Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - May 5, 2023

HOT

Brilliant

GoLocal's architecture critic Will Morgan has a brilliant take on the redevelopment of the old Miriam Hospital.

Just down the street from the Cranston Street Armory on Providence’s West Side, an elegant apartment development is about to welcome its first residents. What was originally four 1878 row houses, and then the original Miriam Hospital, has been transformed into one of the city’s most desirable rental properties.

At a time when the East Side and Downtown are seeing the construction of more Ubiquiboxes–or Stumpies, as planners call them, the revitalization of the old Miriam is an example of how to do residential architecture right.

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HOT

Wind Industry

After more than a decade of job creation promises, the offshore wind industry is showing signs of realizing the promise.

PHOTO: Shaun Dakin, Unsplash

HOT

Lots of Learning

Governor Dan McKee and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced Monday that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has opened registration for the All Course Network (ACN), offering free learning opportunities for Pre-K through 12th-grade students.

Summer and fall course registration is open for families through June 2 on the EnrollRI portal. 

“As we work to move Rhode Island’s education system forward, it is important we embrace the ‘Learn365RI’ year-round learning strategy and provide excellent out-of-school learning opportunities throughout Rhode Island, such as the All Course Network,” said McKee. “We encourage students and families to browse ACN offerings and take advantage of dynamic and engaging enrichment and credit-bearing opportunities.” 

PHOTO: National Science Foundation

HOT

He's Got the Beats

East Providence native Joel DePina comes from musical roots.

Now, he is on a path to forge a career making beats, a form of music production that almost entirely uses digital tools to create a final piece of music.

DePina, who currently resides in Pawtucket, boasts nearly 28,000 followers on Instagram, where he posts his original arrangements almost daily. 

And it was on social media where he said he got noticed for his work by Hollywood director Jason Strickland. 

DePina's music is featured in Strickland's documentary “2nd Unit: Invisible Action Stars,” which “goes behind the scenes and allows some of the biggest names in Hollywood to show why the men and women of second unit are the unsung heroes of the film industry.”

Stars in the documentary include Keanu Reeves, Mark Wahlberg, and James Cameron. 

“Strickland reached out and asked if I did my own beats,” said DePina, who said he ultimately did the intro, some music in the middle, and the end credits for the documentary. 

“To this day I’m a sample-based artist, whether it’s '60s progressive rock or ‘80s elevator music,” DePina told GoLocal.  “I have records from Russia and all over the place. But lately, however, I’ve been making my own, with virtual instruments.”

DePina, who works at Pawtucket Country Club during the day, said that is “just his job.”

“It pays the bills,” laughed DePina. “I call music my career.” 

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HOT

 A RI Artist is Painting the People Behind the Makeup

Kate Nagle has a great profile on Rhode Island artist Jennifer Gillooly Cahoon. She is on a mission. 

As the politics of drag queens plays out across the country — including in Tennessee, which recently passed legislation restricting drag performances in public spaces, East Providence resident Cahoon wants to make sure that “queens” are seen. 

“Given the avalanche of laws being considered, passed, and used to (in my opinion) to dehumanize them, I’ve decided to create a series of both well-known performers alongside local drag talent to voice my support for the community,” announced Cahoon this week. 

GoLocal spoke with Cahoon about her decision to embark upon the project and her next steps. 

“It’s a privilege that I can do this here in a blue state. How crazy is it that I say that? If I was in another place, I don’t know I’d feel safe doing this,” said Cahoon. “What kind of bizarro world are we living in?”

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NOT

Political Faux Pas

Sabina Matos' campaign for the soon-to-be vacant first congressional district was off to a good start.

Then a self-inflicted blunder.

Last Friday, Rhode Island Matos touted in a press release that “over 30” politicians across the state endorsed her candidacy for the soon-to-be vacant first congressional seat. 

Just one problem -- of the 31 that Matos claimed support her congressional run, six do not.

Last Friday, the first two claimed that they did not endorse her and then more reporting by GoLocal found that another four never endorsed Matos. 

“Two of the 30 people who Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos said Friday endorsed her run for Congress are saying they have not endorsed the lieutenant governor,” reported Raymond Baccari, Editor-in-Chief for The Anchor at Rhode Island College, first reported. 

“Two on the endorsement list, former State Rep. Jean Philippe Barros and Warren Town Council President John Hanley, told The Anchor Friday afternoon they haven’t endorsed anyone for CD1 yet,” Baccari reported. 

On Saturday, the campaign admitted that despite its initial claims, that in addition, former State Representative Anastasia Williams, Newport Council Vice Chair Lynn Underwood Ceglie, Newport Council Member Charles Holder, and Tiverton Council Member Joe Perry did not, in fact, endorse Matos. 

24 hours after boasting 30 plus politicians' support -- Matos' list shrunk by 20%.

NOT

Bruins Collapse

The Boston Bruins set an NHL record for most wins and most points in the regular season.

But, they failed to get the memo that playoff hockey is a different beast.

They were outplayed and blew a 3-1 lead in the 7-game series. 

The Bruins lost at home in overtime. It does not get any worse.

NOT

Three of the Four Largest Bank Failures Have Happened in the Past Two Months

In less than two months, three American regional banks have collapsed.

Another appears to be on the ropes.

Reason to worry?

NOT

Tucker Carlson

Tweet by Tucker Carlson January 7, 2021 — 

"A couple of weeks ago, I was watching video of people fighting on the street in Washington. A group of Trump guys surrounded an Antifa kid and started pounding the living shit out of him. It was three against one, at least. Jumping a guy like that is dishonorable obviously. It’s not how white men fight.

Yet suddenly I found myself rooting for the mob against the man, hoping they’d hit him harder, kill him. I really wanted them to hurt the kid. I could taste it. Then somewhere deep in my brain, an alarm went off: this isn’t good for me. I’m becoming something I don’t want to be. The Antifa creep is a human being.

Much as I despise what he says and does, much as I’m sure I’d hate him personally if I knew him, I shouldn’t gloat over his suffering. I should be bothered by it. I should remember that somewhere somebody probably loves this kid, and would be crushed if he was killed. If I don’t care about those things, if I reduce people to their politics, how am I better than he is?"

NOT

Vice and BuzzFeed

The two digital media startups were supposed to fill the gap and beyond of the dying newspaper industry.

Three weeks ago BuzzFeed closed its newsroom and on Monday, the New York Times reported that Vice is headed toward bankruptcy.

The past model is failing and the future of the future model is bleak.