Dog park opens

Cranston’s first dog park is now open, although a little soggy. Located at Beachmont Field in Edgewood, at the corner of Netherlands Avenue and Ashmont Street, the park has separate areas for large and small dogs. The park is small, but a major improvement over the two derelict tennis courts it replaced. Signs with rules have yet to be installed. Anyone using the park is asked to pick up after their dog and to not leave any litter.

Interactive voting map

Cranston residents can now find their polling location, get directions to their assigned voting location and look up contact information for elected officials via an interactive city voting map, the first of its kind in Rhode Island. Residents can look up any address in the city using a search box, or simply click on a precinct on the interactive map to look up voting and elected officials’ information for that district.

The Cranston Canvassing Department, in collaboration with Cranston’s GIS manager, designed the system in-house at no cost to the city and launched it earlier this year in preparation for the 2020 election cycle.

The map can be viewed through the “GIS Map Gallery” link on the city’s website, cranstonri.com.

Voter registration drive

The Cranston Board of Canvassers will host a voter registration drive in the cafeteria at Cranston High School East, 899 Park Ave., on Friday, May 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Voter information and registration forms will be provided by staff from the Cranston Board of Canvassers and state elections officials. Anyone who is at least 16 years old may register, although citizens must be at least 18 years of age to vote.

Katie Lavey Memorial Blood Drive

The 14th annual Katie Lavey Memorial Blood Drive will be held on Friday, May 17, from 12:30-5:30 p.m. in the gym at Park View Middle School, 25 Park View Blvd., Cranston.

Coordinated by John Macera, a health and physical education teacher at Park View, the Katie Lavey Memorial Blood Drive has been instrumental in memorializing Katie, a former student at Park View who passed away at age 16 in 2005.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact the Rhode Island Blood Center at 453-8307. Use sponsor code 1236 when scheduling an appointment.

Free karate lesson

A free “Karate for Concentration” program will be held Saturday, May 18, from 10-10:45 a.m. at Premier Martial Arts, 1099 Park Ave., Cranston. The program is for children ages 5-12. Participants will receive a uniform and break a real board while earning a white belt. Through the lesson, students will learn self-control, focus, self-discipline, courtesy and respect, perseverance, goal setting and more. For additional information, visit premiermartialarts.com.

May Breakfast for Defenders of Animals

Defenders of Animals will host its annual May Breakfast on Sunday, May 19, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston. The donation for the event is $25 per person. For more information, call Defenders of Animals at 461-1922.

Meeting on Meshanticut Lake

Why is Meshanticut Lake full of weeds in the summer? Is it badly polluted? What can be done to fix it?

Citywide Councilman Steve Stycos and Wenley Ferguson, director of habitat restoration at Save The Bay, will host a public meeting to discuss the lake’s health on Wednesday, May 22, starting at 7 p.m. in the Cranston High School West library. Attendees are asked to bring ideas and observations.

‘Chief’s Challenge’ hoops benefit

On Thursday, May 23, the fourth annual “Chief’s Challenge” basketball game between members of the Cranston Police and Fire departments to benefit Special Olympics Rhode Island will be held from 6-9 p.m. in the Cranston High School East gymnasium. The game begins at 6:30 p.m. The cost of admission is $5. For more information, visit the event’s page on Facebook.

Ward 3 community meeting

Ward 3 City Councilman John P. Donegan will host a community meeting on Thursday, May 23, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Gladstone Street School, 50 Gladstone St. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss issues in the ward and the broader Cranston community. To learn more, visit the event’s Facebook page.

Art show for animals

On Saturday, May 25, from 3-6 p.m., Defenders of Animals will host a Community Art Show to benefit the organization. The event, being organized by curator Margy Feldhuhn, will be held at the Governor Sprague Mansion, located at 1351 Cranston St. in Cranston. Enjoy food, wine, music, raffles and animal-themed art from local artists. Tickets cost $25 each and may be purchased at defendersofanimals.org.

‘Flowers for Ward 5’

Ward 5 Councilman Chris Paplauskas will host a “Flowers for Ward 5” neighborhood beautification event on Sunday, May 26. It is the second year for the event, which rallies volunteers to make a visual impact in the community. Participants will gather at 11 a.m. at the Knightsville Gazebo.

OSKC to offer CPR training

Ocean State Kidz Club, located at 350 Park Ave., Cranston, will offer CPR training on Tuesday, May 28, from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $60 per person. The class will result in a two-year certification. To register, call 227-9303 or email oceanstatekidzri@gmail.com.

Author of ‘Abundance’ at library

The Cranston Public Library will host author Dr. Michael Fine on Tuesday, May 28, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Central Library, located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road. Fine will read from and sign copies of his debut novel, “Abundance.” Copies of this “epic novel stretching from the civil wars of Liberia to the streets of Rhode Island” will be for sale. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Auctioneers featured at upcoming LEADS Luncheon

Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, 63 Fourth St., Cranston, will host the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce LEADS Luncheon on Friday, May 31, from noon to 1:30 p.m. In addition to the business networking event, Bruneau & Co. will offer free verbal appraisals for every person bringing in an item such as an antique, art or collectible.

Attendees will network with one another, provide a 60-second commercial about their business and connect with potential new customers. The event is part of an ongoing series of networking events hosted by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers for the local business community. To register, contact the Central Rhode Island Chamber at 732-1100.

Central High School class reunion

The class of 1974 from Central High School in Providence will hold its 45th reunion weekend June 21-22, with the main event taking place at Mulligan’s Island in Cranston. The cost of admission is $80 per person.

There will also be a reception on June 21 at Al’s Waterfront Restaurant and a brunch at Skyline at Waterplace on June 23.

To learn more, visit centralhsclassof1974.hurrahinri.com. To purchase tickets, visit chs45threunion.rsvpify.com.

For additional information, email centralclassof74@aol.com or call Elaine Whited at 595-8012.

Family health services at CCAP

Tired of ineffective yet expensive medical care? Check out Family Health Services at the Comprehensive Community Action Program. CCAP offers affordable, 24/7, professional family health and dentistry services. The experienced staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals who are caring, compassionate and highly skilled. New patients are welcome. For more information, call 384-6007.

Reusable bag program to boost CCAP Food Bank

CCAP’s Food Bank has been selected to be a part of the Shaw’s supermarket “Give Back Where It Counts” reusable bag program, which is designed to make it easy for customers to contribute to their local community while supporting the environment. For the month of May, each time a reusable “Give Back Where It Counts” bag is purchased at the Shaw’s located at 8 Chapel View Blvd. in Cranston, $1 will be donated to CCAP's Food Bank, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the giving tag.

United Way 2-1-1 at Central Library

 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.

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.

Craft Bash at Artists’ Exchange

The Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, invites families to take part in free Crash Bash events on the last Saturday of every month. The expressive arts can work as a tool for strengthening students’ skills in all disciplines by offering alternative ways to think about core subjects.

Craft Bash is free and open to all ages and abilities. For more information, call 490-9475 or visit artists-exchange.org.

Knit and Crochet Circle at Auburn Branch

Do you like to knit or crochet? Do you need some help with a knitting or crocheting project that has you stumped? Knitters and crocheters of all levels of experience are invited to join the Knit and Crochet Circle, led by experienced knitter Barbara Baedeker, on Mondays from 2-4 p.m. at the Cranston Public Library’s Auburn Branch, located at 396 Pontiac Ave. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Did you know?

Originally, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day, meant to honor the Union and the Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War. By the 1900s, it had become a day to celebrate all American soldiers who died while serving in the military. It wasn’t until 1967 that it was legally named Memorial Day. (Source: Memorial Day Fun Facts)

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