Five Things You Need To Know Today: Oct. 26

All You Can Eat-

The will host an all you can eat spaghetti and meatball dinner starting at 5 p.m. tonight to help cover the cost of a few remaining essentials for the accessible playground. Funds will go towards shade structures in the playground area, bike racks, trash canisters, and vision and hearing panels.

Tickets will be available at the door and cost $8 for adults, $5 for children (4-12,) or you can purchase a family pack covering two adults and two children for $25. Checks can be written out to Globe Park School

New license plate-

First Lady Stephanie Chafee announced the availability of a new Rhode Island license plate in support of breast cancer research and awareness at a State House ceremony yesterday. Former State Representative Al Gemma introduced the legislation creating the plate, and the proceeds from sales will go to the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition. Plates can be ordered at www.breastcancersupportplate.org or www.breastcancerRI.org

Hug some trees with Largesse-

Nationally known arborist, local celebrity and self-styled ‘voice of the forest,’ Matt “Twig” Largesse of Jamestown will lead a daylong “expedition” of some of Rhode Island’s most magnificent trees and Old Growth forests on Saturday, Nov. 5, as part of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council’s “Tour Your Own Backyard” excursion series.

Largesse, a certified arborist and a Yankee Magazine “Preservationist of the Decade” has more than 25 years of forestry experience, brings a magical sense of wonder, and a wealth of knowledge, insight and experience to his lectures and stories. Hear captivating tales of his part in rescuing old growth and wilderness forests that make life possible on this green earth.

Walk through world famous old growth and wilderness forests, marvel at huge “Champion” trees in urban settings, ancient cemetery specimens, woodland, riparian and wilderness woodlands, all situated right here in Rhode Island, practically in our own backyards.

This excursion is for every level of interest, whether horticulturist, ecologist or just a lover of nature. The tour includes motorcoach transportation, picnic lunch, admission/access fees and Largessse's fascinating narrative and expertise.

The ticket price is $53 and reservations are required. Visit the Tourism Council at 175 Main St. Pawtucket or purchase them securely online at www.TourBlackstone.com/backyard1105.htm. For details call the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at 401-724-2200.

Fight Hunger-

Stop & Shop announced today that its 22nd annual Food for Friends program will kick-off on Fri., Oct. 28 and will run in all 398 stores through Dec. 8. Customers who donate $1, $3, or $5 at their local Stop & Shop will help support hunger relief organizations within their local communities as well as regionally. Customers who donate $5 to Food for Friends will also receive a $5 coupon booklet from Kraft Foods (while supplies last.) Stop & Shop’s goal is to raise more than $2 million this holiday season.
 
Based on the U.S. Census Bureau 2010 poverty report, last year, 17.2 million households were food insecure, the highest number ever recorded in the U.S. As economic times remain tough for many families, regional food banks and pantries are depending more on donations from company initiatives such as Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends program.
 
In its 22nd year, Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends program will deliver 100 percent of the dollars raised – 60 percent will be allocated directly to local food pantries; 40 percent will be donated to regional food banks. Last year, Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends program raised $2 million to feed families in need.

In addition to in-store donations, next month Stop & Shop will deliver 20,000 turkeys to local hunger relief organizations across the Northeast. Organizations that will receive the turkeys include: The Greater Boston Food Bank, YMCA of East Boston, Worcester County Food Bank, Food Bank of Western Mass., Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Food Share, Connecticut Food Bank, Food Bank of New York City, Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Long Island Cares, Island Harvest, Food Bank for Westchester County and Food Bank of Hudson Valley.

AT&T phone tips for Halloween-

Wireless calling is routinely up on Halloween and families can enjoy apps, videos and features to have fun while staying connected with calling, locator services and text messaging.
 
Below you’ll find five safety tips from AT&T for families to keep in mind before children hit the streets in search of goodies.

1. Make sure wireless phones are fully charged.
 
2. Pre-program contact information of parents, neighbors and emergency services into your and your child's speed dial, and be sure you know how to access these numbers with ease.
 
3. Establish boundaries - Families should have in place a familiarized route for children to follow while out on the town. Mobile navigation tools like AT&T Navigator can assist parents and kids in creating routes and goblins on the go can reference maps throughout the evening. Similarly, AT&T's FamilyMap Viewer allows parents to easily and immediately locate a family member's whereabouts from their mobile phone or PC so they can keep a close watch. Or consider a small tracking device that can easily slip into your child's candy bag like the Garmin GTU 10 and follow them via PC or mobile phone.
 
4. Set up periodic alarms with Halloween-themed tones as a reminder for trick-or-treaters to text or call home between candy collecting stops.
 
5. Don't miss a thing! Phones also come with photo, video and audio recorders, allowing spur-of-the-moment happenings to be captured and shared among friends and family in real time.