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Hello Providence! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New RIDOT leadership, a $36 million research hub, and Ghana’s FIFA World Cup 2026 training base + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Providence protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
New leadership guides next steps: Robert Rocchio is RIDOT’s interim director after Peter Alviti retired Feb. 27, with Gov. Dan McKee backing Washington Bridge’s move to rebuild and prioritizing in-water work on the westbound span — read the full story.
Funding plan moves forward: Brown University Health is tapping the bond market to help finance a $36 million research hub in East Providence, advancing the lab project despite its recently reported thin operating margin — read the full story.
Officials unveil elite training hub: Ghana Football Association selected Bryant University in Rhode Island as the team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 training base. Sessions will be closed to the public, with youth programming planned later — read the full story.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Treat-yourself pie stop: When the craving hits, Pastiche Fine Desserts serves chocolate cream pie with silky filling, flaky crust, and a cloud of whipped cream, plus fruit tarts and other classics if you’re sharing or not. A midweek ‘you earned this’ kind of treat.
Fresh-bouquet energy: Need a lift this week? Blooming Blossoms turns everyday moments into bloom-worthy ones with thoughtfully arranged flowers and a legit plant lineup. Easy to snag for yourself, or send a just-because surprise to someone who deserves it.
Send it nearby: Craving a mood boost and forearm pump? Rock Spot Climbing serves up 75+ boulder problems across 2,000+ square feet, plus two adjustable training boards. Low-key fitness and yoga round things out, making it easy to remember how fun moving up a wall can be.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
📚 Family Bilingual Story Class / Cuentos Bilingües en Familia @ Pawtucket Public Library | Friday (3/13) at 11:00 AM – Bring the littles for a free bilingual story class that lets them wiggle, listen, and sing in English and Spanish, while you sip coffee and pretend it’s quiet time. Fun tales, simple crafts, and canciones everyone can actually remember. Ages 1-5.
🐰 Easter Bunny Photos @ One Providence Place | Friday (3/13) at 2:00 PM – Got little ones, grandkids, or a very patient dog? The Easter Bunny is holding court at Providence Place for photo ops in the L1 Garden. Expect pet nights and a sensory-friendly session, and P.F. Chang’s throws in a free kids meal with your photo receipt.
🍬 Hansel and Gretel @ Sapinsley Hall @ Rhode Island College | Friday (3/13) at 7:30 PM – Family night calls for a fairy-tale detour, and Providence Ballet Theatre delivers with original choreography, enchanting music, and costumes that outshine a gingerbread roof. No breadcrumbs required, just quality time, wide eyes, and a witch you can boo without starting neighborhood drama.
🐾 B.A.R.K. and P.U.R.R.K. Ranger Program @ Roger Williams National Memorial | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Providence’s cutest roll call is at Roger Williams National Memorial, where your dignified dog, skeptical cat, and you can snag B.A.R.K and P.U.R.R.K tags, a free collar charm, then stroll the Washington-Rochambeau route with a ranger. Free, rain or shine, leashes, and petless humans welcome.
🎨 Art in Repeat: Maker’s Workshop @ The Womxn Project HQ | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Get your hands inky at Eliza Squibb’s printmaking workshop, where stencils and rubber stamps turn ideas into crisp repeating patterns. It’s pay-what-you-can, supports The Womxn Project’s A|RT Lab, and it’s already full, because, well, it is, but the Social Fabric show is on.
👪 Family Dance @ Hope Highlands Middle School (Cranston) | Saturday (3/14) at 6:00 PM – It’s a Family Dance with school-gym nostalgia, cheesy bops, and food trucks for purchase, so dinner is handled. Not a drop off event, which means you’re dancing too, or at least supervising with a taco in hand. Low stakes, high smiles, and bedtime happens.
🍁 Maple Sap Boil @ Woonasquatucket River Greenway | Sunday (3/15) at 6:00 AM – Join WRWC on the Woonasquatucket River Greenway for an all-day maple sap boil where patience, fire, and good company turn sap into syrup. Bring a poem or a tune, pop in or stay awhile, and welcome spring like a true local, slow, sweet, and unhurried.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Providence report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 52°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 22%
Patchy fog between 8am and 10am, then a slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. East wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain before 8pm, then a chance of rain and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy. Low around 45, with temperatures rising to around 58 overnight. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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Tomorrow – High: 57°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 56%
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. West wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of snow before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
This house is wild
This gated East Side colonial sits across from the neighborhood bakery. An open-concept main floor spills into a huge fenced backyard with stone patio, raised gardens, and a garage. Highlights include a sunroom, updated kitchen and baths, walk-in pantry and closets, full basement, and an indoor piazza with stone-and-copper accents evoking a Tuscan vibe.
Take a peek inside →
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