Sun Rise Scoops

Mat Franco to have two specials on NBC

Mat Franco, a former resident of Johnston and the first magician to win “America’s Got Talent,” will have two NBC primetime specials called “Mat Franco’s Got Magic” in September. The specials will follow Franco from his home in Rhode Island to Las Vegas, as he visits family members, friends and celebrities – and performs a little magic. Franco, 26, is a graduate of Johnston High School and U.R.I. Stay tuned for air dates to be announced.

Smart Money Week at the Mohr

The Mohr Library will host Smart Money Week from April 18-25, including a presentation from Michael Abbood of Edward Jones on the basics of estate planning. An estate attorney will be present. This will be held April 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On April 21, Scott Sullivan from Money Management International will help attendees understand credit scores and reports, how they are determined, their impact and strategies to limit their impact. This program will be held on April 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Workbooks will be included for all those who attend. Registration is required by calling 401-231-4980, ext. 2213.

April showers bring great networking

April showers usually bring May flowers, but they also bring great networking opportunities. Join the RI Self Defense Center as it hosts its first North Central Chamber of Commerce event on April 24 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Sensei Orsini, owner of RI Self Defense Center, is excited to host and meet lots of fabulous professionals and showcase his business, located at 515 Greenville Ave. in Johnston. For more information, contact Deborah Ramos at 401-349-4674.

Children at the Mohr

On April 20 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Mohr Library will feature Spring Crafts. Make paper flowers, bunnies, chicks and blooming trees. Ages four and up with an adult are welcome.

On April 21, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., children can try Recycled Art and celebrate Earth Day through crafts. A variety of recycled materials will be provided for kids to make their creations. Ages four and up with an adult are welcome.

Project Chick, presented by Casey Farm, will be held on April 25 at 11 a.m. Participants will observe and touch real chickens and a selection of eggs from birds ranging from the hummingbird to the ostrich. Casey Farm will also leave an incubator, and later on there will be a chance to see chicks hatch and take their first steps. This program is sponsored by The Friends of the Mohr Library.

At 2 p.m. on April 24, the library will provide the opportunity to meet Police Officer Chuck from the Johnston Police Department. Officer Chuck will talk about his job in the community and answer questions. There will be a story and craft. Registration preferred by calling 401-231-4980, ext. 5.

Tomorrow Fund Stroll

The Tomorrow Fund Annual Stroll is taking place on April 26 at Garden City Center in Cranston.

The Tomorrow Fund is a non-profit organization that provides daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer who are treated in The Tomorrow Fund Clinic – located in the Edwin Forman Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence – and their families. Kids can come from anywhere in the world, but they must be treated in our pediatric oncology program at Hasbro to receive services.

Children, adults and families are welcome to collect pledges and “stroll” on behalf of The Tomorrow Fund. A minimum donation of $20 per walker or team member is required.

Check-in and registration begins at 8:45 a.m. “Tomorrow Fund Stroll” T-shirts will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The stroll begins at 10 a.m. Participants can walk as few or as many laps around the shopping center as they wish. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided, including clowns, face painters and music. Trophies will be awarded to the team and individual raising the most money. For more information or to receive a registration and pledge form, please call The Tomorrow Fund at 401-444-8811 or visit www.tomorrowfund.org. 

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.

NY System Weiner Eating Contest

On April 19, Olneyville NY System, located at 1012 Reservoir Ave., will be the place to be to join in the hot weiners eating contest to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Man of the Year hopeful Ace Aceto. The event will begin at noon. There is a $500 prize for the person who eats the most in 15 minutes. Come to compete or come to watch. The event will also feature face painting and magic for the family. There will be raffles, prizes and music as well. There is a $50 entrance fee and a donation of $10 dollars to watch the contest. The $50 entrance fee to participants will be waived if a contestant raises more than $100 in sponsors. 

Contestants may contact Mike Murray at mr.mikemurray@verizon.net. The event is sponsored by Olneyville NY System and Funny4funds.com.

Job Fair and the Jan Companies

The Jan Companies are looking to hire new full-time and part-time restaurant management, with an open house on April 14 from 8 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. at the Cranston office. The event is open to Burger King, Newport Creamery and Country Club candidates. Part-time crew applicants can feel free to apply at the specific restaurant of choice.

The Jan Companies offers excellent benefit packages and competitive salary, based upon experience. For more information about The Jan Companies, to schedule an interview, of if unable to attend the open house, call Suzanne De Courcy at 401-946-4000 or email sdecourcy@jancompanies.com.

Dream Center seeking vendors for craft fair

The Rhode Island Dream Center and Hope for the Homeless will hold a craft fair to help supplement the cost of items to fill 500 backpacks. Vendors are presently being sought.

The craft fair will be held on May 2 from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. at Praise Tabernacle Church, located at 330 Park Ave. Fee per vendor space is $20. For a vendor application, contact sharoncogean@gmail.com.

For adults at the Mohr

The Mohr Library will present “Meditation, the Universe & You” for free on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Learn the health benefits for physical, mental and spiritual well being. This practical workshop will include a guided meditation session with Dr. Alan Post. For questions or reservations, please contact Grayce or Lori at 401-231-4980, ext. 213.

RI Pink Heals Annual Ball

The RI Pink Heals, which is comprised of both male and female members of local fire and police departments in support of women with cancer, will hold their fourth annual Pink Heals Ball on May 1 at the Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom in Warwick.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. with a selection of one of the following: boneless chicken, baked scrod, prime rib or vegetarian. Dress code is formal/semi-formal with men in Class A uniform or suit and women in gowns or similar.

The cost is $50 per person ($500 per table) with open seating unless a full table is purchased (tables of 10).

Music will be provided by DJ Eric Anthony of Sounds Spectacular DJ Service. For tickets, please call Matt Medeiros at 401-692-0272 or Chris Seelenbrandt at 401-578-5498, or purchase online at www.ripinktrucks.com by April 24. All proceeds benefit the women and families of Rhode Island who are battling cancer.

Miss RI Italia seeking entries

The Miss RI Italia organizations 2015 competition will be held Sunday, May 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Providence Marriott Downtown. The competition is open for women of Italian descent ages seven and up. For an application or more information, email snewomanevents@gmail.com.

Did You Know?

Earth Day was created to make people aware of environmental problems, and was first celebrated internationally on April 22, 1970. It started as a student movement and was originally held on March 21. (Source: April Fun Facts)

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.