LADD OBSERVATORY Tuesdays: Telescope Observing Night. 210 Doyle Avenue, Providence. 8632323, www.brown.edu/Departments/ Physics/Ladd/. SLATER MILL January 16-18: Trad Arts Studio Presents: 7th Annual Knitting Weekend. 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket. 7258638, www.slatermill.org.

oPen

HoUse

Saturday January 10, 2015 10am to 1pm Come learn about our dual language programs

WATSON INSTITUTE January 28: Kimberly Hoang – Dealing in Desire. 111 Thayer Street, Providence. 863-2809, www.watsoninstitute.org.

SPORtS BROWN MEN’S BASKETBALL January 5: Brown vs. UMass Lowell. January 12: Brown vs. Lyndon St. January 17: Brown vs. Yale. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 863-2773, www. brownbears.com. BROWN MEN’S HOCKEY January 9: Brown vs. Providence. January 16: Brown vs. Yale. January 30: Brown vs. Quinnipiac. January 31: Brown vs. Princeton. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 863-2773, www.brownbears.com.

IntroducIng

Late ImmersIon Program For 2015/16 Accepting applications for preschool through grade 5 Open to children with no previous experience of French

75 John Street, Providence • RI 02906 Tel 401.274 3325 • www.fasri.org January 2015 East Side Monthly

Happy New Year from Brown University! Brown extends gratitude to Allison Spooner for her six years of leadership and service as President of the College Hill Neighborhood Association For more news about Brown: https://news.brown.edu/

East Side Monthly January 2015

On the town Calendar

The Best Noodle Soup in Town

continued...

BROWN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL January 20: Brown vs. NJIT. January 23: Brown vs. Yale. January 30: Brown vs. Cornell. January 31: Brown vs. Columbia. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 863-2773, www.brownbears.com.

MEN’S BASKETBALL January 10: Friars vs. Georgetown. January 14: Friars vs. St. John’s. January 22: Friars vs. Xavier. January 27: Friars vs. DePaul. 1 La Salle Square, Providence. 865-4672, www.friars.com.

BROWN WOMEN’S HOCKEY January 2: Brown vs. Harvard. January 3: Brown vs. Dartmouth. January 16: Brown vs. Colgate. January 17: Brown vs. Cornell. January 23: Brown vs. Yale. 235 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 8632773, www.brownbears.com.

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS MEN’S HOCKEY January 3-4: Friars vs. Colorado College. January 10: Friars vs. Brown. January 24: Friars vs. UMass Lowell. Schneider Arena, Huxley Avenue, Providence. 865-4672, www.friars.com.

PROVIDENCE BRUINS HOCKEY January 2: Bruins vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers. January 4: Bruins vs. Worcester Sharks. January 9: Bruins vs. Springfield Falcons. January 11: Bruins vs. Portland Pirates. January 16: Bruins vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers. January 18: Bruins vs. Scranton Penguins. January 23: Bruins vs. Manchester Monarchs. January 30: Bruins vs. Worcester Sharks. 1 La Salle Square, Providence. 273-5000, www. providencebruins.com.

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS WOMEN’S HOCKEY January 3: Friars vs. Boston Blades. January 10: Friars vs. New Hampshire. January 18: Friars vs. Maine. January 24: Friars vs. Connecticut. January 30: Friars vs. Boston College. Schneider Arena, Huxley Avenue, Providence. 865-4672, www.friars.com.

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TWIN RIVER January 30: CES MMA XXVII presents Championship Cagefighting. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, www. twinriver.com.

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FILM

Art Imitates Life Visit Avon Cinema this month for the 2014 Cannes Film Festival awardwinning Foxcatcher, a biographical drama directed by Bennett Miller and starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo and Vanessa Redgrave. (The flick also cleaned up nicely at the 2014 Hollywood Film Awards, landing the actors a “Best Ensemble” award.) In Foxcatcher, wrestler Mark Schultz, played by Channing Tatum, forms a relationship with his paranoidschizophrenic millionaire coach John du Pont, played by Steve Carell, while the two train for the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul, Korea. Driven by madness and jealousy, John eventually murders Mark’s brother, Olympic champion Dave Schultz. The real life Du Pont mansion in Pennsylvania, named by John as Foxcatcher Farm, was torn down in 2013, inspiring the film’s naming. The film opened at Avon in mid-December and will run through mid-January. Call the theatre before going. $8.50 matinee; $10.50 general admission. 260 Thayer Street, Providence. www.avoncinema.com.

