Tuesday, May 27, 2003

I'm out of town for the next few days, so my postings to the blog will be sparse. Enjoy the silence!

Thursday, May 22, 2003

Zsolnay Tile Museum


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The Drawing Room, an antique store in Newport, offers an online Museum of Zsolnay Tiles. These are very special tiles from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, starting in the late 1800's and right up to World War I. The tiles in the collection are beautiful examples of craftsmanship and functional art.


The Drawing Room is located at 152-154 Spring Street in Newport, and has a wide variety of other kinds of antiques and historical objects. To find out more, visit their website or give them a call at 1-401-841-5060.

Wednesday, May 21, 2003






The Woonsocket Sentinels of the New England Football League are a Semi-Pro Football team that hails from Woonsocket, Rhode Island. The team includes top quality players from the surrounding communities and consist of high school and college stand-outs. The players are not paid, and the sentinels are a non-profit organization. All the players have a passion for the game and are coached by a professional coaching staff. This level of football enables the players to continue their playing years and also enables them an opportunity to participate in Football Scouting Camps. Many players have the ability to be scouted by the NFL,CFL, Colleges, Arena I&II, and the European Football League. Steve Grogan, former Patriot QB, is the team president.



Anyone who wishes to be part of the 2003 Roster is required to attend the final preseason meeting on Thursday May 22 at 7:00 at the IWC (Italian Workmen's Club) You would be expected to pay dues. If you want, check out the Website for more info or give them a call at 401-578-6099.

Tuesday, May 20, 2003




That's right folks! Buddy may be toiling at menial labor for a dollar a day in the Ohio pen, but his glory days have not been forgotten.

Brown University alums Jonathan Van Gieson and Mike Tarantino have penned a musical about Hizzoner the Mayor, six times elected, and twice convicted. The show will appear at the New York International Fringe Festival from August 8-24, and will feature rollicking neo-swing tunes such as "The Armpit of New England," "Operation: Plunderdome," and "The Ass You Have to Kiss Today."


I know that there were at least two other possibilities to make art out of Buddy's life-- "Plunderdome- the Musical" which was done by Charlie Hall, and Michael Corrente was planning on doing a movie.

Who knows what other good natured evil lurks in the hearts of men?

Monday, May 19, 2003

Rhode Island Treasures







At the Convention Center from May 10-June 15 there is an exhibit of Rhode Island treasures. Art and music, architecture, literature, and even Rhode Island history are all on display. It's being presented with the help of the Smithsonian, among other institutions. There's quite a bit of great stuff going on.


The exhibit is open Mondays-Fridays 9-5pm, Saturdays 10-8pm, and Sundays 11-5pm.

Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for kids. Visit the website or call 800-562-9895 or email for tickets.


Get lots of extra documents and information for teachers.

Friday, May 16, 2003

Wood Turners Day-May 17





At the local Woodcraft store, there are all kinds of classes that one can take to learn and enhance your woodworking skills. This Saturday is Wood Turners day, where as many as 10 lathes will be set up for everyone and anyone to learn how to turn some wood. There will also be demonstrations by master woodturners. It's being put on by The Rhode Island Wood Turners Club, which is part of the American Association of Woodturners


During the same day, there will also be a class on an Intro to Cabinetmaking with local cabinet maker Bob Colgan. It's a 2 day class (9-5 pm) , limited to 4 students, all materials are included, and it costs $250 . To sign up or find out more, call Woodcraft at 401-886-1175 or visit their website

Thursday, May 15, 2003


The Birth of L.Frank Baum


Lyman Frank Baum, the true Wizard of Oz, was born today (May 15, 1856).

See a Timeline of Baum's life


Read an article from the Literary Traveller


Online Texts of Baum's work

Elephant Day!



On Saturday, May 17, 2003 Chepachet will celebrate, remember, and honor a fallen victim of ignorance, fear, and xenophobia. I refer of course to Little Bet, The Learned Elephant, who was just the second elephant to stride across America. She was slain by a fearful farmer on May 25, 1826 on the Chepachet River Bridge.

On Saturday there will be music and outdoor party, featuring the Providence Brigade Band dressed in uniforms of early 19th Century playing music of that period, and displaying musical artifacts and related period pieces.
Exhibit: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Food Sale: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Concert: 2:00 PM

at the Job Armstrong Store, 1181 Main St in Chepachet.

Call 401-568-1866 or visit the website for more info.

Wednesday, May 14, 2003

Fool's Ball #9




On Saturday May 17, 2003, AS220 will host its 9th Annual Fools Ball. The party will be at their space (115 Empire Street) but, thanks to Trinity's generosity, there will also be a party in Trinity's upcoming space at the Citizens Bank building just up the street.

The theme this year is Babylon

There's an elegant cocktail party at 7 pm (at the Citizen's Bank Building ($75 ticket) At 9 pm the debauchery begins, with carnival games, music, drinking, dancing, etc. There will be 2 full bars, 2 dance floors, 4 goofy games and they guarantee a good time will be had by all.

Tickets cost $20, and can be purchased by calling AS220 at 831.9327. You can also find out more about the events leading up to Fool's Ball by clicking here.



Tuesday, May 13, 2003


RI CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS








ARTS ADVOCACY DAY - MAY 14, 2003

The 2nd Annual Rhode Island Arts Advocacy Day is today!
Meet at noon at the State House to rally and advocate for the arts. Last year approximately 200 arts supporters helped get the message out to politicians that the arts an essential part of the Rhode Island community and its economy, and State support is essential.


