Summer concerts: The public is invited to two free summer concerts. The first concert kicks off Wednesday, July 16, at 4 p.m. at Capitol Ridge at Providence, 700 Smith St. Dixieland will feature New Orleans style jazz.

The second concert will be held Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 4 p.m. with Big Band sounds from more than a dozen musicians performing chart-topping favorites from the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.

Capitol Ridge at Providence provides independent living, assisted living and the Harbor Program, which provides specialized care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments.

For information, call Capitol Ridge at Providence at (401) 521-0090.

Award: When students return to Paul Cuffee School in the fall, they will find a host of newly published books on their library shelves by or about African Americans. Cuffee was one of three organizations chosen to win the 2008 Coretta Scott King Review Books Donation Award. The shipment of about 80 titles arrived right after school ended in June.

The contest is an offshoot of the American Library Association’s Coretta Scott King Book Award, “given to African American authors and illustrators for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions,” according to the ALA’s Web site. Both awards honor the legacy of Coretta Scott King for her commitment to continuing the work of her late husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Beginning in 2003, the Books Donation Grant was created to distribute multiple copies of the nearly 300 books submitted each year to the ALA. Grant recipients are chosen from among preschool programs, homeless shelters, charter schools and underfunded libraries around the world.

Other 2008 winners are the United Youth Action for Progress (UYAP) in Gulu, Uganda, and the PEAK Learning Center, in Thornton, Colo. UYAP feeds, shelters and educates 300 homeless children who have been orphaned in their war-torn part of Uganda. The PEAK Learning Center, like Paul Cuffee School, opened in the fall of 2001. Its target population includes disadvantaged students in grades three to five who are reading significantly below grade level.

Paul Cuffee is a charter school at 459 Promenade St. serving 442 kindergarten through grade eight Providence students. Its mission is to develop students’ personal initiative, respect for others and responsibility to our community, while preparing them for success in higher education and beyond.

It uses individualized instruction, small classes and an innovative, literacy-enriched curriculum integrated with the area’s maritime culture to maximize students’ learning skills and opportunities.

Grant: The Citizens Bank Foundation recently granted Dorcas Place $30,000 for its efforts to connect adult education services and curriculum to workforce systems and employers throughout the state.

Dorcas Place plans to use the grant to improve its Career Academy and Job Center services. It also plans on enlarging its learning resource center and computer lab to aid low-income residents statewide.

St. Martin dePorres Center: The center at 160 Cranston St. will be closed tomorrow and Friday for the holiday.

An identity protection program conducted by a representative of the attorney general’s office will be held Tuesday, July 15, at 10 a.m. The movie Coming to America will be featured July 18 at 1 p.m.

A summertime fun and food event is scheduled July 22, beginning at 10 a.m. with the showing of the Rocky Point movie, You Must Be This Tall. A cookout begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost for members is $3; guests, $5. At 12:30 p.m., five bingo games for cash prizes will be held. Cost is $5 per person to play all five games.

Choir meetings are held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and line dancing every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

For information, call (401) 274-6783.