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CONTENTS
Photography by Stacey Doyle
East Side Monthly • February 2018
Waffles at The Burgundian
This Month 28 CAUGHT ON CAMERA
13 An author/physician examines death, religion, and human nature in a new book
Is Providence moving toward a surveilled future?
35 THE WRECKING BALL COMETH?
16 Lincoln School gives StyleWeek Northeast its youngest designers ever
Brown and pro-preservation College Hill residents are locked in battle over the fate of five buildings
18 Brown’s new mindfulness center aims to put some data behind the hype
On the Town 47 Flavor of the Month: The Burgundian brings European street food and festiveness to Providence 48 On the Menu: Heng PVD is serving authentic Thai street food on College Hill 50 Restaurant Guide
Every Month
Close to Home
8 Editorial and Letters
41 Home: A handbag designer brings her classic approach to a Fox Point studio apartment
20 In the Know
42 Education: Rhode Island’s new initiatives to repair our schools’ crumbling infrastructure
23 Neighborhood News Community
44 East of Elmgrove: How to prepare for a snow cyclone and arctic chill
57 Calendar: Events you can’t miss this month
East Sider 66 Providence Country Day’s Tom Ossman reflects on a life of teaching on and off the football field
11 A community of songsters takes up residence in the Parlour
On the Cover:
City leaders consider the potential benefits and consequences of increased surveillance in Providence (cover story, p. 28). Photo courtesy of Axon. East Side Monthly • February 2018 7
EDITORIAL
More Community Input Is Essential Before Destroying Historic Houses Brown recently presented plans to the Providence City Plan Commission (CPC) seeking their approval to build a large performing arts center on the walk space that connects the old Pembroke campus to the main green, between Angell and Waterman. It’s a project that offers the potential to dramatically impact both the school and the adjoining community in a truly meaningful and positive fashion. But we suggest, along with over 30 protesters who spoke out against the project as proposed, that it is being built in the wrong place. The problem is that the site chosen would require the teardown of at least four historic buildings on the campus and the relocation of a fifth. Additional objections were raised over the loss of Urban Environmental Lab (UEL) that has been housed in the handsome Sharpe building on Waterman for decades. As we go to press, a vote by the CPC has been postponed until at least its February meeting.
While Brown undoubtedly feels the plans for this space have been presented and discussed with the general College Hill community, the Providence Preservation Society (PPS) argues that previous iterations of the school’s master plan only referred to “future buildings” without regard to their size, appearance, or the need to demolish perfectly serviceable historic buildings very much in scale with the existing neighborhood. And while several other sites have been discussed internally, they feel a more robust discussion of alternative sites with the community at large would be useful to the proposed project. Brown also argues that they are simply trying to consolidate their campus core. But we would suggest that Angell and Waterman, providing as they do the major link between the East Side and downtown, represent our neighborhood core as well. We urge Brown to truly engage the community
this time and consider other options, such as a site closer to the athletic complex at Pembroke Field, or perhaps even on the other side of the river, where much of Brown’s future expansion is planned. Both locations might better address parking issues and the broader needs of the city. The result could be an improved win-win for all of us - the university, the neighborhood, the donors, and the city as a whole. So let’s slow things down and open up a discussion that explores all the options. Maybe we could think outside the box, letting all of our voices be heard. An expansion of this magnitude, requiring the loss of five historic buildings and without providing additional parking, would represent an unfortunate and unnecessary assault on the fragile balance between the University’s need for growth and the historic scale and urban texture that make College Hill so special and in need of protection.
Walk, accessed by a drive that would also provide windows for some of the below-grade space. While construction was underway, the buildings could be “parked” on the Walk. An example of how well this can work is across the street at the Brown/RISD Hillel. It is imperative as many residents as possible encourage creative solutions while remaining firm with the University – “NOT ONE MORE HOUSE.” -Peter Borgemeister, a long-time Providence resident, is an architect who lives in Mount Hope.
and Senior Minister Rebecca Spencer. Among other efforts, Central sponsors the nationally known Darrell West Lecture Series on Religion and Politics – with this year’s installment taking place at Central Church on January 26. The lecture series is endowed by Darrell M. West, senior vice president of the Brookings Institution, and has been widely covered in the Boston Globe, the Providence Journal, and others. With the intersection of religion and politics at its core, it’s brought speakers to the East Side such as Washington Post columnist E. J. Dionne; Mara Liasson, national political correspondent at NPR; and Elaine Pagels, renowned Princeton scholar and author of The Gnostic Gospels. This year’s speaker was Noah Feldman, a nationally acclaimed author, one of Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century,” a New York Times commentator and Harvard’s Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law. We hope East Side Monthly will be able to help spread the word about next year’s Darrell West lecture to the East Side community.
LETT E RS An Alternative Plan for Brown Most readers are by now familiar with Brown University’s proposal to remove five historic buildings between Waterman and Angell Streets and build a performing arts center. The intent is to create a state-of-the-art facility that will contain one 500seat and one 250-seat hall, plus support spaces. An architect, REX, of New York City has been selected and planning is in the earliest stages – no designs have been released. What seems certain, however, is that the building will cover much of its site and be at least three stories tall – think a structure as much as twice the size of Granoff Center, clad in glass, right behind the J. Walter Wilson Student Center. Objections raised at [December’s] City Plan Commission meeting were familiar – the loss of more historic structures, addition of yet another large institutional building, possibility of placing the facility elsewhere, and lack of parking. There is, however, a solution that could give Brown its new facility and keep the five buildings – put as much of the new space as possible below grade, on each side of the bus tunnel – and create a smaller structure over the tunnel, at the backs of the five buildings, that would contain those areas that must be aboveground. While they’re at it, they could create parking beneath the adjoining 8
East Side Monthly • February 2018
To the Editor East Side Monthly continues to be a terrific asset to the area – not to mention a great read. My wife and I were delighted to see that the magazine’s January 2018 cover story (“Faith in Action” by Sophie Hagen) explores some of the ways in which East Side congregations are stirring up conversation about religion and politics in our daily lives. It was great to read about the work being done at First Unitarian, Temple Beth-El, First Baptist, and others. But a little bit more research by the author, even a quick Google search or two, would have turned up the fact that the East Side’s Central Congregational Church has held a leadership role when it comes to this issue for well over a decade, thanks to a congregant, Darrell M. West,
Best wishes, Peter and Kathryn Mandel (for the Darrell West Lecture Committee at Central Congregational Church)
East Side Monthly Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell
Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre
Executive Editor Barry Fain
City Editor Steve Triedman
Managing Editor Tony Pacitti
Associate Managing Editor Sophie Hagen
Editor Robert Isenberg
Editor at Large Julie Tremaine
Art Director Nick DelGiudice
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Classified Advertising Sue Howarth 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.
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COMMUNITY East Side Stories | Neighborhood News & Notes
East Side News
Get Ready to Rock-apella
A tight-knit core of songsters gathers for old-fashioned sing-alongs at the Parlour By Adam Toobin
The Quahog Quire will sing at the Parlour on February 5
On the first Monday of the month, the Parlour on North Main Street is briefly transformed into a community of “Quadlibetic Quoristers Questing a Quantuplicity of tunes.” In other words, the Quahog Quire, a quirky and dedicated group of folk singers, is in the house. These monthly medleys bring together a tight-knit group of professional musicians and passionate amateurs from across the state to sing a repertoire of folk staples and traditional songs of all genres that make everyone want to join in. In fact,
if there’s one rule by which the motley crew abides, it’s that they are a community first (“not a performance group, not not a performance group,” says Amy Webb, a regular participant), dedicated to making music that is impossible to resist when the chorus comes a-calling. The group was founded three years ago when Rachel Maloney, then co-leader of acoustic band the Providence Whole Bellies, found herself injured and unable to play her faithful fiddle. The musicians and fans that had gathered around them decided
that the music had to survive – in a cappella form. Originally little more than a handful of musical friends meeting in one another’s apartments to eat, drink, and sing their raucous tunes, the Quire’s monthly appearances at the Parlour, along with periodic performances including at the 2017 Providence Folk Festival, have earned it a stable presence in the Rhode Island folk community. According to Webb, who sings alongside her daughter Flannery Brown, any night may include a wide variety of songs, including “roots songs, shanties, work
songs, murder ballads, hanging songs, and the occasional song with a happy ending!” “I don’t know if it’s serious or fun. It is seriously fun,” says Brown. Admittedly old-fashioned, the Quire harkens back to a time when friends gathered just to sing together – emphasizing the joy of the experience above the technical quality of the music. If that sounds like you, as the Quahog Quire says, “Quit your Quischen and Quire with us!” The Quahog Quire performs at the Parlour the first Mondays of the month, including February 5, 7–9pm.
East Side Monthly • February 2018 11
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Community East Side News
Professor with a Pulse for Fiction
Brown professor Sattar Memon takes on big themes in his second novel By Robert Isenberg
Back in India, Akbar was an ordinary young gardener. He didn’t seem like a violent extremist, the kind of fanatic who would sneak into the United States, build a homemade bomb, and try to blow up Wall Street. But that is exactly what he plans to do. His motivation: anti-Semitism. This may sound like a Tom Clancy plot, but Soul’s Fury is the latest novel by Doctor Sattar Memon, a cancer specialist and professor of medicine at Brown University. The book is a thriller, complete with shotguns, kidnappings, and a harrowing car accident. But for Memon, the story is also a deeply personal rumination on culture clashes and human nature. “I was born in India, in a secular Muslim family,” Memon says. “I really have to ask myself: Who am I? Am I Muslim? Am I a Jew? Am I Hindu? The answer is, I am nothing but a secular seeker. To me, all the religions are saying the same thing in different ways.” Memon first explored these issues in The Ashram, a novel he self-published in 2005. This book introduced Memon’s flawed hero, Doctor Jonathan Kingsley, who tries to stop an Indian woman from burning herself alive on a funeral pyre. Doctor Kingsley returns in Soul’s Fury, this time to stop Akbar from hatching a massive terrorist plot. “I write about the spiritual – of life, love, and death,” says Memon. “A lot of these issues are addressed in the dialogue. But this is not a preachy, how-to book. Intrigue is the soul of any good novel. Why is this guy saying this? What’s bothering him, and why?” Memon is 70 years old, and he discovered fiction writing late in his career. But he’s had a lot of literary success in recent years. He hosts an informal writing workshop with some fellow physicians, and he plans to turn the Kingsley novels into a trilogy. The Ashram won a prize from Writer’s Digest for self-published novels, and a movie studio secured film rights to it. On the surface, Doctor Kingsley is very different from Memon: he’s a depressed widower and struggles with alcohol, and he’s often
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CALL Gerri Schiffman (401) 474-3733 entangled in global espionage. But Memon still draws heavily from his own life. Some real-world connections are obvious: both novels have distinct ties to his native India and star Indian characters, and medicine features prominently. Other inspirations are more subtle: Doctor Kingsley lives and works in Presque Isle, Maine, where Memon once helped establish an oncology clinic. “I had never seen such a beautiful place,” Memon recalls. “I fell in love with it. I knew, in my first novel, my protagonist had to live there. Most writers dig into their own experience. That’s why I chose to make the protagonist a doctor.” Given the suspenseful storyline and international canvas, Soul’s Fury might appeal to big New York publishers. But Memon prefers the control and efficiency of self-publishing. “It’s very quick,” he says. “There are no fears of rejection. You can always re-submit. I’m not the wealthiest man, but I’m comfortable. Money is not my primary motive. But highlighting your creation – that is so satisfying.”
