Chad Verdi's film project on the life of Rhode Island boxing great Vinnie Pazienza received a high-octane Hollywood boost a few days ago, when Oscar-winning director and producer Martin Scorsese signed on as an executive producer.

"Having Marty join the deal is huge," said Verdi.

Verdi was put in touch with Scorsese after a conversation with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who is friends with both men. Whitehouse knew Verdi was making "Paz" and that Verdi's previous movies had brought jobs to the state.

"Sheldon knew we were creating jobs in Rhode Island," Verdi said.

The company is – perhaps improbably – based on Main Street in East Greenwich, in the former United Methodist Church building. That’s because Verdi is from EG. (He’s behind Searle’s Old Tyme Ice Cream, too, also on Main Street.) And many of Verdi's films include scenes filmed in Cranston as well as in East Greenwich, including the most recent movie, "Army of The Damned,” which just finished shooting, and Self Storage, which was shot last year.

But "Paz," the Vinnie Pazienza story, was always what Verdi was aiming for. In fact, he has readily admitted making the early films just so he could learn the craft and be more experienced for "Paz." Now, Verdi's got one of the most famous behind-the-camera names in the world.

"They love the story, they love the script, they love director," Verdi said of Scorsese and his producing partner Emma Tillinger Koskoff. The director is Ben Younger, of Boiler Room

"This is going to attract some of the biggest names in the world," he continued. "Marty’s the man, Ben Younger’s the man, everybody wants to work with them."

The movie has not been cast yet. Verdi said he was leaving the casting to Younger, particularly because Verdi himself is so attached to the project. 

"It was better for the film, it was better for the business," that way, he said. 

Verdi's learned a lot about the business in four short years and his companies (he has Verdi Productions for bigger films and Woodhaven Productions for lower-budget pictures with a fast turnaround) have been successful – his movies are on Netflix and in Red Box kiosks. His company is so busy making films, they are already scheduled through 2016.

"I have four movies for sale at the Cannes Film Festival," Verdi said. "We are so busy I can’t even go.... We can’t make films fast enough and keep up the quality. It’s a great position to be in."

"Paz" could begin filming in 2014 and Verdi said he wants it to be filmed in Rhode Island. But he said if the state eliminates the movie-making tax credit, they could decide to look elsewhere. Right now, he said, the tax credit is in place at least through July 2014.

"I’d be disappointed if [filming] went anywhere else," he said. 

As for the Paz's reaction to Scorsese's decision to sign on, Verdi said, "He’s on cloud nine. He almost didn’t believe it."

And did you know Paz is an alum of Park View Middle School in Cranston?

A Cranston woman was nearing death just a few months ago, but she's now breathing a little easier after a double lung transplant recently.

WPRI reported that Terry Perrotta said she didn't remember what it felt like to breathe before she got the transplant.

Now, "it's just amazing," she said.

Perrotta was diagnosed with a rare lung disease at 46. Doctors told her she'd be dead in a five years. That was six years ago.

Watch the attached video from WPRI. Click HERE to read more.

Members of the Cranston Fire Department responded to a small fire at The Laundry Basket at 521 Pontiac Ave. late last night.

Reports indicate the fire was a code red condition for a period of time before it was extinguished. Smoke filled the building and ventured into an adjacent smoke shop in the plaza.

No additional information is available at this time, including what caused the fire and the extent of the damage. More information will be posted shortly.

Photo courtesy RIBNS, Twitter: @RIBNS

Two local schools were put into a lockdown state after a report of a suspcious person walking in the area this morning, Cranston Police Chief Col. Marco Palombo confirmed.

Police and school officials are "taking the appropriate steps to provide a presence in that area," Palombo said. 

The person of interest has not been found and police "have not confirmed the report as of yet in terms of finding the person described and we'll continue to investigate in that regard," Palombo said.

Residents will see heightened police presence in the area and police will continue to act out of an abundance of caution as the investigation continues. It is likely that there will be a strong police presence near local schools around dismissal time.