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T.F. Morra Tree Care, Inc. Ornamental and Shade Tree Specialists • fine hand pruning • tree preservation • hazard tree removal • tree evaluation & diagnosis • shade and specimen tree planting

401-331-8527 • www.TFMorra.com 48

East Side Monthly January 2015

One Governor Street, Providence, RI 02906 (401) 751-5100 www.rustigianrugs.com One Governor Street,Providence, Providence,RIRI02906 02906 One Street, OpenGovernor Monday-Friday 10-5:30, Saturday 10-5 (401) 751-5100 www.rustigianrugs.com (401) 751-5100 www.rustigianrugs.com Open 10-5:30,Saturday Saturday10-5 10-5 Open Monday-Friday Monday-Friday 10-5:30,

Spotlight

special advertising section

AutoWerks They call him the Car Whisperer

We Understand His Desires

fine clothiers 200 South Main St. Providence 401.453.0025 • www.marcalleninc.com • theclubchair.com Tuesday–Friday 10-6 and Saturday 10-4 • Mondays by appt.

Now offering the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method It was at a neighbor’s party that Bob Moreau of AutoWerks was first introduced as the “Car Whisperer.” He got a laugh from it, but the name seems to have stuck with him. After all, how would you describe a guy who magically makes all your car worries disappear? For many of us, owning a car is a love/hate scenario. How long do you keep your beloved vehicle before facing major repairs? Should you sell it or fix it? Consult with Bob — for free! He’ll look at resale values, your finances and goals and take the mystery out these decisions. If it’s time for a new car, he’ll help you decide exactly which car is right for you — then find you a perfect one. Low mileage, unique color or feature, stick shift? No problem! If repairing your car makes more sense, Bob’s highly trained technicians repair and scrutinize your car to make sure everything is safe and done right — for the right price. No surprises. Bob will also make your car perfect again if you have an accident (and get you through the insurance nightmare too). He’s always a phone call away to diagnose that “funny noise” you heard, even on a holiday weekend. In fact, he’s even been known to teach some clients how to shift. After founding and running German Motors for over 35 years, Bob created a new business – AutoWerks – based on perfecting the concept of worry free car ownership and providing peace of mind. By creating such complete service Bob’s goal is to build relationships. Meet with him casually over coffee and you’ll be amazed at his depth of experience. It’s like having a friend in business — and why every client becomes a repeat client. Who else can offer free consultations, custom purchasing of new and preowned cars, and impeccable service with free pick-up/delivery and a free car wash? Your bill arrives by email (and at a rate that beats the dealer). Let the Car Whisperer help you own your car worry-free. You’ll say, “How’d he do that?”

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Golden Crest nursinG Centre Exceptional Post-Surgery Rehab Services

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474-1300 / www.werkswell.com January 2015 East Side Monthly

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

special advertising section

Membership...It’s more than just fitness! It’s an open door to a variety of outstanding social, cultural, and educational activities that celebrate family, foster health and well-being, embrace tradition, and expand cultural horizons.

All are welcome at the Dwares JCC!

The Dwares JCC Launching Functional Fitness classes

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East Side Monthly January 2015

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whole new workout regimen called Function Fitness. Two rooms have been completely renovated to accommodate these group classes, where the focus is on building strength to help you with everyday life. New J-Fitness general manager Heather Stearns explains, “We work on the ability to have quick movement, for areas like picking up a backpack to carrying groceries.” The program utilizes TRX resistance and CrossFit-style training, and is available for people of all ages to build power, agility and endurance. There will be 16 classes per week with sessions offered daily. Contact Heather directly at 421-4111 x210 and she’ll arrange for you to experience your first Functional Fitness class for free, whether you are a Dwares JCC member or not. “We’re very excited to bring TRX here,” Heather says. “The history comes from the Navy SEALs, where a gentleman used the lines of his parachute to be able to withstand his body movements for building balance, strength and conditioning when he didn’t have access to a gym.” Because you are using your own body weight to create resistance, it is easy to scale up or down. The Dwares JCC is open to everyone – Jewish and non-Jewish – and they offer so much more than your typical gym. You can do laps in their four lane heated pool, pump iron and run on the treadmill in the exercise space or shoot hoops in their full-scale gymnasium. They offer a large variety of exercise classes, and a whole new aquatics program is slated to come this March. The membership options include individual, teen, single parent and family – basically something for everyone. The Dwares JCC also has wonderful childcare options, so you can work out while your kid is happily engaged. The main drive here is to build on strong community bonds and inclusion for all. Start off the new year right by giving the Functional Fitness class a try or sign up for a new membership for you or your family. There is so much to discover at the Dwares JCC.

