Gallery 4 at Tiverton Four Corners is a treasure trove of global fine art, Oriental rugs, jewelry, Chinese antique furniture and decorative artifacts. On a regular basis, it invites renowned artists from around the world to showcase their collections of paintings, sculpture, photography and more. This month Gallery 4 will host 6@4 – An Exhibition featuring a wealth of abstract art by various artists. From towering sculptures to smaller geometric abstractions, the eye-popping genre will be well represented. The exhibition runs through September 8. Free. 3848 Main Road, Tiverton. 401-816-0999.   More

If the opportunity to visit an innovative artist colony with a focus on agriculture isn’t enough to persuade you to visit Sandywoods Farmers’ Market in Tiverton, perhaps the oyster bar, which features fresh-farmed Sakonnet River oysters, will.

The Sandywoods Farmers’ Market is held at Sandywoods Farm, an arts and agricultural community in northeastern Tiverton, just off of Bulgarmarsh Road. The market is held every Thursday afternoon from 4-7pm, and features everything from produce, to grassfed beef, to popcorn, to those Sakonnet River oysters served at the oyster bar. It hosts vendors such as Cory’s Kitchen, Skinny Dip Farm, Beresford of Tiverton, Seapowet Shellfish, Rhode Corn and Sweet Tree Herbal Skincare.

In keeping with the arts and agricultural sprit, there are local craftspeopleand jewelers selling their wares at the market as well and live music is performed each week by the Patty and Buster Show.  43 Muse Way, Tiverton. 401-241-7349. Thursdays, 4-7pm through October 31.   More

2 Pauls’ Good Food, the brainchild of Chef Paul Shire and Paul Roidoulis, has a menu featuring reasonably priced comfort food dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner. Now they’ve added half-price appetizers, served weekdays from 4-6pm at the bar, as well as entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. On Thursdays, test your karaoke mettle, on Fridays, show off your trivia knowledge, and on Saturdays, sit back and enjoy live music. All entertainment starts at 8:30pm.

With a philosophy to keep the food simple and accessible, the 2 Pauls menu has pub favorite appetizers like calamari, stuffed mushrooms, potato skins and chicken wings, with prices ranging from $8 to $13, wine by the glass starts at $6 and tops out at $8, and din- ner entrées range in price from $9.95 for burgers or mac and cheese to $21.95 for Chianti Braised Short Rib or Beef and Zuppa di Pesce. 315 Waterman Street, East Providence. 401-228-PAUL (7285).   More

Baked Goods

Cheat your diet, not your conscience. Dirty Vegan Foods is for those who want to live animal-friendly without giving up junk food. Based out of Dartmouth, Dirty Vegan makes vegan versions of all of your favorite snacks. 1133 Fisher Rd, Dartmouth. 508-343-0433. 

Gluten-free goodies. Eva Ruth’s brings delicious gluten free desserts to Middletown. With an excellent selection of fresh breads, pastries and special order cakes, Eva Ruth’s is a must-visit for anyone with a gluten allergy and a sweet-tooth. 796 Aquidneck Ave, Unit D, Middletown. 401-619-1924. 

A bakery built on bread. Started in 1998 as a local bread supplier for local restaurants, Provencal Bakery & Café is now a full bakery and café. Though they specialize in daily-baked bread, Provencal Bakery & Café also makes fresh cakes and pies with a focus on local ingredients. 750 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown. 401-845-9313. 

Now that’s a small business. June Love’s English Cakes and Baked Goods is staffed by June and her son, who use their old English family recipes to make traditional cakes and baked goods. You can find June Love’s English Cakes at farmer’s markets throughout Rhode Island. 6 Carriage Ln, East Providence. 401-434-3722. 

Traditional Done Right

Old fashioned Italian. Ditch the dry, boxed pasta and try some fresh pasta from Nonni’s Italian Kitchen and Pasta Shop. Made the old school Italian way, with no preservatives or artificial colors, this is real pasta. 1154 Stafford Rd, Tiverton. 401-624-3087. 

