Five Things You Need To Know Today: Oct. 18

Chan's gets a new chef-

has welcomed a new edition to their team. Master Chef Keun Qui joins the Main Street restaurant with 28 years of experience in Asian cuisine. Keung comes to Woonsocket from the popular Boston, MA Chinese restaurant, The Red Lantern and is expected to bring with him some new menu items. Stop in tonight at 5 p.m. and enjoy a buffet for just $10 before the s forum.

"Occupy Providence" protesters close accounts at Bank of America

There are currently around 65 tents set up at Burnside Park as part of Occupy Providence, the local version of the Occupy Wall Street protests which have been staged in cities across the country over the past several weeks.  Protesters with Bank of America accounts closed them throughout the day on Monday, and marched through Providence streets chanting "Bank of America, Bad for America."

The Rhode Island Sierra Club has declared solidarity with the group, with Program Manager Abel Collins stating that the struggles of working families and environmentalists are one and the same. 

“For too long, corporate polluters like the Koch Brothers have used their massive profits to attack fundamental worker, health and environmental protections -- while suppressing advancements in clean tech which would create millions of new jobs," Collins said. "For too long, big oil and other corporate polluters have targeted low income communities and communities of color for dumping their toxic industrial pollution, and shirked their responsibility for clean-up.  For too long, Wall Street and big banks have financed destructive environmental practices like mountaintop removal coal mining.”

According to the Occupy Providence facebook page, the protesters intend to stay in Burnside Park "for howsoever long it takes to build a society by, for, and of the people."

High School Playwriting Festival Call for submissions

Imagine Productions is looking for young playwrights to write and submit an original play to the 2011-2012 High School Playwriting Festival. If you are a high school student interested in theatre, performance, writing or gaining professional experience for your college and job applications, they want to hear from you.

Selected playwrights will work with professional actors and playwrights to work-shop your play, from draft to full scale production. For more information contact Beth Cunha at 401.461.1813 or beth@cdlri.org. 

Footprints to premiere at The Stadium

A New England based film company will present the Rhode Island premiere of a new, critically-acclaimed family film this Saturday, Oct. 22, at the . The state premiere of New Shepherd Films' "FOOTPRINTS:  Angels are Real. Some Even Have Fur.," is a true story which was partially filmed in Rhode Island. Directed by Jim Huggins the film introduces Rhode Island native Jim Landry and Trinity Rep veteran actress Carole Geagon to the big screen. The independent Christian film tells the true story of a man and dog who learn the healing power of love.

Cast and filmmakers will be in attendance on Saturday with doors to open at 6:30 p.m., and the film presentation at 7. Tickets are $8 for general admittance; $7 children and seniors, and can be purchased in advance at www.stadiumtheatre.com or first come/first served at the door.  For further information, contact New Shepard Films Production Office at footprints@newshepherdfilms.com

Free Flu shots for BCBSRI members

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has announced that members can now get a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccination with no out-of-pocket costs.  The 125 Rhode Island pharmacies are offering the shots to BCBSRI members can be found at BCBSRI.com/flu. Shots at your regular doctor will also be free but 
other services, such as an office visit on the same date could trigger copayments, deductibles and/or coinsurances. Cards can also be shown at flu clinics for free vacinations.