H1N1 community informational aession

The City of Cranston and the Cranston Public Schools will be hosting a joint informational session to provide the citizens of Cranston with an update on the H1N1 virus. The event will take place at Cranston High School East on Sept. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. All residents are encouraged to come to learn more about H1N1 from school and city officials including the Emergency Management team, Senior Services and school nursing staff. The format will be fluid so that people may arrive at any time between those hours, watch a short presentation that will run throughout the evening and then visit tables where experts will be located to answer questions.

Holy Apostles Fall Festival

The fifth annual Holy Apostles Fall Festival will be held on the church grounds at 800 Pippin Orchard Rd. from Sept. 24 to 27 and will feature entertainment, rides, food and games. Included in the line up of entertainment are High Definition on Sept. 25, Steve Anthony on Sept. 26 and Tribeca on Sept. 27. There will be a full menu featuring pasta and meatballs, clam cakes and chowder, calamari, doughboys, sausage and peppers and more. The festival is open until 9 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Follow your dreams?

Noted Rhode Island life coach, author and personal development expert Tara Sage Steeves is hosting the fourth annual Dream Party, her company's signature event, specifically designed for those seeking an outlet to explore new directions in their lives. Back by popular demand, this event will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 at the Edgewood Yacht Club in Cranston, as well as a pre-event that starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.CreateYourLifeInc.com. The Dream Party is a rare opportunity to spend an evening focused on dreams for your future while networking with entrepreneurs. This "outside the box" event is the brainchild of Sage Steeves, founder and president of Create Your Life, LLC, a company devoted to helping people live their dreams. The Dream Party invites attendees to imagine life five years into the future, and interact with others in fun and creative ways. While not required, wearing something or bringing a prop that represents your dream or goal is strongly encouraged. To learn more and to order tickets visit their Web site at www.CreateYourLifeInc.com, e-mail Tara@createyourlifeinc.com, or call 569-7017. Group ticket discounts are available and individual tickets are limited.

Author at William Hall

Les Rolston, author of “Long Time Gone: Neighbors Divided by Civil War” will speak at the William Hall Library to the RI Civil War Roundtable on Sept. 15. Rolston has written a new book about the Rhode and the Sheldon families of Pawtuxet Village, who fought for the Union and for the Confederacy, respectively. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. Also appearing at the William Hall Library is the Epic Theater Company production of Tom Stoppard's "The Coast of Utopia." The show has played in New York, London and Moscow. Bob Colonna will be the featured stage actor. This will play Sept. 17 to 20 and Sept. 24 to 27 at 8 p.m. at the library.

Neighborhood awards from RE/MAX

RE/MAX of New England is proud to announce a new community-based program recognizing those who make a difference in the community called “Neighbors Above the Crowd.” The program will honor individuals who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others in their neighborhood. The Neighbors Above the Crowd program will award three winners the unique experience of sharing in a RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon flight with three friends or family members in the famous Big Max hot air balloon. RE/MAX of New England is currently taking nominations for a neighbor in your community who exemplifies the Neighbors Above the Crowd spirit. To nominate a candidate, submit an application and video to www.remax-newengland.com by Dec. 1. A panel of judges will review all entries. Five finalists will be posted on the RE/MAX of New England Web site, where the public will be able to vote for the three winners. Additionally, anyone who votes will be entered in a sweepstakes for a 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics autographed ball. For more information on the Neighbors Above the Crowd program, visit www.remax-newengland.com.

Pull that jet!

The Rhode Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is holdings it third annual MS Jet Pull on Oct. 3. Teams of 20 people join forces to pull a shiny, 146,000-pound FedEx jet across the tarmac, all to benefit people with multiple sclerosis. The event opens at 10 a.m., with teams registering at 9:30 a.m. Last year’s MS Jet Pull raised nearly $34,000 and featured 15 teams vying for a range of prizes. At least 20 teams are expected this year so don’t miss the action that will have everyone cheering from the sidelines. For details, visit their Web site at www.msjetpull.com. The MS Jet Pull is fun for the entire family. Entrance fee includes cost of a barbeque and many kid-friendly activities.

Ocean State choral auditions

Auditions for the Ocean State Children's Choir and Teen Choir will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19 and 26 at noon at the Orchard Church, located at180 Oaklawn Ave. in Cranston. For more information, call Music Director Paul M. Mancini at 556-3883 for a Saturday or an after-school appointment and information.

Did you know?

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, probably organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a Labor Day on one day or another, and a bill to establish a federal holiday was passed by Congress in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

If you would like to submit any items of interest, please e-mail Meri R. Kennedy directly at CranstonChatter@aol.com. You may also address your items to Cranston Chatter, c/o Cranston Herald/Beacon Communications, 1944 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI 02889. Photos are welcome.