Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 29, 2019

HOT

Anthony Anderson

Rhode Island artist and RISD alum Anthony Anderson is taking part in a new reality show titled “Wrap Battle" that debuted Monday night. 

The six-episode series will follow nine contestants as they battle to become the ultimate wrapper and take home the coveted grand prize, valued at $50,000.

"I was floored when I found out that I had made the cut and would be flying out to LA to film. Even though I was a little nervous, I was mostly excited to have the opportunity to challenge myself and participate in the launch of a great new show. The whole experience was incredible and I'm very proud of the kind of person I put forward to viewers, as well as the choices I made while competing,” said Anderson.

Read more about Anderson -- and the show -- here. 

HOT

Jason Fane

Putting his money where his mouth is. This week Fane cut a non-refundable check to the City of Providence -- the fee for the application for the tax stabilization.

More than $200,000.

The project's hard cost is now estimated by Gilbane at $200 million.

HOT

Gina "Vice President" Raimondo

Michael Bloomberg is off and running and no Democrat says more nice things about the 9th richest American than Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo.

Can you say Vice President Raimondo?

HOT

Michael Bloomberg

It is good to be rich -- filthy rich. Mike Bloomberg is going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in his run for the White House. 

Don't worry, it is just the change off the top of his bureau. 

HOT

Corky’s Reflective Wear

Cranston-based Corky’s Reflective Wear has been awarded “Clothing Product of the Year” by the Pet Independent Innovation Awards program.

Corky’s Reflective Wear products are reflective to 1,000 Feet, weatherproof, functional and stylish. Dog Jackets and Extenders, Overcollars, Leashes and Ladies Vests.

The products are made with MiraFab, Corky’s proprietary fiber that is wind resistant, repels water, is a fast-drying micro polar fleece, breathable, maintains body temperature, 3-layer bonded interlock, machine washable and easy to care for and has 3M Scotchlite 360 ̊ enhanced visibility tape that can be seen up to 1,000 feet.

Corky’s Reflective Wear’s line is available in many pet specialty stores across the U.S. in 6 colors: Lab Black, Healer Blue, Hunter Green, Doggone Red, Oh My Orange and Precious Pink from XXS - XL.

“Never has safety for pets and their owners been as important as it is today. Most people walk their dogs early in the morning or in the evening. The dangers of low light, low visibility, distracted driving, and poorly lighted roads during these times is at its highest,” explains Top Dog Alan Jacober.

HOT

Robert Palazzo

Classical High School Athletic Director Robert Palazzo will be honored with a Distinguished Service Award by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

Palazzo is one of just ten high school athletic directors in the country to receive a Distinguished Service Award.

He will receive the honored on December 17 in National Harbor, Maryland, at the 50th annual National Athletic Directors Conference conducted jointly by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the NIAAA.

Palazzo, CMAA, is in his 24th year as an athletic administrator and has spent his entire tenure at Classical High School, where he currently serves as director of athletics and as a coach of multiple sports.

As the head coach of the track and field program at Classical for the past 29 years, Palazzo has won 300 dual meets and 59 Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) Class B state and divisional championships, and has mentored four national track and field champions, 47 individual state champions, 18 New England champions, 30 all-Americans and one national record-holder in track and field.

HOT

WooSox

It is official, the Pawtucket Red Sox will change their name to the WooSox upon their move to Worcester, announced the team in a press conference this week.

The official announcement of the team name comes a year after the club asked fans to submit team name ideas through the Polar Park website.

Along with the team name announcement, team also unveiled the logo, featuring a smiley face slugger, who will be called Smiley Ball.

The WooSox are set to take the field at Polar Park in Worcester for the start of the 2021 season.

NOT

Nick Mattiello

The Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello is now getting blasted by the feel-good columnist of the Providence Journal as well as by the husband the Governor Gina Raimondo's Chief of Staff.

Raimondo's top staffer Brett Smiley's husband Jim DeRentis took to Facebook to slam Mattiello and called for him to be "termed-limited."

NOT

Jay Leno

Newport's star resident is having a tough week.

Former America’s Got Talent judge Gabrielle Union reportedly complained that comedian — and Newport resident — Jay Leno allegedly told a racist joke while filming the show.

Variety reported that Union witnessed Leno tell a joke about a painting of Simon Cowell with his dogs, to which Leno made a quip about the dogs being Korean cuisine. 

Union had wanted to report the incident involving former Tonight Show host Leno, but producers did not bring it to human resources at NBC.