Chipotle comes to Cranston

Chipotle restaurant will start dishing up its award-winning gourmet burritos, tacos and salads to the public this Friday in Cranston’s Garden City Center at 87 Hillside Road. This is Chipotle’s second Rhode Island location. As a pre-opening celebration, Chipotle will throw a fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. for Cranston Parks and Recreation Youth Sports. A $5 donation will provide guests with a sample of several menu items and a foundation drink. All proceeds go to Cranston’s Parks and Recreation to support youth athletic programs. On Grand Opening Day, Nov. 20, the first 100 customers after 3 p.m. will receive a free t-shirt and burrito card to use at a later visit.

Santa to arrive in the city

On Saturday, Nov. 28, Santa Claus will arrive at Garden City at 11 a.m. by a horse drawn hayride to greet his fans. Families can enjoy face painting, trolley rides, hot chocolate, cookies, crafts and hayrides around the shopping center. Visits with Santa are free and digital photos will be available for a low cost. The event will be held rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Garden City Center Gazebo. For more information, visit gardencitycenter.com, or call 942-2800 ext. 22.

R.I. Center for Performing Arts to hold film premiere of “Lumberjacking”

“Lumberjacking,” an independent feature comedy filmed in Rhode Island by Rhode Islanders Rich Camp, Frank Iacobucci, Joe Agresti and Matt Zuena, will premiere at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the RI Center for Performing Arts at the Historic Park Theater. Cast and crew will be on hand to greet guests at the inaugural screening of the feature-length film about a lumberjack in the 1960’s who refuses to make the switch from axe to chainsaw. The film features John DePetro of radio station WPRO among a varied cast of Rhode Island natives. Tickets, which are $10 each, can be purchased at www.lumberjackingmovie.com. Any remaining tickets can be purchased at the door. The film is appropriate for audiences over the age of 13.

Swarovski has magnetic message

For the second year in a row, the American Heart Association and Swarovski have partnered to fight childhood obesity in Rhode Island. According to RI’s KIDS COUNT, over one in six children entering kindergarten (17.9 percent) during the 2007-2008 school year were obese. Last year, more than 30,000 magnets featuring healthy tips for families were distributed to pediatricians’ offices and over 30 elementary and middle schools throughout the state. This year, with Swarovski’s contribution, another 30,000 magnets with new children-related health messages will be handed out to the community. “Swarovski has developed significant roots in Rhode Island and we care deeply about our employees and their families in the Ocean State,” said Rich Pacheco, vice president of Human Resources at Swarovski. “These healthy tips might be a first step towards a healthier lifestyle for many local families.”

East and West FCCLA students recognized by School Committee

The Cranston School Committee recognized Deanna Lopes, David Reis, Mary Beth Dawson, Pauline Antonio and Marina Kicker on Oct. 26, for placing in the Families, Career and Community Leaders of America competition. The Cranston FCCLA members received gold and silver medals at the July competition in Nashville, Tenn. Lopes and Reis, both juniors at East, took home gold for participating in the Chapter Showcase competition. Dawson, Antonio and Kiczek, seniors at West, received silver medals for the Chapter Service Project competition. Working within a rigorous set of standards these first time national competitors had to create visual displays with a 15-minute interactive oral presentation describing their chapter activities during the year. Over 3,000 students competed in the various competitions in Nashville. Both competitions were team events. The Chapter Showcase Display Competition recognizes FCCLA chapters that develop and implement a well-balanced program of work. The Chapter Service Project Display Competition recognizes chapters that develop and implement a service project that makes a worthwhile contribution to families, schools and communities by addressing community needs.

Dunkin Pound of Coffee promotion returns to support Special Olympics

Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees throughout the state are celebrating their more than 20-year partnership with the Special Olympics with the return of the annual Pound of Coffee promotion. Now through Dec. 31, Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts will donate 25 cents for every pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee sold to Special Olympics RI and Special Olympics MA South Section. Beginning on Nov. 22, Dunkin’ Donuts will make it even easier for customers to participate by offering two pounds of coffee for just $11.99, three pounds for $15.99, and four pounds for $19.99. A sponsor of Special Olympics since 1988, Dunkin’ Donuts’ has supported the Special Olympics Rhode Island in endeavors including the annual winter and summer games, the annual Sports Celebrity Carnival and the Special Olympics Charity Auction. Dunkin’ Donuts’ is the premier sponsor of Special Olympics Rhode Island Team USA, which competes in national and world games.

Did you know?

Sarah Josepha Buell Hale (Oct. 24, 1788 to April 30, 1879) was an American writer and an influential editor. She is the author of the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" yet she is also famously campaigned for the creation of the American holiday known as Thanksgiving. Her advocacy for the national holiday began in 1846 and lasted for 17 years before it was successful. In support of the proposed national holiday, she wrote letters to five Presidents of the United States – Zachary Taylor, Millard Filmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Abraham Lincoln. Her initial letters failed to persuade, but the letter she wrote to Lincoln did convince him to support legislation establishing a national holiday of Thanksgiving in 1863.

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