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residentialproperties.com gerri@residentialproperties.com East Side Monthly • February 2018 13
Community East Side News
The Cranes Come to Providence
A guide to some of the construction making progress downtown Hilton Homewood Suites
Station Row
Marriott Residence Inn/Fogarty Building
Photography by Tony Pacitti
Canal Street
14
East Side Monthly • February 2018
FALL 2017
A couple of cranes have taken up residence downtown, and construction sites have peppered the area. Some of these projects point towards growth – new jobs, expanding downtown hotel options, the much anticipated pedestrian bridge – while others have shown signs of delay.
Station Row The Station Row project celebrated a topping off ceremony in December. The 260,000-square-foot development, consisting of 169 residential units, is within walking distance of the train station and will incentivize commuters who work in Boston to either remain in or relocate to Providence. The project is expected to be completed by the fall and is noted for being the first project built with approved Rebuild RI tax credits.
Hilton Homewood Suites Ground was broken in October on this $30 million Hilton hotel near Burnside Park. Bringing in 120 fully applianced suites, the project is expected to create more than 200 construction and permanent jobs and aims for a May 2018 completion date. Marriott Residence Inn/Fogarty Building The Fogarty Building, once a downtown icon of the Brutalist style of architecture, was demolished last May after succumbing to blight. The plan was for a 176-room Marriott Residence Inn to go up in its place. Plans there have stalled, as the developers have asked for a 12-month extension.
169 Canal Street The crane at the base of College Hill marks the site of a mixed use commercial and residential space on a former parking lot. Construction began in late summer on the $56 million project. As per a city council approved tax stabilization deal, the developers are required to “pursue contacts” with women and minority business owners, as well as buy materials from local vendors.
Muir String Quartet
Guest Artist Carol Wincenc, Flute Monday, Feb. 12, 2018 7:30 p.m. Sapinsley Hall The Muir String Quartet returns with flautist Carol Wincenc. The program is scheduled to include Schulhoff String Quartet No. 1, Mozart Flute Quartet in D Major, K.285 and Beethoven String Quartet No. 8 in Eminor (“Rasumovsky No. 2”), Op. 59 No. 2.
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East Side Monthly • February 2018 15
Community East Side News
From High School to High Fashion Creative Lincoln School students will show their innovative garments at StyleWeek By Julie Tremaine
Three high schoolers will compete on design aesthetic as well as creative use of recycled materials
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Twelfth grader Willa Summers, eleventh grader Maeve McEnroe, and ninth grader Brigitte Lynch-Johnson will all be participating in the SEED Student Design Challenge on opening night of StyleWeek, February 21. Traditionally, the annual student design competition has only been open to college students, who come from
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The Burden of Proof
Brown’s new mindfulness center seeks evidence for a popular practice’s benefits By Sophie Hagen
Eric Loucks, director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown University
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
as the practice of concentrating one’s awareness on the present moment and on one’s feelings and sensations, without judgment, is achieving new heights of prominence in the Western world, allegedly treating conditions ranging from anxiety to cancer. No longer the purview only of meditation centers and yoga studios, mindfulness apps abound, used by corporate executives looking to increase their productivity and reduce stress. Now a new center at Brown University (Brown.edu/MindfulnessCenter) is trying to put some data behind the hype. The director of the center, Eric Loucks, is an associate professor of epidemiology at Brown. He is at the helm of five clinical trials
of mindfulness-based health interventions, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and in collaboration with partner researchers at Harvard and UMass. “Overall,” he says, “there’s a lot of excitement and promise” in the field of mindfulness. “But as with any field, you need really good checks and balances.” While mindfulness as a practice dates back 2,000 years, scientific inquiry centered on it began only about 35 years ago. The goal of the center is not only to provide research that mindfulness works, but also to encourage health practitioners who already use mindfulness on their patients to rely on the evidence-based kind. The center offers an online database for consumers
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who are looking for evidence-based practitioners in Rhode Island. “There’s a certain amount of privilege that goes along with being able to do quantitative research and publish it,” Loucks acknowledges. “We’re not saying that evidence-based is better, it’s just that we know a lot more about how [evidence-based studies] work.” The center’s corps of researchers pulls from a wide range of disciplines. In addition to Loucks with his epidemiological background, biostatistics, religious studies and psychiatry professors are on board. Drawing on this diversity, the center will seek to examine negative and positive effects of mindfulness in a variety of scenarios: from hospital readmission rates for psychosis to HIV risk rates. (Mindfulness has been deployed in a number of contexts; Loucks himself has “developed specific, customized mindfulness interventions for people with high blood pressure.”) Loucks came to mindfulness through a personal childhood connection. “My mom’s aunt married a Tibetan,” he says, who happened to be “the foreign affairs minister to the Dalai Lama. So I started reading one of the Dalai Lama’s books when I was 13 or something.” He joined a mindfulness meditation group that followed the teachings of Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, eventually began to teach mindfulness and has kept up a “really strong personal practice for about 20 years.” “In mindfulness teachings and Buddhism, healthy skepticism is encouraged,” Loucks says. “Buddha himself said don’t do anything unless you want to do it. I want to use that skepticism to form methodologically rigorous studies to disprove my hypothesis, not prove it. My strong personal practice has affected my life, but just because it affects one person, doesn’t mean it affects everybody.”
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A Big Hole on Benefit Street One of the city’s most popular culinary landmarks abruptly lost its lease right before Christmas. Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches was forced to vacate its longtime home on Benefit Street after serving nearby neighbors and businesses, not to mention generations of Brown and RISD students, for almost 40 years. We’re happy to report that the restaurant, known for its fresh ingredients and unusual sandwich combinations, many named for local celebrities or favored customers, has already found another East Side landing spot at 401 South Main Street. Owner Julio Fonseca (who also owns Café Zog on Wickenden Street) had thought he had renegotiated a new lease with the owner of the old location, the controversial developer Walter Bronhard. Not so, as it turned out, and with only a few weeks’ notice, this time it was Julio and his sandwiches who were ordered to go. We’re especially excited that a sandwich named after our sister publication, the “Providence Monthly,” will be making the move as well. While we will miss the old location, we know that their new neighbors on South Main Street will benefit from this very special and funky part of old Providence, as will loyal longtime customers who will undoubtedly track them down. We wish them well on their move.
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For the past several years, the five city councilors who voted the wrong way when Luis Aponte became head of the city council found themselves outside looking in when it came to wielding power in City Hall. Calling themselves the Siberian Caucus, two of the five, Sam Zurier and Seth Yurdin, represent us here on the East Side. A defection in allegiances, however, has resulted in another of the five, David Salvatore, being elected as the new head of the council. Salvatore replaced Sabina Matos, who was made interim head when Aponte was indicted for campaign fund mismanagement and forced out last May. But rather than celebrate the change of leadership, Councilman Zurier
prefers to focus on what he feels is a unique opportunity for our city. “This is not an us versus them decision,” he says. “Last time we voted, we elected two individuals as our heads, both of whom ended up with indictments for their misdeeds. This time I feel there is desire for all of the wards to work together to solve the serious problems that continue to face our city.” Here’s hoping he’s right.
Look Up in the Sky, It’s… Thayer Street? After being vacant for more than four years, the old Store 24 building on Thayer Street is about to be reborn. Demolition has begun shortly on the existing structure, which will then be replaced by a much larger, four-story, mixed-use building. Food and beverage is planned for the ground level. More significantly, though, plans call for the relocation of Brown’s entrepreneurial division to the top three floors. As for the appearance of the new building, principal architect Eric Zuena and project manager Julie Jancewitz Bartlett of ZDS Architects promise that it will add some glitter to the street with large glass windows as one of its primary design features. The long-term plans call for the creation of other mixed-use commercial businesses with an eye toward increasing the everyday activity on the street. The usage shift started with 257 Thayer, a five-story student apartment building. To the best of our knowledge, no motorcycles are planned.
The Internationalization of Our Palates The culinary scene on the East Side has taken on a new flavor with the newly opened Heng Thai & Rotisserie (Thai), WOW BBQ (Chinese BBQ), and Chong Qing House (Szechuan), all of which are now in the Thayer Street area, plus Uyghur cuisine on Wickenden at Jahunger. Until now, serious foodies in pursuit of authentic Asian cuisine had to drive all the way to Boston, but now it’s available right here on the East Side. Passport-free global gastronomy has arrived.
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
Community Neighborhood News
Neighborhood News is a space that East Side Monthly makes available to community organizations free of charge. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of this publication.
