5 Things To Know Today

Five Things for Friday: Snow Nears, Fill the Rescue, Art & more

How soon will it snow? Where can you donate Toys for Tots? Find the answers here.

  Johnston Weather: Fill the Rescue: The Johnston Fire Department continues its Fill the Rescue drive to benefit Toys for Tots tomorrow from 10 am to 2 om at Jacavone Garden Center on Atwood Avenue. Make your donation — and help bring a little joy to little ones. Get Artsy: Ms. Melyssa, resident artist at Marian J. Mohr Library in Johnston, hosts Art Smart for students in grades 3 to 6 this afternoon at 4. Register by calling 231-4980, ext. 5. Perfect Your Axels: Over at the Smithfield Ice Rink, there's public skating scheduled from noon to 2 pm. Admission is $3, rentals $5. Celebrity Birthdays: Bonus Birthday Note: Today is also the birthday of 16th-century French prognosticator Nostradamus. Bet you didn't see that coming.

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Johnston Firefighters Hold Drive to 'Fill the Rescue'

Members of the Johnston Fire Department highlighted their Toys for Tots effort by bringing a rescue truck to the Ocean State Job Lot on Saturday.

  As they continue their participation in the annual Toys for Tots campaign, members of the Johnston Fire Department visited the Ocean State Job Lot on Hartford Avenue on Saturday for their "Fill the Rescue" drive. Rescue Capt. Cherra Wheeler and Lt. Ryan Elmasian staffed a rescue truck, festooned with a Toys for Tots banner, and collected donations from shoppers and residents. Jon Pistacchio, Vice President of IAFF 1950 Johnston Firefighters, said in a text message on Saturday that "considering the [snowy] weather, it went very well." The local department — which includes four stations around Johnston — is scheduled to continue its part of the Toys for Tots Drive through Dec. 19. "With [Saturday's collection] and the donations that have …

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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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Toys for Tots Drop-Off Sites in Johnston

Find out where to bring your Toys for Tots donations in Johnston.

  The Toys for Tots annual drive is underway in Rhode Island, and there are several locations in Johnston to donate your toys. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the drop-off locations.  The age group that is most needed is age 0-2 and 11-14 years-old.  According to the Toys for Tots FAQ, realistic-looking toy weapons and gifts with food are not distributed. Online donations by credit card can be made by following this link. Here's a look at the drop-off locations in Johnston:

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5 Things To Know Today: Dec. 5

You can do windows; science club at Mohr Library; a few days left for Toys for Tots; PCM closed; and today in history: The circus leaves the Beeb.

Colorful Splash: Today starting at 2:30 p.m., students in grades 6 through 12 are invited to decorate the Andrew Greene Young Adult Room (the windows, at least). Supplies provided; creativity needed. Air Powered: Also today at Mohr Library, the science club focuses on wind energy and builds win-powered vehicles. Registration required; call (401) 231-4980 to sign up. Help A Tot: The Bridge at Cherry Hill assisted living residence is a local site for Toys for Tots. Drop off new, unwrapped gifts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. If a business you know is hosting a holiday drive, email Editor Joe Hutnak — joseph.hutnak@patch.com — and we'll feature it in our daily listings. Check Back Tomorrow: Providence Children's Museum is closed today; will reopen…

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5 Things To Know Today: Nov. 28

Game on at Mohr; charitable opportunities; PCM closed; and today in history: Major name in photos.

Play: Marian J. Mohr Library, 1 Memorial Ave., hosts video games in the Andrew Greene Young Adult Room from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Share: Get the holiday shopping season off to a good start by picking up a toy for a less fortunate child and bringing it to the Toys for Tots drop-off site at the Bridge at Cherry Hill. Donate: This time of year, there's also a major push for canned food donations. The Natural History Museum and Cormack Planetarium in Providence is offering free museum admission with the donation of a canned good (or a gently used book). Visit Tomorrow: Providence Children's Museum is closed today, and every Monday, through Dec. 19. Don't fret — they're scheduled to be open tomorrow. Snap: On this date in 1948, the first Polaroid …

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5 Things To Know Today: Nov. 23

Share your Turkey Day recipes; football season-ender; Coppola Sisters perform; toy donations; and today in history: The Pass.

Let Us Know: Do you have a great recipe for Thanksgiving that you'd like to share? Tell JohnstonPatch — and we'll feature yours in time for Turkey Day. Gridiron Tilt: Tonight is the final regular season game for the Johnston High School Panthers varsity football squad. The locals host St. Raphael Academy at 7 p.m. A Night Out: Johna's Restaurant on Killingly Street is scheduled to host a Thanksgiving Eve performance by the Coppola Sisters, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Never heard of Johna's? Check out the glowing reviews on their Directory page. Be Generous: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and the start of another holiday shopping season. Why not help a local child in need? The Bridge at Cherry Hill is a drop-off site for Toys for Tots. Bring new, …

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5 Things To Know Today: Nov. 21

Art projects for kids at Mohr; job fair for veterans; Toys for Tots; PCM closed; and today in history: The Gap that sank a Presidency.

Mohr Programs: Today at Mohr Library: Help Our Returning Heroes: Local business owners and members of the military and their spouses are invited to today's "Hiring Our Heroes" job fair in Warwick. The North Central Chamber of Commerce is among the business organizations teaming up to offer this opportunity to match employers with veterans. Brighten A Kid's Holiday: The Bridge at Cherry Hill assisted living residence is continuing to serve as a Toys for Tots drop-off site. Bring new, unwrapped toys between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, contact Gayle Raposa, Activities Director at 401-233-2880. No Children's Museum: Since we usually post their programs when they're open, we should also let you know that the Providence Children's …

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5 Things To Know Today: Nov. 16

Activities for all ages at Mohr; Toys for Tots site; new exhibit at Natural History Museum in Providence; and today in history: Columbia, clear to fly.

For Young'Ins: Mohr Library hosts an After School Adventure for kids in kindergarten through grade 2 about Native Americans at 4:30 p.m. For The Teens: Also At Mohr, Reader's Lair — with pizza — discusses Divergent by Veronica Roth at 6:30 p.m.. For students in grades 6 through 12. Help The Kids: Looking to bring a little joy this holiday season? Why not donate a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots? The Bridge at Cherry Hill is a local drop-off location, open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local Art: The Museum Of Natural History And Cormack Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, continues its new exhibit titled "Curiouser 2011" today from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Featuring five local artists, "Curiouser" is a twist on the "Victorian obsession with natural…

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