Palombo said the police department is coordinating with the School Department — standard protocol for any reported activity of concern near schools.

Ray Votto, Cranston Schools' chief operating officer, said the report of the suspicious person came via a 911 phone call early in the morning. Both Stadium and Bain were locked down and Cranston High School East was notified, but did not enter a lockdown state.

Votto said describing the schools as being under lockdown isn't totally accurate, since students did move from classroom to classroom. A better term, he said, would be "lock-in," since nobody went outside for recess and the doors were locked but people were walking freely inside the building.

Votto said parents of children at most Cranston schools will be getting a letter from the district sent home with their children this afternoon "to let them know what took place."

One parent who sent Patch an e-mail and asked to remain anonymous said many of the kids at the school were "very shook up" during the lockdown.

A custom-built Colonial in Quail Ridge, a two-family in Stadium, and a three-bed Cape in Knightsville are the three newest listings to hit the market in Cranston.

38 Red Hawk Drive — $415,000

Custom-built one-owner Colonial has 4 beds, 2 1/2 baths in private Quail Ridge Estates. 20,000 sq. ft. lot. Gas forced air system and hot water, central A/C, marble fireplace. Estimated taxes $8,750 per year.

Listed by: James San Giovanni, Williams & Stuart Real Estate. (401) 942-0200.

53 Victory St. — $118,000

Two-family with 1 bed each floor in Stadium, hardwood floors, central A/C, replacement windows.

Listed by: Raymond Horbert, Williams & Stuart Real Estate (401) 942-0200.

167 Florida Ave. — $167,000

3-bed Cape on corner lot in Knightsville. Hardwoods, fireplace in living room, enclosed porch. Two-car garage, newer gas heating system. Needs updating, subject to short sale approval.

Listed by: Maryann Crudale, RE/MAX Central (401) 823-7600.

It’s that time of year again and you’re outside, enjoying your yard. Then you start nosing around—maybe you’re inspecting your plants, or reviewing the condition of your lawn or setting up your sprinklers—and before you know it, reality hits.

You need to paint the house.  

A daunting task. An expensive task. A necessary task—because it's not just about how your house looks, it's about your home's value. Neglect is not an option.

Take heart, however. Information and resources have never been more easily available to help you through this project.

Know Your Options

Your options are to either hire a contractor or paint it yourself. Hiring a contractor is an expensive option, but if it's in your budget and you do the necessary research to find a quality contractor, you won't regret it.

The best method to find a professional painter is word-of-mouth. Ask a neighbor who's recently repainted, or go to a local paint store and ask for recommendations. You could also use a service such as the popular Angie's List. Once you've contacted the painter, ask for references before you even bother getting a quote.

Most professional contractors will give you a free estimate. They know what they're looking for and can point out important issues you may have missed such as carpentry work on deteriorated siding.

If your house is extremely tall or has dangerous gables, professionals have the equipment and insurance to handle this type of treacherous job. And many contractors guarantee their work for a year, so if something chips or peels, you’re covered.

Your DIY Checklist

If your budget—or your house—is smaller, and you enjoy a good do-it-yourself project, you can paint your house yourself. It's a multi-step process, and you’ll want to spend some time preparing for it. Here’s a brief game plan:

1. Decide when to paint. Spring and fall are the best times of year to paint. When outside temperatures are in the mid-50s and higher, the caulk, primer and paint cure properly.

2. Decide where to start your prep work. Do you need to scrape peeling areas? Do you have any rotten wood that needs to be replaced? Be sure to check the base of your columns and areas around and under gutters. Also check all window sills, especially windows that are in damp, shady areas. Replacing wood might require a handyman, and getting someone who knows what they are doing is worth every penny.

Do you have metal railings or awnings that need painting? This requires a whole different set of supplies and techniques.

3. Once all the scraping and potential rot problems are addressed, the next job is to pressure wash your house. Even if it's brick or stucco, wash it anyway to remove any mold or mildew that will compromise your new paint job. If you’re doing this yourself, you’ll need to rent equipment and plan a day (at least) to complete the task.  

