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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2017

CHOOSE A BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE AGENCY WITH BIG RESULTS

NEW LIST 96 UNIVERSITY AVENUE #2 Spacious townhouse w/ 3 beds/study on top floor w/ full bath. South facing, recently redone, open second floor, fireplaced dining room, beautiful hardwoods, kitchen w/ butlers pantry, detailed molding, great location. $375,000 Aleen Weiss

Kids and teens will get hands on with film production during the Providence Children’s Film Festival

This Month

NEW LIST 94 UNIVERSITY AVENUE #1 Timeless condo located in the heart of Wayland Square. Walk to restaurants and shops, easy access to 95N/S bus line and hospitals. Spacious rooms, south facing, beautiful moldings, amazing wood floors, fireplaced living room. Easy move in. $335,000 Aleen Weiss

NEW LIST 136 FIFTH STREET Rare side by side duplex in great summmit location. Walk to Hope Village, Lippitt Park. Hardwoods throughout. Fireplaces, new windows and boilers, garage. Needs some updating, but well worth it. $370,000 Karen Miller

NEW PRICE 2 ADAMS CIRCLE, NORTH SMITHFIELD Stunning home w/ vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, updated kitchen, lg master bed with unbelievable master bath, wood stove. Newly painted, private oasis, large wooded lot, private deck. Possible inlaw w/ basement walkout. Aleen Weiss $440,000

19 | JOE PAOLINO’S GOT A PLAN The former mayor and downtown developer outlines his vision for the city and St. Joseph Hospital 24 | LEARNING ACROSS GENERATIONS Teens and seniors come together to share their stories at School One

PENDING 20 COLUMBIA AVENUE, LINCOLN Craftsman style bungalow, farmers porch, double living room, 2 Bed, dining room, eat in kitchen, hardwoods, wood stove, vinyl siding, central air. hydro air heating, garage, shed, fenced yard, needs some updating to be your own. Gail Jenard $176,000

Every Month 4 | Letters

SOLD 49 COWESETT ROAD, WARWICK Announcing debut of this totally “renewed” Center Hall Colonial: 5 BR, 2 new Baths, new kitchen and dining room, heated porch, patio, new septic, new vinyl siding & windows, park like grounds. $347,000 Gail Jenard

Community Moses Brown gets a state of the art performance center 7 | News 11 | In The Know 13 | Neighborhood News

Close to Home Why information literacy matters more than ever 27 | Home of the Month 28 | Education 30 | East of Elmgrove

On the Town Photo courtesy of Film Fest Workshop

Find delicious dining deals all over the city 35 | Flavor of the Month 36 | On the Menu 39 | Dining Guide 47 | Calendar

58 | Rabbi Barry Dolinger on strengthening the community

On the Cover:

Joe Paolino in his office overlooking the city. Photography by Mike Braca Facebook.com/EastSideMonthly

386 BENEFIT STREET #1 New condo assoc. being formed, fees tbd. Beautiful 2 bed, 2 bath, inlay wood floors, moldings, built-ins, marble stall shower, claw foot tub, ductless air, stainless & granite kitchen, 2 car park, new roof. $345,000 Aleen Weiss

ASSISTING BUYERS, SELLERS & RENTERS Aleen WeissH Karen MillerH

The East Sider

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February 2017 East Side Monthly

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Editorial Feeling Burned As East Side residents, we’re used to paying the highest taxes in the city. And except for the basic public services that all citizens of the city expect, we don’t ask for much. Yet somehow the services we receive seem to be deteriorating. The big three are police protection, fire station coverage and garbage pickup. The latter is actually pretty reliable. But before you get too excited, it should be noted that is actually handled by an outside contractor. As for police, there seems to be a general consensus that patrol officers do the best they can with what have become increasingly limited resources. There does at least seem to be better coordination between the regular police and campus security, but the unfortunate reality is that police response time on the East Side is slower than the rest of the city. And then we come to the fire department. Most of us appreciate the bind the city is in. The amount spent on firefighting is well above the national average. Many of the highest paid city workers and pensioners are now firemen, often because of overtime or excessive retirement benefits. And the ratio of the number of fire personnel is proportionally out of line for a city our size.

So we can all understand the need to perhaps close down lower volume stations to save money. But to choose only two and both on the East Side? A community filled as it is with students? With an aging population? With some of the narrowest and steepest streets, certainly an issue during the winter, as well as some of the oldest buildings in the city? In short we’re an area that requires adequate public safety coverage, not less. The reality is that the biggest public safety issue here isn’t the threat of fires. It’s the threat of heart attacks or strokes, cases in which the difference of a minute or two in terms of the arrival of emergency personnel can mean life or death. At 5:30 on the evening of this writing, the Brook Street station was responding to RI Hospital and North Main Street was on a call downtown, leaving most of the East Side completely vulnerable. The problem as we see it is on multiple levels – the need for a true new contract with more flexible minimum manning requirements, the lack of thoughtful supervision of the department itself and the inability to find a working solution that addresses the changing fire and health emergency reality of our neighborhood. It’s been several

years since the city has had a fire superintendent and Commissioner of Public Safety Colonel Steven Pare’s experience is in law enforcement, not firefighter deployment. The need here is less of a commitment to expensive fire engines but rather to emergency rescue wagons. Perhaps the decision to strip the East Side of its full protection is an important element in the City’s ongoing showdown with the union, but the amount of savings indicate otherwise. We suggest the lack of transparency in the negotiations, the continued absence of administrative leadership within the department and limited historical knowledge in a relatively inexperienced City Hall is likely where the problem lies. Additionally, the unexpected closing of both the Humboldt and Rochambeau stations simultaneously also suggests there weren’t very many voices being raised in either the mayor’s office or by our city councilmen to protect our interests. Sadly the fire union has once again outmaneuvered the administration and this time it was at our expense. At the very least one hopes there will be a continued monitoring of fire calls and response times during this transitional period to determine how justified our concerns are.

Letters We’re Proud to Support the Fair Shot Agenda In the midst of decades of ever growing wealth inequality, many Rhode Islanders who work hard and play by the rules seem to be running in place, or even worse, losing ground. They believe, and rightfully so, that the economic deck is stacked against them in favor of large corporations, the politically connected and the very wealthy. That is why a group of House Democrats came together to craft the Fair Shot Agenda, a legislative package that consists of earned paid sick days,

East Side Monthly February 2017

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre @JeanetteSTP

Executive Editor Barry Fain

City Editor Steve Triedman

Creative Director Julie Tremaine @JulieTremaine

Managing Editor Grace Lentini @Gracie_NomNom

Editor Tony Pacitti @TonyPacitti

Content Coordinator Caitlin Howle @CaitlinMoments

Art Director Meghan H. Follett

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Assistant Art Director Katie Leclerc

Graphic Designer Nicholas DelGiudice

Marketing Coordinator Kim Tingle Account Managers Shelley Cavoli: Shelley@ProvidenceOnline.com Louann DiMuccio-Darwich: Louann@ProvidenceOnline.com Ann Gallagher: Ann@ProvidenceOnline.com Kristine Mangan: Kristine@ProvidenceOnline.com Dan Schwartz: DanS@ProvidenceOnline.com Elizabeth Riel: Liz@ProvidenceOnline.com Stephanie Oster Wilmarth: Stephanie@ProvidenceOnline.com

Contributing Photographers Mike Braca Michael Cevoli Contributing Illustrators Ashley Maclure Lia Marcoux

Contributing Writers

a $15 minimum wage, tax fairness, and school building repairs. Our Fair Shot vision is simple. We believe in a Rhode Island where no worker has to sacrifice their or their child’s health for fear of losing their job; no Rhode Islander working fulltime must live in or on the verge of poverty; no working class taxpayer struggles to pay their property taxes while large corporations get tax credits; and no student is forced to go to a school where roofs leak, mold grows and equipment is scarce. This package would provide working Rhode Islanders with economic

opportunity and an improved standard of living. Most importantly, it places the concerns of the working class above the concerns of the privileged class. We are proud to fight for the Fair Shot Agenda, and we won’t stop fighting until real progress is made for all Rhode Islanders – because everyone in our state deserves a fair shot. Edith Ajello, State Representative from District 1 Chris Blazejewski, State Representative from District 2 Aaron Rugenberg, State Representative from District 4

Erin Balsa Alastair Cairns Emily Dietsch Amanda Grosvenor

Lauri Lee Stephanie Obodda Elizabeth Rau Holly Vine

Classified Advertising Sue Howarth Interns Ashley Barrow Kemill Logarta

Jacob Turpin Faith Woodward

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 ©2017 by East Side Monthly. All rights reserved.

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COMMUNITY East Side Stories | Neighborhood News & Notes

East Side News

State of the Arts at Moses Brown The opening of the Woodman Center ushers in a new era for the performing arts By Tony Pacitti

When Moses Brown opened its new 36,000 square food Woodman Family Community and Performance Center, it was a full circle kind of occasion. Dean Woodman, who graduated from Moses Brown in 1946, gave $8 million to the school for the new building, the largest donation in its 233 year history. He is also the great grandson of Augustine Jones, headmaster of Moses Brown in the late 1800s and the one who brought music and the arts into the school’s curriculum. Now students have a thoroughly modern multimedia center to continue that arts tradition. The Center will replace Alumni Hall as the heart of the school’s music and arts programs, complete with a state of the art auditorium and gallery spaces. The auditorium features customizable seating for up to 500 and acoustic paneling with

interchangeable hard and soft surfaces that can be manipulated to effectively tune the room. “The acoustics are out of this world,” says Adam Olenn, the school’s Director of Communications. He goes on to explain that the auditorium will be used for everything from performances and lectures to the school’s regular Quaker meetings, allowing for optimal sound and line of sight, and seating for any needs. Additionally, the Woodman Center has a cafe and meeting spaces available to both students and faculty. The hallways will serve as gallery space, giving the school a permanent exhibit space for its students for the first time. It also served as a catalyst for a number of improvement projects on campus, including updates to several of the school’s athletic facilities to accommodate the Center’s footprint. A brand new heating

The 36,000 square foot Woodman Center will serve as a performing

Photos by Peter Goldberg, courtesy of Moses Brown

arts hub for Moses Brown and the surrounding community

system for the campus, located in the Woodman Center basement was also part of the project, which in total cost

$25.4 million. But it is the hope of the school that the uses for the Center extend far beyond those of its students. “Community is first in [the Center’s] title,” says Olenn. “It’s a public declaration of our intent for the facility. It’s for Providence and Rhode Island, not just Moses Brown.” As Olenn explains, the school is hoping that this new center will contribute to the artistic and intellectual culture of the city. Olenn imagines the Center hosting film screenings and Q&As with directors, or community debates and discussions on topics like social justice. “If we can be a host-site for the community to really engage with issues and have substantive debate, that’s good for all of us and it’s on mission for Moses Brown,” he says. Making this facility part of the cultural life of Providence is a way that MB can live its values.” 250 Lloyd Avenue, Providence. 831-7350, MosesBrown.org

February 2017 East Side Monthly

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East Side Monthly February 2017

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Community

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Eight Years of Kids’ Flicks The Providence Children’s Film Festival engages through films and workshops By Jake Turpin

Back for its eighth year, the Providence Children’s Film Festival returns from February 17 through 26. This year’s festival will showcase 14 featurelength films and 75 shorts, including live-action, documentary and animation. In the spotlight are films such as 2016’s Best Animation and Best European Children’s Film winner Molly Monster, which tells the story of what it means to become a sibling (told by monsters, of course). My Life as a Zucchini touches on harsh subjects such as drug abuse. It does so with delicacy and care as to not offend or disturb younger audiences, and was a 2017 Golden Globe nominee for Best Animation. Highlighted in the memory of Gene Wilder, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will also make an appearance on this year’s film list. Watching films is only just part of the PCFF experience. The festival will

provide workshops on February 11 and 12 in live-action and claymation filmmaking for children ages 6 to 14. Also featured is the juried Youth Filmmaker Showcase on both February 23 and 26 to promote young filmmakers. Anisa Raoof, executive director of the festival, believes that although children are greatly exposed to a number of screens, there is still a value in the sharing of these incredible films with children and their peers. “We want to connect young audiences with extraordinary films,” says Raoof, reflecting on the continued success and impact of PCFF on the community. Raoof says that by giving voice to those of different cultures and experiences through film, children and families of Rhode Island can embrace a perspective outside their own. The continued growth of the festival suggests they are. ProvidenceChildrensFilmFestival.org

Kids will have the opportunity to get hands-on with the filmmaking process during the Providence Children’s Film Festival

Dance Icons Arrive in Providence FirstWorks and Brown bring world-class masters of dance to The Vets By Marrissa Ballard

Photo courtesy of the Providence Children’s Film Festival

This month, dance takes

center stage with concerts from two of today’s most revered choreographers, Paul Taylor and Rennie Harris. The two performances, brought to Providence by FirstWorks and The American Dance Legacy Initiative (ADLI), are sure to create evenings rich with music and movement. Kathleen Pletcher, the Executive Artistic Director of FirstWorks, says that the events are a part of the Artistic Icons Series and represent a culmination of their goal to connect art and audiences. The performances are also the fruit of collaborations with ADLI. “Partnership is something that’s really true to what we do,” Pletcher explains. “We work with local artists as well as world class artists.” Julie Strandberg, the co-founder of ADLI and Founding Director of Dance

at Brown University, also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community. Through partnering with FirstWorks, ADLI provides master classes that are open to the public and help audiences understand dance from the inside. “We want to make dance accessible to everyone,” says Strandberg. “We’re also trying to develop an ongoing partnership where the community is as welcome on Brown’s campus as we are to go out and do things.” These partnerships will peak on February 3 with the world premiere of the Paul Taylor Dance Company’s new piece, The Open Door. According to Strandberg, Paul Taylor is considered one of the greatest choreographers of modern dance, and both women are excited to bring this performance to Providence before it has its New York debut. “It’s really quite a coup to be getting the

premiere,” Strandberg says. The concert will also include performances of classic pieces like Esplanade, which will be played live by The Brown University Orchestra. On February 24, ADLI and FirstWorks will collaborate again when they bring Rennie Harris’ Puremovement to The Vets. “He’s known for taking dance from the streets onto the concert stage, but also has a deep commitment to educational programs,” says Pletcher. The performance, titled Nuttin’ But A Word, will include both classic and contemporary tracks and dynamic hip-hop choreography. In keeping with FirstWorks and ADLI’s goals of forging connections and building an inclusive audience, Harris will conduct workshops for students across Rhode Island. There will also be a matinee performance for students to experience his work firsthand.

