Providence Monthly January 2021 by Hey Rhody Media Co.

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IN THIS ISSUE

Providence Monthly January 2021

WHO TO WATCH

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

This year’s group of changemakers poised to do amazing things

FINANCE GUIDE What you need to know about taxes, saving, investing, and more in 2021

11 Proposed multi-hub bus system will impact life in Kennedy Plaza

55 Olneyville forge churns out metal masterpieces

14 Stay-local winter ideas from travel writer Bob Curley

56 Roundtable with two record stores

15 RI eases rent assistance requirements 16 Neighborhood News: What’s going on in the city right now

19 Rhody Gem: A Smith Hill antique shop all about pop culture

Photo by Carlos Sosa

LIFE & STYLE

57 Meet the man serenading South Water Street 58 Calendar: This month’s must-do’s

FOOD & DRINK 61 Clever twists on desserts from new on-demand baker 62 Pizza making class on Chalkstone Ave

21 Tour and learn PVD’s architecture with an old home aficionado

64 Food News: Mexican fusion in Wayland, Revival Brewing comes home & RI’s first taiyaki shop

26 What local fitness studios are offering right now 28 Get tray chic with accents from this local maker

62 Photo by Ingrid Brown

ART & CULTURE

Photo courtesy of Julia Barber

NEWS & CITY LIFE

66 Restaurant Guide Photo courtesy of Iron Mountain Forge & Furniture

74 Pic of PVD

On The Cover: Changemakers to keep your eyes on in 2021. Photography by Nicholas DelGiudice. ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 7

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Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

General Manager & Creative Director Nick DelGiudice

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401.339.5621 KIRA

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NEWS & CITY LIFE Tr a v e l L o c a l | H o u s i n g A s s i s t a n c e | N e i g h b o r h o o d N e w s

The Future of Kennedy Plaza In light of state plans for a multi-hub bus system, stakeholders reflect on the function of the city’s transit center Whether passing through on foot or by one of many means of transit, Kennedy Plaza, our city’s vital center, can be a destination or a layover to surrounding retail, restaurants, and offices. Pre-COVID, summers carried Latin beats from salsa lessons at Providence Rink and Winter Lights Markets promised swaths of revelers shopping under tents in the lit-up Burnside Park. On ordinary days, it remains an essential communal spot for people without housing to gather and access services. Even this past year has seen plenty of adaptations to keep the Plaza’s spirit alive through comedy nights at Trinity Beer Garden, farmers markets, and the Space Transformation Station’s whimsical robots and “Yuranian Aliens” interacting with commuters. When you picture Kennedy Plaza, buses probably come to mind, too. “I believe the multi-use functions of Kennedy Plaza work well,” says Patricia Raub, Coordinator of RI Transit Riders and a vocal opposition to the city’s and state’s Multi-Hub Bus System proposal to disperse several bus berths across three hubs. “All this activity provides the ingredients for what the celebrated city planner Jane Jacobs regarded as ‘the ideal urban environment’: one that has the potential for human interaction, offers a lively atmosphere, and ensures that there are enough ‘eyes on the street’ to help to ensure safety…. The presence of public transit users is as important to the success of the Plaza as a public space as are any of the other individuals and groups who pass through it.” With a $35 million bond approved by voters in 2014, Governor Raimondo and Mayor Elorza announced early November the plan to move forward with the Providence Multi-Hub Bus System proposal, which was developed with RIDOT and RIPTA with the aim of improving connectivity across the city center via the addition of new transit hubs. “It spreads out the heavy concentration of buses and pedestrians from a congested Kennedy Plaza to strategic satellite locations at the Innovation District, the Providence Train Station, and along the edges of Kennedy Plaza,” according to RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. in a press release detailing the plan. “This configuration gives riders access to their jobs, educational institutions, entertainment, and key intermodal transfers to major northeast metropolitan areas.” Photo by Kia Davis ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 11

NEWS & CITY LIFE

Fut ur e o f Ke nnedy Plaza | by Abbie Lahmers

While a public engagement process is still underway as a part of the project’s design phase, a group of community stakeholders representing a variety of affected businesses and services met virtually mid-November for the Life in Kennedy Plaza Zoom panel that began to identify and unpack Plaza functions that the proposed multi-hub plan risks dismantling. Organized by the Providence Streets Coalition and moderated by Dwayne Keys of the South Providence Neighborhood Association, the panel drew insights from organizations like the RI Homeless Advocacy Project, the Providence Foundation, RICARES, the BIG NAZO satellite studio Space Transformation Station, and others, in an effort to bring not only bus riders’ voices to the discussion but also those of the underserved and low-income populations, whether sheltered or unsheltered, and those living with disabilities or in addiction recovery, who rely on Kennedy Plaza as an essential access point in ways not always visible to the occasional passerby. In its current state, Kennedy Plaza doesn’t come without its challenges and opportunities for improvement. State Senator and downtown merchant Joshua Miller explains in the panel, “I see [Kennedy Plaza], as a person who’s directly involved in policy, as a barometer for how well we’re doing in so many different policy areas.” State- or city-wide issues beyond transit, like the housing crisis and lack of Housing First programs, manifest more visibly in the Plaza because of its nature as a hub that connects the whole state. For the microcosm to flourish,

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

maintenance and upkeep to the physical infrastructure – things like lighting, sidewalk repairs, and restroom facilities – as well as social services like a homeless outreach center, programming, and public safety are essential. “There’s plenty that works – and that doesn’t – in Kennedy Plaza today,” says John Flaherty, Deputy Director of Grow Smart RI, who explains that along with passenger amenities like restrooms, real-time bus schedules, shelter, and easy access to food and retail, Kennedy Plaza provides a central location for robust daily transit use. “In order for people to get where they’re going quickly and efficiently, the primary function that most needs to be preserved is the ability to make all transfers and connections in a single convenient location.” Diego Arene-Morley, program manager at RICARES, explains that the converging of folks from all walks of life and all over Rhode Island in Kennedy Plaza also allows for more efficient distribution of the lifesaving overdose treatment, Naloxone, which took place all summer, along with easy access for their clients in addiction recovery to get to their Mathewson Street center. So what would an improved infrastructure look like to support these functions? “I absolutely believe the opportunity exists to improve Greater Kennedy Plaza as a safe, more inviting and welcoming public space for all Rhode Islanders while also improving transit mobility and accessibility,” says Flaherty. “Specifically, the vision developed by the City of Providence with significant

public input in 2018 outlined how this could be achieved. The concept included the concentration of transit routes and stops along Washington Street, while also proposing a number of traffic circulation and pedestrian improvements, enhanced shelters, landscaping, and the unification of Biltmore and Burnside Parks with public programming space in Kennedy Plaza. Critically essential to any such plan would be the commitment to proper maintenance and security.” Raub and the RI Transit Riders group call for the multi-hub plan to be halted, for a more robust impact assessment to be launched to research not only bus connection times and convenience – which Raub and several other stakeholders argue in the panel will be harmed by the multi-hub plan rather than improved – but also the impacts to the communal third space that is Kennedy Plaza. Despite its shortcomings, invested organizations close to it envision a positive, inviting future for Kennedy Plaza if funds are redirected toward keeping it together. “The character of the city is on display there,” says Erminio Pinque, Director of the Space Transformation Station, and whose performers and educators interact and infuse joy daily into the everyday life of the city center. “Art programming and increased social service outreach would, in our opinion, do a tremendous amount to amplify the positive potential and transform the space into a place where interesting things are happening.”

Photo by Carlos Sosa, courtesy of the Space Transformation Station

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ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 13

NEWS & CITY LIFE

T r a v e l L o ca l | By Bob Curley

Hit the slopes at Yawgoo Valley

Rhode Trippin’: Winter Adventures Give COVID the cold shoulder with these safe outdoor activities Some say that Rhode Islanders don’t like going anywhere more than 10 minutes from home, but with the travel bug biting, many of us are now looking for in-state ideas for an afternoon, daytrip, or staycation. Each month, Bob Curley, author of 100 Things to Do in Rhode Island Before You Die, will share about places to go within our own state – this month, he takes us on a series of outdoor adventures. Love to ski? You won’t need any special dispensations to hit the slopes at Exeter’s Yawgoo Valley Ski Area – just a few extra precautions to make a day (or night) of skiing, boarding, or tubing a safe and fun time. From taking your temp at home to respiratory etiquette, it’s all detailed online at Yawgoo.com. Yawgoo’s 246 feet of vertical drop would make it a mogul at Vail or even Stowe, but the park’s short lift rides and 14 trails make it perfect for getting in a few hours of snow play. Lodge access will be limited this season, but so

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

will ticket sales, so one COVID-19 silver lining is shorter lift lines and less skiers on the trails (similarly, timed tickets will keep Yawgoo’s seven-lane snow tubing park an uncrowded experience for maximum sliding excitement). Roger Williams Park Zoo, which is open all winter from Thursday through Monday, also is selling limited tickets in advance and making zoo walkways one-way only to ensure social distancing. The arrival of winter also means more opportunities to encounter some of Rhode Island’s year-round wildlife in their natural habitat, like the snowy owls that nest in Newport’s Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge and the harbor seals sunning on the rocks off of Rome Point in North Kingstown. COVID or no, the sun will continue to rise each morning at Beavertail State Park, and when winter nights make their too-early arrival, it’s time to bundle up and head down to Ninigret Park in Charlestown for stargazing at the Frosty Drew Observatory, which

continues to host public events (advance tickets required) on Friday nights. Biking and hiking, of course, have become incredibly popular as Rhode Islanders have looked for safe outdoor activities during COVID-19 quarantine periods, so don your hat and mittens for a winter stroll on Newport’s Cliff Walk, or discover the wild oasis of Neutaconkanut Hill in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Providence. Skating is also back at both the Bank Newport City Center in Kennedy Plaza in Providence, along with the perverse pleasure of ramming your friends across the ice during a bumper car session. The Washington Trust Community Skating Center is open for carving icy turns in downtown Westerly, and while there’s no skating this year at Gurney’s Newport resort, you can still chill out with igloo dining at the Showfish restaurant. Let’s admit it, warming up with a hot toddy by the fire pits on the resort’s rink-side deck is a COVID-safe activity I’ll drink to anytime.

NEWS & CITY LIFE

H o usi ng A ssi stance | By Sofia Rudin

In Partnership with The Public's Radio

Rhode Island Eases Rent Assistance Requirements to Help Families on the Brink of Homelessness Rhode Island residents no longer need to prove they’ve lost income due to COVID-19 in order to be eligible for the state’s rent relief programs Previously, applicants needed to provide extensive documentation proving their loss of income, which program leaders said hindered their ability to help tenants in need. Now, applicants can self-certify that they’re unable to pay rent. “Given the restrictions early on, so many people were not qualifying for the assistance,” explained Karen Santilli, President and CEO of Crossroads Rhode Island, which runs the Housing Help RI program. “And so, folks responsible for these funds at the state went back to the drawing board to figure out, what are the barriers, what are the main reasons why people haven’t been able to qualify.” Since May, Housing Help RI has received 6,260 applications. Of these, 2,897 were ineligible. Crossroads is now following up with these previously ineligible households to ask if they still need assistance. The organization is also sending staff to the Garrahy and Kent County Courthouses to process applications in person from tenants and landlords showing up to court. The state has also lifted a $5,000 cap on the amount of aid per household, and increased the number of months of rent the programs can cover from five to ten. And the patchwork of organizations that had been operating several distinct programs is taking a more coordinated approach to contacting tenants, streamlining eligibility requirements, and increasing capacity to process applications. The federal CARES Act funding for rent assistance expires at the end of the year. Kyle Bennet, who manages United Way of Rhode Island’s Safe Harbor Housing Program, said the changes went into effect earlier this month, and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the public health risks of eviction. “If we have more folks who are living on the streets or in congregate settings like

“

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shelters, we know that the likelihood of contracting the COVID virus is significantly higher,” Bennett said. “So we believe that the best course of action is to continue to keep folks housed.” Program leaders said the need for assistance remains high. Nationally, unemployment applications rose for the second week in a row. In Rhode Island, 2,705 unemployment insurance claims were filed during the week ending November 14, an increase of 358 from the previous week. “We are seeing a higher number of people contacting us and coming into homelessness,” Santilli said. In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, homeless shelters have reduced the number of beds available. And Santilli said the number of people living outside has risen during the pandemic. “People are frightened to go into a congregate shelter setting, because how can you be socially distanced and safe?” Santilli said, “We’re doing as much as we can. Knock-on-wood we’ve been ok so far. We’ve had small numbers of cases here and there, but we haven’t had clusters of cases.” With the weather getting colder, Crossroads is preparing for more people to seek out shelters, and earlier this week opened a new 30bed emergency shelter in Providence. Applications for rent assistance can be filed through the Safe Harbor Housing Program.

