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CONTENTS
Photography by Brandon Harmon
East Side Monthly • June 2019
Learn more about the storied history behind Prospect Terrace (pg. 32)
This Month 32 VIEW FROM THE TOP Prospect Terrace and Roger Williams celebrate 80 years together
16 AS220’s screen series hosts its first-ever LGBT event in honor of Pride Month 18 Record random acts of kindness during upcoming PVDFest
Every Month
20 Inside the East Side
6 Editorial
23 Rhody Gem: So much to discover at South Main’s Found
43 Flavor of the Month: Kow Kow food truck delights with ice cream-filled waffles 44 Food News: Greenline Apothecary brings nostalgia to North Main Street 46 Dining Guide
News & Culture
Calendar
9 Providence Preservation Society’s Festival of Historic Houses spotlights Paterson Park
25 Neighborhood News
Life & Style 12 New professional training program targets recreational boaters
37 Home of the Month: A photographer shares her love of striking front doors
14 An East Sider-illustrated children’s book takes on a difficult subject
40 Education: Keeping skills sharp with Rhode Island Writing Project summer programs
On the Cover:
Food & Drink
51 Calendar: Events you can’t miss this month
East Sider 58 Rabbi Wayne Franklin of Temple Emanu-El reflects on career and retirement
Old vs. new Prospect Terrace. Photography by Brandon Harmon. Vintage photo courtesy of Providence Public Library
East Side Monthly • June 2019 5
EDITORIAL
The current citywide valuation process, while producing the occasional heated complaint, also provides a useful triennial reminder of the importance of home ownership to all of us. Interestingly, there are two new ideas circulating on local social media that both seem worthy of fuller discussion. One is an exploratory effort among about over a dozen Providence neighborhood associations encompassing the East Side, West Side, and downtown to determine if there is any interest in creating a single, loosely organized “super group.” The hope is this would make neighborhoods more effective in dealing with citywide issues like crime, tax policies, enforcement of existing city regulations, potholes, or snow removal. There obviously will be different priorities depending on where one lives, but there are clearly others where it is likely some consensus among homeowners could be found. A second suggestion floating around is about perhaps forming a “Providence Homeowners Association” that could perform both watchdog and lobbying functions to protect property owners. Recently, the Apartment Owners Association had some success
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
in changing city tax policies that obviously served its members well. Perhaps it’s time for individual home owners to come together to lobby for their interests. In recent weeks, decisions by the state legislature seem to be shifting more of the decision making back to the local communities but without giving them either the money or necessary mechanisms to deal with the extra costs involved. Worse, there seems to be a willingness to ignore the opinions of local residents since the statewide politicians obviously feel they “know better.” The unraveling of what appeared to be a done deal to save the Pawsox (and develop downtown Pawtucket) and the decision to allow spot zoning for the Fane Tower to go up, despite local height restrictions, are just two examples that immediately spring to mind. Now Capitol Hill is about to take on education. Given the complexity and funding implications of something that is so dependent on input on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis, we suggest it is time for residents to consider new initiatives to insure our voices are heard.
Photography by Savannah Barkley for East Side Monthly
Time To Raise Our Voices?
East Side Monthly Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell
Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre
Executive Editor Barry Fain
City Editor Steve Triedman
Editor in Chief Elyse Major
Editor Megan Schmit
Staff Writer Robert Isenberg
Editor Lauren Vella
Art Director Nick DelGiudice
Associate Art Director Brandon Harmon
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NEWS & CULTURE East Side Stories | Inside the East Side | Neighborhood News
East Side News
Make Yourself at Home
Providence Preservation Society’s Festival of Historic Houses spotlights Paterson Park By Ed McCarthy
Have you ever wondered about that three-story home on Oriole Avenue with the distinctive dark red door, shutters, and trim? It’s known as the 1898 Amey E. and Edward M. Harris House and on June 15 and 16, Providence Preservation Society (PPS)
gives you a chance to peek inside it and more during the 39th Festival of Historic Houses. This year’s tour will focus on the Paterson Park neighborhood, an area located east of Butler Avenue and south of the Lincoln School.
According to Brent Runyon, PPS executive director, the event kicks off on the evening of June 13 with a preview party at the Margarethe Dwight house, home of Lincoln School’s head of school. On Saturday from 10am to 4pm, visitors can follow
Photo courtesy of Providence Preservation Society East Side Monthly • June 2019 9
Experience
News & Culture East Side News
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
a self-guided tour of about 10 homes using maps and smartphones for additional information. Trained guides will be stationed around the neighborhood and at each home, and Lincoln School will serve as headquarters, where visitors will be able to check out some of the school’s interior spaces, as well. Sunday will appeal to horror fiction fans. The new guided walking tours will visit the birthplace and childhood neighborhood of writer H.P. Lovecraft. “We’ll also be doing a tour of Gladys Potter Park
and tours of the Blackstone Conservation District to highlight the cultural landscape of the neighborhood: the origins, the history, how it’s evolved, what’s being done today to protect some of the great open spaces there,” adds Brent. The festival is more than just a chance for an inside peek into some of the East Side’s most intriguing historic homes; it serves as a fundraiser for PPS’s education programs and advocacy work to preserve the city’s historical properties. Advance tickets cost $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Brent
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expects 600 to 750 visitors this year. But don’t expect a warm greeting from Lovecraft’s ghost if you should encounter it on one of Sunday’s tours: “I think that most people only make me nervous,” he penned, “that only by accident, and in extremely small quantities, would I ever be likely to come across people who wouldn’t.” Visit ProvidenceHouseTour.com or call 831-7440 for event-day prices, membership information, and additional details about the festival.
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Photo courtesy of Providence Preservation Society
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East Side Monthly • June 2019 11
News & Culture East Side News
Experience. Integrity. Results.
Raise the Anchor
A training program for commercial skippers extends its reach to recreational boaters By Robert Isenberg Captain Zach Rollins (middle) gives hosts of The Rhode Show a lesson in boating
CALL Gerri Schiffman (401) 474-3733
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
says Captain Zach Rollins, “is that people think they know what they’re doing. They assume the weather will stay the same. They assume the boat ahead of them will turn. They think, ‘I’m in the open sea, rules don’t apply to me.’ Most fatal events result from that overconfidence.” Zach is cheerful, youthful, and built like
Vin Diesel. He spent much of his youth in Wickford, and his family has always owned a boat. He graduated from URI with a degree in Marine Affairs and – just as importantly – he completed the Rhode Island-based training program Confident Captain. There is a handful of such programs in New England, where eager students like Zach learn to oversee 100-ton
Photo courtesy of Just Go Boating
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ships. The moment he finished, Confident Captain offered him a job. This year, Rollins is teaching for a new program, Just Go Boating, which helps recreational skippers safely operate their powerboats. Classes cover basic but vital skills, such as docking, using the VHF radio, and navigating at night. “Some students have never stepped into a boat,” says Zach. “Those are the most fun.” The concept began at last year’s International Newport Boat Festival, where Confident Captain offered hands-on tutorials for casual boaters. The lessons attracted more than 100 participants, and they run the gamut of background and experience. Most owned some kind of vessel, but some were lifelong landlubbers. Demand was high, and classes continued after the festival; another 100 or so students signed up, including millionaire CEOs and wounded veterans. Since then, Confident Captain has created a separate brand, with its own curriculum, website, and intended audience. This summer is the true maiden voyage for Just Go Boating, and classes will take place in both Wickford and Providence. Rollins says instructors use a “walk before you can run” approach, tailoring lessons to the skill-level of each student. The results are mostly personal. While Confident Captain prepares pupils for a career in ferries and container ships, Just Go Boating helps everyday boaters become safer at sea. Some would-be mariners are cocky and brag about their knot-tying abilities; others are too nervous to grip the wheel. But Zach says that most students end up drifting in the right direction. So, have there been any surprises? “I don’t know if it’s a surprise,” says Zach, “but I’ve found that women are the best students. They’re just better at listening.” JustGoBoating.com
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Cultivate The Garden Within…
News & Culture East Side News
Local Children’s Book Takes Flight
Birds of a Feather deals expertly with a difficult subject By Barry Fain
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As the years rolled on, I’ve recently had the good fortune to join a rapidly expanding group that accepts all new initiates regardless of background, no questions asked. We call ourselves grandfathers. So, when I had the opportunity to read a
14
East Side Monthly • June 2019
thoughtful new children’s book, written by Boston resident Tom Crice and illustrated by East Side-born artist Ellen Rakatansky, about a sensitive and confused young boy who lost his grandfather, it obviously grabbed my attention.
Photography by Brandon Harmon
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Birds of a Feather tackles this potentially devastating event somewhat circuitously, but with an engaging and realistic narrative that will resonate with young readers, their parents, and, I can confirm firsthand, even grandparents. Presented through the eyes of the grieving child trying desperately to figure things out, we quickly bond with the boy. At the funeral, for example, he stares into the open coffin but is convinced it can’t be his grandfather in there “because he didn’t smile at me once, even though I looked and looked and waited and waited.” And adult attempts at making him feel better, though well intentioned, don’t cut it. Successful children’s books on tough emotional subjects are generally the ones that neither preach nor pontificate to the young reader. Birds of a Feather, we’re happy to report, falls easily into this category. As we follow the boy on his twisting but always-gentle path towards understanding (minor missteps notwithstanding), it’s difficult not to be moved by his journey, presented realistically and tied beautifully together by its artwork. Set in Texas, the book is “loosely autobiographical” from the author’s perspective, but Ellen says she connected to it almost immediately. “I felt it should be illustrated with soft, nuanced images so that the drawings do not overpower the text.” Interestingly, she also chose not to depict any actual people, in the belief that readers, young and old, would connect more strongly with an emotional narrative like this if she let all images and associated feelings be ones in their own minds. As first-time collaborators, the author and illustrator are obviously onto something because their thoughtful project has been snatched up by libraries across the country. To check it out yourself, it’s available on Amazon through DoveTale Press.
