Sun Rise Scoops

4 Bridges charity ride is Sept. 15

On Sunday, Sept. 15, cyclists can cross the Jamestown, Newport, Sakonnet and Mount Hope Bridges in a 26-mile charity ride. The Pell and Jamestown Bridges are normally closed to bicycle traffic, and the new Sakonnet Bridge pedestrian path is near completion just in time for this new event sponsored by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA).   

Hundreds of participants are expected to turn out and enjoy this scenic morning ride through seven coastal communities.  Experienced riders will cross the Narragansett Bay and Sakonnet River taking in some of the more exceptional views Rhode Island has to offer.

The ride will begin at 7 a.m. in North Kingstown at the Park and Ride and end just outside of Roger Williams University in Bristol. All participants must abide by the rules of the road throughout the course.   

“This event will bring cyclists from across New England to the Ocean State,” said David Darlington, chairman of RITBA. “Bike enthusiasts will have a unique tour of Rhode Island waterways that has never been offered before.”

Sponsorship opportunities are available and interested parties should contact Matt Gray at 318-2991 or via e-mail at matt@graymattermarketing.com. All net proceeds will benefit local charities.

For more information and to register, visit 4bridgesride.com. Follow ride activity on Twitter at @4BridgesRide and on Facebook at Facebook.com/4bridgesride. 

At the Senior Center

On Sept. 16 at 7 p.m., the Johnston Senior Center will host a Sentimental Swing Dance featuring The Strictly Sentimental Swing Band, a 17-piece orchestra led by Ed Lapierre. They will be delighting attendees with music from the big band era, including Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Count Basie. Refreshments, including wine and cheese, will be served while you enjoy the show. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased at the Senior Center. Contact Debbie at 944-3343.

Also at the center, the annual Pasta and Meatball Dinner will be held on Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. The event is sponsored by D. Palmieri Bakery of Johnston and will include entertainment. Tickets for adults are $10 and children are $5. This event is usually a sell out, so purchase your tickets early by stopping by the Senior Center.

The first of three flu clinics at the Senior Center will be held on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. Contact Program Director Marie Venditti at 944-3343 with any questions you have regarding any activities or trips.

Cocktails for a Cause

The North Central Chamber of Commerce and Bayberry Commons invite Chamber members to attend “Cocktails for a Cause” on Sept. 19. Funds that night will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. at Pinewood Pub, 16 Terry Lane (RT 44), in Chepachet.

Admission is $5 at the door and the evening will feature appetizers, wine basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle. For more information, contact Joanne Clukey at 568-0600.

Book Sale and more

There will be a lot of activity at the Mohr Library in Johnston on Sept. 21 as The Mohr Library Friends Group will be fundraising with their fall book sale, which offers great bargains on books and DVD’s.

Also that day there will be a Bead Exchange from 1 to 3 p.m. where no money is exchanged, only beads and good ideas.

Lighthouses of Rhode Island: a Postcard Display from will also be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. when Mr. Andrews will display from an extensive collection amassed over 50 years.

On Sept. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the library will host Peter Mandel who will speak about how to get your children’s book published now. He is a noted author of 11 picture book and travel contributor to The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and more. For more information, contact the library at 231-4980 ext. 6.

The value of the book

On Sept. 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the William Hall Library will host The Value of the Book with Ray Rickman. This is a fun, interactive "Antiques Roadshow" type format where you will learn about book values, and what makes a book valuable. Three complimentary estimates will also be offered. The Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library is locate at 1 Memorial Ave, in Johnston and may be reached at 231-4980.

Tickets on sale for Cats Alive PawsWatch annual event

PawsWatch, RI’s Volunteer Network for Feral Cats, will hold a Cocktails, Dinner and Silent Auction at the Cranston Country Club, 69 Burlingame Rd on Oct. 18 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door and can be purchased online at www.pawswatch.org; mail a check made payable to PawsWatch, PO Box 7005, Warwick, RI 02887; call 848-9867; or email to cats@pawswatch.org. Proceeds will help pay for veterinary care and provide food & shelter for feral cats.  If you love animals and are looking for an opportunity to reduce the suffering of feral cats in your community, please support PawsWatch’s upcoming Cats Alive! Cocktails, Dinner and Silent Auction.

PawsWatch is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to helping RI’ers provide spay/neuter and vaccinations for neighborhood feral cats. The organization is funded by community donations which are applied directly to providing vet care and shelter for feral cats and kittens. PawsWatch has provided crucial veterinary care to more than 16,000 feral cats since it was founded in 1997.

By working with local veterinarians and concerned neighbors, Pawswatch is able to spay and neuter, vaccinate and treat injuries and illnesses. In addition to the necessary vet services, its hardworking volunteers help Rhode Islanders learn and apply humane methods to improve the lives of the feral cats in their neighborhoods. This includes facilitating vet care and making sure that the cats have adequate shelter and an ongoing food supply. Additional information is available at www.alleycat.org, the national leader of Trap-Neuter-Return-Monitor (TNRM.) To donate or to learn more about PawsWatch, visit www.pawswatch.org or email to cats@pawswatch.org.

Light The Night seeking walkers from around RI

Participants of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 2013 Light The Night Walk will rally their forces on Sept. 28 in Garden City Center in Cranston beginning at 5 p.m. They are currently searching for walkers who will participate in the 2 mile walk with check in beginning at 5 p.m. followed by Remembrance Ceremony at 5:45 p.m. Walk start time is 7 p.m. Participants come from throughout RI to this annual event to raise awareness and funds.

Each year, in communities all across the United States and Canada, teams of families, friends, co-workers and local and national corporations come together to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk events and bring help and hope to patients and their families battling blood cancer and lets them know they are not alone in their battle against cancer. The Night Walk events are evenings filled with inspiration.

Friends, families and co-workers form fundraising teams and consumers help by donating at retail outlets. These efforts culminate in inspirational, evening walks in nearly two hundred communities each fall.

Participants of all ages are welcome. Through your fundraising efforts you’ll be helping hundreds of thousands of blood cancer patients. And, you will enjoy a fun, family friendly event, with music, refreshments and entertainment.

During this leisurely walk through the neighborhood of Garden City, participants who raise $100 or more carry illuminated balloons - red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer - thousands of walkers - men, women and children - form a community of caring, bringing light to the dark world of cancer. All patients and survivors carry white balloons and are not required to fundraise.

There will also be a special on stage recognition of our Bright Lights members. Bright Lights are walkers who raise $1,000 or more for their mission.  Bright Light members will also carry illuminated lanterns instead of balloons the night of the walk.

Light The Night is also a wonderful opportunity for company teams to enhance employee morale, encourage teamwork, gain visibility and generate goodwill within your community

To form a team or to learn more, please call the Rhode Chapter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 943-8888 or visit www.lightthenight.org/ri

Did You Know?

Do you know why there is no history that occurred in Britain between the dates of Sept. 3 through Sept. 14 in the year 1752, Britain changed their calendar from the Julian to the Gregorian and by doing this, September 3 automatically turned to September 14. With the loss of the 11 days, there is nothing in British history between those dates that year.

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