Weekend Spotlight

Dec. 6, Nonfiction@Brown lecture Series presents: Georgia Wright. On, Wed., Dec 6 at 6 p.m. the Nonfiction@Brown presents the audio storyteller and producer Georgia Wright. This event is free and open to the public! The reading will be held in Pembroke Hall Room 305, 172 Meeting Street Providence.  

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Dec. 7 through Dec. 10, , “Oh? What Fun!”  will be performed by the Rhode Island Gay Men’s Chorus on Thurs., Dec. 7, Fri. Dec. 8, Sat. Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. at Beneficent Congregational Church, 300 Weybosset St., Providence.  Combining traditional holiday favorites, the chorus is proud to be honoring the diverse heritages of choral members with songs of the French, Italian, Portuguese, Jewish, Czech, Irish, Latina, East Asian ethnicities. Join them in their celebration of each other’s unique qualities.  This is sure to be a sparkling concert filled with music of the season.  Tickets are on sale now: Adults $30, Seniors $25 and Students $20.  To purchase tickets, please visit: www.rigmc.org.

Dec. 7 – 14, Online Holiday Auction Benefitting Special Olympics Rhode Island will hold an on-line event this holiday season with Special Olympics Rhode Island’s annual Holiday Auction allowing shoppers to find the perfect gifts from the comfort of their home while making a meaningful impact! The auction runs from Thurs., Dec.7, starting at 9 a.m., through Thurs., Dec. 14, at 9 a.m.   Bid on diverse items such as Boston Red Sox tickets, an autographed Boston Bruins jersey, tickets to Ballet RI’s “The Nutcracker,” a two-night getaway to Margaritaville Resort Times Square, restaurant experiences and more. Bids will support the transformative programs offered by Special Olympics Rhode Island. To participate in the auction, visit https://bforg.com/sori starting December 7 – the go-live date. For those interested in donating items or gift certificates, please call Special Olympics Rhode Island at (401) 349-4900.

Dec. 9, Sprague Mansion End of Season Grounds Beautification Day, will be held at the Mansion, 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston, from 12 to 2:30 p.m. If you need volunteer hours, contact the Cranston Historical Society to register.  Dress warmly, bring gloves, and a rake. Weather permitting. 401-944-9226 www.facebook.com/cranstonhistoricalsociety.

 Dec. 9, The Hope Historical Society Annual Christmas Meeting is to be held on Sat., Dec. 9, at 2 p.m.  The event will take place at the Howland Barn located at 35 Ryefield Road in Hope. Join members of the Hope Historical Society as they make merry with some olde-fashioned fun, refreshments, special games, caroling, and maybe a special visitor to celebrate the holiday season. Members and guests are invited to bring a special Christmas food item to share and offer the story behind what makes their Christmas food item special. Unique gifts that celebrate the history of the Hope area will be available for purchase.

Dec. 10, West Bay Chorale presents Noël on Sun., Dec. 10, at 4 p.m., at St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick, will present their concert, Noël.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. The music is a celebration of peace, hope and love. Traditional carols and music of the winter season will be presented. Readings for solstice and advent will be included. Joining the chorale is soprano soloist and former West Bay Chorale artistic director Amanda Santo. For further information or info@westbaychorale.org. 

Dec. 11, The City of Cranston will host its annual City Hall Menorah Lighting with Rabbi Yassi Laufer and Mayor Ken Hopkins at 4 p.m. in the first floor lobby of Cranston City Hall (869 Park Ave.)

Dec. 14,  Holiday-Time Tour with Tea at Governor Sprague Mansion will be held on Thurs., Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m., at Governor Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston. Call to reserve $18; $16 CHS members  401-944-9226.  Seating for 10 only. Enjoy a relaxing evening with tea of the night and a sweet treat. A brief introduction about the Sprague family and A&W Sprague Textile Manufacturing Co. will be shared. Checks payable to: Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston 02920. Sorry, we cannot accommodate food sensitivities. After Dec. 8, call to inquire if seating is available. Accessible entrance and parking at back of mansion. Weather permitting.

