12/03/2008

Fire-damaged building boarded up by city
Tenants in the mixed-use building on Manton Avenue were evacuated last months after firefighters responding to an accidental alarm found several code violations.

12/02/2008

Weather alerts flashing to computers
Providence is sending out extreme weather warnings to computer users who work or live in the city.

Donations sought to sponsor regional champion Mt. Hope Cowboys Pee Wee team
Coach Lorenzo Perry, former Bryant University football star running back, and the Mt Hope Cowboys Pee Wee team are the New England Pop Warner regional champions again this year. The Mt. Hope Cowboys are a Rhode Island Southern Massachusetts Association (RISMA) organization located in the Mt. Hope section of Providence.

Toy drive for Providence area children
wpierce@federalhillhouse.org.

Gay Community News
GAY COMMUNITY NEWS

The Arcade closes, its future uncertain
A planned $8-million renovation to turn the shopping mall into space for a single company has been shelved because of economic uncertainty.

12/01/2008

All children are invited: Toy Gun Bash in Providence
Providence Crime Watch, District 6 Community Police and Attorney General Patrick Lynch will host a Christmas Toy Gun Bash on Dec. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. at Pleasant View School, 50 Obediah Brown Road. Children must bring a toy gun to crush in the Bash-o-Matic in exchange for a new Christmas present that reflects a more peaceful way to play.

Providence church to host free coat give-away
Roger Williams Baptist Church, 224 Woodward Road, has coats in all sizes — for toddlers, children, women and men, along with scarves, hats, mittens, fleece jackets and sweaters. The coats will be given away on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Limit is one per person.

Man faces assault, firearm charges
PROVIDENCE — The police yesterday broke up a domestic disturbance and charged a man with having an unusual unlicensed firearm, which Maj. Thomas F. Oates III said resembled a submachine gun.

Providence man dies when car slams Route 195 on-ramp wall
PROVIDENCE — A motorist died early yesterday, the police said, after the car he was driving careened off a curb and rammed into a wall on an on-ramp to Route 195 and tipped over.

Tax-incentive package for builder may be on hold
More study is needed on whether a Baltimore developer’s planned construction of 378 housing units on the former American Locomotive Works property is wise in a volatile economy, says City Councilman John J. Igliozzi.

11/30/2008

Ex-Providence officer’s pension again at stake
A hearing is planned by Providence city officials to discuss the pension revocation of retired police Capt. John J. Ryan after his alleged role in the cheating-for-promotions scandal.

11/29/2008

R.I. Chabad leaders grieve for rabbis killed in Mumbai
Among those killed in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai were Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah, who ran a Chabad center in the city.

Providence house hit by two fires in one day
PROVIDENCE –– Fire officials are investigating two fires Friday at the same three-story, multi-family home at 36 Sumter St.

11/28/2008

Not your traditional flower shop celebrates its 25th anniversary
A New Leaf, 135 Gano St., Providence, a non-profit agency, was created in 1983 with a mission of providing supportive employment and job training to people with psychiatric disorders or who are recovering from mental illness.

Esek Hopkins Middle School in Providence posts first quarter honor roll
The following students were named to the first quarter honor roll at Esek Hopkins Middle School.

Seniors are invited
The Rhode Island Silver Haired Legislature will visit EPOCH Assisted Living, One Butler Ave., Providence, on Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. to meet residents and guests and provide an understanding of what the organization does in and for the community.

Hope Street merchants form a stronger force for sales
PROVIDENCE — Merchants along Hope Street in the city’s Summit section are pulling together to form a business association they will use to market the area as a shopping destination.

Providence wants bigger piece of housing pie
So far this year, there have been 1,330 foreclosure proceedings filed in the capital city — 612 more than all of last year.

11/27/2008

Teacher honored for keeping the arts alive at Hope
Christine Auxier, along with two teachers at Exeter-West Greenwich Regional High School, receives an award for dedication and commitment to the arts.

Teacher honored for keeping the arts alive at Hope
Christine Auxier, along with two teachers at Exeter-West Greenwich Regional High School, receives an award for dedication and commitment to the arts.

11/26/2008

Authors Camille Brown and Philip Lawler will sign their books at church bazaar in Providence
Camille Lewis Brown, author of the book, African Saints, African Stories: 40 Holy Men and Women, and Philip F. Lawler, editor of the Catholic World News and author of The Faithful Departed, about the impact of the sexual abuse crisis on parishes in Boston, will be on hand to sign books at the Holy Name of Jesus church bazaar, on Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the former Holy Name School, 55 Locust St., Providence.

