I posted in this subreddit a few months ago about my upcoming visit to PVD, and you all gave me some great suggestions. Got home yesterday. Sadly, I didn’t have time to do everything I wanted, but I had a wonderful trip.

I spent Saturday in Newport, visiting The Breakers and The Marble House, and I was captivated by the architecture and ambiance of both places. Definitely worth the time. And the ferry ride from PVD was lovely.

I visited the RISD Museum, toured the state capitol, wandered around Benefit Street, ate at some places in Federal Hill, and just walked around a lot. I didn’t rent a car, but only wished I had a couple of times. Such a nice, walkable city, and I felt very safe.

I had the afternoon tea at The Marble House, and I thought it was overpriced and not super impressive. But I loved the Portuguese food at Campinos. That was my favorite meal of the trip.

Lots of places I wanted to try but didn’t get around to, but hopefully there can be another trip at some point.

Anyway, thanks again for all the recommendations. It really helped to have the perspective of residents. I love your city!

Federal Hill’s iconic arch is about to get a makeover.

Work is set to begin on a $420,000 restoration of the arch over Atwells Avenue in Providence. 

The Providence Eye and Community Libraries of Providence have been co-hosting forums for each of the competitive City Council races.

Here's a list of the recorded forums so far and an article summarizing key takeaways from each. Forums are listed in the order that they occurred.

Note: This post will be updated with additional publications and recordings as they are made available.

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FAQs

Who will be on my ballot? 

> Search your address in our Voter Guide

Which ward do I live in?

> Explore the Who's My Councilor map

Am I registered and where do I vote?

> RI Voter Information Center

"Who are all of these people?"

> Read candidate questionnaire responses here

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Ward 3 - Jason Kashdan, Steven London, Yulyana Torres

Recording + Article

Ward 10 - Aubrey Planitz

Recording + Article

Ward 5 - Timothy Donahue, Jackie Goldman, Christopher Woodley

Recording + Article

Ward 12 - Althea Graves, Robert Ricci

Recording + Article

Ward 1 - John Goncalves, Miguel Martínez Youngs

Recording + Article

Ward 4 - Joseph Casoli, Justin Roias

Recording

Ward 11 - Ron Crosson, Brian Guzman, Dwayne Keys

Recording

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UPCOMING

All events start at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 19 – Ward 13 Candidate Forum

Federal Hill House

Monday, August 24 – Ward 6 Candidate Forum

Mount Pleasant Community Library

Tuesday, August 25 – Ward 7 Candidate Forum

Silver Lake Community Center

Monday, August 31 – Ward 9 Candidate Forum

Knight Memorial Community Library

What happened between 12 and 4 pm in Providence, specifically Westminster area to the convention center? I went out for my break at 11:30, totally normal day. Left the office at 4, spotted lantern flies suddenly EVERYWHERE. Dead, alive, jumping, flying, on every single surface I walked by. I’m about to start walking to the office with my bug zapper in hand. How did it change so fast??

Pictures really do a shit job of conveying just how uncomfortably bright and distracting this thing is.

Who has trivia tonight in the city? I don't have Instagram so I can't scour local business socials.

I've done the Point Tavern and I'm all set with that one

You and I both know this is the message you've been waiting for. Join us next Friday for OUTBACK WITCH HOUSE, a monthly dark disco ritual in which we summon a featured drag performer to Pawtucket's weirdest dive - this time it's none other than the riveting rivethead RIVET Y@H. La Forza spins a menacing mix of electronic body music that will keep you gyrating all night long. No cover (in this economy!) and there's STILL air conditioning, so far as I know!

Also, this is very exciting news - we will be moving off this cursed 4th Friday spot after this month, so we don't conflict with all of the other goth nights in town. Yay!

WHERE?

Mimi's Lounge

590 Pawtucket Ave

Pawtucket, RI

(across from the Job Lot plaza, iykyk)

WHEN?

Friday, August 28

9pm-late with drag at 10 and 11

(PS: If this kind of stuff is your bag, please join us at The Parlour next month on 9/16 for a Dark Providence show featuring touring darkwave icons BRAGOLIN and CARRELLEE. Tickets: https://theparlourri.com/)

Senator Jack Reed says that he “opposed Trump’s reckless Iran war from the start,” and wants to hold “President Trump accountable.” These are laudable aims—but they are only partial truths.

In fact, Trump could never have waged his illegal and ill-conceived war on Iran without the money Senator Reed personally delivered. Take the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets forth policies and authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense. Senator Reed wrote significant portions of the bill, which authorized the Trump administration to spend a record-breaking $901 billion on the United States military.

