Sept. 19 & 20,Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI) Outreach  is set to kick off on Thurs., Sept. 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fri. Sept. 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at OSDRI’s Johnston Headquarters, Anthony DeQuattro Veterans Service Complex. Attendees are asked to park across from Tri-County Community Action Agency, 1133 Hartford Avenue Johnston. Shuttles will be provided. The two-day event will feature resources to help veterans in need. Key services will include housing, employment, basic human needs, legal assistance, social services, dental services provided by Thundermist Dental, and healthcare services provided by the VA. On site healthcare services will include COVID-19, FLU, Pneumonia, and Hepatitis Vaccines, and VA Health care. The Rhode Island Judiciary will hold court sessions on both days to assist in resolving fines, costs, warrants, expungements and other unresolved matters.  On Thurs., the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fri. the District Court from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  All individuals in need of legal services are asked arrive an hour or more to consult with pro-bono attorneys or contact OSDRI’s Legal Assistance Program prior to the event by calling 401-383-4730. Other programs include employment services with onsite employers, an expanded legal clinic, to include family law assistance, landlord tenant issues and VA disability claims and morale, welfare, and recreation activities.

Sat. 21, TroubleFest will be held on Sat., Sept. 21, at 3 p.m., Belamonde, 12 Bassett St., Providence, featuring author Lisa Sun and her latest book, “Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence.” Open to the public. To attend, please RSVP to info@troublemakers.org. Learn more about Trouble at https://troublemakers.org/.

 Sept. 22, Annual Fall Fest at Mulligan’s Island hosted by Cranston Police Dept. Cares will take place on Sun., Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mulligan’s Island, 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. Featuring the World Premiere Band. Information: 401-477-5062. 

Sept. 24, Photographic Society of RI will hold its meeting on Tues., Sept. 24, at 6:15 p.m. Print Log In, at 6:30 p.m., as a social time and the meeting is at 7 p.m., at Lakewood Baptist Church, 255 Atlantic Ave., Warwick.  David Zapatka is going to be the presenter, and he is speaking on “USA Stars and Lights: Lighthouses and the Dark Skies.”  Whether a member or not, please come and enjoy the program and to see what’s new in the club.

Sept. 26,Savor the Flavors of Rhode Island Event Benefitting Special Olympics is scheduled for Thurs., Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. (General Admission), 5:30 p.m. (VIP Admission), Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston. Indulge in a delectable tasting event celebrating the Ocean State’s finest cuisine and beverages. This fun-filled evening includes delicious samples from over 40 local restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and distributors; music, and an exciting auction featuring signature items, while supporting the athletes of Special Olympics Rhode Island. Tickets: $75 General admission or $150 VIP Admission.  For tickets and information: give.specialolympicsri.org/ge/24savor.

 Sept. 27, Tour With Tea  will be held on Fri., Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. at the Governor Sprague Mansion Museum, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston. Enjoy a relaxing evening  of tea and sweets in the dining room of the historic Sprague Mansion. Enjoy a brief presentation about the A&W Sprague Manufacturing Co. and a Mansion tour. RSVP/Seating 10 only. Call 401-944-9226. $18 nonmembers; $16 members, payable by Sept. 23, to Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston 02920. Age appropriate 12 and older.  Accessible entrance and parking in back of Mansion.

Sept. 28,  Electronics Recycling Event: Cranston Public Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston, Sat. Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Bring your unwanted electronics to this e-waste recycling event. The IndiCycle truck will be in the upper parking lot to dispose of unwanted electronics in an environmentally safe way. Accepted items include computers, routers, monitors, TVs, laptops, mice, keyboards, cameras, printers, toner, wires/cables, batteries (no single use), microwaves; cell, cordless, and landline phones; stereo equipment, plastic speakers, CD/DVD players, gaming stations, and other electronic gadgetry. A disposal fee is charged for some items, including but not limited to, LaserJet printers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, mini-fridges, and other coolant-containing appliances. Some items not accepted. Visit indiecycle.com for disposal fees and additional information. Full calendar of events, visit events.cranstonlibrary.org.