While these performances are exciting in themselves, Strandberg and Pletcher are also committed to providing a backstage experience for audiences. “They’re never just observers,” Strandberg emphasizes. Through offering lectures, classes, workshops and film screenings before the concerts, Strandberg and Pletcher offer an avenue for engagement as well as education, and amplify the audience’s understanding of dance. “There’s a sense that the performance is like energy; it’s not a transaction, it’s not a passive experience, and it can be very interactive,” says Pletcher. “The performance is important but the pathways to the work and people seeing and thinking about the work is something that continues.” One Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 421-2787, TheVetsRI.com

February 2017 East Side Monthly

Community

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Spend Fridays at the Music Mansion A local treasure introduces a new monthly concert series By Kemill Logarta

In January,

the Music Mansion kicked off its First Fridays concert series. Curated by their 2017 composerin-residence, Kirsten Volness, the first Friday of each month will feature some of New England’s best performers putting on a show open to the public. Expect everything from Irish folk tunes to contemporary music. Founded by Mary K. Hail, the NeoGeorgian manor holds public events to keep her passion alive. Hail was an active leader in the musical life of Rhode Island. In 1928, she designed a mansion that wasn’t only built for her to live in, but housed a small concert hall and reception rooms. Her will left the building to the city so even after her death she could continue to inspire the public’s interest in and appreciation for music. The Music Mansion is a state cultural treasure

and for decades has been a center of musical activities in Providence. Don’t miss a beat with this month’s performer Maria Finkelmeier on February 3. As a percussionist from Boston, she was named a “one-woman dynamo” by The Boston Globe. Sharing a simliar passion to Mary Hail, she recently founded Kadence Arts, a non-profit that engages local communities through music. She’ll be performing some of her own compositions as well as works by Bach, Robert Honstein, Daniel Wohl, Elliott Cooper Cole, Kirsten Volness and more. The First Fridays concert series will continue through May with Transient Canvas, The Vox Hunters and Lilit Hartunian and Friends. 88 Meeting Street, Providence. 421-3350. MusicMansion.org

Percussionist Maria Finkelmeier will perform at the Music Mansion’s First Friday concert on February 3

City Council Remains Divided Council members and leadership clash as sessions begin

The Providence City Council resumes its legislative and oversight responsibilities for 2017, but all is not hunky dory at City Hall. This past November, the council and the mayor were unable to come to agreement on how to parcel out $40 million in bond monies which would have been used to repair sidewalks and other infrastructure issues. As a result, though the voters approved the measure, the lack of consensus meant no money was authorized. Five of the councilmen, informally calling themselves the Siberian Five and which include Sam Zurier from College Hill and Seth Yurdin from Fox Point, accused the leadership of the council as being

East Side Monthly February 2017

irresponsible for not allowing the full council to evaluate the bill, given the precarious financial situation of the City. Part of the difficulties undoubtedly stem from the fact that two of its members, Council President Luis Aponte and Mt. Hope councilman Kevin Jackson are both currently under the cloud of criminal indictments for mishandling funds. A recall petition is circulating in the Mt. Hope area that organizers say already has close to the required number of signatures necessary to allow a full recall election. Patricia Kammerer, chair of the Recall Kevin Jackson group, reports they are continuing their doorto-door sign up campaign and is

confident they will collect well above the 2,100 signatures necessary to force a new election. The signatures must be turned in to the Providence Board of Canvassers by the March 3 deadline. Meanwhile Councilman Jackson and his attorney have instituted lawsuits against organizers of the drive, which has created the unpleasant specter of a sitting councilman suing his own constituents. In addition, our two local councilmen have been frustrated by the council leadership’s lack of response to a series of resident petitions seeking full public disclosure on issues related to campaign funding non-compliance and other recurring ethics violations. The two did have

greater success in forcing a public hearing on the proposed plan to consider bringing a $100 million natural gas facility to Fields Point that drew over 80 residents to the hearing. It’s bad enough when the mayor and the city council go toe to toe on issues and can’t find common ground. When councilmen find themselves under indictment, the situation gets even more befuddled. Perhaps it’s why the ongoing podcast of earlier Providence transgressions called Crimetown has become the number one rated series of its kind in the country. Unfortunately our beloved city seems to be hellbent on adding more chapters to the saga.

Photo by Kris Snibbe

By Barry Fain

Community In the Know

A Providence Pilates Gift Card is True Love!

By Barry Fain

Good Idea, Lousy Site To say that the College Hill neighborhood is concerned about the news that a suboxone drug clinic is being planned for the old Tillinghast mansion on the corner of Lloyd and Thayer streets is an understatement. The College Hill Neighborhood Association recently held an open meeting to learn more about the proposed clinic, by Oxford Investments, which drew close to 100 city officials, representatives of the nearby schools and residents. It’s a complicated issue made even more so by confusion over the validity of the variances that were issued over 60 years ago that permit medical offices in the building. A representative of Butler Hospital also made attendees aware of the seriousness of the rapidly increasing opiate addiction problems currently facing our state. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of high school students who pass by the proposed clinic location daily, which raised questions about the dispensing requirements of the clinic. A third variable was news reported on GoLocal that the operating director of Oxford Investments served a two-year sentence for drug trafficking a few years back. We aren’t sure what the criteria are for getting a license to sell suboxone or if there are any guidelines about where the drug can be sold, but clearly there seems to be something here that requires some deep drilling because this just doesn’t seem to make sense. Hopefully more details will be forthcoming.

Prayers for St. Joe’s As you hopefully have read by now in our cover story (p. 19), longtime East Side resident and former mayor Joe Paolino has made a rather impressive commitment to deal with the city’s homeless issue. As perhaps the major spokesperson for an alternative way of dealing with the surge of panhandling in the downtown area, not to mention Thayer Street and North Main, the former mayor has put his money and time where his mouth is. His recent purchase of St. Joseph hospital and his vision to bring together a varied group of non-profit care providers to help those in need have a bed to sleep on, some food to eat, new clothes to wear, job training, a fitness center and maybe even a small movie theatre to kill represents a bold initiative, one of national significance perhaps.

The Hole Truth As we write this column, we’re into our third week of January and nary a new

blizzard in sight. This is good news for Mayor Elorza because in Providence, particularly on the East Side, mayors are most often judged by the quality and effectiveness of their snow plowing. To the mayor’s credit, says Councilman Sam Zurier, one of the Elorza’s frequent critics, “The mayor seems to be improving the delivery of city services both in terms of time and quality.” Here’s hoping we’re still saying that at the end of winter. But from our perspective, a better judge of how the City is doing will be to check out the potholes when the final plow moves on. Huge money has been spent to patch and pave many of our East Side streets. We’d hate to think we just poured it all down a big hole. Or in this case, many holes.

It’s Our Duty for Rudy One of Providence’s most beloved alternative journalists is in need of a little help and a bunch of his friends (including us) are lining up to do it. Rudy Cheeks, known as Jorge of the celebrated duo Phillipe and Jorge in the old Providence Phoenix and currently Motif, and former lead singer and songwriter for the legendary The Young Adults, will be feted in a fundraiser scheduled for February 19 at The Met just over the line in Pawtucket. Among the groups that will be performing will be the original Young Adults (natch) along with Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage, Mark and Sam Taber and The Wild Turkey Band. Organizers say the evening will be special and knowing Rudy, it will be. Check TheMetRI.com for ticket info.

Starting the Weekend on the Write Foot The Providence Athenaeum’s Friday night Salon series is always a delightful and thought-provoking way to start the weekend. Their February series features great writers and in particular the event on February 10 caught our attention since it features two of our favorite locals. Jack Partridge is a well-known corporate attorney who, in addition to his day job, has also emerged as J.J. Partidge, the author of a three-book series of Rhode Islandbased detective stories. The second writer is our own Sam Coale, an East Sidebased English professor at Wheaton College, author of a dozen books and, most important, erudite theatre critic for East Side Monthly dating back to our earliest days. The salon runs from 5-7pm, is free to the general public and offers munchies plus great conversations. Reserve a space at ProVath.org/Calendar

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February 2017 East Side Monthly

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.

Carolers sponsored by the Summit Neighborhood Association and Miriam Hospital went from house to house on December 11 collection donations of cash and peanut butter for St. Raymond’s food pantry

Summit Neighborhood Association

Photo courtesy of Summit Neighborhood Association

Carols for a Cause Reach Neighbors Temperatures in the 20s didn’t stop a hardy band from Caroling for a Cause on December 11 in Summit. About 30 people, including one almost newborn in a front pack, assembled at Miriam Hospital at 4pm for cookies and hot chocolate, and sang a few tunes in the cafeteria and the emergency room. Then it was out into the cold for the annual event sponsored by SNA in cooperation with Miriam. With song leaders Kurt Anderson and Jeff Davis in front, the singers marched up Sixth Street to Bayard to Fifth to Summit to Fourth, laughing all the way. As they proceeded, residents came out on their porches to enjoy the music and donate cash or peanut butter that leaflets a few days before had requested. In all, $165 and more than 25 jars were collected. At two different houses, the singers were rewarded with trays of cookies. The money and food all went to the St. Raymond’s church food pantry. However, the cold air took its toll on the carolers, especially the families with small children, so that only about 15 were present for the final “Silent Night” on Fourth Street just short of Hope. With jolly calls of “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas,” they went their separate ways, vowing to meet again next year. State Okays New North Main Traffic Signal The State Traffic Commission has approved the installation of a traffic signal on North Main Street at Hillside Avenue. Acting December 7 on a request by Rep. Aaron Regunberg, the commission said in a letter to him that “based on the traffic volumes collected July 19, 2016,” plus “crash data for the last three years,” the necessary requirements set out by the Federal Highway Administration were satisfied that “a traffic signal is warranted at this location.” It stated that there were 15 crashes at the intersection and ten of these were angle crashes with a majority “pertaining to vehicles attempting to turn out of

Hillside Avenue onto North Main Street.” The letter to Regunberg continued, saying that the improvements “have been added to an ongoing STC design contract, with the intent on being constructed within the next few years, pending available funding.” It pointed out that there is already a traffic signal at North Main and Ann Mary Street but which is under the jurisdiction of the City of Pawtucket. The letter stated that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation will coordinate with the City “to determine the most efficient design between these two intersections.” Snow Brigade Needs More Volunteers The SNA Snow Brigade, which helps elderly and disabled neighbors who have difficulty clearing their walks and driveways, is looking for additional volunteers. Shovelers work in teams, trading off two-week shifts so that nobody has to commit for the entire winter. If you are able to volunteer, please email organizers Britt Page and Tom Schmeling at SNASnow@gmail.com. Residents Invited To Directors Meetings The SNA board of directors meets at 7pm on the third Monday of every month in the cafeteria of Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Avenue. The sessions are open and neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend. Summit Neighborhood Association, PO Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940. 4897078, SNA.Providence.RI.us, SNA@ SNA.Providence.RI.us. –Kerry Kohring

Wayland Square Neighborhood Discussion Group at Books on the Square The Wayland Square Neighborhood Association had not yet held its January 17 meeting as I write this at the beginning of the year, so it isn’t possible here to give the details of any meetings in February or March while the Association is still exploring the relative advantages of different meeting places and regular meeting dates. But once those details of time and place have been set, those with access to a computer or “intelligent” mobile device can learn about them from either our Facebook pages or our Yahoo! Group as listed below. The Neighborhood Discussion Group that has met at Books on the Square since 2006 has no current plans to resume in 2017, except perhaps to provide an alternate date when the WSNA has had to cancel or postpone one of its own scheduled meetings. But we really aren’t two distinct groups, anyway. Firehouse Changes Explained We learned a few more details about the retirement of the fire apparatus from East Side stations at a December 21 meeting that City Councillor Sam Zurier arranged for neighbors with Stephen Paré, the city’s public safety director. The City of Providence currently proposes to retire Engine Number 4 from the Rochambeau Station (near the library) and Engine Number 5 from the firehouse at Humboldt, Irving and Cole Avenues (near Wayland Square).

Since the only engine in service at Rochambeau is the one that will be retired, the station itself would also become redundant. However, what was made clearer at the meeting is that there are no current plans to move or retire Providence’s only mobile Air Supply Unit (No. 1), which currently shares the Humboldt firehouse with Engine 5. So there are no plans to close down the Humboldt firehouse, either. One effect of the equipment retirements would be to reduce the manning requirements per fire shift, as required after some very hard bargaining that led to the recent city contract with the firefighters’ union (Int’l Ass’n of Fire Fighters local 799). This would also reduce the need, at overtime rates, to call back firefighters or to extend their already-long shifts in order to cover absences. Any money saved, directly or indirectly, would help balance the delicate finances of that contract. According to the Fire Department, the East Side engines were retired on the basis of a study showing how frequently each apparatus (pumping engine, hook-and-ladder truck or rescue van) had been called out. The City’s presentation, based on an outside study commissioned last summer, showed that the engines at Humboldt and Rochambeau were clearly the least used on local calls. However, the firefighters’ union has questioned the study’s accuracy. A firefighter among about 20 neighbors at the meeting also joined with

February 2017 East Side Monthly

Community Neighborhood News

WSNA Facebook Page If you belong to Facebook, visit (or join) our brand-new Facebook page at TinyURL.com/WaylandSquare Wayland Square Yahoo! Group Check our Yahoo! Group’s public message board (below) to stay abreast of current local events and issues. Or join the group to receive regular announcements by e-mail, including select notices of neighborhood meetings, civic affairs and cultural events. Groups.Yahoo.com/Group/WaylandSquare –David Kolsky

Blackstone Parks Conservancy A River for All At its December board meeting, the Blackstone Parks Conservancy endorsed the vision of the Seekonk Riverbank Revitalization Alliance (SRRA) for the road

and riverbank opposite the Blackstone Park Conservation District. Over several years, an enormous amount of thoughtful work went into this proposal, which has the potential to create an appealing public space accessible to all. It also addresses a key issue now central to Rhode Island environmental policy as awareness of climate change has grown: stormwater runoff. The statement, printed below, speaks for itself. “As stewards of Blackstone Boulevard and the Blackstone Park Conservation District, the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC) endorses the vision advanced by the Seekonk Riverbank Revitalization Alliance (SRRA) to reconfigure the neglected stretch of roadway and riverbank that extends from Henderson Bridge in the south to the northern tip of Gulf Avenue. “The Seekonk River and riverbank, which runs along the eastern edge of Blackstone Park, are important to the BPC. And the SRRA’s vision aligns with the BPC’s mission to do all we can to ensure the park’s ecological health, which in turn affects the SRRA area. Our efforts to strengthen understory plants and repair trails not only enhance plant diversity and wildlife, they also lead to reduced stormwater runoff and hence improve water quality of the river. “The riverfront design accomplishes many objectives. In addition to repairing the damage done to the riverbank by off-road parking and to restoring the

