RHODY READS

Six books to get you warmed up for the holiday season

It’s o cial: the holiday season is here and buying local can also extend to authors. These six charming selections are sure to put you in the spirit. Each illustrated book captures feelings of joy and love, especially cherished at this time of year. Holiday books make thoughtful gifts for others and yourself, so be sure to visit your local independent bookseller. If they don’t have a title in stock, chances are good they’ll be very happy to order it for you.

Winter Blessings by Izzy Abrahamson (also known as Rhode Island storyteller Mark Binder) is a delightful collection of 11 stories and a novella celebrating the spirit of Chanukah (or Hanukkah). This finalist for the National Jewish Book Award for Family Literature brings a modern take to the traditional stories of this ancient holiday, and each tale is perfect for the entire family.

The beloved winter tale The Polar Express was created by RISD graduate Chris Van Allsburg. Beautifully illustrated and skillfully written, the fable reminds us that the magic of Christmas lives on. The Caldecott Medal winner was turned into an Oscar-nominated film starring Tom Hanks but the original picture book remains as rich and powerful as ever for all who truly believe.

Imagine experiencing the final season of the year for the first time. You can do just that through the eyes – and nose – of a dog as he learns what to expect in Klaus’ First Winter by Denise Flagg. In this fun tale for kids of all ages, learn about the changing seasons and how they impact wildlife in New England from the perspective of our four-legged friend. A percentage of the proceeds from sales of the book benefit local animal shelters.

Did you ever wonder who handles all of the mail that gets sent to the North Pole? That job belongs to the main character in Post Mark: Santa’s Misfit Postman. Written by Mark Perry and illustrated by Lia Marcoux (whose work has appeared in this magazine), we follow misunderstood Mark as he journeys to find his true calling with a lesson about following your dreams even when others don’t believe in you. Check out its follow up, Post Mark: The North Pole Postman Visits Rhode Island.

Barrington’s own Christopher Denise illustrates A Redwall Winter’s Tale, part of Brian Jacques’ Redwall children’s fantasy series. A riddle must be solved as the Dibbuns of Redwall Abbey unravel the mystery of the Snow Badger, Lord of Wintertide, who comes on the first night of winter, bringing snow across the land. Denise’s rich illustrations fill the book and your heart with warmth as you enjoy this tale for a long winter’s night.

Ho ho ho! Jo Parry presents a local twist on the classic holiday tale with ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Rhode Island. Children and adults alike will be delighted to see Santa and his eight tiny reindeer flying past the landmarks we all know so well. You’ll return to these pages time and again as you discover new details you hadn’t noticed before. See if you recognize your favorite sites from the Ocean State before wishing a “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

Send your Rhody book recommendations to Hugh at RhodyReads@gmail.com

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES

Great reasons to never buy books at that A to Z place again:

Barrington Books: BarringtonBooks.com Book Nerd: Barrington, Facebook Books on the Pond: Charlestown, BooksOnThePond.com

Books on the Square: Providence, BookSq.com Cellar Stories Bookstore: Providence, CellarStories.com

Charter Books: Newport, CharterBookStore.com

Inkfish Books: Warren, InkFishBooks.com

Island Books: Middletown, IslandBooksRI.indielite.org Island Bound Bookstore: Block Island, IslandBoundBookstore.com

Lovecraft Arts & Sciences: Providence, WeirdProvidence.org Paper Nautilus Books: Providence, PaperNautilusBooks.com Rarities Books & Bindery: Wakefield, RaritiesOnline.com

Ri ra Bookstore + Bar: Providence, Ri Ra PVD.com

Savoy Bookshop & Cafe: Westerly, BankSquareBooks.com Stillwater Books: Pawtucket, StillwaterBooksRI.com

Symposium Books: Providence, SymposiumBooks.com Twenty Stories: Providence, TwentyStoriesLA.com Wakefield Books: Wakefield, WakefieldBooks.com

