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Veterans Day 5K returning at Park View

Posted 10/13/21

By MERI R. KENNEDY Veterans Day 5K returning at Park View Park View Middle School has announced the return of its Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Kids' Run after a year's hiatus due to COVID-19. Last week, organizer and educator John Macera announced

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BULLETIN BOARD

Veterans Day 5K returning at Park View

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Park View Middle School has announced the return of its Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Kids’ Run after a year’s hiatus due to COVID-19.

Last week, organizer and educator John Macera announced the eighth annual event – which draws runners, walkers and many cheering fans, in addition to a multitude of volunteers – is now scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 11.

Established in 2013, the Veterans Day 5K quickly became a Park View community favorite. The event benefits Park View and Operation Stand Down RI.

“We were devastated to have to cancel the 5K event last fall,” Macera said. “However, we’re thrilled to be able to get right back to it in November. Each year the event supports Operation Stand Down, which helps our local veterans, and we look forward to being able to give that support again this year.”

In the past, the event has raised as much as $20,000. The planning and fundraising processes begin ahead of the event itself, and Macera noted that the organizers are looking for volunteers and sponsors for the event, which will be held at Roger Williams Park.

For more information about sponsoring this year’s event, donating, or volunteering for the event itself, contact Macera at jmacera@cpsed.net.

Additional information and a registration link can be found at www.pview.cpsed.net.

 Drug Take Back Day

The Cranston Police Department will join departments in cities and towns throughout Rhode Island to participate in National Drug Take Back Day.

The department will accept expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, at the police station at 5 Garfield Ave.

Drop-offs are anonymous, and no paperwork is necessary. At this time, the department is only accepting pills, powders or patches. E-cigarettes and vapes can be dropped off only if the battery has been removed.

Liquids, creams and new or used needles or aerosols, such as inhalers, will not be accepted.

All collected drugs will be handed off to the DEA for destruction.

In April 2021, Americans turned in 420 tons (nearly 840,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 5,060 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,400 of its state and local law enforcement partners.

Unused medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse, abuse or falling into the hands of children. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the country are alarmingly high, as are the rates of accidental poisonings and overdoses. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 24 Take Back Day event, go to www.deatakeback.com.

Halloween events at Kelley Gazzerro VFW Post

A Children’s Spooktacular Halloween Party will be held Sunday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Kelley Gazzerro VFW Post 2812, located at 1418 Plainfield Pike in Cranston. The event is free. There will be a trunk-or-treat, pumpkin and face painting, photography and music, along with prizes for best costume.

That night, the VFW Post will host an 18-Plus Octoberfest from 5 to 9 p.m. This event is also free. There will be music, prizes, a bar for those 21 and older, and photography, in addition to a prize for the best costume.

‘Guns ‘n’ Hoses’ charity basketball game

There will be a charity basketball game, called “Guns ‘n’ Hoses,” which will be between the Cranston Police Department and the Cranston Fire Department on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. in the Cranston High School East gym. Proceeds from the game will go to Special Olympics and Beat the Odds Lifestyle. Admission will be $10 per adult and $5 per children.

Cranston Transvan

Transvan, the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center’s transportation system for city residents 55 years or older, provides services within Cranston Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service provides transportation from private homes and senior housing to the Senior Center, personal appointments (medical, banking, hairdresser, pharmacies, etc.) and scheduled grocery and retail shopping. There is a $25 monthly fee. For more information, call 943-3341 or 780-6218.

Charlie’s Ghost Party

The Cranston Historical Society will host its annual Charlie’s Ghost Party on Friday, Oct. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sprague Mansion, located at 1352 Cranston St. in Cranston.

Featured will be Jared the Magician and Mentalist, who will provide an all-new show. Card readers will be on hand and light refreshments will be served. Roam the spooky mansion rooms if you dare! Come and enjoy a ghostly good time.