Now that’s a milestone. For over 300 years, the grist mill, now known as Gray’s Gristmill in Westport, has been stone grinding cornmeal the old fashioned way – although for the first hundred years or so, it was the only way. Today, Gray’s Gristmill is known as one of the oldest operating gristmills in the country. 638 Adamsville Rd, Westport. 508-636-6075. 

Have …   More

Pavé Of Parmesan & Curry Crusted Pollack

Pickled Cauliflower, Smoked Artichokes, Confit Of Fingerling Potatoes, Edamame, Caramelized Point Judith Squid, Bone Marrow Bordelaise

Serves 7

Ingredients:

For the Parmesan Crusted Pollack

3 lbs of Pollack, filleted, scaled and skinned 2 tbs madras curry

1 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated

For the Cauliflower

7 to 8 cauliflower florets, finely shaved 1 tsp chopped parsley

2 tsp lemon juice

2 tsp capers

Salt to taste

For the Artichokes

14 artichokes hearts, halved, jarred are ok Salt and white pepper to taste

2 cups farm hay, crushed

For the Fingerling Potatoes

14 to 16 fingerling potatoes 2 sprigs of rosemary

1 tbs lemon juice

1⁄4 Cup duck fat

Salt to taste

For the Squid

7 five to seven inch whole squid, cleaned Salt and black pepper to taste

Canola Oil

Squeeze of lemon juice, to finish

For the Bone Marrow

2 Veal bone marrow, center cut, roasted, 1 tsp reserved 2 tbs tapioca maltodextrin

Salt to taste

For the Bordelaise

1⁄4 onion, finely diced 1 cup red wine

2 sprigs thyme

1 tsp black pepper

1 bay leaf

1 cup veal jus

1⁄2 oz butter

Champagne vinegar to taste

For the Garnish

Celery leaves, edamame, herbs & blossoms   More

I am a born and raised Rhode Islander. I have lived in this state for all of my 24 years and like to think that comes with the insider knowledge that only a local possesses. For example, I could tell you where you will find the best hot wieners, how to get away with not paying for beach parking and which houses have been featured on Ghost Hunters.

Being a self-proclaimed RI expert you can imagine my surprise when we started working on our Guide to the East Bay Bike Path this past spring and I realized I had never ridden it. A trail with ocean views right in my backyard – how had I neglected this? Well, once a co-worker called me out there was no stopping me: I was riding this path and I was riding all of it. So I grabbed my bike, camera, a sweatshirt (it was early March) and my good sport of a boyfriend (may have bribed him with the promise of ice cream) and headed to the path. Here’s my photographic account of the experience:

We got on the path in East Providence (at the top of the big hill for those familiar with the course). There was plenty of parking and even a little welcome sign.

When talking to others about the trail, they warned me to stay on my own side. There’s a system: walkers to the left and bikers to the right. This is to help with traffic flow and prevent accidents. I tend to let my mind wander when I bike – and it’s hard not to with all the great views – so I may have strayed from my lane a little…

But luckily I was continuously reminded.

My favorite thing about the path was the ocean views. Wow. I have been on scenic rides before but nothing like this.

There are railroad tracks along the path that are no longer in use. I really wanted to jump off my bike and walk along the top, like you see kids do in movies sometimes.

But apparently this is forbidden. Oops.

My other favorite thing about the path? Ice cream stops! Hey, I biked just under 30 miles, so I earned a …   More

This year’s Rhode Island Comic Con features throwback reunions that will have the fan boy/girl in you giddy with excitement. Relive the 1960s caped crusader and crew escapades from the original Batman TV series as the Not-So-Dark Knight himself, Adam West, his trusty sidekick Robin (the once boyish Burt Ward), and the femme fetal powers of Yvonne Craig (Batgirl) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman) reunite for panel discussions and meet and greets. However, if you’re a '90s child like myself, you’ll be clicking your heals with nostalgic glee as actors from the beloved series of Power Rangers TV shows reunite for fans. Appearances include Jason Frank (Red, Green and White Ranger), Walter Jones (Black Ranger), David Yost (Blue Ranger), Catherine Sutherland (Pink Ranger), Robert Axelrod(Lord Zedd), Barbara Goodson (Mandilok), Kerrigan Mahan (Magna Defender), Paul Schier (“Bulk”) and Jason Narvy (“Skull”).

