WestSide Residents Bring Back the Love

I HEART PROVIDENCE

WestSide residents Mike Ritz and Owen Johnson of Connect Providence invite you to gather at Providence City Hall (25 Dorrance St) from 6-8pm on Thursday, February 11, 2010 for the second annual
I HEART PROVIDENCE.

I HEART PROVIDENCE is an outwardly expressed who’s-who celebration of people’s love for Rhode Island’s capital. The event is open to the public and features complimentary hors d’oeuvres, drinks and live musical performances inside Providence City Hall, followed by an after party at nearby Aspire Restaurant, 311 Westminster Street.

“I HEART PROVIDENCE provides a way for people to show their love for our great city,” says event creator Mike Ritz, “Thousands of people inside and outside Rhode Island viewed the online video created from our private confessionals at last year’s event. This year, New Urban Arts and PhotoBooth Planet are assisting us with an on-site project that will be created by each attendee. We call it, ‘Give Your Heart to Providence.’”

One Financial Plaza's Big Heart

In partnership with One Financial Plaza (Providence’s second largest building, aka the Hospital Trust Building), local artist Carla Ricci will brighten the Providence skyline by arranging light from the building’s windows to create an oversized heart from the 17th-22nd floor which will be viewed by the whole city.

“About a block from City Hall, the One Financial Plaza heart will be seen from I-95 and serve as a beacon to everyone taking part in the festivities on Feb. 11th. Plus, it will serve as a symbol of everyone’s monumental love for the city on Valentine’s Day. Providence, will you be our Valentine?” asks Ritz.

Food for I HEART PROVIDENCE is provided by Ebisu, El Rancho Grande and Hudson Street Deli. Desserts are provided by Cutie Pies, Sin Custom Cakes, and Tip C Cupcakes. Miss Wensday & The New Medicinals will dazzle attendees with great live musical performances throughout the night. Cash bars provided by the RI Convention Center. Arts and crafts provided by Queen of Hearts Providence. Providence trivia will be provided by Quahog.org.

See last year’s video, The People’s Confessions.

Sign up for I HEART PROVIDENCE on facebook HERE!

About I HEART PROVIDENCE
Founded by Mike Ritz of Connect Providence, I HEART PROVIDENCE is the social networking organization’s signature event to further connect the people inside the city to the people outside of the city and state. This event is celebrated on the Thursday before Valentine’s Day at City Hall annually. I HEART PROVIDENCE is sponsored by Providence Monthly.

Disbursement of $9,593,500

Community Review Meeting
ARRA-Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

Wednesday, December 9, 2009
6:30 – 8:00 PM
RI Department of Health Auditorium
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI

Purpose:

1. This Community Review Meeting will be an opportunity for interested persons to ask questions about and provide input with regard to the draft regulations for the disbursement of $9,593,500 for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).
2. An overview of the draft regulations will be provided, and comments of a general nature taken. This overview will be followed by a page by page review and discussion of the regulations, and will provide an opportunity for questions and answers.
3. The EECBG can provide funding for Municipal and Tribal governments to reduce fossil fuel emissions; reduce total energy use; and create and/or retain jobs under ARRA.
4. The draft regulations will be posted on the RI Office of Energy Resources website (energy.ri.gov) on Monday December 7, 2009.

The meeting is an opportunity for the public and interested parties to get the “lay-of-the-land” as the implementation of this ARRA EECBG Program.

WestSide Caroling

EVERYONE’S WELCOME regardless of religious or non-religious beliefs. 2009 has been such a tough year for so many. Help us spread some end-of-the-year joy through song. INVITE FRIENDS & FAMILY!

Inside Loie Fuller's

Carol through historic streets surrounded by beautiful Victorian architecture in Providence’s Armory District.

Meet up at Loie Fuller’s restaurant (1455 Westminster St) on Sunday, Dec. 20th from 5-6pm before heading out at 6pm to bring holiday cheer to the neighborhood through festive songs.

We have planned stops with neighbors along the way for warm drinks and bathroom breaks before circling around to end at 8pm for cookies and hot chocolate at Leadership Rhode Island headquarters (1570 Westminster)– one block from Loie Fuller’s, our original starting point.

We’re pleased to carol in the snow and cold, but won’t venture out in rain. A rainy Sunday night will keep us indoors at Loie Fuller’s for drinks and songs around the fireplace. Either way, we’ll experience much fun and merrymaking.

