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parking sign x250

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

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.

Halloween party & parade on the WestSide

Halloween party & parade on the WestSide

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

Ever have coffee with a mentalist? Well, we did. Rory Raven is from Rhode Island, but he says he doesn’t “sound like it.” He grew up in the suburbs and purchased a house on the WestSide 10 years ago.

Rory performs mind reading at The Stadium Theater

Rory performs mind reading at The Stadium Theater

What are the changes you’ve seen in Rhode Island over the years?
I don’t know that RI has changed a lot in my time; I suspect only the faces change and the circumstances don’t, or don’t by much.  There may be more money here than when I was a kid, but there are also more empty buildings, both old and new, so I don’t think that’s exactly progress.

Ultimately, though, I lose interest in most things after about 1900 or so. I tend to live very much in the past, so I probably pay more attention to what happened in 1830 that today.

What made you choose to buy a house on the WestSide?
My wife and I bought the house 10 years ago because we could afford it.

What changes would you like to see in the near future? Long term?
I’m skeptical that real change can be planned and implemented in the way people often seem to think.  I’ve seen a few pitch their “visions” of the neighborhood, and they always remind me of those hopeful, ridiculous Gernsbackian futures of flying cars and meals-in-a-pill and jumpsuits.  And some people were sure that’s what the future was going to be, and that it was going to happen on a schedule of some kind.  And that’s not how real change occurs.  It happens in its own way, on its own schedule.

But if I had to pick, I’d say more neighborhood-type restaurants like the Classic [Cafe], the Bubble Tea House, and Uncle Paul’s.

What is a mentalist?

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WestSide resident Virginia Branch reported seeing a coyote (her photo below) in Dexter Training Ground this morning. Just in time for Halloween!

Coyote in Dexter Training Ground

Coyote in Dexter Training Ground. Photo by Virgina Branch.

Authorities ask neighbors to contact Providence Animal Control at 401-243-6040 (Mon-Sat, 11am to 3pm) or the Providence Police Department at 401-272-1111 in the event of future coyote sightings.

WestSide resident Rose Sachs has Celiac disease, one of the most common chronic health disorders in the country.  The statistics above translate into

Rose Sachs admiring her goods.

Rose admiring her goods.

approximately 1% of the population of the United States. Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.

We ran into Rose recently at the Hudson Street Deli, the only market where she currently sells her gluten free products.

Why did you start this business?
I started this business because I spent many frustrated years searching for delicious, fresh and easy to access gluten free foods. I have always been passionate about baking and I’ve had my fair share of packaged products that just weren’t doing the ‘real thing’ any justice. Fortunately, since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 7 years ago, I spent most of my life tasting regular foods and developed ideas of what I’d like gluten free foods to taste like. I spent the last few years developing recipes that make gluten free (and some diary free) foods taste like their gluten containing counterparts. My mission is to turn gluten free foods into easy to access everyday fare for those who have dietary restrictions and even for those who do not and just want something delicious and fresh.

How long has FreeFlour Bakehouse been operating?
Although FreeFlour Bakehouse has been in the making for a few years, it is now in its first month of operation. Securing commercial kitchen space has been the biggest challenge so far as Providence does not have many resources for someone in my position.

There’s been a lot of talk about an incubator kitchen opening in Providence. If it did, would you use it? Why/why not?

I have been able to secure commercial kitchen space at the Federal Hill House and am able to ensure that it is free of cross-contamination with gluten. Although I would love to see true incubator kitchen space available in Providence, I am unsure if I would be able to use it due to the cross contamination issue. It would depend on the other users of the kitchen, what they are making and a host of other logistics.   Still, having a kitchen incubator space would be a boon for the small cooking/baking entrepreneur.

How can people purchase your goods?
For right now, FreeFlour Bakehouse baked goods are exclusively available through the Hudson Street Deli. Rebecca and Jimmy have been wonderful in how they have taken the Bakehouse on as a vendor, actively supporting my efforts and recognizing the need in the neighborhood for accessible gluten free options.

What’s next for FreeFlour Bakehouse?

