Cranston Chatter

The Cranston Herald ·

Applications for Cranston Explorer Program

Applications for the Cranston Police Explorer Program are now being accepted! Our program is open to young adults ages 15 to 20, who have completed 8th grade, and will give Explorers the opportunity to learn police functions and participate in mock police calls, as well as assisting the Cranston Police Department in the community. They anticipate a competitive process so make sure the application is complete! Please note that the application period will be open through the month of July. It may be extended depending on the amount of applications.

Click on form.jotform.com/61716122704145 to begin your application. Email Captain Vincent McAteer at vmcateer@cranstonpoliceri.com if you experience any problems or have any questions.

Garden City Concert Series

The Garden City Concert Series will continue at the Gazebo with the URI Jazz Band on Aug. 2, followed by Superchief Trio on Aug. 9. The series will wrap on with Nicolas King with special guest Angela Bacari on Aug. 16. All concerts are free and held at the gazebo from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Pop-Up Library coming to Cranston

On July 12, the Rhode Island Foundation announced the 30 recipients of this year’s Community Grants at a press conference. Among the attendees were representatives from Cranston Public Library, which was awarded $10,000 in grant funds for the development of a pop-up library.

This mobile library cart, designed and fabricated by the Uni Project, will bring library resources into the community by transporting books and seating to playgrounds, basketball courts, bus stops, farmers markets, shopping centers, and other community events and programs.

The mobile collection will be composed of books with a strong visual component and content that is easy to sample. While children’s books will be the focus of the collection, materials for adults will be available as well.

Once established, the pop-up library will be available upon request to community organizations hosting free events that are open to the public. For these special events, library staff members will be able to offer read aloud and kid-friendly activities catered to the theme of the event.

Expect to see this pop-up library around Cranston beginning Fall 2017.

2017 CCAP Chip for Charity 9 Hole Golf Tournament

The 2017 CCAP Chip for Charity 9 Hole Golf Tournament & Community Awards Dinner -honoring their Community Partners - Senator Jack Reed, Mutual of America and The Rotary Club of Cranston will be held on Sept. 14 at Harbor Lights, in Warwick Neck. Neighborhood Health of Rhode Island is the Chip Charity presenting sponsor. For information on sponsorship opportunities, golf registration or to purchase tickets, contact Lee Beliveau at 562-8353 or lbeliveau@comcap.org.

Take a chance to benefit the homeless

Mae Organization for the Homeless is celebrating its founder's birthday on August 15, by giving away $1,000. Spend just $10 for the opportunity to turn it into $1,000.

This is a virtual fundraiser, allowing anyone around the world to participate! All proceeds from this fun giveaway will be going toward their holistic programs for our homeless clients. 

The mission of Mae Organization, Inc. is to operate on a Mind, Body, Spirit wellness program model which empowers and compassionately supports our homeless demographic through expressive arts and holistic modalities in the healing of mental illness and substance abuse.

Expressive Arts Programs in conjunction with clinical medicine have been proven extremely effective worldwide in hospitals and other healing centers in the healing process of aids, cancers, alcohol and drug abuse cases.

Mae Organization uses these holistic healing therapeutic modalities as their platform to work supportively and compassionately with our homeless clients in finding their inner voiceless child.

They are currently raising funds to purchase a transportation vehicle and open their Wellness Center. 

Tickets can also be purchased by visiting R.I. Dental at 1351 South County Trail, suite 120 in East Greenwich or by calling 206-1451 for additional ticket locations. You may also visit www.eventbrite.com.

Summer concerts at the William Hall Library

The Cranston Public Library, Parks & Recreation Partnership Brings Summer Concerts to William Hall Library, located at 1825 Broad Street, Cranston.

“Music In Our Town,” a summer concert series, will feature summer performances, at the William Hall Library.

All concerts are free and open to the public and will take place on the William Hall Library front lawn. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and snacks to make the most of these free, family-friendly events. Free ice cream provided by Scandinavian House at selected performances.

Traditional concerts will take place on Thursdays, through Aug. 3, from 6:30-8 p.m.

Aug. 3 will be Billy Shears Band as they close out the Summer Concert Series with the music of the Beatles.

