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RI Dream Center to host events for the homeless and poor

The RI Dream Center (RIDC), located on Park Avenue in Cranston, is a non-profit, faith-based organization helping the homeless and poor in Rhode Island. Loosely based on the original Dream Center’s model in Los Angeles, the RIDC is working to change Providence and its surrounding communities from the inside out.

On Oct. 11, the RIDC will be having a Walk-A-Thon at the Praise Tabernacle starting at 8:30 a.m. to raise money for two events they hold in November.

The Hope for the Homeless annual event at Praise Tabernacle in Cranston provides food, entertainment, information and resources to homeless folks. The second event is the annual Backpack Giveaway held at the State House.

For more information, contact the RI Dream Center at 396-2743. Businesses interested in donating $50 and having their name on the walk-a-thon T-shirt must have their check to the RI Dream Center, located at 390 Park Ave. in Cranston, by Oct. 1.

Scholarships by FM Global

Ten Rhode Island and Massachusetts students will each receive up to $3,500 per year from FM Global for tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate study at an accredited college or university worldwide. FM Global is Rhode Island’s largest private company and one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers.

Congratulations to Ryan Silva of Johnston, a freshman at Providence College, majoring in biology, who was a recipient of the award.

Annual Steak Fry

Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812, located at 1418 Plainfield St. in Cranston, will be holding its annual Fall Steak Fry on Sept. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Building Roof Fund.

On the menu will be charcoal grilled steaks, salad, baked potatoes, mushrooms and onions, vegetables and bread and butter, along with draft beer, soda and coffee.

The cost is $20 per person, and tickets must be purchased by Sept. 3. Tickets are being sold at the post by the bartenders, and can also be purchased by mail. Checks can be made out to the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post and sent to 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, RI 02920.

Apple Festival Marketing 101

Apple Festival Marketing 101 is a free workshop for annual Apple Festival vendors. Learn how to optimally promote your business at the 27th festival. More people at your booth equals more sales. The workshop will be held Sept. 4 at the North Central Chamber of Commerce, 255 Greenville Ave., from 3 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Kelly Patz at 349-4674.

The Harvest Moon Dance

The Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation will host an encore gala, “The Harvest Moondance,” at the exclusive Dunes Club in Narragansett at 6 p.m. on Sept. 13. The enchanted evening will celebrate Katie’s life and celebrate the foundation’s accomplishments in reminding motorists to drive responsibly. Katie DeCubellis was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 13.

The foundation has planned a jam-packed event with plenty of fun and non-stop entertainment. Performances include Grammy nominated composer and musician Joe Parillo, along with the nationally renowned a capella group from Harvard University, the Oppertunes.

Reservations for the event can be made online by visiting the foundation’s website, www.kdmf.org, or by calling 788-0052. Tickets will not be sold at the door and are limited. The last gala was a complete sellout, and the foundation expects this year’s event will be even more popular.

Women, Wine & Summertime! A Lipstick Luncheon

Ladies, join the North Central Chamber of Commerce on a lovely, late summer evening and enjoy a tasting of delicious wines, Charcuterie, sweets and more. Come mix, mingle and take a tour of Nickle Creek Vineyards. There will be fantastic raffles, fun, and everyone will receive a complimentary souvenir wine glass. This relaxing summer event is open to all ladies, so bring your friend, sister, or whomever makes you laugh and have a wonderful evening with the North Central Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 10 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a rain date of Sept. 17. Space is limited so sign up early.

Nickle Creek Vineyard is located at 12 King Road in Foster. To register or to receive more information, contact Kelly Patz at 349-4674.

Putting for Paws

Please join in the annual golf tournament to benefit the New England Humane Society on Sept. 15 at the Cranston Country Club, 69 Burlingame Road in Cranston.

There will be a great day of golf, and the event will include a four-person scramble, luncheon cookout and awards dinner reception to follow. The event begins at 9 a.m.

Prices are as follows: individual golfer, $125; foursome, $450; and non-golfer for dinner only, $40.

For more information or to register, call 678-0576 or email the Humane Society at info@newenglandhumanesociety.com.