The Blackstone Parks Conservancy has officially endorsed the Seekonk Riverbank Revitalization Alliance’s project to reconfigure the riverbank and roadway that extends from Henderson Bridge to Gulf Avenue

riverbank to ecological health, this plan creates a dedicated pedestrian/bicycle path along the shore, calms traffic, creates distributed parking and provides safe access to – and onto – the Seekonk. All of these features can be explored in depth in the SRRA’s Design Vision Book, which is available at BlackstoneParksConservancy.org “We endorse this design enthusiastically as it complements the BPC’s mission in several ways. Environmentally, the SRRA design enhances the Conservation District by providing well designed planting areas along the river’s edge, and providing ways to slow and filter the stormwater that now erodes the roadway and pollutes the Seekonk River. “By creating a safer environment for people to enjoy the Seekonk shoreline, whether for bird watching, fishing, walking and biking, contemplation or other purposes, the SRRA design strengthens the park as well. The traffic-calming features of the plan are especially welcome: they provide a calmer environment for the many programs for community children and adults that we run in the field opposite the Narragansett Boat Club. Calmer traffic means a higher level of safety for everyone enjoying the park and the shoreline. “We also applaud the open and transparent three-year public outreach and community-led design process that led to the vision. Along with dozens of community groups, advocacy non-profits, residents, business owners, and city and state staff, the BPC participated as a stakeholder in the community visioning. “In our view, this plan seeks the best possible balance between the many competing purposes our parks serve by rebalancing how the Conservation District and shoreline are used to favor activities that put people in direct contact with nature. This, we believe, is the purpose of our parks and open space.” As you can see, this is very much in line with the BPC’s goal: healthy urban green space for all. Events: Winter Duck Walk on February 19, 2pm at the Narragansett Boat House, River Road. Hot chocolate to be served after. Kindly send Eastside Marketplace receipts to: Blackstone Parks Conservancy, PO Box 603141, Providence, RI 02906. 270-3014, BlackstoneParksConservancy.org, JaneAnnPeterson@ gmail.com. –Jane Peterson

East Side Monthly February 2017

College Hill Neighborhood Association Drug Clinic Proposed for Lloyd Avenue Early in January, without any warning to the neighborhood, a sign (a very large sign) went up in front of the Tillinghast Mansion, a stylish 19th century building on the corner of Lloyd and Thayer streets announcing boldly “Suboxone Available Spring 2017.” Turns out the building had been purchased last April by a company calling itself Oxford Investments, and whose corporate manager is Ricki Dion. Their plan is to convert the building into a dispensing clinic for Suboxone, a drug that is used to help wean patients off addictive opiates. In response to obvious neighborhood concern, CHNA convened a public meeting on January 8, that brought over 75 residents, elected officials, medical professionals, city representatives and representatives of the nearby schools together to learn more about the issue. On the one hand, opiate addiction has become a societal nightmare. On the other, the location of a drug clinic on Thayer Street, given the number of students in close proximity, is certainly troubling. The house is in an area zoned R-1 for residential usage only. The building however had received a variance back in 1955 to be used as a medical (dentist’s) office. Over the years the house has been used as a private home and a day spa as well as a doctor’s office, although over the past few years it has not been used for anything. Jeffrey Lykins, the City’s Director of Inspections and Standards, explained that he too is trying to determine whether the abandonment of the property negates the grandfathering of the variance. In addition, Dr. Alan Gordon representing Butler Hospital spoke to the significant differences between the patients in need of suboxone and methadone as treatments for their addiction. In short there is a lot more information the CHNA will need to gather before offering our recommendation on the most appropriate course of action to pursue. What is adding an additional overlay is a report by GoLocal that the man representing the owners was convicted by the federal prosecutors for cocaine dealing, extortion and racketeering. We’ll send out details as we know them to the neighborhood.

Photo courtesy of Blackstone Parks Conservancy

some of them in asking whether it was prudent to take away all the engines east of Brook Street given the difficult terrain and street patterns of this half of the East Side. On the other hand, while few in the East Side audience were happy with the thought of losing the engines, many also understood the City’s reasoning and did not object so passionately as I had expected.

Community Neighborhood News

Experience. More Thayer Street News Thayer Street will be welcoming nine new businesses in the first six months of 2017. In the month of January the Thayer Street District Management Authority (TMDMA) welcomed both the opening of both Durk’s Bar-B-Q (275 Thayer) and GNC Wellness (215 Thayer). As an update to last month’s report, in March and April they will be welcoming Denden Korean Fried Chicken (182 Angell), WOW BBQ (183 Angell), Insomnia Cookies (307 Thayer), Tropical Smoothie Café (272 Thayer, second floor), Chopsticks (277 Thayer) and before the end of July 2017 they will be welcoming two additional businesses, one in the former Au Bon Pain location. They also wish to congratulate Spectrum India on their 50th anniversary on Thayer Street. In addition, we are excited to report that after 40+ years, Berk’s Shoes and Clothing will be going through a full renovation. We are looking forward to their new look. Come Join Us CHNA has been representing the residents of College Hill since 1984 and urges our neighbors to help us in our efforts to protect the community we all call home. Contact us at any of the following addresses: College Hill Neighborhood Association, PO Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906. 633-5230, CollegeHillNA.com, CHNA@CollegeHillNA.com. –Barry Fain

Photo courtesy of the Fox Point Neighborhood Association

Fox Point Neighborhood Association Events this Month Please join us at our monthly FPNA Board Meeting, 7pm, February 13 at the Vartan Gregorian Bath House Community Room, 455 Wickenden Street. The public is welcome. Personnel Announcement The Executive Secretary position at FPNA has changed hands. After ten years of service, John Rousseau stepped down in January “for more free time to enjoy Fox Point.” The FPNA board has appreciated John’s extraordinary service and commitment to improving the neighborhood. His replacement, Amy Mendillo, is a freelance writer and Fox Point resident for ten years. Neighbors, please direct all communications to Amy at our new email address, FoxPointNeighborhood@gmail.com.

Integrity. The Hope Tree put up by the Fox Point Neighborhood Association in George M. Cohan Square during the holidays was a signal of hope and tolerance among neighbors

Hope and Wonder on Wickenden After a highly contentious presidential election this past fall, the FPNA placed the “The Hope Tree” in George M. Cohan Square to foster tolerance and hope among neighbors. On December 21, the FPNA celebrated the tree and the season with “Wickenden Wonderland,” an evening of caroling and holiday merriment. More than 50 neighbors, including several families with children, met at The Point Tavern for drinks and conversation. The group then strolled up Wickenden Street while singing “Feliz Navidad,” with guitar accompaniment by the Fox Point band The Mighty Good Boys. The neighbors sang several more carols by The Hope Tree. Among the revelers were City Councilman Seth Yurdin and State Reps Chris Blazejewski and Aaron Regunberg. The tree, about 20 feet tall and glowing with lights, bore a large wooden sign that read, “This tree is for everyone.” According to an FPNA Facebook announcement, “In this post election time of uncertainty regarding the future safety, security and rights of marginalized groups, let us come together to share our ideas, our voices and our hopes for a better future which always begins at the neighborhood level.” Residents were encouraged to write an idea or wish for the neighborhood on a star decoration. The FPNA asked, “Do you have an idea to make Providence better? Share that hope. Do you have a project that would benefit Fox Point? Share that hope. This is a tree of inclusion, acceptance and tolerance.” Some neighbors listed specific

wishes for Fox Point and for the state. They asked for completion of the Gano Gateway, a new mural in the library and for Rhode Island to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees. Others pleaded for tolerance in an uncertain time. “I hope love trumps hate,” one wrote. Another wrote, “I hope my town is safe.” In a child’s handwriting, one star read, “Peace.” According to Bruce Millard, FPNA Chair of Community Engagement and Outreach, the event and theme struck a chord among neighbors. “The response we received was pretty astounding,” he says. “What is even more inspiring,” he continues, “than gathering a large group of your neighbors – many of whom you’ve never met – to sing rather well in unison on a chilly December evening, is how truly engaged our community was with the idea behind The Hope Tree.” Many thanks to The Point Tavern, The Shop, Rustigian Rugs and Blake Hayden for their generous support. Voluntary donations for Wickenden Wonderland went to the Amos House. Share Your Ideas The Hope Tree came down at the end of December, but the effort to foster tolerance and unity continues all year. Neighbors, please contact FPNA with ideas for your neighborhood. Follow us on Facebook, add your name to our list serve, send us an email or join us at any open meeting or FPNA event. Fox Point Neighborhood Association, PO Box 603177, Providence, RI 02906. 270-7121, FPNA.net, FoxPointNeighborhoodAssociation@ gmail.com –Amy Mendillo

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East Side Monthly February 2017

BIG QUESTIONS for Downtown Does Joe Paolino have the answers?

By Steve Triedman and Barry Fain Photography by Mike Braca

L ooking out from

his office, Joe Paolino enjoys a magnificent panoramic view of downtown Providence. “I can keep an eye on Mayor Elorza and Governor Raimondo at the same time,” he wryly observes as he points to City Hall and the State House. Paolino is at the pinnacle of his career as a real estate developer and businessman, and while he is emphatic that his political life is behind him, there is still a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he talks about the city and the state. His offices cover most of the top floor of 100 Westminster Street and the remaining space houses his cousin’s insurance company. While their business is real estate, the activity level resembles his old City Hall offices. There is a substantial support staff, everyone appears to be working at a frenzied pace and there are televisions everywhere. As we sit down, Paolino glances at a screen and says, “Look it’s Tad Devine,” who is appearing on a split screen as a talking head. Tad was his former chief of staff when he was mayor and directed his ill-fated gubernatorial campaign.

Does he want to be mayor? “Those days are behind me. I’ll never be known as the city’s best mayor. But maybe I’ll make it as the city’s best ex-mayor,” he says. Pictures from his political days and framed Providence Journal front pages are everywhere, and two administrative people in his office have been with him since City Hall. And, he will offer commentary and criticism of current elected officials at a moment’s notice. His comments are more thoughtful and come from an elder statesman with incredible institutional knowledge, which he thinks is in severely short supply at both City Hall and the State House. He continues to remain in the limelight with his real estate deals and downtown development, as chairman of the Providence Downtown Improvement District and hosting a weekly TV show, In the Arena, on ABC6. He is also a frequent op-ed writer in both the Providence Journal and GoLocal.com. In short, to Paolino, Providence is still “his” city. On a wall of his office is an eight foot square, three-dimensional map of downtown Providence with raised cubes delineating all of the buildings in downtown. Buildings painted

In the last four years Paolino Properties has invested more than $75 million into the greater Providence area

brown represent property that Paolino Properties currently owns and buildings in grey represent buildings that the company used to own. City Hall is painted with this color. His grandfather started the real estate company that his father, a tough, shrewd owner, manager and developer, Joseph R. Paolino, Sr., built into an empire. In Kennedy-esque fashion, Joseph R. Paolino, Jr. started his career in the family real estate business, then entered politics and was elected to the Providence City Council from the 13th Ward representing Federal Hill, the West End and Downtown, became council president and then became mayor when the late “Buddy” Cianci was forced to step down. He won a special election and then was reelected. He then ran for governor in the Democratic primary and lost to Bruce Sundlun, served has head of RI Economic Development, became Ambassador to Malta under President Bill Clinton and then lost the Democratic primary for Congress to Lt. Governor Bob Weygand. Several years later he lost to David Cicilline in the primary for mayor of Providence. He went back into the family real estate business and led a group to develop a full casino at Newport Grand before selling to Twin River. Today he has made the real estate empire into a dynasty centered in downtown Providence but with major holdings across the state. “My father was my best friend and teacher,” he says. “He always said ‘find your passion. It’ll make you sleep fast at night so you’ll want to get up early and go to work the next day.’” The message obviously got through. Paolino’s new offices have a gym and he is often using it by 6am. In the last four years under Paolino’s leadership, Paolino Properties’ real estate portfolio has invested over $75,000,000 in the greater Providence area, including 100 Westminster Street, 30 Kennedy Plaza, One Ten Westminster (now just a parking lot with a façade that was to be a luxury condominium

East Side Monthly February 2017

skyscraper and then a W Hotel), 40 Prospect Street, The Tilden-Thurber Building, The Fletcher Building, micro-lofts at 68-76 Dorrance Street and the Hasbro R & D Facility in East Providence. He has made 100 Westminster an even bolder part of the city’s skyline by illuminating the large arch window at the top with dynamic LED lights visible for miles and will be expanding the lighting program. One thing remains true about Joe Paolino: If you ask him a question, you’ll get an answer and it’s not always tempered and restrained, nor are his facial reactions. On Providence Mayor Jorge Eloza, he says, “I don’t like the directions he’s going on a number of issues… and I’ve told him. It’s a tough job. I’ve been there. His staff lacks institutional memory, which is important when making decisions that can have long-term

effect. People see India Point Park and think it’s always been there. When I was a kid, my father would take me by to see cars crushed for scrap metal. It was an eyesore, right in our backyard and on the bay, but that changed because of a woman with great vision, whose husband had great influence. “Mrs. [Mary Elizabeth] Sharpe used to complain about the scrap metal operations along the waterfront at India Point, and she got her husband to use his considerable influence to get them moved and build a beautiful park.” Allens Avenue should be where commercial development occurs next, but scrap metal, oil and storage operations are standing in the way. “I worry about the mayor’s over-reliance on planners. The 6/10 changes are fine but can we afford them? The bicycle paths they brought in are