Call Jane Driver 401.641.3723 Happy to assist you with all of your real estate needs

jdriver@residentialproperties.com ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 15

NEWS & CITY LIFE

N e i ghbo r ho o d News | Curated by A b b i e L a h m e r s

Neighborhood News A space made available to Providence’s neighborhood associations free of charge.

HOT TOPICS

An overview of what’s happening around the city right now

Residents celebrate local icon Fox Point neighbors were no doubt disappointed to see papered windows on Friends Market, the Portuguese grocery and neighborhood mainstay that, like some other local businesses, closed temporarily in 2020 due to the coronavirus. But many were surprised and delighted to see the storefront light up briefly this past November for a boisterous birthday celebration. Manuel Pedroso, owner of the store for almost 70 years, turned 101 – prompting neighbors and family members to mark the occasion with balloons, huge posters, old photographs, and an outdoor caravan-parade. Neighbors and passersby were thrilled. Indeed the party not only celebrated a neighborhood icon, but brightened a difficult year.

Neighborhood collective promotes city walkability Walk PVD, a volunteer collective passionate about promoting pedestrian-friendly communities across Providence, invites neighborhood small businesses to apply for their Ped-Friendly Business Program. The reciprocal partnership not only supports member businesses with technical assistance and online promotion but also helps fulfill the organization’s mission of creating a more walkable city. “Technical assistance includes navigating sidewalk or street infrastructure issues, brainstorming and design assistance with outdoor displays or cafe setups, and peer-to-peer sharing opportunities with initiatives such as walk-up windows or a dog-friendly policy,” says co-founder C.J. Opperthauser. “We also have a map of our program members, which users can pull up in Google Maps.” Walking events, like the PVD Boundaries Project traversing the perimeter of the city by foot, and other community projects promote safe streets and positive pedestrian experiences. For more information, follow #onlyonfootpvd on social and visit online. WalkPVD.org

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

Photo by Amy Mendillo, courtesy of Fox Point Neighborhood Association

Thank you for your trust during such a challenging year. Onward to a brighter 2021 for everyone!

This past November, neighbors celebrated the 101st birthday of Manuel Pedroso, owner of Friends Market in Fox Point

Apartment complex breaks ground in the Jewelry District

Getting involved with the Observatory Neighborhood Association

Ground was recently broken for the Exeter apartment complex in the I-195 parcel bounded by Clifford, Richmond, Chestnut, and Friendship Streets. As a result, the new bike lanes on Clifford have been cut from their original run of four blocks to just two, and repairs were made to the battered barriers guarding the remaining two blocks. Jewelry District Association representatives are concerned about the impacts of these changes, explaining, “For the next two years, this expensive urban-living experiment will lead bikers from nowhere to nowhere.” The association is contacting the Mayor’s office with these concerns. Their monthly public Zoom meeting on December 8 offered updates on major issues, including the continuing vandalism on the Pedestrian Bridge, the fight against the Fane Tower, changes happening in the District, news about how restaurants are coping with the pandemic, and more. Visit their website to find a recording of the meeting. JewelryDistrict.org

Covering the area of Rochambeau Avenue down to Olney Street and the east side of Hope Street to the west side of Elmgrove, Observatory Neighborhood Association joins our neighborhood listings and invites residents to reach out for opportunities to engage, ask questions, or request meeting minutes. This past fall, the association participated in the Providence Coalition of Neighborhoods Zoom meeting, which covered how neighborhoods have been adapting during the time of COVID-19, including how the neighborhoods can help each other. The Observatory Neighborhood Association has been an active part of the Ward 3 Democratic Committee’s efforts to provide masks distributed for free to senior housing on Doyle Avenue and the Charlesgate Nursing and Senior Living Center. The group also works closely with Nirva LaFortune on community meetings in Ward 3.

CALL Gerri Schiffman (401) 474-3733

A Devoted Advocate for Buyers & Sellers for 27 Years gerrischiffman.com

residentialproperties.com gerri@residentialproperties.com ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 17

NEWS & CITY LIFE

N e i ghbo r ho o d News

Blackstone Parks Conservancy P.O. Box 603141, Providence, RI 02906 BlackstoneParks@gmail.com BlackstoneParksConservancy.org Facebook: Blackstone Parks Conservancy College Hill Neighborhood Association Rick Champagne P.O. Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906 CHNA@chnaprovidence.org CHNAProvidence.org Downtown Neighborhood Association DNAPVD@gmail.com DNAPVD.com Facebook: Providence Downtown Neighborhood Association, DNA Elmwood Neighborhood Association Karen Hlynsky ENA-PVD.org Facebook: Elmwood Neighborhood Association PVD Fox Point Neighborhood Association Meeting Date: January 11 Amy Mendillo P.O. Box 2315, Providence, RI 02906 FoxPointNeighborhood@gmail.com FPNA.net Jewelry District Association Sharon Steele, President JewelryDistrict.org JDA@jewelrydistrict.org Mile of History Association Wendy Marcus c/o Providence Preservation Society 24 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02903 MileOfHistory@gmail.com MileOfHistory.org Mount Hope Community Center 401-521-8830 • MHNAInc@gmail.com Facebook: Mount Hope Neighborhood Association, Inc.

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

Symposium Books is one of many local businesses participating in Walk PVD’s Ped-Friendly Business Program Observatory Neighborhood Association Ruth Breindel, President ObservatoryPVD@gmail.com Olneyville Neighborhood Association Eduardo Sandoval 122 Manton Avenue, Box 8, Providence, RI 02909 ONAProvidence@gmail.com Facebook: Olneyville Library Providence Coalition of Neighborhood Associations Info@provcna.org ProvCNA.org Reservoir Triangle Neighborhood Association David Talan 25 Santiago St., Providence, RI 02907 401-941-3662 • DaveTalan@aol.com

South Providence Neighborhood Association c/o Dwayne Keys P.O. Box 5653, Providence, RI 02903 401-369-1334 SouthProvNeighbors@gmail.com Facebook: South Providence Neighborhood Association Summit Neighborhood Association P.O. Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940 401-400-0986 • SNAProv@gmail.com SummitNeighbors.org Washington Park Neighborhood Association 237 Washington Avenue, Providence, RI 02905 BettyLinda@aol.com Facebook: Washington Park Association

Smith Hill Partners’ Initiative Wole Akinbi 400 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908 Suite #1 AAkinbi@half-full.com Facebook: Smith Hill Partners’ Initiative

Wayland Square Neighborhood Association Katherine Touafek Facebook: Wayland Square Neighborhood Association WaylandSquareNeighbors@gmail.com

South Elmwood Neighborhood Association Eleanor Borge and Al Jeffries Facebook: So. Elmwood Neighborhood Association SouthElmwoodNA@gmail.com

West Broadway Neighborhood Association 1560 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02909 401-831-9344 • WBNA@wbna.org WBNA.org

Photo courtesy of Walk PVD

Providence Neighborhood Associations

NEWS & CITY LIFE

By Abbie Lahmers

POP Emporium of Popular Culture Vintage Shop We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. Email or tag us on social media using #RhodyGem to suggest yours, and we might just feature it! What it is: An antique shop and art gallery with an angle for pop culture artifacts and curiosities, along with mid-century modern furniture, lighting, and decor.

What makes it a Rhody Gem? Sure, you can find plenty of functional furnishings and stylish home pieces here, but it’s the oddities or “conversation pieces” that will keep you coming back to explore. A true labor of love, owner Darren Hill’s passion for curating eclectic remnants of the pop culture era shines in the vast collection. Visitors laud the shop as a stroll through childhood memories, or more like a museum, preserving artifacts of the past few decades in a mishmash fashion. Every inch of wall is occupied by vintage art, film posters, and decor. Scattered playfully around the space are old copies of Mad Magazine, ViewMasters, retro ice buckets, and plenty of funky lamps that look more like art. While performances once transformed the shop into a nightlife destination pre-COVID, the large footprint still allows for a safely distanced shopping experience until events can return to the venue.

POP Emporium of Pop Culture 219 West Park Street POPPvd.com • @popprov

Photo courtesy of POP Emporium of Pop Culture

Where to find it: Find the fully renovated factory building, which now houses 10,000 square feet of vintage finds, in Smith Hill on West Park Street, minutes away from Providence Place Mall.

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

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LIGHTNING SPLITTER “Lightning splitters became popular in Rhode Island in the mid-1800s. They were believed to deflect the strength of lightning strikes!”

Architectural Interest It’s all in the details for a Providence photographer documenting her obsession for old houses Julia Barber grew up in an old house – you know the kind – with an ongoing list of DIY repairs and marks on the wood trim from previous inhabitants. Reflecting, she says that with all its “nooks and crannies”, her childhood home felt like a time capsule just for her to explore. Today she makes her home in a little triangle-shaped garret in the Mount Hope section of Providence. An art and architecture historian, selfproclaimed consummate nerd, and photographer who still loves scouting old houses, she earned her doctorate in the history of photography from Brown University in 2018, and says that ever since she’s been brainstorming ways to make that education accessible to a wider audience. Photos courtesy of Julia Barber ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 21

H o me | By Elyse Major

MULTIPLE STYLES “The delicate ribbon course across the center of the house is so lovely. Clearly someone took great care in this paint job.”

CARPENTER GOTHIC “Of course this is one of my favorite houses in Providence. New woodworking technology at the end of the 19th century allowed craftspeople to build ever more elaborate exterior decoration, leading to this frothy confection of a house. The Dirt Palace has done an extraordinary job of bringing this beauty back to life.”

ITALIANATE “I stop by this house every fall just to admire the juxtaposition of the blue and red paint with that flaming tree.”

“So much of our cultural history – good and bad – is built into these structures, including systemic racism, class divides, and xenophobia, so for me, it’s not just about the beauty of the houses I find. In many ways, architecture is a useful lens to learn more about our history on a very personal level,” says Barber. While at Brown, Barber explains that she craved a creative outlet outside of academics and began taking long walks around the city to clear her head. “I began to notice door knobs and knockers and then broadened my focus to the many other details that tell the story of a house.” She created an Instagram account and named it Sea of Steps after a 1903 photograph by Frederick H. Evans of a stone staircase in England. “Other people seemed to appreciate my photographs and before long I was hooked on searching for and sharing the beauty around me.” At last count, “other people” numbered close to 16 thousand followers: an engaged group that enjoys regular posts like #MansardMonday and #TriangleTuesday along with near-daily uploads of colorful properties captioned with historical tidbits, information about features like gables and turrets, and her own musings. When she’s not traversing favorite neighborhoods such as Broadway, Atwells, and Elmwood, or areas like Woonsocket, the East Bay, or Fall River seeking subjects, Barber is busy at work writing a guide to old homes titled How to Read a House. “The historian in me loves a perfectly preserved old house; the realist

Photos courtesy of Julia Barber

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LIFE & STYLE

Home

DAVID HASSLINGER

401.465.8625 dhasslinger@residentialproperties.com

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU! “David patiently continued to drill deeper and uncover great properties for us. Our seller was difficult, yet David knew exactly how to filter out and navigate through the many hurdles. I’ve bought over 30 properties in my life, and it’s rare to find the whole package that is David Hasslinger.”

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

QUEEN ANNE “My favorite element of this house is the tiny, multi-paned attic window – a little jewel that catches the light right at the top of the facade.”

HOUSE CRUSH “I’ve been secretly in love with this house for years. I want to buy it and turn that top tower room into my own private reading nook.”

