East Side Monthly August 2018 by Hey Rhody Media Co.

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CONTENTS

Photography by Michael Cevoli

East Side Monthly • August 2018

KNEAD Doughnuts’ recently opened Elmgrove Avenue location (p. 30)

This Month

10 An early look at all of the upcoming East Side races

23 BEHIND THE SHELVES How is Ocean State Job Lot keeping up with retail’s new normal?

27 HOLE FOODS The city’s artisan bagel and donut movement is booming on the East Side

Every Month 6 Editorial 16 In the Know 17 Neighborhood News Community 9 First Unitarian Church offers safe

On the Town 43 Flavor of the Month: Cocktail chemistry at Tortilla Flats

12 The Croft School is rethinking private education

44 On the Menu: Getting serious about ramen on Thayer Street

14 Brown hosts RI Urban Debate League’s Summer Institute

46 Restaurant Guide

Close to Home 35 Home of the Month: Inside a

Calendar 53 Calendar: Events you can’t

couple’s eclectic Summit home

miss this month

36 Education: How local schools are keeping students fed during the summer months

East Sider 62 Wayland Square’s Liz Craig is helping to put together the biggest Providence Fringe Festival yet

38 East of Elmgrove: Building community, one book club at a time

haven for undocumented migrants

On the Cover:

Donuts and bagels from KNEAD, Providence Bagel, PVDonuts, and Rebelle Artisan Bagels. Photography by Brandon Harmon. Styled by Nick DelGiudice East Side Monthly • August 2018 5

EDITORIAL

Political Season Officially Begins In addition to the traditional four seasons here on the East Side, every other year we get a fifth, which in some ways is the most colorful of them all. The first hints of its arrival have already been sighted: lawn signs – most done tastefully, we should point out – have begun popping up in our neighborhoods. Soon brochures and pamphlets will be dropped into our mail slots, in hopes that there’s a voter hiding somewhere inside. Yes, the semi-annual political season – the season of “the pitch,” if you will – has begun. Good humor aside, this semi-annual display of participatory democracy is something to celebrate, not avoid. First, hats off to all our fellow residents who have stepped forward to devote the time, effort, and funds to run for public office. If done properly, it’s a job that requires endless meetings and attention to detail (and, by the way, the pay stinks). To this season’s hopefuls, we appreciate your willingness to get involved. As the candidates wander up and down our streets and ring our doorbells, we encourage you to give them the respect and attention they deserve, exchanging thoughts on the important issues

affecting our community. In addition, if you’re asked to provide your signature to help them qualify for the ballot, we suggest you do so. It’s not an endorsement of their candidacy; you’re just helping engaged citizens with political aspirations take their case to the general public. The East Side is a section of the city that takes its civic responsibilities seriously. There should be many opportunities to hear from these candidates as they vie for local positions. This will be especially true for the two open seats, which have attracted no fewer than five candidates. In all honesty, each of these candidates initially

strikes us as thoughtful and committed. Although we feel the city and state would be better served were there an actual two-party system in place, the schism between progressive and traditional Democrats at least encourages a discussion about the many issues that remain important to our future. As a result, we urge our readers to involve themselves in the upcoming primaries as well as the general election. For our part, we plan to present the views of all office seekers involved in the primary here on the East Side. In next month’s issue, we’ll do our best to help you in your decision making.

LETT E RS In the title picture of the “A Towering Debate” article, the tower silhouette with the [question mark graphic] is placed in the wrong location. In other pictures, such as the tower rendering on the issue’s cover, we are looking at the tower from the south, perhaps around Point Street Bridge. The tower is placed on the left hand side of the picture. In the picture on the “Towering Debate” article, we are looking at downtown Providence from al-

East Side Monthly • August 2018

most the opposite perspective, perhaps from Waterplace Park. The tower, however, is still placed on the left hand side of the picture. The proposed tower design and location would undoubtedly have a drastic effect on Providence’s skyline – but not in the way depicted by the silhouette. Unless plans have changed to move the tower to the East Side, I think tower proponents and detractors alike can all agree this is a little misleading. -Nina Chow

Correction Several issues ago we reported that Geoff’s Sandwiches had been forced to leave their old Benefit Street location and relocate to South Main Street. As it turns out, it was an agreed upon decision by both parties. We regret the confusion.

East Side Monthly Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre

Executive Editor Barry Fain

City Editor Steve Triedman

Editor in Chief Elyse Major

Managing Editor Tony Pacitti

Editor Robert Isenberg

Assistant Editor Megan Schmit

Art Director Nick DelGiudice

Assistant Art Director Brandon Harmon

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Graphic Designer Taylor Gilbert

Marketing Coordinator Kim Tingle

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

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

COMMUNITY East Side Stories | Neighborhood News & Notes

East Side News

Saving Grace

First Unitarian Church offers sanctuary to undocumented migrants facing deportation By Annie Furuyama

Reverend Liz Lerner Maclay wants anyone to feel welcome in her parish, documented or not

Photography by Mike Braca

In the beginning of June, the First Unitarian Church of Providence celebrated a bold decision: to provide sanctuary to any individual or family threatened with deportation. First Unitarian is the first religious institution in Rhode Island to offer this kind of sanctuary, according to Church World Services, but it’s one of 1,110 other churches across the nation to do so. “For us, it’s important to not just be professing things, but to be figuring out what our faith needs to look like in the world,” says Reverend Liz Lerner Maclay, the parish minister. “Offering sanctuary is absolutely what our faith needs to look like. This is a faithful act. A religious act.” The decision was a long time coming. As President Trump prepared to take office in 2016, the church’s Side With Love Committee researched ways they could support immigrants in Providence, according to Cynthia Rosengard, past president of the congregation.

Many church members found parallels between their own immigrant ancestors and more recent migrants, whose citizenship status is now in jeopardy. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports that the number of deportations rose 34 percent after President Trump’s first year in office. “We’re damned if we’ll see the opportunities that saved our families’ lives denied other people whose lives are now at risk,” says Reverend Maclay. Over several months, First Unitarian consulted with lawyers, local organizations, and church leaders from across the country to discuss the need for a Sanctuary Church in Providence. The group also addressed insurance concerns, says congregation president Jay Glasson, and worked with city officials to receive fire department and building permit approval. While no one has yet sought shelter, the

Sanctuary Steering Committee hopes they will have 130 trained volunteers by the time someone arrives. About half of those positions so far have been filled by members of the congregation. ICE policy designates churches, schools, and hospitals as sensitive locations, discouraging agents’ entry, but there have been several reports of people being taken into custody upon leaving these areas. “We can use all the help we can get,” says Katherine Ahlquist, the committee’s chairperson. “We didn’t know what responses we were going to get, but so far it’s all been affirming and supportive,” says Reverend Maclay. “What I’m seeing is that Providence is an aptly named city with a big heart. We will provide for each other and make sure each other are provided for.” For more information, contact the committee at FirstUSanctuary@gmail.com

East Side Monthly • August 2018 9

Community East Side News

Off to the Races

What to expect from East Side candidates this election season By Barry Fain The September primaries have attracted a wide range of thoughtful candidates

As we go to press, the official deadline to declare for public office has passed. And while signatures must now be gathered and validated, most of our local candidates have already begun to raise their funds, plant their signs, and ring our doorbells to solicit our votes for the upcoming September 16 primary. So, as we look over the list of declared candidates, here is our quick first take on what we can expect over the next few months. A late East Side entrant should bring new sizzle to the Mayor’s race Three announced candidates in the Democratic primary for Mayor remain unchanged: current Mayor Jorge Elorza, education expert Robert DeRobbio, and activist Kobi Dennis. But it is the arrival of a fourth candidate that

East Side Monthly • August 2018

should produce the biggest fireworks, at least here on the East Side. Longtime resident DeeDee Whitman has put her name in as an Independent. With her fundraising acumen, colorful personality, and outspoken stance on the issues facing Providence, she definitely should make things interesting as she continues the race into November. The race to succeed Sam Zurier in Ward 2 should be a good one After eight years in the City Council, Sam Zurier decided it was time to pack it in. In a thoughtful open letter to his constituents back in May, Zurier explained how he was torn “between competing values of continuity and change,” but at this point in his life he “sees value in change.” Zurier handled

his resignation the right way. By giving the community plenty of warning, three very capable candidates have emerged in what should be a thoughtful, issue-driven campaign. All three of the candidates are newcomers but have been active within the community. Brian Holt and Helen Anthony are both attorneys working with highly regarded local law firms, while businessman Mark Feinstein is well respected for his business and philanthropic activities. So is the race to succeed Regunberg in Rep District 4 Again, there was plenty of advance notice that Aaron Regunberg had aspirations to move up the Democratic food chain and run for lieutenant governor. Again, two well qualified newcomers have emerged

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to contest for the seat. Rebecca Kislak is a Brown graduate, former policy director of the RI Health Center Association, and President of the RI Chapter of the National Organization for Women, while her opponent Mark Tracy is a successful businessman with solid liberal credentials and an interesting life narrative. The battle between progressives and traditional Democrats comes to Fox Point While most of the attention here will focus on whether East Siders Matt Brown and Aaron Regenburg can energize the Providence progressive community enough to upset current office-holders Gina Raimondo and Daniel McKee, one interesting side-race will be for the City Council seat in Ward 1. Seth Yurdin has held the position since 2006 and is generally well considered within Fox Point – especially for his strong positions on environmental and anti-gun issues. But political activist Justice Gaines, a community organizer for RI Jobs with Justice, a Brown graduate and an acknowledged transgender spokesperson, is challenging the incumbent. And as the upset victory of firsttime candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in NYC over the number four Democrat in the US House proved, you ignore the progressive grassroots at your peril. By the way, are there any moderate Republicans even left on the East Side? Over 30 percent of the seats in General Assembly will go uncontested in November, and that includes all of them on the East Side. Worse yet, the Party wasn’t even able to attract a candidate for Attorney General. That was the one general office Republicans often competed well for (think Arlene Violet, or East Siders Herb DeSimone, Richard Israel, and Jeff Pine). Given some of the issues surrounding outgoing AG Peter Kilmartin over the 38 Studios fiasco, one would have thought the party had a shot this year.

