By MERI R. KENNEDY Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair The St. Mary's Feast Society Ladies' Auxiliary will host its Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair at 15 Phenix Ave. in Cranston on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be more than 40 vendors, along
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The St. Mary’s Feast Society Ladies’ Auxiliary will host its Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair at 15 Phenix Ave. in Cranston on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be more than 40 vendors, along with raffles, baked goods and more. Come support local businesses. For more information, follow the Ladies’ Auxiliary on Facebook.
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.
Mayor Ken Hopkins and the city of Cranston have announced the return of the Veterans Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 a.m.
The parade will begin at the front of Legion Bowl on Park Avenue and continue past City Hall and then down Rolfe Square.
Gather at the cannons at Park Avenue and Rolfe Square to honor veterans. A ceremony at the cannons will follow the parade.
For more information, visit www.cranstonri.gov.
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.
The OneCranston Health Equity Zone will be starting a Community Choir, which will meet every Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Bain Middle School auditorium. This will culminate in a performance on Nov. 29 for the community. The director for the choir is Matt Garza from the Haus of Glitter Performance Lab in Providence. All ages and abilities are welcome. They are requiring everyone wear a mask, and they will provide masks to those who do not have them. For more information, contact Ivy at iswinski@comcap.org or (401) 862-3811.
Defenders of Animals will be hosting a pet food drive throughout the month of November. Please bring all donations to the Warwick Animal Hospital, located at 1950 Elmwood Ave. in Warwick. Drop off is Monday-Friday, and ask for Tonya.
A fall cleanup will be held at the Governor Sprague Mansion, located at 1351 Cranston St., from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13. The event is being sponsored by Ward 3 City Councilman John Donegan and the Cranston Historical Society.
If you can, please bring gloves, a rake and, if inclined, some leaf bags. This is a great opportunity for anybody in need of community service hours. Lunch will be provided courtesy of Donegan.
Help CCAP reach its goal to support 1,500 families this holiday season!
Holiday Meal Food Drives are being held now. An unprecedented number of our neighbors are turning to CCAP during these challenging times. To ensure that struggling families have a Thanksgiving dinner this holiday season, please consider purchasing a grocery store gift card the next time you are shopping. A $50 gift card will provide a wonderful Thanksgiving meal for a family of four.
You can also help CCAP fill its food pantry shelves by donating nonperishable food, paper goods and cleaning products.
Another way to help is through the CCAP Adopt-a-Family Program. A $300 donation to the program will adopt an entire family for the holidays, and 100 percent of donations go right to the families in need. Donations in other amounts are also appreciated.
Please make checks payable to Comprehensive Community Action and send to 311 Doric Ave., Cranston, RI 02910, Attn: Holiday Giving Campaign, before Dec. 10.
For more information about CCAP’s holiday giving campaigns, contact Sherry Diaz, vice president of social services, at (401) 562-8336 or sdiaz@comcap.org, or Lee Beliveau, vice president of development, at (401) 562-8356 or lbeliveau@comcap.org.
All food and donations can be delivered during business hours of 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. at 311 Doric Ave. on the lower level.
The Regina Coeli Society of St. Mary’s Church in Cranston is sponsoring the 2021 Parish Outreach Campaign, which will benefit the Children’s Friend Spirit of Giving Drive. Any new, unwrapped toy can be dropped in the collection boxes at the entrance of the church. Gift tags are also available on the Christmas tree in the vestibule. All gifts should be unwrapped. The drive continues through Nov. 14.
The next meeting of the Regina Coeli will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at the St. Mary Civita Hall, 15 Phenix Ave., Cranston. All members are asked to bring canned goods for donation to the food pantry.
On Monday, Nov. 15, starting at 6 p.m., the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road will host a “Meet Your Cranston Legislators” event. State Sen. Hanna Gallo (District 27) and Reps. Brandon Potter (District 16) and Jackie Baginski (District 17) will be on hand for a casual meet-and-greet. No registration is required. For more information, visit www.cranstonlibrary.org.
