-- There's a fundraiser tonight for state Representative Grace Diaz (D-Providence) at the Roger Williams Park Casino. Matt has the details.
-- Brian C. Jones updates how Providence's long-awaited, long delayed First Source ordinance is being implemented. (Andrew offers his view here.)
The law is beginning to help substantial number of workers get jobs. Almost 200 residents have received jobs, about half at the Renaissance Providence Hotel, which opened this year in the former Masonic Temple near the State House. This disclosure came in a report from the city’s Department of Planning & Devel¬opment to the community activist group Direct Action for Rights & Equality (DARE).
But mirroring the agonizingly slow birth of the “First Source” jobs program, even that upbeat progress report seemingly had to be pried from city officials. It was written after about 20 DARE member visited the city’s planning and law offices on July 24 to de¬mand answers to an earlier public records’ request.
-- The Providence chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America is slated to have its kickoff event on Monday, August 13 -- a screening at the elegant Columbus Theatre of Norman Solomon's War Made Easy, with producer and co-director Loretta Alper on hand.
-- This is more of a libertarian note, but Tom has valid concerns about the creeping surveillance state.