The Oaklawn Grange is looking for new members. Anyone interested in learning more or joining, please contact Maria Manzi at 401-499-0796.

PrepareRI Internship Program

The 2023 applications are now open for the PrepareRI High School Summer Internship Program. If you are, or have, a rising senior this summer, this paid opportunity is an excellent one for college or career resumes. Students attend a one week paid ($15/hr.) boot camp which prepares them for interviews and work-related skills as well as helps them to determine things like their strengths and weaknesses, and then are matched to a full-time, paid ($15/hr.), five-week summer internship that gives them hands-on, real world work experience in a possible career interest. Hundreds of students across RI participate in these internships and the application process is a multi-phased process including submitting essays, a resume, participating in an orientation and interviews. It is an amazing opportunity for all students. If you are in need of appropriate work clothes, technology or transportation, PrepareRI will work with you.

Holiday Concert

The Rotary Club of Cranston will present a holiday concert featuring Cranston High School East and West at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the Historic Park Theatre. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online at TheParkRI.com. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Cranston East and West’s music departments as well as the Cranston Rotary scholarship program.

Holiday Ornament Arrival

The new 2022 Cranston Police Department holiday ornament has arrived. The cost is $20 and all money raised from the sale will go directly to families in need this holiday season. More information at cpdcares.company.site.

Photos with Santa

Come visit Santa in his cozy cabin outside the Garden City Center gazebo now through Dec. 24 for a meet and greet and photo with the most holly jolly guy in the neighborhood. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Walkups are welcome but will be given a return time upon arrival. Pet photos are available every Monday. To register and for times/dates, visit www.gardencitycenter.com/event/santa-photos-2022/.

Santa Parade

Santa will be visiting locations across Cranston starting at 10 a.m. on Dec. 18. The schedule is as follows: 10 a.m. at Park View Middle School, 10:25 a.m. at Edgewood Highland School, 10:50 a.m. at Daniel D. Waterman School, 11:15 a.m. at Glen Hills School, 11:35 a.m. at Cranston Ice Rink, 11:50 a.m. at Western Hills Middle School, 12:10 p.m. at Orchard Farms School, 12:30 p.m. at George J. Peters School, 12:50 p.m. at Hugh B. Bain Middle School, 1:15 p.m. at Stadium School and 1:30 p.m. at Cranston City Hall and Historic Park Theatre. (Times are approximate and times/locations are subject to change.)

Story Time with Mrs. Claus

Join the one and only Mrs. Claus at the Garden City Center gazebo on Dec. 18 while she reads some of her favorite holiday stories. Bundle up, bring a chair and sit by the gazebo with the famous lady in red and hear holiday tales for kids of all ages. Story time lasts from 11 a.m. to noon.

Need to Wrap Presents?

Need a place to wrap presents without your kids finding out? The Huddle Center at 70 Gansett Ave. will be having open wrapping hours during the month of December for wrapping all Holiday gifts. They will provide the materials; you just need to bring the presents. For more information, contact Brandi Silvia at bsilvia@comcap.org.

A Christmas Carol

Cranston High School East drama presents “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17. Tickets will be sold at the door ($10 for adults, $8 for students and free for children).

Super Smash Tournament

Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join One Up Games for a Super Smash Bros Tournament on Dec. 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Cranston’s Central Library. All gaming equipment will be provided and there will have snacks. Registration is required and more information can be found at events.cranstonlibrary.org/event/9682829.

Santa’s Sing Along

Join the Park Theatre from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 18 for Santa’s sing along. The whole family can be part of the Christmas spirit with songs and pictures. VIP tickets include a picture with Santa after the show. Tickets range between $25 and $35. More information can be found at www.theparkri.com/event/santas-sing-a-long/.

Menorah Lighting

There will be a menorah lighting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 20 in the Cranston City Hall lobby. Rabbi Yossi Laufer will light the menorah and recite traditional Hanukkah blessings.

Warm Clothing Drive

Councilwoman Aniece Germain  – in partnership with the Artists’ Exchange and Hope and Change for Haiti – will host a clothing drive for neighbors in need on Dec. 21 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. They will be collecting warm clothes such as coats, gloves, socks and hats. The drop off location will be at the Artists’ Exchange (50 Rolfe Square). Please reach out to aniecegermain2@gmail.com with questions.

Join Phillips’ Chime Choir

Phillips Memorial Baptists Church (565 Pontiac Ave.) is looking for children ages six to 10 who are interested in participating in a Chime Choir led by Minister of Music Martha Sobaje. The rehearsals won’t be too long and will occur at 11:15 a.m. after church on Sundays. This is an exciting and fun opportunity to learn music and a great way to meet others. If you are interested, contact Martha Sobaje at msobaje@gmail.com.

Winter Market

Warwick Center for the Arts will hold “The Winter Market” now through Dec. 17, Wednesday through Saturday – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3259 Post Road., Warwick. This year’s Winter Market features handmade items from over 20 local artists and represents the varied creativity that makes Rhode Island so special. In addition to handmade jewelry, toys, cards, ornaments, pottery and accessories, the Market will also sell affordable framed paintings, prints and other wall hangings in addition to WCFA gift certificates if you prefer to give the ‘arts experience’ as a holiday gift this year. The event is free to browse, but items are for sale. For further information, visit www.warwickcfa.org or call 401-737-0010.

Call for Poetry Submissions

Notable Works Publication is working with Crosswinds Poetry on the third edition of “Voices of the Earth: The Future of Our Planet.” The theme is awakening a resolve for rediscovery, resolution, adaption, growth and a call for continued action. Poets accepted for the publication in this book will receive a complimentary copy upon completion. Three prizes will be awarded from entries. ($100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place.) Poets may submit up to three original works not previously published, each one formatted in Times New Roman, not exceeding 60 lines (which includes title and any spaces in-between). No more than 66 characters on each line (which includes spaces and punctuation). The submission period runs from Jan. 1, 2023, to Feb. 15, 2023 at midnight. Please email your original poetry submissions to noreeninglesi@cox.net or info@notableworks.org. Or, mail to Notable Works PO Box 8122, Cranston, RI 02920.

MAE Organization Gala

The MAE Organization will hold its annual Be the Light fundraising gala on Feb. 18, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. The cost is $100 for general admission and $125 for VIP admission. To order tickets, visit www.maeorg.org/event.

Humans of Cranston Nominations

OneCranston Health Equity Zone is starting a new initiative with the Cranston Herald and local photographer Timothy McFate called Humans of Cranston; they will be interviewing Cranston residents to gain a deeper understanding of and celebrate those who live here. Those interviewed will be featured in a new column and on OCHEZ social media. If you are interested in nominating a Cranston resident, please email JB Fulbright at jfulbright@comcap.org or call 401-208-3487.

To submit your news from the community, email Emma at EmmaB@rhodybeat.com. This includes virtual events, which should be submitted two to three weeks ahead of the event. 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.