Gracie’s Restaurant in Providence to host Thanksgiving for parents of babies in the NICU at Women & Infants’ Hospital
Gracie’s Restaurant, 194 Washington St., will serve more than 50 parents of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Women & Infants’ Hospital Thanksgiving dinner, Nov. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. as a brief respite from the daily stress.

Bay Colony Dog Show coming to the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence in 2009
At a press conference on Dec. 1 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline will formally announce that the four-day American Kennel Club dog show will be held in Providence, Dec. 3 to 6, 2009.

11/25/2008

Providence mayor’s coat drive gets a boost
Mayor David N. Cicilline announced that the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has joined the city’s efforts to provide warm coats to those in need.

Providence Public Schools Activities
Notices

Citizens CEO: Banking crisis a chance to correct ‘fundamental flaws’
The CEO of Citizens Financial Group tells business leaders at last night’s Chamber of Commerce meeting that the downturn is likely to continue.

11/24/2008

Seniors collect Toys for Tots
The residents of EPOCH Assisted Living, One Butler Ave., Providence, invites the public to help fill a holiday sleigh with toys for local children. Donations will be accepted on behalf of the Marine’s Toys for Tots Foundation through Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Downcity holiday window competition set for Dec. 13
The second annual Downcity holiday window competition will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m.

Adopt a Doctor art auction will be held in Providence
The third annual Adopt a Doctor art auction will be held Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. at 38 Keene St., Providence. The international nonprofit, based in Providence, provides direct financial support to medical doctors in Liberia, Mali, sierra Leone and Malawi.

Gilbert Stuart Middle School in Providence posts first quarter honor roll
The following students were named to the first quarter honor roll at Gilbert Stuart Middle School.

Food banks feel strain as need grow
Empty shelves at some pantries are an indication of the greater financial pressure being felt by Rhode Island families.

Providence apartment house deemed unsafe is evacuated
PROVIDENCE — An accidental alarm that drew firefighters to a Manton Avenue apartment building yesterday led to a wholesale evacuation because of a host of code problems, and social service agencies were scrambling to find temporary shelter for 10 people, half of them children.

11/23/2008

Providence’s new technical high school boasts athletic fields, TV station, wireless library
PROVIDENCE — The city’s new career and technical high school will include a 60,000-square-foot athletic complex with a 200-meter track, three basketball courts and an indoor soccer field.

Brown, Yale students cited for social impact
An international team of judges has named Brown University student Emma Clippinger and Yale University student Emily Morell as the grand prize winners of the Staples “Youth Social Entrepreneur” competition sponsored by Ashoka and the Staples Foundation for Learning.

11/22/2008

Providence says budget is falling into deficit
Revenue is falling behind projections just four months into the fiscal year.

11/21/2008

Central High School in Providence releases first quarter honor roll
The following students were named to the first quarter honor roll at Central High School.

An open invitation from the St. Michael community in Providence
A Thanksgiving Day feast will be held at St. Michael’s Parish, 239 Oxford St., on Nov. 27 from noon to 2 p.m. All are welcome; there is no cost. Delivery is available for take out dinners, which will be delivered by zip code. Call in advance.

Joint effort to fight underage drinking
A cut in state aid for local substance-abuse prevention task forces has left the organizations considering a plan to pool their resources.

Westerly society set to salute four doctors who studied in Italy
Four American medical students who studied in Bologna, Italy, ended up practicing in Westerly, where they’ll be honored tomorrow.

Plea bargain spares Providence murderer life sentence
PROVIDENCE — “There are days when I feel that I can’t take the pain anymore … I cry every day … I want to be able to see my baby boy again.”

Deadline for tree-planting applications
The Providence Neighborhood Planting Program’s deadline for spring 2009 street tree applications is Monday, Dec.1.

11/20/2008

The skating rink in downtown Providence opens to the public on Friday at 6 p.m. with admission and rental prices at the same rate for the last four years.

Providence worker charged in theft of police radio
The theft was discovered when a man asked someone in the Providence department to turn it on for him.

11/19/2008

Sojourner House in Providence
The Media and Arts Center at Met Public, 325 Public St., is the drop-off site for the Sweet Dreams for Sojourner House holiday donation drive on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Public forum for Providence School Board applicants
A public forum for Providence School Board appliciants hosted by the School Board Nominating Commission will be held Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Providence Public Safety Complex, 325 Washington St.

Principal selected for Nathan Bishop
Michael Lazzareschi will be the new principal next fall; a $35-million renovation project has begun at Nathan Bishop.

Providence merging parks, recreation departments
Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline wants to improve youth services and use “synergies” between departments.

