Providence Monthly December 2022

energy-efficiency

Lower your energy costs and raise your comfort. Just one small energy-efficient upgrade can make a big difference in your home. Whether it’s a smart thermostat or high-efficiency heating equipment, over time those changes really add up. That means bigger comfort, convenience and savings.

Learn more about our programs, generous rebates and incentives at rienergy.com/save

These programs are funded by the energy-efficiency charge on all customers’ gas and electric bills, in accordance with Rhode Island law.

A little

goes a long way.

NEWS & CITY LIFE

Photo by Jennifer Bonan

Photo by @k___elizabeth

Photography by Kim Munch

© 2022 BlueTriton Brands, Inc.

CITY LIFE

A Library of Things

Olneyville’s new lending cooperative connects the community with equipment and gear

A stone’s throw away from New York System in the heart of Olneyville, a new kind of library has forged a space not for reading materials but…power tools? You read that right. PVD Library of Things is a dream for the DIY-minded, and so much more.

“Tool libraries and libraries of things have been springing up around the country for the last few decades in order to facilitate sharing between community members and reduce consumer waste,” says steering committee volunteer Sarah Summers. A volunteer-run co-op, PVD Things started in early 2021 with an app and website built by local software development cooperative Starboard, who then got the community involved. A steering committee was formed, things were acquired, operations set up, and as of this fall, the lending library has a permanent home in Olneyville Square.

The Public’s Radio | Community | Rhody Gem | Op-Ed | Neighborhood News

Photo courtesy of PVD Library of Things

From tools and home maintenance to rec reational items like camping gear, folding tables, lawn games, and cooking equipment, PVD Things’ o erings are tailored to what members are seeking. While many items are donated, “we do buy frequently requested items when our budget allows,” says Sum mers. “For instance, we just purchased a new power washer due to popular demand. We are very responsive to member requests.”

And those needs are varied, even in the short time they’ve been open. “Members

have borrowed lots of tools for home im provement projects like hanging shelves or kitchen remodels,” says Summers. “But our tools have also been used to make a shelf for a local restaurant. We had a church borrow lawn mowers to clean up Oaklawn Cemetery in Cranston. A community group stopped by to borrow a table for a Design Week event after their table broke in the wind. It ’s really exciting to see our ‘things’ being used in ways that bring people to gether or improve the community.”

For the price of $20 for a lifetime share, along with annual dues determined by an income-based sliding scale, members can borrow anything from their inventory (which is listed online) for a week-long loan. The coop is also always seeking donations. Current items on their wishlist include a carpet clean er, drain snake, small bandsaw, OBD code reader, projector, food dehydrator, pressure canner, wheelbarrow, and extension ladder.

“We are also looking to start o ering workshops and skill shares – we’d like to turn

Photo courtesy of PVD Library of Things

it into a community space where people can learn new skills and meet their neigh bors,” says Summers. She encourages any one interested to drop in and say hi during Wednesday evenings when they’re open.

“Overall, feedback about this project has been wildly positive – people love the idea; it makes a lot of sense to them. They’re excited to pitch in to make it hap pen through donations, volunteering, and stopping by our events.” 12 Library Court, PVDThings.Coop

Join

Experience Roger Williams Park Zoo’s newest winter tradition - Holiday Lights Spectacular.

Featuring festive, larger-than-life dazzling displays with more than 3 ½ million illuminated lights that transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland!

From radiant reindeers to sparkly snowmen, this is a must-see experience this holiday season.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. For information on dates and times or to purchase tickets visit rwpzoo.org/holidaylights

Meet Luiz Hernandez

The person behind the new voice during your morning drive-time

By Maddie Mott

In October, The Public’s Radio listeners said farewell to longtime morning host, Chuck Hinman. To welcome Luis Hernandez, new host of Morning Edition, he sat down with Maddie Mott, The Public’s Radio Director of Membership and Marketing, to talk about ra dio, some of his favorite stories as a journal ist, and a few choice Rhode Island delicacies.

MADDIE MOTT: Can you introduce yourself?

LUIS HERNANDEZ: I am Luis Hernandez. I’m a 20-year radio broadcast journalist veteran. I am radio through and through – I love the medium. I’ve tried television, I’ve tried print – for me, ra dio is heavenly. By day, I am a radio journalist. By night, I’m a daydreamer, wannabe writer. I’m a podcaster. I’m also a little bit of an artist. And I’m still a kid at heart. When I can, I’m a gamer too.

MOTT: You’ve worked in broadcasting for a long time. How did you get into radio?

HERNANDEZ: This was by accident. I was in college. I was an art major in college and studying history as well. And it was my soph omore year at Flagler College. And they built a radio station on campus. And they had au ditions for DJs. My friend Mike said, “Let’s go be DJs!” And I just said, “Sure, why not? That might be fun.” And it was fun. I’d never done it before. And I remember the audition – I went in and Dan McCook, who’s still there running the station, gave me a cue card. He said read this. I read it. He said, thank you. He caught up with me later. He said, “Have you ever done this before?” I said, “No.” He’s like, “You want a job?” And that was it. And I fell in love with it.

MOTT: Is there a story you covered or an inter view you conducted that a ected you the most?

HERNANDEZ: There was one I remember that was really impactful. Years ago, I was hosting a show in Fort Myers. And we were talking about suicide survivors with family members whose loved one committed suicide. And I had a fa ther whose son had committed suicide. And I remember I was very careful with the questions

I asked, but at one point, he was a ected by it and he just couldn’t continue. I said, “We’re going to stop and you don’t have to continue, you can leave the room and then let me know.”

And then the sad part about that story was four or five months later, I get a call from somebody who was part of helping us organize that show and the father had committed suicide. He’d gone into such a depression and he couldn’t handle it. Those kinds of things, they hit you.

Now on the brighter side, one of my favorite stories was this couple from Iran. This is when I was in Las Vegas. And they were artists, two very di erent artists, and they escaped Iran. Like at one point, the government’s like, “We don’t like what you’re doing with your art, we’re gonna come and get you.” They escaped in the middle of the night. But they had to leave all their stu behind. And somehow they ended up in Vegas. And it was such a fascinating in terview. The husband didn’t speak English yet. So he was in the studio with his wife. And she was interpreting for him. And it was just this amazing story, and I went to see their work. They had met somebody who owned a gallery who made some space for both of them. And great. It turns out that show – and I’m not taking credit, but it’s just being in the right place at the

right time. It’s the power of public radio. A pro fessor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas was a big fan of the show, was listening and loved the story, met the couple [at the gallery], and two semesters later, they’re both teaching.

MOTT: Wow, that’s amazing!

HERNANDEZ: Yeah, I was so, so happy for them. There’s always great stu and sad stu because you know, we’re not focused on rat ings. We’re focused on people and their sto ries. That’s what I love about the job.

MOTT: What are you most looking forward to as the new host of Morning Edition?

HERNANDEZ: More than anything, I want to bring more local. More local voices, stories, and conversations. And I want to find a way to get people to talk to each other and engage the audience. The biggest goal is local, local, local.

MOTT: What are you up to when you’re not on the air?

HERNANDEZ: Well, right now to try to find an apartment! I’m trying to get back into my art

Photo courtesy of Luis Hernandez

Hernandez in the studio

more. I do own my own business on the side where I produce my own podcasts, and I do that really for just a creative outlet. There’s no intention of me doing it because I think I’m gonna be the next rich guy. It’s just for fun. I have been working on two novels I’m trying to finish. That keeps me pretty busy.

MOTT: What genre are your novels?

HERNANDEZ: One of them is a science fic tion, climate fiction book that is a collection of short stories that takes place 50 years from now. Half of the stories take place in Miami, the other half in Las Vegas. It’s looking at the question of what are the cities going to look like in 50 years? Those cities are in real dan ger. Miami and Las Vegas are similar in that they have this really precarious relationship to water. So Miami will drown and Las Vegas will starve. But that keeps me busy.

Once in a while – listen, I’m a Gen Xer. I grew up with arcades and video games. And you know what? I will not deny the fact that yeah, I have not grown out of that.

MOTT: You’ve lived in a lot of places. You’ve lived in Florida. You’ve lived in Ve gas. What are you most looking forward to about life in New England?

HERNANDEZ: First of all, to immerse myself in life here. I don’t know when I get to call my self a Rhode Islander. But that’s fine. Whatever I gotta do, I’ll do it. Wherever I go, I like to im merse myself in the community, in life there, because it helps me on air. I know that I’m not from here. I’m not going to pretend that I know everything. I’m not going to be that host. But, you know, the more I learn, the better I’m going to get at it. And Rhode Island – and it’s not making fun of it – but I love the fact that it is small. So I can get around to everything.

Because Florida, you can spend a cou ple days trying to drive out of it. I’m look ing forward to going to the beaches and seeing all these different towns and get ting out and about. I want to experience what life is like and I also am excited about

being in a place that has seasons. Florida seasons are summer and lighter summer. I just have to go shopping for jackets.

