Cranston Chatter

Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 7/1/15

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 …

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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.

Cranston Public Library closed Independence Day

All Cranston Public Library locations will be closed on Saturday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. All library locations will resume regular hours on Monday, July 6.

$2,500 youth philanthropy scholarship offered

The Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is offering a $2,500 college scholarship to a Rhode Island student graduating from a local high school in June 2016 who has demonstrated a history of philanthropy and volunteerism.

The Herbert E. Kaplan Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship will be presented to a Rhode Island high school student at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. It is the hope that the award winner’s chosen education area will nurture a continued interest in community service.

Applicants must be entering their senior year of high school and be preparing to graduate in 2016 to be eligible for the scholarship.

The award is named in memory of Herb Kaplan, a Rhode Islander well noted for his service to the community. Visit www.afpri.org or email info@afpri.org for a scholarship application. Applications are due by Aug. 1, 2015 to: Lisa Desbiens, CFRE, The Providence Center, 528 North Main St., Providence, RI  02904.

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.

One Act Play Festival

Artists’ Exchange proudly announces the 16 great plays that will be featured in its 10th annual One Act Play Festival this summer, a field chosen from among more than 1,000 submissions. These original, new plays will be directed, produced and performed by local theatre professionals, community actors and Artists’ Exchange artists for the entertainment of the community from July 17 to Aug. 8 at Theatre 82 & Character’s Café in Cranston.

Play selections are: “A Rocky Relationship” (Chip Bolcik); “All The Way” (Steven Korbar); “Anniversary” (Sam Wallin); “Bottom of the 9th” (Rand Higbee); “Fixing Bob” (David MacGregor); “Goodnight, Irena” (Rhea MacCallum); “Helicopter Parents For Hire” (Stefan Lanfer); “If Everyone Acted Like John Boehner” (Ben Jolivet); “Immersion Therapy” (David MacGregor); “Polly” (Ron Burch); “Santa Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (Patrick Gabridge); “The Big Picture” (Mark Harvey Levine); “The Front Porch” (Roger Lemelin); “The Piggy Pit” (Laura King); “Wedding Belles” (Brett Hursey); and “We’re Still Fun, Right?” (Kevin Broccoli).

Wave 1 performance dates are July 17, 18, 24 and 25, while Wave 2 performance dates are July 31 and Aug. 1, 7 and 8. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., with new Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. Theatre 82 & Characters Café is located at 82 Rolfe Square in Cranston. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. A beer and wine cash bar is available, and food and refreshments will be for sale at Characters Café before and during the show. For information and to buy tickets, call 401-490-9475 or visit the Festival’s webpage at www.artists-exchange.org.

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.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Kayla Disegna of Cranston, who was named to the Merrimack College dean’s list for spring 2015.

The University of Hartford is pleased to announce Jamie Rubinstein of Cranston has been named to its dean’s list for spring 2015.

Six Cranston residents were among the 85 members of the class of 2015 to graduate June 12 from The Wheeler School in Providence. Alexandria Brown, daughter of Josephine Barnds-Brown and Warren Brown, was a member of the ECO Club, Hand Bells, and Envirothon. She will attend Unity College in the fall. Sarah Chin, recipient of the Ricanne Hadrian ‘78 Community Service Award, is the daughter of Lynne McCormack and Alfred Chin. At Wheeler, Chin managed the Boys Varsity Soccer Team and was co-president of her class. She will attend Smith College in the fall. Varton Hengen, the son of Mark Hengen and Anais Missakian, played on both the soccer and squash teams. He will attend Clark University in the fall. Taylor Lee was the recipient of the Scholastic Art Award and is the daughter of Barbara and Harvey Lee. She will attend Lesley University in the fall. Anais Malkasian, the daughter of Deana Arsenian and Mark Malkasian, sang with the nationally recognized A Capella group The 18 Wheelers. She will attend George Washington University in the fall. Noah Prizant, a member of the Cum Laude International Honor Society, is the son of Elaine Meyer and Barry Prizant. Prizant participated in several clubs and teams, including the Academic Decathlon, Performance Jazz Ensemble, Economics Team, and Biomedical Club. He also played squash and was part of the rowing team. He will attend Washington University in St. Louis in the fall.

The following Cranston residents have been named to the dean’s list at Providence College for the spring 2015 semester: Andrew Cannata, Matthew Centore, Nicole Corbin, Christine Coughlin, Noah Gemma, Lizeth Gonzalez, Melissa Martino, Melissa Morrissey, Jamie Paola, Elizabeth Reidy, Kathryn Santilli, Brandon Wagoner, Elena Zarcaro and Nathan Zarcaro.

The following Cranston residents were named to the spring 2015 dean’s list at Stonehill College: Lindsay D’Abrosca, Molly Neubauer, Brandon Ruggieri, Shannon Aceto, Thomas Gumbley, Christopher McKay, Alexandria Taylor and Jorge Melendez.

The following Cranston residents have been named to the dean’s list at Providence College’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) for the spring 2015 semester: Cody Fino and Michael Lonardo.

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?

Although the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence has been celebrated since 1777, the Fourth of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941. It wasn’t referred to as Independence Day until 1791. (Source: Fourth of July 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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