Happy Tuesday, Providence. In today’s edition: State House views, a grandparent workshop, the WaterFire holiday market, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Panoramic State House views: A College Hill landmark at 98 Congdon Street with abolitionist roots has hit the market around $2.4 million, pairing an 1854 Italianate exterior with a boldly preserved 1988 interior — read the full story.

Tracking outbreaks and trends: Tapestry Health joins Brown University on a five-year, $12 million study of drug use, barriers to HIV and hepatitis C care, overdose prevention, to recruit 1,200 participants across three states — read the full story.

Food bank prioritizes relief: Citing the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank delayed its annual hunger report to Jan. 27, as pantries reported surging fall demand — read the full story.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Octet examines our digital addictions a cappella
• Explore Providence’s indoor winter market
• Enjoy crafts, Santa, and tree lighting
• Support LGBTQ+ causes at Monarch’s Ball
• Holiday block pawty benefiting PARL
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Glide into winter fun: The Providence Ice Rink in Kennedy Plaza is now open for skating. Drop in daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults for a three-hour session, and $6 for children and seniors. Time to lace up and practice those twirls. Get hours and pricing details.

Season of giving shines: Pawtucket police braved the cold outside the Stop & Shop on Cottage Street for a Stuff-a-Cruiser toy drive, hauling in dolls, bikes, and more. Officers say they treasure the annual chance to give back, with the toys supporting the 7th Annual K9 For Kids event at Slater Park’s carousel. See when and where to go.

Burrito mood, secured: Fox Point’s go-to burrito fix, Tallulah’s Taqueria rolls generously stuffed burritos, packed with rice, beans, salsa, and guac, plus your pick of fillings. Fresh, fast, local, and reliably ready when your week’s doing the most.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🎻 Fiddle n’ Fun @ Weaver Library–East Providence Public Library | Wednesday (12/3) at 10:00am – Preschoolers get their own mini jam session with Mister Joel leading the fun. Expect singing, dancing, hands-on instruments, and all the adorable chaos that comes with little ones making big music. It’s high-energy, wildly engaging, and registration is a must for this popular class.

👵 Grandparent Workshop: Parenting Then and Now @ Cranston Public Library | Wednesday (12/3) at 6:30pm – Whether you raised kids on seatbelts and landlines or you are now deciphering screen-time charts, this free library workshop with parent coach Karen Welser helps grandparents sync with modern parenting. No RSVP needed, register for a reminder if you like. Leave confident, respected, and helpful.

🛍️ PVD Downcity Holiday Market @ Grants Block Park | Thursday (12/4) at 5:00pm – Downcity’s Grant’s Block becomes our holiday village, with local makers, farmers, and food vendors, plus a heated lodge for cocktails and a seat. Each day is curated, and Saturday sees Westminster closed so you can actually stroll, shop, and get a head start on holiday gifting.

🔥 Waterfire Holiday Market @ Track 15 | Friday (12/5) at 4:00pm – Skip the mall and do your holiday shopping by WaterFire’s glow at Track 15, with live music, local makers, featuring fresh local food vendors. It’s free, family-friendly, and actually pleasant. Bring a tote, a friend, and your good taste.

🍝 Pasta Making Workshop @ Long Live Beerworks | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – Roll up your sleeves and head to Long Live Beerworks for a pasta-making workshop that teaches you how to make dough, shape a few styles, and find patience. You knead, you sip, you feel accomplished. It’s date night, friend night, or treat-yourself therapy, Providence-style.

This weekend

🌿 Holiday Door Swag Workshop – A Festive Experience in the Heart of Downtown| Saturday (12/6) at 1:00pm – Downtown is getting hands-on with a holiday door swag workshop where you play with evergreens, ribbon, and a little sparkle, then strut home with your own masterpiece. Smells like pine, looks like you tried, and a relaxed seasonal activity you can enjoy downtown.

🧀 Charcuterie Workshop – Providence Winter Market| Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Ready to turn meat and cheese into conversation pieces? At the Providence Winter Market’s hands-on charcuterie workshop, you’ll build a board worth showing off, sample local flavors, and beat the winter blahs, no Pinterest panic required. Bring your appetite, patience, and best small talk.

🇱🇷 The Liberian Experience @ Medicci Lounge | Saturday (12/6) at 7:00pm – Skip the airport, keep the adventure. The Liberian Experience brings live music, rich jollof, palm butter flavors, local art on display, and local vendors under one roof, so you can dance a little, eat a lot, and a chance to experience music, food, and art in one setting.

🎸 Merry Mandolins @ The Music Mansion | Saturday (12/6) at 7:00pm – Trade the mall soundtrack for mandolins at the Music Mansion, where L’Esperance serves holiday sparkle with Rondeau’s Symphony 36, Chagall’s Mandolins, Scottish and Celtic suites, and fresh local works. Classy, cozy, and for a good cause, benefiting the Yvette Cote Memorial Scholarship.

🐾 Holiday Paws Downtown Block Pawty @ Downtown Providence | Sunday (12/7) at 12:00pm – Downtown Providence is going to the dogs in the best way, with a holiday pawty packed with music, vendors, lighthearted contests and activities, and Santa Paws photos. Bring the pup, the leash, plenty of adorable photo opportunities. It all benefits PARL, so your splurges do some good.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/3 The Planet Smashers and more @ The Parlour – 7 pm
• 12/3 Black Cat Crossing @ Nick-a-Nee’s – 8:30 pm
• 12/4 Paul Spring and more @ Myrtle – 6 pm
• 12/4 Greg Abate @ Laurelmead Cooperative – 7:30 pm
• 12/4 The Hoodies @ Mezzo Lounge – 9 pm
• 12/5 Another One Down and more @ Alchemy – 5 pm
• 12/5 Jazz Band @ Providence College – 7 pm
• 12/5 Chencho Corleone @ The Strand Ballroom – 9 pm
• 12/5 Hurricane Wisdom @ Lo Vera VIP – 9 pm
• 12/6 Afrobeats x Paint @ Home by ZaZ – 5 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: The Mita Team (Flagship Real Estate Advisors)

Beautifully restored West End three-family with a standing seam metal roof built for the long haul. Fresh kitchens, luxe baths, new windows, doors, and paint keep things crisp. Two-bedroom units on each floor, with an upper level ready to combine for a larger home. Tree-lined street vibes, blocks to downtown, Broadway, Atwells, highways, restaurants, parks, and the bus line.

Private, fenced backyard and real off-street parking, rare city gold. Investor friendly or owner-occupant smart, with everything done and income potential that starts on day one.

Take a peek inside →