Blackstone River tour canceled

All that rain has interfered with something else: The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has canceled a free river tour that had been scheduled for Sunday because the Blackstone River is running too high and too fast.

Council President Robert Billington said that “safety is first and foremost for our passengers” and that the rains have made boating on the river unsafe. He urged others to “be cautious before venturing out on the river.”

The National Weather Service said that the river peaked at Woonsocket Friday and has fallen somewhat since.

The council said that the free tours, sponsored by Citizens Bank, will resume July 12 and July 26.

BankRI branches taking food donations

As the Rhode Island Community Food Bank faces unprecedented demand with families hit hard by unemployment, Bank Rhode Island is helping by encouraging donations.

BankRI’s network of 16 branches will serve as drop-off sites for the collection of non-perishable food items until Friday, Aug. 28. Donations of canned soups, stew or chili, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, rice and tuna are encouraged and will aid needy Rhode Islanders as part of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s 2009 Summer Food Drive.

Officials hope to raise 200,000 pounds of food from the effort, with donations reaching every Rhode Island community through the Food Bank’s network of 285 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other emergency programs. BankRI will accept donations during normal business hours with collection bins placed in branch lobbies. BankRI has branches in Cranston, East Greenwich, East Providence, Johnston, Lincoln, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Providence, Smithfield, Warwick and Woonsocket.

For more information or to find specific branch locations and business hours, call (866) 4-BANKRI toll free or visit www.bankri.com.

Camp for youths dealing with loss

Youngsters who are dealing with loss can find help and understanding at Camp BraveHeart, a free, two-day summer camp sponsored by Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, for children ages 6 to 17 who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Traditional camp activities will include swimming, kayaking, archery, tower climbing, zipline, gardening, storytelling and arts and crafts. In addition, counselors will provide grief and emotional support through discussions, opportunities to memorialize loved ones, scrapbooking and remembrance circles.

Camp BraveHeart will be held on Aug. 26 and 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at YMCA Camp Fuller in Wakefield.

Transportation is available from pre-arranged pick-up and drop-off points.

For more information or to register, call (401) 415-4300 before Aug. 1.

Camp BraveHeart is made possible through donations from Valuna Restaurant in Saunderstown, the Maureen Carlson Camp BraveHeart Fund and CVS Caremark Charity Classic. Anyone wishing to donate to the Camp BraveHeart Fund may send a tax-deductible contribution to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, Department of Philanthropy, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

For more information about Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island’s bereavement and other services, visit www.hhcri.net or call (401) 415-4300 or (401) 415-4200.

Gowns offered to military brides-to-be

Military brides-to-be are invited to pick out a free designer wedding gown Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Ana’s Bridal Boutique, 456 Warren Ave., East Providence. To qualify, prospective brides must have proof that they are on active duty or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

The wedding gown giveaway is part of a nationwide campaign to show appreciation to the troops.

It will be a first-come, first-served event.

For details, call Ana’s Bridal at (401) 438-5932.

Fair looking for princess, queen

If you want to be a princess or a queen, perhaps you can enter the Washington County Fair competition for these titles. Applicants must be residents of Washington County, a member of a Rhode Island Grange, a 4-H Club or a Future Farmers of America chapter.

The princess contest is for girls 12-15 years of age; the queen contest is for teenagers.

Contestants will be judged on poise, personality, grooming, speaking ability and contest application.

For more information or an application, call Cindy Adams at (401) 215-5964 or visit www.washingtoncountyfair-ri.com.

Applications must be received by July 31.

Opera in the Park series opens Sunday

Opera fans take note.

The 2009 Italian Opera in the Park Series is under way on Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m. at Hopkins Square, on the corners of Branch Avenue, Charles Street and Hawkins Street.

Here is the schedule: America Sings, Sunday, July 5; Tutto Italiano, July 12; Lucy at Love, July 19 and Some Enchanted Evening, July 26.

The series is sponsored by Ward 4 Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr. and the City of Providence’s Department of Art Culture and Tourism.

For more information, call (401) 421-7740, ext. 714.

Clambake to support Fort Adams

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of McGrath Clambakes by attending a public clambake from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at historic Fort Adams in Newport. Proceeds will support efforts to restore Fort Adams and keep it open to the public.

The traditional clambake menu cooked over hot rocks covered with seaweed will include chowder, clams, mussels, lobster, brown bread, corn on the cob, chourico, chicken and watermelon. A children’s menu will feature hot dogs and hamburgers, corn on the cob, potato chips and watermelon.

Cost is $70 a person for the clambake with lobster, $60 without lobster. The children’s menu is $30. Members of the Fort Adams Trust will receive a $10 discount.

Advance registration is required. Call Laurie Labrecque at (401) 841-0707 to reserve tickets.

Compiled by Stephanie McKenna