Dec. 19, Constitution is The Solution, a video lecture, is being hosted by The John Birch Society on Tues., Dec 19, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. at the Cranston Public Library, Branch Central Library, Seminar Room, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston. Lectures will help you learn how the Constitution was intended to secure our rights. For more information, call Marian Juskuv at 401-425-8026 or aa1vu@yahoo.com. All are welcome.

Jan. 1, 48^th Annual Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics Rhode Island, Registration is open for the New Year’s Day event, the longest running New Year’s Day Plunge in Rhode Island. Embrace the invigorating spirit of the New Year by taking the plunge, quite literally, into Special Olympics Rhode Island’s 48^th annual Penguin Plunge at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett! Join the fun on New Year’s Day, Mon.,  Jan. 1, to make a splash for a cause that truly warms the heart – supporting the athletes of Special Olympics Rhode Island. The main plunge kicks off at 12 noon and a family-friendly plunge at 12:30 p.m.  Your participation or donation will not only kick off 2024 with a memorable experience but also contribute to a brighter future for these athletes, empowering them to achieve their dreams. Registration is $25 and additional fundraising is encouraged. Those who pre-register and raise a minimum of $50 will receive a fun, official t-shirt. To participate in the Penguin Plunge or support a daring individual or team, visit https://give.specialolympicsri.org/ge/2024pp.

Until March 1, 2024 Community Builders Grant Program  OneCranston HEZ's Community Connectors Committee is pleased to continue our Community Builders Grant Program. Through the program, OneCranston HEZ seeks to identify and partner with residents interested in bringing their neighbors together to complete projects that improve their communities. This year we will have rolling grants: 6 grants of $300 will be disbursed. OneCranston HEZ will be awarding one grant per a Cranston Ward, with applications opening October 1 and going until March 1 or all grants have been awarded. To apply go to this link: https://forms.office.com/r/2yXDwmWUVt or reach out to jfulbright@comcap.org. 

 Every Monday, Parent Support Group takes place from 10 – 11 a.m., at The Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Ave., Cranston.  All Cranston parents, grandparents and guardians are invited to take part in this parent-led support group.  Discussions include: challenges, issues and concerns that all caregivers encounter.  Activities will be available for children while the meeting is taking place. Registration is required.  Contact Carol:  401-465-4593 or cpineda@comcap.org.

Every Monday,  Gaspee Celtic Jam - The Gaspee Celtic Jam meets at the Pawtuxet Village Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St., Cranston, every Mon. from 7 – 9 p.m. Do you play fiddle, guitar, Irish flute, pennywhistle, bodhran, mandolin, banjo, concertina, accordion, folk harp, hammered dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, banjo, acoustic bass, ukulele, keyboard, recorder, or sing? All skill levels welcome. Visit www.gaspeecelticjam.org for more info (including the current tune list/tune book) or to send us any questions. No specific Celtic music experience is required.

Every Second and Fourth Tuesday the Fall River Toastmasters Meeting, serving both Rhode Island and Southern Mass the Fall River Toastmasters holds its meetings. Doors open at 6 p.m. and meeting is from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join us at The Chamber, 200 Pocasset St, Fall River, MA, 2nd floor. For more information, call Sean DaCosta at (508)-840-6621. All are welcome!

Every Thursday, Pick-Up Hockey 55 and older, coed: $5pp. Thayer Ice Rink, 975 Sandy Ln., Warwick, from 8:45 to 10:00 AM.  Full Equipment required.  For more information contact:  Lon Krueger 302-229-3457 or bethlon@verizon.net.

Every Thursday,  Get-a-Job-Thursdays - We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thurs. from 11 a.m. to noon, 200 First Ave., Cranston. We Make RI offer job seekers a chance to meet with employers, get career counseling, resume help and more. Some employers include Swissline Precision, Admiral Packaging, KB Surfaces, Warwick Hanger and Hitachi Cable. For more information about this event or other training opportunities, visit www.wemakeri.com/get-a-job-thursday or contact Mike at (401) 232-0077 x109.  

