www.woonsocketcall.com The Valley’s Daily Newspaper Since 1892 Newsstand: $2.50 A “smash- Buying or and-grab” Selling a robbery Home? Call Pat First! Thieves break into Gucci store at he all Pat Elston, REALTOR, SRES “Patricia Elston guided us Wrentham Village T C 401-474-5253 through the purchase from Sunday, April 25, 2021 [email protected] beginning to end. She was REGION, A5 always accessible & responded | REALTY to questions promptly.” Council approves River Street Bridge repair on split vote Citing budgetary concerns, Jalette opposes fronting over $133K

BY RUSS OLIVO “Could somebody tell me critical, “It doesn’t really demand. [email protected] where the money is coming matter where it comes from, “My concern is that con- from to pay for this?” Jalette it needs to be fixed.” tractors are becoming, if not www.woonsocketcall.com WOONSOCKETThe Valley’s — DailyAct- Newspapersaid during a Sincemeeting 1892 earlier Moreover, D’Agostino already, soNewsstand: busy, we’ll $2.50 push ing on the recommendation this week. said the longer the city waits this back,” said the public of the state transportation “That’s a good question,” to get contractors on the site, works director. “A repair on A “smash- agency, the City Council has said Public Works Director the more difficult itBuying will- be bridges or is pretty critical. To awarded a $133,500 contract Steven D’Agostino. come in the prevailingSelling cli- me thata takes precedence over and-grab” to repair the River Street Originally, D’Agostino mate of heightened demand where the money is coming robbery Bridge – but not everyone said, the city had planned to for skilled labor and equipHome?- from.” thinks it’s a good idea. tap the Community Develop- ment. Call Pat First!Jalette made a motion to Thieves break into Councilman Roger J. Ja- ment Block Grant program Biden’s infrastructure bill table the bridge contract, but Gucci store at he all Pat Elston, REALTOR, SRES lette Sr. tried to put the brakes to pay for the project. But it isn’t even law yet, but the it failed for lack“Patricia ofElston a guided second us Wrentham Village T C on the project on hopes that recently came to the attention president’s $2 trillion401-474-5253 Ameri- as a majoritythrough of thethe purchase council from Sunday, April 25, 2021 [email protected] beginning to end. She was President Joseph Biden’s pro- of city officials that the bridge can Rescue Plan relief pack- sided with alwaysthe accessiblepublic & responded works REGION, A5 | REALTY posed $2 trillion infrastruc- may not be eligible, because age is, and it already allows director. to questions promptly.” ture bill eventually becomes it is located in a floodplain. the proceeds to be spent for Councilman James Photo by Ernest A. Brown law, providing a source of However, D’Agostino ar- water, sewer and broadband The River Street Bridge in Woonsocket is slated to undergo CouncilChan’s approves ownerrevenue to payRiverwill for repairs. Street receivegued that the repairsBridge are honoraryso infrastructure, repair ratcheting on up splitdoctorSee BRIDGE vote, page A2 maintenance to its structure this year. Citingof budgetary fine concerns,arts from Jalette Providence opposes fronting College over $133K BY RUSS OLIVO “Could somebodyThe tell me doctor critical, “It doesn’t is inreally demand. City begins annual road [email protected] where the money is coming matter where it comes from, “My concern is that con- THE DOCTORfrom IS to INpay for this?” Jalette it needs to be fixed.” tractors are becoming, if not WOONSOCKETBy RUSS — OLIVOAct- said during a meeting earlier Moreover, D’Agostino already, so busy, we’ll push ing on the recommendation this week. said the longer the city waits this back,” said the public reconstruction project [email protected] of the state transportation “That’s a good question,” to get contractors on the site, works director. “A repair on agency,WOONSOCKET the City Council — He’s has a saidrestaurateur, Public Works Director the more difficult it will- be bridges is pretty critical. To awardeda photographer, a $133,500 a contractpainter andSteven a musicD’Agostino. come in the prevailing cli- me that takes precedence over promoter,to repair thebut Riversoon thereStreet will beOriginally, anoth- D’Agostino mate of heightened demand where the money is coming with Rodman Street erBridge word – peoplebut