Adopt-a-Family Program

Once again CCAP is organizing their annual “CCAP Adopt-a-Family Program.” Although reports say that the economy has improved, they are still seeing very fragile communities, and our families continue to struggle. They hope that you will assist us in bringing a happy holiday season to them. The “Adopt-a-Family Program” helps hundreds of local families during the holiday and your commitment to this project would be greatly appreciated.

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: you can adopt a family and we can provide you with their wish list; or you can make a monetary donation. A donation of $300 will adopt an entire family.

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 401-562-8333 or jgregory@comcap.org.

Santa’s Arrival in Garden City announced

Santa Claus will arrive in the Garden City Center, Cranston, on Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gazebo. Santa arrives via a horse drawn hayride at 11 a.m. Professional photos available inside Santa’s Cabin and enjoy free face painting, crafts, hayrides, music, strolling mine and treats. Santa’s arrival is on no matter if it is rain, shine or snow! Santa will be in his cabin every day through Dec. 24. Visits are free and professional photos are available for purchase. Save time and book your appointment online at gardencitycenter.fullslate.com.

Looking for a NYC bus trip?

The City of Cranston Parks and Recreation have partnered with the Somerset Recreation Department to offer a bus trip to New York City on Dec. 3. Take a self-guided tour through New York and experience the city that never sleeps during the beautiful holiday season.

The fee is $50 per person. Bus leaves the Cranston Veterans Memorial Ice Rink at 6:30 a.m. for New York, with a brief stop at Somerset Town Hall. Register at the Parks and Recreation Office, 1090 Cranston St. 2nd Floor and will be accepted Mondays thru Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information or to print registration forms, please visit the Parks and Recreation page at www.cranstonri.com. Follow them on Facebook for program updates.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Lorinna Anderson of Cranston who has been named to the Dean’s List at Ohio Christian University College of Adult and Graduate Studies for the Fall 2015 Semester.

The Assumption College Office of Student Activities has announced the leaders of student-run clubs and organizations for the 2016-17academic year. Local students holding leadership positions include Gianna Procaccini of Cranston, who is serving as captain of Women’s Club Volleyball. The Women’s Club Volleyball team is a competitive level club sport who compete at local and regional tournaments. They participate in the Northeast Women’s Club Volleyball League. Those elected into a leadership position on the women’s club volleyball team demonstrate strong team-building skills.

Also, selected at Assumption College was Anthony Manzi of Cranston, who is serving as President of Admission Ambassadors. The Admissions Ambassadors are a group of students dedicated to sharing their Assumption stories with future Greyhounds. These students give tours of the college campus to all prospective college students. Students elected into a leadership position demonstrate Greyhound pride, and the Assumption experience to these future greyhounds.

Build a walking trail

Help build a walking trail on Cranston Conservation Land on Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. Meet at the corner of Beachwood and Laten Knight Roads and help clear bushes on the partially completed trail. Bring loppers or nippers and some tools will be available. Children welcome and you may stay as long as you like. For more information contact Steve Stycos at 461-2618.

Old New England Christmas Bazaar

Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, located at 565 Pontiac Ave. will host their Old New England Christmas Bazaar this Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will have a Coffee Nook from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will feature Attic Treasures, baked goods, books, Children’s Corner, crafts, jams, jewelry, needle works and more. The church is handicapped accessible. For more information log onto www.phillipschurch.org.

Comedy for Cops

On Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. there will be a RI Comedy Hall of Fame’s Comedy for Cops Show, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 475 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. This event is free although donations will be accepted toward a police charity.

The event will feature Southern New England’s finest comedians such as Cranston’s John Perrotta of the Comedy Factory and the RI Comedy Hall of Fame, -Mike Murray of Funny 4 Funds out of Cranston and the RI Comedy Hall of Fame, Ace Aceto of Ace Aceto’s Royal Flush Comedy and the RI Comedy Hall of Fame, Anthony Brooks-The Stuttering Comic, -The Prince of Mystery-Southern New England’s Best Comedy Magician and Rockin’ Joe Hebert.

The event is hosted by Doreen Collins of Women Behind Barz and the RI Comedy Hall of Fame. As comedians, they wanted to do something special for the men and women who place their lives on the line for us every day and donate their time for this very special comedy show. Whether you’re a police officer, a police supporter, or former convicted felon, you’re invited to this one of a kind comedy show. You will be able to donate to a police charity that evening.

There are no tickets, but you must reserve your spot in advance, as they are expecting this show to fill up quickly. To reserve tickets, email Dana@richof.org with your request. (When making a reservation by mail, you will need to give them your phone number to verify.)

Please note: this is an event for adults age 21 and up. A cash bar will be available. For more information, visit richof.org/free-comedy-show-for-cops-in-december.

Measuring Your Marketing

Measuring Your Marketing Analyze Your Results, Improve Your Success is a seminar being held by the Cranston Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 21from 10 a.m. to noon.

If you aren’t measuring, you aren’t marketing. Once the campaign is designed and sent off to the social media platforms and inboxes, the last step is to watch how people engage with your content, respond to your offers, and act. If you want to see more results from your email marketing, now is the time to learn what data matters and how to improve the results you are already getting.

The seminar will be presented by Bob Salvas, who is a business growth advisor and a certified SCORE counselor. He is a co-founder of The Momentum Club, an organization designed to support small businesses and startups during their growth. Also, presenting will be Michelle Girasole who is an authorized expert and solution provider with Constant Contact. She focuses on training and assisting small businesses and non-profits in business growth. She is a co-founder of the Momentum Club.

To register go to tinyurl.com/measuremrktgcranstonor contact Stephen C. Boyle, Greater Cranston Chamber of Commerce,sboyle@cranstonchamber.com or 785-3780.

Cranston West to present ‘Hairspray’

Cranston High School West Theater will present “Hairspray” on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Visit chsw-theater.weebly.com to reserve tickets or purchase online. All tickets are $12 and will be available at the door, if not sold out.

Did You Know?

The first Thanksgiving was held in the autumn of 1621 and included 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag Indians and lasted three days. Many historians believe that only five women were present at that first Thanksgiving, as many women settlers didn’t survive that difficult first year in the U.S. Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday until over 200 years later. Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who wrote the classic song “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” convinced President Lincoln in 1863 to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, after writing letters for 17 years campaigning for this to happen. (Source: Thanksgiving Fun Facts)

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