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CONTENTS East Side Monthly • August 2019

Photography by Brandon Harmon

Do you know the story behind some of the East Side’s iconic statues, like this bust in the Providence Anthenaeum? Find out more on pg. 29.

This Month

16 New head of tourism shares her vision for Providence’s future

42 Food News: Caliente Mexican Grill comes to Thayer Street

23 Neighborhood News

44 Dining Guide

29 SET IN STONE The stories behind the statues around town

Every Month 6 Editorial and Letters News & Culture 9 Thayer Street mural draws attention to growing coyote population in the state

18 Inside the East Side

Calendar 21 Rhody Gem: Discover a club for creative women that’s been operating since 1904

49 Calendar: Events you can’t miss this month

Life & Style

East Sider

35 Home of the Month: Hieroglyphics and more embellish a Mount Hope home

58 Meet the new associate director at the Providence Children’s Museum

10 New section of Swan Point Cemetery helps residents stay eco-friendly, even after they’re gone

38 Education: Videos and testimonials help students explore career paths

12 Prospect Terrace celebrated 80 in June, with no shortage of support

Food & Drink

14 The dynamic duo behind Wayland Square’s new fashion boutique Harper & Tucker

On the Cover:

41 Flavor of the Month: A beet juice-based drink that will tickle your tastebuds

The George M. Cohan statue in Fox Point. Photography by Nick DelGuidice

East Side Monthly • August 2019 5

EDITORIAL

Learning about Process the Hard Way By now, we all thought we knew the drill. Every three years the State mandates a full real estate property revaluation in all of its cities and towns. Based on the results, each individual town then sets the appropriate tax rate to keep things running. Admittedly in Providence, the process is a little more complicated due to things like abatements, differences between commercial and residential rates, occupied versus unoccupied. But with the homestead exemption eliminated six years ago and with our housing values stabilizing all over town, it promised to be a simple calculation this time around. Real estate in Providence seems to be a growth industry. Demand is improving. Building downtown is booming. The soonto-be-opened Wexford project and Brown’s continuing expansion suggests burgeoning economic opportunities may finally be in our future. Boston is on fire but so, too, are its housing prices, which mean exciting spillover possibilities for us. And the public

is discovering there is life, and a very exuberant one at that, in places around town besides the East Side. So, what could screw things up? Enter our Providence City Council. With both the Mayor and half the council members themselves term limited, everyone seems to be exploring possible future career paths. For the council, what better way to curry favor than to play to their constituents? They are trying to find a way to lessen the pain of any increase or even better, pass it on somewhere else. The result was a lead-footed, last-minute plan led by Finance Committee Chairman John Igliozzi and Council President Sabina Matos to single out expensive houses, many on the East Side, for additional taxes. The Mayor isn’t blameless either, as he added some $20 million worth of increases at the last minute without offering offsetting budget cuts. Progressive taxation isn’t necessarily

a bad thing, but to develop a tax policy that’s fair for everyone is difficult, complex, and not for the faint-hearted. And without transparency, without expert input, and without an open process that engages the neighborhoods it effects, it is impossible. But hopefully, two important lessons have come out of the recent tax debacle. First, pitting ward against ward is rarely helpful in addressing citywide issues when they occur. Second, transparency and neighborhood input are essential to critical urban decision making. In short, process often is as important as product. Both these lessons will be tested as we face the even more daunting upcoming challenge of dealing with public education in the city. And if Providence can’t come up with actionable solutions that serve all of our wards, then maybe it’s time to turn the process over to State and just admit defeat.

wasn’t passed at the eventh hour. In particular, I would like to thank Representative Chris Blazejewski. His leadership helped make sure the council did not get the authorizing legislation they needed to pass the proposal. Thanks too to House Speaker Nick Matiello for recognizing that a tax policy of such importance in Providence deserved a much more thorough process of review than what had been proposed. And of course, thanks to our Councilmembers in Wards 1, 2 and 3 for standing for us throughout this entire process.

This was a win for now but we must continue to stay involved. There will inevitably be other proposals to create a tax structure that is both fiscally responsible to run our city effectively and yet fair to its taxpayers. But future legislation must be transparent, inclusive, thoroughly vetted, and have input from ALL the neighborhoods of the city.

LETTERS To the editor: I would like to take this opportunity to thank many of my neighbors and fellow residents of Providence for standing up and taking action on the two-tiered tax proposal that was presented with virtually no transparency or community input. Hundreds of us took the time to get involved and ensure that our voices would be heard. Working together, we were able to ensure that this backdoor piece of legislation that would have pitted neighborhood against neighborhood

East Side Monthly • August 2019

John Goncalves Master of Arts Brown University

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

Editor Megan Schmit

Staff Writer Robert Isenberg

Editor Lauren Vella

Art Director Nick DelGiudice

Associate Art Director Brandon Harmon

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Graphic Designer Taylor Gilbert

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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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NEWS & CULTURE

Photo courtesy of The Wheeler School

East Side Stories | Inside the East Side | Neighborhood News

Take a moment to stop and admire this labor of love at 294 Thayer Street

Howl at the Moon

Mural by The Wheeler School draws attention to growing coyote population in the state By Megan Schmit

A desert landscape reminiscent of the Southwest. Hazy purple mountains on the horizon. A cloudless blue sky. A wolf, its head thrown back in full howl. And, most strangely, a giant message reading “Greetings from Rhode Island.” Say hello to the most recent creation by The Wheeler School as part of the Thayer Street Public Art Program in Providence, a mural with a mission. As many might know, the coyote population is on the rise in Rhode Island as the animals make more and more frequent appearances in residential neighborhoods. “Our goal is to create a public display that will highlight the animal’s growing presence in our state through a juxtaposition of traditional views of the coyote from the Southwest (how most

viewers might associate where coyotes live) with images from Rhode Island (where most viewers might not readily think of as a place where coyotes live),” explains Robert Martin, Chair of Visual Arts at Wheeler. The mural’s design was based off a vintage postcard, and photography students in their Upper School Advanced Art Seminar combined several versions in Photoshop before students, alumni, and staff put paint to plaster. You’ll find the southwestern landscape dominate, but within the blocked letters, several familiar Ocean State landmarks appear, including the State House and Providence’s Superman building. “[It’s a] collaged-intention of colliding two previously unrelated frameworks,” says

Robert about the mural. “The southwestern landscape and the Ocean State, now united by the mutual habitation of the coyote and rendered large by the artful design of our students.” Besides being thought-provoking, the mural also encourages education: a website address to CoyoteSmarts (CoyoteSmarts.org) is included, which provides information on coyotes, public and pet safety, research and management, and related news. And this might just be the first of many installments. Shares Executive Director of the Thayer Street District Management Authority Donna Personeus, “In the Wheeler School, we have found the perfect partner for our public art program.” 294 Thayer Street

East Side Monthly • August 2019 9

News & Culture East Side News

Experience. Integrity. Results.

Ever Green

A new section of Swan Point Cemetery helps residents stay eco-friendly, even after they’re gone By Robert Isenberg

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

In Ecclesiastes, there’s a poetic little verse about death: “All go to the same place. We are made from earth, and to earth we shall return.” “The Ellipse” takes this notion literally. This repurposed section of Swan Point Cemetery is dedicated exclusively to “green burials,” where those who have passed can naturally decompose into the soil. Caskets are plain wicker or bamboo, untouched by toxic paints. There’s no concrete vault, a standard underground container since the 1930s. Markers are tiny square stones, which are quickly grown over with grass. To avoid chemical exposure, deceased persons aren’t even embalmed. “There’s this upward trend to care about the environment,” says Anthony Hollingshead, president of Swan Point Cemetery. Visitors have asked him about low-impact interment for the past decade or so, but interest has recently spiked. “It seemed surprising that so many people were asking about green burial.” “Families are beginning to take back the burial process,” says Candace Currie, who served as director of development of Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is also board secretary for The Green Burial Council and an outspoken advocate. In the traditional funeral home, the embalming process can sometimes be clinical and alienating for grieving loved ones. Candace describes “death midwives,” who help interested family members participate in funeral preparations. Attendants can request to fill the grave themselves, using shovel and soil, to provide closure. “The physical activity can make a difference,” says Candace. “Green burial isn’t for everyone,” notes Anthony. Cremation, for example, isn’t considered “green” because of crematorium fuel. Green burials don’t provide the “lifelike” display of an open casket. To date, only one

person has been buried in The Ellipse, yet future names will be inscribed on an enormous stone tablet. Still, many clients may be comforted by this gradual return to the earth, and green burials have exploded in popularity: Candace says that, five years ago, only two “natural burial grounds” existed in Massachusetts;