Sept. 29, The Cpl. Holly Charette Memorial Motorcycle Run will be held on Sun., Sept. 29. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Rolfe Square Post Office, Cranston, Kick Stands up at 10 a.m. Steak Fry Dinner follows at 2 p.m., 22 Whipple Dr., Charlestown. Tickets are $25 per person and include Steak Fry Dinner. All pre-registered riders (by Sept. 15) are automatically guaranteed a t-shirt. No tickets sales after Sept. 22. Scholarship recipients to be awarded at the Steak Fry Dinner. Proceeds benefit the Holly Charette Scholarship Fund. Please contact 401-227-5140 or email runforholly@gmail.com for tickets or more information. Visit www.cplhollycharettescholarship.com for additional information on becoming a sponsor or to donate. The Run is limited to 200 tickets.

Sept. 29, Rain Harvest Festival 2024 is being presented on Sun., Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center Pavilion, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence.  Music, Environmental activities, Green Infrastructure Walks, Mural Unveiling, Free Food, Volunteer Cleanups, Games, Vendors, Arts & Crafts and More!  Free community event.

Oct. 5, Project Linus of RI Fall Blanket Making Day invites the public to participate in their Fall Blanket Making Day on Sat., Oct. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at William Hall Library, 1825 Broad Street, Cranston. Join Project Linus to learn to make a blanket, knot, crochet, and/or tie fleece and meet other "Blanketeers." Bring a sewing machine if making a quilt or starting a new project with available materials. Snacks provided. Project Linus is a 100% volunteer, non-profit organization. For more information email Martha at esholes@aol.com.

Oct. 5, Harvest Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 by the West Warwick-Coventry Emblem Club #454, 60 Clyde Street, West Warwick.  Cash bar 6:30 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. Salad, ham, roast beef, roasted potatoes, green beans w/almonds, bread &butter.  Coffee and dessert follow with music, dancing & raffles.   Tickets: $25 pp and must be prepaid.  No tickets will be sold after Sept. 26.   For tickets please call Linda 401-497-3680 or Gail 401-738-060.

Oct. 6, Character Con is scheduled for Sat., Oct 6, from 1 to 4 p.m., Mulligan’s Island, 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. For more information: www.rinightmarket.com.

Oct. 5, St. Francis Xavier Academy Alumnae Association Homecoming will have its annual Homecoming Mass and Luncheon, Sun., Oct. 20. Mass will be 11 a.m., at St. Timothy Church, 1799 Warwick Ave., Warwick. Lunch following at The Crown Plaza, 801 Greenwich Ave., Warwick. Scholarships for student attending Catholic high schools will be announced that day. or more information email SXA.Alum@gmail.com. 

October 25, Cranston Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2024, Fri. Oct. 25, 5 p.m., cocktails and appetizers at the Alpine Country Club, 251 Pippin Orchard Rd., Cranston. Tickets are $55 per person. Deadline to purchase is October 18, 2024.  Any questions, please contact Hall of Fame President, csoccio@cox.net.  Go to eventbrite.com  and search Cranston Hall of Fame.

 Oct. 26 & 27 St. Francis Xavier Church Holiday Bazaar will be held on Sat., Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., St. Francis Xavier Church, 81 No. Carpenter St., East Providence. Bring the entire family as there will be something for everyone. After shopping, enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner, and their famous Portuguese malassadas (food fit for the angels) while there.

October 26, Trunk or Treat hosted by the Cranston YMCA with many other Halloween activities on Sat., Oct. 26, at the Cranston YMCA, 1225 Park Ave., Cranston, from 3 to 7 p.m.  Candy donations are welcome. Registration is required, please call: 401-943-0444 or contact gfiguerreo@gpymca.org. This event is free and open to the public.