There is skill involved in pressure washing. Not too hard, not too soft. Make sure you find out which PSI setting the sprayer should be on for your particular house materials. To bleach or not to bleach? If your bleach is too strong, it will kill your plants, so consider holding off on new plantings until the job is done.  

You can do this yourself—just do your homework first. Pressure washing is a very satisfying job, but it's not an easy one.

4. Now she's clean—sparkling even. Time to caulk and prime. You’ll want to get every joint, every crack, every piece of wood. Caulking makes your paint job appear seamless, and seals off your home from infestation of termites, bees, and other problematic invaders. It also makes your home more energy efficient.

If your house already has several coats of paint, you may only need to prime new or recently exposed wood. The quality and type of primer you use in those cases is important. Many new paints have built-in primer, but old-school painters don't go for that. Primer is an entirely different product from paint, so choose carefully. Primer not only protects your paint job, it can help you solve for lead-based paint issues and oil vs. latex.  

5. Now for the fun part! The colors. If your house is brick and you only need to paint a few siding areas, shutters and trim, you might want to keep the colors that came with the house. But if you're open, a change can make it feel like a brand new home!

The newest software at Behr Paint offers color visualizer options that help you select both interior and exterior colors. You can view varying styles of homes and select swatches to make a virtual colorboard. You can also get sample bottles for a small fee at local Home Depot stores so you can try it before you buy it.   

Home Depot’s website offers a wealth of information on all the brands of paint it carries, including Martha Stewart and Glidden paints, and the top-rated Behr. Speaking of name brand paints, do your homework here as well. Cheap paint won't hold up to sun and weather. This is an extremely labor-intensive job and you don't want to have to do it again for at least another ten years. Don't skimp on quality when it comes to exterior paint. If you are using a professional painter, make sure you find out what brand they prefer. Sometimes it's more about their bottom line than the longevity of the paint job. Make sure they are using quality products.

Looking to choose an entirely new paint palette? Take a ride through nearby neighborhoods on a sunny afternoon to see what others are doing. It's important to consider the colors of your roof shingles and any stone or brick on the foundation before you decide on a color. Reviewing exterior colors on other homes might change your ideas about what colors to choose for your own house.

If you just can’t make up your mind, hire a professional color consultant for a one-hour consultation.

Once you select your colors, you'll need to determine quantities and buy supplies. Ask the experts at the store. Paint department employees have extensive training and experience and they really know their stuff. They can talk you through brushing vs. spraying, rolling vs. brushing, and all the other possibilities.  

It's a lot of work to paint your own house. But if you take your time, you can save thousands of dollars and take great pride in your finished product.

One drink could be the standard for drunken driving – at least for some people if the National Transporation Safety Board has its way.

On Tuesday, the NTSB recommended states lower the blood-alcohol threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent.

What do you think? Is the proposal reasonable?

About 10,000 deaths a year are related to drunken driving. The NTSB says the lower limit would save 500 to 800 lives a year.

Officials at the American Beverage Institute called the proposal "ludicrous." It said the average woman could reach the 0.05 percent limit by having one drink.

There were 24 DUI fatalities in Rhode Island in 2012, which were 34 percent of traffic-related fatalities last year, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

What do you think? Should the DUI alcohol limit be reduced?

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence announced that Barbara Papitto, a parishioner of Holy Apostles, is among those who will be recognized for their service to the Church and community at a dinner to benefit Emmanuel House, a diocesan ministry that provides critical services to the homeless Thursday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Providence Marriott.

Papitto volunteers and supports many ministries at her parish and throughout the diocese. She supports diocesan programs such as the Gabriel Project, a program that assists young women who are either pregnant or have young children with clothing, diapers and other basic necessities and the Respect Life Ministry, promoting the dignity of human life. Papitto and her husband also have a foundation that funds a reading-test program in Providence schools that distributes scholarships.

