e Bean wishes our advertisers and readers a Merry Christmas continued on Page 9 Have a story to tell? Let us tell your story. Want to advertise with us? We offer affordable packages for any budget. Contact The Coffee Bean at 401.644.6207 or at [email protected]. Living the American Dream is the life of Samantha Vong, owner and lead esthetician at Ch’i Spa. Having been born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her family fled war-torn Cambodia,Vong truly appreciates what life has brought her way. “I was born in a refugee camp in 1979. My family was saved by the American Red Cross. If it wasn’t for them, my family wouldn’t have made it to America. My family had walked from Cambodia to Thailand for three months. My mother was very pregnant and did what she had to do to get her family to safety. I will never forget that.” Ch’i Spa was born out of Vong’s true love and passion for the beauty industry. “I love the beauty industry. With all aspects, I always put my love and passion into my work. I have a strong passion for skin being an esthetician. My goal for my client is to make them look and feel beautiful.” Ch’i Spa is a full-service spa that offers everything from facials to waxing, full salon services to massage services. “I want to build a company and business that offers opportunities for people who are passionate about what they do and together we can become successful. I want to offer PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF RI December 2014 | Volume 1 | Number 3 See pages 9 and 16 for a great gift idea from Thanksgiving Day turkey stuffed with apple, lemon, orange, carrots and onions. Seasoned with garlic butter (rubbed in), fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, salt, pepper and smoked paprika.Wrapped in a bag for basting. Just add ginger ale and chicken broth juice to the bag and let the bag do the basting! Photo by Amie Lemire Honoring veterans American Legion Post 2 in West Warwick held ceremonies on November 11 to honor local veterans. Photos by Daniel Roy Ch’i Spa brings eternal energy
Transcript
The Bean wishes our
advertisers and readers a
Merry Christmas
continued on Page 9
Have a story to tell? Let us tell your story. Want to advertise with us? We offer affordable packages for any budget. Contact The Coffee Bean at 401.644.6207 or at [email protected].
Living the American Dream is the life of Samantha Vong, owner and lead esthetician at Ch’i Spa. Having been born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her family fled war-torn Cambodia, Vong truly appreciates what life has brought her way.
“I was born in a refugee camp in 1979. My family was saved by the American Red Cross. If it wasn’t for them, my family wouldn’t have made it to America. My family had walked from Cambodia to Thailand for three months. My mother was very pregnant and did what she had to do to get her family to safety. I will never forget that.”
Ch’i Spa was born out of Vong’s true love and passion for the beauty industry. “I love the beauty industry. With all aspects, I always put my love and passion into my work. I have a strong passion for skin being an esthetician. My goal for my client is to make them look and feel beautiful.”
Ch’i Spa is a full-service spa that offers everything from facials to waxing, full salon services to massage services.
“I want to build a company and business that offers opportunities for people who are passionate about what they do and together we can become successful. I want to offer
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF R I
December 2014 | Volume 1 | Number 3
See pages 9 and 16 for a great gift idea from
Thanksgiving Day turkey stuffed with apple, lemon, orange, carrots and onions. Seasoned with garlic butter (rubbed in), fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Wrapped in a bag for basting. Just add ginger ale and chicken broth juice to the bag and let the bag do the basting! Photo by Amie Lemire
Honoring veteransAmerican Legion Post 2 in West Warwick held ceremonies on November 11 to honor local veterans. Photos by Daniel Roy
Ch’i Spa brings eternal energy
The Coffee Bean2 December 2014
Joe for Joe A THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS
KNOW A VETERAN WHO WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THEIR STORY? Contact The Coffee Bean at 401-644-6207 or [email protected]
Enduring Freedom hero: Jim ReidCorporal Jim ReidBranch: ArmyCurrent Status: RetiredRank at Retirement: Corporal
Corporal Jim Reid enlisted in the military not long after graduating high school in October 16, 1992. Reid turned down a scholarship to play football at Syracuse for a career with the military. “My home life did not offer me the opportunity to go away for college. I would never had made it through college had I gone. The military was the only avenue I felt I had and I needed to grow up. The military did that for me.”
Jim met his wife, Michelle, in September of 1996. They married five years later in 2001. Soon after, Michelle was pregnant with their first child and gave birth while Jim was on deployment to Afghanistan in 2003 as part of Operation Enduring freedom.
“When I met him, he was already with the military,” Michelle explains. “I am proud of him and how he did. When I look back on it now, it was the best timing for us. Our son, Jimmy, was a baby and didn’t miss anything.”
Jim was deployed on February 17, 2003 and came home in June 11, 2004. “When our first son was born and Jim was away, that was a tough period. It was the beginning of everything. It was constantly on television and it was always in your face. It was a hard time, I was first-time mother, I had a job and dealing with him being away. Thankfully, my family was here to support me.”