MOTT: Alright, so my this or that round: Which Rhode Island delicacy are you most excited to try? Pizza strips or hot wieners? A pizza strip is a rectangle of pizza with just tomato sauce. No toppings, no cheese, nothing. And then, hot wieners are small hot dog[s] with celery salt, onions, mus tard, and meat, like ground meat on top.

HERNANDEZ: They both sound good. In this case, I want to try the wiener.

MOTT: Stu es or Rhode Island clam chowder? And a stu e is a clam that’s minced up, mixed with onion and sausage and breadcrumbs, and then put back in the shell. And then Rhode Is land clam chowder is like normal clam chowder but with a clear broth and bacon – so, no milk.

HERNANDEZ: Okay, gotcha. I’m gonna be the first to admit that I have never had clams.

MOTT: Oh my gosh.

HERNANDEZ: S o you know what? Let’s say both because I have to try them.

MOTT: And then the last one. This is the most important one.

HERNANDEZ: Oh, gosh.

MOTT: Del’s frozen lemonade or co ee milk?

HERNANDEZ: You know what, the co ee. I will have to admit that I do miss Cuban cof fee. It’s mostly co ee with milk and sug ar. Very powerful ca eine. The small little shots of Cuban co ee will wake the dead. But yeah, no, the other one [Del’s] sounds really good too.

Listen to Luis Hernandez on Morning Edition Monday through Friday, 5-10 a.m.; also find him on Twitter @newsmediahost

Planting Roots

Rhode Island’s Jewish community com prises about 2 percent of the state’s pop ulation. While local synagogues serve as a point of contact for many, others – partic ularly those new to the region – are often unaffiliated. Project Shoresh is a local orga nization whose mission is to connect with those who may have limited or minimal contact with traditional Jewish agencies.

Shoresh, which means “root” or “source” in Hebrew, is “dedicated to making it prac tical for Jews to connect to their roots, re gardless of their current or past connection

to Judaism,” says Rabbi Naftali Karp, who leads the organization. While attending the New England Rabbinical College, he noticed that many Jews in the Providence area were not formally connected to a Jew ish organization.

“It used to be that people were affili ated with synagogues, JJC’s, and other institutions with actual physical places,” explains Karp. ”I noticed that there were a lot of young people who were happy to be involved in their Jewish community but not in the traditional way. People wanted

a more grassroots, a more relaxed atmo sphere, more social settings as opposed to formal ones.”

Karp soon established programs at Proj ect Shoresh for different age levels – teens, college, young professionals, and young families. “The goal was to run some fun events that would be social, educational, and religious in an open, relaxed environ ment…meeting people where they’re at and kind of listening to what people are looking for,” says Karp.

Events run statewide throughout the year,

Project Shoresh strives to connect the local Jewish community, no temple required

Photo courtesy of Project Shoresh

Project Shoresh hosts programming for adults, teens, and families

Happy Holidays from

"Bunch"

especially around Jewish holidays. Shoresh started with just a single sta member (Karp), and has grown to a sta of 13. The organization is not connected to any formal Jewish denomination like Orthodox, Conser vative, or Reform – “We’re just Jewish,” Karp says with a laugh. “When I started in 2012, I found that I had the most success with recent college graduates who decided to live here, and formed the young professionals group. That was pretty much a singles’ social scene with a Jewish twist to it. Of course, young professionals move on; they find partners

and have families, and that means a whole di erent type of programming.”

So he hired his brother Rabbi Noach Karp. “He runs all kinds of programs with families, some with the whole family to gether, and other programs more for the kids, or the moms, or the dads, or couples. He just returned from a trip to Israel, which he tries to do every year, a trip for dads with children who are being raised Jewish,” says Karp.

Another popular monthly program is called “Scotch and Schmooze,” which is

just what it sounds like, along with a brief presentation on a Jewish topic. Karp is cur rently developing outreach programs for seniors and empty nesters. They even have a program at Classical High School, where students formed the Jewish Student Union. “We come in with some pizza, talk about Jewish-related topics. It’s usually a nice mix of Jews and non-Jews,” says Karp.

“It’s a crazy world out there,” he continues. “People need to feel like they have communi ty and Project Shoresh is here to strengthen Jewish unity and identity.” ProjectShoresh.com

Photo courtesy of Project Shoresh

Rabbi Naftali Karp (right) started Project Shoresh to help young people forge connections in the Jewish community

Green Ink Boutique

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:

A clothing boutique that’s styled Rhody women in colorful, comfortable, and size-inclusive clothing and accessories for 50 years.

Where to find it:

Find it in Wayland Square, between Ma drid European Bakery and Pasta Beach; also Wickford Village.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

“Clothing should give you confidence but not get in the way of what you have to say,” says Green Ink co-owner Bethan Man za. Never is this more evident in the fun, flowy, and fuss-free clothing this main stay boutique carries. With a philosophy that women of all shapes and sizes de serve well-made apparel, Manza carefully chooses each item based on style, fit, and value. With brands like Habitat, Liv, Cut Loose, Tribal, and Dansko, clientele are top of mind when deciding the designers they carry, which extends beyond apparel to shoes, jewelry, accessories, and gifts. “Clothing is part of how you express your self and what you wear should contribute to making all the events in your life just a little bit easier,” says Manza, who is con stantly searching for fresh brands to add to the mix so there’s always something new to discover.

Green Ink

199 Wayland Avenue • 421-0250 GreenInkBoutique.com • @greeninkboutique

Photo courtesy of Green Ink

A Beacon of Light in City Schools

If you are reading this, you most likely already understand the importance of literacy in our schools. The scathing Johns Hopkins report on the Providence schools was a massive “wake up call.” “The future of Providence,” as every elected o cial has branded school chil dren, has been underserved for generations. Either their surprise was because they’ve been hiding their heads in the sand, or, more likely, it’s an unwillingness to do anything that the teachers union didn’t want.

The subsequent takeover by the state has been inept, at best, and now a wa tered-down plan to possibly return the still seriously broken system to the city may be forthcoming. It’s like the state borrowed the city’s school car, which was sitting on cinder blocks, tinkered with it for two years and returned it with broken windows.

The most recent numbers, which were so poor they went into hiding before being leaked out, were made worse, of course, by the dis ruption caused by COVID and how it was man aged or mismanaged. Governor Raimondo regularly assured citizens that remote learning was a success, while in reality, it was a disas ter, setting our students even further back. (In fairness, it was no worse than remote learning e orts in other cities.) And in case you live in a vacuum, this point has been one of the key stones of one of the gubernatorial candidates who branded our city’s current education sys tem not only the worst in the state or the worst in New England, but quite possibly given its strident tone, the worst in the world.

There are some bright spots, and some teachers and principals are making things happen, but it’s in pockets, leaving the ma jority of the children underserved and a system still teetering.

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citi zens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This is being shown in Providence Schools from some outside groups’ initiatives that need more exposure.

First is a three-year-old nonprofit initia tive started by the Rotary Club of Provi dence aimed at improving the literacy rate

Students at George J. West Elementary School and teacher Caroline Azar are among the first to use the innovative Reading Horizons program donated by the Rotary Club of Providence

in the critically important early grades. With teacher and school support, Rotary adopt ed two elementary schools, both with low rates of reading proficiency, and invested over $150,000 (so far) to purchase and eval uate new teaching tools aimed at improv ing literacy outcomes. The test program has proven so successful that the city has begun adopting some parts of the new pro grams throughout the city’s other elemen tary schools. And the response from almost everyone has been enthusiastic optimism.

At Rotary’s Legends for Literacy gala, the

excitement and passion in the room was per vasive. A short video program showing an enthusiastic teacher working with young stu dents on a phonics program awed the capacity audience of business and arts leaders; retired New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and PC Friars; teachers, state, and local education leaders; and the next Mayor. The 10-minute video was a short demonstration of what can happen in Providence schools. As exciting as the video was, it was even more impressive to look around the highly educated room and see adults mouth the words along with the kids.

Public/private partnerships help the children of Providence with literacy and more

Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Providence

Another example of a public/private proj ect is the ongoing success of the Classical High School Alumni Association, which rais es money each year to help current students and faculty at the school. Teachers are en couraged to submit proposals for projects the group can fund that will be useful both in or out of the classroom. There is no reason that similar programs can’t be developed at the other high schools in the city to help give them a head start toward a better future.

There are many, many reasons why the Providence Schools are broken, but there are

22,240 reasons why it must be fixed. Rather than pointing fingers or struggling over turf, the Providence School Department would be well-served by embracing, or at least ex ploring, further public/private initiatives.

There is no denying the complexity or the length of the journey ahead if Providence is ever to get even within shouting distance of our successful neighboring state to our north, but every step forward has value.

The importance of finally reforming our educational system is too important for us to let it fail again.

Neighborhood News

HOT TOPICS

Mile of History Association’s holiday and history strolls

Mile of History Association’s (MoHA) annual Benefit Street Stroll will take place on Sunday, December 3. The weekend prior, the always engaged members of MoHA, as well as other community participants, crafted the wreaths adorning the streetlights. All neighbors are encouraged to decorate their doors in the spirit of the season to enhance the stroll!

