If you’re in the Providence area this weekend, you might want to check out the Providence Rotary Street Painting Festival. This event, held downcity in the skating rink, is sure to be a day of family fun and artistic expression. Hundreds of artists flood Kennedy Plaza each year for this event, and take up sidewalk chalk to create large, detailed drawings that celebrate a specific theme. This year, the artistic prompt is “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity” in honor of the Rotary Club’s 100th anniversary.

One of the great things about Providence is the abundance of art and culture. Just think of all the venues—the Rhode Island School of Design, PPAC, Trinity Rep., The Providence Art Club, AS220. These haunts are a reason why the Creative Capital is such a wonderful place to live. Artists have the ability to see the beauty in their surroundings, enhance it, and create something worth keeping, and this is what they bring to our city on a daily basis.

Art makes areas more enjoyable to live in. The Street Painting Festival provides the opportunity for artists to create on an uncommon canvas, and for the public to see these detailed images come to life. This is a promising way to spend a bright autumn day.

Cumberland Manager, Holly Applegate and I are members of this group. More information can be found on The Rotary Club of Providence website.

Searching through Providence’s Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism’s newsletter, several interesting events are coming up in March.  As always, the city is bustling with activity. Here’s a couple that support good causes.

To start off, how would you like to be treated like the stars?  The Rhode Island International Film Festival is the only officially sanctioned host for an Academy Awards party. It is being held at the VMA on March 7 starting at 6:30pm – complete with the red carpet treatment. The cost is $55 per person, and the proceeds of this “dress to impress” event benefit the RIIFF.

If you are not into the movies, how about live theater? Perishable Theater is having a fundraiser which features internationally-acclaimed mandolinist & bandolimist Marilynn Mair performing choro, samba, bossa nova and some of Marilynn’s original Rio-inspired compositions. This is also on the 7th but starts at 5:00pm and costs $25 per person.

For more detailed information, go to the Providence Arts, Culture and Tourism site.

For the last several decades, there has been a constant flow of people, who upon reaching retirement age, have packed the belongings, called the Realtor, and headed to better locations. Ah, but little did they know that good old Providence is considered a prime spot for retirees.

Paging through SmartMoney.com, I came across a survey of the top 25 places to retire. Providence is ranked number 17th. That doesn’t put our home as the prime destination, but it does put us before places like San Diego, Boston, or Charlotte, who didn’t even make the list. (Though I must say I was surprised by the ranking Philadelphia received – tenth. W. C. Fields would be equally surprised.)

The article did point out several of our great features and benefits. Among the statistics were some interesting ones. For instance, there are 228 golf courses within a 30 mile radius of Providence; the restaurant and bar scene is plentiful with 2413 and 234 establishments, respectfully, within 15 miles of the downtown; and our arts funding is double the average of the top 25 places to retire. That just makes the quality of life in Providence far superior to other cities.

Now, if we could only get nature to cooperate  – only 27% clear days – Providence would be a slice of heaven right here in little Rhode Island.