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News & Culture East Side News
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Diversity Reeling
Cocktails and Screens hosts its first-ever LGBT event in honor of Pride Month By Lauren Vella A panel of filmmakers are available for Q&A’s after the screening of the films
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in the LGBT community that accurate representation – or representation at all – has always been seriously lacking in the mainstream media. From sitcom cancellations like Ellen in the 1990s to the hackneyed stereotypes on shows like The L Word, and the “bury your gays” trope on shows like The 100, LGBT cinematic history has been awash with marred, inauthentic characterization.
Occasionally, the media gods graced the public with a few gems, but for the most part, LGBT stories have always been on the proverbial “B” reel. This very pattern is something that AS220’s Cocktails and Screens events are hoping to change. This year, the program will host its first ever LGBT screening event in celebration of Pride Month. From the genesis of Cocktails and
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Screens in September 2018, the staff has always been on the lookout for diverse filmmakers. “Right from the start, our mission was to provide a platform to tell diverse stories and not shy away from any subject,” says Jimmy Caputo, co-founder and co-host of the film program. Jimmy recognized early on that there are a lot of voices that have been silenced by Hollywood. The program has screened films pertaining to several serious topics including rape, abuse, autism, homelessness, conversion therapy, and Middle-Eastern conflict. So, when LGBT filmmakers and directors reached out to him in the early part of this year, he did not hesitate to dedicate a night to their work where people could enjoy art from a different perspective. Says Jimmy, “We are interested in giving everyone an equal voice.” Cocktails and Screens is unique because it gives the audience the chance to interact with the directors after they watch their films and have more in-depth conversations about the work they just experienced. Jimmy says that many of the works screened at the event are meant to entertain, but the shorts have more of an agenda. They are trying to convey a poignant message and start an open, intellectual conversation about the issue. He also explains that these film festivals are special because the participants are passionate about their work. You won’t see a hyper-produced, cliched piece made to make a killing at the box office here. “Whether or not a given film or genre is your cup of tea, hearing the filmmakers speak passionately about their work, it’s hard not to become endeared to their project or at least to respect their efforts.” Cocktails and Screens Pride Event will be held June 6. AS220.org.
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Love Is Kind
PVDFest Kindness Kiosks encourage festival-goers to record random acts of kindness By Caroline Boyle
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
With a rich history of connecting Rhode Island communities and welcoming visitors to the City of Providence, PVDFest (from June 6-9) is deepening its connective fabric by working with local organizations to launch the first-ever 1,000 Acts of Kindness Program. The program, inspired by Mayor Elorza’s City of Kindness initiative (launched in January), will ask festival-goers to record acts of kindness they see throughout the weekend, while encouraging participants to pay kind acts forward to other visitors. Two “Kindness Kiosks” will be set up along the PVDFest footprint to catch these acts of kindness, which can be anything from letting someone go in front of you in a line to buying a friend a drink. The kiosks, curated by the student-led Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC) Kindness Crew, will house JSEC students that will record acts of kindness throughout the festival. These students and their coordinator will be available to provide tips on how to be kind and prompt discussion by asking participants how they define “kindness” – all with the end-goal of recording 1,000 acts through
the duration of PVDFest. In addition to their remarkable kindness initiative, the 1,000 Acts of Kindness Program has partnered with Kindness.org in New York City to provide kind festival-goers a national platform to display their acts. The 1,000 Acts of Kindness Program will launch on Thursday, June 6, the first night of the festival, where the first-ever citywide Good Night Lights will connect festival participants with the city tradition, while also bringing the magic of PVDFest to the children at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Deputy Press Secretary at the Office of Mayor Elorza, Patricia Socarras, says that “in years past, events bringing community together have served as gateways for participation for first-time festival-goers. The feeling of community is a critical part of PVDFest and the [Kindness Program] offers another opportunity for participants to be a part of the festival.” Patricia encourages festival participants to record their acts of kindness on social media using the hashtag #1000ActsPVD. PVDFest.com
Photo by Ania Szemiot courtesy of PVDFest
Kindness is cool at PVDFest
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News & Culture Inside the East Side By Barry Fain
More Medical Mayhem
SEA FOOD
SEA FRIENDS
Some East Siders may remember Gayle Gertler. Once an editor for the Providence Journal, Gayle is perhaps better known as the owner of Southwest Passage, the popular jewelry store at Wayland Square that sold authentic handmade jewelry. Now living in New Mexico, she maintains Facebook contact with many of her old Rhode Island friends and recently shared her frustration over an incident that, sadly, has become increasingly frequent for all of us. “My mother who still lives in New Jersey recently broke her ankle. The problem is she can’t have surgery for a week because of the swelling. She can’t stay in the hospital because Medicare won’t cover it. She can’t go to a rehab center because she has nothing to be rehabbed yet, and she can’t really go home because she can’t put any weight on her ankle. She’s also 92. This is an outrage and a nightmare. Welcome to healthcare in America.” To which we add a sorrowful “Amen.”
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
There is however some good news for our readers who believe in historic preservation and holding on to our Rhode Island heritage. A few months ago, overriding objections from abutting neighbors and preservationists, the Providence Plan Commission approved a development plan for the Nicholson Estate on Blackstone Boulevard that authorized the demolition of the handsome English-style manor house. Last month, we hinted that all was not lost quite yet. Now, we’re happy to report the manor house will be saved. Enter Melanie Eleftherio. She and her husband Peter have agreed to purchase the manor house and will move in to rehab it for their residence. Already living on Blackstone Boulevard, Melanie eagerly shared some of her plans with her new neighbors at an impromptu
meeting organized by PPS executive director Brent Runyun. She has undertaken similar projects in Newport and looks forward to moving down the street to tackle this one. Terrific news for the community, say we! Meanwhile, a lawsuit brought by residents protesting seven additional properties that are planned for the Slater Avenue portion of the property are continuing, but Runyon hopes some common ground can be found there as well.
The Wheel Deal Wheeler and Waterfire have begun an innovative new project that sends its eighth grade students into the city’s 25 neighborhoods to develop interactive projects of importance to them. The program, according to its proponents, creates value in the community while also providing a positive impact on the city and the student. Home base for this unusual off-campus program will be in the new Cityside Classroom at the Waterfire Arts Center on Valley Street in Olneyville. We would argue you can never start too early to become an effective contributing member of your community. So, hats off to both Wheeler and Waterfire for this imaginative local initiative.
Playing the Name Game As construction plans move ahead in Worcester for the arrival of the PawSox in 2021, the Boston Globe reports three more possible future names for the team have recently been trademarked The latest: The Worcesters, Ruby Legs, and Wicked Worms. The team promises to start soliciting additional names from the public. So far, we still lean towards the WooSox. One of our Oak Hill cronies, still lamenting the loss of the team and the missed opportunity for his downtown, suggests instead The PawSucks.
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
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News & Culture Rhody Gem
Found Unique Gifts and Home Decor We are pleased to introduce Rhody Gem, a new monthly column in East Side Monthly. We’re always being thanked for spotlighting the “hidden gems” of the state, and in our ongoing efforts to leave no stone unturned, we’re putting the call out to our readership! Each month we’ll spotlight a Rhody Gem: a business, artisan, or place sent to us by our faithful readers. What it is: A carefully curated home decor and gift shop with colorful, eclectic items ranging from hand-painted Mackenzie-Childs ceramics to storied antiques. The shop is owned and run by Todd Lattimore, a seasoned tradesman who decided to close his little treasure trove, Found in Massachusetts and reopen in Rhode Island about a yearand-a-half ago.
Photography by Savannah Barkley for East Side Monthly
Where to find it: The store is located beside the Jolly Roger Deli on the corner of Power and South Main Streets. Be careful, though! The entrance can be elusive. Look for Found’s white, funky decal in the storefront window. What makes it a Rhody Gem? “I am the store of everything you don’t need... but I’m the store of everything you want,” says Todd. This store is a gem because walking through the door is an aesthetic experience. Everything from ceramics to the gigantic stuffed giraffe in the back of the room makes you feel like you want to stay awhile and maybe even take a nap. The space is small, but you could spend hours looking through all of what Found has to offer.
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24
East Side Monthly • June 2019
News & Culture Neighborhood News
Photo by Amy Mendillo, courtesy of Fox Point Neighborhood Association
RIDOT has undertaken improvements to the roadway, sidewalks, and bike path on Lower Gano Street at India Point Park.
Neighborhood News is a space that East Side Monthly makes available to community organizations free of charge. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of this publication.