Adjusting to life after deployment was difficult for Reid. He experienced what many combat soldiers have after returning home, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Re-integrating into everyday life situations and routine was a challenge. “As a soldier, you’re trained to react to certain situations. It’s difficult to separate yourself from it once you get back. You’re never fully rested because you’re always on alert. After a year in combat, you just can’t shut it off. Your body doesn’t have a mechanism to shut it off. When you get home, you have to try to rewire your brain to know that you’re not in combat anymore. For me personally, that was the hardest part.”
Reid had to learn through counseling and other outlets, to recognize triggers and know what PTSD can do. “That was the biggest part, recognizing sensations that can trigger a panic
attack. When I first returned home, I had no idea that the smell of diesel fuel was a trigger for me. I had to learn that various sights, sounds and smells could bring on a panic attack. I also had difficulties going into crowded rooms. I have to sit with my back against the wall so I can see what’s going on. For a while, I couldn’t go to malls or heavily crowded areas.”
12 years after his deployment, Reid stills deals with the effects of PTSD, although he has a stronger awareness of it and has the ability to recognize his triggers.
The best advice Reid can give to fellow soldiers who are experiencing problems with PTSD is to talk to someone about it. “Talk to someone who can be an outlet where you can speak about it. Whether it’s a counselor, a psychiatrist, pastor or friend who can serve as an outlet. If you bottle it up and try to avoid it, that’s where it can become a real issue.”
Michelle, herself, has never truly felt the affects or has been directly impacted by Jim’s PTSD. “Jim is very good at internalizing and taking control. A lot of times, you don’t know he’s having an issue unless he says something. Jim doesn’t allow it to effect how he interacts in family situations. He powers through whatever he is experiencing and he does it without anyone realizing he is having a problem. I give him real credit for that. He does extremely well dealing with it without allowing it to impact our lives.”
Reid had retired before he would have been promoted to the rank of Sargent. His official rank at retirement was Corporal.
Corporal Reid had taken part in the capture of Saddam Hussein and Chemical Ali (Ali Kimyawi). Those events he certainly regards as part of defining his term of service.
Another experience Reid regards as a defining moment in his Army career was earning his ‘combat patch’. “I had waited for 14 years to earn my combat patch. In the military, it is all about patches and ribbons. The biggest thing everyone wants to get is their combat patch. It is a right of passage. The high point was earning my stripes.”
Although he finds ways to carry on and enjoy his civilian life, Reid still dreams about his deployments. He can remember situations and his service with vivid clarity. “That is something I can truly remember with remarkable assuredness. It is as clear as if it happened yesterday.”
December 2014 3The Coffee Bean
Dark Roast
Liddle Tots II Teen Newspaper ClubDear Santa,
What I would like for Christmas is some art supplies and can you make my dad stay home and not go away. Can you make sure that all the animals at the pound get fresh water, some food, treats and some squeaky toys. Thank you for all the toys you gave me when I was 3 and I’m going to feed all your reindeer. We always make sure your reindeer get some food.
Your friend,Carly G.
Dear Santa,I hope all the reindeer have plenty
of food and water. Sincerely,
Brian Esposito
Dear Santa Claus,I’d really like alot of toys but please
bring the people who are not home, home for Christmas. And bring the homeless people especially kids alot of presents. A couple more things. Please get my friends what they want. Thank you for every single toy you have gotten me.
Love Livy
Dear Santa,I would like to thank you for all of
the present you gave me from when I was little to last year, they were awesome. I would like for all the soup kitchens to have enough for the needy and homeless people to eat good food.
Sincerely,Chloe
Dear Santa,Can you make sure that all the
animals that don’t have homes please would you try your best to make sure they are safe and that they do get homes? I really want to thank you for all the toys you already gave me. Tell my elf buddy that I said hi and that I get him again. You’ve really been so nice to all the children and I know you would give coal if we are bad but it’s better than being so mean. Thank you!!
From your friend
Dear Santa,Can you make sure all the animals
and pets who don’t have a home, get one? I’d like to visit the Army and give them presents. Charity needs $30,000 so they can take care of anyone who needs help. The main wish I have was for you to get a holiday break, but that probably won’t happen. Can you tell Sarah, the elf, to come home for the rest of the year? FYI, my birthday is the day after Christmas. No harm. It is so exciting to get closer to Christmas. I’d like to thank you for all the pres-ents in the past. The holiday Christmas is my favorite holiday.
Love Gigi
Dear Santa,Thank you for everything and for
letting my papa live when he was in the Army. Please give the homeless people a shelter, food, water and some money. Make sure the animals have shelter, food and water. All I want for Christmas is for my family to be together as all families do.