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Community East Side News

A Class of Their Own

The Croft School brings new meaning to “private” education By Robert Isenberg

Not long ago,

Scott and Sarah Given faced a dilemma: they wanted to send their young children to a quality kindergarten, but they weren’t satisfied with their Boston-area options. They also balked at private

East Side Monthly • August 2018

school tuition; both the Givens had attended public schools in their youth. “We felt stuck,” Scott recalls. But unlike other families, the Givens had an advantage – Scott had worked extensively

in early education, and he worked as both teacher and principal. For eight years, Given served as CEO of UP Education Network, a nonprofit school management organization that helped restructure under-performing

Photo courtesy of The Croft School

Scott Given oversees the renovation of a new 8,000-squarefoot elementary school in Wayland Square

But, fret not fellow Rhode Islanders, for Adler’s is STILL HERE... schools. In that time, his organization helped establish no fewer than six schools in the state of Massachusetts. Now, Given is putting this experience to good use – by establishing The Croft School in Wayland Square. Croft is a private grade school, but instead of pillared facades and starched uniforms, the new institution focuses on quality instruction and affordable tuition. The name comes from Harold Croft, one of Given’s most influential high school teachers. “For us, the words that are most important are balance, rigor, and student-centeredness,” says Given. “We steer away from the lecture-style classroom. We facilitate small group lessons, we use data to inform our instruction, and we always customize our approach to each child’s academic ability and learning style. So, ‘college prep meets Montessori’ wouldn’t be totally precise, but it’s close.” The Croft School will be based in a newly renovated, 8,000-square-foot facility on Wayland Street. The faculty roster includes Lincoln School and Moses Brown veterans. Croft will start with a kindergarten class of 20 students, then add another grade each year. By 2024, when the original class graduates from fifth grade, Croft will reach its maximum enrollment of 120 students. General tuition is $17,900 per year, while Wheeler typically costs $32,090 and Moses Brown $31,210. Given found great success in Massachusetts, but Providence’s neighborly demeanor and lower cost of living have helped the Croft School enormously. Given frequently meets interested parents by meeting for coffee. “I’ve felt very welcomed by so many different families and community stakeholders,” he says. “On the East Side, everyone knows everyone. That was sort of true in Boston, but it is a whole different level down here.” 179 Wayland Avenue, Providence. TheCroftSchool.org

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Community East Side News

Good Point

RI Urban Debate League hosts Summer Institute for young rhetoricians

Teenagers hone their debate skills at an RIUDL session

Resolved:

The Rhode Island Urban Debate League’s (RIUDL) 2018 Summer Institute will be a stimulating experience. If you have debate experience, you may recognize the traditional resolution form used in high school and college debates.

East Side Monthly • August 2018

One team supports the resolution and argues in its favor; the other teams oppose and argue against it. Debate might sound old-fashioned in the Internet era, but the skill provides multiple benefits, according to Ashley Belanger, RIUDL’s

executive director. Studies show that adolescent debaters are more likely to grad high school and attend college, and they’re also more likely than non-debaters to reach the ACT College Ready benchmark in English. Headquartered on Broad Street, RIUDL

Photo courtesy of Urban Debate League

By Ed McCarthy

was founded in 1999 as a program of the Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University, receiving its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2010. About 100 Rhode Island students are in the organization’s after-school policy debate league. The league’s academic-year resolutions always begin with “The United States should…” and focus on a timely policy issue, whether national or international. Another 1,400 local students participate in an evidence-based argumentation initiative designed to incorporate critical thinking and reasoning skills into classroom studies. Thirty high school debaters ranging from novice to varsity level will take part in RIUDL’s upcoming Summer Institute. The program, which has been operating since the mid-2000s, will run 10am-3pm weekdays at Brown University from August 13 through August 25 with a special Saturday celebration August 25. RIUDL alumni and college-age debaters will lead workshops and serve as coaches. According to program coordinator Olubunmi Olatunji, the $900 fee is waived for students who attend schools that are part of the RIUDL network. Tuition-paying students can apply for financial aid; additional application details are available at RIUDL’s website. Olatunji is herself a veteran debater, having spent four years on the E3 (E-Cubed) Academy high school team in Providence. This year’s Summer Institute will have an immigration-related resolution, and Olatunji’s goal is to offer workshops that emphasize debate skills in which the students have expressed interest. “We try to facilitate, not teach,”she explains. It’s not all work, however. Two field trips have been planned so far, including an outing to Boston’s Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate, where students will participate in a simulated legislative session. You can’t argue with that. RIUDL.org

East Side Monthly • August 2018 15

Community In The Know By Barry Fain

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

All The Signs Point To… Who Knows What? Despite a determined turnout by dozens of residents, letters from neighborhood associations, and all those blue signs that are beginning to pop up everywhere, the City Council’s ordinance committee refused to pass Councilman Zurier’s modest motion. Zurier had hoped to provide updated clarity to a 2014 ordinance that prohibits “more than three unrelated persons from renting a property.” The legislation was in response to a developer’s attempt to rent two six bedroom homes to a total of thirteen separate students on Keene Street. The Councilman’s motion had been supported by the City’s Planning Department. Rather than acting on the measure, the committee voted to send it “into committee,” a likely death sentence for the bill. The City decision – and now the City Council’s decision – to walk away from enforcing the old legislation without replacing it with something more tangible is, in my mind, particularly shortsighted. Over-packed residences are a citywide issue, and the trend is occurring, ironically enough, while downtown is experiencing a building boom of micro student apartments. If you’re curious, Terry Hassett is the chair of the Ordinance Committee.

Is Worcester Sheer Sauce? So, is the Worcester deal for the Baby Sox really better than ours? Or, as an article in the Worcester Telegram suggests, is that proposal just being used to sweeten the deal in Pawtucket? Here’s what we think we know: it is unlikely that any major decisions will be definitively made before the end of the PawSox’s minor league season, around Labor Day. Why shoot yourself in the foot and jeopardize these profitable summer months unless you have to? We’ve come to understand that the current PawSox investors include both young Bostonians – who are trying to make their bones by moving the franchise to a new city – and at least four or five older investors who were once committed to keeping the team in Rhode Island. The problem is that the local investors may dislike the way they’ve been depicted. They agreed to an owner participation level that is far better than any other arrangement that currently exists among the minor league franchises, and yet they’ve been accused of “greed.” Ultimately, says our insider, the outcome is “too close to call” and will probably depend on the ability of our local leaders to still mend fences. And while the Worcester deal is probably stronger than ours, at least financially speaking, the Providence metro market is still bigger than Worcester’s and hence more valuable if successful. Still, we are running out of innings.

Community Neighborhood News

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

The Fox Point Neighborhood Association asks the 195 Commission to conduct further research into this undeveloped parcel

Fox Point Neighborhood Association FPNA Speaks for Neighbors on Critical 195 Parcels As many neighbors know, the 195 Commission is considering three building proposals for I-195 parcels located on the east side of the Providence River, near the new pedestrian bridge. In mid-May, FPNA convened residents, abutters, and interested parties to discuss and debate the designs. As neighbors noted pros and cons in each design — and also the fact that each proposal was preliminary and could be modified — FPNA decided not to wholly endorse or oppose any of the three plans. Instead, we asked the 195 Commission to consider five core priorities for these parcels, which we discussed in detail in a letter of position sent in mid-June. The priorities are as follows: create pedestrian and visual connections to the river; design with sensitivity to the surrounding architecture, scale, and feel of the neighborhood; create long-term jobs; solve problems with vehicular traffic flow in the area of South Main and Water streets; and demonstrate long-term commitment to the area. The development decisions for these parcels will be critical for the long-term quality of life in our neighborhood. We will keep you posted as the process progresses. Events this Month Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, August 14 at 7pm (note Tuesday meeting). Please join us at our monthly FPNA meeting in the Community Room of the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, 455 Wickenden Street. The Fox Point Neighborhood Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Fox Point and protecting its historic integrity and resources. FPNA speaks out on neighborhood issues and builds community through local events. Please sign up for our mailing list and join us at a monthly meeting! Fox Point Neighborhood Association, PO Box 2315, Providence, RI 02906, FPNA.net, FoxPointNeighborhood@gmail.com –Amy Mendillo

Blackstone Parks Conservatory Step by Step in the Blackstone Parks When you don’t have much money or many volunteers, what do you do about the erosion and invasive plants steadily nibbling away at the Blackstone parks? If you’re the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC), you don’t try to eliminate these challenges – which no one could do – but to manage them while balancing the needs of the parks with the desire of visitors to enjoy them. Protecting the Conservation District The BPC tries to use limited resources as strategically as possible, taking small steps.

This year the Park Committee plans several projects near York Pond and on Angell Street to strengthen vulnerable edges of the 45acre semi-wild Blackstone Park. The Meadow Tall plants, many of them invasive with sharp thorns, block the view of York Pond on the south side, where an inviting dirt road runs straight back from the Seekonk River toward the woods. To make the pond more accessible, the BPC is planning to mow a path to the edge. With luck, it might even be possible to purchase a bench for that spot next year. A small America the Beautiful grant enabled

East Side Monthly • August 2018 17

Refined & Unique

Community Neighborhood News

us to hire landscape architect Sarah Bradford to map out the best path and devise ways to combat erosion at the top of the York Pond steps. For several years, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has enabled the BPC to hire people to remove invasive plants. This year, another small grant will underwrite tackling greedy mugwort and bittersweet plants beside the pond. Quote of the month: from Harold Doran, a stalwart volunteer who stops at the pond on the way to work: “If you sit there a while, you don’t see anything; if you sit there a while longer, you see everything.”

