East Bay

01:00 AM EDT on Friday, October 21, 2005

REGIONAL

Benefit gift certificates: Sardella's Restaurant, Memorial Boulevard, Newport, is using the Newport County Chamber of Commerce's gift certificate program as a means to give back to the nonprofit agencies in Newport County. For every $25 Chamber gift certificate sold and redeemed at Sardella's, the restaurant donates $5 back to a Chamber member nonprofit agency.

For this year, a donation of $800 was recently presented to Amanda Fry, executive director of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. According to Fry, this donation will put food in peoples mouths and support almost 18 families this Thanksgiving.

The Newport County Chamber of Commerce County Wide Gift Certificate program began in 1998 and has sold a grand total of 12,056, with over 190 Chamber member's participating in the program.

Concerts on the Point: The Triton Trio, Ani Kavafian, violin; Mihae Lee, piano; and William Purvis, horn, will be the featured performers at the next Concerts on the Point, Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Westport Point United Methodist Church, 1912 Main Rd., Westport Point, Mass. The program includes a sonata for violin and piano by Mozart, Three Romances by Clara Schumann for Horn and Piano, and Trios by John Harbison and Johannes Brahms.

Tickets are $16 ($10 for students under 21) and can be reserved by calling (508) 636-3901. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive by 2:30 as seats are not reserved. To learn more about other performers on the series and to find directions to the church visit us at concertsatthepoint.org

BARRINGTON

Trip to the Guggenheim: The New York Guggenheim Museum's fall show, Russia!, is the Nov. 1 destination of a day trip sponsored by Barrington Community School. This is the most comprehensive and spectacular showing of Russian art ever sent to the United States and was organized by a team of leading U.S. and Russian curators. Russia! is conceived as a series of key moments which, added together, tell the remarkable and interconnected history of Russian art of the past nine centuries, as well as Russian collections of Western art since the 18th century. The exhibition will demonstrate that Russia's outstanding achievements and major contributions to the history of world art extend far beyond the already well-known and revered icon paintings of the Russian Orthodox faith and avant-garde art of the early Soviet period. It will feature more than 250 of the greatest masterworks of Russian painting and sculpture from the 12th century to the present. The exhibition will include: Icons, portraiture in both painting and sculpture from the 18th to the 20th century; social realism since the 19th century as well as the Communist era; landscapes through the centuries; pioneering abstraction and experimental contemporary art. Many of the works will be seen for the first time outside Russia.

Also to be presented will be a selection of world-class Western European paintings and sculpture from the imperial art collections of Peter the Great, Catherine the Great and Nicholas I, who introduced Western art to the region in the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the Moscow merchants Sergei Schkukin and Ivan Morozov in the 20th century.

Guided tours with Guggenheim gallery educators on arrival will be followed by free time to revisit galleries to view works not included on the tour.

For more information about BCS trips and courses, call the office at (401) 245-0432, weekday mornings.

Garden Club to meet: Members of Barrington Garden Club will meet at the Barrington Town Hall Tuesday at 9 a.m. for the annual fall garden clean-up. Members will prepare their seven community gardens for the winter and plant bulbs which will herald the arrival of spring next year. Members are asked to bring rakes, bulb planters, and other garden tools as needed, as well as gardening gloves. Civic beautification is the primary continuing project of the club and is under the chairmanship of Mary Beth Kelly.

Halloween activity: The Bayside Family YMCA, 70 West St., will host "Halloween at the YMCA" Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Supervised activities will include ghost toss, pin the stem on the pumpkin, ghostly face painting, frightening finger-nail polish, creepy coloring, spooky closet and costume parade for treats, not tricks.

Halloween at the YMCA is a safe place where kids of all ages can dress up as their favorite character and have fun. The fee is $3 per child. This event is open to the community.

Halloween at the YMCA will deliver the same spirited and traditional activities families look forward to every year, and parents can relax, knowing their children are having safe and supervised fun.

Ghostly stories for children: Tales Best Told in the Dark, David Mello will chill, thrill and entertain with his diverse collection of ghostly stories and poems from around the world Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. After the program, the Children's Room staff will host more spooky activities and refreshments. Costumes are welcome; due to the nature of the program, children must be age 5 or older and the company of an adult is suggested. Registration is required.

BRISTOL

Shopping in New York City: The Bristol Department of Parks and Recreation will hold its annual shopping trip to New York City Dec. 10. Two motor coaches have been reserved. The trip will depart from Town Hall at 7 a.m. and return to Bristol around 11:30 p.m. Morning coffee and doughnuts will be provided as well as movies for the trip. Upon arrival in New York City, participants will be dropped off near Times Square. The cost is $35 per person and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. To register call (401) 253-1611 or (401) 253-7000, ext. 149.