WILL SHERRY

508.958.7614 wsherry@residentialproperties.com

Photos courtesy of Julia Barber

SECOND EMPIRE “This beauty has a perfect paint job highlighting its ornate wooden decoration, and I’m obsessed with that roof cresting.”

in me appreciates that old houses have to live in the present. These buildings are often prohibitively expensive to maintain to historic standards, and I’d always rather see a house lived in and loved than standing empty. At a time when our country is facing an unprecedented housing crisis, it is imperative that we invest in adaptive reuse strategies that allow old houses to serve the needs of today’s communities.” Structural issues aside, when it comes to aesthetics, Barber loves “an outrageous Queen Anne house: towers, decorative woodwork, stained glass, and a paint color scheme that shows off all the intricate details.” She is also drawn to houses midrenovation where passersby can witness a homeowner thoughtfully restoring the structure one part at a time. “Bonus points if it looks obviously haunted,” she says with a smile. @SeaofSteps

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

GET RHODY STYLE Julie Barber says, “You absolutely can’t go wrong with an anchorshaped door knocker in Rhode Island. For the more daring, there are knockers shaped like octopi, horseshoe crabs, and of course, Cthulhu. IMHO, the best way to give your home a Rhode Island sense of place is to direct visitors there using only businesses that have been closed for 20+ years as landmarks.”

“We would highly recommend Will to anyone who is looking to sell or buy a home. He helped us sell our family home and was able to provide valuable knowledge and expertise. He was attentive and was always easy to reach if we had any concerns or questions. Will did a wonderful job!“

Want your home featured in Providence Monthly? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 25

LIFE & STYLE

Fi t ne ss | By Gianni Dejesus

Let’s Get Physical: At Home Edition With so many studios offering virtual classes, sticking to that New Year’s resolution has never been easier In dire need of a good workout? Join the club. Due to ever-changing protocols, gyms and studios may have limited space or be closed due to COVID, but no worries – you can still get that regimen started because many offer livestream classes, small/private sessions, and more. Virtual classes are becoming a big hit due to the convenience they offer – you can participate right from the comfort of home – so stuff those excuses in your duffle bag! If you are heading out, be sure to register first and mask up. Provided below are some great places to help you keep that resolution. If we missed your favorite, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com and be sure to check with your PCP before starting a new routine. BARRE & SOUL What it is: A unique combo of ballet conditioning, interval cardio, Pilates, yoga, and meditation. Choose from 80+ offerings from their “Livestream Experiences” menu. Good to know: At press time, the studio is still open but be sure to pre-register, and of course, wear a mask. 201 Wayland Avenue; BarreSoul.com CORE CYCLE.FITNESS.LAGREE What is it: CORE is a fitness center that offers three separate fitness studios with classes for cycling, strength/cardio, or Lagree (a workout patented by Sebastien Lagree that incorporates strength, endurance, cardio, balance, core, and flexibility in every move). Join a group class, private class, personal training, or sign up for online classes. Good to know: Class spots are limited at the moment so make sure to pre-register. 299 Waterman Street; CoreFitProv.com JALA STUDIO What is it: A yoga studio that specializes in the Jivamukti and Ashtanga methods. They also exhibit amazing artwork inspired by those yoga practices. Virtual and in-studio options available. Good to know: About five students are

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

allowed in the studio at a time and must be distanced at least six feet apart. 285 South Main Street; Jala-Studio.com METHOD FITNESS What is it: A studio where client experience is key to help people reach their fitness goals, with individual and small group training. Good to know: Book your session on their website or via text: 743-9669 1 Richmond Square or 61 Cedar Avenue, East Greenwich; MethodFitEG.com MIND 2 BODY FITNESS What is it: A Pilates and personal training studio offering private and two-person “duet” classes, plus virtual sessions with M2B trainers. Good to know: When it comes to virtual classes all you need is a computer, tablet, or a cellphone, and a little bit of space. 60 Valley Street, Unit 27; Mind2BodyFit.com

MOMENTUM FITNESS What is it: A “Strength Through Movement” center offering personal or semi-private training and group sessions both in-person or virtual. Good to know: Currently offering three virtual classes which include circuit training. Sign up on the Mindbody app. 271-A South Main Street; MomentumRI.com PROVIDENCE PILATES CENTER What is it: Experience classic Pilates using every piece of Pilates apparatus. Find a variety of class options from private and small group sessions to spin, barre, and more. Good to know: Schedules for in-studio and online classes with rates are posted online; book in advance. 5 Lincoln Avenue; ProvidencePilatesCenter.com

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LIFE & STYLE

Sho p | By Sean Morrissey

Local Accents Launched in 2012 by photographer Samir Dhamija and his wife Akanksha Aga, My Méz is a home label with an artistic soul. The North Providence-based brand, which is named after the commonly used Indian word for “table,” specializes in hand-crafted wooden furniture and housewares that are customized with work from local artists and Dhamija himself. Some of our favorite pieces include the nautical-themed – and super practical – trays and coasters, which lend a unique accent to any room (pro tip: they also

make great gifts). For an extra-personalized option, My Méz will create bespoke designs using customers’ own photos. The collection’s artistry extends beyond the aesthetic. Furniture and decorative pieces are cleverly dreamed up to serve multiple purposes: table legs unscrew, transforming a tabletop into a tray or easily mountable piece of wall art. Whether you’re looking to elevate your own space or want to gift one of these keepsake pieces to a loved one, My Méz has something for everybody. MyMez.com

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FINANCIAL GUIDE 20

After an unprecedented year, how to prep your finances for the one ahead We’ve emerged from a turbulent year defined by a global pandemic, lockdowns, civil unrest, landmark election, and one of the worst economic downturns of the century. However, 2021 brings new hope for both health and wealth, and we’ve got the inside scoop on everything you need to know to prep for this year’s tax season, save for a rainy day, deal with debt, and more.

Elyse Major & Megan Schmit

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2021

FINANCIAL GUIDE 2021 • Taxes

Before we dive into the nitty gritty, let’s take a look at what we can expect from the economy in 2021. Here’s what you need to know:

COVID-19 & YOUR TAXES

Quick Tax Tips:

This tax season might be more confusing than ever with a stimulus payment and/or unemployment factored in. Thankfully, there are a few things you can prepare for now so you get the most out of your tax return.

• Check withholding. This is the amount withheld by an employer that acts as partial payment of income tax; according to the IRS, most employees are over-withheld, which results in a refund.

• Thanks to the coronavirus relief bill, you can be eligible to reduce your income by up to $300 for charitable contributions made this last year – just make sure you have the proper documentation for any of those cash, check, or credit card payments.

• Opt for electronic. By combining direct deposit with electronic filing, you’re more likely to get your refund fast (and avoid it getting lost, stolen, or unable to be delivered).

• The rollout of a vaccine, which was first announced in Rhode Island mid-November, will mean a boost for businesses as people grow more comfortable with venturing out and spending – safely. • Under President-elect Joe Biden, we can expect some sort of stimulus package (likely around $1 trillion, Goldman Sachs predicts) that will inject some life back into the economy. • While the second wave of cases has prompted a more conservative outlook, the trend for GDP estimates remains positive: the IMF predicts a growth of 3.1 percent in the US this year. • If we assume history repeats itself, we can expect the economy to rebound after this second round of restrictions is lifted – as it did in spring. • Banks are likely to keep interest rates low for a while (perhaps even into 2023, according to the Federal Reserve), which means people are more willing to borrow money for big purchases like cars and houses.

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

• A special line is reserved for a “recovery rebate credit”, so if your 2020 tax return has a smaller Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) than the one used to calculate your initial stimulus payment, or if you have additional dependents, you may receive the credit. • If you were impacted by COVID-19 – quarantined, furloughed, laid-off, hours reduced, etc. – you can qualify for a retirement plan provision that includes no 10 percent penalty if you take a distribution under the age of 59½; however, the distribution will be spread over three years and must be repaid in that timeframe to avoid taxation.

• Stay organized. Keep all of your paperwork in one place so it’s easily accessible for tax prep time. • Get help. Low- and modest-income Rhode Islanders may qualify for free help from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) when it comes to filing and applying for tax credits. Check EconomicProgressRI.org for locations.

Are you wondering what’s next? Market volatility has become a fact of life. What does this mean for your investments? Are you prepared for the increase risk volatility may have on your portfolio? Should you make changes and adjust your plan? Working with a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor can help you navigate through these volatile times by helping you review your plan, making adjustments and keeping you informed along the way. Contact me to see how I can help you or provide a second opinion.

Joanne M. Daly CDFA™ Family Wealth Advisor First Vice President Financial Advisor One Financial Plaza 19th Floor Providence, RI 02903 & Virtual Meetings 401-863-8467 Joanne.Daly@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/joanne.daly NMLS# 1510426

The use of the CDFA™ designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA™ designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. © 2020 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

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FINANCIAL GUIDE 2021 • Saving

DO’S AND DON’TS WHEN SAVING DURING A CRISIS There are hundreds of tips out there to help you save money – but what about right now? Chances are, COVID-19 might have given your accounts a blow, whether from making less while on unemployment or seeing savings yields decrease due to low interest rates. Here are some rules of thumb to save some dough until the economy returns to normal.

DON’T spend unnecessarily: This might seem obvious, but start with canceling any memberships that don’t make sense right now (that gym you haven’t been to since pre-pandemic, perhaps) and any subscriptions you rarely use, like music streaming services. The top priority is to make sure your bare essentials – rent or mortgage, utilities, food – are covered, so you might even need to consider not paying off your credit card in full during hard times.

DON’T dip into savings without a plan: If you do have to take from savings, make sure to think ahead. How much do you really need to withdraw? What will you be spending it on? Settle on a minimum you want to keep in your account, and make a plan to replenish.

DON’T underestimate energy savings : You can lower your energy bill by up to 30 percent by making even small changes. Shorter showers and washing laundry on cold can reduce your hot water bill while adjusting your fridge/freezer temp and keeping the thermostat 10-15 degrees lower while asleep or away can reduce your heating and cooling costs. Plus, National Grid offers no-cost home energy audits to provide you with a plan to save and become more energy efficient.

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

DO budget: Whether you create a spreadsheet or use your bank app’s budgeting feature, there’s an easy way to think about this: the 50/30/20 rule. Fifty percent of your budget should be spent on “needs” like groceries, utilities, housing, insurance, transportation, etc.; 30 percent (or less!) should be spent on “wants” like shopping, dining out, or hobbies; and 20 percent should be saved (though during a crisis, that number might be adjusted; see further down).

DO adjust savings goals: You might have a certain dollar amount you’re putting away each month, but reset expectations – it’s okay to change that number to fit your current needs. Also note that, as mentioned above, lower interest rates means your savings account might not yield as much growth as before, but don’t worry, this won’t be forever.

DO tap into local resources: If you find yourself struggling financially to provide the basics for you or your family, don’t be afraid to seek help from the community, whether it’s through food banks, mental health services, or childcare.

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3 TIPS FOR DEALING WITH DEBT 1. Stop Making More: This one might be obvious, but it’s also difficult, so take measures to make sure you don’t rack up more debt by cutting up your cards or freezing your credit. 2. One at a Time: Pick one debt to focus on paying off and stick with minimum payments on the others.

3. Seek Help: Consider consolidation (combining all debts into one payment) or seek credit counseling (trying out a debt management plan). Both options help lower the interest rate and make monthly payments more affordable.

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FINANCIAL GUIDE 2021 • Saving

MORE WAYS TO SAVE Reduce Bills

Find Money

“Don’t like the weather? Wait a minute!” is a popular joke here in Little Rhody. Even on those mild days, temps can quickly plummet to freezing, and that adds up when it comes to keeping your home comfortable. Energy.RI.gov is a great resource for things like the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps income eligible households reduce heating bills by providing whole house energy efficiency services. Also find information on heating assistance, sales tax exemptions, and more. To determine how much energy you’re actually using and what to do about it, schedule a no-cost home energy assessment: An energy auditor will complete an attic-to-basement evaluation and provide a custom home energy report outlining recommended energy efficiency

According to Treasurer Seth Magaziner, more than 300,000 Rhode Islanders have unclaimed cash and assets waiting to be returned, so he developed YOUR MONEY, a program that reunites Rhode Islanders with missing funds. Think this could be you? It doesn’t take long to search the database and could end up being totally worth your time. FindRIMoney.com

improvements. They will even install a few no-cost energy saving products which may include ENERGY STAR-certified LED light bulbs, seven-day programmable thermostats, faucet aerators, or low-flow showerheads. Based on your assessment, you may be eligible for rebates, a 0 percent interest HEAT loan, and thousands in savings towards a new insulation installation. 1-888-633-7947

Mortgage Forbearance

Get a College Grant Fun fact: Every child born to or adopted by Rhode Island families is eligible for a $100 CollegeBoundbaby Grant to be used for higher education. Parents apply for the grant right at the hospital by checking the box on the Birth Worksheet. Parents may also complete and submit the enrollment form before their child’s first birthday or within one year of the child’s adoption date. Learn more at CollegeBoundBaby.com

If you are a homeowner and are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, you may be able to receive a forbearance plan, which means your mortgage payments are temporarily suspended or reduced. Begin by calling your mortgage company to see if this is an option for you. At the end of the forbearance plan, you must repay what you missed, but not necessarily all at once. During tough times, not having to pay your mortgage can really lighten your load.