From your friend,Ainsleigh Katherin
Dear Santa,Please make sure all my relatives
in the military get home this Christ-mas. I also have relatives in Columbia, Germany, England, Cape Verde and Mexico. Please keep them safe too. I don’t mean to be greedy but I would like to get a new iPhone. I lost my old one and I was really sad. Thank you so much for all the great presents you’ve gotten me like my guitar, Wii U, tablet, EDS (that I lost, sorry).
Love Kingston Dalomba
Dear Santa,I am going to thank you for all the
presents you gave me each and every Christmas. They were exactly what I wanted. Thank you for listening to me. Can you help those who are in need please because some of them have nothing? Can you also help the veterans at the VA who got hurt by giving them a present? That is what I want. And also some presents please.
Thanks,Iysis Clarke
Feeding the hungryNew Life Worship Center in East Greenwich collected food baskets throughout the month of November to help feed less fortunate families during Thanksgiving. Pictured here, Lee Ann Jaindl collects hampers dur-ing Sunday morning church service.
The Coffee Bean4 December 2014
Pumpkin Spice
The Johnston Senior Center held one of it’s marquee fundraisers on Sunday, November 16 with it’s 5th Annual Meat Draw. The Meat Draw has been a huge draw at the center since the events’ inception 5 years ago.
The idea for the event had been presented to Assistant Director Millie Santilli by a board member.
“I thought it was a great idea,” Santilli remarked. “We then began to search for donations for meat and turkeys. Dave’s Marketplace at Smithfield Crossing has been extremely gener-ous to us over the years. We also receive 5 turkey donations from Group Benefits and gift certificate donations from Cyn-thia Galipeau and Louisa Iannotti.”
The Meat Draw offers participants 60 chances to win for $20.00. Those odds always bring in a huge crowd for the center. “The response has always been great,” Santilli explained. “Guests enjoy a fun afternoon and many opportunities to win. Everyone always has a good time.”
The Police Explorers were on hand to serve and help with clean up.
One of the day’s big winners was Anne Brien, who won two packages of meat and one turkey.
There’s the beef
By CATHERINE RODGERS
“The kindest way of helping yourself is to find a friend,” wrote Ann Kaiser Stearns. In the East Greenwich Cowe-sett New Neighbors Club, newcomers quickly become old friends. This social club invites women who have just moved to the area or who might have lived in our towns for years, but who are now interested in sharing friendship and interests with others.
Some folks who are house hunting in the area learn about EGCNN through their real estate agent, or perhaps they receive a membership form from in their Welcome Wagon bag of good-ies, sponsored by the EG Chamber of Commerce. Others hear about the group from a helpful neighbor. One thing is for certain, the New Neighbors Club draws members from a wide vari-ety of places, ages, and backgrounds.
Deena Souza describes why she not only joined New Neighbors, but also went on to become part of the board as membership co-chair: “I found it was intimidating for me when I moved to a new town and didn’t know anyone. New Neighbors was a great way to get established quickly and participate in some fun activities. I also wanted to help others feel welcome.”
Danielle Medina has been a member for only a few months, but has lived in East Greenwich for quite awhile. She describes why she decided to join now, despite not being new in town anymore: “The kids were finally in school full-time, and it was a good time for me to do something for myself and to get together with others who share common interests. So far I have really enjoyed getting to know some ladies at Lunch Bunch and I look forward to trying out some couples events and Book Buffs.”
Monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at the United Methodist Church, 1558 South County Trail. All meetings are at 9:30 a.m., with the exception of two evening meetings (November/ March) and a holiday dinner and spring lun-cheon that take place in December and June. Childcare is provided on site by the club for morning meetings.
The monthly meeting is a great place for someone interested in the club to get started. They can meet activity leaders who host weekly or monthly groups, like AM and PM Book Buffs, Walking Club, Wine Enthusiasts, Lunch Bunch, Chick Flicks, Stitch and Chat-ter, Tennis Club, Ladies Night Out, and more.
Rebecca Bliss, who leads the morn-ing Book Buffs, shares what she enjoys about her group: “Without fail, I have some of my biggest belly laughs during each month’s Book Buffs gathering. The women are candid, wry, insightful and smart. I’m guessing our members span a 30+ year age range, and I find that a major strength of the group. We have different life experiences and back-grounds, but so enjoy one another’s company. And I love being exposed to different books that I likely would not have discovered on my own.”
Husbands, partners and kids can also make new friends at the numerous children and family activities that we have planned throughout the year, like an apple-picking outing or a sporting event. These gatherings are a great way for families to learn what Rhode Island has to offer. Playgroups are also offered for preschool age kids.