not can everyone use to describesaid, the John city had planned to for skilled labor and equip- from.” thinks it’s a good idea. tap the Community Develop- Chan: “Doctor.” ment. Jalette made a motion to Councilman Roger J. Ja- ment Block Grant program Biden’s infrastructure bill table the bridge contract, but DPW aims to repave at least letteThe Sr. triedproprietor to put the of brakesChan’s toFine pay Orientalfor the project. But it isn’t even law yet, but the it failed for lack of a second Dining,on the project an internationally-known on hopes that recently show came- to the attention president’s $2 trillion Ameri- as a majority of the council 10 roads before next winter casePresident for jazzJoseph and Biden’s blues, pro Chan- of will city receive officials that the bridge can Rescue Plan relief pack- sided with the public works anposed honorary $2 trillion doctor infrastruc of fine- may arts not degree be eligible, because age is, and it already allows director. ture bill eventually becomes it is located in a floodplain. the proceeds to be spent for Councilman James Photo by Ernest A. Brown BY RUSS OLIVO which point the program will law,from providingProvidence a Collegesource ofduring However, his alma D’Agostino ar- water, sewer and broadband The River Street Bridge in Woonsocket is slated to undergo [email protected] go into seasonal hibernation. revenuemater’s to103rd pay for commencement repairs. gued exercises that the repairs are so infrastructure, ratcheting up See BRIDGE, page A2 maintenance to its structure this year. Crews can lay asphalt in cold- next month, PC announced. WOONSOCKET — It er weather, but it’s much more “Totally unexpected,” Chan told The may have felt like winter, but labor-intensive work, because Call. “I didn’t know what to say. It’s quite it looked like spring as a giant asphalt solidifies faster and an honor and really humbling.” yellow excavator lifted thick becomes less manageable as slabs of asphalt from the bed the temperature falls. TheChan saiddoctor he received ais call in giving him City begins annual road of Rodman Street, marking On Wednesday – when a advance warning of the tribute, which PC the beginning of the in-house few stray flurries were - ob made public a few days ago. reconstruction project road reconstruction season served flitting through the air “John Chan is known in Rhode Island, for the department of public above Rodman Street – the throughout New England and beyond works. surprisingly brisk tempera- for two reasons,” PC said on its website. with Rodman Street “This is where it all be- tures for a late April day “One is the fine food served at his Woon- gins,” said Department of weren’t an issue, because socket restaurant, Chan’s Fine Oriental Public Works Director Steven crews are still busy ripping up Dining. The other is for his tireless and DPW aims to repave at least D’Agostino. “We’re kicking it the existing roadbed in prepa- decades-long promotion of both famous 10 roads before next winter off right here and we won’t let ration for a fresh layer of as- up.” phalt patch early next week. and upcoming jazz, blues, folk and caba- If all goes according to After several days of work, ret artists and comedians who he has in- BY RUSS OLIVO which point the program will plan, Rodman Street – a the length of Rodman Street vited to perform at the restaurant.” [email protected] go into seasonal hibernation. Crews can lay asphalt in cold- roughly quarter-mile dead- was little more than a ribbon The list is “long and legendary,” PC said, WOONSOCKET — It er weather,Photo but by it’s Ernest much A. Brownmore end off Cass Avenue that of brown earth, studded by or- from giants like Dizzy Gillespie and Leon John Chan, longtime owner of Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining in Woonsocket,may will have be feltpresented like winter, an honorarybut labor-intensive doctorate work, degree because hasn’t been rebuilt in 50 ange traffic cones. Redbone to Livingston Taylor and blues from Providence College during the school’s commencement ceremoniesit lookedin May. like spring as a giant asphalt solidifies faster and years – will be the first of at “We’re in the excavation rocker James Montgomery. Additionally, yellow excavator lifted thick becomes less manageable as least 10 roads the DPW will slabs of asphalt from the bed the