Cranston Chatter

By Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 1/10/18

Mayor's Emergency Fuel Assistance Program The Mayor's Emergency Fuel Assistance Program is available to Cranston residents who need immediate delivery of home heating oil. The program is open to HUD income qualified individuals and families who have less

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Cranston Chatter

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Mayor's Emergency Fuel Assistance Program

The Mayor's Emergency Fuel Assistance Program is available to Cranston residents who need immediate delivery of home heating oil. The program is open to HUD income qualified individuals and families who have less than a quarter tank of oil in the winter months.

The program offers a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of oil and is limited to Cranston residents only. Last year, our allocation of $16,000 helped 31 families. For help, call the Department of Community Development at 461-1000 ext. 7226.

Ocean State Toastmasters to Meet

Ocean State Toastmasters will hold its next meeting on Jan. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Road. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

The club is one of some 13,500 in Toastmasters International, a nonprofit, educational organization devoted to the development of public speaking and leadership skills. The organization has approximately 280,000 members in 116 countries. Founded in 1963, Ocean State Toastmasters is one of the oldest clubs in Rhode Island.

For more information, contact Merrill Winoker, Vice President of Membership, at 688-4741 or merrillwinoker@icloud.com.

A call for Zoo Camp Counselors

Roger Williams Zoo is recruiting for teen volunteers for its Zoo Camp Counselors in Training (CITS). Zoo Crew Counselor-in-Training (CIT) is a volunteer opportunity open to teens in grades 7-12. All Zoo Crew teen volunteers will learn important leadership and communication skills as a part of a passionate team. CITs assist in the ZooCamp experience, and help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for campers (ages 4-10) by encouraging participation, modeling ZooCamp expectations and assisting campers with skills during activities or crafts.

Under the supervision of ZooCamp staff, CITs work as part of the ZooCamp team, and gain extensive experience in the organization of camp programs, teamwork, public speaking, and group management. More information is available on Zoo Crew Counselors-in-Training can be found at www.rwpzoo.org/family-education-programs/zoocamps/zoo-crew-counselor-in-training.

The application deadline is January 21. The zoo will have many more volunteer/internship opportunities for teens and adults through the beginning of the New Year from special events volunteering, horticulture, education/play and more.

Color and Calm

Every Friday at the Auburn library for adults will be held Color and Calm from 4 to 5:45 for a relaxing start to the weekend. Library provides coloring books, mandalas, colored pencils and markers. Soothing music and herbal and decaf teas. They have recently changed the hours to add more time for coloring and relaxation. No reservations required.

Need help accessing or getting food?

Everyone needs a little help from time to time. If you or someone you know needs nutritional assistance, CCAP’s Food Bank can help. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 12 percent of Rhode Islanders, 51,000 households, are food insecure, meaning they are often unsure where their next meal will come from due to lack of resources. The most severe conditions associated with hunger are reported by 4.7 percent of our state’s residents, 20,000 households. Call CCAP today to learn more about CCAP’s Food Bank which is located at 311 Doric Ave. (lower level). Food Bank hours: Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Wednesdays 4 to 6 p.m. For more information call 467-7013.

After the Holidays Game Dinner

The RI Shriners will host an After the Holiday Game Dinner on Jan. 14 at noon. The dinner will be held at RI Shriners at 1 Rhodes Place, Cranston. Come support the RI Shriner's 12th Annual After the Holidays Game Dinner. Menu: Venison Chili, Game Soup, Antipasto, Venison Bruschetta, Pasta with Venison Meatballs & Sausage, Boar and Peas Venison Meatloaf, Venison Marsala, Game Hen with oven potatoes. $35 per person. Deadline for tickets Jan. 9. Reservation accepted, and a cash bar is available. This event sells out, get your tickets soon. Contact Bob O'Brien at 487-4750 or Glenn Mederios at 793-0017.

At the Senior Center

The Michael A. Traficante Enrichment Center, located at 1070 Cranston St. will offer the following programs and activities:

Mayor’s Emergency Fuel Assistance Program informational session will be held on Jan. 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Through the Department of Community Development, the Mayor is offering a one-time (fiscal year) infusion of 100 gallons of oil for emergency situations only. Oil tank must be below quarter of a tank and participants must meet certain income eligibility requirements. Fran Falcone from the City’s Community Development Department will be available at the center to answer any questions you may have regarding this assistance program.

Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon will be held on Jan. 12 at 11:30 a.m. with a suggested donation of $3 per person. Join in as they will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during their lunch hour. Call for your reservation 780-6134.

Chiropractic Natural Health - “Alternative For Ending Pain” will be held on Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. with guest speaker Dr. Ron Tyszkowski, Chiropractor & Functional Health Specialist. Not feeling your best? Need relief from nagging back, neck and leg pain? Out of sorts? These are all health issues that fall under the realm of chiropractic medicine. The speaker is highly trained in managing these health issues and would like to share his experiences with you.

Movie Time…Save the Date for Jan 22 at 9:30 a.m. for the viewing of “Hidden Figures” starring Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Costner and Jim Parsons. Three brilliant African-American mathematicians working for NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. These three women served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.

Just to Say Hello Program is just starting. A Cranston Department of Senior Services program that provides a daily telephone call to Cranston seniors who are alone and have few family contacts.  Each day a caring volunteer will make a simple, friendly phone call at a mutually agreed time which helps relieve loneliness, enhances wellness and develops friendships.  If you know of any Cranston senior who would like to receive a daily telephone call or if you would like to be a volunteer caller please contact Jennifer Kevorkian, Social Services Director at 780-5254.

Reminder that the Reminisce Group will meet on Jan. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Enjoy an informal trip down memory lane with a variety of topics.

AEA Arthritis Exercise Program will be held on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., beginning Feb. 6 through March 15. Exercise is crucial for people with arthritis!  It increases strength & flexibility, reduces joint pain, and helps combat fatigue.  Don’t let arthritis pain immobilize YOU!  Even moderate exercise can ease some pain.  Join in for this free six-week Arthritis Exercise Program.  Sign up now by calling 780-6000.

Membership Drive 2018 for both Renewal & New Memberships begins this week and you may sign up any day from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Center. Anyone 55 years or older may join. Cranston Residents: only $10 and Non-Cranston Residents: only $12.

In search of Cranston history

The Cranston Historical Society is always so grateful to the good people of our city who allow us to borrow old pictures of Cranston schools, activities, businesses, parades, landscape photos, farm pictures, etc. that show Cranston's rich history, civics and industry. If you have any of these, and would like to share, call the Society at 944-9226.

Rhode Coders Club to meet

Don't miss your chance to sign up for the next session of the popular Rhode Coders Club, a free HTML/CSS coding class series for adults ages 18 and over. Rhode Coders Club is perfect for absolute beginners who are interested in learning about programming and coding, improving their analytical skills, or looking to advance their careers.

The next session will take place weekly on Saturdays (Jan 20-March 24) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Central Library's C-Lab. Register today at prov.pub/CranstonRCC. Questions? Email Don Gregory at dgregory@provlib.org.

The Rhode Coders Club is working with State and Federal organizations to help facilitate exploration of computer programming/coding for all Rhode Islanders.

West Bay Chorale seeking singers

The West Bay Chorale will begin rehearsals on Jan. 15 in preparation of their upcoming Spring Concert entitled “Love Changes Everything” which will be held on May 20.  Selections for this concert will include Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes and Broadway Love Songs.  They are especially looking for additional Tenors and Baritones to join their group but welcome all voices. If you are interested, please contact our director, Eric van Devort at Eric@westbaychorale.org.

Spot the Dog clothing featured to benefit the Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation

This year the Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation is featuring their mascot, Sport the Dog on Tees and Hoodies in adult and children sizes. All proceeds will benefit the Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation which grants funds to character-building initiatives that benefit community children K-12.  With your support, they are proud to have granted over $150,000 over the years to programs in arts, academics, sports and health.

Sport makes a terrific holiday gift, while fulfilling your year-end giving goals. Visit www.jimpaganofoundation.com/shop and order your dog today.

Did You Know?

Born on January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. grew to become one of the greatest Social Activists the world has ever known. At 35, he became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace prize. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 while making a speech from the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee. His birthday became a National Holiday by an act of Congress in 1983. Many consider it a day to serve your community. (Source: January Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, e-mail 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. E-mail 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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