Free college workshop

Academic Advantage, a tutoring and enrichment service located in Warwick, is offering a free college workshop to all high school sophomores and juniors at Chelo’s Restaurant on 2225 Post Road in Warwick. The workshop will be held on Feb. 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner will be served to all students, and parents can come in after dinner to ask questions to the presenters. Some topics that will be presented are: preparing for the how to choose a suitable college, the Common Application, what students should do now to prepare for college, SATs, financial aid, and how to write a college essay. Call Rick Deutsch at 401-921-5860 to register. Students need to register to attend.

Library’s teen programs to focus on technology and community

This winter, Cranston Public Library’s teen programs will focus on the exploration of new technologies and community service.

One of this season’s digital learning opportunities is the Teens Make Movies Club. The club, which launched last fall, gives young people the opportunity to use library-owned iPads and the iMovie app to script, shoot and edit a promotional video for the library’s summer reading program.

Another tech-centric event is the new 3D Printing Workshop beginning in March. Made possible by a $500 legislative grant from state Sen. Hanna Gallo, this three-part series will teach teens how to find 3D printing files, create their own 3D creations and use the library’s 3D printer.

Popular “Minecraft” clubs for teens will continue at the Auburn Branch and Central Library. Participants will take turns inventing and leading group challenges. Teens can volunteer to become “Minecraft Experts” and assist in the instruction of elementary-aged children in other library programs.

Another community service opportunity can be found with the workshop-style Teen Knitting Club at the Oak Lawn Branch. Teens will learn how to knit blankets by teaching and helping each other while earning community service hours. All completed blankets will be donated to local hospitals.

The Teen Team, a volunteer-led organization, provides teens with an opportunity to earn community service hours while contributing to youth programming and library fundraising. In December 2014, the Teen Team raised money for the library by holding a sale of donated books and movies. The money raised will fund Jan. 24’s Frozen-themed family program at the Central Library.

The Teen Team meets on the first Monday of every month. For more information, call 401-943-9080, ext. 105.

Registration open for CLCF lacrosse

Lacrosse registration is now open for boys and girls, grades K-8, at CLCF in Cranston. The program is for all skill levels.

Now in its’ eighth year, CLCF lacrosse averages approximately 200 players annually. Teams play in the Rhode Island Youth Lacrosse League with programs from 22 cities and towns, culminating with a state championship. Last year, Cranston’s under-13 boys won the Division 2 title, giving CLCF its first lacrosse state championship. The girls program is a great place to learn the game, and get players up and running to prepare them for high school play. It’s a game completely different from the boys, requiring much more strategy and thought rather than pure speed and muscle.

There will be a free face-off clinic for all registered players on Feb. 8 from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. at the CLCF building on Pontiac Ave. The clinic and program is run by Nationally USLAX Certified coach Pete Kelleher, along with several players from local NCAA and varsity high school programs and members of the Warrior National Lacrosse Team.

To register, visit www.clcflax.com. For more information, contact Coach Kelleher at 401-226-8448 or email coachpetelax@hotmail.com.

Police hiring

The Cranston Police Department began its 2015 hiring process on Jan. 11. Visit the department’s website, www.cranstonpoliceri.com, and click on the “Training Division” tab on the left side of the page for the job description and the necessary documents explaining the process and the letter of interest that must be submitted in order to take the agility test.

Seeking RI’s Funniest Females

The Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame is looking for the state’s Funniest Females to audition for future roasts and comedy shows. A show will be held at The Pub on Park, 661 Park Ave. in Cranston, on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. Hosting the event will be Rhode Island’s own Doreen Collins (Rhode Bytes/Ocean State Follies). Up to 12 performers will have seven minutes each to show the Hall of Fame their stuff. Although this is not a comedy contest, the best performer of the evening will receive $100 prize, as determined by the audience. Those interested in performing are asked to write to RockinJoe@cox.net for more information. Admission is $10, and performers are admitted free. Seating is extremely limited, and it is expected the show will sell out. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1065274.

Child restraint systems and installations

The Cranston Police Department has safekids.org certified child restraint technicians who will help you with your child’s car seat. Every Tuesday and Thursday between 4 p.m. to 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 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.

Academic News & Notes

The fall semester President’s List at Bryant University includes Cranston residents Michael J. Beck, a senior in human resources, and Brandon M. Salk, a sophomore in accounting.

Congratulations to Matthew McDonough and Anthony Rodi, both of Cranston, who made the dean’s list at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass.

At Bryant College, the following students from Cranston were named to the dean’s list this past semester: Brianna Almonte (management), Meg Aman (finance), Jianny Bautista (finance), Michael Beck (human resource management), Catherine Benetti (communication), Marissa Botelho (undeclared), Ronald DeCosta (marketing) Michael DeRobbio (finance), Jason DiFusco (finance), Jordan Fonseca (accounting), Narine Hagopian (accounting), Benjamin Harpel (accounting), Joseph McCabe (accounting), Allison Miller (communication), David Pulsifer (finance), Giana Rendine (computer information systems), Jacob Rich (undeclared), Samantha Robinson (management), Allison Roca (accounting), Brandon Salk (accounting), Alexander Sasso (finance), Cindy Segama (marketing) and Nicholas Simonson (entrepreneurship).

Making the dean’s list at Lasell College in Newton, Mass., were the following Cranston students: Denise Archetto (sport management), Kelsy Evje (athletic training), Amara Ceresi (marketing) and Alexandria Montanaro (fashion communication and promotion).

The following Cranston students earned their spot on the dean’s List at Providence College for the fall semester: Madeline Boffi, Andrew Cannata, Matthew Centore, Christine Coughlin, Noah Gemma, Lizeth Gonzalez, Melissa Morrissey, Elizabeth Reidy, Kathryn Santilli, Brandon Wagoner, Danielle Wragg, Elena Zarcaro and Nathan Zarcaro.

The following Cranston residents have been named to the dean’s list at Providence College’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) for the fall 2014 semester: Brittany Rancourt, Cody Fino and Michael Lonardo.

Become a certified tax volunteer

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center is looking for community volunteers to provide free tax assistance to qualified individuals during the tax filing season. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax return preparation for low-to-moderate income taxpayers, seniors and people with disabilities.

Please consider becoming a tax volunteer. No previous experience is needed. The IRS provides free tax-law training and all materials needed. Hours are flexible. Volunteers generally serve an average of three to four hours per week from mid-January through April 15.

In Rhode Island, 453 volunteers prepared 18,193 tax returns at 73 VITA sites during the 2014 tax-filing season. Anyone can volunteer. It is an exciting and educational experience. Call Jane at 401-780-6217 for more information, or to sign up and become a tax volunteer.

Did You Know?

At the White House Rose Garden on Nov. 2, 1983, President Reagan signed a bill creating a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King. It was observed for the first time on Jan. 20, 1986. The bill established the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission to oversee observance of the holiday, and Coretta Scott King was made a member of this commission for life by President George H. W. Bush in May 1989. (January Fun Facts)

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