This year’s surprise guest is movie legend Danny Glover, star of such recent blockbusters as 2012 and classics like the Lethal Weapon series. And of course, fans can be sure to enjoy all ranges of fantasy and comic favorites, too. November 2-3; Saturday 10-7pm; Sunday 10-5pm. $15 kids day ticket, or $20 for weekend. $25 adult day ticket, $35 weekend. For tickets and information visit their website.    More

The Portsmouth Arts Guild Center for the Arts continues to celebrate its 10th anniversary with one of the gallery’s best shows yet, Abstract IV. The exhibit, running from July 5 to August 18, incorporates works from a wide range of media, everything from oils to textiles. According to the curators, the exhibit, “deftly proves that the everyday may become extraordinary when given the right amount of attention.”

Artists such as Dr. Marc A Jaffe and Kathleen Gendreau manage to transform everyday sights, like the reflection in a puddle or the cracks in a pavement, into exceptional works of art. In addition to this new “everyday” approach, the gallery displays other works that represent an unconventional approach to classical media. Judith Chaves’ Reclining adds dimension and color to the time-honored figure study. Similarly, Janice Smyth’s Binary Code couples the digital with the traditional through a hand-sewn quilt.

Additionally, the show gives you an opportunity check out some of our homegrown, Rhode Island talent. Christina Sieben, a recent Portsmouth High School graduate and the recipient of PAG’s Eilieen Shanley Scholarship, is displaying a series of agricultural pieces that give us a modern day twist on Americana.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see a unique show that couples the classical with the modern, and the everyday with the exceptional.

Open to the public Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1-5pm. The Gallery is situated on the grounds of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 2679 E. Main Rd. in Portsmouth.   More

1. The island’s first inhabitants called it Manisses, which means “Island of the Little God.”

2. Sixteen families first settled the island in 1661; their descendants live here still.

3. A passenger ship called The Palatine once caught fire off the island’s coast, killing

all aboard; some say the ghostly ship can still be seen burning on quiet nights.

4. In the winter, fewer than 1,000 people call the island home; the island’s tiny K-12

public school educates about 115 students.

5. The island has had a strong conservation movement since the 1970s, and now,

more than 43% is set aside as public open space. The island’s goal is to get to 50 percent.

6. Tradition has it that the island has 365 ponds, one for each day of the year – although modern geographers say it’s more like 300.

7. Once a premier Victorian vacation destination that drew families complete with steamer trunks and full-skirted “bathing costumes,” the island is full of the ghosts of grand hotels that burned down. One such is the Ocean View, just above the town’s post office, where the US Congress once held a summer session.

8. More than 2,000 pleasure boats crowd the Great Salt Pond on an average during July Fourth weekend.

9. The statue of Rebecca at the Well was erected by the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement, but a close look at the modern day statue (a faithful replica of the original) and her grapes and amphora hint that the late-1800s statue supply company may have mixed up the biblical figure with a more wine-friendly Greek goddess, Hebe.

10. Recently retired island nurse Mary Donnelly helped the sick and injured for 50 years and established a local charity, the Mary D Fund, which has been featured on every major news outlet. (Google it.) August’s annual Mary D Ball is the social event of the season.   More

It’s the stuff of childhood dreams and fairytale wishes. Expanding to the delight of children (or the child inside us) everywhere, the Newport Dinner Train is now featuring the Ice Cream Train, becoming Rhode Island’s one and only ice cream parlor on wheels! What better way to enjoy the perks of summer while beating the heat? Parents, ride along beautiful Narragansett Bay in the luxury of an air-conditioned train car Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:30am for a 90-minute narrative, and watch your kids enjoy melt in your mouth soft-serve with toppings galore. Perhaps you’ll even sneak in a few scoops for yourself (come on, you know you want to)! Or, head over on Friday nights at 6:30pm, kids in tow, and watch them giggle in delight at the Candyman Conductor, a master of musical entertainment, while pigging out on pizza and of course, ice cream. With free parking and prices ranging from $14.95-26.95 per person, it’s a no brainer. Ending August 23, be sure to reserve your own spot on the Ice Cream Train, and have a relaxing time out with the kids on this fun-filled family adventure. Reservation can be made by calling 401-841-8700. Departure at Newport Station: 19 America’s Cup Ave, Newport.   More

