NEWS

Library card design contest now open

Posted 9/8/21

By MERI R. KENNEDY Library card design contest now open In honor of Library Card Sign-Up Month, the Cranston Public Library is hosting a library card design contest! Enter the contest and your artwork could be featured on a limited edition Cranston

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NEWS

Library card design contest now open

Posted

In honor of Library Card Sign-Up Month, the Cranston Public Library is hosting a library card design contest! Enter the contest and your artwork could be featured on a limited edition Cranston Public Library card.

The contest is open to Cranston residents of all ages. You must have an Ocean State Libraries library card to enter. Don’t have one? Stop in to any Cranston Public Library branch or visit www.cranstonlibrary.org/get-library-card to get a library card today.

Artwork must be original, not published elsewhere, and free of any copyright restrictions. One winner in each category will be selected. The categories are Youth (ages 0-13) and Teen/Adult (ages 14-plus).

Artwork will be judged by a panel of library staff, as well as representatives from the Cranston Arts Commission and Cranston Public Schools. The Cranston Public Library reserves the right to reproduce submitted work.

The entire entry packet must be completed in order to be eligible to win. Submissions may be in any art medium (pencil, pen, paint, crayon, digital art, etc.), and digital submissions may be printed out or emailed to sbouvier@cranstonlibrary.org.

You may use a different type of paper to create your artwork (watercolor paper, card stock, etc.) as long as the design fits the library card dimensions. The entry deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. No late submissions will be accepted.

CPL staff and immediate family members are not eligible to participate and only one submission per person is allowed.

For more details, visit www.cranstonlibrary.org.

Apple Festival returns in Johnston

The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and The Washington Trust Company present the 33rd annual Apple Festival on Saturday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Johnston Memorial Park, 1583 Hartford Ave., Johnston. This is a time honored community tradition and is free and open to the public.

With vendors in Artisan Row, festival-goers will have the opportunity to shop at a variety of vendor booths offering everything from seasonal home décor to unique gift items. This will be the one-stop shop for your holiday shopping. Did we mention food? Don’t cook all weekend – there will be sausage & peppers, hot dogs, burgers, pizza, homemade ice cream and of course the festival favorite fresh apple cider doughnuts.

For more information about the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, call (401) 334-1000 or visit www.nrichamber.com.

Bulky waste pickup in September

During the month of September, 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. 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, www.cranstonri.com.

NAMI supports back-to-school wellness

As we head into a difficult back-to-school season, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) wants to share some new youth content that may be helpful to you, your families and loved ones.

NAMI has completely overhauled the Kids, Teens and Young Adults section on its website, nami.org/youth. There are sections written for caregivers of children and others written for teen and young adult audiences. Topics include when/how to ask for help and how to get it, what to do in crisis situations, how to talk about mental health, mental health and school, and so much more.

For more information on local resources, visit the Rhode Island chapter of NAMI online at www.namirhodeisland.org, call (401) 331-3060 or email info@namirhodeisland.org.

Accessibility is Beautiful Festival

Everyone is invited to attend the inaugural Accessibility is Beautiful Festival on Saturday, Sept. 18, in Providence. The event seeks to educate local businesses about building and adapting infrastructure to allow for the inclusion of people of all abilities. With affordable solutions, we know that both commerce and the community will benefit and thrive.

Hosted by RAMP (Real Access Motivates Progress) and held at The Steel Yard at 27 Sims Ave. in Providence, the event will feature tours of the accessibility adaptations The Steel Yard recently completed at its historic industrial arts studio. It will be held from 3 to 8 p.m.

Business participants will feature their incorporation of accessibility modifications recommended by RAMP. Entertainment will include disabled and full-bodied performers.

As populations in the United States age, and more citizens become disabled, it is important to prepare for full accessibility. The Accessibility is Beautiful event will provide information and networking to help businesses prepare for this future.

For more information and to register for the festival, visit www.rampinclusion.com.

MS Dream Center’s ‘An Evening To Remember’

On Saturday, Sept. 25, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, the MS Dream Center will hold “An Evening To Remember” to raise much needed funding for the center and its programs and services.

Come and enjoy a multi-course sit-down dinner provided by some of Rhode Island’s most well-known restaurants and accompanied with a selection of wines and beers. Entertainment will be provided by Steven Palumbo.

The donation for attendees is $100 per person and reservations are being taken. For more information or to reserve seats or a table, visit www.msdreamcenter.org/an-evening-to-remember-event.

Community Art Exhibit

After over a year apart, the Cranston arts community is reconnecting for a unique curated show exhibiting some of the city’s greatest artists.

