Meri R. Kennedy

Cranston Chatter

Posted 3/4/15

‘Governor for a Day’ essay contest

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo has announced the “Governor for a Day” essay contest as a way to encourage young girls to become leaders in their …

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Meri R. Kennedy

Cranston Chatter

Posted

‘Governor for a Day’ essay contest

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo has announced the “Governor for a Day” essay contest as a way to encourage young girls to become leaders in their communities.

This Women’s History Month initiative is open to girls in fifth through eighth grade throughout the state. The winning essayist will be named “Governor for a Day,” and spend a day this spring meeting and speaking with other leaders across state government.

“Every day I talk with young girls and women – from my own daughter to successful Rhode Island businesswomen – and I am reminded how important it is to expose young girls to the significance of public service,” Raimondo said. “Girls should know that with hard work and dedication, the opportunities available to them here in Rhode Island are endless. This essay contest is a chance to engage us all in that conversation.”

Interested applicants should apply by March 13 and answer this question in 400 words or less: “What would you do if you were Rhode Island’s Governor for a Day?”

Students should submit the following information along with their essay: name, age, school, grade, teacher’s contact information, home address, contact phone number, contact email address, parent or guardian name(s).

Applicants may email their essays to communications@governor.ri.gov, or they may mail their essays to Governor for a Day Essay Contest, c/o Governor’s Communications Office, 82 Smith St., Room 128, Providence, RI 02903.

For all Bain alumni

Please spread word and save the date! There will be a gathering of Bain alumni from all years on March 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 1047 Park Ave. Tickets are $25 per person. The event will feature entertainment, a variety of appetizers, a silent auction and raffles. Meanwhile, the principal is asking for any pictures alumni have from their Bain years. A slide show is being created for the event. Please send any pictures to jchanremka@cpsed.net.

Decorating event at Country Curtains

All are welcome to come and preview Country Curtains’ new bedding line and spring color trends 2015. They have announced that their decorating event at Country Curtains called “Dream of Spring Colors, Dress the Perfect Bed.” The event will take place at Country Curtains located in Garden City Center on March 14 with presentations from 11:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. The Color House, representing Benjamin Moore paints and Jan Girouard from All About ReDecorating, will also be present.

Dress the Perfect Bed is a fundraising event to support Canines for Disabled Children, found online at www.caninesforkids.org. This event is open to all ages, and it is encouraged that attendees bring a friend. All attendees will be entered into a grand prize giveaway for a $500 bedding makeover. Light refreshments, gift bags and door prizes will also be part of the event.

Canines for Disabled Kids work to support the creation of child-canine service dog teams to promote independence and social awareness. Offering free services to families and communities across the United States, Canines for Disabled Kids helps connect children with the service dog that can best help them overcome limitations caused by a variety of disabilities while helping communities to be welcoming and supportive of the special canine tools being used. Scholarships to help cover the training costs are offered, another way Canines for Disabled Kids helps to bring these teams together.

For more information about this event, please contact Country Curtains at 401-942-9966.

Cranston Police Department recruitment drive

On March 7 at 10 a.m., the Cranston Police Department will be holding a recruitment drive at the Cranston Police Training Complex at 493 Phenix Ave. You may meet with police representatives and discuss application qualifications and procedure, the agility test and written exam, documents needed as well as salary and benefits. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Visit www.cranstonpolice.com to learn more or call 401-477-5073.

Winter Percussion & Color Guard Competition

Come to Cranston East’s first ever Winter Percussion & Color Guard Competition on Saturday, March 7, and watch this season’s show “On Fire.” Other participating schools included Plainfield HS (CT), Blackstone-Millville HS (MA), Bishop Feehan HS and Bishop Hendricken HS. The competition begins at the East gymnasium at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and no cost for children six and under. Cranston East’s show includes music by David Lanz, Ellie Goulding and a traditional Albanian folk song, all arranged by Greg Arsenault. Don’t miss this opportunity to watch Cranston East’s own First Place National Percussion Group (Class II Open).

Special concert

On Saturday, March 7, ECAS Theatre is proud to welcome Boston’s Escena Latina Teatro to Rhode Island for the first time. They will be presenting their Playwrights’ Café and reading three great short plays in Spanish by Boston playwrights Melissa Nussbaum Freeman, Jecenia “Isis” Figueroa and Peter Snoad. There will be a bilingual talkback with the playwrights after the readings. The free event will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the William Hall Library in Cranston. Refreshments will be served. More event information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/801440873242591.

Woodridge Annual Irish & Italian dinner

On Saturday, March 14, Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ will celebrate the spirit of St. Patrick and St. Joseph’s Day with an “All You Can Eat” buffet. This family event features Irish and Italian food and traditional music. The menu includes corned beef, cabbage, pasta, sausage, meatballs, salad, Italian bread and butter, coffee, tea and soda.  A dessert choice may be selected from a wide variety of pies, cakes and pastries, including some traditional Irish and Italian specialties.

