Sun Rise Scoops

St. Brigid’s Christmas cookie sale

St. Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, will be presenting their popular Home Made Cookie Trays on the weekend of Dec. 21 and 22, prior and after Saturday’s 5 p.m. Mass and Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. Masses.  

Trays of one-and-a-half pounds will be offered at $17 and one-pound trays at $12. Reservations can also be made my calling 944-3645 or 944-3945.

Entering the New Year at the Mohr

On Jan. 8, grades 6-12 are welcome to join the Marian J. Mohr Library at 2:30 p.m. to play Magic: The Gathering. 

For grades 6-12 on Jan. 6 at 2:30 and 6 p.m., join in the Book Club when they will discuss “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak. Snacks will be provided and you may obtain the book prior to the first meeting by stopping in at Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library, 1 Memorial Ave. in Johnston, or by calling 231-4980.

Other teen events will follow a set schedule on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. with exciting art projects and board games.

On the first Thursday of the month, join the library for Flashback Thursday for grades 6-12 and watch clips of popular TV from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Popcorn will be served.

On the second Thursday of the month for grades 6-12, join in for Edible Art and make a gum drop structure, marshmallow snowman, candy creations and more.

The third Thursday of the month, join in for Teen Crafts and on the fourth Thursday of the month, join in for teen movie night.

Christmas music to be featured at Our Lady of Grace

There will be an afternoon of traditional Christmas music as people celebrate the Christmas season on Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, located at 4 Lafayette St. in Johnston. This concert features Triton Brass, whose members have played with groups such as the Boston Pops, Boston Symphony Orchestra and on many of the leading Broadway shows. The choir includes some of the most talented vocalists from the Southern New England region who have come together with Triton Brass to perform the most loved Christmas music of all time.

Tickets for the concert are $10, and the first 250 tickets sold will include an Italian Pasta and Polenta dinner following the concert in the church hall. Contact the parish at 231-2220 for tickets.

Tony the Dancing Cop

On Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m., Tony the Dancing Cop will visit the Mohr Library. Meet Tony, learn about his job as a policeman, watch him dance and even join him in directing traffic. This audience participation program is for families with children ages 4 and up.

Free tickets will be available starting on Dec. 26. This program is made possible through a Rhode Island legislative grant sponsored by Sen. Frank Lombardo III.

Park Theater announces 2014 lineup

Just in time for the holiday gift rush, the historic Park Theatre in Cranston has announced it has added three new shows to its winter and spring 2014 lineup.

Along with Michael Bolton on Feb. 8, the Park has confirmed performances by Dr. John on Feb. 14 (including a special Valentine’s Day after party at the adjacent Stage Door Lounge), Manhattan Transfer (performing the all-new “The Living Room Sessions”) on April 5, and The Beach Boys on April 13.

Tickets for each show are now on sale and make for great gifts this holiday season. Tickets are available by calling the Park Theatre Box Office at 467-7275 or visiting www.ParkTheatreRI.com.

The Park Theatre is located at 848 Park Ave. in Cranston. Free parking is available for all shows.

Common-sense self-defense

Join the North Central Chamber of Commerce and Al Gagne of the Okinawan Temple on Jan. 8 for an important and informative free event. Learn how the criminal mind thinks and targets their victims, and how to avoid becoming a victim yourself. In addition to this helpful information, Al will also be teaching basic self-defense techniques. So come out and spend the evening with some great people and learn how to protect yourself. The event will be held at Okinawan Temple, 200 Pleasant View Ave. in Smithfield. For more information and to register, contact the North Central Chamber of Commerce at 349-4674.

Did You Know?

The first Christmas cards were commissioned by Sir Henry Cole and illustrated by John Callcott Horsley in London on May 1, 1843. The central picture showed three generations of a family raising a toast to the card's recipient; on either side were scenes of charity, with food and clothing being given to the poor. (Source: Christmas Fun Facts)

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