The Dwares JCC 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence 421-4111 / www.jewishallianceri.org

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

The Kitchen Guys

special advertising section

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Stainless Refrigerators Ranges • Washers & Dryers Built-In Refrigeration Cooktops & Wall Ovens Dishwashers 416 Roosevelt Avenue, Central falls • 401.723.0500 • www.kitchenguys.com

Introducing Clothing For Ladies

178 Wayland avenue • Providence • 621-6452

Why should you check the stock at Kitchen Guys first when looking for new appliances? The answer is easy: “Price, quality and service,” declares business owner and East Side resident Michael Gaffin. “This is the only place in New England where you can find these prices.” His entire selection of new, used and refurbished appliances are up to 70% off. Go ahead, that gleaming Thermador fridge and Bosch duel fuel range are within your budget. Michael has over 30 years of experience in kitchen design and residential appliances, so with his knowledge you will get the right model for your home. “It’s all about the savings here,” he explains. Kitchen Guys has a no-frills warehouse feel with mazes of high-end refrigerators, gas and electric ranges, wall ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, cook tops, washers/dryers, ice machines and wine refrigerators. The atmosphere is pretty eclectic (Michael will show you his large fossil and mineral collection in his office) and his knowledgeable team can assist you in getting just what you need. All of the appliances come with a 90-day warrantee and they service what they sell. Time to dump that dated refrigerator for a beautiful Electrolux ICON with its bright “Theatre Lighting.” You’ll be beaming when you see the price is half of what you’d pay at the big box store. His auxiliary 8,000 square foot warehouse is packed – with triple racks – of appliances. Most appliances are stainless steel models, plus there are a large number of washer/dryer units including the Electrolux Steam washer. “I have the latest and the greatest,” Michael says.” You’ll see top brands like Thermador and Jenn-Air. Michael’s assistant Ian says, “It’s a good way to save money if you don’t mind some minor scratches and dings.” They can arrange delivery and installation if needed. Visit weekdays between 9am and 5pm or on weekends by appointment. Head to their website to view a portion of their appliances online. “Every client we have is our most important,” Michael says. Come experience great service and the best prices at Kitchen Guys.

The Kitchen Guys 416 Roosevelt Ave, Central Falls 723-0500 / www.kitchenguys.com

Beautiful Pre-Owned Jewelry

437-8421 • 1271 North Main Street, Providence 273-7050 • 358 Broad Street, Providence

MARKETING DESIGN • PRINT

P R O V I D E N C E

102 Waterman Street • Providence, RI p:401.421.5160 f:401.272.0686 allegraprovidence.com

Exquisite Asian Cuisine Private Banquet Room

New SzechuaN MeNu coMiNg SooN! 1190 North MaiN Street, ProvideNce • 228-7805 • yaMafujiaSiaNcuiSiNe.coM

January 2015 East Side Monthly

marketplace sENIOR caRE

PERsONal assIsTaNcE

EldER caRE aVaIlaBlE Very kind, patient, mature woman seeks position with elderly person. Intelligent, cheerful, reliable, with 20 years experience, including several long-term positions. Impeccable references. Please call 781-3392 or 497-3392.

KINd caRE ~ sENIORs Appointments, errands, shopping, cleaning & maint. Refs. Safety bars installed. Reg #3052. 559-0848.

dIVORcE MEdIaTION

PERsONal assIsTaNT aVaIlaBlE

A private, confidential, out of court alternative to expensive litigation. Call Suzette Pintard, JD, M.Ed. 401-286-9587.

MIscEllaNEOus

HOusE clEaNINg dOROTHy’s clEaNINg We clean your home as our own! References & free estimates. Call 401-524-7453 or 401-228-6273.

HOusEclEaNER available Crystal Clean, a quality housecleaning service. We don’t cut corners. Weekly or bi-weekly. We use environmentally friendly products. Bethany 265-0960.

PaRKINg/sTORagE

lEE’s BasIc clEaNINg

Congdon St., $125 covered carport. Benefit St. (north end), $115/mo. Call Roger, 339-4068. rogernc@mac.com

House cleaning. Reasonable rates. References. 24 years in business. Call Lee, 785-1230. Basic cleaning done right.

sNOW PlOWINg

HOusE clEaNINg

Vinny’s Landscaping

Experienced. Local references. Free estimates. Call Lilly, 401-419-2933.