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Angell Street Success The habitat planting on Angell Street, a trove of native plants installed with the supervision of Hope Leeson at the Rhode Island Natural History Survey is flourishing under the care of BPC volunteers. Please look at the website below where a small crowdsourcing campaign is raising money to upgrade the fence. Events – Concerts at the Trolley Shelter, weather permitting July 25 – Latin Jazz, Salsa August 8 – Miss Wednesday and the Cotillions, Retro Jazz and Torch August 22 – Nickel Jukebox, Mostly Motown Kindly send your Eastside Marketplace receipts to: Blackstone Parks Conservancy, P.O. Box 603141, Providence, RI 02906. 270-3014, BlackstoneParksConservancy.org, BlackstoneParks@gmail.com –Jane Peterson

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

New Board of Directors SNA held its Annual Meeting on April 23 and elected a slate of officers and board members. Ethan Gyles will continue as president, Tom Schmeling will serve as vice president, Britt Page will continue as treasurer, and Erik Christiansen will continue as secretary. Continuing board members Anneliese Greenier, Sandra Lee, John Pettinelli, Laura Ramsey, Sharon Lee Waldman, and Dean Weinberg will be joined by new members Anna Highsmith and Read Porter.

Raising “Bubbler” Funds We’re raising funds for the installation of a public drinking water fountain (or “bubbler” as we say in Rhode Island!) in Lippitt Park. This will be a great amenity for everyone who uses the park, and to the many folks who jog and run on the adjacent Blackstone Boulevard path. Our fundraising efforts have been generously seeded with a community health grant from The Miriam Hospital, but the rest depends on members of the community! Every little bit helps. Please consider contributing at SummitNeighbors.org/donate. 2018 Election Shaping Up District 4 State Representative Aaron Regunberg is running for Lieutenant Governor rather than for reelection as our local state rep, and we’re aware of two candidates who are running to replace him: Democrats Rebecca Kislak and Mark Tracy. Ward 3 City Councilor Nirva Lafortune and District 3 State Senator Gayle Goldin are also up for reelection, but will be unopposed. Mayor Jorge Elorza will seek a second term, and activist Kobe Dennis will challenge him in the Democratic primary. Former state ethics commission chair and interim school superintendent Robert DeRobbio is also in the race. The SNA plans to co-host a summer candidate forum where all candidates who’ve declared their intent to run for a local contested seat will be invited.

Lippitt Park Outdoor Films Following our very successful 2017 outdoor screening in partnership with the Providence Children’s Film Festival, we’ll be bringing a series of family outdoor showings to Lippitt Park this year! Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for announcements! Residents Invited to Monthly Meetings The SNA Board of Directors meets at 7pm on the third Monday of every month in the cafeteria of Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Avenue. The sessions are open and neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend.

Members and Volunteer Writers As always, we welcome new members who are interested in supporting our neighborhood

events, community projects, candidate forums, and advocacy. Memberships are affordable and you can sign up at SummitNeighbors.org. Additionally, SNA is seeking local volunteers to provide occasional content for our long-running neighborhood newsletter. Please contact us for more information! Summit Neighborhood Association, PO Box 41092, Providence RI 02940. 489-7078, SNA.Providence.RI.us, SNA@SNA. Providence.RI.us. –Ethan Gyles

RI REG. #3984 MA LIC. #164199 CT #HIC. 0673137

Creating Dream Spaces You’ll Love Wayland Square Neighborhood Association The Wayland Square Neighborhood Association is a community group bringing together the residents and merchants of the Wayland Square neighborhood. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 6pm - 7:30pm at various spots around the square to discuss issues facing our neighborhood, work together on improvements, and grow together as a community. We post all neighborhood news, goings on and meeting locations on our Facebook Page. Wayland Square Neighborhood Association, Facebook: Wayland Square Neighborhood Association. –Marti Del Negro

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Mount Hope Neighborhood Association Rochambeau Library is an anchor organization of The Providence Community Library (PCL). The PCL’s mission is “to serve the culturally rich people of Providence by adapting to their evolving reading and information needs with a diverse staff that delivers relevant library resources and programs, cultivates meaningful partnerships and promotes vibrant neighborhoods.” Five summers ago, Under the Trees Storytelling at Billy Taylor begun and the library was there. Conceived of at the Empowerment Dialogues for Community Action (EDCA), hosted at Mount Hope Neighborhood Association (MHNA), staff have been active members. Each summer, as part of the storytelling program, The Friends of Rochambeau Library fund

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Community Neighborhood News

a book giveaway; the book selected for the giveaway is always focused on community gardening or healthy eating. This summer’s title is Lois Ehlert’s vibrant Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z. Under the Trees Storytelling happens on Wednesdays from 11:30am-12:15pm, and ends on August 15. We have also partnered in literacy programs at Vincent Brown Recreations Center with storytelling and collages. We make and contribute masks during the October Family Harvest Fest in Billy Taylor Park. We recently installed a Free Little Library in the park, but we are also working contribute to a Free Library within the garden too. Also, be sure to check out the Mount Hope Community Resource Directory found on the Community Page of the ProvComLib.org website. It is an indispensable list of agencies, organizations, and individuals from Mt. Hope

Children participate in Under the Trees Storytelling, hosted by the Mount Hope Neighborhood Association

East Side Monthly • August 2018

who offer skills and services that reach far beyond our neighborhood. The library’s other Summer Reading Program Libraries Rock! continues through August. We’re working hard to prevent that “summer slide” by promoting reading and literacy with children’s programs, incentives, and performances, in addition to our regularly scheduled story times. Kids need to keep reading and learning over the summer! For the remainder of the summer you can catch The Big Red Library Bus visiting Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School every Thursday from 9am-12pm with Summer Reading in the Schoolyard. PCL staff bring books, games, math, art, and free breakfast for kids up to 18 years! Come work with us at the EDCA meetings. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, August 23 at MHNA, 199 Camp Street, at 6pm, the

Food Security Coalition meeting is at 5pm. The Housing Coalition is will be August 9 at 5pm. Please call MHNA at 401-521-8830 to confirm. –Courtesy of the EDCA

Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) Monthly Meeting The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) hosts a meeting the second Tuesday of each month at the Grace Pavilion (300 Westminster Street) from 6:308pm. Over the past couple of months speakers have included: the Providence Police, the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy (DPPC), the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau,

candidates running for Ward 1 and 12 City Council seats. All speakers at the meeting provide important updates, information about crime trends and safety issues, new businesses will introduce themselves to our residents, and information will be shared about other developments and events taking place throughout the city. Our next meeting is Tuesday, August 7, at 6:30pm.

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

Kind of a

BIG DEAL

In an Internet retail, post-Benny’s world, Ocean State Job Lot relies on its value and values

Photos courtesy of Ocean State Job Lot

By Bob Curley

hat exactly is a “job lot”? Invariably, it’s the first question people ask about Ocean State Job Lot (the second being, “Where do you get all this stuff?”). But what Job Lot isn’t is also important to the story of this Rhode Island institution, which recently celebrated 40 years in business and has become one of the most successful discount retailers in New England.

A job lot is an industry term for merchandise grouped together for purchase or sale, often “stranded inventory,” in the words of Ocean State Job Lot marketer David Sarlitto, who also heads the company’s charitable foundation. What the company adamantly is not is a salvage operation like its one-time rival, Building #19, which fell to bankruptcy in 2013.

“There’s a misconception that our goods are old or low-quality,” says Alan Perlman, who co-founded the company with his brother, Marc, and business partner Roy Dubs in 1977. Nor does Job Lot only sell closeout goods, although that is part of the business. For every overrun or lot of products that wasn’t selling fast enough for manufacturers on Job Lot’s shelves, you’ll also find first-quality items that the company’s buyers — including a team based in China — simply ferreted out at a good price at a trade show or bought directly from the manufacturer, cutting out the middleman and passing on the savings to customers. “It’s difficult to run a store with only closeouts,” says Perlman, “I’m less concerned about whether it’s an import or a purchase or a closeout, than whether it’s a value.” The first Ocean State Job Lot store opened in North Kingstown in 1977, and the company slowly but steadily expanded into Connecticut, then Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Jersey. Today, the company has 131 stores, $700 million in annual sales, and a 1.2-million-square-foot distribution center at Quonset Point. Just 16 of the stores are in Rhode Island, so increasingly it’s the “Ocean State” part of the name that’s more puzzling to consumers than “Job Lot.” How those stores are organized is an important part of Job Lot’s success story: unlike other retailers or supermarkets, which map out every square foot of their retail space and charge companies hefty fees for shelf space, “a good chunk of our space is devoted to deals,” says Sarlitto. “It’s almost like a store that floats.” That flexibility allows Job Lot stores to stock a broad and eclectic variety of goods depending on what the company’s buyers have been able to acquire, from bird seed and aluminum pans to gazebos and kayaks. There’s an interesting origin story behind almost every item you’ll find in a Job Lot store. Buyers got a big lot of Wise potato chips after the snack food company decided to change a package size; Job Lot took both the chips and rolls of foil bags imprinted with the old serving size at a big discount. Job Lot undersells Stop & Shop on Polar Soda because it uses its own trucks to pick up the cans of flavored seltzer and soda from the beverage company’s Worcester manufacturing plant. And you may recognize some of the rugs from Building #19 — Job Lot bought their stock of floor coverings during bankruptcy proceedings. Seasonal goods also make up a huge portion of Job Lot’s inventory. Often, buyers will acquire seasonal goods from manufacturers offseason — summer goods in October, November, or December, for instance — and a company that views throwing anything away as sacrilege needs the ability to store items like pool chemicals from year to year, so they can be restocked for when the warm weather arrives and people start thinking about swimming again. Job Lot’s mammoth Quonset distribution center has 44foot ceilings and storage space for 88,000 pallets of goods. Some merchandise, like food, moves in and out quickly, thanks in part to a 2.5-mile-long conveyor system (picked up cheap, of course — it was originally purchased by Target as part of a failed foray into Canada). On the other hand, Jeff Enright, Job Lot’s director of supply chain logistics, likes to show off the 250 pallets of belts 24

