Bulky waste pickup

During the month of September, Cranston residents will be able to dispose of up to three large bulky items for free, by calling Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 and scheduling an appointment for curbside pickup. No items will be picked up if they are not on a scheduled appointment. Bulk items that are not included in this program are mattresses, construction debris, TVs, electronic goods, white goods (major appliances) or any household trash/garbage that would fit into the city-provided 65-gallon trash bin.

International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil

On Monday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m., Col. Michael Winquist and members of the Cranston Police Department will be joining other members of law enforcement and the community at St. Therese Church, 1500 Main St. in West Warwick, for the International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil.

“We all know someone or have come across a situation where substance abuse has taken a tollon a family or a friendship,” reads a statement from Cranston police. “International Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.”

Members of the Cranston community are asked to consider taking part in the event. Contact Captain Vincent McAteer in the Office of Community Outreach with any questions.

Taste of Garden City

Save the date for the fourth annual Taste of Garden City Center, to be held on Sept. 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gazebo. There is a $10 admission for samples from Garden City Center restaurants. All proceeds benefit the Cranston Chamber of Commerce. The rain date is Sept. 10.

Many of Garden City’s most popular restaurants, caterers and bakeries will take part including Papa Razzi, Pinkberry, Sweenor’s, Chipotle, b.good, Bistro 22, Corner Bakery Café, Applebee’s, Whole Foods Market, Edible Arrangements, Starbucks and more. Music will be performed by the Jeannie Evans Quartet. For more information, contact Stephen Boyle at the Greater Cranston Chamber of Commerce at 401-785-3780.

I Love My Librarian

At the Cranston Public Library, they love their librarians! Nominations for the 2015 “I Love My Librarian Award” are now open! Visit ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian and nominate a deserving librarian today.

Librarians touch the lives of the people they serve every day. The “I Love My Librarian Award” encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians.

A Day in the Park

Jayce The Healer Foundation will present its second annual “A Day in the Park” water safety event, taking place at Johnston Memorial Park on Sunday, Sept. 6. The free community event will offer families an opportunity to spend a wonderful afternoon together while learning the importance of water safety. Some of the event’s features include: a team of instructors demonstrating CPR on infants, children and adults; a presentation and speech by DEM on proper lifejacket safety; Coastie the Tug Boat provided by the Coast Guard; free door alarms and lifejackets (while supplies last); tables from local sponsors; raffles, face painting, bouncy houses, a rock wall, obstacle course and photo booth; a dedicated blood drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; organ donation registration; blood pressure and cholesterol screenings; flu shots and tdap vaccines; appearances by Sparky the Fire Dog and Joey the Launch Mascot; and performances by Tony the Dancing Cop, Dancin’ Spirit, and the USA Karate Team United Martial Arts School. Proceeds from the event will help provide swimming scholarships in Jayce’s name at the Cranston YMCA and Providence Boys & Girls Clubs. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m., with a rain date of Sept. 13. For more information, visit jaycethehealer.org.

Artisans and Vendors for Fall Out of Summer Festival

Artists’ Exchange is currently seeking vendors for its eighth annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20 with a rain date of Sept. 27. Registration is $50, with an application deadline of Aug. 31.

The Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival is an all-day outdoor event in the lots surrounding Artists’ Exchange, complete with live music and theater, art activities and contests, food and fun. Last year’s event approached 4,000 in attendance.

Activities include a street art contest, in which contestants are armed with colored chalk, a section of pavement and the potential for limitless creativity. Entries are judged by festival attendees, and winners will receive a prize.

The festival also includes a series of original and “artsified” carnival style games such as the Escher Tessellation Toss, Mondrian Mini Golf, Warhol Ball and more. For vendor applications and information, contact the Artists’ Exchange at 401-490-9475.

Libraries closed for Labor Day

All Cranston Public Library locations will be closed from Saturday, September 5 until Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. All library locations will resume regular hours on Tuesday, September 8.

