Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

St. Brigid Italian Festival

The Social Ministry of St. Brigid’s Church, 1235 Plainfield St. in Johnston, proudly presents its Annual Italian Festival on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12:30 p.m. at the Cranston Country Club, 69 Burlingame Road in Cranston. Marchetti’s Restaurant in Cranston is donating a five-course Italian dinner consisting of salad, macaroni, meatballs, chicken parmesan, sausage with peppers and potatoes. Desert and coffee is included. A cash bar is available, as well as entertainment and a raffle. Admission for adults is $20; $12 for children ages six to 12; and children under six are free. Tickets are being sold prior to and after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday and Sunday after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. For tickets or information, please call 401-944-3645 or 401-944-3945.

Century 21 adopts

Operation Stand Down

Century 21 Realty Associates has voted to adopt Operation Stand Down Rhode Island as its charity for the year 2015. Each agent will donate a portion of their commission and the company will match that donation. All funds will be saved in a “Charity Account.” At a function toward the end of the year, Century 21 Realty Associates will present all funds collected to Operation Stand Down.

Founded in 1993, Operation Stand Down has grown to become Rhode Island’s innovative and leading non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of ending homelessness among veterans in our communities.

Goodwill Industries

clothing bin

Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island has a clothing donation bin placed at the shopping plaza located at 1999 Plainfield Pike.

When you place your donation in the Goodwill bin, you are helping Rhode Islanders with disabilities and other barriers to employment find their rightful place in the work force. At Goodwill, we change the lives of thousands of Rhode Island youth and adults every year.

Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island’s mission is to provide training, education, and other services which result in employment and expanded economic opportunity for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment in order to enhance their capacity for independent living, increased quality of like and work.

Ash Wednesday services

Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 251 Danielson Pike in North Scituate, will host Ash Wednesday Services: Imposition of Ashes & Holy Eucharist on Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Business Before Breakfast

Join the North Central Chamber of Commerce for “Business Before Breakfast” on Feb. 26 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Smithfield High School Library Media Center located at 90 Pleasant View Ave. in Smithfield. The Smithfield High School Academy of Finance is excited to host the event. Meet the faculty, Academy Advisory Board and students for some great networking. There is no cost to North Central Chamber members, and the cost is $10 for non-members. For more details and to register, call Deborah Ramos at 401-349-4674.

At the Mohr

Children’s programs continue with Saturday drop-in crafts, which include several projects for kids and parents to do together. Drop-in anytime between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The program is not appropriate for children under three, as small parts might present a hazard.

On Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. come to the Mohr Library to make a Creeper. The program is for grades four and up. Please register.

The Mohr will feature Winter Crafts on Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come make snowmen, penguins and polar bears galore. The program is geared for ages four and up with an adult. No registration is required.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m., there will be a Straws and Connectors Challenge presented by Pow!Science! Participants will design and engineer Amazing Towers using the incredible Straws & Connectors building toy. This program is geared for grades one and up. Registration is required. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Mohr Library.

Also on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., there will be Fandango Puppets, which are crazy paper bag creations designed with candy, pasta and anything you can think of. This program is geared toward children ages five and up with an adult. No registration is needed.

On Feb. 19 at 6 p.m., there will be a Chinese New Year Storytime presented by the Girl Scouts in Troop 32. The program will feature stories, songs and a craft for ages five and up.

On Feb. 20 at 4:30 p.m., come join in with “People in the Neighborhood” and meet Officer Hanley and her police dog Annie. Annie has some amazing skills to show everyone. Story and craft. Grades K and up.

Phoenix Performing Arts presents a Chinese New Year Celebration with dance and music. The event will be held Saturday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m.

The Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library is located at 1 Memorial Ave. With questions or to register for any of the listed programs, call 401-231-4980, ext. 5.

Chamber Coalition

Legislative Reception

The RI Chamber of Commerce Coalition Legislative Reception will be held on Feb. 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the State House Rotunda.

With the many newly elected state legislators and state general officers, this event will allow you the opportunity to meet and mingle.

The cost is $20 per person, which includes food and beverages. Valet parking will be available at the Smith Street entrance to the State House. For more information, contact Deborah Ramos at 401-349-4674.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Anastasia Procaccini of Johnston who was named to dean’s list at the University of Vermont. She is as a senior majoring in environmental sciences.

Join the Chamber

Bowling League

The new Central Chamber of Commerce Bowling League began on Feb. 8 at Town Hall Lanes, located at 1463 Atwood Ave. in Johnston. Join them for some laughs and fun, and of course networking. The league will play every Sunday evening at 7 p.m. at Town Hall Lanes. To reserve a spot, call 401-349-4674. Spouses or friends are welcome.

Did You Know?

More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day each year. On average, men shell out $130 each on candy, cards, jewelry, flowers and dates, which is more than double what women commit to spending. About 8 billion candy hearts will be produced this year; that’s enough candy to stretch from Rome, Italy to Valentine, Ariz., 20 times and back again. About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged in U.S. each year. That’s the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas. (Source: Valentine Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, e-mail 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. E-mail 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.