Did you know that South and North Main Street was once called Town Street? The name changed to Main Street when Benefit Street was laid out in the 1750s. This was just one of the fun facts Sophie Higgerson presented on MoHA’s Benefit Street Walk & Talk event at the end of Oc tober. Along the walk, Higgerson recounted the stories behind several Mile of History institutions and buildings, such as the Old Colony House and RISD Museum. MoHA looks forward to presenting more walk-and-talk events in the future.

Mile of History o ers a holiday stroll December 3

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

Fox Point neighborhood icon honored with street name

If you live in Fox Point, chances are you know of Manuel Pedroso, owner of the Friends Mar ket specialty shop on Sheldon Street and pillar of the Portuguese-American community. In late 2020, when Pedroso celebrated his 101st birthday, neighbors celebrated with a festive car parade. This year, as he nears 103, the city has awarded him an honorary street name, Pedroso Way, located on Sheldon Street at Brook Street, adjacent to the market.

On a sunny Saturday in late September, City Councilor John Goncalves hosted the unveiling, a street party with more than 200 people in attendance. “It was an honor to join the Pedroso family and well-wishers to unveil Pedroso Way,” Goncalves says. “Manuel Pedroso and his wife Maria have owned Friends Market for 70 years and have been a staple in our community. We are deeply grateful for their unmatched contributions to the Fox Point neighborhood.”

Pedroso’s granddaughter, Diana Afonso, reflected on the role her grandparents have played in the neighborhood, which in decades past, functioned as “the mecca,” she explains, for the Portuguese-American community. “It was so much more than a store. It was about family, community, and a sense of home.” FPNA is delighted to see the Pedrosos honored in this way.

Big things are happening in the Jewelry District

Jennifer Freitas, owner of The District, the popular restaurant at the corner of Richmond and South Streets, was named a 2022 Honoree by the Rhode Island Black Business Asso ciation (RIBBA). Since 2016, The District has been a hit and racked up awards for its food and welcoming hospitality. Freitas’ latest honor was presented at the RIBBA 2022 Annual Awards Gala at the Omni Hotel on October 28.

On Wednesday, November 2, a ribbon cutting o cially marked the opening of Emblem 125, a 249-unit residential complex between Cli ord and Friendship streets that has been busy welcoming residents since mid-September, e ectively doubling the number of residents in the Jewelry District. Late October also saw the groundbreaking for the State Health Lab, a major research facility, along Richmond Street on the I-195 parcel adjacent to the Wexford building.

Meanwhile, Brown University has been making headlines with three important announcements that will significantly increase its footprint in the Jewelry District. The university leased 20,000 square feet for a wet lab on the sixth floor in the Wexford building at 225 Dyer Street, and they’re developing plans for a 300,000-square-foot life sciences building near the Warren Alpert Medical School. Brown also announced a $5 million investment toward a new labor and delivery center at Women & Infants Hospital, where students and residents will train. The Jewelry District Associa tion (JDA) is delighted to share that Christina Paxson, President of Brown University, has agreed to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming JDA monthly meeting. Neighbors will have the chance to hear details and ask questions about Brown’s exciting plans for the district.

Community events

volunteering in Summit neighborhood

The Summit Neighborhood Association resumed its annual Fall Cook-O on Thursday, Octo ber 27 at Three Sisters on Hope Street. The theme of their 10th Fall Cook-O was apples, and featured a variety of delicious dessert entries and costumed trick-or-treaters to enjoy them. Stock Culinary Goods, Olive Del Mondo, Rhody Craft, Kreatelier, and Forge to Table Knives donated prizes for cook-o winners.

Neighborhood volunteers continue to assist both the Mount Hope Community Center and the Camp Street Community Ministries with their work distributing groceries on Fridays from the food pantry to residents in need. Contact snaprov@gmail.com to join the volunteer email list, which includes additional volunteer opportunities as they arise. The Mount Hope Community Center is also collecting the following items for food deliveries: cereal, peanut butter, jelly, and small bags of rice. Contact Helen Dukes at helenedukes@gmail.com or 401-521-8830 to contribute.

Photo courtesy of Mile of History Association

Providence Neighborhood Associations

Blackstone Parks Conservancy

Jane Peterson

P.O. Box 603141 Providence, RI 02906 401-270-3014

BlackstoneParks@gmail.com BlackstoneParksConservancy.org

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: December 12

Amy Mendillo

P.O. Box 2315 Providence, RI 02906

FoxPointNeighborhood@gmail.com FPNA.net

Jewelry District Association

Meeting Date: December 13 Sharon Steele Sharon@sharonsteele.com JewelryDistrict.org

Facebook: Jewelry District Association Providence, RI

MHNAInc@gmail.com Facebook: Mount Hope Neighborhood Association, Inc.

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

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

Summit Neighborhood Association

Meeting date: December 19

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

Wayland Square Neighborhood Association Katherine Touafek

Facebook: Wayland Square Neighborhood Association

WaylandSquareNeighbors@gmail.com

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

Fox Point neighbors celebrated Pedroso Way, an honorary street designation for Manuel Pedroso, owner of Friends Market and pillar of the community

Photo by Diana Afonso

With over 40 years in the business, owners Patti and Roger Benton bring a refined eye to the art of buying and selling antiques and fine furniture to RJL FURNITURE GALLERY, a West End mainstay on Westminster Street right next to Reliable Jewelry & Loan. Set foot inside and immediately be transported to decades past in this spacious 14,000-square-foot gallery of well-preserved antiques built to last. Browse two floors of upscale vintage furniture ranging from Danish modern to mid-century and ‘70s styles, along with a vast selection of glassware, textiles, lighting, and oriental rugs. Stunning wardrobes, chairs, desks, and more are on display across the floor, while the walls are lined with original and rare works of art.

“Whether you’re looking for one piece or an entire house full, our gallery is your destination for both value and quality,” the Bentons share. From standout and signature pieces to entire dining room sets or even patio furniture, RJL Furniture Gallery prides themselves in o ering items for every budget and space. Their experienced team of pickers brings their expertise from many years of buying and selling antiques to each piece of quality furniture selected. Friendly sta are also happy to help customers find the perfect piece for their home. Vintage-lovers won’t want to miss this treasure trove of one-of-a-kind finds.

AUDIO/VIDEO HELP

Home theater, TV or stereo? Jon Bell, Simply Sight & Sound, 401-749-8283. Reasonable rates. 30+ yrs exp.

BEYOND THE PALE

Quality interior painting, color consulting, lead certified, green products. Lic. #15914. Call Mike 401-573-4498.

EAST SIDE HANDYMAN

Carpentry, painting and repairs. Small jobs welcome. References, insured. 401-524-6421. Reg. #3052.

MALIN PAINTING

Most ceiling & wall repairs, wallpaper removal, oil-based & latex finishes, staining, varnishing. Fully insured, Many local references. Safe, secure, fast service. 226-8332. Reg. #19226.

SUPERB HOUSEPAINTING

High end workmanship. Small jobs a specialty. Call Ron, 751-3242, or 523-2343. Reg. #18128.

USED MUSIC WANTED!

Round Again Records needs your used CDs and records. Cash paid. Call 351-6292.

5

6

1. GEOMETRIC SERPENTINE & JASPER PENDANT NECKLACE BY DAVID AUBREY, $76, Green Ink; 199 Wayland Ave, Providence and 89 Brown St, Wickford, greeninkboutique.com

2. MUG BY BRI LARSON, $60, Craftland; 235 Westminster Street Providence, shop.craftlandshop.com

3. HAND CRAFTED NECKLACE BY PROVIDENCE ARTIST HEATHER GUIDERO, $385, Studio Hop; 810 Hope Street, Providence, studiohopri.com

4. SMALL VINTAGE BLOWMOLD SANTA, $35, Carmen and Ginger; 3842 Main Rd, Tiverton, carmenandginger.com

5. LINEAR DROP EARRINGS WITH DIAMOND SLICES & SAPPHIRES, $1,200, Reliable Gold Ltd; 9 Wayland Square, Providence, reliablegoldltd.com

6. I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED BY JENNETTE MCCURDY, $27.99, Symposium Books; 240 Westminster Steet Providence, symposiumbooks.com

7. GIVE THE GIFT OF BOUTIQUE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY, Sessions start at $325, L’Atelier Portraits + Personal Branding; Providence, 285-4100, lateliermuse.com

8. CHRISTMAS TREE, Various sizes, beginning at $80, Gallery Belleau; 424 Wickenden St, Providence, gallerybelleau.org

9. MURANO GLASS BIRDS, $48, Peaceable Kingdom; 116 Ives St., pkgifts.com

“Our family was moving to Rhode Island from the West Coast with very little knowledge of local neighborhoods.

Rachael was able to very quickly learn about our family's needs and directed us to the Edgewood neighborhood of Cranston; which has been the PERFECT fit for our family. Rachael made a cross-country move as stress-free as possible. She coordinated all of the paperwork and worked above and beyond to make sure our move was a successful. By the end of the process, we had our first friend in Rhode Island!”