FINANCIAL GUIDE 2021 • Investing

TOP RHODE ISLAND STOCKS Right now more than ever we’re about shopping local – and that doesn’t stop at retailers and restaurants. Check out the bynumbers breakdown of the Ocean State’s top stocks (and consider investing). *Prices and data are as of November 30, 2020

Citizens Financial Group (CFG) Headquarters: Providence Employees: ~18,100 Share Price: $32.66 Market Value: $14.58B Price-earnings Ratio: 14.79 52-week Range: 14.12-41.29

CVS Health Corp. (CVS) Headquarters: Woonsocket Employees: ~295,000 Share Price: $67.79 Market Value: $88.84B Price-earnings Ratio: 11.19 52-week Range: 52.05-76.44

Hasbro, Inc. (HAS) Headquarters: Pawtucket Employees: ~6,000 Share Price: $93.03 Market Value: $12.65B Price-earnings Ratio: 32.53 52-week Range: 41.33-109.50

Textron Inc. (TXT)

Anthony Landi, Deborah Shuster, Kelly Almonte and Jeffrey Boudjouk (Left to Right)

The Northeast Investment Group Takes on the Challenge of COVID-19 At the Northeast Investment Group, our mission is to provide practical wealth management services to our clients throughout all stages of their lives. We see our clients as partners, working together with us to make sense of their unique finances in a world that is increasingly more complex. Our group’s team structure has given us the flexibility to transition to a new way of working during Covid, while keeping the same values and service that is a hallmark of our firm. Whether it’s a phone call or a Zoom meeting, we continue to stay in touch through regularly scheduled meetings or “check-ups” to let our clients, who are “family”, keep up-to-date with the economy, the markets, and their portfolios. It’s true that COVID-19 has brought much turbulence and uncertainty; however, the members of the Northeast Investment Group have over 100 years of collective experience advising individuals, business owners, professionals, retirees, and their families. Simply put – we’re in this with you for the long run. No matter the stage of life you are in, the Northeast Investment Group family is here to help you manage your wealth so that you can live the life you desire as we move beyond this current battle. The time is now to begin your relationship with a Group who puts you first, implementing strategies for your wealth in the 21st century. We look forward to welcoming you to the Northeast Investment Group.

Headquarters: Providence Employees: ~35,000 Share Price: $45.10 Market Value: $10.73B Price-earnings Ratio: 38.13 52-week Range: 20.26-51.53

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) Headquarters: Providence Employees: ~19,000 Share Price: $17.25 Market Value: $1.01B Price-earnings Ratio: N/A 52-week Range: 5.00-23.38

1000 Chapel View Boulevard, Suite 200 | Cranston | 401-213-8316 northeastinvestmentgroup.com | info@northeastinvestmentgroup.com Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC. Northeast Investment Group is a member firm of Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC, an affiliate of Kestra IS. Northeast Investment Group and Kestra IS are not affiliated. Investor Disclosure: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 37

June 2013

March 10, 2016

March 19, 2016

Ray Mott & Judy Chace form Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty

Providence Office Opens

Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty acquires Coleman

September 12, 2019

Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty merges with Bay Realty

Early 2021

Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty expands with new office in Westport, MA

Top sales since opening of Providence office. H I G H EST E AST S I D E SA LE IN MLS HI STO RY

66 Williams Street | East Side Listed at $4,900,000

460 Blackstone Boulevard | East Side Listed at $1,495,000

1 West Exchange Street, Unit #3101 | Providence Listed at $1,985,000

75 Orchard Avenue | East Side Listed at $1,490,000

6 Olive Street | East Side Listed at $1,875,000

200 Exchange Street, Unit #1514 | Providence Listed at $1,295,000

This information 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.These properties may have been sold by other real estate companies. Data maintained by the MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Data is based on information from Rhode Island State Wide Multiple Listing Service, Inc., for SFM, MFM, CND, & VLD listings for the period of 3/16/2016 through 12/1/2020.

With over $700M in sales since opening in 2016, and over $220M in 2020 alone, our Providence office is one that strives for excellence. With the uncertainty of this past year, our agents were extremely successful in providing our clients with the world-class service that you expect when working with a Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International RealtyÂŽ affiliate. Thank you Providence!

Benjamin Scungio Office Manager

Nelson Taylor

Robert Rutley

Benjamin Kean

Robin Lake

Karen Wilder

Ben Guglielmi

Liz Andrews

Stephen Antoni

Cherry Arnold

Sara Chaffee

Joshua Deaner

Gina DiCenzo

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Heidi Farmer

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Expect Better. Each office is independently owned and operated.

FINANCIAL GUIDE 2021 • Financial Advisor

Choose the Right Financial Advisor Handing over your investments and finances to someone else is a big deal – it takes a lot of trust, so picking out the right financial advisor for you and your needs is important. Luckily, with a little insight from the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), we outlined the process step-by-step.

Set a Goal: Talk to family members about what you want to accomplish by working with a financial

advisor, whether it’s general investment advice, guidance in paying for college or a house, or planning for retirement.

Research:

A great place to start is asking for recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues so you have some candidates to choose from. Make sure you do some digging on potential advisors’ websites and bios.

Meet: Typically, a face-to-face meeting with each candidate before sign-up is the way to go, but if you

don’t feel comfortable with or cannot arrange in-person interviews, make sure you set up a video call. Come armed with questions like those below, and use NAPFA’s Financial Advisor Diagnostic tool online to evaluate their answers. How are you compensated? If you accept commissions, will you itemize the amount of compensation you earn from products that you recommend to me?

Have you ever been disciplined by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority? Do you provide comprehensive financial planning or just investment management?

Do you accept referral fees?

How will you help me reach my financial goals?

Are you held to a fiduciary standard at all times?

What happens to my relationship with the firm if something happens to you?

Would you sign a fiduciary oath committing to putting my financial interests first? Do you have many clients like me?

Keep Tabs: Finally, once you choose your advisor, be sure to evaluate their performance on an ongoing basis.

NEW GIVE SMART CAMPAIGN In their “Give Smart” campaign, local ad agency NAIL Communications has created an amusing campaign which parodies the ridiculous nature of trying to please picky, unpredictable kids. “The Treasurer’s Office was looking for more people to sign up for 529 plans. But with people struggling and payback so far down the road, we needed to make 529 plans feel like they could help folks right now,” says creative partner Alec Beckett. Find the amusing spots on CTV, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, digital display, and search through January.

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2 0 2 2020 was tough, but these influencers make us optimistic about the future – with good reason | By John Taraborelli

Even the most Pollyanna-minded among us would concede that 2020 was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year. But with the start of the new year comes an opportunity for renewal and maybe some reason for optimism. The people and organizations on this year’s Who to Watch represent that hope. They’ve got big ideas, bright futures, and plans to move forward on issues like affordable housing, public health, community development, and beer – yes, there’s beer, too. We asked them specifically what they plan to accomplish in the coming year, but also more generally why they’re feeling optimistic that the next 12 months will be better than the last.

A AGONZA AGONZA A AGONZA AGONZA A AGONZA AGONZA A AGONZA AGONZA A AGONZA AGONZA A AGONZA AGONZA A AGONZA AGONZA A AGONZA AGONZA A AGONZA AGONZA Artist

@agonzaart

or decades, the name most closely associated with public art in Providence was Shepard Fairey. But the city has changed since his RISD heyday and it’s time for something – or someone – new, someone homegrown. Enter AGONZA, an artist and activist who was born Angie Gonzalez in the Dominican Republic but spent most of her life in Providence. In a tumultuous 2020, the artist met the moment with her work. When violence struck downtown last June, leaving smashed storefronts in its wake, she was there the next morning painting a plywood panel covering a broken window at Queen of Hearts/Modern Love. Her reverent portrait of Miss Rhode Island, Jonét Nichelle – who the artist describes as “the definition of Black excellence” – became a symbol of a community rallying together in response to trauma. Later in the summer, she joined The Avenue Concept, the public art organization that appeared on this list in 2019, as well as local artists Jessica Brown, Kendel Joseph, and ABOVE to paint another artistic response to current events. The VOTE mural featured each artist painting one letter; AGONZA’s “T” depicted community organizer Justice Ameer Gaines. The community response was immediate and enthusiastic: The mural became the backdrop for countless social media posts, as well as a voter registration drive and impromptu celebration when Joe Biden won the presidency. “I just want to make an impact for our community,” AGONZA says of her work. “Hopefully, I can create more conversations on public art and expand my passion for creative change.” She’s also emerging as a leader within the arts community. The Providence Schools and URI grad, who works by day as a social workforce developer for the Providence Housing Authority, now sits on the The Avenue Concept’s board, where she can advocate for opportunities for other local artists. Next, AGONZA is turning her sights towards the Hartford Projects where she was raised. She aims to bring a colorful new mural, and perhaps a bit of hope, to a bland institutional setting. “There is no sense of creative color and beauty there, which I believe causes depression,” she says. “Hopefully this mural will make these neighborhoods more beautiful, as many beautiful and creative people live there, and give hope to the youth that artists who come from where they come from can make a difference.” Her Reason for Optimism: “Equality and change. The Black Lives Matter protests that have been occurring around the world needed to happen to make people aware that there are many injustices happening. We need to stop ignoring it and be the change.”

Carrie Zaslow Carri Carrie Zaslow Carri Carrie Zaslow Carri Carrie Zaslow Carri Carrie Zaslow Carri Carrie Zaslow Carri Carrie Zaslow Carri Carrie Zaslow Carri Carrie Zaslow Carri Executive Director, Providence Revolving Fund

ometimes the way to make a big impact is to think small. That’s what the Providence Revolving Fund did last year when the pandemic and resulting shutdown hit local businesses hard, especially in areas like the West End, Olneyville, and South Providence, where the fund invests in historic preservation and community revitalization. “The staff and I were speaking with business owners in the neighborhoods we traditionally serve and we found that they were struggling because they had been unable to take advantage of the more traditional small business programs,” Carrie Zaslow, the fund’s executive director, explains. While working remotely, Zaslow and her team put up $100,000 of the organization’s own money – later matched by the Providence City Council – to set up a micro-lending fund targeting businesses with 10 or fewer employees and under $250,000 in annual revenue, loaning them up to $5,000 with interest rates from zero to two percent to help them weather the storm. The fund also partnered with the Center for Women and Enterprise to make sure the loans were going to the right places. “Over 90 percent of our loans have been made to women and/or minority-owned businesses,” Zaslow says. “We are now moving out of the pilot stage and will be making the program available citywide.” Since taking the reins in 2018 from Clark Schoettle, who ran the fund for more than 30 years, Zaslow has moved to expand its footprint throughout the city. She raised $10 million from a handful of local banks and foundations to launch the Opportunity Investment Fund, which promotes the development of mixed-income workforce housing, something that’s in short supply. It launched last spring, and this year will expand into neighborhoods the fund has not previously served like Smith Hill, Wanskuck, and Washington Park. “Rhode Island has a shortage of housing for people across income levels,” she notes. “We are very proud that we can play a role in addressing this concern. I would like to see the Providence Revolving Fund as a go-to organization for equitable community development.” Her Reason for Optimism: “What makes me the most excited is the innovation that has been born out of the pandemic. I have seen this in how nonprofit organizations are finding different ways to provide services, schools learning how to adapt to virtual learning, and businesses that are evolving how they serve their customers. I am optimistic that this innovation or ability to pivot is making us all stronger, resilient, and more creative. Only good things can come out of that combination.”

