Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - April 21, 2023

HOT

Blossom in RI

Federal Hill in Providence is well-known for its top-notch Italian food.

On Wednesday, actress — and Jeopardy host — Mayim Bialik declared the Old Canteen the “best Italian food” she’s ever had, in a post on social media to her over 3.7 million followers.

"Cute pic of me in Federal Hill in front of the Old Canteen, best Italian food I think I’ve ever had," she wrote. 

The Old Canteen, which celebrated 65 years in 2021, went on the market in 2022, but it has not been sold. 

Bialik, who was a star in the shows “Blossom” and “The Big Bang Theory” and now hosts the popular quiz show, was in Rhode Island for a “fireside chat” at Bryant University earlier this week.

She joined Rhode Island native Don Reo, who was the creator of "Blossom."

Stayed tuned for more Jeopardy sightings in Rhode Island — host Ken Kennings is coming to Bryant for an appearance in May. 

HOT

A RI Startup With $8 Billion Dollars in Orders

Regent, the Rhode Island-based startup, is piling up big news. On Friday, the company unveiled its first full-scale mock-up of its seaglider prototype.

The company is developing the wing-in-ground (WIG) effect vehicle as future sea-skimming ferries. The concept is de facto a new category of maritime vehicle that combines the high speed of an airplane with the low operating cost of a boat and would be certified and regulated in the maritime category.

Maybe never before in Rhode Island history has a business stacked $8 billion in orders, according to the company.

CEO Billy Thalheimer said, “Our studies, based on publicly validated data, show that our seagliders serve an $11 billion market that we project to swell to as much as $25 billion as battery technology advances. The $8 billion in orders our company has already received from a variety of companies around the world reflect the need for fast, reliable, and sustainable maritime transportation.”

The company has received orders for more than 400 seagliders -- that total $8 billion. Those orders come from airline and ferry operators around the world. 

READ MORE

HOT

Aria Mia Loberti’s Netflix Teaser

In 2021, Rhode Island native Aria Mia Loberti was cast in her first lead role ever - in a new Netflix series.

According to Deadline, "Following a worldwide casting search, newcomer [Loberti] has been tapped as the female lead in All The Light We Cannot See, a four-part limited series adaptation of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller, from Shawn Levy and Steven Knight."

Loberti, a University of Rhode Island graduate who is blind, plays Marie-Laure, the blind teenager at the heart of the story, whose path collides with Werner, a German soldier, as they both try to survive the devastation of World War II in occupied France.

Now, the trailer has been released. 

The novel spent more than 200 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list and has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.

Netflix announced the series launches November 2. 

HOT

Charming

This week, Dr. Ed Iannuccilli has a wonderful column regarding a time gone by "When Men Wore Hats." It is a delightful read.

There were the days when men wore hats. No, not baseball caps. No, not backward. No, not while dining. They wore classy hats . . . felt fedoras with brims tipping downward, or a Panama curved modestly over the forehead. It might have been to keep the sun and the rain off their heads but, more likely, it was simply a fashionable part of their dress, part of a culture which lent style to the day.  People dressed with pride when they went to work, to a restaurant, to the movie theater, or to church.

Hats were a popular guide to that culture. There was a store in downtown Providence, Danbury Hats, devoted solely to the hat.

A gentleman did not consider himself fully dressed without something nice covering his head. A fedora settled comfortably meant that you were important. This daily ritual projected worth as they walked along, heads high, never neglecting to tip the hat to a lady or remove it when entering an elevator.

READ MORE

HOT

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Staff

The DEM's Division of Agriculture and Forestry led the effort to respond to last weekend's forest fire.

They deserve credit for quietly executing a plan and controlling a potential disaster. 

Kudos to the pros.

NOT

Aaron Regunberg -- Too Early to Duck Media Questions

A group of well-known progressive leaders wrote a scathing statement raising concerns about Regunberg's candidacy for Congress. 

He is an experienced candidate who has faced criticism before, but instead of responding to questions, Regunberg refused to respond. 

NOT

This has gone on for 10-plus years in Providence.

Would it be allowed to happen in Barrington, South Kingstown, or Jamestown?

No.

NOT

A 15-Year-Old Was Shot and Killed in Providence Last Weekend

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley issued a two-sentence statement.