City Hall announces Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities

Cranston residents are invited for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting festivities at City Hall on December 7.

Local children will begin the festivities starting at 6 p.m., with music and song prior to the tree in front of City Hall is lit at around 6:45 p.m. Lighting festivities will be followed by a special visit by Santa, who will be escorted by members of the Cranston Fire Department aboard a fire truck.

Parking is available behind City Hall, and Park Ave. will be closed to traffic during the event. After Santa arrives, residents will be able to enjoy baked goods and hot drinks while they wait for a turn to get a picture with Saint Nick.

Yard Waste reminder

The City of Cranston reminds all residents that the last week for yard waste pick up will begin on Dec. 12 and end on Dec. 16, and will be picked up during normal trash days.

Please leave yard waste bags with other trash and recyclables on your normal trash pick-up day that week. If there are further questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at 401-780-3174.

Toys for Tots at Thirsty Beaver

On Dec. 5, The Thirsty Beaver Hometown Pub and Grub in Cranston, located on Atwood Ave., will be collecting toys for their annual Toys for Tots holiday toy drive event with the Marines at 6 p.m. Last year, the community helped bring in over 1,000 toys.

Customers are encouraged to bring in an unwrapped toy and enjoy light appetizers, music, good company, giveaways, and fun to get into the holiday spirit. The event is made possible by co-hosts Edward Brady, Justin Erickson, Jeff Quinlan and Jacob Belt.

Sponsoring the event are Dan Gruslin (AllState Lock), Joey Tutsch (NER and GLopes), Dave Paolo (GMedia), Rob Greico (Grieco Automotive), Zach Levesque (Home Point Financial), Don Parsons (Anytime Realty), Mike Furia (RI Residential), Justin Corso (Maplewood Landscaping) and Cesar Loaiza(Allstate). At the Senior Center

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, located at 1070 Cranston St., is in full swing for the Holiday Season. Rediscover the Joy of Christmas Spirit on Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. for "A Christmas Carol" with George C. Scott.

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.

There will also be a Diabetes Support Group on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. with Pharmacist Mario Casinelli and guest speaker Peggy O'Neill,Dietitian. The focus will be on eating healthy every day and especially during the holidays.

Mayor Allan Fung and the Staff of the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center invite you to the 2016 Holiday Party on Dec. 9. The festivities start at noon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom, with parking available in the rear of hotel to the left of the building. The hotel is located at 801Greenwich Ave., Warwick. Tickets are available now. Please contact Kathi Dunphyfor more information at 401-780-6216.

Christmas Shopping Boutique

Join in at the 11th Annual St. Mary School Christmas Shopping Boutique on Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With more than 40 vendors, there’s sure to be something for everyone. There will be crafters, raffles, a food court, bake sale and activities for children. The school is located on Vallone Rd. in Cranston.

Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball

Barnes & Noble, 1350 Bald Hill Road, Warwick hosts the first Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball on Dec. 9 starting at 7 p.m.

Harry Potter fans are invited to join in a magical holiday ball inspired by the Yule Ball in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book/movie. Costumes or holiday attire, music, dancing and special themed crafts will be at the heart of this event to celebrate all things Harry Potter.

Special guest for the Ball include musical guest, Errand of Mercy, performing music inspired by the Harry Potter series, Vladimir Snape who will provide participants a Snape inspired encounter with photo-ops,a professional cosplayer wand maker, and various other cosplayers. A dance instructor will provide dance lessons to sharpen ballroom style dancing.  Additional activities include a Harry Potter Holiday Ornament, trivia, Harry Potter bingo and various other activities for all ages. Customers are encouraged to wear their Harry Potter finest for this magical event. For additional information, please contact Barnes & Noble Warwick at 401-826-8885. Christmas Candlelight Concert

A Christmas Candlelight Concert to be held on Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Ave. Usher in the Christmas Season with the sound of voices, chimes, bells, flute, and organ.

Admission is free (offering will be taken to help defray concert expenses) and childcare will be provided. Following the concert a collation will be held in Fellowship Hall. The church is handicapped accessible.

Holiday Stroll in Pawtuxet

Pawtuxet Village will hold their Annual Holiday Stroll on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participating Village businesses and eateries will offer special discounts, refreshments, music and holiday menus for the entire family throughout the day. 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, the event will take place at Church of the Annunciation, 175 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston.

There is a $3 per person suggested donation to Art is Smart. Children under 12 enter for free. For more information, please visit www.artissmart.com or email jennifer@iamtra.com.

CCAP 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 for assistance in bringing a happy holiday season to others.

The "Adopt-a-Family Program" helps hundreds of local families during the holiday and commitment to this project would be greatly appreciated.

CCAP makes it easy to extend kindness and generosity to the families in need in our community by helping in two ways: adopt a family and be provided with their wish list; or make a monetary donation. A donation of $300 will adopt an entire family.

A 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, contact Joanne Gregory at 401-562-8333 or by email at jgregory@comcap.org.

Renaissance V Brass Quintet

The Renaissance V Brass Quintet will be at the William Hall Library, 1825 Broad Street in Cranston on December 3 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 781-2450 or visit www.cranstonlibrary.org.

Chorus show

The Chorus of Kent County will play at the West Warwick High School Auditorium, One Webster Knight Drive on December 3 at 7:30 p.m. and December 4 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of. Children under 10 are $5. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Crazy Christmas Wagon to benefit local families.

Christmas Celebration

A Christmas Celebration featuring the Immaculate Conception Church Bell Choir of Cranston will take place December 3 at 7:30 p.m. and December 4 at 2:30 p.m., tickets at the church are $15.

Park Theatre Show

Judy Collins will perform the “Holiday & Hits show at the Park Theatre Rhode Island Center for the Performing Arts at 848 Park Ave., Cranston, on December 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and $45. Visit www.parktheatreri.com for details.

Seasonal Music

The Miller-Porfiris Duo will play seasonal music on violin and viola at the Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum at 4157 Post Road, Warwick on December 30 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Visit www.cloudshill.org

Did You Know?

Abraham Lincoln's youngest son Thomas, nicknamed Tad, was known as a sensitive youngster. On Christmas 1864, Tad, then 10, took the spirit of the season to heart and invited some street urchins into the White House for a meal. The cooks refused to feed the kids until Tad took up the issue with the president, who ordered that the children be fed.  (Source: December Fun Facts)

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