Get in the Holiday Spirit in Johnston

We've got your list of holiday events in and around Johnston this weekend.

  Looking for holiday events around Johnston? Here are a few posted on the JohnstonPatch Calendar. Performance: The Johnston Drama and Performing Arts (J-DAPA) crew bring a different spin to the holidays with "An Extraterrestrial Christmas," scheduled for 1:30 and 6:30 pm at Johnston High School. Tickets are just $5. Donations: Members of the Johnston Fire Department are issuing a challenge to Fill the Rescue for the Rhode Island Toys for Tots effort. One of the department's rescues will be parked at the former Shaw's location [now Ocean State Job Lot] on Hartford Avenue from 10 am to 2 pm. Please bring new, unwrapped toys and help fill the rescue. Holiday Sale: Garden City Shopping Center in Cranston hosts Festival Fete's Holiday Market …

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5 Things To Know Today

Five Things for Friday: Can't Spell 'Cabaret' Without 'ET' & More

Start your day with a check of weather, news, and events in Johnston.

  Johnston Weather: Can't Spell Cabaret without 'ET': Tonight at Johnston High School, the Johnston Drama and Performing Arts (J-DAPA) troupe performs "An Extraterrestrial Christmas" at 6:30 pm. They'll also take the stage tomorrow at 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Tix are just $5. Toys for Tots Spots: Johnston's got three designated drop-off sites for Toys for Tots this year. Click here for details. Save on Gas: Okay, so it may not be that far to Warwick Mall or your favorite holiday shopping spot — but saving money on gas is good, all the same. Use the JohnstonPatch Commute page to find the cheapest gas nearby — and check traffic conditions. Celebrity Birthdays:

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5 Things To Know Today

Sept. 5: Johnston's Got Talent

An upcoming talent show tops our 5 Things to Know Today for Sept. 5, 2012.

  1. Johnston's Got Talent: The Johnston Drama and Performing Arts group (J-DAPA) is planning a fundraising talent show for Oct. 12 — think you have with it takes to compete? Check out the J-DAPA listing and get more info. 2. For Caregivers: Are you providing support for a senior relative? Need to talk about your experiences? Join the Caregivers Support Group at the Johnston Senior Center, scheduled to meet today at 11 am. 3. Jobs: Looking for work — or workers? JohnstonPatch hosts a Jobs page powered by indeed that includes all kinds of employment opportunities in the Johnston area. 4. Stay Informed: There's nothing better than convenience — stay up-to-date with the latest news on JohnstonPatch by signing up for our email newsletters. …

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Traffic, Cop Cars, Creamery, Sound, and Plow Theft Made the News

From the traffic tie-ups on Atwood Avenue to a missing winter implement, we've got your wrap-up of the news that made news on JohnstonPatch for the week ending July 13, 2012.

  Traffic: It's over and done with now, but at the start of the week, Atwood Avenue traffic slowed to a crawl as a paving company finished the task of fixing the road damaged by last year's water valve breaks. Cop Cars: Mayor Joseph Polisena was on hand for Police Chief Richard Tamburini's presentation of one of the department's new police cruisers on Tuesday morning. Creamery: About a year after the plans were first announced to replace the Newport Creamery on Atwood Avenue with a Stop & Shop gas station, the restaurant went dark, and we reported on the expected schedule for the work to build the new facility. Sound: J-DAPA, one of three groups looking to install a new sound system at Johnston High School, moved $500 closer to the goal …

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5 Things To Know Today

July 13: Go "Yard Salin'"

It's the last Friday the 13th of 2012, and here are your 5 Things to Know Today.

