Buy Local When Shopping for Your Last Minute Xmas Gifts

Published on December 21, 2012, Pawtucket Times

Shelves at many local stores are crammed with holiday gifts and goodies – bright red Santa hats, Christmas lights, artificial Christmas trees and even holiday trinkets, all of which were stamped “Made in China.” Just a couple of miles down the road in North Attleboro, at Massachusetts-based Department Stores, you might pull items off the packed shelves, out of bins and even from clothing racks. Just take time to examine the tags. You guessed it, clothing, along with dishes, pots and pans, picture frames, you name it, all made from Chinese manufacturing companies.

Shopping for gifts for family and friends, just four days before Christmas, Rhode Islanders might just choose to purchase hand-made, “unique” products made by local artists, rather than purchasing mass-produced goods.

The Birthing of Rhode Island’s Buy Local Initiative

Lt. Gov. Roberts, who oversees the state’s Small Business Advocacy Council, kicked off the Ocean State’s Buy Local RI initiative in 2009. Roberts marshaled the members of this group, local Chamber of Commerce and small business owners along with local and state elected officials, to promote awareness of locally-owned, independent businesses to help increase sales challenging economic times.

Simply put, Robert’s strategy was to create a statewide network and web site dedicated to spotlighting local businesses and products and connecting consumers to these businesses. The campaign has now turned to social media—Twitter and
Facebook — to promote the initiative and engage a larger audience to expand the impact of the campaign.

Robert notes that Rhode Island enjoys a vibrant arts community with over 2,000 creative sector businesses that employ more than 10,000 people. “This sector has grown in recent years while other sectors have declined. We must continue to build awareness and support creative businesses–as we support all small businesses–especially during this slow economic recovery,” she says.

Aaron Hertzberg, Acting Executive Director of the Pawtucket Foundation, strongly agrees with the Lt. Governor’s call to Rhode Islanders to support the State’s creative community. “It’s important that we as a community support the small businesses of Pawtucket. They help to employ residents, share tax burden and increase the vitality of our community,” he says.

According to Hertzberg, Pawtucket has a number of wonderful retail options, especially in our arts community. “So many of these artist and shops specifically chose to do business in Pawtucket because we value their creativity and energy,” he says.

Stocking Stuffers at Hope Artiste Village

Gail Ahlers, of Pawtucket-based Ahlers Design (www.ahlersdesigns.com), a RISD Graduate who has designed custom art work and gifts for over 23 years, was involved with Lt. Governor Robert’s efforts to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of buying from local small businesses. She provided her creative eye to helping the committee select the By Local Rhode Island’s logo and web site design.

Ahlers has always believed in supporting local businesses. Since 1986, the artist had shown her art work at the Foundry Artist Holiday Sale. As its Presidents for eight years she worked hard to promote over 60 artists to sell their unique, handmade art work. As everyone who supports the buy local initiative, Ahlers will tell you that when you buy from local businesses, “the money stays in your community,” keeping the state’s economy alive.

When creating her custom made gifts she has made a commitment to source with local vendors, for raw material, and skilled local craftsmen. Her products designed in the City of Pawtucket are shipped world-wide.

When in conversation with Ahlers, she will tell you her “designs create joy along with jobs in Rhode Island.” Tomorrow, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at 999 Main Street, Ahlers Designs opens its doors to sell its unique holiday specials, including handmade business card cases, mirror compacts, desk clocks, light switch plates, and magnets.

On the other side of the large mill complex at 1005 Main Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Winter Farmer’s Market Place, returns, bringing dozens of small businesses into its long hall way to sell more than just produce and fruit. Ahlers notes that shoppers can find grass fed beef, baked goods, homemade jams and jellies, even goat cheese and seafood, too.

No Sales Tax at this Pawtucket-based Art Gallery

In a fully restored 4,000 second floor of a nineteenth century textile Pawtucket mill, just a 20 minute drive from Woonsocket, Mad Dog Artist Studios and Gallery (www.maddogartiststudios.com) at 65 Blackstone Avenue, behind the GAMM Theatre and adjacent to the City’s William Tolman High School, opened its doors three months ago, during the City’s Pawtucket Arts Festival in September.

Tomorrow from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in the 440 sq. ft. gallery, artwork of seventeen artist, including ceramics, handmade jewelry, hand-blown glass vases and glassware, and water colors, are available for purchased, no sales tax being charged, says Marketing Director Christina J. Garnett. This gallery is one of four certified art galleries in the City’s Arts & Entertainment District.”