College Hill Neighborhood Association At this month’s meeting, we heard from members of approximately 12 neighborhood orga-
nizations based in and around Providence. The groups came together, along with Providence City Councilwoman Helen Anthony, to discuss local challenges, as well as strategies for bringing about change, and how best to collaborate in the future. The topics raised varied from snow removal and infrastructure to zoning and development. Several attendees noted how roadways had not been adequately cleared following the lat-
est winter storms. Others voiced concerns about the condition of Providence’s sidewalks and street-lighting. Amid discussion regarding whether sufficient resources were available to fix these problems, some proposed raising revenue by imposing new taxes on certain businesses. Other portions of the meeting focused on absentee landlords, modifications proposed to local ordinances, and whether measures could be taken to foster a more collaborative
East Side Monthly • June 2019 25
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
News & Culture Neighborhood News
approach to property and land development. One person suggested that, if the organizations whose members were in attendance were to work together going forward, one issue they could focus on is the shifting regulatory landscape as it relates to college student housing. Another mentioned the importance of the city enforcing rules and regulations already in place. Although no consensus was reached regarding how the group should proceed, most – if not all – in attendance seemed open to further meetings and discussion. Things are in the works to try and make that happen. CHNA welcomes all residents of College Hill to join our efforts to protect the neighborhood. For more information about joining and supporting CHNA and meeting your neighbors, contact: CHNA, PO Box 2442, Providence, RI 02906; visit CHNAProvidence.org; or email CHNA@ CHNAProvidence.org. Jared Sugerman
Mount Hope Neighborhood Association Not much news from Mount Hope Neighborhood Association (MHNA) this month. All are welcome to the MHNA board, which are held on the third Thursday at 6pm. The next one will be on June 20. Visit the Sharing Garden in Billy Taylor Park has open hours on Saturdays from 12pm-3pm. We will have workshops on June 1, June 15, and June 29 starting at 1pm. Keep an eye on the Plan4Health-Mt Hope Facebook page for workshops topics. The Mount Hope Food Security and the Mount Hope Dialogues for Action (MHDA) meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5pm and 6pm respectively, June 27. The Housing Coalition meeting is on the second Thursday of every month, June 13. Call to confirm, 401-521-8830. -Courtesy of the MHDA
fountain in Lippitt Park is expected to begin shortly after this issue of East Side Monthly hits the streets! The bi-level “bubbler” will be a great amenity for kids using the playground, runners and walkers, farmer’s market visitors, and everyone finding a bit of rest and relaxation in our neighborhood’s largest park. SNA thanks Parks Director Wendy Nilsson and the Parks Department team for their support. We also extend our gratitude to all the neighbors who contributed donations, to Miriam Hospital for their generous Community Health Grant, and City Councilor Nirva LaFortune for securing Neighborhood Infrastructure Funds to help us reach our funding goal! Residents Invited to Connect with Us The SNA Board of Directors meets at 7pm on the third Monday of every month in the cafeteria of Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Avenue. The sessions are open and neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend! You can also stay in touch with us on Facebook via the “Summit Neighborhood Association” page, our website at SummitNeighbors.org, on Instagram and Twitter @ SNAProv, or by phone at 401-400-0986. New Website, Memberships, and Volunteer Writers We have a new website! Check it out at SummitNeighbors.org. As always, we welcome new members who are interested in supporting our neighborhood events, community projects, candidate forums, and advocacy. Memberships are affordable and you can sign up at our website. Additionally, SNA is always seeking local content for our long-running neighborhood newsletter. Have something to say about an event, a new business, or any topic that would resonate with the neighborhood? Please contact us for more information! Summit Neighborhood Association, PO Box 41092, Providence, RI 02940, 401-400-0986 SummitNeighbors.org, SNAProv@gmail.com
Summit Neighborhood Association
Fox Point Neighborhood Association
Bubbler Construction Construction on the new public drinking water
Gano Road work Underway at Long Last After years of negotiation and debate among
connecting the two streets. The Department will also improve paving, curbing, and sidewalks on lower Gano between Trenton and India streets. Finally, thanks to input from FPNA board members and other local organizations, RIDOT will redirect the bike path away from busy Gano Street and under the eastern-most bay of the bridge, allowing bicyclists to enjoy water views and a picturesque entry into the park. The shared-use path will also improve connections between the Blackstone Bike Path, India Point Park, and the East Bay Bike Path. While FPNA has advocated for additional improvements to the nearby landscaping and the central passageway under the bridge, we are delighted to see these initial upgrades. FPNA June Meeting Please join us for our May meeting on Monday, June 10 at 7pm in the Community Room of Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, 455 Wickenden Street. See our website, FPNA.net, for agenda and directions. All are welcome.
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neighborhood groups and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation about the clogged, dangerous, and decrepit roadways on lower Gano Street at India Point Park, FPNA is thrilled to see RIDOT perform construction work to improve that area. The current project, which began in March and will continue into the late fall, will address three main problems. RIDOT will replace the stop sign and perilous 90-degree turn at Gano and India Streets (located directly under the bridge) with a smoother, simpler, curved roadway
Bring your family to meet our Family Visit our Hyacinth Macaws, Amy and Angel, at the new Faces of the Rainforest exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo.
About FPNA The Fox Point Neighborhood Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Fox Point and protecting its historic integrity and resources. FPNA speaks out on neighborhood issues and builds community through local events. Please sign up for our mailing list and join us at a monthly meeting! -Amy Mendillo
OPEN DAILY 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
rwpzoo.org East Side Monthly • June 2019 27
News & Culture Neighborhood News
Wayland Square Neighborhood Association The Wayland Square Neighborhood Association is an active community working together to improve life in the Wayland area. We have social events, facilitate meetings with our councilpeople, city officials, and other groups, and work on issues important to the group. We host meetings the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Croft School from 6-7:30pm. Our Facebook Page: Wayland Square Neighborhood Association, has all neighborhood communication, including 224 Thayer Street Providence Under New Ownership Mention This Ad to
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meeting dates and times. All are welcome – join us!
Blackstone Parks Conservancy Walking Fast and Slow The parks are back in all their glorious green,
and visitors are taking full advantage. On the Boulevard path people appear in ones and twos, walking fast and slow. Many talk, but one gentleman manages to read an open book while somehow putting one foot in front of the other. On the Boulevard Using funds raised by the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC), the Parks Department took the essential step for beginning the long-awaited repair of the path. They put out for bid their surveyed drawings for a relatively short but especially challenging section of the Boulevard path north of Lorimer. This important collaboration between the BPC and the Parks Department grew out of many hours of work by board member Colgate Searle, a local landscape architect who also teaches at RISD. Construction is expected to begin in June and will
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
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Photo by Denise Hill, courtesy of Blackstone Parks Conservancy
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PROFESSIONAL OFFICES FOR LEASE be followed by repair of other sections as soon as funds can be raised. Park visitors will be temporarily rerouted to the sidewalks to bypass 275 linear feet of path. One hundred fifty feet of this stretch will be topped with stabilized stone dust, the same porous substance that was successfully tried recently on a 30-foot test patch just north of Mount Avenue. Blackstone Park Conservation Events In between April showers, volunteers swooped into the park overlooking the Seekonk River to repair broken fences and replenish wood chips on the heavily used trails. The BPC depends on the chips to keep trails from becoming too heavily compacted. Softer soil can absorb at least some of the rain where it falls rather than letting it all run off downhill. Volunteers included a team from the Denali Providence store and several newcomers eager to take advantage of Park-Keeping opportunities to enjoy exercise outdoors while sprucing up a much-loved city park. On Earth Day the youngest volunteers included a group of nine-year-old girls celebrating a birthday. While awaiting their assignments and chatting all the while, they stepped from rock to rock and balanced delicately on long logs. This Month: Sunday, June 2, 8-9:30am - Bird Walk, same place as above
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East Side Monthly (Summer Camps Section) Note: Run this version after May 1st. Size: 1/6 page 2.375”w x 4.75”h
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
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Visit jewishallianceri.org for more information. 401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 | 401.421.4111 East Side Monthly • June 2019 31
View from the Top Prospect Terrace and Roger Williams celebrate 80 years together with a sunset soiree
Photography by Brandon Harmon
By Barry Fain
32
East Side Monthly • June 2019
I
n a fitting bit of symmetry, for the past 80 years, Roger Williams himself has enjoyed the best view of the city he founded in 1636. Located in the scenic overlook called Prospect Terrace – which is actually located on Congdon Street, one down from Prospect – his statue extends an oversized but comforting hand over Providence, as if to reaffirm his commitment to religious freedom and the peaceful coexistence with its original inhabitants that drew him and his small band of followers here in the first place.
A CITY WITH A VIEW Prospect Terrace is an important part of Providence. It is a tourist mecca for visitors, a student paradise for gathering and sunbathing, and the perfect vantage point for sunsets. That wasn’t always the case: According to historians, the current site of the park wasn’t much to look at in the mid-1800s. Given over to untended cow pastures and fields of haphazardly grown wild mulberry and huckleberry bushes, the land was pretty much ignored by the local townsfolk below. That is, except for Isaac Hale. A successful businessman (although in somewhat poor health) working on North Main Street, Hale spent nearly every day of the 1860s trudging up winding paths to take in the view. His downtown friends would shake their heads at his routine, in part for fear of his well-being, while many others probably just accepted his daily activity as a bit odd. But Hale persisted and, over time, committed to sharing his vision of this place with the rest of the city. Almost entirely by himself,
Photography by Brandon Harmon
he collected a sizable amount of money from some of the City’s most distinguished citizens, among them Ambrose Burnside (the famous Civil War General), future governor William Sprague, John Carter Brown, and businessman Jibes Gorham, to construct a permanent viewing area to overlook the city. The money collected was donated to the city with the expectation that local government would be responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. With this gift, Hale’s dream was realized and his picturesque promenade was dedicated in 1869. And as for Mr. Hale? Climbing uphill proved useful to him after all. He lived to be 83.
