Monday Five: Council, Giving Tree, Polar Express, Sun

Council - The City Council meets tonight, 7 p.m. at City Hall in Harris Hall for a work session on prorating solid waste collection fees and sewer use fees for certain dwellings. After, they'll discuss the potential foreclosure of Glenmark Apartment Complex by RI Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation. An executive session on the matter is likely.

Giving tree - Mount St. Charles' Giving Tree is up and decorated! Every year, Mount makes Christmas food baskets for families that are involved with the Family Resources Community Action group. In addition, everyone at Mount can take a child's name off of the Giving Tree and add a toy to that child's family food basket! 

Polar Express - The Blackstone Valley Polar Express is back in Woonsocket Friday, Nov. 30, departing from Station One Depot Square at 4 and 7 p.m. 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 is also departing Dec. 1, 2, 7, 9, 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.

Sun - Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 45. The start of winter, Dec. 21, is the shortest day of the year, when the Sun reaches its most southern point in the sky at local noon. After this date, the days start getting longer.