Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - September 24, 2021
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - September 24, 2021
This week's list includes Angelo's perfect people-watching perch, RI movie mania, and Smiley's ethics problems (redux).
Now, we are expanding the list, the political perspectives, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
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Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - September 24, 2021
HOT
Angelo's
The nearly hundred-year-old Italian restaurant on Federal Hill has announced the installation of new windows for an enhanced dining experience.
You don't get to be this age without being pretty smart.
On Tuesday, Angelo’s -- located at 141 Atwells Avenue -- announced the completion of the renovation that now allows for increased ventilation and more.
The veal and the sausage and fries may even be better -- and that is a high bar.
The experience is tremendous and the people watching is spectacular.
And while this is a major benefit during a pandemic, Angelo’s Jamie Anitgano said on social media the project has been four years in the making, to bring more light into the restaurant and tie the indoor and outdoor dining spaces together.
“Ciao Bella,” wrote Angelo’s. “The secret is out, our new windows are in! They open fully allowing for open airflow and gorgeous natural light. It has been a long time vision that has finally come to life - we can wait for you to see them! Thank you to everyone at Towne Glass for working with us and protecting our historic building!
HOT
Megan Movie-Mania
It's been a big year for the movie industry in Rhode Island so far in 2021 -- and now, it's getting even bigger.
Last week, Rhode Island Film and TV Office Executive Director Steve Feinberg confirmed Megan Fox is filming in Rhode Island.
"Congratulations to producer Chad Verdi, director Tommy DeNucci, and their producing team... as Megan Fox and Tyson Ritter star in the new thriller JOHNNY AND CLYDE being made in Rhode Island!" wrote Feinberg.
As Deadline reported:
Fresh off her show-stopping VMAs appearance, Megan Fox (Transformers) has been set to star with Tyson Ritter (Preacher) in new feature thriller Johnny And Clyde, we can reveal...the film, produced by Chad A. Verdi’s (Bleed For This) Verdi Productions, is a new take on the famous Bonnie and Clyde story.
The movie will follow the two eponymous serial killers who are madly in love and on an endless crime spree. They have their sights set on robbing a prosperous casino run by crime boss Alana (Fox) and her head of security (Ritter).
The movie is currently in production in Rhode Island with the roles of Johnny and Clyde being cast imminently. Those actors will join the production in October.
HOT
Culpo Movie
Rhode Island native Olivia Culpo’s new movie is coming out Friday.
Culpo, who was Miss Rhode Island USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe in 2012, is starring in “Venus as a Boy,” which will be released on video on demand on September 24.
“The film follows Hunter (Ty Hodges), a freewheeling artist navigating heartbreak, addiction, and LA’s impossibly hip gallery scene. After refusing to sell a painting to an eager buyer, a chance encounter leads him to Ruby (Culpo), a gorgeous and successful Instagram influencer reeling from the recent death of her father,” writes BlackFilm.com of the movie.
"Polar opposites attract and after spending an intimate weekend together, Hunter’s life is completely enmeshed with Ruby’s. The indie film offers a personal and poetic examination of masculine and feminine, ego and alter ego,” the website continues.
On Tuesday, Culpo took to Instagram to promote the film.
“It was an honor to tell this story! I’m so proud of this film and all the creators behind it,” wrote Culpo. “Available 9/24. Details coming soon.”
Culpo has most recently starred in the television series “Paradise City;” she is set to star in the movie “Tired Lungs.”
HOT
Mac Jones
Two games do not make a career, but the Patriots' rookie quarterback looks pretty rock solid through two games.
Maybe even better than the other guy.
HOT
Matt Brown
No flies on this guy -- he continues to be a major pain point to the Democratic Party establishment.
Just hours after Brown announced a second run for Governor, the old guard of the Rhode Island Democratic party was blasting away at Brown.
Political sniper Kate Coyne-McCoy was lobbing the grenades for the Dems.
It is hard to remember another example in which the Democratic party criticizing a candidate so aggressively on the day the individual announced.
