Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - May 23, 2025

HOT

Nunes Brothers' Impact 

Brothers John and Paul Nunes started the work in 1995 to transform Newport Vineyards into 100 acres and diversify its offerings with a farm-to-table culinary program featuring an on-site culinary garden and greenhouses, plus a craft brewery.

It is a Rhode Island gem. Congrats on the 35th anniversary.

HOT

Jim Bennett 

Give credit where credit is due.

Jim Bennett, over the past ten months, has led the effort to bring Organogenesis to Smithfield.

As President of Commerce Corp., he brought a potentially very significant company to the state.

HOT

Judy Chace Becomes Sole Owner of Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International 

Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty announced that Judy Chace, co-founder, has acquired sole ownership of the company from her founding partner, Ray Mott.

Since its inception, Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty has been guided by a shared vision: delivering unparalleled real estate services with integrity, deep local insight, and a strong commitment to community. With Chace at the helm, that commitment will continue.

“This is a moment of both celebration and continuity,” said Chace. “I am deeply grateful to Ray for his partnership and contributions over the years. Together, we built a brand that stands for exceptional client service, market knowledge, and a commitment to excellence. I look forward to continuing that legacy with the outstanding team we have in place.”

HOT

Ceramic Imagination of Jillian Barber

Michael Rose has a profile of one of Rhode Island's most interesting artists.

Artist Jillian Barber might be one of the state’s most productive and most celebrated ceramists. A 1968 RISD graduate, Barber has been on the local scene for decades and has exhibited just about everywhere. Her works in clay are distinctive and are known for their sensitivity to detailed surfaces, multifaceted use of glazes, and inventiveness of content. Currently, she is featured in two exhibitions in the state. Through March 31, she is one of four artists featured in a group show at DeBlois Gallery in Middletown. Her work was also selected for the Bristol Art Museum’s show Bull in the China Shop, on through June 28.

Barber was born in the United Kingdom but grew up in Westerly. Today, she resides in a seaside cottage in Jamestown and has a bright, custom built home studio where she crafts and fires her sculptural ceramics. Masks are a recurring theme, as are animals, and imagined creatures and characters. She often employs lace to create uniquely textured surfaces which she then details with glazes. There is a sense of whimsy that is singular to Barber and she has sold work to clients across the country.

HOT

Bermuda Here We Come

Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) has officially welcomed the launch of BermudAir’s new nonstop international service to Bermuda. 

It all started on Thursday.

The new route will offer travelers convenient, twice-weekly nonstop flights to Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA), just two hours from Rhode Island.

PHOTO: Kino, Unsplash

NOT

America's Antisemitism Is Deadly

From enablers at America's top colleges (including Brown) to hate groups, antisemitism is becoming deadly.

Flag-waving, chanting for the elimination of Israel - it is all building.

NOT

MA Closes Them, RI Keeps Going

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced on Monday that her administration’s plan to close all hotel shelters is six months ahead of schedule, with the remaining 32 hotels expected to close this summer. Governor Healey had previously directed all hotel shelters to be closed by the end of 2025. 

“When we took office, homeless families were being placed in hotel shelters across the state,” said Healey. “A hotel is no place to raise a family, and they are the least cost-effective. That’s why we implemented reforms to lower caseloads and the cost of the shelter system. We also promised to close all hotel shelters by the end of the year. I’m pleased that we are ahead of schedule, with more families getting jobs and moving to stable housing.” 

But McKee Keeps It Going

"Approximately 100 individuals are currently sheltered in the remaining hotel/motel projects. This reduction is part of a phased transition away from pandemic-era hotel-based sheltering, due to high operating costs and the limited ability of such settings to provide the wraparound services and stability needed for successful transitions to permanent housing,” Emily Marshall of the Department of Housing.

NOT

The End of the Penny

Penny production in the United States will soon be a thing of the past. 

The United States Treasury on Thursday said it is phasing out production of the penny and will soon stop putting new one-cent coins into circulation. 

“A Treasury spokesperson said the government made its final order of penny blanks this month, and the United States Mint will continue to manufacture pennies only as long as an inventory of penny blanks exists,” reported CNN. “Consumers with pennies will still be able to use them for purchases. But without new pennies moving into circulation, businesses that complete cash transactions will have to start rounding up or down to the nearest nickel.”