Nick & Deborah

YOURDecember MUST-DOS

50 + ways to make merry all month long

BY THE EDITORS

One of the loveliest things about December is that whether or not you celebrate Christmas, one can’t help but be charmed by the festivities surrounding the holiday, and hopefully, the corresponding goodwill and merry vibes. Even the fact that sunset occurs before 5pm gives an early start to the magical glow from light displays and decorated store windows. For a little city, Providence has everything you need to create memories – and selfies – with friends and family. Our editorial elves and mensches have compiled a list (and yes, we’ve checked it twice!) to make sure our valued readers have no FOMO all month long. From December 1 to New Year’s Eve, we got you. Happy holidays from all of us at Providence Monthly

Smile: Show us your pics by tagging #heyrhodyphotos on Instagram

For event updates, please check with the venue; for any restrictions, visit COVID.RI.gov.

Photo courtesy of Providence Warwick CVB

Three Nights of Lights

Holiday Cookies

For the sweet tooth on your list or to take the work out of holiday parties, put in an order for cookie trays and pastries from one of Providence’s many fine pâtisseries. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know by emailing Mail@ProvidenceOnline.com

BORRELLI’S BAKERY, BorrellisBakeryPVD.com

BUONO’S ITALIAN BAKERY, BuonosItalianBakery.com

DELUISE BAKERY, Facebook: DeLuise Bakery

ELLIE’S, ElliesProv.com

LAS DELICIAS BAKERY, Facebook: Las Delicias Bakery

DECEMBER 1

THE GREAT CHALLAH BAKE: Learn how to make the beloved braided bread. Every partic ipant leaves with at least two challahs. In honor of breast cancer awareness, BRCA screenings are available on-site. Providence, TEProv.org

DECEMBER 1 3

THREE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS: This alluring first-time program features a series of events centered around the illumination of many of the city’s murals, ice dancing performanc es, at least two holiday tree lightings, and a partial WaterFire. Read more on page 79. ThreeNightsOfLights.com

DECEMBER 2

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: Head to the steps of City Hall for this annual tree lighting ceremony, presented by the Mayor and the City’s Department of Art, Culture + Tourism. ProvidenceRI.gov

DECEMBER 2 16

HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKETS: On select Friday nights, enjoy a very merry market featuring

small-batch items from your favorite cre atives at The Providence Flea. Farm Fresh RI, ProvidenceFlea.com

DECEMBER 3 4

FINE FURNISHINGS SHOWS WINTER MARKET: An exceptional weekend shopping event featur ing holiday decor and vendors galore. WaterFire Arts Center, FineFurnishingsShows.com

COCOA & COCKTAILS ON HOPE: Rally the whole family for a trip to Hope Street where kid- and adult-friendly beverages enhance the already festive mood. Keep an eye out for kettle corn, donuts, and other seasonal treats along the way! Facebook: Hope Street Prov

3RD ANNUAL HOPPY HOLIDAYS: The Guild and Field of Artisans redefine the best way to spread Christmas cheer – with shopping small and drinking beer. Pawtucket, FieldOfArtisans.com

SKATE SHOW AND TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: The BankNewport Rink at Kennedy Plaza is the place to be for a tree lighting that rivals NYC. ProvidenceRI.gov

LASALLE BAKERY, LaSalleBakery.net

MADRID EUROPEAN BAKERY AND PATISSERIE, MadridEuropeanBakery.com

PASTICHE FINE DESSERTS, PasticheFineDesserts.com

SAL’S BAKERY, Facebook: Sal’s Bakery

SCIALO BROTHERS BAKERY, Facebook: Scialo Brothers Bakery

SILVER STAR BAKERY, SilverStarBakery.com

SIN, EatWicked.com

WAYLAND BAKERY, WaylandBakery.com

WHISK ME AWAY, WhiskMeAwayRI.com

For event updates, please check with the venue; for any restrictions, visit COVID.RI.gov.

Photo courtesy of WaterFire

WINTER WONDERLAND: Slater Park trans forms into a true spectacle with hundreds of decorated trees and Victorian “houses,” hay rides, historic carousel, miniature train, and even an 18-foot talking snowman. Paw tucket, WinterWonderlandPawtucket.com

DECEMBER 4

HANDEL’S MESSIAH: RI Philharmonic and Providence Singers bring the beloved holi day concert to life. The VETS, TheVetsRI.com

THE VIENNA BOYS CHOIR CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA: Hear the beautiful, pure vocals from the famous group of child musicians as they perform Austrian folk songs, holiday classics, and more. McVinneyAuditorium.org

DECEMBER 6

CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP: Narra gansett Brewery is the setting for a cozy craft night of constructing your own wreath from fresh greens, berries, and more – plus a free pint of beer! BloomBackFlowers.com

DECEMBER 7

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER: Hip hop pioneer Kurtis Blow emcees the 130-year-old ballet reimagined with a dozen all-star dancers, onstage DJ, and an electric violinist. Providence Performing Arts Center, PPACRI.org

DECEMBER 8

COMMUNITY POTLUCK & CULTURAL CELE

BRATION: Celebrate the foods and cultures of the community. Guests may bring a favorite dish and story to share at this family-friendly event with activities for kids and their caregivers. Wan skuck Library, CommunityLibrariesPVD.org

DECEMBER 9 10

THE FOUR SEASONS: The RI Philharmonic performs Vivaldi’s famous masterpiece. The VETS, TheVetsRI.com

DECEMBER 10

BABY SHARK LIVE! THE CHRISTMAS

SHOW: The hit kids show makes a splash on stage with Baby Shark and friends as they embark on adventures into the jungle and

under the sea – this time with special holi day sing-alongs and Santa Claus. Providence Performing Arts Center, PPACRI.org

A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS: The holiday you know is turned on its head with a ma niacal musical compilation by the cult film director John Waters. Columbus Theatre, ColumbusTheatre.com

FIELD OF ARTISANS AT NARRAGANSETT

BREWERY: The one-of-a-kind artisan mar ket sets up shop in the iconic brewery’s new space. FieldOfArtisans.com

COMMUNITY TAMALADA: Families with chil dren gather at Adams Library for a reading of the beloved Christmas book, Too Many Tamales,

For event updates, please check with the venue; for any restrictions, visit COVID.RI.gov.

by Gary Soto and then

Rhode Island Latino Arts learning how to make Mexican tamales and champurrado. Central Falls, RILatinoArts.org

UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY: Visit Jordan’s Jungle in your most festive get up for an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a photo booth, and 20 percent off shopping, with tickets benefiting Crossroads Rhode Island. Pawtucket, JordansJungle.net

DECEMBER 10 & 17

ANTI-ROBOT CLUB’S MARKETPLACE: Over 60 emerging creatives and small business es showcase and sell their latest work, in cluding vintage, visual art, clothing brands, handmade jewelry, ceramics, and more at Farm Fresh RI. Anti-RobotClub.com

join

Photo courtesy of PPAC

Hip Hop Nutcracker

DECEMBER 10 11

HOPE STREET FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Dress for success (or laughs) during this celebration of bad fashion, where merchants hold con tests, giveaways, and the chance to win Ugliest Sweater on Hope Street. Plus, watch out for Santa sightings. Facebook: Hope Street Prov

HOT GLUE HEROES EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY POP-UP: Get your one-of-a-kind kitchy

creations including diorama ornaments, Pine Cone Cuties, Tiny Bits of Joy vignettes, and art by Tom Butts at this studio pop-up. East Providence, Facebook: Hot Glue Heros RI

DECEMBER 11 & 16

PROVIDENCE BRUINS WINTERFEST: Catch two games of fun and fundraising to celebrate the winter season. Amica Mutual Pavilion, ProvidenceBruins.com

DECEMBER 16 24

THE NUTCRACKER: Don’t miss the Festival Ballet’s fresh take on the enchanting clas sic, featuring a 38-foot tree, Nutcracker by Big Nazo Lab, and creative choreography by Yury Yanowsky. The VETS, TheVetsRI.com

DECEMBER 16 17

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Providence Ballet Theatre performs a produc tion inspired by Clement Clarke Moore’s clas sic poem at RI College. A cast of professional dancers and local children create a fun-filled performance perfect for all ages! RIC.edu

DECEMBER 17 18

PROVIDENCE ARTISANS MARKET HOLIDAY SHOW: Munch on food truck snacks and shop local artists exhibiting fine handmade gifts in a variety of styles and media, with something for everyone on your list. Water Fire Arts Center, WaterFire.org

FA LA LA ON HOPE: Music and light herald the coming of the holidays on Hope Street, with joyful music by local performers and a special lighting of the menorah on Sun day to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Facebook: Hope Street Prov

DECEMBER 18

HANUKKAH SPECTACULAH: The City of Providence’s Art, Culture + Tourism Depart ment hosts a celebration of candle-lighting, food, music, and more on the first night of Hanukkah at Biltmore Park. ProvidenceRI.gov