Photo courtesy of Swan Point Cemetery

Swan Point staff demonstrates the closing of a wicker casket, which is made of wholly biodegradable materials

today, there are more than 20. Swan Point provides the only green burials in Providence, and The Ellipse has its share of celebrity neighbors – H.P. Lovecraft and General Ambrose Burnside, among others. “It adds historic flavor,” adds Candace. “I think they’ve done a nice job of integrating the old with the new.” SwanPointCemetery.com

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ROCK

News & Culture East Side News

YOUR RIDE

Prospect Terrace Parties Like It’s 1939 The East Side’s famous promenade celebrated 80 in June, with no shortage of support By Barry Fain

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

der threatening skies to celebrate the anticipated rededication of Prospect Terrace on June 18, which marked almost 80 years to the day of the official opening of the promenade and its famous 14-foot statue of Roger Williams. “In many ways, we tried to recreate some of the festivities that marked the original dedication,” says organizer and

Parks Superintendent Wendy Nilsson. Prospect Terrace has been upgraded over the past nine months in what has become a successful model of public-private collaboration between the City Parks Department and neighborhoods. Starting last fall, in large part due to designs developed by landscape architect and College Hill Neighbor Association board member

Sara Bradford, the park has undergone an impressive update, which includes completely redone walkways, a newly created sitting wall, new benches, lights, signage, even irrigation system. In his remarks at the event, Mayor Jorge Elorza took special pride in noting that for the first time in its history, the terrace is now fully handicapped accessible. “It is also part of my dream, which is now close to 97 percent achieved, that every resident of the city of Providence will be within a ten-minute walk of a city park that is clean, safe, and serves the adjoining residents in a way that makes them proud.” In anticipation of possible sunset showers, three tents were set up “just in case.” Special lighting added a pleasant purple tint to the framing around Roger Williams. The 88th Army Band, whose predecessors had performed 80 years ago, kicked things off under the direction of CW3 Todd J. Garrepy. Tribal chanting from the Eastern Medicine Singers followed in recognition of the special relationship that existed between Roger Williams and the Native Americans who had welcomed him. After thanking the Mayor, CHNA, nearby neighbors, and former City Councilman Sam Zurier (whose Ward funds jump started the project), Parks Superintendent Nilsson introduced US Park Service Ranger John McNiff, channeling Roger himself. The evening ended in historic Rhode Island fashion: The Vox Hunters (Armand Aromin on fiddle, Benedict Gaghardi on guitar and mini-accordion) played a medley of unusual local tunes with references to Roger Williams (naturally), the Dorr Rebellion, and Johnnycakes, while attendees huddled safely under the tents from the rain and Roger Williams smiled from his post.

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Dine Outdoors

News & Culture East Side News

Best Friends-Turned-Business Partners

The duo behind Harper & Tucker – newest fashion boutique in Wayland Square – share their story By Caroline Boyle

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

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AG JEANS MARGARET O’LEARY CHAN LUU bigger, something that utilized their shared love for style. It started with six months of after-work planning, and then a business primarily built online and run out of apartments and tiny office spaces offering in-person styling and shopping appointments. However, they welcomed the idea of a brick-and-mortar and in 2017, the 20-somethings launched their first fashion boutique Harper & Tucker – named for their respective fourlegged canine companions – in Dakota’s native Newport. Flash forward a year-and-a-half later, and the dynamic duo is comfortably settled in the store’s second location in Wayland Square, which opened less than six months ago. Despite their combined career histories, both insist that what they’ve learned about business has come from starting and running their very own. Dakota shares that they “never stop learning.” The pair finds that their new East Side storefront perfectly complements their coastal location on Newport’s Bellevue Avenue. Wayland’s ever-growing community gives them the opportunity to offer brands and style points that weren’t known to the area – like California’s Cleobella and Oahu’s XIX Palms – adding that “the ‘busy’ seasons [at each location] are complementary, and the stores are close enough that both of us would be able to consistently be at both sites,” and continue meeting with and styling clients. For now, the friends plan to continue building their collections online and instore, but hope to open additional locations and expand their presence both in and beyond Rhode Island. Find Harper & Tucker partnering with small, local brands and companies for trunk shows and pop-up events this summer. 210 Wayland Avenue, HarperAndTucker.com

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News & Culture East Side News

A City For All

The new head of tourism talks about the past, present, and future of Providence By Isabella DeLeo

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“If I can get people here, this city sells itself,” says Kristen Adamo. As President and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau (PWCVB), she has the important role of showing outof-towners just how great Rhode Island,

and more specifically Providence, is. Recently appointed on April 25, Kristen has enjoyed a long and fruitful history in the bureau, serving previously as the Director of Communications, where she ran marketing strategy and was later promoted

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to Vice President. So, what’s in store for the year ahead? Kristen is working to make sure that the PWCVB tells the stories “of all of our community.” She’s in the process of setting up a walking tour of African American history in Providence and creating more content about local African American history on their website. “I’d like to do that with indigenous people, with our Latino community, we just want to broaden our perspective and tell stories that appeal to all Americans and all visitors.” In the 14 years that Kristen has worked for the bureau, she has been a key player in Rhode Island tourism. One particular success is that she has raised the profile on Providence’s gastronomic brand, orchestrating Providence’s own successful “Restaurant Week.” Throughout her tenure, Kristen says that “we’ve done a lot of outreach in terms of things like the LGBTQ community, we’ve built sort of a niche market promoting Providence as a great place for the gay and lesbian community. Recently, we’ve done a lot of work with promoting Providence’s neighborhoods as a diverse collection, and you can go and curate your own experience here.” Kristen also supports and oversees the hundreds of meetings, sporting events, and conventions that happen – and bring economic activity – here. There were 250 last year alone. In her new role, Kristen wields her outreach, strategy, and marketing skills to shine a light on local organizations and communities. She says that one of the most satisfying, and joyful, aspects of her job is that she’s “really, really proud to help people with their small businesses.” GoProvidence.com

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News & Culture Inside the East Side By Barry Fain

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

The East Side’s Deep in the Heart of Taxes The frightening specter of a tax plan that would have pitted ward against ward here in Providence was narrowly averted when the House refused to vote on the plan. The government branch wisely tabled the City Council’s request until its next session in hopes there will be more time spent involving the residents, given the importance and complexity of the issue. Hundreds of East Siders had attended hurriedly organized meetings with the finance committee to object to the tax plan that would single out higher priced homes in wards one, two, and three. But perhaps the key role in the House’s decision was played by Representative Chris Blazejewski. The long-serving rep is an outspoken supporter of the progressive wing of his party but also serves as part of Speaker Matiello’s leadership team as its Deputy Whip. He admitted many of his constituents asked him as to where he stood on City Council proposal. “I simply could not support the twotiered residential tax plan. The proposal sought last-minute changes to Providence’s tax structure without sufficient public input and professional analysis and unfortunately set neighborhoods against one another…without an open and transparent process to evaluate it.” While ultimately the correct decision was made, the lack of transparency and community involvement in the process erodes residents’ confidence in the decision-making capacities of our local elected officials. At least one of them interceded to help avoid what could have been full scale resident revolt.

Putting the “New” in News It should be noted the most interesting, and dare we say useful, coverage over the East Side’s battle over the Council’s secret plan to sock it to us, seems to be coming from two unexpected sources. First are the well-curated discussions representing all sides of the issue that appear regularly on Cheryl Simmon’s popular East Side listserv. The second is coming from Rhode Map, the new daily blog from the Boston Globe prepared by Dan McGowan, once (but sadly no more) a frequent writer for our paper that provides sharp, concise daily updates on breaking stories often accompanied by access to additional Globe pieces by

well-respected former ProJo writers Amanda Milkovits and Ed Fitzpatrick. Conclusion: If the ProJo doesn’t devote more resources to covering their home turf, they’re going to have even more problems than they have now.