“Why would you not buy local when we have so many great artists here,” quips Garnett. “These artisans are running their own small businesses, they support our community by living and working here.”

Artists in Woonsocket, Too

Notes Rebekah Speck, RiverzEdge Arts Director, the mill complex at 68 South Main Street in Woonsocket, also known as Le Moulin, is an excellent one stop shop for local gift buying in Northern RI. Her nonprofit sells affordable art work, recycled material planters, edgy and festive Tee-shirts and other small gift items, as well as gift certificates for photo shoots and graphic services.

According to Speck, among the 20 other small arts businesses and artisans in the mill complex. Yarnia, for instance, sells fine yarns and accessories as well as spinning and weaving equipment. “These are quality of life investments,” says Speck, “and not just stuff that you don’t need that accumulates and stays in landfills.”

Support the State’s Burgeoning Artist Community

So, now you’re shopping to get that perfect gift. Which way to go, mass-produced or hand-made. Go a head, just purchase that one-of-a-kind piece of artwork “Made in Rhode Island.” Choose to buy that beautiful hand-woven scarf or sweater made by a local Ocean State weaver instead of one imported and made by machine. Or
may be you might just purchase your next set of dishes, coffee mugs, cups and glassware from a local potter. By supporting local artists and artisans in the Blackstone Valley, you will see an economic trickle down effect – these small businesses generate wealth from local buyers and even outside of our state’s border and then spend and invest their money right here.

Herb Weiss, LRI ’12, is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.

The ABC’s of coping with the holiday blues – Local Commentary

Published in the Pawtucket Times on December 14, 2012

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, along with green wreaths with red ribbons and brightly colored lights on decorated evergreen trees may elicit pleasant thoughts about the upcoming holidays; however, these thoughts might just tear open old wounds and bring to the surface bad memories, triggering stress, tension, and even depression.

Not every family gathering with your parents, siblings, children, or grandchildren will be as serene as a Norman Rockwell painting. Of course, everyone has heard horror stories involving holiday family gatherings.

Surviving the stress of Family Visits Allison Bernier, LICSW, associate director of Wellness Employment and Network Services, at the Providence Center, notes that while the holiday season can be a time of family celebration, joy, and companionship for many people, it can also be a very stressful time.

“High expectations, disrupted routines, dealing with loss or separation from loved ones, financial strain, and time constraints can all exacerbate anxiety and depression,” she says.

Bernier, who has 15 years under her belt employed as a social worker, and who, for the past six years, has provided one-to-one counseling to clients, offers common sense tips on how to survive stress that can be ignited by family gatherings.

Fighting holiday blues can be as simple as being prepared for family conflicts and having a specific plan to handle the uncomfortable emotions that may arise, notes Bernier. Creating a list of “potential issues” and “role playing how you will react with people you trust” can be effective ways to survive difficulties that might occur.

“It is OK to know that you don’t have to be happy during the holidays,” states Bernier, stressing “just accept your feelings and the place where you are at.” If needed, she said, just reach out to your network of family or friends or contact a professional.

According to Bernier, when expectations are unrealistic, we almost always will fail to meet them. Scale back on your plans, or ask for help. Just keep your expectations low and when you visit family or friends, just go and enjoy the social interactions.

If seeing family causes you great amounts of stress each year, it is alright to say no sometimes and celebrate with friends, Bernier recommends. If you don’t want to withdraw altogether from your family gathering because of tension, you don’t have to, she says. Just keep your visit time-limited. She recommends going for an hour or two rather than spending all day there.

The holidays can easily become a source of stress, especially when you’re standing in long lines at the mall waiting to buy the last available iPad while trying to remember how much money you have left to use on your credit cards. Writing out a gift list along with creating a budget for holiday spending can help decrease anxiety, though, Bernier notes. By setting spending limits, you will also reduce the anxiety that comes with reviewing your post-holiday credit card bills.

Maintaining healthy habits can also take the blues out of your holiday, predicts Bernier. Enjoy some eggnog, cheese cake or pastries at a holiday party, but keep the balance by eating healthy foods (smaller portions), drinking alcohol in moderation, continuing to exercise and getting enough rest.

Coping with Holiday Depression Besides family stress, other factors may well play into bringing on the holiday blues.

