Bulky waste pickup

During the month of March, the city’s Department of Public Works offers residents an opportunity to have bulky waste items picked up free of charge, with certain restrictions.

Residents must call Waste Management at 800-972-4545 to schedule a free bulky waste pickup. Phone calls for the program will be accepted through March 25, and pickups started on March 1.

Pickups are limited to one scheduled trip with up to three items per residential unit. Bulky waste does not include mattresses, construction debris, TVs or electronic goods, white goods or any household trash/garbage bags that would fit into a city-provided 65-gallon trash cart or overflow bags.

For more information, visit the city’s website, cranstonri.com.

Citizens Police Academy

The Cranston Police Department is now accepting applications for its Citizens Police Academy.

In order to be considered, applicants must be at least 18 years old and complete the electronic registration form on the Cranston Police Department website. After completing the form, applicants will be contacted by a member of the Cranston Police Training Division.

Applications are being accepted through March 30. The academy is scheduled to be held on Tuesdays, beginning April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. The program lasts roughly two months.

Summer internships through CCAP

The Comprehensive Community Action Program, or CCAP, is offering the chance for young people between the ages of 14 and 24 to connect with paid summer internships through its Learn to Earn program.

CCAP’s Youth Employment, Training and Education programs provide a full range of services to youth who are enrolled in school or out of school, including job acquisition skills, work-based learning projects, job searches and interviewing skills.

All enrollees are connected with a case manager to assist them in their education or employment goals throughout the program.

The application deadline is April 12. For more information, visit comcap.org/summerjobs.

90 Celebration

Mayor Allan Fung and Cranston’s Department of Senior Services are planning this year’s 90 Celebration.

The annual event pays special tribute to Cranstonians who are 90 years of age or older. Call Kathi Dunphy at 780-6216 with the names and addresses of anyone who is celebrating this special milestone.

Musician Joanne Lurgio to debut at Character’s Café

Joanne Lurgio, an award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist, will make her debut performance March 10 at Character’s Café, 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston. She will be performing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., providing acoustic music during Sunday brunch. Lurgio is currently working on her fourth full-length album, “Crossing Jordan,” which is planned for a spring release.

Troop 6 Macaroni Dinner

On March 10, Boy Scout Troop 6 will host a Macaroni Dinner at the Church of the Annunciation, 175 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston. The event will run from 3-6 p.m. with the last seating at 6 p.m. There will also be silent auction items available to bid on. The donation for the dinner is $10 per person. Children age 5 and under will be admitted at no cost.

Call for artists

New Hope Art Gallery, 1070 Cranston St., has issued an open call for submissions for its upcoming Spring Show. Submissions will be accepted Monday, March 11 through Wednesday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is a registration fee of $10 for up to five pieces of ready-to-hang art. All artists are welcome. Submissions may not contain nudity or political or violent themes because the gallery is housed in a public building, the Cranston Enrichment Center. The Spring Show opens April 2 from 4-7 p.m. For more information, visit the New Hope Art Gallery’s Facebook page.

East baseball fundraiser

On Tuesday, March 12, a fundraiser will be held to support Cranston High School East’s baseball team and its new coach, Gary Bucci. The dinner will be held at the VFW Hall at 7 Haven Ave., Cranston, from 6-8 p.m. It will be catered by Lou Umberto’s Italian Kitchen. Umberto is a former player of Bucci’s. For ticket information, call or text 401-323-9277. Tickets will also be available at the door and cost $25 per person.

‘The Queen B’ author event

Barrington Books in Garden City Center will host a book talk and signing event with Gina Clapprood, author of “The Queen B,” on Saturday, March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.

“The Queen B,” Clapprood’s third book, is described as an “anthology of stories written by inspirational women on their struggles, their comebacks and their commitment to putting themselves first.”

For more information, visit barringtonbooks.com.

CHSE Indoor Percussion and Color Guard Competition

Enjoy the sights and sounds of more than 20 indoor percussion and color guard groups as Cranston High School East hosts a New England Scholastic Band Association competition for the fourth consecutive year. The event will be held in the Cranston East gymnasium on Saturday, March 16. Doors open at 3 p.m. Color guard performances begin at 4 p.m. and percussion performances start at 6:30 p.m. There will be an intermission between the performances, and raffles and a full concession stand will be available. Admission costs $10 for adult and $8 for seniors and students. Children age 5 and under will be admitted free of cost. For more information, visit the “CHSE Indoor Percussion & Color Guard Competition” event page on Facebook.

St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s celebration

On March 16 at 7 p.m., the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, will host its St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Day celebration. The day’s menu will include Italian favorites as well as a boiled dinner. Entertainment will be provided by Vini Ames. Tickets cost $25 per person and reservations must be made by March 12. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Checks may be made payable to Kelley-Gazzerro VFW, attn: St. Pat Celebration, and mailed to the above address.

Regina Coeli Society meeting

The Regina Coeli Society of St. Mary’s Church, 1525 Cranston St., will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at the parish center. Chef Frank Terranova will be the guest speaker. For more information, visit saintmarycranston.org.

