Cranston Police Blood Drive

On July 7, the Cranston Police Department will hold a blood drive at its 5 Garfield Ave. headquarters. The drive is dedicated to Miranda Petrella and will be held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A little over three years ago, Miranda was diagnosed with leukemia and spent six months at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where she received intensive chemotherapy treatments. Throughout her treatment, Miranda received nearly 50 units of red blood cells and multiple platelet transfusions. 

Miranda has been in remission since October 2012 and living a happy and healthy life. If you cannot make it to the blood drive, visit ribc.org to make an appointment using sponsor code 3179.

Garden City Center Summer Concert Series

Garden City Center’s Summer Concert Series is back for its 26th year, beginning on July 8. Tasca Automotive Group is sponsoring the seven-week series, with concerts held each Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during July and August at the Gazebo in Garden City Center.

Music lovers can enjoy a wide variety of live performances, and shoppers have the opportunity to win great prizes donated by Garden City stores. Once again, Garden City Center will also be collecting donations of peanut butter and tuna fish to donate to the Rhode Island Food Bank. Every year, Garden City collects an estimated 380 pounds of food for the food bank.

This year’s lineup features music to delight music lovers of all ages and tastes. On July 8: Front & Center (pop, funk and R&B); July 15: Dan Moretti & the Hammond Boys with Christine Fawson (R&B, jazz); July 22: Tat Holler (country); July 29: Nancy Paolino & the Black Tie Band (Top 40 pop); Aug. 5: The Barons (oldies); Aug. 12: Red Hot Horns (R&B, dance); and Aug. 19: Timmy Maia Band (high-energy contemporary).

Rain dates for the concerts are Thursday nights, and scheduled performers may change due to rain dates. The concerts are produced by Paul Borelli Entertainment.

Camp XL opening for summer

With the school year about to close, Camp XL is preparing for the opening of their six-week summer program on June 29. Camp XL is one of 18 model programs located statewide that is part of the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative, which is supported by United Way of Rhode Island and Hasbro. Each program runs 35 hours per week and includes hand-on, experiential learning opportunities that are a combination of service learning, enrichment, academics and recreation.

For information on registration, please contact Shane Becker or Ayana Crichton, 401-270-8017, or register your middle school student online at www.cranstonafterschool.com and click on register.

The program is designed to offset summer learning loss that happens to children when they are not engaged in active learning during summer break. Last year, an independent evaluation of students in the HSLI programs showed that, on average, gains of 35 percent in literacy and 47 percent in math were demonstrated in pre-test to post-test data.

“The Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative is truly unique; it’s not summer camp and it’s not summer school – it fits in the middle by providing students with exciting, hands-on curriculum that changes lives,” said Anthony Maione, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island.

For more information on the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative, contact Sandi Connors at United Way of Rhode Island at 401-444-0652.

Spark Bridal Fashion Show

Lovely ladies of Rhode Island – are you recently engaged? Then reserve two tickets to Spark Bridal’s New York style fashion show event at Theater 82/Character’s Café, located on Rolfe Square, on June 28. Spark Bridal will be featuring some of their favorite gowns during the show and afterwards will be hosting a meet and mingle where you can ask questions, book appointments, eat some fantastic food, and drink champagne! Tickets are free and email sparkbridal@gmail.com for free tickets.

Edgewood Eagles car wash

The Edgewood Eagles will hold their fourth annual car wash on July 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Cranston High School East. All proceeds will benefit the Great Dane Rescue of New England. On hand will be Great Danes to visit and pet, as well as a lemonade stand and treats.

Music Jam Session

The Friends of Pawtuxet Village will present a Music Jam Session on July 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local musicians of all genres are welcome to join in. Bring your instrument: horns, guitars, bass guitars, etc. Electrical outlets will be available for up to three instruments. Keyboard and drums will be available. Singers are welcome as long as sheet music is provided for the musicians. If you don’t play an instrument, bring a picnic and lawn chair, enjoy the music. Sponsored by Friends of Pawtuxet Village with support from the Pawtuxet Village Merchants, and organized with the help of Terri Giviens.

