ridaily - December 2011

2011-12-30

Tossing Frisbees and Burning the Midnight Oil

Can't sleep? Why not try a sport.

Posted at 02:31 PM in Food and Dining ridaily | Permalink |

2011-12-29

Sam Fox Ran/Hiked 2,396.5 Miles for his Mom

In the January issue of Rhode Island Monthly, we profiled Rhode Island native, Sam Fox, and his mother, Lucy Fox. Here's a full Q&A about his journey across the U.S. from the Canadian to Mexican borders to raise money for Parkinson's research.

Posted at 07:43 AM in Food and Dining ridaily | Permalink |

2011-12-28

All the Right Notes

Okay, so where have I been the last couple of weeks? Living under some holiday-themed rock with a bow on top apparently. Only last night did I find out that Cranston High School East, my alma mater, won $10,000 thanks to “Glee’s” Give a Note contest, which awarded $1 million to seventy-three struggling school music programs nationwide that submitted a video. Between daydreaming of one day becoming a beat reporter for the Boston Red Sox, taking gym-class volleyball too seriously and slaving through the dreaded junior-year research paper, I played violin in the Cranston East string ensemble. I was never the most dedicated violinist and I never practiced as much as I should have, but that was definitely no fault of the program; I was just lazy. I wanted to be good,...

Posted at 01:00 PM in Food and Dining | Permalink |

2011-12-27

Frosty Gazing

Instead of looking down at all the snow on the ground this season, why not take a moment and look up?

Posted at 01:38 PM in Food and Dining | Permalink |

2011-12-22

New Year's Eve in Providence

Make your New Year's Eve dinner reservations today to ensure your spot at the table at one of Providence's fine restaurants.

Posted at 05:42 AM in Diner's Update ridaily | Permalink |

2011-12-21

Believing You Are

Even though she’s competed in the Olympics, Roisin McGettigan knows what it’s like to need some inspiration to lace up those sneakers. McGettigan, an Irish runner who lives on Providence’s East Side, has teamed up with longtime friend and fellow competitive runner Lauren Fleshman to develop a training journal for female athletes called “Believe I Am.” Their goal is to break down the idea that only serious runners need training journals. “When I hear a female runner say she doesn’t keep a training diary, it kills me,” says Fleshman, who is based in Oregon. “In less than a minute each day, you create something of incredible value. Your journal is a pat on the back; a kick in the butt; a collection of memories. Every...

Posted at 12:31 PM in Food and Dining ridaily | Permalink |

2011-12-20

A Few Lines on Tradition

It’s a shame the stress of shopping steals the spotlight from tradition during the holidays. While finding that perfect gift might be the most immediate concern, the traditions you hang onto year after year keep the holiday warm-and-fuzzies coming. In my immediate family, we visit La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, Mass. on Christmas Eve every year to see the Festival of Lights display, with more than 300,000 lights in all (and free admission). While the shrine, for some, is a place to connect on a religious level, we Nilssons prefer to hang out with Clopper the Donkey, burn our tongues on hot chocolate, complain about the cold and reminisce about Christmases past. At our family celebration on Christmas day, the tradition to look forward to is the Yankee Swap, where gifts...

Posted at 11:39 AM in Food and Dining | Permalink |

2011-12-15

Oh, Mussel Tree! Oh, Mussel Tree!

Rhode Island retired schoolteacher Dale Munsill hand collects mussel shells to create these beautiful Christmas trees.

Posted at 10:50 AM in Eye for Design ridaily | Permalink |

2011-12-14

It's Still a Wonderful Life

It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic for a reason. Trinity Rep’s production of the holiday favorite reminds us that while many people might not live lives that make history, they can still have a great impact on the world around them. Staged as a live radio play, It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey (Mauro Hantman), who as a young man is desperate to leave his hometown of Bedford Falls and see the world. But life doesn’t turn out the way he plans, and he winds up staying in his hometown, running his family’s building and loan business. He's a savior to people who don’t want to live in slums run by the mercenary Old Man Potter (Timothy Crowe), who essentially runs the town. The play has much modern-day resonance...

Posted at 11:42 AM in Food and Dining ridaily | Permalink |

2011-12-13

May Toys for Tots Live Long and Prosper

In a recent visit with my dad at his workplace, Epoch Assisted Living on the East Side, I was greeted by a mound of gifts piled inside a red sleigh close to the entrance. Who were these gifts for? The residents are a bit, ahem, mature for stuffed teddy bears and baby dolls. Dad told me that the non-denominational holiday sleigh started off twelve years ago as a mere display, with wrapped cardboard boxes as stand-ins for real gifts. But one Epoch employee wanted more. Joe Ferro recommended they utilize the space as a drop-off location for Rhode Island’s chapter of Toys for Tots. Ever since, Epoch’s residents and generous staff have been filling the robust sleigh, on average, about two times each holiday season. When Joe passed away last year, the staff...