  Go Yard Salin': Looking for this weekend's yard sales in the Johnston area? We scoured our Events calendar and YardSales.com to provide you with a list. Steamy: Warmer today with highs in the 90s and increased humidity during the day. Partly cloudy overnight with temps in the upper 60s. Clouds build overnight Saturday; chance of rain and thunderstorms on Sunday and Monday. Sign Up: We've got lots of loyal readers — become one by signing up for our email newsletters so you'll never miss the news. Sounds Good: It may be one of the stranger ways to raise money, but Mayor Joseph Polisena helped J-DAPA snag $500 toward a sound system at Johnston High School after a Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal judge ordered a woman to help a local …

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Judge's Order Is Music to Their Ears

A driver's failed appeal of her traffic ticket earned J-DAPA $500 toward a new sound system at Johnston High School.

  What started as an $85 traffic ticket turned into $500 to help provide Johnston High School with a new sound system, Mayor Joseph Polisena explained during a recent interview at Johnston Town Hall. Here's how it happened, according to the Mayor: A woman stopped by Johnston Police for running a red light appealed the guilty ruling she'd received at Johnston Municipal Court. When her case reached the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, a judge there ordered the woman to pay $500 to an organization in Johnston. "I got the call asking me where the money should go, and I thought of J-DAPA," Polisena explained, referring to the Johnston Drama and Performing Arts group, one of three organizations looking to raise more than $18,000 to install a new …

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Peter A. Filippi III

9:18 am on Monday, July 16, 2012

The seat belt law is the biggest offender followed by “rolling stops” and “going a few miles over the speed limit” all to make payrolls. We need to reduce our local police dept. and bring in private security that could patrol, respond to accidents including police details etc… The budget is approximately $11 million that could be cut by a minimum of $4 million; our mayor would refer to this as “…   more ›

Insider: 'Deaf Comic' To Headline Mar. 30 Fundraiser At JHS

Mike Murray, who has three kids in Johnston schools, organized the second annual "Comedy and Cuisine" fundraiser, the newspaper reported.

5 Things, Feb. 21: Vacation, Mechanics, Sign Up

What would Feb. 21, 2012 be without our 5 Things To Know Today? Don't take the chance of finding out.

Vacation: To help all you parents out there, here are today's suggestions for great places to take the kids: Mechanics: We're holding another 'Best Of' poll this week — and we're looking for your input on the best car shop in Johnston. Click the link for more info. Sign Up: We're grateful, of course, that you're reading this article — and you can make it even easier to get all the info you need to know by signing up for our daily email newsletter. Sunny: Looks like a clear day and temps in the 40s is on tap today, with increasing clouds and a chance of rain overnight. Check out the JohnstonPatch Weatherbug forecast for up-to-date info. Talent: On this date in 2011, we featured the Johnston Drama and Performing Arts (J-DAPA) troupe's …

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Video: J-DAPA Wraps 'Aladdin Jr.'

The Johnston Drama and Performing Arts troupe performed 'Aladdin Jr.' on the weekend of Nov. 4-6 at Johnston High School under the direction of Donna Tellier.

The cast and crew of Johnston Drama and Performing Arts (J-DAPA) joined one last time on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 6, at the Johnston High School auditorium to stage a matinee of their newest production, Aladdin Jr.  Along with the performance, attendees were able to take pictures with actors and actresses and try their luck in a 50/50 raffle and multiple prize basket drawings. Check out the accompanying video for scenes from the Aladdin Jr. finale.

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Update: J-DAPA Performs 'Aladdin Jr.' This Weekend

The local drama troupe is set to perform three shows this weekend at Johnston High School, beginning at 7 p.m. tonight.

The Johnston Dance and Performing Arts (J-DAPA) troupe is scheduled to kick off three shows of its next big performance, Aladdin Jr., tonight at 7 p.m. at Johnston High School. Other show times this weekend are 7 p.m. on Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. In the accompanying video, performers go through their lines and practice songs for the play in the high school auditorium under the supervision of Director Donna Tellier and her daughter, Co-Director Brianna Tellier. Tickets for the show are $10 adults, $7 children under 12 at the door. For a minimal fee, guests can meet and greet with the actors and get photos with the performers, beginning an hour before show time. For more information, call J-DAPA Director Donna Tellier at (401…

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