Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - February 26, 2021

HOT

Two Providence Restaurants Make Yelp’s Top 100

As GoLocal reported last week, two Providence restaurants have been selected in the "Top 100 Places to Eat in 2021 in the U.S" on Yelp. 

“This year’s list is the culmination of thousands of suggestions we received from the Yelp community, a list of favorite restaurants where we can’t wait to enjoy a meal with loved ones again,” said Yelp.

“In our eighth annual list, you’ll find eateries from across the US that run the gamut of dining experiences. New this year, you’ll find Kelley Farm Kitchen, a West Virginia restaurant making their Top 100 debut at no.1, and Maple Leaf Diner, a Texas spot where Yelpers love the Chicken, Bacon and Waffles. These five-star spots join returning favorites Arun’s Indian Kitchen, who celebrate their 5th year on the list, and Local Expedition Wood Fired Grill,” said Yelp.

Who Got Nods in RI

Coming in at #23 on the list is Los Andes in Providence.

And at #97 Bacco Vino & Contorni on Federal Hill was selected.

HOT

McKee's Pledge to Vaccinate Teachers

The National Education Association on Thursday thanked Rhode Island Lt. Governor Dan McKee for pledging to prioritize teachers in the vaccination schedule.

During Thursday's state coronavirus press conference, McKee said that he wants to come up with a plan to prioritize teachers for inoculations once he is in office in order to get more students back into classrooms.

McKee is expected to succeed Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo shortly as she await confirmation by full United States Senate for her nomination to be U.S. Commerce Secretary by President Joe Biden. 

HOT

RI Hockey Hall of Fame

The Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame on Sunday announced the names of four local hockey greats voted into its “Class of 2021.” 

The four inducted are legendary R.I. Reds trainer George Army, U.S. Olympian and two-time Brown All-American Bob Gaudreau, six-time AHL/NHL champion Art Lesieur, and current New York Rangers coach David Quinn.

Hall of Fame chairman Vincent Cimini said, “The careers and achievements of our newest class span a period covering 92 of the 128 years of Rhode Island's rich and illustrious hockey history. We look forward to paying tribute to them for the great honor they have brought to our state and our hockey community."

Formal Enshrinement Ceremonies for the “Class of 2021” will be held in August, together with the pandemic-delayed inductions of the “Class of 2020”. It is undetermined at this time if the event will be held in-person, staged virtually or safely pre-taped for broadcast. Please check RIHHOF.com for details as they become available.

NOT

U.S. Ranking Falls

Germany has unseated the United States to become the world’s leading “soft power," according to the Global Soft Power Index 2021 by Brand Finance released on Thursday.

The U.S. is now 6th in the rankings that define soft power as “a nation’s ability to influence the preferences and behaviors of various actors in the international arena (states, corporations, communities, publics etc.) through attraction or persuasion rather than coercion.”

“A year of widespread turmoil has been starkly reflected in America’s steep downfall in the Global Soft Power Index 2021, making it the fastest falling nation globally,” said Brand Finance in their release. “Between a turbulent election campaign and a haphazard COVID-19 response, the nation has lost its position as the world’s soft power superpower, falling to 6th position with an overall Index score of 55.9 out of 100.”

The United States finds itself at the very bottom of their COVID metric – ranking an abysmal 105th.

Read more here. 

NOT

Two Is Not Better Than One

Over the past seven weeks, Rhode Island has been facing the virus, a vaguely functional vaccine rollout, and badly damaged economy.

And, the state has had an outgoing governor who is not leading but continues to make significant decisions and a potentially incoming governor who does not have any authority.

Rhode Islanders deserve better than being left in limbo. 

NOT

Corporate Media

Cut, cut, cut. People don't want to buy terrible products.

Gannett -- the mega newspaper company which owns hundreds of daily newspapers across the United States and locally owns the Providence Journal, Newport Daily News, Worcester Telegram and dozens of other newspapers in New England -- announced its latest financial results on Thursday morning.

Under Gannett's ownership the Providence Journal has seen major staffing cuts and the paper's circulation during the weekday in now under 30,000 -- it was once over 200,000.

The company announced that circulation, advertising and digital advertising all saw losses. Print advertising revenues saw a 26.9% loss year over year for the "same stores."

NOT

Senators Sandra Cano and Ana Quezada

The two State Senators are leading the charge to reverse the decision of the Board of Election and eliminate more than 5.500 new public charter school seats.

The two write in a column that they are "neither anti-education nor anti-charter school."

Try again. These two officials literally write they want all kids to stay in inferior schools so some kids don't have an opportunity to experience a better PUBLIC education.

The argument that traditional public schools just need "more time and money" to fix has been proven false for the past 30 years in the state. They have had time. They have had money.

Senators, please step out of the way.

READ THE REST HERE

NOT

National Big Beer Bullies

It is time for the General Assembly to back up their claims that "we support small business."

Local Rhode Island brewers, distillers, and wineries are urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to allow them to sell more beverages to be taken home with customers. 

On Monday, the House Small Business Committee is hearing several bills, including 2021-H 5255, sponsored by Representative Justine Caldwell, which modifies limitations on quantities of malt beverages and distilled spirits that can be sold at retail by certain licensed breweries and distilleries for off-premises consumption.

"For those that don’t know, Rhode Island only allows breweries to sell one case of beer per person out of their brewery," said the Tilted Barn Brewery. "This is by far the fewest for any state in New England (swipe for a picture of our “bar graph” showing what each state can sell)."