Mindful Mondays

Mindful Mondays is a weekly drop-in meditation group open to teens. Brief meditations are facilitated by CCAP’s Community Response Program team members.

The program will be held on Mondays on Zoom for teens between the ages of 13-18. Beginning on Oct. 5, the group will be held from 4 to 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Jennifer Pelkey at jpelkey@comcap.org or 401-318-2555.

Transportation volunteers for seniors

Transportation volunteers are needed for the Cranston RSVP program. RSVP is seeking volunteers to deliver brown bag lunches to seniors, run errands for seniors and transport Cranston homebound seniors to medical appointments.

Anyone interested in becoming an RSVP volunteer can contact Karen at 780-6159 for an interview. You must be 55 years of age or older to volunteer and a BCI is required. A mileage reimbursement is given to cover travel costs.

Study seeking seniors

The Alzheimer’s Disease & Memory Disorders Center at Rhode Island Hospital is involved in the Ahead Study, which is testing an investigational treatment aimed at delaying memory decline in people before the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are apparent.

The study is for men and women ages 55-80 who are not experiencing any memory or thinking problems but who may be at an increased risk of memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This is the first Alzheimer’s disease prevention trial to enroll people as young as 55 years old. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more, please call 401-606-4664.

Bulky waste pickup

During the month of September, the city’s Department of Public Works offers residents an opportunity to have bulky waste items picked up free of charge, with certain restrictions.

Residents must call Waste Management at 800-972-4545 to schedule a free bulky waste pickup. Pickups are limited to one scheduled trip with up to three items per residential unit. Bulky waste does not include mattresses, construction debris, TVs or electronic goods, white goods or any household trash/garbage bags that would fit into a city-provided 65-gallon trash cart or overflow bags.

For more information, visit the city’s website, www.cranstonri.gov.

Groups to observe International Day of Peace

For the third consecutive year, the Rhode Island Antiwar Committee is organizing a rally and march at the State House in Providence on Saturday, Sept. 21, in observance of the United Nations International Day of Peace.

The rally will begin at noon on the Smith Street side of the State House and the march will end before 2 p.m. Several Rhode Island peace groups are co-sponsoring the event, including Brown War Watch, East Bay Citizens for Peace, Jamestown Never Again, and Pax Christi RI.

The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on Sept. 21. The 2020 theme for the day is “Shaping Peace Together.” The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. The official theme, “Shaping Peace Together,” is especially congruent with the sponsoring groups’ decision to center the rally and speakers on the challenges to both international and domestic peace.

Speakers from the peace groups and from groups involved in justice and peace movements will address those who attend, and all will be encouraged to participate in a march around the entire State House grounds. Mask-wearing and six-foot social distancing will be practiced throughout.

Free dental assistant training

CCAP is excited to announce a new free dental assistant training program. This 13-week program will be run using a hybrid model, with classroom work using Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays and hands on clinical sessions Fridays and Saturday mornings at CCAP’s Coventry dental office.

Participants must live in Rhode Island, be 18-24 years old, and have a clean BCI and a high school diploma or GED. Call the Cranston Youth Center at 562-8325 today.

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 or visit www.comcap.org.

Zoobilee goes virtual

Roger Williams Park Zoo has invited the community to attend a free, virtual celebration of Zoobilee on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m.

Visit the zoo’s Facebook page on Sept. 17 and tune in to join in for a festive, socially distanced party featuring special behind-the-scenes animal encounters, including a peek at Beany, the new baby two-toed sloth. There will also be important messages from valued stakeholders and other fun surprises and performances.

Every year, Zoobilee raises much-needed funds for conservation and education programs. This year, the community’s support is needed more than ever.

One of the most exciting parts of every Zoobilee is the annual online auction. From unique zoo experiences, to beautiful artwork, there is something for everyone. Check it out at www.bit.ly/rwpzoo_zoobileeauction2020.

Interested in becoming a sponsor or donating to the auction? Please send an email to Zoobilee@rwpzoo.org or call the Development Department at (401) 785-3510, ext. 453.

CCAP’s Learn to Earn program

The Comprehensive Community Action Program’s youth employment, training and education programs assist the youth of Rhode Island ages 14-24 through free education, training programs, work readiness and job placement assistance. They provide a full range of services to young people who are enrolled in school or out of school. All enrollees are connected with a case manager to assist them in their education or employment goals throughout the program. Cash incentives and bus tickets are given to those who qualify. Call 480-8984 or visit comcap.org for more information.

Park View Veterans Day 5K canceled

An annual Veterans Day tradition in Cranston will not be held this year, school officials have announced. The Park View Middle School Veterans Day 5K is typically held in November, starting and ending at the Roger Williams Park entrance across from the school on Park Avenue. Proceeds from the event support the veteran’s organization Operation Stand Down RI.

“As with virtually every aspect of life, this year is something that we have never experienced or could have possibly imagined,” Principal Cheryl Anderson and race director John Macera wrote in a letter to the community. “Never have we had to put our lives on hold this long and try to plan for the future with so much uncertainty. Due to the financial commitments which are invested in staging this event, we are forced to make this announcement at this time.”

The letter continues: “Out of an abundance of safety for all, the postponement for this year’s race will only strengthen our resolve and give us the opportunity to recalculate to make the 2021 Park View 5K even better. We wish you safety and good health in the coming year.”

Neighbors helping neighbors

Barbara and Kevin Dwares of Cranston are once again collecting individually wrapped desserts such as brownies, cookies, banana breads, cookie bars, etc., to be delivered to Help The Homeless RI on Saturday afternoons. The donations are needed by noon on Fridays. Please drop them off at 46 Balsam Court in Garden City. Please put them in the plastic container located near the breezeway. The bin will be outside every Wednesday through Friday.

RI Dream Center seeking donations of water

The Rhode Island Dream Center is collecting cases of bottled water to give to people experiencing homelessness. The center’s food truck is headed back out on the streets to serve food and water to those in need. Summer heat can be a time of true misery for the homeless, as many are forced to spend the majority of their day outside on the streets, in the heat, with limited access to any water.

The goal of the drive is to collect and give out 650 bottles of water each week during these hot summer months. All cases of water can be dropped off at the Rhode Island Dream Center, at 330 Park Ave. in Cranston, Monday-Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

To learn more, visit www.cranstonri.gov or follow the organization on Facebook.

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 www.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.

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.

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

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.

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.gov.

Did you know?

In 1996, entrepreneurs Glen Jones and Bernand Luskin launched Jones International University, which became the first accredited and fully web-based university. Since the creation of these fully online programs and schools, distance learning has continued to grow in many different directions.

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.