East Side Monthly • August 2018

Photos courtesy of Ocean State Job Lot

that have been sitting in dusty boxes in the distribution center for the last seven years. “If we can’t sell them all in one year we’ll bring them back, because it was a good deal,” Enright explains. Eventually, what’s left will likely get donated to charity. To understand Job Lot’s extensive charitable giving program, start with the fact that Sarlitto’s background is in marketing, not philanthropy. The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has no formal staff, with its giving program fully integrated with the company’s retail operations. “The same skills the company uses to buy clothing or gazebos or kayaks are used to support philanthropy across eight states,” says Sarlitto. Charities the company works with — primarily food banks, but also veterans’ and health care organizations — can place “orders” for needed goods through Sarlitto, who also works closely with Job Lot buyers and manufacturers to source items like olive oil, peanut butter, and healthy cereals that food charities need for their clients. That’s how Job Lot came to deliver truckloads of gourmet cheese — creamy Camembert, rind-covered Brie, nutty Gruyere, and more — to local food banks last year. Cheese isn’t something Job Lot normally buys — it lacks both refrigerated trucks and store shelves — but the manufacturer knew how closely the company works with groups like the Greater Boston Food Bank and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and offered up the goods. “This cheese normally sells for $6 to $25 a pound; it was all within the sell-by date, but the manufacturer had too much stock on hand and was looking for a way to deplete it quickly, so we bought it at a fraction of the price and donated it,” says Sarlitto, who arranged for the cheese to be drop-shipped directly to the charities’ refrigerated warehouses. The cheese story perfectly illustrates the kind of creative purchasing that Job Lot buyers do every day. “We’re not afraid to try anything,” says Marlene Bellini, the company’s senior merchandise manager and buyer. Sometimes, that means buying fidget spinners directly from Chinese factories just as that fad hit its peak; other times, buyers will even pick up pallets of unidentified goods from trusted sellers and figures out how to sell the stuff only when the boxes are opened. Job Lot has thrived even as old rivals like Building #19, Benny’s, and Worcester-based Spag’s have fallen by the wayside and national competitors like Big Lots have arrived in New England. “We’re opportunistic in everything we do,” says Enright, right down to buying warehouse storage racks at 16 cents on a dollar, and using secondhand radios acquired from an offshore drilling company after the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The company’s strong roots in the communities it serves are reflected in one of its familiar charitable giving programs, which saw 30,000 winter coats donated to homeless veterans. “We got a good deal on Totes coats and put them on display for customers at $39.99,” Sarlitto recalls. “They could get a Crazy Deals card for the same value or could give it back. I’d say 99.9 percent gave it back — some people would take their Crazy Deals gift card and put it in the pocket of the coat, or turn around and use it to buy other accessories like hats and scarves.” “Generosity feeds on itself,” he says. Finally, Job Lot succeeds because of the relationships it has built with suppliers over the course of four decades, buyers who are empowered to take chances, and a fierce dedication to providing good deals to customers. Pointing to warehouse racks full of the kayaks that have become a signature seasonal item at Job Lot stores, Enright explains, “We have to convince people that what we put out there is a good value, not that it’s a great kayak.” “We consider our integrity more important than any one deal,” says Perlman. East Side Monthly • August 2018 25

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le Foods

The city's artisan bagel and donut movement is flourishing on the East Side

By Elyse Major Photography by Mike Cevoli

onuts and bagels have been around forever, and for a proverbial dime a dozen. So how are four local businesses taking the grab-and-go breakfast by storm at a higher price point? By challenging the notion of what your nosh is.

A peek behind the KNEAD Doughnuts counter reveals daily offerings of vegan, flourless, old fashioned, cake, brioches, and filled varieties

Just a few years ago, meeting at a donut shop meant a cheap breakfast in a sterile space. Chances are, unless you arrived at the crack of dawn, your donut would be a bit stale with coffee to match, and if you wanted cream cheese – it was plain, maybe with chives if you were lucky – provided in a small to-go container with a peel-back foil lid. Not quite the schmear of which dreams are made. Even here in Providence, a city famous for foodie culture, specialty and artisanal donut and bagels shops could not be found. However, a new team of entrepreneurs has risen to the occasion, and quicker than instant yeast On any given weekend morning on the East Side, you don’t need an app to locate hot-spots KNEAD Doughnuts, Providence Bagel, PVDonuts, or Rebelle Artisan Bagels. Simply follow the serpentine file of early-risers eagerly willing to commit to the line for a fresh hand-held product – while supplies last, that is. And unlike large chains, which run on quantities with pre-fab food from sources unknown, this quartet of locally owned establishments values quality and providing a mission-driven customer experience along with a nice place to sit. “Everything is made fresh daily on-site,” says Chris Wietecha, owner of Providence Bagel, citing there isn’t even a freezer at his inviting place on 695 North Main Street. They say that ideas are in the air, and this seems to be the case for the brains behind each operation who took residence of their retail spaces not only in close proximity but timeline, all opening between 2016 and 2017 and within a square mile of each other. There’s husband and wife Lori and Paul Kettell of PVDonuts; the team of owners at KNEAD Doughnuts lead by Adam Lastrina, formerly of Seven Stars fame, Wetherly Rouleau, and Bolt Coffee co-founders Bryan Gibb and Todd Mackey; Milena Pagan of Rebelle Artisan Bagels; and Providence Bagel’s Wietecha. Most of the origin tales are the same: driven individuals with dreams of owning businesses that would fill a need with a smile-inducing product while providing an opportunity for reinvesting into the communities served. Time and time again, research lead these industrious types to ask the culinary question: Why are there no ___ places in Providence, where ambience is just as important as quality? Says Pagan, “When I lived in Brooklyn, I liked how there are places for each thing. I bought my fish from a fishmonger and my bagels from a bagel place.” After relocating to Providence, Pagan wasn’t getting much of an answer to her question: “Where’s a good place to enjoy a bagel with cream cheese in the city?” So, 28-year-old Pagan did what most MIT-grads raised in Puerto Rico working in corporate merchandising would do: she learned how to make bagels herself. She even learned how to cure smoked salmon for that quintessential bagel topping, lox, and once she perfected a basic set of recipes, scaled-up and set-up pop-up shops baking bagels on-site to a tremendous response.

Brit DeCosta, retail manager at KNEAD’s newest location on Elmgrove Avenue

Bestsellers Rebelle Artisan Bagels

KNEAD Doughnuts

Providence Bagel

PVDonuts

RebelleArtisanBagels.com 110 Doyle Avenue Best Seller: The Everything bagel (but cinnamon raisin and pumpernickel have a “fierce following”)

ProvidenceBagel.com 695 North Main Street Best Seller: The Everything bagel

KneadDoughnuts.com 135 Elmgrove Avenue Best Seller: Tie – Butter Brown Pecan and Vanilla Glazed Brioche donuts

PVDonuts.com 79 Ives Street Best Seller: The Dunkaroos donut

Providence Bagel

Rebelle Artisan Bagels

Chris Wietecha, owner of Providence Bagel, proudly displays The Everything

Overwhelmed and overjoyed, Pagan knew she was on to something. “Rhode Islanders want to know where their food is coming from,” says KNEAD’s Lastrina, who adds that it’s “good quality food from scratch and customer service that are essential ingredients, not volume. We’re not trying to be everything to everybody,” he says of his menu which doesn’t stray far from donuts with pop-overs and muffins. He is also quick to credit his staff of thirty for KNEAD’s success: “They crush it every day.” There’s nothing worse than standing in one of these weekend lines only to come face to face with a “Sold Out” note posted to the glass. However, it seems that running out of product is not a marketing ploy for this gang, it’s more about efficiency. “We take many steps to reduce waste and forecast as accurately as possible,” says Pagan, referencing her baking team’s many spreadsheets. Providence Bagel’s Wietecha agrees: “We really don’t want to run out.” And for those occasions when these businesses do over-produce, food rescue efforts go to local food pantries. While the location of each of these businesses is inarguably prime real estate, the once-abandoned properties themselves were not and required generous helpings of sweat equity. When scouting for a second location, parking was a must for KNEAD (it’s an issue at their 32 Custom House shop downtown). 135 Elmgrove fit the bill but had sat vacant for nearly twelve months with significant water damage. “The space was a disaster and represented a lot of work, but we were able to see through it all and knew the building had good bones,” says Lastrina. It was all hands on deck removing multiple layers of

flooring and paneling which revealed prized hardwoods and brick walls, even stools from blast-from-the-past inhabitant Bagels East were discovered in the basement and put to use in the children’s “bake shop” play area. Similarly, for their bagel shops, both Wietecha and Pagan use the phrase “total gut job” when retelling the stories of how their now-fresh, light-filled cafes came to be. In addition to transforming their interiors, each business has contributed immensely to the walkability of their surrounding neighborhoods. The small commercial strip on Elmgrove Avenue has long been known by East Siders as a shaded destination for lunch and specialty shopping but the Doyle Avenue convenience store where Rebelle now stands, had a shady reputation. Pagan explains, “This had been a storefront with those metal roll-down security doors. The landlord’s wife spotted what I was doing on Instagram and introduced me to the property. She didn’t want another convenience store, she wanted something different.” Securing a retail space was initially further down the list on Pagan’s

Milena Pagan, owner of Rebelle Artisan Bagels, cleverly uses poles to hold bagels