Artisans sought

The Artists’ Exchange is seeking artisans for the seventh annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival, to be held Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a rain date of Aug. 28. Registration is $50, with an Aug. 22 deadline. The festival will be held inside and in the lots surrounding Artists’ Exchange at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston. For more information and an application available for download, visit www.artists-exchange.org/falloutofsummerfest.html.

RI Comedy Hall of Fame Induction

The Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame is proud to announce the induction of comedian Frank O’Donnell at 8 p.m. on Oct. 4, with a comedy roast to be held in Frank’s honor at the newly opened Vets Ballroom (upstairs from the Veterans Memorial Auditorium) in Providence. The night will be emceed by the Hall’s own Charlie Hall, Frank’s close friend and colleague.

Roasters include Secretary of State Ralph Mollis, comedians Rockin’ Joe Hebert and John Morris and radio personalities Brian Mulhern of Cat Country and Steve MacDonald of WHJJ/WHJY. Local actors and producers Kevin Broccoli and Connie Anderson are also scheduled to speak.

Tickets are $35 and are now available. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Keri Anne O’Donnell Scholarship Fund. Tickets can be purchased online at the Vet’s website, www.vmari.com, or by calling 401-421-ARTS. Tickets are also available at the PPAC box office during business hours.

Singing auditions

The Junior Providence Singers auditions will be held on Sept. 3-4 by appointment only from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School in East Providence.

Junior Providence Singers (JPS) is a 10-week choral training and performance program produced by the Providence Singers, providing outstanding musical experiences for high school singers of southern New England.

For more information or to schedule an audition, email JPS@providencesingers.org. More information is available at www.providencesingers.org/JPS.

The Big Toast

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) is pleased to announce the return of The Big Toast.

The event will be held Sept. 26 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. This “tasting event not to be missed” is a fundraiser to benefit BBBSOS. The event is for those 21 and older, and will feature more than 40 food and drink vendors from all around Southern New England. The purchase of a ticket includes unlimited samples from event vendors and entertainment by the Hummingbird Trio.

Vendors this year will include Clement USA, Sons of Liberty Spirits Co., Berkshire Brewing Company, Narragansett Beer, Greenvale Vineyard, RI Dairy Farms Cooperative, Bad Kat Kupkakes, Holly Petrucci Desserts, Ellie's Bakery, Whole Foods Cranston, RI Job Corps Catering, Mill's Tavern, Red Stripe Restaurant and a very special appearance from Spencer Trappist Brewery. More vendors are announced daily, with updates available at www.thebigtoast.org.

Honorary chair David Dadekian of EatDrinkRI and chairperson of food and beverage, Branden J. Lewis, MBA chef instructor at Johnson & Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts, will add their experience and taste to the event to make it a night to remember.

Tickets are on sale now and if purchased prior to Aug. 31, guests can receive a 20-percent discount by using “EARLYBIRD.”

Visit www.thebigtoast.org now for tickets and to see a list of vendors, sponsors and updates.

Celebrity scoops

Earlier this summer, Newport Creamery in Garden City hosted their first buy one, get one free Awful Awful night and paired the popular event with their Celebrity Scoop fundraiser to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS).

Celebrities from 92 ProFM, Lite Rock 105, Hot 106 and even Nick, Ron and Pete from Cardi’s Furniture were on hand to deliver Awful Awfuls to many guests who came out to enjoy some of Newport Creamery’s delicious food and desserts and support a great local cause at the same time. Even Paws, the Pawtucket Red Sox mascot, was on hand to help bus tables and take photos with kids and families.

This year’s event raised $500 for BBBSOS, one of Rhode Island’s largest youth mentoring programs, currently serving 500 children throughout the state each year.   

More than 200 children between the ages of seven and 15 are still waiting for a mentor. To find out more about volunteering with BBBSOS mentoring programs, or to learn more about how your donations of gently used clothing and household items can make a difference, visit www.bbbsos.org or call 401-921-2434.

Did You Know?

The first U.S. observance of Labor Day came in the form of a parade. Sponsored by the Central Labor Union, On Sept. 5, 1882, 10,000 workers paraded through New York City.

This is commonly considered the first observance of Labor Day in America. (Source: Labor Day Fun Facts)

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