2014 Thunderbolt Gala & Roast of Mark Colozzzi

The 2014 Thunderbolt Gala & Roast of Mark Colozzi, hosted by the Cranston East Alumni Band Association, will be held on June 20 with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. at the Providence Marriott, 1 Orms St. in Providence.

Join in for an evening of dinner, music, silent auction and roast of everyone’s favorite music educator. Proper evening attire is requested, and dinner selections are either chicken piccata or baked scrod. Tables may be reserved upon request. The admission is $50 per person, which will be donated to the Cranston East music program. Checks should be made payable to the Cranston East Alumni Band Association.

Please send your reservation, dinner selection and donation to Candace Shuman, Chairperson, 41 North Clarendon St., Cranston, RI 02910, or call 378-4392.

Smart Money goes shopping at Garden City

As part of her Smart Money Tour, General Treasurer Gina Raimondo’s team is visiting Garden City Center on Friday, June 13 to raise awareness about how Treasury’s services can help Rhode Islanders find and save money.

Treasury’s Smart Money Team will provide information about all programs including Empower RI, Unclaimed Property, Investments and Finance, and the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

Ask the Smart Money Team your questions at Garden City Center, 50 Hillside Road in Cranston, on Friday, June 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Raimondo will be on-site at 3:15pm. The Treasury tent will be located near Anthropologie. In case of rain, the team will be set up near the Post Office entrance inside 150 Midway Road in Cranston.

Can’t visit in person? Visit www.treasury.ri.gov for information about all of Treasury’s programs and initiatives.

To date, Treasury’s Smart Money Tour has visited more than 20 sites throughout Rhode Island. This summer, local organizations and community groups will have the option to apply for a Smart Money stop at their event or location. To request a Smart Money stop at your location, visit www.treasury.ri.gov/SmartMoney.

For event-specific information, contact Heather Hudson, Treasury’s director of financial empowerment, at 222-2394.

BankNewport presented with “Exemplary” Award

On behalf of OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC, representatives from BankNewport’s human resources department were presented with an “Exemplary” Award at the 2014 Annual Worksite Health Awards ceremony on May 28 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick.

Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, the annual event recognizes Rhode Island organizations that demonstrate a commitment to maintaining their employees’ health and well being through workplace wellness programs. It is the third consecutive year that BankNewport has received an “Exemplary” Award, the highest level of Worksite Health Award given to an organization.

Over the past nine years, BankNewport has also received recognition in the “Superior” and “Outstanding” categories for the worksite wellness programs offered to its employees, which include personal health assessments, weight management and nutrition, flu clinics, stress workshops and a new wellness center located at the bank’s Administration and Operations Center in Middletown.

Annual Rochambeau Strawberry Biscuit Tea

On June 14 and June 18 at 6 p.m., Joy Homestead will open its doors for its annual Celebration of the French Soldiers and its 10th annual Rochambeau Strawberry Biscuit Tea.

June 14 is a very busy day in Rhode Island this year, but it is the 260th anniversary of the town of Cranston. On June 14, 1774, the first town council was held at the Caleb Arnold Tavern in Knightsville, a short distance from the Joy Homestead. Everyone is welcome to share in the celebration of Cranston and colonial history. The Joy Homestead is located off Scituate Avenue in Cranston.

Grant for Cranston Library to host digital literacy classes for adults

The Cranston Public Library is proud to announce it has received a grant in partnership with the Providence Public Library and RIFLI to host digital literacy classes for adult English as a Second Language learners. The $5,090 grant will fund computer basics classes at the William Hall Library. The classes – which start on June 16 and will run for 10 weeks – will cover topics such as email, Internet basics, computer basics and Microsoft Word.

The William Hall Library is located at 1825 Broad St. in Cranston. To register for the free classes, call 455-8041 or email Nancy at nfritz@provlib.org.

The project was made possible in part by a Library of Rhode Island grant from the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Vital Sparks to help Flora’s Heart

On June 14 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Vital Spark Fitness & Wellness Studio, located at 158 Greenwich Ave. in Warwick, will host a Zumbathon fundraiser for the non-profit Flora’s Heart. Participants will make and donate tutus and superhero capes to the children staying at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and their siblings. Pre-registration is required, and tickets are $20 per person. Raffle ticket prices are one ticket for $1, 10 tickets for $5 and 20 tickets for $10.

For more information, contact Cassandra M. Carlson, owner of Vital Spark, at 241-8101.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Michelle Caramadre of Cranston, who was honored at the Rainville Awards Ceremony at the University of Rhode Island. This year, URI’s Student Entertainment Committee (SEC) members, including Caramadre, received the Team Excellence Award.