A sesame bagel with all the classic fixings, including lox and capers

business plan but when the offer presented itself decided to throw herself in, “It’s the best way to learn” she muses. Today, with an exterior boasting blue striped awnings, bistro tables and chairs, and hanging flowers, this once nondescript corner is brimming with charm and bustling with foot traffic and bicycles. Social media has played a large role in connecting admirers and customers to these start-ups with no purveyors savvier than the Kettells of PVDonuts. The couple skillfully wielded tantalizing images to create a fever-pitch frenzy over the roll-out of their specialty donuts. Snaps of hefty spheres drizzled with glazes and ganaches and topped with crushed cookies were posted to Instagram with pop-up location announcements devoured by a growing fan base. Sans traditional press release, when PVDonuts instead shared via post that they would be taking residence at Sin Cakes on Allens Avenue on May 28, 2016, they were greeted like rock stars with many hundreds of likes and a line of sleepy hipsters that spanned the busy motorway best known for metal scrap and strip clubs. And those lines continued – starting each day around 7am – until they opened a place of their own at 79 Ives Street, just off Wickenden Street. “When we first had the idea of the donut shop, we knew right away we wanted to be on the East Side. It just has that homey feel that we wanted our donut shop to be a part of. The community is so welcoming, and since day one we knew we belonged here,” says Lori Kettell. Two years later, and with a roster of national acclaim which includes Food & Wine and Cosmopolitan, PVDonuts is expanding in their own location. “We have been working in a 200 square foot kitchen and will be moving it to the building next door which is three times the size,” explains an excited Kettell who plans to turn the existing kitchen into additional seating. Meanwhile team KNEAD – who Travel and Leisure recently declared the best donut in Rhode Island – is busy putting the finishing touches on a room soon available to rent for meetings and small gatherings. Providence Bagel is building from the ground-up on Mineral Spring in North Providence with their sights set on building a regional chain; the only of the four businesses with a drive-thru, this after-thought feature now accounts for 30 percent of business. With her bagel business booming, Pagan also has expansion on her mind. What seems to be missing is any cut-throat competitiveness one might glean from Dunkin’ Donuts running Krispy Kreme or Tim Horton’s out of Dodge. Says Lastrina, “There’s room for everybody at the pool. People can’t eat a donut every day.” It’s not uncommon on a busy Saturday for Lastrina to call Pagan or Wietecha to suggest a breakfast swap for the entire staff, donuts for bagels. “We co-exist,” he explains. Rebelle’s Pagan agrees, “It’s a small town and everyone is very friendly.” 32

East Side Monthly • August 2018

Lori Kettell behind the scenes at PVDonuts

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

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CLOSE TO HOME Home and Family | Education

At Home on the East Side

Cool and Collected

Everything is yours, mine, and ours in this eclectic Summit neighborhood home By Elyse Major

When textile-loving Stacy met furniture-making Tim Warlick it was a match made in the stars. Recently celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary, the couple blended their families and aesthetics into a renovated condo, resulting in a home that is as welcoming as it is colorful. “I enjoy mixing furniture styles and using fun modern fabrics on vintage pieces, while Tim is more focused on the object itself,” says Stacy.

Tim’s original handiwork includes the occasional table and a red X-form made for a client that he liked so much he made an extra for himself. Adding to the mix is a coveted mid-century modern George Nelson chair that was spotted in a pile of garbage in New York City. “You never know what you can find!” says Stacy, whose own imprint can be found via all of the fabrics. Walls painted the same hue, limited window treatments, and leggy furniture create

a spacious flow in the open layout typical of most multi-family East Side homes built in the 1920s. Neutral walls provide a nice backdrop for artwork, like the canvas painted by Tim, while warm wood tones link various elements. Jaunty fabrics in similar scales keep the blend of patterns cohesive. Says Stacy, “I try to bring color and composition to the things we like, and we both agree it has worked out well!”

Photo courtesy of Alessandra Moraes East Side Monthly • August 2018 35

Close to Home Education

RI Helps the Hungry

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

Most kids would probably agree with that – but not every kid. After all, many of them don’t get the regular school breakfast and lunches that are available the other 10 months of the year. Food insecurity is an ongoing problem for Rhode Island, particularly among children in Providence. The issue compounds further once school lets out in June. For clarification, The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as the “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.” Rhode Island is not exempt from this grim categorization. The Ocean State had about 142,000 children enrolled in public school in the 2016-2017 academic year; yet according to Food Research & Action Center, the nationally recognized nonprofit group, an average of 28,288 Rhode Island kids participated

daily in the federal School Breakfast Program, while 53,577 of our children received free or reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program that year. So, if that many kids rely on one consistent, daily source for nutrition, how do they eat during the summer? There are national partnerships like No Kid Hungry, which draws large-scale awareness through public service announcements and promotional campaigns while aggregating a nationwide list of summer meal programs by zip code, which can be accessed by text message. At the state level, the United Way of Rhode Island is integral in amassing information about relevant programs, overseeing efforts of agencies and individuals, and directing food to where it is most needed. The Rhode Island Community Food Bank feeds the hungry all year long and also looks at long-term solutions to food insecurity, such as community farming and expanding

Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Community Food Bank

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nutritional education. They also partner with the Boys & Girls Club to offer Kids Café, which simultaneously serves evening meals for kids at risk of hunger and trains unemployed adults for jobs in the food service industry. Hyper-locally, in Providence, city agencies and other groups are also working together to answer the question regarding summer hunger. Providence’s Healthy Communities Office (HCO) is the city’s tip of the spear for public health policy, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and substance abuse prevention. HCO is also the mayor’s lead agency for coordinating food distribution to hungry school-aged residents over the summer. Through all of July and August, and without registering in advance, youth and teens who are 18 years old and under can drop in and receive summer lunches at several of Providence’s recreational centers and parks Monday to Friday. There are great collaborations happening to help our kids eat healthy and bring our communities together, but more help is always needed.

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Dine Outdoors

Close to Home East of Elmgrove

Personal History

An East Side book club gets a visit from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author By Barry Fain

HARUKI EAST 172 Wayland Avenue, Providence / 223-0332

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

One of the pleasures of living on the East Side is the diversity of people you get to call neighbors. Whether it’s a fifth generation Rhode Islander or a new undergrad just discovering Thayer Street, the opportunities for interesting encounters are many and varied. What’s frustrating, however, is when we don’t take advantage of these unique opportunities as much as we should. When it does happen, such encounters can make for a thrilling get-together. Here’s an example: The Providence Rotary Book Club was holding its end-of-the-season meeting in an East Side home. The book, Friends Divided, is a recent bestseller that delves deeply into two founding fathers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The 512-page history was written by Gordon Wood, who is not only a longtime professor at Brown but a Pulitzer Prize-winner to boot. As it turns out, Wood has also been a Keene Street resident since 1982. So, suggested one of our members, Why not give him a call and see if wants to come over and meet with a group of neighbors? Why not, indeed! responded the rest of us. And much to our surprise, on a picture-perfect June evening, we held our own “constitutional convention” with this award-winning neighbor. When the professor took the floor, he regaled us with anecdotes about how he stumbled into his life-long career path. Right after college, Wood joined the military as a junior officer and contemplated life in the foreign service. But because of

long, unexpected periods of down time, Wood started reading history books about the founding of our country. “Because we are not a traditional nation [like those in Europe] and have no single ethnic base, the American Revolution itself has become the most important event in American history,” he told us. “It’s what holds us together and makes us a nation.” Not only did the Revolution legally create the United States, he argues, but it infused our culture with its noblest ideals and highest aspirations.

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A New Leader for the Eastside Justice Gaines lives up to her name in the Ward 1 City Council race. Over a plate of waffles and eggs in neighborhood favorite Louis Family Restaurant, Justice Gaines announced her candidacy to be Ward 1’s next City Councilperson. Wood has always been fascinated by the relationship between our second and third presidents. Few early patriots were more critical to our nation’s birth, yet more dissimilar from each other. The two men started as friends, and we could view the younger Jefferson as Adams’ protégé. But as the two carved out their careers as statesmen, they developed fundamental differences. Adams was an acerbic, sharp-tongued New Englander with limited political finesse; Adams had little confidence in the common man and felt any governmental construct had to contain their darker impulses. Jefferson was a smooth, well liked aristocrat from Virginia. Although a slave owner himself, it was the idealist Jefferson who so beautifully articulated how “all men are created equal.” These differences came to a head in the turbulent presidential election of 1800, when Jefferson edged out Adams and deprived his Federalist party of a second term. The rancor of this campaign was so intense that the former friends stopped talking for almost a decade. And then a transformation took place, thanks to the adroit intervention of Dr. Benjamin Rush, a mutual friend (and fellow signatory of the Declaration of Independence). Rush coaxed the two into corresponding by letter. Their letters are deep, thoughtful, and sometimes provocative, crystallizing their visions of the country they both loved. On July 4, 1826, as the United States prepared to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its birth, the two ex-presidents passed away just hours apart, friends no longer divided. We concluded the evening with a cake, which displayed the cover of Wood’s book writ large in frosting. There was an overwhelming consensus that this had been a stimulating and special evening for all of us. But we wondered: given the proximity of so many students and scholars on the East Side, why don’t these interchanges happen more often? No doubt Adams and Jefferson would have come up with an answer.

As she advocated for a strong and sustainable economy that prioritizes local residents and small business owners above large coporations, a sea of heads nodded in agreement. “I believe the people of Providence deserve accountable representatives who will be proactive in ensuring residents are included in the decisions that impact this city,” stated Gaines. The community advocate and artist lives in Fox Point and played an instrumental role in the passage of the Providence Community Police Relations Act. She has been a vocal defender of environmental protections and, for the past two years, has worked for the RI chapter of Jobs with Justice. When elected, Gaines will be the first openly trans person to hold public office in Rhode Island history. Gaines urged voters to make sure they are registered by August 13 in order to vote in the Democratic primary election on Wednesday, September 12. To further discuss issues important to you, please contact her directly at JusticeforWard1@gmail.com. Paid for by friends of Justice for Ward 1, Chris Rotondo, Treasurer.