Summit Neighborhood Association On December 3, the Summit neighborhood lost a dear friend in Kerry Kohring. Kerry was a thoughtful, wise, and cheerful man we’re thankful to have had the opportunity to know. He was quietly, yet unshakably reliable; he helped carry our organization. He cared for us. He was a humble leader, manager, doer, worker, and friend. Our corner of Providence has so much to show for his efforts. If only there were more like him in our world, we’d all be better for it. Caroling for a Cause A big thank you to all who joined us to brighten the season at our annual Caroling for a Cause event on December 17, and to all who donated. Proceeds and food contributions were donated to the St. Raymond’s Church food pantry. Kerry Kohring was always the champion of this event, and we’ll carry it on each year in his honor. Snow Brigade Our volunteer snow shovelers are in full swing, helping neighbors who are disabled or elderly, and financially unable to afford to pay for snow removal to keep their paths and driveways clear and safe. For more information, email SNASnow@gmail.com. Residents Invited to 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. 489-7078, SNA.Providence.RI.us, SNAProv@gmail.com –Ethan Gyles
College Hill Neighborhood Association The CHNA Annual Holiday Party was festive and fun with great singing, bottomless wine,
Fox Point Neighborhood Association supports efforts to bury the power lines spanning the Seekonk River
and delicious food! After enjoying dinner provided by Kabob and Curry, UMelt, Andreas, B Good and Durk’s Bar.B.Q, and then dessert courtesy of Insomnia Cookies, we were regaled by outstanding caroling sung by local a capella group the Quahog Quire, followed by a presentation about the history and future of Prospect Park. Many thanks to all our neighbors who attended (and donated!), everyone who helped make the party a success, and Preserve RI for donating the amazing Lippitt House location done up in all its holiday glory. Please donate to support CHNA to help us achieve our goals of enhancing and preserving the historic and vibrant College Hill neighborhood. This past year we had significant impacts on local efforts regarding: a proposed suboxone doctor’s office at 150 Lloyd, keeping closing time on Thayer Street limited to 2am, raising over $70,000 for improvements at Prospect Park, solar options for historic neighborhoods, reviewing plans for construction at 249 Thayer Street (Store 24), inappropriate adult entertainment in a C-2 zone, and protecting historic homes from demolition. CHNA welcomes all residents of College Hill to join our efforts to protect the neighborhood. For more information about joining and supporting CHNA and meeting your neighbors, contact: College Hill Neighborhood Association, PO Box 2442, Providence,
RI 02906. 633-5230, CHNAProvidence.org, CHNA@CHNAProvidence.org. –Josh Eisen
Fox Point Neighborhood Association Time to Bury the Lines? Since 2002, the neighborhood group Friends of India Point Park (FIPP) has worked tirelessly with the city, the state, and National Grid to negotiate and fund an effort to eliminate the large, looming power line structures that cross the I-195 bridge, dissect India Point Park, and span the Seekonk River toward the Tockwotton home in East Providence. The Fox Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) has supported this effort, agreeing with FIPP’s stance that the towers, which have become structurally unsound and currently need replacement, not only spoil the beauty of the waterfront, but erode its overall appeal to tourists and investors. According to a recent FIPP petition, it’s time to bury the lines. “With most of the funds raised,” it states, “this project has been delayed far too long.” This past December, the FPNA Board voted to join 17 other neighborhood, local, and environmental organizations to support FIPP’s upcoming appeal to the RI Supreme Court, which, along with a second appeal from the City of Providence, calls into question an October 2017 decision by the RI Energy Facility Siting Board to rebuild the lines above
East Side Monthly • February 2018 23
Community Neighborhood News
Rochambeau Library at the Vincent Brown Recreation Center
ground. FPNA hopes that the appeal process will push the Siting Board to reexamine all available options for this critical gathering spot and gateway to our city – including the rare opportunity to bury the lines. Interested in Supporting Your Neighborhood? The FPNA is looking for interested neighbors to participate in FPNA Board activities. Would you like to learn about current neighborhood issues and events? Do you have web skills, organizational know-how, and/or an idea for solving a particular problem? Please contact us, or simply come to one of our board meetings! With a relatively low contribution of time and energy, you’ll get the chance to meet neighbors, offer your skills, and improve the quirky and cool neighborhood of Fox Point. Events this Month Board Meeting, Monday, February 12 at 7pm. Please join us at our monthly FPNA Board Meeting in the Community Room of the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, 455 Wickenden Street. The public is welcome. Meet Up With Us! Please join us for drinks and casual conversation at the next FPNA Meet-Up. Check our FPNA News e-newsletter for timing, usually the third Tuesday evening of the month at
24
East Side Monthly • February 2018
7pm at The Point Tavern. All are welcome. The Fox Point Neighborhood Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Fox Point and protecting its historic integrity and resources. The FPNA speaks out on neighborhood issues and builds community through local events. Our monthly board meetings are open to the public. Please join us! Fox Point Neighborhood Association, PO Box 2315, Providence, RI 02906, FPNA.net, FoxPointNeighborhood@ gmail.com –Amy Mendillo
Mount Hope Neighborhood Association The programs of the EDCA (Empowerment Dialogues for Community Action) hosted at the Mount Hope Neighborhood Association (MHNA) are built by collaborating with the assets of our community, its members, and community organizations. That work grows and grows capacity and connections. The concepts and establishment of more gardens in the community, such as the Sharing Garden, initially came for the EDCA’s Food Relief to Food Sovereignty Project. From that we formed the Mt. Hope Coalition to Increase Food Security, initially supported by the City of Providence Healthy Communities Office and then the American Planning Association (APA). The APA grant was part of a Centers for Disease Control initiative to
better integrate public health with planning. Our work, a community-based initiative and coalition, is now part of a case study done by the APA and can be found on the Plan4Health Mt. Hope Facebook page. We look forward to building it and working with other communities to be part of growing urban agriculture. Have kitchen scraps? You can compost at the Sharing Garden at Billy Taylor Park on Saturday’s 12-1pm! Please also look to the Facebook page for garden squad meetings. Planning for spring planting and other activities starts now. Our work to create a young gardeners’ leadership group has gotten underway and will take us from providing hands-on experience that we started in 2015 to creating a platform for young people to take the lead, learning about food systems and taking more control and ownership over their food. Also at MHNA, please be aware of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program that started on January 24. It offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. It is a walk-in service on Tuesdays 2:30–6pm, Wednesdays 1:30–8:30pm, and Fridays 11–3pm. Additionally, the WIC Program at MHNA provides nutrition counseling, referrals, breastfeeding support and food vouchers. It serves pregnant, post-partum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five. The WIC office hours: Tuesdays 11am–3pm, Thursdays 1–7pm, Fridays 11am–5pm, and Saturdays 9am–3pm. Call today for an appointment, 401-521-8830. MHNA is also currently looking for professional volunteers to assist with upcoming financial literacy workshops. If this is you or someone you know, you can email us at mhnainc@gmail.com. Lastly, the next EDCA meeting will be on the fourth Thursday of the month, February 22, at Mount Hope Neighborhood Association (MHNA), 199 Camp Street, at 6pm. There is also the Food Security Coalition, which is the same location and date at 5pm. You can also attend the MHNA board meetings, which
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Community Neighborhood News
are on the third Thursday of the month at 5pm. Next one is on February 21. Stay warm. Mount Hope Neighborhood Association, 199 Camp Street, Providence, RI 02906, 5218830, Facebook: Mount Hope Neighborhood Association, mhnainc@gmail.com. –Courtesy of the EDCA
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Trees, Trees, Trees Preparing to enter data from the latest street tree inventory into the computer, City Forester Doug Still says Providence has “a lot of active, engaged tree advocates.” Sixty volunteers – including two Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC) board members – and five part-time seasonal Parks Department staff completed the count for 2017. Still will compare the new tree count with the 2006 inventory to see how the urban forest has grown and how the species composition has changed. “Hopefully,” says the forester, “it’s more diverse and there’s been a net gain.” Like the street trees, those in the two Blackstone parks that the BPC helps manage suffered relatively light damage by winter moths and gypsy moths in 2017. (Rural trees did not fare as well.) The extended wet spring allowed fungi to thrive, including Entomophagia maimaiga, the one that attacks gypsy moths, and a drop in the gypsy moth population is predicted for 2018. BPC Boulevard Chair Colgate Searle works
closely with the city forester to care for the 1.6-mile-long Boulevard Park, and he has ideas for future protection of its trees. Building on the extensive pruning that was done with funds raised by the BPC a decade ago, Searle recommends starting another cycle of complete pruning five years from now. “Probably in oak trees now if you look up there’s one limb that’s dead,” says Searle, a busy landscape architect who also teaches at RISD. He adds, “It’s much more costly to do on an emergency basis.” To get ahead of the problem, he wants to start pruning the area that needs the most help and then prune a section each year over five years. He would like to see a regular annual pruning after that, when there will be less to do. Into the Woods in the Blackstone Park Conservation District In the Conservancy’s December nature program for young children, a light snowfall delighted eager six-to-nine-year-olds and one three-year-old with parents in tow. Education Committee volunteer Rotem Goldschmid led them into the woods above River Road to search for a hand-shaped sassafras leaf and a dead tree with a squirrel nest, among other treasures in the scavenger hunt. Please send your East Side Marketplace receipts to the address below. Blackstone Parks Conservancy, PO Box 603141, Providence, RI 02906. 270-3014, BlackstoneParksConservancy.org, JaneAnnPeterson@gmail.com -Jane Peterson
Explorers in Blackstone Park Nature Program
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East Side Monthly • February 2018 27
Caught On Camera
Is Providence Moving Toward a Surveilled Future?
28
East Side Monthly • February 2018
by Dan McGowan The truck of a man shot and killed by police on November 9, as shown in video released after the shooting
A
Photo Courtesy of Dan McGowan
s reporters gathered inside the Providence Public Safety Complex on the afternoon of Friday, November 10, there were still plenty of questions about why nine members of the Rhode Island State Police and Providence Police Department needed to fire more than 40 shots into a white pickup truck on the I-95 North on-ramp near the Providence Place mall a day earlier. What was known was that the man driving the truck had led police on a high-speed chase before he was shot and killed by police. His female passenger was also hit by at least one bullet. Both law enforcement officials and eyewitnesses had claimed that the shooting was justified because the driver was ramming other cars as he tried to flee, but it was not unreasonable to ask whether the officers had used excessive force. And then everything changed. During a press conference that was broadcast live across the three major local television stations and streamed on every Rhode Island news outlet’s website, Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare and Police Chief Col. Hugh Clements released a four-minuteand-34-second video that caught nearly all of the chase and, more importantly, the shooting that had followed. The video appeared to confirm that 32-year-old Joseph Santos had been using his truck as a weapon and seemed to justify the officers’ actions. In the days that followed, Pare and Clements were widely praised for their transparency. But the two leaders owe a lot of the credit to technology. If video of the entire incident hadn’t been captured by a quick-thinking state trooper who had used highway cameras installed by the R.I. Department of Transportation to follow the white truck, questions about whether the officers acted appropriately in shooting Santos might have lingered forever. But if the highway camera footage represented a best-case scenario when it comes to surveillance video, advocates say it’s important for city leaders to consider the potential consequences as they continue to discuss expanding the ways to monitor what’s happening in Providence.
East Side Monthly • February 2018 29
Photography by Tony Pacitti
City leaders defend red light cameras as deterrents to bad driving, while critics argue that they serve primarily as money-making devices
Cameras in Public Spaces In the last year alone, Providence police agreed to outfit hundreds of uniformed patrolmen with body cameras, the Elorza administration announced plans to expand the city’s red light camera program and add 15 new speed detection cameras in school zones, and City Councilman John Igliozzi announced that he wanted to place cameras in every classroom in the city. On their face, each proposal appears to have merits when it comes to public safety. But State Rep. Edith Ajello, a Democrat who has represented part of the East Side since 1993, said she is still hesitant to endorse the expanded use of surveillance video in public spaces. “I think we as a society are going to need to constantly be monitoring as technology
30
East Side Monthly • February 2018
evolves,” Ajello, one of the General Assembly’s leading advocates for personal privacy rights, says. “It’s beyond most of our wildest dreams what can be done and we need to monitor it.” Ajello says she understands that public cameras can be beneficial in emergency situations like the police-involved highway shooting, but she argues that police should be required to secure a warrant ahead of time in most cases. That way, she says, a judge is offering a second layer of accountability. When Chief Clements looks at the increased use of cameras, on the other hand, he sees the potential to solve more crimes. Clements, who joined the police force in the 1980s, says he can remember a time when there was very little surveillance video for officers to use in Providence. And while he’s
sympathetic to concerns about invading a person’s private life, he suggests that the good outweighs the bad. “It’s like the NFL,” Clements says. “The more angles, the more accurate video depiction you get, really lays out a fact pattern to the viewer.” Clements is especially bullish on the use of police body cameras, which were largely funded by a federal grant created under the Obama administration following the police shooting of the unarmed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. He says he’s confident that the cameras are going to improve relationships between police officers and the communities they serve. “From a law enforcement standpoint, the more cameras we have, the better it is for everyone,” he says.
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Red Light Cameras Then there are revenue-generating city cameras, which include the ones installed near 35 high-traffic areas. These cameras that take pictures of cars as they run red lights while another batch tracks how fast cars are driving through school zones. Violations come with hefty fines. Ever since red light cameras were approved under the tenure of Mayor David Cicilline, city leaders have defended them as a deterrent to driving erratically. But critics have long maintained that the cameras are simply designed to boost the city’s bottom line. “We’re having our privacy invaded solely for raising revenue,” Steve Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties
East Side Monthly • February 2018 31
State Rep. Edith Ajello
Union, says. Traffic cameras, he says, are “useless as a safety tool.” A report released by the city’s internal auditor in November showed that Providence collected $2.73 million in revenue from 25 red light cameras between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017, while paying out about $1.15 million to Xerox State and Local Solutions, Inc., the company that oversees the program for the city. The speed camera program, which is being implemented three years after a teacher died after she was hit by a car outside of Mount Pleasant High School, is also likely to result in a spike in revenue. The 15 cameras will only be located near schools. Like his predecessors, Mayor Elorza maintains that he is solely focused on safety. Victor Morente, the mayor’s spokesperson, says that traffic cameras are “instrumental in ensuring that drivers comply with traffic laws and therefore decrease the likelihood of incidents that may result in injuries and even casualties.” “The goal is to educate motorists and
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
Police Chief Colonel Hugh Clements
change their behavior so that they are compliant,” Morente says. “Regardless of revenue, the cameras are effective if they can help save lives and create safer conditions for pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists.”