See the Providence Journal video from last year’s event.

Event sponsored by Connect Providence, Kidoinfo.com, Loie Fuller’s, Leadership Rhode Island, Rhody Food Tours, West Broadway Neighborhood Association and WestSide Stories.

Recycling Day, Saturday, December 5th

Buy recycling bins, recycle electronics and get info.

The West Broadway Neighborhood Association and the Providence Department of Public Works are sponsoring RECYCLING DAY AT THE WBNA, where you can buy recycling bins at $5/bin, recycle your old TV, computer or cell phone and ask questions of DPW employees about the new city recycling policy.

You need two recycling bins, one Green Bin and one Blue Bin, for every big green trash can you put out on trash day. Without these bins, the City will not pick up your trash.

Sat, December 5th
10am-2pm
West Broadway Neighborhood Association
1560 Westminster Street
$5 per recycling bin

Learn more about Green Up Providence.

…of all the trees most lovely

Tony sells trees

 

Keep your tree purchases in the neighborhood. Support local business while saving on gas and time!

WestSide neighbor Tony Soares started selling Christmas trees in the neighborhood today. Premiere Frasier and Balsam trees ranging from 5 to 8 feet tall are available from $25 to $60 per tree.

Tony will cut the trunks on-site to prolong the tree’s life. Unlike most places, delivery and post-holiday pick-up is available too!

For more information, contact Tony at kingdomof7@mac.com or stop by in person at 1158 Westminster, Providence.  Trees sold daily through December 24 from 8am-8pm.

Trees sold at 1158 Westminster St, Providence

“The Castle Aaahhhgggg – our quest is at an end.” [or is it?] ~Monty Python

Living History 14th Rhode Island Reenactor Program

Rob Goldman founded Living History, incorporated in October 2002. This past October his organization was selected as this year’s winner of the Tom Roberts Prize for Creative Achievement in the Humanities. Goldman lives in Elmwood, but has a particular interest in Dexter Field and the Cranston Armory on the WestSide.

How did Living History get its start?
I had been a the treasurer (and de facto development person) for Co. A 54th Massachusetts/Glory Brigade from 1994 to 2001. We (the 54th) had worked with Cathedral and English High Schools and the Timility Middle School bringing some of their students into re-enacating. At one point we had a program which was funded with left-over City of Boston summer youth  jobs money. This program was a collaboration with the National Park Service. When I moved to Providence I wanted to do something similar.

What’s the purpose of Living History?
We engage high school students in civic responsibility through  re-enacting. We launch them into careers in history and preservation. We educate the public about the role of African Americans in the Civil War.

Students are trained to become soldiers in the 14th Regiment Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored). They learn about the material culture of the Black Civil War soldier. They receive additional training in historic interpretation which, includes research and media skills. Some students are placed in  internships with history and preservation organizations such as the National Park Service, Coggeshall Museum Farm, Tennis  Hall of Fame, Newport Collaborative Architects, and Providence Revolving Fund.

What are the three resources you need most to succeed?
Money, money, and money. Other than that we need a space in the Cranston Street Armory. This goal has been long sought after and frustratingly denied. The original 14th was trained on Dexter Field. [To offer donations or assistance, contact Goldman at RKGoldman@juno.com]

Who is involved in Living History? Why do students participate?
Living History has an Advisory Board of 5 people. There are 3 adult re-enactor volunteers who help with trips and encampments. There are 19 students enlisted as of 11/22/09. All but one student is from the Met High School.

Students join because: “It’s cool.”, “It’s bangin’ fun.” “My friend told me about it.” “I like history.” “I get to go on trips.”

Met students earn academic credit for participating. Service in the 14th provides them with required internships and real-world learning experiences. It also helps them fulfill community service requirements. There is an important career focus to the program which attracts kids and staff.

What’s your connection to the WestSide?
We used Dexter Field this summer for our Summer Youth Employment Program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

We can’t get into the Armory! Arrrrrghghghghgh! The State Fire Marshall has it pretty well locked up. The State Properties Committee has refused to let us use the place three times. They won’t even let us make a presentation to them. They say we’re not a state agency and therefore can not submit an application to them.  We ARE a state agency. The 14th is an official Historic Command under the Adjutant General of Rhode Island.

As stated above, Dexter Field was the training camp for the 14th RI in 1863-64.

Can spectators attend? If so, what’s this year’s schedule?
Our public programs are high participatory. We’re all about interacting with the public, especially young people. Our schedule is posted on our website.