Paolino plans a big rehab for his newly purchased St. Joseph Hospital

Joe Paolino represents the third generation of his family’s real estate empire

underutilized and have safety and maintenance issues like the one in front of the Providence Journal building where, not only is it confusing, you can’t plow them.” Now on a roll, Paolino continues. “I don’t understand why he celebrates the fixing of potholes. It’s his job! I’d rather see them celebrate successfully clearing the snow on the East Side after a snowstorm.” A lifelong resident here who started his education at the old St. Sebastian’s school, Paolino knows firsthand just how important cleared streets after storms are to the East Side with our heavy local traffic and narrow streets. Continuing on to what he thinks is needed to recharge the city: “What’s missing is a mayor-ringleader who provides leadership and vision. Given the changes in Washington, he needs to stress that we are not a sanctuary city. Elorza is a nice man, but he doesn’t seem to get it yet. I’m afraid.” On Governor Raimondo: “I’m a big fan,” he says. “I think she’s doing a great job. There have been some bumps, but she’s getting companies to look at Rhode Island and a number of pretty major ones to expand here.” On the old Industrial Trust Tower, or the Superman Building as it is called, Paolino believes that it can be viable but it needs the mayor or the governor to take the reins and make it happen. “There was a deal with Citizens Bank that was ready to happen, but it got killed by the company’s board at the 11th hour as they opted for a ‘safer’ deal with more space and plenty of parking. Best use is probably a mixed use of education and new business ventures,” he explains. “Education is the best thing the city’s got going for it. It brings in jobs and is growing. Westminster Street needs to become more like Thayer Street. Dedicated to students. No other opportunities seem to be knocking at our doors right now.” Adaptive reuse has worked in Providence before, he argues. Many old buildings that housed great

department stores – Shepard’s, The Outlet, Gladding’s and Cherry & Webb – were dormant for decades before being adapted for educational purposes by RISD, Brown, URI, JWU and Roger Williams. His idea is to tap into part of $20 million in bonds just approved for a URI entrepreneurial center as an anchor for the Superman Building. “Angus Davis says he’d move his company (Swipely) there and there are other companies that would follow,” he declares. “We need to get over the conversation about worrying about the tax implications. We need to create exciting places to work where companies will want to be, and that creates jobs.” Paolino admits the state and the city gave the developers of Providence Place a particularly lucrative tax deal, but argues that without it they wouldn’t have been able to land their anchor, Nordstrom (a major attraction for signing other stores) and there wouldn’t have been a mall. He remarks that “It was a question of what do we have to do to make this happen and everyone worked together to make it happen.” All this said, it should be noted that Paolino Properties has also fought aggressively to protect their own downtown turf when they thought it necessary. The company sued the City over Blue Cross’ tax breaks on their building when as a non-profit they started marketing excess space in their building at “below market rents,” taking tenants from his properties. And what about his thoughts on the towering project that has been proposed as part of the 195 development? “I don’t have a problem with the state and city subsidies if that’s what it takes,” he states. “I like the Hope Tower proposal, so far. A lot of money is being committed. We also need more housing downtown. Millennials seem to like to live and work downtown.” “But I think that the biggest game-changer might be the arrival of the new super high-speed tilt trains that Amtrak recently made a $2.4 billion investment

into. Imagine two-hour trips to NYC or 15 minutes to Boston. We can’t compete with Boston, but we can complement it.” One thing he is adamant about in his new vision for Providence is that the downtown bus terminal must be moved. “Kennedy Plaza was designed for horses and buggies, not buses. Maybe it should be at Conely’s Wharf on Allens Avenue near the hospitals or off Broad Street or Elmwood Avenue?” Paolino has gone so far as to hire an architect to develop a redesign of Kennedy Plaza without the bus station, which includes resituating the ice skating rink and making the whole area a place for celebration. If you make a suggestion that he likes, you can expect to see an artist’s rendering of that improvement almost immediately. When you combine vision with showmanship you create excitement and that is becoming his hallmark. He devoted tremendous time, energy and money to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign where it was rumored that he could have been Ambassador to Italy if she was elected. On President Trump, “I’m a loyal Democrat and supported Hillary but Trump is not a stupid man. He’s surrounded himself with some smart people and he’s doing what the people want, so we’ll see what happens,” he says. And, while doing all of that, he has recently taken over as the head of the Downtown Business District, and has been taking on panhandling, the mayor and leading the effort to address the homeless situation. Now, with his decision to go all in with his purchase of the long almost-vacant St. Joseph Hospital, he clearly seems to be making a commitment to tackle what he calls “the chronic homelessness of Providence.” The project is dramatic, ambitious and expensive. Will it work? Who knows? But you’ve got to take notice when Providence’s biggest commercial landlord goes all in to give it a try.

February 2017 East Side Monthly

Hope for St. Joseph?

On December 30, 2016, Joe Paolino bought the mostly abandoned St Joseph Hospital in South Providence from CharterCare Health. His plan is to partner with some of the city’s biggest and best-known nonprofits to provide a one-stop comprehensive package of support services to city residents who need them. “Our grand hope is that this will be a major step in addressing the homeless and related panhandling problems in our city that will help the downtown area, the city as a whole and most importantly those so in need of these services,” Paolino says. “I feel more excited about buying St. Joseph Hospital than I was [about] 100 Westminster.” He admits rehabbing St. Joseph will be expensive, at least $10 million and possibly much more. He is just beginning to put his project together and that it will require buyin from a wide range of partners from the state, the city, foundations, non-profits and the community. Annual operating costs will also be challenging, “but we have to start somewhere and this is a viable solution.” While the assembling of partners is just beginning, Paolino expects them to include well established service providers like Crossroads, Amos House, the Providence Center, Clothes for Kids (Eva Mancuso), job training opportunities, a fitness center and a movie theatre. CharterCare Health will continue to operate out of the building they have been using and provide comprehensive medical care. With his purchase of St. Joseph, Paolino hopes he and a partnership of non-profits and the state are

headed towards improving the situation. He does admit though, that the issue and its evolution have been an eye-opening experience for him. “This a very serious problem and I’ve been working with experienced people on creating a solution that may have national implications,” says Paolino. “The message to me is clear. We need more beds, not sidewalks. More tables, not trashcans. More social workers not policemen.” The St. Joseph Hospital property is an 11-acre complex on Broad Street with magnificent views of the entire city. From the patio on the eighth floor, where the nuns used to contemplate while enjoying sun, one can see as far as the Mt. Hope and the Newport bridges. The main building has been essentially mothballed for over eight years and requires extensive upgrading, major repairs and a lot of TLC. The property is valued by the City at over $52,000,000 with a replacement cost of $117,887,843. CharterCare Health care will remain as a tenant and operate the St. Joseph Health Center Partners, providing full medical care to 50,000 children, adults and families each year. As the head of the Downtown Business District, Paolino has recently been at the forefront of trying to seek out solutions to what has become an unacceptable rise in urban issues downtown. “It started with an ordinance passed to prohibit smoking in the park and it pushed smokers to all of the sidewalks in front of the buildings,” he explains. “It was so bad that we had to have people walking around to keep

The Future of St. Joseph Hospital The former St. Joseph Hospital will be renovated to not just house, but offer services and care to homeless veterans and others without housing in Providence, especially in the areas of Kennedy Plaza, Cathedral Square and Broad Street. The intent is to provide: • Free clothing for adults provided by Eva Mancuso’s Clothes for Kids • Medical services, including dental, provided by CharterCARE • Free showers for non-permanent residents • A large dining area for sharing meals and learning to cook, run by Amos House or a similar community partner • An area for non-permanent residents to sleep for a couple of hours • Job training services and annual career fairs • Educational assistance • Secure entrances and trained security staff

East Side Monthly February 2017

• Mental health counseling by trained professionals, such as those at Riverwood or the Providence Center • Substance abuse counseling • Community meeting room and recreational area for residents to enjoy • Faith services offered by a diverse array of faith communities and churches • Year-round, hydroponic community gardening opportunities • Social programs hosted for residents • Movie theater • Fitness center

the sidewalks in front of our buildings smoke-free so people could avoid a cloud to get inside.” And, then suddenly there was an explosion of panhandling everywhere and not just downtown. “On virtually every street corner in and out of downtown there were people asking for money,” says Paolino. “It created traffic issues if people stopped and it created an unwelcome atmosphere for business.” “I gave the mayor what I thought was a legal road map to follow on panhandling that protects lives, cleans up our city’s center and eliminates what is harmful to commerce and our image to outsiders,” he says. The mayor disagreed and soon the two, unable to agree on a solution, had dueling press conferences. It also produced a backlash against the Paolino approach, which produced protesters who felt as the city’s major commercial owner, he had not done enough to really help solve the problem. EcoRI News called him out and charged “by not developing any housing for middle or low income people, he actually was part of the problem.” The goals of the St. Joseph Hospital project are lofty and, Paolino admits, expensive. It is being undertaken with the intent to offer housing, healthcare and valuable services to homeless veterans, not just in Providence but statewide. He hopes to partner with Providence’s social service agencies to create a shared vision for the facility that incorporates their missions and goals into the day-to-day operations of the building and to provide non-denominational faith services provided by a diverse array of faith leaders. His dream is to create a model partnership that can be replicated nationwide by cities as a means to reduce overall homelessness. The goal, ultimately, is to address and eliminate chronic homelessness in Providence through comprehensive outreach and housing strategies. After touring the building, Paolino and his staff termed the bones of the building as “rock solid” and agreed that it lent itself well to “adaptive reuse.” The ten-story building also provided some unexpectedly gorgeous views of both the neighborhood and Paolino’s buildings downtown. He says that former First Lady, Stephanie Chafee, who co-founded the Rhode Island Free Clinic has already expressed interest in helping. Possible funding options may include the voter-approved $50 million bond for affordable housing. The Rhode Island Foundation and Downtown businesses have already raised $350,000.

Photo by Barry Fain

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February 2017 East Side Monthly

Telling Stories

A new intergenerational learning experience at School One is enriching the lives of young and old students

hanks to a large grant from Aroha Philanthropies’ Seeding Artful Aging initiative (which enables older adults to share art in unusual, complex and engaging ways) as well as support from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, School One has embarked on a rare and unique intergenerational program: Working Stories. During the course of three separate ten-week sessions, which will run through November, students both young and old will explore various themes by way of story telling and art making under the direction of teaching artists Phil Goldman, Eve Kerrigan and Diane Postoian. The first of those sessions began at the end of 2016, when eight high school students and 12 adults over the age of 65 met for the first time to examine topics relating to “work.” The younger students are also reading stories from the book Gig: Americans Talk About Their Jobs. Each participant shares both an oral history and written story of their experiences, which will culminate in the spring with an installation of their work as well as a performance at Laruelmead Cooperative on February 22 by School One students. Goldman, a history and writing instructor, and lead teaching artist at School One, begins each session of the arts program with a small movement warm up, which some approach more carefully than others. At this second gathering, the participants form a circle, take deep breaths, shake arms, stretch out and introduce themselves. Later, Goldman unrolls a wide scroll of brown paper across adjoining narrow tables and asks the students to add photos and a few words that speak to the images’ meaning. The paper serves as a visual timeline and is only one of the many layers that will add to the depth of the program. Kerrigan, a fiction, essay and screenplay writer, addresses the group. “As a listener, your job is to listen well, to listen deeply and to allow the [interviewee] the freedom and safety to share what they have to tell you,” she says. Reminding the students that they will all be both subject as well as interviewer – listening to personal stories and telling their own – she says that all parties may, at times, need to gently nudge the other while allowing them to feel safe. “Ask probing questions,” she says, “and ask yourself, ‘Am I doing everything I can to make 24

East Side Monthly February 2017

this person feel safe?’” The older students, which for this session happen all to be women, are eager to share their stories, as are the younger participants. They start by breaking down the large group into smaller ones to create an intimate circle for sharing their personal narratives. The students are in the very early stages of this venture, yet they are trading anecdotes that reveal their concerns, fears, desires and passions – which is not something that ordinarily comes easy to teens. Barbara, a former educator and former psychologist for Brown University’s Child Development Center and Meeting Street School, is one of the older students. She reads her short story about climbing Ayers Rock in Australia – the world’s second largest rock formation at nearly 3,000 feet high – after her retirement. She tells of the difficult climb to the top as well as the inelegant descent on her backside, which pretty near reduced her hiking pants to a rag. But it was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. School One students, Jasper and Alanna, listen intently and discuss Barbara’s use of illustrative language, which helped to enhance the story – a compelling one in its own right. What is clear is that the students are engaged – after all, they’re hearing stories about people who have remade themselves time and again. These are transformative stories that are relatable and inspire. Stories that bridge the gap of generations and build mutual respect and empathy between people who barely know one another. By the end of this program, it seems they are sure to be good friends. The teens involved are receptive and curious; they are garnering wisdom from the elders and learning that it’s possible to remake oneself. They want to know more about their older counterparts. The seniors, for their part, are just as interested in the younger students and their anecdotes, and they report that the students help to keep them young. School One student Alanna talks about her journey to Israel where she happened upon a sad tale in a cemetery. She learned that young teens are required to join the State’s Defense Forces. She speaks of culture shock, and a cathartic moment that affected her deeply, leading her to feel grateful for what often can be disguised blessings.

Jasper relates his story of working as a volunteer at Roger Williams Park Zoo, where he’s spent time with baby Rhesus monkeys and bottle-fed a pronghorn antelope, which is known to outrun the cheetah. He feels equally blessed for these moments, saying “[I’m] learning that stories about doing something [passionate] stick with you for life.” He particularly relates to the story of a woman who, at midlife, took a job with a fine carpets dealer and eventually found herself traveling the world in search of Persian rugs. Captivated by foreign faces, she began photographing people she met or observed while abroad and amassed a collection of one-of-a-kind portraits. Jasper says, “Although I have never sold rugs, or been to Mongolia or Bhutan, I have found the same beauty in stranger’s faces, and I find myself drawing people who I see on the public buses from time to time. “ Writer and activist Barbara Deming once said, “The longer we listen to one another – with real attention – the more commonality we will find in all our lives. That is, if we are careful to exchange with one another life stories and not simply opinions.” Listening to one another with attention, and exchanging meaningful personal histories, is precisely what Working Stories is all about. And what is unfolding between the generations is, indeed, commonalities. Jamey, a School One student, mentions that the stories told by the seniors are influencing her own writing. “It has a lot to do with connections,” she says. “There’s something that’s said that connects with me and relates to my own story. That’s the way work should be. I feel like everybody should find something they enjoy about whatever they’re doing, whether it’s walking, doing the laundry or performing actual work. Find something that you enjoy about it. It makes [work] go by faster and it’s a lot more enjoyable.” That’s a great philosophy, isn’t it? And it seems enjoying themselves comes easily for all those involved in Working Stories. Session Two dates are March 14-June 1 and Session Three dates are September 5-November 15. Interested high school students and adults over 55 may contact Diana Champa at DianaC@School-One.org, 331-2497.