& BOBCAT SERVICES

Snow Plowing

BusINEss sERVIcEs aRcHITEcT – on the East side!

lEaTHERWORKs, llc

Residential & commercial. Additions, renovations & new construction. Call Dave: 401-5957070. dave@ds-arch.com

A leather and vinyl restoration company. We specialize in funiture, automobiles, boats and aircraft. Visit us at LeatherWorksRI.com, or call Robert at 401 837-0548.

audIO/VIdEO HElP If you need some help with your TV, home theater or stereo, call me at 401-383-4102. Jon Bell, Simply Sight & Sound. Reasonable rates. 25 years of experience.

cHaRlIE’s KNIFE sharpening Henckles, Wusthof, VictorinoxForchner and serrated knifes, just to name a few. Local pickup & delivery, East Side. 831-6187

cusTOM slIPcOVERs Work directly with seamstress and save! Purchase fabric elsewhere. Linda Toti, 508-695-2474.

INcOME TaXEs 40 Years of Experience. Located at 125 Wayland Avenue. Call 1-401-351-7000.

Only when you need one. Too busy to pickup the dry cleaning, shop, wait for a delivery, take the dog to the groomer? I can run your errands for you. Hire for a day or by the hour. References. Call 270-1120.

PROPERTy MaNagER Available. On call 24/7. Rent collection. Rentals, evictions, maintenance. Call 421-0092.

CHRIS’ LAMP REPAIR We Make House Calls!!! ✯ Repairing all types of Lamps ✯ Vintage Lighting Specialist ✯ Chandelier Repairs ✯ Serving the East Side for over 15 years ✯ Fully Insured

(401) 831-8693 www.chrislamprepair.com

FEELING OVERWHELMED???!!! Need your cellar, attic or garage cleaned, but... can’t quite get to it?? You can call

TAKE-IT-AWAY-TOM at 401-434-8156 Mobile 316-2273 Counselor on the Debris of Life

JOBS BY JIM Garages & Attics Cleaned Unwanteds Removed Small Demolitions - Garages, Sheds, etc. Appliances & Lawn Mowers ❖Motors ❖Machines ❖Batteries ❖Etc.

Cell 401-742-7258 Reg. #4614

FIREWOOD: Seasoned Hardwood (18 mo.), Cut & Split, $225/cord delivered

497-1461 ● 231-1851 HOusINg/RENTals sPacE FOR RENT In East Side Salon, Wayland Square. $400/mo. Call 272-4130.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Quality and Dependablityâ&#x20AC;?

David Onken Painting

Fully insured contractor - Reg. #35689

Interior/Exterior Lead Certified Carpentry Renovations Gutter Cleaning â&#x2013; Chimney Pointing

Wave Construction

Call Greg Calat at 401-692-2529 to discuss your project and to provide an estimate.

Roof Leaks Repaired Reg. #19031

Insured

248-5248 davidokenpainting.com

Plaster Perfection â&#x2DC;&#x2026; â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Commercial & Residential Work

Historic Restorations

Harold Greco, Jr. 738-0369 â&#x2DC;&#x2026; â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

The Finest in New England craftmanship

Boreal Remodeling General Home Repair, including Kitchens, Baths, Decks & Additions Reg. # 22013

Michael Packard â&#x20AC;˘ (401) 441-7303

a-PERFEcT PaINTINg

ElEcTRIcal sERVIcEs

Residential/Commercial. Apartment turnovers. Carpentry services. High quality work. References available. 35 years experience. Reg. #17730. Call Ken at 516-1438. Perfection is everything!

All types. Energy efficient & security lighting & new circuits. Master licenses: RI #A3338, MA #16083A. Insured. Call Larry 529-2087.

cEIlINg REPaIRs

Most ceiling & wall repairs, wallpaper removal, oil-based and latex finishes, staining, varnishing. Fully insured, many local references. Safe, secure, fast service. Call 226-8332. Reg. #19226.

MalIN PaINTINg Repairing water damaged, cracked, peeling ceilings & walls. Located on the East Side. Over 100 satisfied local customers. Malin Painting, RI Reg. #19226. Call 226-8332.

cEIlINg WORK, dRyWall Plaster (hang, tape & paint). Water damage repair. All phases of carpentry. Reg. #24022. Fully insured. Steven, E. Prov., 401-641-2452.

EasT sIdE HaNdyMaN 34 years experience. Repairs, upgrades & renovations. Small jobs welcome. References. Insured. Reg. #3052. 524-6421.

