HOT

J. Michael Kosterlitz

The Brown University Professor is one of part of a group of three US scientists who were awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics for “theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter”.  The subject matter is rather esoteric, but it will open up the door to magnificent applications in science and electronics. Congrats to Kosterlitz and Brown University his excellent work.

HOT

Allan Fung

The Mayor of Cranston deserves credit for proposing the ordinance that former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino proposed for Providence, which would prohibit the “distribution to occupants of vehicles,” and make it illegal to exchange money — or goods or services — between the passengers of a car and someone soliciting on the street. The ordinance would make the roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians, and would divert those who need social services away from the streets and towards the social service agencies that are better equipped to help those in need.

HoT

Nicholas Mattiello

The House Speaker, locked in a contentious reelection battle with Rhode Island Republican National Committeeman Steve Frias, had himself a solid week in the news. First, Mattiello promised that he will significantly scale back the car tax in the next legislative session. Mattiello then called on the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to take a second look at the controversial $3.6 million loan awarded to Lance Robbins and Urban Smart Growth.

HOT

“Matthew-Free”

Like the most Rhode Islanders, when GoLocal meteorologist John Ghiorse speaks, I listen. Fortunately, Ghiorse forecasts that Matthew, the potential hurricane, according to the latest models, will be “well away from New England”. While we should all pray for Florida and other portions of the east coast where the storm is expected to hit, it’s a positive sign that the storm is, at this point, expected to miss our area.

HOT

#DStrong Project 3.8

Inspired by the heroic way in which Dorian Murray faced his cancer diagnosis and sparked a worldwide movement in the process, the photo exhibit (which ran this week at the statehouse), started by photographer Robyn Ivy, seeks to highlight the struggles of 19 other children and their families that are dealing with pediatric cancer. The name of the project highlights the fact that only 3.8 percent of all pediatric research funding is devoted to pediatric cancer.

HOT

University of Rhode Island Football

Progress is progress. The Rhody Rams Football team, which is struggling mightily this year, secured a key victory last Saturday, and captured the Governor’s Cup in the process, after handily defeating Brown 28-13—an absolute stunner—on their home field. Yes, the Rams are only 1-4 on the season, but the win is a positive step forward, and hopefully something the team will build on as it moves through this season and beyond.

NOT

Gina Raimondo

The hits just keep on coming. This week, GoLocal reported the space at the Hope Artiste Village, which Raimondo used as space for her campaign kickoff, was granted to her for free, as an in-kind contribution. The space is owned by Lance Robbins, the California developer that recently received $3.6 million from the Commerce Corporation, who is also regarded as one of the biggest slumlords in California. It might not be, but to most people, it sure looks like a quid pro quo.

NOT

Lance Robbins

The negative news about the notorious California slum lord just seems to be endless.

Whether it’s individuals like Frank Gamwell, who were forced to sue Robbins for $28 million (and winning) after Robbins broke his word, or towns like Belville, North Carolina, that are forced to sue him for failing to move forward on an agreed upon waterfront project, or former tenants like Deana Martin, who owned a bakery at the Hope Artiste Village, who found him “morally bankrupt”, it seems like anyone who dealt with this man has had it end badly.

Why would the state of Rhode Island want to make a significant loan to this man’s company?

NOT

Timothy Kaine

The Vice Presidential candidate didn’t have his best night on Tuesday evening when he squared off against Mike Pence in the debate. Kaine repeatedly interrupted Pence, and ironically, appeared to have the suitable temperament for the oval office.

Meanwhile, Pence gave a very confusing statement about his stance on the death penalty while being Governor of Virginia—saying that he enforced the death penalty despite it being opposed to his religious beliefs. Kaine, apparently argues that the laws of man supersede the laws of God, in his opinion.
 

NOT

Alex and Ani

 The Rhode Island-based jewelry company has closed its premier store on the East Side of Providence, just before the Christmas season begins to heat up—another troubling sign for Alex and Ani.

The move comes just one week after the company fired several of its top staff members, including Chief Operating Officer Jane Fitzpatrick Conway, Dan Sills the Senior VP of Sales, and Greg Williams, who was the organization’s Director of Retail. Here’s hoping the company can turn things around

NOT

Rabid Raccoon

A rabid raccoon was captured by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation on Biltmore Avenue in the Mount Pleasant section of Providence on Wednesday. That’s a scary situation. Let’s hope that this is an isolated incident that won’t become a larger menace to our neighborhoods as we move forward.

NOT

Creepy Clowns

There have been several incidents of people dressing up as scary looking clowns in an attempt to frighten people—presumably since we’re heading closer towards Halloween. But this is a bunch of nonsense that isn’t good fun and could end up startling people and causing unneeded violence in the process.