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ON THE TOWN Restaurant and Food | Restaurant Guide | Calendar of Events

Flavor of the Month

Mojitarita, Mi Amor

The East Side’s only dedicated Mexican bar serves newly invented cocktails every week

Photography by Robert Isenberg

By Robert Isenberg

Each week, Jessie Donnelly puts together three cocktail specials – and with rare exception, each cocktail has never before graced the bar of Tortilla Flats. The Hope Street restaurant has barely changed its menu in 47 years, but Donnelly has dutifully created brand new libations for nearly a decade. Tortilla Flats is the only dedicated Mexican bar in the East Side, so the pressure is high to do south-of-the-border right. “My goal is to make the perfect margarita

for everybody,” says Donnelly. “But I always tell people, I can make a margarita a hundred different ways. So you tell me what you’re looking for and I’ll find a way to make it.” Donnelly is also a trained chef, and she loves to incorporate seasonal fruits into her concoctions, including berries she sometimes picks herself. When it came to creating the “mojitarita,” Donnelly saw two great things – the Cuban mojito and the Mexican

margarita – and mixed them together with some tropical garnish. The mint, pineapple, and limes combine nicely, but the surprise is a top layer of Kraken dark rum, which complements the salted rim with a licorice spice. “People love it,” says Donnelly, who has hundreds of one-off cocktails to compare it to. “I’d say it’s the fifth most popular we’ve ever served.” 355 Hope Street. TortillaFlatsRI.com

East Side Monthly • August 2018 43

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

of flavors: sliced Chashu and Tan-Tan pork, a five-minute egg, sautéed bean sprouts, Nappa cabbage, Wakame seaweed, scallions, corn, and sesame seeds, all floating in a bronze-colored broth. But the main ingredient is ramen, that special brand of Japanese noodle that nearly every college student has at some point stockpiled. As fans of East Asian cuisine now know, ramen isn’t just a microwavable packet you buy at 7-Eleven; the versatile pasta has garnered gourmet attention. In Massachusetts, Ganko Ittetsu Ramen is a staple of the Brookline dining scene, ladling high-end noodle bowls for hungry Bostonians. But Ganko isn’t just popular - Boston Magazine named it one of

their Top 25 New Restaurants in 2016, and Improper Bostonian called Ganko one of Boston’s Best. Most Providence foodies would blanch at the idea of fighting through Boston traffic for an hour and half for a taste of Hokkaido goodness, but luckily for East Siders, Ganko is opening a second location on Thayer Street, nestled between the brand-new by Chloe and Pokéworks. Ganko’s menu has roots in Sapporo, one of the northernmost cities in Japan, where the cool and rainy climate is very similar to New England’s. Ramen is pretty much always a hit, but when the weather turns autumnal, there’s nothing like a steaming bowl of miso-flavored consommé. 215 Thayer Street, GankoRamen.com

Photo by Shuhei Teshima courtesy of Ganko Ramen

Paid for by friends of Rebecca Kislak, Karlo Berger, Treasurer. 242 4th Street, Providence RI 02906. info@rebeccakislak.com (401) 400-2338

Summer J-Camp

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WHAT MAKES J-CAMP SO SPECIAL?

Photography by Robert Isenberg

Hometown Poké Opens Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant Tasty, healthy, and fast – that’s the idea behind Hometown Poké, a food truck that has served the East Side since last summer. Hometown specializes in poké, a Hawaiian dish made of rice, veggies, and raw fish. “It’s basically sushi in a bowl,” says Tiffany Ting, who co-owns Hometown with best friend Rebecca Brady. “That’s how we always describe it to people who have never heard of poké. But sushi is expensive, and I don’t know about you, but I can’t get full on one sushi roll.” Brady and Ting left their corporate jobs to open the Hometown Poké food truck, and they’ve based their operations in the Pilotworks incubator on the West Side, where they’ve shared commercial kitchen space with other startups. While the truck was dormant for the winter, the long days of cooking, loading, and schlepping across the city have paid off: the pair has now opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Mount Hope. “Growing up in Rhode Island, it wasn’t always super easy to find healthy food that was fast,” says Brady, who grew up in Pawtucket. Brady lived in California and has traveled with Ting around the world, so they have a good basis of comparison. “I think Rhode Island has changed so much. There are so many young people, and the city is changing, and there’s a [desire] for things to do. We knew pretty much right away that we wanted to do it here.” 185 Camp Street, HometownPoke.com

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East Side Monthly • August 2018

Massimo has a long culinary tradition behind it. Restaurateurs Joseph and Esther DeQuattro also own and operate Pane e Vino, the beloved Italian mainstay at the other end of Atwells Avenue. With its expansive outdoor seating and wall of windows that opens up to the lively street, Massimo is hard to miss. What’s inside, though, is even better. Massimo brings the regional flavors of

Italy to life, while still serving a menu that allows guests to eat with the seasons and enjoy fresh, organic food. The restaurant imports its Mozzarella di Bufala and Burrata cheeses and its Prosciutti di Parma directly from Italy – and it’s recognized as a Prosciutto di Parma specialist by the makers. Massimo also offers an extensive gluten-free menu, including pastas.

134 Atwells Avenue, Providence 273-0650, MassimoRI.com

PROVIDENCE AREA 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Fashionable prime steakhouse with award-winning sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$ Al’s Waterfront Restaurant & Marina A fine mix of surf ‘n’ turf eats and sinful cocktails on a waterfront setting. 28 Water St, East Providence. 434-0590. LD $$-$$$

Caserta Pizzeria Casual, kid-friendly pizza spot offering traditional Italian crisp-crust pizza and calzones. 121 Spruce St, Providence. 621-3818. LD $-$$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Pl, Providence, 7519164. BrLD $$-$$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel

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View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$ Character’s Cafe & Theatre 82 Hybrid art space with all-day breakfast, coffee, and theater-inspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 490-9475. BL $ Chez Pascal & The Wurst Kitchen French eatery with take-out window serving house made hot dogs, sandwiches, and more. 960 Hope St, Providence. LD $-$$$ Don Jose Tequilas Restaurant Homestyle Mexican fare plus beer, wine, and cocktails in a colorful setting. 351 Atwells Ave, Providence. 454-8951. LD $-$$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Called the “Best Burger in America” by CNN. Over 50 craft beers. 121 N Main St, Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336. LD $-$$

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Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambience. Locations in Cranston and Providence, HarukiSushi.com. LD $-$$ Heng Authentic Thai street food served – including noodles and rotisserie chicken – in Providence’s College Hill neighborhood. 165 Angell St, Providence. LD $ Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant High-end Italian restaurant serving up specialty dishes and drinks. 120 Atwells Ave, Providence. 751-5544. LD $$-$$$ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating more than 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express Handmade Italian classics and prepared foods to go. 1457 Hartford Ave, Johnston. 455-0045, LuigisGourmet. com. LD $$

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RESTAURANT GUIDE Luxe Burger Bar Build Your Own Burger: You dream it, they build it! 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ Madeira Restaurant Classic Portuguese cuisine in a lively dining room or on a sprawling outdoor patio. 288 Warren Ave, East Providence. 431-1322. LD $$-$$$ Massimo Locally sourced brunch, lunch, and dinner inspired by Italian regional cuisine. 134 Atwells Ave, Providence. 273-0650 BrLD $$-$$$ Pane E Vino High-end Italian food serving pasta, meats, and seafood featuring an extensive wine list. 365 Atwells Ave, Providence. 2232230 D $$-$$$

East Side Monthly • August 2018

Par & Tackle Restaurant and Bar at Harbor Lights Post-andbeam restaurant featuring a full bar and a farm-to-table menu. 200 Gray St, Warwick. 737-6353. LD $$-$$$ Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$ Pat’s Italian Fine Italian favorites, natural steaks, and handcrafted cocktails. 1200 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 2731444. LD $-$$$ Pizza J A fun, upbeat atmosphere with thin-crust pizza, pub fare, and gluten-free options. 967 Westminster St, Providence, 6320555. LD $-$$

Red Stripe Casual FrenchAmerican bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 5213311. D $$-$$$ Sydney Providence Australianinspired cafe and coffee shop featuring breakfast and light lunch options. 400 Exchange St, Providence. 648-4994. BL $-$$ Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun, and Southwestern fare, cocktails, and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 7516777. LD $-$$ Xaco Taco

Late-night Mexican-

style street food featuring made-from-scratch tortillas. 370 Richmond St, Providence. LD $-$$ Pho Horn’s Authentic Vietnamese restaurant specializing in Vietnamese noodle soups and classic dishes. 50 Ann Mary St #403, Pawtucket. 365-6278. LD $-$$

SOUTHERN RI Bistro 1230 Ocean Classic New England seafood on the waterfront with a patio and downstairs bar. 1230 Ocean Rd, Narragansett. 789-6159. LD $-$$ Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style

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RESTAURANT GUIDE pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$ Celestial Cafe Fresh, locally sourced ingredients from farms and fisheries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 567 South County Trail, Exeter, 295-5559. BLD $$ Chair 5 Locally sourced and seasonally inspired menus with a main restaurant and rooftop lounge. 1208 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 3639820. BrLD $-$$$ Champlin’s Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 7833152. LD $-$$ Coast Guard House A new American menu with a seafood

emphasis and extensive wine list, open seven days a week. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 7890700. BrLD $$$ Colvitto’s Pizza & Bakery Calzones and baked goods made fresh daily. 91 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-8086. BrLD $

240 Main St, East Greenwich. 398-2462. D $-$$$

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George’s of Galilee Fresh caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306. LD $-$$

Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza with exclusive ingredients imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$

Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 8841149. LD $$$

Maharaja Indian Restaurant Indian cuisine and traditional curries in a warm setting. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 363-9988. LD $-$$

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

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

Maria’s Seaside Cafe Mediterranean influenced seafood and Italian cuisine in an urbane atmosphere. 132 Atlantic Ave, Westerly. 596-6886. D $$-$$$

Red Stripe Casual FrenchAmerican bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$

Greenwich Bay Oyster Bar Locally sourced seafood and sandwiches in a casual tavern setting.