JUST IN TIME ART SALE: Last-minute shoppers will delight in the lush wonder of the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center greenhouses while completing their wish lists with local gifts. ProvidenceRI.gov

DECEMBER 22

MARIE OSMOND: A Symphonic Christmas: A singer who’s “a little bit country,” actress, talk show host, dancer, author, and public speaker, the multi-talented Marie is destined to put on the show of the season. Providence Performing Arts Center, PPACRI.org

Photo (L) courtesy of Hot Glue Heroes, (R) by Glenn Osmundson, courtesy of Jewish Rhode Island

Hot Glue Heroes Pop-Up

Angell Street

Atwells Avenue : Bradford Street to Knight Street

Spruce Street : Dean Street to Acorn Street

Dean Street : Atwells Avenue to West Exchange Street

Acorn Street : Spruce Street to Atwells Avenue

Bradford Street : Atwells Avenue to Jones Street

Bond Street : Atwells Avenue to Spruce Street

Broad Street : Public Street to Montgomery Street

Downtown Providence : Bounded by Fountain Street, Memorial Boulevard, Weybosset Street, Empire Street and Friendship Street (from Dyer Street to Dorrance Street)

Hope Street : Rochambeau Avenue to Blackstone Boulevard

North Main Street : Thomas Street to Park Row

Olneyville Square: Route 10 to Sydney Street and Delaine Street to Atwood Street to Magnolia Street

South Main Street : James Street to Packet Street

Point Street : From Eddy to East Franklin Street

Thayer Street : Bowen Street to Waterman Street

Wayland Square : East Angell Street/Angell Street to Gano Street and Wayland Avenue from Angell Street to Pitman Street

Waterman Avenue

Wickenden/Ives : Wickenden Street at Benefit Street to Ives Street at Preston Street

Source: ThinkPVD.com

Hanukkah Spectculah

DECEMBER 27

FREE ADMISSION ON NATIONAL VISIT THE ZOO DAY: Enjoy a fes tive day in the fresh air gazing at the animals. Bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. RWPZoo.org/visit-the-zoo-day

DECEMBER 28

JANUARY 2

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS INTO

THE MAGIC: Enjoy epic adventures at the AMP performed on skates centered around beloved charac ters including Belle, Moana, Miguel, Anna, Else, Rapunzel, and Flynn. AmicaMutualPavillion.com

NEW YEAR’S EVE / DECEMBER 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SARTO: Ring in 2023 with a special prixfixe dinner at Sarto. Three seat ings available with the 9pm includ ing DJ entertainment, midnight countdown and champagne toast. SartoProvidence.com

NEW YEAR’S EVE SOIREE: Head up to The Rooftop at the Provi dence G for unparalleled views of the city while enjoying a threecourse prix fixe meal prepared by the Rooftop’s talented culinary team. For guests looking to enjoy both dinner and dancing, the Roof top o ers reservations also include access to entertainment by Mas sive Groove Band starting at 9pm. NewYearsEveProvidence.com

PARTY IN THE PUB: Providence GPub hosts a 21+ party with live music by DJ Justin Dupont, danc ing, cool raffle prizes (boomboxes, paddle boards!), and champagne. Count down to midnight at this lively spot. Complimentary valet parking. NewYearsEveProvidence.com

For event updates, please check with the venue; for any restrictions, visit COVID.RI.gov.

Disney On Ice

Photo courtesy of Trinity Rep

Photo courtesy of Disney on Ice

It’s a Wickenden Wonderland

Responsibly sourced Vintage and name brand fashion, designer at a discount and other unique treasures!

117 Brook St. • 654-6935 • urbanthreadpvd.com

Cultivating thirst with a wide selection of small production, organic, & naturally made wines, and thoughtfully chosen beer & spirits for statewide delivery.

127 Brook St. • 621-9650

A lifestyle shop highlighting local and artisan makers, with a curated selection of clothing, jewelry, home decor, gifts, and vintage items.

197 Wickenden St. • 453-6282 @shopnava • shopnava.com

The Matchbox is a collaborative store between local artists Milkcan Industries and Parched. Come to The Matchbox for original designs and Rhode Island themed t-shirts, mugs, gifts and more.

163 Brook St. • @thematchboxri thematchboxri.com

Lore is a curated, handmade lifestyle shop. We pride ourselves in carrying & bringing to You fair-trade, and mostly women owned brands. This holiday season, enjoy our selection of cozy accessories & holiday ornaments & decor!

144 Brook St. • @studio_lore @lorecollection • lorecollection.com

A curious emporium. Discover this vast collection of unique, historical, and vintage items of all kinds. Swing by to browse three foors of curiosities, oddities, and treasures from another time. You never know what you’ll fnd.

236 Wickenden St. 400-5810 • nostalgiaprovidence.com

The 118th Annual Little Pictures Show & Sale

Ice Bumper Cars at the Providence Rink are always a fun idea

Photo (top) courtesy of GoProvidence, (bottom) courtesy of Providence Art Club

All Season Long

THROUGH DECEMBER

BUMPER CARS AND ICE SKATING: Glide around the BankNewport City Center Rink beneath the sparkling Christmas tree lights. TheProvidenceRink.com

THROUGH DECEMBER 11: Stephen Karam’s Tony Award-winning play The Humans, a psychological drama about a family reunit ed for the holidays, plays at the Wilbury Theatre Group. TheWilburyGroup.org

THROUGH DECEMBER 23

118TH LITTLE PICTURES SHOW & SALE: You read that right – the Provi dence Art Club’s oldest and largest ex hibit returns for another landmark year, featuring artwork all under 16 inches. ProvidenceArtClub.org

THROUGH JANUARY 1

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: The Rhode Island holiday tradition returns with Trinity Rep’s reimagined telling of Dickens’ classic. TrinityRep.com

DECEMBER 17 18

PROVIDENCE ARTISANS HOLIDAY SHOW: Get your shopping started ear ly with over 70 local artists displaying handmade paintings, ceramics, jew elry, photography, mixed media, and more. WaterFire Arts Center, Facebook: Providence Artisans Market

THROUGH JANUARY 1

HOLIDAY LIGHTS SPECTACULAR: This magical walk-through experience returns with 40 acres of dazzling light displays featuring over 2 million lights – now that’s what we call merry and bright! Roger Williams Park Zoo, RWPZoo.org

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

CRAFTLAND HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA: The holiday season gets even jollier with the whimsical charm of Craftland, a land mark local purveyor of handmade gifts cel ebrating its 20th year. You’re sure to find everything on your wish list – plus a little extra. Shop.CraftlandShop.com

B u y , S e l l , T r a d e , C o n s i g n

DRINK

Experience | In the Kitchen | Food News

From Pawtucket, With Love

Festive platters draw on heirloom recipe and quality ingredients

For Karen Gri n, December is rugelah season. Though the baker behind Just Like Nana’s is busy crafting these traditional Jewish pastries (think mini crescent rolls filled with fruit and nuts) year-round, Gri n ramps up production for the winter holidays, when she o ers platters containing four flavors – Raspberry Walnut, Apricot Walnut, Cinnamon, and Chocolate – complemented by a spread of seasonal cookies.

“My rugelah is authentic, artisanal, and wholesome,” says Griffin. “The authenticity is from the family recipe I use that comes from Eastern Europe. It’s artisanal because it’s made in small batches, and it’s wholesome because I use only the best ingredients.” What began as Griffin’s retirement project to recreate the rugelah her nana made has blossomed into a food trailer posting up at Pawtucket’s Lorraine Mills and her fresh-baked goods appearing at markets and cafes across the state.

While the rugelah platters are a popular choice for Hanukkah gatherings (or gifting to anyone with a sweet tooth!), Griffin also bakes a Christmas Cinnamon Wreath, perfect for “Secret Santa and White Elephant gift swaps,” she says. “The wreath is enough to share or to indulge in for several days with your favorite hot drink.”

The Just Like Nana’s drop-in trailer is closed for the season, but Griffin takes holiday orders of rugelah, wreaths, and more by phone for pick-up at 560 Mineral Spring Avenue, Pawtucket. 859-333-9096, JustLikeNanas.com. |

By Abbie Lahmers

Photo courtesy of Just Like Nana’s

Downtown’s piano bar specializes in upscale eats and sultry sounds

“It’s timeless,” my friend muses, taking in the ambiance of the dimly lit establishment as we make our way to a crescent moonshaped booth. “What era are we in?” The sound of our heels clicking on the polished hardwood floor is soon drowned out by sul try piano music, suggesting 1940s nightlife, but then the decade shifts when classic R&B and funk tunes steal the spotlight. A visit to the restroom feels reminiscent of the roaring ‘20s with its swanky wallpaper of dogs dressed in vintage suits.

This is the beautiful enigma that is The George on Washington. A fine dining

restaurant that opened during the pandem ic, they were awarded Providence’s “Best Live Music Restaurant” by Open Table this year. The music is a quintessential part of the experience – with managing partner Alex Tomasso often found at the keys – though not to be overlooked is the cozy seating, delicious food, and the servers’ warmth and attention to detail that tie it all together.

