Cranston Chatter

By Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 1/14/16

Lending a Helping Hand

The CCAP “Lending a Helping Hand” Emergency Crisis Fund is designed to provide limited financial assistance to eligible individuals and families in the …

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Cranston Chatter

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Lending a Helping Hand

The CCAP “Lending a Helping Hand” Emergency Crisis Fund is designed to provide limited financial assistance to eligible individuals and families in the community who are experiencing economic hardship due to certain emergency situations. A personal or family crisis involving an emergency financial need, unexpected medical expenses which exceed insurance provisions resulting in economic hardship, or an uninsured loss due to fire or natural disasters which resulted in economic hardship, are just some situations eligible for consideration under this fund. Situations should be short-term or temporary in nature, and not chronic.

Please make a tax-deductible donation to the CCAP “Lending a Helping Hand” Emergency Crisis Fund today. You can make an online donation by going to www.ComCap.org, or can mail a check to: CCAP “Lending a Helping Hand” Emergency Crisis Fund, Attn. Lee Beliveau, 311 Doric Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910.

For more information about the fund or CCAP’s programs and services, contact Beliveau, vice president of development and corporate affairs, at 401-562-8353 or lbeliveau@comcap.org. The goal is to raise $10,000 in 2016.

Child restraint systems and installations

The Cranston Police Department has safekids.org certified child restraint technicians who will help with your child’s car seat. Every Tuesday and Thursday between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Cranston police headquarters on Garfield Avenue, this service is offered free of charge to anyone who would like help installing their new car seat or reinstalling their current one to ensure that it is done properly. If you are interested, please contact the department’s Traffic Division at 401-942-2211 on the morning of the specific day that you wish to attend and confirm that the service is available.

Scholastic Art Awards

Cranston High School West is pleased to recognize the following students who have received Rhode Island Scholastic Art Awards for 2016: Anita Fang, Drawing and Illustration, Gold Key, American Vision nominee, and GFWCRI Award; PJ Hazian, Drawing and Illustration, Gold Key; Ariana Deal, Drawing Category, Silver Key; Anita Fang, Painting Category, Silver Key; Zachary Flanders, Sculpture, Silver Key; Carley Loiselle, Photography, Silver Key; Theodore Paola, Drawing, Silver Key; and Theodore Paola, Painting, Silver Key. The winning works will be on public display at the Hamilton Gallery at Salve Regina University from Jan. 19-30. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, Jan. 24 at Salve Regina as well.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Noah Gemma of Cranston, son of Rick and Rhonda Gemma, who was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester at Providence College. Gemma is a member of the class of 2018, and is majoring in philosophy.

Dean College is pleased to announce that the following students from Cranston have been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester. Congratulations to Lauren Ferreira, Joshua Evon, and Steven Palrao.

Lasell College has released the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year. From Cranston were Kelsy Evje, who is studying athletic training and is a member of the class of 2016; Patrick Marchand, who is studying English with secondary education and is a member of the class of 2017; Rebecca Glick, who is studying fashion design and production and is a member of the class of 2018; and David Anthony, who is studying sport management and is a member of the class of 2019.

Brian David Osteen of Cranston has earned a bachelor of science degree in sport management from Alvernia University Main Campus.

Tree planting program

Through a partnership between the city of Cranston and the RI Tree Council, free trees for planting on private property are now available to Cranston residents who meet program eligibility requirements. A Red maple between eight and 10 feet tall with a four- to six-foot crown spread will be available. They will be furnished and installed in spring 2016 (April 1-May 30) at no cost to the homeowner. That’s a $250 value. To be eligible for the free trees, individuals must: own the property where the tree is to be planted; agree to install the tree on their property within 25 feet of the public right-of-way; complete a consent and waiver of liability form; and complete a tree fact sheet form. There are only 40 trees available for the spring 2016 campaign, so don’t lose out on this great opportunity. The application deadline is March 1, 2016. A free tree will be awarded to the first 40 applicants who meet the program requirements. Act now by contacting RITree by telephone at 401-764-5885 or email RITree@RITree.org to obtain forms and other information you will need to apply for a free tree.

TV, e-waste disposal changes

The city is no longer able to accept TVs and e-waste at the Public Works Garage on Phenix Avenue. All TVs and e-waste must be disposed of at the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation landfill at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston. The hours of operation for RIRRC are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., and Saturday from 6 a.m. to noon.

Planning to plant

This month’s Gentian Garden Club program is titled “Planning to Plant.” Club members Cindy Gianfrancesco and Jackie Marro will discuss native plants for both shady and sunny sites. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19, and will be held at the North Scituate Community House, located at 546 West Greenville Road in North Scituate.

There will be refreshments following the program. Guests are welcome. For further information, contact Linda Proulx at 401-647-3730 or email bogcrawler@msn.com.

Libraries closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

All Cranston Public Library locations will be closed Sunday, Jan. 17, and Monday, Jan. 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours at all locations will resume Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Informational open house on foster parenting

There will be an informational open house for anyone interested in learning about foster parenting on Jan. 20 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Family Service of RI, located at 134 Thurbers Ave. in Providence.

Foster parents receive tax-free dollars to support placement, free medical coverage for the child, and a clothing allowance, along with 24/7 support. Anyone interested in foster parenting may attend the open house or contact Family Service at their convenience. For more information, call 401-331-1350, ext. 3305, or email wrightgr@familyserviceri.org.

Hours extended at library’s Knightsville Branch

The Cranston Public Library is pleased to announce an extension of hours at the Knightsville Branch beginning Jan. 5. The library location will see an additional hour on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

“We have had many requests for more hours, so we’re excited to provide the Knightsville community with increased access to our services,” explained Nancy Gianlorenzo, Knightsville’s branch librarian.

This sentiment was echoed by Library Director Edward Garcia, who said: “It’s always a pleasure to deliver on the requests of our patrons. We have been working hard to extend service hours where possible, making library resources more available and accessible to all of our users.”

The Knightsville Branch is the second Cranston Public Library location to see additional service hours this year. In August, the Cranston Public Library also added hours at the Arlington Branch, located at the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, opening the branch on Fridays.

The Knightsville Branch’s new hours will be as follows: Monday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, closed; Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, closed.

The Knightsville Branch is located at 1847 Cranston St. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Tax assistance program seeks volunteers

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center is recruiting volunteers for its Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (VITA). This program offers free tax assistance to people with low to moderate income and persons with disabilities. Tax law training is provided. Training is free, and the time commitment is flexible. For more information, contact Jean at 401-780-6129 or Jane at 401-780-6220.

New Family Performance Series

Families are invited to the new Family Performance Series, perfect for all ages, from the young to the young at heart. The series is hosted Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon, September through May, at Theatre 82 & Cafe at 82 Rolfe Square in Cranston. Entertainment will include puppetry, magic, storytelling, improv, music, and more. There is something new each Saturday, with performers and acts changing each week. Some upcoming performers include Jason Andrews Magic, BIG NAZO, and Sparky’s Puppets. Attendees pay what they can for admission, with a suggested donation of $5 for most performances. Visit www.artists-exchange.org for dates and the complete list of upcoming performers. For more information, contact 401-480-9477.

Did You Know?

His name was originally Michael, not Martin. His father was also Michael King, hence why Martin Luther King Jr. was originally named Michael King Jr. However, after a trip to Germany in 1931, Michael King Sr. changed his own name in homage to historic German theologian Martin Luther. Michael King Jr. was two years old at the time and King Sr. made the decision to change his son’s name to Martin Luther as well. (Martin Luther King Facts)

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Cranston Herald. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information. Be sure to check out our website at www.cranstononline.com.

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