Cameras in Schools If police officers are going to wear cameras at all times and highways and intersections can be equipped for surveillance, maybe students and teachers should be able to be monitored on video as well, according to Igliozzi, a Silver Lake Democrat. Igliozzi introduced a resolution late last year calling for cameras to be installed in every classroom and public space in every school in Providence. He pointed to an incident at Central High School where an assistant principal was forced to resign after a student’s cell phone video appeared to show him pinning another student to the ground during an altercation. The assistant principal was cleared of any wrongdoing by police, but still lost his job. During the first four months of the school year, 72 school employees were placed on
City Councilman John Igliozzi
administrative leave for various student abuse allegations, according to the school district. At least two students at different schools later recanted their stories, but the school department is still required to report incidents to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families. The abuse claims stay on file for three years, even if they’re proven false. Igliozzi says that his proposal would be beneficial to both students and faculty. He says that most schools already have camera systems set up in central areas, but that adding them to classrooms would offer more protections for everyone. “When you enter a school building, we should be creating an expectation of safety,” Igliozzi says. “There should never be any time that a child or school personnel feel that they could be put in a compromised situation.” Brown, from the ACLU, says that city leaders should be careful about “knee-jerk reactions” to specific cases. He says that officials should question why they need to monitor everything a student or teacher is
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doing in a classroom. “That’s a prison, not an educational institution,” Brown says. But Igliozzi says that his proposal would only serve to counteract the cell phone cameras that many students have in their pockets at all times. He says that surveillance footage would give officials a more accurate portrayal of how an incident occurred rather than relying on clips from students. Although he doesn’t know how much it would cost to install cameras throughout every city school, Igliozzi thinks they’ll eventually be second nature to everyone. He notes that police body cameras were also once considered a nonstarter by many city leaders. “If technology provides the tools to create a safer environment for the students and personnel, the question is do you do everything you can to utilize those tools?” he asks. “Or do you sit by and not utilize those tools knowing that some issues could have been prevented?”
East Side Monthly • February 2018 33
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
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ou’ve probably already heard about the fight between Brown and the East Side’s preservation-minded denizens. The university is looking to erect a performing arts center; Providence Preservation Society, College Hill Neighborhood Association, and others don’t want buildings to be razed to make room for it. Brown’s center would be designed by the New York firm REX, led by the celebrated modernist Joshua Prince-Ramus. The facility would sit west of the Walk, between Angell and Waterman streets on College Hill, just north of the College Green. To make way for the huge structure, Brown says it must move or raze five historic buildings. The school needs a concert hall of sufficient size and acoustical quality to serve its students. Few dispute this, but many worry that the plan’s lack of parking would prove a hardship for the community, that demolition would further undermine the neighborhood’s character, and that other sites have not been fully considered. Preservation advocates hope that Brown will choose to build on the site of its School of Professional Studies
instead, or elsewhere along the downtown waterfront. Brown’s university architect, Collette Creppelle, described the proposal before a December 19 public hearing of the City Plan Commission, which must approve changes to Brown’s institutional plan before the project can advance. Every one of the score of speakers voiced opposition to the changes, which included a student wellness center on a temporary parking lot created by tearing down seven old buildings on Brook and Cushing streets. Brown’s institutional zone exempts it from regular zoning. City officials normally approve changes that Brown submits to its institutional plan. Brown razed four historic buildings to make way for its new engineering facility on Brook. B.J. Dupre, of the Armory Revival Company, told the hearing that the five houses newly at risk are even more vital to preserve because so many thousands of Rhode Islanders drive by them daily. The five include the beloved Urban Environmental Lab, at 135 Angell. Whether by demolition or relocation,
Photography by Savannah Barkley for East Side Monthly
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1 Richmond Square, Suite 129C, Providence To build a new performing arts center, Brown says it would need to raze five historic buildings on College Hill
according to former state preservation officer Ted Sanderson, their loss would place the few surviving old structures at greater risk from future Brown expansion. Zoning in Providence protects neighborhood historic character because city leaders recognize its importance to the city’s economy and quality of life. Brown’s latest proposal raises concern among some in the community that the school’s institutional zone no longer promotes the purpose, forged in delicate compromise, for which it was enacted decades ago. At the time of press, a date had not yet been made for Brown to introduce modifications to its plan. Preservation advocates hope that when the time comes, Brown will find an alternative that can fulfill its needs without further alienating the community. David Brussat wrote about architecture at the Providence Journal, edits the blog Architecture Here and There, and is the author of Lost Providence, published last year.
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call or visit online for tickets, concert details and directions
401.751.5700 • ProvidenceSingers.org East Side Monthly • February 2018 37
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
The Historic Homes in Question 1: 82 Waterman (Norwood/Benjamin Stevens House) History of building: Used for domestic purposes Gross square footage: 6,079 Year built: 1862 Value: $1,090,200 Style: Second Empire/Late Victorian Per the Providence Preservation Society, this building could be relocated to 20 Olive Street, currently a parking lot owned by Brown.
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2: 86 Waterman History of building: Multiple-unit dwelling Gross square footage: 7,150 Year built: 1880 Value: $1,534,900
3: 127 Angell (Leonard M. Blodgett House) History of building: Mixed; currently three-family residential Gross square footage: 5,249 Year built: 1850 Value: $491,100 Style: Italianate/mid-19th century
3: 129 Angell (Edward J. Cushing House) History of building: Mixed, mostly residential. Built by John B. Earle Gross square footage: 4,344 Year built: 1860 Value: $550,400 Style: Greek Revival/mid-19th-century colonial
4: 135 Angell (Lucien Sharp Carriage House) History of building: Home to Brown’s Urban Environmental Lab for nearly 40 years Gross square footage: 7,476 Year built: 1884 Value: $787,300 Style: Modern Gothic, looks like a Swiss chalet This data was collected by Emily Buonaiuto and based on 2016 assessments of the properties.
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CLOSE TO HOME Home and Family | Education
At Home on the East Side •
By Julie Tremaine
Toting Worldly Style
Designer Dora Izquierdo creates globally minded handbags in Fox Point From her small studio in Fox Point, Dora Izquierdo is creating handbags that are making a big impact. A native of Mexico City, Izquierdo had a long road to the East Side. The creative mind behind Doizpe Handbags (Doizpe.com) studied in Australia, New York, and Italy before coming to Providence – but her bags still have a global impact. “I believe a designer who constantly is thinking about creating new objects
needs to be conscious about our world situation and environment,” Izquierdo says. Her vegan handbags are made by Mexican women, and some of them incorporate palm leaf weavings made by Mayan artisans. “Supporting women in Mexico is so important to me,” Izquierdo says, because she’s “contributing to the life of artisan women, helping them to evolve in a personal way and as a community.”
Her colorful and fun bags have been recognized in InStyle, Vogue Mexico, Glamour Mexico, and The Handbag Designer Awards. “My story as a designer started when I was 11 years old, watching John Galliano’s fashion show,” Izquierdo says. “At that time I didn’t know exactly what a designer was, but it sounded like fun for me, thinking that I could be able to keep playing with my imagination.”
Photography by Michael Cevoli East Side Monthly • February 2018 41
Close to Home Education
• By Jim Pierce
Repairing and Revamping Public Schools Citywide The City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island commit to building 21st-century learning communities
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
Governor Raimondo signs the executive order creating the Rhode Island Building Task Force
general treasurer Seth Magaziner announced the development of an additional ten-year plan, this one from the Rhode Island Building Task Force to issue $500 million of state general obligation bonds for public school construction and repair. Rhode Island hasn’t issued bonds of this type for school repair in over two decades, and voters will still have to approve the first of the bonds through a 2018 referendum. Governor Gina Raimondo convened the Task Force after the results of an independent study showed $2.2 billion of deficiencies in RI schools. Ken Wagner, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, co-chairs the Task Force with Magaziner. “This isn’t just about making bold investments,” he says.
“It’s about making smart investments, and this report is an important step forward in a long-term process that will help our students succeed… The report is reflective of the collective vision we share in which all students have access to 21st-century learning environments.” It’s tempting to read “21st-century learning environments” as buildings outfitted with the latest computers and expansive networks than can keep up with developing technology. But while both the state and local plans certainly address the need for technology-rich settings, their priority definitively comes down to three key words in the Task Force’s number-one goal: “Safe, warm, and dry.”
Photo courtesy Office of R.I. Treasurer Seth Magaziner
There are many reasons to love Providence. It would be naïve, however, to think that it couldn’t use a lot of work. Planning for the future often comes with a price tag, but when it concerns the daily safety and education of our children, the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island believe that it’s about time to make that investment. Late last April, Mayor Jorge Elorza pledged that Providence would commit $400 million over a ten-year period to not only repair but also modernize the city’s public school buildings, in ways suitable to 21st-century learning communities. To clarify the ambition of this project, that’s 23 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 11 high schools, and 2 charter schools slated to be modernized. While some of these schools share the same campus, each building has its own culture and specific physical needs that run the gamut from safety and basic necessities to beautification. In conjunction with the Providence Public School District, the City of Providence accepted a bid from Delaware design and engineering firm Studio JAED to undertake the project. Studio JAED has done work in Providence before, including, most recognizably, transforming the Hanley Vocational School into the Providence Career and Technical Academy. Together, they developed All In, a series of vison/planning sessions that engaged community members, including student groups ARISE RI, Youth in Action, and the Providence Student Union, to determine the overarching facility concerns that are most important to stakeholders. This was followed in January and early February by community feedback surveys of the students and adults who utilize individual buildings, as well as grade-level forums targeting specific age groups and their families. Once that information is compiled, school-specific master planning sessions will begin in March. The state is also beginning to prioritize improving the condition of school buildings. In a December 14 press release, Rhode Island’s
A cancelled meeting in early December between the City Council Finance Committee and Providence Public Schools has delayed the use of $3.98 million in state aid for Providence schools. One major point of contention seems to be a disparity in pay between city employees and school department employees with the same job title. The funds are also being considered for the purchase of classroom cameras throughout Providence schools, updated security equipment, student transportation, and retiree benefits.
Brown University to Eliminate Student Loans in Favor of Scholarships Beginning in 2018 After aggressive fundraising that began in September, Brown University has finally announced the Brown Promise initiative. All undergraduate students, new and returning, will have their student loans replaced with scholarships in financial aid packages beginning in the 2018–19 school year. By replacing traditional student loans with grant funds that do not have to be repaid, Brown is committing to making an Ivy League education more attainable for moderate to lower-income students with academic promise.
