Thursday Five: Santa, Commission, Charity, Express, Diner

Santa - St. Nick is clearing some time off his schedule between now and Christmas Eve to add a few things to his list - you can catch him tonight from 6-8 p.m. at the mini park next to City Hall, inside the Santa House. Check here for a complete schedule.

Budget Commission - The Woonsocket BudgetCommission meets today at City Hall, Harris Hall, at 3:30 p.m. to get an update from Robert Civetti of The Braver Group on the city/school audit. They'll also consider a request from WPD Cheif Thomas Carey to advertise for a police and fire dispatcher Test, a request form WFD Cheif Gary Lataille to to extend the appointment to the RI Urban Search and Rescue Team under a current memorandum of understanding and a recommendation from Superintendent Giovanna Donoyan on the appointment of a confidential secretary for her.

Charity - There are a lot of opportunities to help your fellow man during December. Two of them include making donations to the WPD holiday toy drive and the Because He Lives Ministries food kitchen. Navigant Credit Union is a local drop off spot for Toys for Tots, and the YWCA's Mitten Treeis up and ready. Spare some of your time for them today. 

Polar Express - The Blackstone Valley Polar Express is back in Woonsocket through Dec. 22, departing from Station One Depot Square for a 90-minute holiday excursion and reading of the Chris Van Allsburg’s classic, The Polar Express with appearances by The Chef serving hot chocolate and cookies, The Conductor, punching tickets, and The Engineer calling “All Aboard! Santa and Mrs. Claus appear and kids get a coloring book, crayons, and a very special gift presented personally by Santa.

The Polar Express departs Dec. 14,15, 16, 21, 22 at the following times:

Fridays: 4 and 7 p.m. 
Saturdays and Sundays: 1 and 4 p.m.

Diner for lease - Been itching to start up a new restaurant? Neighborworks Blackstone River Valley is offering experienced restauranteurs a lease of the diner car once home to “Champs Diner,” on Park Avenue, now waiting a new tenant and customers at 719 Front St. The car was one of more than 600 diners produced by the Worcester Lunch Car and Carriage Manufacturing Company. 

Applications to win the lease, including a resume and business plan, are due Feb. 13.