Published in
August, 2008 in
News.
By Mary Lhowe
On a piece of property owned by Amos House off Friendship Street in Providence is a large, sturdy storage building of fresh yellow pine so new it still gives off the scent of the lumberyard. In the concrete floor are the hand-etched words: “ACT 2 ’08.”
These words are the signature of the second session of the Amos Carpentry Training program, a 13-week intensive construction training course that was launched by Amos House in November 2007. The large storage shed was a production of the second session of the carpentry program, conducted earlier this year. Continue reading ‘Amos Training Program Builds Carpenters’
Published in
August, 2008 in
News.
Street Sights presents two interviews about the Lifespan and Care New England merger and the proposed Rhode Island Hospital expansion.
Staff Writer Daniel Daley sat down recently with Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE) activist and board member Judith Reilly.
(note: Questions and answers from both interviews have been edited for length and clarity.)
Q: Who are the major players in this merger?
A: The major players are the Board of Directors of Rhode Island Hospital, Care New England, and Lifespan.
Q: What are your concerns about the merger and the expansion?
A: I believe the merger is bad because it will create a health care service monopoly; monopolies have never lowered costs for consumers. There is also a bad history between Rhode Island Hospital, its expansion, and the South Side community. In the 1980s, it displaced hundreds of residents. The fabric of a vibrant community was disrupted. Also, RI Hospital made promises to the community to provide employment and quality, affordable health care; these promises have not been kept! Continue reading ‘Hospital Merger, Expansion Raise Concerns’
By Fred Pece
What’s important to me?
Family, friends and honesty
Trust and loyalty, to say the least
Makes the difference between Man and Beast
Having lots of money ain’t always that cool
It can sometimes make you turn into a fool
You’ll find the things that are the best
Will keep you stable and at rest
Oh I miss back in the day
When I had time to run around and play
But now too busy to see the forest through the trees
I can only wish that time could freeze
So take your time and catch your breath
Be what you want to be
And remember one very simple rule
The important things in life are free
By David Eisenberger
My fair feathered friends surround
Looking for their morning meal
Wings of Flight has brought them here
The majesty they show… can’t be concealed
For they go and come as they may please
To destinations, only they will know
How I’d wish I grew Wings of Flight
For there are places I would really love to go
Wings of Flight; such pure delight
Travel through the days, and into the night
God gave them something special there
Wings of Flight… without a need or care
So I’d admire, whenever they fly
Knowing they have a sense of freedom
Wings of Flight at any given time,
Will take them to their journeys end
So I’ll once again dream of flying…
Go to places that are of sweet delight
It’s time to soar,
maybe once more…
I’ll venture tonight
with Wings of Flight.
By Jeanie Love
My heart’s been broken, many times and many years.
Looking for a new love, a true love, a sweet love
between my tears.
Never in my wildest dreams did I know how near
this gentleman was loving me, but I
couldn’t see past my tears.
One day standing at the shore, turning to
look away, somthing touched my
heart and I heard, “Please let me stay.”
I needed someone in my life from
beginning to end, to fill up the spaces
so I can love again.
I am not talking about your everyday love,
a Sunday love for sure.
A sweet lover like no other
is what God had in store.
So as I walked away that day my temple
full of joy, I knew I had a love, so true
so sweet, for ever more.
By John Moniz
There once was a friend I called beautiful.
She used to smile whenever I called her that.
She was the Heart and Soul of my life.
But one day I hurt her true by lying to her,
and hurting her heart forever.
Now today, Beautiful is gone….
I miss her touch, and smile;
my heart aches with pain,
and all the lost feelings.
I just pray to my Savior, and Lord Jesus,
that someday,
Beautiful will give me a second chance
and come back.
Asking for forgiveness is not easy,
What I did was wrong,
But I promise with my heart that from now on,
I will be true, to you.
And until that day,
Beautiful; May God Bless You.
Ashley Evans-Samson
In this magnificent world we call life,
I’ve never felt so astounded.
This feeling is not too
recognizable to me,
but it does feel very good.
I never want this feeling to fade away…
I’m crazy for you
When I first laid my eyes upon you,
I just knew that you were the one.
Ever since I’ve been with you,
This feeling of astonishment,
turned into something more powerful;
LOVE!
What a feeling…
A feeling so great,
that it can be only given by two;
God and You.
All I really want to say is…
I’m Crazy for you.
By Daniel Blankenship
Sitting in this void of self-righteous despair
I turn to you to find the way.
But all that’s there are broken words
Of forgotten time…
In my twisted mind,
I can only hope
To find a place for you.
By Stan Kaplewski
When Mark Carbone was 11 years old in 1972 he began playing alto sax in the sixth grade, at the Ponageset Middle School in West Scituate. His first music teacher was George Lessard.
Although Carbone lived in a poor family, his mother managed to get him a brand new saxophone. In the eighth grade, he joined the high school band and Band Director Nedo Pandolfi suggested that he should take private lessons with Anthony DiNoble (formerly of the Stan Kenton Orchestra). After the first lesson, DiNoble told Pandolfi that Carbone was terrible, but he kept Carbone on as a student because Pandolfi argued that he saw something in him. Continue reading ‘Featured Artist: Sax Appeal from a Young Prodigy’
By Felicia
My Dad is special
No matter his title
Father, Dad, or Pop
You’re the guy who’s
always on top
It is your opinion
That everyone seeks
To your family
You are special and unique
For all the love and support
You have given away
You will receive rich rewards
Tomorrow and today
Love and miss you very much
I love you Dad!