We started with a unique twist on Rhode Island’s beloved delicacy: Sweet Thai Calamari. Its buttery bread coating is paired with a tangy sweet Thai sauce that didn’t dissolve any of the fried squid’s

delightful crispness. Lightly crunchy kale topped the appetizer, the bitter and sweet profiles playing off of each other, and a squeeze of lemon juice added another di mension to the deceptively simple dish.

All our entrees were flavorful and arrived in sizable portions. The Lobster and Crab Ravioli special was a savory dish with a touch of sweetness, particularly from the tender lobster and crab meat covered with a creamy vodka sauce that added acidity. The barbeque pulled pork-style Braised Short Rib Sandwich was smokey and deli cious, served with a bed of fries salted just

Lobster and Crab Ravioli

Experience

| By Kou Tukala Nyan

Must-Try Items

Braised Short Rib Sandwich ($20)

Slow-cooked tender short ribs topped with caramelized onions, horseradish mayo, and manchego cheese

Half Roasted Chicken ($22)

Lemon rosemary-glazed Statler chicken, cherry tomatoes, string beans, and roasted or mashed potatoes

right. If you’re in the mood for something comforting yet indulgent, the Half Roast ed Chicken is mouth-wateringly juicy white meat with a lemon rosemary glaze adding a pleasing brightness and colorful veggies completing the culinary ensemble.

The drinks were heavenly, specifically, the famous Amelia Earhart and Paul Revere Red. The former starred limoncello with hints of blueberry, while the latter was a deliciously smooth sangria that tasted like fruit juice for adults.

We swayed to soulful sounds while slicing forks into the final course. The Vanilla Creme Brûlée looked as enticing as it tasted, with a

sugary caramel-like crunchy top and creamy, smooth custard. Equally satisfying, the Ba nana Creme Pie was cool like ice cream and paired deliciously with a thick graham crack er crust and banana toppings.

If you’re looking to get lost traipsing through decades of classic music and the intimacy only live piano tunes can muster –along with a menu of elevated standards –The George on Washington is a divine choice.

The George on Washington

121 Washington Street • 573-7346

TheGeorgeRestaurantRI.com

Photo courtesy of The George

Experience

The Amelia Earhart and Paul Revere Red cocktails

Is it time to look ahead to what you’ll leave behind?

One of life’s great achievements is the ability to leave a lasting legacy.

We can help.

rifoundation.org/legacy or call (401) 274-4564

Game On

While the lure of many sports bars is the beer selection and the game on TV, Ken neth Pates makes sure food is never second to atmosphere at Sport and Leisure. The executive chef has crafted a menu full of street- and comfort-food dishes – includ ing mac and cheese topped with fried pork belly, homemade panko-crusted mozza rella sticks, street corn nachos, and smash burgers – that makes the North Main Street bar stand out.

Pates brings his own hot takes to

crowd-pleasing entrees. “I don’t believe in a medium-rare burger or rare burger,” he says. “I just think a smash burger with a nice thin crust is the way to go. It’s still juicy and has great flavor.” His Sunday brunch menu includes buttermilk pumpkin-spice pan cakes, chicken and waffles, and an egg and cheese sandwich with a crispy hash brown tucked inside.

“My favorite aspect of being a chef is the stories that you get to create with each spice and ingredient, and the soul and love

that goes into every recipe and dish,” says Pates, who’s a member of the Narragansett Tribe. Even though it’s not overtly reflected in his current menu, he explains, “Food is big in our culture. Growing up, I lived in a house where there were so many different styles of cooking – not just Native Ameri can cooking, but African American cuisine, as well. I also got to learn all aspects of hunting and fishing, which are embedded in the roots of my tribe, and I’ve always car ried this with me.”

Photos by Kenneth Pates

The chef behind the inspired pub fare coming out of a North Main Street sports bar

Chef Kenneth Pates’ Hot Chicken Sando from Sport and Leisure

Pates’ first job in the restaurant industry was at Red Stripe Narragansett, where he started as a dishwasher and then moved up to prep cook. “Then one day, someone got hurt on the line, so I jumped on and be came a grill cook,” he explains. “I just trav eled up the ranks, moving from restaurant to restaurant, learning new techniques, and learning the ins and outs of the industry.”

Pates previously worked at Bridge Restaurant in Westerly and Troop in

Providence, and occasionally serves as a private chef at events and parties. “Another one of my favorite aspects of being a chef is the people you meet and learn from,” he says, “and the bond you build with every chef, line cook, prep cook, server, dish washer, and bartender, along with the cus tomers who walk through the doors or hire you to cook for them.”

Before joining the sta at Sport and Leisure, which opened during summer, Pates was chef

and co-owner at the now-closed burger spot Bun Fun on Federal Hill, though a new rein carnation of the former joint is in the works. “We had a good run with Bun Fun and peo ple still ask me to make some of the things we served there,” Pates says. “So, that’s why a food truck is coming – and hopefully soon.”

and Leisure

Photos by Kenneth Pates

Pates elevates pub fare, like mac and cheese with brisket burnt ends

Jade Yu, who launched her custom bak ery Less Is More on Instagram in October, goes by the motto “less sugars, more fla vors.” The pâtissier, who’s called Rhody home since 2021, began baking her own morsels because, while she has a sweet tooth, she was unable to finish a whole dessert. “If it’s overly sweet, I can’t eat more than a bite,” she confides. Creating more healthful desserts is a bonus.

Yu says it’s about balancing flavor: too much sugar in a recipe can mask the oth er ingredients. Her specialty is a Basque cheesecake, which, unlike traditional cheesecake, is baked at a high tempera ture. This chars the outside, creating a delicious caramelized outer crust while retaining a creamy, decadent middle. Also on the menu are mini poundcakes in eight di erent flavors, and she custom makes minimalist cakes to order. While she bakes in Johnston, she has a pick-up location on Federal Hill. @LessIsMore.RI_

Providence became a little bit country with the recent opening of Moonshine Al ley. Proprietor Tyler Almeida’s eatery fea tures American cuisine with a Southern twang, with farm-to-table menu items like Nashville hot chicken and Jack Dan iel’s lacquered BBQ ribs plated next to fish and chips and grilled Atlantic salmon. Live music – from modern country to lo cal cover bands – is expected to be a draw, but Almeida is quick to point out, Moon shine Alley is not a club. “We wanted to do fun, country pop with a modern twist,” he explains, citing Nashville’s lively restau rant scene, which features live music to go with the eats. Along with a hearty dose of Southern hospitality is a strong bar service, including 10 draft lines of local and region al craft brews. Moonshine features prom inently with Moonshine Sangria on tap; or chose a flight from 12 di erent flavors, including Pumpkin Spice, Banana Pudding, and Apple Pie. MoonshineAlley.com

Twelve 21 chef Jason Amott was a wun derkind. After graduating early from high school, he attended Johnson and Wales’ culinary program, returning to his native Salt Lake at 19. He immediately opened an Italian restaurant that received accolades, landing on a Ski Magazine Top 25 list and winning a coveted Wine Spectator award. After getting a bachelor’s from Le Cordon Bleu, he transitioned to ultra high-end cor porate work. But with both his kids attend ing JWU, he returned to Rhody and is now at the helm of Federal Hill’s newest eatery.

Amott brings fine dining flair to Twelve 21’s festive atmosphere: the restaurant transitions to a hookah bar with live en tertainment after 9:30pm. Small plates reign, with everything crafted in-house, from their hand-cut shoestring potatoes to elevated condiments and fried-to-or der tortilla chips. “Fine dining doesn’t need to feel stu y,” he says. “You should have fun with your food.” Twelve21RI.com

Music City, USA arrives downtown

Upscale dining meets nightlife on Atwells

Healthier sweet treats on Federal Hill

STYLE

Home | Rhody Reads | DIY

Colorful Outlook

A 100 year-old East Side house is mindfully renovated into a cozy home for two

Home sweet home doesn’t get more Rhode Island than living in a historic lightning splitter house in a neighborhood called Hope Village. For newlyweds Bryan and Sascha Roberts, the buttercup yellow house built in 1917 – with a sharply angled gable (built according to local folklore, to ward off lightning strikes) – is full of delightful quirks typical for old houses, which the Roberts have both embraced and slightly reconfigured to suit a busy life with their two cats and hosting gatherings of friends and family.

by Devin Zuba

Photography

Accents in blush connect open spaces

“We bought this home in the middle of COVID,” begins Sascha. “During that time, it was really hard to find a single-family home in our budget, but when we finally did, we knew it would need work and we had a lot of ideas to make our own.” The couple’s realtors Laura Afonso and Justin Russillo at Russillo Real Estate, showed them the potential the small property had. “They said that with time, patience, and hard work, this could become our dream home, and they were right,” adds Sascha.