temperature falls. the college said Chan has been instru- idea initiated in my head that maybe it it at all. For much of the lastof year Rodman or so, Street,He’ll marking be in goodOn Wednesdaycompany –when when he a repave before next winter, at See PAVING, page A3 mental in launching the careers of bud- can work.” restaurants have been operatingthe beginningat partial of picksthe in-house up his fewhonorary stray flurriesdegree duringwere - ob ding homegrown talents, including guitar One of the first jazz ensembles to per- seating capacity due to COVID-19,road reconstruction mak- PC’s commencementseason served flitting exercises through on theMay air for the department of public above Rodman Street – the whiz Duke Robillard, the brassy blues Chan’sform at Chan’s in 1977 featured membersowner ing it next to impossible will to sufficientlyworks. receive fill 20. Other recipientssurprisingly include brisk Dr. tempera Laurie- band Roomful of Blues and saxophonists that included the late great pianist Dave venues, large and small, to properly“This ispay where Santos, it all a beYale- turesUniversity for a psychology late April proday- Biden calls mass Greg Abate and Scott Hamilton. McKenna – a Woonsocket native whose talent and still make a profit. gins,” said Departmentfessor and of host weren’t of “The an issue,Happiness because Lab” A longtime city resident who has an sister, vocalist Jeanne McKenna, appeared Never mind booking talent,Public says WorksChan, Directorpodcast; Steven Duane crews Bouligny, are still busya Wells ripping Fargo up D’Agostino. “We’re kicking it the existing roadbed in prepa- abiding interest in visual art, Chan is also honoraryregularly at Autumnfest for many years. justdoctor seating enough people inoff the rightof dining here and & wefine Co. won’t investment let ration banker for a freshwhoarts islayer a former of as- killing of Armenians a a photographer and painter who contin- Another member, also a Woonsocket na- room to make ends meet has up.”been a chal- trustee and mentorphalt patchto multicultural early next week. stu- ues studying at the Providence Watercol- tive, was trombonist Sammy Sherman, lenge during the pandemic. If all goes accordingdents at PC;to EmilyAfter severalLeary, adays Connecticut of work, or Society. the father of Daryl Sherman, who works But Chan says he’s optimisticplan, thatRodman the philanthropistStreet – a the and length humanitarian of Rodman who Street has roughly quarter-mile dead- was little more than a ribbon ‘genocide’ in break with He graduated from PC in 1974 and as a vocalist in New York City and occa- dry spell will soon be over and he’ll be been a longtime supporter of the college; from ProvidencePhoto by Ernest A. Brown end offCollege Cass Avenue that of brown earth, studded by or- Johncredits Chan, his longtimeexperiences owner there of Chan’s with ignitingFine Oriental sionally Dining in returns Woonsocket, to her will hometown be presented to peran honorary- getting doctorate back todegree the usual businesshasn’t ofbeen put- rebuiltand E.in James 50 angeMulcahy, traffic a cones.retired Morgan hisfrom passion Providence for music.College during the school’s commencementform here. ceremonies in May. ting on full-scale shows in theyears intimate – will be theStanley first executiveof at “We’re and inaugural in the excavation president least 10 roads the DPW will previous presidents He was introduced to jazz by his PC Chan’s effortsBy RUSS to OLIVOmix music and food hissetting Woonsocket of Chan’s restaurant,stage room Chan’srepave – a former beforeFine nextof the winter, College’s at NationalSee PAVING Board ,of page Over A3- roommates, Joseph Small and Nehru King gained [email protected] attention – and support – of Orientalbank that Dining.still has aThe vault. other is for his seers. Most of the honorees are alumnae. – a PC basketball star who had a music Ron Della Chiesa, the longtime host of tireless“It’s been and adecades-long long haul and promotion a very chal of- Chan still has solid relationships with By JOHN HUDSON ago today,” Biden said in a WOONSOCKET — He’s a restau- both famous and upcoming jazz, blues, The Washington Post statement. “Let us renew our Chan’sshow on WDOM radio, the ownercollege’s sta- Boston-based will WGBH’s “Music receive America” lenging year,” he says. “Fortunately we some of his former