East Side Monthly May 2011

May 2011

Mom Power

Remarkable East Side Women Who Are Making a Difference Brown University Builds a Beauty

Coming Soon: Providence Prepares for its 375th

New Listing! $469,000

New Listing! $619,000

Fabulous 3 bedroom corner unit at East Side Commons. Spacious and luxurious. Open floor plan, great master suite, balcony, fitness center, 2 car garage parking and full elevator access.

Meticulously maintained 3 level Colonial with Sub-Zero/ granite kitchen, family room, city garden, gracious dining and living rooms in the heart of the East Side.

Designer bathrooms, 5 bedrooms, new mechanicals, central A/C and garage.

Lise Holst

Michael Young

New Listing! $198,900

New Price! $749,000

Bright 3rd floor unit ideally located near Wayland Square, Brown and RSID. 1 bedroom, large living room, Berber carpeting, central air, 1 car parking.

Closets, locked storage, well maintained building.

Daniel Byrnes

New Listing! $129,000

New Listing! $359,900

Oak Hill. Beautiful Colonial with great bones, original doors/hardware, hardwood floors and restored windows.

3 beds, spacious living room with a very attractive Florida room. Updated roof, recently installed heating system.

John McCann

New Listing! $925,000

Elegant 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath Colonial near Blackstone Boulevard. New kitchen with Viking appliances, central air, fireplaced living and dining rooms, brick patio, attached 2 car garage.

Oldest Historic home on Benefit Street @ 1764. Original wideboard floors, period woodwork, 9 fireplaces, 4 beds, 2½ baths. Unique landscaped gardens, 4 terraced areas, rare plants, koi pond, 2 car garage plus potting shed.

Helen Macdonald

Suzie Prescott

New Listing! $990,000

Elmwood. Chic 2 bedroom townhouse condo in beautifully renovated Victorian mansion close to downtown and hospitals. Sunny unit with high ceilings, original details, stylish kitchen and bath. Excellent association.

College Hill Victorian Brick and Clapboard exterior, handsome bracketed cornice. Master suite, 4.5 baths, 3 zone HVAC, lovely tiered garden, garage. Perfect home for entertaining!

Lise Holst

Michael Young

New Listing! $529,000

Architecturally significant 2 bedroom home designed by modernist Ira Rakatansky. Granite and marble.

2 Fireplaces. Central air, new windows/roof, yard, privacy. Completely renovated. Superlative location.

Walk to Blackstone Blvd. & Wayland Sq.

Linda Mittleman

COLEMANREALTORS.COM Providence 401.274.3636

barrington east greenwich 401.245.3050 401.884.5522 CORPORATE RELOCATION 401.277.0570

corPorate relocation 401.277.0570

watch hill 401.596.2390

Where the heck is Hope Street Pizza?

Restaurant and Bar

Contents May 2011

This Month 20 Multi-Tasking Moms

Profiles in balancing professional and family life

25 Happy Birthday, Providence

The city prepares to celebrate its 375th

27 Glass Act

A peek inside Brown’s Creative Arts Center

30 Book Review

20

Tempting Providence and Other Stories

37 Dining Guide

55 Calendar

Your resource for eating out

All the info on May’s happenings

51 The Malcontent

39 Art

62 East of Elmgrove

A new student-run show at RISD

The critters come out to play

Getting the colleges to pay their share

44 Education

Every Month 10 Letters/Editorial 14 Other Side 17 Community News 35 On the Menu Meals on wheels

East Side Monthly is now online!

Finding hope at Hope

47 Movies Source Code reviewed

Visit www.providenceonline.com to read the entire issue

49 Pajama Monologues Cover Photography by Amy Amerantes

Memories of a copy boy

53 Finance Is cash still king?

Swing into Spring

Spitz-Weiss Realtors Family Owned and Operated for Over 50 Years Assisting Buyers, Sellers and Renters Howard Weiss Jon WeissHF

Aleen WeissH Claire Sennott Jenny Wieting

Paul Levitt Judi BlauH

HAlso licensed in MA FLicensed RI Environmental Lead Inspector 0065

Ready to change your career path?

We have openings for new and experienced agents.

Visit our new and exciting website!

Let Spitz-Weiss help you begin that search

785 Hope Street, Providence, RI 401-272-6161 • spitzweiss.com May 2011 East Side Monthly

5

MAXIMUM FROWN

Before

After 50 units, Day 14 Individual results may vary.

frown

Important Safety Information What is the most important information you should know about Dysport?

Spread of Toxin Effects: In some cases, the effects of Dysport and all botulinum toxin products may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. These effects can cause symptoms of a serious condition called botulism. Symptoms of botulism can happen hours to weeks after injection and may include swallowing and breathing problems, loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, or loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening and there have been reports of death.

The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children and adults treated for muscle spasms, particularly in those patients who have underlying medical conditions that could make these symptoms more likely.

The toxic effects have been reported at doses similar to those used to treat muscle spasms in the neck. Lower doses, in both approved and unapproved uses, have also caused toxic effects.

This includes treatment of children and adults for muscle spasms.

These effects could make it unsafe for you to drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

Do not have Dysport treatment if you: are allergic to Dysport or any of its ingredients (see the end of the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients), are allergic to cow’s milk protein, had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® or Botox,® or have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

The dose of Dysport is not the same as the dose of any other botulinum toxin product. The dose of Dysport cannot be compared to the dose of any other botulinum toxin product you may have used.

Dysport may not be right for you if: you have surgical changes to your face, very weak muscles in the treatment area, your face looks very different from side to side, the injection site is inflamed, you have droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds, deep facial scars, thick oily skin, or if your wrinkles can’t be smoothed by spreading them apart.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have: a disease that affects your muscles and nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-

Eaton syndrome), allergies to any botulinum toxin product or had any side effect from any botulinum toxin product in the past, a breathing problem (such as asthma or emphysema), swallowing problems, bleeding problems, diabetes, a slow heart beat or other problem with your heart rate or rhythm, plans to have surgery, had surgery on your face, weakness of your forehead muscles (such as trouble raising your eyebrows), drooping eyelids, or any other change in the way your face normally looks. Patients with a disease that affects muscles and nerves who are treated with typical doses of Dysport may have a higher risk of serious side effects, including severe swallowing and breathing problems.

Human Albumin This product contains albumin taken from human plasma. Steps taken during donor screening and product manufacturing processes make the risk of spreading viral diseases extremely rare. In theory, there is also an extremely rare risk of contracting CreutzfeldtJakob disease (CJD). No cases of spread of viral diseases or CJD have ever been reported for albumin.

Allergic Reaction to Injecting in the Skin It is not known if an allergic reaction can be caused by injecting Dysport into the skin. The safety of treating excessive sweating with Dysport is not known.

Common Side Effects The most common side effects are nose and throat irritation, headache, injection site pain, injection site skin reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal and other natural products. Using Dysport with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects.

Do not start any new medicines while taking Dysport without talking to your doctor first.

Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product in the last four months, have received injections of botulinum toxin, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB) or Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA) in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received), have recently received an antibiotic by injection, take muscle relaxants, take an allergy or cold medicine, or take a sleep medicine.

Use In Specific Populations Dysport should not be used in children or in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

PLEASE SEE MEDICATION GUIDE ON FOLLOWING PAGES. The Dysport trademark is used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

DSP 11-012E 06/30/11

Dysport® is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.

lines are just not me

Discover Dysport and Save $50 May 1–June 30, 2011 (See terms and conditions on following page.)

Visit DysportUSA.com for details.

Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you.

Please see Important Safety Information including Boxed Warning to the left.

07150166

07150166

• to treat the abnormal head position and MEDICATION GUIDE MEDICATION GUIDE • to treat the abnormal head position and • any other change in the way your face • any other change in the way your face neck pain withthat cervical happens dystonia with cervicalnormally dystonialooks normally looks Dysport ® (DIS-port) Dysport ® (DIS-port) neck pain that happens (abobotulinumtoxinA) (abobotulinumtoxinA) (CD) in adults (CD) in adults Tell your doctor Tell if you: your doctor if you: • to improve the look of moderate to severe • to improve the look of moderate to severe Injection Injection • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

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• have received injections of botulinum toxin, breathing. Thesebreathing. problems can These happen problems can effective happen in children ® (Botulinum Toxin® Type (Botulinum B)* Toxin Type B)* such as Myobloc such as Myobloc hours to weeks after hours antoinjection weeks of after Dysport an injection ItofisDysport not known whether It is notDysport known iswhether safe orDysport is safe or ® ® or Botox (Botulinum or Botox Toxin Type (Botulinum A)* in the Toxin Type A)* in the usually because the usually muscles because that you the muscles use to thateffective you use for to the treatment effective of forother the treatment types of of other types of past; be sure your past; doctor be knows sure your exactly doctor knows exactly breathe and swallow breathe can become and swallow weakcan after becomemuscle weak after spasms. Itmuscle is not known spasms.whether It is not known whether which product you which received product you received the injection. Death thecan injection. happenDeath as a can happen as a Dysport is safe orDysport effective isfor safe theortreatment effective for the treatment • have recently received an antibiotic by injection • have recently received an antibiotic by injection complication if youcomplication have severeif problems you have severe problems of other wrinkles. of other wrinkles.

• take muscle relaxants • take muscle relaxants with swallowing orwith swallowing breathing after or treatment breathing after treatment Who should notWho takeshould Dysportnot ? take Dysport ? • take an allergy or cold medicine • take an allergy or cold medicine with Dysport. with Dysport.

• take a sleep medicine • take a sleep medicine • People with certain breathing problems may • People with certain breathing problems may Do not take Dysport Do notif take you: Dysport if you: need to use muscles needintotheir useneck muscles to help in their neck• toare allergic to Dysport help • are allergic to Dysport or any of the or any of the Ask your doctorAsk if you your aredoctor not sure if you if your are not sure if your them breathe. These thempatients breathe. may These be atpatients may beingredients at in Dysport. See the end of this ingredients in Dysport. See the end of this medicine is onemedicine that is listed above. is one that is listed above. greater risk for serious greaterbreathing risk for serious problems breathing problems Medication GuideMedication for a list of Guide ingredients for a list of ingredients Know the medicines Know youthetake. medicines Keep a you list oftake. yourKeep a list of your with Dysport. with Dysport. in Dysport in Dysport medicines with you medicines to show with your you doctor to show and your doctor and • Swallowing problems may last for several • Swallowing problems may last for several • are allergic to cow’s milk protein • are allergic to cow’s milk protein pharmacist each time pharmacist you get each a new time medicine. you get a new medicine. weeks. People who can not swallow well may weeks. People who can not swallow well may • had an allergic reaction to any other • had an allergic reaction to any other ® need a feeding tube need to areceive feedingfood tube to receive foodbotulinum toxin product * as Myobloc How should * I take How Dysport should?I take Dysport ? botulinum suchtoxin as Myobloc product ®such ® ® and water. If swallowing and water. problems If swallowing are severe, problems are severe, or Botox * or Botox * • Dysport is an injection • Dysport thatisyour an injection doctor will that your doctor will food or liquids may go into your lungs. People food or liquids may go into your lungs. People • have a skin infection at the planned • have a skin infection at the planned give you give you who already havewho swallowing already or have breathing swallowing or breathing injection site injection site • Dysport is injected • Dysport into theisaffected injected muscles into the affected muscles problems before receiving problemsDysport before receiving have the Dysport have the • Your doctor may give you another dose • Your doctor may give you another dose What should I tell What my should doctor Ibefore tell mytaking doctor before taking highest risk of getting highest these riskproblems. of getting these problems. of Dysport after 12 of Dysport weeks orafter longer, 12 ifweeks it or longer, if it Dysport ?

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• Spread of toxin • Spread effects.of In toxin some effects. cases, In some cases, is needed is needed the effect of botulinum the effect toxinofmay botulinum affect areas toxin mayTell affect areas your doctor Tell about your alldoctor your medical about all your medical • If you are being treated for CD, your doctor • If you are being treated for CD, your doctor of the body away offrom the the body injection away from site and the injection site and including conditions, conditions, if you have: including if you have: may change yourmay dosechange of Dysport, your until doseyou of Dysport, until you cause symptoms cause of a serious symptoms condition of a serious called condition called • a disease that affects your muscles and • a disease that affects your muscles and and your doctor find the and yourbest doctor dosefind the for youbest dose for you botulism. The symptoms botulism.ofThe botulism symptoms include: of botulismnerves include: (such as amyotrophic nerves (suchlateral as amyotrophic sclerosis lateral sclerosis • The dose of Dysport • The dose of Dysport is not the same as the is not the same as the • loss of strength and muscle weakness • loss of strength and muscle weakness [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia dose of any otherdose botulinum of anytoxin otherproduct botulinum toxin product all over the body all over the body gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome). See gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome). See What should I avoid Whatwhile should taking I avoid Dysport while ?taking Dysport ?

• double vision • double vision “What is the most“What important is theinformation most important information • blurred vision and drooping eyelids • blurred vision and drooping eyelids Dysport loss ofmay strength causeor general loss of strength or general I should know about I should Dysport know ?” about Dysport ?” Dysport may cause • hoarseness or change or loss of voice • hoarseness or change or loss of voice muscle weakness,muscle blurredweakness, vision, or drooping blurred vision, or drooping • allergies to any botulinum toxin product • allergies to any botulinum toxin product (dysphonia) (dysphonia) eyelids within hours eyelids to weeks withinofhours takingtoDysport. weeks of taking Dysport.

• had any side effect from any botulinum • had any side effect from any botulinum • trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria) • trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria) If this happens,If this do nothappens, drive a car, do operate not drive a car, operate toxin product in the toxin product past in the past • loss of bladder control • loss of bladder control machinery, or domachinery, other dangerous or do other dangerous • a breathing problem, such as asthma or • a breathing problem, such as asthma or • trouble breathing • trouble breathing activities. See “What activities. is theSee most “What important is the most important emphysema emphysema • trouble swallowing • trouble swallowing information I should information know about I should Dysport know?”about Dysport ?”

• swallowing problems • swallowing problems bleeding problems • bleeding problems These symptoms These can happen symptoms hourscan to weeks happen hours• to weeks What are the possible What are sidetheeffects possible of side effects of • diabetes • diabetes after you receive an afterinjection you receive of Dysport. an injection of Dysport.

Dysport ?

Dysport ?

• a slow heart beat or other problem with • a slow heart beat or other problem with These problems could Thesemake problems it unsafe couldformake you toit unsafe for you to rate oryour heart Dysport can cause Dysport serious canside cause effects. serious side effects. your heart rhythm rate or rhythm drive a car or do other dangerous activities. See drive a car or do other dangerous activities. See See “What is theSee “What most important is the most important • plans to have surgery • plans to have surgery “What should I avoid “What while should receiving I avoidDysport while receiving ?”. ?”. information I should information know about I should Dysport know?”about Dysport ?”

• Dysport had surgery on your face • had surgery on your face • weakness of your forehead muscles (such • weakness of your forehead muscles (such What is DysportWhat ? is Dysport ? as trouble raising as trouble your eyebrows) raising your eyebrows) Dysport is a prescription Dysportmedicine is a prescription that is injected medicine that is injected • drooping eyelids • drooping eyelids into muscles and into used: muscles and used:

Dysport Summer Savings Terms & Conditions Other side effects Other of Dysport side effects include: of Dysport include: • dry mouth • dry mouth Dysport Summer Savings is a coupon program that works by providing you a • injection site discomfort or pain • injection site discomfort or pain rebate check limited to $50 for one treatment with Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA).

• tiredness • tiredness • headache • headache This offer is limited to patients over the age of 18 who are treated with Dysport • neck pain • neck pain for the temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines • muscle pain • muscle pain • eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, • eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). To participate in this offer, you must decreased eyesight, decreased problems eyesight, with focusing problems with focusing receive a Dysport treatment between May 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011. Within the eyes (accommodation), the eyes (accommodation), drooping eyelids, drooping eyelids,30 days after your treatment, you must: (1) sign up for Dysport Summer Savings swelling of the eyelids swelling of the eyelids (at www.DysportUSA.com or through a self-mailer rebate form from your healthcare • allergic reactions. Symptoms of an allergic • allergic reactions. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Dysport reaction may include: to Dysport itching, mayrash, include: itching, rash,professional) and (2) mail your completed rebate redemption form with an itemized red itchy welts, wheezing, red itchyasthma welts, wheezing, symptoms, asthma symptoms,receipt for your treatment to the address found on the form. Credit card receipts will or dizziness or feeling or dizziness faint. Telloryour feeling doctor faint.orTell your doctor ornot be accepted. Your submission must be postmarked within 30 days after the date get medical help right get medical away if help you get right away if you get of your treatment and no later than July 30, 2011, and must be received by August wheezing or asthma wheezing symptoms, or asthma or if you symptoms, get or if you get 31, 2011. If you have any questions about Dysport Summer Savings, please call dizzy or faint dizzy or faint toll-free 866-222-1480. If you would like to check on the status of your rebate Tell your doctor Tell if you your have doctor any ifside youeffect have any side effect that bothers youthat or that bothers doesyou notorgothat away. does not go away.check, visit www.rapid-rebates.com.

These are not allThese the possible are not all sidetheeffects possible side effects You are eligible for this offer only if you paid for your entire treatment yourself and of Dysport. For more of Dysport. information, For more askinformation, your ask your if no part of your treatment was covered by insurance or another third-party payor. doctor or pharmacist. doctor or pharmacist.

This offer excludes any treatment that is reimbursed by Medicaid, Medicare, or other Call your doctorCall for medical your doctor advice for medical about advice about side effects. Youside mayeffects. report side You may effects report side to effects tofederal or state benefit programs, including state medical assistance programs.

You are not eligible for this offer if your private insurance, HMO, or other health FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. benefit program paid for all or part of your treatment. If any form of reimbursement General information General about information Dysport : about Dysport : is sought from a third-party, you may be required to disclose the value of this rebate Medicines are sometimes Medicinesprescribed are sometimes for prescribed for to that party. This offer is available only to patients, excluding claims from Medicis purposes other than purposes those listed other inthan a those listed in a employees and their families, or employees of its dealers and distributors. This offer Medication Guide.Medication Guide.

This Medication Guide This Medication summarizesGuide the most summarizes the most is non-transferable. Offer valid only in the U.S. excluding territories and void where important information important about Dysport. informationIf you about Dysport. If you prohibited by law. would like more information, would like more information, talk with your talk with your doctor. You can ask doctor. yourYou can doctor orask pharmacist your doctor or pharmacist This offer is limited to one redemption per person and cannot be combined with for information about for information Dysport thatabout is written Dysport for that is written for any other Medicis offer or promotion. If you received a treatment as part of any healthcare professionals. healthcare For more professionals. information For more information other Dysport promotion, you may participate in Dysport Summer Savings; however, about Dysport callabout 877-397-7671 Dysport call or go 877-397-7671 to or go to you must wait at least 3 months between treatments. By submitting a rebate www.Dysport.com or www.DysportUSA.com. www.Dysport.com or www.DysportUSA.com. request, you agree to all terms and conditions of this offer and acknowledge that, in administering this program, Medicis may track your treatment activity and use Active ingredient: Active (botulinum ingredient: toxin Type (botulinum A) toxin Type A) your personal information to send correspondence in connection with this offer.

