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Apple Festival

Marketing 101

The North Central Chamber of Commerce will host a free workshop for Apple Festival vendors on Aug. 13 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Governor Notte Park, located at

255 Greenville Ave. in Johnston. Learn how to optimally promote your business at the 27th annual Apple Festival. More people at your booth equals more sales! For more information, contact Kelly Patz at 401-349-4674.

Valvoline in Johnston to support the Jimmy Fund

Valvoline Instant Oil Change customers can help fight cancer from now through Sept. 7 by contributing $1 to the Jimmy Fund through the “A Chance for Kids & Families” program at participating Valvoline locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

The Johnston Valvoline location participating is located at 159 Putnam Ave.

With each contribution, customers will receive a promotion card guaranteed to be a winner, with prizes including an all-inclusive trip from TNT Vacations Powered by Funjet Vacations, American Airlines miles, theme park tickets, prizes from Burger King and Valvoline discounts and free services.

For more information about the Jimmy Fund or “A Chance for Kids & Families,” including official rules and an alternate method of entry, visit a participating Valvoline location, go to www.jimmyfund.org or call the Jimmy Fund at 617-582-9675.

Free field trip to State

Police headquarters

The final stop in the North Central Chamber of Commerce’s free Summer Field Trip Series will be held at the Rhode Island State Police Headquarters. Participants will see the barracks, State Police Museum and much more. All ages are welcome.

The trip will be held on Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the headquarters, located at 311 Danielson Pike in North Scituate. For more information, contact Kelly Patz at 401-349-4674.

Critter Tales at the Mohr

The Mohr Library will present Critter Tales on Aug. 5 with bunnies and participants in the Cantering Colts 4H Club. They will bring live bunnies and will share information about raising them. This program will be held outdoors. The rain date is Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. The library thanks 4H, Casey Farm, Johnston Animal Control and PARL for making this series of programs possible.

St. Rocco’s Back

to School BBQ

The St. Rocco School Parent Association is hosting a Back to School BBQ on Aug. 7 to welcome both new and returning school families to the 2014-15 school year. Please join them from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. as teachers and faculty will have a “meet and greet” during this time as well. For more information, please contact Patricia M. Bowman,

administrative assistant, at 401-944-2993.

 

Car & Motorcycle

Show and Run

The Johnson Police Explorers Post #405 will be hosting their 4th annual Car & Motorcycle Show and Run on Aug. 17 in Johnston Memorial Park.

Car and bike show registration will be from 10 a.m. to noon, and the run will leave at 11 a.m. with awards at 3 p.m. The registration fee is $10 per vehicle show and/or run. Bring canned goods to be donated to the Johnston Community Food Bank. Trophies will be awarded for Judge’s Choice Winner, Best Paint and Bet in Show.

Vendor space is available for a fee of $50, and trophy sponsorship is also available for $50. There will also be food, music, a 50/50 raffle, vendors, a bounce house and much more for family fun. In case of rain, a rain date will be announced.

Make checks payable to Johnston Police Explorers Post #405, P.O. Box 19380, Johnston, RI 02919. For more information, contact George Arakelian Jr. at 401-946-0010, Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian at 401-499-1317 or Capt. Thomas Dolan at 401-231-4210, ext. 3134.

Job Fair Friday

A Job Fair is being held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1 at the DLT Business Workforce Center at Providence netWORKri. The gathering will take place in the Renaissance Room at the center, which is located at One Reservoir Avenue in Providence.

Woonasquatucket River Watershed paddle trips

This summer, the WRWC will be leading four exciting and informative paddles on the historic Woonasquatucket River. Some of Rhode Island’s foremost experts on history and ecology will be leading trips in our “floating classroom” as they explore the hidden beauty that runs from Smithfield through downtown Providence.

The WRWC has a fleet of canoes and kayaks with your name on it, and offers paddling and safety instruction before each trip, so paddlers of all skill levels and experience are welcome. These trips provide a truly unique view of one of Rhode Island’s most significant rivers. In addition to offering great paddling and beautiful scenery, these tours provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the river’s history and the wide variety of birds and wildlife that call the Woonasquatucket River home.

