Monday, May 4, 2026 | Edition #31
GOOD MORNING, WARWICK. Today's the one day of the year you can pretend to be a Jedi at work and not get completely roasted by your colleagues (in front of your face, that is). May the 4th serving as Star Wars Day is a funny reminder of how simple our human brains are. “May the 4th” sounds like "May the force (be with you)" and so we just ran with it to make a random Monday in spring feel special. We'll take it though.
On the heels of the galactic fun you'll have today is the glorious holiday, Cinco de Mayo. I'll be honest, my Spanish teacher wife asked me if I knew what Cinco de Mayo was (trap question, should've known I was getting set up), and I thought it was Mexico's Independence Day. Turns out, it specifically celebrates Mexico's underdog military triumph at the Battle of Puebla over France, a moment that became a symbol of Mexican resistance and national pride. I can get behind that. I can also get behind tableside guac, carnitas, and a margarita with a Tajin rim on a Tuesday noche. If you’re with me, I’ll see you at Condesa tomorrow night.
Vamos amigos.
TODAY’S SNAPSHOT
⏱️ Sunset Time: 7:48PM
🌖 Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
⛽ Avg. Gas Price: $4.38. It just keeps getting higher. (click here to find the cheapest gas near you)
💧 Chance of Rain: 0%
WHAT’S GOIN’ AHN
🍺 Last Call at Proclamation
After more than a decade pouring craft beer for Rhode Island, Proclamation Ale Company is closing its doors.
Owner Lori Witham announced the news on social media Friday, citing a combination of factors that quietly wore the business down: a six-year legal battle with a minority partner, the sudden loss of her husband and brewery founder Dave Witham in December 2020, and the broader headwinds that have hit the craft beer industry hard in recent years. In April, a judge ordered the company to buy out the minority owner's share, valued at over $330,000.
Proclamation is one of three Rhode Island breweries that announced closings this week. Ravenous Brewing Company in Cumberland and Crafted Hope Brewing Company in East Greenwich are also shutting down. Brewery closings have outpaced openings nationally for the second consecutive year.
"Thank you for showing up on day one, and continuing to show up for 12 years," Witham wrote.
The taproom stays open until inventory runs out. Go raise one while you still can. They’re running out fast.
✈️ Rhode Island's Veterans Got Their Day in Washington
This past Saturday, a group of Rhode Island veterans took off from T.F. Green as part of the RI250 Honor Flight, the 34th trip organized by the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. The flight is part of a program that has now taken more than 1,000 veterans to Washington to visit the national monuments built in their honor.
The "RI250" name is no coincidence. The trip was sponsored as part of Rhode Island's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, honoring veterans who have fought to preserve the ideals first put to paper in the Declaration of Independence. WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans made the trip, all at no cost.
"These flights are not just trips. They are acts of recognition, gratitude and healing. It reminds veterans that their service mattered, and still matters."
The send-off was at 5:30 a.m. The welcome home ceremony was at 9:00 p.m. Fourteen hours well spent.
🧒 Warwick 4th Grader Builds a "Curiosity Cubby" for the Community
Ten-year-old Luke Cook saw a take-a-trinket, leave-a-trinket box on social media and thought Warwick needed one. So he and his grandfather built it. The Curiosity Cubby now sits near 84 Kenneth Ave., and the community responded in a big way. People have been leaving homemade jewelry, magnets, earrings, and more. The original box couldn't hold it all, so they added a bucket. That's overflowing too.
This isn't even Luke's first rodeo. During the pandemic he organized a Teddy Bear Hunt where neighbors put stuffed animals in their windows for people driving around with nothing to do. The kid is ten. He's already doing more for Warwick than most of us. Go find the cubby.
🚨 Stabbing Investigated Near St. Timothy’s Church
Warwick Police are investigating an apparent stabbing that occurred Sunday in the parking lot of Jamestown Apartments, located behind St. Timothy’s Church on Warwick Avenue. Details remain limited as the investigation is ongoing. “The matter is under investigation and as such we can’t release any further details right now that might compromise the investigation,” a department spokesperson said. Police confirmed there is no threat to the public.
WEATHAH THIS WEEK
QUICK HITTERS
🐶 Meet CeCe, CCRI's New Comfort Dog | Link | CCRI welcomed a two-month-old golden retriever named CeCe as its official campus comfort dog this week. Her only job is to make people happy, and with finals week coming up, the timing could not be better.
Image: WPRI
🫁 Warwick Man Honors Wife's Legacy as Organ Donor | Link | Warwick's Scott Nerney spoke at City Hall last month about his wife Karen, who passed away and donated her organs, saving three lives. "Her 65th birthday continues to be on October 27," Nerney said. "I say continues, because a man in his 60s will celebrate with her kidney."
🌎 Youth Show Up for Pawtuxet Village Earth Day Cleanup | Link | Dozens of volunteers turned out for the annual Earth Day cleanup at Stillhouse Cove and Pawtuxet Park last weekend, with families and kids leading the charge. The area has come a long way: one organizer who grew up nearby said his parents once told him not to play near the cove. Now families walk the banks every day. Most people still won’t swim in Oakland Beach waters… maybe some day.
🦞 Rocky Point Chowder House Coming to Warwick Mall | Link | Rocky Point Chowder House is putting the finishing touches on its new location inside Warwick Mall, with a grand opening coming soon. No official date yet, but keep an eye on their socials. Looks like they’re ready for business.
An image posted to Facebook featuring the new Rocky Point Chowder House inside the Warwick Mall
🌮🌯🫔 Where to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Warwick 🍋🟩🍹🪇
As previously mentioned, Tuesday is Taco Tuesday AND Cinco de Mayo, which means you have a civic duty to eat Mexican food this week. Here are some local spots worth your business:
Condesa (Quaker Lane) | Website | This one might technically be “West” Warwick, but it’s too good not to claim as ours. Authentic Mexican with a full tequila bar. Brothers Roberto and Ernesto Leon have been running it since 2015 and the reviews back it up consistently. Start here.
Neza Mexican Restaurant | Website | One of the highest rated on Yelp in the area, with reviewers raving about authentic flavors and big portions. Check out the toddler-sized burrito they served me a few months ago… Holy freaking molé.
El Tapatio | Website | A Warwick staple with locations across the state. Reliable, fast, and solid for a weeknight Cinco run.
Antojitos Taqueria | Website | For the taco purists. A family-owned spot that prides itself on fresh, authentic Mexican made in-house every day.
La Familia Tacos | Website | This one is for my friends “in the cut” (Conimicut). Fresh Mex made from scratch, open Monday through Saturday until 8pm. The birria tacos and street tacos are the move.
BRAIN FOOD
🧠 Where in Warwick
You know this city. Every edition we put that knowledge to the test with a photo from somewhere around Warwick. Think you know where this is?
Answer shown below.
📖 The Warwick Word of the Day
Desmesurado (des-meh-soo-RAH-doh) | Spanish adjective
Excessive, beyond all reasonable measure.
"Warwick's chip and guac consumption on Cinco de Mayo can only be described as desmesurado."
My Spanish teacher wife will likely inform me that I've used this word completamente wrong. We'll cross that puente when we get to it.
Thanks to Marcos S. for submitting today’s word of the day! You can submit one yourself, here. I’ll be sure to include it in the next edition!
ONE LAST SIP
✅ Where in Warwick Answer: Warwick City Park - This is the southern facing outlook along the Warwick City Bike Path, not far from the baseball field backstops. Underrated views.
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That's it for today. May the 4th be with you. I had to say it… sorry. Okay go back to work now. Keep smiling.