A MONUMENT FOR THE AGES Fast forward to 1936, the Tercentenary Celebration of Roger Williams’ founding of Providence. A flourishing city back then, and in response to an outburst of civic pride, a decision was made to properly honor the man for whom good governance and religious
Photo by John Hutchins Cady courtesy of Providence Public Library
freedom were synonymous. After a national competition, architect Ralph Thomas Walker – best known for the MIT Library, AFL-CIO Building in DC, and New York Telephone Building – and sculptor Leo Friedlander were selected to create the design for the expanded park, monument, and giant 15-foot Westerly granite statue that now stands as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. The statue was finished in June of 1939 as a permanent tribute to our founder. The statue itself depicts Roger blessing his city. He stands on the bow of his canoe with stylized water lapping at his foot. But is that really Roger’s face carved in stone? Since no actual depictions of our founder have ever been discovered, we’ll never know. But what we do know is that at the dedication, the remains of Roger Williams were encased in a small bronze casket placed within the granite base of the statue where they still rest. Plans for an elaborate set of stairs from the lower landing, a reflecting pool, several more statues, and a limestone-faced wall were unfortunately never realized. From its inception, the promenade offered the best views of our city. For big events, like fireworks on the Fourth or to ring in the New Year, the park was the place to be. Old illustrations of the park depict couples strolling arm in arm, wearing their Sunday best. But over time, the dress code and, dare we say, the decorum, loosened up. In part due to the proximity of increasing numbers of students, it became a favored hangout for sunbathing during the day and party central after hours. Other uses were found for the Terrace as well. It remains a popular location for weddings, early morning outdoor services, and
PARTY IN THE PARK The current refurbishing is by far the most complete yet. Originally started as a project by the College Hill Neighborhood Association (CHNA), the present initiative represents an especially successful collaboration between neighborhood residents and the City. A trio of CHNA board members, led by College Hill landscape designer Sara Bradford, came to the city with a new design to update the park. A new path was created around the monument, more inviting and wheelchair-accessible than before, along with a new sitting wall. Pathways were resurfaced, new benches were ordered. An attractive new row of pavers and
Brown Street children’s park on the East Side. So what’s next for Prospect Terrace? An endowment fund now exists to assist the Parks Department should the need arise for a quick replacement or unexpected upkeep, as well as to provide special programming for the park. But the City and the neighbors admit there is still a lot to do – most importantly, to repoint and clean up the retaining wall, which supports the park terrace and monument itself. On June 18, the past, present, and future of the park will be celebrated during a festive sunset soiree. Back in June of 1939, the dedication was marked by four members of
terrace will be party-ready for a spectacular celebration on June 18. Much of the success of the project is also attributable to an innovative new “Friends of Providence Public Parks” initiative, under the leadership of current Parks Superintendent Wendy Nilsson. She reports that many parks across the city have been raising monies to support projects and cleanups that will then be matched by the City. “The participation of the neighborhoods adds more eyes and ears to these projects, making it more likely they will flourish,” says Nilsson, who as a private citizen was instrumental in generating the public-private partnership that created the successful
the Narragansett Indian Tribe and four men attired in Colonial dress, who watched solemnly as the dusty remains of Roger Williams were ceremoniously reinterred in the base of the statue. This year, as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of that event, an attempt will be made to recall both its solemnity and joy. The event is free and open to all and will begin just before sunset. In addition to the formal ribbon cutting and “modest”speeches, the City assures us there’ll be fun, too, including Native American music, food, twinkling lights, special visits from “friends” of Roger Williams, and other surprises. The famous founder of our state deserves nothing less.
Photo by John Hutchins Cady courtesy of Providence Public Library
Photography by Brandon Harmon
where virtually every local politician officially announces his or her candidacy in front of rolling cameras. The popular TV show Providence was shot here, as was the Farrelly Brothers’ blockbuster hit There’s Something About Mary. Gradually, however, the wear and tear began to show. Benches needed replacement. The granite around the statue seemed to be losing its battle with graffiti. Some questionable latenight activities took place behind overgrown bushes. At one point, poor Roger even had the fingers of his right hand sawed off. The City responded to an outcry from neighbors, and the park underwent a much needed initial facelift. Vegetation was cut down to size, better lighting was installed, and graffiti control was improved. What has been called “The Jewel of our City” began to regain some of its luster. Roger even got his fingers back.
a levelled sidewalk were added, along with new signage and a modest irrigation system. The project has drawn the community together. After CHNA created the initial funding video to get the ball rolling, the group won some small grants. The first major contribution came from former councilman Sam Zurier, who combined monies available from two of his ward funds and earmarked them for the project. Rick Champagne provided leadership and led volunteers from his company on all-day cleanups. David Haffenreffer, among other neighbors, went door to door to raise additional funding. And of course, the City has gone all-in to insure Roger and
WHERE’S ROGER?
If You Can Draw It,
Photography by Nicholas DelGiudice
We Can Build It.
Buried and re-buried, Roger Williams’ remains have become a mystery. According to John McNiff, longtime National Park Ranger in charge of the Roger Williams National Park on North Main Street, Roger was initially buried behind his house on the northeast corner of Bowen and Benefit Streets. Years later, when the house was torn down and replaced by the stately Sullivan Dorr mansion, his grave site was pretty much ignored. Over time, a giant apple tree grew up over the spot where he had been interred. Enter the “Roger Williams Root”: near some fragments of coffin, a root from the apple tree was discovered, which had grown into likeness of our founder. This unusual piece of Rhode Island history is now fully encased and preserved at the John Brown House on Benefit Street. As for the actual remains? They were eventually moved – thanks to the efforts of several of Roger’s direct descendants – from a locked vault at the North Burial grounds and affixed to the base of the Williams’ statue 80 years ago, along with a time capsule. This event will be commemorated as part of this year’s June 18 celebration.
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LIFE & STYLE Home | Education & Smart News
At Home on the East Side
Welcome Home
The Front Door Project highlights Rhode Island’s historic doorways By Robert Isenberg Wreaths, mats, sconces, transoms, carvings, arches, and iron hinges – if you can use it to decorate an entryway, Deb Cohen has photographed it. A few years ago, Cohen started The Front Door Project as an Instagram
Photos by Deb Cohen
hobby, thinking her affection for New England doorways was rare. Now, over 1,300 photographs later, Cohen has a website, 67,000+ followers, and many, many pictures of Providence.
“I really enjoy spending time in Providence,” she says. Cohen started the project in her native Connecticut, but the site gave her a reason to roam. “The Downcity and College Hill neighborhoods (continued on next page)
Want your home featured in East Side Monthly? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more
38
East Side Monthly • June 2019
are compact and very walkable, and make you feel like you have gone back in time 200 years.” Cohen asserts that most of the architecture in Rhode Island is consistent with design patterns across New England, yet each antique home asserts its own individuality. “In general,
historic houses were not cookie cutter, as so many new houses are from the 1950s and subsequent. Every home truly is unique in its own way, whether it be the setting, materials used, size and scale, or architectural details utilized.” TheFrontDoorProject.com
Photos by Deb Cohen
in particular are spots I admire for the architectural variety and history. Rhode Island is fortunate to have a large inventory of historic architecture in places where anyone can see it, such as Benefit Street in Providence or the various neighborhoods in Newport. Both of those areas
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and with it, schools across Rhode Island are closing their doors for the long-awaited summer vacation. Students and teachers alike are putting away their textbooks and lunch bags and settling in for a well deserved break… or at least that’s the popular opinion. In fact, many educators and their students return to the classroom for professional development and various academic camps even though school is not in session. The Rhode Island Writing Project (RIWP) is one of the most well-known hosts of these types of summer activities and when the school year ends, they gear up for their July offerings. Hosted at Rhode Island College, RIWP is the state affiliate of the National Writing Project and their shared mission is to foster creativity among teachers and students through
reading and writing. They offer a number of different summer sessions geared towards educators looking to hone their practice as well as kids who want to spend some of their summer perfecting their own writing craft. For teachers, RIWP offers their Summer Institute, which runs Monday through Friday from July 8 to 26, and is open to all educators from pre-K teachers to college professors. The program aims to allow education professionals to “explore critical and progressive theories of teaching writing in the analog and digital realms, engage in inquiry, and develop new pedagogical skills and practices.” In addition, teachers who participate get a $300 stipend and three graduate credits in education studies. Teachers Brittany Richer Ahnrud and Emmanuel Ramos are the co-directors of the
Photo courtesy of Rhode Island College
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Institute and facilitate the activities. According to Brittany, teachers walk away from the experience with new skills, ideas for activities they can utilize in their own classrooms, and even some artifacts that they themselves wrote and workshopped. “Teachers get back in touch with themselves as writers,” she says. “We spend the first hour of each day writing and sharing within our community. This is a practice that many teachers bring back to their classrooms.” Brittany also emphasizes that collaboration is a huge part of the Summer Institute each year. Considering that the participants are all teachers with varying degrees of experience, sharing their strategies and stories goes a long way. “We try to provide readings and activities that make space for teachers to share their expertise with one another, to ask questions of one another, to push each other to be the best teachers – and humans – they can be,” says Brittany. RIWP doesn’t leave the students out by any means as they have a long running Summer Writing Camp for kids K-12 held Monday to Friday from July 8-19. Tuition is $225 and includes opportunities for students to improve their writing skills through creative activities. Camp director Jeff Lawton explains that the goal each summer is to offer multiple opportunities for campers to explore their own stories. This includes collaboration, writing “marathons,” and exploration outdoors for inspiration. “We know there are many students who love to create and express themselves with the written word – and we want to give them the opportunity, encouragement, and support to explore their passion and improve their craft,” he explains. For more information about the Summer Institute, the Summer Writing Camp, or any of the RIWP’s other programs throughout the year, visit RIC.edu/RIWP, email RIWritingProject@gmail.com, or call 456-8701.