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East Side Monthly • February 2018 43
Close to Home East of Elmgrove Leaders in Eye Care since 1927
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
As I write, the forecast for tomorrow calls for our first snow of the season. A walloping three inches. This time last year, and probably the year before, we were knee-deep in snow, and I was turning up the thermostat in our house every two seconds. It was colder than it is now, but, still, any chill offends. My BFF is the sweltering summer of the American South. Yet here I reside, family to nurture, hearth to protect. I break out my winter survival guide and go forth. First priority is a decent puffer coat. Wool doesn’t cut it. Apologies to animal lovers, but I need feathers from ducks or geese to stay warm. If a chemist wants to come up with an alternative to down that works, I’ll consider it. But the synthetic fabric on the market today is mediocre; it flattens out much too soon. It’s hard to find a decent puffer coat, what with all
the knockoffs out there. My coat has to be snug, but loose enough so I can sit comfortably in my dining room – the coldest room in our drafty house. My first stop was the Internet. Big mistake. Puffers selling for up to $2,500 from high-end department stores popped up on my screen, and those were the cheap ones. I found others that weren’t as expensive, but decided that, in the end, one needs to try on a puffer to find out if it satisfies. I had a stiff drink and went to the Providence Place Mall. Down coats galore, even the showy red Canada Goose jackets, which I scratched off my list because their fur, I’m told by my son, is from coyotes. I found a reason to dislike every puffer I saw: too tight, too big, too shiny, too long. I gave up. Back home, I discussed my dilemma, and my son suggested I try his old black puffer, which is covered with
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MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR BODY. patches to contain wayward feathers. It fit perfectly. Sold. My other top priority for the winter is a good hat. This is a problem. For years, I wore an orange hat with flowers embroidered on its rim, but I put it in the wash, where it shrunk to an unacceptable size and left the flowers frayed and wilting. Finding a new hat is difficult. I can’t bear the feel of scratchy wool against my scalp or the look of something pointy, with an elfish ball on top. I need a pillbox style, with a soft interior. I searched but came up with nothing. Hats are mostly oversized and floppy today. My son intervened again, offering his burgundy skullcap with a fleece lining. Not especially stylish, but it will do. Gloves are also a necessity for the winter months. It’s hard, if not impossible, to keep track of a pair of gloves. One loses its way on a frosty sidewalk; the other languishes alone on a cafe tabletop. They will never couple again. I once owned nice gloves. My sister sent me two pairs of soft leather gloves in black and brown for Christmas one year, and I bought a pair of hardy rag wool gloves last winter. All were lost. I searched through our glove basket not long ago, and found nothing but onesies. One glove too many, and they were all lefties. Knowing that I would probably repeat my carelessness, I decided to buy inexpensive gloves that I wouldn’t miss should they disappear. I thought of the gloves at CVS on Angell. They hang on a pole, specimens of practicality and simplicity – forest green with a ribbed cuff, a half-fingered Fagin, light pink with tiny rubber daisies on the palm to double as driving gloves. They were all charming and cheap: $3.99 a pair. I bought two. Fear did not rise up and seize me this season. I didn’t have to go far to winterize. What I needed was right in front of me – homespun or at the corner drugstore.
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WILD WORLD by Peter S. Rush
A Brown grad becomes a police officer in Providence to change the system, but his decision holds unexpected consequences for his own life. “A vivid portrait of a divisive era... Rush’s agile writing is impressive.” Foreword Reviews “A crime novel, love story and mystery all rolled into one.” Peace Corps Worldwide Available for purchase at bookstores everywhere and online. PeterSRush.com Facebook.com/PeterSRushNY MEET THE AUTHOR Brown Bookstore - February 1, 2018 from 6-8 pm Books on the Square - February 3, 2018 from 4-6 pm
East Side Monthly • February 2018 45
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
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oused in a historic 1871 gatehouse on the Seekonk River, Waterman Grille is like no other restaurant in Providence. The city’s only waterfront eatery on the East Side, Waterman Grille is both an upscale dining experience and a comfortable neighborhood favorite. In the summer, the waterfront patio is the place to be, but in the winter, the restaurant stays cozy with its open kitchen and roaring fireplaces. Chef Noah Metnick serves up a seasonally-changing menu from their wood-fired grill, and sources his food with a local, sustainable philosophy. He’ll be offering a special Valentine’s Day menu in one of the city’s most romantic dining spots. The restaurant believes every day is one worth celebrating, though. Every Sunday-Wednesday, Waterman Grille offers a Chef’s 3-Course Seasonal Offering, with an appetizer, entree and dessert for $29 per person, and an optional bottle of wine for $15. They also serve award-winning brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Waterman Grille can host events of up to 125 people in their private function rooms. The downstairs River View Room, with its floor to ceiling windows overlooking the water, is a coveted spot for weddings and other parties, and their in-house special events team is ready to help you plan your next celebration.
4 Richmond Square 521-9229 WatermanGrille.com
ON THE TOWN Restaurant and Food | Restaurant Guide | Calendar of Events
Flavor of the Month
The Belgian Waffle Invasion
The Burgundian is bringing waffles to new levels of delicious By Julie Tremaine
“When I first tried a
Liege waffle,” Shane Matlock says, “it left me wondering why we in the US had never had this deliciousness.” Fast forward some years, and his business, The Burgundian Coffee and Waffles (Facebook: The Burgundian Coffee and Waffles) is bringing a new kind of European delicacy to Providence. While he was in the military, Matlock and his wife were stationed near the France–Belgium border, where he tried Liege waffles for the first time. “Every Sunday there was a fantastic French market, a scene almost out of a movie,” he says. “Stall after stall of vendors selling fresh bread, olives, spices, flowers, well-dressed French families strolling about, accordion mu-
sic playing… and tucked away inside the market was a jolly old Frenchman named Bernard, selling Gaufres de Liege, or Liege waffles.” Unlike the batter-based Belgian waffles prevalent here, which are called “Brussels waffles” in Europe, Matlock’s brioche-based Liege waffles are day-to-night street food, better suited to creative toppings both sweet and savory. In addition to fruit and Nutella options, Matlock is serving waffles like The Sweet Rhody, topped with Dave’s Coffee Milk mascarpone whipped cream, and the Borealis Coffee espresso fudge drizzle. Hardiest of all: Bellicchi’s Best cocoa nib biscotti and the Hash-Tag waffle, a chorizo bacon plantain
hash with queso fresco and a crema drizzle. “They’re often eaten with beer, or after a heavy dose of Belgian beer, which is why part of my business plan has been focused on popping up at breweries,” Matlock says. “Sort of a ‘do as the Belgians do.’” He’ll be at The Guild Tap Room (TheGuildRI. com) in Pawtucket on February 22, as well as the February 10 and 24 Wintertime Farmers Markets (FarmFresh.org) at Hope Artiste Village. “Being a Burgundian is about enjoying great food and drink, lots of it, with great people, sitting, laughing and discussing,” he explains. “It’s a very festive, social way to interact with your food and drink.”
Photography by Stacey Doyle East Side Monthly • February 2018 47
On the Town On the Menu
A Taste of Bangkok on College Hill Heng brings authentic Thai street food to Angell Street By Erin Belknap
Same Milk, New Family at Munroe Dairy Since 1881, Munroe Dairy (CowTruck.com) has delivered farmfresh milk in glass bottles to front doorsteps across the region. After 137 years of service, Munroe still specializes in small-batch milk and reusable vessels. After generations of ownership by the Armstrong family (who purchased the dairy from the Munroes in 1936), an alliance of local families has jointly purchased the company. The dairy will move forward with Tracy and Bill Daugherty of Barrington as the new managing partners. Much of the company’s traditional operations will remain intact. Customers can still expect to see the charming cow-spotted delivery trucks traveling about town, and the dairy will retain all of its 72 employees. The Daughertys will continue to grow the business and invest in new products, services, and equipment, including a mobile app and a commercial kitchen, which is tentatively slated to open this spring. The dairy will also explore new partnerships with local food and beverage outfits and expand Sacred Cow, its line of baked goods.
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
Photography by (top) Savannah Barkley for East Side Monthly
From the owners of Tong-D, Heng (HengPVD.com) celebrates Thai street food in its most authentic form. “We want to offer Thai food as you experience when you travel to Thailand,” says owner Angie Lim, who was born and raised in Thailand. “We want to bring back the experience of all of the food vendors often found [on the streets of] Bangkok, which is well known for its street food.” Lim says they hope to cater to the local Thai community as well as the diverse student population of College Hill, some of whom have travelled to Thailand and come back raving about the open-air eateries. While their Tong-D locations trend toward upscale dining and broader Asian influences, Heng offers a casual environment with a full bar including unique signature cocktails like the Tom Yum martini. Lim especially recommends trying their Chicken Rotisserie, Tom Yum Noodle Soup, and homemade Thai iced tea.
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The #NitroCartel has spoken. In mid-January, The Nitro Cart (TheNitroCart.com) will open their first permanent physical location on the West Side of Providence – The Nitro Bar. The new space will be located inside of Dash Bicycle on Broadway. The Nitro Bar promises the hip ambience of Brooklyn, where the owners have roots. For months, the mobile coffee dispensary traveled to various locations across the state, winning over fans with their creamy cold brew coffee. Though the carts are small, they’re well equipped: locally sourced beans are brewed cold before being poured over a patent-pending nitro system. Currently, the company operates a fleet of 30 carts, and over two dozen local businesses and restaurants offer Nitro brew on tap, including Brown University’s campus and Teas and Javas on Angell Street. Now that they have a permanent home of their own, they’ll expand their menu with more Nitro offerings and espresso drinks. The owners, Audrey Finocchiaro and Sam Lancaster, hope the Nitro Bar becomes a space where people come to hang out and relax while enjoying a nice cold brew.
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1195 North Main Street, Providence • 340-1000 East Side Monthly • February 2018 49
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Burgers and a bar – what more could we ask for? Harry’s is a great spot to grab lunch with a co-worker or spend your night out eating and enjoying their huge selection of craft beers. The mini burgers are
built with the freshest local ingredients and 100% pure Hereford beef. Next time you’re downtown or on Federal Hill, stop in for a bite and a beer – because, like they say, “Life’s too short to eat lousy burgers.”