The Lumen Gentium Award formally recognizes those who ‘toil in the vineyard’ in service to the Lord and minister to those in the greatest of need in their parish or community.

“The Catholic Church in Rhode Island is blessed with many who carry out the work of the Church throughout the Diocese,” said Bishop Thomas J. Tobin.  “The nominees and those selected for a Lumen Gentium award, through their selfless efforts, represent outstanding examples of Christian service here in Rhode Island.  This award provides a unique opportunity to recognize those who work tirelessly in service to the Church and ask for nothing in return.”

A total of 167 nominations were accepted from January through March of this year in 10 categories for consideration of the first-ever Lumen Gentium Awards in the Diocese. Groups, organizations and individuals whose work is consistent with the teachings and mission of the Catholic Church were eligible for an award.

A committee of clergy and laity, chaired by Msgr. Albert Kenney, reviewed each nomination then submitted recommendations to the Bishop. The committee assessed each nomination on criteria such as personal dedication and service to their local parish communities, those who demonstrate a commitment in the Church or broader community related to the mission of Catholic Charities or community service, member of the Church who has demonstrated a sincere commitment to promoting and defending the sanctity of human life by word and deed, by personal example and public witness and other factors depending upon category.

The awards recognize those who have provided outstanding service to their parish, the diocese and/or the local community at-large. They will be presented in 10 specific categories, including Administration & Stewardship, Catholic Charities and Community Service, Catholic Education, Communications, Distinguished Catholic Youth, Evangelization, Friend of the Diocese, Parish Service, Public Service and Respect Life.

Lumen Gentium, the namesake of the awards, means ‘Light of the Nations’ and refers to a principal document promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1964 during the Second Vatican Council that describes the life and nature of the Church.

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the diocesan emergency homeless shelter.  Responding to the urgent need for additional emergency winter homeless shelters in December of 2010, Bishop Tobin donated the use of a former day care center to house homeless Rhode Islanders overnight. Emmanuel House serves 35 guests each night. Through the Catholic Charity Appeal, the Diocese covers the costs of insurance, maintenance, heating, electric and other utilities for Emmanuel House.

The Cranston Conservation Commission and Edgewood Highlands Elementary School celebrated National Arbor Day with a planting of 5 trees recently.

Principal Marlene R. Gamba, staff, students, and members of the Conservation Commission participated with an educational demonstration planting of 4 Autumnalis Cherry and 1 Red Sunset Red Maple Trees. The Cherry trees will cast much needed shade onto the play structure area and the Red Maple tree will buffer the school from the adjacent homes. These trees will be a beautiful addition to enhance the school’s landscape.

The deciduous tree, Autumnalis Cherry, is native to Japan and is considered one of the hardiest and longest lived varieties. The upright spreading habit produces a potent spring bloom of semi-double pink-tinged white flowers. A mild fall bloom is an added bonus. A striking deciduous tree, the Red Sunset Red Maple, is an improved native variety. Its upright spreading habit produces small showy reddish spring flowers followed by its stunning fall orange-red leaf color display. As the early 1600’s exploration of North America began, the first organized plant hunters Englishman John Tradescant (1570-1638) and son John Tradescant (1608-1622) introduced a phenomenal range of plants to the rich and famous (including King Charles I). North America’s Red Maple tree was one of the plants brought to Europe to be planted there. 

A 33-year-old Providence man is facing first-degree robbery charges after he allegedly on May 6 told a clerk at Kattan's Market that "I swear on my father I'll shoot you if you don't give me the money," police said.

The man, identified by police as Leslie Bernal, 33, of 201 Pitman St., Providence, was handed $341 in assorted bills. He then demanded car keys, but the clerk said he didn't have a car.

So Bernal took off running after telling the clerk he'd shoot him if he told anyone, police said, but it didn't take long for Cranston officers to find him a ways down the street, acting nervously and sweating profusely.

