Sun Rise Scoops

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By MERI R. KENNEDY

Mat Franco TV special

Rhode Island magician Mat Franco, 27, a former resident of Johnston and winner of last season’s “America’s Got Talent” will have a two-hour special on NBC, “Mat Franco’s Got Talent,” airing Sept. 17 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

According to a press release from NBC, the special will follow Franco from his home in Rhode Island to Las Vegas, where he will be headlining his own show. Along the way, he will be “stopping off at incredible locations, wowing celebrities, performing street magic and visiting family friends and everyday Americans who helped make his dreams come true.”

Mohr Book sale

There will be a book sale at the Mohr Library on Sept. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. and Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will find fantastic deals both days in the meeting room on the lower level of the library. Most prices range from 50 cents to $2.

Used book sales are the Friends of the Library’s major fundraisers, with proceeds supporting library programs and events, including museum and zoo passes, concerts, little free libraries, and summer reading for all ages.

Honor Flight

Golf Tournament

Lepre Physical Therapy invites members of the community to take part in a golf tournament to benefit the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Fund at the Glocester Country Club, located on Putman Pike in Glocester. Honor Flights take local World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit their memorial.

The cost is $125 per golfer, which includes golf, a goody bag and dinner. The shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. Tee sponsor spots are available at $100, and organizers welcome any donations for the raffle. For more information, contact Becky at 401-353-8884 or becky@leprept.com.

Renaissance V

Brass Quintet

On Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m., come to the Mohr Library for the sounds of The Renaissance V Brass Quintet, a group of professional musicians and music educators residing in the Rhode Island area. The ensemble was formed approximately three years ago with the intent of reviving and preserving the finest music possible for the listening public. The group – which consists of two trumpets, a trombone, a tuba and a French horn – performs a wide variety of music spanning five centuries. The musical styles vary from renaissance and baroque to jazz, swing and pop, as well as others.

The regular players are Bob Izzo on trumpet, Colin Kane on tuba, James Suchodolski on trombone, Gerry Heruox on French horn and Al Testa, director, playing trumpet and flugelhorn.

Subs for the Mohr Concert will be Nicole Denton on horn and Tyler Barboza on bass trombone. This concert is free and open to the public. The Marian J. Mohr Library is located at 1 Memorial Ave. in Johnston.

Tanzi to speak

at Cranston East

Dr. Rudolph E. Tanzi, a Cranston native and one of the world’s foremost Alzheimer’s disease researchers, is coming back to his hometown on Oct. 28 to benefit the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center with his presentation, “Ending Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025.” Tickets are $25 for general admission, and $125 tickets include a VIP reception and book signing. The event will be held at Cranston High School East, Tanzi’s alma mater. Call 401-780-6000 for more information.

 

Sentimental

Swing Dance

On Sept. 28, the Johnston Senior Center will hold a Sentimental Swing Dance where guests will be able to dance to the music of The Big Band Sentimental Swing Orchestra. There will also be wine and cheese, coffee and pastry, and raffles. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased at the center by calling Debbie at 401-944-3343, ext. 107. This event usually sells out, so purchase your tickets early!

Garden club’s

fall plant sale

The Gentian Garden Club will hold its fall plant sale Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Community House, located at 546 West Greenville Road in North Scituate. Fall is a great time to add some new perennials and late season color to your gardens. Rain or shine, you can always discover great finds.

The club’s monthly meeting for September will be held Sept. 16, beginning at 7 p.m. The program will include speaker Kristin Green, an interpretive horticulturist from Blithewold in Bristol, on making the most of your garden. Refreshments will follow. Horticulturist chair Cindy Gianfrancesco will also speak.

Gentian is always welcoming visitors and potential new members. Those interested or seeking more information may contact Linda Proulx at 401-647-3730 or email bogcrawler@msn.com.

New Family

Performance Series

Let us entertain you! Families are invited to join us for the new Family Performance Series, perfect for all ages, from the young to the young at heart. Hosted Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon from September to May at Theatre 82 & Café, located at 82 Rolfe Square in Cranston, the entertainment will include puppetry, magic, storytelling, improv, music and more! There is something new each Saturday, with performers and acts changing each week. Some upcoming performers include Jason Andrews Magic, Big Nazo and Sparky’s Puppets.

Pay what you can for admission, with a suggested donation of $5 for most performances. Check the website for ticketed events. Please visit www.artists-exchange.org for performance dates and the complete list of upcoming performers. For more information, contact 401-480-9477.

Free pet food

Bonniedale Farm in North Scituate offers dog and cat food at no cost to struggling pet owners, hoping to provide for the animals while easing the burden on community members facing tough times. Those wishing to donate or in need of pet food can contact Dan MacKenzie at 401-574-6056. The mailing address for the farm is 1097 Chopmist Hill Road, North Scituate, RI 02857, while the physical address is 1056 Danielson Pike in North Scituate. Please call before visiting. Find more information at www.bonniedalefarmanimalssnctuary.com.

Did You Know?

In 1938, a piano tuner by the name of Wilhelm Gruber, who had an interest in stereo photography, invented the View-Master. The concept of a stereograph viewer had been around for decades, but it didn’t hit the mass-consumer market until Gruber invented his user-friendly version. It then became the “must-have” toy for kids after View-Master got the rights for Disney characters. It’s a gadget that’s still around today, though sold mostly as a “retro” toy. (Source: Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, email 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. Email 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.

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