March 2023 | Page 52

RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY • 35 YEARS

O h , the “ aughts .” Those years marked by technological lows ( Y2K scares ) and highs ( hello iPhones !), the rise of reality TV with shows like “ Survivor ” ( remember Richard Hatch ?) and “ American Idol ,” and heartbreaking moments forever seared into our collective consciousness , like Sept . 11 and the Station Fire tragedy . And

through it all , a constant : Buddy Cianci , making headlines for his role in Operation Plunder Dome , his conviction on one count of racketeering conspiracy and a five-year prison sentence , which ended in May 2007 , and his return to talk radio , this time on WPRO-AM . In between the Buddy-palooza , we saw dozens of giant Mr . Potato Heads welcome visitors to the Ocean State , the demolition of the old Jamestown Bridge ( finally !) in 2006 , the legalization of medical marijuana and Sunday auto sales and the white-hot roller derby revival , led by the lady trailblazers at Providence Roller Derby .

December 2009 : “ See How They Run ” Our six potential candidates for the 2010 governor ’ s race included Lincoln Chafee , Frank Caprio , Patrick Lynch , Rory Smith , Steve Laffey and Arlene Violet . Chafee , running as an independent , won in the end , beating Republican John Robitaille and Democrat Frank Caprio .

May 2007 : Speaking of hot water , XO Steakhouses ’ s steamy ads raised eyebrows in the aughts .

August 2001 : PawSox owner Ben Mondor reflected on his twenty-five years at McCoy Stadium .

The

September 2002 : Pawtucket resident Ryan Nassaney lost his brother Shawn on Sept . 11 , 2001 . We talked with him and several Rhode Islanders whose lives were forever transformed by the terrorist attacks .

August 2005 : We got in a bit of hot water for this racy Best of Rhode Island cover , featuring a stunning dress from ZuZu ’ s Petals .

2000s

50 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MARCH 2023