Monthly meetings also usually feature guest speakers from the local area. Since January is National Organization Month, the meeting will feature Kristin MacRae, owner of Organizing in Rhode Island. She will show members how to streamline their home and life for more peace and efficiency. I asked Kristin what usually stands in the way of people getting organized. She explained,
“People understandably get distracted and lose focus. They don’t necessarily have the skill set needed to complete the task.” With Kristin’s tips we will surely get off on the right foot; what a great way to start the new year! Also, Dee Dee Potts, owner of Pilates West Bay, will be joining us this spring to help us get fit and learn more about this popular exercise.
Club President Denise Lopez believes the New Neighbors Club pro-vides value to those in the community: “The beauty of the club is that there is a mix of old and new neighbors coming together to share friendship , support, and fun. Members have continued to stay on with the club for the friend-ships made and are then able to share their experiences and meet those new to the community. We are also grateful for the support of the local businesses that provide donations to the club to help members familiarize themselves with all the great establishments the town has to offer.”
Annual dues are $35, the proceeds of which go to fund the myriad events the club hosts each year. People interested in checking out what the club has to offer may attend two monthly meetings before officially joining the club. Hope to see you soon!
East Greenwich–Cowesett New Neighbors Club welcomes you
December 2014 5The Coffee Bean
French VanillaAnswer: 4
Ernie gave Susie 3/4 of his candy canes. Susie ate 1/2 of the candy canes and gave the rest to Frank. Frank kept 2 of the candy canes and gave the last 4 to Betsy. How many candy canes did Ernie keep?
Monthly Math MysteryProudly brought to you by
Gluten-free goodness
Mima’s Gluten Free, Nut Free Baked Goods put on a display at the ‘Meet Your Maker’ Holiday Market on Sunday, November 23 from 1-5 at Hope and Main, 691 Main Street in Warren. Betsy Shealy, along with Johnson and Whales student and intern baker, Kathryn Brouillette greeted shoppers at the Mima’s booth. Mima’s also has a booth at the Hope Artiste Village Farmer’s Market every Saturday. Be sure to stop in, say hi and sample some gluten-free goodness.
Doing the math: Mathnasium tutor Scott Breauld
Scott Breauld, age 26, is one of the tutors at Mathnasium. He has been with Mathna-sium for two months and is a graduate from URI with a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. “I attended URI for my under-graduate and graduate degree.”
Scott has always excelled in and enjoyed Math. While on family road trips Scott and his brother would try to stump each other with math problems. “He would always get frustrated because he could never stump me.”
Scott enjoys working with kids and helping them to develop an appreciation for math.
He typically helps tutor high school stu-dents with the higher level maths for college entrance such as geometry and pre-calculus. “I particularly enjoy pre-calculus and inter-preting graphs.”
After noticing Mathnasium while driving, Scott sent an email to owner Ann Redpath
asking if they were looking for help. He was eventually hired on as a tutor.
The most rewarding part for Breauld is seeing the ‘light bulb’ go off with a student who is struggling with a particular field.
In his experience as a tutor, Breauld observes that many young kids struggle with multiplication and the multiplication tables, a cornerstone of basic math. “Many kids don’t understand were the multiplication is coming from and the number lines.”
Scott Breauld also works part-time at Gil-lette Stadium as a security guard and usher at Patriots’ games.
With a strong passion for mechanical engineering, Breauld eventually wishes to get into the field of equipment manufacturing and design.
Breauld does not drink coffee and stays away from caffeine of any kind.
Mathnasium tutor and URI graduate Scott Breauld.
The Coffee Bean6 December 2014
Every month we ask our readers ‘Where’s the Bean?’. We will give you clues about a particular location. Email your guess to ‘The Lady in Charge’ at [email protected]. Make sure you include ‘Where’s the Bean?’ in the subject matter. Winners will be selected by a random draw. Deadline for the draw is December 20, 2014. Good luck!
December’s winner will receive a gift certificate for ‘Salon Inspirations’ in Cranston.
This local fitness establishmentrecently opened it’s doors in September. Cycling is the focus of this gym and every monththey host a charity free ride.They have also teamed up with ‘Feeding America’. Everytime you ride, you feed a family. Where’s the Bean?
Barista’s Choice
Little lady needing some TLC
Luna is a little female kitten, about 9 months old. Until recently she had no one to rely on but herself, struggling to find food each day. She has never had a home of her own so she doesn’t quite know what to expect. That makes her a little nervous, so she’ll need a home where she can take time to settle in and learn what it’s like to not be afraid. If you’d like to meet Luna or any of the other wonderful cats waiting for homes, please stop in for a visit.
We Spay/Neuter all of our cats and they receive the necessary medical care including Rabies vaccine, Three Distemper vaccines, De-worming, De-fleaing, Microchipping, and Testing for Feline Leukemia/FIV.
