Jan. 9, RIPTA released its 2025 schedule for its program that offers a reduced fare bus pass program for seniors and people with disabilities. Every month, RIPTA’s Customer Service staff will travel to communities throughout the state to process Photo ID bus passes for qualified seniors and individuals with disabilities with valid documentation. Photo ID bus passes for qualified people with disabilities and seniors will cost $10.00 in 2025 and are valid for 2 years. The first site will happen on Thurs., Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Leon Mathieu Senior Center on 420 Main Street in Pawtucket.

Applicants can apply in person at RIPTA’s Photo ID Office, located in Kennedy Plaza. The Photo ID Office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed 12pm-1pm). In addition, RIPTA Customer Service staff will continue to process bus passes applications submitted through the mail and online.   For more info call 401-784-9500, ext. 2012 or visit RIPTA.com/ReducedFare.

Jan. 11, Open Forum “Remembering the 1950’s” will be presented by the Hope Historical Society on Sat., Jan. 11, at 2 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the Howland Barn, 35 Ryefield Road, Hope. Open Forum is an interactive meeting where members and attendees become a living history by sharing memorabilia, artifacts, pictures, stories, etc. related to the program topic.

Jan. 12, Cranston East Be a Bolt Open House from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

Jan. 13 and 20, West Bay Chorale Spring 2025 Open Rehearsals/Registration at 7 p.m., with registration starting at 6:30 at St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Current singers, as well as those interested in joining the Chorale are invited to register and learn the details of the upcoming concert season. In particular, the chorale is seeking experienced tenor and baritone voices in addition to sopranos and altos. All current singers and those interested in joining must be vaccinated and boosted must show proof of vaccination. Those interested in learning more or joining the chorale should contact Eric W. Van Dervort 401-751-1525 text or ewvandervort1@gmail.com. Find us on FB or westbaychorale.org. Come Join Us!

Jan. 14, Family Event: Snow Making will be hosted by the OneCranston Health Equity Zone on Tue., Jan. 14, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Pastore Center, 155 Gansett Ave., Cranston. Children can dive into the magic of winter by making their own snow! No registration required. For more info, contact Celia at cmhernandez@comcap.org or 401-649-0878.

Jan. 15, NAMI-RI, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will host an introductory presentation at the Warwick Public Library Central Branch at 5:30 p.m. Information and resources will be available for people who have loved ones struggling with a mental health condition. RSVP to Beth@namirhodeisland.org

Jan. 16, RIPTA released its 2025 schedule for its program that offers a reduced fare bus pass program for seniors and people with disabilities. Every month, RIPTA’s Customer Service staff will travel to communities throughout the state to process Photo ID bus passes for qualified seniors and individuals with disabilities with valid documentation. This will allow residents to access transit information and apply for the Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program without having to travel to RIPTA offices in Providence. Photo ID bus passes for qualified people with disabilities and seniors will cost $10.00 in 2025 and are valid for 2 years. The next site will happen on Thurs., Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at William Donovan Manor on 19 Chapel Street in Newport.

Applicants can apply in person at RIPTA’s Photo ID Office, located in Kennedy Plaza. The Photo ID Office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed 12pm-1pm). In addition, RIPTA Customer Service staff will continue to process bus passes applications submitted through the mail and online.   For more info call 401-784-9500, ext. 2012 or visit RIPTA.com/ReducedFare.

Jan. 25, 61st Anniversary Burns Supper, by the Scottish American Society of RI, celebrating Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns! The evening will include a Scottish-themed raffle, traditional Haggis Ceremony, presentation of The Immortal Memory, Full Pipe Band Performance and Ceilidh dancing. Location is at Rhodes-on-the Pawtuxet Ballroom, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston. Doors open at 5:45 pm with cocktails (cash bar); seating for Scottish dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets go to sasri.co/upcoming-events.

Jan. 25, Kindergarten Registration for Cranston children, born before Sept. 1, 2020, will begin. All registration information can be found on the Cranston Public Schools website: www.cpsed.net. Click on “REGISTRATION” on the main page. All registrations are by appointment only.

NAMI-RI offers mental health courses in January NAMI-RI, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will offer two Family-to-Family courses, starting in January. This a free 8-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness. The in-person course will be held in Middletown, RI at St. Lucy's Catholic Church beginning Saturday, January 11 at 3:00 PM. This same course will also be held on Zoom starting Wednesday, January 15th from 5:30-8:00 PM. To register, or for more information call 401-331-3060, email beth@namirhodeisland.org or visit namirhodeisland.org

Every Monday through Friday, Virtual Dementia Caregiver Support Groups are specifically designed for people caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Mon., 3:30 to 5 p. m.; Tues., 3 to 4:30 p. m.; Wed., 5 to 6:30 p. m.; Thurs. and Fri., 10 to 11:30 a. m. Information and registration, call 401-415-4664; or email to: info@HopeDementia.org. Follow us on Facebook @HopeHealth.