HOT
Olneyville Boost
United Way of Rhode Island has sent a total of $175,029 in grants to 12 nonprofits in the Olneyville neighborhood. The community-focused grants were awarded from United Way’s special Olneyville Fund.
“Olneyville has enjoyed an impressive transformation during the last decade, but I know all of us in this community recognize more must be done for families and this neighborhood to realize its full potential,” said Roshni Darnal, director of community investments for United Way. “From our first day here we committed to being a part of that change and could not be more enthusiastic about the innovative programs we have the opportunity to support to help change lives for the better.”
NOT
Smiley's Ethics Issue (Again)
Brett Smiley, former Rhode Island Director of Administration and Chief of Staff to Governor Gina Raimondo, has agreed to pay $4500 in a settlement agreement with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission over campaign donations from state contractors.
This is the latest ethical issue for Smiley or one of his companies over the past decade.
Smiley, who is running for Mayor of Providence in 2022, admitted in February 2021 that he improperly received nearly $9,000 from state contractors as Raimondo’s Director of Administration — and returned them.
NOT
Blue Cross' Ad Campaign: Rates Are Rising
There is nonsensical advertising and then there is just terrible advertising.
The ad campaign by RI Blue Cross is an amazing conglomerate of cliches with a tagline "Rhode Island Rising."
For a health insurer who paid its outgoing CEO millions and has jacked up rates the past two years, we know what is rising.
NOT
McKee Administration Rolling Back the Deadline for Healthcare Professionals to be Vaccinated
Your doctor or nurse may not be vaccinated.
The licensed professional taking care of your parent or grandparent doesn't have to be vaccinated in RI.
But, the U.S. Olympic Committee has mandated that if an athlete wants to train in one of their facilities, they must be fully vaccinated - no excuses.
NOT
Mayor Jasiel Correia
Providence College Grad was a rocketing to success, Now, not so much.
The Boston office of the U.S. Attorney's office tweeted this week, "Former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia sentenced to 6 years in federal prison."
The sentence comes after two confusing days and a number of counts being dismissed.
Judge Douglas Woodlock on Monday announced to he was throwing out six counts of wire fraud and two counts of filing false tax returns.
In addition to the six years, he will have and three years of supervised release. The government recommended 11 years in prison. The judge reserved judgment on restitution and forfeiture for a later date.
On May 14, 2021, Correia was convicted by a federal jury of nine counts of wire fraud, four counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of extortion conspiracy and four counts of extortion. Judge Woodlock dismissed six counts of wire fraud and two counts of filing false tax returns, for which the jury convicted Correia.
In October 2018, Correia was indicted on charges of wire fraud and filing false tax returns. He was subsequently charged in a superseding indictment in September 2019 with, among other crimes, extortion conspiracy and extortion.
“Jasiel Correia was a corrupt and deceitful politician who could only be stopped by federal prosecution. Now he is a felon and will be a federal inmate,” said Nathaniel R. Mendell, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. “Mr. Correia lied to investors, sold his office, and has no remorse for his crimes. That warrants a significant prison term, which is why the government recommended an 11-year sentence.”
NOT
Leaf Blowers
It is soon to be leaf season. And gas leaf blowers are facing growing criticism for noise, emissions, and impact on workers.
In many neighborhoods, it is hard to enjoy reading, a cookout, or even have an outdoor conversation because of the seemingly endless blaring of leaf blowers.
In some affluent neighborhoods, landscapers are relentless. The noise can be heard nearly non-stop from morning to night.
The environmental issues tied to the gas-powered leaf blowers can be far more than just the noise pollution. Studies have shown that leaf blowers are major sources of carbon emissions. And, there is growing concern that the emissions have an adverse health impact on landscaping workers.
In many communities across Rhode Island, the only limit to leaf blowers are local noise ordinances.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s spokesperson Michael Healey, “There are no state regulations governing the use of leaf blowers. The issues of noise and time of use are regulated by municipalities.”
Now an organization called the Providence Noise Project is forming. Its tagline is “noise is the new smoking.” The Providence group cites numerous sources about the adverse health impacts of the noise derived from leaf blowers.
