NEWS

Cranston Chatter

By MERI R. KENNEDY
Posted 6/10/20

By MERI R. KENNEDY Editor's note: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many organizations have canceled or postponed events scheduled for the coming weeks. We advise readers to check on the status of various events, and we will provide updates as they become

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NEWS

Cranston Chatter

Posted

Editor’s note: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many organizations have canceled or postponed events scheduled for the coming weeks. We advise readers to check on the status of various events, and we will provide updates as they become available.

 

Head Start recruitment

The CCAP Cranston Child Development Center’s Head Start Program is kicking off its annual recruitment drive for the 2020-21 school year.

Head Start/Early Head Start provides a free, comprehensive, developmentally appropriate early-education experience for children up to 5 years old, including services for pregnant women.

Participants must meet program requirements. Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided. Extended day services are available for families who are working or in school. The hours available are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. DHS funding accepted. The program actively recruits children with special needs and homeless families.

CCAP also has state-funded pre-K classrooms. To be eligible, children must turn 4 by Sept. 1. The state funded pre-K selection process is by lottery. To sign up for an email notification for the 2020-2021 school year, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/QL3KWPX.

All referrals are welcome. For questions or additional information, contact Bernadette Groves at 427-4066 or bgroves@comcap.org. The main number is 943-5160.

Libraries plan limited access

Now that the governor has lifted the stay-at-home order, the Cranston Public Library will be resuming limited access to library materials and services in phases over the next several weeks.

Plans have been developed in consultation with the Library Board of Trustees and Mayor Allan Fung and are based on guidance from Gov. Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services Task Force on Reopening Libraries.

Last week Cranston Public Library launched a contact-less pick up service, which will enables patrons to request materials that are in Cranston library buildings. Using this service, patrons will be able to request up to five items at a time. Contact-less pickup will be available at all locations except the Arlington branch. Please note that the library will have limited staffing during this time, and you may have to leave a message.

The library will also be offering a remote printing service for up to 10 pages free with contact-less pick up.

For more information on how to request materials, printing and schedule a pickup, visit cranstonlibrary.org/phase-one. All due dates on current loans have been extended to July 1. Materials may be returned in the library’s drop boxes.

Summer jobs program with CCAP

CCAP is now accepting online applications for its 2020 Real Skills For Youth summer work-based learning program.

CCAP’s youth employment, training and education programs assist young people between the ages of 14 and 24 through free education, training programs and job placement assistance. All enrollees are connected with a case manager to assist them in their education or employment goals throughout the program.

To be eligible for the summer employment program, applicants must reside in Rhode Island, be authorized to work in the United States, be at least 14 years old by July 1 and be available to work between July 6 and Aug. 16. Age groups vary based on individual programs.

For more information or to apply, visit www.comcap.org/services/education-job-training/summerjobs.

CCAP Food Bank offers help, seeks donations

The COVID-19 public health emergency is creating an urgent food security challenge for households in the community. CCAP’s Food Bank, located at 311 Doric Ave., lower level, can help, and can be reached by calling 467-7013.

The Food Bank’s hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30-6:30 p.m.; and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Food Bank has suspended walk-in service. Clients can pick up their regular monthly pre-made food bags at the Food Bank window.

Donations may be made at CCAP’s location at 311 Doric Ave. in Cranston on any weekday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., excluding holidays.

CCAP is seeking paper goods, cleaning products and a range of nonperishable food items. Specifically sought are peanut butter, whole wheat pasta, tuna, brown rice, canned and dried beans, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned soups and stews, granola bars, canned fruits and vegetables, tomato sauce, breakfast cereals and extra virgin olive oil.

For more information, call 467-7013 or visit www.comcap.org.

Virtual programs at the library

The Cranston Public Library has continued to offer popular virtual programs and events during the pandemic. Join them for Storytime Live, interactive book discussion groups, trivia, workshops, and more, all available from the comfort of your own home.

Virtual programs are held using different platforms, such as Facebook Live and Zoom. All events and programs are free.

Storytime Live programs with Miss Martha, Miss Elise and Miss Emily are held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:30-11 a.m.

Bedtime Stories are held every Tuesday from 7:30-7:45 p.m. Cranston librarians share a quiet read-aloud for your bedtime routine. Tune in on Facebook each week for a new story.

Teen Book Chat is held on Thursdays from 3-3:20 p.m. Cranston librarians recommend books for children and teens that are currently available online. Tune in on Facebook each week to find out what to read next.

Hands-on Science is held on Fridays from 3-3:20 p.m. Make something amazing happen using the scientific method. Cranston librarians will walk you through an easy experiment or project you can do at home.

Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market is open

The Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market opened for the season May 2. The market will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon until late October. It is held at 60 Rhodes Place in Cranston.

The market’s organizers have made some changes to keep vendors and patrons safe. All foot traffic is now one-way from start to finish. Stands are more than 8 feet apart to create social distancing space and cones clearly mark where to stand. Masks must be worn by all visitors and vendors, and hand-washing stations can be found throughout the market. Visitors are additionally encouraged to keep their pets at home.

Parking for the market is in the upper parking lot, and no eating is permitted while shopping at the market.

For more information, visit www.pawtuxetmarket.com.

50th reunion for Cranston East rescheduled

The Cranston High School East class of 1970 has rescheduled its 50th reunion to Aug. 7, 2021, at the Cranston Country Club. Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner and music by Tommy Tunes. The Reunion Committee is seeking help in locating classmates. Please send information to Jim Brailsford at jimbo521@cox.net or Barbara Russo at twinn52@yahoo.com.

Trash and yard waste

Trash pick-up is continuing a normal schedule, while yard waste pick-up will be on residents’ usual trash day until mid-December. For more information, visit www.cranstonri.com.

Community Garden

Cranston’s only community garden, the Edgewood Community Garden at Cherry Woods, is located behind Edgewood Highland Elementary School on Pawtuxet Avenue. The garden is run by the West Bay Land Trust, and the cost for a 4-by-16-foot plot is $25. New gardeners are welcome, but spots go quickly. Contact Lisa Gibb at lisagibb2@verizon.net for more information.

Surveys for Health Equity Zone

The Cranston Health Equity Zone community surveys are now live. There is an adult survey (available in English, Spanish, and Khmer) and a teen survey. The survey will ultimately be used to inform initiatives to improve health in Cranston. Everyone who takes the survey will be entered in to win one of five raffle prizes. Results will be reported back to the community in the spring.

The adult survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/9SYXM3W, while the teen survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/35SB2SX.

For additional information, contact karrington@comcap.org or 714-7004.

Cranston High School class of 1960 reunion

Cranston High School’s class of 1960 plans to hold its 60th reunion on Sept. 12, 2020, at the Cranston Country Club. The cost will be $50 per person. For more information, contact Joan Farmanian Fratterelli at 349-3922.

Did you know?

Father's Day was inaugurated in the United States in the early 20th century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fathers, fathering, and fatherhood. Father’s Day was founded in Spokane, Washington, at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. It is held on June 21 this year. (Source: Father’s Day Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email 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. 

chatter, CCAP

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