Every Monday - The Gaspee Celtic Jam meets at the Pawtuxet Village Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St., Cranston, every Mon. from 7 to 9 p.m. Do you play fiddle, guitar, Irish flute, pennywhistle, bodhran, mandolin, banjo, concertina, accordion, folk harp, hammered dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, banjo, acoustic bass, ukulele, keyboard, recorder, or sing? All skill levels welcome. Visit www.gaspeecelticjam.org for more info (including the current tune list/tune book) or to send us any questions. No specific Celtic music experience is required.

Every First and Third Monday Rhode Island Active Toastmasters meets, serving both Rhode Island and Southern MA. Rhode Island Active Toastmasters holds its meetings at New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich, in Rm N214 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact us Rhode Island Active Toastmasters.  All are welcome!

Every Tuesday, ASL Interpreted RI AA Meeting will be held at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Ave., Cranston from 7 to 8 p.m.

Every Second and Fourth Tuesday the Fall River Toastmasters Meeting, serving both Rhode Island and Southern Mass the Fall River Toastmasters holds its meetings. Doors open at 6 p.m. and meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join us at The Chamber, 200 Pocasset St, Fall River, MA, 2nd floor. For more information, call Sean DaCosta at (508)-840-6621. All are welcome!

Every Thursday,  Get-a-Job-Thursdays - We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thurs. from 11 a.m. to noon, 200 First Ave., Cranston. We Make RI offer job seekers a chance to meet with employers, get career counseling, resume help and more. Some employers include Swissline Precision, Admiral Packaging, KB Surfaces, Warwick Hanger and Hitachi Cable. For more information about this event or other training opportunities, visit www.wemakeri.com/get-a-job-thursday or contact Mike at (401) 232-0077 x109.

PSA Free Gun Locks at Cranston & Warwick Public Libraries Secure storage of weapons is now the law in Rhode Island. A Free Gun Lock and Securing Weapons Safely information are now available at two locations: Cranston Central Library Reference Desk, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd. Cranston, Warwick Central Library Reference desk, 600 Sandy Ln., Warwick. Stop by for a free gun lock and literature on how to securely store weapons. Doing so will save lives and make our communities safer. Residents from all RI communities are welcome. "This event is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Cranston Public Library."

Oaklawn Grange Used Clothing Donation Shed in need of used clothing items at the Oaklawn Grange Donation Shed, 24 Searle Ave., Cranston. Accepted items only: Used Clothing, Shoes, Sneakers, Belts, Purses, Linens, Pillowcases, Blankets, Curtains, and Stuffed Animals. All items must be in useable condition. Your donations will be distributed as whole garments locally and worldwide. Contact oaklawngrangeinfo@gmail.com for more information.

NAMI-RI Offers Family Support Groups; the RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free support groups for families and friends of loved ones struggling with mental health. Groups are led by trained facilitators with experience with family members. Meetings last 1.5 hours, and everyone gets a chance to share. Group members offer help and resources, when appropriate, based on their experiences. More information and full schedule can be found at namirhodeisland.org. or call 401-331-3060. No pre-registration for these monthly groups is necessary.

Volunteer with NAMI-RI The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is seeking volunteers to facilitate family programs in 2024. Free training is required and available for interested persons with loved ones struggling with mental health. Our grassroots volunteers, work every day to provide help and hope to millions of Americans. For more information about our family programs and volunteer training, email beth@namirhodeisland.org, call the NAMI-RI office 401-331-3060 or visit our website at www.namirhodeisland.org

Hearts for Hospice - Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice (VNH&H) is asking for individuals to support their hospice programs by giving $20 or more to their Hearts for Hospice campaign. People can dedicate their gift to a loved one who is always in their heart; all dedications are listed on the organization’s website. You can make your donation at www.visitinghursehh.org/giving/ or by calling 401-682-2100 extension number 1631.

Editor’s Note: To submit your news to The Chatter, send information and photos to Rosegalie at rosegaliec@beaconmediari.com by Friday at 3 p.m. to appear in the following week’s edition. Items can include community and school event announcements and calls for volunteers. Submissions may be edited for space and are not guaranteed to run. To guarantee space, please call 401-732-3100 and ask to place an advertisement.