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Mayor’s Picnic for seniors

Posted 8/18/21

The annual Mayor’s Picnic will be held on Friday, Aug. 20, at Brayton Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Transportation will be provided from the …

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BULLETIN BOARD

Mayor’s Picnic for seniors

Posted

The annual Mayor’s Picnic will be held on Friday, Aug. 20, at Brayton Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Transportation will be provided from the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center.

Tickets are on sale now for $3 per person. Call Lisa at (401) 780-6215 to make your reservation.

A Physics Love Story

The Cranston Public Library presents ‘Lise Meitner: A Physics Love Story’ on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m.

In this virtual program, Edward Sierra will offer an engaging and informative presentation about the life and science of Lise Meitner. Meitner, born into a Jewish family, was an Austrian and later Swedish physicist who worked on radioactivity and nuclear physics. She was one of the great experimentalists of her day. Einstein dubbed her “Our German Madame Curie” during their Berlin heyday in the roaring 1920s.

Meitner is the unsung hero of nuclear fission, having played an essential role in its 1938 discovery. That year, when Hitler’s rise to power put all Jewish scientists at risk, Meitner made a daring escape out of Germany. She faced both gender and racial discrimination yet never ceased to pursue her work – the science that was the passion of her life.

This program is free and open to the public. To register, visit www.cranstonlibrary.org. For assistance, call (401) 943-9080, ext. 3, or email zach@cranstonlibrary.org. The Zoom link will be emailed shortly before the event.

How to Run for Office training

Black Lives Matter RI PAC, Cranston Forward and the Rhode Island Working Families Party will host a “How to Run for Office” training event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 22, at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road.

This training is geared toward people with little or no experience with campaigns and will cover everything from how to determine which office to run for, what you need to know in terms of deadlines and requirements, and what you need to do to have an effective campaign.  The organizers encourage people to attend who want to help elect good people to public office, as well as anyone who may want to run for office or manage a campaign themselves.

A subsequent more in-depth training series will be offered by RI WFP in September 2021. People who are not Cranston residents may also attend, but in the event of limited capacity, preference will be given to Cranston residents and members of the co-hosting organizations.

To register, visit www.cranstonfwd.us/howtorun.

West Bay Chorale seeks singers

West Bay Chorale will hold their 2021-2022 season kickoff and pre-registration meeting on Monday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place at St. Kevin Church located at 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Current choristers as well as those interested in joining the Chorale are invited to pre-register and learn the details. Information regarding COVID-related rules will also be shared. Artistic director Eric Vandervort and the chorale’s board of directors will lead the meeting. All current singers and those interested in joining must be vaccinated, show proof of vaccination, and must wear a mask.

Garden City concert rescheduled

Making up for a rain date, the final Garden City Center Summer Concert Series event has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 6:30 p.m. The evening will feature tribute band performances of Elton John and Billy Joel music.

To learn more, visit www.gardencitycenter.com.

Shakespeare Under the Stars

“Shakespeare Under the Stars” will come to Cranston on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27-28, at the Governor Sprague Mansion, located on Cranston Street.

What Cheer, Shakespeare? Theatre Company, founded by Cranston resident Joseph Wallace and his partner Karen Valcourt, will be staging Shakespeare’s comedy “Two Gentlemen of Verona” at 7 p.m. both nights, weather permitting.

The company has been producing “Shakespeare Under the Stars” in various locations throughout southern New England. It is the longest continuously running Shakespeare company now performing in Rhode Island. With a style that can be best described as “irreverent,” the company strives to bring Shakespeare to everybody, regardless of their previous experience or knowledge. While remaining true to the text, the actors wear modern clothes, and there’s almost no scenery. The focus is on entertaining the audience with some of the greatest works ever produced.

Several members of Wallace’s and Valcourt’s Company are former students from the drama program at Cranston High School East, where Wallace has taught for 31 years. Rhode Island theater veterans also make up the cast and crew, including director Christopher Ferreira, who has worked for most of the amateur theater companies in the state.

Tickets for the event cost $20 online at eventbrite.com and $22 at the door. Children 14 and under will be admitted free of charge. For more information, call or text (508) 933-4233.

No More Hunger Community Walk

A walk to call attention to food insecurity and raise funds for local pantries is being planned by a group of area churches: Woodbury Union, Lakewood Baptist, St. Benedict, St. Kevin, and St. Mark’s. The walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16. An informational planning meeting will be held on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. at Woodbury Union Church at 58 Beach Ave. All interested community churches, organizations, and individuals are invited to attend. Call (401) 737-8232 or email woodburychurchri@gmail.com for more information.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation will be held at the Warwick Center for the Arts, 3259 Post Rd. in Warwick on the first and third Mondays of each month, led by Paulette Miller. It is free and open to the public.