Inactive ingredients: Inactive human ingredients: albumin, human albumin, Medicis reserves the right to cancel or modify this offer without notice. All rebate and lactose. Dysport may contain cow’s and lactose. Dysport may contain cow’s requests become the property of Medicis and will not be returned. Medicis assumes milk protein. milk protein. no responsibility for lost, late, damaged, misdirected, misaddressed, incomplete or Issued May 2009Issued May 2009 postage-due requests that fail to be properly delivered to the address stated on the This Medication Guide This Medication has been approved Guide hasbybeen approved by rebate redemption form for any reason. Rebate checks will be issued in U.S. dollars the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. only. Rebate checks and coupons are void if not cashed or used within 60 days.

What are the ingredients What are the in Dysport ingredients ? in Dysport ?

Distributed by: Distributed by: Tercica, Inc. Tercica, Inc. a subsidiary of thea Ipsen subsidiary Groupof the Ipsen Group Brisbane, CA 94005 Brisbane, CA 94005 and and

Medicis AestheticsMedicis Inc., Aesthetics Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary a wholly owned of Medicis subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation Pharmaceutical Corporation Scottsdale, AZ 85256 Scottsdale, AZ 85256 * All trademarks are * Allthe trademarks property ofaretheir the property of their respective ownersrespective owners

Editorial Replacing Maydays with May Days Over the last few weeks, desperate calls for help reverberated throughout the capital city.

Our school superintendent resigned. The head of our Building Authority quit. All our teachers got fired. Four more of our schools were put on probation. Our bond ratings continued to tumble.

Even our beloved Red Sox seemed to be stumbling. Fortunately, just when you think things can’t get much worse, along comes May. It’s a month when Providence really does come to life. The month starts off on the fifth with bang (well actually with a tequila) as locals, led by seniors preparing to graduate, celebrate Cinco de Mayo. A few days

later, we all get to celebrate (or at least recall) the wonderful efforts of our mothers.

As the month rolls on, things only get better and better.

The first WaterFire of the year is lit. The beaches officially open. The first outdoor concerts of the year are held.

Here on the East Side, the handsome Van Wickle Gates make one of their rare openings to allow the Brown Class of 2011 to make that final march down to the First Baptist Church before returning to campus for their well-earned diplomas. In its wisdom, Brown has always scheduled graduation for Memorial Day weekend, obviously aware it’s when

the East Side is at its best, fully in bloom, never more gorgeous.

So here’s the plan: rather than dwell on what’s wrong, let’s join with the graduates and speculate on what might be. We have a new mayor who’s trying hard. We have a lot of new City Council members who haven’t yet lost their energy or enthusiasm (one hopes). We have a city about to celebrate its 375th anniversary with music, dance, WaterFires, essay contests, performance art, festivals and who knows what else.

It’s been a pretty rough couple of months. Here’s hoping we get the magical May we deserve to help rekindle our spirits. We’ve earned it!

To the editor: Last month’s edition of the East Side Monthly featured a cover story that claimed to outline the facts surrounding the city’s financial condition (“Is the City Broke?”). While not interviewed for the story, I certainly welcome the opportunity to respond now.

Five days before my election to Congress, I said the City of Providence was in “excellent financial condition.” Today, Mayor Taveras faces critical deficits, and people want to know whether I was delusional, not paying attention, or not telling the truth.

I want you and your readers to know the answer. It was none of the above.

I said Providence was in solid financial shape because, in the face of the worst economy our country has experienced since the Great Depression and crippling cuts from the state, the city had managed to balance its budget and, as recently as November 2010, had its A bond ratings reaffirmed. We made tough decisions – reined in city spending, cut hundreds of positions from city government, obtained union concessions, and enacted serious financial reforms such as requiring employees for the first time in the city’s history to contribute to their healthcare, and initiated long overdue pension reform. All around us, cities and towns were in far worse shape.

Over the last three years, the brutal national recession, the foreclosure crisis,

10

East Side Monthly May 2011

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre Managing Editor Barry Fain City Editor Steve Triedman Executive Editor Julie Tremaine Special Projects Manager John Taraborelli Art Director Alli Coate Assisant Art Director Karli Hendrickson

Letters Former Mayor Defends Policies

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

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

and dramatic cuts in state aid imposed a set of external conditions on the City that are difficult to imagine, never mind prepare for. For the last several years, in the middle of the City’s fiscal year, the state cut a total of more than $50 million in revenue to the City. In the last year alone, $22.58 million was cut. I urgently petitioned the state legislature repeatedly against these cuts, testifying in detail about the grave consequences this would have on the City of Providence.

In the face of these devastating cuts, we moved through this time and made decisions focused on the people of this city, finding a way to protect city services, ensuring our investments in education, and holding the line on taxes at a time when residents could least afford to bear another burden. Were Providence’s finances hit by the recession? Of course they were. Despite all of our work to strengthen our city’s financial position, strong external forces compelled us to take even more difficult actions. And while I understood that some people would disagree with our approach to navigating these difficult times, the truth is we were able to weather these hardships because our finances were in solid shape going into it.

We chose to address the City’s financial challenges through a combination of budget cuts, revenue enhancements, use of the rainy day fund, and strategic borrowing. We made tough decisions that got us through some of the worst

years of the recession. I knew there would be a budget gap and more tough decisions necessary in the future. That’s why, during the transition, I made sure my team shared the same information they provided me, including the actions we took to close the budget gap for FY10, the status of labor contracts, and anticipated deficits for FY11, to the new Mayor and his team.

Due to the unsure economy, it is clear that some of the budget projections have now changed and, of course, the recession continues. I know Mayor Taveras’ administration will tackle these challenges, just as I did.

The underlying strength of what we did in the last eight years remains and I have tremendous confidence in the future of our great city.

Congressman David Cicilline Former Mayor of Providence

Providence Needs an Angel To the editor: With a $180 million structural deficit facing Providence, I don’t know how much worse things can get. This budget mess will surely be felt by all of us – as tax payers, business owners, and parents who send our children to city schools.

However, especially in politics, the popular or easy decision is rarely the best one. At least we have an honest mayor who isn’t afraid to make the tough decisions. It won’t be easy, but I have faith

Graphic Designers Meghan H. Follett, Lauren Kaufmann Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich, Ann Gallagher, Nicole Greenspun, Nellie Lima, Dan Schwartz, Elizabeth Riel, Sharon Sylvester, Jessica Webb Classified Advertising Sue Howarth Contributing Writers Bob Cipriano, Mary K. Connor, Jill Davidson, Renee Doucette, Don Fowler, Mike Fink, David Goldstein, Bob Mariani, Betsey Purinton, Elizabeth Rau, Dan Schwartz, Alyssa Smith Calendar Christina Evon Interns Andrew Brennan, Eileen Burdick, Carlee Carbone, Erin Devito, Ana de la Guardia Alfaro, Ashley Graham, Sabrina Kiel, Chelsea Sherman Contributing Photographers Amy Amerantes, Laurel Mulherin, Dan Schwartz Contributing Illustrators Ashley MacLure, Jessica Pollak, Ruth Chung

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

Copyright ©2011 by East Side Monthly.

All rights reserved. Printed by TCI.

Letters

continued...

that Mayor Taveras can bring our city together to address this crisis.

George Mangalo Tenth Street Providence

On Presenting RISD Student Views To the editor: Thank you for running Mike Fink’s piece in the April 2011 East Side Monthly (“The Inside View”). I was wondering about one other thing, however. RISD Graduate Student Alliance President Jason Huff and RISD Undergraduate Student Alliance president Naomi Mishkin were surprised to see an internal email they had sent to fellow students published on your letters page (as was I when I saw it positioned that way).

If possible, could you please run a correction in the next issue stating who submitted the actual letter to the editor, and clarifying that the two of them did not actually submit anything for publication as a letter to the editor?

I understand the nature of electronic communications – that they can and will be shared freely, whether intended to be or not – but if people didn’t send a letter to the editor as such, their names should not appear at the bottom of the post as if they had submitted it for publication. Thanks for your attention to this matter.

Jaime Marland Director, Media Relations Rhode Island School of Design Editor’s note: We actually received several copies of the student email, two of which specifically asked that it be run in the magazine because they felt it accurately represented what many students feel about the current dispute between the faculty and administration – that the emphasis on the importance of student education not be jeopardized in the process. They suggested (and we agree) that this was an important point to be emphasized and that the internal letter presented this position well. We were careful to explain how we got copies of the letter and made sure the wording of the letter was not changed to reinforce that this was an internal, though now very public, student-to-student piece of communication.

Hamilton House Says Thanks To the editor: Thank you for the story and photos you ran on us in your last month’s issue (“A House That’s Become a Home,”

April 2011). You really captured Hamilton House and I congratulate you on your creative writing and journalistic skills. It was a stupendous article. We began getting calls about our classes almost immediately, not realizing the article was out. I am so appreciative, as were the members of Hamilton House.

You covered everything, skillfully drawing information from the five of us who met you in our library. Hamilton House means so much to us, and I was sincerely touched to read about our treasure here on 276 Angell.

Jessica Haley, Executive Director Hamilton House 276 Angell Street Providence

Which Way North Main?

To the editor: Has East Side Monthly ever done an article on the prospects of urban redevelopment and community building on North Main Street? Perhaps you could do a piece on all the abandoned properties and ask people what alternative uses they could imagine for them – a wish list if you will. A Trader Joe’s or the return of the Rhode Island Auditorium at the Sears site are two cool possibilities. How about an art house movie theater like the Avon where Ethan Allen or Miko is? Or a bowling alley where the underground bowling alley was (and actually still is). It would be a fun story that might help start a significant and very useful conversation for the community. Thanks.

Pete Gallant Providence Editor’s note: Excellent suggestion and we’ll get right on it – especially since we now have a vested interest in the area. We have just relocated our newspaper offices to the nearby Providence/Pawtucket line.

In Praise of Pawtucket To the editor: I just wanted to say I enjoyed reading your positive comments regarding Pawtucket in the “Other Side” section of East Side Monthly (April 2011). I have been a homeowner there for the last two, going on three years and in my opinion, it’s a pretty decent city. Taxes are not bad, and city services are excellent. Super convenient location. And the downtown is really trying. Hope you keep Pawtucket in the magazine once in awhile.

Anthony W. Hollingshead Pawtucket

Is the Drive-Thru Through?

To the editor: A very large thank you to the citizens of the East Side’s many neighborhoods who testified at the Providence Zoning Board meeting 61 strong on March 16. At issue was the demolition of the much-loved Clarke Flower Shop on Hope Street. The present owner (Tim Schartner) sought to sell the parcel to a developer, who wanted to demolish the 1890s structure and erect what David Brussat of the ProJo called a “faux-village, of the Home Depot shelf character” drive-thru chain coffee shop. The lot is zoned R-3, a type of residential, so development could not go forward without permission from the Zoning Board.

Having recently fought drive-thrus in both Wayland Square and Fox Point, the issue touched a nerve in the community as four hours of impassioned testimony came from many individuals and neighborhood groups. A stack of letters and emails an inch thick supported those in attendance and it soon became clear that the only folks in the room in support were Schartner, the coffee shop owner and their lawyer.

They argued that this area of Hope Street was already hopelessly commercial and that the character of the street was conducive to much heavier commercial use. In truth, as anyone living in the immediate area knows, most houses are owner-occupied, one- to three-family homes. Fortunately, the Zoning Board agreed and voted 4-1 to deny the use variance.

Now the community waits and watches to see if the case is appealed before the Superior Court. Meanwhile, “We Are Moving Sale” signs have appeared on the dear old building, raising speculation that the doors will soon close on Clarke Flowers. Other flower stores owned by Schartner have closed and their phone lines have been redirected to a single shop in South County, so it is unclear if “moving” really means “consolidation.”

Ideas abound as to what could be done with the building, and we hope to work with Mr. Schartner to find a use we can all agree to. Do you have a great idea?

We want to know. Join the conversation on our web site www.preservehopestreet.org or our Facebook page, Preserve Providence’s Hope Street.

Our warm thanks to the literally dozens of people who helped spread the word, wrote letters, knocked on doors and testified in person about this proposal. The following individuals and organizations voiced their objections: Providence City Councilman Kevin Jackson, Providence City Councilman Sam Zurier, Providence Preservation Society, College Hill Neigh-

borhood Association, former Providence City Councilman Cliff Wood, Summit Neighborhood Association, Senator Harold Metts, Senator Rhoda Perry, Greater City: Providence, East Side Monthly, Fox Point Neighborhood Association, Providence City Councilman Seth Yurdin, David Brussat of The Providence Journal, Representative Chris Blazejewski, Hope Street Merchants Association and many individual neighbors. This was a true community-wide effort. Thank you.

Neighbor Peter Thornton Providence

The Joke’s On Whom?

To the editor: I picked up my April East Side Monthly, saw the cover with its darkened clouds over Providence and figured it must be time for your annual April Fool’s joke. So I read and I read about the financial problems facing our city, waiting and waiting for the punch line. But the news just kept getting bleaker. Then when it was over, I got it. The way Cicilline left the city – that was the joke. So why am I not laughing?

Charles Hudson East Side

Mayor Off to a Great Start To the editor: Mayor Taveras has shown a remarkable combination of honesty and hope in tackling the fiscal crisis the City faces. His clear explanation of the City’s economic problems at neighborhood meetings, accompanied by handouts, a PowerPoint presentation, and straightforward responses to questions, creates just the kind of constructive civic dialogue we need in these difficult times.

If you haven’t been to one of his meetings yet, I highly recommend attending when you can. The Mayor’s Office at 4212489 can give you the schedule.

I am glad the mayor is meeting with our friends on the West Side to address their very understandable concerns about school closings in their area. It’s important to put ourselves in their shoes and support them, just as they have supported us on waterfront and zoning issues in the past.

As the mayor’s refrain goes, if we work together, with all of us making sacrifices to share the burden of putting the City on a solid economic footing, we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. Thank you, Mayor Taveras, for the guts and smarts you have shown in your first months in office!

David Riley John Street, Providence May 2011 East Side Monthly

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Other Side by Barry Fain

Changes Coming to the Square New Irish pub to open; food upgrades at Ruffuls How Dolce It Is! To celebrate its 35th anniversary, Home and Hospice of Rhode Island is planning what promises to be One Sweet Party. Basing itself on the classic Federico Fellini film classic La Dolce Vita (“The Sweet Life”), party planners are going all out on what organizers promise will be a “gala unlike no other ever held in Rhode Island.” Okay, you’ve got our attention! With Café Nuovo as a backdrop, the always elegant restaurant will be transformed into a 1960s movie set with red carpets, studiostyle searchlights, Venetian masks and an outdoor piazza. Add great passed hors d’ouerves, food stations and music and you can’t miss. Call 415-4217 for tickets ($60/person) or visit www.hhcri.org.

(Please note tickets will not be sold at the door).

Which leaves us with one final question: who’s going to play the Anita Ekberg role?

Ruffuls Dials It Up a Notch We’re happy to report that Ruffuls, that classic lunch spot in the Square, is now under new ownership and is committed to dialing up their product a notch. We stopped in last week to check out their claim and can report the food really has gotten better. (Don’t worry, their prices are still very reasonable). Also unchanged is the wonderful wait staff (including Dotty, of course), who have been there forever. So drop in and say hello to new owner Colin Meehan, who ran the successful Kountry Kitchen in Greenville for years. He promises fresher ingredients, a new lunch menu, baked instead of boiled ham – you get the picture. It’s great to see an old East Side tradition get even better. P.S. We understand a name change may be coming too.

McBride’s Coming McSoon While we’re on the subject of Wayland Square, we’re happy to report another new bar/restaurant will be opening at the end of May. McBride’s will open next to Monahan Drabble Sherman Funeral Home, complete with a handsome new patio area.

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East Side Monthly May 2011

We haven’t been inside yet, but we’re told the new spot will be set up as an Irish pub. More details as we get them.

This Old House Seeking Your Old House?

The PBS television This Old House is looking for its first old house from Rhode Island to profile. Producers hope to find a “dynamic family with a classic old house in need of help with plenty of things to save and update.” Ideally the house will not require a complete renovation, but rather one that could be done in about six months and would be completed

by December. The selected house will appear on several shows in early 2012. The deadline for consideration is May 15 and must include a description of the project; the year, style and location of the house; low-resolution digital photos of the interior and exterior; a description (with photos) of the owners; the proposed starting and finishing time of the project; and the project’s budget. The show notes that the renovations are completely funded by the homeowners and not by This Old House, though the show coordinates product discounts and donations where possible. Send email submissions to pickmyhouse@thisoldhouse.com, or by regular mail to: This Old House Project Proposals, P.O. Box 130, Concord, Massachusetts 01742.

It’s a Small World After All Rhode Island will come together for a wild, comprehensive, two-day multicultural concert that will be held on Saturday, May 28 from 1:30-8:15pm and Sunday, May 29 starting at 5pm at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (VMA) and Cultural Center.

Called “Together at The Vets: Multicultural Festival 2011,” the weekend extravaganza will bring together a broad range of entertainment to reflect and honor the diverse cultural heritage of our community. Among some of the groups to be featured: Laotian dancers, Cape Verdean storytellers, dragon dancers, Bolivian dancers and more. For

more info call 421-ARTS. Tickets are only $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Get a Good Read, Do a Good Deed The Friends of Rochambeau Library will be holding their annual used book sale from May 2-7. It’s your chance to score a used book, audio-visual item, puzzle or perhaps stumble upon what the group calls “a rarity,” while at the same time helping out a great community resource. Call 455-8110 for specific times and details for what’s up for grabs. You can also visit www.friendsofrochambeau.org. It’s a longtime East Side tradition worthy of our support.

Mother’s Day Freebies Now we know you wouldn’t even dream of trying to cut corners financially in terms of honoring your mom, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention there are at least two freebies out there. The Roger Williams Park Zoo is offering free admission both Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 to all moms. (We also know there’s a special brunch for moms on the Sunday, but we’re sure you need to pay for that.) Then there’s the Children’s Museum, which is offering free admission on Sunday as well.

In fact they’re generously extending their offer to include grandmothers too. Hope all you moms enjoy the day.

Stringing Us Along?

Steve Martin must have a thing about Rhode Island.

Not only did he play the Newport Folk Festival last year, but he’s back again this year to do a one-man show at PPAC on May 25. Called “Conversation with Steve Martin,” the evening event is billed as an impromptu session with the talented Mr. Martin. It’s also being called “the first U.S. session of its kind.”

Not sure exactly what that means, but Steve Martin prides himself on still being “one wild and crazy guy,” so who knows. Call 421-ARTS for tix.

Other Side by Barry Fain Honoring a Top Doc

History On Display

The Rhode Island Medical Women’s Association is honoring Marlene Cutitar, M.D., as this year’s Woman Physician of the Year. The association is celebrating its 30th anniversary by honoring Cutitar for her outstanding work as a surgeon, both in solo practice in Providence and as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University. She currently works as a surgeon at The Miriam Hospital.

Cutitar’s practice focuses on the examination and treatment of malignant breast conditions, in addition to colorectal screenings. She has been in the medical field for over 20 years and has been recognized not only for her skills but for her compassion towards the patients she treats.

An alumna of Brown University’s seven-year medical education program and its surgical residency program, she received her medical degree and completed her surgical

On May 4, from 5-7pm, the Providence Art Club will be celebrating the city of Providence’s 375th anniversary by presenting an exhibit of restored original portraits of Rhode Island governors from the 17th to 21st centuries.

This event is held to honor the history of Rhode Island, its leaders and the artists who contributed their talent.