PAAWS RI is located in Care for Animals Veterinary Clinic at 2944 Post Rd. Warwick, RI 02886. You are welcome to visit during hospital hours. Our hours are Monday 8-7 pm, Tuesday- Wednesday 8-5 pm, Thursday 8-3 pm and Friday 9-3 pm. We’re also happy to set up weekend appointments.
Scan the QR code to adopt
Luna
December 2014 7The Coffee Bean
The Rhode Island Community Food Bank will open its doors to families, community groups and the public on Saturday, December 13, from 9 am to noon, for the annual Holiday Meal Drive Open House. The all-ages event will be held at the Food Bank’s facility at 200 Niantic Avenue in Providence.
The event is free and no regis-tration is required. Donations of non-perishable food are requested to help the Food Bank meet its goal of collecting an additional 350,000 pounds of food by December 31. Most needed items include: canned tuna, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, dried or canned beans, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, healthy breakfast cereal, and canned soups, stews or chili.
“The Open House is a time when the entire community can come together around the simple idea of feeding our people,” says Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We encourage everyone to donate healthy, non-perishable food that can be used to make a nutritious meal for a family, because so many of the people we serve have children or seniors in the household.”
The Rhode Island Commu-nity Food Bank now serves 63,000
people every month through its statewide network of food pan-tries. One in three served is a child under the age of 18. One in five is a senior 60 years of age or older. Last year, the Food Bank distrib-uted nearly 10 million pounds of food to ensure that no Rhode Islander goes hungry.
Music will be provided by the a cappella group, “Voices of Christ-mas,” Rhode Island teen singer/songwriter Emeline Easton and the Wheeler Jazz Ensemble. Activities for children include a scavenger hunt, packaging of fresh produce, and a make-your-own do-nation can. Hot chocolate, cider and cookies fresh from the Food Bank’s Community Kitchen will be served.
Live demonstrations by the Food Bank’s “Community Cooking: Whole-some Eating on a Budget” program will be presented. The Community Cooking program brings nutrition education to clients of food pantries and empowers them to eat healthier on a tight budget using food that can be obtained from a food pantry.
The 2015 Rhode Island edition of City Dining Cards will be on sale for $20/deck -- $10 from every sale goes directly to the Food Bank. This year’s Rhode Island edition offers savings to an expanded selection of
restaurants and food trucks across the state.
The Holiday Meal Drive Open House is open to individuals and families, as well as civic, business and faith groups. Children’s programs, such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts or local school groups, are also invited to participate (with adult supervision).
Financial Donations help feed the Hungry
Financial donations are critical in helping the Food Bank provide healthy food to families struggling to feed their families on extremely low incomes. Every dollar raised enables the Food Bank to acquire three
pounds of nutritious food for Rhode Islanders in need. Contributions may be made online at www.rifoodbank.org/donate. You may also call 401-942-6325 or mail your donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Provi-dence, RI 02907.
If you are unable to attend the Holiday Meal Drive Open House, you may drop off donations of non-perishable food any weekday (excluding holidays) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Food Bank’s facility at 200 Niantic Avenue in Providence.
For more information, visit www.rifoodbank.org or call 401-942-6325.
Food Bank to holdOpen House
Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductees Steve Smith & The Nakeds have placed a song into the soundtrack of the new Farrelly Broth-ers release "Dumb and Dumber To." The movie is a sequel to 1994’s "Dumb and Dumber" which grossed $128 million in the U.S. It will feature Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels returning to the roles they created in the original motion picture.
The Nakeds' song, “Blue Eyes Don’t,” was composed by Nils Lofgren, lead guitarist for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, and features a solo by Springsteen’s longtime saxo-
phonist and sidekick, Clarence Clemons. The track, produced by Steve Smith and Phil Greene, originally appeared on the Nakeds’ 2000 album release “Never Say Never” and was featured on the band’s best-selling Family Guy tie-in great-est hits compilation “Im Huge! (And The Babes Go Wild)” released by Sony Music in 2010. Sony plans to promote “Blue Eyes Don’t” as a single at radio and retail.
The Nakeds have enjoyed a 35 year associa-tion with the E Street Band including a decade-long partnership with Clemons in the 1990s while the E Street Band was on hiatus. Lofgren
was a frequent collaborator, on stage and in the studio, during the same period.
The movie is directed by Cumberland, Rhode Island natives Bobby and Peter Farrelly. The film’s premiere will be at the Avon Cinema in Providence on November 13 and it will go into general release the following day.
Bandleader Smith says, “People have been waiting twenty years for this sequel. We are very excited and thrilled at this great opportunity. We’re in the movies!”
For general information regarding Steve Smith & The Nakeds, visit, www.thenakeds.com
Steve Smith & The Nakeds featured in film
The Coffee Bean8 December 2014
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Ch’i Spa: Eternal Energy continued from page 1
them a work environment were they can grow, learn and enjoy coming to work everyday.”