Since 1993, the Four Corners Art Center in Tiverton has been promoting local artists. This summer, as they celebrate their 20th season, the Four Corners Art Center will be hosting a slew of events to give art lovers lots of reasons to celebrate. Each year, the Art Center hosts a sculpture park, in which the work of sculptors is on display all summer during daylight hours. This year, they will be displaying the work of Wendy Klemperer, a nationally recognized artist out of Brooklyn. On July 21, from 1-3pm, the Art Center will be hosting the opening reception for this year's sculpture park, featuring poet David O'Connell, who will be reading his poem Banished They Return To Us, inspired by Klemperer's work. Later that evening, there will be an outdoor picnic concert featuring a performance by Rhode Island's own Beatles tribute group, Abbey Rhode. The show will begin at 6pm and is a family-friendly event. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

If you're not into sculptures or music, then maybe film is what you're looking for. On Wednesday, July 24, the Four Corners Art Center will be hosting a free screening of Louder Than a Bomb. This film documents an annual poetry slam in Chicago which shares the film's title. Louder Than a Bomb is the largest youth poetry slam in the country, featuring over six hundred young poets from schools throughout the greater Chicago area. The film follows four teams of poets as they prepare for, and perform in the 2008 slam. An inspiring and engaging story, this is one film which you won't want to miss. But the summertime fun doesn't end there. Join the Art Center on Sunday, August 18, for their 20th anniversary celebration. For more information and tickets for these events and more, visit their website.   More

What are the smells that tell you that you’re home? If you’re a Rhode Islander, chances are “the ocean” will come to mind. That’s exactly what graphic designer Kate McLean found when she constructed a Smell Map of Newport last year. She also highlighted other key scents that define the essence of Newport – think suntan oil and watering holes!

So what exactly is a Smell Map? Picture a physical map with graphics depicting where specific local scents are found, as well as the range, the intensity and the direction each smell moves in the prevailing local wind. Each scent is carefully selected to represent the character of the location. As a companion to the map itself, the scents are bottled using naturally-occurring ingredients and products. When the map is exhibited, viewers can actually sniff each scent and then identify where in the physical space it is found using the map.

To truly understand a place, you have to use more than just your eyesight. “Smell has been underestimated for centuries,” explains Kate. When she began constructing Smell Maps in 2010, she wanted to highlight the power of multi-sensory, non-visual communication. “A Smell Map helps us reconsider our environment from another perspective,” she says. “In the process of re-sensitizing ourselves we often become more aware of other sensory elements, giving us a richer picture of our cities.”

Kate, a native of England, has sniffed her way around multiple locations, including Edinburgh, Scotland, and Paris, France. Newport was the first US city she chose to create a Smell Map.

Hours of exploration go into identifying the key scents of a city. “Newport was the first location for me to use cycle rides as a part of the process of collecting smell associations for a city,” explains Kate. “The Newport Smell Map involved a lot of people and many miles traveled on foot and bicycle.” To really find the …   More

Experience the rich New England culture of Tiverton’s Four Corners weekend celebration starting Thursday July 25. Beginning at 6pm on Thursday, participating shops around Tiverton’s Four Corners district will be celebrating the spirit of summer fun and shopping with a late night gala of shops and restaurants. Of course Four Corners Grille will be open late for food and drinks and will be offering $5 off any purchase over $50. Finish off your dinner date with a cone of a classic Tiverton staple: Gray’s Ice Cream.

If your night is just starting up, enjoy cheese and wine at Gallery 4 for their new exhibit featuring six local artists. While you are still in the spirit of fine art, head over to Katherine Lovell’s Studio & Gallery. In case you still didn’t get your cheese and wine fix, Salt will also be offering cheese and wine as you browse their unique and fun clothing and accessories.

For a more adventurous night, stop into Tiffany Peay Jewelry, which is featuring a “special charm” event, including tarot card readings for only $20 with the Mystical Reba. Milk & Honey will be having an open house, and the Farm will be open as well for a sunset stroll around their most recently added container gardens and plant selections.