During this time of the year, some Rhode Islanders may even feel a little depressed or have suicidal thoughts with the approaching upcoming festive holidays, especially if they have lost a spouse or other loved one/friend. Or perhaps they are unemployed, experiencing painful chronic illnesses, or just feel isolated from others.

If this happens, “feeling low with nowhere to turn,” as noted singer songwriter Bill Withers says in a public service announcement, there is a place to call – The Samaritans of Rhode Island – where trained volunteers “are there to listen.” Incorporated in 1977, the Pawtucket-based nonprofit program is dedicated to reducing the occurrence of suicide by befriending the desperate and lonely throughout RI’s 39 cities and towns.

Since its inception, The Samaritans has received more than 500, 000 calls and trained 1, 380 volunteers to answer its confidential and anonymous Hotline/Listening Lines.

With the first Samaritan branch started in England in 1953, chapters can now be found in more than 40 countries around the world. “Samaritans, can I help you?” is quietly spoken into the phone across the world in a multilingual chorus of voices, notes its web site.

Executive Director Denise Panichas, of the Rhode Island branch, notes that the communication-based program teaches volunteers to effectively listen to people who are in crisis. Conversations are free, confidential and, most importantly, anonymous.

A rigorous 21-hour training program teaches volunteers to listen to callers without expressing personal judgments or opinions. Panichas said that the listening techniques called “befriending” call for 90 percent listening and 10 percent talking.

Panichas noted that the Samaritans of Rhode Island’s Listening Line is also a much needed resource for caregivers and older Rhode Islanders.

Other services include a peer-to peer grief Safe Place Support Group for those left behind by suicide as well as community education programs.

In 2011, the Samaritans of Rhode Island received more than 7, 000 calls and hosted more than 50, 000 visitors to its website.

The Samaritans can be the gateway to care or a “compassionate nonjudgmental voice on the other end of the line,” Panichas notes. “It doesn’t matter what your problem is – be it depression, suicidal thoughts, seeking resources for mental health services in the community, being lonely or just needing to talk – our volunteers are there to listen.”

For persons interested in more information, visit the Samaritans website at http://www.samaritansri.org. There is an emergency checklist as well as information by city and town including Blackstone Valley communities from Pawtucket to Woonsocket.

Gallery and Gift Shop Supports the Program and its Services In December 2011, The Samaritans began a social venture by relocating to the city of Pawtucket’s Arts & Entertainment District, and opening the Forget-Me-Not Gallery and Community Education Center. Through partnerships with Rhode Island’s fine arts and crafts community, “we hope to foster hope, inspiration and commemoration of the lives of our loved ones who have fallen victim to suicide,” stated Panichas.

At the Forget-Me-Not gallery, no sales taxes are charged on oneof-a-kind pieces of artwork. The gallery also is a retail site for Rhode Island-based Alex and Ani jewelry and other gift ware.

For those seeking to financially support the programs of the Samaritans of Rhode Island, its Gallery and Education Center is available to rent for special events, meetings and other types of occasions. For information on gallery rental, call the Samaritans business line at 401-721-5220; or go to http://www.samaritansri.org.

Need to Talk? Call a volunteer at the Samaritans – 401-272-4044 or toll free in RI (1-800) 365-4044.

Childhood Dream of Becoming a Photographer Becomes a Realty

Published December 7, 2012, Pawtucket Times

Some times an appreciation for the arts takes hold of your soul later in life and sometimes it takes place during your childhood.  For thirty nine year old Briana Gallo, she was intrigued with photography at a very young age, which began while playing with her dad’s old Nikon camera.    Today with pride and excitement, she finds herself participating in her first show, selling her photographs at the 30th Annual Foundry Artist Holiday Sale.

Looking Back

“I could ride [a horse] before I learned to walk,” remembers photographer Briana Gallo, who grew up on a 100 acre horse farm in Missouri.   Little did the five year old child know that the seeds of her desire to be a professional photographer was gently planted while taking ‘pretend’ shots of imaginary scenes.  Years later, this ultimately created and shape her photographic style as an adult.

Gallo’s imagination guided her photography.  “I want my photos to be full of emotion, with people becoming an integral part of the image.”  For those looking at her work, this Northfield, New Hampshire resident wants them to see the image as she saw through the lens, feeling that they became part of the exact moment the photograph was taken.