Call to artists: Hope Gallery, Hope Street, will hold a Little Picture Show Nov. 16 to Jan. 8. Area artists are invited to participate. Categories include photography, painting, watercolor, mixed-media prints and drawings, and 3D sculpture. All medium types are welcome. Interested artists should call (401) 396-9117 or (401) 683-0146 for information. The gallery's Web site is hopegallery.net.

Prize winners: The Benjamin Church Manor Tenants Association held its annual drawing for prizes at its bazaar held Oct. 8. Winners in the drawing are as follows: First prize, Everett Medeiros, $100 gas card; second, Evelina Simoa, $100 money tree; third, Maria Perry, food basket; fourth, Candace Pansa, oil painting; fifth, Loretta DeCubellis, large afghan; sixth, Everett Medeiros, liquor basket; seventh, Melinda Foley, Tweet's gift certificate; eighth, Hazel Ouellette, The Cafe and Restaurant gift certificate; ninth, Phoebe Machena, Rhonda's gift certificate; 10th, Charles Sokoloff, bakers basket; 11th, Jackie Poisson, body and bath basket; 12th, Karen Querceto, Leo's Pizzeria gift certificate; 13th, Krystyna Schinigoi, telephone; 14th, Emil Zeitler, 1776 liquor gift box; 15th, Raymond Bond, Luke's Inn gift certificate; 16th, Evelina Simoa, small food basket and the special drawing for a Santa doll was won by Francis Leighton.

LITTLE COMPTON

Arts enrichment: The Newport Art Museum will offer arts enrichment classes for middle and high school students beginning Nov. 1 at the Little Compton Community Center, the Commons. The cost is $25 and checks should be made payable to the Newport Art Museum. Space is limited to 12 students per program. For more information about these programs, call Judy Hambleton, director of education, Newport Art Museum, (401) 848-2787.

Driver safety program: The AARP driver-safety program, 55 Alive/Mature Driving Course, will be offered Nov. 14 and 15 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Little Compton Senior Meal Site and the Little Compton Community Center, the Commons. This is an eight-hour safe-driving workshop for drivers 55 and older. Completion of this course entitles the participant to a course certificate that all insurance companies must honor with a reduction on auto-insurance rates. All instructors are certified AARP volunteers. The course fee is $12 each and a minimum of 12 participants is necessary, with a maximum of 20. Preregistration is required and payment must be received by Nov. 9, with checks made out to LCCC. Call (401) 635-2400 for more information or to register for the program.

NEWPORT

Lecture and book signing: James L. Yarnall, of Middletown, author of the first book to span the entire history of Newport architecture, will present a lecture and book signing Thursday at 4 p.m. at Salve Regina University's McKillop Library.

Yarnall, an assistant professor in the department of art at Salve Regina University, will speak on "The Pleasures and Perils of the Postmodern," and then sign copies of his book, Newport Through Its Architecture: A History of Styles from Postmedieval to Postmodern (Salve Regina University Press/Sept. 2005). The lecture is free.

Jet Set to Jeans: The final lecture in the month-long lecture series at Doris Duke's Newport home Rough Point, Bellevue Avenue, will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. The lecture series, which surrounds Rough Point's 2005 special exhibit, "Jet Set to Jeans," is one of the many educational programs offered by the Newport Restoration Foundation.

The final lecture, "Dressing the Part: The Social Role of American Fashion, 1900-1960," will be presented by Madelyn Shaw, associate curator of Costume and Textiles, RISD Museum of Art. The way women of all socio-economic levels think about and acquire their clothing has changed considerably over time. In the 1900s, the U.S. garment industry learned to combine art with business, making fashion available to the majority of women.

This lecture examines the American fashion scene, providing context for Doris Duke's wardrobe. Admission will be $5 per person and advanced reservations are required by calling (401) 324-6090 or e-mail lisaATnewportrestoration.org.

Taste of Newport: Child and Family Services will hold its 22nd annual Taste of Newport benefit dinner and auction Nov. 13 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Goat Island.

Businesses and individuals rally every year to donate items for the live and silent auctions as well as prizes for the drawing. Among the items in the auction is a sculpture by Kay Worden; a private tour and lunch at Vernon Court with Laurence and Judy Cutler, founders of The National Museum of American Illustration; and a cocktail reception for up to 50 people at Beacon Rock, a landmark estate overlooking Newport Harbor with food catered by Fine Catering by Russell Morin, bartending services by the Pour People, music by Steve Travis and floral design by Snapdragons.

Tickets are $100 per person, or $1,750 to be a Corporate Table Sponsor. Last year's event raised over $142,000 for CFS. To purchase tickets call CFS at (401) 849-2300 or visit cfsnewport.org. To donate, volunteer or become a Corporate Table Sponsor, contact CFS's Development Office at (401) 848-4101.