What future plans do you have that would affect the WestSide?
We expect to be back on Dexter Field in the summer of 2010. The Armory? I’m not giving up.

Pitching tents on Dexter Field.

Congratulate New Urban Arts on the WestSide!

New Urban Arts invites you to celebrate with them.
They are a Coming Up Taller award winner!

Award Celebration on November 20th

The Coming Up Taller Award is the nation’s highest honor for the field of out-of-school time arts and humanities programs. The honor is presented by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House, on behalf of the President’s committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

Join Mayor David N. Cicilline in congratulating New Urban Arts on this prestigiuos award. Highlights of the evening include:

• Special visit from New Urban Arts Founder, Tyler Denmead
• Art Exhibition introducing the 2009-2010 artist mentors and fellows
• Release of Collections and Archives, the 2009 Art Inquiry resource guide
• Great art, good friends and an exciting occasion for celebration!!

Award Celebration
Friday, November 20, 4-5pm

Exhibit Opening
Friday, November 20, 5-7pm

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

New Urban Arts
743 Westminster ST
Providence, RI
www.newurbanarts.org

*Photo above by Jesse Banks III

No need to pave more yards, yet.

Photo by John West

We’ve received many inquiries about the new parking permits. Everyone is so pleased that WestSide residents may now park on the street overnight like other metropolitan areas across the country. This still doesn’t exist for most of Providence, by the way.

This is a two-year pilot program, so the ban could return.

Imagine the environment on the WestSide if homeowners could be confident enough that the ban would not return. We could tear up our concrete and asphalt driveways to make room for lush yards and gardens. Our neighborhood would become more beautiful than ever! Why not dream big? How about an efficient street car transit system, so that fewer people would need cars at all?

This information has already been posted on the WBNA website, but we’re re-posting it here for your convenience:

How does the program work?
If you live on a street that is included in the program, and your car is registered with the RI DMV at that address, you are eligible. A window sticker will be provided as evidence of registration, and you will be permitted to leave your registered car overnight on a street within the pilot area. Naturally, you will need to park your car in a space that is otherwise legal (for example, you cannot park in front of a fire hydrant or within 25 feet of a corner). When a parking ban (such as a snow emergency) is declared, you must remove your car from the street for the duration of the ban.

How many cars can be registered for overnight parking?
Up to 2 per household. Any more than that must be parked off-street overnight.

If I have two vehicles, do I have to apply individually for a permit for each vehicle?
Yes. Separate applications for each vehicle are required, but you need not come in person. They may be submitted at the same time, but the permits will be issued for the vehicles – not for the owner.

If my spouse has a vehicle and I have a vehicle, do each of us have to apply for a permit for each individual vehicle?
You do not need to personally apply for a permit, but remember that the permit is issued for a specific vehicle based on the residency of a specific owner. Accordingly, each vehicle requires an individual permit.

I have two roommates, both of whom have resident permits. Am I eligible to receive a permit too?
No. Only two permits per household may be issued. Arrangements must be made within households to allocate the resident permits available.

What is the cost?
The cost to register is $25.00 per car. Any unpaid tickets issued by the Providence Police and the car’s vehicle (excise) tax must be paid in order to obtain a permit for your car.

How do I apply?
Simply come to Providence Municipal Court with a valid (original, no photocopies) RI registration that shows the address of a street in the pilot parking area. Municipal Court is located on the first floor of the City of Providence Public Safety Complex, 325 Washington Street, located between Dean Street and I-95 Service Road #7. Applications can be made between 8:30 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday.\

Must I come in person?
No. However, each permit is valid only for the car matching the registration presented. Remember, only 2 are allowed per household.

*For more information contact Ernest Carlucci at 401-467-7950

Check out the PoPo

Providence Public Safety Complex

The Providence Police Department is opening its doors this week to WestSide neighbors who would like an inside view of what goes on at the Public Safety Building at 325 Washington Street.

The WBNA is asking interested neighbors to please contact board member Elaine Collins at ecollins93@aol.com to reserve a space on the tour and find out more details.

Do you have crime concerns? Attend tomorrow’s (Tues, Oct 27th) monthly crime watch meeting at the WBNA from 7:30pm-8:30pm.

The Goblins & Gremlins Party and Parade

Halloween party & parade on the WestSide

Pumpkin throwing, pet costume contest, beer garden, parade and a special appearance by Big Nazo!