Mariner Grille Seafood, steaks, and pasta in a fun setting, with live entertainment. 140 Point

Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-

East Side Monthly • August 2018 49

• PAID ADVERTISEMENT •

RESTAURANT GUIDE For full restaurant profiles, go to ProvidenceOnline.com

3311. D $$-$$$ T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, and Narragansett, TsRestaurantRI.com. BL $ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/ American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$

H SMART GROWTH H H SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS H H STRONG SCHOOLS H As the City Councilor for Ward 2, I will be an effective and

responsive advocate for the future of the East Side PROVIDENCE NATIVE • ATTORNEY CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL & PROVIDENCE COLLEGE GRADUATE • COLLEGE HILL RESIDENT OBAMA FOR AMERICA 2012 STAFFER

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 Learn more at www.holtforcouncil.com PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF RYAN HOLT, DAVID ELLISON, TREASURER 50

East Side Monthly • August 2018

Tavern on Main Comfort foods with an eclectic twist in a family friendly environment. 195 Main St, Wakefield. 4729280. BrLD $-$$$ The Cove A traditional bar and grill serving burgers, sandwiches, and classic New England seafood favorites. 3963 Old Post Rd, Charlestown, 364-9222. LD $$ Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere. 865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 789-8153. LD $-$$ Tong-D Fine Thai cuisine in a casual setting. 156 County Rd, Barrington, 289-2998; 50 South County Common Way, South Kingstown, 783-4445. LD $-$$ Sonoma Bistro Family owned restaurant serving up internationally inspired dishes. 7366 Post Rd, North Kingstown. 295-0800. LD $-$$$ Uptown Burger Bar Farm-to-table handcrafted burgers shakes, and sides featuring organic, local produce. 36 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown. 783-7888. LD $-$$

EAST BAY / NEWPORT Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating, and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$ Cafe Water Street Locally roasted coffee, gourmet crepes, and freshly baked goods on the Warren River. 279 Water St, Warren.

RESTAURANT GUIDE B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+

COOKBOOK MENU SERIES

245-7071. BBrL $-$$ Christian’s Wood-fired grill serving up inventive American cuisine. 382 Thames St, Bristol. 396-9811. D $$-$$$ Chomp Upscale comfort food featuring award-winning burgers and sandwiches. 440 Child St, Warren, 289-2324. D $$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Fresh-ground sliders, 50+ craft beers, and alcoholic shakes in an industrial-modern space. 464 Thames St, Newport. 619-3617. LD $-$$ Redlefsen’s European-style dining with a waterfront view focusing on traditional German foods. 444 Thames St, Bristol, 2541188. LD $$

Each month we'll highlight a favorite cookbook and create a 3 course tasting menu featuring different recipes interpreted by us from that cookbook

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Chez Pascal & The Wurst Kitchen Delectable Dining With A Wurst Side

Richardson’s Kitchen & Bar Gastro pub with craft cocktails and made-from-scratch dishes. 15 Child St, Warren. 245-8000. BrD $$-$$$ Roberto’s Italian Kitchen Rustic fine dining featuring traditional Italian meat and pasta dishes. 450 Hope St, Bristol. 254-9732. D $$-$$$ Tav Vino Waterfront dining with an Italian and seafood focus. 267 Water St, Warren, 245-0231. D $$

960 Hope Street, Providence 421-4422 • Chez-Pascal.com

Hartselle and Associates Pediatric and Adult Psychiatry

The Lobster Pot New and classic surf ‘n’ turf fare on the waterfront. 119 Hope St, Bristol. 253-9100. LD $-$$$ The Statesman American comfort fare, craft beer, wine, and cocktails in a relaxing tavern atmosphere. 31 State St, Bristol. 3965115. BrD $$-$$$ Tong-D Fine Thai cuisine in a casual setting. 156 County Rd, Barrington, 289-2998; 50 South County Common Way, South Kingstown, 783-4445. LD $-$$ Quito’s Restaurant Family-friendly seafood eatery and raw bar with waterfront views. 411 Thames St, Bristol. 253-4500. LD $-$$$

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www.hartselleandassociates.com East Side Monthly • August 2018 51

• Sponsored Content •

SWAN POINT CEMETERY

Here for the community to experience and explore.

ho would have imagined that a cemetery located in the northeast corner of Providence would be considered one of the city’s premier green spaces? Designed as a garden cemetery to serve the living as well as honor and memorialize the deceased, Swan Point is well known for its 200-acres of magnificent landscape, art and architecture, monuments, and history. Established in 1846 and still active today, the cemetery provides a variety of options for burial and cremation along with quality services and facilities while also offering a tranquil place for the community to enjoy. “We invite everyone to come and explore our beautiful grounds, whether it’s to seek inspiration, take a walk or bicycle ride, quietly reflect, or simply commune with nature,” said Anthony Hollingshead, President of Swan Point Cemetery. The cemetery has always taken pride in being open to people from all walks of life and religious beliefs, and continues to offer a dignified, tranquil place of rest.

Proper Planning Brings Peace of Mind Making arrangements in advance for one’s own funeral is similar to planning for any other significant event in life. Advanced planning takes the burden off family members or caregivers during a very emotional time while providing the comfort of knowing a person’s wishes have been made clear and will be honored. “We take special care to be certain that families’ needs, desires, and religious traditions are met,” continues Hollingshead. “Our counselors are here to provide assistance and will work closely with your funeral director at every stage of the planning process.”

New Burial Area and Mausoleum With over 50 acres of undeveloped land, traditional earth burial at the cemetery is ensured long into the future. In fact, Swan Point recently announced the opening of Birch Grove, a new 2 ½ acre burial area which includes beautiful gardens and trees for extra privacy. In addition, the Redwood is the cemetery’s newest community mausoleum and features an array of exterior and interior crypts.

Satisfying the Growing Preference For Cremation Cremation is increasing exponentially throughout the United States with the national percentage

of cremations up to 51.6 percent. Keeping pace with this long-term trend, Swan Point completed a major renovation and expansion of its crematory in 2014. “Our full-service, state-of-theart cremation facility is unparalleled in Rhode Island and has earned a strong reputation for providing compassionate, respectful services by our highly trained cremationists,” notes Hollingshead. The facility features a chapel and a private viewing room that offers a dignified, peaceful setting for loved ones who may choose to be present when the body is committed to the cremation chamber. Choices for memorialization include earth burial, inurnment in any of the indoor or outdoor columbaria on the grounds - including the new Cedar Columbarium - and the scattering of cremated remains in the cemetery’s Memorial Grove. Whether considering the options for final committal, planning a service and reception or simply looking for a place to relax, spend some time visiting the beautiful grounds of Swan Point Cemetery at 585 Blackstone Boulevard in Providence. For more information, please call 401272-1314 or visit SwanPointCemetery.com.

August music | performance | social happenings | galleries | sports

THE TO-DO LIST

10 events you can’t miss this month

Every Friday: Food Trucks at Roger Williams Park Zoo.

August 3-31: Food Truck Fridays at Roger Williams Park Zoo is a summer tradition. Visit your favorite food trucks, hop on the historic carousel, and even ride a camel, weather permitting. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, RWPZoo.org

Photo courtesy of Alexander Gim

August 4: Providence Performing Arts Center welcomes Yanni 25 – Live at the Acropolis Anniversary Concert Tour this month. The world-renowned composer will take center stage to celebrate 25 years since the release of his iconic live album recorded in Athens. 220 Weybosset Street, PPACRI.org

August 17-19: Pawtucket goes Greek for a weekend during the Grecian Festival, where you can try traditional cuisine and coffee, shop the indoor/outdoor marketplace, and watch costumed Greek pride dancers. Opa! 97 Walcott Street, Pawtucket, AssumptionRI.org

August 18: Empire Street will be transformed for AS220’s Foo Fest, a block party for all ages, featuring the most creative art, music, and culture the city has to offer. Empire Street, FooFest. AS220.org

August 7-12: The Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival returns for its 22nd year to showcase the best of the world’s independent cinematic talent right here in the Ocean State. Various Venues, Film-Festival.org August 11: Take a stroll along the waterfront for The Looff – East Providence Arts Festival to admire the work of local artists, including photography, metal works, and sculpture. Crescent Park, EastProvidenceArts.org

August 17-19: Players assemble at the Rhode Island Convention center for Magic: The Gathering Grand Prix, a two-day event with cash prizes, artist signings, and more. 1 Sabin Street, Magic.Wizards.com

August 22: “Do You Realize”…that the Flaming Lips will be coming to PVD? The psychedelic rock band will be performing at the Strand with Le Butcherettes. 79 Washington Street, TheStrandRI.com

August 23: Country music fans rejoice, for Hunter Hayes is bringing a little bit of Southern charm to Bold Point Park this month, along with opener Maggie Rose. Bold Point Park, East Providence, RIWaterfrontEvents.com

August 25: Lions, tigers, and… beers? Brew at the Zoo is back with an adults-only soiree featuring over 170 beers, live music, and some animal encounters. You’re sure to have a wild time. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, RWPZoo.org

East Side Monthly • August 2018 53

On the Town Calendar

10,000 SQUARE FEET OF INDOOR PLAY SPACE!

w Plus 3,600 Square

Feet of Exterior Space

w Doggy Daycare and

Overnight Boarding

MUSIC

arena & club | classical ARENA & CLUB COLUMBUS THEATRE August 12: Mitski, Sidney Gish. 270 Broadway, Providence. 621-9660, ColumbusTheatre.com

FETE MUSIC HALL August 2: Within the Ruins with Phinehas, Great American Ghost, Sentinels, Noxii Arena, Hope Before The Fall, Devil Inside. August 12: Older Brother with with Mint Green, Raavi & The Houseplants, N.O.A. 103 Dike Street, Providence. 383-1112, FeteMusic.com

Wienies for a Night

w Trained Supervisors

and Staff 24/7

w Rubber Floors &

Dog Separation by Size

w Enhanced HVAC /

Air Flow

w Minutes from the

East Side!