121 N Main Street, Providence, 228-7437 301 Atwells Avenue, Providence, 228-333 HarrysBarBurger.com
PROVIDENCE AREA 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Fashionable prime steakhouse with award-winning sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$
CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Pl, Providence, 7519164. BrLD $$-$$$
Blake’s Tavern Premier Irish pub with two event rooms in the heart of downtown Providence. 122 Washington St, Providence. 274-1230. LD $$
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Cafe di Panni Italian American dining with an available banquet facility. 187 Pocasset
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
Ave, Providence, 944-0840. LD $-$$
Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$
Eat Hut for Lunch? Eat Hut for Dinner! Character’s Cafe & Theatre 82 Hybrid art space with all-day breakfast, coffee and theatre-inspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 490-9475. BL $ Harry’s Bar & Burger Called the “Best Burger in America” by CNN. Over 50 craft beers. 121 N Main St, Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336. LD $-$$ Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambience. Locations in Cranston and Providence, HarukiSushi.com. LD $-$$
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Iron Works Tavern A wide variety of signature American dishes in the historic Thomas Jefferson Hill Mill. 697 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, 739-5111. LD $-$$$
1253 North Main Street, Providence RI • 401-272-2590 • TheSandwichHut.com Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating more than 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ LaMei Hot Pot Authentic Chinese cuisine in a unique, casual setting. 256 Broadway, Providence, 831-7555. LD $$ Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express Handmade Italian classics and prepared foods to go. 1457 Hartford Ave, Johnston. 455-0045, LuigisGourmet.com. LD $$ Luxe Burger Bar Build Your Own Burger: You dream it, we build it! 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub fare in Wayland Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000. LD $$ McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steak Mixed grill selections and signature fish dishes sourced locally and seasonally. 11 Dorrance St, Providence, 351-4500. BLD $$-$$$
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10 Steps to a Successful Remodel Saturday, February 10th, 9:30-11am Kevin O'Connor from This Old House Saturday, March 3rd, 10:30-12:30pm Pre-register at RIKB.com/events
Meeting Street Cafe BYOB eatery with
401-463-1550 • 139 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02888 East Side Monthly • February 2018 51
The Place For Sushi
RESTAURANT GUIDE For full restaurant profiles, go to ProvidenceOnline.com
large menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner served all day. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-1066. BLD $-$$ Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$ Ocean State Sandwich Company Craft sandwiches and hearty sides. 155 Westminster St, Providence, 282-6772. BL $-$$
HARUKI EAST
Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro
specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$ Pat’s Italian Fine Italian favorites, natural steaks and handcrafted cocktails. 1200 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 273-1444. LD $-$$$ Pizza J A fun, upbeat atmosphere with thin-crust pizza, pub fare and gluten-free options. 967 Westminster St, Providence, 632-0555. LD $-$$ Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing daily specials. 120 Francis St,
172 Wayland Avenue, Providence / 223-0332
HARUKI CRANSTON
WO RT H T H E D R I V E
1210 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston / 463-8338
HARUKI EXPRESS 112 Waterman Street, Providence / 421-0754
Dante’s Kitchen
You won’t find another restaurant like Dante’s Kitchen in Rhode Island. The breakfast and lunch hotspot in East Greenwich serves up delicious and authentic Southern comfort food. “In my previous career I had an amazing
opportunity to travel and experience the Southern culture,” owner Lisa Altieri says. “It was this niche that I wanted to fill here in the Ocean State. I felt like Main Street was the perfect place to blend those flavors.”
315 Main Street, East Greenwich 398-7798, DantesKitchenRI.com
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East Side Monthly • February 2018
Photo by Hillary Block
WWW.HARUKISUSHI.COM
Providence, 919-5050. BrLD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 3982900. BrLD $$ Rick’s Roadhouse Honest, authentic BBQ with a large selection of whiskey. 370 Richmond St, Providence, 272-7675. LD $-$$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$ 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 $-$$ The Grange Vegetarian restaurant serving seasonal dishes with a juice bar, vegan bakery and cocktail bar. 166 Broadway, Providence, 831-0600. BrLD $-$$
VISIT DAY – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2
8:30am-10am
The Grace School www.TheGraceSchool.org - #GraceTodayGreatTomorrow
1000 Eddy Street, Providence • 401-533-9100
Enjoy the Ultimate in Home Entertainment! Create an amazing media room with a Sony 4K projector…
The Salted Slate An agri-driven American restaurant with global influences. 186 Wayland Ave, Providence, 270-3737. BrLD $$-$$$ The Village Lively bar and grill with comfort fare, bar bites and beer. 373 Richmond St, Providence, 228-7222. BrLD $-$$ Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun and Southwestern fare, cocktails and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 7516777. LD $-$$ Trinity Brewhouse American pub fare and craft beer in a downtown setting, with lunch, dinner and late-night menus. 186 Fountain Street, Providence, 4532337. LD $-$$
…Call Jon Bell, a lifelong East Side resident with 30 years of experience, for a free in-home consultation. I will design a superb system with fantastic performance that looks great in your home and is totally easy to use.
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East Side Monthly • February 2018 53
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RESTAURANT GUIDE
Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra St, Cranston, 781-9693. LD $-$$$
inspired menus with a main restaurant and rooftop lounge. 1208 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 363-9820. BrLD $-$$$
Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$
Champlin’s Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 783-3152. LD $-$$
Frankie’s Italian Bistro Fine dining with imported wines from around the world. 1051 Ten Rod Rd, North Kingstown, 2952500. D $-$$$
XO Cafe Acclaimed farm-to-table cuisine with a fantastic Sunday #PajamaBrunch. 125 N Main St, Providence, 273-9090. BrD $$
Coast Guard House A new American menu with a seafood emphasis and extensive wine list, open seven days a week. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700. BrLD $$$
Fresco Italian American comfort food with international inspirations. 301 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-0027; 140 Comstock Pkwy, Cranston, 228-3901. D $-$$
SOUTHERN RI
Colvitto’s Pizza & Bakery Pizza Calzones and baked goods made fresh daily. 91 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-8086. BrLD $
George’s of Galilee Fresh caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306. LD $-$$
Dante’s Kitchen American food with Southern flair. 315 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-7798. BL $-$$
Jigger’s Diner Classic ‘50s diner serving breakfast all day. 145 Main St, East Greenwich, 884-6060. BL $-$$
The Vig Contemporary sports bar with craft tavern fare. 21 Atwells Ave, Providence, 709-0347. LD $-$$
Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$ Chair 5 Locally sourced and seasonally
54
East Side Monthly • February 2018
engagement rings & wedding bands jewelry & gifts • custom jewelry
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Plus Traditional AMERICAN BREAKFAST & LUNCH
GLUTEN-FREE & VEGAN OPTIONS
Valentines Day Reservations
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Welcome to Our Island american handcrafted 279 Water Street, Warren • 401.289.2150 musehandcrafted.com
Francesca s Restaurant 526 Pawtucket Avenue, Pawtucket • 724-9900 Open until 3pm daily • FrancescasOnPawtucket.com
288 Warren Avenue, East Providence 401-431-1322 • MadeiraRestaurant.com
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RESTAURANT GUIDE
Maharaja Indian Restaurant Indian cuisine and traditional curries in a warm setting. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 363-9988. LD $-$$ Mariner Grille Seafood, steaks and pasta in a fun setting, with live entertainment. 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 284-3282. LD $$ Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza with exclusive ingredients imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$
398-2900. BrLD $$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$ 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 $$
Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food with a great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield, 783-4073. BBrLD $
Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere. 865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 789-8153. LD $-$$
Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich,
Tong-D Fine Thai cuisine in a casual setting. 156 County Rd, Barrington, 289-2998; 50 South County Common Way, South
Kingstown, 783-4445. LD $-$$
EAST BAY / NEWPORT Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, 508-999-6975. LD $$ Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$ Ichigo Ichie Traditional Japanese cuisine, creative sushi and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East Providence, 435-5511. LD $-$$$ The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, 508-336-8460. LD $-$$$
East Side Monthly • February 2018 55
FOR SALE 73 SYCAMORE LANE, SAUNDERSTOWN
Beautiful, well maintained colonial with open kitchen/family room, 4 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 baths, elegant dining room, wood burning fireplace and large master suite. Hardwood floors throughout, classic custom built-ins and crown moldings. Property is set on a lovely 0.82 acre private lot in a family-friendly neighborhood. 3,091 sq. ft. Asking $549,900. w
w
Hardwoods throughout - except 3 bedrooms which have wall-to-wall carpeting. Partially finished basement with space for storage, a work shop, or additional living space. Never taken on water in the 14+ years since construction.
w
Backyard abuts 19 acres of unbuildable wetlands.
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Spacious 2 car garage.
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Custom garden shed.
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Cul-de-sac is private with no through traffic.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
WWW.73SYCAMORELN.COM CALL (401) 667-0535 or EMAIL tbhowell@cox.net
February music | performance | social happenings | galleries | sports
10 events you can’t miss this month February 16-25: Join the Providence Children’s Film Festival for shows and workshops
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6
2
7
3
8
4
9
Through February 4: Get On Your Feet! at PPAC (PPACRI.org) for the Gloria Estefan musical, which delves into the story of her early life in Cuba and her rise to superstardom. February 2–4: Channel summer vibes at the Providence Boat Show (ProvidenceBoatShow.com) at the RI Convention Center, with boating seminars from the Annapolis School of Seamanship.
February 7: Indie songster Jose Gonzalez of “Heartbeats” fame plays The Columbus Theatre (ColumbusTheatre.com) on Broadway with opener Bedouine. February 9–11: Appreciate the finer things at Festival Ballet’s Director’s Choice (FestivalBallet.com), a curated collection of dances, including world premieres, with live music.
5
February 15–March 18: See the tragedy of Desdemona and Othello at Trinity Rep (TrinityRep.com), Shakespeare’s sad and beautiful tale of jealousy, betrayal, ambition, and love gone wrong.
February 16–25: Treat your inner child – or your actual kids – to a movie at the Providence Children’s Film Festival (ProvidenceChildrensFilmFestival.org), with showings all over the city and the state, plus workshops and events.
February 20: Raise a pint with fellow book lovers at the Point Street Reading Series (ReadingWithRobin.com), when authors gather for readings and signings at Bayberry Beer Hall on the West Side. February 21–24: Join StyleWeek Northeast (StyleWeekNorthEast. com) for a turn at the RI Convention Center. It’s four days, sixteen runway shows and one very good reason to spruce up your wardrobe.
February 22: Hear American Rhapsody: The Gershwin Songbook, presented by FirstWorks (First-Works.org) at The Vets, performed by vocalist Michael Andrew and a 17-piece big band orchestra.
10
February 27-March 4: See the true story – and hear the unforgettable music – of legendary performer Carol King come to life at PPAC for Beautiful: The Carol King Musical.
East Side Monthly • February 2018 57
On the Town Calendar
MUSIC
arena & club | classical
(401) 406-0233
466 Wickenden Street Providence
Show your pet some love!
Give them a stress-free grooming experience.