Celebrate Downcity 2021 stretches the festivities into four Saturdays

The holiday spirit certainly permeates downtown, especially on December Saturdays. “This year, we knew it would be important to do everything we could to amplify what our businesses are already doing that is great,” says Joanna Levitt, director of marketing for the merchants’ association InDowncity, discussing this season’s expanded Celebrate Downcity holiday festival. Because they weren’t able to host any programming last year due to COVID, the return of this event – which used to be a single day of festivities to kick o the season – will be extra special. “Over the summer we worked with a group called Soulita, who turned out to be very great partners and very like-minded in the fact that they’re a brand themselves. Like us, they’re very interested in gathering the community around small business and makers, particularly local makers,” says Levitt. Using InDowncity’s event planning experience and connections with brickand-mortar retailers and Soulita’s network of makers, Saturdays at Grant’s Block and Westminster Street (the section between Eddy and Union streets) will be transformed with holiday greenery, food trucks, live music, and more than 20 vendors selling everything from candles and cosmetics to vintage clothing and art.

“Our vision for all marketplaces we host is to create a level playing field for all businesses participating,” explains Lexus Fernandez, who co-owns Soulita, an Olneyville-based skincare brand, with Evan Delpeche. “We do this by supplying resources for all vendors, from tents to Square cards. We give the community a unique, local business list to support. From marketplaces to community clean-ups, we plan on giving back to this community before giving out to the world.”

THROUGH DECEMBER 19

Providence Flea Holiday Markets: The Providence Flea is indoors at Farm Fresh RI every Friday evening and Sunday for their annual holiday markets featuring hand-picked, homemade, handcrafted, and small-batch items. ProvidenceFlea.com

Through December 23

Little Pictures Show & Sale: A tradition since 1904, this Providence Art Club sale is one of the largest and longest running shows of its kind, featuring over 600 works of art under 16 inches and $300, perfect for the art lover on your list. ProvidenceArtClub.org

West End Wonderland: Browse a winter wonderland chock full of handmade and vintage products for a one-of-a-kind one-stop gift shop, curated by Bloom Collective and celebrating local makers and artisans. WeAreBloomCollective.com

Through December 31

Craftland Holiday Extravaganza: Take the sense of whimsy Craftland instills in every curio on display, add a healthy dose of holiday cheer, and you get this shopping extravaganza. Facebook: Craftland

December 2-5, 10-12

The Foundry Show: The Foundry Artist Association’s annual artist-run show returns in person to the Pawtucket Armory with high-quality goods in all genres. Admission is a non-perishable food donation. Pawtucket, FoundryShow.com

December 4, 11, & 18

Celebrate Downcity 2021: InDowncity and Soulita present a series of downtown shopping events bringing together local businesses, musicians, artists, and food vendors. InDowncity.com

December 4-5

Fine Furnishings Winter Market: Visit the WaterFire Arts Center to peruse 100 vendors sure to inspire gift ideas for everyone on your list (even yourself!). WaterFire.org

December 11

Holiday Stroll: Get your holiday shopping in by strolling the festive Wayland Square during this annual event, which in the past drew carolers, pop-ups, luminaries, and more. WaylandSquareRI.com

December 18

LGBTQQIA+ Artisan Marketplace: Haus of Codec hosts a variety of local artisans and vendors at the Cranston Street Armory. Facebook: Haus of Codec

December 18-19

Providence Artisans Holiday Show: Over 70 local artists will have their wares on display at the WaterFire Arts Center, from handmade paintings and ceramics to jewelry, woodwork, and more, plus food trucks. Facebook: Providence Artisans Market

December 19

Just In Time Art Sale!: Hey procrastinators, this one’s for you. Locally made gifts for last-minute shoppers. Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, ProvidenceRI.gov

West End Wonderland is a pop-up that showcases local makers for holiday shopping

Celebrate Downcity is far from the only holiday market drawing folks away from cyber shopping and into the chilly air to support businesses and makers in their neighborhoods. This year, the Buy Local RI initiative is focusing their outreach around small, under-the-radar markets – the stu of holiday memories. “One of the things for me, when I was a kid, was going to holiday markets and bazaars and church festivals, street parties and things like that,” says Kristen Adamo, president and CEO of Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. “That’s going to be the theme of Buy Local.”

While they’ll also be promoting the big-ticket Christmas lightings and events that may be more well-known, “we want to make sure we represent all of the cities and all of the communities,” Adamo emphasizes, by translating outreach e orts into Spanish, for instance, and “another big push for us is going to be helping downtown.”

