Rhode Island
401 Fun: The best things to do in Rhode Island Aug. 9-16 – The Boston Globe
No, I don’t mean the season finale of “House of the Dragon.” (Don’t tell me what happens, I haven’t seen it yet.) I mean your last chance to explore “Dragons & Mythical Creatures” at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Billed as an “immersive experience featuring over 60 life-size animatronic wonders.” Through Aug. 11. Not included with regular zoo admission. $9 ages 2 and up. Under 2 free. 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Details here.
RHODE ISLAND FILM FEST
The 2024 Rhode Island Film Fest runs through Aug. 11 with plenty of options to catch indie features and shorts in some 10 venues throughout Rhode Island. Look for “Lost Nation,” directed by Jay Craven, “Golden Garden Takeout,” directed by Maggie Wong, “Anna Comes Home,” directed by Amber Paulette Suzor, and “WaterFire, Art & Soul of a City…The Story Continues,” from Rhode Island PBS and RocJo Productions, in cooperation with WaterFire, among others films. See a full schedule here.
JAZZ FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Jazz musician NALEDI, who moved from South Africa “to chase music in Boston” with a scholarship to New England Conservatory, performs Aug. 9 as part of Newport Live x Norman Bird Sanctuary Outdoor Summer Series.
NALEDI recently released her EP “BATHO” (meaning “people” in Sesotho), which she calls “a journey of finding belonging in a world that’s always changing, and a celebration of our shared humanity in the fight for social justice. 7 p.m. $35. 583 3rd Beach Road Middletown. Learn more about the artist here. Details here.
DOG FEST
Ummm, I love it. Hop in the car, Fido, because we’re headed to Dog Fest. RI Night Market — an open-air evening and nighttime marketplace presented by Dunkin’ — pops up at Mulligan’s Island Golf & Entertainment Aug. 10, 4-8 p.m, with “Dog Fest RI” (free). Expect a “Blessing of The Dogs,” dog vendors, activities, food trucks, “Kids Zone,” raffles, giveaways, Makers Market, Bounce Houses, Beer Garden, and more. There’s also a ticketed “Wicked Best Martini 2024″ tent, admission from $25, to benefit the Potter League. 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. Tickets and details here. Fest details here and here.
DRINK ALL THE BEER IN RHODE ISLAND
For real. Hop on it, hop-heads: Tickets are limited for the 8th Ocean State Brewers Fest, billed as “the only beer event in Rhode Island that features Rhode Island breweries exclusively.” Taste what your neighbors are brewing, from Apponaug Brewing Company to Origin Beer Project, Phantom Farms Brewing to Tapped Apple Cidery & Winery and dozens more at the Aug. 10 fest from Rhode Island Brewers Guild sponsored by BrewBox. Cheers, Rhody. $65. 21+ 3-6:30 p.m. at Farm Fresh RI, 10 Sims Ave, Providence. Details here.
GOOOOAL!
If the Olympics has you amped, it’s time to see a soccer match up close: Rhode Island’s pro men’s soccer team, Rhode Island FC, takes on Hartford Athletic Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. At Beirne Stadium at Bryant University. 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield. Details here.
DOMINICAN PARADE & FESTIVAL
The annual Dominican Parade & Festival, presented by Quisqueya En Accion, steps off Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. in Providence at the intersection of Thurbers Avenue and Broad Street, followed by a music fest kicking off at noon at Roger Williams Park Temple to Music. This year’s theme is “Tributo a Nuestra Cultura” (“A Tribute to Our Culture.”) Details here and here.
ALPACA YOGA
The Lazy K Ranch in Foster hosts alpaca yoga Aug. 11, 10-11 a.m. Sorry goats, but alpacas are way cuter. If you see an alpaca smile, you have to smile back. Fact. BYO water, towel and mat. 10 East Killingly Road, Foster. $26. Details here.
WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR
With a pig obstacle course, a rabbit show, lawnmower racing, a pony pull and more, this week is the annual Washington County Fair, Aug. 14-18. Goals include “to promote our rural heritage… to be a venue for the FFA and 4H [and] to give families an affordable form of wholesome entertainment.” The fair, established in 1967, offers an overwhelming schedule of events jam-packed into four days in Richmond.
