Fine free week at Cranston Public Library

At all Cranston Public Library locations, from Feb. 8 to 14, patrons will not have to pay fines. Library users can return any overdue materials and pay nothing, even if they have been billed for an unreturned book. Call 943-9080 or visit www.cranstonlibrary.org for more information.

Book signing with Cranston writer

Cranston native David Michael Como Jr. will be signing his book, “Defying Goliath,” at the Whole Foods Market in Garden City this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. His book focuses on overcoming adversity and self-empowerment, which Como experienced after surviving his battle with cancer.

CHSE and Scholastic Art Awards

Cranston High School East art students won 14 gold and silver senior portfolio art awards this year, more than any other public school in the state. The students share the number of accolades with St. George’s parochial school. The artwork is on display at Salve Regina University through Feb. 13. From there, the gold key regional winning pieces will be sent to New York for a national competition. The art faculty would like to extend their congratulations to Antonio Acuna, gold key for drawing and for senior art portfolio; Caitlin Cannon, silver key for drawing and gold key for senior art portfolio; Ashlie Edwards, gold key for drawing; Erica Giko, silver key for printmaking; Olivia Harrison, gold key for mixed media; Tara Integlia, silver key for sculpture; Arisa Lohmeier, silver key for drawing; Sara Moore, silver key for drawing and silver key for painting; and Janice Sanchez, gold key for painting.

Military Wives makeover

Military wives will be treated to a day of beauty on Feb. 8 at Wil.O Design Studio, located at 935 Park Ave. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is for all wives of those being deployed as well as those that are left behind while their loved ones are serving in the military. The day will consist of getting their nails, make-up and hair done. Whole Foods will provide food and drinks, while Glenn Badessa of Immortal Cosmetics and Abby Backland and staff from Facing Thayer will provide make-up and nails. Hair will be done with Jonathan Williams, owner and partner of Wil.O Design. There is no fee for the services, as all businesses involved are donating their time to give military wives a day of beauty to help them to feel good in spite of all they have to endure. For more information or to make an appointment for Feb. 8, contact Wil.O Design at 865-6011.

Jazz coming to RICPA

Jazz singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli and the Swing Seven will perform at the Rhode Island Center for the Performing Arts, located at 848 Park Ave., on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m. Pizzarelli will do songs from his latest disc, "Rockin' In Rhythm: A Tribute to Duke Ellington." Rhode Island jazz accordion master Cory Pesaturo and his trio will open the show. Tickets for both shows are on sale now. For tickets to the RICPA show, call 467-7275 and for box office hours, visit ricpa.net.

Academic News & Notes

Kristina M. Rossi of Cranston has been named to the President's List at Western New England College in Massachusetts, for the fall semester of 2009. Rossi is a junior majoring in finance at the College. Christine A. Rathbun and Jackson Maroni, both from Cranston, were named to Dean's List at Western New England College for the fall semester of 2009 as well. Congratulations to Jenna Marie Ward who has been named to the Dean’s List at Keene State in New Hampshire and Amanda Kezirian who was named to the Dean's List at Saint Joseph's College of Maine. Alexander Dubois was named to the University at Albany's fall 2009 Dean's List for outstanding academic achievement. Congratulations to the following students from Cranston who have made Dean’s List at Bryant University: Michael Barricelli, a freshman in accounting; Devan Durante, a senior in business administration; Katharine Francazio, a junior in accounting; Jamie Gallagher, a sophomore in actuarial mathematics; Ashley Garcia, a freshman in applied psychology; Sara Larrabee, a freshman in communication; Anthony Mam, a junior in actuarial mathematics; Kaitlyn O'Rourke, a senior in finance; Anthony Ricci, a senior in finance; Christina Shaw, a senior in management; and Nicholas St. Pierre, a senior in finance.

Calling for old cell phones

The Cranston Department of Senior Services, through its Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), is now collecting old cell phones to benefit its Social Services Division, for use as emergency cell phones for senior citizens and victims of domestic abuse. Numerous law enforcement and victims services agencies across the country operate independent 911 cell phone programs. Many, like the Cranston Department of Senior Services, use the 911 Cell Phone Bank emergency programs that refurbish and repack phones for the participating agencies. This program allows these agencies to focus on helping the community, rather than spending time testing cell phones or charging batteries. The Cranston Department of Senior Services will accept cell phones for use in the 911 Cell Phone Bank program and recycling at its location located at 1070 Cranston St. Cranston Senior Services will not charge consumers for this service, and all phones collected that cannot be used in the emergency cell phone program will be responsibly recycled.

Did you know?

Did you know that Groundhog Day was originally called Candlemas? The animal that used to predict the timing of spring was not a groundhog, but a badger. There were no badgers in the New World, however, so German immigrants had to substitute a badger for another different ground-dwelling mammal – the groundhog.

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.