Also helping in the process was Bryan’s father Gary of Gary Roberts Custom Building, who stopped working in people’s homes during COVID and was available to use his time and skills to renovate for Bryan and Sascha, taking down walls, redoing plumbing, fixing sloping floors, sanding and finishing windows and door frames, redoing a bathroom, “and lots and lots of plastering and sanding funny textured walls, and more!” says Sascha with adoration.

Photography by Devin Zuba

Accents and art from local shops infuse personality

With structural modifications behind them, including the just-remodeled kitchen (another Gary Roberts project), interiors of the affectionately nicknamed Gingerbread House reflect the sunny disposition of its owners. “Because our house is so fun and funky, we chose colors that also feel that way. We have a lot of mauve tones, yellows, browns, and other rich neutrals,” Sascha explains. “And because our house is over 100 years old, it has vintage vibes, but our own personal aesthetic has a lot of mid-century modern elements with fabric, texture, wood, and gold finishes.”

Home

Photography by Devin Zuba

SMALL SPACE LIVING: Use legged furniture to increase visual space

And the best part? “Our home just feels so cozy and uniquely us,” says Sascha. “Getting to renovate and put our mark on the layout was crucial, as was getting to really dive into a more funky style. We live off of Hope Street and all the neighboring homes are unique styles with fun colors and loads of history! Just like ours.”

Photography by Devin Zuba

A vignette showcases the couple’s wedding

Home

02906 LOVE

The Roberts enjoy shopping at community market events like Hope Street Farmers Market and the PVD Flea, along with brick-andmortars like Frog and Toad, Stock Culinary Goods, and Nava.

LOCAL ACCENTS

“There are so many great local makers that have specific styles. I think taking the morning and going to the PVD Flea and just checking out di erent styles and designs, you can find everything from nautical decor to vintage pieces. That way you can have pieces in your home from local businesses,” says Sascha.

RHODY RESOURCES

Bryan and Sascha Roberts cred it Russillo Real Estate and Gary Roberts Custom Building for helping make their dreams of home ownership a reality.

Photography by

Devin Zuba

Rhody Reads

‘Tis the season for shopping new books –the gift that keeps on giving! This edition of Rhody Reads profiles six titles with local connections that the reader in your life will be delighted to receive this holi day season, and grateful to you for intro ducing them to their next great read. Visit your local bookstores for a wide range of tomes, including these selections; many even carry special signed editions.

For the comedian and chef: What’s the deal with all of the food references in Seinfeld? Find out for yourself in the brand new Seinfeld: The O cial Cook book by former Providence Monthly edi tor Julie Tremaine and The Rhode Show’s Brendan Kirby. Check out this collection of more than 60 recipes inspired by the hit ‘90s sitcom about nothing and enjoy commentary and insights from two wellknown and unusually funny Rhode Island personalities. There’s even soup for you!

For the political junkie: Rhode Island’s most provocative congressperson, David N. Cicilline, o ers his take on recent politics in House On Fire: Fighting for Democracy in The Age of Political Arson. A witness to the January 6 attack on the White House, Cicilline sounds the alarm, warning us of the long-term damage that the current Republican party may wreak on democ racy. At the same time, he outlines ways to fight back that include citizen engage ment and practical governmental reforms.

For kids and family: Handwritten letters may be a long-lost tradition for many, but Hayley Rocco’s How to Send a Hug reminds us of the impact of such a per sonal expression of love and caring. Il lustrated by Rocco’s husband, Caldecott honoree John Rocco, the story follows Artie as she learns to connect with her grandmother who lives so far away by giving and receiving hugs through the mail. Sometimes, the waiting is the hard est part but worth every minute.

There’s a book for everyone on your shopping list

For the drama lover: The Other Moth er is a family saga set in Providence. Written by Brown graduate Rachel M. Harper, the book follows Jenry Castillo, a musical prodigy at Brown who discov ers his family’s history involving both his deceased father and estranged grand father only to learn that the parent he should be looking for is Juliet, his other mother. Long-kept secrets are revealed as Jenry grapples with issues of race, class, and sexuality to learn the truth about what it means to be family.

For healthcare professionals: Physician Jay Baruch’s Tornado Of Life: A Doctor’s Journey Through Constraints and Cre ativity in the ER takes a deep dive into the complicated world of medical care as professionals deal with not only the physical health of their subjects but also social, emotional, and substance abuse issues, often all at once. As professor of emergency medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown Univer sity, Baruch is often caught up in this whirlwind as he and his team struggle to find the best solution for each patient in their care.

For anyone aspiring to be great: Young and old readers alike can find inspiration in the story of how the youngest con gresswoman in America achieved her success in Phenomenal AOC: The Roots And Rise Of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by award-winning Barrington author Anika Aldamuy Denise. Ocasio-Cortez’s journey from Puerto Rico to Washington DC reminds us that anyone, regardless of their age, race, creed, wealth, or zip code, can strive to become a voice for change.

SHOP INDIE

A statewide listing of Rhode Island booksellers:

Arc{hive} Book + Snackery: Warren, ArchiveBookSnackery.com

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

Curiosity & Co.: Jamestown, Facebook: CuriosityandCompany.store

Heartleaf Books: Providence, HeartleafBooks.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

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

Wakefield Books: Wakefield, WakefieldBooks.com

Holiday Swagger

Angela Rotondo of Bloom Back Flowers shares how to make an entrance this season

No one can deny the classic charm of a wreath, but its looser cousin, the swag, is gaining popular ity. A door swag is loosely structured, full of cot tagecore charm, and for the DIY-er, not di cult to make. “It’s my personal favorite promoter of posi tivity for the season, greeting you as you arrive at your front door,” professes Angela Rotondo, owner and founder of Bloom Back Flowers in Providence. In addition to being a full-service florist, Rotondo o ers hands-on workshops. Her main advice for getting your swag on? “Use your imagination and even forage in your yard. Then start designing!”

PREP

• Clear an indoor surface for messy work or take this project outside.

GATHER

• 18-gauge wire (2-4’)

• Wired ribbon (3’)

• Scissors or clippers

• Gardening or work gloves

• Greens: Drought-resistant greens like evergreen, juniper, eucalyptus, fir tips

• Sprigs of berries, real or faux

• Dried materials like wheat grasses, cotton pods, pine cones, magnolia leaves

Photo by Elyse Major

Think outside the door for displaying your swag

CREATE

1. Lay all materials out in front of you.

2. Bundle greens together and secure by wrapping wire at the base.

3. Work in dried materials to accent, securing with wire if needed.

4. Wrap the top with wire, binding all materials together securely so they do not fall once hung. Do a gentle “shake test” to make sure everything is secure.

5. Create a loop with the end of the wire for hanging.

6. Once complete, add your bow. Tie a simple bow or search YouTube for fancier techniques.

7. Enjoy welcoming yourself home to this winter creation handmade by you!

Advice from Angela

• Contrasting colors complement each other best when making a statement piece; when selecting ribbon, go for a hue sure to pop against the backdrop or door.

• Use greenery that will hold up when out of water to make your swag last longer.

• Don’t be afraid to spray paint something to get the color you desire.

• Hide your mechanics, meaning conceal any wires not used for hanging.

Visit BloomBackFlowers.com for events and class schedule.

Photos by Elyse Major

Christmas Wreath Workshop Tuesday, December 6

Narragansett Brewery

Profiles | On Stage | Calendar

CULTURE

Bundle up and experience

Three Nights of WaterFire. Partial lightings from 3:30-9pm are part of the citywide celebration.

Sparking Joy

In our September cover story (“Everything’s Waiting For You” by Karen Greco), Kristen Adamo, president of GoProvidence AKA the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB), explained how the pandemic changed her job. “Before, it was really about marketing the things we have. Then during the pandemic, and going forward, it became about helping to develop the things we need. We can’t just promote the things that are happening in Providence anymore; we have to help create them.”

And create them they have. From December 1-3, a brand-new evening event called Three Nights of Lights, designed to draw people to the city, will launch with three partial WaterFires, a series of activities centered around the illumination of many of the city’s murals, three performances by an international ice dancing company, and holiday tree lightings. Recent additions include a holiday market and Santa’s Village with a toy drive benefiting the families of Providence nonprofit Children’s Friend.

The PWCVB event is a collab between WaterFire Providence, The Avenue Concept, FirstWorks, and the City of Providence. Many surrounding businesses are expected to join the fun by creating signature specials and promotions that connect to the experience. “December is typically the slowest month for Providence hotels. We plan to market the weekend across the Northeast region,” says Adamo. “We also encourage neighborhood associations, arts and cultural organizations, and others planning holiday events any time during the season to enter them at ThreeNightsofLights.com. We all want this to be a citywide initiative that brings visitors to every corner of the city.” |

Photo by Erin Cuddigan, courtesy of WaterFire Providence

By Elyse Major

New holiday festival created to showcase the beauty of Providence after dark

All the World’s a Gallery

Current and recent exhibitions show how art can be appreciated in any space

Sand silkscreens are among the mixed media works of artist Mariana Ramos Ortiz current ly on display at Central Contemporary Arts (CCA), a gallery on 22 A Street in Providence. Contra Viento y Marea, which translates to “against all odds,” is a showcase of Ortiz’ art, which mixes printmaking, installation, acces sibility, knowledge, and experimentation.