A few highlights: live music, antique car show, egg toss, tractor and truck pulls, live stock shows, poultry, sheep, swine and more; oxen pull, line-dancing, goat show, lawnmower races, milking contest, corn hole tournament, arm wrestling, “cow chip bingo” (IYKYK), senior pie-eating contest, jugglers, magicians and much more. Oh, and the food! Stuffed waffles, street tacos, gourmet grilled cheese, clam cakes, oysters, ice cream, apple crisp, shaved steak sandwiches, salted potatoes, barbecue ribs, gyros, corn fritters and more. Adults $12, kids 10 and under free. 78 Richmond Townhouse Road, Route 112, Richmond. Details here.
YES, CHEFS
Rhode Island puts its more than 400 miles of coastline in the spotlight during several food festivals, where fishermen and chefs who specialize in seafood get a boost. Even if you’re not a seafood lover, there are plenty of other festivals to attend to sample plates and try out local beer and wine. Globe Rhode Island’s Alexa Gagosz has put together a list of 13 food festivals that run through the rest of this year, from dining inside one of the Newport mansions with chef Jacques Pépin, to the annual oyster festival, to the Farm Fresh Rhode Island Local Food Fest at Newport’s Castle Hill Inn Aug. 13. The Farm Fresh RI fundraiser “celebrates local growers and food producers — featuring dozens of local farms paired with chefs from some of the top restaurants,” according to billing. Advance tickets only. Rain or shine. Under age 12 free. 4-8 p.m. 590 Ocean Drive. From $25. Tickets and info. for Farm Fresh Rhode Island here.
JUDY COLLINS
The legend plays Newport’s Jane Pickens Theatre Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. Stay tuned for my interview. 49 Touro St. Tickets from $69. Details here.
GREEK FESTIVAL
It’s three days of peace, love and loukoumades. We’re approaching next week’s column-territory here, so I’ll just quickly say that Pawtucket’s Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church hosts its 97th annual Greek Festival Aug. 16-18. Expect live music, dance performances, authentic Greek food and pastries — thinks Greek rice pudding, Kourambiedes, baklava, Finikia, Koulourakia, Galaktoboureko, loukoumades — kafenio (coffee area), a Greek marketplace, Greek Pride Dance Troupe, vendors, baking demos and more, according to billing. Aug. 16, 5-10 p.m. 97 Walcott St., Pawtucket. Details here and here.
BLACK SHIPS FEST
The Japan-American Society of Rhode Island hosts the 41st Black Ships Fest in Bristol and Newport Aug. 16-18. You’ll learn about the “connection between Rhode Island and Japan” and explore Japanese culture, according to billing. You might try on kimonos, participate in tea ceremonies, learn calligraphy, step aboard the tall ship Aurora, dance to Taiko drumming, browse some 100 artisans, taste treats, see martial arts demos and ikebana flower arrangements, and more. Opening ceremonies Aug. 16 10 a.m. at Rockwell Park, Bristol. Details here.
DATE CHANGE FOR “TED LASSO” STAR
In last week’s column, I mentioned that “Ted Lasso’s” Brett Goldstein was headed to PVD this week. Well, you have more time to get tickets. He’s now coming Aug. 23 for two shows. On Wednesday, PPAC announced that shows were postponed due to Goldstein falling sick.
Whether you had tickets and need a refund, or you realize you now want tickets (from $46) — all details here. 220 Weybosset St., Providence.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE: ONGOING FUN …
THE GREAT ELEPHANT MIGRATION: See a herd of some 100 life-size Indian elephant sculptures in Newport, presented by Art&Newport through Sept. 6. The Great Elephant Migration is a global fundraiser to amplify indigenous knowledge and inspire the human race to share space, according to its website. The sculptures were made by a community of 200 indigenous Indian artisans according to their website. Viewing is best along the Cliff Walk, where the 52-elephant display is taking place at Salve Regina University’s McAuley Hall, The Breakers, and Rough Point. Learn more here, here and here.
