One of the Providence Athenaeum’s most notable visitors was Edgar Allan Poe. In 1848 he traveled to the city in order to meet and court the wealthy widow and talented poet, Sarah Helen Whitman, with whom he happened to share a birthday, January 19th. She had once written a poem to Poe, to be shared …
Edgar Allan Poe & Helen Whitman — Birthday Twins Read More »
Newly instated term limits have shaken up the Providence City Council. Seven of the fifteen members, sworn in Monday to four-year terms, are new, and all are Democrats. Rachel Miller, who has been representing Ward 13 since 2019, was elected council president, becoming the first member of the LGBTQ community to hold the position. President …
Two hours of free parking will be available in designated commercial districts around Providence through December 31st, every day between 10am and 9pm. I could find no announcement of this annual moratorium, and no obvious link to this information on the City’s website, because Mayor Elorza has buried it under #thinkpvd where absolutely no one …
Two Hours Free Parking At Meters Through December Read More »
(6.7) On Tuesday, June 7, voters in Providence will be asked to vote on one local question: Funding of City’s Pension Liability to Employees. It reads: Shall the City of Providence finance a contribution towards the unfunded pension liability of the Employee Retirement System of the City of Providence by issuance of general obligation bonds …
[Update: Sunday’s events have been canceled.] In the midst of this time of truly horrible horror, let’s take a break for the fun stuff . . . the fantasy horror. And here comes a whole weekend of it: The Lovecraft Film Festival features three days of films, authors, and special events. Friday Aug 20: Films …
An opening reception for Divine Providence: New paintings by Umberto Crenca will be held downtown on Westminster Street this Thursday. I can’t think of anyone with more to show for the quarantine year than Mr. Crenca. (I almost learned French.) I can’t remember when the first one showed up, but whenever one of these gems …
(3.3) Councilman David Salvatore (Wanskuck/Smith Hill) and the Providence Dept. of Planning and Development will host a meeting to discuss Mayor Elorza’s PVD Great Streets initiative and receive input from neighbors regarding safety improvements in the Wanskuck and Smith Hill neighborhoods. (Facebook event) Learn more about safety improvements proposed to make our streets safer, more …
Thank you David Brussat for setting the record straight on how the opponents of the Fane Tower have been so frequently maligned during this battle. All along the ProJo editorial board has labeled us a “vocal minority of campaign contributors, special interests and BANANAs (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody).” They think that “bananas” joke …
Nailed it. Everybody is loving the city’s new pedestrian bridge. Yes, some people are grumbling about how the budget ballooned over the years, but look what we have to show for it . . . something everyone can enjoy, for free, every day. One can not always quantify the benefits of such an investment — …
(4.7) Get lit – as in literary – on Sunday with Michael Darigan‘s reading of “Portraits of Providence,” stories set in the biggest little state’s capital. Born and raised on Providence’s South Side, writer and poet Darigan spent two decades wandering, seeking new perspectives but always returning to Lil’ Rhody. His travels fueled tales he …
Say hello to your new tower and goodbye to Providence’s beautiful skyline. They got Democratic Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris to change her vote. From WPRI, “Harris gave a long speech prior to Thursday’s vote, explaining that she prayed and held many discussions with residents before making a final decision.” We need people to stop praying …
Join the Crimetown team for an evening with some of the wiseguys, cops, and other citizens of Providence whose stories brought the first season to life. Crimetown is the new podcast series from the creators of HBO’s The Jinx. Each season will investigate the culture of crime in a different American city, and surprise surprise, …
Crimetown Live This July — Two Nights At The Columbus Read More »
We’re number one . . . yay? Looks like the new podcast ‘Crimetown’ has a winner on its hands. The first season, devoted to Providence, is topping the iTunes podcast charts, and lots of locals are raving about the production — the podcast’s creators, Marc Smerling and Zac Sturt-Pontier, were behind the excellent “The Jinx: …
(8.23) They’re baaaack. The second biennial NecronomiCon Providence kicks off Thursday night; organizers expect more than 2,000 Lovecraft devotees will be taking over the city this weekend. Check out the Bill Van Siclen piece in the Sunday ProJo — “Something Wicked This Way Comes” — with his amusing recap of the obvious signs and omens …
Now playing at the Avon is Woody Allen’s “Irrational Man” much of which was shot on location in Providence. The film stars Joaquin as “a tormented philosophy professor who finds a will to live when he commits an existential act” as the requisite much younger woman, this time Emma Stone, throws herself at his feet. …
And this isn’t just another travel mag listicle. GQ Magazine has singled us out for particular mention in “News Flash! World’s Tiniest State Pops Out Coolest City!” The capital of Rhode Island has always punched above its weight in terms of smarts and creativity. But lately Providence has added a few new bullet points to …