Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Johnston Animal Control

to hold Pasta Dinner

Johnston Animal Control will hold its fourth annual Pasta Dinner for homeless and neglected animals this weekend. The dinner will be held at Pocasset Bay Manor, located at 12 Old Pocasset Lane in Johnston, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 22.

The dinner, being held in honor of Sammy, Gilbert and Bear, will feature Luigi’s pasta, meatballs, salad and bread, as well as music and a raffle. Tickets are $15 per adult and $5 for children under 10. Donations are welcome and will go toward the Homeless Animal Account for animals in needs. For more information, contact Animal Control Officer Erin Medeiros at 401-737-3144.

Easter cookie sale

St. Brigid’s Church, located at 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, will be selling homemade cookies on Palm Sunday weekend, March 28 and 29, before and after all Masses. Saturday’s Mass is at 5 p.m. and Sunday’s Masses are at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. One-pound trays at $13, while 1-1/2 pound trays are $18. Trays can be reserved by calling 401-944-3645 or 401-944-3945.

People in the Neighborhood

The Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library’s “People in the Neighborhood” series for grades K and up continues on Friday, March 27 at 4:30 p.m. Firefighter Rob from the Johnston Fire Department will talk about his career, discuss fire safety and answer questions. Registration is required for those who have not previously signed up. Stop at the children’s desk or call 401-231-4980, ext. 5.

Johnston Senior

Center Food Drive

The annual Food Drive/Feinstein Challenge has already begun at the Johnston Senior Center. They are collecting non-perishable food and gift card donations from March 1 to April 30. Every year, the Feinstein Foundation donates to the center based on the total amount of food collected. This donation from Feinstein enables the center to help even more people in need. There is a collection container inside the main entrance. Gift cards to stores like Price Rite are also appreciated, as they allow recipients to purchase milk, eggs and other perishable items.

The Johnston Senior Center is located at 1291 Hartford Ave. For more information, call 401-944-3343. Food donations may be brought to the center during regular business hours or during Friday night bingo.

Science Club

On April 6, join in with others at the Mohr Library in Johnston and explore chemical-to-electrical energy by building a potato battery. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. Please register by calling the library at 401-231-4980, ext. 5. The program is geared toward grades three to five.

Wine & Cheese Night

Defenders of Animals will honor those who have protected animals on March 25 at the Governor Sprague Mansion, located at 1351 Cranston St. in Cranston. The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Donations are $25 per person by reservation only, and can be obtained by calling 401-461-1922.

100th Anniversary Fun Day

The Social Ministry of St. Brigid’s Church, located at 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, proudly presents Cosmic Bowling for families and friends on March 21 from 2 to 4 p.m., with check-in time at 1:45 p.m. at the Johnston Town Hall Lanes, located at 1463 Atwood Ave. in Johnston.

With a donation of $10 per person, participants will enjoy free admission, two hours of duckpin bowling, shoe rental, cosmic lights, music, raffle and a pizza party along with chips and soft drinks.

Sale of tickets will begin this week prior to and after the Saturday 5 p.m. Mass and Sundays after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. Checks are to be made out to St. Brigid’s Church, and registration can also be made by calling 401-944-6778.

Need health insurance

information?

Are you looking for health insurance information? Need help sorting all of this out? Join the North Central Chamber of Commerce, along with the RI Task Force, for a one-hour session which will help you better grasp how out-of-pocket costs, co-pays, and deductibles work; understand how small group health insurance rates are created; understand what causes your rate to change; and learn the difference between buying through Rhode Island’s health benefits exchange (HealthSource RI), other exchanges, and on the open market. Connect with resources to help you and your employees with health plan issues. Learn how to make your voice heard by healthcare policy makers and regulators. The event, scheduled for March 24, will be held at the North Central Chamber of Commerce, located at 255 Greenville Ave. in Johnston. This is a free workshop for all business owners. Beginning at 8 a.m., coffee will be included. For more information, contact Deborah Ramos at 401-349-4674.

8th annual Run The Reservoir 15K

Join in on Saturday, March 28 for the eighth annual Run the Reservoir 15K (and 5K) in North Scituate. The start (9 a.m.) and finish, as well as the post race, take place from the Community House (546 W Greenville Road in the village). There is ample parking. The race is well manned with volunteers, and there is police protection for safety on the roads. The 15K course takes participants off the road to a trail within the Providence Water Supply property. Registration requires signing a waiver of liability from Providence Water. The5K course remains on public roads, but mostly on a quiet road viewing the upper holding reservoir near the village of North Scituate. The post race celebration at the Community House features unique awards from local crafts and products, as well as hearty food and drink for the runners. Pre-registration and detailed information can be found online at trinitynorthscituate.weebly.com.

Whether you are a beginner or a competitive age group runner or a potential volunteer, you won’t want to miss this event, which supports the Trinity Church Food Closet.

To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at SunriseScoops@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. E-mail today and see your news in our column in the Johnston Sunrise! Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information.