11/18/2008

Fundraiser for Meeting Street
Holiday cards designed by Meeting Street students are for sale through Dec. 19. The packages include 12 holiday cards and are $15. There are four designs offered this year. Cards can be customized for personal or business purposes. Discounts are offered for bulk purchases.

Fundraiser to benefit Providence Intown Churches Association

Providence police investigate two Sunday shootings
In one incident, a woman was grazed by a bullet while standing on her porch with her children and niece.

Move to Stop AIDS Dance-a-thon at Local 121, Providence
Youths and adults from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut will participate in a dance-a-thon hosted by Plan USA and YUGA (Youth United for Global Action and Awareness) on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Local 121, 121 Washington St.

Coat exchanges slated on Nov. 28
Buy Nothing Day Winter Coat Exchange will be held Friday, Nov. 28, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the State House lawn. Volunteers and winter coats are needed before the event. Coats will be given away at the event and will be distributed to other organizations that will give them away around the state. Rain location is St. Patrick’s School, 244 Smith St., Providence. This year the coat exchange will also take place at Blackstone Valley Visitors Center, 175 Main St., Pawtucket, at the same time. Prior to the event, coats can be dropped off at the Pawtucket site.

11/17/2008

2 shot, wounded on Providence street
PROVIDENCE — Two men were in serious condition at Rhode Island Hospital last night after being shot on Lenox Avenue, according to the police.

Brown geologist searching for water on moon
A Brown University planetary geologist is among those who will be analyzing how sunlight reflects off the moon’s surface to understand its composition.

11/16/2008

Ex-con says having Obama in office will help curb street violence
Agreeing with Mayor David N. Cicilline and Police Chief Dean Esserman, case manager Sal Monteiro Jr., a felon who voted in his first election, is more optimistic about urban outreach with Barack Obama’s victory.

AS220 will take part in MIT’s FabLab project, bringing business technology to Providence
The arts collective will take part in MIT’s FabLab project, bringing business technology to Providence, and its students.

11/15/2008

Women rescued from car in Woonasquatucket River
The police use ropes to pull the women from the automobile after it crashes through a fence and into the Woonasquatucket River in the early morning hours.

11/16/2008

Female business owners find demands of running company, household often collide
It’s raining.

11/15/2008

Cruiser collides with truck
PROVIDENCE — A police officer was hurt in a collision downtown, near the Westin Providence, yesterday afternoon after he tried to catch a driver who had gone through a red light, according to the police.

Women rescued from car in Woonasquatucket River
Police use ropes to pull the women from the automobile after it crashes through a fence and into the Woonasquatucket River in the early morning hours.

Cruiser collides with truck
PROVIDENCE — A police officer was hurt in a collision downtown, near the Westin Providence, yesterday afternoon after he tried to catch a driver that had gone through a red light, according to the police.

Lecture in Providence will address slavery and religious freedom in Colonial Rhode Island
A lecture, “American Irony: Slavery and Religious Freedom in Colonial Rhode Island,” will be presented by Keith Stokes on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Beneficent Congregational Church, UCC, 300 Weybosset St.

Bank of America Charitable Foundation awards The John Hope Settlement House in Providence
The John Hope Settlement House in Providence was awarded the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI) Neighborhood Builder award from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation award from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The Providence-based non-profit organization was honored at an awards ceremony on Nov. 10 at the Chace Center at Rhode Island School of Design and will receive $200,000 in unrestricted grant funding.

11/14/2008

Law and Order star puts focus on Day One’s work
Mariska Hargitay praises the agency that counsels rape victims, at a luncheon marking its 35th anniversary.

New suspect, 16, charged in fatal shooting in June in Providence
Providence police have dropped all charges against the alleged shooter and charged another 16-year-old male.

Law and Order star puts focus on Day One’s work
Mariska Hargitay praises the agency that counsels rape victims, at a luncheon marking its 35th anniversary.

11/13/2008

NPR reporter to discuss election
PROVIDENCE — What role did race, religion and gender play in the 2008 presidential election?

Gay community news
Here are some events and meetings in the gay, lesbian, bi and transgender community in Rhode Island.

Amos House shows off new offices
The offices, where homeless and low-income families go for assistance, were renovated with funds from the Moran family.

‘Help is Here’ bus to aid needy patients
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Islanders struggling to pay for medicine will get some help tomorrow.

11/12/2008

Providence police target cell phone thefts
Providence police met with a telecommunications company and the FBI to discuss technology that would enable stolen phones to be instantly tracked or disabled.

MIT ‘folk technology’ coming to downtown Providence
AS220’s Fab Lab will provide public access to resources to design and build new products.

Providence YMCA to rehabilitate Olneyville mill building
The group plans to use the space to provide youth programs based around Riverside Park, and to house its new headquarters.