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FOOD & DRINK Restaurant and Food | Restaurant Guide | Calendar of Events
Flavor of the Month
Holy Kow!
Kow Kow food truck brings waffles and ice cream to Waterman Street
Photo courtesy of Kow Kow Food
By Lauren Vella
In a crowded coffee shop on College Hill, 22-year-old entrepreneur Vilada Khammahavong describes her original vision for her business. “I really wanted my customers to feel like the food that I was giving them is something I would give to my friends,” she says with the same gusto and energy that fuels her one-woman food truck. Kow Kow’s foodstuff is almost Suessian – fresh waffles with globular bubbles wrapped around flower-shaped, pastel-colored scoops of ice cream filling (with fruit toppings, of course!). This food sparks intense internal conflict; you don’t know whether you want to stuff your gob upon receipt or save it for a perfect Instagram
shot in front of your favorite cityscape. Originally, Kow Kow was supposed to offer a Lao soup native to the Southeast Asian country. But after Vilada discovered that selling soup out of a food truck would be too difficult, she refocused her business plan on another one of her childhood favorites. “The waffles I actually grew up eating in Boston, but I knew nowhere in Rhode Island had them...I saw that it was becoming a really big trend to make these waffles and put ice cream in them.” So, she jumped on the waffle train and brought the playful dessert to Providence. As a native Rhode Islander, Vilada feels it is
important to support other local businesses. The waffles are made by Vilada herself, but the ice cream is sourced from Warwick Ice Cream. As the CEO and only employee, the youthful owner admits that the food truck life is a grind, but she hopes that her hard work will pay off. Vilada’s dream is to have a more sedentary work week in her own brick-and-mortar store. But for now, Kow Kow is working on putting flavored tea items on its menu and collaborating with other food trucks to serve city-goers different waffle combinations. Find Kow Kow parked near 85 Waterman Street Wednesday-Saturday from 5-9pm and Sunday from 1-5pm. KowKowFood.com.
East Side Monthly • June 2019 43
Food & Drink Food News
By Lauren Vella
A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down Any commuter traveling north on North Main Street each day has seen the gradual construction of Greenline Apothecary. The drug store and soda fountain, finished with a pop of neon signage and a green 1940s car parked outside, is now open and ready for business. The store and it’s older sibling in Wakefield have become somewhat of a Rhode Island phenomenon, following the nation-wide trend of nostalgic items and businesses. Like typewriters and turntables, what’s old is new and cool again. One short traverse through the apothecary will bring older folks back to their childhoods. For others, it may conjure scenes from Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. And don’t worry – at this business, no one is slapping their employees until their ears bleed. The pharmacy franchise, named after the T train where owner and pharmacist Christina Procaccianti and her husband Ken met, opened a second store on North Main to bring new life into the neighborhood. Greenline is the brainchild of Christina, who sought to bring back a piece of old-time nostalgia from her youth. As a child growing up in New Jersey, Christina would tag along with her father who was a greeting card salesman in the southern part of the state. His main clients were “mom-and-pop” independent drug stores with soda fountains. The more often she made the rounds with her father, the more she fell in love with the environment, care, and community the businesses provided. “They were more than just drug stores. They were fixtures in the community,” Ken says, recalling Greenline’s origin story. A sense of community and independence is what Ken and his wife believe will sustain their local franchise in the years to come. With big corporations like CVS, Walgreens, and even potentially Amazon in pharmaceutical mix, Greenline’s owners did not balk at the threat of big business. “Every Goliath needs a David,” Ken says with a shrug of his shoulders. “We’re trying to inject humanity back into the profession.” And if free prescription delivery in a green 1949 panel van isn’t enough to inject humanity back into your script-filling experience, post up at the soda fountain bar to sample treats that will transport you to the 1940s. Floats, sundaes, and shakes made with ice cream from local and
44
East Side Monthly • June 2019
regional creameries abound on the fountain menu, but even more intriguing are the more traditional menu items. Things like egg creams, phosphates, and lime rickeys are served in tall, curved fountainware with a striped paper straw. It’s only fitting that soda fountains began popping up in pharmacies back in the day. Perfecting these sweet concoctions requires knowledge about chemistry. So, who better to ensure chemical exactitude than a pharmacist? These medical professionals would create tasty sodas and “tonics” to, literally, “help the medicine go down” and mask the bitterness of the medicinal powders and pills. The husband and wife decided to follow in the old-school pharmacy tradition, devising their menu recipes based off of exact measurements and which ingredients they felt would have the
best chemistry. Ken says, “We approached the recipes scientifically. That’s how soda fountains kind of entered the cultural landscape in America.” The couple tries to keep the menu as authentic as possible. All of the sodas are mixed by hand, and the fountain even uses the original organic syrup brand that was used to make the first-ever egg cream. One of the most interesting things, Ken remarks, is the way that the store is allowing people to relive their youth with an older set of eyes. “[Soda fountains] take on a really important memories for people from their childhood. You know, we see all generations, all walks of life come into our pharmacies, and it’s so interesting to see the different reactions from the different generations.” 905 North Main Street, GreenlineApothecary.com.
Photo courtesy of Greenline Apothecary
Greenline Apothecary brings its old-fashioned charm and service to North Main Street
Photo (Top) by Deb Hickey, courtesy of Chez Pascal, (Bottom) courtesy of Pizzico
Onward and Upward!
“There’s certainly something really satisfying about putting a little seed in the dirt and just watching it grow,” says owner of Chez Pascal Kristin Gennuso. And she’s right. Nurturing your own produce from seedling to full-blown fruit does something to the soul, fostering a new appreciation for the process of farm-totable cooking. Until recently, Kristin and her husband Matt were the only ones who could fully relish the sprouting, budding, and harvesting of the restaurant’s rooftop garden. The flat top of the building was only accessible via ladder, making the climb too hazardous for anyone but the owners. The husband-andwife duo decided to extend the roof of Chez Pascal’s “nook eatery” Wurst Kitchen to allow staff and possibly select customers to enjoy the vegetation as well. From the inside, the cedar addition gives the room of the Wurst Kitchen a New York studio loft-feel with an expanse of windows letting in natural light from all four walls. A wooden staircase with a white railing leads up to the rooftop, and wooden floors and cream-colored paint make the dining area more open.
The East Side is Your Oyster The restaurant business is a fickle one – almost half of the eateries across the U.S. that open wind up closing after a year or two. Couple those odds with the seemingly high turnover on Thayer and Hope Streets on the East Side of Providence, and you wonder how Pizzico Oyster Bar (formally Pizzico) has managed to stay open for 30 years...and counting. So, how do the current owners Jim Harris and Dan Teodoro do it? Their secret lies with remaining in tune with the current food trends. That’s why, Jim explains, the Italian restaurant has become an oyster bar, serving oysters and clams harvested from Rhode Island. “Ice cold shellfish is a hot concept (pun intended) that is best represented with a beautifully displayed raw bar (as opposed to the product coming out of a closed kitchen). A significant number of diners these days, young and old, prefer to dine at the bar.” This isn’t the
their food concept to keep up with the latest food fad. Jim says that farm-to-table cuisine is also something that customers look for. That’s when Pizzico started to add locally sourced specials to its menu. The new raw bar is state-of-the-art and lends additional bar seating to the restaurant. Jim notes that customers like the interactive experience of eating raw seafood. “[There are] a total of 35 seats between the two [bars] and plenty of room for standing and mingling while watching the ‘shucker’ get to work opening dozens of local oysters and clams,” he says. The original cocktail bar is still small and intimate, where customers are able to watch the bartender mix cocktails whilst sucking down a creamy pasta dish. If you’re still going to Pizzico for classic Italian, not to worry. Those menu items are there to stay. Pizzico offers buck-a-shuck Wednesday-Saturday 4-6pm and all day Sunday-Tuesday. 762
first time the establishment has tinkered with
Hope Street, Facebook
The decision to expand the restaurant came from a desire to maximize the space. After 15 years, Kristin says, it was either try something new at Chez Pascal, or hang up the towel. “We needed something different, we didn’t feel like we exhausted our efforts in this space.” Vegetables grown in the container garden will help Chez Pascal expand their retail stand that sits in the back of the Wurst Kitchen dining room. The business just obtained a jarring license, so a variety of pickled vegetables will be available for purchase once the garden is harvested. In addition, both Matt and Kristin hope that they will be able to use the rooftop space to host classes about growing produce and cooking. The lesson would start with a helpful tips from a local farmer and end with a cooking lesson in the belly of the Chez kitchen. But until the first cucumber makes its entrance into the world, customers and staff alike are playing the waiting game. Currently, all of the plants remain in their infancy, secretly stashed in the restaurant’s cavernous basement under a grow light. 960 Hope Street, Chez-Pascal.com
East Side Monthly • June 2019 45
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Sales | Leasing | Management 46
East Side Monthly • June 2019
Caserta Pizzeria Casual kid-friendly pizza spot offering traditional Italian crisp-cut pizza and calzones. 121 Spruce St, Providence, 621-3818. LD $-$$
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CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$ Character’s Cafe & Theatre Hybrid art space with all-day breakfast, coffee, and theater-inspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 490-9475. BL $ Don Jose Tequilas Restaurant Homestyle Mexican fare plus beer, wine, and cocktails in a colorful setting. 351 Atwells Ave, Providence, 454-8951. LD $-$$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Called the “Best Burger in America” by CNN. Over 50 craft beers. 121 N Main St, Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336. LD $-$$
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Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambience. Locations in Cranston and Providence, HarukiSushi.com. LD $-$$ Joe Marzelli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant High-end Italian restaurant serving up specialty dishes and drinks. 120 Atwells Ave, Providence. 751-5544. LD $$$ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating more than 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express Handmade Italian classics and prepared foods to go. 1457 Hartford Ave, Johnston,455-0045. LD $$ Luxe Burger Bar Build Your Own Burger: You dream it, we build it! 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893 LD $
