By MERI R. KENNEDY Fall cleanup at Sprague Mansion 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
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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.
Citywide Councilwoman Jessica Marino, in coordination with Operation Stand Down, is collecting nonperishable food items for veterans during the month of November.
Needed items include cereal, juice, canned meat, dry or canned soup, oatmeal, rice, applesauce, raisins, jelly and jam, canned or instant potatoes, macaroni and cheese, instant noodles, tomato sauce, pasta sauce, peanut butter, gravy, stuffing, bread mixes, biscuit mixes, cranberry sauce, pickles, olives, box dinners, and any other nonperishable items. Snack items are particularly needed.
Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., at Operation Stand Down RI, located at 1010 Hartford Ave. in Johnston. Drop-off boxes are also available at Cranston Public Library locations, the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, and the Cranston Police and Fire departments.
For additional information, email Marino at marinoforcranston@gmail.com.
The For the Kids toy drive, which supports the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign and the Rhode Island Dream Center, is returning at the Thirsty Beaver in Cranston this year.
There are three ways to donate – an in-person collection event scheduled for Nov. 30, an Amazon wishlist, and a monetary donation component.
The in-person event will be held from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at the Thirsty Beaver, located at 288 Atwood Ave. Miss Rhode Island USA Jonét Nichelle, Miss Teen RI Sophia Ledoux, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand.
To learn more, email info@forthekidstoydrive@gmail.com or visit www.forthekidstoydrive.com.
The Cranston Police Department is collecting nonperishable food items for veterans during the month of November. Food donations from the public are welcomed and encouraged.
According to the Police Department, it is collecting nonperishable food items in coordination with Operation Stand Down, a nonprofit that manages a community supported food pantry for veterans in Johnston.
Residents can drop off their food donations at the collection box located in the lobby of police headquarters at 5 Garfield Ave. in Cranston. For more information, visit www.cranstonpoliceri.com.
On Thanksgiving weekend, the Rhode Island Shriners will host their seventh annual Fez-tival of Trees. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, located at 60 Rhodes Place in Cranston.
There is a suggested $2 donation for adults at the door, and children 12 and under are admitted at no cost. There will be tree and wreath displays, free children’s activities, table raffles, a 50/50 cash raffle, penny socials, a holiday marketplace featuring crafters and artisans, refreshments at Mrs. Claus’s Café, musical entertainment and more. Tree and wreath raffle drawings begin at 3 p.m. each day.
The event is the largest fundraiser for the Shrines each year. To learn more, visit www.rhodesonthepawtuxet.com.
There is a new Transvan schedule for medical appointments. Please schedule your appointments Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between the hours of 8 and 10:30 a.m. or noon and 2 p.m. For $25 per month, Transvan will take you shopping, medical appointments, pharmacy visits and to the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center for lunch or bingo. Call 780-6218 for the holiday shopping schedule.
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.
Organizer and educator John Macera has 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 Cranston Senior Enrichment Center is seeking your help once again to deliver holiday meals to homebound seniors in the Cranston community. Thanksgiving meal delivery is scheduled for Nov. 24 and Christmas meal delivery is scheduled for Dec. 23.
If you are interested in helping, please contact Jason Andoscia at 780-6255 or email jandoscia@cranstonri.org. Please include your full name, address and telephone number as well as the number of meals you are able to deliver.
The mission of the Rhode Island chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) is to offer education, resources and support to all whose lives are touched by mental illness; to advocate at every level to ensure the rights and dignity of those with mental illness; and to promote research in the science and treatment of mental illness.
Currently, NAMI-RI is offering free and virtual programs for schools, families and community members.
For more information on NAMI- RI and its programs and services, or to become a volunteer, visit namirhodeisland.org, call (401) 331-3060 or email info@namirhodeisland.org.
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.
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.
Ocean State Artisans will host its 30th annual Holiday Craft Show from Friday, Nov. 26, to Sunday, Nov. 28, at its new location at 1276 Bald Hill Road in Warwick. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission costs $3, with $1 off with a canned food donation. To learn more, visit www.oceanstateartisans.com.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
It may be early, but here are the dates to save for the city of Cranston’s holiday celebrations.
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at City Hall on Monday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. The Menorah Lighting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m.
Mark your calendar for Dec. 21, 45 minutes after sunset. The Star of Bethlehem will shine for the first time since 1226 (weather permitting). During this Christmas season, we will be able to enjoy an astronomical event that has not happened in 800 years: the alignment of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, better known as the Star of Bethlehem, which according to Christian tradition was followed to reach the birthplace of Jesus Christ. This is a rare phenomenon, with a special meaning in this Christmas season. (Source: Astronomy 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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