Picture Perfect One of the East Side’s best known retailers is about to take on some new responsibilities. Geoff Gaunt, the owner of the century old Dryden Galleries, has just taken over as the 109th president of the Providence Rotary Club. Founded in 1911, the Providence Rotary is number 22 of the 33,000 clubs around the world and boasts its own foundation that awards between $50,000 and $100,000 a year to Providence-based charities. Given his high level of community involvement and creativity, it’s a safe bet that there will be a myriad of exciting activities and ideas emanating from the club this year. Already, Geoff has announced a fall event with details still evolving. It will involve the New England Patriots alumni group, which he promises will be a “can’t-miss” event. Good luck, Geoff, on a great year.

On the Passing of a Big Wheeler Dealer It was national news when socialite Gloria Vanderbilt (yes, Cooper’s mother and jeans entrepreneur extraordinaire) passed away last month at the age of 95. Once dubbed “the poor little rich girl,” she catapulted into the public’s eye by combining a likable human touch and creativity. Her famous Gloria Vanderbilt line of reasonably-priced designer jeans, notable for its tastefully understated “G” on the back pocket, were perfect for those who lived life in the fast lane and us regular folks. While much has been written about her life of glamour, what is less known is that her road to the top involved a short stopover at the Wheeler School when she was an early teen. In her autobiography, she acknowledged her brief years at Wheeler were “very enjoyable” and this was where her love of the arts first became apparent. But when a modeling opportunity presented itself on a California trip, she opted to drop out of school and follow her creative muse. A surprising number of unexpected journeys ran through our little state. This is just one more.

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(PRESS)ed A Podcast About the Media, Fake News, and the Future of Our Democracy Listeners, please fill out our survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Pressed_Survey

6 Episodes

TUNE IN

Listen as two neighbors in South Kingstown with differing political views start honest conversations. Join the audience as Pulitzer-winning journalists, newspaper publishers, and professors discuss the value of journalism for a free society. Consider the implications of communal thought processes with a cognitive scientist at Brown University; and listen in on a high school class in Narraganset as they evaluate the legitimacy of online news sources and the implications of "fake news" for the strength of our democracy.

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Listen to the full series at rihumanities.org, thepublicsradio.org, iTunes, and SoundCloud. You can also catch clips of the podcast on The Public's Radio: 89.3FM, 88.1FM, and 102.7FM

"Democracy and the Informed Citizen" is a project of the Federation of State Humanities Councils. We thank The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for their generous support of this initiative and the Pulitzer Prizes for their partnership.

East Side Monthly • August 2019 19

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News & Culture Rhody Gem

The Handicraft Club Crafting Club What it is: A club primarily for women who enjoy the creative process of making things together and learning new creative pursuits, with classes and programs planned to reflect membership interests.

Where to find it: Located inside the stately Truman Beckwith House where College Hill slopes at the corner of Benefit Street, across from the Athenaeum.

Photography by Brandon Harmon

What makes it a Rhody Gem? Think the Makers Movement is something new? The Handicraft Club has been meeting since 1904. Recent classes have included weaving, jewelry making, and needlepoint, with Fine Arts courses in watercolor, oil, acrylic painting, and illustrated journaling. Says current president Frances Gammell-Roach whose mother was a member, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Members are the heart of the Handicraft Club, sharing camaraderie and joy of doing handicrafts together.â&#x20AC;? Classes are offered during fall, winter, and spring semesters.

Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-inthe-wall spot that locals love. Email or tag us on social media using #RhodyGem to suggest yours, and we might just feature it!

Handicraft Club

42 College Street, Providence 831-8339 HandicraftClub.org

To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

News & Culture 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.

Photo courtesy of Blackstone Parks Conservancy

College Hill Neighborhood Association At last month’s meeting we heard from Rachel Robinson, the Providence Preservation Society’s (PPS) Director of Preservation. Robinson spoke about the possibility of expanding the College Hill Local Historic Overlay District to encompass additional structures of historic or architectural value. Any proposed alteration, repair, construction, or demolition involving the exterior of properties within the overlay district is subject to review by the Historic District Commission. The proposed expansion would cover the section of College Hill stretching east from Brook Street to Ives and south from Power Street to the Wendell Erickson Athletic Complex, some of which is in Brown institutional zone. It is almost certain there would be concerns raised by the University in future presentations before the Providence Plan Commission which would need to approve the new designation. We also received an update from CHNA board member Wendy Marcus regarding the formation of a coalition of local neighborhood associations. After an initial meeting in April, Marcus said interest in exploring possible further development of a citywide organization remained strong and that a second meeting was held. There, representatives of the various neighborhoods from around the city spoke about topics of importance to each of the neighborhoods and discussed issues for the coalition to address. We look forward to participating in the process to see where it leads. CHNA welcomes all residents of College Hill to join us to protect the neighborhood. For more information about joining and supporting the CHNA and meeting your neighbors, please contact the CHNA, PO Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906, visit CHNAProvidence.org or email CHNA@ CHNAProvidence.org. -Jared Sugarman

Neighbors discussed expansion of the Historic District and legislation to remove local authority over State-owned land

Fox Point Neighborhood Association Neighbors, FPNA Decry State’s Attempt to Bypass Local Control As many Rhode Islanders know, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio introduced legislation in the late spring to remove local control over building proposals designated for stateowned land. Senate Bill 0803, which at time of publication passed in the State Senate, would allow proposals for 195 land to bypass the City of Providence in matters of zoning, planning, and design, leaving the I-195 Commission as the sole public overseer for all 195 land. FPNA stands with the Providence Preservation Society, Building Bridges Providence, and the many other organizations that have strongly opposed this legislation. Not only does this legislation represent an overreach on behalf of the State, eliminating the voices of cities and towns on matters related to their own development, it is retaliatory in nature, clearly serving as an attempt by the sponsor to change the rules of the game when legitimate legislative processes don’t go as desired. Over the last two years, FPNA has opposed

“spot zoning” for the Fane Tower, arguing that throwing away our Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance would undermine public processes and the very underpinnings of our democracy. Senate Bill S-0803 commits the same offense; this “spot-legislation” would be detrimental to the integrity of our public institutions. We encourage neighbors to learn about this critical issue and to speak out. FPNA August Meeting Please join us on Tuesday, August 13 (note Tuesday meeting) at 7pm in the Library/Community Room of the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, 455 Wickenden Street. See our website, FPNA.net, for agenda and directions. All are welcome. About FPNA 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! -Amy Mendillo

East Side Monthly • August 2019 23

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

OPEN LATE

Mount Hope Neighborhood Association

Downtown Neighborhood Association

The Sharing Garden in Billy Taylor Park has open hours on Saturdays from 12-3pm, Tuesday and Thursday 4-7pm. Come help to grow and share. Garden workshops will be held on Saturdays August 3 and August 17 starting at 1pm. We will have our second Community Harvest Meal on Wednesday August 14. Go to our Plan4Health-Mt Hope Facebook page for workshops, topics, and other garden events. Also, visit the Mt Hope Neighborhood Association Facebook page for other community events such as the Pop-Up Farmers Market. All are welcome to the MHNA board, which are held on the third Thursday at 6pm. This month it will be held on August 15.The Mount Hope Food Security and the Mt Hope Dialogues for Action (MHDA) meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month and 5pm and 6pm respectively, which will be August 22. The Housing Coalition meeting is on the second Thursday, which will on August 8. Please call to confirm, 521-8830. -Courtesy of the MHNA

Monthly Meetings Our monthly meetings are the second Tuesday at the Grace Pavilion, 300 Westminster Street from 6:30-8pm. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, August 13 and will feature the Providence Police to give updates about crime trends throughout downtown. Other speakers will discuss new development and other issues in the downtown community, a new local new restaurant will offer free samples, and much more! All are welcome to attend. Painting with your Neighbors Since 2017, over 300 DNA volunteers have helped to transform over a mile of our Riverwalk (from the Hurricane Barrier to the basin of Waterplace Park) by sanding and painting over 400 railing pillars, light poles, and benches! The transformation has been incredible and to date, our efforts have collectively saved the City of Providence an estimated $300,000 in labor costs! Our June restoration project was postponed due to rain. Join us on Tuesday, August 20 from 5:30 until 8pm in the Waterplace

A scene of North Burial Ground in the Summit Neighborhood

Photo courtesy of Summit Neighborhood Association

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News & Culture Neighborhood News

Park Basin. We will continue where we left off during Earth Day to paint all the railings and remove stickers. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and make a difference. Learn more and register at DNAPVD.com. Once you register, details about the exact location to meet will be sent to everyone. The 2019 remaining community projects are: • Tuesday, August 20, 5:30-8pm • Saturday, August 31, (Labor Day event with RISD), 9am-1pm • Saturday, October 5, 9am-1pm Small Little Library While you are on the Riverwalk, please be sure to checkout the DNA’s first-ever Small Little Library along South Water Street at the intersection of Packet Street. Feel free to bring the books you already enjoyed to help us fill the library. Getting Involved If you would like to get involved, are interested in serving on our board of directors, volunteering opportunities, or want to learn more about our upcoming events, please visit: DNAPVD.com or email DNAPVD@gmail.com.