According to a police report, Bernal told officers that he met a friend nearby and "had engaged in homosexual sex and had just been dropped off" and was simply walking back towards Providence to go home.

But police said Bernal couldn't explain why he had $341 cash with him. And he didn't help his cause when he tried to run away from police as they were questioning him.

Police said Bernal was positively identified by the clerk when they drove him back to the market for a "walk up."

Along with the first-degree robbery charge, Bernal was charged with resisting arrest. Police said Bernal also had a total of seven outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest.

Bernal is being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions for the outstanding warrants. Bail was set at $7,500 with surety on the new charges. He is due to appear in court on May 21 for a violation hearing.

Cranston Patch readers — you folks help me all the time, sending me news tips, photos, hints, feedback. We're in this together, finding lost dogs, tracking down armed robbers, and spreading news about events, fundraisers and people who do special deeds.

Today, I have an assignment for you. Go outside on this perfect day and take a picture. It could be your garden in various stages of bloom, your immaculate (or overgrown) lawn, the pool up and running now that the cover is finally off. Maybe you want to show off your latest spring outfit? That photo of you and your friends getting froyo you'll take today during your lunch break? A bunch of construction workers having their lunch break outside? I know many of you will be taking a photo like this today, so why not upload it here, to this article, by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" button? Do me the favor. 

HINT: for iPhone or photos taken on a smartphone, just e-mail yourself the pic as an attachment so you can upload it when you get home or back to the office. If your boss gives you trouble, have them call me and I'll take the heat.

I got us all started with this pic of early morning clouds scrolling over the just-risen sun. I think this photo represents the day ahead: according to the National Weather Service, Cranston will see a high of 80 degrees with sun all day. 

My wife and I drive a perfectly good 2002 Nissan Sentra with 127,318 miles on it. "Stella" has four wheels and gets us from Point A to Point B.

We've reached the stage in the life of the car where we don't repair body damage (as you can tell from the accompanying photo). I'm ashamed for my Dad to see it. But hey, it's paid for.

Even though I'd love to get 200K miles out of Stella, she has some mechanical problems, like a seized bolt that has left the transmission fluid unchangeable for about eight years. She could conk out any old day.

So we've been on the lookout for our next car. I'm paying attention to car commercials, asking friends about their cars. You know the feeling.

We're looking for something that gets good gas mileage, and is probably on the small side. We don't have kids and our dog isn't especially big.

If Stella died today, our top choice is a MINI Cooper. We've test driven one at MINI of Peabody, and really got a kick out of it. One of my fellow patch editors has a 2006 Toyota Yaris he swears by (even though he's like eight feet tall). Another coworker just got a Hyundai Elantra that he's pretty happy about.

Readers, what about you? What are looking for in your next car? Got your eye on any particular make and model?

More Cranston Real Estate Listings >>

Salvatore Mattera, 89, of Upton, MA, formerly of Rhode Island St., Cranston, RI, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Beaumont Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Northbridge, MA.

He was the husband of the late Elena (Gelardi) Mattera.  Born in Providence, RI, he was the son of the late Antonio and Pasqualina (Imbagliazzo) Mattera.

Mr. Mattera was a machinist in the plumbing components industry and was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran. He enjoyed quahogging in Jamestown and spending time with his extended family where he was often seen displaying his excellent culinary skills.

He was the devoted father of Antonio Mattera of Berkeley, CA, Alan T. Mattera of Cranston and Glen P. Mattera and his wife Maryann of Upton, MA; loving grandfather of Alicia M. Mattera of Oakland, CA; and dear brother of Maria Mattera of Glendora, CA and the late Fortunata Notarianni and Jennie Celani.

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston on Tuesday, May 21^st at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, 1525 Cranston St., Cranston at 10 a.m.  Interment with military honors will be at St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

VISITING HOURS are Monday, May 20^th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for the benefit of memory disorder research may be made to: Mass General Hospital Development Office, Attn: Shawn Fitzgibbons, 165 Cambridge St. – Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.

