After just two months of operation, Art Night Bristol & Warren was honored with a 2012 Regional Tourism award. On May 8th, Governor Chafee presented the award at the 27th Annual Tourism and Unity Luncheon and Travel Exchange held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. This year’s Luncheon theme was “Beautiful Rhode Island”, aimed at commemorating the state’s fervent culture. The honorees helped to make travel and tourism the $5.2 Billion industry it is, and maintain over 41,000 jobs statewide. Click here to learn more about Art Night-Bristol & Warren.More

The staff in our office has always been largely female (roughly a 3:1 ratio) and while that has mostly been for the good, we always knew it might come back to haunt us one day. That day has come. Shine America, the production company behind critically acclaimed scripted shows (The Office, Ugly Betty), reality TV hits (The Biggest Loser, Nashville Star) and, well, other things (MTV's Date My Mom, that short-lived American Gladiators reboot), is now looking to the biggest little for its latest reality TV inspiration. They're currently seeking male business owners for what is sure to be the thinking guido's answer to Jersey Shore: the soon-to-be-a-pop-culture-phenomenon Rhode Island Boys. According to the casting call, Shine America "has a fascination with Rhode Island's small businesses," and they're looking for male-owned businesses with predominantly male employees — which means our moment in the harsh, unflattering spotlight of reality TV will have to wait. However, we promise the fine folks at Shine America that if they'll reconsider maybe doing Rhode Island Boys and Girls, we'll deliver all the cussing, petty infighting, drunken tantrums, on-camera meltdowns and delusions of self-importance they could ever possibly hope for. In the meantime, if you think your business fits the bill, contact LDI Casting for more details.More

MUSE American Handcrafted in Warren held what will most likely become an annual diamond event last weekend. Customers were invited to fish for a real diamond valued at $600 with a pair of tweezers through a bowl of cubic zirconium stones. Although no one chose the real diamond, no one walked away a loser since the cubic zirconium could be set inexpensively into a necklace or stud earrings (around $25). Check out MUSE this Mother’s Day weekend – we hear the diamond will be making another appearance and you might just be the lucky winner. Whether you hold on to it or fork it over to the woman who gave you life is your decision — no judgment here.More

Even after a mild winter, there is one thing that everyone looks forward to on a hot day; the thirst quenching, body cooling first sip/bite of a Del's Lemonade. It has the perfect sized ice crush and real pieces of lemon. Okay, you have waited long enough. Here you go — just watch out for the brain freeze.

But one first has to work up a sweat to truly appreciate the cooling effects that a Del's has to offer. I offer the perfect location to get a good sweat on first and then have it remedied immediately by proximity to a Del's stand: The bike path in Warren. Park behind the Del's Lemonade stand located at 65 Child Street, Warren in the municipal lot; it has free parking.

Let's talk about the East Bay Bike Path. To begin with, it's gorgeous. I just bought a new pair of rollerblades (that's right, rollerblades), and needed to break them in. With a friend in tow, we took off.

Within a mile or so we came upon this sight:

This Save the Bay spot is great for a few reasons. Let's say that you are with your kids and they need a break. Not only do you have a beautiful view but you have an educational opportunity. Further down the path, just over the Warren line and into Bristol, is another gorgeous spot next to a small wetland.

This small wetland protected by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island is host to a variety of wildlife. Just in the short time I spent listening, I could hear red-winged blackbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, black-capped chickadees, common grackles, and two pairs of ospreys. I also saw a few frogs jumping around and some tadpoles.

All along the path you'll find families, friends, couples and a few people going solo to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery.

