Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 Greek Food & Fair Christmas Bazaar will be held at the Church of the Annunciation - Mihailides Center, Demetrakas Hall, 175 Oaklawn Ave. on Sat., Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sun., Nov. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Includes Greek food & pastry, a coffee shop, raffles, jewelry, décor, crafts, books, and more. Free admission.

 Nov. 2, The Church of the Transfiguration Arts and Crafts Fall Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1664 Broad St. Shop for Christmas gifts made by our crafters. Includes a visit with Santa!

Nov. 2, Exeter Grange Hall Craft Show and Bazaar at Exeter Grange Hall, 496 Ten Rod Road, Rte. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many items on display for purchase. All are welcome to attend.

 Nov. 2 VFW Post 4651 Grand Re-Opening will kick off with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. on 7 Haven Ave. Other events include a Veterans Day celebration at 5 p.m., Toys for Tots drive from 4 to 8 p.m., Marine Corps birthday party at 7 p.m., and cake cutting ceremony at 8 p.m.

 Nov. 2, Rhode Island Italian American Hall of Fame Inductions & A Salute to Sinatra, presented by Providence Auto Body, will be held at The Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Ave. of the Arts, Providence. For time and ticket information: thevetsri.com or 401-421-2787.

Nov. 2, The Rhode Island Civil War Roundtable will host its 29th Annual Dinner Meeting at the Governor Sprague Mansion Museum at 6 p.m. Fundraising tickets: $25 per person; $45 a couple. Checks payable to: Rhode Island Civil War Round Table, P.O. Box 40712, Providence, RI 02840. Call (401) 944-9226 to reserve a place.

Nov. 4, Family-to-Family course by NAMI-RI, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will be on Zoom starting Mon., Nov. 4 from 6-8:30 p.m. This a free 8-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness. To register, or for more information call 401-331-3060, email beth@namirhodeisland.org or visit namirhodeisland.org

Nov. 8, Cranston Cares Comedy Fundraiser will be held at Cranston Country Club, 69 Burlingame Road, at 6 p.m. Proceeds enable turkey donations for our veterans and active military families. Tickets are $22 pp. For tickets: cranstoncares@gmail.com, or use the QR code on website: cranstoncares.org.

Nov. 8 & 15, “Eating for Better Brain Health” Class held at Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road on Fri., Nov. 8, and Fri., Nov. 15 from 2-3 p.m. Ideas for easy recipes will be provided and each class will include a food demonstration of a simple delicious brain-healthy recipe. Free and open to the public. Registration is required via the events calendar at cranstonlibrary.org

Nov. 9, Woodridge Church Holiday Market at Woodridge Congregational Church, 546 Budlong Road, Cranston, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A special treat in our Elf Shop, where kids can buy Christmas gifts for mom, dad, and siblings for only $1.00.  Wrapping and tissue to complete the experience. Homemade cakes, pies, cookies, jelly, pickles and candy. A variety of gift baskets, a silent auction, books, toys and games; back and Penny Social. Mystery Wine bags valued at $35 or more. and a 50/50 Raffle. Timeless treasures, stocked with bargains including jewelry, handbags, shoes, Christmas decorations, scarves, gloves, housewares and more. Homemade soup, pizza and sandwiches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Please donate a non-perishable food item for the Cranston Interfaith Food Pantry. 

Nov. 9, “2nd Lt. Frank M. Weiss, WWII US Army Air Force - Someone’s Trash is a Military Family’s Treasure” will be presented by The Hope Historical Society at the Howland Barn, 35 Ryefield Road, Hope at 2 p.m.  Herb Weiss will honor his father, 2nd Lt. Frank M. Weiss, a WWII US Army Air Force veteran, and share the story of his father’s US Army Air Force footlocker’s journey from a street corner in Detroit, Michigan, back to Herb in Pawtucket. Hope Historical Society will recognize and thank all veterans in attendance for their service to our country.

Nov. 13, Family Event: Managing Holiday Stress by the OneCranston Health Equity Zone at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at CCAP, 2nd Fl, 311 Doric Ave. Parents are welcome to learn more about navigating the holiday season with tips and tricks to reduce stress, manage anxiety and find joy, while the kids enjoy ornament making and hot chocolate. No registration required. For more info, contact Celia at cmhernandez@comcap.org or 401-649-0878.

 Nov. 13, The Changing William Hall Library Landscape: What’s Been Done and What’s Coming, by the Edgewood Garden Club. 6:30 p.m. social time, 7 p.m. program, at the William Hall Library Auditorium, 1825 Broad St. The public is invited to attend this free talk by Michael Moonan, Hall Library Trustee and a Landscape Architect. He’ll explain what’s happened above (and below) the five- acre grounds in recent years and future plans for adding trees, shrubs and public spaces.

Nov. 22, The Sojourner House Annual Masquerade Ball will be held at the Graduate Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 11 Dorrance St., at 7 p.m. Enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, and more. Proceeds support Sojourner House's life-saving victim advocacy and violence prevention work. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://sojournerri.org/masquerade-ball/.

Nov. 23, St. Mary's Feast Society Ladies Auxiliary Craft and Vendor Show will be at St. Mary's Civita Hall, 15 Phenix Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tons of crafts, vendors, food, and so much more. This event is rain or shine!!  For more information or for a vendor table, please contact Maria at 401-499-0796.

Nov. 23, Phillips Memorial Baptist Church Holiday Bazaar will be at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coffee nook 9 to 10:30 a.m. Lunch "to go" 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tables filled with baked goods, crafts, jewelry, needlework, oldtiques, animal items, basement bargains & treasures, used children's toys, puzzles, books and games. Plus a huge running train set.