Summit Neighborhood Association Residents Invited to Connect with Us Got a neighborhood issue, problem, or idea you’d like to discuss? We’re here to help. We meet at 7pm on the third Monday of every month in the dining room at Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Avenue. The sessions are open and neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend! You can also stay in touch with us on Facebook via the “Summit Neighborhood Association” page, our website at SummitNeighbors. org, on Instagram and Twitter @SNAProv, or by phone at 400-0986.

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East Side Monthly • August 2019 25

News & Culture Neighborhood News

SEA FOOD

community projects, candidate forums, and advocacy. Memberships are affordable – starting at just $15 per year – and easier than ever to sign up for digitally or by mail. Additionally, SNA is always seeking local content for our long-running neighborhood newsletter. Have something to say about an event, a new business, or any topic that would resonate with the neighborhood? Please contact us for more information! Summit Neighborhood Association, PO Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940, 400-0986 SummitNeighbors.org, SNAProv@gmail.com

Wayland Square Neighborhood Association

Blackstone Parks Conservancy

SEA VIEW

40 Ocean Road Narragansett 401.789.0700 thecoastguardhouse.com 26

East Side Monthly • August 2019

Surprising Appearances in Blackstone Park by Jane Peterson The upside to an especially sodden spring even for New England was a spectacular early summer in both Blackstone parks: luxuriant grass and trees and the richest display of mountain laurel seen in years. And more greenery meant more food for all creatures, including the birds for which these parks are known, insect- and rodent-eating raptors among them. Professional birders like Dan Berard, a naturalist who lives and works in Massachusetts, tout the birding at York Pond and in the swath of coastal woodland that runs through the Blackstone parks north through Swan Point and Riverside – major refueling and rest stops for birds migrating north in

Neighbor Jeff Williams and BPC VP Carrie Drake clearing leaves

the spring or south in the fall on the great Atlantic flyway. “I never get tired of going to York Pond,” says Berard. Those who sign up for the Blackstone Parks Conservancy bird walks Berard leads catch his enthusiasm for spotting these remarkable creatures, particularly when they show up unexpectedly. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher he identified near the Seekonk River during the northern migration this spring would normally land in western Massachusetts or Vermont, he explains. This was a “nice surprise.” Surprises are part of the pleasure of birding. “If every bird cooperated every time it wouldn’t be fun,” says Berard, who was startled by a seldom seen Eastern Wood-pewee a few weeks ago that landed a few feet away from him, chased by an oriole. Use of chemicals interferes with natural controls like the two species of cuckoo that nest in Blackstone Park, Black-billed and Yellow-billed. Cuckoos relish tent caterpillars, which other birds, put off by their hairy

Photo courtesy of Blackstone Parks Conservancy

SEA FRIENDS

The Wayland Square Neighborhood Association meets every second Wednesday evening of the month. Location changes depending on the meeting topic, so please check our Facebook page for exact times/locations. WSNA organizes candidates nights, environmental events, social outings, local links and maintains regular communication with all residents, merchants and elected officials. With all the new restaurants, retail, residences and services, Wayland Square has never been better or busier! Looking forward to meeting you at our meetings in Wayland Square! -Katherine Touafek

bodies, can’t eat. Once agencies switched from deploying insecticides, which killed not only caterpillars but also many of the cuckoos, this part of nature’s balance was restored. Thus the recent gypsy moth explosion led to a cuckoo population boom last year. Tangentially, it provided feasting for peregrine falcons, which researchers realized when they found cuckoo heads in falcon nests. Of course, to fully appreciate the drama of birds one might need to be aware of the context of their lives. Check the website below for future guided walks. Events Saturday, August 3 at 10am: Camouflage Insects (Blackstone Field, 2 River Road)

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Visit projectundercover.org to purchase tickets. 100 % of all proceeds go to Project Undercover. 28

East Side Monthly • August 2019

Fine Figures The stories behind the Providence statues you pass by everyday By Robert Isenberg Photography by Nick DelGiudice & Brandon Harmon

“Wow,” you think, “that’s a cool statue. I wonder what it is.” We have all thought this to ourselves, walking the streets of Providence. Our city is full of cast bronze and carven stone, depicting every kind of figure. Musicians and war heroes populate Roger Williams Park. Starving Irishmen and a Turkish corsair appear in Downcity. Our capital is topped with that inimitable personage, the Independent Man. Every few blocks, there’s a president or pioneer gazing back at you. The East Side has its share of monuments, too, but you might not identify them at first glance. Summer days are the perfect time to spot these public decorations, tucked into lawns and terraces, shaded by trees or stored inside buildings. Here are some of our favorites – and the diverse characters they portray.

Athenaeum Sculptures

Among its many quirks, the Athenaeum has a remarkable collection of statues and busts, which casually decorate the 188-year-old library. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bronze likeness of H.P. Lovecraft, a statue of Benjamin Franklin and Louis XVI signing the Treaty of Alliance, and the face of Albert J. Jones, the Athenaeumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s secretary in the 1840s, among others. (Fun fact: The librarians have decorated these sculptures with costumes to celebrate certain readings and events).

Orpheus Ascending

The tragic story of Orpheus, the Greek musician who watched his wife die twice, is only part of why this sculpture is so compelling: Its creator was Gilbert Franklin, who grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and became one of the foremost modernist sculptors in the US. The three abstract characters of Orpheus Ascending stand in the middle of Frazier Terrace on RISD campus.

A Memorial to Young Womanhood

The story sounds like a gothic novel: Constance Witherby, a 15-yearold from Providence, was climbing in the Swiss Alps when she suffered heart failure and died. Constance left behind a treasure trove of poems, which were eventually published as a collection, and her parents commissioned the statue and gave it to the city. Depicting a serious-looking young woman with flowing hair and dress, the statue originally stood in Witherby Park, a stone’s throw from the Seekonk River, but was moved to its current home on Blackstone Boulevard near the intersection with Clarendon Street.

Roger Williams Statue Indomitable

The Brown University mascot, sculpted by British artist Nick Bibby, may seem gigantic, but at ten feet, this male Kodiak bear is roughly to scale. Indomitable is both fearsome and photo-realistic, rearing before the Nelson Fitness Center like an ursine sentinel. A previous statue of “Bruno” was moved from about the same prominent location, so Brown hired Nick to create a replacement in 2013.

It was Roger Williams who named Providence, and his statue looks over the city like a proud father. When Ralph Thomas Walker carved it in the 1930s, he created a tall and triumphant theologian who watches every sunset from his marble mount in Prospect Park. The monument was a gift from Stephen Randall, a scion of Roger, and it has become one of the most famous markers in Rhode Island. With his right hand extended, Roger appears to be blessing the city below. Most visitors are unaware that Roger’s remains are actually stored inside the structure.

Korean War Memorial

Hunched over his rifle and draped in rain gear, this GI looks pensive and pained – a vivid portrayal of modern war. The Korean War Memorial was dedicated in 1998, and it’s as haunting and real-looking as the more famous memorial in Washington, DC. Many critics have noted its stark contrast to the mythic appearance of the nearby World War I Memorial.

The Boy and Girl Fountain

Swan Point Cemetery is as much an art museum it is cemetery. The grounds are covered in artful crypts and statuary. The Boy and Girl Fountain shows two Victorian children in rain gear, sheltered under the same umbrella. Someone stole the original statue in the 1960s, but this replacement dates to 1974.

Marcus Aurelius and Caesar Augustus

No, these second century Roman emperors did not graduate from Brown. The two monuments may look familiar, though: Marcus Aurelius perches atop his horse, and Caesar Augustus stands boldly in his armor, seeming to address a crowd. Both are replicas of famous statues in Rome – except that Augustus’ arm broke off during a hurricane in the 1930s. Why these Classical figures? Hard to say. But whatever his precise motivation, Robert Hale Ives Goddard gifted the Augustus to Brown in 1906 and the Aurelius in 1908.

