Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - February 7, 2020
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - February 7, 2020
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."
Email GoLocal by midday on Thursday about anyone you think should be tapped as "HOT" or "NOT." Email us HERE.
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HOT
Pete Buttigieg
The former Mayor of the 4th largest city in Indiana looks like he won the Iowa caucus. Maybe? Who knows!
He is 38-years-old, openly gay, and married. He is smashing down barriers and redefining politics in America.
Now, on to New Hampshire.
HOT
Beer and Girl Scout Cookies -- The New Wine and Cheese
The Newport Craft Brewing + Distilling Co. is kicking off the Newport Winter Festival with a Girl Scout Cookie + Beer Pairing event.
“You've tried the beer, you've tried the cookies, now enjoy them side by side. Join us as we pair our five famous cookies with our delicious brews,” writes Newport Craft Brewing.
The event takes place all day from Friday, February 14 through Sunday, February 16.
HOT
Helping Make the American Dream Come True
Here is something everyone can support!
Eman Alshayah is a Syrian Refugee who came to America in 2016. She and her husband Mahmoud Alfares, have started their business "Alshayah Syrian Cuisine", and Eman recently passed her ServSafe food safety exam. Her dream is to open a food truck to serve the people in her new home town, Providence, Rhode Island. The goal is to be able to purchase a used food truck which will cost around $20,000.
She also will need to fix it up and purchase the outfitting for the vehicle for $10,000. Please help make her dreams come true.
The Refugee Dream Center is not taking any portion of these funds. It is exclusively for our client to start her food business.
HOT
URI and PC Hoops
The Rams have run off nine straight wins and are now looking like a NCAA Tournament team.
PC, who looked to be in big trouble a week ago, has beat two top 25 teams and is now in 4th in the Big East.
Could two RI teams be dancing?
NOT
Iowa Democratic Party
There must be a new word for incompetence.
The Caucus was Monday. The final results will be reported...
Some times the Democrats make it oh-so-easy for Republicans.
NOT
Michael Bloomberg
If you love billionaires who try to cover up their past bad actions, then look no further than Bloomberg.
Under Bloomberg's policy as Mayor, millions of New York City residents were stopped by police and searched. 90 percent were innocent.
About 90 percent of those "stopped and frisked" were minorities. Only now that Bloomberg is running for president and needs minority primary votes has he voiced his regret for the millions of stops.
PHOTO: Michael Fleshman, NYC cc 2.0
NOT
Seth Magaziner
Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner claimed no knowledge of his office blocking GoLocal from public information and press inquiries, after a GoLocal investigation first published in August 2019 unveiled that Magaziner’s father -- Ira Magaziner -- had repeatedly traveled globally with convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.
“I really don’t know anything about this,” said Treasurer Magaziner, when asked by GoLocal why the office had blocked GoLocal. “Talk to my communications officer.”
Since the publication of the Epstein article, Treasurer Magaziner’s communications director Evan England has repeatedly refused to answer questions, including questions regarding recent changes to the State Investment Commission's portfolio.
In January, GoLocal published that Treasurer Magaziner had blocked GoLocal’s access since reporting on the global traveling by the senior Magaziner and Epstein.
Ira Magaziner repeatedly flew on Epstein’s jets and his personal phone number and private email were in Epstein’s “black book.”
Treasurer Magaziner’s office has refused to answer press calls or respond to questions about the state's investments or the other issues tied to the Treasurer's public duties.
NOT
Nick Mattiello
His two top staffers -- Chief of Staff Leo Skenyon and Executive Director of the Joint Committee on Legislative Service Frank Montanaro-- have both been subpoenaed tied to the Rhode Island State Police's investigation of the Speaker's office alleged threats against the Rhode Island Convention Center.
NOT
Macy's
The old school department store model is looking just old.
In less than one month, Macy’s — one of America’s largest retailers -- has announced major store closings (30 closures were announced in early January and 125 on Tuesday), 2,000 corporate layoffs, and the loss of tens of thousands of retail store jobs.
In 2018, Macy’s employed more than 130,000 and that number may be slashed to a number closer to 100,000 by the end of this round of downsizing.
The latest Macy’s announcement is a major blow to workers. The loss of a single department store affects 150 or more employees, according to the Washington Post.
Thus, more more than 20,000 Macy’s store workers may be impacted in addition to the 2,000 corporate jobs.
At the Providence Place Mall, Macy's opened in 2006, replacing one of the original mall anchors, Filene's. The store is over 200,000 square feet and contains two branded stores within the store -- Macy's Backstage and Finishline. In contrast, Macy's new store models are much smaller -- 15,000 square feet and located in shopping centers rather than malls.
“'Macy’s has too many square feet chasing too few customers,' said Craig Johnson, the president of consulting firm Customer Growth Partners, adding that the company hasn’t moved fast enough to close unproductive stores. 'Sales are going down faster than they can eliminate physical space,'” reports the Wall Street Journal.
NOT
Joe Biden
Wow.
Two delegates in Iowa -- no matter how you count the votes, that is all Barack Obama's VP collected.
Third time running for President and it isn't getting any better.
NOT
Mookie Betts Curse
The worst trade in Red Sox history. And, this is a team that historically has perfected the terrible trade.
Guess who is looking like the new version of Harry Frazee?
Did John Henry get a striker for his Liverpool Football Club in the deal because clearly he is done with baseball.
Maybe he will open "No, No, Nanette" as a summer concert at Fenway.
NOT
Democrats
1) Iowa Caucus.
2) Failed to get the votes on Trump's removal from office.
3) Trump crushed it at the State of the State and Speaker Pelosi put a cherry on top.