The cost is $12 for adults and $5 for children age three to 12. Attendees may select from two seatings, one from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the other from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Advance reservations are required. To purchase tickets in advance of the event, email woodridgechurch@verizon.net or call 401-942-0662.

The Woodridge Congregational Church continues its support of the men at Harrington Hall by asking those who attend our fundraiser to bring any of the following items: small travel toothpaste, tooth brush, deodorant, disposable razors, sunscreen or spray, cough drops and Band-Aids. These items are easy for the men to use at the shelter or during the day.

Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 546 Budlong Road in Cranston.

Ghost Tour

On March 20, Carl Johnson will return to the Oaklawn Library at 3:30 p.m. for a follow-up Teen Tech Week ghost tour. The program is geared for grades five and up, but all who are interested are welcome. No registration is required.

Breaking boards for MS

A special event will take place on March 21 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Traditional Martial Arts, located at 1099 Park Ave. Right now, the students are selling breaking boards for $5 a piece, and pledge to break all the boards that they sell. The hope is that each student will sell about 10 boards. The net profits – the boards cost $2 each, so the $3 profit per board – will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to go towards cutting-edge research on MS and support for those battling the disease.

To make a donation, call the dojo at 401-219-0166. Checks should be made payable to Traditional Martial Arts RI, as they will the cut a check to the MS Society. The day of the event they will also have some raffle baskets, and the profits from that will also be donated.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Alexandra Sacco of Cranston, a sophomore at Boston University’s College of Arts & Sciences, for earning a spot on the dean’s list. She is a former graduate of Cranston High School West. She is a second semester senior studying biology with a specialization in behavioral biology.

Worcester Academy proudly announces its first semester honor roll and headmaster’s list for the 2014-15 School Year. The honors represent the achievements that each student has earned through academic excellence, challenge and personal growth. Among the students is Augustus Culpo of Cranston, a postgraduate, who was named to the honor roll.

Loyola University Maryland has announced the members of its fall 2014 dean’s list. Congratulations to Jonathan Finelli and Lauren McInerney, both residents of Cranston and members of the class of 2018.

The Merrimack College dean’s list for fall 2014 has been announced. Congratulations to Kayla Disegna and Tiana Kibbe, both of Cranston.

Class of 2013 at East fundraising events

The class of 2013 at Cranston High School East set aside some funds to purchase a large electronic sign for the school as their class gift. The class of 2017 is looking to make that gift a reality. They are hosting several fundraisers over the course of the next few months to reach their goal.

Dine out at Buffalo Wild Wings on March 9, and be sure to tell them you are there to support CHSE 2017. On March 20, go to Pinkberry in Garden City, and also be sure to mention you are there to support the class.

May 16 is the annual community yard sale and car wash. You can rent a spot for $10 and sell your items or get your car washed for $5.

Miss RI Italia seeking entries

The Miss RI Italia Organization’s 2015 competition will be held Sunday, May 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Providence Marriott Downtown. The competition is open for girls of Italian descent ages seven through adult. If you’d like an application or for more information, please email snewomanevents@gmail.com.

RI Pink Heals Annual Ball

RI Pink Heals, which is comprised of both male and female members of local fire and police departments in support of women with cancer, will hold its fourth annual Pink Heals Ball on May 1 at the Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom in Warwick.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. with a selection of one of the following: boneless chicken, baked scrod, prime rib or vegetarian.

The dress code is formal/semi-formal with men in Class A uniform or suit and women in gowns or similar attire. The cost is $50 per person ($500 per table) with open seating unless a full table is purchased (tables of 10). Music will be provided by DJ Eric Anthony of Sounds Spectacular DJ Service.

For tickets, please call Matt Medeiros at 401-692-0272 or Chris Seelenbrandt at 401-578-5498, or visit www.ripinktrucks.com by April 24. All proceeds benefit the women battling cancer in Rhode Island and their families.

St. Brigid’s Italian Festival rescheduled

The Social Ministry of St. Brigid’s Church at 1235 Plainfield St. in Johnston has rescheduled its Italian Festival fundraiser in honor of the church’s 100th anniversary. Originally scheduled for Feb. 22, the event has been postponed to Sunday, March 22 at 12:30 p.m. due to the recent unsettled weather. The festival will take place at the church hall on Plainfield Street. Marchetti’s Restaurant in Cranston is donating a five-course Italian dinner, which will include desert and coffee as well as a raffle. Prices are $20 for adults, $12 for those between the ages of six and 12, and no cost for those under age six. Tickets will be sold prior to and after the Saturday 5 p.m. Mass and Sundays after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. They can also be obtained by calling 401-944-3645 or 401-944-3945. For those who purchased tickets and find March 22 inconvenient, a refund can be obtained by calling 401-944-6778.

Did You Know?

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17 because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that he died on March 17 in the year 461 A.D. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737. (St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@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 Cranston Herald. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information. Be sure to check out our website at www.cranstononline.com.

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