‘Hello Spring’ art exhibit

On March 22 from 6 to 9 p.m., Frame It RI, 991 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, will host an opening reception for an art exhibit titled “Hello Spring.” The exhibit will feature the work of three local artists –photography Jerri Moon Cantone (jerrimoon.com), painter Larisa Martino (larisa-designs.com) and mixed-media artist Sharon D. Eisman (starr-designs.com). Light fair will be provided. The exhibit runs from March 19 to April 30. For more information, visit frameitri.com.

Statewide Business After Hours

A Statewide Business After Hours event will be held March 26 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston. Chamber of Commerce members and non-members from across Rhode Island are invited to attend. The event will feature more than 120 display tables and attendees can enjoy food provided by Russell Morin Fine Catering while making business connections that will last. Display tables are available for chamber members only. For more information, contact your local Chamber of Commerce.

Omelet-eating competition at Character’s Café

Character's Café, 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston, will host an omelet-eating competition on Saturday, March 30, from 10 to 11 a.m.

Entrants will compete against 15 other people to see who can eat a 16-egg omelet – filled with cheese and breakfast meats – the fastest. The cost to enter is $20. The winner will be awarded a $50 gift certificate and a T-shirt. To register, call 781-2200.

Character’s Cafe is a full-service, nonprofit restaurant owned and operated by Gateways To Change Inc.

Softball league

The Cranston Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting teams for its men’s softball league at the Atwood Avenue softball field. The entry fee is $800 per team. Teams are guaranteed two games per week. The league is comprised of two divisions with games played on Monday and Wednesday and Tuesday and Thursday. The season runs from April to July. Forms are available on the Parks and Recreation page on city’s website, cranstonri.com.

Tree Planting Program

The city of Cranston has announced its 2019 Neighborhood Tree Planting Program, which is free to all eligible property owners. The program is being offered through the Rhode Island Tree Council. An information packet, application and waiver forms can be found on the city’s website, cranstonri.com. For more information, contact the Rhode Island Tree Council at 764-5885 or the city’s Officer of Constituent Affairs at 780-3123.

Summer jobs at Parks & Rec

Summer job applications will be available to download from the Cranston Department of Parks & Recreation’s page on the city’s website, cranstonri.com, between April 1 and May 3. Applicants must be 16 years old by the time of employment and reside in Cranston. Applications from 15-year-olds will be accepted provided the applicant will turn 16 by June 24, when all programs and facilities open. Applications will be accepted for lifeguards, pool attendants, pool maintenance workers and playground counselors. Lifeguard candidates must provide certification or proof of class/re-certification if not yet certified.

Tax time at CCAP

Comprehensive Community Action Program, or CCAP, is now offering its VITA Preparation Assistance Program, which provides free tax assistance services for individuals and families earning less than $54,000 a year. The program runs through May 1.

Last year, CCAP’s VITA program filed more than 1,000 federal tax returns, helping Rhode Island families receive $2 million in refunds without any cost. The program’s volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS and will help taxpayers file federal and state income tax returns.

CCAP’s tax preparation services are offered on the lower level of the agency’s Cranston headquarters, 311 Doric Ave. Call 467-7013 to schedule an appointment.

United Way 2-1-1

The United Way of Rhode Island’s 2-1-1 Outreach RV will be at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, on the first Monday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. The Outreach RV provides a free, confidential resource for assistance with housing, food, child care and other needs. For more information, visit uwri.org.

Free yoga for breast cancer survivors

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation and Yoga at Studio Exhale offer yoga for breast cancer survivors every Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Yoga at Studio Exhale, 1263 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, is the place to be to explore slow flow, gentle movement to create space in the body and eliminate stress. This class is designed to restore the nervous system and help release deeply held tensions from the body and mind.

For more information, visit gloriagemma.org.

Tuesday Tech Tutor at William Hall

Cranston Public Library’s William Hall Library has added a new technology assistance program service for patrons. Tuesday Tech Tutor tackles terrible technology troubles that patrons may encounter. Library patrons may drop in anytime between 4-6 p.m. every Tuesday to have a librarian help navigate new technology skills or solve computer problems. No appointment or registration is necessary.

“We have many people who need assistance with things like attaching documents to emails, downloading ebooks, printing and more,” branch librarian Adrienne Girard said. “I am so happy we’re able to provide this new service to our patrons.”

For questions or more information, call William Hall Library at 781-2450.

Hall rentals at St. David’s

St. David’s on the Hill Episcopal Church, 200 Meshanticut Valley Parkway, Cranston, is offering affordable rates to rent its upper and lower halls for special occasions and events. For more information, visit stdavidsonthehill.net/hall-rental or call the church office at 942-4368 during regular hours, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Baby Book Boogie

Hosted by the Cranston Public Library’s Oak Lawn Branch, Baby Book Boogie will be held every Friday morning.

Children ages 0-2 and their caregivers are invited to help a book come to life through music and movement. We will also sing and dance along to favorite childhood songs. Registration is not required, but they will give out free tickets half an hour before the program opening at 10 am. The program is limited to 25 children and their caregivers.

The Oak Lawn Library is located at 230 Wilbur Ave. For more information, call 942-1787.

Did You Know?

The first St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. (Source: St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts)

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