LIFE & URBANISM » Life

Are You Enjoying Your City’s Region?

Russell — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:04:15 +0000

There is a community in Providence that takes full advantage of the city’s proximity to the sea. All too often, I am lucky to get a call at 5:00 AM from someone in the group who is heading down for a pre-work surf. Getting two hours worth of surfing in before hitting the office at 9 AM makes living in Providence special. My question to you on this Friday evening is how are you going to enjoy your city’s regional amenities this weekend?

A big thanks to friends Damian Ewens and Stephanie Ewens for producing and editing the above film. I am looking forward to shooting more of these experimental films this spring (hopefully in warmer water). Also featured in the film is Clay Rockefeller and Carter Blackwell… they kept the pace for the paddle while I brought up the rear. You can find out more about Providence Dawn Patrol here and the Get Lively Experiment here.

Now get out there and enjoy your city’s region! Have a nice weekend.

‘The Dark Side Of The Lens’ by Mickey Smith

Russell — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:25:41 +0000

When I saw this film it made me want to get out of the city and go riding. Thanks Mickey Smith for the inspiration.

“This is My Transport”

Russell — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 00:07:07 +0000

Beautiful film by Bicycle Portraits. Why do you ride a bike?

Dawn Patrol Presents First Light

Russell — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:48:03 +0000

Posted via email from Russell Preston

Stop and Look Around

Russell — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:07:36 +0000

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

Image of Last Weekend’s Woolly Fair in Providence

Russell — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:46:48 +0000

Last weekend was the annual Woolly Fair in Providence. The above shot is by my friend Steph Ewens. It captures the spirit of this urban block party quite well. Ever neighborhood should transform itself at least once a year to keep the spirits up.

The American Clean Energy Security Act & Urbanism

Russell — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:29:20 +0000

A Cape-and-trade system is at the core of the house version of the American Clean Energy Security Act passed on Friday. I know very little about climate change science and even less about cap-and-trade economics, but something strikes me as strange about this whole system. Isn’t it still only addressing the symptoms and not the cause? Ultimately, the reduction of carbon emitting lifestyles in America will lead to larger reductions in CO2 emissions. The bill does establish a 2020 target for America to have 20% of it’s power generated by renewables. Which seems like a good start, but is it enough? Just as the Huffington Post article points out what is missing, I would like to question if true, long term solutions are being considered. Why is urbanism not discussed as a viable solution to our environmental crisis? Rather then figuring out what to do with the carbon created by our car-centered American lifestyle, why not focus on how to stop producing the carbon all together. The last time I checked, walking wasn’t a tax and was good for both you and the environment. Now, why hasn’t the form of our built environment been called into question? I share Al Gore’s excitement over this “extraordinary moment“, and yet I fear real solutions to our global challenge have not yet been broadly discussed.

Move To Providence! TheBiggestLittle.org

Russell — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:18:20 +0000

The Biggest Little has been getting some press on indieoma. They featured a good iPhone photo I took while bike riding to work a few months ago. Join the cause here.

Concentric @ Keeseh Studio in Hope Artiste Village

Russell — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:45:46 +0000

Friday, June 19th, 2009
7:00 – 10:00 PM
Direction click here.

Rhode Island has a unique ecosystem of creative, tech-related and non-profit organizations. We decided to connect these groups over a party. Concentric is a night of fun and mingling with people you haven’t met yet (or maybe don’t even know exist). The name Concentric is a reference to our goal of aligning the unique social circles which exist in Rhode Island. Drinks are on us thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. The more, the merrier so feel free to bring yourself and your friends!

Gillian Christy’s Sculpture at Providence Airport

Russell — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:20:33 +0000

There was a little time before my flight today, and I was able to make it into the board room at TF Green. Gillian hung this wall piece several months ago. It looks great in the light bouncing off the 747s.