PVMS Veteran’s 5K

The Park View Middle School Veteran’s Day 5K is an annual event designed to bring honor and recognition to Veterans Day. Proceeds from the event will benefit programs for the school throughout the year and as a means of giving back to a worthwhile cause, Operation Stand Down RI.

There will also be a One Mile Kids Run. This event will take place in the Park on a specially designed course! This race will begin at 8:30 am. The race is open to all elementary and middle school students. Cost for this race is $10. T-shirts to go to the first 50 entries for this race.

Start and finish of the 5k race at the Park Avenue entrance to Roger Williams Park across from Park View Middle School.

T-shirts to the first 600 entries for the 5k race. Post-race food and beverages. Awards are given to the top male and female finisher. Awards to the top 2 men and women in each division: 8th grade and under, high school division, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80.

Packet Pick up at Park View Middle School Gym: Friday, November 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. Race day registration and pickup begins at 7 a.m.

OneCranston awards grants

OneCranston, a new initiative designed to increase social cohesion in the City of Cranston announced the awarding of five Community Builder Grants: Edgewood Community Garden at Cherry Woods received $400 toward supplies to replace damaged garden beds; Stone Hill Elementary School received $500 toward establishing garden beds; “Won’t You Meet Your Neighbor?” Block Party for Alhambra Circle/Doylston Drive received $200 toward materials, supplies, and printing; St. David’s received $450 toward supplies and materials for the “Blessing Boxes,” which aim to make food and other needed items available to Cranston’s most vulnerable populations and the Cranston YMCA received $450 for the Y’s Togetherhood program, which connects people from all backgrounds to plan and carry out volunteer projects that address a real need in their community.

OneCranston’ s Community Builders Small Grant Program identifies and partner with residents interested in bringing their neighbors together to complete projects that improve their communities. OneCranston Community Builders Grants can fund a variety of neighborhood-based activities including neighborhood clean ups, beautification projects, cultural events or celebrations, enhancement or creation of public spaces, school improvements, or any other ideas that you and your neighbors believe will bring people together to improve their neighborhoods.

Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) is the backbone organization for the OneCranston Initiative, performing all the traditional backbone functions, including serving as the initiative’s fiscal agent and home for the initiative’s staff. OneCranston is guided by a Civic Design Committee comprised of community members that reflect the diversity of the city.

Holiday Meal Program registration

Are you a Cranston resident and 60 years or older? Will you be alone on Thanksgiving or Christmas?

The Holiday Meal Program is sponsored by Mayor Allan Fung and the Cranston Department of Senior Services. Would you like a Thanksgiving Meal delivered to your home on Wednesday, Nov. 21 and/or a Christmas Meal delivered on Dec. 21?

If your answer is “YES” please leave your name, address/apt. number, zip code and telephone number with our Receptionist at 780-6000. Thanksgiving Meal registration deadline is Nov. 9 and for the Christmas Meal registration deadline is Dec. 7.

Reverse College Day

The Guidance Department at Cranston High School East will once again sponsor their Annual Reverse College Day on Nov. 21. Graduates from 2018 are welcomed back to their alma mater to speak with current seniors. They talk to seniors about their college experiences up to this point. They encourage seniors to stay on track until graduation. They answer questions honestly from a first-hand perspective. All experiences are welcome.

The program begins at 8 a.m. with breakfast treats for participants. Two sessions will run during the morning: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 9:40 to 10:40 a.m. Respond to Mr. Potemri at jpotemri@cpsed.net with contact and college information.

Woodridge Hosts Winter Festival & Bazaar

On Saturday, Nov. 10, Woodridge United Church of Christ, located at 546 Budlong Rd. will host its annual Winter Festival & Bazaar. This event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a wide variety of homemade items, pastries, prizes and bargains galore.

This year each visitor will be given a gift of a handmade prayer square (while supplies last), so come early to be sure you receive this very special keepsake.

A visit to their Country Store and Pastry Shop is a must. Offerings include delicious seasonal pies and cakes, and jams and jellies made by Woodridge church volunteers, and homemade cookies, such as Chocolate chip, Snickerdoodle, Oatmeal and Magic bars are for sale by the pound.  Our selection also includes “gluten free,” toffee candy and homemade fudge.

Other shopping opportunities include Jewelry, a Seasonal table, and a Penny Social offing beautifully made themed baskets and hourly raffle drawings with prizes galore. Visitors will have the opportunity to win prizes through hourly raffle drawings and our Grand Raffle.  There will also be a Silent Auction with many generously donated items that can be bid on if you so choose.

Children will delight in visiting the “Children’s Elf Shop” adjacent to our book gallery where they can fill their Christmas list with $1 items.

If you love a bargain, shopping will be a pleasure for the whole family in “Timeless Treasures,” offering household items, artwork, children’s toys, jewelry and many other accessories.

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The menu includes homemade soup, eggplant parmesan, sandwiches, chicken salad, pizza, calzones and beverages. 

For more information about this year’s bazaar, please visit their event website at woodridgechurchri.org/annual-winter-festival-and-bazaar. Visitors are asked to bring canned goods and nonperishable items to support the Cranston Interfaith Food Pantry.