The show will feature portraits completed by James Sullivan Lincoln, founder of the Art Club and its first president in 1880, as well as other Art Club members.

Many of the portraits to be displayed have been restored (25 of 71) and shown at several Rhode Island venues in the past, such as the Newport Art Museum and Vareika Gallery in 2008, Woonsocket’s Museum of Work and Culture in 2009, and the Old Bristol State House in 2011. Since 2008, the Rhode Island Restoration Society has presented these restored portraits of governors in a traveling exhibition called Governors on Tour. These portraits were created

degree when she graduated Brown in 1986. She is a board member of the American Medical Women’s Association, Rhode Island Medical Society and Rhode Island Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, as well as a member of New England Surgical Society and American Society of Breast Surgeons. Aside from being the Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Cutitar is also a speaker for numerous community events.

The RIMWA Woman Physician of the Year Award recognizes a local woman physician each year who has demonstrated excellence and a high level of commitment to medicine, as well as the community.

The event will be held on Tuesday, May 3 at the Providence Marriott Hotel at 6:30pm. Dinner will be served at 7pm. Attendance is open to the medical and general community.

The cost for RIMWA members is $45 and $55 for non-members. Contact Jane Coutu for further details at 3313207. –Carlee Carbone

to represent the governors’ and their hometown.

Former members of the Art Club restored 17 of the 36 portraits that have been hung on the walls of the State House over the years. The Gallery of Governors recognizes leaders who were in office from 1648-2010.

The most recent portrait will be of Governor Donald L. Carcieri, by Harley Bartlett, a former Providence Art Club president.

Iona Dobbins, the Art Club project coordinator says of the exhibit, “I’m not from Rhode Island. I grew up in Massachusetts, so this is really fascinating to me. I learned a lot about the history of the state and the past governors.”

The Rhode Island State House Restoration Society is a nonprofit organization created to address the preservation of the State House along with its collection of portraits.

For further information contact Iona Dobbins at 741-7336 or visit www.providenceartclub.org –Carlee Carbone

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East Side Monthly May 2011

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Community News Community News is 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.

College Hill Diane Greco Josefowicz College Hill Neighborhood Association Phone Number: 633-5230 Website: www.collegehillneighborhoodassociation.org Email Address: chna@collegehillneighborhoodassociation.org Mailing Address: CHNA, P.O. Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906 Mayor Taveras Meets with the Board CHNA’s most recent Board meeting convened on Monday evening, April 4 at Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope Street. Attending Board members included Allison Spooner, Alex Payson, Diane Greco Josefowicz, Sara Bradford, Ed Bishop, Yvonne Schilling, Heidi Heifetz and new Board member Ted Trafton.

At this meeting, Mayor Taveras introduced Stronger Providence, a citywide initiative to address the city’s structural deficit, based on the findings of the Municipal Finances Review Panel. Michael D’Amico, the new director of administration and chairman of the panel, was also on hand to offer insight and field questions. The panel, which Taveras convened shortly after taking office, has conducted a comprehensive review of the city’s balance sheet. The Panel’s findings are available online, in a

report that may be downloaded at www.strongerprovidence.com.

As everyone knows, the city’s fiscal picture is not pretty. According to the report, the city’s structural deficit for FY2011 is approximately $70 million, and is expected to rise to $110 million next year if nothing is done to increase city revenues and curb spending. Severe underfunding of the municipal pension system is another looming problem. The Stronger Providence plan identifies sources of municipal loss and expense and offers a number of options for containing them. In terms of ambition, these options run the gamut, from renegotiation of union contracts and increasing support from tax-exempt organizations that utilize city resources, to turning on parking meters after 3pm and on weekends. (Did you know that the city spends $500,000 annually to remove discarded mattresses from sidewalks?)

Austerity measures are already underway. Taveras himself took a ten-percent pay cut, and employees in his office will see their salaries reduced by the same percentage next year. The cancellation of a city contract with a benefits administration company will save the city $900,000 this year as the service is brought in-house. But, Taveras warned, not all belt-tightening measures will be so straightforward. Four Providence schools have already been closed, and 40-70 teacher positions have been or will be eliminated.

These measures will save another $8 million this year, but the longterm effects of such cuts on the city’s students are harder to project. D’Amico stressed that the city’s expenses have already been cut to

the bone. If further savings are to be realized, they will have to come from restructuring pensions, reassessing labor contracts, and seeking ways to increase revenues and state aid.

Jobzle.com and RI’s Hardest Hit Fund At CHNA’s March meeting, the Board hosted a presentation by Arthur Warren of Jobzle.com. Jobzle is an online community-based labor exchange in which local college students advertise their availability and skills to potential employers. While businesses like GTECH use the site to recruit interns and employees from area schools, the site is also useful for individuals seeking help with odd jobs like gardening, housekeeping and babysitting. Students who post profiles and offers on the site must have a registered, active university email address. Warren, a Brown graduate, stressed the utility of this feature, which distinguishes the site from other online labor exchanges like Craigslist.

At the same meeting, Allison Spooner brought to the Board’s attention RI Housing’s Hardest Hit Fund, a resource for homeowners who have a documented financial hardship and have exhausted their options in maintaining mortgage payments and avoiding foreclosure. To learn more, call 457-1148 or visit hhfri.org, where you’ll find program information and a schedule of meetings open to the public.

Cocktails on College Hill You will soon receive a notice about CHNA in your mail, along with an invitation to a cocktail party held by one of your neighbors! Cocktails on College Hill, a series of cocktail par-

ties to be held in May, is a CHNA-supported activity intended to strengthen our vibrant community by bringing neighbors together in an informal setting to share news and ideas. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet CHNA Board members and join CHNA. Anyone who joins or renews their membership at one of these parties will also receive CHNA’s welcome packet, which includes coupons for goods and services offered by local vendors. (If you use the coupons, your membership pays for itself.)

You can also join CHNA in the usual ways: online or by mail. Membership is $20 per year and includes invitations to events, as well as timely email crime alerts and our free, mostly monthly e-newsletter which reports on neighborhood news as well as CHNA’s activities. All new members receive a welcome packet. To join (or renew) your membership, visit our website, www.collegehillneighborhoodassociation.com, and click “Join CHNA.” Or send a check for $20, made out to College Hill Neighborhood Association, to the Treasurer, Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906. Be sure to include your email address.

Blackstone Parks

By Jane Peterson Blackstone Parks Conservancy Phone Number: 270-3014 Website: www.blackstoneparksconservancy.org Mailing Address: PO Box 603141, Providence, RI 02906

May 2011 East Side Monthly

17

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East Side Monthly May 2011

Photography exhibit, co-sponsored by the Blackstone Parks Conservancy, the Narragansett Boat Club, and Friends of Blackstone Woods. June 5, 4-7pm. See our new website (above).

Scenes from Blackstone Parks What do you see when you walk in the woods? On June 5 at the Narragansett Boat Club you can find out what some amateur photographers see in the Blackstone Park Conservation District and along the Seekonk River. The exhibit Through Our Eyes: Woodland and Water pulls together people who care about the park and river.

Fighting Soil Erosion This spring you can see what was hidden by all that winter snow: gullies in the making where the leaf litter and some topsoil were washed downhill by a torrential December storm.

In these potential gullies Conservancy volunteers will stake absorbent materials to lessen the damage: slowing runoff and erosion so rainfall can soak in as close as possible to where it falls. These are stopgap measures suggested by the Parks Department and the Department of Environmental Management.

The Conservancy’s vision is healthy urban green space for all. With help and guidance from volunteers, the Parks Department, and state agencies, we can make real headway. Please send East Side Market receipts to our P.O. Box (above). They really help.

Summit Neighborhood

By Ben Grisi First Meeting of the North Main Street Merchant Association Twelve merchants attended the first meeting of the recently created

North Main Street Merchant Association. The Association will meet regularly to tackle issues and explore opportunities that will make North Main Street more vibrant and attractive to businesses and the community. Attendees discussed how to increase on-street parking, assorted building prospects, and other ways to beautify the street and make it a more frequent shopping destination.

Wayland Square

Summit Music Festival 2011 Grant Submitted The Summit Neighborhood Association has submitted a grant for the City of Providence Performing Arts Initiative to hold a second annual music festival in Lippitt Park.

Last summer, the SNA organized the first Summit Music Festival, a well-attended concert that included local vendors, a magician and performances by some well-known local groups. If the grant is approved, the 2011 festival will be held on August 7, with a rain date of August 14.

Performing artists will be announced later this spring.

Monthly Meetings: Wednesday, April 27 and Wednesday, May 25 at 7pm. Books on the Square, street level, 471 Angell Street (at Elmgrove, next to CVS). Free and open to all. Future meetings will be at the same place and time on the fourth Wednesday of each month through October.

Farmer’s Market and Open Market Dates The Farmer’s Market will be held in Lippitt Park at Hope Street and Blackstone Boulevard on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm beginning on June 4. The 2011 Providence Open Market of crafts and collectibles will operate from June 11 through September 24, also on Saturdays, with selling times from 10am-2pm. After the winter we’ve endured, strolling the markets in June cannot come fast enough.

Bowen Fountain Ribbon Cutting The City of Providence engineers are hard at work laying pipe and performing other tasks in order to get water running in the Henry Bowen Anthony Fountain in Lippitt Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for May 21. For more details about this event and any of the others mentioned above, drop by www. summitneighbors.org on a regular basis.

By David Kolsky Neighborhood Discussion Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/waylandsquare

Bicycle Racks At our meeting on March 23, several neighbors and merchants got together with City Councilman Sam Zurier and a representative of U.S. Open Cycling to work out the practical problems of installing some new bicycle racks or hitches around Wayland Square. Since many bikes now are chained harmfully around young tree saplings or the poles that carry the new “Shop Wayland Square” banners, the merchants and neighbors found they share a common interest in finding better hitching posts.

The City of Providence has said it has four bike hitches it can install in the Square, and the meeting tentatively picked out four or five safe locations that are likely to attract to bike owners without adding to sidewalk clutter or impeding the paths of wheelchairs and baby carriages. Once the consent of the abutting merchants and their landlords is obtained, installation arrangements can be made with the city.

Providence 375 If you have any ideas for tying a Wayland Square event with this year’s six-month celebration of the 375th birthday of Providence (founded 1636), please share them. See the Fox Point and Summit columns in this section for some of the projects they plan to associate with “Providence 375”, or visit the city’s anniversary website at www.providence375.com.

m Balancing Acts

By Barry Fain and Alyssa Smith

m

Seven impressive East Side Moms who combine parenting with their passions

Many women start off with well-defined career or personal goals. With motherhood, some continue this path. Some suspend it. Others search for a plan B. Carrie Cook, one of the women profiled in this story, summed it up rather poetically: “Women basically have to compose their lives,” she suggests. “We put things together but then have to rearrange them as life changes with the family. The dance always seems to change.”

In honor of Mother’s Day we’d like to share the stories of seven fascinating East Side women who seem to have found a way to combine commitment to their families with a rich and satisfying personal life. We hope you enjoy their stories.

Continuing Your Creativity Carrie Cook builds on her career as ABC News producer

C

reativity and flexibility have always been the buzzwords for Carrie Cook, who moved to the East Side from Princeton, New Jersey about ten years ago. Arriving here with her husband and two children after a 12-year career with ABC News in New York, Cook continues to explore new and exciting projects in both New York and locally. “If you think about it, women with children are always reinventing themselves.” Depending on their ages, their interests, their needs, she acknowledges the time available for one’s career is forever changing. With her youngest now a junior at Wheeler, she expects things will begin to change again for her as an empty nester. Her 20 year-old son is now a student at the American University in Paris.

She notes how women start down one career path – in her case as an award-winning television producer (four Emmys and a Peabody) – only to find changes of direction inevitable.

Upon relocating to Providence, Cook worked as Vice President for Branded Content for Hill Holliday, a large Boston-based advertising agency,

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East Side Monthly May 2011

worked on a bracelet project for families of victims of first responders of 9/11, and co-founded a Healthy Child Healthy World Environmental Project. “Fortunately I was able to coordinate travel schedules with my husband.”

One of her favorite projects allowed her to get her children involved as well. While working with Good Morning America, viewers were asked to submit one-paragraph synopses of their lives that would then be converted into a book by a professional writer – sort of an American Idol competition for autobiographies is how she describes it. “We got over 8,000 submissions that were forwarded to me here in Providence. What was special was that I was able to have my children involved in the screening process, which probably explains why they both now have a real interest in journalism. Ultimately a wonderful book was produced from the project.”

Cook has enjoyed the last decade on the East Side. “There’s something rather eccentric

about Providence,” she notes. “Maybe it’s our deep tradition of religious freedom and tolerance. Maybe it’s because there are fewer job opportunities so you have to live by your wits and creativity. I love it though.”

Start by Solving a Problem It’s how Grace Welch began a national business from her home

G

race Welch is the most recent of the arrivals to the East Side. Raised in Philadelphia, she went to school in New York, then ended up living in San Francisco. Now the mother of four children, her life took a decidedly sharp turn in 2004. Always entrepreneurial, with a background in marketing and design, Welch was changing the diaper of one her children, grousing about the difficulty of matching a traditional rectangular changing pad to a squirming child. Cue the light bulb. Soon she was sketching out a new design for a colorful circular changing pad with pockets that could fold away neatly into a carrying case.

Within months, she applied for patents – first for design, then for usage – and a new cottage industry was born. “My husband Marty and I lived in a large house in San Francisco where we could live and raise the kids in the front area, while we ran our business in the back.” They called the new company Patemm, a blend of Patrick and Emma, their two oldest children.

Using guerilla marketing techniques and selling almost entirely via the internet, the product began to gain an almost cult following. “We had several West Coast celebrities who were using the product and the word-of-mouth was terrific,” Welch recalls. Articles appeared in places like People magazine.

Then came lift-off. “I received a call from an Oprah producer out of the clear blue.” Within a few weeks she was off to Chicago and the rest is history.

“We’re still trying to keep control over the distribution of Patemm and we still don’t go to many trade shows,” she notes. But their success may be difficult to stop. This past November, Grace received a call from Minneapolis, the main headquarters of Target, which has just signed on to distribute the product.

So, why Providence? “I rarely plan things very far in advance; they just seem to happen,” Welch explains. It turns out many of the materials she needs for the pad come from the East Coast, so it’s less expensive and easier to get things done in nearby Fall River.

There’s also an important local connection. Welch’s sister, Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar, a PhD from Brown, is now special assistant to President Ruth Simmons. “We’ve always been close and, in fact, Hanna played a key role in giving me practical advice as we first developed the product.”

And the transition so far? “I love living on the East Side,” Welch says. With Fall River so close on the one hand and New York, where she frequently has to visit, on the other, Providence is perfectly situated.

The Welch’s know they could mass-produce more in China, but that’s not what they want. “My husband and I want to simplify our lives. Our number one priority, however, remains to be good parents.”

Making Connections Anisa Raoof uses technology to keep kids engaged

I

f you’re a hip mom looking for something to do with your kids in Rhode Island, chances are you’ve accessed the website sensation KidoInfo.com for an idea. Surprisingly though, the woman behind this resource, Anisa Raoof, isn’t a Rhode Island native and didn’t start off behind a computer screen. Originally from Buffalo, then Cape Cod, Raoof gravitated to Providence for its vibrant arts scene. “I came here as a metalwork artist and was attracted by the studios and the size,” she explains.

Raoof and husband Douglas settled on the East Side, choosing this section of Providence for its combination of urban vibe and neighborhood atmosphere. Raoof started her career in Providence, working with a fellow artisan to create the Providence Craft Show, all while connecting with other artists and community players. When she became pregnant with her twin sons, Raoof says she felt overwhelmed by being both a parent and an artist.

Wanting to expose her children to the same artistic Providence scene she grew to love, Raoof was determined to find kid-friendly concerts, restaurants and galleries.

After amassing the information for several years and realizing the power of the internet, Raoof began blogging her findings, creating KidoInfo in 2007.

The popularity and changes in the website surprised Raoof; KidoInfo evolved from a blog about one mother’s quest to find excitement in the city, to a collection of voices from fellow parents. With a growing number of contributors, a weekly newsletter, panel discussions, and sponsored events, KidoInfo now boasts over 2,500 followers.

Raoof continues to enjoy Providence for its local businesses, parks and libraries. In line with her passion for connecting local parents, Raoof’s next KidoInfothemed event will be a panel discussion at AS220 on May 25 about raising community minded kids.

May 2011 East Side Monthly

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An Artful Home Cade Tompkins brings her life and her career under one roof

I

f walls could talk, Cade Tompkins’ East Side home would say that it’s a place where people coexist with art. Owner of her namesake Cade Tompkins Projects, her house near Wheeler School doubles as the space for her gallery, which holds an array of paintings, sculptures and installations.

A contemporary art dealer for 28 years, Tompkins first started her career in New York, working for the Brooke Alexander Gallery for 12 years and as a private dealer creating special exhibitions for artists. Tompkins was also the first in the Upper East Side to start producing “pop-up galleries,” leasing townhouses and other spaces for the sole purpose of temporary art exhibitions.

Though she considers herself a New Yorker, Tompkins went to boarding school in New Jersey and frequently spent her summers on the beaches of Rhode Island. After marrying and having her first child in New York,

Tompkins and her family moved to Providence in 1998. While being a mother and adjusting to a different city occupied her time, Tompkins didn’t want to leave the art world behind. She began to frequent other artists’ studios and galleries, toting her two children around while making important connections. After developing a rapport with local artists, Tompkins opened her project space in September of 2009.

Now showcasing local, national and international works of art at her gallery, Tompkins says the East Side specifically and Providence as a whole have proved to be “a small gem of a city.” Tompkins may have entered the city a transplant, but she has established herself as a fixture on the East Side and in the local arts community.

The next exhibition at Tompkins’ gallery will be from Tayo Heuser. Her work will be on display from April 16 to May 29.

“If you think about it, women with children are always reinventing themselves.”

– Carrie Cook

It Takes a Village Wendy Lawton gets by with a

W

endy Lawton admits her first months in Rhode Island were pretty horrible. “I had this terrific job in Portland, Oregon working for a daily newspaper when my husband at the time decided he wanted to relocate here for a better opportunity,” she recalls. “I dutifully went along and bam.” Two months later, Lawton was separated from her husband, forced to sell the house, without a job and responsible for their ten-month-old daughter.

Ten years later, Lawton has turned things around.

She describes her current life on the East Side as “rich but chaotic.” She cherishes her time with her now eight-year-old who attends Vartan Gregorian Elementary School (where she sits on the PTO Board), and enjoys a challenging job as associate director for science and technology in Brown’s Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations.

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East Side Monthly May 2011

Translated for us non-academics: she’s in charge of getting grants and funding from corporations and foundations to support science and technology projects at the university.

While the job is demanding, Lawton has created an impressive support system –she calls it a “posse of friends”– that allows her to function beautifully in her multiple roles. She even has enough time left over to produce a food blog. “Whatever else I do, I love sharing the kitchen with my daughter in her little apron,” she proclaims.

Wendy admits she’d prefer to not have to be dependent on a full time job to provide for the family, but as a single mom she still manages to get everything done that needs doing. “I even have a social life,” she laughs. With a good job, a great daughter and an incredible support system, Lawton has come to terms nicely with her adopted home.