It's free, it's fun, and its right in our backyard. By the time you get back to your car in the municipal lot, I highly doubt you'll need a reminder to quench your thirst with the Del's that is so perfectly located you would have to be blind to miss it. The bike path …More

Who can forget all the buzz last summer regarding a movie being filmed in our area starring powerhouse celebrities Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton and Tilda Swinton? The time has finally come to see our beloved state and its beautiful scenery up on the big screen in acclaimed director Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom. The film is set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965 and tells the story of two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact and run away together in the wilderness. You may have heard rumors of Bruce Willis and Bill Murray spottings at Tiverton’s Standish Boatyard. (The boatyard was just one of the many staging areas for the film.) The Hollywood stars were said to have been very friendly and down to earth. Be sure to look for the much-anticipated motion picture, set to premiere as the opening film of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival on May 16. It’s scheduled for an American release on May 25.More

Spring is here, and while some of us will take advantage of the nicer weather by sitting outside in the sun or cruising around with our windows down, there are some brave souls out there who take a slightly more exciting route: riding motorcycles. Nothing can beat driving down the road with the sun on your back and the wind in your face, but if you road-warriors out there want to take a load off while also meeting some fellow bikers, stop by Smart Moto in Seekonk for their Bikes and Coffee event, held every Saturday from 9-11am.

Bikes and Coffee is a social meeting for all types of motorcycle riders. You can park your bike in the Smart Moto lot and then step inside for delicious coffee and doughnuts. The real fun, however, is out in the parking lot, where riders can check out each other’s bikes trade stories. Hey, maybe you’ll make some new riding buddies. Whether you’re a seasoned rider, just bought your first bike, or simply have a love for all things motorcycle, this is definitely the place to be.More

Being a mom to three small human beings, along with working from home, leaves me about 2 1/2 minutes to myself each week--which I spend doing what any other mom in this same situation would do: WATCHING HOUSEWIVES.

So, when I have the chance to break away for something geared towards the better of my health and well-being and not towards the better of my distorted perception of what my cleavage should really look like in a 42 million-dollar gown that I'm supposed to wear to a friend's tea party, I jump. Which is exactly what I did when Spa Week contacted me to preview one of their $50 Marine Massage treatments at The Spa at Newport Marriott.

Spa week is a national event happening April 16th-22nd, where spas across the nation offer a variety of $50 treatments!

If you hardly ever have any alone-time, you'll understand that my blissful journey began with the 35-minute solo car ride to Newport. No loud singing. No one asking if we're there yet. No offensive repeat of the Strawberry Shortcake movie theme song. Nope...none of that. Just me, an Avicii playlist and the open road. In my minivan. (Let's keep things in perspective here.)

Every time I cross that bridge into Newport, I wonder why I don't visit more often. It truly is a gem in our state. From the shops to the spas to the oceanfront dining, Newport is a breath of fresh air (literally) from the day-to-day chaos.

(View from outside of The Spa)

I arrived at Newport Marriott and headed directly to The Spa. I was practically running and I'm pretty sure I was drooling. The notion that I would soon be relaxed on a table in a dimly-lit room, scented with pleasantly calming aromas while the tensions within my body were being kneaded away was as exciting as the time I found out our van's DVD player came with headphones.

Practically running directly through the glass doors of The Spa, the very lovely staff immediately greeted me and told me that I was in for a treat because David would be working with …More

Imagine our surprise when these sweet cupcakes arrived at our office this morning. Clearly, someone at the newly renamed Big Blue Bug Solutions, formerly New England Pest Control, knows that the best way to get our attention is with food. It seems like the name change was inevitable, given the fact that their mascot, the famed "big blue bug" Nibbles Woodaway, is one of the best-known and most iconic corporate symbols in New England. We wish them luck with the name change, and thanks for the sweet treat (from the also iconic Wrights Dairy Farm, no less).More

Bristol House of Pizza will be celebrating 35 years of serving the community on Monday, April 30. To thank their customers for their continued support and patronage, they will be selling pizzas at half price and giving away prizes all day. In addition, with every purchase made in the restaurant on the 30th, you can enter into a raffle to win Red Sox tickets. The drawing will be held at 6pm (presence not necessary to win). It's a good excuse to check our their newly expanded restaurant space and enjoy some of the food that's kept them in business for decades.More

This week, Roger Williams Park Zoo debuted a new program: animal feedings. Small groups can actually go inside the giraffe paddock to get up close and personal with the Zoo’s three giraffes: Sukari, Amber and Jaffa Prince. Our executive editor, Julie Tremaine, was the first non-employee to try out the program (and to get drooled on by a giraffe).More