BBQ today chez Ari et moi. 5 - 8 P.M. at 63 Governor Street. Not a fundraiser; this is a chance to register to vote in District 2, to find out why you should support David’s campaign for reelection, and to sign up to volunteer. Oh, and we have a very big trampoline.

I have to throw in on this new Stanley’s Burgers place down on Richmond Street. I had never heard of this Rhode Island institution and I’m not a big hamburger person, particularly when it’s just a gigantic ball of ground meat. For me a sandwich is all about the proportion of the bread to the other stuff  — a little bit of this and a little bit of that — not just a huge tower of meat. And it should be easy to eat. I had Stanley’s bacon cheeseburger for lunch today, and at first it doesn’t look like much, it’s a pretty small patty.  But it totally works.  And the bun is real soft so you can squish it down flat the way I like. I would order two next time I think. According to Dave they are open until 2AM… good late night food.  The decor is a bit much, but I don’t care, I’m going back.

Stanley’s Burgers/371 Richmond Street/270-9292 

Playing at the Hi-Hat tonight is Mark Olson, one of the founding members of the Jayhawks. The show starts at 7PM with openers, the ‘mericans, playing an acoustic set. This is a classy joint people — no sneakers, no t-shirts, no hats. C’mon, dress up. Act like you’re somebody.

Nick-a-Nees has live music tonight from 9PM to closing. The ‘mericans will be playing a special stripped-down acoustic show. Opening act is Black Eyed Anchor.

75 South Street/Providence/861.7290/free admission

Downtown Riverwalk

I stumbled upon these ridiculously enthusiastic kids fishing in the Providence River this afternoon. Today it was all white perch, but they reported that they often catch (and eat!) stripers and blue fish at this location.