Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - June 18, 2021

HOT

Richard McCaffrey

Legendary Rhode Island-based music photographer Richard McCaffrey is launching a new book of his work Richard’s Rock & Roll Alphabet.

The 70-page book features an A-to-Z of artists and bands from McCaffrey’s extensive collection, as well as pictures and descriptions of the venues where the photographs were taken. Each of the 199 books in this initial limited run will be numbered and signed by Richard and the book's developer and designer Robert Blunt.

McCaffrey’s career in photography began in the 1970s and by the 1980s he established himself as an up-and-coming photographer shooting for top music publications like Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Cream magazine.

For nearly a decade, McCaffrey has been a leading photographer for GoLocalProv.

The books are available for purchase in Providence at POP Emporium of Popular Culture located at 219 West Park Street, Round Again Records at 278 Wickenden Street, and Patrick’s Pub at 381 Smith Street, and on Richard’s website: richardmccaffrey.net.

HOT

Michael Rose

One segment of Rhode Island’s economy and core fiber that has been most adversely impacted in the past year has been the fine arts — especially the gallery world.

Many of Rhode Island’s galleries were forced to close — out-of-business permanently.

In an effort to support one of Rhode Island’s most important industries, GoLocal has tapped a leader, thinker, and innovator in the art community

GoLocal is now launching a new feature “Inside Art with Michael Rose” — he is the gallery manager at the Providence Art Club and one of the most knowledgeable people in the art community in Rhode Island.

The first column debuts on Wednesday, June 16.

“We are very excited to offer this new feature. The arts community has been devastated and we believe it is critical that we do everything we can to help stabilize and restore the arts community,” said Josh Fenton, CEO and co-founder of GoLocal.

Rose said, “Rhode Island has a vibrant art community and deserves equally vibrant arts coverage. I am grateful to GoLocal for offering me the opportunity to write stories about the artists and art places that populate our state."

HOT

Governor Dan McKee

Prior to McKee, the last Lt. Governor to become Governor only served for two weeks. John S. McKiernan's tenure was short and McKee this week celebrated his 100th day in office.

And, he celebrated his 70th Birthday.

HOT

Best BLT in RI? One Pub Thinks So

Sure, there are lots of national "best of" lists for each state that often hit the nail on the head, but more often don't, due to the inability for a publication to, say, actually try the same food in all 50 states. 

This week, "Eat This, Not That" got it oh-so-right with the best BLT in RI -- naming Ocean State Sandwich Company's version the best in RI. 

"When I want a sandwich, this is my go-to place," wrote a local reviewer. "[The] sandwiches are big and [the] prices are inexpensive."

You can't go wrong at Ocean State Sandwich Company, and this popular shop loves to whip up BLTs. If you're looking for the classic, order The Best BLT in Town—it lives up to its name. You can also order the BTLA (which comes with avocado), a BLT with turkey breast, and a BLT with turkey breast and avocado.

HOT

President Joe Biden

The new President had a solid G7 meeting and took the right approach to Putin.

It was a positive performance by Biden.

HOT

Beginning of Economic Hope

Len Lardaro writes in his monthly tracking of the RI economy that there may be a little bit of hope.

The URI economist writes:

April might just be the beginning of Rhode Island’s recovery from the pandemic. While what we have been experiencing is not a recession in the usual sense of a cyclical decline, we are nonetheless continuing to move beyond what is more aptly described as a suppression, the forced shutting down of our state’s economy. Whatever we call it, this time really will be different, based on all the monetary and fiscal stimulus as well as the reopening of large segments of our state’s economy.

The path back to the pre-pandemic economy should (key word) be more rapid than has been the case in the past, which is particularly good news to Rhode Island since it avoided the FI of FILO and will likely experience a somewhat truncated LO. At any rate, the good news is that the Current Conditions Index for April rose all the way to 75, its first expansion value since February of last year, as nine of the twelve indicators improved. Before getting too carried away with this month’s performance, though, it must be noted that the “comps” for this month (last April), were exceedingly weak.

Read the rest here

NOT

Felony Embezzlement Gets Little Punishment if You Are a RI Politician

Laufton Ascencao pleaded nolo contendere to one count of felony embezzlement, three counts of failure to report campaign expenditures, and one count of failure to have a duly appointed treasurer certify the accuracy of his campaign finance reports.

At a hearing Wednesday before Superior Court Justice Luis M. Matos, the court gave Ascencao a five-year suspended sentence with probation and ordered restitution of $13,387.70 to the Rhode Island Chapter of the Sierra Club. The court also imposed a $1,000 fine.

NOT

Violence Tied to Airbnb and Other Short-Term Rentals

Representative Lauren Carson and Senator Dawn Euer are right to call for reforms of the Airbnbs of the world.

Recently, a murder occurred outside of a rental in Newport -- tied to an incident that started inside the property.

In February, GoLocal reported extensively about a series of crimes tied to Airbnb rentals in Providence.

NOT

Silly Government

The proposal to make Rolfe Street in Cranston -- a historic merchant area -- one way is a silly idea. 

It is one of those ideas by an elected official for the sole purpose of proposing something.

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