Ephemera
Meet Tim Lehnert
I recently had the chance to meet with author Tim Lehnert. The Eden Park resident wrote the book, Rhode Island 101: Everything You Wanted to Know About Rhode Island and Were Going to Ask Anyway. In a short interview over lunch at Minh Hai, he spoke about his effort to compile and write the 200-plus pages of fact and ephemera.
The book is like a smaller Rhode Island cousin of the Book of Lists, which makes it a breezy and entertaining read. It’s a book for Rhody junkies, seekers of the arcane, or anyone looking for a dose of Rhode Island culture in one, easy-to-swallow pill.
Tim and his family are relatively recent transplants to Rhode Island. So how does an “outsider” write an insider book about the proud and offbeat culture of such an insular state? He enlisted the help of 26 local celebrities and experts.
“I wrangled various guest stars,” said Lehnert. “That’s how I get around when someone says, ‘well, you’re not a native’ – and how am I going to be an expert on the weather? And the politics?” For those sections he found experts in the field. For other sections he tapped Rhode Island personalities to give the book its flavor. “The classic Rhode Islanders. Arlene Violet. Lincoln Chafee…,” affirmed Lehnert.
Other contributors include John Ghiorse, Michael Corrente, Tony Petrarca, Johnette Rodriguez, Jim Taricani and Bruce Sundlun on topics as diverse as Family Guy and the American Burying Beetle.
It’s not a shock that the list of Rhode Island’s Top 5 Oddball Attractions was reserved for quahog.org editor, Christopher Martin. Quohog.org is a sprawling site packed full of Rhode Island lore. His oddities list includes a sunken U-boat off Block Island, le Musée Patamécanique, and Florence Nightingale’s nurse cap.
Tim will talk about Rhode Island 101, and show slides of Rhode Island scenes. It happens on Wednesday, starting at 6:30 at the William Hall Library in Cranston.
Photo by jimbowen0306.
[where: 02910]Comment
Saturday November 13, 2010
New Music Series to Feature RI Songwriters
On November 19, members of Rhode Island’s songwriting community will play new, previously unperformed music at the Black Box Theater in Cranston. You’ll hear GW Mercure’s visceral Americana, Kim Lamothe’s driving rhythmic poetry, Chris Monti’s inventive instrumentals, Judith Bingham’s propulsive and provocative compositions, Frank Martyn’s wry rockabilly, and Jacob Haller’s blues/folk stylings. The performers will play three songs each.
moreThursday November 4, 2010
How To Recycle Your Lawn Signs
Lawn signs are recyclable, but they should not be tossed in the standard residential blue bin. The metal stakes should be removed from the sign and both materials can be delivered to the Central Landfill or to one of the local recycling centers listed below. The plastic signs will go in one container, and the metal stakes will go into a different container. There is no charge to recycle either material.
moreWednesday November 3, 2010
The Lexingtons
The Lexingtons are an interesting local band in that they don’t neatly fit into Rhode Island’s music scenes. The Cranston pop trio sounds like they’ve been mining the Beach Boys, Burt Bacharach and other pop musicians of the time, and the indelible sixties vibe puts them somewhere on the same... more
Tuesday October 5, 2010
Wednesday Is Walk To School Day
Wednesday is Walk To School Day. Cranston Public Schools aren’t officially participating, but it doesn’t mean your family can’t hoof it. Good Magazine has some interesting notes about walking to school: In 1969, 88 percent of students who lived within a mile of their grade schools got there by bike or... more
Thursday September 23, 2010
A Guerrilla Style Street Band, Giant Cartoon Airplane and Art History Revisited Through Carnival Games
Witness a giant airplane, handcrafted in painted recycled wood. Step into the shoes of Bob Cratchit and land a part in “A Christmas Carol.” Wonder at a calvacade of small dogs in suits. Laugh at a Superhero. Fall into Thai Yellow Leaf Hammocks and pick up a scrabble tile... more