The sessions offer a westernized, secular version of Vipassana, also known as insight, open-hearted, and analytic meditation. Sessions often include guided breathing meditation, movement meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and music meditation. The meditation exercises are guided and no experience is necessary.

For further information visit www.warwickcfa.org or call (401) 737-0010.

MS Dream Center seeks ‘Exceptional Individual’ nominees

The MS Dream Center is looking to reward outstanding individuals in the community by recognizing their efforts to “make a difference,” and they need your help! Nominate someone for the “Exceptional Individual Contest” and tell us why you think that person is deserving of being acknowledged.

Three people will be chosen and each will receive two tickets to the upcoming “An Evening to Remember” event on Saturday, Sept. 25, starting at 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Each person will receive special recognition at the event.

Entries must be received by Wednesday, Sept. 1, via online submission at msdreamcenter.org; please include contact information of nominator and nominee as winners will be contacted directly. Winners will be determined by representatives of the MS Dream Center and Accessible RI.

Greek Festival dates announced

The dates of the 35th annual Cranston Greek Festival have been announced as Sept. 10-12, 2021. More updates will follow.

Cranston High School East celebrates 61st reunion

Cranston High School East’s class of 1960 will hold its 61st reunion on Sept. 12, 2021, at the Cranston Country Club. A social hour will begin at noon and dinner with entertainment follows at 1 p.m.

The cost is $50 per person and the deadline to respond is Sept. 1. For details and reservations, contact Dolores DiMeo Carroll at (401) 942-0949 or dolores1120@verizon.net.

Walk With Ease

Cranston Senior Services and the Arthritis Foundation will once again hold their “Walk With Ease” Program - “Take Control, One Step at a Time” on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 10 a.m. Orientation will be held on Thursday, September 9 at 10:30 a.m. The program will run beginning Sept. 13 to Oct. 22.

Need relief from arthritis pain or just want to be active?  Come join the walking group. Three mornings a week for six weeks join in and walk the Cranston High School West walking track.  You are not competing with anyone except yourself.  You can walk for 15 minutes or an hour.  Check in is at 9 a.m. To register, call (401) 780-6000.

CCAP Chip for Charity golf tournament

Save the date – CCAP has announced plans to hold its 2021 Chip for Charity golf tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Harbor Light Golf Club in Warwick. Sponsorships and foursomes are available. For more details, contact CCAP’s Lee Beliveau at (401) 562-8353 or lbeliveau@comcap.org.

As a nonprofit community action program, CCAP needs to raise funds to assist families it serves. A large number of families CCAP serves have lost their jobs, suffered an illness, or experienced a different type of crisis, usually through no fault of their own. Last year, CCAP touched the lives of more than 40,000 people and provided over $1.2 million in uncompensated services.

Chip for Charity, presented by Neighborhood Health and Mutual of America, is CCAP’s largest fundraiser during the year to benefit its programs and services.

Rhode Island State Police Citizen’s Academy now accepting applications

Have you ever wanted to get an inside look at the Rhode Island State Police?

Applications are now open for the 2021 Rhode Island State Police Citizens Academy. The 6-week Academy meets every Monday from 6-9 pm, September 27 through November 1, 2021.

The curriculum includes briefings and hands-on experience in officer safety, patrol operations and procedures, response to resistance, domestic violence investigations, critical incident/victim assistance, and investigative techniques.

Seats are limited, and applications must be received by September 17. Apply today! For additional information and to apply online, visit: http://ow.ly/tdYB50FLZIF

Bowl for Kids’ Sake

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island will host its fifth annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake (BFKS) event on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lang’s Bowlarama in Cranston.

Participants can sign up in teams of five to participate in a private bowling party, and raise donations from family, friends and colleagues leading up to the event – with a fundraising goal of $100 for each participant.

You’ll also have the chance to win raffle prizes … and really great karma for giving back to local kids!

No experience is required – just a desire to have fun and support youth mentoring. All of the proceeds from this event stay in Rhode Island and help Big Brothers Big Sisters fulfill its mission. Donate today or register your team at www.secure.qgiv.com/event/bbbsri2021.

Senior Golf Tournament returns

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center has announced that the Cranston Senior Golf Tournament is back. The event will be held at the Cranston Country Club on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Registration costs $85 per person and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, continental breakfast, grilled hot dog and chips, a banquet immediately following play, and a great day of fun for all.

For more information, call Jane at the center at (401) 780-6220.

Church seeking vendors for Holiday Bazaar

Our Lady of Grace Church, located at 4 Lafayette St. in Johnston, would like invite vendors to participate in its Holiday Bazaar on Oct. 17. There will be crafters, vendors, a penny social, food and more. For information, contact Pat Leon at (401) 529-7592.