East Side Monthly • June 2019 47
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RESTAURANT GUIDE Key: B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+
Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$ Pizza J Fun, upbeat atmosphere with thin-crust pizza, pub fare, and gluten-free options. 967 Westminster St, Providence, 632-0555. LD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ iena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$
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Sydney Providence Australianinspired cafe and coffee shop featuring breakfast and light lunch options. 400 Exchange St, Providence, 648-4994. BL $-$$ The Salted Slate An agri-driven American restaurant with global influences. 186 Wayland Ave, Providence, 270-3737. BrLD $$-$$$ Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun, and Southwestern fare, cocktails, and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 7516777. LD $-$$ Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra St, Cranston, 781-9693. LD $-$$$
Water St, Warren, 245-1800. LD $$ Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating, and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$ Chomp Upscale comfort food featuring award-winning burgers and sandwiches. 440 Child St, Warren, 289-2324. D $$ East Bay Oyster Bar Local seafood meets innovative preparation in a rustic setting. 308 County Rd, Barrington, 247-0303. LD $$ Ichigo Ichie Traditional Japanese cuisine, creative sushi, and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East Providence, 435-5511. LD $-$$$ KC’s Burger Bar Burgers, hot dogs, and sides enjoyed in a retro car-themed diner. 1379 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA. 508557-1723. BLD $$ Tav Vino Waterfront dining with an Italian and seafood focus. 267 Water St, Warren, 245-0231. D $$ The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA, 508-336-8460. LD $-$$$
SOUTHERN RI Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
Aviary Creative, locally sourced menu featuring rotating craft beers and fromscratch cocktails. 2229 GAR Highway, Swansea, MA, 508-379-6007. BrLD $$ Blount Market & Kitchen Traditional New England seafood summer favorites offered year-round for dine-in and takeout. 406
Champlin’s Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 7833152. LD $-$$ Coast Guard House A new American menu with a seafood emphasis and extensive wine list, open seven days a week. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700. BrLD $$$
We Make Sandwishes Come True Colvitto’s Pizza & Bakery Pizza Calzones and baked goods made fresh daily. 91 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-8086. BrLD $ Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$ George’s of Galilee Fresh-caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306. LD $-$$ Mariner Grille Seafood, steaks, and pasta in a fun setting, with live entertainment. 40 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 2843282. LD $$ Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza with exclusive ingredients imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$
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Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 3982900. BrLD $$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$ Sophie’s Brewhouse Espresso drinks and sandwiches with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. 699 S County Trail, Exeter, 295-4273. BL $$ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/ American bistro. 16 West Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$ The Cove Traditional bar and grill serving burgers, sandwiches, and classic New England seafood favorites. 3963 Old Post Rd, Charlestown, 364-9222. LD $$ Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere. 865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 7898153. LD $-$$
East Side Monthly • June 2019 49
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June music | performance | social happenings | galleries | sports
THE TOP OF OUR LIST
10 events you can’t miss this month
Photo courtesy of PVDFest
June 6-9: PVDFest
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June 1: The best part of the summer? BBQs and block parties! The Hope Street Block Party returns with live music, food trucks, performances, rock climbing wall, live wrestling, and your favorite Hope Street merchants. Hope Street from Fifth to Rochambeau, Facebook: Hope Street Merchants
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June 15: You probably know Providence’s Jewelry District, but do you know why it’s called that? Find out this and more during a two-hour guided walking tour of the historic area that discusses the past, present, and future of the former manufacturing hub. Corner of Richmond and Ship Streets, EventBrite.com
June 5: Free summer fun starts this month courtesy of the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy and kicks off with Art Days at the Imagination Center. This lunchtime series encourages participants to try different forms of artmaking each week, including printmaking and cubism, in a creative space. This first session focuses on oil pastels. 40 Kennedy Plaza, ProvParksConservancy.org
June 15: RI PrideFest is an all-day celebration highlighting the LGBTQ community in RI and beyond. Featuring food, live entertainment, shopping, and more on South Water Street, topped off with an unmissable illuminated night parade through downtown. South Water Street, PrideRI.org
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June 6-9: PVDFest is the biggest blowout of the year: A four-day festival celebrating the City’s spectacular art, culture, and culinary community. Every street, park, and public space is transformed and taken over by live music, dance, visual art, performances, and more. It’s the ultimate summer party. PVDFest.com
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June 11: Take a walk through Providence’s own “Little Italy” during the 20th Annual Federal Hill Stroll. Featuring all the sights, sounds, and flavors of the neighborhood’s restaurants, shops, and galleries. Vote for King of the Hill and Most Creative Venue. Federal Hill, GoProvidence.com
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June 14: “A Concert for Freedom” is part of the Stages of Freedom program that examines and discusses the city’s involvement in slavery. The acclaimed Schiller Institute New York City Chorus will perform African-American spirituals by notable Black composers at Manning Chapel. 21 Prospect Street, StagesOfFreedom.org
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June 16: Music returns to Blackstone with Jazz in the Park, an energetic performance courtesy of RI Philharmonic Music School students. Best enjoyed sitting on a blanket, with a picnic spread. 2 River Drive, BlackstoneParksConservancy.org
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June 20-21: Crave RI presents the best of Southern New England’s culinary scene: sips and savorings from over 100 local restaurants, 150 beverage profiles, and live demonstrations from distinguished resident chefs. The two-day, family-friendly food festival will take over the Dunk, sponsored by the CVS Health Charity Classic. 1 LaSalle Square, DunkinDonutsCenter.com
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June 27: The RI Historical Society reboots its annual outdoor summer concert series, Concerts Under the Elms. Enjoy an evening performance by Cajun band Magnolia. 52 Power Street, RIHS.org
East Side Monthly • June 2019 51
Food & Drink Calendar
MUSIC
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The Camera Werks 766 Hope Street, Providence • thecamerawerks.com 401.273.5367 • Tues-Sat 10-5:30, Closed Sun-Mon
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ARENA & CLUB COLUMBUS THEATRE June 14: Droneflower. June 16: Anika. June 22: Slothrust. June 29: Maria Bamford. June 29: WAND, Dreamdecay. 270 Broadway, Providence. 621-9660, ColumbusTheatre.com FETE MUSIC HALL June 6: Galactic with Erica Falls. June 19: Esham with Freeze Martian, Fury, Kraeyzie Payn, Devils Sidekikx and Dnazareth. June 23: Howe Gelb & Gian Sand with The Quahogs. June 28: The Morgana Phase with The Stonewall Vessels, Professor Caffeine & the Insecurities, Afterimage, Ghosts in the Snow. 103 Dike Street, Providence. 383-1112, FeteMusic.com THE MET June 1: Frank Iero & The Future Violents. June 13: Gaelic Storm. June 15: Start Making Sense. June 20: Thank You Scientist. June 22: Quinn Sullivan. June 29: Astronoid with Infinity Shred. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, TheMetRI.com THE STRAND June 1: This is Hip Hop Vol. 1. June 1-2: Lil Durk & OTF presents STTS III Tour. June 28-29: A Day to Remember with Knocked Loose. 79 Washington Street, Providence. TheStrandRI.com
PERFORMANCE comedy | theatre
Trinity Rep’s 2019-20 Season is already the talk of the town. Subscribe now for guaranteed seats & huge savings. Six-show packages start at $120. TRINITYREP.COM • (401) 351-4242 201 WASHINGTON ST • PROVIDENCE SPONSORED BY
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East Side Monthly • June 2019
COMEDY CONNECTION May 30-June1: Michelle Wolf. June 2: Doug Benson. June 6: Bob Marley. June 7-8: Paul Virzi. June 13: LOL for RIMom. June 14-15: Orlando Baxter. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 438-8383, RIComedyConnection.com THEATRE PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER May 28-June 2: Waitress The Musical. June 25-30: The Band’s Visit. 220 Weybosset St, Providence.
421-2787, PPACRI.org TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY May 16-June16: Marisol. 201 Washington Street, Providence. 351-4242, TrinityRep.com
LEARN
discussion | instruction | tour HAMILTON HOUSE ADULT LEARNING EXCHANGE Ongoing: Early American Floor Cloth Workshop, Quilling, Theatre Reading, Poetry Workshop, Religious History of the United States, Yoga, Dance Exercise. 276 Angell Street, Providence. 831-1800, HistoricHamilton.com LADD OBSERVATORY Open to the public on Tuesday evenings from 8 to 10pm, weather permitting. 210 Doyle Avenue. 863-2641, Brown.edu MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND PLANETARIUM Public Planetarium Shows on Saturdays and Sundays. Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 785-9457, ProvidenceRI.gov/Museum PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY LIBRARY June 1: Joy Group for Youth Ages 3-18, Bernie’s Platform. June 3: East Side Cinema Night. June 4, 11, 18, 25: BabyBooks, Zumba4Toddlers, PVD Young Makers Drop-In. June 5, 12, 19, 26: Cradles to Crayons, Preschool Storytime, PVD Younger Makers. June 6: Tween Club, The Artists Loop with Jesse Smolover, Anchor Learning Academy Parent Night. June 7, 14, 21, 28: Unwind with Yarn. June 8, 15: Community Restorative Yoga. June 12: CareerDevs Code Night. June 18: Books and Movies of Faith. Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence. 2723780, ProvComLib.org FOR FOODIES BOTTLES Thursdays 5–7pm: Spirit tasting. Fridays 4–7pm: Beer tasting. Saturdays 4–7pm: Wine tasting. 141 Pitman Street. 372-2030, BottlesFineWine.com
FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND Tuesdays 3-6pm: Woonsocket Year-Round Farmers Market. Fridays 11am-1pm: Harvest Kitchen Cooking Demo. Saturdays 9am-1pm: Hope Street Farmers Market. Sundays 11am3pm: Arcade Farmers Market. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. FarmFreshRI.org
Celebrate the Dads & Grads in your life with printed, framed memories and diplomas!