Photo (L) by Jayne Guertin, (R) courtesy of School One

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East Side Monthly February 2017

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

At Home on the East Side

Historically Speaking

Inside Ed Bishop’s uniquely Providence Waterman Street home By Julie Tremaine

Photography by Mike Braca

Dyed in the wool

East Sider Ed Bishop has a home that is as East Side as he is. The Edward Dexter House was built in 1795, and originally sat at the corner of George and Prospect streets. “It was cut in half and, I’m told, it was rolled here on cannonballs,” Ed says, in 1840 (according to Brown University) or 1860 (according to the Rhode Island Historical Society). “It’s had only five or so owners in all that time.” One of the few 18th century houses remaining in College Hill, the home is on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the previous owners of the home was Charles Pendleton. “He was an international gambler,” Ed says. “With the money he won, he brought

back antiques from all over the world, and he filled this house. When he died, he bequeathed all of it to the Rhode Island School of Design, on the stipulation that they would build a fireproof building that replicated the house.” RISD built Pendleton House on Benefit Street, and modeled it as a replica of the Dexter House. “It’s the original building of the RISD Museum,” Ed says, “and it’s about 90% of what my house looks like. They’ve since added more pieces to the collection, but it’s the first museum in the country to be totally furnished by one man.” Ed moved to Providence in 1950 to attend Brown, and has been here ever since. He lives in the house with his wife Mary Francis Bishop, and some tenants

who have occupied the second floor since 1972, five years before he bought the Colonial post and beam house. Over time, occupants have added to the property: a carriage house when the building was moved to Waterman Street, a second floor added by Ed himself. “A ballroom was built in the 1920s by the Hinckleys of Hinckley Allen,” Ed says. “They had four daughters, and they had to have a lot of parties.” The home is an important part of East Side history, and Ed invites people to learn about it. “If you drive by the house - it’s a big yellow house on Waterman Street - look at the front porch. Dead center on the portico on the front, you’ll see where they cut right down the middle.”

February 2017 East Side Monthly

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East Side Monthly February 2017

schools added “information literacy” to their curricula. In many schools, this topic, defined as “a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and to have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed information,” has fallen under the purview of the school librarian or media specialist. If there is anything the most recent election cycle has taught us, it is that this topic is of the utmost importance. Whether reading a print source or an online article, watching television or YouTube, citizens must be able to analyze material, determining whether it is fact or fiction, news or satire, and from a reliable source. Recently, researchers from Stanford University conducted a study of 7,804 middle school, high school and college students in 12 different states. They asked students to evaluate information from websites and social media, and they concluded that, “Overall, young people’s ability to reason about the information on the Internet can be summed up in one word: bleak.” In the study, middle and high school students had trouble distinguishing advertisements from news articles as well as identifying trusted sources. Most college students did not recognize potential bias in tweets from activist groups. And these are “digital natives” – young people who have grown up with the internet, whom we assume to be technologically savvy. Clearly, we need to explicitly teach our children to be critical consumers of information. This responsibility should be part of the curriculum in every classroom, not a peripheral topic rolled into “research skills” or relegated only to the library or media center. Information is ubiquitous in our society – we are bombarded by it day and night – and each of us must learn to filter out the garbage. Even at a very young age, children can be taught the difference between

fantasy and fiction. Preschoolers can tell when a story is silly, and parents can help them to develop understanding by asking questions like, “Could that really happen?” We can do this while reading books aloud or watching television shows or movies. As kids get older, there should be more emphasis on critical thinking and personal responsibility. Parents and teachers can encourage children to ask a few key questions about what they’re reading or seeing: • Does this make sense? Is it backed up by reliable facts or proof? • Who wrote/produced this? Does that person/organization have a bias or vested interest in the topic? • Can I find any other articles from trusted sites/authors to verify this information? Many parents have told me that, while their children seem to have learned that Wikipedia is not a reliable source for

research, they don’t always grasp how to identify good websites, journals or periodicals, and other research or news sources. This is a skill that needs to be explicitly taught; as the Stanford study demonstrated, our children have not learned it on their own. Karen Seiler and Dan Stone, East Side residents and parents of three boys, have been having conversations about this topic with their kids. They’ve taught them that, if they see multiple articles online with the exact same words, it’s likely that the article might have been copied from just one source. They suggest that their boys try to corroborate any news by checking reputable news outlets, including sites from other states or countries. This is good advice for all of us. As informed citizens, we have a responsibility to ensure that we are critical consumers of information. We can help our children to learn to be informed citizens, as well.

Illustration by Ashley Maclure

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Smart News Therapeutic Gaming Platform Developed in Providence Timocco, an online skills development therapeutic gaming environment based in Ohio, worked with Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Brown University and Meeting Street to develop a web-based therapeutic game platform for children with physical challenges, including those in wheelchairs and with spastic cerebral palsy or other motor and cognitive disabilities. The new platform motivates the child to practice and develop supination and pronation (the rotation of the forearm around its longitudinal axis). These movements are critical for tasks like eating with utensils, performing personal hygiene and other real-life independent living skills. Visit Timocco.com for more information. Moses Brown Opens Woodman Family Community & Performance Center The 36,000-square-foot Woodman Center is one of the largest projects in the school’s 232-year history, featuring a lobby café, new classrooms, art gallery spaces, costume and scene shops, and professional-grade sound and lighting. The building stands at the center of the Moses Brown campus and will replace Alumni Hall, which was built

in 1867 and is slated for renovation as an engineering and design-maker space. “It is our hope that the Woodman Center will be utilized by a variety of community organizations once it opens,” says Head of School Matt Glendinning. “We see this as part of our role as a member of the Providence community, to promote the intellectual, artistic and civic vitality that has always been a strength here.” Lincoln School Receives $2M Gift to Fund STEAM Hub for Girls An anonymous donor has committed $2M to Lincoln’s new STEAM Hub for Girls, inspiring and increasing philanthropy within the school’s community. The school plans to begin construction on the $5M project this summer. STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Architecture and Math, focuses on interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking and problem solving. Lincoln offers a robust STEAM curriculum, including electives in robotics and computer science, and maintains partnerships with Brown’s School of Engineering, RISD’s School of Architecture and The Steel Yard. For more details and a look at the façade of the proposed building on Blackstone Boulevard, visit LincolnSchool.org

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East Side Monthly February 2017

Peder’s favorite movies is The Swimmer. Burt Lancaster plays a middle-aged man who swims from pool to pool on his way home from a boozy party in an affluent New York suburb. Set in the ‘60s, the movie is based on a short story by the literary giant John Cheever. Burt is all cheery at first and then realizes after his last dip that his life is a mess. As one reviewer puts it, the story is about a man’s journey into darkness. That’s heavy stuff, but not why my husband loves the movie. His appreciation is more literal. He relates to Burt’s pool hopping. A few years ago at dinner, our firstborn told my husband that he was getting “pudgy.’’ Ouch. Peder had been swimming all summer at the Seekonk Swim and Tennis Club, known to many East Siders as the SSTC, and had intended to stop exercising during the winter. That remark inspired him not to hang up the towel. He decided he would swim off 600 calories a day. Of course, he would have to find an indoor pool. Little did he know then that he would have to find many pools, just like Burt. Peder learned to swim at the Fox Point Boys Club, then off South Main. He went once a week with his buddies, most of them from Henry Barnard grade school. One day, Bud Latham, the revered coach and swimming instructor, approached him: “Son, you can’t swim, can you?” It was obvious, but Peder was too proud to admit it. After the group class ended, Bud took him aside and taught him freestyle in ten minutes. The core of his instruction method was no dog paddling allowed. After that zinger at dinner, Peder considered his options. The Boys Club, now on Ives Street, has a pool, but it’s for kids, not for dads who are putting on the pounds. There is also the Jewish Community Center on Elmgrove. Their schedule favors morning lap swimmers. Peder is not a morning swimmer. The locker rooms are nice, but the light at the pool is mostly artificial. He likes real light to swim. Then there is the Y on Hope Street. The hours are suitable, the light is good, the parking decent. Plus, it’s close to Peder’s office; he could swim on his lunch break. He settled on the Y.

The calculations came next. His trusty fitness app assured him he was losing 400 calories with every swim. To drop more, he changed his eating habits. Before his swimming days, he’d eat lunch with his boss, Dan, who would order a hearty meal and then complain and discard half of it. Peder would eat his entire calorie-rich meal. He started skipping lunch and swimming instead, which he estimated reduced his daily caloric intake by 200. In his world, this got him to 600 calories, or 400 + 200 = 600. Other pools appealed to Peder, too. He liked the Newman Y in Seekonk. The hours were better on weekends, and he could fill up his gas tank with the cheaper Massachusetts’ prices. He also appreciated the Y’s warmer water, sauna and scale to monitor his progress. Last fall, his routine took a hit. He arrived at the Hope Street Y for a lunchtime swim. The water was cold. Later that day, he received an email that the pool was closed until further notice: the boiler was on the fritz. He panicked and then, once again, calmly considered his options.

He stopped by the Nelson Center at Brown and discovered that he didn’t have to sign up for a full year. He could get a monthly membership! A convivial young man took his photo. The facility impressed him: 13 lanes; plush locker rooms; Bergmanesque light (his words); and a majestic ceiling. But he had complaints. The water was too deep. He likes to be able to stand in emergencies. Water polo tournaments interfered with lap swimming. And parking was a problem. There was grumbling. One evening, a smile returned. The boiler had been fixed at the Hope Street Y. “I’m back home,” Peder said. All those pools, all those laps, and he still has not reached his weight-loss goal. Two years ago, he weighed himself on that nifty scale at the Newman Y: 196. He’s been as low as 191 and as high as 199. He’s determined to take off more, even if he has to hop more pools. His doctor says not to worry, that his weight is fine. Peder wonders: Maybe our son is too skinny. Elizabeth Rau can be reached at erau1@verizon.net.

Illustration by Lia Marcoux

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WE’VE

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CONTACT Jeanette Epstein, Admission The Hamilton School at Wheeler 216 Hope St., Providence, RI 02906 401.421.8100 www.wheelerschool.org/hamilton Hamilton is coed, offering Grs. 1-8

East Side Monthly February 2017

www.adlersri.com

ON THE TOWN

Restaurant and Food | Dining Guide | Calendar of Events

Flavor of the Month

A Seasonal Spin on a Classic Clean Plate puts a ginger twist on the cosmo by Emily Dietsch In the taxonomy of bars, the main species are four: dive bars, college bars, pubs and haute cocktail dens. A fifth that most forget exist, due to its rarity, is the type of bar that exists for true-blue adults. These watering holes are tasteful and unpretentious, and warm but not rowdy. They could give a damn about fashion

or currency having figured out what’s worth sticking to out of the infinite and dizzying array of what could be poured. They are a crisp white shirt and blue jeans in bar form. Clean Plate is such a place. Coowned by Susan Alper and Lauren Speisman, the restaurant has a straightforward, simple bar

program that even Ernest Hemingway wouldn’t take a red pen to. “We believe in a relaxation of rules,” Lauren tells me, explaining that she bucks the notion of a fussy drink list after decades in the business. “You should be able to have what you want. In fact, you’ve probably already decided what you want to drink when you walk into a place.”

Lauren shared their Ginger Cosmo as a winter favorite that couldn’t be easier to replicate. When made well, it’s really quite clean and bordering on elegant. As Lauren says, “The cosmo didn’t die with Sex and the City.” They’re still serving it more than ten years after Chef Susan created it, and they don’t plan on stopping.

Ginger Cosmo Serves one Clean Plate’s take has a mere three ingredients, and proportions that are true to a grownup cocktail. Ginger liqueur, such as Domaine de Canton, stands in for the typical Cointreau, adding warmth and dialing down sweetness. Pro tip #1: the right amount of cranberry juice will give the drink a light blush, not a full pink. Pro tip #2: They’re strong. “Don’t have too many,” Lauren cautioned, chuckling. “Or do have too many, but call a cab.”

Photography by Brian DeMello

• 3 oz premium vodka • 1/2 oz real cranberry juice • 1/2 oz ginger liqueur, or to taste Place all ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake and strain into cocktail glass, preferably a chilled one. Garnish with a lime wheel or zest.

Clean Plate Clean Plate proves that the cosmo isn’t just for Sex and the City

345 South Water Street 621-8888 CleanPlateRI.com

February 2017 East Side Monthly

On the Town On the Menu

A Taste of the Neighborhood Local restaurants have delicious dining deals all month long By Grace Lentini

Pizzico’s Ristorante’s dining deals just scratch the surface of how to eat well for less this month

Far East Flavors Opened this past fall on The secret menu at Thailand Federal Hill, Thailand ModModern Eatery has the most ern Eatery offers up a taste authentic Thai dishes around of Thai street food. It’s got classic dishes like Spring Rolls, Scallion Pancakes, Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles, and more adventurous offerings like the Dry Spicy Chicken Noodle and Panseared Pork with Sticky Rice. Because owner Leo Sangadej is trying to showcase authentic Thai flavors, you’ll find that dishes are full of spice and heat. “This is my style of Thai food, and these are the flavors that I grew up with,” he says. It’s easy to tell which dishes run on the hotter side by looking to see how many peppers are next to the description on the menu. They’ve even got a super secret secondary menu with their most traditional dishes. Currently the space lacks a liquor license, but guests are welcome to BYOB. Thailand Modern Eatery is a refreshing addition to the historically Italian neighborhood, which is continuing to expand its global palate one Middle Eastern, Mexican and Thai restaurant at a time. 292 Atwells Avenue. 272-0882.