Samplepalooza

The Edgewood Cheese Shop & Eatery, located at 1828 Broad St., will feature Samplepalooza on Sept. 13 from 2 p.m. through 4 p.m. Enjoy samples of cheese, meats and accompaniments from around the world and close to home, including Rhode Island favorites such as Daniele meats, Narragansett Creamery cheeses, Yacht Club Soda, Fox Point Pickles, The Backyard Food Company relish, and Le Favorite Bakery breads. Win prizes such as a gift certificate to Edgewood Cheese Shop or local gift baskets.

Month of Peace

Ginny Fox, director of the Peace Flag Project, has announced plans for the September Month of Peace. Peace Month is an expansion of local celebrations to commemorate the U.N. International Day of Peace.

“We have wonderful events celebrating various aspects of peace, and 2015 marks our 12th year of observing the U.N. Peace Day in Rhode Island. The highlight of our celebrations is Peace Fest RI, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Burnside Park and Kennedy Plaza. We will be celebrating with peace activities, dances for peace and concluding with a Walk in Peace. There will be lots to do, and there will be some surprises, too! The events appeal to all ages, and everything is free and open to the public,” Fox said.

Some events have become a tradition, like the Peace Art Exhibit at First Unitarian Church and Peace Flag Workshops at the nine Providence Community Libraries. The Peace Flag Project will be part of the 37th annual Heritage Day Festival, which focuses on the incredible diversity of our little state, and the Day of Honor at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, which honors military service personnel as well as community service personnel.

“Peace is a practical matter and a spiritual matter. Our events highlight both aspects of peace. We also feel it is important to shine a light on all the good that happens in our little state. There is violence and hardship here, and we need to build more peace. At the same time, we want to acknowledge the peaceful work that is already part of our lives here. We want everyone to look around and see things differently, to respect what we have and to know it is possible to make things better,” Fox said.

‘Ciao Italia’ at the Park Theater

Mary Ann Esposito is leaving her television studio kitchen to join her fans live at the Park Theater in Cranston for a 25th anniversary celebration of “Ciao Italia” on Saturday evening, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. This event will include a lively conversation with Mary Ann, as she talks about her favorite moments and cooking tips, with classic videos from the past 25 years of “Ciao Italia” and takes questions from the audience.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun looking back on 25 years of cooking on ‘Ciao Italia’ and sharing some memorable moments and maybe even a few cooking secrets with a live audience. It’s a unique chance for me to get out of a studio kitchen and be with our viewers and fans,” Esposito said in a press release.

“This is going to be an extraordinary evening with Mary Ann live on stage including some memorable and classic clips from her show that haven’t been seen in many years” said Joe Rocco, the event’s host and producer.

Tickets for the 25th anniversary celebration of “Ciao Italia” with Mary Ann Esposito are on sale now by contacting the ParkTheatreRI.com or by calling 401-467-7275 or at the Park Theater Box Office.

VIP tickets ticket holders will have the opportunity to meet Mary Ann and have the option to purchase “Ciao Italia Classics” at $22, 50 percent off the regular purchase price.

For more information about this event, please contact Joe Rocco at 508-336-5818 or JoeRocco@comcast.net.

New Family Performance Series

Let us entertain you! Families are invited to join in the new Family Performance Series, perfect for all ages, from the young to the young at heart. Hosted Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon from September through May at Theatre 82 & Café, located at 82 Rolfe Square in Cranston. Entertainment will include puppetry, magic, storytelling, improv, music and more! There will be something new each Saturday, with performers and acts changing each week. Some upcoming performers include Jason Andrews Magic, Big Nazo, and Sparky’s Puppets.

Pay what you can for admission, with a suggested donation of $5 for most performances. Check the website for ticketed events. Please visit www.artists-exchange.org for performance dates and the complete list of upcoming performers. For more information, contact 401-480-9477.

Did You Know?

The first U.S. observance of Labor Day came in the form of a parade. Sponsored by the Central Labor Union, on Sept. 5, 1882, 10,000 workers paraded through New York City. This is commonly considered the first observance of Labor Day in America. Making Labor Day an official national holiday as part of his political campaign, in 1894, President Grover Cleveland made good on his promise, and signed a law making Labor Day an officially recognized U.S. holiday. (Source: Labor Day Fun Facts)

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