Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Meet the Chamber

of Commerce

Mayor Joseph Polisena invites the Johnston business community to an informal meeting with the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at the Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Ave. This is an opportunity to meet the staff of the Chamber and have a discussion about what your needs are and what the organization offers. Light refreshments will be provided. All businesses are welcome. There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. Call 401-334-1000 or email lpalagi@nrichamber.com.

Chamber’s

Legislative Reception

The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and its partners from the Chamber of Commerce Coalition will host the annual Legislative Reception on March 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will be held in the Bell Room at the State House, with complimentary valet parking available at the Smith Street entrance.

The reception is an opportunity for business leaders from around the state to meet with colleagues and elected officials to discuss business issues and concerns they may have in a relaxed and informal setting. The Northern RI Chamber of Commerce coordinates the Chamber of Commerce Coalition, which is the largest business advocacy and lobbying organization in the state, representing more than 7,500 participating businesses and 70,000 employees.

Hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary bar will be available. The cost to attend is $20 per person. For more information or to place a reservation, contact 401-334-1000.

Baby Boomers

on Facebook

Cherry Hill Manor will host Baby Boomers on Facebook with Deb Mullen at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Feb. 17. Please bring your smart phone, tablet or laptop for this fun, interactive training on Facebook. Learn how to set up your profile, find friends, Facebook privacy, how to create and share posts, and how to set up albums and upload pictures. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by calling Loraine at 401-231-3102, ext. 6385. There are a limited number of devices available to be borrowed during the program. Cherry Hill Manor is located at 2 Cherry Hill Road.

My favorite

teacher contest

Calling all middle and high school students – nominate a teacher for the Barnes & Noble “My Favorite Teacher Contest.” This nationwide contest provides students with the opportunity to tell their communities how much they value their teachers. The program was originally created in Rhode Island. Barnes & Noble loved it, and developed it into a national program several years ago.

Here’s how the contest works: Middle and high school students write an essay, poem, or thank-you letter describing their favorite teacher and how that person has influenced and inspired them personally or academically. The student completes an entry form and submits that form attached to their writing by March 1. A team of judges will choose the winning teacher and recognize both the teacher and the student at a special ceremony at the Warwick store during spring Educator Appreciation Days, along with the two runners up.

The local winner will be entered into the regional contest and have a chance to win a $500 Barnes & Noble gift card, and the opportunity to be named the Barnes & Noble National Teacher of the Year. The national winner will be honored in a ceremony at their local Barnes & Noble store. They will receive a $5,000 cash prize, and their school will receive $5,000 as well. The national student winner will receive a $500 Barnes & Noble gift card and a NOOK device.

Entry forms can be obtained at the Barnes & Noble Warwick store at 1350 Bald Hill Road or downloaded at bn.com/myfavoriteteacher. All entries need to be mailed to Community Relations Manager, Barnes & Noble Warwick, 1350 Bald Hill Rd., Warwick, RI 02886 by March 1. For additional information, contact crm2159@bn.com or call 401-826-4261.

Gotta Have Sole

Foundation Scholarship

Gotta Have Sole Foundation Inc. has announced a Scholarship Program to provide extraordinary teens in need with the funds to take a step forward. Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to incoming first-year students to pursue higher education. Requirements and application materials can be found at gottahavesole.org/ghs/scholarship. Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on March 5, and winners will be announced on April 11.

LLS fundraiser

Jamison Evans, a Coventry High School junior, lives by the phrase “Tikkun Olam,” or “Repair the World.” He is a candidate for LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) Student of the Year. On Feb. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Alex and Ani’s Cranston headquarters at Chapel View, Jamison and his team invite members of the community to a reception including refreshments and a selection of jewelry ahead of Valentine’s Day. A portion of each purchase goes to the research and treatment of childhood cancer, and Jamison’s personal goal of raising $18,000. To follow Jamison’s outreach or to make a donation to his campaign, visit tinyurl.com/jamisonevans.