Holding true to the mantra; when one door closes another one opens, Vong’s life was being stirred towards this moment. Before venturing into the world of beauty, Vong had been working in the banking industry for over 8 years. “I had become pregnant with my second child and I wanted to take a break. I was married at the time and we were able to live on one income. I had attempted to go back to the bank and I realized I was not happy. Because we were able to live on one income, it offered the opportunity to go back to school.”
Vong attended Paul Mitchell’s Skin Academy. “The day I walked into the academy, I fell in love. I knew this was what I was born to do.” Vong graduated in 2010 and opened her first Ch’i Spa location in North Providence. Another location was opened two years later in Narragansett.
Having maximized the potential of the North Providence location, Vong realized it was time to open another location. She wanted a larger loca-tion where she could train and certify lash artists.
Mother’s Day of last year, Vong and her boyfriend went for a drive down to Barrington. They saw the vacant spot, they stopped to investigate the location and signed the lease on June 30. “I knew as soon as I walked in this was the place I wanted to build Ch’i Lash. It just felt right.”
Since then, the Barrington location has become the main hub for Ch’i Spa and Ch’i Lash, with regu-lar lash extension certification classes being offered at the location.
Vong used the Barrington location as a spring board for her latest business, Ch’i Lash, which evolved out of a love for teaching and eyelashes. Ch’i Lash was formed to offer those passionate about lashes opportunities to earn a living doing what they love. “The Barrington location we offer regular lash extension certification classes for those who share the same passion.”
From her beginnings in an American Red Cross refugee camp, Vong truly appreciates all that had come her way. Believing that life is a gift to be treasured has kept her grounded and focused on the future. “I have learned that it is never too late. When I opened my first location, the economy was not great but I had a vision. You have to have a vision of where you want to be in the future and you can’t think about now. You can’t let your fears stop you and you need to put your all into it. My business is called Eternal Energy because I want to bring the best that I can into this world. I want to bring positive energy to this world. I know that is my purpose in this world, to make someone smile, feel good and laugh. Building a business this big, because I want to offer opportunities to people who want to work and have a passion for this industry. That is why I am here. I truly believe
in the American Dream.”Samantha loves a decaf vanilla iced latte as her
coffee of choice.Ch’i Spa is located at 338 County Road, Suite E
in Barrington. To make an appointment call 401-245-1900. Smartphone users can scan the QR code to visit www.chi-spa.net.
The Coffee Bean10 December 2014
Coffee Break BEAN ON THE STREET
For a complete schedule, scan the QR code.
TALENT SHOWOnce more with feeling
The Johnston Dance and Performing Arts held their annual talent show at the Johnston High School Auditorium on Friday, November 14. The talent show is held as an annual fundraiser for J-DAPA. The evening featured a variety of young performers showcasing their talents. The Coffee Bean gives a big thumbs up to all who performed and to the crew who worked tirelessly to make sure everything ran smooth. Good job everyone!
December 2014 11The Coffee Bean
Coffee BreakBEAN ON THE STREET
Krystal Toro, owner of SOFIT Studio and her clients took to the bikes Thursday, November 20 for a free charity ride supporting Lung Cancer research. 100% of donations go to ‘Free To Breath’.
The 45 minute free ride was in memory of Deborah Hogan, who passed away of lung cancer last year. One of Hogan’s daughters, Karin Hogan-Silva, is a trainer at SOFIT.
“This class is important to us because this ride honors Karin’s mother,” Toro explained. “We do a charity ride once a month and this month we did a ‘Free To Breath’ ride in her memory.”
Hogan-Silva has been working tirelessly to help bring awareness about Lung Cancer to light. “Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women in the United States. It’s the least funded of all the cancers and there’s sadly no research.”
According to the American Lung Association, an estimated 159,260 Americans are expected to die from lung cancer in 2014, account-ing for approximately 27 percent of all cancer deaths.
Friends and family were also on hand to support the free ride.
SOFIT also has teamed up with ‘Feeding America’ to feed hungry families across America. “When you workout with us, you give back to the community,” Toro commented. “Your workout goes to help feed a family.”
SOFIT hosts a charity ride once a month at the studio.
About SOFITOwner Krystal Toro has always had
a passion for fitness and fell in love with cycling 5 years ago. Toro had played soccer for many years. After becoming a mother, she hung up her cleats and searched for other fitness outlets. She was fortunate to pursue her dream of opening her own work-out center. SOFIT offered an oppor-tunity for her to blend her passions together under one roof. SOFIT offers an intimate setting to get fit and have fun. SOFIT offers specialized classes that cater to the individual and lend support to reach fitness goals.