GALLERIES RISD MUSEUM Through June 30: Repair and Design Futures. Through July 7: Bona Drag. Through August 4: Visions and Revisions. Through December 1: Gorham Silver. 20 North Main Street, Providence. 454-6530, RISDMuseum.org
www.ProvidencePictureFrame.com
SPORTS PAWTUCKET RED SOX June 1-2: vs. Syracuse. June 3-4: vs. Lehigh Valley. June 7-9: vs. Rochester. June 18-20: vs. Durham. June 21-23: vs. Indianapolis. June 2425: vs. Buffalo. 1 Columbus Avenue, Pawtucket. 724-7300, PawSox.com
M-S 8:30-6:30
27 Dryden Ln. Providence RI 02904
401.421.6196
Great for Dads & Grads
ONLY $120 FOR TWO 60-MINUTE MASSAGE SESSIONS With Rapid Tension Relief Enhancement*
PROVIDENCE
229 Waterman Street (401) 455-3689 *While supplies last. Beginning July 1, 2019, this promotional voucher may be redeemed for two (2) 60-minute Wellness Massage sessions with a Rapid Tension Relief (“RTR”) enhancement included as part of each session (the “Promotional Sessions”). This voucher may not be redeemed before July 1, 2019. This voucher is for promotional purposes only, has no cash value, and may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offers. This voucher may not be replaced if stolen and must be presented upon checkin to be redeemed for the Promotional Sessions. Session time includes a total of up to ten (10) minutes for consultation and dressing, which occurs pre- and post-service. This voucher does not include gratuity. Additional taxes or fees may apply. RTR is generally known to help ease minor aches and pains and muscle tension. All services are not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat any medical condition, and you should consult your doctor if you are experiencing continual or severe pain in any area of your body. Rates and services may vary by franchised location and session. Not all franchised locations offer RTR. For a specific list of services, check with the specific franchised location or visit MassageEnvy.com. Other rules may apply. See franchised location for details. Each franchised location is independently owned and operated. TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE APPLIED TO VOUCHERS. ©2019 Massage Envy Franchising, LLC.
East Side Monthly • June 2019 53
Business Spotlight
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
IASIMONE PLUMBING
FIND A WORRYFREE PRE-OWNED EUROPEAN CAR?
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Sure! Choose color, features, mileage & your budget up front. Your dream car is hand-selected, vetted & warrantied. Plus expert service, free pick-up & delivery.
HEATING & DRAIN CLEANING, INC.
We are always providing a Free Estimate
WINNER OF THE SUPER SERVICE AWARD FROM ANGIE’S LIST FOUR YEARS IN A ROW!
Call for a Free Consultation
We Can Do Anything With Water Except Walk On It Servicing all of RI & nearby Mass. for over 35 years
Summertime Home Solutions
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27 Allen Avenue, North Providence (401) 300-9761 • iasimonephdc.com
BEAUTIFUL PRE-OWNED JEWELRY
1271 North Main Street, Providence 437-8421 358 Broad Street, Providence 273-7050
TOP APPLIANCES AT LOW PRICES
STAINLESS REFRIGERATORS RANGES • HOODS WASHERS & DRYERS
4 Season Care For Your Property
BUILT-IN REFRIGERATION COOKTOPS WALL OVENS DISHWASHERS
NEW SHOWROOM WITH OVER 400 SCRATCH & DENT APPLIANCES!
299 Walcott Street, Pawtucket 723.0500 • www.KitchenGuys.com 54
East Side Monthly • June 2019
CityEstateGardener.com 401.935.2312
L
ouis Iasimone, life-long Rhode Islander, is a proud member of a family of leading plumbing and heating professionals. With over 35 years of experience, Louis and the crew at IASIMONE PLUMBING, HEATING & DRAIN CLEANING INC provide customers the highest level of service. “It’s so rewarding to have clients call us year after year,” Louis says. Making sure every client understands their options is an important part of what keeps people coming back to Iasimone each year. The company, a yearslong recipient of Angie’s List’s Super Service Award, offers a variety of plumbing and heating services, as well as no-cost estimates. They specialize in installation and repairs of sinks and faucets, bathroom fixtures, water lines, dishwashers, water heaters and boilers, and also offer water and sewage services. With the summer months here and entertaining at a maximum, Louis recommends giving some extra attention to your drains. To keep your sinks worryfree, be sure to try and clean your drains regularly, at least once a month. If you have a garbage disposal, try using a couple tablespoons of salt and a cup or two of ice to try and eliminate any grease in the disposal. Follow that with some cold water and a lemon to flush it out and keep it smelling fresh. Don’t forget to flush your drains with hot water after washing your dishes (particularly any greasy ones) to keep the grease from building up. If the worst does occur and there’s a blockage you can’t rid, you’ll know to call Iasimone for your drain cleaning solutions.
Iasimone Plumbing, Heating & Drain Cleaning 27 Allen Ave, North Providence 300-9761
Business Spotlight
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Prepare Your Car Now for Summer Weather and Trips
Tomasso Auto
T.F. Morra Tree Care, Inc.
Check A/C and other essentials to summerize your car before trips
Ornamental and Shade Tree Specialists
Swedish Motors
We service and repair ALL foreign and domestic models • ASE Certified • RI inspection and repair station #27b
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
729 East Avenue • 401-723-1111
• fine hand pruning • tree preservation • hazard tree removal • tree evaluation & diagnosis • tree planting consultation
(Top of the East Side, next door to Rite Aid)
331-8527 • tfmorra.com
MEMORY CARE ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE
The Dwares JCC is
YOUR Community Center. Membership is open to EVERYone regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexuality, ethnic background or family constellation.
A
s many are painfully aware, we are still deep into pothole season. If you hit a pothole and are anxiously wondering if there’s any damage to your car, don’t wait; bring it into the car experts at TOMASSO AUTO SWEDISH MOTORS to give it a once-over. Sue, the owner, explains, “People can’t see the potholes, particularly when it rains because they fill up, so remember to slow down, especially in unfamiliar territory.” She advises the basic precaution of allowing at least a car length in front of you so you can let the forward vehicle guide you through any choppy situations. Sue continues, “And if you do run over a pothole, don’t take it for granted that if it’s not making a noise or you’re not feeling anything that everything is okay. You should have it checked out.” The big open secret to car longevity is to simply keep up with general maintenance, like timely oil changes and summerizing your car for road trips. Services include having your AC recharged, topping off fluids, and making sure hoses and belts are in good shape before you hit the open road. You want to enjoy your vacation, and not be stuck roadside with car issues. Call the experts at Tomasso Auto Swedish Motors today to schedule an appointment.
Swedish Motors 729 East Avenue, Pawtucket (Top of the East Side, just past Lippitt Park) 723-1111
Fitness Center, Indoor Pool, Gymnasium, Early Childhood Center, After School Program, Family Programming, Cultural Arts and more! Our uplifting environment and special approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care have created a quality of life you simply can’t get anyplace else.
(401) 944-2450
FOR A PERSONAL TOUR Convenient to US Hwy 6 and I-295 in Johnston, RI
Stop in or call to learn more!
In the heart of Providence’s East Side...
Dwares Rhode Island
49 OLD POCASSET ROAD BriarcliffeGardens.com
401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org
Largest Selection of Vintage Furniture
ALSO OFFERING THE IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT LOSS METHOD
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881 Westminster Street, Providence | 861-6872 RJLGallery@gmail.com | ReliableJewelryAndLoan.com
“After a week of treatment, all the pain was gone... I recommend Dr. Tom to everyone I know.” – J.T.
Northeast Chiropractic DR. THOMAS MORISON Chiropractic Physician
401-861-1300 • 187 Waterman Street www.wickedgoodposture.com East Side Monthly • June 2019 55
SERVICE Serving the East Side for over 20 years!
JOBS BY JIM Cellars & Attics Cleaned Unwanteds Removed
DIRECTORY
Robert Freitas RF Plastering Quality Plastering done right the first time! Water Damage Restoration Specializing in small repairs.
One day service. !""#$% 4 3 8 -0 0 1 7 &'(#)% 2 4 1 -5 0 7 6
Call cell
Reg. #18183 & Insured
4 0 years experience
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R.W. Desrosiers Inc.
Carpentry Renovations
House Cleaning
Plaster Perfection
Small Repair Specialist Historic Restorations Interior & Exterior Painting
If you need a house cleaner who is organized, with good prices and excellent references, call
401-475-3283 954-709-6713
Senior, Veterans & Cash Discounts
6(1")5&17$+$8-**&9( Reg. #4114 ★ Member BBB ★ Est. 1946
Call Now
7 3 8 -0 3 6 9
Celebrating our 25th year in business on the East Side! Thanks to our loyal customers!