Ortiz has always enjoyed creative activi ties like painting, drawing, and DIY; in high school they learned about printmaking. “Printmaking was eye-opening,” Ortiz says, musing about being motivated by the me dium. “Like, I had this energy.”

Ortiz was attending the University of Puerto Rico, but Hurricane Maria prompted

a relocation to Brown, where they became immersed in the art culture in Providence. They loved seeing all the artists at work, es pecially others from Puerto Rico. “Being in Rhode Island was very special. So many lives in one place, people with di erent art forms and manifestations.” Providence made such an impression that they continued onto RISD to earn an MFA in Printmaking.

“In both [San Juan and Providence], what has inspired me the most has been to encounter artists who are very aware of the intersection that exists between life and art. Puerto Rico has been a place that has taught me to appreciate artists and works that exist at this crossroad,” says Ortiz. “I

now understand that these actions are not just artistic decisions, but rather they are modes of survival and resistance.”

A recent alum of CCA is Andrew Moon Bain, whose solo exhibition AD SPACE brought col or and graphic appeal across the city via a series of 13 billboards. As a multi-disciplinary artist, many of his art forms complement and inspire each other. He does album cover art and design, and notes that while screen-print ing, painting, or installing, he listens to music for hours to perfect his work. Writing helps him in creating lists and coming up with titles. “Being creative is a daily activity,” says Bain, “completely a way of life.”

Bain began his artistic journey while

Photo (L) courtesy of Mariana Ramos Ortiz

Mariana Ramos Ortiz works on Breezeblocks, comprised of casted sand blocks

Silkscreen on paper by Andrew Moon Bain

ADVICE FROM THE ARTISTS

“I would advise aspiring artists to foster meaningful connections with other folks in their respective fields,” says Ortiz.

“Receiving support and supporting others is the key to making meaningful art.”

“Those ‘o days’ are good for repetitive action parts that will lead to larger breakthroughs. Treat the passion with practice and persistence. It will reward you,” says Bain.

Artwork (R) courtesy of Andrew Moon Bain

growing up in Seattle: he learned to play the cello at four, started rapping at 12, and then took up guitar. He also dabbled in visual art and earned his BFA in Sculpture at RISD. It was on a soul-searching journey in Jamaica that he discovered a deep attraction – and talent – for reggae, R&B, and conscious

music. He jumped into record-producing and songwriting in the early 2000s, leading to the founding of his production team, Zion I Kings, featured in Rolling Stone . He has produced and worked with artists like Bap tiste Ibar, Marcus Gad, Snoop Dogg, Blakka moore, among others, and founded the local

band Boo City. In all of Bain’s work, histo ry, cultural connection, courage, rebellion, peace, patience, and beauty are themes.

Learn more about the artists at MarianaraMosortizStudio.Cargo.Site and @MoonBain

Artwork courtesy of Andrew Moon Bain

Profiles |

Kou Tukala Nyan

A Fearless New Carol

Director Aileen Wen McGroddy didn’t just want to cast a woman as Scrooge, “I want ed to cast Phyllis as Scrooge,” she says.

Phyllis Kay, who has been part of Trinity Rep’s company since 1991, has performed in the theater’s annual A Christmas Carol 16 times. But it was her performance in Tiny Beautiful Things that inspired McGroddy’s choice to cast Kay as Scrooge.

McGroddy explains in Tiny Beautiful Things, Kay’s character reads a letter from a grieving father. Kay’s performance “showed cracks through a wall of grief. There was a genuine desire to communicate through it and tell this story to an audience.” It was the moment Mc Groddy knew she found her Scrooge.

“It is important to go on a journey with Scrooge, to see Scrooge as a person who isn’t the embodiment of pure evil,” she explains. “Scrooge is a person who’s gone through a lot of grief, who has taken on the values of a society, one that values profit over people, who has not had many meaningful connec tions to community and or really any other personal relationships in their life.”

Kay is not the first woman in the Trini ty Rep company to tackle this role. “There were a couple of years where they cast women as Scrooge and my dad came to see it. When I asked him what he thought, he was very clear about how it was not what Dickens wrote,” Kay says. “I imprinted that opinion for a long time.”

But when McGroddy approached Kay with the idea, both their sensibilities aligned, and Kay felt like it was time to let go of that notion. “The ideas that she brought to me were so exciting; it was very easy to change my mind,” Kay recalls.

That this Christmas Carol is “enormous ly inclusive” also helped convince her. “It’s about making the play look like the world and asking why this group is disenfran chised,” Kay explains. “It’s a tribute to the theme Dickens wrote years ago.”

wIn McGroddy’s adaptation, the audience sees the world through Scrooge’s point of

Photos courtesy of Trinity Rep

Phyllis Kay (center) performs as the Ghost of Christmas Present in 2015. She plays Scrooge this year.

Director Aileen Wen McGroddy and actor Phyllis Kay on their novel approach to Scrooge’s classic story

view. So the usual Victorian Christmas diora mas in the beginning are absent. “Scrooge doesn’t see the charm of the community or the warmth of people gathering at Christmas time. She locks a lot of the world out,” the director explains. But as the ghosts visit, and Scrooge goes through her metamorphosis, the visual world expands and evolves. “We don’t get to see the complete Dickensian Christmas fanta sy we love until Scrooge does.”

“It’s an absolutely unique take on the story,” adds Kay.

McGroddy began her artistic career in Chi cago’s vibrant and scrappy storefront theater scene, which allows the real world to impose on the play. For example, directors incorporate rowdy voices from the bar next door into the theatrical moment. “I’m always curious about this idea that when you paint something black in a theater, it doesn’t exist anymore,” she says, pointing out that the audience’s imagination is essential for theater to work. “It allows us to be as adventurous as we can on stage.” So while her A Christmas Carol has one foot in Victorian

England, the audience remains grounded in the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Theater.

“Honestly, if people leave the theater going, ‘oh, well, Scrooge was a woman,’ I don’t think we’ve done our job,” says McGroddy. “There are a lot of other things happening in terms of identity and representation, but also in terms of the artistic world of this play. This production overall makes me feel bold. We’re working fearlessly and that’s really exciting.”

A Christmas Carol runs November 3 - January 1, 2023 at Trinity Rep. Trinity Rep.com

Aileen Wen McGroddy directs this year’s A Christmas Carol

The Must List

10 essential events this month

December 3:

Discover new books at the Association of Rhode Island Authors’ 10th annual RI Author Expo, featuring panels, book signings, and talks by lo cal writers, with a keynote speech from Padme Vendekatraman. Warwick, RIAuthorExpo.com

December 4:

Pack your binoculars and don your comfiest kicks and head over to the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium for a Bird Walk in Rog er Williams Park, spying feathered friends who haven’t flown south. RWPConservancy.org

December 4:

TV and Broadway star Katherine McPhee and her husband David Foster, a 16-time Grammy nominee musician and producer, bring their viral Instagram show The Kat and Dave Show to the stage. PPACRI.org

December 9-24:

Now a much-loved family tradition, The Gamm brings back its staged 1940s radio broadcast of Frank Capra’s holiday movie classic with It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play . Warwick, GammTheatre.org

Through December 22:

Explore historic Chepachet Village by the glow of antique street lights during the Candlelight Shopping series featuring mu sic, shopping, and entertainment on select nights. Glocester, CandlelightShopping.com

Through December 23:

Inspired by the Christmas tale, the Blackstone Valley Polar Express is a 90-minute train ride complete with singing, storytelling, hot choco late, and more fun at the depot, every weekend. Woonsocket, BlackstoneValleyPolarExpress.com

December 1-4 & 9-11:

Browse a curated selection of art, participate in a silent auction, and bring canned goods to do nate to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank at The Foundry Show, created and run by the ar tisans themselves. Pawtucket, FoundryShow.com

December 9:

Calling all Swifties! Head over to Fete Music Hall for a dance hall-style celebration of the latest album release, “Midnights,” by Rhody’s most famous part-time resident at The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night FeteMusic.com

December 2-16:

Take a ride to Tiverton Four Corners for the Annual Re-Tree Exhibition, an outdoor showcase of crafted trees made from recycled materials. Don’t miss the closing event and awards ceremo ny on the final night. TivertonFourCorners.com

December 30:

College and alt-rock darlings They Might Be Giants, whose hit “Birdhouse In Your Soul” was a ‘90s radio favorite, play The Strand Ballroom, delivering fan-favorite greatest hits and some surprises. TheStrandRI.com

Photo courtesy of the Association of Rhode Island Authors

Pic of PVD

ABOUT DREW

@the_drewniverse

As a Providence Firefighter, I’m lucky enough to see our beautiful city from so many unique angles and di erent views that otherwise I’d miss.

The Superman Building on a snowy day, shot from sitting at a red light on Memorial Boulevard

Photo courtesy o f D r we