Kids’ concerts will take place on July 25 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the Toe Jam Puppet Band.

At the Senior Center

You are not alone! There are many benefits to joining a support group like the Insight Support Group, which will meet this Friday at 10:30 a.m. The goal is to educate, encourage and empower people with vision impairments to live more independently and to remain fully engaged in life. The group meets the first Friday of each month. All are welcome.

Guest Speaker Tyrone Jackson will be on hand for “To Meditate in Quiet Thought” next Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m. Those in attendance will learn “techniques to get you started and learn why meditation can be so important in our lives.”

Jennifer Kevorkian will once again be facilitating the Reminisce Group on Friday, Aug. 11, at 9:30 a.m. The group meets the second Friday of every month, and for more information Jennifer can be reached at 780-6254.

The Living Well Rhode Island’s chronic disease self-management program will be back starting Friday, Aug. 25 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The workshops teaches how to manage pain from such chronic diseases as diabetes and arthritis, along with many more. If those interested attend five of the six workshops, they receive a workbook, relaxation CD and a $25 gift certificate. To register early and secure a spot, call 780-6000.

The Mayor’s Picnic will get underway at Brayton Avenue Park on Friday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Barbecue chicken, corn and watermelon will be among the treats at the picnic, and reservations can be made in a couple of ways. Either stop by the Enrichment Center’s dining room from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or call 780-6134.

A Mobile Manicure Spa - More Than Just Pretty Nails will be at the Cranston Senior Center to pamper. On Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, getting a manicure is a nice routine and it is even nicer when it is coming to you here at the center!  Sarah, our manicurist, will be with us on Thursdays throughout July from 9 a.m. to noon. For only $7 you will have the opportunity to enjoy a standard manicure. By appointment only please call now at 780-6216.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program will be held from Aug. 25 through Sept. 29 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Back by popular demand…this Living Well Rhode Island program is free for individuals who may have a chronic condition, are at risk of developing one or simply want to improve their quality of life.  This evidence-based education workshop teaches us how to manage symptoms of a chronic condition (pain, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure etc.), relieve stress, eat well, exercise, and how to realistically set attainable goals.  Upon successfully completing the program (attending five of the six sessions) participants will receive a workbook, a relaxation CD and a $20 gift certificate. Space is limited please register early by calling 780-6000.

Let Your Yoga Dance! will be held on Thursdays at 10 a.m. for a fee of $3 per person. Have you heard of Dance Yoga?  If you like yoga and you like to dance…you should try the two together.  Join in for a fun filled hour, with great music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. For more information call 780-6216.

Come Sing With Us will be offered at the Center to all those who enjoy singing. Would you like to be part of a choral group? Studies have shown that singing improves mental, emotional, and physical health and it is great fun! The Center is looking to begin a singing group and if you are interested or would like more information please call 780-6178.

Michael A. Traficante Enrichment Center, the former Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, is located at 1070 Cranston St. For any additional information on the following programs, please call 780-6000.

The 2017 Senior Games

The Senior Games are about to stoke the flames of competition in Cranston. For seniors 55 and older, events will include billiards, bocce, golf, horseshoes, bowling and more.

Starting Saturday, Sept. 23, at 9 a.m., the $20 registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch buffet and a seat at the awards banquet. Registration forms can be found at the City of Cranston’s website, cranstonri.com.

Speaking of sports, there will be three days of golf coming up between Sept. 19-21 at the Cranston Country Club. The $75 registration carries with it breakfast and lunch, along with 18 holes of golf, a cart and a sleeve of balls. To sign up, call 780-6220.

In search of Cranston history

The Cranston Historical Society is grateful to the good people of their city who allow them to borrow old pictures of Cranston schools, activities, businesses, parades, landscape photos, farm pictures, etc. that show Cranston's rich history, civics and industry. If you have any of these, and would like to share, call 944-9226.

Help make a house a home

The Furniture Bank of RI, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, needs bureaus, complete twin or double beds, kitchen sets, mattresses and other household furniture that you no longer need. To help a less fortunate family through your charitable donation of good used furniture, call 831-5511 to arrange for pick up. All donated articles must be in good condition.

 To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in .jpg format are accepted.