Americans may be living longer, but our retirement plans aren’t keeping up. Which means people are living longer with smaller bank accounts.

But Marlene Konkoly will retire at age 50. How did she do it? She contributes a whopping 45 percent of the gross annual income she earns as a procurement officer for an automotive finance company to her retirement—all while owning a home and remaining debt-free.

Konkoly is actually well ahead of the retirement savings curve compared to many of her fellow Americans. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, fewer than half of Americans even know how much money they would need to retire. And nearly a third of employees who had access to a defined contribution plan such as a 401(k) did not participate in it.

“Save at least what your employer matches in your 401(k),” Konkoly said. “It’s like saying no to free money if you don’t.”

Konkoly, who lives in Royal Oak, MI, said she started saving at 22—but only because other people said she should. She saved a mere 2 percent at her first job out of college. 

“I didn’t think I could afford much. I didn’t have any understanding of savings and how it would affect my future,” she said.

$17,000 in Debt

At 27, she had $17,000 in credit card debt—but this became a turning point in her financial history.

“I made the decision right then to get myself out of debt,” she said. “I took on extra work where I could. I started to learn how to research purchases before I bought items, and I began budgeting for the first time ever. I successfully eliminated my debt five years later.”

Once she was out of credit card debt, Konkoly, who is single and has no children, turned her focus to her golden years.

“I started to see people around me who simply could not afford to ever retire,” she said. “I knew I didn’t want to be in that position, so I started applying the same principles which got me out of debt toward saving more for retirement.”

How She Got Smart

Konkoly decided to get smart: She took graduate classes in personal finance to understand her portfolio and learn about retirement savings. She reads books, researches on the Internet and follows blogs about saving and investing. And she works with a financial adviser she trusts.

“Just because I can do it myself doesn’t mean I have to,” Konkoly said. “Having a professional adviser allows me to focus on other parts of my life without the time commitment of constantly researching the market.”

Maxing Out Her 401K

Konkoly “maxes out” on everything. She contributes the maximum to her employer’s 401(k), to other retirement investments such as a Roth IRA, and to her employer’s health savings account. She also has a personal investment account for everything else except emergencies.

Fitness for $12 a Month

“My favorite fitness trainer says, ‘Nothing that is easy is ever going to change your body,’” Konkoly said. “The same principle applies to finances. If it’s easy, it won’t move the needle. Yes, it does mean I have to sacrifice in other areas, and sometimes it makes me uncomfortable thinking of all the things I can buy with that money, but I remain focused on my goals to counteract that discomfort.”

To really maximize her savings, Konkoly uses coupons, and takes advantage of loyalty programs, travel miles and credit card points. She streams television on the Internet rather than paying for cable, and subscribes to a $12-a-month fitness video on-demand service instead of a gym membership.

She Pays Herself First

“I put savings at a higher priority than all of the other creature comforts,” she said.

Her One Splurge

She does, however, splurge now and then, and her ultimate passion is travel. For her 40^th birthday last year, she spent 10 days traveling to Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. She stayed in nothing but five-star resorts, and spent a total of $1,400 on airfare, accommodations, meals and train transportation.

In her retirement, Konkoly plans to continue to travel the world, and says she would love to relocate to Sausalito, CA “for the wonderful weather and gorgeous views of San Francisco Bay.”

About this series: As part of our Smart Spending reporting, Patch is profiling people across the country who have found creative ways to save money. Are you an extreme saver? We want to hear from you! Share your story here or in the comments section below.

There's a handful of tickets left for tonight's Chris Mann performance the Park Theatre. 

And people who buy tickets will also get to see Nicole Nelson, a Burlington, Vt., resident, as the opening act. Nelson was a contestant on season three of the popular show.

Michael Cerio, spokesman for the Park Theatre, said the show will be "an incredible concert event in a very intimate setting."

"Much of the feedback I’ve received from folks I’ve spoken with about the show indicates there’s excitement in having such a recognizable up-and-coming star coming to Cranston," Cerio said. "Chris has built quite the following since getting his big break on 'The Voice.'"