BLACK HISTORY WALKING TOUR: Until now, the personal narratives and experiences of enslaved individuals in late 18th-century Newport have been largely unknown. Their voices highlight a new tour and exhibit that illuminate “the untold history of early Black Americans” and its widespread, ongoing impact in Rhode Island. Tours Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at 10 a.m. through Nov. 30. $20 adults; $10 kids 12 and under. Departs from the Pilot House at 13 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport. Details here.
ITALIAN FOOD FEST: Foodies, rev your engines. Federal Hill, Rhody’s own Little Italy, hosts its 5th Al Fresco on the Hill on Saturdays through Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to midnight. People can stroll the avenue and sample food from local restaurants and shop at retailers set up outside. There will also be live entertainment and artistic performances. Providence. Details here.
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM: Beat the heat: We mapped a trail of 130 great spots to get ice cream in Rhode Island here. See some highlights here.
Until next week, Rhody: Keep rockin.’
Rhode Island
A new safety role at Rhode Island College comes into sharper focus after Brown shooting – The Boston Globe
Lawrence was recently named RIC’s first emergency management director, a role college leaders had been planning before the December mass shooting across town at Brown University, but which took on new urgency after the tragedy.
Few resumes are better suited to the job.
A 20-year career in the New York Police Department. Commanding officer of the NYPD’s Employee Assistance Unit. A master’s degree from Harvard.
Lawrence got to Rhode Island the way a lot of people do: through someone who grew up here and never really left, at least not in spirit. Her husband, Brooke Lawrence, grew up in West Greenwich, and is director of the town’s emergency management agency.
“I couldn’t imagine retiring in my 40s,” Lawrence told me. “And I couldn’t imagine not giving back to my community.”
Public service has been part of Lawrence’s life for as long as she can remember. A New Jersey native, she dreamed of following in the footsteps of her mentor, a longtime FBI agent. She graduated from Monmouth University and earned a master’s degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College in 2001, shortly before the Sept. 11 attacks.
There was high demand for police in New York at the time, so Lawrence raised her hand to serve. She worked her way up the ranks from patrol to lieutenant, eventually taking charge of the department’s Employee Assistance Unit, a peer support program that helps rank-and-file officers navigate the most traumatic parts of the job. She later earned a second master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School.
“It’s making sure our officers are getting through their career in the same mental capacity as they came on the job,” Lawrence said.
There’s a version of Lawrence’s new job that feels routine, especially at a quiet commuter campus like Rhode Island College. And when Lawrence was initially hired part-time last fall, it probably was.
Then the shooting at Brown University changed the stakes almost overnight.
On Dec. 13, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a Portuguese national and one-time student at Brown, opened fire inside the Barus and Holley building, killing two students and injuring nine others. Neves Valente also killed an MIT professor before he was found dead in a New Hampshire storage unit of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In eerie videos recorded in the storage unit, Neves Valente admitted that he stalked the Brown campus for weeks prior to his attack. He largely went unnoticed by campus security, which led the university’s police chief to be placed on leave and essentially replaced by former Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh Clements.
Lawrence assisted with the response at Brown. She leads the trauma response team for the Rhode Island Behavioral Health Medical Reserve Corps, which staffed the family reunification center in the hours after the shooting.
RIC’s campus is more enclosed than Brown’s — there are only two major entryways to the college — but there are unique challenges.
For one, it’s technically located in both Providence and North Providence, which requires coordination between multiple public safety departments in both communities.
More specifically, Lawrence noted that every building on campus has the same address, which can present a challenge in an emergency. Lawrence has worked with RIC leadership and local public safety to assign an address to each building.
Lawrence stressed that she doesn’t want RIC to overreact to the tragedy at Brown, and she said campus leaders are committed to keeping the tight-knit community intact.
But she admits that the shooting remains top of mind.
“Every campus community sees what happened at Brown and says ‘please don’t let that happen to us,’” Lawrence said.
Lawrence said everyone at RIC feels a deep sense of responsibility to keep students safe during their time on campus.
And she already feels right at home.