George M. Cohan Statue World War I Memorial

Rising from the very center of Providence, the World War I Memorial is a magisterial granite column that photobombs the city from almost every conceivable angle. Even if you have no idea what this sculpture is, you have certainly gazed upon the female figure on top, an art deco homage to peace. Architect Paul Cret finished the 150-foot sculpture in 1929 to honor the soldiers from Providence who served in the war; the design includes patriotic stars at the summit and a chest-thumping Emerson quote at the base.

No sculpture has better portrayed the razzle-dazzle of vaudeville than the George M. Cohan statue in Fox Point. This song-and-dance man entertained thousands of audiences in the early 20th century, and Robert Shure’s bust shows George on a “ta-da!” position. Erecting a statue was the idea of one Sy Dill, a native New Yorker who felt George should be honored in his hometown; the bust was unveiled in 2009. In our opinion, it’s much more fun than the one in Times Square, where he’s just standing around with a walking stick.

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LIFE & STYLE Home | Education & Smart News

At Home on the East Side

Work of Art

The Mount Hope home of an industrious couple has surprises at every turn By Elyse Major

White walls serve as a canvas for artwork while highlighting architectural features

Along a tree-lined street in the Mount Hope section of Providence, you’ll find a multi-family property typical of the neighborhood. However, step inside, and the term “typical” quickly dissipates. After all, this is the abode of Jen Booth and Pierre Ford, both longtime fixtures in the Providence art scene. For the last 25 years, the husband-and-wife team have collaborated as decorative painters, muralists, and color Photography by Grace Lentini

consultants, and Jen is a member at the AS220 Community Printshop. “This house had good bones but needed cosmetic renovating from top to bottom. It had drop ceilings, popcorn ceilings, fake wood and tile paneling, and generations of layering over wood floors,” says Jen. “We had the patience and know-how to take on the renovations.” And they did. With the sweat equity behind them, Want your home featured in East Side Monthly? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more East Side Monthly • August 2019 35

Life & Style Home

the duo set their sights on decorating. Soon, the entryway was treated to an ancient Egyptian makeover, a decade in the making. Says Jen, “None of our customers ever commissioned us to do an Egyptian mural, so we decided to paint one for ourselves.” Striving for accuracy, they contacted the Archaeology department at Brown, and two grad students visited to provide feedback on the hieroglyphics. The home is filled with distinctive accents like a life-size cutout of their beloved cat Louise adorning a kitchen cabinet and a light fixture

constructed from a kitchen supply store colander. Other bespoke touches include a coffee table made to spec by a sculptor they met through The Steel Yard, and their couch was reupholstered by Kreatelier. As artists, color plays a key role in design choices. “We feel colors should reflect the function of the room as well as the desired mood,” Jen notes. The C2 Green Tea paint hue used in the kitchen was actually named by the couple in a contest held at Adler’s Design Center & Hardware. “We want our home to be appealing aesthetically with

artistic touches and ancestral antiques but at the same time, a place you feel comfortable plopping down anywhere,” says Jen. When describing their collective style, Jen uses terms like comfortable and eclectic elegance. The things in the home that make her most happy are the greenhouse window in the pantry, the entryway mural, ultramarine tiles on the bathroom floor, and a bay window with a view of North Burial Ground. The duo’s latest endeavor is a home organizing business (@homemadeorganizing).

GET RHODY STYLE Whether it’s walking about or posting maps to the wall, Jen and Pierre display their adoration for Providence in many ways: TRUE NORTH “We love living in proximity to North Burial ground. Local naturalist Greg Gerritt chronicles the wildlife and lets us know when the Fowler toads start breeding so we can go out and listen to their mysterious calls,” says Jen.

SENSE OF PLACE An etching dated 1967 rescued from a Brown dumpster by Jen’s brother, 1869 map of Providence from her grandfather, and a watercolor by Sydney Burleigh, a Providence Art Club founder, are among the uniquely local elements in the home.

East Side Monthly • August 2019

Photos by Grace Lentini

ART CLUB Most art in the home is by local talent or people connected to the area, including a Shepard Fairey print and works by Xander Marro, Josh Wood, Erik Ruin, Allison Bianco, Ian Cozzens, and Meredith Stern. Jen cites Hope Street’s Rhody Craft as a go-to: “We really prize that we can walk to most everything we need.”

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Summer in the Square!

Life & Style Education

Fresh Approach

Subscription-based Inventing Heron uses storytelling to help students with their career path By Lauri Lee

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Lindsay Kuhn was working toward her PhD in Material Science at Brown University when she received a two-year grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant required her to teach science once a week at Nathan Bishop Middle School. “I realized that I never really knew what it was like to be a teacher until I spent that time in the classroom.” The experience gave her the idea for Inventing Heron, an online career resource named for the ancient Egyptian bird of light and self-creation. “We take a radically personal and empathetic approach to career discovery; we are a career resource rooted in storytelling,” explains Lindsay.

East Side Monthly • August 2019

“Shape your work to fit you, don’t be shaped by it. It’s work, it’s not life” is among the many bits of wisdom that a high school student might find from over 600 professionals featured on the site. Pharmacists, writers, engineers, teachers, pipe fitters, athletes, lawyers, even a mine clearance diver in the Royal Navy are all among the topics available to search by career, interest, subject, or strength. In addition to the professionally produced videos and stories at InventingHeron.com, there is an accompanying curriculum that introduces students to all of the 16 career clusters specified by the National Career Cluster

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Buckle

Lindsay Kuhn, founder of online career source Inventing Heron

Framework. Lessons emphasize soft skills (such as work norms and culture, workplace attire, and resume writing) and provide opportunities for self-reflection, guiding students through exploration, goal-setting, and developing a vision for the future. A former journalist and engineer at Boeing, Lindsay used her skills to build a resource that would help students learn about various fields and professions and give them a taste of what each career looks and feels like for different people. Implementing a graduate student listserv, she recruited others to assist her in creating the site. This year, schools around the state utilized Inventing Heron to incorporate career exploration into the curriculum and to help give students a vision for the future. “Inventing Heron is an innovative approach to showcasing real people in real jobs,” notes Karen Haberstroh, associate director of Engineering Programs at Brown’s School of Professional Studies. “It’s a relevant online tool to guide and mentor students in their career pursuits.” Even college students can benefit from learning about the range of career options open to them. Providence College Professor of Biology James Waters finds the site helpful to show his students how the study of biology can be used in a variety of professions: “Every year I teach approximately 150 students who are first-year Biology majors and who, almost across the board, consider only about three job options: doctor, nurse, or physician’s assistant. I don’t know exactly where, when, or how we are collectively failing to educate these students about their future career options, but we need to let them know that there are endless other possibilities. There are no other resources on the web that could offer my students what Inventing Heron offers.” InventingHeron.com

Danger Construction Area No Trespassing

East Side Monthly • August 2019 39

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FOOD & DRINK Food News | Restaurant Guide | Calendar of Events

Flavor of the Month

Go With The Beet

The East End’s new drink is an all-season refresher you need to try

Photo courtesy of The East End

By Lauren Vella

No, the Oaxacan Beet Box is not the name of a Mexican instrument or hip-hop cover band. It’s actually a craft cocktail favorite that has remained on The East End restaurant’s menu since the establishment’s opening two years ago. One sip of this unorthodox take on a classic margarita will send you on a bit of a sensory rollercoaster, oscillating between perplexion and exuberance. The Oaxacan Beet Box is made with mezcal, beet-carrot-ginger juice, and garnished with a slice of lime. Upon first taste of this colorful drink, your palate is hit (almost too forcefully) with the smoky-pepperiness

of the mezcal – tequila’s slightly more luxurious sibling. The sensation makes you wonder if you were stupid to stray from a traditional margarita in the first place. But after a few more swigs, the flavors meld, rounding out the concoction into a refreshing, well-balanced cocktail. The beet juice mixture gives the cocktail an interesting mouth feel, presenting differently than other non-alcoholic mixers. Thicker than fruit juice and thinner than coconut milk, the beet mixture proves earthy and sweet (but not too sweet) to balance the tartness of the lime and the acidity of the traditional

Mexican liquor. Inspiration for the East End favorite came from bar manager Kayleigh Speck’s desire to include more kitchen-based items on her bar menu. “Running a bar that also has a great food program, I also wanted to use more culinary elements into drinks. So, rather than just using citrus, using things that we use on our food menu as well.” With summer in full swing, Kayleigh is changing the menu for the warmer months. Maybe she’ll come up with another masterpiece to rival her beet juice creation. 244 Wickenden Street, TheEastEndPVD.com.