Congratulations to Cranston’s Myles A. Spence, who graduated from Belmont Hill School this June and was inducted into the Red and Blue Key Society during the school’s annual Prize Day ceremony. This award is made to those members of the student body who contribute significantly to Belmont Hill athletics by performing services of a non-athletic nature that are essential to the maintenance of a sound athletic program.

Congratulations to Samantha Wilcox, class of 2016 at Connecticut College, who was awarded the John R. Mackinnon Prize. Wilcox was presented with the award at the annual Honors & Awards ceremony at Connecticut College on May 5. Wilcox, a 2012 graduate of The Prout School, is the daughter of Glenn and Diane Wilcox of Cranston.

Graduating from Quinnipiac University were Cranston residents Stephen Beneduce (Bachelor of Arts in Sociology), George Brown (Bachelor of Science in Chemistry), Shana Coleman (Bachelor of Science in Health and Science Studies), Shawana Hill-Waite (Bachelor of Arts in Journalism), Jenna Mojkowski (Bachelor of Science in Health and Science Studies), Nicholas Sczerbinski (Bachelor of Arts in Journalism) and Harold Threats (Bachelor of Science in International Business).

Making the grade and being named to the dean’s list at Connecticut the following Cranston residents: Laura Isacco, who achieved Dean’s Honors; Sarah Taylor, who achieved Dean’s High Honors; and Samantha Wilcox, who achieved Dean’s Honors.

Congratulations to Ashley Elizabeth Brindamour of Cranston, who was named to the Saint Anselm College dean’s list. She is an education studies major and a member of the class of 2015.

Miranda Dean of Cranston has earned a spot on the 2014 spring semester dean’s list at Ohio Wesleyan University

Cranston resident Mary Petronio, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2014 semester at the University of Vermont. Petronio is a sophomore global studies major in the College of Arts & Sciences.

During its 110th Commencement exercises on May 18, Clark University awarded 544 bachelor’s degrees, 472 master’s degrees and 24 doctoral degrees. The following Cranston residents received degrees: Ailey A. Wilder, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; Shaun B. Holt, who received his Master of Science in Professional Communication; and Allegra A. Marra, who received a Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Social Change.

The University of Vermont has announced the following graduates from Cranston during its 213th Commencement Ceremony. Congratulations to Mary McAteer, who earned a Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics, College of Arts & Sciences; Rachel Mulveny, who received a Bachelor of Science, Public Communication, College of Agriculture & Life Science; and Nathaniel Stiener, who received a Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art, College of Arts & Sciences.

Making the dean’s list for the spring 2014 semester at Clemson University was Cranston resident Joseph V. Catalfamo. He is majoring in mathematical sciences.

4th annual Pawtuxet Village Summer Reading Book Swap

On June 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a Summer Reading Book Swap at Twice Told Tales, located at 2145 Broad St. in Pawtuxet Village. Bring adult and children’s used books to swap. Choose a book for beach or backyard summer reading.

You can also bring used CDs or family-oriented DVDs and videos to swap, and leftover books will be donated to Books Are Wings. The event is sponsored by Friends of Pawtuxet Village, which can be found online at www.friendsofpawtuxetvillage.com.

Collection drive

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is holding a collection drive for gently used clothing and small household items. Donations help to raise funds to support the organization’s mentoring programs for boys and girls throughout the state.

BBBSOS offers convenient free home pick-up of donations and provides a tax receipt. Call or visit www.bbbsos.org to schedule free home pick up, find the nearest drop off location or learn more about mentoring programs.

BBBSOS will also be hosting “The Big Night Out – An Evening in Paris” on June 14 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Newport Hyatt Hotel & Spa at One Goat Island in Newport. Join them as they recognize members of their 2014 Magical Circle of People We Admire. Sip the signature cocktail, be amazed by aerialists, browse unique auction items and enjoy a delicious French-inspired dinner under the stars. Dance the night away to the sounds of Nancy Paolino and the Black Tie Band.

Did You Know?

Summer is almost here, and mosquitoes abound. They are insects that have been around for 30 million years. They have chemical sensors that can detect mammals from 100 feet away; they have heat sensors to detect warm-blooded creatures; and they have visual sensors that detect movement and contrast in colors. The first activity of an adult mosquito is to mate. The females lay their eggs and then live from days to months afterward. The male mosquito dies within days after mating. (Source: Summer Fun Facts)