Call 944-9226 to reserve your place or purchase tickets ($20 donation per person) via www.cranstonhistoricalsociety.org.

Rotary Touch a Truck event in Garden City

Bring the family to the Rotary Club’s Halloween Touch a Truck event on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Garden City Center. The suggested donation is $10 per family and advanced tickets are encouraged.

Bring the kids to climb, explore and touch their favorite big rigs, fire trucks, police cars, buses and more. This Rotary fundraising event includes Touch a Truck, face painting, balloon animals and more. Halloween costumes are encouraged.

The purpose of the Cranston Rotary club is to connect people who then work together to solve community problems, provide humanitarian aid, and promote goodwill and peace. The club provides scholarships for Cranston high school seniors, Thanksgiving baskets to CCAP families, and supports the community.

Outdoor ‘Hocus Pocus’ screening to benefit blanket drive

Cranston Cares and Emily’s Blanket Drive will present a “Movies in the Park” event on Sunday, Oct. 24, starting at 6 p.m. at the Atwood Avenue softball field in Cranston. The movie “Hocus Pocus” will be shown on the big screen. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to bring a blanket donation to help those in need.

Emily’s Blanket Drive is organized by Emily Sanita, who was inspired by a conversation with Shawn O’Rourke at the Providence Rescue Mission about the needs and struggles of the state’s homeless population. She collected over 200 blankets for those in need and she is continuing her mission with the goal to collect 1,000 blankets. Blankets can also be dropped off at The Thirsty Braver.

Halloween in Knightsville

The St. Mary’s Feast Society will present “Halloween in Knightsville” on Friday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the St. Mary’s Feast Society, located at 15 Phenix Ave. in Cranston. Enjoy free parking. A cash bar and food will be available. Costumes are encouraged! The event is free but donations will be accepted to further the work of the society in the community.

Cranston Firefighters Halloween Party

On Sunday, Oct. 31, to help create a safer environment for the children of Cranston, Cranston Firefighters IAFF Local 1363 will be hosting their annual Halloween Party. The event will be held at Station 2, located at 301 Pontiac Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m.

Please remember that the Fire Department continues to respond to multiple COVID positive patients daily and it is in your best interest to wear a face mask if you are not fully vaccinated and practice social distancing when attending.

Winter Survival Backpack drive for RI’s homeless population

From now until Sunday, Nov. 7, the Rhode Island Dream Center will be collecting items for its Hope for the Homeless Winter Survival Backpack drive for Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness. This year during Thanksgiving, organizers will be distributing 300-400 backpacks filled with winter essentials for the state’s homeless community.

Items needed include winter hats (adult), winter scarves (adult), winter gloves (adult), new socks, full-size body wash, combs, full-size shampoo, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, razors, face masks, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes and body wipes.

Items should be brought to 330 Park Ave. by Nov. 7. To learn more, visit www.ridreamcenter.com.

NAMI Family-to-Family course

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Rhode Island chapter will offer a Family-to-Family course beginning Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. This is a free and virtual eight-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidenced-based program. Research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.

NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by trained family members who have personal family experience and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises.

For more information or to register for this evidence-based program, visit namirhodeisland.org, call 331-3060 or email beth@namirhodeisland.org.

Little Free Pantry to offer Christmas help

The Little Free Pantry is now accepting applications to apply for Christmas help. The goal is to provide one to three items per child, with the value of your gifts ranging from $5 to $40. The organization does its best to help as many as it can, but does not guarantee help. Those who self-identify that they need assistance, living in Coventry, Cranston, Scituate, Warwick and West Warwick, are welcome to apply.

Please include your name and a picture/copy of a recent utility bill in your name (your photo ID will be required at pick up). Please block out account numbers – the organization only needs to verify the address and name.

For each child up to age 17, include the child’s first name, age, gender and a wishlist or a list of likes (of mixed value, maximum $40 per item).

For additional information, visit the “Little Free Pantry, Warwick, RI” Facebook page.

