UPDATE: For those unable to make it for lunch or an afternoon snack (peach pecan bread today, yum!) before 3:00 this afternoon, fear not–the Liberty Elm will be open until 8:00 p.m. selling gift certificates. Come grab one/some tonight and reap the benefits later with an already-paid-for meal!

ORIGINAL: They’ve hosted everything from “Americana Breakfast Club” (free music every Sunday 11-1) to evening “Your Roots Are Showing” concerts to art galleries to election parties. They’ve survived a violating robbery and vandalism and committed to donating 1% of their profits to growing trees in South Providence. They use local ingredients, providing business to farmers (and whoever makes those cute little drink umbrellas on every plate). They’ve converted a 1947 Worcester lunch car into a funky, wi-fi’d, bike-friendly mecca. And they make you feel at home, from Judie’s witty greetings to Tink’s smile, which has probably made the Liberty Elm my favorite eatery in the state.

Now they need help, and lots of it. They are one of 1,200 RI small businesses facing closure this week.

The taxman cometh TOMORROW. Let’s see if we can increase business before then. Yummy food served until 3pm today, and open 7am to 3pm tomorrow (if tomorrow isn’t too late). See you there for lunch!

777 Elmwood Avenue (2 blocks north of the main entrance to Roger Williams State Park) Providence

May Printshop Workshops! sign up at the AS220 shop online. More info after the jump:

more »

Interrobang!?, a web and print ‘zine for the arts in RI, is seeking submissions for its inaugural issue.

From their website:

Our goal is to provide a formal venue for voices of all kinds, whether it be fiction, nonfiction, creative essays, fine art, or experimental music and video. This is is city suffused with talent: We want your stories, your pictures, your music, your oddball esoterica.

Interrobang focuses on the local community with a regional grasp, but will consider submissions from elsewhere as long as they follow our guidelines. So don’t be shy: Show us who you are.

There are no fees for submitting, and (currently) no cash prizes for selection – just complimentary copies of the print edition, byline and bio. Deadline for submission is March 1, 2009 for the inaugural issue, though they will take submissions on rolling basis year ’round.

To find out more, visit Interrobang!? online and read their submission guidelines.

This Saturday is pretty packed with stuff to do, and I understand how easy it is to get distracted/side-tracked/drunk. But stay focused, friend! Because the AS220’s FIRST Biennial Print Lottery Show comes to a dramatic close Saturday, September 27th, 7pm @ 115 Empire Street. It’s kind of early in your sinful evening, so you’ll still have a chance to get married or whatever at Woolly Fair and since you’re not going to bother going to the RISD Museum Chace Center grand opening anyway, that won’t be a conflict.

So! Come to the Print Lottery closing, buy a ticket for $75 if you can, and take home an awesome surprise print as a gift! From 7-10pm prints will be handed out like candy, CAKE WILL BE SERVED (for real this time) we’ll have free booze too (i THINK), but anyway there will definitely be something to put in your mouth, and from 10pm-1am some BANDS will play. How jealous are you?
Buy your ticket online right this second in realtime!!

The folks over at the Partnership for Creative Industrial Space are psyched about the hearing on their Ordinance tomorrow:

The Industrial Commercial Buildings District (ICBD) Tenant Relocation Ordinance is scheduled for Public Hearing Monday, March 3, 2008 at 6:00 pm in Providence City Hall.

This ordinance - a call to developers of rehabilitation projects to recognize the hardship of tenant displacement and the negative impact on the local community and economy - will enact a policy within the ICBD where commercial tenants can receive a financial stipend and at least 90 days notice of termination regardless of the terms of a lease.

WaterFire Providence seeks volunteers for their upcoming 2008 Season

Want to be part of the most exciting arts installation in Providence?!  You can help to inspire and transform our city as part of the WaterFire family. WaterFire Providence, the local non-profit organization which produces the popular sculpture installation by artist Barnaby Evans, is calling all people interested in a unique volunteering opportunity.  We welcome citizens from around the area to take an active role in the production of the world-renown art installation, WaterFire. more »

Well! Classes for February filled up so fast I didn’t really have time to post the schedule, but March is well on it’s way and there’s still room in most of the classes!! I’m only going to post the classes that have space left, but you can see what you’re missing out on in the calendar. Also, there is now a $10 general shop materials fee included in the cost of the classes. Regardless of the fee, some outside supplies may be required. Our official site is here. Myspace here.

Are you ready? Onward, friends! more »

Miguel Luna is holding this community reception, in conjunction with the ongoing Latin American politics conference at the Watson Institute.

Please Join Councilman Miguel Luna at the Reception for the Ambassador H.E. Bernardo Alvarez and Delegation from Venezuela

Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the Elmwood Community Center (Recently re-opened by Providence Community Action)

155 Niagra Street
Providence, RI

join us TODAY january 26th, from 5pm-9pm at the AS220 Community Print Shop for our POST HOLIDAY CRAFT PARTY PARTY REDUX (a wholesome crafty get-together).

Make some post-holiday presents and cards or tigers or whatever using pom-poms and glitter and pipe cleaner ’cause you haven’t since shortly after you were a fetus!!! “F” ART LETS GET CRAFTY!!!!!!!!!!! BYOB and BYOS (bring your own supplies!). We will provide AWESOME food and drink! AND we have an IPOD!!! Also, it ENDS AT NINE so you can enjoy your regularly scheduled presumably less-than wholesome Saturday night!

FYI, AS220 Community Print Shop is located at 95 Mathewson St. #210 in sunny downtown Providence, Rhode Island! Buzz #210 and come up to the 2nd fl, first star on your right and straight on til morning! For more info on the print shop, call Morgan (401.831.9327 x 112), email Morgan (morgan@as220.org), visit the myspace or the official website, or stop by for a quick peek!