Artisans sought

The Artists’ Exchange is seeking artisans for the seventh annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival, to be held on Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a rain date of Aug. 28. The deadline for registration is Aug. 22, with a fee of $50. The early bird deadline is Aug. 1 for reduced fee of $35. The festival will be held inside and in the lots surrounding Artists’ Exchange at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston. More information and applications are available at www.artists-exchange.org/falloutofsummerfest.html.

Free screening of ‘Open Sesame’

A free screening of “Open Sesame – The Story of Seeds” will be held Wednesday, July 30 at 6 p.m. at the William Hall Library, located at 1825 Broad St.

One of the world’s most precious resources is at risk, and most people don’t know that it is happening or what to do. This groundbreaking film will help others learn what is at stake and what can be done to protect the source of nearly all our food: seeds. This film takes viewers on a journey to experience the story of seeds like no other. Meet the filmmaker at this screening.

To learn more about the film, visit opensesamemovie.com. To reserve a free seat, visit opensesame-cranston.eventbrite.com.

Albanese among America’s Best Real Estate Agents

RE/MAX of New England is pleased to announce that nearly 100 agents and teams have been named to the list of 2014 REAL Trends “America’s Best Real Estate Agents” in partnership with Trulia, including Judith Albanese of RE/MAX First Choice in Cranston, who ranked No. 5 in state rankings.

More than 9,500 agents were included in this year’s list, which ranks agents and teams by transaction sides and sales volume in all 50 states and more than 250 metro areas. Agents who completed at least 50 transactions or $20 million in sales last year made the 2014 list.

Job Fair Friday

A Job Fair is being held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1 at the DLT Business Workforce Center at Providence netWORKri. The gathering will take place in the Renaissance Room at the center, which is located at One Reservoir Avenue in Providence.

Fight AIDS by walking for life this September

The 29th annual AIDS Walk for Life has been scheduled for Sept. 27, starting and ending on the Rhode Island State House lawn.

On-site registration for the 2.5-mile walk begins at 9 a.m., with the kick-off at 10. Registration is also available on-line at www.aidsprojectri.org or www.firstgiving.com/aidswalkri.

AIDS Walk 2014 T-shirts are available to anyone who raises $100 or more, while supplies last.

The walk has the HIV/AIDS prevention theme “Do It Right,” reflecting the theme of the HIV/STD prevention campaign kicked off in June by AIDS Project Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health, Miriam Hospital and the Rhode Island Public Health Institute.

They will be offering on-site, free, anonymous and rapid testing for HIV during the event.

There will be entertainment, including the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus, and free food, coffee and giveaways will be available. Parking will be free in the open State Administration lot on Smith Street in Providence.

Current sponsors include Cardi’s Furniture, United Healthcare, Miriam Hospital, NBC10, Clear Channel Communities/Coast 93.3, and Options. AIDS Project Rhode Island is seeking to add to its list of sponsors.

Sponsorship and general information is available by contacting Julie Casimiro at 401-519-2289 or Julie@aidsprojectri.org.

Chamber of Commerce announces August events

The Cranston Chamber of Commerce has announced events planned for the month of August.

On Aug. 7, please join them at LA Fitness in Garden City for the Coffee Connections Networking Hour from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

On Monday, Aug. 18, with a rain date of Aug. 19, in partnership with Garden City Center, the Chamber will present what will be the most delicious networking event of the summer, “A Taste of Garden City.”

All of Garden City’s restaurants and food vendors will be serving up delicious sample, and there will be wine tasting, entertainment and raffles galore. Children under 12 can attend for free. Admission is $10 per person. This is a great opportunity to do some networking and taste all that Garden City has to offer.

BBBSOS seeks mentors

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is continuing its drive to recruit male and female mentors for the 100 plus children who are currently on the waiting list. Boys and girls ages seven to 15 throughout the state of Rhode Island are waiting to be pared with a volunteer for six to eight hours a month for a minimum of a one-year commitment. For information on how you can be a mentor, contact a match support specialist at mentoring@bbbsos.org or 401-921-2434.

BBBSOS collection drives

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is holding a collection drive for gently used clothing and small household items. Donations help to raise funds to support our mentoring programs for boys and girls throughout the state. We offer convenient free home pick-up of donations and provide a tax receipt. Call 401-921-2434 or visit our website, www.bbbsos.org, to schedule free home pick up, find the nearest drop-off location or learn more about our mentoring programs.

Libraries closed

All Cranston Public Library locations will be closed on Aug. 9 through Aug. 11 for the Victory Day holiday. The library will re-open on Aug. 12. For more information, please visit www.cranstonlibrary.org.

RI Chamber Block Party

Join all the Rhode Island Chambers of Commerce for a fabulous summer cookout, kayak races and more on Aug. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Champlin’s Hotel and Marina on Block Island. The Chamber Block Party is an opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of networking with family, friends, colleagues and associates. Attendees must be pre-registered and pre-paid. Ferry reservations through the event must be made prior to Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. After that, attendees may book directly with the Block Island Ferry. For more information, contact Kelly Patz at 401-349-4674 or your local Chamber of Commerce.

St. Rocco’s Back to School BBQ

The St. Rocco School Parent Association is hosting a Back to School BBQ on Aug. 7 to welcome both new and returning school families to the 2014-15 school year. Please join them from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. as teachers and faculty will have a “meet and greet” during this time as well. For more information, please contact Patricia M. Bowman,

administrative assistant, at 401-944-2993.

BankNewport makes donations

On behalf of the Cooperators of OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC, parent company of BankNewport and OceanPoint Insurance Agency Inc., President and CEO, Sandra J. Pattie awarded a $400 donation to each of the following three organizations: Family Promise of Newport County, South County Habitat for Humanity and We Share Hope based in Warren.

“We hold the important work of Housing Hotline, South County Habitat for Humanity and We Share Hope in great regard,” said Pattie. “We commend their tireless efforts and hope that the donations will assist in their continued efforts to support those most in need throughout our communities.”

Did You Know?

Although civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. is honored in January, when he was born, he is best known for his famed “I have a dream” speech, which was given on Aug. 28, 1963.

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