Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Bowl-a-thon

to benefit animals

On Aug. 23, Defenders of Animals will host a Bowl-a-thon at Town Hall Lanes, located at 1463 Atwood Ave. in Johnston, from 2 to 4 p.m. The donation of $20 per person will include two hours of bowling, a pizza and pitcher of soda for each lane. For more information, contact Defenders of Animals at 401-461-1922 for reservations.

Wine Tasting at

Verde Vineyards

The Johnston Historical Society will present an afternoon at Verde Vineyards in Johnston on Aug. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The wine tasting will include a tour of the vineyard by the owner Jim Verde, and information on the history and process of wine making. Refreshments including cheese, crackers, pizza and fruit will be served. The fee is $25 per person. Verde Vineyards is located at 50 Hopkins Ave. in Johnston. Tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting Anthony Ursillo at 401-764-5901 or aursillo401@gmail.com.

Project Undercover

hosting ‘A Taste of Summer’

Project Undercover, the only organization in Rhode Island that works exclusively to reduce diaper need, has announced its hottest event of the year, “A Taste of Summer.” The fundraiser, which will include tastings from eight local food purveyors, will be held Thursday, Aug. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Aqua at the Providence Marriott (1 Orms St., Providence). All funds raised will support Project Undercover’s mission of providing diapers, socks, and underwear to Rhode Island children from newborn to age 7 living in poverty.

The event brings together The Capital Grille, The Duck & Bunny, The Backyard Food Company, Trinity Brewhouse, La Creperie, Wes’ Rib House, Sicilia’s Pizzeria, and host location Aqua, all of which will be offering seasonal samples for attendees. Trinity Brewhouse will also offer beer tastings. There will be live jazz courtesy of Travis Colby and Doug Woolverton, a photo booth, and a silent auction. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best summer attire. Tickets are available for $25 at projectundercover.org until Aug. 18; they will also be available at the door for $35.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations the following Johnston residents who were named to the spring 2015 dean’s ;ist at Roger Williams University in Bristol: Joshua Avila, who is majoring in legal studies; Rachel Battista, who is majoring in finance; Santino Funaro, who is majoring in finance; Adriana Maurano, who is majoring in accounting; and Alex Quaglieri, who is majoring in criminal justice.

100th Anniversary

30 Week Club

St.Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, proudly presents its new and exciting centennial 30 Week Club. Membership is being offered the weekend of Aug. 8-9 prior and after the Saturday Mass at 5 p.m. and Sundays at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. There are 38 chances to win with a total of over $3,000, including a free dinner for members in good standing at the Cranston Country Club at 1 p.m. on April 17, 2016. As an added attraction for our celebration, a $25 gift certificate to a restaurant will be added to the cash prize of $30 per week for 30 weeks, totaling weekly prizes of $55. Payment of $60 can be paid in full or increments as low as $2 weekly, or an amount to fit your budget. Checks are to be made payable to St. Brigid’s Church. Reservations can also be made by calling 401-942-0576.

At the Mohr

The Mohr Library, located at 1 Memorial Ave. in Johnston, will feature Lloyd Kaplan’s Aristocats on Aug. 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Lloyd Kaplan’s Aristocats have been together for almost 20 years. The group plays songs from the great American songbook in a swing/jazz style. The music played is light and melodic. Musicians are Nat Piccirilly (guitar and banjo), Bob Petteruti (upright bass), Joseph Holtzman (drums), Lloyd Kaplan (clarinet, saxophone, and vocals) and George Leonard (vocals). This program is paid for by the Friends of the Mohr Public Library. For more information, contact 401-231-4980, ext. 6.

Cruise nights

The Johnston Street Machines will be hosting Cruise Nights every Thursday from May to September at Denny’s, located at 1448 Hartford Ave. in Johnston. The Cruise Nights will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with all proceeds to be donated to a local charity. The fee is $5 per vehicle. Raffles will be held weekly, and there will be a free bounce house for children. DJ Car-Guy Rich George will also be on hand to provide entertainment.

For more information, contact George Arakelian Jr. at 401-946-0010 or Gary Maddocks at 401-639-8041. There will be trophies for “Best in Show” on the last Thursday of every month.

Chalk it up

On Aug. 18, spend 10 minutes outside writing an uplifting message in chalk on your sidewalk, driveway or parking lot. Then, let Chalk the Walks – a project of The Joy Team – share your lovely creation by posting it on the Chalk the Walks Facebook page or tweeting about it with #chalkthewalks. By the end of the day, it is hoped the project will draw a fabulous collection of images from all over the U.S., and even the world, spreading joy, optimism and inspiration through the playful, magical power of sidewalk chalk.

Last year during the Chalk the Walks event, over 4,200 people joined in from every state in the U.S., as well as from Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, India, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland.

2015 Summer

Reading Program: ‘Every Hero Has A Story’

Join the Mohr Library this summer for a live animals story time, Art Smart, games, music, an ice cream party and much more! All events are free. Some require registration or free tickets.

The statewide Rhode Island Summer Reading Program is supported by the RI Office of Library and Information Services with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Pawtucket Red Sox, Citizens Bank and Pepsi. Local support includes RI Children’s and Young Adult Librarians, the Friends of Mohr Library and generous gifts in Memory of Andrew Greene.

How the reading program works: Children from infants to 12 years old can sign up for summer reading. Registration continues until Aug. 11. For each chapter book or five picture books/easy readers kids read or listen to, they will be awarded a raffle ticket (see prizes at the library). Children who complete at least five chapter books or 25 picture books/easy readers will receive a free book, an ice cream party invitation, a variety of incentive coupons (free or reduced admission to the Providence Children’s Museum, Roger Williams Zoo, and other attractions), and a Certificate of Completion. The deadline for submitting completed reading logs is Aug. 19. For more information, call 401-231-4980, ext. 5.

Scotch Tasting Event

Join the North Central Chamber of Commerce for after-hours networking at Tavern on the Water, a local gem in Smithfield. Sample a tasting of fine scotch varieties from M.S. Walker Distributors. If you don’t care for scotch, there will be a cash bar available including soft drinks.

Chef Jeff of Tavern on the Water will prepare an assortment of appetizers to sample. The menu will include mini crab and shrimp cakes, assorted pizzas, meatballs with crostini and a few more surprises.

We are currently looking for a cigar sponsor to include cigar tastings as well!

Email Jamie@ncrichamber.com if you are a cigar distributor interested in participating.

Drink and Decorate

You won’t want to miss the upcoming Drink and Decorate event! This unique cupcake decorating event will be held on Sept. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Iron Works Tavern in Warwick. Donating her time and talent, professional baker Rachel Marchetti will teach frosting and fondant techniques as participants decorate four cupcakes to take home. Proceeds from the event will help sponsor local wish child Emily to visit and bake with Buddy Velastro, host of the “Cake Boss” series on TLC. You can meet Emily while she helps demonstrate the decorating techniques at the event. Marchetti has a degree in culinary arts and pastry from Johnson & Wales and is the owner of Rachel’s Sugar Shop in Cranston.

Seating is limited, so register by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/drink-and-decorate-tickets-17642096987.

Did You Know?

Mosquitoes 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)

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.