Nov. 2, Rhode Island Italian American Hall of Fame Inductions & A Salute to Sinatra, The Rhode Island Italian-American Hall of Fame (RIIAHF 501©(3) is proud to announce RIIAHF Honors & A Salute to Sinatra presented by Providence Auto Body on Sat., Nov. 2, at The Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Ave. of the Arts,  Providence. The Hall of Fame will induct physician and author Dr. Edward Iannuccilli and former New England Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Joe Andruzzi. Brian Duprey will perform a Salute to Sinatra concert accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra. Proceeds to benefit the organization’s scholarship fund. A least ten exceptional college bound Rhode Island students from all ethnic backgrounds will be recognized and receive scholarship awards totaling at least $30,000. Eeach student will receive  a $3,000 scholarship. This event will be cohosted by NBC 10’s Gene Valicenti and former NBC 10 sportscaster and RIIAHF President, Joe Rocco. For time and ticket information: thevetsri.com or 401-421-2787.

November 8, Cranston Cares Comedy Fundraiser is Fri., Nov. 8, at 6 p.m., Cranston Country Club, 69 Burlingame Rd., Cranston. Proceeds enable turkey donations for our veterans and active military families. Tickets are $22 pp.  For tickets: cranstoncares@gmail.com, or use the QR code on website:  www.cranstoncares.org.

Dec. 15, AARP Chapter 2210 Portland Symphony’s "The Magic of Christmas" Trip on Dec. 15. The trip includes lunch at Boon's Restaurant, orchestra seat at Portland Symphony's "The Magic of Christmas" & motorcoach transportation. Cost is $185/person. Call Maureen, 401-828-5188 or Anne, 401-263-4274 for reservations or for more information.

Jan. 5 thru 7, 2025, AARP Chapter 2210 Atlantic City Trip. The local AARP Chapter has planned a trip to Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City from Jan. 5 thru 7. The Tour includes 2 nights’ accommodations, 2 meal credits (up to $20 value each) & $20 slot play. Bus pickup from the Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 7 a.m., return time is approximately 6 p.m. Cost is $299/person (double occupancy), $279/person (triple occupancy) or $399/person (single occupancy). For more information call Maureen at 401-828-5188 or Anne at 401-263-4272.

Every Monday through Friday, Virtual Dementia Caregiver Support Groups are specifically designed for people caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Mon., 3:30 to 5 p. m.; Tues., 3 to 4:30 p. m.; Wed., 5 to 6:30 p. m.; Thurs. and Fri., 10 to 11:30 a. m. Information and registration, call 401-415-4664; or email to: info@HopeDementia.org. Follow us on Facebook @HopeHealth.

Every Monday, Gaspee Celtic Jam - The Gaspee Celtic Jam meets at the Pawtuxet Village Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St., Cranston, every Mon. from 7 to 9 p.m. Do you play fiddle, guitar, Irish flute, pennywhistle, bodhran, mandolin, banjo, concertina, accordion, folk harp, hammered dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, banjo, acoustic bass, ukulele, keyboard, recorder, or sing? All skill levels welcome. Visit www.gaspeecelticjam.org for more info (including the current tune list/tune book) or to send us any questions. No specific Celtic music experience is required.

Every First and Third Monday Rhode Island Active Toastmasters meets, serving both Rhode Island and Southern MA. Rhode Island Active Toastmasters holds its meetings at New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich, in Rm N214 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact us Rhode Island Active Toastmasters.  All are welcome!

Every Tuesday, ASL Interpreted RI AA Meeting will be held at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Ave., Cranston from 7 to 8 p.m.

Every Second and Fourth Tuesday the Fall River Toastmasters Meeting, serving both Rhode Island and Southern Mass the Fall River Toastmasters holds its meetings. Doors open at 6 p.m. and meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join us at The Chamber, 200 Pocasset St, Fall River, MA, 2nd floor. For more information, call Sean DaCosta at (508)-840-6621. All are welcome!