East Side Monthly • August 2019 41

Food & Drink Food News

Hot Spot

Pretty much every URI student knows Caliente Mexican Grill, the fast-paced little restaurant a stone’s throw from main campus. On warm days, lines go out the door. The menu lures undergrads with barbecue and Thai chicken burritos, not to mention jalapeño poppers and nacho fries. So perhaps it was inevitable that Caliente would open a second location on Thayer Street, attracting more collegiate clientele

East Side Monthly • August 2019

and adding spice to an already crowded Mexican market. The new Caliente is similar to the original: small venue, spartan seating, and a tiny outdoor patio. The service on Thayer is also hyper-fast and short on small-talk. The dinner options can be decadent, such as the Jumbo Shrimp Fajita, and Caliente already delivers across the East Side. Unlike the Kingston location, the walls are covered in colorful murals, which celebrate the

iconic landscapes of Mexico. Appropriately, Caliente opened for business on May 1. Several businesses have risen and fallen in the same retail space, most recently the Thayer Street Deli. Caliente also faces stiff competition: The restaurant is wedged between Baja Tex Mex Grill and super-chain Chipotle Mexican Grill. But with luck, this new spot will find its entusiastas. 267 Thayer Street, MexicanGrillCaliente.com. -Robert Isenberg

Photography by Robert Isenberg

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the threat of a blizzard still hung in the air, Wayland Square frequenters might have noticed that Mercer’s Deli suddenly closed. The sign on the door alluded to a much different concept gracing Angell Street in the coming months. Then, on the first of May, Providence Wine Bar opened its doors with a mission: to make wine and small plates accessible and affordable to its patrons. Owner Ben Lloyd made the decision to switch concepts when he found that he and his staff were “swimming upstream” at Mercer’s. Curing deli meats and selling 10-ounce sandwiches was not an effective way to stave off financial difficulty and burnout. So, Ben turned to another one of his passions, wine. The current set up at Providence Wine Bar is casual, with long, cushioned benches and a lounge area in the back. Take one glance at the wine menu and you’ll see that the vast selection truly stands up to its name, “wine bar.” The items are separated into reds and beers on one side and whites, roses, and sakes on the other. Patrons will see that the lists are broken down further by common varietals and their descriptions. Wine that is highlighted in red is “easy drinking,” meaning that those with unseasoned palates can pick out a drink quickly without feeling discouraged or overwhelmed. The majority of the wine bar’s customers come in before or after their main meals at the surrounding neighborhood restaurants for a drink and a quick bite. There is no hood system at the establishment, so food items are either raw or pre-cooked, heated on the two induction plates the staff has behind the bar. When you’re there, try some of Ben’s acorn-fed Iberico Ham or Tuna Carpaccio. It might be just the thing to start your evening off right. 485 Angell Street, PVDWineBar.com. -Lauren Vella

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

F E AT U R E D R E S TA U R A N T

Mill’s Tavern

101 North Main Street, Providence 272-3331, MillsTavernRestaurant.com

East Side Monthly • August 2019

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PROVIDENCE AREA 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Fashionable prime steakhouse with award-winning sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$

Purveyors of unique and unusual plant material, pottery,

Caserta Pizzeria Casual kid-friendly pizza spot offering traditional Italian crisp-cut pizza and calzones. 121 Spruce St, Providence, 6213818. LD $-$$

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CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$

THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER

Character’s Cafe & Theatre Hybrid art space with all-day breakfast, coffee, and theaterinspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 490-9475. BL $

716 Mooresfield Road (Rt. 138), Wakefield 401-792-1340 • Open Daily 9am-6pm www.thefarmersdaughterri.com

Don Jose Tequilas Restaurant Homestyle Mexican fare plus beer, wine, and cocktails in a colorful setting. 351 Atwells Ave, Providence, 454-8951. LD $-$$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Called the “Best Burger in America” by CNN. Over 50 craft beers. 121 N Main St, Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336. LD $-$$ Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambience. Locations in Cranston and Providence, HarukiSushi.com. LD $-$$ Joe Marzelli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant High-end Italian restaurant serving up specialty dishes and drinks. 120 Atwells Ave, Providence. 751-5544. LD $$$ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating more than 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express Handmade Italian classics and prepared foods to go. 1457 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 455-0045. LD $$

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

Luxe Burger Bar Build Your Own Burger: You dream it, we build it! 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$

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Pizza J Fun, upbeat atmosphere with thin-crust pizza, pub fare, and gluten-free options. 967 Westminster St, Providence, 632-0555. LD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

Sydney Providence Australian-inspired cafe and coffee shop featuring breakfast and light lunch options. 400 Exchange St, Providence, 648-4994. BL $-$$ The Salted Slate An agri-driven American restaurant with global influences. 186 Wayland Ave, Providence, 270-3737. BrLD $$-$$$ Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun, and Southwestern fare, cocktails, and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 751-6777. LD $-$$ Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra St, Cranston, 781-9693. 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, 789-0700. BrLD $$$ Colvitto’s Pizza & Bakery Pizza Calzones and baked goods made fresh daily. 91 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-8086. BrLD $ Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$ George’s of Galilee Fresh-caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306. LD $-$$ Mariner Grille Seafood, steaks, and pasta in a fun setting, with live entertainment. 40 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 284-3282. LD $$ Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza with exclusive ingredients imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$

SOUTHERN RI

Sophie’s Brewhouse Espresso drinks and sandwiches with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. 699 S County Trail, Exeter, 295-4273. BL $$

Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$

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

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

The Cove 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, 7898153. LD $-$$

EAST BAY / NEWPORT Aviary Creative, locally sourced menu featuring rotating craft beers and from-scratch cocktails. 2229 GAR Highway, Swansea, MA, 508-379-6007. BrLD $$ Blount Market & Kitchen Traditional New England seafood summer favorites offered year-round for dine-in and takeout. 406 Water St, Warren, 245-1800. LD $$ Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating, and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$ Chomp Upscale comfort food featuring award-winning burgers and sandwiches. 440 Child St, Warren, 289-2324. D $$

FOR CATERING INQUIRES:

catering@durksbbq.com 275 Thayer Street, Providence 351-2807 • DurksBBQ.com

Green Space Makes Cities Great

East Bay Oyster Bar Local seafood meets innovative preparation in a rustic setting. 308 County Rd, Barrington, 247-0303. LD $$ Ichigo Ichie Traditional Japanese cuisine, creative sushi, and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East Providence, 435-5511. LD $-$$$ KC’s Burger Bar Burgers, hot dogs, and sides enjoyed in a retro car-themed diner. 1379 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA. 508557-1723. BLD $$ Tav Vino Waterfront dining with an Italian and seafood focus. 267 Water St, Warren, 245-0231. D $$ The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA, 508-336-8460. LD $-$$$

Photo by James Lastowski

FREE ARTS + CULTURAL EVENTS IN BURNSIDE PARK EVERY WEEK! Tuesdays 3:00 – 6:00 | Kidoinfo Play in the Park Wednesdays 11:00 – 2:00 | Art Days at the Imagination Center Thursdays 10:30 – 12:30 | Kidoinfo Storytime + Art in the Park Thursdays 4:30 – 7:30 | Burnside Music Series + Beer Garden

For directions & complete schedule of events, visit: www.provparksconservancy.org | @KennedyPlazaPVD

East Side Monthly • August 2019 47

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

August music | performance | social happenings | galleries | sports

THE TOP OF OUR LIST

Photography by Mike Braca

10 events you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this month

August 24: Brew at the Zoo

East Side Monthly â&#x20AC;˘ August 2019 49

Food & Drink Calendar

www.PilotRI.us

Sales | Leasing | Management

SELECTION

August 22-25: NecronomiCon

The Camera Werks 766 Hope Street, Providence • thecamerawerks.com 401.273.5367 • Tues-Sat 10-5:30, Closed Sun-Mon