The first trip will be a beautiful, scenic paddle from South Water Street to Eagle Square and back. On Aug. 7, they will be exploring a rarely seen and surprisingly lush wooded corridor hidden in the middle of the city. Neil Anthes, visitor services specialist for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, will be the tour guide as participants explore the ecological history of the river from pre-colonial times to present day. He’ll highlight the native and non-native species that now line the banks of this section of the Woonasquatucket River.

If you miss this amazing trip, don’t worry. They will be revisiting this beautiful site on Sept. 14.

On Aug. 14, they will head up river to Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield. They will begin with a tour of the historic Smith-Appleby House, built in 1696, and then paddle to the town beach for a refreshing sunset swim. This is an easy, beginner-friendly paddle.

Want to see some incredible wildlife? Join them on Aug. 23 for a journey across Stump Pond in Smithfield. They will arrive at the north end of the pond and hop out for a picnic lunch and hike through part of the beautiful Mowry Conservation Area. Then, participants will paddle back along the east side of the reservoir. Local birding expert Evan Lipton will provide instruction and insight on bird watching throughout our trip.

Advance sign-up is required for all paddling trips. To register, or for more information, contact WRWC’s Erik Talley at etalley@wrwc.org or 401- 481-1376.

The cost is $40 per person if you are using one of their boats, or $20 per person if you are bringing your own boat.

Fight AIDS by walking

for life this September

The 29th annual AIDS Walk for Life has been scheduled for Sept. 27, starting and ending on the Rhode Island State House lawn.

On-site registration for the 2.5-mile walk begins at 9 a.m., with the kick-off at 10. Registration is also available on-line at www.aidsprojectri.org or www.firstgiving.com/aidswalkri.

AIDS Walk 2014 T-shirts are available to anyone who raises $100 or more, while supplies last.

The walk has the HIV/AIDS prevention theme “Do It Right,” reflecting the theme of the HIV/STD prevention campaign kicked off in June by AIDS Project Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health, Miriam Hospital and the Rhode Island Public Health Institute.

They will be offering on-site, free, anonymous and rapid testing for HIV during the event.

There will be entertainment, including the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus, and free food, coffee and giveaways will be available. Parking will be free in the open State Administration lot on Smith Street in Providence.

Current sponsors include Cardi’s Furniture, United Healthcare, Miriam Hospital, NBC10, Clear Channel Communities/Coast 93.3, and Options. AIDS Project Rhode Island is seeking to add to its list of sponsors.

Sponsorship and general information is available by contacting Julie Casimiro at 401-519-2289 or Julie@aidsprojectri.org.

Artisans sought

The Artists’ Exchange is seeking artisans for the seventh annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival, to be held on Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a rain date of Aug. 28. The deadline for registration is Aug. 22, with a fee of $50. The early bird deadline is Aug. 1 for reduced fee of $35. The festival will be held inside and in the lots surrounding Artists’ Exchange at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston. More information and applications are available at www.artists-exchange.org/falloutofsummerfest.html.

BBBSOS seeks mentors

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is continuing its drive to recruit male and female mentors for the 100 plus children who are currently on the waiting list. Boys and girls ages seven to 15 throughout the state of Rhode Island are waiting to be pared with a volunteer for six to eight hours a month for a minimum of a one-year commitment. For information on how you can be a mentor, contact a match support specialist at mentoring@bbbsos.org or 401-921-2434.

BBBSOS collection drives

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is holding a collection drive for gently used clothing and small household items. Donations help to raise funds to support our mentoring programs for boys and girls throughout the state. We offer convenient free home pick-up of donations and provide a tax receipt. Call 401-921-2434 or visit our website, www.bbbsos.org, to schedule free home pick up, find the nearest drop-off location or learn more about our mentoring programs.

RI Chamber Block Party

Join all the Rhode Island Chambers of Commerce for a fabulous summer cookout, kayak races and more on Aug. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Champlin’s Hotel and Marina on Block Island. The Chamber Block Party is an opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of networking with family, friends, colleagues and associates. Attendees must be pre-registered and pre-paid. Ferry reservations through the event must be made prior to Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. After that, attendees may book directly with the Block Island Ferry. For more information, contact Kelly Patz at 401-349-4674 or your local Chamber of Commerce.

Did You Know?

Although civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. is honored in January, when he was born, he is best known for his famed “I have a dream” speech, which was given on Aug. 28, 1963.

To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at SunriseScoops@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. E-mail today and see your news in our column in the Johnston Sunrise! Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information.

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