New Hope Art Gallery now open

Ricky Gagnon, director of the New Hope Art Gallery located in the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center at 1070 Cranston St., has announced the gallery is once again open with a new show coming this fall. The grand opening of the fall show will be held on Tuesday Oct. 26, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Come visit and enjoy the art. Regular gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.

Reunion for Mt. Pleasant High School Class of 1970

The 50th Class Reunion for Mt. Pleasant High School will be held on Oct. 29 at the Santa Maria DiPrata Society, located at 29 Walnut Grove Ave. in Cranston. The evening will begin at 6:30 and run through 11:30 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person and please contact Vin DeTora at 401-232-0856 or Joan LaVallee Gelfuso at 401-578-2220. Please RSVP by October 5, 2021

Share Your Hope: Volunteer at NAMI-RI

The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness provides free family support groups and educational programs. These resources exist because friends and family members like you are passionate about sharing what they've learned and determined to pay it forward. The value of your voice, shared experience, and leadership is truly priceless to those who are struggling. Please consider reaching out and helping to create healthy, supportive communities across Rhode Island where good mental health for all can be our shared reality. NAMI Family-to-Family is a free 8-session educational program for families, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness. It is a designated evidenced-based program. NAMI-trained family members lead the course with presentations, discussions, and interactive exercises. If you would like to learn more about how to qualify to teach NAMI Family-to-Family, please visit the Rhode Island chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.namirhodeisland.org, call 401-331-3060 or email info@namirhodeisland.org. 

RSVP transportation volunteers

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center’s RSVP program needs volunteers to help in many ways in the community. One is to transport homebound seniors to medical appointments or run errands for them.

The program is also seeking RSVP school readiness volunteers to assist Glen Hills Elementary School’s staff and students with an array of school activities and events.

Also needed are RSVP recycling volunteers who educate the community with assistance and guidance from Rhode Island Resource Recovery professionals on a variety of topics such as waste reduction and reuse, recycling and composting. Learn more about Resource Recovery – who they are, what they do, how they work, and much more, including a tour of the facility.

If you are interested in becoming a Cranston RSVP volunteer, contact Karen at (401) 780-6159 for an interview. You must be 55 years of age or older to volunteer and a BCI is required. A mileage reimbursement is given to cover your travel cost. RSVP also provides insurance protection in the event that your or someone else is injured while performing your volunteer duties.

What if you do not drive or do not have a vehicle? No worries. RSVP will provide you with transportation to your volunteer station.

Over 65 Golf League

Attention all golfers 65 and older – if you are interested in golfing in a mixed league, the Over 65 Golf League, on Mondays at Harbor Lights, 150 Gray St., Warwick, please contact Carol Desforges at Desac63@gmail. Please indicate your name, phone number and email in your message.

To be a member or a spare (sub) in the league, you pay dues which include season play (May- Sept. 13, 2021), playoffs (Sept. 20- Oct. 4), scramble tournament (Oct. 13) and a banquet with distribution of prizes (Oct. 13). The membership dues are $55, or $30 for spares not attending the banquet.

Books at home

The Cranston Public Library offers homebound services for Cranston residents who still live in their own home or apartment. Patrons may be permanently homebound or temporarily unable to drive because of illness or injury.

The service is completely free. There are no charges or overdue fees.

A volunteer driver will deliver to patrons once every three weeks. Materials available include books (in regular or large print), audiobooks, magazines, music CDs, and documentary DVDs.

To learn more, visit cranstonlibrary.org/homebound services. Contact Karen McGrath by phone at (401) 781-6116 or email at karenmcgrath@cranstonlibrary.org to register for the service or become a volunteer driver.

Be Kind RI

Be Kind RI is a new program that connects volunteers to their neighbors across Rhode Island through text alerts to coordinate food deliveries from grocery stores and food pantries. To sign up, go to BeKindRI.org. Volunteers must be 18 or older and undergo our background check. Be Kind RI is open to those in Rhode Island experiencing COVID-19 risk factors, including seniors 65 and older, anyone with underlying health conditions, those in quarantine or isolation, anyone experiencing a lack of childcare, and those who would otherwise experience difficulty in obtaining food. For assistance signing up, call 877-958-8785.

Did you know?

Summer means the peak of mosquitoes. It’s the insect’s peak because warm temperatures make them go through their life cycle faster. More mosquitoes are laying eggs and more eggs are hatching around this time. Incidentally, did you know that there are more than 3500 species of mosquitoes worldwide? Only a handful of places, like Antarctica and Iceland have little to no traces of mosquitoes. (Source: Summer Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. This includes virtual events which should be submitted two to three weeks ahead of the event. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Cranston Herald. 

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