Newport’s Green Thumbs
When my contractor neighbor told us that Newport’s historic East Row was comprised largely of gays and older émigrés from Indian Hill (one of the nation’s richest ZIP codes), I thought he was exaggerating or homophobic or a combination of both. But after being greeted by four gay couples in the first four homes of the eight-home Newport Garden Walk Sunday, even I had to admit the astuteness of his observation.
Despite Esquire magazine’s declaration in 1957 of Newport as “the most wicked city in America,” the city today is surprisingly conservative. The Committee of 500, a team of religious do-gooders, first set siege on the “Sin City” in the 1960s, declaring war on the city’s gambling, vice and prostitution bosses - for more on the city’s history, go here. By the time Brandon and I both moved here, much of the evidence of Newport’s illustrious past had disappeared, existing largely today in the memories of local old-timers who recalled the city’s heydays with equal parts nostalgia and censure.
The East Row Historic District sits comfortably at the foot of what is called Mansion Hill – the mansion in reference is the Wiedemann Hill Mansion, which was built for beer baron heir Charles Wiedemann in 1894. The area became a favorite of wealthy business owners and merchants in the late 1800s and its financial demographic hasn’t much changed since. Still considered one of the most prestigious and expensive areas of the city, stately Italianate and Queen Anne style homes mingle along tree-lined streets with many boasting impressive (and professionally designed) back-yard gardens. Here are a few highlights from them and our tour:
More photos are available on our online photo gallery here.
Filed under Local Interest, Nature, Personal | Comment (0)It must be Friday
Being a mobile journalist has its perks. I can work from home in my pajamas or from my “satellite” offices (a.k.a. coffee houses with free wifi) in the communities I cover. I absolutely hate being confined to a cubicle eight hours a day, so the freedom is great. But sadly, it also means that I miss out on such zany office-themed events as Crazy No-Pants Day. Here’s an email one of the editors just sent out:
To: News Users
Subject: WHO LOST THEIR PANTS?A pair of pants — with belt — found its way to right behind my chair. If they are yours — or if you see someone walking around without pants — let me know.
It kind of puts a whole new spin on Casual Fridays.
Filed under The Weird | Comment (1)Urban Dictionary Meme
I got this from my sister on MySpace, but I thought it’s be fun to pass around. Here are the rules:
1. Answer the survey question and then look up your answer on www.urbandictionary.com and paste one of the definitions found there along with your answer.
2. Post it on your blog and include illustrations if you like.
3. Link to the person who tagged you and tag more blogs if you feel so inclined.
Here’s mine:
1) Your name?: Rachel.
“A smart, sassy and sexy young woman who knows things from fashion to film to literature, from Manolo Blahniks to Mahatma Gandhi. She impressed everybody in the meeting. She’s such a Rachel.”
2) How old are you: 29
“29 is akin to, in the words of most, “Humping a Humpback whale. The 2 from sideways looks like a whale’s hump and tail, hence the whale part, and the 9 is you. 29 resembles you humping a whale. It is a strange new thing that is catching on rapidly.”
3) One of your friends?: Lisa
“A very attractive kind of the female gender who has a sultry gaze and a great figure. Lisas are usually attracted to common types of carbohydrates and will devour them vigorously if let loose without caution. Extremely attractive.”
4) Where will your next vacation be?: Hocking Hills (for our one-year anniversary in July). Hocking Hills wasn’t in the dictionary, so I typed in “woods” instead.
“Incarceration Term-Used to describe whites in prison/jail. Short for peckerwood, a derogatory term used to portray dumb white boys. Much like redneck.”
5) Favorite Food?: Veggie Samosa
“Indian savory pastries filled with curry, generally potato curry. Quite possibly the most perfect things ever created by humankind, they are a treat for all occasions and a cure for all ills. Well, except violent gastrointestinal upset due to overconsumption, and we won’t do that again now will we? Needless to say, they’re radtastic.”
6) Hometown? Milford
“a collection or gathering of attractive young to middle age mothers who guys want to bone.”
7) Word to describe yourself?: Creative
“What teachers call you when they don’t want to say you are a dumbass.”
8 ) Car you drive?: Sedan
“Town in (North)Eastern France were France got pwned badly by Germany on September 1st 1870.”
9) Last person you talked to on the phone?: Contractor
“Someone who doesn’t have the skills or talent to hold down a permanent job. They are inherently lazy and sneaky.”
10) Your occupation?: Reporter
“The “Reporter” (n) A Gordita combo meal from Taco Bell. Just as a firecracker has a report, so too does the Taco Bell Gordita. If you have it for lunch, the report will occur around 3 o’clock. In other words, you will have to pinch a loaf shortly after eating it. The “Report” time varies per person.”
I am tagging Ottermatic, Lisa, Deniselle, Lindsay and Thoughtracer.
Filed under Personal | Comment (0)
I can haz cheeseburger?
You’d think I’d get right on finishing up the last two papers of the entire academic year, but alas, I have been procrastinating endlessly all day. My latest procrastination find? The site I Can Haz Cheeseburger.
I’ve got lots of silly, funny pictures of our furbabies I can submit. Here’s my first submission. Meet Grayson, my beautiful cuddle cat who has a thing for odd positions and shoes.
