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Good morning, Providence! In today’s edition: A movie club anniversary, CiderCon 2026, Nidia Góngora, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Turning film nights into friendships: Providence Movie Club recently marked three years of building community, with monthly screenings, mixers, and events from AS220 to Providence Place. Crowds keep growing, and plans are expanding — see what’s next for them.
What to know right now: Rhode Island health officials have warned of an especially bad post-holiday flu season as flu, COVID-19, and RSV cases rise, with some hospitals adopting masking policies after H3N2 genetic changes — get all the details.
Craft cider’s rising tide: Nearly 900 cider industry professionals will gather at the Rhode Island Convention Center next month for CiderCon 2026, with tours, tastings, and workshops Feb 2 to 5 in Providence — get all the event details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
A mission of independence: Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island has delivered more than 21 million meals since 1969. In 2024, it served 3,738 residents statewide with over 400,000 meals and expanded daily delivery 77% since 2020, supporting older adults and at-risk neighbors with nutrition, safety, and social connection. Read the full story.
Look up, Providence: Get a quick, genuinely fun science fix at the Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, where quirky exhibits meet a cozy dome of stars and planets overhead. It’s an easy reset: low-key, kid-friendly, and surprisingly zen, perfect for a weatherproof afternoon.
Weeknight burrito fix: When the day needs a reset, Tallulah’s Taqueria delivers a warm, foil-wrapped sanity saver…flavorful, filling, and easy to customize. Skip the decision fatigue, order and unwrap, then remember why a simple, well-made burrito still wins every time.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎨 Greenhouse Impressionism @ Roger Williams Park Botanical Center | Friday (1/9) at 10:00 AM – Friday nights in the greenhouse mean paint under your nails and your brain finally exhaling. Jeneanne Lunn, our resident color whisperer, leads three weekly sessions across fall and winter, five or six weeks apiece. Pick your season, book now, brag later.
🎶 Nidia Gongora @ Fete Music Hall | Friday (1/9) at 8:00 PM – Trade your usual Olneyville dive crawl for Nidia Góngora at Fete, a lush blast of Afro-Colombian Pacific rhythms that make even New England hips remember how to move. Expect marimba, call and response, and grooves that turn winter coats into dance props.
🥕 Providence Winter Farmers Market @ Farm Fresh Rhode Island | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to restock the fridge with actual food, the indoor winter market is back, with 75+ local farmers and makers under one roof. Pro tip: Kinsley’s one-way now, so roll in via Sims, Kinsley, or Charlotte Hope via Harrison.
🎉 The Alcove Grand Opening @ The Alcove | Saturday (1/10) at 12:00 PM – Big day for the old Gather RI space, now The Alcove. Swing by the grand opening open house for a ribbon cutting, curator-led gallery and library tours, Raging Grannies, cookies, hot cocoa, and a winter gear drive, park on street, not in 201 Broadway’s lot.
💰 Manifesting Abundance: Money Bowl Workshop @ Radiant Wellness Healing LLC | Saturday (1/10) at 1:00 PM – Kick off the New Year by joining Kailyn at Radiant Wellness in Johnston to craft a Money Bowl with feng shui, folk magic, and affirmations, materials included. Practical with a little sparkle. Easier on the wallet than another webinar, $44.
🧶 Chunky Knit Blanket Party @ Narragansett Beer | Sunday (1/11) at 3:00 PM – If your couch has been hinting it deserves a proper throw, this Chunky Knit Blanket Party teaches you to make one with only your hands, no needles required. Low-stress, high-snuggle, and surprisingly satisfying, like therapy that ends in a blanket you keep.
💃 Dance Workshop: Be My Galentine @ AS220 Dance | Sunday (1/11) at 5:00 PM – Need a winter warm-up that is not another space heater? Over five weeks at AS220, learn a 1960s-inspired routine to Comin’ Home Baby, all levels welcome, then snag a retro valentine and a wee video, sequins and bump-it encouraged, no recital required.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Providence report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 44°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind around 1 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 33%
Patchy fog before 8am, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. South wind 2 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
This house is wild
In Elmhurst Arboretum, minutes to downtown Providence, this freshly painted 2-bed, 1.5-bath townhouse-style condo spans over 2,000 square feet. The sunlit main level shows off hardwood floors, a generous living room with built-ins and a wood-burning fireplace, plus dining and kitchen with sliding doors to a private deck. A half bath completes the floor. A heating system installed three months ago improves efficiency.
Upstairs holds two bedrooms, including a primary with a walk-in closet and a bath with tub and shower, plus a second that doubles as guest room or office. A finished basement adds bonus space and laundry, and an attached garage covers parking and storage.
Take a peek inside →
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