5 Things You Need To Know: April 1

No jokes here

It is April Fools' Day, when the the mischievous among us amuse ourselves at the expense of our friends, coworkers and neighbors with practical jokes and gags. The tradition of performing pranks on April 1 is believed by many to have started around 1852 in France when the Gregorian Calendar was introduced and New Year's Day was moved from April 1 to December 1. Those who resisted the change and continued to celebrate on April 1 were called "fools' by many, becoming victims of mockery with invitations to non-existent parties, and requests for a variety of "fools errands" every year. Others claim the tradition goes back much further, and point to historical evidence as far back as the time of Noah.

Television, radio and newspapers have jumped in on the fun in modern times, but rest assured, you can trust the headlines and stories you read here today. Patch will resist temptation to tell you that Elvis is performing at Stadium Theatre this weekend, trash pick-up has been delayed five days because of snow fall, and American Idol will be holding try-outs for season 11 at St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center. We don't want to miss the fun completely, however, so please, feel free to post links to pranks or share your own gags in the comments below.

April Friends' Day

Today is also April Friends' Day or National Stop Bullying Day, a day of awareness sponsored by R.I. Third Eye Project to help stop senseless bullying, cyberbullying, violence, and abuse. About 50 students from Woonsocket are taking part in a non-violence, antibullying summit at the April Friends Conference at URI and will walk to the Statehouse with youth from across Rhode Island for a rally this afternoon.  

The Woonsocket Prevention Coalition has taken part in this program for the past four years and is joined this year by Thundermist, the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Woonsocket. To show your support against bullying, you can purchase a lime green wrist band for just $1 from the Woonsocket Prevention Coalition office at City Hall. All proceeds go directly towards anti-bullying and youth suicide prevention programs in schools across Rhode Island.

Straight From Heaven Fashion Show

High school and 8th grade students will be putting on a fashion show tonight at the Woonsocket Middle School at Villa Nova. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., students will be modeling dresses from David's Bridal and tuxedos by Celebrations. Donated gently used dresses will be available for sale and proceeds will benefit the Diabetes Association.

Tickets are $5 in advance and can be purchased at the Woonsocket Area Career & Technical Center, 400 Aylsworth Avenue from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m today.  They will also be available for $7 at the door.  Call (401) 767-4660 for more info. 

Spring time is baseball time

This nasty weather is expected to clear up by Saturday and with any luck, Injury Fund Games for Woonsocket High School Varsity and softball will be played on Saturday. Catch the local tournament of fast pitch softball at North Smithfield High School starting at 9 a.m. Woonsocket plays Burrillville at 10:30 a.m.

Sue Jarosz honored by RI Coalition for the Homeless

Woonsocket’s Own Sue Jarosz, who passed away this year, received the Sister Carol McGovern award this week at the RI Coalition for the Homeless Annual Awards luncheon. The award is given to a person who has best advocated to fight homelessness in the state and was accepted by Jarosz's family at a luncheon attended by hundreds of homeless prevention and affordable housing advocates from across Rhode Island.