Cranston Chatter

By Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 1/25/17

By MERI R. KENNEDY Abbey Theatre History at Irish Ceilide Club The 1916 Commemorative Committee will present The History of the Abbey Theatre and Its' Role in the Rise of Irish Nationalism." The Rhode Island Irish Ceilide Club 50 America Street"

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Abbey Theatre History at Irish Ceilide Club

The 1916 Commemorative Committee will present “The History of the Abbey Theatre and Its’ Role in the Rise of Irish Nationalism.”

The Rhode Island Irish Ceilide Club 50 America Street Cranston will be the site of this multimedia presentation on Feb. 10 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The presenters will be Mavis McGetrick and Ann McCarthy.

This lecture is one of a series sponsored by the group that is composed of representatives of Irish organizations throughout the state. Its’ goal is to engage and educate not only the approximately 193,000 Rhode Island residents of Irish ancestry but people of all ethnic backgrounds thus leading to a better understanding of the evolution of this small but significant country. Music will be provided by Sean Connell in the downstairs pub immediately following the lecture. There is no admission charge and the public is welcome.

Cranston Arts Commission kickoff event

The newly formed Cranston Arts Commission invites all Cranston residents to join them for their “Kick Off Event” on Feb. 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Theatre 82 & Character’s Cafe at 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston. The purpose of the event is to gather people together who are interested in developing a strong Cranston Arts community. The mission of the Cranston Arts Commission is to nurture the celebration of life through art by fostering a diverse community that supports creative expression.

Feel free to drop in and meet and chat with Cranston Arts Commission members along with other local artists. Share your ideas about strengthening the arts in Cranston. Get involved with other local musicians, theatrical and visual artists. This is a free event. Enjoy fresh appetizers from Character’s Cafe and live local entertainment. A cash beer and wine bar will be available. For more information, please contact Commission President, Rebecca Flores at rebeccafloresart@gmail.com.

Ocean State Toastmasters to meet

The Ocean State Toastmasters will hold its next meeting on Feb. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Road, Warwick. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The club is one of 13,500 in Toastmasters International, a nonprofit, educational organization devoted to the development of public speaking and leadership skills. The organization has approximately 280,000 members in 116 countries. Founded in 1963, Ocean State Toastmasters is one of the oldest clubs in Rhode Island. For more information, contact Robert Rogers, vice president of membership, at 782-7637 or Robert_Rogers@acm.org.

Book reading at The Elephant Room

On Jan. 26, Cranston author Mary Jane Bohlen will be reading from her book “Bosom Buddies” at “The Elephant Room, Schastea” in Pawtuxet Village. The event begins at 6:30 and ends by 8:30 p.m.

“Bosom Buddies” is a collection of photographs of breast cancer survivors and their essays, poetry and comments about their journey. Bohlen is a two-time breast cancer survivor. The Elephant serves tea and delicious crepes of all sorts. The event is called Lively Literati and is sponsored by ARIA, The Association of Rhode Island Authors, a group of over 300 authors and is held the last Thursday of every month. The Elephant Room is located at 2170 Broad St. Cranston (Pawtuxet Village) and the phone is 461-2170.

Snow Assistance for the elderly & disabled

Winter months bring snow and many RI elderly and disabled are not physically nor financially able to deal with it. It means missing medical appointments, running out of food or medication, slipping on snow or ice. Serve RI has a special program for elderly and disabled who qualify for this help. Call Serve RI for more information at 331-2298.

Open House at the Cranston Y

On Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Cranston Y will be hosting an Open House for those interested in learning more about what a Y membership can do for your family. Staff will be available for tours and to answer questions. Those with Blue Chip for Medicare are encouraged to come in and learn about the special plan available through Blue Cross that could make memberships as little as $5. For more information, contact 943-0444.

At the Senior Center

There will be a Diabetes Support Group, “Nutrition, Fitness & the Diabetic” on Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. Eating well-balanced meals is an essential part of taking better care of yourself and managing diabetes. So is regular physical activity a key component of a successful strategy to beat and manage diabetes. If you are diabetic this presentation is for you. Cranston Senior Enrichment Center is located at 1070 Cranston St. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI will present a seminar on Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. with guest speaker Susan Saccoccia-Olsen. This is your chance to ask questions regarding your Blue Cross & Blue Shield health benefits.

