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Our very own in the news…

October 29, 2008 by Mike Ritz  
Filed under People

Owen JohnsonConnect Providence founder, Owen Johnson, is interviewed in the Technology Five Questions Column of the Providence Business News.

Military Interrogator Speaks at Johnson & Wales University

October 7, 2008 by Owen Johnson  
Filed under Events, People

Providence, Rhode Island (October 7, 2008) – On October 16, 2008 former military interrogator and current CEO of Team Delta, Mike Ritz, will present “Torture & Interrogation” to Johnson & Wales students in the Pepsi Forum at 11:30am. Ritz’s talk includes a controversial and widely telecast news video where he demonstrates the torture-lite technique of waterboarding. Professor Peter Margulies of Roger Williams University School of Law will then discuss waterboarding and torture legalities, followed by a detailed account by Ritz of the practicalities of using physical techniques during interrogation in the war on terror. A 40-minute question and answer discussion will follow the presentation.

“I’m concerned with our society’s acceptance of torture as a viable method for eliciting intelligence information. Putting the moral debate aside, my peers and I have been advocating against these techniques for practical reasons based on interrogation results. I hope to spark discussion with future leaders through student forums such as these,” stated Ritz.

Ritz, a Providence resident, was recently featured in the Providence Phoenix’s September 19th cover story. The four-page article questioned Senator John McCain’s commitment to ban torture in the United States and highlighted Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s legislative efforts to end the practice.

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Connect Providence Member Crowned

August 7, 2008 by Mike Ritz  
Filed under Connect Providence, People

Congratulations to Barbara Lee for representing Rhode Island and being crowned Mrs. American Queen in the 2008 American Queen Beauty Pageant.

Barbara Lee, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was raised by her Puerto Rican mother and her Chinese-born stepfather from Jamaican. At age five Barbara’s father accepted work in California, where Barbara spent her entire youth. Barbara dove into the California film industry after graduating Diamond Bar in 1984. She was a series regular on In The Heat of the Night before becoming a stunt double for Halle Berry, Vanessa Williams and many others in television and film. Her most recent work includes Underdog, Game Plan, Dan In The Real Life and The Surrogates.

From her youth as a candy striper to her volunteer work in homeless shelters and hospitals as a Los Angeles Raider’s cheerleader, charity has always been a prevalent theme and an integral part of Barbara’s life and, in many cases, her work. Barbara has volunteered with the Cranston Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber, Sophia Academy, AIDS Care Ocean State, and the Genesis Center where she presently serves as a board member and the Food For Thought Committee Chair.

I was a rootless city-dweller

July 29, 2008 by Mike Ritz  
Filed under Art & Culture, People, Places

I read a reply from someone recently who commented that while Restaurant Week(s) is a good idea it’s not convincing enough to stop people from leaving the capitol city in search of a tranquil refreshing coastal setting during July. What is this “Rest of Rhode Island” of which locals speak?

This past weekend Lady Elaine and I (two expats settled in Providence’s West Side) shed our urban skin and did what most Rhode Islanders seem to do this time of year – we left the city. The sites were beautiful, the food tasty and the people relaxed…

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Looking for something to do this weekend?

May 5, 2008 by Mike Ritz  
Filed under Art & Culture, Events, Family, People

FREE FUN FOR THE FAMILY
620 Potters Ave, Providence
Saturday, May 10th From 10am-2pm

Experience over 20 different cultures at The Genesis Center’s Cultural Fair:

  • 7 traditional dance performances representing Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Liberia and Nicaragua
  • Children’s Games & Activities: Ring Toss, Sand Tables, Musical Chairs, Providence Police Car and Fire Truck Visit
  • Raffles
  • Haitian Art Exhibit by Painter Ketsia Louis
  • Food! Ice Cream (even better food)! Prizes!


Genesis Center
25th Anniversary Dinner & Independent Man Awards
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Reception: 6pm
Dinner & Awards Presentation: 7pm
Tickets: $100

Co-Hosted by Sister Angela Daniels & Father Dan Trainor

Featuring Keynote Speaker J. R. Gonzales - Immediate past chair of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will share his insight into education, workforce development and the Hispanic marketplace.

Award Recipients include Bill Piacentini, Shuyan Zhang, Serena Conley, Guido Gaeta, Sister Anna Illingsworth, Sandra Del Sesto and The Philanthropic Educational Organization for Women

Call 401-781-6110 or Click here for more details

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