Posted at 10:58 AM in Food and Dining | Permalink |

2011-12-30 Tossing Frisbees and Burning the Midnight Oil Can't sleep? Why not try a sport. Posted at 02:31 PM in Food and Dining ridaily \| Permalink \|

	2011-12-29 Sam Fox Ran/Hiked 2,396.5 Miles for his Mom In the January issue of Rhode Island Monthly, we profiled Rhode Island native, Sam Fox, and his mother, Lucy Fox. Here's a full Q&A about his journey across the U.S. from the Canadian to Mexican borders to raise money for Parkinson's research. Posted at 07:43 AM in Food and Dining ridaily \| Permalink \|

2011-12-28 All the Right Notes Okay, so where have I been the last couple of weeks? Living under some holiday-themed rock with a bow on top apparently. Only last night did I find out that Cranston High School East, my alma mater, won $10,000 thanks to “Glee’s” Give a Note contest, which awarded $1 million to seventy-three struggling school music programs nationwide that submitted a video. Between daydreaming of one day becoming a beat reporter for the Boston Red Sox, taking gym-class volleyball too seriously and slaving through the dreaded junior-year research paper, I played violin in the Cranston East string ensemble. I was never the most dedicated violinist and I never practiced as much as I should have, but that was definitely no fault of the program; I was just lazy. I wanted to be good,... Posted at 01:00 PM in Food and Dining \| Permalink \|

	2011-12-27 Frosty Gazing Instead of looking down at all the snow on the ground this season, why not take a moment and look up? Posted at 01:38 PM in Food and Dining \| Permalink \|

2011-12-22 New Year's Eve in Providence Make your New Year's Eve dinner reservations today to ensure your spot at the table at one of Providence's fine restaurants. Posted at 05:42 AM in Diner's Update ridaily \| Permalink \|

	2011-12-21 Believing You Are Even though she’s competed in the Olympics, Roisin McGettigan knows what it’s like to need some inspiration to lace up those sneakers. McGettigan, an Irish runner who lives on Providence’s East Side, has teamed up with longtime friend and fellow competitive runner Lauren Fleshman to develop a training journal for female athletes called “Believe I Am.” Their goal is to break down the idea that only serious runners need training journals. “When I hear a female runner say she doesn’t keep a training diary, it kills me,” says Fleshman, who is based in Oregon. “In less than a minute each day, you create something of incredible value. Your journal is a pat on the back; a kick in the butt; a collection of memories. Every... Posted at 12:31 PM in Food and Dining ridaily \| Permalink \|

2011-12-20 A Few Lines on Tradition It’s a shame the stress of shopping steals the spotlight from tradition during the holidays. While finding that perfect gift might be the most immediate concern, the traditions you hang onto year after year keep the holiday warm-and-fuzzies coming. In my immediate family, we visit La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, Mass. on Christmas Eve every year to see the Festival of Lights display, with more than 300,000 lights in all (and free admission). While the shrine, for some, is a place to connect on a religious level, we Nilssons prefer to hang out with Clopper the Donkey, burn our tongues on hot chocolate, complain about the cold and reminisce about Christmases past. At our family celebration on Christmas day, the tradition to look forward to is the Yankee Swap, where gifts... Posted at 11:39 AM in Food and Dining \| Permalink \|

2011-12-15 Oh, Mussel Tree! Oh, Mussel Tree! Rhode Island retired schoolteacher Dale Munsill hand collects mussel shells to create these beautiful Christmas trees. Posted at 10:50 AM in Eye for Design ridaily \| Permalink \|

2011-12-14 It's Still a Wonderful Life It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic for a reason. Trinity Rep’s production of the holiday favorite reminds us that while many people might not live lives that make history, they can still have a great impact on the world around them. Staged as a live radio play, It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey (Mauro Hantman), who as a young man is desperate to leave his hometown of Bedford Falls and see the world. But life doesn’t turn out the way he plans, and he winds up staying in his hometown, running his family’s building and loan business. He's a savior to people who don’t want to live in slums run by the mercenary Old Man Potter (Timothy Crowe), who essentially runs the town. The play has much modern-day resonance... Posted at 11:42 AM in Food and Dining ridaily \| Permalink \|

	2011-12-13 May Toys for Tots Live Long and Prosper In a recent visit with my dad at his workplace, Epoch Assisted Living on the East Side, I was greeted by a mound of gifts piled inside a red sleigh close to the entrance. Who were these gifts for? The residents are a bit, ahem, mature for stuffed teddy bears and baby dolls. Dad told me that the non-denominational holiday sleigh started off twelve years ago as a mere display, with wrapped cardboard boxes as stand-ins for real gifts. But one Epoch employee wanted more. Joe Ferro recommended they utilize the space as a drop-off location for Rhode Island’s chapter of Toys for Tots. Ever since, Epoch’s residents and generous staff have been filling the robust sleigh, on average, about two times each holiday season. When Joe passed away last year, the staff... Posted at 10:58 AM in Food and Dining \| Permalink \|

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