Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - April 22, 2022

HOT

RI-Based Company Working to Raise Tens of Thousands to Help Aid Workers in Ukraine

Cranston-based Luca + Danni is a fast-growing Rhode Island success story. The business has successfully melded old-school Rhode Island jewelry manufacturing with great designs and a smart internet strategy.

Now, the company is making a strong push to provide tens of thousands of dollars of support to frontline aid workers in Ukraine.

"We're donating  50% of the proceeds from our yellow sunflower bracelet. It is one of our favorite designs and we are giving 50% of the proceeds over for the sunflower piece and our goal really is to make the biggest impact as possible and we've enjoyed having the ability to kind of play our small part in what's going on in the world," said Fred Magnanimi, the founder.

To date, Luca + Danni has raised about $35,000. He said he hopes to get to $45,000 or $50,000.

Magnanimi said, "So we took that [fundraising idea] and we ran with it -- we partnered with an agency out of Cambridge, MA called Sunflower Peace. And what I love about them is they're giving backpacks full of medical aid and humanitarian packages to front-line workers right in Ukraine so it's making an immediate impact."

"The Sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine and now more than ever, they represent solidarity + strength. With the tragic events happening in our world, we are here in full support of Ukraine and believe in the power of peace. This hopeful blossom is finished with yellow and brown enamel and radiant gold-tone touches," writes the company in its effort to support the initiative.

See the Sunflower Bracelet Here and Support Ukraine

"We are donating 50% of proceeds from the Yellow Sunflower Bangle to Sunflower of Peace," adds Luca + Danni.

HOT

This Could Be Big

Chris Marsella, President of Marsella Development Corporation, could not be more excited about the future of his effort to build a major food hall in the historic Union Station in downtown Providence. 

"We see this as a destination," said Marsella in an interview with GoLocal.

Marsella says that this is a major project for his family’s company and their partners in developing the 20,000-square-foot project.

The food hall represents a $23.5 million investment by the Marsella family and will join together former restaurant spaces in Union Station complemented by an outdoor plaza and separate, standalone restaurant. The combined space will create a nearly 30,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor destination for residents, students, and visitors alike. 

The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2023. And Marsella says they have already invested millions in kitchen equipment for the 13 food stations and two premium bars.

The project recently won approval from the City of Providence’s Capital Center Commission.

HOT

Cooley Continues His Streak - PC Friars Sign Three Major Transfers Over Weekend

It has been a big-time transfer recruiting weekend for the Providence College Friars, as Devin Carter and Clifton Moore each committed on Sunday morning.

Last Friday, former Louisville shooting guard Noah Locke committed to PC.

The Friars lost starters Nate Watson, AJ Reeves, Al Durham, Justin Minaya as well as others from the program.

Carter:

Carter transfers from South Carolina. Carter is a 6’3, 190-pound guard from Miami, and was a 4-star recruit, who ranked #86 in the Class of 2021. Carter was considered the #6 combo guard in the class. He is the son of 13-year NBA pro Anthony Carter.

Moore:

Moore is a 6’10’ 240-pound center transfer from LaSalle. He averaged 12.9 ppg and 6.1 rebounds a game.

Locke:

"A renowned shooter, Locke was a member of the Class of 2018 and, as a 4-star recruit, had a composite ranking of #80 in the class, and was considered the #15 shooting guard prospect," according to 24/7 Sports.

He averaged 9.6 ppg. for the Cardinals.

The common theme of those committing is the desire to play for the national coach of the year, Ed Cooley.

Steel Yard Brilliance

GoLocal's Michael Rose has a brilliant examination of the Steel Yard.

Rose writes:

When thinking of an artist at work, some might imagine a painter gingerly daubing on a canvas. Metal and a blowtorch may be less expected when thinking of a studio. At The Steel Yard in Providence, though, these are exactly the implements that artists use to execute their craft. The fine work being made at The Steel Yard by sculptors like Bruna D’Alessandro and Steve Buduo is indicative of the creative success being cultivated at this important center for industrial arts.