Eventually, I think a retail shop would be ideal and I would like to open that on the West Side. For now, making sure people have access to Gluten Free baked goods in the neighborhood is a good enough goal for me!

Rose currently offer the following delicious items:

  • Snickerdoodles (Gluten Free/Dairy Free)
  • Ohhhhh Snap! Gingersnaps (Gluten Free/Dairy Free)
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free)
  • Autumn Sugar Cookies (Gluten Free/Dairy Free)
  • Gluten Free Sandwich Bread (Gluten Free/Dairy Free)

We tried the bread, chocolate chip cookies, and the gingersnaps. If Rose hadn’t told us, we wouldn’t have known any different. Tasty is tasty regardless of the reason for the recipe.

FreeflourBakehouse x250

FreeFlour Bakehouse on facebook.

Little else causes more uproar than decisions that are viewed as having negative impacts on children and their education.  Add into the mix a close-knit neighborhood where many residents are active and committed to the community at large and a movement begins.

If you’ve crossed paths with WestSide resident Bryan Principe at any point over the past 3 years, you’ve probably heard his opinion and observed his passion for West Broadway Elementary School.

Photo courtesy of PPSRI

Photo by Peter Goldberg

In January 2007, the Providence School Department decided to close West Broadway Elementary School. In response to an instant public outcry of parents, teachers and neighbors, the school department changed its decision; instead the school would be “temporarily relocated” from the WestSide neighborhood with a promise to bring it back.  As a result, neighborhood children who once attended West Broadway Elementary School in their neighborhood now have to take a bus to another school that has taken on the original school’s name.

In a recent interview Bryan Principe informed WestSide Stories that this issue is more critical now than ever…

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Help plant trees!

On Saturday October 10, 2009 The City of Providence, Providence Neighborhood Planting Program, and the People of This Very Neighborhood will be adding life to these streets, literally.

Volunteers, we need you.

Previous tree planting on the WestSide

Previous tree planting on the WestSide

A demonstration will be at 133 Messer Street. The trees will arrive in the neighborhood @ 10:00 am. We will need you @ 8:00 to help prep and dig the holes in loose soil, so we will meet at the Hudson Street Deli and go from there.

Coffee to be provided by Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Coffee at the Deli. PLEASE bring shovels and gloves if you can.

If you cannot make it, please be aware that these trees are ours as a community so we should all take care of them.

Any questions please feel free to email Joe at Joe.belanger@cox.net or Jackson at jacksonmorley@gmail.com

GRAND OPENING

Hudson Street Deli is celebrating its official Grand Opening this Saturday, October 3rd from 12-2pm.

Support the Rhode Island Food Bank by purchasing $1 Boar’s Head hotdogs. Meet owners, operators, and vendors of Hudson Street Deli, Empire Soda, Equal Exchange Coffee and Farm Fresh Rhode Island.

Talk politics with special guests Mayor David N. Cicilline, Senator Paul Jabour, Representative Steven Constantino, and Councilman John Lombardi.

This deli counter is empty compared to what's there now.

Come by Saturday. Stock up for the week.

Hudson Street Deli
68 Hudson Street
Providence, RI
401-228-8555

Did you know that Hudson Street Delicatessen offers meats and cheeses cheaper than major grocery stores like Stop and Shop and Shaw’s? They do. Stop by and see for yourself.

My achin’ back

Two days before a TV shoot that involved me pushing around a 240lb actor, I was lying on my back flat on the floor doing work from the laptop perched upon my stomach. The pain was the result of me helping someone fix a flat tire a couple of weeks prior and lifting with my back instead of my legs to loosen the lug bolts.

Hillary rubbing back at WestSide Thursdays, 2008

Hillary rubbing backs at WestSide Thursdays, 2008

I whined about it on facebook and received a lot of sympathetic comments before someone came to the rescue. Hillary Adams said to put ice on it and call her for an afternoon appointment.

After an hour of Hillary’s magic I could stand up straight without pain. I felt good as new all weekend long. Hillary’s a WestSide resident. Give her a call the next time you’re in need.

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