Although there has been scant need for the down jackets this December here in Rhode Island, the advantages of lower heating costs and being able to get outside for even more activities are welcome.  However, there are ways to get into the seasonal spirit down in Newport. The local Historical Society (NHS) is hosting a variety of events for holiday enjoyment, education, and supplementing your existing habits with new traditions.

One of the major events being featured is the Holiday Lantern Tour. The tour is designed to illustrate how the holidays were celebrated in the colonial era. Tour-Goers will be guided through historic Newport and learn the rich history of one of the most important places in Rhode Island. These run every Friday and Saturday evening starting at 4:30 pm through December 23rd and is a great way to start a festive weekend. The Newport Historical Society allows members to receive a discounted price in efforts to increase involvement within the organization.

In addition to the lantern tour, NHS has other educational events this December including the “Discover Colonial Newport” and “Working Waterfront” walking tours.  By learning more about Newport, the society hopes to brighten your days as you help to preserve and celebrate the history of this great city by the sea.

Reservations are strongly encouraged as these events tend to book quickly. Call now or visit the website to secure your spot to enjoy a weekend in Newport and preserve our state’s history.

Being part of a community that is rich in culture and architecture has always been interesting to me. As the holidays draw closer, Providence is finding new ways to celebrate what makes our city unique. This December you have the chance improve a building as well as enjoy those that have been lovingly restored to splendor.

Architecture for Humanity has helped people and communities in countries like Haiti, Japan and South Africa, as well as, in the United States, focusing on keeping places safe and sustainable by rebuilding communities, alleviating poverty and creating spaces that aid in community causes. The Providence Chapter is a new group of the global organization which is a network of architects, designers, and other building professionals working to brings design, construction and development services to communities in need. To kick start their efforts, the local group has a different initiative with its “Holiday Wish List Exhibition”. This program is asking members of the Providence community to submit 2-D artwork or photography of a property which you wish to be renovated, transformed, or re-purposed. The details needed with the submission are enumerated on their website. All submissions should be emailed or mailed to the address on the Architecture for Humanity, Providence Chapter’s website by December 15th. They will be displayed on the 19th of December.

Though the architecture group is new to Providence, the city has been a national leader in preservation through an organization that was founded by some astute women back in 1956. The Providence Preservation Society offers many programs and each year they showcase some of the historic deliverances which have occurred over the past 50 plus years. This past Sunday, I had James Brayton Hall, executive Director of PPS, on my radio show to discuss aspects of preservation in Providence. We talked on items from their Ten Most Endangered Properties program, to his vision of saving neighborhoods one building at a time, to their upcoming Benefit Street event this Saturday, December 3, 2011. You can hear a free podcast of the show via itunes.

This weekend you should make it a date to enjoy a collection of gems, which make Providence so unique, by attending The Providence Preservation Society’s “Benefit Street Holiday” event. Ticket holders will be guided through historic homes and shops on Benefit Street, learning about the significant collection of architecture, while enjoy festive decorations, storytelling, and celebrations. And there are activities for everyone in the family.

Preserving our community is the best way we can build a better future. Whether you want to bask in the glory of past renovations, or get involved in proposing new projects, this December is a great time to start.

Since the holiday season is upon us, we thought it might be appropriate to give a quick update on Residential Properties charity endeavors.

A few weeks ago, we blogged about the Woonsocket Adopt-A-Family. The group provides gifts and toys to children of needy families, and two Residential Properties agents―Sandra Soares and Janice Geddes―are actively involved. Their goal is to deliver a message of hope to those youngsters who might not get to have a traditional holiday celebration, and we think this is an admirable aim.

While the organization has matched 1,400 children with donors this year, they are still in need of volunteers to provide for the remaining 472 children. If the group cannot find additional volunteers, this will be the first time in nine years that they have had to turn families away. If you would like to help bring the holidays to those less fortunate, contact Sandy Soares at ssoares@residentialproperties.com

The RPL Providence office is also getting in on the holiday giving. For the past four years, the office has worked with the Salvation Army on Broad Street to bring gifts to children in need. Organized by agent Sandy Conca, the office has delivered almost everything requested in years past, and looks forward to doing the same in 2011. If you would like to contribute to this initiative, contact Sandy Conca at sconca@residentialproperties.com

As December approaches, it comes time for the Annual “Little Pictures” art show in Providence. Again this year, Residential Properties is excited to have one of our agents, Catherine McKinnon as a featured artist. For 31 years, Catherine had dedicated her passion for art by creating opportunities for students and communities in Rhode Island. A member of the Providence Art Club since 2004, and a RISD graduate, Catherine’s award winning landscape artwork will appear in the 107th show.

Created in 1880, The Providence Art Club is the second oldest art club in the nation, and has become a historic landmark that defines Thomas Street. The club was created by artists, non-artists, and collectors to integrate art into their community. This year like many, the show has a diverse selection of still life and landscapes, glassworks and even jewelry that will change daily as purchases are made.

This long-standing tradition is a popular holiday exhibit and gives you the perfect opportunity to take home impressive pieces of work. Artists like Catherine will showcase and sell their paintings at affordable prices for buyers. This cash and carry show will take place beginning this Sunday, November 20th, through December 23rd. As a piece of the history of Providence, you definitely should check it out.

The holiday season seems to be rushing in on us. For some it’s a great time, but for others it can be tough because the economy has taken a huge toll on their resources. That’s why we think it’s a necessary task to be involved in community projects. This year, we want to acknowledge Sandra Soares, an agent in our Cumberland office, for her work with the Woonsocket Adopt-A-Family. We think that giving back is of great importance, and we’re proud that Sandy has been associated with the organization since 1989. A past president and current Treasurer of the Board of Directors, Sandy has served as Program Coordinator since 1999.

Adopt-A-Family, Inc. is a non-profit Rhode Island corporation whose mission is to provide Christmas to needy children in Woonsocket. The agency was started in 1983 by a group of volunteers, and has been a popular local charity in Northern Rhode Island ever since. In 1992, the Woonsocket Adopt-A-Family began keeping annual records. Since then over 30,000 children have been provided for in a city where 35% of children under the age of six live below the poverty level.

Annually, the organization receives applications from nearly 1,200 families in Woonsocket. The last eight years they have been successful in providing for 100% of those eligible. In 2010 the group produced presents for over 2,200 kids from more than 1,000 families—that’s roughly 100 classrooms of children. Each year, they are able to bring approximately $325,000 worth of goods into the city through donations, which mainly consist of toys, clothes, and donations. The organization also raises approximately $20,000 per year to purchase items for children without assigned donors.

As normal but especially this year, Adopt-A-Family is in need of donors and volunteers. Many of these families’ parents are out of work, or working but in school trying to make a future for themselves and their children. Their budgets are stretched to the point of breaking, and some have.

Adopt-A-Family welcomes and is searching for those who can to join them this year as volunteers and contributors. The organization also works in tandem with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which is another way to help out this holiday season.

For more information contact Sandy Soares at ssoares@residentialproperties.com.