Photography: Amy Amerantes

little help from her friends

Photography: Amy Amerantes

Photography: Amy Amerantes

One Size Doesn’t Fit All Alice Boss Altman suggests women seek out different paths

A

lice Boss Altman represents a generation of women who grew up in the days when the options available to young mothers were limited. “I was fortunate,” says the native born Rhode Islander, who initially went to school in Boston and then onto New York to work for several years in the garment industry.

“When I got married and returned to raise a family, I lived a life that would not have allowed me to pursue a career,” she remembers.

“Which is not to say, you have to turn off your passions. I took courses at RISD during those years, did some interior design work, even started a small jewelry design firm for a few years.”

Altman admits there are different challenges today. “The key question I believe for women to answer, is how do they define success?” To her, there is no right answer. Is it staying at home full-time? Landing the dream job? Working out of the home? “It doesn’t matter,” she declares. “I think we women have to embrace the decision of our sisters. None of us know what formed the basis of these very individual decisions. But I do know that women need to have a raft of support from their peers.”

Altman has retained a creative curiosity that has fueled her entire life. She continues doing interior decorating, though of course she has found a way to put her own unique spin on it. “I charge my few clients a set upfront charge made out to a fund at Lifespan that supports a program called ‘Healing in the Arts,’ enabling artists to work with cancer patients.” She also remains engaged in fundraising for many local nonprofits, including the Met School and WaterFire. Again, she puts her own spin on these efforts. “Once a month I meet for breakfast with a bunch of Met School students just to talk about their goals and futures. I like to think we all find it useful.”

“The key question I believe for women to answer, is how do they define success?”

– Alice Boss Altman

The Birth of an Activist The East Side is in Allison Spooner’s blood

T

hough Allison Spooner has a Rhode Island connection as a descendant of Roger Williams, she and her husband Nick were unaware of all East Side had to offer when she relocated from New York to College Hill in 2003. “Our realtor set it up for us to see all of Rhode Island within three days,” she recalls.

“We saw our house and loved it but didn’t know that much about the area.”

It didn’t take long for Spooner to become involved with the community to which she was genetically linked. In 2004, she joined the boards of both Friends of the Brown Street Park and the College Hill Neighborhood Association, two nonprofit organizations about which she’s become passionate. The former is the abandoned space behind Hope High that, through a combination of city grants and sweat equity from parents, has become a wonderful and vibrant kid-friendly urban oasis. Then a year-and-a-half ago, Spooner was elected as President of the College Hill Neighborhood Association.

This has given Spooner the opportunity to take a leadership role in her neighborhood, but she’s also felt it’s important to bring the different neighborhoods of Providence together as well. Under her watch, several of these meetings have been held for discussions of important citywide issues.

During this time, she was pregnant with her first child. Through connecting with other mothers-to-be in Rhode Island, Spooner realized she wasn’t alone in not knowing all her birthing options.

From 2005 to 2009, Spooner worked as a childbirth educator, co-creating a curriculum designed for mothers wishing to be more active in their birth experience. Her work has evolved into a nonprofit, the Rhode Island Birth Network, an online resource for expecting mothers and their families.

Spooner is now a birthing consultant, assisting anyone who needs information about giving birth in Rhode Island. Raising her family and continuing to be hands-on in the community, Spooner says she will work from the ground up to make the East Side one of the best places in Rhode Island to live.

May 2011 East Side Monthly

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East Side Monthly May 2011

A Cause for Celebration Happy 375th birthday, Providence

by Andrew Brennan In 1636, Roger Williams, facing arrest for promoting his belief that civil liberties and religious freedoms should be separate, left the Massachusetts Bay Colony, headed down the Seekonk River and took shelter among the native tribes. The Massachusetts Bay Colony later forced him to move further west, and Williams built a new settlement on land provided by the natives. He named the settlement “Providence.”

This year, the Roger Williams National Memorial, the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism (ACT), the Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), the Rhode Island Foundation and, of course, Providence Media, your humble publishers of Providence Monthly and this publication, are working together to organize Providence 375, a sixmonth-long series of events around the city to commemorate the 375th anniversary of the founding of Providence and celebrate Roger Williams’ legacy along with the wealth of art, culture and history found in today’s Providence.

“For us it’s a way to add an extra spotlight on the wonderful things that happen, and to really promote the arts and cultural resources that are here in Providence,” says Stephanie Fortunato, Special Projects Manager for ACT. The events will be brought under the umbrella of the 375th anniversary by incorporating one or more of the celebration’s four themes of hope, freedom, roots and ingenuity.

The list of potential events and programs the organizers hope to showcase is long. Among those already confirmed are a special WaterFire, a series of concerts at Waterplace Park, art installations and other events at the Roger Williams National Memorial, and much more. A list of events will be featured in the official Providence 375 guidebook, which will be free and available city-wide in early June, as well as at Providence375.com, which will be updated throughout the season.

“We’re trying to have a mix of events that are sort of staples of every season,” explains Jennifer Smith, site manager at the Roger Williams National Memorial.

“The city-wide concerts, the neighborhood block parties, the things that go

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on at Burnside Park, the skating center – all of the perennial events that happen, we wanted to capture those.”

The anniversary will celebrate more than just the artistic and cultural resources of Providence. A canoe trip organized by Rhode Island Blueways will retrace the route that Roger Williams took to get here on the Seekonk River.

The Rhode Island Historical Society and the Providence Foundation are pairing up to put on four walking tours which will showcase Roger Williams various parts of Providence’s history reflecting to each of the four themes.

“It’s not your traditional ‘historic celebration,’ so to speak,” notes CVB President Martha Sheridan. “It’s celebrating everything about Providence that is wonderful. It’s about the creativity of the city. It’s about the natural resources in our city. It’s about the culture of the city.”

The anniversary has also presented the opportunity to bring attention to equally creative, but perhaps lesserknown groups.

“What we were looking for was being able to provide some support to an organization that doesn’t have the resources in this economy, but has the desire to be involved,” Smith says.

The Rhode Island Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to seek out different groups and help them develop new programming specifically for the 375th anniversary. After the planning committee received several proposals from a wide variety of groups and organizations, Smith says, “We picked four and decided we would split the $10,000 four ways.”

The Rhode Island Black Storytellers will be sharing stories rooted in the four themes. The Tomaquag Indian

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Memorial Museum will have educational programs that showcase native dress, dance, and other aspects of native culture. Poetry in Public Places, a program put on by spoken word artist Christopher Johnson through the Mt. Hope Learning Center, will have several poets perform pieces in different areas of Providence. The Rhode Island Songwriters will create and perform several new songs relating to the four themes of the anniversary. The groundswell of involvement has encompassed groups and communities across the city, and continues to grow.

Providence 375 hopes to give a boost to all the organizations involved – especially helpful as the city finds itself in the midst of a less-than-stellar economic situation.

“The rising tide raises all boats,” Smith stresses. “We’re sharing resources in what had been looked at as the year we might not have been able to pull this off, just based on everything that’s going on around us. Because we’ve brought everybody to the table and we’re sharing resources I think we’re going to pull off a pretty cool year of events.” www.providence375.com

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East Side Monthly May 2011

GLASS ACT BROWN’S NEW CREATIVE ARTS CENTER IS A WINNER

IT’S FINALLY SPRING!

TIME TO GET OUTSIDE & PLAY!

BY BARRY FAIN

PHOTOS BY IWAN BAAN

When it comes to architecture, Brown University and I have frequently found ourselves on collision courses. I am an unabashedly traditional preservationist. I live in an 1820 house. I generally like brick over glass. And I often resent the fact Brown tends to build their lower height edifices on their main campus while putting the larger ones (think Life Sciences) into the adjoining residential areas of the East Side. But that was then.

Now Brown seems committed to expanding in areas off College Hill – the new Knowledge District, for example, or along the commercial areas of South Main Street and downtown. So when I was invited to attend the opening of the new Perry and Marty Granoff Center for the Creative Arts on Angell

Studio 1

Street a few weeks back, I welcomed the chance to see if the newest addition to the core Brown campus was a step forward, backward or somewhere in between. I’m happy to report the new building is wonderful, an exciting adventure in glass, steel and concrete that has something for everyone – even stubborn traditionalists like me.

Built as part of the new walk that is designed to connect the old Pembroke campus with the Green, the new Center for the Creative Arts certainly grabs your attention early. Sheathed in ribbons of gray zinc, the southward-facing rear of the building has a stealth-bomber, high-tech feel to it.

Providence Journal architecture critic Dave Brussat (who admits he’s never met a modernist building he didn’t

hate) quickly took umbrage with this newest addition to the Brown campus, finding it more appropriate for Darth Vader than an Ivy League undergraduate. Obviously the “force” of the building’s design was not with Mr. Brussat.

However, I would take issue with that assessment. First off, the building is scaled properly for the neighborhood that surrounds it. Only 76 feet tall, it actually seems to blend in with the brick buildings to its north, and the traditionally stand-alone clapboard university buildings to its south. One reviewer actually suggested that the ribbon design acknowledges the horizontality of its clapboard neighbors.

That may be a bit of a reach, but it certainly does not offer jarring contrast to the neighborhood.

The building’s designers, Diller Scofidio + Renfro (overreachers, “plucked from the celestial reaches of (New York) starchitecture” sniffed Brussat), are noted for their ability to blend academics with creativity to produce visually exciting, but wellthought out projects. Among the latest achievements on their rapidly growing hits list: The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, and the spectacular High Line Project in New York, which converted an abandoned overhead subway line into a walking park that has become a must-see site in the city.

The purpose of the new Creative Arts Center, according to Richard Fishman, Professor of Visual Art and Director of the Creative Arts Council, is to bring together different disci-

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Martinos Auditorium plines within the university “to create new modes of dialogue between departments.” The building is not home to any one discipline. Any faculty member is allowed to use its space to teach a course as long as it “explores the interconnectiveness of art with some other field.” The genius of the building’s design is that the facility has been engineered to facilitate just such collaboration.

This becomes apparent when you view the building from its northern or front side. The Center’s four-story façade looks like it has been deliberately cut into two halves with the left side then pushed up half a story. But this is no attempt to just draw attention to itself; rather it is reflective of the collaboration that is at the heart of the structure. A central stairway goes up the center of the edifice. At each landing, there are chairs and sofas to sit upon, adding a human scale to the project and reinforcing the hoped-for collaborative nature of the projects inside. For example, during the opening, a theatre group was working with medical students to help improve patient interview techniques while statisticians were tabulating results to compare against national performance models.

From the landings one can look both up and down into adjoining studios. If you turn left and look up, you might see the feet of dancers in one studio; turn right and look down and there’s a theatre company doing something with puppets. The energy and opportunities are obvious. Brown and the designers deserve a standing ovation for engaging in this creative architectural risk-taking.

At a cost of over $50 million dollars, which includes over $12 million for operating endowment and $2 million

more for development, the building offers a lot more than just architectural razzamatazz. The acoustics are state of the art throughout the building, but in particular, in its handsome 200-plus-person auditorium. Brown utilized some of the best audio experts in the world to implement its sound system, causing one wag to proclaim that “there isn’t a bad sound in the house.” The ceilings are mounted with the latest digital projection units.

At the opening, Rocco Landesman, the Broadway producer and chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts, was on hand (along with Stephen Sondheim and others, by the way) to wish the building good luck. In his remarks, he stated how much he loved what he called “the unexpected adjacencies” of the unusual interior space and hoped it would encourage students to take risks, as had the designers of the building, even if it meant failure. “Failure is the key to innovation,” he argued. “When failing is fun (as it clearly it will be in the Granoff Center), then it’s okay to try again.”

Kudos to Brown on this wonderful addition to their campus. Nicolai Ouroussoff, architectural reviewer for the New York Times perhaps said it best: “Brown’s new Center for the Creative Arts adds contemporary glamour to a campus of solemn brick buildings and converted clapboard houses. But it does so without the over-the-top effects that could have offended the aesthetics of conservative neighbors.”

As one of those conservative East Side neighbors, but one who thinks he knows a good building when he sees it, thank you, Brown, for doing it so well this time. As you expand into the downtown areas of the city, here’s hoping you continue to stay on track.

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East Side Monthly May 2011

Tempting Providence and Other Stories

By Jonathan Thomas Hippocampus Press 261 pages

My brother read horror comics, and when he was done with them, they were mine. Looking back, I wonder why I read them, because they certainly terrified me. Now I find myself enjoying Jonathan Thomas’ Tempting Providence, a collection of offbeat, otherworldly short stories that bend towards horror. What is the appeal? I look to the author for clues.

Thomas was born in Providence’s Lying-In Hospital, and he suffers from a common local affliction. He loves his native city, the bygone one most of all. In the title story, the narrator, Justin, pursues the ghost of H.P. Lovecraft, the same apparition he saw one night at the List Art Building when he was a student. Lovecraft’s home was on that very site before Brown moved the old house to another location. The story takes the read-

Jonathan Thomas er all over the East Side passing familiar landmarks.

The opening story, “Dead Man’s Shoes” reminds me of Lovecraft’s unanticipated twists of horror, even though tension had loped along from page to page. Then there is “A Different Kind of Heartworm” that presents a tray of puzzling conundrums about the limits of love between husband and wife. As the narrator says, “Too much honesty is like too much oxygen. Things blow up to no good purpose.”

Thomas has a striking gift for metaphor. In the same story: “Surprise faded from his eyes like light bulbs cooling off.” A few more favorite lines: “Civility was deep in an unmarked grave,” and “She could no more harbor second thoughts than a wheel could stop itself rolling downhill.” His take on the bizarre throughout each story reveals a consistent voice – his own, intelligent and entertaining.

Again, what is the appeal of horror stories? Halloween has dissolved into the recent past, and one might ask, “Why did we celebrate monsters, decay, menacing figures, the

dead rising up one night a year?”

The famous Swiss psychologist, Jean Piaget, believed that fairy tales depicting evil magicians and the like were a way of organizing children’s anxieties into a narrative that could then be dismissed as false, as make believe. Fair enough. Maybe that’s why I read horror stories: to give free-floating fears a story line.

In this collection, most of the tales involve encounters with a ghost, of spirits come to haunt former places, or to right a wrong.

Once in awhile, as in “The Lord of the Animals,” Thomas hints that sightings of the departed are simply a fond memory intensified. Perhaps, way down deep, below the rational mind, one yearns for proof that there is an afterlife. And if ghosts were real, we would have a handy way of communicating with the dead through séance, mediums, gypsies – or even just a one on one with an apparition.

I hope Jonathan Thomas sticks with the genre that sets him apart from other writers of fiction. He certainly is a worthy successor to our own H.P. Lovecraft.

Photography by: Angel Dean

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stories

Wives. Mothers. Daughters. Sisters. Successful entrepreneurs. The women profiled here may fit some or all of those descriptions, but they all definitely fit the latter. These are women who have built their businesses from the ground up, flourished, endured hard times, and emerged as leaders, not only in business, but in their communities.

By Chelsea Sherman

Roz Rustigian, The Rug Lady Rustigian Rugs 1 Governor Street, Providence • 751-5100 • Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-5 • rustigianrugs.com

1951 to Present: Crawls then walks on beautiful floor coverings 1957 to 1973: Repairs rugs in home basement (Child labor as a character building exercise) 1969 to 1977: Teenage rebellion & fancy schooling 1977 to 1980: Hotel Operations Analyst: {

} Corporate Offices (Ugh)

1981 to Present: 2X President of the Oriental Rug Retailers Association of America: Oriental Rug Retailer of the Year (2001), Non-profit enthusiast, Outspoken (often) Community Activist

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SucceSS Stories Jennifer L. Powers, Realtor, Residential Properties, LTD Proprietor, Powers Pub Powers Pub, 27 Aborn Street, Cranston • 714-0655 • PowersPub.com Residential Properties, 140 Wickenden Street, Providence • 553-6325 • Residentialproperties.com Jennifer Powers knows what it takes to turn a dream into reality! Three years ago, at the age of 31, she opened Powers Pub, a piano bar located in “The Heart of Historic Pawtuxet Village.” As owner and visionary, Jennifer renovated raw commercial space into a warm and inviting atmosphere where she has recreated the intimacy of the living room concert. In addition to being the proprietor of Powers Pub, Jennifer is also a conscientious, productive, and professional Realtor with Residential Properties. Yet in spite of Jennifer’s goal oriented nature and business acumen, it is the quality of her relationships with clients, as well as with friends and family, that she considers her greatest accomplishments. Raised by a single mother and being the oldest of six siblings, Jennifer certainly knows the importance of teamwork and sacrifice. She holds a commitment to giving back. Some of Jennifer’s favorite charities include Doctors Without Borders, The American Cancer Society, Habitat For Humanity, Human Rights Campaign & Roger Williams Park. While Jennifer is a businesswoman and real estate professional, she is also a humanitarian who strives toward personal growth, as well as professional success.

Emily Hostetler, Christina Chandler and Grace Dugan Rock-Paper-Flowers 174 Wickenden Street, Providence • 539 Flowers: 454-4400, Paper Moss: 632-4426, Dugan Jewelers: 277-2998 If you’re looking for a one stop shop for your nuptial needs, these women have created the perfect place. Rock-Paper-Flowers is a unique wedding co-op that caters to every bride’s needs of engagement rings, wedding stationery and floral arrangements. Grace Dugan, Emily Hostetler, and Christina Chandler came together two years ago to share a space on Wickenden Street where they could each run Dugan Jewelers, Paper Moss, and Studio 539 Flowers under one roof.

While Rock-Paper-Flowers is essentially three separate businesses, they function together to provide the best service possible to each bride and groom that walk in the door. The ladies of this co-op find that brides love the idea of being able to access three vendors in the same space and take care of details all at once. They aim to provide every couple with a personal experience and custom products; as service in the wedding industry can take anywhere from months to over a year, they take the time to get to know the brides very well and provide them with products that fit them perfectly. Emily, Grace and Christina believe that the most important part of running their businesses together is efficiently representing each other – which they do, and they do it well.

Michelle Struckholz, Co-Owner and Personal Trainer Momentum Fitness 222 South Water Street Providence • 272-8900 • momentumri.com It’s all about building trusting relationships. During the past twelve years, Michelle Struckholz has come to love the private work-out environment, the sense of community and intimacy, and the personal relationships she has built with her clients. Her greatest accomplishment so far: opening Momentum Fitness on South Water Street where she and her business partner, Rob Daly, provide intelligent personal training.

Michelle focuses closely on each individual client’s specific needs and goals, while making sure that they are moving with the best form possible. It is imperative, she says, that her clients feel comfortable, that they trust their trainer, and that they fully enjoy themselves while training with her. She has created a relaxed atmosphere in a unique sophisticated health club which reminds her of the small neighborhood health club she worked at in San Francisco for ten years.

This 36-year-old professional modern dancer believes that being present and passionate about her work are the most essential aspects of being a successful businesswoman, and it shows.

Michelle’s hard work pays off in her knowing that she’s making a difference in people’s quality of life, overall health, and fitness.