Meanwhile, on the Westminster strip across I-95, Bloom Collective is bringing the cheer by curating a winter pop-up experience. West End Wonderland is a shopping extravaganza that brings together gifts by local creatives in a single space. Along with placing a variety of goods (think stained glass, specialty apothecary, handmade textiles, and jewelry) at visitors’ fingertips, “we also hope that this will be helpful for folks running micro-businesses to reach new customers,” owners Savannah Barkley and Heather Wolfenden explain. “Since Bloom Collective handles sta ng/merchandising, etc., this allows [the micro-businesses] to more widely share their product and be in more than one place at once.”

Even as this winter may feel like a reemergence for many, brick-and-mortar retailers and micro-businesses continue navigating an ever-changing landscape. “The fatigue is real,” Levitt notes. In her work as both the director of commercial leasing for Cornish Associates focusing on the first-floor, commercial activity of their properties and marketing for InDowncity, she’s seen retailers and restaurateurs who kept their doors open through COVID now “having to put extra time and thought into the unknown and take some leaps of faith” approaching the holidays.

“They’re having to be really nimble, and obviously that requires a lot more time and planning than it did prior,” Levitt continues. “A lot of small businesses, particularly retail, are buying a quarter or two quarters ahead and then with some of these shipping and supply chain delays, they’ve had to think even further ahead.” But unlike last year, one thing is for certain: there will be customers.

Photos courtesy of Timothy Rondeau

Stick around for a skating program following the BankNewport City Center tree lighting

MAKING MEMORIES

THROUGH DECEMBER

Bumper Cars and Ice Skating:

Glide around the BankNewport City Center Rink beneath the sparkling Christmas tree lights.

TheProvidenceRink.com

THROUGH JANUARY 2

Holiday Lights Spectacular: A new festive walk-through experience at Roger Williams Park Zoo, thousands of dazzling lights in larger-than-life luminous displays are sure you get you in the spirit. RWPZoo.org

DECEMBER 3

City of Providence Annual Tree

Lighting: See the grand tree in front of City Hall illuminated, with help from members of the Trinity Repertory Company, followed by the lighting of the BankNewport City Center tree and a show featuring performances by nationally ranked skaters. ProvidenceRI.gov

DECEMBER 4

WaterFire Celebrates the Holidays: A basin lighting will illuminate Waterplace Park for the final WaterFire of the year, ringing in the holiday season in the city. WaterFire.org

Lippitt Outdoor Holiday Photo Opp: Don your merriest apparel and visit the Lippitt House Museum for a chance to have your family or friend group of up to six professionally photographed for your seasonal greetings. PreserveRI.org

DECEMBER 9

Calligraphy & Ornament Lettering: An evening at Reiners in the Graduate Providence gets a festive twist with calligraphy and fancy ornament lettering over cocktails. Facebook: Graduate Providence

DECEMBER 11

7th Annual Community Tamalada: At La Galería del Pueblo, Rhode Island Latino Arts hosts a gathering of tamale making and family reading of the beloved Mexican children’s Christmas story, Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto. Register online. RILatinoArts.org Capture a holiday moment at Lippitt House Museum’s photo opp

Levitt anticipates a bustling street of shoppers on Celebrate Downcity Saturdays – whether laden with shopping bags or enjoying a beer and snacks beneath the iconic sparkling lights. With a December 4 stroll falling on the same day as the final WaterFire of the season and the City Hall and Providence Rink tree lightings drawing folks from near and far, the mood is sure to be festive, and Levitt jokingly promises, “It’s not gonna snow on Saturdays in December” – though even if there are flurries, the event will still go on. For retailers, she explains, “This holiday hopefully will be one of the first times they’ll feel the return of all of that hard work.”

“Very simply put, Rachael is an astonishingly good agent. Well- organized, focused, and easy to deal with. Most impressive to us has been her self possession, thoughtfulness and calm in problem-solving situations. She wasn’t afraid to make spot on suggestions, which turned out to be exactly right for the success of the sale. The marketing materials she produced were of the highest caliber, and produced on time as promised. From the beginning, she exhibited a keen sense of vision and strategy in selling our home. Bruce and Lucia