Locals Helping With Sandy Relief Efforts

A truck of donations, organized by Waves of Creation owner Laura Winward, will soon be pulling into New York and New Jersey.

Thanks to Waves of Creation owner Laura Winward, and several other local businesses, a truck full of goods will be on its way this weekend to hurricane-affected areas in New York and New Jersey. According to Karen Forber, who is volunteering and helping Winward, donations have come in from Welcome House, Pier Pizza, Staples, Belmont Market, Sweenor’s and individuals. Forber said Winward grew up in New Jersey and Manhattan, which is why she organized the drive. “She’s been working her tail off on this,” Forber said. Other businesses identified as helping out on Waves’ Facebook page are Liberty Rentals, Point Judith Boats, Job Lot and Welcome Mart. More than 150 boxes have been filled so far. Other Efforts in Washington County

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Cha-Ching! Cash Mob Invades Jennifer's Chocolates

Jennifer's Chocolates on Robinson Street saw almost four times the business it sees most days thanks to Monday's enthusiastic cash mob shoppers.

A simple Facebook invite to 40 friends and a modest goal to drum up support for some of Wakefield’s struggling businesses ended in an $800 stimulus for one local shop on Monday. Laura Winward’s idea for a cash mob in Wakefield - think of a flash mob where participants agree to shop together, spending $20 each at a designated local shop - went viral with little more planning than setting a date and typing up a couple of paragraphs about her plan, garnering 655 invitations before Monday's event. Winward’s vision was to ignite a community effort to support small businesses across the state. “Unfortunately in a world of big box stores and this rough economy, they are dropping like flies,” said Winward, who owns Waves of Creation, 271 Main St, …

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Five Things You Need To Know Today

5 Things: Cash Mob, DJs and Hoops

Five things to know in SK on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012:

1. Spend, Spend, Spend. South Kingstown's first cash mob to help support local small businesses takes to stores this afternoon on Main Street. Waves of Creation owner Laura Winward organized the assemblage after reading a New York Times article about the mobs of shoppers that rush in on unexpectant local businesses and spend, spend, spend.  Participants should meet at 3 p.m. in the parking lot across the street from Waves of Creation, 271 Main St., Wakefield. From there, Winward will announce the name of the business to be mobbed and cash mobbers will walk as a group to the shop and spend some money. 2. Itching for some loud bass and fast beats? Catch Grammy Award-nominated Sweedish DJ Avicii tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Ryan Center, 1 …

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