Celebrating RI artists

Warwick Center for the Arts is hosting its 35th Annual RI Open from Oct. 16 through Nov. 20, with an opening reception scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21.

The RI Open is WCFA’s annual exhibit of original artwork created by artists who live or work in Rhode Island. Each year, the organization looks forward to this opportunity to celebrate the creativity and artistic vision of Rhode Islanders. All media will be presented, such as drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, photography, digital arts and textile arts.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.warwickcfa.org.

Confreda’s Fall Festival

The Fall Festival is back at Confreda Greenhouses & Farms, located at 2150 Scituate Ave. in Cranston.

This year’s festival theme is “Rhode Island Strong.” The activities include hayrides, the Corn MAiZE, the Animal Backyard and Pumpkin Patch. They have also included rides for children with Rockwell Amusements.

For full information on the Fall Festival, visit www.confredasfallfest.com.

Cranston Public Library Teen Space

The teen space at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library on Sockanosset Cross Road has been newly renovated and is open for teen patrons entering grades 6-12.

Stop by to meet the teen librarian, hang out with friends, browse the collection, or participate in one of their many programs. The teen study room can be reserved by teens for gaming, studying, group projects, and more!

If you have any questions please contact Alyssa, teen librarian, at teens@cranstonlibrary.org.

Thunderbolt Marching Band Invitational

The Thunderbolt Marching Band Invitational will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the show will start at 5:55 p.m. There will be a total of 10 different bands, including our Cranston High School East Thunderbolts. Tickets cost $10, or $8 for seniors.

Curbside pickup of donations

Big Brothers Big Sisters Donation Center will be in Cranston on Tuesdays in October, providing free curbside pickups for clothing, shoes and small cloth items like blankets, towels and curtains. To schedule your free curbside pickup, visit website at www.bigsri.org/donateri or call 921-2434, option 2.

Free farmers market

A free farmers market with fresh vegetables, courtesy of CCAP and the OneCranston Health Equity Zone, is available from 4:30 to 6 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 28. The market is located at the Oak Street parking lot at Bain Middle School.

Women’s Fitness Program

The Cranston Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the return of its Women’s Fitness program for women aged 18 and older.

The program will run through June 24, 2022. Classes will be held at the Pastore Youth Center, 155 Gansett Ave.

Mondays will be “Dance Aerobics” with Cathy from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays will be “Tunes and Tone” with Kristin from 6 to 7 p.m. Please bring one- to three-pound weights for Kristin’s class.

Please note the day and times for each class, as they have changed from previous years. When there is a Monday holiday, class will be held on Tuesday of that week from 5 to 6 p.m.

The registration fee is $40 for both nights and $20 for one night for each 10-week session. There will be four sessions total.

Session dates are as follows: Now to Nov. 17 (Oct. 11 moved to Oct. 12); Nov. 29 to Feb. 2 (Jan. 3 and 17 moved to Jan. 4 and 18); Feb. 7 to April 13 (Feb. 21 moved to Feb. 22); and April 18 to June 22 (May 30 moved to May 31).

Register through the Google Form available at this link: www.forms.gle/M6CfsuqaeaMJwAdXA.

Payment in the form of a check or money order can be brought to class or mailed to the Recreation Department.

Community Walk to fight hunger

A walk to call attention to food insecurity and raise funds for local pantries is being planned by a group of area churches, including Woodbury Union, Lakewood Baptist, St. Benedict, St. Kevin, and St. Mark’s. The walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16. All interested community churches, organizations and individuals are invited to attend. Call 737-8232 or email woodburychurchri@gmail.com for more information.

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 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.

Did you know?

What does M&M stand for? Mars and Murrie. They named the candy M&Ms. The deal gave Murrie a 20 percent stake in the candy, but this stake was later bought out by Mars when chocolate rationing ended at the end of World War II. (Source: Halloween Fun Facts)

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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