If you miss this, you can still get involved with the RI Arts Community by checking the Arts Advocacy Website.

Friday, May 09, 2003

The East Bay Bike Path!


Now that spring is nearly here, its time to dust off the bike, oil the gears, re-inflate the tires, and get on the roads! And if you'd like to bike a little safer, check out the East Bay Bike Path!


The East Bay Bike path is a 14.5 mile, 10 foot wide, ribbon of asphalt that provides a safe place for unobstructed cycling. Users can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells as the path takes them by coves and marshes, over bridges, and through State Parks. This Bike Path's southern tip will eventually link-up to the Blackstone Bikeway presently under construction.


To find out more about the East Bay Bike Path, check out a pretty amazing website with photos, maps pictures and a lot of other cool stuff!

Thursday, May 08, 2003

50 Years of Everest



50 years ago TODAY, Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay attained the unattainable-- they climbed the highest mountain ever. (Well, actually, Everest :o) )


They braved countless privations, they endured unbelievable hardship, and they managed to succeed where no one else had ever succeeded before. And, according to legend, they did it "Because it was there."

See a great teacher's site about Hilary's climb



See what's going on at Everest today!

Wednesday, May 07, 2003

NATIONAL MASTURBATION MONTH




What will they think of next? (Kids, this next link is NOT for you. Here's a buck, go get yourself a soda)



Today, May 7 is National Masturbation Day. I'm not sure exactly who declared it thus (I somehow doubt that it was our fair government, but you do never know, y'know?)


Anyway if you follow this link, you'll find some reasons to love yourself (like you need a reason?) as well as the motto for National Masturbation Month--"If You want something done right, do it yourself!"



Have fun!

Tuesday, May 06, 2003

"Tell City Hall-- Hey wait a minute-- we ARE City Hall!"



In a kind of weird and daring idea, the city of Providence is asking the citizens of Providence to march on the State House. It's today at 5:30 on the South lawn of the State House.


Providence faces a 58 million dollar deficit. The Mayor cut 14% of all non-union management jobs in the city-- he's asking for concessions from unions and universities, and additional money from the State legislature.


It's pretty interesting when the establishment is turning to grass-roots tactics.


Download the flyer (in English and Spanish)


See the Website that calls for action

Monday, May 05, 2003

Israel turns 55



Wed, May 7th, 6pm


Yom Ha’Atzmaut, also known as Israeli Independence Day, is on Wednesday


Come celebrate Israel's 55th birthday with your local community! 


The evening will feature an Israeli dinner, dancing, kids activities, and entertainment!


The party is located at the JCC of RI, 401 Elmgrove Ave, Providence.
$8 at the door. Call (401) 861-8800 for more information.


Friday, May 02, 2003

THE CIRCUS COME TO TOWN!



At the Providence Civic Center from April 30-May 4, (now the
" Dunkin' Donuts Center
) You can see lions, tigers, clowns, acrobats, elephants, and just about more amazing acts than you can shake a stick at. Belo Nock, a top notch clown headlines, as does "Bailey's Comet", a Human Cannonball on fire, and Mark Oliver Gebel-- the heir apparent to his dad Gunther-Gebel Williams.

It's still the Greatest Show on Earth, even if the animal protesters don't seem to think so.



Tickets range from $10 to $30. And it's a good deal. Just eat before hand, because the $5 cotton candy will kill ya!





























































Show Date

Show Time

Wed, April 30 7:00 PM  

Thu, May 1 7:00 PM  

Fri, May 2 7:00 PM  

Sat, May 3 11:00 AM  
  3:00 PM  
  7:00 PM  

Sun, May 4 1:00 PM  
  5:00 PM

Thursday, May 01, 2003

Out of My Mind

MARVIN NOVOGRODSKI and DOUG VOGEL

Friday & Saturday, May 2, 3, 9 & 10 - 8:00 pm - $15


Carriage House Theatre,
7 Duncan Street, Providence.
Call 401-831-9479 for reservations.


Marvin Novogrodski, actor, comedian and magician, and his hypnosis-therapist Doug Vogel put on the full-length version of Marvin's Out of My Mind, an autobiographical solo show. Providence Phoenix critic Johnette Rodriguez writes, "Novogrodski's manner is so understated and deadpan that he's absolutely hilarious."


With Doug's guidance, Marvin maneuvers through childhood, family crisis and self-imposed relationship hell to a sense of clarification and emotional triumph.

I saw a preview of this show, and it's really great. Definitely see it if you have the chance!

Special Workshop

with hypnosis-therapist Doug Vogel
Sunday, May 18 11:00 - 4:00

Learn and utilize many of the tools of NLP. (Neuro-Linguistic Programming).
Workshop at Carriage House. Fee $50. Registration required, Call 831-9479 for more information.

Providence Postcard Collection




A new feature to Providence's website is the Providence Postcard collection. It features old postcards of Providence as it was. And when you click on the postcard you can see the backside and see what the person wrote (or didn't write) about our fair city.


A fascinating look at our past. You are also encouraged to submit your own postcards of Providence to add to the collection.


The collection was put online by Alexandra Chilikina, a recent RISD grad in illustration and an intern at City Hall.


See some of Alexandra's illustrations


Go to the Providence Home Page