Are you getting tired of the serious give and take of the political debates?  Does it scare you when someone says, “This is the most important election in a century”?  (It may be, but a person can only take so much stress.)  What you need is a “Buddy” break.  Central Library is having a free screening of “Buddy: the Rise and Fall of America’s Most Notorious Mayor” next Thursday, October 25 at 7 pm.  Buddy Cianci served 26 years as Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, from 1975-1984, at which time he was arrested for assaulting a man who he claimed was having an affair with his wife, and again from 1991 to 2002, when he was convicted for racketeering, among other crimes, and served four years in federal prison. But Buddy Cianci continues to be a popular and admired public figure.  Why?  Because Buddy was not only the most controversial mayor, but also an extremely effective mayor who made down-and-out Providence into an interesting, vital city.  Mercury, a Rhode Island newspaper, calls the film “Riveting, educational, & funny!”

The film, directed by Cherry Arnold, has won four film festival awards, and is narrated by James Woods.  Plus, Central Library’s McIntire Room has been completely renovated with a new state-of-the-art projection system.  Also — free snacks!

For a quick view of Buddy, visit his site at:  http://www.buddycianci.com/index.html