East Side Monthly February 2017

not only delicious, they have great deals to get you the biggest bang for your buck. Here are a few to whet your appetite. Over at Antonio’s Pizza, when you buy three slices on a Monday, you get the fourth for free. If there are more mouths to feed, consider getting a medium cheese pizza and eight wings for $15.95. Up the ante and get a large cheese pizza and eight wings for $16.95. Invite a few friends over and indulge in a large cheese pizza and 16 wings for $24.95. Or, go for a large pepperoni and large cheese for $20.95. If one topping just isn’t cutting it, you can get two medium gourmet pizzas for $22 or two large ones for $30. 727 East Avenue, Pawtucket. 725-0808, AntoniosPizza.com Pizzico Ristorante’s dining deal game is also on point with their half priced appetizers in the lounge and bar during happy hour from 3-6pm every Sunday through Friday. Wednesday night is Ladies Night, where ladies get 25% off entrees and Amsterdam cosmopolitans for only $7. Kids get the special treatment on Sundays with a free entree when an accompanying adult also orders an entree. Pizzico does however limit the amount of free kids’ meals to three. 762 Hope Street. 421-4114, StockFoodGroup.com Opened just last year, Hope Village Kitchen also has some yummy deals. From 11:30am to 2:30pm everyday, get $2 mimosas. Every Tuesday, get half priced appetizers from 4-6pm. Then on Thursdays from 10-11pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 11pm-12am, stop by the bar for the late night menu. 999 Main Street, Pawtucket. 727-2529, HopeVillageKitchen.com With views of the waterfront for days, The Whiskey Republic has 40 cent wings every Monday. Stop by on Taco Tuesday for two tacos and a draught beer for $5. Wednesday is trivia night along with $5 flatbreads. On Thursdays they tap a new keg for $2 PBR and other select domestic beers. After a long workweek, get half priced apps on Fridays from 4-8pm. Then start the week off right with $3 mimosas and Bloody Marys every Sunday. 15 Bridge Street. 588-5158, TheWhiskeyRepublic.com

Cheers To The Downcity Wine Bar There’s a new, experimenFortnight is a wine bar with tal wine bar downtown that craft food accompaniments makes it easy to try not only a lot of wine, but a lot of different wine. Fortnight has a fun approach to the wine world, with easily digestible descriptions of each glass or bottle on their menu. Like the Mengoba Brezo Bierzo Blanco, which is described on the website as, “Rich, and waxy and briny. Like white burgundy with a wild streak. Two big thumbs up.” It’s only wine, afterall, and wine should be fun. To accompany each pour, they’ve created a curated menu of flavorful bites like Cucumber and Carrot Rillettes, Butternut Squash Soup, Potted Lobster and Duck Stew Nicoise. And beer lovers, don’t fret. They’ve also got a small selection of beer on draught and by the bottle. 79 Dorrance Street. 572-3355, FortnightPVD.com

Photo (Top) by Grace Lentini, (Bottom L) Thailand Modern Eatery (Bottom R) Photography by Grace Lentini

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East Side Monthly February 2017

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DINING GUIDE I N YO U R N E I G H B O R H O O D

Mill’s Tavern Nestled at the foot of historic College Hill in Providence, Mill’s Tavern has provided guests near and far with an award-winning fine dining experience for 14 years. The Providence original is a unique blend of informal and upscale, with a friendly and approachable staff that provides an impeccable dining experience. A true taste of the seasons is on display here, with a seasonal menu that features local ingredients harvested from area farms and from Mill’s Tavern’s own garden. Executive Chef Edward Bolus delivers an impressive variety of farmto-table American cuisine, perfecting robust flavors on the restaurant’s wood-burning grill and stone oven. Chops and steaks are butchered in-house daily and prepared masterfully yet simply. Locally-sourced seafood is always fresh and presented in creative ways. Special wine and beer dinners are frequently offered, pairing new tastes for a uniquely interactive experience. 101 North Main Street, Providence 272-3331 • MillsTavernRestaurant.com

PROVIDENCE COUNTY 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Gourmet steaks and sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 4532333. LD $$$ Cafe di Panni Italian American dining with an available banquet facility. 187 Pocasset Ave, Providence, 944-0840. LD $-$$ Capri Swedish-influenced Mediterranean cuisine. 58 De Pasquale Ave, Providence, 274-2107. LD $$-$$$ Catering Gourmet Premiere catering company providing food made from scratch. 333 Strawberry Field Rd, Warwick, 773-7925. $-$$$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in an historic setting. 14 Imperial Pl, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Centro Restaurant & Lounge Contemporary cuisine and cocktails. 1 W Exchange St, Providence, 228-6802. BLD $$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 9444900. BrLD $$$

Character’s Cafe & Theatre 82 Hybrid art space with all day breakfast, coffee and theatre-inspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 490-9475. BL $ Cucina Rustica Rustic, Italian-style dining combining comfort food and sophistication. 555 Atwood Ave, Cranston, 944-2500. LD $-$$ Flatbread Company Artisanal pizza, local ingredients. 161 Cushing St, Providence, 273-2737. LD $-$$ Fresco Italian American comfort food with international inspirations. 301 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-0027; 140 Comstock Pkwy, Cranston, 228-3901. D $-$$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Handcrafted sliders, brews and pub games. 121 N Main St. Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336 LD $-$$ Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambiance. Locations in Cranston and Providence. HarukiSushi.com LD $-$$ Iron Works Tavern A wide variety of signature American dishes in the historic Thomas Jefferson Hill Mill. 697 Jefferson

Fine dining is a work of art at Mill’s Tavern

Blvd, Warwick, 739-5111. LD $-$$$ Jacky’s Galaxie Local Pan-Asian chain offering sushi and classic entrees in a modern atmosphere. Locations in Providence, North Providence, Bristol and Cumberland, JackysGalaxie.com. LD $-$$$ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating more than 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ Luxe Burger Bar Build your own creative burger. 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub fare in Wayland Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000. LD $$ McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steak Mixed grill selections and signature fish dishes sourced locally and seasonally. 11 Dorrance St, Providence, 351-4500. BLD $$-$$$ Meeting Street Cafe BYOB eatery with large menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner served all day. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-1066. BLD $-$$

Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$ Momo Dessert restaurant with crepes, home-made stir fry ice cream and bubble tea. 100 Washington St, Providence, 521-6666. BLD $ Mosaic Restaurant Syrian cuisine served in an intimate setting. 91 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 808-6512. BLD $-$$$ Napolitano’s Brooklyn Pizza Classic Italian fare and traditional New York-style pizzas. 100 East St, Cranston, 383-7722; 380 Atwells Ave, Providence, 273-2400. LD $-$$ Ocean State Sandwich Company Craft sandwiches and hearty sides. 1345 Hartford Ave, Johnston. 155 Westminster St, Providence, 282-6772. BL $-$$ Opa the Phoenician Authentic Lebanese food served in a fun atmosphere with hookahs. 230 Atwells Ave, Providence, 351-8282. D $-$$$ Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence,

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

February 2017 East Side Monthly

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THANK YOU PROVIDENCE AND RHODE ISLAND! David Hasslinger | 401.465.8625 dhasslinger@residentialproperties.com Thank you Providence and Rhode Island for making 2016 such a wonderful year. I am sincerely grateful. The Trust you have shown in me has helped to make me one of Rhode Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TOP Real Estate Agents. If you are thinking of Selling this year CALL ME TODAY! Planning for Success - Works - I love what I do and it shows.

East Side Monthly February 2017

DINING GUIDE 331-0003. LD $-$$

gluten-free options. 967 Westminster St, Providence, 632-0555. LD $-$$

Pat’s Italian Fine Italian favorites, natural steaks and handcrafted cocktails. 1200 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 273-1444. LD $-$$$

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

Pizza J A fun, upbeat atmosphere with thin crust pizza, pub fare and

Red Ginger Traditional Chinese restaurant and bar with a relaxed environment. 560

Killingly St, Johnston, 861-7878; 1852 Smith St, North Providence, 353-6688. LD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$

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Rick’s Roadhouse House-smoked barbecue with a wide selection of whiskey. 370 Richmond St, Providence, 272-7675. LD $-$$ Rocco’s Pub & Grub Five-star menu in an intimate, pub-like atmosphere. 55 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 349-2250. LD $-$$ Rosmarin at Hotel Providence Bar and restaurant serving Swiss-inspired small plates, craft cocktails and an eclectic wine list. 311 Westminster Street, Providence, 521-3333. BLD $$$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$ Spirito’s Restaurant & Catering Classic Italian fare served in a stately Victorian home. 477 Broadway, Providence, 4344435. LD $-$$$

125 Wayland Avenue Providence • 351-7000

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The Peaceable Kingdom 116 Ives Street, Providence 351-3472 • www.pkgifts.com Tues-Sat 11am-6pm

Starbucks Coffee, tea, bakery items and lunch options. Multiple locations. Starbucks.com BL$-$$ Sushi is fresh and fun at Ichigo Ichie in East Providence

WO RT H T H E D R I V E

Ichigo Ichie As soon as

you walk into the foyer of Ichigo Ichie, it’s clear you’re not in an average restaurant. Immediately greeted by a waterfall, a blue lit bar, dripping crystal curtains and other stunning design elements, the ultra modern restaurant prepares you for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The large location, which is conveniently located on Route 6 on the East Providence/Seekonk line, offers a square-shaped cocktail lounge, an intimate sushi bar, lively hibachi seating and an elegant dining room. The experience is just as diverse – it’s a great place for a family-friendly dinner, a romantic date, a gathering for friends, a special occasion or a quick drink at the bar.

5 Catamore Boulevard, East Providence 401-435-5511 • IchigoIchieUS.com

T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich and Narragansett, TsRestaurantRI.com. BL $ Tavolo Wine Bar and Tuscan Grille Classic Italian cuisine with an extensive wine and beer list. 970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 349-4979. LD $-$$ The Crossings New American favorites in a chic, urban setting. 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, 732-6000. BLD $-$$$ The Dorrance Fine dining with exquisite cocktails. 60 Dorrance St, Providence, 521-6000. D $$$ The Grange Vegetarian restaurant serving seasonal dishes with a juice bar, vegan bakery and cocktail bar. 166 Broadway, Providence, 831-0600. BrLD $-$$ The Pizza Gourmet/ The Catering

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February 2017 East Side Monthly

Mike’s Estate Services One Of New England’s Largest Consignment Shops Now with 2 Locations

New Merchandise Arriving 5 DAYS A WEEK 15 Factory Street, West Warwick • 401-615-7300 over 8500 sq. ft. of Merchandise mikesestateservices.com

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your gateway to success 42

East Side Monthly February 2017

DINING GUIDE Gourmet From scratch wood-grilled pizzas and Italian American favorites. 357 Hope St, Providence, 751-0355. LD $-$$$

Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$

The Rosendale Bar and grill with welcoming atomposphere and creative menu. 55 Union St, Providence, 421-3253. LD $-$$

DeWolf Tavern Gourmet American/ Indian fusion. 259 Thames St, Bristol, 254-2005. BLD $$-$$$

The Salted Slate An agri-driven American restaurant with global influences. 186 Wayland Ave, Providence, 270-3737. BrLD $$-$$$ The Villa Restaurant & Banquet Facility Family Italian restaurant with live music and entertainment. 272 Cowesett Ave, West Warwick, 8210060. D $-$$ The Village Lively bar and grill with comfort fare, bar bites and beer. 373 Richmond St, Providence, 228-7222. BrLD $-$$ Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun and Southwestern fare, cocktails and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 751-6777. LD $-$$ Trinity Brewhouse Rhode Island’s original brewpub. 186 Fountain St, Providence, 453-2337. LD $-$$ Tony’s Colonial Specialty store offering the finest imported and domestic Italian foods. 311 Atwells Ave, Providence, 621-8675. $-$$$ Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra St, Cranston, 781-9693. LD $-$$$

Ichigo Ichie Traditional Japanese cuisine, creative sushi and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East Providence, 4355511. LD $-$$$

Thanks for the Accolades! Once again, your ratings and reviews placed us in the “Top 1%” of assisted living communities nationwide. We’re privileged to serve you and proud to meet your highest expectations. Assisted Living - Memory Care

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Jacky’s Galaxie Local Pan-Asian chain offering sushi and classic entrees in a modern atmosphere. Locations in Providence, North Providence, Bristol and Cumberland, JackysGalaxie.com. LD $-$$$ Starbucks Coffee, tea, bakery items and lunch options. Multiple locations. Starbucks.com BL$-$$ The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, 508-3368460. LD $-$$$ The Wharf Tavern Serves fresh seafood and steak with bay views from almost every table. 215 Water St, Warren, 289-2524. BrLD $-$$$

•

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•

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SOUTHERN RI Besos Kitchen & Cocktails Tapas and eclectic cuisine and cocktails. 378 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-8855. BrLD $$$

The Vig Contemporary sports bar with craft tavern fare. 21 Atwells Ave, Providence, 709-0347. LD $-$$

Blu On The Water Home to Rhode Island’s largest waterfront deck and three outdoor bars, with a wide menu and full raw bar. 20 Water St, East Greenwich, 885-3700. LD $-$$$

Vinya Test Kitchen Vegan cuisine accompanied by creative mocktails (BYOB). 225A Westminster St, Providence, 500-5189. D $-$$

Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 2136615. LD $$

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

EAST BAY / NEWPORT

Chair 5 Locally sourced and seasonally inspired menus with a main restaurant and rooftop lounge. 1208 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 363-9820. BrLD $-$$$

Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, 508-999-6975. LD $$

Champlin’s Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 783-3152. LD $-$$

For full restaurant profiles, go to EastSideMonthly.com

CELEBRATING

rewery Providence’s largest b

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186 Fountain Street, Providence 401.453.2337 • www.trinitybrewhouse.com

Site Specific Design BuilD

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February 2017 East Side Monthly

The Place

i h s u S r Fo

Proudly serving Rhode Island’s LGBT Community

Thom Hammond

HARUKI EAST

172 Wayland Avenue, Providence / 223-0332

HARUKI CRANSTON

mottandchace.com Each office is independently owned and operated

imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$

Dragon Palace Chinese cuisine, sushi and bar. 577 Tiogue Ave, Coventry, 828-0100; 733 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, 789-2300; 1210 Main St, Wyoming, 539-1102. LD $-$$

Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food with a great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield, 7834073. BBrLD $

Frankie’s Italian Bistro Fine dining with imported wines from around the world. 1051 Ten Rod Rd, North Kingstown, 295-2500. D $-$$$

Sales Associate

Waterplace, 100 Exchange St. 401.314.3000

Dante’s Kitchen American food with Southern flair. 315 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-7798. BL $-$$

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

for 20 years

c: 401.301.2256 thom.hammond@ mottandchace.com

DINING GUIDE

1210 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston / 463-8338

HARUKI EXPRESS 112 Waterman Street, Providence / 421-0754 WWW.HARUKISUSHI.COM

Fresco Italian American comfort food with international inspirations. 301 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-0027; 140 Comstock Pkwy, Cranston, 2283901. D $-$$ George’s of Galilee Fresh caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306. LD $-$$ Jigger’s Diner Classic ‘50s diner serving breakfast all day. 145 Main St, East Greenwich, 884-6060. BL $-$$

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La Masseria Upscale Italian cuisine served in a chic setting with a rustic, countryside vibe. 223 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-0693. LD $$-$$$ Maharaja Indian Restaurant Indian cuisine and traditional curries in a warm setting. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 363-9988. LD $-$$ Matunuck Oyster Bar Destination dining enhanced by a raw bar sourced onsite and a water view. 629 Succotash Rd, South Kingstown, 7834202. LD $-$$$ Ocean House/Weekapaug Inn Multiple dining room options offer comfortably elegant dishes that highlight the best in seasonal, local produce. 1 Bluff Ave, Watch Hill, 5847000; 25 Spray Rock Rd, Westerly, 637-7600. BLD $-$$$ Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood fired pizza with exclusive ingredients

Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ Sa-Tang Fine Thai and Asian fusion cuisine with gluten-free selections. 402 Main St, Wakefield, 284-4220. LD $-$$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$$$$ Starbucks Coffee, tea, bakery items and lunch options. Multiple locations. Starbucks.com BL$-$$ T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, TsRestaurantRI.com. BL $ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$ The Coast Guard House A New American menu with a seafood emphasis and extensive wine list 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700. BrLD $$$ The Nordic Surf and turf buffet selections perfect for family gatherings. 178 E Pasquisett Trl, Charlestown, 7834515. LD $$$ Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere. 865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 789-8153. LD $-$$ Tong-D Fine Thai cuisine in a casual setting. 156 County Rd, Barrington, 2892998; 50 South County Common Way, South Kingstown, 783-4445. LD $-$$ TwoTen Oyster Bar and Grill Local oysters and upmarket seafood dishes with a full bar menu. 210 Salt Pond Rd, South Kingstown, 782-0100. BrLD $-$$$

729 East Avenue

Top of the East Side, next door to Rite Aid

East Side Monthly February 2017

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165 Pitman Street, Providence 831-7771 • eastsidemarket.com

Why Choose Massud & Sons Floor Covering?

