This Just In: Celebrity sightings at RI restaurants, and a new movie theater in Warwick

Also, how a math error drove a century of business success. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Wednesday, September 8 [Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick dined in Providence at Figidini last week. They were bringing their son to college]( [Celebrity sightings at RI restaurants, and a new movie theater in...]( Also, how a math error drove a century of business success. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and I'm excited to be coaching my St. Joseph School cross-country team today later today in its first meet of the season. Good luck to them and to all scholastic athletes getting their fall seasons started. It's been a star-studded few weeks at Rhode Island restaurants, with appearances by the likes of Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, Jon Favreau and Viola Davis. This isn't an easy time to run a restaurant (or any business, really), but celebrity visits [can help boost morale]( and the bottom line too. Of course, celebrity sightings at Rhode Island restaurants are nothing new. [Take this quiz]( compiled by Gail Ciampa to see how many you can remember. Parker will be back in the area later this year, filming "Hocus Pocus 2" along with Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy. A casting crew [is looking for local people to work on the movie as extras](. It's looking for people who fit a variety of descriptions, including men with shoulder-length hair or longer. I ... can't help them with that. The Warwick Mall won't go too long without a movie theater. Six months after Showcase Cinemas told mall operators that it was not planning to renew its lease, the mall [heralded a new agreement with Apple Cinemas]( which promises "luxury reclining seating, in-seat dining, and a full bar stocked with your favorite local beers, wines, and mixed drinks." Journal reporter Paul Edward Parker is working on a series about interesting Rhode Island manufacturers. Today he [shines a spotlight on a Westerly company]( that is more than a century old, and owes its longevity at least in part on a mathematical error. The Rhode Island Department of Health reported four coronavirus-related deaths and 435 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 12,655 negative tests, for a 3.3% positive rate. There were 148 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 152 reported yesterday, with 21 in intensive care. The state has reported an average of 302 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 5% from a week ago and up 10% from two weeks ago. Yesterday, 33 members of the state House of Representatives [signed a letter calling on Gov. Dan McKee to back off]( his Oct. 1 deadline for all health-care workers to be fully vaccinated or risk losing their jobs. Today, one of the 33 [said he made a mistake signing that letter.]( The McKee administration has determined that [it can retroactively bill Medicaid]( for the care of patients at the Eleanor Slater Hospital, but only up to a point. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza is continuing to get pushback to his promotion of the director of parks and recreation to a major's position in the Police Department. Today, 11 members of the City Council [are calling on Elorza]( to rename Michael Stephens' new position, and to create another major position geared toward an experienced officer of color. The six-way race for the town administrator job in Lincoln [ended up being a runaway]( I've still got to memorize the starting lineup for the Patriots in time for Sunday's opener, but once I'm done that, I'm going to learn about [these 10 impact players in Rhode Island high-school football]( Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please [encourage a friend to sign up]( [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback]( © 2021 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902