classmates at PC, shared resolve to prevent fu- tion. Chan worked as a dishwasher, cook –rateur, at the atime photographer, one of the best-known a painter showand -a folkhave andthe cabaretdrive-up artists window. and Most comedians of the which he calls “a great school.” When he music promoter, but soon there will be who he has invited to performBiden at the calls mass WASHINGTON — Presi- ture atrocities from occurring and server at the family-owned restaurant casesanother for word jazz in people the region. can use to describe restaurant.”restaurants around us were closed and first took a call about this story, in fact, dent Joe Biden recognized the anywhere in the world. And during college, and came up with the idea JohnLocated Chan: at “Doctor.”267 Main St., Chan’s has been weThe were list slammed is “long every and nightlegendary,” during PCthe he was on the golf course with former PC massacre of Armenians by the let us pursue healing and rec- honoraryto offer this style of music to patrons. doctora family-owned restaurant of since fine John pandemic.” arts killing hoopof starsArmenians Ernie DiGregorio and a Kevin Ottoman Empire in 1915 as a onciliation for all the people The proprietor of Chan’s Fine Ori- said, from giants like Dizzy Gillespie Chan said the concept for what’s come Chan’sental Dining, parents anbought internationally-known it from friends in andThis Leon isn’t Redbone the first to time Livingston Chan has Tay been- Stacom, both of whom later played in the genocide Saturday, a designa- of the world.” to be known as “eggrolls and jazz” was 1965,showcase at which for jazz time and it was blues, called Chan Shang will- lorrecognized and blues for rockerhis contributions James Montgom to keep- NBA. tion that U.S. presidents long Historians estimate that born in a now-defunct Providence ven- haireceive Restaurant. an honorary His fatherdoctor Ben of finedied artsin ery.ing jazzAdditionally, and blues thealive. college He was‘genocide’ said inducted Chan But he’s instill notbreak sure he’s comfortable with avoided for fear of damaging 1.5 million Armenians were from Providence College the U.S.-Turkey relationship. killed in a campaign of forced ue known as Joe’s Upstairs. It, too, was a 1980,degree but from his Providence mother, Ethel College Moy duringChan, hasinto beenthe Rhode instrumental Island Music in launching Hall of Fame the with the title “doctor.” He says that be- The decision follows a marches and mass killings restaurant that featured live music, and it remainedhis alma mater’sactive in 103rd the restaurant’s commencement affairs careersin 2018. of Also, budding he received homegrown the Pell talents, Award longs to his brother, Dr. William Chan, previous presidents lengthy lobbying campaign born out of Ottoman concerns became hisBy go-toRUSS hangout OLIVO for downtimehis Woonsocket forexercises many restaurant, yearsnext month,before Chan’s she PC Finepassed announced. away in includingfor Excellence guitar in whizthe ArtsDuke from Robillard, Trinity who also got his undergraduate degree [email protected] Oriental Dining.“Totally The unexpected,” other is for Chanhis told The the brassy blues band Roomful of Blues by members of Congress and that the Christian Armenian when he wasn’t studying. It was there thattireless 2017 and decades-longat the age of 91.promotion of Repertory Company in 2015, andBy in JOHN 2011 HUDSONfrom PC. ago today,” Biden said in a Armenian American groups population would align with Call. “I didn’t know what to say. It’s and saxophonists Greg Abate and Scott statement. “Let us renew our he WOONSOCKETfirst saw Hamilton, — He’s the a saxophonist,restau- both famousquiteIronically, anand honor upcoming Chan’s and jazz,reallyrecognition blues, humbling.” for pro- Hamilton.the esteemed Keeping the BluesThe Alive Washington “Don’t Post call me Dr. Chan,” he says. “Call eager to see the White House Russia during World War I, perform.rateur, a photographer, a painter and a folk andmoting cabaret music artists comes and comedians in the midst of an Foundation, headquartered in Memphis, me Dr. John. sharedIt sounds resolve more to likeprevent a rock fu- Chan said he received a call giving A longtime city resident whoWASHINGTON has an — Presi- ture atrocities from occurring use a term embraced by many abetting an arch-nemesis of music“Maybe promoter, this