The Cranston Arts Commission’s first Cranston Community Art Exhibit will be on display at the Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, from Sept. 1-30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.

A community reception will be held Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. All are invited, and the event is free. Snacks and refreshments will be provided, and entertainment and a brief speaking program are scheduled. Please note that the commission is following any and all COVID-19 requirements in regard to mask wearing.

Featured artists are all Cranston residents, hand selected by the commission for their exceptional work across numerous artistic mediums.

“Following a tumultuous and at times very dark year and a half, we at the Cranston Arts Commission have a unique opportunity to reintroduce ourselves, our mission and our commitment to the artists and community members of Cranston,” said Danielle Izzi-St. Pierre, chair of the commission. “This gallery will bring folks together to facilitate networking amongst Cranston residents, and hopefully inspire younger artists to follow their passions. The artists we have selected to exhibit are diverse, both in backgrounds and artistic mediums, and this gallery will be an excellent first step in what will surely be an arts renaissance in our city.”

To learn more, visit www.cranstonartscommission.org.

Show your support for the library

For the month of September, the Cranston Public Library Association will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Stop & Shop store located at 200 Atwood Ave. in Cranston. The Community Bags are located on displays around the store and at the checkout.

Celebration of Recovery

On Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 5:30 p.m., the city of Cranston, Councilman Matthew Reilly and Anchor Recovery are hosting a Celebration of Recovery at City Hall to celebrate recovery and encourage individuals with a mental health or substance use disorder to seek recovery and achieve a healthy, happy life.

Mental health and substance use disorders can affect anyone. Our community must remain dedicated to the recovery process by helping people address these preventable and treatable conditions, and support individuals in recovery, as well as their family members.

The Celebration of Recovery is part of Recovery Month in the city of Cranston, which has been recognized through a formal resolution sponsored by Reilly.

Harvest Festival

Rhodes on the Pawtuxet is joining in with The Artists’ Exchange to present the first Harvest Festival on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rhodes, located at 60 Rhodes Place in Cranston.

The event will feature vendors, crafters, penny socials, dancing, children’s activities and more. Email jenn@rhodesonthepawtuxet.com to request an application for vendor space.

There will be a special performance by the Country Wild Band at 1 p.m. Per CDC guidelines, organizers request that guests who are not fully vaccinated or are immunocompromised continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Beer Garden each week in Garden City

Join Garden City Center and Avvio Ristorante for a summer sendoff you won't want to miss.

Outside at the Gazebo every weekend this September, there will be a rotating lineup of local breweries – including Grey Sail Brewing, Narragansett Beer, Newport Craft Brewing and Whalers Brewing Company – taking part in the Beer Garden.

The upcoming schedule is Sept 10-12, Narragansett Beer; Sept. 17-19, Newport Craft Brewing; and Sept. 24-26, Whalers Brewing Company.

Hours are Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 1 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 7 p.m.

This family (and dog) friendly beer garden will also feature fun and games, live music and bites from Avvio, all located in your favorite Rhode Island home-away-from-home.

The Beer Garden is open to the public and there is no cover charge. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis and operating hours will be weather permitting. Customers must show a valid ID in order to purchase an alcoholic beverage.

Rock & Rhodes Music Fest

On Oct. 3, the group Hey 19 from Rhode Island, The Midnight Callers from New York City, and Soul Box and The Deluxtones from Boston will join in for a Rock & Roll Music Fest to benefit children in treatment at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston. Tickets cost $20 per person. The event will be held at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, located at 60 Rhodes Place in Cranston. For tickets and more information, follow the event’s Facebook page or visit www.eventbrite.com.

Save the date

The Cranston High School East Thunderbolt Marching Band Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. at Cranston Stadium. More details to follow.

RI State Police Citizens Academy now accepting applications

Have you ever wanted to get an inside look at the Rhode Island State Police?

Applications are now open for the 2021 Rhode Island State Police Citizens Academy. The six-week academy meets every Monday from 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 27 through Nov. 1.

The curriculum includes briefings and hands-on experience in officer safety, patrol operations and procedures, response to resistance, domestic violence investigations, critical incident/victim assistance, and investigative techniques.

Seats are limited, and applications must be received by Sept. 17. Apply today. For additional information and to apply online, visit www.ow.ly/tdYB50FLZIF.

Senior Golf Tournament returns

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center has announced that the Cranston Senior Golf Tournament is back. The event will be held at the Cranston Country Club on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Registration costs $85 per person and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, continental breakfast, grilled hot dog and chips, a banquet immediately following play, and a great day of fun for all. For more information, call Jane at the center at (401) 780-6220

Church seeking vendors for Holiday Bazaar

Our Lady of Grace Church, located at 4 Lafayette St. in Johnston, would like invite vendors to participate in its Holiday Bazaar on Oct. 17. There will be crafters, vendors, a penny social, food and more. For information, contact Pat Leon at (401) 529-7592.