749 East Ave. Pawtucket, RI @ Blackstone Blvd

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The owner Paul quoted my floor a day after I called for an estimate. Within the same week we picked out a new floor and scheduled an install date. Everything went flawlessly from start to finish. We didn’t have to move the appliances. The following day the owner called to follow up with my husband and I to see if we were satisfied and if we had any concerns. We were more than satisfied. Our new floor gives our kitchen a luxury feeling. I highly recommend them. Price was great and a very professional team who care about their clients.

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772 Dexter Street, Central Falls 401-724-6674 • massudflooring.com February 2017 East Side Monthly

WHEN YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS, SO DO WE. WE’VE BEEN RANKED “HIGHEST IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AMONG HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTERS, TWO YEARS IN A ROW.”

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GOLD’S GYM FREE 7-DAY VIP MEMBERSHIP First time visitors only. Must be 18+ yrs. of age and a local resident with valid photo ID. See Gold's Gym for details. Valid Through 2/28/17

On the Town Calendar

February music | performance | social happenings | galleries | sports 10 events at the top of our list

DON’T MISS THIS MONTH

Grab your boots and cowboy hats: it’s time to see Miranda Lambert at the Dunk. Performing her Highway Vagabond tour, you’ll get to see Miranda with all of her biggest hits, plus special guests Old Dominion and Aubrie Sellers. February 2. DunkinDonutsCenter.com

Get ready to dance on your toes when FirstWorks presents the Paul Taylor Dance Company at The Vets. See new dances from arguably the best choreographer of the 20th and 21st centuries. February 3. TheVetsRI.com

Laugh until your sides hurt when Lewis Black returns to PPAC with the Rant, White & Blue tour. With President Trump in office, you’re sure to hear some hard-hitting, hilarious, political humor. February 3. PPACRI.org

Celebrate the universal language of music and dance as Shen Yun returns to Providence. See modern heroic tales and continue on a 5,000 year old journey of Chinese culture. It’s a night you don’t want to miss. February 4. PPACRI.org

Get ready to groove with fairies and romp through the forest with the comedic tale of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Trinity Rep. Watch the hilarious antics, magic and misadventures of Shakespeare’s classic cast of characters. February 9-28. TrinityRep.com

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Romeo’s dancing across the stage this month to find his Juliet with Festival Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet. See the famous love story come to life through music and dance. Overbearing parents included. February 10-12. TheVetsRI.com

Join in as Providence welcomes the 8th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival with screenings, workshops and plenty of free activities all dedicated to the world of children’s cinema. February 17-26. ProvidenceChildrensFilmFestival.org

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will present Beethoven’s Eroica. The concert will feature Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, op. 55, which is to say they’ll be playing Beethoven’s symphony dedicated to Napoleon. February 17. RI-Philharmonic. org

Photo courtesy of Shen Yun

After breaking onto the scene with their hit songs “Cough Syrup” and “My Body,” West Coast rockers Young the Giant have been keeping busy. Catch them at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel this month on the local stop of their Home of the Strange tour. February 24. Lupos.com

10 Performers bring traditional Chinese dance to the PPAC stage with Shen Yun

Hakuna matata! No worries-Disney’s The Lion King returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center. Join lions, warthogs and plenty of other animals as they come to life on stage. February 28. 220 Weybosset Street, 421-2787. PPACRI.org

February 2017 East Side Monthly

Explore new worlds...

ďŹ lms + workshops + presentations Festival Info: pcffri.org The Carter Family Charitable Trust

East Side Monthly February 2017

Entelco Foundation

June Rockwell Levy Foundation

On the Town Calendar MUSIC

arena & club | classical ARENA & CLUB AS220 February 17: The Get Down: Jake White X Zane, DJ Beba. 95 and 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, AS220.org AURORA February 4: Sweet Jesus, Open City, SavageBlindGod, Weak Teeth. February 8: LuxDeluxe. February 11: The Stunt Queen Tour with Mykki Blanco and Cakes Da Killa. February 14: Luv U Better. February 15: The Love Hangover. February 16: The 3rd Shift with Kris Fame and Friends. February 18: ZBoys, P.Everett, Digisaurus. February 19: Providence Modular-Meet, Synth Petting Zoo, Show&Sale, February 22: Sons of An Illustrious Father, Secret Circle, The Divided Self. February 23:

continued...

Gianna Botticelli, Rachel Jorgensen, Jillian Kay. February 28: Shadow Band. 276 Westminster Street. 272-5723, AuroraProvidence.com CHAN’S FINE ORIENTAL DINING February 4: Rose Weaver. February 10: Duke Robillard Band. February 11: Mystic Horns. February 12: Go Quartet. February 14: John Nemeth. February 17: Love Dogs. February 18: Joe Moss. February 25: Roomful of Blues. 267 Main Street, Woonsocket. 765-1900, ChansEggrollsAndJazz.com COLUMBUS THEATRE February 19: PWR BTTM, Mal Blum and the Blums, Naked Giants. February 22: No Joy, Way Out, Midriffs. February 25: Buffy Sainte-Marie. 270 Broadway. 6219660, ColumbusTheatre.com

February 2: Miranda Lambert, Highway Vagabond Tour. 1 LaSalle Square. 3310700, DunkinDonutsCenter.com LUPO’S HEARTBREAK HOTEL February 24: Young the Giant. 79 Washington Street. 331-5876, Lupos.com THE MET February 4: Wicked Petty. February 12: Baile an Salsa. February 16: The Jame. February 18: Glowsticks in the Moshpit 4. February 19: Shake Your Booty for Rudy. February 23: Artist and the Rise. February 24: Rich the Kid. February 25: We the Kings. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, TheMetRI.com PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER February 26: Aaron Tveit. 220 Weybosset Street. 421-2787, PPACRI.org

J.L.M. EquEstrian

DUNKIN DONUTS CENTER

PERFORMANCE

comedy | dance | theatre COMEDY AS220 February 3: Live Bait. February 4: Improv Jones. 95 and 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, AS220.org COMEDY CONNECTION February 2: Providence Roller Derby Travel Team Fundraiser. February 3-4: Noah Gardenswartz. February 10-11: Tony Hinchcliffe. February 17-18: Paul Virzi. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 4388383, RIComedyConnection.com DANCE AS220 Mondays: Intermediate/advanced modern dance. Tuesdays: Intermediate ballet. Wednesdays: Open level modern dance. Fridays: Contemporary African Dance. Sundays: Beginners ballet and intermediate ballet. 95 and 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, AS220.org

Photo courtesy of Providence Flea

The Providence Flea’s winter market takes residence at Hope High this month

VINTAGE FINDS

PVD Flea Returns

February 12, 26: Can’t wait until for warmer weather to get your vintage and DIY craft fix? Join the Providence Flea as they host their Winter Market at Hope High School. See your favorite vintage sellers and makers without having to freeze outside. ProvidenceFlea.com

Lessons • Boarding CamPs • Leases • Parties

FESTIVAL BALLET Mondays: Adult ballet (beginner) Monday afternoons: Creative Movement (age 3-5). Wednesday, Saturday mornings: Creative Movement. Thursday: Adult ballet (intermediate). (age 3-5). 825 Hope Street. 353-1129, FestivalBalletProvidence.org THEATRE FESTIVAL BALLET February: Romeo Avenue of the

& Juliet. One Arts. 421-ARTS,

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February 2017 East Side Monthly

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East Side Monthly February 2017

FestivalBalletProvidence.org THE GAMM February: The Children’s Hour. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 723-4266, GammTheatre.org TRINITY REP: February: The Mountaintop, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 201 Washington Street. TrinityRep.com THE WILBURY GROUP: February: Betrayal. 393 Broad Street. 400-7100, TheWilburyGroup.org

PLANETARIUM Saturdays and Sundays: Public Planetarium Shows. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 680-7221 ProvidenceRI.com/Museum PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY LIBRARY Wednesdays: Poetry Group. Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street. 2723780, ProvComLib.org

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discussion | instruction | tour LADD OBSERVATORY Tuesdays: Telescope observing night. 210 Doyle Avenue. 785-9457, Brown. edu/Departments/Physics/Ladd MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND

FOR FOODIES BOTTLES Thursdays: Spirit tasting. Fridays: Beer tasting. Saturdays: Wine tasting. 141 Pitman Street. 372-2030, BottlesFineWine.com FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND Saturday: Pawtucket Wintertime Farmer’s Market, 1005 Main Street,

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The Providence Preservation Society’s “Kings and Queens” Winter Bash is sure to be a royal affair

Photography by Mike Braca

PARTY TO PRESERVE

Get the Royal Treatment

February 25: Here ye, here ye! It’s time for the Providence Preservation Society’s Winter Bash, whose theme is “Kings and Queens.” With food, drinks and DJ JR, you surely don’t want to miss out on this royal affair. PPSRI.org

February 2017 East Side Monthly

by william shakespeare directed by tyler dobrowsky

trinityrep feb. 9 – march 24 TickeTs from $25 (401) 351-4242 trinityrep.com

Pawtucket. FarmFreshRI.org

GALLERIES RISD MUSEUM February: Inventing Impressionism. 20 North Main Street. 454-6500, RISDMuseum.org ARTPROV GALLERY February: Henry’s Kids. 150 Chestnut Street. 641-5182, ArtProvidence.com

season sponsors

Experience Connect Have Fun! Providence Media is accepting resumes for

Editorial • Marketing • Video • Web

Internships

SPORTS BROWN UNIVERSITY February 3: Men and Women’s Track and Field, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Water Polo, Men and Women’s Basketball, Men and Women’s Ice Hockey. February 4: Men and Women’s Track and Field. Wrestling, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Water Polo, Men and Women’s Ice

Hockey, Men and Women’s Basketball. February 5: Women’s Water Polo. February 10: Men and Women’s Track and Field, Men’s Ice Hockey, Women’s Basketball. February 11: Wrestling, Men and Women’s Ice Hockey, Men and Women’s Basketball. February 12: Gymnastics. February 15: Women’s Swimming and Diving. February 16: Women’s Swimming and Diving. February 17: Women’s Swimming and Diving, Women’s Tennis, Men and Women’s Basketball, Men and Women’s Ice Hockey. February 18: Women’s Swimming and Diving. Women’s Lacrosse. Men and Women’s Ice Hockey, Men and Women’s Basketball. February 19: Women’s Tennis, Men’s Lacrosse. February 21: Women’s Lacrosse. February 24: Women’s Swimming and Diving, Men and Women’s Basketball, Men’s Ice Hockey. February 25: Women’s Swimming and Diving, Men and Women’s Tennis, Men’s Lacrosse, Men and Women’s Basketball, Men’s Tennis. February 26: Women’s Swimming and Diving, Fencing. Various venues, BrownBears.com

Send inquires, questions or a resume to

CaitlinH@providenceonline.com The Bay • Providence Monthly • East Side Monthly • SO Rhode Island • Hey Rhody

Joe Wilson Jr. brings the final hours of Dr. King's life to the Trinity Rep stage

The Final Hours of MLK

February 2-12: Trinity Rep’s production of Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop finishes its acclaimed run this month. Resident actor Joe Wilson Jr. gives a powerful performance as Civil Rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he reckons with his legacy on the final night of his life. TrinityRep.com

East Side Monthly February 2017

Photo by Matt Turek

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FEBRUARY 17 - 26

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February 2017 East Side Monthly

Spotlight

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East Side Monthly February 2017

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loved one needs extra care, making the decision on who is going to give that care can be difficult. When it’s time for professional care, turn to the exceptional caregivers at Briarcliffe. The Briarcliffe campus is set on 28 wooded acres in Johnston. There, they provide several different kinds of care, all of which is the highest quality possible. Briarcliffe is ranked highest in Rhode Island on CareGiversList.com, and maintains five star ratings in overall quality, health inspection, quality measures, staffing and RN staffing from Medicare. The owner, Akshay Talwar, fosters a family environment among his staff - so much so that he lives on the campus, making sure that he’s able to be at the facility at any time, for any need. BRIARCLIFFE MANOR Briarcliffe Manor is a 122-bed skilled rehab and nursing care center. They pride themselves on the average stay being lower than the state average meaning they help patients become well faster - and that they have a low rate of rehospitalization. Briarcliffe specializes in physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. Medical staff, including a Medical Director and Registered Nurses, are at the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They offer activities seven days a week, and concierge case management service, meaning that your loved one won’t feel lost in the shuffle of other patients. See more for yourself at BriarcliffeManor.com. BRIARCLIFFE GARDENS When memory is an issue for your loved one, Briarcliffe Gardens is the best care choice you can make in the state. There, they offer state of the art assisted living with memory care, in a secure facility where you know your loved one is safe, secure and well-taken-care of. They have skilled staff on site 24/7, and provide personal care assistance, housekeeping, laundry and all meals. Daily activities keep everyone up and moving, and there are several fun aspects to the building, including an in-house movie theatre and retro themed diner. The rooms and suites are available furnished or unfurnished, so you can make the space feel as much like home as possible. See more for yourself at BriarcliffeGardens.com.