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East Side Monthly May 2011

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Joyce Traini, Owner and Manager Femme Fatale 500 Angell Street, Providence • 457-5000 • info@femmefatalesalon.com An extraordinary vision, keen sense of the fashion industry, and a passion for people, has kept Joyce Traini at the leading edge of the ever-changing market and trends unique to the beauty industry. Overseeing the daily operations of a busy salon, Joyce is also a stylist and master colorist. Opening Avanti Dezigns, a small salon on East Avenue, Joyce quickly became hugely successful after Cosmopolitan magazine featured her as one of four women in the country who had made it on her own. Business boomed, and the salon relocated and expanded. Joyce was suddenly in the vanguard of the “Day Spa” – a bold and innovative move in the early 90’s - riding a wave of facials, pedicures, and edgy styles to dizzying heights. As the millennium approached, the beauty industry became more tentative – “bigger” was no longer necessarily “better.” Small skin care and medi spas were popping up all over. Nail salons were on every corner. But in this cloudy environment, Joyce saw a clear opportunity in the Capitol Center Project – the “new” downtown. Providence Place was opening, and in her usual style, Joyce was right there to meet the future head-on. She sold Avanti to an employee, and opened the very upscale boutique, Salon Milano, where she quickly added bankers, lawyers, and other professionals to her already substantial following. Accepting an offer to buy her location, Joyce, once again, saw her market changing, the economy beginning to flag.

But ever aware that in a declining economy the beauty industry thrives, she was already brainstorming her next concept. It was time to return to the East Side – and “return to glamour.” Girls wanted to be girls. So Joyce gave them a place in Wayland Square – and aptly named it Femme Fatale. A space with the feeling of SoHo, where gilt-edged baroque meets avant-garde. As usual, the salon swiftly became a stunning success. As achievement demands, owning her business is a major part of Joyce’s life, but it would be impossible without the unwavering support of her husband and children. She is ever grateful for the loyalty of her clientele, particularly the many East Siders who have been the lifeblood of her business these past twenty-five years. She credits her business with providing financial independence and an educational experience second to none, all without any sense of actually working. Joyce’s secret continues to be her innate ability to anticipate changes in beauty industry trends, and adapt to them at exactly the right moment. While reallocating her time between colorist and manager, her vision for the future is to balance her roles with enjoying the rewards her success has provided.

Tuni Schartner, Owner and Principal Designer and Consultant 3 Sisters Design 140 Glenwood Drive, North Kingstown • 996-7822 • tuni@3sistersdesign.com As a single mother of three and the owner of a landscape design business, Tuni Schartner feels like Cinderella. It isn’t easy to jump-start and manage a business in this economy, take care of your children, and somehow still find time to go hiking, riding and learn how to fly. Tuni can do it, though, with the support of her family and friends. She is the owner and principal designer and consultant of 3 Sisters Design, a full-service landscape design, installation, maintenance and consulting company. 3 Sisters provides its customers with consultation and design on small or large projects, on everything from planting containers to storm water compliance. As the owner, Tuni is able to do what she loves and loves what she does. Even though she already runs a successful business doing something she enjoys, she feels that continually educating herself by attending seminars and workshops is one of the best things she can do for herself and her company. What she enjoys the most about her work: her gardening projects, and, most importantly, the relationships that develop into friendships with her clients.

May 2011 East Side Monthly

33

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SucceSS Stories Sally Lapides, Owner/CEO Residential Properties Ltd. 140 Wickenden Street, Providence • 553-6309 • ResidentialProperties.com Location, location, location. That’s what you usually hear from a Realtor. But not from Sally Lapides, owner of Residential Properties®. For her, it’s relationships, relationships, relationships.

That has always been the driving force for her in business. She believes that the most successful people in business are smart, determined, and understand how to relate to people. She knows how important it is to surround herself with those people; she hires the top professionals in the real estate business, whose wisdom, she says, helps and supports her on a daily basis. Sally didn’t always want to be a realtor, though. After graduating college, she began working at an art gallery. When the gallery closed after only three months of her employment, she decided to get her real estate license and rent apartments for a few months until graduate school. As it turned out, Sally found her passion; she sold twenty houses, and today, her company is the number one real estate company in the state. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Residential Properties hopes to continue to stay on the cutting edge of technology and expand their marketplace. With a CEO as strong as Sally, they are sure to stay the leading real estate company in Rhode Island.

Abby Cabral, Owner and General Manager DownCity @ 50 Weybosset 50 Weybosset Street, Providence • 331-9217 • downcityfood.com Competitive. Driven. Passionate. These are qualities that describe Abby Cabral, owner and general manager of DownCity @ 50 Weybosset, and qualities that she feels have led to the success in her life. Abby started her career in the restaurant business at the age of 16 as a waitress at Howard Johnsons in Seekonk. Twenty-seven years later, she purchased the original DownCity Diner in February of 2005; when that restaurant unfortunately burned down in May 2006, Abby had to find a new location. Being as determined as she is, she found one: 50 Weybosset. DownCity’s grand reopening was held in September of 2007 and business has been building ever since. As the owner and manager of a restaurant, Abby knows how time-consuming her business can be. Add in a devastating fire and the pressure of Kitchen Nightmares’ Gordon Ramsey, and it can become pretty demanding. But, as Abby says, doing the very best at what she feels passionate about is what led her down the road to success. So, what’s in store for Abby and the future of DownCity? She hopes to take her business on the road and put one in every major city in the region. With her determination, hard-working staff and a passion for what she’s great at, DownCity is sure to remain a city favorite.

Denise Chakoian-Olney, President and Founder Core-Center of Real Energy Fitness Studio 469 Angell Street, Providence • 273-CORE(2673) • corefitprov.com Denise Chakoian-Olney, president and founder of Core-Center of Real Energy Fitness Studio in Providence, left her job of 14 years in the corporate world to do what she loves: change people’s lives, through fitness. Five years ago Denise sold a piece of property to open up her own fitness studio, and ever since, has been providing customers with group fitness classes, one on one training, and small group training. She runs a unique fitness studio; clients can “drop in,” there are no membership fees, and clients get a personalized workout service. Denise says that her biggest accomplishments by opening her own studio have been being able to make a change in her clients’ lives on a daily basis and being able to fully dedicate herself to them. When her clients meet their goals, so does she. Besides her family, the clients are also her greatest supporters, from the ones who have been with her since the first day to the ones who continue to walk in the door. Denise hopes to continue to give her clients the very best in health and fitness in the future, and to continue to teach the staff to be the best in what they do.

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East Side Monthly May 2011

On the Menu

by John Taraborelli

Karen Pace and her Goody Goody bakery and food cart

On the Road Again

Photography by: Laurel Mulherin

Gourmet sweets are back on wheels Few people prepare food – especially baked goods and sweet treats – with the loving dedication of Karen Pace. Her passion for creativity, her thoughtful attention to ingredients, her commitment to wholesome, locally sourced products, are evident in every bite of one of her cookies or scoop of her ice cream. That’s why it was so sad to see her beloved little shop in downtown Pawtucket, Kafe’ Lila, close last year – and why it is so encouraging to see her back with a new business.

Goody Goody is not so much a brand new endeavor for Pace as it is a return to form. Before there was Kafe’ Lila, she had a bike-powered mobile cart from which she peddled her gourmet ice cream, once a familiar sight at farmer’s markets. Now, Pace is back on the move with Goody Goody, a wholesale bakery and food cart (“with plans to get back into ice cream,” she assures me). By taking her show on the road, she’s returning to her roots.

“I’m excited to go back to being mobile,” Pace enthuses. “I wanted things to be simpler, for my life to be simpler and to actually get to do what I love: make food and drinks for people to enjoy.”

While opening a bricks and mortar storefront seemed like a natural progression for her, the experience with Kafe’ Lila taught Pace that the grind of trying to succeed as an entrepreneur

can take away from the joy of being a chef or baker. “You get little time to be creative,” she notes. “Running the whole show takes a lot out of you.”

With Goody Goody, Pace is back to the basics that inspire her. The cart will mostly be parked in front of Rocket to Mars, the charming vintage shop at 144 Broadway run by friend and like-minded business owner Jennifer Ricci. She also currently sells her baked goods at the Thayer Street pizzeria Nice Slice. “I want to focus on the things that I did really well at the cafe, plus have a venue to share new creations,” she explains.

To that end, the popular coldbrewed ice coffee that drew people to Kafe’ Lila in the first place will be back at Goody Goody, along with a pastry of the day. As she gets a feel for the new business, new items will be tested on customers and added to her selection. “I hope to do small batches of ice cream sandwiches and novelties I’ve been dying to try for years,” Pace offers.

Beyond expanding her selection, Pace holds out the possibility of returning to a more fixed setting, possibly incorporating a cafe into Rocket to Mars. “This is a way for us to test run the idea and see how business can work at that location,” she explains.

“We think we can offer a really unique experience by combining a middle of

the century vintage store and cafe.”

For the moment, however, you can find Pace out front peddling her wares. For updates on hours and menu items, check the Goody Goody Facebook page.

Finally, as a fan of Kafe’ Lila, I had to ask Pace the all important question any of her regulars would want to know the answer to: will she be bringing back her amazing salted chocolate cookie, the Salty Chocolate Lovin’? “Absolutely.”

MORE DELICIOUSNESS ON WHEELS For several years now I’ve gazed longingly at Kogi BBQ, the Korean food trucks that have become famous in L.A. and caused near-constant fawning in the national food press.

Finally, someone in Providence is trying to answer back. Mama Kim’s Korean BBQ is a mother and son operation (the son is a Brown grad) that has been operating on College Hill for lunch (corner of Brook and Waterman Streets), dinner (corner of Thayer and Waterman) and late night (location posted on Twitter and Facebook in real time). I haven’t had the chance to try it yet, but stay tuned for more info when I do. For now, stay updated at www.mamakims.us.

Got food news? Send it to John at onthemenu@providenceonline.com.

celebrating ten years!

284 thayer street providence 401-331-8111 kartabar.com

May 2011 East Side Monthly

35

Ocean State Chapter Motorcycle Run and Charity Event

Saturday, June 4, 2011 Motorcycle Registration 9-11 am 5 Albany Rd., Warwick, RI Police Escorted Ride to the Event

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East Side Monthly May 2011

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Dining Guide

Br brunch B breakfast L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10-20 $$$ 20+ Southeast Asian cuisine, spicy curries and noodle dishes. The tamarind duck is a must. LD $-$$

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NOT JUST SNACKS 833 Hope Street; 831-1150. Indeed, it’s not just snacks, but rather some of the tastiest, most authentic Indian food around served in a comfortable, homey setting right in the heart of Hope Street. LD $-$$

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284 Thayer Street; 331-8111. This Europeanstyle restaurant and lounge offers a full menu of unique dishes with Mediterranean flair and eclectic flavors. They also offer a top-notch wine list and martini menu. LD $-$$

Downtown ASIAN BISTRO 123 Dorrance Street; 383-3551. Chinese, Japanese and Thai, hibachi and sushi – they’re all under one roof at Asian Bistro. For the freshest flavors in a convenient downtown location, this is the place. LD $-$$$ ASIAN PALACE 1184 North Main Street; 228-7805. All the flavors of Asia are here: from Chinese classics to new Thai favorites to fresh, impeccably prepared sushi. The gorgeous banquet room is available for private functions. LD $-$$$ CAV 14 Imperial Place; 751-9164. The New York Times’ choice as one of Providence’s five best restaurants, CAV’s contemporary upscale cuisine is available al fresco for lunch and dinner daily.

They also feature weekend brunch. LD $$-$$$

Photo: Dan Schwartz

HEMENWAY’S 121 South Main Street; 351-8570. A true Providence classic, Hemenway’s has been serving topnotch seafood for 20 years. Their oyster bar features everything from the famed Prince Edward Island variety to the local favorite Poppasquash Point. LD $$-$$$ MILLS TAVERN 101 North Main Street; 272-3331. The only restaurant in RI to receive the Mobile Four Star Award for five consecutive years, Mills Tavern provides traditional American cuisine in a warm, friendly setting. LD $$-$$$

fortable dining experience. Try the toro ankimo – sauteed fatty tuna and monkfish liver pate with eggplant tempura, served with a black bean sauce. LD $-$$$ MAD ERNIE’S 485 Angell Street; 3311031. Mad Ernie’s serves a delicious, tempting array of homemade ice creams and yogurts, as well as savory fare like lobster rolls, hot dogs, grilled cheeses and more. LD $ RED STRIPE 465 Angell Street; 4376950. Red Stripe serves classic comfort food with a French influence. Their food is reasonably priced and made with passion. LD $$-$$$ RUFFULS 208 Wayland Avenue; 4212712. An East Side classic lives on. With fantastic breakfast and now lunch, the name Ruffuls is synonymous with great daytime dining in Wayland Square. BBrL $ WATERMAN GRILLE 4 Richmond Square; 521-9229. With its covered outdoor seating overlooking the Seekonk River, Waterman Grille offers seasonally inspired New American fare in a comfortable setting. BrD $$-$$$

Hope/Thayer

Wayland/Elmgrove

CHEZ PASCAL 960 Hope Street; 4214422. Chef Matt Gennuso’s East Side kitchen offers French food with a modern twist. Try the Bistro Menu (TueThur), which features three courses for $30 per person. Delicieux! D $-$$$

HARUKI EAST 172 Wayland Avenue; 223-0332. The chefs behind this sushi bar provide a minimalist, upscale, com-

GOURMET HOUSE 787 Hope Street; 831-4722. Beautiful murals and décor set the mood for delicious Cambodian and

RUE DE L’ESPOIR 99 Hope Street; 7518890. In business for over 30 years, the Rue has only gotten better. Beautifully prepared with the freshest ingredients, the innovative, constantly changing menu keeps diners on their toes.

Superb brunch. BBrLD $$-$$$ SAWADDEE THAI 93 Hope Street; 831-1122. Serving authentic Thai cuisine since 1984 (originally under the name Bangkok Cuisine), Sawaddee Thai continues to set the standard, while providing a comfortable, neighborhood atmosphere. LD $ TORTILLA FLATS 355 Hope Street; 7516777. You can’t go wrong with the laidback attitude and exceptional Mexican fare at Tortilla Flats. Sample a Margarita from the bar and try the “Nawleens”style Catfish. LD $-$$

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TEA IN SAHARA 69 Governor Street; 709-3252. Tea in Sahara brings a little taste of Morocco to Providence, with a selection of traditional appetizers, panini, coffees, teas and more in a relaxed atmosphere decorated with Moroccan handicrafts. LD $ WINGS AND THINGS 250 Brook Street; 369-7551. This family run business offers fresh, never frozen, chicken wings bathed in hot sauce made by hand from freshly ground chili peppers, plus 20 sauces, appetizers, sandwiches and soups. LD $ Z-BAR 244 Wickenden Street; 831-1566.

This cozy, classic bistro offers value, and a wide range of fare including, steaks, panini, salads and house made ravioli with an emphasis on fresh, local and organic ingredients. BrLD $$

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Outside Providence LJ’S BBQ 727 East Avenue, Pawtucket; 305-5255. LJ’s features ribs, pork, chicken and beef cooked low and slow in their customized pit, made with recipes from co-owner Bernie Watson’s grandmother, Miss Leola Jean. It’s great food at a great value. LD $-$$

Butterman & Kryston 749 East Avenue Pawtucket, RI 02860 May 2011 East Side Monthly

37

7th annual

mother dog spa day to benefit local animal charities

See you in May!

Alayne White Spa, Oggi Photo and Club Canine present a fun day of massages, makeovers, portraits and goodie bags for you and your precious pooch!

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Thank you to all of our friends and neighbors who helped make our Annual Campaign a huge success! Their generous support allows us to impact the lives of even more community members.

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For more information or to take a virtual tour, visit www.ymcagreaterprovidence.org The YMCA of Greater Providence is a 501(c)3 Charitable organization

38

East Side Monthly May 2011

Art

Mom’s Meatloaf w/ Gravy

by Renee Doucette

A Classic LJ's Family Recipe Comfort Food Defined!

Digital Love Wall projection seeks intimate conversations from tactile sculpture

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Imagine a room

full of complete strangers all brought together for the possibility of meeting The One, or The One For Now. Now imagine that these strangers are only able to meet one another through the act of thoughtful placement around the room by three matchmakers. This is essentially what is happening in the new show in the Gelman Student Exhibitions Gallery at the RISD Museum.

In this collection of works by RISD undergraduates, alumni and faculty, entitled Digital Plastic, virtual art and art made from physical material is put under a new microscope to examine the chemistry between works made in these two opposite mediums and to answer the question, do opposites really attract? And does the relationship between art created with physical material and virtual technology create a divorce waiting to happen or a happy blissful marriage?

The new exhibit was assembled by three young, up-and-coming artists and curators who will be entering the muddy waters of art careers after they graduate in June. Mando Veve, Joelle Leung and Sean Gerstley all met their first year and have remained friends since, despite each entering different programs within RISD. This exhibit is not merely a reflection of what opportunities RISD has provided to these future graduates as they reach the end of their studies, but also a screen shot of how these three young visionaries see the evolution of art. While older generations might look at new media as a completely new place for art to develop or a curious area to explore, for the Facebook generation, media is neither old nor new – it just is, which is also part of what is happening in this exhibit.

The curators believe there really is a harmonious connection between work made from physical material, such as sculpture and ceramics, and work created through the use of technology, like 3D projections that are not tangible. They are counting on the fact that perhaps this connection will not be completely transparent, and will encourage a dialogue among visitors to the gallery.

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The idea to curate a show initially belongs to Veve. He mentioned the idea of taking advantage of the opportunity given to RISD students to curate a show in the Gelman Gallery. He and Leung casually discussed their attraction to the thoughts of post modern and structural philosopher Jean Baudrillard and other ideas that could be brought together to assemble a thought provoking, unique final exhibit.

Gerstley was a natural addition to the project, and pretty soon their proposal was submitted and accepted.

They had an open call for submissions, which brought in over 100 works from artists all over the world. Unfortunately, due to the Gelman Gallery’s rules, they had to limit the show to works from artists who had a RISD connection. The show was then edited down to 30 or so artists. When asked if they would be showing any of their own work, they shook their heads and stated the exhibit itself was a work of their art. The polygamous artistic union between the three of them also brings together different interests within the show, which they have combined to create one united voice.

Gerstley is interested in the element of reality, explored not just through new media work and sculptural works, but also paintings done in the vein of trompe l’oeil, which is a very traditional technique that creates a two-dimensional false reality. Leung focuses on

the use of different materials throughout the exhibit to keep a sense of balance and, like a mystic matchmaker, Veve is drawn to the marriages formed through juxtapositions, which was his initial attraction to creating the show.

Despite these various interests, they all still work to remain objective and keep the big picture in mind. They have allowed all of the artists the opportunity to have a studio visit with the three of them and the ability change their submission if needed. Being artists, they understand how much can happen creatively between the time they asked for submissions and opening night. Studio visits also allowed them to see a work that might fit in better than the one that the artist initially chose.

So the inevitable question, the difficult one they will perhaps spend the rest of their lives figuring out, remains: What are you doing after graduation?

Although all three are keeping their future horizons vast and undetermined, the experience of Digital Plastic gave each of them a bite from the curatorial apple. As their art school years come to an end, it is clearly just the beginning for three bright futures and the art world’s continued love affair with new media.