Since becoming a household name as a finalist during season two of NBC’s popular hit show “The Voice,” Chris Mann has enjoyed a remarkable rise to fame. He’s performed for the President and First Lady as part of TNT’s “Christmas in Washington” special, appeared on “The Today Show” and the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and now, he’s coming to Rhode Island to the completely renovated historic Park Theatre on Friday, May 17. 

A classically-trained singer and songwriter who has successfully introduced a new generation to the classical-pop genre, Chris Mann got his big break on “The Voice” when he finished first on Team Christina Aguilera and represented her in the final round. Following “The Voice,” Mann signed with Faircraft/Republic, a record label formed by renowned music producer and executive Ron Fair – who has also worked with stars such as Aguilera and Mary J. Blige, among others.

In October 2012, Mann released his full-length debut album, Roads, which shot straight to No. 1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart and reached the Top 5 on Billboard’s Classical Chart. Upon its release, Mann was invited to perform during a number of high-profile television appearances including an opportunity to sing for President Barack Obama. He also released a holiday EP,Home for Christmas, which was sold exclusively at Walmart and reached No. 1 on the chain’s best-selling album list. 

As his star continues to shine, Chris Mann kicked-off 2013 with performances on “Conan” and the Ellen Degeneres Show while recording his very own PBS Special with award-winning producer Ken Ehrlich. Titled “Chris Mann in Concert: A Mann for all Seasons,” the show aired nationwide in March 2013 and featured guest appearances by multi-platinum artist Martina McBride and Mindi Abair. A re-creation of the Elvis Presley ’69 Comeback Special, the show features Mann performing in a boxing ring on a Sony sound stage.

Chris Mann will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17. Tickets are priced at $25 and $35 and are available by calling the Park Theatre’s Box Office at (401) 467-7275 or online at:www.ParkTheatreRI.com. 

It's time to gather up your unwanted household treasures. Or, it's time to find some new ones. 

Why?

Woodridge Elementary School is hosting a community yard sale this weekend.

Here's the details, courtesy of Lisa Mancini:

• When:   Saturday, May 18, 2013 // Rain date: Sunday, May 19, 2013
• Where:  The black top of Woodridge School.
• Time:     8 am – 12 pm

There are 3 ways to be part of the YARD SALE:

1. To sell your own treasures and keep all your profit, then:
   1. Reserve a marked out spot (approx. 13’ x 10’) on the blacktop for the fee of $20.00.
   2. You will receive a confirmation that we received your fee with a place number.
   3. Set-up at 7 am on the day of the event. 

1. If you are a business owner and want to sell products or give information about your business, then:
   1. Reserve a marked out spot (approx. 13’ x 10’) on the blacktop for the fee of $35.00.
   2. You will receive a confirmation that we received your fee with a place number.
   3. Set-up at 7 am on the day of the event.
   4. Examples but not limited to: Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Jewelry, Hair Salons (give consultations and coupons w/ discounts), Karate Studios…

1. Donate your wares to the PTO White Elephant Table:
   1. This is your chance to help if you have items that you are willing to part with and would like to donate to our table.
   2. Drop off items on the day of the event from 7 – 8 am.
   3. Please contact Lisa Mancini (480-9952) or Heather Kendra (569-0688) to let us know of your anticipated donation.

• You as a seller/vendor are responsible for your own set up. Bring your own tables or tarps to display the items you are selling. At the end of the event, you must remove all items from the premises.
• Please contact us with any questions or comments: Lisa Mancini (480-9952) and Heather Kendra (569-0688).

Visit Garden City Center this Saturday, May 18 from 11am-2 pm to celebrate Cranston Family Safety Day. The day will be filled with fun activities focusing on child safety sponsored by Garden City Center, the Cranston Substance Abuse Task Force and the Cranston Police Department. The event will be held rain or shine and is free to the public.