FriendsofToto.com

August 16: For one night, the PawSox will be paying tribute to RI’s one-of-a-kind food item by changing their name to the Pawtucket Hot Wieners for their game against the Durham Bulls. Players will sport caps and jerseys with the Hot Wiener logo, and matching commemorative merchandise

East Side Monthly • August 2018

will available for purchase. Other highlights will include a parade of fans with Dachshunds, local food trucks (selling their famous wienies of course), a voting poll for your favorite way to order a wiener, and a Hot Wiener eating contest. Don’t miss out on this deliciously fun night! PawSox.com

Photo courtesy of Pawtucket Red Sox

245 Esten Avenue, Pawtucket • 401-722-TOTO

• PAID ADVERTISEMENT •

THE MET August 7: The Sword with UME. August 11: Hope Anchor with Lolita Black and Blackletter. August 17: DK The Drummer and Sucre. August 18: Block Rockin Beats. August 31: The Jam Artist Discovery Showcase. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, TheMetRI.com

• PAID ADVERTISEMENT •

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A STRONGER EAST SIDE

PLEASE

VOTE

THE STRAND August 2: Anthrax with Testament. August 3: Dipset Forever. August 10: Playboy Carti. August 11: Miky Woodz & Anonimus. August 12: Band of Horses with Bonny Doon. August 22: The Flaming Lips with Le Butcherettes. 79 Washington Street, Providence. TheStrandRI.com

PERFORMANCE comedy | theatre

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 12 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY HelenAnthonyForCityCouncil.com HelenAnthonyforCityCouncil@gmail.com PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF HELEN ANTHONY, SALLY STRACHAN, TREASURER

COMEDY CONNECTION August 2: Lenny Clarke. August 3: Hardcore Comedy. August 3-4: Pete Correale. August 9-11: Ryan Hamilton. August 23-25: Tim Dillon. August 30-31: Big Jay Oakerson. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 4388383, RIComedyConnection.com

Unique Backgrounds, Complementary Strengths.

LEARN

discussion | instruction | tour

LADD OBSERVATORY Open to the public on Tuesday evenings from 9 to 10:30 pm, weather permitting. 210 Doyle Avenue. 863-2641, Brown.edu MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND PLANETARIUM August 1-31: Public Planetarium Shows. Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 785-9457, ProvidenceRI.gov/Museum PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY LIBRARY August 1, 8, 15, 22: Maker Wednesdays. August 2: Henna by Heather. August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31:

Rebecca Mayer

Beth Mazor

Kelly Zexter

Victor Pereira

401-447-8040

508-878-3929

401-225-0502

781-910-1330

We are the Real Estate Collaborative. Whatever your unique real estate needs, you can rely on our combined talents and experience to bring you real results.

REAL ESTATE COLLABORATIVE realestatecollaborative@residentialproperties.com

East Side Monthly • August 2018 55

On the Town Calendar

Unwind with Yarn. August 4, 11, 18, 25: Learn Chinese. August 6: Mermaid Masterpieces. August 10: La Leche League of Providence Meeting. August 21: Book and Movies of Faith. August 27: Providence Illustrators. Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence. 272-3780, ProvComLib.org FOR FOODIES BOTTLES Thursdays 5–7pm: Spirit tasting. Fridays 4–7pm: Beer tasting. Saturdays 4–7pm: Wine tasting. 141 Pitman Street. 372-2030, BottlesFineWine.com

residential and commercial construction (401) 632-4400 | SiteSpecificLLC.com

A NEW NAIL EXPERIENCE

FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND Tuesdays 2:30–5:30pm: Woonsocket YearRound Farmers Market. Thursdays 3:30–7: Armory Park Farmers Market. Fridays 11am– 1pm: Harvest Kitchen Cooking Demo, 2 Bayley St, Pawtucket. Beginning June 16: Saturdays 8am–12pm: Broad Street Farmers Market. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. FarmFreshRI.org GALLERIES RISD MUSEUM Through August 12: United Histories. Through August 19: From the Loom of a Goddess: Reverberations of Guatemalan Maya Weaving. Through October 14: Theresa Ganz: Storm Diptych. Through October 1, 2019: A Changing Reflection Silver, Metalwork, and Jewelry in the 19th21st Centuries. 20 North Main Street, Providence. 454-6530, RISDMuseum.org GALLERY Z August 1 through October 14: Celebrating All Things Italian. 259 Atwells Avenue, Providence. 454-8844, GalleryZProv.com

RELAX IN A SPA ATMOSPHERE WITH

THE MOST HYGIENIC CHAIRS & BATHS

MANICURE & PEDICURE SALON

229 Waterman Avenue Providence 443-2244 | Open 7 Days Parking and Entrance behind Massage Envy 56

East Side Monthly • August 2018

SPORTS PAWTUCKET RED SOX August 3-5: vs. Rochester Red Wings. August 10, 25: Post-Game Fireworks. August 11: Free T-Shirt Night. August 1315: vs. Norfolk. August 16-19: vs. Durham. August 25: Star Wars Night. August 2830: vs. Lehigh Valley. 1 Columbus Avenue, Pawtucket. 724-7300, PawSox.com

s: ture & Natural Habitat:

es: s

try ctions re e from flat things” k on

A LUSH PARADISE AWAITS YOU at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Journey to the depths of the Amazon, for an immersive wildlife experience like no other in the Zoo’s new exhibit

opening summer 2018 rwpzoo.org East Side Monthly • August 2018 57

Business Spotlight

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BEAUTIFUL PRE-OWNED JEWELRY

Tomasso Auto Swedish Motors

Trinity Square Block Party August 11

Summer Tune-Up to Avoid Getting Stuck Roadside We service and repair ALL foreign and domestic models • ASE Certified • RI inspection and repair station #27b

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

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729 East Avenue • 401-723-1111 (Top of the East Side, just past Lippitt Park)

The Dwares JCC is

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IASIMONE MEMORY CARE PLUMBING ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE HEATING & DRAIN CLEANING, INC.

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27 Allen Avenue, North Providence (401) 300-9761 • iasimonephdc.com 58

East Side Monthly • August 2018

Call 401.944.2450 to schedule a personal tour

49 Old Pocasset Road, Johnston, RI briarcliffegardens.com

ith support from Empire Loan and Empire Guitar, Debbie Schimberg of the Trinity Square Working Group, South Side Community Land Trust, Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island’s program director yon Tande, Mayor Elorza’s Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative, and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the first ever Trinity Square Block Party is set to launch on August 11 from 12-4pm. This family-friendly event is going to have live music and DJ sets, food stations, kids games, face painting, and will feature many local residents, artists, eateries, nonprofits, faith communities, and businesses. Jeff Keithline, owner of Empire Loan, explains, “It is a day-long festival celebrating the social and cultural diversity of historic Trinity Square. It’s going to be a lot of fun!” There will also be an art installation of a work titled Southside Stories, created by Teaching Artist Anna Snyder in collaboration with The Steel Yard, Marta Martinez of R.I. Latino Arts, and Alvarez High School students. This conceptual abstract artwork incorporates two months of interviews of longtime community residents regarding how the area has changed. Come celebrate this thriving community on August 11 near the intersection of Broad Street and Elmwood Avenue. This entire month is also the highly anticipated August Meltdown Sale at both locations at Empire Loan: 50% off all diamond jewelry and gold bracelets, chains and earrings priced just above “scrap value.” Stop in to discover some great finds for yourself or for a gift.

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

Business Spotlight

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Lawn Care With Quiet Electric Motors

ALSO OFFERING THE IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT LOSS METHOD

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ity Estate Gardener is making the great leap forward and investing in battery-powered electric mowers, hedge trimmers, and blowers. These machines are much quieter than their combustion engine counterparts, and they also don’t emit exhaust into the faces of the crew and up into the atmosphere. Business owner Thomas Bennett explains, “We are trying to be better partners with the community. The East Side is our primary area of work and we are utilizing any technology to better our company in how we look and how we sound.” While large properties still require typical mowing equipment, the regular yard in 02906 is perfect for the new electric equipment. Tom is committed to improving the overall aesthetic of each client’s property, by viewing each yard as an individual green space. “We’re trying to raise the level of professionalism in the landscape industry on the East Side,” he says. These are increasingly busy times and to leave the yard work to the pros is a true affordable luxury; then you can spend more time enjoying your property. Services also include onsite consultations, landscape design/install, refurbishing old gardens, and even building outdoor function areas, like patios. Give Tom a call today and make the switch to a quieter and more environmentally friendly landscape gardening service!

City Estate Gardener 401-935-2312 • CityEstateGardener.com

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Chiropractic Physician

401-861-1300 • 187 Waterman Street www.wickedgoodposture.com

T.F. Morra Tree Care, Inc.

Ornamental and Shade Tree Specialists • fine hand pruning • tree preservation • hazard tree removal • tree evaluation & diagnosis • tree planting consultation 331-8527 • tfmorra.com

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299 Walcott Street, Pawtucket 723.0500 • www.KitchenGuys.com East Side Monthly • August 2018 59

SERVICE