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Digital Plastic April 29-June 5 Gelman Gallery Chace Center, 2nd floor 20 North Main Street, 709-8660 May 2011 East Side Monthly

39

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4/4/11 4:55 PM

Additional seminar topics include:

BUSINESS + KNOWLEDGE+ NETWORKING

“The Status Quon’t: If you don’t break the rules, they’ll break you” Jeremy Crisp and Jeanette Palmer, Nail Communications

“Goals, Technology and Profits!Knowing your ROI in social media” C.J. Bordeleau and Daniel Faggella, Arsenal Social Media

“How Twitter, Facebook, Wordpress and YouTube Can Grow Your Business and Create a Social Media Footprint”

Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI Monday - May 2, 2011 - exhibitor move-in and kick-off celebration Tuesday - May 3, 2011 - exhibition and exhibitor move-out

Audrey McClelland, Mom Generations

“Leveraging the Knowledge Economy to Innovate Business Productivity and Practices” Katharine White, Workplace Renaissance

RIBX speaker line-up includes:

“Drive Revenue and Build a High Performance Sales Organization” Chuck Moller, MCG Partners

Helena Foulkes

Executive Vice President and Chief Health Care Strategy and Marketing Officer, CVS Caremark and Vice-Chair of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

Jon Iwata

Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, IBM Corporation

Gina Raimondo

“Finding the Soul of Big Business”

Rhode Island General Treasurer

Produced by:

Paula Marshall

Chief Executive Officer, Bama Companies

Patricia Raskin President, Raskin Resources

Booth space is going fast! Contact the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce at 521.5000 to reserve your space today!

Premier Sponsor

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40

East Side Monthly May 2011

Presenting Sponsor

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Major Sponsor

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Spotlight by Dan Schwartz

special advertising section

Hegeman & Co.

Est. 1970

Fine Jewelry • Custom Design Diamonds • Diamonds • Diamonds 361 South Main St, Providence • 831-6812 www.hegemanandco.com We buy DiamonDs, GolD & Precious Gems

Hegeman and Co. A Master CraftsmanOwned Jewelry Store

“I’m a dinosaur,” jokes Richard Hegeman of Hegeman & Co., Jewelers.

“There is probably not a facility anywhere in New England like this.” Richard began his career in 1970 as an apprentice stone cutter of precious and semiprecious stones before opening his own business in 1976. Hegeman covers the full gamut within the field of jewelry: cutting raw crystals and fashioning them into a gemstones, designing pieces, onsite fabrication, gemstone repair, and restoring antique jewelry, antique silver flatware, vases and candelabras.

Richard’s years of experience and technical ability mean that you have an extremely knowledgeable person to work with.

When selecting that all important ring – whether it’s for an engagement or anniversary – you want to be informed of all the options so you get exactly what you want. Richard works closely with each customer to find the right item within budget. Hegeman & Co. only sells Conflict-Free diamonds. All of his suppliers abide by the Kimberley Process, so that proceeds don’t go toward supporting wars and human rights abuses. Richard says that when purchasing a diamond you want to consider the industry standard four Cs: color (how white is it?); cut (how well is it cut?); clarity (how clear is it internally?); and cost. “We’re coming upon the season for diamond engagement rings,” Richard says. “We stock diamonds in different sizes, qualities and price ranges.”

When working with a master like Richard it means that he can custom make jewelry in any style you like. If there is something you fancy from the Oscars or in a fashion magazine, Richard can recreate it in a similar style. He has developed such strong relationships over the years that he is now working with the children of his clients, as well as former Brown students and professors who have moved out of state. The best thing to do is stop in to his jewelry store to see the beautiful selection of merchandise and confer with Richard on purchasing that perfect one-of-a-kind piece.

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May 2011 East Side Monthly

41

Spotlight by Dan Schwartz

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East Side Monthly May 2011

Better Burger Company (BBC) High Quality Food, Fast

Step up to the counter at the new Better Burger Company on Thayer Street and you will see this isn’t a typical restaurant: colorful murals of Providence decorate the walls and interesting tile work abounds. A close look at the menu reveals attention to top ingredients at affordable prices. There is the grass-fed organic burger, and all of BBC’s regular certified Black Angus burgers come in three sizes: 5.3-ounce, 8-ounce and the nap inducing 10-ounce patty. General manager George Panagou describes how attention is paid to everything. “We aspire to be far more than just a burger place,” George explains. “We are passionate about serving wholesome American food at great prices.”

All of the burgers are hand packed and seasoned only with a little bit of pepper and salt. If you want to explore beyond the Traditional (lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese), try the Chipotle Burger topped with smoked cheddar, bacon and chipotle sauce. All of the burgers are open flame broiled, which gives the meat that great exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. BBC is developing their own signature ketchup, and they only uses Italian olive oil for their fryers so the fries have a real delicious and distinct flavor. There is the popular house made salmon burger and there is a falafel burger, which is blended with seasoning, fresh onions and parsley. The menu boasts an assortment of wraps, salads and a traditional Gyro in a pita with house made tzatziki sauce.

BBC also offers breakfast beginning at 8:30 every morning using only organic eggs and serving New Harvest coffee. Tuck into a savory breakfast burrito, an egg sandwich or try one of their fresh fruit pancakes, like blueberry or strawberry. BBC also delivers all over the East Side and downtown starting at 11am ($8 minimum order). A small garden patio in front is coming soon which will be perfect for enjoying the summer weather and people watching. They are open until 12am weekdays and until 1am on weekends. Walk into BBC and see why they aim to offer the best food —served fast.

Better Burger Company (BBC)

215-217 Thayer Street, Providence / 228-7373 www.bbcfoodsusa.com

Spotlight by Dan Schwartz

special advertising section

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You Will Feel Better Northeast Chiropractic is the office of Dr. Thomas Morison.

Dr. Morison specializes in Chiropractic Biophysics Technique (CBP®). He is the only Certified Distinguished Fellow of CBP practicing in the state of Rhode Island.

Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP) technique is used for structural rebuilding of the spine to a stronger, more stable and ultimately healthier position. It is currently the only technique that has scientifically proven to make structural changes to the spine. Every protocol and procedure utilized by Dr. Morison is state of the art, and clinically relevant to the patient’s specific condition.

Dr. Morison is passionate about improving the quality of life for each and every patient. Among the many conditions successfully treated at Northeast Chiropractic are migraine headaches, spinal pain, pinched nerves, disc injuries, sciatica, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, shoulder and arm pain, poor posture, whiplash, and jaw pain. Dr. Morison is honored to be able to help the people of Rhode Island whom he sees not only as patients, but as his community.

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I’ve subjected my body to three or four chiropractors over the years. Dr. Tom is the only professional who brings rigor, humor, compassion and knowledge to the table. He’s the best. It makes no difference if you’re an 80-year-old with horrible curvature or an 18-year-old with a sore back from too much snowboarding, he’ll adjust your body with a scientist’s attention to data and an artist’s touch.

The best. -Allen K. I came to Dr. Tom because I was experiencing chronic neck pain after years of desk work. I selected Dr. Tom because he offers more than just the temporary pain relief available from most chiropractors. Thanks to his training, Dr. Tom is actually able to correct structural spinal abnormalities to as near normal as possible, thereby addressing the root cause of the pain. After a few months of Dr. Tom’s care, it was apparent from the “before” and “after” x-rays that my neck had improved tremendously! I highly recommend Dr. Tom, not only because of the amazing service he provides but also because it is clear that he genuinely cares about his patients and wants them to enjoy the best results possible. -Brian E.

Northeast Chiropractic

187 Waterman Street, Providence / 401-861-1300 www.wickedgoodposture.com

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Never too late for breakfast

At School Today by Jill Davidson | illustration by Ruth Chung

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44

East Side Monthly May 2011

As a curious neighbor, parent of a prospective student, and journalist, I recently visited Hope High School to appreciate some of the good things that I believed must be happening for students within Hope Arts and Hope Information Technology, the school’s two learning communities. Anyone with a passing awareness of local public education knows that a collective of Hope students have attempted to preserve the block schedule and accompanying adequate teacher common planning time, an endeavor that has met with frustration. As that situation unfolded, my present curiosity focused not only on teaching and learning as demonstrated (or not) by NECAP scores, but on what else was happening inside Hope.

The morning I set aside to spend at Hope started in Laura Maxwell’s Advanced Placement English class, one of four AP offerings at the school, where I joined the 12 students to study the construction of persuasive essays. I spent several more hours with teachers and students, although I needed several more days to check out all the list of programs and opportunities for students that Laura and her colleagues had assembled. In the time that I had, I got to know a bit about three programs that are clearly creating powerful opportunities for engagement and success for students.

First, I visited Hope’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program, run by teachers Lieutenant Colonel Raoul Archambault and First Sergeant Alan Kushner. Formerly part of Hope Leadership, which no longer exists as a separate learning community, the JROTC program continues to thrive. Enrolling 130 students in grades 9-12 – nearly a tenth of Hope’s student body – JROTC combines academics, leadership and teamwork training, service learning, health and physical fitness, and more. I saw young people

learning in a unique classroom, with desks on one side, a workout area on the other, and ample resources to support their JROTC commitment.

The only school in Providence with a JROTC program, Hope receives federal funding for uniforms, materials, and a 50 percent subsidy for instructor salaries. JROTC students’ strong academic achievement, high rates of graduation, and higher education success repay the investment. Students I talked with said that they were grateful for the program’s structure, high expectations, and opportunity to

share their skills with the city. If you see a military color guard at a Providence Bruins game or a Providence Public Schools high school graduation, you’re likely looking at Hope JROTC students in action.

I next met with art teacher Valerie Kline, who spent her lunch break sharing details of Hope’s partnership with the Rhode Island School of Design. In its eighth year, the partnership offers Hope Arts students the opportunity to pursue serious arts study and career preparation. Students participate in RISD’s Project Open Door program, which provides learning opportunities and mentors for students from Hope and several other urban schools from eighth grade through college. Hope students can earn RISD certificates – a professional credential – in a variety of fields, and RISD students and staff work at Hope to support students as they hone their skills and build their portfolios. RISD places three Master of Arts in teaching candidates at Hope for training and RISD students and staff members actively participate

in Hope’s robust afterschool offerings. The Hope-RISD partnership also assures that up to two Hope Arts students per year are eligible for full, fouryear RISD undergraduate scholarships.

My last stop took me to Christine Auxier’s drama studio, part classroom and part stage. Auxier and 15 of her theater students were preparing for the following evening’s preview performance of Laurie Brooks’ Triangle, a play focused on the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire disaster and its parallels to current-day immigrants’ issues. In August, the Hope High School Theater Company will perform Triangle in Edinburgh, Scotland at the American High School Theater Festival, which takes place in conjunction with the city’s renowned Fringe Festival. Hope is a repeat visitor, having performed there previously in 2000 and 2004, and this year is Rhode Island’s only representative. It’s an incredible honor, the result of many years of dedicated effort and tradition within Hope’s theater program.

There’s so much more. I wish I could tell you about Hope Information Technology’s certification offerings for students, about Hope’s athletics program, about Hope’s student journalism successes. While what I observed may not be the experience of all students, it certainly represents what is possible and what we as a neighborhood and a city must celebrate and expand.

P.S.: In February’s column, I didn’t yet know which middle school my oldest child would choose as he moved from elementary school. People have wondered about what we decided, so I’m happy to report that once we get through the rigors of fifth grade and the delights of summer, he will be a student at Nathan Bishop Middle School.

Jill Davidson can be reached at whathappenedatschool@gmail.com or her blog, providenceschools.blogspot.com

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East Side Monthly May 2011

Movies

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Jake Gyllenhaal in Source Code

Train Rides and Head Trips Source Code reviewed Pleasant diversions

seem to be the byword this spring, as secondechelon stars like Jake Gyllenhaal, Matthew McConaughey and Bradley Cooper shake things up in their complacent, routine and occasionally smug movie worlds. While Limitless and The Lincoln Lawyer more than qualify as slick entertainment with plenty of personality and action, Source Code adds some heady ideas to its clever mix.

Granted, the heady ideas in Source Code add up to Back to the Future by way of The Time Machine and Groundhog Day, but parallel pasts and futures that knock heads in parallel universes, when played straight and well, can be the stuff of some pretty provocative post-cinematic conversations.

Source Code quickly draws you into its strange worlds. On a speeding commuter train, Jake Gyllenhaal awakens as though from a nightmare.

He doesn’t know how he got on the train. He only knows who he is, until Michelle Monaghan, seated across from him, tells him he’s someone else.

Twice shaken, he stumbles to the men’s room where he sees another man’s face in the mirror. Then the train blows up, killing everyone on it – quite an opening volley from director Duncan Jones and writer Ben Ripley.

When Gyllenhaal awakens again a moment later, he’s in a military uniform, strapped into some kind of

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The film toggles back and forth from the claustrophobic capsule to the eight minutes Gyllenhaal has to find the bomber on the train. Each time he gets a little closer to the bomber. Each time he gets a little closer to Monaghan, which obviously isn’t part of his assignment, but what would science fiction be without a smattering of romance?

The excitement of repeated frantic searches that alter reality each time, culminating in fiery explosions, is contrasted with deeper claustrophobic conversations between Gyllenhaal and Farmiga, as Gyllenhaal seeks answers about how he got here, how he gets there, and what’s going to happen to him after he finds the bomber.

Source Code resembles Moon, director Jones’s interesting first film, about a solitary astronaut who is isolated, constrained and not what he appears to be. Equally existential in theme, but much bigger and broader, with correspondingly wider appeal, Source Code nevertheless depends on the relationships of its key charac-

ters to succeed.

Gyllenhaal’s probing of Farmiga to find out the why and how of his involvement creates a genuine level of intimacy. That stretches Source Code beyond the effectiveness of its action and romance, dramatizing and humanizing its heady ideas.

Watch the always wonderful Farmiga’s expressive face subtly shift under questioning. Beginning as an objective military operative, she becomes a sympathetic human being drawn to a soldier just trying to do the right thing and get out alive.

Gyllenhaal is no slouch himself, as he juggles his desire to obey orders, get his humanitarian assignment right, and deal with the implications of his questionable existence, all while occasionally slipping back to the young, confident, soldier he was when he was somewhere else, taking a few precious seconds here and there to flirt with Monaghan.

Source Code successfully bridges the gap between action and ideas.

Someone, possibly the studio, has tacked on a second ending that pushes the film’s spaced-out logic perhaps a bit too far, in what appears to be an attempt at mass appeal. But when you’re portraying parallel universes, can there really be one too many?

Source Code is a train trip and a head trip that stays on the right track from beginning to end.

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May 2011 East Side Monthly

47

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East Side Monthly May 2011

For more information on the program please contact 401-274-6310, ext. 1242

Pajama Monologues

make your reservations for mother’s day today

by Bob Mariani

Just My Type Memories of a copy boy For no particular reason,

I’m remembering a sound I realize I have not heard for several years, a sound that might never be heard again. I’m talking about the unique clickity-clacking of a manual typewriter. Sure, these computer keyboards have a softer, somewhat similar click, but they’re kind of “spongy” to the touch. There’s nothing quite like the metallic Thwap!

Thwap! Thwap! of the keys on an old Royal or a Remington manual typewriter.

Just out of college, I got a job as a “copy boy” with one of New York City’s major newspapers, The Daily Mirror. My first day, I walked into the City Room and was met by a staccato sound wave of racketing typewriter keys accompanied by the buzz and slam of the manual “return bars.” It sounded like a roomful of tap dancers on a tile floor.

I looked out across three rows of metal desks where a team of rewrite men (and one rewrite woman) was arduously typing away with both hands while holding a phone receiver against their ears with hunched shoulders. Most usually had a cigarette hanging from their lips. Reporters from out in the field were calling in their news stories to the Rewrite Desk.

Every few minutes one of the rewrite guys would shout out, “Copy!” The first thing I learned was that when I heard that cry, it was my job to run to whomever it was that made it, grab a handful of typewritten pages from them and hustle it over to the City Desk – a distance of about 18 feet – where a half-dozen editors sat, smoking and drinking coffee from paper cups.

The guys at the City Desk (no ladies here) looked like the cast from a Damon Runyon movie. Editor-in-Chief Big Eddy Markel sat there in the middle seat with his shirtsleeves rolled up, necktie askew and wearing a widebrimmed fedora. I’d drop the handful of copy off to him and he’d glance through it casually, scribble a few things on the page and pass it over to whichever editor seemed free.

After the copy was cut and pasted together and edited, there’d be another call for “Copy!” which meant a copy

boy would bring the story over to the Headline Desk where it would be summed up in four or five handwritten words, then shoved into a plastic cylinder and popped in a tube that shot it down to the composing room on the second floor.

The composing room was where the typed copy was miraculously transformed into metal type by guys seated at huge black machines that looked sort of like the Eiffel Tower with a keyboard. These machines sounded similar to typewriters only much louder.

One day during my first week at the Mirror, my boss, Ralph, handed me a sheaf of papers and said, “Here. Take these up to Winchell on four.”

It wasn’t until I walked into his office that I realized it was in fact the world-renowned gossip columnist and media personality Walter Winchell. He looked just like his publicity photos: white shirt and tie, suspenders, grayhaired and wearing a wide-brimmed fedora tilted back off his forehead.

There was a beat-up looking Remington typewriter at the side of his desk, with a half-written story hanging from its roll bar. Winchell sat with his feet up on his desk reading some copy and puffing a Chesterfield.

He did not seem to notice me as I dropped the copy into his in box, but as I turned to leave he said, in that familiar radio voice “Hey, kid.”

I turned and faced him. “Yes, Mr. Winchell?”

“Ya want some tickets to the ballet?”

“Sure. Thanks!” I replied with no idea what I’d done to merit ballet tickets.

Winchell called to his secretary, “Marion. Give ‘em two of the ballet tickets.”

When I got back down to the City Room, I looked closely at envelope Winchell’s secretary had handed me.

Neatly typed on it were the words “Two Third Row seats. Town Hall. For The Indian Ballet.”

Good morning.

Bob Mariani and his brother, John, have published a memoir, Almost Golden, about growing up in the North Bronx in the fifties. Available at www. bbotw.com or on Amazon.com.

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East Side Monthly May 2011

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by John Taraborelli The tax-exempt status of so much property in the city – particularly that owned by the colleges and universities – is a consistent sticking point for both sides of the issue. The city feels these institutions – often well endowed as they are – should be paying more into the public coffers for the city services they use. The schools, for their part, claim to that their ability to create jobs, attract students and bring innovation to Providence would be hampered by having to pay out more money for their real estate. Right now, this is as hot button an issue as ever, with Mayor Taveras pledging to renegotiate these payments as part of his efforts to close the city’s massive budget gaps, and Governor Chafee proposing a radical restructuring of the tax system in order to do the same at the state level. It seems like a perfect time to try some new ideas and perhaps introduce some drastic changes to the current system.

While the schools are unlikely to open their wallets further without a fight, there is perhaps a way to circumvent this problem by cutting out the middlemen and taking money straight from the students. This can be done by finely tailoring laws and taxes to fit college students – essentially imposing fines and consumption taxes aimed squarely at the student body. For example, East Side residents can attest to the huge revenue potential in establishing a $100 fine for puking in bushes of a residence, place of business or city park. Similarly, anyone who has ever seen a clique of female Johnson and Wales students wandering Federal Hill in the middle of the day knows that imposing a $5 city tax on Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffees jacketed inside hot coffee cups would boost finances by roughly 3-6%.

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there will be an additional 1% tax on any sweatpants sold within city limits bearing the words “juicy” or “pink” across the posterior. The revenue potential here will be compounded by a new $25 fine for every inch of “muffin top” that shows above the waistband of said sweatpants.

• An across the board Jagermeister tax: 2% on cocktails containing it, 5% on shots and a full 10% on Jagerbombs.

• Fraternities will now need to apply for a $50 city license for any hazing activity that’s intended to foster brotherhood and machismo, but is actually just kinda gay.

• Continuing with the governor’s efforts towards taxing services, there will be a new 2% surcharge on valet parking fees for SUVs with New York or New Jersey plates.