Briarcliffe Manor Briarcliffe Gardens 49 Old Pocasset Road, Johnston • 944-2450 BriarcliffeManor.com and BriarcliffeGardens.com

Spotlight

by Dan Schwartz

Empire Loan A community business that supports non-profits and charities

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729 East Avenue • 401-723-1111 (Top of the East Side, next door to Rite Aid)

Jeff Keithline, owner of

Empire Loan and Empire Guitars, has been helping the community through contributions made to local causes from his Empire Loan Charitable Foundation. “2016 had a lot of challenges and people may have donated at the end of the year for a little tax deduction,” Jeff says. “But it’s very important for businesses to support organizations year-round that serve their own customers.” Here is a sample of those beneficiaries the foundation supports. For close to ten years they’ve underwritten the Empire Revue, a showcase of local comedic and improv talent, at the renowned arts center AS220. Empire Loan is a financial supporter of the street cleaning initiative Calle Limpia, which has greatly enhanced the appearance of Broad Street along a twomile stretch. Jeff mentions, “We’re happy because we’re going to be getting some government funding which allows us to expand our work.” His foundation supports community arts organizations, like The Manton Avenue Project in Olneyville and the Mt. Hope Learning Center on the East Side. The Empire Loan Charitable Foundation is a backer of New Urban Arts on Providence’s West Side, which helps develop artist talent in children through mentoring. They support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, a stellar non-profit that helps deliver food to those in need and provides nutritional counseling. For 20 years Empire Loan has sponsored boys and girls teams for the Elmwood Little League. They contribute to Groundwork Providence, which helps educate and train in areas of planting and urban green space stewardship. The foundation also donates to the South Side Community Land Trust, which helps develop community gardens to grow plants for foods that are specific to various international cultures. “Empire Loan and Empire Guitar is very proud to support all of these groups.” February marks the Valentine’s Sale at Empire Loan, with big discounts on everything in the showroom for the first two weeks of February. Plus check out the Empire Guitars website for their annual Odds and Ends Sale in February, with drastic price reductions on pedals, accessories and more. Note: get there early. And remember to support your local non-profit communities that help make Providence such a great city!

Empire Loan and Empire Guitars 1271 North Main Street, Providence, 437-8421 358 Broad Street, Providence, 273-7050 EmpireLoan.com / EmpireGuitarsRI.com

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marketplace HOME IMPROVEMENT PIONEER BASEMENT

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

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.

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THE EAST SIDER

Rabbi Barry Dolinger believes that Providence can be a model of collaboration and unity between diverse communities

Rabbi Barry Dolinger Advocates for Diversity and Community Collaboration By Amanda M. Grosvenor

schedule is so jam-packed that it’s tough to imagine how he juggles heading up Congregation Beth Sholom, managing his own law practice downtown, leading meditation and wellness events as one of three co-founders at Thrive spiritual retreat, certifying various local restaurants as kosher and many other activities – not to mention the typical demands of married life. As he was close to graduating rabbinical school and Fordham law school in 2011, Dolinger and wife Naomi started scoping out congregations, and on Super Bowl weekend they visited Providence. They interviewed with Temple Beth Sholom and were immediately impressed. “We loved the people,” says Dolinger. “What was different about it and what we noticed right away was that we

East Side Monthly February 2017

were interacting with extremely genuine people who were not just welcoming and fun, but also independent-minded, idealistic and engaged. My five years here have only reinforced my view that this is part of what Providence is all about.” The couple lives on East Avenue, near the Pawtucket line. Naomi is a speech pathologist in Burrillville and she helps Barry to keep a disciplined schedule. Temple Beth Shalom is Orthodox, and Dolinger runs services and teaches classes just about every day starting at 6:30am. Two afternoons a week are spent on his legal work, which is voluntary; Dolinger chooses cases that are value- or issueoriented, such as anti-discrimination. Dolinger works to promote diversity and collaboration in communities that have often traditionally been much more conservative-minded. With his help, the

synagogue has become more inclusive and welcomed 25 new families in the past 18 months from a variety of political perspectives, noting that a deep tenet of Judaism is to promote genuine discourse and that “both sides can be holy” even if only one becomes the adopted practice for a particular time and place. He openly engages with difficult issues, and testified in legislature in favor of legalizing same sex marriage (many LGBT people have recently joined the synagogue), as well as championing women’s religious leadership within the bounds of orthodox law. He also works to bridge different Jewish denominations. “A lot of people on the East Side have stereotypes about the synagogues, thinking they’ll never grow or become more connected. I feel that the political leadership and non-profits joining

together are making a statement through volunteerism and innovation that we truly believe this city can become a model of innovative collaboration between all different communities: Jewish, Christian, Muslim, everyone – that we are not territorial but consciously focusing on causes. We’re playing quite well in the sandbox together, and as a result, our sandcastle is bigger.” If you had one wish to enhance life on the East Side, what would it be? “I love it here, but I would love to see us become less car-centric since I bike a lot. Providence as a whole could also think about ways to foster more interaction between diverse populations, even on the East Side. Neighborhood organizations are popping up left and right, but more of that is good.”

Photography by Michael Cevoli

Young Rabbi Barry Dolinger’s

N E W P ORT

NARRAGANSETT

PROVIDENCE

CUMBERLAND NEW LISTING | WEB ID: 1134542

J A M E S TO W N

WATC H H I L L

B LO C K I S L A N D

PROVIDENCE

EAST SIDE | WEB ID: 1139364 $1,350,000 | 401.274.1644

SOLD

$749,000 | 401.274.1644

BURRILLVILLE - ESTATE

WESTPORT - OCEANFRONT SOLD: $825,000 | 401.274.1644

CUMBERLAND - AVALON ESTATES E. PROVIDENCE - NEW LISTING CUSTOM-BUILT | WEB ID: 1138901 $749,000 | 401.274.1644

4-BEDROOMS | WEB ID: 1144082 $365,000 | 401.274.1644

SOLD

3-BEDROOMS | WEB ID: 1133651 $899,000 | 401.274.1644

PROVIDENCE - EAST SIDE

WARREN - WATERFRONT

LINCOLN - ESTATES AT DENNELL 3 PARCELS AVAILABLE (1-12 ACRES) | WEB ID: 1143514 $450,000 | 401.789.6666

2+ ACRES | WEB ID: 1132438 $2,195,000 | 401.274.1644

SOLD

SOLD: $775,000 | 401.274.1644

PROVIDENCE - EAST SIDE 5-BEDROOMS | WEB ID: 1113566 $1,175,000 | 401.848.2101

BARRINGTON - HAMPDEN SOLD: $825,000 | 401.274.1644

PROVIDENCE

FOSTER - 9+ ACRES 3-BEDROOM | WEB ID: 1142484 $489,900 | 401.274.1644

369 SOUTH MAIN ST

WARWICK - WALK TO WATER 5-BEDROOMS | WEB ID: 132565 $719,000 | 401.274.1644

401.274.1644

* #1 LUXURY RANKING BASED ON HIGHEST TOTAL DOLLAR VOLUME OF THE TOP 10 HOME SALES IN THE STATE OF RI FOR 2016. ALL REPRESENTATIONS IN THIS PRESENTATION ARE BASED IN WHOLE OR IN PART ON DATA SUPPLIED BY THE STATEWIDE MLS. THE MLS DOES NOT GUARANTEE AND IS NOT IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ACCURACY. DATA MAINTAINED BY THE MLS MAY NOT REFLECT ALL REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY IN THE MARKET.

R E S I D E N T I A L P R O P E R T I E S LT D

PARTICIPATED IN THE SALE OF

303 EAST SIDE AND OAK HILL PROPERTIES DURING 2016.

EAST SIDE 69 11Th Street 157 6Th Street 41 Adelphi Avenue 64 Alfred Stone Road 62 Alumni Avenue 21 Amy Street 275 Angell Street, #1 275 Angell Street, #3 5 Angell Court 545 Angell Street 597 Angell Street 6 Angell Court 51 Arlington Avenue, #2 25 Arnold Street, #1 26 28 Arnold Street 65 Arnold Street 25 Balton Road 45 Balton Road 25 Barbour Drive 34 Barnes Street, #2 132 Bayard Street 147 Benefit Street, #A 281 Benefit Street, #A 372 Benefit Street 395 Benefit Street, #6 43 Benefit Street 48 Benefit Street 7 Benefit Street, #4 102 Blackstone Blvd, #1 123 Blackstone Blvd 30 Blackstone Blvd, #102 346 Blackstone Blvd 355 Blackstone Blvd, #309 355 Blackstone Blvd, #402 530 Blackstone Blvd 77 Blackstone Blvd 147 Bowen Street 168 Bowen Street 196 Bowen Street 96 Bowen Street, #2 56 Boylston Avenue 48 Brenton Avenue 57 Brenton Avenue 122 Brook Street 158 Brook Street 165 Brown Street 163 Butler Avenue, #3 164 Butler Avenue, #A 241 Butler Avenue 14 Cady Street

276 Camp Street 11 Catalpa Road 3 Catalpa Road 22 Chace Drive 31 Clarendon Avenue 104 106 Cole Avenue 303 Cole Avenue, #2 29 Cole Farm Court 122 Colonial Road 83 Colonial Road 93 Colonial Road 138 Congdon Street 12 Cooke Street 150B Cypress Street 102 Dexterdale Road 68 Dexterdale Road 16 Dove Street 263 265 Doyle Avenue 10 East Street, #11 5 East Street, #A 5 East Street, #B 57 East George Street, #2 41 43 East Manning Street 68 East Manning Street, #3 59 East Orchard Avenue 78 East Orchard Avenue 76 Edgehill Road 221 Eighth Street 100 Eleventh Street 34 Elgin Street 331 333 Elmgrove Avenue 757 Elmgrove Avenue 116 Elton Street 141 Emeline Street 16 Emeline Street, #1 39 Emeline Street 59 Emeline Street* 11 Everett Avenue 118 Everett Avenue, #118 15 17 Everett Avenue 162 Everett Avenue 182 Everett Avenue 33 Everett Avenue 62 Everett Avenue 155 Evergreen Street 169 Fifth Street 15 Firglade Avenue 40 Firglade Avenue 26 Fisher Street 81 Forest Street 44 Fosdyke Street

47 Fosdyke Street 168 Fourth Street 224 Fourth Street, #1 169 Freeman Parkway 252 Freeman Parkway 288 Freeman Parkway 276 George Street, #4 15 Glen Drive 18 Glen Drive 21 Glen Drive 116 Grand View St, #2 65 Grand View Street 200 Grotto Avenue 8 Grotto Avenue, #1 86 Halsey Street 110 Hartshorn Road 125 Hartshorn Road 32 Holly Street 80 Holly Street 1008 Hope Street 177 Hope Street 335 Hope Street 515 Hope Street 540 Hope Street 586 Hope Street 66 Hope Street 670 Hope Street 700 Hope Street 922 Hope Street 933 935 Hope Street 939 Hope Street 142 Humboldt Ave, #10 16 Humboldt Avenue 35 Humboldt Avenue 66 Humboldt Avenue 59 Intervale Road 150 Irving Avenue, #3 154 Irving Avenue, #2A 227 Ives Street, #1 169 Ivy Street, #3 42 John Street 85 John Street 64 Keene Street, #3 76 Keene Street 84 Keene Street 90 Keene Street 140 142 Lancaster Street 165 Lancaster Street 86 88 Larch Street 168 Laurel Avenue 198 Laurel Avenue

(*Sold Twice)

205 Laurel Avenue 36 Lauriston Street 9 Lincoln Avenue 355 Lloyd Avenue 29 Locust Street 220 Lorimer Avenue 57 Lorimer Avenue 98 Lorimer Avenue 85 Lorraine Avenue 97 Lorraine Avenue 47 Manning Street 72 Manning Street, #3 158 Medway Street, #158 168 Medway Street, #6 145 Meeting Street 151 Meeting Street 98 Meeting Street 78 Memorial Road 150 Morris Avenue 153 Morris Avenue 220 Morris Avenue 339 Morris Avenue, #2 359 Morris Avenue 11 Morrison Street 19 Mount Avenue 23 Mount Avenue 42 Mount Avenue 19 Mount Hope Avenue 24 Mutual Place 22 Ogden Street 44 Ogden Street 26 Old Tannery Road 57 Olney Street, #3 78 Oriole Avenue 18 Overhill Road, #2 80 Overhill Road 25 Phillips Street 210 Pleasant Street 133 Power Street 165 Power Street, #5 178 Power Street 101 Pratt Street, #101 169 Pratt Street 21 Pratt Street, #4 44 Pratt Street 97 Pratt Street, #97 262 President Ave, #262 100 Prospect Street 130 Prospect Street 141 Prospect Street 145 Prospect Street, #3

158 Prospect St, #B 162 Prospect Street, #3 168 Prospect Street 24 Rhode Island Avenue 135 137 Rochambeau Ave 142 Rochambeau Avenue 255 257 Rochambeau Ave 314 Rochambeau Avenue 335 Rochambeau Avenue 346 Rochambeau Avenue 475 Rochambeau Avenue 37 Royal Street 20 Ruthven Street 29 Savoy Street 30 Savoy Street 82 84 Savoy Street 61 Sessions Street 23 Sheldon Street, #1 21 Sixth Street 221 Sixth Street 217 Slater Avenue 43 Slater Avenue 230 South Main St, #5 274 South Main St, #25 274 South Main St, #26 521 South Main St, #302 103 Summit Avenue 129 131 Taber Avenue 160 Taber Avenue 180 Taber Avenue 326 Taber Avenue 40 Taft Avenue, #2 42 Taft Avenue, #3 44 Taft Avenue, #4 50 Taft Avenue, #7 370 Thayer Street, #6 51 53 Thayer Street 7 Thayer Street 46 Top Street 132 Transit Street 65 Trenton Street 49 Twelfth Street 21 University Avenue 23 University Avenue 114 Upton Avenue 87 Upton Avenue 71 Vassar Avenue 157 Waterman St, #2-4 157 Waterman St, #2-6 1 Wayland Avenue, #110N 1 Wayland Avenue, #102N

1 Wayland Avenue, #102S 1 Wayland Avenue, #313N 295 Wayland Avenue 319 Wayland Avenue, #319 419 421 Wayland Avenue 435 Wayland Avenue, #1 443 Wayland Avenue, #2 401 Wickenden Street 599 Wickenden Street 106 Williams Street, #2 242 Williams Street, #C 333 Williams Street, #4, 1L 32 Winfield Road 35 Winfield Road 53 Wingate Road 50 Woodbury Street 56 Woodbury Street 94 Woodbury Street OAK HILL 14 Blaisdell Avenue 97 Blaisdell Avenue 62 Blodgett Avenue 87 Cambria Court 43 Carver Street 29 Cooke Street 552 East Avenue 603 East Avenue 643 645 East Avenue 102 Fowler Avenue 56 Glenwood Avenue 285 Hillside Avenue 4 Lafayette Street, #1 14 Marbury Avenue 25 27 Marbury Avenue 99 Oak Hill Avenue 87 Pidge Avenue 98 Pidge Avenue 99 Progress Street 100 Ridge Street 139 Ridge Street 66 Ridge Street 107 Sheffield Avenue 73 Sheffield Avenue 88 Sheffield Avenue 26 Sterling Street 34 Sterling Street 15 Trenton Street, #2R 36 Waldo Street 135 Wilcox Avenue

(Subject to errors or omissions)

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