Published in
August, 2008 in
News.
By Mary Lhowe
July landed with both feet on the backs of the 100 or so homeless men who spend their nights at the Harrington Hall overflow shelter on the grounds of the state prison in Cranston.
For the second time since mid-2007, a program to serve an evening meal at Harrington collapsed, leaving many men without a chance to get any dinner.
Also at the start of July the system for distributing RIPtix – a ticket for a single trip on RIPTA buses – apparently went haywire. Many mornings in July, men who depend on RIPtix to get to the Cranston shelter at night and back to Providence in the morning found themselves stranded at the shelter – which is closed during the day — with no bus ticket back to the city. Continue reading ‘Money Pinch Kills Evening Meal at Harrington Hall’
By Parrish Chase
Life and its uncertainty,
the duality of man.
This abstract from reality,
brings clarity in a can.
It took a vision’s blur
for the blinders to come off.
Now barred from life’s allure
by way of ol’ Schmirnoff.
Justice Bells rang true,
a State Room with a clarion view.
Pray-tell what now to do…
while shadow boxing with Kung-fu.
Regretted acts…,
just a pittance in here.
A user’s relapse…,
no way to disappear.
Some grow tattered, and
some get torn.
Others are pre-slated
to be forlorn.
Mope, laze, and wallow ablaze;
the flames of idle time.
Wake, arise, and shake off the malaise;
flutter from the stigma of crime.
Rehabilitate your beliefs, and
express your remorse.
Don’t anticipate quick relief,
that’s just par for the course.
Morals, ethics, and ideals,
forge truth to power and zeal.
Yin’s yang and Dharma’s karma,
paves the path to Valhalla.
Published in
August, 2008 in
News.
By JoAnn Dyes
People to End Homelessness and State Rep. Anastasia Williams sponsored a cookout and voter registration drive in the parking lot of Crossroads on July 19. A couple of politicians were present, including State Rep. Thomas Slater and a staff member from Sheldon Whitehouse’s office. Discussion topics included moeny for homelessness and affordable housing programs. In the past, Whitehouse has supported bills intended to reduce criminal recidivism, increase community safety, and fund foreclosure prevention programs. Slater adressed affordable housing problems, healthcare, and help for foreclosures. The afternoon was hot, but the food and fun were plentiful.
Published in
August, 2008 in
News.
Editor’s Note: This month, Street Sights presents an interview with an advocate, who asked to remain anonymous, to find out what is going on the streets.
Street Sights: What do you see on a day-to-day basis?
A.: A lot of complaints, a lot of new faces. A lot of hardship and stress.
Street Sights: What kind of stories are you hearing lately?
A.: There are new people out on the streets that really don’t have a clue where to go. The service providers are doing the best they can but lately there has been an explosion in the population. There are more people out in the streets. If you look at the shelters, every shelter is at capacity or over capacity and it’s only July. What’s going to happen in November, December when the weather turns? That’s a big issue we have to face right now. Continue reading ‘Advocate Sees Hard Times Ahead’
Published in
August, 2008 in
News.
By Mary Lhowe
The Pastore Complex off Pontiac Avenue in Cranston – where the state prison and other state facilities are located – is a nasty place to be stranded all day, in hot weather or in cold. The property is a nearly shadeless swath of huge buildings, open space, and no retail stores to purchase food or water. It is 8.5 miles from downtown Providence.
Since the start of July, many men who stay overnight at the Harrington Hall shelter on the prison property have been stranded there when the shelter closes in the mornings because of a breakdown in the system to distribute free bus tickets for the trip back to Providence. There are many stories of men having to walk to Providence every day.
Several men standing outside the shelter on one hot evening in July expressed dismay about the recent problems securing RIPtix. “One day there was about 20 guys stranded out here,” said Steven Doyle. “Some days, there’s a parade of us going down the street [to Providence],” added Michael Vaudry. Continue reading ‘Confusion Over Bus Tickets Leave Men Stranded’
Published in
August, 2008 in
News.
By Louisa Smith
In an empty lot in Central Falls within view of eight recently foreclosed buildings, about 150 Rhode Island residents came together last month to mark the day the state budget for fiscal year 2009 went into effect. They were not cheering it, however, but rather showing their disappointment with its approval.
Organized by Unity RI, the rally was one example of the many frustrated responses to the passed budget. Though the final budget went through many changes since the Governor Carcieri’s first proposal, the version that went into effect on July 1st contains significant cuts across the board, including to social services. A reduction in eligibility for Family Independence Program (FIP) benefits has left many families desperate and at risk of losing their homes. In fact, one way to ensure FIP eligibility is to be homeless; once in transitional housing, benefits may end again. Tammy Lombardo, a FIP participant, remarked at the July 1st rally that she had “never seen a government so desperate to wage a war against the poor.” Continue reading ‘Budget Foes See “War on Poor”’
By Mary Lhowe