“Cycling is a great workout,” Krys-tal explained. “We love bringing fun to cycling. We workout to music and make it an enjoyable workout for all. Those who come to workout with us find that it’s a fun way to meet your fitness goals.”
Toro started her fitness training ca-
reer off at Health Trax where she met Hogan, who regularly attended her classes. Both Toro and Hogan worked in the same hospital as nurses for many years, having never crossed each other’s paths. A friendship developed and Toro approached Hogan about becoming an instructor for SOFIT.
SOFIT Studio offers a fun environ-ment, intimate training and enthusi-asm is located at 50 Minnesota Av-enue in Warwick. You can book your
sessions online at www.sofitsocycle.com or call 401-996-6135. Smart-phone users can scan the QR code.
SOFIT takes a free ride for charity
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The Coffee Bean12 December 2014
Junior Java
#56 Nick Kazandjian LB
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#57 Daniel Brodeur DE
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#2 Jorden DaPonte QB
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#20 Wyatt Jencks FB
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#3 Anthony Vann QB
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#1 William Borgno CB
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#7 Qyon Pichardo FS
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#17 Sean Devlin RB
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#65 Hunter Leigh C
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#64 Robert Lisi T
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#77 Isaiah Jackson LG
TOLLGATEMeet the Freshmen!
Artists’ Exchange in Cranston encouraged local consumers to support Small Business Saturday by hosting a Y-Art Sale on Saturday, November 29. The sale featured works by local craftsman and artisans. Items for sale included paintings and drawings, up-cycled art and home furnishing, pottery, weaving, jewelry and so much more.
December 2014 13The Coffee Bean
Junior Java
#42 Elijah Prestly RB
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#68 Zachary Corey CB
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#31 Matt Walsh FS
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#66 Bobby DeCorpo G
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#72 Stephen Wilson DE
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#76 Michael Alves RT
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#80 Patrick McMahon WR
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#74 Alex Christina LT
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#58 Nick Petrone FB
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#88 Maxwell Laiter TE/DE
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Members of the CSP United U10 Girls Soccer team took time out of their busy practice schedules and preparing for their winter schedule by donating their time and efforts towards making baskets to help local families in need during the holidays.
By helping out Thursday night during the “Happy Baskets” campaign, the team got a chance to understand the meaning of giving back and learn about the plight of those who are facing dif-ficult times in what is usually consid-ered to be a festive and joyous time.
“It’s not just about playing the game that they love and are passion-ate about,” said CSP United Head Coach Dan Guerra. “As coaches, we also have to show the girls what it means to help out in the community. They help out a worthwhile cause and feel better about giving back to those who may not have as much.”
According to its website, The
Happy Basket Program has come together to insure that families in need in Cumberland receive food baskets and toys over the holidays. The program delivered its first basket in 1992 and has distributed more than to 11,000 baskets over the past 22 years.
CSP United spent their time organizing the donated food and putting them into baskets to be shipped out during the week of Thanksgiving. Many of the teammates enjoyed helping out and saw how a charity aides others.
Guerra said while giving back is noble, it is not confined to just the holidays.
“There are many organizations out there that need help,” he said. “The need is not just during the holidays when people are paying attention.
There is a need for something throughout the year, whether its do-nations of food time, money or blood. The team is doing its part now and throughout the season.”
The Happy Basket program is
looking for donations from the community as well as volunteers to put the baskets together. For more details, please contact Lee Drury at 334-2555 at the Cumberland Senior Center or John Johnson at 487-1282.
Team helps to makelocal families ‘happy’
The Coffee Bean14 December 2014
Bulletin Board GET YOUR MONTHLY COMMUNITY FIX!
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Our cookies, cupcakes and custom cakes are made with a special blend of ELISA certified gluten free flours.
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Hair Stylist & Make-Up Artist1636 Cranston Street | Cranston, RI
401.943.2459
SWEAT TO FEEDOur SWEAT TO FEED program means that with every class you take at SOFIT, one meal gets donated to a hungry American in need. The more you sweat, the more you help – plain and simple. No better way to kick off the month that celebrates giving!
Open Tues. - Thurs. & Sun. 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, Fri. & Sat. 11:00 am - 11:00 pm, Closed Mondays1982 Warwick Ave., Warwick For Takeout call 732-9595
Donald McCall of the Navy, Korean War Vet and Jeannie Vachon, Desert Storm Vet, Army National Guard, both members of American Legion Post 19 Scituate outside Brigado's IGA. Thank you for your service.
We thank you!
Open HOusesaturdayDecember 139:00 am - noon200 Niantic Avenue
Providence
ST.BRIGID’S MASS
OF ANOINTINGSt. Brigid’s Church
1231 Plainfield Street, Johnston
Mass of Anointing of the Sick
Saturday, December 6th at 11:00 AM.
