Your Back-to-School Boost 🎒

Tips to make the back-to-school transition a breeze, a local paradise for pups, a Warren spot bringing a taste of Piemonte to Rhode Island, + more!

August 12, 2025

Whoever’s got their finger glued to the fast-forward button on our Rhody summer… kindly, stop. We’re not ready to trade beach days for backpacks just yet, but somehow the air already has that faint whiff of freshly sharpened pencils. The good news? Today’s newsletter is packed with simple ways to nail your back-to-school cool while still savoring every last drop of summer magic – plus plenty more inspiration to keep your calendar as full as your iced coffee.

Get Back in the Groove Before the First Bell Rings

Back-to-school season doesn’t have to mean chaos. With simple strategies like adjusting sleep schedules, practicing routines, and building emotional readiness, local educators share how families can set the tone for a confident and calm start to the year. Read more online.

• By Jenna Kaplan

A Dog’s-Eye View of a Day at Dogtopia Warwick

For Wilco the pup, Dogtopia of Warwick isn’t just daycare, it’s doggone paradise! From spa days to costume parties, this indoor playground on Jefferson Boulevard offers pups a safe, social, and tail-waggingly good time. Read more online.

• By Ken Abrams, Ann Martini, and Wilco H., photo courtesy of Ken Abrams

Presented by PVDFest

PVDFest Returns to Downtown Providence

PVDFest is back! Get ready to take over the streets of Downtown Providence on September 5–6, 2025, as Mayor Brett Smiley, the City’s Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, and Producing Partner FirstWorks bring you the ultimate celebration of creativity, culture, and community.

Encounter talking jaw-dropping performances from around the globe, live music that’ll have you dancing in the streets, larger-than-life art installations, a buzzing makers' market, a parade for all, and delicious eats from the best local and international food trucks. Whether you're a local or just visiting, PVDFest is your chance to experience the electric energy of the Creative Capital like never before. Mark your calendar, grab your crew, and don’t miss the most unforgettable weekend of the year. PVDFest is a free event. For more information, visit PVDFest.com.

Great Aunt Louise’s Puts Piemonte on the Map in Warren

Drawing from generations of family recipes, Great Aunt Louise’s is serving up bold Italian flavors from a charming storefront on Main Street. Founder Cassandra Birocco honors her Piemonte roots with small-batch sauces, dips, and snacks you won’t find anywhere else. Read more online.

• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Cassandra Birocco

⭐ What happens when Cold War paranoia, family drama, and a retro roller-skating rink collide? Trinity Rep kicks off its 2025-26 season with the world premiere of Cold War Choir Practice, a darkly comedic thriller by Ro Reddick, running September 4 to October 5. Packed with original music, razor-sharp humor, and a cast of standout local talent, this genre-bending production promises a season opener audiences won’t forget.

⭐ How do you honor a past that was long left unspoken? On August 24 at Independence Park, the Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project will unveil Our Ancestors Come With Us, a life-sized bronze sculpture by RISD artist Spencer Evans, honoring those impacted by the transatlantic slave trade and their descendants. The event will feature speeches from local leaders, cultural performances, and a powerful call for reflection, reconciliation, and hope.

 ⭐ What happens when the Creative Capital throws its biggest party of the year? PVDFest 2025 will take over downtown Providence September 5–6 with electrifying performances, colorful parades, and markets brimming with local flavor. This year’s headliner, Haitian-born “Caribbean Patti Smith” Moonlight Benjamin, joins an all-star lineup and community-led celebrations that promise two days of pure citywide magic.

Why Ella McCay Was Made to Be Filmed in Providence

Ella McCay is a story about navigating politics and personal relationships with optimism, grit, and a dash of humor, a blend that feels right at home in Rhode Island. The Ocean State’s tight-knit communities, historic charm, and lively civic life mirror Ella’s world, where local connections and personal integrity matter just as much as the headlines.

Filming in Providence and beyond gives the series an authenticity you can’t fake. From State House steps to cobblestone streets, Rhode Island’s backdrops capture both political ambition and everyday humanity. Here, resilience, candor, and community spirit set the stage for a political dramedy where the personal and political collide daily in city hall chambers, neighborhood cafes, and around family dinner tables.

Here’s What a 1-Day Gutter Guards Upgrade Should Cost You In 2025

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#HeyRhodyPhotos

When the Full Sturgeon Moon tucks itself behind Plum Beach Light, it feels like the whole bay is holding its breath. 🌝

Photo by @hillary4297

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