This is sure to mean a tourism bonanza!

In recent years, Providence has not only seen a new convention center and a revitalized waterfront, but historic corridors have also been restored to their Revolutionary-era glory, giving the Rhode Island capital an architectural sense of place. But these cultural trappings, more commonly associated with overcrowded metropolises, have not caused this city of 200,000, near the banks of Narragansett Bay, to lose its small-town flavor. Drivers still request their initials on license plates, sandwich shops let regulars run a tab and Mayor David N. Cicilline greets residents by name and lists his home number in the phone book.

For the record, the Times ended their Friday and Saturday nights at the Black Rep and Local 121, which sounds pretty true-to-life. And did you know that the original State House, “where, in 1776, Rhode Islanders declared independence two months before the rest of the country,” used to be on Benefit Street?

Espresso at Caffe Dolce Vita, brunch at Nick’s on Broadway, and dinner, oh so predictably, at Al Forno. Sounds like a typical weekend!

From the Projo: “The Brotherhood production crew is to arrive on July 28, according Chloe Comins, the show’s publicist, and stay about two months. No details were disclosed on where shooting would occur. One likely location is the State House.”  You think?

With the primary now in the wrap-it-up stages, DNC Chair Howard “Doc” Dean was in town for a secret powwow with state deomcratic powerbrokerz and moneybagz, ostensibly to drum up buy-ins for a big “upcoming fundraiser.” The guest list included a bunch of Hillary prominent delegates and backers of HRC.

Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean visited Providence for a private dinner meeting with leading Democrats at a Federal Hill restaurant….

Among those at the dinner last night, held at Providence Prime Restaurant, were Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., current Mayor David N. Cicilline, Alan Hassenfeld, a business leader, Lynch, Chris Vitale, a leading Democratic lobbyist and fundraiser, state Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, D-Coventry, and Democratic activist Susan Weiner, wife of Mark Weiner.

Scott Mackay’s got the scoop.

Interestingly enough, there seems to be a ‘lil rift growing in Camp Hillary RI over how, when, and under what circumstances to end the race. Which dems are getting the picture? More after the jump. (more…)