Roger Williams

Latest Articles

A modest proposal; farewell, Johnny and Etta; leave Jessica alone!

Share the pain?
If, as suggested by Governor Linc, state agencies are facing the chop in all areas of government, may Phillipe and Jorge offer a solution to at least minimize the bleeding, and perhaps build a little "all for one, one for all" spirit as well?
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | January 25, 2012

Roger Williams gets his due

Founders
Roger Williams — the iconoclast who founded Rhode Island nearly 400 years ago with a radical call for religious tolerance — is held in high regard in these parts. But he is a little-known figure nationwide.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 04, 2012

A Roger Williams professor tackles William F. Buckley Jr.

Thinkers
Conservative thinker William F. Buckley Jr. was, perhaps, America's most important 20th-century public intellectual.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | December 21, 2011

The ugly side of Providence’s 375th birthday

Histories
I do not envy the person assigned with reducing 375 years of Providence history to four words.
By PHILIP EIL | October 12, 2011

Poop and circumstance

Vo Dilun diplomacy; the Dunkin' Donuts state; networking; royal rapping
Knickers in a horrible twist in Educationland over the announcement of a three-tiered diploma system to be introduced in Rhode Island public schools.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | January 26, 2011

The weird get weirder; all about rubbers; farewell to Mr. Burke

Republican theocrats
When you consider the Democrats' disunity, ineptitude, and near-complete inability to present voters with a coherent program, it would seem that the pundits who have been predicting a Republican tsunami have a strong argument. But wait! Just in time, the GOP comes to the rescue by putting up a whole slew of Christian fundamentalist candidates.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 13, 2010

Just a little bit of consistency

The loosey-goosey Gov; slipping with Scalia; keeping church and state separate
We frequently think that Governor Donald "Laughing Boy" Carcieri is an ideologue who uses data merely to confirm his already strongly held reactionary views. (Actually, when it comes to social issues, his wife's strongly held reactionary views.)
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | August 11, 2010

Knowing no shame

The disgraceful General Assembly; hail, do-gooders; and a plea for ProHo
The recent rush to adjourn the 2010 General Assembly session on the arbitrary date of June 10 was an affront to the Rhode Island citizenry and a low mark for the state’s politicians.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | June 16, 2010

It’s good to be king

TRIST takes Henry VIII outdoors
After being out of the local theater scene for a couple of decades, the Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater (TRIST) is back, staging an outdoor production of Henry VIII at the Roger Williams National Memorial Park, on North Main Street in Providence, through June 26.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | June 15, 2010

Review: Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill

Another victory, what a surprise
The baseball record books show that Gerald Peter Remy, in 10 major-league seasons, hit a total of seven home runs. On my first visit to his Boylston Street bar and grill, I was ready to declare the restaurant home run number eight.
By ROBERT NADEAU | June 02, 2010

Relentlessly ringing freedom

Northern New England’s Tea Partiers go local
Amid relentless bell-ringing (“Let freedom ring!” chanted the enthusiasts as they deprived passersby of their hearing and sanity), the Tea Party came to Portland last week to greet President Barack Obama.
By JEFF INGLIS | April 07, 2010

A Providence foundation seeks out the awesome

Superlatives Dept.
What is awesome? A burrito, if you ask me. And nearly any record by the band Spoon.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 13, 2010

Updike does death, R. Crumb does God, Vanity Fair does Proust

Gift books to savor
Trying to reach as broad a range of tastes and pocketbooks as possible, we this year scavenged everything from the front pages of the Onion to R. Crumb's genesis, to valedictory Updike. Stuff to read, stuff to look at, glossy pages and matte. Remember: be careful not to nick the pages or spill eggnog on them before you wrap. Happy holidays!
By PHOENIX STAFF | December 08, 2009

Noir comes to Providence

In Cold Blood
Former Providence Journal reporter Mark Arsenault’s new novel, Loot the Moon , is the second in a series focused on obituary writer, inveterate gambler, and investigator Billy Povich.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 28, 2009

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Sarah and the shipmates

Vowell on the Puritans and the founding of Rhode Island
Humorist, historian, superhero. Sarah Vowell is a woman of letters and voices.
By MICHAEL ATCHISON | October 22, 2009

Killer plants, ‘without remorse’

Beautiful but Deadly
On display behind a glass enclosure at the New England Carnivorous Plant Society's seventh annual show was a rare book, not a plant.
By RICHARD ASINOF | September 30, 2009

ACLU, fighting the good fight

Honoring the past
If the Rhode Island ACLU could tap any two figures to headline its 50th anniversary event, it might choose Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson. And so it has.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | September 17, 2009

More fun in Nawt Prov

Tales of Ebay Cholly. Plus, our sorry state, kissing cops, and the GOP.
Sal Mancini would be proud.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | July 29, 2009

C.J. Chivers's real journalism

Plus, it's time for same-sex marriage, the PPL on the brink, and some unusual tomes
Phillipe and Jorge were absolutely stunned by the astounding and chilling story on the front page of the April 20 Urinal
By PHILLIPE and JORGE | April 22, 2009

Bad week for Lifespan: New financing plan comes under scrutiny

Health-care
Last week was a tough one for Rhode Island's largest hospital network. The Rhode Island Health Services Council refused to allow Lifespan to borrow $75.9 million to finish renovation and expansion projects at the Miriam and Rhode Island hospitals.
By STEVEN STYCOS | March 04, 2009

30 on 30

30 local luminaries look back on 30 years of the New Paper and the Providence Phoenix
The Providence Phoenix celebrates 30 years with 30 interviews
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX STAFF | October 24, 2008

Avant-oompah!

Mixing old and new, Providence’s What Cheer? Brigade takes a stand against pre-fabricated culture
Unexpected and improbable spontaneity is a trademark for What Cheer?, one of a number of groups that blend punk rock ethos with the mobility of marching bands
By IAN DONNIS | October 09, 2008

The quick and the dead: Underground in Providence

Grave-gawkers
It’s been a rough year for cemetery buffs.
By PHILIP EIL | September 17, 2008

Pinga! your incumbent

The more turnover at Halitosis Hall, the better, we say
Phillipe + Jorge were thrilled to see the upset victory by baker Michael Pinga over incumbent state Senator “Snarlin’ Steve” Alves in their Democratic primary race.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | September 17, 2008

Spirited

Rory Raven's Haunted Providence
Rory Raven’s Haunted Providence is a must-read for anyone who likes to collect every stray fact of local history or hopes to frighten campers around midnight campfires this summer.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | May 19, 2008

The failure of ‘tough-on-crime’ tactics

Left untreated, drug addicts pose greater costs for everyone else
It was after midnight, and Dawn Jacques lay sleepless in her cell at the Adult Correctional Institutions, shuddering. Bathed in sweat, she stared at the ceiling for hours until it blurred.
By TE-PING CHEN | May 08, 2008

Kim Ahern

Almost famous
To minimize pre-conceived notions about voters, so there’s less focus on stereotypes and categories.
By FRANK MULLIN | February 06, 2008

The passion of the candidate

Romney’s religion speech was aimed at Christian conservatives, but his model wasn’t JFK — it was Mel Gibson
Pity Mitt Romney, the object of religious persecution, forced to make a public speech confronting the antagonistic forces that have kept his candidacy down by attacking his faith.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 12, 2007

Sand storm

Zox share some new songs at Decibel Live and online
Tonight, you can get a taste of new Zox as they preview Line In the Sand , their first album of original material for SideOneDummy Records.
By BOB GULLA | November 13, 2007