CCAP launches new online benefits application platform

As part of its continuous effort to provide the best possible service, the Comprehensive Community Action Program, or CCAP, has announced the launch of its new online application platform, which can be found at apply.ComCap.org.

With a goal of expanding access to CCAP social services programs, the application portal will improve clients’ access to up-to-date housing and utility assistance program information, allow clients to upload documents and electronically sign applications and make it easy to access benefits.

CCAP is one of Rhode Island’s largest organizations dedicated solely to fighting the war on poverty. For a full list of CCAP programs and services, visit www.ComCap.org.

For questions about the new portal, email info@ComCap.org or call 467-7013.

Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble auditions

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble is looking for the finest student musicians in grades seven through 12 for the upcoming 2020-21 performance season. The Youth Ensemble is part of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra Music School.

Directed by Dr. David Neves, a nationally recognized music educator and conductor, the Youth Wind Ensemble includes over 75 band students from throughout the state.

The ensemble performs three concerts during the school year and members are recognized as being amongst the best players in Rhode Island. All students who love performing band music, play woodwind, brass or percussion instruments, and are looking for a challenging musical experience should audition.

Auditions will continue throughout the summer, but interested students should audition as soon as possible before the groups are filled.

For questions or more information about auditions, contact Christine Eldridge at celdridge@ri-philharmonic.org, Neves at dneves@ri-philharmonic.org or visit www.riphil.wordpress.com.

Cranston Arts Commission open invitation

The Cranston Arts Commission would like to invite all Cranston artists to submit a picture, story or video of their work to be shared on the commission’s Facebook page and website. Work from all artists is being sought, including poets, storytellers, photographers, musicians, actors and painters. There is no age restriction or deadline.

To participate, use #ArtHeals when posting to the commission’s social media, email cranstonartscommission@gmail.com or visit www.cranstonartscommission.org.

The Big Yard Sale

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island will host its Big Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 25 at 1540 Pontiac Ave. in Cranston. The sale will include household items, books, furniture and more.

These items were generously donated to BBBS during the last few months, but the organization is no longer able to store or distribute them. Organizers will be taking every precaution to keep the community safe and maintain guidelines for social distancing. Visitors are asked to wear masks at all times and maintain six-foot distancing from others. No more than 10 people will be allowed in the yard sale at any time.

All of the proceeds from the sales will be used to continue to fund BBBS mentoring programs at a time when the youth in the community needs them the most. For safety, change will not be available for cash sales. Visitors may donate change to BBSOS or use the electronic payment methods.

For more information, visit www.bigsri.org.

Cranston High School class of 1960 reunion rescheduled

Cranston High School’s class of 1960 has postponed its 60th reunion until Sept. 12, 2021, at the Cranston Country Club. There will be a social hour from noon to 1 p.m., followed by entertainment from 1-5 p.m. For more information, contact Joan Farmanian Fratterelli at 349-3922. Library summer programs

The Cranston Public Library has launched its 2020 Summer Reading Program.

Participants are invited to join the Online Reading Challenge by creating a profile and registering with Beanstack through the library’s website, cranstonlibrary.org. Each week, participants can log on, enter the number of minutes they have read, and earn badges and raffle tickets toward prizes. The challenge runs through Aug. 14.

On Mondays through Aug. 10, Miss Elise will host “Magical Journeys Storytime LIVE!” Every week is a new adventure full of songs, rhymes and journeys to magical places. This storytime runs from 10-11 a.m. and is geared toward children ages 3-5. Visit Cranston Public Library’s Facebook page to participate.

“Magical Academy” runs from 2:30-3 p.m. on Mondays through Aug. 10. If you have ever wondered what you might learn at a school for wizards, join us for an imaginary class on a magical subject. Cranston librarians, acting as your Magical Academy professors, will share some literature and a fantastic activity on the library’s Facebook page. This program is recommended for grades K-5.

“Magical Creatures Storytime LIVE!” with Miss Martha will be held from 10:30-11 a.m. on Tuesdays through Aug. 11. Join Miss Martha from Auburn Library to read about a different imaginary creature each week. She will share live stories, songs and more. Visit Cranston Public Library’s Facebook page to participate.

“Bedtime Stories” will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Aug. 11. Add some magic to your bedtime routine. Youth services librarians will read a perfect bedtime story every Tuesday night this summer. Tune in on Facebook each week for a new story.

“Magical Academy Preschool Edition with Miss Gail” will be held on from 10:30-11 a.m. on Thursdays through Aug. 13. Join us for a magical journey to the land of make-believe. We'll read stories of dragons, mermaids and pirates with music and make-at-home craft. Visit Cranston Public Library’s Facebook page to participate.

“The Wonderful World of Cryptids” will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 17 and Friday, Jul 31. This is a program for monster enthusiasts! Learn about a new creature every other week in the month of July. Tune in on Facebook to participate. This program is recommended for students in grades 3-5.

This summer, the Cranston Public Library is recreating the magic of live storytelling in a virtual environment, with the help of internationally acclaimed and diverse storytellers Len Cabral, Motoko, and Diane Edgecomb. Funded by BankNewport, the “Imagine Your Story” series of events promises to cast a spell, using Zoom invites instead of tickets and home computers instead of the library meeting room.

For more information, visit www.cranstonlibrary.org.

CCAP Emergency Housing Assistance

The Comprehensive Community Action Program’s Emergency Housing Assistance program assists individuals/families living in Cranston, Coventry, Scituate and Foster with back rent, security deposits, mortgage assistance, late fees associated with back rent or mortgage, moving costs and utilities. Funding is limited. For more information, call CCAP at 467-7013.

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.

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.

Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market is open

The Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market is 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.

Providence Water accepting applications for deer-hunting lottery

Providence Water is seeking applicants for two-year permits to hunt white-tailed deer on its property in Scituate and Foster surrounding the Scituate Reservoir. Both individual and group permit areas are available for the 2020 and 2021 hunting seasons.

More information and a permit application are available on the Providence Water website, provwater.com/watershed/deer-management. Permit holders must follow state laws and additional requirements.

A lottery will be conducted if the number of applications exceeds the number of available permits. All applications must be postmarked by July 31, 2020, to be eligible for the lottery.

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

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.

Did you know?

The “Dog Days” of summer last from July 3 to Aug. 11. What are the Dog Days, exactly? This period of sweltering weather coincides with the year’s heliacal (meaning “at sunrise”) rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris – the “Greater Dog” – which is where Sirius gets its canine nickname, as well as its official name, Alpha Canis Majoris. Not including our own Sun, Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. (Source: July 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.