Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 20, 2020

HOT

San Miguel Superstar

Native Rhode Islander Diego Guevara is a rising star in the entertainment industry, and now, is starring in the Netflix series “Dash and Lily.”

And no one may be prouder than his former Head of School at San Miguel in Providence, Brother Lawrence Goyette. 

“Drum roll, please! Diego Guevara, San Miguel Class of ‘08, is now starring in the limited-run Netflix series, DASH & LILY!” writes Goyette.

Goyette founded San Miguel, whose mission is to serve boys in grades 5-8 who come from under-served populations in the Providence area.

“An early member of the San Miguel dance team, Diego starred in PIPPIN while at La Salle Academy, then had a major role in the URI production of CHICAGO,” wrote Goyette. "I’m very proud of yet another Miguel Man!!

Read more about Guevara here. 

HOT

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner

RI’s Man Up won the grand prize of the Nonprofit Innovation Lab’s competition for non-profits, winning $50,000 in seed funding to support the creation of new economic development opportunities for previously incarcerated men of color.

Finishing second and receiving $25,000 was College Crusade of RI, with Genesis Center placing third and was awarded $15,000.

“The Nonprofit Innovation Lab breathed new life into my idea and helped me tap into my strengths and remain focused on the underrepresented men Man Up supports,” said Rhonda Price, the organization’s CEO and Founder. “The support I received toward my pursuit for social justice took my passion to a whole new level, guiding me from ideas to action. I can’t express enough my appreciation and respect for everyone who made this all possible.”

The joint program of United Way of Rhode Island and Social Enterprise Greenhouse —  the Nonprofit Innovation Lab — offered 10 nonprofits the chance to transform their ideas into reality to address community needs and create positive social impact. The initiative consisted of three components and relied on entrepreneurial thinking and a social enterprise curriculum, and the critical resources of coaching, access to networks and capital needed to bring ideas to life.

HOT

New Yum Coming to Providence

The East Side of Providence is about to be home to the newest location of one of Newport’s most popular Mexican restaurants.

Diego’s — which is currently located on Bowen’s Wharf in Newport — has been teasing its upcoming arrival in Wayland Square. 

New Addition to East Side Dining Scene

Known for its nachos, tacos, guacamole, margaritas, and more, Diego’s is putting the finishing touches on its Providence location. 

“Our new baby is coming along, we will be keeping you all up to speed on @diegoseastside progress,” wrote Diego’s on Tuesday, along with photos. 

Read more here. 

HOT

RI's Mike Donilon and Harvard's John Della Volpe 

Mike Donilon has been recognized for his political work in creating President-elect Joe Biden's winning messaging. And, in a year when polling was a mess, pollster John Della Volpe (GoLocal pollster) has gotten credit for helping to identify critical voters for Biden's win.

Donilon has been named a senior advisor to the President. His brother Tom served as NSA to President Barack Obama.

See Della Volpe in photo with GoLocal's news editor Kate Nagle

HOT

Texas Expansion

It is not every day that a Rhode Island group goes expanding into Texas.

Now, Capital Good Fund -- a Providence-based CDFI lender that has provided equitable loans to low-income families in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and other states -- is expanding its services into Texas.

Kudos to founder Andy Posner.

Capital Good Fund’s mission is to provide loans to the economically underserved across the nation and to serve as their alternative to predatory lenders. Its expansion comes at a time when the federal government has made it easier for predatory lenders to take advantage of vulnerable communities by charging triple digit interest rates for loans.

HOT

2022 Governor's Race

The 2022 Rhode Island gubernatorial race is officially on. 

With the 2020 election now over, the governor's race is one the most anticipated contests upcoming in 2022, and it is well underway. 

And with Governor Gina Raimondo term-limited, the future is wide open.  READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE

“Rhode Island's recovery from the 2008 recession did not keep pace with most states. If history repeats itself, voters may be drawn to give a Republican gubernatorial candidate a closer look,” said Rhode Island College Professor Val Endress. “And, too, Democrats did not fare well in down-ballot races nationally, and that fact may portend a further swing to the right in the 2022 midterms. Yet, for Rhode Island, ‘all politics is local’ and the mood of the voter will largely depend on the condition of the state.”

NOT

Peter Neronha

Between serving as U.S. Attorney and Attorney General he has sent out more than 1,000 press releases.

Three have had to do with enviroinmental issues.

So much for being the top environmental enforcement official.

NOT

195 Commission

Yikes. Because you can do something -- doesn't mean you should do something.

The 195 Commission thinks they are the NSA. This week, they conducted a Zoom meeting on the massive Fane Tower proposal -- if you could call it a meeting. 

They are supposed to be doing the people's business -- but decided it was not important to have people hear the critical discussions around the issue and have input. 

SEE EDITORIAL HERE

NOT

Raimondo's Strategy

The Raimondo administration seems to be missing the basic math of the virus.

According to the Governor, hospitals' COVID beds are nearly all full. This week alone Rhode Island had approximately 7,000 new cases. In a week or two that will add another 350 plus new hospitalizations.

The failure to control the disease is leading to an overwhelmed hospital system and a lot of deaths.

The actions are late, the message is confusing and the disease is overwhelming the healthcare workers.