Oaklawn Grange Used Clothing Donation Shed in need of used clothing items at the Oaklawn Grange Donation Shed, 24 Searle Ave., Cranston.  Accepted items only: Used Clothing, Shoes, Sneakers, Belts, Purses, Linens, Pillowcases, Blankets, Curtains, and Stuffed Animals. All items must be in useable condition. Your donations will be distributed as whole garments locally and worldwide. Contact oaklawngrangeinfo@gmail.com for more information.

Humans of Cranston is back for a second year after a successful first season, and is now accepting nominations! Over the last year, the project featured 19 resident stories in a Herald column, on OneCranston HEZ social media, and in a final book with the goal of showcasing and celebrating residents' community involvement, diversity, and unique life perspectives. This is an initiative of the OneCranston Health Equity Zone at CCAP in partnership with the Cranston Herald and local photographer, Tim McFate. If you know a Cranston resident who has a story to tell, please nominate them via this form: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/s8cnBuGhtB (Or scan the QR code).

Questions? Contact JB Fulbright, Community Outreach Coordinator for the OneCranston HEZ at jfulbright@comcap.org.

NAMI-RI Offers Family Support Groups The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) offers free support groups for families and friends of loved ones who are struggling with their mental health. The groups are led by trained facilitators who also have lived experience as family members themselves. The group meetings last about 1.5 hours, and everyone who participates in the meeting gets a chance to share.  The other members of the group try to offer help and resources, when appropriate, based on their own experiences. More information and full schedule can be found at namirhodeisland.org. or call 401-331-3060. No pre-registration for these monthly groups is necessary.

First Thurs. at 6 p.m.  IN PERSON ONLY at the Rochambeau Library in the Community Room, Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence (NEW-starts Aug.)

Second Tues. at 5 p.m.  IN PERSON ONLY at the Middletown Public Library in the Community Room. Middletown Library, 700 West Main Road, Middletown.

Third Tues. at 6:30 p.m. MEETS VIA ZOOM ONLY. Please call 401-331-3060 or email info@namirhodeisland.org for the Zoom link

Fourth Wed. at 6 p.m. IN PERSON ONLY at the Hope Valley Grange, #71116 Main Street, Hope Valley.

 Volunteer with NAMI-RI The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) is currently seeking volunteers to facilitate our family programs in 2024. Free training is required and available for interested persons who have a loved one struggling with mental health issues. Together with our grassroots volunteers, we work every day to provide help and hope to millions of Americans. Volunteers are essential to the work that we do at NAMI Rhode Island, and we are always seeking enthusiastic people to help us achieve our mission. For more information about our family programs and volunteer training, email beth@namirhodeisland.org, call the NAMI-RI office 401-331-3060 or visit our website at namirhodeisland.org.

Amenity Aid – Volunteers Needed - We are looking for volunteers that would like to help us plan and staff community events, organize hygiene product collection drives and raise funds for Amenity Aid. If you are interested in doing any of the above or would like to be a member of our Community Outreach Committee, please contact Stacey Silva, Community Outreach Chair at Stacey@AmenityAid.org.

 Amenity Aid’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations by creating access to essential hygiene products. Serving all of Rhode Island, we distribute toiletry necessities to those most vulnerable through our network of direct service agencies.

 Hearts for Hospice - Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice (VNH&H) is asking for individuals to support their hospice programs by giving $20 or more to their Hearts for Hospice campaign. People can dedicate their gift to a loved one who is always in their heart; all dedications are listed on the organization’s website. You can make your donation at www.visitinghursehh.org/giving/ or by calling 401-682-2100 extension number 1631.

To submit your news from The Chatter to: Ida at idaz@rhodybeat.com. This includes virtual events, which should be submitted two to three weeks ahead of the event.  Can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email, or scan the QR code below, today and see your event in our column in the Cranston Herald.