Every Thursday Cranston Farmers Market (weather permitting) 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Bain Track, 135 Gansett Ave., Cranston. Free and open to Cranston residents only, while supplies last. Residents are encouraged to bring their own bag. Please contact Ivy at iswinski@comcap.org for more information. The Farmers Market will be held through Thurs., Aug. 15.

Every Thursday, Pick-Up Hockey 55 and older, coed: $5pp. Thayer Ice Rink, 975 Sandy Ln., Warwick, from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m. Full Equipment required. For more information contact:  Lon Krueger 302-229-3457 or bethlon@verizon.net.

Every Thursday,  Get-a-Job-Thursdays - We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thurs. from 11 a.m. to noon, 200 First Ave., Cranston. We Make RI offer job seekers a chance to meet with employers, get career counseling, resume help and more. Some employers include Swissline Precision, Admiral Packaging, KB Surfaces, Warwick Hanger and Hitachi Cable. For more information about this event or other training opportunities, visit www.wemakeri.com/get-a-job-thursday or contact Mike at (401) 232-0077 x109.

Every Saturday, Pawtuxet Village Farmer’s Market, thru Sat., Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston.

PSA Free Gun Locks at Cranston Public Library Secure storage of weapons is now the law in Rhode Island.  A Free Gun Lock and Securing Weapons Safely information is available at the Reference Desk at the Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston.  Stop by for a free gun lock and literature on how to securely store weapons.  Doing so will save lives and make our communities safer.  Residents from all RI communities are welcome. This event is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Cranston Public Library.

Oaklawn Grange Used Clothing Donation Shed in need of used clothing items at the Oaklawn Grange Donation Shed, 24 Searle Ave., Cranston. Accepted items only: Used Clothing, Shoes, Sneakers, Belts, Purses, Linens, Pillowcases, Blankets, Curtains, and Stuffed Animals. All items must be in useable condition. Your donations will be distributed as whole garments locally and worldwide. Contact oaklawngrangeinfo@gmail.com for more information.

Humans of Cranston is now accepting nominations! We’ve featured 19 resident stories in a Herald column, on OneCranston HEZ social media, and in a book with the goal of highlighting and celebrating residents’ community involvement, diversity, and unique life perspectives. This is an initiative of the OneCranston Health Equity Zone at CCAP in partnership with the Cranston Herald and local photographer, Tim McFate. If you know a Cranston resident who has a story to tell, please nominate them via this form: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/s8cnBuGhtB Questions? Contact JB Fulbright, Community Outreach Coordinator for the OneCranston HEZ at jfulbright@comcap.org.

NAMI-RI Offers Family Support Groups; the RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free support groups for families and friends of loved ones struggling with mental health. Groups are led by trained facilitators with experience with family members. Meetings last 1.5 hours, and everyone gets a chance to share. Group members offer help and resources, when appropriate, based on their experiences. More information and full schedule can be found at namirhodeisland.org. or call 401-331-3060. No pre-registration for these monthly groups is necessary.

Volunteer with NAMI-RI The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is seeking volunteers to facilitate family programs in 2024. Free training is required and available for interested persons with loved ones struggling with mental health. Our grassroots volunteers, work every day to provide help and hope to millions of Americans. For more information about our family programs and volunteer training, email beth@namirhodeisland.org, call the NAMI-RI office 401-331-3060 or visit our website at www.namirhodeisland.org

Hearts for Hospice - Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice (VNH&H) is asking for individuals to support their hospice programs by giving $20 or more to their Hearts for Hospice campaign. People can dedicate their gift to a loved one who is always in their heart; all dedications are listed on the organization’s website. You can make your donation at www.visitinghursehh.org/giving/ or by calling 401-682-2100 extension number 1631.

Editor’s Note: To submit your news to The Chatter, send text and photos to Ida at idaz@rhodybeat.com. Items can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your event in our column in the Cranston Herald.