Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - February 9, 2024

HOT

PPAC's Record-Breaking Ticket Sales

The Providence Performing Arts Center is on a roll.

PPAC's Lynn Singleton tells GoLocal that this week's run of "To Kill a Mockingbird" is the "highest gross ticket sales and the largest number of patrons ever for a one-week run, eight performances in the history of PPAC."

A few weeks earlier, PPAC was sold out with 'Moulin Rouge."

PHOTO: PPAC

HOT

File Under "Funny/Not Funny"

Mike Sisto knows transportation — and he knows the power of humor. 

This week, the East Providence native and retired AAA professional posted a hilarious spoof of a RIDOT “bridge inspection” that garnered tens of thousands of views in just days. 

SEE VIDEO BELOW

The “joke” of course comes from RIDOT’s less-than-funny failed management of the Washington Bridge and lane closures on I-195 that has disrupted traffic, and the livelihoods of thousands, since December. 

“Everyone’s bitching and rightfully so. You can actually see people being mentally affected,” said Sisto. “I have a part-time job in Warwick that I was almost going to have to quit. It’s impacted businesses. Everyone’s pissed off.”

And Sisto knows roads. He started as a driver with AAA before working his way up to supervisor, and took an early retirement to care for his daughter who ultimately passed away. 

“She had the same sense of humor as I do,” said Sisto. “Even though she had a serious illness, we’d laugh about it.”

HOT

Student Artists Impress in RIC Exhibition

Michael Rose, GoLocal's art contributor, takes a great tour of a new exhibit at Rhode Island College:

College is a formative time for any student, and for those pursuing degrees in the arts it is a period of intense creative exploration. At Rhode Island College, a group of tight knit seniors with similar aesthetic interests have banded together to create a special exhibition that is impressive in its professionalism and impact. On view at the Chazan Family Gallery through March 5, Phantom Pains is a journey through the visions of some remarkably gifted emerging talents.

Featuring new artworks in a range of media by Elena Carranza, Crickett Fisher, Sam Lowder, Alexander Tum, and Elvis Rodriguez, the show goes beyond the typical senior thesis showcase and unpacks shared values and inquiries. In the work on view, the body is a through line and fleshy forms evoke human frailties.

READ MORE

HOT

World Cup to Bring Mega-Millions to RI's Economy

In years past, when the New England Patriots hosted the AFC Championship, a game being played at Gillette was worth millions to Providence in hotel and restaurant spending, as well as ancillary travel revenue. 

But only a small fraction of the stadium was filled with fans from the visiting teams, and supporters coming to watch their team did not stay much more than a weekend.

The seven newly announced World Cup games to be played at Gillette Stadium in 2026 may conservatively generate $100 million for the Rhode Island economy -- and they could be worth significantly more.

Initially, The Boston Consulting Group’s research had estimated that Boston could “expect an estimated 450,000 visitors hailing from Europe, South America and across the globe, with a projected net economic impact of up to $500 million."

That projection was based on five games coming to the region. The good news is the region won seven games. Thus, a windfall to the regional economy 

The projections by BCG were developed in 2017.

PHOTO: Emilio Garcia, Unsplash

HOT

Moviemania Hits RI

Last Friday night, there was a private showing of "Broadcast News" at the Avon Theater in Providence for the stars and crew of “Ella McCay.”

Both "Broadcast News" and "Ella McCay" are directed by James L. Brooks.

"Ella McCay" is now in production in Rhode Island.

Then, on Saturday night, Woody Harrelson was over at Lang’s Bowlarama in Cranston. Harrelson starred in the 1996 hit comedy "Kingpin," which was directed by Rhode Island brothers Peter and Bobby Farrelly.

Lang’s Co-Owner Rich Lang tells GoLocal, ”Having Woody at Lang’s was great..he was so down to earth, really friendly…took photos with our staff and customers. And I’m such a huge fan, so it was a great night.” 

Brooks, as well as actors Jame Lee Curtis, Harrelson, and Emma Mackey, joined with elected officials at the Rhode Island State House on Thursday to kick off the filming. 

Filming Begins

Trucks and crews arrived on Providence's East Side on Monday morning. More than fifty crew members and cast could be seen on site.

NOT

Speaker Joe Shekarchi

Last Thursday morning at 7:30 AM, news organizations across Rhode Island received an email from Emily Martineau, who by day is the Deputy Director of Communications for Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi.

Martineau was doing political work for Shekarchi, sending out a political press package announcing the Speaker’s run for reelection.

The press package was complete with a  “feel good” photo of Shekarchi walking his dog — in a baby-blue polo shirt.

GoLocal asked Martineau, who is paid $91,000 for her state job, if it is appropriate for her to do political work for Shekarchi; she said, “I sent the email on my own personal time from home on my personal computer.”

Martineau’s “off-hours” political work for her boss raises questions. The press release touting Shekarchi's run states in part: 

“Most importantly, the taxpayers of District 23 and the city of Warwick are my primary concern. I remain committed to always protecting and representing their best interests,” said Joe. 

Questions about State House workers doing political work have come up in the past. A GoLocal video in 2012 on election day found many State House workers campaigning for then-Speaker of the House Gordon Fox.

Employees’s Financial Interest

“It's against the law for a public employee to use public resources, including their time, to engage in activity that might financially benefit themselves. In this case, because all legislative employees are employed at will, helping reelect the speaker is clearly in the employee's financial interest,” said John Marion, the executive director of Common Cause of RI. “Proving that the employee used state time is difficult, however.”

Shekarchi Sitting on Millions

According to the most recent quarterly campaign finance report file on Wednesday, Shekarchi is sitting on $2,260,985.50 — more money than all the state general officers combined have in their accounts and more than ten times the amount Governor Dan McKee has on hand.

“As of the most recent reports, Speaker Shekarchi has more than two million dollars in his campaign account. That is more than enough money to hire a professional staff to do campaign work instead of relying on state employees, even if they are just volunteering their time,” added Marion.

NOT

Rhode Island's Government Is Not Doing Its Job

Let's put the Washington Bridge situation aside for a moment.

This past weekend Gano Street was closed because a construction project undermined its structural integrity. A new retaining wall had to be installed.

Where were the City of Providence inspectors?

NOT

Cost of Borrowing

The cost of public borrowing for Tidewater Landing, the minor league soccer stadium in Pawtucket, has exploded.

The Pawtucket bonds that were expected to close Thursday to cover the $27 million of funding will now cost $54,285,000 in borrowing.

Read more here. 

NOT

Grebien Administration's Latest Fumble

In July of 2023, GoLocal architecture critic Will Morgan wrote about the danger of one of Pawtucket's most important historical gems being at risk of demolition.

Despite public outrage, Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien's administration has dropped the ball again. 

Looks like the mansion will be demolished, joining the long list of other Grebien failures -- PawSox, Memorial Hospital, Gamm Theatre...