CHRIS’ LAMP REPAIR We Make Housecalls! Repairing all types of L amps ✭ Vintag e L ig hting Specialist
✭
✭ Chandelier Repairs & Cleaning ✭
Fully Insured
401-831-8693 56
East Side Monthly • June 2019
Interior, Exterior, Residential/Commercial Wallpaper Hanging, Power Washing, Staining 25 Years Experience (401) 885-1580 • (401) 323-6100 cell R.I. Lic 7140 Liab/ Work Comp Insured
David Onken Painting
Providence
ri Contr 937 MP #1578 MPF 1355
Established 1946
Skills-based approach All ages & levels welcome Private/Group Lessons Introductory Packages Flexible & Encouraging “If it’s not fun, why do it?” mdt.renn@gmail.com
Interior/Exterior
LiCenSed • Bonded • inSured
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Complete Plumbing & Heating Service
723-0560
Emergency Water Damage Repairs
Levine Painting Co., Inc.
Smooth ✱ Scroll ✱ Texture
Estate Ceaning
FREE Interior Inspections !"#$%"&'&()*$+$,-''* .//$0-&(1"(-(2"$+ 3"4-&5*
Prompt, Reliable Quality Work
Lead Certified Gutter Cleaning Chimney Pointing Roof Leak Repairs
We Specialize in painting & carpentry
Experts in Water Problems
From Roofs, Gutters & Basements
Reg. #1903 Insured 40 Years Experience
Over 20 years of experience on historical homes Certified Lead Renovated LRM #0514 RI Reg #7320 • Fully insured GET IT DONE! CALL TODAY!
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Call Al Medina (401) 438-8771 or (401) 323-8252
Vinny’s Landscaping & BOBCAT SERVICE
The Finest in New England Craftmanship
New Lawns Installed
Seed or Sod Power Raking Augering Hammering Rototilling Screened Loam Free Estimates
Call 4 9 7 -1 4 6 1
Boreal Remodeling General Home Repair, including Kitchens,Baths, Decks & Additions Reg. # 22013
Michael Packard • (401) 441-7303
Retirement Medicare 101 Finding the Right Medicare Option for You
Jeffrey G. Brier CLU, ChFC, CASL
Brier & Brier Insurance & Employee Benefits 469 Angell Street • Suite 2 • Providence • 02906 120 Lavan St. • Warwick • 02888 • 401-751-2990 cell 401-837-4475 • fax 401-633-6658 • www.brier-brier.com
STONE MASON 40 yrs. exp. Stone, brick, veneers, walls, fireplaces, patios, chimneys, pavers. Design work. Reg. #7445. Call 641-0362. lousstonework.com HANDYMAN Specializing in exceptional results for repairs & small jobs. On time, professional & extremely clean. Reg. #40738. clearproppvd@gmail.com
Free. Community-Focused. Awesome. And, once again,
LAST LOOK
#258 FREE APRIL 2018
e OWN PAINT th T EXPLORE
HOUSE CLEANING Experienced. Local references. Free estimates. Call Lilly, 401-419-2933.
AWARD WINNING!
GALLERIES,
R MIND AND YOU W, AND EXP SEE A SHO
NG SPRI S ART E GUID
Fire dancer Elizabeth Knights of Cirque De Light performing at WaterFire
HOME & BUSINESS SERVICES
SUPERB HOUSEPAINTING High end workmanship. Small jobs a specialty. Call Ron 751-3242. Reg. #18128. MALIN PAINTING Most ceiling & wall repairs, wallpaper removal, oil-based & latex finishes, staining, varnishing. Fully insured, Many local references. Safe, secure, fast service. 226-8332. Reg. #19226.
town Providence. A long black boat with a fire dancer at the bow emerges through heat, smoke, and flame, as if a mirage. All are enchanted. Small children gaze in wonder; dreaming of the magical possibilities that life might hold in the future while adults drift back to a time when they believed magic was still a possibility. And the flames, under the artistic spell of the fire dancer, brush the evening
PL US
BEYOND THE PALE Quality interior painting, color consulting, lead certified, green products. Lic. #15914. Call Mike 401-573-4498.
THE FIRE DANCER Words and photography by Wolf Matthewson The rhythmic pulse of drumming echoes through the city at nightfall as rows of crackling bonfires illuminate the waterways of down-
of science The wild side e Lab at RISD’s Natur
canvas of WaterFire in dazzling strokes of light and shadow, flickering and whirling their way down the river.
114
s
come street food A world of Olneyville together in
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HEY RHODY SUMMER 2018
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ENTERTAINMENT PHOTO
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For Excellence in Photography, Editorial & Design
DOROTHY’S CLEANING We clean your home as our own! References & free estimates. 401-524-7453 or 401-228-6273.
Golden Crest Nursing Centre
Celebrating
PIONEER BASEMENT The healthy choice for wet basements, crawl spaces, moisture & air quality control. Foundation repair. Certified. Insured. Reg. #3934. Cell 401-215-7985 or 1-800-649-6140. HOUSE CLEANER With experience and great references. Please call for a free estimate. Call Lia 359-4379. HOUSE CLEANING Honest, hard worker, years of experience. Excellent references. Free estimates. Call Renata 516-135
WANTED
PROPERTY MANAGER Available. On call 24/7. Rent collection. Rentals, evictions, maintenance. 421-0092. USED MUSIC WANTED! Round Again Records needs your used CDs and records. Cash paid. 351-6292. I BUY BOOKS Old, used and almost new. Also photography, art, etc. jcminich1@gmail.com 286-9329.
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Putting the needs of others first
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100 Smithfield Road, North Providence • 353–1710 • GCNCare.com — Family Owned & Operated By The Pezzelli Family —
East Side Monthly • June 2019 57
EAST SIDER By Robert Isenberg
Sunrise, Sunset Rabbi Wayne Franklin has a funny story about coming to Providence. He was serving as a spiritual leader in New Haven, Connecticut. During a casual lunch in 1980, a friend mentioned that the rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Providence was stepping down, leaving an open spot. Franklin didn’t think much of it. But a few months later, he received an urgent phone call from the friend, checking on his application. Franklin was stunned; he hadn’t even considered his own candidacy. “I was really happy in New Haven,” remembers Franklin. “I could have stayed there forever. Then I came to Providence, and I saw the temple. There was a certain sophistication about the programming. They had a beautiful facility. It was much different from what we could do in a small, 200-family congregation. I thought, ‘This could be very interesting.’
58
East Side Monthly • June 2019
Such is the wending life of Rabbi Franklin, who grew up in the tiny town of Wharton, Texas. He discovered a love for his ancestral literature at a Jewish summer camp, and instead of studying medicine (as he’d originally contemplated) he went to Yeshiva University in New York City. “It was a complete shock to my system,” he recalls with a laugh. “It was big, noisy, dirty. I had never been on a subway. But what I realized my first year is that I really enjoyed Judaic studies better than science and math. Learning text, interpreting text, it was exciting, and I wanted to share my love for this kind of learning with other people.” His clerical career led Franklin to rural Michigan, then to Connecticut, and then, much to his surprise, the East Side. Over the past four decades, Franklin has been a powerhouse of scholarship and community-building. Aside from his teaching and
daily duties, Franklin has served as chair of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, and 34 years as chair of the Rhode Island Interfaith Commemoration of the Holocaust, among many other offices. Most personally, he has worked closely with celebrated Catholic leaders, and he still co-chairs the Rhode Island Catholic-Jewish Dialogue Group. His list of honors, from the Joseph W. Ress Community Service Award to an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Providence College, could fill half this page. Emanu-El will host a dinner in his honor on June 2. Franklin still plans to work on interfaith dialogue, but he has some other things planned. “I have a stack of books I want to read,” he says. “I had taken art lessons, but I haven’t had time to touch it in over 15 years. I like art very much – the potential, the variety. It’s an endless fascination for me.”
Photography by Wold Matthewson
On the cusp of retirement, Rabbi Wayne Franklin looks back on 38 years at Temple Emanu-El
543 WOONSOCKET HILL ROAD NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI | $1,089,900
101 NORTH MAIN STREET #400 EAST SIDE OF PROVIDENCE, RI | $935,000
700 GREAT ROAD LINCOLN, RI | $1,249,900
101 NORTH MAIN STREET #300 EAST SIDE OF PROVIDENCE, RI | $849,999
6 TALLWOOD DRIVE BARRINGTON, RI | $675,000
LILA DELMAN REAL ESTATE OF PROVIDENCE 369 SOUTH MAIN STREET | 401.274.1644
101 GREAT ROAD NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI | $389,900
72 Manning Street, Unit 1 East Side of Providence $799,000 401.274.6740
140 Prospect Street East Side of Providence $4,500,000 401.274.6740
See the Video Tour at 140ProspectStreet.com
See the Video Tour at 72Manning.com
#1 in RI Homes Sold Four Consecutive Years *
505 Lloyd Avenue East Side of Providence $849,000 401.274.6740
Barrington Cumberland East Greenwich Narragansett Providence West Side PVD Relocation
See the Video at 505Lloyd.com
401.245.9600 401.333.9333 401.885.8400 401.783.2474 401.274.6740 401.457.3400 800.886.1775
*This statement is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. The MLS does not guarantee and is not in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Based on information from Statewide Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for 1995-2018 as of January 2019.
45 Hazard Avenue East Side of Providence $1,125,000 401.274.6740
274 Benefit Street #2 East Side of Providence $775,000 401.274.6740
See the Video Tour at 45Hazard.com
See the Video at 274Benefit.com
18 Stadium Road East Side of Providence $749,000 401.274.6740
See the Video Tour at 18Stadium.com
50 Benefit Street East Side of Providence $875,000 401.274.6740
See the Video Tour at 50Benefit.com