I had the whole gang (+ our favorite reporter Nneka) over for dinner last. It was a great way to end these last two months. My thanks to them for making this fun and not just a competition.

Now, on to the food. I filmed this before Thanksgiving, but because I had a back log of blogs the release date got delayed. Let’s just replace the word Thanksgiving with Holidays.

Joseph Di Pietro is a cook for the amazing William Sanoma. I was lucky enough to taste his amazing food while he was doing a demonstration at the Deer Brook Estates. Let me tell you it was PERFECT!! Watch as Joe talks about food, family and local fare.

GARLIC CHIVES

FYI – If you see them in a pot like this, that means they’re not wild, they’re your neighbors.

It was my my goal to use the Portsmouth High School Drama Club in my “How I view RI” piece. The stage at PHS is where I realized what I wanted to do with my life and it is helping to do the same for the next generation. Unfortunately, because of some timing constraints, their part made the cutting room floor. (I am teaching them a life lesson in the acting world.) So, to try and make up for it I went to see their production of “Twelve Angry Jurors” – not men cuz we are politically correct at PHS. Luckily, after the fans left the stage door I was able to get a quick interview out of the cast. Here’s a look at the highlights.

I just got this letter from Laura Mellow’s “lawyer”. You drop someone on their head while trying to do a double cartwheel with them and all of a sudden they are all hot and bothered.

From the Law Office of Mellowsky and Mellowsky 

Dear Matthew Rodrigues, 

On behalf of my client, Laura Mellow, I am writing to inform you of charges being brought against you as a result of damages incurred on 9 November 2009.  Having viewed people’s evidence #471, video footage posted at web address http://blogs.foxprovidence.com/author/matthewrodrigues/, our office feels confident in our ability to prove that Ms. Mellow’s injuries—both physical and emotional—are a result of criminal neglect and malfeasance.  The defense is certain the events depicted in the aforementioned video were deviously orchestrated for the purpose of sensationalism and as a result of Mr. Rodrigues’ ruthless ambition to become The Rhode Show co-host.

The charges against you include the following allegations:

1. Roofies were involved. 
2. You dropped her.
3. On purpose.
4. It hurt.
5. As Ms. Mellow was only 17, thus a minor at the time of taping, said footage was illegally released.
6. Ms. Mellow suffered great physical trauma as a result of a serious injury which consulting doctors medically termed a “boo-boo.”
7. Ms. Mellow suffered SEVERE emotional damage as a result of 10 pounds (in legal terms, this is referred to as a ‘giant hiney’) that the camera put on and of which she states she was not adequately warned. We find this point to be indisputable as a recording which the defense has obtained has Mr. Rodrigues stating that “it’s just the way you’re standing…” (We’re hoping this will be a precedent-setting titled: You couldn’t help a sister out? vs. ex-friend.) 

Ms. Mellow would also like the record to show that she adamantly denies being a “tucker” but was filmed with shirt tucked into pants in an effort to prevent yet another Girls Gone Wild situation.  She will be seeking $50 million in damages or the acquisition of the following: 

• Mr. Rodrigues’ Britney Spears concert t-shirt
• The defendant’s mother’s chourico and peppers
• The junk in Mr. Rodrigues’ trunk
• A honey bear filled with multi-colored sand
• A year’s worth of Brick Alley Pub buffalo shrimp pasta
• A year’s worth of Pepto Bismol
• Mr. Rodrigues’ favorite kidney
• A foot massage every Thursday
• Should Mr. Rodrigues get the job, the show will be renamed The Mellow Rhode Show.
• Mr. Rodrigues will also be made to stand in front of famed grocery store Clements’ Market dressed as a turkey with a sign which reads: “I dropped Laura Mellow and I am so, so, so wicked sorry.” 

We are hoping that you agree to our terms and think you will agree that, given the extent of the injuries, Ms. Mellow is going light on Mr. Rodrigues as a result of their years of acquaintanceship.  Heretofore, such abuses of this friendship have been overlooked but further droppings will not be tolerated. 