Tri-Town offers

free tax prep to

qualified applicants

Tri-Town Community Action Agency is looking for taxpayers to apply for free tax preparation through the agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

“Last year, our VITA volunteers prepared more than 640 federal and 700 state tax returns for clients, providing help to local families through refunds totaling more than $1 million, an average of almost $2,000 per family,” Tri-Town CEO Joseph DeSantis explained. “And because our program is free, clients also saved an estimated $145,000 for the costs of private tax preparation.”

Free tax preparation is available to income-qualified individuals, who generally make less than $54,000 in annual income. As a result, many applicants are also eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), potentially increasing their tax refund, DeSantis said.

For more information about Tri-Town’s VITA program, call 401-519-1913 or visit tri-town.org.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Johnston residents Jessica DelGreco, Brittany Mezzancella, and Bethany Saul, who have made dean’s list, earning High Honors, at the University of New Hampshire for the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year.

Volunteers needed

at Tri-Town

Tri-Town Community Action is seeking volunteers to help with its food distribution program. Hours are the first three Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also sought are people to help relocate the food program to Emanuel Avenue at a date and time to be determined. Background checks are required. Tri-Town will cover the costs for the background checks, and the Health Center is available to conduct physical exams to ensure the fitness of volunteers.

Please call 401-519-1917 if you are interested in helping Tri-Town with this important service to the community.

Friends of the

Mohr Public Library

Members of the Friends plan and run book sales and carry out other fundraising activities to allow Mohr Library to increase services and programs. The Friends welcome new members who are willing to support through donations, membership dues, or volunteering their time. To find out more, contact the group, or call the library director at 401-231-4980 (press 7).

There is an ongoing book sale in the lower level hall across from the meeting room. The Friends also hold larger sales two or three times a year. Great selections at great prices include hard cover and paperback books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, children, and young adults. Most prices range from 25 cents to $2.

The Friends are a non-profit organization, with proceeds from fundraising supporting library programs and services.

Donations of gently used books are appreciated, and can be left at the library’s main desk during library hours. Receipts for tax purposes are available.

Supporting Tour de Cure

The Ocean State Tour de Cure is teaming up with Not Your Average Joe’s, located at 400 Bald Hill Road, across from the Warwick Mall, this February.

Each Tuesday of the month, diners can let their waiter know they support the Ocean State Tour de Cure, and 15 percent of their bill will be donated to the American Diabetes Association.

The Tour de Cure is a one-day cycling event to celebrate and honor friends and loved ones with diabetes, to be held June 5 at the University of Rhode Island.

The Tour de Cure offers five routes, ranging from a family-friendly, seven-mile ride to a challenging 100-mile century, in which anyone can participate. The routes follow the beautiful Rhode Island coastline with its rocky coves, sandy beaches, and beautiful landscape. All routes also include rest stops featuring refreshments, bicycle mechanics, safety vehicles, and volunteers who cheer riders along. After the ride, celebrate at the post-ride festival. Enjoy a delicious catered lunch, live entertainment, free massages, a health and wellness expo, and other activities.

Those interested in becoming involved may contact Jennifer Kennedy, manager of development for the American Diabetes Association, at jkennedy@diabetes.org.

Cranston Senior

Guild meeting

The Cranston Senior Guild will meet Wednesday, March 2, at 1 p.m. at Tamarisk Assisted Living, located at 3 Shalom Drive in Warwick. Christopher Carlow, owner of Natures Healing of Coventry, will teach Tai Chi.

The class is free, and open to beginners or those with experience.

After the class, the Senior Guild will have a short meeting followed by refreshments and a raffle. All men and women ages 55 years and older are welcome to join. Participants do not have to live in Cranston.

Lion Dance

to be held

King's Garden, located at 90 Rolfe Square, will host the RI Kung Fu Club as its members perform the Lion Dance celebrating the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Monkey) on Feb. 14 at 1:30 p.m. The Lion Dance is a traditional Chinese New Year celebration, meant to bring luck. The public is invited to attend.

Did You Know?

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. (Source: Valentine 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.