Grant awarded: The Redwood Library and Athenaeum has been awarded a bricks and mortar challenge grant in the amount of $500,000 from The Kresge Foundation to preserve and protect the Redwood Library's National Historic Landmark facility. The funds will be used to help with the installation of climate control and fire-suppression systems; improved wiring and lighting; building preservation and renovation; a 4,500 gross square-foot addition to provide for more space for shelving and use of the library; and the purchase of additional property at 10 Redwood St.

Founded by Colonial charter in 1747 by Newport resident Abraham Redwood, the library's original building was designed by America's first trained architect, Peter Harrison. In 1833, the library changed its name to The Company of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum to reflect its efforts to collect and bring a broader range of humanities materials and discourse to the community. In recognition of its significant historic and cultural value, the Redwood Library was designated by the Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark in 1962.

This historic landmark faces issues associated with age, overcrowding, preservation and access. The Redwood Library is currently facing its most severe challenge since the British occupied and looted it during the Revolutionary War. The requirements of modern technology necessitate the building of a new wing, and access for the disabled requires significant renovation. The Redwood Library has raised $13.6 million toward its capital campaign goal of $16 million. According to the terms of The Kresge Foundation challenge grant, the remaining funds to complete project funding must be raised before the release of the challenge grant amount of $500,000.

The Kresge Foundation is an independent, private foundation created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. It is not affiliated with any corporation or organization.

Annual basketball event: The third annual Carmella's Pizzeria Thanksgiving basketball tournament will be held Nov. 25 to 27 at the Martin Recreation Center, "The Hut," Golden Hill Street.

There will be four divisions: Boys and girls, 12 and under (cannot turn 13 during 2005) and boys and girls, grade eight and under.

The format is: All teams play at least two games; medals are awarded for first and second place; two 16-minute halves, running time, stopped time last two minutes of each half; overtime, three minutes R.T., all whistles at two minutes.

The entrance fee is $95 per team, Newport teams are returning teams given priority. No AAU teams allowed.

The deadline to register is Nov. 5; after the deadline, there will be no priority for any team.

Ballfields to be renovated: The City of Newport Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is undertaking a large renovation project on three ballfields this fall and early winter. The city had received a recreation development grant from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Protection to renovate the two ballfields at King Park.

The Fifth Ward Little League, Recreation Fall Baseball and Recreation Girls Softball program all use these fields, which were constructed over 50-years ago. The grant will allow the city to regrade the two fields for better drainage, replace the rusted fending and backstops, add irrigation and bury the overhead wires and remove the electric pole.

In addition, the city will be regrading the infield and a portion of the outfield at Cardines as well as a new off-field drainage system designed to increase playability after heavy rains. A portion of the contract will also start to upgrade the outfield fencing to raise it to a uniform height.

The bid went to Green Acres Landscape and Construction Company of Lakeville, Mass., who will begin working this week. The on-field portion of the work is expected to be completed in December so the fields will be available for play in the spring season.

PORTSMOUTH

Fall showcase: The Portsmouth Public Education Foundation will hold its third annual Fall Showcase Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Green Valley Country Club, Union Street. The event will include appetizers and cash bar along with a silent auction. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple. For tickets and information, call Maria Hurley, (401) 683-9612 or e-mail shellseeker77ATmsn.com.

The event will highlight the 2004 Educational Enhancement Grant Recipients. They are as follows:

Portsmouth Middle School -- Richard Price, Video Collection on the History of Jazz.

Hathaway School -- Rebecca Ragno, "An Author's Perspective"; Elisabeth Ridder, "Do You See What I See"; Denise Warner, Stephanie Arruda, Laurel Oliveira and Beth Roman "Owls of Rhode Island"; Laura Backman, "Chicks"; Stephanie Carroll, "Little Rhody."

Melville School -- Bryn Weymouth, Michele Polselli, Denise Webster, "Literacy Resource Center."

Portsmouth High School -- Michelle Beaulieu, "Career Scope"; Patricia McCarthy, Charles Simeone, "Ramp it Up!"

TIVERTON

Haunted House: Tiverton High School's Class of 2006 will sponsor a Haunted House Oct. 26 and 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $5 per person. All proceeds will benefit senior class activities.

WARREN

Ham and bean supper: St. Thomas the Apostle Church will hold a ham and bean supper tomorrow from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the church hall, 500 Metacom Ave.

The menu includes ham, baked beans, butternut squash, cole slaw, rolls, butter, coffee, soda and for dessert, apple pie or pumpkin pie. Tickets are $7 for adults, $3 for children age 12 and under. There will be a drawing for prizes and door prizes. Take out will also be available.

Outreach program: In the Bag, an outreach program run by St. Mark's Episcopal Church, will be open Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 16 School St.

This program offers high quality, seasonal clothing, toys and books at 50 cents or less per item. All those who make a purchase will be entered into a drawing for free groceries. The drawing is held at the end of the day and ticket holders do not need to be present to win. All funds raised are used to purchase groceries for those in need in the community. In the Bag is open the last Wednesday of each month.