JAN - FEB
ARENA & CLUB COLUMBUS THEATRE February 7: Jose Gonzalez, Bedouine. February 24: The Low Anthem. February 25: Xylouris White. 270 Broadway, Providence. 621-9660, ColumbusTheatre.com
FETE MUSIC HALL February 7: Scum with AMB and Lex the Hex Master. February 9: Juice with Joe Hurtler and the Rainbow Seekers, Suns of Sound, AlgoRhythm. February 12 and 26: Leland Baker Quartet. February 16: Formula 5 with Swimmer. February 17: Cris Jacobs. February 24: I Set My Friends on Fire with Kissing Candice, Awaken I Am, Fathom Farewell, Another One Down. Robinwood and Seismic Pulse. 103 Dike Street, Providence. 383-1112, FeteMusic.com
THE MET February 2–3: Max Creek. February 11: Take It to the Bridge. February 17: Playing Dead – Boston’s Grateful Dead Experience. February 22: Declan McKenna, Chappell Roan. February 23: Tigers Jaw, Yowler, Looming. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, TheMetRI.com THE STRAND February 2: Plan B. February 9: K. Michelle – The People I Used to Know Tour. February 10: Above & Beyond: Common Ground. February 18: PVRIS – North American Tour 2018. February 22: Portugal The Man, Twin Peaks. 79 Washington Street, Providence. TheStrandRI.com
PERFORMANCE
comedy | dance | theatre COMEDY COMEDY CONNECTION February 2–3: Francis Ellis. 39 Warren
Bumper to Bumper The Providence Rink’s new bumper cars are winter’s hottest attraction
UNCLE VANYA anton chekhov
TRANSLATED & DIRECTED BY
CURT COLUMBUS
58
East Side Monthly • February 2018
Daily: If you lack the grace for figure skating but have brute force to spare, we’d recommend trying the new bumper cars at the Providence Rink. The cars put a whole new spin on spending some time at the Alex and Ani City Center – literally, these things spin 360 degrees. (TheProvidenceRink.com)
Photography by Tony Pacitti
BY
Avenue, East Providence. RIComedyConnection.com
438-8383,
THE STRAND February 14: Aries Spears. 79 Washington Street, Providence. TheStrandRI.com THEATRE Trinity Rep January 25–February 25: Into the Breeches! February 15-March 18: Othello. 201 Washington Street, Providence. 351-4242, TrinityRep.com The Gamm Theatre January 18–February 18: Uncle Vanya. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 723-4266, GammTheatre.org Wilbury Theatre Group Through February 4: The Skin of Our Teeth. 40 Sonoma Court, Providence. 400-7100, TheWilburyGroup.org
LEARN
discussion | instruction | tour LADD OBSERVATORY Open to the public on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9pm, weather permitting. 210 Doyle Avenue. 863-2641, Brown.edu MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND PLANETARIUM Saturdays and Sundays: Public Planetarium Shows. Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 7859457, ProvidenceRI.gov/Museum PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY LIBRARY February 1: RI Coalition Against Gun Violence partner/member meeting. February 1, 8, 15, 22: Learn to Speak Spanish Intermediate. February 6, 13, 20, 27: Babybooks. February 7, 14, 21, 28: Learn to Speak Spanish Beginner. February 5, 12, 19, 26: Girls Who Code. February 17: Community Restorative Yoga. February 26: Going to Extremes – Adventures of a Travel Journalist. February 23: La Leche League of Providence. Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street,
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On the Town Calendar
Providence. 272-3780, ProvComLib.org
SOCIAL HAPPENINGS
expos | fundraisers | seasonal FOR FOODIES BOTTLES Thursdays 5–7pm: Spirit tasting. Fridays 4–7pm: Beer tasting. Saturdays 4–7pm: Wine tasting. 141 Pitman Street. 372-2030, BottlesFineWine. com FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND Saturdays 9am–1pm: Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market at Hope Artiste Village. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. FarmFreshRI.org
GALLERIES RISD MUSEUM Through February 25: Stranger than Paradise. Through February 25: Ariel Jackson: The Origin of the Blues. Opening February 23: From the
Loom of a Goddess: Reverberations of Guatemalan Maya Weaving. 20 North Main Street, Providence. 454-6530, RISDMuseum.org GALLERY Z Reception held every third Thursday of the month. Free and open to the public 5–9pm. 259 Atwells Avenue, Providence. 454-8844, GalleryZProv.com
SPORTS BROWN UNIVERSITY February 2: Women’s Tennis vs. Massachusetts; Women’s Water Polo vs. Cal Baptist; Women’s Basketball vs. Penn; Women’s Water Polo vs. McKendree. February 3: Women’s Water Polo vs. Iona; Women’s Squash vs. Cornell; Men’s Squash vs. Cornell; Women’s Hockey vs. St. Lawrence; Women’s Basketball vs. Princeton; Women’s Water Polo vs. Marist; Men’s Hockey vs. Connecticut. February 4: Women’s Water Polo vs.
5,000 Years of Dance Shen Yun returns to Providence Performing Arts Center
February 10–11: Pulling from 5,000 years of storytelling, dancing, and artistic traditions, Shen Yun returns to Providence to share the sights and sounds of ancient China through a stunningly choreographed performance. (PPACRI.org)
60
East Side Monthly • February 2018
Got one of these? Villanova; Women’s Squash vs. Columbia; Men’s Squash vs. Columbia; Women’s Water Polo vs. San Diego State. February 8: Wrestling vs. Harvard; Men’s Squash vs. Williams; Women’s Squash vs. Williams. February 9: Women’s Squash vs. Dartmouth; Men’s Squash vs. Dartmouth; Men’s Basketball vs. Cornell; Men’s Hockey vs. Princeton. February 10: Men’s Tennis vs. Fairleigh Dickinson; Men’s Tennis vs. Binghamton; Men’s Basketball vs. Columbia; Men’s Hockey vs. Quinnipiac. February 11: Men’s Tennis vs. Boston University. February 16: Women’s Basketball vs Harvard; Women’s Hockey vs. Quinnipiac. February 17: Women’s Tennis vs. Boston University; Women’s Lacrosse vs. Quinnipiac; Women’s Hockey vs. Princeton; Women’s Basketball vs. Dartmouth. February 23: Women’s Basketball vs. Columbia; Men’s Hockey vs. Harvard. February 24: Women’s Tennis vs. Syracuse; Women’s Basketball vs. Cornell; Men’s Hockey vs. Dartmouth. February 25: Men’s Tennis vs. NJIT; Women’s Tennis vs. Boston College. Various venues, BrownBears.com PROVIDENCE BRUINS February 2: vs. Hartford Wolf Pack. February 9: vs. WB/Scranton Penguins. February 11: vs. WB/Scranton Penguins. February 16: vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers. February 18: vs. Springfield Thunderbirds. February 23: vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers. February 25: vs. Hartford Wolf Pack. 1 LaSalle Square, Providence. 3310700, ProvidenceBruins.com
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PROVIDENCE COLLEGE February 2: Women’s Hockey vs. Merrimack. February 6: Men’s Basketball vs. Georgetown. February 9: Men’s Hockey vs. Maine. February 10: Men’s Basketball vs. DePaul; Women’s Basketball vs. Creighton; Women’s Hockey vs. Maine. February 11: Women’s Hockey vs. Maine. February 14: Men’s Basketball vs. Villanova. February 16: Women’s Basketball vs. Butler; Men’s Hockey vs. UMass Lowell. February 18: Women’s Basketball vs. Xavier; Women’s Hockey vs. Northeastern. February 21: Men’s Basketball vs. Seton Hall. Various venues, Friars.com
East Side Monthly • February 2018 61
Business Spotlight
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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East Side MONTHLY
Merry and Bright Holiday Festivities Around Town In Conversation with Wheeler’s New Head of School
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62
East Side Monthly • February 2018
F
ebruary marks the beginning of the annual Valentine’s Sale at EMPIRE LOAN, with the first two weeks granting huge discounts on all preowned jewelry in the showroom. With 25-50% off, you’ll be able to afford more carats on those glittering diamond earrings your significant other will swoon over. There is a large selection of rings and luxury timepieces as well to choose from. In the sister business upstairs, at Empire Guitars, they will have their annual Odds and Ends Sale in February which attracts a cult-like following among guitar gear heads. Check the Empire Guitars website for the exact sale dates. They suggest to arrive early as there’s usually a line around the block to get first dibs on the drastic price reductions of pedals, accessories and more. “It’s a crazy scene,” says business owner Jeff Keithline. “It’s like a garage sale of all the unsold white elephants and oddball stuff from the previous year.” When pressing financial situations come up – taxes or tuition are due, your car brakes go, the roof has a leak – don’t forget there is a safe place to borrow cash in a pinch, like Empire Loan. They provide secure loans starting at as little as $50 to $5,000 and beyond. Be sure to visit Empire Loan and Empire Guitars to save big during their February sales.
Empire Loan and Empire Guitars 1271 North Main Street, Providence, 437-8421 358 Broad Street, Providence, 273-7050 EmpireLoan.com / EmpireGuitarsRI.com
Business Spotlight
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org East Side Monthly • February 2018 63
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R.W. Desrosiers Inc.
Repair & small job specialist. clearproppvd@gmail.com. Reg. 40738
HOUSE CLEANING Experienced. Local references. Free estimates. Call Lilly, 401-419-2933. BEYOND THE PALE
Quality interior painting, color consulting, lead certified, green products. Lic. #15914. Call Mike 573-4498
401-475-3283 954-709-6713
723-0560 ri Contr 937 MP #1578 MPF 1355
CHRIS’ LAMP REPAIR We Make Housecalls!!!
EAST SIDE HANDYMAN
Vintage Lighting Specialist
Repairs, upgrades & renovations. Small jobs welcome. Many East Side references. Insured. Call 524-6421. Reg. #3052
Reg. #1903
Insured
248-5248
DavidOkenPainting.com
$250/cord $175/half (Free Delivery)
Free Estimates
Vinny’s Landscaping
401-831-8693
www.ChrisLampRepair.com
Advertise in the
& BOBCAT SERVICE Call 497- 1461
Serving the East Side for over 20 years!
SERVICE DIRECTORY JOBS BY JIM For as low as
$15! Email
SueH@RhodyBeat.com 64
East Side Monthly • February 2018
We Specialize in painting & carpentry
Experts in Water Problems
From Roofs, Gutters & Basements Over 20 years of experience on historical homes Certified Lead Renovated LRM #0514 RI Reg #7320 • Fully insured GEt it donE! Call today! Call Al Medina (401) 438-8771 or (401) 323-8252
Seasoned The Finest in New England Craftmanship Firewood Boreal Remodeling
Chandelier Repairs 21 Years
PROPERTY MANAGER
Lead Certified
Serving the East Side for Fully Insured
Interior, Exterior, Residential/Commercial Wallpaper Hanging, Power Washing, Staining 25 Years Experience
David Onken Painting
Carpentry Renovations Gutter Cleaning Chimney Pointing Roof Leaks Repaired
LiCenSed • Bonded • inSured
Levine Painting Co., Inc.
R.I. Lic 7140 Liab/ Work Comp Insured
Interior/Exterior
Providence
Prompt, Reliable Quality Work
(401) 885-1580 • (401) 323-6100 cell
Complete Plumbing & Heating Service
Repairing all types of Lamps
Available. On call 24/7. Rent collection. Rentals, evictions, maintenance. 421-0092.
If you need a house cleaner who is organized, with good prices and excellent references, call
ask for Lee. Please leave a messgae
HANDYMAN
DOROTHY’S CLEANING We clean your home as our own! References & free estimates. 401-524-7453 or 401-228-6273.
House Cleaning
Cellars & Attics Cleaned Unwanted Removed Estate Cleaning
Call cell 401-742-7258 Reg. #4614
General Home Repair, including Kitchens,Baths, Decks & Additions Reg. # 22013
Michael Packard • (401) 441-7303
REAL ESTATE
Leasing J Sales
www.PilotRI.us info@PilotRI.us (401) 527-4690
Professional • Reliable
Pet Care
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES
• Dog Walking • Cat Sitting Insured & Bonded PawsNClawsRI.com
401-369-9000 DRUM LESSONS
Private, fully equipped East Side studio. All ages, style & skill levels. Call for rates, availability & more info. 699-6772
KIND CARE ~ SENIORS
Appointments, errands, shopping, cleaning & maint. Refs. Safety bars installed. Reg #3052. 559-0848.
LEATHERWORKS, LLC
A leather and vinyl restoration company. We specialize in furniture, automobiles, boats and aircrafts. Call 837-0548 or visit LeatherWorksRI.com.
AUDIO/VIDEO HELP
If you need help with your TV, home theater or stereo, call Jon Bell, 383-4102. Simply Sight & Sound. Reasonable rates. 30 years experience.
INCOME TAXES
Fiore &Asussion, Inc. C.P.A. 40 Years of Experience. Located at 125 Wayland Avenue. Call 351-7000.
WANTED
USED MUSIC WANTED!
Round Again Records needs your used CDs and records. Cash paid. 351-6292.
I BUY BOOKS
Old, used and almost new. Also photography, art, etc. jcminich1@gmail.com 286-9329.