When Gallo turned ten years old, the pain of her parent’s divorce pushed her away from photography, taking her to Florida to live with her mother.  As a sophomore at ArmwoodHigh School in her new community of Brandon, Florida, the young student again picked up a camera joining the school’s year book staff.  “I was all over the school clicking away, capturing each and every moment”, she says.  Gallo ultimately did take on the responsibility of becoming the editor in her junior and senior years.

Snapping Pictures at College

             After high school, Gallo entered  Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where she majored in English, with two minors – teaching English as a second language, and of course, photography.  The budding photographer made a few dollars on the side by taking photos at sports events and sorority and fraternity parties. “Photography paid my bills,” she says, but noting that it took “absolutely no creativity.”

As a college senior, Gallo traveled to attend photo workshops in Santa Fe, New Mexico, mostly focusing on landscapes and slide photography, however, these trips also reignited her love for riding horses.  After graduating college, she ran a horseback riding program for boys in North Carolina.  Gallo, who grew up on a Missouri horse ranch, trained Arabians to become “kid horses” in North Carolina for four year.  This experience ultimately led her to meet her husband and marry.

Her last winter in North Carolina, Gallo found her old manual camera. After wiping the dust off, she took a photograph of a White Zinfandel wine bottle, which became an award winning photo.  The internal calling to become a professional photographer was reinforced when the wine company bought her photograph to use in an advertisement.  “This was my sign,” she says.

Relocating to New Hampshire, the couple would become Directors at Interlocken, an international summer camp. Gallo fell back on her college skills of teaching English as a second language, combining it with photography to work with the campers who came from all corners of the world.  She also ultimately served as the camp’s marketing and staffing director, too.

As a Camp Counselor, “I suddenly found myself back in the heart of photography,” she said, “…not taking pictures but teaching the craft to the youngsters.”

In time, the young couple bought a ranch in Northfield, New Hampshire to establish, Driftwood, their own camp and boarding facility.  During the summer, they offered two three-week horseback residential riding programs to children.

Gallo realized that the skills she honed while training horses would also make her a better photographer as well.  “Training young horses requires the eye, patience and steadiness needed to become a professional photographer,” she said.  Ultimately, closing her ranch allowed Gallo to bring photography back into her very hectic family life, especially with the time it takes to raise two small children under age seven.

With the purchase of a Canon 7 D and learning about the digital darkroom at  Rhode Island School of Design,  Gallo was off and running, to become a professional photographer.  She traveled to Honduras, with the nonprofit group, Shoulder to Shoulder, to create a photo essay of their work.  This allowed Gallo to provide photos for use in their fundraising, telling their story through many of her camera lenses.  She also did her photo-philanthropy for City Arts and Mount Hope Youth, Center  located in Providence.

Last year, Gallo traveled to Cuba, learning photo-taking tips from the world renowned travel photographer Lorne Resnick., where the experience propelled her into the world of fine art photography. Today, Gallo reflects on her life’s journey where she has found a way to do all that she loves – to be a mom, to work, to travel, to practice photography while at the same time, helping others.

Looking back over the years, Gallo has come to realize that “art is not what you see but what you make others feel.” With Gallo’s attempts to become a full-time photographer, she adds “I’m definitely stepping into unknown waters, it’s kind of like getting on a young horse for the first time.”

Buy Local, Support Your Local Artist Community

             Gallo becomes one of 65 seasoned artists who will show their work at the Foundry Artist Association’s thirtieth anniversary holiday sale, considered to be one of the top regional art sale, showcasing jewelry, glass, pottery, clothing, artwork, photography, and furniture.  As for the last ten years, this Christmas event is held at the historic Pawtucket Armory, located Exchange Street in Pawtucket.  Kicking off last weekend, the holiday sale reopens this Friday, December 7th, noon – 8 p.m., with jazz singer Debra Mann performing from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ; Saturday, December 8th, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and closes on Sunday, December 9th, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Foundry Show, for Gallo, a first-time Foundry Arts Association participant, allows her to showcase her unique photographic work (her website is www.courageispower.com) to thousands of shoppers, who want to purchase one-of-a-kind photos, with the added benefit of not having to pay sales tax on their purchase.

The show is free to the public with free parking in the adjacent parking. All major credit cards accepted.

For additional information and directions to the Foundry Artist Show visit the website, www.foundryshow.com  and or visit Facebook .

Herb Weiss, LRI ’12, is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer who covers health care, aging, and medical issues.  He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.