Veterans gathering

McShawns Back Porch Veterans Organization will hold a special luncheon on Nov. 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Chelo’s, 1275 Reservoir Ave. to thank out Veterans for their service. The luncheon buffet will consist of baked chicken, potatoes, ziti and sauce, meatballs, cake and coffee for $15 per person is requested or a donation.

Veterans are invited at no charge. Expected guests include WWII and Korean War Veterans and they are looking forward to the comradery, friendship. The public is invited to join and socialize with these wonderful selfless veterans. If you have any questions, contact Kat French at 480-7816.

At the Senior Center

The Michael A. Traficante Enrichment Center, located at 1070 Cranston St., will offer the following programs and activities:

Veterans’ Day Celebration Luncheon will be held on Nov. 9 at 11:30 a.m. with a suggested donation of $3. For reservations call 780-6134. Our veterans have a special place in our hearts. Wear your red, white and blue as we honor all branches of the military – active, retired and deceased.

Healthy Eating as We Age will be presented on Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. by the URI SNAP ED Program. Studies show that a good diet in our later years reduces our risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. What are the keys to good health as we age? What changes should we make in our diets?

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Assistance will be discussed through Dec. 7 at the Senior Center. It’s time to review your 2019 Medicare health and drug plans. Plans make changes each year. It is important that you be informed. Join us on the 14th to learn more about the Aetna Plans. Aetna Insurance will discuss the 2019 Medicare Insurance Plans on Nov. 14 at 10 a.m.

Exercise Programs at the Center are being held and the time is right to stay active. The classes include Aerobics Classes; Tai Chi; Yoga; Making Fitness Easy; Zumba Gold; Bone Builders of RI; Chair Yoga; Chair Exercises; Ballroom Dancing and Line Dancing. You can select which works best for you. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 780-6000.

Holiday Bazaar at St. David’s on the Hill Church

Holiday Bazaar and Grannies' Attic, hosted by St. David's on the Hill Church, located at 200 Meshanticut Valley Pkwy., will be held on Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Grannie’s Attic will include gently used items. The Bazaar will include Craft Vendors, Holiday Items, Baked Goods, Elsie's Tea and Desserts, Refreshments (including lunch), Themed Baskets, and much more.

Registration for Saturday Basketball and Winter Tennis

The City of Cranston Parks and Recreation Department is now taking registration for Saturday Morning Basketball and Winter Indoor Tennis. Both programs begin on Saturday, November 24 and run Saturday mornings through March 16.

Saturday Morning Basketball is an instructional program to teach the fundamentals for Grades Kindergarten through middle school.  Program runs at Wester Hills and Park View for Grades 3 – 8 and Pastore Youth Center for Grades K – 2.  Registration fee is $25 per child.

Winter Indoor Tennis is aimed at beginners, aged 6-12, looking to skill building. This is instructional program; there is no match play. Program runs at Hugh B. Bain Middle School gymnasium. The fee is $85 per person.

Register at the Recreation Office, Pastore Youth Center, 155 Gansett Avenue.  Registration is accepted Mondays thru Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to print registration forms, visit the Parks and Recreation page at www.cranstonri.com.  Follow them on Facebook for program updates.

Craft Bash

Families are welcome to join us for free crafts at Artists' Exchange on the last Saturday of every month. Coming this Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be The Golden Spiral, which uses the mathematical Fibonacci sequence, find objects that we see every day and relate them to the mathematical pattern to create unique nature illustrations.

Fire Prevention and Touch-a-Truck at Oaklawn Library

Hosted by Cranston Public Library Oak Lawn Branch, located at 230 Wilbur Ave., there will be a Fire Prevention and Touch-a- Truck this Friday, Nov. 9 at 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Listen to our Cranston Fire Department for a fire safety talk and then go outside to explore a fire truck. Space is limited to 40 children so please arrive by 10:30 a.m. for a free ticket.

New Hope Art Gallery Holiday/Winter show

New Hope Art Gallery Holiday/winter show opening is scheduled for Nov. 13 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

This wonderful show will feature over 400 pieces of art in every style and media including ceramic, drawing, fabric, glass, mixed media, painting, photography and sculpture. They will showcase over 100 local, national, senior, special needs and student artists in our very large 2-floor gallery at the Michael Traficante Enrichment Center located at 1070 Cranston Street in Cranston.

They will also feature 15 tables of small original art items from our artists. All art is very affordable and perfect for holiday gifts for friends and family. Come for a visit on opening night and get a free portrait drawing created for you by their talented senior artist Jack Lai while enjoying some great music by Mark Greenwood, Jim Chapin, Bob Ruzzo and friends.

A fun night of beautiful art, good music, great food and free parking right at the center. New Hope Art Gallery is a nonprofit with a mission to bring art to all people and all people to art. If you're unable to make our opening night, then come for a visit during regular gallery hours from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except holidays. For more information please contact Director Ricky Gagnon at 280-6282.

Did You Know?

U.S. Representative Ed Rees from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill establishing the veterans holiday through Congress. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954. (Source: Veterans Day Facts)

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