Easter Bunny in Garden City

Hippity Hoppity! Here comes Peter Cottontail hoppin’ down the bunny trail to Garden City Center for his annual visit in the weeks leading up to the Easter holiday.  Shoppers will find the fluffy Easter bunny located at the magical Bunny cabin next to the gazebo in front of J Crew and Pottery Barn daily for visits and pictures now through April 15.

Visits are free, and professional pictures are on a first come, first served basis. Save time and book your weekday visit online at gardencitycenter.fullslate.com.

Langevin’s Congressional District Art Competition 

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) is hosting his 17th Rhode Island Second Congressional District High School Art Competition. High school students who reside in the Second District are eligible to compete for a grand prize trip to Washington, DC, a scholarship offer and the honor of having their work hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year beginning in June.

Every high school-aged student who lives in the Second District can submit one piece of art, which can fall into any of the following seven categories: paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art and photography. Submission guidelines can be found at langevin.house.gov/serving-you/art-competition.

Entries will be showcased at an awards ceremony at the Warwick Mall on May 7, from 1 to 3 p.m., and participating students, their families, teachers and school officials are invited to attend.

Participants must submit entries no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 28. Artwork will be accepted Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., at the Congressman’s District Office at 300 Centerville Road, Suite 200 South, Warwick, R.I., 02886.

Students or art teachers with questions or concerns can contact Elena Monteiro via e-mail at Elena.Monteiro@mail.house.gov or by phone at 732-9400.

RI Library Day “fine amnesty”

Join Cranston Public Library as we participate in the third annual statewide celebration of Rhode Island Library Day on Saturday, April 8.

This event, organized and promoted by the Rhode Island Library Association, kicks off the weeklong nationwide celebration of National Library Week (April 9-15) and invites all Rhode Islanders to visit and explore their local libraries.

All open Cranston Public Library locations will celebrate Rhode Island Library Day by offering "fine amnesty" (waiving fines on overdue items returned on the day).

A touch of spring

The Western Cranston Garden Club welcomes visitors to their Open Meeting on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at the Shepherd of the Valley Church, located on the corner of 604 Seven Mile Rd. and Scituate Av., Hope, R.I.

Dennis DelSignore, Creative Director for Stoneblossom Florals and Events, will share the joy of creating a springtime table scape using a variety of fresh flowers and objects from nature.  You will also observe some design techniques Dennis uses to create 'that wow factor of nature' everyone can use and enjoy throughout the year.

Pasta Fest

On April 22, Defenders of Animals will sponsor a fundraising Pasta Fest at Edgewood Congregational Church, located at 1788 Broad St., Cranston. The dinner is $10 per person and will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Contact Defenders of Animals at 461-1922.

“All You Can Eat” Gourmet, Almost May Breakfast

On Saturday, April 29, Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ will host an "All you Can Eat" Gourmet, Almost May Breakfast in the church Fellowship Hall, which is handicap accessible and located on 20 Jackson Road off Budlong Road.

The menu will consist of eggs, frittatas, johnnycakes, waffles, ham, sausage, corned beef hash, home fries, Holly’s Baked Beans, strudel, muffins, assorted pastries, juice, milk, coffee, decaf and tea. Admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children aged 3 to 10.  Breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Dan Blackford at 942-0662, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday's or email woodridgechurch@verizon.net.

At the Senior Center

Farm Fresh Rhode Island, “Cooking Demonstration” will be held April 7 at 10 a.m. Celebrate the Spring harvest with a simple recipe and learn the nutritional value and positive impact of locally grown foods. Call to register 401-780-6217.

AARP Smart Driving Course will be held on April 10 throughout the day up until 2:30 p.m. ($15 AARP Members/$20 Non-Members) This refresher course is specifically designed for drivers age 50 and older.  It provides you with strategies to help you drive safely and smarter.  Drivers may benefit from a discount on their auto insurance upon completing the course.  Check with your insurance company to see if you qualify.  To register for the course call 780-6216.

All About Sodium: “How Much Sodium Should We Consume” will be presented by the URI SNAP ED Program on April 12 at 10 a.m. Sodium…good? bad? How much?  It is especially important to know how much sodium we should be consuming each day. What are the unique set of reasons for holding the salt or reducing our intake?  Don’t miss this very important presentation offered by URI SNAP Educators.

Health & Wellness Series, a four-part wellness series introduces you to alternative treatments available to help manage stress, anxiety, strains and pains. It will be presented at the Center on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Next sessions: Part II will be held on April 12-Techniques to Overcome Back Problems; Part III will be held on April 19-Exploring Functional Nutrition and Part IV which will be on April 26-Prayer, Meditation, Mantras & Chanting. You can still register for the next three sessions call 780-6000.

Free tree program

Free shade trees are available to Cranston residents under this municipality's 2017 Neighborhood Set - Back Tree Planting Program while supplies last. The 10-foot tall saplings must be planted on private property (behind the sidewalk). They will be furnished and installed by a contractor at no cost to the home-owner. For more program details, or an application form contact RITree at 764-5885 or by e-mail ritree@ritree.org. Application deadline is April 28.

May Breakfast at St. David’s on the Hill

All are welcome at the May Breakfast at St David's on the Hill Episcopal Church. The event will take place on Sunday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. Prices are $9 adults/ $5 kids from 2 to 10 yrs. old. Purchase them ahead of time they are $8 adults/ $4 kids. 200 Meschanticut Valley Parkway, Cranston.

For the pancake breakfast, could you add in that many varieties of pancakes will be available, including gluten free? Last year included strawberry, blueberry, Almond Joy, chocolate chip, cinnamon bun, and gluten free, just to name a few.

Also, at St. David’s, The Grannies at St. David's on the Hill Episcopal Church are now accepting donations for their May 20 Grannies Attic Indoor yard sale. Please no electronic equipment, no baby anything (except for baby clothing), and no chemical products. Clothing is accepted. We appreciate all donations. Donations may be dropped off at the church. For more information call 942-4368.

West Bay Chorale fundraiser

West Bay Café will host a fundraiser to support the West Bay Chorale.  Fun for all ages. Entertainment by local artists. The event will be on April 8 and will be held at the Edgewood Congregational Church, 1788 Broad Street, Cranston, RI.

It will begin at 7 p.m. with admission $15 per person. Refreshments to be served.  For more information go to www.westbaychorale.org.

Kalver set to take stage at East

Join the Cranston East Jazz Band and their Special Guest Magician, Mr. Bruce Kalver. Mr. Kalver has been working professionally for over 40 years. His work in magic has taken him all over the world. Mr. Kalver has acted as a magic consultant for the Tony Award-winning Trinity Square Repertory Company as well as for numerous other professional, college, and amateur theatre groups for whom he performed or taught magic for their productions and created special magic effects. Mr. Kalver is also the proud parent of two CHSE band alumni: Eric Kalver, Class of 2005 and Wendy Kalver, Class of 2010. All proceeds from fundraiser will benefit the CHSE Band Groups (marching/color guard, concert, jazz, Indoor Percussion). The event will take place on May 5 at 7 p.m. at Cranston East. Tickets are $10.

 To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com.