@carriezas

rt Josh Short Josh Sh rt Josh Short Josh Sh rt Josh Short Josh Sh rt Josh Short Josh Sh rt Josh Short Josh Sh rt Josh Short Josh Sh rt Josh Short Josh Sh rt Josh Short Josh Sh rt Josh Short Josh Sh Artistic Director, The Wilbury Theatre Group @thewilburygroup

roadway theaters have been dark since last March and will remain so at least through next May. Many wonder what the future of the American stage will be, or how many theaters will survive to see it. There are no easy answers – but that hasn’t discouraged Olneyville’s Wilbury Theatre Group. “After COVID closed down one of our productions mid-run, our team had a program of streaming performances up within a couple of weeks,” says artistic director Josh Short. Not content to only play in virtual space, Wilbury staged the first major post-quarantine theater production in Rhode Island, a collaboration with WaterFire called Decameron, Providence. A theater experience both thematically and logistically appropriate for a pandemic, it was inspired by the Renaissance Era Decameron, a series of stories told by 10 people quarantining while the Black Death ravages Florence. It brought the theater outdoors, with the audience moving through 10 “story gardens.” Short and his team even worked with a Brown University epidemiologist to develop safety protocols. The show drew rave reviews, provided relief for a creative community starved of live performance, and even received notice in The New York Times. “It brought together hundreds of artists and community members for a shared experience that had all the immediacy of live theater,” Short says. “Since then we’ve been able to continue to find new ways to make live performance in the time of COVID possible.” Wilbury has no patience to simply wait out the pandemic in 2021. They’ve got new works on tap from local talents Christopher Johnson, Darcie Dennigan, Shey Rivera Ríos, Don Mays, and Charlie Thurston, as well as a community-driven production about COVID’s impact on Olneyville. By July, when Wilbury hosts the eighth annual Providence Fringe Festival, life will hopefully be approaching normal, but Short isn’t taking any chances: they’re planning a hybrid performance model. “If there’s a silver lining, it’s that this has given us the opportunity for a fresh start,” he says. “For the performing arts, 2021 will be about building the American theater back from scratch. I hope that we’ve finally answered the question once and for all as to the necessity of art and storytelling in times of crisis – and I hope that we are better prepared for the next crisis, whatever that may be.” His Reason for Optimism: “I’ve never felt like the eternal optimism and ambition of the human spirit has been more apparent than it was in 2020. Watching the artists, the teachers, the medical professionals, the restaurant owners, the waitstaff and everyone in between discover new ways to innovate and thrive in the face of one adversity after another has given me the inspiration to do the same.”

Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Lanre Ajakaiye Lan Founder, 25 Bough Street @25BoughStreet

anre Ajakaiye is a bit of a Renaissance man. The Providence native, a child of West African immigrants, is head of membership for the National Fire Protection Association and before that director of marketing operations for AAA Northeast. From 2014-2017, he founded and ran the New England Family Fun Festival. In 2018, when he learned that Providence didn’t have a boys travel team in the Rhode Island Youth Basketball Association, he started one; last year the sixth- and eighthgrade teams won their respective state championships. He works alongside his wife, Hilina, on the R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference, which she founded. Oh, and he was elected homecoming king for his graduating class at Classical. However, it’s not what Ajakaiye has done that put him on our radar – it’s what he’s about to do. He recently acquired 25 Bough Street, a blighted former jewelry factory in Olneyville that he will transform into a multi-purpose anchor development for the neighborhood. When Ajakaiye’s plans are complete, the building will host everything from coworking to after-school programs to quinceañeras. “We will be the place that connections are made and networks happen,” he says. “We’ll accelerate the success of businesses of the future.” The plan is to fill several gaps in the community under one roof. Twenty-five Bough Street will include an event venue and coworking space. While Providence has no shortage of either, those that exist are often not diverse and culturally competent enough to truly serve the entire city. That’s where Ajakaiye believes 25 Bough will offer something different and necessary. The building will also eventually house a fitness center, office space for R.I.S.E. and other start-ups, and an interactive cultural and heritage museum. But perhaps the centerpiece of the development will be the Futures Hub, where youth from fifth grade through high school will be able to take classes in financial literacy, STEAM disciplines, and technologies like augmented and virtual reality. “The outcome will yield future leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are more ready to be competitive in a global workforce,” Ajakaiye says. “These are my hopes, dreams, and goals for 25 Bough.” His Reason for Optimism: “I am hopeful and excited that we will emerge from the year of the pandemic wiser, stronger, and more appreciative of some things we may have previously taken for granted. At some point, the prospect of the returns to more freedom in movement – albeit slowly – will more than likely raise spirits and depressed industries. This forthcoming revival makes me excited for 2021.”

d Lee Lord Lee Lord d Lee Lord Lee Lord d Lee Lord Lee Lord d Lee Lord Lee Lord d Lee Lord Lee Lord d Lee Lord Lee Lord d Lee Lord Lee Lord d Lee Lord Lee Lord d Lee Lord Lee Lord Head Brewer/Director of Brewing Operations, Narragansett Beer @postpunkybrewster

arely, if ever, has not getting into college been so fortuitous. After finding out she was waitlisted for nursing school, homebrewer Lee Lord walked into Waltham’s Watch City Brewing and asked if she could help out. “They threw me a mop and told me to get to work. The rest is history,” she explains. “I learned the art of brewing by working my way up from the bottom.” She did eventually wind up at college, completing UC Davis’ Brewing Sciences program. After stints at New Hampshire’s Smuttynose and Cambridge Brewing Company in her native Massachusetts, Lord now takes the reins of one of craft brewing’s most storied brands, Narragansett. Last year was big for ‘Gansett. It broke into the top 50 US craft breweries by sales volume (#30) – a feat that recalls its heyday more than a century ago, when Narragansett was the top-selling beer in New England. With Lord in charge, ‘Gansett joins another elite group of craft brewers: the roughly four percent with female brewmasters. As ‘Gansett prepares to finally open its new brewery in Fox Point this year, a return to brewing in Rhode Island that has encountered more than its fair share of setbacks, including a fire that destroyed its intended home, Lord hopes it will help establish Providence as a beer destination on par with its New England neighbors. (We’ve got our eye on you, Portland, Maine.) “We have such an enthusiastic and talented brewing community here, and folks are starting to wake up to that,” she says. “I’m so excited to make the new brewery a special place for the community.” Lord's vision for ‘Gansett’s future draws heavily on its past. “I’m really looking forward to bringing back some old favorites, like Narragansett Porter and the Old Ale,” she says. But the additional capabilities of the Fox Point facility will enable her to experiment with some different tastes, like traditional old world lagers and hoppy IPAs. “I’m excited to bring something new to the Narragansett brand.” Her Reason for Optimism: “I’m really bolstered by the perseverance of the human spirit. Last year was (pardon my French) a s-show. But through all of the uncertainty, division, and fear, people are overwhelmingly good. The lengths I’ve seen folks go to help each other and put smiles on each other’s faces has been so inspirational. This world is full of good guys and that gives me so much hope.”

Jennifer HawkinsL Jennifer Hawkins L Jennifer Hawkins L Jennifer Hawkins L Jennifer Hawkins L Jennifer Hawkins L Jennifer Hawkins L Jennifer Hawkins L Jennifer Hawkins L Executive Director, ONE Neighborhood Builders @jenhawkinsonenb

2021 I intend to not stay in my lane and to push boundaries,” “I nproclaims Jennifer Hawkins.

She’s got a head start on that New Year’s resolution. Last year, ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONB) – formerly known as Olneyville Housing Corporation for you “Take a left where the Almacs used to be” types – made a play into the 195 land. Their proposal for a 58-unit apartment building with a ground-floor childcare center won widespread acclaim, but was unfortunately not pushed forward by the 195 Commission. Hawkins, the executive director, remains undaunted. “Our proposal generated a lot of attention and I believe the concept remains strong,” she says. “I will be working with my team to identify alternative locations.” She also has designs on East Providence. Last May, ONB secured funding for its first project outside city limits: “the preservation of a 36-unit ‘naturally occurring affordable housing’ development.” Also last spring, ONB broke ground on King Street Commons in Olneyville, its largest project to date, with 60-plus affordable apartments that will start coming online this summer. While this kind of work, even at this scale, may fit comfortably inside ONB’s traditional lane, the project Hawkins and her team launched last November does not. ONE|NB Connects is a community wifi program that will bring free, high-speed internet to roughly 3,000 homes in Olneyville, a community with some of the lowest rates of internet service in Rhode Island. “Enabling financially struggling families to connect to the internet so kids can learn from home and parents can work from home and access essential services is a game-changer,” Hawkins says. “Wifi is no longer a convenience.” It’s a testament to the holistic approach ONB takes to neighborhood development. Whether it’s bringing wifi to a whole swath of the city or hiring community health workers to support testing, contact tracing, and quarantine as part of its Central Providence Conquers COVID initiative, ONB is no longer content just developing housing. “Building affordable homes is vital, but we can’t build our way out of systemic inequities,” Hawkins notes. “As the leader of a community development corporation, I believe my job is to examine the systems and policies that hold back neighborhood revitalization and to chip away at them, and pilot alternatives that may someday be scaled up.” Her Reason for Optimism: “The tolerance and empathy exhibited by young people gives me hope. I listen to my 13-year-old daughter and her friends talk – they demonstrate a level of broad-minded compassion that may just save us.”

ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr ey Dr. Megan Ranney Dr Professor of Emergency Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University; Director, Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health @meganranney

he pandemic transformed doctors into unexpected national and local celebrities. Think Anthony Fauci or Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott. Megan Ranney is another, a local doctor and educator who became a national authority on COVID response, appearing on CNN and being interviewed by The New York Times and The Atlantic. “My work on COVID has, in many ways, taken over my life,” she says. “I became a frequent commentator on national and local media, translating the latest science into comprehensible guidance for the average American. We are going to continue to need strong science communication and clear guidelines for policymakers.” She also founded a national nonprofit, GetUsPPE, in response to shortages of personal protective equipment on the front lines, in addition to continuing to practice as an emergency room physician. Before the pandemic, Ranney was planning to work on an entirely different set of intractable health problems. As director of the new Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health, which launched in July, Ranney is managing 13 faculty and 10 staff tasked with the research and development of innovative, tech-oriented approaches to health. “We have the potential to truly transform the creation, validation, and scaling of technology-augmented tools – things like apps, text-messaging, wearables, and social media – to improve health on an individual and societal scale,” she explains. As the pandemic is brought under control (we hope), Ranney will be able to turn her attention – and newfound celebrity – toward other pressing health-related matters. “I’m going to continue with my own research, clinical care, and service to the community. I maintain my commitment to identifying and implementing new techniques to prevent violence and related behavioral health disorders,” she says. “Finally, I’m committed to continuing to work to improve science communication – to be a public voice for public health and science.” One way or another, we’ll need those voices. Her Reason for Optimism: “I’m excited by the potential to build a better society, together. When we look at history, we know that the greatest tragedies lead to the greatest innovation and growth. In 2020, we dealt with disappointment and tragedy, but I also saw individuals and communities come together to create good. In 2021, we have the chance to take this entropy and channel it – to create a more just, equitable, and healthy world. This potential is what keeps me moving forward.”

Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Harrison Peters Harris Superintendent, Providence Public School District @harrisonpeters

o disrespect to anyone else, but Harrison Peters has arguably the toughest job of anyone on this list. Last February he walked through what has been a revolving door at 797 Westminster to helm a school system in desperate need of a turnaround, and under control of Rhode Island Education

Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, another position of high turnover in recent years. Oh, and there’s the small matter of a global pandemic disrupting the entire education system less than a month after he arrived from Florida, where he was deputy superintendent for Hillsborough County (Tampa). “My team and I did what any good public servants do in a crisis: We rolled up our sleeves and went to work, often seven days a week, to make sure that families had what they needed to continue learning in a distance format,” he recalls. They distributed more than 20,000 laptops, found internet connections for low-income families, adjusted curricula, “and we practically cornered the market on hand sanitizer. We even delivered a pizza or two,” he adds. His second year to-do list is no less daunting than his first. He and Infante-Green are trying to hammer out a new contract with the Providence Teachers Union, the district is planning $300 million in improvements to aging school buildings over five years, and he must try to make up ground lost to remote learning. “Despite our best efforts this spring, many students did not make the kind of gains we would expect to see during a traditional school year. Research shows that students perform better, academically and socially, with in-person learning,” he notes. “In the future, our students will not get a COVID pass. The most impactful work my team can do is to keep students engaged and challenged during a public health crisis the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetime.” Although he’s tasked with a difficult transformation against the backdrop of the greatest challenge in living memory, Peters knows he’s not alone and the solutions won’t come from the top down. “We cannot move forward if we leave the community behind,” he says. “I will work diligently alongside the commissioner, students, families, educators, and community leaders to transform this school district together.” His Reason for Optimism: “What warms my heart are the national discussions on race and equity that, as painful as they may be, are necessary for the country to move beyond this moment in time. I look forward to being part of those conversations as we work together to embrace diversity in all its forms.”

rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba rd Ting Barnard Ting Ba Founder, Ting Barnard’s Studio @tingbarnard

undraising for nonprofits is a heavy lift even in the best of times, but during a global pandemic followed by an economic shutdown, it’s brutal – especially since many rely on large, well-attended events for major chunks of their budgets. With traditional fundraisers on hold for at least another several months, many nonprofits are looking for answers. Ting Barnard may have one. She’s leveraging her personal and professional networks to establish “leadership pods,” small groups of eight to 10 people that are carefully selected and highly targeted. They’re essentially bespoke fundraising committees pairing motivated, connected, high net worth individuals with organizations like Leadership Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Philharmonic, both of which count Barnard as a board member. The goal is to raise both money and awareness. “I am developing these pods from a network of individuals I’ve had years of relationship building and partnerships with, so it’s not a random selection of individuals,” she explains. “It’s a well-curated pod that consists of the right people that will be even more powerful when their forces combine.” Barnard’s desire to do good is rooted in her personal story. She’s the daughter of Laotian refugees who emigrated when she was just a year old, eventually settling in North Providence. Her father worked second and third shifts as a factory machinist while her mother, with only a sixth-grade education, helped build a small family jewelry business. Barnard and her three siblings often spent weekends at public libraries and skating rinks while her parents worked to fund their education. Her mother would assemble jewelry in the car while shuffling her children to extracurriculars. The hard work paid off. She attended Boston University and went to work on Wall Street for Lehman Brothers – until the crash of 2008. After taking some time off to start a family and move back to Providence, and a stint at Oppenheimer & Co., Barnard is on her own as a marketing consultant and brand strategist. “I worked in marketing and client relations for over 10 years, but philanthropy has always been at the heart of my day-to-day and serves as my guiding compass in both business and community work,” she explains. “It’s all about building deep relationships, connections and advocating for and investing in the causes that will create impact.” Her Reason for Optimism: “I am constantly meeting individuals who believe in the work they do. Good people bring me energy, hope, and keep my optimism alive. Witnessing how our community has come together during this time has given me the strength and motivation to stay true to my mission. Seeing young leaders take charge and champion causes that make this world a little bit brighter keeps me hopeful and energized.”

Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Haus of Glitter Haus o Dance Company, Haus of Glitter Performance Lab

ow can Providence reckon with its tangible

residencies for young artists and train others to

strip away the symptoms of trauma that plague

legacy of monuments and places inextricably

become teachers and community organizers.

us, and embody the process of being together – of

By reimagining this historic space, The

manifesting – that our ancestors were fighting for.”

linked to oppression? Haus of Glitter Dance Company provides at least one answer.

Anthony “AM.” Andrade Jr., Assitan Coulibaly,

Steven Choummalaithong, Matt Garza, and Trent

Haus of Glitter is leading a new conversation about our shared history.

“The content of our work represents the stories,

Their Reason for Optimism: “We are over-

whelmed with gratitude for those who came be-

fore us who made this work possible, and for the

“TrashGoaT” Lee transformed the Esek Hopkins

truths, colors, shapes, and vibrations that live in our

community who continues to show up to experi-

Homestead, historic home of the Continental

bones,” they say. “Our practice proposes a reality

ence art with us, to breathe with us, to dance with

Navy Commander turned slave ship captain, into

where colonization never happened and the slave

us, to fight with us, to feel with us, to heal with,

the Haus of Glitter Performance Lab + Parq. With

revolts were successful. Our process attempts to

and to take care of each other. We are excited for

a two-year Parkist residency from the Parks De-

the connections in our communities being made

partment and Department of Art, Culture

and for the magic that awaits.”

+ Tourism, this queer, feminist, Black Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) collective has been

living and working at the 1756

homestead, staging performances and community classes, and

tending the Liberation Garden. (This

is no metaphor; it’s an actual garden.) A

monument to an oppressor is now an artistic

act of rebellion against his legacy and a community for those who have been oppressed.

“Esek Hopkins’ untold story is relevant to New

England as a whole, but our legacy in West African and Latinx dance feels especially important to represent the creative contributions of BI-

POC and the histories of systemic oppression,” the creators say. “Now, the people of New

England need to hear this story through our

lips. We are tracing this lineage of dance and how the bodies who have carried this dance have traveled, often not by choice.”

Much more than dance happens at Haus of

Glitter. Last year, they taught more than 200 free and donations-based yoga, meditation, and dance classes, in-person and virtually; co-hosted the first socially distant (and all

BIPOC-organized) incarnation of PRONK festival; and co-produced a virtual dance concert with

seniors from Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (which appeared on this list last year).

This year they’re planning to be equally

active and multi-disciplinary, culminating

with The Historical Fantasy of Esek Hopkins, a

site-specific live performance, film, and album that rethinks the Haus’ original resident.

Over time, they aim to provide their own

IT'S YOUR JOURNEY, WE'RE HERE TO HELP

CAYLA SILVIA, RACHEL JONES, CHARLENE CABRERA

We Closed Out 2020 With Over $20M In Sales & Sold Over 70 Homes! Some Highlight Homes Where We Represented The Buyer Or Seller: 214 Sixth Street, Providence • $578,000 | 18 Imperial Place, Unit 4d, Providence • $664,000 156 Cypress Street, Providence • $820,000 | 3 Ship Street, Unit 212, Providence • $394,900

140 Wickenden Street, Providence | 401-663-6162 RJones@residentialproperties.com | thejonesgroupne.com

@the_jonesgroup

ART & CULTURE R e c o rd S t o re s | J a z z A r t i s t | C a l e n d a r

Forging Ahead An Olneyville studio does it all when it comes to metal masterpieces “When I started, my shop was a 150-square-foot lean-to on the side of an old grist mill in Boone, North Carolina,” says Carley Ferrara over an early morning breakfast in the 5,000-square-foot Atlantic Mills space that now houses Iron Mountain Forge & Furniture. Owner and founder, and jack of all trades when it comes to furniture-making, Ferrara explains the shop’s southern origin story, from crafting pieces to ship out nationwide from a rural homebase, to relocating to Rhode Island where now most of her clientele is local – and often large-scale. The small-but-nimble team of four craftspeople has tackled a range of projects, from hundreds of 4x6-foot windows for a restoration project to all the metalwork, down to the retaining walls, that goes into a Patsy Cline Memorial Garden Amphitheater opening in Virginia. “We have to do everything in rotation because we’re doing 24 nine-foot benches for that job,” says Ferrara, gesturing to the large – but deceptively so – space. “There’s nowhere to put 24 benches, so we’re doing it in batches of eight.” But Ferrara explains that lately, “Most everything we’re doing is home stuff,” especially range hoods and railings. “People usually give us some design liberties when it comes to railings because that’s our niche.” Organic meets industrial in the fluid lines of these indoor or outdoor trimmings, and in some of their more whimsical, artsy works, too. “My graduate thesis was all furniture based on the original really messed up Tales of Red Riding Hood,” says Ferrara, who has designed several limited-run fairy tale-inspired pieces, including the White Rabbit’s clock from Alice in Wonderland, complete with numbers that run counterclockwise, and a Cinderella-themed fireplace toolset. The shop is closed to the public for the time being, with custom orders placed online, so you’ll have to take our word for it when it comes to the magic happening in the belly of one of Olneyville’s many storied mill buildings. Fortunately, with a vaccine on the horizon, Ferrara hopes to bring back Sip & Smash events soon, which give folks a chance to visit the forge, craft their own bottle opener, and pop open a beer after to appreciate their handiwork. IronMtnForge.com | By Abbie Lahmers Photo courtesy of Iron Mountain Forge & Furniture ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 55

ART & CULTURE

Re co r d St o r e s | By Adam Hogue

Round Table Discussion Two PVD record store owners talk Phases, what’s on their turntables, and songs for a new era Uncertain times call for a need to think in fluid patterns; this holds true for most any business – including your friendly neighborhood record store. We caught up with Ben Barnett of Armageddon Shop on Broadway and Kevin Morosini at Wickenden’s Olympic Records, who offer outlooks on being in a perpetual state of creative-adaptive-pliability, what’s on their turntables, and gratitude for loyal patrons. “Initially when things were a bit sketchier, I was doing a bit of curbside pickup. I still offer that op-

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

Armageddon Shop

Olympic Records

and places to find music. Both Barnett and Morosini are grateful to the people who have reached out to them and continue to support their businesses and are thankful to everyone who respects safety measures when visiting.

A r ma g e d d o n S ho p 436 Broadway, Providence • ArmageddonShop.com

O l y mp i c Re co rd s 580 Wickenden Street, Providence Facebook: Olympic Records

SONGS FOR 2021 In a final take on the state-of-the-nation, it is worth noting that music goes hand in hand with election season and given the post-Trump (if he actually vacates the White House) dawning “Age-of-Biden” limbo we find ourselves in, music is a necessary anecdote to pair with the times. Barnett suggests Bob Dylan’s “Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie”; Morosini goes with “Another Perfect Day” by Motorhead.

Photography by Savannah Barkley

tion if people feel more comfortable with that,” Morosini begins. “Since reopening around Phase 3, business is going well. I keep the store very clean and it is generally not crowded so people are comfortable shopping here,” he says. “I’d also like to thank everyone who has come into the store since reopening for making me feel safe to be here by following all the guidelines and generally being very cool about everything.” For Ben Barnett, who also has a shop in Cambridge, the shutdown in March called for a focus on online sales and curbside pickup that continues to this day with the addition of appointment-based shopping, which will continue as long as needed. Parallel to a drastic decrease in a public, social lifestyle, there is a rise in time spent pursuing solo endeavors. In this category fits embracing or revisiting music and full discographies given the time available to stop and listen. Barnett points to a musical return to the familiar: “Personally I’d say now is a good time to revisit any record that helps lift your mood. I have been digging AC/DC and Creedence – that’s been getting-stuff-done music for me for the year so far.” Morosini enumerates the interest in the artists we lost this year. “There has surely been a renewed interest in Van Halen since Eddie Van Halen’s recent passing,” he notes. “I’ve been revisiting discographies a lot lately myself; to list just a few, there’s Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Bruce Springsteen, and The Police. One album to listen to all the way through is Rolling Stones’ Goats Head Soup.” Both shops have continually stepped up to meet the challenge of these uncertain times with creativity, humor, and a desire to remain active in the community, open for the people,

ART & CULTURE

J a z z A r t i st | By Adam Hogue

City Serenade Jazz great Ritchee Price adds a comforting soundtrack to South Water Street

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The weather has turned cold and the restaurants and bars along the Providence River are a bit quieter, but Ritchee Price still gets out there with his trumpet and plays. An alum of the Lionel Hampton and Count Basie Orchestras, professional musician, teacher, and general student of the world, this local jazz legend is known for his evening serenades outside the Wild Colonial and along the river where people can stop and watch a man give a Master Class in the most important art of all: practice. For Price, practicing outside is different than practicing at home. Outdoors, his music interacts with the environment in ways that it doesn’t in a room. In open spaces, his music becomes part of the world; it travels and lands in unexpected places and interacts with more than just four walls. Although, as Price will tell you, playing indoors is just as important. “If I want to play loud and with high notes, the walls make me feel trapped because the sound bounces back to me. Outside I can play as loud and as high as I want,” he says. “The good part about practicing indoors is that I can adjust my volume to sound like I am playing in a private party. Music is meant to be played in a public forum and to be played indoors with one person listening – yourself.” Since March, Price has found his music to be a connection between himself and anyone within earshot. His regular practicing has been

a vibrant point of light to counteract the worries of day-to-day life. In fact, several readers wrote to let us know how much his playing has comforted them during this time. These small connections are not lost on Price. “Last week a gentleman around 25 years old came up to me in a wheelchair and thanked me for making him and his girlfriend feel good. He wanted to give me a can of beer!” Price recalls with delight. “Also, a lady came up to me in her car and said she had been trying to find me for a few weeks. She offered me a job to play the National Anthem at her meeting of the Rotary Club. There is a student who I taught when he was in eighth grade who saw me at the Providence River last Saturday, practicing, and called his mother on his cell phone and then took a picture of both of us. I almost cried!” The canon of Price is vast: He has an Armed Forces medley that the “workers on Main Street like” and renditions of Ave Maria, Duke Ellington songs, pop standards, jazz ballads, and even the occasional Beatles tune that might make a teenager on a skateboard stop and say “I know that tune!” All of this adds up to a shared joy, an embrace and connection over songs presented in their most basic and unpolished forms that, as Price says, “makes me feel good!” Thankfully, Price is still out there sharing that feeling.