Where you’ll always find the brightest SMILES! • Veneers • Crowns • Dentures • Family Dentistry • Tooth Whitening
COME IN AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
DentPlus Dental Center
Your Downcity General and Cosmetic Specialist 66 Kennedy Plaza Providence dentplusdental.com | 401-454-3000 East Side Monthly • February 2018 65
EAST SIDER By Amanda M. Grosvenor
An MVP Send-Off for Tom Ossman In November 2017, Providence Country Day celebrated the retirement of beloved teacher, coach, and mentor Tom Ossman, who taught math courses and led the football team for nearly five decades at the private school. During that time, he lived at the “Tom Thumb House” at 109 Hope Street. He now enjoys retirement at the Wingate Apartments near Wayland Square. A passion for teaching was not immediately evident to Ossman, who grew up in Buffalo, New York, and moved to Long Island with his parents during high school. From 10th through 12th grade, he played football, basketball, and baseball for Southside High School. “I never played in a losing football game while I was there,” Ossman muses. “Though we tied a few.” He went on to play at Harvard, where on November 17, 1951, he set the university’s record for the most rushing touchdowns in a single game, against Brown University – it still stands in Harvard’s official books. After graduating with a BA in economics in 1952, Ossman was
66
East Side Monthly • February 2018
drafted into the U.S. Army and moved to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he was selected to become an instructor. Just as he was entering the signal corps, he saw an ad for army football tryouts and joined the team. “That was pretty good duty, ‘cause all you had to do was play football,” he says, laughing. Post-army, he worked briefly at Powers Photo Engraving in NYC. “I was a lousy salesman,” he says. “What I wanted to do was coach and teach.” He found a job at the boarding school Hebron Academy in Maine, and in 1969, he followed Hebron assistant headmaster Evan West, who had been made headmaster for Providence Country Day. “After ten years of dorm duty, I was ready to come down and take the nights off,” Ossman jokes. Over nearly five decades, Ossman made an impact on Country Day, not just through his teaching and coaching abilities, but with his personality and sense of humor; he enjoyed
gardening and would help the school maintenance crew do landscaping on his off-time. He recalls PCD Christmas parties where he was responsible for assigning dining room seating: “I’d play little games, like I’d put all the guys named Jim at the same table.” His favorite course to teach was AP Calculus, which he treated more like coaching “‘cause you’re gonna have the big Harvard-Yale game at the end – the AP exam!” On November 17, 2017 – exactly 66 years after his record-breaking college game – PCD held a tailgate party for Ossman’s retirement. Around 150 alumni, students, parents, faculty, and staff came to campus to celebrate his legacy, including a few football players from Ossman’s inaugural year at PCD: an undefeated season. When asked to speak a few words at the event, “I told them I’d rather sing,” Ossman says. “So I sang, ‘You Make Me Feel So Young.’” “I’ve had an awful lot of fun,” Ossman says. “I couldn’t have thought of a better life.”
Photography by Mike Braca
A long-time Providence Country Day teacher and coach looks back at almost five decades of inspiring students
NARRAGANSETT
PROVIDENCE
JAMESTOWN
WATCH HILL
BLOCK ISLAND
SOLD
NEWPORT
SOLD
SOLD
OCEAN LAWN | NEWPORT $11,650,000
CHARLESTOWN | $4,025,000
SOLD
JAMESTOWN | $5,750,000
SOLD
SOLD
BRISTOL | $6,750,000
JAMESTOWN | $4,500,000
WESTERLY | $4,500,000
7
6
IN 2017, OUR HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE CONTINUED... PROVIDENCE
369 SOUTH MAIN ST
401.274.1644
LilaDelman.com
RHODE ISLAND’S® REAL ESTATE COMPANY
PROUD TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SALE OF
281 EAST SIDE AND OAK HILL PROPERTIES DURING 2017.
EAST SIDE
85 3rd Street 74 Abbott Street, Unit 3 44 Alfred Stone Road 66 Alton Road 402 Angell Street 546 Angell Ave, Unit B2 631 Angell Street 652 Angell Street 17 Arlington Avenue 215 Arlington Avenue 77 Arlington Avenue 52 Armstrong Avenue 25 Balton Road 15 Barnes Street 18 Barnes Street 20 Barnes Street, Unit 2 28 Barnes Street, Unit 2 1 Benefit Street 14 Benefit Street, Unit 2 147 Benefit St, Unit B 188 Benefit Street, Unit 1 24 Benefit Street 283 Benefit St, Unit B 389 Benefit St, Unit 2 106 Blackstone Blvd, Unit 3 400 Blackstone Blvd 436 Blackstone Blvd 460 Blackstone Blvd 62 Blackstone Blvd, Unit 2 90 Blackstone Boulevard 25 Bowen Street 273 Bowen Street, Unit#8 96 Bowen Street, Unit#1 27 Brookway Road 140 Brown Street 262 Brown Street 8 Burrs Lane 105-107 Butler Avenue 145 Butler Ave, Unit 2S 145 Butler Ave, Unit 3N 164 Butler Avenue, Unit L 196 Butler Avenue 97-99 Butler Avenue 24 Camp Street, Unit 1 13 Charlesfield Street 35 Charlesfield Street
(*Sold Twice)
15 Cole Avenue 365 Cole Avenue 540 Cole Avenue 66 Cole Avenue 88 Congdon Street* 94 Congdon Street 5 Cooke Street 88 Cooke Street, Unit 1 88 Cooke Street, Unit 4 88 Cooke Street, Unit 3 173 Cypress Street 64 Cypress Street, Unit 1 56 Dexterdale Road 14 Doane Avenue 27-29 Doane Avenue 269 Doyle Avenue 270 Doyle Avenue 279-281 Doyle Avenue 309 Doyle Avenue 22 Eames Street 10 East Street, Unit 9 97 East George Street 105 East Manning Street 51 East Orchard Avenue 88 East Orchard Avenue 136 Eighth Street 72 Eleventh Street, Unit 2 190 Elmgrove Avenue 585 Elmgrove Avenue 64 Elmgrove Avenue 116 Elton Street 107 Emeline Street 40 Emeline Street 45 Emeline Street 9 Emeline Street 18 Evergreen Street 75 Evergreen Street 130 Fifth Street 136 Fifth Street 139 Fifth Street 142-144 Fifth Street 202 Fifth Street 35 Fifth Street 11 Firglade Avenue 110 Forest Street 105 Fosdyke Street 39 Fosdyke Street
57 Fosdyke Street 254 Fourth Street 27 Fremont Street 2 George Street 37 George Street 202 Governor St, Unit 13 38 Greaton Drive 4 Greaton Drive 46 Greaton Drive 50 Greaton Drive 205 Grotto Avenue 44 Halsey Street, Unit 1 54 Halsey Street, Unit 4 54 Halsey Street, Unit 5 1 Harian Road 4 Harian Road 36 Harwich Road 2 Hidden Street 42 Hidden Street 9 Hidden Street 135 Hillside Avenue 141 Hillside Avenue 193 Hope Street 377 Hope Street, Unit 1 475-477 Hope Street 578-580 Hope Street 906 Hope Street 142 Humboldt Ave, Unit 11 15 Humboldt Avenue 76 Humboldt Avenue 1 Intervale Road 154-160 Irving Ave, Unit 2C 172 Irving Ave, Unit 172 23 Irving Avenue 264 Irving Avenue 81-83 Irving Avenue 108 Ivy Street 163 Ivy Street 169 Ivy Street, Unit 2 7 Jenckes Street, Unit 1 20 John Street 45 John Street 12 Keene Street 85 Keene Street 82 Lancaster Street 83 Larch Street, Unit 2 174 Laurel Avenue
181 Laurel Avenue, Unit 5 110 Lauriston Street 125 Lloyd Avenue 352 Lloyd Avenue 515 Lloyd Avenue 96 Lloyd Avenue 83 Loring Avenue 52 Lorraine Avenue 67 Lorraine Avenue 72 Manning Street, Unit 5 156 Medway Street, Unit 1 170 Medway St, Unit 6 176 Medway St, Unit 7 58 Memorial Road* 78 Memorial Road 196 Morris Avenue 386 Morris Avenue 52 Mount Avenue 57 Mount Hope Avenue 67 Mount Hope Avenue 66-70 Nashua St, Unit 201 114 Ninth Street 165 Ninth Street 68-70 Ninth Street 11 North Avenue, Unit 6 44 Ogden Street 60 Ogden Street 306 Olney Street 35 Orchard Avenue 49 Orchard Avenue 47 Oriole Avenue 67 Oriole Avenue 8 Paterson Street 19-21 Pitman Street 192 Pitman Street 80 Pitman Street, Unit 3 80 Pitman Street, Unit 1* 134 Pleasant Street 143 Pleasant Street 207 Pleasant Street 232 Pleasant St, Unit 232 81 Power Street 85 Power Street 105 Pratt Street, Unit 105 165 Pratt Street 19 Pratt Street, Unit 1 35 Pratt Street
97 Pratt Street, Unit 97 103 Pratt Street, Unit 103 15 President Avenue 234 President Ave, Unit 6 242 President Ave, Unit 10 61 President Avenue 120 Prospect Street 167 Prospect St, Unit 3 170 Prospect Street 51 Prospect Street 92 Prospect Street 164 Rochambeau Avenue 173 Rochambeau Avenue 395 Rochambeau Avenue 11 Sargent Avenue 181 Sessions Street 55 Sessions Street 20 Sheldon Street 84 Sheldon Street 150 Slater Avenue 254 Slater Avenue 264 South Main St, Unit 7 15 Stadium Road 24 Stimson Avenue 44 Summit Avenue 68 Summit Avenue 88-90 Summit Avenue 338 Taber Avenue 76 Taber Avenue 97-99 Taber Avenue 31 Taft Avenue 34 Taft Avenue, Unit 2 40 Taft Avenue, Unit 2 42 Taft Avenue, Unit 3 2 Thomas Street, Unit 300 116 Transit Street 61 Twelfth Street, Unit 1 208 University Ave, Unit 1 89 University Avenue 99 Upton Avenue 39 Wade Street, Unit B 157 Waterman St, Unit 1 165 Waterman St, Unit 1 270 Waterman St, Unit E 1 Wayland Ave, Unit 103N 1 Wayland Ave, Unit 106S 1 Wayland Ave, Unit 310S
1 Wayland Ave, Unit 302S 1 Wayland Ave, Unit 102S 1 Wayland Ave, Unit 106N 335 Wayland Avenue 387 Wayland Avenue 400 Wayland Avenue 563 Wayland Avenue 6 Westford Road 62 Westford Road 102 Williams Street 237 Williams Street 92 Williams Street 45 Winfield Road 129 Woodbine Street 120 Woodbury Street
OAK HILL
17 Blaisdell Avenue 27 Blaisdell Avenue 21 Cambria Court 15 Capwell Avenue 63 Capwell Avenue 223 Cleveland Street 36 Cooke Street 9 Dorset Road 672 East Avenue 225 Glenwood Avenue 36 Harvard Street 221 Hillside Avenue 226 Hillside Avenue 256 Hillside Avenue 281 Lowden Street 177 Lyman Street 108 Marbury Avenue 114 Marbury Avenue 84 Marbury Avenue 201 Raleigh Avenue 216 Raleigh Avenue 27 Sterling Street 15 Trenton Street, Unit R1 16 Unity Street, Unit 16 8 Unity Street 123 Wilcox Avenue 35 Wilcox Avenue
(Subject to errors or omissions)
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOYALTY AND WISH YOU A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!