ridaily - July 2009
2009-07-30Shopping Westminster Just Got EasierWestminster Street is chock full of cool and interesting shops, but it’s the dreadful parking situation that often keeps people –– including myself –– away. Until now. Shop Downcity is now offering free two-hour parking for anyone who shops at member stores. Parking is at the Grant’s Block lot (corner of Westminster and Clemence streets). Just hand your keys over to the valet and get a time-stamped ticket, to be validated in any of the participating stores or restaurants, which include Tazza, Symposium Books, OOP!, Design Within Reach, Heir Antiques, Farmstead Lunch, Eno Fine Wines, Homestyle, Elsa Arms, Clover, Craftland and Gourmet Heaven. The new program takes effect on Aug. 1 and will be offered Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Which... |
|
2009-07-29Rhode Island Goes Primetime on the Food NetworkThere was a lot of commotion outside beloved greasy spoon (and tried and true Brown hangover cure) Louis Restaurant this morning. The ProJo was there, Channel 10 was there (complete with a parking ticket tucked under the wiper for straddling the sidewalk), oh, and we were there. We’ll go anywhere that serves food. The crowd hadn’t gathered at the old-school meets hipster hangout for the hash browns or the super cheap pancakes or the prospect of 8 a.m. beers. Nope. They came to interview Guy Fieri, TV personality and star of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and learn what Rhode Island spots he’d be featuring on upcoming shows. When I arrived, his signature ’67 candy-apple red Camaro convertible was out front, and Guy... |
|
2009-07-28While We Were OutWe were playing a little hooky yesterday. Every summer, we sneak away from the office for one afternoon to catch the PawSox, hands-down one of the best ways to while away a few summer hours in Rhode Island. Yesterday, we lucked out with sunny skies and a warm breeze, and though we lost, it was a great chance to hang out with colleagues who are usually toiling away at their desks or zipping around putting out fires (we love you, Kris) and to salute-slash-humiliate our interns by making them throw out the first pitch (well done, Eliza and Lindsay!). All in all, just a really good day--thank you to the PawSox for being our gracious hosts. Okay, your turn -- go to a game! Next up at McCoy, PawSox vs. Yankees on August 3 at 7:05. P.S. The first round of Best Of pics are up -- are you in... |
|
2009-07-24The Hangover Report: Best of Rhode Island PartyWe're a little late posting today. It has absolutely nothing to do with wine. Jenna and I are trying to cobble together an account of last night's party. It's tough, because all the people who organized it are (deservedly) out of the office today. They are resting. This is why:More than 1,200 people showed up to the Best Of Rhode Island party at PPAC last night, the most ever. By several hundred. By the end, there was no vodka left. Or Narragansett beer (thanks, guys! You rock). That's never happened before. Obviously we will need even more booze next year, which is impressive, because there was a LOT. Apparently we Rhodies know how to party.The guy from Flo's Clam Shack stuck Flo's stickers on most of our staff members. Thanks, tanned guy. People ate 1,500 cupcakes. And roast beef and... |
|
2009-07-23Time to Celebrate the "Best"The office is positively buzzing today. Why? Because tonight is our annual Best of Rhode Island Party at PPAC, an event we like to refer to as the “Best” party of the year. Our marketing department is working furiously to get everything set up right now. For the editors, the hard work was finished about a month ago when we wrapped up the August issue. But it’s still exciting to see the big reveal at the party each year. It’s one of those rare moments when we get to see the results of all of our hard work first-hand, when the always-very-grateful winners of Best of awards excitedly flip through the magazine to see what they’ve won. And the party’s always a great time, too, with lots of local food, dangerously good martinis and really cool raffle items... |
|
2009-07-22Doggie YogaSome of our readers may have noticed that we’ve been running a cute pet photo contest, and as someone who lives with two cats, it pains me to point out that the majority of the 560 (!!) very cute contest photos are of D.O.G.s So as a public service to our dog lovers, I’d like to direct you to Doga Outdoors, a yoga class for owners and their favorite four-legged friends, offered by yoga instructor and certified veterinary technician Jennifer DeAngelis, and her dog, Little Dog. The sessions include a thirty-minute walk, followed by a meditation and outdoor yoga class to help strengthen that doggie-human bond and create a calming effect.As for the possibilty of yoga for cats? Not so much, according to DeAngelis. “They don’t like to follow rules,” she... |
|
2009-07-20Wild Things in the CityHey -- Peter Green, the fantastic "Downcity Hawk" photographer we featured in "Current" back in January, is out with a new series on Providence falcons. They're amazing; see them here. The best is #11, a shot of four cranky babies. (Eyasses, if you want the correct term.) Now just look at the little one way on the left. He looks like he doesn't think it's so hot being a bird. But as you can see in the rest of the photos, his future looks perfectly magnificent. Ah.If you haven't seen the hawk photos yet, they're gorgeous and they're here. |
|
2009-07-20Cutting Loose, Coming HomeIt's official, and we can all stop biting our tongues: we're breaking free. Rhode Island Monthly, long a subsidiary of the Providence Journal - which is owned in turn by media corporation A H Belo - is going private. John Palumbo, our publisher, is buying the magazine (how much for, only he and ProJo management know). The purchase and sales agreement was signed over the weekend. It's fair to say that staff here are pretty pumped. We've long been the odd man out in the Belo empire, the lone magazine, forced to follow all sorts of corporate strictures that don't make sense for a small and would-be flexible outfit like us. And of course, being held to stock-market profits during a recession is pretty scary for a small company that relies on all the other small businesses in Rhode Island... |
|
2009-07-17Recession Remedy?If you’ve been intrigued by those “Recession 101” billboards with positive phrases like “Interesting fact about recessions…they end” that have been popping up along the highway, today’s Associated Press story sheds some light on the mystery. According to the report, the project is funded by an “anonymous East Coast donor, who was upset with the country’s reaction to the economic downturn.” So far, the donor, working in partnership with the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, which donates the space, has put up at least 1,000 billboards throughout the country. With the lead story in today’s ProJo reporting that the unemployment rate in Rhode Island is still... |
|
2009-07-16People-Watching at PoloThis past weekend was the first time it truly felt like summer, at least for me anyway. I triumphantly made it to the beach both days, and also got to partake in one of my absolute favorite summertime activities: tailgating at a Newport polo match. I’m always pleasantly surprised at the pains people go to in order to affect a “polo” look. In front of the row of parked cars, teak and antique tables are topped with linens, ceramic serving platters, crystal wine glasses and even freshly cut flowers in some cases. And most people make some effort to dress the part also. I always see lots of pastel –– even on the men –– gorgeous sundresses and a sea of hats. In an era where dressing up is becoming an increasing rarity, it’s refreshing to see so... |
|