Visit Perfectly Twisted Yarn for your knitting essentials, and if deisgn is your thing, check out The Cottage for their wide selection of home décor items by John Derian.

If you’re looking for a place to bring the kids, Cutie Curls and C.E Consignment will be open late. Cutie Curls is also offering a free gift with a purchase of $30 or more. Don’t forget to visit the newest additions to the four corners area, with Lori Craffey design and Our Good Dog Spot, both on the first floor of the Mill Pond Shops.

All these shops and restaurants will be open until 8pm, and will continue for the Celebrate Tiverton Festival, which will go through the weekend.   More

Quick: when you think of the East Bay Bike Path, what are the first two things you think of? Fall River and soup, right? No? Okay, bear with us on this one... While this blog is all about the East Bay Bike Path and its many joys, regular readers will also know that we're obsessed with food. Half the reason why we're so dedicated to outdoor activity in the first place is just so we can eat more – usually seafood. Furthermore, the fine folks at Blount Clam Shack have generously agreed to sponsor this blog all summer long so without them we might not even be doing this. So, when they told us about their Soup Sale on Saturday, July 27 in Fall River, we wanted to share it with our readers... because whether you bike, run, walk, rollerblade or even fish along the bike path, we're willing to bet you like soup.

See, this used to be a once-a-year occurence at the Warren clam shack, which is conveniently located just a stone's throw from the bike path. And it was hugely popular. But recently they moved the sale to the Fall River location and started doing them every month. They took a few months off, but now they're back – and you're going to want to get there early. Seriously, people are already in line before the place even opens. Soup lovers (and we know they're a fanatical sort) can and will stock up on huge quantities at bargain prices. We're talking as low as $10 per case! You can feed a family on that.

All this could be yours – if you get there early

Next week, we promise we'll get back to talking about biking, running and all manner of other activities with which you can burn off all that soup. But for now, mark your calendars and clear out some space in the freezer. Saturday, July 27 from 9am-2pm. Blount Clam Shack & Soup Store, 840 Bedford St., Fall River.   More

One of the things we like about biking is that it’s a sport the whole family can enjoy together. With competitive sports like basketball or football, it’s tough to keep every involved at the same level. But whether you’re riding a hot pink bike with training wheels or a state-of-the-art mountain bike, you’re welcome on the East Bay Bike Path.

That being said, over the course of a day on the path, complaints and exhaustion are inevitable – especially from the training-wheelers, more commonly known as children. After a few miles of riding and family bonding, you may hear that dreaded “Are we there yet?” Luckily, there are various remedies for this.

What better motivator is there than food? Or in this case, ice cream. There is a plethora of ice cream parlors along the path. When the kids start complaining about the “grueling” ride, just remind them of the frosty, delicious light at the end of the tunnel. Trying to cut back on the sweets and treats? Never fear, there are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants along the way too. We’ve rounded up some of your best bets below, so you can use this as a handy reference for your next ride with the tots in tow. Here’s to a better biking experience for the whole family!

East Providence

Dari Bee

Address: 240 Bullocks Point Ave.

Phone Number: 401-433-1931

Distance from path: On the Path!

What they serve: Ice Cream

-----

Barrington

Kozy Kitchen

Address: 312 County Rd.

Phone Number: 401-245-1616

Distance From Path: .4 miles

What they serve: Diner Food

The Daily Scoop

Address: 230 County Rd.

Phone Number : 401-245-0100

Distance From Path: On the Path!

Hours: 12-9pm

What they Serve: Ice Cream

-----

Warren

Del’s Lemonade

Address: 65 Child St.

Phone Number: 401-247-2210

Distance From Path: On the Path!

What they Serve: RI’s famous Frozen Lemonade and Ice Cream

Blount Clam …   More

Set this world (or your feet) ablaze this summer through Sacred Firewalking at Sisters of Solace Holistic Healing Center in Westport. Don’t let the name scare you. Firewalking is a transformational experience, designed to help you navigate through life with a sense of fearlessness and empowerment – perfect for a summer of spiritual re-awakening.