Artists’ Exchange Craft Bash

Families are welcome to join in for free crafts at the Artists’ Exchange on the last Saturday of every month! Craft Bash is made possible by the generosity of The Krista Weller Burns Foundation and Financial Independence. The next craft bash will be held on June 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join in making painted T-shirts! Artists’ Exchange is located at 50 Rolfe Square Cranston. For more information, call 401-490-9475 or visit www.artists-exchange.org.

Charity car show

A charity car show will be held on June 28 at the Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston St. in Cranston, to benefit B’s Mobility Ride. The event is being hosted by Gina M. Sabitoni-Arakelian, and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited, with a $20 donation per vehicle. There will also be raffles and trophies.

All proceeds will benefit B’s Mobility Ride for Benjamin McDermott, former RI MDA Goodwill Ambassador. Food will be provided by Ralph’s Catering and Kitchen. For more information, contact Shaun McDermott at 401-572-6647 or Joey DiTraglia at 401-641-4964.

Vacation Bible School

Woodbury Union Church, located at 58 Beach Ave in Warwick, will be hosting a free Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon between Aug. 3 and Aug. 7. The program is open to children ages three to fourth grade. The deadline to register is July 24. For more information, call Colleen at 401-588-1077.

Academic News & Notes

Hofstra University congratulates the students named to the spring 2015 dean’s list for their outstanding academic achievement. Congratulations to Cranston residents Asia Baez, Lauren Capezza and Melanie Rainone.

Nicholas Chrones from Cranston has been named to the spring 2015 dean’s list at Wake Forest University.

Nicholas Caruolo of Cranston, a freshman majoring in finance, has been named to the spring semester dean’s list at Sacred Heart University.

Recognizing outstanding student academic achievement, Assumption College has named 549 students to the undergraduate dean’s list for the fall 2014 semester. Congratulations to the following Cranston residents: Megan Levesque, Christina Parnagian, Carmino Riccio, Alaina Short and Alyssa Ruggieri.

Assumption College’s 98th commencement ceremony was held May 16. Earning degrees were the following Cranston residents: Lauren DelGrande, who graduated with a major in human services and rehabilitation studies; Jenna Derderian, who graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in human services and rehabilitation studies; Megan Levesque, who graduated with a major in human services and rehabilitation studies; and Christina Parnagian, who graduated with a major in biology.

Congratulations to Mary-Evelyn Christy of Cranston, who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the spring 2015 semester, earning a spot on the Hofstra University Provost’s List.

The spring semester dean’s list at Bryant University includes the following Cranston residents: Meg M. Aman, a senior in finance; Michael J. Beck, a senior in human resource management; Catherine M. Benetti, a sophomore in communication; Kyle J. Burd, a freshman in accounting; Ronald M. DeCosta, a junior in marketing; Michael A. DeRobbio, a senior in finance; Jason R. DiFusco, a senior in finance; Michael M. Gauthier, a junior in accounting; Narine N. Hagopian, a senior in accounting; Benjamin J. Harpel, a freshman in accounting; William P. Lawton, a sophomore in management; David N. Pulsifer, a senior in finance; Giana L. Rendine, a senior in computer information systems; Jacob P. Rich, a sophomore in business administration; Samantha F. Robinson, a senior in management; Allison Roca, a sophomore in international business/accounting; David E. Rossi, a senior in finance; Brandon M. Salk, a junior in accounting; Alexander P. Sasso, a junior in finance; and Cindy F. Segama, a senior in marketing.

Lemonade Stand

Olivia Van Patten, 9, is having a Lemonade Stand at 134 Eden Crest Drive in the Garden City section on July 3 to raise funds for soldiers in need of companion animals when they return from deployment. Her uncle Chris is a recently retired Army captain and Silver Star recipient, and Olivia absolutely loves animals; this organization was the perfect combination. Olivia came up with this idea on Memorial Day and wanted to give out flags to everyone who drove by. The stand will be open at 10 a.m. until they run out of lemonade, and everyone will receive an American Flag.

Did You Know?

The Treasury Department has announced it will replace the main image of its own founder, Alexander Hamilton, on the $10 bill, with a woman as yet to be determined. Mr. Hamilton will remain on the bill in a diminished way. The currency will be unveiled in 2020, the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The last woman to appear on a bill was Martha Washington, in the late 19th century. (Source: Yahoo Finance)

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.