The East Greenwich Art Club will hold an exhibit of members’ artwork at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, through Nov. 26. The exhibit is free and open to the public for viewing during library hours. There will be a reception on Sunday, Nov.7, where visitors can meet the artists. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the club at info@eastgreenwichartclub.org or visit www.eastgreenwichartclub.org.
The Cranston Public Library welcomes Rhode Island author Joe Broadmeadow to the Central library on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 p.m. for an author event and book signing. Broadmeadow will discuss his latest book, “Divine Providence: The Mayor, the Mob, and the Man in the Middle,” co-authored with Pat Cortellessa.
Broadmeadow retired with the rank of captain from the East Providence Police Department after 20 years. He also worked in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and on special assignment to the FBI Drug Task Force.
He is the author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books. In January 2019, he started JEBWizard Publishing, a hybrid publishing company working with new and emerging authors. By applying the lessons of his experience in the ever-changing world of publishing, he helps guide authors to their own publishing success. He also writes for two blogs and as a guest columnist for The Providence Journal and www.GoLocalProv.com.
This program is free and open to the public and copies of the book will be for sale. Registration is required via www.cranstonlibrary.org.
The Edgewood Garden Club is hosting an open meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the William Hall Library Auditorium, 1825 Broad St., Cranston. The title of the program is “Going Native for Low-Maintenance Gardens.”
The public is invited to attend this informative talk on native plants, which adapt to dry summers, cold winters, browsing deer and invading insects. Betty Sanders will speak on the benefits of putting not-too-fussy plants into gardens to attract plant pollinators and boost local eco-systems. Sanders, a well-known Massachusetts horticultural and environmental expert, will share her wealth of plant knowledge in a fun and interesting way.
The evening begins at 6:30 p.m., with light refreshments, followed by the program at 7 p.m.
The Edgewood Garden Club was established in 1933. For more than eight decades it has focused on civic beautification, gardening education and environmental stewardship in Cranston and Warwick. Its current membership of nearly 70 women and men hail from Edgewood, Pawtuxet Village and Gaspee Plateau as well as other local areas. The club, an affiliate of the National Garden Clubs and the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, maintains public gardens at the Village Playground, Stillhouse Cove and the William Hall Library.
The Cranston Department of Parks & Recreation has announced that registration for the Saturday Morning Basketball program is now open.
Saturday Morning Basketball is an instructional program to teach the fundamentals for grades kindergarten to middle school. The program runs at Western Hills and Park View middle schools for grades three to eight and the Pastore Youth Center for grades kindergarten through two.
The registration fee is $25 per child. The program runs Saturday mornings from Nov. 27 to March 19. To register, visit forms.gle/eBCQ7MeZDn2SaLif6.
The Rhode Island Dahlia Society will hold a meeting on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Cold Spring Community Center on Beach Street in North Kingstown. Joyce Sterling will be teaching “The Anatomy of a Dahlia.” It will be a good learning experience for anyone attending. There will also be a demonstration of how to cut tuber clumps and storage methods. Members will be on hand to answer any questions. The meeting is open to the public, and welcomes new members. For more information, visit www.rhodeislanddahliasociety.org.
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.
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.
Warwick Center for the Arts is hosting its 35th Annual RI Open through Nov. 20.
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.
Asbury United Methodist Church will be hosting a Christmas Village Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 550 Fair St. in Warwick.
The event will feature the church’s famous Swedish coffee bread, vintage jewelry and antiques, themed gift baskets, homemade crafts galore, a cookie walk, baked delights and other yummies, freshly made soups to-go (vegetarian options), Christmas decor and more.
Admission is free and masks are required. For more information, call the church office at 467-5122.
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.
Cranston Public Library hosts free safety series The Cranston Family Literacy Collaborative, a joint program of the Cranston Public Library and the Cranston Family Center, and Cranston United Against Violence & Abuse (CUAVA), will hold a four-part
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: forms.gle/M6CfsuqaeaMJwAdXA.
Payment in the form of a check or money order can be brought to class or mailed to the Recreation Department.
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.
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.
November’s full Moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon. Why this name? In the colonial era, this was the month to set one’s beaver traps before the swamps froze and beavers retired to their lodges, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. In 2021, November’s full Moon occurs on Friday, Nov. 19, at 3:59 a.m.
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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