Born and raised in Rome, Bruna D’Alessandro currently resides in Brooklyn. A talented artist who trained as a painter at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, D’Alessandro now sculpts in metal. Through the end of April, she is participating in a residency at The Steel Yard, where she is assembling a multi-part still life sculpture shaped by hand and hammer.

READ MORE 

HOT

A Pizza Recipe That Goes Back Four Generations 

Frank Schiavone, owner of Francesco’s Pizza on Hope Street in Providence, appeared on GoLocal LIVE to discuss the business, his family history, and Providence Pizza Week, going on right now. 

“We’re family-owned. My mother works with us, and as a small child, 'work' was my babysitter,” said Schiavone, of growing up in the industry. “I come from a single-parent home, I was the dishwasher, she was the bartender, the waitress, and when I was old enough to cook I was cooking.”

Schiavone discussed the innovative toppings offered at Francesco’s — and the family’s history of pizza. 

“This is the fourth generation in the making,” said Schiavone, of a great, great, great uncle who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s from Caserta — and how the use of Caputo flour is part of Francesco’s pizza magic.

Now, Schiavone is expanding into gelato - and offering for canine customers — and more. 

NOT

Peter Alviti, RIDOT Director

A Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) project on Route 146 was budgeted by the staff of RIDOT to cost $120 million. The winning bidder, Skanska and JH Lynch, won the bid at $167 million— nearly 40% higher than the state’s estimate.

Skanska is a global construction company founded in Sweden. Today, the U.S. division claims work across the country and is facing a number of lawsuits. JH Lynch is a Cumberland-based construction company.

Presently, RIDOT’s 6/10 project is being investigated by both the United States Attorney and the Rhode Island Attorney General. RIDOT’s contractor Barletta Engineering/Heavy Division dumped tons of contaminated material next to homes in the Olneyville section of Providence.

For the Route 146 project, the winning bid was tens of millions higher than the two other finalists, according to documents secured by GoLocal. 

READ MORE HERE

NOT

False Claim: "I'm Like You"

A tweet last week by multi-millionaire Sarah Morgenthau about how much gas prices aren't "affordable" is beyond disingenuous for the second congressional district candidate.

Morgenthau is worth tens of millions -- pretending to feel people's pain is a bit much. 

NOT

Kids' Crisis

The American Academy of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Chapter (RIAAP) the Rhode Island Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (RICCAP), Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and Bradley Hospital on Tuesday issued a declaration of emergency regarding the state of child and adolescent mental health in Rhode Island.

This declaration is unprecedented.

“This has been an exceptionally troubling time for our children and adolescents – one that continues to be exacerbated by the pandemic and one that shines a light on the inequities that continue to exist in health care,” said Phyllis A. Dennery, MD, FAAP, pediatrician-in-chief and medical director, Hasbro Children’s Hospital. “Drawing attention to these discrepancies and this youth mental health crisis of epic proportions is a start, but we all must come together to provide the critical support these kids and families so sorely need.”

The CDC recently issued a warning, "Emerging data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of many children and adolescents. Before the pandemic, youth mental health was already an important public health concern. For example, among high school students nationwide, significant increases occurred between 2009 and 2019 in having persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness (26.1% to 36.7%), having seriously considered attempting suicide (13.8% to 18.8%), and having attempted suicide (6.3% to 8.9%).

NOT

Providence Losing Two Top Restaurants 

Owner James Mark announced over this weekend his decision that after ten years, he is moving on. 

North is currently located downtown on Fountain Street; Big King is on the West End in Luongo Square. 

His restaurants garnered a strong local following — and national reputation.

In 2019, GQ named Big King one of the best new restaurants in America.  

Mark was a finalist for the "Best Chef: Northeast" James Beard Award, and Bon Appetit magazine selected Big King as a Top 50 Nominee for its 2019 America’s Best New Restaurants list. 

Read more here.