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.

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.

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

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.

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.

The “Taste of the Hill” event has several restaurants teaming up to make this a delicious and cultural experience for you to enjoy, but also support the FHHA’s efforts to help people, help themselves integrate into the community. Started in 1887 as a home for recent immigrants, the multi-cultural nature of FHHA inspires “The Taste of the Hill” ethnic blend of eating and entertainment.
If you happen to be in Newport, you don’t have to miss out either. This Friday, November 4th, is the opening day of Newport’s Annual Restaurant Week that feature many of the restaurants in Newport and Bristol counties. A prefixed lunch and dinner menu offer a delicious ten-day opportunity to experience some of Rhode Island’s finest, and please your taste-buds.

Ed Hardie, our Providence Manager and Newport boater, recommends either of these events. “They offer the perfect way to try new restaurants to which you have never been at a fantastic price. What better way to be adventurous.” Note that these are both paid events.

Have you ever thought about where you come from means? Head to the Washington Park Library all weekend long from 6pm- 7:30pm to “Celebrate Your Heritage” and hear the fascinating stories of internationally acclaimed, Valarie Tutson and Len Cabral discuss and share their impressive stories of African heritage. In addition to their stories, you too will have the opportunity to connect with your roots. This weekend is the chance to experience all the Providence Community Library has to offer.

In addition to this cultural event, the Rochambeau library, also under the Providence Community Library management, is participating in the 31st annual Friends of Rochambeau Book Sale which has been a well respected “Friends” group in the Rhode Island community. This book sale is all weekend long and open to the public.

The nine libraries that are part of PCL are located around the greater Providence area, so do not miss out on your opportunity to support their efforts. The Providence Community Library has managed the neighborhood libraries of Providence since 2009.  Join their mission to improve and unite the communities of Providence.

Reserve your spot to connect with your roots by calling (401) 467-2700.

This is one of those Rhode Island traditions I can’t help but love, and apparently, I’m not the only one—the event attracts over 80,000 visitors each year. There’s nothing that says ‘welcome to autumn’ quite like the bold glow of a Jack-O-Lantern, and the intricate carving on display at this event doesn’t hurt either. The Spectacular can’t quite be defined; it’s at once artistic, spooky, and agricultural, but incredibly goofy and light hearted at the same time. This may explain the mass appeal—it speaks to that je ne sais quoi at the heart of Rhode Island culture. The birthplace of Pauly D, H.P. Lovecraft, and Mr. Potato Head, the state also bore the World’s Biggest Pumpkin in 2006 and 2007.

And that is what the Roger Williams Park Zoo asks us to remember at this year’s “Journey Around the World.” Diverse populations can exist in harmony, with the help of the pumpkin medium. Perhaps Rhode Island is something of a pumpkin itself? Regardless, the October-long Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is definitely worth the trip.

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.

Although there are many events, a few caught my eye. This Friday is your last chance of the year to venture out on the Lighthouse Cruises and Newport Harbor Tours, departing from North Kingstown. You will be able to view beautiful islands, light houses and the famous Jamestown and Newport Bridges one last time before cold weather hits. If the stars catch your eye while you are out there, another idea is heading over to the Frosty Drew Conservatory in Charsletown to stargaze and see the night sky in an entirely different way.

In addition to these events, Rhode Island Sea Grant is holding it’s 30th annual “CoastWeeks”. These weekend events are designed to raise awareness for the need to preserve the coastline. They also demonstrate and harbor a better understanding of coastal management, in different areas of Rhode Island. On October 1st, you can join fishery scientists on the URI research vessel and learn about the proper fishing methods utilized to preserve our aquatic ecosystem. This is sure to be educational and fun, so if you’re interested head to the Wickford Shipyard, this Saturday. Two weekends later, “CoastWeeks” is also leading a free Newport Harbor Walk, showing the community all that the harbor has to offer and the environmental challenges associated with it.

South County is not just for summer beach go-ers. Make the most of your weekend, and welcome the Autumn in a new way this year.