Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - July 3, 2020
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - July 3, 2020

Making the list this week -- Rhode Island coronavirus numbers, Mayor Jorge Elorza's super security, and Cam Newton.
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? - July 3, 2020
HOT
Rhode Island's Coronavirus Numbers
The number of new cases in Rhode Island continues to drop, but this virus is relentless.
Hopefully, the numbers continue in a positive direction, but remember while we are reporting less than 70 cases most days, in many countries, that would spark a complete shutdown.
HOT
Wilbury Theatre and FRINGEPVD
While Broadway is shutting down for the rest of the year, some are innovating.
The Wilbury Theatre Group in collaboration with WaterFire Providence, FRINGEPVD is launching a major digital version of the Fringe Festival in 2020.
Traditionally, FRINGEPVD brought hundreds of theatre, music, dance, and multimedia performing artists to the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence.
In light of COVID-related closures to performance spaces, the 2020 Festival will feature performances from around the country streamed through the Wilbury Group and FRINGEPVD social media channels July 19-August 1, 2020.
Digital programming includes thirty-nine performances by groups across the country, as well as the first-ever digital Family Fringe Day, hosted by the Providence Community Library. Featuring games, stories, and crafts by PCL friends and staff, Family Fringe will be streamed live from 3 pm-6 pm on Saturday, July 25 through the PCL Facebook page.
In addition to digital programming, special events for the 2020 Providence Fringe Festival include Front Porch Performances sponsored by TROOP, featuring FRINGEPVD Artists, and socially-distant walking tours of the borders of the City (a.k.a. the Providence "fringe") titled The PVD Boundaries Project, presented by Walk PVD.
"After receiving many applications for the 2020 Fringe Festival, this spring we were faced with the uncertainty of how to produce in the era of COVID-19," says Wilbury Group Artistic Director Josh Short. "After much discussion, Festival Manager Liz Craig and the team reached out to the artists and asked who which artists would be willing and able to participate in a digital festival this year. More than two dozen performing groups have risen to the challenge and, while we look forward to returning to a live and in-person festival in 2021, we're thrilled to be able to present such a varied cross-section of artists to our audiences this year."
HOT
Housing Initiative
Crossroads Rhode Island, Rhode Island Legal Services (RILS), and the Rhode Island Center for Justice (RICJ) and the City of Providence have announced nearly $1 million in investments to fund expanded access to eviction defense and emergency housing assistance for Providence residents impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
It may be just the beginning of what is needed.
HOT
Rocky Point Pier
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced on Wednesday the completion of the new timber fishing pier at Rocky Point State Park in Warwick.
Financed by RI Capital Plan and Green Economy Bond funding, the $1.8 million project provides anglers of all abilities with access to one of the state's prime fishing areas.
The new fishing pier features a 280-foot-long, T-shaped pier with a shade structure, benches, railings, and solar lighting. Railing heights vary to allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy access to Narragansett Bay.
The fishing pier moved forward as a result of a partnership between DEM, the City of Warwick, The Nature Conservancy, and others to create and improve public access sites for fishing and boating. The project provides saltwater fishing access less than 10 miles from Downtown Providence, advancing a key element of this coastal public park.
HOT
Cam Newton
Did the Patriots just do it again? Take a top tier player and bring him into the Patriot-fold for fame (and potentially a ring).
Corey Dillon
Randy Moss
Etc.
The former MVP, when healthy, is a great QB.
NOT
Supreme Court Decision on COLAs
The impact of the Rhode Island Supreme Court decision handed down this week would be a massive fiscal blow to the city at the best of times.
The impact may be profoundly more debilitating now during a global pandemic and ballooning state and local deficits.
NOT
RI Mega-Events Getting Canceled
The Newport International Boat Show in September.
King Richard's Faire in September.
And so on. And so on.
We miss these events for the fun and the shared experience.
NOT
Dr. Alan Roth's Warning
The warning this week on GoLocal LIVE from top NY physician Dr. Alan Roth, who helped lead the response to the coronavirus in March and Apri, that he doesn't believe that indoor dining at restaurants is safe is disappointing -- and a clear reminder that this disease is everpresent.
Roth was heroic in his effort to combat the virus.
"I don't think restaurants could be safe right now...you can't just take your mask off and eat for indoor dining I can't see someone six feet away from me eating dinner and sneezing and coughing," said Roth. "We know that it will be transmitted through the ventilation systems, and until either the virus is controlled and there's a vaccine...I’m not sure indoor dining will be okay. I'm not sure anywhere you need to take a mask off in close proximity is going to be safe perhaps for years.”
NOT
Jorge Elorza
The Providence Mayor consistently has two standards one for you and one for himself.
The most recent was exposed by GoLocal when the Mayor demanded additional security for himself and his family, but has repeatedly criticized the behavior of the police.
NOT
RI and Minority Contracts
The Rhode Island Black Business Association recently commissioned a study to survey the current status of Black and Brown-owned businesses in Rhode Island, and said that compared to neighboring states (Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York), Rhode Island's small businesses "have the smallest payrolls and are the lowest in total receipts."
Rhode Island received a grade of a D+ according to their report.
See what RIBBA is calling for now here.