Every Saturday: Providence Artisans Market is the state’s only artist-run weekly arts market shares Lippitt Park on weekends, featuring dozens of local artists and even out-of-state ones who come to sample the best of the PVD arts scene. A perfect complement to wandering the adjacent farmers market. Psst...also catch them at full lightings of WaterFire! Lippitt Memorial Park, Facebook: PVD Artisans Market

August 1-4: It’s not that surprising that Providence is the epicenter for something as spunky and special as RKO Con, a four-day national convention dedicated to Rocky Horror Picture Show. Featuring shows, dance party, themed games, panels, raffles, and more. Various locations, RKOCon.com

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August 3: Blackstone Valley Tourism Council brings back Gallery Night for an evening of music, food, drinks, slideshows, raffles, and art for sale from over 30 local vendors. 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, BlackstoneValleyTourismCouncil.org

August 6-11: Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival continues to bring the best of local and global film talent to the state for over three decades. Don’t miss the opening night gala or daily screenings. Various locations, Film-Festival.org

A Community-Owned Grocery Store Welcoming All Shoppers 93 Cranston Street Providence UrbanGreens.com Open Daily 8am-8pm

East Side Monthly • August 2019

August 7: For classical musicians, there is no holier ground than the Temple of Music at the Roger Williams Park, as this is where the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will perform their free Summer Pops concert. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, RIPhil.org/SummerPops

August 11: A spirited parade kicks off the city’s Dominican Music & Cultural Festival, honoring the music, food, dance, and heritage of the DR. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, RILatinoArts.org/RILatinoFestivals.html

August 16-18: The Assumption Greek Church’s parish grounds transform into a festive village during Greek Pride and Culture Fest. Try ouzo and slice of baklava cheesecake while perusing the agora (market), watching traditional Greek dance and baking demonstrations, plus rock climbing and face painting. 97 Walcott Street, Pawtucket, AssumptionRI.org

August 17: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears bring American blues, funk, and soul sounds to Columbus Theatre, inspired by Chicago’s Howlin’ Wolf and “Godfather of Soul” James Brown. 270 Broadway, ColumbusTheatre.com

August 24: The state’s largest outdoor beer festival Brew at the Zoo takes place the Roger Williams Park Zoo, sort of like a sudsy safari. Sample 170 beers from 80-plus local and national brewers. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, RWPZoo.org

August 22-25: Providence, a.k.a. “the birthplace of weird” and also of macabre author H.P. Lovecraft, will host NecronomiCon, a conference devoted to Lovecraftian fiction featuring a goulash of festivities, art, and academic presentations from scholars, artists, and historians. Various venues downtown, NecronomiCon-Providence.com

Photo courtesy of Todd Chicoine

HUGE CARD

The

MUSIC

arena & club | classical ARENA & CLUB COLUMBUS THEATRE August 15: The Bird And The Bee, Alex Lilly, Samantha Sidley. August 16: Spirit Family Reunion Album Release Show. August 17: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears. August 22: Comedy Bang! Bang! Live! August 24: Godflesh, Jarboe, Morne. 270 Broadway, Providence. 621-9660, ColumbusTheatre. com FETE MUSIC HALL August 1: Kota The Friend with Spocka Summa & Joh Hope. August 2: The Summer Slaughter Tour 2019. August 3: Rebirth Brass Band. August 14: Saves The Day & Joyce Manor with awakebutstillinbed. August 16: Bleeding Through with Sentinels, Hope Before the Fall. August 17: The Distillers with Death Valley Girls. August 25: Corrosion of Conformity with Crowbar, Quaker City Night Hawks, Lo-Pan. 103 Dike Street, Providence. 383-1112, FeteMusic.com

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THE MET August 4: Torche with Wear Your Wounds. August 10: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones with The Amazing Royal Crowns, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Buck-O-Nine. August 16: Ballz on Parade Rage Against the Machine Tribute with Opiate Tool Tribute. August 19: Ex Hex with Frankie & The Witch Fingers. August 23: Wicked Petty. August 24: The Sickness Disturbed Tribute with Rusty Chains, Soundgarden & Alice In Chains Tribute. 729-1005, TheMetRI.com THE STRAND August 3: The Return of DMX. August 23: Jeremy Piven: An Evening of Stand Up Comedy. 79 Washington Street, Providence. 331-5876, TheStrandRI.com

PERFORMANCE comedy | theatre COMEDY CONNECTION August 1: Lenny Clarke. August 2-3: Steve

Anthony Fine Art Painting

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS 7 Thomas Street (The Providence Art Club) 401-419-2821 Connect@anthonytomaselli.com East Side Monthly • August 2019 51

A DOLL’S HOUSE PART 2

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From festivals to farmer’s markets, it’s all happening in Providence 9

East Side Monthly • Month 20xx

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East Side Monthly • August 2019

Hofstetter. August 8-10: Pete Lee. August 23-24: ISMO. August 30: Vic DiBetetto. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 438-8383, RIComedyConnection.com

THEATRE PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER July 23-August 11: Hamilton. 220 Weybosset St, Providence. 421-2787, PPACRI.org

LEARN discussion | instruction | tour HAMILTON HOUSE ADULT LEARNING EXCHANGE Ongoing: Early American Floor Cloth Workshop, Quilling, Theatre Reading, Poetry Workshop, Religious History of the United States, Yoga, Dance Exercise. 276 Angell Street, Providence. 831-1800, HistoricHamilton.com LADD OBSERVATORY Open to the public on Tuesday evenings from 8-10pm, weather permitting. 210 Doyle Avenue. 863-2641, Brown.edu MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND PLANETARIUM Public Planetarium Shows on Saturdays and Sundays. Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 785-9457, ProvidenceRI.gov/Museum PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY LIBRARY August 1, 10: Community Restorative Yoga. August 6, 13, 20, 27: BabyBooks, Zumba4Toddlers, PVD Young Makers Drop-in. August 7, 14, 21, 28: Cradles to Crayons, One on One Resume Building, Preschool Storytime, PVD Younger Makers, CareerDevs Code Night with Arnell, Cliff & Friends. August 8, 15, 22, 29: Ready for Kindergarten, Census Job Information Night. August 20: Books and Movies of Faith. August 27: Social Justice Storytime. 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

BE OUR BUDDY!

FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND Tuesdays 3-6pm: Woonsocket YearRound Farmers Market. Fridays 11am1pm: Harvest Kitchen Cooking Demo. Saturdays 9am-1pm: Hope Street Farmers Market. Sundays 11am-3pm: Arcade Farmers Market. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. FarmFreshRI.org

GALLERIES RISD MUSEUM Through December 1: Gorham Silver. July 19-November 3: David Hartt, Stray Light. July 24-November 29, 2020: Defying the Shadow. August 23-December 27, 2020: Raid the Icebox Now. 20 North Main Street, Providence. 454-6500, RISDMuseum.org

SPORTS PAWTUCKET RED SOX August 2-4: vs. Rochester. August 13-15: vs. Norfolk. August 16-18: vs. Toledo. August 26-29: vs. Scranton/WB. August 3031: vs. Lehigh Valley. 1 Columbus Avenue, Pawtucket. 724-7300, PawSox.com

DON’T MISS WATERFIRE THIS MONTH! AUGUST 3: Full Lighting Arts and Health Series | C is for Cure: RI Defeats Hep C AUGUST 17: Full Lighting Summer of Science Series | TechFire

Trinity Rep’s 2019-20 Season is already the talk of the town. Subscribe now for guaranteed seats & huge savings. Six-show packages start at $120. TRINITYREP.COM • (401) 351-4242 201 WASHINGTON ST • PROVIDENCE SPONSORED BY East Side Monthly • August 2019 53

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C You all to A r Pe rson rrange al T our

Reliable

F U R N IT U R E G A L L E RY We Buy & Sell Quali

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IASIMONE PLUMBING HEATING & DRAIN CLEANING, INC.

INSTALLATIONS REPAIRS • REPLACEMENTS We are always providing a Free Estimate

WINNER OF THE SUPER SERVICE AWARD FROM ANGIE’S LIST FOUR YEARS IN A ROW! We Can Do Anything With Water Except Walk On It Monday - Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm

27 Allen Avenue, North Providence (401) 300-9761 • iasimonephdc.com 54

Our uplifting environment and special approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care have created a quality of life you simply can’t get anyplace else.