2179 Mineral Spring Avenue, No. Providence 401-231-1660 • www.bobfrances.com

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 57

ART & CULTURE

C alendar | By Abbie Lahmers

Here’s to a Bright New

The Must list 5 essential events this Month

Year Ahead!

Call Joe Roch

401-440-7483 Happily helping buyers and sellers in Providence and throughout Rhode Island

January 25:

JoeRoch.com jroch@residentialproperties.com 58

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

Take a virtual journey to the Highlands for Burns Night: The Home Edition live from the Providence Athenæum, featuring poetry, guided scotch tastings, a costume contest, and a few surprises. ProvidenceAthenaeum.org

ide statew For a f events o listing online! s visit u m ody.co h R y He

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Through January: The Providence Rink is open for the season and hosting COVID-friendly private and group skating lessons with professional ice skaters to help you brush up on your skills. TheProvidenceRink.com

January 11-12: The Coast Guard House will be cast in the soft glow of flickering candles for their themed Candlelight Dinners – reserve a spot for a romantic winter date night. Narragansett, TheCoastGuardHouse.com

Photo courtesy of Providence Athenæum

January 15-February 7: Wickford Art Association’s Black ‘n White exhibit opens with local artists’ interpretations of color (or lack thereof), negative space, and themes including race relations. North Kingstown, WickfordArt.org

January 29: Bring the family to the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium for Stories in the Sky, a celestial tour of the constellations overhead and their many legends, plus a take-home hot cocoa kit. Bristol, ASRI.org

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 59

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Wine Not New on-demand dessert service can help you decide whether to pair red or white with your next cake In Latin there is a saying: in vino veritas, in wine there is truth, and the truth is this is one delicious cake. Schantel Maxine Neal, owner of Maxine Baked, offers a choice of 24 cake and cupcake flavors but is happy to remind us that “flavor combinations are endless!” This beauty pictured is the result of a collaboration with a client: vanilla cake, a strawberries and cream vodka drizzle, strawberry buttercream, and finished with a white chocolate drip. There’s also a mini plastic bottle of Moscato inserted along with a series of Moscato-filled pipettes where typical cakes might showcase candles – in case that vodka drizzle didn’t do the trick. Neal says that her number one seller is still vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream, but there are no wrong answers here. As pictured, this cake was meant to feed 20, but since we aren’t gathering just yet, who says it can’t feed one? Maxine Baked offers contactless delivery or pick up at Hope & Main in Warren, so ordering is as easy as pie. Oh yeah, she has those, too! MaxineBakedRI.com | By Ann O’Neill Photo courtesy of Schantel Maxine Neal ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 61

FOOD & DRINK

Expe r i e nce | By Ingrid Brown

Master Class Learn pizza making basics with pizzaiolo chef Billy Manzo my research: they are taking all COVID-safe precautions necessary, including screening everyone that comes into the building for the in-person class. Once these measures were taken care of, it was time to roll up our sleeves and get messy. Manzo started our class by going through the history of pizza, followed by a tour of the dough room to see the different mixers and how they function. One mixer even does the motion of human hands kneading the dough. Manzo then dives into the science of his famous dough. Each guest receives their own personal set of ingredients: the famous secret dough, homemade sauce, the restaurant’s preferred cheese, Galbani, and more. Once your pie is assembled, you are brought over individually to the 500-pound brick oven imported directly from Napoli.

Once all the pizzas are out of the oven, it’s time to enjoy a delicious meal served with a glass of wine or craft beer. Federal Hill Pizza also offers a class on how to make the Romanstyle al taglio dough. Manzo is certified to teach classes and certify others who want to learn more about the product, business, or even how to start their own pizza restaurant. As for me, I just wanted to have another slice. Their brick oven traditional Margherita pizza is my absolute favorite, made with Galbani

Fresh ingredients top Manzo’s special dough

CUISINE: Brick Oven Pizza, Italian PRICES: Classes start at $50 ATMOSPHERE: Family Friendly

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

Photography by Ingrid Brown

After several trips to Italy and being a fourth generation Italian myself, in my humble opinion, Federal Hill Pizza has the best pizza in Providence. The overall pie is somehow simple and light, yet rich and fresh. Chef Billy Manzo is an acclaimed master pizzaiolo who has competed as a member of The World Pizza Champions, been featured on the Food Network, and he has developed the most incredible fluffy dough. Federal Hill Pizza has two locations, one on Main Street in Warren, and one right here on Chalkstone housed in the historic Castle Theater, originally a vaudeville venue built in 1925. When I learned that the Providence location was offering Pizza’more – in-person adult cooking classes for couples or very small groups on Wednesday nights or virtual group classes via Zoom – it was a must for me. First, I did

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mozzarella, sauce, fresh basil, and finished with olive oil. Whether you’re taking a class or prefer to try this at home with one of their pizza kits, ordering take-out or want to have a pie shipped nationwide (it’s a thing), do yourself a favor and do not leave the premises without their Nutella Dough Balls: fried dough confections, tossed in sugar and topped with Nutella and powdered sugar. You can thank me later!

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FOOD & DRINK

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You might know Diego’s from day trips to Newport or Middletown, stopping in for creative apps and a fully stocked tequila bar. Now, you won’t have to drive close to an hour to get your fix – you’ll just have to pop by Wayland Square. Described by owner Scott Kirmil as a “funky take on West Coast Mexican fusion,” Diego’s East Side brings some of your favorite dishes and drinks from its other two locations infused with new trials like Shrimp and Grits (poblano goat cheese grits, elote-arugula salad, suizas) and Sotol Highball (Sotol Por Siempre, St. George Citrus liqueur, agave, soda water, cucumber, pinch of lime salt). The space itself is open concept, with stadiumlike seating surrounding the centerpiece bar and kitchen, plus a heated porch and interior lounge area that will see more use post-COVID. For now, Diego’s offers limited indoor seating, takeout, and delivery through DoorDash. Wayland Square, DiegosProvidence.com

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ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

Revival Brewing Company opens in Valley neighborhood

Rhode Island’s first taiyaki shop coming soon

Even if you haven’t stopped by Revival at some point, you probably know their beers: bright, colorful tall boys with graphic labels and names inspired by the state we love, like the What Cheer? Pilsner, White Electric Coffee Stout, Rocky Point Red Ale, and Mercy Brown Imperial Ale. The brewery is the brainchild of avid home brewer Owen Johnson and known local brewer Sean Larkin, who cut his teeth at places like Trinity Brewhouse and Narragansett Beer. The two founded Revival in 2011, and while its roots were firmly in Prov, it wasn’t until recently that the brewery found its way home after years in Cranston. At press time, the team was still putting finishing touches on the new space but is open for pick-up all day and for in-house drinking from 1-6pm in the cafe, where customers can reconnect with the Revival staff and kick back with a cold one. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook and Instagram @revivalbrewing. 50 Sims Avenue, RevivalBrewing.com

Helado Taiyaki’s creations are the definition of whimsical: colorful spirals of soft serve ice cream in a fishshaped cone. The treat is a Latin twist on Japanese dessert; “helado” means ice cream in Spanish and traditionally, taiyaki is a piscine cake filled with sweet red bean paste. Owner Linnette started the fun fusion after she tried taiyaki for the first time and fell in love; since then, she’s been spreading her tasty inventions around Providence via food truck on the weekends. Find inventive combos like the Maria Maria (with guava drizzle and guava/cheese taiyaki), Tropical Unicorn (with passion fruit ice cream and custard-filled taiyaki), and Matcha. However, the exciting news for the new year is that Torres is putting the finishing touches on Helado Taiyaki’s brick-and-mortar, so that she can keep scooping year-round. Keep an eye out for updates on Instagram @helado_taiyaki.

Photos courtesy of Diego’s East Side

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2020 wasn’t the year any of us expected, but it zoomed by. Here’s to a peaceful holiday season and a bright and happy 2021 from [THE BLACKSTONE TEAM] 401.214.1524 blackstone.team@ mottandchace.com Each Office is I ndependently Owned an d O p e ra te d .

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 65

FOOD & DRINK

O utd oor Dining |

I nd oor D i n i n g |

C u rb s i d e P i cku p |

D el i very |

Ta keout

At press time, the restaurants on this list were open in some capacity. We strongly advise calling a location first to ensure they are open and what type of service they are offering at this time; many are reservation-only for in-house and outdoor seating. For the latest updates on regulations visit Health.RI.gov/covid . Original list provided by PWCVB. If we missed your favorite, please let us know. Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com Andino’s Italian Restaurant 171 Atwells Ave, 453-3164 AndinosProvidence.com

Andrea’s Restaurant 268 Thayer Street, 331-7879 AndreasRI.com Angelo’s Civita Farnese 141 Atwells Avenue, 621-8171 AngelosRI.com Anthony’s Authentic Italian Cuisine 441 Atwells Avenue, 273-5900 Anthonys.Restaurant Bacaro Restaurant 262 South Water Street, 751-3700 BacaroRestaurant.net Bacco Vino & Contorni 262 Atwells Ave, 572-0243 Bacco-RI.com Big King 3 Luongo Square BigKingPVD.com Blake’s Tavern 122 Washington Street, 274-1230 BlakesTavern.com

Capriccio 2 Pine Street, 421-1320 Capriccios.com

The District 54 South Street, 421-0050 TheDistrictRI.com

Caserta Pizzeria 121 Spruce Street, 272-3618 CasertaPizzeria.com

Don Jose Tequilas Restaurant 351 Atwells Avenue, 454-8951 DonJoseTequilas.com

Cassarino’s Ristorante 177 Atwells Avenue, 751-3333 CassarinosRI.com

The East End 244 Wickenden Street, 433-9770 TheEastEndPVD.com

CAV 14 Imperial Place, 751-9164 CavRestaurant.com

Ellie’s 225 Weybosset Street 563-3333 ElliesProv.com

Chef Ho’s 243 Atwells Avenue, 831-0777 ChefHos.com

Federal Taphouse & Kitchen 279 Atwells Avenue, 454-8881 FederalTandK.com

Chez Pascal & The Wurst Kitchen 960 Hope Street, 421-4422 ChezPron.com

Fellini’s Pizzeria 166 Wickenden Street, 751-6737 FelliniPizzeria.com

Circe Restaurant & Bar Providence 50 Weybosset Street, 437-8991 CirceRestaurantBar.com

Flatbread Company 161 Cushing Street, 273-2737 FlatbreadCompany.com

Costantino’s Venda Bar & Ristorante 265 Atwells Avenue, 528-1100 CostantinosRistorante.com

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar One West Exchange Street, 533-9000 FlemingsSteakHouse.com

Blend 57 DePasquale Avenue, 432-7449 BlendPVD.com

Courtland Club 51 Courtland Street, 227-9300 CourtlandClub.com

Cafe Nuovo One Citizens Plaza, 421-2525 CafeNuovo.com

Dave & Buster’s of Providence 40 Providence Place, 270-4555 DaveAndBusters.com

Great Northern BBQ Co. 9 Parade Street, 421-1513

Camille’s 71 Bradford Street, 751-4812 CamillesOnTheHill.com

Dave’s Coffee 341 South Main Street, 521-1973 DavesCoffee.com

Gregg’s Restaurants 1303 North Main Street, 831-5700 GreggsUSA.com

The Capital Grille 10 Memorial Blvd., 521-5600 TheCapitalGrille.com

Davinci’s Restaurant & Hookah Lounge 146 Acorn St, 572-3911 DavinciLounge.com

Harry’s Bar & Burger 301 Atwells Avenue, 228-3336 HarrysBarBurger.com

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

Gracie’s 194 Washington Street, 272-7811 GraciesProv.com

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FOOD & DRINK Ou td o o r D i n i n g |

Indoor Dining

Hemenway’s Restaurant 121 South Main Street, 351-8570 HemenwaysRestaurant.com Il Massimo 134 Atwells Avenue, 273-0650 Providence.MassimoRI.com Jacky’s Waterplace Restaurant 200 Exchange Street, 383-5000 JackysGalaxie.com Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant 120 Atwells Avenue, 751-5544 TheOldCanteen.com

COLDWELL BANKER Providence | 401.351.2017 | CB Home Protection Plan 866.797.4788 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell 231653NE_12/17 Banker Real Estate LLC.