MasTER ElEcTRIcIaN Install, service, repair. Expert troubleshooting. Free detailed computerized estimate. Deal direct with owner. Lic. #AC 004110 & insured. Small jobs done promptly. All work guaranteed. Save $$$. Family owned & operated. Local resident. Calls returned immediately. 401-258-4793, John.

suPERB HOusEPaINTINg High end workmanship. Small jobs a specialty. Call Ron 751-3242. Reg. #18128.

Prompt, Reliable Quality Work

Levine Painting Co., Inc. Interior, Exterior, Residential/Commercial Wallpaper Hanging, Power Washing, Staining 25 Years Experience

(401) 885-1580 â&#x20AC;˘ (401) 323-6100 cell R.I. Lic 7140 Liab/ Work Comp Insured

PET caRE dOg WalKER/PET sITTER Trained to administer medications. Reliable, bonded, references available. Home visits. Call Susan 5273914. Loves animals.

PaWs-N-claWs, llc Dog walking/pet sitting. Professional, reliable pet care. Insured & bonded. Call 401-369-9000 or www.pawsnclawsri.com

WaNTEd I Buy BOOKs Old, used and almost new. Also buying photography, art, etc. Call 401421-2628. jcvp@cox.net

usEd MusIc WaNTEd! Round Again Records needs your used CDs and records. Cash paid. Call 351-6292.

Advertise in the Marketplace for as low as

We Specialize in painting & carpentry Experts in Water Problems

From Roofs, Gutters & Basements Over 20 years of experience on historical homes Certified Lead Renovated LRM #0514 RI Reg #7320 â&#x20AC;˘ Fully insured gET IT dONE! call TOday!

Call Al Medina (401) 438-8771 or (401) 323-8252

$12! Go to www.eastsidemonthly.com/marketplace.html or call Sue at 401-732-3100 or email sueh@rhodybeat.com to reserve your space. Deadline for East Side Marketplace is the first of the month prior.

The easT sider

Ruthy Kohorn

Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg Resolves to Help People Find a Way Forward By Nancy Kirsch

Tell me a bit about what you do as Brown’s ombudsperson? I provide a confidential resource to faculty, staff and post-doctoral and graduate students. They can talk about anything to do with their [lives] at Brown. People come for information about how policies are implemented and to have a thinking partner about difficult conversations. Grad students come about advisors; advisors come about grad students. People come about power relationships, tenure...

East Side Monthly January 2015

What attributes do you possess that help you in your work? I listen really well. Often people come with a mess – a big ball of string – and I can help pull out the strands and then they can look at the problem. Usually, you can’t fix everything, but you can find a way forward. I think I’m good at helping people listen to and hear each other. I can help people navigate the system… and give them perspective. What value do you offer Brown? It’s hard to show value when you’re preventing [problems] … there’s a value in that the University cares about its people enough to have a resource where they can come and feel safe to talk. I get thanked every day for that.

People [can] deal with problems at a lower level before they escalate. You’ve explained that you have no decision-making authority. Is that frustrating? No. I like it. There’s power in asking questions and putting things on the table. Are there other organizations that use ombuds? I haven’t found anyone else in Rhode Island. Many universities, companies like Coca-Cola and the New York Times, all federal agencies and many state and municipal agencies in California have them. It’s happening more and more. I’d love to know [if there are ombuds here]; I’d love some colleagues locally.

I think every large organization – hospital systems, municipalities, corporations, schools, – should have ombuds. We all know that people are dysfunctional. Are organizations destined to be dysfunctional, too? No, [some] organizations have a culture that makes it possible for people to function really well. It’s important that people strive for that; that should be the goal. Visit Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg brown.edu/ombudsperson.

Nancy Kirsch is a freelance writer on the East Side. Find her at nancykirsch. com or writernancy@gmail.com.

Photography: Michael Cevoli

Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg, a native of England, resides on the East Side and serves Brown University as its ombudsperson.

“The 3T is comfortable, even for a big guy like me!” ~Rui

World class medical imaging …. focusing on quality. Rui knew that his MS diagnosis would require many MRI scans. He was glad that his doctor recommended Rhode Island Medical Imaging’s 3T MRI as the larger opening and TV made the exams very comfortable and easy to tolerate. His neurologist appreciates the highest quality images for tracking the progression of his disease. You have a choice in your imaging provider. Ask your doctor to send you to the ONLY diagnostic imaging Center of Excellence in Rhode Island.

401.432.2400

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401.274.6740 Rhode Island’s Real Estate Company®

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