Activities will include free child ID cards, Bosco, the Cranston police K-9 dog, face painting, the RI State Fire Marshall Fire Safety Trailer (to help children understand how to behave in case of a home fire), bike safety activities, the RI State Police Rollover stimulator, CCAP’s Family Health Services – health screenings and car seat checks. Free bike helmets will be given to the first 500 children to attend, donated by the Cranston Family Center and a grant from the RI Office on Highway Safety and the RI Brain Injury Foundation,

“This is the fourth annual Cranston Family Safety Day and we have a really great program put together for the children,” said Dana DeVerna, Director or the Cranston Substance Abuse Task Force. “This program would not be possible without the help of several different groups including Cranston Police and Fire Departments and the Department of Transportation and Highway Safety.”

According to Janice Pascone, Garden City Center marketing director, “Cranston Family Safety Day is a great way to raise awareness of child safety issues and have fun for the whole family.”

For more information about Cranston Safety Day, please contact Dana DeVerna at 401.562.2244.

Many parents of Cranston schoolchildren were upset to find out that Bain Middle School activated lockdown procedures on Wednesday after a report of a suspicious person in the area.

It wasn't just the fact that there was a lockdown that was upsetting — many said they were troubled to learn about it via a breaking news alert here on Cranston Patch and not through the schools directly.

"I think the Cranston Police and school dept are being irresponsible for not informing all Parents of All Cranston students of what, where and why the lockdown was happening," said Elizabeth Tuttle on our Facebook Page. "For children with PTSD and anxiety disorders this sort of thing throws children Into a tailspin. Parents need to be prepared when children come home from school to be able to properly handle these situations."

"It's so scary for us parents to not know specifically what's going on when we are anxiously waiting for them to come home from school," said Maria Cardona.

Parent Julia Turner said she found out about the lockdown via the Patch and din't get notification from the school until 1:16 p.m. — hours after the Bain lockdown was initiated.

"Most of us parents have text messaging set up to text us when there is a school closing due to in-climate weather. Why wasn't this text messaging used to notify parents that our children's school is on lock down?" Turner asked. "I think there needs to be a heck of allot more communication with parents in emergencies such as this instead of sending out a letter after the fact."

The letter sent home to Bain students from Principal Jenny Chan-Remka told parents that the lockdown was ordered due to the suspicious person report in the neighborhood. (Letter is attached to this article.)

"I am proud of the staff and students who followed our lock down procedures as instructed. Our lockdown procedures were developed with the assistance of local police and fire officials. While no environment is absolutely risk free, we take safety seriously at Hugh B. Bain Middle School and practice our emergency procedures several times each year," she wrote.

Police continue to investigate the suspicious person report and said they'll release more information if they identify or find the person who was reportedly in the area when 911 was called. 

School officials clearly were trying to balance student safety with the need to notify parents. The question is — at what point does notifying parents of such an event cause more concern and worry than necessary? Or should parents be notified instantly, even if the situation is under control and all students are safe and sound? A rush of worried parents coming to the school after an alert poses safety issues of its own. But parents finding out after the fact, or through local media, causes fear and frustration too.

So what do you think? Should the district have approached the issue differently?

Anthony Cesino, 77, of Cranston, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2013 at the VA Medical Center in Providence.

He was born in Providence, a son of the late Guiseppe and Sarah (Mallardo) Cesino.

Mr. Cesino was a Sous Chef at the Sheraton Biltmore and was also employed at Ciba-Geigy in Cranston for 24 years. Anthony was also an Army veteran.

He is survived by his loving children, Pamela Ladish of Johnston, Danielle Cesino of Smithfield and Anthony R. Cesino of Cranston. He was also the cherished grandfather of Anne Celletti, Anthony W. Cesino, and Thomas Asprinio and the brother of the late Pasquale Cesino. 

His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9 am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory 1278 Park Ave., Cranston followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 244 Smith St., Providence. Burial will be private. VISITING HOURS: Tuesday morning 8-9 am.