This ancient practice will allow you to experience a powerful mind-body connection. Kerry Cudmore, the program’s firewalking instructor and a professional life/business coach, says the experience yields “life-changing results. (And we have a lot of fun in the process!) When you have a direct, physical experience that proves that something ‘impossible’ is actually possible – maybe even fun and easy – everything else that has seemed unbelievable or undoable is called into question.” The next Sacred Firewalking program is scheduled for July 20, from 5-10pm. 508-636-6549.  

  More

The British Beer Company in Bristol has taken the chain-wide “Bloody Blues Brunch” to a new level, offering a Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar.

Start your beverage-building project with one of four base models: “The Traditional Bloody” which allows the customer the choice of vodka or gin; “The Cilantro Bloody,” infused with lime and cilantro; “The Hop Head Bloody,” made with hop-infused vodka; and the “Ware Wolf in London Bloody” made with a smoky single-malt Scotch. “The Ware Wolf in London is my favorite,” says BBC General Manager Adam Couto, “The smoky character of the Scotch pairs well with the tomato.”

Once a base model is selected, each is garnished with either crispy jalapeño bacon or shrimp. Then, it’s time for you to build your Bloody. Your next step is to select your toppings from the bar, which Couto compares to a salad bar. “Much like a salad bar, there are an array of ingredients to choose from, and there’s always something unique being added to the list.” That list currently includes celery, carrots, pickles, garlic, lime, lemon, olives, steak seasoning, assorted hot sauces, basil, horseradish and cilantro, with more options planned. “We’ve had a great response to the bar,” Couto says. “We’re looking forward to adding to it over the summer.”   More

Heads up to all you treasure-seekers and thrifty outdoor shoppers, because Tiverton Four Corners is hosting three events that are right up your alley. Come to the Meeting House lawn on July 4 between 10-4pm for their Annual Antique Show, hosted by 30-year antique business veterans Ferguson and D’Arruda. If newer, locally-made items like hand-blown glass jewelry and hand-painted home furnishings are what you are looking for, try the Arts & Artisan Festival, July 20 at the Mill Pond area between 10-4pm, and support some artisans closer to home. If exotic gems of a worldly nature are what your adventurous spirit desires, Four Corners has partnered with Cultural Survival Inc., a non-profit that promotes the cultures, languages and creativity of indigenous people around the world, for the Cultural Survival Bazaar on July 27-28, 10-5pm. On the lawn of the Soule-Seabury House, explore food, music and items crafted and produced by indigenous individuals from Mali to the Sierra Madre.     More

As a New Englander, we know you love clam cakes (or, at least we assume). But how much do you really love clam cakes? Can you devour 'em by the dozen? Ok, how about two dozen? In 10 minutes?

If your appetite for the iconic Rhode Island summer food is insatiable, then you need to be at Blount Clam Shack in Warren this weekend. On Saturday, they're hosting their third annual Clam Cake Eating Contest from 2-4pm. (It's free to enter, but you must be there by 1:30 to register.) Both of the previous winners will be there to defend their titles: Nick Williams from year one and Joe Menchetti from year two. Last year, Joe ate 24 clam cakes in just 10 minutes. Think you've got the stomach to take this year's title? The hungriest competitor will take home $150 gift card to Amazon, some Blount schwag, their name on the t-shirt for next year's contest and, most importantly, bragging rights.

For those who are a bit less ravenous, there will still be plenty of fun. In addition to cheering on your favorite competitor, you can play trivia games to win prizes, Blount will be passing around free clam cakes, DJ Wright will MC the competition and Neal White from Fun 107 will be broadcasting live. (He's also agreed to dive into the competition.) So, only one question remains: Are you hungry yet?Check out this video from last year's competition:

  More

There’s no town on Earth that celebrates July 4 quite like the Bristol does. Linden Place hosts the annual Fourth of July Parade Picnic, located directly on the parade route with reserved bleacher-style seating, tables and chairs under the shade of its beautiful Linden trees. Make your friends jealous – watch the 228th annual parade in style while supporting Linden Place restoration. Ticket price includes both a continental breakfast and picnic-style lunch. What’s better than enjoying the parade with a little bit of elbow room and access to restroom facilities? We can only hope for watermelon and a lack of ants. July 4. $75 adults; $50 children; $10 member discount. 500 Hope Street, Bristol. 401-253-0390.   More