The Insight Support Group will meet on Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

Come to the Movies at the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. for a showing of “Me Before You” starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin. A 2016 American-British romantic comedy film about a girl in a small town who forms an unlikely bond with a recently-paralyzed man she’s taking care of.

There will be Line Dancing at the Center on Wednesdays beginning at 1:15 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. Enjoy a fabulous mind-body workout while dancing your way to better health! You’ll boost your brain power by improving your memory skills, strengthen your bones without hurting your joints, develop better balance to help prevent falls and release stress so you feel great. All this for only $3.00 a class. For more information call 780-6216.

Hearing Screening & Hearing Aid Services provided by Nancy Fox, All You Need to Hear Hearing Aid Center, will be held on Feb. 7 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. This free screening is an effective way to determine if a hearing evaluation is needed. By appointment only so please call 780-6000.

Hearing Aid Services will be available on Feb. 14 at 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free hearing aid cleaning and a check to be sure your hearing aid is working properly. By appointment only so call 401-780-6000.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop “Living Well Rhode Island” will be held on Fridays, beginning Feb. 24 and ending March 31, at 9 to 11:30 a.m. This is a free six-week program for people living with chronic conditions including, but not limited to arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, COPD to name just a few. Topics include dealing with pain; fatigue and frustration; improving strength; flexibility and endurance; medications and nutrition; making informed decisions; and setting goals to improve health and lifestyle. Upon successfully completing this program each participant will receive a workbook, a relaxation CD and a gift certificate. Space is limited so register now by calling 780-6000.

Looking for the perfect gift for a friend or family member? The center has Gift Certificates in $5, $10 and $25 denominations. These certificates can be applied toward membership fees, program fees, Snack Bar items, Transvan passes and the RSVP Gift Shoppe.

Sing Away Hunger

Ocean State Theatre Company has partnered with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank for their annual benefit concert featuring award-winning musicians Billy Harley and Keith Munslow. “Sing Away Hunger” will be presented as part of OSTC’s 2016-17 Family Fun Fest on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More than 59,000 people rely on the Food Bank’s network of food pantries and meal sites to feed their families. One in three is a child under the age of 18. Thanks to the generosity of the musicians donating their time and talent, all proceeds will benefit the Food Bank in providing food assistance to neighbors in need.

The Food Bank solicits food donations from the public and from the food industry, including supermarkets, food manufacturers and growers. To keep up with the high demand for food assistance, the Food Bank also purchases food at low cost from wholesalers. In 2015, the Food Bank distributed 9.7 million pounds of food. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. For more information visit rifoodbank.org.

Before and after the performance, families can enjoy drinks and snacks, which will be available for purchase at the theatre’s lobby concession stand.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. Single tickets are $10 each with packages of three Family Fun Fest shows or more for $8. per ticket. Discount rates are available for groups of 20 or more by calling 921-1777 x112. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from noon-6 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. and from noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling 921-6800.

Constituent Coffee

State Rep. Robert Lancia and his wife, Maryann, invite members of the community to attend end-of-the-month “Constituent Coffees.” The gatherings are held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Panera Bread in Cranston on the last Saturday each month, and are meant as a forum to discuss local issues over coffee. For more information call 944-3315.

911 Cell Bank

Cranston RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is conducting a cell phone recycling campaign. There’s nothing to buy. We are simply asking you to help protect the environment by donating your used cell phone(s).

Your donation will be used to help the community by providing much needed emergency communications to seniors and victims of abuse through the 911 Cell Phone Bank Program. These emergency cell phones are provided at no charge. Your donation will help keep up with the increasing demand. You can drop off your old cell phones at the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, located at 1070 Cranston St.- Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Did You Know?

The only Shakespeare plays that mention January are “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Winter’s Tale.” (Source: January 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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