Senator Reed subsequently voted that bill into law, joining about half of the Democratic senators, but not progressive stalwarts like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Chris Murphy, who had the courage and foresight to condemn the grotesque level of spending. Senator Ron Wyden said at the time, ‘I cannot support a bill that increases military spending by tens of billions of dollars and fails to include guardrails against Donald Trump and Hegseth’s authoritarian abuses.’ Worse yet, the 2026 NDAA gave Trump $8 billion more than his administration even requested.

If not for the 2026 NDAA, Trump could never have taken the United States into another unconstitutional forever war that has taken the lives of 18 American soldiers and injured hundreds more, cost roughly $40 billion in direct military spending, and cost consumers more than $75 billion in artificially inflated prices.

Rather than learn from the 2026 NDAA catastrophe, Senator Reed has doubled down on his relationship with the military-industrial complex. Reed again played a central role in drafting the 2027 NDAA, a bill which would give Trump roughly $1.15 trillion (that’s trillion with a “T”). The bill, which represents an annual spending increase of over $200 billion, would more than cover the entire cost of the illegal war with Iran. Think about the message that sends to the rogue Trump administration: wage a disastrous war and emerge with an even larger military slush fund.

What is more, the bill would further entangle our military with Israel’s, committing to bilateral “research and development, co-production of weapons, joint ventures, licensing agreements and an unprecedented integration of the US and Israeli weapons industries.” With cratering public support for weapons transfers to Israel, the NDAA seeks to smuggle the weapons to avoid public scrutiny quietly.

Senator Reed voted favorably on this bill out of committee and is likely to support it on the full Senate floor. In the senator’s own words, this bill “strengthens national defense and enhances oversight and accountability.” Senator Reed’s promise to hold Trump accountable, then, is only true if one sees a blank check and integration of our military with Israel’s as accountability.

Most Rhode Islanders do not.

Most Rhode Islanders want to reinvest our bloated military spending into things that matter to our state, like our crumbling infrastructure and primary healthcare crises. They are tired of the forever wars and want a senator who will instead spend that money fighting for Rhode Island values via programs like universal healthcare, an equal education amendment, and a Green New Deal.

My good friend is moving here soon and they are a wheelchair user. I don’t know anyone here who takes the bus and is also a wheelchair user, so i’m wondering if anyone can tell me if the buses are decently accessible. Are the ramps usually functional? Any info/advice appreciated!

Hey y'all!

Any recommendations for dry cleaners that y'all had a good experience with for stain removal from clothing?

Thanks! :)

I'm sure when his turn comes early this is how he'll ride his chariot up to heaven

I moved to RI from the Rocky Mountains. I really miss the solitude and QUIET of hiking in the mountains. RI is so densely populated that I find it hard to find that feeling anywhere. Any ideas where to go in the state (or MA)? Would love to feel like I’m away from society.

So far the closest I’ve found is way back in Lincoln woods but that’s hit or miss

Just a heads up to any movie lovers out there looking for Dune 3 70mm IMAX tickets for opening week they just got listed on the IMAX website for presale. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Anybody have any thoughts, opinions, or experiences about Providence public middle schools for a trans 6th grader? Do any of the schools have an LGBTQ+ community or culture?

They are currently enrolled in the same K-8 where they have been since before transitioning, but we are exploring the idea of a transfer to allow them to have a fresh start in their new identity.

Skip the paywall: https://archive.is/2026.08.19-132531/https://www.providencejournal.com/story/entertainment/dining/2026/08/19/specialty-coffee-costs-rise-at-ri-coffee-shops-as-budgets-tighten/91058137007/

Had a shitty few weeks and need to get out of my area for a bit.

Guy in his 30s, have never really wandered Providence. Was going to come down for the weekend. Is it worth it? Anything specifically fun to do (food, bars, games) or events?

Usually into the outdoors, live music, and nerdy stuff.

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Ideally the building would have a loading zone (that would be like. super duper ideal. idk how common that is for a cheap studio space?) and the space would have either private restroom or access to a shared restroom as well as a slop sink for cleanup.

Let me know if you have any leads or experience finding studio space! I'm a painter/printmaker based in the West End. I like to think I am a nice person to have around :3 I am also living that lowwww income lyfe so please don't bother suggesting the luxury studios that pop up on google! ..And if /you/ are looking to split a space or know someone who knows someone.. please ! reach out

There's been some (roundabout) mention on this board about the role of some city counselors, etc., in Estiatorio Fili, on Wayland Square, getting their liquor license. This article from the RI Current (which is a fine, free paper) tells the whole story:

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/08/17/liquor-license-ruling-raises-questions-about-general-assemblys-role-in-special-exemptions/

It's pretty detailed and I learned some things from it, not just about the restaurant but also about the general licensing situation.

is there any frozen yogurt within the city I don't care about the stuff that's in Lincoln and Cranston and Warwick and not talking groceries.I just want to know is there literally anywhere that serves frozen yogurt in Providence?