butcan soon work there at willChan’s,” be whohe heera has – invitedslowly toebbing perform away at theperhaps – in recognized him with its eponymously s t ar.” another word people can use to describe restaurant.”him advance warning of the tribute, abiding interest in visual art,dent ChanJoe Biden is recognized the anywhere in the world. And scholars of early 20th century the Ottoman Turks. thought to himself. “That’s how I got the which he hasn’t been able to do much of named Keeping the Blues Alivemassacre Award. of ArmeniansFollow by Russthe letOlivo us pursueon Twitter healing @russolivo and rec- history. Turkey has acknowledged John Chan: “Doctor.” Thewhich list is “longPC made and legendary,” public a few PC days ago. also a photographer and painter who Photo by Ernest A. Brown The proprietor of Chan’s Fine Ori- said, from giants like Dizzy Gillespie Ottoman Empire in 1915 as a onciliation for all the people “The American people that many Armenians were “John Chan is known in Rhode Is- continues studying at the Providence John Chan is inducted into the Rhode ental Dining, an internationally-known and Leonland, Redbone throughout to Livingston New England Tay- and be- genocide Saturday, a designa- of the world.” honor all those Armenians killed in fighting with Watercolor Society. tion that U.S. presidentsIsland Music long HallHistorians of Fame, inestimate a ceremony that showcase for jazz and blues, Chan will lor andyond blues forrocker two James reasons,” Montgom PC -said on its who perished in the geno- receive an honorary doctor of fine arts ery. Additionally, the college said Chan avoided for fearat of Chan’s damaging Fine 1.5Oriental million Dining Armenians in were cide that began 106 years See ARMENIA, page A2 degree from Providence College during has beenwebsite. instrumental “One inis launchingthe fine thefood served at See CHANthe, U.S.-Turkeypage A2 Woonsocketrelationship. inkilled 2018. in a campaign of forced his alma mater’s 103rd commencement careers of budding homegrown talents, The decision follows a marches and mass killings exercises next month, PC announced. including guitar whiz Duke Robillard, lengthy lobbying campaign born out of Ottoman concerns “Totally unexpected,” Chan told The the brassy blues band Roomful of Blues CONTACT US: INDEX:by members of Congress and thatWEATHER: the Christian Armenian Armenian American groups population would align with Burrillville Call. “I didn’t know what to say. It’s and saxophonists Greg Abate and Scott Delivery or subscription: Amusements ...... C4, C5 quite an honor and really humbling.” Hamilton. eager to see the White House RussiaTODAY during World War I, 401-767-8522 Calendaruse a term ...... embraced by manyC1 abettingHigh: an arch-nemesis of battles back Chan said he received a call giving A longtime city resident who has an Place an advertisement: Comics ...... INSIDE him advance warning of the tribute, abiding interest in visual art, Chan is Lotteriesscholars ...... of early 20th centuryA2 the Ottoman56 Turks. Football team clinches its fifth No. 115 No. 401-767-8505 history. Turkey has acknowledged which PC made public a few days ago. also a photographer and painter who Photo by Ernest A. Brown Obituaries ...... A5 straight regular season title Vol. CXXXVIII Vol. Report a news event: Low: “John Chan is known in Rhode Is- continues studying at the Providence Opinion“The ...... American peopleA4 that many Armenians were John401-767-8550 Chan is inducted into the Rhode Sportshonor ...... all those ArmeniansB1 killed in49 fighting with SPORTS, B1 land, throughout New England and be- Watercolor Society. Island Music Hall of Fame, in a ceremony yond for two reasons,” PC said on its who perished in the geno- at Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining in cide that began 106 years See ARMENIA, page A2 website. “One is the fine food served at See CHAN, page A2 Woonsocket in 2018.

CONTACT US: INDEX: WEATHER: Burrillville Delivery or subscription: Amusements ...... C4, C5 TODAY 401-767-8522 Calendar ...... C1 High: battles back Place an advertisement: Comics ...... INSIDE Lotteries ...... A2 56 Football team clinches its fifth No. 115 No. 401-767-8505 Obituaries ...... A5 straight regular season title

Vol. CXXXVIII Vol. Low: Report a news event: Opinion ...... A4 401-767-8550 Sports ...... B1 49 SPORTS, B1