• Acknowledging the, shall we say, unique nature of RISD’s students, they will be specifically targeted with a new 2% sales tax on items and services including ironic tshirts, obnoxious hipster sunglasses, asymmetrical haircuts and gluten-free foods purchased without a doctor’s note verifying that the purchaser does indeed suffer from Celiac disease.

• A $100 fine for not knowing how to cross a goddamned street.

• An additional 4% sales tax on all lacrosse equipment. Seriously, no one outside of college plays lacrosse.

As you can see, the possibilities are myriad and lucrative. While these measures may seem unorthodox, they are an effective way for the city to address the old town vs. gowns debate without imposing any financial hardship directly on the schools, while at the same time encouraging students to feel more connected to the city in which they live.

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51

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East Side Monthly May 2011

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Is Cash Still King?

Assessing options for your cash reserves It is not unusual for me to see a balance sheet with $200,000 sitting in cash and CDs. In some cases the $200K resulted from individuals bailing on the markets in 2008 and remaining on the sidelines. In other cases, a house or securities might have been sold or an inheritance received, and the owner doesn’t know what to do with the money.

When cash is king, its performance trumps all other assets. During the first decade of this century, cash reigned for a number of years. More recently, it has been dethroned by the stock market.

Real (inflation adjusted) returns for cash have been negative, although nominal returns (what you see on your statements) have risen marginally. Meanwhile stocks have surged ahead as the economic recovery has taken hold.

With memories of 2008 looming large in some minds, stocks don’t always look appealing. Nor do bonds, if interest rates rise significantly. Those clinging to cash are increasingly frustrated by the less than one percent return they are receiving for money markets and short term CDs. Yet they are loath to pull their money out of the banks and expose themselves to more risk.

What to do with cash? Below are some relatively conservative options to consider for those who want to venture away from bank deposits but who are not ready to wholly dive into the stock market. But, first, a couple of caveats: • Don’t invest your emergency reserves in the stock market or in an illiquid asset. You need to be able to count on this money when the unexpected happens. Emergency reserves should total three to six months of non-discretionary expenses when you are working and 12 months non-discretionary expenses when you are retired.

• Consider whether the cash should be used to pay down debt and thereby reduce your expenses.

• If your debt is manageable, then measure your risk tolerance. It is extremely important to find the right amount of risk you are willing to accept. Too little risk and you may increase your chances of running out of money before you die.

Too much risk and you could find your nest egg reduced and your lifestyle jeopardized.

Options: Below are three options for those pondering the move out of cash and seeking relatively little risk exposure. Please note that there is risk in every opportunity in spite of the reputation that some alternatives have of being “safe.”

1. Keep your money in cash and cash equivalents.

Who says that you have to invest the money? If you have saved enough to last your lifetime (let’s make it age 95) regardless of the return, then it doesn’t

matter how much you earn in the money market, even if the amount is exceptionally low. If you don’t have to take on risk, then our advice is often, “Don’t.”

2. Buy a product that offers a guarantee.

Usually products with some form of guarantee are sold by insurance companies. In return for taking on risk (and being paid a fee), the insurance companies provide a set interest rate return (fixed annuity), or upside potential with no loss to your principal (fixed indexed annuity), or a life/long term care insurance benefit, that also allows access to your principal (benefit-linked product).

There are also riders (add an extra cost) that offer guaranteed payments for life. These can be tied to fixedindexed annuities or variable annuities.

We prefer the fixed variety, as there is usually more transparency, less overall volatility and fewer expenses tied to the product.

A recognized risk of guaranteed insurance products is their lack of liquidity. The bulk of your money is often tied up for five to ten years. If you pull out more than 10% during any one year,

you are likely to find yourself subject to hefty surrender fees.

Any form of annuity or insurance can be complex and/or confusing, so understand the fine print before you invest.

3. Dollar cost average into the market Let’s say you are willing to take on a modest amount of investment risk, but are afraid you could misjudge your entry.

One solution is to dollar cost average back into the market. If your goal is to invest $100,000, you might put $25,000 to work on four different occasions. If you invest the first $25,000 and the market goes down, the next $25,000 will benefit from the entry point of a lower price. If the market rises after the first installment, so much the better for you; you were in the right place at the right time for at least a portion of your investment. At the end of the four installments, the full $100,000 has been put to work.

Another solution is to gradually add risk to your portfolio. I hardly ever recommend that a client who has been sitting in cash for an extended period of time jump into a portfolio dominated by stocks. I fear they will retreat again if the markets correct.

Instead I recommend that they move from cash to a conservative investment strategy. After six months to a year, if they are feeling more comfortable with their investments, they can progress to a more growth oriented investment strategy. The object is to reduce the level of fear that drives emotional, not disciplined, investing decisions.

Most people have to take on some risk in their investments in order to meet their longevity goals. But moving out of cash can be scary for those who are uncertain about their future.

The best approach is to first determine the amount of growth that you need to take in order to meet your financial goals. Then pick a strategy that allows you to reach for that level of growth while staying within your risk comfort zone.

Betsey Purinton, CFP® is Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at StrategicPoint Investment Advisors.

You can e-mail her at bpurinton@strategicpoint.com.

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May 2011 East Side Monthly

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East Side Monthly May 2011

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Calendar

Our Famous Lobster Roll

by Christina Evon

is

May music | performance | social happenings | galleries | learn | sports

WoW!

DON’T MISS THIS MONTH:

485 Angell St. • 331-1031 • Wayland Square

10 events at the top of our list

1

Festival Ballet Presents Sleeping Beauty, May 14-15 at the VMA. www.festivalballet.com

2

Usher and Akon, May 4 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. www.livenation.com.

3

Friends of Rochambeau Book Sale, May 2-7 at Rochambeau Library. www. friendsofrochambeau.org

4

The Completely Fictional – Utterly True – Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allan Poe, May 6-June 5 at Trinity Rep. www.trinityrep.com.

MUSIC arena & club | classical ARENA & CLUB AS220 May 6: Girl Haggard, Township, and more TBA. May 15: Walri, American Hearts, Diamond Doves, and Kid Mountain. May 21: Autumn I Fall, Dive Alarm, Koala, and Miles Stenhouse. May 28: Wrong Reasons, Detroit Rebellion, Glass Jars, and The Sun Dried Alibi. 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, www.as220.org.

BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATRE May 7: Sunny and Her Joy Boys, featuring Duke Robillard. May 14: North Sea Gas. 549 Broad Street, Cumberland. 766-3741, www.riverfolk.org.

CHAN’S May 7: Al Copley Band. May 14: Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson and the Magic Rockers. May 20: Bellevue Cadillac. May 21: Greg Abate Trio, featuring Giacamo Gates. May 27: Popa Chubby. 267 Main Street, Woonsocket. 765-1900, www.chanseggrollsandjazz.com.

401-277-2998 174 Wickenden St, Providence www.dugancustomjewelers.com Open Wednesday-Saturday

The Pets’ Home Companion

5

DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER May 4: Usher and Akon. 1 La Salle Square. 800-745-3000, livenation.com.

Mother’s Day Brunch, May 8 at the Roger Williams Park Zoo & Providence Children’s Museum. www.rwpzoo. org/www.childrenmuseum.org.

6

FIREHOUSE 13 May 7: The Skinny Millionaires. 41 Central Street, Providence. 270-1801, www.thejespowersproject.com.

FirstWorks presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, May 10 at PPAC. www. ppacri.org.

FOXWOODS May 22: Chris Isaak. May 29: Paul Simon. MGM Grand, 240 MGM Grand Drive, Mashantucket, CT. 866-6460609, www.mgmatfoxwoods.com.

RISD Graduate Exhibit, May 19-June 14 at the RI Convention Center. www.riconvention.com.

LADDER 133 May 27: The Criminals. 33 Douglas Avenue, Providence. 272-7427.

LUPO’S May 1: Third Eye Blind. May 4: Dark Star Orchestra (The Grateful Dead tribute). May 7: Interpol. May 11: Neko Case. May 13: Manchester Orchestra and An Horse. May 16: Social Distortion, Chuck Ragan, and Sharks. May 17: Face to Face, Strung Out, and Cerebral Ballzy.

May 20: Papa Roach, Escape the Fate, and Pop E vil. May 25: Bullet

7

Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Pet Parenting Advice 401-274-0907 P out our helpful links

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A Conversation with Steve Martin, May 25 at PPAC. www.ppacri.org.

9

Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival, May 28-30 in Pawtuxet Village, Warwick. www.gaspee.com.

‘Em or Hate ‘Em… 10 Love Movie Series, Sundays at

the Providence Public Library. www.arttixri.com.

See general event listings for additional contact details.

May 2011 East Side Monthly

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1/29/11

6:17 PM

Page 1

Calendar DEL IV E R S

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for My Valentine and Halestorm. 79 Washington Street. 331-5876, www. lupos.com.

Episcopal Church, 50 Park Place, Pawtucket. 921-5115, www.stonesoupcoffeehouse.com.

MET May 8: Foals, Freelance Whales, and the Naked and Famous. May 13: Hellfest. May 18: The Queers. May 27: The Young Adults reunion concert. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. www.lupos.com.

TWIN RIVER May 6: Kansas. May 26: The Rhode Show’s Big Break Contest Winners perform. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, www.twinriver.com.

MOHEGAN SUN May 1: Stone Sour, Theory of a Deadman, Skillet, Halestorm, and Art of Dying. May 7: Bon Jovi. May 13: Earth, Wind & Fire.

May 28: Lo Mejor de los 90s Latin Music Festival. May 30: New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys. Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT. 800-477-6849, www.mohegansun.com.

OLIVES May 7: The Criminals. 108 North Main Street, Providence. 751-1200.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER May 12: Earth, Wind & Fire. 220 Weybosset Street. 421-ARTS, www.ppacri.com.

The 26th Annual

JCC Charity

Golf Tournament May 23, 2011 Wannamoisett Country Club

RI-RA May 14: Fighting Friday Band. 50 Exchange Terrace. 272-1953, www. rira.com.

RISD MUSEUM May 13: B-Hive (tribute to The B52s).

Chace Center, 20 North Main Street.

454-6500, www.risdmuseum.org.

STONE SOUP COFFEEHOUSE May 14: John Gorka and Michelle Lewis. May 21: Founder’s Day 30th Year Celebration, featuring Joyce Katzberg, Kate Katzberg, Lindsay Adler, Corinne wahlberg, Paul Pasch, and John Fuzek. St. Paul’s

sign up today!

www.jccri.org Contact Lisa Mongeau at 401.861.8800 or lmongeau@jccri.org for more information and to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

JCC is now B-Hive (tribute to The B52s)

56

East Side Monthly May 2011

WHISKEY REPUBLIC May 19: Take 3. 515 South Water Street. 588-5158.

CLASSICAL & SUCH OPERA PROVIDENCE May 14: Vivaldi and Opera, an evening of music with strings and voice. At the Edward King House in Newport. 3316060, www.operaprovidence.org.

RI COLLEGE May 2: RIC Concert Jazz Band. May 8: RIC Opera Workshop Performance.

Sapinsley Hall, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue. 456-8000, www.ric.edu/pfa.

RI PHILHARMONIC May 6: Open Rehearsal for the next night’s concert. May 7: Mahler 3, a performance of Gustav Mahler’s symphony No. 3 in D major, featuring Mezzo-soprano Susan Platts and The Women of the Providence Singers. At the VMA, 1 Avenue of the Arts. 2221467, www.vmari.com.

PERFORMANCE comedy | dance | theatre COMEDY CATCH A RISING STAR May 6-7: Vic DiBitetto. May 13-14: Tina

WoW!

Homemade ice cream sundaes with hot fudge and homemade whipped cream

Giorgi. May 20-21: Mike Vecchione.

May 27-28: The Greg Wilson. Thursdays: Catch a New Rising Star talent competition. Fridays: Comic Hypnotist Frank Santos Jr. Twin River, 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, www.twinriver.com.

COMEDY CONNECTION May 6-7: Chris Tabb. May 13-14: Jim Lauletta. May 19: Gary Owen. May 20-21: Frank Santorelli. May 27-28: Tony V. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 438-8383, www.ricomedyconnection.com.

MOHEGAN SUN May 22: Pauly Shore, featuring Sandy Marks. Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT. 800-477-6849, www. mohegansun.com.

STADIUM THEATRE May 13: Girls Night Out, an evening of hilarious female comedy. 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545, www.stadiumtheatre.com.

DANCE THE ALUMINUM SHOW May 20-22: A new performance combining movement, dance and visual theater. Inanimate objects come to life with energy and even emotion.

At Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street. 421-ARTS, www.ppacri.org.

FESTIVAL BALLET May 14-15: Sleeping Beauty. At the VMA, One Avenue of the Arts. 421ARTS, www.vmari.com.

FIRSTWORKS May 10: FirstWorks presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. At Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street. 421-ARTS, www.ppacri.org.

RI COLLEGE May 5-6: Student

Choreography

www.madernies.com

The Aluminum Show

Showcase. Nazarian Center, 600 Mount Pleasant Street. 456-8000, www.ric.edu.

RI CONVENTION CENTER May 20-22: Star Power dance competition. 1 Sabin Street. www.starpowertalent.com.

TRINITY REP Thru May 15: Steel Magnolias. May 6-Jun 5: The Completely Fictional – Utterly True – Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allan Poe, a world-premiere work by company member Stephen Thorne. 201 Washington Street. 3514242, www.trinityrep.com.

THEATRE

VARIETY

2ND STORY THEATRE May 15: In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play. 28 Market Street, Warren.

247-4200, www.2ndstorytheatre. com.

PERISHABLE THEATRE May 6: Live Bait, a monthly openmic night where attendees can share stories on the evening’s theme topic. May 20: Blood From a Turnip, the state’s oldest late night puppet salon. Thursdays and Saturdays: Improv Jones comedy troupe. 95 Empire Street. 331-2695, www.perishable.org.

GAMM THEATRE May 5-Jun 5: Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them, a Rhode Island premiere. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 723-4266, www. gammtheatre.org.

PERISHABLE THEATRE Thru May 7: 1:23. 95 Empire Street.

331-2695, www.perishable.org.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER May 1: West Side Story. 220 Weybosset Street. 421-ARTS, www.ppacri.org.

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE May 5: Hearing Voices, Speaking Tongues, a one-man show starring Michael Mack. Sapinsley Hall, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue. 846-9003, www.ric.edu/pfa.

STADIUM THEATRE May 6: Rent, performed by Encore Repertory Company. 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545, www.stadiumtheatre.com.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER May 25: A Conversation with Steve Martin, the first U.S. appearance of its kind, where Martin will talk impromptu before a live audience.

220 Weybosset Street. 421-ARTS, www.ppacri.org.

SOCIAL HAPPENINGS expos | fundraisers | seasonal

Water damage reconstruction

Kitchens • bathrooms

Design contractors inc.

Design / Build Fine renovation general contractors residential • commercial

401-751-6363 www.dci-ri.com

additions • built-in cabinetry

FOXWOODS & MGM GRAND May 1, 4: Boston Irish, featuring the city’s finest Irish-American Comics.

May 5: Steve Byrne. May 12: Nick DiPaolo. May 13-14: Jerry Seinfeld. May 15, 18: Hypnotist/comic Jim Sipnnato, and magician/comic Brian Miller. May 19-21: Jon Lajoie. May 27-29: Finesse Mitchell. 39 Norwich Westerly Road, Mashantucket, CT. (866) 646-0609, www.mgmatfoxwoods.com.

485 Angell St. • 331-1031 • Wayland Square

Providence, ri 02906 registration #1324 Painting • restoration

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Not Just Spices

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Indian Spices & Groceries Store

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EXPOS & EXHIBITIONS FRIENDS OF ROCHAMBEAU BOOK SALE May 2-7: Featuring thousands of used books, audiovisuals, puzzles, rarities,

Linda Toti

(508) 695-2474

May 2011 East Side Monthly

57

Roasting Coffee Daily.

Since 1984.

Calendar

continued...

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Need Help With Your Garden? . Garden Design . Garden Installation & Maintenance . Soil Testing . Garden Consultations . Container Planting . Front Yard Makeovers . Expert Pruning

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Classic Bistro

zbar & grille 831-1566 244 Wickenden St., Providence

BEAUTIFUL PRE-OWNED JEWELRY

rita@globalwellnesscoaches.com 58

East Side Monthly May 2011

Empire Loan 1271 North Main Street Providence, RI 02904

and more. Rochambeau Library Community Room, 708 Hope Street. 4558110, www.friendsofrochambeau.org.

RIBX 2011 May 2-3: The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual business expo. RI Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street. www.riconvention.com.

festivals CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL May 21: A celebration of Cherry Blossoms, including a road race. Citywide in Central Falls. 724-2200, www.tourblackstone.com.

GASPEE DAYS May 28-30: Arts & Crafts Festival, featuring 300 craft exhibitors on Narragansett Parkway, Pawtuxet Village, Warwick.

738-2000 x 6202, www.gaspee.com.

RIDE WITH K-ROB FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL May 21: Inaugural festival, featuring a ride/skate/walk/run from Pierce Memorial Field in East Providence, down the East Bay Bike Path, to the Looff Carousel with X Games Gold Medalist Kevin Robinson. At the Carousel, see live bands, rock walls, gymnastics and karate demos, a football skills combine with the Indianapolis Colt’s Jamie Silva, and much more. 741-2717, www.krobfoundation.org.

for movie buffs LOVE ‘EM OR HATE ‘EM… NEW MOVIE SERIES Sundays thru Jun 16: View mind-bending musicals from the likes of David Byrne, Spike Lee, John Turturro and more, on the big screen at the Central Library’s Auditorium Theatre. Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street. www.arttixri.com.

FUNDRAISERS ARTHRITIS WALK May 14: Providence Arthritis Walk at Carousel Village at Roger Williams Park. www.providenceaw.kintera.org.

CHILDREN’S FRIEND WALK AND FUN RUN May 7: Walk and fun run to benefit Children’s Friend. Also includes new children’s activities. At the Carousel at Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 276-4300, www.childrensfriendwalk.org.

PURPLE STRIDE WALK FOR PANCREATIC CANCER May 15: Inaugural 5K walk. At Goddard State Park, 1095 Ives Road, Warwick. www.pancan.org/purplestride.

GALLERIES BANK RI GALLERIES Turks Head Gallery, One Turks Head Place – Thru May 4: Paintings by Michael Guy. 456-5015 x 1330, www.bankri.com.

BANNISTER GALLERY May 16-21: Annual Student Exhibition.

Roberts Hall, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue. 456-8000, www.ric.edu/bannister.

BELL GALLERY AT BROWN Thru May 29: Tradition, Trauma, Transformation: Representations of Women by Chitra Ganesh, Nalini Malani, and Nilima Sheikh. List Art Center, 64 College Street.

863-2932, www.brown.edu.

GALLERY NIGHT May 19: Featuring more than 20 galleries, live music, refreshments, celebrity guides, and free Art Buses. Central Art Bus depot and info booth at One Regency Plaza. www.gallerynight.info.

GALLERY Z Thru May 7: Alan Metnick: A Delicate Karma; Recent Thoughts and Conversations. 259 Atwells Avenue. www.galleryzprov.com.

JOHN HAY LIBRARY AT BROWN Thru May 31: Activism: Methods for Achieving Equality, an exhibition that explores contemporary and historical activism. 20-34 Prospect Street. 8633723, www.brown.edu.