We are certain that this matter can be handled with expedience and class as long as you do everything we say. 

Thank you for your time. 

Most Sincerely, Cordially and Very Lawerly, 

Lola Mellowsky, esquire

This is Deb. She is an amazingly strong woman who lost her husband Louis a few months ago. We talked for a long time about her husbands passing and how it changed her life. Out of respect there were times that I didn’t turn on the camera. I was supposed  to be there asking about the Women Centric House she was living in, but as the day went on we both just opened up. Here’s some of what we shared.

Click here to learn more about the Animal Rescue League in RI.

I don’t know how it is in your town, but in little old Portsmouth, Rhode Island it’s not about sleeping in on Turkey Day but rather the big PORTSMOUTH vs. MIDDLETTOWN HIGH Thanksgiving Day Game. There is a chill in the air, dew on the grass and the smell of steamed hot dogs - or as I like to call them “GREY dogs” because for a dollar the quality of the “meat” is far from 5 star. I spent the morning feeling a little nervous because this is so much more than a game. The field becomes  a flashback to the  insecure days of back packs and acne.  Simply put your buns on the cold metal bleachers and you are transported to a time in your life where all you knew had to deal with homework and making out (if you were lucky). Though years have past, pounds have been gained  and hair has fallen out it seems like at any minute  the bell is about to ring and it will be time for second period.  Sometimes I think I am the only one who feels these games are a, “My life is amazing!” convention, but then I see the once awkward overweight girl strut by the concession stand with full make-up, hair in banana curls and a Gucci gown on, and I realize I am not alone.

It has been five years since my last T-Day game. I walked in and was determined to put my head down and run straight to my friends who I knew would feel my pain and make fun of the “GREY dogs” with me. We stood huddled in our little bubble and didn’t look at the field once. We talked about everything but football until the BIG half time show. Who doesn’t like seeing a 150 piece band try to entertain a crowd of pigskin hungry fans?  My friends and I had visions of running onto the field and dancing in the mud to a Britney Spears song. We thought for sure this would bring an entertaining story later that afternoon to our Thanksgiving Day tables. Of course, we were all talk, but our routine would have proved to be completely unnecessary. Much to our surprise, the PHS band turned into a Superbowl half time show complete with gravestones, mummies and Michael Jackson “himself” bringing Thriller to the fifty yard line.  We were extremely impressed.

Once, the spectacular ended I knew it was my time to slip out the back gate. Everyone was distracted and I would be sure to go unseen. I made it to my car and breathed easy, Matthew Rodrigues had made it through another High School Football / Reunion game unscathed. I thought about how silly I had been to be so worried. What is the harm in rubbing elbows with some old friends? Thanksgiving Day is all about being with family and friends. It is a happy day where communities come together and give thanks for all of the years blessings. With a smile on my face and warmth in my heart I looked out the windshield at the faces of smiling children — and then I noticed the big, fat, orange ticket with the word VIOLATION staring back at me. Good thing I didn’t spend all my money on  “GREY dogs”. Happy Holidays to one and all!!!

Colleen Pilat was the whole reason I ever went to Exeter for the day. We met in passing while I filmed part of my “How I View Rhode Island’” piece on the Salve Regina University campus and she thought her story might be nice for my blog. Colleen, is a lovely lady with amazing jewelry. Maybe I will send some to the powers that be at The Rhode Show as a little bribe.

Part 2 – Sorry about the video quality. I think my Flip Camera is getting tired.

This should make you smile!

Click here for more information on breast cancer or to donate some cashola!

This past weekend, I went to what I thought was going to be a little jewelry show in Exeter, RI to do something different for the blog. Once I started talking to people who were in attendance, I realized I had much more than one story in front of me. I spent about 4 hours with strangers and left feeling like I had made new friends. All of the stories are worth revisiting if I get this job. One, because they are very in depth and two, because many times I was just loving the stories so much I forgot to film. Here is what I got…

PART 1