Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What Cranston’s new school and $25M bond could mean for you
Spotted on the Cranston calendar: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair
Good morning Cranston! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What Cranston's new school and $25M bond could mean for you
- How is Cranston's new food bank neighbor reshaping hunger relief statewide?
- How is a Cranston tech leader keeping a local firm cyber-safe?
Also on today's calendar: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair and 8 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Less humid with some sun, with a high of 80 and low of 56 degrees.
- Sunday: Sun and some clouds, temps: high: 84, low: 67.
- Monday: Humid; a p.m. shower or two, with a high of 85 and low of 63 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Cranston students head back to school (wpri.com) — Students across Cranston are heading back to school, including into the brand-new Gladstone Elementary that replaces a 1950s-era building and merges Gladstone and Arlington students. The school was largely funded with state reimbursement, easing the local tax share. District leaders are now asking voters to consider a $25 million November bond to tackle long-delayed maintenance in other Cranston schools. 
2. Food bank's new CEO reflects on an impressive first year (johnstonsunrise.net) — Cranston's Edgewood neighborhood is now home to Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Melissa Cherney, who has navigated a turbulent first year marked by SNAP funding cuts and a major celebrity donation. She describes strong community support, new state funding for food purchases, and expanded efforts to feed kids in summer and during the school year, emphasizing Rhode Island's size as an advantage against hunger.
3. Viken Jawharjian (pbn.com) — Cranston readers may recognize RISE Group Inc., where director of information security Viken Jawharjian has spent five years strengthening cybersecurity and staff awareness. Honored in PBN's Leaders & Achievers Awards, he's credited with upgrading email protections, expanding Microsoft Teams use, and translating complex tech risks into clear decisions for company leaders while emphasizing leadership, empathy, and mentorship.
4. Sara Evans bringing 2026 'Holiday Road Tour' to Upstate NY: How to get tickets (syracuse.com) — Sara Evans' 2026 "Holiday Road Tour" will stop in Cranston on Dec. 2 at the Historic Park Theatre & Event Center, bringing a Christmas-themed country show to local fans. Rising artist Braden Hull opens all dates, and tickets are available through major online sellers and Evans' tour page, with some first-time buyer discounts on select resale platforms.
5. RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Aug. 28, 2026 (newportri.com) — If you bought a Rhode Island Lottery ticket in Cranston or nearby, you can now check the Aug. 28 winning numbers for Mega Millions, Numbers, Wild Money, and Millionaire for Life. Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters on Pontiac Avenue in Cranston, with details on drawing times and payout options explained.
📸 Around Cranston
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Cranston
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- RWU Law Providence Law School Fair →
Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms St, Providence
12:00 pm
Friday September 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Los Tigres del Norte →
Amica Mutual Pavilion, 1 Lasalle Sq #1, Providence
8:00 pm - Paint Pottery! →
Art by You at Weirdgirl Creations Pottery Studio, 10 Wampanoag Trl, East Providence
1:00 pm - Summer Shellabration
Roger Williams Park Conservancy Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI, 02905, United States
9:30 am - Sun Style Tai Chi for Beginners
Roger Williams Park Conservancy Botanical Center, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI, 02907, United States
11:00 am - Wee-One Wednesdays at RWP Botanical Center! →
Roger Williams Park Conservancy Botanical Center, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI, 02907, United States
9:00 am - Morning tours of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse →
Edgewood Yacht Club, 1 Shaw Ave, Cranston
9:00 am - Summer Shellabration
Roger Williams Park Conservancy Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI, 02905, United States
9:30 am - Partner Peace Walks
Roger Williams Park Conservancy Clark Dalrymple Boathouse in Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI, 02907, United States
12:00 pm - Food Truck Friday at Roger Williams Park
Roger Williams Park Conservancy RWP Carousel Village
5:00 pm - Step into the Gilded Age with a Violet Society Tea →
Edgewood Manor Inn Bed And Breakfast, 232 Norwood Ave, Providence
1:00 pm
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Friday September 4
Sunday September 13
📣 Cranston Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- NorthStar Special Olympics Team (SHS Track)
Smithfield Senior High School Smithfield, RI 02917
7:30 am - Pawtucket Arts Festival (Aug 29 - Aug 30) →
Slater Memorial Park, 401 Newport Ave, Pawtucket
12:00 pm - HOT PEAS 'N BUTTER →
The Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main St, East Greenwich
1:00 pm - Hot PeasNButter →
The Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main St, East Greenwich
1:00 pm
Saturday August 29
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Cranston PatchAM possible:
- Amazing Kids Academy Daycare — (401) 383-1030
- Diamond Cleaning Pro LLC — (508) 493-3533
- G-Lab Tutoring — (401) 692-2582
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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🪧 Patch Classifieds
- opening in a private group home in Providence
I am selling my sister's room at a private group home for people who need support living independently. The group home is a community overseen by... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Here's a picture of my pets.
Lucy left is a put lab mix crystal Right is a pocket pit !love my girls they're great with kids and other dogs so if your looking for a pet … (Nextdoor Arlington) - Good day all.
I'm looking for plumber & a handy man that can fix slow close draws. (Nextdoor Budlong)
- O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Store Manager in Training in Warwick. Apply here.
- Coury Hospitality posted a job opening for Hotel Night Auditor - The Loom Hotel in Warwick. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cranston here.
Ok Cranston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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