Dec. 15, AARP Chapter 2210 Portland Symphony’s "The Magic of Christmas" Trip on Dec. 15. The trip includes lunch at Boon's Restaurant, orchestra seat at Portland Symphony's "The Magic of Christmas" & motorcoach transportation. Cost is $185/person. Call Maureen, 401-828-5188 or Anne, 401-263-4274 for reservations or for more information.

Jan. 5 thru 7, 2025, AARP Chapter 2210 Atlantic City Trip. The local AARP Chapter has planned a trip to Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City from Jan. 5 thru 7. The Tour includes 2 nights’ accommodations, 2 meal credits (up to $20 value each) & $20 slot play. Bus pickup from the Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 7 a.m., return time is approximately 6 p.m. Cost is $299/person (double occupancy), $279/person (triple occupancy) or $399/person (single occupancy). For more information call Maureen at 401-828-5188 or Anne at 401-263-4272.

Every Monday through Friday, Virtual Dementia Caregiver Support Groups are specifically designed for people caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Mon., 3:30 to 5 p. m.; Tues., 3 to 4:30 p. m.; Wed., 5 to 6:30 p. m.; Thurs. and Fri., 10 to 11:30 a. m. Information and registration, call 401-415-4664; or email to: info@HopeDementia.org. Follow us on Facebook @HopeHealth.

Every Monday, Gaspee Celtic Jam - The Gaspee Celtic Jam meets at the Pawtuxet Village Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St., Cranston, every Mon. from 7 to 9 p.m. Do you play fiddle, guitar, Irish flute, pennywhistle, bodhran, mandolin, banjo, concertina, accordion, folk harp, hammered dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, banjo, acoustic bass, ukulele, keyboard, recorder, or sing? All skill levels welcome. Visit www.gaspeecelticjam.org for more info (including the current tune list/tune book) or to send us any questions. No specific Celtic music experience is required.

 Every First and Third Monday Rhode Island Active Toastmasters meets, serving both Rhode Island and Southern MA. Rhode Island Active Toastmasters holds its meetings at New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich, in Rm N214 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact us Rhode Island Active Toastmasters.  All are welcome!

 Every Tuesday, ASL Interpreted RI AA Meeting will be held at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Ave., Cranston from 7 to 8 p.m.

Every Second and Fourth Tuesday the Fall River Toastmasters Meeting, serving both Rhode Island and Southern Mass the Fall River Toastmasters holds its meetings. Doors open at 6 p.m. and meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join us at The Chamber, 200 Pocasset St, Fall River, MA, 2nd floor. For more information, call Sean DaCosta at (508)-840-6621. All are welcome!

 Every Thursday, Pick-Up Hockey 55 and older, coed: $5pp. Thayer Ice Rink, 975 Sandy Ln., Warwick, from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m. Full Equipment required. For more information contact:  Lon Krueger 302-229-3457 or bethlon@verizon.net.

Every Thursday,  Get-a-Job-Thursdays - We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thurs. from 11 a.m. to noon, 200 First Ave., Cranston. We Make RI offer job seekers a chance to meet with employers, get career counseling, resume help and more. Some employers include Swissline Precision, Admiral Packaging, KB Surfaces, Warwick Hanger and Hitachi Cable. For more information about this event or other training opportunities, visit www.wemakeri.com/get-a-job-thursday or contact Mike at (401) 232-0077 x109.

Every Saturday, Pawtuxet Village Farmer’s Market, thru Sat., Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston.

PSA Free Gun Locks at Cranston Public Library Secure storage of weapons is now the law in Rhode Island.  A Free Gun Lock and Securing Weapons Safely information is available at the Reference Desk at the Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston.  Stop by for a free gun lock and literature on how to securely store weapons.  Doing so will save lives and make our communities safer.  Residents from all RI communities are welcome. This event is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Cranston Public Library.

 Oaklawn Grange Used Clothing Donation Shed in need of used clothing items at the Oaklawn Grange Donation Shed, 24 Searle Ave., Cranston. Accepted items only: Used Clothing, Shoes, Sneakers, Belts, Purses, Linens, Pillowcases, Blankets, Curtains, and Stuffed Animals. All items must be in useable condition. Your donations will be distributed as whole garments locally and worldwide. Contact oaklawngrangeinfo@gmail.com for more information.

NAMI-RI Offers Family Support Groups; the RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free support groups for families and friends of loved ones struggling with mental health. Groups are led by trained facilitators with experience with family members. Meetings last 1.5 hours, and everyone gets a chance to share. Group members offer help and resources, when appropriate, based on their experiences. More information and full schedule can be found at namirhodeisland.org. or call 401-331-3060. No pre-registration for these monthly groups is necessary.

Volunteer with NAMI-RI The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is seeking volunteers to facilitate family programs in 2024. Free training is required and available for interested persons with loved ones struggling with mental health. Our grassroots volunteers, work every day to provide help and hope to millions of Americans. For more information about our family programs and volunteer training, email beth@namirhodeisland.org, call the NAMI-RI office 401-331-3060 or visit our website at www.namirhodeisland.org

Hearts for Hospice - Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice (VNH&H) is asking for individuals to support their hospice programs by giving $20 or more to their Hearts for Hospice campaign. People can dedicate their gift to a loved one who is always in their heart; all dedications are listed on the organization’s website. You can make your donation at www.visitinghursehh.org/giving/ or by calling 401-682-2100 extension number 1631.

Editor’s Note: To submit your news to The Chatter, send text and photos to Ashley at ashleym@beaconmediari.com. Items can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your event in our column in the Cranston Herald.