“I want to come home from work every day and feel like I made a difference,” she said.
Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.
If you thought the smart money was on pop icon Taylor Swift and gridiron star Travis Kelce tying the knot in Rhode Island, an online crypto casino and sportsbook is here to tell you you’re wrong.
The Ocean State was the second favorite at +155 and 39.22%, and Pennsylvania and Ohio were together at a distant third at +1,600 and 5.88%.
Tennessee was the fifth choice at +2,000 and 4.76%.
“New York is the favourite because it’s the city most closely tied to Taylor Swift’s public life, with multiple residences, strong emotional branding, and world‑class venues that offer privacy and security for a high‑profile event,” an unidentified spokesperson said in a media release.
Human Remains Found Near Taylor Swift’s Mansion Identified: Report
Part of the story is the pandemic-era shift toward smaller cities. But the larger truth is Providence has not built enough housing to keep up with demand. In 2024, Rhode Island ranked 50th in the nation for new housing permits – dead last. That isn’t ideology; it is economics.
As housing experts have said, including HousingWorksRI Executive Director Brenda Clement, we have a basic supply-and-demand problem. Expanding housing supply for everyone should be the focus.
To its credit, Providence has begun to move. Recent efforts by Mayor Brett Smiley, the City Council, nonprofit partners, and private developers have created hundreds of new units. More are in the pipeline. That progress must continue.
As rents rise, pressure for immediate relief has grown. The City Council’s proposed solution is rent control: a cap on annual rent increases at 4 percent. In practice, it fails to solve the underlying problem, and creates new ones.
First, rent control does not make today’s rent affordable, it only limits future increases by creating a cap. Many landlords will raise rents to the cap each year. A $2,000 apartment under a 4 percent cap becomes $2,433 after five years – an increase that renters still feel acutely. That is basic compounding, not a worst-case scenario.
Second, rent control would create a hole in Providence’s budget, as it reduces the taxable value of properties. The Smiley administration examined rent-controlled cities and applied the outcomes to Providence’s tax base. The projected annual revenue loss ranges from $10.3 million to $17.5 million.
When rental property values decline, cities are left with two choices: raise taxes or cut services. Education funding, park improvements, library funding, and basic infrastructure all come under pressure. Experience elsewhere shows this burden does not fall on landlords; it shifts to single-family homeowners. Portland, Maine, saw a 5.4 percent reduction in its tax base after rent control, forcing these tradeoffs. The implementation of rent control will affect all Providence residents, whether they rent or own.
Third, rent control discourages new housing production, the opposite of what Providence needs. Developers are less likely to build in cities where future revenue is capped, financing is harder, and long-term costs are unpredictable. St. Paul, Minnesota, offers a cautionary tale. After voters approved a strict rent cap in 2021, new unit creation dropped by more than 84 percent in the first quarter, forcing city leaders to exempt new construction, which is exempt in the Providence City Council rent control proposal.
When we build more housing at all price points, market pressure eases, as supply catches up with demand.
That does not mean ignoring the pain people feel today. I grew up here, attended our public schools, and bought a modest single-family home in the neighborhood where I was raised. I feel today’s housing pressures firsthand and hear them daily from family and neighbors. After 12 years on the council, including a leadership role in 2011 when Providence was on the brink of bankruptcy, I know our elected officials genuinely want workable solutions.
That is why, as executive director of The Providence Foundation, an organization of 140 private business and nonprofit members from myriad industries, I recommended we commission a study by the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council to educate the public on this issue and identify solutions. The report revealed the most effective approach to housing shortages and high costs pairs aggressive housing production with targeted rental assistance for households most at risk of displacement.
Cities across the country have shown what works: modernized zoning, faster permitting, conversion of underused commercial space, and temporary rental assistance to help families stay housed while new supply comes online. These strategies outperform rent control. Overcoming the housing challenge will require all levels of government to play a role.
Reasoned policy will meet Providence’s housing needs and strengthen our economy for a brighter tomorrow.
David Salvatore is the executive director of The Providence Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting visionary projects downtown, and a former Providence City Council president and member.
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