Praise Tabernacle to hold “A Christmas To Remember”

Praise Tabernacle Church, located at 330 Park Ave. is putting on their Annual Christmas Production the weekend of Dec. 16, 17 and 18 called “The Christmas to Remember.” This is a free show open to the public. Show times are at 7 p.m. with an additional 11 a.m. show on Sunday, Dec. 18.

Praise Tabernacle offers a sensory friendly production for children and adults with special needs. There is a cry room available if needed.  Anyone who works in group homes, nursing homes, or special behavioral environments, are encouraged to bring your residents, patients, and their families to this special show at 2 p.m. on Dec. 17.

Garden City Events

Garden City Center will host their Annual Holiday Stroll on  Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. It will feature performers on both nights which will include: A Capella singing from the Brown Derbies (from Brown University), Very Merry Dickens Carolers (Victorian Holiday Carolers), Cirque de Light (Dancing and with a light show), Art in Ice - live ice carving, steel drum music and Ten31 production (Nutcracker and Snowman). Holiday Strolls are held from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

On Friday only, the “Snow Sisters” will perform songs from the movie Frozen at the Gazebo and The Western Hills Middle School Concert will be held at 6 p.m. near Applebee’s.

Breakfast with Santa will be held Dec. 11at Newport Creamery from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and Dec. 18 at Corner Bakery Café from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Santa can also be found at his shed at the Gazebo throughout this Christmas season. No reservations needed. Bring your camera and your wish list.

Oaklawn Grange Christmas Tree Lighting

Come join the Oaklawn Grange for their annual Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8. Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m. at the gazebo followed by horse-drawn hayrides provided by New Deal Farms, BASICS Glee Club, balloon creations by Anthony Marrapese, activities and refreshments. Please bring canned goods to be donated to the food bank.

Sneaker Drive

State Representative Robert B. Lancia (R-District 16 Cranston), along with his wife Maryann, will host the 2nd annual “Hope for the Holidays” a benefit to support the Gotta Have Sole Foundation. Gotta Have Soul Foundation Inc.’s mission is to provide children living in shelters across the United States with brand-new footwear to call their own.

To participate, bring a pair of brand new sneakers, in your own shoe size, to Panera Bread, 400 Chapel View Boulevard, on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon.

CCAP Adopt-a-Family Program

CCAP is organizing their annual “CCAP Adopt-a-Family Program.” Although reports say that the economy has improved, CCAP staff are still seeing very fragile communities, with families continue to struggle.

CCAP makes it easy for you to extend your kindness and generosity to the families in need in our community by helping in two ways: adopt a family or make a monetary donation.

Your gift, large or small, can make a difference for a joyous holiday for a family in need. All donations are due by Tuesday, Dec. 13 to CCAP at 311 Doric Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910. For more information, please contact Joanne Gregory at 562-8333 or jgregory@comcap.org.

A Celtic Christmas Concert

The West Bay Chorale will be holding its annual Christmas Concert entitled “A Celtic Christmas Celebration” on Dec. 18, at the Edgewood Congregational Church, 1788 Broad St at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under.  The concert will include a selection of 13 Celtic arrangements with one being sung in Gaelic.  The concert includes professional instrumentalists. Solos will be performed by members of the West Bay Chorale. For more information visitinfo@westbaychorale.org.

Menorah lighting in Pawtuxet

The lighting of the Pawtuxet Village Menorah will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Pawtuxet Park Gazebo. Join in afterward for hot latkes, gelt, dreidel games, and Hanukkah songs led by Rabbi Yossi Laufer of Chabad of West Bay. The event will be held rain or snow. Bring an umbrella. All are welcome.

Yard Waste reminder

The City of Cranston would like to remind all Cranston residents that the last week for yard waste pick up will begin on Dec. 12 and end on Dec. 16. It will be picked up on your normal trash day. Leave any yard waste bags with other trash and recyclables on your normal trash pick-up day that week.

If you have any further questions, contact the Department of Public Works at 780-3174.

At the Senior Center

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center will host several upcoming programs:

The Bereavement Support Group will focus on “Coping with the Holidays” on Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. Facilitator will be Karen Porto.

The holiday season, with its powerful memories and long-standing traditions, may be hard to get through when you have experienced a loss.  At this special support group session suggestions, will be offered for the holiday season.

Holiday Eating Tips & Strategies will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. It will include the URI SNAP-ED. The holidays are filled with lots of food and festivities and socializing.  We need to be realistic and think of our health.  Come and get great tips and recipes to help us navigate the holiday season in a Healthy Way.

Season of Sharing: The 60’s: A Reminiscence Program will be held at the Center on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. Presenter will Rhonda Taddei, RN. This is the last of the three-part series.  Rhonda will take us back to the 60’s.  For an hour, you can step back in time to the culture, the history, the music, and the stars.

Looking for the perfect gift for a friend or family member?? The center has Gift Certificates in $5, $10 and $25 denominations. These certificates can be applied toward membership fees, program fees, Snack Bar items, Transvan passes and the RSVP Gift Shoppe.

Art is Smart Holiday Market 2016

Bring your entire family to enjoy Art is Smart’s Holiday Market on Dec. 10 at the Church of the Annunciation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will include over 45 Contemporary American Art and Craft artisans along with free gift wrapping, a Children’s Creation Station provided by One Studio Smooch, festive specialty foods and merriment, and special performances by local talent. Sponsored by One Studio Smooch, presenting sponsor and Whole Foods Market, this event will take place at Church of the Annunciation, 175Oaklawn Ave., Cranston.

There is a $3 per person suggested donation to Art is Smart. Children under 12 are free of charge. For more information, please visitartissmart.com or jennifer@iamtra.com.

Cranston Public Library Winter Concert Series

The Cranston Public Library is pleased to announce the return of the Winter Concert Series to the William Hall Library. Supported by the generosity of Dave and the late Judy Pelkey, this free concert series will feature the popular local music duo Atwater-Donnelly, as well as the Renaissance V Brass Quintet, and Jon Wiening. Performances will take place on the following dates at the listed times:

Atwater-Donnelly will perform on Dec. 14. This award-winning, internationally acclaimed duo, Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folksongs and percussive dance. Concert will begin at 7 p.m.

Jon Wiening will perform on Dec. 17. He is a Rhode Island classical guitarist and will be performing Bloom Suite by New Jersey composer Elliot Cole, in addition to pieces by Barrios, Bach, Scarlatti, and Tárrega. Concert will begin at 2 p.m.

The William Hall Library is located at 1825 Broad St. Cranston.

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