PAWTUCKET ARTS COLLABORATIVE May 1-Jun 24: 4th annual Pawtucket Foundation Prize Exhibition. PAC Gallery, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket. www. pawtucketartscollaborative.org.

PROVIDENCE ART CLUB May 1-20: Margery Pustell and Marian Sachs in Dodge House Gallery; and Al Albrektson, James Myette, and Robert Venditto in Maxwell Mays Gallery. May 22-Jun 10: Suzanne Volmer in Dodge House Gallery; and Carole Kenny and Judith Skoogfors-Prip. Moitle in Maxwell Mays Gallery. 11 Thomas Street. 331-1114, www.providenceartclub.org.

RI CONVENTION CENTER May 19-Jun 14: RISD Graduate Exhibit. 1 Sabin Street. www.riconvention.com.

RISD MUSEUM Thru Jun 5: From Dover to Penzance: Watercolor Views of the English Channel; and Changing Poses: The Artist’s Model.

Thru Jul 31: Cocktail Culture, the first multi-disciplinary exhibition to explore the social ritual of drinking and entertainment through the lens of fashion and design. 224 Benefit Street. 454-6500, www.risdmuseum.org.

KIDS +FAMILY PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM May 8: Mothers Day: Free admission for moms and grandmoms. May 14: Happy Birthday, Rhode Island! program: Meet Rhode Island red chickens and chicks from Casey Farm and drink a glass of coffee milk. Tuesdays & Thursdays in May: Where in the Wild? program, including outdoor challenges and discovering the museum’s Children’s Garden. 100 South Street. 273-5437, www. childrenmuseum.org.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER May 5: Disney’s Imagination Movers’ In a Big Warehouse. 220 Weybosset Street.

421-ARTS, www.ppacri.org.

RI PHILHARMONIC May 17: Youth Wind Ensembles Concert.

May 22: Youth Orchestras Concert. At Roberts Auditorium at RI College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue. www.ri-philharmonic.org.

Gourmet House Affiliated with Apsara Palace

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO May 7-8: Wild Mother’s Day Celebration, where all moms get free admission to the Zoo when accompanied by a child.

May 8: Mother’s Day Brunch at the Zoo. Registration required. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 785-3510, www.rwpzoo.org.

We have a room for private parties for 25-30 guests

LEARN discussion | instruction | tour DISCUSSION BROWN UNIVERSITY May 5-7: Engaging Afghanistan, including panel discussions, public lectures, and an art exhibit. Watson Institute for International Studies, 111 Thayer Street. 863-2809, www. brown.edu.

RI HISTORICAL SOCIETY May 18: An Archaeology: Village Life in the Narragansett Countruy up to 1680. At the RIHS Library, 121 Hope Street. 273-8107 x 12, www.rihs.org.

INSTRUCTION AUTHOR WRITING WORKSHOP SERIES May 1: Writing workshop with local professional authors. Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street.

455-8057.

Drunken Noodles

BYOB 787 Hope Street, Providence • 401-831-3400 Sun - Thurs 10am - 9:30pm, Fri - Sat 10am -10pm gourmethouseri.com • New owner Kim Te of Apsara

2010 Governor's AwArd winninG TheATer

Courthouse Center for the Arts At the Historic Washington County Courthouse

782-1018 • www.courthousearts.org

LIFE DRAWING CLASS Tuesdays: Bring your drawing utensils and paper and sketch from a live model. AS220, 115 Empire Street. 8319327, www.as220.org.

PERISHABLE THEATRE Sundays: Intermediate Ballet, and American Tribal Belly Dance. Wednesdays: Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance. Thursdays: Hop to the Beat Hip Hop classes. Saturdays: Belly Dance. 95 Empire Street. 3312695, www.perishable.org.

To have your listing included in the East Side Monthly Calendar, please send press releases or event information to Christina Evon at esm@ providenceonline.com. Please send submissions at least one month prior to event date.

The WHO’s Tommy The Musical

June 3-19, 2011

Woodstock Revival Music and Arts Festival

June 18-19, 2011

Sat 12-6pm, Sun 12-4pm

3481 Kingstown Road • West Kingston, RI

May 2011 East Side Monthly

59

Classifieds

To place your classified ad, please call 732-3100.

You Dream It... We Do It!

Spring Cleanups!

New Lawns â? Soil Analysis â? Organic Care Programs Complete Lawn & Garden Maintenance Landscape Design, Installation & Maintenance

Mae 450-2070

Richard 477-9773

A+ INTERIOR PAINTING Fine interiors. 20+ yrs. experience.

Highest quality work. Many references. Fully insured. Based on the East Side. (RI Reg. #19226). Call Patrick, 226-8332.

AUDIO/VIDEO HELP If you need some help with your TV, home theater or stereo, call me at 401-383-4102. Jon Bell, Simply Sight & Sound. Reasonable rates.

25 years of experience.

BUYING OLD PHOTOGRAPHY Also art, fine books, collectibles, etc.

Call 401-421-2628. jcvp@cox.net DOG WALKER/PET SITTER Trained to administer medications.

Reliable, bonded, references available. Home visits. Call Susan 5273914. Loves animals.

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

(401) 831-8693 www.chrislamprepair.com

HOUSE CLEANING Laundry. 5 years experience. References. Call 401-545-6034.

DOROTHY’S CLEANING We clean your home as our own!

References & free estimates. Call 401-274-7871 or 401-524-7453.

HOUSECLEANER Available Crystal Clean, a quality housecleaning service. We don’t cut corners.

Weekly or bi-weekly. We use environmentally friendly products.

Bethany 265-0960.

EAST SIDE HANDYMAN 34 years. Repairs, upgrades & renovations. References. Insured. Reg. #3052. Call 270-3682.

ELDER CARE AVAILABLE Very kind, patient, mature woman seeks position with elderly person.

Intelligent, cheerful, reliable with 20 years experience, including several long-term positions. Impeccable references. Please call 781-3392 or 4973392.

JOBS BY JIM ELECTRICAL SERVICES All types. New circuits. RI #A3338.

MA #16083A. Insured. Larry 5292087. Also, small handyman jobs.

ET’s PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE Cleaning homes & offices. Over 15 years experience. Insured. Free estimates. Call 272-0334.

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

Cellars, Attics & Garages Cleaned â?– â?–

Unwanteds Removed Small Demolitions Garages, Sheds, etc.

Cell 742-7258 Reg. #4614 Serving the East Side of Providence for over 15 years!

KIND CARE ~ SENIORS Appointments, errands, shopping, cleaning & maint. Refs. Safety bars installed. Reg #3052. 270-3682.

All Concrete Services Specializing in all Masonry Repairs Decorative Stamp Concrete No Job Too Small

Chimney Repair

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East Side Monthly May 2011

Reg. # 12299

Classifieds

JUNK THAT AUTO We Purchase Junk Vehicles and Repairable Vehicles For Recycling at Premium Prices. High Mileage, Emission Problems, Accident Damage or Junk Vehicles Call Paul @ 401-639-9425 or visit us @ www.JunkThatAuto.com MALIN PAINTING Most ceiling & wall repairs, wallpaper removal, oil-based and latex finishes, staining, varnishing. Fully insured, many local references. Safe, secure, fast service. Call 226-8332.

Reg. #19226.

MASTER ELECTRICIAN Install, service, repair. Expert troubleshooting. Free detailed computerized estimate. Deal direct with owner. Lic. #AC 004110 & insured. Small jobs done promptly.

All work guaranteed. Save $$$.

Family owned & operated. Local resident. Calls returned immediately. 401-258-4793, John.

PLANTING SERVICE And Landscape Construction Lawns, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials and rototilling. Call 5236649 or 333-9741.

Outside & Inside Painting Clean Cellars, Yards & Garages Install Fences

We also Clean Apartments & Houses Specializing in Removing Boilers and Oil Tanks Bennie Woods Office 438-5708 â—? Cell 286-6338 Reg. #6515

To place your classified ad, please call 732-3100.

STONE MASON 30 yrs. exp. Any type of stone, veneers, walls, fireplaces (indoor or outdoor), patios. Repairs & design work. Reg. #7445. Call 641-0362.

TAROT CONSULTATIONS 7 days by appointment. Wayland Square location. 401-285-1079. www.karenbentleytarot.com

SUPERB HOUSEPAINTING High end workmanship. Small jobs a specialty. Call Ron 751-3242.

Reg. #18128.

USED MUSIC WANTED! Round Again Records needs your used CDs and records. Cash paid.

Call 351-6292.

PRESERVE YOUR MEMORIES Photos, slides and papers saved to CD or DVD. Comen Co., 7516200. Email: hcomen@cox.net PROACTIVE Computer Services Home or office. Computer repairs, data recovery. Fully equipped mobile service. Service calls $40/hr.

Call 647-7702. www.pcsllcri.com PROPERTY MANAGER AVAILABLE 24/7 on call. Rent collection. Rentals, evictions. Call 421-0092.

SALE! ROOFING Harvey windows & doors, siding, chimneys, gutters, additions. Lic. & insured. Reg. #27807. Call Bradshaw Contr., 401-309-7297.

FEELING OVERWHELMED???!!!

Need your cellar, attic or garage cleaned, but... can’t quite get to it?? You can call TAKE-IT-AWAY-TOM at 401-434-8156 Mobile 401-316-2273

T & T PAINTING

Fanatics in Surface Preparation Interior Specialist âœś Lead

âœś Meticulous Workmanship Certified All Painters have 14+ years experience âœś FALL SPECIALS!! âœś FREE Written Estimates âœś Clean, Neat, Organized âœś Huge Senior Citizen Discounts! âœś FREE 1 Year Warranty âœś BIG or small- We do it all!

No Deposit Required âœś Satisfaction Guaranteed âœś 20yrs. in Business

“Counselor on the Debris of Life�

944-0336

Willard

Vinny’s Landscaping

& BOBCAT SERVICES

Roofing & Restoration

Lawns Cut -Weekly or Bi-Weekly

All Types of Roofing Repaired or Replaced

Spring Cleanups Power Raking

Seed & Sod â—? Fertilizing â—? Planting Rototilling â—? Small Loads Delivered

Free Estimates

â—?Loam â—?Sand â—?Stone â—?Etc. â—?

497-1461 â—? 231-1851

Reg. #3469

RESIDENTIAL

â—? COMMERCIAL

Siding â—? Exterior Carpentry â—? Metal Work Flashing â—? Gutters â—? Call Now for a Free Estimate Insured

949-4440

Reg. #14074

May 2011 East Side Monthly

61

East of Elmgrove

by Elizabeth Rau | illustration by Jessica Pollak

Close Encounters It’s critter season on the East Side Not long ago,

my son and I pulled into our driveway and discovered a mouse attempting to mount our stone wall. He was up on his hind legs, poking his whiskered nose into an airy crevice, oblivious to the headlights showcasing his feats.

He looked well-fed, but not plump. His coat was shiny – another sign of good health – and he seemed perky. He reminded me of a Drew, the convivial high school quarterback who shows up at the party with a keg of beer.

“Look,’’ I said to Peder. “A mouse.’’

He got all jittery and wondered whether he should tiptoe or bolt into the house.

“Oh please,’’ I said. “It’s just a mouse.’’

Peder knew, of course, what we all know: If you have one mouse you have a dozen and they are all scurrying around your grounds, sniffing their way through pinsize openings in your ancient windows to reach the trash can, stinky from those pitiful kidney beans you tossed out the night before.

Honestly, I can’t get too uptight about mice. Spring has sprung.

This is the East Side. The critters are out.

I dare any East Sider to come forward who has not had a harrowing experience with a wild thing. Every spring, I hear stories about the frenetic squirrel with the bad fur that sprinted through an open kitchen door or the loony bat that mistook the boudoir for a dank cavern.

The woodsy town of Foster probably has a lot of critters, but I suspect the men up there, in their steel-toe boots and flannel shirts, catch the creatures themselves, probably with leftover shiners.

Around here, we call the experts for help. We call Critter Control, known affectionately at our house as CC. The guys – always guys – race over with their putty guns, ladders and nets to calm us. You will depart with thousands before they drive off.

My earliest memory of a critter was back in ’02, when Peder and his younger brother, Henry, were still in diapers. I was nodding off when I heard a rapping inside my chamber walls. I didn’t think much of it, until I heard it again the following

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East Side Monthly May 2011

night and the night after that. The next morning, I called CC. Dave was a gentleman. I described the noise – “tiny claws on a treadmill’’ – and he asked me to direct him to the backyard. He winced when he looked at the top of a picnic table. “Bat s--t!’’ he said. The news was not good: Bats in the belfry.

He eyed Peder and Henry waddling around in their Pampers and casually tossed out a word guaranteed to instill panic: rabies.

“Cream in your coffee?’’ I asked.

He caulked a few holes in the eaves, covered

the vents with wire and disposed of eight dead bats that he said had “mummified’’ in our hot and still attic. (Thank you, Dave, for that tidbit.) I don’t remember the exact cost of the job, but I do recall that it was more than the tangerine-orange Golf I bought in 1986 from an environmental lawyer who lived on Long Island.

Later in the week, I called my friend Denise to apologize. During a visit years earlier, she claimed that she had been jolted awake by a bird fluttering around her face in the middle of the night. “Sure,’’ I said dismissively, certain she’d had a bad dream. Thanks to Dave, the truth suddenly revealed itself: Denise’s bird was a bat.

Another time, I was lying on the sofa and noticed a bump moving swiftly under the insulation on our water pipes. I screamed, but by the time my sons and husband arrived the bump was

gone and no one believed me.

I called CC anyway. Dave rushed over with soothing words, assuring me that, no, it was not a rat – more likely a mouse. I can deal with a mouse.

A rat would’ve sent me over the edge and into a hotel. Dave inspected the house from top to bottom and then did something in the basement that would not go over well with the PETA people.

My most disturbing encounter with a critter involved squirrels. We have two century-old towering silver maples in our backyard that squirrels inhabit throughout the year, nesting inside the gutted out parts of the trees and frolicking like schoolboys amid the branches.

Years ago, I was playing in the yard with my sons, still toddlers, and a squirrel fell from a branch and landed at my bare feet, plop.

It died instantly. I am skittish when it comes to dead squirrels, so I called the nearest male relative, Great Uncle Gordon, who ended his gin game prematurely to provide assistance. He showed up with his Uncle Alfie’s woodhandled shovel and nudged the squirrel into a trash bag, which, mercifully, he took home.

A few weeks later, the same thing happened. This time, I performed the grisly task myself.

Not all critters are a nuisance.

Take Rocky, our family raccoon. He lives inside the maple that is so close to our house we can practically pet his snout from our third-floor window. He emerges at dusk when he smells the bacon sizzling on the skillet and at dawn when the boys are getting ready for school.

One morning, we saw Rocky and his significant other, Ruby, scaling the tree together, strolling back to their nest, a picture of domestic contentment. Henry snapped a photo and took it to school. He wowed his classmates with our new neighbors. Pretty soon, we saw little ones peeking from the nest. Babies!

I did not call CC. After all, I’m a mom too.

Elizabeth Rau is an East Side resident who can be reached at erau1@verizon.net.

One City – Two Great Restaurants DAILY DEALS Mon – 20% off entire bill TuES – 2 for $39.99 (Bottle of wine or sake, 2 soups, 2 salads, 2 entrees) WED – Buy 1 entree, get 2nd 1/2 price (includes 2 soft drinks) ThurS – 40% off all sushi, sashimi and hibachi FrI – Any glass of wine $3.99 or bottle of beer $1.99 w/ each entree SAT – All sushi rolls, buy one get one free Sun – Free bottle of wine/saki when you purchase three entrees or more

Ocean Front Manse

Little Compton Magnificent Ocean Front Manse offers 6 beds, 5.1 baths, spectacular views, au-pair suite, 3 fireplaces, large private lot. $3,999,999

Can’t be combined with other offers

401.383.3551 123 Dorrance Street, Providence Monday thru Thursday 11am-10:30pm Friday 11am-11:30pm • Saturday 12pm-11:30pm

www.asianbistrodining.com Hibachi • Japanese • Chinese Thai Cuisine • Sushi

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Appetizers Soups Vegetables Beef Chicken Seafood Fried Rice Lo Mein Chow Foon Chow Mein Fun Chinese & Japanese Lunch Specials • Bento Lunch Boxes • Asian Palace Entrees • Combination Platters

401.228.7805 1190 North Main Street, Providence

www.asianpalacedining.com

Harbor Home

Bristol Entertainer's Paradise. 4 beds, 3 baths, in-ground pool, hardwoods, two-sided gas fireplace, water view, close to harbor, bike path and town. $580,000

Join Us May 6: The International House will be going to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 9am-5pm, $30-$32. To reserve, call 421-7181 or mvk@ihouse.necoxmail.com May 18: Musical performance by French American School Piano and Guitar Students, 4pm at the FASRI Auditorium. Free admission.

9 Wayland Square, Providence 273-2050 · Fax 331-1719 Providence@engelvoelkers.com www.engelvoelkers.com/Providence

May 2011 East Side Monthly

63

E a s t

s i d E

P r o P E r t i E s

Lloyd. Outstanding College Hill location! Elegant 1900 Colonial with spacious rooms & magnificent details. High ceilings, tall windows, gorgeous wood floors, charming built-ins, 8 fireplaces.

Huge master suite. Exceptional 1/4 acre lot. Patio. 2-car garage. $995,000.

Cooke. Stunning College Hill Townhouse w/dramatic studio addition. Great city views from huge rooftop deck! Exquisite details, tall ceilings, gorgeous floors, 4 fireplaces. Excellent updated condition. Central air. $895,000.

Bowen. Handsome 1892 Victorian with Colonial Revival detailing has undergone thoughtful restoration. Period Architectural features blend well with serene décor. Tasteful and refined kitchen. State of the art heating, partial central air. Lovely yard and gardens. $890,000.

Hazard. Much admired brick Georgian in beautiful Freeman Plat. Gracious entry, formal living and dining room, den, sunroom, eat-in-kitchen, 5 beds, 3.5 baths. Huge rec room, study/ workroom in basement. $879,000

Hazard. Colonial in Freeman Plat-3 beds, 3 baths. Amenities include elevator, new windows, A/C, eat-in-kitchen w/granite, baths w/2 whirlpools and steam shower, family room, hardwoods, sunroom, deck & 1 car garage. $729,900.

Blackstone. Stunning 3 Bed unique Tudor on one of Providence’s most desirable streets. Sunken living rm w/cove ceiling, master suite, updated, beautiful new baths, new windows, roof. 2 car garage, large yard. Fabulous! $659,000.

President. Charm, details, perfection! This sunny 1904 home has it all! Lovingly restored by current owner. 5 beds, 3.5 baths. Gorgeous floors, fireplace. New kitchen. Exceptional landscaping. Garage. Fenced yard. $639,000.

Woodbury. Outstanding 1930 Colonial w/lots of updates!

3 beds, 3.5 baths. Lovely details, hardwoods, fireplace. Freshly painted in/out. Large deck overlooks gorgeous yard. Nicely finished lower w/4th bed. Garage. $529,000.

Adelphi. Unique Shingle Style Colonial Revival (circa 1895) located 1 block from Wayland Square. This lovely home features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3 fireplaces, living room, library/music room, dining room, eat-in-kitchen, wood floors, 2 finished rooms on 3rd, central air. $525,000.

401.274.6740 • ResidentialProperties.com

BARRINGTON CUMBERLAND EAST GREENWICH NARRAGANSETT PROVIDENCE RELOCATION