Bridges

by Nini Stoddard

On December 11, 2023, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced it had “closed the west bound side of the Washington Bridge due to the finding of a critical failure of some bridge components… Depending on the severity of what RIDOT finds in its [...]

Providence Place Mall in Receivership

by Nini Stoddard

December 4, 2024 – is the date of the scheduled hearing for the Providence Place Mall. The Mall was placed into receivership, the state equivalent of bankruptcy, by a Providence County Superior Court judge on 10/21/24, at the request of a group of private lenders, [...]

Providence Cemeteries

by Nini Stoddard

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, will be celebrated this year on November 1-2. On this traditional Mexican holiday, it is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit their living family members. In Providence, family and friends might celebrate [...]

RISD Museum

by Nini Stoddard

The city (and state’s) foremost art museum was founded in 1877, in part by the RI Women’s Centennial Commission. It features 9 collections: Costume & Textiles; Asian; Ancient Egyptian; Decorative Arts and Design; 18th-19th Century American; European; Ancient Greek and Roman; Modern and Contemporary; Prints, [...]

Birds Over Providence

by Nini Stoddard

From September to November birds migrate over Providence enroute south. The majority of these birds do so at night. That is why the Audubon Society of RI encourages residents to pull shades inside their homes and turn off outdoor lighting during overnight hours because the [...]

Music in the Community

by Nini Stoddard

Since its founding by Sebastian Ruth in 1997, Community MusicWorks has brought children and music together in extraordinary ways.  The organization focuses on the West End, South Side, Elmwood, and Olneyville neighborhoods and has taught thousands of children to play musical instruments, appreciate music, and [...]

We All Have to Eat

by Nini Stoddard

The closing of Eastside Marketplace on the East Side will leave Providence residents with 63 grocery store options. As the neighborhood’s Councilman, John Goncalves, noted “The presence of a local grocery store is critical for maintaining the health and well-being of our community. Not only does [...]

Providence’s Metal Industry Led the World During its Gilded Age

by Nini Stoddard

With hardly a trace left now, it’s hard to believe, but from 1867-1899, Providence base metal (as opposed to precious metal) companies literally led the nation, and the world. The world’s largest producer of metal files and rasps was the Nicholson File Company located at [...]

Pet Adoptions or “Gimme Shelter”

by Nini Stoddard

Interested in adopting a pet in Providence? You’re in luck! Out of the 17 animal shelters listed in Rhode Island, three are in our capital city. Among their many services, these three adoption centers provide care to rescued animals while facilitating their adoptions. Last year, [...]

Postal Service

by Nini Stoddard

Providence received postal notoriety when the first automated post office in the United States was built here. The 13-acre facility was completed in 1960. It incorporated the first automatic, high-speed sorting, facing, and cancelling machines as well as three miles of conveyor belts that moved [...]