Corralled at the Blood Farm: The rise of the uniquely American plasma industry
“Foreigner.” I find it a harsh word that I hate seeing applied to others. Yet applied to myself, it’s the only word that half conveys how baffling I find this country at times. I’d like to apologise ahead of this article, for I will be telling you some things you already know. The first time […]
Obituary: Julian Forgue
The founder of the long-standing hipster-ish West Side restaurant Julians hadn’t been involved directly with the restaurant in quite some time. But his legacy persisted. A larger-than-life personality, you never knew at what event Julian might show up, his square jaw ready-to-fire sarcasm preceding him by a few paces. He pioneered the “this wait staff […]
Obituary: Lisa Gourley
Renowned supporter of local music and arts Lisa Gourley (Sometimes Lisa Gourleyx) passed away on June 15. Reading reactions on social media, you can’t help but notice how often the words “nice,” “kind,” and “photography” come up. Lisa won Motif’s Favorite Photographer award a few times, most recently in 2023. Here’s how our reporter Bobby […]
RI 250
A summer 250 years in the making awaits Rhode Islanders. While RI250 commemorations have been underway for several years, the period between May 4 (Rhode Island Independence Day) and July 4 marks crunch time for planners and organizers – as well as the payoff for years of hard work. Motif spoke with RI Secretary of […]
Toward a Gayer Semiquincentennial: Remembering the first RI Pride 50 years ago
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, those of us old enough to remember the 200th anniversary in 1976 tend to be fondly nostalgic for the “Bicentennial” in what seemed a less troubled time, when patriotism could be unironic. That’s somewhat of a false memory: the Vietnam war, the Arab Oil embargo, […]
“Our Weapons Are Cameras”: A Conversation With a RI Deportation Defense Line Organizer
We sat down a few months ago with one of the organizers of RI’s Deportation Defense Line. The Defense Line’s origins are organic and multifaceted. No one person is in charge of it. No one organization is either. But the end result is a system that, while far from foolproof, is effective and responsive, driven […]
The Struggle to Keep Cool
One of the clearest ways we are already contending with the effects of climate change is by feeling, well, warmer. Since the Industrial Revolution, average temperatures in RI have risen more than 3 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, New England as a whole is the fastest-warming region in the US, in part because of our proximity […]
Town Hall Unites Community: Everyone hates an AI data center
Smithfield, RI: A town known for its forests, trails, ponds, and well, wealth. An unlikely location for a potential AI-Data Center, one may think. Yet, this rural community, despite data center construction being illegal under current zoning laws, finds itself at the center of Rhode Island’s first major data center debate. Revity Energy’s desire to […]
Opened & Closed: June 2026
Opened Dari Bee Ice Cream: This esteemed spot right on the bike path was originally opened in 1960 but has been closed for the past year or so. It’s been renovated, updated and has reemerged under new ownership, just in time for the ice cream to start melting! 240 Bullocks Point Ave, East Providence. fb.com/thedaribee […]