KG Kitchen Bar 771 Hope Street, 331-4100 KGKitchenBar.com Kleos 250 Westminster Street, 443-4083 Knead Doughnuts 135 Elmgrove Avenue, 865-6622 KneadDoughnuts.com Lekker BBQ 210 Atwells Ave, 285-9999 LekkerBBQ.com Loie Fuller’s 1455 Westminster Street, 273-4375 LoieFullersProvidence.com Los Andes Restaurant 903 Chalkstone Avenue, 649-4911 LosAndesRI.com Lucia’s Mexican Restaurant 154 Atwells Ave, 228-6550 LuciasMexican.com The Malted Barley Providence 334 Westminster Street, 490-0300 TheMaltedBarley.com

now with more veggies 68

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

Mare Rooftop 229 Waterman Street, 336-6273 MareRoofTop.com Mill’s Tavern Restaurant 101 North Main Street, 272-3331 MillsTavernRestaurant.com

Curbsi d e P i c ku p |

D e l ive r y |

Take out

Murphy’s 100 Fountain Street, 621-8467 MurphysProvidence.com Nami Japanese Restaurant 198 Atwells Avenue, 383-6559 NamiProv.com Nara Lounge & Restaurant 248 Atwells Avenue, 273-6272 NaraProvidence.com New Harvest Coffee & Spirits 65 Weybosset Street, 438-1999 NewHarvestCoffee.com New Rivers 7 Steeple Street, 751-0350 NewRiversRestaurant.com Nicks on Broadway 500 Broadway, 421-0286 NicksonBroadway.com North 122 Fountain Street FoodbyNorth.com Oberlin 186 Union Street, 588-8755 OberlinRestaurant.com

Wear your mask

Ocean State Sandwich Company 155 Westminster Street, 521-6772 SandwichRI.com Olneyville New York System Restaurant 20 Plainfield Street, 621-9500 OlneyvilleNewYorkSystem.com Opa Restaurant 230 Atwells Avenue, 351-8282 OpaProvidence.com P.F. Chang’s 111 Providence Place, 270-4665 PFChangs.com Pane e Vino Ristorante 365 Atwells Avenue, 223-2230 PaneVino.net Panera Bread 43 Providence Place, 248-0020 PaneraBread.com

When in doubt, mask out. Together we can beat COVID-19. healthy.brown.edu

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 69

FOOD & DRINK

O utd oor Di ni ng |

I nd oo r D i n i n g |

C u rb s i d e P i cku p |

D el i very |

Ta keout

Parkside Rotisserie & Bar 76 South Main Street, 331-0003 ParksideProvidence.com

The River Social 200 Exchange Street, 256-5686 TheRiverSocial.com

Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan Grille 289 Atwells Avenue, 274-6000 TavoloWineBar.com

Pasta Beach 195 Wayland Avenue, 270-0740 PastaBeach.com

Roma Ristorante & Deli Café 310 Atwells Ave, 331-5000 RomaProv.net

Ten Prime Steak & Sushi 55 Pine Street, 453-2333 TenPrimeSteakandSushi.com

Pastiche Fine Desserts 92 Spruce St, 861-5190 PasticheFineDesserts.com

Rooftop at the Providence G 100 Dorrance Street, 632-4904 RooftopAtTheG.com

Tiny Bar 377 Richmond Street, @tinybarpvd

Persimmon Restaurant 99 Hope Street, 432-7422 PersimmonRI.com

Rosalina 50 Aborn Street, 270-7330 Facebook: Rosalina

Trattoria Zooma 245 Atwells Avenue, 383-2002 TrattoriaZooma.com

Plaza Bar & Kitchen 59 DePasquale Avenue, 331-8240 PlazaKitchenBar.com

The Rosendale 55 Union Street, 421-3253 TheRosendaleRI.com

Terra Luna Café 57 De Pasquale Ave, 432-7449, TerraLunaCafe.com

Pot au Feu 44 Custom House Street, 273-8953 PotAuFeuRI.com

Saje Kitchen 332 Atwells Ave, 473-0504 SajeKitchen.com

Providence Coal Fired Pizza 385 Westminster Street, 454-7499 ProvidenceCoalFiredPizza.com

Saladworks 75 Fountain Street, 383-2100 SaladWorks.com

Providence G Pub 61 Orange Street, 632-4782 ProvidenceGPub.com

Providence Oyster Bar 283 Atwells Avenue, 272-8866 ProvOysterBar.com Public Kitchen & Bar 120 Francis Street, 919-5050 Facebook: Public Kitchen & Bar

Pure Lounge 387 Atwells Ave, 861-0796 PureLoungeProv.com PVDonuts 79 Ives Street, PVDonuts.com Red Stripe 465 Angell Street, 437-6950 RedStripeRestaurants.com

ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021

The Salted Slate 186 Wayland Avenue, 270-3737 SaltedSlate.com Sarto 86 Dorrance Street, 270-0790 SartoProvidence.com Sin 1413 Westminster Street, 369-8427 EatWicked.com Small Point Cafe 230 Westminster Street, 228-6999 SmallPointCafe.com Snookers Sports, Billiards, Bar & Grill 53 Ashburton Street, 351-7665 SnookersRI.com South Beach Restaurant & Lounge 338 Atwells Ave, 455-1200, Facebook: SouthBeachProvidence

Trinity Brewhouse 186 Fountain Street, 453-2337 TrinityBrewhouse.com Union Station Brewery 36 Exchange Terrace, 274-2739 UnionStationPVD.com Uno Chicago Grill 82 Providence Place, 270-4866 Unos.com Venda Ravioli Inc. 265 Atwells Avenue, 421-9105 VendaRavioliStore.com The Vig 21 Atwells Avenue, 709-0347 TheVigProvidence.com Vino Veritas 486 Broadway, 383-2001 VinoVeritasRI.com Waterman Grille 4 Richmond Square, 521-9229 WatermanGrille.com Xaco Taco 370 Richmond Street, 228-8286 XacoTacoRI.com Yoleni’s 292 Westminster Street, 500-1127 Providence.Yolenis.com

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✭

Serving the East Side for over 25 Years ✭ Fully Insured

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R.W. Desrosiers Inc.

Historic Restorations Interior & Exterior Painting Senior, Veterans & Cash Discounts Reg. #4114 ★ Member BBB

including Kitchens,Baths, Decks & Additions Reg. # 22013

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David Onken Painting

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Complete Plumbing & Heating Service

723-0560

The Finest in New England Craftmanship

Lead Certified Gutter Cleaning Chimney Pointing Roof Leak Repairs

Reg. #1903 Insured 40 Years Experience

248-5248

Levine Painting Co., Inc. 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

Retirement Medicare 101 Finding the Right Medicare Option for You

Jeffrey G. Brier CLU, ChFC, CASL

WE SPECIALIZE IN PAINTING & CARPENTRY

Brier & Brier

From Roofs, Gutters & Basements

Insurance & Employee Benefits 469 Angell Street • Suite 2 • Providence • 02906 120 Lavan St. • Warwick • 02888 • 401-751-2990 cell 401-837-4475 • fax 401-633-6658 www.brier-brier.com • jbrier@brier-brier.com

Experts in Water Problems

Over 20 years of experience on historical homes Certified Lead Renovated LRM #0514 RI Reg #7302 • Fully Insured

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BUSINESS FOCUS

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

TOP APPLIANCES AT LOW PRICES

STAINLESS REFRIGERATORS RANGES • HOODS WASHERS & DRYERS BUILT-IN REFRIGERATION COOKTOPS WALL OVENS DISHWASHERS

NEW SHOWROOM WITH OVER 400 SCRATCH & DENT APPLIANCES!

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Monday - Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm

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

T.F. Morra Tree Care, Inc. Ornamental and Shade Tree Specialists • fine hand pruning • tree preservation • hazard tree removal • tree evaluation & diagnosis • plant health care • booking into 2021 331-8527 • tfmorra.com

299 Walcott Street, Pawtucket 723.0500 • www.KitchenGuys.com

ALSO OFFERING THE IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT LOSS METHOD “After a week of treatment, all the pain was gone... I recommend Dr. Tom to everyone I know.” – J.T.

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Northeast Chiropractic DR. THOMAS MORISON Chiropractic Physician

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

575 MAIN STREET EAST GREENWICH, RI 02818

MEMORY CARE ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE

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in th e

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Have your business profiled here in our Business Spotlight section!

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49 Old Pocasset Road | BriarcliffeGardens.com 72

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For more information Email Ann@providenceonline.com

S p e c i a l A dv e r t i si ng Se ct i o n

Wintertime Home Solutions

Louis Iasimone, life-long Rhode Islander, is a proud member of a family of leading plumbing and heating professionals. With over 35 years of experience, Louis and the crew at IASIMONE PLUMBING, HEATING & DRAIN CLEANING INC. provide customers the highest level of service. “It’s so rewarding to have clients call us year after year,” Louis says. With the winter season now upon us, we’re sure most home heating systems are humming along. But, if for some reason you forgot or just didn’t get around to having your system checked out in the fall, it’s not too late: Iasimone Plumbing can come do a full evaluation of your system. Tip: To save energy and put less stress on your heating system this season, set your thermostat to one temperature – even when no one is home. Too often people keep the thermostat low when away during the colder months, thinking they are saving money by not having the boiler run, but when your house cools down so does your heating system, meaning the boiler needs to heat back up to heat the home when you return. So, set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature and leave it.

Iasimone Plumbing, Heating & Drain Cleaning Inc.

Local news for Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

Overwhelmingly, my teachers have been obviously enthusiastic about sharing their expertise, incredibly thoughtful in their interactions with students, and excellent role models for others in our community.”

Open House: Jan. 9, 2021

Visit mosesbrown.org/admission for more information.

MOSES BROWN SCHOOL Providence, RI 02906

Nursery-Grade 12, Co-Ed Mosesbrown.org

27 Allen Ave, North Providence • 300-9761 ProvidenceOnline.com • January 2021 73

fa el

Pic of PVD

Ra of tesy r u o c Photo

Avenue Concept murals come to life at night.

ABOUT RAFAEL @rafeakspvd Raised in Providence, Dominican American finding my vision through photography.

20 21 To our colleagues and clients far and near, we’ve missed you oh-so-much this year! 2020 gave home for the holidays a whole new meaning. We’d like to share our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to our clients, Sales Associates and members of our community who made this a record breaking year for our firm. Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and hopeful 2021. The best is yet to come! 855.789.LILA (5452) | www.LilaDelman.com

LILA DELMAN REAL ESTATE OF PROVIDENCE 369 SOUTH MAIN STREET

WISHING YOU A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. Thank you to all of our loyal clients for working with us throughout such trying times. May the new year bring you health, happiness, and prosperity.

David Abbott

Celia Almonte

Holly Applegate

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Applegate-Schneider

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JP Pagano, Manager