Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

At the Mohr

The continuing series of “People in the Neighborhood,” geared for grades K and up, will feature a news reporter, a police officer, a firefighter, a local business owner and other community workers. The program is held on the third Friday of every month at 4:30 p.m.

On Jan. 23 at 4:30 p.m., meet Channel 12 WPRI meteorologist Pete Mangione and learn about blizzards and winter snowstorms. He will show you some weather maps and talk about his job in the community. Registration is required by calling 401-231-4980, ext. 5.

Also at the Mohr Library there will be free art classes for adults with Ms. Melyssa. This will kick off Feb. 9 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more details and to register, please call the Mohr Library at 401-231-4980.

Chamber’s Winter

Blood Drive

Please join the North Central Chamber of Commerce and The Continental Restaurant as they host their Winter Blood Drive. The drive will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 5 at The Continental Restaurant, located at 332 Farnum Pike in Smithfield. The RI Blood Center Donor Coach will be available in the parking lot.

For your business

Need a new strategy for 2015? This workshop is for you. If you are considering a startup business in 2015, this workshop is for you, too.

The North Central Chamber of Commerce has put together a panel of banking/finance professionals on Jan. 28 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Kountry Kitchen, located at 10 Smith Ave. in Greenville. Come learn about the banking and finance opportunities that might work best for you in the New Year. The panel will include professionals from banks/credit unions, a certified public accountant and financial advisor and a specialist from the RI Small Business Development Center. This workshop will also allow for questions and answers, followed by open networking and/or one-on-one time to speak with the right resource for you.

A continental breakfast will be included. Member cost is $20 per person, and the cost for non-members is $25. To register or learn more about this program, contact Deborah Ramos at 401-349-4674.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Anthony Macari of Johnston, who was named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Lyndon State College in Vermont.

The fall semester dean’s list at Bryant University includes the following Johnston residents: Stephen Almagno (accounting), Brittany Amaral (management), Anthony Boivin (accounting), Michael Carlino (marketing), Kenneth Carlson (information technology), Craig Colson (finance), Christopher Lau (communication), Jeni Mansolillo (actuarial mathematics), Helena Miech (entrepreneurship), Rianna Rampone (accounting) and Xuhao Zheng (finance).

Lasell College in Newton, Mass., has released the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester of the 2014-15 academic year. During the fall semester, 634 students received this recognition. Among them were Salvatore Palermo, who is majoring in athletic training, and Kayla Hammersley who is majoring in environmental studies. Both are Johnston residents.

The following Johnston residents have been named to the dean’s list at Providence College for the fall 2014 semester: Brianna Branch, David Martineau, Bianca Saliba and Ryan Silva.

The following Johnston residents have been named to the dean’s list at Providence College’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) for the fall 2014 semester: Christine Baccari and Ronald Kinard.

Join the Chamber

bowling league

Since the North Central Chamber of Commerce held its November Business After Hours at Town Hall Lanes, the group has had a high member interest in starting a bowling league. The league kicks off on Feb. 8, and bowlers will play every Sunday evening at 7 p.m. at Town Hall Lanes. For more information or to secure your spot, call 401-349-4674. Spouses and friends are welcome.

Zumba by

Parks & Recreation

Beginning this week, Johnston Parks & Recreation will present Zumba Fitness, which will be an eight-week session at Rainone Gym located at 45 Mill St. in Johnston. Led by Roberta Preziosi, the classes are $80 per person or a $10 per class drop-in rate. Classes will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. All checks should be made payable to Johnston Adult Sports. Please wear exercise clothing and sneakers and also bring a water bottle and a towel.

KDMF Writing Contest

The 2015 Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation, or KDMF, has announced the 12th annual statewide contest involving creative writing with this year’s topic, “Positive Change.”

Katie’s legacy lives on because her parents made the choice to use her tragic accident as an opportunity to bring about positive change. Those entering the contest are asked to take a negative situation and find a way to take the story in a positive direction. The negative situation can involve an accident or emotions such as fear or hate.

Bruce DeSilva, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who has also won the Polk Award, the Livingston Award and the Edgar and Macavity Awards, is this year’s celebrity judge.

The KDMF is also proud to announce that for the third year, AAA Southern New England will serve as the corporate sponsor for the contest.

Entries should be mailed to: KDMF Creative Writing Contest, c/o Joel S. Chase 300 Metro Center Boulevard, Suite 150A, Warwick, RI 02886

Entries must be postmarked by March 27, 2015. Complete contest details are available at www.kdmf.org. For more information, contact Joel Chase at 401-739-9900.

Winners will be notified two weeks prior to the awards ceremony, which will be held at the Warwick Mall on May 18, 2015 at 7 p.m.