Chamber Holiday Open House
Friday, December 12, Noon – 3:00 pm
255 Greenville Avenue, Johnston, RI
(401) 349-4674 www.ncrichamber.com
CHRISTMAS BAzAARThe Johnston Senior CenterFriday, December 12 from 10:00 - 12:00
Fun By The NumbersLike puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!
Here’s How It Works Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will ap-pear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more num-bers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
JEB GOES GREENBuilding Teams Making a Difference
RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITY
Jeffrey E. BergerOwner/President
1 Tupperware Drive #316N. Smithfield, RI 02896716.570.2150 | [email protected]
POWER WITH PURPOSE
Saturday, December 20at 4:00pm - 7:30pmRhodes on the Pawtuxet60 Rhodes Pl, Cranston
For Tickets and Information, visit www.artist-exchange.orgor call 401.490.9475 to reserve
Appetizers from local restaurants, catered dinner provided by Russell
Morin Catering, Open wine bar &craft beer by Rapscallion Brewery, fancy
desserts and coffee & tea station, Live music and entertainment
Trans-siberian Orchestra
Dunkin Donuts Center
December 19, 2014, Friday 8 p.m.
Admission: $32.50 - $62.50
401.331.6700www.dunkindonutscenter.com
Family Movie nightTuesday, December 166:30pm to 8:00pmWarwick Library600 sandy LaneWarwick, RI (401) 739-5440
Meet Me in St. louis7:30 pm1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick
through Dec. 28.
Tickets $39-$54
Call the box office at
401-921-6800 or visit
www.oceanstatetheatre.org
Get Crafty! Holiday Crafts for the Family
Friday December 1910:00 AM - 5:00 pM
Cranston Library, Oak Lawn Branch230 Wilbur Avenue
Community Tai Chi6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Monday December 22
William Hall Library
1825 Broad St, Cranston
The Coffee Bean16 December 2014
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Since maple syrup is strictly a product of the early spring -- the sap is collected when it first begins to run, shortly before the leaf buds on sugar maples start to swell -- it's odd that it has become a staple of winter treats. It probably has to do with maple syrup's near-imperishability; by the time our ancestors had eaten all the apples, then all the dried fruit, then all the brandied fruit, they were craving sugar in a big way 'round about midwinter.
Of course, back then maple syrup was the cheap, poor-folks sweetener. Nowadays, it's one of the priciest forms of sugar you can buy, topping even agave syrup (the latest in the at-least-it's-not-corn-syrup family of liquid sweeteners). Last week I picked up a pint at Ocean State Job Lots, on sale, for 13 bucks. Ouch.
Because I adore maple syrup, I wink at the cost. But when the time comes to pour it into a des-sert, instead of over my homemade pancakes, I want the maple-ness to shine. If I'm going to put a cup (or more!) into a pan of something, I want to taste it.
Enter pecan pie.Pecan pie, although named after the
nuts showing off on the surface, is ac-tually a big pie plate of sugar custard. And since those Southern folks with their groves of pecans also had acres
of sorghum and sugar beets, they threw in whatever sugary glue they had handy to hold up the nuts.
It took us Northerners awhile to realize that just because they used plain old sugar syrup, that was no reason why we had to, too.
Even though sugar maples and pecan trees grow at opposite ends of the Eastern seaboard, they get along wonderfully. Pecans are rich and slightly woody, with almost no bitter edge. Maple syrup is rich and slightly acidic, with an earthy aftertaste. Put them together and you have a woodland waltz taking your tastebuds out for a spin.
Don't believe me? Try this and prepare to be blown away.
Maple-Pecan Pie
Ingredients1 cup pure maple syrup3/4 cup (packed) brown sugar3 large eggs1/4 cup sugar3 tablespoons butter, melted1 tablespoon all purpose flour1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 pie crust, homemade or frozen1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
PreparationPreheat oven to 350°F. Whisk first
7 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Line a 9-inch pie pan with the rolled-out crust and decoratively crimp the edges. Use a fork to prick the entire bottom of the crust.
Place pan, with crust, on baking sheet. Spread nuts over crust. Pour filling over. Bake until filling is set and slightly puffed, about 1 hour. Transfer pie to rack and cool completely.
Makes 1 pieNotes: Up to 2 cups of pecans
will work with this recipe. I use half chopped pecans and half whole ones -- I place the whole ones on top after the custard mixture is poured in; it looks nicer that way.
When making pecan pie, it is criti-cally important not to overbake the filling. I recommend setting the timer for 45 minutes, and then checking on the pie. It is ready to pull out when the top is set and puffy, but the very center still jiggles slightly when the pan is gently shaken. The residual heat will continue to cook the middle until it is perfectly set all the way through.
