Jan 2017 – Monster of the Month
by Big Nazo
Healthy Eating, Healthy Wallet
With prices rising every week, food has become more of a luxury item than a staple. Even government assistance only goes so far; SNAP benefits for an individual are capped at about $195 a month. Those who pay cash really feel the pinch. Healthy eating on a budget? When I began writing this column, I […]
Phillipe & Jorge’s Cool, Cool World: Donald Duck Dynasty
Donald’s Duck Dynasty Phillipe and Jorge are giddy with excitement as we welcome the dysfunctional new First Family into our lives, a writhing snake pit of preening, self-absorbed poseurs who will take the reality show art of bringing a cringe-worthy dumpster load of rotten-brained inbreds to the national stage to new depths. Unfortunately, the president’s […]
Cannabis Massage
Most cannabis users know that it is used best when incorporated into a wellness regime, working synergistically with other healthful activities. One great combination is using topical cannabis products with massage therapy. The components in cannabis work on multiple levels to make massage more effective. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is well known for its pain relieving […]
Funny Please, Cause We All Need a Laugh
If there’s one thing we can say about 2017 it is this: We are going to need a laugh. A new group on the scene is hoping to do just that. Funny Please, based out of New Bedford, Massachusetts, is brand new to the sketch comedy scene, but with a troupe made up of stand-up comedians, they […]
Bert Crenca Reflects on AS220
Retiring from AS220 as founder and artistic director, Umberto Crenca kindly took time this week to discuss art, his creative expression, the importance of art expression education and why AS220 was founded. The interview was conducted in his Providence studio that he shares with his wife. Carrie Decker (Motif): Do you feel settled about the goals […]
The Hummel Report: New Assembly Members
The first day of a General Assembly session is much like the start of baseball’s spring training. The veterans catch up with each other about how their off-season went and welcome new players who are still getting the lay of the land. On January 3, 16 new lawmakers were sworn into The Rhode Island General […]
The Roots Report: An Interview with Lewis Black
Okee dokee folks… I had the chance to talk with comedian Lewis Black the other day. Here is our conversation. Special thanks to Lori Mars for transcribing the interview! John Fuzek: Hi, It’s John from Motif in Rhode Island. Lewis Black: Oh, yes, Rhode Island. JF: You say that kind of funny. LB: Well, I’ve just been talking […]
Alt-Nation: A New Disc and Can’t-Miss Shows
Civility – Self-titled EP It seems like there has been a recent surge in the amount of post-punk/new wave influenced bands lately. I’m generally ambivalent about trends, but anything that cuts down on the banjo epidemic from the Americana plague is okay by me. Civility started just less than a year ago, and is heavily […]
The Health of Health Care in RI
Every year we set out to write about the state of the state’s healthcare industry – from the perspective of all involved. That includes patients, physicians, insurers and hospital systems. A lot has changed in the field over the last couple of decades and change has been even more intense over the last few years. […]