(401) 944-2450

FOR A PERSONAL TOUR Convenient to US Hwy 6 and I-295 in Johnston, RI

881 Westminster Street, Providence | 861-6872 RJLGallery@gmail.com | ReliableJewelryAndLoan.com

Servicing all of RI & nearby Mass. for over 35 years

MEMORY CARE ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE

East Side Monthly • August 2019

49 OLD POCASSET ROAD BriarcliffeGardens.com

mpire Loan and Empire Guitars owner Jeff Keithline continues to help out charitable organizations, and when there is a music component involved, it adds extra meaning as music has played such a large role in his life. Lucy’s Hearth is a homeless shelter for families in Middletown, and Jeff connected with the Vice Chair Mark Gorman to assist in their children’s music program. Jeff explains, “We made an initial donation of five new Yamaha student model guitars. Mark also put out a call to the community and he got a lot of great response, so I know there were other people in the music community who donated instruments to him.” For a kid going through tumultuous times, to be able to learn about music and to potentially learn how to play is a great positive outlet. Plus, they get to keep their guitars when they leave the shelter. Jeff continues to donate instruments to Lucy’s Hearth through the Empire Guitars portion of the business. August also means it’s time for Empire Loan’s annual August Meltdown Sale. For the first two weeks of the month, all items at Empire Loan will be discounted up to 50 percent off. “We’re doing more with the consumer items: laptops, cameras, video games and even the occasional drone in addition to the large jewelry selection.” The clearance sale is happening at all eight locations throughout New England, so keep checking back to view their entire inventory, which can also be viewed on Empire Loan on Ebay.

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

Business Spotlight

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healthy lawn and good-looking garden are essential for a more attractive home and neighborhood However, they require more maintenance than people realize. Proper pruning, cultivating, weeding, top dressing with compost, fertilizing, edging, and mulching all add to a beautiful garden bed. Thankfully, City and Estate Gardener is here to help. Not sure what kind of plants you have or how to care for them? Is your garden looking overgrown, unkempt, or unhealthy? City and Estate Gardener offers a complete bed care program. Their gardening experts will take the guesswork out of caring for your beds and have them looking beautiful again. “We tailor programs to meet your needs and budget,” says owner Tom Bennett. So, instead of spending the last bit of summer fretting over your landscape, leave your lawn and bed care to the pros and sit back, relax, and enjoy the view of your healthy, gorgeous garden. Call for your free estimate today.

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WAYLAND SQUARE • 438-1011 • Balenciaspa.com East Side Monthly • August 2019 55

SERVICE

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$45! Deadline: July 31st Email Sue at SueH@RhodyBeat.com 56

East Side Monthly • August 2019

Interior, Exterior, Residential/Commercial Wallpaper Hanging, Power Washing, Staining 25 Years Experience (401) 885-1580 • (401) 323-6100 cell R.I. Lic 7140 Liab/ Work Comp Insured

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Retirement Medicare 101 Finding the Right Medicare Option for You

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STONE MASON 40 yrs. exp. Stone, brick, veneers, walls, fireplaces, patios, chimneys, pavers. Design work. Reg. #7445. Call 641-0362. lousstonework.com HANDYMAN Specializing in exceptional results for repairs & small jobs. On time, professional & extremely clean. Reg. #40738. clearproppvd@gmail.com HOUSE CLEANING Experienced. Local references. Free estimates. Call Lilly, 401-419-2933.

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experience the Zoo after hours Music • drinks • animals

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SUPERB HOUSEPAINTING High end workmanship. Small jobs a specialty. Call Ron 751-3242. Reg. #18128. MALIN PAINTING Most ceiling & wall repairs, wallpaper removal, oil-based & latex finishes, staining, varnishing. Fully insured, Many local references. Safe, secure, fast service. 226-8332. Reg. #19226.

This is a 21+ event. For more information rwpzoo.org

DOROTHY’S CLEANING We clean your home as our own! References & free estimates. 401-524-7453 or 401-228-6273. PIONEER BASEMENT The healthy choice for wet basements, crawl spaces, moisture & air quality control. Foundation repair. Certified. Insured. Reg. #3934. Cell 401-215-7985 or 1-800-649-6140. EAST SIDE HANDYMAN Carpentry, painting & repairs. Small jobs welcome. References. Insured. 401-524-6421. Reg. #3052. HOUSE CLEANING Honest, hard worker, years of experience. Excellent references. Free estimates. Call Renata 516-1354

WANTED

PROPERTY MANAGER Available. On call 24/7. Rent collection. Rentals, evictions, maintenance. 421-0092. USED MUSIC WANTED! Round Again Records needs your used CDs and records. Cash paid. 351-6292. I BUY BOOKS Old, used and almost new. Also photography, art, etc. jcminich1@gmail.com 286-9329. East Side Monthly • August 2019 57

EAST SIDER By Robert Isenberg

Open Play Janella Watson brings her expertise in museums, children, and hands-on activities

“I always imagined that

I would be a teacher,” says Janella Watson, associate director at the Providence Children’s Museum. “I’ve always had a distinct love for the twos, threes, fours, and fives,” she says, referring to patrons. But to get there, Janella had a variety of different careers, starting in her native California and gradually moving eastward. Janella’s grandfather was a renowned polymer chemist and her father is an engineer, so it made perfect sense for her to study chemical engineering at Northwestern University. “But the lab felt really quiet,” says Janella, so she opted for something more interactive: sociology, with an emphasis in education policy. Really, though, it was a chance visit to the Kohl Children’s Museum in Chicago that solidified

East Side Monthly • August 2019

her interests. She relished the museum’s play-based philosophy. “I asked at the front desk if they were hiring,” says Janella, “and I was there for eight-and-a-half years.” Since then, Janella has served as a curriculum advisor for Nickelodeon and director of early childhood education for the New York Hall of Science. As an experiment, she became general manager for Make-a-Messterpiece, a series of big-budget activity workshops created by Bounty Paper Towel Brand. After finding success in Chicago and New York, Providence drew her in. “The Children’s Museum is intensely unique,” she says. “I know museums. Anything in a children’s museum focused on the humanities is very rare. These galleries are lovingly made. The museum has advocated

for children’s free play since the beginning. No matter where I’ve gone, I’ve pushed for equity, access, diversity. I’ve always been centered on honoring and respecting children’s voices. I want every child who steps through the door here to feel a sense of ownership.” When they came to Providence two years ago, Janella, along with her husband and son, had to adapt to East Side life. The quietude took them off-guard, in the wake of bustling Queens. Yet, Janella appreciates her friendly neighbors, a bona fide backyard, and so many amenities. “Not only do we have Three Sisters and the best Indian food in the city, but to be steps away from Lippitt Park,” she says. “It’s really extraordinary.”

Photography by Robert Isenberg

to the Providence Children’s Museum

‘THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE’, 700 GREAT ROAD LINCOLN, RI | $1,249,900

100 LENIHAN LANE EAST GREENWICH, RI | $949,000

21 CIRCUIT DRIVE CRANSTON, RI | $899,000

‘PILGRIM MILLS’, 101 NORTH MAIN ROAD EAST SIDE OF PROV, RI | Starting at $799,000

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LILA DELMAN REAL ESTATE OF PROVIDENCE 369 SOUTH MAIN STREET | 401.274.1644

1117 DOUGLAS AVENUE, SUITE #1 NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI | $875,000

120 Brown Street East Side of Providence $1,950,000 401.274.6740

See the Video Tour at 120Brown.com

120 Morris Avenue East Side of Providence $569,000 401.274.6740

7 Halsey Street East Side of Providence $599,000 401.274.6740

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#1 in RI Homes Sold Four Consecutive Years * Barrington Cumberland East Greenwich Narragansett Providence West Side PVD Relocation

401.245.9600 401.333.9333 401.885.8400 401.783.2474 401.274.6740 401.457.3400 800.886.1775

*This statement is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. The MLS does not guarantee and is not in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Based on information from Statewide Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for 1995-2018 as of January 2019.

60 Humboldt Avenue East Side of Providence $689,000 401.274.6740

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160 Prospect Street, Unit 1 East Side of Providence $369,000 401.274.6740

176 Chace Avenue East Side of Providence $439,000 401.274.6740

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Kettle Point East Providence From the High $400,000s 401.553.6389

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