Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - February 19, 2021
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - February 19, 2021
This week's list features Alaska, a little bi-partisanship, Raimondo riot, and the creative capital is crumbling.
Now, we are expanding the list, the political perspectives, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
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Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - February 19, 2021
Rose Weaver -- Always Innovating
Acclaimed actress Rose Weaver has officially launched her innovative directory of black artists in Rhode Island, the "BlackArtists/RI Initiative."
The venture is designed to bring online visibility, accessibility, and financial opportunity to black performing artists in Rhode Island.
“Black performing artists have a lot to contribute to the Rhode Island economy, and it’s time that we plan, organize, influence, and impact our state at scale," said Weaver, President and CEO of Waterspill Junction, Inc.
Phase one of the initiative is an interactive online directory that lists over 140 local artists. The directory will expand in the months to come, to allow artists to add calendar events and sell tickets online.
HOT
RI's Real Estate Market
It is a seller's delight.
Nelson Taylor of Mott & Chace’s Blackstone Team says he has never seen a real estate market like this.
The combination of lack of inventory, low interest rates and out-of-state buyers is pushing real estate prices up and up said Taylor on GoLocal LIVE on Wednesday.
“I’ve been in the business for 20 years and know people who've been in the business longer than I have and nobody has seen it as this hot of a seller's market -- since anyone can remember,” said Taylor.
“We are talking about the moment properties come on the market there are 30 to 50 people interested in seeing the property, showings over a two-day period, multiple offers. Sometimes 10 to 20 offers on one property price is going 10, 20 percent even higher over the asking price and just to compete buyers -- that probably should not be removing contingencies -- are removing contingencies like inspections and financing,” added Taylor.
State Reprentatives Fenton-Fung and Casimiro
State Representatives Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (R-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) are calling upon the RI Department of Health to revisit their current operations plan and immediately allow up to 2 parents / legal guardians of a child undergoing chemotherapy and 1 caregiver of an adult undergoing chemotherapy to be eligible for vaccination.
“We know those fighting cancer need to have their focus solely on winning that battle. As state policy drivers we need to be there for them, and it is our responsibility to help make adjustments when necessary,” said the representatives in a statement.
According to the two representatives, “As Rhode Island's vaccination roll out evolves, it has come to light that parents of children undergoing chemotherapy, and caregivers of adults undergoing similar cancer treatments are unable to get prioritization for the COVID-19 vaccine. This places them between a rock and a hard place in that they need to be there physically caring for their loved ones, yet their sheer presence may infect a patient without the immune capabilities to fight this potentially fatal virus.”
HOT
Alaska
Alaska has vaccinated 18.2% of its population and Rhode Island has done the fewest in the country -- just 10.2%, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Alaska has a larger minority and native population than Rhode Island and it is a little harder to get around in the winter.
How is this even possible?
NOT
Spring Sports in the Ivy League
The Ivy League announced on Thursday that all spring sports were canceled.
It is going to be hard to recruit in the future and there have been little adverse health issues from playing college basketball this winter.
NOT
Seems Impossible That RI Unions Would Hire a MA Firm to Create a Campaign About Borrowing $400M to Help Small Businesses in RI
If there is one thing Rhode Island has a lot of is good PR and advertising agencies. But Rhode Island unions are all about spending the money out of state.
The media campaign to gain the support of Rhode Islanders to borrow $400 million is being run by a Massachusetts firm.
The firm 617MediaGroup has produced ads, videos, websites, public relations and more to push the message in Rhode Island that voters should approve all 7 questions on the ballot on March 2.
One of the components of the campaign produced by 617MediaGroup and sent to press on Tuesday was a video in their release touting "see the first of the advertisements here" — a video loaded with stock photos. Only a few are from Rhode Island.
And like the infamous "Cooler and Warmer" video produced for Rhode Island's botched 2016 tourism campaign, this video features shots clearly not from Rhode Island.
NOT
Raimondo's Vaccination Management
From Governor Gina Raimondo’s successor Lt. Governor Dan McKee, to AARP RI, to former Rhode Island Director of Health Dr. Michael Fine, state leaders are loudly and publicly criticizing Raimondo’s management or lack of management of the vaccine rollout.
Mayors across the state are calling for Raimondo to resign.
The state is ranked third in the United States for cases per capita, fourth for deaths per capita, and 50th in the country for utilization of vaccines.
On January 6, a GoLocal Investigation unveiled major errors in the Raimondo’s administration’s vaccination plan submitted to the CDC in October.
The plan had numerous inaccuracies, missing data, and prioritized children for vaccination. Just one problem -- there is not a vaccine for children approved for use.
Since then, it has been downhill. Rhode Island ranks last of all states in vaccine usage.
NOT
RI's Art Community is Taking a Pounding
The pandemic has consumed yet another one of Providence’s top art galleries.
“The pandemic has altered the terrain and so I must make changes. One year since the last celebratory people-filled opening to the months following of dwindling sales and activity have made it silly to continue to hold an intimate physical space. So I am closing these doors,” announced Jonny Skye, owner & curator of Skye Gallery announced on Monday night.
“For reasons that need no explanation, Skye Gallery will be closing its physical manifestation …Skye Gallery will remain alive online,” she added.
The closure of Skye Gallery is just the latest in Providence.
“The pandemic has altered the terrain and so I must make changes. One year since the last celebratory people-filled opening to the months following of dwindling sales and activity have made it silly to continue to hold an intimate physical space. So I am closing these doors.,” said Skye.