New Hope Art Gallery open

Ricky Gagnon, director of the New Hope Art Gallery located in the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center at 1070 Cranston St., has announced the gallery is once again open with a new show coming this fall. The grand opening of the fall show will be held on Tuesday Oct. 26, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Come visit and enjoy the art. Regular gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.

Reunion for Mt. Pleasant High School class of 1970

The 50th class reunion for Mt. Pleasant High School will be held on Oct. 29 at the Santa Maria DiPrata Society, located at 29 Walnut Grove Ave. in Cranston. The evening will begin at 6:30 and run through 11:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $50 per person. Please contact Vin DeTora at (401) 232-0856 or Joan LaVallee Gelfuso at (401) 578-2220 and RSVP by Oct. 5.

Dahlia show in NK

The Rhode Island Dahlia Society will have its annual Dahlia Show at the Cold Spring Community Center, located at 36 Beach St. in North Kingstown, on Sept. 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a large variety of dahlias on display, along with special arrangements, and vases of dahlias with other flowers for sale. Members of the RI Dahlia Society will be on hand to answer any questions. Please visit the society’s website for membership and other information at www.rhodeislanddahliasociety.org.

Rhode Island Heritage Month virtual celebrations

This September, the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission will present four weekly 60-minute virtual celebrations on their new YouTube channel each Saturday at 7 p.m. The weekly programs will feature “Heritage Highlights” from different cultural performance groups, heritage organizations, and hands-on activities like cooking and dance demonstrations.

You can sneak a peek of the celebrations by visiting their YouTube channel, RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission.

This is a free family-friendly event. 

How to Run for Office’ event

Black Lives Matter RI PAC, Cranston Forward and the Rhode Island Working Families Party have rescheduled their “How to Run for Office” training event to Saturday, Sept. 11. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road.

This training is geared toward people with little or no experience with campaigns and will cover everything from how to determine which office to run for, what you need to know in terms of deadlines and requirements, and what you need to do to have an effective campaign. The organizers encourage people to attend who want to help elect good people to public office, as well as anyone who may want to run for office or manage a campaign themselves.

A subsequent more in-depth training series will be offered by RI WFP in September 2021. People who are not Cranston residents may also attend, but in the event of limited capacity, preference will be given to Cranston residents and members of the co-hosting organizations.

To register, visit www.cranstonfwd.us/howtorun.

RSVP transportation volunteers

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center’s RSVP program needs volunteers to help in many ways in the community. One is to transport homebound seniors to medical appointments or run errands for them.

The program is also seeking RSVP school readiness volunteers to assist Glen Hills Elementary School’s staff and students with an array of school activities and events.

Also needed are RSVP recycling volunteers who educate the community with assistance and guidance from Rhode Island Resource Recovery professionals on a variety of topics such as waste reduction and reuse, recycling and composting. Learn more about Resource Recovery – who they are, what they do, how they work, and much more, including a tour of the facility.

If you are interested in becoming a Cranston RSVP volunteer, contact Karen at (401) 780-6159 for an interview. You must be 55 years of age or older to volunteer and a BCI is required. A mileage reimbursement is given to cover your travel cost. RSVP also provides insurance protection in the event that your or someone else is injured while performing your volunteer duties.

What if you do not drive or do not have a vehicle? No worries. RSVP will provide you with transportation to your volunteer station.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island will host its fifth annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake (BFKS) event on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lang’s Bowlarama in Cranston.

Participants can sign up in teams of five to participate in a private bowling party, and raise donations from family, friends and colleagues leading up to the event – with a fundraising goal of $100 for each participant.

You’ll also have the chance to win raffle prizes … and really great karma for giving back to local kids!

No experience is required – just a desire to have fun and support youth mentoring. All of the proceeds from this event stay in Rhode Island and help Big Brothers Big Sisters fulfill its mission. Donate today or register your team at www.secure.qgiv.com/event/bbbsri2021.

Did you know?

Sept. 11, 2001, changed the shape of the world forever. It was on this fateful day that the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil happened when four commercial airliners were hijacked. Two of the planes were flown straight into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and another was crashed into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crash-landed into a field in Pennsylvania after the passengers of the flight attempted to regain control of the plane from the terrorists.

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. This includes virtual events which should be submitted two to three weeks ahead of the event. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Cranston Herald.

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