Friday, April 20 — 420 Weed Day. We don’t know how Obama, Bush 43, or Clinton will be celebrating this afternoon, but we do know that these United States Presidents have tried marijuana — they just didn’t get caught and ruin their lives. Spend a little time today learning about the growing nationwide movement to legalize the use and possession of marijuana. Info at the Marijuana Policy Project, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and NORML. Let’s get this done.

Saturday, April 21 — National Record Store Day. How can you help? Start at What Cheer in Wayland Square, they are having a 50% off sale, details here. Also, Olympic Records on Wickenden Street and the Armageddon Shop on Broadway get a mention in “Get Back in the Groove” by David Scharfenberg at the Providence Phoenix.

Also on Saturday — Shred It Day, the parking lot at McCoy Stadium, 8am to 11am, whatever you can carry. Followed at 1:05pm with Bark in the Park when all dogs and owners will be allowed in the Red Tent area behind first base for the duration of the game. Also on Saturday, the South Providence Community Cleanup Day.

Sunday, April 22 — Earth Day, check out What Grows on in Rhode Island for a comprehensive list of events and clean-ups.  (And stop using so many plastic bags goddammit!)

(Image courtesy of NASA)

(12.21) This invitation comes from Kate Brock over at Ocean State Action to come hang out at the Jobs with Justice holiday gathering.

Come meet other community and labor activists. This is NOT a fundraiser so come by and enjoy some food, drink and camaraderie.

5pm to 7:30pm, Wednesday, December 21, Nick-A-Nee’s, 75 South Street, (FB)

(12.4) An invitation from Chris and Jen Daltry (has it been 12 years?!)

Come celebrate our 12th Anniversary and the Holiday Season — we’re throwing a party!

WHAT CHEER HOLIDAY PARTY + SALE

~ 25% off everything (one day only sale) with refreshments from Narragansett Beer ~

Open 7 Days a Week through Christmas Eve/ holiday hours, Monday thru Saturday 11am to 7pm/ Sunday 11am to 5pm.

(Artwork by Jen Daltry)

11am to 6pm, Sunday, December 4, What Cheer Antiques and Vintage, 7 South Angell

The latest East Side Monthly has a comprehensive list of the various seasonal retail events taking place on the East Side including Friday nights on Wickenden Street.

As in the past, Wickenden Street businesses will be staying open every Friday until 8pm as part of what they call “Festive Fridays.” The area always offers an array of funky places to shop, eat and drink. From November 25 through December 23, they’ll just stay funkier, longer.

Lots of good eating and drinking on Wickenden.

Unfortunately it would appear that the Wayland Square holiday celebration on December 10th will include a live broadcast by Lite Rock 105. If their Fourth of July playlist was any indication, we have a large lump of that sentimental, contemporary country goo coming our way.

I guess since it’s only half a block away I’ll be heading to Atwells now…  Although, as an Italian-American, I far prefer Saint Joseph’s Day, since it doesn’t have quite so many colonial overtones/thin ties to relevance.  I mean, not even getting into the very large question of Native Americans, I don’t know why Italians need to celebrate Columbus Day when Columbus was sailing for Spain.  But whatever.  Lou Monte disagrees (as does every goomba on the Hill) and I respect that.

The Catholic part of me never understood the “Good” part of Good Friday. Like, sure, one’s savior dying for one’s sins is ultimately a Good thing, but is that really the best adjective for the occasion? Depressing Friday or Really Important Friday sound so much better.

I can’t watch this video through without cracking up at the end part, even though I’ve had years and years to get over its silliness.

Attention all art lovers — please help support ‘Festival Ballet Providence’ by attending The Nutcracker this holiday season. As the economy continues to falter, it is more important than ever to support local non-profit arts organizations — especially those whose performers depend on audience support for their livelihood. Art and culture serve as the foundation for any civilized, flourishing and progressive society. I am very much looking forward to seeing The Nutcracker this year.  Even though times are tough The Nutcracker will be an outlet for me personally.

December 12, 13, 14, Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street

Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 2pm and 7pm, Sunday 1pm and 6:30pm

Tickets from $18 to $83, call 401.421.ARTS or order online at PPAC.

Student Rush tickets available 2 hours before curtain for a 50% discount. For a $10 discount per ticket, mention code word ‘Clara’ when ordering tickets. A magical holiday tradition that literally sparkles with Swarvoski crystals, stunning choreography, breathtaking costumes and majestic scenery.

Okay, I admit it.  I’m a total sucker for Christmas stuff, and that goes for tree lightings.  And since all Rhode Islanders are invited to tonight’s at the State House, I’m posting a reminder here so that maybe my reluctant husband and I won’t be the only suckers present.  Come enjoy the festivities, including a children’s chorus, a Portuguese dance group, and displays of ethnic holiday celebrations around the world.  It’s mostly geared for kids (bring ‘em — Santa, I mean Santer, will be there, plus crafty stuff like ornament making), but the cookies are good.  Your tax dollars likely paid for them, so why not enjoy?

State House Rotunda,5:30ish to 7pm, Bring something for Toys for Tots

Shout out to RIILE — you win.

RIILE, — which is certainly 100%, not-at-all racist, their leaders like to say — is lamenting the fabricated decrease in religious-right hegemony this holiday/shopping season. And the celebration of Kwanzaa and Ramadan, to boot::

MONTH BEFORE CHRISTMAS

AMEN BROTHER

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a “Holiday”.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears. more »

  As I extricate myself from the clutches of this insomnia, I’ll leave you with one more post.

We really appreciate the thousands (yes — actually thousands) of you who keep on reading our rantings and ravings, and we thought that the holiday season would provide a good excuse for us to figure out exactly who you are, and what keeps you coming back. So we’re gonna be throwing a party in early December.

If you’re traveling this week, or eat yourself into a stupor, please remember to check in after Thanksgiving for the details.